Tuesday, July 25

New Toy , Plus, The Decision's Made

Hubby is continually coming across great deals. The man is famous for buying and selling things for an amazing profit. This is a common occurrence, that I'm somewhat used to, and I just love how he credits the Lord for the blessings! In recent months he has been blessed with a tractor-loader-backhoe, a wire-feed welder, an industrial air compressor, a scissors lift (which is an enclosed platform that you climb onto and then are lifted up, kind of like an electric scaffold), and various other things that he will either keep and use or sell. All of these things have been purchased with the idea that they are of great use, will save us time & money, or will be sold for a profit.

Sometimes though, in spite of all the good reasoning, I suspect a toy. You know the saying, "boys & their toys." I can't possibly raise a fuss though, with all of the good his "treasures" have done us.

Therefore...

After much deliberation, and just plain nerve-wracking price comparisons, I've settled on this toy




Allow me to justify...

I have a steady flow of data entry for our business. I can now do it in the kitchen (the hub of activity) instead of in our bedroom. Thus, I am more available to my family, and am there to witness Mudge scale the bookshelves rather than hear about it second hand!

Our "game" machine will soon be needed for Bud's homeschooling as he will be using Switched on Schoolhouse, which is computer-based. In addition, a laptop will be ever so handy on extended trips to keep up on his studies. Ahem... I will sacrifice my laptop for this cause.

And last, but not least...

Our current business computer, which is 5 years old, will soon find itself in a new home! On a countertop, in our new shop, which we hope to break ground for in the very near future! There. I've said it. The cat's out of the bag. For those of you close to us, we pulled out of the bidding war for the blue building. We have moved on to plan B, which is to remove our land from the forestry project, and build east of the house.

We hope to have the cement slab down and the shell up before the snow falls. Which, I'm finding, is typically how we time things around here. We have plans to expand, and hire at least one person at this point. We have someone in mind, he knows it, and we're hoping that it works out for all parties involved. Please pray for us, specifically in this area. If this person were to join us, it would be a huge decision for he & his wife. It would involve him leaving a secure position, a house sale, etc. Very messy stuff. He's the one we want though, and we hope it's God's will for this man to join Steve in this endeavor.

Exciting stuff I tell ya! It is never dull around here.

Speaking of "never dull", I just came back from our master bath. I kid you not. There was a frog trying to hop past the shower curtain to get into the shower! I guess it's raining so hard out right now the frogs are coming inside for shelter!

So this concludes tonight's post. I have a lightening show to go and enjoy, as well as an appointment with the sandman.

good night.

Change-a-roo

While most of you probably didn't notice, I did remove the photo header of the blog. The kids no longer greet you. This is only a temporary thing as I plan on monkeying with my template some in the future. I figured the best thing to do was take it back to the original template offered by Blogger (does anyone else wonder why they don't offer better templates?) and start from scratch.

Now, here's a question for you. There are tons of blogs out there that have a "scrapbook-like" feel to them. How do they do that? Is it all just a background image? Do you need a special software to do it? Man! Do I really need to start another project? It's so much fun though! Kind of like slamming your finger in the car door. That kind of fun : )

So, anyway, if you noticed? Very observant of you! If you didn't? Don't sweat it. Blog on.

Sunday, July 23

Superior-Part I

Oh people...

do not underestimate our great inland sea Lake Superior. You may know about the ferocious storm that took the Edmund Fitzgerald down. You may have experienced the lake-induced temperature change when driving into Duluth. Maybe you've even swam in the frigid waters or watched the waves crash upon the shore.

But let me tell you, unless you have actually been on the water, with nothing but water for any reasonable distance around you, rolling waves lifting you UP and then down, then UP again (repeatedly), then you do not know the power of this lake; named so well, Superior.

I was determined to try some new paddling. Big Water paddling we call it. Last weekend we set out on a 2-day trip to one of the Apostle Islands. Being that it was only about 3 miles out, I thought it would be an easy paddle. I mean, we've paddled over 10 miles in one day before, what's 3? Famous last words. We had a stiff west wind beating us up for the whole 3 miles on the first day. The waves were just a nuisance, as they were choppy and spashy. The trip back to the mainland the next day was what sealed the deal for me. No more Big Water for this gal, river kayaking is for me. Give me white water or gravel beds. Give me shore lines that are a stone's throw across. No long, skinny kayak in my future plans thank-you-very-much.

Our guides told us on the mainland that the crossing we made to get back was some of the most technical paddling they'd done with clients. No wonder I was woozy. I think I would have kissed the shore once I got out of my boat if it weren't for that it was 95 degrees and the sand was fire-hot.

Now, I would like to point out... I'm not ruling out doing another trip like this. Camping with your boat is awesome! Taking off to a remote place with nothing but limited gear, food, my boat, and a paddling buddy sounds like a slice of heaven. I'm just going to have to practice my rescue skills and do more cold water paddling. As for the waves... I'm at a loss. I guess you just keep paddling for all you're worth.

The whole time I was paddling I kept saying, "God, please get us all to shore, just get us all to shore." And of course He was faithful in His answer. He sure has a way of putting it all in perspective. I'm just this little speck, on this large body of water, pretty much powerless if something nasty comes my way. But with Him, I can make it. He cares for me, and even though life's waves come as little splashy nuisances or even big rolling upheavels, He cares for me and I just need to trust in Him and His love for me. He'll see me to the shore.

Here's a link to a few pictures of the trip. I still need to have my water camera developed, and the pics scanned in. I'll post those as soon as I can.

Tuesday, July 11

Anderson Reunion Pics

This is a link to a new project of mine. It's an online photo album. Let's give it a try, shall we.

Just run your mouse over the thumbnail image, it will show the caption. Or you can start a slideshow, without captions.

Some family feedback on the online album would be nice.

Chetek Anderson Reunion

Saturday, July 1

Missing

Yesterday we hit the beach. Had a great time, water isn't too green yet. Brought the camera but found that I'd forgotten to insert memory card. Alas, no cute shots of kids in green water.

Fast forward...

Played a game from my youth last night called Mexican Horseshoes (Thanks Dad!) The kids love it, Steve loves it, it's a hit. Ran inside to grab the camera, and memory card. Card is not in the card reader OR the camera. This is not good.

My theory: Little Mudge fingers found little memory card plugged into computer. Lost for good, or at least until the new memory card arrives from ebay.

Why can't a memory card come up missing during the doldrums of winter? Does it have to vanish right before a family reunion, 4th of July, and vacation time?

Well, of course.

Thank goodness for ebay, and FedEx.

Happy 4th of July! Take lots of pictures of the ones you love!