Tuesday, May 29

Memorial Weekend '07 Recap

The last few days have been such a blur, that I'm sure I'll be leaving out some details. There is no doubt we worked hard, played some, and will need to catch up on some sleep.

On Friday night, Steve & I enjoyed a date. We dined at my current employer's, on the patio, and then launched the kayaks off their shore. We had the lake to ourselves, the water was like glass, and there was nary a bug to be found. As we headed in for the night we were engaged in a territory dispute with the lake's resident bachelor beaver. When he'd slap his tail on the water's surface it sounded like gunshot. It was fun to paddle around looking for him, only to find he'd given us the slip and was tailing us.

Saturday was spent working around the farm (as I'm told I have one now), and the new Shop site. I don't know the details of what Steve accomplished that particular day, as I was up to my eyeballs in horse fence & chicken wire, and recyclables (don't ask). Luckily my kids have great fun tagging along, and had been up late the night before at sleepovers. They all napped. Then I headed off to work, and poured myself into bed somewhere close to midnight.

Sunday morning was spent resting at church, and I don't mean catching a few winks. ( I can't believe how many people I've seen do that!) Anyhoo... we came home to lunch in the oven, which I have to say is one of my favorite things. I love having the smell of roast greet you as you open the door! Then it was nap time for me & Mudge, as I was not functioning at that point.

After nap, I wandered down to the work site to find this....



And no... our site isn't really bowl-shaped. The picture is wonky.
You're looking at the beginning of our heated floor. It was like an assembly line, so I'm told. Bud had a job, Sis had a job, and Steve & Joe scrambled for 2 days getting it from this to this:



to this:



We wrapped up our weekend with a couple hours on our local, beautiful Red Cedar River. Steve & the girls used our new tandem kayak, and Bud went solo for the first time in mine. He did very well, but had to be reminded "slow & in control".

Before we even launched the boats we were treated to the antics of 4 river otters playing & dunking each other. Then a short time later we watched a huge snapping turtle take a slide down a very steep bank into the water, ker-sploosh! Not sure if it meant to take that particular route, as I can imagine it walking along the upper bank, minding its own business, and then the dirt giving way.

We saw numerous ducks, geese, and the ever-present eagle. I've never paddled that river and not seen at least 2 eagles. One stopped escorting us downriver long enough to pose:



Steve & I were able to have a good chuckle for a good chunk of the river trip. See, Bud is afraid of bears. Not your normal, healthy respect for a large, powerful animal. No, it's more like frenzied fear. So, as we're paddling along, we hear this very loud, echoing large-animal sound and Bud gets this look of terror on his face. Steve ran with it. He said, "wow, did you hear that bear?!" Knowing full well it was just a cow in the neighboring field. LOL.

So for over 1/2 hour this cow bellowed every so often, and each time you'd think Bud was going to turn that boat around and paddle up river to the put in point. Finally we had to tell. So now Bud's fear of the Dairy Bear will go down in history. It was great, and yes... we often have a good chuckle at Bud's expense. Isn't that what kids are for?!

I'll leave you with a couple more pics, and wishing you all a great week.

Thursday, May 24

Runneth Out

Last week I was able to get my rain barrels set back up on their stands, hook up a downspout, and repair the gutter. Just in time for Rain, Glorious Rain!

This morning, between downpours, I went out to check on the critters and nose around the garden & yard barn. While out, I remembered the rain barrels. Curious about their fullness I wandered over to find one completely full, running over. A welcome surplus, considering how dry it's been. I found the other barrel to be completely.... EMPTY!? What in the world?

I bent down to check the water spigot that hubby had installed in the barrel bottom, and guess what I found? Yep. The spigot was turned to the "open" position, and every precious drop of water had escaped the barrel almost as fast as it had been collected.

I know there must be a life lesson there, and I'm sure the Lord will bring it to my attention just as soon as He thinks I'm ready.

In the meantime, I had a good chuckle.

And yes, the spigot is "off" and it's earning its keep this very moment.

Tuesday, May 22

It's Just a Number!

That's what I keep telling myself.

Under normal circumstances I would not be on that scale 1-2 times a week, and seriously? If not for this May Day Challenge, I would continue to avoid it.

On Monday night, before I stepped on the scale, I considered all of the physical activity of the past weekend. The garden, the horse fencing, the laundry hanging, etc. Then I considered what I'd eaten for the past 3-4 days. I felt confidant the scale would report a lower number than last week.

Sure enough!! I was 3 lbs lighter! Alright! Knowing that I will continue to have a huge physical workload for weeks to come, and that I'm scrutinizing every bite, the next 10 lbs shouldn't be that hard. (famous last words)

Fast forward to Tuesday morning.... I walked into the bathroom and spied the scale. Surely it would read the same number. I stepped on, waited, and about sent the scale sailing when it reported 5 lbs heavier than 12 hours before! I know I retain water, but sheesh!

So, I am happy to report that the kids will be receiving a scale for their bathroom upstairs, and I am investing in something that touts accuracy. A weekly mind game is not what I signed up for with this May Day Challenge.

Thursday, May 17

Ladies Paddling Fellowship

Wanted to let all of my church family gals know that there is a sign up on the bulletin board @ church for 2 kayak outings. They are Saturday morning, July 7th & Tuesday evening July 17th.

There are a limited number of spaces, so sign up soon! I would love to see you join us! If you've got questions, please email me.

The cost is $15 for your boat, lifevest, paddle, and shuttle. Each outing will offer 2-1/2 to 3 hours on the water.

Wednesday, May 16

Rain & Frost

**Update**
Turns out a woman at the zoning office gave us inaccurate info. We have no permit or fee troubles any longer. Our cement snags are being repaired, with no expense (other than delay) to us, and hey! the sun is shining and it's beautiful out! Praise God again!


Praise God for the rain (and thunder) we're getting today!

But watch out tonight! We'll get frost, so cover those flowers.

If you happen to think of us today, please pray. We've run into some cement work snags, some permit & fee troubles, and plain old ordinary discouragement.

Think sunny thoughts in spite of the drizzle.

Tuesday, May 15

Wissota State Park Open House

**UPDATE**

The person that gave me this info told me it was a Sunday. Oops. It's on Monday, which seems very strange.



I thought this sounded fun. It is a very nice, clean, close-to-home state park. It would make for a nice Sunday afternoon reprieve from the shop building.



JUNE 4 , OPEN HOUSE DAY AT THE PARK:

On June 4, open house day, activities are from 1-4 p.m.

Activities include:

1 P.M. Playground Dedication, Beach Area
1:30 p.m. Refreshments, Nature Center

Other Activities: 1:30 p.m.

  • Free canoe rides at boat landing
  • Free kayak rides by Spring Street Sports
  • Bluebird hike - 2:00 p.m. at Prairie Wayside Signs
  • Scavenger Hunt
  • Fun craft activities

Call Lake Wissota State Park (715) 382-4574 or email Middendorp at allen.middendorp@wisconsin.gov for more information on the Park Open House event.

I don't want to talk about it.

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Well, not at any great length anyway.

I have not lost any weight. My clothes are not any looser. But I am taking comfort in that it's only been one week, and I can retain water like no one's business.

I have seen the scale read 5 lbs difference from one day to the next. This, ladies, is why I would encourage you to throw those devices OUT! and simply go with how your pants are fitting, and how you're feeling energy-wise.

I'm hoping that all of the miles I put on at work, the planting of the garden, and the endless stream of laundry hauling to the clothes line will eventually pay off. That, and really good salads for lunch, no snacks after 7, and copious amounts of drinking water. I'm counting on a change in pant size, despite that @#$% scale.

Thursday, May 10

Note To Mom:

Yes, your visit today gave you a taste of a typical day at Anderson Adventures....

Horse freaking out about the tractor working the neighbor's field....

5 kids running around, talking all at once, spilling lemonade....

husband backing down the driveway, in a HUGE bus, ready to take you out if you don't move!

14 little month-old chicks cheeping & pecking....

Mudge not sharing, Sis telling her version of some story, and Bud showing up from school to lend some balance to the chaos...

This is just a fraction of my day, and you know what? I wouldn't give it up for nuthin'!

You weren't able to witness mealtime, or bathtime, or bedtime...

These are equally crazy, nutso, exhausting. But oh so rewarding, blessed, and fun.

I hope you weren't scared off by the madness.

This is my life.....

what an adventure.

Wednesday, May 9

(shhhhh. a new toy came today)

A new toy came for me the office today.




What, pray tell, does one put on a 500GB hard drive?

Anything. I. Want.

Yeehaw.

New Shop Site - Early May




I was finally able to stitch together a panoramic shot of the new shop site. I hope to post as visible progress is made.

Please pray for our cement contractor, as they had a terrible accident in their family last weekend, which led to the death of his brother.

Tuesday, May 8

Loss (the good kind)

Yep. That's a new button on the sidebar. I've often wondered about blogs that have SO many of them. How can they possibly have time to visit them all, or be affiliated with them? It seems like so much busyness! So this is a stretch for me.

I intend to participate in the May Day weight loss challenge, and part of participating is being accountable. Linking to the challenge, posting about my goals & plan of action, and then sticking to it. Accountability.

Now don't even start on me. I've mentioned wanting to shed pounds to various people and I hear, "Why? You look great." While I don't necessarily agree, I should point out that I'm doing this because of how I feel, not how I feel I look. I have minimal energy, less stamina, and a closet full of clothes that haven't been worn since Mudge. Getting into those favorite, comfy jeans of mine is one of the goals.

So, for the next 6 months or so, I hope to keep up on weekly posts about this challenge. And if the thought of yet another mom fussing over her weight bores you (and I don't blame you), then click on over to waterdivas.net to see what Jodi & I are up to. Maps! Web Albums! A video! A multi-woman trip on the Mississippi in 4 days!

This kayaking gig? Yet another reason to shed some pounds. I rather have the extra weight I'm lugging around be my gear, not my rear.

Sunday, May 6




There are blogs out there that have the prettiest layouts, and I've noticed that there is a common denominator! It's Jules at Everyday Design.

She is offering a chance to win a free blog makeover!! So if you're interested, click on the image above.

Now, if I win I'll need to decide if Anderson Adventures or WaterDivas will get the new look. Care to weigh in, Jodi?

Wednesday, May 2

iPod contest

Thanks De, for the heads-up on the contest. I hope one of us wins!

If any of you are interested in a chance at winning an iPod, click here:

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