Live from Tormville!

home from camping

I'm *home* from camping - but still in Upper Michigan - I'll stick around until Monday.  Pa, meanwhile, is at home enjoying his new kayak and reporting that yes...the boys room is now painted.

Longer report coming - but for now, some things I learned while camping - 2009 version

• Always check the coffee pot before packing it.  That three years being stored away may have caused it to malfunction
• Always check which way the wind is blowing before emptying the pee bucket
• Brats aren't really all that bad.  I hate hot dogs, so I never tried them deeming them just a bigger fatter hot dog.  I was wrong.
• Camping without another adult is not really my bag. I'd camp with a bunch of ladies - or try again when my boys are bigger - but not having an adult partner was a drag
• Hanging out at the fire alone at night is boring.  I almost called Poker for old times sake to see if he'd come out and tell me some stories and jokes
• I can still hike to the end of the pier - but Allan could have lapped me twice.
• Not all campers appreciate kids
• Fire takes a lot of effort to put out thoroughly when it's windy
• Brian needs more experiences in his life.  We got to the cabin and his first question was - "where's the computer?"
• Bringing three kids to the shower at 10:30 at night and trying to keep them from stepping in the mud while wearing their bunny suits is a trip.
• Walking the 1/2 mile or so to the bathroom at 10:30 at night to wash the kids and realizing you forgot a fresh diaper for the youngest - is the pits
• Chalk is entertaining
• and so are empty pop cans

more later
be good!

the fourth of july rundown

I'm enjoying some good sleep on vacation. 
Yesterday we slept far too late to make it to the 9:30 parade so we opted for the noon parade instead

where we very much enjoyed Brian waving the Miss America wave to everybody who paraded by.  My kids still have candy left....I don't know if it will last until next weeks parade, but it'll be close

From the parade, we took the kids and their candy bags (we lose Allan to cousins whenever we come up here) straight to Cypress where my grandma Laakso now hangs out. She and my aunt Edna (grandma's sister) sit on this couch together and pass the hours and days.  I figure I better document this visit as she couldn't quite remember who had been there before us.  Was it Jon?  Wayne? She's still pretty sharp and her humor hasn't changed a lick, but her memory is slipping.  We were there.  Proof.

We then went to my grandma Eskola's - but I didn't take any pictures there - I was too busy keeping Mark from tearing the place apart.

After afternoon naps (vacation rocks) we headed out to McLains to visit some cousins there. Wendy and Naomi - my cousin Tim's daughter) hit it off big time.  They were both so sad that our vacation at McLains doesn't overlap. They acted as if they've known each other forever - but there are many miles between us, they might have met once before

We hung out long enough to catch the sunset - the choice we picked over a long drive to fireworks - and then called it a day.

This morning I've been to church
and now I have to make my list, head to the store and pick up my groceries for the next four days.  It looks like it's going to be beautiful weather for camping. 

I won't be checking in again until late Thursday.

be good!

north

That picture in the previous post was taken at the top of the castle (as Brian calls it).  We stopped at the bridge to enjoy our picnic lunch (while shielding it from the many sea gulls) and we enjoyed a bit of a wander.  All in all, we were probably there for two hours (I'm without a watch, so it's a guess) which is much longer than I enjoy stopping - but I have to remind myself some times to take time to smell the roses and to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. 

Brian really wanted to go into the castle (as he called it).  So we checked it out.  It was very reasonable for the five of us to get in - I was $6, Allan and Wendy were $4 each and the little boys were free.  Brian was the exact height required to get up to the light, so Allan and I took turns minding Mark while we went up.

The reason they have a height requirement because after climbing the 57 stairs on the curved roundy staircase - there is a ladder (as kinda seen in the last post) to climb to the top level.  While we were waiting for our turn to go up the ladder, I got a giggle out of our view.  I was scolded a bit by our tour guide, all of whom were dressed in period costumes, but I took it anyway.  It tickled me. 

I'll confess there was a point at the beginning of the trip where I was very much debating to turn around and go back home as the kids bickered and fussed - but I tuned them out and carried on.  I had the thought out loud tho that someday maybe Pa should take the kids on a ten day and I"ll stay home.  The kids thought that would be a grand idea.

I called Pa last night - he took yesterday off as a floater - literally.  He took his new kayak out on Thompson Lake in the morning - came home and had dinner - then went out on Lake Chemung in the evening. Today he thinks he's going to paint the boys room.  I say he's going to wake up with mighty sore arms.

Meanwhile - this crew is planning to go to a noon parade.

I best get ready.....

somewhere between home and my mom's house.....

...today, I took this picture.  Any guesses?   :)

check. check. check. check.....

Swimsuits - check
Towels - check
mittens - check
chooks (hats) - check
winter jackets - check
shorts - check
long jons - check
flip flops - check
sleeping bags - check
bug dope - check
camera - check

I think we're nearly ready.......

brain cells in a whirl wind

My hope is to leave tomorrow.
Hope

It will be the kids and I headed north (10 hours north of here) for 10 days - give or take.  I will be staying at my moms on both weekends, but will be lounging (heh) in the Hemlock cabin (small)  (very small), on the shore of Lake Superior for the first four days of next week.

Pa can't come
Seems he has to be local and on call because 'the other guy' is getting married or some such thing
Marriage trumps camping, I guess.

My list is long for today

Pack
pay bills
pack
figure out what to bring camping
pack
laundry
balance the checkbook
tidy the shack
make a honey do list

Ah - the honey do list

Seems some jobs are easier to get done around here when the other five of us aren't around.  Do you remember we tried this whole list thing last year?  Do you remember how that went down?

Pa got called out of town.  hmph.

So here's hoping it happens this year - this is the beginning of his list....

shampoo the living room carpet
paint the boys room (we bought paint last night and tested it with a few swipes for my approval) (I approved)
hang the curtain hardware in the boys room
hang the curtains
heh

That's just the beginning of that list.....

Oh!

also to mention - Pa is planning a Christmas in July sale with his woodcarvings. He has some set aside already and will be making more while I'm gone.  We'll be putting those up when I get home.

Just so ya know.

Okay - lots to do - time to fly. 

has anyone seen my mittens?  I heard it's 44 degrees on the shore of Lake Superior where I'm going camping

I'm having a hard time getting fired up and motivated.
Go fig.

Your wish is my command. All of the above and a bonus

it would appear to be a clear case of, "all of the above" 

I'm cool with that. 
Let's start with
number one:  more quilt photos

mmmmmmm.  The flaws are many, but goodness golly, I don't even care.  Someone asked on the flickr group if this was my first quilt - and you know, I had to think.  I grew up around quilting....my mom and my aunt are avid quilters and it's just always been a part of my life.  And I've done quilting - hand quilting - like, 20 or 30 years ago.  But my fingers cramp up and my wrist gets sore and I've, for a very long time felt like anything else just isn't quilting so I went the all or nothing route.

I'm a convert.  My machine quilting is no match for my hand quilting - not even a close second. But it fits my life right now and I absolutely had a ball with this.  This is my first quilt.  My first quilted quilt.  All my hand quilting went on pillows and all my since then patchwork blankets were tied. 

How fun is that?  I can hardly wait to get home from vacation and finish up Brians.  This one still needs the binding finished on it - but it's so close to done I can taste it.  

so then...

number two: more wedding photos

I was mentioning to someone on facebook in regards to this photo, that this is one of the advantages of two photographers.  This was my sister-in-law Julies set up and shot, but as I was standing off to the side with the zoom lens, I couldn't help but notice what a fun shot it was from a different angle as well.

(I really see her auntie Sheri in this above photo)

I call this one - "Aunties Smitten"

Alright then - onto number three:  The Mole  (You know you can't resist it)

Number Four:  This day last year

I'm, uh, not sure.  Must of been one of those daily photo things or something.  This is my favorite preserve.  mmmmmmm.

Number Five: Uncle George on the Swing

wooohoooo!  wheeeeee!

Number Six: Confirmation Cards

I stamped the same message inside both of them.  And look at me - four days before the event.  Wow.

And a bonus:

I ran to my cousins this morning to take pictures of her one month old twin boys.  As I scooted out the door I told the kids that I'd be gone about an hour.  I was gone for three.  I have a whole new respect for anyone who has ever gotten a good photo of one month old twins.  I broke a sweat.  They did not fall in line with my visions at all.

But they were worth it.  Brian on the left, Brendan on the right.

okay - off to get some packing started......
be good

What would you like to see today?

Help me decide.....

1. More quilt pictures
2. More wedding photos
3. The mole on my big toe
4. This day last year
5. Uncle George on the swing
6. Confirmation cards - after I make them (first thing on my list today)

My quandary is obvious

I'll go read the last chapter of my book and have my morning coffee while you decide.....  *wink*

The Garage Sale Report

My quick short report is that yes - I did make enough money to purchase two kayaks.  That was my goal so I'm satisfied.

But. Next time I'll try harder to have the sale in May.  May garage sales are just better attended, even though we had this one during our local balloon festival.  And - I'd have to say that Saturday - the third day of our sale and a day I almost didn't agree to - was our busiest day in traffic and in numbers.  Crazy, that. 

While it took my 3.5 hours to box and sort all the stuff we had left - we did move a lot of stuff.  These chairs (*sniff* I loved these chairs)  all went quick - seven of them at $5 a pop.  I remember how thrilled I was when I bought them at a garage sale - but I just don't have room here so out they went. 

With 18 pairs of feet between us - we had lots of shoes.  Not too many of those went - they are bagged and ready to take to Salvation Army today.

I made a lot of people happy with my stamps - and I have the names and numbers of two people who were interested in negotiating what I have left for a lot price.   I also made a few stampers happy with my great deals on my discontinued Technique Tuesday stamps.  As it so happens, I was chatting with my boss (I always answer the phone - 'hey there boss!') at Technique Tuesday last night and she gave me free rein to get rid of my old/discontinued stamps as I please - ebay, whatever.  So watch for those sometime after vacation.

I moved a TON of scrap product.  I love how guests bring piles to the register and wonder if I'm giving up the hobby.  You have no idea, is what I often answered while MaryKay expounded on how much I still have left.   I love seeing people fired up on great deals.  I don't have much of this left at all - but have names of people who most of it will be going to.

That dresser on the right was the first thing to sell - and we moved a LOT of clothes.  What was left of the clothes I peeled stickers off and sorted - many boxes will go to Salvation Army today and the best of the lot is bagged up in two giant garbage bags and in my van ready to head north with me this weekend.

And lots and lots and lots of books.  We lost a bunch of these in the storm (did I mention the storm??) Did you know that books absorb water like a sponge but feel like a brick when they are full.  True story. 

We did manage to save most of them tho and made a lot of folks happy with a quarter for a paperback bargains.  Pa hauled the remaining three boxes to the library last night for their monthly friends of the library book sale.

Did I mention it stormed? 

This was taken on Thursday at about 3:30 or so.  It was so awful we could only but laugh.  It was horrid. 

The rain came so suddenly and the drops were so large that we were soaked instantly. I quite literally wrung out my underwear when we finished cleaning up.  We used a tarp to cover the shoes and the books at the beginning of the driveway while we scrambled to put everything else in safety, but no matter how fast we moved we couldn't do it fast enough.  And while we originally put things under those two tents thinking they'd be safe - the wind soon picked up and everything under there was getting soaked as well.  I didn't get a picture of our loaded wet soggy garage (where the rain was going in a good three feet) but trust me - it was a mess.  We lost books, and boxes, and boxes, and all our packaging, and my calculator took a day to dry out and work, and it was just a big huge muddy icky mess.

By 8 in the evening or so - I was able to dig thru some of the wettest things and get them on the line - all the hockey gear, some clothes, some shoes....that sort of thing.

By the time we opened the next day - there wasn't a sign of the storm.  Well, except for my overflowing dumpster and the wet pile of boxes in the yard.

Back at it the next day - the kids had fun.  The boys played a lot in the sandbox, rode their bikes around the makeshift track I made on the deck and played in the pool

(note my garden in the background....there's things growing in there!)

This guy is my buddy - we enjoyed some snuggle time on Saturday when all the kids were pretty well done/overtired and ready to hang it up.

Wendy enjoyed making a bit of money by selling soda and water. These guys really worked the booth. 
(and we definitely needed more tables - Pa was going to bring some from work but ended up not working in the office the last few days. Alas and all that.  next time)

The shot that I missed tho was of Markie working the booth - taking money and passing someone a drink when his older siblings and cousins had ditched the booth. 

I was so exhausted after it all that I didn't make it to Saturday's wedding, let alone our local balloon festival.  And I put my feet up the entire day on Sunday - the back of my legs so sore from I have no clue what.  I'm still struggling to get up and down the stairs.

It'll be a few years before I do it again - perhaps when I really feel the need to get that new dishwasher and countertop.......

The whole day long my dining room looked like this.....

A million things to do before I head up north and here I am quilting. 
It's a sickness

I finished all the quilting on quilt #1 today. Well - except for snipping all the threads and stuff - but the inmates were hungry and demanding dinner so that will wait for this evening.

Tomorrow I hope to start the binding.  I'm antsy now to quilt Brian's quilt too.

And I'm really really anxious to wash the quilt and watch it get all cozy like.

But now - off to storage to find some cold weather camping gear.  I hear it's currently getting down to 40 at night.  fire up. 

I might have to bring that quilt along......