Live from Tormville!

our cabin in the wood

I have a list taped to the inside of my cupboard.  It says.....

1. Hemlock (this cabin)
2. Cedars
3. Maples

That's the order of my favorite cabins at the park.  This one was ideal for us on this trip as that ramp was utilized extensively by my little boys with their bikes and the big kids with their ripsticks.

I also like this one because it's set back from the road, with plenty of sidewalk for the kids to play on.

Cozy, warm and dry. They rent these even in the winter time for the real die hards. 

Anyway.

Back at the ranch......

it's raining. finally.  my grass is soaking it up.
I'm looking forward to an at home day today - making my list of what to do's
I told the kids that there is no teasing or fighting allowed today.  And I meant it. Dog-gone-it.
Wendy has a sore throat
Markie still isn't sleeping
Today we'll home remedy - tomorrow we'll decide if we have to go to the doctor - again
I'm so sick of going to the doctor I could screech
I picked up some new books at the library last night - a Patterson and a Kingsbury - talk about far ends of the spectrum
My house is a mess
If I were rich, I'd hire a maid to clean and cook
then I might actually get my binding done......

be good!

He did laps around me, but I'm okay with that

One of the more difficult things about camping alone, was keeping each of the kids entertained.  The age gaps in our little family can make this tricky, Allan being ten years older than his brothers - Wendy being, well, a girl - the little boys being, well - little.  

Each situation calls for a different solution.

Allan wanted to walk the pier - but it wasn't something I felt real comfortable with him doing alone.  And, well, I secretly really wanted to go to. 

And Wendy did start out with us, but quickly decided it wasn't for her. 

I stayed on the boulders and proceeded towards the lighthouse while Allan brought his sister up to the playground where my mom was watching the little boys.  I thought I'd use this time to gain a little lead but I knew in my head that no matter how far a lead I got, Allan would soon come billy goating ahead of me.  And he did.  The speed in which he did - well, we won't talk about that.

I was just tickled I was able to make the journey at all - it was worth the trip.

And when I got back to shore my mom asked me - why did Allan make it look so easy, but you made it look so, well, cumbersome? 

I asked her when she last walked the pier.  hmph.

Until next year!
__________________

Meanwhile, on the homefront:

• Pa and Allan went to the demolition derby at the fair last night and declared it was great fun
• I got half the deck scrubbed while they were gone
• Allan doesn't know it yet, but his chore today will be to scrub the other half
• I'm currently reading, A Window to the World.  It's being a good read. Not a five star - but I'd still recommend it.
• I'm still not done with my binding - seems I have a hard time just sitting.  I need someone to visit while I work on it
• The forecast has said rain nearly every day for the past week and I've yet to see it
• We're out of butter.
• Wendy informed me last night that her throat is sore.
• And the thought, here we go again, ran through my head......

photo order

I'm long overdue for a photo order
Like
LONG overdue. 

In the next seven to ten days, my goal is to get my photo files organized and place a large candid photo order that will cover nearly the entire last 12 months.

Occasionally I get an email request for a photo of something I've shared - perhaps an event we attended together or someone from your own family. Perhaps pictures that you've even paid for - like from a fall trip to Chicago.  Or maybe my mother would like some updates for her grandkid wall.  It's possible - seeing how it's been about two years since I've updated our own wall. *sigh* 

SO.

If there's a picture you'd like a copy of - let me know.  Email me at stormanen [at] gmail [dot] com and put photo order in the subject line - or post your request on this post

And I'll give it my best shot.

(I'm hoping this will motivate me to finally place my order)
(and to return to a more organized plan in the future)

Dear Wendy, I hope someday you remember me for the sap that I am

This is also the picture of boredom.  Can you tell?  It fits in with this story - I think.

And this reminder isn't just specifically for Wendy - but for all my children.  Wendy just happened to be at the receiving end of my sappiness last night and it tickled my funny bone.  Read on....
_________________

July 20th 2009

Wendy and I went to Target this evening for nothing in particular - but I was in the mood to get out for a bit, and she had garage sale earnings still burning a hole in her purse - so off we went.  I enjoy our mother/daughter moments more and more each time.  My little girl is growing up and I cherish this time I get to spend alone with her.

And it's clear she's my daughter, especially when I see how tickly excited she gets over new school supplies. School is still just under two months away, but she couldn't *wait* to get over to that section - to see all the new notebooks, to check out the new pencils and crayons.

So clearly my daughter.

We roamed the store for well over an hour, picking up some summer clearance items, purchasing a few school supplies, and trying to make good choices for the little money we had and agreeing on what type of granola bars to buy for our way home treat.

And then we headed back home.

I was in a calm relaxed mood - and I took the slower route home...down the dirt roads, past Glenn and Lisa's, Honkola's, my in-laws old house and Jim and Cindy's. 

It was the beautiful time of the night - just before the sun completely takes the color out of the sky - the pink casting a beautiful light, silhouetting the trees and the barns along the way.  It was still just light enough to make out the many deer grazing in the fields, and the millions of fireflies twinkling just above the crops put the beauty of it all right over the top. For me.

I drove about 10 mph the whole way and even stopped a few times to take  it all in.  Wendy, anxious to get home and open her new purchases, was not quite so impressed.

Me:  But Wendy - just look - look at the millions of fireflies shining our way home - and look at how they hover over the field like magic crystals.

Wendy:  Mom. They're bugs.

Me:  ooooh, I wish I had my camera with us, what a beautiful picture that would make

Wendy:  Why don't we rush home and get it, and you can leave me there when we do.

Me:  Pshaw.  And would you stop for just a minute, and look at how that pink sky looks behind those trees and barn.  Wendy - would you just Look!

Wendy:  Can we leave now.  Really.  This is so boring.

Me:  A bit giggling that she's really not joining me in this at all - Well Wendy, I hope when I'm dead and gone and you're old and gray and driving by a field of fireflies that you might stop and and remember that, 'Oh....my mom would have loved this......'

Wendy:  Maybe if a couple of deer ran out in front of us or something, I'd remember THAT. 

I can laugh.  I wasn't selling her on it at all. 

I find myself doing this on trips as well, especially if we leave in time to catch that morning light, the fog, and the dew clinging to the trees - I'll shout out, quietly, from my drivers seat.  Kid's LOOK!! 

Allan's my most appreciative and in sync with me on seeing things right now.  He would have had good story to tell about the fireflies in the field, but even he doesn't pull his head up from his book or game for long.  Perhaps he's just better trained in knowing what responses will hush me up......

Perhaps I'm a sap
but I'm okay with that....

afternoon coffee with photoshop

I'm taking a little break in my day - still going thru my upper Michigan photos from last week.  Are you tired of my camping photos yet?  Let me know...here are a few more subjects still to be considered....

• The inside of the cabin before our invasion
• The inside of the cabin after our invasion (not for the faint of heart)
• chalk art
• a walk along the shore
• dressed up fellow smiling
• the picture of boredom
• ripboarding piggy back style
• a rocky walk
• sunsets

Meanwhile - back at home...

• I'm still not done with the binding on Mark's quilt
• Mark has pink eye
• Allan wishes he slept a little longer and missed my jumping jacks
• there are meatballs in the oven
• and baked potatoes too
• The bigs and I might to go Target tonight
• Might.
• The lawn needs mowing
• There are three loads of clothes on the line
• Allan's teaching the neighbor boy how to ride his motorized scooter
• I finished a James Patterson book this afternoon - it was my least favorite of his (You've Been Warned)
• Wendy's back home from her sleepover and is now B.O.R.E.D.
• poor thing
• my coffee cup is empty
• time to get back to work.....

fuzzy photo of the day

Happy Monday!

Today - 67
sunny
looks like a good line drying day
just made an appointment for Mark - his eyes got really swollen after our walk last night
pink eye?
allergies?
really not sure - but it came on fast
real fast
I really need to get this kid allergy tested

Yesterday - Pa got called into work
In this economy, we say - yes sir, what time would you like me?
He worked from 8am until 11pm
I went to church with the four kids
Mark got hauled out during the second sermon
Usually it's by the first song - we're making progress
Uncle George and Malia came for lunch
and kept me company all day
I don't think I'd ever mind making dinner or doing dishes
if someone was playing the guitar in my kitchen the whole time

Off to start my day
exercise
laundry
shower
get the kids dressed
tidy the kitchen
that sort of thing......

Happy Monday!
be good

sunset silhouettes

I'm addicted to Lake Superior sunsets, and I took pictures every single evening - but I think this one, taken just after the sun dipped into the lake - is my favorite.   I can almost hear Brian (the silhouette on the right) do-do-dee-doo-hee-haa-heee.....

And both boys are copying their big sister who is all about the love and peace signs these days.

Weekend brain dumping

Good, uh, morning

• In my defense - I did wake up by 9am
• And I made it to Curves this morning
• I wore a hoodie - it's 58 degrees
• My kids love cliff jumping - yet another camping photo
• And yes - she is that tall
• We are all home today - I can't remember the last time we were all home on a Saturday
• I went grocery shopping last night. More people shop on Friday night than Tuesday night. Fact.
• Yesterday I went to my friend Laura's for some reflexology.  She made my foot feel so much better - I had been having some arch pain for the last week or so.
• Laura doesn't have her site up and running yet (I told her to let me know when she does - she has so much interesting information to share)
• But her husband Lenny does -  check it!  I'm always impressed when people turn to their skills and talents to help provide an income - which we're seeing more and more of in this economy
• I took candid pictures at Laura and Lenny's wedding a, um, couple years ago
• My boys are spunky today - what's up with that?
• Wendy had a sleepover
• I have two sides of the binding sewn on Mark's quilt - two to go
• Speaking of economy - I've been asking my husband every day - how's work going, does it seem stable?  And every day the answer has stayed the same
• Until yesterday.  More layoffs next week.
• He's feeling optimistic that his job is safe
• All the same - I decided we'll be eating Ramen noodles for the next week
• and I'll hold off on buying that bike a little longer
• I was asked this morning if I'd consider doing daycare - talk about timing. A reminder that all will be okay.
• I need to get my pictures all backed up today
• my computer is acting ornery
• I'm missing having my monthly scrapping deadlines - I'm going to have to make my own
• first task: get pictures printed
• After I get some Saturday cleaning done
• be good!

Company at the Camp

Good Morning
Friday - sunny - a lovely 64 degrees.  I should make a plan for the day.
grocery shopping
exercise
laundry
sew binding on quilt

there. plan made.

now then - how 'bout some more camping pictures?  I didn't realize how many I had until I try to figure out how to share them.  This round is camping company (I just sensed all my company cringing at once)

We'll start with Claire.  Claire was camping two cabins down for one night - and while we have never met, Wendy and Claire became fast friends.  Our families have enough in common with faith, friends and connections that I had no problem with Wendy going to spend the night when Claire left camp for home - and Wendy is excited to have made another friend close to grandma's house.

And then there's my grandma - she came out to visit several times. She likes to watch the action and makes for great company.  Allan really filled her ear with tales when he shared the fire with her.  Hmph.  It seems he told her that when his dad says no, he means no - but when his mom says no, he has no clue what she means.

as if.

The Laakso's came out too - yeah - the ones who live just a couple miles from us here at home.  I don't know what Wendy will ever do if we vacation at different times as she was begging for Elizabeth as soon as we got up north.

These guys showed up with their swimsuits on and towels around their neck.  Apparently it was a few degrees warmer in town. We dug thru Wendy and Brian's suitcases and layered them up a bit for our lake weather.  Then, to keep them busy, I started them on a fort building project with all the cut down wood on the edge of our camp.  They had a ball - until they found all the rabbit poop in their north wing.

They came out with my mom - as they had just enjoyed an overnight there. My mom came out everyday which was a huge help - she had a bit of time off during my stay, so it worked perfect.

This bunch of boys came out several times as well - Allan's cousins plus one.  They enjoyed our ramp for their rip sticks.  (Ripsticks?) 

Speaking of Ripsticks - guess who else tried it?  And who's son needs a few more lessons in panning, but his framing is just about right.  ;)

Those boys came out with this mom - Auntie Sherry - who is Pa's oldest sister and two days older than me.  I think you might have heard me mention that before.....

I returned from my morning walk one day to find Wendy entertaining a passel of Johnsons at our table.  She had made friends with yet another one not pictured here (I went to school with their dad) and loved the novelty of *knowing* people in the campground

This guy wins the prize for my best dressed visitor, and I feel certain that he won't be making any special trips to visit me at the camp in the future.  He didn't even stay for coffee.  ;)

My grandma came again (I think she came four times total) with my Auntie Barb.  They were a huge help as Markie had just fallen asleep, Allan was gone, and I needed more firewood.  Thanks Auntie!

And this is Carl - he came with his mom and siblings, and Aunt Laura and kids on my last night at camp.  The weather had suddenly turned a bit warmer, although Wendy tells me the water was still quite cold.  It was a perfect sunset evening for the beach followed up by smores at the fire.  Mark had just woken up from that nap - and was a horrible bearish creature - so I didn't get many pictures and those I did were one handed.  But I like this one.  We visited Carl out at his farm last spring - but they are just down here temporarily, and have the good fortune to live by that big lake all the time.

While I captured quite a bit of our company - I missed a few as well.  I didn't capture Claire's parents, the rest of Carl's tribe, or Marvin and Cindy as they wandered into my camp by accident late that first night..... but I think I have enough here for a good two page spread in the album.  :)

happy friday!

How to eat a smore Markie style

First off - this is one of my favorite camping shortcuts - I still thank whoever taught it to me years ago. Well, I would, that is - if I could just remember who it was.  If it was you - Thank you!

Fudge stripe cookies make smore making easy peasy. but our Markie is our first to actually utilize it to it's full extent.

So - as per Markies instructions.....

1. Have mom or older sibling cook marshmallow to brown toasty perfection
2. Layer marshmallow between two fudge stripe cookies
3. Insert finger into hole.  mmmmm.  Even better if the hands and fingers are camping grubby

4. Hand posture is everything
5. Nibble way around the cookie/smore
6. Keep wary eye on potential smore thieves portraying themselves as loving mothers and grandma's

7. Enjoy and Repeat


This little guy, who had been sleeping better - had another rough few nights.  Last night was horrid - we were up all night long.  I just woke up - having hired Allan to watch the crew while I went back to bed.  It wasn't quite enough but it will have to do - there's stuff'es to be done - after all.