Monday, July 28, 2014

It was a pretty uneventful day.  Dad overdid yesterday so decided not to fish today.  We were going to but it just never seemed to happen.  I didn’t do too much because I was feeling really tired and lethargic.  Scott pressure sprayed one side of cabin, filled in some holes in shop, and trimmed some trees.  Dad and I got the tarp rigged up so it would stay this time and it rained so we were able to test it.  John and Victoria got in around noon and John, Kim, Haley, Taylor, and Alexis showed up shortly after that.  Mom and I went for a short swim but had to come back because Scott was going to try to trim trees on a ladder and no one was there to administer first aid if something happened.  We helped him do that and then Mom and I went on a kayak ride.  We saw a mommy merganser with at a minimum of twenty babies.  They were swimming away so fast that we couldn’t count them very well.  At one point they got in a straight row and I made it to 14 and the end of the line scooted to the front of the line almost on command.  There had to have been at least six more that I hadn’t counted.  Scott and I laid out on the dock and read for a while.  Then Kim came over with a surprise.  She had made us all Canada T-Shirts and wants to get a family picture.  We decided to wait until Friday morning when Alan’s family gets here.  I got to talk to Hannah for a few minutes.  I really miss her and Bridget.  I hope we get to see them for a couple of minutes before we leave at the end of this week.  After that Scott and I took our baths and a rain storm appeared.  We cooked chicken on front porch which was a bad idea.  I had to take the battery out of the fire alarm (at least we know it works now).  Our tarp held though so that was good.  After dinner, Julie came over and invited us for blueberry pie and homemade ice cream.  It was a full cabin but lots of fun to see everyone.  John came up with the idea to watch Irene’s old movies so we listened to everyone’s commentary on who was who and where they were. We watched 1947-1948 and then fast forwarded to 1953.  We left shortly after that and headed to bed.  It was almost 10pm.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Mom woke us up with water problems.  We messed around for awhile but couldn’t get it.  We went ahead and did our Bible study and when we were finished Alan called.  He mentioned that he and Ron and to tilt the actual motor in order to get it to prime.  After a delicious lunch of breakfast sandwiches we went back down and tried again.  This time Ron and Dee came over.  With Ron’s supervision they got it working!! Yay!!  Of course it was after Mom and Dee watched me wash the lunch dishes in the lake and then watched me pull some weeds and rake the beach.  I broke the rake again.  Dad and I attached a board to the green tarp that we are going to use to cover the float boat.  Dad coached me on fixing the wall a little better and headed up to rest.  Scott and I kayaked over to Deer Trail for minnows but he didn’t have any.  We kayaked around Paradise Island and had white caps coming back it was fun but a hard paddle.  When we got back it was smooth waters again.  Mom and Dad came down and we went out to three towers to fish.  We had barely gotten our poles in and Dad caught a 37 inch Northern.  It was on 6 lbs line and it almost ran his line out.  Scott had to back the boat in order to stay with it.  Mom netted him but couldn’t pull him in the boat so I had to help her.  Then Scott untangled all the line he had eaten and we tried to measure him with Dad’s new measurer but it was too short!  We were so happy that God had sent Dad that encouragement.  He was chuckling for about a half hour after that.  We didn’t have any other bites so we headed in and had homemade pizza around 6pm.  Scott and I paddled out to Paradise for the eagle show.  There were at least ten.  I took my good camera on the kayak and got some pictures but we just weren’t close enough and the sun was almost in front of us.  When we got back we took baths and headed for the camper.  Only to find out that the sewer smells really bad.  We are going to try to sleep out here but not sure if it will fly.  It really smells and the sewer is right in front of our front door.  We had to turn our roof fan off which helps keep the mosquitoes out - we might be in for an interesting night! :) 

My only regret today is that I didn’t swim.  We waited too long and then it was a little cold so we didn’t do it.  According to my thermometer it is 60 degrees outside.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

It was a rough night there was a small storm and Scott kept waking me up.  We were both awake until about 2am so we didn’t head into cabin for Bible study until about 8:30am.  After our doctrine, Ron Don and Jason came in to talk.  Around 11 am I decided to go kayak fishing.  Sometime after noon Mom, Scott, and I headed out to Paradise.  I caught two northern and Scott caught a perch.  Mom headed back to check on Dad and she decided to stand on her kayak.  We took a break on Paradise beach and then explored the other side of the island in our kayaks. When we got back we worked on the beach for a little while and then went for a swim.  I was very nervous because I’m pretty sure I saw the head of a snapping turtle but I braved it anyway.  Then Mom came out I swam back out with her.  She was more afraid of the turtle than I was which I found very surprising.  We covered the float boat up again and Scott cut his foot on the crib. 

It has been thundering from afar so we are resting for about an hour before we head to the Bull Pit for dinner with Martensens and Groves.  It will be Dad’s first outing outside of the cabin since at least Monday.  He is a little loopy right now.  I am laying in my bed on camper (Hannah’s side) and dad is giving play by play action of the eagles on Paradise using his binoculars.  We are watching the rain move across the lake toward us.  Looks like we are in for a down pour if it makes it this far.  LOL Dad predicted it was going to hit in one minute and hit it did!! 

At 6pm we went to Bull Pit for dinner and had a nice visit.  We didn’t get our food until about 8pm and it was not very good and very overpriced!  BUT the company made it worth while.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Dad was really bad.  He had been up almost every twenty minutes through the night and was really exhausted.  We started our Bible study late and then invited Ron and Dee to go fishing but they were headed into Dryden.  It started to rain so Scott and I decided to get the Dryden errands finished, too.  We went to the gift store and bought Nana a puzzle.  Took a deposit to the  bank, bought some groceries at Safeway, and then Subway.  At Subway I uploaded some blog posts, checked email, and texted with Hannah.  After that we went to Canadian Tire to get cabin and dock paint.  It was terrible.  It’s almost impossible to buy things for other people.  We went back to Subway to Skype with Nana to see if the dr had called.  She wanted us to go to Health Food store which was the other direction again so we went there.  It was pretty cool.  They have a lot of stuff they sell by the bin.  Scott was especially interested in all of the chocolate covered stuff but actually resisted.  After that we stopped at DQ drive in and Ron Don came to our window!  He wanted to know why we weren’t fishing.  When we got home, Dad had taken a turn for the better!  He was up and around and in a pretty decent mood.  We were so relieved.  We had Ron and Dee over for burgers and they finished their dominoes game (I played Dad’s last couple rounds).  The doctor’s office called and the nurse said that he said to drink plenty of water and call him on Monday!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

I can’t believe it’s been almost one week.  Time always seems to go by too quickly.  This morning when I woke up at 5am it was 52 degrees outside and 68 in the camper, it was hot!!  I got up and turned the heat off and then helped Scott finish getting ready to leave to fly-in to Green Lake.  We did our Bible study before he left.  I went back to the camper and fixed some breakfast and then made the mistake of laying back down again!  I fell asleep.  At 10am I woke back up and the thermometer said that it was 98 degrees outside and 88 degrees in the camper.  I was sweating!  I headed out and got things together to work at the beach and washed Scott’s sheets.  I hauled the a couple of the buckets (mom did a couple too) to the woods.  Then we pulled most of the thistle plants out of the hill.  After that I rebuilt the brick wall Dad had made last year and started weeding and cleaning the beach and dock area.  Then I went with mom to the first peninsula on Paradise Island.  I took my kayak and she paddled her double.  After that we had lunch and I worked on the beach some more.  Around 2pm, Julie came over and she and I kayaked around Paradise and Sunset Islands.  We stopped at the beach to cool off.  It was a gorgeous day to be out paddling.  Around 4pm we returned and I worked on the beach some more while I waited for mom to go swimming.  Today we swam about 2/3 of the way to Paradise before we turned around.  We saw Ron walking his pet buoy.  Next time we see him we’ll have to find out what his name is.  By the time we had taken our baths and gotten everything hung up the fishermen had returned.  They had a successful day and had caught and released about forty walleye between them.  They did et a wallet lunch on shore.  They had two boats so Scott and Lennox spent the morning in one boat and Jason, John, and Elliot in the other.  After lunch Lennox and John switched.  I think Scott had fun but mentioned he wished he would have worn water shoes.  We had leftovers for dinner and then mom and I played Spite in Malice.  While we were playing the Woodchuck came back out and after much discussion we have decided to rename him Blackbeard.  Except for getting sunburnt on my shoulders it was a perfect day!

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

It was 57 degrees when we woke up and 59 in the camper.  It was weird though because I wasn’t that cold.  Both Scott and I had some new mosquito bites but not too bad.  We went in to do our Bible study around 7am but Dad had had a bad night so we went back out to the camper and fixed sausage and english muffins for breakfast.  Mom called us in around 8am.  We started Bible study and Ron showed up when we had fifteen minutes left, we started again and Jason showed up.  When he left I started the DVD again and the sound on my computer had gone out then Ron Don showed up.  We finally gave up and decided to finish it later.  After a couple of restarts my sound did come back.

I went down and basically watched Jason get the motor put onto Bob’s boat and we decided to have hotdogs somewhere tonight.  After letting everyone know, Mom and I headed into Vermillion Bay to get some water and a couple of groceries (ice cream, too!)  We stopped at the fort and tried to download Sons of Katie Elder for them to watch but it was going to take three hundred some minutes!  We did get to talk to Hannah a few minutes through my Skype account. 

When we got back Julie, Jason, John and the kids were down by the water getting ready to canoe/kayak.  I tagged along and we went and hung out at the beach for a while.  The four of them stood together and got a pedicure from the minnows.  Julie said in Budapest people pay big bucks for fish pedicures.  After that we circled back around.  When we were almost back to the rock Jason through Elliott in to swim and he swam to the rock and then on in to the dock.  At that point we decided that we would have dinner close by so that they could get back to pack for their fly-in trip to Green Lake tomorrow.  Scott, Jason, John, and the two boys are all going.  It’s a catch and release lake.  Jason commented many times how much he was going to miss Hannah with all of her gadgets and fire making skills. 

We loaded up the pontoon and took Ron, Dee, Bob, and Sue to Breakfast Rock.  Jason followed in Bob’s boat with his family.  We got the boat pulled up with Bob and Ron navigating for Scott.  Once we got there, Bob and Dee decided they would stay on the boat to eat so we pulled it around so that they would be by the rest of us.  Scott cooked beans and hot dogs and then said a really nice prayer.  After that we ate beans, chips, hot dogs, fruit and had Dee’s famous brownie bites for dessert.  It was beautiful!  The lake was so calm and the weather so nice.  AND I didn’t get one bug bite!  After an hour or so we piled back on and headed home.  After we got every thing put away, I helped Scott pack for his trip.  Dad and he sat down and picked out the right types of rigs and lures since they can’t take any live bait.  I think that was really nice for Dad, Scott enjoyed it too.  Then around 9pm Scott and I went down to take our baths.  I swam out a little ways while Scott bathed and then came in and did some water ab exercises.  Then finished my bath.  My swim trunks wouldn’t stay up so I guess I can’t wear that pair any more.  I’m trying to decide whether to just throw them out or not. 

As I sit here typing this watching the sun set over the still as glass lake, I can’t help but realize once again how much God has blessed me in my life.  Having an opportunity to spend time in such a beautiful place with such a wonderful family who always puts God and God’s will first is such an incredible gift.  As much testing as my Mom and Dad are receiving they pull together the divine viewpoint every time and are truly happy when those they care about are happy.  I do not know too many people that are as selfless, generous, and caring as they are.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Scott and I went fishing with Jason, Nox, Bob, and John (Jason’s dad).  We got a late start because we were trying to get everything together.  We went to Deer Trail for gas and their fishing licenses and then headed out to three towers spot on west side of Canoe Island.  John caught a 23 inch walleye and had one get away.  Nox caught John, the boat, the fish finder, a little Joe with a menu, Scott, and a lot of weed bass.  Scott and Bob had a couple of bites and Scott caught a little Northern.  It was pretty windy and rough!  On the way back Scott hit the “Vermillion” opening and sprayed all of us.  We had to change directions and go around Sunset Island to get back.  When we got

back Mom and I kayaked to end of Paradise Island with Scott who now has a full fledged cold.  Then mom and I swam about half way to the island, she took her bath.  I went on another kayak excursion to island and then to the peninsula off of Deer Trail.  I had to loon companions (one right off our dock).  When I got back I worked on cleaning up the beach for a little while - tried to fix the fire ring and then took a bath.  When I got back up mom had most of dinner ready so I grilled the chicken.  It was a yummy dinner.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Mom was insistent on washing windows today so I helped her with all of the ones on the front porch.  Dad did some resting and some supervising.

I made tacos and Mom cooked sweet corn and yummy beans from the farm.  It was a good dinner.

Tonight after Scott and I bought our fishing licenses it started to rain lightly with some faraway thunder so we went ahead and had dinner.  After a little bit of rain the lake was like glass so I decided to take my kayak out since I had only gone on a short excursion earlier today.  It thundered a couple times so I headed to the camper to read instead.  There I discovered I could get a little internet so I texted with Hannah a little bit catching up on the latest news.  After that Scott showed back up and we laid in the camper reading and working on the computer.  It started to pour.  It sounds so cool locked up tight in the camper.  It amazes me that it stays dry although we had to close all of the windows so it’s a little warm.  Every time the rain let up we would open our lake windows a little bit.  One time it started to rain hard again so we both sat up to zip up our windows and I saw something swimming in the lake - probably beaver size.  Scott saw it too but there was a tree in the way so we didn’t get time to examine it.  We both had just settled down again when there was a massive clap of thunder - thee loudest thunder clap I have ever heard!!  Scott and I both nearly jumped straight up in the air!!  We opened our windows a crack and tried to see something but we could barely even see the island it was raining so hard.  We yelled into Grandpa and Nana to see if they were okay.  They were but we could hardly hear them the rain is so loud on the roof. Of course we lost internet with that strike...

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Dad decided to get the pontoon boat out so we cleared the pathway and pulled it out.  After finding all of the necessary parts we were able to back it in at Deer Trail and get it unloaded.  Scott ran the motor, Dad backed the truck, and I hopped in and shoved it off when it wouldn’t release.  Scott picked me up on the dock and we drove it back to our dock.

Scott and I went into Vermillion and bought water and filled up the gas cans.  He wanted to get postcards to send his boys but they didn’t have very many available.  We stopped for ice cream at Moose Creek and got some for Mom and Dad, too.  When we got back they were down at the dock, Dad was on my cot reading his book.  Scott and I took our kayaks around Paradise Island.  We saw both eagle nests and at least five different eagles hunting from a distance. 

Saturday, July 19, 2014

I woke up at 4:30 am and couldn’t take the smoke smell any more so went and sat outside the hotel for an hour.  I ate breakfast around 6am and went back to get everyone else stirring.  After they ate breakfast, Nana and I went to the grocery store to get veggies and fruit.  Then we picked up Scott and Grandpa and headed on our way.  We made it over the border very smoothly.  They paid duty on the four-wheeler and kayak.  We were at the cabin around 2pm.  Ron and Dee came over to say hi right away.  Scott and Dad ran around trying to get everything turned back on while I unloaded their truck and the food.  We had a problem getting the water to work but figured out the filter was the problem.  The one that Alan had put on last was too fine and plugged up too quickly.  Once we put the other filter on we were good to go.  Once we got them settled in we positioned the camper in its spot on the hill.  It took awhile to decide exactly how we wanted it.  We unloaded the kayaks and go Tug set up to hopefully keep mosquitoes away!

July 18, 2014

We met the Tattinis for Liz and Leno's funeral at Arlington Cemetery on Thursday, July 18.  The funeral was one I will never forget.  Leno could have received full military honors.  I cried at the twenty-one gun salute and when taps was played. 

Being at Arlington is such a stark reminder of the number of men whom have paid the ultimate price so that we can have our freedom.

 

After the services, we drove right to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and were able to observe the changing of the guard.

Then we met at Fort Myers for a wonderful lunch with a fantastic visit with family.  Catching up with Shelly, Suzanne, and Matt was really special.

Jim and Evelyn not only drove us to the airport after lunch but they took us by the Airforce Memorial and the Pentagon (twice) and we even got to see Iwo Jima three times - in the car twice and in person the third time! :)

July 14-17, 2014

Went with Mom to Washington DC and had a crazy adventure with her and Janet for a couple days.  Wednesday night the Tattinis treated us to a fantastic dinner and then we met them for Liz and Leno's funeral at Arlington Cemetery on Thursday, July 18. 

April 19, 2014 Clinton State Park ROTC Buddy Challenge

Wow! What a day.  We all got up and started getting ready but it took longer than we thought.  We took of around 6:20am and found out that part of the ruck march was on the road we needed to take to get out of the park.  There was a huge line of ROTC students trying to qualify.  We had to drive really slow and a couple of times a couple different students stumbled which freaked us all out.  We looked and looked for our team but couldn't find them.  When we talked to one of the traffic directors they indicated that these were the ones that were toward the end.  We were dying to find out and I was freaking out that we wouldn't make it to the finish line in time.  We finally got out of the park and onto the road where we had to stop again while some of them crossed the road into the other park. 

When we got there we realized we had missed all of them.  Paul and Natalie had taken third place for Coed in the Ruck March!!   It was really exciting.  We waited around while everyone rested, had some snacks, and tried to recover from the nine mile ruck.  Then we followed Paul, Luke, and their partners to a "Lane."  They were great about letting family run around and take pictures.  We even found out later that coaches or family members could actually run behind them in the lanes to push them on and coach them.  Alan, Hannah, and I all had cameras so we spread out so we could get them at each of the stations.  This first lane was interesting because there were more stations than we realized.  Luckily Hannah figured out that the tomahawk throw was further down and ran down to get pictures.