Never Forget

Photo taken 9/11/04 NYC

Late Labor Day Weekend Update

Labor Day weekend was great. Dh and I went Thursday night, which never happens, so it was nice to have a longer weekend. We were able to swim and get out in the boat, which made it perfect. Just a couple of shots to share from the weekend.

Dh and my nephew going over nephew's tackle box. They both LOVE fishing, so they are good buddies. My Aunt sprinkling my Uncle's ashes on the hunting land. He hunted on here for over 30 years. It was emotional, but it was nice to remember him all weekend.
My cousins and my brother tubing behind our boat. The rope broke three times! My cousin couldn't find a lifejacket that would fit him, so he used one of the kids. Thankfully, it wasn't needed, but it did make for some good laughs!
It was great hanging out with all of my family and relaxing after such a stressful August at work. Thankfully things have calmed down now and I'm trying to get things back on track. If you've emailed me in the last month, I probably haven't gotten back to you. Believe me, it's not that I don't want to, just too many good excuses for why I haven't. I'm getting back on the stick this week. :)

Some Randomness

There are a family of rabbits that have made their house in my garden. The flower garden that I have let go this summer and is nothing but weeds and dried up flowers. How did I find the rabbit's house? The dogs found it. Luckily, Baron hates fur or feathers in his mouth (some hunting dog he is!), so I only have to worry about Orion. He has gotten one of the babies a couple of times, and finally today he died. We now have to take Orion out on a leash to keep him from getting into them. We're leaving tomorrow night for the cabin until Monday, so hopefully they will move on or we'll come up with some solution so they survive the Weimaraner attacks. This is a picture of one of them in the garden. They don't even have their eyes open yet!
Work has been extremely stressful lately. I think we have over 20 buses going out the doors this week. Everyone wants theirs before school starts. I had three different buses with major problems that will finally get delivered tomorrow - fingers crossed. I haven't gotten much done around the house this week, but I have gotten a lot of Mario Kart playing done! It's a great stress reliever.

The kids in my neighborhood were using their athletic socks for obstacles to skateboard and bike around. And I'm sure their mothers appreciate the using of their socks. Last I saw they were still laying in the middle of the street. Don't you wonder how that started? Dude, we need to skate around things. Like what? I dunno, maybe our socks? I think it's time for them to go back to school.

Now it's storming out, and even though we need the rain, Baron is scared, so I'm sure I'll be up late tonight. Damn 80 pound baby!

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend. We're going to do a memorial service for my Uncle at the cabin this weekend, so it will be nice but sad.

Fail.

You've gotta check out failblog.org. It's super funny. Love this one - I'm sure Dh would agree with the signage.

Merry Christmas?

I got the strangest piece of mail yesterday. I got a card in the mail, which was unusual because I usually only get them for birthdays and Christmas. Then I saw the postmark - December 19, 2007 - with a Happy Holidays banner. There was also a stamp across the envelope from France. Yes, I got a Christmas card 8 months later. The envelope was open, but the pretty card from my friend Karin J was still in there. I don't know why it would take 8 months to get from Carver to Big Lake. I could probably walk faster than that! But, at least something got to go to France this year. I had wanted to, but it just didn't work out. The Post Office may be slow, but at least it will finally get there!

Olympics

I wasn't really looking forward to the Olympics this year. I don't know why, I just wasn't.
Ummm...yeah. I changed my mind. ;) Gotta love the great swimming, and the eye candy!

Eight on 8/8/08

I thought that in honor of 8/8/08 (which was not as cool as 4/4/04), I would do a list of 8 things. Real original, huh?

1. I just joined Facebook, I know, I'm behind the times, but it's been cool catching up with old friends. If you're on it, friend me!

2. Two cool downloads from Kayla Aimee and The Dares (Dare 103 and 102 have both had downloads) for scrapbooking. Now I just have to learn Photoshop Elements.

3. The Olympics start tonight! I always like checking in on them throughout the couple of weeks they are on. Favorite Olympic Memory - I think it was the 1992 Olympics, but because they were actually happening so much earlier than they were on here, the local news would report who had won before they would actually show it that night (with a disclaimer, of course). My Dad would listen, wouldn't tell us who won, and would rub it in all night! It was frustrating, but fun.

4. Not a great picture, but one of my favorite layouts I've done recently. Mostly because I love this picture of my niece. It makes me laugh every time I see it!
5. These are probably the cutest shoes I've seen in awhile. It's killing me not to own them right now!

6. Probably old news to a lot of people, but the trailer for the next Harry Potter movie is online! I can't wait! I'd really like to see it at the Imax theater near me. We just saw The Dark Knight there last week and it was really cool!

7. I just got the August kit for Studio Calico. LOVE it!

8. Really wanting to take this class from local gal Cathy Zielske. Registration is 8/15 and is open to anyone - no class limit!

I hope you all have a great 8/8/08. Here's looking forward to 9/9/09!

Sometimes I Can't Help Myself

I'm stressed. Work is impossible. Dh paid all of the bills this month, so I'm broke until Friday. Normally, I would go to Target and buy a bunch of stupid stuff, but with less than $2 right now, I had to settle for pre-ordering this:Ali Edwards has a new book coming out. I love her style and everything about how she scrapbooks. I don't make that many mini books, but I love the idea of this book. So, I pre-ordered it. No charging my account until it ships. So, technically, I didn't buy a thing! Or at least that's what I'll tell Dh! :)

Me through the years

While we were going through the pictures my Grandma had, we found all of the school pictures we had given her through out the years. Here's some of mine. I still have the dress from the first picture. My Cabbage Patch Kid wore it all of the time! Gotta love that I had the same glasses from 1st grade (I got them after the picture was taken) until 6th grade. And I wore a sweater vest for both 3rd and 4th grade pictures! What a trend setter!7th grade I finally got contacts - thank God! My hair turned naturally curly in 4th grade, so I can thank that for my lovely 5th grade picture (me in the purple). Why did they have me not look at the camera? So I wouldn't break it? :) Just kidding. What you can't see in the picture is that I have one curl standing straight up. I don't know where my pictures are for 9th or 11th grade are, so they weren't included. The Glamour Shot was when I was 16. My mom still LOVES that picture. Why she thought it was good for me to wear a pink leather bra and leather jacket, I don't know. My hair was HUGE and super hair sprayed. For my Senior picture, I actually prayed that my hair would be good that day! I think it turned out great and the photography studio actually used it in their ads for the next year of senior pictures!If you'd like to see the pictures bigger - you can go to my flickr account.

Stressed?

Why, yes. Yes I am.

Funeral Today

Here is the Obit for my Uncle. Funeral is today. This picture was taken on the lake where he and my parent's both have cabins.

E. Murray E of Baldwin and Spooner, WI died on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at his home in Baldwin, at the age of 67. Murray was born in Pine City, MN to Florence and Emmett E on February 14, 1941. He moved with the family to Hudson, WI when he was a freshman at Hudson High School. He graduated with the class of 1959 and attended college at River Falls. Murray was employed with 3M Corporation, St. Paul, MN for over 30 years until his retirement in 2000. Murray is survived by his daughters, Amy (Michael) J and April (James S) E both of Baldwin; grandchildren, Kinsey and Samantha J and John and Nora S; his brothers, Tom (Vickie), Clay (Janet) and Joel (Diane); a sister, Kaye (David) M; his aunt, Lauretta T; 8 nieces and nephews; many, many friends and his beloved dog “Jake”. He is preceded in death by his parents. In the late 70’s and early 80’s Murray coached for the Baldwin Youth Hockey Association, taking them to the 1^st State Title ever, even though he had never skated. He developed lifelong friends with the players and their parents. Murray was an avid hunter and enjoyed the outdoors but mostly enjoyed the camaraderie of his brothers, nephews and friends. He was very well known for his hunting stories more than his hunting prowess. Murray looked forward to his annual fishing trips to Canada and turkey hunting in Viroqua. But Murray will be forever remembered as “Uncle Mur” to his nephews, nieces and many friends who made up the circle of those he loved the most. His beautiful home in Spooner on Big Bass Lake was the center of much family fun in the summer, while he also happily welcomed guests from everywhere.

Another Sad Day

My Uncle Murray passed away today. This is the same Uncle that was in the hospital around Christmas. His daughter was having him for dinner tonight, and when he didn't show, her husband went looking for him. That's when he found my Uncle. He's been having a lot of health problems and had multiple arteries blocked 90% or more, but he had been eating better, working out, and seemed to be doing good. This picture isn't the best of him, but it's the last one I took. We were watching fireworks at his cabin on the 4th, and I used the night mode on my camera to take a crowd pictures. I think he had some choice words for me after I took it (something about blinding the crowd!), but it was all in good fun. I'm glad I took it now. I'm also glad that my Grandma wasn't around to see her first born pass away. But I am glad they are now reunited. I know he missed her a great deal.

More Storms

Some storms went through our town yesterday afternoon, about 30 minutes before we were to leave to go on a fishing launch on Mille Lacs lake. These pictures show the storms moving north of our house, about 1/10 of a mile from our house. The funnel clouds were hovering over a small private lake behind our house. It wasn't raining at all at our house, but you could tell it was really bad north of here. The sirens went off 3 or 4 times. I guess there was a tornado that touched down not far from here. The power also went out for a couple of hours.
Yeah, ignore the garden. I'm boycotting it this year. We left and it was only raining, but the power wasn't back on. It was beautiful on Mille Lacs and was only a little windy. We all went out for a couple of hours and didn't catch anything, and then the boys dropped us off and went out for a couple more hours. I think they ended up catching 10 or so. I'm just glad this is as close as the storm got, or things could have been much more interesting yesterday.

Wii Fun

It's been so fun having the Wii. I have no buyers remorse from it. This is Dh bowling on Saturday before the gang came over to play. I love how he's moving so fast that you can't really see his arm. We had to move out our coffee table to make sure we'd have enough room.

So, what are your favorite games on Wii? I'd like to get some other ones, but I have NO idea what to get. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Project Runway

Project Runway starts on Wednesday with the 5th Season. Alison is hosting a Project Runway Fantasy League for this season. You can join at her blog here. I thought it would be fun and another way to enjoy the show. Hopefully my predictions will all be right!

Whee! Storms!

Last night we had a storm roll through town. The clouds were really cool, so of course I had to take a picture of it. The picture is looking north from our house.
Baron went outside in the rain the other day. The dogs hate rain, but if they really have to go, they'll go out in it. It's so funny how they look spotted after being out in the rain.And for the most exciting news ever, I FINALLY GOT MY WII!! It's so much fun. Dh and I got it yesterday. We stayed up until midnight playing it, and now his parents, sister, and her boyfriend are coming up tonight to play. I highly recommend getting one!

4th of July

Dh and I went up to the cabin for the 4th of July weekend. It was great to spend time with all of my family. It's strange being up there without my Grandma, but I'm sure she's having a good time watching over us all.

Here's some of my favorite photos from the weekend:Dh and our niece. Being 2, she's hard to pin down, but I manage to take some photos of her.The Great-Grandkids waiting for fireworks. It's amazing how they are getting so big!My nephew and Brody. His dad and my brother were and still are great friends. It's so cool to see these two get along so well. They love hanging out together.One big project we had this weekend was going through all of Grandma's jewelry. She had a bunch of costume jewelry that no one had gone through yet, so we brought it up knowing most everyone was going to be at the cabin. Well, the little girls were very interested in all of this and really wanted some. So the stuff that was left, we gave to them. This is them showing off their new wears!My uncle didn't disappoint with his fireworks display this year. He always does a great job, and my aunt evens plays a soundtrack to accompany it! Hope you all had a great 4th!

One big projex

Me

I saw this on Nicole's blog and thought it was really cool.

How it works:
1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
2. Pick an image.
3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name? Nicole
2. What is your favorite food? Sweet and Sour Chicken
3. What high school did you go to? Hudson High School
4. What is your favorite color? Green
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Luke Wilson
6. Favorite drink? Daiquiris
7. Dream vacation? Hawaii
8. Favorite dessert? Ice Cream
9. What you want to be when you grow up? Happy
10. What do you love most in life? My dogs
11. One Word to describe you. Crafty
12. Your flickr name. craftycole

Here's my results:

I'm not good at getting the photo credits, but all of these were from flickr and taken by people who are really awesome. How's that for credit?

We're leaving for the cabin tomorrow morning. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July!!

Crazy Wiems

Dh took the dogs to the vet today. Can you believe this one is 86 pounds? And he thinks he's a lap dog?Another picture of Baron, who always seems to sleep with all of his paws in one place.
This is Orion's favorite sleeping spot. He can check out what's outside and take a nap. He weighed in at 102 today. No wonder we call him Big O!

I also took this cool shot of my chive plant. I didn't get any flowers for the outside this year (read: I am being lazy), so this will have to do. Not much going on here. Today is my Dad's birthday. Happy birthday Dad!!

8 Years

8 years ago today I married my best friend. I know he makes me a better person. I love you!