Happy Birthday Dad....Feb 3

Happy Birthday Day.   I found some of my favorite photos to post. He loved Arizona and enjoyed everything there.  He was so proud that we were there on bikes and true to his sense of humor he got out his own "bike" to show off to the neighbors. 

Not the best family photo, but one that represents his time in Arizona, his great tan and his joy in having his family around.  "Wonder what the poor folks are doing today"...

No words needed.  

 Raise a glass (or cup) for every photo.  Lest someone forget he liked to drink and have fun!

He's not in this photo, but I wish he were.  He would have loved spending time at "the lake" and I miss all of the things he would have helped with.  Raking the beach, putting in boats and docks and taking them out, driving the pontoon and drinking a few beers.   This lake life gives me such great joy and such great sadness because he is not here to share it with us.  Happy Birthday dad, hope you can see us from Heaven.  We're having a good time.  Wish you were here.    Cheers.  

Fishing

According to Jeff Reideman, and his commercial fishing crew, approximately 300,000 lbs. of rough fish will be seined and transported to area fish processing plants on January 25-26. Reideman indicated he was "very pleased" with their latest seining efforts, the first of this season on Lake Byllesby.

Dreaming of Summer...

Deer and Radio

Tis the season....Julie hit a deer last night on the way home from work.  It was on Hwy 56 just 5 miles north of our house.  The car is in the shop (had to be towed) to be fixed.  It was full of fur and deer poop (guess it scared the sh*t out of the deer).  The poor little VW looks very sad right now.  Hopefully they return it to it's full glory.    Julie is driving my car now until hers gets fixed.  I'm driving mom's car until she gets home for Christmas.  That brings me to the Radio part of the headline.  I've been driving without a car radio/stereo for over 2 years.  (I'm too cheap to spend $1500 to fix it)  Today, while driving mom's car, I thought it would be great to listen to an actual car radio.  I was suprised that after about 5 minutes I had to turn it off.  It really bothered me.  I guess I have gotten used the to quiet time in the car.  Who knew....

Oh Christmas Tree...



Feet

Last year on the day after Thanksgiving we headed to the car to go shopping.   I tripped in the driveway and broke my foot.  Had to use a scooter for awhile to get around.  To celebrate the anniversary of my broken foot I scheduled bunyonectomy surgery for tomorrow!  I'll be in recovery mode on Turkey day and for a few weeks after.   Now I can go buy some of those Polish Shoes that Ann told me about! 

Mara and GG

Love this photo of GG and Mara.   Mara is the 19th "Great" .

Good Neighbors

As noted in my previous post my 4 wheeler took a hit over the weekend.  I got a new battery, charged it up, installed it and ta da... nothing.  I have been googling solutions and worrying about how I'll have to haul it off to the repair shop etc.   SO, last night I started all over, but this time I asked my neighbor Bill for some help.  He came armed with all kinds of tools and meters and guages.   We got out the service manual and he found out where the main fuse was and sure enough there was a blown main fuse.  We replaced the fuse, tested some more stuff with his handy gadgets and ta da... the 4wheeler started.  This guy is 87 years old and quite amazing.  He took his time, testing one thing and then another.  He made sure to explain what he was doing so I would know how to do it next time. When I just wanted to give up, he kept at it.   The 4wheeler is in the garage and ready to haul leaves that are now piling up in the yard. 

Lessons Learned

Don't forget the pin in the hitch lock. 
Those safety straps holding the trailer to the car actually work
If you jump start a battery the red is positive (my accounting brain disagrees)
If you don't follow above tip you will be buying a new battery
Buying a 4 wheeler with a winch was a great idea though many thought me crazy
If you use the winch, run the engine or you'll wear out your battery
Dogs eat poopy diapers if they are within reach

It takes a village...and a 4-wheeler with a winch

It is the saddest day of the year for me to end the summer.  We had a clean up party at the lake and with Beth, Barry, Josh and Scott's help we managed a good day's work of bringing in boats, lifts and moving stuff to storage (the farm).  Even Zac helped out by talking me into the 4-wheeler with a winch.  It made quick work of the dock removal.  Thanks also to Omi Annie and GG who took care of the kids while we worked.  They were SO good at watching and not getting in the way.  We ended the day with a final pontoon ride.  Goodbye summer. 

Above is the view this morning after all the toys were brought in. There is plenty of fall left for some awesome campfires!!