Pictures



Leo and Ruby like the top the BEST




those bund beds are nice




leaving Camp-Inn with our new camper

 Just a couple of pictures to get the idea that the camper is cute (we think), small yet with things like bunks for kids, a queen size bed, AC, TV/DVD player, fridge, running water, a two burner stove, a high/low mirror for vanity, sunroof and roof in/out fan----it has a bit more than our 2 person A frame tent which we used last fall.  After a 3+ hour orientation on the 27th we headed back to Madison for a show and tell with Amy, Ruby and Leo. 
Once again I am sitting with my french press coffee and blogging but today it is in St. Paul with temps which are a bit cool but no complaints. 
Enough for this morning.

Home in St. Paul

Just a short note. 
We picked up our camper yesterday and returned to Madison WI to spend the night with Aaron/Amy and kids.  Left Madison early afternoon today and pulled into Niles Ave. a short time after 6:00 PM.
I think Travis was thoughtful and turned on the heat so we entered into a warm cozy home.  It took about an hour to unload the van and camper, turn the camper around and back it up to the pickup.  So here we are with the den full of boxes and bags. Will have to find something to eat tonight and then do a bit of shopping tomorrow.
Will post some pictures of the camper and Leo/Ruby in the bunk beds.  They love the top bunk!!
We also came home to a green lawn which Travis had mowed.  So nice to have that done.  It was so so nice to drive into the driveway and see the garage which is painted since last spring, the new windows we put in and in general the house was so inviting. 
At this time we plan to work and order things in the next 3 weeks and then it will be off with the camper to the east coast and into Canada, over the great lakes and home again. 
We have one small glitch with the camper as they did not put in a wire that allow us to charge the battery with the car when we are driving.  Will have that done this week and it should be good to good.  Also need to get a wire that will connect the electric brakes so little things need to be done but the camper tows so so nice and from Madison to St. Paul we still got a bit over 20 MPG with the van.  It appears that the camper reduces the MPG of the van by about 5 or so.  Not really bad.
enough

Almost there--some of last year's work

east side of the garage with the new paint

a new board with 6 sides and 3 angles

did it need paint???

using the old to create the new



the wall paint needed to come down

 As I sit in Madison this morning I am thinking of that camper we will pick up this afternoon and then back to Niles Ave tomorrow where we spent last summer working on the garage and the house.  My wood shop, I can smell it now with the shavings lying on the floor, the wood stacked in the front of the shop and the table saw, drill press, compound mitre saw, jointer, planer and all the rest sitting and waiting for that jolt of power that will bring them to life and give them a part in creating some new thing. 
We had a great time in South Bend Wednesday night with John/Mary and kids.  Terry got the grand tour of John's school and then to see touchdown Jesus yesterday morning as we left was frosting on the cake!!  Arrived in Madison about 1:30 at the shop to get wiring on the van for the camper.  I had not asked how much it would be but in Naples, if they knew what they were doing, it would have cost in the $300-$400 range for sure.  Yesterday after about a 90 minute wait they presented us with the keys, job done and a bill for $112.  The parts were $80+ and the labor was $25.  When we told Aaron he said I told you it was a good place to go.  We thought it must have been a mistake but really it turned out to be a wonderful gift for sure. 
Today we will pick Aaron up at work about 11:00 and head to Necedah WI which is 85 miles to the NW.
Tomorrow we head to St. Paul with camper in tow and plans for the summer that include a little work on the house and some trips around with the camper.  Of course before we get to enjoy the camper I am sure there will be plenty of yard work to do and those windows that did not get painted last summer have to get painted.  I would like to redo the stairs going up to the second floor but not much more will get done this summer. 
No, I actually have had french press coffee this morning as Aaron made some and left it on the counter and I must get outside to get the car washed.  Can't pick up the camper with a dirty car.  Everyone knows that a dirty car is bad and a BLACK dirty car is the worst.

Reasons for heading north

not a reason to go north but maybe an idea for a new house!!!

Tomorrow at this time we will be in a loaded van heading north on 75.  Past Tampa-St. Pete, past the Villages, into GA and on to PeachTree City.  Yesterday I commented to Terry that we would have a lot of space in the van but this morning as I walked through the garage and looked again I thought--maybe I was wrong.  We will see in a few hours.  732 Wiggins Bay Dr is beginning to look a bit down.  The front fountain is resting in the neighbor's garage, the pool things are in, the grill has a sad look on as it sits covered and put away, files sit on the table waiting for their new home for the summer, mr. french press is smiling because it gets to operate one more time tomorrow, the fridge is kind of empty and to put it mildly the place looks like it has lost it's two best friends.
Of course it looks like rain today as we washed the car yesterday.  We will put all the food away and then enjoy one last meal at the Fish House tonight. 
Terry and I enjoyed our last tennis on Thursday.  Terry was to play with 3 other women but one was a no show so she called and I filled in.  The result was a very fun time, some OK follow throughs on my part, no elbow pain and some lost ounces because of the heat.  It was a great way to say farewell to tennis for a time.
Today will be spent with last minute details and packing the car as all we want to do tomorrow morning is put our suitcases in, put the bikes on the rack and head out.  We have said our good-byes to neighbors and friends so none of that today. 
We have our trip pretty well planned out.  Stay in PreachTree City Sunday & Monday night, in Louisville KY Tuesday night, South Bend Wednesday night, Madison Thursday and Friday and St. Paul Saturday.  We have an appt for Thursday PM in Madison to get wiring on the van for the camper. Then Friday we will pick Aaron up from work about 11:00 and head to Necedah for the camper.  I plan to get some pieces of clear birch wood that they finish the interior with so I can make some small items.  They said I could have as much as I want.  I really do not need too much as I have walnut, maple and oak in the garage.
As I sit here in the living room looking out towards the preserve I can see the pond beyond but unlike most days I can not see the sun shining off of the trees and water.  Rain, come on.  It is very very dry here.  If some how a fire would start in the preserve many many homes would be gone.  The wet season usually starts in May so hope it comes early this year.
One last thing.  Terry and I walked to the fitness center yesterday and spent about 45 minutes there.  That marks the 8th week we have spent 3 days each week there.  We have nothing like that in MN so will have to figure out something.  We have come to realize that at our age little exercise means more pounds to carry around.  :( :(  What can one do except live in the moment and try as hard as possible.
Enough for now, I see the bottom of my coffee cup, I took out the filter in the french press and all there is left is grounds and my mind says maybe I should start to pack the car.

Tax day is here



Henry will be 9 in August




Audrey was 3 in October




Liam turned 7 April 2




having fun in the pool




running on the gulf beach



Little Miss Frisky who we visited

Harold doing a crack with his special whip



Audrey in the pool



sunset on the beach



holding that 3.5 meter kite takes muscle, skill and two people!!!

More pictures from last week.  Everyone had a lot of fun.
For Terry and I it is 5 days to close up the house and pack.  As we put things that are to go North in the spare bedroom it fills up and up and maybe the car will be too small!  We did many "run around" things yesterday so are kind of finished with that part.  Now it is make a list, make another list, make some more lists and then check off and check off until all is done.  There is also the case of will we run out of food before we leave or will we leave before we run out of food?  Of course we want to leave the fridge empty but we also don't want to go hungry the last day!!   So far it looks like it may be close either way.  I know one thing for sure, I can always take that dark beer with me as well as the dark roast coffee! 
Terry continues to take good care of my elbow.  Last night she said at 9:15 that we had not done the massage, tens thing and ice yet on my elbow.  I wanted to just forget it but NO she said it had to be done so there I was at about 10:00 watching "Little house on the prairie" and "Twins vs New York" with an ice pack on my elbow.  I would say my elbow is a tiny bit tender but for the most part it is good for the first time in over a year.  Sad to say but it may feel good enough to do some work on Niles Ave:( not really :) .
Here I sit, looking through the patio doors over the pool, through the small preserve at the pond beyond.  The bright sunlight shines on all and as always, God's artistic talent is beyond all.
No more words, no more french press.

A whirlwind of fun

After church Easter Sunday



Liam LOVES to swim




John/Mary




Little Miss Frisky




Little Miss Frisky's owner and author of Liam's book




Lookout tower in the Everglades




Henry is a great swimmer



Dinner at Terry's favorite "Fish House"



Fun on the Gulf coast



Homeward bound on Southwest--back to the real world

It was fun but now back to the real world of planning, packing and getting ready to head north.  John/Mary/Audrey/Liam and Henry arrived in Naples about midnight Saturday and departed from Ft Lauderdale just before noon on Thursday.  In between those times we ate good food, rode bike, swam in the pools, swam in the ocean, had great beach time, visited the everglades, visited horses/goats/chickens and calves at Linda's place, flew the 3.5 meter kite, had a few rest times (no naps) and had an overall wonderful time.  Besides all the fun we had a highlight of the visit was Tuesday night John/Mary insisted they treat us to dinner out, just the 4 of us.  Terry and I had never been to Fig's grille but had heard good things about it.  Oh my gosh!!!--the food and wine were the best ever.  The sea bass, the shrimp, the scallops etc. were so so good and I have no idea of the price of the wine but it was delicious and then more.  Mary's sister, Lisa, and family took the kids for a couple of hours while we enjoyed great food and good conversation. This morning we woke up a bit late and the pool was inviting but there were no invitees!  The sun was bright and warm but no little ones around here to jump on the bikes and go around the circle many times and the kitchen table was waiting for many but only two plates showed up! 
So here Terry and I are, starting to make lists of things to do before we leave in 10 days.  No no I am not talking about a "bucket list", just a "to do list" which is necessary if we are to get everything done and the house in order to be shut up for about 5 months or so. 
I have my last, I think, tennis session on the court today.  My OT diagnosed in about 5 minutes what I was doing wrong so now it is a matter of changing some bad habits I have gotten into.  I will not play tennis for 5 months or so but need to keep in mind what I need to do.  My elbow is about pain free now so it is good to go.  I still probably should be careful how much I work!!!!!!
Terry is back from her run, I am out of French Press and out of words as well.



I almost forgot to show one of many things we saw in the Everglades!!



Almost

As we journey towards Easter Sunday and reflect on our Lord's suffering and sacrifice I thought we needed a bit of beauty to remind us of the end result, freedom from sin knowing that we will always be sinners but that God forgives and we have eternal life with him. 
This week has been tennis free and now almost pain free.  I want to be clear that my right elbow problem is or was nothing compared to what I see so many people going through in the clinic.  BUT still I want to be able to play tennis without winching in pain when I hit the ball. (I do hit it most of the time).  Monday we met, what I would say is a wonderful skilled OT. (occupational therapist).  Paul, has worked with me 3 days this week and my elbow is much much improved.  Tomorrow he is going to meet me on the tennis court and show me what I have been doing to make my elbow so sore.  He is one of two OT in the nation who is a tennis pro and can diagnose and correct what a person is doing to make pain!!!!  I am sure excited.  Since Monday I have been doing tiny exercises, massaging, putting stimulation on the muscle and icing at least twice a day.  When I have gone in he dips my elbow in very warm wax, wraps it and then has me sit with it for 10 minutes.  He does several other things too but the results are amazing.  I started having pain last spring and all summer long as I did work it bothered me.  Paul said that in medical clinics one would get a shot or have surgery but pain can be dealt with without those and then once a person is pain free it is necessary to change what caused it.  Pretty exciting and to top it off I am so old I have medicare and supplemental insurance so I am also pain free of bills!!!
We are getting ready for John/Mary as well as thinking ahead as we will be in St. Paul in 3 weeks and a day.  Three weeks from today we pick up our camper which is getting made as I type.  They send us pictures of the progress every few days and that is fun. 
I have also been kind of busy relocating squirrels and rats.  The squirrels run across the cage over the pool and that is not good for the screen.  Have seen none in the last 3 or 4 days so may pack the device up for the season.
I called sister Joan last night to be sure I remembered how to make cream potatoes mom's style.  I don't know as Joan has changed it by putting onions in.   I may or may not do that.  I did think mom's cream potatoes were unchangeable but guess not.  When I asked how Ron is doing she said he is doing too well!!!  What she meant is he has made himself indispensable at his work so people call and he goes to work.  I always thought Ron had too much energy and it seems he has not changed. 
We went to a party two doors down on Sunday night.  Bruce, lost two sons a few years ago.  They were doing youth work and someone was in trouble in the water so both went in to help and all three drowned.  He has been able to deal with it and move on.  He is seldom here but has been for the past week so he had people over for an evening.  We do not do much of that but it was fun.
I took a break, got the last half cup of french coffee, did the spell check and it say one word is misspelled but I think it is right so will leave it.  Time to get some things done.
Thank you Jesus for giving your life for our sins.  I pray that all of us will do our very best to honor you, serve you and build your kingdom on earth.

Happy 7th birthday funny, smart, handsome. goofy Liam

Not a lot to say today.
It is April 2 and as usual the time just flies by.  I will be on the tennis courts in 35 minutes. Have not been playing much as that darn right elbow is so sore.  I guess there is always a price to be paid for having fun! Last Saturday Terry and I took in a tennis match at our club between 4 professionals.  It was so fun to see how they play.  The 2 pros from our club house eeked out a win.  Afterwards there were hamburgers and brats for all. 
Four weeks from today we will be in St. Paul and the winter (really winter??) of 2012 will be history.  Still many decisions to be made as to how we will spend the summer but I guess there is still time.  Also 1 week from today John/Mary and kids will be here.  We are looking forward to a fun time. 
Time to down that last drop of french press, get the tennis clothes on,(got to dress the part too you know) and head out to the court.  I want to see what that elbow feels like today.  Later today I have a PT appt to have it looked at.  I am sure it is nothing serious, perhaps only a bit of rest and some exercise.