Front Yard Fun

With the rental went the electrical pole in the front yard, which just happened to be what the climbing rose bush climbed.  I'm not sure where I was when they tore the pole out, but I was a little sad to see the rose bush gone.  And then I was told they had saved it and it was laying by the garage.  Perfect!  So I went to work digging a hole and stuck it in and watered it.  And watered it.  And watered it.  And nothing.  Finally DJ ripped it out and sent it to the burn pile.  Sad. 

Fast forward a couple months when DJ was mowing one day and low and behold:  They were growing back where the pole had been!  And he didn't mow it over!!  That's right.  Made. My. Day!  Whoop Whoop!!  And then another little one popped up.  And then another.  WHAAAT!!!  Awesome.  And they kept growing.  And growing.  And growing.  After watching them grow like weeds, we decided they needed something to climb.  The big one was at the point of just falling over.  I told DJ we could put the flag pole there, but he was not a fan of that idea.  I suggested picking something up at Home Depot or Menards.  He pretty much ignored me. 

And then he had an idea. 

I love it!  I bought this old wheel from my grandparents' auction without having an idea where to put it or what to do with it.  I guess DJ got tired of it sitting behind the shed and decided to put it in the front yard!  (Ignore poor Teddy hanging out in the background... he might've lost a nose that day...)  I'm hoping once the other smaller ones start to grow I'll be able to weave them in the wheel as well.  I'm pretty excited for it to bloom next year!

I don't think DJ considered the fact that he just added something to the yard meaning he'll have to weed eat around it!! 

Years in the Making

I finally got around to taking pictures of my "big" project!  I lost the charger to one camera and the other one was dead so I took them with my iPhone.  They're not the best, and maybe sometime when I remember to plug the camera in I can get better ones!  With help from JT, PB, SH, and DJ I was able to get it done relatively quickly!  It was really simple to do as well.  The door came from the rental.  I can't remember which door it was... maybe the bedroom.  I don't know if it was an original door or not, but the rental was built in the 1800's and with as many layers of paint that JT and I had to scrape off, I'd be willing to bet it was original!!  That was definitely the hardest part of the project!! I was probably going to put another coat of paint on in the end, but when I spilled the paint everywhere and broke the can, that changed my mind quickly!!  Whoops. 

Here's the finished product.  Okay, almost finished... I have to put the door knob back on yet! 

Here's a closer look at each shelf. 

Making Dad Proud

The seed company PB works for, which is also the seed company that DJ's family buys the seed from, held their summer kickoff last Tuesday so we headed north for the party.  Who can resist free food, booze, and lodging?  Not us!!  We get there early so we head to the hotel bar.  We see some folks from back home and they inform us PB has a tab open (translation: Hello free drinks!!).  We chat there for awhile before the conference room is opened up.  Once that opened we headed there and got some more drinks and some snacks that were sitting out for us.  We chatted with a bunch of people, from the old home and from the new home areas. 

Once it got close to supper time, we all went into the conference room and enjoyed a steak dinner and more drinks.  After everyone ate, they gave away some TV's (none of us won, boo).  Our entertainment for the night was the Dueling Pianos.  This was my first experience with them, and I have to say, they were so much fun!!  They got us all involved and I think everyone stayed until the end!  One of the guys I went to high school with was called up to participate in one part of it and they gave him the nickname Brawney Man.  Once he had that nickname, there was no getting away from being the entertainment for the rest of us (at his expense!)  They called him up to dance or something, and after a glass or two too many of CR, I decided I needed to go show him how it is done! 

Bad idea...  I shed the flip flops and started doing my tumbling.  I must have been inspired by the olympics or something!  This was a shock for DJ and my old roommate, as neither of them had a clue I could do such things!!  So then I was called Cartwheel Girl.  I also stole a bunch of pens and passed them out to the crowd before skipping on out of there back to the hotel bar (because clearly I needed more to drink!!) 

PB called the next morning and said they had mentioned me in the meeting... apparently I didn't medal at the olympics.  Yep, I'm sure he was proud of his baby that night!!

Oh darn you CR, you win again!!

Vacation

You know how when you get home from vacation and you feel so rested up and ready to take on the world?  Yeah, that was not me.  Woofta!  What a trip!!

I left last Thursday for County on the River in Prairie du Chien, WI.  I had to pick up JT and LR on the way, not to mention pack before I left, so Day 1 of vacation: no sleeping in.  We get to the hotel and meet up with PW and WI to do a little jet skiing.  Off to the lake we go.  Arrive at lake.  Get informed the lake is a "No wake lake."  Leave.  (maybe crack open a cold one about now...)  Once PW and WI decide on a new lake we head that way.  Two hours later: arrive at new lake.  I think we were on the water for a touch over three hours. Jet skiing. Falling off Jumping off to pee.  Crawling back on jet ski.  Tubing.  Falling off.  Crawling back on tube.  Falling off.  Crawling back on ski.  Falling off (due to some terrible driving...).  Crawling back on ski.  Jumping.  Soaking up sun.  Etc...  Talk about a workout!!  Those aren't supposed to happen on vacation!!!  By the time we get loaded up and on the road again, we're all starving.  Off to BWW's we go to fill our little tum tums.  Then to the hotel.  Hot tub.  Shower.  Pass out!!!

Enter Friday.  Holy soreness.  Wake up early to go to breakfast at the joint down the road.  Eat (yummm).  Booze/Chair run.  Off to COTR!  Arrive.  Park.  Drink.  Sweat.  Burn.  Drink.  Burn.  Sweat.  Repeat.  Ahh sun goes down!  Concert.  My lovely future husband!!  :o)  Soo cute, want to touch the hiney.  Seriously guys, it was sooo hot.  And brilliant us, didn't take a pop up tent for shade (lesson learned).  We got back to the hotel around 1 I think and by the time we all made a mud slide showered it was after two. 

Enter Saturday.  Up and getting ready to go tailgate again.  Forecast is cooler and rainy.  PERFECT!!  WI and PW went to get a pop up tent (not that we used it) and we headed back to PdC.  Then it rained.  So we sat in the truck and drank.  And then we went to the concert and danced (as much as we could, as we were still quite sore).  We got pretty stinkin' close to GFA, until an old crabby lady decided to get the cops involved because apparently there is to be no dancing/crowding/moving at concerts... riiiight.  Luckily this happened on the second to last song.  Then we go back to our chairs to continue dancing/singing.  We left and got to the hotel a bit earlier than the previous night, but still, not real early.  Plus we had to tell each other good night.

Enter Sunday.  DJ shot me down last weekend when I asked to go play in the river on the Terex.  (Due to drought conditions, it's more like a path with puddles.)  Instead, deciding to go this weekend and the group was leaving by noon so if I wanted to go I had to be home by there.  So we were up by 645 and on the road by 7-- not shabby for 3 chickas.  We stopped for breakfast and then I dumped off JT and LR and fueled up the VW and headed home.  Only to find out they had postponed the ride.  Yesss-- nap time!!  Just kidding.  I don't remember what happened to disturb me, but I know a nap didn't happen.  Oh!!  I had to go get booze.  So I took the dogs for a drive.  Well first I had to empty the cooler from the road trip.  So I get to the gas station and fill the cooler.  I get home and go to text DJ I was ready.  Hmm... where'd my phone go?  So I get on my iPhone (not activated) and send PW a message to call my cell.  Not in my car.  Not in the house.  Hmm... oh yes, I set it on the hood of my car when I emptied the cooler.  Great.  Load the dogs back up and start driving.  Good news:  I found it in front of AL's house!  Still works :)  So by the time I get home from that and laid on the couch, in strolls DJ ready to roll.  Off we went.  After stopping by the neighbors and getting stuck and touring, we get back home and grill, only to have the neighbors bring their dog over for a play date.  So we ate and went to bed, later than I normally do on the weekdays!! 

Needless to say, Monday morning was rough.  But I made it!!  Stay tuned for my awesome story from Tues!!