Thank You for Reading...

Well friends, the summer is coming to a close.  Labor Day was the last hoorah for most folks and the island traffic has almost ceased to exist.  Our cabins are still full and there are fish to be caught, but most people have returned to the real world to work full time jobs and conduct full time lives.  I admit to a pang of jealousy at times, watching these people load up their boats and head back to the city.  Back to friends and coffee shops, Target and restaurants with steak and pasta.  While most days I thank God for this life, I have moments of pure heartache for home.  I still miss my house, almost 2 years later.  Does that ever end?
Our children have each had a birthday since my last post, Tyson turning 4 and Andie turning 2.  And as every year, I spend the day thinking back to the days they were born.  I have a horrible memory and can't remember anything anymore, but I can remember every second and every thought of June 27, 2009 and September 15, 2011.  I think it's fair to say kids' birthdays are just as special to a mom as they are to the kid. On Andie's birthday there were times I had to pause and smile at something she did that I know would have melted my mom's heart or made her laugh.  She would have loved this girl.  It's times like these that you think if only we'd had a little more time, or maybe had children a little earlier in life. We could have made more memories that included Mom.  We saw the first anniversary of her passing on July 1st and  took our little family to the beach and roasted hot dogs, spent the day doing absolutely nothing of importance.  Time marches on, but memories stand in place with a certain refusal to budge.  For this, I am thankful.

I joined Facebook earlier in the summer and have to come to hate it, just as I suspected I would.  Oh the things people find important enough to tell the whole world.  Though it has connected us with people from years back and allowed us to connect with friends, it has also made me realize how privacy is such a thing of the past.  Nobody holds back anymore, do they?  I don't post much, feeling that some things are only important to me and somehow seem more important when just kept private.  Along those lines, I decided to withdraw from the television show, which by the way has recently been picked up by the network and will move forward this winter.  You will still be able to bring the Angle into your own homes!  I wish them luck and hope that people will allow it to be the funny little show they have planned, instead of the mockery everyone is so afraid of.  But television is just not for me.  I see no reason to see my face on the screen, and even less reason to hear my screechy voice proclaiming some passing thought every Wednesday night!

As for the blog, I believe it has run its course.  The first year was fun to share with friends back home and remind people of the Angle what a unique little world we live in.  I enjoy writing and sharing my perspectives and my ridiculous sense of humor.  But my life is just that, mine.  I live in my quiet little bubble.  I stay out of the drama and do my job, spend as much time with my family as possible and take in what God has given me.  In this world of technology, we forget the easiest way to share experiences and love of life---the telephone.  Writing a blog and joining Facebook and having text massaging has taken away the value of hearing the voice of a loved one, with real conversation and dialogue.  If you miss the blog and want to hear a funny little story, call me.  I can embellish way better in live action than in writing.

Thank you to everyone that has read the blog and enjoyed it.  What a sense of accomplishment I feel from the great comments and praise I have received.  I became someone interesting when we moved to the Angle, at least for awhile.  Now I'm just your average mom, scrubbing toilets everyday and living in the most peaceful place on earth.  Nothing to prove.  With age comes experience, and with that experience comes the knowledge that you still know nothing.   Thank you for reading my stories and laughing at the fact that I still know nothing and love to say so.

So long to the blog.  Life is good, from this Angle.

Summer Time

 

Just chillin'......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the dump. 

 

 

 

 

 

For Stacey, Per Your Request

I am late on blogging and had a conversation about it with a good friend on Facebook. So I'm pasting in on as a blog post because I'm a big fat cheater-face. It went like this: ********Stacey Kerns: i know you are busy, but it is time for a blog update. do it. i miss you *********Lisa McKeever: I know, I'm sorry. I just sat here staring at a blank page for 45 minutes and just can't come up with anything. We've been working so much I don't have the time to write or subject matter to write about. I can tell you I sent an email to the production company of the TV show and backed out of that. I have decided not to do it, for a lot of reasons that I won't go into here. I've been painting our house, fence and deck when I get the chance. And of course cleaning cabin after cabin after cabin. Oh desk job--I don't miss you one iota, but I do think of you fondly when I am scrubbing some man's puke off the side of a toilet. 10 hours ago · Like · 3.. *********Stacey Langum Kerns: That was totally a mini blog post. I feel better already. I still miss you, though. 10 hours ago via mobile · Like..

After the Rain

I found  a couple of ice out pictures on my phone that I had forgotten about.  This is a little late, but they are neat to see.  The ice really is an amazing thing.  I'm ashamed to say I don't know much about how it works and I need to do my research and get educated.  There were pictures circulating on Facebook of ice piled up on the shores of the lake at Rocky Point, which is about 2 hours south of here.  The wind pushed it up on the shore and it just stacked up on itself, 8 feet high in some places.  There is one photo of a guy standing next to it and it is higher than his head and looking like an iceberg from Alaska.  There are also videos of the ice pushing in through the windows of homes, creeping in slowly.  I had no idea things like this happened.

I recently joined Facebook after a long protest.  I hate doing what everyone is doing, especially being forced to communicate via "social  media" with people when there are telephones and emails already.  But I digress.....I'm managing my Facebook, the Young's Bay Facebook, the blog and we are in the finishing phase of a new website, while trying not to repeat any pictures between the 4 places.  I feel like I'm bombarding people with information constantly between the 4 sites and barging right into your minds! I apologize if see you the same picture show up repeatedly.  Soon you will be like me, dreaming about captions for photos and visions of Youngs Bay all night long......this is only the beginning of my Jedi mind tricks, as I slowly invade your brain and convince you to move here and join my village gang.

We're officially settled in the new house with every box unpacked and put away.  Phew.  They call this house the fishbowl because it's right in the middle of the resort and everyone is popping in. Privacy is a bit lacking, but it's new to us and we don't mind it yet.  I enjoy seeing all the people and putting faces with names I have only heard.  But the bonus of it is that you can see everything happening from right here.  The other night as we sat eating our dinner, a guy forgot to the put the plug in his boat after launching it and it was sinking while tied up to our dock.  As we slurped our spaghetti noodles, we watched the action as he was attempting to save it.  That is a first for me!  I need to add that to the reverse bucket list.  Watch boat sink while eating spaghetti.  (PS Rick finished his dinner and went out to help.  We weren't just looky-lou's! Well, I was.)

Andie cleaning a fridge in the store.  At one point she was right down on her little belly, wiping away.  I love this time with the kids while they are young and interested in what we are doing and wanting to help.  I know these days are numbered.  Someday they will want to be away from us as much as possible, while possibly cursing us for making them live on the outskirts of nowhere out here.  Big Rick always says, "It's not the end of the earth, but you can see it from here."  It's especially evident when I really have a food craving, like some type of burger or delivery pizza.  No such thing in this world.

After 3 days of HEAVY rain this week, the sun has finally come out.  There is mud up to our ears and puddles abound, but we are happy to see the blue skies and sunshine. There is nothing fun about trying to clean a cabin with mud all over the place and rain pouring down on your clean linens. The kids were cooped up for way too long and Tyson got 2 bloody noses in one day from racing around like a lunatic in the house, bursting with energy.  If you can't go outside up here there really isn't much to do.  The only option would be to visit someone else's house or go to the bar.  Finally when it stopped, the kids were able to get outside and get some air, thus the huge smile on Andie's face here.  (Besides the fact she was with Linnea, who spoils her rotten and can't say no!)  I've never thought about weather as much as I do here.  I've said it before, it really does determine your day.  A lot of people around here just go about their business anyway, but I haven't reached that point yet. If it's cold and windy, I'd just rather stay in.  I need to get brave and face the winds!  I'll work on that.  Next year.

We're Sprung!

Spring has sprung at the Angle!!! The winter seemed to stretch way beyond it's welcome this year. There were snow flurries yesterday morning, even. I tell you it's like walking into an episode of "Lost" around here sometimes.  You just never know what Mother Nature is going to bring in this country.

Winter appeared to end in one afternoon.  We had piles of snow in the morning, the wind picked up for a few hours, and then we had no snow.  Just like that.  I know I have always complained about the wind and cursed it endlessly.  But I do owe it credit for taking away the snow and, eventually, the ice.  The ice broke records this year as it would not leave the lake.  I've taken call after call in the last 2 weeks from concerned fishermen wanting to know if they would be able to put their boats in the water this month.  Finally, after some rain and wind (again, I credit the stinking wind)  the ice has left us.  The pictures above (taken by Adam Carry) are from the same day.  The first at 11:00am before the rain.  The second at 6:00pm after some rain and a wind shift.  Ice gone!!!!  Duane has been putting boats in the water and we are glad to see the waves!!!!  There is so much to learn about how all this weather works and the effects on the lake.  My education continues.........

So this spring (YAY, I CAN SAY SPRING!)  is bringing a few changes to Young's Bay.  Brian and Jenny are taking on a new endeavor and have purchased Jerry's.  Though they are just going across the street, they are forging out on their own to build their own business and will no longer be working at Young's Bay Resort.  With 2 people leaving the resort, Rick and I have more to do and an increase in responsibilities, which I love and welcome.  I thrive on a packed to-do list and putting my own spin on things.  I don't need to have a fancy title or recognition for my work, but I do like being in control of something and planning things out. We are also moving into the house that Brian and Jenny have been living in.  It is the original house that Big Rick and Pat built.  It contains the laundry room for the resort and is right in the middle of the action and the goings on. This puts me more in the thick of the business where I can learn how things work and meet more of our guests. It also sits on the lake and we will wake up every morning to a beautiful sunrise over the water. Our new duplex is close to being finished and will bring 12 more beds to the reservation calendar.  I've already spring cleaned the store and it is ready for service.  We hired a lovely young lady, Molly, who is a cousin and will be working side by side with me in the cabins, shifts in the store and whatever else we can conjure up.

Happy Mother's Day to all.  This mom got a Keurig, which is the most perfect gift ever. (Besides the obvious gift: my husband knows me well and can pick the gift that would put the biggest smile on my face. Now that is something money can't buy.) My dear friend Stacey put together some flowers for my Momma's place of rest.  (Thank you ladypants. Hugs.)  I have been missing her greatly this week, probably due to all the big changes going on that I would be keeping her updated on, if she were here.  And of course our first Mother's Day without her.  As any good friend, she loved to hear our exciting news and kid stories.  With every passing day, I think of how she would be crazy over Andie Joy and her growing sass.  My heart aches for her, but I can't be sad about that.  She is a mother worth missing and that has to be celebrated on a day made for her.  This is your day, Momma.

So let's have a toast (go ahead, lift your glass...) to change, good history, progression and future.  And to Moms, God bless every single one.

 Life is good, people.  Soak it up with me.   Cheers.

Back at the Angle

We are home from a fantastic trip home.  No that is not a typo, I have 2 homes and that is that. I love my home at the Northwest Angle, I think I have said that about a million times.  But I can't let go of my Wenatchee valley and the beautiful mountains or the faces I miss so much.We managed to see over 30 friends and family members while we were in Washington.  Still not everyone I wanted to touch base with, but the best we could do in 2 weeks time.  It was controlled chaos running from place to place, dragging my bewildered children around and throwing them at people they don't remember .  And when I say place to place. you know that includes a big bunch of latte stands.  The first thing I did after getting off the train at 5:30am was drive to the nearest espresso stop and order a huge hazelnut latte, sweet foamy heaven.

The train ride went well, especially with Aunt Shirley there to help out.  Tyson loved his little bunk and had no trouble entertaining himself or falling asleep. He was so excited when we started seeing the mountain peaks in Montana.  Don't you just love when your kid appreciates something that is important to you?

Other passengers were not impressed with the train or rising at 3:00am to meet it.

The first week we stayed with Rick's Uncle George and Aunt Lauren.  They have been very good to us over the years and always let me in their house with 14 suitcases and dirty kids and my crap spread all over the bathroom counter.  Tyson loves George like a grandfather and felt that George was responsible for such a fun train ride, as if George had made the train himself and made the Montana mountains for Tyson to see.

The second week of our trip was spent with one of my favorite girlfriends, Stacey.  This is the view off her front porch and I could not get enough of it. You can see these same hills from my parent's house, which brings up so many memories and the feeling of warm spring afternoons in my teen years, and of course,  my mom.  Before leaving for the trip the thought occurred to me that it may not be the same feeling, being in a valley that did not have my mom in it as it had before.  But there is something about looking at this view that she looked at everyday and feeling closer to her.  Somehow there is comfort in that instead of the ache I was prepared for.

Stacey has 3 sweet children that my kids adored and had the best time with.  Andie and Harper, Stacey's youngest, are 4 days apart and were the cutest little friends.  Tyson practically worshiped Oliver (6) and couldn't stop talking about him if we were away from their house.  This is one thing that is hard for me as a parent living in the deep woods.  There aren't many children up here and I always worry that I've taken something away from our children by moving away from so many friends.  It's a difficult thing to determine.  We have so much more time as a family than we would in the real world, so it has to be one or the other in this case.

We visited every park within a 20 mile radius while we were there.  The weather was OUTSTANDING, sunshine and no snow.  To be fair, I come from the Great White North where the temperatures are below zero much of the winter and the wind blows like it hates you----most weather is outstanding compared to this.  But the fresh air put smiles on our faces for sure. Knowing it was snowing back at the Northwest Angle made this even more enjoyable.  We did not waste a minute indoors.

Teagan and Tyson, buddies on the bridge in Cashmere, my hometown................maybe we'll take a similar picture each year we return and watch them grow together even though they live so many miles apart.

I would like to include a note here about each person we saw while home, but I didn't take enough pictures and there were too many events to write in detail. I hope no one is offended.  You know what you mean to me, in blog words or not!  Now that I've had a dose of my Washingtonians, I can go forth and conquer the busy season we're headed in to at Young's Bay!  There are some changes coming up and lots of work to do, and we are ready to roll.  If only I could grab a latte on my way to the "office"............

Westward Bound

Lisa has left the Angle.

Someone go to my house and boss my husband around and complain about his Netflix choices so he doesn't get lonely for me.

Then run around yelling like a crazy person with occasional crying and spilling your milk and repeating yourself so he doesn't get lonely for the kids.



Everyone in Wenatchee, bake me brownies and rest up, I am almost there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Current Events

Let's get current on the recent events of the Angle, shall we?

We had a fantastic Easter Sunday.  Church, easter egg hunt, and a big feast with family and friends.  I love Easter, the most important day of the year.  How blessed we are.  "There are far far better things ahead than anything we leave behind."  --CS Lewis.  Can I get an Amen?

Uncle Steve had a little mishap on the ice when his excavator fell through while digging out a dock.  Luckily he was in shallow water and only his feet got wet.  Though rumor has it his pants got wet as well, but not due to lake water......

Andie spent some time conflicted between sweet girlie clothes with flowers..........

And John Deere Gangster.  She chose gangster. Watch for her name in the police blotter this week. The pink overalls will probably give her away.

The sun has come out and so have the deer.  I can't drive to the other end of the village without seeing at least 4.  I still love seeing deer after all this time.  There were 2 babies with this Mama deer and I passed them twice.  They moved to the side of the road but didn't leave.  Brave little creatures.

Here we are waiting for them to get out of the road. They were not in a rush and we sat there for a minute or 2. I like to think of this as the Minnesota Road Block.

This snapshot is my last snowshoe trip with Bonny.  It is the last one for this season as the sun has come out and we had day after day of 20+ degrees.  Yes my friends, I have survived the 2nd Minnesota winter.  And have come to cherish the Trifecta.  The Trifecta is the perfect combination of sun, temperatures over 20 degrees and complete lack of wind.  When the Trifecta comes out, so do I.

Fred got arrested for indecent exposure and public intoxication. We won't judge him.  Honestly, who hasn't had this charge on their record?

The men have been working away at the new cabin which will be ready for it's first reservations may 24th .  It looks lovely and I think our guests are really going to enjoy it.  If you break a bottle of champagne over the hull of a new boat, it must be a bottle of whiskey over the propane tank of a new cabin in Northern Minnesota, right?

Backside of the cabin, looking toward the lake.  Youngs Bay is growing!


The last and perhaps most important bit of information in this list of current events would be this:  WE'RE COMING HOME!!!!  The kids and I will arrive in Wenatchee on April 9th, at the very crack of dawn, and stay through Monday the 22nd.  We're coming by train, which I'm sure will prove very interesting with a 3 year old and a 1 year old.  Rick won't be coming, but Aunt Shirley will be coming with us to help with these little people on the 26 hour ride across the country.  So this means no blog through those dates.  I will be busy packing in as many visits with friends and family as I can do in a 2 week span.  And loving every minute of it.

**This concludes my 100th blog.  Kind of a neat little thought.

The Ultimate Reverse Bucket List Item

I have debated over this post for almost one month.  I had nearly decided not to talk about it at all, but it is fun news and I thought you all would want to know about it.  I have taken a bit of a beating from a few folks at the Angle over it and sometimes I've wished it had never happened.  But it did, it was fun and has the potential for tons more fun---so here we go.  WARNING: THIS IS A LONG STORY.

A couple months ago while I was working at Jerry's, a film crew came in.  They are from Warm Springs Productions in Montana and had been sent out by the History Channel to find interesting stories on people from somewhere in the "Great White North".  After some research, they stumbled onto the Northwest Angle and decided to check it out.  They were interviewing a few people at Jerry's and someone suggested they should talk to me since I was the new girl in town and have documented my experience on the blog. ( Now if you remember, there was a film crew that came through here before. Luckily they had no interest in me and this was good because I had no interest in being interviewed or seeing myself on TV.  But the downfall to being me is that I am easily persuaded and feel guilty if someone asks me to do something and I don't do it.) So before I had time to really process it, I was sitting in front of the camera with a microphone on my shirt and talking away, voice shaky and stuttering along.  I spent some time with the film crew that night and really enjoyed them.  (You can check out their website warmspringsproductions.com    They have been involved in shows such as Duck Dynasty and Mountain Men.  They do a lot on the outdoor channel and have some stuff related to the NRA.  One of the guys involved also does a very funny show called "Jimmy BigTime", you can check it out on YouTube.)  A few weeks later they contacted us to say that they were coming back with a show idea in mind and wanted Rick and I to be in it. ** EEK!**  Was my first thought.  My second thought was that I am the least interesting person on the face of the earth, not to mention boring at times and obnoxious at others.  I said I didn't think I would do it and told Rick there was NO WAY I would do it.  Once again my defiance was tested and I caved and said I would talk more with them.  I battled this in my mind for days and Rick and I had many discussions about it.  We researched their company and talked with Shera, our contact person at Warm Springs.  There were so many things to consider about this.  Will we look like idiots, will they make the Angle out to be something it isn't, do we want our lives invaded by cameras etc.  I was thinking of every little aspect that could go wrong. (I am a horrible worrier, what a nice gift.I can actually worry a thing right to death.) I also considered all the great things about it. This is a huge opportunity to advertise our little village which is supported by tourism.  People staying in our cabins puts food on our table and clothes on our backs.  This seemed like a no-brainer to me and the most important point. Plus, my friends back home would be so excited to see actual footage of my homeland. We spoke more with Shera and had our questions answered and felt more at ease about it all.  Their vision for the show is to portray what a unique area this is and how out of the ordinary things happen on a daily basis.  It is not entirely a reality show, meaning you won't have cameras following people around recording every little detail of their lives.  The show will be based on the more humorous side of the Angle and the crazy things that happen here and have happened in the past.  They are bringing in 3 of their own guys who will learn a trade on camera, being trained by people from the Angle.  For whatever reason, they like my writing and would like each show to end with a recap from the blog about the events that were just seen. They like that I have no clue about life up here and that I am still learning.  They like that I still know this life is not normal and can see the newcomer's perspective.  They like that I had a life in the real world and packed up my family and moved to something that was so opposite of what I knew and had ever imagined.  Rick and I felt the pros outweighed the cons and we felt like the intentions of this company were trustworthy and good in nature.  They spent a week at the Angle with a crew of 11 (I think??) and took endless footage of activity and interviews.  My part included being outdoors with the kids, cleaning a cabin, and some blogging for the most part.  The only day I took any pictures was a pick-up hockey game that took place outside of Sunset Lodge, where the show will be stationed--if it gets picked up by a network.  Remember:  this is all just a proposal and may never see the light of day.

There were 3 teams of guys at the hockey game.  Including 2 dogs, one who stole the puck and took it out into a snow drift.  It was hilarious and very picture perfect of the Angle.  The red truck in the background had a camera man in it and he was filming the wide shots.  Then there were a couple cameras right in the thick of the game.

One of the funniest parts was a group of 3 guys from Iowa who happened to stop in at Sunset for a beer and were asked to play and said yes.  They were hysterical and rowdy and rounded out the game in a great way.

My husband played as well, his first hockey game since living here, which is way overdue.  The weather did not do nice things to the ice in the days leading up to the game, so they weren't able to wear skates and had to run around in boots.  We were thinking this was a bummer, but it added to the circus of events and was actually better I think.  They spent half the time piled up in heaps in front of the goals.

This was a fun group of people and I got to spend time with a couple guys that I haven't talked to before.  Rick's Aunt Kathy was there also.  She is a fun lady with a lot of history on life at the Angle.

Tyson was out with his hockey stick ready to play should they need him.  Here he is sitting beside a crack in the road which went down a few feet.  These are things I don't think about lest I have a panic attack about the ice cracking and my son falling through.  A car can drive right over it and be fine, so I have to remind myself of that......repeatedly.

The footage they have from that week is being made into a "Sizzle Reel" which is what they pitch to the network for the show idea.  The chances of it getting produced are so low.  Just think of all the reality shows out there already.  It will be May before this Sizzle Reel is even done, so no news until at least the summer.  The show would take place in the winter and showcase ice fishing and other winter time activity.

We had a great time working with Warm Springs and spending time with them.  Enough that I could not say no to Shera and felt like I would be letting down a friend.  Could this bite me in the butt and make me look like a jerk?  Sure.  But it was fun and entertaining. You're not going to see the private parts of our lives or learn the greatest kept secrets of the Northwest Angle. Just the highlights and silly people who inhabit it.

 I have taken a bit of crap from people I considered friends that didn't know the facts or care to ask.  I am not out to showboat and act like I am a great Angler and full of knowledge about this area.  That is the whole point of me being on the show. My interview talks about how I hate the cold and don't go out for days at a time. Yes I am shy and tend to stay out of the way of a lot of things.  This is me stepping out of the box and doing something new.  There were even some harsh words aimed about the blog.  I do not even care about this as reading it is voluntary and it is meant for people who love me and want to stay caught up on my life. I am hundreds of miles away from people I love and it warms my heart that they like the blog, it is written for them. Perhaps those who have such a problem with it could start their own blog on how much they hate mine and express their hatred that way.  It's disappointing to me that a venture such as this has to be turned into something ugly and used to attack my character.  Especially since my door is always open and I would be willing to explain these things.  But such is life.  A great opportunity presented itself and I don't want  to let those things pass by.  It took guts to move here, it takes a certain amount of guts and prayer to live here, and it took guts for me to agree to this potential show.  Is that so wrong?

 I will keep you all posted as things move along.  If it doesn't happen that would be just fine. I love a life less complicated.  But just think about the blog coming to life right in your living room each week!  How cool is that?!

**I know I have left out details that would make this story make more sense.  Please fire away with questions that would make it more clear.  None of us wants this post to be any longer and I am tired of writing at this point!  I also apologize for the rant on the complaints against me.  But it is a part of this story line and a part of living in a community of this size. I am an open book and you are the victims of the overflow. 

Norma

Grandma Norma, Pat's mother, passed away on Tuesday the 5th in her own home and in her own way--with peace, calm and dignity.  As we stood at the funeral home on Sunday evening for her viewing, observing her photos, her family and her memories, a thought came to me that I had never processed before.  Though I knew her the least and had the least amount of time with her, the one thing I know is this:  Grandma Norma is Minnesota.  All of the things I've found endearing, comforting, or "the norm" in this state can be rooted back to this wise and fantastic woman.  She is sewing, quilting and mending.  She is a funny memory repeated at gatherings of family.  She is a garden and a safe log home. She is a Bible verse. She is the perfect anecdote.  She is welcoming.  She is baked treats and a cup of tea.  She is Big Rick's biggest supporter.  She is my husband's childhood memories.  She is feeding a baby calf in the house.  She is a homemade quilt for our cabins.  She is humble, yet proud of her existence.  She is an extensive vocabulary.  She is Pat's Sunday evening supper and Chuck's nightly phone call.  She is Church on Christmas Eve.  She is the perfect quote.  She is aware of her eternity's destination and welcoming it with no fear.  She is a funny memory from George's teen years and a roommate and companion in Shirley's adulthood.  She is the farm.  She is missed.  She is loved.  She is everyone's image of a grandmother.  She is an honest life with the result of a close-knit family.  She is the one to model.  She is small town USA.  She is passing on with peace and security.  She is extraordinary.  She is farewell for now.  And she is home.

Igloo

Last night Tyson woke up crying, telling Rick he'd had a nightmare and was near hysterics. When Rick asked what the nightmare was about, Tyson said, "My igloo melted and I had no place to live!" I get the feeling this poor boy has been surrounded by ice and snow way to long.

Poo Paranoia

See that little Lincoln Log right there on the rocking chair?  Every once in awhile I spot those lying around the house and I think, "Oh no, one of the kids has finally poo'd on the floor."  Even though this has never happened before and my children are innocent.  I believe this is a common thought of motherhood, but now it has been exacerbated by my Cabin Girl status in where I think about poo more than the average person.  I work with it twice as much as the average person.  And now have come to fear it and see it where I shouldn't, a risk I took when signing on to scrub toilets as a profession.
                                                 Diagnosis:  Fecal Matter Mania.

Beautiful Weather

Well folks, this Tuesday blog wraps up the week long extravaganza of endless chatter from me. It was actually easier to come with stuff to write about that than I thought it would be. This must mean either: 1) I can make some BS out of anything/make a story out of nothing.  Or 2) I finally have something going on that is exciting enough to report! or 3) I was just being lazy before and not writing until I felt bad for having taken so long. Meaning Jared was right all along.  Perhaps it's a nice little mixture of the 3.  No matter how you look at it, I've been called out and have a reputation to uphold now.

We have had the MOST beautiful weather ever this week.  Sunny and 30 degrees.  I was out in snowpants and a sweatshirt---no coat!  We've managed to make it out everyday this week since it would be shameful to waste this heatwave we're having.  The kids and I have been spending some time exploring the ice road and playing in the snow.  What a blessing to be able to spend time outside everyday with my kids and not be worried about a thing, work or time or traffic.  We are beyond lucky and attempting to be very aware of this rare fact.

Andie has discovered you can lay right down in the snow and lick it and this is fun!  I was able to let it go and not think about all the cars and snowmobiles that have driven right over that snow.  Until we went to Jerry's for hot chocolate and she laid down and licked the floor.  Oops.  I think we have some overlapping ideas of what is appropriate....and sanitary.....and just down right disgusting.

B's Big Day

 Happy Birthday to Brian!  He is out of town today, but we're throwing him a party anyway.  We'll save you a piece of your cake!

 What Brian looked like 20ish years ago.........

What I think he will look like 20ish years from now.

The Progressive McKeever Beaver Outing

 Once upon a time some McKeevers and a group of their friends went out to the annual Angle Progressive Dinner.  A 5 course meal served at 5 different resorts, starting at 3:00pm in Jerry's Lounge for appetizers.  Yours truly and her husband went by snowmobile because the weather could not be better and she hasn't even sat on a snowmobile since living here.  She donned a shiny new black helmet courtesy of Big Al and some short snow-bibs that resembled capri pants because they belong to her petite mother-in-law.

 At stop #2 the party of 19 (give or take) found themselves at Flag Island Resort for some chicken and wild rice soup.  They arrived at each stop on the hour and a drawing was held at 20 minutes after the hour for great prizes donated by the hosting resort.

 This handsome couple was happy to be out of the house, together for once, and on a big date.  A Windsor and Diet never hurt to improve the mood either.  And knowing this, they had a few.

 Stop #3 brought the buzzing group to Sunset Lodge for salads.  Caesars and romaine abound with some lovely bread.  One loaf managed to make its way into the purse of someone in this photo. A rebel with no fear or gluten allergies.

 Our main character happened upon this adorable beaver as she traipsed out of the bathroom.  She fell in love and had to take its picture.  Once back at her table, she shared her photo and love for the fuzzy little thing and the theme for the night was set.  Dirty jokes and planning galore would come to play from this beaver.

 Stop #4 at Angle Inn Lodge brought another round of drinks, a pork chop per person and a dancing Jenny-in-law.  Our main character was another Windsor Diet in and won a bottle of Moscato in the door prize drawing.  She shared a table with her husband and father-in-law, feeling a little left out that she was the only one at the table not named Richard, but enjoying herself none the less.  There was also a contest in which each table had pictures of different candies and had to name what they were.  Another table filled with McKeevers and friends won this contest and took home a box of chocolate covered blueberries and the pride that comes with winning such an event.

 The final course of the night was hosted by Sportman's Lodge and was a choice of lemon cake or raspberry granola something or other.  Nikki, Bonny and Mike enjoyed their dessert and company as the evening got later and more silly.

 The birthday girl!  Nikki celebrated her special day at the dinner and they all bought her a liquid gift.

 Here is something you only hear about  in such a fairytale as this, a drink token.  If someone buys a round of drinks and you already have a full one, you get a token and use it to buy your free drink later.  Some natives of the Angle were surprised to hear that other Washington natives had not heard of this before.

 The happy couple as they rounded Soldier's point.  The temperature was nearly perfect and hardly a wind was blowing.

 Big Bad Brian won an adorable set of heart bowls for his door prize.  He squealed with delight.

 He was so excited, he immediately poured his beer in the small bowl and drank it down.  He later wiped fish guts on his sister-in-law's cheek, that came off the sweatshirt of a man just in from his fish house.  As she shouted at him to get her a drink STAT as his punishment for such a dastardly thing, she was unaware of how this one request would shape the night.  For she was outsmarted by this member of her very own family as he ordered the strongest drink in the land and brought it back to her.  From this point on, the night would become a little more hazy and her speech would be a little more repetitive.

 Meanwhile, John was winning this fine red beer cooler which can be worn over the shoulder like a purse.

 By the end of the dessert course, the birthday girl requested a return trip to Sunset Lodge for a drink.  And they all said, "As you wish."  When they arrived at Sunset Lodge, yours truly was overcome by the severe need to return to the table of the Beaver.  She knew she must have it.  She expressed these thoughts to her friends and discussions started of just how to get that fuzzy thing home. She knew it would take some planning and stealthy moves, reminiscent of "The Italian Job."  Just when she thought someone (Sara) would have to go to drastic measures and flash the bartender so the Beaver could be smuggled out, she was tipped off that one of the owners was sitting at the bar having some drinks of his own.  With liquid courage surging through her veins, Yours Truly bellied up to the bar, and it's partial owner, and started what would later come to be known as The Great Beaver Negotiation of 2013.

 And, dear blog friends, she came away with that beaver.  That man was not able to stand his ground and Yours Truly became the proud owner of her coveted stuffed friend. (He stated it could be on loan but we'll see about that won't we?)  Even her husband didn't think it could be done.  Oh the lack of faith!  He of all people should have remembered her powers of persuasion!

The happy couple who would live happily ever after.  The proud owner of the McKeever Beaver and her precious cargo were separated that night as she could not fit him on her snowmobile, nor would she risk his safety in such a way.  He had no helmet after all.  Trusted friends took the McKeever Beaver to Jerry's as Yours Truly ended up going home to check on her children and the sweet babysitters who were with them.  But the legend goes that the McKeever Beaver became famous that night and many stood in line at Jerry's to have their picture taken with him.  So you see, when you drink enough and know the right people, dreams really can come true. The End.

*No beavers were harmed in the making of this story.

*The beaver now remains in an undisclosed location for his own safety and because Yours Truly does not want to give him back.