Finding a new Love in Life...

Ever since I can remember I have always admired those who could run, although I never really understood why?  I hated running in gym when I was a kid, and I vowed to never do it once I was done with school. I did not have have not had the desire to do so since...........Well since this past week.

I have always been a busy person.  I have enjoyed working two jobs, raising a family, going back to school, and more all at the same time.  This past spring my husband thought it might be nice if I take a break from doings so  much all the time and stay home with the kids and take my few summer classes.  I cannot complain, it has been nice not going all the time, except with chasing for my daughters traveling fastpitch games and a few additional things.  The down side is that for a busybody like myself, it makes it really hard to stay focused. Yes, I find when I do not have lots to do, I begin to get discombobulated and off task.

The best solution I had besides going back to my part-time job was take up a new hobby.  But what?  I had no idea until.............One evening I was a bit upset and frustrated.  I needed to get out of the house for a bit and decided I would take the dog for a walk.  I walk her frequently.  This time something was different on our walk.  I decided I would give running a try and see if it helped relieve some stress.  Next thing I knew, I was running and running and it felt Awesome!!!!

I had no idea how good it really felt.  Now I know and understand why people run. It has many benefits and feels GREAT!  Since my first run a few days ago, I have managed to run a little bit longer each time and without getting so exhausted as quickly.  I cannot wait to see the changes in a few weeks.

Oh, and I cannot forget about my wonderful partner, Tawney who keeps me going strong!

Appreciating Life Today....

Today was a great day!  My husband and I spent some quality time playing around with the girls doing different things.  We even got a chance to see our son, who is the oldest and is almost never home anymore because he is busy all the time.

Since we had a birthday girl in the house, it was important to make sure we made her feel special.  Especially since she hit double digits for the first time.  How exciting!!!!

Since she was born during the fair time, she has always liked to go several times during that short week. Today was ride day, so dad and sister rode with her.  Mom can't do spinning things, so I had fun just watching them have fun, and yes, I had my camera again.  This time I took a video of her wanting to do the trampoline bungee jumping. I also took another good video of the birthday girl  and daddy going down the GIANT slide.  This was always my favorite......

Another part of the day that was great was I got to sport the beautiful top my oldest daughter got me.  She is so thoughtful of others and I love it because she knows to never pay full price for something!  So I figured I would take a pic of me wearing it so she knew I appreciated her kindness..... and it was the perfect shirt on a warm day..Made her feel special today also...and mommy...:)

Cotton Candy, Rides, and More....

WOW! The temperature sure sky-rocketed the last couple of days!  Not complaining by any means because we only have this warmth for a very short time.  Seem as if it always seems to arrive just in time for the

Rice County Fair

Calling all fair goers!!!!

My oldest daughter and her BFF made plans last week that they would go to the fair today around 2:00 P.M. and get their favorite "Handmade Lemonade."  My husband, youngest daughter, and myself decided to wait until things cooled off a bit and then hit the fair.

Today was a great day to check-out the animal barns.  First we toured the horse barn, (my favorite), then the goats, and the cows.  I always enjoy checking them out because I myself was in 4-H and grew up in the country having a few farm animals.  Like the old saying goes, "You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl."

Watching you.

Really?

Afterwards, we went to see the hypnotist, Brian Imbus.  He was pretty entertaining.  The best part was because he offered for the audience to participate in becoming hypnotized if they choose to in their seat. While watching the stage people start acting out playing their favorite musical instrument, we turned around and a man behind us was standing and rocking out on his pretend guitar.  It was really funny and my almost 10 year old really got a kick out of all of it.

If you ever are interested or in need of a hypnotist here is a link to his website.  Or feel free just to check it out.  Hypnotist Mentalist Brian Imbus

Let the Games Begin....

Several things have kept me busy over the past few days.  First, Katy had her first State Fastpitch Tournaments.  Secondly, I was busy working on Birthday plans with my youngest Mary.  

 So it looks like this will be where we are having the Birthday Party!  Good choice for a kid's party because they can do the cooking, cleaning, and the entertainment all in one.  I know some of you may think it would be crazy to have a party there but I have had my fair share of them at my place, and sometimes letting somewhere else do the work, for almost the same cost is sooo worth it!  Plus, what kid does not like going to ChuckE.Cheese's?  

 I am certain it will be a great time.

Next was the state tournaments.  The girls played a hard game on Friday evening in Lakeville.  Unfortunately, I was unable to attend because I got a bit dehydrated from the heat the previous days, but luckily dad was there to cheer her on!  Today's 2 games got pushed back by three hours due to the rain.  First game the girls "Rocked" it and WON!  The second game was not a win, but close.  They were down by 2 runs in the last inning and couldn't seem to score a few more.  It was still a great game and always fun to watch my girl play.

Loads of Work and a Little Fun Too

 This is where my day all started.  I figured I needed to keep moving on getting the back yard done, so I took my husbands truck, while he was at work, to the compost site and hand shoveled approximately 2 yards of mulch.  Let me say that it was a great whole body workout and I need it so it was a Win, Win for ME!

 Since I am not good at driving the truck backwards down our hill, I decided I would finish weeding the yard until the husband got home.  He could be the one to haul it down the hill backwards. (Just so you know, there is not a lot of room on either side, the tires are bare, the mulch is heavy, and there is steps on one side of the hill, and a tree on the other.) Nope! Not taking the risk!!!!!

Once I laid the mulch down, I was pretty satisified with the outcome.  I am almost done with the yard now.  I  only have one little spot left to fill in.  The biggest hurdle will be forcing myself to go back out to the compost site and fill another truck load of mulch.  Only this time, I think I will wait for some help!                                          

And a hard day of work would not be complete without a few friends over for the night.  What better way to end it than to have a fire, (could have done without those pesky misquitos!) hotdogs,  and SMORES!! Yummmy.

Peeka Seeka

 This is one of my most favorite places to go and be with my family.  The name Peeka Seeka Pines comes from an old Polish song my dad use to sing to us kids.  Years ago my parents bought this wooded lot filled with trees and hopes to retire at someday.  With a lot of sweat and hard work, my dad and mom cut down many trees and built their family a log cabin the old fashioned way.  They wanted to have a place that everyone could enjoy being together at and one that was made with love.

 

The sign was painted by my mom.

The cabin my parents built.  Although, it has been over 12 years now since the cabin was first built, I think it has to be my most favorite pictures to take while up north.  Seems like each passing year something new grows or changes, similar to our family. 

This is their camper, which is also on the lot which provides extra sleeping spaces.  This is where I set up shop with the girls while up for this weekend.  I could have stayed either in the house or cabin, but because there are also other family members who were also there, I decided to stay there.

Being up north, there is never a moment where there is not something to do, and the best part is I seem to think those who live and getaway here are not in such a hurry. Simply makes it even better.
:)

I'm You're Ice Cream Man, Stop Me When I'm Passin By.......

Oh, what excitement and fun this brought to my girls!  Who would have thought while turning up the road from a beautiful, exhilarating motorcycle ride we would see the ice cream truck, well OK, the Kona Ice Man, but sort of the same.  I am not sure who was more Thrilled, my husband and me, or the girls:), but someone would have to flag them down, and quick!

I figured it would be much faster for me to run into the house, grab my wallet and give the girls some money.... By the time I got back outside, dad had given them money and they stopped that ice truck.  

What's the next thing a mother does...Yep,you guessed it!  I grabbed the iPod so I could take a pic and a short video. 
 Check it out!  (The music is a bit catchy)

So with this posting, it brings back a lot of childhood memories for me. My family at times would have an ice cream truck that would drive by our house, and each of us children would get a cone.  So being all excited as I was, I turned to my husband and seemingly said, "Doesn't this bring back memories from childhood?  When the ice cream truck would be coming down the road and you and your brother and sisters would run out to flag him down?"  Well.... I expected him to smile and say, "Yeah, it does." But instead he looked at me sadly and said... "We never had an ice cream truck stop on our road.  We grew up on a Highway, in town." OK, so now I felt bad.  Guess I am going to flag down that truck myself the next trip it makes around our block and get my husband his Treat!