6 in the Sticks

Jeromy and Jackson went out fishing while I was out of town with my mom. The two had a good time together and Jackson caught the biggest northern he's ever caught. He was so proud. He made sure to save me a piece so I could have some when I got home. He caught this lovely northern with a red rappala that he tied on all by himself. He's been tying lures on his and Charly's poles like crazy this year, Jeromy didn't really know until this last time. They were heading out and Jackson brought his pole to the truck and said, " I tied a different lure on my pole." Jeromy said he grabbed his pole, pulled the line pretty hard and was shocked to see it was on there good. Jeromy said, "Well okay, let's go!" And these are the pictures they took when they got home.

Mom update.

Brian and I headed to the U again with mom for a follow up appt. She had another CTscan. There wasn't anything jumping out at the Dr's from the scan pictures but they are still waiting for the actual results. Hopefully there won't be anything. Mom will have another scan in three months. She still goes to chemo every week. That has been taking a toll on her at least a couple days a week after the treatment. But we are SO glad that they've come around with so many pain medications in the last ten years for chemo patients.

SU2C!

Cooper the pooper. He's getting so big now. These shots were from last week and he's already grown out the collar he's wearing here. Little mug, fast asleep and snoring. It's funny to see he and Moose play. At times Moose will have Cooper's whole head in his mouth as he's lightly growling, kind of like a gentle attack. And they sound like quiet rabid dogs. Or what I think quiet rabid dogs might sound like. I'll have to try and get some shots of that. Cally doesn't hiss at him as much anymore. It used to be that he he couldn't be in a twenty yard radius and her hair would be up and she'd start to growl. Silly animals. They are good therapy though, no matter what is going on, they just make you smile.

More fish pictures! Jeromy, Charly, and Jackson caught fish left in right last week. They came home and cleaned fish together. This was Charly's first time doing it with no help.

Deep Thought By Jack Handey:

If God dwells inside us, like some people say, I sure hope he likes enchiladas, because that's what he's getting!

7 years already. Wow. Some days it seems like twenty, and some days it seems like two. Today it seems like two. :) Would I do it all over again? Absolutely! And just like you, I wouldn't change a thing either! Here's to Alaska! I wonder how long it will be before there will be a sushi bar here up north.

I figured I'd better put something on here so everyone knows we're still alive. Just a very busy month for us, that's all.

Let's see, bear baiting began on our anniversary and the saga of the bear hunts continue. Bear hunting opener is Labor Day this year.

We spent a couple of days with Jeromy's family and all stayed at a cabin together. Lot's of laughs and good times that don't happen too often. After water skiing was on my mind from an old friend wondering if I still skied, I thought to myself yeah, I should do that again. Forgetting that I turned into big Bertha of the Northland I tried behind a 40H motor while at that cabin. Never got up. Not a pretty sight. Thanks for being so gracious to me guys. That had to be hilarious. Needless to say, my exercise routine has increased.

Getting ready for my little man's big day at kindergarten. Oh my gosh, I can't believe this is the year already. So, been busy dotting the i's and crossing the t's on everybody's school paperwork. Everybody but Ashley I guess as she starts her sophomore year and her class schedule was already determined last spring. Jessica and I are both going to college this year. Two different colleges though. Not sure if she did that on purpose or not. Rodney Dangerfield is flashing through mind right now. Funny. Charly will no longer be going to ECFE as she starts preschool this year and has been ready for it since last fall.

In a few short weeks, Jackson will turn six and Jessica will turn nineteen. Busy making arrangements to fulfill their birthday requests for this year. Jack is going to have his first party with some of his classmates on the 20th. He is so excited. And every year, Jessica requests her cake to be a little more odd than the last. From actual cake, to a pineapple shaped like a cake, to chocolate covered strawberries, and this year's request? Mok Duk cake. That's right, that's our Jessica. And Jackson's request was a green cake with blue frosting, something a little more easy. Lord only knows what the heck he'll request when he's older but if it involves hunting and fishing, I'll have to have him sign a disclosure on the uses of live bait.

Ashley and Jessica's Great Grandma came to Minnesota for a visit for the first time in fourteen years I think. What a neat spunky lady, even though I'm frowned upon for moving all the way up north. I know, bummer for visits and get-togethers but if we'd live in or near the city again it would be for everyone else and not ourselves. Jessica

showed up at the last minute and I was able to snap a couple of shots of them with their Grandma, Grandpa, and Great Grandma.

They all went out to lunch together and had a fun time catching up. Why'd you cover up all of those tattoos Jessica? Haven't seen you in a long sleeved shirt in ages. :)

Had a quick visit with one of my old neighborhood friends. One of the smartest and sweetest girls I know. We stayed up until four in the morning reminiscing to the days of our hood, going to mass, softball games, the craziness of teenagers. I was saddened to hear of the  passing of one of the boys that would tease me all of the time as a youngster and then was a good friend as a teenager. I can count a half dozen of friends that have died in the last ten to fifteen years and I just feel like that is crazy. Are we really that old? Or are they just the types to drive fast and take chances so to speak? My deep thoughts tell me that half of them drove fast and took chances and the other half whether it be freak accidents or deadly disease, maybe it was just their time. Such is life I guess.

Anyway, that's what is on my mind at the moment. Jackson and I are getting our shots for school today and I think he's liking that we both have to get them. The first time he's ever not freaked out about getting a shot since he was too little to know. I'll take him out for ice cream after.

Deep Thought By Jack Handey:

Things to tend to even out. Religion, some people say, has caused wars and fighting. Yes, but it's also boring to sit through a church service, so it evens out.

Wow, I know, another post to the blog in one day. After all of this time of not updating on a regular basis. I found this important to share though. The following is a copy of an email I got from a very old, dear friend of mine. Another amazing women in my life. Her name is Kelle Derbis. She will be walking to fight breast cancer. I couldn't think of a better way to spread the word in hopes it would help her meet her quota for the fundraiser.

Good Morning!

I have taken on an incredible challenge. On September 19, I’ll be walking 60 miles over the course of three days, camping out at night with thousands of other women and men taking this journey with me.

It’s for an event called the Breast Cancer 3-Day, which benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Every advancement in breast cancer research, treatment, education and prevention in the last 25 years has been touched by a Komen for the Cure grant. They are working hard to build a future without breast cancer, and I plan on raising $5,000 to help bring us closer to that goal.

My good friend asked me to participate in this walk when she found out that her two young daughters carry the Breast Cancer gene. As carriers of this gene, they are at increased risk for developing Breast Cancer.

I will be walking in honor of Grandma Fern and Brenda Newman - two women who have been very lucky to have overcome Breast Cancer. As a Mom, I can only imagine how scary it must have been to be diagnosed with cancer when you have small children at home. We have been so fortunate that Grandma is a survivor and has continued to live a healthy life - meeting her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Brenda too, has tackled Breast Cancer and continues to be healthy. I walk so every woman, every family has the same blessing and so young girls do not have to worry about someday developing Breast Cancer.

Without a cure, one in eight women in the U.S. will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s why I’m walking in the 3-Day. Because everyone deserves a lifetime.

Please consider making a donation. You may donate online at http://www.the3day.org at my Participants Page. Please also ask your employer if they will double your donation with a matching gift. You may also send this e-mail message to any friends and family that have been affected by Breast Cancer and would like to help  in finding a cure.

Click on Donate Now and search for my personal fundraising page or you can call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone. I would like to reach my fundraising goal by September 13, so don’t delay!

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and thank you for your support.

Love,
Kelle

If you struggle to find her participants page, search the site with her full name that I underlined above and I think the city is listed under the Twin Cities.

Thank you! And good luck to you Kelle!