Enjoying Life at it's Best

May is the Fishing opener and at this time it is time to go fishing!

Got worms? Check
Got Leaches? Check
Got tackle box? Check
Got hooks? Check
Got weights? Check
Got my favorite repel minnow? Check

Oh Yeah!

Got Poles??? Check!

Ok we are ready to go. Are you ready? Ok here we go......

It is a nice sunny warm day and we are headed to Bear Lake.
The first day we went fishing was a couple days after the opener. That is ok to many people were probably out the first day anyways. the fish probably seen to many hooks in the water that day. *laughing* We had a great turn out on the day we went fishing there. Don cast his line out and reeled back in over and over again. Each time he had something on his magic hook. Yep he caught BASS and they were all keepers. The Biggest one was 13" long. And then I thought wow I am going to try it and I caught a one too. We got a total of six Bass that evening.

They look small here but really they aren't. Here is my fish below.

Actually later on it got cool and windy. I was freezing. Ya think! *Laughing*

Then we went the next day again and Don had the magic hook again. I did too! Between the two of us we caught 10 Bass altogether. Yep they were all keepers. The biggest was mine, I caught a 15" Bass. We were fishing with......shhhhh one fisherman never tells their secrets! Hahahaha

They just love being near the culverts though. :-) 

I know it is a little blurry but you can still see my catch. :) 

Don Cleaning the fish. He doesn't fillet them like I do. My dad taught me how to fillet fish. I remember that I used to love going to the fish house with my Dad when I was younger and watch him clean all the fish. I even asked my Dad to show me a heart of a fish and he did. I even used to pick up different parts with my bare hands. Back then I never had any trouble with it. But since we fished in that one lake over by Cameron and I cleaned the fish I saw the actually live worms in the fish from those black spots. Ugh YUCK! After that I have this thing about after I clean a fish I cannot eat it, no matter if they don't have black spots. Plus I cannot stand the smell of fish anyhow. Yuck! *laughing* You can have it and I will go eat my sparkpeople diet food. :) 

Then several days later we went fishing again but we met up with Marsha & Mark at Bear lake & fished with them for awhile. 

We had a great time. Marsha and I sat in the lawn chairs and had some good laughs together. 

(One of my favorite photos of Don fishing)

Some photos of Rusty...He loves to descale fish and he plays with them, sad thing is though they end up dying in the process. So we have decided that isn't such a good idea anymore. Poor fish!

Don caught 4 Bass again, we didn't want them so we gave them to Mark & Marsha. We also invited them over for a little fish fry too. Good Laughs! 

We had a great time with Marsha & Mark!

Great Memories!

Thank you!

Weekend

Well it is the month of May and this is when the Campers start to roll in at all Campgrounds all over. We are also getting to watch spring come in too. The trees have "lots" of buds on them and some little teensy leaves. Ah tis that time of year which is the  hayfever/allergy season is upon us. Time to get out that allergy medicine again. *laughing"Oh yes and I can't forget the favorite bird of Wisconsin either "the Mosquito" *laughing*. And ah yes the worst enemy is at best this year -The "Ticks." Well tis that time of season for the famous camping insects to have their meals on you! hahaha

This is a weekend we had been very busy and had a laughing good time. My step daughter & Mark stayed with us out here at Whitetail Ridge Campground. We warned them about the cold temps and all, but they had no fear they said, Brrrrr. And it got COLD out there at night. They had a nice 4 man tent outside here and Don put a waterproof spray on it just in case it rained.

4 person tent - NICE!!

We weren't able to go on the ATV's any where because Don is still working on one of them. He wants to get it up and working right before my parents gets here. Then after that we will take anyone out ATV'ing with us,  you just pay for gas on the one you are riding if you ride with us. Deal! We believe it is! 

So anyways...This was to be a great weekend to spend quality time with Marsha & Mark. We got to see many changes in Marsha (PROUD of you) and we got to visit with Mark more. We did some fun things with them. We took them up to the FREE campsites up along the Namekogon River where we camped with DJ and also Chrissy last year. Here are some photos of the Namekogon river right now. The water is up high! 

It is going to be FUN this year because we hope our plans work that all of our friends and family will finally go down the river with us all together this time. Just so you all know we are planning to leave Sept. 23 for AZ. So please lets all get together at once and go floating! We can't forget Rusty!!

Then Marsha and I walked around the campsites so I could show her the nice sites. She loved the one in the back corner but that is Mosquito Haven! While Mark was on the phone with his attorney. Then we walked over to the River where the guys were. 

"The guys were talking about fishing and swimming in the water. We told them if they stay there that in order to take a bath you need to get in the water, but you cannot go NUDE! LOL if you do you will get caught with a HUGE fine and jail. BIG no no! Get in with clothes or suit or no get in it. But right now it would be a get in and get out FAST! To cold yet!!! BRRRRRRRrrrrrrrr (That water is ALWAYS freezing that it numbs your butt in the tube, by that time you don't feel anything *laughing*) Oh yeah wear shoes or you will have leaches all over your feet! YUCK! 

Then we headed out and we stopped by the Artesian well...Yes a natural Spring - FREE Water for all! Excellent drinking water! 

Mark & Marsha walking to Natural Spring

Marsha having fun!!

Mark "Hi y'all"

Flowers along the trail 

Then Mark was telling us a story of a natural spring in Mississippi where someone found a round stone and they cracked it open and found a piece of gold in it. Well here is Mark searching for gold in the rocks. Marsha and I laughed so hard, Mark is funny! 

"This is where the Fairies live"

Such a peaceful place and so quiet. So Natural!

On Thursday afternoon my good friend Sue come over to see us. She however didn't stay long but we got to sit and chit chat for awhile. Which was nice.

The next day rolls around - FRIDAY is the Meat Raffle here at Whitetail Ridge Campground. Don bought a few numbered paint sticks and I bought one also. I said to myself when I bought one "This is my lucky dollar it is my winner!" Ah Ha! I won!! I brought home a BIG package of Bratwurst made by Louie's Meat market in Cumberland. Yessss! 

Then Don won two Sirloin Steaks! 

The numbered paint sticks are $1.00 a piece.

(See you pick a number then they have a spinner on the wall. The first spin is for a free drink at the bar - yes we both have won free drinks - then the second spin is for meat) 

Don waiting patiently. 

Then we waited and waited for Mark & Marsha to come down and nothing there for awhile. It was a wet and rainy day and we didn't think they got much sleep the night before. (How can one stay up till ungodly hours of the night and then feel good the next day.  - this is not unsual for kids to do this, they are to much of night owls and so they go everywhere at later in the evening.) We (Don & I) MUST have our sleep to feel good the next day. Or we tend to be very grouchy. 

Finally Marsha got done taking her nap and her and Mark came down. They didn't realize that you had to pay to play so they found 75 cents and I handed Marsha a quarter and said this is your lucky quarter. WALLA! They WON!! They got some summer sausage!!

What a good night after all!

Later that evening we played Phase 10 with them. We were all having a good time till Marsha and Dad decided to have a tiff about some rules of the game and I did however step in and say enough! This is our home and it is to be a positive happy place. My words to you both take it outside but not in my home anymore. Faces were made at each other and behind backs in childish ways and there was a lot of anger in the words. It made me upset that this was even going on in our home (RV) that night and also because this weekend was meant to be a good weekend. So daughter(Marsha) and Don(dad) - never again in our home here please! I just want so much for these fences to mend with his kids and their Dad...there is to much lost time already. Your Dad isn't getting any younger. I just felt like this sign right here

because of Don and his daughter were having angry words with each other. all because of a stupid game. Think about it you too - kinda dumb to get mad over that eh! We are ALL to make GOOD MEMORIES TOGETHER "NOT" bad negative ones. Mending fences is hard after all these years and tough at times but we are ALL working on it and things will improve! There is always a light at the end of every tunnel!  I even found out that there is various ways of playing Phase 10 and everyone has their own way of playing it. Everyone was silent after that and then Marsha went to bed early. I believe there was a lot of hurt feelings this night. But I will stand my ground and I will tell it like it is. My peaceful home, My positive thinking home, No negativity is allowed in our RV...My thoughts this night if it continues there will be no more. Keep your negativity at bay please! We have fun times and I would like to keep it this way. Wouldn't you? The rain made everyone grouchy it seems. It rained off and on that night and it was cool all night long. 

Little stressful that night! We all survived it! 

Saturday came along 

RAIN! 

In the forecast! 

UGH! 

That is when were suppose to go fishing with Mark & Marsha. But my best friend Kris came out to the campground to visit.

Then later on there was to be a band playing "The Porch Dogs" Kris came back for that, but we didn't do any dancing this night. While waiting for them to set up Mark & Marsha  sat with us for awhile at the Backwoods Saloon. 

Then later on we had a campfire and sat around it and roasted marshmallows. I LOVE mine BURNT! Yum! I tried roasting those small new chocolate mint marshmallows. They were pretty good! 

Then for some reason Mark & Marsha had to go into town for something, for the life of me I cannot remember what it was. So it was just Don, Kris and I sitting around the campfire till she left for home. 

This is what Best Friends do together when they smelling to much campfire smoke and are having lots fun being goofy!!! 

Best Friends Forever!

Then after Kris left, Mark & Marsha were still not back yet and so Don & I went to bed. 

More Fun Blogs To Come.......

The Change

Well I have made MANY changes in my life since 2010 and all for the GOOD! Even my own Counselor believes and has told me that I am doing EXCELLENT! I have come along way baby! I have made some pretty enormous steps forward in my life and only to better myself and make things right in life. Many have seen and know my changes. I am different and a GOOD & POSITIVE Difference I have made.


One thing though, I have made some difference in my hair. I was growing it long for the longest time and it grew F-A-S-T! The length got down to my shoulders and my bangs got past my nose. I haven't had bangs that long since 8th grade. I love long hair & it looked great on me once again. I have natural curls and waves when my hair is long. I was one of those lucky people that never had to have a perm. I was so excited about going to AZ this year and showing off my new style with my long hair and all.  I wanted to surprise many down there with my new look. So here is my surprise on my long hair and I just couldn't wait! (Photos)

These it was really starting to grow (above photos)

I have to admit I had no idea how to style it because I had short spikey hair for years. There were times that I just wanted to pull my hair out. *laughing*

Then it grew longer.

I could not live without my pink streak. 

Why Pink? I have been asked this? 

For one I have always had pink in my hair. I am unique and one of a kind!

I am ME, this is ME. 

I am different! Creative! An Artistic on hair and on paper!

I am a Artist!

My favorite quote & motto:

*People are different & different can be good*

I am being goofy! I am such a happy person!! & my wonderful husband! 

Then finally it got even longer!!

Yep there is the surprise!! That is how long my hair got!

I remember my sisters words "Lauri just keep letting it grow and once it grows out you don't have to worry about it anymore." :-)

But one day I went to see my hairdresser in Rice Lake. 

at Fantastic Sams in fact.

(she is behind the counter there with the blue streak)

Bailey is her name.

Well I have to admit I loved the long hair but it got to stringy and I just couldn't take care of it like I should have been able too. My arms and my hands up here in this cold weather hurt to much. So Bailey asked what I wanted and I told her not real sure but be creative. It isn't everyday that someone sits in your chair and says "Just be creative and make it look good." I know that from previous experience as being a Professional Hairdresser for 18 years. I had a few myself and those are the fun ones to do. So I let her be 

*CREATIVE*

Here is the starting process. It was a two step process to get it accomplished.

Here we go:

Oh my gosh what am I doing placing my silly photos on the internet with all my hair in a baggie and wrapped up in tinfoil too. We used bleach and also colored my hair darker then my natural dark hair at the same time. Don't I look cute? *Laughing*

Then I sat there for about 30 to 45 min. So what was the outcome of that?

Next:

Oh my I look weird! LOL

But there you have it *without it being styled* the flat look. 

Now if it was styled like this it would look pretty good too. But it wasn't done yet. That was the first process. 

Now for the next process. The **WILD** process I call it!

The creativity starts here!

Oh my gosh what is she doing?!?!

No way not that color!!!

Why???

Well people like getting tattoos for their own reasons because it is art.

Well some people like getting wild hair colors in there hair for their own reasons because it is being creative too.

I sat there for another 30 minutes and some of it was Dryer time to make it more intense and to stay longer. You know Semi Permanent!

The things women do to look beautiful! Well I guess guys sit under here too at times. 

So I finally was all done! I was so happy with the results and I was so tickled pink, I had been happy all day after this. Thank you to my hairdresser Bailey! You are such a totally awesome hairdresser!! I have all sorts of FANTASTIC comments about my hair! I have only had one person that was like Why Pink? & that he almost literally fell over when he seen me he said. Hmmm but he likes to get permanant designs needled into his arms and those are permanent and they don't go away. My answer to Why Pink? Is and always will be I am unique and I am ME. I love me! I love being creative! It is only hair and hair grows out and if you don't like it do something else the next time. The pink is only Semi Permanent and it washes out in time. Hmmmm next maybe purple? I totally LOVE my hair, my Husband loves how it makes me happy and I smile more. He loves it how I always have fun with my short hair. He always tells me to go for it so I do!

My Mom even thinks it is BEAUTIFUL on me even and I have many friends that love it!!

Why short hair? 

I know I know some of you like my long hair on me better. But then again you don't live inside this body and don't have to deal with my hands, wrists, & arms either. It is so much easier for me to handle it and I look good in either long hair or short hair. I have been blessed with a gift of being Me and being creative in all sorts of ways. So why not use it! Wouldn't you? 

The top

=^..^=

Is totally Awesome!!

~Being creative is good for the soul~

~ We are all unique..that's what makes us all so beautiful.~

My Husband, My Mama, & Many of my friends love it!

I am still ME inside this body even though I have Pink in my hair. 

I must admit I am different inside and more positive about life! 

Life is to short! 

I am so sick and tired of looking in the mirror everyday and seeing someone who has hidden the *real* me. Who always deals with pain, but will still smile. So it was time to be set free and open up the door and let the *real creative ME* shine. 

About ME:

Time for your daily reminder....

I'm AWESOME!

That's all about me! You may now continue on :)

Me? Weird?!?!

HA!!!

Please. 

I 'm a Limited Addition!!

Some Things that I have learned:

~The key to forgiving others is to quit focusing on what they did to you and start focusing on what God did for you~

~In perfect Love, in perfect trust.~ Wiccan Law

~Do as you will..Harm none~ Wiccan Rede fullfill

~ I have no more room in my life for negative, ignorant, drama seeking people.~

~It takes more strength of character to forgive than to be bitter.~

~Never hold a grudge....You are hurting yourself more than anyone..One day, You will look back and realize that you've been extremely FOOLISH. it is called *FORGIVENESS*~

~The past is gone...Today is the present day...and tomorrow is the future and it isn't here yet.~

~Forgiveness brings freedom for the soul~

~ Look beyond my eyes and see my beauty ~ Listen beyond my words and hear my heart~ Feel beyond my body and touch my soul~

~Life can only change if you take the initiative to make a change. Stop wishing, hoping, & desiring for change without ACTION! Step out on FAITH & make a change.~

~"We are all on different paths that eventually will lead to the same place. We simply are all at different stages in our development. We all get there eventually, so the thought that one is better than someone else is actually inaccurate. You have to work to nurture the correct attitude if you're going to advance spiritually."~