Simple Joy Sunday

Heather at CoolZebras hosts a Simple Joy Sunday and this is my first time participating in it. Since I had random pictures that make me happy, I thought it was perfect.

A nice bunch of daisies that Jason and I seen on a walk.


A cute new pair of summer shoes that I got on sale!


Cullen peeking out the window when we are outside. I just love that cat.

My tattoo

I have been wanting a tattoo for a long time. In fact it was on my list of things to do before I die. I just couldn't decide what or where.   On Monday I woke up and decided that I wanted to get one this week.   Of course Jason made it happen for me.   He has been wanting me to get one for quite a while.   I knew I wanted a bird of some sort and I wanted it on my ankle.  Jason suggested a sparrow since I love them, and of course it was perfect!  I went with it.   Brought a few pictures with me to Rochester Tattoo and asked if Angie was available since I liked her work I seen on myspace and she was.  Perfect!   She sketched out what I wanted and off we went.

Here is the stencil:


Angie working on the outline. The outline hurt the most and it wasn't intolerable at all. I thought the pain would be much worse than it was. There were a couple really sensitive spots, but nothing bad and that made me want to cry.



Me watching Angie tattoo me.



The outline is done!


The shading being worked on.


Check out some of the color. Love the colors!


My artist Angie hard at work on me. She was so cute and pregnant.


Check out all the colors and the ink!


And the finished product!!


Click here to see it larger. :)

It only took about an hour once she got started. Since it was an hour, the tat was $100. I don't think that is bad at all! I just love my little sparrow tat. I feel like I should name him.

One thing to check off my bucket list now.

Books!

Those of you that know me well, know my love of books.  I very rarely leave the house without a book.  You never know when you might be able to sneak a couple of pages in.  

Last night on Twitter, I asked this question:

"What is one book (or series of books) that you think everyone should read?" 

I got a few responses and that opened up more dialoge about books!  Loved it!  I thought that I would share everyone's answers here.

• Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse  http://bit.ly/TYoby is the one book I always give as a gift, a book everyone should read!
  
  
• series of books, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit and Lord Of The Rings, Harry Potter, Anita Blake http://bit.ly/Djb9N
  
  
• I always suggest Beneath A Marble Sky by John Shors. It's a different book than I used to read all the time but I liked it.
  
  
• I also liked A Thousand Splendid Suns (& The Kite Runner, but Suns better), I Know This Much Is True, The Time Traveler's Wife
  
  
• Also A Prayer for Owen Meany and Secret Life of Bees. Anything by Maeve Binchy. LOL! Enough suggestions? ;)
  
  
• I also loved the Betsy-Tacy books by Maude Hart Lovelace. Seriously. LOVED them.
  
  
• I loved all of Amanda Eyre Wards novels, and Jodi Piccoult too & The House of Sand & Fog.
  
  
•  i happen to love anything by james patterson. the Alex Cross novels are great
  
  
• try Philip K. Dick "VALIS", "Cosmic Trigger" and "The Transmigration of Timothy Archer" (trilogy)

 

I can’t wait to check out all of these books!!! 

 

Here are a few others that have been recommended to be via Twitter.  That I also want to check out:

·        Possession by AS Byatt 

·        The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

·        A Scandalous Life by Mary S Lovell

·        The New York Trilogy by Paul Auster 

·        An Inland Voyage by RL Stevenson 

·        Ratio by  Michael Ruhlman

·        The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett

Now for all four of my readers out there, I want to know to answer the question. 

"What is one book (or series of books) that you think everyone should read?" 

Oh, I suppose I should share my answer too.  I suggest reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and the Laura Ingalls Wilder series of book by Laura Ingalls Wilder.   Three Cups of Tea really inspired me.  

I can’t wait to read all of these books that I have found out about on Twitter.  If I had a ton of money all of these books would already be on their to me.  Despite my already massive to be read pile of books.

Don’t forget to answer the question!!

Quotes from Retreat

A while back we had a work retreat where we had to draw a picture of a pig and depending on certain aspects of the pig that you drew, there were different perceptions/thoughts that are supposed to identify with you.  I have my very badly drawn pig and I was going to put it up on here to share, but of course I haven't taken a picture of it yet.  

Anyway, the reason why I wanted to blog about it this is that during the presentation there were some awesome quotes that were shared and that I wanted to share here on my blog.  I foound them inspiring!

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."  ~Sir Winston Churchill

"Outside my window, a new day I see

Only I can determine what kind of day it will be.

 It can be busy and sunny, laughing and gay

Or boring and cold, unhappy and grey.

 My own state of mind is the determining key

For I am only the person I let myself be.

 I can be thoughtful and do all I can to help

Or be selfish and think just of myself.

 I can enjoy what I do and make it seem fun

Or gripe and complain and make it hard on someone.

 I can be patient with those who don’t understand

or belittle and hurt them as much as I can.

 But, I have faith in myself and I believe when I say,

I personally intend to make the best of each day."

~Author Unknown

The Stolen One. ;)

Stolen from Jessi and Amber.

I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items.
You can only pick one thing from the following departments… what is it?
1. Produce : Pineapple
2. Bakery : Sourdough Bread
3. Meat: Chicken
4. Dairy : Cheese
5. Dry goods : Penne Pasta

Let’s say we’re heading out for a weekend getaway. You’re only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what’s in your bag?
1. Comfy pants
2. Tank Top
3. Sweater/Hoodie

If I was to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the day, what 4 phrases or words would I be most likely to heard?
1. Ummm...
2. Yea.
3. Mmmmhmmmm
4. I LOVE this!

So, what 4 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn’t get to do, you probably wouldn’t be in the best mood?
1. Spending time with Jason and Cullen
2. Reading
3. Twittering
4. Surfing the 'net.

You’re driving down the road, and suddenly you’re hit with this sense of road rage. What 3 factors probably contributed to it?
1. Someone going really slow in front of me and I'm not able to pass them.
2. Being cut off
3. Someone following me right on my ass.

Sweet, you just scored a whole afternoon to yourself. We’re talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?
1. Reading
2. Napping
3. Baking
4. Surfing the 'net
5. Shopping

We’re going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it’ll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?
1. Monkeys 
2. Polar Bears
3. Giraffes

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show that comes on t.v. of your choice. You can pick between 4, so what are you deciding between?
1. The Office
2. The Alaska Experiment
3.  The Office
4. The Alaska Experiment 

(I know, I know, I'm lame, but I really don't watch much TV and can't think of others.)

You’re hungry for ice cream. I’ll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?
1. Oatmeal Cookie Batter
2. Cake batter
3. Cheesecake

Somebody stole your purse/wallet…in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what’s in there?
1. Canon Camera
2. Black Clutch/wallet
3. Cell Phone
4. Cute little pouch with forest creatures on it
5. Book

You are at a job fair, and asked in what areas you are interested in pursuing a career. Let’s pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 4 careers would best describe what you want to be?
1. Photographer
2. Stay at home wife/mom
3. Scrapbooker
4. Graphic Designer

If you could go back and talk to the old you, when you were in high/middle school, and inform yourself of 4 things, what would you say?
1. Keep having fun and don't forget to live a little!
2. Be happy with how you look and try to maintain that body.
3. Put your happiness first before everyone else's.  
4. Don't let certain friends drift away.  

Grandma & Grandpa's Wedding Picture

Grandma & Grandpa Nelson's Wedding picture from 1950.   

Larger Image here.

MA: Can you please identify these people?

The To Do List

Since I love my lists and I seem to focus better when I have everything I need to do down on a list, I thought I would post a list on everything I need to before Jessi picks me up on Friday to go to the retreat!!  I'm hoping to get 90% of it done tomorrow.

• Cut up & wash Fruit--Watermelon, Honey Dew, Cantaloupe, Pineapple
• Cup up & wash Veggies--Broccoli, Cauliflower, cucumber, tomato
• Make Veggie Pizza crust
• Put together Veggie Pizza
• Make Salsa
• Boil Potatoes for potato salad
• Boil eggs for potato salad
• Make potato salad
• Make Bread Crust Cuban, and normal loaf
• Make Cinnamon Buns (If I have time and everything here, I think I do.)
• Make Muffins
• Make run to RSC so fridge isn't overflowing--DON'T FORGET FREEZER ITEMS!!!!
• Make one more run to Sam's to get last minute things.  Must do Friday Morning.
• Take Jessi's Thicker Picture
• Find RSC Halloween Picture for Jessi
• Scan Great-Great Baker Grandparents in.
• Scan Grandma & Grandpa's Wedding pictures in along with invite, napkin, etc.
• Order pictures.  Don't forget Cullen pictures and Nancy picture.  Also find a good Bellywing picture.
• Finish Nancy SB page.--Will do at retreat.  It is packed.
• Finish packing SB stuff.  Go through paper.
• Pack clothes for retreat
• Pack bathroom stuff for retreat
• Don't forget to pack Jam and popcorn.
• Paint toenails
• Clean off kitchen table
• Wash dishes
• Put dishes away
• Do load of darks
• Fold laundry
• Clean up area by couch
• Tires checked at 4 p.m. at Fleet Farm Thursday.  Don't forget to look at Pressure Canner, Tiller, and container for cat litter.  
• Deal with glasses issue--start at Pearle--only if I have time.  Might do Monday.
• Sync iPod
• Don't forget Twilight!!!!
• Mail PBS book out
• FIND FAMILY TREE INFO--I put it in a such a safe spot I can't find it now....(Looked in SB room, safe, file cabinet.   If you were my family tree info where would you be?)

Random Thoughts

First, I have to start out with a picture of Cullen. Maybe if I post pictures of him I will get more readers and comments since he is so handsome. ;)



The other day at lunch I actually wrote down some of my random thoughts in between eating and reading my book. Yup, I'm such a multi-tasker there. For your reading pleasure here they are.

• There's just something about sitting down with music cranked loud that just makes my day.
• I never realized how much fun the word Cullen is to write. Certain words make me happy.
• My Ipod cracked me up. It went from "Laughed Until We Cried" by Jason Aldean to "Crazy Bitch" by Buckcherry. My taste in music is eclectic. I like it that way. Never know what's going to come on next.
• It annoys me that some songs are the perfect volume and other sounds go from really loud to really quiet. Grrrr.
• Writing on a pad of paper is really soothing and relaxing to me. Coloring in coloring books with a new set of crayons is also soothing and relaxing to me.
• Loving the Twilight Score that I downloaded. Wonderful music. You should really check it out.
• I'm almost part-time again. YAY!
• It's funny how my writing changes. It goes from almost perfect to really messy. I don't mean to do it either.
• I really want to go and see Jason Aldean in concert again. Heck, I'd love to go to a concert again, it's been way too long.
• "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" by Kenny Chesney really puts me in an awesome summer good. The song just says beach and summer all over it. Love it.
• One of the things I miss most while working full-time is being able to nap with Jason.
• So happy that I ordered my laptop! One more thing to check off my lists.
• It's beautiful outside today. Wishing I were there instead of here at work.
• I have some really redneck songs on my ipod, but I love them. A couple of them are "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" by John Denver and "Redneck Girl" by the Bellamy Brothers.
• I have a couple Guitar Hero songs that just make me want to play the game. "Talk Dirty to Me" by Poison, "Slowride" by Foghat and "Hit me with your best shot" by Pat Benetar.
• I like my tall kinda skinny writing best. I have to make an effort to write like that.
• Are you able to speak in lyrics?
• Love me some Taylor Swift songs...."White Horses" and "Love Song" are two of my current favs.
• The song "Chicken Fried" by the Zac Brown Band is so country, but I love it. One of my current favs.
• Music sounds the best LOUD.
• Music fuels my cleaning.

Obsessed with water?

Growing up I had a black cat named Sambo. I have the cutest picture of me in huge bubble bath with bubbles on my head and Sambo sitting on the edge of the tub batting at the bubbles and playing in the water. I need to find that picture and scan it in. I think I might have it or it's at Ma's house....anyway!

Cullen is fascinated by the bathroom. In the morning after I shower, before I can even dry off, he is in the bathtub. It's so funny! If I close the shower curtain completely, he sits and meows until I open it up so he can hop on in.



I love this picture of him, he is so cute. Almost reminds me of Puss in Boots from Shrek when he is pouting.



In this next picture, please don't look at the state of our tub/shower as we have really hard water and it hasn't gotten a really good scrubbing for a while. Cullen is obsessed with drinking water that drips from the faucet! He will sit in there and drink it as it comes out. It's so funny. And yes, his water dish is full, we make sure of that.



The other night I took a bubblebath and Cullen was fascinated. I didn't have Jason grab the camera until all the bubbles were gone though. I know bad kitteh mommy. But by the time I was done in the tub, Cullen's paws were soaked and I was sure he was going to jump on in. He didn't, but I think he was really thinking about it!!!

This is where he sat most of the time watching me in the tub.

Cullen and Toys.

Jason and Cullen have are forming a great relationship around cat toys. Jason loves to tease Cullen and make him jump around and play. It's so much fun watching them!

But first, here are some pictures of Cullen and one of his favorite toy fishes. This one Jessi made for him! Cullen loves the 'nip.




Here are some pictures of Jason and Cullen playing. :)









Cullen thinking, I'm such a cool cat. He doesn't like the orange light that my camera makes before the flash goes off and closes his eyes like this. So cute!





And some other random Cullen pictures. :)

Cullen on the computer

Well maybe, on my lap. :)

Cullen really likes it on my lap. If the laptop is actually on my lap he tries to push it off, and if the laptop is sitting in front of me, he doesn't like it when I type. He also likes to walk on the keyboard, which I am trying to discourage before my new laptop arrives. But it's so cute!!!

Cullen's Antics

Since I know that you all are waiting with bated breath to hear all about Cullen some more, I thought I would share some!

He seems to be adjusting well. He is eating and drinking and using his litter box. Today he FINALLY ate a treat and wanted more. Before the treats would have to sit out for a long time and he would just lick it, leave it, then come back and lick it again. This morning he ate one out of my hand and wanted another one. I wonder how long it will be before he knows the sound of the treat jar.

Cullen and Jason get along great! They play and really seem to enjoy each other. Since Jason works overnights, Cullen gets some playtime in then. It will be interesting to see what Cullen does during the day when I am back to part time.

I have a little nest on the couch. I always sit on the same end, and have my laptop there to use. Cullen has decided that he doesn't like the laptop on my lap. He belongs there instead. He also doesn't like it when I type, even one handed when he is on my lap. Both hands belong on him and petting him. I am so owned by the kitteh. :) Speaking of being on my lap, before he would jump up there and stay there for about 2-3 minutes before hopping off. Last night he was on there for a good half hour to 45 minutes before jumping down. It was so relaxing to have him there.

Jason discovered that Cullen can open the bathroom door! The door doesn't close all the way when I have clothes hanging there drying. Cullen can just stick his paw under the door and pull the door open.

I swear he has a fascination with the bathroom. At first he didn't like the sound of water at all. Now he doesn't seem to mind it too much. Yesterday morning after my shower, he was in the bathroom meowing and I thought it was because the shower curtain was closed (it usually is) and he didn't like that. I opened it part way and he jumped right into the bathtub. Whenever we are in the bathroom or if the bathroom door is open, Cullen is in the bathtub exploring in there. Unless a drop of water lands on him, then he goes tearing out of the bathroom. I don't know why he likes that so much.

Last night I took a bubble bath and Cullen hung out in the bathroom most of the time and almost seemed like he wanted to jump right in! He kept getting up on his hind legs and peeking into the tub. He kept almost touching the bubbles and water, but never did.

Cullen is a hoot when you play with him. He jumps all over the place and loves his toys. Specifically anything with catnip in them! (Of course, he is a cat after all). He is starting to play with his toys on his own as well. He loves to tear around from one end of the house to another. You can tell when he does that since the rugs are all askew. He definitely has some personality. Love that about him.

I do have some more pictures on my camera that I need to get uploaded and share. Don't fret, you will see more of him!!

Introducing Cullen

Cullen is our new cat that we got approximately an hour and a half ago.  He was born in June of 2008.  He is just adorable. :)

Here he is on our way home with us!


The first thing he did when we got home was get of the carrier and start exploring. So far he likes the living room the best. He is a bit scared when we get up and move, but he seems to be adjusting fast.

I think that this corner is going to be his favorite hiding spot. It's between the wall and the big couch.



Look at his long whiskers! Aren't they just adorable?



Cullen and a few of his toys.



Jason playing with Cullen.



I'm sure there will be many, many, many new pictures to come. :)

At about a noon today he was already jumping up on my lap and purring. He doesn't stay there long, just enough to get a few kitteh scratches in. :)

Journal Jar {Crush}

I've been trying to blog all morning. Nothing has came to me, and I've tried to get words and form sentences and it just wasn't working. I was complaining about it on Twitter and that solved all my problems. (I <3 Twitter. You all should go join in you aren't members and share your name with me.) Anyway, after I posted the message I rummaged around in my purse (my massive, can just about hold the kitchen sink purse) since I remember I had a journal jar question in there. Not only did I find that, I also found a full size Hershey's Chocolate Bar with Almonds. Score! Now to happily munch on my chocolate and write the blog.

Anyway, let's see about today's question. It reads:

"Describe your first crush. What was the person like?"

My first crush that I actually remember and remember thinking, "Wow, I'm noticing boys" was back in fifth grade. He was in my class. I believe we had Mr. Hogberg as a teacher, I'm not positive though. I will call him "M." M was tall, skinny, and had brown eyes. The best part was that he had a great sense of humor. Plus he was really cute. I don't remember what he looked like back then though. But he would play practical jokes on people and always have something funny to say. Every time he talked to me I would blush like crazy. I was so shy. Nothing ever came of that crush, but I do remember M very well.

Hi!

Did you know that one little "Hi" and a smile can change your day? It did mine.

Today was just one of those days where I wanted to stay in bed and shut the world out. But I couldn't, I had to get up and go to work. I was hoping to stop for a Starbucks Coffee before work, but was too slow moving I didn't have time. Since my desk was slow, I decided to use my morning break to head on over and pick one up.

I walked outside, enjoying the cool, brisk wind, and simply being outside. When I head to Starbucks, I always cut through the Gonda building. On my way to Starbucks, I was doing just that and a little boy about 4-5 was walking about 10-15 feet in front of his mom. He had a nasal cannula on, for oxygen, but looked like the happiest boy in the world. He looked up at me, smiled really wide and said, "Hi!". I smiled back and said "Hi!" too.

That one little smile and "HI!" made my day.

{American Crafts Blog Challenge}

The American Crafts Blog has a challenge up to use three different sets of Thickers on one layout. Here is my submission.



I love American Crafts products, especially their travel line!

In this layout I used the following products:
American Crafts White Daiquiri Foam Thickers
American Crafts Red Prancer Thickers
American Crafts Black Subway Thickers (car)
American Crafts Visa paper from the Travel line
American Crafts Passport paper from the Travel line
American Crafts Fannie Mendell paper from the Craft Fair line (the solid red paper)

Do you think I love American Crafts products?!?! :D They are one of my favorite scrapbook companies.

Quote

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant;

if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

~Anne Bradstreet

Things that make me happy

It's been a while since I've done a list and I thought I would do one about things that make me happy. I woke up really happy and optimistic today and thought it would be a perfect day to do that.

• Pandora--I can listen to music at work all day and it's Free!!!! Great discovery. (Yes, I know I'm late in discovering that.)
• Jason--Best husband ever.
• Retreat this weekend--I have been looking forward to this for what feels like forever and I can't believe it's almost here. Looking forward to a fun-filled weekend!
• The Bellywings--I don't know what I would do without my girls!! Even though at the retreat will be our 6 month anniversary, it feels as if I have known them forever. I don't know what I did before them. They are the best.
• Books--I couldn't live without my books. I've been immersed "Escape" by Carolyn Jessop right now and I can't believe how the FLDS works and how horrid the women are treated. After this book I need to read a fluff book.
• Finding out that a book was released and I didn't know about it! Best part was, Jason knew it was in a series I read and picked it up for me.
• Caribou's Iced White Chocolate Mocha. Heaven on earth. Perfect. Will be getting that again! Best part was I had a coupon, and when I bought that, I got another coupon. Woot!
• Twitter--So much fun. I've "met" some great people on there and love conversing with them. Though the 140 letter limit is hard sometimes! I like to be wordy. It's the Nelson side of me. ;)
• Pictures of my sisters. I've been stalking my sisters on Facebook/MySpace and love some of the self-portraits that they take on there. So much fun! I really should steal some and print them to scrapbook.
• Getting a notification for a PaperBackSwap that I never thought I would get on there!
• I'm such a geek that I love mail. I love getting the mail and always hope for some fun mail.
• Sunny days. It feels like spring is just around the corner. I love spring. Not the muddy/icky part of it, but when everything starts to turn green and bloom. Nothing like that at all.
• Coming home to dishes done. Such a wonderful feeling.
• Fresh sheets on the bed.
• Pictures and memories. Going through pictures of my childhood brings back so many memories. I can't wait to go through all of Ma's pictures and get them all organized for her. Plus I can scan some in for me to scrapbook. It's so much fun. I <3>
• Cheese Burger Birds---You know the ones that sounds like they say Cheese Burger when they are tweeting? They are really chickadees, but in my world they will always be Cheese Burger Birds.
• Ma--She is always there when I have questions. She is an amazing woman and just awesome.
• Lists--<3>
• Scrapbooking--Such a creative release for me. I love the process. I don't always love my pages when I'm done with them, but I enjoy the process.

I suppose I should end this before you get bored reading this. Tell me what makes you happy. Either leave me a comment here or a link to your blog if you do this. :)

Have a happy day!!

Journal Jar {Scripture}

What is your favorite scripture and why?

My favorite scripture is in Ecclesiastes 3:1. A Time for Everything, but I will share the passage with you.

1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

2a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

3a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

There is a time for everything. Everything is done in HIS time. We cannot rush it no matter how we might want to. I have referred to this passage quite a bit, especially with me not being able to get pregnant. I have to keep reminding myself that it is not my time yet. It is not my season. I will continue to be patient and hope that there is a season for me.

Now what is your favorite scripture and why?

Journal Jar Question #1 {Camping}

Did you go camping as a child? Tell about your experiences.

Yup, I went camping as a child! I do believe that I was a baby the very first time I went camping (Ma, correct me if I'm wrong!). Camping was one of my favorite things to do. We went just about every year with Grandma and Grandpa. I remember seeing a quite a few pictures of me camping when I was younger. One of which I'm on a porta potty! Eek! Obviously that one won't make it on my blog!

I remember going up to Hungry Jack Lodge where Grandma was working on re-building or doing construction of some sort. I remember being on the end of the dock and catching sunfish after sunfish there. I must have been 4-6 years old, somewhere in there.

On a trip up north once, I think this was at Hungry Jack again, I was feeding ducks and one of them bit my finger.

I remember camping out in the middle of no where at the end of a long dirt road that ended. There was a lake on side and trees on another. Grandma and Grandpa had the camper there. I was bringing grandpa coffee and spilled it on myself.

Another time we were camping out in the middle of no where. Some state park up north, I remember camping with just about all of my aunts and uncles, grandma and grandpa. It was just an all around good time.

As a teenager we went camping up north once in a State park and it was a blast. I brought my friend Kelsey with me. Down the hill was a lake where we could bathe in. Otherwise we used the sun shower. (Do you still have that Ma?!?!) We had to bring all of the water and everything that we needed. We had campfires at night. One night Uncle Bob was going to chop some wood and he took Ma's new ax and started chopping and said it wasn't very sharp. Ma went over to investigate and he had the clear sheath still on it and he was trying to chop through the rivets!!! We all had a great laugh over that one. It was quite hysterical.

I remember another trip when we went to the family reunion in Alexandria. I remember Kent and Doreen being there and Ma and I, but I don't know about anyone else. But we camped in some farmers field and had to watch out for cow pies. There was a lake there and I went swimming and got leaches. We used Coke (soda pop) to get them off.

As a teenager we mainly stayed out at Kevin and Judy's place on Lake 12. There was an outhouse, lake, and plenty of room for tents and campers. We used to have HUGE bonfires after the adults went to bed. One time the guys had to cut a couple of branches off of a tree because the flames were too close. There were some singed leaves on there though!!! The next day the fire ring was almost full with ashes, which is no small feat since that thing was probably 2 feet tall. The adults were happy though since it was perfect for cooking meals over!!! When camping with the Nelson's you have one meal, clean-up, and then start prepping the next meal, and keep on going. Such delicious food all cooked over the campfire. No grills or anything, just the good old campfire. Yum.

I have such great camping memories. I love camping.

I miss camping. I would love to go on a couple trips this year. So much fun.