When I started praying, I had no clue it would end up to be a picture of a canoe camping trip, but subconsciously it must have been on my mind. I know that getting Phil to relax was weighing on me. I’d been trying not to nag him so I’d say, “I’m worried you’re not getting enough rest.”
“Got things to do.”
“They can wait, they’re not as important as your health and you need to rest.”
“When I’m done.”
“You’ll keep adding to your list.”
“What do you want me to do? Things got to get done around here.”
“I want you to at least take Sunday off.”
“How about Sunday afternoon?”
So I compromised for a few weeks. Phil works from seven in the morning until nine or ten at night five days a week. Then on the weekend, he’s out mowing the lawn, fixing the cars, and tending to all of the other mishaps that inevitably happen. We’re Murphy’s red-headed step children. Seriously. Ask people who have seen the chaos in action.
For the last few weeks, I haven’t had to beg Phil to relax, he’s taken to enjoying an entire Sunday off. Except cooking. But cooking is one of those activities that bond and solidify our relationship. I’m his perfect sous chef.
We took a two day float trip last summer on the Tippecanoe River. We camped at Tippecanoe State park. I don’t necessarily enjoy the work-out a canoe trip on a windy weekend gives me, but it melted my heart to see Phil truly relax, fish, and enjoy himself.
He doesn’t do well relaxing at home. I think all of the things to do dangle in front of him and taunt him. I know, they do that to me too, but mothers have the ability to tone out frequencies that are annoying. Sure dads tune out things, but typically if they’ve tuned one thing out they’ve tuned everything out. Moms can tune out the irritating stuff. Tell me I’m wrong!
So we go camping.
I love, love, love campfires. Cooking breakfast over a fire brings out the maternal in me. Who knows why. I don’t care why. I know I’m up at the crack of dawn wrapped up in a flannel shirt, throwing another log on the fire. I get the water boiling for the coffee and sip it while I add bacon to the cast iron skillet. Phil gets up, drinks my (by then) cold coffee and I make another steaming cup for myself. We take turns flipping the bacon and Zane yells from the tent, “I smell bacon!” and we sit by the fire waiting.
My bloggy kindred soul, Robin, posted about playing in the rain and today--well pictures speak louder than words.
Notice I'm still in my jammies?Here's the poem by Natasha Bedingford thatRobin had at her blog and I think it's perfect.
My cousin got married over the weekend and I thought I'd post a few shots.
I told you here we'd be going Letterboxing while we were in Missouri--well, we did!
The first one we did at Beaver Creek Conservation area was a bust. We followed the excellent directions, but there was no box hidden at the location. It seemed to us that this place was well used by people who maybe don't have a lot of other things to do and possibly the box was stolen because of that. When we pulled up to park, a white car pulled in after us and parked three spots to the right. They were hot and heavy getting it on and they didn't even put their car in park. We had to cover Zane's eyes and Mike wanted to go scare them.
The second one made it all worth while. This one was located at Maramec Springs State Park.
I didn't set out to take photos of all scenic mentions in the directions, but it seems I have. So let me show you how letterboxing works in our family. Mind you, we're not typical. Sorry to disappoint.
We entered the and parked as the directions stated. Then it said, "Head east toward the bridge with a yellow sign. Read the sign and heed it. Cross the foot bridge and enjoy the trout scenery. You can buy fish food 10 or 25 cents and feed them if you wish." So of course, who can resist popping in quarters to feed the fish? Not my boys!
Next, "Follow the trail toward the green spring house, cross the bridge before the spring house."
"You will see a tunnel on your left. Take the stairs under the bridge. Continue straight on the trail." I don't think they intended Zane to take a pit stop, but what can you do?
Then, "Follow the main trail past the furnace. Up the hill you will see green and yellow equipment built for fun. No time for that now. Take the low road to the river."
"Continue North on paved path. You will hear the babbling brook in the distance & see people with fishing poles. "
Past the tiny spring you will follow the trail up the hill and continue on the trail between the two black rails. Continue trail down the trail.
A big tree once stood tall is where you’ll find it all. Take a break on the edge of the fallen tree and you’ll see a brown building with green roof at 2 o’clock. Reach where moss always grows under the tree covered by debris.
So. We looked for a fallen tree. And Phil dug with a stick. Because there might be spiders or snakes. Don't the boys look excited?
But the box wasn't there. So we looked for another fallen tree. And we dug some more. And we couldn't find the box. And everyone was bummed. But the park was so amazing and beautiful that we were all glad we stopped anyway. We figured the box had been planted before the flood and it must have been washed away. You could see the flood lines and the water had covered the path the box was supposed to be hidden on. So we decided to make the best of it and enjoy the day. 
But wait! What's that? We miscalculated? Or maybe the one reading the directions didn't quite "get it?" It said, " If you pass the 2nd stairs past the big rippling water you’ve gone to far. " Lord have mercy we didn't pass the 2nd stairs yet!! So we found yet another fallen tree. And Phil dug again. Don't the boys look even more excited? Well, at least Phil pretends for me.
And there it was!!! The box!! So we all stamped the book inside the box and used the stamper inside the box on our journals. Finally. Success. Now the boys at least look interested, don't you think?
The directions then read, "Continue North on the trail and enjoy the swinging bridge."
We did. But I've posted tons of pictures today so I might have to continue this tomorrow. Or because I know myself, it might be a week or a month from now. But I'll remind you where I talked about it first.
So no sooner do we get back from one trip and we're going on another. That's okay with me though.
We're going camping as my Mother's Day present. I wish we camped more often!
Here's some Missouri pictures I haven' t blogged about yet.
Whew.
What a weekend.
Drove like 8 hours to Missouri Friday, had dinner with Mike (Phil's oldest son.)
Had a BBQ at Mike's Frat house (the absolute nicest Frat house ever.)
Went letterboxing. One attempt was a bust, but one at the Maramec Springs Park was not only successful, but one of the most beautiful places I've seen in Missouri.
Visited with Phil's brother and his new (and WONDERFUL) wife.
Visited with Phil's mom, step-dad, grandma, and uncles. Then his brother again.
Went to Onondaga Cave State park, toured the cave.
Drove home.
Oh. Took like 204 pictures.
Aren't you excited to see them?
Well, I messed up yesterday. I posted a Saturday picture when I wasn't finished with Sunday. I'm not going to take you through every moment of my life, just the ones I took pictures of that I haven't been blogging about. Pretend you care, okay. Humor me.
I guess it was a good mistake though because today is Tackle It Tuesday and while I don't have before shots, I have the after pictures of my mad organizing spree on Sunday. After I went to CVS and spent $1.50ish on $153.00 worth of stuff.
Before I get to the Tackle It Tuesday pictures, I just got word that I'm TOP MOMMA. What's that? You don't know what that means?! Have you been hidden under a rock?
Once again, I have neglected the ten or so people who stop by here regularly. I don't mean to neglect you. Really. So in honor of your dedication despite my disregard I'll post a week's worth of photos (and captions) so you know why I've not been here paying attention to you.
Forgive me?
I think I'll work backwards. Because I want to.
Near as I can tell, this is what happened.
First, Phil called his cousin to make sure the family down south was not floating away. Seems that Bunk lucked out and water didn't end up in his house after all because a levee broke and relieved the pressure. Now I'm guessing some other families might not have been all too happy about that other levee breaking, but we were just fine with it. Bunk's the one I was most worried about. He and I have this special connection. Least I think so. If I told you what happened, you'd think I was a freak. Not that I'd have to talk too long because I mostly am a freak already, but this would be sure to do the trick if you're still hanging around reading this stuff.
Phil's uncle, that's Bryan Gene. Lord that man and his wife don't have a single brain cell between the two of them.
Phil got the story from Nick, Bryan Gene's son. I got it from Sharon, and I can't remember who she is. Grandpa Jack's sister's daughter, maybe? Something like that. I try to keep them all straight, but in the almost 15 years we've been together all I've got down is a few.
They all have scanners. Police scanners. And they're on all the time. Even with the TV. Just as loud as the TV. Say Amen if you know where I'm coming from here.
Now, Grandpa Jack died awhile back and since then Bryan Gene has sold off everything the man left behind. First they drove Grandpa Jack's car til it died, then Grandma's (she passed a few years ago) until the transmission went out. So Bryan Gene decided to sell Grandpa Jack's boat. I'm not totally right on that. Let me try again. Bryan Gene was going to GIVE Grandpa Jack's boat to the guy who was fixing the transmission. The boat was worth WAY more than that. So Grandpa Jack's friend down at the Marina heard about this and gave Bryan Gene cash.
Bryan Gene took the cash and bought a pick up and put liability on it.
Then he and Barbara went down the road to Dung Beetle's house. Maybe it was Asian Beetle? Or Caterpillar? Some bug. Anyhow, Bryan Gene and Barbara went there to get drunk and high. They drove through a puddle to get to this guy's house
They achieved their goal and headed home. I think they went around the road closed and high water signs. Bryan Gene said to Barbara, "Well hell, we drove through it to get there, it can't be that bad." And headed into the water.
So Sharon and the family are gathered. Eating no doubt. Sharon's people have brought clothes with them just in case they can't make it back home for the flooded roads. Scanner's on and they're hearing about some people, male and female, muddy, in the water. Hypothermia. Ambulance. Etc... And the family's cracking jokes about the ignorant people out there knowing what happens when you drive your vehicle into the flood waters. Any fool'd know that the current's too strong and why would anyone be so ignorant as to do such a thing?
Then they ran the driver's licenses of the man and woman. Bryan Gene and Barbara.
Well.
That explains it then.
They are ignorant.
No one's really sure how Bryan Gene survives anything. He's had more car wrecks than Evil Knievel, smoked more weed than any human should smoke, has brain damage from it (diagnosed, honest to God brain damage), and just just all around...well...ignorant is a safe word.
They got Bryan Gene and Barbara out, treated them for hypothermia and they're home now.
He probably should have kept the boat and drove around in that until the flood waters receded, then sold it and paid cash for the pickup. Now he's out a boat, cash, and the pick up.
But he was on the news.
I'm making some phone calls now to find out more, but I know Bunk, one of Phil's grandpa's brothers, has been forced from his home in Pocahontas, Arkansas because of the floods. He and some neighbors moved out a few days ago.
And Phil's uncle--he was one of those stupid people who drive in the flood waters. Okay, I know sometimes there are true accidents, but this wasn't one of them. Bryan Gene was out getting drunk and high...
I'll tell you the rest later. Just pray because all of Phil's family lives in Pocahontas and the river isn't expected to crest until Wednesday.
Jill and I met in 1998 in Aurora, Missouri at Union Planters Bank where we were both hired. It was an instant bond since we both "weren't from around there". She was from Illinois, around Peoria and I was from Northwest Indiana. We both talked fast and wore weird shoes, far as those Missouri folks were concerned.
Phil was gone a lot. We'd just purchased our very own semi and he was driving it alone. I'd come off the road so we could start trying to have a baby. I conceived Zane January 24, 1999. Jill was my labor coach and only friend. Many days, she's what kept me from going batshit crazy.
She even painted my toenails.
She was the only one physically with me at Zane's birth. She fed me ice chips and comforted me.
I'll tell you more about our adventures when I can get through them. Right now, I'm typing through my tears and I just don't think I can go there.
