November 25 through November 28, 2009

I met Carlo at O'Wich on Wednesday. He arrived on Tuesday from Michigan and I went there right after work.

I didn't really take any photos to speak of...although a video of the birds and squirrels would have been an impressive addition to this blog ~ but I did not video the rambunctious activities that we enjoyed either. My written words will never do justice to the show they presented. The birds swooped from everywhere and swarmed the freshly filled feeders. They were everywhere.

There was a black and white striped bird with either a red beak or head feathers - we shall call him The Zebra Bird! There were a group of huge beautiful blue birds...I think they were woodpeckers. There were little birds of a variety of colors. And there were three squirrels. By the end of our stay we were referring to them as The Skinny One; slightly timid in demeanor, The Fat One; brave beyond belief and The Psycho One; crazy and appeared to be on Ritalin!

There was so much going on, you didn't know what to focus on. They were on the feeders, the pumpkin patch, the deck, the trees - chasing each other - running - flying - and several of the birds crashed into the patio door! They were amusing to watch!

Of course, we ate well during our visit. We finally made it to LaTolteca, we tried Dino's and The Sunrise Cafe - we even cooked a bit. Food and sleep are never a deprivation at O'Wich - or anywhere!

The nights were filled with stars that lit the ground like dimmed street lights. They were in abundance along with the bright light of the moon. The serenity of all the peace and quiet and the chance to enjoy it allows a grand new perspective (although enjoyed only until encountering the Hillside Strangler - which will ruin any trip!)

It was a restful holiday weekend, much different from any holiday in the past and thoroughly enjoyable - did I mention a trip to WalMart on Thanksgiving night????

November 10, 2009

Sorry folks, no temp update!!!

We were up by 7:30 and getting ready to hit the road - closing up the cabin, packing up our stuff, loading the truck and checking the fuel.

We have a few errands to run before getting on the highway - then it's back to reality - until next time!!!

November 9, 2009

9:00 am: 67° 58° 55°

Starting the day with coffee and watching the squirrels and birds pick at what has really become just remnants of our pumpkin patch is a morning that will soon be but a memory ~ cherished, but missed.

We still have a To-Do list ~ quick reminder; I have the To-Do list and a honey I hope will make the list smaller! Some think it's a good thing to have something to do but I can't wait until it's all done so all that's left is just R&R - and of course cutting the grass! That alone will be our never ending chore! On our (uh um) my list is a new pendant light for over the kitchen sink, wood trim in the bedroom, stone on the walls behind the fireplace new and redesigned front stairs, screening in the front porch, and a few chores we will hire out for - like new carpeting, new flooring in the kitchen and bath, a new roof and the second phase of our plumbing project. Believe me, the the three years we've had O'Wich, we have done more than one would think could get done - especially since we're not here as much as we wish we were - not to mention the lack of helping hands! But we're "gittin it done!"

While Carlo was out supply shopping, I noticed over a dozen turkeys in the front yard chowing down on all the seed that covered the ground. These wild flying turkeys are huge and quick. They scattered into the trees as I was opening the door to take their picture. How in the world do these National Geographic photographers ever get the money shot?! I'm certain these are the same turkeys from the summer that were so small - now they're huge! The picture doesn't even capture what the eye can see!

10:30: 66° 57° 60°

With new seed and feed out, the savages started arriving for their feeding frenzy. I took a few more photos and then we had a quick lunch.

Carlo decided to grab a chore from the list and hang the light over the kitchen sink. Now granted, there was a light there that Carlo had hung about a year ago. I liked it in the store, but once it was up I hated it. So I bought a new one. And because getting the first one up was such a headache due to previous owner electrical errors - there was concern for messing with it again, and of course installing a new one. But it ended up taking Carlo about 29 minutes to change it out - from start to finish. Wow! what a nice difference! Not only can we scratch this chore off the list, but it is exactly what I wanted. No Mr. Savant working on this project - hee hee!

Before and After:

At 3:00 we drove down to visit Paul and Betty and to snap a few more pictures of My O'Wich Neighborhood!

5:45: 67° 58° 51° - very dark and I think very cold!

Steve stopped by for a visit and after he left, we headed to LaTolteca for dinner - tonight makes the second night that we went out too late and they were closed. WTF! We ended up going to Bud's - which was still fine - had our usual and ended up shutting the place down...not as one would think someone would close a bar down...we just ended up being the last ones there and lucky to get our order in before the kitchen closed! There was no way we were eating at Culver's again!

10:00: 69° 59° 34° - tonight is a breath-taking, incredibly awesome star filled sky!

When we got back we watched a little TV and tonight was Carlo's night to nap on the couch before going to bed, while I was busy on FB, journaling and texting my friends!

November 8, 2009

Temp update: 59° 52° 34°

We were up by 8:00 and found that my fire burning skills are not so good - okay, they suck! The 2x4 I jammed in the fireplace was barely charred - so now the real fire builder is going to get us a real fire going! Psssst, he cheated just a bit: starter log and propane ~ ssshhh!

The sun was bright and it looks much colder outside than it really is. The squirrels and birds were out and about and picking at our O'Wich pumpkin patch. Some critters were either hungry or just destructive and mutilated one of the pumpkins. Something must be living in the other one! It is fun to watch them scatter the seed and wait on trees before swooping in to eat!

We watched a little DIY and these people really get your idea gears cranking and let you think that anything you think you can do, really is possible! I just wish one of these hosts and their crew would show up here...for a yard off - they could all come - them against them - we would have a perfect finished any sort of project imaginable! Bring 'em on! *wish*wish*wish*bam*reality*ergh!

By 8:30 the birds were ready to gorge themselves on the filled feeders - they are animals; they should realize they need to space their feedings! They are certain to run out of seed with the way they are acting!!!

8:45: 67° 57° 46°

It's gonna be an awesome day!

I took more photos and fed pine cones to the fire - pop go the pine cones!

It was time for our outing. We started our day with a tasty meal at Norm's. We still find it hard to believe that we get pretty lucky with so many tasty meals - whether cooked by us or someone else!

After breakfast we ran into Wal-Mart to pick up a couple of things. $235 later, we were cart full - a few food items, some hunting things, scrapbook items, a couple of Christmas gifts and some other stuff we could most likely live without!

I took pictures on the way back and even walked from the county road to the rock - snapping along the way. What a gorgeous day!

12:45: 65° 53° 70°

1:45: 65° 55° 78°

Carlo ran to Do-It-Best for a few pieces of wood and nails for the construction of the loft railing...will two separate ideas and visions become one railing that we both can be happy with???

The railing project began around 4:00 and we worked straight through until 8:45. In the 4 hours and 45 minutes we laid out our concept, measured and cut all the pieces. Although we laid the pieces and the bottom plates on wood - it still wasn't even; but no problem - still turned out good. Once this section was attached to the beams and secured to the floor we moved on to the second partition. We again laid it out, measured and cut some more pieces. This time we laid it out on the kitchen floor - hoping things would line up better and somewhat level. Bam! First piece nailed but was crooked. We dismantled it and started again. Bam - Bam - Bam - Bam! Oooops, forgot to start with the first piece (which someone laid on the edge of the sink rather than putting it on the floor when it was first found to be crooked). So now we had to take apart these four and start again. Minor setback and although it created a bit more work and wasted a bit of time - it was funny. It was actually somewhat hysterical! So all is together after this little screw up and Carlo secured this section to the beams and to the floor. Level - Plumb - Square - Secured; our creation was pretty darn sturdy. We skirted the top of the middle section, inside and out - to tie it all together - and then we capped it off. The purpose of this railing is to keep things from falling down, create a definition of space and a sense of enclosure and it offers a bit of privacy. All said and done - it looks great and YES, two separate ideas became one finished vision!

Before and after views:

We needed to get something to eat, so we headed out and because it was late and a Sunday, everywhere we wanted to or attempted to go was closed - so we settled on Culver's. After we got back, we needed to clean up all the bugs that came in while I was cutting wood on the deck, put all the tools and supplies away and finish cutting up all the left over wood that has now become firewood - and of course, admire our railing!

10:45: 68° 58° 64°

Finally 11:00 came along and we stopped moving - oh boy, it's gonna hurt bad if either of us try to move! Our muscles were screaming in pain! After waking up from an unexpected, but much appreciated nap around 1:00 am, I was off to bed!

November 7, 2009

Today was a different and unique day from our usual O'Wich departure. We left at 8:00 and went to Milwaukee for a memorial service for Carlo's aunt who passed away last week. It was a beautiful service and it was great to see all the cousins - we hadn't seen them since the last memorial service a few years ago when his uncle passed. During the service we heard an incredible vocalist who I would like to come and sing at my funeral - if you know me you won't think this is weird! After the service was a luncheon and it was good to catch up with the family. We got on the road around 2:00 and after what felt like a round about tour, we were finally heading toward Madison en route to 39!

We got to O'Wich just after 4:00 and I took the opportunity to start my photo op for my upcoming class. Not sure what the actual assignment will be but I think if I have the opportunity to title the assignment that I might go with something like, "My O'Wich Neighborhood"! We got the cabin opened and it was time to kick back a bit. Carlo had been up since the night before, he worked and was feeling a little slappy!

Interested in keeping tabs on the temp? So far 62° in, 55° under and 54° out.

As tired as Carlo was, he decided it was safer for me to stay and watch the fireplace than to drive into town to pick up dinner. He said, "Youuuuuuuuuuu stay here and I'll be back!" So I added burnable materials to the fire and waited for him to return - although me and fire may not have been the safest of the options - just as him driving around in the dark, late in the evening and tired! Safely back, we had KFC and while attempting to remove our forks from the hermetically sealed plastic - we wondered what was up with the napkin...in its folded shape it measured 3/4" x 5" and even when opened could barely be considered a napkin! Seriously!!! Thank youuuuuuu for dinner!

By 9:30 I was exhausted and I was up only since 5:30 am while Carlo was hitting 24 + hours and was fading fast. I think Sleepy Stan aka Tired Ted and me had quite a vocabulistic day - starting at the memorial with the minister from the Philippines trying to pronounce words such as cathedral and eat - he pronounced them cateedrill and et. There were a plethora of mispronounced words - we couldn't help but giggle but sadly no pen to jot them down - who thinks to bring a pen to a memorial??? Others to giggle or at least smile at are Sleepy Stan driving to his Hacienda on the Riviera in Portaj. There were conundrums and similiaritillities (this word is spelled wrong on purpose!) and an Idiot Savant as well (was I at work with the IS?!!) We laughed for what felt like hours! There certainly was no one missing out on any fun today!

Night Night!

November 3, 2009

65° - 55° - 28° from the looks of the thermometer, I think we've done a good job insulating under the cabin!

Waking up this morning, we found our wildlife pumpkin patch tipper over - Carlo had filled the pumpkin shells with seed for the small ground critters and the birds. One of the bird houses was tipped - we can surmise, due to the large mound of bird seed on the ground under it!

The skies are clear and bright and the trees are almost bare - the only prominent color are hues of browns with a very little green muddled about. The sun is streaming through the trees causing it all to have a subtle glow - this is a version of how cold it is!

We went over our upcoming plans for work to be done - over the winter and in the spring. Look for some incredible changes to occur in 2010!

We'll be back next weekend - hopefully with more photos and some interesting blogging. But as I warned...we were here for R&R and that's what we accomplished!!!!

November 2, 2009

We went into town to try a new place for breakfast - Norm's. It was a great little diner and now we have another place to add to our list of places to go. After eating, we walked four of the six downtown blocks. Many of the stores are now vacant, but we found two other diners to try some other time...and a JCP order pick up and return location - who would have thought??? After our short walking tour, we stopped at Krista's. It's an Internet cafe and we bought some tasty treats from the bakery counter.

We stayed in the R&R mode for the rest of the morning into the early afternoon. It was a nice cool, sunny day and it was neat watching the squirrels and birds romp and flutter about.

After GH, we drove into Baraboo for some hunting gear from Gander Mountain. We drove around looking for an Amish store, that although was map-able - did not seem to exist! We then went into downtown Dells to pick up some squeaky cheese! It's nice traveling through the Dells without all the vacationers!

Once back at the cabin, we didn't do much. For dinner we picked at all the leftovers and watched TV - again enjoying a fire and another night of the Hunters Moon.

November 1, 2009

Fall behind!

63° in - 49° under - 40° outside. The sky is clear and the sun is bright. We changed the clocks and will be enjoying an extra hour of daylight today! Hopefully the day will be as nice as it appears. We went down to the river for some photos and a bit of bench carving. The sun was peeking out from the clouds and it provided a chance to take some cool photos.

Even though time changes cause the body to shift a bit...there was no denying at 11:30 we were all ready for lunch. We went to LaTolteca and it was as tasty as usual. We parted ways after lunch and Rick and Katie were on their way to Milwaukee to visit friends. We had a few errands to run then a quick visit with Paul. We were settled into our afternoon of R&R by 3:00!

There wasn't much else to do other than watch TV and enjoy the bright glow of the Hunters Moon - it was as though there were lights on and it was night-time. It was incredible!

October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!

I wonder if we'll have any ghosts or goblins trick or treating at our door!!!!

I was up by 6:00 am, cleaning fruits and veggies for the days meals. By 7:30 I was done and the scraps were put out for the animals. Our continental breakfast was ready for consumption in the cool morning hours. The air was 65° in the cabin, 54° under the cabin and 40° outside. It was gloomy, cloudy and the winds finally seemed to have stopped...although as they were blowing you could hear trees falling as well as branches. Hopefully it will be a good day - so glad we have a comfortable common place so everyone has the opportunity to be comfortable!!! ☺

After kicking back for the morning - we had a great BBQ lunch, but Rick wasn't able to join us because he wasn't feeling well. When he got up - he and Katie went for a drive, Carlo ran some errands and I napped. Everyone was back and ready for dinner in the late afternoon. We enjoyed another tasty dinner at Bud's. The evening was filled with chatting, TV and a fire!

October 30, 2009

All I can promise of this weekends blog entries is boredom! Not much happened but that's what we set out to do...nothing!

Breezy warm winds and lots of rain made for a bit of a stressful start to our weekend. We finally hit the road by 10:15 - with our fully loaded vehicle! We had all the freshly laundered bedding and some new stuff too! This just means there will be work to do when we get there...making beds, well, sucks!

We arrived at O'Wich tired and hungry. Carlo unloaded the truck and I took time for the week ending cliff hanger episode of GH. Once my show was over, I made all the beds and the new bedding looks awesome. No pictures, but they have a pine cone design on them! I unpacked while Carlo fed the birds and then we left for an early dinner at Tamarack. As usual...no disappointment! Then it was off to the grocery store and once back at the cabin we finished cleaning, rested and waited for our guests to arrive.

Rick, Katie and baby boy arrived by 9:00 and we had a great catch up visit after not seeing them for almost three months. Since we had all been up for quite a long time, we called it a night around 11:00.