May 2, 2007

During my two-week vacation to O'Wich, the trees bloomed, the squirrels ate all the feed of corn and oats that we put out for the deer. I enjoyed the peace and quiet between all the things that were on my To-Do list. I will certainly miss being at O'Wich.



A bad day in O'Wich beats a good day in Cicero - hands down!



No noise; no horns, no loud music, no sirens.
No crowds; no rude people, no traffic.



If I click my red shoes together, how long before I can get back to O'Wich???



Until next time, it's this road I must travel to get back to reality.

Thanks for visiting - come back in June!

May 1, 2007

Carlo came back to "Labor Camp" for more torture. He cut the grass - this is a long process due to all the land and all of the trees.



Then, he tethered the new tank down...you know - flood zone. We actually heard that tanks have made their way to the river during flood season.

April 29, 2007

Although you might think that one of Alex's favorite things is visiting O'Wich I'd have to correct you and say that it's reading. After Jackie read this book to Alex for the umpteenth time, it was time for their visit to end. Bye bye Alex! Thank you for visiting O'Wich with your mom! xoxo


Not too long after their taillights were out of sight, my project list came out of hiding. Time to build a bench. Looks simple enough. It took over 9 hours and a little bit of sunburn to realize that offering someone a seat on this bench would be a big mistake. The after picture hides the flaws and unfinished assembly. Help! I need help to build this. The box says "Team Lift" - I think is should say "Team Assembly". Please, whatever you do, DO NOT TAKE A SEAT!


This photo is very deceiving...looks good - from afar!

April 28, 2007

While Alex took his morning nap, I started my day off with a surprise for Carlo. I laid some really heavy 18" pavers along the deck in what was attempt to create some additional curb appeal. Still a work in progress, I am happy with the way step one turned out.


After lunch, Jackie, Alex and I went to the Oschner Park and Zoo in Baraboo. Alex visited with a swan, two white tail deer, two llamas, a timber wolf, a pot bellied pig and a couple of goats. After feeding the goat some goat food, Alex decided to share his own snacks with the goats. He was so proud of himself for sharing!



We drove around for a couple of hours, taking in the sights, while Alex napped before dinner. We ate at the Log Cabin, near the zoo. We thought this was the end of our day until we went to the lot to find the car had a flat tire!


Alex's reaction could be a good indicator of our surprise that all the places we called for repair were closed! So after several phone calls to several places, the owner offered that the cook change the tire. Luckily, he can do more than make a good slab of ribs or grilled cheese sandwich. Once we were on the road, we hit Wal-Mart, just before the tire center was closing and bought a new tire.


We made it safely back to O'Wich - my ever so nice neighbors were both upset I didn't call on them for help. It's nice to know they're there - for next time!!!

April 27, 2007

Jackie, Alex and I went on an adventure drive on Friday. We drove the 10 mile rustic road a/k/a Levee Road, through Pine Island Wildlife Area. This refuge is across the river - to the south - of O'Wich. You can only see trees from O'Wich looking toward it and from Pine Island Wildlife Area looking north you can't see anything because of the levee. But what we did see was beautiful!

And of course, Alex missed it all!

Once we were back at the cabin, Alex checked out the landscaping...

and visited our new park by the river - did you vote yet? See the April 21st entry for your chance to name the park!

Alex is quick and we were worried about his being so close to the edge of the river and he pretty much must have thought the same..."Enough," he said, "I'm going back to the cabin!"

April 26, 2007

The day started out with a heavy rainfall and the propane tank delivery. It was so muddy, the driver's truck was sinking into the ground. He placed the new, larger tank away from the house.


My day ended with the sun coming out and two of my favorite people arriving for a weekend visit. Jackie and Alex made it to O'Wich in time for dinner and a relaxing evening. Alex came armed with several toys and lots of books.

April 23, 2007

Like the bathroom tile job, this job of hanging the pine wall boards was much more difficult than we had hoped or even assumed. There were lots of complications, enough so that we needed to take a 2 day break between installing wall number 1 and wall number 2! But once we stepped back and re-thought the idea, walls 2, 3 and 4 went up in two days. So it took three days to put this all up while stopping to do electrical, eat and visit the neighbors! The wood slats were not the quality we thought and that in itself was disappointing. But once up, the room was a pleasurable transformation.

Not an accurate before, but a before after the insulation went up.

During - while putting up the pine boards.

Not quite an after, but the four walls are done, the sconces are in. Of course, the To-Do list just grew a bit longer; we need window treatments, the ceiling needs the wood slats attached, the ceiling fan needs to be installed and then there's the trim work and a carpet....phew....does it ever end????