Daniel Who? Daniel Boone? Jeff Daniels?

A 42" Muskie caught on Lake Pewaukee with Eric Haatja-Dan's birthday present. Since he couldn't go in the rivers for steelhead, he went out instead and his trophy for the day was a TRIPLE muskyDAY! Booya!

On Sunday, the last day of the regular deer season, Dan and Chris Hamilton went out around Lake Mills, and wouldn't ya know, just as they were about to head in for the Packer game, there were two doe that knew that the game wouldn't end up so hot! Boom, boom, dead!

Andrew and Tracy went to pick them up and caught some great shots for the scrapbook!

Earlier on, Dan went up to the Fox Lake area with Tim Pulford and his "clan!" Dan shot a young "nubbin'" buck and did a few shots himself later on! Tim harvested a nice 9 pointer! Ya der! And in honor of Dan's first season out since 1991:

Jimmer Negamanee: Shay, Reubensh.

Rueben Soady: Yea?

Jimmer Negamanee: Shince you ain't sherving shashties, I'd sure shike shome of those sherman shlapjakcs. [laughs]

Jimmer Negamanee: I could eat shlapjacks every day of the weeksh, eh.

Rueben Soady: Oh, I know you could, Jimmer.

Remnar Soady: No, not flapjacks.

Jimmer Negamanee: Ya'll don't like the shlapjacks?

Remnar Soady: Macaroni and cheese, tank you very much.

Albert Soady: With spam.

Remnar Soady: With spam.

Jimmer Negamanee: How'sh about shlapjacks with spam?

Rueben Soady: Uh, fellas.

Albert Soady: J-just spam for me.

Remnar Soady: Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.

Rueben Soady: No flapjacks, no macaroni and cheese, and no spam.

Albert Soady: No spam?

Rueben Soady: Boys you are not only going to eat like kings, but that 2o bucks you was going to throw into the kiddie for pasties, keep it. I am about to feed the whole camp for all week for absolutely free.

(Click below for one of Dan's favorite scenes):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMdcqcwVO8U

...he wouldn't be able to take claim to the "buckless" yooper this year!

Debbie Downer...

So I try to maintain a somewhat positive, at times sickening, outlook on life.

Today's the day.

Perhaps it is because it is the opposite day of my birthday, 7/11. It's 11/7. Next year, I'll stay in bed.

It has been a terrible, awful, horrible, no-good, very BAD DAY!

So bad that I can't even really go into much detail. It has been expensive-$$wise and emotionally. From work, to bad news from friends, bad news from customers, I know, I know...it could be worse, but when you get bombed in small amounts throughout the day, you just want to crawl into a hole and wait for the sun to come up the next day.

So many things to be thankful for, yes, I know. No need for a pep talk, I'll be fine. I just can't believe HOW MANY awful things can happen in a day that just continually SUCK! I don't even like that word.

Advise I've gotten today:

"Let's go do some shots with the kids tonite."
"How about some drinks tonight?" "No, I think I need something more" "Acid?"
(that one shocked me, 'cause I've never done drugs, including Marijuana)
"The people that die young really are the lucky ones!"
"Go home, have a glass of wine, and relax"

Here's hoping that whoever is reading this has had a better day!!

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."-- Isaiah 40:31

A little something!

http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/viewer.aspx?sbid=834965

Just something fun that I've discovered!

Back home...

So most of you already know, but we're back home and on the recovery trail! I do not have much time right now, but just want to say thanks again for ALL the prayers, phone calls, help with kids, work, etc.

We are countlessly blessed!

Heading the right direction:

Today is a much better day all around. Dr. Nottestad came in early this morning and said Dan would be here until Friday. Last night was pretty rough, lots of pain and his usual "calm" got interupted by a morphine lapse, causing much discomfort and all around irritation. That's okay, though, we made it through! He bid his morphine farewell this morning (tear, tear) and back onto vicodine. Dan is making his own way around on crutches and is awake for much longer periods. Tim Pulford came for visit this morning which gave me a chance to run home and shower-much needed! He is eating well, and thanks to Shelli's laptop, we have been enjoying some you-tube!

Answered prayers...

Last night, our walk was heaven sent! It was a nice breezy evening and the leaves rustling and fresh air were enough to help Dan's nerves. After his periodic interuptions through the night, the morphine became his new best friend to help him rest, relax, and not feel so much pain.
Dr. Fisher came in pretty early and checked things over, explaining that if Dr. Zambrano did decide to do surgery (he wasn't certain he would), they would take a culture to determine the nature of the bacteria, as to get the right antibiotic. Minutes seemed like hours and the nurse came in to notify Dan he would be going in for surgery based on the fact WE didn't think it was getting better. After a discussion, WE decided that we wanted the Dr. to make that determination and the nurse did indicate he would be up. It was almost 1:00 and in came the anestethesiologist (nope, didn't spell that won rite!) with his assistant to take Dan down for surgery. (record scratch, "Say What?"). They told us we would be able to talk to the Surgeon when we got down there and that our concerns were valid. Down to OR and a good discussion with Dr. Zambrano determined that it is best for Dan to undergo a slice in his foot to find out what is in there and get it OUT! In he went and no longer than 45 minutes later, he updated me. There was a puss pocket in his foot that had formed, preventing things from moving along. That popped when they sliced. He pulled the cultures, inserted a tube for future drainage if possible and sewed the approximately one inch gap shut. The soonest return home will be Thursday or Friday. In about two weeks, he should be able to start putting some pressure on his heel as long as all goes well. He is happiest when he is being comforted by his temporary "best friend" Morph Ine, but that's okay! I'd rather see him comfortable than in pain. He is resting and relaxed, happy to have some type of closure rather than mystery about what is going on.

All from a clean nail.

Prayers for Dan...

Going back to my last post, you may already know that Dan stepped on a nail a week ago Friday. An unfortunate series of events lead to a solemn decision on Friday afternoon to be admitted to Fort Hospital for anti-biotic treatments to be administered. He had a bit of a break on Saturday, when he came to the party at the shop, then right back in bed/on iv/in pain.
It has been a week now since he was ordered bed rest and they decided on Sunday that if it wasn't making progress that he would have surgery today (Monday). The surgeon visited just before noon and made the decision to wait one more day, since it hadn't gotten any worse. Surgery=3-4 weeks of bedrest, then much pain when he begins walking again...a course we would rather forego if at all possible. It is about 8pm on Monday and it actually seems to be getting worse again. Last night, Dan felt quite a bit of anxiety about just everything, which I know none of us can blame him for. Between a bit of medication for that and Morphine, he is "better", at least until they wear off. I'm sure the nurses and doctors are sick of me on their heels, but they really have all been wonderful so far-you'd have to think they would be the same way. Dan is just resting right now and will be able to go for a stroll in the wheelchair when he's ready to. The morphine creates a Dan I've never seen before!
So tomorrow we will see how things progress. Hopefully I can post more then.
I just want to express my gratitude to each and every person that is helping us through this. The prayers, the help with the kids, the help at the shop...I've said it before, but really, we are abundantly blessed beyond what I could fathom.
Mark, Pam, Alex, Cliff, Vi, Shelli, Mom, Heather, Jon, Joe, Rod, Billy, Chuck, Renee, Mrs. Pufahl, Mrs. Williams, Chris & Tracy, John & Julia, Tim Pulford, Darlene Meyers, Pastor Rath, Pastor McKenney, Mick & the boys, and I'm so sure I've missed some people-but especially each and everyone of you who are praying for Dan's quick recovery. Mallory reminded Dan tonight of the scripture to "Cast all anxieties upon Him..." and later, Dan told me that the kids were the best medicine he had all day. He was also very thankful for Pastor McKenney bringing the Lord's Supper to the hospital.
Nobody said life would be easy and we rest assured that everything will turn out best for the will of God. I reminded Dan that the pain he is enduring is nothing compared to what Jesus suffered for each and every one of us on the cross. And Christian, as worried as he was for our fearless family leader, reminded us that God protects us all.
Faith is an amazing cornerstone and I have to go now for our walk, so again, thank you and God Bless!