Preparing for Christmas...

Mallory danced at two different nursing homes with her dance class that she attends in Fort Atkinson. She loves expressing herself through dance and ask anyone who sees her and it is quite clear that her light shines when she's performing!
After cancelling a day of shopping so that we could have a peaceful day of decorating our home, we dug into boxes full of memories and creations. There's just something about this time of year! The looks on their faces say it all. Mallory is holding a plate that she made in kindergarten...a true treasure! Just 5 days to go...the stocking hangers say it all.

A confession & a reflection...

I confess.
I've been cheating on my blog.
I've been checking out facebook way too often and not updating as I should.
Won't you please forgive me?

On top of things at the shop getting more and more crazy and preparing for Advent and Christmas, it would seem that jumping on facebook is so much more convenient!! Like so many, I've got lists coming out of my ears and the hourglass is upside down with more on the bottom than the top! But you know, it's ok! It just takes some perspective to pull me out of this ratrace of life and know that life doesn't have to be that crazy rollercoaster we seem to put ourselves on day after day.

In the past two weeks:
-I've witnessed my best friend bidding her father farewell from this Earth as he passed into eternal life
-I've witnessed almost a full day of firetrucks filling up their tankers in front of the shop to put out a house fire just down the road, the house seems to be a complete loss

Now I do know that the Lord gives and he takes away. I understand. The thing is-

Is it really about jamming in a year's worth of neglecting to stay in touch with those we really care about into a month of to-do lists and stress?

I guess that just depends on what life is really all about.

"Having spent the better part of my life trying either to relive the past or experience the future before it arrives, I have come to believe that in between these two extremes is peace." ~Author Unknown

As our family prepares for the celebration of the eternal life we have been given through faith in Jesus Christ, we are reminded of what scripture tells us:

Colossians 3:1-4:
Since you have raised up in company with Christ, set your heart on what pertains to higher realms where Christ is seated at God's right hand. Be intent on things above rather than on things on earth. After all you have died! Your life is hidden now with God. When Christ our life appears,then you shall appear with him in glory.

Live today to the fullest, yet in peace within yourself.

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!