Showing posts with label camping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label camping. Show all posts
Monday, June 27, 2011
Camping: By the numbers
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| The cabin |
I know what you are thinking, that's not exactly camping, but it is the kind of camping I grew up with. The kind of camping I did with my grandparents and it was a nice way for my kids to get to camp with their grandparents. I mean, my MIL is 70, and she doesn't want to have to walk some creepy path in the forest to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night any more than I do.
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| me and my hubby...um yeah |
Here's our week, by the numbers:
Number of smores I ate WITH PEANUT BUTTER CUPS! 10
Number of times someone tramped on my broken toe: 2
Number of times the kids from the cabin beside us were in or at our cabin: 17
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| Big G, middle G, Cabin Kid #1, Cabin Kid #2, Little G in the sand |
Number of times my MIL belly laughed while we had a water balloon fight: 7
Number of times my MIL hung underwear out on a clothesline draped across our porch: 1
Number of times all 7 of us went for a hike: 2 (and that wasn't a good idea. Between my broken toe and my MIL's cane we were a sorry bunch.)
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| Little G with Chicken the Cat |
Number of times my son asked to keep the stray cat he named Chicken: 2,498
Number of times I swam in the lake: 0
Number of times my son squealed in delight at the sight of a duck walking: 1 (apparently he never knew they could walk on land. Just putting it on my ever growing list of parenting fails)
Number of times my kids swam in the lake: 3
Number of fish my middle daughter caught: 19 (and by fish I mean tiny little sunfish the average size of a 50 cent piece)
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| Middle G with her really big catch |
Number of times we went home to get something we forgot: 2
Number of times we went to Walmart: 3
Number of books I read: 2 (which is somewhat of a miracle)
Number of times a woodpecker woke me up: 2
Number of GIANT spiders we found: 1 (and that was one too many)
Number of combined bug bites: 212 (save very few for me as I must be rather bitter **smile**)
Number of visitors we had stop by (not including the neighbor cabin kids or the stray cat): 11
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| two of mine and two of my friends |
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| Middle G, with Miss K and Crazy B |
Friday, June 17, 2011
An Open Letter to Camp: Please don't suck
Dear Camp,
I feel like we have gotten off on the wrong foot.
Sure, I have said things like "I hate you" and I admit, I have called you "Suckation", but you have to admit that you haven't always been nice to me.
Remember that time, when the kids had to wear garbage bags because it rained sooooo much that our tent flooded?
And who could forget the pedophile who wanted to "play" with my girls at the pool.
Surely you haven't forgotten about the time the beach was filled with all those sand digging bees? Or how about the time the weather never got out of the 100s even at night.
Let's face it we have had a rocky relationship. You have done some mean things to me and I have retaliated by refusing to take the dog and no longer sleeping in a tent.
I think we should make nice. After all, I agreed to leave today and not come home until NEXT Friday. That alone might kill me. The only solace I have right now is that we are in a modern cabin
Cut me some slack. How about it only rains at night? How about the beach is nice and not littered bees on steroids? How about the weather remains pleasant? How about my kids don't fight...LOL. If you can make that happen I might consider not coming back.
Here's hoping we have come to an agreement.
Your friend,
Kisa
Monday, July 12, 2010
Weekend Update: Back from Camp
We are back from a very HOT five days at camp. Seems I may have prayed a little too hard for no rain. Be careful what you ask for.
I did pretty well with accomplishing most of my camping goals. Here's my family picture. It's not awesome, but I like it. We were hiking in a state forest with giant hemlock trees. It was very pretty.
Ahhh the spray ground. Middle G loved it and I wanted to live there. It was 103! I didn't put my chair in this sprayer, but i thought about it for a really long time.
Of course, we didn't spend all of our time there. We got to fish on this beautiful lake. Hubby's parents came to visit for a day and we hiked with the tall trees.
I did pretty well with accomplishing most of my camping goals. Here's my family picture. It's not awesome, but I like it. We were hiking in a state forest with giant hemlock trees. It was very pretty.
Ahhh the spray ground. Middle G loved it and I wanted to live there. It was 103! I didn't put my chair in this sprayer, but i thought about it for a really long time.
Oldest really needed to get wet. Actually we all did. People aren't built for 103 unless there is a large body of water near them.
Little G loved the slides. The pool had two of them and he was usually in line to do one or the other. I think he's having fun....what do you think?
Of course, we didn't spend all of our time there. We got to fish on this beautiful lake. Hubby's parents came to visit for a day and we hiked with the tall trees.
It was actually not that bad of a vacation.
That being said...I still like indoor plumbing.
How was your week(end)?
Friday, August 7, 2009
Friday High Five - What I learned at camp this week
For this week's Friday High Five, I thought I would share some of the things I learned at camp this week.
Taking time to stop and actually look a the sunset is refreshing and spirit renewing. Especially when it is not raining.
I love pictures where my husband is actually smiling. His sister and her kids came to camp for the day and we went on a little hike around the lake. It was so fun! We found these big boulders and took this awesome family photo.
No matter how old I get I just can't seem to get enough butterflies. They are so pretty and the fact that they get to morph from their old self and turn into something new shows us the promise of change.
Though I will admit to all of you, I don't enjoy sleeping in the woods, I still find the forest a wonderful place. As Disney would say...there's something enchanting about being in the words.
Other things I learned over the course of the week include:
Taking time to stop and actually look a the sunset is refreshing and spirit renewing. Especially when it is not raining.
I love pictures where my husband is actually smiling. His sister and her kids came to camp for the day and we went on a little hike around the lake. It was so fun! We found these big boulders and took this awesome family photo.
No matter how old I get I just can't seem to get enough butterflies. They are so pretty and the fact that they get to morph from their old self and turn into something new shows us the promise of change.
Though I will admit to all of you, I don't enjoy sleeping in the woods, I still find the forest a wonderful place. As Disney would say...there's something enchanting about being in the words.
Other things I learned over the course of the week include:
- Geese wake up very early. They are louder than most alarm clocks.
- The harder I try not to have to pee in the middle of the night the more likely I will have to pee multiply times.
- I should sit by the fire with my family more often.
- It is true...I am a fair weather camper and my spirit is affected by the weather. Thankfully we only had one late night storm and the days were all pretty.
How was your week? To read more Friday High Five blog entries click on the button below.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Weekend Update - scrapbook convention
This weekend was our annual trip to the CK Scrapbook Convention and, as usual, we had a blast, spent to much money, and walked till our feet hurt.
My sister's friend, Lisa, made the trip with her this year and deserves a shout out. Anyone who can spend 16 hours with my sister in the car over the course of four days is truly amazing. LOL
There's tons of shopping and classes offered at the convention and this year we took two classes both of them SUCKED. I may actually vlog about just how bad they sucked when I get back from class.
I will show you what we got for $25 and I will explain to you how this class was called Scrappin on a Budget. If you are going to a future convention and that class is on your list...DROP IT, DROP IT, DROP IT. I told you three times, what are you waiting for?
Other than the convention, I didn't do much this weekend. My hubby and kids went to visit his mom and drop off our dog for our next great camping adventure.
My sister's friend, Lisa, made the trip with her this year and deserves a shout out. Anyone who can spend 16 hours with my sister in the car over the course of four days is truly amazing. LOL
There's tons of shopping and classes offered at the convention and this year we took two classes both of them SUCKED. I may actually vlog about just how bad they sucked when I get back from class. I will show you what we got for $25 and I will explain to you how this class was called Scrappin on a Budget. If you are going to a future convention and that class is on your list...DROP IT, DROP IT, DROP IT. I told you three times, what are you waiting for?
Other than the convention, I didn't do much this weekend. My hubby and kids went to visit his mom and drop off our dog for our next great camping adventure.
Pray for me.
Seriously.
I. Can't. Camp. In. The. Rain. Again!
Not sure when I will update you, but I'm sure the update will include some unexpected follies.
What did you do this weekend?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Writer's Workshop: I called him Pappy
I have many fond memories of my Pappy. I am the second to oldest grandchild on my dad's side so he was around for all of the BIG stuff for me. I feel blessed to have had in my life for as long as I did.
Here he sits with me and my newborn daughter (who is already 10 1/2 years old) in my first apartment in Ohio. Hubby and I lived there until oldest was 15 months.
I look so young in this photo. It makes me feel very nostalgic.
Throughout my childhood we camped in numerous cabins with my grandparents. Pappy snored so loud I often wondered how he didn't wake himself.
We played cards and talked well into the night. After all, this was long before cell phones and hand held gaming devices.
Pappy always woke up around 6 a.m. to get the coffee going and at camp this meant putting the percolator on the stove.
I can't even venture to guess how many times I woke to that sound as a child.
One time I remember covering my head and scootin' down in my sleeping bag to try and ignore it only to have Pappy try to fold up my cot.
He thought I'd went on an early morning hike with my dad or down to the pond to fish.
The last time I saw my pappy was in Ocean City, MD at my sister's wedding in August of 2001. Though he was frail and half the man he used to be from the cancer that ravaged his body, he didn't want to miss out on any of the BIG things.
Three months later he was gone.
I wish I could have lunch with him just one more time. I wish he could know my children the way that I knew him.
As my dear, sweet grandma nears the end of her life I hope Pappy is percolating some coffee in heaven and waiting for her.
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. ~ Antonio Smith
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Writer's Workshop: What are you paranoid about?
I inspired one of this week's prompts at Mama Kat's! How cool is that? Unfortunately it brought back memories of my all too recent disastrous camping trip.
This week's prompts include:
1.) Tell us about a "dirt cheap" you've taken this summer.
2.) When I grow up I want to be like...
3.) Describe a difficult moment that you survived.
4.) List 5 things you like to do while camping...or 5 places you'd like to go.
5.) What are you paranoid about?
I feel like I've covered three and four this week so let's tackle number five.
The answer is drowning:
I have an irrational, child-like fear of drowning. I can swim. I used to be able to swim pretty well. That being said, I'm not sure I would be comfortable being dumped by helicopter into a giant lake. However, if that would somehow become my reality, I'd give it gung-ho effort to make it to the shore.
Here in lies the real problem. Stamina. I don't think I could make it even if I really wanted to. Maybe I could make it if I floated on my back for a short while when I was tired, but still I'm not willing to wager any fundage on this.
This week's prompts include:
1.) Tell us about a "dirt cheap" you've taken this summer.
2.) When I grow up I want to be like...
3.) Describe a difficult moment that you survived.
4.) List 5 things you like to do while camping...or 5 places you'd like to go.
5.) What are you paranoid about?
I feel like I've covered three and four this week so let's tackle number five.
The answer is drowning:
I have an irrational, child-like fear of drowning. I can swim. I used to be able to swim pretty well. That being said, I'm not sure I would be comfortable being dumped by helicopter into a giant lake. However, if that would somehow become my reality, I'd give it gung-ho effort to make it to the shore.
Here in lies the real problem. Stamina. I don't think I could make it even if I really wanted to. Maybe I could make it if I floated on my back for a short while when I was tired, but still I'm not willing to wager any fundage on this.
Now being the awesome, most Divine parent alive I am trying not to pass this irrational fear onto my children.
Do you think it is wrong then that when we go to the pool the number one rule is "No drowning" instead of no running???
Seriously, what do you think?
Friday, July 3, 2009
Friday High Five: Camping + kids + dogs = ??
For Friday High Five today I thought I would list five things I'd like to do while at camp till the middle of next week. Try not to miss me too much and feel free to leave me lots of comment love while I'm gone.
It is important to note that they are not listed in order of importance.
- Remain Sane. I am camping with hubby, my three kids and our dog. Add that to the fact that my sister, her husband, their two kids and their dog are also coming and I'm seriously wondering if I'm going to return home with all my marbles.
- Stay Dry. I H.A.T.E. camping in the rain. For many reason, but the main ones being a) trapped in the tent or the van; b) nothing ever dries completely again.
- Not resent the dog. I have a valid fear that because the dog isn't allowed at the pool, or can't go into ____________ fill in the blank, my husband is going to spend most of his vacation relaxing at the fire pit "watching the dog".
- Have fun. I really want to have some fun with the kids and not be the grumpy parent.
- Get into the picture. I tend to be the photographer and because of this I am seldom "in the picture". I want to get into the photograph on this trip.
What do you have planned this holiday weekend? I will return with a lengthy post about our adventures sometime next week.
The campground has WiFi and my husband informed me that he may have to do some work. I'm trying not to be annoyed by that. I'm doing my yoga breathing and permanently planting a smile on my face.
I'm avoiding my email and my blog for the next five days. My hope is to return with more followers and tons of comments. (hint, hint)
If I do anything electronic over the next few days it will most likely be updating my twitter status which you can read along the left hand side of my blog.
Pray those updates do not include "Three days of rain and I've decided to eat my left arm for fun."
to read more Friday High Five posts visit Angela and tell your dropping by from my site.
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About Me
- kisatrtle
- I'm a 41 year old (gasp) freelance writer, school cafeteria manager, wife and mother. I have three children and one anxious and overweight beagle. I use my blog to make others laugh, to share some cool crafts, to document my lunchlady adventures and to lament about the challenges faced by us all on the journey called life. Thanks for visiting. Please leave some crack...um...I meant some comments.
