Holy Purple, Batman!!

I went out to do some watering and weeding before we leave for vacation, and what did I find? The irises are blooming everywhere!! Also note: the vents on the side of the house were not a la Dittmann. The previous owners neglected to cover the vents when they mortared the rock. Stupid. Even I would have thought of that.

Have a good two weeks, and when I get back, there had better be some good stuff to read here. Maybe I can get Justin to participate???

Oh, and here's another butterfly.

Ease on Down the Road

I was trying to "ease on down the road" on Father's Day, however the person behind me had other plans. she rear-ended me. Thankfully she wasn't going fast and Mason wasn't with and i was in the minivan. She was very nice and I felt bad for her. I did go into the ER to get checked out becauseI had some cramping, but everything checked out OK. We were able to see an incredible ultrasound, so that was a plus out of the whole thing.
Craig dropped me off at the ER and then brought Mason to my parents before coming back to the ER. Mason saw where we were going and exclaimed "You're going to the hospital". "That is exciting mom!! You never know what they'll do to you there. You might get a shot, or tubes in your ears.". Little goofball :)

Last week he attended Vacation Bible School for the 1st time and he loved it!! So did I!! 3 hours every morning for a week to myself!!! I thought he would be nervous or anxious because it was at a church we do not attend, so I told the teachers. The next day he told me "Mom, that helper lady said I was nervous but I WASN'T! I was OK!!" He was so indignant! He is growing up so fast i can't even believe it!!

Yesterday Mason and I went up the Shore to a beach and Goosberry Falls. We had a blast, however it was cold. We found quite a few agates and had a great time. On the way home he said "Mom, will I be in charge of the baby when it's born?" i told him "No, Me and Dad will be in charge, but you will be able to help a ton!!"
So Mason continues, "But if she goes into your bedroom without asking, I can run down the stairs and tell you. And if you aren't home, then I can get my rope with the clip and clip it on her and pull her out"
HA!! He is really putting a lot of thought into the "Big brother" thing!!! It will be fun to see how it all goes down!!

Well, pretty tired, so off to bed!! I hope everyone is doing well!!! And Cathy I love the butterflies!!! I am jealous that you still have lilacs!!!

Billions of Butterflies

The butterflies have been crazy around here. We have lilac bushes around our deck, which, evidently, the butterflies adore. They've been zooming around all day!!

Here's a better picture of that purple flower, previously posted. I'm beginning to think that it is a purple bee balm, judging from the flower, as well as the leaves.

We also have hundreds of clumps of Iris. They are just beginning to bloom, and when they are finished, I do believe that they need to be divided.

And, last, but not least, are the windowboxes. They, along with my hanging tomatoes, are growing like CRAZY!!

I hope everything stays alive while we're on vacation. Maybe the catsitter will take mercy on my soul and water the plants????

That's all I've got right now.....

My peonies!!!

Here are my peonies in full bloom. At one time they were all pink so all you gardeners out there-- how did this happen??? The deer are having a fun time with the flowers by my rock. I've planted flowers twice and the deer have nipped off the flowers. The don't bother the roses. I wonder why????
As for the chipmunks, we have trapped 7 and there is another that I have to get. I hear the neighbors shooting so guess they have another solution to the problem.

Fooling Around With My Camera

I took a few pictures of the flowers in my weed bed, I mean, garden. This one turned out the best. Next, I want to use one of my editing programs to make a kaleidoscope version of it.

Can everyone say 'OOOOOOOOOOOO'?

Miss my posts, hmmm?

I'm going to have to start calling it 'Life With Ginger' or 'Life In The Empty Nest'. For the latest on Ginger, you can go to my personal blog: http://knitinator.blogspot.com/. As a teaser, when you were a little kid did you ever sing that song "Diarrhea, cha-cha-cha. You may think it's funny, but it's really brown and runny."? 'Nuff said.

Here is a gorgeous picture that I took last week after it had rained:

If I had a better camera (a digital SLR), it would be fun to get into photography. Maybe when the vet is done using my checking account????

My gardens are pretty, but also pretty full of weeds. I think that the people who built this house had great ideas, but when it came to execution, enthusiasm was lost. Case in point: thousands of dollars were spent on professional landscaping. Perrenials, trees, shrubs, bushes. You name it; it's there. It's beautiful; until you start looking closely. They laid down a landscape fabric.....and then. Then they covered it with some mulch from out in the woods. Something cheap or free. Now, I'm all for cheap or free, but sometimes that's just not the way to go. This is one of those times. My gardens are covered with horsetail weed:

...and this stuff is almost impossible to get rid of. Oh, it looks all pretty and piney. If you pull it up, the roots send out runners where you ripped up the plant. It also sends spores out into the air. Now, the reason that I think this weed was brought in thru the mulch is: the only other place we have these weeds is out in the woods. It's not in the grass (yet) or driveway. Only in the garden beds!!!!! And, as if I didn't need anymore pet issues, horsetail weed is poisonous to animals. I am soooo ticked off that these people almost ruined these gardens. I have spent 10 hours in the past week pulling up what I could, and I'm not even half-way thru the second garden bed!!! If it's not too unGodly hot today, Ginger and I might take another crack at it. I hate to have her out there when she's all dehydrated and sick. I sprayed Round-Up on it last week when she was at the kennel, but you have to spray it at the perfect time; not on the sprouts and not on the adult plants. I can't spray when Ginger is around because she thinks that it's spraying water and wants to play with it. AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

We'll see what today brings......

I've Been workin on the Railroad

Well, not the railroad, but I have worked for the past 3 days in a row. Today was my last. I had a salad and cold glass of water when I got home, but pretended it was a Brewsky and a burger!

Craig took Mason fishing so I could relax, but Mason was giving Craig a really hard time, so hopefully it will go all right. May be a short fishing trip! But I'll take these moments alone in the house with my feet up!!

People are noticing I am pregnant, so I am showing a lot more! I am averaging 5-6 pounds every 2 weeks. I hope that doesn't keep up!! Or I'll be at least 400 pounds!! Maybe Mason is right about there being twins in there!! Wouldn't that be something?!

Mason is still pretty funny, despite his other stuff. He is definitely going through a developmental growth spurt cognitively and physically. And those times are tough times in the Wiediger household!! It usually lasts about a month or so, so it should be over before summer is over!

Time for some "Masonisms"
He has been using the phrase "Smooth as a baby's bottom" lately, and usually starts with "I've got a good one for you. Smooth as a baby's bottom!!" Nana taught him the phrase when he helped scrape and paint her picnic table with Vinnie,Nic and Nanni.

The other evening, he exclaimed :" I am so excited for a new day tomorrow mom!!! You never know what fun and new things you are going to do!! I can't wait for tomorrow!!!!"

On Tuesday night, Mason told me: "Mom, I have a better idea about what can be in your belly." I said"Oh yeah, what's that?" Mason: "It's a great idea mom! An even better idea."
Me: "What is it?" Mason:" Icecream!!!!! Icecream could be in your belly!! Then you could have an icecream baby--not a real baby--and we could eat it, but not the face!!"hahaha he is so funny. The mind of a child!!

Yesterday, Mason had a loud "toot". We were all in the living room, all of a sudden he asked Craig "Did you toot?" Craig said "No". Mason said:" Well, it's stinky in here. Mom did you toot?" I told him I did not and he replied very indignantly"Well, I couldn't do a toot that stinky!!" Apparently our little son has some high thoughts about himself! :)

He has also taken up running through the house yelling "WHOO-HOO!!!" at the top of his lungs!! He is such a hoot!! and such a B-O-Y. I am really loving this age!! Everything is about crashing, and bad guys, and going fast.

Speaking of "fast", the other evening, Craig and I were heading home from church in separate vehicles (Craig had to work late) and Mason was with me. When a stop light turned green, I gave the minivan a bit of gas to "beat" Craig home. The engine revved up and Mason was SO excited!! He was just laughing and saying 'Mom!!! How did you do that?!!? How did you drive fast?!?! That was so fast!!! What button did you push?!?!" He thought I was the COOLEST mom in town!!! And he still talks about it at times!! (just a side note, I did not go past the speed limit...which I also had to explain to him :) )

A few days ago I was talking to Craig about how I heard how it is good for children to be bored at times, because that is when the creative juices really get going, and they start problem solving, etc... Well, Mason must have overheard me, because the other day I heard him yell from the living room :"Mom! I'm bored!!" So I told him we were leaving soon, and just find something to do. So he yelled back "No, mom. I'm bored!!" And I walked into the living room to find him sitting in the rocking chair, chin resting on his fist and he said"It's Ok mom. I'm bored, so now I can think of ideas". He closed his little eyes for a moment, popped them open, threw his index finger in the air and exclaimed "I have an idea!!!!" The kid cracks me up!!!
....I hope I am not boring everyone with all of the "Mason stories". This is a nice place for me to record these events, and once I start scrapbooking again, I'll be able to remember what happens.

My dad built us a wonderful raised garden bed!! We planted petunias, sweet peas, bachelor buttons, poppies, daisies, watermelon, pumpkin, tomato, carrots, spinach, and a hummingbird-butterfly attracting mix. I did a lot from seed in light of the "parking ticket" fiasco. It will be a late garden, but a garden!!! Next year we are going to do a lot of vegetables instead of flowers. Mason just loves all the planting and gardening. He might be a little farmer someday.

not much else going on around here. I am going to work a day next week, then nothing for a while. I am so grateful to be home as much as I am!! I forgot how much I really love my job and working casually is a blast!! All I have to do is the fun part...the therapy!! No paperwork, no pressure, just hanging out with the children!! And I get to be with Mason so much more!! It really is the best of both worlds!!! I am a better mom and wife and get to go and have fun while getting paid for it!!

I can't wait to meet little number 2!! Nov is such a long way away!! I am really feeling the baby move a lot, especially when I sit down. I wonder if it will move as much as Mason did. I can eat chocolate with this baby though, I couldn't with Mason, so I am thinking this one is a girl!! Because what girl wouldn't like chocolate?!?

Well, this is a long post, probably more than anyone wants to read!!! I hope everyone is doing well!
Aunt Janis, Good luck with the Chipmunks!! I think some moved into our garage. We may be calling you for advice!!

Cathy, I miss reading your posts!! I hope everything is going all right with you and Ginger!! I was glad to read she was chasing squirrels again!!!

Nelson's Chipmunk Relocation Service

Here's a picture of no. 4. These critters are such pests. They have been digging up my flowers so I have to replant. Enough is enough!!!! These chipmunks are being relocated to various parks and cemetaries in the area. Mr. Jim is taking care of a relocation right now and then I see another one waiting for the "bus". Oh, the life of a retired person.!!! Please notice that this home is "chipmunk friendly". We did try the shotgun but our aim was off. We had more luck this way.

A few pictures to share!!!

I have a few pictures to share with you. Here are some of Grandma Nelson's iris' that I transplanted by one of my big rocks. They are really pretty this year.

When we were in Washburn we took a ride out County C and looked around the land where the house was where I was born. It isn't there anymore but we did find an old pump and the remains of an old building that I believe was once Grandpa Haugen's chicken coop. As you can see it isn't standing anymore. (I hope I can get the pictures where I want them to go)

This is the old chicken coop. And below (I hope) is the pump.

Have Marshall take you out there next time you visit Washburn.

hi there

Oh Aunt Janis,
I am sorry about the root canal!! Those are awful!! Craig had a bunch of them done one year. Not fun!!

You have a pretty hungry bear!!! That would be a little freaky!!

I fell in a hole Sophie had dug today. Thankfully Mason was not near by because of all the cursing that was coming out of my mouth. I only landed on my knees and it was a soft landing, but now my Siatic (spelling?) nerve is on FIRE!!! I may have to go in tomorrow--on a Saturday and get checked out. No cramping or anything going on, so I am pretty sure the baby is fine. The hole was pretty deep, so the ground wasn't far from my knees. Time for Sophie to go to the Rainbow Bridge. Oh, Craig brought her to the vet last week and the appt cost 250.00 She has many maladies. I really don't think anyone is going to take her.

Yesterday Mason woke up and said he had a good dream and that I would like it. He asked if we could go rent it. I explained that we couldn't, but he insisted that I would really like it and he wanted to see it again, so we could go to the store and rent it. It was a difficult process explaining that dreams are in our head and we can't rent them. But years ago I had explained that dreams were like movies in our head that we have when we are sleeping, so maybe that is why he thought we could rent them:)

He keeps using the term "fluid" and he told me the other day that he "must have been mistaken". I am beginning to feel very dumb around him:) I need to start reading the dictionary!!

Weather warmed up a little today, so that was nice. We planted Mason's garden..lots of impatients! Can't wait to see them start up. My dad is coming over tomorrow with some wood to put together a raised garden bed.

Oh, we will be getting a digital camera soon, because our other one just died. Hooray!!! I can't wait to figure out how to put pictures on here!!!

Next time you talk to my dad, you will need to ask him about the baby crow he has been taking care of. He is getting soft :) He is the "Crow Man".

Time for supper!!! Cathy, how are you doing with Ginger?!? I hope all is going well with you? Is Randy back yet? Would Ginger like a friend? I am sure she and Sophie would get along beautifully!!!:)

Life in Tomahawk!!!

I just love to hear about everyone's activities. Seems like I lead a boring life. Today I had a root canal done. Such fun!! I can hardly stand it. Jolee, it cost a whole lot more than your overdue parking tickets. And I'm not done yet. I have to have a crown next and that will really break the bank.
Last weekend we had a nice visit in Washburn with M & M. Put flowers on the graves and took a tour of all the places we had lived. When we got home Mr. Bear was sitting under the tree feasting on bird seed. Thanks to duct tape we were able to repair the feeders that he damaged.
The biggest event of the week was our trip to Milwaukee with a group of old folk to see a Brewer-Cub game. The weather was great but the Brewers lost. Now it will take me a few days to recuperate.
I have printed out my Bingo cards. Have you???? GET READY TO PLAY!!!!!
Enjoy the weekend.
MOM/AJ

Adventures in Mason-Land

Mason has been pretty funny lately.

He recently went with fishing with Craig up at Twin Ponds near Enger Tower. They stock the ponds with trout. When they left, Mason said he was going to catch 3 and he did! He caught 3 "Rainbow trout". They are not just "fish" or "trout" they are "Rainbow Trout". Craig caught a Bullhead.

We ate the fish for supper the next night. I did have 1 bite...the things a mother will do for the love of her child!! I have a feeling I will be eating many more bites of fish this summer!! Mason was excited that I tried his fish though...he knows I do not eat fish!

Mason was so excited about catching the fish, and he keeps a running total. On the Thursday before Mother's Day he spent a night with Craig and my dad (aka "Pop") at their fishing island and he caught 2 fish there. So he is telling people that he caught 5 fish when they ask about his adventure the other day. Aunt Janis...Mason did ask if Mr. Jim could come fishing with him some day.

When Mason talks about the Bullhead Craig caught...this is the story "Mom, Dad caught a Bullhead. Sometimes you have to kill a Bullhead with your shoe"
ME: Did Dad kill the Bullhead with his shoe?
Mason: No, but he had to step on it to get the hook out and so it wouldn't sting him, but I saw some BLOOD!!!"

He was so excited about catching the fish! He even told me they didn't use the worm blower this time. So many details.

Apparently we have stinky beds or something. Mason was pretending his bean bags were icepaks and told me "The ice paks are for our bed to keep it fresh. It takes the stink away and puts it in the toilet" Good to know!!

His vocabulary is going to be further along than mine any day now. Tonight at supper he was eating his fruit cup with cherries (his favorite fruit) and announced" Mom, they put new fluid on these cherries because they taste different"
Shortly after that he spilled his milk and I spilled his water trying to catch the milk cup and Mason said "Look at all that fluid there mom". Where he heard this word, i do not know. He also likes to refer to people as "humans".

Mason is also insisting that I have 2 babies in my belly and that one is hiding underneath the other one. Please pray he is not correct!! Although he did point out that my belly would need to be bigger if I had 2 in there. i think he is torn between wanting a brother or a sister.

Today Mason and I had a 1 1/2 hour nap together on the couch. He was all snuggled up in my arms. It was heaven!!! I just know that the day will come too quickly when he won't want any hugs or even want to be with me that much! So I savor these moments. Of course now he is wide awake having a hard time falling asleep...but it's worth it!!!
When I take the time to just sit and listen to him talk, it is always so wonderful!! The way he looks at the world and the ideas in his head...although I wouldn't mind if his fascination with poop would go away. He always wants me to see his poop and he describes it in detail. One day he even said our family was in the toilet bowl. Me, Craig, Mason and Sophie. There we were, all just floating around together. hahaha

Well, I should attend to him now and see if I can't get him to fall asleep. I was hoping I would go to be early tonight, but I don't think that is happening. Craig is at the grocery store..his mom will be spending a couple of nights with us..she needs some moles removed that are cancerous.

Oh, i almost forgot! On June 2nd I felt the baby move!!! I thought I had been before that and I thought it was kicking me back, but I talked to the Dr. and it was just gas bubbles...pretty big ones. i was relieved because I figured the baby must have been HUGE! But I have started feeling it a little...not every day, but almost every day. That is a relief as well.

Off to see to Mason, I can't believe we are going to have 2 children before Christmas!! And going through these years twice is going to be a blast!! Can't wait to see this little one's personality!!

Take care everyone!!
Oh, Cathy, i think the blog should be renamed since only the 3 of us are contributing. :) Does anyone else read this...I know my dad does...and he is wanting to add to the blog...but does anyone else?

Happy Birthday to me

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes!!!


well, let me tell you what I did on my birthday....
On my birthday I discovered that I forgot to pay for 9 parking tickets in 2005.
They have been sent to a collection agency and the grand total is: $500.00

That was quite the present!!! So I stressed out about all dayi. But when Craig got home we had a nice evening with presents. Mason was upset there wasn't any cake (because I can't eat any) and he insisted that I could by HIM a cake because he can eat it. I made gluten free chocolate chip cookies instead. (I suggested to Craig that we return my gifts to put the money towards the parking tickets..he didn't agree with that one)

So, now I am 37 and pregnant and feel like I am about 95 years old. This old body of mine is falling apart rapidly!!

On Thursday the 31st Mason and I went down with a group of friends to the Vince Shute Bear Sanctuary in Orr, MN. That was a lot of fun. We were able to see quite a few bears...even a mother bear and her 2 very small cubs. Mason really enjoyed that.

I heard the baby's heartbeat on Friday. That is always a relief to hear the little one's heart beating. Mason has said some pretty funny stuff lately and had some adventures which I will post about later!!

Thank you again for the Birthday wishes and I'm sorry I didn't have any exciting stories or adventures to share.