Started typing beforing posting a title today. Don't know what to title this. As I am headed in the direction of thinking that things happen for a reason and that there may be a bigger plan for me somewhere, something happens that makes me question this.
I am renting a fabulous home in ER, that we are very satisfied with and extremely fortunate to have found. The dogs are in heaven, there's a beautiful view, wildlife, an actual scrapbook room for me, the list goes on. But we received some mail for the landlord today that has me wondering if it's too good to be true. I am thinking he may be losing the house. This is NOT confirmed, but just a suspicion. (No valid proof on any circuit court records either). Sigh. I do not know what I will do if we have to move. I don't know how we could ever find a place like this again. This is a picture of the back of the house that faces a teeny, tiny lake. The house actually has 2 stories and a dry, clean basement besides that is accessed through an outside door only (where all hunting and fishing attire and supplies are stored). The lot is almost 4 acres of woods. We also have a garage in the front of the house, up the driveway about 75 yards from the house, which stores my car, and a trailer. Again, I feel we are very fortunate. It was affordable, perfect location, efficient and has become our home, not just a house.
So, I call said landlord (who lives in another state), and his phone is off! OMG. Sigh. So I either have to write to him, or continue to try calling his cell phone on a future date. In the meantime, I WILL NOT worry. Yea, right. Worry is my middle name.
On a positive note; Bob is in Milwaukee making some money, working on an exterior of a house, working on remodeling a bathroom, and some other odd jobs. He is staying at my parents and spending some time with Bailey, which she loves. Jake and I are keeping busy, feeding the deer, watching tv and running errands.
Yesterday dropped 2 inches of snow and tomorrow starts a storm with 40mph winds and 4-8 inches of snow! So today, we took a trip to Minocqua to check out a cute store called "Stamp This, Scrap That". Owner/operator K was super nice and helpful. They had lots of outdoorsy type products that I can't get in Milwaukee, including custome laser die cuts with words like "Eagle River" and such. We also found 3 Re-sale/thrift shops that were awesome! I am thrilled that Jake doesn't mind stopping and shopping at these places! And we went to Kim's Cozy Cabin www.kimscozycabinhomedecor. What an awesome place! It happens to be right across the road from Bob and Jake's favorite fishing store Rollie & Helen's Musky Pro Shop. So I stopped for Jake and his fave, then we tried Kim's. OMG. It was awesome. She has over 100 artists displayed there, and I am not talking just art. Wow. Anything from custom toilet paper holders, to keychains, wall art, clocks...you get the point. And REASONABLE. I walked in thinking "oh, oh this is going to be way out of my league", and found it wasn't! Really cool stuff. I can't wait to take Bob there. Lots of fishing type house decor that anyone would love in their home.
So, we then headed to Walmart, bought some necessities, grabbed a bite to eat and headed home. We took "J" home and went past a few State Forest areas, when I finally decided we should check some out. We headed to the boat launch by Clear Lake and saw people snowshoeing, and a man walking his black lab way up in the woods. Very nice. What a beautiful area I live in. We couldn't help ourselves, and stopped at Dariy Queen for blizzards (without a coupon, I felt so sassy!). Now we are stuffed and content. Except for that whole possibly having to move thing, it's been a pretty good day.
Tomorrow Jake and I are going to Church. Yep, you heard me. We are going to Grace Foursquare in Rhinelander. I think it's considered Rhinelander...Have NO idea how that is going to feel. But we are going to give it a try. It was very nice of my new friend C to offer to meet us there and make us feel comfortable. I am looking forward to it. I guess I have something to pray for :)
Is there a "chip" for surviving 60 days in a World that you are abruptly transitioned to? You know, like Alcoholics Anonymous, or Narcotics Anonymous? Or even a 12 step program? Which step am I on now...? Well, I have passed step 1; that our lives had become unmanageable, but definitely have not made it to step 12; Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps. Wondering what the timeline is for this? Each day I wake up, I forget where I am and why? Until the sleepy fog passes and I look out the window and see pine trees dusted in snow. Hmm, where is the neighbors house? Where is that noisy garbage truck and recycling truck that are usually bustling down the street? Oh yea! I don't live in Greenfield anymore! Kind of like Dorothy in Oz; Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.
Thankfully I have connected with some ladies that are true and sincere. They have been kind enough to allow me into their Tuesday coffee and chat time in Rhinelander. As my "old friends" know, I do not drink coffee (sorry Niko), but I did find a delicious hot chocolate or cold frappe drink that is good. Also one of the ladies and I will be doing a little crafty card project at the Eagle River Childrens Museum. We plan on working on some prototypes and then possibly doing an adult workshop where all the supplies are provided, and the card maker gets to keep 50% of the cards they make and the other half will be donated to the museum, which they will sell and keep the proceeds for the museum. Pretty good plan I think!
My time is spent worrying about the problems we have with the "point" well system we have, managing the laundry and doing the dishes in between toilet flushes. And spending time outdoors. Bob, Jake and I have been doing some ice fishing along with Maggie and Korkie. Last weekend we went to a Lake that will remain un-named (we will call it Lake B), such a secret society up here! It's a well known fact that you WILL NOT give the name of a Lake that is a good producer of fish, so don't even ask. Seriously?? Anywho, we did fabulously. We caught many, many pan fish; blue gills and perch while jigging out of a hole and caught some pretty hefty northern with tip ups. When we stopped at the local gas and go to get our live bait for the day, I found a hot pink tip up that had my name written all over it. We couldn't use it that day, as it still needs to be set up with line and such, but it's so cool (it's the small things).
So, as I sit here listening to the blabber of the crazy women from The View, Minnie is laying on her back snoring...I think it's time for me to put on some pants and get the day going. So much to do before the big Wednesday television night (not). Because you know, I have to keep working on those 12 steps.
Such a week! Busiest week that I have had in forever. I went on a scrapbook weekend with my good friends Carolyn and Kristi and had an awesome and much needed time away. I really needed that laughter. Then Sunday spent the night at my parents and got to catch up with Bailey who is staying there, finishing her senior year. Then onward to see the sunny Uncles in Lehigh Acres, Florida. I went with my good friend Misty and met my son Niko there (haven't seen him in 7 months!). We were there Monday through Saturday. Had a fabulously, quiet, relaxing time. Great weather even though we failed to see the illusive manatee. I hated to come back to the snow and cold. Spent Saturday night at my parents again, went for a polish buffet style lunch on Sunday with Bailey and my mom and dad then headed back to ER. Bob left for Milwaukee, leaving Jake and I to fend for ourselves for a week.
Lucky Bob is staying at my parents house, getting food served to him constantly, having towels put out for him before his shower, and sleeping in an awesomely dark, quiet bedroom. However, I got to meet some new friends! I cannot believe it! I have been here 2 months and have networked with some wonderful ladies that made me feel like I have been here forever. We talked about medical and mental health, kids, crafts, church, animals, husbands, ex-spouses, blended (or as Cathy would say "chopped") families and foods. Then I was taken to a wonderful organic food store, the smells were amazing...and onward to a small scrap store in Rhinelander. Lastly, we stopped at the local Childrens Museum which was extremely interesting. I wish my kids were little! Next week it appears I may be helping co-ordinate a card class or workshop! So excited. Finally it's starting to feel a little more normal for me.
Yesterday Jake and I took the drive to Rhinelander and munched on Taco Johns for dinner then headed over to Goodwill. I do like their Goodwill but, they don't have the club card type thing offering 5% off, and they have alot of "new items" instead of mostly used. Jake found a blanket jacket that he said was pretty pricey at PacSun, we got it for $5! I got a sweater, which I definitely didn't need, but love. Then we headed to Kohls and were pleasantly surprised that it is pretty big and has everything, but bought nothing. Headed home after that for my guilty pleasure Lifetime show; Dance Moms.
I am looking forward to tonight as it's Wednesday! I love Wednesday night television; The Middle and Modern Family.
My advice for the day; Think hard and long before you marry. And re-marry. Life with ex's and spouses ex's is difficult. I am being kind by saying difficult. At this moment I would like to stab myself in the eyeball rather than dealing with a spouses ex. Enough said.
