Summer Stride

With the passing of mom and dad's anniversary and Greg and Renee's wedding, the two major events for us this summer, Mark and I have settled into a comfortable summertime routine. In the mornings we walk the dogs and then go to our "jobs" of either tutoring or cutting wood. Mark and Marko began gathering and cutting wood 2 years ago and then started selling some of that wood last autumn and winter. The guys enjoy being outside and like the physical work; we all like the payoff in the autumn when all of us have a lull in our income between the wedding and holiday parties seasons.

Britches intently watched a nesting house wren

Fanny and Britches loved the wrens

After tutoring, I usually clean or reorganize something in the house. Our garage also received a HUGE cleaning and reorganization a few weeks ago. That was quite an undertaking and Mark was truly the ringleader for that messy project (I had many many boxes to go through and I found it all very daunting and tedious...so I could only do so much a day).

Mingo and Lily snuggle with Mark under the air conditioning

Mark starts his day at the restaurant around lunchtime usually and will work through the evening. By mid-afternoon, I'm usually working on sewing projects. I have been slowly picking up on quilting in the past few years, but my time learning has always been erratic due to my work schedule. Mom has taught me a lot and gives me a lot of good tips and advice along the way. Currently I am working on a baby quilt for Ingrid and Craig's little guy, Soren, and a log cabin for mom made out of batik fabrics. I also just purchased some material to make a quilt for Mark (who has been jokingly calling himself "Backburner" now because I have been neglecting him because I have been "making everyone else a quilt").

Leila's baby quilt

Britches resting on some of my sweaters

I also have had fairly steady work at the restaurant in the evenings during the week. Fridays and Saturdays are always a given, but it's great to pick up a couple other nights too.

Oscar!

Mom with a wiggly Oscar

Bob surfs the internet

Next week I will be taking a computer class with the Middleton-Cross Plains School District, so the routine will be disrupted then as well as the week of August 17, when Mark and I plan on going to Hayward for a few days with some friends and, hopefully, spending a night in Colfax with Lisa and the family on our way back south.

Mingo in the roses. Bad dog.

Romeo in the cat condo

There also is a Brewers game with part of the family coming up too, but that will just be a day event.

Oscar and Lily playing

Dad hung these really pretty decorations on the garden door

This past weekend I was able to sneak up to Rhinelander for a quick visit because there was no wedding scheduled at the restaurant. Mark was not able to go, but I brought the dogs along for company on the drive up. They sure love going to mom and dad's, but they also get a little "wild" because of the freedom to run and all of the space to do so and all of the little critters that are also running in that space!

Bob dismantled the old thermometer from the house.

Mom stands proudly next to her peas


Oscar waits by the garden gate

John and Bob were up there too and they worked on painting the house. Mom and I "helped" the first day by keeping the boys company. I know they loved that! Who needs to listen to an old Brewer game when you have your mom and little sister chatting away, right? Heeheehee.

Evidence of hounds next to mom's flower garden