Latest Catch ;)

As you all know, Gwen loves to go fishing!!

I am usually the one sitting on the bank on a warm day watching Rick and Casey pulling in the "Big One". Bass, Perch, Bowfin, and Pikes. I am the one catching things like baby perch, lil' bowfin, sticks, rocks, minnows (yes I have caught a minnow on a worm and hook....don't laugh...I did enough of that for all of us) a 3 inch large mouth bass....the mouth was actually bigger than the body...I brought that one home and put it in my fish tank...it lasted about uhm.......(thinking.....) maybe 2 weeks. The other fish lasted about uhm.....(thinking again.......) about 2 days LOL. Ok so that all leads to this picture....I was sitting there...getting nibble after nibble....FINALLY....it took my hook...and it was HEAVY....Gwen finally caught a big one.......YEAH!!!!......as I reeled this huge fish in....it wasn't swimming back and forth in the water as all fish usually do....but it was very heavy and my pole was bending...I kept thinking ok guys....wait til' you check this out.....about 4 feet of shore im inticipating seeing the "keeper"......and this is what I saw....

A BABY snapper....are you kidding me????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL The best of all that is this....it STILL doesn't beat out what CASEY caught at GENEVA SWAMP........


A 32# SNAPPER!!!!

UGHHHHHHH....I refuse to give up though....because someday....someday....I will bring home a dinner for 6......even if it takes a bucket full of sunfish to feed us all. ;o)

Hillbilly Gardening Continued....

I'm backkkkkkkkkkkk...... ;o)

Ok so I went out to check on my tomato plants and to my suprise we now have 13 tomatoes!! I can almost taste the tomato sandwiches I plan to make with them ;)

I took a picture simply for your enjoyment.. LOL

Bowfin - The Prehistoric Fish

We went fishing again last Saturday...and this is what we found...

This actually was caught last year by me (Gwen) at Geneva Swamp

Bowfin up close

Morgan's Bowfin

Geneva Bridge

Casey's Bowfin
Geneva Bridge

Fish Caught so Far '09

Casey's 25in Northern Pike

French Creek (Shaw's Landing)

Casey's 25in Northern Pike

French Creek (Shaw's Landing)

Casey's 12in Perch

Tamarack

Rick's 17in Small Mouth Bass

French Creek (Wilson Shutes)

Rick's 17in Small Mouth Bass

French Creek (Wilson Shutes)

Morgan's 6in Perch

Tamarack

Gwen's 9in Perch

Tamarack

Well as anyone knows...we LOVE FISHING!!!! It's such an awesome way for us to spend QUALITY time as a family. Amanda and Sammi both work a lot so we don't get a lot of fishing time with them...but when we do....it's awesome too. I have always loved bonding with my kids. But when it comes to fishing...it's a special bonding time with Mom and Son. I always talked make-up, hairbands, nail polish, cooking, baking and boys with the daughters. With Casey it's...uhm son...bait my hook or take this fish off....and this is how to filet a fish Casey. Don't get me wrong, Rick usually baits my hook and I usually take the fish off the hook.....UNLESS the worm is above the hook. I DON'T TOUCH WORMS LOL Either way, it's memories being created between Mom and children...and nothing can ever replace that, not in my eyes and I'm sure some day....not in theirs. I love you kids!!!

Hillbilly Gardening..

We planted our first garden, if that's what you want to call it...lol We had 3 tomato plants given to us. So last night we decided to spend some time in the back yard planting these. After a few phone calls to find out how to plant them, we gave it a whirl. Even if they produce nothing, the memory Rick and I shared in those moments was worth all the digging, smiles, laughs, and shared glances back and forth. ;)

Missing Miss Faith...

I haven't posted in awhile. I lost my Father almost 2 months ago now. And after much hope, faith, treatment, tears, and finally a very tough decision we decided to put Miss Faith down. We took Faith back to the vet after one month and she had mange again. I wish she would have overcome the nasty deadly desease, but it returned or never left, I'm not quite sure. Rick and I are very confident we did every thing possible to save her. Her immune system was down and looked as though this mange would have been with her throughout her life. We felt it would be better to not be selfish on our behalf and let her go. It was one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make. She brought so much joy to the kids and to us. She is missed so very much. We are looking for a new puppy....with knowledge that it will never be FAITH. Maybe the next dog will give us as much joy as we anticipate giving it.

We will always remember and love you Miss Faith....

In Loving Memory....

On March 28th I experienced a pain I never knew. I guess I just thought it would be awhile before I had to say goodbye to a parent. On my Dads side of the family they live to be 70 some or 80 some and usually pass from Cancer. My dad was 62 years young and passed away from a Massive Heart Attack. When I got the call to get to the hospital I rushed as fast as I could and called in for prayer for him. I figured maybe it was something that could be fixed with a surgery, maybe a few days stay in the hospital. I was wrong. I didn't make it in time to even say goodbye to him. He was already gone by time I got there.

As much as Dad and I disagreed, we agreed as well. We were close, which is probably why he was so hard on me at times. He loved me and wanted the best for me.

He taught me a lot of important things in life and the thing he most pushed in the last 14 years was, God knows what he is doing if you just ask, and listen. I know for a fact every single day for the last 14 years he mentioned every one of his kids in prayer. I miss his prayers! I miss calling him for any reason, to tell him about something one of the grandchildren did, to ask how to get some where, ask about a recipe, ask how to filet a fish, to just tell him I love him and appreciate him.

My Dad is missed so very much by many people.

I found out a couple things since this has all took place...

Never take anyone for granted...you will eventually regret it.

There is NO bargining with GOD....when he says, "Come home"...he means..."Come Home"

God really knows what he is doing....I myself could have never handled hearing my Dad say to me.."Im outta here"

Be kind to family....you will need them at some point.

With all that said...

I will forever miss you Dad...and I will always love you..... Rest in peace now Dad...you are HOME!