Call me Mya

I am going to be a grandma! Baby will be here around February 11th Auntie Maddison's birthday :) I am excited and will be redecorating a babies room very soon.

love Mya (grandma)

Jenna

We are babysitting for the winter , my niece Zuzu's dog, Jenna
She is a sweetheart. (probably more like 6 years)
I cannot say that I am a animal lover, I am a animal tolerator. Dewey wants a cat and dog, when Jenna became homeless Dewey said we need to take her in. She is a sweetie and I am beginning to love her. She is very very well mannered, which helps right? She has a history of abuse and has been hit by a car two or three times - before Zuzu adopted her. I find that I can love her even more because of her background. We have an appointment at the doggy salon next Saturday. She will look more beautiful after a bath.

The Vikings Vs The Ravens

I painted their faces while we were driving...and mine too.

My sweet husband sure likes football and what does he likes more than football? His wife cheering and talking the lingo and of course wearing purple pride. Dewey and I went to a game at the Dome this fall, we brought the boys. Kaine and Pdawg. We had fun, the stadium was roaring with the fans, we were cheering (and losing our voices doing so) we were having 7$ hot dogs and 9$ beers...it was a BLAST! this was Pdawg's first game, he asked Dewey to bring him. Dewey jumped on the chance so we all headed down to the dome.

This fall Parker joined the Spartans youth football. I do not know who was more excited, Dewey or Parker. Actually I know who was, Dewey. He came to every game and yelled and cheered (always for both teams) There were times when Parker made a tackle or ran with the ball to the end zone Dewey actually got tears ion his eyes....a proud papa :) and I a proud mama. We were so happy Parker tried something new. We do not knowif it'll be his gig next year but we sure had fun watching him and I think Pdawg had fun too.

House of J

The table I made looks great with the new slate floor!

I since added a bulliten board I made to this wall. The shelves came with the house and display my bowls beautifully.


Wow three months have passed! I have so much to say but have been busy with work, kids, Dewey and now making over the house. We moved in 17 months ago and it is finally feeling like 'mine'. I have finally put a Puddin' touch on the house. Dewey was sent off to the shack for a ten day stint in the woods, i no longer said goodbye to him, threw him a kiss and cracked open the sweet looking colors to start painting.
I started with the most annoying...all around the counters and cabinets. A gorgeous golden/mustard yellow. The fist night around 2am I thought a made a grave mistake, by morning and 10 more cups of coffee I loved it. I have an awesome chocolate brown on the opposite wall and into the dining and living room. I painted one wall a rusted red/orange Love that!
Dewey knew while he was off catching his buck his little doe will be painting and redecorating. He said when he left "honey, forgive me now, cuz afeter ten days in the woods I will not notive the decorating I will jsut notice you!" Oh, Yeah! thats exactly what he did. ....and later that day he said he was happy I put my touch on things.

Love Jen

House Fire August 18, 2009

Johnson's Stables 1200 South Oak Street Cloquet Minnesota

This is a land mark, our homestead, my dad grew up here , built my childhood home and went into business for himself.

My father and mother have lived a very simple life, where material things were not important and family was everything. My dad , over 40 years ago had this itty bitty trailer house and each time he had a child he added onto the trailer - and one time added upwards.
My dad and mom taught us how to work hard and love family. This was truly a home. My dad is an eccentric, unique artist in his own right. He built us an awesome tree house, swing set and life on this hobby farm. He gave sleigh rides in the winter and hayrides in the fall and trail rides in between.
When his grandchildren were born he created a yard full of fun. With tree houses and go carts and vegetable gardens and swing sets , all made with his own two hands a lots of love.
Sure my mother felt crazed at times, but this was who Howard was....don't buy it- make it- don't throw it - fix it. He was an old timer that always told us that he should have dirt floors and one day he will die with his boots on.
My mother, his right hand women, supported and loved him and worked her butt off too. She too, had shown all of us how to love, give and how to serve others first.

Frankly, besides a few memorabilia items and photos albums it is the home my dad and mom created for us that I will miss, nothing it it.....but the memories and creativeness and history we have had there for over forty years. Their legacy is not over...it will remain.

Thank you mom and dad , we love you and glad you are safe.

Another Fine Mess I Got Us Into August 7, 2009

I can say that I do not ask for a lot - I feel I am pretty easy going and do not insist on anything 'my way' but there is this annually kayak trip in August that I have wanted to go on for two years. I asked Dewey "Honey, I do not ask you for much, but please ask for mid August off" He says sure and in January asks for this week off. August approaches before we know it and neither of us has set our fannys in a kayak...well I did take a four hour class through community ed.

don't tell anyone but I have this extreme fear of water.

We head out from Red Cliff near Bayfield Wisconsin. We paddled an enjoyable scenic 6 miles to Oak Island. With two - three foot swells. We spent two nights with three other couple with good food (shish kabobs - Pizza over the fire-great big breakfasts and great coffee) and good fellowship- and much needed time alone with my sweetie.

We hiked 5k to an overlook on the island - where we saw ten of the Apostle Islands.

We made it, I am so proud and so happy to accomplish this with my best friend and husband.

We will sign up again .....soon
I am hooked, Love Jennifer

The Shack

During our last trip to Canada I finished a great book called 'the shack'

Check it out..I could not put it down, I read it in a day and half.

Lake of the Woods

Morson , Ontario Canada : two

We are back, yet another family fishing trip. I am very blessed. We met Julie, Joe, Zoey, Kain and of course grandpa (with Lydia and Kissa) at the cabin. We left Saturday morning bright and ugly. We packed four full days in with fishing.
Dewey and Jack LOVE fishing. They gave us a tour around Lake of the Woods, with stops at Pony Island, Miles Bay & Kains Spot.
Sure I like to fish &I like to catch rays & I like to snack in the boat & I like to chat & laugh. It is mostly about being with Dewey and Parker.
During one particular day I could not take my eye off this particular sand bar. It had an island on either side if it. I wondered on and off through out the day if it was a beach, it looked like a beach. I was dreaming of sipping Pina Colada and laying on the sand while reading a good book. My day dreams were interrupted by a bite on my line , me jumping up screaming yippee! and reeling in a big one. After several hours and our limit in the live well I ask Dewey if he ever stops at one of the 14,000 islands on Lake of the Woods to take a swim or explore. I didn't have to say much more, when he yelled to his pops that we were all headed to the island. Dewey was out of his comfort zone -as was Jack. As the two of them tinkered on the boats we all jumped out and explored, swam and collected treasures like rocks and drift wood. Dewey says I tend to get him out of his box - he likes that- a little

The only thing Dewey wants us for us to enjoy this sport as much as he does...to 'catch the big one' I tell him that I caught the big one when I caught him :)

We saw the most beautiful wild life. It started with my run in with a black bear. We had just arrived at the cabin and the guys were cooking there catch of the day, I took a little walk around the camp, taking pictures of flowers and trees and there he was the cutest little bear ever. I took out my camera focused in on him (asking him to wait right there for the perfect shot) he walked away a few steps then returned to pose for another photo. That made my week.

We fished our limit daily and ate our weight in fish nightly. The view was fantastic. My favorite evening was when Dewey and I cruised out on the lake to watch the sunset, a beautiful pink sky as the sun set on the horizon. Our last day out on the lake we saw an eagle , a glorious huge eagle swoop down by our boat and grab a fish.

Dewey has a wonderful family and he is a great captain for our boat. All he wants is for his family to have fun, catch fish and enjoy there time at the cabin. We sure did!

Thanks Dewey
Love ya baby, Jen

Morson , Ontario Canada

Morson, Ontario Canada
fishing trip June 2009
Sportsmans Harbour

We headed up for a wonderful week at the cabin. Jack, Kain, Heath and Alec were waiting for us. It was an unusually windy week to begin with - 30 mph winds and rain with 52 degrees. Nothing could bring us down- we were together, away form home , in Gods Country. After 1 1/2 days of waiting we finally got out in the boat. We caught fish for a huge fish fry and we brought some home to share. Our mornings were filled with brewing coffee and making a big breakfast while watching the wildlife and planning our day. Our days consist of fishing. I guess what we plan is what book to bring on the boat (that would only be me) what will we have for supper (if the fish aren't biting) who will cook supper, what bait to use & what to pack for lunch on the boat.

It is fun to see Parker enjoying the lake - Dewey has a smile that comes only from watching his family sharing this with him. Jack & Carol have been coming to Sportsman's Harbour for 20 years.

I sent the boys out one day alone, while I laid in the hammock , caught up on my magazines, sipped on some tea & enjoyed the day....ahhh solitude in God's Country

Thanks sweetie for sharing your love of Canada, Lake of the Woods & fishing with us.

Love Jennifer

One funny day at the Hauck home

Maddy and I ran to the mother day garage sales. We ate donuts and had coffee while bonding over treasures found in other peoples junk. We raced home to get Maddy ready for the prom. around 1:00 pm I cleaned up the grill , took out the pork chops from the deep freeze and lit the briquettes. I ran Maddy to the salon at 1:45 to get her hair done. I stop at the corner meat market for milk and decided to treat Dewey and I to Fillet Mignon. I came back around 2:30 - Dewey is now awake and on his way to work out in the garage ( I try to take a peek at his guns) I put the pork chops and steak on the grill. Dewey and I caught up on the day while he gets ready for work and we eat lunch. At 4:00 I decide to take out the clippers and cut Dewey's hair. MMM I love it short. He looks sooo good! At 4:15 Maddy calls , her dates truck ran out of gas. I finish up the hair - quickly- it looks pretty darn good - If I may say so myself. I cruise with the gas can only to find that his truck's 'gas tank' is a gas can jimmied to the motor (kind of like my dads farm truck) We give it gas and run to our house to take prom pre pics. Just three blocks from the house, I run out of gas in the Taurus! Can you believe it! Dewey can hardly believe it, "Oh, Lucy" The kids leave after photos , Dewey heads to work. I head out with the can , get the car. I also spend the afternoon washing Jeepers Jenny, taking in an episode of the Closer, changing the laundry over, making bars, ask Macy to cancel her concert plans, catch up with my mother, ate the bars.

Dewey calls me Lucy when I do silly things , like snort when I laugh, or toss around to get comfortable while he is trying to whisper sweet things in my ear. I'm Lucy when I have 'blonde moments' like the time when Carol made banana split cake and I say "wow , this is great, it taste like a banana split!" then Carol sweetly says, honey, that's why it's called banana split cake, or like earlier today when I recalled a story of Dewey and I quote Dewey saying, "before I met you I was just a lonely old man, with a clean car and that car ALWAYS had gas" Dewey looks me in the eye and says honey, I never said I was OLD. We laughed (I snorted) until we almost peed our pants. "Oh, Lucy"

My question is...am I this gorgeous, long legged Lucy or the silly , crazy, wild Lucy girl??
This Lucy (Puddin') is loved either way. Always, Jennifer

Dollar Dance

When Dewey and I were planning our wedding we both agreed very quickly that we would not have a 'Dollar Dance' We hired this fantastic band The Pot Bellied Stallions to play all night. We wanted a party not a typical northern Minnesotan wedding dance. (not that anything is wrong with that) Boy did we ever have a great party! The dance floor was full all night and after we left the guests talked the band into staying longer.

We went on to our honey moon cabin up north. (wait until you hear about the honey moon) Of course we spent a lot of time reminiscing about the wedding and we were all pumped up about recalling funny moments and different guests and all that good stuff. Well, during our conversations I say "Honey that was the best wedding reception ever! Everybody had so much fun, people danced all night and we didn't have a crazy dollar dance with the DJ searching for another set of slow songs and playing bands like Foreigner and stuff"

He looks over and said "Honey, our first dance was Foreigner" "What?" (remove foot from mouth) The song was nice, a surprise to me until they asked the newlyweds to come out to the dance floor. Truly I don't remember the song as much as I do the dance with Dewey. They played waiting for a girl like you.

Dewey shakes his head ...."O, Lucy'

Love,
Jennifer

Jeepers Jenny

Just 12 days left before Jeepers Jenny comes out for the season! I am stoked!
Any one who knows me can confirm that material things do not matter to me. Oh sure, I like fun things and cool clothes and decorating my house - but I love deals like second hand stores , garage sales and Goodwill to find those treasures like jeans and dressers and mirrors and tables and boots and jackets....you get the picture right? Any way, back to Jeepers Jenny - my 1997 Convertible Mustang GT. With about 22K on it.

This car was Dewey's for nearly 11 years before this sunshine walked into his life.

I remember the first time I ever met Dewey. He was at Tim's house watching the game. I had photos of Tyson, Tim's son. I thought what a perfect excuse to meet this mystery man,Dewey. So I walked into the house (right passed Jeepers Jenny- I never remember seeing the car-I was so excited to see Dewey) introduced myself to Dewey and chatted a few minutes and left. For those of you who do not know the story it took another 7 months for him to call me and see me for the second time. He was a bit nervous.

Fast forward 14 months...Dewey asks me if I want to see his car , the one he was driving that day we first met. I told him I had no idea what he was driving. He told me I walked right past it when I came into Tim's house. We walked into the garage and there sat the cutest little Mustang convertible. I do not remember AT ALL! But it sure looks nice!

Next thing I knew.... it was mine.....a perfect engagement present :) and my car was his. A 1994 Toyota Corolla (Speed Buggy) with about 197K on it, respectfully. What a guy! That is what I am saying - I was driving this tin can around and still would be if I did not get this great car from this great man who takes great care of me. He says he was impressed with the fact that I noticed him and not his car. That's me.. I was blessed with Jeepers Jenny- I love it! I feel like a princess in it - it is fun- I have a HUGE smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel. I drive too fast, have my shades on and the music blasting. We still have the Toyota.

Dewey always says "I always wanted to share this car with someone" "I am glad to see you in it, you deserve it"


Thanks Honey!
Love , Jennifer

9 words

9 WORDS WOMEN USE
(1)Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2)Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3)Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4)Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

(5)Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why sh e is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6)That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7)Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. In this case, DO NOT say 'you're welcome' ... that will bring o n a 'whatever').

(8)Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying forget YOU!

(9)Don 't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Wonder Women

I feel Like Wonder Women! Dewey and I just ran Fitgers 5K this morning. I feel great and my biggest supporter is a fantastic coach. Secretly I think Dewey got some tips from Jillian from the Biggest Loser (don't tell anybody but he looks forward to Tuesday evenings)

We headed down town this morning. Most roads were closed so we ended up parking several blocks away. It was 8:54 and with the gun going off at 9 WE BETTER RUN! I think I ran a 6K.

It feels good to challenge yourself. I spent several months thinking of exercising. I was proud of myself for wanting to feel better. Then I spent a couple more on the WII Fit. Two weeks ago Dewey said "Honey, are we gonna do this or what?" Absolutely Baby! I started my training. Would I be doing this if Dewey was not giving me a little push and big encouragements? I don't really know, maybe not. But I do enjoy the companionship and how he challenges me. You hear people say "He makes me a better person" then you want to 'gag' but really it feels good to be challenged by someone who loves you and wants the best for you.

I expect a challenge from him and I sometimes (most of the time :) expect him to know when it is a good time to challenge me.

Take last year, my very first 5K. We had stayed up the entire evening before -waiting for a teenage daughter to come home- we find out around 6:30am she had been in a car accident. We were still in our honeymoon stage, 7 months in. Dewey certainly never thought to be anything but supportive. We picked Maddy up at the Highway Patrol Department. The car had rolled three times, the deputy informed us "She is lucky to be alive" We were shook up to say the least. We sent up many blessings thanking God for keeping her safe but we knew very well we needed a healthy way to express our feelings (kids!! Yikes!!) so we took off for the Fitgers 5K.

I was exhausted! Half way I was already gassed It felt like I had lead feet! Dewey was giving me a lot of "come on baby" and "you go girl" but I just looked at him like he was the enemy-I wanted him to be quiet but I was too tired to tell him. (that look you give while giving birth - that look that says "You are gonna pay!!!") I wanted to punch him, I wanted to cry, I wasn't sure if it was because I was finishing this race and proud of myself or that I was a mother of a teenager and just wanted to cry. (or that Dewey did not know his cheers were not working today)

I finished!!! Yeah! He was very proud of me.

This year I asked him to cheer me on the last 3 - 4 blocks. I looked over and flashed my biggest fan my biggest smile!! I love him and I am glad we are a team. Dewey is solid

Love Lots Jennifer

How to Dance In The Rain

How to Dance in the Rain
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
On exam, it was well healed, so I got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning,

As he was in such a hurry.

The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

I inquired as to her health.

He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.

He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'

He smiled as he patted my hand and said,

'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought,

'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'

True love is neither physical, nor romantic.

True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

Should I call the Plumber?

This is what I saw when I came home yesterday.

Dewey's head was under the sink fixing a leak and the dryer was pulled out to clean the vent. "Honey, I am trying here, this is not my gifting but I 'm trying for you" Dewey said. I told him that he was doing GREAT! He got up , greeted me with a kiss then we ran to Menards - he had already been there four times. We did a bunch of cleaning and then relaxed for the night. big sigh....it was a very nice evening. Uneventful. That's how we like it.

Vuoi PER PASTIFICI

You want Pasta? Dewey woke up this morning playing the Italian lover - he did the whole voice and hand gestures. I was smiling so big my cheeks hurt. It all started when I asked him if I should make pasta for him to go with the Chicken and Alfredo sauce he made earlier this week. We also made Ravioli and The Big Sexy made pasta for the D team. (Dewey's crew at New Page) So Dewey says he turned Italian over night. He spent 15 minutes playing an Italian lover he did this whole improvisation thing. He is so good at that. He sure keeps me laughing. A girl likes an accent for sure. When he started talking Minnesotan - he saw the disappointing look on my face - I guess I really got into his character I love You Dewey

Home Made Chicken Soup

Maddison has been ill. Who do you call? Grandma - asking her to make her chicken rice soup Yummy! I have memories of walking in the door from grade school and smelling that chicken soup , fresh laundry and homemade cookies. My kids are enjoying this soup just the same. My wonderful mother would make this for Maddy in a heart beat but this week she was not up to it. "Jennifer" she said "you will have to do it" "I can do it" I repeated to myself trying to believe.

I have raised children for 18 years now- wow! that surprises me every time I say that out loud! I fed them - of course - but I never really got the hang of real cooking - like the meals my grandma and mother make- they can look in the fridge and say "I will whip something up quick, if you want to stay and eat" They would call us to the table 35 minutes later with chicken and rice and potatoes and squash and cucumbers and carrots and bread and they will even pull out dessert. For me to do that takes planning and shopping and calling my mother to ask her - what goes with rice?

My mom raddled of the recipe - boil a small chicken for an hour - remove and cool- use the juices for the stock - "stock?" put onions (make sure their small so the kids will eat 'em) carrots - celery - beans -any veggie you want really. Take the meat off the bone- put the meat in the soup add brown rice and cook for another 45 minutes.

Wait a minute....take the meat off the bone? This is really going to be made with LOVE!

Ok...If I am going to do this I want to do it right. Maddy has been sooo sick. feverish- extremely tired-swollen glands-stomach ache and nausea. If she is craving grandmas soup then I need to make grandmas soup. I went to the grocer , bought all the ingredients and started in. I was chopping green onions, yellow onions , celery, yellow peppers, carrots, fresh green beans, I even grabbed squash. I called to check in with my mom to tell her how I was doing "leave the squash out" my mom said....everything else sounds great. It sounded good to me - mom says it is a little too sweet for this soup -


Maddy was hesitant of my cooking abilities. She was watching me and keeping me company - trying to stay awake and she was drooling over the thought of fresh hot soup. She was sure to critique my every move- grandma does not do it that way. She even called my mother to check on the recipe. "Do you put green beans in your soup?"

After 2 1/2 hours of boiling and peeling and grading and chopping and slicing it was done!

Maddison took one bite and said "YUM!" "fantastic!" "what did I hear?" O nothing-with a gigantic smile on her face.

I will post the recipe...It is delish

That felt good - I think I can handle this one again. We have eaten it for two days and froze several containers too. Dewey woke up just when I was finishing up around 10 am. He was on nights and was on his way to read at Pdogs classroom. Sounded like you were chopping down a plastic tree for about an hour. I tilted my head and smiled " You could hear that honey?"

He leaned in and kissed me - That's my 'Puddin :)


We then headed for the doctor and found out she has Mono hmmm?
Love Jennifer

Track O Rama

Pdog received a second place ribbon for the 50 yard dash in the All-Area School Track O Rama. It took place at UWS. GO Pdog! We are proud of you!