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.