Heath's Christening - May 27, 2012 (Another Secret Revealed)



Norm & Jules' grandson Heath was baptized on Sunday the 27th. I'm sure most people wouldn't think twice about that. I certainly didn't, until I realized that I couldn't go into the church while I was still wearing my hat! My secret had to be unveiled. I NEVER like to take my hat off, much less take it off and there be a POSSIBILITY that I might get my picture taken.  I would have never said anything, but this is a big event for the family and I dig Heath as much as Brock.

Travis' secret unveiled



Yes, I am bald. So what.

There are a LOT of guys that wear hats all the time because they are follicly challenged. I just happen to be one of them.

So, now you know. For family you do anything.

Ok, now I can tell you about the day.

Heath had to have a bath before his big day and his dad, Jason, was taking care of that. I offered Jason some sage advice about washing behind Heath's ears and Heath immediately took issue with that. He said his dad knew everything there is to know about giving babies a bath.  I just stayed out of the way after that.

Joni jumped in to help Jason when it was time to wash Heath's hair.

Little did Heath know that this wasn't going to be the only time he was going to have water poured over his head today!

Talk about scared half to death! I really was nervous about this walk...

At least I didn't get hit by lightening! The guy on the right told me to relax and that everything was going to be ok. Since we had similar hair I figured he was giving it to me straight.

It had been such a long time since I was last in church that I had checked with the pastor the week before. I certainly didn't want to be causing a ruckus or anything.

Father Tim Seigel is so cool! He said just because someone hasn't been to church in a long time doesn't mean they can't come back! Anyone, at any time, can go back and be welcomed. No judgements.

I even found out that the Catholic Church has done a bit of self evaluation lately. The church has made many changes and is currently doing everything it can to let everyone know that things have changed and that everyone who had left during the last few years should come back and see the changes.

This is me and Father Tim.

Father Tim is the reason that Norm & Jules returned to the church after being gone for a long time.

This was during the baptism. In the Catholic religion we believe that babies are born with sin from Adam & Eve. The baptism washes that original sin away and the child is welcomed into the church. 

 

Even Heath was impressed. I couldn't figure out why though that Heath could wear his hat but I couldn't.

I asked Norm afterwards and he said that once Heath was "in" he would have to abide by the rules too and couldn't wear a hat.

This was taken to show Jason's better side. Don't tell him I said that though. He is a LOT bigger than me and I don't heal as well as I used to.

I know in some religions that baptisms are done in a river. I personally prefer this way.

I'd be willing to bet that Father Tim prefers this way to standing in a river too. But that is just a guess on my part.

After the baptism we obviously have to take pictures with the godparents and parents. Heath was still a bit unhappy that the baptism water wasn't quite as warm as the water at home.

The godparents are Joni's sister, Kate, and Jason's brother, Brad.

Norm III, Liz & Marah and the cute guy in the middle you already know...

We left the church we went to Joni & Jason's house, also known as the E-I-E-I-O, for a celebratory party. This is the "snack" table.

I was really excited because there were a lot of extended family members from both sides attending the party. Right after I took this picture I was grabbed by a couple of guys wearing suits and sunglasses. They took my camera and said that there were "certain celebrities" and politicians in attendance and that they didn't want any pictures taken.

Rubbing elbows with the elite of society is really cool. It stinks when you can't prove it though.

I was given back my camera at the end of the night.

So there you have it. Part of our Memorial Day weekend and another of my secrets revealed. I thought that after I gave up the fact that I sewed that I wouldn't have to give up any more of my secrets. What can I say? I'm an enigma...

See you.

Travis

Yeah, Camping Again! - Marengo Ridge - May 4-6

Hooray, its camping season again! Well, for everyone it is. For us, camping in 38 degree weather is also normal, but seeing other people in the campground is always a plus.

This year we brought Bob the Burger to Marengo Ridge, but we also brought Jules' bug Vinnie with us. Vinnie never was much for pulling campers, but he is cute, so strong wasn't all that important. Vinnie was going to a new home. (That was why he didn't have his usual flowers all over him.)

Norm & Jules had three cars and only needed two. Mike & Jessica needed to add a car to their family because one of their kids (Noah) was getting his license.

Jules loves Vinnie and really wanted to make sure that he went to a good family and that they would treat him well and take care of him. Mike & Jessica met Jules' requirements.

Okay, enough about cars and stuff, we had to get the campsite set up.

Norm took off to see who else was in the campground while Jules & I were left to set up Bob. Jules was in charge, that is why the carpet and fancy step cover were already set out before I had Bob on the jackstands.

It might also have had something to do with my inability to get stuff out of the car. Have you ever seen how high a Suburban is from the ground? I needed a ladder to get in that thing!

After we had the campsite set up we were ready to catch up to Norm and socialize a bit. Doesn't Jules do a great job setting up the campsite?

I picked the spot for my tent though, right next to the shower/bathroom tent. Its only used in the middle of the night rather than hiking to the outhouse.

As soon as we got to BJ's campsite I ran into Gunther. He met me at the edge of the campsite with a big hug and a tasty beverage. It is especially nice to be greeted so warmly by friends and family.



Yes, that is a purple butterfly on my hat. I was wearing my rendition of a happy hat contest entry, Gunther said he forgot that there was a hat contest the first night.

This is BJ's first rally of the year and it is traditionally very small (the second rally that she hosts is the October rally at Woodstock). Six campers this year for Marengo Ridge.

Just because the group is small doesn't mean we have any less fun, food, and good times as a larger rally.

We have our progressive cocktail party, with snacks, which really is dinner. With a small rally the snacks are more coordinated and it really is more of a meal going camper to camper.

Of course the tasty beverages are a big draw too. However, with the smaller number of participants, nobody really has an opportunity to over indulge. Although Gunther and I try our best every year!

I would normally just say, "Don't ask!" But considering that I am in the shot with Norm & Anna, it eliminates the joke.

This is the inside of Bill & Anna's new (to them) camper. By this time Gunther and I were beginning to succeed so I didn't remember what kind of a camper it is. I asked Norm, he told me I should bring a pen and paper next time. Then he said it was an Avion. The camper was way cool. I thought about cracking a joke about the mirrored headboards. Knowing Anna it would have gone TMI in an instant so I held back.

This is John & Ann. Ann & Julia went to high school together.

Their camper is a Friendship, I think. A terrific name for a vintage camper! They redid the camper themselves. Very talented couple! I haven't quite figured John out yet, but I'm working on it. (That was why I made sure Ann posed with me.)




Me & BJ


If you have never met BJ, you are missing out on one great person! She is our hostess with the mostess at the Marengo Ridge & Woodstock rallies. What a fantastic person!

And she makes a killer lemonade beverage that she pours from the "magic pitcher" into whatever container you happen to be holding. Anytime I am around BJ I make sure I have an empty container available!!

More rabble rousing at Richard & Jeanne's campsite.

Richard won the hat contest with his chicken hat. Norm asked the chicken what he was going to do about the wart on his bottom. I told Norm he should apologize to Richard. He said that they tend to toss barbs back & forth. I told him they shouldn't throw anything at each other and did he ever stop & think about how barb felt getting thrown around. He just looked at me sideways and walked away. I think I made my point. I couldn't find Barb to make sure she was ok though.

The final camper on the walk.

Check it out! What a great gift Norm received from his kids.

Hot fresh popcorn, without the smoke flavoring from the fire.


I have heard a few people make comments to Norm about some of the photographs I have used in my blog. He always tells them it was my fault that a "supposedly" unflattering photograph of someone gets used. I don't really notice I guess. Then, something happened...




I can't believe how big my bottom looks.
Baby's Got Back does come to mind though, "Oh my God Becky..."

 

I must first apologize to everyone that I may have upset with a picture I have used.

This is IT! I had NO intentions of using this picture when I saw it.






BUTT to balance the books so everyone knows that we all, at some point in time, may be the subject of a less than flattering photo, we should all remember one thing... at least they aren't mugshots!

After cruising around the campgrounds and eating very well I might add, we settled in for a campfire and conversation.

I truly enjoy these evenings in the campgrounds. What a peaceful time.



Marengo, IL May 5, 2012



Then, like it was scripted or something, by none other than Alfred Hitchcock (or Stephen King for the younger generation) the moon peeked through the trees. All that was missing was the howling in the distance and rustling nearby.

















Saturday was the pot luck dinner.

I know it has a lot to do with "luck" but not with these campers. I couldn't find ANYTHING I didn't like! They are all fantastic cooks. A meal fit for royalty was had by all.






That is BJ's camper -Bee Bee- behind Joni.

We had visitors too. The rest of the gang was kind enough to allow Joni, Jason, Brock & Heath to attend the pot luck dinner. Heath was just 13 weeks old and Jason had to work so they couldn't camp the weekend with us, but got to stop by for an evening.

They definitely picked the right one!

During the evening campfire Gunther & I decided to lead the group in our favorite Peter, Paul & Mary song, Kumbaya.






Five people & their devices.



 I thought we were doing a fantastic job. But getting everyone to put down their electronic "devices" in order to sing was a huge challenge. Gunther & I just gave up on them at that point.


 



Brock was the youngest with electronics



I told Norm later that Gunther & I felt a bit hurt because nobody would sing with us. He said he was grateful nobody started singing along because if the rest of the group sang as bad as Gunther & I we would have all been kicked out of the campground.

Have I mentioned recently that I think Norm is a chucklehead?




Joni, Heath, Norm & Brock



Ok, so he's a chucklehead...

But with beautiful kids and great looking grandsons he obviously did something right. Or maybe it was all Jules, and Norm has just been taken for a ride...

Sunday morning we had a terrific dutch oven breakfast at BJ's campsite.

The weekend was abruptly ended shortly after breakfast when the skies opened up and dumped a huge amount of rain on us! We ran as fast as we could back to our campsite but were drenched to the skin.


What a fun and great way to end a weekend. Laughing at how silly we looked.



Be sure to keep your powder dry,

Travis.

Pink House Forced Landscaping - Update - May 2012

Last year we were forced to landscape the backyard at the pink house when the sewer line collapsed.

I'm sure that you remember our lovely backyard PRE-dig.

Who can forget what it looked like POST-dig!

Well, we were told that the 3' tall dirt mound that was left behind would flatten out in time. It could be "helped" along by saturating it with water frequently.



Since the dig the yard has frequently been nearly flooded trying to get that mound to go down. It didn't. But we did pay for some neat street and sewer improvements in the city and I'm sure a nice vacation for the mayor with the increased water bills that we have been paying!

Once spring settled in Jules had had enough of the backyard and was asking Norm when the backyard would be leveled off and new grass grown over the monstrous scar.

Norm can be a nice guy, but energetic is not his strong suit. Since retirement he hasn't done a whole lot. I decided that I could use the brownie points with Jules and actually get double value by preventing Norm from getting them by leveling the backyard by myself.

Besides, Heath had the remote and was in NO MOOD to turn it over to me.

I can only watch educational TV for a limited time. If he liked cartoons more, or maybe the three stooges, I probably could have held out longer.



Looking at the yard it didn't seem like it would be that much of a project anyhow.

So, I got started the following morning! I jumped on top of that pile and immediately started slinging dirt. About 5 minutes later I started wondering where I could rent a bobcat from.




Then Jules mentioned that one of Norm's friends, Dave, had an old antique bobcat called a mustang. Same critter, different breed I guess. Like cousins I suppose.

Anyhow, I called Dave and he was gracious enough to come over with it and show me how to use it.

I took to it easily and really enjoyed running around in it.

I knew that there were a couple of clean-out pipes buried under the pile somewhere and figured I had better locate them with a shovel before I found them the wrong way with the mustang.

I can't figure out how someone can do this for a living! That was back breaking work moving that dirt with a shovel.

It doesn't help that I had to use Norm's shovels and he obviously has NO REGARD for vertically challenged people. All of his shovels were for normal sized individuals.

After digging for quite some time and NOT locating the clean outs I decided to just be careful and get the dirt leveled.

It took a few hours and two tanks of gas, but I got it done in a day.

  

Overall I think I did a fairly good job for the first time using a mustang. Not perfect, but pretty good. Dave would have done a much better job and I can't thank him enough for his help!

After getting the yard all level I mixed in some fertilizer and then the grass seed. Of course the local birds heard the dinner bell as soon as the the seed hit the ground.

I figured I could help the grass seed stay hidden and keep some of the moisture in from watering by spreading a bunch of straw over it.

Bales of straw are HEAVY!! They stink like fertilizer too after they have gotten wet and then you break them apart.

Getting the straw spread out is not a lot of fun. I think the worst part is raking it after tossing it all over the place.

I considered cutting Norm's rake down more to my size. But after looking at how wide the rake head was I figured the length of the handle would be a better fulcrum for me. I just made the best of it.

It all worked out in the end.

The backyard is done, the grass should start popping up in 10-14 days and I made mega points with Jules!

Life is good...

Later gator,

Travis