Cody's new hobby when camping, and sneaky workmen

Our favourite campground has a slough running on 2 sides of it and a ton of canoes begging to be used.

Cody decided he wanted to go canoeing one day so off we went getting fitted for lifejackets. We two orange beings then waddled off to the dock (big lifejackets just make you feel like waddling) and watched John the owner get us set up. He was holding the canoe waiting for Cody to enter but for some reason Cody didn't listen to the instruction of STEP IN THE MIDDLE. It wasn't happening. The canoe tipped to the side and I exclaimed, "What's wrong?!?"

"A SPIDER IS IN THERE!"

Ah. Something I can fully relate to. Yeah, it was big and nasty looking and crawling towards Cody, excited for his company. That ended that. There was NO WAY I was going to enter a canoe with unstable emotions flying. Cody's last words.. "I'M NEVER GOING INTO A CANOE AGAIN!" lol...

Fast foward to this weekend. Norm, our awesome campground neighbour was shooting slingshots with the boys in the campground. A can shot into the swamp and Norm wanted to retrieve it via canoe and Cody wanted to go with him. I snickered when Cody informed me, "Mom, Nick's Dad is taking me in a canoe to get a can!" I'm thinkin', yeah.. whatever. Minutes later, this is what I spotted in the slough.



Of course overly proud mom had to dash for her camera! Word has it that Cody was overheard saying to Norm, "Is the canoe clean?" Thanks Norm! Major major move for Cody!

Next thing you know, Cody wants to go in the canoe again. With me. It's been years. Well, I don't even remember BEING in a canoe. So I was somewhat nervous with Cody's last spider adventure. I wanted to pass but Cody wouldn't have it. And honestly, I wanted to conqour my own fears and do something new anyway, so I hesitantly agreed to go for it.

So off we went. That particular day, Cody was somewhat a force to be reckoned with. His way or no way. And a canoe in the middle of a slough is no place to battle wits and go into timeouts and try to figure out how to move forward and not backward. So we made it to shore, but I told myself it would be quite awhile before I tried THAT again.

Well, seems Cody had a change of heart overnight and agreed to listen to some mom kinda common sense about rowing. After all, Nick's Dad couldn't be in charge if he wasn't in the boat... LOL (yes Norm, filling your shoes was a major move)

So we talked about how we could work together better. And no tempers allowed in the water! It went like an absolute dream. Dreamy enough for pics too! We went out a few times together and even the owner commented that we were really coming along with those paddle moves...

I can see canoeing to be a wonderful new adventure for us, watching wildlife, being inspired by the beauty around us, working together and succeeding our mission and doing it well. And, just doing it because it's something really cool to do!

What does this have to do with sneaky workmen you ask? We came home from camping today to a garage door wide open and electrical stuff all over. Rich, Vic and Pete smile as I drive in. Seems I have some new working plugs and lights! And a little humiliation. Poor Vic unloaded some of my kitchen cabinets and that is not a job I'd wish on anyone! Thanks guys! I had been thinking about the kitchen stuff the entire weekend and it was pretty cool to come home to something major completed.

Lessons learned today:

1. Row at the same time or you start to spin and argue.

2. Don't believe Rich when he pretends to call from Pete's house.

3. Vic will in time rename our dog for good, to Rover. Get over it Jenna, it works!

4. Smile and appreciate those around you that enhance your life. And thank them. Guys, and Cody, you men ROCK!

The campsite

Guilty as charged! I have not reno-ed (is that a word?) for some time now. We have been camping! (around my work of course)

We hit a very hot spell a week ago or so, and I was most grateful to have an air conditioner to run through. Yes, sometimes you have to have a few cushy things in life to get you by and this was one very much needed cushy thing at that time! Having got hit by abit of heat stroke one day, (Cody was fine), this was a good place to recoup.

Here's a shot of our old campsite.


Our view overlooked a large manicured play lawn and the front entrance to the campsite. We've been here for the last few years. Remember my post about redecorating the site? All the wooden tables/benches belong to the campsite. I had found the worst ones I could in their boneyard and white washed them in a matching rv tan/grey colour and in real life, they look like quality accessories for any lucky little campsite to enjoy...

As nice as this site has been for us, I snooped around and found a newly vacated very sought after river site that offered more privacy and sun. So we moved!

See that nice patio? I helped build that thing. I came home to rest after that weekend... but I now know how to lay 80 lb cement slabs onto gravel in the pouring rain for that yard ground level kinda fun of your dreams. (yeah, would be nice to have one at home too!) Jenna's pretty happy with the quieter surroundings and is often found napping beside me while I read. Between the trailer and the river is a nice bit of lawn for your favorite lounger. It's a very tranquil setting. There's always something to watch in the water, whether it be ducks or herons, spotted a beaver too. Haven't had a family of racoons or skunks as yet... but they're there. Just leave out your garbage by mistake and your site turns into a Disney movie, set in the deep woods where all the 'cute' night creatures find you.

I have a creature story to prove my point. A couple years ago I was reading outside by my propane campfire long after Cody had fallen asleep. I felt something brush up against my leg and without moving, glanced down to a long bushy black tail with a white stripe running down the middle... Stiffling a scream, I silently thought if I stayed calm, it wouldn't spray me and just wander away. Right?!?!?!? No idea. I'm new to skunks. So I stayed put barely breathing. The skunk wandered under my chair brushing up against my leg much like a cat would (shudder!!!!) and then turned around and wandered over to the trailer. I indeed left a bag of garbage outside my door I had forgotten about. So I got to watch how a skunk rifles through spaghetti leftovers and whatnot. It finally was on it's way and lemme tell you, once I knew the coast was clear, I ran into that trailer so fast I knocked my chair over, locked the door (like THAT would help keep skunk stink away) and shook for who knows how long. And no, it didn't spray. So there you go folks. How to foil a skunk, you read it here first!

This next picture is one of my alltime favorites. What an oxymoron this shot provides! These kind dudes (campsite neighbour Randy, and the owner of the campsite, John) were trying to figure out how to hook up online. Who says this isn't 'real' camping?!?

And the trailer is new to us this year. Last year I sold the 24 footer and purchased this 17 foot from my friends the Sawatzkys. The trailer came complete with towing lessons too! And the trailer, althought tighter in space, was an upgrade on many levels. It cleans up beautifully and is most certainly getting enjoyed on a regular basis. Thanks Dan and Janis , for our new summer home! Cody has finally admitted to LOVING it, (he gets somewhat attached to all things familiar and claimed to not want to camp this year because the other trailer was history) so that means all is most definately well now!

Anyway, so this is where we hide out when we aren't renoing. It's not a bad life...

Wow, school's back in next week! So as soon as it's suppose to stop raining this week, Cody and I are heading back for the last long weekend before school's in.

Now this isn't to say I haven't done SOME things on the homestead project. I'm still working like mad trying to nail down appliances I like AND can afford. Trying a new place tomorrow... AND, today I spotted the most exquisite unique hand made fireplace mantle Dan was working on that will soon be put to excellent use on my tired old fashioned fireplace. Dan is going to help me cover up the brick with cultured stone and carry it up to the ceiling! It will have a very old world feeling to it loaded with character!

Enjoy what's left of the summer folks! It's nearly time to get dusty again!