Farewell, "Live Music Show Capital of the World"

What a weekend we have had! Thanks in part to the school district and the State honoring President's Day, we had a nice long weekend. So, we made plans to head south to Branson, MO! What a wonderful weekend to be away from home; the weather was so sunny and warm! It was the perfect cure for the winter blues and the cabin fever this family has been experiencing for some time.

The boys spent the weekend with their feet in Lake Taneycombo trout fishing. I spent the weekend hanging with Olivia and sneaking in some scrapbooking every chance I got. The boys caught 7 fish, I finished 16 pages in my 2009 scrapbook. You all know what that means right....I did not go on a fishing trip this weekend and squeezed in some scrapbooking. It means I went on a scrapbooking weekend and Wayne squeezed a little fishing in! (you all know he is not happy about that!)

Most everything else in Branson was closed (their off season is January/February) so we really just hung out at the condo, swam, fished, and shopped at my favorite little scrapbooking store. On our way home, we made a pit stop by Rockaway Beach, MO ( I think a fishing trip here might be in our future). The one thing we did not do while in Branson over the weekend, stay connected to everyone. We have 3 cell phones for the 4 of us and all 3 of us forgot a charger! Then on top of that, my husband forgot his phone at home. So the boy and I fought over the one car charger we had with us!

The one thing I was able to do in Branson (besides scrapbooking) was stay on track with my fitness/health plan. The last time I was in Branson, I had a growing lump in my throat that was undiagnosed cancer. It served as a constant reminder so much has changed for me since last June, 2010. So, I tackled it. I made really smart food choices for all meals (ok, I did have 1 cheat meal but all the others were REALLY good)! I also exercised while there. For the first time EVER, I not only found the exercise room, I used it. I not only packed a swim suit, I used it. And...the charge I got on my phone did not go to texting friends or catching up on facebook...it went to updating on myfitnesspal.com! I normally dread hitting the scale the day after a weekend trip, but not this time. I am so looking forward to jumping on the scale tomorrow morning.

Ending with some photos from our trip!

My fishermen.

The Short Chic enjoyed gathering rocks and sticks while the fishermen got ready to go.

Here are my fishermen in action. Unfortunately the water was running fast making it hard to catch a fish.

Olivia and I at Dicks 5 and 10. First time the kids have been there.

At the Grand Country Buffet.

This is only one of the teen boys dinner. This is why it is more economical to take teen boys to a buffet!

The Short Chics new bunny. This is what she picked up at the 5 and 10.

Mr. Rock Star Fisherman! When in the Live Music Show Capital of the World, you must wear guitar sunglasses!

It was COLD in Rockaway Beach!

She had little interest in hanging out.

My Weekend Project: A PVC Camping Lamp Post and Flag Holder

I have seen a few of these around campsites and I knew I would like to have one. The only problem that I had is The Husband. He already thinks we drag too much stuff with us when we go camping and if I had told him my desire to have a PVC Camping Light Pole he would have shut it down quickly! So, that leaves a girl with only one choice: Figure out how to do it by herself. I did some internet searching and found a few road maps on RV forums. They seemed easy enough! I visited the local hardware store for the supplies: An exterior post lantern light 2 inch PVC pipe (I used 5 feet but had to purchase a 10 foot piece) A 3 inch toilet flange A 3 inch to 2 inch Reducer PVC Glue A 12 foot electric cord kit 2 - 3/4 inch PVC Caps I also used a few supplies we already had on hand: White Spray Paint 3 1/2 foot - 3/4 inch PVC Pipe Drill Bits (1 inch and 1/2 inch) Tent Stakes The first step was preparing the lantern light. I could only find black i...

Tour of Missouri: Montauk State Park and The Ozark National Scenic Riverway

August has become our summer vacation month. Summer activities have usually wound down and we like to get one last hooray in before school starts. This summer we decided to travel our own state and visit a few places we have been dreaming of visiting but were a little too far for a weekend road trip. Despite last minute vacation glitches we managed to pull out of Kansas City around 9:00 in the morning headed to Montauk State Park just outside of Licking, Missouri. Montauk State Park is one of three state parks where you can trout fish in Missouri. We are frequent visitors of Bennett Springs State Park but not Montauk, just because of the travel distance from our house. (Bennett Springs is about 3 hours and Montauk is double that.) Setting up and settling in was relatively easy. We took a tour of the park and hiked around exploring the spring that feeds into the river. The Park stocks this river each night with trout. The fishermen like this river be...

Liver Cheese: A Family Tradition

Today is an anniversary date. One of those dates you wish you did not have to remember but there is no way you can forget. Fifteen years ago today,two days after his birthday, my father died of lung cancer. He was a lifelong smoker and his cancer was aggressive. His battle was short. He fought for six short months after his diagnosis. He knew the chemo was not working and that his time was limited. When he came to this realization he became the best dad in the world. In the days before my father's passing, my family shared some memorable moments. One of those moments centers around the deli meat: Liver Cheese.I would not be surprised if you have never heard of it, or even never tasted it. But I was raised on it as it was one of my Dad's favorite things. What is it? Well, it is a German food that is...

MelissaFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:09 PM
Okay, you should have worn your rock star glasses too! That's awesome that you're staying on your fitness plan even during a fun weekend. Love the boys outfits! Did you tire Ms. O at the 5 and 10 store. It looked like a fab trip and so glad you all got a chance to get away.

It's My Life

Search This Blog