My train of thought is sometimes goofy.

I was driving home today from town.
When you follow Eagle Lake Road down to the lake you come to a T. And across from the T is a farm.

This afternoon, Jeff, (the farmer) was cutting his hay. It was even, well attractive piles across his fields. I only noticed it first because I LOVE the smell of fresh cut hay.
Then I looked up to the corner of the field where a horse stood watching and I thought to myself....

"I wonder if that horse is standing there smelling the hay like humans would anticipating the delicious flavor. Kind of like when you come home and someone has been baking all day long and just the smell makes your mouth water." I caught myself thinking, "I wonder if he is standing there drooling thinking to himself, gosh! that smells great! Can't wait till that is done!"

I told this to my sister and she just laughed.
Apparently my train of thought is a little goofy.

The best flea market purchase....yet....

Just like most Sunday's during the summer my mother, sister, and I headed out to the flea market.

I never know what exactly I am going to find and I think that is why I love the flea market so much!

On our drive in Kathrine and I joked about what we would be buying. Maybe a new piece a jewelery... or perhaps a random decoration for our home.

I only pulled out $20 bucks because I didn't want to over spend.

We got one row into the market and kathrine and I saw a sign....
"puppies for $50.00"

The owners pulled them out and handed one over to Kathrine... and then... I was sold.

I had 20 bucks. Kathrine had 30. We put it together and took home this beauty!!!

Lola.

My new love.

Don't get me wrong. I still LOVE my dog Berkley! Now he just has one heck of a cute sister.

*Editors Note.

.... Jake and I had been looking for another dog for awhile now... so I am not a crazy impulse shopper. Well.... I am. But not to this degree usually.

A quiet getaway...

Today.
So far.
Has been a gift.
Last night one of my best friends had a baby. A beautiful little girl who looks just like her mamma.
I decided when I woke up that nothing was as important as driving to see this new little baby. So I closed my office and drove.

... the weather is perfect today. Not a cloud in sight. Warm temperatures. A perfect day for a drive. I love the drive to Fergus Falls. I get to drive through Vergas and wind my way through the streets of little lake homes sitting in between two large bodies of water. I get to see green trees, groomed fields, lakes and streams. But better yet. For today. I get to see a new baby.

I drove my mom's car today and normally I would not have chose to do so because there is no air conditioning, but today it seemed like a great idea.

While driving I noticed different smells which I guess I suppose I have never noticed before because I always have my windows up. It was neat. I don't have any other words better than... neat.
I would whip past a lake and get the wonderful fresh smell of the water. I would drive past Goodman's market and smell the fresh baked bread. I passed a resort and got a whiff of a campfire. I didn't even mind when I went flying by the dairy farm and got that smell. It reminded me of when I use to read those scratch and sniff kid books, where there was a distinct smell to go with each special detail.

I laughed on my way past Vergas because I was listening to 97.9, a radio station out of Park Rapids that only plays music from the 40's and 50's. A cute song was on about how much a girl was in love with this guy and it had a great beat to it. Anyway... while I was humming along like I knew the song I looked up to see a group of horses standing with their backs against me and I kid you not! Their tails were "wagging" exactly to the beat of the song. It was priceless. I laughed!

I finally made it to the hospital after an hour of peaceful driving. The new mother looked amazing! So content. So in love. The new dad stood in the back looking as proud as I've ever seen. Grandpa was there too which instantly melted my heart... and then I saw the new baby.
... I cried.
I couldn't help it. What a beautful gift to see your best friend so happy and in love and to be able to see this amazing new person that they created. It was breathtaking. It was beautiful.
Grandpa giggled at my emotion which made me feel a little better. But I am in awe. I am just an outsider to this new family and I am already in love with her. She is perfect. She has a great mother! A great father! A great family!
Nothing after that moment can ruin my day. When you see a little gift from above like that you have no choice but to realize how great life is.

... So I guess I am leaving today with a little lesson learned. Always take time to go for a drive. To enjoy the smells and sights around you. To go visit the people you love. And to be thankful for the gift of life. What an amazing thing we have!

....... Congrats to the new mommy and daddy! XOXOXO

It is...officially summer now. Awwww....

Yep. It's officially summer for me.
Not because it was a heat wave of 87 degrees out with 90% humidty today.
Also not because I pulled my kayak out of storage and sat it outside to remind me to get up in the morning and take a dip.
Nor is it because I took a stroll down Eagle Lake Road on my trusty "grandma grocery getter" bike.

It is simply summer because after 4 weeks of having the resort open for business, I went out on the pontoon on the beautful Eagle Lake for the first time this year! And it felt..... GREAT!

Jake took us out on the boat for a sunset cruise. We whipped down the middle, over to the east, back to the west... and then we "pulled the old people style" and cruised around the lake looking at other people's stuff.

I loved every minute!
Hello summer my dear ol' friend! Good to see you around again!

My Life is Normal Because...

1.) I Say thank you to my septic.
Its a good omen sort of thing. The resort plumbin system is.... gifted. (actually right now as I write it I am getting anxiety about maybe making the septic mad... and thinking about maybe erasing all this info to keep it happy)
But I have found, like most important things in life to use the Golden Rule even with my septic system. You be nice to it, it will be nice to you.
... So thank you dear septic friend. Thank you for all your hardwork, dedication, and determination during this resort season. I wish that there will only be easy days ahead of you and no pack of pencils, white mice, or t-shirts in your future. Your best friend and admirer.... Me.

2.) My last duty at the end of my day is to take out the pails of fish guts.
Our fish cleaning house or as we call it "ye ol fish haus" has character! It is a true old fashioned bonafied fish cleaning house. What does this mean? This means, yes. There is running water. But yes. there is also an old holding tank that only allows water. So this means that all of the great fish that are caught and fileted leave their remains in a bucket for me to get rid of every evening. I told Kathrine this evening as we were spraying down the buckets and hauling the remains up to the dumpster, "just think. You will probably never have another job like this! Where else can you put this on your resume... I know how to clean out a fish cleaning house. And just think! When you meet the love of your life he will be so amazed at how awesome you are when you can get all dressed up and look like a princess but can still get down and dirty with some fish guts!"
I believe she did not share my enthusiasm....

3.) At 6 o'clock sharp I close my office. I walk next door to my home and shut the curtains,and lock by door to finally get some "peace and quiet." I don't answer my door after that. I only answer my cell phone.

4.)I get to hear people say.... we are going to need more toilet paper up top. We have four men that have eaten lots of fish.

...HELLO! Like I need to know the details!!!

5.) I get to do what I love, though it may be stressful. I get to work with my family. Live on the lake. Meet new people. And carry on tradition. Of course this is my normal. And I love it!

I got paid in doughnuts!

This morning was rough.
Last night was Jake's sister-in-law's 40th surprise birthday party. I had no idea that it was going to be "as fun" as it was! And I mean "as fun" in a way in which I didn't know I was going to be enjoying so many birthday shots with the birthday girl and the family! Ufffffddddaaaaa!
So needless to say this morning rolled around way to early and way to quick.
Most of the guests this morning did not make checkout time. But of all mornings I guess it worked in my favor to be running a little slow.
It is a full week at the resort. FULL! And we have all new guests this week which is always exciting! This way I get to share the resort and this special place with new people and get to meet some new "friends." But this also means that I am opening myself to some new "interesting guests."
Ones that really make you work, lets say. I have one of those this week. I've been running around with my hair on fire finding spatula's, potato peelers, smoke detectors, trying to explain what certain things are, trying to bull***** my way through letting them know where the hot spots are for fishing. I'm exhausted! Whew.....
But just when I thought I couldn't run anymore today, cabin #10 checked in. It is a group of 4 retired couples from Iowa. I love them. I don't know how to say it any other way than that. They go beyond making up for a certain other cabin in their jokes, kindness, and excitement. I have already been nicknamed "babe" by my now friend "goober" (the older gentleman that prefers to call people by nicknames.... and likes to be called goober?)
They had a few items they needed help with, like unloading and fixing light bulbs and I had no problem in hiding up in their cabin for awhile to avoid #6 but to my surprise after helping them out I was paid in homemade doughnuts!
It just might be one of the best tips I have ever received!

Hocus Pocus Time to Focus!

My mental list has finally reached its tipping point.
The space between one ear and the other has finally filled to its full capacity with projects, ideas, lists, etc....

I knew it was getting bad when I would be lying in bed seconds away from dreamland when all of a sudden I would sit up and think out loud "I have to remember to restock toilet paper!" Or... "I can't forget to go get the boats registered!"

After my third night of not sleeping but thinking I knew I had to come up with a game plan. It is only my first week of guests! So Kathrine and I brainstormed and came up with a great solution!
Dry Erase Boards!
... yep. hands down they are my new best friends. And it was amazing as I was sitting here organizing my thoughts I could feel the stress run down the back of my neck, through my chest, down my arms, out my fingertips into the marker and out! I feel NEW and ORGANIZED and FOCUSED!

I feel like going to bed.
(cross your fingers that this new relationship between myself and mr. dry erase board lasts all summer long!)

What?! No Pie!!!????

It is officially summer.

How do I know this? Because the flea market is open. My mom, sister, and I got up this morning to make our first trip to the flea market of the summer. As we were walking around I couldn't help but comment how I love the flea market. It is my go-to place during the summer to getaway, relax, and turn on my creative mind for finding puposes for random treasures.

Today I found some great treasures. An old shelf for my bathroom.... and old large blue mason jar to fill with whatever.... a blown glass vase.... and a bunch of glass grapes! All which I have already found a purpose and a home for.

Just like most trips happen when we go to the flea market we timed our afternoon perfectly to hit lunch time at the Loon's Nest in Vergas.
Vergas is a small town close to the resort, population 300. For being such a small community it has lots of great places to visit, including the Loon's Nest. Nestled down town it is a small cafe that has some of the best food ever! It is good ol' fashioned home cooked food. But the best part about the Loon's Nest is THE PIE! They offer 10 different kinds of pies (dependant on season) that are all homemade and delicious!!! But the best...best part is that you can get a slice of pie and coffee for 99 cents!!!

... our whole drive into Vergas all three of us were beyond excited to have some pie! I know for me, it had been since last summer that I was at the Loon's Nest for pie! My mouth was watering just from the thought of it!

We sat down and ordered our lunches. I was pumped that my lunch came with dessert and I already knew that I was going to get the cherry pie as my dessert of choice. But then as if time stood still for all us gals... we looked around and noticed... wait! No one has any pie! Laughing we told eachother that there was no way that they couldn't have pie. My mom got up to wash her hands and came back to the table with a worried look in her eyes.... "the pie cooler has NOTHING in it!"
..."well that can't be right!" I exclaimed! "Maybe they moved their supply to the back! Or maybe the guy that makes the pies got sick and they are making some more in the kitchen." We shot back ideas and conclusions to one another until the waitor came by. I asked...."are you all out of pie!?"
..........."yes. We ran out yesterday!"

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO PIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The food was great. But we sure left disappointed. Oh! And by the way Mr. Pie Maker who makes the best pies in the world... We will be back. And yes! I might eat two slices to make up for today!

Yours truely,
Your biggest fan.

What a S***** Day!

Wait!
So before you form your own opinion and begin to think that I am a pessimist, read on. I promise it might humor you.
Normally you would think by reading such a title that maybe my day has gone horribly wrong, full of emotion, and filled with anger and regret. But actually it is quite the opposite.
It is a big day for me. A big day in personal accomplisments, and a big day in dealing with things that probably shouldn't be funny... but really are.

So. My office toilet has been running. Running like crazy. It has sounded like a continus flush for the past 2 weeks non-stop. But today I had decided to see if I could put an end to this madness. Yes! I have succesfully put in a new flapper into a toilet and fixed the leaky problem all by myself! Sure the project was easy. And sure it wasn't that big of a deal! But really?! Come on! I, myself fixed a toilet all by myself! In full on pony tail, grossed out expressions, and amazment I did it! Of course I had to put a on a latex glove to cover my minor papercut, just in case I could catch anything dirty... but come on! As much as you would like to not admit it, it is pretty cool! I felt so proud of myself.

Aside from the bathroom antic.... We have geese. Not one. Not two. But perhaps a gaggle? Is that what it is called when you have a group of geese? But really. We have at least 20. All of them come at sunrise and sit on our lovely beach with their babies and friends... and yes.... they poop! A LOT!

The first day I noticed them I thought they were great! I thought they were beyond cute. The way the mommy's lead their little babies around and layed on the beach. It was PRICELESS! The next day I thought....."that's weird. They are still here.... hmmmm?" Then today I thought, "Really? Oh my lord!?" As I heard Jake send our dog Berkley to chase them and then to hear him say, Berkley wait! And then hear shots from his pelet gun trying to scare him away.!"

Today our first guests checked in and I hoped all day that I wouldn't hear the words, "I hate to complain but...."
But! I did hear this. And this is what the lady in cabin #8 said.
"I'm sorry to complain but, if you have a dog fee and require your guests to pick up their dog poop, why is there so much dog poop all around your resort? It is everywhere. I'm sorry. I'm really not a complainer.'
I replied, "No! Th

at is goose poop! I'm sorry! Isn't it horrible! Believe me if it was dog poop that would be a totally different story, but it is those dang geese making a mess. I'm sorry! Just watch where you step!"

... and while I knew there was goose poop from those d*** geese I ventured out to assest the situation. There was poop near and far. Splattered on the docks, the boat landing, everywhere! It took my mom and I close to an hour and a filling a five gallon pail before we finally got MOST of the goose poop under control.

It was gross. It was humorous. It was a.... S**** day!

... at least it was worth a good laugh or two.

And were off!

This morning:

I had to leave the resort by 8 am. No earlier. No later.
Jake was going to "attempt" to put in the pontoon lift but figured I would be too much of a sissy and worry wart to watch. He thought it would go better for him and myself if I left.
So I left.

It's raining this morning. Which is kind of a bummer seeing as I have TONS of weed whacking to do, but not much I can do against mother nature. So I ventured out to Frazee's city wide rummage sale. For being a smaller town I am often surprised at the people that come out for events like this. Downtown was packed (well granted it is only two blocks long!) and down every side street cars were lined up bumper to bumper.
I figured I would look around since I was banned at my own resort... so I wandered around for an hour or so.
I was at the last house when I looked up to see some familiar faces. I thought hard for a good second as to why they looked so familiar when then it hit me! THOSE ARE THE RESORT GUESTS THAT WILL BE CHECKING IN TODAY!
... caught off guard I pulled my hat down over my eyes and high tailed it to my car. Almost as if I was nervous of what they would think if I was shopping rather then getting their cabins ready.
... keep in mind that I had already taken care of that two days ago.
I rushed home in a frenzy to somehow make myself feel better as if I needed to be there only to sit around until check in time rolled around (5 hours later)

... Long story short. The pontoon lift still sits. Not in the water. That sucker is way too heavy even for my super strong boyfriend to put it in. (No. he did not pay me to say that!)
And the resort guests just checked in. Early! I might add. The first guests of the season.
It is always this time of year where I have to adjust to a new way of life. An exciting one. An anxious one. A familiar one.
Exciting because I get to run my business in its full swing. Full of fun, people, sun, and laughter!
Anxious because at any given moment something could happen that I am soley responsible in fixing. Whether it be a plumbing problem. An explosion of some sorts. No water. Broken motor. Leaky toilet. Or any problem at all. I am responsible. And liable. At all hours of every day until September.
Familiar because I have known this life for a good chunk of my years lived. I came here when I was young and stayed with my grandparents. I use to live in the bar eating candy and swimming on the beach. Familiar because at some point in my younger years I had this feeling that I belonged here. That of all the places I have lived and traveled I somehow knew that Minnesota... moreover... Frazee and Eagle Lake Resort were the places that I would call home. Familiar because even amongst the occasional chaos, the strangers staying in the cabins only feet from my home, and the responsibility that sits on my shoulders... I feel at home and at ease with everything that goes hand in hand with this resort life I am living.
So in honor of the kick off to resort season I hold my coffee mug up and cheers to another great summer spent at one of my favorite places on Earth....
EAGLE LAKE!

Home is Where the Heart Is.

There are a lot of things that feel like home to me.
The sound of loons on the lake.
The smell of sage.
Seeing the mountains again for the first time in months.
Being with the people I love.
Picking out new plants to bring home and take care of.
Driving down Eagle Lake and realizing that this is one of the best places I have ever been.

But more recently I am experiencing the feeling of "being home" vicariously through my sister.
She has recently graduated high school and within hours of receiving her diploma she packed up her car with all her belongings and moved to Minnesota. I felt a kindred spirit to her experience because I had done that not too long ago. Probably longer than what it feels, but I still know what this feels like.
It had worked out that for the summer one of our older cabins was going to be sitting vacant. So without hesitation I offered the cabin to her hoping that she could make it "feel like home."
It is so fun to watch her get excited about decorating her first place, or to see her excitement in picking out her first set of kitchen towels, flower pots, candles, and fresh flowers for her kitchen table.
.. I love that she is choosing to make her home here, on the lake.... I love how she is putting her whole heart into making her home hers....
She is so inspiring in so many ways. And I love being able to share her excitement with her.
Minnesota should feel very grateful and honored to now have a new member of its clan and I feel the same to be able to call Minnesota my home.
... because this is where my heart is.

Whistle While You Work....

I keep trying to tell myself to do so.
It is the beginning of the 4 month long resort season. How do I know this? The all of a sudden panic has hit. What is this you ask? It is the ongoing mental list of projects to get done that has all of a sudden past its deadline with no completion. It is the "it won't take too long to weed whack 4 acres of grass" and then the onset of the "holy bologna! I have 4 acres of grass to whack!"

... yes. This is what has happened.
With bright eyes and a caffeinated mind set out this morning to knock off at least one item of my 200 item list. Priority #1... make the resort grounds look good again. After a few hours of weed whacking, a sore arm, one blood blister, and 5 wood ticks found... I can say with a half hearted relief that I am only half way done.

Item #2 tomorrow... complete item #1 and work toward figuring out my next most important item... all while whistling of course!