Executive Decisions . . .

Well, the camping "season" is slowing down around here now and weekends are not what they used to be at the store.  We felt that it would be good for us to have some time off and get some work done at home during this "down" time, so we've decided to close on Saturdays and Sundays until November.   That's just our Abbotsford, WI store, the internet store is open for business 24/7!   It seemed like a great weight was lifted off me when we made that decision.   We've worked 7 days a week for 2-1/2 years and our house shows that we've not been able to do all we want to do.  Of course, the kids have helped us and do a lot of work, but still and all, they're kids and just don't do things the way WE do!  

Although we were "closed" today, Greg and I were both in the store getting the orders ready to go out tomorrow.   Normally I do all the weekend orders on Monday (which makes Mondays very busy), but I have to go to the doctor tomorrow morning, so we decided it would be easier to go in today and get a bunch of them done.    

The doctor's appointment is not mine, though.  We're finally going to find out what's wrong with my dad.  Remember earlier in the month he was in the hospital for a week?  Well, tomorrow, we're going to get the results of his bone marrow biopsy.  We'll be seeing the hematologist, so it seems prudent that I be there, especially considering all the things we've gone through with Greg.  Hematology is so closely related to oncology and not knowing what's up with dad, well . . . it seems the right thing to do.

To get back to the store being closed . . .  it's funny how we always took weekends for granted in the past.  It was always a given that weekends were off-days.  When you own a retail store, that's just not the case and we've worked weekends since we opened in June, 2005.   Today, I returned to the world of domesticity!    

After spending a good amount of time reading the latest Harry Potter book (I read it in 1-1/4 days), I dusted the living room (and got rid of all the cobwebs!), dusted our bedroom, which hadn't been done in too long (oh, those cobwebs are gone, too), and vacuumed our room, even though Greg vacuumed yesterday, and then to rid of all the cobwebs in the upstairs hall and stairwell!

Not only that, but I gave Maddie a BATH!   You know, there's nothing more pathetic than a German Shepherd in the tub getting bathed when she doesn't want to!   She looked so pathetic that I felt sorry for her, but that didn't stop me from washing her up good!    

Getting back to being a mom and taking care of a household . . . it's a GOOD thing!

Godspeed All!

Julie

Julie, the Goat Herder!

Busy day today!   Had an appointment in Marshfield, so Greg had to open the store.  I didn't get in there until noon, but then had to leave at 3 so I could get home to make an AWESOME spaghetti dinner for tonight!   Not only does dinner have meatballs (homemade), but also Italian sausage and, just for Greg, I added a pork hock to it!!!!  

When I left Marshfield, as I had groceries, I stopped at home first.  Of course, Rudy was out of the pen!  She's just a little escape artist and is the most "athletic" of all the goats!  As I was putting the groceries away, I let Maddie out and then went to get Rudy back in the goat pen.   She did NOT want to go back in the pen!   Most times, they're still afraid of Maddie, even though she doesn't bother them.  Well, this time, Rudy let Maddie right up next to her and even though it appeared she wanted to "butt" Maddie, she just stood there with the other goats watching from the other side of the fence.  Maddie and Rudy ended up with their noses together and turned their heads in a way that it almost looked like they were hugging!  It was SO cute!   As much of a pain in the butt they can be, it's really great to have them!  

I went to the store and got a lot of things done that I've been wanting to do -- straightening the back rooms -- so I was happy.  I came back home 3 hours later, only to find ALL FOUR goats outside their pen happily munching on our TREES!   I wouldn't mind so much if they munched on all the weeds in our yard, but to be munching on our trees is just too much!    As I pulled into the driveway, they ran towards the barn, and then I honked at them and they were standing at the door to the barn.

Course, I still have to get them in the barn and in their pen!  Minor details, right?   They started to munch on the weeds around the barn, and of course, I couldn't tell them to stop!  Anything that's going to get rid of the weeds is a good thing, right?   After 30 minutes, it was time to go in.  I finally got them in the barn so they could climb into their pen and it was time to get dinner going!  

I got dinner going and made the meatballs and fried the sausage and got the pork hock boiling, so all's good!

OYE! What a day!

What a day today was!   As usual for a Monday, it was very busy at the store.  Mondays are always busy because we have orders from Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday (and Monday until 1 p.m.) to get out on Mondays.    Three and a half days' worth of orders are a lot to get out in one day.  Fortunately, Greg is coming in earlier now, which makes it a bit easier on me.  

The day was going OK until I received a call from a customer.  Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you just can't get it right and that seems to be the case with the orders that were confused on September 4th.  I had received the waffle irons back from the first customer on Wednesday and had immediately shipped out his pie irons.  When I received the second set of waffle irons back, I shipped another set of pie irons to what I thought was the second customer.  WRONG!  I was the one that processed the pie irons and it turns out I sent them to the FIRST guy once again!  He called me today to tell me that he received another e-mail from UPS that he was to receive another package, but that he didn't think he should.  I double-checked, and sure enough, I sent them to the wrong guy!  Sheesh!       I had to have UPS intercept that package and today, shipped out the pie irons to the right customer.    I'll be really happy when all this is behind us!  

Here's a funny one . . . the other day, my 16 year old, Aaron, said something about his friends saying I have the "coolest truck in town."!!!!    :D   :D   :D   OK, so I don't necessarily need someone to tell me something I already know, it's still cool to hear from others, even if they're under 18 years old!!        I asked Aaron what he meant and he said that his friends had commented on what a great truck I have, and when one of them dropped him off at our store, even drove around to the back to show his brother my truck!   :lol:   When I asked Aaron what was so special about my truck, he said "well, you've got, like, the second biggest truck there is!"     :D    Truth be told, there are more than two trucks that are bigger than mine (only three), but I'm not going to push the issue!  I think it's pretty cool that "Mickey's Mom" has the "coolest truck in town"!    :D    :D    :D

Now on to an irritating note and I'm going to jump on my soapbox!      Erica had a volleyball game at Spencer today.  Last year, when they played at Spencer, her jersey was stolen from out of her backpack in the girls' locker room.  We had to pay $15 to replace the jersey because the school did nothing when notified of the theft.  THIS time, Erica's camera was taken out of her bag and somehow broken (the screen is broke and pictures cannot be seen or transferred to the computer).  She had her camera tucked in between her jeans and inside her bag/backpack.   When the games were done, she found her backpack messed up and the camera was at the bottom of her bag.  She told the coach, but I don't think anything will come of it.  I've already prepared a letter to the school principal with copies to the Abbotsford schools.  I'm not sure it will do any good, but I have to do something.  These girls are forced to share a locker room and locks are NOT supplied for the visiting teams.  There is supposed to be a teacher "standing guard" outside the locker room, but if this is being done by the girls on a team, what good is that?   They need to have a SECURE place to store their stuff.   At most schools, they have separate locker rooms, so everything is secure.  At Spencer, they have to share a locker room because the boys have football practice, so are using their locker rooms (that's what they use for opposing teams up here in the middle of nowhere).  We'll have to wait and see what happens.  I can only hope that they will do the right thing, but am not holding my breath!  

I didn't get done the work I had planned on today, but I should have extra time tomorrow, unless something blows up!  Until then . . .

Godspeed,

Jule

Too Funny!

The most interesting thing to happen today was at about dusk.  Maddie (our dog) started going crazy, and the geese were honking and making all kinds of noise.  I looked out the kitchen window to see a van in the driveway, but no one coming to the front door.  I checked the kitchen/garage door and no one was at that door, either.  OK, so as the van was still there and the geese were still going nuts, I put my shoes on and went outside, only to find a man being held hostage between his van and the house by the Mik Geese!      :lol:


I went out into the garage and asked if I could help him.  Well, it turns out he was one of those guys selling "meat" and said he had some extra and was selling it at cost.  I told him that my husband is a meat cutter and I'm not allowed to buy any meat.  LOL  Ok, so that's a half-truth.  Greg is a former meat cutter, and of course, I can buy anything I want!   Still, it doesn't allow for argument when someone comes to the door selling meat!  

He looked at the geese and commented on them, and I mentioned how they're better than a guard dog!   I mentioned that he should be careful, because Larry was looking like he was going to attack.  He told me that he's been "chased by every animal known to man" and that geese don't bother him.  Mind you, he's saying this while keeping VERY close eye on the geese!    He then VERY SLOWLY started backing up to get back into the van.   Meanwhile, his partner is sitting in the van watching all this.   I went up to the geese and told them that "it's OK" and "shushed" them and they actually listened!   You could tell from the look on the driver's face that he was amazed!   I was, too, as they NEVER listen!  LOL  At least I didn't look like a completely crazy lady!  

Anyway, that's our funny story for the day!   As much of a pain in the butt the geese may be, they ARE good for some things -- especially getting rid of salesmen!!   :lol:  :D

Godspeed,

Julie

A Day to Remember . . .

Six years ago, I never thought anything like the attacks would or COULD happen in our country.  What a sad day for our country to have to remember.  So many innocent lives lost.  And for what reason?  Our American way of life has not changed.   Al Queda has not taken over the U.S. and forced all women to wear burkas and everyone to convert to radical Islam and Bin Laden is living the life of a jackal, hiding in caves like the coward he is.   I pray for the day when our soldiers find him and greet him the way they did Saddam .  . . "Greetings from President Bush!"  How awesome was that!    He is getting bold with the new videos he is releasing.   In my heart of hearts, I pray he is becoming careless and we will hear the words we have longed to hear for six long years .  .  . WE HAVE HIM!   But I digress. 

Six years ago, I was still working for a lawyer in Hales Corners.  I was driving to work when I heard on the radio that the top floors of one of the trade towers was on fire.  At that point, they (the radio DJ's) didn't know it was from an airplane that crashed into the first tower.  Shortly after getting to work, we heard it was an airplane, and then of course, the world watched in horror as the second plane hit.  Not much work got done that day, as I spent most of it watching the TV in the office downstairs and listening to updates on the radio.    I couldn't wait to get home and hug my husband and children.

Aaron was in 5th grade at the time and came home with a note from school.  The school decided to NOT tell anyone but the 5th graders what had happened, leaving it up to parents to tell their kids.  Of course, it was difficult for them to understand.  Abby was just a baby, at 4 years old, so she doesn't remember any of that day.  Erica doesn't remember much, as she was only 7, but I remember sitting down with her and talking with her and trying to answer questions like:  "Mommy, why do people want to kill us."   I didn't have the answer then, and I don't have the answer now. 

The unending news coverage was difficult to watch, but something that we couldn't turn away from.   The patriotism and togetherness that our country displayed back then was incredible.  The number of flags flown made me proud.   I wish we had that same sense of patriotism and togetherness now that we did then.  We need to find a way to bring this country back together and have everyone working together towards a common goal.  Peace in the world would be wonderful, but I lost my rose-colored glasses a long time ago, so I doubt that's ever going to happen. 

What I do know is that:

• We are blessed to live in the most fabulous country in the world where damned near anything is possible!
• We have the greatest men and women in our armed services (including my nephews), who are willing to lay down their lives for us to be able to continue our way of life and gives us the opportunity to do the things we do.  
• I am blessed to have three wonderful, beautiful children, especially when it was doubtful we'd have more than one!  
• I am blessed to have a husband who has gone to hell and back with his health.  We were taught humility and how to ask for help and to learn what it really means to be scared and to put the utmost faith in another human being (the doctors) and praying that God has given them the knowledge and compassion needed to pull us all through the darkest days.
• I am blessed to be able to live in the "middle of nowhere" with my family close by, and of course the dog, cats, chickens, geese & goats!  What a treat it is to have all of them surrounding me!
• I am blessed to have wonderful, caring friends who will go out of their way to help when asked, and especially when not asked!
• I am blessed to have the opportunity to travel this fabulous and gorgeous country of ours in the various campers we've had over the years and
• I am blessed to be living the American dream of owning our own business with all the trials and tribulations that entails.

I'm sure there's more, but I must say this . . . I know I am very blessed and thank God every day for all the blessings He has bestowed on us.

I hope anyone reading this can take a moment to step back and think about all the things in their lives that make them truly blessed -- the good and the bad, because truly, as one who has had to deal not once, but twice, with the demon of cancer (Greg's) and the trip to hell and back with his bone marrow transplant, I can tell you, we are truly blessed to have made it through and be where we are today. 

Godspeed,

Julie

Frustrating!

Mondays are always busy for me as I have to pack up all the weekend orders, so I have basically three days worth to get out in one day.  I do some of the work on Saturday and Sunday, but still, Mondays are busy, busy, busy.   The day started out fine and I was in a good mood.  

I received an e-mail from a customer .  .  . they ordered two round pie irons and received two waffle irons instead.  Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal, but this happened last Monday, when I had to leave to go to school with Abby and then run to the hospital to take care of my dad.    I left Greg in charge of packing up a bunch of orders.  This was one of those he packed.  Now, again, that wouldn't be a big deal, but this was the SECOND order that he did that on!   I was so ticked!    I e-mailed the customer back and apologized and sent a UPS label for the waffle irons to be returned and I'll ship two pie irons to him.  I only hope that this wasn't a case of someone ordering waffle irons and getting pie irons!    

Normally, I do ALL the shipping.  The kids have helped me on busy days, but they're mostly gophers when they help (which is a BIG help, even if they don't understand or realize it).  Knowing that the very busy holiday season is not far off and I'm going to need help getting orders out, Greg is going to come in early a couple days a week so I can go over all the shipping details with him.  We really need to be able to work together as a cohesive unit to get the orders out, not just in the coming holiday months, but always.  

I wasn't able to leave the store until after 4 p.m., and Abby was already home by that point.  I ran home, made a salad and got some other quick computer work done, then ran back into town for Erica's volleyball game.  Unfortunately they lost two out of three games, but not because of Erica!    There's three girls on the team who are really good, and I'm proud to say my daughter's one of them!  Last year was her first year playing volleyball and she was one of only TWO players who could serve the ball (overhanded) over the net!  She's still one of the best servers on the team!  She's also starting setter!   Seems my lovely Erica has found her "sport" for high school!   I'm so proud of her and can't wait to go to her games!  I took some pics today, and I'll try to post them with this entry, probably tomorrow.  

Well, my pizza's done and it's late, so I'm going to go eat!    Have a great night, all!  I'm sure tomorrow will be a better day!  

Godspeed,

Julie

Our Anniversary

Today's our 18th Wedding Anniversary!   Happy Anniversary, Greg!   We didn't do anything special though, because Greg had to work at County Market from 8-4.  I had to go and open our store at noon, so it was just like any other "normal" day.

Aaron and Abby went fishing down at Dorchester Park, but gave up after two hours.  Erica stayed home and I'm sure spent most of the time talking on the phone to her girlfriends!  

While I was at the store, someone walking through the mall noticed something on the ground by our doorway.  She brought it in to me . . . it was a little baby turtle!!!!   She didn't know what to do with it, so I took it and placed it in a small box with some grass and weeds and a little, shallow dish of water.  The turtle was smaller than a 50 cent piece and still had sand on its back, I'm assuming from wherever it hatched!   After I picked Greg up, we stopped near a pond on our way home and let the little guy go.  Hopefully he makes it!  

The weather has started to cool off and the days are now pleasantly warm and the nights slightly chilly.  It makes for great sleeping weather, though!  It's nice to have this time without any heat or air conditioning!  Soon enough, the trees will start turning and before we know it, Halloween will be here!   Let's not rush things, though.  September is one of my favorite months!  

Hope all had a great day!  

Julie

September 8 -- Back to Normal?

Today was a relatively normal day in the Mik household.  Maddie (our 90 lb. German Shepherd) jumped in our bed and woke me up early!  She normally only jumps into our bed at night, but I was too tired to think about it and fell right back asleep.  

Normally, I'm up at 7 a.m., but I forgot to set my clock.  Abby came in at about 7:45 a.m. to ask if she could go to the barn (the neighbor's across the street).  I didn't realize how late it was, so as I was starting to jump out of bed, I almost stepped on the dumb dog who had gotten out of our bed and was laying on the floor on my side!  She NEVER does that, either.  Needless to say, I let her out as soon as I was able to stumble downstairs!  

Most of the day was filled with trying to get things on our forum working properly.  Apparently, some little gremlins got into it overnight and caused all kinds of problems!  Of course, this was just after I had sent an e-mail to all our members telling them all about our new forum and inviting them to check it out!          

We had planned on having a beef rump roast on the rotisserie for dinner (my parents gave us their old rotisserie -- about 40 years old -- and it's worked fabulously for two years), but after about 15 minutes, the plug on the rotisserie died!   I was in the middle of making chocolate chip cookies when that happened, so I had to finish the cookies before getting the roast in the oven as we wanted to cook it nice and low so we'd have a beautiful medium-rare roast.  We'll have to see how that turns out!   I tried making sliced potatoes with seasoning salt, onions and cheese in a foil packet and that's cooking outside on the propane stove (we have a Camp Chef grill box for it).  The green beans that I froze a week ago are in another foil packet with honey and orange marmalade.  I'll be adding some cashews to that once they're done.  Should be REALLY good!    

I'll have to call Farberware on Monday to see if we can get a new plug for the ancient rotisserie.  Keeping my fingers crossed on that one!  

Dad's feeling better and comfortably watching the race on TV at home, so things appear to be pretty much back to normal in the Mik Household today!        

Julie

Dad's Coming Home

Dad was finally released from the hospital today!   It was a long day of waiting, but we knew as early as 8 a.m. that he'd be going home.   What a relief for mom.  It's over 35 miles of country roads for her to get to the hospital and driving back and forth was starting to take its toll on her.  Even though it was a shorter distance for me, it was still difficult to find the time to get there.  

The only thing we know for sure right now is that dad has GOUT.   His knee was so painful that he was asking for pain pills.  The doctors looked at it and because of how swollen it was, and other symptoms, they brought in a rheumatologist.   He took some fluid from dad's knee and ankle and looked at it under the microscope, and sure enough, it was gout.   It turns out the flare-up of gout could have been what was causing his fevers!  

On Thursday (9-6-07), dad had a bone marrow biopsy.  Can you say OUCH!!!!!!!!!   He had to have that done because he needs a "complete hematological workup" to find out what's going on with his blood and why the levels keep dropping they way they do.  Unfortunately, I know way too much about blood diseases than most folks, and I wish I didn't.  For those that don't know, Greg (my husband) had a bone marrow transplant on April 12, 2000.  Because all your blood is formed in your bone marrow, doing the biopsy will tell the docs what is going on with dad's blood.  

On Tuesday, I had to run to the hospital because there were a lot of issues with my dad, and I had to run to Abby's school for "meet and greet" for the first day of school.  I was hoping that we wouldn't have any errors with all the on-line orders we had for the weekend, but alas, we've discovered one.  

A customer ordered two round pie irons, and somehow he was shipped two waffle irons.  If that's the only mistake made that day, we're doing pretty good!   We've actually only made that kind of mistake a few times in the 2-1/2 years we've been open.   He was very pleasant to deal with and is sending the waffle irons back to us (at our expense) and we'll send him the pie irons he really wants.  

Julie

September 1 . . . what will it bring?

I've posted on a couple forums that things are not going well in the Mik Household.  My dad is in the hospital, yet again, with heart and other problems.   I'm waiting to hear from the nurse as to when the colonoscopy is going to be done so that I can leave the store and go to be with mom at the hospital.  For dad, this isn't a routine procedure, because he's on blood thinners and Plavix, which stops the blood from clotting.  He couldn't have the test done months ago when they wanted to do it, because the risk of heart attack from having to be off the Plavix for a week or longer was too great.  Now, with his internal bleeding, they don't have a choice.  

Please keep us in your prayers.

Julie