Winds of Change

About two a.m. this morning this little town was a rockin'...but it wasn't with music!! It was a horrific storm once again pounding the crap out of us. The rain was just coming down in sheets and as I was watching out the front door, I really couldn't make out the images across the street. The ditches were overflowing and we have deep ditches directly in front of the house. Tornado warnings were being issued in the counties to the west of us...I was listening to the weather coverage as the boyz were all sound asleep. I am the one terrified of storms. Glad we're ok...too bad the tree branch isn't...apparently it was downed in the high winds.

Austin on television

The pictures of Austin's lunker brown were submitted to the local CBS affiliate out of Springfield. On June 26th they featured his photos and brief story about it on KOLR 10 This Morning Show. We hope that all of this 'fame' doesn't go to his head due to him being a 'celebrity' now!!

Oh, an update on the brown trout...it was taken to a local taxidermist and will be back to us after the New Year. It will cost a total of $205. I about croaked but Chris reassured me this was actually inexpensive compared to others. I guess I better learn to appreciate a dead fish hanging on my wall.....hmmmm.

Just an update.....

I just hopped on this blog and realized I hadn't posted anything for eleven days. Lazy, I guess...that's my only excuse! Maybe it's because I have been so busy, trying to cram so much into my day.

Not much has happened in our little corner but there are a few things to note: Two new girls were hired where I work. Thus, providing me with new hours and WEEKENDS off. YEAH!!!! I have worked nearly every Saturday for three years. I am so excited and blessed to have been given a new schedule. This Huggler family is ready to start making plans!

Chris left work early on Thursday (6-19-08) just as a tornado touched down in Springfield, not very far from his place of employment. It destroyed the roof on the Furniture Row shopping center. Sofa Mart was hit the worst, the pictures on television were devastating. I'm thankful he made it home safely, in one piece!

I have taken the huge step (again) to start losing this weight that I have been carrying. I started 10 days ago, eating lots and lots of fruits and veges, drinking plenty of water and in stepping on the scale this morning, I have lost 6.2 pounds...I am on my way! Chris has lost four! Austin is doing great, since school let out a month ago, he has lost 20 pounds!!! I am sooooo proud of him, great job, Austin!!

Losing weight is so hard, I have fought the scale all of my life. When we first moved to Bridgeport, I remember how overweight and self conscience I was. I also remember exercising an hour each morning and an hour before bedtime and dropped 56 pounds the summer between my sophomore and junior year of high school. I continued that exercise regime until Austin was born, I am not sure why I ever quit but that is definitely a regret!! Now, my mind is set and I am bound determined not to be this round when I attend Stephanie Renee's graduation next May. So, in saying that, please pray that I (we) have the strength to continue on this path to better health! I'll keep you posted on all of our weight loss.

O.k., So there you have it...just a quick update on what has been happening here at the Huggler homestead. Until next time....

Homemade EGGS

Tonight as I was in deep conversation with my best friend, Robin from Nebraska, she mentioned the blog. She then hopped on it and checked out the video of our Rockaway Beach weekend. Laughing together over the phone, it was just like we were in the same room!! Mentioning that Lisa was the one who got me started on this blogging obsession,I suggested she check out their blogspot...next thing you know, Robin is on Lisa's family blog.

During our conversation about Bryon & Lisa's farm, pond and gardens, it then turned to all the pictures of her chickens. I was then trying to explain to Robin that those chickens were babied by Lisa for WEEKS and she was taking pictures to eventually put in a scrapbook. She then asked me WHY Lisa wanted all these chickens...I told her that they were a very "green" family. I explained how they recycle, compost, garden, hang clothes on the line, use cloth shopping bags, etc. Then I so nonchalantly informed Robin that Lisa had all those chickens so she could have HOMEMADE eggs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laughter erupted and now I have another DSA (dumb shit attack) that Robin will NOT let me forget!!!LOL!!!LOL!!!

Nice Bass

The boys came home a few minutes ago with this picture of Chris and the bass he just caught out of Ikerd's pond, not far from our house. Oh, the fishing stories we DO tell!!!

Camping at Rockaway Beach on Taneycomo

As most of you know, I am NOT, NOT, NOT an outdoor - camping - deal with the critters - kinda girl. I have so much to say about this camping trip to Rockaway Beach but first I should tell you how this all came about. Well, we have this really persistent friend named Bryon...he wouldn't take "no" for an answer. We have some pretty comical emails between the two of us about why I shouldn't go and why he thought I should go.

When in my childhood, my parents often took us camping. I absolutely hated it, every single part of it. My dad would lose his patience and the tent NEVER went together right thus leading to the string of obscenities echoing throughout the campground. Then there was eating the catch of the day and cleaning up the mess, the way my parents camped, washing your hands meant taking water & pouring it over your hands without any trace of soap. Then there was always the weather as a factor. One time the thunderstorms were so strong, we were chasing a tent. That same tent ended up flooded the next morning because Jeff and I touched the inside of the tent not knowing this would cause it to leak...camping sucked.

So, back to Bryon. We were at their house over the Memorial Day weekend and the kids fished, some of the adults too. We ate and sat around laughing and swapping stories. Bryon asked me if I enjoyed the day outside by the pond. I said it was good and relaxing. He said "Ya know, it's just like camping and I pamper my wife when we camp, you would like it too". I finally, FINALLY was worn down...he won, I was going camping. Not whole heartedly I might add.

Chris, the boys and I headed to the nearest "gettin' place" as Chris calls it and bought a new tent, air mattresses, all the "things" we thought we needed to camp. I was definitely going into this clueless as I have blocked most of this from childhood...ha..ha..We left after I got off work Friday night and met the Medley Family at Rockaway Beach on Taneycomo near Branson. Bryon was disappointed as this was the only spot he could find. This just happened to be free fishing day in Missouri, so all the parks were booked solid. After everything was all set up, we sat down and just talked for a while. We had some pretty wild neighbors that kept us up but with all of the crap they did, it sure didn't hinder our fun.

Saturday morning dawned and I was greeted with the most beautiful photo op of the fog lifting off the lake. I felt at peace and just sent up a prayer of thanksgiving for such a beautiful start to a great day. This was also Bryon's 40th birthday!! He rented a pontoon boat and the boyz took us girls to Branson Landing about a 10 minute ride via boat, so we could shop while they fished. When arrived at the boat dock, Aaron was holding up his little rainbow trout, shouting he was the only one who caught a fish. Lisa and I didn't realize the secret they were keeping. Once the cooler was flipped open, it revealed the fine brown trout that Austin landed. I was impressed!! I don't like to fish but I knew in my heart of hearts, this was something spectacular!!! It will be mounted!

Supper was delicious, Bryon is an excellent grill chef! We ate like it was our last meal and then complained we felt as fat as a tick. I had seen a video on YouTube where you take a package of mentos and drop them into Diet Coke, it then erupts. We tried it, oh it was great. We are like the dorkiest family, it is the stupid, little things that amuse and entertain us.

So Bryon, I must admit I felt relaxed, comfortable, and pampered! I never thought in MY lifetime I would admit that about a camping adventure...now, I am looking forward to the next one, there will be a next one, won't there?

P.S. I sure liked the air conditioning, running water and soap in the camper....

Beautiful Morning

Huggler Pics 007, originally uploaded by tammyhuggler.

We awoke about 6 a.m. Saturday morning as the guys were anxious to get down to the water to fish. This was taken just a few minutes after I emerged from the tent, we were this close to the water and the view was incredible! This is definitely God's work!!

Rockaway Beach

Huggler Pics 008, originally uploaded by tammyhuggler.

This is what we were greeted with as we awoke Saturday morning...the fog lifting off the water was amazing!

FISH ON ICE

Huggler Pics 026, originally uploaded by tammyhuggler.

When Lisa and Tammy were picked up at the Branson Landing by the guys, Aaron showed us his little rainbow trout. He said he was the only one who caught a fish...then we got on the boat and they flipped open the cooler. This is the brown trout that Austin caught! On the way back to the campsite, Bryon asked Chris for a beer. Chris handed it to him, without wiping it off first, Bryon opened it, took a drink and announced it tasted kinda FISHY!!!

Aaron's Rainbow Trout

Huggler Pics 033, originally uploaded by tammyhuggler.

This is the rainbow trout that Aaron caught during the Rockaway Beach Weekend from the pontoon boat!! It was one of which that was eaten at supper.

AUSTIN'S LUNKER BROWN

Huggler Pics 034, originally uploaded by tammyhuggler.

This is the 7 pound, 24 inch brown trout that Austin landed at Rockaway Beach on Saturday, June 7th. They were fishing off a pontoon boat between Rockaway Beach and Branson Landing. The Dept of Conservation Water Patrol just happened upon them and Bryon asked them if they had a net. They happily shared the net and secured the boat so they guys could concentrate on getting the fish on board!! One of the men commented that Austin was now spoiled....we all agree!!! The fish was frozen at the campsite and brought home as this trophy will be mounted!

Rockaway Beach Weekend

Speeding Ticket = Poison Ivy

CONWAY, MISSOURI: A speeding ticket has resulted in poison ivy according to a relative of the itching boy. According to his mother, Austin was headed on an errand to the market to get an all important onion for supper last Monday evening when he was pulled over for speeding. According to the Officer, he was clocked 51 in a 35. This then resulted in a string of misfortunes for this young man. His mother received a call at her residence by the Officer. It seems that this young driver was a bit nervous from worry, perhaps a bit shaken by fear which threw him into an asthma attack. Therefore sending his Dad, along with friend Bryon, rushing down to the scene and delivering a much needed medical device (inhaler).

After the ticket was issued the young driver entered the store to purchase the onion. He then cautiously perched himself back into the driver's seat, headed towards home (two whole blocks away!!) only to be interrogated by his mother and guests gathered around the kitchen table. He was extremely quiet and barely ate his holiday meal, according to eye witness reports.

It was then decided that in the morning, at the crack of dawn, that this young man would venture out and seek employment. He did so by filling out applications, talking to friends and getting leads anywhere that could possibly lead to cash opportunities. No such luck BUT he knew that time was of the essence. Therefore, this young man started taking on odd jobs. First by mowing lawn after lawn. He also started on a yard "clean up" that unfortunately resulted in poison ivy up and down both arms. According to his mother, he has about itched himself insane. Ivy Dry, Calamine and Ivarest have been administered upon this poor fella. So far, the poison ivy hasn't seemed to slow his job hunting down, he and a couple others have started hauling scrap metal, copper, etc. to the recycling center in the next town over. He has managed to earn enough to pay his fine and court costs which are due in July.

We hope this young driver has learned a valuable lesson in all of this...one thing is for sure; speeding tickets can result in unpleasant circumstances, in more ways than one!!

Another Turtle

Austin found this turtle in the yard and brought it in to show us. Aaron sat down in the yard with it but that little turtle didn't have plans to stick around. He proved that turtles can be speedy...he was flat motivating!! Aaron picked him up and we laughed because this picture looked as if he was gonna eat a "turtle burger"!!