Update - this is a long one!

Life’s been a rollercoaster. After 16 days of my 20 sit-ups and push-ups challenge, I felt dizzy and couldn’t stand. I had my iron levels checked. Since my symptoms matched my 2017-ongoing Iron Deficiency Anemia, I was right—my iron levels were low again! Here are the healthy ranges and my recent results.

• Hemoglobin should be 13.5 - 17.5 g/dL - I am 10.3 or 76% of the minimum
• Ferritin should be 26-388 ng/ml - I am 13 or 50% of the minimum
• Iron should be 35-180 ug/dl - I am 18 or 51% of the minimum
• Iron Saturation Index should be 20-55% - I am 5% or 25% of the minimum
• MCH should be 26.0 - 34.0 pg - I am 20.4 or 78% of the minimum
• MCHC should be 32.0 - 36.0 g/dL - I am 26.9 or 84% of the minimum
• MCV should be 80 - 100 fL - I am 62 or 78% of the minimum

It's time to reconsider infusions again. In the past, the affordable option of Venofer was used, but it didn't significantly raise total iron and ferritin. It led me to:

• Hemoglobin to 13.6 g/dL - Only 0.1 g/dL above the recomended 13.5-17.5
• Ferritin to 16 ng/ml - 10 ng/ml below the minimum recommended 26 ng/ml
• Iron Saturation index to 8% - 12% below the minimum recommended 20%
• Iron to 30 ug/dl - 5 ug/dl below the minimum recommended 35 ug/dl

Therefore, three of the four major indicators were well below the minimum levels after the infusions! Before the Venofer, I had Injectafer iron treatments and requested them again. However, they were rejected by insurance. The post-Injectafer treatment increased my numbers.

• Hemoglobin to 16.2 g/dL - 2.7 g/dL ABOVE the recommended 13.5-17.5
• Ferritin to 164 ng/ml - 138 ng/ml ABOVE the minimum recommended 26 ng/ml
• Iron Saturation index to 24% - 4% ABOVE the minimum recommended 20%
• Iron to 53 ug/dl - 18 ug/dl ABOVE the minimum recommended 35 ug/dl

The insurance company was clear that I needed the lower-cost Venofer, but if they fail, they will review the Injctofir option. This is frustrating, considering we already have solid data showing Venofer treatment does not raise my levels above the minimums. So I am going to start the Venofer treatments, and my Primary Physician is sending me to a Hematologist for a full review, which will increase insurance costs. Are insurers only looking at immediate costs and not long-term expenses and health impacts?

Despite the issues, I have managed to complete some solid bicycle rides. It's clear from my riding that I've increased my strength or lost weight (or both). I'm using the battery less during my rides than I did in 2024.

As I mentioned in a previous post, we managed to relocate Shelley’s dad. Visiting him is very depressing because he can't do 80 percent of basic activities without assistance. He didn’t realize that if he had stayed in Lincoln, he would have had to move into a dark, dingy facility with few amenities. Finding Suite Living was a blessing because it’s open to the outdoors, making it a much more pleasant place to live. When the nurse asked where he wanted to go, he quietly and sadly said, “Home.” That was difficult for Shelley to hear, especially knowing he doesn’t understand the impact he has had on her.

On Sunday, we decided to visit Powderhorn Park for the art festival. It was quite eye-opening compared to previous years. This might sound negative and judgmental, but it’s just an observation. I saw many people with face tattoos and piercings, women who don't shave their legs, men who do, and even one man who had facial hair and dressed like a man on the right side, but on the left, he was made up like a glam girl. Some call it self-expression, but I see it as a sign of low self-esteem and a desire to stand out, even if that means being odd. While they have the right to do that, it’s not my ideal environment, and I would choose to skip it in the future.  

After visiting Powderhorn Park, we attended the Slavic Festival. It was small but enjoyable. I’m glad I attended, but I’m not sure I would attend again. Great experience, but no need to repeat.

I have been torn between upgrading my camera lens for sports and wildlife photography. I have been looking at the Nikon 180-600 f5.6-6.3, priced at $2,049. While it would be a nice upgrade for Shelley’s grandkids and sports, I’m not sure it’s the best option at that cost. I still have my Tamron lens for the Nikon D850 (the camera died, and I now have the Nikon Z 7II), and I could use the adapter. The issue is that I dropped it, and the autofocus no longer works. I may try to see if I can manually focus for my purposes.

Until next time, Carry on my friends, carry on!

Hard few days!

On Monday morning, July 14, Shelley and I woke up at 5:30 AM and prepared for our upcoming short trip. This trip isn't a vacation; we're moving Shelley’s father from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Rosemount, Minnesota. His age and declining health have become a concern, and it’s time for him to be closer to Shelley. Caring for him 400 miles away has been a significant burden. Over the past six weeks, she has made four 7-hour drives to Lincoln to handle various issues. She also spent a lot of time on the phone managing problems related to hearing aids (one was damaged in the wash), feet, teeth, and other concerns.

The drive to Lincoln was smooth. Traffic was light, and I drove for the first five hours. Shelley finished the last 80 miles, while I attended to some emails. While doing so, I remembered a time less than 20 years ago when we couldn't handle important tasks remotely. Now, we can manage items that don't require personal attention from anywhere. Unfortunately, dealing with an ailing parent's affairs requires individual care. 

Before arriving, we got a frightening phone call saying they suspected an issue with his legs. They planned to send a mobile ultrasound to check for clots! If there were clots, we couldn't bring him back; we would still need to pack up the truck and go back.

We arrived early at 1:15 PM, had a light lunch, relaxed briefly, and coordinated where to park the truck for loading before heading to pick up the rental truck. At 1:50 p.m., we went to get the truck from Budget Rental. When we reached the rental agency, we were disappointed to find they didn't have 12-foot trucks. We didn't need a 12-foot truck, but that was the smallest vehicle they had, and we would fill about 40% of it. Instead, they gave us a 16-foot truck at the same price. The downside was that the gas mileage would be significantly worse, and the driver would incur additional costs. But there was nothing we could do about that, so we headed over to her dad's to pack. 

At 2:35 p.m., we arrived at Legacy Terrace and began packing. Shelley arranged for truck loading help to arrive at 4:00 p.m. A 71-year-old man came to help, so we started loading. By 3:45 p.m., the truck was full, but the younger people who were supposed to help were idle. While packing and loading, the ultrasound technician confirmed that there were no clots, which was a considerable relief. His sister, Margaret, and her husband, Tom, as well as others, confirmed that he had regular visitors all week. He appeared tired.

An underutilized truck!

It was around 5:45 p.m. when Shelley called her friend Meg, with whom we were staying that evening, to update her on the situation. Meg suggested we meet for dinner, and Shelley recommended a place called Honest Abe's, a burger joint that Shelley had enjoyed many times with her father. Meg's husband, Ron, had gone golfing and couldn't come back in time.

I know Shelley really enjoyed the meal, which brought back memories of the times she and Jon ate there. It was beneficial for her during this challenging period. I thought the burgers were average, but it was nice to see Shelley reminisce. This might be one of the last times she spends a lot of time with her friend Meg, since she doesn't have many reasons to return to Lincoln often. We arrived at Meg's house around 7:45 p.m. and spent about an hour talking with Ron and Meg before going to bed. Unfortunately, I didn't sleep well at all. I stayed up a few extra hours to do some cleanup on the computer. It was nearly 11:00 p.m. before I could finally fall asleep.

I woke up at 5:30 a.m. and let Shelley sleep for at least another hour. She got up around 6:45 a.m., and we packed up and prepared to leave. We went upstairs to talk with Ron and Meg for about 20 minutes while Shelley had some breakfast. Then, we headed to Legacy to pick up the final items and Jon. We arrived at Legacy Terrace at 7:55 a.m., and Jon was sitting at breakfast. We quickly packed all the remaining items and loaded them into the truck. Around 8:30 a.m., Jon finished breakfast, and we got him ready for the trip. He went to the bathroom, and hopefully that wouldn’t be an issue for the rest of the way. We managed to hit the road around 8:55 a.m. However, I had to make a quick stop after about four miles because I realized I hadn't closed the back of the moving truck. Luckily, nothing came loose.

The first 20 miles weren’t bad. I was able to drive at or just above the speed limit, which made me happy because I wanted to make good time. Unfortunately, once the rental truck warmed up, the air conditioning stopped working. It was going to be a day with temperatures in the mid-to-high 90s, and the drive back to Minneapolis wouldn’t be comfortable. After about two hours, we made our first stop. Jon was quite stiff, and it was hard to get him into the bathroom and back into the car. He was really stiff!

Well, even though this was tough, at least we made it a third of the way. We knew we had to stop to refuel before the next planned stop. We kept driving and managed to get through Des Moines without any problems, choosing to skip the second of the three scheduled stops by stopping for gas. I was surprised that the truck had already used $60 worth of gas. Shelley and Jon had a quick lunch before we got back on the highway. There was one rest stop between stops two and three, and we figured if we could make it there, we could reach the finish line without much trouble.

We arrived at Suite Living around 4:45 PM and quickly unloaded without disturbing the residents’ dinner. Sheila and Terry arrived, helping us finish by 5:15 PM. Sheila kept Jon occupied while Terry and I unloaded, and Shelley made the room habitable without unpacking. We need to unpack tomorrow, but Jon couldn’t stay because he had to arrive before 11:00 AM for check-ins and evaluations. At 6:15 PM, we got my car and parked the truck at the house. Then, we went to Northfield, Minnesota, for the hotel.

This was a chaotic situation, especially when I was about 5 miles from home. I realized I had forgotten to pick up some items that had been delivered to the front porch. It wasn’t something we could leave there, so I turned around to get it while Shelley kept going. I had to use the app while driving—a pretty foolish idea—to order sandwiches from Jersey Mike's. I figured if Shelley stopped at Jersey Mike's. I just thought if Shelley stopped at Jersey Mike's, grabbed the sandwiches, and then headed to the hotel to check in, I might arrive just as she was ready to unload Jon.

That ended up being true, just as I was pulling into the Americinn in Northfield, MN, just as she was checking in and parking the car. We quickly got Jon out of the car and into the hotel room. He was exhausted! This is a tough drive for someone his age or a challenging ride. We quickly got him ready for dinner, but I decided to take a quick dip in the pool to cool off. After riding in that truck for 7 1/2 hours with no air conditioning and 95° heat, it was much needed. But we're both tired. It was about 9:45 before we finally went to bed. John had woken up about every 2 1/2 hours, needing to use the bathroom. The first time, Shelley did not need my assistance; the second time, she required help with the CPAP machine; and the third time, she needed help with John.

I woke up at 5:15 AM and went to the lobby to let Shelley sleep. At 6:15 AM, I grabbed a late breakfast and then returned to the room at 6:30 AM. Shelley and Jon were still sleeping, so I relaxed until about 7:15 AM when they both woke up. We got Jon ready for the day while I loaded the car. It was raining heavily, making it hard to load the car without getting completely wet. We timed it as best we could; we went down for breakfast around 9 AM, and around 9:45 AM, when there was a break in the rain, we tried to load him into the car. It was challenging at that time because Jon had been completely worn out from all the visitors the previous week and the drive.

We arrived at Suite Living by 10:05 AM. While Jon was checking in, we quickly unpacked some items and set up his room. We unpacked until about 11:00 AM, when I went to the store to pick up some supplies and tools from home. When I returned, I installed a second hanging bar and realized we needed to buy a toilet seat for his riser because the existing toilet could not be retrofitted.

Shelley and I went to Menards at 1 PM to pick up the toilet seat and other small items. Jon had taken a well-deserved break, so it was a perfect time for us to go. When we returned, I quickly installed the toilet seat and riser, just in time as I was fishing. Jon woke up and said he had to go to the bathroom.

Jon is out cold!

Shelley and I were both exhausted, and it was getting late. It was about 5 o'clock when I decided to head home. Shelley would come around 6 PM, and we made a late dinner of leftovers before we both planned to go to bed early.

I was in bed by 8 PM and fell asleep by 9:15 PM. I don't know what time Shelley went to bed. I had to get up at 6:30 AM for an appointment to get my car fixed, or at least the oil changed, at 7 AM. I'm not sure why, but despite all the activity, I couldn't make a later appointment. However, I did manage to make one, especially since the rest of the day was quite busy with Shelley's appointments and our need to return the truck at 10 AM.

When I returned, Shelley mentioned that the lawn needed mowing! She also said the garbage can needed cleaning. So, we returned the truck, and I went home to do the chores while she went to her meeting. She came back around 3 PM, which surprised me because she was meeting her friends in Golden Valley at 5 PM. I told her that traffic would be terrible, and I thought she’d stay north of the metro to go straight to the restaurant. She said she needed to go to Trader Joe's, so she went. She left home around 4 o'clock to make the usual 30-minute trip to the dinner spot where she was meeting Data and Lana. I called her at 5:10 and asked how things were going. She said, "Oh my God, it's so terrible, and the traffic was bad." I expected she’d probably get there very late.

Carry on my friends, Carry on!

Day 5 and then head home

I woke up at 4:45 AM and rested in the living room. Shelley and five children woke up at 7:30 AM, clearly exhausted from the busy past few days.

At 11:00 AM, they reserved two jet skis. After breakfast, we headed to the beach. I bought essentials, including ice, from the store. Back at the beach, I took photos while we relaxed. At 1:30 PM, we returned to the cabin for a snack and to unwind.

Since Shelley had a bunch of Grammy games planned for the week, only four were done that afternoon. By the time evening rolled around, we whipped up some fajitas super fast and then got ready for bed.

All the adults gathered around the fire, as it was our final evening together. As it had been most of the week, the wood was wet, and the fire was very smoky. We did our best to sit where the smoke wouldn’t bother us, but it didn’t matter where I moved—the smoke seemed to come right at me. It was such a bummer, but again, the conversation was good.

The next morning, I woke up at 5:45 a.m. and slowly began packing and making breakfast. Today, breakfast consisted of leftovers, including bacon, sausage, eggs, yogurt, watermelon, berries, and bread.

We packed right after breakfast, and by 9:30 a.m., the car was full and I was ready to leave. Everyone except Shelley decided to go for a walk to burn off some of the kids' energy before leaving. It was around 10:30 a.m. when they headed back to Minneapolis. I called Shelley to ask where she was, and she said she was in the middle of Brainerd, Minnesota. I wondered why she was there, and she explained that GPS had led her that way. It turned out she had entered Maple Grove Township, located on the west side of Brainerd, and then became lost entirely.

I guided her to the correct road to Maple Grove, Minnesota, where she was meeting Allison at a Chipotle. She had two grandchildren with her, and they needed to reach the airport by 1:30 p.m. If I hadn't called her and spoken with her, she probably wouldn't have arrived on time. It was very stressful. She arrived at the Maple Grove Chipotle about 20 minutes later than planned. That was a relief.

They arrived at the airport on time, and their flight home was smooth. Leslie picked up a large mirror from our house and left town by 2:30 p.m. They planned to stop in Des Moines, Iowa, and stay in a hotel to make the trip back to Fayetteville easier. I unloaded the car, unpacked boxes, and mowed the lawn before Shelley got home. Exhausted, we both went to bed early. We’ll rest for two days before moving her ailing father to Minnesota in Nebraska. The past two weeks have been packed and tiring.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Day 4 - Boat

I woke up at 4:30 a.m. and couldn’t fall back asleep. I read in the cabin’s living room until 6 a.m. when Leslie woke up. Around 6:30 a.m., I heard Shelley waking up, but didn’t enter the kitchen until 7 a.m. She prepared breakfast while I returned to the bedroom and slept for another 45 minutes.

Oh no, I was jolted awake when Shelley let out a shout of disappointment about burning the bacon! It was a real sight—it was so black! She was fuming, tossing sausages into the frying pan. Maybe we could have used sausages instead of bacon with the pancakes?

I tried helping her make pancakes, but she was upset about the size of them. I suggested cutting them smaller, which only made her angrier. I told her she could make them herself and stopped helping. No matter what I did, she insisted I was doing it wrong. Her complaints were similar to her mother’s about her dad, and she disliked that behavior.

Ignoring her disappointment, I finished making all the pancakes. During breakfast, she cried, saying she couldn’t do things like she used to and was upset about the bacon.

After breakfast, we gathered everyone except Allison and Jack to go fishing. The trip went smoothly, and we didn't plan to keep any of the fish we caught. Taylor caught the biggest fish, and the group saw at least 12 fish in total. The lucky fishing rod was the kid-sized one I bought this morning, so there were three possible rod and reel setups for fishing.

While fishing, I received a call from my hematologist to schedule an appointment, based on a referral from my primary doctor. However, when I returned the call, they informed me that the earliest appointment was November 20, which is over four months away. This news was quite frustrating. Since it’s the earliest available appointment, I’ll wait. My health has declined significantly due to anemia. We’re currently exploring infusion treatments, but we need to wait for insurance approval before proceeding.

Around 12:30 p.m., after the children had finished swimming quickly, we returned to the cabin for lunch. Allison had already begun preparing macaroni and cheese, while I promptly made grilled cheese, ham, and cheese sandwiches. We also collected various leftovers, including pizza, a hamburger from the previous night, and some leftover salads. I sliced the watermelon, which the kids thoroughly enjoyed, and they consumed approximately a third of the second watermelon during this trip.

After lunch, Shelley and I hung out with Leighton, Jack, and Maeve, who were all catching some Z’s. The rest of the crew headed out on the boat for some tubing fun. The weather was just amazing, but I’d been soaking up too much sun and decided to stay put.

After a restful afternoon, we headed to Zorbas for dinner. Unlike many restaurants I knew as a teen that have since closed, Zorbas is still open. We enjoyed a bacon cheeseburger pizza, which was excellent—spending over $50 on an appetizer and a pizza for two highlights their profitability.

After Zorbas, we headed to the Chocolate Ox for the $3 ice cream night. It was the third consecutive night, and I wasn't sure if it was a good idea, but I still enjoyed it. We're all exhausted and returned to the cabin by 9:30 p.m. All the adults except me went out to the fire. I iced my ankle, got ready, and hoped to sleep well.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Day 3 - tensions rise

I couldn't sleep until 12:45 a.m. and woke up at 5:00 a.m.—this is likely to be a long day! I spent some time updating the blogs, including the field review of Fort Ripley Park.

By 7:45 a.m., everyone was awake and began preparing breakfast, which included sausage, eggs, muffins, and fruit. We finished eating at 9:15 a.m. and then started planning the day. Leslie and Allison left at 8:00 a.m. and secured a reservation for a banana boat ride at noon.

While everyone headed to the beach, I quickly ran an errand to buy paper towels, yogurt, a toothbrush, gallon-sized bags, and ice. After returning to the cabin and putting everything away, I joined them at the beach. I spent about 20 minutes pushing Leighton on the swing. Soon after, as the group was finishing up their day, I managed to take a few photos.

After returning to the cabin, everyone was exhausted and needed rest. Allison was upset with Shelley for criticizing the amount of alcohol in the fridge. Tensions among the group are increasing. I’m starting to think that having everyone together might become overwhelming. Additionally, since the boat only accommodates 12 people and I am the 13th, staying behind could help avoid potential problems, particularly since this trip has felt more like work than a vacation for me.

Taylor made his smash burger and the accompanying smash burger sauce for dinner. These are always a hit! We also served pasta salad and various side dishes, and everyone left feeling very satisfied.

At 7:15 PM, the Guillorys went to Chocolate Ox to meet their old friend Bianca and her family! I took Shelley to the North pool, and then I headed over to meet Leslie. They all, including Bianca’s family, decided to head over to North Waterpark, and it was a blast for everyone! Leslie was so happy to catch up with Bianca, and Bianca and her family had a blast riding the big waterslide.

When we returned to the cabin, we were all exhausted. However, Vera, Faye, and Maeve were still craving s’mores because they hadn’t had any chocolate that evening. Leslie, Allison, Eric, and I continued to enjoy the fire until around 10:30 PM, when we all agreed it was time to head to bed.

Carry on, my friends, carry on!

Day 2 Grandview slave week

This morning, I awoke to a beautiful sunny day, and everyone was ready by 7:30 AM. While Shelley prepared bacon and fruit, I cooked cinnamon bread French toast. Afterward, we headed to the beach. We arrived around 9:30 AM and found it surprisingly empty. However, by 11:00 AM, more people had arrived. The children were thrilled about riding the banana boat, but the reservation list was already full from noon to 3:00 PM. Despite this setback, we managed to secure reservations.

Shelley and Leslie rented two kayaks and spent a delightful time on the lake. However, the children found the water too cold and expressed a desire to visit the indoor water park. After enduring Maeve’s persistent requests for about 10 firm refusals, they eventually relented. It’s no surprise that she keeps asking repeatedly, as they often comply with her wishes. This situation was quite frustrating.

As we headed to the waterpark, I took photos and played with Leighton at the playground. Eventually, Jack became interested in the sand toys! It seems he doesn't enjoy the water.

 

At 12:30 PM, everyone went to TANQUE VERDE CANTINA for lunch. I wasn’t hungry, so I packed most of the items into the car and headed back after eating. By 1:30 PM, the younger kids and adults returned to rest. I processed images and took a nap. Shelley and I are exhausted and sore! The older children stayed for the banana boat ride.

  

Hey, everyone got back around 2:15 p.m. as a storm was rolling in! After all that waiting, they didn’t get to ride the banana boat, which was a bummer. Leslie and Allison thought it would be fun to head back to the brewery they visited the day before, since Allison had left her mug behind. The rest of us just relaxed and chilled out.

By 3:45 p.m., the storm, which had initially brought only a bit of rain, had passed, and we thought it would be fun to take the whole family to play pickleball. Most of us had a blast, but the little ones got a bit frustrated and started crying and showing some anger. So, I took a few of the younger kids aside, sat in a chair, and gently tossed them balls to help them get the hang of the swing.

At 5:30 PM, I realized it was late and hadn’t started preparing dinner. I was making bacon-wrapped, breaded chicken nuggets, which take at least an hour to prepare and cook. Consequently, dinner was served at 6:40 PM.

After dinner, the group visited Chocolate Ox to indulge in ice cream or candies. Each child could select one, but not both. This sugar reserve was intended for two Grammy Games.

Okay, so we started with a blindfold challenge! We had to tape an X on a tree without using our hands. I used my face to find the center and nailed it! Then, we built boats, and the judges first examined them; then, we tested them to see whose boat sank first. We continued until 9:15 p.m., and everyone was utterly exhausted. Even the younger dads were done by 10:15 p.m.!

Let’s see what tomorrow brings. This week seems more like busywork than a vacation, but it’s meaningful to have the whole Peterson family together. As I mentioned earlier, that only happens once a year!

Carry on my friends, carry on!

HARD DAY

I woke up bright and early at 5:30 a.m. because I was trying to sneak in some shut-eye downstairs to keep Sawyer and Deacon from waking up. Unfortunately, I got less than three hours of sleep! I used that precious early morning time to pack and get ready for the day. We had to be out the door by 10:30 a.m., and everyone was aware of it. I whipped up breakfast, which included omelets, scrambled eggs, over-easy eggs, and hash browns.

We packed everything super carefully, and while we were doing that, the police popped by to see if we had any Ring Camera footage of cars on the street between 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. We didn’t have any because my camera only records when someone enters the yard. I later found out it was because of the following:

The Apple Valley Police Department has launched an investigation after a man was found dead early Sunday morning near the intersection of Pennock Avenue and 138th Street West.

According to a press release from the Apple Valley Police Department, officers were dispatched to the area at approximately 3:12 a.m. for a welfare check on a person reported to be lying on the sidewalk. Upon arrival, officers found an adult male with a chest injury and “covered in blood.” Officers tried lifesaving measures at the scene, but the man was declared dead. His identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office will release his name and cause of death later.

Authorities are requesting residents in the area, especially those with outdoor surveillance systems, to review any footage recorded between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2025. 

At 9:00 a.m., I suggested leaving at 9:45 a.m. to take the kids to the park, reminding everyone that we needed to leave by 10:30 a.m. to attend the town ball game I wanted to see. However, that was ignored. By 10:30 a.m., they all said, “We are ready for the park!" I was upset. I had planned to leave by 10:30 for days and had told everyone. Yet, as usual, that did not matter. We went to the park, and by 11:15 a.m., we were on our way to the Park Diner in Waite Park, MN, for lunch before the game. Fortunately, I had movies on the iPad, so Deacon, Vera, and Faye were occupied at the diner, and the kids’ restlessness was not an issue.

We arrived at the diner, where I had intended to have a one-hour lunch. Being 45 minutes late, I urged everyone to speed up, and we completed our meal in 30 minutes. This allowed us to be at the ballpark by 2:00 p.m., although the game was scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.

 

We switched kids, and I ended up with Deacon, Vera, and Maeve. That was a mistake because Maeve incessantly asked every two minutes if we were there yet. I warned them that if anyone asked again, there would be no treats. I thought that would deter her, but she then asked, “How far is the game?” I refused to answer. She kept repeating “Londell” a total of 168 times until I finally yelled for her to stop. Even Deacon and Vera were annoyed by her behavior.

We arrived at the Fort Ripley Rebels ballpark at 2:00 PM to watch their game against the Buckman Billygoats. To adhere to our schedule, we had planned to depart by 2:45 PM. However, the children were thoroughly enjoying themselves and expressed a desire to extend their stay. At 3:00 PM, we told them it was time to leave and go for a watermelon snack for the trip. While eating the watermelon, they saw the playgrounds and ran off, despite us telling them to stay.

At 3:15 PM, thirty minutes past the scheduled departure time, I announced we were leaving. Maeve and Deacon were in the car, but Vera wasn’t. I left Vera with Shelley, who later called to say she needed to take her to the bathroom. I’m unsure why Shelley didn’t leave when I mentioned I’d go myself. I trusted Shelley to handle Vera.

We got to Costco at 3:05 PM, which was 35 minutes late. What was supposed to be a quick and easy trip turned into a whirlwind of chaos! The five kids each wanted their own cart and started running off in every direction. We tried to tell them no and not to run, but they didn’t listen and ran wild! It was a total time-waster, and I was super stressed about keeping the schedule on track.

To make things easier, I reached out to everyone and asked them to meet at the cabin around 4:45 PM. That way, I could unload, leave the kids with them while Shelley checked in, and try to wrap up my shopping and grab the pizza. Shelley was super clear that the kids needed to eat before 6:00 PM. I was all set to head out at 4:45 PM. Shelley arrived at 4:50 PM from check-in, and I quickly placed the perishable items in the fridge and freezer before heading out at 5:00 PM. Shelley kept reminding me to be back by 6:00 PM again.

The idea was Costco Pizza, which is only pepperoni and cheese. So I messaged if they wanted two pepperoni and one cheese, or two cheese and one pepperoni. Leslie replied, “Meatza pizza is good, veggie usually is last to go!” I reminded them that Costco only has the two types. I wonder if they even read what I sent!  

I decided to try to appease all by ordering Domino’s pizza, so they could have the variety they wanted. So, I called over ten times to see what they wanted, but no one answered. Shelley finally called me back and said she would call me back with the order. I asked her to text it to me. After five minutes, I called her again (I called seven times before she answered) and asked what they wanted. She wasn’t sure, but she told me when I asked her to text.

So here I am, standing at the Domino's order line, a few people behind me, with Shelley on the phone, not telling me what to order. After about 90 seconds, she finally starts telling me what to get. But that’s one pizza every 30 seconds. The order taker and the people behind me are watching me like I’m an idiot.

I hurried through the store, trying to get back by 6:00 PM, which I had been told many times was important. I contacted them at 5:55 PM to let them know I was on my way. Shelley said they are at the waterpark, and she will put them in the oven until they get back. I arrived back and realized I forgot the Tide pods I needed for laundry. So back in the car I went; I feel like such a sherpa on this trip! 

When I returned at 7:05 PM, the group was starting to eat pizza. I asked if Taylor could come out and use his fishing lure to get the toy off the roof. After breaking two lines and losing lures on the roof, we tried a life jacket on a rope. That failed. Finally, Leslie saw the maintenance man, used the ladder and a broom to retrieve both lures and the toy.

The rest of them proceeded to have a fire, s'mores, and play outside. I decided to write this blog post and call it a night. I hope tomorrow isn't as bad as today. I have never felt so disrespected for what I want to do, and then when I achieve the stated goals, they change their minds (eating at 6:00 PM). 

I would rather go home than have five more days of this type of activity!

Carry on, my friends, carry on!

Let the chaos begin!

 This marks the beginning of the Peterson clan's annual larger gathering at Grandview Lodge. Only once a year, since Allison moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and Leslie to Fayetteville, Arkansas, does the entire family come together. It was a tradition Shelley started in 2019 and missed one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, there were three children. Now, that number has grown to seven grandchildren aged two to ten.

Leslie’s family drove from Fayetteville, leaving at 7:34 AM and arriving at our house at 6:10 PM. Arriving right when we were headed to the airport to pick up Allison’s family. They flew in from Nashville, which is a three-hour longer drive, and with four young children, it makes the drive nearly impossible.

Shelley needed two cars to transport everyone from the airport to pick up 5 of the 6. Eric would rent a car once we retrieved the others. Alison, Maeve, and Jack would ride with Shelley, and I would take Vera and Faye. With the luggage, the cars were FULL!

In preparation for the week-long trip and the arrival, I kept busy with activities. Since it had poured rain all night, I needed to mow the lawn before we left. I decided to mow it while it was still slightly damp at 11:00 AM. I’m glad I did, as it rained again at 1:00 PM. At noon, I seasoned four racks of ribs, and Shelley made her famous Corn Salad. I smoked the ribs at 210 degrees for 90 minutes, wrapped them, and let them rest for 45 minutes before placing them on the grill for an additional 90 minutes at 225 degrees. I also went to the store to grab hot dogs. I wanted to get tater tots, but Shelley was firm that I couldn't use the stove, so I grabbed microwaveable mac and cheese! At least I have one favorite side dish.

While I was packing, I realized my zipper on the camera pack had broken. BUMMER. So, I went to Best Buy to spend $180 on a new pack. Hope this is the last one I will ever need. I made sure it's just large enough for some future expansion.  

Once everyone was back at the house for dinner, it wasn't quiet. The seven grandchildren were eager to relax after the long commute and the nerves of being together. Shelley is in heaven! She loved that her whole family was at her table at once! A rare occasion, since Leslie wouldn't usually stop by the day before heading to Granview Lodge.  

 

After dinner, Shelley, Leslie, and Allison took the children to the park, leaving the three men and little Jack at the house. (Yes, the men are outnumbered in this group with six men and seven women!) I cleaned the kitchen and dining area while they were away and got everything ready for movie night when they returned.  

By 8:30 PM, Jack was ready for bed, and Leslie, TG, and Leighton headed to the hotel. Allison and Eric called it a night as Shelley and the five older grandkids relaxed and watched Inside Out. Vera, Faye, and Maeve had to go to bed halfway through, but since Deacon and Sawyer were sleeping downstairs, they relaxed on the floor and finished the movie. (First time for them to see a futon!) The film ended at 10:25, and both boys were out cold within five minutes. 

Now it's time to try to sleep before the circus starts early tomorrow morning. It's common for the kids to get up before 7:00 AM. Let's see what happens since they stayed up late!

Carry on my friends, carry on!