Showing posts with label Cabin Time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cabin Time. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

The Engagement

Forget my joke in the last post, it finally happened.

Max popped the question!



On Saturday, March 10th, 2012, he asked me to be more than his house remodeling companion, but his wife. I know you are all asking, "What's the story?"! So here it goes...

We have been having an unseasonable warm winter that continued to March. Sixty degree days in the beginning of March mean us house bound Wisconsinites get to venture back outdoors. We headed up to the cabin the night before to have a little alone time that we really needed. That morning, I woke up early and made a breakfast casserole and we enjoyed the sun.

After our food had settled, we went on a morning jog together around part of the lake. We been both consciously trying to workout more and get back in shape. It was a gorgeous morning for it too. Only a few clouds and lots of wind.

Since there was still patches of snow on the ground and the lake was still frozen, there wasn't much to do at the cabin so we headed into nearby Waupaca, WI, to bum around the town. Max was being very patient with me and let me go into all the antique and gift stores I wanted. From this moment on, I knew something was up. We joked and called it "terrific lady day" like they said on The League. I was really enjoying "terrific lady day". I picked up a very cool vintage 1966 Standard Oil street map of Milwaukee for $3 at Ingeborg's Cupboard Antiques and Collectables. Very Mad Men Esque of me. Wall art, yes!

We then headed back to the cabin to have a couple of beers and start dinner (steaks we had picked up from local Wautoma meat store, Stoneridge). I sat by the campfire, which was not actually lit, enjoying sitting in the sun. Max said he had to go to the bathroom and would be right back out. A few minutes later, he came out with his beer and a book. He then asked me to go for a walk to sit down by the swing just below the house. Being in the shade, I was less than thrilled to move out of the sunlight. Seeing a book, also made me get a little down since that usually meant he is going to zone out and not talk.

We get to the swing and he said, here read the first chapter. I look and its a copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. A book I have read years ago. Anyone who really knows me, knows I don't read much, so me reading all the Harry Potter books was a big deal. I also love all the movies. So I begin to read.
*note: grammar has been changed

"The Adventures of Maureen
As told by
Max Anderson

We all know how the Harry Potter stories go. They go on to sell a bunch of copies of the books and create a string of hit movies. But instead in this chapter, we get to learn about someone much more important than that "Harry" guy. It's a story that's much more important than Hogwarts, wizarding, and even that little guy we call "Lurk".

This is a story of how one of the greatest things happened for the lives of two people. It all happened many years ago, during the Brewers Opening Day, where Maureen was having fun in the big city of Milwaukee.

Maureen went out to a club to meet a friend downtown. When Maureen got to the club, she realized that her friend was being mean to hear and she thought "to hell with this guy, I'll go to talk to someone else." That's where Max came into the story. Max came up and said "Hi", he proceeded to talk to Maureen for the night where he later took her home since she was really tired. But as Max drove away that night, he couldn't help but think that there was something about that girl.

About one month later Maureen and Max go out for their first date at Oakland Trattoria where they have their first dinner together and then go to a movie. Max would never forget that night, it was the first night he had a date with the girl of his dreams. It was also the first time he ever had a girl suggest that they go to watch the Jackass movie. He knew that night that girl was something special........

After a few dates, Maureen said "I love you". It was big news to Max, but he knew he was able to say "I love you" back and mean it.

Eventually, Max graduated college and he had to get a job, that meant he had to leave Maureen and that made him very sad. He cried when he left since he didn't want to give up the greatest person in his life. He knew that he needed to find a job so he went far far way and he didn't speak to Maureen for a long time. It was a decision that he would regret for the rest of his life.

But thankfully, after a long time, Max came back to Milwaukee and he was able to see Maureen again. H will never forget the smile on her face after not seeing her for so many years, but he knew that he was glad to be back home.

After some time Maureen and Max got together and decided to move in together. They moved out of the big dirty city of Milwaukee and eventually bought a house, moved into it and started fixing the place up. They decided to call that house home.

But there was something that was bothering Max. There was something that was incomplete in his life and that he couldn't put his finger on. There was one more thing he needed in his life that he just couldn't do himself. It was if there was a question that he needed answered but he couldn't answer it himself....."



He then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I, of course, said YES!

My ring is a blue diamond with white accent diamond stones. About .75 carat total for your ring buffs.

Max said he chose the Chamber of Secrets since the book was going to have it's own secret. He joked it would be a little morbid to put it in the Deathly Hallows since so many people die. I told him, well people still died in that book. R.I.P. Moaning Myrtle.


Overall, a very surprisingly awesome and romantic proposal I didn't think my man had in him. Love knowing he's still full of surprises.

Let the wedding planning begin!



What's your engagement stories? Did it involve a book or a "terrific lady day"? Are you a creepy Harry Potter fan?

Monday, July 18, 2011

Everyone loves a GIRLS WEEKEND!

Our my second weekend at the cabin was the first annual Anderson (and future Anderson women) Mother/Daughter Weekend. Max's mom Ellen invited her daughter and granddaughter and all in-laws (including future) and their mothers. Still with me? Basically eight crazy ladies for fun and sun at the cabin.

Max stayed home with Mark for a man play date on our house, but more to come from him about that.

My mom was a little hesitant about the whole weekend at first since she had only met Ellen once before and hadn't met any of the other ladies. I reassured her that everything would be fine and that she would have a blast. Since Max didn't want him around for the dry walling that was going to take place back at home, I loaded up Turk (he was the only male for the weekend) and we were off for the north woods.

The food was great. The company was superb. And little Claire learned my name and Turk is now "Woof Woof".
Photo by neighbor Gary (last name?)
I would also like to state for the record how much my mom and I look alike. Never noticed it as much before but the older I get, the more it is very apparent. It's crazy!


On the way to take my mom back home, we stopped to do a little antiquing at the most adorable store, Red Hen Antiques in Necedah, WI. I was seriously impressed with the condition of the items and the variety that they had. Mom found a birdcage that she has been searching for $18. I was shocked at the price. Such a deal! The same birdcage in Milwaukee would go for three times that much.



I almost left the store without anything. Then as we were leaving my mom noticed two garden figurines that were perfect for our house. The last couple of weeks I have been watching the History Channel's America: The Story of Us on Netflix and it made me chuckle when they said the United States' greatest invention: the Suburbs. We have a super boom house that was built in the 1950s, as probably many of you do. That being said, look at my new planters!

The "Mr. & Mrs." from the 1950s themselves greeting everyone to our home. They were very reasonably priced $23.50 for the lady and $22.50 for the man. The store owner called them the "Packer People" because of their colors and said that his wife decided the woman should be more since she does more work. So true.

Now my 1950s house has some 50s flair. I was really inspired by these two and might incorporate some more 50s in my kitchen...


What hidden gems have you found antiquing? What great story did the piece have?

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Yankee Doodle Dandy

First, I would like to apologize for being a bad blogger. I have been quite lazy about writing the last two (gasp) weeks.

We have had some of the issues fixed from the previous post. We got the lawnmower back again. It worked for about 2 seconds and broke a THIRD time. This time the wheel fell off. Figures right? At this point, I just find this hilarious. Max asked the sales people at what point do we just get a replacement and the Sears repair place said after four repairs... Hopefully, lucky number four happens soon and I can get a new mower. Max also got the toilet tightened so no more leaking pee water.

Summer is in full swing which is making our house projects slow down substantially. Balancing work, family and friends while squeezing things in has been much harder than I expected. I started a paint project three weekends ago and still haven't been able to finish it. Bad Moe, bad! Our living room has just been sitting with the drop cloth waiting for me to get off my butt and give you all the reveal. I'll get you the update as soon as its done. Hopefully later tonight....

Another thing to slow us down on projects is all the trips to the cabin this month. This July has five weekends and three of them are at the cabin; 4th of July, Girls' Weekend and our annual friends weekend. One of them is my grandmother's 90th birthday party, so in other words, we are swamped!

The first weekend at the cabin so far was the Fourth of July. Highlights included campfire karaoke, s'mores, outdoor ping pong, babies swimming, pontoon boat rides, tanning and new friends.


Max's neice, Claire, has gotten very good at giving high-fives or "choca los cincos" as our new friend, Santi, said.


I made a Fourth of July favorite for many, the Flag Cake. Easiest festive recipe ever... Yellow box cake (follow normal directions). Decorate with a layer of Kool-Whip on top and add blueberries and strawberries... Done. If you are the type of person who must have a recipe to go off of then here you go.


Outdoor ping pong in action. Awesomeness.


Isaiah is learning the joys of patriotism.


Unfortunately, Turk is not quite as happy with his patriotism.


Max and I at the local fireworks display with the roommate and his girlfriend (and Turk). We forgot that Turk isn't quite used to the loud sounds and freaked out just a bit. Sorry bud.


Happy Fourth of July everyone!


How did you spend your Fourth of July? Try a new barbecue recipe? Canoe down an old favorite river? Had your kids first sparkler experience?

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

And Then There Were Four

Well our blog is officially one month old and we've had over 1400 hits, we are amazed! Didn't realize we had that many friends/loyal readers!

I also promised you all a big surprise. We have a new roommate! My college friend, Scott, got relocated here for work and was in need of fast housing since his job wanted him to move ASAP. Since we are still young and have no kids (yet) we said he could bunk up with us until he figures out what he wants to do or we get married (which ever comes first). This being said, I had to relinquish my guest bedroom/office and put a hold on plans for the dining room since Scott works from home and needs desk space. I can still paint them the colors I want but all demolition for the living room/dining room separation has to come later (boo).

Scott and I at a Cubs game at Wrigley Field


Scott showed up late Friday night after driving straight from Kansas City, MO. Max and I helped him unload his trailer and get his bed set up. His girlfriend, Shaunna, and our mutual friend Brian showed up later from Minneapolis for the festivities. A few beers were cracked to celebrate and a little euchre was played. Scott's parents came down from Green Bay to visit early Saturday.

Later that day, Max and I headed off to the Anderson cabin (we go there a lot so be prepared for many other posts about it) to celebrate his mom's birthday and to take the boat for its first summer spin. I got to enjoy a giving myself and his Grandma Muriel mani/pedis outside on the deck while the boys put the boat lift in. We ended up seeing a baby fawn hiding in the bushes.

This Memorial Day weekend we had a couple of house first's. We had our first overnight house guests. Max's friend Nick from college and his dog, Jack. Turk loved having the company and let Jack know that he was welcome. Max enjoyed it too.

Not much for housework was done this weekend except getting Scott settled but it was relaxing and I think we all need that from time to time!
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