Mushroomin' the Big Woods.

Mom and Dave by the river

Beau and his snail

Beau being silly by the water hole (underground spring)

Black "cup" type mushrooms

Tiny red mushrooms

Black Morel

Beau and I by the river.

I like this interresting tree. It looks like a neat place to sit a while.

Our trip mushroom hunting this spring was a bit of a challenge.

I thought everything was perfect, I had everything packed early, I even had plenty of cash just in case. I was all ready to go. On the way up, the GPS lied and took us away from our planned path. Then we got a flat on the '71 penguin. The roadside service Mom had would cover that, no problem. Well, slight problem, It was right in the middle of NOWHERE on a Sunday evening. They could not locate a tow company open anywhere. They finally found a provider after an hour of waiting, but this provider would be there in no less than an hour. So two hours late there was a really great guy there to change that tire. He was very nice and helpful. When we were finally able to get back on the road, we decided to sleep the night in a truck stop parking lot and head straight over to a local tire place in the morning to get the other tires replaced. 6 new tires later, we were back on the road, but luckily we aren't far now.

As we are getting closer to Wolverine MI, the scenery is getting more and more amazing. I am getting really anxious to just be there and be out of the car. It's time to get in the woods. We finally make it to the Wolverine Party Store gas station and Grammie and Kate are there waiting for us... because their RV won't start! It was flooded and the power steering belt was shot and who knows what else was wrong with the rolling turd (pardon my French.) Luckily Dave got it started. So we are on our way now, it's just over this next hill. Once we are technically in the park (I think) on the two lane dirt path there is a car turning around just ahead of us. They flagged us down and said there is no way of getting through. The closer we get the further we are. There is a HUGE mud hole in the road all the way across both lanes and there is a stick in the middle with a orange ribbon on it, a caution flag I am sure. Kate says well, should we go back now? I don't think she was kidding, Mom and Dave and I were like "What?" I couldn't believe the thought could creep into her mind. We had been through a lot already, where's the shovels?

We are digging and filling in the hole and driving across. Then we'll worry about leaving another time. We dug maybe a solid hour, filling in the best we could. It still seemed a bit squishy, but I bet we could make it across now, but don't slow down or we'd really be stuck.

We made it. Finally we got to our site. It was a relief to be there. We got camp set up and relaxed a while. I couldn't wait. I had to get out into the big woods. I went for a walk. No mushrooms though. Hmm. Later Mom and Dave and I went back to the fern patch. Finally I found a couple little mushrooms in the woods there. I was the first one to find mushrooms! How exciting! Then I got a nose bleed and got blood on my new PINK sweatshirt. It just would NOT stop bleeding! I didn't know what to do. No Kleenex or handkerchief with me. I just leaned over and let it bleed. I think it bled a long time and finally I made my way back out to the path where Mom and Dave were. It was still bleeding. They didn't have any Kleenex either. We made our way back to camp. Dave offered me his T shirt for my nose, but I couldn't take it. It was a nice gesture, but I wouldn't use my own because I would ruin it, so I couldn't ruin his either.

Then back at camp, it was horrible. While we were getting things set up outside, Grammie fell.

She didn't just fall. She fell out of the camper behind first and hit her head on the ground, HARD! I was so scared. I was afraid she was hurt a lot worse. Then would we have to dig to get back out to go to the hospital?! She didn't break anything but all her nails. She tried to catch herself on the doorway of the RV and broke every one of her fingernails. She bruised her backside, both arms and I am sure she had quite a knot on her noggin. She didn't go out walking the first couple days. She was very sore. Luckily it wasn't worse.

The next day we went walking, Beau wanted to just go back to the campsite all day. Kate and I found mushrooms then, not too small either! I filled my onion bag on that walk! I meandered out into the woods farther than they usually go. I did find more mushrooms, but I think this was when I got into the Poison Ivy too.

In the morning I thought I had been bitten by on of the nasty little black flies. I scratched my ankle all day. I never thought of Poison Ivy, so I never washed it off. It was the first time any of our crowd got Poison Ivy up there. (You'd think with odds like that I could hit a good lottery at least once!) Never thought of putting benedryl on it or calamine lotion or the Ivy Dry I have in the camper for just such an occasion. Just figured it's a bug bite, it'll go away eventually.

That night I used the bathroom in my camper and in the dark I stood up and really hit my head hard on the door frame. It hurt bad too, it bled a little. I couldn't sleep well that night. The next day we went to the rock pile and found some really cool stones and Mom and I found some mushrooms too. I found a huge one there, turns out it's a different variety of morel, it's nick named the big foot morel. How cool is that?! I also found a snail and Beau just loved it, so I let him keep it in his bug jar a while and he gave it a couple plantain leaves to eat. It made quick work of them. That's when I found the first tick! It was on the car seat I just got up from! It had to come off me! So we did a quick check and Mom had 2 more on her coat! Those creepy little things send shivers up my spine! Luckily though we didn't have any on our skin. We gave Beau a warm sponge bath. He looked and felt so much better. He fell asleep early. Harold and Norma came over visiting later in the evening. It was really nice to relax.

The next morning, I took a bike ride. I went almost to the water hole by the river. I think it's Pigeon River. The trip was OK. I felt uneasy once I got into the pines. The lady at the Party Store had told me that there are large cats and even the occasional bear found in the woods there. The path really was getting too sandy too. So I decided to go back. It seemed a lot farther on the way back. It was mostly up hill! Next time I went out for a bike ride, I went the other way, back the way we came in.

That day I felt a bump on my head and had mom check it out. I think it was from hitting it on the doorway. She said it looked infected and there was something in it. I prayed it wasn't a bot fly, I just saw a show about the 10 worst parasites on TV. Apparently it was a huge sliver. It had to be from the panel above the doorway in my camper.

That night it rained. It was nice. Not a harsh rain and winds or anything, just enough to knock down the biting black flies. We found a lot more mushrooms the next day. Grammie says that we were just too early this year. The trilliums were just blooming when we were leaving. Usually they are all blossoms when we arriving.

The rain did ruin the road work we did, so we had to find a different way out. I am glad we did, it was so beautiful there and we found a lake we never saw before! Luckily the way back was pretty uneventful. The GPS did lie and tell us to turn right when it should have been a left. We had to go around the block (Country block I mean, about 3 mile) but when we did we found the gas station we needed.

We made it home and the GPS told us to keep going another quarter mile! Not a chance of going anywhere any time soon. It was absolutely beautiful there, but it was kind of like the movie "Pure Luck" with Martin Short. I love that movie, but it hits kind of close to home.

Ahh, I am sure glad to be home.

Almost June Already!

It's finally over! The Diet pool ended and I won 200$, even more amazing, I lost 48 pounds! Now I just have to lose about 30 more and I will feel so much better. It's just getting so much harder to lose now. The closer I get to my goal the further away it seems! No worries. I will get there.

To update my last entry, I did in fact get my Blue Belt and I am now working on getting my Brown Belt. Beau got his Camo belt and has a lot of work to do before getting his 2nd Camo Belt.

He is feeling a bit under the weather today. Has a low grade fever but has slept all day so far. He has only eaten vitamins today. Poor kid, seems as though he's always sick.

Oh, right, to celebrate winning the diet pool, I am having a cook out in June! I am grilling Chicken, BBQ Ribs for Barry and the guys, maybe some Salmon or Tilapia and veggies. If we can catch enough crappie or blue gills before June 20th, maybe I can get Barry to fry some fish for you like last summer at Potato Creek! Those sure went fast!

Well, it happened. I caught Bean's cold. This is the best I have felt in a couple days. I slept through Taekwondo tonight. I haven't eaten all day. Just thinking about eating made me feel sicker. I haven't been able to exercise at all. I did go to Taekwondo yesterday though. I earned my 4 stripes! I can test Saturday! I even broke a board with my elbow! Beau is testing on Saturday too! His testing is at 10 am. Mine is at 12 noon. If I can pull it together this week and rest and take enough vitamins testing will be a breeze and I will get my BLUE BELT!

Well, BEFORE sparring at Taekwondo today I ironed curtains and a bedspread for mom and shampooed her living room and bedroom carpets. As you may guess, I took advantage of her scale while I was there. On the OFFICIAL scale I lost not only the 2 pounds I gained since Fridays weigh in, I also lost another 2.8 pounds! I am sure I lost more from sparring as well. I guess I am not out just yet. (although I wish I had never gained that 2 stinking pounds!!! Then I would have lost 4.8 pounds overall this 2 weeks instead of 2.8!)
I can't afford to pay even a dollar for gaining a pound! Nor do I want to. So maybe being that broke is on my side in this competition!

Well, I hope you are all doing better than I am, I have gained 2 pounds since weigh in on Friday. I sabotaged myself making Valentine candy for all of you! I ate some of my own decadent triple chocolate and caramel candy, and I loved it! But now I have to try that much harder to get rid of those fat calories and extra 2 pounds! I also made some homemade bread. Good for you though. I used eggbeaters instead of eggs, soy flour for protein and whole wheat flour and milled flax seed for fiber.
I really have been sticking to that old food pyramid that has 6-11 bread on the bottom, then 2-4 fruit and 3-5 veggies on the next level, then 2-3 milk and 2-3 meat on the next level, and I try to avoid the top layer of fats, oils, and sugars. With the exception of the past weekend. The thing is sticking to portions and eating small meals. The biggest influence I think is exercise. I have been doing Richard Simmons tapes and 8 minute everything and a boxing DVD, plus about 8 Taekwondo classes each week. I also think I will join the Leadership classes too, that way I can start teaching and helping at our school. I will have to wait for my tax return though. I will need a new uniform with all the cool patches and my name on the back! Then you will all have to go watch at the tournament.
I do have to go to class now. I hope I will lose those 2 pounds I gained before this weekend! That way I can focus on losing all next week to make my overall loss a bigger number!
Good luck everyone.

2-17-2009Newest message!

Molly is declared the winner for the last weigh in. Abe never weighed in, so according to the rules, he forfeits and still owes his $5.00. If he waits until the next weigh in to get weighed, his total loss/gain will have to be divided in half, since he didn't get weighed on time.
We had a vote at the last 'scale tipping' about people who gain weight, and the 'ayes' brought about a new rule. Anyone gaining weight shall pay $1.00 per pound at that weigh-in. This will encourage incentive, and sweeten the pot for the finale.
Everyone (almost) is doing well, getting healthier, and unlike dieting alone, everyone knows, when putting something in their mouth, "this could make me gain" and big brother really is watching! And big sister and cousins and...........
Good luck everyone and keep up the good work!

Taekwondo: try it, you'll like it!

I'm telling you guys to give Taekwondo a try! It is fun, challenging and rewarding.
Our testing is on the 28th of Feb at noon at North Village Mall in Roseland just north of South Bend on Michigan Street. With a bit of practicing and a little luck I will go from purple belt to blue belt! Feel free to stop in and watch and wish me luck! I have practiced hard and I am almost ready. You are all welcomed to try out a class and see if you like it (for FREE, just tell them Molly sent you, or come with me)!
The little "Bean" has been doing a great job. He has been practicing at home more and focusing better in class. He just got a trophy in Fort Wayne for sharp knife hands! He knows several phone numbers in case there's an emergency as well as his address. He has really come a long way since he started a year and a half ago.
I have really gotten a boost of self confidence and self worth. I can defend myself now and I have become a lot more responsible too (you may have noticed). I look better, I quit smoking and lost weight plus, I'm more flexible and I feel great! We have classes everyday, some days twice, but you only have to go to 2 a week. I have been going to all the classes I can to get this form down as best as I can before testing and to keep moving to lose more weight! I hope to lose at least 60 more pounds whether it is before our June 5th final weigh in or after, it has to go!

AOL Mail - Message View

MROCZKIEWICZ THROW DOWNTHE THROW DOWN CONTINUES- HERE IS THE "SKINNY"- PART I
The CFTD (Committee for a Fair Throw Down) have met and determined some rules of competition.
Prize monies will be accumulated from a $5.00 contribution from each competitor at every weigh-in.
All Competitors will weigh in every two weeks on Friday.
The prizes begin being paid out at the second weigh-in and every weigh-in after that.
There will be two winners at each two-week weigh-in.
One third of the weekly pot will be paid to the competitor with the greatest poundage loss.
One third of the weekly pot will be paid to the competitor with the greatest percentage of body weight lost.
One third of all monies will go into the final payout kitty. The CFTD is still determining how that prize will be awarded.
Final weigh-in will take place on June 5th (updated from the 1st). You got a problem with that?
The CFTD has drafted Cathy Eggleston to perform the duties of the Treasurer of the THROW DOWN.
The Treasurer is responsible for all income and expenses.
The Treasurer has final say on all items of dispute.
The Treasurer is the only member of the committee empowered to call a committee meeting.
The Treasurer will let us know when she... er... the committee decides on the final payout.
You got a problem with that?
A couple new contestants have appealed to the committee and have been allowed entry:
1) David Eggleston- While everyone knows that Dave is a disciplined competitor his lack of bulk puts him at a distinct disadvantage.
2) Steve of Attica- Steve comes in with an extremely cocky attitude and the bulk to back it up. Watch out for this one. However the timing may be bad for Steve as he lobbied (some say whined at) the committee hard for a shortened overall period. He may have pissed them off which could make a differrence if a close ruling must be made.
Competitors are playing the game VERY tight vested. The only news to escape thus far is that Molly has hit the ground running and Big Al is still gettin his mind right.
Good Luck!

AOL Mail - Message View

MROCZKIEWICZ THROW DOWNTHE THROW DOWN CONTINUES- HERE IS THE "SKINNY"- PART III THE SECOND PAYOUT
Molly takes charge! Steve still "hittin it hard".
RULE UPDATE: Rumor has it that the CFTD is considering a partnering program in the spirit of leveling the field. What we have learned thus far is that the Committee is considering a top/low seeding program to create the teams. As example if initiated this week it would pair Steve (the big loser) with Jill (the biggest gainer) as a team. You got a problem with that?
1) MOLLY KICKS! There is no doubt about it, Molly is serious about this competition and appears unlikely to let up on the competition. The smart money now has her taking the big prize. However, June is along time away. Will she continue to press?
2) Steve wins overall percentage loss. No doubt about it Steve is one serious contender. Some think he may have jumped out of the gate a little to quickly to maintain his stride. He may also be in for some real trouble if the CFTD decides to pair him up with Jill for the remainder of the competition-unless he finds a means of motivating her. Never count Steve out!
3) Big Al's strategy may turn out to be the wisest. He again dropped a few pounds. His steady as you go approach may just end up being the winning strategy.
4) Cathy too remains on track. After her unbelievable drop at the first payout many were looking for her to turn in a big gain this week. Not so! Cathy remains on track and still currently holds the largest percentage loss overall.
5) Johnny also turned in another serious drop this week. He leaves no doubt that he is in this competition for the long haul. John will be one to keep an eye on to vie for the money against his older sister.
6) Everyone knew that Tiffany had little to lose but she surprised everyone (including herself) with the drop she experienced at the first payout. With a slight gain Tiffany could be a competitor for a payout when others plateau.
7) Huck's strategy was similar to Big Al's. Huck has two hurdles to overcome. First, he is probably the only competitor working hard to build muscle mass while attempting to lose weight. Second, he often spends time riding with John who many consider the most sly competitor when it comes to tempting his competition.
8) Dave like Tiffany had little to lose so it was no surprise when he recorded a slight gain this week. However, also like Tiffany everyone knows that Dave could score a payout on any given weigh-in.
9) Jill scored the biggest gain thus far and some are beginning to wonder about her commitment. If she gets serious she has the potential to score repeated wins. If the CFTD follows through with the above referenced rule change her motivation may be enhanced by competitive Steve.
10) Tony followed through on his prediction to pig out while out of town. His only saving grace is that he was only gone for one of the two weeks keeping his gain around two pounds.
The overall weight loss is still tremendous by these competitors. It appears the competition is just now heating up. Look forward to some surprises in the coming weeks!

Throw Down 2009

MROCZKIEWICZ THROW DOWNTHE THROW DOWN CONTINUES- HERE IS THE "SKINNY"- PART II THE FIRST PAYOUT WOW!
Everyone thought the competition would be tough but few imagined these record setting levels. With Amy opting out of the competition there remain ten fierce competitors in the Throw Down. Despite what many thought the first payout was split. With Steve being granted dispensation by the CFTD the accusations were flying. One disheartened participant (name unknown) went so far as to suggest that Steve may have originally entered the game with a few stones in his pockets.
RULE UPDATE: The CFTD has determined to split the $50.00 weigh-in payout with $20.00 going to each of the two weigh-in winners leaving $10.00 to accumulate for the finale. The committee continues to work on how that finale will be paid out. You got a problem with that?
THIS GIVES A LITTLE MORE WEEK TO WEEK INCENTIVE AND STILL WILL MAKE A NICE 'FINAL PAYOFF.'
1) Steve wins overall weight loss with FIFTEEN pounds lost in two weeks. Everyone guessed Steve to be a player but it is doubtful that anyone would've guessed this outcome.
2) Cathy wins overall percentage loss. Cathy's achievement was greater than Steve's when one considers Steve's bulky advantage. Cathy lost EIGHT PERCENT of her body weight in two weeks! Amazingly we'll also see that these two winners were not the only "heavy hitters".
3) Johnny was the early leader with an incredible 14 lb loss. It looks like John is in this for the long haul. Look for him to be a consistent threat.
4) Just as incredible Molly turned in another 14 lb reduction. Many wondered how she'd fare against her mom. With Cathy turning in that first weigh-in loss many are now putting their money on Molly to take charge of the competition.
5) Big Al has taken a more methodical strategy. His 6 plus pounds lost was not huge but very respectable when one considers his long term strategy. No one is counting Al out for the overall.
6) Tiffany with seemingly little to lose surprised herself. Despite John's devilish attempt to eliminate his own spouse as competition for himself by providing ample chocolate supplies Tiffany still turned in a meaningful loss. If she keeps this up Tiffany could be in the running during any weigh-in for percentage winner.
7) Huck's strategy like Big Al's is more likely to prove fruitful late in the competition. His use of resistance training for an exercise routine may cause him to build too much muscle to overcome those willing to live with muscle loss in an effort to score a payout.
8) It appears Jill's General attacked slightly too soon. With her illness arriving just prior to the first weigh-in Jill was left recovering the first week of the competition. Jill still managed to turn in a loss and now has something to build on. She could end up being in that final kitty competition.
9) As suspected Dave just doesn't have the bulk to play with the "heavy hitters" early in this competition. He too turned in a respectable loss and could score a percentage win on any given weigh-in. He is not to be counted out.
10) Tony apparently hasn't rediscovered his friendship with his bike. His 7 lb loss was middle of the pack. He hasn't given up.
The great news is that everybody dropped weight.
At last estimate the total poundage lost during the first two weeks of competition was NINETY ONE.EIGHT POUNDS! That is eight and one half pounds each. While everyone recognizes that it will not be possible to maintain these levels don't look for the competition to let up. These are a determined group of rivals that will not be letting up.

Throw Down

MROCZKIEWICZ THROW DOWNTHE THROW DOWN IS ON!- HERE IS THE "SKINNY"The throw down began on January 2, 2009. What began as a simple suggestion between spouses and siblings has evolved into an all out throw-down. With sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, wives, husbands, in-laws and out-laws now in the competition things look serious. Some contestants and potential outlook for each include:
1) Favored to take all going in-tho she has less to lose than many is Cathy Eggleston. Cathy has proven discipline that no doubt has the rest of the competition shaking in their boots.
2) Big Al- He has earned his name and stands to lose a lot if he does not come out on the low end of the scale.
3) John Gee- A late comer to the competition. Like his mother he is a proven performer- but does he have the staying power?
4) Tiffany Gee- Probably has the least to lose in the competition. The question is will that work for or against her?
5) Jill Mroczkiewicz- One of the original instigators-She's been spoiling for this fight for some time. Some say she even timed an illness to coincide with the start of the competition. General Tso's soldiers are marching in her support as the competition begins.
6) Huck (The other Al)- He has shown serious results in the past. Some suggest that the success of Huck and John may be linked. Unfair alliance?
7) Molly Gee- Molly come lately is said to be in for the money. She's shown the ability to compete at many levels but she will be tested as never before attempting to go head to head (or belly to belly) with her mother.
8) "Uncle Tony"- He's been known to cheat but that is not likely to help in this competition. His only hope is to rediscover the love he finds with...his bicycle?Good Luck to all!