Sista From a Different Mista.

I would like to welcome you back to the segment on this blog known as:

"It was bound to happen sooner or later."

In our first edition, I showed you The Lumberjack's new toy . . .

Today's Edition:

Well, I'll be darned.

  We've got ourselves a bona fide wood burning stove.

If you haven't read this blog for awhile, The Lumberjack, who is, in fact, an electrician, loves to fall trees and chop wood and things of that nature.

But when we moved to Ruralville last summer, he was dismayed to discover there was no wood-burning stove.

When we moved here, a little something inside of him died.

And now, here are the pros and cons regarding the wood stove . . .

Pros:

*Our house reached temperatures in the 70s yesterday.  This was a far cry from our constant 62 degree temperatures we've maintained all winter long.

*The Lumberjack can now be a Lumberjack again.  His life is full of promise and purpose.

Cons:

*I shall have the duty of keeping the home fires burning again.

*I shall have sap in my hands and sap in my hair.

*I shall have to stack wood.  I shall get splinters. I shall hate it. I shall complain.

*And I most likely will whine.

Oh, well.  At least now if the power goes out, we will have warmth.  And perhaps I can learn to cook on it.

I know!

Just to further weird you all out, maybe I shall cook my homemade laundry soap atop my wood burning stove!

Yes.  That would be splendid.

***

My parents came over this weekend and we took a walk across our vast lands.

Little Dude and my mom.

Little Dude insisted upon wearing his helmet for the entire walk.

Made me proud.

Look at our beautiful "Lake of Shining Waters . . . "

100 (meaningless) points to anyone who can remember what this water really is.

Hint:  It's nasty.

The Dudes.

They were fighting terribly over who got to hold their dad's deer call.  But then as soon as I told them I was taking a picture, they struck a pose.

And then they promptly went back to fighting.

***

And, in the most exciting news of all, I have a new sister-in-law!

Alex, the Lumberjack's older younger brother, got married this weekend!

Remember Alex?

And, yes.  That is Holly looking terrifed as to what she is getting into in the background.

Holly is now offiically a Maliblahblah.

Holly! What were you NOT thinking?

Gird up your loins, sista from a different mista!

(oh, yeah.  that was cool)

Here are some fun, Maliblahblah family moments you can look forward to participating in:

Applesauce making with the cheerful patriarch himself.

Applesauce making happens every year.

And you will do your share.  And you will like it.

But don't even think you will look as snazzy as I do whilst making applesauce . . .

Holly.  You know Jason.  Everyone teases Jason endlessly.

Poor Jason.

Not me.  I never tease him.  I'm his favorite.

Rock sliding on garbage bags.

Good times.

Hiking numerous miles into mountain lakes.

Uphill.  Both ways.

Woodcutting:

Making fun of Jason's idea of a beach towel:

Making fun of Jason for doing Jason-y things:

Parachute camping:

Alex almost killing us by collapsing the parachute:

Oh, goodness.

Such crazies.

And now, Holly, you are one of us.

It's ok.  Time will ease the shock.

***

Alright!  I must go load up the bambinos and drive into the big city for Handsome Dude's eye appointment.

I am sure no disaster will come my way.

Happy Monday!