A ton of good advise here. I can also say been there done that. One major factor about counseling is If your partner does not want to be there and try to mend things it isn’t going to help.

My spouse of 30+ years,is very selfish and self centered. He went to counseling but never shared anything and would never give the therapist a straight answer to a question. He is an extremely intelligent man. He is extremely ADD and will not be medicated. He will not be told what to do and is married to his job. He will be the first to admit the work thing. I have changed leaps and bounds over the past 8 years. I have made peace with my mistakes, with God and our kids. I was pretty uptight with the kids when they were younger because I had them 24/7 do to my husband and his marriage to his work. I have changed all that and am very pleased with the new me. As for him he says he has forgiven me but, I know he has not, because I still put up with all his faults and am a happy person and he chooses not to mend the marriage. SO… Both parties need to be willing to change and forgive and mend. Our children are all in their 20″s now and we still all fish together and vacation together and have a ball. I once told my husband he does not deserve to be married because his priorities are , in order, himself, his work, family, God and his wife, pretty sad. Sometimes it just isn’t you.

Sounds like an AWESOME time. Thanks for sharing.

Good for him still riding at 91. I grew up on a snowmobile with my folks being avid riders. They(my folks)eventually invested in Polaris stock for my 3 children to help pay for college. My youngest just cashed in some of hers to pay for this year of college. What started out as 52 shares and with reinvesting dividens it is now worth almost $50K. I sent this link to my daughter to see what makes her money grow. Thanks for posting.

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i have a real hard time listening to how hard teachers have it because of this crap. never work a weekend, never work a summer, never work a holiday, a vacation every x-mas, numerous days off during the school year. and to top it off get paid in most school districts 30-60K per year with the same or better benefits than over half of America.

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You should think before you bash those that teach your kids. Not a teacher but it’s not the gravy job you invision in your head. Yes, they get holidays off so do your kids. Yes they get weekends off. Some actually prepare for the upcoming week during this time w/ out pay. DO you ever go to your job and not get paid? Some are required to take classes on the weekend to keep their license current. Most times out of their own pocket. You make your own career choice. Twenty thirty years ago sure it may have been gravy but times and standards have changed. Go back to school and get your teaching degree. Guaranteed you don’t make it a year in the classroom.

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Well I am a teacher and basically raising other peoples kids is no picnic.
Here is an idea for all of you who are stuck on days that school is closed. Find a nearby high school student who will sit for you on these days. Have it set up with them and have a back up student too. Call the local HS and speak with the guidance councelor they should be able to hook you up with some names. Or, work a deal with a neighbor or friend who is a stay home mom. Everyone can use extra cash. You could even try a teacher from your child’s school who might appreciate the extra bucks. The key is to be prepared and have some sitters lined up before the closing hits.

Thanks to all. No fishing for me today, but next Sat. going on a 5 hr. charter that I won, Yeah!

I was at Bass Pro yesterday and they have the new type that look similar, but they are weighted and don’t have the dagger. I have used them before with kids and they are not so bad.

My dad owned a sewer and septic company when I was little. He had connections at the health dept. Each year he would take them a sample of the water from our cottage and have it tested. I don’t know if this is a practice they would do for all, but worth a check.

Prayers sent your way. God bless you both.

I vote for Rainy. Try Birch Point Camp. The cabins are small but very affordable. 7 guys would need two cabins, but I think you could probalby fit 7 guys around the table in one cabin for cards and such. Pat and Mary are great hosts. They have a firepit right on the lake and a picnic table there too. Good Luck.
Mama Norts

I am have a lot to share on this subject and I hate typing. Let’s see how I do. We have been fishing Rainy for 10+ years. doing it by houseboat the last 2 years. The scenery and fishing at Rainy can’t be beat. House boating is the way to go.

Let me suggest walkie talkies, they will help in several ways. When searching for your HB site, send in a member of your group to scope the site out first. They can then reach you by WT if they ok the site. Cell service on Rainy is spotty and east of the Brule Narrows non existent. I also recommend letting the scouter stay there and hold your site on busy days, when many boats are looking for sites.

We rent from Rainy Lake House Boats, so some of this boat specific stuff may not apply. Also , make sure you request a gang plank. It is much easier for getting onto the beach and a must if you have a senior or a dog. Remember to pull it up at night tough so you don’t have any mice visitors.

Buy only block ice, cubes are a waste. Cubes are only needed at first if your beverages are not cold to start with. After the first day you can chop your own ice with an ice pick or screwdriver, which you have brought with you. They will furnish 2- 48 qt. coolers for you for ice storage. We bring 2 other 48’s or bigger with us. Blocks will last awhile in them. Also, sleeping bags draped over the cooler on the front deck will help shade them from the sun. It really does help ice retention.

If you fish with minnows you will need to take a lot with you. We usually start with 5 doz. and there are 6 of us. You will need a 5 gal. bucket with tight fitting lid and handle. Drill tiny holes in the bucket, lots of them. You can tie it off the back of the HB with all your extra minnows. Hopefully it will be deep enough back there to keep them happy and cool. Probably need some big rocks to help sink it. Just make sure you don’t drag them if you move the HB, will kill the minners.

You basically have to bring everything with you for a week, just like a fly-in. They HB company will deliver things, ice bait, groceries, but I don’t think they do it every day. I pack a medical bag, with an ace bandage, gauzes, tape, tweezers, antacids, aloe, Vaseline, Neosporin. You get the idea. Binoculars are helpful for reading numbers on the buoys while navigating the HB, also great for viewing wildlife. Don’t forget lots of bug juice and sunscreen. We have a nice stereo system on our boat, so CD’s are nice.

When beaching the HB, you have to gun the boat to beach it. Make sure you warn all aboard of the coming jolt. Last year my husband beached us with no exact warning, my mom was in the back, lost her footing, fell and hit the fire extiguisher on the wall. Turns out she fished a week with 5 broken ribs. She is 79 years old, talk about a HAMMER. ( I think she will be packing Vicadin this year, just in case).

HB sites all have a nice fire pit, so if you are the type don’t forget camp chairs, and s’more fixins’. I bring a small rug for the bathroom floor. Helps with wet floor. I could probably go on and on. I have a complete master list of what we bring. If you would like I could e-mail it to you in an attachment. Just let me know. Our trip this year is from July 8-14th, can’t wait, have fun!

Birch Point Camp runs a nice show. Nothing special, but great rates. Cabins are small, but do able. Great owners Pat and Mary.

Could you please tell my how the CO is going to be able to tell the difference between lake water and bottled water????
Sure , I can keep the water jug, but like he’s going to believe me.

My family still needs lots of votes to win the houseboat trip. If you are on Facebook, please vote for my families picture. Be sure to follow the directions exactly and “Like” both RLHB and then Our photo. Really appreciate it everyone.

Gregg,

Thanks for the memories. I lost my father 3 years ago and have wonderful memories we made together. Not everyone is lucky enough to experience this. As Tracy Adkins says,” We ain’t only just fishin’.”

Thanks for this offer, I hope I win!

Mama Norts

Ralph,

Try http://www.freecycle.org, it is a great site. It is location based and most cities have a group. It is free to join and members can post wanted or offer items. It is a great way to keep useable things out of our landfills, that you don’t need anymore. Give it a try.

We have one in our house also, it was two until recently, but one passed away. The one that passed used to eat live mice. The one left, eats frozen. They were played with alot at first, but don’t get much attention anymore, sadly. I feel bad for the snake, not getting much attention. If you do not play with them that is when they get aggressive. Be sure it gets attention.

John,

Prayers sent for Hudson. I have no experience with dog cancer’s. I might suggest going over to the Walley Central general discussion forum. There is a vet named Steve, goes by vetspet. He is out of northwest Indian and a wealth of knowledge. He is very willing to help all those on that forum that have questions. He has been helpful to so many there with their pet questions. I would really give him a shout over at WC. I am sure he will have some insight. Good luck and blessings to Hudson.

Mama Norts

I am a physical education teacher at a small Catholic school in a western suburb of Chicago. Three years ago, I wrote and received a grant from the Future Fisherman’s Foundation, to start a fishing program at my school. I have taught the unit for three years for my 4th-8th graders. My unit includes, fish id, water conservation and catch and release. The grant allowed me to purchase over 70 rod and reel combos, pfd’s, terminal tackle and boxes and live bait. We havae a local park district pond that is full of bluegill and large mouth bass, that we can walk to. The kids are very succesful cathing fish each spring. It is by far the most exciting, rewarding and well accepted unit I have done with my students in my 15 years of teaching.
Children are the future of our sport.
I look forward to catching you seimnar in Chicago in January.

Mama Norts