Brads Blog

I came across this inspiring video, it’s really amazing and thought I’d share it with you.

This last weekend, we packed up and headed to Robin Hood Woods Resort in Shelbyville, Illinois. We left Friday afternoon, and decided it would be best to board the dogs since it was such a far drive.

We met Samantha’s Aunt Nettie and Uncle Mike out there, and Bernie and Teri went out as well. Aunt Nettie and Mike live in Iowa, so Robin Hood Woods was about the halfway mark.

Bernie and Teri got a late jump, as they experienced problems with their camper brakes. They ended up getting out there in the early hours of Saturday morning. We managed to figure out the problem with the brakes Saturday morning. Later Saturday it rained, and was a relief because the weather was HOT AND HUMID! Saturday night they played Happily Never After for the kids. We ate popcorn and snacks and the kids had fin.

Sunday we had a great time, we loaded up and went to see the Shelbyville Lake dam. We took pictures, and there was a butterfly house we walked through. I think everyone enjoyed it. We then went to a local winery and did some tasting, and everyone bought some wine. Samantha and I went on a trip to a local Deals store, and picked up some ribbons and treats for the boys. When we got back to camp, we had an awards ceremony. Brandon thought it was boring, but think they all really enjoyed it.

Samantha decided to rent a golf cart at the campground. She said it was so we wouldn’t have to walk everywhere, but watch the video and you can tell why she really wanted to rent it!

On our way home, we stopped in Indianapolis to visit with Mariah and Tom. We got back last night and we were all completely exhausted.

Here are some more pictures of the trip…

Here is a video of Andrew swimming in the pool. It took him a while to get the courage, but finally did it and he was great!

Monday, Samantha went camping without me. Since I had to work, she took the boys, her friend Michelle and her two daughters camping at a place near Richmond, Indiana. I was left with the dogs. I thought it would be a good break to come home from work to a quiet house and watch whatever I wanted on TV and do whatever I want.

What I experienced, however, was complete boredom. I rented a few movies, and lost interest pretty quickly. I did get a bunch done around the house.

Samantha came home yesterday, she needs a break! I guess the trip was a lot for them. We spent the day cleaning out the camper, and we slept in it last night in the rain. You can see a bunch of pictures and a video of their trip on Samantha’s blog.

Brandon and I went fishing at Lake Monroe, (AKA Lake No Catch ‘em) with Grandpa Wuennemann and Uncle Joe and Brandon set the new record for catching crawdads. He had a great time.

Here are a couple of pictures of our last camping trip at Caesars Creek.

We had so much fun on our trip last month, we decided we’re going to be campers now. We did some shopping around and did a lot of contemplating and decided that a pop-up camper would be the best fit for us. We wanted to keep the price down and also wanted something Samantha can pull without panic.

Samantha found a deal in the paper and we went for it. Here is a picture of one identical to it. We haven’t taken pictures yet. We’ve been busy stocking it up, and planning more trips. Samantha will be making the maiden voyage without me, as I will be working and she is going with a friend and the kids.

We’ve been talking about it for some time now, and now we’re doing it. We’re going camping. We’re heading to Caesar’s Creek State Park for a weekend of no stress, no computers, no TV or work. Sounds fun right? I’m in a bit of panic here! I can’t remember how many years it’s been since I’ve gone longer than a day without checking my email. I have visions of three fighting, bickering kids and two dogs that won’t stop barking. How bad could it really be?

My wife and I have agreed that we’re going to try to just relax and not stress the little things, and end up ruining the trip.

My wife, three boys and two dogs will be camping in a tent, next to my wife’s parents and their two dogs. It’ll be interesting to say the least! Despite all of my fears, I am excited about going.

Yep, seems like it’s every year I go through something like this. I’m in the process of installing the latest version of WordPress (Blog software) and it’s probably a good time to redo my theme. Maybe a whole new look is in order?

The comment spammers got the best of Blogger Yvonne Tran (nektros, Cynicism in a hot dish). She has closed down the comment leaving ability completely, due to the massive amounts of comment spam she receives. Not even the best WordPress plugins dealing with blogspam were able to help. Reading the announcement on her blog left me with mixed feelings about it.

I can completely understand her frustrations, as Bradsblog gets a fair dose of spam as well. (I’m certain she gets a lot more than I) However, I am one that believes that a blogger is only successful with interaction with the readership. To close comments, in my opinion, says “I’m good without you, don’t need you.”

This certainly isn’t a slam to Yvonne, as she clearly has a lot on her plate and obviously put a lot of thought into her decision. I think I’ll explore the web in search of other bloggers that have gone comment-free but I doubt I will find many. If it was a successful venture, wouldn’t it have already been done? That’s a question that Yvonne will have to find the answer to.

I will continue to read nektros, but I will miss leaving comments.

So many of you know, last year I bought a motorcycle. I bought it from my mother-in-law, who decided she wanted a Harley and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. It’s a Yamaha V-Star. I’ve been putting some serious miles on it, and very happy with it.

Last month, I traded my Mercury Sable in for a 2003 Silverado, extended cab. I’ve only had it for a month, and don’t know how I lived without a truck!

This picture was taken the day I brought it home. Since then, I have installed chrome step bars on the sides.