Monday, September 11, 2006

Self Portrait Challenge- "With Someone"

Keeping warm in the tent
Watching a movie on DVD player in camp eating red licorice. . . Hehehe

Meet my Dream Maker

Dave has made my dreams come true in many ways. Finding a man who chooses to love and marry me knowing what lies ahead is just one. Making my life easier and happier is another.

I have always been a outdoor girl who loved to go camping but when I became more disabled I had to give it up. Dave is a fisherman and duck hunter but never camped. He wanted to see if he could figure out a way to make it happen for me. He bought camp gear but knew he would need to add a few extras to make it work with ALS. He bought a queen size air mattress cot (off floor), a tent potty and propane heater for night. He also lovingly stuffs my clothes with "Hot Hands" pocket warmers and got me a reclining camp fire chair. I camp and fish again...woohoo! The smell of campfire smoke, the crackling of the fire and coffee in the crisp morning air can't be beat!

Dave fell for camping right off the bat even though he had to do all the set up and cooking. He does curse at the tent each time he puts it up and takes it down but he loves building a great fire. I was able to give back by showing him the art of a smore which is now his favorite part. He had never had one...geesh! I taught him the girl scout version which means you wrap it in foil and place near fire until oozing. We went up this last weekend and had a ball. Dreams do come true "with someone" like Dave.

23 comments:

Loralee Choate said...

I hated camping until my husband and I married. This may have had something to do with the fact that my only "Outdoor gear" was a 20-year-old orange sleeping bag with no zipper.

Great trip and photos.

turquoise cro said...

mmmmMMMM, red licorice and smores!!! Dave had never had one??!!! Wowieeee!! Glad he finally has now, soooo you are his dream maker too! sweetie pie Tammy!!! Wish I could have gone with you! The water looks sooooooo pretty and peaceful! XO

Helen said...

Tammy what a blessing he is in your life and you to him! You both deserve each other. I am so happy for you. What a beautiful Lake and so close to you is even better. Thanks for sharing!

Kelly said...

What a great guy you have, thank you for sharing such a special story!

Rachel said...

Oh signing into you was amazing, your song came on and then the pics came up, soooo utterly gorgeous, I had a tear in my eye, for your love. So glad you had a great time, so if Dave has fallen in love with camping, other than the tent stuff, does that mean you get to go again?

paris parfait said...

Oh, Tammy reading these romantic adventures you and Dave share does my heart good. You two are so wonderful together! The photographs are fabulous, showing your happiness and love. Thank you for sharing a little glimpse into your joy! xo

Anonymous said...

i also love the outdoors and we camp often, the grandaughter and i make the smores we love them, the guy and i love a big fire and a cold beer! you look like you've found joy.

Kim Carney said...

A sweet tribute to your love and life together. (I want to come camping with you guys)

Georgia said...

What a Prince Charming you have:) You two seem to have built a beautiful life together.

And THANK YOU!!! I totally chopped it all off last Tuesday. It was time for it to be GONE :)

xoxox

Anonymous said...

You just warm my heart with these wonderful stories :) Gives me hope for the world, with people like you two in it.

Sounds like you had a wonderful time - how lucky you both are.

BTW, I can't believe there's a man alive who never had a smore! LOL

Jeremy Stockwell said...

Great pictures of you two. Wonderful to capture these moments.

Bedazzzled1 said...

Woman, your posts always cause me to tear up. You have no idea how wonderful you are, do you?

Heaven knows, I am thrilled you and Dave found each other. You complement one another beautifully.

Love you~
Nikki

Deb R said...

He had never had a s'more until he met you? Wow!! These are wonderful photos. I especially love the fishing one!

I really like your Tankas above too. (I'm going to combine comments so I only have one verification word since I tend to have to type them more than once anyway. Heh.)

Anonymous said...

Great photos and such a romantic story! I also love camping & am so pleased that your husband was able to make it work for you again. And what is it with men and fire? Just love it..

Anonymous said...

love your *with someone* : camping is such fun *with someone*, and it's great that, without you, Dave might not have discovered the joys of camping!

Tabor said...

So, who took the photos? You brought a tripod or you asked a passing bear?

Unknown said...

Beautiful entry. Sharing fuels hope for all for the potential of a caring relationship.
Patrick
http://journals.aol.com/daddyleer/CaregivinglyYours/

Anonymous said...

It looks like you guys had a blast! You both really rough it out there don't ya? So glad you have eachother, and I love the pic of you guys in the sleeping bag. So fun!!

Hugs,

Jolene

emmapeelDallas said...

Ditto Bedazzled. You always give me hope, Tammy!

XO

Judi

Jessie said...

I'm so glad that you have Dave in your life. Your camping trip sounds and LOOKS like it was incredible. Oh man, I want to go camping! I've been day dreaming about taking the car up north for a couple of days...but important things (like job interviews for vinny!) keep getting in the way. however, your photos remind me of our trip to the mountains this past summer...and, for now, those memories are enough to keep me going until I can actually get away!

I'm happy to hear that you are enjoying your passions. :)

Kamsin said...

Great photos and you are so lucky, and blessed to have Dave in your life. Thanks for a beautiful post.

betty said...

Tammy, what fun!! Creative ways to enjoy the great outdoors! Kudos to both you and Dave for investigating what needs to be done to enjoy an experience like this together!

Chris said...

You two are so damned cute! "Keeping Warm", huh? So that's what you call it:)

Chris
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