I thought long and hard about posting this story.  It isn’t one I am proud of but know that only the Hunter will understand how proud my husband was when he got his big buck.  He can tell you the whole story, detail after detail. 

I don’t really remember his BIG day.  It was right after we were married.  I hadn’t yet caught on to the whole hunting lifestyle.  I would always ask, did you catch a deer?  Well over the years I learned they are not catching them, they are ……… oh poor bambi. 

Well of course he wanted to mount it.  So he had it mounted and had it at our cabin house.  Well when we bought our new house here in town he pleaded to have it on our living room wall.  Seeing that I am the wonderful hunters wife, I agreed. 

Now, our cabin house is about 150 miles away.  So Mark goes down to get it to bring it home.  At that time, I could never imagine his excitement until I got a phone call.  It was from a girlfriend of mine who lives about 50 miles from us.  She says is Mark there, I said no what’s up.  She said well I think I just saw him on the expressway, I said yep he was at the cabin.  She said well I think I just saw him and he has a deer sitting with him in the passengers seat.  I said WHAT?  She was laughing and said yes… the deer is sitting up like it is his friend.  I said … please tell me he doesn’t have his arm around it.  I was horrified and thought please please please I hope no one else sees him.  But the Proud Hunter he is he was hoping they all had. 

To this day, I wish I would have had a picture of him pulling in the driveway with the love of his life.

I wanted to write a quick note about Christmas shopping.  Yes, Christmas.  If you have been out and about lately you should have seen all of the Christmas display’s they have up already.  It is only September but more and more shopper’s are getting their shopping done early.  If you are like most that get paid every other week or twice a month, that leaves about 6 or 7 more paydays for shopping.  

If you live in Northwest Indiana, or around the Chicagoland area, October 19 is the day Cabela’s opens in our neck of the woods.  Maybe you might want to head out then to find your hunter the perfect gift.  You can’t go wrong there.  Cabela’s has everything from small ticket items to large.  I can’t tell you how excited my husband is to step foot there on opening day.

I’m sure your husband has given you a hint here and there about what he needs or wants now that the hunting season is almost underway.  Hunting shirts, hunting jackets, hunting accessories.  Lots to choose from.   This year my husband it actually hinting about the big ticket item.  A big screen TV.  He wants to put his big screen TV in the basement and said he will move down there.  He will just need a bed.  Now, my first thought is I won’t have to hear all those whispers and bangs on the hunting channel ever again from the next room.  My second thought is should I now charge him rent?  Hmmm….

Make your list and get it done.  Come December 23, you will be thankful you did. 

Cabela’s is on schedule to open its first store in Indiana on Friday, October 19, 2007, according to their website.  The 185,000 square foot building is located at I-80, I-94 on Indianapolis Boulevard in Hammond, Indiana.

According to Cabela’s website, some of the attractions will include a 3,000 square-foot wildlife museum with an extensive collection of trophy mounts, a 36,000-gallon, walk-through aquarium, stocked with freshwater fish, including those native to Indiana, Cabela’s hallmark two-story Conservation Mountain, complete with running waterfalls and stream, a trout pond and wild game in their distinctive habitats, hundreds of animals in extensive, museum quality dioramas, including an African scene, that re-create animals in action in their native habitats.  Other highlights include a boat showroom and maintenance shop, laser arcade, furniture department, gun library, restaurant, general store, fly fishing shop, outdoor clothing, furnishings, bargain cave and gift shop. 

One of the attractions I am looking forward to is the Restaurant & Delicatessen.  Cabela’s will be offering wild game sandwiches including wild boar, elk, bison, ostrich and venison bratwurst.  If you are not a wild game fan, you can choose from their prime rib sandwich, chicken salad, tuna salad, to name a few.  There is also a kids menu and of course the ladies favorite dessert menu.

According to Cabela’s website, the Hammond, Indiana location could see up to four million people visit the store annually, making it one of the top tourist attractions in the state. 

I think my husband will be one of many to be the first at the door.  He has been talking about this opening since word spread that Cabela’s will be coming to town.  It almost sounds like Santa Claus.  The excitement of a young boy and Santa Claus mirrors the excitement of a grown man and Cabela’s. 

For more information visit the Cabela’s website at www.cabelas.com.

Reference of information source from Cabela’s at www.cabelas.com.

Today I was doing a search for items for my husband’s birthday, which is October 31^st.  Yep, Halloween.  My lil monster.  In any event, over the years, I have been a big contributor to a lot of his hunting inventory.  So this year I thought I would try to find something really different.

I began searching the internet to see what I could find.  There is always something out of the ordinary that you can find online.  I just couldn’t believe how much stuff is made in camouflage.  It is just amazing.  They have the normal everyday clothing, rifles, bedding, bath accessories.  Some items I just couldn’t help but laugh.  Here is a list of those items I found humor in;

1. Camouflage clogs.  Yes, those clogs or croks that everyone is wearing these days because they are comfortable.  If you ask anyone wearing them they will admit they are ugly but they are comfortable. And yes, they now have them in camouflage. 

2. Camouflage ties.  I have never seen a camouflage tie before until today.  Those that wear ties would most likely be businessmen.  Is a businessman actually going to wear a camouflage tie to one of his meetings?  Need I say more?

3. Camouflage toilet seat.  Ok, I know I have seen this before but I still find it funny with matching toilet paper.  If I actually had to sit on one of those I would think I was sitting in the woods.  Eww.

4. Camouflage t-shirts.  These are the shirts that most hunters have that have the Big Buck on it and Boobs.  You know the saying “Deer hunting….find a big rack and mount it.”  Does my husband have one, NO. J

5. Camouflage lingerie.  I have seen it before, but not to this extent.  My goodness, anything imaginable is made with camouflage, even a thong.   

I do not own a piece of camouflage.  But maybe I need to add it to my wardrobe after eating all of that pizza while Mark is gone.  I might need to camouflage myself. J

I think I will have to do more research to find the perfect gift for Mark.

I am probably unlike most wives.  I enjoy the time my husband is gone hunting.  I consider it to be my time to do what I want.  He is normally gone for just a couple of days on the weekends and when November/December comes he does take a week or two here and there.  That is when I take time to do what I enjoy and to get things done.  Here are a few suggestions to keep yourself busy.

1. Get yourself organized.  You know those closets that seem to hold what shouldn’t be in there.   And of course that junk drawer is a mess.
2. Focus on one room at a time.  I normally start at the back of the house and keep a tub in the room to throw in what shouldn’t be there.  Also a bag for garbage.   
3. Clean out your clothes closet.  Find your local womens shelter and donate what you can.  They are always in need of many different items.  Clothes, games, furniture, etc.  Give them a call and see how you can help.  You can also contact your local church.  They also do a lot of donating to local families in need.
4. Call a friend to meet for lunch or dinner.  It is always nice to catch up with friends you haven’t seen in awhile. 
5. Enjoy your hobby.  Sewing, knitting, writing, reading, shopping.  Do what you enjoy doing.  
6. Plan a weekend trip with friends or family.   I do road trips with my Mom, sisters and kids.  We always have a good time.

Finally, do not make your husband feel guilty about being gone.  He is actually out doing what he enjoys to do so this is your time to do what you enjoy.  Order a pizza, turn on the Lifetime channel and watch movies all weekend. 

Thanks for visiting my site.  It was located at a previous address and I have since moved it.  For those loyal readers please select this site as your favorite.  I will be updating daily.

 Thanks and enjoy!

When Mark and I were dating I would go with him to his cabin while he would hunt.  He would get up about 4:00 a.m. and head out until about 11:00 or so.  When he would return I would make lunch and we would sit out and enjoy the crisp autumn air.  He would go back out from about 1:00 p.m. til dark. 

After the first month or so I was beginning to get bored.  I would be there by myself and there is only so much cleaning to do.  So the majority of my day I would sit out and enjoy the view.  We were out in the boonies where the closest mall was about 2 hours away.  Being the new girlfriend and all I thought when Mark comes back I am going to ask if I can take a drive with him to see where he hunts.  Remember I have no clue.  I have never even been camping. 

Mark gets back and I tell him I want to see where you hunt.  Well after a few seconds in thought he says to me “You know, that wouldn’t be a bad idea.  I will pull up along side the road where I park and you can sit in the truck while I go out to my tree stand.”  I say “I don’t want to sit in the truck for 4 hours while you hunt.”  He says “It is a really good idea.  While I’m in my tree stand you can sit in the truck and watch for deer and tell me which way they are running.” 

Again, being the new girlfriend I couldn’t just laugh.  So I look at him and say “That really is a good idea.  I can see myself sitting there saying Run Bambi Run!”

Needless to say I have yet to see where he hunts.

“

Every year in September my husband takes his trip to the woods to see what he can find.  He is looking for deer tracks, setting up his cameras on trees and who knows what else prior to the big hunt.  Year after year I get the phone call.  I have poison ivy or I have poison oak.  This year was no different.  Phone rang at 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning and it is the dreaded call.  You need to go to Walgreens or CVS and find something for poison oak.  It is all over my neck. 

My first thoughts in order:

• Now I have to look on the internet for the best remedy.  
• I really didn’t want to go anywhere today.  Now I have to run to the store.
• He better not get home before me and put his clothes in the wash with mine.
• Now I will have to change the sheets everyday for the next 2 weeks.
• He better not take a shower and use the soap I use.
• Where the heck else is it going to spread to  …  as I start scratching my arm. 

So I go to Walgreens and our friendly pharmacist was so eager to show me the best remedy.   IVY-DRY Extra Strength Super Itch Relief Spray.  I have never tried that one so I got it.  I get home and Marks neck is awful.  Huge bumps everywhere … my list of thoughts comes rushing back.  So I spray his neck and he actually felt a relief.  

I go into the house and he has laundry going.  I run down to check that he only put his clothes in the wash.  Thankfully he did.  But as I look down, there is the empty laundry basket with the garbage bag that he had his dirty clothes in.  His clothes that had poison oak all over them.  Now I have to disinfect the basket and keep an eye on everything he touches for the next 2 weeks. 

So I thought I would provide my tips for The Poison Oak Remedy:

1. Keep a bottle of the IVY-DRY Extra Strength Super Itch Relief Spray on hand.  It controls the itch and helps to dry it out.  It also helps with other rashes and bites.
2. You can also try an over the counter allergy relief such as benadryl.  This will also help with itching.  Mark did the spray and took benadryl.
3. If your husband is going into the woods, immediately tell him to shower.  It will wash the oils off that causes poison oak. 
4. Keep husband away from laundry and have him hose his clothes down outside prior to washing.
5. Disinfect everything he comes in contact with.  Bedding, clothes and yourself.

And finally, if they have a serious outbreak call your doctor.  They may need something stronger.

About ten years ago my life was very different.  I guess you could say I was more of an Uptown girl.  Worked in the 9-5 office, went to Chicago a lot for dinner, drinks, shopping, etc.  But on the weekends I would spend time with a friend whose husband was an avid hunter and during hunting season he was always gone. 

When they built their house and she decorated the living room, they had put a deer head on the living room wall.  I would always say to her “I would never have a deer head on my wall.”  She would just laugh at me and tell me you will end up with a husband just like mine.  I would laugh and think hunting, fishing, deer heads, bear rugs, camping, cabins, bugs, that is just not for me.  I dated guys in suits not camouflage.   

During this time, I had met Mark.  My brother-in-law introduced us.  Over the years we would chat here and there and if I was dating someone, he wasn’t.  If he was dating someone, I wasn’t.  So we remained distant friends and would talk once every couple of years or so.  About 9 years ago, he called me and we met for drinks.  He was single and so was I.  So our first date was to take a drive up the lake shore of Michigan. I had a great time.  It was the most relaxed comfortable date I had ever been on.   

The following weekend we took a ride south to his cabin he had on a river.  I walked in the door and realized this is your all American boy.  He hunts, fishes, cuts grass everyday on his tractor, enjoys his meat, potato and vegetable.  My life had totally changed.  Weekends were spent at his cabin on the river fishing, cooking out and sitting by the fire.  A year later we got married, bought a house and for 8 years now I sit and look at that 220 lb, 8 point buck on my living room wall that I swore I would never have.   

I am now officially considered The Hunter’s Wife.

Well ladies it’s that time of year again.  September soon to be October and in Indiana October 1st is the first day of the big hunt.  Our husband’s are tuned into the Outdoor channel and all you hear are those whispers of “We are here in the backwoods of Montana for our first big day of deer hunting.  If you look yonder over by that tree line you will see that nice 10 point buck we have been scoping out.”

The house is quiet … you faintly hear the whispers … then the BANG.  Bambi is down!  You think to yourself poor Bambi how can they be so mean.  You walk to the living room and you look at your husband in disgust.  He says ”Damn, that was a Big Buck.”  Your reply, “That was Bambi’s Father.”    You think, soon that will be your husband sitting/standing in that tree stand hours upon hours waiting for the Big one. 

Note to self:  Husband can’t go to movies because the chairs hurt his back.  Will need to add to mental list of things to bring up in next big fight. 

Ladies prepare yourself.  Last years outfits do not fit.  Arrows need to be sharpened.  Ammo purchased and if your husband is like mine they have those great cameras that attach to the trees and they of course need batteries.  The list goes on.  From one store to the next to hunt the items for the hunter.  Normally my husband doesn’t step foot in a store, unless it reads Cabelas. 

Over the years I have learned a smart wife will shop those stores because her husband is so excited to find her that jacket she has always wanted.  He tries so hard to find you something so that his guilt doesn’t eat at him.  Even to the extent of showing you a mens shirt that is just your size.

Ohhhh how I love hunting season.