Aug 30th

Okay, here we go after taking 10 days off from blogging, the chum crew has requested that I resume my blog. They completed their survey and returned to the boat, drenched and freezing cold. Now after a change of clothes and some hot chocolate in their systems, they seem to be returning to normal. Oh, they also had to pop their Vitamin I, (ibuprofen) too. Now it sounds like we will be staying in this same spot tonight and then they will attempt another creek survey tomorrow. I apologize for missing days on the blog. It seems like everyday has been the same therefore nothing to share. Bad weather, rolling waves, tilting boat, miles upon miles of travel, creek to creek, tired and sore chum wenches and day after day of the same thing. Another thing learned while on this survey is just how bad chum smell, these are the rotten fish that the crew catches and remove the otilith bone for further research. When they return from their survey and walk through the dining area, the stench is unbelievable. Truly, something you've never smelled before and don't desire to smell again. And I'm so glad I only get the returning smell, being up on the creek with them and hundreds of dead fish does not sound interesting. So this evening we will have taco soup, bean dip and salad. No campfire but possibly a movie night. Depends on how tired all the wenches are after dinner. Sometimes they head straight for their beds and we don't see them the rest of the night. Although they do head back up later for dessert, usually after I have headed towards my room for the night. But I see the remnants in the sink the next morning; ice cream scoop, bowls and cups that weren't there when I went to bed. Never sure what I might find in the galley sink in the morning. Keeps me on my toes. Do any of you know the phrase "stove up"? Cuz, I sure don't and have never heard it. Apparently it means when your body is stiff or sore. So I just looked it up on google and sure enough, that's what it means. Also made dessert, Tom Selleck is making his 3rd appearance for the chum crew tonight. They are all eagerly awaiting his arrival. I must say, Tom is always welcome on this boat. :-) This has been a very long and tiring journey. Certainly not the same type of trip as the hunts. The stream survey has been constant travel, bad weather and maybe even a few personnel issues. Imagine meeting new people and then spending the next 6 weeks with them in close quarters with little or no breaks. It takes a special effort by everyone to keep things positive and on an even keel. Little things can sometimes become big things but have to say we've all done a fairly good job of working together and trying to stay on the bright side. That being said, I am more than ready to end this session and return to the hunts. I am missing my family so much. All the grandkids are tugging at my heart as I think about them and what they are doing right now. The girls all got their school haircuts which is always fun to see. I even got to see Maddy do a small fashion show with some of her new school clothes. Asher is crawling all over the place and Ryder just doesn't understand where Grandma Debbie has been, other than "on the boat". Hard thing for a little guy to wrap his head around. And I know Peyton and Alex could use a grandma hug too. We won't even talk about Byron. We have never been apart for this long at any point in our marriage. And you know all that crap about "absence makes the heart go fonder?", well, that's just plain crap. I miss him after one day or 10. And this has been 42 days so far.......much, much too long. He has been stellar through this whole journey and so stinkin supportive. Could never have attempted or completed this without his encouragement. I am a lucky girl but I already knew that. Could sure use one of those big hugs that he delivers. Love those! Well, I think I've caught you up pretty well at least from what I can remember. I will try to update daily instead of waiting so long. It's hard to recall all the "special" things that happen along the way. Love you all......dj