This Week

I don't broadcast when our house will be sitting empty for obvious reasons. You can be sure we have house sitters if I ever mention an upcoming trip. LOL I also decided not to blog while Michael was out of state. Michael's passport arrived just in time for this trip. Thanks to those who prayed about that. 

Early on May 18th, Michael, Krista and Reno left our home. Their goal was to drive down the Alcan with Reno to Colorado by the 21st. Reno is on the "don't fly" dog list. He is spending this next assignment in GA with a sweet couple rather than in Japan. 

I am guessing Krista is in the back...

These two have a history of fast trips up and down the Alcan. They have been known to drive straight through for days at a time. We were all impressed with the speed with which they ticked down the miles. 

Michael & Krista at Watson Lake, Yukon

Back in Alaska it was Impact Alaska, the Sunday when the church leaves the building and gets out in the community. Gas buy downs, oil changes, yard work, construction projects, painting... it's a fun event. The even has grown to include several other churches and even a church in Canada this year.  Jared led a team at the Chugiak Senior Center. 

This is a challenging event with GG.  He can't do much of the physical labor and gets bored just sitting and watching. Last year Michael stayed home with him, and I joined a Valley church. With Michael gone, Stacia and I committed to clean up in the local area - on our own without a church group. It works. 

Monday, the traveling trio continued their way across Canada and into Montana. 

Allie worked, GG called through his list, Stacia and I cleaned and decluttered our spaces. She took 7 bags of clothes, a chair and a box of miscellaneous things to Bishops Attic. 

The girls and I are working through Leverage Redemption - Season 2 and 3.  The travelers punched through into the lower 48. Reno enjoyed the green grass.  Here at home, we continued to entertain GG, I got a pedi, Allie worked...Nolan came over for games and a visit...and I totally forgot Life Group. 

Wednesday Stacia watched GG so I could go to the doctor. It appears my A1C DID move down a bit. I was hitting the "diabetic" label but am now at the "pre-diabetic" level. I got clarification on a few health instructions. Luke attended Kaelyn's promotion from 6th grade to Junior High. Luke flew out to Colorado. 

It took some WORK, but I was able to attend Bible study which concluded with a surprise birthday party for Arielle. 

Thursday Michael began enjoying what will be nearly a week with his brother Earl and his wife Mary. Krista and Luke continued on to GA. 

Friday Alex surprised me by coming over to mow. I went out to help with the edging - I operate the push mower and weed eater. The riding mower wouldn't start. Alex was determined and began mowing this big yard with the push mower. At one point I was talking to Alex. He was waving. I thought we were communicating until I turned my head and noticed I was between him and two moose. LOL  I moved aside and let the moose take advantage of the cleared paths to the greenery. 

I had set out trays of starts to harden in prep for transplanting to the garden. The moose thought the trays were a buffet offering. LOL  I was thankful they left me plenty to plant. 

Nolan and Jamin joined us for dinner. We are working through the Marvel universe in order...trying to help me understand what in the world is going on when we go to see the upcoming movie, "Doomsday." It was a fun evening. 

The girls puttered on Saturday and then had Writing Club. WAIT - Stacia also went for a walk with her mentor. 

In the morning, I used the weed eater to clean up some edges, and to beat back some devil's club and such. I was properly clothed. I came in showered, got Dad up and ready for the day and went back to work in the garden. 

I couldn't resist any longer, I put out a few plants regardless of what the almanac says.  The other tricky problem of planting now is that Michael didn't set up the electric fence before he left. I have tried, but some part is missing, and he said he'll take care of it when he gets home. WHICH IS perfect timing if I were following the almanac. I am at the place of needing to either up pot or get these seedlings in the ground. I started some under the lights and will direct seed some in a week or two. 

I put 3 of the Brussel Sprouts out. I have 6 more. I know the moose like these, so I didn't want them all out at once. 

I planted flowers. See that greenery in the bucket? I have no clue what it IS. I could swear the seed packet said "Marigold", but they sure don't look like Marigold to me. I worried they were weeds but the seed did come from a packet. LOL 

I put sunflowers in the baptistry again. 

When everyone was helping prep the garden for me...I didn't get around to tell them which spots had things wintered over in them. The asparagus bed is gone.  I also had Thyme, Stevia and Mint I had tried to winter over. I was clearing straw at the end of one of the beds and found these little green/purple shoots that smell heavenly - MINT. 

I cleaned out the strawberry leaves and dead runners. The right-hand side was formerly our asparagus patch. I am going to let the strawberries take over this bed. For the time being I put some sunflowers in the space. 

While I worked, I considered the moose. There is so MUCH green for them to eat. I have no idea why they are fixated on my garden and seedlings. I decided I would try to create a deterrent for them....just make it a bother so they move on to something easier to eat. To that end, I piled a bunch of plastic pipe and the wagon with garden tools in front of the garden. I strung the wires around the perimeter of the garden - even though they aren't electrified. There wasn't enough wire, so I used a bungee cord to connect it all. I am hopeful it will stop any pests until Michael gets home. 

It began to rain as I came inside to get dinner for everyone. It was a good week.