We Played All Day!

Michael and I spent this 2nd day of 2020 enjoying a taste of what it will be like to have older grandkids.  We had a blast! Nora is having surgery in Anchorage. John drove her in. We played with the kids all day....

We vegged out with screens. We had breakfast. ONE of us went outside - it was 0* and that seems a tad bit excessive to ME. LOL 

We played Frozen 2....it was a delight. 

Noelani was SURE we would be great at TWISTER. Seriously, this is a very flexible gal....we explained our bodies quit making these moves a couple of decades ago...but it's always fun to play Twister...Even if you can't move like this. 

Big, friendly doggies!

I'm sorry Nora is in pain this evening, I am happy we are part of a church family that pulls together during these times.

I got up this morning and spent some time with Jesus, jumped on the elliptical for 45 minutes and then we headed to John and Nora's. We played all day - the perfect way to begin the year.

Cozy Start to 2020

 The snow is back. LOL We received at least 10 inches of new snow on our deck. Anchorage officially reports 9.5 inches, a New Years Day record snowfall.

 I spent much of this day cozily sequestered in our study, aka our library, after a bracing trek to the box for Dad's paper.

I will be speaking at a PWOC (military women's ministry) retreat in CA the end of this month. It was good to get words and scattered thoughts corralled on paper.

Everyone else read, cleaned, watched YouTube and Netflix...none of us HAD to be anywhere.😊

I joined GG, Michael and Krista for the final quarter of the Rose Bowl...just in time to see the Ducks win by one.

In Search of Margin

There's no doubt this has been a very busy season around our home. Dad has moved in with us,  which did bring a new list of responsibilities; Alex got a job - which adds a challenge to homeschooling;  WHO KNOWS WHY - but it's been a BUSIER fall than I expected, or scheduled for.  Contrary to Dad's oft repeated comment, I am NOT working 20 hours a day....but I HAVE been working hard to get life to cooperate in the search for more margin.

When things get chaotic - I organize! 

Don't judge me. Each camie brought me joy as I held it in my hands.  The ones that didn't spark joy were released to Bishop's Attic. It brought me joy to fold each one, and a sense of great satisfaction and order to color coordinate them in the drawer.... They've stayed that way. 

Michael laughed when he saw this on Nov 19th. It's a sure sign I was a bit overwhelmed.....but it also is a sure sign I was taking steps to alleviate the inner pressure. 

Women's ministry has been on a break since the week before Thanksgiving...just a few days after the great folding extravaganza. School has been on break. I have been on break...and during break....I've helped CoRielle move...and am planning for getting the basement usable for us....AND I'm convinced those organized t-shirts helped me find the time to break away and organize my thoughts for the upcoming PWOC retreat. I now have five sessions roughed out and feel like I may actually have something ORGANIZED to say by the end of January. 

I am feeling back in control enough to actually take the time to blog - rather than to sit in my chair and moan, "WHAT am I going to say to those poor women at the retreat???" 

It all began with organizing and color-coordinating the camies. Try it. 

Feeling overwhelmed.....just try it. You'll see. 

Ignore the playful ribbing from your family. 

More Winter Lessons From an Alaskan Transplant

Numbers 1 - 14 can be read here.

#15.....It takes a bit longer than 15 minutes with the autostart to dig out the car some mornings....

#16. Yikes. Watching out for other drivers is essential...even if YOU think the road is fine.

A Day in December

Our friendly dental hygienist told us the trick to short waits at the post office is to go before the main area opens....she assured us there may be 2 or 3 ahead of us.....

0700 and there was a LINE TO THE BACK WALL!  Stacia and I ran to get my fasting labs done and grab a hot beverage before joining the que.

 One and a half hours later we left with our package. Honestly, I MUST remember NOT to order during December. We do a lot of normal shopping on Amazon and Vitacost. It's not a big deal if it comes after Christmas - but if one doesn't pick up packages - they SEND THEM BACK. This happened to us while on vacation.  I knew we didn't need any gifts that happened to arrive and the food could wait...but I didn't want the hassle of it getting sent back....and so we waited...and had a great time talking with ourselves and others.

We headed for breakfast and our study together by 0915. Next we hit a couple of thrift stores and Fred Myers.

I had waited so long for a BIG 3 lb package of Lakanto Monk Fruit. It's much cheaper online - or cheaper than anywhere I've found it locally.

I promptly dumped it on the counter....and scooped it back into a gallon ziploc.....

It is just a normal day in December.

Benny Visits - G Dog's a Champ

Dad complained Friday of a broken tooth. I got him in to the dentist and we discovered he has THREE broken teeth and they've been broken for "quite some time." 

 I'm gobsmacked, in awe, amazed that Dad has this much pain and hasn't mentioned it.  Finding a dental plan just moved to the top of "the list." Medicare supplement plans do NOT carry dental up here. None of them. I've called. I have lists of companies I've checked. Many companies don't offer medical insurance up here at all.  So....we had been considering a self-paid dental plan, but maybe a full up, stand alone dental plan will be the most cost-effective way to deal with the extensive dental work in his future. He doesn't qualify for the state funded/supplemented options. 

We opted to have the tooth extracted which is causing pain. We'll go back in January with a plan in place so work will go towards a deductible...unfortunately, many of these plans won't cover "major" work for the first year....I am not 100% sure of the best way to proceed. 

Dad commented - and we all agreed - it was much quieter this morning without Benny's cheerful, morning greetings from the basement.  

Arielle and Benny came over to visit....it was the highlight of all of our days. 

Nothing helps with dental pain like a great grand does

Benny has played a game with me these months. He tells Stacia, Papa, GG  he loves them...but not me. Today, he ran for my knees, kissed them and said, "Baachan, my loves you."  He misses us too!

"Ello, Gov’na!!"

SHE didn't say it - so I will.  Fun photo of Jared and Larissa at the Governor's Christmas party.  We miss them - but they are doing well in Juneau.

Larissa, Governor Dunleavy, Jared
Photo from Larissa 

Jared flies in for a few days every so often for work. Unfortunately, Larissa can't make those trips with him.  We did enjoy a few days with Jared this month and continue to look for opportunities to see them both. Michael keeps dropping comments about a trip to Juneau.