TGIF

Friday morning began with Small Group Coaching on Zoom.... Tamara, is a gal I first became aware of on WW connect. She hosts monthly challenges and when I joined in October I saw her hashtag everywhere. When I began to realize I would need to take control of my wellness journey as the ww offerings locally weren't going to work well for me, I was sad at the thought of not being able to follow Tamara on WW Connect...then someone told me she had an Instagram account. It took me FOREVER to find her (she was going by a different name then) but I was happy to find her...and then she began posting her Trail Talks on YouTube . Honestly, her talks, challenges and encouragement was the one thing I felt I would miss from WW.....so the rest is pretty much history if you're a blog reader. I won't go there again. I WILL say  I felt a small group would be beneficial to my journey, and save my friends and family from having to process the journey with me. I was thrilled when Tamara began offering small group and personal wellness coaching. I meet with a small group over zoom once a week...and the meetings are incredibly helpful to me as I work towards a good relationship with food.  I have been trying to make Monday night at 4:30 p.m., but that has been difficult with our crazy household. This week the Friday a.m. group moved to 9:30 a.m.  EST - which puts it at 5:30 a.m. Alaska time.  This is  much easier for me than the previous 3:30 a.m. I plan to settle into the Friday a.m. slot...which will work well with our schedule.

Right as we finished up with small group I remembered....THIS....

I got Michael up so we could watch Krista's graduation from the USAF Basic Chaplain's Course. Many of you know she has missed her last week of classes as she developed a cough. She was sent to sick call and they did a CV-19 test.  She  was then confined to quarters until the results come back. It is highly doubtful she will fly home on Saturday. BUT this also means she's done her last week of classes via Facebook Live, took her final in her room, and today, graduated from her room/quarters.

Krista won the Commandant's Award. The essay she wrote comparing civilian and military chaplaincy was read during graduation.   Here she is....at graduation.

I'll edit these photos when Krista is home to help me remember who is who.....

After our zoom meetings and graduations....Stacia and I hit the pavement....the wet pavement. Millie doesn't do selfies very well. LOL

She loves the walks...though she does need some training breaks at times to get her attention back on Stacia and what Stacia wants her to do. She wants to please. Unless she is focused on biting, but puppy biting won't last forever. Right? 

We tired her out. This appears to be one of Millie's favorite resting spots....under my chair (mom's old recliner) in my nook.  Look how big she is getting. 

I went out for an after dinner walk and LOOK who greeted me the street over...

I turned around and walked the other way....when I got home CoRielle were at our house. I played with Benny - and the dogs - while they watched a "Bad Guy movie"....some Avenger one I think. Ultran?

Its felt like a full day....a full week...and tomorrow we are OUT OF QUARANTINE.

Fireweed

 Fireweed blooms have shown up this week in our area. I can no longer deny the blooms have begun.

The local wisdom says when the fireweed blooms all the way to the tip top one has 6 weeks left before winter....but surely fall comes first. I've also heard when the bloom completely dies you have 6 weeks left....but why talk about 6 weeks...let's just enjoy the OUTSIDE. 

BreZaak's Big News

BreZaak and CoRielle are both expecting new little ones the same week in November.  It is hilarious to me that they keep having their OB appointments on the same day, right after each other.

Monday was an exciting day in Alaska....

Via Bre's camera

Izaak dropped off some very special Oreos for each of us. The attached note read, "Pink or blue? We'll soon know, but here's what we know for sure: you will be adored."

Via Bre's camera

We eagerly sampled our cookies. 

Oreos - a part of every Gherkin celebration 

 It's green - that can only mean BOY! We are so excited.

Baby D4 is a BOY!  Gideon is thrilled with the promise of  "2 boys!

Via Bre's camera

Annie has no idea what excitement awaits! 

Via Bre's camera

Bella is becoming an old pro at welcoming new siblings. What fun! 

Via Bre's camera

For those who aren't 100% able to sort out the family....Bre is our eldest. She and her husband, Izaak, are about to welcome their 4th child. This will make 2 grils and 2 boys. Perfect.

Yes, this does mean we are expecting two new grandsons in November! Woot!

A Sweet Life

Stacia still hasn't left Millie for any length of time. Today is our Bible study day.....we talked about leaving her home and enjoying a leisurely breakfast/study...and then we remembered...we are self-isolating and CAN'T go to a restaurant for breakfast. ::snort:: 

We queued up in the drive-through. Millie has fans at Sophia's. Today they gave her her first puppachino! Whut? Did you know these are a thing? Millie wholeheartedly approved. 

Whoa! I LIKE rides

After study the three of us went for a quick walk. This is one of my favorite spots to walk by....all the wild roses are n bloom and it smells HEAVENLY.

Lunch....it was huge and filling. 

Kimber came to visit Millie. They both seem to enjoy doggie visits.  Millie continues to surprise us with her personality....she's obviously the baby but she gives out a lot. It's sweet to watch how Kimber lets her "win" from time to time...Millie sits on top of Kimber with a self-satisfied look until Kimber decides to flip her off.

Millie is learning not to cower....and she's a natural.  

Stacia is a great trainer. I know this is a LOT of work and stress for her - but she is loving it too. Millie responds quite well to her and fairly well to the rest of us.

Everyone loves Baachan's strawberries....Benny melted my heart when he took me over to the bed and picked berry after berry for me....some weren't totally ripe, but the moment was sweet. 

Kimber points out a ripe strawberry

 Millie illustrates what it looks like totally commit to strawberry gathering. 

Picking strawberries - mystery of the 1/2 eaten berries solved

GG does NOT have text on his phone...but he spends a lot of time scrolling through his phone. Benny is not 100% o.k. with this practice. ::grin:: Dad is feeling great and ready for Saturday and our release from our isolation.

"Hey, GG! Hey, GG." 

Two of my babies with their puppy babies 

Doggo Visits

 Did I say isolation? CoRielle are going on the assumption they have antibodies.  I'm not sure that's a thing - the reports seem to be varying - but in any event we are all feeling well, they decided they had whatever it was first and they have come to visit this week. We have enjoyed the visits.

I bought Millie a pink monkey.  It's arms and legs are various textures, it squeaks, it crinkles and it's become one of Millie's favorites. Stacia calls it "miracle monkey" as we can divert Millie for a bit of time from warm flesh. Her biting is getting better.... We are consistent with the toys, training or time-out method. We immediately try to distract her with toys, or get her attention on a training session, and if she's just too far gone she takes a time out.  We are also using a technique Travis and Cat showed us....some of us are better at it than others. SHE is getting older and teething can't last forever.....time and training are in our favor.

Yay for Miracle Monkey 

New sprouts in the garden 

Purple beans

Buttercup squash 

Rainy Daze

I looked outside and it was drizzling. I work out inside all winter. I really did NOT want to walk on the treadmill, do the elliptical or walk with Leslie. I decided to grab a sweatshirt and wool socks and go for it.  I want to walk outside as long as I can and if I quit now.....

Ah, yes! Michael had bought me a rain coat and it fits this year....sorta big even. It worked well over my sweatshirt. Though it WAS a bit challenging to see. 

Worth a bit of discomfort to see these sights. 

An added benefit is the animals stayed home in their warm homes. I don't know if they always will - but there were NO moose or fox on this morning's walk. I didn't melt.

I leave my tennis shoes outside to dry....with the advent of Millie I may rethink the practice. 

It was a relaxing, rainy day for all.  I was happy not to have to water today. I did miss putzing in the garden. Sometimes Millie simply sits at our feet...before getting an urge to attack them. LOL 

Dad got hearing aids today! He seems pleased with them. It's amazing to be able to talk in a normal voice around here...and I see he's already happier to be able to participate in conversations....he has said the microwave is broken as it's loud and the rooster sounds like he is in his bedroom. LOL  I have an app on my phone which controls the volume and settings of his hearing.  We've been working together to find a good volume for him. He says we can't talk about him anymore. I remind him I can mute him at any time. LOL  I think this is the best spent money in years!

Rainy days are good for thinking and I pondered my wellness journey - realizing my thinking has been skewed.

CoRielle's Big News

CoRielle have posted their news online and so I will cement the info here on our family blog.

Last night CoRielle and Benny surprised us with a visit.  We were thrilled as we knew they were having an ultrasound....they showed us these photos.  I saw the the 3D's first and I could see they said the gender was "boy"....I got to that top one there and said, "Wow - he's got quite the Gherkin nose on him already." ::snort::

Via Arielle's photos 

"Mom! That's his legs and bum and..."

"Oh!  Yep, definitely a boy!"

Arielle had been hoping for a girl (signs seemed to point that way) and they hadn't given a thought to a boy's name...but when she was told it was a boy she said, "Oh, you mean Daniel?"  Maybe a Daniel in the group. Until they say for SURE I will try various D names on for size....because they have an A, B and C.....Today I called him Dimitri.

Via Arielle's Photos

 She's a little shell-shocked at the idea of two boys,  but she's a great boy mom. Bennet is adventurous, loving, kind and brave.  She's got this....and Cory and Benny are over the moon excited. 

Via Arielle's photos 

Such an enthusiastic big brother. Benny says he will teach his brother how to pee on rocks, poop in the woods (a recent accomplishment of his 😅),  and fight bad guys (bugs)!  I suppose those really are the key tricks for an Alaskan boy. 

Via Arielle's photos

Benny tries to put the baby in HIS tummy. 

Via Arielle's photos 

Stay tuned. I'll share BreZaak's news when they've shared it online.

Just a Day

The blind in our room got left up last night. The fresh breeze was wonderful - the sunrise at 4:29 not so much. 

Stacia, Millie and I ventured forth for a walk. As is my practice, I kept walking after Millie and Stacia went home....I discovered a LOT of maro polos from my sister friends to listen to.  I had thought to go another 1 1/2 miles....down to the mailbox and back....but I decided to keep walking so I could listen to all the chats...and respond...and then listen to their response....and then chat a bit with my cousin, Lorri....and before I knew it I was in front of my favorite farm....and it is shorter to just press forward at that point....

I walked 7 miles this morning. Today was the first time I noticed cow parsnips in pink. Is this normal? Google tells me these are in the carrot family and you can eat them. 

These are lilies right at my front door....I don't think you can eat them. ::wink:: 

I CALLED and they wanted Dad to come to his appointment - even though he's been sick. I think Dad was happy to get OUT.  We masked up and went out.

Millie loves to torment the chickens....Honestly, Phoenix has tormented us all so much it doesn't bother me to see her make him sweat a bit.  She just lays there and stares at him....though she'd turned her back on him at this point...

I'm not sure if you can see the growth - but this puppy is GROWING. She is 9 weeks old today, born on May 5th.  We love her blossoming personality. Here she brings us a present....right to the door.  When no one responded she set pretty and waited - with the tiniest of barks.  

Looks guys - I brought you Nolan's priceless sandal.....isn't that worth a treat????

Michael planted an Aspen Tree. I scrubbed dehydrator trays. The boys worked long shifts. Stacia trained Millie. Dad kept busy preparing for his appointment.

Dad, Michael, Stacia and I played a round of Farkle;  Michael and Stacia had a piano lesson.  It feels like it has been a long day, but we sure didn't do much. LOL

Update - I needed to unwind. I went for a walk around the block....another 1.68 miles for the day. Who AM I? I used to unwind with chocolate and tea at bedtime - not a walk at 9 p.m. at night.  Total walking today - 8.68 miles.