Saturday Adventures

Saturday morning and Krista has not received test results. She will not be home this evening.

I enjoyed a solitary 5.7 mile walk....it was drizzly, clear, pouring and drizzly....lots of variety is always nice. ::snort::

I simply can't get enough of the mountains, the roads, being OUTSIDE. 

The kids were up and doing household chores when I got home. An outing was proposed. In the end Alex wasn't feeling good, Michael wanted to plant a couple of trees, Nolan stayed to help him and GG isn't up to walks....and it was raining. 

Stacia and I grabbed Millie and headed out...we stopped at a popular fishing spot...and discovered a nice hiking path...we also got all the intel on how and where to get the reds and kings (salmons).

We noted though everyone knew the perfect spot to catch em - we didn't SEE any salmon anywhere! Not one on a line or in a cooler etc.  It cleared up enough for us to enjoy our walk.

We spent time trying to figure out HOW all these cars got down to the river's edge...up and down the bank. 

We plan to come back again - with a lunch and a boat....and a pole or two - just in CASE there ARE reds and kings in here. 

While we enjoyed this spot - it wasn't the one we set out to find. We decided to move on over to the lake we had originally been aiming for. I got us a bit beyond where we needed to be as I was on the old highway.  It rained pretty hard as we arrived - so we waited it out in the car. Millie was napping.

Stacia has the leash around her waist. When she begins to teach Millie to run with her (18 months or so) this is the way she'll do it....so she decided to try it on the walk. It worked well.

Everyone left the lake when it began to downpour. This was good for us. We had the place to ourselves until near the end of our walk. LOL 

We got home and had dinner, played some video games and relaxed. Millie slept well.  I walked a total of 8.36 miles when I added up both lakes and the morning walk.

Weekly Data from my Wellness Journey

• 44.24 miles walked this week (real walks not steps)
• 18,660 average steps a day 
• 22 bites averaged a day 
• 1,111 calories consumed a day 

Both my miles walked and daily step average are up! This is great. I'll see if I can maintain or increase....probably doing good to maintain but this is #justtryjuly2020 so I'll give it a shot. 

Bites and calories averaged out fine. I had some very heavy days and a couple of very light days...so I may see about smoothing those out a bit - but it worked. LOL 

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.