A Perfect Summer Evening

The ship with our produce broke down and so Tuesday co-op day was put off until today. That kept me busy until 4 p.m.

Grandma Shark - from BreZaak

Michael had an appointment. Krista texted and asked if any of us would like to meet her for dinner at Reuben Haus, a local food truck. Arielle and boys, Stacia, me and Michael took her up on the offer. Good food, a perfect summer day, outside dining, live music, kombucha and a bean toss. Perfection. 

Kombucha samples. Thanks, Krista. 

Sitting the in the sun, enjoying a gentle breeze, it was hard to believe it's been raining for 3 weeks. In fact, it gave me hope my stubborn refusal to agree with the assessment that summer is over has merit. I'm glad we joined Krista and Arielle and the boys. 

We rounded out the evening by watching an episode of Manifest. Michael headed to bed. Stacia watched, and I slept through, an episode of When Calls the Heart. LOL 

Settling Into Routines - SHARK WEEK

We are settling back into routines. 

We've had 3 weeks of visitors, RAIN, and Fish Camp.  Michael spent a significant amount of time bleaching and power washing nets and coolers. He also took the time to repair nets. Michael is paying for all the recent exertion.  He crashed for 14 hours last night/this a.m. and his tremors are wild.  His docs had begun to talk about deep brain stimulation in 2020...and then the shut down happened - no one was traveling to WA for "elective procedures" at that point...on top of the covid/hospital thing, his new VA doc seems to think his job is rationing care. Michael was seeing a neurologist every 3 - 6 months but hasn't seen a neurologist since 2020. I think it's time to revisit his medications.  I think a bit of tweaking would make it easier to deal with the symptoms.

My blood pressure is rising. My weight is certainly up. It's been "impossible" to do the things I need to do with Dad's care...but something has got to change.  Michael and I are realizing we have to find the time to focus not only on Dad's care, but on our own healthcare and family. Today, I went out and got a .7 mile walk when Dad went down for a nap...it's a start. 

We've not been in the garden for 3 weeks for any amount of "work"... I took advantage of the SUN to assess the garden. WHEW...LOTS of lush WEEDS. Allie came out and helped me for an hour. I decided to work on cleaning out the RV on rain days. We are scheduled to have 3 sunny days and I need to get into the garden.  It's unreal how quickly the weeds grew. I knew I'd be "behind" due to the schedule but add 3 weeks of rain and it is a recipe for rapid weed growth. 

We liberated one pumpkin patch in the midst of the sea of green weeds.  

I spent additional time in the greenhouse. Weeding. The watermelons are growing.

My back hurts! I was spending more time in the garden every day, but evidently the three weeks off cost me in more ways than one. LOL 

Stacia had a Christmas in July youth event to prepare for this afternoon. Bre and the kids came over for SHARK WEEK.  Bre does a great job on celebrations and holidays. They've made shirts, played games, done tattoos, and today we painted sharks.  Their matching shirts all say things such as "Sister shark doo doo da doo doo... " they brought me one that says Grandma Shark....can't wait to wear it. 

Did you know we're expected a new grand? 

Of course, we spent some time playing at our "park," too. GG came out on the deck...all in all it was a good afternoon. 

Nolan and the girls went out to run errands. Allie went to work. I took Stacia to youth group. Krista (friend not daughter) and I grabbed the opportunity to go out and enjoy tea while the kids were at youth. 

It's been a good day, other than my back pain. We'll continue to brainstorm solutions that allow for more focus on our health, and maybe figure out how to fit in some of the things we really miss as a family: hospitality, fire rings, backyard fun (Dad doesn't want to go outside), camping...

Day 5 - End of Fish Camp 22

 The campground we stay at typically requires a 5 night stay during July/dip-netting season. I am really NOT sure WHY they think this is a good plan...but we have ponied up for 5 nights for the last 3 years. This year they didn't have five nights available due to caravans. I was THRILLED we only had to pay for 4 nights. LOL  It was great all fish were caught by Sunday night. This left Monday to explore even though they were coming home a day early. 

Today, the boys played with bubbles and parachute men while the adults broke camp and got everything ready to drive home. 

LOVE Benny's little jig! 

GG had been asking OFTEN all day yesterday and today when they would be home. Millie was crazy out of sorts with Stacia gone. She got a bit better when Allie came home, but even Allie agreed she was nuts!  As the morning wore on Dad was asking about every 15 min when they would be home and Millie wanted in and out, continually, all day long. I tried taking everyone outside with minimal effectiveness. LOL 

I was about to go BONKERS by the time the RV pulled into the driveway. 

Millie was even MORE bonkers...CoRielle had arrived first and Millie needed to be put in the girls' room as we simply couldn't control her. She KNEW Stacia should be around. 

Cory dove into unloading the truck, vacuuming the truck and generally moving things over to their van. The kids said hello to GG and then played in our "park."  We began emptying the freezer into CoRielle's cooler and ours...Alex, Michael and Cory moved the freezer and loaded it again in the garage. I unloaded the fridge. Most of the cleaning will wait for tomorrow.  Nolan spent the afternoon with Bre and kids and the evening helping Jamin move into his new home in the Valley. 

Krista showed up in the midst of unloaded with TWO drink trays full of drinks from Blondies. 

She's so sweet. She even brought two sugar free drinks for Dad and I. I've never had an iced chai...the boys approved of the treat. 

The girls told me they have talked and decided every family will take one communal meal next year. That will sure cut back on my shopping and prep time.  

Michael cleaned out a few coolers...and it was dinnertime. The travelers had a late lunch and none of them wanted to eat. Allie, Grandpa and I ate. Michael showered and promptly went to sleep.  He is NOT feeling well. The girls, Grandpa and I watched an episode of Manifest. 

I had been doing o.k. with missing the trip, but I'll admit I felt some pangs as I began to unload the RV. I dream of more camping trips...we'd hoped to do them before Stacia left home but the logistics are difficult and we've not figured it out. 

And, Millie? She's not letting Stacia move away from her...at.all. 

Day 4 - Fish Camp 22

The atmosphere has become much more relaxed and fun-filled around fish camp as the goal has been met for the year. Alex, CoRielle, Stacia and Michael are the only ones at camp. They began the day by processing the final fish from yesterday's catch. 

Having more fun than should be allowed

Maybe the final fish? 

Everyone helps! Benny transfers fish to the gals...

Patting dry and bagging

A sinister photo-bombing Uncle! 

Arielle, Danny, Benny, Alex, Stacia

Back at the camp Danny oversaw the sealing of fish. Anytime he heard the machines begin he ran to push the buttons. 

Award winning smiles!

The freezer is full of 121 salmon....ours and CoRielle's catch. 

Determined to find fun and adventure they set out from the campground - regardless of the weather. 

Their first stop was to discover a bit about the influence of the orthodox church in the area....and they learned about domesticated moose. 

Then they found the FUN CENTER. A perfect way to spend a rainy day. 

Ah....

About this time the wind picked up and they headed back to the RV camp...the shade cover, various fishing "stuff" and the tent were blowing down the road. They rescued their things, stowed the tent and all moved into the RV for the final night. They'd left it up earlier for Izaak and his friend to stay in but received word they had changed plans. 

We typically have to book 5 nights to stay at this RV campground. They were full this year and asked us to stay 4 nights. That worked well this year. All in all it was a great year on the Kenai! We're already looking forward to next year.