July's Snippets

As is typical - left over pictures I had good intentions of blogging all thrown together. 

July began when Danny, Krista and Jenny took the youth group camping. Here, Michael helps set up camp. Allie came out after she got off work and had the next day off - we were glad both girls were able to attend. 

 

While they were off paddleboarding, playing games, eating s'mores and swimming...I worked in the garden. I planted the two spots of lettuce about 3 weeks apart, but it is ready at the same time. 

We are happy to see our one lone fireweed plant has spread. We found a meadow at the back of the property with fireweed.  I love it. 

I've been planting zinnias wherever I can find a bit of dirt. This turned out to be a blessing. As I write in August, I can find bright spots of colors in the midst of the weeds. LOL 

We stopped by the store on the way home from camping...this is about what summer is like. Family, kayak and groceries. 

Ah, July 3rd. It all began so innocently. I took manure and timothy hay from Dash's hutch and spread it throughout my beds. Things GREW...but from the hindsight of August I now have all sorts of new weeds, clover etc. wherever I spread the manure. See the sprout on its side? Something is getting into the garden and eating plants from ROOTS up. 

About this time, I bought a paddle board for US.  Jamin loves his. Kareen and Aubry love theirs. Jenny loves hers...it seems to be a good addition to our arsenal of water toys.  

July 6th...Stacia and I hauled compost and dirt to the dip in the ground and planted sunflowers and Dahlias in it.  I'm hoping for blooms this year...and to keep the moose away. 

The greenhouse is emptying of plants....and I've planted the watermelons with great hope. 

We had planned a trip to the swimming hole out our way on the 7th. The rain began....we diverted to games at CoRielle's. Little did we know the rain would continue through July...still raining now in mid-August. 

The plants seem to be liking the rain....it does make watering easier. LOL 

Today's haul

In the hoop house the tomatoes and cucumbers are growing. Maybe we'll get tomatoes this year. I must STAKE them next year. 

Nolan goes over fairly regularly to talk with Bre and play with nieces and nephews. Thanks, Bre for sending photos. 

This little guy is warming up to PEOPLE/STRANGERS. He's smiling, letting us talk and hold him, and even stayed in the nursery on August7th. 

Jojo is 20 months here

In July C made weekly over-night visits to CoRielle's home. We planned, worked towards and hoped he would be moving into their home on July 27th. It was not to be. They ARE officially licensed as a foster/adopt home now. We are praying for August. Note, C's face is not visible, and his name is not mentioned. If you are local, I have the "face photos" on my phone. ::snort:: 

Benny, Danny, Arielle, Corry and C

Arctic Thunder Practice

There is an air show this weekend. 

We love airshows. 

The weather looks iffy for the weekend. BUT FRIDAY is the practice day on base. We have base access. Krista sent us all the info and we planned to drive in today for the practice. We thought there wouldn't be all the static displays and vendors, but we'd see all the flying. The boys and Allie were working various schedules but Stacia, Michael and I would go with CoRielle and hopefully see KrUke at some point as well. 

All was set until we realized we had a 60 - 90-minute gap between work schedules when no one would be here with Grandpa/Dad.  With an Air Show in play, I was the obvious choice to stay home, which I did. Stacia opted to stay home as well. Our plan was to go on Sunday...

Thanks to Arielle for sending all these photos. This was the boys' first air show. I'm sure Arielle felt like she was walking back in time and sharing a piece of her childhood with the boys. It was fun that Michael got to pass on info and stories to Cory and possibly Benny. LOL 

Auntie Chaplain and Benny

Michael was surprised at how many displays were up. There were also vendors. The VIP tents and seats were in place, but there were "no people."  They were able to enjoy front row seats. LOL  Michael said it did his heart good to see an F 16 and pilot from the 35th FW...go, Misawa! 

Passing on the aviation love...

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...