He got the Wrong Impression

Michael has become a Craig's List ultra user. We don't buy a THING without checking Craig's List and the local buy/sell list. We've purchased wood stoves, rims, cords of wood, chain saw, utility trailer and most recently a GMC Sierra Truck. Josiah has purchased set nets, snow machines, and a trailer... We've had really good experiences. We're conscientious. If we plan to bargain we ask them if they are open to negotiating right from the start. We told the truck owner we'd want him to take it to our mechanic before we met him. In other words, we don't surprise the sellers. We've been told by several it's a pleasure to do business with us.

However, our last sale was odd. The man seemed nervous. We thought maybe it was because he was from Ireland and wasn't used to Craig's List?  After a couple of trips to Anchorage to check things out, we were ready to close the deal. We told him we'd meet him on Tuesday morning with a cashier's check. He didn't want to do that. He insisted on meeting us at the bank and watching the transaction for the cashier's check. He didn't want us to give him a ride back home or to his work, he took a cab, instead. We got the feeling he thought we were shady and was nervous about us... We couldn't figure it out.

Then... we laughed! I think he got the wrong impression. I think he thought we were hippies or drug dealers.  I wonder if we should let him know we are both licensed pastors?

Michael bought me a car! A sporty mini-van. I drove a 15 passenger van for decades while dreaming of a sporty mini-van. I've dreamed of a mini-van since 1994 when we traded in the panel-sided station wagon and got our first 15 pass van.   We outgrew the mini-vans before we purchased one.

We opted to buy the Jeep Liberty instead of a van a year and a half ago as we needed something we could tow with the RV. I love the Liberty. HOWEVER, in a year we've had to put 4K in repairs into it. We think the head gasket will be going out within a year. We are  no longer living in the RV and traveling. We have 3 big adult-sized kids who haven't complained about cramming into the back of the Liberty (they rock),  but I dreamed of a car with room for us to take grandblessings or guests with us on adventures. The Jeep will be a nice starter car for Nolan. He won't mind repairing it as it was free. He's saving up for a car. We just didn't like paying a good price for it AND putting in repairs, only to know it will need more soon. LOL

At the bank. He was so nervous, he made me nervous and
I snapped his photo from across the room - in case....

We are a Dave Ramsey family. We have been for decades now. We decided when the house sold in CA, we'd take some of the proceeds and buy a "family car." Our mechanic told us to look for a Toyota Sienna AWD or Honda Odyssey AWD/4WD.  This after we'd brought numerous cars to him to check out - he didn't like any of them. We had a budget for the car. Michael decided he needed a truck. We hoped to find a nice van and a beater truck. He found the truck first, and it wasn't the big 6-seater, but it wasn't a beater either.  We were offered another van, but Michael had found this one. It's the mileage we wanted (older than we expected but low miles), and it has all sorts of perks we have never had. It came in $10k less than the first vans we were looking at mostly the same mileage. We purchased both vehicles for less than we set aside....score!

I drove it home from Anchorage - directly to the DMV. It's got some dings....but our mechanic (Jeremiah at Reformed Auto) says it's an excellent van.  There are so many buttons on it,  I'm intimidated. I was happy to see which direction I was driving (NE), what the temp was outside  (10*), but the backup camera could distract me to the point of an accident if I'm not more careful.

It made me smile to come out of  Freddies and see it sitting there. 

It has invisible plastic shields on the front and back - which I thought were terrible scratches. LOL 

The sellers had always got it serviced at the dealer in Anchorage, and we have all the records. We also have a couple of auto-STARTERS....do you know how nice this will be up here??????

It has phone buttons, mics, all sorts of things happen with the heaters, mirrors and seats... I think I may need to read the manual.  I was sad it wasn't red. The first one Michael found was red. Less miles, newer, front wheel drive and a lot more money. We listened to the mechanic and went with the AWD, low mileage and big money savings. We need to replace the windshield - but I think that's an annual thing up here. I'm not sure the BEST time to replace it. It also needs a new tail light assembly....

 

I feel like I am awash in a sea of Air Force Blue (not my color). Both of CoRielle's cars are blue. The truck is blue....and now my car is blue.....but the TITLE says it's green! I'm hoping...just maybe....when I wash and wax it...it will look more green than blue?  I'm really hoping there wasn't a different reason the seller was nervous.

I think I'm the only car in Alaska with an IRE sticker on the back windshield. We wondered if it meant the seller had anger management problems. He told us it's an Ireland sticker.

It was a red-letter day. A new van, a new grandblessing, and a fun Bible study. What do you think? Does it look green to you? If you're local, when do YOU replace cracked windshields?

Errands....

YIKES! It's the 14th of the month! How did THAT sneak up on me? I woke this morning with the realization I'd not entered expenses, balanced the account, nor paid bills. However, the kids' work samples and grades are due tomorrow and I want them done TODAY.

TODAY is Dad Earl's 102nd birthday (though he's celebrating in heaven). Bre is due to have our sweet one at any time. I think if I take care of the work samples and finances today, I am available to go watch Bella and Gideon at a moment's notice.

Number one on the agenda was to send in work samples. I was making good time and done before noon.

Next on the agenda, pay bills.....it became apparent several bills were due TODAY.  We also have books at the library that needed to be picked up TODAY.

Stacia and I ran to the bank, post office, dentist, MTA , library, and Enstar.....My word - I had the funniest experience at MTA involving a room full of seasoned citizens and the need for them to take a class on live streaming  in order to enjoy their "new cable."  "Something is wrong with this world if a man has to take a class just to watch T.V."

On the way home we stopped at Three Bears for a few groceries to tide us over until I can carve out time for the monthly grocery trip.

Three bears is an uniquely Alaskan store. They sell big sides of meat cut to your specifications,  all kinds of traps, as well as bread, nails and peanut butter.  They sell some Kirkland brand things....a bit marked up. However, there is no annual fee and one doesn't have to drive to Anchorage to shop. 

We got everything done, had a bit of Mom/Daughter time in the mix, and got home in time to make dinner.  I think we are ready to settle in for the baby wait. 

A Full Sunday

We ended the evening at home with the kids, and the Eagle River Contingent (Josiah, Jamin and Larissa). You know it's a good game of Egyptian rat when the first aid kit is pulled out. 

You may remember Jared went to Juneau for what was thought to be a 3 week stint. He has been told to expect to be in Juneau for the entire legislative session. It will be 90-120 days. This reminds me of short notice deployment orders - back in the day - before deployments went to 190 - 200 - 400 days. Jared is learning much. This is a great opportunity for him. We were thrilled Larissa came out to spend the afternoon with us. We are praying for both of them as they face new challenges in the upcoming months. 

But before the games.....there was church....

Sweet Daisy is 2 1/2 months old and so expressive! Michael still has the "touch" with the young ones at church. 

Nolan met us for lunch, and then we headed home to meet up with the Eagle River Contingent.

Cory has been given a promotion! Yay Cory! The promotion comes with a raise and the designation of "full time." He's been working full time, but was hired as part time.  We love to watch God work out the details of his plans for the Gherkins. Cory and Arielle are working hard to finish up college. While Cory worked on school, Benny and Arielle came up to visit.  It's been fun to have a little one to play with the nativity this year.

Michael and I ducked out for a bit to go to a house warming for a young friend. Of COURSE, this would be the only picture I took of the event. ::snort:: It was yummy tea. Her home is beautiful, and it was pure joy to be part of blessing her home and thanking God for his guidance in her life.

 Back at home we played with boxes, face timed Jared, visited, and played games. 

Uncle Cy has ideas with the box....Benny approved ideas! 

 It was predictable. With all the new toys in the house, the box at the end of the hallway was destined to be the favorite toy. 

Uncle Jamin took over the plane rides

It was a full day. We continue to wait with BreZaak for the arrival of their new little blessing.

*Note it is my goal to get the Christmas decor down this week.....but things happen.

2019 Gift Exchange

Life seems to have settled down enough that we thought this afternoon would be the perfect time for our "family of 5" gift exchange. Alex and Michael had men's breakfast. Nolan was working until 2.  Stacia and I planned to go shopping, but in the end, we didn't have a vehicle. 

Not to worry - I am trying to get three blankets done for the kids... It seemed like the perfect time to get them done. They are like the double-sided flannel baby blankets we love - but I made these big-kid size.

Things were going well until this happened......ugh. Michael got it working when he got home, and I finished this one. I still need to make Nolan's.  It was CHANGING stitches on us....and then the bobbin plate popped out and it jammed tight. 

Ah, well...semper gumby! I have come to like our tree. It's not real, but a real one wouldn't look this nice, this late. We noted all the presents are wrapped in BLUE.

Alex loves computer and video games

ANOTHER expansion pack! 

Nolan likes board games 

The baby of our family continues to be the most expressive gift receiver....

100 one yard wonders....

Home Sewing Projects

Stacia and a neighbor friend in Japan used to spend hours making perfume from dandelions. I couldn't resist when I saw this kit to make roll on perfume.....

That face....priceless

A local thrift store went out of business in the spring. I purchased a couple of "grandma dolls." You know - the kind grandmas splurge for for their girls' collection. Stacia is happy. 

My "Baby's" blankets....Nolan can choose his size. Stacia wanted the narrower size. 

Food theme...cupcakes for Stacia and Japanese food for the boys

Another doll. She's a bride doll; we decided she must be bridezilla. 

Look at the pout! 

Michael got an ice-fishing pole...

And lots of Lowes cards....

HE PUT THIS IN HIS WISH LIST. I bought it. Some are shocked. 

THIS will dry food much quicker than the little one Mom G gave me... and I can buy more trays for it. It also has a temp control.

We ended the night reading and playing snow board kids....

They Built a Steam Engine

I was prepping for a busy day. Michael was talking with me. Around 0700 we had a good sized aftershock. While it was still building, I looked up and said, "We ARE having this meeting today even if this becomes a 7."

He laughed.

I left home at 0900 and didn't return until 5:00 p.m. (1700).  It was a full day of ministry. Our meeting, scheduled the same day as the quake is finally done!   Nolan and Alex had gone bowling with a couple of guys.

Stacia and Michael knocked it out of the park! They edited a narrative essay she'd written.

They applied her science lessons on buoyancy, pressure and steam power, and  built a little boat. Stacia informs me she is going to paint the boat pink, or at least add some flowers and such.

Manly looking - but it works

Stacia equipped the little boat with  a steam engine....it worked! 

Filling the reservoir with water

Lighting a little candle, which heats the water,
creates steam and powers the boat

 It sputtered to life and jetted around the tub. 

This is a short clip of the first attempt....I didn't catch the second run which was even more impressive.

The boys arrived home with stories of bowling and arcades.

We ate pizza - it IS Friday night.

 Michael sequestered himself to be sure he was ready for Men's group tomorrow morning. Nolan went to bed, he works at 0500 tomorrow.

Alex sat and played games on his kindle while Stacia and I watched some episodes from Season 5 of When Calls the Heart on Netflix.

"That was Fun!"

"That was fun!"

My heart is full. We've been on a 2 week break from the Life Group which meets in our home. Rose is still traveling, but everyone else was here. The discussion was convicting and challenging - Luke 14:25-35. What does it mean to be a disciple? What does it mean to count the cost? How do we count the cost of being a disciple? What's a disciple? Is being a disciple different from being a believer?  We've been admonished, by Michael, to "leave it on the back burner," until we study a few more parables.

Not our life group - photo via google photos

It was fun to listen to the conversations after the discussion time, and to consume Brenda's YUMMY blueberry scones. Stacia asked if we can get the recipe - great minds think alike.

Not Brenda's scone - but her's looked even better
Photo via google photos

Life Group - sixteen folks ranging from 13 - 80's.....and the youngest commented, "That was fun." This is church community at it's best. Relationships forming across generational lines. Newcomers to church, building relationships with "old-timers." College-age men connecting and making plans to get together. It didn't happen over night, it's been a year. For the first five - six months it was just us and one other couple.  It's a joy to see how God is forming us....and it's a reminder to enjoy it fully present. Life Groups will ebb and flow...splitting will happen (the week with 21 was full for our house - we couldn't sustain much more than that long term)...people will move (though not so frequently as they did in a military chapel)...but for this season, God has called us to do life together...and it IS fun.

Our Pet Moose

Alaska has to be one of the few places left where one can be sitting at the table, discussing ministry plans, and BAMMO! A moose comes to visit.   We've had moose since we moved in in Aug 2017.   Mama moose and her baby entertained us all summer/fall.....this is not Mama moose. 

THIS one, however, IS special. She's our PET MOOSE! Note her collar. She is being tracked by the Fish and Wildlife Dept. She has made our yard her home base for well over a year. She even poses nicely for photos after all this time. 

Yes, we realize she is a wild animal and we don't go near her, put out food for her, or let Yuuki go near her......she looks so much like a pet with her collar that we joke about her.

There are usually one or two more in the yard when she shows up. This was from the 7th.....she and another. Today, there were two younger ones on the other side of our house.

We do love Alaska.