Parkinson's Update or Parking Lot Deal

We drove to Anchorage today to participate in a parking lot swap of money and goods. Eggs for money,  that is. 11 dozen of them.  The Anchorage group replenished my carton stock.

While in the parking lot, we decided to go ahead and visit Michael's neurologist for a 3 month check.  😏 Pesky symptoms were noted - increasing "off"/Parkinsonism times and restless leg. These  could possibly be controlled better by upping medication. He was also offered some occupational therapy for a few areas where she thought it may improve "functionality."  At this point, we opted to skip the offers. Michael says the "off times" - tremors, rigidity, balance issues -  don't bother him overly much, and we don't get worked up over things such as flying peas and leaping lettuce. (Though I am going to look at some weighted or gyro silverware online.)  Michael is at the level if he ups doses we've been warned he  may begin to experience dyskinesia - think Michael J Fox. Here's a one minute clip if you want to see, or know, more about dyskinesia.   Michael chose to deal with what he is already dealing with rather than increasing drugs. He'd like to increase drugs as slowly as possible...he's young and has years on this journey.  They were fine with that choice.

This was our first appointment in a while where we didn't come out with another med, upped medications,  or another round of one kind of therapy or another. It was good. We will go back in in 4 - 6 months.

We ran other errands in town and got back in time for me to grab a salad before heading to the church for Bible study. Stacia has taken over Tuesday dinners and it is an incredible help. No photos but she made Chicken Parmesan, garlic lemon green beans, and rice.

It was a very long day.

We Choose Health

The kids and I are all-in on a new health initiative. Quite simply, "We choose health." For the kids this means portion control and cutting back on sugar. I compared the recommendations from the VA dietitian*  and the USDA website for a calorie goal and  idea of what a 17 and 14 yo should be getting. Surprised to see the changes at USDA - it lines up fairly close with the Nutritarian life-style....the difference being where one gets protein, though the USDA now lists several plant based protein sources and doesn't recommend dairy for those over 18.  

For Alex and I, choosing health means an hour a day on exercise equipment...Stacia works out with Arielle and YouTube videos.  

I have begun to drastically restrict sugar, have eliminated white foods (except cauliflower) from my diet, as well as preservatives and added fat. Because I hear this so often,  I GET MY FATS - nuts, avocados, coconut oil, nut butters.... I also GET PLENTY OF PROTEIN. My doctors repeatedly check and I'm always at the "high" level of normal. Michael does his own thing,  no one really understands what that is, but he is encouraging to us all. The deal is, if we don't feel good about our progress in 3 months we're joining a national program. 

It helps that Stacia is not baking 2 - 3x a week. Alex and I have done great getting rid of sugar. We've had a bit each week....maybe once a week....but not every time it's available. I'm working down to going off of added sugar completely by March 10th. I need to pace myself! ::snort:: 

Stacia made some GIANT chocolate chip cookies. YIKES. I said I was going to eat one...and I had 1/2 and saved the other 1/2. Saved cookies will go stale and then they are no longer tempting.  I call my new revelation the "secret of 1/2," and it works well.   Alex resisted for 2 days...and then I saw this happening. 

Look at her face! 

I told him to eat it slowly and savor it.... it is o.k to splurge once in awhile....after all he's young and hungry. He IS learning to fill up on produce. I figure he'll branch out to other options in a week or two.

In our first two weeks we lost a combined total of 14 - 15 lbs....Obviously, Alex and I are losing the most out the gate. That is ONE advantage I have in this marathon....I started needing to lose 35% of my weight....so I am losing quicker than poor Arielle with a measly 10 lbs she'd like to lose. ::Snort:: My goal is to re-establish a clean nutritarian eating plan, re-establish a workout plan which has me moving 6 days a week, and lose 5% of my body weight by Easter.

The rest don't seem to need baby goals. LOL


*In Anchorage we were told Michael's dependents could be on the VA's program....which includes exchanges, food journaling, and a weekly weigh-in/motivational meeting. When we talked about signing up  at the clinic in the Valley they INSISTED only Michael could sign up. Blech!

Critters, Wayne and Grandkids

Our friends own Nuisance Wildlife Management. They provide help for "when the wilds of Alaska get to close to home." We knew they were in "pest removal,"  but we were thinking bugs and such; not animals killing our chickens.  They came out to help us with our chicken problem today. CoRielle met us when we got home last night with the sad news that they had found one of our hens bloodied. We have her isolated and are giving her tender loving care - but we fear we will lose her too.

We have a live trap and trail cam set up. No activity last night. Robert set out more traps. We are hoping to get in the next couple of days. The main suspect is a weasel.

The original owner of our home came by for a couple of hours today. It's always fun to visit with them. He likes to stop by. We discovered the history of the bb hole in our living room window.

Stacia and I went to BreZaak's to watch Gideon and Bella. Bella had a hard day. I suspect she isn't feeling well. She slept, then simply wanted me to hold her wrapped in a blanket.

Gideon was hilarious. As soon as BreZaak left, he ran to the chest where the blankets are stored and made his wishes apparent.

 I believe he has a favorite game to play with Auntie Stacia. LOL  

Who could say no to this little face? It's easy to clean up. 

Tomorrow will be a busy day in Anchorage....so I need to get off here and finish Bible study prep....the kids and Michael are playing Risk Cataan....who knew?

We Drove to Anchorage to find Misawa or 2019 Fur Rondy Snow Sculpture Competition

My friend, Nora, told me about the Fur Rondy Snow Sculpture contest. I remember seeing them when we lived here years ago.

Our sweet Spurgeon family has moved to our beloved Misawa for the next few years. They visited the Towada Winter Festival recently; I've been yearning for Japan. Yes, we are content, and we deliberately look for the joy of being in Alaska. There is much to celebrate.  Our hearts were broken for the nation of Japan...and from time to time the longing and urgency to be serving there is strong. I knew we would have fun and make new memories - connected to past memories - at this event.

@ Lake Towada Winter Story - photo from internet

After church today we drove to Eagle River, picked up Josiah, and went to see the snow sculptures. Here are some of our favorites.

Tug of Rawr

Stacia, Alex, Josiah 

 This was my favorite one. "Not all treasure is gold." It's a dragon protecting his treasure.....

Thanks, Alex! I wasn't tall enough to get a face. 

They had a big chunk of ice we could carve on....Alex began to carve #Gherkins....but the others were waiting for us. It was a beautiful day. It felt warm. It was in the mid 20's. We're transitioning...we'll know we're real Alaskans when we wear shorts in the 20's.....

Voting for the People's choice award

I thanked Michael for driving all the way to Anchorage to see a few snow sculptures.

He replied, "No, we drove all the way to Anchorage to find Misawa."

Is he a great husband or what?

He knew....he just knew.

Moose Sanctuary

 The word has gotten out. We are running a moose sanctuary at Wibbly Wobbly Acres. ::snort:: Moose tromping through the yard, eyeing our baby orchard, stomping down the sledding hill, munching on our cabbage, have become common place. We don't even take pictures all the time any longer....

However, it is a new to see them bedding down for the night in the driveway. Thy aren't even pretending to hide in the woody areas any longer. 

Sun, Chickens and Family Visits

It was a fairly "warm" day today (in the 20's). The sun was shining bright and we all wanted to get outside. Michael and Alex  continued to re-work the chicken coop.  

As I headed out, Arielle told Benny to get his winter cloths on and he could go outside too. Hilarious. 

Daddy's big shoes to fill

Yesterday, Rosie, our favorite hen, was killed. That makes 4 hens we've lost this week. Michael put out live traps - no results as of yet. He and Alex took advantage of the nice weather to install two new vents.

Our poor, bedraggled flock. We have 12 now. We started with 18 in the spring. 

They made it outside! They even took a walk around the neighborhood. 

Jared is town this weekend. He will go back to the zoo in Juneau tomorrow.  He and Larissa came by this evening. Benny came up the stairs and was fine with Auntie Riss - but then he saw Jared. He reached for Uncle Alex.

It didn't take Benny long to warm up to Jared. 

Gentle Hands

 

It was fun to catch up with Jared. An enjoyable day all the way around.....about that Gherkin scowl?

It's terribly out of focus so I won't enlarge it - but THIS is the look I get when I don't let him through the gate at the bottom of the stairs. LOL

The Joy of February in Alaska

Winter is not without appeal! One simply has to bundle up. 

These kids actually missed winter cold and snow when we moved to California. They are happy to live in a place with a real winter.

As for me?  Alaska IS beautiful in the winter. I do find myself dreaming of summer more often these days.