May Day

Hello, May.  This is a May unlike any other. 

 I am proud of myself. I knew I didn't have time for 5 miles. I was tempted to just wait until Saturday and walk 5 miles, but I put on my shoes and headed out. I got a bit over 3 miles in in the time I had...and am now only .04 of a mile away from the week's goal.

I got home in time to Zoom with a friend....hadn't SEEN her since her wedding....and then ALL THIS. LOL It was fun to connect.

Dad has a plan. It started when he viewed this week's ads. He often pours over the grocery ads and tells me which meat is on sale. I begin to wonder if he needs more hunks of meat than I serve. LOL I do a lot of wraps, enchiladas, soups….but I DO have fish once a week, a roast or chicken legs....anyway....this week New York steaks were on sale - IF you buy them on Friday. He started the day by pointing out that fact.

He told me that some night he wanted to grill dinner. I didn't connect the two comments. Then he asked when Mother's Day was and checked out the calendar and told me when it was. I still didn't connect. He asked how many people would be here if everyone came - would we be under the magic number of 20 for a gathering. Yes, barely.  Then he put it all together. Do you think we can grill and eat out on Mother's Day? I want to buy enough steaks for everyone. WHAT?  He insisted and Michael and all the guys will help him (or so I am guessing). An invite was sent.

TODAY he woke up and reminded me immediately...."It's Friday. You need to go pick up the steaks for me." I did. What a DEAL. I got the last 4 packages. Did you catch that price? Normally $50.86, we paid $18.95. $240 worth of steak for $60-70.  They are tucked safely in the freezer and waiting for May 10th.  Last year we did Mother's Day in August so I guess he felt we needed a bit of prodding in this celebration department. ::snort::


While Michael and I were out getting meat....we ordered pizza - it IS Friday night. We walked around the visitor center while we waited...snatching a bit of time together. We found rocks. I took one and re-hid others.  Left this one....locals - go get it.

Arielle and Benny were enjoying our playground when we got home.  Papa and Benny played a game with balls and trampoline.

  I love the reflection of the mountain in the windows. 

Surrounded by some of my favorite people - and dog. 

G Dog (Dad), Kimber, Me, Benny, Stacia

Benny catches air - Kimber struts her stuff. 

 It's nearly free of the snow...sad, sad greenhouse. 

Much work to do in the garden and most of it is now uncovered....there is just a bit of snow on the north side. 

Papa had WORK to do...and Benny loves to help Papa Work!  Papa lives BIG in Benny's mind. Papa made the bridges and rivers. Papa makes the rain and thunder.

Benny actually did blow the tire up - he has the trigger

 Do you think he remembers last fall's rides or did it simply look like a good idea again this year? 

Such determination on that little face

Man Work 

Baachan is good for talking, bouncing, rolling down hills....Papa Works! 

We continue to research dog breeds. Something this size or bigger so Stacia feels safe when she goes on walks....big enough to have instant respect from children, intelligent, good with children and elderly, hypoallergenic or low shed....what will that breed be? Kimber would be perfect except for the husky shed...hair everywhere.  Kimber does have an odd idiosyncrasy. I think it comes from her being born and trained in the winter. She insists on pooping on SNOW. She saves it to get to our house and poop on one of the few patches of snow we have left. CoRielle have no snow left.  Poor thing is going to be in a world of hurt shortly. 

See? We'll settle for lap dog size. 

We ended the day with Pizza and watching, "The Greatest Show on Earth." Which led to a discussion on P. T. Barnum....can we not let Mom have ONE illusion?

GREAT DAY

Thursday's mean Bible study (and piano lessons, Japanese and  Life Group, if we can ever meet). This week, in our on-going study of communication/words, we dug into the content of our words. We considered when to hold our tongues, lying, speaking truth in love, gossip and our online voices.  We reasoned in my van surrounded by mountains and the river. This is actually a turn-out near town - no time for grand exploring this week. 

Stacia shared a great illustration as we deliberated the topic of lies. Lies are like dog dung in a manicured yard. Think about it - such a great analogy.  Share the similarities you see in the comments. 

I had Stacia home in time for her piano lesson. Alex is finished with Japanese, Stacia has asked to continue her lessons/tutoring through the summer. Today was her first summer lesson with Kim.

I met a friend at a river at 1 p.m. We hadn't seen each other for 6 or 7 weeks. We sat under the bridge and talked, it's always fun to catch up.

On the drive home, I received a text from Arielle. "I'm gonna find a sidewalk spot for Benny to ride his bike if anyone wants to join...." The boys were at work. Michael was out and about. Krista and Stacia were hiking the Butte with Krista's co-workers.  I am making an effort to get Grandpa outside each day....a drive, the yard...somewhere OUT but not exposed to crowds. This fit the bill. I asked if he was up for a trip to town to play with Benny. Sure thing.

We found rocks....

We had fun re-hiding them...I did bring a couple home. Grandpa hid this one - I thought it was a great spot.

Great rock I wanted to keep - but resisted

Benny appreciated this find. 

Grandpa and Arielle talked. I chased around with Benny. I taught him how to roll down a hill....we did it 3x, resulting in nausea for me the rest of the night. Benny was unscathed.

We arrived home and I was chilled and nauseated. I couldn't face  raw salmon. Michael suggested YOYO (Your On Your Own) or Encore Presentation - LEFTOVERS y'all.  That's what they did. I plopped myself under several layers of quilts and contemplated the wisdom of rolling down hills at this stage in life. 😜 I'll do it all again if given the chance.

I find it hard to accept this is the last day of APRIL. March and April are certainly not what I expected them to be - but are completely what a loving God allowed into our lives for this season.  Earlier this year I felt the word "Pause/Anticipate" for 2020. I couldn't fully figure out what either what have to do with 2020 - I sure understand NOW. LOL

LOVING OUTSIDE

 I was out walking and a funny thing happened - I just wanted a new route...so I turned right...I hadn't decided if I would simply walk until I had gone 2 1/2 miles and turn home...or if I'd try to make the big circle home and hope it would be close to 5 miles. I walked until I hit the river.....

I decided to walk along the river until I got to the road that leads home....and realized how long of a climb was in front of me...It was either forge ahead or turn around and go 3 1/2 miles back....7 miles was more than I wanted to walk.

THIS is the moment I wanted to simply sit down and stop. I had climbed up an incline and down to the valley and ahead was nothing but 3/4 a mile of steady incline...

I decided I needed to just keep moving my legs...nothing fancy...just keep moving the legs...and then TWO MOOSE JUMPED DIRECTLY IN THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME.  I paused and contemplated my options. I could walk ahead and hope to pass them without trouble...I was 3/4 of a mile from home...I could turn down a little road and go about 3 miles and come at home from the other direction. A family in a truck stopped to ask if I needed help getting past them. For some odd reason I told them I was FINE and sounded oh so confident. With nothing left to do, I kept moving my legs and the moose decided I wasn't worth their attention.

I enlisted Stacia and Dad to help replant a couple of blueberry plants and to start more seedlings.  Michael put the finishing touches on a bookshelf he has been building for Jamin - or I think it's the finishing touches.

Dad is happy for the season change

We were just finishing up when two carloads of fun pulled into the driveway.  CoRielle surprised us.

Benny and Yay ya (Stacia)

Benny & Cory 

What a treasure it is for these kids to get to know their great grandpa. 

Cory brought over some great kindling for our campfires. ::wink::

Michael and Cory 

GG and Cory 

 Tis the season...we've decided we DO have a long fall up here....it's just divided by summer. ::snort::  The weather is crisp and cool...and we're already sunburned after the long, dark winter. Sixteen hours of sun is to be celebrated and we spend as much time as possible outside. I was told we are gaining 6 minutes of sun a day.

Anyway - it's spring...even if it feels like fall - and it's asparagus season!

As well as mosquito season - time to get the magnet working for us. 

*Note - if I'm going to keep taking selfies while walking I may want to do something about the bed hair and put on some make up. LOL 

Lazy Day

Today's walk ended up here....

I debated all morning...should I walk? My feet hurt...maybe I should do the elliptical and give my feet a rest...but it's such a beautiful day...but I've had 40 oz of water and 16 oz of tea this a.m. so I will have to plan my walk with a pit stop at 2.5 miles....what to do....finally....Stacia said she'd walk with me...the lure of the mountains and the gorgeous weather won out...

We were thrilled to see the buds opening on one tree.....

Sure enough - out and back...no wait...just out....we walked 2 miles....and received a call from Arielle as we walked. Why was NO ONE at home? Huh? It turns out the boys were working, Krista was out and we were walking. Gpa and Michael were napping....evidently. Because she rang the bell, Phoenix chased Kimber around and around the chicken yard and no one came to check on them.....

As we talked, I noted a car that was driving right towards us, not even staying in her own lane....and then we realized it Arielle, Kimber and Benny.  We decided to drive on up to the lake we had hoped to walk too someday.

Gorgeous! Swans! I have been missing Swan Park in Misawa. 

Walking/driving partners

Arielle (Sweet Pea) and Benny, Me, Stacia

Kimber wanted to visit the swans...she pointed on the bank, they didn't come. She jumped in to try to glide on the water like they did...but she wasn't impressed with the cold water.

Back at the house Benny and clan stayed to play for a bit. 

Kimber so wanted in on the fun. 

"Papa, I help!" 

Coming to an understanding with the girls...

Help he did. 

Stacia made a yummy dinner of white chicken enchiladas.....and I hosted a Bible Study Zoom.

We disinfected Baachan's Park and Recreation Zone....ready for the next young visitors.