Jack Frost at Work

 Fall colors - but yeah - it increasingly feels like the very beginning of winter! Regardless of the date on the calendar.  I took a bracing walk around the yard. It is very pretty. 

Another Lovely Day

 Millie gets over-looked in the midst of the crazy, chaotic morning routine.  She uses this tendency to her advantage. She knows we don't allow her up here, but that doesn't stop our sneaky gal from trying. 

Honestly, she DOESN'T SHED and I would love to allow her up here. There is a concern, however,  she will rip the leather and it's not an easy fix. 

Poor Millie

Another lovely October fall day in Alaska. 

This morning I woke dad up, rather than  letting him sleep until the sun wakens him. That sun thing makes for a later and later rising time. ::snort:: Our agenda today included a shower, visitors, and an OT appointment. Bre was scheduled to bring the kids over while she went to an OB appointment so we had a "deadline" and an "adventure" we were working towards. 

We had a shower mishap. I'm not terming it a fall as it was VERY controlled.  Dad's legs went out - I grabbed him and lowered him to the floor. I'm thankful Nolan was home to help get him off the floor. 

Stacia and I made sugar cookies to decorate with Bella, Gideon and Annie. Autumn, at Sophia's Cafe, makes a wonderful chocolate sugar cookie. We experimented. I think I will try again in the near future using Monkfruit, or Pyure stevia, and melted sugar free chocolate. These did turn out wonderful.  I'm partial to the multi-colored llama, campfire and leaves. Dad liked the bears. 

We were right on schedule when we discovered a change in plans.  I don't get to my phone as quickly as I used to. The roads were such that Izaak opted to drive Bre and kids across town rather than have her out on the roads. We'll catch the kids on another day. 

Marvilie and Avigail blessed our family. They read about the Walmart/Freddies grocery order fiasco and offered to pick up the things I couldn't get at Freddies when they went shopping today.*  We NEED this stuff so we can practice making a cake for our November Family Birthday party. Benny and Michael are getting a year older....and Michael agreed to a dino theme - along with his extreme moosetrack ice cream cake. LOL  I am looking for ways to make an exploding volcano. Any ideas? 

It was so sweet to see Marvilie and an immense blessing not to have to arrange someone to be here in order to make the run. When the ramp is completed we'll be able to take Dad with us and he'll enjoy the outings. Of course, with COVID, home is probably the best place for us. 

Dad was up and ready for an adventure - but the kids weren't coming. We switched gears and had a tea/coffee/hot chocolate party. It was perfect. 

We saw a different OT today. She is the supervisor who had done Dad's original intake. I guess we will see her once a week. Dad commented he likes her best.  We had accumulated all sorts of doo dads to help Dad dress, per the other OT's advice. Dad simply doesn't have the balance to get his feet into pants/socks etc.  without help. WELL.....Roxana said to SIT IN THE WHEELCHAIR. So simple. We'd been sitting on the bed or standing and neither worked well.  He can do it if he's sitting in the chair....she said the nursing home should have showed us this when we discharged, but she was pretty sure they hadn't. I told her they loaded him and his things in the car and gave me 4 pages of instructions/meds and that was it. 

In the facility if Dad said he was tired they skipped PT and OT. Here, I say, "Let's do 2 laps and then you can rest." He's not totally thrilled with having the new therapists tell him it's time to work when they arrive - regardless - but he IS making GREAT progress. Some days he does most his moving with the walker. That's progress. 

Nolan suggested moving pizza to Wed night rather than Fri night. This worked well with youth and therapy appointments. And yet, I STILL missed another text on my phone and we forgot an appointment we had with a lovely couple. We are blessed they love us. 

Meanwhile,  poor, banned Millie pouts. Life isn't exciting if she isn't allowed on the couches. LOL 

*I've tried Walmart online groceries numerous times. I've talked with the local and 800 customer service reps,  as well as my credit card. I've tried various cards. For some unknown reason, when I place an order it is ALWAYS charged 4 or 5 times. Always. Regardless of the card I use.  Of course, ANY credit card then denies it and locks the card until I call. Walmart says this is a glitch and it won't happen again - but it always does. 

We ALL Voted!

 It took a village but we got it done! We have ALL voted in our household. This was weighing on me. Covid seems to be getting a second wind and Krista works in the schools, the boys work at McDonalds, we have 6 - 8 healthcare workers in our home a week.  I figure we are exposed to most everything in the valley. We are all uber careful. I'm a maniac with soap, water, and sanitizer...but Dad IS high risk and we don't want to deal with any added health factors. All this had me considering it would be wise to vote early, while we are all healthy.... We didn't have any healthcare workers today.....voting was the priority. 

Krista voted yesterday after work. 

Michael took Stacia to work at 11:45. He went to vote.  He then headed to an appointment. He planned to pick up groceries at Walmart at 4:00 p.m. That didn't work out (and added an extra 90 min of reorder and credit card wrangling to the day). 

Krista picked up Stacia at 3:00 p.m. and  brought her home. 

Nolan took Alex to work at 0430 and they were home right at 3:00 p.m. as well. 

The boys and I went to the site for early voting. It made a poll worker's day when I had the SAME name as her daughter.  I was tempted to jet over to the Wasilla early voting site and meet this gal....but time was tight.  This was the first time for Nolan and Alex to vote in a Presidential election. 

Check out the cute voting stickers

It made my day when a little streak ran into my arms as we exited voting.....Look who was voting today as well...

A little last minute cramming before voting

Our grocery order didn't work as planned and I needed a few items for dinner. We opted for Carrs...the boys picked up the items while I FINALLY had my labs drawn (working on that list of med things for ME). 

I helped GG vote today and mailed his ballot. 

Krista ran to the gym to meet up with Brittany, followed by Luke. 

We had dinner....and finally picked up that grocery order at FREDDIES at 7 p.m.  Back home, groceries put up, chickens locked in, another few laps around the house for GG in his walker, and it was time for the day to end. 

It took a village but we all voted (except Stacia who isn't old enough yet),  GG was never alone, groceries were purchased and dinner cooked. 

It was a long day for all 

Yay team! I love this crazy tribe and our chaotic multi-generational nest. 

Our Day

 It's been a long day. Around here we choose joy. We choose to find two yays for every boo...the boo-yay game. 

There was frustration today - that in signals Dad is feeling better and wants to be doing more. That's a yay. We have to get his physical body to catch up with where his mind is telling him it is, it will come.  I am thankful for a speech therapist who cares - and offers samples. I am thankful for a physical therapist who is working hard to see dad make as much recovery as possible. I am thankful for a few things we can work on to see improvement. I am thankful for a PT who realized my aching back is a result of Dad's uncontrolled movements...he gave me several strategies to try. 

I'm thankful for the snow...because Stacia said it was perfect for building a fall snowman. 

Millie is a snow hound! I'm thankful for her antics which kept Dad and I amused from our window. She's chasing snowballs. 

And....eating the snowman Stacia is trying to make. The poor thing began to melt with rain....but I'm hoping for a freeze tonight and that it stays around a while. 

While Dad napped, and Michael and Alex switched the mower to a snow plow, I made an apple pie. Nolan had picked up apples...it appears he got enough for me to take 3 or 4 pies. 😏 Stacia and Millie helped when they came inside. We used my sister-friend Julie's Magic Pie Crust Recipe and it was FANTASTIC. I am thankful for yummy apples, sister-friends, and Stacia's willingness to partner in the kitchen.

In keeping with my seasonal confusion - we used fall and winter cut outs for the top of our pie....it had leaves, wreaths and mittens on top. 

Millie was one WET dog. She needs rain gear. 

Yes, she did! Her help is dubious. I do love this dog. She brings much laughter to our home. 

Granny Apples - Lip Smacking Good 

I started a Sunday lunch in the instant pot, and no one ate it....so I plugged that in, made rice, baked a squash and we were good to go for dinner.  I am thankful for an easy dinner. Krista got home in time for a small slice of pie. Alex, Michael, Krista, Dad and I played a game of Farkle. I'm thankful for family unwinding at the end of a long day. 

Dad won tonight! 

I'd be more thankful if I had won! Just saying. 

About That Misconception

 About that misconception I cleared up on Friday? The one about fall....and the calendar and the leaves on top of the snow....

there are no leaves on top of the snow as of this morning. It's been steadily snowing since 0530.  Look at those cheery lights  - winter lights y'all.  

I have a strand of cheery lights in my nook too...

I do love the change of seasons...however, winter lasts a good long time and there seems no need to rush into it...Can it be winter before Halloween? Can it be winter before Thanksgiving? I am quite sure one can't rely solely on the calendar for the answer when living in Alaska. 

Maybe it ISN'T fall. But I WANT it to be fall with the pumpkins, and leaves, and fall colors and Thanksgiving....

I'm fighting myself over putting up Christmas decorations. If I put them up Nov 1st, will that mean it isn't really fall and we can't really celebrate Thanksgiving. Or does Thanksgiving really have nothing to do with the calendar? Isn't Thanksgiving, like Christmas, meant to be celebrated year round? If THIS is true....could I put up the Christmas decor before Thanksgiving and STILL fully embrace both fall and winter....Thanksgiving and Christmas at the same time? IS Thanksgiving a fall holiday? 

Ah, the confusion for a newly transplanted Alaskan.  Regardless of the season - it's snowing. We've begun to think Millie will need a coat. I KNOW. We've never gotten a coat for an animal, but this one doesn't have a coat of fur...she loves the snow but comes in WET, WETTTTTT....with snowballs up and down her legs and in her face. For now, this works.  I do think she will need leggings and boots. 

See - can I have the Thanksgiving tree at the same time as a Christmas tree?????? 

Millie at 5 months

The snow is beautiful....and I AM looking forward to leisurely days at home....fall or winter...this has become my favorite spot for early morning solitude and study. 

Clearing up a Misconception for Alaskans

 It is imperative to discuss this small issue before sharing anything further. It is sad some can be so mistaken, unenlightened even. THIS is NOT Winter. 

By the way of proof I offer these facts: 1. The calendar! It is OCTOBER.  October is fall. Have you never heard of Oktoberfest???  2. Yes, I do see the snow...but have you noticed the leaves ON TOP OF THE SNOW?  It is my contention if the leaves are on top of the snow - they are still falling and it is fall. If the leaves are UNDER the snow, I will admit winter is here....but not one single, solitary minute sooner. 

Alaskan Fall Colors

I have noticed Michael turned on our "winter" lights - why settle for Christmas lights when they can burn from mid-Oct to mid-Feb? I don't believe he turned them on because it's winter, I believe it's because he knows how I love them. 

With that settled, let's move on....Dad's OT came again today. The attitude WAS different. I think she'll always check charts before offering opinions in the future. I hope. In any event, she was much more agreeable and I was not on edge. Dad enjoyed the visit. She told me she believes our home is the best place for Dad to be and she just worries I am going to throw my back out. 

Stacia and I took Millie out for a nice fall romp in the snow. She LOVES it. 

Again - leaves on TOP of the snow - obviously Fall

Dad took a long, cozy, fall nap. 

Nolan and Alex both had the day off. Michael took them out for Bible study/lunch. 

Stacia and I watched MacGyver and ate Christmas crack. 

About the time Michael made it home Aaron showed up. They erected a tent, and are warming the ground up....concrete tomorrow? Ramp next week. 

Josiah called. He, Carrie and Olivia came out to share pizza with us. Krista has been at an ASIST Train the Trainer on base all week. She got home and added to the merriment. 

Dad was ready for bed when Cy and Crew left. It's been a fun day. He is feeling MUCH better.  He's been using the walker most of the day....