Shopping and A Race Well Run

Plans shifted today which created an unexpected window of time where I was able to leave home with the girls. We have a bachelorette party coming up soon and we wanted to pick out some things before the party. I wasn't quite sure WHEN we'd get out to shop. We have a mission to "dress the bride"...It was fun for the three of us to run from thrift store to thrift store - and I promised not to share the BEST photo....but here's a fun one to remember the day. 

This DID remind me that we have a wedding in a WEEK. Yikes. I need to get busy making a picnic blanket and setting up a "spot" at this picnic for the bride and groom. 

We are having all the Gherkins over Sunday for our June celebration....so we ran to the grocery store. It was good the girls were with me because I simply crashed. I'm not sure what I would have purchased if left to myself. At one point they called me to ask where I was and I couldn't even communicate where I was - told them I'd just come to them. LOL 

Gather Women (our ladies group) are reading the New Testament together this year. This morning I read 1 Cor 15. Verse 58 jumped at me...."Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

Steadfast.....immovable....abundant....worthwhile....

These are words I want to describe myself and the things which occupy my time. I've been thinking of a dear couple a lot this week...Barney and Judie. When we began our life group for months Barney and Judie were the only ones who attended. This provided lots of time for the four of us to talk....as our home filled and more joined Life Group it was apparent we all valued what Barney had to say. Barney reminded us of Dad G the minute we met him...he even gave himself to prison ministry and was a well-respected prison chaplain. He was a wise, wise man in so many ways. But more than even his wisdom, he was 100%, sold out to God. He was our church's treasurer, went into prisons several times a week, led Sunday School and studies from time to time....He LIVED this verse.... at 81....through cancer, through health challenges...He lived it.

I remember well the last time I saw Barney. He was sitting in front of us during church on the field. His suspender was twisted and Dad reached up and fixed it for him, he turned around and they shared a smile.  Barney always had a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his lips. We joked, we smiled, we parted. "See you next Sunday."  

On the next Sunday morning he had gone into a diabetic coma. 

The Saturday following he went to spend eternity with Jesus whom he had loved so well. 

📷from church's Facebook Page

1 Cor 9:24 instructs us to "Run in a way that you may win the prize." Barney truly did run his race well. We've lost two dear men of God in a short amount of time in our small church...it makes me smile to imagine their reunion in heaven and the discussions Carl and Barney are having now. I'm glad Brenda shared that thought.  While we rejoice, we grieve...and it leaves a hole in our body...which motivates me even more to step up to the plate, or to continue my race in a way that will matter for Jesus' kingdom. 

Tonight, we gathered in  full church to honor a race well run. We'll miss Barney, but he RAN his race. Am I running mine with the same passion? 

Tools, Moose, Doughnuts, & Grandblessings

Michael proved once again how waiting and frugality  pay off. He has been looking for a wood lathe since his birthday in November. Today, he and Alex drove to Willow to pick up this new toy/tool.

This picture is provided to ensure you can  make out the message on his Father's Day t-shirt.

Nolan spent the day in his room working on College. He is one unit away from completing another three-credit class. 

Alex worked 8 hours and then accompanied Michael on the lathe hunting trip.

Grandpa keeps us up to date on the current news as reported by the ADN. 

The girls are committed to increasing their speed and distance in running. They report Millie is improving her running stride as well. Somehow I've lost the photo from the run. 

Where there is a baby - there is sure to be a Mama. 

Arielle and the boys came by this afternoon. I took the opportunity to run to the oral surgeon. I would not recommend this as an ideal use of respite time. LOL  It seems the time has finally arrived to deal with my wisdom teeth (or tooth as the case may be). Though he offered no encouragement about the ease of the procedure, it needs to be taken care of and  I have scheduled the surgery for September. 

Being welcomed home by Danny and Benny helped to push thoughts of upcoming oral surgery to the back of my mind. 

I love, love, LOVE Benny's sense of style! 

Stacia has made it her personal mission to keep the youth supplied with eats. She made these this afternoon.

After a quick stir fry dinner, the girls and I headed to church for Youth and Ladies Bible study.

We ended the evening back at home watching the newest episode of Loki with Alex and Nolan.

Jared has been in Anchorage this month helping with the new  mayor's transition team. He moved out to our RV today and will be at our house until Krista's wedding.

As for my shoulder, I've quit taking muscle relaxants and am decreasing the Ibuprofen. The pain has gone from a 5/6 to about a 3/4.

A Saucy Kind of Day

 Quite honestly, we were all dragging today! 

Stacia and I went to sort produce for Wholesome Food Co-op.  I told the girls one of them needed to come lift for me as my shoulder is still wonky.   We have still not had "too much" produce - we've eaten everything we got...this was our last order....and nothing has gone to waste. 

I felt like it was "too much," even though we ate it all, so I ordered less this time. While we were sorting I was informed we do NOT have co-op every two weeks - it's the 2nd and 4th Tuesday - which means this week's stuff has to last 3 weeks. I am fairly certain we will run out before the 2nd Tuesday in July.  I cannot express how heavenly fresh peaches and nectarines are! 

While Stacia and I took care of co-op, Michael, Grandpa and Allie went on a Lowe's run. Allie says Grandpa loves outings with Michael. They chatted the whole time and then Michael put him in an electric cart instead of the walker. I guess Dad was king of the aisles. LOL  I encourage walking as he needs the exercise...but the cart would sure make shopping quicker. 

It's so bright these days that we forget the time...thus I put in a couple of hours in the garden and Michael started (and completed) a repair job after we got home at 4 p.m.  I swear it felt EARLY when we were done but it was well past dinner time. We decided to make it an Encore Presentation, YOYO, LEFTOVER night. 

The weeds around the bed below were quite a bit higher than the bed. I weeded and then began hauling compost to this lasagna bed. I hauled 2 loads and Michael came home to help with the other 3 loads. The hard part is getting the wheelbarrow up high enough to clear the side of the bed. Alex helped before Michael came.  I'm debating if Beets or Beans will fill this bed. I have two more small beds - outside the wire....so I don't want all of either to be outside the wire in those beds....moose being who they are. 

I cleared the grass and wildflowers (dandelions) from around the fire ring. Wow - they'd grown up since the last time we used the fire ring.  We are out Wed and Thursday nights - but I'm hoping for a campfire on Friday night.  We continue talking about how we should develop this area....gravel/concrete, a hot tub, pavilion, fire ring...what to do? 

Packages began to fly into our home....none from Amazon...all arrived in 3 days from ordering.  My first Thread Up order arrived. I ordered from the WOMEN'S side and the sizes should fit - but all are small. The "L" pants will fit Allie or Bre. One of the shrugs may work. We'll see. 

THIS is an amazing sauce Michael's Uncle Jack introduced to us. Unfortunately, it is made in Humboldt county, CA and isn't easy to find in Alaska. Amazon wanted $25 a JAR. I kept looking and was able to order from Larrupin direct for $3.50 a jar plus shipping - which brought our total to $7.50 a jar. 

Uncle Jack uses it on everything - but it's really good on fish...can't wait for Salmon night. It's a mustard/dill sauce. 

Michael found these in our local Fred Meyers. He got the last two on the floor. I am SO happy...and I'm wondering....can a store be far behind the sauce? (BTW that banner in Anchorage was a fake - I have a source that would know). 

I ended the evening with a  heating pad, muscle relaxant and Ibruprofen - but it felt GOOD to get out and get some work done today. I read 4 books since I was down with my shoulder...and my feet feel better than they have since January as I was totally down for a few days....there are always "yays" with the "boos". 

A One-Eyed Dog, Moose and Semi Truck

What do all those things have in common?

All are things the girls and I encounter on our runs/walks.

Millie is getting better at running. 

The girls begin their summer mornings with 1-2 hours of schoolwork. This is a great way for them to maintain momentum and next month we will add a class or two from next year into the mix. 

After lunch, the girls, Michael and I tackled projects. I requested one of them to help me in the garden as I am desperate to get things done though my shoulder is still painful. 

GG was supposed to take a nap but got up and made himself a second lunch and let the dog outside. Thanking God he didn't fall. 

Michael and Allie began a new phase on his ongoing project. Michael plans to finish tomorrow and then I will share the photos. 

Stacia hauled more compost to the garden, while I pulled weeds. We planted beets, beans and cucumbers. We also cleared enough room in the squash patch to plant 2 hills of yellow squash and one of zucchini. We had 12 hills last year and we simply don't need that many.  

Squash to the left of the bed...

We took the time to pull weeds, and stretch the black plastic back out in part of the space...where the blue tarp and black plastic are in the picture below were weeds taller than the beds.

The radishes Bella and I planted are sprouting. 

Peas and kale doing well...planted beans and beets and covered them with plastic until they sprout. 

More beans under these plastics....

We rolled up the side of this little greenhouse, weeded, hauled in compost and planted hills of cucumbers. 

We have 4 more beds we can fill...1 is in the greenhouse, 2 are outside the wire, and 1 is the lasagna bed from last fall. I had thought to keep that bed for composting for another season, but I may need to plant it. It is NOT as pretty as I would like, but we are slowly pushing back the weeds that are in our way. Still adhering to my new motto...Its NOT all or nothing.

We were all ready for dinner by 6...Salmon Chowder and yummy biscuits. 

Michael and Alex are finishing the day by getting the electric fence functioning again. I found a moose print in the garden bed they'd previously destroyed. Maybe they were back to see what they could find this year.  

Father's Day 2021

 It's been a bit rough around here for a few days. 

Michael was prepping for today. 

Allie, Alex and Nolan worked all day Saturday. 

Stacia made an ice cream cake and cleaned the house Saturday...because I have been OUT - down for the count. LOL 

My shoulder began to hurt Wednesday. I'd gardened Monday and Tuesday and figured it was just a bit stiff. As Thursday and Friday progressed, I realized it was a familiar pain - bursitis back again. It's been a year and a half....I called my doc's office to see if they'd just call in the muscle relaxant they called in last time. She was out for a few days. The office called in ONE muscle relaxant a day for five days. I'm not thrilled with this....I liked 3 a day better...but this is better than nothing. So I've been using ice, heat, staying down, Ibuprofen and muscle relaxant. It's the kind of pain that makes you want to throw up.

Basically, I took up residence in the recliner with the heating pad and life has swirled around me since Thursday. 

I didn't make it to church today...but I did enjoy visiting with everyone who stopped by. FATHER'S DAY - this is always a bittersweet day....Dad G passed away on Father's Day 2012....it's hard to believe it's been 9 years.  Our family had chosen NEXT Sunday as our day to celebrate birthdays and Father's Day...but anyone who could make it out is always welcome. We ended up with all five boys, the girls and CoRielle at home today. It was a treat! Nolan and Jared aren't often able to make it these days. 

We burned steaks, burgers, a few dogs and had shrimp as well. Danny got his first taste of steak....

Of COURSE, there was an ice cream cake. Stacia did a great job on it! Benny is a messy eater, but note the stylish dandelion behind his ear. 
 

A big thank you to Michael and gang for grabbing photos. I made a quick foray outside and decided I didn't want to be that far from my heating pad. LOL 

Nolan has asked for 35 - 40 hour work weeks as he is taking a full load of college classes. He is consistently working 60+ hour weeks. We were so happy to have him today. 

Nolan, Benny, Allie, Stacia, Alex

Danny's ready to play yard games with the big boys

I enjoyed talking wedding plans with Carrie and Josiah. 

The horse is a big hit! 

Ah, Danny's given up. Everyone began to go home....leaving the girls and I to watch a Netflix or two and head off to bed as well. 

It was a good day - even with the Ibuprofen and heating pads. LOL 

An Odd "Thing"

 A very odd thing happened in our home this drizzly Saturday.....

Millie came wandering into our room. Michael doesn't usually let the dogs in our room. He called out, "Millie!" 

And Millie came running....she jumped up on the bed and snuggled up with him. The odd thing? He let her stay. ::snort:: 

It's cute the way she is winning Michael over. She's come a long ways this week towards being a nice, well-behaved, socialized pup. What changed? 

Two weeks ago she got her "fresh start" trim. I seriously think getting all the hair out of her eyes helped her behavior. She wasn't startled as often. She also isn't as intimidating when she looks like a well trimmed poodle, vs a 60 lb hair ball. LOL We were amazed how much difference a hair cut made for her....


This week, the e-collar we'd ordered arrived. Stacia is the only one with the control.  She never needs more than a quick vibration if she doesn't obey to remind her to obey.  She's like a whole new dog....most of the time. 

Doctors and Playdates

I took Dad to visit an orthopedic specialist today. He has been complaining, and then not complaining, about pain in his elbow. His primary doc has checked it twice, the ER doc took x-rays. He still has intermittent pain. We agreed it would be good to see a specialist. This doc took another x-ray and said when it hurts he needs to wear the sling the ER doc gave him. I am also ordering a heelbo. I have been trying to get him to wear the sling, he resists. Using a walker with the sling is a problem, as is eating. However, we now know this is the best medical option for his situation. It isn't  broken and he doesn't need meds etc. 

While we spent a fun afternoon at the docs, he was 70 min late for the appointment, the girls joined Arielle and the boys to "find an adventure." I LOVE hearing Benny talk about adventures. We moved OFTEN when the kids were young. I often got lost - I would tell the kids we were having an  "adventure." It was quite common to find us in a new location, not quite sure where we were going, but off to find an adventure. This is how the kids and I ended up spending a day on the subways in South Korea in search of the "Toilet Museum."  So fun to see that spirit in a new generation. 

via Arielle's 📷 

They visited two parks and then went  home with Arielle. There was swinging, sliding, laughing, and picnicking. 

via Arielle's 📷 

via Arielle's 📷 

GG and I think they had the better afternoon. 🤣

Michael spent the day prepping  a sermon and working on his big project. 

I started feeling sick at the doc's and came home to sleep. Stacia and Allie made Chicken Divan while  I began my fight with "Allie's bug."😂

The wildflowers are out. I love this time of year in Alaska.