Walk, Dust & Friends

 I dragged myself out of the house even though it was only 39* to go for a walk with Millie and Stacia. 

I love fall. It begins in August and goes very quickly in Alaska. August is marked by RAIN. Lots of rain. I am working to get walks and gardening projects done in between the rainfall. It's beautiful. My very favorite view is when the fall colors are down below, and the snow is about 1/2 way down the mountains. We don't get this view every year because we often get a windstorm that knocks all the leaves off before the snow parades down the mountain. I took the time to grab a few photos of our mountains while we walked this morning. 

The most important thing to note is the TERMINATION DUST on the top of the left mountain. Winter is coming - though I prefer to think it is at least 6 weeks away, the snow may arrive sooner. 

I had hoped to work in the garden this afternoon but it rained every time I headed out. I spent a couple of hours looking at the book of Colossians for the Bible study I am attending at Wasilla Community Church.  I also published a couple of blog posts. 

Stacia has classes until 9 p.m. on Tuesdays. We keep thinking we will get home from Lifegroup at the same time...but she is usually in bed when we get home.😀 This evening found us at Neil and Deb's enjoying pumpkin soup and salad, fellowship, and a challenging discussion about distractions, divisions and keeping Christ central in our lives and church. It was a fun evening. 

The general consensus from the six of us at Lifegroup is that we may have snow in a couple of weeks. Really? Seems a bit early...but it has snowed at other towns around us and at Hatcher's Pass already. 

I sense God working to restore things we have been praying about for months. We shall watch and pray. 

Picking Up After the Moose

It's Flannel Monday - and quite honestly today has been a hard grief day for Michael and me. It's been 1 year and eleven months since the fateful Monday which broke our hearts. We miss Josiah and that's o.k.  Rena, a friend of the girls from Master's Commission, sent these darling stickers. They're perfect. 

Even sweeter than the sticker is that it communicates she still remembers Josiah and cares for our hearts. 

We spent some time the last few days compiling a "Fall Project List."  We have already marked four items to be done in the spring. ::snort:: Michael repaired the play structure and moved Allie's things earlier...it's fun to see things moving off the list - one way or another. Jamin and Jared are planning a workday in October to help us finish what we need done.  We are motivated. 

I woke up first and took care of the Cologuard box...which I am hoping will take care of the nagging texts and phone messages I have been getting for the past month from Cologuard and my lovely doctor. I had a terrible time getting the timing down so I could mail it before noon on Monday. I live in ALASKA, and it has to go to Wisconsin and arrive on a weekday. I've had appointments and babysitting on Mondays and I wasn't about to chance going through all this only to have to do it again because it arrived on the wrong day. ::Snort:: 

I dropped by Arielle and Bre's homes to deposit things left at the house by their children on Saturday at our Family Gathering. I stopped by my favorite coffee hut for a chai...they will be closing on Oct 10th, and I have gift cards to spend. 

Michael pulled out and cleaned four exhaust fans.

Two moose have been enjoying the remaining bounty in our garden. I decided to get outside today between rain showers and start pulling the last things out to eat and to compost. It began to rain. I did get 4 of the 11 beds cleared.  The peas have taken over this year. I've been eating 20 oz of veggies a day. STILL there were just way too many of these peas....I pulled all the vines/peas and let the chickens have them. I simply don't think I can stand another pea. 

I harvested the celery the moose didn't eat. I chopped up enough for a soup I'll make this week and got the rest all cleaned and cut into celery sticks for munching. 

The moose ate all the greenery on top but seem to have left the sprouts alone. 

I picked the smaller kale leaves and then pulled the plants and let the chickens feast on the big leaves. We have had Kale for 2 1/2 solid months. 

Pulling the peas revealed how many carrots are still left in the beds. The wind and moose had done a number on the peas, and the trellis wasn't holding them up any longer. 

I harvested another head of cabbage and there are still 3 plants in the garden bed. The rest of the bed had beautiful plants, with the center head of cabbage missing. A hem - I don't mind sharing. There was more than the 3 of us can eat.  I pulled all the sunflowers. I also pulled the crookneck squash and harvested the small squash. I don't think it is warm enough for them to do much else this year. I still have beets, carrots, MINT, Brussel sprouts and the cabbage left in the beds...oh, and a zucchini plant and two rows of potatoes. I have cucumbers and tomatoes in the hoop house, but since our recent windstorms the plastic is missing, and it's too cold for those things won't mature. I plan to get them pulled this week too. I still have a greenhouse full of red and ripening tomatoes.   The chickens had a great day! I usually have a "lasagna bed" in the garden which gets a lot of the garden compost, but we didn't get one built this year. 

I pulled enough carrots for the upcoming soup. 

I was wet and muddy when I got inside. I didn't realize how muddy until I changed clothes and realized I was still seeing spots....muddy glasses and face. LOL 

I took care of closing an account for Dad and moving his money to a local account. I had the best discussion with Asam, the customer service rep. He ended the call by thanking me for having a "warm heart and an encouraging soul." He said he'd like to move to Alaska. I think Alaska would welcome him. 

The day ended when Michael was done with his work and able to retire to his recliner to catch up on puzzles and current events. I met Stacia in town, and we drove to Michael's. I didn't find the frame I wanted, but she found lots of frames to finish her room remodel. 

It was a productive day! 

Ellie at 18 months

We simply can't get enough of Little Miss Ellie. Her mannerisms are SO like Arielle at this age.  She even dismisses people from her presence with a wave of her hand. ::snort:: We are striving to remember she looks little, but she is a full-blown toddler these days! Check out that little tongue. 

 

Watching Josi

 Today was a lovely Josi day. I haven't watched her since May as Livie has grown into a great watcher of her lil sister. Livie is back in school and Bachan is back on duty. Josi has grown and changed since May. I was excited to spend time with her and experience some of the changes. 

The first noticeable change is Josi was NOT happy to see me when she woke up. LOL She's grown aware of blips to her routine, and I was a blip. Not to worry - Bachan has had lots of experience with toddlers. 

We played, went for walks...and Josi snapped out of her grouchy mood.  She is MUCH more aware of her surroundings and so very active these days.  She takes only one nap now and eats a variety of yummy food. Her personality is delightful. 

She was much happier after her nap and woke up smiling. I wasn't a surprise. LOL 

Watching Josi previously consisted of several nap times  - which made for lots of quiet time. Today was a full day of playing and interacting. We had fun.  I like this stage. 

There is nothing quite as magical than seeing the world through the eyes of a young child! I am blessed. 

Papa is Great!

Yesterday's post ended with us wondering if the boys would pull it together and behave appropriately Saturday evening/ Sunday. 

We got a text as we headed to Eagle River for church . I saw it was from Arielle and we knew it would let us know how our afternoon would unfold. "The boys want you to know they are making good choices!" ::yes:: 

After church we met Stacia in the valley for lunch. She is branching out to find a church in the valley she wishes to attend.  And after lunch...we went to BIG DIPPER and met Arielle and the kids. They were so excited and we were proud of their behavior. I was happy I managed to avoid eating any sugar. ::snort::  I was busy conversing with the boys and didn't take a single photo. 

Papa and Ellie

Arielle took this one. She captured the moment Michael became a hero in another grandblessing's estimation. Ellie has been chanting "Papa, papa, papa!" 

Cory will be home tonight. So far, the moose are eluding him. 

A Fun Play Date (Intervention)

Cory is off hunting. Arielle called and it was apparent she needed a bit of a break. We staged an intervention. They all came over and we tried to take the challenges out of her hands for a few hours.  The bubbles are always a win, and they were especially colorful today. 

The trampoline is fantastic for working out energy. 

Michael and I taught Benny the art of Bocce ball. He wanted to learn so he can play with the Uncles at family gatherings. 

Benny grabbed some beets. 

Stacia got home and got a bit of Bocce in as well. 

As Arielle was getting everyone into the van one little one began to exhibit inappropriate behaviors. Without even thinking mama bear rose up and to defend her cub (Arielle). I used a stern Bachan voice, and said, "You will NOT treat my daughter that way."  Three boys had wide eyes (two of them were gleeful) and Arielle was happy for the backup.

In full hearing of the boys, I told Arielle we would check in after church tomorrow and see if they'd made good choices the rest of the day. I promised a trip to Big Dipper if good choices were made.  I know. But I figure a bit of Bachan bribery when Daddy is gone on a several day hunting trip is a rare enough occasion for it to be o.k. 

Shew - Saturday!

This Saturday arrived with a need for REST. New routines are challenging. Stacia spent the day in her room with her textbooks and papers. She made great progress. 

FARKLE!!!! Yes, the highlight of MY day was Nolan coming over and playing Farkle with he and Stacia. BTW, that star on the score - it's mine. I won. 

It has been the routine for the girls to go over and play a video game with Alex and Nolan every Wednesday.  On Friday nights those four and often Jamin and Jared have been meeting at our home where we are working through the Marvel movies in ORDER preparing for the release of Doomsday. There is hope that I'll have a clue what is happening if we do this. Since our trip, Allie absconding         and Stacia going back to college too.... things have been topsy turvy. We opted to try Saturday night for Marvel this week. 

Michael threw the plans into disarray. He woke up with a small rash. I insisted on seeing it. No blisters but it reminded me of GG's shingles. I knew the key is to go in immediately and start on drugs. That is supposed to help with a lighter case IF you go in immediately. Poor Michael. The knee and hip continue to hurt and now shingles. Jamin and Jared opted not to come over. LOL 

I was glad Nolan decided to come over anyway. We haven't seen him since the day we left on our trip - August 9th, I believe. 

The other highlight of the day was in the kitchen. I made a yummy dinner which used 3 zucchini's and totally fit within my bright line eating plan... 

I was weary of crunching my way through 8 oz of salad and a 6 oz veggie at dinner. This was a protein, veggie and fat serving all in one and I added a salad and felt normal.