We've been busy...

I haven't been as quick to post lately, as our plates have been getting a bit jumbled!

 Pat has continued to work on the trailer, getting it enclosed and sealed up!

 Yep, Pat is way tougher when getting shot up than I am.  He got 5 shots and I got 4.  I had to lie down after getting the first two due to the rapid drop in blood pressure!  Pat said that I turned gray.  Then he said it was all in my head.  I reminded him that it had all left my head.  This is just round 1 of 3 to complete our shot regime before we go to Africa.  Yipee.

 The house is becoming more disheveled.  It doesn't help my focus, but I am trying to organize the piles as I go.  We had our garage/moving sale this last week, so that helped to remove a bunch of stuff with which we were willing to part.  Unfortunately, this leaves us with less fun stuff to live on until we leave, like our card table and folding chairs instead of our teak table and stools, but we are thankful that we have something!

 I'm also accumulating piles of trash.  It's interesting the things that I keep, just to throw away later.  I just can't bring myself to discard some of the precious gifts of drawings that I have received.  I have a notebook where I keep some of these treasures!  

 I have still been trying to embrace all things Alaskan, specifically rhubarb!  My rhubarb plant got heavily munched on this spring, but has recovered enough to produce a strawberry rhubarb pie!  I actually prefer straight rhubarb, but there wasn't quite enough.

 We have a new purpose for our Alaska to Africa iron!  We are thinking of placing it on the ever-evolving moving trailer.  You can see the trim is now finished, and a vent installed.

We are now in the process of selling our cars (one sold during the garage sale - Yay!) and replacing them with another pickup to drive Pat's small trailer down as well.  This is change in the original plan, but hey, we are all about change!

It's Real!

It's real!

We've even bought storage totes to begin our packing process.  I must say, I am excited!  Moving is always bitter-sweet for me as I go through all my collected items that bring up all the associated memories.  It will honestly be difficult to leave such a beautiful place where we have met such great friends.  I have a sneaky suspicion we will be back again someday!

 Rowdy doesn't seem to notice, much less care, about all the new flutter of activity!  I think we'll have to pry him away from his favorite chair, though.

 As proof of our intentions, we (as in Pat) have begun to build the enclosure for our moving trailer!   It is coming together rather well.  I'm in a continued state of awe that this is real after 2 1/2 years of waiting!  We had no idea of what we would be doing at that time!

It's coming along quickly, so I'll keep the updates coming!  We are so thankful for all the blessings of things coming together.  The sale of the house, and of other things, have felt very much like confirmation of our path. Yeah!

Overwhelmed!

Somebody picked our house!!

I am so happy, relieved, excited, and overwhelmed!

My SIL just texted me "All it took was Africa!"  The funny thing is that about a year ago, well before any idea about Africa had come to be, Pat made a random comment that it would be crazy if God kept our house from selling until He sent us to Africa!  Seriously.  He said it.  I remember.  I couldn't think of any scenario where we would actually move there, so it seemed a bit silly, but I think I probably said something like, "Yep."

There are still some hurdles that have to be crossed, so pray that all the house stuff goes well for us and for the buyers.  I will miss this place like crazy, but I am not in the least bid sad to move forward!

So...

Pat has now returned from the idyllic town of Pella, Iowa.  As cute as it was, it had a bit of "The Truman Show" quality to it; too perfect!  We could not live there, but it looks like a darling place to visit!

So you may be wondering if I have any announcement to make.  Announcements are so formal and finite.  Again, not really us.  So instead I'm making you read all this fluff in order to share that we are indeed planning on moving with Vytrak to Ghana, Africa!

There are a billion or so questions and details that have yet to be ironed out, so feel free to ask, but I can't promise much in the way of answers.

Basically, this is the next step in order to make all the other steps.  One thing at a time.  Right now we are concentrating on selling this house (I know - I sound like a broken record), and I will probably begin making calls to set up vaccinations!  Fun, I know.  We are excited about this adventure, and will keep documenting it all here!  I may have to change the name of the blog, though...

While we wait...

My husband is having a lovely time in a lovely place with lovely people.

I really am glad for him.

Really.

 Yesterday I mowed our lawn.  I have to say it was really lovely.  In fact, I'm thinking I'll not likely  live in such a lovely place again, so I should really enjoy it!

 With that in mind, I took my Rowdy out for a canoe ride across the lake and down a back trail behind our property.  It was so pretty.  The air was fresh and cool with the scent of new moss and earth that is singularly Alaskan.  The sun would pop out of the clouds and warm us with rapidity that made me wonder if I can handle a hotter climate!  Birds were singing to each other and teasing my dog mercilessly.  He was in pure heaven sniffing under every pile of fallen branches and even found several carcasses.  Oh joy.

 We had a wonderful afternoon!  Now, why doesn't anyone want to buy this amazing property that I am enjoying as much as I possibly can!?!

Neener Neener

I am now extremely jealous of my husband.  I had no idea, until just moments ago while looking up pictures of Pella, Iowa, just how lovely of a town this was.  It is a little Holland in Iowa.  It is darling.

And it's 70 degrees there today.

This is where Pat is for the next 4 days while visiting with the owners of Vytrak.  I am anxiously awaiting news of how things are going and what conclusions will be made!

Fortunately, it is sunny and going to be close to 60 today, so I am forgoing my usual longjohns.  Yes, I have worn them up til now.  Since it is June, I refuse to wear them any longer.  Also, in an attempt to keep my spirits up (we won't go into my back issues) I will be having a massage later today after having lunch with a friend!

So there.

Possibilities...

Remember when I posted this picture of Facebook and thought it was funny?  The question I thought would come up, and never did, was how I came across this picture.

I have been in an intense internet research project about Ghana, Africa.  

As you can see, Ghana is in Western Africa, on the coast.  

Why is this interesting you ask?  

Well, we are contemplating moving there.

 We are seriously looking into moving to Accra, the capitol.  We would be joining Vytrak to help build a motorized "cart" for people.  This is an extremely simplified version, and if you'd like to look more into it, www.vytrak.com has a very informative PDF that explains it all!

 In a week, Pat will be going to Pella, Iowa (not the picture!) to have a meeting with the founders of Vytrak and help with a "brainstorming" meeting as well as talk more about what part we can be in this company.  There is a possibility that Pat will be a consultation resource for this meeting and that is all.  There is a possibility that he will help train one of the founders in more welding skills before they go to Africa this fall.

 And then there is the possibility that we will pack a few bags and move to Ghana for a while to help start the manufacture of these vehicles.  

 My mind has been reeling with all the possible changes;  tropical weather (O.K., it's hot and humid all year), population of 2 million in town, major cultural changes, etc.  Because it isn't a sure thing, we are not buying warm-weather wardrobes just yet, but if you think of us, pray that we will have clear confirmation of our next steps, and that our house will sell.  

And we thought the "Alaska to Africa" project was for others...!

My Runway

Seriously.
FRC is the new black.
And in case you don't believe how ravishing of a look this is, I was approached just today and told I looked very beautiful and asked if I was married!  So you see, for all you single friends of mine, I would be more than happy to help you don your wardrobe like mine.  The hardhat really sets it off, and one can be creative with the stickers that are applied to make it individual.  I cannot, however, help you out with the Turnaround card to wear on your lanyard, but I'm sure we could come up with another option.

Post-Turnaround Ramblings

For some unknown reason, it seems that the folks at Tesoro don't like to have their refineries photographed, so we regret that we have no photos to document our lovely time there.  We spent 3-4 weeks working 7 days a week, 12 hour days.  Someday we really should model our FRC's (Fire Retardant Clothing).  They are so flattering.  Especially my coveralls.  On a lighter note, we did enjoy seeing each other throughout the days, and occasionally having lunch together.  That was a nice perk! I found that I thoroughly enjoyed being known as "Pat's Wife" which is especially remarkable as in the oil field, wives are more commonly referred to as "old ladies."  

We have exited that special time in our lives, and have jumped back into real life.  Since the snow and ice were still prevalent at the beginning of Turnaround, we still had on our snow/studded tires.  Today we finally got not only tires switched, but bought a very nice summer set on rims for a very good price!  And to top it all off, I got to put them all on with an impact wrench!  So much easier.

 Pat is working on removing the dog kennel.  Since Bella's passing, we just don't seem to have the ability to send Rowdy out there on his own.  We've become quite the softies.  The snow this year crushed the tin roofing over the kennel, so I guess it's time to go.

 There used to be a heavy storage tent back in the woods.  It too got crushed by the snow this year, and we've been able to clear it away!  Now there is just a perfect little spot for...

 I have begun, albeit a bit late, my gardening.  I have purchased many a flower and filler, but also tried my annual experiment with seedlings.  I am usually terrible with starting plants from seed, but it looks like I will have a great year for kale!

 The snow is still receding, and I am curious to document it's final demise.  A slow painful death is just fine with me.  I am more interested in the little faces that are starting to pop up in my beds!

 The lake has been open since Cinco de Mayo, and with the copious amounts of snow this year, the level has risen markedly.  Fortunately, this dock keeps us above the water so we can enjoy the lily-pad-free lake for a short time!  It's not freezing at night anymore, so it's finally time for the frog to come back out!  It can join the croaking chorus from the other frogs that are singing their throats out!

 Almost every day now, I make my rounds to see my babies poking up out of the ground!  The record snowfall has not had any effect on my flowers, as they all seem to be making their spring debut.  I can't ever wait until the perennials show their stuff, so I like to splurge a little on flowers that bloom all summer like this happy, happy chrysanthemum!

And finally, what could be better than fresh out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies?!  Not much on this rainy day!  Yep, it's good to get back to normal!

Breakin' Up is Not Hard to Do!

Break-up is in full swing and it makes me extremely excited!  I am literally outside every day monitoring the progress of the snow melt.  I feel like I understand so much more fully the thaw that happens in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe!

This is the first ground that has appeared all on it's own!

 I would still like to hasten the ground reveal, so I took the wood ashes from the wood stove and liberally spread them out among my landscape!  It can't hurt...

 In the excitement of warmer weather, we have even begun some painting projects!  Clearly we can't accomplish this task in the out-of-doors, though we are consistently reaching the 40's, so we have taken over the floor of the shop as a staging area.  It works pretty well!

 Our snow melt is revealing some of our hidden items like one of my flower supports!  Super fun!  Oh, and the front deck that was completely full of snow has been carved back out and is on its way to melt-hood.  We (or I) will celebrate with much fervor when the last part of the deck has been freed from the icy grip of winter.

 Along our path is a small patch of grass that is slowly opening up!  Every time I walk by my pulse quickens with anticipation!

 Could you guess what was above?  Yes!  It is the literal break-up of our driveway, with a little bit of Pat's help with his maul and spade!  We will prevail!

 Rowdy is undeterred by the visual deterrent, and seems to be at a perfect weight to stay a top the snow!

And finally, the deeper shading way out there is the lake!!  If you look at it long enough you can see it.  It's subtle, but the color change is there.  Really.