Happy May Day and Alaskan Update

[harvest_table]

Happy May Day you guy's!

Thank goodness, it's finally spring in Alaska....it's been a very long, cold dark winter here. Still freezing at night but the days are warming up into the 50's, the last remnants of snow piles are melting away and the days are getting noticeably longer.

Our family has had so much going on the last few months, in the midst of big changes I thought I'd share with you.

We've been tossing around the idea of moving to Minnesota for a few years, primarily for family reasons. My husband and I grew up in MN and both our parents, as well as siblings, cousins reside there. Well, we bought a home in the Fergus Falls area and Alan's already been there for 3 months. He's moved my FIL out of the Veterans home and into the house and is basically being a full time caregiver for his Dad. My FIL doesn't really require 24 hour full time care but he had a stroke 10 years ago and has physical and verbal limitations. My MIL has been caring for him since his stroke but is just not able to handle the physical responsibilities any longer.

For a number of reasons we decided it would be best for Alanna and I to wait until school ended before headed that way-school out here in 23 days. Alanna has had an awesome year at school and is totally on board with this move. We been able to have some awesome Mother/Daughter bonding time without Alan around, that's for sure.

Maintaining this household without him has been much more challenging than I expected. I took alot of roles he played around here for granted such as vehicle maintainence, stocking the woodpiles, managing the wood stoves, dealing with the snow and plowing...the list goes on and on. At least the snow issues are done with now.

So, I've slowly been weeding through 15 years of stuff we have accumulated -what a job. Have been working at the Flower Shop more than I care to but will finish up there after Mothers Day so THEN hope to be able to focus & devote more time to this big task.

I could go on and on, just sort of overwhelmed with so much on the plate but seem to be plugging along okay. Our plan at this point is for me to fly to MN mid June and spend a few days with Alan and my FIL. Then Alan will fly back here, take care of some issues he needs to deal with and then he and Alanna will take a nice road trip down the Alcan, with our 2 Chessies in toe. It's crazy. I'm crazy.

Haven't been posting much lately but check the board regularly and just wanted to let you all know I think of you often, struggle right along with you in the many ups and downs of our various illness's and always celebrate your joys too.

Love,
Joanna

[barbaranoela]

Joanna----I was thinking U had already made the move----

I cannot imagine all the tasks U have had to do while Alan was away--
Its always something Lou tells me--gotta get more involved---like the car etc. thankfully I dont have to worry about loading the logs and so forth

It is a good idea to wait till the end of the school year---and isnt it nice to re-bond with Alanna--
I had that wonderful Xperience while in AZ.---while Lou did repairs around Doug;s house--Doug and I were able to sit and do the same---
It was super-----

Clearing out stuff--- --so much accumulates over the years--doesnt it?
I often TRY to SNEAK stuff into the garbage pick up---but so far havent had much luck-- --Mr. Louie always seems to recheck what I throw out!!!

Wishing U---Alanna and Alan much happiness with the big move---

luve Barbara

[harvest_table]

Clearing out stuff--- --so much accumulates over the years--doesnt it? I often TRY to SNEAK stuff into the garbage pick up---but so far havent had much luck-- --Mr. Louie always seems to recheck what I throw out!!!

Wishing U---Alanna and Alan much happiness with the big move---

luve Barbara

Thanks Barbara, we are excited about this move.

Yes, I'm amazed at what we have accumulated. Like you, I'm married to a serious packrat with a problem but since he's not around I'm able to leisurely go about my merry way of making dump runs with no fear or guilt. Know what I mean?

Sad thing is, after 15 years the yard and outbuildings are finally going to be put into order just about the time we are moving. Oh well, that's life.

Love,
Joanna

[kate_ce1995]

I don't envy you this task! I remember moving just me and the cats 3 years ago! What a chore. And I was only moving 120 miles.

Geoff and I are both packrats and the stuff is accumulating fast. Of course his aunt and cousins are staying here when they come out for the wedding, so we are trying to "clean house" in the midst of planning the gig! Whew. I'll be glad when we are on the other side of both.

Take care of you. Glad your snow is mostly gone. We had a pile on the bulkhead that we thought would make it to May, but alass on Monday it was gone.

Katy

[JJ]

Hi...I too have been digging through my junk...don't know if I'm moving yet, but have to be ready...good luck kiddo...JJ