Answered Prayer

At the beginning of a 30 minute drive, Buttercup picked up her little picture Bible and started to look through it. She, like her mother, suffers from motion sickness. She can become nauseous by simply looking down. It's the worst when she's looking at books. Instead of telling her to put the book down, I decided to say a quick (and silent) prayer that she be allowed to read her Bible without getting car sick. The first thing out of her mouth when I parked the car? Mom, I didn't get car sick!

Butterflies

This morning I told Chuck, "Well, I guess we'll see you next week." Ahhhhhhhh!
Next week we are moving to Alaska. I am scared. Really, I am more anxious/nervous than scared. Since I tend to become anxious about most anything outside of my comfort zone and since moving to Alaska is WAY out of the norm for me, I would consider myself to be double anxious. Yes, double.

My days in Alabama are actually numbered now. I have to buckle down and get to visiting with the family members I don't see on a regular basis. I have to make some play dates with Charley's best friend. I've got to figure out who's truck I am going to borrow to get My Friend to the airport. I have to take My Friend to the vet and give him a bath. I have to wash the car I've been borrowing and give it back. I have to print my itinerary. I have to finish my sewing project. I have to mail some more boxes. I have to sell my bicycle, Little Miss Muffet's bicycle, Little Miss Muffet's trailer bike, a sectional sofa, and coffee table. I have to throw up.

Follow Up

I didn't mean for the post about flying to turn into a cliffhanger ya'll. Chuck made it back to solid ground just fine.

The morning of the flight, I received a very nice email from Chuck’s new friend and coworker that eased my worried mind a bit. He assured me that “Alaskans fly like the rest of the world drives”, and that their “pilot is one of the area’s best and has tens of thousands of hours of flight time”. He even sent me a picture (below) of the actual plane Chuck would be flying in that morning. This plane carries only one passenger. Chuck said it was so small, when he sat down, his knees touched both sides of the plane. That morning there were three guys who needed to get to an island, so once the pilot dropped one guy off, he had to go back for another.

"Super Cub, Alaska's Finest Bush Plane"

I was really surprised that Chuck was so willing and eager to fly at all. He’s flown before, but only once. He has been known to go to great pains to drive to mandatory, far, far away business trips while all of his coworkers traveled via air. He is afraid. Yep, he is VERY uncomfortable with flying. He says it just isn’t natural. Until now, we haven’t had any reason to consider a fear of flying in small planes. After giving it some thought, I think he might be more afraid of the jet planes because of their size. Something so massive, made of aluminum, coasting through the air…come on ya’ll. That IS unnatural. Great. Now I am scared.

Jeff went on to tell me that his bigger concern was that my “Fishin’ Crazy husband” stay dry and avoid being mauled by a bear during a fishing excursion. It was nice to hear someone echo what I’ve been telling him but then again….not so much. This meant that my bear concerns were valid and Chuck had actually been taking a risk by going out to fish without being armed! Chuck always assured me he fished in well-populated areas and stayed close to the truck. He would have carried a gun, only he didn’t have any guns there in Alaska. After reading up on the border regulations he opted to have me ship them instead of just putting the dern things in the truck with him. So, Jeff, was nice enough to equip Chuck with a shotgun with bear slugs and a new pair of waders.

"Alaska’s Finest Cheechako"

Our other friend John, recently offered to ship Chuck his guns to save me the trouble. I thought to myself, "I can do this myself" and then I immediately followed that thought with, "Take the man up on his offer Hayley. He offered to mail the guns. Let him mail the guns." So, I took the man the guns with some cash for the shipping costs. Not having to deal with shipping regulations, not searching in dark alleys for three long boxes or one large long box, and not having to packing them in a just so kind of way with some kind of packing material, is a true blessing. Thanks John! if you are out there! Even though I don't think you are! I'll send you a note...with a P.S. that you should be reading the blog.

How To Follow Through with Daughter's Requests for Jane Outfit

TOP
1. Find one old sleeveless tank.
2. Cut in half.
3. Put top half of tank on child to get an idea of how to take in the sides for a better fit.
4. Sew a straight line down both sides to take it in (Be sure to leave arm holes!).
5. Turn top around backwards if yours has an adult size v-neck like mine.

SKIRT
1.Take bottom half of tank (a strip of fabric sewn together).
2. Add button to one side at waist level.
3. Put bottom of tank on child at waist level and mark where button should meet the fabric for a snug fit.
4. Remove and cut button hole with scissors.

You're done!



Remember Jane wouldn't have had a sewing machine in the jungle so rough edges are not only ok, they are what you want.

Lil' Jane has a crush on Tarzan. Which is funny 'cause my Mom and I also have a crush on Tarzan. Our Tarzan is originally from Greystoke (hubba bubba) and Lil' Jane's Tarzan is animated.

Flying, MOMS Club, and Nature Soup

Chuck is flying in a bush airplane tomorrow morning. Did you know that a bush pilot has one of THE most dangerous jobs in America? I told him he better not give Boss Hog and I a reason not to come to Alaska. I also threatened to tell his mother. Of course, he'll go anyway...and if given the opportunity, I'd go too. I am just glad he is giving me an opportunity to pray for his safety.

Today was a big day for the MOMS Club. We had our annual, and very casual banquet where we ate hoagie style sandwiches and chased after clues during a scavenger hunt. I held back tears as our President welcomed in the new board members and said good-bye to the old. I am so grateful for the friends that Boss Hog and I have made in the MOMS Club. If you have a club in your area, I encourage you to get involved. I am definitely glad I did.

Afterward, Boss Hog was blissfully happy to hear that her little girlfriends would be in the neighborhood today. They got together and had a good time out in the yard...and in the house...and back in the yard...and repeat. The girls aren't yet at an age that they can roam free, so where ever they go, my eyes have to follow. And since my eyes won't wrap around the back side of the house, under the porch, upstairs, and next door, I stay almost as busy as they are. I mistakenly increased my involvement when I introduced the friends to "Nature Soup" today. Boss Hog and I make "Nature Soup" often, and it was fun to see the other girls take an interest in our activity. I set them up to make several batches with three bowls, a decaying bouquet of Mother's Day flowers, and water. About the time I had grown tired of continually fetching water and tasting soup, they asked for spoons. I said no, and encouraged them to use their imaginations. Pretty soon, I noticed they were happily stirring with sticks. I remember being on my own at Grandmother's and using the Peachtree Street gutter as my bowl for one batch of "Nature Soup". Having ceramic bowls and water that hasn't been living in a gutter for three days, is a step-up for "Nature Soup". Hey, store bought, slightly wilted, Mother's Day flowers add a nice touch as well.

One-Way Tickets for Three

We have tickets! On June 4th, Olly Olly Oxen Free and I will be boarding a plane, that will lead to another plane, that will lead to another plane, that will take us to Fairbanks, Alaska! Chuck will pick us up there and drive us to our new town.

My Friend won't be traveling on our plane, because of a pet embargo on flights leaving through our airline coming out of Atlanta in June...and July...and August...and September. Yeah. BUT, Continental doesn't have embargo dates because the animals are not left in the heat for any length of time. I have made arrangements for him to fly out of Atlanta the day before we leave. Because I know everybody probably wants to know, I'll just say it. It will cost us around $350.00 to ship the dog. Yes, I know, that may seem like a lot to some. But for me, personally, the cheapest woman on earth, I think it is a fair price. Think about the service that is being provided. They are shipping a 50 lb. dog in a 30 lb. carrier from ALABAMA to ALASKA. They will care for him throughout the trip. He is a part of our family and is worth it. Oh and P.S. We have to ship him to Anchorage since big cargo planes don't fly into Fairbanks. Chuck has to go get him...it will take him a total of 12 hours.

ANYWAY....I THINK Chuck is anxious to see us, even if it means his bachelor days are nearing an end. Whether he's riding four wheelers through the Alaskan wilderness or fishing for trout and salmon over ice or swiftly moving creeks, he is on his own. He sure as heck isn't on Daddy duty. Don't get me wrong, our arrival won't stop his adventures. We might slow him down a little since we will right beside him with bells on, but that's all part of the plan.

To tell you the truth, at one point, I didn't think he was missing me near as much as I was missing him. I told him so. His reply? "Aww Hayley, my life in Alaska doesn't start 'till you get here." That was exactly what I needed to hear.

Photos from AK!

I have been looking forward to seeing these photos for soooo long. Chuck emailed them to me last night. I taught him everything he knows. DON’T YOU DENY IT CHUCK!

(click the photos to make the them bigger)

From Chuck:

The first two photos were taken in Canada. If memory serves right, I believe I was in British Columbia. The weather started getting bad in Edmonton, a town in west Alberta. But, it turned into something that caused great concern when I was driving over the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia. The first two photos were taken in areas where I felt most comfortable taking a picture. There were times when I would stay around 15mph or less.

The attached photo was taken in British Columbia, about 80 miles from Fort St. John. When I got to Fort Saint John the next day, I called you to say I made it as far as my nerves would allow. Take a close look at the ice that formed under the truck around the wheels.

A little store and gas station in BC Canada. Just about every gas station was full service with no extra charge.

I spent the night here after dropping off the U Haul. I believe that you read a book that talked about Toad River.

Still in Canada and behind the Toad River Lodge. This is a herd of Caribou walking through a mountain pass.



Buffalo in Canada. Notice how close to the road it is. These things will stand in the middle of the road and not really take much of a notion to move.





Canada: Mountain scenery.



I think this is the Yukon. The trip turned really nice when I reached the Yukon. The Alaska HWY flattened out a good bit and I didn’t encounter much snow. I mostly had clear, sunny skies throughout my trip through the Yukon. The animals in the middle of the road are Caribou.

These are some of what will be your Alaska mountains. These are the smaller mountains known as the Granite Range. This is a small piece of where you will be living. It gets better. The pictures that will follow don’t do it justice.

Home sweet home at the Bald Eagle Ranch in Alaska.

Granite Range

Spruce (white and black), aspen, and birch, are some of the most predominant trees where you live. The attached photo is spruce. It’s hard to really tell much difference between the black and white spruce.

The Alaska Range. This is the biggest Mountain Range where you live. Mount Hayes is the tallest within the Alaska Range.

Be sure to show Charley.

The Alaska Range. Tell Mrs. Estra that I was talking to her on the phone and telling her about this view. After I got off the phone with her I took this photo.



I told Charley that the trees looked like Christmas trees; you might want to see if she agrees. This is a spruce. Because it is so dang cold, the growing season is really short in Alaska. A Loblolly Pine this size in Alabama could be 15-30 years old. This Alaska tree is probably well over 100 years old.



Please understand that the photo does not do this justice. Also, stop and consider this is what you will see every day. This my dear wife, if your backyard. My ITAM responsibilities extend to the base of this mountain range.



Auguring through almost four feet of ice on Birch Lake.



First Ice Hole at Birch Lake



Rainbow Trout coming out of the ice hole.





I was really excited about all of my first Alaska fish, but catching this Salmon was something else.



Trout





This is my workplace.

Moose near a little pond where I work.



Taking a picture of myself like you do of yourself, a couple of weeks ago.

Thawing Lake with Donnelly Dome in Background. This is where I work. Donnelly Dome is a good place to pick blueberries.

Golden Eye ducks



Ducks over a frozen lake where I work.

The famous Alaska Pipeline

This is me sending photos to you. That is all for now. I’ll start taking more now that I have a way to send them to you. I love you very much and miss you greatly. I’m very excited about you getting here.

Ain't he sweet?

Good-Byes

Well my sister has been here for a second visit and left again. Our official good-bye is complete. sigh

Mom woke us up early this morning to say, good-bye. It was short and very sweet. While Granna held Doll Face, we all cried. After Doll Face said her good-byes and Granna walked out the door, she laid there with me and cried some more. Through her tears she said, “I won’t be able to rest in Granna’s lap or stay up late with her and watch American Idol anymore.” Then she cried some more. I wondered if she thought about leaving someone the way grown-ups do. I wondered if she thought about how she wouldn’t see that person in places that she ordinarily sees them. She does.

Sad, sad, sad

My Mama is leaving in the morning. She is going all the way to South Carolina and plans to stay in South Carolina for two months! She took a job at the Bluffton Post Office. The job is temporary but to me, feels permanent, since Gardenia and I will be leaving before she returns. We’ve known about her move for a couple of weeks but I haven’t felt particularly motivated to write about it. I am glad she got this job. She deserves it.

Craig will remain here in Alabama for the majority of the period to deal with the house and take care of his mother. He plans to visit Mom frequently, I’m sure.

My heart has been heavy with guilt since the reality of saying good-bye is settling in. We are taking this baby away from her grandparents. We are taking her away from her aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and everything she has ever known and loved. That is a rough reality to accept.

I overheard Gardenia and Mom crying in one another's arms after a bath last night. It was heart wrenching. I heard Gardenia say, “I won’t forget you while I am in Alaska, Granna.” Then she asked if she could have her and Granddiddy’s picture to look at while she is on the plane.

Trade Day

This past weekend, I checked Collinsville Trade Day off my mental list of things to do in Alabama before heading up to Alaska. Craig guilted Mom into coming along too, and I think in the end she was glad she did. She’s seen below in a kissing photo. Kissing photos usually indicate happiness, right? I think so.

I love Trade Day. It is also known as the Flea Market you know. Seeing all those fresh fruits and vegetables made me want to cook something. Since I had no idea what it would be, I bought Sassafras a single apple to munch on instead.

I always keep a very random list of things I need to look for at thrift stores, yard sales, and the like, on hand for reference. I got down to business early on and made everyone listen as I read from my list. I took the Craig’s camera but was unable to shoot photos, shop, and keep up with Sassafras all at once, so the photos are scarce. But the shopping was oh so satisfying.

Coasters cut from a branch for my Mother-in-Law to supplement her Mother’s Day gift: $2.00

5 Barrettes to keep Sassafras’ bangs back while they are growing out: $4.00

Avon Bug Guard plus SPF for Sassafras the mosquito magnet: $5.50

Avon Hand Sanitizer to ward off any disease contracted from trade day bathroom use with no sinks: $2.00

A single apple for Sassafras: 25 cents
New bug collecting box because ours is full: $4.00

2 metal name tags for My Friend: $1.50
Purple leash: $6.00
4 badges, Sassafras and I are Adventure Scouts...something I am sure I will blog about one day: $7.00

We were the last to leave.