SATURDAY

Bob with my team on a training run along the Parks Hwy

Well, while I am scrubbing my deck, putting away the patio furniture, mowing the lawn and edging, clearing out the garage so that the car will have a home for the winter, running a load to the recycle and also to the Good Will, going through my dad's bills, and eating on the run.  Bob is running my team.  I want to switch places ! ! ! !

I can't wait to head back home to Willow.   I even miss scooping dog poop.  (hmmm....might have to give that one a bit more thought.)  I miss the dog hugs and the kisses and hearing my team howl.   I may have timed my return just right...I think that the monsoons are over.  : )

FABULOUS SCHOOL VISIT

AWESOME 4TH GRADE CLASS !

Well, I guess that I would call today's Classroom Visit a "Mini Visit"   I returned to Nancy Edward's library and I got to welcome a new 4th grade class into the world of learning about the Iditarod.  It was fun getting to know these kids at the beginning of their Iditarod journey. 

We talked about Dreams and I shared my dream.  The message that I gave them was to believe in themselves and with determination, planning, hard work, and not giving up that they too could realize their dreams.  It was a very interactive hour with the students eagerly answering questions and listening intently to my stories.  When I showed the picture of me sitting on top of a ton of dog food, I asked the kids how long they thought that pile of dog food would last.  I had answers of 2 years, 1 year, and then one answered one week.  I responded that she was the closest.  The answer was that it would last about a month. 

They also got to see what 1500 booties looked like.  Then the pictures showed all the work that we have to do to support our training a dog team for the Iditarod.  I also had pictures that showed the love between dog and musher.  Of course there were many of these.  I enjoyed the many oohs and awes...I shared with them how important it is for me to take care of my dogs.  They related what it took to take care of one or two dogs at home with me caring for 20.   They got a realistic view of the huge responsibility it was to care for and train a team.  

Of course there had to be a few pics of what it looks like in temps of -50.  That sure got their attention and reactions.  By the end of my time with them, they were talking about Tok and Amber and were excited about the possibility of meeting a sled dog when I return to visit them next April.  Of course that visit will be a "full meal deal"...not a "mini visit".   When asked if they would like to see their teacher dressed up as a musher, their answer was a unanimous YES !   I will return with a PowerPoint presentation of the training months ahead and also of the journey to Nome, Iditarod 2013.   

I love sharing my passion with the kids on my classroom visits.  I am always amazed at what they have learned about the Iditarod and the dogs.  By the time I come to visit, they have spent months reading and learning about the Iditarod.   They love to share with me what they have learned and the activities that they have done.  The best part is to see kids on fire with learning and reading. 

TAKING CARE OF MY BIGGEST FAN

I have been burning the candle at both ends now for what seems like forever.  My dad's care is my biggest concern.  I have a wonderful support network in place for my dad and he is so very excited about my second Iditarod.  Before I can head north there is still quite a bit yet to do.   I appreciate all the care and concern I have received for my dad.  It is very heartwarming.

My dad is a trooper with all of the tests that he has had to endure. He is making the adjustment to not driving as best as he can...a very hard thing to do for a man who loves to be on the go and for one who loves his daily breakfast outing to Claire's in Edmonds. 

Tomorrow we have a follow up visit to the Neurologist and will get the results of all of the tests.

I have taken the pressure off me by setting my target date for returning to Willow by October 8th.  I know that I can meet that goal, however, I am hopeful that I can book a flight sooner.  Rather than setting an earlier date and having the disappointment of not making it, I will hopefully be celebrating being able to book a flight before the 8th.

Dogs are doing great.  I can't wait to get up there and begin my 4 wheeler training.  I am also very anxious to get to know the new dogs on my team.  Every day I look forward to hearing how the dogs are doing on their training runs and I have been getting good feedback. 

I am so envious of all of my musher friends who are out there training their teams.  I hope to soon join them ! 

TA DA... !

BOB THE BUILDER...KEEPS ON BUILDING

"Tall Man's Storage Shed"

Well, I am going nuts here in Washington.  I am missing out on the early 4 wheel training and the building of our storage units.  I love framing and building and I love running the dogs.  Kind of funny, we are having very warm, dry weather and Willow is having monsoons...rain, rain, and more rain.  While Willow floods, Washington burns. 

On my last post I said the next project was to be the open air storage building.  Well, It ended up being the compressor/storage shed.  Bob refers to it as the "Tall Man's Storage Shed.   We are both looking forward to having more storage space for this winter.  I am hoping that it will translate into us being better prepared and better organized.  (Wishful thinking??)

Side View of the "Tall Man's Storage Shed"
 

Hooray for Craigslist !   Bob found roofing for about a fourth the cost for our outbuildings.  We also got salmon and meat for the dogs...(soon to pick up).

Veterinarian, Susan Dent visited the kennel today and gave Rabies vaccinations to all the dogs who need them.  Another task done.  Yea ! 

While Bob is accomplishing so much with the kennel, I have been spending days and days at Virginia Mason Medical Center while my father goes through a battery of tests and appointments from occupational therapy, physical therapy to MRI's and EEG's. Thankfully, all the tests have come back normal.  However, his recent blood work showed that he had a significant vitamin B12 deficiency. He is soon to be starting B12 shots. It will be interesting to see if that helps him with his memory and cognitive ability. Here's hoping. 

Dad is so very proud and he is talking with everyone about my participating in Iditarod 2013.  He doesn't like me leaving each fall, but he has accepted it.  He loves the dogs and has "bragging rights".  He wants to know who I will bring back with me this next spring.  I think that he is secretively hoping it will be Amber.  He sure loves her. 

KENNEL PROGRESS...



NEW COVERED ENTRANCE

 

Well, I guess the house is part of the kennel.  In any event, the addition of a covered porch will really be a nice feature.   The roofing is ordered and Bob has help lined up so that the install will go easier with two people. The final plan is to have a wooden deck built, but we can only get so much done before winter.  That will be a project for later.  

 

With electricity now, we will be able to have freezers under cover.  They will be full of dog meat.  The cover will also provide a nice work space out of the weather and a nice walkway to the house. 

 

The next project will be our open air storage for the straw, sleds and 4 wheelers.  Stay tuned...

 

 



COUCH SURFING...

Well, my father scared the living daylights out of me this past Sunday.   After church I met him for coffee.  He had just finished breakfast and I was joining him for coffee.  There was something very strange about him.   Then when he talked he made absolutely no sense at all.  A quick call to 911 and he was off to the emergency room.

Kind of puzzled about exactly what happened to him.  At first they were quite sure it was a stroke.  Then they thought TIA, then possibly a seizure.  In any event, all the many tests that were taken were OK and I was able to take him home last night.  He was still not himself, but the Dr. thought that when he was back in his familiar surroundings that he may be far less confused.  

Waking up this morning he was a different person...back to his normal old self, or darn close to it.  The change was really dramatic.  He slept well (I slept so-so...I am taller than the couch is long) and we went to his favorite breakfast place and he had a good breakfast. Today he is with his caretaker, Jackie and I am back to work. 

I will be back with him this evening and again will stay with him.  The plan is to have someone with him 24/7 for the week.   

He will have a follow up neurological appointment on Thursday.  My sister is flying out from Providence RI and it will be great to see her and great for her to see Dad.  With my brother in town it will be one of those rare moments when all three kids are together.  I am looking forward to being together as a family. 

RUNNING IN THE RAIN...

Got good feedback from Bob.   He took out 10 of my dogs for a 4 wheeler run.  They did great...ran "like a clock".   Like always, they are raring to go.   I just wish that I was there driving them.  We will have a great training season ahead of us.   I can't wait to get back up to stay.  

Still working towards a return date.  Have so much still to get done.   My first priority is my father.  We are getting everything in place for him for when I head north.   Again, I have to thank Jackie and Doris so much for the loving care that they continue to give my dad.  I could not even think of leaving if we didn't have them in our lives.   The fabulous part is that my time away from home is fall/winter and that is when my brother is home.  I am able to pass to him my caregiver roll.   Once back in Alaska, we are in communication daily unless I am on a race.  Thank goodness for cell phones.

   

The Nitty Gritty

For the past 4 years I have relied on renting out rooms in my house so that I can head north and train.  One of my housemates just told me last week that he was giving notice and moving out of state.  I couldn't believe it and was pretty devastated to hear this news so late and right before I am getting ready to leave for Alaska.  I am quite picky about who I rent rooms to and I have to be, as I am gone for 7 months. 

I had the possibility of a previous housemate coming back, but got the call first thing this morning that he needed to live closer to his mother.   I can totally understand.   So...things were not looking too good on the home front. 

This morning I gave Bob a call and told him that I may have to pull out of Iditarod...that it really could be a reality...that we had to be prepared.   The harsh reality was that I could not head north with only one housemate.

Positive attitude...keep a positive attitude and an open mind.  If it is meant to be that I run Iditarod things will work out.  I just have to have faith and trust.  In the past I have found wonderful housemates that just clicked.  However, time is the issue.   Well, I had just replaced my ads and this afternoon I met with a prospective renter at Starbucks and then showed him the MIL unit.  Following my gut feeling I offered to show him the master bedroom w/private bath and I now have it rented.   He was an answer to prayers. 

I now have two great housemates and will hope to rent the Mother In Law unit.  That is the easiest one to rent so things have just taken a turn for the good !  

The other wonderful news for me this evening was a donation on the website !   Thank you so much Amy Young !   Amy is from Georgia and she found me on the Iditarod website and "Joined the Team" last year.  I got to meet her at the Ceremonial Start and she will return again this Iditarod 2013 and be one of our "Handlers" for the start. 

So, this evening I called Bob and told him that things were really looking up !

Sponsorship is so important and so very appreciated by me and the dogs.  It is the only way that we can run Iditarod.   You get us down the trail.   You make this possible.   Thank you so very much !

CELEBRATION !

Well, I missed the exciting moment of power to the house...the official "throwing the switch".   Bob is still getting used to quiet and electricity.   I had to chuckle when he said that he was heading out to start the generator so that he could take a shower and then remembered we now have power.  No more generator to run the lights, water pump, microwave, washingmachine, and plug ins !

I am sure that the dogs will be surprised when watering and feeding time comes.  They are usually so intune to the starting of the generator and then the water or food soon to come.  Now the prep will be done in silence. 

WELCOME ARNIE

Just purchased a new leader and am making a decision on two additional young leaders. 

Arnie is a bit of a shy guy, but I am hoping that he warms up.  He is a beautiful boy and I am excited to see how he does.  He seems to be adjusting well to his new home.  He is quite enamored with Magic who is next to his house.   His other neighbor is Jack and they are getting along great as well.   It has been interesting to watch the dogs.  Chad definitely is very interested in checking this new guy out. 

I will post a pic soon.