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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

More April snow showers...blaahhh


Hello.  Fortunately, it appears that spring has returned.  We did have a few below zero mornings this week but the temperatures warmed up by noon time.  Some days we did not reach over 32°, but other days, like today, the temperature reached nearly 50°.  We have approximately 17 inches of snow yet to melt, according to Mr. Trotter’s calculations.  It seems impossible to be thinking of planting seeds in a one month, but miracles are known to happen.

Although everyone’s been sad about the continued winter weather, the guys could not help their silly grins each extra weekend when they had the snow and the weather for some extra snow machine playing and riding! Actually today it is snowing lightly AGAIN!...oh well...

On Sunday morning at 8:37, Skylar Estelle was born to Kimberli and Seth Fouse.  She weighed in at 8 lbs and is 20.5 inches long.  Kimberli went into labor late Saturday night and had planned to go to the birthing center but due to meconium in the baby’s water, she was taken to the hospital.  Dana ended up delivering the baby anyway, at the hospital, because Kimberli’s doctor didn’t make it.  The baby had to spend 12 hours in the place where they put jaundiced babies, but Kimberli and the baby were discharged today.  She is super cute, and I might have pictures of her someday. 

On a funny note, Michael Squires, in 7th grade, told his class mates that he didn’t realize that Kimberli was pregnant, he just thought she was “letting herself go”.

On Monday morning, Thomas announced that John and Kathryn were starting their year.  I think the plan is that once school is out, Kath and John will head to Hoonah farm for the summer.  I hear Hoonah is a lovely spot, although remote...but surrounded by the sea...how I wish my Patagonian coastline...

Ella Jepsen was out for the week end and everybody enjoyed her...she is starting to wobble walk and is so friendly...I MISS MY ESSIE 'N ELLA....boohoo...wish they were closer!!

Bergstad’s Laundry in Delta burned down last weekend. Wow, and I was hoping to take my big stuff like sleeping bags and winter coats to them this summer...guess not...bummer

Whitestone’s graduation is May 4th - Ashley Johnson, their only high school graduate, is their only graduate.  Our graduation is May 18th.  Bro Bobby and Sis Cathy Owens will be with us the weekend of May 3 – 5.  They will minister on Friday night and Sunday morning of that weekend. 

Allyson is in Anchorage for ten days studying for her nurses’ exam. She is working so hard, poor gal...God speed Ali...

Open House was fun.  I took just a few pictures.  Here is the link for that. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151395191196569.1073741833.674561568&type=1&l=cf00dc8d72


The loggers came home from Wasilla on Saturday for a couple of days.  Kevin is staying home.  So is Tony.  Thomas and Brad went back to finish up a week’s worth of work.  Mark might go help them haul logs for a few days, but he is scheduled (on his own schedule) to go to Canada for a couple of weeks at the end of this week. 
I think the guys saw PatLou somewhere on their jaunts around Palmer...

I talked to Rachael B Williamson last weekend.  She said that Shane has to go to the hospital on Friday for his chemo treatments; he is a little listless on the weekends due to that, but so far he’s doing okay.  He is starting to lose his hair so soon she will buzz him.  Nancy is still with Rachael while Tammy, Greg, and Grant are in Fbks with the other two boys.  Soon, Greg and Tammy will drive home with the two older boys stopping in to see Mara B Hanna and Rachel Wllliamson ? (she’s married).  Nancy will fly home at the beginning of May; a few days later, Grant and Rachael and Shane will fly to AR.  Treatments will begin at the St. Judes down there.  There is a fb page for Shane Williamson and if you ask to be friends, one of the Baltrums or Williamsons will accept you and hopefully that page will be updated regularly for everyone.  https://www.facebook.com/shane.phoenix.williamson?ref=ts&fref=ts

Baltrums lived at DC (Dry Creek)  for decades and Nancy was my personal midwife to all my kids, both Rach and Grant went to school and got married here so they all are close to us as a community. PRAY FOR THEM!


Pat's going to Cordova and the surrounding area for 10 days. Hope the weather stays nicer than it is now...he has to pass a mountain pass plus get on the ferry with the car.

My lillies, dafs and poppies are all blooming upstairs waiting for the snow to go so I can transplant them outside...I want a perennial spot in my garden...hummmm.

Rob is doing better with his meds, keeping some of his symptoms in check. Still quite skinny though. Pray for healing.

I am diligently working on the slideshow for the grads. Here are some samples. Having fun with the photos! Thanks to Sarah Jepsen for so MANY of them...what would we do without her! :)

 Cody James Williams


hunting with Cody and Seth



fun at the beach




 Ani, Brade, Kelly, Bethy, Liz, Liv, Jess
 tater harvest
Cody showing his horseshoe mirror frame at Open House. I photoshoped his photo in there. Look at the detail of the lariat (lasso)...very cool. Cody takes blacksmithing with my brother in law Ben Mehaffey (orig. from the Shilo farm in BC).




May, Cody and Olivia on costume night.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

more snow - I think spring forgot to come by this year - alaskamama@gmail.com - Gmail


Morning!  The temperature has finally climbed above zero, but it’s not going too far above!  And, Monday night, it started to snow, and it is still lightly snowing now at 15 degrees.  Yeah, I’m looking at the forecast; we aren’t supposed to get over 24 degrees in the next ten days.  Wonder what happened to global warming?

Yesterday, Cathy P, Liz, Emily, and I went to Fairbanks yesterday for some appointments.  Since it was snowy and slick on the drive home, we spun out on Tenderfoot; I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life.  A trucker (Vlad from DIS) had also spun out near the top of the hill, and he’d stopped to chain up.  I was going to pass him when I reached him but oncoming traffic appeared right as I was going to do my pass.  I had to stop.  Once I stopped, I couldn’t get friction on the road to get going.  I had to back down the hill in (with my precious cargo and with snow blowing) while hoping that no one would come along.  I finally got the van to slide up the hill in order to pass that trucker without incident.  Ugh!!!!

Jim and Bonnie took Irene to the hospital last week but were able to bring her back home.  She seems to have a lot of fluid around her heart, her heart is very weak, and she has to be on oxygen around the clock.  Yesterday, Jim and Bonnie took her into the hospital again and she stayed overnight.  I’m not sure what the prognosis is now. 

On Saturday, Rich started having trouble with the big farm generator.  He worked on it all Sunday to no avail.  The farm had bought a back up generator for this very reason, but Rich has been having trouble getting it hooked up with the right settings.  In the meantime, we’ve been using a smaller farm generator that doesn’t pull our various loads very well.  Yesterday, Rich went over to see Steve Selveggio at Whitestone to get some help.  Our other mechanics are Tom, Brad, and Tony, and they are in Wasilla still.  Anyway, things with the generator are not right still, but hopefully that’ll work out soon. 

Gosh Chris Toby is out with the horses clearing the roads around the farm.  Andy says it only snowed two inches, but it sure seems more than that in all it’s fluffiness.  Besides, we’re supposed to be having puddles right now, not more snow. 

Kimberli is due any minute now; so is Grace Marshal from Whitestone.  My niece, Kelsey’s baby has turned into his proper position; let’s hope and pray he stays there.  Jennifer and Kelly and others have gotten the nursery cleaned and freshly painted for the new babies. 

Steve Squires fell earlier this winter and hurt his wrist.  He’s been wearing a brace, but since it continued to hurt, he went to have it checked out.  The wrist has several fractures, and if it had been caught earlier, a surgery would’ve been in order.  Now, it has started healing so hopefully it heals well soon and correctly. 

Thomas said they are doing well on their land clearing job for the railroad right of way.  He says that although their road “as the crow flies” is 6 miles, the way they have to take due to land forms and such is really 7 miles.  And that even though there are lots of little creeks and ponds and lakes all around, the one leg span width of a creek that they are working by cannot be touched in any way by their heavy equipment.  They have to do all this fancy foot work (with huge machines) to do their job.  And… they are supposed to be hauling logs to a log yard that the company they are working for has yet to build.  Sounds like fun.  Other than these things, they are getting their job done in the right amount of time and without too many breakdowns. 

Joey was home for a few days; now he’s gone back to work. 

We’ve had a violent 24 hour flu bug going around among some folk, mostly the younger kids.  L  And Kerri has tonsillitis again. 

Gosh, I had more news but it has flown from my head.  I’ll save it for later, I guess.  Take care!  

 My Valentine's pigmy rose bush Pat bought me, is finally blooming!...yaaaiii



Sunday, April 14, 2013

Way too cold for the middle of April! - alaskamama@gmail.com - Gmail



All week it has been below zero every morning!  And the high for this week was 23°.  For about three days earlier this week, we had super gray weather and snow.  I do know that eventually we will have spring and summer, but it sure is taking it’s time to get here.  And, yes (mom), I know that April does this sort of things sometimes with temps and snow, but it hasn’t been so snowy and so cold so consistently in a long time if ever.  (Ok, you sour doughs, let me have it and tell me I’m wrong.)  For me, it was a rough week – that weather puts me on edge.

I forgot to mention that while I was gone, Al Lorenzen, Ann’s dad was taken to the ER in Fbks.  He had fainted and had high blood pressure.  They discovered an arrhythmia which I believe was fixed.  I think since he’s been home, he’s been doing okay. 

Rob doing better but still way to thin for my linking, hasn't hit 100lbs. yet...meds seems to be agreeing with him.  We see the endo in Fbks in May for an update and more blood work. Keep praying...

Have been going out on the snow trails on my own, still so gorgeous! I know we want the warmth but if you get it just right, right after my last class at around 2.30 it is warm and sunny and bright...just right to hit the snow with my snowshoes.

Ani busy with plans for her imminent move to TX to be with her aunt and Tesis. I imagine she is aprehensive about the unknown but she has some very good Words to confirm her going, so...

I will miss my long time friend Audrey Seman, she was about the ONLY person who ever gave me feed back on my blog posts...miss you dear friend!

Nobody knows what's going to happen to SAPA, they finally announced officially that they are closing shop and selling out...not sure what will happen to the 10+ folks that are there....if you want details get in touch with Rus Basalyga from The Land...

I have started some new ventures in translation and reading in english/spanish with varous agencies who use these types of skills. Check out my website at


Am also reading for LIBRIVOX, http://librivox.org/

 Public domain outfit making audio book readings in all languages to the public...and doing pro bono work for GOSPEL TRANSLATIONS, an outfit which also makes the biblical material in all languages available to the general public. I am enjoying both ventures alot and am getting some much needed experience in my line of work.


The seniors have asked me to make their graduation slideshow, so that is keeping me busy...compiling hundred of photos, putting them to appropriate music...etc.....fun work for me...time consuming though.

No more to report, Have a great week end!

Over and out...

gri b






Sunday, April 7, 2013

APRIL EVENTS SO FAR.....


News for First Week of April
as  Kerri sees it

            On Saturday, we moved eight pairs of cows (with the help of Richard, Ella, and Aunty Sarah) to a different pen because they were hogging the feed. After two hours of stressfully running around, my father decided to have me shovel a half a ton of grain from the bins. After this incessant torture, I was covered with white powder. The young people from Tok came out at two that day. We introduced ourselves and then put on our winter gear. The sun was shining and it was clear and gorgeous. After three hours of crazy people driving snow machines and riding inner-tubes, we were tuckered out. They played their instruments for us after we rode home on the hay wagon. Then we played several extremely entertaining games, and stuffed our mouths full of pizza. To the extreme joy of Kathryn Nerbonne, John Clark surprised her with his homecoming.

Craig Mason came home from Wasilla that night, and we watched the Hobbit at his daughter’s house, which was a blast. My sister returned from Fairbanks with Miss Wenda who flew back from Kansas fromBethany’s wedding.

 On April Fool’s Day, there were no pranks played... What is wrong with people? I asked Amanda to get me some milk but I caught her mixing water with cornstarch, in a way I am happy that I caught her, but it would’ve been humorous. We had our first snowball fight of the year that night; I took several in the face which blinded me for about five minutes, but I soon got my revenge. Cody, Chris, Tony, John, Jarrod, Ben, Nate, and Joe went to Fish Lakearound ten to take hay, grain, and other assorted debaucheries to the cabin. To Cody’s dismay, they got back around eleven thirty.

On Tuesday, our eighteenth calf was born; we now have ten bulls and eight heifers. We have eleven more to calve.

Another trip was made to Fish Lake yesterday morning, this time Hope, Chris, Tony, and John Clark went. They got back after our sharing service. Praise was led by Cody and Kathryn. A list was put up for who will go to White Stone this Saturday. Madeline and Amanda offered to drive…Haha like they can! Seth is back today for a few hours to grind grain with his father. It’s been an eventful and beautiful week.

Kerri Geyer

&&&&&&&&&

I know Kerri wrote the news, but I thought I would fill you in on some more serious issues.  First of all… it was -11 degrees last night/this morning.  That was most shocking.  With sunshine, our temperature is warming up.  Presently it is 16 degrees. 

Kimmi is due next week.  I asked her what her birthing game plan was, and she doesn’t have one.  Next week could prove to be interesting.  Kelsey, due on April 28, went for an appointment last week and discovered that her baby is breach.  He has time to get in line and adjust himself.  Let’s hope he does. 
  
Sis Charity Titus, from Blueberry Farm, after having been in a car crash earlier this winter and after suffering from bad health for awhile, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning.  I know her uplifting, tangible presence will be sorely missed.

Concerning Lee Addison (Bill and Kathy Casey's son in law) – his healing progresses slowly each day.  Recently, his left arm cast and pins were removed, and it seems that he has good movement there.  His right arm, which was the more damaged arm, is recovering more slowly, but it is progressing as well.  Lee has physical therapy on a regular basis.  The doctors have advised him to patiently wait for six to eight months to see which nerves repair themselves.  After that time, another surgery will most likely be planned for nerve and ligament repair.  Jewel and Lee are encouraged, but it will still be quite a while before Lee is back to being fully healed.

Remember Rachael B Williamson was supposed to come to Bethany’s wedding and then was unable due to her son’s sinus infection?  Because Shane’s face started to swell along with some other symptoms, he was taken to the doctor.  There it was discovered that he has embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma running from his right eye to his lip.  If I have all my facts correct, they have started chemotherapy on the little guy (14 mo) while still in Anchorage.  Once Shane is up to flying, they will move down to Arkansas to stay with Grant’s folks so they can access the St. Jude’s near Memphis, TN.  Rachael’s mom, Nancy, and Grant’s mom, Tammy, are both in Alaska to help with Shane and with the other children.  And, Rachael is approximately 4 mo pregnant. 

Talked to PatLou on our way to Fbks t'other day and he and his 3 girls are doing ok, busy, busy....has a few good job prospects lined up. Miss them! Wish I could see them...

Tomorrow, we’re off to Whitestone!!!  For a good time!  Have a great weekend.

CLOSING DOWN MARCH WITH FUN AND GAMES ...WITH KIDS FROM TOK HOMESCHOOL

I have finally gotten around to the fun event with the young folks from the Tok homeschooling group. Sorry can't remember many of the names. There was a Mrs. Woody who organized everything, and a Barbara Cliver and another guy. Kids....lots of them, about a dozen or more, a couple of seniors who are going to attend the Pensacola University (the folks who put out the ABeka Christian series).

We went across the road to the William's side of the farm on 2 horse drawn wagons, sitting on hay bales. These kids were awed since they actually don't get a chance of doing this much.

Once over there there was much snomachining, tire sledding, snoboarding being pulled by the snomachines...much like the water skiing we use to do on the Parana River with my dad in BA. Not easy to do on snow though...even Jon Squires (our resident Paramedic) gave it a try!

Jonny Squires took me out on his snomachine, it was fun but not comfortable, since his machine is a one man...! thanks Jonny.

Then we all trooped back into the Tab to have some nice hot grub, a variety of pizzas, including Hawaian, made by Hannah Mason and Wendy Williams. Hot choc, and other things.

The evening was filled with fun games, (Mrs. Woody was a pro at this!), singing, laughing, eating and making new friends. They were a very nice bunch of folk and another outing has been planned in the near future.

I'm posting some photos below but most of them are on Facebook.

Have a good day everybody!







Michael Squires takes Rob and Clay on a ride.
















 Ani enjoying a ride