Monday, January 25, 2010

To Be Moved and Isolation

As of right now we have 2 28ft semi box trailers, 1 45ft semi box trailer, 1 step deck semi trailer, 4 bumper pull trailers, 1 gooseneck, 1 5th wheel and all our vehicles. Daddy and Grandpa have been looking into buying another semi. The one that they have now is not real powerful and is old and tired. They want one with a double sleeper and more powerful engine. It's amazing all the stuff that we have to move. We keep trying to go through the stuff and get rid of things that we don't need but it seems like what we are down to at this point is stuff that either is sentimental like photos or things that would cost less to haul than they would to replace like our beds and such. We also have alot of stuff that we will need to use up there like fishing gear, hunting gear, solar pannels, and other survival gear.

We'll see if they can find something. It would be nice for them if they could find one not only for the move but because they want to work driving truck in Alaska. The cheif of the local village has already made a handshake deal with them to use them as the driver for the village. Right now that is the only derect work lead they have. Other than that it will probably be alot of small side jobs and craft sales.

Grandpa does alot of traveling and sells reenactment stuff. From handmade indian jewlery to tents and wool blankets etc.... My mom (Nana) and I had started a business at one point selling crafted baby items; clothing, toys, blankets, etc.... We could never find the right niche in our area but one of my older sisters started selling some of our stuff online for us and that has been nice. I'm hoping that some of the crochet stuff will sell better in Alaska were there is a higher demand for warmer clothes for kids and babies. I would also like to produce some income from farm fresh eggs and goats milk. Since the nearest grocery store is 160 miles from the village I am hoping that some of the locals will be interested in the eggs and milk.

I know I keep saying this over and over but I can't wait for this move to be over. The stress is just so overwhelming. I have days were I just want to cry. At the same time though I am so afraid of isolation. As it is Daddy doesn't let me (mama) do much of anything. I'm not really allowed to go anywere or do anything accept to the grocery store. Once we get moved to Alaska the grocery store will be a once every couple of months or so thing. Even the village is 16 miles away so it will be hard to convince Daddy to even let me go into the village for anything. I don't want the kids or myself to be isolated. The kids especially need to learn to be social I don't want them to be socially handicaped.

Blessings

Monday, January 18, 2010

A Rainy Day & 5th Wheel Life

Not much getting done for packing today. It's a rainy day here in Northern Arizona. Our current project is moving Grandpa's stuff from a 28ft box trailer to a 43ft because the 28ft  was way over loaded.

Though the kids have adjusted well to life in the 5th wheel I'm getting tired of the constant mess. There just arent enough places to put things and there are always toys all over the floor. When the weather is nice it's not as bad because we spend alot of time outside. The kids all share a room with sister on the top bunk and brothers on the bottom. Recently we discovered mold in all of the window sills were the condensation has been building up and molding. Now we have the morning routine of wiping down all of the windows. I can't complain too much it's a nice 5th wheel with a 14ft slideout. Poor Grandpa is sleeping in an old 5th wheel shell with no heat and alot of drafts. At least here in Northern AZ it doesn't get much colder than 10*F. When we get home to Alaska it will probably still be even colder than that. Grandpa has a much nicer 5th wheel sitting up there. Now he comes and hangs out with us when it gets too cold just so he can warm up a little. Grandpa (my dad) Was out of state mostly in Alaska when I was growing up so I didn't get to see much of him. It's almost as if I'm just getting to really know him. He has been a great Grandpa to my kiddos and is very hands on willing to comfort a crying baby or read storries. I feel so blessed that I have this opurtunity now to get to know my Dad.

I guess I should quit slacking off this morning and go tackle the mountain of dishes taking over the sink. After clam chouder and bisquits last night and bisquits and gravy this morning the mountain is very high and threatning to crash onto the floor. Have a wonderful day.

Blessings

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Getting Back To Alaska

Well we have recooped from the fire and now thanks to our wonderful family in Arizona we are staging for our move back to the homestead. We will be starting over on the ashes of the old home site. The outhouse still remains but the house will be a complete rebuild. The house will be like 2 homes in one with one side for us and the other side for Grandpa and maybe a future Grandma if we can find him a good woman ;) By the way we are a young family and Grandpa is not an old man. No gray hair and cane, Grandpa is a 6'3" mountain of a man with shoulder length Black hair and tree trunks for arms. I'm ma and will probably be doing most of the typing as pa is not into computers and the kids can't spell yet (not that I'm that great at it). Grandpa is my dad and he has 3 other children my older sisters who are twins and my younger brother. Little brother and at least one of my sisters and her family may join us on the Alaska homestead at some point in the future. We will have to start over buying new chickens and goats and setting up a garden plot. We already have what we need for our solar and wind power, but need to replace our wood cookstove. Right now I'm looking into the different brands trying to find the one that would be right for us. It will be used for cooking, heat and hot water. We have a nice 2 seater outhouse and no plans for indoor toilets aside from a potty training seat for the twins and maybe a thunder mug for our daughter to use on subzero nights. In our time in the lower 48 we have aquired alot of junk that we will moving home with us starting next month. It may have to sit in storage in Fairbanks for a couple months as the roads home may not be open. Our homestead is 160 miles from the nearest grocery store, doctor, hospital, etc... We really can't wait to go back. Our daughter asks us every day if it's time to go build the new house. Though she is very excited to get back to Alaska and eat some Moose meat I don't think she will enjoy the week long road trip. the boys will also be much more aware and bored I think this trip as they will be one year old next month. I'm a little nervouse about making the drive myself as I will have to actually drive one of the vehicles this trip. I'm trying to talk my mom into going with me and I can just fly her back to AZ. I really want her to see Fairbanks as I'm trying to talk her and my step dad into moving there. I think they would be really happy there and I think it would be a better place for my neice and nephew ( my step sisters kids that they are raising) to grow up. Well it sounds like the natives are getting wrestless and mama's after lunch quite time is coming to an end. I hope that all who read this will be well.

Blessings