Monday, August 9, 2010

August 9, 2010 ~ Monday
It's a non-Alaska summer, much to our dismay; HOWEVER, it has been raining in Talkeetna since the end of May with maybe 5 days of non-rain. Don't know how much or if just showers...but we're not going to get a fungus this way!
We have had our camper on the move...Memorial Day weekend found us at our son's home...and found him working in Yellowstone for several days instead of camping. Did I say it was raining in Talkeetna?! Well, it was raining where we were, too...so just stayed in his drive and enjoyed grandkids. June 5th was our oldest granddaughter's high school graduation...great ceremony, with friends and family afterward. Our youngest daughter and a niece drove up from CO and WY...for the day. It was awesome!
For three weeks in June we did travel...to NE/SD border via Lake Sakakawea(YUP, that how it's spelled) in ND...to attend the same niece's wedding...on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River...100 degrees but with a wind and low humidity (almost unheard of in that area!). A beautiful wedding...no rain, BUT the next day it poured! 5 inches in less than 3 hours in north central NE...which has had major 'rain events' (wonder what that much rain was called before the invention of 'events' in the weather world) this summer (14 inches within 2 weeks in late spring with numerous INCHES since we were there!)...flooded and washed out roads...tornados...winds...
Summerfest 2010 in Livingston, MT...on the way home from NE...stayed with the friends who had gone to AK with us 2 years ago...listened to music, visited...had a great time!
And...now I'm in Denver. Well, Aurora, helping our youngest get squared away for a move down to Colorado Springs. On Saturday we drove to Breckenridge to see a couple of her friends...had a wonderful time... a gorgeous drive...good food...yummy drinks! I really like CO...and NO BODY can beat their pedicures!!!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Monday ~ May 24, 2010
2 months...maybe time for an update.
St. Peter has a Seder meal and service on Maundy Thursday...was on the phone with Darla (former pastor's wife...great friend and the one who always 'did' the Seder) in the morning to start cooking the lamb AND, even over the phone, she got it right! It was an awesome meal, with the history of the Israelite people's flight out of Egypt and how the different foods are symbolic of their situation. Worship on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter were very moving...for the first time we draped the stained glass cross over the altar, in purple, then black, then white...HE IS RISEN!
An exhausting time, but so well worth it!
I've mowed the grass 5 times so far...and will again on Wednesday before camping over Memorial Day weekend into the next weekend. Also, Home Depot made me a deal I could not resist and I ended up with 16" square red brick-looking pavers...50 of them...four trips with the car to get them home. NO...they are not all in where I want them, but the front of the house is done...just making everything a bit more riding mower friendly; therefore, more friendly to my body.
I'm just wondering where summer is...or even spring...

Friday, March 26, 2010

Friday ~ March 26, 2010
I'm back in MT...good flights on Monday even with the waiting at the airports (my doing)... I love to watch people. Now it's back to reality and responsibility...probably should get my head on straight, eh? No snow left here, so spring has come! Now for the wet snow blizzard Easter, the end of May or in June...
Next...is Holy Week with numerous bulletins to copy and fold...the Seder meal to cook on Thursday with set up on Wednesday...bulletin boards to be done...and practicing music. But, lest we forget the meaning...We ask, "How much do you love me?" "This much," Jesus said. And He spread His arms out and died ~ Christ dying on Good Friday for all our sins...then rising on Easter so we can have eternal life. Now THAT'S AWESOME!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Sunday ~ March 21, 2010
Last night in Alaska...

Friday, March 19, 2010

Friday ~ March 19, 2010
Back from Anchorage, Jeff and crew fly in tonight and the pickup is waiting for them "on second level, aisle D, about 3/4 of the way down on the left...it's the dirty black Ram" (txt to them). Just about every vehicle in Anchorage~well, in AK~ is dirty because of the wet roads. Temp today in the high 40's and the sun is WARM! Got to visit with our nephew and wife and see our grand~niece play in the state BB tourney. Also, ate at Thai Curry on 4th Street...red curry chicken...you can't go wrong...OR...go away hungry.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Wednesday ~ March 17, 2010
40 BELOW + 83 degrees and the flies are buzzing!
Came back from town and drove around the loop to see if any moose were available for viewing with none to be found so parked in the shop...walking to the house a moose was viewing me from the trees. Now, on a good day, my sprinting capabilities are...oh, let's say, .000000000000004 mph...but in the snow, carrying grocieries is different. Fortunately, she was only wanting to browse...and even declined to come out to have her picture taken.
The time is getting short...and I'm sad. I LOVE MONTANA...but I also LOVE ALASKA. To choose would be difficult to say the least~~~

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Saturday ~ March 13, 2010
A BEAUTIFUL day!!! Drove up to Talkeetna...gazed at our land from the road. Had breakfast at The Roadhouse...and learned that a woman who was hoping to make the first winter climb to Denali summit by a woman had to come down from base camp yesterday after a month of waiting due to low food and not being able to get to the summit by March 21st even tho she could have started climbing today. D.I.S.A.P.P.O.I.N.T.I.N.G...I can't imagine! To top off the day~a cow moose strolled by...

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Wednesday ~ March 10, 2010
Just walked out to get the mail, walking thru about 14 plus inches of fresh snow, with the majority falling on Monday night. South central Alaska down to the Kenai has been in a winter storm warning with falling and blowing snow...and I'm just staying home with no need to go anywhere...ALTHO I do want to travel up to Talkeetna one day. The work on my projects is going well with one down, two a third of the way done...and next week I'll delve into 'Cleaning Windows Vista for Dummies' and 'Windows Vista for Dummies'. Think I'll learn anything??? The snow is sitting on all the branches about 4 inches...no wind here! And, even if it's not clear the dusks have always been different hues of blue...

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Saturday ~ March 6, 2010
To Anchorage for the ceremonial start of the 38th Iditarod...best place to watch? From the 3rd floor parking garage. 71 teams starting at 2 minute intervals, but only watched the first 12 or so. Should have watched more because in those first 12 there were mushers from Scotland wearing KILTS...two Jamacian teams...and Kermit. Tomorrow is the restart at Willow where the teams will be using bigger sleds and up to 16 dogs each. They can drop dogs at checkpoints, but cannot pick others up. Yes, the dogs are very well cared for with vets to check on them, booties for their feet, fed and bedded down BEFORE the mushers themselves. The dogs are so eager to run...it's their life and they enjoy it!

Friday, March 5, 2010

Friday ~ March 5, 2010
Well, there you are...didn't have to worry about the roads yesterday or today...grocery shopped yesterday, only picked up the mail today just down the road a short way. Tomorrow????? The ceremonial start of the Iditarod is in Anchorage, starting at 10am...so will check the roads out by 8...and, if not icy, will meet my pastor and his wife downtown Anchorage. Karen's sister just happens to have a convention committment and they are visiting with her.
Dusk...a different color than at home...blue tinged, with varying shades of blue, and beautiful. The mountain the same color as the sky, the only thing that can be seen are the blue trees in the southern draws. The pictures I've seen are real...

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Thursday ~ March 4, 2010
The Adams' have landed in Orlando...which means 'the weiner dog' and fish are in charge of me. Poor little Griz, watched for his family to come home last night, but slept well with me and is now snuggled into his blankets on the couch.
Today there is light snow; however, I can see the bottom of the mountains...will not go anywhere unless it clears up and I know the roads are decent. Anchorage has snow/blowing snow...and accidents. Hadn't planned on going there until Saturday for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, but those plans may change. Glad I bought bananas last night...

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Tuesday ~ March 2, 2010
Arrived in Anchorage yesterday afternoon...flying over the Inlet felt like I was coming home. What is it that pulls me to AK??? I have the best of two worlds, living in MT and being in AK...a toss up as to which is best! Met a new friend on the plane and had a wonderful visit...and then, being with our friends again, even knowing they'll be in FL while I stay at their house, just makes me feel so thankful that we can enjoy each other though hundreds of miles apart. My heart is full....

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Sunday ~ February 28, 2010
32 days...tomorrow is NORTH TO ALASKA!
In those 32 days I did a small remodel job around the wood burner...now it looks all cozy and nice.
Packed and ready to go...at 5:45 AM tomorrow!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

January 26, 2010 ~ Tuesday
Books are all DONE...either to the dump or the library or living in one of three bookcases. I figure I have about 2 years, 59 days, 2 hours and 13 1/2 minutes of reading to do...
33 more days and I'll be in Alaska!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

January 16, 2010 ~ Saturday
Must be warm...something just went flying by...

Friday, January 15, 2010

January 15, 2010 ~ Friday
Nice mild weather this week...easy to live with, but snow on the ground still.
Bowling...with Wii...yup, it does make one sore...but will play at every chance.
150 books on Canada/Alaska, not counting the Mileposts/AK Hwy./AK Camping/AK Wilderness [all to keep and read], will continue cataloging the rest of the books, BUT taking many to the library tomorrow [so far four grocery bags full]. It's taking so long ~ for one: many books...for two: hyperventilating from blowing dust off.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

January 13, 2010 ~ Wednesday
My husband's birthday, which he shared with my mom for many years.
Today I started catagorizing my Canadian and Alaskan books...just writing them down in a little address book [because it already has the letters on the side] that I can take with me when looking at MORE books in those places. I should buy a Kindle 2...would be less storage space AND it could read to me...going to give that more thought!
I also figured out how the Wii works. Well, actually my daughter had to show me, but I bowled, golfed and played tennis. Now all I have to do is find a time when the above mentioned husband isn't watching tv...
YUMMY! Tangelos came from AZ today, compliments of our snow-bird next door neighbor!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

January 12, 2010 ~ Tuesday
Trying to be organized here...and have discipline in my life. Am going through all our food in the pantry...all are facing front and people have been told ~ "If, when you open the door, you don't see it, it's NOT in there"! Also, I'm going to log all of my books (probably over 500, mostly Alaska-based) so I know what not to buy. AND...I WILL start and finish the wedding gift for a nephew and his wife whose 2nd anniversary is this summer!!! Three other things I want to do: make a wedding gift for my niece's wedding this summer...redo my oldest son's baby book...make an album/scrapbook of our trips to AK. I'm planning, too, on just what to take with me to Alaska in March to help accomplish these things...taking very little in the way of luggage.

Monday, January 11, 2010

January 11, 2010
The sunrises and sunsets have been awesome! Soft muted colors to bold ~ HERE I AM ~ ones...and I see both out the 'wood' window to the west. Many don't look west in the morning, but the sun softly colors the skies with pink/lavendar hues, then tinges the tree branches with it's bright light. When almost dark the tree branches sillouette the deep orange/purple sunsets. And then there are the overcast days...fog...snow...rain...sparkly frost on every needle...branches heavy with white. All compliments of our creative God...the one who made all...in six 24 hour days! Many say it took millions, even billions of years to accomplish all this...all the layers needed time to form. Think about this...Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, forming, at once, a huge crater and within days a little 'grand' canyon with all the layers present...rocks were cut through with the rushing waters. Go to answersingenesis.com to learn more. Go to the bible to search for answers. God knows you (Psalm 139)...God has plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11)...God wants you in eternity (John 3:16).