talkeetnamalispinaloop

2010-08-09T13:34:00.002-06:00

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!!!

2010-05-24T11:08:00.002-06:00

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...

2010-03-26T08:46:00.002-07:00

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!

2010-03-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-19T20:50:00.002-07:00

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.

2010-03-17T15:46:00.002-07:00

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~~~

2010-03-13T22:10:00.002-07:00

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...

2010-03-10T15:51:00.002-07:00

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...

2010-03-06T21:29:00.002-07:00

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!

2010-03-05T21:12:00.002-07:00

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...

2010-03-04T11:14:00.002-07:00

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...

2010-03-03T00:12:00.002-07:00

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....

2010-02-28T18:05:00.002-07:00

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!

2010-01-26T17:51:00.002-07:00

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!

2010-01-16T17:45:00.001-07:00

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

2010-01-15T17:41:00.002-07:00

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.

2010-01-13T18:09:00.002-07:00

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!

2010-01-12T11:14:00.002-07:00

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.

2010-01-11T10:50:00.002-07:00

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).

2009-10-14T15:13:00.002-06:00

October 14, 2009 ~ Wednesday
The excuses: NONE
So...just WHAT DIDwe learn in our travels this year???
We learned that edamome with salt is quite tasty
We learned that it's easy to get lost in Denver and it's not a whining in the car we heard while lost and raining...it was a tornado siren
We learned that there are several different types of blueberries in AK
We learned that the USPS takes 5 weeks to deliver berries from AK to WA...hoping it "wasn't an inconvenience"
We learned that pootschki is cow parsnip
We learned that noosnick is an outhouse
We learned that Valdez has abundant snowfall...even 600 pounds overnight
We learned that Ninilchik feeds it's refs King Crab at the BB tournaments
We learned that Ninilchik has BBQ port tenderloin and clam chowder in freshly baked bread bowls for BB tournament concessions
We learned that in AK, 189 moose on Kenai Roads and 199 moose on Seward Hwy had already been killed for the year as of August, 2009
We learned that cabbage/broccoli fed moose is very good eating
We learned that the best raised crunchy donut sticks are the best at Moose On the Loose Bakery in Soldotna, AK
We learned that donut holes are the best at Golden Donuts on Odor and Tudis...oops, Odis and Tudor...in Anchorage
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY we learned that God is always blessing us no matter where we are...with protection while traveling and the opportunity TO travel to see family and friends...and...with our sixth grandchild on 9/9/09, a beautiful healthy baby girl who we were able to hold and love only 2 days after she was born!

2009-10-02T10:39:00.002-06:00

October 2, 2009 ~ Friday
OK...so this isn't about what we learned on our journey...that will be next. A couple weddings...one last weekend and one this weekend...are very much more important. Last week we went to Sandpoint, ID for our greatniece's wedding...a good visit with relatives and all with beautiful weather, unlike this weekend where, in Sister, OR, where it's usually in the 70's and sunny, snow is predicted...and the wedding is OUTSIDE. Might be interesting... Last week's wedding was interesting, too, in that the groom kinda broke his ankle 2 days before...yup, at the bachelor party, but they still did stand up and say their vows while he teetered on his booted foot.

2009-09-19T19:33:00.002-06:00

September 19, 2009 ~ Saturday
REALLY...we haven't been 'stuck' in Canada in limbo...just haven't had time or been able to connect to the www until now. So...from The Shepherd's Inn (where some 20 miles north the real wilderness begins...the last flush toilet rest area) to Grande Cache (on the Bighorn Hwy 40 in AB...they SAID they had WiFi!) to 20 miles north of the Yellowhead Hwy (where we received a txt that our little Karsyn Kay~6th grandchild~had been born...OF COURSE she's perfect!!!) to Shadow Mountains RV (several miles south of Radium Hot Springs, with WiFi but no time to blog) to the border (lots of questions, but they let us in anyway) and overnight at home in Whitefish. Then, onto, our son's home to meet, hold and love Karsyn...and where I could not AGAIN connect. Awesome visit with family and friends, then home again on Tuesday...to find that the server was down for the day which coincided with our router not working after the server was again up. Still not on everytime we want to be...and I'm tired of chatting, over 6 hours in the last three days. Stay tuned to find out important things learned on our journey...

2009-09-07T22:43:00.003-06:00

September 7, 2009 ~ Labor Day Monday
From Haines Jct. to Teslin to Liard Hot Springs to The Shepherd's Inn, 40 miles north of Fort St. John and about 840 miles from our Montana home. Leaving Haines Jct. we drove to Whitehorse, stopping at the SS Klondike, a sternwheeler that cruised the Yukon River, gobbling thousands of cords of wood a season at 1 to 1 1/2 cords an HOUR, transporting much needed supplies and people wanting to make their fortunes between this town and Dawson City and beyond during the gold rush era. Our next stop for the night was at Teslin (Yukon Motel and RV has THE BEST laundry ever!!!)...in the wind and sprinkles...after having crossed the third longest bridge on the Alaska Highway at Johnson's Crossing several miles north. The longest bridge on the highway we'll cross the next morning on our way to Watson Lake, the last stop in the Yukon. There we see the young couple who has been hitch-hiking from Haines Jct., having beat us to both Whitehorse and here...we having the motor power, they having the thumb-power. About 30 bison were on the roadsides when we approached Liard Hot Springs where we stayed last night...in the pouring rain. Nope...didn't make the trek to the springs...did I mention COLD rain? And...it's still raining after traveling over 400 miles today... Consolation: a lemon/cream cake bought in Watson City...YUM!

2009-09-05T09:20:00.004-06:00

September 4, 2009 ~ Friday
Haines Jct., Yukon Territory...the junction to Haines (where there are hundreds of eagles and across the canal from Skagway) or Whitehorse on the Alaska Highway. Someday...SOMEDAY...we'll go to Haines. This time it'll be the Alaska Highway, staying in Teslin tonight, then Liard Hot Springs Sunday. Of course, the phone number for reservations is hiding SOMEWHERE in this camper, plus it's a long weekend for the Canadians, resulting in possibly no camping site at Liard. There is no termination dust on these mountains and it rained most of the night...doesn't even appear that a frost has hit here yet, but 99% of the way yesterday the colors again stood out along the road and on the hillsides. Most of the day was cloudy or overcast, making it all the more brilliant to the lens.

2009-09-03T10:13:00.003-06:00

September 3, 2009 ~ Thursday
We are on our way out...in an awesome display of color (colour in CA, eh...), leaves of berry bushes in a carpet turning different hues of red and gold with the dark green backdrop of the black spruce and lighter green of the not-yet-all-turned aspen. And when the trunks are wet from rain the leaves stand out all the more. One more night in AK, then onto the border, CA and the frostheaves to Kluane Lake...guess we'll have to decide soon which way we'll drive down, but I think it'll be on the Alaska Hwy as the Cassiar takes more alertness due to narror roads, some gravel and more wildlife. OK...now I want to go~THAT~way...SIGH! It's suppose to be sunny and in the high 60's at Talkeetna this week...hard to leave then, BUT by the time we arrive in MT we'll have a new grandbaby to meet and love!

2009-08-29T22:06:00.002-06:00

August 29, 2009 ~ Saturday
Sunny~cloudy~rainy...at any given moment. One day Cindy and I were at the beach with sun, came home and it had poured, BUT there have been beautiful sunsets and great views of the inlet and AIR. Cindy and I have been to Homer...the Spit...Soldotna...Kenai~playing tourist, shopping, eating and rolfing.
OK...look a little closer at that last word...ROLFING. It's the deep massaging of our integrated connective tissue which relaxes the muscles, ligaments, tendons; thereby, making everything fall into place...better alignment!. It's WONDERFUL!
While on the Spit we saw paintings of wooden boats at old Ninilchik Village...ones neither one of us have seen before, BUT I went hunting today and found them...hidden in the pootschki right by the old noosnick.
On~to Talkeetna in a day or two...checking mail for the last time and finding out if any of my 'wares' have sold.

2009-08-26T11:29:00.002-06:00

August 26, 2009 ~ Wednesday
Outside of Ninilchik at our nephew's place...raining this morning, BUT the sunset last evening was awesome! Deep orange with lighter purple...and earlier we could see all three volcanoes, called AIR for Mt. Augustine (usually can't see from this beach), Mt. Illiama, and Mt. Redoubt (spewing smoke...the one that has erupted a few times this year). No pictures...forgot the camera and, besides, the light was so soft everything would have blended. A cow moose with twins has been hanging around, but, of course, where I am no wildlife is usually found. She was probably munching outside my window during the night while I was blissfully sleeping... As far as halibut fishing...already done! Our niece was working on a fishing charter all summer and we can get however much we would like to have from her stash...which means we won't be able to hear Jack talk about chickens or monkeys this year. OK...explanation: with pain meds and sleeping meds a patch for motion sickness brings out the best in him...

2009-08-24T13:39:00.000-06:00

August 24, 2009 ~ Monday
Found my camera…just beautiful on Saturday morning as we drove to the berry picking hill Jeff had found last year… According to another berry book, there are several different types of blueberries in AK, these the low- bush with the hillside cushion-y enough to sit (or in my case, roll since I miscalculated the level of the hill) to get those little-r than the Talkeetna berries, WHICH DID turn out to be what we have in MT…HUCKLEBERRIES. My sister will be kinda surprised when she receives those…she’d asked me to send the low bush, I’m sure! While on the hillside Jeff received a call from a truck farm who had asked him to dispose of a cow moose, with Fish and Game approval, that had been munching on over $1000 worth of vegetables a day…that she and her two 2 year old calves were again in the cabbage patch. So, in the evening Jeff ‘made like a cabbage’ and just as he was about to give up cabbage control for the night the moose appeared about 20 feet away. The steak we had for breakfast on Sunday was fork tender and tasted wonderful…as will be the ribs BBQ’ed tonight! Sunday was Janell’s and my day…going to Anchorage to do whatever we wanted~going to the open air market, talking, relaxing, shopping…at a book store, my downfall always. Tuesday the plan is traveling down to Ninilchik on the Kenai for 2-3 days…MAYBE going halibut fishing, although doubtful.

2009-08-22T09:46:00.002-06:00

August 22, 2009 ~ Saturday
...the day after the night before. The raspberry beer imported from Belgium... The catch out of Kodiak of grilled wild king salmon and breaded, deep fried in olive oil, halibut (how many people can say they've tasted either, let alone ate both fresh out of the cold Alaskan waters!)... The rice and salad and rolls... AND, MOST OF ALL, together with friends again...what an awesome feeling! The plan for today...picking blueberries (I'm not all that sure they aren't huckleberries, but that's not what the book says) up on Hatcher Pass, an old mining district still with old tumbled down buildings. My camera! Where's my camera!!!

2009-08-21T18:45:00.003-06:00

August 21, 2009 ~ Friday
We had a wonderful relaxing time this week...part of it was in the camper because of the rain, but when those clouds go away and the sun shines between the trees it's just wonderful...sparkling off the rain drops on the fireweed petals, or what's left of the flowers. Yup...that time of year. The Natives say when the last bloom is done it'll be 6 weeks until the first snowfall. Some are still blooming, but all that have bloomed have gone to seed...just like the cottonwood seeds flying around, except these are longer, catching in everything...screen doors, clothes, eyelashes, hair, socks, food (and with the little black bugs makes for a good meal!)... Also, picked some more blueberries and they are on their way to Vancouver, WA...in a coffee can...wrapped with duct tape. Duct tape and blue tarps...the AK way. Jack was logging...cut down a dead spruce by the road this week...and put up our address number close to the road. I'd post pictures, but I see I don't have any...probably due to the fact that I burned DVD's yesterday and didn't realize I was transferring them...that's the pits! Denali~The Mountain~yesterday and today was the clearest I've ever seen...no smoke or clouds, so, of course, I took more pictures while picking berries and then on the way into Talkeetna today. We're in Palmer now, having shopped in Wasilla and are headed to good friends for the weekend. Next week, Monday or Tuesday ~ the Kenai...

2009-08-15T19:13:00.002-06:00

August 15, 2009 ~ Saturday
It's raining...we are damp...we are at a campground in Talkeetna...we are hooked up to electric...we are charging batteries that were low...we are drying out...we are happy. We are also right by the RR and the airport so can see the bus/train transfers and small planes and helicopters taking off/landing. Talkeetna is the 'jumping off place' for climbing Denali and for the air/boat tours of 'the mountain' and area. This past Monday we met some friends from MT who we haven't seen in 13 years. They had a few hours layover before flying out that night after a cruise up the inside passage. It's soooo cool to see/meet people up here, help them with their sight-seeing...and even give them some fresh picked Alaskan blueberries! Tomorrow we'll be seeing friends who live in Palmer and in a few days go to their house for salmon and halibut just caught in Kodiak a week ago! I'll be picking more blueberries (reminds me of huckleberries...a party in your mouth!) this next week, either in the wet and rain or with the mosquitoes and little black flies. OK...I'm going to have to bite the bullet and walk in the rain to "beautiful downtown Talkeetna". It's a must...

2009-08-10T13:29:00.003-06:00

August 9, 2009 ~ Sunday
The C-PAP came in the mail on Friday…now no more snoring, BUT maybe that would have been better the last two nights because I’ve had really weird dreams…ugly ones, in fact. After returning home on Friday I picked blueberries with the mosquitoes…and there are many more, of both. Next time…a mosquito jacket from Freddy’s. Saturday was a beautiful day! High wispy clouds…just sat by the fire with the little black flies (can feel them stomping on my head, in the hair)… reading ‘A Land Gone Lonesome’ by Dan O’Neill…a VERY GOOD book about the author canoe-ing down the Yukon River from Dawson City to Circle City, siting important places and true stories of how the trappers, natives and people/organizations have lived and ‘shaped the land’…organizing maps/receipts…and eating crackers/cheese and sipping WINE. Just really roughing it… Tomorrow we’ll head into Wasilla, do laundry, etc. and meet with our friends fresh off a cruise ship. They’ll be flying out in the evening, but hopefully will be able to see Denali from the Anchorage area. Today started out rainy…and looks to continue…so will probably read and go thru brochures again, taking out exactly what I want to keep.

2009-08-06T13:36:00.002-06:00

August 6, 2009 ~ Thursday
So...running out of propane isn't a good thing...fridge doesn't run...no hot water...no coffee~the reason we are in town. AND no C-PAP yet so will have to come into town again tomorrow to check on that. Did check as to the whereabouts of my pkg. I had sent in late August of lat year to a friend here to try and sell...she did get it, but don't know if any sold this year or not as she had customers just at that time. Cruising isn't something that a lot of people are doing these days...

2009-08-06T13:35:00.000-06:00

August 5, 2009 ~ Wednesday North Pole last weekend…celebrated Jack’s brother’s birthday on Saturday and Sunday we drove to Salcha to visit our nephew and his family. While there we cut and peeled three diamond willow walking sticks and went to the back 40 to take photos of the old homestead…fallen in cabin and a moose smoker. George Parks highway…Monday we left for our land by Talkeetna, stopping first for Bun on the Run sandwiches (yummy) and NO cinnamon rolls, stopping at Nenana and buying ice classic 2010 tickets (over $300,000 for the person/person[s]…split… who guess the closest time when the ice starts going out in April or May), going thru smoke until just 25 miles north of Denali Park, then seeing ‘the mountain’ in all it’s God-given grandeur…not one cloud!!! 20 out of 100 people see Denali while here…we’ve been in the 20% everytime… We have cell phone service…most of the time…at 39066 S. Malispina Loop! Monday night…Jack’s C-PAP quit…can you say SNORE???!!! Called Norco in Kalispell and they’ll send a loaner this week~YEA!! For a month~HUH??? Might have to go home early because of said situation. Tuesday we sat around the fire (hardly any bugs)…read...had a good relaxing time…visited with Kim (neighbor across the road who built our road) and Mark (the resident-do-whatever-work-there-is-to-do-person). Wednesday it rained…so started the generator and sorted pictures to post…also went thru all the brochures from the trip, weeding out things not needed…and…visited with Kim… The trail toward the back of our land that we cut 2 years ago is no more…over-grown with Devil’s Club, fireweed, grasses, little saplings, ferns…and mosquitoes, which I’ll find when I start looking for blueberries. The fireweed is probably 3/4ths done, the ferns starting to turn a lighter green, both starting into fall-mode…

2009-08-02T11:12:00.002-06:00

August 2, 2009 ~ Sunday
We're still in North Pole...still sitting in smoke...still having a pleasant time with everyone. Jack's brother celebrated his 72nd BD yesterday...today we will go out to our nephew's place, 40 acres with diamond willow they want cut. He was married a year ago...just met his wife and she is soooo nice! Their little one is 7 weeks old...yup, I've held, fed, changed, rocked to sleep...just something that's really hard for me to do...NOT! Talkeetna tomorrow...AND...on the 10th we'll be meeting some friends whom we haven't seen in 12 years! They now live about 4 hours south of us in MT...but must come all this way (on a cruise) to see each other again.

2009-07-31T09:41:00.002-06:00

July 31, 2009 ~ Friday
Fireweed...the aftermath of a fire...whole mountainsides ABLAZE with deep pink flowers...and with every turn of the road even more vibrant. That's what we saw following the excavator load up the Steese highway on Wednesday...that and miles and miles of trees/mountains in the distance. Well, that is, AFTER mile 60 about because before that the trees along the road were too dense...so it's pavement and no sight vs. gravel and beauty. Going up was slow...coming back, faster. There are...COUNT THEM...only three spots to stop for 'resting' and when you're in a pilot vehicle you DON'T stop unless the one pulling the load does. He didn't...until he arrived at mile 114, his destination.
I saw three moose that day...two bulls, one cow...all in beautiful shape...and HUGE!
Yesterday Jim and Jack went east 5 hours to pick up a rock truck, piloting on the way back to Fairbanks. I took the p/u/camper into Fairbanks and refreshed everything...did laundry...shopped a little.
Today ???? Still smoky...

2009-07-29T00:17:00.004-06:00

July 28, 2009 ~ Tuesday
Happy Birthday, Amanda, day after tomorrow!!!
Only saw two big planes go over this evening...must admit tho I was in Fairbanks for the better part of the day...so more could have taken off.
We're going up the Steese tomorrow with Jack's brother who will pilot a load up to mile 114 from Fairbanks. Circle is on the Yukon River and at the end of this hwy, but we won't be going that far. We'll be headed to Talkeetna one of these days. It's so nice not to have (mostly self-imposed) schedules...just go with the flow.
It's been fairly warm here...in the 80's the past couple days at least, but nothing like the NW...triple digits in Seattle and Vancouver. In our little Lucy's town it's raining and cool.
Little Lucy...boy or girl we don't know, but our 3 year old grandson named the baby (our 6th grandchild) Lucy 2 or 3 months ago. The little one will be born the first part of Sept and all is going well...

2009-07-28T12:08:00.000-06:00

July 27, 2009 ~ Monday
I am sooo torn! Wanting to leave for our property, BUT the Air Force bases in AK are having war games starting tomorrow and this would be an awesome place to watch! I imagine tho that they’ll be flying where we’d be driving, too…
There are 450 fires in AK that have burned 5 million acres already! We just came from north of Fairbanks and it’s quite smoky there and is now rolling into the North Pole area.
My downfall…books. I have well over 300 books at home, the majority relating to the north…and today added more. Now, when I go into a book store I have to look at the copywrite date since I can’t remember which I own.
Iceroad Truckers…the tv show. My brother-in-law and two sons have driven that road many times and know most of those men. In fact, the youngest son’s wife is the daughter of one who was killed in 2007. His mangled truck is at the beginning of the show. My brother-in-law has ‘an escort service’ for these drivers…driving pilot truck for many of them over ‘the haul road’.
When we do leave for our property, there will be 5-6 days where I can’t add to the blog as we don’t have service…or electricity…or water. BUT we do have bear… Today we bought 20 bullets for the 44 magnum…and tomorrow we’ll find more. There’s a shortage here, too…people buying and hording because of what the administration is proposing…

2009-07-26T10:04:00.002-06:00

July 26, 2009 ~ Sunday
Tok to North Pole yesterday was driven while the folks around Nenana were having a fire storm...a HUGE cloud seen from the Richardson Highway north of Delta Jct.... am trying to download pictures, but they've been coming in all weird-like. What was surprising is that the cloud LOOKED really awful here, but disapated in short order.
We are parked at Jack's brother's place for a few days, then on up to our property...and it just so happened their grandson, all of 6 weeks old, had...HAD...to be held. I'm sure he was waiting just for me...

2009-07-24T19:44:00.002-06:00

July 24, 2009 ~ Friday HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACKSON AND CAROLYN!!!
Went to sleep after 10:30 last night...still w-a-y light...and woke at 4:30 with it being w-a-y light. One of my favorite things about the north in the summer months! We traveled about 300 miles today with the road in fairly good shape except for some frost heaves and breakup from perma-frost. We'd heard "the road was horrible", but found it much better than several years ago with new seal-coat over many miles. Probably the bigger RVs are not happy with it...AND the little old lady that was driving a car going about 10 mph looking scared to death. Had to wait about 20 minutes at the border and had no trouble crossing when our turn...asked only about fruit, vegetables, guns, ammo, and animals...told us, "Welcome back!" and let us go on our way. Homer, on the other hand, got lost at the border and we had to turn him off. We are in Tok, AK at the Sourdough Campground...nicely wooded with everything a person would want...including a breeze to keep creatures at bay. The little buggers at Liard bit...and the results of those bites appeared two-three days later. I need a back scratcher!!!

2009-07-23T21:07:00.002-06:00

July 23, 2009 ~ Thursday
The sunset last night was totally AWESOME...deep pinks...oranges...every color of blue...at 10:30! Got up this morning expecting to go to a Tlingit Native Heritage celebration for a bit before heaing to Whitehorse and Kluane Lake, BUT what was suppose to start at 10am wasn't even set up yet and there were maybe 10 people walking around...so...we left. Tonight we are staying on the shores of Kluane Lake at Cottonwood RV campground...a beautiful 'park' even tho it's very windy and the waves are lapping the shoreline about 25 feet away. Tomorrow, the border, AFTER traveling a road full of frost heaves...I'm talking maybe 30 mph in places. We've heard from those going south that it's very rough, BUT...we've heard that before and it's usually from the BIG rigs guys...the bus RVs...who go slow on almost all roads.

2009-07-23T09:58:00.000-06:00

July 23, 2009 ~ Thursday Cloudy today and sprinkles of rain, but the sunset last night at 10:30 was awesome with pinks, oranges, dark and light blues! Yesterday we left Liard Hot Springs and drove into the Yukon Territory. The fireweed is in full bloom now as are other flowers…daisies, buttercups, different sizes of white star-shaped ones, dark blue-ish/ purple-ish tall lupine…all there to see for our enjoyment and the bear’s eating pleasure. So far we’ve seen three black bear (including the one with the daisies in his mouth), one cow moose, 4 bull moose and numerous wood bison, little and BIG. The campground we’re in (village of Teslin) has a wonderful display of animals in their gallery. The trees also have so many different colors, even a Russian olive- colored aspen. It’s Tlingit Heritage days here and I’m hoping we stay long enough to take in some of their culture. A weird thing happened last evening…we noticed the brake light in the cab flash on and off a few times. Don’t know quite what that means…no tail/brake lights? Run down battery? A short in the wiring? We’re clean again…found a laundry at the campground and only took $7 to wash and dry two loads. Showers felt good, too! Mosquitoes aren’t quite as bad here as at Liard…we have several (like 37) bites…some from horse flies, but the beauty and expanse (and the road goes on…) of the country far outweigh the itch! Last night a raven landed on a steel roof, probably 75 yaards away….and I heard the THUNK…then watched as he waddled up to the top, feathers ruffled…Nope, no photo…

2009-07-22T21:20:00.003-06:00

July 21, 2009~Tuesday LIARD HOT SPRINGS…if you have never been to Canada’s provincial parks you are really missing an experience! Very very clean/beautiful/friendly…when you leave the site they come in with rakes! And power washers to clean the tables. The garbage is picked up frequently from the bear-proof recepticles…the toilets (not flushing) are cleaned and well supplied. We’ve been to the springs 5 times now (staying in the water probably an hour and a half each time…with cooling off periods out of the pool every so often) and will go early in the morning before we leave. And you meet the nicest people… from Canada/US/Germany/Australia, each so amazed with the road north, the people, the springs. We heard a rifle shot this morning and two this afternoon…sounded like they came from the lodge so wondering if they were scaring either bear or bison away, but didn’t see anything amiss when walking over to use the phone in the late afternoon. We’re leaving early tomorrow morning…after a soak…and will try to post at Watson Lake, Yukon Territory…

2009-07-22T21:20:00.001-06:00

July 20, 2009 ~ Monday Happy Birthday, Lyndy!!! So…did not find a good source for plugging in at Fort Nelson… We arrived at Liard Hot Springs, having made reservations before starting…and found they overlooked us AND a 23 rig caravan has made emergency reservations because the lodge across the road has closed unexpectedly, BUT they very nicely ask us to wait saying they WILL find us a site…and they did. #40…beautiful, as usual and a bit more secluded than the sites we’ve been in before. That’s good since we have to run the p/u and generator to recharge C-PAP batteries everyday. The drive from Sikanni Chief Campground is about 350 miles and the road is narrow in places and curvy so the going is slow at times, but always awesome! We saw Bullwinkle and a cow moose and also a black bear. My understanding, from the people who are headed south, is that there is more wild life to be seen farther north…bear, moose, wood bison are ‘out’. So far, we’ve been to the springs twice and will go a couple more times today…planning on leaving Wednesday morning with many mosquito pelts…I’m sure enough for a warm winter coat. It’s hard to skin those little things… We’ve met, again, many interesting people. Three were biking down from AK together…one from Prudhoe Bay and another couple from Anchorage…friends who did not know the others were on their way and just happened to meet up along the road. They average 50-75 miles/day. Another couple had just been to Canyon Ferry, MT! The weather has been super nice with only sprinkles now and then, clouds or sun.

2009-07-22T21:10:00.000-06:00

July 19, 2009~Sunday We’re headed north! On Thursday (16th) we pointed our p/u and camper north on 93, staying in Kootenay Nat. Parks Redstreak Provincial Park just outside of Radium, BC…a nice quiet place with trees and grassy areas. Redstreak mountain is the source of the minieral springs at Radium (not enough radioactive elements to harm or be of good to anyone…except for the good feelings of hot soaks!) Friday morning we drove the Windemere-Banff Highway (93) to Castle Jct., then headed up the Icefields Parkway and over east to Hinton, then hit the Bighorn Hwy. We missed Gregg Lake Campground where we’ve stayed a couple times so backtracked only to find out most of it was closed because of an improved water system that didn’t work. The lady told us there MIGHT be a spot or two at Cache Creek…or…Halfway…or… Graveyard Lake campgrounds, on a gravel road, the farthest only less than 3 miles (well, she was talking Canadian,eh?…kilometers…so that’s an estimate). We did find room…and others found more room…and more room (one big party)…at Graveyard Lake, a grassy area having about 10 campsites with 17 vehicles, but a pleasant stay as was breezy with no bugs OR bears, as was posted. And no big party. Saturday we drove to Grande Cashe, Grande Prairie, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John (free wi-fi at the visitor centre), then onto Skianni Chief Campground on the Skianni River, 150 miles from the start of the Alaska Hwy in Dawson Creek. The weather has been sunny…until last night when it started to PLUNK PLUNK PLUNK…the sound of rain in a camper, actually a very relaxing sound. Today we are on our way to Liard Hot Springs for two or three nights. We’ll see what Fort Nelson has to offer in way of the net to post this.

2009-07-14T20:09:00.003-06:00

July 14, 2009 ~ Tuesday
DAY AFTER TOMORROW...LEAVING FOR THE NORTH!!! We have reservations at Liard Hot Springs, BC (3 hours south of the Yukon border) for Sunday and Monday nights. The p/u has been 'overhauled' (air bag fixed, tires rotated and oil changed) and the camper was in at the RV 'overhaul place' today for a burned out ("it was toast" according to the serviceman) Happy Jack jack (at least the third time in three years...business is no longer...wonder why!), a new rocker switch for the slide-out, and a 'new' cord for the p/u lights (running over it and stripping it isn't a good idea). So...tomorrow is pack day...before a foot appointment in the late afternoon...then leaving on Thursday after a hand appointment...both for cortisone injections.
YEA!!!

2009-07-10T19:10:00.002-06:00

July 10, 2009 ~ Friday
I am retired...the 2nd time in two years...from school food service and crossing guard and have already traveled to CO to see our daughter and then the Black Hills to meet my sisters and parts of their families. While in CO we went to Manitou Springs, a hippy-like town an hour south of Denver (loved it!!1) and then to the Royal Gorge, a gorge over 1400 feet deep where my niece did the bungie swing and we went down on a 45 degree railcar to the river. We walked over the bridge built across the river on the cliffs...kinda windy and a feeling of dizziness when looking down while walking, but so beautiful...God's awesome creation! Next was Mount Rushmore which never ceases to amaze me. How any man (men!) could have the foresight to imagine what came to be from a granite mountain...the brain, another of God's awesome creations! On the way home we went camping in the Crazies with our oldest son and his family and another couple. Flowers blooming in the meadows...tall Ponderosa pines...the sound of the creek...grandchildren playing...relaxing...peaceful... Our next travel??? North to Alaska next week if all goes well...until...probably sometime in September.

FRIENDS ~ MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

2009-05-23T07:20:00.003-06:00

Saturday ~ May 23, 2009
Friends are like no other...tuned into your heart and knowing you...even if you've only met once for a few days, or have known them for years. I'm blessed to have friends like that...where you can just pick up where you left off, knowing your thoughts and feelings...sooo sooo blessed!
Memorial Day weekend...was to be a camping weekend, but circumstances have prevented me from joining with family. There will be other times...I've come to terms with it and the pity party is over. Now I'm delving into rearranging the garage, sorting thru papers, cleaning the sewing room...and maybe, just maybe taking a ride tomorrow to Canada for the day...AND remembering those who have gone before, whether it be parents, siblings, friends...in whatever circumstances...and those who serve, who have served, and those who have given their lives for our freedom...sooo sooo blessed!

GETTING READY FOR CAMPING!!!

2009-05-02T18:03:00.002-06:00

Saturday ~ May 2, 2009
Yup...camping...in three weeks!!! Have you ever tried to take the mattress off an overhead slide-in camper bed? By yourself>>>turning and flipping it>>>by yourself? Actually, there isn't room for more than one, BUT it's difficult! Then there's the mattress pad and sheet...thanks to friends, I now use a dowel to help get the top end under the mattress. That took a couple hours...
Then...mowed the lawn and dug up sod to make life easier...eventually.
Tomorrow we have a voter's meeting after communion worship at 9:30am...first morning service in a year! And then a bit of shopping...for lawn stuff mostly.
And...we await the arrival of friends from Ohio...the dowel friends;-)...later this week...met them in AK in 2006. It'll be sooo much fun!
Have talked several times with our new pastor...God always knew exactly who St. Peter needed...how awesome is that!!!

NEW BEGINNINGS

2009-04-26T18:54:00.002-06:00

Sunday ~ April Twenty-sixth ~ Two thousand nine
...with a new pastor installed today...would you believe TEN pastors and a joint choir of three churches...the singing was AWESOME as was the message!!!
...with a friend who is also a pastor leaving his congregation to be a chaplain in the US Army to serve those who protect us!!!
To God be the glory!!!

EASTER...2009

2009-04-12T09:11:00.001-06:00

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!!! HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED! HALLELUJAH!!!

SPRING ~ HOLY WEEK TO END OF APRIL

2009-04-01T15:13:00.003-07:00

April 1, 2009 ~ Wednesday
Yup>>>spring>>>snow showers>>>and my keyboard doesn"t alwwys work right>>>(these are periods). And...there it worked! never know where the cursor will be>>>or the quotation marks>>>or the caps...
spring break during Holy Week and we're headed down to see our sons and their families...5 grands with one whose heartbeat I've heard via e-mail!
St. Peter will have a SEDER on Maundy Thursday with COMMUNION SERVICE afterward...I've hunted down the lamb's shank:-) Then GOOD FRIDAY service at 8:30pm...EASTER SONRISE service at 6:30am...the next weekend LUTHERANS FOR LIFE dinner and auction at Trinity at 12:30pm...THEN INSTALLATION of our new pastor on April 26.
Hopefully, before that there will be no snow...in His time...

SCATTERED..

2009-03-21T07:59:00.002-07:00

...is the way I'm feeling. This has to be done...that has to be done...this should be done that way... "Be still, and know that I am God!"
I heard our newest grandchild's heartbeat last night. This precious child of God is 15 weeks old, to be born 9-9-09...healthy and anxiously awaited! Therefore, the heading should be BLESSED BY GOD'S GRACE. We have to stop and listen to what He says...even if it is just in a whisper...or a loud voice...just listen.

APPOINTMENTS AND DEADLINES

2009-03-07T07:35:00.003-07:00

March 7, 2009 ~ Saturday
These last two weeks have been full of appointments between work...with the results being great...mammogram, echo-cardiogram, bone density scan. Waiting on the MRI results for the right knee, the pain being off and on since last April. During the summer I had to have my leg straight, whether sitting, standing or lying. Right now...no biggy, pain-wise, but am always conscious of how I step, in case it gives out and I have to catch myself.
And, these next weeks during Lent will be very busy also with getting ready for Maundy Thursday Seder and all the worship services during Holy Week. THEN, two weeks after Easter will be Pastor Maxwell's installation at St. Peter! Tomorrow he is being ordained at his home church in CA. The parsonage is almost ready for Pastor and his wife to arrive, only last minute cleaning waiting to be done for the most part.
Today...I'm cleaning from top to bottom...fan, blinds, floors...moving furniture.. .with a wood stove (LOVE THAT HEAT!)it is VERY VERY dusty!!
If anyone knows how to save the layout when moving pictures, let me know. It never saves, just says it is and doesn't finish.

IT'S FRIDAY!!!!

2009-02-27T16:38:00.002-07:00

February 27, 2009 ~ Friday
Does that mean I'm ready for the weekend!!! This week just has been busy with work and appointments in between so a relaxing weekend will be wonderful. I'm thinking a good Alaskan book and some clam chowder for part of it...
In the last two days we've had about 7 inches of snow again...just when the road where I 'cross' was bare! Watching the few flakes this morning I again was amazed at God's creation! Each one perfect, each one different...and, if He pays that much attention to each little flake, how much more does He pay attention to each and every one of us!!! So much so, that He sent His only Son to die...and rise again...for our sins. The Lenten season...pondering on how we can't save ourselves no matter what we do...pondering on Jesus who took all those sins, of the whole world, so that we might be with Him in heaven when we die. That is SO awesome!!!

FRUSTRATED...

2009-02-13T17:46:00.002-07:00

February 13, 2009 ~ Friday
...about not being able to delete out of back-up recovery so I have more disk space!!! Anybody know how?
Happy Valentine's Day, Saturday...

ICY ROADS AND PHONE CALLS

2009-02-06T19:06:00.002-07:00

February 6, 2009 ~ Friday
Icy roads...for the second time this winter I had to back up half a mile on our trail at 5am...the car just was NOT going to make the top of the hill. And it was only another 20 feet!!! So, I called the school and told them I couldn't cross this morning. Tried again later morning, but a no-go...so called 'the lunch boss' to tell him I couldn't make it, but one of my co-workers was nice enough to send her husband after me. The trails still don't have gravel on them and it's been raining/snowing off and on all day. BUT...a blessing in disguise because I could make some needed phone calls and not have to worry about stopping to go to work. Also, installed Trend Micro on my laptop...twice, because the first one couldn't after 30 min. since I needed an installer first. All this = headache; HOWEVER, I received a hand held massager for Christmas and that did the trick for my neck/head.
The fog has been terrible, but, there again, another blessing since the trees/fences/shrubs were all bathed in white. Well, some of them were only half white, a tell-tale sign of which way the fog headed.
Since I didn't make it in to church today I need to go before worship on Sunday and move boxes...maybe even unload some of them, organizing the office a bit better. And, still have to move the computer/moniter back into it's home, along with the printer...and then the copier. Kinda like the story of the man with a goose, feed, and a fox that has to go across the river, but could only carry two at a time...OR...moving vehicles from field to field with only 2 drivers. Now that brings back good memories of my teen years, helping my uncle in the grain fields.

SPRING????

2009-01-31T07:20:00.002-07:00

January 31, 2009 ~ Saturday
...well, it feels like it these last couple days, but we North Dakotans know better! Yesterday was beautiful with melting and sunshine, what people in NW MT look forward to everyday since it's, on average, cloudy 2/3rds of the time.
Our oldest son and his wife are pregnant!!! Due 9/9/09! The age span of the older two will be the same as the younger two. Needness to say, the Labor Day campout will be very close to home in case the labor day is a bit early.
Tomorrow after worship we'll clear out the office/narthax for carpet cleaning on Monday and installation of new carpet on Tuesday/Wednesday. I...ALL BY MYSELF...unplugged and replugged the computer/printer/router and IT'S WORKING!!! Isn't color coding wonderful! I was so worried I'd goof up that I marked each wire with tape and writing, telling exactly where all were to be plugged. During the time I can't be in the office I'll be 'playing' with power point in the sanctuary, transporting services from Lutheran Service Builder into our presentation. It's so nice having wireless!

NEW PASTOR!!!

2009-01-23T14:22:00.002-07:00

January 23, 2009 ~ Friday
YES...we know his name, his wife's name, no children...and they are excited about moving to MT...have never been here before. He loves to ski and fly fish...just don't know WHERE he'll find to do those things! AND...we are excited to have him come to be our shepherd!!! The middle of April, or thereabout, is the proposed date.
I have my new blinds installed, thanks to a couple friends. Right now we don't need them, but come summer in the later afternoon we'll be happy they are there...so...today, I'm off early from school and will put the dining room back in order.
The dog and the cat saga...still going on! I'm thinking they will never be friends, with the cat about 12 years old, she is just not going to change her likes.

PAINTING...LIGHTER

2009-01-17T07:55:00.003-07:00

January 17, 2009 ~ Saturday
I've been moving books and painting the office at church. We are getting new carpet installed the first part of Feb. and there are wall book shelves...and the ceiling...that don't have to be moved, so I'm ahead of the plan right now. It already looks fresher and lighter...a very small place, but my place of abode during the weekdays between work at school.
We will know all about our new Pastor by Friday afternoon! All we know now is that he's from St. Louis Seminary, is married and they are excited to be coming this way. Their home, the parsonage, is getting the finishing touches done today, so all will be ready when they arrive...which could very well be the first part of Feb.! I just know it's been a blessing during our vacancy to have Pastor Nelson...to get to know him and his family. He's a very compassionate and faithful Shepherd to all of us.
Our blinds arrived last week (I was suppose to open the box to see if everything is there, but then probably some things might disappear before hanging, so didn't) and will be installed by friends on Tuesday morning. IF we loose the HUGE chickadee tree in the back we will welcome those blinds during the summer. Yup...the tree is leaking sap big time...still stable, but...for how long???
We've had mild weather for several weeks now...in the teens during the night, and that or a bit higher during the day. Freezing fog has arrived this weekend...pretty on the trees, but not fun driving/walking. Probably might be picture time when it's lighter...AND SPEAKING OF LIGHTER...IT CERTAINLY IS TAKING IT'S TIME BEING... IN THE MORNINGS! What's with that???

WE HAVE A NEW PASTOR!!!

2009-01-08T17:01:00.002-07:00

January 8, 2009 ~ Thursday
...but don't know anything more except he's married and they are excited about moving to NW Montana!!! Well! Who wouldn't be???!!! Mountains...lakes...streams...wonderful people, friendly...usually mild winters...awesome summers... The winter placement is different than the spring in that the candidates know before the placement service... Why? Don't know, but I am really excited!
Still sloppy! I had to back down our trail 1/2 mile this morning because my car couldn't make a very small hill...backed right back into our drive and stayed home until the guy that lives here took me to crossing. That was fun, too...buses dropping kids off a block away because a car was stuck on the road they usually take...kids having to walk thru puddles, no way around. I must say the drivers are watching me much closer because of the conditions and for that I'm very thankful.

CHINOOK AND RAIN

2009-01-07T17:19:00.003-07:00

January 7, 2009 ~ Wednesday
Remember all the snow??? Now it's raining...and really really sloppy.
Schmitty and Rainier had a head-on this morning. Rainier came upstairs and saw the cat and almost flipped heading downstairs again!
Yesterday we hired 4 guys to shovel the snow off our house, double garage, p/u camper, 5th wheel and deck...took one hour...I'm thinking of hiring out for that as the money they make is...pretty good...
But...that would be ALOT of work...so...I won't.
Did I say it's sloppy????

SNOW

2009-01-05T18:52:00.002-07:00

January 5, 2009 ~ Monday
OK...Dec. we officially recieved 37 inches of snow...so far in Jan. we've received 21 inches. In 1996-97 by Christmas we had over 90 inches! BUT, now people are worried because we are suppose to have freezing rain/rain...then cold again. Oh, oh...it would be a good time to have a roof shoveling business PROVIDED you already have a shovel because those things are rare in the stores anymore. 90 shovels were sold in a hardware store this morning within a couple hours. A friend's snowblower broke last week and there are none in the NW states to buy and to order one in??? Feb. 15th. On my corner for crossing the parents are having a hard time trying to drop off students...banks are fairly high. High enough there could be an accident, not seeing cars coming. I'm thinking Whitefish doesn't have to haul in snow for the Winter Carnival the first part of Feb!

AAAHHHHH!

2009-01-03T18:12:00.002-07:00

January 3, 2009~Saturday
I really needed that...to listen to Steve Greene and just hear what God says...soooo calming. I've just been too busy and this afternoon I just sat and listened...and feel renewed.
20 inches of snow yesterday...almost even with our front steps now. Rainier won't jump off...guess she knows she'll not be found until spring.
The photos...have been saved to a flash drive, now I'm tagging them which is pretty cool and didn't realize the convenience of doing that.
I'll miss the days for myself when I go back to work Monday. I'm just going to have to keep time for what needs to be done at home, too...hard to juggle when I only have less than 2 hours between work.

LISTEN...

2009-01-02T13:05:00.003-07:00

January 2, 2009 ~ Friday
...to the snow falling. "Be still and know that I am God." He's graced our part of the country with fluffy white snowflakes, about 16 inches of them in a 24 hours period. Remember the enclosed fence we put up for Rainier? Yea... if this keeps up she'll just walk over the top. But, it is an awesome wonder...if God can make each snowflake different I'm kinda real sure He'll care for us no matter what comes: weather, decline of country/economy, any disaster He allows. And...why would He allow a disaster to happen? So we will trust more fully in Him, depending ONLY on Him for all our needs! Be still...God's grace is everywhere...

JANUARY 1, 2009

2009-01-01T07:48:00.002-07:00

...and I wrote it right for the first (and last?) time this year! When a person is still back in the 20th century it's hard to get those numbers right...
I am off this week still from school and I needed to be...finally getting insurance/medicare/medicaid straight for our daughter. I only have one more call to make and a copy of her madicare card to send to one medical provider...HAHAHAHA ...I haven't gotten yesterday's mail yet, so there may be more.
I'm also organizing somewhat at home...Christmas decorations/tree down and put away...and even my beads are a little bit in the right places! Also, going thru my 3500 photos, deleting or enhancing and keeping. I'd like to get that done before Monday...and it may happen! I lost all our photos of the trip to AK in 2006 because I zipped them and then they were not set up in the right format to unzip...for whatEVer reason, so I will back these up with a flashdrive shortly.
May 2009 be a joyous year full of God's grace!

MERRY...

2008-12-31T08:13:00.002-07:00

December 31, 2008 ~ Wednesday
...New Year's Eve! Remembering all of God's blessings to us in 2008! Let that ball drop and we'll see how many continuing blessings He showers on us in 2009! WOO-HOO...here we go....

2008-12-28T16:10:00.002-07:00

December 28, 2008 ~ Sunday
It's quiet around here. We are back to just the three of us, but had a wonderful time when Tasha and Shad, Misty, Lyndy Mae and Sterling were here...visiting, shopping, eating...just enjoying each other. AND, we got dumped on a couple times with snow...and now...rain, so the roads and trails are again slushy and rutty. Really glad I have another week off of work...planning on doing laundry, making calls, cleaning, organizing...HAHAHAHAHA! I'll let you know if that all happens:-)
We had a catastrophy of sorts this last week. The parsonage water meter froze, burst and flooded the crawl space probably ruining the furnace and water heater. Water was almost up to the floor joists when discovered...a blessing because we had just put in new flooring through out the house. The insurance company is one of the calls to be made in the morning. Midway Rental...closed for Christmas weekend...opened for us and donated the pump and in the morning the city will be called to check things over.

CHRISTMAS DAY

2008-12-24T19:49:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY JESUS!

HHHHIIIISSSS-SSSS

2008-12-22T08:29:00.003-07:00

December 22, 2008 ~ Monday
Our youngest daughter flew in Friday for a week...and we've been shopping, went to a movie, 7 Pounds (good, but confusing at times and would have been more so had we not read the preview beforhand...and, I did cry at the end), eating out and just enjoying each other. Rainier (her dog) was so excited to see her!, but is also confused as to where to sleep at night, with her or with Jack. Yesterday morning our kitty came upstairs for the first time in 2 months...since we had brought home Rainier...and when Rainier came out of Tasha's room there was a HHHHIIIIISSSSSSS and Schmitty chased Rainier downstairs with three more hisses and in a second Rainier was back upstairs without Schmitty. Makes for an entertaining time:-)
Today is a shopping/have lunch with a friend/look for glasses frames day. It's snowing lightly, very little breeze...and cold still, but should warm up to the 20's toward the end of the week when our oldest son and family will be arriving to celebrate Jesus' birth-day with us.

KINDA CRUNCHY COLD...COULD BE WORSE

2008-12-15T17:06:00.003-07:00

December 15, 2008 ~ Monday
How many articles of clothing does one wear not to be cold while crossing on a minus zero day with only a slight breeze...thirteen. It's called...looks like a green nerd...walks like a penguin, but the nerdy penguin is warm. I'm just thankful we aren't in the Dakotas or the Northeast!
I am making my first batch of caramel for this year...recipe given me by a good friend many years ago...never fails, but one never knows if it'll be soft/chewy/hard...but good tasting any which way! Those...and snowball cookies, almond bark dipped pretzels and peanut butter fudge...are the main sweet things made at Christmas. Some of it goes to my sons and their families...some to friends...some to co-workers. There aren't any calories in homemade candies I've been told...
Our youngest daughter will be here on Friday for a week! So many things to do...open house at friends/former Pastor's house...having lunch with former teacher/good friend...but most of all...celebrating Jesus' birth! God's gift to all mankind!

BLIZZARD??? -30 TO -40 WINDCHILL???

2008-12-12T18:30:00.004-07:00

December 12, 2008 ~ Friday
The day the big blizzard and sub-zero temps are suppose to start...like 10 inches of snow with wind and, then, in the middle of it -30...with a high of -9 on Monday...
I'll have to have several layers on for crossing plus hand/toe warmers...uff-da! I can't imagine not having wood for heating in case the electricity goes out. We could live for a month here if that happened which makes me content.
I received a most welcome phone call last night...from a friend in Alaska. Hadn't talked to her in over a year, but have e-mailed. I miss them so! And my other home up north!
This weekend I hope to do...more than I can...this place needs cleaning, organizing, decorating and I need to make some cards and do some beading for friends...no problem there as I'd rather do those things than the other. And...Christmas will come whether it's clean or decorated or organized...HIS birthday...our SAVIOUR'S...born a baby, yet a King...to suffer and die and RISE...for US... How awesome is that!!! And He would have done it for just one of us, but He did it for all. Now THAT'S contentment...

THANKSGIVING LONG WEEKEND

2008-11-30T18:50:00.002-07:00

November 30, 2008 ~ Sunday
I'm not done being thankful... music. Just close your eyes when you hear music and you can hear so much more...all of the instruments...all of the voices...the beat...just takes a person 'away'! I have a neat friend who shares with me the playing for our worship. Today the choir sang and she played and I closed my eyes and...floated. Afterward, I gave her a hug and told her how much I appreciated her talent. Have you ever watched Victor Borgia play? Just awesome, as an entertainer and a wonderful pianist. My uncle used to just sit and have the best time watching him with a quiet deep chuckle that shook his whole body. There you are...I'm also thankful for my aunt and uncle, my mother's brother and my dad's sister who married and had no children of their own. My sisters and I were their children. They also lead us down the road of faith...and...taught me to drive grain truck when I was just 12 hauling wheat/barley/oats into the elevator 3 miles away. My uncle was quite an inventor...he and a cousin made a 'snow machine' before there were snow machines. He also made a hoist for his International Harvester pick-up...everyone wanted to see how THAT worked when I was in the elevator unloading.
And...I'm thankful that our oldest son and his family could come up for the holiday. We had a really fun time visiting...shopping (yup, at 4am on Friday!, then again on Saturday, but not as early)...watching the two little ones...and just enjoying each other. Schmitty...the kitty...survived two big dogs behind two 'kid's gates' and now is back again in part of HER domain, still gated off from Rainier.

THANKSGIVING DAY ~ 2008

2008-11-27T15:45:00.002-07:00

There are so many things for which to be thankful ~ my parents who, through the grace of God, brought me to believe in Jesus Christ through baptism and The Word ~ my sisters who are also very close friends ~ my husband, who gave me four awesome children ~ my sons who gave me two beautiful daughters-in-law who then gave me 7 wonderful 'grands' ~ my Christian family ~ my friends ~ shelter ~ food ~ sight ~ sound ~ taste ~ feel ~ love ~ all I need to live ~freedom ~ His whole creation to enjoy...how can anyone feel deprived!!!

UFF-DA~~~

2008-11-22T16:52:00.002-07:00

November 22, 2008 ~ Saturday
~~~OK, OK...the GRIZ won by a whopping 35 to 3 and I will 'pay' on Monday and Tuesday at lunch for being (STILL) a CAT fan. That's alright because now I have more time...a year...to guide those middle-schoolers in the right direction.
A busy busy week with social security papers/calls (25 in less than 2 hours on Monday morning)...and now the yearly medicare decisions with the older person who lives here. It'll all come together...everyday a new experience!
No snow, but feels like it and is predicted. It's time to bring wood in and pet my kitty.

CAT/GRIZ

2008-11-13T18:39:00.005-07:00

Thursday ~ November 13, 2008
It feels like winter...windy, cold, some flakes at times. This is the time, when it's windy and cold, that I don't like to stand on the corner and help those little misguided (most of them because they are GRIZ fans!) little people across the street...but do it willingly and with a smile because that's the job God has given me at the moment. A week from Saturday is the CAT/GRIZ game...and most of the middle schoolers seem to be on the wrong side. Every chance I get I try to set them straight...alas...most are stubborn and keep wearing the sweatshirts/hats that have some 'bear' logo on them. BUT...next week...those who have salad will have to eat off of gold and blue plates...AND...since I make the bulletin for worship those members who are also misguided will have to read off of gold paper with blue lettering as will the wiser Bobcat fans.
Kelly is doing well after surgery; however, the back pain and fibromyalgia are still debilitating. Her drain will come out on Monday, hopefully...and we'll go to GFalls the first week in Dec. for a follow-up appointment.
The cat (not Bob) and the dog are now eyeing each other from about 20 feet with a gate between them, with Schmitty emitting low long m-e-o-w-s voicing her displeasure. Wondering if they'll ever be friends...sigh! She misses going outside, whenever, during the day...I MEAN!...the deck was HERS before this other thing came here...so...she goes out several times during the night...and, last night was just awesome with beautiful moonlight, almost bright as dusk!
GO CATS!!!

SUNRISE IN GFALLS...

2008-11-06T06:47:00.004-07:00

Thursday ~ November 6, 2008
A b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l sunrise this morning...right now, in fact...over GFalls from my motel room window. We...Kelly and I...have been here since Sunday...had her surgery on Monday and yesterday, finally, the pain was manageable. Not pain so much from her incision as from her disk degeneration and fibromyalgia. She's on clear liq....not sure when she'll be released, but will probably head home the day after since dark comes early. If I'm not with her I'm seeing the sights, taking photos and enjoying seeing the history of Lewis & Clark. Went to the Interpretive Center yesterday for 2 1/2 hours...2 films...displays that can be touched and photographed! How many museums allow you to do that! An awesome place...
Today I'll attend The Christmas Connection...a Christmas 'bazaar' at an art gallery...very similar to 'our' Conrad Mansion's Christmas display. And...tomorrow if we are still here will go to the Charlie Russel Museum...or maybe even today.
I must say...my stay at the LaQuinta has been wonderful! Pillow-top mattresses...feather pillows (or what feels like feather)...hospitality...and a 15% medical discount!

THE DOG...AND, THE CAT...

2008-11-01T05:31:00.002-07:00

Saturday ~ November 1, 2008
Rainier has NO clue there's a cat in the house, BUT the cat KNOWS there's a dog living here and isn't any too happy about it. She has started to come out of the sewing room, but scoots back in the second she hears Rainier's tags. There is a gate between them at all time because Schmitty will use her claws and teeth...not fond of dogs since one tore her leg muscles several years ago...and...she's older, almost 12 years old, so is very set in her ways.
Tomorrow our oldest daughter and I will go to GFalls for her surgery on Monday...don't know how long we'll be there, but if all goes well will probably be back at least by the end of the week, maybe sooner. SSI has started for her and SSDI will begin in a month or so. Have to stay on top of all that...making sure I write down all expenses. I can always call the lawyer who represented her and ask him questions...which I'm sure I'll do!
The fall has been fantastic...mostly sunny with 50's for the temps. The 'rumor' is that we are to have a 'hard' winter, but...that's been said before...just have to be prepared for anything and my car is always full of extra clothes, boots, candles, etc.

PASTORS AND PUPPYS

2008-10-19T19:31:00.002-06:00

Sunday ~ October 19, 2008
Another beautiful day in Montana...sunny...mild...cleaning days and calling days. No school last Thursday or Friday so I tried to rearrange/organize/clean and get ready for a puppy. Well, not a puppy, but a 60 pound 2 year old...our daughter's...to take care of and love until she has a place that allows pets. Schmitty has been told...she yowled and stalked off, sharpening her claws and practicing hissing. Life will not be the same after tomorrow!
Pastors...another 'P' word. We had a call meeting today...voting to call a candidate either from the winter graduating class or from the spring one in May. God already has had one picked out for us from the beginning of time so now we just trust in Him to provide. So...tomorrow the call documents have to be prepared (read: delete a few specific things and print:-)) and mailed and mailings to all the members stating what was voted on today. Besides that I have many phone calls to make concerning our other daughter's SS benefits, a meeting to go to and physical therapy in the afternoon. Did I mention organization? Thinking I've got to figure out how to do that!

WHERE DOES THE TIME GO...

2008-10-09T17:14:00.002-06:00

Thursday ~ October 9, 2008
...I do not know! Indian Summer went into layering weather this week...cold, breezy, but no snow yet. The tamaracks are just turning and the majority of the trees have decided to do the same. 21 degrees this morning when I headed out.
A week from Sunday we will have pastor appreciation AND another voter's meeting to determine whether we'll call a candidate this time or a pastor from the field again. The letters have been mailed to the members concerning this and will be posted in the bulletin. Seems like all of a sudden EVERYTHING has to be done, then there's a lull...after this weekend there will be a lull in hauling/stacking wood. Doctor appointments/work/secretarial duties/household work...THAT'S WHERE THE TIME GOES!
It was wonderful to have Monday off this week...and two days the end of next week...to get organized (paper-wise and cleaning). Jack will head down to our son's to meet our daughter on the 18th...transferring her things to our trailer...and her puppy dog...who will live with us for a while until she gets a place again where she can have a pet. SO...our cat and her dog...now that should be interesting! Schmitty chases BIG dogs out of the yard, growling, with her tail and back up, so...POOR RAINIER! We did put 4 - 16 foot cattle panals up for a dog run...and Schmitty was quite upset with that. AND...the deck is hers...so...that'll put a crimp in her tail, too, because that's the way to the dog run!
Update on our oldest daughter's SS application: The judge has declared her disabled, so will receive SS, apply for Medicaid and now, maybe, she can get the medical/emotional help she needs. Our former doctor was present at the hearing and the lawyer credits the favorable ruling (1st hearing) with her caring enough to give her testimony in person. She is an awesome Christian doctor and friend!

INDIAN SUMMER

2008-09-28T16:12:00.002-06:00

Sunday ~ September 29, 2008 ***Indian Summer***
...well, kinda. We haven't had a 'killing frost' yet so can it legally be said 'Indian Summer'??? WhatEVer it is, it's really enjoyable! Two flower beds have been downstized and cleaned out...but there are still three others to do; four cords of wood has been split, hauled and stacked under the deck with two more waiting; parsonage still needs finishing touches (mopboards replaced, vents cleaned, window cleaned and blinds hung...), but we have even more time now to do that since the pastor-elect has declined our call; camper will be winterized this week and the cattle panels will be put up for our daughter's dog to come and live with us. This week is our oldest daughter's SS hearing, then we're off to Great Falls to see her bariatric doctor...hoping for some answers there.
AND...I'm dehydrating banana 'chips' right now...pears tonight...borrowed a friends dehydrator and will purchase one of our own since I want to try spagetti, etc. also. Yum! Thinking it'll be easier to have our own dehydrated food for camping...space-wise...and taste-wise rather than buying it with all the perservatives.
Praying people realize the importance of knowing what the candidates stand for...which is more important: money or life??? Think about it!

CALLS~LAWYERS~DOCTORS~WOOD

2008-09-13T20:36:00.002-06:00

September 13, 2008 ~ Saturday
B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L DAY!!! Not a cloud in the sky...low 70's...just my kind of day!
This week has been BUSY...along with crossing and lunch everyday the call papers were to be filled out and sent to our pastor-elect, suggested time of 24 hours from the call meeting. OK...I'm still filling them out after a week...just had trouble getting them downloaded and now a council meeting is needed to make sure all are 'on the same page'. They WILL be sent on Monday. THEN, a week ago our daughter's SSI lawyer called saying her hearing would be in three weeks, so...we met with him on Wednesday...Thursday gave the dr. papers to fill out, before she admitted Kelly to the hospital for pain/nausea/vomiting control and hydration...released today. Monday we need to travel to Plains so Kelly's former dr. can see her and fill out hearing papers. Think I mentioned wood hauling before...so far 1 1/2 cords under the deck with that much more to go at least. Once Jack worked on the splitter and started using it, the hauling went much faster/easier because of the size. It amazes me how well most of the lengths fit together when stacking...God always provides and that's what I think of when I throw a log on another and it just settles in...a nice comfy feeling.

Where has all the summer gone...

2008-09-06T16:51:00.002-06:00

Saturday ~ September 6, 2008
It's September!!! BUT...where did summer go???? I want it back...NOW!
So, school has started, the first week is over, AND YES!, no one was hit by a car. That makes me happy since I'm crossing again this year, along with giving the middle schoolers smiles at lunch.
Such a busy time...unloading the camper and cleaning it, bringing wood up to stack under the deck for winter, work, swimming, calling a new pastor. Looking at this there seems to be a lot I still have to do, as in...the majority. Camper will be unloaded tomorrow, but cleaning will have to wait until sometime after 4pm when I'm done with work for the day...wood will have to be done anytime I get unlazy and get a chance... Also, trying to 'sell my wares' at the farmer's market...and...it is not going well. Then, there is the on-going matter of trying to get our daughter on SSDI, so...we wait... Just hope there is help for her pain soon. Think about this...the worst muscle ache you've ever had...or...the worst cramping diarrhea you've experienced...day in and day out, minute after minute and second after second, all over her body, with no relief in sight. When John McCain was on the other night they told of his 5 plus year imprisonment and the torture he endured. He'd know what Kelly is going thru.
Speaking of McCain...brings Palin to mind. You know she IS our half governor since we have land in AK:-) I'm quite impressed with her...thinking she doesn't take any guff and she has some very good ideas...I'm thinking they have my vote!

A GREAT DAY...YUM!

2008-08-18T16:45:00.002-06:00

Monday ~ August 18, 2008
It is HOT! Hit 99.1 degrees this afternoon and I was...out shoveling gravel...on my birthday and am now sitting, after a cooling shower, in the breeze of a fan. YUM!
I've... had calls, e-cards, txt, and e-mails from my children and friends...gone out for lunch with my husband at the Hu-Hot Mongolian Grill (free cheesecake!)...made plans for two free meals on different days at different restaurants and Dairy Queen for a peanut buster parfait ($2.49 on sale...stock up now while you can!!!) YUM!
The gravel...remember the bunnies??? Dug under the deck??? I redug their burrows and spread chicken wire then gravel so now it's ready for wood stacking. Also, spread gravel on the back .0040 flower bed made earlier this summer.
We met a couple from Austin, TX while camping a couple weeks ago, exchanged e-mail addresses and blogspots...and I saw her and her 'puppy' at farmer's market on Saturday! We talked for a while...they are looking for a place to buy either here or in ID, but the cost is prohibative right now. They've been trying their luck at fishing...none...well, a couple bites, but mostly...none.
The rest of the day I'm just going to laze around (I do that most of the time anyhow so am really good at it)...and eat the angel food cake I made this morning...lemon drizzle on it...YUM!

NINE DAYS OF...

2008-08-10T18:32:00.002-06:00

Sunday ~ August 10, 2008
***hearing wind in crowns of trees 10 seconds before feeling the it
***fish jumping every few seconds
***watching mama duck with 6 babies
***seeing a Maganzer diving for fish, staying under water, popping up 100 feet away
***baby chipmonks playing
***mirrored mountains and trees in lake
***turquoise ~ colbalt blue ~ aquamarine blue ~ green water
***birds chirping
***bees on flowers
***relaxing
***sitting around the fire
***praying
***beading
***reading
***reflection
***solitude
***literally hundreds of bear grass plants, some still blooming
***trail around lake, 1 1/2 miles, over tree roots, needles, little plank bridges
***cooking over the fire (sausage with brie!)
All this can be yours, too, at Little Therriault Lake in NW MT for the SMALL fee of $5 per night, 14 day limit...
Only 28 miles in from Hwy 93 N...
B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l campsites...
Mega huckleberry bushes...
Nope...didn't see a bear...but with bear-proof cashes there might be some hanging around somewhere...
Can I go back now???????

FAMILY~FRIENDS~SUMMERFEST

2008-07-25T15:47:00.002-06:00

Friday ~ July 25, 2008
What an awesome week!!! My sister and youngest niece came to visit for 3 days... our daughter flew in for the weekend... our youngest granddaughter turned 5... we met new friends and saw many old ones, including the doctor I used to work with who always called me, "North Dakota PK", because I am... And, even tho the weather didn't always cooperate [just ask the four people who helped hold up the tent ***while setting up***in a downpour] and I didn't sell one thing [others commented that 'business' was very slow probably due to economy]...we had a GREAT time and are planning on going again next year IF we are in the lower 48. When we returned home for a few days I discovered...my clothes had shrunk!
Mowing the lawn, watering, preparing to go camping again on Monday until Friday at lakes up by the Canadian border...trying to get 'summer-stuff' in before starting work again when school resumes. AND, I have to figure out time to help prepare the parsonage for our new pastor***the one God knows who will be our Shepherd***between typing the bulletin and power point presentations for worship and farmer's market. Tonight we will go to Orient Express before watching a play in town [WOW...now THAT'S different!]

M-m-m-m-m-m...

2008-07-14T13:12:00.002-06:00

FRESH BLUEBERRIES WITH 1/2 & 1/2 AND SPLENDA (calories are off-set)...WATERMELON AND CANTALOPE WITH SEA SALT(have you ever heard of a fish with high blood pressure?)...I LOVE FRUIT SEASON!!!
Getting ready to go 'south' again tomorrow. My sister and their youngest daughter will meet us in Belgrade for several days...BRINGING BEEF, THE BEST BEEF IN THE WORLD!...and our daughter will be flying in on Friday until Sunday so will have a good visit even tho I'll have to be at Summerfest Friday afternoon thru Sunday afternoon selling wall hangings and matted photos...and listening to bands all day long...and visiting with friends.
FYI...allergic eye reaction to different eye make-up gets pretty bad when combined with sun and wind...the swelling is finally going down and the eye is open more so I can see out of it again:-) Hmmmm...wonder if the EAR drops I used for the eye really did help...or...if it would have cleared up anyway...
OK...gotta clean out coolers for beef...

FAMILY ~ FRIENDS ~ STUFF

2008-07-09T16:05:00.003-06:00

July 9, 2008 ~ Wednesday
Beautiful, beautiful weather!!! We just returned from fourth of July festivities, enjoying time spent with our friends...the parade...the rodeo...the fireworks...the TWO elephant ears...then, camping with our son and his family and a bunch of their friends...probably had 20-25 people total off and on...and two big dogs and about 7 Blue Healers, all on a lake. We learned, after 5 years of having our Arctic Fox, how to take out/put in the awning (thanks to our son...exciting!) I read, did sudoku, did beading [as did our 5 yr. old granddaughter for 2 straight hours one day], enjoyed everyone...yup, had a few BL's...and just did what I wanted and relaxed in God's majestic landscape. Next up??? Summerfest 2008 on the 18th, 19th, and 20th...having a booth...selling my wares (wall hangings, matted photos, handmade cards)...and our friends will have carved wooden pieces for sale. Exciting because my sister, her youngest daughter and our daughter will all be there for a short while.
OK...so...onto oter things. The parsonage is getting a make-over...new paint...new laminate, carpet on stars, and vinyl where necessary....new window treatments...all before a new pastor arrives.
Not to change the subject, but...WE ATE AT THE HU HOT TODAY...YUMMY!
Where are you Larry and Bette????

HHHHOTTT!!!

2008-06-30T22:02:00.002-06:00

June 30, 2008 ~ Monday
...as in 96 degrees, but cooling nicely this evening WHILE I BAKE COOKIES...which I never do, but thought I'd be a grandma since we're headed down to see family and friends...AND GO CAMPING! Yes, camping...with our oldest son and his family, some of their friends and maybe, just maybe, our youngest son and his family might show up...and maybe, just maybe, the friends who went to Alaska with us last year might show up...
HAPPY INDEPENDANCE DAY, AMERICA! What a country to live in...to be able to go anywhere we want...see anyone we want...eat anything we want...buy mostly what we want or need...worship the way we want. God is so good to us...and we appreciate Him by taking His name away from governmnet, schools, homes...how sad is that, yet how full of grace He is! To God be the glory!

SUMMER

2008-06-23T15:32:00.002-06:00

June 23, 2008 ~ Monday
Yup...summer...sun...blue sky...clouds...breezy...usually just very pleasant and I'm soooo enjoying!
Sat at the farmer's market on Saturday...and it was a success!!! Sold 3 cards at $2each, paid my $2 space fee, bought $16 in plants...and added to my tan. Next Saturday: the same...except for the amount sold and the plants...
We have a Wii!!! Now, why would two 'old' people buy a game box thingy to play??? Cuz it's really really fun and you even get to exercise. Bowling and target practice are my favorite. Cow racing my grandkids beat me at...
We have started working on the parsonage...pulling nails, taking curtain holders down...spackling...and tomorrow someone is going to measure for the vinyl in the kitchen, baths and utility...just hoping we have enough help to get it all done, at least, by the end of August when ***school starts again***.

THE BACK .0040

2008-06-17T16:26:00.002-06:00

Tuesday ~ June 17, 2008
Over 6 years in the thought process...after taking out a few small sickly evergreens in the back .0040...and 4 days in the making, FINALLY the work of cleaning out rocks, stumps, putting in edging, planting...and now watering, that little section of our property is now looking kinda spiffy. Still rocks to throw back onto the plastic and more digging, smoothing to do AND cleaning out behind the shed, but that can wait for a bit as there are other projects pending...like vacuuming...and consolidating scrapbooking supplies that are scattered all over the guest bedroom***just in case we have company sometime this summer.
A beautiful day...low 80's and sunny with a breeze.

AND BY THE NEXT DAY...

2008-06-15T16:23:00.002-06:00

June 15, 2008 ~ Sunday
...70 degrees and half sunny! And has been sunny since then... Tasha's birthday today...and Father's day. We are celebrating enjoying the sun, spare ribs, potato salad and beans...Tasha is enjoying a BBQ for her BD at a friend's house in CO...and I will continue to enjoy it in the back .0040 pulling weeds so I can plant some shrubs and flowers. A spot that has needed attention for several years. Yesterday we had a work day at the church and it looks really nice...red lava rocks all around, flowers in big pots. Next...the church roof...then THE PARSONAGE, A MAJOR OVERHAUL! BUT...this week I'm concentrating on that spot in the back and getting ready for the Farmer's Market on Saturday, my first time as a vendor with wildlife wall hangings, 8"x10" matted photos and handmade cards. It'll be interesting...

SNOW!!!

2008-06-11T08:23:00.002-06:00

Wednesday ~ June 11, 2008
IT'S JUNE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! AND THERE'S SNOW!!! Yup...4 inches of heavy wet stuff by the time we got home...and the chokecherry tree***will it EVER be the same again??? It did stop in the late evening, but today we are to have up to an inch of precip in the form of rain. I'm thinking today won't be a mowing day, even when I can see the grass***which isn't at the moment! So...I'm cleaning house, which really needs it...and sorting thru things for a yard sale/thrift store drop.

SUMMER IS HERE!!!

2008-06-09T20:59:00.004-06:00

Monday ~ June 9, 2008
...well, maybe not weatherwise since Bozeman/Belgrade is suppose to get snow tomorrow. We came down last Thursday to get in on the yard sale action...and are headed home tomorrow with just 1/4 of what we brought to sell. Really hoping WE are in the mood to have one ourselves...gotta remember, someone else's treasure is sitting in our garage/house!
One bunny left...tricky little thing...backs right out of the traps, but I've destroyed their burrows and she hasn't tried to dig anymore...so far... Tulips are another matter...we're safe...the neighbor's flowers aren't...
Our pastor's last Sunday was May 4th so now our members are in the process of calling another Shepherd...had to change our worship time to 1pm on Sunday since that's the 'fastest' our vacancy pastor can get to St. Peter's...EVEN THO he DOES have a motorcycle...
I SO miss going to Alaska!!! The drive...the friends...the relatives...BUT God has different plans for us this year, some we'll know about right away, some we may not know for a while. SO...we're planning another trip around July 4th here...and also July 17 for Summerfest in Livingston. Am having a booth, selling wall-hangings, matted photos, handmade cards and wood carvings. The carvings are made by a good friend...one of the couple who went to AK with us last year. Here's a good idea...everyone have an EKG and follow thru with other tests if needed. This guy is in awesome shape...rides bike every day for MILES...is always doing something physical...and they found an aortic aneurism 6 weeks ago *BY ACCIDENT*!!! He is now recovering from surgery to repair that. The doctor said that 99% are found by accident...so...have a baseline EKG and STAY IN SHAPE!
Hoping to fit some camping time in this summer...even by myself if need be. The camper is on...and I'm ready to go! Comes in handy, too, for the kid/grandkid visits...

SAD ~ BANNER ~ BUNNIES

2008-04-26T06:33:00.004-06:00

April 26, 2008 ~ Saturday
We are sad. Our oldest son and his wife lost their little still-to-be-born baby yesterday, but we know he is in Jesus' arms, whole and happy now, waiting to meet the rest of us. Knowing Jesus=comfort and peace.
Just finished an Athelas banner this week for a retreat using pabric...a fabric material that goes thru an inkjet printer and photos are copied onto the pabric, hence the p for photo instead of an f.
Bunnies...one young one and the two moms and if no little ones show up by the end of next week they will all find a new home...will miss their antics tho...

UUMMM...MORE BUNNIES

2008-04-20T14:12:00.002-06:00

April 20, 2008 ~ Sunday
OK...so this morning there was a rabbit that looks just like one of the moms (Oreo)...AND another little black bunny. The look-a-like is probably 4-6 months old and, I'm thinking, a male, so...we trapped him post-haste and sent him on his way to a new home. Now for the little ones...and the moms at the end of the week.
Cold again...14 above this morning. I remember...like, last weekend...when we had summer. It was nice.
Our church is loosing it's Shepherd...May 4th is Pastor's last Sunday, so then we will be in the process of calling a new pastor, whether it be a candidate or one already in the field, God only knows. AND, thank God He does and has already prepared His choice for St. Peter, even if he and we don't know who it is yet. So...this spring and summer, at least, will be busy with meetings & cleaning/repairing the parsonage...which will be interesting because St. Peter's members are known for being gone frequently during the summer months. We're not going to Alaska this year so will be 'around', but will be gone several weekends anyway. All will work out in God's time.
AND...THE RABBITS ARE STILL AHEAD...

OH, OH

2008-04-19T18:54:00.001-06:00

April 19, 2008 ~ Saturday
***WHERE DID THE LITTLE BLACK BUNNY COME FROM??? 2 bunnies & 2 moms...
RABBITS ARE AHEAD...

BUNNY COUNT/SUN COUNT

2008-04-13T06:29:00.002-06:00

April 13, 2008 ~ Sunday
SUN ~ SUN ~ SUN!!! Yesterday was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L and it looks good for today, too...flower beds here I come! But, only after Lutherans for Life silent auction and spaghetti feed today. We must try to protect those little lives...whether they be unborn or old in years...all are God's creation and joy!
Bunny count...one young one and 2 moms...and as soon as we know if there are tiny ones under the deck and shed they, too, will find a new home. We'll miss seeing their antics...running, hopping and spinning in mid-air, but...our 'under the deck' will be presentable again...

ALASKA PHONE, SS, BUNNIES

2008-04-10T17:22:00.002-06:00

April 10, 2008 ~ Thursday
...the day to reup minutes on our Cell One Alaska phone so we can keep our number...so added $20 more for a total of $110 AND THEN WAS TOLD THAT AT&T HAS BOUGHT CELL ONE OUT, but ***it would be easy to switch and roll over our minutes by just GOING TO AN AT&T STORE BECAUSE IT CAN'T BE DONE OVER THE PHONE***!!! OK...guess what? NO AT&T stores in MT and didn't find where the closest one is because we aren't leaving MT this summer. Called their number and was told that our phone would be able to transfer, but, no, the minutes COULD NOT be rolled-over. Called Cell One back and they said again that the minutes would be ok...called AT&T, a very nice lady, who understood where I was coming from, called AT&T for me, talked to them, then I talked to the guy for 45 minutes and were 'just about there' when he said I needed a new phone...FCC rules that you can't transfer phones between companies...so told him I wanted the least expensive ($9.95), gave him our address, etc. and then he said, "I'm sorry, but the system doesn't recognize your address. Is there another address I could send it to?" APPARENTLY, MONTANA DOES NOT EXSIST IN THE AT&T NETWORK ALTHO OUR ALASKA PHONE DOES WORK HERE!!! I told him to***forget it and hung up***!!! I AM NOT recommending AT&T to anyone and will tell them why!!!
On the up-side for the day...called the state for an interview on food stamps for Kelly...a very very nice lady who said they should never have been stopped while waiting for a hearing on obtaining SSI and SSDI, so will pick up an application again for Kelly. AND, we are hoping it does not take 12 MONTHS for that hearing!
Rabbits and bunnies...12 bunnies have now found a new home (out in the woods where they'll be happy and scamper around without a care in the world because there is new grass growing for eating)...so now for the other 3 little ones and the two moms and dads. A little bit worried tho since we think there are new ones under the deck/shed. WILL IT NEVER END!

SPRING~weather has, but bunnies do, too...

2008-04-07T14:36:00.003-06:00

April 7, 2008 ~ Monday
AND...it's...sunny/snowing/hailing/raining...SPRING! Can't do lawn work, still too wet and, besides, the bunnies rule *BUT NOT FOR LONG*! The traps are set... WHEN I can do outside work, there is a lot to be done since we haven't been home for two years during the summer. Between that and trying to sell my wall hangings and photographs of our travels it might be kinda busy. Not too busy tho for our friends from Ohio who will be here the end of May, first part of June for a visit. We met them in Alaska two years ago and REALLY missed not seeing them last year...and, feeling special since they are spending over $4/gal for diesel to travel this way. We'll have a good time...and, WE LIKE IT THAT WAY! Other than sewing and matting photos it's the regular schedule around here...well, there are times...like when someone got stuck in quicksand while 4 wheeling and had to dig out while pulling with a winch. Quicksand almost won...running boards were a foot under...