The Checkup

I did say that I would fill you in on Bob's follow up appt. The bone is fusing and he is healing the way he should be. Such good news. His next appt is Jan 12th and right now it looks like he will be able to take the collar off at that time. Also, the numbness has gone away. It's all good news. MJ

It turned into a joy

Well, I was awaken, again, at 6:23 (I seem to always wake on the 3s) and I thought that I wanted to continue sleeping so I headed to the guest room. Bob snores and I am a light sleeper, especially when I have things on my mind - like Fastbreak. But what I found was that I really didn't need to sleep any more. I had grab the computer on the way by and decided to check my emails to see if there are any replies from volunteers. Yeah, one. Better than Zero. Then I did my usual routine, not really all that confident that I would fine new blogs on any of those that I follow. But to my surprise there are new entries. Thank you all it has made for a pleasant early morning. I now believe that it is time for some yummy coffee and the Sunday morning paper.

Madagascar: Escape to Africa

We went to see the movie, finally. Aaron went with us. We were able to get our schedules together and go. It was fun to "zone out" for a little bit. I am knee deep in three jobs, Fastbreak, Christmas cards, the 6 books that I checked out, laundry, dishes, recycle . . . you get the picture. So it was a nice escape.

I am tossing around the idea of buying a new laptop. The HP Mini actually. My computer crashed at work. To quote our tech lady"a piece o'junk". I will be awhile before I get it back which is not good for me. All I do now is on the computer and it has been frustrating trying to do my work without it. I have been shuffling between 4 computers and all of my information is on a memory stick. I just don't like it. So I saw the mini and just love it. Tiny - that's what I want to carry back and forth. The only thing is that it doesn't have a cd drive and I am not so certain that I like that. But I really like that it is 2.25 lbs. and 10.2 display. I am looking for compact. So what do the computer "experts" think? Is there anything else out there this small and light? And cheap?

Being Thankful and feeling blessed

There are so many "things" to be grateful for that this could go on forever. These are just observations of this day (for about 10 mins):

*That it is 40 out today. *That some stranger gave me a smile and wished me a Happy Thanksgiving on my way to the theater. *That I am not the man picking butts out of the public ashtray (I did say a prayer for him). *The man who told me "you're "awfully happy", while working at the theater. *That I have a home, food, heat, my husband. *That our families have webcams. *That our Gram is as beautiful and strong as I remember. *That my mom hasn't lost her smile, even when I think she wants to cry (and she continues to answer the phone when I call). *That Bob's neck is healing. *For the people that we have meet in Alaska and are a part of our lives. *That my sister has come into her own. *That my brother never gives up - no matter how many times he is knocked down. *That our families take care of one another. *That Tristan and Adam and Rosco (Linus too) thought we were "cool enough" to hangout with. *That we took the chance and moved to Alaska - even if it is so hard to be away. *That I only cried once today - missing all of you.

God Bless you and keep you safe and loved. MJ

Do you see what time I am posting?

Yeap, it's that Fastbreak in my head - can't sleep - why not get up and go into work?

Actually we needed to be up this early (not actually @ 4:23 am - when I woke up), Bob has his first set of x-rays this afternoon so we are going to get to work at 7 so we are out at 3 pm. Say prays that the bone is fusing. This is the next "hurdle" in his recovery. We'll let you know how it goes - I'll post later tonight after the appt and Costco. MJ

Fastbreak

It's that time of year again and I am struggling. Believe me, I get it, people are busy - but I can't even get a reply. I tried to streamline the process from last year. Skip the middle man (players) and email/mail the information to parents, asking for a reply and only a handful have contacted me. I don't like asking for help anyway, so this "Volunteer Coordinator" part of my job is a real struggle for me. I pray about it, I try to be patient (we all know how good I am at that) - but I just don't get it. How can anyone live their life without planning? I plan everything - down to bathroom breaks at school. There must be order. Anyway, we have to get some of you to visit this time of year - I know that you would just love to watch Middle School Basketball all weekend. MJ

And then there were 3

I really can't believe it myself, but the other day, while putting something in another co-workers mailbox at school I realized that we have new employee . . . her name is Molly. There are now 3 of us at Dzantik'i Heeni. It is so crazy. Who would have ever thought. I do have to say that I always enjoyed there not being to many people with my name - I have no desire to "be common".
Also along with the name thing: we have to students named Molly in our school and this one you really won't believe: one of their middle names is . . . Jean. That I must say really blew me away. I don't know if she got here middle name the way I did, I haven't asked. MJ

Who needs a professional shoe stretcher?

Not me. These are the shoes that I waited 2 months to get. (Because I wanted this color and sheen) They are so worth it. They fit my feet like a glove and feel good. For the first time in I don't know how long my feet don't hurt and I am not wearing my New Balance. I can wear my cute little skirts to work. There was one problem, obviously, the tops were too tight. So I shoved some glasses in them for the weekend and when I put them on today they were perfect. MJ

Snow Tires on - Check

Tonight Bob helped me put on the snow tires. No cussing or yelling at all. I did okay, but my hopes of being able to change a tire on my own along side the road might not be realistic - I am kind of a wimp. I need to lift weights for sure. But they are on and Bob only did a little of what he probably shouldn't. Oh, I don't like dirt under my nails - never have. Yuck. I was way to dirty when I got home. I am a hard worker - but I like to stay clean. MJ

On the same schedule

Sort of . . .

With Bball over, Bob and I are on the same schedule. Since I have to drive him and I work 8:30 to 4:30, he is now working 8 to 5. It will be nice to have the same schedule for a little bit. This is our first morning and I got to sleep in until 6 am, eat breakfast and have time to blog. It's a dream come true.

Tonight when I pick up Bob from work it is time to put the snow tires on. Oh joy, I get to learn. It ought to be a hoot. Wouldn't you like to be a fly on the truck. MJ

Game #4

It was a slaughter, but our girls never gave up. Another season has come to a close. Now I can sleep in until 6 am. Yeah! MJ

KTN

A few pictures from our trip to Ketchikan with the Basketball Teams (A & B). It was a whirlwind - fly out Friday morning, fly back Saturday night. In between, the airport in Juneau shut down due to wind. Crazy. Sitting in the gym for 2 days sure makes for a sore tush. But we had fun. Plus Saturday it was beautiful in KTN. They get, on average, 220 days of rain. These pictures are from on of the rare days of sun. Oh, and while I was gone for 1 night, guess who decided that he should drive - yeap, the one who is not suppose to be driving. And I marvel at how people wonder why I "mother him", go figure - I can't even be gone one night!!! MJ

Sunday, Sunday

How I do love Sunday mornings. Newspaper, coffee, long shower - just quite time. It is wonderful. I am starting my slow-down process. As of this week I am only going to work at the Red Dog on Saturdays and during breaks. Then I will work at the theater on Monday evenings, every other Sunday and breaks. I feel so much better. After Fastbreak Bob, Tristan and I are going to go to the Field House (a new indoor facility here) to use the track. Then on Wednesday Tristan and I will still swim. Bob and I keep talking about a gym membership, but it might have to wait until next fall, once we get all the medical bills paid. I am trying to be smart about it and be able to not work all the time. The creases in my forehead are already disappearing. It's a good thing. MJ

Home Sick

That's right, I am home sick today, wishing that I would puke. Instead, I just feel like it - for 2 days now. And the headache - ugh. I had planned on catching up on th blog, but I am just too tired. It will have to wait - maybe Sunday. MJ

Molly's Home

Game #3

Tonight was our third game. We started out strong and then I just don't know what happened. But the girls still seem to be enjoying themselves and that is awesome.

Tristan and I leave in the morning with the A & B teams to KTN (Ketchikan). It's just an over night trip, we'll be back late Saturday evening. Ya' all know I am scared to death to fly so I am mustering all my strength this evening, along with doing laundry, packing, compiling a letter for JESS, completing an ecourse, calling the help desk (yes, my mother) when I couldn't get it to print. Darn right click why do I always forget that. I really don't know what I would do without that women that I am blessed to have as a mother!!! She rescues me even at 3000 miles. Love that women. MJ (that's Molly Jean to her (and my Gram))

Bob Update

Bob went for a "work release" appointment this morning and he is good to go back to work. He was just told to use common sense. So he returns to the workforce tomorrow. MJ

Happy Hair and Hands

Today I went to the salon for a haircut and a manicure. I have not had a manicure since we moved here and it felt soooo good. I love when they massage my hands and arm. I keep telling myself that it is time to slow down and take care of myself and I am getting closer and closer. My new decision is that I will go for a manicure once a month and Tristan and I booked a day at the spa over Christmas Break. It doesn't replace coming home, but it gives me something to look forward too. Right now I am just dreading the time when we were going to be home. It creeps up on me and I don't think that I will make it until next December and then I think "just got to keep busy" and then I work too much, go get a manicure and get told by the tech that I am too tense and need to relax and then the cycle starts over again! Ugh - 2009 relax more and take care of oneself. (I believe this was learned from my family - you know who you are.)
Bob has another dr appt tomorrow. He and the dr will discuss him going back to work and what he can and cannot do. Yeah, like he listens. I'll post tomorrow and let you know how it went. The plan right now is that Bob will return to work on Thursday.
Gram Update - She had her first round of chemo yesterday and as of today was doing well. She was resting, listening to music, and working on crosswords. For any of you in the area, honk on your way bye, she knows it's for her. MJ

Game #2

Okay, so I have no idea why my pictures are coming out this way, but that's the way it is. We had our second game tonight. Our girls played so much better this week. They weren't quite as shell-shocked as last week. We still lost, but it was only by 6, not 30! It rocked! The pictures are to show you our new coaches shirts. So professional! And the smile and thumbs up are because I am a dork and it took 3 shots to get the logo in the frame. MJ

Blown away . . .

That describes how I felt today when I had a co-worker (she started this year) tell me that when I was gone "there was a void in the school". To think that I could be missed really shocked me. I have never been good at accepting compliments. This I do treasure. She also told me that she couldn't believe how much the school "rallied around" Bob and I. I still am in awe of that. They were all so generous, it "blows my mind". We have been truly blessed. MJ

Which hat do I have on?

Does anyone from back home remember how I talked about taking it easy when we got to Alaska? Well tonight I put on another hat. Here's the list as of now:

Paid Positions:
Support Specialist (it's the title one of the counselors gave me at school) @ DHMS
Basketball Coach
Concessions @ 20th Century Theater
Consultant (another name given to me by one the the managers to describe my job at the RDS) @ the RDS
I am "in talks" right now to be the Student Government Advisor

Volunteer Positions:
PTO
Site Council Rep
JESS Building Rep (the hat I own as of tonight)

Honestly when I put it on paper it really doesn't look like that much, go figure. It's all about perception. (My favorite tag line)
Tonight I went to the JESS meeting with the intention of being our building rep. I just feel like we are missing information at our building and also that we need a voice. I am not all pro union, it has it's good and bad, but I am about knowing what is going on. And with Bob's surgery, it really opened my eyes to the lack of benefits we have. We are the "support staff" of the school district and I don't feel that we are valued with our pay and benefits. I also do not feel that I have a right to complain if I am not willing to be part of the solution. So I will be a voice for myself and anyone else in my building who needs it. With that said, understand that I absolutely love my job and my building, it's "above that" the ones who decide our pay and benefits that I think need to remember we are important to. So that's why I decided to be a union rep.

Tomorrow we have our second game, I sure hope to see some improvement in our game, some hussle and a few more baskets made. I do feel bad for these girls, they put the ball up, they just can't buy a basket. As long as they continue to have fun - I am good. Laughter is healing. MJ

Things that make you go humm . . .

I heard this on the radio during my drive home tonight:

"If "lit a fire in Alaskans" why did (the number at this pint) 40,000 less people vote in this election than in 2004 in the state of Alaska. That is the last thing I have to say about this election, I am happy to be moving forward. MJ

Election Day

I sure hope that everyone cast their vote today. Bob and I had the quickest trip to the polls, it was wonderful. In and out I believe it was about 10 minutes. Sweet. I am assuming that our friend Joelle, who now lives in Fort Yukon, Alaska (pop 12, joking) probably had the quickest time.Then we went to the Red Dog to have dinner and watch some of the election results. It was pretty fun to listen to people cheer, clap, and celebrate as the results came in. So I am looking forward to tomorrow's paper. I felt like I had more to say, but I guess not. Oh yeah, my mom is pretty cool for always taking my phone call, no matter what time it is. MJ

An Outing

Today Bob and I went on a little "outing". He said since I am going back to work and he will be stuck here for another week, he had better get out while I am home. We went out to the Glacier and walked around for a little bit. We walked up to the waterfall, which we had never done before. It was incredible. Unfortunately when I grab the camera I forgot that we had been charging the battery. You can figure the rest out. Other than that we have been spending a relaxing day together. We are taking turns reading The Shinning to one another. MJ

Christmas Cactus Bloom