Second Day: Worn Out

You know it's a good day when you need a nap. Aunt Mary did spring back to life and play Cribbage. Thanks for the directions Sheri, you have started a trend here. MJ

Third Day

We are up and having coffee, blogging and Aunt Mary is trying to send out pictures and emails. Her computer has been having problems. Maybe it worked today. She has been trying. My mom pointed out that there haven't been any pictures of bob yet, so here are a couple. Bob has class right now, so he wasn't with us yesterday.

We are still deciding what to do today. I am reworking my list, Sheri knows all about this! I can't help it, it keeps me moving. Got to check it off the list. One thing, there is never enough time to do it all, even when you don't have much on your list. But it has been wonderful to visit and be with family again.

We had 2 sets of visitors last year, 3 this year, who is coming next year?

Second Day

Today we went to my school and walked the trail by my school. The first three pictures are from that trail. Then we went out to the Glacier. That's Aunt Mary and I in front of it. I call it the photo-opp spot. We walked around and went into the visitors center. We saw a Mountain Goat. First one I have seen. It's pretty cool how they climb around. Now we are at home. Bob is preparing dinner and we are in for the night. We have an Alaska video going. MJ

First Day, Tuesday, June 10th

After we visited for a while we went "out the road" to Auke Rec to have dinner. Bob had prepared shish-kabobs and cheesey taters. They were delicious. We had a campfire, which meant we had to scavenger for wood. Of course for dessert we had smores. Well, Aunt Mary and I.

Top: Aunt Mary and Uncle Phil coming off the boat.

Center: Aunt Mary and I gathering wood. Hmmm, who's taking the pictures?

Bottom: Aunt Mary and I "rocking out" on our new chairs

They're here

Aunt Mary and Uncle Phil arrived. We got to the ferry terminal as the ferry was pulling up. Man do those things move slow. We could see them on the ferry and couldn't get to them to hug. A little dancing around seemed to make it go a bit faster! After we gathered them up we came back to our place and visited. I'll post the rest of the evening in a separate blog. MJ

Still Waiting

Ok, lets be honest, I am not the most patient person. I get ant-sy. I can't help it, nervous energy. I thought that A Mary and U Phil came in at 11 am, but it is actually 1:30 pm. When you wake up at 6:30, that makes for a long wait. I did talk to Gram for an hour this morning. We don't do that enough.

Do you know that Bob does not like spiders? We make a good pair. I hate snakes and he is okay with them. He hates spiders and they don't bother me. Anyway, out on our deck he has a stick and it is a special stick. It's his web remover. You should see him out there each and every morning destroying webs. I almost was going to take a picture this morning, but he moved to quick. He looks like he is conducting a symphony out there. It's too cute.

This is the first time that we have been home together in a while. He is making shish-kabobs. The best part is that each piece he puts on the stick he says. So for example, "next (says in a singing voice, orange, chicken, whoops, wasn't suppose to do that, oh, lets go with green next, onion (again singing, tomato (singing), pork/chicken, and I need yellow, some more onion, some more pork, some more chicken, onion, tomato (singing again) whoooooo". Anyway, you get the picture.

It's almost noon. We'll be leaving here soon. Bob says 12:45 pm we are leaving. I'd leave now if I had my way, waiting! MJ

Waiting

So you'll see from the post time that it is after midnight. I believe that I am now officially on my summer schedule. In the summer Bob works later (right now 3 to midnight) and I work later at the theater. Changes our entire sleeping schedule. A little rough at the start, but then you get into it. Plus it doesn't get completely dark now so that helps.

Tonight I was sitting here checking email and I started t get a little worried about Bob. It was 11:55 pm and I was worried that he wasn't home yet. I forgot that today was the first day he is working 3 to midnight. When I called him, he just laughed. Hey, I was worried.

Aunt Mary and Uncle Phil will be here in 10 hours and 28 minutes, so of course we are all fired up and who knows when we will head off to bed. Plus I had a nap today. I had an eye doctor appointment and then a dentist appointment. Three fillings today. Almost all done - just need to finish the implant and then I need a crown. That's why I needed to nap. I was all novocained up. Both sides of my mouth. Now it just aches. Hopefully by morning it will feel better.

Last night I read my mom's recent blog to Bob. It had us laughing so hard. What six year uses the term "lolly gags". Oh, love that boy. It's a funny blog about being a mom. Which of course I know nothing about, but it made me laugh and laugh. I'll be rereading it regularly. I also read Ashley's blog about E.Tate. He is a character. I just can't wait to get home and squeeze him. Actually all of our nieces and nephews. It is hard to not wish time to go by faster knowing that we will see everyone soon. And squeeze everyone soon! Be warned. MJ

Laugh, laugh, laugh. . .

all you want. That's apparently what a few of you have done over my last post. Let me pose a question: Why is it that we all fell too embarrassed to help someone out and tell them that there pants are unzipped. No, we just let the poor fool walk around that way!

We lost another member of our fish tank. Our original frog. He blew up. It looked like someone puffed him full of air and he never recovered. So sad. The frogs are my favorite. Time to get a replacement. MJ

Here ya' go!

Here's another Red Dog Costume. . .the Doorman, errr, women, outfit.

I got the pictures to load tonight. I just needed to do them one at a time. Top photo: the entire outfit. Next: My garters, one on each arm. Next: Sherrif's Badge. Last: Self-portrait, while I was waiting for Bob to take the top picture. Actually all but the top photo are self-portraits. I am getting so good at taking my own picture. Is that self-absorbed?

So where to begin. . .this job started off as me being "on-call" for the Red Dog Gift Shop this summer. But yesterday, Mike called me to say that the Doorman was out sick and would I like to do it. Well, of course in my mind all I see is a big burly man with attitude (like my college days) working the door. But I asked what I would do and off I went. When I got there I was handed my suspenders and garters. I had not a clue to be quite honest, so someone Mike referred to as "Grandma" helped dress me. I don't wear suspenders, how would I know? Dressed and ready I worked the door and told people where to sit, basically I get to boss people around (not really). I meet some fun people and chatted with them about there vacations. I got a fist-to-fist from a big man who sat at the first table (who I told should have my job, big man). I also realized that after I came back from my potty break, I forgot to zip up my pants. Yeap, keep laughing. I can't even remember how long I was standing up in front of people that way. Bob and I were laughing last night wondering how many pictures I am in with my pants unzipped. Then there was the man who when he came in I asked how many, "just one". So I told him that he could sit up at the bar. He took a stool next to where I was standing and asked if I wanted to join him. I told him that I was working. He said when do you get off and me, not thinking says "five". "I'll wait", he said. I didn't think anything of it, finished my day and about 10 minutes to 5 a man walks up to the door again and says "I am back". I told him to sit up at the bar and slowly realized he was the man from earlier. Lucky for me the main entrance is not the only way in or out. So I went out the back door. Oh and now I am to just come into work each day that I can and bring my "bag of costumes". They don't know what I will be doing, but they will put me to work some where. Damn my good work ethic and can do attitude. Where did my mother go wrong?!!! Oh, I also forgot to say that I spent the entire day in the doorway and it is windy and in the 50's here now, so I could not get warm the rest of the day. Brrr. MJ

Another day at the Red Dog Saloon. . .

You're gonna love this!!! Or maybe not. I can't get the pictures to appear, guess I'll try again tomorrow. MJ

Layin' on a log

Bob and I were both off of work today. That is a rare-ity lately. Bob had a dentist appointment this morning. After that we headed down to Sandy Beach. There was a Fish Mobile (big trailer with fish stuff in it) down there. It was pretty sweet, but definitely needed to rent a kid to fully enjoy it. Then we went for a little hike on Treadwell. When we got to the bridge, we were enjoying the view, laying on a log. I just love this picture!

Molly at the Red Dog

We'll both be working at the "Red Dog" this year. The difference is I will be working at the Red Dog Saloon (in the gift shop) in Juneau and Bob will be north at the Red Dog Mines (no free tee for him). I started on Sunday, just a few hours to get familiar with the product and registers. They are going to have me as an on-call person for now. We'll see how it goes. I will be working at the theater in the evenings. Last summer we were open for matinees, but this summer, due to the electrical rates, we are only open at night, so I had some extra time. MJ

Graduation

One of my co-workers at the theater, who has no family here, asked me to go to Graduation today. I felt very honored. So today I went. A class of 460 kids. I was impressed, in and out in two hours. The really neat part was that 6 kids from the theater graduated today. Colton, Cora, Desiree, Jamie, Myrissa, and Trevor. Now the reality is that I could be any of there mom's. It's kind of funny. Anyway, Colton is the one who asked me to come and even made sure that I had a ticket. This kid has the best smile, one of those that lights up the world. Myrissa, who just started at the theater a couple of weeks ago, gave me a big hug when she saw me. I sat on the correct side of the gym and each ne of them walked right by me. I got some great pictures for them. They are a good group. After the ceremony I walked back downtown to meet Chris for coffee and I was feeling a little alone. But it was so wonderful to be a part of their day. Colton leaves Tuesday to return to the interior so we said our goodbyes. My heart wraps around people, thus the reason I said I wasn't going to make friends when we moved here, it's so hard to say goodbye. It's important to hold onto those moments that make you smile. MJ

Private

SO I made the blog private and sent out invites. We'll see how it goes. If you hear anyone saying they can't get in, tell them to send us an email, I may have forgotten someone. Plus we can only have 100 readers and we used most of that, so depending, we may go public again. MJ

Deciding What Matters

My mom started a blog, it is so cool. I added a link to it under Forever Friends, check it out if you have the time. MJ

Summer Vacation, almost there

I am almost on Summer Vaca. This Saturday we have Saturday School and then it is official. But as for this morning, I am enjoying myself. Cup of coffee, read the newspaper, email, a little blogging and then it's off to do the dishes and some cleaning up. The weather has been very nice for over a week and today looks like the start of a low ceiling and maybe rain. It's okay, a few days like this let you clean up and get ready for the days of sun again.

Has anyone ever had frogs? One of ours is huge, it's either pregnant or going to below up. We really don't know which.

I have a job interview with RALLY today. It is a before school, after school, summer program for elementary students. I put in for a full time position, but if that doesn't work out I also put in to be a sub. This summer my plan is to save, save, save, so that next summer will be the summer of Molly. I don't know what that means yet, but I am going to work on it.

I was given a wonderful complement yesterday. Our drama teacher told me that my name had come up in a meeting and all involved were impressed and grateful for the work I am doing. It's nice to hear those things. I am hoping to get more training and start taking some classes (once we official become residents, 2 years in Alaska). It's the right place to be. My thinking is to keep doing what I am doing and work towards a Masters in School Counseling. Then wait around for someone to retire!

We got our first electric bill, $287.50. Ouch. We even cut our electrical use in half. 533 kilowatts were used last month. I have set the bill aside and will think on how to proceed. I am still pretty upset, as is Bob, that this privately owned company did not have insurance and/or money set aside for a "rainy day". There is a group of citizens here who are refusing to pay the .11 per kilowatt that was before this disaster. It's just not right that a company makes billions in profit and then when something bad happens, they do not have to spend that profit to fix the problem. Thus the monopoly. What choice do we have? None, which is part of the problem.

Off to gather up recyclables and do some dusting. MJ

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!!

The kids have left the building. Today was there last day. Tomorrow is mine. Just have to pack up my classroom and I am done. Bet you never thought that you would hear those words come out of my mouth.
It was a smooth day. We had 8th Grade Promotion. I must admit I got a little chocked up.

At the end of the day I watched the kiddos leave (just like everyday). But oh were they so excited. One of our basketball players is moving away and she gave me the biggest hug. Coaching was the best thing I did for myself this year.

"Oh, Jesus, God", that's what I said when I was peddling home tonight when my heart stopped because I was going up hill, slowly, and when I looked up there was a deer staring me in the eyes. All I could think was these things are so skidish it's going to ram into me. But it didn't and I said a pray thanking God for not letting it be a bear and that I got to be that close to it. You know when it happened I also thought "gee, I should stop and get it's picture". Had my camera in my bag.

I went downtown and read for a while at Marine Park, then came on home. Funny, I feel like I have so much time on my hands! MJ

Sunshine

It has been unbelievable warm here the past couple of days. I have been able to wear shorts and a tank top and flip-flops. I can't even believe it. This is what gets you through during the rainy days. Right now I am out on our deck and enjoying the warmth. In a little while I am headed to Sandy Beach with my book and blanket (to lay on). The seaplanes are buzzing up and down the channel. Who would have ever thought that I would sit out on my deck. looking our over a channel and mountains and watch the seaplanes go by. This place is surreal.

I packed up my pack today and tried it on. I am hoping that I actually have room for clothing and food. Right now I am not so certain. We are going out Rainforest Trail tonight and are going to camp out. I know that this will be hard to believe, but this is the first time that we have been out camping since we moved here. Our maiden voyage. Bob has to work until 11 pm so he will meet us out there. Hopefully he won't run into any bear on the walk out. It is still fairly light at 11 pm and the trail is an easy on so he should be okay. Well, the place doesn't clean itself and the laundry doesn't self wash so I better get finished so that I can go play. MJ

Our spot

Bob and I went out to "our spot" last night and had a little fire and some dinner. It was a beautiful night. My hot dog ended up in the fire (but I pulled it out and ate it). Apparently laying my stick and dog in there was not the brightest idea. Of course Bob's turned out golden brown. He is the golden child. Anything he touches turns to gold! (eventually) It was a nice night and we are looking forward to many more this summer.

FYI: Bob will now be working 2 pm to 11 pm Wednesday thru Sunday. His schedule will continue to get pushed back. We'll keep you posted as it happens. MJ

Sign of the times

One of my favorite people recently ran into trouble due to their blog. So, with that I have decided to make ours private as of June 1st. So if you read our blog and want to continue, send us an email so we can put you on our list. MJ

"Jimmy Tapping" defined

Yes, it was was most of you thought. The boys have been "making a game" out of "tapping". You learn something new everyday. MJ

ROPES

That is what I have been working on . . . Rite of Passage Experiences. It is a project that our Eighth Graders start at the beginning of the year. They choose a subject that they want t learn about (it is suppose to be something that will challenge them), then they find a "Coach" (a community member who has knowledge on the subject and is willing to work with the student), they write essays, make posters, then at the end of the year they present their project to a panel of 3 community members out at UAS (University of Alaska Southeast). It is a big deal. Where I came I this year was to reserve the University, get food donations, find drivers to transport students to and from the University, find panelist, make copies, schedule panelist, and countless other pieces of the puzzle. It was a big job. I spent may extra hours on this. But it is done for this year. The students are relieved and so is the staff. I have one student run down the hall, arms open in a hug posture, so happy that she was done with her presentation.

So now I am on to the Eighth Grade Dance which is this Friday, May 23rd. Thank goodness the staff working on it hasn't used my services very much or I would have been in real trouble. MJ

Saying Goodbye

Just put our visitors back on their cruise ship a couple hours ago and jut like the song says, it is so hard to say goodbye. We had a wonderful, memorable day together. It's so good to have guests. Talk to you more this weekend. MJ

Busy, Busy

Just wanted to say that we are still here, just really busy with work. I'll catch up with you this weekend. Take Care - MJ

How much smoother it runs

Well, well, well, what a difference it was on my bike today. I made it home in 45mins and road up all the hills until I got home. We live up a mountain, what can I say, I'm not that good. Yet. Maybe by the end of the summer. It was a nice ride. Bob tightened up all the spokes and raised the seat. Put a fender and mirror on. I still have to put on the flashing light. I had my helmet and I was peddling with no ares in the world!

We are down to 14 days of school. I have 2 big projects that I am working on and it is making the time fly by. Too quickly actually. But all I can do is my best and on this first project which will happen next week whether I am successful or not, when it's over I will exhale. The other project is the 8th Grade Dance and I am the back-up helper there. Once this project is over I will jump into that. I really enjoy the ISS part of my job. Working with our students is what I enjoy the most. This whole Volunteer Coordinator thing is tough. I do it because it's my job, but it is really hard to depend on other people. But there's just not enough of me to do it all.

Today I was reminded how blessed I am that I have a loving, nonviolent family. I always had a roof over my head and food to eat. Even if I didn't like them, they were there. Not everyone has that and it's sad. It just really reminded me how wonderful my mom is. Thanks mom! MJ

A Middle School Education

I learned a new word this week. The word is jimmy tapping. Do you know the definition? I will let you think about it and get back to you in a few days. MJ

Monday, Monday

Next Tuesday, one of our friends Kim (there are 3 Kim's), parents will be in Juneau off their cruise ship. I will be playing tour guide and I really enjoy that. Anyway, today we got a package from them and it had goodies from Michigan. One of the items is from Honeytree, Onsted, Michigan. Are you kidding me? I never had anything from there and now I live in Alaska and someone sends it to me. It is so cool. MJ

Stuff I keep forgetting to post

I was talking to my mom last night and there was stuff I keep forgetting to post and now this morning I can't remember what it was. Ugh, I have a bad memory, that's why I write everything down. Anyway, Bob and I are enjoying our little bit of time together this morning. Ofcourse he has on Children of the Corn and it definetly no on my list!

More on the week

The first cruise ship arrived on Wednesday. It feels so good to me to see them. Like we ARE connected to the outside world. I really do enjoy the tourist and the atmosphere of downtown when they are here. Plus they bring $ to spend and lets face it, what community couldn't use more $?

The end of the school year is approaching fast and I have a few big projects to finish. Lots of volunteers are needed and I bet you are all glad you are not close enough for me to ask! Our yearbooks are in, but just like the kids I have to wait until the 19th. I thought that it would be fun to get one since I coached this year and am getting to know a lot more of the kids. It will be sad to see the 8th Graders move on, but I think even sadder when our 6th graders go and you've been with then for 3 years. All in due time. We only have 17 days with the students and 18 workdays left. Crazy how fast it went. I'll talk more about the projects that I am working on later.

After SS I head to the theater to work the matinee. I am at the school from 9-1 and the theater from 12:30 to 5. See a problem with that? They all work with me and I race out of one plan and race into the next. Then I am going down to the Red Dog Saloon to fill out an application to work in the gift shop over the summer. The GM from the theater is part owner now and said he'd like to have me work there. He knows my schedule at the theater and will work around it. We;ll see how he feels when he sees how many days off I need in June. But I am dependable, hard-working and very people orientated so it should all work out. I am anxious to get the electric bill $ saved and work on our Disney funds.

I better bug-off now, work to do. MJ

Back at Saturday School

Yeap, here I am again. I thought that I would be off this week, but I have the next 2 off. We have had a busy week and are adjusting to Bob's new schedule.

Tuesday I stayed at school for the 5th grade parent meeting. I was able to get a couple volunteers signed up for next year. It's a start. The summer will fly by and I will be back at trying to organize events.

The new schedule is a little rough and I have gotten out of sync. Today I slept until 7 am and then laid on the coach until 7:45 am. Crazy and I don't like it. The opening for Iron Man was last night and I worked. IT was crazy busy, which I like, but I am exhausted today. I was to get out of work at 9:30 am, but we sold out the first show and I just couldn't see leaving my co-workers to deal with the second showing. The night flew by. So I worked until 10:30 and then bailed out of there. I am going to pick up another night now that Bob is working later. That way hopefully when the electric bill comes it won't be so overwhelming.

Joelle gave me a bike this week and on Wednesday Bob dropped me off at work and my plan was to ride it home. It can't be any harder than walking and much quicker. So I rode to Tristan's after work, we went for a walk (about an hour) and then I started for home (5:54 pm). Well, let me just say that I did a lot of praying on that bike ride. It is harder than walking and I can't even believe it. I had gotten up to 8 miles/5 days a week and I didn't think that bike and I were going to make it home. First off, my butt hurt so bad, I mean bad! I forgot about that part. A couple spots I got off my bike to push it up a hill and I had the "cowboy walk" going. I was shocked. I finally did make it home and it only took me 1 hour. That is what I was hoping for. Unfortunately I haven't done it again. Bob is going to do some maintenance on the bike. Long about the time I got to the JDHS, my peddles started to stick. I was getting a little panicky about whether I was just going to get off and walk that bike home or just ditch it and catch the bus. I did a lot of taking to God and asking him to get me and that bike home. I told Him I knew it wasn't the most important of prays, but I could us a little help. I told Bob about my little problem and when he looked at the bike he discovered that the wheels wobble from side to side when you ride. This weekend I have to get a spoke wrench and he's going to see if that will do the trick. I need to get back to riding and/or walking. I have already missed 2 days and I am feeling groggy and lazy.

I went out on Thursday night and got a bike helmet. I am not to crazy about the way they look, but I figured if I am going to make this bike my mode of transportation, I need to be smart about it. Funny how as a teenager I would ride down 223 with semi's blazing by me and it didn't really bother me, but when I rode home on Wednesday all I could think about is if I fall, it's gonna hurt. Does that go with getting older? I am not to happy that all the helmets have to be aero-dynamic. I mean seriously for the average rider, we don't move that fast. I almost looked at the all purpose helmets, but I figured I'd get too much crap for that. I also bought a mirror so I can see who's be hind me without turning my head. There are other plans: a fender, saddle bags, flashing lights, maybe a bell and basket on front. But for now we will just get it in working order. It will save us in gas and help me to continue my goal of having a healthy body. With my family history I don't think I will even bother with a healthy mind.

Well, I know that there is a limit on blogs so I had better post this one now. MJ