Lilacs

I was so surprised the other day when I was walking home that I have been walking and driving by an entire block of lilacs and never even noticed.  I was stunned!  It is incredible to me that I have lived here for four years and never realized it was there.  It smells lovely and I will now make it a point to walk this way home and so that I can enjoy the beauty.

High Finger Fivin' the Mitten

On my walks to work in the morning, I have passed this "mitten" since we moved here.  Recently I started high fivin' it with my finger, it's not big enough for a full high five.  It kind of makes me laugh each time I do it, got a little Monk in my I guess cuz' now I can't pass it without the finger five.

Happy Birthday Sis!

Happy Birthday Sis!  I hope that you take some time for yourself today, you deserve it!

One lonely flip-flop

You would think that I would know better than to try and wear flip-flops on my walk to work, but in my defense after our hike the other day I got a blister and it hurt too darn much to wear shoes, so I headed to work in flops.  About 10-15 minutes into the walk I realized that this wasn't happenin'.  I need real shoes and I know this.  So I stop along side the road, change shoes and finish my hobble to work.  After a couple hours at work I can't take it anymore and decide to go and put my flops back on.  What do you think I find . . .

that's right, I only have a flop, no flip!  I must have left the other along side the road.  So after work, before my meeting I went and bought a pair of open back shoes.  Then I my way home I look for my flip, but no luck, I am left with a flop!

Campers' Cove Hike

Monday the 7th was Bob and mine's first day of summer vacation day off together.  The weather had been so nice that we decided to head out for a hike.  We both needed new hiking boots and we had been wanting to purchase a new smaller backpack for day hikes.  Using backpacks that are made for school books, just don't cut it and we've done that long enough.  Could be that we are getting older and we have a few more aches and pains then we used too.  After spending my entire first paycheck from the Dog, we had what we needed and were ready to go. 

The plan was to hike to Campers' Cove Cabin, have some lunch, fish and read, then hike out.  The hike was beautiful and it was so warm and sunny out.  At the cabin we played in the water, it was actually a nice temp, you could walk around in the shallow bay and your feet didn't ache from the cold after two minutes.  Then Bob fished, I read and we enjoyed the sunshine.  When it was time to start hiking out we decided that instead of hiking out the way we came, we would hike the loop, connecting so one of our favorite trails, Pt Bridget.  This is where the fun really begins, first, we didn't bring bug stuff, who forgot that?, then we were both a bit more tired then we realized and started to drag, next, we kept seeing some very large paws prints, trying to convince ourselves that it was a large dog!  On the way through the meadow, the tall grass started rustling, I knew that I couldn't make it to catch up with Bob before whatever was coming crossed our path, so I started backing up.  That darn porcupine scared the bejesus out of me!  He was all puffed up, Bob said, "it's not gong to shoot it's quills at you", how did he know that's what I thought it was going to do?  The rest of the hike to the trail head was fairly uneventful, just the two of us being together, enjoying this beautiful place, smacking at bugs and stumbling over tree roots cuz we were tired and not lifting our feet.  Once we hit the road, we had about a mile hike back to the truck.  Bob had said on the hike, when we were seeing lots of scat, that we wouldn't see a bear in the woods, but we would on the road . . . luck for us, I had my new whistle.  What a fabulous first hike.

 New Gear

Also notice on the new day pack a new carabeaner and whistle, which came in handy for beinging loud to let the bear know we were there.

Some of the bays that we hiked to

Nature

Molly playing in the cove

Nothin' like finding a rope swing in the middle of the woods

Wildfowers in the meadow

PS Thank you Joelle for our NAO gift certificates!

A Quiet Morning at Auke Bay Marina

This morning I was up super early, Bob had to be to work at 6 am and since I needed the truck, I was up with him.  I decided to just get ready for the day, Saturday School at 9 am, and after I took him to work, I went for a drive.  I ended up on Back Loop Road and as I entered Auke Bay, I say this gi-normous yacht!

Seriously, I know that you can't really tell from the pictures, but it was huge.  I never could see the name of it, I wanted to Google it and see if I could find out where it came from, no luck.  I am always curios who these things belong to when they roll into town.

A sailboat named Bob.

This was an odd looking boat and I was wondering what it was.  Upon closer inspection I found it to be for oil spill response.

It was flying a pirate's flag.

Auke Bay Marina

Heading out for a day of fishing.

Memorial Day 2010

Whales, Eagles Sea Lions and Bears - Oh My!

Bob and I spent our Memorial Day at Sunshine Cove this year, watching whales play.  When the day started we weren't sure where we were going to end up when the day first started.  We drove out the road and there were so many cars and people (of course), but as we drove back, discussing where to go, we saw a whales tainl and that was it, decision made.  We parked the truck, sat along side the road for a bit, then Bob found a way down to the beach and that's where we stayed.

Whale - we didn't bring our camera with a lense, so no close ups, but we watched them all day, it was pretty cool.

Cooling off.

Bob went for a little walk and watched the whales play.

We think that there were also sea lions playing too.

These guys used this tiny little boat to check their crab pots.  We watched them bring in some crab and them woot and hollar as the crabs snapped at them.

A new design

I figured that I better get those raindrops off of our blog since it has been so warm and sunny here. 

There are nine days of school left and one big project is out of the way, now onto the eighth grade dance. Last week was GPS (Goals for Personal Success) for our eighth graders and I do some coordinating for that.  It did almost defeat me, I ended up sick, might have something also to do with the clouds of pollen blowing around, and have roughly 5 cold sores all over my lips.  It has sent me home early two days this week and I am seeing what it plans to do with my weekend.  The one in which I need to get things done for the dance!  Anyway, you know I am sick if I miss work.  I have slept roughly 35 hours in 2 days and could still use some more.  Not to mention that fact that it is beautiful out and I would rather stay tucked under the covers.  Bob was also sick this week and our Adam friend too.  We all need to get better so that we may enough the lovely days.

Happy Mothers' Day!

I have been truly blessed to know some many wonderful mothers.  To all of you, thank you for all you have taught me, you are the most incredible women and I am blessed to have you in my life.

To my own mommy - I can't wait until we are "together again".  I miss my mom and wish we weren't so far apart, but I blame that on you . . . you raised us to believe that we can do anything and so here I am thousands of miles away and grateful for the woman that you are.  No, I am not crying, my eyes are just a bit watery.  I love you mom.

Frist Day in the Shop . . .

Today was the first day since the cruise ships started to roll into town that I was in the gift shops interacting with tourist.  And wouldn't you know it on day one . . . "has Sarah been in lately?".  Okay, so I know what he means, but here is my poor employee, her first day, and I can see that she's thinking "do we have a Sarah who works here?".  Anyway . . .
Come on, first if she was still our Governor, it would be Governor Palin, NOT Sarah!!!  Second SHE QUIT - she is no longer our Governor, never liked Juneau and is probably gallivanting around the country overcharging at events that she speaks at!!!!!!!!!!  Seriously, it is day one for me, don't even get me started!
On a happier note, all of our employees seem to be good, it's a nice start to the season.

Birthday Girl

Happy 21st birthday Brit!

Getting started . . .

Tonight I started my Library Science course through UAF.  I am a bit cranky that I have to take a 100 level course, but so be it.  I will be writting a research paper, topic of my choice, I do like that part.  I have an idea in mind, but still want to think about it a bit before I submit my topic.

The wallet has been found

Finally!  The funniest part is that it was with us the entire time that we were gone.  It was in an outside pocket on Bob's carry on that is made for umbrellas.  It took three days to find it and we were so lucky that it didn't fall out.  The pocket is designed to slide your umbrella into so it is open about 6 inches at the bottom.  Woowee lucky.

Our weekend in Seattle . . .

to see the Tigers!!!
We had a wonderful time, lots of baseball and browsing.  We stayed right downtown in Pioneer Square and explored much of downtown Seattle.  What a great town.  It is set up easily for getting around and seeing the sites.  We decided that we will travel to a new ballpark each year to see the Tigers play and explore a new town.

Thank goodness for passports . . .

As we were getting ready to run out the door at 6 am to catch our 7 am flight, Bob discovered that he couldn't find his wallet.  He had it last night and now it's gone.  After ten minutes of frantic searching we grab his passport and headed to the airport.  We then stood in the longest line I have ever seen at our airport and made it in time to walk on the plan, no waiting.

Gifts from my Auntie . . .

What sweet, and salty, treats from home.  It was fun to come home and find and unexpected surprise in my mailbox.  Thank you at Ruthie!  It reminded me of how you always had raviolies and Quick in your house for me.

"Are those bacon?"

That's what a sixth grade boy asked me today about my earrings. 

I didn't reply right away and then, "you know, I really like bacon.  But no, they are not bacon."

Now I'm cranky!

So I had send that I liked the new blogger, but now I am not so sure.  I just tried to load some pictures and you can't download from your computer or a memory card anymore.  What is that?  Not happy.  Did I miss something?

Dinner in the park

It was so nice out tonight that Bob and I went to subway and then went to Marine Park to enjoy our little bit o' time in the sun. 
This week is SBAs, so school is a bit, well, just different.  The students that I am working with are testing at different times so it's a bit to manage.  As long as I don't forget their time slot I am okay.
Bob and I leave for Seattle on Friday morning and since I keep talking about it, you know that we are excited!

A night in Seattle - April 7th

Tonight I spent in Seattle, before catching a fight to Orlando in the morning.  I ate dinner at Denny's, soup, sandwhich, drink and a sundae all for $10.00 - unbelievable!  Then I went to the tiny hotel gym and a bit of a walk, it is so nice out, couldn't miss being outside for a bit.  After, curled up in my kingsize bed with 5 pillows - what a treat.

I will post a few pics later, need to download them onto this itty bitty computer and there isn't internet in my room ...

How Bob spent his birthday

First, he drove me to the dentist and then had to walk to work, which believe me, I heard about.  I left today for a conference and needed the truck.  It really wasn't that far of a walk, just the point that it was his birthday.  Then he worked.  After work he was going to treat himself to a bit of Chinese, but went he went to Foodland (yes, that's where we get our Chinese from and it's yummy), they were out.  So he ended up with McDonald's.
He did say that he received many b-day wishes and was happy about that.
Next weekend our b-days will be celebrated, we are heading to Seattle for a bit of Tiger baseball.  Both of us are so excited.

On a work trip . . .

That's right, Molly is on a work trip.  Usually it's Bob who gets to travel all about Alaska on adventures.  I am headed to Orlando for a PSRP Conference.  I am pretty excited to see what the conference is all about.  I had a hard time deciding which presentations that I wanted to go to, there were many good ones to choose from.  I am also exctied to get another chance to see my sister.  She is going to come over and stay with me for the weekend and we will get to hang-out in the evenings.

LOVE THE NEW BLOGGER DASHBOARD!!!

While I'm waiting . . .

It is that time of year where I am working on the Eighth Grade Dance and I have Parent Meetings/Decoration Making Nights.  This is one of them and now I am waiting for Bob to get off work and come and get me.  These are the times when I do wish we had a second car, but they don't last long and I am always glad that we made the decision to scale down.  So I figured what the heck, I should blog.  I actually have all sorts of things that I have been wanting to blog about:  new rainboots (that are now 1.5 months old, the projects we have been working on, my travel plans for April, getting a cell phone and so on, but never seem to make the time.  Well, maybe now that I will be waiting for Bob from time to time, I should start back at it.
Last week was Spring Break and I spent the weekend working at the Dog to start getting ready for the tourist season.  It is a nice change to work there on breaks.  I enjoy the energy of downtown and seeing how happy and excited, for the most part, that people are to be in Alaska.  I feel really good about what we got accomplished last week.  Now we just start filling in the pieces.  This year is pretty cool for me, because I got to pick some of the styles that we are going to carry.  Here's hoping that they do well . . .
I did take the weekend off to relax and enjoy some quiet moments with Bob.  That was the last weekend we will have together for a while.  He switches this week to having Friday and Saturday off, so these next two months are always a bit difficult for us to find time together.  I usually work on Saturdays for at least half the day.  But summer vacation will be here soon and when he is not at Red Dog, we will again have the same days off.
Well, I guess I kind of fibbed about us not having days off together for a couple months . . . we are heading to Seattle this month to see the Tigers!  WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!  We are so excited, if you couldn't tell.  We redeemed some airlines miles and splurged on the ball tickets - it should be a super fun time.  It's been, yicks, four years since we've been to a ballgame.  Plus we are staying right in the heart of downtown Seattle, I can't wait to explore.