GSE Weekend

This weekend was my GSE selection weekend and I spent it with some pretty remarkable people.  I was so nervous, but was put at ease.  Everyone was so kind and I had a wonderful time.  I even cooked!  Imagine!!

Friday Night . . . we all meet and had dinner.  It was pretty neat meeting everyone and listening to the Rotary members stories.  Part of our District is in Russia, so their stories about traveling to and from, were pretty entertaining.  I also meet all of the other GSE applicants and they all seem down to earth.  We had some nice conversations and it was good to meet everyone.  They also told us that tomorrow night we have to cook - are you kidding me, ya all know I don't cook!  They told us that the secret ingredients are a moose roast and some smoked salmon, it sounded like there were some good ideas on how to prepare it.

Me ready for dinner

Me ready for dinner with my sweater 

Saturday . . . After a day of learning about Rotary and presenting our Power Points, which I was pretty nervous about, but I did it!, we also went shopping for our dinner items. 

Devon with the secret ingredients - moose roast

Carrying the groceries up the drive

All of us preparing the feast

Thomas with the moose roast which was taken down by the 11 year old granddaughter of Mike and Peggy from the selection committee.

Me helping with the salad - it was yummy!

A full kitchen

The feast

 Beef Stroganoff

Dinner preparations

The Chocolate Moose (delicious Kate!) brigade

Time to do dishes . . .

After dinner . . . we took the "out of towners" for a night tour of the Capital City . . .

Devon at the Capital

At the Red Dog (aka The Dog) taken the tourist pic . . .

A few drinks at "The Dog" . . .

Cheers!

Sunday Morning . . .this morning we meet with Dora, who will be the Team leader, then we departed . . .

Bob forgot to mention that he had reset the alarm for 5:45 am, instead of 5 am, so the result was me drying my hair at Coastal.

Departing from the hotel . . . the candidates then went to the Glacier

The GSE Candidates at the Mendenhall Glacier

It was a pretty remarkable weekend.  I am glad that I had this opportunity, that's what this "Alaska Life" is, seizing the moments . . .

Time for a change

With the new season, I thought it was time for a change.  Hope you enjoy the new layout, fall is my favorite time of year.  MJ

False Outer Point

This afternoon we went out to False Outer Point so Bob could do some fishing and I did a bit of studying.  It ended up being very warm and sunny. 

False Outer Point.  If you look closely, you'll see Bob fishing.

My study spot, complete with a stump for a desk.

My view.

Dupont Trail

Monday and Tuesday are mine and Bob's weekend.  Today when we woke up it was sunny and warm out.  Normally we head out the road, but since I had to work for a few hours this afternoon, we headed out Thane Road.  Here's Bob at the first waterfall on the trail.

 The view.

Bob hauling in his catch.

 Dupont Dock

Bob's fishing spot.

Relaxing on the beach.

Where we would love to live, in the shack.

Us.

Catch of the day . . .

Bob and I went out to Amalga Harbor today.  It wasn't sunny, but it was a warm day.  Bob fished and I made a little fire and read.  Some pics from the day . . .

Afterwards we raced back to the Valley to watch Despicable Me.  It was cute.  Now a bit of couch time to end the day.

Our 4th of July

The parade . . .

Watching the fireworks from our bed . . .

We didn't actually see the parade, we both had to work.  I was downtown and last year their was no one in the store, so I stood outside and watched.  This year, we were crazy busy and I let our employees enjoy the parade, so they took a few pictures for me.  The family on the bike have been biking all over the US and are from Kentucky.

As for the fireworks, we fell asleep and then were woken up at midnight by the sound of the fireworks.  This year, we could see them from our bed!  What a way to watch them.

Why I love Old Navy

Because I can order clothes that don't cost me a small fortune and when they come they actually fit!

Somethings I learned and was reminded of this week . . .

I learned that . . . .
I like to have some time to myself to rejuvenate.  I don't normally stop, so this is a revelation.  It may be time to start listening more to that inner voice of mine.
it's okay to not be constantly working.  That's huge for me, let's face it, I am a workaholic and it's hard to break that habit.
It's nice to have the time to cook and prepare my meals, paying attention to what I am eating.  Then having the time to clean up and keep everything put away.


I was reminded that . . .
I am married to a wonderful, caring man, whom I adore.
My mother is a Saint and I am not sure why she still takes my calls.
I have the best BFFs in the world.  I love them and miss them.
I have meet some truly incredible people in Alaska.  This place is a blessing.
I really enjoy scrapbooking and getting our pictures into albums, finished another this week.
I enjoy waking slowly, drinking coffee, reading the paper and making breakfast.
I enjoy having time to reconnect, write letters, and talk to those I love.  I have been horrible about sending cards and gifts, something I used to be so good at.  I am going to work on this.
I enjoy having the time to blog.  I always have all these ideas, but never seem to find the time to keep this blog up.  I am going to try and make the time to do this.

I am taking baby steps to stop being a workaholic and let go, it feels good, Bob is right.