They're on the Road Again . . .

That's right, the MI crew is returning from FL. They should be home this evening. Maybe, since thanks to Bob & I MY MOTHER has the rest of the week off, SHE WILL GRACE US WITH A BLOG ABOUT THE TRIP. CAN YOU HEAR ME MOTHER??? I am waiting and you know that I don't like to have to wait!!! MJ

Our Christmas Photo

Our Christmas Morning

Our presents under the tree . .

Molly opening her earplugs from Bob. Maybe I won't hear him snoring now.

Bob showing of his "Christmas Vacation"

We have had a fun little Christmas morning. I woke up around 6 am and realizing about 45 minutes later that there was no hope of falling back to sleep, I went into the other room to play on the computer and make some phone calls. Bob woke up around 8 am and we opened our presents. Talked to some more family and friends, watched a little of the 24 hr Christmas Story marathon, had our Christmas morning breakfast of Captian Chrunch French Toast and bacon and now we are chillin' watching a little Christmas Vacation. Bob is informing me now that next we will watch Fred Claus. I think that I will do a little scrapbooking of last years Christmas, blog and post all of our pictures on Snapfish. Also we took a video of us opening presents, so I will work on editing that today too, so we can share it with you. Merry Christmas. MJ

Our Christmas Eve

Photos: Bob opening his Christmas jammies, Bob showing off his new Christmas jammies, Molly showing off her Christmas jammies, Molly opening her Christmas jammies

Thanks to the Lephew-Havens family, Bob and I started a tradition when we moved here. We get the gift of new jammies on Christmas Eve, then you put them on and stay in them all Christmas Day. Love new jammies!!! Bob's are super soft and mine are too. But mine has these cute little flower buttons.

They arrived . . .

They arrived safely in FL and were visiting with Denise and family when I spoke with them last night. I am hoping that MOM WILL BLOG about the trip, but I guess that I am not holding my breath. I will still hope though. MJ

On there way to FL . . .

That's right my mom, bro, E. Tate and ARB are just now leaving for FL to spend Christmas with Denise, JJ, Steven, and Tristianna. You know me, I worry, so ofcourse now my nerves are all a mess and I am sure that they will stay this way until they are safe at Denise's.
The weather outside is frightful
and them driving make me a little excitable . . .
Keep them in your prayers. MJ

20th Century Christmas Party

Yeap, our party was last night. It is always fun, they rent out the bowling alley (all 10 lanes of it) and we bowl, have pizza and they do drawings for prizes. Oh and there is also a popcorn eating contest. Here are a few pixs of the night. The top photo is the popcorn eating contest. I love popcorn, but not inhaling it! The second picture is Aaron and his Christmas ham - just cracked me up. This ham is good until 2033, now that belongs in the emerganc kit!!! MJ

The blessings of technology . . .

So I grumbled when I had to create a myspace account to read Scott's posts and then I grumbled again when I signed up for facebook. But it really is worth it. Between the 2 I have now "chatted" with all of our nieces and there is no way I would be able to not read Scott's posts boy cracks me up and challenges my mind.
This week I have started the jogging thing again. Lets face it, I like to eat and the only way to stay a little bit in shape is if I push myself. Believe me, I wish that I had Bob's metabolism and could eat whatever, whenever and still look like I did when we first meet (not that I am bitter about it). That man hasn't gained a lbs in 16 years - what is that??? So I force myself to go and during and after I always feel so good about it, it's just getting there.
Tomorrow is the last day of school before break. We are trying not to think about the fact that we should have been on a plane tomorrow - but it is tuff. There will be next year, but to quote a very wise young lady "it doesn't make it suck any less". My thoughts exactly!!! MJ

Tuesday Twin Day

The craziest part about this is that we did not buy these for Spirit Week Tuesday Twin day, we already owed matching outfits. It's bound to happen when you have a handful of places to shop for 31,000 people! MJ

Another Fantabulous Sunday Morning

I do so enjoy Sunday mornings. I don't have to be at the theater until 1 pm so I get to read the paper, drink coffee, blog, check email, so much before I head off to work. Most Sundays Bob also cooks breakfast and we all know how much I love to see that man cookin' in the kitchen. This morning was Captain Crunch French Toast and it was delicious. We say it on one of the little shows on the Food Network and just had to try it. Can't wait to have that again, it was good stuff! MJ

Greetings Shannon

I know, this is a little weird, but I don't know how to get in touch with you. Email Bob and I at rsandmjnorthtoalaska@gmail.com I have been wanting your address.

May have not gotten a snow day, but

I got my new glasses. They are pretty fancy. They come with clips and they flip so you have 2 designs on the earpiece. The top design has crystals in it and is sparkly. The bottom is a matte finish. Oh the joy of new glasses! MJ

Wating on a winter storm

So the word is that by tomorrow afternoon we should have 12-20 inches of snow. The waiting game is on. I just got home from work a bit ago and it was getting a bit hairy out. We will be leaving for work early tomorrow. MJ

Another Fastbreak

Just got home from Fastbreak and no matter how stressful it is to organize that thing, when you see all those faces in that gym, it is what it's about. A couple of the girls that Tristan and I coached last year made the All Tourney Team. That was pretty cool. The A Team player who helped us this year was the MVP. One of the games went into overtime due to a player hitting a 3 at the buzzer. It was fun. MJ

Facebook

So one of my BFFs sent me an invite to join Facebook. I haven't really figured it out yet, but it is always fun to find new ways to communicate - I just wish that they could be all linked together. But that's the way it is.
It has been busy, busy this week. The Fastbreak Tournament is happening, we had a bit of a snow storm and a power outage, it's gallery walk, Bob's work party. Why does it all have to be at once? MJ

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