First Day of School

What a meal . . .

Tonight's menu by Chef Bob:

Jack Daniels Seasoned Steaks (mine was Philip Mignog, Steven and Bob's were T-Bone)
Baked Potato
Green Beans - Fancy
Texas Toast
and once we recover . . .
Mint Brownies with Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

and the above is why I am finally purchasing a gym membership! I love my man - MJ

Updating

I did actually do a bit of posting today. There is still much more to do, but it is a start. Sorry for you having to look back - who knows when that will end . . . MJ

Pt. Bridget to Blue Mussel Cabin

This was a great cabin to hike to. The trail is so easy and your not spent when you get to the cabin. It was overcast the first day, but no rain and when we woke the next morning it was gorous out. Bob and Steven spent lots of time fishing, Bob caught a nice size fish that we had for dinner. Steven did a little exploring on his own and a little with Uncle Bob, noises in the woods scare boys too! Pt. Bridget Trail is one of our favorites and Blue Mussel is at the top of our cabin list thus far. MJ

Getting ready to hike Pt Bridget

Pt Bridget is a favorite trail of ours - the end reward is so spectaculor. This trip we are hiking out to Blue Mussell Cabin for the night. It's cloudy out, and a bit chilly, but the rain has stopped and we are heading out soon. As I am getting ready this morning a few thoughts come to mind:
- Who doesn' like Smartwool socks? They are a bit pricey, but so worth it.
- It is always important to have a full belly before hitting the trail. This morning it is pancakes
and sausage and hold onto your socks, I am cooking! I know, it's not rocket science, but it's
still me.
- Steven visiting has been good for us in so many ways. One of them is that we are getting out
and enjoying the beautiful cabins that AK State Parks offers. It has been wonderful.
- If you haven't been here yet, you should come. Bob and I love to show this place off. It has so
much to offer if you love God's canvas.
- Getting ready for little trips like this is bittersweet - I am reminded of all the joys of camping
with family and friends - it is so hard to be way from all of you. Our hearts are so full of love
for each and everyone.
- I am grateful to my mom that is rarely ever let us sleep in. I enjoy my mornings. The
peacefulness of it and how productive I can be. She is a wise women.
- My Camelback still taste like iodine - I think it's time for a new one and this one can just be
for "those kind" of hikes!
- I am looking forward to spending time with the "The Time Traveler's Wife".
Time to print our confirmation and head out. MJ

And now it's August!

Preparing Mom's "New" Camera for Delivery

Joelle has been kind enough to deliver mom's "new" camera since she will be in MI. It is packed up and we added a few pics so she could see our smiling faces. When I looked at the pictures we took I realized that we are adorable and I needed copies for us. MJ

Happy Birthday to me . . .

Oh how I do love my red velvet birthday cake. It is worth it to wait - it is so yummy delicious! Joelle was here and got to share in the fun - just one more thing to confirm to her that I am a bit strange. Happy birthday to me . . . MJ

July already

It's so hard to believe that we are on the backside of July. I can't believe how little I have blogged. Too much work. Bob keeps telling me I need to make myself take one day off of work per week, every week. Maybe that will be my New Years' resolution, it just kind of freaks me out to think about, but I guess that would give me time to blog. MJ

4th of July Parade

This was a trip! I swear that it lasted over two hours and we had Captain America and Batman - I know that you are jealous! MJ

New Rainboots

"***-Kickin'-Peacock-Cowboy-Rainboots"

Marley and Me

Stupid *** movie!!! And that's why I don't have a dog. MJ

Other blogs

You'll want to check out two other blogs for a bit: Steven's AK Adventure and Rosco.

Tuesday Morning

School is official out and the summer schedule has almost started. After today I will just be at the theater and the dog. It will be a set schedule, which will be nice. My plan is to get back into running. I don't really enjoy it all that much while I am doing it, but it makes me feels so good after. If I can just get into a routine and keep it once school starts. Monday and Tuesday I have been at a class, Droput Prevention, the strand that I am taking is Boys in Crisis. It was pretty interesting yesterday and gave me some new ideas to try in my classrooom. I do have so much to blog on this page and on Steven's. I hope to
get to them soon. We have all been busy getting adjusted and settling into our summer schedules.
The weather has cooled down. No rain yet, I am wondering what the record is for days without rain and if we are close to it yet. The clouds have rolled in and the temperature has dropped, but it is still pleasent. MJ

74

Oh it feels so good - it is to be hot and sunny all week. Maybe even hit the mid-eighties!!! Bob, Steven and I are planning meals so that when we pick Steven up from work we can head out to cookout.
This last week of school is going to be nuts. I almost have all the dance stuff put away today. Tomorrow we have the Reniassance Faire. Wednesday the dance pictures should be here. I will distibute them on Thursday at lunch. Friday we have Eighth Grade Promotion. School is dismissed at 2 pm. Then it's time to pack up the classroom and get out by 4 pm. After that "School's Out for Summer!!!" MJ

The Nephew has arrived

Steven arrived safely in Juneau. To follow his time her, check out the blog: Steven's AK Adventure. MJ

In the thick of it . . .

It is such a crazy, busy time - the theme of my life! This week the finishing touches are being put on the eighth grade dance, which is Friday. Then Steven arrives on Saturday. I also signed up to be a coach for FIRST Lego League (Lego's, come on, who could say no to that!) for next year and Student Government. We also are having a Renaissance Faire on June 2nd at school. Then of course just all of the end of the year fieldtrips, picnics and mild crisis. It keeps the days hopping! I am hanging up the whistle and no longer coaching bball. It was fun, but, well, a softball coach is probably a better fit for me. Without Tristan I've got no game!
I have decided that it has been good to have the dance to focus on or I would be crawling out of my skin with anticipation of Steven's arrival. I really can't believe that he is going to be here in 72 hours! MJ

May 12th already . . .

I can't even believe it. We are down to 4 weeks of school, Steven will be here in almost 2 weeks. The time is flying and I realized that it has been a while since I blogged. I guess that proves that it isn't always an adventure in Alaska!
Bob and I went and saw Star Trek last night. It was good. We chuckled at the new actors saying the old lines, but they did it well.
It's that time of year again where mine and Bob's schedules are all out of whack. I am super busy at work so I like to go in early and have some time to work on projects without interruptions. Bob on the other hand is now working 2 to 11 pm. You get the picture. I try to stay up until he gets home and he drives me to work in the morning so that I can be there early. Only a few more weeks and I will walk downtown to work.
Not much more going on here. We are hoping to get our flowers planted before Steven arrives, but it is still getting down to 33 - 35 at night, so we are holding off a bit longer. MJ

The Goose is Loose . . .

Bob said that that had to be the title! It finally made it only 2 and 1/2 years later! (long flight or couldn't find it's way out of storage!!! So very glad to have the Guard Goose back!!! MJ

An Alaskan's Tan

You've heard about a farmer's tan, what about an Alaskan's Tan? It consist of a tan face and tan hands!

A warm and sunny day in Juneau

Bob and I went out to enjoy the warm and sunny day!

The Goose is coming, the Goose is coming . . .

Finally the Guard Goose is on it's way. For those of you who don't know, and do, you should check out my mother's blog, there are even pictures. We have been without our Guard Goose since we moved here and finally it is on it's way. Oh the joy that will be when we reunite! MJ

Dear Brother,

Mom said that you have been on here, so since you don't have email and I can't seem to write out a little letter, I thought I would post it for you. Might be fun for you when you find it.
How is it being back in CT?
We have had almost 2 weeks of nice weather - crazy - it's been dry (for the most part) and wonderful. Today as the sun is rising over the mountain, it is shinning right into our place. It is so warm and wonderful. Next stop on the map for us (in a few years) a nice tropical island. Oh goodie.
Bob just got back from Haines on Sunday and has some sweet pictures of skiers and snowmobilers (I refuse to call them snowmachines!). He went across the border (without his passport! customs was apparently none to happy when he was coming back home). I guess he came on the people just "tearing it up". I will find a way for you to see some of the pictures.
Mom said that you let her pick out her room. I told her it sounds like she'll have a better time with you. Here she gets the room we give her (we only have one extra) and we are making a list of projects for her tot do while she is here. Hey, we don't want her to get bored. Of course there you will probably have her cutting wood!
Are you going to the Kid Rock concert at the ballpark? That killed me to see it, what a great time. Even thought I am sad to miss out, I sure hope it's a warm night.
Hope all is well there and that you get to get back to MI and finish your house!
Love you and Miss you Brother - Your Alaska Sister
PS Get email and start a blog!!!

Yeah for Birthdays!

Bob in his new birthday Tiger gear.

Recap

So here's what's been going on:

Bob arrived home today after two weeks of being in Haines. He is glad to be back, Haines doesn't love Bob. His ferry was 11/2 late so we didn't really get to see each other, but he had been up for 24 hours and needed some rest.

We have had 5 days in a row of sun! It has been wonderful and honestly rare. It looks like today the rain is settling in. We will see. It did produce a beautiful rainbow on my way into work this morning.

This week we have had a rock slide down the mountain and land in our driveway again. It has been so warm that things are melting almost too fast.

We had a wee bit of an earthquake on Thursday night. I was wondering what the heck our neighbors were doing that was making our condo shake. The next morning I read the news that we had had an earthquake.

I have heard that my "never gone have a computer or the internet" brother is now sporting a laptop, although he still refuses to have an email account. Really brother? It's nice to have you here. You and the kids should start a blog. ARB (or mom) could show you how and the kids could keep it up.

The first cruise ship arrives on April 20th, yeah, Monday and downtown is starting to come alive. Those poor people coming off the first boat had better have packed some cold weather gear, average temp is 40! MJ

A Blessed Easter

This was a quiet little day for me with Bob still in Haines. This is a picture of my little dinner for one. MJ

Round and round I go . . .

I have noticed that I am on a cycle. Monday it's the beginning of the work week and I am feelin' good . . . Tuesday starting to feel a little tired . . . Wednesday. . . crash . . . Thursday I stay up late, full of energy cuz I know I've got one day to go! This week is no different, I should be asleep. One more day to go . . .MJ

Playin' a little catch-up, again . . .

Wow, already April and 9 weeks of school left. So hard to believe! Basketball season and the end of the school year are the busiest for me. That's when I have all my big projects. This year it is ROPES and the Eighth Grade Dance. The dance I did to myself, thanks to Darla at work who is super excited about it and making props already, I am feeling pretty good. Most of the decorations have arrived, now I just need to focus on what to do for invitations.
The end of the school year, add the soon to come first cruise ship and I have been working like mad. As Scott sad in his blog, there are not enough hours in the day! Somewhere in all this I really need to get back to running and riding my bike. I am looking forward to the snow melting and opening up the trails and sidewalks.
State winning sure was exciting! It would have been more fun to have someone to get excited with, but that's how it goes when you move across the country.
Today will be filled with cleaning and getting ready for the week. Right now there are biscuits and gravy preparing and I am waiting for the Sunday paper. MJ

Tax info has been gathered

I finally finished - I am now going to catch up my info for 2009 since I will not let myself go through this again next year!!! MJ

Things I have done in the past two days to avoid our taxes:

1- cleaned out the fridge and washed it all down.
2- laundry
3- cleaned the condo
4- birthday cards
5- washed the front entry floor
6- made brownies
7- packed my lunch for tomorrow
8- blogged

It's really sad actually, I just hate getting all the "stuff" around and since I know that we owe this year, I really don't care.
It seems that we have another little storm today. For a while it was a white-out. We couldn't even see across the channel!
It was cool to see MSU more onto the Final Four! They're always my team. This year if Bob and I would have done brackets, I might not have gotten creamed by him! MJ