Happy New Year

We wanted to wish everyone a Happy, Safe, Blessed, Joyous New Year.

We are leaving tomorrow for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

We won't be back in Alaska until after the New Year.

We love you!! Bob & Molly

20th Century Christmas Bowling Party

My work party for the Theater was bowling. Bob bowled a 190 and a 200. I bowled a 110 and 136.

Christmas Day

Our gift that John brought with him. We had to take a picture of the wrap.

Merry Christmas. Here are a few photos from our day. We also posted the rest on Snapfish. We have had a happy Christmas. MJ

Oh, Saturday School

It is the first day of break and I am at Saturday School. It is a quiet place to get your work caught up. I haven't really been here as much as I wanted to this year. Basketball kept me pretty busy. Next semester should be a little calmer. (As far as my schedule goes.)

Christmas is in three days and they are going to be a busy three. Today I have SS until 1 pm. Then I am to be at the theater from 1 - 6 pm. I will be a little late for that. Tomorrow Church and then the theater from 1-6 pm. Monday will be a little easier I only work 3 - 6 pm. But I have to check with the bus schedule. On certain holidays they either don't run or have an abbreviated schedule. So I maybe walking to work. Not so bad as long as our weather holds. Last night I made two simple skirts for Mexico. We leave on the 27th. My sewing machine and I have been getting along well together. I have one other project I hope to finish before we leave.

When the holidays roll come along it becomes even more difficult to not have your heart ache for home and familiar faces. It happens with each and every holiday. Those days that you know your family is together and you long to be there with them. Last Saturday we where out to dinner and we started talking about spoons. Bob and I were cracking up remembering playing with Gram. Last night I was looking at a picture of SAM (Sheri, Angie and Molly) I miss my girls. Just that feeling that people really know you and love you anyway. Which is pretty impressive when you figure we have been friends for what 25 years now. Really, we should have had a party. Lets plan for our 50th. We'll be how old? That's a happy thought. Really it is. I love the thought of being old ladies together. It brings a smile to my face.

January 9th we buy our tickets for the Chilkoot. Its not too late to sign on. The more people the less chance of a bear attack. That alone should make you want to come. The Ferry Schedule posts on January 9th so Tristan and I have plans to buy tickets that day. Then it's a done deal. No turning back. I am going to start putting weights in my daypack when I walk in the gym in the mornings. I am hoping that my pack won't be much over 50 lbs. I am sure I am dreaming. I am guessing that it will be closer to 60 - 80 lbs. How many days can you go without food? Kidding, kidding. Food is the last thing that I will leave behind. We are planning on the hike taking 4 1/2 days and then we want to stay a couple days in Skagway. Neither of us (Tristan or I) has been there yet so we figure we should check it out. One Southeast town at a time.

Well, I should get back to catching up. MJ

Just a Thursday

The week is moving along. Nothing too exciting, just daily life. Bob still hushes up and won't let us discuss vacation. He fears Mother Nature will open up and lay her wrath on us so we won't get out of Juneau. Normally I am the one thinking of all the bad scenarios, not this time. I am ready for a few days of the big, hot sun. It will feel so nice on my cold, clamy skin.

It has been one of those fast moving slow weeks. I don't know if that makes any sense to any of you but that is how it is. I love my job and enjoy coming to work each day, but some are challanging. As you can imagine being the ISS Instructor does not make you a students favorite person. I am good with that, but some days I do feel a bit unloved. That's what has made the week have it's slow feeling. But alas, only two more school days and Christmas Break. Giddy-up. Who would have thought that I would get to say those words again in my life, certainly not me.

Well, my computer at school is very slow and when I type it is like i am on a typewriter it takes a while to put the words up. It is annoying so I am done. Have a happy Thursday. MJ

New Fish

The frog is the lone survivor of my "Summer of Terror". Bob picked up some new fish (free - which is good because Bob will go away again and who knows if they will survive with me) from a guy that I work with at the theater. His fish won't stop breeding, he ran out of room in his tanks.

New Glases/Haircut Photo Shoot

What can I say, I think my new glasses are pretty cool and I was bored Friday Night. SO between the new glasses, a haircut and our new super cool, goes under water camera, I took pictures of myself. You can't really see, but they have sparkles on the front of the ear pieces. I knew that I wanted black frame, chunky glass and when I saw these with sparkles, I knew I must have them. The coolest part with my insurance $92. and some change. Now that is awesome. Bob got the princess title this time. His glasses were much, much more. But they do look nice. I can't be the princess all the time. MJ

Bob's New Glasses

They might not look like much, but they are pretty fancy.

Oh Christmas Tree

Here she is, our first real live normal size Christmas Tree. It is a gran event for us. Check out our Snapfish site for more photos.

We got it from behind our condo. We just drove to the end of the road, got out and went looking. And yes, I double checked that it was legal. You know me, I don't like to get into trouble. It was pretty fun. We climbed up a hill that is just fallen trees and logs. No, not real safe or bright. Especially when your out with no cell phone, supplies, or anyone know where you are. But we like to take chances. Plus we had a saw. Tree rolls on you, you saw your leg off and roll home. (just kidding) We were close to home. I know, most accidents happen close to home. Anyway, we (Bob) cut her down, rolled her down a hill and drug her home. I pointed out which one, took pictures, and commented on how I had forgotten how darn poky those trees are.

Once home, Bob had a hard time waiting an hour and a half so all the snow could melt off before we decorated. We spent the rest of that day (last Sunday) decorating the tree and our place. It is nice and festive in here now. MJ

PS The angel on top is creepy. Bob had to have and angel and we found this one at Home Depot. I ccarried it through the store at arms length by the neck. I can't explain why, but it just give me the creeps. Right now I can feel it staring at the back of my head!

Fastbreak

The tournament was a success. Exhausting, but a success. I did another spectacular job, with the Tournament Coordinator. See photo (above).

It is fun to be a part of these events. The players get so excited and I got to be a part of that.

Our team had one win (a forfeit), but hey it was ours and we own it. It was a taught tournament for our team. We had prepared them. The other teams were all 7th and 8th graders. C Teams (like ours) normally don't play in the tournament, but there was space so we did. They handled it well. At the end of the last game they asked if we could still practice in the mornings. It was sweat. Tristan and I still walk each morning at that time.

I see the girls everyday and they tell me what a great coach I am and give me hugs. That's what it's all about. MJ

I know, I know

It has been a while. I didn't realize that it had been 2 weeks, but again, I can't blog from work as others I know. Which I do notice that they do not blog on the weekends. So here's what you have missed: (well, it will be above this, but whatever!) MJ

"Sunday Snapshots and Stuff"

Bob & Mike - "Dancing Elves"

Bob and Molly - Labor Day Weekend -1995. Silver Lake Sand Dunes with Bob (Joey) and Jesse.

Bob took this on his way to Red Dog Mine this summer. I love this picture.
It feels so artsy to me.

Uncle Phil

and Stuff:

This hangs in our entryway:

In This House. . .

We Do Second Changes.

We Do Grace.

We Do Real.

We Do Mistakes.

We Do I'm Sorrys.

We Do Loud Real Well.

We Do Hugs.

We Do Family.

We Do Hugs.

Our friend Scott started a "Favorite Foto Friday" on his myspace. Since I am unable to blog from work and I am not online every Friday, I thought I would copy the idea on Sunday with "Sunday Snapshots and Stuff". Each week I will share 5 "Snapshots and Stuff". Here's the first installment.

Any better ideas for Stuff? I thought Sentiments, S. . . (but I was afraid some of you might think it was a cuss word. What's another S word that would work? MJ

I've been tagged

I was tagged by my friend Yvonne, so here are 7 facts about myself: (some strange, some random)

1. I am a Believer.
2. Since moving to Alaska I have become a coffee drinker. (flavored and full of sweet stuff)
3. My pet cows name was Hector and some time in my High School years we ate him.
4. I want to travel the world.
5. I am a middle child. My sister's name is Denise and my (little) brother's name is Aaron.
6. I enjoy all types of music.
7. I am proud of my husband and all he has accomplished.

MJ

Ugh!

So, I have worked very hard at not be "crabby" and only focus on the positive since we moved here because I get what a gift this is but the last couple days are wearing me down. Wednesday night I wake up in the middle of the night and when I get out of bed I step on something that doesn't feel nice. I stand there trying to figure out what to do. It's 2 o'clock in the morning and I really don't want to wake Bob up but it hurts and I am stuck. I think for a moment and realize that what I have stepped on is the fishing lure suncather that has been hanging in our window since we moved in. (Well actually, I found it on the floor last week and just stuck it back in the window. I knew at the time it wasn't a good idea, but did I care, not then. So I decide that I have to wake Bob up. I can't walk, the light switch is too far away and I am not pulling it out til I see the damage. It has 3 one hook with three (whatever you call them) sticking out and now they are in my foot. So Bob wakes up, looks at it and pulls it out. My foot hurts a little, but whatever. Then yesterday at our games I went into the gym, used the restroom and went to watch the games before ours. As I was sitting in the bleachers I realized that my pants were unzipped, no big deal, I got up, covered myself with my zipped and went back to the restroom. Only to realize that it wasn't that I forgot to zip my pants, no, my zipper was BROKEN and I have to coach soon. So off to the office I went to find a safety pin, just like a kid. Luckily Darla knew that there is a stash with the nurse. I grab the biggest one I can find, pin myself up and off I go. All the while hoping that it doesn't pop open and stick me in the gut. It's roughly 3 inches long. I get through the game, get home, pull the waistband of my pants out to remove the safety pin and realize that I stuck it through my skin, not much, but just enough to make it smart and itch. Today, I go in early to work and supervise some of the basketball players making signs for the tournament next week. All I do is watch and I some how manage to get pink paint all over my paints. All the kids? Clean. Yeap, all I could think is "Molly the Messer, Clumsy Clod". Then I have a little bit of a rough day at work. I love my job so I won't bash it. On the way home I realize I still had coffee left in my mug and split on myself. I tried to comment on Scott's Blog and it won't let me in. I can't figure out how to edit my own comments on my own blog. Now that I type this I realize that my pants lasted through the game, my foot is fine, my pants came clean, my gut is good I just e-mailed Scott, and someone maybe will tell me how to edit my comments and I bet reading this made a few of you laugh, so I guess it's not so bad. MJ

Game 4

Whoo, Whee, they pulled it out. Regular Season 4-1, with extra game 5-1. Now we move on to the Fastbreak Tournament next week. C Team usually doesn't play, but we are this year. Tristan won't be able to be there so it's all me. I also have to set up volunteers for the tournament - I am trying not to freak out too much. I still have a ton of spots to fill. Some days I think it would be better to do a crappy job so not much was expected out of me. But when you come from a long line of hardworking, dedicated employees that's all you know. I am full of myself this week because I had my review and I am outstanding. Scott stop laughing!!! Plus, on of my students wrote "Molly Rocks" on my board. There is no bigger complaint! MJ

Thanksgiving Weekend

We hope you all enjoyed a Happy Thanksgiving.

We celebrated our first Thanksgiving in our home. There are milestones around every corner. We had a pretty traditional dinner. A yummy, moist turkey, salad, sweet potatoes and cornbread. It's hard to have all the fixings when you're cooking for two.

We went bowling Friday night. Bob had been once but this was a first for me. The bowling alley is recently redone, but so tiny. There are a total of ten lanes. As we are always learning new things about were we live this was another lesson. We didn't change lanes, just bowled on the same side all 3 games. When we asked others about it they said "I have no idea what you're talking about". Okay then. Also, there is no etiquette. No buddy waits they just walk up and bowl. That threw me off a few times. And we of course waited. It was odd but fun.

We also saw Beowulf on Friday. It was good. I loved what they did with gold. We filled up on popcorn and pop. The perks of working at the theater.

The rest of the weekend has been filled with cleaning, wrapping presents and preparing Christmas Cards. The four days off is fabulous. Tomorrow it is back to the weekly routine. MJ

DHMS vs. Sitka

We were able to add another game to our schedule which was played today. It you haven't thought about it, the sports teams have to travel around the Southeast in order to play each other. We at least have 2 Middle Schools, but we're the only ones in the Southeast. So Sitka was coming to town to play Floyd Dryden and they called us up. We pulled the three D Team Girls and they played in today's game. They are a noncompeting team so this is the only game (besides scrimmaging us on Wednesdays) that they will play. It was a fun game and a couple of those girls made baskets. It was exciting.

Our team is made up of 9 sixth graders and one seventh grader and as of today they have scored a total of 115 points. Today they scored 42. That is darn impressive. (I think anyway).

B-Ball in Ketchikan

What a trip!

Our teams played great and had such a good time. It's so neat to be a part of these trips. Watching a player shoot 3 free throws in a row to win the game, another making a 3 pointer and wanting to know if we got it on film (which we did not - drat), a player who wasn't going to be able to go because of the cost (we have an incredible staff) was able to go - won all tourney - you can't beat that smile, kids just being goofy - players giving you flowers and saying thank you, coming home with 3 trophies, a team getting their first win of the season, bleacher butt, hearing them laugh and cheer for each other, giggling in bed because your so tired and the other coaches have your luggage, Almond Joy Mocha, yummy breakfast, meeting Tristan's mom (I was so happy that she got to see her mom, but my heart ached for mine) the list goes on and on and i got to be a part of it.

The pictures and as follows from left to right:

The ferry from the airport in Ketchikan to the mainland. Yes, the airport is on an island. Many of us stood outside. Luckily it's a very short ride.

Tirstan and I at the gym. Have I always been this goofy?

The bed Tristan and I had to share the first night. Let me just say this was no queen, I am not even sure it was a full. Tristan's mom and I were thinking it was a 3/4. I didn't even know they made those any more. We had our own blankets and did not sleep well. Sharing a bed after only a few months of knowing each other. We joked about it but were happy to have own own beds on Saturday.

Creek Street. If you ever see Ketchikan on the Travel Channel they show this street everytime and it looks just like on tv. Now I can say I've been there!

That's our entire group - 47 players, 3 managers, 3 coaches, and 4 coaches and a couple balloons

Now for random thoughts on the trip . . . our players were fascinated that the gym was on the second floor of the school, one of the boys had to be told (by me, I am whitty) that the doors at the airport were not a carousal ride, I don't like to fly and being on a mechanical delay does not help that, on one of our walks back to the hotel Tristan and I were discussing how the house's Christmas lights were disorientating seconds later Tristan tripped on a rise in the sidewalk and took flight, then rolled, Saturday night drunk people pee in the parking lot and don't care that you're there (not any of us!), sitting above the wing and straining your eyes to make sure all the rivets are there is not comforting, Help! Help! - sometimes it's all you can say when your man out runs you on the court, doesn't matter what the sport - some fans are just intense, the runways in the Southeast are short and when the plane touches down all you think is "Reverse Thrust, Reverse Trust", chaperoning is rewarding and tiring

I think that's it. Bob and I had Mom laughing pretty hard the other night on the phone. Check with her, I may have left something out. MJ

Mrs. Hillis

So, I ordered my yearbook this week. I figured I might be in this one more than I was ever in my school yearbooks so what the heck. I personalized it, Mrs Hillis, of course.

Game 3

So, game 3 was tonight and our girls learned that you need to be good sports win or loose. They did well, it's a tough lesson for us all. They picked themselves up after the first half and finished playing hard.

I dealt with my first upset parent tonight. Luckily for me I am so amped up with my mind racing in 20 different directions that I was chatting with the kids and telling them about our game on Saturday that I didn't really realize that he was upset til he was walling away making comments. I would have liked to resolve it, but they left and I was off to another parent and player. I take pride in doing my best so I don't like to feel like I didn't, but that's how the night was left.

We play on Saturday. It's a game we didn't know we would have so that's pretty cool. We will add the 3 D team girls which is a noncompetion team so that will be a thrill for them, we hope. MJ

Game 2

Our second game was tonight and both the teams are improving. It's pretty fun to see the improvement in their game. Bob has given his feedback from both games (and a few other people) it was good, it confirms what we see and gives us areas to focus on for practice. We were home this week and the last game, whoooo am I tired and wind-up all at the same time. We leave for Ketchikan in the morning (Tristan and I are traveling with the Girls and Boys A& B teams) so unless Bob posts, it'll be a few days.

Miss you all and I wish you were here to share in our lives. MJ

Open Skate

Bob & I went skating tonight, it was pretty fun. Bob is much better then I am. I have to skate close to the edge and he does circles around me, literally. And so did 3/4 of the 5 years that were on the ice. I saw a couple people I work with and a student. I made him promise he wouldn't tell everyone how bad I am. It's taken me until the last couple of weeks o figure out who this kid looks like, I finally did. He reminds e of Jody. When I figured it out it caught me a little of guard. Those years when we were in middle school those were fun years. Our group "o the farm" was bigger then and less complicated and we built forts, tortured each other, played pig and horse, and chased each other through the cemetery, a few New Years at Grandma Pawson's. So for my friend Scott the other day it was a song that took him back. For me it was a reflection of a lost friends face reflecting in someone elses. Anyway, that went way off track from Bob and I had a great time skating.

Our second basketball game is tomorrow. Go Wolverines! (the black and turquoise ones)! MJ

It's Here. . .

our first snow. One to four inches. We'll see in the morning. It's been snowing since 10 am. For those of you who don't know this is pretty much when it started last year (and never stopped) we had the sowniest winter in Alaska history 187.(something) inches. Any guesses for what it will be this year. Who knows, maybe the winner will get a prize. MJ

Sunday Service

I don't know if anyone else experiences this, but each time I walk into Church and listen to the sermon it's as thought it was written just for me. Since we have moved here I have been struggle to find a Church to attend. I have tried several and each held it's own qualities and I meet many kind Christians, I was still struggling. I didn't realize how important it is for me to be a part of a Church and attend weekly. But it has been a deep source of sadness for me since we have moved here. Last week I was invited by a co-worker to the Church that she attends and I am happy to say that I went back this week and will continue to go. This goes back to what I have said about God gives us what we need. We just may not like the path, but it is not for us to lead.

Today's service was "What are you anxious over?" Well, me personally, where do I begin! Which is kind of funny because my mom and I were just this week discussing the day of the week that my brother and I were born. Guess what? It was Wednesday. Wednesdays child is full of woe. I asked her "Well, what do you expect?". Anyway, I am a worry wart, horribly. I often pray that the Lord keep me from "doom and gloom" thoughts. This sermon discussed how our worry takes away our joy. Over the years I have realized that in my life and I try hard not to be a worry wart. It is pointless and draining. Yeap, pointless, I said it.

There were many scripture that we went over. Here are a few that I have already read several times today: Matthew 6:25-34, 7:7-12 and the verse I most often turn to in my Bible, Proverbs 3:5-6. If you have a chance, read them, I'll pray they bring you comfort as they did me.

With all that said, I am going to do as in Proverbs and "trust in the Lord" and not obsess about flying this weekend. I am going to find the joy in the fact that I get to see a new place. MJ

Todays View from Our Place - Bob

Working on the Crazy Quilt

It's been many years since I pulled this thing out, but my sewing machine and I got along so well over Halloween that I decided to keep the momentum going. Who knows, this winter may be the year to finish it. ( I also fixed my team basketball sweats. They had an extra long crotch and I cannot stand waistbands that lay just under your boobs. I am a sewing whiz!) MJ

Our Ski Sale Finds

The Ski Sale is a yearly fundraiser for the Ski Patrol at Eagle Crest (ski resort). We didn't go looking for skis, but to see if there was any camping gear. It was pretty busy. The line wrapped around the building. We were able to pick up ice skates, a water purifier for backpacking, and a daypack. Pretty good finds. So tonight we checked the open skate schedule and we are heading out onto the ice on Wednesday. Those of you who were a part of ice skating from brother Aaron's birthday know that us stepping onto the ice is a scary thought. MJ

Snow White - Complete

So here it is and I know my sewing ability is poor at best, but I do believe that I did a pretty fine job. Notice the puffy sleeves, which I am very proud of. The crisscross pattern on the front, which I did all on my own. And the fact that I altered a pattern to create the Snow White costume. They only had little kid patterns. Apparently it's not very adult to dress up as Snow White, but then that's the fun of dressing up! Some of the students just found it plain creepy. Which if we are speaking of the wig, that's how Bob felt. He did not like the wig at all and asked me to take it off immediately. There's a picture of me and my elves, but I don't have a copy of it yet. I'll post it when I do. MJ

A Better View of My Crazy Socks

Check out the new sites

I added a couple links to our a few of our friends. MJ

First Game

Our girls played an awesome first game. It's pretty impressive how it all comes together. Some days in practice, you just can't see it, but they take the court and do it. We practice with two other teams in the mornings. Our gym is pretty big and it gets divided into thirds. With this said, this is the first time that they have played on a full court. But they went at it. Our photographer forgot to bring in the camera so you'll have to wait until the next game to see any pictures.

No practices on Friday, but Bob still has to be to work at 7 am, so I've still gotta get up at 5:30 am and get dropped off at 6:30. I'll have the gym to myself. Saturday we have a Ski Sale here. It's a big fundraiser for the Ski Patrol at Eagle Crest. It's all used outdoor equipment so where hoping to pick up some camping stuff and maybe snowshoes.

With that said I have to go train my brain before I go to bed. MJ

Snow White

You'll have to wait to see the final picture, I am having trouble uploading images tonight. Sorry Bill, no costume for Bob this year. But we have already been talking about next year.

Our first b-ball game is tomorrow. Yicks! Although I am sure that our players are out eating lots of candy which will cause them to be up late, this coach is going to bed early. It's only 7 pm and I can't keep my eyes open. Bob calls me an old lady (sound familiar mom), hey, I am good with that I am a happy morning person. At 5:30 am I am up and at it.

Hope you all had a spook-tacular Halloween. MJ

Crazy Sock Day @ School

Notice the socks?

Blah, Blah, Blah . . .

I've got to be honest, I have no idea what he was saying, I was just snapping the camera and making him crazy. Which I do so well. I love him, he makes me laugh. MJ

Outside Looking In

Almost Done!

Working on my costume. And talking to my dad.
Getting closer to finishing. Notice our new fireplace. We are loving it!

Granite Creek Trail

This waterfall is breath taking. The first time Bo and I saw it there was still snow at the top and it almost meet in the middle. The photo doesn't show you how awesome it is, but maybe if you close your eyes for a moment you can hear it. It's a soothing and fierce sound all rolled into one.

This is our hike on the Granite Creek Trail. We had been on it in the summer, but had forgotten the camera, so we had to go back. We hadn't thought about the fact that we might hike right into the snow. It was beautiful. The reward at the end of the trail is this waterfall and then when you hike up past the waterfall you get to this, it is so incredible. This kind of beauty just makes me laugh. We get to live here and see it everyday, what a blessing. We hope to share it with many more visitors while we live here. Hint, hint. MJ

Photo Contest

These are the pictures that we entered into this years photo contest. Bob took them both. Next year we plan to do more, I just let time slip away. We'll let you know how the results. MJ

Brain Age

Bob and I have been playing Brain Age. So far, I was 80 now I am 52. Bob was 58, 56, and now 55. Mind you your goal is 20. Yicks! Better keep taining. MJ

Snow White

Yes, I am going to be Snow White. I didn't pick it, I was asked to be her. They knew I'd "run with it". I am almost done. I'll post a picture soon. MJ

Molly's Halloween Costume

The ladies in the office asked me to join them in dressing up for Halloween and of course you know that I couldn't say no. I told them that I had already gone out and bought fabric and almost had it all cut out. They said "we knew that you'd run with it." How did they know? Here's a clue to what I will be. . . take a guess, and as we get them in I will set up a pole on the right. More clues to follow. . .

By the way, Bob said that the wig is creepy. He doesn't care for me with black hair. MJ

Feeling Better

I am feeling much better. Bob has been taking very good care of me. Of course I am sooo easy to deal with, especially when I am not feeling well. Yesterday he did scold me though. He wasn't too happy when I complained about my mouth hurting right after I told him that I was working on passes with my players and took one off (it grazed) the right side of my face (yes, the side I had the surgery on). Then I played tag with students for about 5 minutes. I didn't get much sympathy.

On a sad note I obviously did not read all my paperwork very well because when I got home Bob pointed out to me that I am only allowed to eat soft food for the next six weeks. So much for the turduckin on Thanksgiving and the gourmet carmel apples I planned on making for Halloween, oh yeah, and all the pumpkin seeds that mom (Marlys) sent to us. On a good note I will be skinny minnie for vacation and I won't even have to try.

I am planning on having my next round of surgery over Spring Break any takers to come and take care of me. Bob sure would love the break! I really am sweet! MJ

hi from bob

Hi everyone. Just wanted you to know I'm here too. Molly and I have had a good weekend even though she doesn't feel so good. The snow is starting to move down the mountains right now and everything is beautiful. Those of you out in Colorado already know what that's like. I just had a week of school on our new engines. We are doing 3 engine conversions this winter and I am looking forward to my first winter maintenance season with experience. I will leave more notes as I get more comfortable with computer. Miss Y'all and talk to you soon. Bob

hi from bob

Recovery

My tooth extraction went smoothly. It's still pretty sore when the pain medicine wears off but other than that not too bad. We have just kind of laid around. We went to Home Depot to pick up a few supplies that was our big trip out for the weekend. Bob got our coat rack and hooks up in the entryway. We're slowly getting things done.

It's been a beautiful weekend so I feel pretty guilty that I have kept us in. Go figure that the weekend I have my tooth removed it doesn't rain one drop!

Tomorrow practice begins. Tristan mailed me the plan and we are ready to go. We only have practice on Monday this week, then the students are all off for the rest of the week.

Catching Up

Tonight we posted our teams for b-ball. The really cool thing for our players is that each girl was placed on a team. A fourth team was created and those girls will have the opportunity to work on fundamentals and also play a few games against our team and maybe even a couple other schools. A wise uncle once told me "you can't tell at this age who your futures stars will be" (or close to that) so I am very pleased that they all have the opportunity to play if they choose too. There were a few tears because not everyone got on the team they wanted, but it seemed to go pretty well. So Monday we begin practice. I am really excited and hope that our team is also.

Tristan and I will be traveling to Ketchikan with the A & B teams in November as chaperons. Flying - Yicks! I already warned them all. We are also attending a free coaching clinic next Wednesday.

Tomorrow I am having a tooth extracted. It is the first in what could be a year long process to have it replaced with an implant. When I say it's a million dollar tooth, I am not far off. That's why you must go to the dentist regularly. My mouth has a lot of "what could have been vacations" in it.

Bob has been participating in a helicopter training at work this week. We have both had some late nights. Tonight they "had" to take the instructor out for and I quote "2 Beers". Yeah, I buy that! He has had a good week and says he's learned a lot.

I wrote my first PSA (Public Service Announcement - I didn't know what it meant when I was asked to do it, so I am hoping others don't either). It will be kind of neat to hear it read over the local radio stations. I am learning all sorts of new things. I really do just love my job.

I guess that's it for now, I am sleepy and think I will head off to bed. MJ

Our One Year Anniversary

Today we celebrate one year in Alaska. We had plans to drive out to the ferries, drive to the "end of the road" and eat breakfast food for dinner at Donna's, just like we did last year. But we are tired. So we laugh about it and came home.

Bob has engine training this week and I have B-Ball tryouts so our week is full. We are both enjoying our "new learnings" this week. MJ

Quiet Weekend

Tristan and I meet Friday night to talk about b-ball. Tryouts are on Monday and last year 79 girls tried out. Yicks! We do offer an intramural league, but that's a lot of girls when we only keep 12-15 on three teams. Teams are announced on Thursday.

I had Saturday School yesterday, then I took a nap while Bob watched football.

We had dinner at The Hanger with some of Bob's co-workers. It was their end of the season get together.

Today was church, baseball, Sunday dinner, baseball, get ready for the work week, baseball. MJ

Clocks

When Dad and Sandy were here Bob and I shared with them that we had the idea to have clocks made in the shape of all the states that we have loved ones living in. This week we received these from Dad and Sandy. They are so awesome. They are beautifully made and the times were all set right. We laid them out when they got here and checked them all. Bob said "if you lay them out just right, we all touch." Just like in our hearts, we are all never that far away from each other. They are absolutely beautiful. Thank you, thank you Dad and Sandy. Bob & MJ

A Day at Work in Haines, Alaska

Went to Haines today to work on a helicopter. It was an awsome day. It takes about an hour to get there and the flight was beautiful. This just reminds me why I came here. On the way back we flew over a pod of Humpbacks playing in sunshine cove. The picture on the ground is where base camp for heliskiing is. A majority of the extreme skiing videos you see are taken in the mountains right near here. Enjoy.
Bob

Downtown Tram View

Same Schedule

As of today we are working the same schedule for the first time ever. It's pretty cool. We now have our nights and weekends. Bob is working M - F 8 to 5 and I work M-F 8:30 to 4:30. It works out so that I drive him to work and then I pick him up. It's pretty exciting to know that we have the weekends off together and can plan some overnight hikes. So if you are looking to get in touch with us we'll be home on the weekends. MJ

Curing Homesickness

Sometimes when I get homesick I need a reminder of how blessed we are to be here. For me this means taking a drive out to the Glacier. So today I was feeling a little blue and I had some time before I had to pick up Bob so I headed out the the Glacier.

It cracks me up every time I see it . . . I mean a Glacier, right there in front of me. And if you look around into the surrounding mountains you will see waterfalls. And if you listen, you will hear them, rushing off the side of the mountains into the lake. It is a gorgeous sight. The Glacier has recently calved and in one spot there is a brilliant blue. I just can't get enough.

Today I stopped and prayed and thanked God for this gift.

Then I turned back to head to the truck when I saw several people heading over to the edge of a trail and there was talk of a bear.

This is why you never, ever, leave home without your camera!!! (these are old pictures)

There it was walking along the end of a pond. At one point when it walked around to the end closest to us it was probably 20 feet away. It was pretty cool and even though there were about 20 of us, it still made me a little nervous. It was close and not a huge bear, but big.

I truly believe that God sends us what we need and today I needed to be reminded that we live in a beautiful place with so much opportunity. And He showed me that. MJ