Comparisons

You might remember this photo from one of my late winter/early spring trips to Anchorage . . .

Well, here is the same location on the 19th of June:

What a difference a few months can make, huh?

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Tomorrow is our receptionist's last day. She is moving on to a better job and so I wish her well. However, that means I will be staffing the front desk again while the search for her replacement continues. The job is already being advertised and will close on the 7th. I hope that her replacement will be on staff by the 15th.

Until then, I will be pulling double duty - again. Not sure how the director will have me work - she is on leave and won't be back until the 6th. Then we will discuss all of the ins and outs of it. The last time I worked 31 hours at the desk and 9 hours at my own job.

Next week I am taking Monday for the holiday and my regular day off on Friday - so I will be doing reception duty T-Th, and the other two days will be staffed by everyone else. The position closes on the 7th when interviews will start and I hope that a new person will be on staff by the 15th. Hey, a moose can hope, right? Right.

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Received an email yesterday from a second cousin(?). Not sure of all of the ins and outs of relatives past the first cousin - I've heard it called second cousin and I've heard it called first cousin once removed. Whatever . . . his mother was my cousin. She passed away last October and he contacted me soon afterwards.

His son is at University Alaska Fairbanks this summer and we are going to try to get together while he is in the state.

Fairbanks is NOT the place to be right now. There are several fires burning in the Interior and Fairbanks is getting a lot of the smoke. Yuk!

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In talking with this young man - well, emailing - we talked about how sad it is to lose touch with relatives due to being spread out across the map. He is from my mom's side of the family and they all spread out westward from our home state of Ohio. My mom and my grandmother were the only ones who stayed in Ohio, althogh Grandma was living in CA when she passed away. There is only one of my aunts living now - and she has just moved back to Ohio.

On the opposite side of it - nearly all of my dad's family stayed in Ohio. One of his brothers moved westward to Arizona.

And, here I am way up here in Alaska - about as far away from it all as you could get. ;-) That's all part of life, isn't it?

Well, you all have a great Thursday.

Clouds

I took this shot over my shoulder while I was driving to Anchorage last Thursday. Didn't quite get the effect I wanted, but it is still pretty cool. The lower clouds were all rolled up and over themselves. Looked very neat. But I would have had to stop the car to get that shot - and, well, I was on a time crunch. Thought Miz B might enjoy the pic, though, as she loves cloud pics.

It warmed up a bit today, which was welcome after it being so chilly yesterday and the day before. It was nice to have to open my office window for a bit (in between smokers) to get a breeze. The designated smoking area is right outside my office window, so I have to crank it shut everytime someone goes out there. It's a small price, though.

Took a nice walk during lunch yesterday - went one street over from work and down over the bluff and onto the beach, then back up the hill on our street. It was about 1 1/2 miles all told, but a really good workout - sand is great for the legs. Not so great for the toes - not sure HOW it worked itself down into and through the shoes and then the socks to wedge in between my toes. ;-)

Today I decided not to do a back to back beach walk - the ankles did pretty well, but there is no sense in overdoing it just yet. So, I walked out to the highway and on the bike path for a two mile walk. That was a good workout - the sun came out and it was nice and warm. Definitely a short-sleeved shirt walk.

Physical Therapy session was shorter today, but more intense. I am only going one more time and then I will be cut loose - yay. However, I'm supposed to go back for a tune-up if I tweak the ankles or turn them in any way.

They have a good group of therapists there. Very caring and still good at putting you through your paces. They laugh because I use my arms to counterbalance. Today they wondered what would happen if they tied my arms to my sides - I told them I would probably just fall right over. Hubby is always asking what would happen if he tied my hands down when I am talking - says I would probably stutter. ;-) It's fun to laugh with them. No sense in making the tough workout that much tougher by being a sad gussie over it all. Laugh a little.

Little League closing ceremonies were last night. All of the players received trophies and there was a bar-b-cue for them afterwards. The Boy's team was escorted to the ceremonies in Black Beauty - a gorgeous limousine.

Click to enlarge.

Yes, they all fit inside. The coach was offered a ride, but one check of the sound level inside the back and he declined. Smart man. The limo driver was wonderful. He gave them nearly an hour long ride through the town - how very cool is that?

Hope you are having a great week. Enjoy your Wednesday, friends.

Now that

Now that I have that out of my system . . . .

Hubby came home yesterday and said "let's go for a ride." It didn't take him too long to encourage me to grab boots and gear and head out. It's the first time since May and wow, it felt good. The temps yesterday were in the high 80's. I wish I'd had the camera when we stopped for dinner. Would have taken a pic at the same clock/thermometer I have shown you recently. It said 91 degrees!!! Holy cow! No wonder we were sweating.

Of course, today it is much more like Alaska. We are shivering even though it is 60 degrees. Well, that is a 31 degree drop after all.

The youngest is doing new things . . . yay . . . he has begun to roll over. Not content with only doing it one way (front to back OR back to front) and then later doing it the other - nooooo, he decided that it would be fun to roll and roll and roll yet again. Poor Mama. She is gonna have to keep an eye on him now. There will be no stopping the little guy. What a sweetie he is.

It was his oldest brother's turn to go shopping with us today. He did very well. He is growing up on us and is settling down. That is wonderful.

Well, friends, my toes are a bit chilled, so I am going to leave you for tonight. Have a wonderful week.

Some people

Wish I could tell you how it sickens me to read the garbage that some people leave as comments. No, don't go looking - they're all gone. Pfft - bye, bye, all gone.

Not even on my site - well, sort of. You see, I host three other blogs along with my own. All family - two don't write - never really did - those may go away some day. I'll wait awhile and see if they are going to use the space and if not, well, they will go and that will be that. Can't force someone to use a gift, now can you? Nope. And, no hard feelings at all.

The other site is used - and with heart. So it will stay. I am glad to host it and give her room to write.

When I log in to the main menu I always check all four for those penile enlargement notices that come so frequently into older entry comments. It is not such a big deal to just delete them. I can do it quite well, thanks. While checking tonight I found three notes from some juvenile minded person with nonsense aimed at my loved ones. Sad, isn't it? Sad that his/her life is so empty that s/he must make disparaging remarks and/or threats toward someone s/he doesn't even know.

When you feel all grown up and froggy you just jump right up and say it to me next time, okay? I can handle it - and I can handle you - whoever you might be or whoever you might think you are.

Road Trip

my trip to Anchorage Thursday was very nice. I was able to leave work at 3 in order to deliver some posters and run registrations on my out of town. Hit Anchortown shortly after 6 and found my B&B. Got all of the business taken care of, changed clothes, and headed for the restaurant.

We all sort of straggled in on our own time schedules. ;-) Carolyin, Steph and Tony were the latest ones. I had the folks downstairs at the restaurant keeping an eye out for them - she has electric blue hair - hard to miss. Carolyn was tickled at my description and said that "it worked!"

Peter had flown back home the previous day so we did not get to meet him. Shucks! They'll all just have to come back. Tony wants to do it on dirt bikes next time - so that they can take all of the side roads they passed by.

Left to right: Liz (I think - just met her), Jamie with husband Jon behind her, Tony, da moose, Carolyn, and Stephanie. There were several others there, but they had wandered off by the time we got the group pic taken. Thanks to Sherry for her photo skills.

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During the evening I called Lessa's cell number several times. The boy was playing in game two of a single elimination tournament. Their win Tuesday night gave them the right to play last night. Oh, the excitement!!! Each time I called it seemed to grow and grow. They scored the first two runs while I was on the phone with her the first time. And, each time before I hung up the phone I had everyone at the table yell with me: GO REDS!

Must have worked - the ending score was . . . 12-2!!!! They won! And, he got his first hit of the season!!!! Yay!!! This Gramma will have her haunches planted firmly in the bleachers Saturday morning to watch the final game. We are all so proud of you guys.

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MY B&B was very nice. If you look at the photos you will even see the room I stayed in - the Red Room. Just a few blocks from downtown proper, it was so nice and quiet. Very peaceful. I was left to my own devices, having been given the tour when I arrived and knowing now where everything was. I slept until I was ready to wake up (8 or so) - didn't even set the alarm. After my shower I fixed a plate with fruit and muffin and a glass of juice and sat and wrote in my journal for a bit. The upstairs tenents went about their own business and I didn't get to see them before I left.

But I did take a couple of pictures in the back yard as I left.

This is a view of the entry way. Not sure what that tall building is in the background. But that lets you see just how close it is. The B&B is on 11th and the main business area of downtown is on 4th - the restaurant was on 3rd.

A flower picture for Lolo and Dan. I love lilacs - this tree/bush still had blooms. Most of the bushes around that area were washed out by rain a few weeks back. And, oh, the smell! Heavenly.

There were daisies and poppies and several other flowers whose names I don't know or cannot recall. Very pretty.

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After doing some shopping at wally's for the Ladybug, I headed home. The one radio station that comes in fairly clear through the mountain passes is a talk radio station. One of the shows that I listen to as much as I can is the Clark Howard show. He always has great tips and the calls that he gets are interesting for the information they bring out, too.

Today he talked about something that is important to all of us - especially any who might count on a 7 day (or longer) float on their checks when they make payments. He called it Check 21. You can read about it at the link. Basically it will make cancelled checks obsolete - it'll all be done digitally - and (the really important part for those floaters out there) - the money will be deducted immediately and automatically from your account. So, it had better be there, huh?

Well, the boy has a game in the morning, so I am going to leave you for now. Have a great Saturday.

Off tomorrow

Headed out of town directly after work tomorrow. I plan to go in half an hour early, then work through lunch, so will be able to leave at 3:30. Will be staying at a B&B overnight - my friend's sister is visiting her for a few days and I don't want to intrude.

Will be excited to meet Carolyn and Peter and Steph and Tony. At last count there were to be 10 of us for dinner - but I'm not sure if that number includes the guests of honor.

Be assured - there will be stories and pics later. (probably Saturday)

Was able to see Miss Thang do her thang tonight at the softball game. Brrr - the fog rolled in and it was C.O.L.D! I went directly after work, so was not dressed appropriately enough. Brrr!

Will hate missing the boy's game tomorrow night, but plan to check in with Mama to see how it is going. (note to self - get daughter's cell number)

I was searching for some information at work today and went to the Digital goddess, Kim Komando's site to find it. While clicking through I found an interesting article and thought I would leave you with a quote from it. The link will take you to the entire article if you like.

Mom always said "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." There is much wisdom there, I must say.

quote:
So here's my rule of thumb: People who have something ugly to say about someone shouldn't put it in writing. The stuff in the chat rooms and Web sites often is archived forever. Someday, it could land you in court or cost you a job.
end quote Kim Komando®

Enjoy your Thursday - and your Friday.

whattagame!

I tell you - it is hard on the Grammas to sit through games such as tonight's. The Reds are playing in a single elimination tournament. Lose tonight and they would be out. Win tonight and they would move on to the second round on Thursday night. Winners Thursday move on to the finals on Saturday.

They were down by 5 runs at one point . . . a young man came up to bat and hit his first run of the season tonight. It got him to first base - he advanced around followed by two other players . . . they all scored. That inning finished with them down by one run.

Bottom of the 6th (last) inning and the Reds were behind by one - there were two on base and two outs. I can't watch - but I have to watch - this is torture! Lessa could tell you exactly what happened - she kept score - she knows the game better than I do. All I know is that two runs scored on some fielding errors on the other team. Two runs . . . . yes, the Reds won the game by ONE run!

The coach was stunned - the crowd roared - the team beamed.

They move on to the semis on Thursday - I'll be in Anchorage, but will get the play by play from daughter when I've settled into my room for the night.

GOOD LUCK, REDS!!! Big Mac - Thursday is YOUR night, buddy. Slam it out of the park for Gramma, okay?

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Just as a matter of note - this is my 200th entry in this format.

That felt good

It has been a bit over four weeks, and it sure felt like it. But I decided today was the day - I was gonna get back out there for a walk.

So, after standing in for the receptionist's lunch I changed clothes and set out for an easy stroll. Didn't want to overdo, but wanted to DO, you know? Think it was a bit under a mile - only out for about half an hour, but that was long enough. My feet and ankles felt fine, although there was a bit of swelling, but my hips cried out for mercy!

The nicest thing about walking as a form of exercise, though, is that it is so easy to get back into it.

Tonight we went to the little league fields to watch the two littles play tee-ball. They play their hearts out - when they're not picking dandies from the field. I really love to watch that age play ball. It's fun, too, to see and hear the parents and grandparents who take it all just a titch too seriously. They eventually calm down and join in with their little ones' glee - just being out in the sunshine and fresh air is special to them.

After that game we stuck around to see Tat's brother's game - at least the first two innings. By then hubby was drooping - he needed to get something to eat and get it pretty quickly. We left and went to his fave restaurant where he could nibble on some chips and salsa while waiting for food to arrive. By the time he had worked his way through the first basket and was starting on his chimi he was perking back up. Poor guy - he took his meds before we went to the field, and he didn't eat anything - only snacked on some pretzels. It took its toll on him. Will have to try to make sure he doesn't do that again.

And, as the sun sinks sloooooowwwlllyyyy into the horizon, I will bid you all goodnight. Today is the first day of summer - I think last night was the longest day (solstice), or maybe that is today. Whatever - whichever - it is still pretty bright out there. And it is nearly 10:30 p.m.

Before I close - remember that I said I was missing the juices I enjoyed while in Hawaii? Well, I spotted Hawaii's Own juices in the freezer case last week. Yay! While it's not the same as being there, it brings a bit of Hawaii into our home. And, that is a welcome thing.

Hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday. 'Night, everyone.

What a Difference . . .

five months can make.

January 14, 2004 I took a chilly ride delivering posters and such for work. I wrote about it that day and posted this photo: (click for larger view)

All together now . . . BRRRRRRRRRRRR - too right.

Well, five months (and five days) later I took another road trip - this time to Anchorage to visit my "Sister-Friend". I had to - just had to - stop in the same place to take another shot. This is what I saw:

All together now . . . pass me the fan, willya?

Yup, that's We Alaskans all right - never quite satisfied with the temperatures. LOL

Another phenomenon this time of year is Combat Fishing. The evidence is everywhere you look in Cooper Landing:

a little further down the road we see:

and still a bit further:

What in the world could they be doing? Look on, friends:
Here's the Reason - it is the Season - for

Combat - shoulder to shoulder - hip boot to hip boot - Fishing!
Here's a closeup of the lineup:

Ohmyohmyohmyohmy! People flock southwards from Anchorage and northwards from Kenai, Soldotna and Homer just to stand in the Kenai River, wet their lines and (hopefully) get their three fish. Some begin fishing around 10 at night - fish until midnight, hopefully bagging their limit of three - and then starting again at midnight in order to get the next day's limit of three. That way they can head back toward home at a "decent" hour.

Combat fishing is not my sport. Enjoy yourselves. ;-)

Another Day

and a rainy one at that. The boy has a game tonight - hopefully the field won't be too wet. We are getting closer to tournaments and All Stars. This might be the year he goes on to the All Stars game - that would be so very cool for him.

Off to work shortly - wanted to show you a picture I took about a week ago:

I was just heading for bed when I glanced out the window and saw the setting sun playing riot with the spruce trees across the road - had to go and get a shot for you all.

Here's a cropped/enlarged view:

have a glorious day everyone.

old "pals"

Old pals come and old pals go - and sometimes that is the best for everyone concerned.

A few years ago there was some trouble in purplemoose land - caused by a certain old pal - who seems to have found me once again. She left a very nice note and a link to her journal - which I followed. After all, who wouldn't check to see just who the old pal might be - since that was the only signature.

I visited yesterday.

I visited again today - but will not do so again - because, despite her allegations that people change, it would seem that she has not.

I don't need it - didn't need it then, don't need it now. It is quite fortunate that we are several thousand miles apart in meat space and that the 'net is such a large and lovely world also. We can both survive in our own little part of those worlds quite happily. And, that, OLD PAL, is just the way that it should remain.

I don't intend to play games with you - and would appreciate it if you keep your mind games to yourself - down there in australia. May you have a happy and loverly life.

Freedom

Nope - not going in the direction you might think at all . . .

Most of us have the freedom in our jobs to just get up and go to the restroom at will. Most of us have the freedom to take our lunch hour as needed, generally at the same time everyday.

Most of us.

It's a bit different for a friend of mine - and I am watching her become more demoralized day by day. And, I have little that I can do about it.

I cover lunches for her once a week - and it is supposed to be a scheduled thing for the rest to do the same. Somehow it never seems to happen correctly. How sad is that?

Sad enough that we are going to probably lose this person. And, nobody seems to see it coming. How surprised they will act when it happens. How sad they will all be when it does. bah!

Sorry - I'll come back later today when I am in a bit better mood than now. In the meantime, won't you all look around and see who you might relieve for a bit? See whose life you might be able to make just a wee bit better - with a smile, a nod, a pat on the back, or . . . simply a restroom break.

thanks.

Little League Chic

Part Two

Tonight was tee-ball night . . . the two five year olds are playing on the same team (thank goodness for small favors! Just think if we had to juggle one more game on the schedule) This time I had the camera with me and so, I give you photos of Kenai Little League Chic. (heh)

hubby in his Carharts - the sun came out and he was HOT

Oh, yes, and aren't we just the height of fashion?
But, hey, ain't we got fun?

Even Isaiah - who is four months old today - was

Pretty in Pink

our all stars - they have so much fun

As you can see - a great time was had by all.

I'll tell you someone else who is having fun - Bluepoof is heading to Alaska . . . on her motorcycle . . . from California . . . with two friends. And, she is writing about it all and posting photos along the way. Join in with Carolyn and friends as they ride and enjoy their way to Alaska.

(yes, that is electric blue hair you see - do not adjust your computer monitor)

We will be getting together when they arrive in Anchorage in a couple of weeks - hmmm, actually in 10 days, yay! A group of riders from hereabouts will meet us all and we will share a meal. Lovely - great bikes, good company and good food. What more could you ask?

Have a wonderful Tuesday, everyone.

Softball in Anchorage

I was asked to accompany "The girl" to Anchorage for her first away game - Mom and Dad were taking "the boy" to Homer for his game. She and I hit the road shortly after 7 this morning, arriving in the big city just after 10.

With better than an hour to kill we did what any normal female would do . . . we went shopping. First to wally's where we wandered and window shopped and each bought a book. Then we saw a "Church Parking Lot Sale" sign and followed it to see what we could see. She bought a dress and some pretties and a toy for her sister. I found a baby backpack and shoes for Isaiah and a Minnesota moose for the PurpleMoose's company.

Upon arriving at the field, we were greeted by a nice welcome . . . (click for larger views)

Pretty cool, huh? That's the coach standing there.

In the distance we were treated to a nice view of Sleeping Lady.

(follow the two links to read the legend and to find the book by Ann Dixon.

The girls played very well - the Abbott O' Rabbit team was tough. But, I think that it was a good learning experience for them all. The coach and parents bought pizza for dinner afterwards and we had a good time together all around.

But, it was a busy day for some . . .

I took this over my shoulder - she fell asleep not even five mintes out of town. She woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed at Girdwood, about 30 miles later and, while not exactly talkative, she did stay awake the rest of the way home.

And a great time was had by all. Yup.
Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone.

Where there's smoke

Tee-ball and coach pitch grandkiddos' games were called tonight - on account of rain soaked fields. Aw - shoot! But, last night, the oldest grandboy's team won their game handily, 11-1. Congrats, kiddo!

Hubby and I went out to dinner tonight - we do most Fridays. There is a Mexican restaurant that he really likes - and the wait staff all know us and help us to have a great time.

After we ate, we stopped to pick up a video. Pulling up to the store we noticed a police car with lights flashing blocking off the exit back to the highway. Looking up to the highway we saw a fire truck blocking one side of the highway. Looking further down we saw another police car blocking another road and another fire truck blocking the highway. Hmmmmmmm.

Nope, not an accident.

Another scan of the surrounding area and we see the electric company on the scene with a cherry picker, two men in the basket hovering near lines on a pole. Suddenly there is a LOT of smoke - another short burst by the linemen from a fire extinguisher and MORE smoke. Uh-oh. Looks like a transformer fire.

Have to take the (one and only) back road to our house and arrive home to find, you guessed it, no power. The power supply on the computer is beeping so that needs to be turned off.

Hubby and I settle into our chairs to take a bit of a snooze - well, I was reading (yeah, SURE you were, moosie). The quiet apparently got to hubby because he shot out of his chair and said "Where's the wind-up radio?" In the closet, sweetie. So, he took it out of the box (I had gotten it for him several years ago as a joke/serious gift for our earthquake readiness box), wound it up and found a music station. About every 15 minutes to half hour he had to wind it up again.

The power came back on at 9 p.m. and he was able to watch Vegas on tv. The movies will wait until later - good thing we rented 5 day movies, huh?

I tell you, never a dull moment in the Moosie household.

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Did not watch the Reagan funeral today - saw bits of it at the doctor's office this morning, and heard some on the radio. I had appointments that needed to be kept, so was not able to be in front of the tv all day - and I'm sure that the coverage lasted all day.

After my PT appointment I did drive over to Soldotna to a mall where a Memory Book was being hosted by the VFW. I stood in line for a few minutes in order to sign something for the family. The book will be sent to Mrs. Reagan.

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Noticed that the grocery store near that mall had finally gotten their flags ALL lowered. Last Sunday they had lowered the US flag, but not the state or store flags - so they were higher than the US flag. I called the manager but was told that she could do nothing until the next day when she could contact the main office. That did not sit well with me and I told her so. Wrote a letter to the editor, but it has never been printed - maybe I will go ahead and send it to the main office of that chain.
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Tomorrow morning early the softball queen and I will be heading up to Anchorage where her team will play an Anchorage area team. We leave around 7 a.m. After the game, the coach is treating the team to pizza and then we will head home.

I used to do up and back trips to Anchorage all of the time when my girls were in sports activities. I used to be younger then. It is a bit more difficult to do these days - tiring and all. So, keep us in your thoughts if you would. We appreciate it.

Have a great weekend, friends.

Little League Chic

Imagine, if you will . . . dozens of parents and grandparents and assorted siblings . . . resting on their laurels on metal bleachers watching their loved younguns playing little league ball.

See them? Wait, look again. This is not your normal, everyday, ragtag band of spectators watching baseball on a hot summer day, chomping on a dog and swilling a brewski. Nope, not in a million years.

This dedicated and loving group is dressed in a wild array of colors, many of them clashing spectacularly. They are huddled under layers of clothing - long sleeved shirts topped by long sleeved sweatshirts topped by down-filled parkas complemented by billowing fleece scarves and long-billed ball caps with brightly colored socks underneath their birkenstocks - and, the piece d'resistance . . . a down or fleece comforter thrown over their legs (and if they are lucky, one under their seats to protect against the cold metal bleachers - did I mention that it was C.O.L.D.????).

Good grief, moosie, what on earth have you been drinking? Not nearly enough, my friends. You have just witnessed through my eyes (with a mirror aimed back at myself) a tiny bit of Kenai Little League Chic.

Yes, where else but in Kenai, Alaska; where the little league fields stand atop a bluff facing Cook Inlet; where the slightest breeze (okay - it was more than that last night - let's say a windstorm) will bring in the cold, cold, C.O.L.D. fog; where the nachos and frito pies and "hot" chocolate from the snack shack all take on the appearance of frozen popsicles before they make it back to the stands . . . where else but here would you find summer little league fans dressed as if they were going ice fishing. . . and still complaining of the cold?

Yes, folks, it is summertime in Alaska. Where the temps reach 50 or 60 degrees and we complain of the heat. Yep, right here. Ball field temps are at least 10 degrees cooler, and on nights like last night, about 20 degrees cooler. Brr.

Last night I watched "the boy" (as his mama calls him), my first born grandson, play ball. I've not gotten to see him play much this year due to the vacation and then the injury, so I was tickled to watch him last night. They played a good game - played their hearts out.

But, manohmanohman was it ever cold. (answer - yes) I wore a sweatshirt (purple of course) and a jacket (blue denim) AND an alpaca poncho (gray and black zig-zag pattern) overtop that - topped off by my baseball cap (beige) and a fleece scarf (white and pink - breast cancer ribbon patterned) tied overtop the cap and over my ears. Hey, fashion, smashion . . . this gramma moosie was C.O.L.D.!!

Would I do it again? Yup. Will I remember to take pictures? I hope so, because, friends you have GOTTA see this. We are amusing, amusing, amusing. And we care not what others think, either. ;-)

Have a wonderful Wednesday, friends.

Admiration Society

I started this entry a couple of days ago - and my computer showed the blue screen of death . . . so I just closed it all down, got busy and didn't make it back.

My thoughts had turned all gooshy because I wanted to share with you some folks whom I admire - one of them is Miz Kitty. When I first began the post it looked like she had disappeared from our lives - her blog was closed down and a short note said simply that nothing was wrong, but all pics, etc. had been taken down. And I thought - well, shoot! I'm gonna miss her.

I have "known" or followed Kitty for quite some time. You know how it is when you first go online and you start looking for all of those free graphics? Well, hers was one of the first that I found and one of the first that I used. We found a commonality in motorcycles and that was an added benefit.

Anyway, we have a bit of history that I have enjoyed, and I hope someday that she and I will meet - either here or there or on the road somewhere. You will understand that I was pleased to see tonight that she has just changed the way she is doing her blog and that she is back. Yay! (Phew!)

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Someone else I admire is Faith. Usually I see her at her blog, but the first address is where I first ran into her. Yes, still stumping for those free graphics. Faith used to do buttons and such and I had some of those on one of my earlier websites. She likes to play with eyeballs. I put her puggie link up, though, because Boris is so important to her. Heya, Faith!
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My daughters . . . I can't show you Lessa's site because it is not a public site. But I admire her for her tenacity in the past few years as she has worked so hard to get a degree in her chosen field. She is very nearly done! Just a few short weeks and her tenure as college student extradordinairre will be completed. Good going, Lessa.

Ladybug is making a career change, herself. The woman at the state assistance office told her that she couldn't do that and Ladybug told her to take a flying leap . . . that one is her daddy's girl, all right!

She is taking a new look at being at home to raise her babies - and she is doing a fine job of it. Won't you go and check out her site - linked above - and then follow through? Thanks, friends. I'd do it for you, you know.

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Cancer Survivors
This weekend was the 6th annual Relay for Life on the Kenai Peninsula. I captained a team of participants from the 10,000 Step Program and had hoped to rack up some mileage on the track - and then got sidelined by my injury. But, I have friends who are survivors, among them Jenn who is training for the Avon 3-day walk. There are two ladies from my church family who are breast cancer survivors, one of whom is fighting still as it has now metastasized in her lungs. We also have a man in our family who losing a battle with an inoperable brain tumor, and another two who have had skin cancers removed. And, my Aunt Mickey died in 1972 from metastasized breast cancer.

I admire and respect each of them for their fight, their spunk, their joy of life. And, so I decided to go on over to the track and maybe walk around a couple of times. I used my cane and took it easy around the track - and I was joined by several friends from my church family who were there for some of the same reasons as I. They kept an eye on me and encouraged me greatly. The two ladies were there for the Survivor Lap and that was a blessing to me.

Last night I walked 8 laps over a period of 5 hours, before I came home to crash. One of my therapists was there and said she had watched me walking and told me I was doing fine, btw. She gave me a thumbs up. (She also gave a very interesting talk on lymphadema later)

This morning I went back to the track and walked three laps and then had to sit down (was rubbing a blister), but I got back up when I saw an inspiration to us all. A lady was pushed down onto the track by her husband - she was sitting in a chair made out of pvc pipe, mounted on wheels, with a blue sling seat. She sat in the high chair while he pushed her down onto the track, and then she struggled to stand upright (she had a plastic contraption bracing her right leg) and then she walked, holding onto and dragging that chair around the track. When she tired, she sat down a few minutes, but wouldn't let her husband push her - she rested, then stood and walked some more.

I thought to myself . . . there is a survivor. So I got back up and went back to the track and walked some more - for her - for my friends - for those who couldn't walk.

My therapist was there again today also and she encouraged me to go ahead - over a period of three hours I walked nine laps. And, then I came home and crashed for a couple of hours.

You know what? My ankles feel great (hips and knees are barking a bit, but the ankles feel fine) and I'm glad to have been able to do it. I was hoping that this was going to be my year to walk and walk and walk. Sometimes the Lord does a fine job of humbling us, doesn't He? If I had been healthy, I would not have had so many fine moments over the past two days.

I would have been power walking around the track, missing out on my friends and our neat conversations we were able to share - I would have missed seeing this woman and her courage and tenacity.

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Hope that you have a wonderful Sunday. 'night, friends

Tuff Hearted

PT today . . . the therapists are tuff hearted, I'll tell ya. Ouch! 45 minutes of work on the ankles trying to toughen them up. I'm a long way from tough right now, I'm afraid. I'll be going for the next two weeks at least.

Had to run to Soldotna afterwards for a team meeting for the Relay for Life. Only one person came, but she brought a check, so that's good. It's going to be hard to go out there to root on the team members when I can't walk the talk, ya know? But, I've promised to be a cheerleader, so that is what I will do.

Spent this morning installing the new software for my new computer. (at work) We were blessed to receive a grant from an Alaskan trust that purchased new hardware for our entire agency. We have gone from a mish-mash of mismatched computers with operating systems that were either '95 or '98 - mine was '95 - to everyone having XP and compatible software.

In addition, my office was further blessed with the entire adobe package, something that I had requested for my work with the newsletter, newspaper ads, website, etc. This was a 100% grant from adobe itself. Woo-hoo!

And, that is what I was installing this morning. Ran into a glitch with one, but that was soon repaired. I think - at least it said it was installed finally. And, daughter helped me with the code I needed to restore my ftp capability, so the website got some needed changes/updates today also.

No wonder my ankles were sore when I got to therapy. ;-)

Hope that your Tuesday (didn't it seem like a Monday?) was good. See ya on the flip side.