Welcome 2005

Evening, folks

The toll keeps getting higher and higher. Such devastation. Of course, here it is being compared to "the BIG one" in 1964, which was just a bit higher on the Richter scale (9.2). The loss of lives, however, is nowhere near.

Alaska lost real estate - land lost when the waves rolled in - but way down the scale in lives lost.

We wonder what we can do . . . Lisa went out and looked around and found a way that we can all do something. "as I was trying to decide who to give my donation to, I kept coming across blurbs about employer matching. It got me thinking, why not friend matching? I gave $15. Will you match it? "

We donated at Mercy Corps but there are lots of places out there who are targeting this relief effort. Do as I did and read the financial reports of the places you might like to donate and then make your decision.

Not sure where to go and look for a place to donate? Check out the Command Post for more.

Won't you join Lisa's effort? Match our donations, 'kay? And, if you can't help with money, 'cos Lord knows things are tight, well, wing a prayer upward that those who are missing loved ones find the closure they need.

evening, friends

Early Birthday

I feel spoiled, I tell ya!!!

Today hubby had my birthday present (it's not until next month) installed. Lessa was in on the action, as she had to be here since we were at work.

I am the proud new mama of a cable modem hook-up . . . NO MORE POKEY DIALUP. Oh, the bliss!!

I visited the one site that ALWAYS loaded so slowly - Batty's - and . . . WHOOT!!! there it was in living color immediately. Oh my, oh my!

Lessa has already warned me about being a responsible parent and so ZoneAlarm has been downloaded as well. (teaching old dogs new tricks . . . hmmm)

Seriously - I think hubby just wanted the phone line back. LOL Nah! We have CallWave (which I now need to go and cancel) and so did not miss phone calls. (might not have gotten right off line to call back, but we knew they were there - heh)

I am a pampered princess tonight. How neat.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
P.S. Hmmmmm somebody is pretty interested in a certain member of my family. The Activity Log shows searches for a family name (spelled several different ways - all but one incorrectly) and a certain search word.

You know, if you'd just ask I might tell you what you'd like to know - but that didn't happen.

FYI I tend not to use family names here - It certainly isn't my business to go on blathering about my family members and invading their privacy. I seldom use the children's first names and try to be protective of them as well, although I do sometimes slip.

We (Lessa, that is) have had to install code that closes comments after 3 days of inactivity to cut down on a lot of the spam. But as this search was so very specific I know that it was not done by a spammer.

Soooooo - hello, there, whoever you might be. Drop me a note and let me know what you'd like to know. If it is my business to tell you - and your business to know - I will certainly share.

I must certainly wonder at your motives. Because if you were someone close to us, you would already know the answers you were seeking. So, if your motives are spiteful or malicious, I can only ask you nicely to be gone.

'night, friends.

The Iceman

Cometh

Woke up this morning to LOTS of snow . . . well, okay, not nearly as much as my aunt in Ohio has reported (some 16 inches), but still a bunch of snow that had to be moved before I could go to work.

Sooooooooooo - there are two ways to do that:

the Hard Way . . . or . . .

an easier way

This(!!!!)

is what was piled up between the vehicles. You might be able to imagine what was behind them - between them and the road. Sigh! Hubby got out the noisy beast - setting off the fire alarm in the garage in the process from the fumes - and set to work, while I backed him up with the shovel. Neighbors were clearing their driveway by hand - after he finished with our driveway, hubby let them use the blower to finish up theirs.

His buddy came along with his 4x4 pick'emuptruck and told us that the driveway at our business had not yet been cleared (snow plow businesses are having a ball this year - it is either feast or faminie. this year? feast) so he offered to take hubby in his truck. Meanwhile he offered advice on how best for me to get from our house to the highway.

We live on a short side road, off another side road, which leads to a bit larger side road, which needs to be taken to get to the highway. None of them had been cleared yet - there were tracks from other vehicles, but my low rider car stood the chance of becoming high centered if I didn't do it quite right. Add to the equation, the state plows had taken care of the highway, leaving a big berm at the traffic light where I needed to go. Sigh!

Friend followed me out to make sure I made it - thanks, Don!!! I just threw it down into first and when the light changed, I charged right on through. Woot!

Tonight, hubby took the beast down to Lessa's house to relieve the oldest grand-boy of his shoveling duties - also took care of another neighbor and our mailbox. Yay! Now the postal service won't leave us a snotty note in the box telling us we need to clear it or we won't get mail. (yes, they do that)

The first photo and this photo show what the hubster looked like when he was finished. Add to that, he was worn out and starved. A time in his chair took care of the first and the pork chop took care of the second.

I had to pick him up from the shop after I got off work - he didn't have his van and the plow guy still hasn't made it there so I couldn't go up into the parking lot - he had to walk down to the highway to meet me. Awww, poor guy.

On the way there I snapped a couple of shots of the big harvesty-type yellow moon. The first was at a traffic light in town:

The arrow is there to show you the moon - kinda hard to see - plus I turned off the flash so it wouldn't bounce back from the windshield.

A bit further down the road - past all of the lights - only a couple of miles out, but still a mile or so away from hubby - I pulled over to take another shot - still no flash, and yes, it is that dark at 5:15 p.m.

You can see that the plows have made several passes down the highway. That is State of Alaska stuff - our road is City of Kenai road and they had a lot of road to cover. Guess they finally made it down right around 4 p.m. And, then they didn't lift the plow or shut the gate when they got to Lessa's driveway, so that left a huge berm there. That's why grandson was in a bit of a tizzy. He was very pleased that Grandpa came down with the beast.

Did you get what you wanted for Christmas? I was surprised with this:

the new - a 17 inch flat screen!

the old (regulation type monitor)

Wow! That was just ever so cool! Unexpected. And - Lessa got me this - and, if you think it is just because of the label - well, you would be correct. (because, I don't drink)

Yes, that is a purple (upside down) moose on the label ;-))

I am overwhelmed! Hubby told me tonight what my birthday gift is going to be - and that it is coming early - Wednesday in fact. (birthday isn't until next month) I'll tell you all about it then, (Wednesday, that is) okay?

For now, have a great (what is left of the) evening - and a good Tuesday, too.

For Unto Us a Son is Given

Season's Blessings on You All

Luke 2:1-20
Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem

1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a (I)Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."
16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

(New American Standard Bible)

graphic provided by Creations by Dawn

Snow Business

There's s'no business like snow business . . . . Heh - (I was in Annie Get Your Gun in high school . . . long, long ago.)

At any rate . . . today's entry has to do with snow - LOTS of snow - and what you can do with LOTS of SNOW.

First off, first thing in the morning, hubby can get stuck in the snow. Took about 1/2 an hour before we got him unstuck - neighbor came down the street and helped. Yay. And, off he went to work on unplowed, unsanded, nasty roads.

You can shovel the snow . . . well, actually, the next door young ladies can shovel the snow. They are a godsend sometimes. By the time I was ready to go to the chiro appt. they had pretty much cleared out our two driveways.

You can plow the snow . . . by the time I got home this afternoon the city had come down through our neighborhood and cleared a pathway for us. Yay.

You can play in the snow . . . above said neighbor girls built a humongous snowperson next to the mailboxes. And, the youngest girl built one onto the side of the package box. All the better for the mail lady to enjoy. (click for larger views)

Right this way . . .

Here's the little guy

Patriotic Snow Person

The entire scene for perspective.

Clever little minxes aren't they?

Perhaps more later . . . Miss Jessi is an angel tonight and I hope to get a picture or two.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There she is - our little angel JessiAnna Dove.
She's the tallest angel - in the center.

And, contrary to what her mother wrote in the comments - she was not just "portraying" an angel . . . she is one. (so there, Lessa!)

Have a wonderful Thursday, everyone.

Everybody is busy

Wednesday night I attended a pageant starring some of my little angels - you know, those little monkeys who were climbing the walls in my last entry? Yup, THOSE angels. Ha.

TAT decided to sit this one out. (maybe his arms were too tired to hold up his wings?) but Dezi and Kinzie played the part: (click for larger pics)

btw - they are all looking to their teacher for direction.

The program started right at 5 p.m. and I didn't get off work until 5, so I missed the first part. But I was tickled to see what I could. Asked Miss Kinzie to stand for a picture afterwards . . . she doesn't look too thrilled. (It was my night to be dissed by Kinzie for sure - she perked up around everyone else)

Afterwards everyone was invited downstairs to have dinner - the kids all shrugged their angel costumes - and their angel demeanors and became normal, rowdy, kids again.

Meanwhile Isaiah showed his musical talents:

He also showed his prowess with marching the thing across the floor. It won't be much longer and he will be walking. (Mama walked at 9 months!)

Check out the cute centerpieces one of the couples made:

Clever

Attended a meeting Thursday - we are working on a solution for homelessness in the area. Anything that can help.

After hearing about people living in cars and such - it was a bit difficult to do what I had to do next - shop for the agency's Christmas holiday party. (aside: we are not supposed to call it a Christmas party - it might offend someone. I love that many don't realize where the word "holiday" originated - it stands for Holy Day. I'll take it.)

I shopped at one store Thursday - buying the things that didn't require refrigeration. Then on Friday morning I bought the veggie and meat trays and the cake at a different store. So much food (and so much left over - it went to the shelter clients so none went to waste.)

Some of us also brought food - here was my contribution:

Aren't they cute? The directions were in the paper - turns out my neighbor sent it in. The cookies are nutter butters, of course - use red and white icing for the hat and beard and tassel and eyes. The brown in the eyes are mini chocolate chips and the mouth can be either red hots or mini M&Ms (which is what I used). They were a hit - the entire plate of cookies was eaten! I didn't even get a taste. LOL. I'll make more this week.

I have this coming week off and am looking forward to it. Not sure how much - or if - I will decorate for Christmas. I hope to be able to sleep in most mornings - at least until 7 a.m. (that is sleeping in for me, folks)

Tomorrow night the folks from my church are planning to do some caroling. I may join them for a bit. And, Wednesday we are having our Christmas Candlelight service. Miss Jessi will be an angel during her class' part in that.

I hope you will take time this week to slow down and step aside from the usual hustle and bustle - at least long enough to reflect on why we are celebrating. May He bring us peace - in our hearts, if not in our world.
>..<

Climbing the walls

literally . . .

Got a call from the Ladybug this evening - Dad, please come by and have Mom bring the camera. The T-man is doing something photo worthy.

All righty then. Off we went.

To find the little monkeys literally climbing Ladybug's walls. Well, okay, not the walls - rather the door jambs.

TAT has discovered that if his feet are wet (tacky) then he can plant them on the inside of a doorway and work his way up to the top by hiking up his arms and legs. He was having a great time showing off. Brother and sister got in on the act as well.

(click for larger view)

If it doesn't work as well as you'd like with your own spit - ask Mom to lick your feet (YUK< Ladybug!)

There, that should do it . . .

Whew, my arms are getting, tired, Mama!

Soon they were ALL getting into the act - with Kinzie trying to walk up between the two walls:

Then, Dezi tried a different approach on his bedroom door jamb:

Meanwhile - Paw-Paw and Isaih were sizing each other up:

While Nana got dissed:

Get on with you, woman!

There are my monkeys - all of them having a ball. We figure either TAT's arms are gonna be really sore tomorrow - or he is gonna jump up out of bed and try it again - just to prove to himself that he still can.

I love my monkeys.

Outreach . . . reached

and the Moose is back again.

I actually decided to go on up to Anchorage after my last stop Thursday - visited a friend of mine and stayed overnight before heading back to Kenai. And, of course, this being the season of the empty purse, I did a bit of shopping as well. Only stopped at two stores, though. How good is that? More on that in a bit.

First, I thought I would take you on a bit of a pictorial tour of my outreach stops. I began at 8:30 a.m. when it was pitch black outside still, so my first stop in Kasilof (ka-SEE-lof) garnered no photographs. Dropped off agency material at the school library there and then headed off to Cooper Landing.

First - here is a graphic of our borough - the Kenai Peninsula Borough:

And . . . here is a closeup with my travel spots marked in order:

(click to enlarge this and remaining pictures)
The "x" marks Kenai. I had gone to walk at the church gym at 6:45 a.m., showered and visited with another walker then hit the road - and the time clock - at 8:30. Endorphins were a-flowing and I was ready, willing, and able to make the trip.

From Kasilof, I headed for Cooper Landing. Made a stop at the Museum location:

to leave more materials - took pictures of the old (original) Post Office:

and a couple of critters standing outside on the path to the river:

That pic is for Lisa's little guy "B" who sometimes worries about me and our local moose type critters. These did me no harm, B, thanks for worrying.

Back on the road heading for the "Y" cut-off and the Seward Highway. There I turned to my right for the drive to Moose Pass. I was to leave materials at the library there as well.

Outside the library location is the Moose Pass sign:

look closely . . . is it? . . . why, yes it is . . .

a PURPLE moose!

Gotta love it, huh?

Back the way I came . . . back towards the cutoff . . . this time continuing on up the "hill" into the mountains and towards the Hope cutoff.

Hope is a small mining town. It is also the furthest location for our outreach mission. My contact there is the school which houses 10-14 students. In 1984 we passed a bond issue borough-wide to pay for a brand new modern school for Hope. It houses 10-14 students!!! Yes, that bears repeating. The school is quite something for a very small population.

It is a glorious setting, though, isn't it? And, please note the mode of transportation for at least two of the students . . . snow-machines. Helmets were lined up in the foyer alongside the boots and snowsuits. We are rugged up here - (well some of us are).

I left Hope and headed back to the cutoff at the Seward Highway junction. Being this close to Anchorage, my choice was already made. I had my overnight bag and pillows (special one for my neck) in the car. I went off the clock and turned left to begin the drive to Anchorage.

The day was sunny and only slightly overcast. It was gorgeous to drive in.

When I reached Girdwood - the last potty stop before Anchorage - I saw a jolly gent standing on the side of the road waving at passersby. An elderly couple stopped and one by one took photos of themselves with him. I, of course, butted in and asked if they would like one taken together with him. After doing that . . . well, of COURSE, I had to have another pic with Santa:

No lap to sit on, but a nice hug and I was off again headed for my friend's house.

We had a wonderful visit. I had stopped at a toy store (a small, independent store with lots of neat-o keeno brainy type toys) to purchase some things for the grands' Christmas - and then grabbed her to go to dinner. We dropped the Saturn off at the dealer for it's 51000 mile oil change and bath, leaving it overnight, then went to the Royal Fork buffet. We were a bit disappointed in the buffet - food was sort of dried out and very overpriced - we will not be going back.

Had a lovely chat with my Sister-Friend after dinner - back at her place I sat and knitted on a scarf (for the ladies' Christmas party Saturday) while she watched a couple of her favorite shows. We sacked out pretty early for us - 10 - and slept quite well. I was up about 9 a.m., but she didn't come out of her room until 10 a.m.

We went to our favorite breakfast stop - the Snow City Cafe - and then she took me back to the dealer to pick up my car. We always hate to part company because we are good for each other. She is a wonderful listener (sympathetic and kind - but a sage giver of advice when asked) and a kind friend. I am company for her and one of a few who get her out and about. We listen to each other - we laugh - and we sometimes cry together. It is a good friendship and I am thankful for it.

When I left her I made my last shopping stop - the Alaska Wild Berry Products store. Oh, I tell you, it is a chocolate lovers dream store. Oh my, oh my, oh my!

They are home to the world's largest milk chocolate fall:

according to the sign it is 20 feet tall! It is made up of:

lots and lots of chocolate . . .

there it is in all of its glory . . . the sound and the smell of all of that molten chocolate . . . well, it is quite inducive to purchasing lots and lots of chocolate.

The chocolate falls is overseen by a special engineer.

Well, I got myself out of there without too much trouble - didn't buy nearly what I would have liked to buy - someone of you reading this will be getting a package in the mail soon. Merry Christmas!

From there it was back on the road headed for home. The going was not all that easy as I left Turnagain Arm and headed up into the mountains again . . .

The weather took a downturn and it was nearing whiteout conditions as I clambered up the first mountain pass.

I felt "safe" as there was an Alaskan State Trooper in the lead of my little caravan. ;-) Nah! I knew I was fine.

When I reached the Hope cutoff again, I had to go back on the clock for the agency for the rest of the drive home - had to watch my mileage again and all that.

The things we have to do. It was a beautiful two day trip. And, some of it was paid for by the agency. How much better can it be?

Hope you enjoyed this little travelogue. See you soon.

Future's so bright!

(click for bigger view)

You got to wear shades

Took this while the grandyounguns were destroying the front room. ;-) Hey - we had a goooooood time. They love to model our sunglasses.

and play on the treadmill which (repeat after me Kinz and Timothy . .. ) is NOT a toy. (right? right)

Last night we went to Miss Mairi's 5th grade band concert - their first of the year - first ever. I would hazard a guess that none (or most all) of them had never held an instrument before this year. She plays the clarinet - and even got to sound the note for the others to tune their instruments . . . TWICE! Way to go gorlie.

(aside: truer love hath no man than that of a grandparent attending 5th grade band concerts - heh)

Sorry - no pics - we were at the wrong angle. It really doesn't matter where we sit at these concerts (same thing happened last month at her choral concert) we always sit at the wrong spot. Sigh.

They all did quite well. Mr. Uponen (of Brown Bear Boogie fame does a wonderful job with the kids. He also was in charge of the choral program last month.

And, with the Lessa clan gone all last week, Mairi came home to find that the band had learned a new song - and that it was on last night's program. What did she do? Rather than getting upset and saying she couldn't do it - she worked with Mr. U her entire lunch hour in order to learn the piece. That's my grand-girl!

Tonight (adding to the things a grandparent will do) we attended Ladybug's Dezi's Christmas concert. Mrs. Larson - now there is another music teacher who is immensely good at getting the best out of a (very large) group of kids. We thanked her afterwards for such a great program.

He was an elf - the program was a take-off on the Polar Express. Job well done, kiddo!

Afterwards, any who wanted to wait in line could have a visit with Santa - of COURSE the moose had to do that! (not a great pic - the resolution was too low.

And, of course, the grandpa had to have his picture taken with Ms. Claus herself: (I fixed the resolution prior to taking his picture, so it is better)

Sean has a choir program Thursday night, but we are going to miss it. I have an "outreach" trip that day and will be in Anchorage that night. Grandpa has a meeting that night. We're so sorry, Sean.

And, so we rush along toward Christmas - with programs after programs. Ahhhh the life of a gramma!

Quiet Time

The house has settled now and it is quiet finally. Hubby is relaxing in front of the TV - probably snoring - and I can grab a few minutes on line because the children are asleep.

Children???

Yup, children. We picked up two of Ladybug's little ones early this morning, so that Mama and Daddy could drive to Anchorage. (Older brother was at his other Grandma's house) 7 a.m. and we gently awoke Kinzie and Timothy to get them dressed and out the door for a special breakfast with us.

Isaiah woke up and I got to cuddle with him for a bit while Ladybug gathered up the car seats and helped Paw-Paw get them installed in our car.

And . . . .

I was chosen to be the one to discover his little secret. Isaiah cut a bottom tooth overnight! He let me check and I felt the sharp edges poking through his gums. Yay! That was special, Isaiah. Thanks for sharing with me.

Our day has been a busy one. Breakfast was boisterous and fun. It has been too long since we have taken any of the grands out for a special restaurant breakfast. Kinzie enjoyed seeing all of the animals on the walls when I took her to the restroom. The dining room is surrounded by taxidermy . . . black, brown and polar bears, elk, caribou, moose, several species of fish, wolverine, lynx, dall sheep, and eagle. Most of them were identified as either moose or bear by our little gal.

Paw-Paw went to a meeting and I brought the kiddos back home with me - then watched as they destroyed the front room and had a rousing good time. ;-) No, I don't mind at all. We watched a couple of videos, colored pages, stuck stickers, bounced and bounced some more. It exhausted me just to watch them.

When Paw-Paw came home from his meeting we drove to Soldotna to Papa Murphy's to buy take it and bake it pizzas for dinner. Straightened up the front room and vacuumed it - then watched it get destroyed again before showers and bedtime. ;-)

Paw-Paw put both of them into our king sized bed - I read them a story - they began to pick and bicker a bit - so I finally separated them and put one into the bed I had made up for both of them. Now only the boy is in our bed. Not sure if I will move him over to the other bed when we go to bed or just let him stay there. We'll see.

The Lessa clan has been gone since last Sunday - got back home tonight. They went to Disneyland and, as I understand it, had a wonderful time. Except they all have coughs now. Lessa said she was glad to get them all home to our cold, clean air. (Sorry, Californians)

We are blessed in that we don't have the industrial smog here in our area. There is some hanging over Anchorage, and I generally get an "Anchorage headache" whenever I go up there. But, even with our refineries out a few miles from town, we don't have that brown stuff hanging in the air.

And, so I am sitting here enjoying a bit of quiet - the first the house has seen all day long. And, then I am going to get off here and head for slumber myself. Tomorrow I am further blessed to take these two and Lessa's two girls to Sunday School and worship service.

May your Sunday be a peaceful, restful, and blessed one.