WHERE did November go? I think I blinked twice and the month was gone! December is starting to feel that way as well. I have about 11 days before I see my people (family) for Christmas. SO much to do SO SO little time! One thing for this month is done...
At work, one of the clinicians and I have started a girls' group. They have named themselves "The Freshiez." It consists of 6 girls from the freshman class. They have been identified by a screening and this group is to help them with the struggles of becoming a high schooler and having them get to know other people and talk about some issues, i.e., body image, friendships, healthy relationships, communication skills, etc. This past Friday we had something called a "lock-in." Where we were locked into the school over night. It was pretty fun. TIRING, but fun! We made pizza from scratch and homemade sauce. Some of the girls had to leave for a few hours due to school things, and a basketball game, which presented a challenge. But we had a blast none the less. Besides the basketball game, the IT guys were working on the network so we couldn't stream netflix, we had issues with keys for the cooking classroom we were using, an some other things, but all in all it went well. The girls had fun. They baked cookies, played sardines, hid from the custodians, talked and giggled the night (and early morning) away. Why Hilary (my co-facilitator) and I watched movies upstairs in the library. I worked for 26 hours straight and to say the least I was T-I-R-E-D! I didnt do much the next day and slept for most of it. I went to bed at 6. Will we do it again?I hope so! Am I looking for punishment, apparently! :o) (P.S., I LOVE my job!)
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Lots O' Words
This may be a boring. No pictures. Maybe a funny story. No deep thoughts. Just an update. Though knowing me, it will be lots of words. Since the last time I posted,... Ready? Set. Here goes,...
August- I went to Gustavus twice. I loved it so much that I went back a few days later. Gustavus is where I experienced a "oh, this is why people spend their lives dreaming of here," moments. My friends the Rosnebruchs and I took a charter out fishing for halibut. It was sunny (a rare occasion) and we were surrounded by mountains and the birds were chirping and you could hear a Humpback whale breathe every now and then, and I had the thought of "this is why people spend their whole lives savinga nd trying to get here." I am belssed and fortunate enough to live in this beautiful place. It has its drawbacks like ever where, but what untouched beauty I live in. SO nice! During the second trip to Gustavus, I went fishing with this family and another family that live in my ward (church congregation). During this trip I caught TWO halibut and my freezer is brimming full with halibut! yum! So come visit me and make you some yummy fish that I caught! (yes, that WAS a shameless plug!) Other happenings in August, I went back to work.
September- Nothing big happening. Back in the groove of being back to work.
October- October was SO busy! A family in my ward asked if I would stay with their 16 year old daughter so she wouldn't be lonely while her dad had back surgery. Well, I was there longer than we anticipated. WOW what an experience! It was wonderful and I have made a new friend! The daughter was AMAZING! It was good for me to see that there are "good kids" in the world, who don't use substances and try to do well in school. With my career, sometimes I only see the bad and the sad. For those of you who have teenagers, I'm sorry and good luck!
November- The flu. ugh. My birthday. A trip to Petersburg and Thanksgiving. Due to the flu, I wasn't able to go to Petersburg when I wanted for my birthday. So, I went the week after! Like always, the time is TOO short, the company is AMAZING and I have lots of fun and laughter and some part of my body gets attacked and sat on! This time luckily, it wasn't my head! :o) My birthday was pretty low key. I celebrated with my Alaska family. With my choice of dinner, which were burritos, and yummy german chocolate cupcakes. Thanksgiving was pretty low key as well. I made a pumpkin and an apple pie. Both turned out yum! I spent it with my Alaska family and we have started a new tradition. If you have ever seen or heard of "Punkin Chunkin," It is a show about people who build catapults and trebuchets, and they catapult HUGE pumpkins in a field. We were all supposed to make one. I didn't. Instead of pumpkins, we used cherry tomatoes. It was a lot of fun! Oh my! That's my life in a smallish nutshell. Work, work, and some play time in between there. Hope you all are well! until next time...
August- I went to Gustavus twice. I loved it so much that I went back a few days later. Gustavus is where I experienced a "oh, this is why people spend their lives dreaming of here," moments. My friends the Rosnebruchs and I took a charter out fishing for halibut. It was sunny (a rare occasion) and we were surrounded by mountains and the birds were chirping and you could hear a Humpback whale breathe every now and then, and I had the thought of "this is why people spend their whole lives savinga nd trying to get here." I am belssed and fortunate enough to live in this beautiful place. It has its drawbacks like ever where, but what untouched beauty I live in. SO nice! During the second trip to Gustavus, I went fishing with this family and another family that live in my ward (church congregation). During this trip I caught TWO halibut and my freezer is brimming full with halibut! yum! So come visit me and make you some yummy fish that I caught! (yes, that WAS a shameless plug!) Other happenings in August, I went back to work.
September- Nothing big happening. Back in the groove of being back to work.
October- October was SO busy! A family in my ward asked if I would stay with their 16 year old daughter so she wouldn't be lonely while her dad had back surgery. Well, I was there longer than we anticipated. WOW what an experience! It was wonderful and I have made a new friend! The daughter was AMAZING! It was good for me to see that there are "good kids" in the world, who don't use substances and try to do well in school. With my career, sometimes I only see the bad and the sad. For those of you who have teenagers, I'm sorry and good luck!
November- The flu. ugh. My birthday. A trip to Petersburg and Thanksgiving. Due to the flu, I wasn't able to go to Petersburg when I wanted for my birthday. So, I went the week after! Like always, the time is TOO short, the company is AMAZING and I have lots of fun and laughter and some part of my body gets attacked and sat on! This time luckily, it wasn't my head! :o) My birthday was pretty low key. I celebrated with my Alaska family. With my choice of dinner, which were burritos, and yummy german chocolate cupcakes. Thanksgiving was pretty low key as well. I made a pumpkin and an apple pie. Both turned out yum! I spent it with my Alaska family and we have started a new tradition. If you have ever seen or heard of "Punkin Chunkin," It is a show about people who build catapults and trebuchets, and they catapult HUGE pumpkins in a field. We were all supposed to make one. I didn't. Instead of pumpkins, we used cherry tomatoes. It was a lot of fun! Oh my! That's my life in a smallish nutshell. Work, work, and some play time in between there. Hope you all are well! until next time...
Friday, July 27, 2012
Oh my!
It has been awhile, hasn't it? It has been so long, I don't even know when I last posted or what I posted about... Probably because there isn't a whole lot to say. Life is pretty boring. With the summer off, you would think that I would have all these exciting stories, but no, not really. Thanks goodness for my AK family. They have been a life saver and I have been hanging out at their house A LOT! The kids and I have gone for walks, to the park, to the glacier, lots of places. There is a neighborhood park that is close by their house and on the way we play "I spy" and "Name that Fruit/Vegetable." We have had lots of fun. Other than that, not much has been going on... Just hanging out and house-sitting. I am FINALLY back in my own house. I go to Gustavus this weekend, on a spur of the moment trip, so there should be LOTS of pictures and fun stories. Fingers crossed I have a "real Alaskan Adventure!" I will be going fishing, etc. Hopefully the posts will be more frequent coming up,...
Monday, April 2, 2012
Q....Quittin time!
Well, I'm not quitting my job any time soon! hahaha. But I LOVE at the end of the day when it is quittin' time! Actually, who doesn't?!
Friday, March 30, 2012
...P
Why, hello there! Why yes, you are correct, I have NOT blogged in apparently two months.. Oh. My. Goodness! There goes the goal, right down the toilet... Actually TWO of my goals right down the toilet. The only excuse I have is I got REALLY busy with work, working a lot of late nights and illness. Also sometimes you just blink, and poof there goes a week!..or in my case like 6! :o)
The new letter is "P." My answer to this letter is Petersburg, AK. I LOVE Petersburg Alaska. 7 of my FAVORITE people live there! During spring break I had the opportunity to go and see them and spend the weekend there. It was lovely. Relaxing, fun, activity filled and of course I got to hold Magg-ilicious and play with some of the BEST kids in. the. world! (Maggie was born on MY birthday and I was able to be there on the day she was born, 'cause she was born here in Juneau... it's a LONG story....) Pictures you ask? Why, of course there aren't any! Why, you ask? Because I am LAME and FORGOT my camera and remembered when I was on the ferry half way there... yes I agree, I am a mess at times... I will just let you make pictures in your head of how awesome my trip was. Shrinky dinks, church, driving out the road, holding babies, playing, watching movies curled up on the couch, science experiments, Just Dance 3!, talking, walking, having my head sat on, tickling, and lots and lots of laughter and fun. Thanks to my Petersburg family. Love you all and thanks for having me! Can't wait for all y'all to come to Junea
The new letter is "P." My answer to this letter is Petersburg, AK. I LOVE Petersburg Alaska. 7 of my FAVORITE people live there! During spring break I had the opportunity to go and see them and spend the weekend there. It was lovely. Relaxing, fun, activity filled and of course I got to hold Magg-ilicious and play with some of the BEST kids in. the. world! (Maggie was born on MY birthday and I was able to be there on the day she was born, 'cause she was born here in Juneau... it's a LONG story....) Pictures you ask? Why, of course there aren't any! Why, you ask? Because I am LAME and FORGOT my camera and remembered when I was on the ferry half way there... yes I agree, I am a mess at times... I will just let you make pictures in your head of how awesome my trip was. Shrinky dinks, church, driving out the road, holding babies, playing, watching movies curled up on the couch, science experiments, Just Dance 3!, talking, walking, having my head sat on, tickling, and lots and lots of laughter and fun. Thanks to my Petersburg family. Love you all and thanks for having me! Can't wait for all y'all to come to Junea
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
"O" my goodness!
That was a good title, huh?! :o) As you read the letter for the day is "o." A lot has happened this past weekend. One being that, as you all well know, Whitney Houston died. How sad. I am with everyone that it was a huge loss to the music scene. I remember listening to her when I was little. I LOVED the "I want to dance with," video. LOVED. IT! I wanted to be just like her. SO cool, and pretty. It was sad when she started to do drugs. As that is my job, not the doing drugs part but the counseling of users part,, I get to understand the addiction process and the process that heals as well. Addiction can hit anyone, in any manner. It's not just drugs. The website for NIDA (national institute on drugs and alcohol), is GREAT. I go to it often. There are so many new "designer" drugs out there now, that it is hard to keep up to date sometimes. At least, I will always have a job! Give the website a gander and if you have any questions, I'm always willing to answer and listen.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
"N"
I wish today's letter was "L." Why, you ask? Because I wanted to talk about things being LAME, like me right now. The reason why I am LAME, is because I am S-I-C-K!!! I hate being sick. I have a headache that has been going on for DAYS, and am nauseous and other stuff... Now that I got that off my chest, on to the letter of the day!!!
Which, I got "NOTHING!" Until tomorrow...
Which, I got "NOTHING!" Until tomorrow...
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
M is for MEALS....
Yes, you read right! "M" is for meals, not Monday! :o) TOMORROW is my alaska nephews birthday. He turns 6. It's crazy! HE and his family have been in my life for 3 or 4 years now. I can't remember him NOT being in my life. He cracks me all the way up. He LOVES dinosaurs, and legos, and drawing, and attention, and lots of other things. He is so smart! While the Legislature is in town and in session, family dinners happen on Tuesday(normally they are on Wednesday). Yesterday we celebrated X's birthday with the family. It was great. He picked out the menu himself. Which leads me to meals... It was a good one filled with carbs and sodium. For a 6 year old's birthday, this is what we had:
Corn Dogs
Corn
Mac and cheese (Kraft of course!)
olives
applesauce
A peanut butter chocolate cake. (YUMMY)
It was a dream. I NEVER eat this stuff, and I have matured to frozen mac and cheese instead of the stuff from the blue box. I LOVE corn dogs. I normally brown paper bagged it during elementary school, except for those rare occasions I could get a school lunch. Corn dog day was one of those days!
What would you have picked when you were 6? Happy Birthday X! Until next time...
Friday, January 27, 2012
"L"
"Lotion" is a BIG part of my life. Lotion, is just what it is, lotion. Baby, Aveeno, Suave, smelly, you got it. LOTION! I have been using something called "Aveeno, Daily moisture lotion," for about a couple months now, and I LOVE it! I also am a BIG fan of good ol' Johnson's Baby Lotion. In the winter months when my whole body chaps, A good lotion is a wonderful thing. What's your favorite lotion? Until tomorrow....
Thursday, January 26, 2012
"K"...the multicolored letter...
WOW, I am already at "K!" That sad part is I haven't blogged every day like I was wanting to do. On SUnday, I thought "oh man, I haven't blogged in a few days," Then I got busy, and it dawned on me again, that I still hadn't blogged. SOmetimes life happens that way. WOrk has been busy as well as I partied a lot last week....It was fun. Let's move on to "K"
This was hard! NOt very many words in our everyday lives begin with "k." I did choose one though, KALEIDOSCOPE!!!! Below are directions for a Kaleidoscope. I remember making one when I was in elementary school. Good luck and have fun! Until tomorrow... Or my next post... .
Thursday, January 19, 2012
random post...
I know, 2 posts in ONE day! I'm going CRAZY with this blogging stuff! :D
Well, as I was sitting here reading some blogs, happy ones, sad ones, cooking and baking ones. I was thinking about my life. Today I met with my "financial adviser." I had to decide what I am going to do with the money my agency puts in for my retirement, as well as some other financial things I have going on. It is interesting to hear from random people, that you really don't know very well, and that sort of "work" for you, to let you know that what you are currently doing in your life is good and that you are on the right track. Being 34, (EEK!) at times I think that I should have a house, better car, more important job, be finished with school or a different something... It's not like I am not happy with my life, because I am. I am content. I have a wonderful apartment, with some of the cheapest rent in Juneau, a FANTASTIC job, a car that runs (even though in the winter I can only open certain doors...,), my life is moving forward. I go to school part time, because I work full time. I don't have a job that is easy. It is a STRESSFUL job. You would think listening to people talk about their problems, and addictions would be easy, but it's not. It's stressful. Some days after work, I just want to curl in a ball and stare at a wall. (don't worry, I don't. I watch mind numbing T.V.. instead..., I'm getting better, I'm throwing going for walks in the mix too.) I don't particularly want to go to school to "further" my education goals. But, I do. One day, I will be finished with my bachelors and I will proudly drag myself across that stage, from exhaustion, with the thought of a masters on my mind (which of course, I have chosen a career path where I need a masters.) Back to Randy, my financial adviser. He told me that going to school and being where I am and what I am doing is a good thing, especially financially. I am in a good place. That made me feel good to know. My life's journey is different from others'. That's okay, and I am good with it. Just 'cause I am an "adult" doesn't mean I have to have ALL the answers. I tell that to the kids every day. Especially the seniors that are FREAKING all the way out about their future. I should take my own advice. But for now, I'll hold tight to what Randy said. Thanks Randy.
Well, as I was sitting here reading some blogs, happy ones, sad ones, cooking and baking ones. I was thinking about my life. Today I met with my "financial adviser." I had to decide what I am going to do with the money my agency puts in for my retirement, as well as some other financial things I have going on. It is interesting to hear from random people, that you really don't know very well, and that sort of "work" for you, to let you know that what you are currently doing in your life is good and that you are on the right track. Being 34, (EEK!) at times I think that I should have a house, better car, more important job, be finished with school or a different something... It's not like I am not happy with my life, because I am. I am content. I have a wonderful apartment, with some of the cheapest rent in Juneau, a FANTASTIC job, a car that runs (even though in the winter I can only open certain doors...,), my life is moving forward. I go to school part time, because I work full time. I don't have a job that is easy. It is a STRESSFUL job. You would think listening to people talk about their problems, and addictions would be easy, but it's not. It's stressful. Some days after work, I just want to curl in a ball and stare at a wall. (don't worry, I don't. I watch mind numbing T.V.. instead..., I'm getting better, I'm throwing going for walks in the mix too.) I don't particularly want to go to school to "further" my education goals. But, I do. One day, I will be finished with my bachelors and I will proudly drag myself across that stage, from exhaustion, with the thought of a masters on my mind (which of course, I have chosen a career path where I need a masters.) Back to Randy, my financial adviser. He told me that going to school and being where I am and what I am doing is a good thing, especially financially. I am in a good place. That made me feel good to know. My life's journey is different from others'. That's okay, and I am good with it. Just 'cause I am an "adult" doesn't mean I have to have ALL the answers. I tell that to the kids every day. Especially the seniors that are FREAKING all the way out about their future. I should take my own advice. But for now, I'll hold tight to what Randy said. Thanks Randy.
"J"
J= Joke... Here's a few jokes for you to use....
How much does it cost for a pirate to get his ears pierced?
A Buckaneer! (get it? a buck an ear!) A-HAHAHAHa
Why does a duck fly upside down?
He "quaks" up! A-HAHAHAHA (my grandpa's favorite!)
Whats brown and sticky all over?
A STICK! A-HAHAHAHA (Thanks Monty!)
so what's your favorite joke? Enjoy, and until tomorrow...
How much does it cost for a pirate to get his ears pierced?
A Buckaneer! (get it? a buck an ear!) A-HAHAHAHa
Why does a duck fly upside down?
He "quaks" up! A-HAHAHAHA (my grandpa's favorite!)
Whats brown and sticky all over?
A STICK! A-HAHAHAHA (Thanks Monty!)
so what's your favorite joke? Enjoy, and until tomorrow...
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Is it ILLEGAL?
Illegal, is my word for I- I was reading this morning about SOPA and PIPA. There is so much gray area that is involved. I agree that pirating, where people make hundreds of copies and sell them should not happen. But who hasn't made a copy for themselves or a few people? I for one remember making mixed tapes. Those were the days.... Was it pirating? Or for my own enjoyment? I read a little bit of what the bill is saying and I can see where they may beheading towards the wrong way. I read an interesting article this morning on the subject. Here ya go and until tomorrow...
catch up...
I've fallen, and I can't get back up! Actually, no, in reality, I have fallen down on the job of blogging. I could see it happening, just not wanting to turn on the computer, or too tired, or cold (its been - numbers here and single digits.) or not knowing what to say about a particular letter. I have officially kicked myself in the buttocks and am back o the blogging wagon... Here goes... a lot of mini posts...
H- heat- In these below freezing and single digit numbers, I am SO glad for HEAT! My nose hairs have been freezing from my car to my front door, thats like 5 feet, maybe 6. Not far at all. I am glad that my heater works as well as the water heater, oh how i love me a nce warm shower in the morning. I was so cold the other night, I almost went and took a shower, but instead I added another blanket to the 4 that were already covering me. Oh spring... (As I look longingly across the room)
Saturday, January 14, 2012
"F" and "G"
-Ok, so I slacked yesterday and didn't write. I am finding the writing part not difficult, but the knowing WHAT to write about is difficult! Sheesh! SO MANY good words and decisions, and if you've ever gone out to eat with me, you know how I am about making a decision! ha! So here goes..
"F"- Festivals, families, friends, fortunes, feathers, funnies, fruit, fable, fabulous, face lift, facial, fades (as in the haircut), focalin (ADHD med, sorry I just finished up with two days of a psycho-physiology/pharmacology class) flouncy... see, SO many words!!!! OH!, and what about the obvious? FACEBOOK! Duh! How about fabulous friends' fruit! Too much?
How about friends and family... I have great friends and a great family. I have friends from growing up that I still talk with, friends from the mission, my Utah years, and from being here in the Last Frontier. I have grown, from all of these people being in my life. There are SO many stories! How my friends have enriched my life and have made it colorful. If my life was a painting my friends and the experiences I have shared with them would be part of the color in my painting. My family would be the paper and the drawing of the painting. I am who I am, (mostly) because of my family. I am QUITE different from them, but I know that the reason I am a good person is because of what the members of my family have taught me. They are part of my foundation. I love my family and friends very much!
"G"- Speaking of family, lets talk about grandparents... oh my. I have been blessed to know my mom's parents VERY well, and to know my dad's mom. My grandpa Kroll died when I was one year old, in November 1978. How I wish I could have known him. I have heard great stories. The few times I have been to New York to visit Dad's side, I have heard wonderful stories. My father looks like him I think, with Grandma's coloring. One story that I remember Grandma Kroll telling me was that Grandpa Kroll always wore a plaid flannel. Go figure. Thats what I remember, and I think, but not sure, is that they met at a dance, or he took her to a dance... I do know this, Grandma loved him very much. My Grandma was a kick! I would always call during a holiday. I loved listening to her NY accent, and asking me how I was doing. In her last years, it was nice to talk to her and I always felt a connection. It's always hard to have grandparents that live far away because you don't get to know them very well. I wish I would have known her better. I remember once when visiting, Dad and my aunt went to do something, and it was just she and I. She told me so many stories. She loved to go and help out with bingo and things at the church. She had some poker skills too! When I think of Grandma Kroll, or Grandma New York, as I lovingly called her, I think of her smile and playing with my cousins baby, she had a great smile.
My mother's parents are very special to me. I grew up with them. They basically always lived "up the hill." I ate (and still do) many a meal there. I remember being little and sitting on my grandfathers lap and singing into the microphone while he played his guitar, or coloring with my "special pens" while he worked. I remember going to exercise with my grandma, being sick and her taking care of me, listening to me, playing with me, helping me with school projects, and making a wooden spoon person ( I saw it on Romper Room. BEST. KID SHOW. EVER!). As I grew up, they were always in my life, picking me up from school, helping with homework, teaching me grammar, going on field trips to San Francisco. SO Many memories. I have a special relationship with them, and I am grateful for it. Now that they are getting older, I hope that I can repay them back in some way for everything that they have given me. Here's the lyrics to one of my Grandpa's favorite songs... The Kingston Trio's "Tattooed Lady" You can you tube it, but my grandpa sings it better! :O) Thanks for letting me go down memory lane.. Man, I MUST be getting old! Enjoy the lyrics and until tomorrow....
"We came to town to see that old tattooed lady. She was a sight to see, tattooed from head to knee.
My uncle Ned was there. He came to gape and stare. "I've never!" he declared, "Seen such a freak so fair."
And on her jaw was the Royal Flying Corp and on her back was the Union Jack, now could you ask for more?
All up and down her spine marched the Queen's own guards in line and all around her hips sailed a fleet of battleships.
And over her left kidney was a bird's eye view of Sidney but what we liked best was upon her chest
My little home in Waikiki!
(What did you say?) (Repeat all lines)" (Grandpa, makes Grams say this part...) It's REALLY funny and embarrassing when he does it at family reunions!)
"F"- Festivals, families, friends, fortunes, feathers, funnies, fruit, fable, fabulous, face lift, facial, fades (as in the haircut), focalin (ADHD med, sorry I just finished up with two days of a psycho-physiology/pharmacology class) flouncy... see, SO many words!!!! OH!, and what about the obvious? FACEBOOK! Duh! How about fabulous friends' fruit! Too much?
How about friends and family... I have great friends and a great family. I have friends from growing up that I still talk with, friends from the mission, my Utah years, and from being here in the Last Frontier. I have grown, from all of these people being in my life. There are SO many stories! How my friends have enriched my life and have made it colorful. If my life was a painting my friends and the experiences I have shared with them would be part of the color in my painting. My family would be the paper and the drawing of the painting. I am who I am, (mostly) because of my family. I am QUITE different from them, but I know that the reason I am a good person is because of what the members of my family have taught me. They are part of my foundation. I love my family and friends very much!
"G"- Speaking of family, lets talk about grandparents... oh my. I have been blessed to know my mom's parents VERY well, and to know my dad's mom. My grandpa Kroll died when I was one year old, in November 1978. How I wish I could have known him. I have heard great stories. The few times I have been to New York to visit Dad's side, I have heard wonderful stories. My father looks like him I think, with Grandma's coloring. One story that I remember Grandma Kroll telling me was that Grandpa Kroll always wore a plaid flannel. Go figure. Thats what I remember, and I think, but not sure, is that they met at a dance, or he took her to a dance... I do know this, Grandma loved him very much. My Grandma was a kick! I would always call during a holiday. I loved listening to her NY accent, and asking me how I was doing. In her last years, it was nice to talk to her and I always felt a connection. It's always hard to have grandparents that live far away because you don't get to know them very well. I wish I would have known her better. I remember once when visiting, Dad and my aunt went to do something, and it was just she and I. She told me so many stories. She loved to go and help out with bingo and things at the church. She had some poker skills too! When I think of Grandma Kroll, or Grandma New York, as I lovingly called her, I think of her smile and playing with my cousins baby, she had a great smile.
My mother's parents are very special to me. I grew up with them. They basically always lived "up the hill." I ate (and still do) many a meal there. I remember being little and sitting on my grandfathers lap and singing into the microphone while he played his guitar, or coloring with my "special pens" while he worked. I remember going to exercise with my grandma, being sick and her taking care of me, listening to me, playing with me, helping me with school projects, and making a wooden spoon person ( I saw it on Romper Room. BEST. KID SHOW. EVER!). As I grew up, they were always in my life, picking me up from school, helping with homework, teaching me grammar, going on field trips to San Francisco. SO Many memories. I have a special relationship with them, and I am grateful for it. Now that they are getting older, I hope that I can repay them back in some way for everything that they have given me. Here's the lyrics to one of my Grandpa's favorite songs... The Kingston Trio's "Tattooed Lady" You can you tube it, but my grandpa sings it better! :O) Thanks for letting me go down memory lane.. Man, I MUST be getting old! Enjoy the lyrics and until tomorrow....
"We came to town to see that old tattooed lady. She was a sight to see, tattooed from head to knee.
My uncle Ned was there. He came to gape and stare. "I've never!" he declared, "Seen such a freak so fair."
And on her jaw was the Royal Flying Corp and on her back was the Union Jack, now could you ask for more?
All up and down her spine marched the Queen's own guards in line and all around her hips sailed a fleet of battleships.
And over her left kidney was a bird's eye view of Sidney but what we liked best was upon her chest
My little home in Waikiki!
(What did you say?) (Repeat all lines)" (Grandpa, makes Grams say this part...) It's REALLY funny and embarrassing when he does it at family reunions!)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A new adventure....
The adventures are continuing! I have started a baking/cooking blog. I am participating over at "Tuesday's with Dorie in creating Julia Child's recipes from "Baking with Julia" Come and take a gander at what I have created. This is starting in February so be patient! Fingers crossed that I do well!
http://itsasweetretreat.blogspot.com
http://itsasweetretreat.blogspot.com
Education...
"Education is Key..." they all say. Yes, I believe it's true. One thing that I know is that education comes in all shapes and sizes and at different times in your life. My "formal" education has sort of been put on hold the last year for multiple reasons. Lately, I have been missing school and learning in a school environment. I hope to go back this semester.... One of my other educations, iswork related. I have been working on my chemical dependency certificate for what seems like FOREVER, though it has only been a few years. Still those years have felt like EONS! I was talking with the certification board admin person this morning, getting down to the nitty gritty of what I need. I need 5 hours. That's is IT. Hopefully, as long as they accept a few different trainings for things. But 5 hours. Of course these 5 hours are specific to crisis intervention. I scoured the internet today looking for a few online classes that wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg. I found two, which they both equal to 5.5 hours. THANK HEAVENS. I am working on the two, to get the certificates faxed by Friday, so the board has it next week. Fingers crossed. Of course this isn't the end of my "work" education. I will still need to always stay on top of what is going on in the field of addiction. So many types of education. Thank you all for helping in my learning and EDUCATION in my life. Until tomorrow....
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
"D"
Dinosaurs... have you ever thought about them? I remember being little and going to The Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. I remember thinking they were HUGE, a little scary, but huge! My Alaska nephew LOVES dinosaurs. It's funny because I'll say something and he corrects me. "no, Aunty Heather, the somethingsomethingosaurus didn't eat meat, they had leaves... that kid. I think ok, whatever. A dinosaur is a dinosaur. It's big (at times), prehistoric, ancient and not my favorite subject. If I don't like dinosaurs very much, you're probably asking yourself why am I writing about them. Well, it was either dinosaurs or drugs. I figure y'all don't want to hear about drugs, statistics, and I talk about them WAY to much in my daily life! ;o). I'll give it to dinosaurs, they are pretty cool, even when a 5 year old knows more than you! Until tomorrow..
Monday, January 9, 2012
"C"= Christmas
Luminaries on a front porch
The front of the house, the PB cup is a car
in front of the car port...yes,
I have some mad decorating skills! :o)
in front of the car port...yes,
I have some mad decorating skills! :o)
Back of the house, a gardenand the Christmas tree through the window...
again, mad skills at work! ;o)
(sorry for the fuzziness it was REALLY windy)
Christmas, 2011 that is. Trying to decide what to post for "C" was difficult. As I was looking through the dictionary at c-words, I had a light bulb moment and thought of Christmas! This would be a PERFECT time to blog about Christmas 2011! So, here goes!
I was dead set on going to California for Christmas this year. I had been with my family all summer and was looking forward to Christmas with them as well, especially since I haven't been home for 6 years. But things just didn't work out, so I stayed in town. It was a LOVELY Christmas. I had a lot of fun. I have a group of friends that I hang out with a lot up here. They're my "crew." They make my life a lot easier and better. Especially in the winter and around holidays.
With working in the schools, I am able to take my vacation when the schools are out. I have to use my leave, but that's ok. By the end of a semester, I am ready for a break so I don't pummel a few kids (or teachers!). Lots happened during the break. I had a barbie movie "date" with one of my old primary class kids (she's 5). Its a long story, but we ended up watching Rudolph instead. That's ok. I got to sing along with the movie. I hung out with her family for couple more hours and enjoyed my time there. They are a great family and am SO glad to have them in my life. I also made graham cracker houses with members of the crew. I had a LOT of fun. It was a challenge and good to get some creative juices flowing, my house got CLEANED (yay!), members of our crew light luminaries every year. Its been a long standing tradition in their family. Last year, we were lucky enough to be apart of it. This year we did it as well. The kids got involved and poured sand into the bags, then we went caroling and lit bags. The sad part was that it was SO windy and raining, that at one house one of the bags fell over and caught on fire.. scary and funny!Good thing we have a firefigher/paramedic and a nurse in the crowd and some smart people!
On Christmas Eve, my friend Lynn and I went on a few errands, and had christmas dinner, played a few rousing games of canasta caliente, opened our gifts AND watched "My Fair Lady." We also had a scare with a dog and LOTS of choclolate.. the dog is fine... On Christmas morning after church, I went to my Alaska families house, opened gifts, watched the kids open there gifts, had a yummy breakfast, went home, opened my gifts from my family, talked with mi familia, made a cake, took a nap, and then went to mom and dad Lea's house for dinner. We talked, played more games and felt the Christmas spirit! It was wonderful. One of my favorite parts is that my "niece"" locked me in the playroom and made me tell her story after story, and sing lots and lots of songs! It was fun and too funny. That kid is a kick!
The day AFTER Christmas, I went to my other "alaska family's" house and opened gifts, had dinner, and played the new game they gave me. If you have ever played Ticket to Ride, the card game is EVEN better! After figuring out the game, we played many a hand and I think O.M.J (code name), even won a hand! ha! It was a good Christmas! Yes, I missed my family, but it is good to have a substitute family. Thank goodness for them and until tomorrow, enjoy the pictures! ... :oD
On Christmas Eve, my friend Lynn and I went on a few errands, and had christmas dinner, played a few rousing games of canasta caliente, opened our gifts AND watched "My Fair Lady." We also had a scare with a dog and LOTS of choclolate.. the dog is fine... On Christmas morning after church, I went to my Alaska families house, opened gifts, watched the kids open there gifts, had a yummy breakfast, went home, opened my gifts from my family, talked with mi familia, made a cake, took a nap, and then went to mom and dad Lea's house for dinner. We talked, played more games and felt the Christmas spirit! It was wonderful. One of my favorite parts is that my "niece"" locked me in the playroom and made me tell her story after story, and sing lots and lots of songs! It was fun and too funny. That kid is a kick!
The day AFTER Christmas, I went to my other "alaska family's" house and opened gifts, had dinner, and played the new game they gave me. If you have ever played Ticket to Ride, the card game is EVEN better! After figuring out the game, we played many a hand and I think O.M.J (code name), even won a hand! ha! It was a good Christmas! Yes, I missed my family, but it is good to have a substitute family. Thank goodness for them and until tomorrow, enjoy the pictures! ... :oD
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Day two, and the letter is.. "B"
Day two and so far so good! :o) The letter is "B."
I knew what I wanted to write about as soon as I decided to take this challenge. The word for the letter "B" is,...drum roll please...BOOKS! Well, books and book clubs. I just so happen to be a member of a book club and love to read. I don't particularly read a lot, but I read every day. Sometimes just a few paragraphs a day, or a sentence, depending on when I fall asleep and when the book hits me in my head or I wake up with an ache in my wrist and fingers from having the book and my body part at a weird angle.
There was a time when I didn't want to read. This was before I read "The Babysitters Club" books. OH.MY. GOODNESS. How I loved those books and how they changed my reading habit. I remember getting the first four pack from Price Club (before they and Costco merged). I read them all within a few days or a couple weeks. Can't recall. They were the saving grace for my reading habit. I ventured into a world with friends that seemed SO cool.
I think back to the books I have read in my life, I think of what I have learned about the world and about myself and to respect others' ideas even if I don't agree. Books are wonderful things. yesterday I wrote about adventures. You can ALWAYS take an adventure when you read a book!
The book club that I belong to happens to be a bunch of moms who homeschool. There are a few of us that are either married with no children, are single, or kids go to public school. It's an interesting and fabulous group of women. I have been a member from the very beginning when it started in 2009. Through the years the club has changed, at one time there were some many people that we had to split into 2 groups. We all read the same book, but met at different times. It is a changing organism! The club started after hearing a speaker come to Juneau talking about the Thomas Jefferson Education program. There is a school in Cedar City, UT called George Wyth University that teaches this way. The method is through mentors, and reading the classics. Learning math from those who created it, etc. It is an interesting way to teach. From that, the book club was created. The books we choose are always classics, whether it be modern or ancient. I liked the idea of classics, because, for one, I haven't read a whole lot of them. I like to read books where I don't have to think so much. I have a challenging job where I am on my toes at all times, and ALWAYS thinking and also read books for work or for school, interesting but more technical. So its nice just to read for pleasure. Through the club, I have gained wonderful acquaintances and friendships. My mind has expanded and I have read books that I have loved and ones that I have hated and will NEVER read again. I revel in the time that I have with these women. I have learned so much from them and our discussions of the books we have read thus far. We meet once a quarter, which gives us plenty of time to ponder on the words that are being read. Book clubs can be amazing!
My top 5 books that I read this last year that I enjoyed are:
1. The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom- EXCELLENT!
2. The Mitford Series, by Jan Karon- the books remind me of sitting on the porch in the summer with a glass of ice cold lemonade. I love this series! I could read them again!
3. The Frontiersman's Daughter, A kindle pick from a friend. Historical fiction. SO good! "Oh, Captain Jack!"
4. Tina Fey's Autobiography! LOVED it! It was SO funny! ( I like biographies.)
5. Books 2 and 3 of the Hunger Games. I didn't particularly like the first one. I was really disturbed after reading it. I found a lot of political stuff within the book as well.
SO many books, SO little time! What are some of the books you have read and enjoyed that I can add to my list?
Until tomorrow and happy reading!
I knew what I wanted to write about as soon as I decided to take this challenge. The word for the letter "B" is,...drum roll please...BOOKS! Well, books and book clubs. I just so happen to be a member of a book club and love to read. I don't particularly read a lot, but I read every day. Sometimes just a few paragraphs a day, or a sentence, depending on when I fall asleep and when the book hits me in my head or I wake up with an ache in my wrist and fingers from having the book and my body part at a weird angle.
There was a time when I didn't want to read. This was before I read "The Babysitters Club" books. OH.MY. GOODNESS. How I loved those books and how they changed my reading habit. I remember getting the first four pack from Price Club (before they and Costco merged). I read them all within a few days or a couple weeks. Can't recall. They were the saving grace for my reading habit. I ventured into a world with friends that seemed SO cool.
I think back to the books I have read in my life, I think of what I have learned about the world and about myself and to respect others' ideas even if I don't agree. Books are wonderful things. yesterday I wrote about adventures. You can ALWAYS take an adventure when you read a book!
The book club that I belong to happens to be a bunch of moms who homeschool. There are a few of us that are either married with no children, are single, or kids go to public school. It's an interesting and fabulous group of women. I have been a member from the very beginning when it started in 2009. Through the years the club has changed, at one time there were some many people that we had to split into 2 groups. We all read the same book, but met at different times. It is a changing organism! The club started after hearing a speaker come to Juneau talking about the Thomas Jefferson Education program. There is a school in Cedar City, UT called George Wyth University that teaches this way. The method is through mentors, and reading the classics. Learning math from those who created it, etc. It is an interesting way to teach. From that, the book club was created. The books we choose are always classics, whether it be modern or ancient. I liked the idea of classics, because, for one, I haven't read a whole lot of them. I like to read books where I don't have to think so much. I have a challenging job where I am on my toes at all times, and ALWAYS thinking and also read books for work or for school, interesting but more technical. So its nice just to read for pleasure. Through the club, I have gained wonderful acquaintances and friendships. My mind has expanded and I have read books that I have loved and ones that I have hated and will NEVER read again. I revel in the time that I have with these women. I have learned so much from them and our discussions of the books we have read thus far. We meet once a quarter, which gives us plenty of time to ponder on the words that are being read. Book clubs can be amazing!
My top 5 books that I read this last year that I enjoyed are:
1. The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom- EXCELLENT!
2. The Mitford Series, by Jan Karon- the books remind me of sitting on the porch in the summer with a glass of ice cold lemonade. I love this series! I could read them again!
3. The Frontiersman's Daughter, A kindle pick from a friend. Historical fiction. SO good! "Oh, Captain Jack!"
4. Tina Fey's Autobiography! LOVED it! It was SO funny! ( I like biographies.)
5. Books 2 and 3 of the Hunger Games. I didn't particularly like the first one. I was really disturbed after reading it. I found a lot of political stuff within the book as well.
SO many books, SO little time! What are some of the books you have read and enjoyed that I can add to my list?
Until tomorrow and happy reading!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
"A" = Apple
So here goes... day one. Letter A. After looking at different words that begin with the letter "A", I came up with a few, adventure and apple. Both for good reasons.
Adventure-Who DOESN'T like to go on an adventure? To see new places, meet new people, explore, and enjoy new things or to even enjoy old things. The thing about adventure is you don't have to GO anywhere! You can have adventures all the time! One thing I love about kids, is they unerstand this and always want to have an adventure. Put up a few blankets, and you have a fort, some privacy, whatever! Put a blanket around your shoulders and you are a super hero or a queen/king. I had an adventure today. I went to brunch with some friends for one of their birthdays. After getting back to the "valley," I went to the grocery store, blockbuster, and the post office, on my way home, I noticed that the sky was lighter in color. I looked and what did I see? A "sucker hole!" (Sucker holes are clearings or breaks in the dark, rain filled clouds where you see the blue sky and white clouds, and you think, it's "clearing up." It's not clearing up, its just a "sucker hole." Oh, adventures are grand!
Apple- Who doesn't like apples? Apples are good for you, they keep the doctor away, if you give one to your teacher, hopefully (fingers crossed) you can get a good grade. You can eat them, cook with them, bob for them, use them as artillery for your cannon, make people out of them! LOTS of different things! Here's one of my FAVORITE recipes using this one word:
Apple Crisp
Filling:
1/4 c. sugar
1 tbls flour
5 apples cored, peeled and sliced thin
Topping:
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. old fashioned oats
1/2 c. chopped pecans- lightly toasted
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp cinnamon
6 Tbls butter- cold and cut into pieces
Mix filling ingredients together and put in a 9x9 pan. In separate bowl, mix together topping mix and cut in butter to the topping mix. Pout topping mix over filling. Bake at 325/350 degrees until bubbly, brown and apples are cooked. ENJOY!
Enjoy the recipe! Until tomorrow!
Adventure-Who DOESN'T like to go on an adventure? To see new places, meet new people, explore, and enjoy new things or to even enjoy old things. The thing about adventure is you don't have to GO anywhere! You can have adventures all the time! One thing I love about kids, is they unerstand this and always want to have an adventure. Put up a few blankets, and you have a fort, some privacy, whatever! Put a blanket around your shoulders and you are a super hero or a queen/king. I had an adventure today. I went to brunch with some friends for one of their birthdays. After getting back to the "valley," I went to the grocery store, blockbuster, and the post office, on my way home, I noticed that the sky was lighter in color. I looked and what did I see? A "sucker hole!" (Sucker holes are clearings or breaks in the dark, rain filled clouds where you see the blue sky and white clouds, and you think, it's "clearing up." It's not clearing up, its just a "sucker hole." Oh, adventures are grand!
Apple- Who doesn't like apples? Apples are good for you, they keep the doctor away, if you give one to your teacher, hopefully (fingers crossed) you can get a good grade. You can eat them, cook with them, bob for them, use them as artillery for your cannon, make people out of them! LOTS of different things! Here's one of my FAVORITE recipes using this one word:
Apple Crisp
Filling:
1/4 c. sugar
1 tbls flour
5 apples cored, peeled and sliced thin
Topping:
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. old fashioned oats
1/2 c. chopped pecans- lightly toasted
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp cinnamon
6 Tbls butter- cold and cut into pieces
Mix filling ingredients together and put in a 9x9 pan. In separate bowl, mix together topping mix and cut in butter to the topping mix. Pout topping mix over filling. Bake at 325/350 degrees until bubbly, brown and apples are cooked. ENJOY!
Enjoy the recipe! Until tomorrow!
Friday, January 6, 2012
30 day challenge
As I was up late last night looking at random baking blogs and blogs on Holland and Dutch food
(doing research for my book club) , I found one talking about a 30 day challenge. I often read my friends' blogs and am SO bothered by the fact that I do not get on here and blog about my life, thoughts, etc. ... I mean from 2011, I STILL have to blog about the cruise, my summer vaca, Oregon, Cali., Christmas, New Years, etc., etc... So in hopes to maintain more of an updated post and so that when you look at my blog you don't think, "man Heather REALLY needs to update this thing," I am going to start tomorrow on a 30 day blogging challenge. Looking at the questions, some are a little too stupid or personal. Then I read one where you write about something using the letter of the alphabet, A=apple, so I write about apples. I have some ideas on letters and others not so much like "X" what the heck?! So good luck to me, enjoy reading and if you decide to do this challenge as well, let me know! Tomorrow... The letter "A!" (hm,.. apples, apricots, albinos, alligators... SO many decisions! ;oD) Apparently it takes 30 days to form a habit, hopefully this helps...
(doing research for my book club) , I found one talking about a 30 day challenge. I often read my friends' blogs and am SO bothered by the fact that I do not get on here and blog about my life, thoughts, etc. ... I mean from 2011, I STILL have to blog about the cruise, my summer vaca, Oregon, Cali., Christmas, New Years, etc., etc... So in hopes to maintain more of an updated post and so that when you look at my blog you don't think, "man Heather REALLY needs to update this thing," I am going to start tomorrow on a 30 day blogging challenge. Looking at the questions, some are a little too stupid or personal. Then I read one where you write about something using the letter of the alphabet, A=apple, so I write about apples. I have some ideas on letters and others not so much like "X" what the heck?! So good luck to me, enjoy reading and if you decide to do this challenge as well, let me know! Tomorrow... The letter "A!" (hm,.. apples, apricots, albinos, alligators... SO many decisions! ;oD) Apparently it takes 30 days to form a habit, hopefully this helps...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)