My oyster...

Well, somehow I accidentally erased my last post, which is a bummer, because I REALLY wanted to save it. Though, the comments are still there, the post is not. ugh, computers! If anyone can help me, let me know PLEASE,.. pretty please!

I know whomever read the last post is on the edge of their seat and wondering if I am moving or staying in Juneau, or joining a circus or a cult... Edge of your seats.... So, the final answer is..... drum roll please,... ......
I have a job!  I will be staying here in Juneau and will be working for the school district. I know you think that this is not new, but it is a new employer to me. The last few years I have worked FOR NCADD and contracted with the schools. I know, very confusing sometimes. But now I can say I work for the school district! I will be the Health Assistant for the same school I have currently been at. Go Falcons! I will be handing out band-aids, making sure records are up to date, handling crisis, making kids are ok, and from the nurse last year, counseling. Which is a good thing, 'cause you know, that's what I do and all! ;o) The pay is slightly decreased, but still liveable and I think I will have GREAT benefits and retirement. I am looking forward to my new position. My office is HUGE and has a WINDOW! although, it's very tiny and at the top of the wall, it's still a window! :o) I'm movin' on up in the world! My new job is not all, which to be honest, I wasn't even going to apply. My coworkers at the school encouraged and pressured me into applying,so I did!

Part of the reason that I am staying, is to finish up school. Spring/Winter semester, I will be transferring to university of Alaska, Fairbanks. I am currently a student at UAS, Univ. of AK, Southeast, but Fairbanks has the program I want, which is social work. I am about 2-21/2 years away from being, DONE, DONE, DONE with my bachelors. It has only taken me about 10 years to finish it! ha! The program is a distance program, so I think it will be a good one. MANY of the students in the program have been substance abise counselors for years and are getting their degree so they can continue doing their job, that they currently do. The substance abuse/mental health field is going towards more of a co-occurring meaning mental health AND substance abuse is treated. A lot of times that;s the case, but sometimes it's either or, Okay, now that I am WAY off topic, Basically, I start a new job and go back to school. I am pretty blessed. I have always had a feeling that everything was going to be okay and I would be fine. I did stress a little, and had to postpone a trip to Petersburg, but it's ok. It all did work out in the end, and I am VERY happy!

Now, 6 more weeks until I begin training for my new job! I better soak up the summer and relax and get things into order before my life turns into a whirl-wind! :o)

Happy Easter!

For me, Easter is not just bunnies and peeps, and egg hunts, and yummy chocolate covered eggs. In the last 13 years, it has become much, much more. It is a time for me to remember the sacrifice that my savior Jesus Christ payed for me.  I know those of you who read my blog are not members of the church I go to, or even believe in Jesus Christ. That is fine.  Don't get me wrong. I love egg hunts, and being with family, and what Easter symbolizes. A renewal, a freshness, a time where the earth wakes from it's wintery slumber and creates new life. I LOVE spring and Easter. I also LOVE the color of the candies. It's one of my favorite times of the year.


So, with all of that said, this video is from a production of some of the most beautiful music about the Savior. I found out about this composition a few years ago from one of my mission companions' sister, Jenni. Jenni  has an AMAZING voice (so does her sister) and was in the choir that sang all of these beautiful melodies. I follow Jenni's blog and she posted a preview of the CD that was coming out. I INSTANTLY fell in love with it and when it came out, I bought the CD and listen to it often. It is a gorgeous piece of music. Enjoy the video and the music. Above all, Happy Easter!

(on a side note, I hope this works...., fingers crossed! and thanks Jenni for being a part of this production and sharing your talent with the world and the video, so I could get it!)

Life and Death

In the past few months, I have known some WONDERFUL people who have passed on from this life into the next. All four were wonderful but three in particular have a huge spot in my heart and I will miss them dearly.

The first one died on my birthday. His name was Kenny. He was my dad's best friend and he in turned loved me and was a wonderful man. Kenny helped my dad through a LOT of crap that happened. Kenny was always there for my father and I am glad that he was there. He was like an uncle and was a caring man. I will miss him dearly.

Marion Grace Kollasch (don't you love that name?) , was my Grandmothers best friend.  They shopped together, had lunch, knew each others secrets, and concerns. They talked every morning for YEARS! Their husbands worked for the same company for years and that's how they met and knew each other.  She was a surrogate grandmother for me. I would spend time at her house, and I knew two of her grandsons. Marion had a swimming pool in her backyard. She was a WONDERFUL painter. There are many of her pieces throughout the houses of my family. I have a picture of her holding me when I was days old. She was generous and graceful and kind, and giving and loving. Whenever I went home to California, we always made a trip to see her and catch up. She loved me unconditionally. I will miss our visits together and hearing her stories and seeing her smiling face. I think Marion is in Heaven finding the best shops to shop in and restaurants to eat at, so when my grandmother passes they will have LOTS to do. I know she is watching over me.  I know that Marion was welcomed by her wonderful husband Paul, who passed about 15 years ago. Her last words to me were through my mom and grandma. When they went to go say their good-byes, I told her to hold on. I was going to be there in a few weeks. She told my family that she loves me and that she would see me again and that she didn't think she could wait. Unfortunately, I didn't think she could wait either. On December 16, 2012, Marion passed on to the other side. I will miss her terribly, and her hugs and smile and love.



My step-mom's grandfather passed away after Christmas. Poppy, had been sick and in the hospital. I didn't know him very well, but he was good to my family. He was a great man who smiled and always was a kick! He will be missed.




The last one is Michael Voisin. I met Mike and his family while serving my mission in Louisiana. I was stationed in Houma, La. He was our ward (congregation) mission leader. Meaning, he was over the missionaries in his ward and made sure that we were safe, and doing what we were supposed to be doing. I remember having dinner at his house the first time. he had a commanding presence and he easily became one of my favorite mission leaders. He and his family also became some of my favorite people in the world.  He and his family (and a few others) are prominent in my mind especially those few days after the car accident. I remember waking up one morning (I think, could have been afternoon, the first few days are a little foggy), and it was just he and I. We talked a little and he called my mom on his cell phone and we talked with her. We talked about how scared I was with meeting the parents of my companion and how sorry I was. He listened, gave me advice, and cared.  Mike was a terrific man who was caring and giving, and an example of the power of the Atonement and the power that gospel of Jesus Christ has in your life. He was there for me and my family.  he helped us through a tragic time in our lives. There was a bond that he and I had. He and I had or own conversations. He always put me at ease, and was a wonderful man, husband, father, community member and advocate for the Louisiana seafood industry. He was strong and caring and liked to laugh. He and his wife Sarah would call and check in with me after I got home from my mission. They made the transition from being a missionary, smoother. My life is richer from having known him. I thought I would always see him again, in this life. I added this wonderful article about him. Please read it.  http://www.louisianaseafoodnews.com/2013/02/02/mike-voisins-strong-calm-seafood-voice-goes-silent/
He has a spot in my heart and will always be a great example to me. Love to my Voisin and Houma family.



Now that I am all puffy and my head hurts from crying while I wrote that, now I can cry happy tears!

  My wonderful friends welcomed a handsome baby boy, Will, to their family. Since they live in Petersburg, if you are going to have a baby you have to go to a bigger town, here or Ketchiikan.  They chose here. I like to think, it's because I am here. :o) Will was born this past Thursday January, 31, 2013. I was able to hold him about 1/2 an hour after he was born. He is going to be a wonderful addition to their family. I am so grateful that I was able to experience this wonderful blessing in their family. I was able to hold Will for like an hour before they flew out the next day. How grateful am I?  Holding new babies is THE BEST! I look forward to watching this new little life grow up and become a stalwart servant of the Lord. 

Life and Death. It's the circle of life.