Content in His light ...

Sunday, May 11, 2008 ... Mother's Day ...

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.

 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

 
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.

 
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.

 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn' t
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

 
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

 
When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

 
When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'

Thank YOU to all you Mother's who have made a difference day after day, after day, after day................

We love and appreciate YOU.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

10:52 p.m. ADT
Monti Bay, Yakutat, AK

Good Evening,

Just in from a 4 hour jail guarding stint.  Very mellow evening.  I'd been expecting to cover 6p-6a but when I arrived they'd alligned 4 hour shifts .. so I'll get some sleep tonight :)

Poor Bob continues to struggle with this cold that has zapped his energy.  But he did mention this afternoon that his strength is beginning to return.  Stubburn man won't leave the Shop and stay home, even if I'm covering :)

A recap for the day.  We all were out to the Fly Shop early and spent the day putting a large Fly order into the draws.  The day was favorable so the kids played out in the green belt at their "Fort".

Eden and I went to a Mother-Daughter Tea on the West side which was lovely and quite the number of ladies there from 1p-3p.  The little girls enjoyed themselves too.  We went home and changes into play clothes and headed back to the Shop to help out until my shift at the police station.

So there you have it for today.  I know I promise you photo's from Eden's graduation, I'll hope to post those tomorrow.

Nighty Night.   Blessings abound, Teen

Monday, May 5, 2008 .. Tanis' 1st Fly Tying Lesson ...

Here are a few pictures (delayed) of Tanis taking his first Fly Typing Lesson from Matt Crossett on Monday, May 5th.Check out that concentration!!!  He was catching on really quickly too.  Pretty soon he'll be tying for the Fly Shop.. well, pretty soon :)

Friday, May 9, 2008 .. Graduation Day ..

8:35 p.m. ADT
Monti Bay, Yakutat, AK

Good Evening, we've had an outstanding day in the 50F's.  Sun, sun and more sunshine!!!

My lower back continues to heal, still stiff and sore, but now able to resume 100% of my housework, chores, and bending.  I'm still laying low from my workouts, I'll continue to rest through the weekend and maybe give it a go starting next week.

Bob headed out to the Shop to open at 8a.  I dropped Tanis off for his last day of SEA WEEK at the School at 8:45 a.m. and then came home to begin catching up on cleaning the house and getting Eden bathed and dressed for her Head Start graduation at 12:30 p.m.

Eden was so cute, from the moment her eyes popped open this morning, it was all about wearing her "special" dress.  So after her bath she was happy to be in her stockings, pink/black dress, and yes chamo colored tennis shoes :)  We were off in time to stop at the Hardware Store to show off her "graduation outfit" (and shoes) and yes, she had her purple headband in too.

The photo's are on Bob's camera and at the Shop, while I'm writing from home closing out the day so I'll work on blogging those tomorrow.

The remainder of the day was spent at the Shop.  Poor Bob has the kind of cold that sinks you, so he's smiling for customers but zero energy every where else.  I've tried to get him to go home and I'll run the shop, alas, he just "has" to be there :)  He's doing an amazing job working 8a-8p without breaks.

We had a large order of flies (for Fly Fishing) come in, so that was my job for the afternoon .. putting them all away in their little slots.  I was thrilled to do it because I'm not very familiar with the different names/kinds that are available and "talked about" so having the check the order form, find the little boxes (with a dozen in them) and then get them to the correct slot in the Fly Tying draw is really helping me.  I'm come to chuckle at some of the names "dirty socks", "egg sucking leeches", "dumbell bunny leech", "pink pollywogs", etc, etc, etc... and the names just go one and on.  And of course the oh so familiar color of "chartruse".  Ladies, you can't believe what these men tolerate in a name.... come and see our selection!  I'll finish it up tomorrow morning since I was only half way through when our time ran out.

We headed for home just before 8 p.m. and I made a quick batch of Mac-n-Cheese for the kids.

OH, and for you Aussies out there .... I made my first batch of "Sausage Rolls" using Aunty Ann's recipe she emailed me.  How can it be that I've been away from OZ since 1981 and haven't made Sausage Rolls.  My kids have been missing out!  I made them for the potluck after the kids graduation and it was obvious these kids haven't been introduced to them yet!  And selfishly I was hoping to take some home :)  Yum, Yum!

Well, that's it for tonight.  I can hear the gulls on the Bay enjoying what the cannery has been grinding up and spitting back into the Bay.  I'm upstairs in bed typing this.

Oh, and we have a mother bear and three cubs at the dump at present, so the bears are coming out of their partial hybernation.  The word on the river too from the Steelhead Fishermen is that the bugs are coming out too.  Ah, Spring has sprung!

Blessings Abound, Teen

Saturday, May 3, 2008 ... Yes, I'm finally back :) ...

Spring is upon us here in Yakutat and we are enjoying the migratory birds heading north, also the whales making their way by Cannon Beach and yes, I can't help but mention as a runner the pleasure of heading out doors for a 6 a.m. run and NOT having to wear cleats!  They've been retired to my running tote until next October or November.  But I neglected to mention that we did wake up to an inch of snow on the ground this morning ..... see Spring IS here!!!

We had a lovely stretch of sunshine that didn't end for two or so weeks (2nd and 3rd week of April).  We kept shaking our heads in unbelief but drank it in for all it was worth.  It was still in the 40F's so hardly time to head for the beach in a bathing suit or shorts!  This is picture of Cannon Beach, in the distance (which you can't see) there are whales all along the coastline spouting as they migrated north.Here you have Tanis and Eden stretched out on our picnic blanket enjoying the sunshine during a few hours away from the Fly Shop.  There was a pretty cool breeze blowing so we tucked ourselves up behind some beach longs and enjoyed the warmth we did receive from the rays of sun beating down.Eden enjoys some rope swinging time at Cannon Beach before we headed back to the Shop to be with Daddy.

Back at the Shop we pulled out the BBQ and had a nice Hamburger meal with our newpaper friend, Fred.  The pavement outside has been swept clean and ready for customer parking :)Eden assist cleaning the windows by huffing her breath on it and then wiping it with a paint brush.  I think I'll be making an extra pass over what she accomplishes though.Just beyond the Hanger there is a green-belt where the kids are building a play fort.  Here you have Tanis collecting Pussy Willow buds.  He's keeping very busy.And here's Eden showing you just how well XtraTuff boots go with Shorts and Snowy weather!

The Fly Shop continues to grow in popularity as the Steelhead Fisherman find us.  Our initial inventory which was just "enough" to make it seem a stocked Fly Shop has now been purchased and we had to do a mad rush order to pull in quantities that will sustain us.  We feel blessed to see Simms fleece, Waders, Wading Jackets, boots, Vests, Socks, Candy, UnderArmour base gear, and more go out the door to very happy customers.  Oh, and also may flies, and fly tying material. 

I'll do my best to be better about updates.  I'm still attempting balance between my workouts, full days at the Shop, Bible Study, and Home Schooling.

Today while volunteering at the EMS booth at our Health Fair from 8a-10a, we were doing our part by checking blood pressure on those who were headed for blood screening.  While working with a dear sweet lady in town my lower back decided to kink and I am now walking around like a stooped over, very sore person.  I hobbled my way to Bible study at 10:30 a.m. toting the kids with me since Bob's at the Shop and Saturdays are a zoo there.  From there I'd hoped to crawl home, anti-inflamatory up and get horizontal for the rest of the day with ice packs and heat packs.  Alas, I stopped by the Post Office and there were 9 LARGE boxes for the Fly Shop.. I about cried when I saw them and dear wonderful Vickie  assisted loading my Suburban with them.  You know it's bad when I can't load something!

So off the kids and I headed to the Fly Shop to make the delivery.  We arrived to a crowed Shop with a few groups of Steelheaders milling around and yes buying too :)

It was 1:00 p.m. when we arrived so I figured I'd stay and take Tanis straight to the 2:00p Birthday Party for a friend at the Elementary Gym.  Eden wanted to stay with Daddy at the Fly Shop, so I dropped Tanis off and headed for home for more medication and to wait the hour out at home before picking Tanis up at 3 p.m.

I collected Tanis and was so happy to get back home knowing I was heading for horizontal.. then the phone rang and it was Bob ... turns out Eden found Tanis knife set and sliced her thumb open while he was trying to work with an group at the Shop from Italy with broken english.  So out the door I hobbled again and headed to collect her.

I arrived, she was fine but has a stingy finger.  She was of course so very proud to have EARNED a booboo bandaid finally.  But not excited about how much her finger hurt.

Tanis was scheduled for a 5 p.m. Cub Scout sleep-over.  Bob was dear enough to make a phone call to one of the parents to collect Tanis from the house so I wouldn't have to leave the house once I arrived back home.  So Tanis is away for his FIRST official sleep over that isn't family :)

Well, that catches you up on us!  I'm guessing I'll be a week off my workouts.  My training partner Joy and I have been averaging 8-10 miles (each scheduled day) on our running (Tue/Thur/Sat) combining tempo, sprints and a long run.  Then the Mon/Wed/Fri I've been continuing my FIRM workouts.  Funny, I can't imagine doing ANY of that right now.  This too shall pass and I will mend.

Blessings Abound,
Teen

Saturday, April 19, 2008 .. what a day :) ..

8:54 p.m. ADT
Temp:  40F
Sunrise:  5:51 a.m.
Sunset:  8:47 p.m.

Good Evening from our beautiful Bay.  We've had a sunny, cloudless day, but still rather chilly in the low 40F's with a chilly breeze.

A recap for the day:
The alarm went off at 7 a.m., ah, an extra hour in bed from my usual 6 a.m. workout alarm.  I checked the temperature gauge and it was reading 26F so I layered up and headed out the door to meet my jogging friends for a run on the beach.  The lowtide was absolutely perfect so we all met at Cannon Beach at 7:45 a.m.

Upon arriving, we saw 3 different pod of whales feeding just beyond where the waves were breaking.  What a welcome for our scheduled run.  And the surf was very calm.  The morning was magnificent, sunshine and only a slight breeze, and the sand was compact and perfect.

So I drove out with Joy and her dog Ruger.  We met Kathy and Tracy there, and they were toting, Sassy, Kathy's "adopted/for the run" dog.

We all stayed together for the first 2 miles, watching the whales and also keeping an eye on the two dogs that were zig-zagging across our path playing.  At 2 miles Kathy and Tracy peeled off to head back to complete their goal of 4 miles.. taking Sassy with them.  Joy and I had a goal of going to the Lost River/Situk River mouth which is 8 miles round trip. 

It was an amazing run, we had plenty of time to gab, and also plenty of time to just be quiet.  It was nice to actually be able to zone out and just take in the beauty and sounds all around.  We rounded the curve at the Situk and turned back.  The last mile and a half we began to feel it, but finished strong and victorious.. AND Joy checked her pedometer and it read 9.22 miles :)  So the extra curve and distance we took at the mouth made up the difference.  And my stopwatch read 01:35:14 so we were happy with that.  Just as we were warming down we heard geese and looked up to see 2-V's flying over head.. breath taking!

So a great way to start the day out.  I had Joy drop me out to the Fly Shop where Bob had the kids and the Suburban.  I had the Women's Bible study brunch at 10 a.m. and I made it to the Shop at 9:50 a.m.  So off I zoomed to head for home for a quick shower and to collect my contributions for the brunch.

We met over on the west side of the Bay at Ginger Gray's.  She has a magnificent view of the St. Elias Mountain range, and the water right outside.  It was pretty hazy so not a crystal clear day to view the mountains.  There were also porpus feeding and a whale quite a ways out in the Bay .. just amazing, all this wildlife today.

I was back to the shop by Noon and that's where we remained for the rest of the day.  We had a number of customers come in and made some sales too which was exciting!  You can catch Bob's blog at http:.//www.situk.net  he'll be having river reports and many other things when he can get to it.  For now it'll be hopefully daily blog updates, and the rest will come over the winter when it slows down.

We decided to order Pizza for dinner.  Our friend Danelle and her friend David joined us so they collected it from town and brought it to the shop to share.

And I'll close with a few pictures from April 16th.  Good Night.The UnderArmour attire arrived the evening of Wednesday, April 15 so we were thrilled to get that onto the shelves we'd kept open for them.  Here's Bob fondling the ladies wear - or - just putting them up :)The UnderArmour section complete for the night.  We still have the rest of the order to arrive.. hopefully in the next few days :)Here's some more merchandise (logo wear).And here's the most recent photo I have of Eden and Tanis.  I think you can tell they are very ready to head for home and bed.  It was a late night at the Fly Shop.and why not make it complete by being "CRAZY!"... and even more CRAZY!!!

Blessings Abound, Teen

Sunday, April 13, 2008 .. back in YAK ..

Wow, it's been a few weeks since I've had a chance to "check in" and get you an update.

Bob and I just returned on this mornings jet from 4 nights away in Juneau and Wrangell (Alaska) for the EMS Symposium.  An interesting conference but definitely way over my ETT mindset.  We loved the character of Wrangell and definitely saw possibility for that town.  Juneau, well there was a bit of time on either end (since we overnighted in Juneau to wait our connections to WRG) so we took advantage of having a Costco and Fred Meyer and did a bit of shopping and a lot of writing down barcodes and descriptions for items to add to the Fly Shop.

Now in saying that, those of you who have been tracking with us the past year... you of course knew we were to open the Fly Shop April 1st, yes two weeks ago.  Well we did.  I'm sorry I didn't unveil a GRAND OPENING to you also on this blog.. and quite honestly one of our business partners has done it so much better then I ever could.. also that I have piles of laundry I'm under after the time away... so I'll attach the links and you can see for yourselves....

THANKS MARK for making us all look so darn good ..........................
“Mark as Entrepreneur”  (About the opening of the fly shop, posted April 11th
http://www.liumfamily.com/MarksBlog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=14Blessings abound, Teen

“The Making of a Fly Shop”  (About the remodel of the fly shop, posted April 12th)

http://www.liumfamily.com/MarksBlog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=15

Monday, March 24, 2008

Tuesday, 1:42 a.m.  ADT, yes I'm still up

Monday (24th) in review:
Tanis is still moving through the last of his coughy-cold he started when Eden and I were in Anchorage.  So far the rest of us are staying clear of it.. well, Eden did mention she had a sore throat today when I collected her from Head Start, so we'll monitor that.. UGH

I slipped outdoors this morning to head for my workout and pumped some iron in my cardio-weight FIRM workout, felt good and even better to know that it was done for the day and not even 8:30 a.m. :)  Then back home to make sure Eden was up and ready for Head Start.  Bob dropped her off while I wolfed down a breakfast and made sure Tanis was working on his Math test for today.  Bob returned and ended up having a list of things to accomplish so instead of heading straight to the Fly Shop to work we were here at the house until 10 a.m.

Once at the shop, Bob beveled some more of the shelving, while I sanded things he pointed out.  Then it was time for another shop vac treatment on the tile floor.  The phone rang and Bob worked on that business call, then my alarm went off at Noon.. time to begin "Taxi Mum" duties.  Tanis and I loaded up and headed for town.  Instead of swimming today at 2p, they had a "guest" PE instructor teaching Karate, so that was from 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m, this will be through Thursday.

  So I dropped him at his class, then parked over at Head Start and took some Bible Study time while I waiting to collect her.  We then headed for home and made lunch for Bob before collecting Tanis and then headed for the Fly Shop again.

The afternoon was spend making trips to the dump, sanding and starting a first coat of Verithane on the shelving for the Shop.  Things are moving a long, seems so far to go, but yet, there truly isn't much left.. it's getting exciting.  Vendors are notifying us that merchandise are being shipped :)

We headed for home at 7 p.m. and it was a quick dinner and then the bedtime routine for the kids.  While I was doing dishes, Bob ducked out at 8p for a Gym workout.  The kids were settling down when Bob arrived back home.  He was planning to go back to the Shop to finish up the last of the verithane in the can.. BUT before he could slip out... Eden was at the top of the stairs and said her throat was sore, then she began vomiting over and over and over again.. UGH!  LOVELY!  So I headed with her to the bathroom to begin a bath and clean up, while Bob worked on what had (excuse me) hit the floor and walls (YUCK!).

We decided to have her sleep on our floor to save her bunk tonight incase there was a repeat.  We can only hope this'll be the only episode tonight.  She was fast a sleep shortly after tucking her in.  This was something we definitely didn't need added to our current "work load", but what are you going to do...

We'll see how she sleeps and how she is in the morning... her first words after throwing up were, "Mummy, can I go to Head Start tomorrow... I'm helper of the Day!"  We'll see...

Blessings abound!  Oh and we're hunting for the camera, so no pictures until we find it again :(

UGH, the phone just rang and it's the police station needing a Jail Guard, so I'll head out and cover that so Bob can get some sleep for tomorrow.  It'll be until 8 a.m. so I'll just stay there and get a workout in before heading for home.

Teen

Sunday, March 23, 2008 .. He IS risen .. risen indeed!

Good Afternoon from the house on the Bay :)

I know, I know it's been a few days or more since I last write.  So a quick update...
I flew Eden and our "new" cat, Rusty up to Anchorage last Sunday (March 16-180 for her annual Urology appointment, and kitty came along for her vet appointment to have her spade and have her shots.  Bob remained in town with Tanis and Emma to keep working on the Fly Shop.

A friend loaned us her soft pet carrier that would fit under the seat, it wasn't long before the cat had learned to pop the snap on the top of it and unzip it.. UGH.  I notice that it was out when a tail went by my legs and grabbed it .. IN FLIGHT!!!  Our pastors wife was beside me so she assisted along the way during our carnival ride!  The flight passed quickly with a stop in Cordova and then we were soon in Anchorage. .. yes on Angel wings!

From there we went to baggage claim to collect our checked baggage and then to the curb to wait for our shuttle to our hotel in downtown Anchorage.  Once picked up, we had a 20 minute ride to the hotel.

Once we were settled in, it was 3:30 p.m. and time to do some exploring (walking) around Anchorage.  The cat was content to be left in the room (yes, with kitty litter :) ).  Eden was excited to find a park we could play at, so I checked the "map" in the hotel room and took it with us and off we went.  We'd made it a few blocks and realized that we wern't on the best of streets, so headed down a block to the left in hopes we'd have a better "feeling" .. and what did we spy?  It was a MALL!!!  Imagine that a Mall within 5 blocks of our hotel.. so I introduced Eden to what a Mall is (yes, she's been to them in Seattle, but you never can be sure if she "remembers"!!!).  We had a blast, she was hysterical saying that each dress shop was a "Princess Store"!!!  So there were A LOT!  Being Sunday when we arrived the stores closed at 6 p.m. so we headed back to our hotel and then over to dinner before returning for our night of settling in, knowing Monday was going to be a very full day.

Monday was an early start at 6:30 a.m. with breakfast, then going to an 8:30 a.m. Vet appointment for Rusty.  We finished up there at 9:15 a.m. and took a taxi ride to Eden's Urology appointment scheduled for 10:00 a.m. but they took us early at 9;30 a.m. :)

I'd expected that it would turn into a long day with medication to relax her and the UVC too, but Dr. Allen just wanted to touch base and check in.  We were released within an hour and back on our way to the hotel.. yeah with a whole day a head!  So instead of planning a "down day" doing Bible study, it turned into a very busy day walking and seeing shops and things in downtown Anchorage while kitty was having her surgery and being taken care of.

We returned to the hotel at 3 p.m. for lunch and a sit down.  We called the vet and they said Rusty was ready any time and that they closed at 6 p.m.  So knowing that the soft kennel didn't work, we took a taxi cab to a pet store and bought a hard sided kennel that would still fit under the seat as carry-on.  And shopped around there until 5 p.m. then over to collect Rusty who was ready to see us and head some place comfortable and low key.  We were back to the hotel by 6:15 p.m. and lay low for the rest of the evening.

Tuesday we slept in until 9 a.m. and headed for breakfast, then came back to pack and get ready to head to the airport for our 3:30 p.m. flight.  We were there with plenty of time to relax, check in and go to the observation area to watch the planes come and go.  The plane was on-time and it was a very good trip back down the "milk run" as we call it through Cordova and then into Yakutat.  Eden enjoyed her seat by the window, we had the middle seat open and I was on the aisle.  Rusty remained under the middle seat napping the entire time- Phew.  Thank you God for Your cover and care during this time away.  I can't tell you good it was to get home and away from the rat race (alone).
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This past week we've been full force on the Fly Shop.. planing, sanding, verithaning.  It seems like we have so much to go with our "opening" still scheduled for April 1st.  But truthfully there isn't much more to go in the "building" side of things.  So slowly but surely things are coming together.  Merchandise should begin arriving this week and it'll have to stay boxed until we are finished sanding and wiped and cleaned up for the last time.
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TODAY:
Happy Easter, it was an early start.  It's tradition that the ladies of our Church put on the brunch for the other congregations which is after the sunrise service (this year was scheduled for 7:30 a.m. at the boat harbor).  Ginger and I met at 6:30 a.m. and began stiring pancake batter, making scrambled eggs for the crockpot, cinnamon rolls, orange juice, sausage, etc.  The crowds began arriving at 7:45 a.m. and we were "almost" finished and ready.  Everyone seems to enjoy the fixings and then it was clean up time and heading for home to get ready for 11:00 a.m. service.

We had a worship service that lasted 45 minutes.  Very well done, a blessing.

The wind continues to raw outside, blowing up to 60 knots.  It's to subside early this afternoon but continues to hit the house still currently.  Ah, Spring time in Alaska!!

Well it's time to head for the Hanger once again to resume some work there.  May God touch you in a special way this Easter season... Jesus IS the reason for the season.

Blessings abound - Teen

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

1:05 a.m. ADT March 13, 2008, yep, up way too late playing catch up.

Recap:
Since Bob and I stayed up until 1:30 a.m. last night I decided to ditch my morning workout and sleep in, and slept very soundly waking to my 8 a.m. alarm.  Then it was into the morning swing of getting Eden dressed and off to Headstart, breakfast for all, lunch and snack prep and our some what routine departure now for the day of construction at the Fly Shop.

It was good to know that other then the kids being dropped off and picked up that I'd be available to be at the Fly Shop the whole day.. YEAH!

here's Bob putting up trim with his nail-gun...here's looking toward the front door.  All trim and sills are complete.  Today we are working on the other door frames and the retail counter.  Everything from here on out will really make big differences in the "visual" completion of the shop.  This is so exciting for us!here's the view looking toward the ramp, you can see the remaining wood still drying that it being used piece by piece for whatever the "next" project is.and here's a "before" from Feb 15, 2007!  Just over a year ago!  What a difference!!!  Wow, oh, Wow!!!  It seems like so long ago, but it really isn't!

Well today Lance Mackey crossed the finish line around 2 a.m. ADT in Nome, AK for the Iditarod.. YEAH LANCE!!!  So Tanis was really ready to make his PUSH in reading to finish before his musher, Ray Redington Jr.  So his goal was to read 171 pages today and he did it at 4:10 this afternoon.  His Musher crossed the finish line just after 8:30 p.m.!!!  Way to go Tanis.here's a picture of Tanis focused and reading for the finishline!and when he'd finished he was all gun-ho to do some shop-vac-ing!  And in Tanis (boy)-style, I turned around to find him sucking his lip up in the hose of the shop-vac!  I just smiled and turned around to have a chuckle before returning to varnishing the trim.  What a kid!and a "last" photo for the night.  Eden received her Birthday present from Aunty Jenny and cousins in Lolo, MT today.  Here's a portion of the gift, the pink/purple leopard colored winter hat, and you bet she wore it all afternoon and to bed also!  What a kid!  Here's Eden in her bunk with her favorite doll, Nan.

I haven't updated you on 'Rusty' our cat lately, she's doing well, fitting in just fine.  The kids have been overly enthusiastic in their "play time" with her and items she can chase (string, etc) so the kitty wants to attack anything that moves in the least when she's in "attack" made.  You guessed it, with Eden's love for dresses, they "swish" as she walks and Eden's legs are the first to be attacked and usually when she's upstairs.   Rusty has now found that it's neat to sit on some part of the stairs and just wait.  Eden now refuses to go upstairs without an escort because she's afraid.  Ah the learning lessons these kids are going through .. I grew up with cats so it's second nature to know what stage Rusty is going through, and the understanding that there are mellow times, playful times and then "mad-kitty" times.. the kids are still figuring it all out.  It's good for them though.

Eden and I will take Rusty with us up to Anchorage Sunday, and back on Tuesday so she can be fixed and have her rabies shot.  Eden has her Urology Appointment on Monday at 10:00 a.m.  We'll drop Rusty for her appointment and exam at 8:30 a.m. that morning.  It will be a busy day, and most likely I'll be dealing with 2 "kids" on medication Monday!!!

Nighty-night.  Blessings abound - Teen -

Tuesday, March 11, 2008 .. more sanding :) ..

9:53 p.m. ADT

Way to early when the alarm woke me at 5:45 a.m. to meet up with my running partner, Joy and her K-9, Ruger.  But I made it on-time at 6:15 a.m. at the Hardware Store, where we meet up and we were off toward the airport turning at St. Camp Road for a 4.6 mile round trip.  It was a good run and favorable conditions.. I tell you Spring is teasing us!  But I'm smart enough to know that we can get a dumping of snow in March too!

It was a beautiful morning but still dark when I departed the house - still, calm and peaceful.  I'm looking forward to when we don't have to wear cleats or reflective wear, but for now they are the extra safety measure.  The weight we'll loose there will be replaced with bear spray :)  But then there will also be the incentive to go faster, running from the bugs!  Ah, SE Alaska!!!  There's never a dull moment, we just count our blessings moment by moment!

I arrived home to a quiet house and took some quiet time, Bible reading and prayer in before I snuck upstairs for a hot bath, then back down stairs to make breakfast and await the pitter-patter of feet from Eden who is usually the first to surface.  I dressed and prepped her for Headstart and we were on our way to drop her off.

Once back in the house it was frying eggs and making oatmeal for the boys who surfaced shortly after the first, "Breakfast ready" call.  Bob claims those are the sweetest words to wake to, if you have to wake in the morning!  I claim it's, "Honey, I'll cover the kids, you sleep in!" (But I don't believe I've heard that one yet!!! :)

We needed to stay at the house until Delta Western arrived to fuel which was at 10 a.m., yeah!!!  Then some phone calls waylayed us.. and then we were off to the Fly Shop we went (Bob, Tanis, Emma and myself).  Rusty, the cat stayed on her "bed" on the porch.  It looked to be a lovely morning, so a good one to have her outside.

The goal for today was to finish up the trim and sills on all the windows.  I played taxi-Mum taking Tanis to PE at Noon, then collecting Eden at 12:40 p.m., then Tanis at 12:45 p.m., stopping by the store for Butter cubes so we could make cookies for the Headstart fundraiser they threw upon us for 5:30 p.m. where they'll show a movie, "Bee Movie" at the High School Auditorium.. ugh, more time away from helping Bob.  Eden and I didn't return to the Hanger until 3:00 p.m.

I dug right into sanding boards Bob had stacked up, and then when needed helped him hold those boards in place that had been varnished while he air-nailed them in.  What a difference that air-nailer makes.

So at 4:55 p.m. I loaded the kids in the car and off we headed toward town to collect Hannah and Lesleigh for the movie, who we'd invited.  We assisted the Headstart teachers with the pizza's that were baking and the popcorn that was being prepared until the movie started.  I felt bad that I couldn't stay and help with concessions while the movie played, but alas, Eden is still one that can't be left alone in a seat to sit still.  Definitely in need of a chaperone!

The movie wasn't as bad as I'd expected, but still some themes that wernt really for young children, though I'm sure it went over the top of their heads.  Any how.  We didn't get home until 7:30 p.m. and by that time it was too late to head back to the airport.  Kids needed to be fed, bathed, and Tanis still had reading to finish up for the IditaREAD.  So we made a call to the Fly Shop to touch base with Bob and then it was into the bedtime routine.

10:45 p.m. Bob just rolled in the door, so I'll get this on its way.  I'll try to log some photo's tomorrow.

Blessings abound - Teen -

Monday, March 10, 2008

10:27 p.m. ADT

Well here we are again with another late night, a quick update and then I'm off to bed.

The alarm woke me at 6:45 a.m. and I headed out for my FIRM workout.  I was home by 8:40 a.m. with a quick stop at the store on my walk home for some needed items.  Once through the door the house was still quiet, so I called up the stairs saying we had 20 minutes to have Eden to Head Start.  Bob assisted getting her dressed while I put some bulked out oatmeal (yum, with nuts, grains added into the extra thick oats), oh and you can't forget the next best thing once it's in your bowl.. a tablespoon of Natural Peanut Butter.. mmm!

I fixed Eden's hair and Bob dropped her to Head Start.  After breakfast I put meals and snack together while Bob finished up some needed Vendor phone calls for the Fly Shop.  It's crunch time now with only 3 weeks until we open.

We spent the rest of the day at the Shop planing, sanding, and varnishing window sills, trim and what-not!  Whatever Bob put in front of me was sanded, I'm just so thankful I can help and assist when he needs it.  I did however play "taxi Mum" to collect Eden from Head Start, also a 2 p.m. Swim time for Tanis.  I decided instead of wasting fuel I'd stay in the school parking lot and have some quiet time for me and enjoy some Bible reading.  Wow, that hour shot by quickly.  Then it was back out to the hanger to help Bob.

Here are some pictures from todays work  ...Here's the Fly Shop window that faces the ramp.  Bob's done an amazing job piecing it together.  The width is 4 feet 10 inches, and 22 inches across.  This will be where we'll have the computer area and tall tables so people can come and sit and wait for their flight or for passengers to arrive.  Boy this just doesn't do it justice.. it really looks smashing!This is the office sill in process.  The wood under the sill was also added (not pictured) during the days work.  You can see in both pictures that we will be repainting to catch the water damage and the extra dust that's circulating.here's Bob in our "work area" in the Hanger where we've been sanding.  This is directly outside the Fly Shop exit doors.  We are so blessed to have this space, though there isn't any heat and can get mighty cold.  You could see your breath while we worked, so we wear plenty of layers.. and today in all honesty was a warmer day.  The hanger bay doors are to my right and have plenty of "ventilation" to them, especially when the SE winds (our storm winds) blow.and there you have the view of where the hanger bay doors are.  Here's some of our equipment to cut, plain, etc.  We did have to make the purchase of a 16 inch planer... boy is it NICE!  Also making things process a lot faster, which we'll not complain about.

I brought the kids home at 6 p.m. while Bob stayed on to work until about 8 p.m.  Unfortunately when we reached home the TOYO was saying EE2, meaning it was out of fuel... and yes it had happened earlier today because the house was frozen.  So I called out to Bob and reminded him to bring the 5 gallon jug home.  When Bob arrived home he checked the tank and yep, the fuel we've been taking periodically to the Hanger for the jet heater has finally sucked us dry at home.. UGH!  So he was good enough to head to the fuel station and fill up 15 gallons to get us by until morning, we've called in a morning delivery order to Delta Western.
I haven't worried about checking the tank because when we filled it in November (full) Bob said that it would last us through the Winter.  I'd forgotten about how much has been taken to the Hanger.  Oh well... the kids and I bundled up in blankets and made a warm meal.  Though after being covered in dust from sanding a bath was sure sounding good.  I did eventually have one and it was great to soak and warm up :)

while making dinner I looked up and caught the sunset, wow it was a radient pink!  Kids enjoyed macaroni noodles with butter and parmesaen cheese for dinner.. simple, and they love it.  They've been snacking on carrots and raw veggies all day at the hanger so didn't add a veggie in.

Well, that's enough jabbering for the night.  We continue to monitor our mushers along the Iditarod trail.  Tanis' musher Ray Redington Jr is currently 19th.. "way to go Ray!!!"  Mackey and King continue to battle in front for first place.  They are warmer temperatures this year making the trail a lot slower and mushier.

Blessings abound - Teen -

Sunday, March 9, 2008 .. "home day"

10:14 p.m. ADT

Does anyone every get used to DLS? (Day Light Savings?) .. of course those of you who are smart enough to live in a state that doesn't have it.. well, you are just plain SMART!!!  Boy if I ever ran on a platform politically it would be to NOT have it!!!

It's been a non-stop kind of day for us.  It was busy at Church, we have the local basketball team away so many families are gone supporting them.  Then Spring break is right around the corner so a few more gone for that too.  So though we had a small congregation, there were 9 kids in Sunday school today and yes, I was the one covering it in a very small room.  4 of those kids (ages 6 mo-4 years) had just arrived back from being away for the Winter, so back to something "not in their norm".  There were a lot of tears (missing their Mommies) but we did survive and ended the hour with everyone content.. though I'll tell you it wiped me out  :)

Bob and Tanis headed to the Fly Shop to work for the day.  Mean while, Eden and I went to service and then came home for Sunday, being the LORD's Day.  I do like to step out of the norm and take time for the LORD.  It was a battle with in me because I know we are down to crunch time and I'm needed out there, but I also know that the LORD will bless when we put Him first.

Of course all those intentions to step out and create peace sometimes/most times get pushed to the way-side and today wasn't any different, even though I was home.  We've been so busy at the Shop that the house looks like it's been run through numerous times by a drove of swine!

So you guessed it, with a darling helper (Eden) at my side we began tackling what most was needed to bring things into order...
1.  Laundry, Folding - we had about 5 loads of laundry piled on our bed.  Eden found and matched socks for me while I tackled the folding of the rest.  Then it was putting the folded piles away (UGH!).  But we did accomplish it and Eden can now pair-up and fold over socks.. YEAH!!!
2.  Bathroom - toilet, tub, floors, mirrors, kitty litter.
3.  Dishes
4.  Organizing and putting things back in their place that have been laying around the living room.
5.  Living room floor:  sweep (on my, the dirt, sand, pebbles that were dust panned up), vacuum, wiped down with a wet towel.  All furnature was moved out and cleaned under.  ** it was at this time that the Holy Spirit prompted me inside to change the furnature around to what I knew Bob would prefer, I had to smile and was obedient and change the room around :)  **  Those of you who were around at Christmas time, there was a sit-in between the 4 family members as to where the furniture would be moved to that would compliment the Christmas Tree.  Well, it was Tanis/Bob vs. Eden/Me.. the tie breaker was picked out of a hat (Mary Ann/Grammy) because she'd be here with my folks over Christmas time.. she wasn't home so Bob called his sister Angela and made her choose either #1 or #2 (not telling her what those choices were).. She chose #2 and that was Eden's and my choice :) 
Not that it's important, but the table was moved over by the French Doors and the couch was on the opposite wall.  NOW (thank you Holy Spirit) the table is where the couch was, and the couch is across the middle of the living room, splitting up the room. While moving the couch and revacuuming there was a knock at the door and there was Debbie Hartley (Eden's God Mother) and her daughter, Lesleigh arriving with her Birthday present that hadn't come in the mail.  It was a beautiful Childs (breakable) Tea Set.Here's Deb showing Eden the tea set (or as Eden calls it, "Tea-pet!").  Eden is absolutely please beyond belief over this, and of course I can see "how fragile" it is, and know this will have to be a "special weekly occasion" that this comes out and we'll have an Eden Tea Party.  It's time to teach her our English side of the gene-pool and have scones and Devinshire Tea.  Now to find a lace doillie :)  Won't this be fun!!!  [Boy am I glad I'd been down on my hands and knees cleaning that floor].Eden also received a delightful book, "Let's Have a Tea Party!" by Emilie Barnes that talks all about different Tea Parties (Garden, Pony Club, Little Women, Musical, etc).  This will be fun to tie into our "special tea times", and you guessed it that means as time allows to invite her little "girl" friends over to have "tea" with her.  What fun!!!  Now to make it a priority so it happens!And another face from Eden, she's loving this special time!Eden of course needs to share a "funny face" with you :)And now the perfect follow up picture with Eden just being my Eden.. a happy go lucky girl in her Cinderella dress (made by Grammy), with a "crown" on and is just being a GIRL!!!  Can you see 'Nan" her favorite Dolly in the back ground, she wasn't cooperating (sitting up) so is laying down enjoying the time.

Well the remainder of the day, having things in some kind of order, was for Eden.  So we planed "Dora Scrabble Junior" together before the boys arrived for dinner at 6:30 p.m. and enjoyed learning new rules.  The boys arrived with a little ways to go on the game, so I had Bob take my place so I could quickly whip up some dinner.  Bob and I had left-over Chicken Stir Fry, then he was back out the door headed again to the Fly Shop to continue work.  Tanis stayed here and I fixed them French Toast.

You can already tell my "quiet/focused" time still hasn't happened and it's 11:38 p.m. ADT.  But there is a peace inside that I've done what was needed to bring some peace to the house for all of us, and a reminder that we'll be at the Fly Shop for long hours each day and the house should stay some what orderly (I can always hope!!!).  I'll have to pocket some quiet time for tomorrow, I'm afraid I'm completely beat a need to head for bed.  I have an early workout scheduled tomorrow.

Blessings Abound - Teen -

Friday, March 7, 2008 .. Storm continues to blow ...

My morning began with an 8 a.m. FIRM workout with Alison doing 'Ultimate Fat Burn".  I just LOVE this DVD with it's longer segments, and it's just plain fun.  The 40 minutes are over before you realize it.

From there it was home to make some breakee for the family and wait for DH/Bob's direction to hit the trail for the Fly Shop to do the needed work.  I pulled meals together and snacks not knowing if it would be a long day, or an extended-long day :)

It was decided that Bob would get some needed paperwork, email and phone calls taken care of and we dropped Tanis to his Art class at 12:10p, and collected him at 1:00 p.m. before heading out.  Unfortunately, this is the 2nd day that the 500lb planer hasn't been loaded on the Alaska Airlines morning jet from Juneau.  We're not sure what the hold-up is, but it's definitely taking it's toll on what needs to be done to finish up the trim in the shop.

When we arrived at the Hanger we immediately went to work on setting up the 13" planer (we do have), and the other equipment DH knows the names for, but they escape me when I'm typing.  Then it was getting the kids settled with their toys and books inside the shop with our Weimeraner, Emma .. and Bob and I headed for the Hanger to begin working on the wood (planing, sanding, cutting).  The wind was whipping in gusts, and the broken panes in the Hanger door, also the cracks, and crevices really made for an interesting experience with the flying sawdust.  Ah, all in a days work, right!!!

We also had the fuel tank refilled by Delta Western who arrived at 3:30 p.m. so that was a break I could take to put a puzzle together with Eden.  Then some coloring.

Tanis continues to read for the IditaREAD and is really doing a great job.  It's day 7.  If you'd like to check how the mushers are doing you can go to the IDITAROD website, click on the link.  Tanis is following musher: Ray Redington Jr.

We arrived home at 6:30 p.m. and I headed straight to the kitchen to make dinner.  Kids headed for a bath and Bob was back into paperwork and checking email to respond to vendors who will provide for the Fly Shop merchandise.  Oh, incase you'd like to keep updated about the Fly Shop, here's the link for 'SITUK RIVER FLY SHOP'.. enjoy.

So again, it's another late night here.. time to get to bed.  All is well with the Yakutat Miller's!
Blessings Abound - Teen -

Thursday, March 6, 2008 .. it continues to rain and storm ..

9:57 p.m. AST

Well, I've been feeling over trained, so am re-evaluating just how hard I'm pushing my workouts and have stepped back a bit these past few days.  Just trying to catch a breather.  Also have allowed a bit of relaxing in my eating, and need to get back on track again tomorrow there.

We are all well.  Seem's the storms that hit yesterday, or the day before just continues to bring wind, rain, snow.. all just depending of what it decides!  A good day to be indoors, though that wasn't the case today running around.  From the forecast it's to continue in the mid 30's (F) and rain, rain and more rain.

We took Eden to Head Start at 9:00 a.m. and from there it was back home while Bob awaited a phone call from a needed vendor for the Fly Shop.  That call came in at 9:25 a.m.  and then it was checking in with Alaska Airlines to see if our needed 16" planer was manifested out of Juneau.  Alas, no, not today.. ugh!  And with the wind howling at the airport through the breaks in the hanger doors, it was better to take the day off and sit this one out.  From what we hear it'll be on tomorrow's jet which will mean a long day at the Fly Shop continuing on the face trim and hopefully the sills.

I was asked to cover one of the gals at Head Start from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. so went in for that and assisted in reading stories and directing a craft project while the other gal made the spagetti and corn for their lunch.  Bob was good enough to get Tanis to PE at 12:15p, and then Eden and I collected Tanis at 1:00 p.m. when he was finished.  Then it was to the Post Office and back home.

Bob headed to the Hanger to assist removing a vehicle and a boat from their storage for the upcoming Halibut opener next Monday, I think.  I stayed with the kids here and we busied ourselves with laundry, dishes, etc, etc, etc.  And Tanis was a good lad and did his needed reading for the IditaREAD which is through March 22.  He's chosen a musher (Ray Redington Jr) who's running the Iditarod from Anchorage to Nome.  The race started March 1.  Our long distance school supports an IditaREAD where the kids read a page per mile of the 1112 mile race course and do their best to race their musher to Nome.

Tanis had his second to last Soccer match today at 3:15p-4:30p.  I can nickname him "The Wall" now because boy that kid uses his body as the ball rica-sheys off.  And cracks a grin and things it's "so cool".  Boy this kid has come a long way!

We're seeing all players on the teams improving, we'll be sorry to see it end next week before Spring Break (March 17-21).  When the game was finished we had a tie 2-2, so they had a kick off between the teams.  One player tries to kick it into the other teams goal, and they switch off and on until someone makes a goal, then the other team has one try to make the goal.  Well the other team made a goal, and our team missed the next one.. so it wasn't to be a win for Tanis' team today.  This also happened last week in the same fashion.  Still they did GREAT!!!

It continues to pour (rain) outside.  I went upstairs to get something and found Rusty our kitty by the full length mirror in our room.  Then I realized it was watching water roll down the face of the mirror, and you guessed it we have a leak from all this rain.  I told Bob and he went up into the attic and we have water dripping in.  We've sent off an email to our landlord who we've been VERY patient with over the last 6 years we've been trying to buy this house (or longer).  The roof despirately needs to be replaced, and now it's time to say "NOW!"  All we've seen are delays in getting the title cleared, yep, I think it's been 2-3 years now.  So hopefully the email will find a reply shortly, and some needed improvements.  Bob's been so good to just step right in and do any needed maintenance, alas, last year, he finally said, "no more".

Well on that note, it's time for me to head off to bed and try to catch up on some sleep!

Blessings abound - Teen -

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

We have a storm hitting Yakutat, lots of wind and rain so a wonderful indoor day :)  It's been busy lots of Fly Shop duty getting the trim in.  Bob is working so hard and I'm more in the support role of holding things up or out.  But it's a together project for which I'm so very thankful.

I'd hoped to be out there today, alas, the dam is breaking and feeling the pressure so have crept backward to keep up with myself and the daily schedule of things.

Today I remember what we'd talked on in Bible study 2 weeks ago from "A Life of Worship" in the Women of Faith Study Guide Series, pg 84

This is our “to do” list:

1.      Glorify God today.

2.      Study the Scripture to find out what will please God.

3.      Obey God.

4.      Pray. (this was added by one of our precious ladies!)

So go about your day with the above list and I dare say you'll be at peace, and all things will fall right into place.  I sence it's time to head back into my peaceful place and focus some more on that list!

Blessings abound - Teen -

Monday, March 3, 2008 .. has it been 5 years? ..

Wow, where has the time gone?  It's hard to fathom that it's been 5 years since this precious addition joined our family.  God certainly hand picked her for us and she continues to bring such joy and yes challenges each and every day.. but we are the better for it all! 

Happy Birthday our precious Princess, Eden!!!

Well where to start!  I headed off for an early workout at 7 a.m. and left Eden snuggling with Daddy.. she did arrive into our room early announcing it was her Birthday and we "needed to wish her a Happy Birthday!" (that's our girl!).  I enjoyed a quiet but good workout with the FIRM: Annie - Hi-Def Sculpt for 55 minutes.  Then returned home to kids up and Bob already off to the Fly Shop hoping to get the needed work in for the day before the Birthday hit this afternoon.

When I arrived through the door she was in her Party Dress, and the stockings she'd chosen (white with blue and grey .. um... ).  Hey it's her day and she's happy!!!  I took her to Head Start at 9 a.m. where she was greeted by Teacher Starr who looked VERY happy that today had arrived.. no doubt Eden has been announcing and counting down the days and weeks AND MONTHS until it was her birthday :)

Then it was time to head home and start checking off my list:
1.  make cup cakes, decorate them
2.  research Party Games
3.  shop for snacks for the party, and extra party favors
4.  order helium ballons, and collect them
5.  order and collect pizza's from AC (one of our grocery stores that just started making Pizza's - YES, a life saver!)
6.  Shower :)
7.  Pick up Eden from Head Start
8.  2:00 p.m.  Drop Eden off to Danelle's (for their Girl Time) while we decorated Head Start & Drop Tanis off for Swimming with the 3rd Graders.
9.  Go to Head Start and decorate and set for the party
10.  Party 3:00p-4:30p
11.  Celebrate that we made it through 16 kids ages 3-6, and some very helpful teen's and adults :)

Where did all that time go I thought I had.  For a 3 p.m. party, we didn't even get to the center to decorate until 2:40 p.m. (ugh!).  Bob dropped me off and headed off to collect the balloons and the Pizza's.  Thankfully Hannah and Lesleigh, teenage friends of the kids arrived and went right to work doing what was needed to pull things together.  When the kids arrived they were pretty much entertaining themselves with gave us some breathing space to finish organizing the food, decorations, and well.. stuff!

Danelle soon arrived with Eden and the party was underway.  It began with the first game "sticker the nose on the Clown".  This was a hit!  Thanks Danelle for organizing this game.  Then we went to game #2, "Musical Chairs".. oops, I forgot we were dealing with 3-6 year olds.  Well when the first chair was taken away and the the first child didn't have a chair.. it was the first of many melt downs.  Then the next, and the next.. so we closed out the game early and decided it was time to have the Pizza.  The kids dug in and seemed to enjoy themselves.  Bob was brilliant and blew up balloons so the kids could have one each and just throw them around and have a ball, and they did!  Then it was onto Game #3, "pass the parcel", this is an Aussie game we loved to play at parties in Australia and the kids were thrilled to take part (for a while :) ).  Well the rules of the game are:  The kids sit in a circle, you have a present that's been wrapped and wrapped and wrapped in layers until it's large.  You turn the music on and the parcel gets passed one child to the next, when the music stops the child with the present takes off ONE layer of the gift.  And so it goes until all the layers come off and the last child who opens the present gets to keep it.  
Again, I wasn't thinking of pre-schoolers and limited attention spans, so there were way too many layers on it.  They became way more interested with the discarded paper :) and had fun ripping and playing in that.  They game did finish with little 'Faith' getting the Beany Baby Bear!

Here's Eden enjoying some "alone" time with her snack.Then it was time for cup cakes and ice cream.  Also for Eden to blow out her candles.  We'd tried to "bush" order in a Princess Cake for her, but we tried calling for two weeks and never had a call returned.. UGH.  So you guessed it, we pulled the old "Cup-cake" routine which did the trick!And then a final game before the kids received their goodie bags and headed home.  The last game was "Hot and Cold", Hannah and Lesleigh split the kids into two teams and they went exploring around the room to find the hidden gifts.  This was a hit.. thankfully!

Here's Hannah and I going over the Party Games, checking what is next!

The parents were good to collect their kids at 4:30 p.m. and then it was onto cleaning up :(  Thankfully, it didn't take long.

Then it was homeward bound for baths, a movie and another snack.  Bob had a meeting at 6:00 p.m. so we waiting for him to come home before opening the presents from relatives.  Then it was off to bed.. and I'm ready to head that way now.  We made it!Good night Birthday Girl!!  Happy, Happy Birthday!  Welcome to "5!"Eden says, "Thanks for sharing in my Birthday!"  - "Bye!" -

Blessings Abound - Teen -  Oh, here's an update from the last couple of days, with a picture gallery.  Enjoy!

We've been very busy these past couple of days and it will continue with the opening of the Fly Shop set for April 1st.  So it's crunch time to get the trim done, shelving made, and yes merchandise still to arrive .. so busy but a fun time too as reality is upon us that we ARE opening a business that we started remodeling a year ago February from scratch!  So in saying that, here's an update from 2-29-08 through today 3-03-08, enjoy:Friday, February 29th at 6:30 p.m. was the Cub Scout Fiesta Dinner.  Here you have Joshua (left) and Tanis responsibly filling the glasses around the table.  Good job boys :)Quinn (left) and Tanis receive their "WOLF" patch.  Fred (behind) is the pack leader.  Bob is the den leader this year.  We had a good evening, after our enchelada dinner the boys entertained us with "their specialty".  Joshua shared "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" by Violin.  Tanis shared a map of Yakutat he planned and drew.  And Quinn shared his rock collection.  The evening finished with a homemade Pinata and the kids (youngest to oldest) had three wacks (after being spun around and having the pinata swung).  It was a delightful evening.

Rusty, the new permanent addition to our family here on the Bay is enjoying a cold but sunny day on the porch.  She now had a green collar with a bell and is loving life with us being spoiled rotten.  Emma is still acclimating herself to the situation.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 .. Rusty's to stay ..

Say, "Hello!" to Rusty who is looking to be the newest member of the Miller family here in Yakutat, AK!!!  It's been an interesting few days since I last blogged.  It turns out one of the girls in Tanis' class owns this kitty so I made the necessary calls to BEG them to collect their cat before it stole our hearts.. alas, all I received was a message machine and not call back.. UGH.

So today when I dropped Tanis off for Swimming, the owner (3rd grader) said that her mother doesn't want her to keep it, and asked if we wanted it .. that's Yakutat for you.  So we have some leg work a head of us to get as much information about the cat as we can, also good old Bob being part of "rescue" efforts with Weimeraner's has a form that we can have them sign to relequish the cat to us.  That was my biggest concern, we know there won't be a vet in the area until April or May this year, so we'd like to make sure she's spayed and is up on her shots before then... and IF we pay for the necessary expenses we want to be sure she's not then taken from us.

So that will be the next step.. and then to figure out if we send her down to Juneau or up to Anchorage.  I'm in the works planning Eden's next medical/Urology appointment March 17th in Anchorage.  She and I will fly up March 16th and come home on March 18th.  This being the case, I think we'll take Rusty with us as carry-on, in a carrier under the seat and have her fixed while we are there.  I can't stand the thought of her having to go in the hold.  It looks like the hotel I've booked allows pets since the Spay Clinic isn't open on the Sunday we arrive.

So, what do you think?  Do I have Kitty on the brain?  I'm just trying to get all my info and ducks in a row....

Now let's see, an update for today...  Tuesday, February 26, 2008:
I woke to a WAY TOO EARLY alarm this morning at 5:51 a.m. to meet up with my jogging partner at 6:15 a.m. for our EARLY Tuesday run.. UGH, it about killed me and I definitely had to self talk myself to make it there.. I felt like I was wading through jello and in "slow speed" getting out the door.  But I did make it and a few minutes early to the Hardware store where we meet up.  Then off we went to St. Camp Road and back for a 4.6 mile run, and the run went well.  There were 2 new inches of snow on the packed down ice and snow so yes, we were in our cleats braving the elements.  It was a favorable morning that I did thanks the LORD for.. calm, overcast and definitely signs of dawn coming on as the days get longer now :)

I was home in plenty of time to get breakfast on, kids dressed and a shower in.  Then it was time to kick things into high gear to get phone calls made, Eden to Head Start at 9 a.m., back home to get school in with Tanis, then off to Hae Sook's at 11:00 a.m., our Pastor's wife for a brunch with some women for Tanis and I.. it was so delicious!  Then we were off to collect Eden from Head Start at 12:30 p.m.  Then we dropped Tanis off with the 3rd graders for swimming from 1p-2p.

Eden and I then headed to the Fly Shop to check on the heater and refuel the Jet Heater too.  All is dry and doing fine out there, we are just waiting on the wood that's stacked to finish up drying so we can begin plaining it.  Then it was back to town to collect Tanis, then home for a little more school work, and then onto Tanis' soccer game at 4:00 p.m.  We actually headed there early so we could watch the K-2 teams play from 3:15p-4:00p which is SO CUTE!  Eden's "best friend" Sidney was playing too which was a highlight for her.

This is the 4th game for Tanis' team.  They are really getting things down and we are seeing big improvements from all the players.  They won 3-0 today and are still undefeated 4-0 :)  I might add I'm having to remind Tanis of what "humility" is, he's getting a little "cocky!" about it.  I'm thrilled he has this opportunity, and they are all doing so well.

Bob is still in Juneau for the Head Start Parent Council meeting.  We're looking forward to his return on Thursday morning.  I think he's sick and tired of seeing the inside of stores, he was sent with quite a list :)  One was party items for Eden's Birthday on Monday, she turns "5"!!!  And is counting the sleeps until then!  We'll have a little get together after Head Start on Monday at 3p for her friends and classmates to share in (at the Head Start facility).  Bob found the perfect "Princess Castle" Cake, so I'll bush order that tomorrow to be shipped up on Friday from Fred Meyer in Juneau.

And the remainder of the evening was spend getting dinner, baths, stories, prayers and sleep into the kids.  I think we did it!  Rusty is at the foot of my bed slumbering too.  Yes, she's now joined us on the inside of the house and is doing very well.  She and Emma are still working out their differences and have a few spats each day.  Communication is happening.

Blessings abound - Teen -

Friday, February 22, 2008

Well, so much for an entry, I had a long entry of updates and a photo gallery and lost it all.. UGH.  So this will be scaled down I'm afraid.

Welcome to our day!  I'm back from a morning FIRM workout and we have a glorious sunny morning on the Bay.  I haven't been able to update the blog either because of us being so busy or because the weather has knocked off the signal.  So I'll try (again) to gallery our lives since Valentine's Day....

here are a plethera of Valentine's Day cards that decorated the Counter over Valentine's week.  Both kids made us homemade cards at school.. so cute, and definitely keepers!Tanis had a game on Valentine's Day, they won and are still undefeated :)  Tanis is second from the right.Valentine's Day dinner was Heart Shaped Turkey Burger's on the grill.  And YES, those ARE Brussel Sprouts on her plate, and YES both kids like them :)Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. it was time for the Cub Scout sleep-over (our first and can't say "annual").  Quinn (to Tanis' right), Isaak (across from Tanis), and Joshua arrived and we began making homemade pizza's.  They loved them and ate a plethera of fruit.  We were trying to make it as healthy as we could.Making model rockets came next as their activity, while I did dishes and entertained Eden in the kitchen, Bob orchestrated things at the table.  Then it was off to Open Gym where the kids could all run and get some energy out.  Then it was back to the house where we made popcorn and then played hide-and-seek, which is even possible in our small house!  From there Bob and I headed upstairs and the boys made their beds in the living room and watched a movie or two.  They did so very well and I think the last one dropped off around 2 a.m.Eden was the late riser of the morning.  We'd made her alittle bed in the corner of our bedroom so she'd feel "special".  You can tell she had a good nights sleep!!!Bob snuck this photo of me while I was getting the pancakes ready for the boys who'd surfaced doey eyed and hungry!!!  Nothing like comfy PJ's!!!and here they are back at the table devouring pancakes and cinnamon rolls.  We hauled them all home at 9:30 a.m. and I was off to the Women's Bible Study brunch on the westside of the Bay.  It was a lovely quite time and her view is amazing, even if the visibility wasn't optimal.

Wednesday, Feb 20th Eden and I were walking home from Head Start.  When passing the cannery just down the road a beautiful young tabby cat showed up and began pacing with us, tripping us as we walked.  Eden and I were immediately captivated by it (you know how I LOVE cats!), oh it was so cute, and boy it's MEOW was loud. I had to chuckle because it reminds me of the Summer when Mum covered the kids while I worked at Alaska Airlines she'd been followed by a sweet LOUD meowing cat too!  Mum, I think it's come back to life!!!
Well, it's still here, it sleeps on the porch is there when we wake and when we slumber.  The kids and I are DYING to have it, but Bob is a STERN "NO!".. and I've left it to his discresion.  But I think it's softening him :)  Even Emma who's tried to take it's head off a few times goes out the door now and the cat's immediately at her feet loving on her, rubbing up to her.. she's NOT impressed!  Alas, what are you to do when it just WON'T leave.  So I'll put some posters up today, and continue to lift a prayer for God to move it on, or enlighten the more stubborn of the family to allow it to stay :)here's our "poster child" RUSTY, yep we've named it too.. we're doomed!  It's tabby in color and had rusty streaks across it's back.. thus, "Rusty!"and nothing like incentive for Tanis to get his school work done!!!  Except that Rusty likes to sit on the work he's trying to accomplish.. something tells me the books warmer then the fish box!!!  Tanis was a dilligent student this morning doing his work with the kitty near by!!!  Tanis has his hood on because it's 33F outside!  Nothing will deter this kid from being with "his" kitty!You can see Rusty holding down the page for Tanis while he works!  Funny thing is while I was watching them, Tanis would stair off into the Bay lost in thought and Rusty would turn back and look sternly at him telling him to get back to work.. AND TANIS DID!  Ah a boy and his cat.
These kids are so taken with the cat, and boy are they good with it.  We'll just have to see how the next days and weeks go... LORD, please move this kitty onward, it's stolen my heart and yes, I want to keep it!  UGH!  [Grammy - stop rolling your eyes:)]

Sunday, February 17, 2008 .. continues to storm...

Just a quick note to say that we've been bumped on and offline for a number of days now.  Winter storms hitting.. snow, wind, rain, you name it .. we've had or are having it.  So will keep this short but let you know that we are A-OK.

I have some fun photo's to post but can't afford to loose them half way through downloading so will wait to post another photo gallery until our weather is more stable.

Blessings abound - Teen