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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

EVENTS AT THE LAND, DC. ALASKA


Good evening.  We’ve had a pleasant few days – wind on Sunday that drifted everything, fresh snow on Monday, and normal temperatures for today.  But… I noticed that the temperature is slowing dropping.  When I came home from supper it was 4°, now it’s -4°. 

This past weekend was special because Seth and Kevin headed up a guys team for cooking supper.  Mark Coy, Matt Dean, Chris Williams, and Cody Williams helped too.  Their menu of Roast Moose, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans, Rolls, Tea, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Ice cream turned out superbly.  Saturday they cooked and sliced their meat and made their cookies.  On Sunday, they had many firsts – making gravy, mixing rolls, steaming frozen green beans.  Although comical to watch, they did a really good job and did turn out a nice meal. 


Chris, Bekah, and Melissa with their dogs came out for Friday night and part of Saturday.  Tommy has been taking the young people to Dot Lake on Friday nights to play basket ball.  It is nice for the kids to get out of the house and do something active in the dead of winter.  I do appreciate Tommy taking the kids. Hopefully Rob will be allowed to go one of these days. He still needs some monitoring and is not ready for such outings, without somebody assigned to him - for his safety. I have found him a couple of times just sitting in the empty Tab, waiting to be asked to go - of course the van had already left him behind…oh well, he's just gonna have to get used to that am afraid.

Austin Mitchell went home on Saturday.  It seems he had a good time while here.  My kids were discussing the nice change in “manly” dynamics that Austin brought to the young people’s group. 

One of the orthodontists in town had his yearly pizza-pool party for his clients and their families.  Three families went into town for that – Masons, Squires, & VanderHarts. Rob is also a client but we had just come back from a 2 week stink in Fairbanks for his tonsillectomy and gas is so exp. that we opted out of this one…sorry Rob!

Annie posed for a photo shoot by Sarahs' Photography course. The theme was "Femininity". They turned out really nice. I think she looks stunning. Thanks Sarah!





















Pat and Bethany and the twins flew from England to Wasilla, AK this past weekend.  Stacey and Peter posted pictures of the twins when they went to help Pat and Beth get settled in their apartment.  I don’t know when we’ll catch a glimpse of the kids. Pat & Gri and their family will be going down to visit them sometime in March.
  

The Fouse's bunny popped out eight bunnies on Monday night.  The Fouse children think it’s really great to have so many bunnies.  Hmmmm…..  They do grow up, and then what?  We told Haley that we liked rabbit stew, but she wasn’t fond of that idea. One of Annie's bunnies went to bunny heaven…Shamar the lovely gray part Rex…not sure why…I hid her from view and will give her a proper burial when the snow thaws…poor Ani. Probably happened when we had that real cold snap of -40. Talking about pets, seems like Petunia de guinea pig is in the family way…hum…65 day gestation period is a long time…hope all goes well. 
  
And, the biggest news of all is that our community will be hosting a youth camp this summer on the weekend of June 9th.  We don’t have any details really worked out yet – we will be talking about those soon so we can make plans.  We do know that Bro Dan Riccardelli will be coming up to help us out.  It’s all very nebulous at this point other than that we are going to do this.  More details to follow. This is our second youth camp. The first was the first year Pat & Gri were married. They and Andy Trotter actually hiked up to Fish Lake and helped set up the camp. That was like 25 YEARS AGOI!..Wow...J 


Have a great week!!!!  

Friday, February 24, 2012




These northern light photos are from Fairbanks photographer Patrick Endres. at http://photos.alaskaphotographics.com/

Good morning… Yesterday we woke up to -10°, but today it is only 10° above.  Upon looking outside, I see that it snowed about ½ an inch during the night.  Everything will look fresh.

I haven’t seen any new photo ops of the Northern Lights, but we did have a plethora of events to photograph concerning the children and young people. On Sunday night after dinner, grades 1-4 sang and did a little skit for us.  They were really cute, esp the toothless 2nd graders.  











After that, Judy and Steve had a young people’s square dance night since Austin is here.  Judy had arranged for Tommy and Carolyn to come direct and coordinate the dancers.  A lot of fun was had.  Wednesday night instead of church, the high school sang and did a skit for us.  We had a guest appearance from May Buongiorne who sang a Mary Magdalene song.  Also, noteworthy was that Kathryn and Cody were the pianists for all the music except for May’s song, which Miss JoAn played.  Those guys do a really good job! 


In March, we will have a play put on by the Jr High students.  For several evenings, May and Annie and Cody have been designing new backdrop curtains for this event.  I tried to convince May that maybe I should get to use these backdrops for my photo backdrops sometimes.  She’s not convinced.  They are chalk painted and easily damaged (the chalk part).  They are spraying their work with hair spray which helps keep the chalk from moving so much but not entirely.





It seems that Austin’s been having a great visit.  He always has a smile on his face if that is an indicator. 

Jarred and Jennifer left yesterday for a meet up with Jennifer’s sisters in Hawaii.  Grandma and Grandpa Milliron with Kelly will do the baby sitting.  J

Kelsey and Brandon were out for several hours on Monday.  Kelsey was right in the kitchen helping her friends make dinner as if she’d never been gone.

Either I dreamed that I wrote about some things, or I did write about them and I can’t find my own email.  Anyway, Ann and Merlin went to Fbks this week because Micah had some intense physical therapy to do for three days.  Also, Nicolas had a lump on his left eardrum that was going to be operated on.  Both those events went well.  Nic’s lump was bigger than expected and was on either side of the eardrum, but it was taken out effectively.  Although a little woozy, Nic was back to school yesterday. 

Becky Riche has been to and from Anchorage several times to determine what this strange area is in her lungs.  After having pneumonia in the fall, which never seemed to clear up, Becky went for tests.  The Dr’s still aren’t sure, after all these tests, what the spot is, whether it’s scar tissue, cancer, or something else.  In the meantime, they did find a broken rib which must be uncomfortable.  To me, that is a discomfiting report.  But, the Lord has Becky in His hands, I know.  If you want to write Becky, here is her address: becky_riche@hotmail.com


I have been going out with the young children on my snow trails. Ages Gr. 2 down to PreK...they like it and so do I.





Pat and I continue to take Rob out on week ends, good exercise and he likes being out and about!





Annie is trying her hand at her new handmade jewelry shop. She opened a page on FB as well as on Etzy.com, take a look! She is going to Fairbanks with one of the sisters here, who also makes handmade items to be a part of a small craft bazaar....pretty excited about that!



I’m sure I’m missing news, but I have to get moving.  Fridays are busy days for me.  I can’t start behind.  (ooops, I already am).
Hv a great week!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

RECENT EVENTS...






Wow! It's been a while, not since Convention I guess. Well things quieted down after the -40 weather and Convention came and went. Mid Feb. ALREADY…OUCH!

Weather has turned nicer, in some aspects, but not so much in others…warmer and sun makes it NICER, spring overflow into the creek makes it a BUMMER for my snoshoeing trails…have had quite a few incidents where my young adventurers have found themselves snoshoeing in the slush…wet boots and cold feet!

Yesterday, we had clear but above zero weather; this morning it is -14°.  It’s a little brisk but fine weather for February.

Jarred, Seth, and Kevin are still in Salcha working on the roof on the cabin that the loggers put up.  They should be home tonight.  This guy lives in the middle of nowhere in the wilderness, down the river from Salcha…

Mark Coy has been diligently working on his new home so he can move in.  He’s doing a major re-haul on the inside – I haven’t been down in awhile to see what he’s up to.  He’s fixing up the home that Nancy Moore built.  Once the Moores moved away, the Grecus, then Tates, then the Thomas Nerbonne family have lived there. 

Sister Margaret’s ankle seems to be improving daily.  She’s been limping around, but I’m sure she’ll be running around as usual soon.

Cathy Purdy is still homebound with her bad knees.  She made it out to one service.  I haven’t heard if or when she’ll have knees replaced. 

Ben Persinger and his wife, Olga, are having a baby in March.  Seems like there are some other March babies I’m forgetting. 

In July, Chris and Rebekah will have their baby.  In a couple of weeks, we will find out what the baby is.  Also, due in July is Liz (Baltrum) Werhonig.  Don (her husband) just posted to facebook that they are having a girl.

Finally took 6 young kids (Fouses and Millirons) snoshoeing as promised. Even Jordan came and he is 3! So cute! He told me early on on the adventure - with his Spiderman plastic snowshoes on _ "Miss Gwizlda, can I ride in the sled?"…err…hum…defeats the purpose - but how could I resist a cute 3 yo with such an angelic smile. So we all took off into the white and blue yonder and went actually almost all the way to Kohler's beach! A normally 45' trek for me but turned into over an hour with the troupe….we could hear the dogs barking…every nook and cranny on the creek bed HAD TO BE EXPLORED, OR DUG INTO OR CLIMBED UP AND SLID DOWN…what energy!…pulling the sled with J was not as tough as I thot it wld be on the trails, he's such a little guy…all bundled up and making a running conversation on everything that was happening:….

"Miss Gwizlda, why are there so many bumps?  Why are we stopping now? Where are the dogs? Are we gonna go see the dogs? I can hear them barking, can you hear them barking Miss Gwizlda?….are you getting tired of pulling me Miss Gwizlda?….

finally…..

Jordan said: 

……"Miss Gwizlda - my hands are cold! can we go back now?"…he was just sittin' like a little prince so of course he got cold…so we turned around and came back…sun shining on our backs…

Then I piled them all into a car and dropped them off at their cabin. A good time was had, I think…we shall see if I have any repeats…

Only 6 days till Pat, Beth and the girls are in Alaska! yaaiiii..







Have a great weekend!!!  

Saturday, February 4, 2012

SATURDAY NEWS...from my friendly neighbor ..

Hi.  Imagine my surprise yesterday morning, when I stepped out my front door in little teeny flats, to find it snow AND blowing snow like madness.  I was running late, so I plowed through as I was.  It was snowy and blowy all day.  Around supper time, the skies opened up to dump a lot of snow on us before dropping down to a brisk -25 this am.  For my photography class, I’m supposed to be getting an “early morning light” pic, but I just can’t be inspired by coldness and grayness and flatness of light.  Anyone have an idea for something indoors?  My computer and desk lamp maybe?

Jon and Sarah Riche, who are on a trip to the US to see various family members, have arrived to grace our community with their presence.  They arrived a little before supper yesterday and will stay through Sunday supper.  They are staying with Hannah and Craig Mason.  Last night the young folk came to our house bringing Sarah and Jon with them.  Sarah kept the whole house rocking with stories and questions; Jon kept his long arm about Sarah and would sorta pull her closer to him when he felt she needed it.  They were hilarious, and I was amazed at the stories Sarah so innocently pried out of the kids. Rob was invited as well and came back late but happy. May also got a chance to catch up with Jon and Sarah since her 4 month long stay in Blessington in 2009.

I heard that the convention at Haines went really well; they had lots of snow with 40° temps.  They left for Hoonah today – flying via Wings of Alaska and the Grand Caravan with a brief stop in Juneau.  Pray for their flights to and from today and Tuesday and for the convention in between.  J 

We had an excellent “popping” sharing meeting on Wednesday.  Gary Horender (Jennifer’s father) led praise with his accordion.  He sings a lot of older songs so it was funny to see some of the young kids struggling with the words of songs that we’ve known for forever.  Then Gary shared first “since he was already up at the pulpit”.  We had several prayer needs – one that most of you would know and which is very serious is for Bro Nyron Wheeler at Whitestone.  He wasn’t doing well so he was taken to the hospital where they gave him a blood transfusion.  I haven’t heard any new news. 

My family is hollering for breakfast…. I better go.  Have a great weekend. 

Oh yes...Seth opened the creek trail for me...with his snomachine, so now we have another nice trail to take the kids snowshoeing on...I usually do this on my own but the snow was about 4 feet deep just too much lil ole me....and most importantly the sun has started to peek above the plateau and Horn Mt. and actually shining directly on to the Tabernacle kitchen window and  beyond isn't that AWESOME!...not for very long mind you, but at least its HERE AGAIN!

I know this will be totally above most people's heads....only us ALASKANS truly understand this ...haha


Friday, February 3, 2012

FRIDAY NEWS FLASH...

Morning all,

I wanted to write quickly and brag about our weather.  Sometime after convention, the temperature started to rising till it reached -20°.  It stayed in that area till Wednesday when a miserable wind blew in.  But, that miserable wind warmed our temps to zero and above.  Yesterday (Thursday), we awoke to 2° and no wind – all was calm, peaceful, and beautiful!  And, during the day, the temp rose as high as 18° ABOVE zero.  Why couldn’t that have been for last week when we had convention?  This morning is -5° which is still very manageable. 

The ministry drove to Haines on Monday.  They had a few minor things to deal with on the trip like slippery roads and rain.  But, they are in Haines safe and sound now.  They will go over to Hoonah on Saturday, if nothing changes with their schedules.  (Sis Freddie, I did give your message to Bro Ernest – he was going to contact you and see what could be arranged)  I did pass on any and all messages that came to the ministry while they were here – to all of you who sent messages.  I’m sorry I never told you that till now. 

After convention sickness has not been too abounding which is an excellent thing! Well except for my dear MIL Flo who has come down with a case of laryngitis...

Anyway, wld hv liked this kind of weather for convention, but oh well..."the land of the frozen chosen"...right?

Big Pat's on fire-watch this week so has to make early morning rounds and late evening rounds to all the boilers that heat  the public building, wellhouse, schools, Tab....some other workshops...

New seating arrangement for this new month always makes for interesting table conversations...

Rob is working hard at his online Math and Phonics. LOVES HIS IPAD! The School District gave him one of these nifty gadgets and after downloading a bunch of educational game like applications he is on his own. He can do math, phonics, spelling and mind bender type of activities...and math flash cards and money changing activities...

May and Annie are busy with activities around the place. Annie is busily making her chunky jewelery which has become very popular here, making it for anybody who asks her. Maybe she can try and sell it sometime...

May is busy working on props and backdrops for the school spring play coming up...I think it is "Namaan"...put on by our most excellent senior musician/composer Miss JoAn...May has  hired the help of some of the young high schooler and I think they have a grand time in the Tab, with colored chalk, big empty spaces of white sheets, snacks and music...May took over my job of head prop and backstage manager - that I getting too stressful anymore (after about 11 years) , and she is doing a wonderful job. Of course May is also busy planning her veggie garden for next summer, has made plans and blueprints of the layout and everything...seems to enjoy it all very much.

Our next highlight is the arrival of PatLou, Bethany, Ella and Esther to Anchorage of Feb. 26th. I will make a trip to see them as soon as they get settled in...can't wait! Those babies are getting soooo big! If I can I will include a short clip of the girls eating their cukes....

I think you can view it if you click on this link...



Anyway, I’m running late, as usual, so I’m off to school.