Eating and Exercising

Sonia, Andrea, Tammy, Melanie

Rich was working on Saturday night, doing a food and wine pairing for the folks who were the high bidders at our Channel 8 auction a couple of weeks ago. So I decided it was finally time to have these gals over as I have been promising for many months. We settled on a fondue party, which was great fun. Melanie brought a crab fondue and a cheesy fondue while I made one of dark and milk chocolate, cream and marshmallows.


Everything was yummy and we had lots of good conversation and laughs. Andrea used to live in our house as a kid so she shared some of her memories of the place. Of course, it's completely different now and much smaller (since it used to be a full house and is divided into duplexes). Funny how she thought it was so small and we think it is so big compared to our last apartment.

We loved our fondue so much that we think we might have to have a regular fondue gathering.

After as much as we ate last night, it was a good thing we'd signed up for the Polar Bear Run/Walk today! It was pretty cold but overall a nice day to be outside.

Halfway!

Lots of emperor geese swam nearby

Yay! We did it! We walked, didn't run (well, Sonia did jog a bit) so we were pulling up the rear. Still, it was good exercise and we were proud. Then we went out for lunch. haha

Books and Birds

Last night I hosted our monthly book club. I've been traveling or have had conflicting obligations every month so it's the first meeting I've attended since the book club year started in September. Good thing I was available for the one I was hosting, huh? We always read a short, funny, fluff kind of book in February and this one was Happy Birthday or Whatever by Annie Choi, an amusing look at life and family by a Korean-American young woman. I enjoyed having people over and Rich, as always, came through with a fabulous dessert. From the bottom of the glass: butterscotch schnapps caramel, vanilla bean panna cotta, a thin line of melted red hots, fresh orange gelee, fresh whipped cream with a raspberry mousse rosette and a chocolate straw. Yum, yum. We also had a fruit, cheese and nut platter but it was a bit overshadowed. :)

Today was a rare occurrence--we were both off work on a weekday for President's Day. We slept in a little bit, did a few things around the house and then took a drive out to Summer Bay.

Emperor geese
Cormorants
Lots of seagulls
We also saw 11 seals and 3 sea otters but it's hard to get a good photo when they are pretty far out in the water. They sure were cute, though! I wish I could go swimming with them. :)

Insomnia

1 AM and I can't sleep...this getting older thing is not always that much fun. I used to be such a good sleeper. Thankfully I am only working part time--and afternoons at that!

I hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day. Yes, I know it's a manufactured holiday and many seem to be very cynical about it, saying we should let our loved ones know how we feel on more than just one day a year. Which I agree with, wholeheartedly. But I don't think there's anything wrong with doing something extra special for your sweetheart. What's the harm in that? We need more love in the world, not less, right?! As I tend to say every year, the Chef has to work on Valentine's Day to make sure all the other loving couples get to have a fabulous dinner out. I really do not begrudge them but it does make my Valentine's Day kind of a one-person event. :) It's okay, really. It's become our running joke, I think. I posted something on Facebook and instead of sympathy, my friends seemed to be chastising me for being selfish. haha But lucky me, when Rich finally made it home late tonight, I was the happy recipient of tickets to see U2 in Philly when we go to the East Coast in July. That and a very sweet note in a Valentine card pretty much canceled out my whining.

The last week was a whirlwind while I was working on our Channel 8 auction fundraiser. It is a blast but a whole lot of work and some very long hours--all worthwhile, of course! The auction took place on Thursday and Friday nights and, as usual, any event of this kind really brings out the best in our community and makes me feel very happy to be a part of this little town. From the large numbers of volunteers to the generous individuals and businesses who donate auction items to the locals who bid and bid and bid to help us support local TV, it's a testament to the community spirit that keeps us all connected. We had a great time! Check out the KUCB blog for some photos (or our Facebook page).

I worked part of Saturday so auction winners could come in and pick up their items, while Rich was also putting in a long day at his job. We were supposed to go to the Chocolate Extravaganza at the Museum that night, followed by a potluck to say goodbye to our friends Anne and Jeanette who were moving away. Somewhere around 5 PM, I was totally out of steam and called Rich at work to ask him, "What do you think about just staying in tonight?" I think he was pretty relieved. Although I literally HATE to miss any community event, especially one involving chocolate, we were just beat. He didn't get a day off at all that week, what with preparing for Valentine's Day and various other responsibilities, so it was nice to put on the sweatpants and recline with a magazine for the night.

Anne and Jeanette are off to visit family and friends and then heading for Africa for most of the next year. We will miss them greatly but know they will have a lot of adventures to report back and we will see them somewhere down the road, I'm sure. They've started a blog here so check it out in a few weeks and see what they are up to. Unalaska is such a transient town that reminds me in some ways of my Air Force upbringing. People come and people go and I am starting to feel like an old-timer since I have seen so many arrivals and departures in my almost seven years here. Just like those AF days, it's hard to get close to people only to see them leave. But our lives are definitely enriched by the experiences we get to have together, even if just for a short while. Happy and safe travels, Anne and Jeanette!

In family news, grandson Aidan got "Student of the Month"--way to go, Aidan! (And tell your mom I am still waiting for the picture and news clipping to arrive!) Granddaughter Emery had clear scans in January (yippee!), and granddaughter Elle just turned 3 on the 11th (where did three years go?) I am very excited that they, along with our other sweet grandkids Ally and Beck, and all their parents, will be joining us at the Jersey shore in July. It's gonna be quite a party with Mom, all my siblings, their kids, spouses, grandkids, and some of our aunts, uncles and cousins thrown in. At last count, I think we now have five houses rented. I can't wait!

Beautiful Days

While many in the lower 48 have been suffering through the weather, it's been a little ironic that we have enjoyed quite the opposite lately. Yes, we've had some snow and rain and wind but it's been balanced out rather nicely. Since returning home, I've been busy with work and various other activities but Rich and I managed to get out for a walk yesterday and a beautiful day it was. Rich caught this seal fishing for food while the seagulls hovered overhead, maybe hoping to cash in on a dropped morsel.

Red billed oyster catchers

Enjoying the view

Finishing up in Jersey

My last night in NJ, Bill and his family came over--Patty cooked dinner, we played games and hung out, but first Alex and Becca accompanied me to a little celebration for my cousin Ruth Ann's granddaughter Sarah who had just completed her RN. I knew that several of my cousins would be there and wanted to say hi before I left town.

The girls did not really know most of this group but they were good sports and made the rounds with me.
My cousin Wynne, whom I haven't seen in many years. Actually, his mom is my cousin so he's my first cousin once-removed. My dad was the youngest of 8 so I have cousins who have kids near my age. :)

My cousin Ruth Ann and her ex-sister in law Pat, still considered family. :)

Congratulations, Sarah! She is now 20 and I probably last saw her when she was about 3. My daughter Susan was flower girl at her parents' wedding.

Ruth Ann's youngest son Jay and his partner John. I haven't seen Jay since he was a teenager, I don't think, but we reconnected on Facebook last year. He used to love helping take care of my daughter Sarah when she was a baby.

Ruth Ann and her husband Rick

Their oldest son Richard, Sarah's dad. Hard for me to believe he has a 20 year old daughter when I remember him as a kid. We had fun chatting with everyone and then headed back to the house for a big game of LIFE.

The next day, Bill's family came over to say goodbye. Patty and Mom drove me to Newark to catch my plane while Bill stayed home to write a paper and watch the kids.

My sweet nieces and nephew--I had a great time with them!

Mom with Bill and me. She's feeling good and doing very well, thankfully!

My sister in law Patty, her kids and me

My flight from Newark to Seattle was uneventful and I spent the night at the Coast Gateway for $45 on priceline. I should be the spokesperson for priceline, really! The hotel was very nice, close to the airport and had a shuttle--what more did I need since I got there late enough that all I wanted to do was sleep anyway? I didn't have the dreaded early flight to Anchorage so even got to rest up a bit. On Monday I flew from Seattle to Anchorage and made my way to Pen Air for the flight home. We left a little bit late and stopped in King Salmon for fuel. We got about halfway home and the flight attendant came on to say that the conditions in Unalaska were "below minimums" so we had to divert to Cold Bay. After a bumpy landing in Cold Bay, we had to fight the wind and rain to walk to the terminal and began grumbling to one another that we were probably going to have to go back to Anchorage. Not only was the weather terrible, but it was almost getting to be too late to land in Unalaska (visual flight rules only). Surprisingly, we loaded back up pretty quickly and started for home. After my last two landings here, I was really nervous with the weather and kept telling myself that everything would be fine. I even pulled out the AK Air magazine and forced myself to read so I wouldn't think about the landing too much. Occasionally I glanced out the window to try to ascertain where we were and whether we were actually coming down or just circling around. Seriously, I was still convinced we were gonna have to fly all the way back to Anchorage, especially since it was on the verge of dark, but the next thing I knew, we were on the approach. The landing was no biggie after all. Whew! I was so happy to be here and to see Rich waiting! My suitcase didn't make it in but that seemed minor by then. :)

It was really good to be with Mom and my siblings for a few weeks. Now we are all excited about renting houses near each other for a week in Ocean City in July. It's gonna be a blast with 40 or more of us if everyone makes it!

Having Big Fun

Mom is doing better and better every day. January 18th was her 80th birthday! Since she was still recovering from surgery, we did not have a big bash but a small quiet gathering with my brother's family. But she's looking good, huh?!

Bill and Mom

My brother demonstrating his skills to his children. Yes, he can balance a can of whipped cream on his bald head. Very talented.

Alex, Becca and Billy

Abby

Patty made an angel food cake, which we all promptly demolished. Happy birthday, Mom!

We've had several visitors since Mom started feeling better. My cousin Pat stopped by and had us laughing in no time. We are close to the same age and hung out together when we saw each other as kids. She grew up here in Jersey while I was traveling around as an AF brat. But during vacations and the two years we lived at McGuire AFB, she and I were good friends. It's funny how we all have different perspectives. When we were kids, I was always a little envious that she and her four sisters lived right here and had our grandparents "all to themselves." She says they were a little envious of us because we'd breeze in for a vacation and "get all the attention." LOL Anyway, when the girls' dad and I lived here for a couple of years while I was in grad school, we hung out with Pat and her husband Jack and always had a lot of fun. I don't know what it is about my family but many on both sides are just hilarious. They are all very smart, witty, and clever.

This is my cousin Ruth Ann,who is also hilarious. Pat is my cousin on my mom's side and Ruth Ann is on my dad's side. Ruth Ann is a little older so I did not hang out with her much growing up (they were cool teenagers when I was a wanna be). But during the time that we lived in NJ as adults, we also did a lot with Ruth Ann and her husband Rick. They and their four kids loved to babysit Sarah when she was an infant and toddler. We had lots of fun times eating dinner at their house and sitting around talking about life. I love going back to NJ and seeing family!

We've been pretty busy all week! Mom's visiting nurse, Ed, came by on Monday and "couldn't believe" she was the patient. She had fourteen staples in her abdomen and something got us started on that old Burl Ives song that goes "16 tons and what do you get? Another year older and deeper in debt..." On the spot, we made up a song that went like this:

14 staples and what do you get?

80 years old and deeper in debt

St. Peter, don't you call me cuz I might be shy

I owe my soul to the colon-rectal guy

You would have thought Ed was going to bust a gut. He said he would be singing that song in his head all day long. Of course, we thought we were pretty clever and funny but not as funny as he was making it out to be. He told us we should sing it for Mom's surgeon when we went in on Wednesday. Which we did. We have no shame. He laughed, but not nearly as hard as Ed. Maybe we offended him with the "owe my soul" line.

The surgeon removed the 14 staples and pronounced Mom in good shape. She's been craving a salad for weeks so he told her she could finally have one. She was feeling so great that she wanted to go to Olive Garden and have soup and salad, so off we went.

Today my nephew Billy was at preschool and his sisters at school so we took my sister in law Patty out to lunch to thank her for all she does for Mom. It was a nice girls' lunch and Mom did great on her second day out of the house. When we got home, some of the women in her Red Hat group stopped by to wish her a happy birthday and a speedy recovery since she missed their monthly luncheon.

Yes, they made me put on a hat! Mom and her sister, my Aunt Jeannette (my cousin Pat's mom)

Fun friends in funny hats :)

The 18th was also my 6th wedding anniversary. You know I have a great husband when I can miss two anniversaries in a row (last year I was in Houston with Emery) and he is a sweetheart about it. He's the best! Happy anniversary, Rich!

So my days are winding down here and I am feeling better about leaving Mom. I'm heading for Newark on Sunday and will be home on Monday evening. Oh yeah, I'd better priceline that room in Seattle!

Hello from New Jersey

It's been kind of a whirlwind here and I haven't had time to post! I left Unalaska on Jan. 5th, flew overnight to Seattle, hung out in the SEA TAC airport for a few hours and then flew on to Newark on the morning of the 6th. Long flights, etc., etc., etc.; by now you know the drill. :) Got to Newark and caught the Amtrak to Philly. You might recall the summer that Aidan and I had our little adventure flying into Newark and trying to catch the train. Click here for the story if you want to review. This time, I am happy to report that I not only found the elevator, I also encountered a very helpful clerk who took care of my ticket with a smile, there were seats available on the train, the conductor was nice, and my suitcase fit in the bin. Whew! My sister Kathi, sister in law Patty and 5 year old nephew Billy met me at the Philadelphia station to bring me to Mom's. Patty said that Billy was standing at the top of the escalator watching for me till someone came along with paper conductor hats and distracted him. For the rest of the night, he wore his hat and let us know that he was "in charge." Trying to make conversation with him in the car, I asked "So what have you been up to?" He replied (as if he wondered what was wrong with me) "Waiting for YOU!" haha

Mom had her surgery on Jan. 3 and was still in the hospital when I arrived. Our days were mostly spent going back and forth to the hospital and checking on her till she finally came home on the evening of the 10th. We thought she'd be coming home lots sooner but they had to deal with a few issues so it took awhile longer. Needless to say, we were glad to bring her home. My sister was supposed to leave on the 10th but she extended her stay a few more days, and my brother Joe flew in from Jackson Hole on the 10th.

One morning, Kathi and I met my brother Bill and his family for breakfast at a diner. I have decided that "diner" is definitely an East Coast word. I have never heard of a diner in Texas or Alaska. That's my niece Abby above, with her little brother, the aforementioned Billy.

And their other two siblings, Becca and Alexandra (Alex)

Billy, my sister in law Patty and my sister Kathi, who lives in San Antonio. Yes, we are all scattered to the four winds.

My brother Bill and his girls

Becca, Alex and Aunt Jane

Awwww, sweet daddy/son love

My brother is an RN and works in the ER. He has a warped sense of humor which keeps us all laughing. Actually, all of us have a similar sense of humor, including my mom. The floor nurses called us "The Giggle Committee" because there was always so much laughter coming out of Mom's room. They all wanted to join us.

We were hit with a big snow while Mom was still in the hospital. My sister, who's lived in San Antonio for the bigger part of her adult life, made me do the driving since "you're from Alaska and are used to snow." I did inform her that I might drive in snow but we sure don't have much traffic back home. Luckily, the NJ road crews did a good job and we didn't end up with any funny stories to tell. This is my Mom's house.

Snow dusted trees

We have mostly stayed close to home but my brother Joe hung out with Mom one afternoon while Kathi and I went sledding with Becca and Alex.

It was FREEZING outside. Kathi and I thought our fingers and toes would break off. Meanwhile, Alex and Becca were having a ball and didn't want to leave.

Yes, I took a turn on the little sled, which barely had room for me. I am happy to report that I made it to the bottom of the hill without wiping out, and I didn't break a hip or an ankle or an arm.

The sun was going down, which made it even colder for us old fogeys.

Snow girls!

Kathi takes her turn and also does very well. We grannies rock!

My brother Joe

Mom is doing better and better every day. She's a little unsteady on her feet and has a visiting nurse and a physical therapist coming in, but she's getting her appetite back and has been up and dressed and feeling pretty well. Kathi left on Thursday and Joe left this morning. I decided to extend my stay another week just to make sure Mom is okay to be by herself. We are having fun and she doesn't let much keep her down. She sees her surgeon on Wed. to get her staples out and then we will see what's next.