Joleesa's Results

After blood tests, urine tests and multiple xrays they sent Joleesa home with strong pain medicine saying she has a strained back. We pushed for answers for her persistent back pains and got nothing. I know the Lord's able to heal and if there was something and He healed through the prayers, AWESOME, but if not what's the problem? I'm afraid what this all is going to cost as my insurance has a high deductible so it'll all be on us. Then on top of that it was December 29th so the dollars will be washed out in two days anyway as the new year starts. If I only had some answers the frustration of the cost wouldn't be so great but I feel we're still where we were when we enter the doors in the first place. I hate myself for even be concerned about because I'm grateful at the same time they didn't find anything. Does that make any sense at all. Any way, thanks for the prayers. Please continue to pray for her back and Jenna's shoulder. God created them in the first place he can heal them.

Also, please pray for Brother Nowling and myself today. We are dealing with some things that we need God to guide us in.

Alyeska, snowboarding and visiting with Sister Annette

No, I didn't go snow boarding, but Joleesa did. She got her first lesson from Matthew Peter. I had to take a day off work as we're suppose to get our birthday off but we were too busy for them to let me have off. Then I have to work around my bosses schedule as he is also over our Kenai office and has had some quit there so he's having to be gone on Friday, Monday and Tuesday and we're suppose to take it within 30 days of our b-day. Anyway, Matthew had said when we first got here he would show Joleesa how to snow board but it hadn't happened. She has to get 90 hours of physical ed in by January 15th with it's goal as to learn to enjoy to winter sports...she has maybe about 12 hours in so we need to push to get her some hours so Matthew was more than happy to take us (Joleesa and I) up kind of last minute yesterday. Now remember, Joleesa loves the hot summer days, and the water AND is afraid of heights like her dad. It was BEAUTIFUL day, it started out raining but turned to snow as we pulled in, picture perfect. Once I paid out the big bucks for the lifts and her rental I decided not to get me tram tickets and I just stayed at the bottom of the pony hill and watched. They went up the lifts and Matthew tried to keep her thinking about other things but I guess the first time she hyperventalated but the second time she enjoyed the beauty. I brought a book to read but never opened it and watched the people and enjoyed being outdoors. After many falls and a couple of wipe outs she found herself staying up and going down. I got some pictures on Matthew's camera that I'll have to see if I can post. All and all she enjoyed it but, she said she'd rather have boards on the bottom of her feet, behind a boat and in 90 degree weather. She's pretty sore to say the least. But she got several hours to add to phy ed and she had a new experience and I enjoyed a relaxful day surrounded by a winter wonderland of mountains. Thank you Matthew! He's quite the snowboarder even though he never got the time to go up the summit. Next time.

After taking Joleesa to work I met Sister Annette at Village Inn for supper. Just the two of us. It was great. Two hours of visiting with my sister, just her and I. How much better could it get. A great ending to a relaxful day.

Have a great day.

Oh by the way, I'm NOT giving a way any of Ulus~smile.

3 Ulus for Christmas

Well Christmas is behind us and I got 3 Ulus (?) a rounded Alaskan knife. One came with a cutting board and bear claws for salad, another with a stand and the last one was handmade by eskimoes. I'm giving a single one a way. They are awesome. I was able to cut through a squash with no problems, besides worry about my thumb getting cut off as I was holding it. Thank you, to the Texters, the Grants and the Suttons for giving me, as Brother Grant put it "the gift every Alaskan mother needs".

We had a great time with the Suttons. I fixed brisket and ham for Christmas dinner. The brisket went in the oven at 9 am and camae out at 5 pm I wasn't sure how it would turn out as I didn't have my "Texas" brisket rub that had been given to me in the past. I used a steak rub and Lawry's season salt and it was SUBERP! We are fighting over the leftovers. Seriously the flavor was great, it was soooooo tender and moist. It couldn't have been better. Us ladies visited with Sister Annette in the kitchen (Joleesa kind of went between the kitchen and the living room where the men were, traitor ~grin). We really enjoyed ourselves. Matthew got here about 4:30 and ate but after being up 26 hours he couldn't stay awake and was snoring on the counch. As Jody would say, it was quite cozy with the fireplace and Christmas music going. I got a dvd which is a fireplace that has Christmas music, or you can choose just the ambiance of the fire place. We hung two little stockings on the tv above the fireplace for the Suttons ~shaking head and grinning. After cleaning up from Christmas dinner Tim and Larry stopped in with more gifts and stayed and visited. The men in the living room while the ladies played "I Buy". Hey Bethel folks, Sister Annette now knows how to play "I Buy". I actually won, although we didn't go through all the rounds.

Well yesterday was back to work. It's end of the calendar year so it's clean up time of accounts...but the holidays are in the past so things are slowing down for me as much they ever will when you work at a newspaper. Jody still has at least this week at Fed Ex because of the Denver snow storm things are just now coming in so he'll be busy still this week. The girls survived the day after Christmas in the retail business. Now we get to look forward to our New Year's Eve Watch night service, taking the tree down and finding out what a "normal" day during Alaska's winter is. I'm not saying this sarcastically either. We are looking forward to it.

A Different Sort of Christmas

But All Is Good! Well, we got the girls bedrooms switched around. Well the furniture anyway. Jenna had to work but after Jessa and I picked Joleesa up from work, got some breakfast, We then went to Fred Meyer so Jessa could go to the bank and Joleesa could do some more of her shopping. then we went to work on moving things. We still havent switched their closets. We've got to take the stuff of what was Jenna's closet as to get the boxes out of what was Joleesa's closet and put them down in the crawl space in what is now Joleesa's closet and then they switch their clothes. Did you follow all that. Anyway the rest is up to them to do. They all seemed pleased with it. That is such a HUGE stress off my shoulders. The rest of the night was spent grocery shopping and then getting ready for church Sunday.

I loved our bulletins; I decided to make the inside a birth anouncement saying "IT'S A BOY" and the outside was a design listing the names of Jesus. Sunday School started out very heavy because as we were speaking of peace I knew there were those in our midst that didn't have peace...I broke down crying as I was teaching and asked for this individual to come forward for prayer. What better thing to take place at Christmas and in SS then to have some be released from their struggle and find peace. We had a great season on prayer before even going into the worship service.

I then spent the afternoon with Brother Tim in a marothon of shopping on Christmas Eve... he had asked me to help him and even though I had been saying all along that I would not be in the stores on Christmas eve there I was. And I was exhausted. But we had our Christmas eve candle light service that I was in charge of. The theme was "The Word was Made Flesh...." I had found some readings (short stories) depicting Mary's and Joseph's emotions in dealing with incarnate birth. Along with all that we got to surprise the local church with the Suttons presence. We knew they were going to be there but we kept it surprise for everyone else. All and all the service went well. Jessa ended the service with an awesome job on "Word of God Speaks". Sister Grant had to work so we all headed over to Alaska Airlines to sing caroles for her and her co-workers. She was surprised to see Suttons and she seemed very pleased. From there we went to the only restraunt open in town, TGI Fridays. Suttons were really hungry for steak so it wourk out great.

We were going to go look at Christmas lights but I was exhausted. I hadn't slept good the last two nights. We came home and stayed with our tradition of opening stockings and the gifts of pjs that we always get. I got all the girls Aeropostale pjs and for the first year ever, they all fit and they all loved them. So finally by about midnight we were in bed.

We were'nt going to get up until 8 am but it seems everyone woke up at 7 am or earlier (I had another rotten nights sleep and was awake by 6 am) so we shared the Christmas story had our prayer and called the grandparents. We put them on speaker phone and it seemed like we were together. My parents are in a nursing and they didn't get our package yet (went out the same day as the Adams and my mother-in-law, but they didn't get theirs) bummer. But they were both excited to talk to us. It was good and the tears came but it was ok.

Now, I've put the brisket in and I'm just relaxing (maybe I"ll even take a power namp) until the Suttons come at 2 pm and then Matthew Peter will be here for Christmas dinner at about 5 pm.

Like I said...a different sort of Christmas. But it's been good. Hope everyone else had a great day.

Emotional Havoc

It is 2 am and I was asleep but woke up with my pillow wet from my tears. Last night our family was experiencing emotional havoc. This is suppose to be "the most wonderful time of the year". I have made it a point in the past to not allow us to get too stressed. But the enemy is alive and well and doing his thing. Between Jody's long hours and being so phyiscally exhausted, my fast pace at work and being mentally exhausted, and then the girls...You know I don't think it will be as hard to see them leave "the nest" as it is for them to find their way "out of the nest." College or marriage is such an easy way for them to leave but when neither of them happen (especially when they're wanting it too) it's where and how do they do it. Then I have one that is so anxious to leave as soon as she is old enough to and I know where she is going is not a spiritually safe place for her to be.

I thank God that they know Him. I can't imagine how this turmoil would be if they didn't. But are they strong enough to endure the test? Please Lord let them be.

As a mother, how can I help. I feel so lost some times. And some times I just feel I make matters worse. Something as small as trying to give them their own personal space in a small house, and being fair in it, is seeming insurmountable. We need to switch rooms around. My idea of giving the two oldest the smallest so they'd move out sooner...BAD, BAD idea. They want to move out, but it's just not possible at this time. They need the bigger room so they at least have breathing space, forget private, just breathing space. BUT they all want to be present when we do it. Yeah right, with their job schedules, and then we need some muscles, and the muscles that WOULD be available have job schedules too.

I've been thinking a lot about one of the many "gifts" of Christmas that Christ's birth brought. "Peace on earth, goodwill toward men". Right now my spirit cries for peace!

We desire your prayers. We know we're where the Lord wants us to be...but Lord give us peace and help us to find Your way for our family and for our local church.

Christmas still is the most wonderful time of the year!!! Because of it, I'm not sitting here alone. Emmanuel---God with us.

A Brighter Outlook

Well I got my new glasses and I love driving with them. Things are so bright and clear. And I don't even mind driving at night. The opitician convinced me to get anti-glare because of my difficulty driving at night and then he said it would make a difference with the snow. And he was right on both counts. BUT I wear bifocals and I'm having a terrible time on the computer at work. I've had bifocals for years but these frames are smaller so it's difficult to find the right height for my computer so I'm not having to stick my nose in the air as to be able to read. I'm sure people are walking by my new corner of my world (they moved me over the weekend) thinking boy she's sure got her nose up in the air, who does she things she is anyway. ~grinning ~ not really. But my neck sure hurts at the end of the day. All and all, I like my glasses, I just hope I adjust quickly.

To another subject. We got about 8 inches of snow today and it's still snowing. We're expected to get a foot by the time it's done. It's pretty but as always, a lot of accidents.

Oh yeah, yesterday when I got to work there was a MOOSE cow in the News parking lot. I followed her around, taking pictures with my camera phone. Then I parked and she was on the curb nibbling the branches of a tree. I had Jody on the phone and he said I should pet it ~ joking I hope ~ I got within 50 feet and took another picture with my camera. I now just need to see if Josh can get them off my camera so I can post them. It was still dark at 8 am, so I'm not sure how good they are. I'm hoping once they get on the computer they'll look better than they do on the phone. Then as I was going home there was Moose just meandering down the street. You would have thought she was pedestrian as she was following the rules of pedestrians and walking towards the traffic (that's the right way, isn't it?). It's something how Anchorage is a good size city and moose wander the streets almost as much as people.

Well, my shopping's all done. I went last night until about 10:30 pm as I was determined to not have to go out again. Then tonight Joleesa helped me start wrapping gifts. She did the cutting as the movement of that seems to have the most effect on my elbow. We got some of Jody's wrapped, all but one of Jenna's, and all of Jessa's but then I ran out tape. BUMMER! Oh well, Jenna will help me wrap Joleesa's and the rest of Jody's tomorrow and then I got a little something for each of the church people. Plus, stocking stuffers (those I'll have to do as they all get the same thing). I may have blown it as I was putting Jessa's gifts out to wrap, I accidently got one of Joleesa's out and Joleesa picks it up asking what it was (there's something else that goes with it), I grabbed it from her and threw it back in my closet and got the right gift. OOPS! I don't know if she had time to figure it out or not. Oh well, it never fails, they always seem to figure out, or maybe are even with me for at least one of their gifts ~grin~ they don't care if they know, they still get it and doesn't cost them.

So tomorrow I finish wrapping gifts. Friday while Jody and Joleesa finish their shopping (I feel for them as they fight the crowds and the "out of stock" frustrations), I'll work on our Christmas eve service and then on Saturday we'll clean house, bake and yuck go grocery shopping for Christmas dinner. BUT then Sunday will be time to relax and enjoy the day and be relaxed for Christmas day.

I've enjoyed the Christmas songs this year more than ever. I really encourage everyone to worship during the songs...I sure found myself worshipping my Christ!

Well enough rambling hope everyone is sleeping well, and enjoy this best time of the year! The birth of our Savior!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Ok I was worn out before I ever got to work. I was up at 6:30 a.m. to make my soup for the pot luck. It wouldn't have been so bad but my crock pot wasn't big enough. Then I had to make two trips to the car and wound up forgetting my purse! I recognized when I stopped at the Holiday station to get bowls, as I wasn't sure they'd have it at work. Couldn't get them! No purse. Oh well, I was pretty one of the many men would be going out to pick up something for the pot luck and I would just have them get some and pay them back. I didn't have to. The lady in charge of the pot luck saw soup on the sign up sheet and bought some. How great was that. Anyway, I then parked out front so that I could bring my soup up the two flights using the elevator. Went back to the car and parked in the employee parking lot and went up again. They moved me into a different desk over the weekend so I had to move all my stuff. By 10 am I was ready for bed. But the soup was a hit.

We had a Chinese Auction. We did $15 gifts and I got a $10 gift card for Coldstone (my favorite ice cream) and a moose ornament.

I should wrap gifts but my arm is really hurting (I broke my elbow as a kid and had many surgeries on it through Shriner's hospital). I don't know if it's all the wrapping or the weather (it's been snowing all day), although it's been hurting since Saturday. I could really use your prayer for my arm. It's my right arm and it gets so bad I can't even pick things up some times.

Anyway, maybe I'll just do a couple gifts we'll see.

Sis. Tammi - Brother Nowling says he won't invoke man law any more until after Christmas~big smile. You saw it in print. We'll see! wink

Officially Shopped Out!

Thanks Jenna, you've succeeded again! I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas through my blog so she did this. Isn't it great????

What a weekend. Saturday started out with my getting packages and cards ready to take to Fed Ex. I'm so glad Brother Nowling gets 50% off, as mailing five packages added up. We then went to the bank to switch our truck loan from Wisconsin to Alaska and then headed home. I waited for Josh but he got tied up at the Mac Store so he met Joleesa and I and he became my lead car to many different stores.It wasn't so much big crowds at the stores I went to but we did fight the parking crowds. We then met up with Jody and the girls at Fred Meyer. By the way, that's after many calls from Jody whining about the crowds. His first call reminded me he didn't like shopping, or crowds and told me that his shopping "experience" is a part of my Christmas gift. Somebody tell him "man law" doesn't cover shopping malls.

So more shopping at Fred Meyer including grocery shopping for the Church pot luck as well as my work one. In regards to church. I have been really praying that the Spirit would break loose, as it has been a while. Brother Nowling and I talked about going early to church to pray. Last night I stayed up past midnight (which is really unusual for me) doing the bulletin, studying SS lesson, and getting things ready for the pot luck but constantly praying for our service this morning. Brother Nowling and I got up and got everything done and headed over to the church to pray...and we opened the door shocked. Tables were all set up in the Church. It looked pretty but it wasn't church. So many emotions I had to fight through. The Lord helped me though and we had a wonderful time of worshipping the Christ Child. Then went into the pot luck that had had some miscommunications but was still great. Larry Willoya can really cook and bake. He made a great stir fry, and a fabulous chocolate cream cheese bundt cake.

From there Brother Nowling and Joleesa and I headed to Fed Ex to mail our last package which we had to pay full price as he forgot his badge, but it was a smaller box this time...oh by the way, I found the greatest spice and tea store. I'm going to definitely have to go back there. We then headed to WalMart (I really don't like Walmart). Don't chew me out Sis. Net...stock lines the aisles that you can't get around coupled with the crowds. Everything's been moved so you can't find anything. Ugh!!! But I'm down to just two more gifts! Yes, they will be gotten the next couple of day as I will NOT shop next weekend.

I actually took a short nap on the couch (something I rarely do) in front of our tv fireplace with Christmas music. I bought a dvd that is a fireplace (sound affects and the burning down of the logs and all) with Christmas music. It's unique, but unfortunately it doesn't put off any heat ~grin.

Lastly, we told Brother Grant that we'd come early to clean up the church and put everything back. He said he wouldn't promise that he wouldn't have it done. We came early any way and Sis. Grant was there to meet us (pray for her she has been working soooooo many hours she missing out on church and she really misses it)and I walked in and sure enough they cleaned up and changed everything from the way we had the church set up...once again different emotions, but Sis. Grant had decorated it for Christmas and it looked really nice and she was excited to see whaat we thought. It was Jenna's service and she did it on "Being the Bethleham Light" it was good.

We came home and cleaned house and now I have to wrap gifts for work and go to bed as I have to get up early to make Zuppa Tascona (potato sausage soup recipe from Olive Garden Restraunt) for my pot luck at work.

Everyone have a great week.

Christmas-where have the days gone?

I mean literally. I don't see daylight all week long as it doesn't get light until about 10 am and I don't know when it gets dark but I believe about 3:30-4pm. I go to work and it's pitch black and I come home and it's pitch black. Strange.

But Christmas is a week from Monday. Ugh, scream! For some reason I was thinking I had more time. I want to do something for the church people and I'm not crafty like some bloggers are ~sigh~ I have packages to get out yet to our parents, family and friends...I thought I still had plenty of time. The girls had to wait for payday to buy for their grandparents. Thankfully Brother Nowling gets a discount at Fed Ex so that's how we'll ship then. Then wrapping the gifts...Jenna reminded me that usually by this time the gifts are all under the tree and so far there's not a one. Because I haven't wrapped them and I'm not done shopping.

Shopping, Brother Nowling's going shopping tomorrow with his daughters. I told him I was going to "borrow" some sons so I wouldn't have to go by myself ~pout~ Any volunteers (Micah I miss you)? ~grin~

And the cards - I usually have them out by my birthday, but...they're done, but...we're including a letter and we were going to put our pictures on it and have it printed at Kinkos. Not going to happen. I'm going to print the letter and get them in the mail tomorrow!!! I want them out of here so I can feel like I have something done ~grin.

Anyway, I'm glad it's Friday. We'll be wrapping gifts to be mailed tonight and Saturday looks like we'll be fighting the crowds. I've got to find a book and Bible store!!! Ugh! I've been told there's one here in town and Brother Nowling and I went looking a few weeks ago to no avail...maybe my "son(s)" will take me there tomorrow.

Gotta run another day on the job. Have a great one! By the way its 15 degrees here!

Waiting!

Waiting is never easy. But I look at a child or a youth and see how much more difficult that is and my devotion reminded me of this very much.
Isaiah 40:30-31
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint

This hit me this morning as to why so many youth fall. Patience comes through maturity and some times when we are needing something from God, He requires us to seriously wait on Him and seek HIS way. As a adults we find that very hard, how much more difficult for our children and our youth.

The enemy is using tools of depression (bipolar is the explanation everywhere these days), discouragement, lonliness to draw our people away. Isaiah PROMISES us that IF we wait on the LORD, our strenth SHALL be renewed. Not only renewed but ride above the storms like the eagles do. We will RUN and not grow weary. Usually when one starts out in a race the longer they're in they start to tire. Oh but not the Christian, the longer we're in it we grow STRONGER.

May God help us to WAIT on Him for direction, for the answer.

Please pray for my family.

Email address and snail mail address

Brother Nowling has gotten requests that we post our addresses. Considering we've moved I can understand why. I just hope I don't regret it~grimaces~

J Nowling
5101 Hatcher Circle, Unit A
Anchorage, AK 99508
jodyandjada.nowling@gmail.com

Ummmm!

I had a busy week end. Got my eye exam Saturday morning. I had to find the place in the dark and heavy snow but I found it and like I figured my vision has changed considerably. Especially in my left eye along with my astigmatism getting worse in both eyes. So no wonder I can't see street signs, hence why I have difficulty getting around Anchorage. I didn't even really realize it until I got here. After all I didn't have to look at street signs in Menomonie.

After the exam I came home and cleaned house. I put on Christmas music and REALLY cleaned. Matthew walked in later and said it didn't feel like home any more because it was sooo clean. That made me feel good, but the "clean" didn't last long. You get 5 bodies in this house plus friends, as small as it is, it gets cluttered real fast. And no I wasn't upset about Jenna's chair. It actually is a perfect fit.

Anyway, I then worked all evening on the VLB Christmas service and party. It was last night. All and all I think it went well. They seemed to have fun but listen as we talked about the Gifts that are part of the gift of Love that Jesus gave when he came to earth. Then I emphasized giving Him something....that's the part I hope that hit home.

I don't know for sure what is this morning but I feel a real heaviness, sadness. I just want to cry and I have to face some major problems when I get to work. I'm really not looking forward to this day. I need His peace and strength to wrap itself around me today.

Thanks For the Prayers

I am feeling much better to say the least. My mouth still has a lot of canker sores in it and I feel a little pressure in my sinuses but other than that I feel fine.

Today was a rough day at work. Over the 3 months I have been at this job I have made several mistakes. The problem is when I make a mistake, as my bosses bosses boss says, it's the number of 0s behind my mistakes that makes the difference. I handle National accounts like Sears, Penneys, Alaska Airlines, grocery stores and they run ads worth 10's of thousands of dollars. Today I was dealing with the credit manager and accounts that are having rate disputes. Some from back before I came and some since. Bottom of line, one is holding back $40,000 in payment until it's cleared up. It was just one after another hitting me. Until I once again was asking if I was in over my head. If I was in the right job and so on. Any way, my bosses boss, Mike was tossing a stress ball up in the air and I said "hey I need that" and someone asked why and I said "because I'm really stressed". A little later apparently I was walking down the hall and Mike through the ball at me and it fell short and rolled and actually hit my foot and I didn't even notice it. I was so focused on everything. He came up to me and asked if I was ok. Now, I don't know Mike very well. He's probably in his late twenties to early 30's and seems quite reserved. He went on to say he didn't believe me and asked me what was up. As I began to share a few things, he assured me not worry but then went on to ask what accounts takes up most my time. On the spur of the moment it was hard to respond. He went on to say that he was going to get some of the stuff off my desk as it was unfair to expect anyone to try to handle all that I've been handling. Then went on to ask me how HE could help me at that moment and I assured him I was fine. Mind you this ar 4:30 pm, I go home in an hour. Next thing I saw Mike in with his boss with the door closed. He comes out of there and goes right in my boss, Mark's office and closes the door...of course I was wondering what's up. Sure enough Mark calls me at 5:30 pm (which he frequently does as make sure I don't stay late, not because of overtime, just because he knows I don't take breaks), I answered the phone (we have caller ID for inter-office calls)"I know, I'm leaving" and he said as long as you're still here let's leave you on the clock and come see me". Sure enough Mike told him we need to figure out what we can take off my desk (and Mark's too, that man doesn't have time to breathe). So this weekend I'm suppose to think about what is the most time consuming and they are committed to within the week to relieve me of some things. That doesn't mean everything and anything will go. I know there are some accounts I must handle, but we're going to figure out if I get some of the paper work off my desk or something. They assure me I'm the perfect fit for the position. I tell you, when you can't finish one thing before you have 6 more thrown at you, all on the same deadlines you really begin to wonder.

All in all they're a good bunch to work for and they are really trying to help relieve some of my stress.

Both Brother Nowling and myself jobs have brought lots of stress but we are so greatful that God has provided. We know the longer we are on them the easier things will get. For Brother Nowling, things will let up after the holidays, and for me somewhat too.

Well tomorrow I FINALLY go to get my eyes checked. I haven't had an exam for about 3 years and I know my vision has changed. I have a very difficult time seeing the street signs. I can't read them until I get right up to them. It's been real difficult seeing as I don't know my way around the city. I didn't realize it really until we moved. In Menomonie I never paid any attention to street signs, I knew where I was going. Thankfully I have vision insurance. I probably will have to order the glasses so it'll still be another week or so. I need to get them before I go for my driver's test as I probably wouldn't pass the eye exam. Although, I shouldn't worry, I probably won't pass the written exam. I've had so many people say they had to take it more than once.

After my eye exam, I hope to FINISH up my Christmas shopping and then come home and work on my VLB program for Sunday night. I'm making special gift for each youth and that gift will be a part of our program and then following the service they'll do their gift exchange.

Well I think I'll head to bed. Have a great weekend.

THANKS FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES!

I want to thank everyone for the Birthday wishes. It has been kind of a bummer of day. Feeling rotten like I did today didn't start the day out very good. Jody did leave me a birthday card but I spoke to Jessa and Jenna only briefly this morning and there were no birthday wishes at that time. Then I get to work and the new girl calls in sick. I was slammed with my work and hers. Several at the office could tell I wasn't feeling well and tried to be helpful to me any way they could. The Anchorage Daily News was sponsors of the Aces Hockey game tonight and I was asked to help pass out megaphones to the first 2000 guests. I asked Brother Nowling if I could this once and he was ok with it. By doing that I got two free tickets. The person that I had asked to go with me cancelled out on me 45 minutes before we were to leave. I was SOOOO disappointed, frustrated, bummed, angry, felt like par for the course the way the day was going. Joleesa went with me and it was a different experience. In Menomonie, being involved in these simple things in the community opened doors for us. Mind you, Anchorage is much bigger...so it make take a little longer for those doors to be found, let alone opened. Anyway, we only stayed for the first period. I didn't do it for the hockey game as I have never followed hockey. We went over to church right as it was ending. They sang happy birthday to me, Sister Grant had a nice little gift for me, Josh, Tim, Jenna, Joleesa and I went to Coldstone and got the ice cream of I've been craving, I came home and read the nice birthday greetings and now I'm going to bed.

Thanks again for the birthday greetings. I'm feeling considerably better than I did this morning but my right ear has really been paining me on day. Please continue to pray that this bug will be stamped out.

The Bug Has Found Me

This bug that's been going around has decided to visit me for awhile. My head, ears, throat and chest all hurt. I desire your prayers as I have to keep going. I finally am semi-caught up at work and missing one day would put me so behind again. It managed to by pass me the first time it visited our home, but not this time. I want to evict it, terminate it, I want it TO DIE! Seriously, I do desire your prayers.

Thanks and I hope everyone has a good day.

MY DATE WITH MY HUSBAND!

Last night was another night for my book of memories (the one in my head, I never remembered to actually start a physical one~tee hee). After shopping with Jenna all day I came home and gave Jody the slacks and dress shirt that I bought him (he was needing some new clothes and I thought it would be good for him to have them for our date). We both got dressed up, had Jenna take pictures by the Christmas tree and the piano.




and then headed to Wasilla (about 1 hr from here). The play didn't start until 6:30 but we wanted to take our time and we both like to be early. Wasilla is in the valley and the winds were terrible. We pulled into town about 5:30pm and found a little gift/coffee shop (every store in Alaska seems to have a coffee shop in them) called Loonattic. So we did a little Christmas Shopping and had a cup of coffee. We checked a local map to find the exact location of the dinner theatre and arrived about 6:10 p.m. We were the second guests (customers) to arrive. It was a good thing to as it wasn't very big. It was built in 1917 and had a lot of the original furniture and wood, floor, etc. It had a loft area that had railings going around it. It was decorated beauifully with red velvelt bows, white lights, pine cones, old fashion Christmas Dolls, etc. The tables were old wooden, mismatched tables with the same for chairs. It seated about 50 people cozied (I use that word lightly)in together. We took a front table, left of the stage against the wall. We were one of the few out of the way for everyone. Problem was, to use the restroom, you had to go on stage and across to the other side. I don't know if it was the coffee or what, but once we got there my stomach started cramping up and I had to visit the restroom several times (by the way the restroom had antique furniture it also, AND was sooooo cold). We sat with our tea and diet Coke until about 7 pm when they started serving our salad, than our prime rib, baked potato (which was huge), green beans and carrot cake. The food was good. They then removed some tables and had us squeeze even closer together to create a 4' aisle and the play began about 8 pm. It actually unfolded all around us. On the stage, in the loft, back by the door and right in the middle of the crowd. It was an 1 1/2 long and was great. The man who played Scrooge adapted it for this presentation, and directed it. Jody's co-worker was the angel past that had all the chains (he did great). We've seen various productions of Scrooge; from the big, elaborate with all kinds of special effects to this simple, quaint one. I really enjoyed the production. The actors did an awesome job, they had lots of singing in it that was beauiful,the building, the ambiance, and the "date" made this one the most enjoyable. The drive home was beautiful with the silohette of the mountains.

I was kicking myself that I didn't bring a camera and then the announcement was made that no photography was allowed...so the fact there are no pictures isn't totally a matter that I forgot~grin, but I would've liked to have pictures of the building~shrugs shoulders.

All in all in was a good date, a good night, and good early birthday celebration as Jody informed me.

IT SNOWED!!! AND CONTINUES TO SNOW!!!

That's great you say, but not for Brother Nowling he delivers FED EX in the Palmer area which has mountainess (is that a word) roads. Winding and deep into wooded area. It'll be gorgeous for him but also dangerous. Please remember as he goes throughout your day. Also please remember Jessa in your prayers.

Have a great day. I want to listen to Christmas music today.