Cheating!

I know I haven't posted for a while. The weekend was busy shopping with Joleesa for her birthday, grocery shopping and then we had some of the youth over for dinner and games. We played Rummikub and after hours of playing this game since before Christmas, playing Saturday and losing and then again on Sunday afternoon... I WON!!! Woo Hoo! It was great. Saturday night Josh, Micah, Jenna and I were playing and then Josh had to leave so Joleesa took Josh's place. Everyone had won but me. Matthew came in later and was helping me on the last round. I had more tiles then my tray could hold, and even with Matthew's help I still lost. Prior to his coming though Micah had made the comment how it would be perfect to set a mirror on the shelf under the glass of our coffee table and be able to "see" the tiles before choosing. I actually went and got one and was going to do it once Josh got back, but he never came. It was still sitting there Sunday afternoon and it hit me hey I should try this. But it's not easy to "cheat" with a mirror, everything's reverse. I wasn't being sly at all about as I had to touch the different tiles to be sure I was getting the one I wanted. I saw Micah look at me, but he was great, never let on one iota. I played the whole round, getting the smiley wild once that way, but I still loss. We were about to start the next round and out of no where Josh says, with this glass it would be perfect to put a mirror under here to see the tiles. That mirror would be perfect (as he points to the mirror by me), as he looks up and sees me grin and then Micah begins to chuckle. It was great fun. I'm glad I didn't win that round, it would've been a real bummer to only win by cheating. BUT the next round I won fair and square. Win or lose, I enjoy that game.

The rest of the week has been really busy. Work I'm trying to be sure I have everything done and work ahead because of being gone. Then the evenings spent doing laundry, packing, etc. I'm exhausted. I've got my packing almost done. Tonight I have to do the state books and finish packing as Jessa and I leave out tomorrow night. We're headed to the Williams for the weekend and then drive down to Cleveland. Brother Nowling will be flying in on Monday (he leaves out Sunday night) and Jenna on Tuesday (Joleesa won't be able to go because of starting her new job). Jessa and I were flying standby on Alaska Air and then American Eagle. American Eagle is full from Chicago to Charlotte so she's checking on Northwest standby Anchorage, to Mpls. and then on to Charlotte. Alaska Airlines has partnerships with some of the other airlines and we can do this. I would be panicking but I know I'll make it there. Now I HAVE to be back for work on Monday, so we're prepared to possibly have to buy me a one way ticket back, but Lord willing it too will be fine.

Well, I need to go eat and then get busy again. See some of you soon.

Getting A Complex

Lately I've been receiving a lot of teasing about being "old". All in good humour. Some comments very innocent. A couple of weeks ago I went to take my lap top into Best Buy to be looked at as I frequently was getting "the blue screen of death". Josh and Jackie were with me. I didn't leave it for repairs as they needed my power cord. Well yesterday I finally went to drop it off and I was by myself. The same guy waited on me, and he said he remembered me that I had come in with my grand kids...ugh...my children maybe, but my grand kids. Come on I know I have gray hair but do I look old enough to have GRAND KIDS that are young adults? Then Friday I got an AARP membership card in the mail. Me, not Brother Nowling but me. And it referenced all the benefits I'll receive as I turn 50. He turns 50 in January, I don't turn 50 until December of 2009. Actually I think it's funny as do the young people at church, and the young people I work with. I'm actually the oldest sales rep at the Anchorage Daily News. Only my boss and the VP of advertising is older than me. It's weird and funny both. I thank the Lord for our young people. They keep my spirit young. I'm so glad He has blessed me by my girls being close to me, and allowing me to work young people no matter how old I am. Every now and then, I think I'm too old for this, but my heart won't let me stop. I don't pretend to be young like they are, but I enjoy being with them and hope that I don't keep them from having good, clean fun.

Yesterday, we had our monthly youth activity. We went biking on the coastal trail. I right away said I wanted a tandem bike, but didn't know who I would get to ride it with me. I didn't have to wait for long, Josh right away said he wanted to. He actually made it sound like I was giving him this great "opportunity". I wasn't sure how I'd do physically. I was so wanting to do it. And it was great. First the Lord turned the cool rainy weather we'd been having all week, into a beautiful sunny, breezy afternoon. It was PERFECT weather! We got our bikes and headed out. Every month a different youth is in charge of the activity and July was Tim Osborne's, so he chose the bike riding. Great choice Tim. So it was Tim (on roller blades), Josh, Jessa, Jenna, Megan(brought her own bike), Micah (on roller blades) and myself. All the "J's" rented bikes with Josh and I renting the tandem. It was quite the experience. Josh of course took the front, which made it so I couldn't see in front of me. My handle bars were just that, just handle bars. No steering or brakes. Josh had the control. I did have to pedal in sinc with him and we could slow too much or it was hard to keep the bike steady. Megan and Jenna were stopping along the way taking pictures, which was fine. Micah and Tim watched out for all of us as they moved on their blades. I had thought that I would be able to have times when I wouldn't have to pedal, but not so. Josh pedals moved mine. So I had to pedal. It was ok. We actually were ahead of everyone else. When I got too tired we'd stop at the next bench. From what we could tell we bike 8 miles total. Starting downtown and stopping at Earthquake park. We were going to have our devotional at Earthquake but the mosquitoes "owned" that area so we headed back and was going to do as we enjoyed Coldstone ice cream (but Tim had to leave...so no devotions; we've got to make sure that doesn't happen again). Any way, all and all I did ok until heading back. We were on the very last hill and decided it was too steep, we would walk it. When we stopped, and I stood to the ground, my leg gave totally out and I was on the ground. Poor Josh didn't know what to do as he was trying to hold the bike up. Fortunately Tim came up just in time. He helped me up. I had to get my legs back before I could start walking. Made it up to the park in downtown and set on the bench while Josh took the bike on up another hill and brought the car back as we waited for everyone else. All in all, everyone had a great time AND besides my bottom being sore from the seat, I'm really not hurting at all. When we first got done, my bad arm was hurting really bad along with the shoulder (my right arm doesn't go out straight, and even though Josh raised his seat, which raised my handle bars, I still was having to stretch my arm more than it wanted to go). I was really afraid when I got up this morning I wouldn't be able to move, but I actually felt good.

Well, tonight is my youth service so I need to get somethings together for it. I'm looking for another good time with our youth.

And no matter what anyone says...I'm only as old as my spirit ~ smile.

Just An Ordinary Week

Nothing special going on this week. It was very busy at work and for some reason, even with all the sun (oh that's right, I don't think we saw the sun); let me re-word that even with all the day light, it seemed like I dragged almost every day and the week seemed really long.

Thursday, Brother Nowling and I met with the maintenance man to work out where the SS rooms will go. We really didn't have a lot of choices as we had to work around the heating vents in the ceiling. All and all, it'll still work fine. The space has one or two posts in it so we'll have to work the seating around one of them, I can't remember for sure if there was was second pole (ugh, is it age, or just memory's full?) It there is another pole it would be by the SS so it wasn't posing a problem. Anyway, the one is kind of in the way but it'll work still. We decided to not get into the building until August 15th. With the assembly, many will be gone until after the 10th, so why pay for 10 days and not even be in it. This way it gives the maintenance people more time to get it done (he's been real sick the last week). The 15th is a Friday, so it works perfect. We'll have Friday and Saturday to move everything in. We're going to take our piano over to the church. It was my idea, but I have mixed feelings about it. My house just won't seem the same without the piano. But with the girls not living here, it doesn't get played much. It is nice to have Jessa go over songs with me before church, but that only happens once in awhile for Sunday night. Sister Grant has her electric piano that we've been using, which has been great. But the "real" thing is better. Jessa and Joleesa are thrilled about having it at the church...so you am I to complain. Now if we can get our hands on some drums for Jeremy to play. Micah has his guitar, so it'll sound great. I so want to get an altar made. I wish I was good at that kind of stuff. I miss my boss in Menomonie. He was great with wood. He made the sign for our church there and it was beautiful. He also did several signs for youth camp for me. I know he would love to make us an altar as well as some signs. So far we've not been blessed with anyone that is good with wood, anyway we're not aware of anyone.

Oh, I'm really excited as I asked about having a car wash in the parking lot for a fund raiser. And there's a faucet outside right by our entrance and the maintenance man said it was no problem and thought it would be a great idea. I hope that Saturday, August 16th, we can do the car wash, and hand out fliers inviting people to our first service. I hope the weather cooperates, and the youth are available. It's the 3rd Saturday which is our normal monthly time for youth activity. They'll probably come in shifts as they all work different hours. But I know we can make it work. Then hopefully, Sunday we'll have a potluck after service. I am just in awe at God bringing this about. I know there are great things ahead for us.

Tomorrow, I'll clean in the morning, take Jenna to work, and then I have a hair appointment at the Penneys Salon. When I scheduled the appointment I told them I have had several bad experiences with haircuts, and though I'm just getting my hair shaped up, I'm getting a perm (I'm trying to grow it out again) and I want it, need it to turn out. After that I need to take back a blouse to Penneys, and one to Nordstroms (it fits beautifully except it's too long. I could hem, but when it costs as much as it did ~ though it was from the bonus that I won, I feel it should fit in every way). Then I'll go grocery shopping, then by that time Jody should be up so I can put laundry away, and then I have a birthday party to go. So all in all a full day.

Oh, God's been good in another way. Brother Nowling bid his shift at work and starting the 26th of July he'll have Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays off. He currently has Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off. So he works all night Saturday night comes home and sleeps an hour or two and goes to church and preaches. He is usually wiped out after service, doesn't even eat but goes right to bed. Now he'll be rested for church and we can have some of the weekend to spend together. Also, he'll be working 10 pm to 8 am instead of 9 pm to 7 am, so he won't have it book it out on Wednesday night. BUT the best part is that this has made it so he can go to the assembly. He can't take vacation for the assembly as it is already spoken for by those with more seniority then him (their union). His previous shift was difficult to find anyone to cover but he's already got three of the four days cover with trades. He was offering additional money for someone to cover (which meant he would lose the pay, plus pay out more, but it would be worth it) but instead those that are taking his days wants him to work a day for them. It'll make for a couple of weeks where he'll work six days straight, but we're thrilled that he'll get to go. His supervisor then is seeing if she can allow him to take just the one day as vacation. I'm having to take the 3 days off without pay, with the assembly being moved up, I technically haven't earned the days (they don't let you use them until earned, unlike the previous newspaper I came from). They really didn't want to let me have the time off but my boss reminded his boss that I mentioned before I was hired that this was something I wanted to be sure I'd be able to go to, but it just got a little complicated because of the date change, and he gave in. Anyway, so Brother Nowling not losing the money will help.

Well it's after midnight, and it's actually kind of dark outside (mind you it's been rainy and cloudy all day). Good night everyone. Have a great weekend.

A Different Sort of 4th of July

Joleesa, Jenna and I decided to go Whittier for the 4th instead of facing Anchorage's crowds. Jody and Jessa worked the night before so they were sleeping. I told the girls we'd leave about 10 am (they would sleep until noon or later if I didn't give them a time). I didn't set my alarm and was surprised that I woke up at 9:07 am. Not like me. Especially I've made myself be a clock watcher in the evening. In Alaska, in the summer you have to be or you don't go to bed until 1 to 2 am. Around here the sun shines brightest and warmest after 9 pm. UGH! So I literally make sure I'm in bed by 11 pm but yet I've still been tired. I'm sure a part of it is that I'm still recovering from that horrible bout with the flu. My appetite's not even back yet (that's ok, I've lost weight and I don't need to gain it back). Sorry, I digress, back to the 4th. We headed out at 10 am and made it to the one way tunnel about 10 minutes before it opened for people to go "in" to Whittier. Now I was there last August (just before school started) in the evening and it was empty, quiet and quaint. This time there were cars galore, but I don't know where all the people were. It was weird. We went into the shops, and ate at a new restaurant (I had the worse halibut ever. It tasted burnt, like the oil they deep fried it in was burnt), Jenna and Joleesa like their meals. But after lunch I really didn't feel very well. We walked a little more then decided to check to see when the tunnel opened to go out. The tunnel opened again at 3 pm and it was about 2:10 pm. Jenna wanted to see the water falls and glacier water so I decided it was in my best interest to drive there. Then we headed back to the tunnel and got home a little after 4 pm. Josh came over and we played Risk (I think I don't like that game, it takes way too much thinking; and like all the games, I lost both times). I vacuumed and picked up the living room, took Jenna home and climbed in bed a little after 11 pm. I read until about midnight. Then I heard the bangs of the fireworks...what are they doing, it's still daylight. Not right!

Today I allowed myself to sleep in until 10 am. I got up and fixed myself a cheese omlet, loaded the washer and dishwasher, made some rhubarb cake (our landlady takes the rhubarb, but she was here yesterday and took it and there was still some left so, I cut some and did rhubarb cake.) We've got youth Bible study at Jessa and Jenna's tonight and I thought I'd take it there. I cleaned the kitchen, now I'm blogging and then I've got to do the state church books. From there I'll shower and then go get Jenna, take some stuff back to Penney's, go to Nordstroms and spend the remainder of my gift certificate ($90; I got a pair of Dansko shoes that cost $109~I could NEVER spend that kind of money of my own; these are the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. I see why so many ladies and guys where them here in Alaska). Then grocery shop, get supper and then Bible Study.

Nothing big happened this week. I completed the application for the church to get the building. We have to meet with the maintenance man next week to determine where to put the rooms and what size they're to be. But that was about it.

Everyone have a great Sunday service.