Labor Day

(Monday, September 1, 2008)
Happy B-day Laicee.
Worked at the restaurant this morning, we closed early b/c of the Holiday. I still got 7 hours of work... Tonight I got invited to my friend Karen's house. Her husband had cooked an amazing meal and had made an incredible fruitsalad. It was nice to have a big family meal with a big family. She has 5 children. Met another neighbor that was also invited, very nice. (Karen is a co-worker/friend and neighbor, so I didn't have to go far). Had planned to study when I came home, but had a glass of wine with my meal that turned my brain into mush so that didn't happen. I don't know why red wine relaxes me that way.

Palin picked

(Friday, August 29, 2008)

What a chock, didn't see that one coming. Sarah Palin was picked as McCain's running mate. I overheard some customers talking about it this morning and I was in chock for about an hour, couldn't do any math in my head like I usually can. Was very distracted. Worked all three jobs for 13 hours and missed all the sunshine being stuck inside all day long. Very tired...

(more Troy pics for Thora!!)

Dallas for x-mas

(Thursday, August 28, 2008)

It's official now. I am spending Christmas with my family in Dallas. It has been so many years since I saw them, it will be so nice to see them again and get to know them better.

Worked with the ballots for 3 hours this morning and then 7 hours at the restaurant.

Nightly phonecalls

(Wednesday, August 27, 2008)

Every night for 2-3 nights I have been woken up around 3:30 a.m. by the phone ringing and nobody on the other line. It turns out it was the Swedish Phone company trying to figure out why my aunt couldn't get throught to my number. The time difference is 10 h. so they would do their calls during daytime, but hopefully they are ending them now.

The print shop called to tell me they started printing ballots again, so I'll go back to work there tomorrow. Went to feed my friend's fish and took some pictures down by the lake.

More new classes

(Tuesday, August 26, 2008)

I wasn't too excited about Anthropology and Art History, but I think I might end up liking parts of it anyways. In art we had to draw pictures to introduce ourselves to the class, it was a lot of fun, eventhough I can't draw very well. Then we had to interpret and introduce the person next to us. Made a couple of new friends. After school worked 5 hours at the restaurant.

(Harvested 2 more tomatoes from my tomato plants!)

School start

(Monday, August 25, 2008)

Today was the first day back in college. It was so fun to be back but a little overwhelming. I really like my history teacher, he is really gifted. Math was super tough because I have forgotten so much in the past three years and it picks up where the last class ended. I'll have to review a lot. We got free pizza and brownies on our first day, great start. Afterwards I went to work at the restaurant. Studied almost 2 hours tonight to get up to speed.

Beach day

(Sunday, August 24, 2008)

It was a beautiful day so I brought Troy to the beach and played. I sat in the sun for awhile and took some pictures. Played soccer, it was a blast as always, and gave a girl namned Tala a ride home. I made a new friend, but she is moving in November. What is up with everybody leaving?

mold

(Saturday, August 23, 2008)

I moved some boxes today and found lots of mold on the wall. That would explain my allergies and nose bleeds lately. It was such a chock, I have only lived here a few months so I don't understand how it can grow that fast. I don't want to have to move again!!

P.e.b.b.l.e mine documentary

(Friday, August 22, 2008)
I have had many strange, vivid dreams lately. I used to have them often, but it has been a while. I registered at the college today, was hoping for some scholarships but it doesn't look like I'll get any this semester. I guess I worked too much last year. After work I went with a friend/ex-coworker and watched a free documentary about the mine they might open in the Bristol Bay area. I think it's a bad idea to risk damaging the important fishing industry, but I am pretty sure it will happen anyway.
After the movie we had dinner at a deli nearby and talked for hours. She is such a cool girl, but unfortunately she will be gone all winter. She leaves every winter.
I was supposed to drive to Anchorage tomorrow after work and visit with my friend Carrie and her mother, but they have to fly back in the morning. I had been looking forward to it so much and I was so disappointed. I don't know when I'll get to see them again...

M.a.m.a. M.i.a

(Sunday, August 17, 2008)
Cleaned most of the day, other than soccer and a movie tonight. I played goalie, midfielder and defender and I think I should stick to being a defender. I just can't do all the running that a midfielder does. Had a little asthma attack till I could catch my breath. I got the MVP from another player! I was so proud by that... I saw the great musical/movie based on A.b.b.a's musical. It was so much fun. I would highly recommend it to everyone.

Fun, Fun, Fun

(Saturday, August 16, 2008)

Today at work we had an author visiting from California, signing books. The title of the book is the same name as the restaurant where I work, and she found us online a while back. Very nice lady and she gave all the empoyees a signed copy. Tonight I went to watch a play/musical called "O.l.d S.o.n.g.s a.n.d. D.u.c.t t.a.p.e." It was so funny and I had a great time. When it was over, we stayed and listened to the band playing. Homer has some talented musicians. I should go out and listen to the bands more often.

Not the best day

(Wednesday, August 13, 2008)
Today was a very emotional day for me. Many thoughts and emotions causing lots of sadness. I am thankful these days don't come around too often. It was triggered by so many little things happening close together, starting with a dream and then an e-mail. Troy was able to cheer me up a little though. Tomorrow will be a better day.

Overslept!

(Monday, August 11, 2008)
I had somehow forgot to set my alarm last night, but I managed to wake up 15 min. before I had to be at work and I managed to be only about 5 min. late! Lucky me for waking up on my own...
Worked both jobs today, over 12 hours. Not much time for anything else. Watched a movie about Brazil tonight, I hope I get to go there someday in the future. I have wanted to for so many years. Wish I knew Portuguese...

(Tuesday, August 12, 2008)

My neighbor's dog Lady, had puppies and they have been trying to convince me to take one of the eight pups. I wish I could, a playmate for Troy, but I don't have time to train one right now.

They are sooooo cute and so hard to resist.

Pulled something

(Sunday, August 10, 2008)
Didn't warm up before soccer, pulled something in my leg. Stupid! I hope it won't last very long. It happened the first minute of the game and I kept playing about 45 min, but then I sat out the rest of the game with an icepack. Watched an old movie "The S.c.a.r.l.e.t P.i.m.p.e.r.n.el.". Brought back a lot of childhood memories. I love old movies...

Happy 18th Birthday Carrie!

(Saturday, August 9, 2008)

Wish I could have been in Yakutat today to celebrate my friend/"sister". Had a great day off though. Sun was shining again, against all odds!!! Did my laundry, went for a short (!) run, visited the Farmer's Market and the Spit. I also climbed the huge hill behind my house. It didn't do my allergies any good, but the view was worth it...

(View and my first homegrown tomato!!!)

Allergies Suck!

(Friday, August 8, 2008)

Yesterday I said goodbye to Cathy, she is back in CA now. Bummed out about that...

Had a lot of fun at work today at the restaurant, and tip was great too. I had go to bed when I came home around 5 p.m. though, because my allergies were really bad, I couldn't really see out of my eyes, they were so puffy. When it passed I could get out and do some grocery shopping. I hate allergies!!! Weather was great but they predict rain showers for my day off tomorrow. I can only hope they are wrong.
(Troy talking, I am sure he is saying something important...)

More Cathy time...

(Tuesday, August 5, 2008)

After work I went out to Cathy's place and helped her move some junk to the burn pile and rake grass. She had borrowed my big truck today to haul a bunch of junk to the dump and the place is starting to look really nice. She is such a hard worker. Troy loved running around and chewed on sticks. I wish I could afford renting the house, it would be such a perfect place for me and Troy. It is so cool to have Cathy here and just to hang out a little.

(Monday, August 4, 2008)

Worked 10-11 hours then went out to Cathy's and ate and watched a movie with her. I am trying to get as much time with her as possible, since she will be gone again in a few days. Driving home tonight was a little scary, the fog was very thick! I am not looking forward to having to drive in the winter and blizzards again... Winter is going to be here sooner than I want it to.

Happy, Happy Sunday!

(Sunday, August 3, 2008)

Day off!!! Slept in and didn't have to rush out of bed like every other morning. I love it when I can relax in the morning. Had a wondeful time playing soccer with my team. I got my t-shirts with our logo today. I love the logo, not the colors so much. Next year we'll pick better colors I hope. I am number 13, of course!!!

My friend Cathy came to town today. It was so great to see her. It's been 3 years, and she is living in California now. She will be up for a few days to get her house in better shape to sell it. This is the little dreamhome I wanted to buy... We grabbed a pizza and went out to her house and sat on the floor and ate and talked for a long time. I hope she will come back to Homer when her school is done next year.

(Logo for the Homer Sirens!)

Saying goodbye to old friends

(Friday, August 1, 2008)
I am almost finished with my paper for my class I just took in Anchorage. Stayed up pretty late. Somehow, it seems so much easier for me to write late at night. It's like my creativity starts kicking in around 11:30 p.m. or later... Why is that? Earlier tonight I went up to the hospital to say goodbye to an old co-worker/friend. It was her last day and she is moving down to Colorado for the winter to help her daughter while she is finishing school. She'll be back, but it was great to spend a few minutes with her and some other old friends. I am wondering if I should have applied for that job when I moved back instead of the once I did, they pay so much better there, but it's not very flexible, and I think that is what I needed at this time in my life... Maybe a new position opens up and I can work there again next year...

Trying to catch up a little, being 3 months behind...

Thursday, July 31, 2008
Beautiful weather the past several days now... Now that I am down to 2 jobs I should have a little more time to enjoy it. We are getting a break from working on ballots for a week or two, I think. Caught up with some friends on the phone. Wish I could fly to Yakutat and surprise my friend Carrie next week on her birthday, but I won't be able to... I miss so many people over there.