The Journey Begins

Sunday, 7/28/2013

Mike and I got up bright and early this morning along with sister Jane who is dropping us off at the airport.  Early was 4:00 am.  Our flight left at 6:00 am.  We flew to Dallas then caught the flight to Vancouver, BC.  It was an uneventful flight.  We saw some awesome views of the mountains just before we landed in Vancouver.  We are staying on the top floor of the Best Western Plus.  It has a balcony which has some very interesting views.  The weather is so nice here that we can sit out any time other than the couple of hours when it is in full sunshine.  We will be in Vancouver until our cruise leaves on Wednesday so we have 2 full days to enjoy the city.

Canada Place - our cruise will leave from here in a couple of days.

City view from our balcony at night.

View of mountains from Canada Place.

Mike is enjoying the location.

Mary is enjoying the pretty flowers in Vancouver.

View from our balcony.

Mike relaxing on the balcony.

Pre-Trip Thoughts

Two nights before our next big vacation.  We are flying to Vancouver where we will spend three nights, then we will be on a cruise of the Alaska inner passage for three days, and will end with a land tour of the Yukon and Alaska.  We have been planning this for what seems forever and it is finally here.

As always, I am excited and nervous about the beginning of the trip.  There has been so much happening in our lives lately that I haven't had the time for the type of pre-trip planning that I usually do.  However, the day will come, we'll get on the plane and begin the journey.

I will keep things posted as much as possible in remote areas.  And I will catch up on blogging when I return.

Random Thoughts of a Runner

 I just finished running 5K (that's 3.1 miles for those of you who don't run).  Not bad for a 58 year old.  Especially one who didn't start running until she was 54.  Four years ago I began running and eventually was running 5K on a regular basis.  I even ran in a couple of races.  Not to say that I can run at a very fast rate, but I do run.  Then life got in the way of my running, job, family stuff, bad weather and I got out of the habit.  I have been trying lately to get back in the habit, so it feels good that I ran as far as I did, even if it wasn't very fast.  Some people think that as you get older (notice I didn't say old) you have to stop doing a lot of things you love.  To a point that is true, but I think that if you persevere then you can do those things longer.  I hope to keep running as long as my knees and health allow.  Maybe this will help keep me healthy for a longer time.  So far I have been fortunate with my knees.  I don't seem to have the issues a lot of people my age have.  So maybe this year I will be able to run in a couple more races.  Not to win but to finish.  Sometimes that is what life is all about.  Not "winning", but finishing.  We look too much to who is #1 and don't look at all the people working to do the best they can until the very end. In finishing what they set out to do, they are winners in every sense of the word. So to any who read this, what ever it is that you desire, keep working on it until you have completed what you set out to do.  Press on to the finish line with all you have.

Christmas Vacation

My first day of Christmas Vacation.  I spent today buying and wrapping presents.  I have been so busy with school and activities associated with schools that I have not had time to shop until today.  I managed to get presents for everyone on my list and get those presents wrapped in one day!  I love this time of year (at least once school is out).  I love thinking of what to buy for the people I love and deciding what they might like.  I love wrapping presents while I listen to Christmas music.  I love the chance to get together with family and friends.  Plus this year, I get to watch two baby girls as they experience their first Christmas.  I can't wait for Scott, Beth, and Elli to be in Prairie Grove.  They will spend the next 5 days in Hot Springs and then have 5 days here.  I won't feel like Christmas has begun until they get here.  I am so thankful for the family I have.  So, I'll just spend the next few days with the family that is here, going to Christmas Eve services, and waiting for the rest of my family to be in Prairie Grove.  Here's hoping everyone has a wonderful Christmas.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

I have so many things to be thankful for this year.  At the moment, everyone in the family is healthy and well.  That is always a reason to be thankful.  I have a wonderful family.  A husband who loves me, and who is my soul mate and best friend.  Two sons and their wives who are all there for me in times of need and who don't mind hanging out with a couple of old people.  Three grandchildren who are my world.  My grandson who is my buddy, cookie making partner, and game playing friend.  Two granddaughters who were born this year healthy and well.  They have brought immense joy to my life.  My parents who are still around to give me support.  Siblings who are not just relations but also my friends.

I am also thankful this year to have a job in an economy where many people are without work.  And not just a job but a rewarding career where I have an impact on the lives of young people.

I am thankful that Mike and I were able to go on a trip of a lifetime to Cortona, Italy.  We will always remember how peaceful and fun filled this trip was.

I am thankful for a Church where I can go to restore my soul each week and for God who is the one who allows me to have all that I am thankful for.

My prayer for all is to have  a year that is full of much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Life Is Good

Just finished visiting with my new granddaughter, Ellinor Olive, on the computer.  Well, and we visited with her mom and dad too.  Since they live so far away, I am very thankful for the technology that allows us to see and hear them.  It is not as good as getting to hold Elli in my arms, but at least I get to see her and hear the sounds she makes.  I love getting to see Scott and Elizabeth learning how to take care of their daughter.  It gives me a warm feeling inside.

And this is not all that makes life good.  Of course, Isaac and Caroline help make life good.  Any day when I have the privilege of seeing them is a good day.  And seeing their parents too.  Isaac is growing up so fast.  Being in fourth grade means that he has a different teacher for each subject.  It seems like only yesterday when he and I made cookies together for the first time.  He was only 2 years old at the time.  And darling Caroline.  In a little over 4 months she has changed each time we see her.  She is about to get the sitting up thing managed.

It is not only family that makes life good.  I have a job that is challenging , but very rewarding.  I truly love interacting with teenagers and having an impact (I hope) on their lives.  When I watch the news and see people who have lost their jobs and aren't sure how they are going to pay bills, it makes me very thankful for the job I have.  And most days I love it.

 I still enjoy spending time with my husband and having evenings together.  We will get to go meet Elli in person in a couple of weeks and our entire family will be together for a few days.

So life is good.

Back to School

It's been a while since I have posted anything.  Since getting back from vacation I just haven't seemed to have anything to write.  I've done fun things, like keep grandson Isaac for a week and babysit with granddaughter Caroline a couple of times.  For some reason, I just haven't felt like posting.  Probably because I was on the down people feel after getting home from a big vacation.  Well, here I am again, ready to share.

Today was the second day of school for this year.  For the most part it has been pretty smooth.  Each year when school starts, I am excited to meet my new students and get into a routine of helping them to learn new things.  This year hasn't been any different.  I have a few former students in a new class and a lot of new students in first year chemistry.  I look forward to getting to know these young people and challenging them to learn as much as possible.  So for now, looking forward to the year ahead and thinking of all the possibilities.