Good Neighbor Award- from Nancy

My new blogging neighbor-friend Nancy, from "More Than Enough" (used to live here in Alaska) honored me with this special 'Good Neighbor' award awhile back.

I am thankful for being given special things, but I am forgetful so many times. Sorry for taking so long to acknowledge this special recognition, Nancy.

My daughter Kim and her daughter Lexie

Kim loved Mr. Rogers when she was young (5) and informed me that when she grew up she was going to marry Mr. Rogers. I gasped and said, "No, you can't, he's already married!" She was sad to hear that.

Now, here's me giving a few special 'Good Neighbor' awards around too.

Connie H.
Connie M.
Marie
JoJo
Thank you again, Nancy.

Watching Gardening

I enjoyed visiting Carolyn's gardening blog at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago (linked on Blogger's Blogs of Note)this morning. I watched the videos at the bottom of her page. Watching her planting, and digging around in the soil was refreshing. Yesterday we had spring snow falling most all day. It did not stick 'cept for what came down overnight, and that is already melting here in Big Lake.

I was supposed to go in to the health clinic to get blood drawn this morning. I have hypertension and it is time to check out the blood work. I was supposed to fast! I knew that, but I nonchalantly walked out to the kitchen, poured some cold cereal and took two bites before I remembered! OH SHOOT. No, they didn't want me to come in with those two bites in my tummy. Tomorrow, I will try this again, ha!

What Is A Grandparent?

Back L to R: Kris, Karla, Calvin, Chris, Doug, Ashlee, Me, Kim, Calli
Front L to R: Marie, Raegan, Tucker, Alexis (with big lamb), Gunner, AJ, Klint, we are missing Tony. This was taken on Easter 2008 by Marie.

I recieved the following from a friend in Old Harbor, the village I was born in. I enjoyed it a lot Carol C.!

(Taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds)

Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of her own. They like other people's.

A grandfather is a man & a grandmother is a lady!

Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the shops and give us money.

When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.

They show us and talk to us about the color of the flowers and also why we shouldn't step on 'cracks.'

They don't say, 'Hurry up.'

Usually grandmothers are fat but not too fat to tie your shoes.

They wear glasses and funny underwear.

They can take their teeth and gums out.

Grandparents don't have to be smart.

They have to answer questions like 'why isn't God married?' and 'How come dogs chase cats?'.

When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same story over again.

Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television because they are the only grown ups who like to spend time with us.

They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they say prayers with us every time and kiss us even when we've acted bad.

It's funny when they bend over, you hear gas leaks and they blame their dog.'

Basket Weaving

I signed up for a basket weaving class. My daughter Karla already took one class with Jill Choate and she loved it. I received the basket she made as a gift for Christmas. It is Jill's beautiful "hen basket" pattern.

We will be making this basket, the African Tower.

I am looking forward to going to this one day class in April, in Trappers Creek. It should be fun since Karla, Marie, Calli and I will be taking it together. I see that this basket weaving class is even held in the Lower 48. Check out their schedule for a class, it may be near you!

"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you." Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Bit O' Mayhem

Okay SMILE! ....Where's Ashlee???

Okay, ready? ....Okay where did Tucker go????

Alright, everyone's here! Okay, SMILE!
...RaeRae???

My daughter Marie took some Easter whole family pictures which she may be posting soon, right Marie???

Was your blog sign in set to Espanol this morning? Mine was! ha

Good Friday

I've been watching t.v. this morning and one of the things I saw was latest studies on the "Shroud of Turin." Had me in tears to hear them describe the person that was crucified. They cannot say with certainty that it was Jesus Christ, but if you think of how these linens were protected and lasted all these years... ??? It's like the Hebrews in the Wilderness, and how their shoes and clothes lasted for 40 years of wandering... miracles like that happen when God is involved. Watching the documentaries about these cloths is very interesting, especially now that they are using all the latest technologies to check them out!

On May 28, 1898, amateur Italian photographer Secondo Pia took the first photograph of the shroud and was startled by the negative in his darkroom. Negatives of the image give the appearance of a positive image, which implies that the shroud image is itself effectively a negative of some kind. Magician and paranormal skeptic Joe Nickell, however, notes that: "it's not a true photographic negative. The hair and beard are white in the positive image. Unless Jesus was an albino, there's a problem there." WIKIPEDIA

I don't know if this linen was wrapped around Christ, but with all the unbelief and efforts given to prove that it wasn't, makes me smile. It would just be like our Lord to leave something like this to confound the 'intelligent.'

Three days? Why did Jesus stay in the grave three days? I asked Doug that last night. Today I heard on a Christian talk show... when Moses said that the Hebrews would leave Egypt and go out on a three days journey, it meant something to them. When a slave walked three days away from his owner, he was immediately free. When Christ took three days to come back, it had to do with freedom. Our freedom from Death and sin! That deserves some looking into! I KNOW that everything God does has purpose... EVERYTHING!

Our church will be observing Good Friday with a communion service this evening. It's traditional with Wasilla Bible Church to have an early morning service along the roadside to Hatcher's Pass at 7 A.M., Sunday. Those attending pledge to be loyal to Jesus Christ. There is a song, prayer, and the pledge, then it's over! Five minutes, if that, at the most. If you are late... you will surely have missed it! Used to have donuts there, but bring your own coffee. Later in the morning we have our regular Easter services. In the evening WBC has a baptismal service scheduled for any that wish to be baptized (previously scheduled).

"And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God!"" Matthew 27: 50 - 54.

SO INCREDIBLE!

Happy Easter!

Alaskan Sunrise and Blessing

Sunrise in Alaska is earlier and earlier and sunset is later and later. Today for Big Lake, sunrise was at 8 A.M. and this evening it will set at 8:13 P.M. (ALMANAC.COM) I am loving the longer days of light. Everyone is happier, everywhere! 'Cept maybe for the poor workers in the big stores - without windows. Windows should be in every workplace!

Notice the beautiful sunrise in the reflection of my new Equinox? Yesterday, Doug and I were going to go to Walmart for hangers (for the newly finished closet). We stopped by the local grocery store and had dinner from the Deli. He seemed in such a hurry to get on the road, I figured he must have lots of things to do at home. So I closed up my unfinished meal and said, "I will bring it home." (I am a slow eater.) So we head for Walmart and he passes the turn. I said, "Where are you going?" He says, "I want to stop by Chevrolet real quick."

Well, we've been considering a new vehicle for weeks but I didn't know he had already purchased one. We stop in front of the dealers, I see the Equinox and said, "Look, it's one just like we were looking at." He said, "It's yours!"

Oh my word! It's black, it's got heated seats, it's beautiful! I am so blessed.

Back to reality---

Just got an email that a high school acquaintance of ours was in a bad car accident. He is hospitalized and had surgery, now has a temperature of 102. Please say a prayer for John's recovery. Thanks.

Eight Things About MeMe

Eight things about me. It's a MeMe, I've been tagged by Connie. I know I've done this before...

Rules
Share 8 things that your readers don’t know about you. Then at the end tag at least 8other bloggers to keep the fun going.

1. I am mostly Alutiiq (Alaska Native), besides German, and Russian.
2. I was born in a small village.
3. I've survived a major earthquake and tidal wave.
4. I've been to London to visit the Queen, but she was in Scotland.
5. I've been to Hawaii nine times!
6. I love the smell of play dough.
7. My knees shake from heights, and having babies.
8. I love Jesus Christ and became a Believer when I was 14.

I don't know who to tag, so if you are reading this and decide you would like to do this, please let me know in comments so that I can visit your blog and read your eight things. Thanks!

Here is the picture of the woodpecker in the treetop again, and I've marked where it is. :-)

Jettie, the other things hanging in the picture are birch tree seedy-type things.

My Closet

It's not on my toenails ((((BBF!))))), it's not the bathroom, it's my new closet!

We've been keeping our clothes on temporary shelves since we moved into this house. The first plan was to have beautiful armoires for our bedroom. Doug's plan was to build them himself, but... time has a way of changing ideas and plans. Now I have a built in closet of which I've painted the back wall this beautiful blue. When we open the sliding mirrored doors it is cheery and DIFFERENT. I've never had a closet with a colorful background! I hope to paint the backs of all my closets with happy colors now.

When I get all the piles and piles of clothing sorted and my bedroom back in some kind of order I will take pictures of the doors and the beautiful cedar siding that Doug added to the sides of the closet. I love the cedar smell.

I am very happy to have this addition to our bedroom completed. Thank you so much Dougie for all your work.

Thank you e-Mom for this friendship award. I am happy to be called a friend of yours! I would like to pass it on to my high school friend Jo-Jo, both of my Texas Connie friends: BBF and Thoughtful Connie, another freezing friend - Jettie, Evergreen (even if you are not blogging lately!!!!), Faith, Marie (my friendly daughter), and my new friend Nancy. I appreciate all blogging friendships, and have chosen to pass on this cute FRIENDSHIP AWARD to your blogs. Thanks for your friendships.

Is That White?

I am tired. I've been painting a small area of my house... white. Doug did all the drywall, and I painted on the sealer. He found the white paint that we thought was the paint that we used on the rest of the house. As I began to paint we could see that this paint was not the same color. It was a dark white. Okay, it will work for the first coat. We decided after that coat we would to go to Lowe's Building Supplies for more paint... more white-white paint.

At the store we ask what's the difference in the white paints. We look at the samples: whitest white-white? Antique white-white? Off white-white?

I decide that it must be the whitest white-white because I don't think I would be happy with a dingy white. We bring home the whitest white. It's way too white! But I go ahead and paint the whole area anyway, it's so much nicer than what is there. After I was done I stood back and looked. Decided this is not going to work.

We go back to find the right white. This trip Doug has cut off a bit of the old painted wall (behind the trim) and we present it to the lady behind the counter. We need this kind of white paint. She looks. She compares. This must be the right white (the dingy white that I didn't want the first time). We all compare. Not quite right, is it? She says, "I can match it for you. Would you like me to do that?" "Okay! Yes! Let's do that," I said.

She goes over to her paint matching computer. I am impressed as I watch. The program tells her the color we want, so she mixes some new paint up. She dabs the paint on the small sample we brought in. Too dark! Okay, she lightens it, that is pretty good. That looks right.

I came home and painted... it is still not right, too dark, but I am tired and it's gonna have to do.

As I paint over the whitest white I am thinking of all the different whites. The first white, it looked like the right white... but it wasn't. It was totally wrong when put up beside the white we already had at home.

Reminds me of patterning my life after what looks right... to me it looks right, to others it looks right... but when stood up in the light of God's word, it's just not right.

Guess what in my house I have painted this color? It is a robin egg blue color, at least what I think is robin egg blue...

Finish Line!

Way to go Lance Mackey, two time winner of the Last Great Race! Congratulations on your success. This race could have easily went to Jeff King, so easily. He had more dogs! But, while Jeff was sleeping, the new 2008 Champion stole away and gained almost a whole hour ahead of Jeff for his tired dogs to successfully keep ahead of Jeff into Nome! Well done, Lance!

"If Lance Mackey pulls off a victory, it may have been a little of that old Mackey magic — a recipe that includes a dash of mind games and a lot of old-fashioned hard work — that made the difference." -Jon Little, Eye On The Trail.

It was fun watching Channel Two's (NBC) coverage of Mackey's early morning finish in Nome with Mom. I want to get the 2008 video from IDITAROD.COM too but I decided that I won't pay $11.95 for shipping - I am right down the road from the store, that is ridiculous! I know all shipping/handling to Alaska is ridiculous but this is FROM Alaska, ha. I order the 2007 documentary last year and paid the shipping, but I won't this year. I really enjoyed the DVD from 2007, so I want to get 2008's too... hopefully I will get over to the shop when it gets out.

The first two ladies are just about done with this long and winding race too! Jill Royer and DeeDee Jonrowe will most likely follow Rick Swenson into Nome. Right now they have checked through Safety, the last checkpoint on the trail.

It is so spring here. I went for a walk today and loved it. I even had to unzip my coat. The sun - welcomed, and the fresh overnight snowfall melting off the trees - extremely pleasant to see and hear.

As I walked today it felt like we were at the finish line of winter. Even if we get more snow, it won't be as cold and harsh as winter days can be anymore. I am happy to be at the end of winter once again.

Did you see the woodpecker in the picture of the tree tops? Find it!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on the that Day, and not me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." -Apostle Paul. 2 Timothy 4: 7,8.

The 2008 Ladies

Twenty-two ladies are running the Iditarod. I have not checked to see if this number is up from past years but while I am checking in to see just where the front runners are I put together this display of the ladies running this year.

Of the women, the closest to the finish line right now are Jessie Royer (14th), DeeDee Jonrowe (15th), Silvia Willis (21st), Aliy Zirkle is in 24th and Sigrid Ekran in 26th position.

How about that huh? Buser is running in third right now!!!! How exciting. Lance and Jeff continue to run really close! The finish should be soon, most likely tomorrow! ALREADY! Not only time is zooming past but so is this race!

Buser Running 7th -Daddy Buser That Is!

My favorite musher is in seventh. I was at his website this morning reading their updates. I guess he was being the silly one by giving his GPS tracker to a pilot to ride around a while and mess up anyone tracking it at the time. ha

Mackey still running in first place even though he said he has some sick dogs. He has 12 dogs left, and Jeff King has 16! Martin is running with 14 yet. The end of the race is coming really fast!

Watch the cool ADN Leaderboard.

ADN has very good coverage this year!

I enjoyed reading the home-style accounts of the both of the Buser's at their own website. BUSERDOG.COM

Video of the Buser's before the race.

Good Times

Wow we are into Day Nine of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and the last time I looked defending champion Lance Mackey is running in first and Jeff King in second right now, and they are out of Unalakleet. Martin Buser is out of Kaltag and is running in 12th place. His son Rohn is doing good for his first time on the Iditarod trail. The end of the race is just about here! Check IDITAROD.COM for the Current Standings.

Jill Homer is safely home. She made it to McGrath. Good job Jill. I am glad you are back home now, and safely. I can't imagine being out on a snowy, icy trail with a bike. Incredible.

Me? I am doing my best to survive the daylight saving time change... my eyes are tired just from the one hour leap ahead in time.

I've been enjoying my Mom being back from Alegnagik. She came up in time for the Native Musicale with my sister Kotya, who has also been visiting. Good times!

P.S. My Mom is sitting on the blanket that my sister Millie made for me before she got sick. Miss you Mil!

Gift from Kris

---

He was about seven years old when he rushed into the house and ran to his room to get some of his saved cash.
"Mom? Can I go to the garage sale?" (One of our neighbors were having a sale.)
"Okay. Watch out for cars on the road!"
He ran out the door and when he came back he was holding something behind his back.
"I have something for you, Mom!"
This beautiful pin is what he brought home for me.
It's my Kris Pin. It has a few sparkles missing but you could have probably found them in my eyes that happy day.

Oh Dear!

Raegan Mae, what a joy!

Finally! some of my grandkids got up to visit. I really enjoyed them being here but I think that I probably should invest in some new toys - Raegan seems to be getting attached to Chewy's shoe toy. hehehe

Visiting Friends

Tomorrow when we get up and feel the aches and pains, the soreness, when things don't just go to suit us, when our burdens seem heavy, when the sky is cloudy and the kids are noisy, our husband is late getting home, our friend has a cold, etc let us be thankful to the Lord for giving us life and for giving us health and all the good things that He gives to us daily. From Connie's Thoughts from the Heart.

I want to begin sharing words from blogging friends that I found encouraging or uplifting. I hope that it will encourage you to take a peek ---when you have time. Sometimes there is just not enough time in the day to visit everyone and still get daily works done.

I hope your day has been exceptionally good!

Marriage Monday - Is Divorce Ever Right?

Marriage Monday's
Visit e-Mom to visit more Marriage Monday Bloggers.

I just had to smile when one of our pastors at our church spoke on this topic today. (Mark 10)

My contribution to this MM topic:

Is it ever right to worship another God? Is it ever right to serve idols? Is it ever right not to rest on the Sabbath? Is it ever right to lie? Is it ever right to kill? Is it ever right to use God's name in a curse? Is it ever right to dishonor my parents? Is it ever right to lust after my neighbors spouse? Is it ever right to be jealous of what my neighbor owns? Is it ever right to covet?

"Is divorce ever right?"

No.

It's a sad reality - that some find themselves in a situation where daily living can be harmful to their well-being and or their children. Even worse to have that in a place that should be a sanctuary from our hurting world - marriage. In these situations, I think that it's not right to divorce - but it is very necessary.

If divorce can be avoided, divorce should be avoided.

While I've been watering my houseplants that have gone without water too long they remind me of hearts that are hard, and cold and unmoving. How they got there could be an answer to how the troubles can be fixed. Just like my houseplant that has not been watered and now it's soil is hard and resistant to life-giving watering's, with tender loving care the soil can be softened by small and frequent watering's so that the roots of the plant can again absorb the life-giving liquid. At first, the soil resists the watering's and the water runs over, around the soil and out the bottom of the container. If the watering's stop at that point then the plant continues to die. But if I go repeatedly to pour in a little water and then let it sit at the top of the soil, soon it begins to soften and soak in. It's the same with most cold and seemingly lost relationships.

Gentle, frequent attention would do a lot for a dying marriage.