The saying in Oklahoma was always, if you don't like the weather stick around and it will change - or something like that...well, the same can be said for Alaska. We have gone from 30+ to a crisp -48 today. We had about 4 inches of snow last week. This weather is to say the least - CRAZY. Charlie wasn't a big fan of going out to potty today. He went out, did his business and just set down and would slowly pick up one foot and then the other. He hasn't been out since. lol....
I started a new job this week. The first day, I was exhausted. I am a Special Education Extended Resource Aide at Star of the North here in North Pole. This is a charter school for 7-12 grades and there are only 100 students and about 12 staff members. These are students who either coming from a small village school, needing a smaller learning atmosphere, have a small learning disability, or various other reasons for not attending the larger schools. I have eight seventh grade boys that I am an aide for - OH WHAT A CHALLENGE. I actually have one child who is autistic. I am with one teacher for English and Social Studies and then a different teacher - who is from Ireland - for Science and Math. After lunch I help 3 of the students with reading and last period of the day I go to the high school side and assist with study hall. Rumor is that they may have me teach Job Readiness or some other business elective to the high school students during the last hour of the day. After school for one hour I help with after school tutoring or homework. I have a lot to learn, but so far it is going well. This was a cut in pay but it does include all of the regular teacher benefits. Health, dental, vision, audiology, retirement....which is a very big help for us. Another benefit is that is only about 5 minutes from our house.
Things are still going well here, but as usual I miss being with friends and family - especially on the weekends. There isn't much to do with the weather this cold and that is hard on this NOT a stay at home person. People here aren't really "going" people and we only see friends at work or if there is an activity at church.
This week was Lane's birthday and we missed that, even though he sent me a sweet video thank you for his Dallas Cowboy gift, still wish we could have been there to help celebrate. He is having a Dallas Cowboy party tomorrow - wish we could be there. Not sure if he has always been a Cowboy fan, or if Eric has swayed him that direction.
I would tell you how Myles is doing - but we never hear from him. I guess no news is good news. HINT....hopefully if he ever reads this, he will at least call or answer our calls. LOL
Well I will not ramble for the sake of writing. We are good and the adventure continues.
Miss and love all of you..
Sally
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Another Day Out Of School
Good Afternoon from balmy Alaska - well today it is 12 but yesterday it was 35 and by Friday it is supposed to be a low of -35. I think Alaska weather changes as much as Oklahoma.
We are out of school today due to ICE. I understand it took buses over 2 hours yesterday to get kids home from school and so school was canceled today. I think it is a little funny because when I started work they informed me that they never cancel school and this is the second time this school year that school has been canceled.
Speaking of school, I interviewed yesterday at a small school for an aide position. The school is called Star of the North Academy (like a Charter School). There are only 100 students of which 31 are on IEP in grades 7-12. The students are there by choice. They are students who need a smaller class environment, have recently come out of special education, don't fit in the the larger schools, recently moved from the native schools (not correct terminology), and there are various other reasons. The students in the high school side work independently. The school has two sides - one for middle school and one for high school. It is a little closer to home and has BENEFITS. Of course I heard - you do know you are way over qualified - don't you. DUH...I want to say then get the school district to hire me for a position I do qualify for. LOL. They are to make a decision by Friday. Again, if it is to be it will happen, if not, back to the high school everyday.
We FINALLY saw a moose. There were actually two of them in the church parking lot 2 weeks ago. It was pretty amazing. Pictures will follow.
Charlie has - I think- finally adjusted to being back at home. I did here Richard talking to him the other day and telling him (you would think he was a kid) that maybe he could have a play day at Holy Dog sometime. LOL - you think he understood?
This past Sunday we had a guest speaker at church - someone else that I went to Evangel University with - Dr. Joe Castleberry - it is really a small world.
We got to SKYPE last night with Eric and Brandie - just wish the boys hadn't already been in bed. Lane scored four goals at his soccer game last night - WOO HOO - wish I could have been there to see that.
There really isnt' much to write about here....it is rather slow this time of the year with all the snow and cold weather. As I say that I think, Wednesday is kid's church and Doc has jazz rehearsal, Thursday is men's game night, Saturday I'm having breakfast with my Black Friday Shopping friend while our husbands are at men's Bible study and then Doc has music practice, Sunday is church and then the week starts all over again.
Well our prayer is that each of you are doing well and being blessed already in 2013. Miss you all. See you in about 4 months.
Love ya...
Sally
PS having trouble posting the Moose pictures. I will try in a seperate posting.
We are out of school today due to ICE. I understand it took buses over 2 hours yesterday to get kids home from school and so school was canceled today. I think it is a little funny because when I started work they informed me that they never cancel school and this is the second time this school year that school has been canceled.
Speaking of school, I interviewed yesterday at a small school for an aide position. The school is called Star of the North Academy (like a Charter School). There are only 100 students of which 31 are on IEP in grades 7-12. The students are there by choice. They are students who need a smaller class environment, have recently come out of special education, don't fit in the the larger schools, recently moved from the native schools (not correct terminology), and there are various other reasons. The students in the high school side work independently. The school has two sides - one for middle school and one for high school. It is a little closer to home and has BENEFITS. Of course I heard - you do know you are way over qualified - don't you. DUH...I want to say then get the school district to hire me for a position I do qualify for. LOL. They are to make a decision by Friday. Again, if it is to be it will happen, if not, back to the high school everyday.
We FINALLY saw a moose. There were actually two of them in the church parking lot 2 weeks ago. It was pretty amazing. Pictures will follow.
Charlie has - I think- finally adjusted to being back at home. I did here Richard talking to him the other day and telling him (you would think he was a kid) that maybe he could have a play day at Holy Dog sometime. LOL - you think he understood?
This past Sunday we had a guest speaker at church - someone else that I went to Evangel University with - Dr. Joe Castleberry - it is really a small world.
We got to SKYPE last night with Eric and Brandie - just wish the boys hadn't already been in bed. Lane scored four goals at his soccer game last night - WOO HOO - wish I could have been there to see that.
There really isnt' much to write about here....it is rather slow this time of the year with all the snow and cold weather. As I say that I think, Wednesday is kid's church and Doc has jazz rehearsal, Thursday is men's game night, Saturday I'm having breakfast with my Black Friday Shopping friend while our husbands are at men's Bible study and then Doc has music practice, Sunday is church and then the week starts all over again.
Well our prayer is that each of you are doing well and being blessed already in 2013. Miss you all. See you in about 4 months.
Love ya...
Sally
PS having trouble posting the Moose pictures. I will try in a seperate posting.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Happy New Year
Christmas is over, the tree and lights are down, we have been to Oklahoma and back and now I'm just waiting for January 8 so school and a routine can resume.
We had an eventful time getting to Oklahoma and enjoyed our stay - which was not long enough- and then had a smaller eventful time getting back to Alaska.
We left Fairbanks on Wednesday, December 19 at 9 p.m. Arrived in Anchorage at 10:00. We were 45 minutes minutes late leaving Anchorage because of a potty problem with the plane. We were told that if we had a tight connection (which we did) that they were already in the process of rebooking. We landed in Chicago at 8:45 a.m. and our connection was to leave at 9:05. The plane didn't get lined up correctly so they had to close the door - another delay. We got off the plane with 10 minutes to connect and were told we had not been rebooked that the connection was still on the ground and running about 20 minutes behind. We ran across the airport to only arrive at 9:05 at the gate as they were closing the door - this flight was not late but right on time. We were put on standby for the 11 a.m. flight and guaranteed on the 2:10 flight. We didn't get on the 11 a.m. flight. The 2:10 flight ended up leaving at 3:30 and we arrived in OKC around 5:30. We were welcomed by mom, Rachel and Makayla. I missed Eric's grandpa's funeral because we missed our connection. Our luggage was waiting on us - in the middle of the floor. Glad we didn't have Charlie with us, who knows where he would of been. Eric was on his way home from Altus, so we made a stop for a Christmas gift at Dick's Sporting Goods and met Eric in Yukon for dinner.
Everyday was packed with something to do.
Friday - Dr. for some blood work and allergy medicine. When I was finished, I was off to OKC with Lisa, Makayla and Derrek. Derrek is such a good sport - as we girls spent 2 hours getting mani/peds. Lunch at Cheesecake Factory and then a little shopping, followed by a Passion Tea on the way home from Starbucks. While I was in OKC, Richard visited friends at the Indian Hospital and others around town and had lunch at Dairy Best ( a place I didn't get to go) with Pastor Mike.
Saturday - Visited Sharon and others before attending the funeral for Richard's cousin. Later that day it was off to OKC for dinner with Eric and to meet Brandie, Lane and Kale. We automatically fell in love. It is so good to see our kid's happy. Oh, we picked up Myles along the way.
Sunday - Church. It was good to see all of our friends that we miss very much. That evening was the kid's Christmas program - it was Amazing. We went to dinner with Debbie, Alan and all of the Fine kid's and grandkids - accept Ashlyn who was with her dad for Christmas.
Monday - Christmas Eve. Had Christmas with Myles so that he could get to his mom's in Arkansas. Attended the Christmas program at Bessie - good job Derrek and Makayla. That evening we attended the Christmas Eve service at the Christian Church. This is a family tradition that we started many years ago.
Tuesday - Christmas - a WHITE CHRISTMAS in Oklahoma. It was a family day.
Wednesday - OKC - again. Met all the Jenkins - it was a great day. That evening we met Eric and Brandie and the boys for dinner and our goodbyes.
Thursday - Met the WTC girls for lunch at Wongs.
Friday - Mom and I went to Altus to see Ann. Richard went to the DR.
Saturday - CAME WAY TO FAST. Myles and Rachel took all of us to the airport. Mom was first to leave. We were to leave at 5 p.m. Delayed.....Made our connection in Denver only to be delayed in Seattle. We finally arrived in Fairbanks at 3 a.m. - but not our luggage. It arrived about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Again - so glad we didn't take Charlie
Speaking of Charlie - he wasn't the least little bit excited to see us. He is missing his buddies and it makes me sad. He had a good time and was well taken care of.
New Years Eve we went to the University of Alaska Museum and fireworks. Ate at Subway and we were home and in bed by 11 p.m. Guess I'm getting old.
We did come home to warmer temperatures. We actually saw 32 this week. No more snow - yet.
As I am writing this, it is 19 outside. We are seeing more sunlight. We had 4 hours and 7 minutes yesterday.
Well, I believe that sums up our past few weeks. Hope all of you have Blessed 2013.
Love you all.
Sally
We had an eventful time getting to Oklahoma and enjoyed our stay - which was not long enough- and then had a smaller eventful time getting back to Alaska.
We left Fairbanks on Wednesday, December 19 at 9 p.m. Arrived in Anchorage at 10:00. We were 45 minutes minutes late leaving Anchorage because of a potty problem with the plane. We were told that if we had a tight connection (which we did) that they were already in the process of rebooking. We landed in Chicago at 8:45 a.m. and our connection was to leave at 9:05. The plane didn't get lined up correctly so they had to close the door - another delay. We got off the plane with 10 minutes to connect and were told we had not been rebooked that the connection was still on the ground and running about 20 minutes behind. We ran across the airport to only arrive at 9:05 at the gate as they were closing the door - this flight was not late but right on time. We were put on standby for the 11 a.m. flight and guaranteed on the 2:10 flight. We didn't get on the 11 a.m. flight. The 2:10 flight ended up leaving at 3:30 and we arrived in OKC around 5:30. We were welcomed by mom, Rachel and Makayla. I missed Eric's grandpa's funeral because we missed our connection. Our luggage was waiting on us - in the middle of the floor. Glad we didn't have Charlie with us, who knows where he would of been. Eric was on his way home from Altus, so we made a stop for a Christmas gift at Dick's Sporting Goods and met Eric in Yukon for dinner.
Everyday was packed with something to do.
Friday - Dr. for some blood work and allergy medicine. When I was finished, I was off to OKC with Lisa, Makayla and Derrek. Derrek is such a good sport - as we girls spent 2 hours getting mani/peds. Lunch at Cheesecake Factory and then a little shopping, followed by a Passion Tea on the way home from Starbucks. While I was in OKC, Richard visited friends at the Indian Hospital and others around town and had lunch at Dairy Best ( a place I didn't get to go) with Pastor Mike.
Saturday - Visited Sharon and others before attending the funeral for Richard's cousin. Later that day it was off to OKC for dinner with Eric and to meet Brandie, Lane and Kale. We automatically fell in love. It is so good to see our kid's happy. Oh, we picked up Myles along the way.
Sunday - Church. It was good to see all of our friends that we miss very much. That evening was the kid's Christmas program - it was Amazing. We went to dinner with Debbie, Alan and all of the Fine kid's and grandkids - accept Ashlyn who was with her dad for Christmas.
Monday - Christmas Eve. Had Christmas with Myles so that he could get to his mom's in Arkansas. Attended the Christmas program at Bessie - good job Derrek and Makayla. That evening we attended the Christmas Eve service at the Christian Church. This is a family tradition that we started many years ago.
Tuesday - Christmas - a WHITE CHRISTMAS in Oklahoma. It was a family day.
Wednesday - OKC - again. Met all the Jenkins - it was a great day. That evening we met Eric and Brandie and the boys for dinner and our goodbyes.
Thursday - Met the WTC girls for lunch at Wongs.
Friday - Mom and I went to Altus to see Ann. Richard went to the DR.
Saturday - CAME WAY TO FAST. Myles and Rachel took all of us to the airport. Mom was first to leave. We were to leave at 5 p.m. Delayed.....Made our connection in Denver only to be delayed in Seattle. We finally arrived in Fairbanks at 3 a.m. - but not our luggage. It arrived about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Again - so glad we didn't take Charlie
Speaking of Charlie - he wasn't the least little bit excited to see us. He is missing his buddies and it makes me sad. He had a good time and was well taken care of.
New Years Eve we went to the University of Alaska Museum and fireworks. Ate at Subway and we were home and in bed by 11 p.m. Guess I'm getting old.
We did come home to warmer temperatures. We actually saw 32 this week. No more snow - yet.
As I am writing this, it is 19 outside. We are seeing more sunlight. We had 4 hours and 7 minutes yesterday.
Well, I believe that sums up our past few weeks. Hope all of you have Blessed 2013.
Love you all.
Sally
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