Muscles, Midnight Boat Ride and A Bonfire

I am really sorry I have written in awhile and I still haven't fixed my site so people can post.

Anyways life has been really exciting this past week, really keeping us busy. I would like to first point out that while you are all joking about mowing your lawns, we have actually got green grass-ready to mow. No joke. There is no snow aroung our house for about 20 ft. The last few days were so nice and hot I walked through town and was sweating even though I had on only a light jacket. Ha.

Wednesday was my 26th birthday, Thank you to all who sent their best wishes. The day started out very normal for us. Heath and I took my sister and Avery out to breakfast and then she watched the kids for the rest of the day so Heath and I could go fishing. As I said earlier the weather was so nice it was a perfect day.

We started out Rueger, Koda, Heath and I from the harbor and went to halibut cove lagoon and saw some really cool marine life. After exploring the lagoon we dropped our lines and tried, unsucessfully, to catch a king. We ran up the side of the beach tothe tip of Glacier spit where a few years earlier we saw an eagle's nest. I talked Heath into putting the boat on the beach and we walked to where the nest was when we were last there. We did not find the nest (it was on the ground) but we did spot two eagles near watching us (and the puppy) and I found several really pretty shells. I also got Koda leash broken and he no longer goes for drags.
While walking I discovered a bed of mucsles and decided that since we did not get a fish we would eat these instead. Heath stated that he did not like them so I was picking them up for myself. heath kept with the oat because the tide was going out. He decided he was going to leave me on the beach while I gathered and I would meet him down the beach. When I got down there, the entire beach was realy flat and covered with lots of muscles. Heath came up and told me that we needed to be quick because the tide was going out and fast. We walked back to the boat to see that it had started to go dry. I realized several things within the next two minutes. First, while boats are really easy to push while in the water, when on dry land they are not. Second, because the beach was really flat the surrounding area was pretty shallow for quite awhile and when the water decided to go out it went out fast. We were completely dry within a minute. The third thing that I came to realize yesterday as we tried to get the boat back in the water was that it is quite amazing the things you are capable of in times of trouble. Yesterday, as the boat was going dry we pushed the boat in the hopes that we could get in back into deep enough water to float. We both pushed with everything that we had. It was to late. We decided to go the beach and start afire to stay warm beside and dry my feet. We spent the next several hours gathering wood (lots of wood) and watching for the tide to turn. After it got dark we were runniong out of wood and we could no longer see the boat so we decided head back tothe boat. I was telling myself as the water lapped around the side of the boat that I was as good as home. It was not until we started moving did I start to get panicked. It was dark last night, there was no moon, and the breeze that had gone away earlier that afternoon was back. The ride home was slow and rough. I clung to the seat like it would actually do something if for some reason the boat went down. When we finally reached the harbor Iwas so thankful to be back, I felt like it was over...Then the engine died. My heart sank so much. Turns out the hose got crimped on the bench and the fuel was cuttoff, it was an easy fix and pulled into the harbor at 11:16 pm. I had a wonderful b-day with a bonfire fresh muscles amd a midnight boat ride under the stars: All with my hubby.

This entry is in refrence to the Grand Poopa's recent post and even though I don't usually agree with you, you are so right. I remember that morning still very clearly. We were asleep when the first plane hit, but were woke up by you for the second. I woke H up and we watched and cried as the second plane hit. I felt bad for exsposing h to the horror but I also felt that she needed to see it. She needed to know that we are not safe here and that every thing is not ok. There are people out there who want to hurt us.Another thing that I remember is siting at the shop and listneing to the radio and the stories that were unfolding. I remember listening to our presidents speach and having this feeling of relief wash over me. I felt like he could lead and protect us. To this day I have not lost this feeling and he has done or is doing what he promised to do that morning. One other thing I clearly remember is that by later that afternoon you could not buy a flag anywehre in town. It is amazing to see a nation pull together so quickly, but it is sad to see it seperate even quicker.

***Also as i previously posted I watched the movie WMD. In it they show the footage of the towers being struck and then falling and the emotions still are just as strong. It is amazing that after a few years it stills makes me cry. Such and instant loss of inocent life.***

I am sorry that I haven’t written much lately. I have been just running around like crazy this past week. I had decided that I wanted to quit Safeway. The drama builds at work as the store gets even further into the remodel and the “little kids” around the store stir the crap in the pot. Stress levels have been getting really high. I fid myself constantly on edge, which surprisingly I handle really well, but I warned my boss already. The thing is I am really nice at work and everyone thinks I am always sweet and polite. When I told my boss that if things did not get any better I was going to loose what little patience I had left. He laughed at me, which tells me that he does not know me very well.
Anyways I finally went to the head store manager (absolutely adores me). I was originally was going to tell him that I was quitting and give him my notice. Then I found out someone just quit and started feeling guilty about leaving. So I told him that I needed to take some time off or I was quitting. I explained that the stress and drama was getting to me and I wanted to use my 5 vacation days. He gave me one extra day off with my normal two. UURRG!
Recently I have been really enjoying reading everyone’s blog, and I have made reading them a daily routine. Sometimes it is the first thing I do when I get up and the first thing I do when I get home. I think this is a fun and cheap way of keeping us together even though we are apart. I love the humor and the trivia. I love that people read my site and even more excited when they leave comments. I have given my blog site name tom mom who will be giving it to my family down south so they can see pictures of the kids and our life. This also makes me very happy because I have not seen any of them since 89. And just to let you all know how much it means to me, the people I left down there were part of one the happiest times I ever had growing up. I miss them lots and can not wait until I can see them in person and they can meet my kids.
Anyways, back to blogs. While I was reading the Grand Poopa’s site, I saw that there has been a new rule added to the Clan Laws. Please read below for the law as was written by the Grand Poopa himself…

Being that you have all by unanimous consent, which is only right considering my stature, selected me as the Grand Poopa, I will be making an official proclamation for all clans; in that all "adult" members of the clans shall wear bra's. Being the sensitive new age guy that I am, I feel that it is only right that no differences exist between the attire of female and male members of the clans.
It will be permissible to decorate the bra in any manner the individual desires!
Now I would like to say that I think it is a Grand idea, believing that we are all equal and if I us females have to wear them-so do you men! I only find a couple of problems with the idea. The Grand Poopa has decreed that the spouses will wear matching bra sizes to camp. I wear a 34c (yes, they are shrinking I am thinking of getting a free boob job, but hat is for another story) I also have a narrow rib cage which allows me to wear a small bra size. While my husband could probably stuff the cups to fill them in, I think he would have a hard time fitting it around his chest. I would also like to point out the leaders of the bison clan, could you see them sharing bras? The female bison’s bras would barely fit around the male bison’s head.
Also you have not declared what kind of bras they have to be. Are we supposed to under wire or pushup? Do they have to be worn on the outside of the clothes or under?
I would also think it would be great to have fashion contest during this next summer. Great laughs for all. I got a new camera…

I would also like to use this post to promote a movie to open all eyes. WMD: Weapons of Mass Destruction. This movie is the counter version of Michael Moore’s Farenhieght 911, except it takes a different approach than I thought it would. This film depicts what life was like in the 30+ years that Sadam Hussien terrorized people. Not just any people, but his own people. This film shows why we are over there. When you watch the movie you are made sick by the things he has done and angry at what his people went through and the fear they felt. Could you seriously imagine in one half hour period a bunch of men invading your town taking all the males old and young, killing your children and raping your young women? These tales come form the people themselves. I will warn it is not for the faint of heart just because they show what he did and it was horrible. Men, women and children it did not matter. Thank you to the owner of the Video store for ordering this insightful film. I will be recommending it to everyone I can. I would also like to point out that this film was way less biased than Farenhieght 911.
I will leave you all with these thoughts. Sorry if it is long winded. Till next time…

Hear are some more pictures. I grabbed a few of my favorites, I hope you guys enjoy them. I am using hello from picasa I like it so far.
I want to take one of the eagle pictures and have it framed.
The sunset was taken on my way to Anchorage and still captivates me. I love the fact that it looks there is a wave coming up on the sun...pretty.

Over the last couple of weeks I have began to think that GS sucks. Do not get me wrong, I still believe that what the GS stand for is good, I just feel that somehow we are missing the point.
When I look at my sister's troop, I see the connection and I see the bond. That is what I thought GS was all about. Well that and to offer these little girls some good influence in life. I have hard time explaining to people why I can not jus quit. At first I thought it was because they didn't understand, but now I am wondering if it is because I can not think of any reason to stay.

Yesterday at work two GS troops showed up to sell cookies. Two parents/leaders to about 10 juniors. The thing about juniors that I am learning is they are in a very awkward phase. Stuck between a big girl and a little girl, their emtions are constanly up and down. Plus they are loud and little like drama queens. ( I say this with love-I have a very emotional girl right now)
Anyways, GS set up two tables and were there for about two hours. The entire time the girls giggled and had to be told to be quiet. The leaders tried but the girls were running around the store and it was very busy ( I am not passing judgement on the leaders-my girls can not sale at the post office this year because how they behaved last year.) Now Safeway has decided not to allow the GS to sell cookies at the store until the end of May. They just eliminated GS #1 selling site. So many troops depend on that store for booth sales.
Also...I HATE LIVING IN A DUPLEX!!!!!!!!!!
I HATE LIVING NEXT TO MY LANDLORD!!!!!
Ahh... feel so much better. My landlord keeps asking for a rent check we have already paid her. We have reciepts and bank statements. Yesterday she came over and we told her we needed to talk to her dad. We told her, again, that we have paid every thing owed. Not only that we were just gong over our monthly bills and since we have moved in we are paying over 450 a month for porpane ,that does not include the 700 we first put in the tank because it was empty when we moved in. Yeah that was nice, woke up one morning and had no heat. COOOl.
We pay over 120 a month in electric. One shower does not work so we use the kids...YUCK! Thier friends park in our spot. We have been stuck in our driveway for hours at a time. Can not wait to move....

This one was also taken by Heath, and is probably my favorite.

Heath took this pic. i absolutely love the detail

Turnagain arm.
turnagain arm sunset

The Story part two

The next morning the little girl woke up very early. She slipped put of bed and got dressed quickly, forgetting a button or two. She slipped on her jacket and rushed out to the door to meet her dragon.
She got to her Tree and sat beneath the branches just as the sun came up over the horizon.
Once agian she watched and listened to the tree and the shadows it cast, everyonce and awhile her eyes drifting beyond the branches and their shadows, searching for a familiar shape.
Sitting beneath that tree the little girl's faith in dragon's never faultered. Even as the shadows moved across the ground and she knew that soon her grandma would be waking up and would have to get back to the house, she never gave up believing that she could see a dragon.
The Tree explained to the little girl that the morning needs to be colder. If it was colder dew would form on the Tree's branches catching the morning sunlight and this would attract any dragons that might be near. The Tree assured her that the next morning would be the perfect morning for sure.
The little girl thought that this would be a great idea. she closed her eyes and tried to imagine what the dew would look like sitting and rolling on the branches of the tree.
Eventually she stood up and told the tree she would be back thenext morning, ready to see the dragons. Heading back to her grandma's house she had a mile on her face.
Dragon's love sparkley stuff, they would not be able to resist the reflection from the dew drops.
The day seemed to dragged by very slowly for the girl. She had a wonderful secret and could not tell anyone which was very hard for her. She tried to play with her brother but was to distracted. She tried to color pictures but could not get them right.
Then it was finally time to go to bed, and she fell asleep quickly, her bother by her side.
Dragons filled her dreams that night.

I am writting tonight to vent. I will aplogize now for anything I write below that might offend in any way, anyone. I feel I must write this though.

I arrived at work at 10:30 this morning which is really strange for me. Our store is going through a severe remodel right now and our counter was moved last night. I was in early to help arrange the counter and cover the breaks. The morning started out really bad. The phone at my counter is the main line into the store and we could not put any calls on hold. Also we could not page anyone in the store. this meant that every two min. or so we would get a call, put the phone down and then run to the registers. The person recieving the call then would have to run all the way to our counter to pick up the call. To really explain the chaos I would also like to mention that five rows of shelving were in the process of being moved and it was senior day.
I was not in a good mood.
I heard the first call for 911 very clearly. I do not know how. There was a bobcat working all day in the store, but I heard it. I made two attempts to dial the number, but it would not go through. I handed the phone to my coworker and told her to dial 911. I went knowing that even with my emt 1 cert having lapsed alomost five years ago, I am way more qualified than most of my fellow employees. There is maybe one person on shift at any given time that has maybe had cpr training at one time.
Arriving where the call came from I saw the man on the floor. My heart sank. I sold coffee to this man every morning shift that I worked. We had just talked yesterday.
There was another guy just bending over him getting ready to help. Another employee showed up also. It was strange. In that one minute or more we were the only ones at first.
I never got the first man's name, and even though I have heard people say that, it really matters some how. It turns out that he had just finished his cpr training.
The employee was a young guy who was actually taking his final emt test on Friday.
When I got to him I knew it was serious, but I do admitt I did not know what was wrong with him besides the obvious. A third employee who happened to be an emt 3 arrived andwe all took positions. The man quit breathing and his body had curled up making it hard to open his airway. The young guy next to me was in charge of blowing breaths intot he man' s mouth, and he did it. The anonymous guy was in charged of getting the pulse, and he did it. I was in charge of keeping his airway, and I did it. The other employee not only put the energy into giving the man chest compresions, but she led three unexperianced people.
Not one of us falterd. We would get him to take a breath and get a puslse and then it was gone. We all sat above this man and tried to help him never stopping even though we did not have a pulse.
The man died in our hands on the concrete floor of safeway.
I honestly feel that the man died when the first employee and I arrived. He was making noises and trying to fight. I will forever remeber color of his sin and his eyes. I will never forget looking to my right and seeing the kid next to me and the anonymous man, and then looking to my right and looking up to the women at my side.
I don't want to sound melodramatic, but a few things struck me as odd after the emts arrived. People were backed up both ways down the main ilse of safeway because of where he had fallen. Strangley people just shopped around him. They had to push a lady away grabbing for a can of corn when they were going to shock him! People could not believe they had to walk around to the next ilse.
The next wierd thing is all three of us employees had a man die in our laps. This is something that does not happen everyday to a checker. Our mangers never asked how we were doing, they just made sure that we got back to our counters. We did not get a break or chance to collect our selves. I am most worried about the kid next to me. He asked me what he could of done better. It was his first death and no one seemed to really care about how he was handling it.
I sit here now just tense with something that is not quite anger, almost fear, a litte saddness and a lot of disgust. I constantly replay certain parts but it still all seems unreal.