Just Another Day

We got into San Francisco yesterday evening after a long flight. I’d forgotten how tiring flying can be. (And I’m getting a bit nervous about spending 17 straight hours on a plane this summer!) Still, we arrived safe and sound, and just in time to wait around for the super shuttle. Yep. Wait, and  wait. Eventually, though, we made it to the hotel, got registered for the conference and headed to Macy’s for dinner. Yep. Macy’s. There’s a Cheescake Factory right in the store there. I don’t know how a person would go about finding it on their own, but we had good directions. And, it was yummy.

Dad was a great sport listening to Mandy and I all day yesterday in the car and on the plane. Today, though, he headed off with Marcus, and I haven’t heard from him since. I would imagine the two of them are getting into all kinds of trouble. 😉

It’s been a lot of fun to run into folks from my “former” life. It’s been especially fun to bump into people where I wouldn’t have expected – or even some I just flat didn’t know I’d see. I got to talk briefly with AnnMarie this morning and then saw C.O. and Harold as we were leaving for the evening. I also heard my name at lunch today and turned to find a friend, Jason, from Unalakleet.  I’ve also caught up with some of  my past SFA teammates. Tomorrow I’m having lunch with my friend and former colleague, Sharon, and intend to get caught up on her life! It  makes me miss pieces of my past…

Anyway, the time here has been fast, but good.

We walked past the apple store today, and of course I thought of Bill.

Tonight we headed down to the Fisherman’s Wharf. We just walked around, looked at the shops, and  saw some street entertainment. We got passes for the cable cars, buses, and BART (whatever that stands for), so we’re pretty set for getting around. I’m thankful that DeeAnn is confident, as I wouldn’t have known how to maneuver around here.

Tomorrow it’s more conference and possibly a trip to a restaurant on top of some building… apparently you can see the whole city from there.

Huh. I’ve been on facebook for like a day… It’s like a whole different world! I don’t know what my facebook life is going to look like – probably just another means of stalking my friends. 🙂

Yesterday Bill and I went to see Bride Wars. I know what you’re thinking, “How did Bill drag Erin to that?” We just needed to get out of the house, we got our grocery shopping done, and we picked up a pizza from Papa Murphy’s. Not a bad day.

Today Bill went down to watch the start of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in Duluth. It’s been a COLD day, so I hope his parka is keeping him cozy.

I managed to make it to church this morning… a couple of minutes late. I hate walking in late. The rest of the day has been spent being silly with April, getting the last of my grading done for the 2nd quarter, and dreaming of warmer weather. I also made some “inside-out cookies”, which I think Bill’s going to be pretty stoked about.

Oh yes, and the highlight of my day was getting a ride in April’s new truck. **And I just might get MY car back tomorrow… fingers crossed!**

We’re gaining nearly 2 1/2 minutes of light each day, and I’m starting to notice. By the end of February, we should have light through dinner time. I’m banking on gaining more energy each day as the light comes back. Time to get out of the winter slump.

Yesterday we celebrated Grandpa Aune’s 88th birthday. He and Gram were both doing well – even cracking a few jokes. It was a good evening.

There was a pretty crazy deer kill on the road this morning… it was still there this evening, just less of it. At any rate, I know it’s nature and what not, but seeing that poor animal in pieces in the middle of the road kind of makes me want to be a vegetarian.

I had chicken for dinner.

Today was an incredible day in history, if I may state the obvious. I can’t help but mention, though, how excited I am about the future. Things are not going to change overnight, but I can feel the change coming. What an amazing time to be a part of… and what an important realization that we’re each responsible for moving our country forward.

Life is good.

It seems like it’s been a lot longer since Christmas than the calendar shows. The days have been moving along decently, but still, I feel like June should be right around the corner. We’ll get there…

We had another very lazy weekend. Our pipes required a quick thawing (we’re so lucky they’re still in tact!) Friday evening. But the temps are now above zero after dipping into the -60 variety earlier in the week. So, we’re feeling pretty confident that we’ll continue to enjoy the convenience of indoor plumbing. Fingers crossed, anyway, because with each freeze I’m losing my fondness of winter.

Otherwise life has been pretty ordinary. Dad, Uncle Glenn, Ape, and Jesse were out to watch some football today. And tomorrow we’ll all be heading to celebrate Grandpa Aune’s birthday.

Things should start picking up in the next couple of weeks. I suppose I’ll just focus on enjoying the calmness of now.

Whoopee!

It’s not that I don’t like my job, but who doesn’t enjoy a day off now and again? So,  I’m happy to know I can sleep in a little later because we’re 2 hours delayed. I’ll admit I’m a little jealous that Bill will be hunkered down even longer, as he just got the call that school’s canceled.

So, I’m going to go and read a little of my latest book (Confessions of a Shopaholic – I know, a real thinker!). And I’m going to count on Bill stoking up the fire so it’s nice and toasty when I get up 2 hours later than usual. And I’m going to keep my fingers crossed that the water is still running in the morning (when it’s -60).

I hope you’ve got a nice warm parka around!

We are so excited for our friends, the Stepecs, and their new little bundle of joy. They welcomed Henry Richard into the world yesterday afternoon. You can see pictures of the whole family at their site.

It sounds like everything went well… mom and baby are both doing great.

Congratulations Amy, Steve, and Jack on this wonderful blessing! We love you!

This week has really been beautiful. The stars have been shining in the morning sky, there is a pink glow by the time I reach Nett, and it’s still light out at 5:00 when we’re back home. I am starting to believe that January might be my favorite winter month. This is particularly ironic because I believe historically that January is the coldest month of the year. I guess my new-found appreciation for this season is keeping me aware of how very clean and crisp everything looks while the temps are so low. We’re promised even colder weather for next week… we’ll see if I’m still enjoying it all then! 🙂

Getting back to work this week was a good thing. Don’t get me wrong, I could vacation forever. But, as long as I need to try to be a contributing member of society, it was time to get back. I felt rested on Monday but not out of routine.

I got a great work-surprise this week when I learned that I’ll be heading to San Fransisco next month for an SFA Experienced Sites Conference. I am truly excited to attend the conference without the pressure and anxiety I felt at the last ESC I was (presenting) at. Not only will I get to sit back and take it all in, but it sounds as though a few of my old collegues (both from SFA and Alaska) will be there, too. And, to top it off, my dad’s traveling along with me to visit a friend of his. I am looking forward to a few days of sunshine.

So, it’s been a pretty good week. Today, though, has probably been my favorite day… beginning at 3:30 when I arrived back to Cook. I ran over to visit with Gram and Gramp, and Dad stopped in, too. Then Bill came by, and it was a real party.

When we got home, Bill cooked up some Tacos, and I got the margarita glasses out. I always love pulling these out of the cupboard – our house feels a little less like winter and a little more like Mexico. 🙂

I’m looking forward to a weekend of sleeping in, playing outside with Bill, and hopefully spending some time with my sisters!

We have had an incredible break. It’s was so low-key and care free… just wonderful. And so, it’s a little bit hard to face the reality of work tomorrow.

The snow found us again this weekend, and so did the cold. Unfortunately, we haven’t quite figured out our water situation, and yesterday was spent waiting once again to hear the dripping faucets. It’s back now, though, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that it’ll be good to go. If nothing else, this has provided me with plenty of entertainment as I watch Bill choose his attire for checking under the house. What a goof…

Lo and Ape  came out and spent a night. Of course that’s always fun, though I’m sure Bill thinks the 3 of us are crazy. He humors us, anyway.

Oh yes, I’ve been wanting to post a couple of pictures of things that are not typical “me”.

These are the bowls that Bill and I made one evening in his friend’s art room. I consider myself to be the opposite of artistic, so this was a little out there for me. Bill, however, seems to always feel at home… wherever – doing whatever! My bowl is the one in front. Bill made the other two – notice the big one had a little mishap. Bill chose the color and glazed them after they had been fired. While I don’t anticipate clearing my calendar for pottery 101, I do hope to try some more things that are a little out of my comfort zone this year.

And, this is my purse. It’s HUGE! It’s so the opposite of my normal brown or black bag that barely fits my wallet and check book. I ordered it online and wasn’t ready for it’s size. But now, I love it!

Hope you all had a wonderful New Year’s Eve. Ours was low key, and now we’re ready for whatever 2009 brings to us.