Just Another Day

Last week went well… and quickly! My visit at Savoonga got me back into “the game” of which I was feeling a little rusty! It’s rapidly coming back though, and work has been good. Right now I’m on the couch of the Elim facilitator’s place. I’ve been so fortunate to be well taken care of on these first visits. It sure makes the travel more enjoyable.

Elim is beautiful. It’s got lots of trees all around, so I’m able to see some of the Fall colors… something I desperately miss from home. The teachers here are very nice, and we’re working hard to get things in place to ultimately help students acheive proficiency in reading. (blah, blah, blah, right?)

So, on to the much more exciting part of life. Amy and Steve Stepec welcomed baby Jack Levine Stepec into the world this past Friday! He came a little early, so he weighed in at 5 lbs. 13 oz. What a beautiful little boy!!!! I’m, unfortunately, having trouble posting pictures, so you’ll have to wait ’til I get that figured out. Take my word, though, he’s gorgeous.

I haven’t had a chance to really keep in touch back home. (Which pretty much amounts to I’ve only talked to the girls 3 times this week instead of 7… ha ha!) Dad’s out camping, though… or he was. I did get to talk to Gram yesterday. She sounded good, and it was nice talking to her. Not sure what Mom’s up to…?

Bill and I cleaned out our Arctic Entry this weekend… yea! Our hopes of the climbing wall are creeping towards reality. The owner of our house has a few things stored out there that he’s finding homes for now… hopefully we’ll be able to start construction this weekend.

Tiff is going to be in Unalakleet this week. It’s going to be so nice to have her around for a couple of days… though I’ll be out on site visits for the majority of the time she’s around. I’m hoping to make it back into UNK for the stampin’ up party Friday night, and also to catch up and hear about the yurt construction Sat/Sun. I know she’ll be busy catching everyone who wants to see her! Bill and I are hoping to head back down to Talkeetna this fall to help out on the construction if they are up for that.

Well, I’m sharing the living room here with a district support staffer, so I suppose I should discontinue the glow of my cute little MacBook. 🙂

It’s off to Stebbins for the end of the week. Perhaps there will be more to come from there!

Lots of love to you all!

Okay, I lied in my last entry… I promised yurt pictures, and I’ve fallen short. I didn’t take a single picture while I was in Talkeetna, However you can head to Tiff and Rick’s blog to see some great shots.

We had a blast while we stayed with the Holts. They were so sweet and shared their living space with us for two nights. We got to meet several of their friends, which was also great. I love meeting my friend’s friends, because it’s like opening another door in their lives. And being the snoop I am, I think that’s fun. 😉

Anyway, Bill helped on the actual construction of the downstairs, while I grabbed a shovel and worked on the path that connects the parking area to the yurts. It felt so good to get a little dirty and tire out my (non-existent) muscles! We also enjoyed lots of good food, a campfire, and a swim in their pond/lake (I’m not sure what it qualifies as.) It was a wonderful trip, and we can’t wait for our next visit!

My time in Unalakleet was very nice. Bill and I have basically been taking it easy. We’d planned to camp this weekend, but sketchy weather helped me discourage follow-through on those plans. Instead, we visited over lots of snacks at Stacie and Josh’s and then watched Last Holiday. (What a cute movie!) We headed to Currier’s Saturday night, and I went to Stacie’s to stamp on Sunday (but ended up being too lazy to be creative and just watched her stamp instead!). It’s been great to connect with friends, and I’m looking forward to more time there.

I did sub last Friday. It’s been a while since I’ve been in the subbing game, and I think it was a good thing I threw myself in early this year. It went pretty well, and it didn’t take long to remember how exhausting a school day can feel! Today I’m working out in Savoonga. I’m here for four days of implementation visits (with SFA), and I have a feeling they’ll all be as jam packed as today was!

One really cool thing about my plane ride over here this morning, was that I got to see Russia. It was so neat to look out and see Little Diomede (which is part of the U.S.A) and then past that Russia. I was looking a whole day ahead. ☺

As nice as the past week has been, I’m definitely missing home. I talked to April a couple of times this weekend. Sounds like it’s gorgeous there… nice enough to be lounging in the hot tub. They had strict instructions to tell me that it’s rainy and gloomy any time I call… but apparently she forgot! Anyway, everyone back home sounds like they’re doing pretty well. I’m still hoping for more visitors. It’d sure be nice to have that to look forward to. HINT HINT!

I hope you’ve all been well.

Off I go..

It was another great summer… never easy to leave! I am, however, on my way back north today. Dad made us all his famous egg in the nests before Ape and I hit the road this morning. Lo woke up to say goodbye, though she’d probably only been sleeping a couple hours at that point. Gram and Gramp saw me off, as well. And, I got a call from Mom on the drive down. Hard to not feel like a princess when I get the royal treatment!

Yesterday was declared “Erin’s day of fun”, so naturally Dad and I headed to the dump. 😉 We then took off to Blackduck to visit Earl, Katie, Judy, and Ed. It was a nice afternoon.

Gram and Gramp joined us for a fish dinner, then it was Wheel of Fortune and a boatride.

I did swim last night… the water is just gorgeous. I miss swimming during the winter!

Tonight Bill will pick me up from the airport and we’ll head to Talkeetna to see our friends Rick, Tiff, Keegan, and Rohnan. It’s going to be so much fun to see the whole family and their new place! (Look for pictures of the yurts in my next post!) We’re looking forward to helping out as much as we can and just plain catching up!

I’m hoping the end of the week will bring a coffee morning and visit with Stacie and James. It’s time to get back into the routine of things! 🙂

Here’s hoping you’re all well!

Lots of love to you!

I’m pleased to say that it’s August 29th and I’m still swimming. Dad and I jumped in after he got home from work tonight, and I’ve been trying to get in daily. The lake is beautiful! I’m literally soaking in the  joy of being at home!

The start of the school year is upon us. Many of my friends and family members will be  heading to (or have already been in) their classrooms to greet the students. I do look forward to having a classroom of my own someday(in the not too distant future).  For this year, I’ll look forward to a little less travel and some subbing mixed in with my consulting days. (For those of you who haven’t heard… I’m now a “casual employee” for SFA – as opposed to my full time status last year. It means a lot less travel… and a lot less money. Priorities, priorities, priorities.)

I joined April and Kerissa at the JV volleyball game tonight. We went to watch Kaylee in her first JV game. She did awesome! It was fun to be back in the gym.  I couldn’t help but notice all the things that have changed in there since I was in high school. Despite the changes, it all felt so familiar. It was nice.

The weekend was good, too. Saturday Stacy and Dylan came out, and we went to visit the crew at Uncle Ricks.  That night Matt, Deana, and the boys came over and joined us for a pontoon ride up to Black Bay. It was a gorgeous night! Sunday Ape and I went with Tina, Brennan, and Jordan to Duluth… too fun.

Last night dad and I went out fishing. I had one measly little bite and that was it for the night. Still, it was beautiful out. You can see for yourself below.

     

Lo is out now, and April is on her way home. Tomorrow we’re meeting up  with Mom for a matinee and lunch. I’ve gotta go close up my cell phone account and pick up my very last minute items to head up to AK with.

It’s been a fantastic summer, but signs of fall are showing up everywhere… from volleyball and football games to a few leaves turning colors, I’m bracing myself for the new season and certainly reminiscing over the past few months. Those of you who know me well know that change is not my favorite thing about life. But this fall, I can only look forward to the great things that await.

Yesterday was kind of a waste of a day. I drove down to the cities Monday night to pick dad up from the airport. I left home around 6:30 that night and we got back at 4 in the morning.  Whew! Amazingly, I was still pretty awake when I got home. I decided to look  at Dad’s pictures and chat with Lo (who happens to have the craziest sleep patterns I’ve ever seen!).

Anyway, a little after 5 yesterday morning I decided it was time to go to bed. Unfortunately, a really bright “star” above the trees – across the bay – had me intrigued. I made the mistake of looking closely through a telescopic lens and seeing it had a bunch of blinking lights. Now, logic would tell me that this is a satellite, but 5:00 a.m. told me it was a U.F.O. I woke Lo back up because I creeped myself out.

I ended up getting around 4 hours of sleep… which you’ll know if you keep up with the blog, is about 5 hours less than I think I need! So, I was a big slug all day.

Today, however, I was raring to go, as I’d made plans to meet up with Josh and Melissa Wallestad at the Montana Cafe. What a wondeful visit! It seems like we’ve spent the whole year missing a visit by a day or so. So, finally we had a chance to catch up! I, myself, have little to share about life, but they had BIG NEWS! Yes, they’ll be welcoming a new little one into the world next March. CONGRATULATIONS again, guys!

The rest of today was about as unproductive as the rest. Grandma’s here now to visit, andI think we’ll plan to go jump in the lake here shortly!

Tomorrow brings the downslide of the work week. Enjoy!

Well, Heidi and Ethan tied the knot yesterday. It was a beautiful wedding and a fun reception. I headed over to Clearbrook Friday afternoon for the rehearsal and dinner. Another bridesmaid, Missy, and I headed to the Bjerke’s home around 10:30 so we could be sure to get a good night’s rest. At midnight I finally declared I’d be quiet! Girls sharing a room is always fun… usually more laughing than early sleeping – but that’s alright.

The wedding went off without a hitch. Here is the happy couple minutes after the completion of the ceremony. The bridal party jumped on the well-decorated school bus to head to the Hampton Inn on Lake Bemdji.

Emily, Missy, and I enjoyed our end of the table at dinner. I got a kick out of this picture, as it looks like we’re not wearing any clothes! Clothes stayed on the bridal party and guests… through the dance anyway!

After the DJ quit playing, a crowd headed over to the Green Mill to close up the bar. I got a quick minute with the bride for this picture.

I was fortunate to have April along for the drive over and back from Bemidji. We headed out around 9:30 and made it back to dad’s 3 hours later.  I got a nap in late-afternoon before we headed to the benefit for Tammy Johnson.

Little did I know that the raffle ticket I bought at the benefit would be life-changing. Yes, folks, I am now the proud owner of a brand new WEED WHACKER!

It was too funny that I won it… but I must admit I had a feeling. ☺ On a more serious note, the benefit was really for a great cause. Please keep Tammy in your prayers as she continues radiation and chemo-therapy treatments.

Sounds like Bill had a good weekend. He went out fishing yesterday with another D.O. employee. They had their limit after about 15 minutes. (He claims!) Sounds like every cast brought in a fish. Will that story entice you avid anglers to come and visit?

Lo is out for an evening or two. Tomorrow I’ll be heading down to pick dad up from the airport. I think Ape’s coming along, as well. I haven’t booked my ticket back to Anchorage yet, however I plan to be around Cook through the end of August! If you’re in the area and have a few free minutes, I’d love to meet up!

I’m out of practice! Dad and I headed to the cities last night and hit our hotel right around 10:00. I was expecting one queen bed and a pull out couch, and was pleasantly surprised to find Dad and I both got our own rooms. My suitcases felt heavy and awkward, and I didn’t sleep real well in the hotel. How easily I fall out of the routine!

I took the shuttle over to the MSP airport and got the eye-rolling back in my system as a guy cut right in front of me at check-in. I don’t know why I still don’t have it in me to say anything.

I’m now at the Northwest World Clubs. I’m still convinced that our boardroom passes were the best purchase we made this past year. I’m going to miss them when they expire in February.

Soon I’ll be on a 6 hour flight north. I had the option of upgrading to first class for $200. I figured I could spend $5.00 on a box sandwich and $5.00 on a drink if I really wanted the feeling of first class. Happily, I’ve got an exit row seat by the big boarding door. That means no seats in front of me – lots of leg room!

I should hit Unalakleet around 6:30 tonight Minnesota time. Poor Dad has to spend the night in Anchorage, because his flight is not going to make it in in time to catch the flight to Unalakleet. I guess that’ll give me one night to try to get the house finished up. (Bill’s been working hard, but there was a lot to do. I’ll be impressed if there’s nothing left to do!)

So, April is staying over at Dad’s this week to keep Gram and Gramp company. She’s got big plans of cleaning… maybe she’ll be inspired to clean my messy room!

I’ve got a couple of pictures to got along with events of the past week, but I have to get them on my computer first… then I’ll update you on the excitement that is my life! he he he!

See you Minnesotans in a week!

Casey Spencer Aune is the latest and greatest addition to the Aune family. Stacy, Spin, and Rian welcomed this little cutie into the family two days ago, August 3rd. And since I figured out how to put pictures in right on my page, I figured I’d take the opportunity to help show him off!

Family is such a blessing, and we’ve been fortunate to gain 2 new little Aunes in 2006!

It’s been a busy week here at Lake Vermilion.

The rhubarb pie turned out pretty well. Very easy to make, too. I was particularly impressed by the crust – I tried a recipe from my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook (a wedding shower gift). It was a little fussier process, but well worth it. The crust pulled right off the rolling board and into the dish.

Another fun event of the week was the baby shower for Amy. She got lots of nice gifts, there was tons of great food, and plenty of good visiting. The shower was hosted by “The Birthday Club”, a group of ladies around town who have celebrated together for years and watched Amy grow up. April, Trisha, Katie, and myself were pleased to be able to attend as well.

     

Yesterday April and I took the boat up to Timbuktu to spend the day lounging by the lake with Amy. Trisha came as well, and we gave ourselves pedicures and soaked in the sun.

The boatride home was beautiful! We’ve been blessed with gorgeous weather and fantastic sunsets!These pictures don’t do it justice, but a close attempt.

I’ve got to get some work done this weekend. This morning I opted to do something healthy and hit Raps Road for a run. Dad and I boated over to Uncle Rick and Auntie Sue’s after for a swim. Not a bad way to start your weekend.

Kerissa is out now, and I don’t know how long we get her for, so I’d best wrap this up. – Bill’s been pretty good about updating his blog, too, so go check it out!

I brought Bill to the Hibbing airport yesterday morning, and he’s officially back in Alaska now. He’s added a couple of new blog entries as well as some pictures. Click HERE to go directly to the latest pictures at the lake.

It was awfully quiet at the Aune household last night. April went into town and hung out with Trisha, and Lo had to take off for work. So, Dad and I watched the Twins beat the White Sox over at Grandma and Grandpa’s. It was a good game.

Today I’ve been answering e-mails and making work calls. It’s time to put the final touches on my upcoming trainings. My stomach always gets to be in knots for these things, though it is probably my favorite part of my job… when I’m prepared and it goes well, that is.

I decided to use up some of the gianormous rhubarb from the back yard today. I currently have 2 rhubarb custard pies baking. It’s a new recipe to me – hope they turn out! It’s always fun to try something different.

I can’t get April to come out and jump in the lake with me. It’s so hot – I’ve been in once, but I could probably float around all day if someone would come with me!

I’m officially booked back up to Alaska. I’ll head up for some training and a chance to see the new house we’re renting on the 9th. I’ll be back in MN the following week and up in Alaska “officially” at the end of August. I’m waiting for time to slow down a bit!

Well, that’s the news here. Hope you’re out enjoying this gorgeous day!