Just Another Day

I’m back in the Minneapolis airport – starting to feel quite at home here.

I grabbed a hot cocoa from Caribou, and realized the Starbucks I normally stop at is no longer there. Interesting, as it was there a week ago. My things change quickly around here.

There’s a girl eating an egg mcmuffin a few chairs away, and it smells tasty! Perhaps I’ll have to find some breakfast here in a bit.

I tried to get checked in for my Unalakleet flight. Bill nearly missed his and definitely would have had he not checked in online and had his boarding passes printed out. So, I went through the whole process this morning and wasn’t able to check in. Grrr. That could mean an extra night in Anchorage if my flight doesn’t get there right on time. Luckily, I’m in the front exit row, so I’ll get off the plane quickly.

I’m downloading an episode of Desperate Houswives to watch on the plane. I might get LOST as well. Something to do!

Got an e-mail from Lo. She and Mike made it on the crusie, but their luggage didn’t. They’re hoping it’ll meet them in Key West today. I hope so too. How miserable! Although, really, how miserable can you be when you’re cruising around the Carribean?

I added some wedding pictures to the “gallery”. Go check them out. 🙂

http://www.bbryson.com/pictures/categories.php?cat_id=13&sessionid=8431195cba7dbe15ed0cedb318eb1ddd

What a busy few days!

After finishing up at Stebbins, I cruised into Unalakleet for a couple of hours before flying down to Anchorage. I had hopes of catching a stand-by flight and making it to MN half a day earlier but had no such luck. The flight down was good anyway. I had a window seat in an exit row, and there was no one in the middle seat. The rest of the plane was pretty full, so I felt lucky.

Lo and I headed to pick up food for the rehearsal dinner after she picked me up late Wednesday night. We finally got back home around 1:30 in the morning. I slept soundly ’til about 9 the next day. It was wonderful to wake up to sunlight! I’ve felt so much more energized down here.

I did some running around Thursday and Friday. The events began Friday with the wedding rehersal. It went smoothly, and the dinner was pretty tasty. Thankfully, Trisha and I got it ready together and April came right after work to help. Jolene stayed the night out at Dad’s, so she and Lo headed home after dinner. April, Trisha, and I stopped off at the Landing and visited with an old classmate of theirs and cousin of ours. It was a nice night.

Saturday started early, as we had to be at DreamWeavers by 9 to start the hair process. The shop was filled with plenty of smiles and laughter. When everyone was “beautified”, it was off to the church to get dressed and start pictures. Pictures went well, we’re looking forward to seeing them and keeping our fingers crossed that we got a good family picture.

The ceremony was beautiful and then it was off for the dinner and dance. The Elks club looked gorgeous and we all had a good time. I imagine the best dance of the evening was Dad’s performance to “I’m Too Sexy”.

Sunday was fast. Bill flew out early Monday. Uncle Bill, Antie Sue, Kraig, Amy, and the boys left today, and I fly out tomorrow morning. Dad and I spent today goofing around. We plowed out April’s driveway and then the hunting shack’s. We spent a while out snowshoeing and brushing then had some hot cocoa before meeting April at the Montana. A good last day at home… only makes it harder to leave!

I should make it back to UNK by 5 tomorrow night if all my flights line up. More to come from there.

So I’m in Stebbins, and I’ve actually got to head downstairs in a couple of minutes and begin the day. I am lucky enough to have an “apartment” to stay in when I visit this school. That, and the facilitator and his wife are always so gracious and invite me to their home. Last night we visited over Extreme Makeover, Home Edition , Desperate Houswives, and part of Grey’s Anatomy. It’s nice to have some people to talk to.

Bill made it back to Unalakleet and is ready to start his busy week. It was a fast weekened!

I didn’t get to talk to either of the girls this weekend. That was a little bit sad. I suppose that’s life when they’re living in the fast lane. 🙂

Alright, I’ll try to have a better update later on. Right now, it’s time for work!

Happy Monday, Everyone!

What a busy week it’s been!

Sunday flew by – as they tend to do when you’ve got work the next day! Monday morning I flew out to Shaktoolik, about a 15 minute flight. It struck me rather funny that I was heading to my job first on a plane and then on a sled hooked behind a snowmobile. It was about 5 minutes of dark riding on a “dog sled” over rough tundra terrain. I was literally laughing back there as I thought about how a week earlier we’d been doing this as a form of recreation back in Minnesota.

Shaktoolik’s visit went pretty well. The facilitator there was my mentor last year, so it’s always nice to catch up with her. She’s so very kind and invites me to stay in her extra room – a welcome alternative to a classroom floor! We had a nice dinner, about half the staff was there, and then visited into the evening. Monday morning my plane came to take me back to Unalakleet early, and I was ready to make my 12:00 connection into Anchorage.

When I arrived at the Hageland Aviation counter, they informed me that the plane switched back to it’s original schedule and that I was 4 1/2 hours early! That’s pretty normal out in the bush – they once called me 15 minutes before the plane touched down and told me we’d be leaving 2 hours early. Rural Alaskan life is helping to teach me flexibility.

Anyway, I did, eventually make it to Anchorage. I’ve been here since Tuesday evening and was supposed to leave tonight… so I thought! After I left the school around 4:30 this evening, I went to check out what movies were playing since I had 5 hours ’til my flight was supposed to take off. Well, nothing appealed to me, so I spent the following 45 minutes lost around Anchorage. I’m terrible here. I know how to get to a bunch of places, but I have to start at the hotel or I get lost. So, that was the situation tonight. I finally did make it to the airport, returned my rental car, and went to get checked in. When the stupid kiosk told me it couldn’t print my boarding pass and to see an AK Air agent, I didn’t think much of it. When the agent told me there were no more flights to Nome tonight, I panicked! Yup, I was supposed to be on the 9:20 AM (!!!!) flight. Oops.

So, here I am, at my second home – Anchorage Courtyard Mariott. My buddy, Sam, was happy to check me back in. I can’t even believe I know these people by name.

Hey, did you hear about the volcano eruption up here. Apparently, it just “spewed” up a little ash, but they’re thinking it could be a foreshadow of what’s to come. If that happens it could put a damper on travel in AK. I’m just hoping I make it to MN first!!!

Miss you all!

We had a really lazy day. Woke up around 8 this morning and checked to see what Saturday morning cartoons were on. There was nothing good! We did watch Cinderella Man later on. It’s a very good movie. I managed to get a load of laundry done. That’s about as productive as it got.

Bill left on his journey to Mac World today. He’ll be in Anchorage overnight before flying to San Francisco tomorrow. I’m hoping he has a great time – he’s probably more than happy to leave me telling him to call in sick daily! The apartment is so quiet here by myself.

My consultation calls went well yesterday morning. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to join in on coffee at Tiffany’s. (That sounds like a sequel to Breakfast at… never mind.) I’ve been trying, unsuccessfully, to get my travel coordinated for this weeks travel. Grrr.

Talked to my sisters – that’s always a bright spot in the day. Sounds like I’m missing a trip to Duluth with them tomorrow. I imagine they’ll stop at Caribou without me! Oh well, I fly in and out of Hibbing in a week and a half – I’ll have to try out the new store.

I’m watching the movie Enough – a Jennifer Lopez “thriller”. Actually, it’s not bad. I think I’ll throw a disk of Desperate Housewives in and fall asleep early here shortly.

It’s Andy’s birthday today. I should’ve called if for no other reason than to remind him that The Goonies was on. I actually didn’t watch the movie – which keeps me at a big ZERO for times I’ve viewed it. I think that’s some sort of sin in our generation!

Hope you’re having a good weekend!

Just got done doing a tutor training over video conference. The fun thing about trainings this way is I’m right in Bill’s office. The not so fun thing about these trainings… I’m right in Bill’s office! 😉 Actually, it went alright, and now I’m just sitting here hoping someone will ask me a question. Looks like everybody decided to be done early, though. Oh well.

We got our new phone hooked up. It’s pretty sweet, but it rings rather loudly. I’m sure you can turn that down. I guess I don’t know it’s ring that well, yet, as no one’s called me! hint,hint 😉

Bill got his Anchorage to Duluth ticket squared away for Lo’s wedding. It’s going to be a very fast, probably tiring weekend for him. I’m very happy he’s going to come, though. It was looking a little doubtful for a while.

I’m missing Ellen right now. Man, the working life is rough!

Hey, did you watch The Biggest Loser last night? This was the first episode I actually watched intentionally. I thought you followed the same “cast” for a whole season. Maybe last night’s was just a special deal? Anyway, I am always so amazed by the transformations those people make.

Well, time to head back to the apartment, I suppose. The change of scenery was nice, but time to be done with this work environment.

Well, I just wrote a bunch of stuff about my last couple of days. But as I went to spell check it, I lost it all. I guess that’s God’s way of using technology to tell me to quit whining and get off the computer! 🙂

I’m back in Unalakleet, our luggage arrived – a day late, and we’re safe and sound. I can’t wait to get back to MN, and I’m not looking forward to Bill leaving on Saturday. That about sums it all up. Well, that and I’m still bitter that Bill had a 1st class seat on the way up and I didn’t. 😉

Thanks, everyone, for the cards and pictures that were overflowing our mailbox today! It’s always great to hear from you all.

Happy Tuesday Night!

Happy New Year, everybody!

The past few days have been great! I’ve been on a bit of a computer boycott, hence there haven’t been a lot of entries. I guess I’ll back-track a bit.

The trip to Duluth with mom was good. The mission was to find her a dress for Lo’s upcoming wedding. She had her dress purchased 25 minutes after we arrived at the mall. So, we walked around a bit, and I ended up with a card from Hallmark. That might be the least expensive trip to DLH I’ve ever made. A stop at the Olive Garden was the end of our excursion and back home we went.

We’ve been fortunate to have Pete (Andy) here with us this week. It’s been pretty low key; Dad and Grandpa keep Andy busy with odd jobs – just like old times!

Friday night was game night. Donny, Cindy, Trisha, and Tawnya came out. Trivial Pursuit (which I will tell you has been a ton of fun each time we played it prior to this night) bombed out. We had a few guys that were more interested in the MN hockey game than Pursuit. Once we helped straighten out their priorities, though, and changed the game to Catch Phrase, it was a lot of fun.

Yesterday was a blast! Dad, Ape, Andy, and I went over to visit Uncle Rick and Auntie Sue for a bit. When we got back, it was time for pulling sleds behind the snowmobiling. We think we hit the record yesterday once we headed back over to the cabin and picked U. Rick and A. Sue up. Bill drove the machine and Dad sat behind him. Rick and Sue were in the first sled behind the machine, Trish, Ape, and I shared the middle sled, and Andy was in the final sled. That’s eight people behind one machine! Ape took one spill, Andy took four. The rest of us stayed safe and sound on our sleds.

New Years Eve was quiet but nice. 5 of us headed down to the Landing for a late dinner. Lo had to work this morning, so she went to bed shortly after we got home. The rest of us played a little name that tune, and Ape went to bed a half hour short of the new year. Andy, Bill, and I watched channel 13’s coverage and off to bed it was once the clock “struck” midnight.

I just found out Bill flies out at 6:00 tomorrow morning, so we’ve got to figure out plans for getting down to Duluth early tomorrow morning. The last day at home is always a tough one for me. Luckily, I’ll be back here in about 2 weeks.

Hope you all had a happy New Year’s Eve!

Have been having a great time here on Lake Vermilion. Yesterday we snowmobiled to Cook and back then later over to see Uncle Rick and Auntie Sue’s cabin – they’re in the process of adding a gorgeous addition. Dad and Andy went and picked up another machine and the 4 of us headed back to Dad’s house. Andrew and I enjoyed the famous cocoa and toast (an Aune favorite). Eventually Uncle Rick made it over as well.

Bill and I met up with Laura & Adam and Brett & Becca at the South Switch last night. It was so nice to catch up! We arrived back home around 10:30 and watched Wedding Crashers w/ Ape and Andy. Andy’s the only one who actually made it up through the whole movie.

Today brought a round of Trivial Pursuit – Andy and I beat Ape and Bill. We also snowmobiled some more, and Andy and I got pulled behind on a sled. I don’t remember it hurting as much when we were little!

More excitement for the day included the two youngest Aune grandchildren (Andrew and myself) beating Gram and Gramp in 2 games of pinochle. 😀

I finally got a hold of Heidi tonight. We’ve been playing phone tag since Christmas, and I had a feeling that she had some exciting news to share. She, in fact, did! Heidi and Ethan are engaged! I could feel her beaming over the phone lines, and I can’t wait to hear about more details! I’m so excited for them both.

Sounds like Andy’s here one more night, so maybe it’s time for another movie. I need to sleep early tonight, though, ’cause I’m meeting Mom for a trip to Duluth early tomorrow morning.

Time is flying!

It was a great Christmas Eve at the Aune household in Hibbing. We sure missed those families traveling afar. We’re waiting to hear if Matt’s family saw Santa and his reindeer from the plane late last night.

The day went quickly. We headed got to Rick and Sue’s around 5 and had a great dinner. There was lots of visiting, the usual Christmas exchange (I got some Door County gifts – complete with Christmas wine!), and an evening of being entertained by the kids.

We headed to the 11:00 church service last night. I loved the song selection! The sermon was good. I think our new pastor is great. I’m really excited about getting back into our congregation in the hopefully not so far future. Another part of Christmas Eve church that I love is seeing old friends. I got to catch up with Brett Schelde and we’ll hopefully get a few folks together for dinner or drinks one night this week.

Santa came last night, and I was the first awake (at 6:30) to peek under the tree. Dad humors us, or perhaps we humor him! Bill’s gift to Dad was a hit – a toy helicopter which spent quite a bit of time stuck in various trees today! We all got lots of fun presents, but it was even more fun to watch Brock and Isaak dig into theirs.

We headed to Mom’s for 1:00 lunch. Again we did lots of visiting AND EATING! Mom made the requested buster bar dessert. It was delicious. After opening presents we played Trivial Pursuit Pop Culture edition. The “Roaming Gnomes” were the big winners.

Now we’re back at home unwinding. Hopefully tomorrow will bring some snowmobiling and more relaxing. I’m attempting to add some new Christmas pictures with the promise of more to come. Go check them out! 😉