Family Fun - Day One

We had a red-eye flight direct to SLC leaving Friday night. The flight home has a layover in Seattle, but only one plane going down. Which was great because our flight was delayed by a couple hours because of bad weather in Chicago, but we didn't have to worry about missing our connecting flight. We sent email & texts to family that was supposed to meet us in the morning, then settled in to hang at the airport for a while.

The flight was uneventful and our bags were waiting on the carousel when we got there. I found a new vending machine - it supposedly serves hot pizza. This will eventually go into my (currently non-existent) Flickr album for strange vending machines. (I found some other interesting ones while we were in Florida last May - they're here & here.)

From there, we headed to the rental car company. We thought we were going to beat the family to breakfast, but that was before we stepped into the building. Let's just say that for *several* reasons, we won't EVER rent from this company again. (Complaining customers about blown tires and bad maintenance; rental cars that are delivered to the new rentee with apple cores & trash still inside; we were supposed to get an all-wheel drive vehicle & didn't; won't guarantee 4-wheel drive - whatever's there when you get there is what you get; our car is out of windsheild washer fluid; because of undisclosed extra charges, our "good deal" turns out to be as mush as we would have paid at one of the national rental companys like Dollar or Alamo... not to mention pretty piss-poor customer service all around.)

Anyhow, after what seemed like an eternity, we got the car and headed up Emigration Canyon to Ruth's Diner for breakfast before wandering around taking family photos. The canyon has lots of great scenery, and we even stopped at "This is the Place" historical site. (Heath, I found a barn star and took a picture for you!)

From there, we headed out to Liberty Park to take some more pictures, then split the group. Some went home to rest, and others of us decided to head to Gateway Mall - more pics and shopping, wahoo! I saw several areas that have outdoor fire pits so people can congregate and stay warm - very neat!

We enjoyed hot beverages and some shopping - I found some really comfortable jeans and Greg picked up a pedal stand so he can sit at his desk and exercise. We finally checked into the hotel around 6:30pm and headed out to dinner. The first restaurant we were going to try (a new Olive Garden in Lehi) told us the wait was 2-1/2 hours for a party of 10 - definitely too long to wait. We went to the one in Provo, thinking we might have to pick another joint but we got lucky - only 30 minutes and we were in! The food was great, the visiting was better.

We stopped at mom's house to visit for a while and then headed back to the hotel. It wasn't an early night, since I still had wrapping to do and we didn't get to bed until after midnight. On tap for tomorrow: family fun... breakfast, Rock Band, family cooking, gift exchange, more pictures (since we'll have *everyone* - Sheri was missing today), and general enjoyment.

Christmas Fun

Christmas Eve we spent with friends at Todd & Anita's house. It was a great evening! We had lots of food and did the visiting and gift exchange things. We also continued the tradition of putting up the luminarias - another beautiful display. The holidays are always a time when I feel especially blessed with friends that are like family. This year is no different - although it's even better because we'll be visiting my family shortly.

Christmas day was very relaxing. We slept in - Greg got up earlier than I did, but we both slept later than normal. Ahhhhh! Then we enjoyed the Christmas bread we got from Greg's mom - yummy! - and opened presents. We played with the new gifts & gadgets for a while, then went to a movie. It's *crazy* at the movies on Christmas Day! I had to drop Greg off at the doors to get tickets and then be that annoying parking vulture to get a spot. We barely got settled before the movie started. We saw Australia - it's a *great* movie, but it's very long so make sure you go to the restroom beforehand and don't drink lots of soda during the show. ;-)

We'll be celebrating Christmas for a while yet, as we're heading Outside to see family. There's an extended family get-together, and lots of immediate family events - including the gift exchange. I'm looking forward to the trip! I wish for you the feelings of contentment, happiness, and love that I feel right now... Merry Christmas!

3G Sunday - December Visits

The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference. --Audre Lorde

We've spent the past several weeks gearing up for the holidays, planning parties, planning shopping expeditions, and preparing to take over the world. I'm here to report success on several fronts - although we're still quite a ways away from the take-over bit. Just have to keep working on it...

We actually met three times in December, but I didn't get pictures of the last visit. We shook things up a bit and did lunch instead - Stacy couldn't make lunch, so she stopped by the house and we had coffee, made muffins, and visited. I'll be on hiatus for a couple weeks (from the Sunday get-together), as we're heading Outside to visit family (leaving tomorrow night - oh my!).

Winter Solstice

I *always* look forward to Winter Solstice - even though it means the "beginning" of winter is here. To me, we've been knee-deep in winter for a couple months at least - and still have months of cold & dark to go.

The special thing about it is that the very next day we start gaining light. We gained 11 seconds the first day - supposed to get 23 more the next. Each day we progressively get more light, and eventually it's so noticeable that you just *know* you've almost made it through the winter. A milestone, a corner turned... that's what Winter Solstice is to me.

Thanksgiving

I haven't had much enthusiasm recently for sitting in the office. I'd much rather sit on the couch and multi-task - like watch TV and do a puzzle. I begged and hounded, and Greg finally caved and set us up with a wireless internet connection. Now I can blog and sit on the couch... how cool is that?!? =) Because I've been avoiding the office, that means that I'm behind on my posts. I'll work on getting caught up over the next week or so.

We had a very lovely Thanksgiving. One of the nicest in recent memory. Friends and family getting together to eat and play games. And as extra icing on the cake: Jeannea finished in King Cove in time to spend Turkey Day and the following weekend with us. =)

We all decided to order meals this year, instead of having people slave over the stoves and have to get up super early so the food's ready. It was great! I got out of bed at 10am and we watched the Macy's parade. Then we took showers and headed over to the gathering hole. The food was great, and it was nice to sit and visit instead of working like mad to eat, then spending a bunch of time cleaning up before you can do anything fun. Todd & Anita hosted this year - there's talk that we may just move the party around year-to-year, so everyone gets lots of chances to relax.

After the eating, we checked out Black Friday sales and then played games. It was such a truly lovely day. I'm thankful for friends and family - and especially this group of friends that is just like family. I'm thankful I have my health, and that those that I love are relatively healthy. I'm thankful for Greg - he makes me crazy sometimes, but he also puts up with me and supports me in my efforts (whatever they are). I'm thankful for all the little freedoms that I take for granted on a daily basis - voting; bitching about politics; wasting food; squandering money on hoo-haws when I want to; a house over my head and food in the pantry. I am extremely blessed.

May the joys of the holiday season be yours, and the blessings of love and family abound.

3G Sunday - Recap

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. --Anais Nin

23 November - getting some pancakes with our visiting!

30 November - relaxing after Thanksgiving, but getting ready to gear up for Christmas shopping!

I'm still behind in my postings, so I'm combining some of the pictures. Our group has been really good about gathering on Sundays to visit - which I greatly enjoy. Our subjects range from food (Thanksgiving was coming up), to shopping, to cat puke, with lots of in between. You'd be hard pressed to find a better group to have a get-together!

Festival Fun

One of the ways you know it's getting close to Christmas is the number of festivals & bazaars that are advertised around town.

It's always nice to go shopping with someone else - that way you have someone to chat with, get ideas from, or just to help pass the time. After the 3G get-together, some of us attended one of the bazaars downtown. There's a new convention center in Anchorage (the Dena'ina Center - pronounced de-nine-ah), and this was the first time I've been there. Parking isn't great (but it's downtown - parking is never great there), but the design and structure were very pretty. And there were plenty of wares to browse. This was my 1st official "Shopping for Christmas" trip. Found some stuff, but have a ways to go yet...

The girls finished our shopping before the boys even made it to the second level. So we took a break and chatted while enjoying the view of the city. After a while, we decided food was in order, so we left for a close restaurant to wait for the boys there.

So the first Christmas shopping venture is a success, the new convention center is lovely, and I had a *fantastic* time visiting with Stacy. May the rest of the holiday season be so successful!!

Winter View

It's not "officially" winter - in fact, I look forward to the official beginning of winter because that means the days start getting longer. But here, winter is in full swing. It's cold and we've had snow - altho it could be colder and in years past we've had more snow, so I'm not complaining in any way. One of the (few) perks of winter, is that "Winter Wonderland" can happen at any time and in any place. Yesterday morning, it happened in the parking lot where I work. The light, the cold, the frost on the trees... you really can find beauty anywhere. =)

3G Sunday

One can never speak enough of the virtues, the dangers, the power of shared laughter. --Francoise Sagan

I'm totally bummed that I forgot to get a picture from the previous week. At least I got one last Sunday - even if I'm posting a bit late. Nita took the best picture of the bunch. Our philosophical question of the day: You're going to an event and are picking up tickets for friends. (The tickets are comp tix, and the event is highly anticipated by your friends.) You have the option to get seats by you, or get potentially better seats. Without being able to contact your friend, which would you choose for him or her? And if you were on the other end, which would you prefer to have - better seats, or seats by friends?

Seems that my buds and I all agree - sitting with friends is more valuable than better seats. Whew! I picked right... =) What about you?

Veteran's Day Snow

I didn't have to work today, so spent my time lounging around and doing some errands. It started snowing and when I got home I took a moment to enjoy the sight of the fluffy white flakes. As I was thinking, I took a moment to think of why today is a holiday: Veteran's Day. I'm thankful for those that have spent their time, effort, blood, and lives to give me the freedoms I have today. And I particularly remember my grandfather.

3G Sunday

True happiness is of a retired nature, and an enemy to pomp and noise; it arises, in the first place, from the enjoyment of one's self, and in the next from the friendship and conversation of a few select companions. --Joseph Addison (1672 - 1719)

A nice morning for visiting... sunny, but chilly, so the warm beverages were mighty fine! More Thanksgiving planning, and plain old visiting among friends. I love being able to get together and spend some relaxing time with my buds. We may (or may not) see each other during the week, but I *know* we'll be together on Sunday mornings. Something wonderful to look forward to for the weekend...

Asleep at the Wheel?

We went to a performance last night for Asleep at the Wheel - highly recommended for energetic, swing music! On the way to pick up Greg's mom, we encounter this beastie on the side of the road...

Halloween Haunting

We opted to have our annual Halloween Bash on the 25th instead of the 31st. That way it's on a Saturday - more time for prepping, don't have to worry about work, etc. It's fun to see how creative people can be with the costumes.

I never have good ideas, and this year had to rely on the "grab bag" for mine... a bright pink boa, feathered indian headdress, and bowtie that was supposed to flash but the batteries died. (I missed a couple people when I was taking pix - myself included.) Maybe next year I'll come up with something fun...

Greg picked up an astronaut jumpsuit while we were in sunny Florida, visiting the Space Center. It would've been *really* cool if we'd had a helmet for him. =)

It was great to have friends over, have a chance to visit, eat yummy food, and visit some more. I always look forward to this shindig. =) It's a bit like the "last hurrah" before we really settle in for winter. (I know that's not "officially" until December but since day-time temps are in the 20's, I'm thinking winter is here already.)

I missed having Sara here to help prep and party with - she's in Seattle for the winter (yay Sara! boo Penny!)... maybe next year. =)

3G Sunday

I've learned that all a person has in life is family and friends. If you lost those, you have nothing, so friends are to be treasured more than anything else in the world. --Trey Parker & Matt Stone

Making it to 3G Sunday was a near miss for me... tardy, but I made it (and my teeth were brushed, to boot!). We made plans for Thanksgiving, talked about etiquette, looked at pix of friends' new baby, tried some texting... making progress on the World Domination thingy.

3G Sunday

There isn't much better in this life than finding a way to spend a few hours in conversation with people you respect and love. You have to carve this time out of your life because you aren't really living without it. --RealLivePreacher.com weblog, August 27, 2003

We could add another G for today... Glasses. =) It was good to visit again - discussing the vagaries of life and making plans for World Domination. I think the domination part will take a few more get-togethers... okay, maybe lots - but that gives us something to look forward to as we're planning.

3G Sunday

And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. --Kahlil Gebran (1883-1931)

Grandes, girlfriends, and a get-together. Could it get any better?!? =) A small group today, but we used our time wisely... checking the sales and planning which stores to hit first. Here's to organization! (Heath couldn't make it, but we're doing lunch on Tuesday to make it up!)

1st Snow

Well, I knew it was coming... and at least it wasn't September (just barely).

Coffee Time

There was a definite process by which one made people into friends, and it involved talking to them and listening to them for hours at a time. --Rebecca West

21 September

28 September

5 October

Heather and I found that life has become busy (busier?), and we're not seeing each other as often as we used to. Because it's important not to lose touch with the ones that are close to you, we decided to meet for coffee on Sunday mornings. It's a Girlfriend Date. Some weeks I don't see or talk to Heath at all, but I know I'll see her and get a chance to reconnect on Sundays. Ahhhh, sweet Coffee Time. =)

Fall Visits

I've been looking forward to Sara visiting for... practically all summer! She normally stops in the end of September and stays through the beginning of November. We visit a lot, shop, cook, clean (for the Party), and she comes to our Halloween party. (We've even done some quilting classes in previous years - but I still haven't finished my projects like Sara has.) Unfortunately for me, she had to leave early this year - I got barely a week with her. And didn't take pictures like I would have if I'd realized our time was so short.

While Sara was here, Jeannea came up on her way to King Cove, so we got a long weekend with her. Sara left while Jeannea was still visiting, and now Jeannea is gone too - so I'm sister-less. Until sometime in November, when Jeannea comes back through. And Sara has promised to spend a bit more time with me on her way up to Valdez next Spring.

While they were here, we got in some good visiting, some shopping, a girl's lunch, a get-together at the house, a movie or two, some gym-time (go, Sara!), and lots of hugs. I think I'd go crazy if I didn't know some of my sibs were going to be stopping in throughout the year to visit. They ALL know that if they're up this way, they'd better add in as much time as they can for a visit with me... and I LOVE it! Even if it's just long enough to collect them from the airport, grab something to eat, and take them back. That's loads better than knowing they were through and not getting a chance to spend some time and collect some hugs! But mostly, they add in a couple days so we get even more precious time. Yay!

Girl's Lunch

The Three of Us

Winter is going to be long and cold. It's Alaska - that's just the way it is. But at least I have some memories and a couple pictures - and the promise of more visits!! =)

Fall Fantasies

Fall is a beautiful time of year. Unfortunately, in Alaska it's short and it's a precursor to Winter - which is long and cold. (Which then begs the question: Why do I live here?!? But that's an issue for another post...) The leaves are changing and we can look forward to daytime highs of 40-50 degrees. At least it hasn't snowed yet...

Fall Colors

Sleeping Lady in the Morning

The shot of Sleeping Lady we got after we dropped Sara at the airport. A crisp Sunday morning.