Back At It

I left PTU December 17th. I was not feeling very well and climbed immediately into bed and stayed there until the 19th. I went into BHS to visit my school buddies and to talk to Renee's counselor and teachers. It became very clear that her time at BHS has come to an end. She needs to find an alternative school that will get her to graduation. Originally I thought of SAVE, but as I talked to others I decided that Benny Benson would be the best choice. She could take culinary classes at KCC for half the day and spend the other half getting her required credits completed. I am now working to get her transferred. That night I met my lady friends for a round of Bunco. It was good to see them again.

The 20th found me sick in bed for the next two days. I lost my voice and almost got it back by the end of the two days. Everyone went to see the last Hobbit movie. It was excellent and it was sad to see them end. They were an excellent adventure. After Christmas, Cody and I went to see Into the Woods. Just a few songs were left out, of the movie version, and they did an excellent job of converting the rest of the musical. I really enjoyed it.

Monday, I went over to Sarah Shorts house, to find her, Cheri Turner and her mother wrapping Christmas gifts for the children of Fannie Tugatuk, who passed away the first of the month. Once all the gifts were boxed, we took the to Northern Air Cargo, who offered to ship them free to Bethel. We had NINE boxes--5 of gifts for the kids, family, and dad; 1 diapers; 1 diaper wipes; and 2 of food.
Just as I was preparing to return to PTU, Renee Downs said she had another box of stuff for the family. I will bring that out with me later this month.

The kids and I went and spent the 24th and 25th at the Alyeska Resort. I still wasn't feeling very well, so we laid back and watched movies. A very relaxing time. Breakfasts were included. We chose the buffet, which was different both days. It wasn't the best buffet I've ever had--that was in Seattle at the Locks Restaurant (which no longer exists) or the original buffet Pikes Landing, in Fairbanks. Sad to say, after Jaybird took it over it started to go down hill. I ordered a couple of appetizers to eat while we watched movies. We then went to the Seven Glaciers, at the top of the tram, for our Christmas dinner. Other than missing out on the Christmas morning coffee & Carolines, gift unwrapping, and home cooked breakfast it was a very relaxing and enjoyable two days.

Coming off the Tram someone had made little snowmen on the top of the fence post and a whale on another one.

Then I noticed that the snowmen were on all the post along the parking area.

I spent New Years at Aurora and Lani's home. It was a very enjoyable evening visiting with friends, letting sky lanterns into the sky and talking about next summers excursions.

Some of the wonderful food available.

A few of the guests.

These are not pictures of our sky lanterns, but they will give you an idea. The last one we let off was amazing. The first two drifted very high, but disappeared into the clouds. The clouds opened up around the moon and that is were the last one drifted. It went up until it was so small I could no longer see it.

After New Years, I prepared to return to PTU. I did drive out to Girdwood to visit with my friend James Kaiser, and spent the evening at Sarah's house visiting with Lindsey Hall.

I flew out to BET on the 11 am flight and got there about 12:30. I got over to Yute a little after 1 pm. I noticed that the 10:45 flight to PTU had left an hour late, so I asked if the 1 pm light had left yet. The station manager told me that it had been canceled, because there was no passengers or mail. I thought I would wait to see if they would send it out late. At 2 pm, I asked when the next flight would be leaving and I was told 4 pm. I decided to take a cab into town to get salad makings and retuned at 3 pm, only to be told that they had sent a flight out at 2:19 pm--5 minutes after I left!! I finally got out and home. As we landed the moon rose over Goodnews--a wonderful welcome home.

A beautiful full moon.