Top 10 things I am looking forward to about going to Japan

10. Efficient use of space
9. Hot drink vending machines
8. Trains
7. Convienence stores that are truly convienent
6. Listening to fast Japanese
5. The white grape and aloe drink
4. The smell of tatami mat floors
3. Sleeping on real futons
2. Traditional Food
1. Old Friends

South Carolina in Alaska

...a southern belle even while living in the rugged north. We'll save some blueberries for you if you ever decide to come back. Hang in there friend! Enjoy the beach for me.

DC in January

I am not in DC but my mom and dad are. Dad has had cancer for a couple of years and is on a drug trial with the National Health Institute in DC. He has been going back to DC nearly every month for two years. They have been great and his cancer numbers have been good. But his numbers have really gone up this month and they have to change his treatment. This was not totally unexpected... but it still stinks.

Meanwhile I am house sitting and dog sitting in Alaska where the temps have dipped below zero. Not the most fun place to be in January... physically or emotionally.

To all my non-blogging friends

If you are keeping up with my world through this blog but are not a blogger, I have changed my settings so you should be able to leave comments now without creating a login. Hope that helps.

Lily

Another favorite photo that I took this summer. It makes me think of warm summer days when I look at it. And that is something when it is a cold and snowy January.

Thoughts from a c-team basketball game

Those of you who know me know that most of my life revolves around teenagers. They give me purpose and I love pouring into their lives (most of the time). I have been working with the same group of girls since they were 6th graders (they are 9th graders this year). They are an awesome bunch. Each week for the last 3 1/2 years we have have had 8-26 girls. It has been an honor to be a part of their growing up.

Last night I went to their first high school c-team basketball game. It was cool to watch the game where I knew the names of almost 20 girls between the two teams. But it was also sad to see girls that I hadn't seen in a long time. I know it is impossible to keep 100% involved. Some girls are just not "into church" and some have started going to another youth ministry. But I miss them anyway.

And it was hard to know which team to cheer for...

Babies...

So I have decided that it is raining babies in my family. ALL three of my siblings are now expecting babies. With the twins, that will be at least 4 babies in the next 8 months... this is gonna be a busy year. I am going to have to take my auntie skills to a new level. Should be fun!

The blog world

The blogging world has proven to be another fun adventure for me. I have enjoyed hearing from old friends and new. Thanks for all of your comments.

Boats

This photo was taken on the Homer Spit about 10pm last August. The lighting was awesome and I have several photos of the marina that I love.

Travel is a beautiful thing

Today I bought my ticket to go to Japan and visit my friends in February! I am so excited to go back. I also get to have this adventure with my good friend Lorrie Campbell. And to top off the adventure I am stopping in Hawaii for 3 days of beach time before heading home to the frozen north. Life is good.

There is something about travel that just excites me... maybe it is the dreams of things to come... maybe it is the adventure of something so different than the normal everyday routine. Whatever it is, it does my heart good.

Wild Fern

This is one of my favorite photos from the 2005 photo season. I found this awesome fern while hunting blueberries on the Reid Lakes Trail up Archangel Valley.