Been busy

Sorry that I've neglected my Blog as of late; but my kids, son-in-law, and grand-daughter are here. I guess you can say that I've been just a little preoccupied! Anyway, I plan to fill you in the all the details (with PICTURES no less!) when things calm down just a bit. Just suffice to say: I am having a GREAT time!!! Love, V.

Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!!

I am just dropping a quick note to everyone to say "Hellooo, I'm still alive!" I'm tooling around here like the proverbial chicken with her head cut off. I am busy doing last minute tasks to make everything comfy-cozy for my favorite chilluns' arrival (ETA: just over 24 hours!!!) Pant, pant! I am all frenzified! Gota go! TTFN.

Age is all relative

Well, yesterday was my 47th birthday! I really don't FEEL that old. Most of the time I still think of myself as about 35 (although sometimes I feel ancient!) Anyway, my Dad called late last night to wish me a happy b-day, reminding me of the fact that I share that day with his father, something I think about every year. Pop-pop was an crotchety old fart;,very meticulous in all he attemted. Whether sewing beautiful clothing, making furniture, tile-work, housepainting, gardening or just about everything.There were two things he excelled at; arguing for argument's sake, and oil painting. He was a true artist, and I can thank him for any creative juices that flow through my veins. My Dad said that he had a half-gallon jug of Pop-pop's homemade wine (which is probably about 25 years old) that he and my uncle John planned to share in a toast at the family home in Placitas , New Mexico. Dad said he was having a sample, only to check the quality of course, and it was still pretty good. They will meet on Saturday and raise their glasses to commemorate Pop-pop's 100th birthday. Wow. Here's to you, Poppy.

Crunch Time!

Okay! It is nearing the time of arrival for my beautiful girls, grand daughter and one of my wonderful sons-in-law! Needless to say ; I am TOTALLY stoked! I am also not ready! There are a million and one things left for the magnificiant preparation for their visit (while I know they don't give a rat's patootie about perfection; I would like to have all of my ducks in a row, somehow! I am, after all; an EXPERT in that procrastination thing!) Sorry, girls I know my punctuation and grammer are sadly lacking: but I have enough details to fret over! I did not attend university! (Although, I'm proud that you both did!) Anyhoo; please know that we can't WAIT to have you all here with us, and I plan to spoil and dote on all of you! The kitchen is certainly gonna get a work-out! Be sure to bring your appetite, and don't even think of bringing a set of scales! (we have wonderful bike trails for that situation!) Working fervently toward your touchdown in ANC! Love V. & K. :o)

Whaa!!?

Today I was reading the Life and Garden section of the Anchorage Daily News; a sort of catch-all portion of the paper chock full of helpful gardening tips, how to raise your kids, the comics, horoscopes and an advice column (I hope this is the correct spelling) titled "Ask Amy"; similar to "Dear Abby". The subject dealt with breastfeeding in front of people other than the mother and baby. The person writing the letter was deeply upset at being "subjected" to her daughter -in-law breastfeeding her baby in front of her, (the letter-writer's own grandchild) and other family members. It made everyone "uncomfortable". I fail to see how something so fundimental and basic as nourishing one's child can make anyone uncomfortable! Look the other way, for cripes sake! It's not like this mother is an ax-murderer! It is an act of love; not ever meant to be dirty in any way. I'd venture to say these same "uncomfortable" and "offended" FAMILY members would not hesitate to rubberneck while passing a fatal car-wreck! Just one more wierdness that I have noticed increasingly erroding the fabric of society today. It's okay to criticize this age old practice, yet look the other way when people are homeless and hungry because they should "just get a job!" Go figure...The shocker for me was Amy's answer: the daughter should retire to the guest room to perform this task. To put herself in exile from the famly gathering so no one is subjected to this unpleasantness! AUGH!!!! We might be distracted from our "Girls Gone Wild" and "Enzyte" commercials!

Huh?!

So, tonight at 10:30 p.m. ; I happened to glance out at the woodpile. The strange play of light (so much of it at this hour than I consider "normal") that for just ONE moment; I could have sworn I saw a smattering of SNOW on our stack of firesticks! WHOA!!! As a diehard , high-desert gal; I am still adjusting to this whole Alaska thing. Karl keeps trying to convince me that it's not so bad.(He LOVES it here; Me: I'm not so sure...) A south-west girl can survive! I hope. ; I miss green chile! :] Love, V.