award - not a CMA, even better...

How nice of Amber, my lovely sister to give me a Fabulous Blog award. I actually didnt even know I had the award until she told me to look at her blog. I dont blog much anymore, and I need to appologize for that. I do not have a computer at my new house, that may come after the holidays. Also I really dont lead a very eventful life to blog about on a daily/weekly basis. Very uneventful compared to when I was living in Alaska. But I will try to get better and blog more often, when I can.

Now the rules say all I have to do is pass this award along to 5 other fabulous blogs and also write about 5 things that I am obsessed with right now. BUT, as most of you know, I am not very good at following the directions, so I am going to just say.. all of you bloggers in the blog world deserve this award and if you are reading this and you have not already been honored with this award I want you to post it on your blog and also post about the 5 things you are obsessed with at this time.

Now for my 5 obessions...

1) I am obsessed with getting my house organized. It is not near complete yet, but hopefully after the holidays I will have some more money to purchase the things I need to complete my den and spare bedroom.

2) Now that I am home from Alaska and can drive down the road or to the next town to see my family and friends I am obsessed with spending time with them. I guess I didnt realize how much I need to be around them to be happy and enjoy myself to the full extent. I can just sit and watch tv or a movie and be happy when I am with my family and friends. They are great, and I cherish the time I spend with them. I love to be able to drive to Newton and see Kierstyn and Aaron whenever I can! As well as, the rest of my family!

3) I am also, as many others are, obsessed with facebook. I check it daily (on my phone) and read status updates of my family and friends. It is just nice to hear how their days are going and if they need anything. I love to read about good days and good events in their lives. It is a fun and easy way to stay in contact with people I dont see or talk to all the time.

4) As a follow up to #3 I am obsessed with text messaging. I send and recieve about 8,000 text a month. I love to text and recieve text. YES, I have conversations through texting and I express emotions through text as well. I know it is hard to fully understand people while texting, but I do it anyway. I love it. I dont really enjoy talking on the phone anymore, conversations have been replaced by texting for me. I also feel more comfortable with texting some people as opposed to talking on the phone! Its just me! :)

5) My final obsession to add to this list would be books. I have so many books in my house, which is hilarious to me because I dont really read all that much. I have kids books, educational books, and teaching books. My spare bedroom is full of totes that are full of educational books and supplies. I know when I have a full time teaching job most of the educational "stuff" will move to my classrooom, but at this point is just appears I have way to much. I guess thats the perks and down falls of being a teacher and loving my job. :)

Well those are my 5 obsessions. I will try before the end of the month to post pictures of my new tattoo. no promises though!

All about me and my life

OK, I know I dont blog near as much as I used to or near as much as I should, but I rarely catch myself at the computer for more than 20 or 30 minutes a day, and that time is spent reading emails, playing on facebook and checking my bills...

So I just thought I would take a minute to catch some bloggers up and let you know what I plan to get online soon.

~ I am moving to Noble. In town in Noble, I am renting a house from two wonderful people, and I am only 3 miles from my dad's house :)

~ I still have blonde high lights in my hair. Which I am finally used to when I look in the mirror.

~ I love being home with my family and friends more than words can describe. I do miss Alaska, and the friends I made up there, and the dogs in my life up there, but there is no place like home.

~ I am working at OCC, and love it.

~ I am also subbing in surrounding counties in the schools. Which is very interesting :)

~ My nephew is number 40 on the JFL green team. GO Aaron!

~ I spend my Sunday afternoons at Newton on the bleechers of the football field (see above).

~ Kierstyn has two parades coming up this month she will be marching in for the Newton JR Band.

~ I will be watching 2 parades this month (see above)

~ Dustin Granby is running for Jasper County Treasurer! VOTE FOR GRANBY! :)

~ My brother in law's bday is Friday - 9/25/09.

~ Lisa and Scott just celebrated their anniversary today. 9/24/09

~ Now, future plans include posting pictures of my new house, car, hair do and the kids upcoming events... if you would like to find me on facebook, I update my status often on there :)

Have a great Weekend and enjoy the wonderful weather we are having :)

Love to all

A little behind

OK OK, I know I have not been blogging much, but man, I have just been so crazy busy... Na, not really, I am just lazy and never really want to sit down and blog. I cant add any pics right now, but I will sometime soon.

I am working out at OCC, two days a week, like is so far.

I have been spending time with family and friends lots :) I had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. We went to the Farm on Saturday and that was a blast, Lisa and I both experienced side aches from laughing so hard :) And Yes, I did the slip n slide again and my body hurt on Sunday. But it is always worth is, and no I am not too old to slip n slide :)

I check my facebook, usually everyday, so... I kind of know whats up with friends and family.

Mom and I got a new Wii game, Resort Sports, I LOVE IT! We play it lots.

Other than that, not much is new... well not that I can think of right NOW...................


OH WAIT :)

Today 09-09-09 - Is the 3 year anniversary of Amber and Jason McReaken's wedding. I am so amazed it has been 3 years since they got married. I will always remember that day, and the love they shared that day with family, and friends. I know they are so happy and love eachother, I wish them Many Many more years of happiness. I love to visit with them, it is always fun to be around them. And their ever growing farm.

Have a wonderful anniversary :) I love you both :)

Whats New?

Well its been almost a month since a posted anything, so I figured I could type up a short blog about whats new with me.

~ Still job hunting. But I am not worried or upset, just looking around...

~ I love spending time with my family as much as possible.

~ Took Kierstyn, Aaron, Cole, Amber and Jason to Holiday World last weekend, it was a BLAST. Of course the adults got sun burnt... But we all had a good time.

~ Also took the kids to Chuck E Cheese, it was a good time too. The kids had fun, so thats what matters.

~ Unpacked, no no, opened 3 boxes from my move, looked in them, then closed them back up and neatly stacked them in my room. LOL - it was not anything I needed or had anywhere to put, so I just left it in the box where it belongs.

~ PARKA - yeah in one of the boxes I chose to open was my - 60 degree weather parka and my -40 degree weather snow pants... dont think I will need them anytime soon. Hint the reason I just left them in the box.

~ BIG NEWS - Dad turned 59 yesterday (July 28th) So I had some family and friends come down to Olney we had pizza, and cup cakes for his birthday. I had a wonderful time and I think he did too, he seemed a little surprised, I hope he was anyway. My dad is so great, we get along so well, I dont know how I would have made it to where I am today without him. He is always there when I need something, and he is always watching out for me! I know I am closer with my dad then Amber and Lisa, but thats just the way it has worked out. I missed him so much while I was in Alaska, and it has been so great to be home and see him whenever I want. The Groves family is a very close family, and getting closer all the time... (thanks to myself and Daina) So it is great that so many family members were able to come down to help celebrate Dad's Day. Thanks everyone. :) It meant a lot to me and him.

~ Looking forward to this weekend, going swimming and having a cookout in Lville. Going to be a good ol time.

~ Next week I am looking forward to spending quality time with Mom while Brad takes a guys only vacation to Sturgis... Mom and I will have good times - Wii parties and the such. :)

~ Also plan to go to Charleston next week to visit Paulina and other friends up there :)

Well I think I have filled up enough for my blog. I have some pictures I will post next time I am at Amber's.

Take care and enjoy what we have left of summer :)

One Month home and a lifetime of Memories :)

Me and Mom out after spa day... it was a wonderful day/night

Christina and I out at the Fireside :)

Kierstyn on the ride at the lovely Jasper County Fair

Daina and I at the Newton Eagles... our pretty regular hang out :)

Paulina and I at Toasters in Mattoon, with the old gang... good times...

Amber and I at the Holiday Hotel. We had a wonderful time that day, night, and morning :)

Marty doing the CAT walk in her 1970's robe. She is hilarious, Spa day wouldnt be the same without Marty and her Old Man Balls Robe.

Kierstyn, Aaron and I doing our Twister Act. Gotta love those kids. But the funny thing is I came up with the ACT. LOL

Duke being Duke, as soon as he sees a box he thinks he has to get in it, no matter the size. He took over my cell phone box.

Bailey Joe, enjoying his mom's slide show of pictures through the door. Amber pulls some good tricks out of her pocket at times... As long as she is not stuck :)


NOW FOR MY BLOG TEXT... I had technical difficulties with this blog stuff... so my pictures are above my text... sorry for any confusion...

I know I know.... I have not blogged in awhile, but I have been so busy now that I am back in Illinois. I LOVE LOVE being home. I am having such a good time with my family and friends. We have had family get togethers, reunions, spa days, wedding receptions, dinners, nights out, movie trips, babies born.... and so much more.

So blogging has just not been on the top of my to do list, but I am now taking the time to blog and share a few pictures I have take. I hope you enjoy them...

Also on a good note, for those of you that dont know, I have a new car (well new to me)... I got a 2001 Ford Taurus... I LOVE IT, its a really nice car.

I am just enjoying my life at home, and my family and friends. Its so wonderful to be back home. I have also talked with people from Alaska since I have been home, so that was nice, they are enjoying their summers and spending time with their families also.

On another note, I am still job hunting, guy hunting and house hunting... LOL, maybe I should just learn to hunt deer I will prolly have better luck. :)

enjoy the photos... lots of Love from Ashley Marie

Home and Loving every Minute of it!!!

Well, as most of you know, I made it home, Saturday evening. I am so happy to be home. It seemed like a very long trip, but well worth it.

When I arrived at the Effingham train station, to my surprise I had 2 sisters, (Amber and Lisa), my brother in law (Jason) and Amber Tonn there to greet me. I was so excited I screamed when I got off the train, and dropped my bags to give hugs. (Thank you Jason for picking them up for me) We did not stand a chat much, since they had been waiting well over an hour on the late train. (and it was not my fault it was late, I know I am late everywhere I go, but this time it was out of my control)

We soon left and headed to Vandalia to my cousins wedding reception. (Congratulations to Matt and Erin Koehler) I was very happy to my mom, Brad and the rest of my family. It was a great evening with the family. I am sorry I didnt make it to the beautiful wedding, but being at the reception with the family was wonderful. Amber Tonn and I stayed at the reception for a couple hours...

Then we drove back down to Olney, so I could see "my boys" I was only able to see 2 out of the 4, I ran with all last summer. But it was great to see them and other friends in Olney. I was also able to see Mariah when we got back to Amber's house that evening.

The next morning.. ok, ok afternoon Amber woke me up, to get ready to head to the farm to see the GROVES family. (and yes, we were a little late) That was wonderful. Most of the family was there, and it was a great time as always, fun, food, games, family, friends, four wheelers, what else could you ask for. We had a great afternoon and evening...

I was so happy to see so many members of my family and so many friends already. There are several people I have not seen, and I will eventually get around to seeing everyone, just give me time.. I had a couple priorities to get out of the way...

I am in the process of buying a car, I am very excited about it. I am also interviewing for some teaching jobs for next fall, and of course helping the Turner's get the pool up. I have spent the past couple days with the Turner family, I think they missed me lots, I know I missed the kids sooooo much, Lisa and Scott as well. I have kind of became the other "mother & wife" for them. LOL

So since I have been home I have been very busy... tonight was actually the first time I have been back online, sorry for the delay with any contacts. I do have a new cell number, hopefully no one has trouble getting a hold of me, surly you will be able to track me down. Also, I am going to be living with my mom and step dad until something more permanent comes along.

I want to send out a big Thank you for everyone who offered beds, floors and couches! That was so nice. I even meet some new friends who were more than willing to let me stay with them. Thank you very much to the preacher's wife at my sister's church. Vicki, your opened arms were very well appreciated.

Please return for furture updates, and pictures of my new car.

LOTS OF LOVE FROM ILLINOIS :)

Last Day of School

Well, the time has come for me to say goodbye to Alaska, Anaktuvuk Pass, Nunamuit school, my students and my new found friends...   I am not good at change and not good at saying goodbye, its going to be hard.  Its going to be really hard... 

But in the end I will be home with my family and friends.  I have lived my dream by moving to Alaska and teaching up here.  It is something I have wanted to do since high school, and early years in college.  I know people thought I would never move up here and never be teaching up here.  I just feel so lucky to say I have done it and I have loved it.  

Being away from my family was hard, there were lots of nights I cried myself to sleep, lots of phone calls I had to end to cry by myself and lots of things I missed out on.  But I have also laughed, had fun, made friends, learned so much, and loved living up here.  It is a different world, it shows what beauty nature has to offer us and it has opened my eyes to life outside Illinois.  I feel so honored to have this experience, and the memories that will live with me forever.

I have made friendships, changed students lives and changed my own life... all in 10 months.  I now know I can do anything I set my mind too.  I can accomplish any dream or goal I have.  I however did not do it alone, I had the help of my parents, sisters, niece, nephew, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  Without the loved ones in my life I dont think I could have lived out my dream.  I know I am stubborn, but I had to have the support to help me get where I am.  I owe all you a BIG THANK  YOU!

I have graduated high school, college and accomplished my dream of being a teacher.  I have been to the top of the United States, I have had so many first, I just feel now I am on top of the world.  

I can not wait to share my story with my family, friends, future students, and future generations.  I am so eager to get home and see the faces of the loved ones I miss so much.

I will see everyone as soon as I can.

Lots of love from Alaska  :) 

SO SORRY

I need to make a post and dedicate it to my sister and her husband, Amber and Jason. I am so sorry I misspelled you last name.  I know it is McReaken, but I guess I was typing faster than I was thinking or I was thinking faster than I was typing.  Something like that.

Anyway, I am truly, madly, deeply sorry for the misspelling.

I can not wait to see the McReaken's in 10 DAYS!!!  so very freaking excited.  

Lots of love

Ash

On the search again

Well I am house hunting again.  Crazy I am not even in Illinois yet, and have had two houses arranged and lost both of them.  I am not sure what I am going to do, I guess it will depend if I get a full time job for the fall..

I just feel blah... about not knowing what I am going to do...  owell, I am sure I will find a place to sleep for a couple weeks, LOL...  I know several beds, couches and floors that have been offered to ME, I feel so loved!

SEE Amber, Koehler's and MrCreaken's  IN 11 DAYS!!!!  See the GROVES in 12 DAYs, so excited!  :)

Love ya

Ash

Happy Mother's Day!

I just wanted to send out a special Happy Mother's Day post to all the great moms out there.  Being a mother is the most important job anyone could have.  It is also a job that at times goes without the proper appreciation.  It is  24 hour a day job, that never stops.  I don't care how old your kids are, they always still need their mother.  I think Mother's should have one day a month that is Mother's Day instead of one day a year.  

I know I could not be where I am today with out all of the great women in my life, many of which have their own kids, but have taken me in as one of their own at times.  I have several great women I call "mom" and that means so much to me, they are great mother figures to have when I need them.

I especially want to say thank you to all you do to my Mother, she is the best woman and friend I know.  She is always there when I need her and always there to give advice or listen to me.  It has been so hard to be away from my mom for several months at a time, so being home in just a few days will be GREAT.  I will be able to see my mother anytime I want too.

Hope Mother's Day is great for you all.

Lots of Love from Ashley Marie  :) 

Photos

So, I have been slacking on uploading photos... Also my computer will not read my pictures off my camera, I had to borrow a card ready for another teacher.  So here are so recent photos of Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska!

When it warmed up a couple weeks ago and we still had piles of snow the kids enjoyed riding their packs really fact into the deep snow then crashing.  It was actually very funny.  I felt bad laughing at them, then asking if they were alright.  But they did it several times.  :)
Another warm day, I think almost have the kids in the village were out walking just like Kerri and I.  I took a minute to take a photo.  It was a very very fun day!
TRUE village life.  Two 4th grade girls on a very small motorcycle.  It is so cute.  They ride that thing everywhere.  There are several motorcycles around and lots of 4wheelers and Argos.
Kitta and Zoey enjoying the lake before it completely thaws.  Zoey is a major water dog, thats the lab in her.  Kitta, well she is learning to enjoy the water.  

This picture was taking before the THAW, Kerri is down looking into the frozen over lake, trying to see what she can see.  It was very funny!

I will post more pictures at a later time, but I thought these were very cute pictures.  Hopefully the weather continues to warm up, so we can be out and enjoy our evenings as much as possible.  :)

WAY TO MUCH STUFF!!!

So, I decided I really need to get totes mailed out tomorrow, since I will be in Illinois in 26 days. 

 I was really hoping to get all of my stuff in 10 totes.  I moved up here in 14 totes.... and I thought I could eliminate a few things, but the ten totes idea is shot out the window.  I already have 10 filled and I am not done packing yet.  I still have to pack up my kitchen, stuff from my classroom and odds and ends...  I don't plan to take much from my kitchen, I have had the same kitchen pots and pans for several years and they were cheap when I got them, so I think when I get back to IL and get settled it will be time for an upgrade!

BOY, why do we accumulate so much stuff.  I try really hard not to be a pack rat, but sometimes it just happens.  I always think oh, I can use this next year, and I had great storage area this year in my apartment, so things just gathered and gathered.  

I am still unsure of future plans.  I know I have my summer job with Upward Bound, and my summer house in Newton.  Past that, I am not sure what I am doing, where I am going, or much of anything.   ALL I KNOW IS I WILL BE WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE FROM MY FAMILY AND MY FRIENDS!!!  At this time that is all that matters to me!

Alaska Update :  The weather had warmed up here for a few days.  We had made it to the dump twice and several short walks here and there.  However, today it decided to cool back off... I guess thats what happens when you live in the Arctic.  

Have a GREAT week.

lots of love from Alaska - 26 more days!!!

Happy Belated Birthday Bailey Joe!

I know I know, I am a terrible Aunt, I did not get Bailey's birthday post up on his birthday.  But I have a very good excuse.  The entire village did not have phone service, so I did not have internet... good reason... right??

So, Happy Birthday to my 4 year old Nephew.  Yes, he may be have 4 legs and be furry, but he is still Amber and Jason's oldest kid.  He is the love of my sister's life, next to Jason.  Well I think Jason comes first.  Even though she had Bailey first.  LOL

Jason realized when he married Amber, Bailey came with the package.  But I think it worked out for the best.  They soon added Sasha to the family and just recently added Pooper and Elvis to the family.

Bailey is a great big brother, and a great cat.  

I am so sorry I dont have actually pictures of Bailey Joe to post... but please visit Amber's blog to see recent pictures of Bailey.

I cant wait to see Bailey and Sasha and meet Pooper and Elvis when I get to Illinois.

Aunt Ashley Hopes you had a great birthday Bailey Joe.  
Lots of love from Ashley Marie

1st ClAsS BaBy!

OH YEAH, I changed my flight home day and time, cancelled my return flight and up graded to 1st class.  How awesome is that?  I am so excited.

 I will now be getting into Chicago around 2:30 on May 30th.  I am so excited.  That is pretty much like a day and half sooner than I was going to get home.  I will be able to make it to Matt and Erin's wedding reception on Saturday evening.  Then I will have all day Sunday to spend with the Groves family.  I am so excited.  

 Moving home was my choice and the reason was to be with my family and friends.  So getting to see and spend time with my family and friends the weekend I get home is just AWESOME!

 I am enjoying my last month here in Alaska.  Kerri and I have been walking and enjoying the nice weather (20+ degrees)!  I will get to spend one more evening in Fairbanks before I leave and finishing out an awesome school year.  I couldn't ask for anything more :)  I am truly HaPpY!

Have a GREAT day...

Lots of Love from Alaska   :)

A TEENAGER!!!

Well, today one of the two loves of my life turns 13 years old.  I never really knew love and caring until I had a niece and nephew. 

My niece Kierstyn becomes a teenager today.  It seems like just yesterday she was entering school, learning to ride her bike and playing with little toys.

But now she is a teenager, she has adult conversations, she emails, takes care of her little cousins and she goes places with friends and without her parents.  It is so great she is growing up to become a wonderful young lady.  But at the same time, it makes me realize how time flies.  

I have missed so much with Kierstyn over the past 8 ½ months I have been in Alaska, but when I am home it is great to spend time with her.  I will never forget the way I felt when I seen her at Christmas, when I had been away for over 4 months.  

I do need to thank her for taking care of my 4wheeler while I have been away…  I know it was a hard job to have an extra 4wheeler around, but she did a great job riding it for me!  :)  She is so lucky to have a wonderful Grandpa who left the 4wheeler with her.  :)  (Not sure if lucky is the right word there or spoiled.. but whatever works.)

 I realize how much she has made me grow up.  I make smarter choices when I have her and Aaron around.  I care about her so much, that I don’t want anything bad to happen to her.  I want to protect her in everyway I can. I know I sound like her parent, but it is just how I feel.  She has great parents, and they are going to have a wonderful teenage daughter. 

It will be so great to be home while Kierstyn is in 8^th grade and throughout high school.  I hope I will not miss any more important events!  I will be there if she makes cheerleader to be at her games, I will be there for graduation from 8^th grade, I will be there for boy drama, and girlfriend fights… I will be there to help her in anyway I can.  I will also be there to see her change, and make up for the past I have missed out on.

This is a photo I took of the first card and picture Kierstyn sent me after I moved away.  I know how much she has missed me while I have been gone, and I have missed her and Aaron more than I can ever express. 
A wonderful photo of the Turner kids.  They are so cute, and so grown up.  They are best friends when they want to be, but they are brother and sister and have fights like they should!  They remind me so much of me and Amber when we were younger.  :)
Kierstyn and the gang last summer at SPA day!  We had a wonderful time, and I am so glad Kierstyn was there to have fun with us.  Can't wait to do it again this JUNE.
Kierstyn getting her first Pedi.  I think she like it, or I hope she did anyway!   That day she was just one of the girls, it was so great.  That really shows how grown up she is.  :)

This is a photo I cherish the most, as with all of the photos from Amber and Jason's wedding.  Kierstyn looked so grown up on September 9, 2006.  She made a great Junior Brides Maid.  I think she had a great time too.  We had GREAT times that day.  She is so beautiful.

Kierstyn is also in her Uncle Ben's wedding this June!  She will look so grown up and beautiful.  I can not wait to see her in her dress.

Kierstyn I hope you have a great Birthday.  I will see you in JUNE, we will do whatever you want to do!  Then in July we will go to Holiday World.

Thank you Kierstyn for being the Angel in my life.  I love you with all my heart!

Love your Aunt Ashley

ME ME ME...

What's new with me?

~ Well first and most important, I will be in Illinois in less than 45 DAYS! I am Super Excited  :)

~ I have been having bad headaches for awhile now. Not really migraines, just bad headaches, I cant wait until they stop. 

~ I am working on my resume and references. - Never have liked working on resumes and I don't like to ask people if they will be a reference for me.

~ I am job searching in Charleston/Mattoon/Newton/Olney area for 2009-2010 school year.  If I don't find a full time job I think substituting will be pretty cool.  

~ I gave also thought about babysitting 2nd and 3rd shift, I know parents are always looking for babysitters during odd hours of the day.

~ We only have around 30 days of school left. I can not believe the school year is almost over.

~ Kierstyn will be 13 years old tomorrow.  That is just crazy to me. I can not believe she is that grown up.

~ Speaking of Kierstyn, I miss her and Aaron so much!  I can not believe I have went so long without seeing them.  I have a feeling when I am living in Newton they will be at my house all the time...  Which is perfectly fine with me  :)

~ Well, it is after midnight here, so I better get off here and head to bed.

Can't wait to see everyone when I get home.

Have a great weekend in Illinois and enjoy the nice weather.

lots of love from Ashley Marie  :)

Change in Plans!!!

Hey everyone,

Just wanted you to hear it from me, and not the cool kids on the playground...

I am moving back to ILLINOIS for good.  I will not be returning to Alaska next school year!  I have decided I want to put family and friends first.  I am also making this decision without having a full time job in IL, but I am job searching.  

So watch out, I am coming back to STAY!!!

I have enjoyed my almost year in Alaska... but I feel it is right for me to return home.

Lots of love from Ashley Marie

My life in short...

I thought I would give the run down of my life... Just so everyone in blog world can keep up with me.

- I am so excited to be coming back to Illinois for the summer.  53 DAYS and I will be in Illinois.

- My niece is going to be turing 13 on the 18th of April. I am really having a hard time with the fact I will have a niece who is a teenager...  It is really hitting me.  The fact she emails me and is so grown up also really gets to me.  I love you with all my heart Kierstyn.  :)

- I am so excited to be living in Newton this summer.  I dont know why, but for once everything is going great for me!  Thanks to my family and friends!  I will have a place to live, a job, a car, and be with my family and friends!

- I am missing another wedding in IL this weekend... by the end of the school year that will make at least 4.

- I am also going to miss a couple people having babies...  But that is ok, I will see the babies when I get home!  I will be home with Mandy Sharp has her baby, even if he is nameless!!  LOL

- I miss the animals in my life almost as much as I miss my family and friends.  I can not wait to see my dog King.. ok, ok well he is my mom's dog, but I claim him!  I just hope it works out to bring him up to Alaska next year.  He will LOVE it!

- I am so excited to be coming back to Illinois for the summer.  53 DAYS and I will be in Illinois.

- I am still procrastinating on planning for my summer Personal Achievement class I am teaching.  I really need to get motivated for that.

-  I only have one more major assignment for my ECE college class, then I am done with college classes for awhile.

- I am getting my bills paid and it feels GREAT!

- I am so excited we are getting a fresh fruit, meat and vegetable order from Fred Meyer on the plane Saturday.  We had the order and hoped to get it last Saturday, but the store was to busy to get the order to us.  So it will be here Saturday.  YEY, apples, oranges, carrots, bananas, peppers, chicken, and hamburger... super excited!  

- The weather has been above ZERO for several days in a row now!  It is great.  OK, so the windchill has still been in the negatives, but it is nice to say the weather is above zero.  There has been a lot of sun too.

- Along with seeing my family and friends I am looking forward to camping, 4-wheeler riding, swimming, baseball games, and going shopping in stores instead of on line.

- There is a job opening at the store here in town... Debating on applying.. for the next 50 days... $16 an hour.. that would really add up!  But its just a thought.  Probably wont happen.

- I am so excited to be coming back to Illinois for the summer.  53 DAYS and I will be in Illinois.

- Kitta, Kerri's puppy is getting really big.  She is so smart too.  She already knows how to sit and lay down. 

- My hair is getting longer, and I really like it.

- We still have several feet of snow on the ground. It is amazing!

- The pool is back open, so I will be swimming and life guarding again soon.  Excited!  :)

- I have had a headache for about 3 days now.  Not sure why.  Hope it goes away soon!! 

- I am super addicted to Facebook. I have had it for like 6 years now, but I am just  now really addicted...  

- I am so excited to be coming back to Illinois for the summer.  53 DAYS and I will be in Illinois.

Thats about all I can think of now.  Hope all is going well in IL.  

Lots of Love from Alaska  :)

ITS OFFICIAL!!!

I booked my flight tickets home!  I am so excited.  I will actually be in Chicago the evening of the 31 of MAY!!!

I can not wait!  I will get more info to everyone as soon as I know it.  But look for me to be in your neighborhood around the beginning of JUNE!!!!

SO EXCITED!!

lots of love from Alaska!! :)

Happy Birthday Mom

I wanted to take this chance to wish my mom the best birthday she could ever want.  She does so much for our family and sometimes I know it goes unnoticed... 

So I want to say mom you are the best and I thank you for all you do for me.  I really dont think I would be in Alaska and living my dream if it was not for you!  You give me the support I need and you know when I need an encouraging word here and there.  So thank you for that.  I know it is hard to be apart, but it it totally worth it, and it will make the time I am home even better.

I can not wait to see you in like 62 DAYS!!!

I miss you so much, and love you so much.

Have a great day, wish I was there to celebrate with you.  But we will make up for it in JUNE.

Love you best daughter... haha just had to add that  :)

SUPER DUPER EXCITED

Well as most of you know, ok, all of you know… I am very very excited to be coming HOME, to Illinois in June. I do love it up here, and I love my job, but I miss my family and friends more than I can express.  They can never be replaced by the beauty of Alaska and the life I have up here.  So I am looking forward to being home this summer so much.

I found out earlier today I should be able to purchase my plane tickets HOME this week.  I am so excited.  I know my sister Amber is planning to take the day off work when I arrive home, which will be AWESOME!!!  So, as soon as I know my date of arrive I will let everyone know.  I am sure I will spend one night in Mattoon, so I can see my family an

d friends there before I head south to Jasper/Richland county to see family and friends there. Since I start my job soon after arriving home, I will only a few days to make my rounds to see everyone and get settled in my summerhouse.  I know Lisa and Sarah will have everything ready for me… which is awesome, I will have little to do!

Now, traveling home is such an experience...

1^st a bush plan out of the village to Fairbanks...  A bush plane for those of you who have not heard me describe it is like the Ron White joke…  The pilot uses the microphone system to say they lost and engine when really he could just turn around and say, hey we lost and engine… RIGHT heard ya…. 

A bush plane holds 8 passengers, a pilot and a co-pilot. But I have never been on a plane when there has been a co-pilot, sometimes a passenger will sit in the seat or it will be empty.  Most of the plane holds cargo, like mail, stuff for the store and passengers luggage.  I usually try to take some motion sickness pills and get a good nap in during this flight.

Then probably a night or two stay in Fairbanks, which is nice, I can go shopping,(for Alaskan souvenirs) go out to eat, and enjoy what Alaska has to offer out of the village!  Then from Fairbanks, I get on a big plane... yes, that is what we call them.... we even call 19 hundreds big planes, (a 19 hundred is a 19 passenger plane) but I will get on a big plane in Fairbanks, which will take me to either Anchorage or Seattle...

From there, I get the long, long flight to Chicago... This flight is so long, I am not really all that found of flying anyway, but when I have to be on a plane for 6 hours, it makes it even worse....  BUT TOTALLY WORTH IT!  OK, so after I arrive in Chicago, I will probably take the amtrak from Chicago to Mattoon.  I really like to travel on the train, it is very relaxing.  As most of you know I took the train from Chicago to Seattle back in August, it was a very interesting 49 hour trip. I plan to make that trip again sometime too.

After I arrive in Mattoon hopefully Amber or Jason will be able to pick me up at the train station!!!  I know it is still 63 days away, but I am just so excited to get HOME!!!  I will keep my blog updated on my trip home.. and yes, I will still blog about Alaska... I am just so excited to get home it is kind of the only think I have been thinking about lately...

Hope everyone has a great week.

lots of LOVE from Alaska..

The Search is over! Thanks to Sarah!!

YEY, I found a place to live, its official.  Thank you so much Sarah! you are a life saver!  

I will be living in a house in Newton.  This is the first time in my life I can say I will actually be living in Newton.  Kind of cool.  

I know Kierstyn and Aaron are very very excited.  I am excited to. I can walk to their house and go swimming anytime I want!!!  YEY!!  Watch out Lisa and Scott, I am sure I will be over LOTS! But when I am not over at Lisa's, I am sure the kids will be at my house!

I am so excited I will be a Newton resident, even if is only for 2 months.  It will be a GREAT summer.  

SO what out Newton, here comes another GROVES!!

Lots of Love from Alaska!  :)

Photos as promised!!!

Well you no longer have to wait!!!  Here are some pictures of the Puppy.  

Her name is Kiita, which in English is means hurry up... I think.  LOL

She is Kerri's puppy, but I had her all spring break, she is so cute!!!

Coming back inside from her first or second trip to the post office.  She was not too sure of the outside, but she loves the snow now!
We didnt lease her, she just follows us or Zoey.
She was being good and chewing on Zoey's toy.
This was taken the first day Kerri brought her home.  She has grown so much already.  Zoey was not too sure of her, but they get along great now!!!  Well they have their moments...
She was so little, she is getting much bigger now.

hope you enjoy the puppy pictures!!

lots of love from Alaska  :)

SPRING BREAK

My spring break is fastly coming to a close...  :(  Is fastly a word?  I don't really know if it is or now, but I used it anyway.

I have had fun, pretty much doing nothing.  Which is what I had planned for my break.  Now I have to get back in a regular sleep schedule.  I am almost upside down with my sleeping now.  

I am going to do a run down of the things I have done over break, and what I still have left to do.

*DONE*

~ Cleaned and rearranged my living room

~ Cleaned my kitchen

~ Organized my storage table thingy...  (the table in my living room opens like a hope chest and I keep my dvd's pictures, bills, junk in there) Anyway, I cleaned and organized it

~ Wash laundry, and put it all away

~ Tried on clothes for this summer, and got a summer tote started

~ Took out trash

~ Picked up way toooo much puppy poop and pee.... GRRR

~ Cleaned Kerri's kitchen

~ Did some of my ECE homework

~ Found the materials I need to finish my UAA homework

~ Updated my blog, LOL, ok, just had to add that one

*STILL TO DO

~ Clean the rest of my apartment

~ Clean up puppy mess in Kerri's apartment

~ Do school work and paperwork

~ Finish ECE and UAA homework

~ Make some phone calls!!

~ ENJOY WHAT IS LEFT OF MY BREAK! 

Well I hope that the rest of my break goes as well as this week has.  I have not been to school all week, which is so nice!!!  Just to take a break from that place is nice, even if I didn't get out of the village.

I am not sure if I will get out of the village before the end of May or not.  I was supposed to go to the doctor, but it is just so expensive and its only 73 DAYS until I arrive in Illinois, so I think I can wait to go to the doctor when I get out to come home.

Well I hope all is well in Illinois.  I plan to post pictures of the puppy soon.  So check back.

Lots of love from Alaska!  :)

-62 degrees

WOW, who can truly say they spent their Spring Break in -62 degrees weather?  

Well, thats another first I can add to my list.  It is very chilly here today, no no, let me change that, its freakin cold here today.

The temperature is around -31 but with the wind it is -62 degrees.  It is just very hard to get motivated to leave my apartment when there is no where I have to be.  I just want to stay inside and keep warm.  I should go to school and do some school work, but with this chilly weather I am just not motivated.  On Sunday it was so chilly and the wind was blowing so hard against my apartment that my apartment could not stay warm. I woke up to 60 degrees in my apartment, which it usually around 75.  But I just cracked up my electric oven and stayed toasty...  My apartment is much warmer now, without having the oven on.

I hope everyone in Illinois is staying nice and warm.  Enjoy your spring like weather, I am going to enjoy my wind chilly advisory and stay warm within my apartment.  Please dont think I am complaining, I still love love love Alaska, but I just wanted to share how COOL my spring break is.

Here is a great website to check the weather in Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska.

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=99721

I believe it has been as low as -80 with the wind, but I did not check the weather day day... I will keep you posted...

Lots of Love from Alaska  :)   STAYING COOL  :)