Week Two Photo



This was taken with my IPhone as we left Anchorage and were heading to Kodiak.




Jellyfish at the floatdock.



Santa to the Villages Program

As some of you know I was lucky enough to participate in the Santa to the Villages Program (STV) this past Christmas.  This program has been going for over 30 years.  In the early part of December a USCG helicopter is loaded with presents and stockings filled with little goodies and a apple and a orange.  Hand knitted hats, scarves, and mittens are loaded on a helio along with a few elves and Santa Clause.  These presents are then taken out to remote villages that you can only get to by flying or by boat.The Spouses Association runs this program, but we would not be able to do it without the help of so many people from all over the United Sates.  Many women knit scarves, gloves, and hats for the children.  Books are collected and donated and the spouses have a auction every year to raise funds to buy presents and fruits to give out.  There is months of prep work for this program.  And it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.  To fly over a village and see so many children waiting out in the cold and sometimes snow, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa is incredible.  To watch them charge to Santa with these great big smiles, squealing with excitement could melt the Grinch's cold heart. They get the most joy out of getting a present and the fruit and picking out the knit ware and books.  I love this program with or without riding a helio.  I hope to participate in this program for a very long time.

Santa to the Villages



Elfs headiung to the helios.



Cell phone tower.





Crew waiting for the helio to be taken out on flight line.



The pilots were all sitting together when this little fellow walked up and waved his hand for them to
move over and he climbed up and sat between the pilots and made himself at home!





He was the center of attention, and had a long conversation with all of the pilots.
He was adorable.



The kids at Karluk sang Santa and his elves a wonderful rock and roll Christmas song.
When they finished Santa got in on the action to have his picture taken with them.



This is in Larsen Bay, as soon as possible they were running to the helio to greet Santa.



As soon as they got to Santa there were lots of shrieks of laughter and Santa did not lack a hug!



Week One Picture

I loved watching the finches flitting around the feeder an landing in the blueberry tree.

                                                 This is a crew chief on top of a H-65.

A Picture a week

I am going to try and challange myself.  I am going to try and take a picture a week.  I also would like to take a picture and turn it into digital art.  I have a few photos I need to go ahead and  list and one digital art to list.   So with that hopefully tonight I will add the photos.

My journey

I called my blog My crazy journey for a reason. To some people I seem to have some bad luck, but they have it all wrong. I am very lucky.....so many things should have shortened my time here on Tara firma but I am still here. I know God has a plan for me, what it is has not been made clear. But in time I will know, until then I will just let people know that every day above ground is a good day.


I no longer worry about a destination, that ended a long time ago, I just want to enjoy my journey wherever it takes me. I have a husband who loves me and is my best friend. We have been on this journey through some things that most people will never understand. We both have things from the military we never talk about and never will, and we each understand that. I was very lucky to have met him, and that he accepts me with all of my quirks and moods.

I have a son who has grown into a wonderful man, he had the good sense to find a women who made him laugh, who he could talk to, who made him happy and who loves him completely. She is a wonderful woman and I am proud to call her my daughter. I also have two beautiful grandchildren, and I am enjoying watching them on their journey discovering this world and themselves.

I don't know when my journey will take a twist or a turn, but I will just hang on, keep laughing and enjoy the ride.

Vacations

So my darling husband and I along with our furry children took a long vacation to the lower 48 to visit family for the holidays.  Just taking the furry children with us on the plane was a trip in itself.  They were very good I have to admit but to take them out of their kennels and carry them through security and put them back in was a pain.  Of course kids, both small and large wanted to pet them.  They counted as our carry on most people didn't know we had dogs, at least they didn't cry or smell like a dirty diaper, which we had plenty of on one flight.  I don't know what the couple behind us where feeding that kid but they need to stop!!!

We were very lucky that both our families get along and we all got together on Christmas Eve and had dinner together.  After spending Christmas morning watching the grandchildren open their presents we drove to DH grandmothers house and spent time with her.

Of course we did some shopping, and all I can say is I do not miss traffic.  I do not miss taking forever just to go a few miles.  I do not miss crowds.  I do miss family, I miss that certain smell that the south has.  I miss the smells of the farm.  I miss hearing the baying of dogs.  Just the southern girl in me. 

But let me tell you my heart took flight seeing the snow capped mountains, glaciers, and ocean. I do love Alaska. I love see mountains on one side and bay on the other as we drive here. This is one incredible place.






Levi




Lexi



Lexi, Buddy and Levi