Get well wishes to Charlie

Get well wishes ... glad to hear your voice last night! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Love and hugs from the Marjanens!

Back to work....

I'm back to work after 6 weeks off. Sure doesn't seem like it has been that long. Miss Heidi is in daycare and I'm refraining from calling to see how she is doing. Janet (day care provider) has my number and will call if needed. If I call and hear her crying, I may give my notice at work. Day number 2 will be better!!!

I'm getting a new work computer tomorrow, so after that is done, will get some pictures posted. I have to clean everything off my computer before they come and take it away and bring me a new one. Hope to have it in tomorrow and post pictures soon! Hope things are going well for everyone.

Heather

Things could be worse....

A Mother passing by her son's bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then she saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to 'Mom' With the worst premonition she opened the envelope with trembling hands and read the letter.

Dear Mom:
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Dad and you. I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice.

But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercings, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am. But it's not only the passion...Mom she's pregnant. Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children. Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We’ll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy. In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Stacy can get better. She deserves it. Don't worry Mom. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.

Love, Your Son Paul

P.S. Mom, none of the above is true. I'm over at Dustin's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my center desk drawer. I love you.Call me when it's safe to come home.

begging for help

I have been doing a few video's for my brother-in-law Ben Forstie. He really likes the videos that I have done for him and he wants more videos on his website. The problem is we do not know what else to show. He has been getting a lot of calls about the videos and the folks like them. The longer you can keep some one on your site the better he figures. Works for me because the more videos he does the more I get paid. I was thinking that I would put a link on here to his web site so you could see the videos that I have done and than if you have an idea that would show case his paint we could try it. Examples: golf course applying it, banks fixing up houses to sell them. Here is his site. http://www.ezgreengrasspaint.com/

April 11th

We were fortunate to have visitors Easter weekend! Laurie and Tristan joined us Thursday night through Saturday; Randy came for Saturday and Sunday; Jen came Sunday along with Ellen and George, a guy from Togo; and as Mother already commented, she was here from Thursday through Tuesday. We enjoyed everyone's company very much!

Debbie brought Tristan and the little girls outside on Saturday for an Easter egg hunt - along with my camera. I'm not sure which they enjoyed more, finding the eggs or eating the jelly beans inside. (Ma and I went to join some women at PF Chang for a Chinese lunch.)

The weather held out perfectly all weekend. Note tho, my AZ kin, that we could use the lawn painting service... It will green up in 2-3 weeks. Until then, we will enjoy the warming sun and be content with less than picturesque scenery.

In the evening, after the guys were back from clean up day at Stoney, we grilled our first burgers of the season per Debbie's birthday request. Steven had made her a yummy chocolate cake that we had for dessert.

During our supper, the "bat man" came. Thankfully we didn't have a major infestation - no colony had been established yet. They sealed off the couple suspect areas they found and put in a permanent bat door that lets any stragglers out, but no visitors in. Hopefully that is the final chapter in our bat story.

Hapy Birthday

Charlie, wishing you all the best not only on your birthday, but the whole year through!!!

Mom, the year Charlie was born, how early did you do your taxes? I wonder if having a child on tax day is a justifiable excuse for not getting taxes done in time :)

Heather

Happy Birthday Frans!

Sorry this is a day late, but wasn't near the computer yesterday! Hope you had a wonderful day!
~j~

Marjanen update

Saturday we made a delicacy my mouth has been watering for. Turtle cookies. Yummy. :)

Then we watched the boys play hockey last night. Amazing difference from the beginning of the season until now. Quite fun. Jari has not been playing ... but these 2 guys of mine are getting good!

In other updates:

Spring is coming. The temp reaches some nice readings in the afternoons. Snow is melting, ice is melting ... just not ready to take the plow off the 4-wheeler quite yet. Last year we had a massive snow dumping on April 25th. No more snow by May 1st and we'll consider it over for the year!

Jari has been working on starting a few businesses and working from home. He was laid off from the North Slope job in November and has been home since. Took a little jaunt to Florida/Arizona several weeks ago to move his aunt's things. Other than that ... he's been working around the house, doing odd jobs when he has them, and playing house dad. I'm still working 40 hours a week at the local hospital which almost pays the bills.

Blayde is working at the newspaper as a Manager. We submitted his application today for financial aid and will see what happens in the next week. He aims to start school June 15th and continue working full time.

Alyx is working at an Assisted Living facility and enjoying it. Between work and school, she doesn't have too many hours left. She's heading for AZ/MN for several months this summer and looking forward to seeing everyone.

Brock is working at catching up with school work. The ever present roller coaster grade ride ... but he's working hard. :) He's hoping to have his drivers license in July when he turns 16 and then hopefully a job to pay for the cost of car insurance.

Anna spends her time hanging out with friends as much as she can when she isn't in school. It is always a treat to grab the camera after she's had it for a while and see what goodies she's been snapping pictures of.

Tia ... the youngest of our brood is fast approaching the teen number years. She can be a bit scatterred all over the place. Interests change day to day. :)

The house project moves along as money rolls in. The laundry room is nearly done. Am ready to start adding some fun things in there. Will show you pictures when that happens. Soon we'll be working on the yard and the house will be left for next winter again.

Other than Alyx's travels this summer, our plans don't include a trip to MN right now. If anyone is interested in visiting here ... check out Sun Country Airlines right now. They have tickets at $198 one way. Not a bad deal. I think you need to travel by 6/15. The guest cabin is empty. And I mean empty. Only a clock on the wall and a shower curtain on the shower at the moment. Blayde is moving out there shortly, but we'll displace him for a bit if you come to visit. Hopefully Mt Redoubt doesn't mess up too many travel plans. It blew again yesterday morning, sending ash to 50,000 feet above sea level. Apparently we had ash in the neighborhood last weekend, I just didn't see it!

Random photos from Randalls

Can't say that there is much new here, but life is full of simple moments. Here are a couple random pictures from the past couple days.

The kids enjoyed the community Easter egg hunt... As you can see, they have several activities for the kids. Laura even won a $10 gift certificate to a community ed event.

Debbie and Steven are part of a choir that includes young people from 3 area congregations. They held a beautiful Easter program last evening. It was a fundraiser event with procedes going toward the purchase of new song books for Stony and Hasscib. (Can't find them in this little picture? Debbie is middle row, second from left; Steven is top row, third from right.) The kids manage and direct the choir on their own. They develope their own parts, etc. In addition to singing they have an instrumental component which they also self direct. For the fundraiser portion of the event they put together a festive, candle lit evening coffee. Again, they did it on their own from the planning to the baking to the serving and clean-up. Lots of talent and energy!

Ah, yes. Spring will come. The sun will shine. Flowers will grow. We will plant grass. For now, we will be content with styro cup reminders while we brush a fresh dusting of snow off the car.

John doesn't like letting his hair grow too long. This was wayyy toooo long. He convinced me to let him cut it himself :)

Denise decided to help him out a bit... He actually did a pretty decent job :)

MORE Q & A

Elizabeth, you're going to Hawaii? Get a sunburn for me will you? Frans and Jenny, how are you and chitlens doing? How's school? Love the pictures that you post by the way, even if they sometimes confuse me. Lauri, how are you doing? How's Tristan? Sometime soon I hope that we can take some time off from remodeling and come up there to see you all, hopefully before T graduates anyway. Heather, how's motherhood? Can't wait to see the little bundle even if Charlie doesn't think she's cute! Ivan, how's the remodeling project going? Oh, wait a minute, that's me. Jen, how's decorating going? Liking the new pad? Ta ta for now. #9

Happy Birthday to Becky and Shawn

Happy Birthday to you both. Becky may you be happy with what the year has in store.
Shawn, enjoy being a new daddy and taking care of the ever increasing herd at Admiral
Acres.

At this time I also wish Elizabeth an enjoyable trip to Hawaii to the writers' workshop.
Like I keep saying, I think you should write a book about your life experiences.

Love, dk and rk

WUUZZZZ UPPP!

Hey all, just thought I'd see if anyone is still reading this. Anita, how are the projects going? How is the ash treating you? Becky, how is the job search going? How is Wayne's job holding up? Charlie, how did the card come out? How is business doing? Dave, how does this year look for the sod farm? Jody, how is it going at Air Traffic? Elizabeth, how is your crazy busy life? I'm out of time gotta go to work. Will ask more questions later. #9

The girls wanted to get to Alaska so We thought we would put them there one way or the other.

Mt Redoubt is spewing ash ...

For those of you who don't know ... Jari was on a flight home from Phoenix last evening ... scheduled to land in Anchorage at 12:55 a.m. His flight was rerouted to Seattle where he spent the rest of the night. Today he made it home ... we're thrilled. Looking at the volcano observatory sight just now ... good thing he did. :)

This first photo I believe was taken last week of the mountain.

This one here is less than an hour old with the newest eruption. The plume reaching 60,000 above sea level ... and ash reported in Wasilla. Last nights ash ended up in Talkeetna and Willow. Wasilla is getting a little closer. Carol Ruonavaara Johnson was telling me today how she remembers taking ash off the car in the yard when she was young. Remembers all the hoopla about Mt St Helens ash. Should I see any on my car ... I'll save some for you. If anyone needs substitute coal for Christmas stockings. :)

I do have a running blog going on at livingthealaskadream.blogspot.com. Feel free to drop in and visit. I love to see signatures of writers too. (hint)

-a

pics of Heidi

Was able to hear stories from her while she was alert!
Finally got to meet Daniel when he and Michelle went to the Range

Velma and Theresa stopped in and was neat to visit with them. Lots of laughs were shared while sitting around the table having coffee! Nothing like two elderly ladies being young at heart!

It was so neat to be able to spend a couple days with the baby and her parents! And to visit with those that came to meet the little bundle! Becky and all kiddos, Randy, Dave Lindula, Velma and Theresa, Michelle and Daniel, Gary, Laurie and Tristan, Mom and Isa (hope I didn't forget anyone); lots of visiting took place. Now I can't wait to be able to see her again in a week when I bring Amber and Nolan up there to meet her!

And I was able to stay there to see Heidi meet her grandparents for the first time!

Always needing to get a picture of the feet before they are off and running!

I found a horse running loose. Does any one know who's it is.

Fun weekend!

On the way up ... 6 sleds ... 6 couples

Yours truly and her dear husband. Without him, there is a very good chance I'd never go up this mountain! He did rescue me once on Saturday ... picked me up from the pine tree restroom ... and dumped me once!
On the top of the ridge. Am quite positive I'll never see this in the summertime!

Mark Huhta playing ... what a backdrop!

Looking out at the Cook Inlet.
A man + a mountain + good snow + a sled = grins galore!

A new thing for me this weekend ... went out snowmachining with 5 other couples on Saturday. What a fun time. The weather was absolutely glorious! Just sharing a few pictures with you. We live about 3 miles out of Palmer. So, the 3 miles back to Palmer, about 13 miles out of Palmer to Sutton (not quite to Kuoppala Rd) and up the road a little bit. Climb on machines and head up some hills ... and on to a beautiful place to play!

Glad my dear hubby enjoyed his day. At midnight he flew to Florida to help move Martta's things back to Arizona. It is warm and humid in Florida this morning (what we considered cool several years ago), he & Juha were leaving Fort Worth this morning in a U-Haul to begin the 2600 mile putt-putt trip back to Prescott. We have 7 degrees here this morning ... and I'm already missing his fire building skills. :( (I'd rather blog and bebo at this hour than build a fire.)

Yesterday we had a wedding reception for Kevin & Renae. Was really nice and turned out well. No pictures, sorry. My camera is in Florida. I gave it up for a week. Note the "MY" camera. I think I took it over.

Have a great week all! 'Tis Monday, kids really enjoyed spring break, and next weekend promises to be another busy one!

Heidi Juliane

Sorry my cell phone doesn't take the best photos, but thought you'd like to see the little cutie. The first pic is Heather giving lessons on how to suck up the kuoppala-double-chin - baby is catching on quite nicely.

e.

Happy Birthday, Anita

Happy Birthday Anita. Just think, about 5 days from now, 44 years ago we brought home our
first baby with a bow in her hair put by the nurses. The nurses in the nursery said, "See you
next year!" If Heidi Juliana would have waited a bit you could have shared a birthday. mom