So Proud...

Congrats go our to Mary!!! I am so proud.

Today Mary was honored at the Outstanding Employee of the Quarter. The letter reads...

Dear Mary,

I wanted to take the opportunity to recognize you with an Outstanding Employee Award. The CTG Management Team recognizes that you are noted by BPXA client as a Project Manager you can count on. You consistently carry a heavy project load and deliver on each with excellence. Your contributions provide a meaning impact to CTG's business. You will receive......(a bit of money in your next check....)

.....Sincerely.....The big boss

Way to go Mary!!!!

Many are asking...Where have you been!

I apologize up front for the amount of time that has passed since my last post...life has been very busy as we moved from Seward, settled into our new home in Anchorage and I began a new job.

The summer was the best yet with the nicest summer weather possible, lots of fishing and visits from Danny and Emily, Amber and Cole, Paige, my mom (to help pack and garage sale queen), and Bob and Susan. Our extra freezer is so full that we had to give fish away to friends as we simply did not have the space. Part of that is due to our continued storage of Danny's monster Halibut and his success with snagging Red's in June. We will be making a delivery when home for the holidays.

Because Fall is the best fishing for Rainbow Trout...I may be out looking for a float tube today - lots of lakes close to Anchorage for trout fishing. Easy to go out after work with fishing buddies for an hour or two. And while Mary gets cold easy - I don't mind the 30-40 degree weather.

While I do missed the breathtaking views and wildlife of Seward (not that Anchorage doesn't have moose and bears...moose in our yard two days ago) we are settling into the flow of life in Anchorage. I absolutely love my new job. The staff is dedicated and wonderful, students are partners in their education, and parents are involved in decision making and problem solving. I am learning to navigate the fine line of working within the district structure and being answerable to a board of directors. So much more to say about this...but that will come.

We have joined a bowling league, I am trying to make regular trips to the Archery Range, making new friends, exploring the city and surrounding areas...and looking forward to winter activities. After the expert modeling by my mom, Mary and I had a successful garage sale yesterday (got me 1/2 way to my season hockey tickets - go Aces). Mary was able to expand her stained glass work area and I was able to set up an area for winter fly tying - in our heated garage! Still have a few boxes to go through and a garage sale to host in the spring...but the garage has space and is usable!

Finally - students at school planned and hosted a Quarter Carnival on Friday night. It was put together by the prom committee to raise some money to cover the cost of the spring dance. The highlight was the Pie Throwing booth. Kudos to all the staff members who agreed to be the "targets" for the evening - I was the last in the booth. Enjoy the pictures.

Check back next Sunday for an update.

The pictures are in reverse order...can't seem to get the "right order" posted...but enjoy.

The passing of a friend...

I am very sad at the loss of a friend and employee (former) who was killed last night on the Seward Highway. Her husband and she were returning for a vacation on Kodiak when a truck crossed the center line and hit them head on. Her husband is in critical condition. Her passing is a tremendous loss to her family, friends and the district.

Ann was one of the smartest, caring and ethical person I have ever encountered. I will miss her and I keeping good thoughts that Bruce will come through this and heal with time.

I am reminded how lucky I was in January. Love you all - Ginger

From Seward to Anchorage

Bruno and I are enjoying our final weekend as resident's of Seward, Alaska. The house is packed and the beds have been sold. :-) We are sleeping on the couch and doing last minute preps for the renters.

I was very thankful for my mom's visit as her help was invaluable in getting things ready. She was a pro. I am ready for the rain to stop and it is one thing I will not miss. However, there are many things I will miss, including my nightly visits to the docks when the charter boats come in with the day's haul. I will also miss the instant beauty from my front door and the walks on the bay looking for sea otters and whales.

I will also miss some of the wonderful people I have meet in Seward. It has been a great three years but the time has come to move on.

Should have some pictures of the madness in a few days - waiting for mom to send.

Transition summer in Seward

This is what my good friend Sue calls it - "The Transition Summer." Packing is in full swing and I am looking forward to my mom's arrival this week to help get me to the end...including a yard sale. Because I start back to work right after the move (the next day) I do wish elves would come in and do the unpacking - of course I would than have to "find" everything.

I finally got pictures posted from summer visitors. There were so many I just picked a few - Enjoy the slide show below.

Back to packing - I am happy to report that the basement is completely packed (including bathroom and bedroom). Now working on the main level. Weather in Seward is still pretty good, although rain is surely on the way. I have been in shorts for weeks and it was 59 when I went for my morning coffee.

Movers come on the 27th of this month so back to work.

G

MJ and life

Mom mentioned the other day that I have not posted in a very long time...the summer has been very busy with visitors, new job and getting ready to move. Today's memorial service to Michael Jackson seemed like a good day to begin again. Later today I will do a brief update of life and post some pictures. Hope every one is well.

Michael Jackson

I was unable to watch the memorial service for Michael Jackson today but Mary recorded it for me. I am still a bit bewildered that he is gone at such a young age. Seems like he had more to do...

I have been reading facebook posts and it seems that it was a good tribute to a talented man. It must have been difficult to be MJ having been in the public spot light his entire life. His superstar status made it difficult to live a normal life particularly when the media spins all events to "sell" their programs and shows.

I trust that the tribute today was fitting for all he gave to the world through his music and works. The most impressive gestures over the past couple of days have been Liz Taylor's decision to not attend the service in order to mourn her close friend out of the spotlight. She is a classic.