90% sure

So the cardiologist says today he's 90% sure that Mom did not have a heart attack or stroke based upon the EKG results. They did another one in the appointment today. That's great news! It sure makes me feel a bunch better.

They still want to do a stress test before they let her go and have surgery. That will be done tomorrow with a clearance for her knee surgery coming on Tuesday if all still looks fine. If she wasn't trying to have surgery, they would have looked at the EKG and sent her home with a "come see us if you have chest pain."

It's good news, more tests and a little bit of time to enjoy the 4th of July holiday this weekend before the surgery.

I am very excited to celebrate the 4th, it's one of my favorite holidays as it's right before my anniversary. (That's my husband with my mom there on the left!) While my dogs don't really enjoy the booming and various loud noises that come with this holiday, we still really enjoy it. Saturday will be a joy as my friend Charlene and I head up to Detroit Lake for the fireworks over the lake. Pictures to come!

In other news, my two duffle bags for the flight were purchased today and I can start to pack things up tomorrow to send on their merry way to Alaska. It's going to be weird to send it off and not see my things for a month but I am ready for things to get started. Tomorrow will be another big day, it will be long and busy but I know that much will get done. Ready or not, here I come!

36 days.....

No news is good news

As you prepare to leave, so many things run through your head. What to pack, what will I buy, how long will it really take to get there, when will I hear about my new teaching license? Everything else takes a backseat to the preparations that are taking place until they thrust themselves into the foreground.

We knew something was coming, a knee surgery for my mom because she wasn't able to straighten her knee or bend it even to 90 degrees. A torn medial meniscus and a partial ACL tear was the prognosis. Simple outpatient procedure, she'll go home, need a week off and then recover. Just go have this EKG and we'll see you on the surgery day. No news is good news.

News came.

Instead of having the surgery done tomorrow we go and see the cardiologist. They found something with the EKG and they will be able to tell us more then. No big worries yet, they just think that at some point in time she's had a small heart attack or stroke. (not that we ever knew about it) Now, looking at the EKG's from the past couple of years (there's been a few for other reasons) there has been a change but a small one. We'll know more tomorrow after the appointment.

I love my mom, this isn't supposed to happen to her, she's already dealt with so much!

It's not something I wanted to worry about, it's no one's fault that I do worry and it's no one's fault that it's happening right before I leave. It's just one more thing I choose to put on my plate. It's pretty full right now but these things come up when we least expect them to and we do what we can. I guess I just have to be thankful that there is wonderful technology available to find these little changes, the ability to use it and the ability to communicate with the technology when I do leave oh so soon.

37 days.....

Which Apps do I use?

Remember that really cool new tech tool I talked about last night? It's 6:30am and I'm already immersed in the world again. (Have been for an hour) I woke up with a thought; "I wonder if there's an app for that?"

The search began, I didn't find exactly what I was looking for so I figured that using the computer was probably a better idea anyhow but I'll dive further into the idea of development when I have more time. (HA!) Then I found myself searching for more educational Apps. Google became my best friend and I found a fantastic blog for educators who are starting to use iPads, looking for new apps to try and there's even a list of 50 tips/tricks on how to use the iPad2 for the newbies to the technology. Uh, yes, that would be me.

http://appsineducation.blogspot.com/

For all you teachers (and interested parties) it was fun to see what was reviewed, gave me some more apps to go and try and I've added it to my technology bookmark list for future reference.

Now, to tackle the basement.

37 days.....

Accomplishing nothing

I thought I was supposed to be doing something. No, I know I was supposed to be doing a lot of things today. Going through my closet. (there's still hope for later tonight right?) Maybe hitting the upstairs in prep for the garage sale in 2 weeks. Laundry, cleaning the basement and sorting that too? Ya, all those things were on the list. They are still on the list.

So, what happened?

iPad.

It started off innocently enough. Rising early this morning to some dogs wanting to go outside, I figured I had some time to relax a bit in bed with the new educational tool, learn some of the Apps I put on there. I started off with the educational ones. Organizing them by subject; Science, Math, Flash card activities and I put all the games on the very last page. The problem is, I saw the games.

30 minutes turned into 3 hours. Breakfast, then some more games. Talking Tom, the stinking Tom rip-off Gina the Giraffe thing, some puzzle games, it just didn't end. Motivation for the closet was gone. Out the window never to return. Now I hope this doesn't become a trend, if it does, someone slap me.

This was purchased so that I could use it in the classroom, to help reach out to students with technology. There are some pretty cool Apps that I've got on there that suck me in on the educational side too. Star Walk (if you don't have it yet, get it) is awesome! The science 360, pretty cool and will be a great addition to the Science classroom as I'm going to teach students who haven't had much in the way of that subject yet! There's some other's on there too, but I'll leave that post for when I actually get to use them and tell you how it goes. *Let's hope they don't find the games right away!

Let's see if I can make a dent in the closet.

38 days.......

Goodbye Check Engine Light

For years my check engine light has been on. It's also known as the idiot light. Everyone has told me it's no big deal, probably just the O2 sensor or something minor that's no biggie. So, the jeep kept running and I kept looking at it, people would ask and I would say, it's no big deal. Well, today a friend of mine helped fix a little vent tube that I noticed was broken, he cleaned off the engine (it's more than one color?) and as I started up the engine, the light was off! I think after so many years of driving around with it on, it will be weird to look down at the dash and have it be gone.

It was a great day for the jeep, sunny with some patchy clouds. The problem, I didn't get to drive it all that much. A trip to Salem to see Bad Teacher with the hubby was nice but we took the car. It gets much better gas milage and Eric doesn't have to worry about his allergies. The movie was ok, many of the good parts were already in the previews but the movie as a whole was a little slow. Plot line, eh. Funny though because secretly in many teachers minds, just once, you have thought one of those comments to a response on a test. She's just taken it to the front. Never would that really happen, but you knew who the teachers in the theater were, they were the ones laughing.

This morning I went garage sale shopping with one of my best friends, Charlene. I found a few things to bring with me to Alaska. Some Tupperware measuring cups that are like the ones my mom has hanging in her house, an old fashion potato peeler, a sandwich container and a flashlight that didn't work. Ya, so much for the new batteries idea! Lunch was great, Panezanellie's breadsticks were great and it was a good day.

A short stop this evening was at Ugo's. Yes, that is two pizza places in one day. Though I didn't get anything to eat, I did purchase a nice T-shirt and get a picture from a nice local man. I'm sure you have seen him on TV. He's on the Deadliest Catch. It was great to get to meet him, provide support from the hometown and I got a little gift for my students too. I got him to pick his favorite picture and he made it out to the kids of Egegik! I can't wait to hang it in my classroom!

Tonight will be a welcome rest as tomorrow will bring another day closer to the day I leave for a wonderful adventure. We'll watch another new movie, Cars 2! I'll practice again with the gun and work some more on getting myself ready for shipping my things off to the Last Frontier or ready for the garage sale that's planned in a few weeks.

42 days.....

Let the paperwork end!

Oh paperwork, how I love (loathe) thee. It's a necessary evil to getting a job. First there is the application, resume, cover letter and the such. Once hired there's the essential packet of paperwork to ensure that you are who you say you are and to tell them where to send your share of the money.

When teaching in Alaska, you also get to take a physical so they know you aren't going to have major medical issues that you won't have access to a doctor's office for and that you aren't a carrier of communicable diseases. To give you an example of something they look for, TB is something they test for to make sure you don't have it. Because I just got done working for a mental facility for the state, I had already been tested. Thank goodness, I didn't want that test again, it wasn't very fun! So the packet for the school district has been sent off. Check.

Now I am waiting for the last piece of the puzzle, the license packet. It's sitting here all filled out and ready to go. I got the word today that my degree was posted early for me (as requested) and the transcripts are on their way. Since I live so close, I'm hoping they will be here tomorrow or on Friday so I can get that license packet on it's way. Waiting for the test scores from the other place took their time getting here, I just am glad that AK doesn't take as long getting through their applications as another state I know does.

It's time to head for a nice long nap. My puppy is on my lap eyeing me. Since I only have a few weeks left to "baby" him I think I better go.

44 days......

A trunk, a container, or a bedside table?

The time crunch is on! As each day clicks by when I check my calendar it seems as if I am just not getting enough done. I know that everything will come together in the end but as I think about things that must be done at certain times, it feels like so much must be done here in the next couple of weeks and then almost nothing until the very end.

We hit up a few Goodwill's and the like type stores the other day. Well, let's not say a few. Every one in the area honestly. I had to find dishes to eat off of, various tools to use in the kitchen and a stop at a store for a bath mat and shower curtain. I just don't want those second hand. After a hard day of shopping, we came home with a few good finds and a cool looking treasure trunk. It's red with gold trim, a working lock and in good shape. If I ship it full to 70 pounds, it will cost $60 all the way to Alaska. Seems like a pretty good deal in all honesty. I wonder how close I can get it to 70lbs. and how much stuff I can pack in it. That same trunk should also be able to house extra blankets and maybe become a bedside table when it gets there. Let's hope it makes it there in good condition!

Now that I have a few good containers to ship in, I'm excited to start making the list of what I'm going to put in them and get them out of my hair. I will be happy knowing that I will not be empty handed when I get there. Some comforts of home will be nice to have when I arrive in a new world, a new home and a new life that awaits me in the last frontier.

Today started with a quick mow of the front yard and continued with the moving of many items here at home. The old garden area got mowed down and the truck canopy was moved so it can sit on the sawhorses back there and not be in the way. The boat was moved from sitting in the driveway to the side of the garage that was previously occupied by the canopy and the yard/driveway is now ready for the upcoming garage sale. Oh, am I doing too much? My jeep loves her spot in the driveway tonight!!

So that's what is on the docket next. I continue to get ready for this garage sale that is the weekend after the 4th of July. Going through rooms of the house, deciding to keep, toss, sell, or ship. I've made it through....oh a closet or two. I've got a long way to go. I'm waiting for the next rainy day to make it through the upstairs area because it is sooo hot up there. I've got a lot to do between cleaning that upstairs and then getting the downstairs all cleaned up and sorted will probably take a few hours on it's own. I guess procrastination isn't going to be an option soon. Doing it now will only make my last few weeks here more pleasurable right?

The night comes to a close, the first day of summer has been a productive and warm one. As I head to bed, the 45 days left will turn into 44 days and counting.......

First glimpses

So the first pictures have come in. The picture to the right is from the back door looking into the kitchen. There's a stand up freezer on the right and a regular fridge/freezer combo. I'm not sure by the pictures where the "living" area is but I'm betting it's off to the right from there. Time will tell!

I think this will be honestly one of the biggest learning experiences of my life thus far. I know how to shop, sure, but I know the store is just a few blocks away. Now I start to think about when I am making food what I couldn't live without. I worry that there might be something that I couldn't get when shopping in Anchorage. I know I'm sending some of those "must haves" in the first few boxes up there. One of those things I just worry about, Nature's Seasoning. I just know that all the frozen chicken and other things that I will have over the next few months must have that. Steak, must have that seasoning! Sending a bottle now ensures that I will have that even if it's not in the store. I'm sure it's there, but just in case.

I'm getting more and more excited, and nervous. Time seems to fly by and it doesn't stop. I have a few things to turn in, boxes to get ready to ship and practice to do in the handgun department. Nightmares have popped in and out of my nights of sleep. I'm not sure that they are all due to the big move but I'm sure there is some symbolism. Eric is lucky that the Quillow (a pillow/quilt combo) didn't hit him last night when I threw it in my sleep at the extra large (think Harry Potter's Nagani) size black mamba. It was coming right at my face and the pillow was thrown at it. HA, I even made it in an empty box in the bedroom, do I get extra points for style?

The new pictures of the apartment are helping ease the anxiety and I know that Eric liked seeing them too. I'm excited about the bedroom which has the huge window you see here. I will have two closets, one really big one and one small one. It's going to be so new to live on my own again. I'm going to miss Eric like crazy but I know it will be good for me to be there by myself so I can concentrate on the kids and providing the best for them, especially in the first year.

The big closet in the main bedroom.

Time marches on, thanks for continuing to read and please subscribe to the blog, I like knowing who's reading and I love getting comments. Especially if you want to know something specific, please ask!

48 days.....

Earthquake

Yesterday, about 30 miles SW of Anchorage there was a 5.2 earthquake. I immediately wanted to know that everyone was ok, if the people in my village felt anything (though it's 330 miles away from Anchorage) the article I read said that the peninsula had felt it. I looked immediately onto the district email to see if there was anything about it, but nothing was there. I guess that means no news is good news.

In talking to my friend that will be teaching for the first time in AK next year too, she hadn't heard about it. She's from a bit further East however and I could understand why only I had heard about it here on the West coast. She said: "well as long as it doesn't crack off and sink in the ocean i don't care!"

I like the optimism there and the idea that it might crack off...maybe float away and sink. I sure hope that doesn't happen and if it does, there's a plane nearby with my name on it!

49 days...

Progress made

Today was a very productive day.

In trying to keep my yard in check, or get it back in line, I mowed the side yard, the back yard and mowed down part of the "garden". To explain, that's the patch of the yard that used to be a garden but has since grown better grass than any place else and houses strawberries in buckets, blueberry bushes and a couple of raspberry bushes. I'm hoping that with some black cover everything that we want to die will and it will be in much better shape for next spring when I return home. Maybe I'm too ambitious but we can see what happens.

After that, I headed into town to scavenge the aisles of the local Goodwill. In search of some silverware to take with me, not only did I find a huge bag of it for 4.99 instead of .99/ea., I found the elusive silicone baking pans I've been looking all over for. I swear that they disappeared off the market! I got three bread pans, a muffin pan and a 9x9ish casserole pan....I take that as a brownie pan! I'm sure I'll get creative though. Bonus find: Pepsi glass with handle to add to my collection. I just love those things. I only have one without the handle so I'm always on the lookout for those too! Now, to decide on what type of plates and pots, etc. to take.

I have to continue to work through the closets for a garage sale. Trimming the fat here at home is going to help us out later in life and allows us to look at what is really important. The garage sale should bring in some extra money and I'm excited to get some stuff outta the house!

The final steps came late in the day today. I found out more about who my students will be, how many I will have for sure and some of the steps I can start at with them. A heavy sigh whooshes through my lungs as I begin to prepare for a very busy and experience filled year ahead. I'm excited to get started and to begin to learn more about the students I will spend much of the next year of my life with!

52 days.....

BANG! BANG!

Yes, it's a good idea to bring a gun. Yes the brown bears are big and they can attack you and you will want to be protected. Yes, it will need to be a big gun. Well, ok then. Let's take this back a little bit and tell you a few things....

I shot my first handgun last year in a range in Idaho with my Uncle at my side showing me how to work each one. He took his time, was very patient and I did quite well for my first time ever. This is to say that there were several holes in the targets. We shot small ones and worked up to a 45 Alaskan and a 45 Judge. I found that the Judge fit better in my hand as I have small ones and gripping the gun was sometimes a challenge. The differences in kickbacks and being able to hold them effectively was a big learning experience for me.

I get told that having a gun on my side is a very good idea and that I would basically be stupid to not have one and I think, "Ok, I can do this." Research begins on what I should be taking with me that is good for bear protection. Now that it's figured out what I need, the gun comes with my Uncle and it's time to figure out if I can handle it, the practice rounds and the rounds for if I have a bear to protect myself from.

Here's the great part. I can. For the most part. Day one went well. It's a big gun, not something I would use on a regular basis if I didn't need something that large. My hands, as I said before, are quite small and it's not got the smallest grip. I'm not strong enough, steady enough or good enough to just pull through to shoot. (Either that or I just have a midget trigger finger) So for now, it's a cock back and pull so I don't have to pull so far or hard. It works for me right now and I know with practice that will get faster.

We went and shot for a bit, I learned the ins and outs of the gun, it's pretty simple actually. All the better for me! I shot some cowboy rounds to get used to the gun, my stance again and learn how to let the gun kick up. Since I have pretty strong arms, I didn't really feel it kick so much after a few rounds, I wasn't letting it kick up on it's own and was just letting my body absorb it. Well, turns out that was a BIG mistake. Uncle John had a plan brewing to fix that real quick.

He'd hand me a couple of bullets, I'd but them in, pull out the shells and we'd repeat. Ha, since my ENTIRE family knows I'm super gullible, the time he helps me load two bullets in, I don't think another thing of it. I figured he was helping me out, showing me I was doing something a bit off or maybe just being nice. Nice....ha. Teaching me a freaking lesson was more like it.

Let the gun kick up, not back, not to the side, let it kick up on it's own. It's going to have a big kick when we shoot the big bullets. He'd warned be on the drive up, warned me that it would get worse when we started the big bullets. I figured I'd have a warning about when that would happen. NOPE. The first of the two was the cowboy shot...smaller, same thing we'd been working on. I pulled the trigger, and hit the target. Cocked it back, target in sight, deep breath, pull trigger......AUGH! I felt like my wrist exploded! Did it kick up in the air? I don't think so, I'm sure my wrist took the brunt of it.

Now, at this point in time, thoughts were racing through my head. No was the answer to all of these just to let you know and as I heard the familiar chuckle I knew he knew what he had done. This was a father type figure who had just gotten to teach a 30-year old kid a lesson. "Listen to what I said" Let the gun kick up in the air. He wanted to see what would happen when I didn't know it was coming. Well, I did the same thing as with the smaller shots, tried to absorb the kick. Let me tell you, it doesn't work.....his plan did. When I shoot the big shots, the gun kicks up now and I try to let the small ones kick up as well.

We shot for a bit more, small ones felt like nothing, the next round of big ones came....the first one was ok, the second bullet of the big ones psyched me out. I think it was one of the only times in my life I really had to stop, re-gain composure and tell myself I really could do it and that I wasn't scared. Self-doubt really isn't something that I deal with. After that gun was done, we moved onto a self-protection model that he wanted to shot with and try out, it was fun to see the difference again in the guns.

It was a small little one but it did have more kick than I anticipated for how little it was. Not so much though than one could handle. In all, I had a great day and a wonderful learning experience at the hand of a fantastic man. I have been assigned homework and he'll be back to check on my progress. (And I thought school was done!)

Getting ready for Alaska hasn't been the easiest thing so far, a lot of paperwork, thinking of what to bring with the guidance of the district and the many people who have their advice and the many thoughts of how it's really going to be when I walk across those TSA lines not to return again for many months. I know I didn't sign up for a "cake-walk" job and I'm ready to take on the challenge. I hope you all enjoy the stories that come with it too.

One last picture to leave you with. Uncle John and I chatted about how big the bears were. I found this picture, it's posted on several sites but we'll say courtesy of deltana.com. I look at it and think about how big that bear looks dead. Think about what it looks like alive.

53 days.....

Graduation day support

Yesterday was a pretty big day. Family came out to support me as I walked across the stage with 739 people to receive a degree. Many of those people I did not know, had never met and might only come across them in passing again. The walk through professors was a walk through my past. It spanned back through a time where I was just out of high school and headed into college not knowing much and trusting some of them with my life. (Coach Caster and the hammer throw!) I saw professors whom I admire, respect and have grown to love. Many asked how I was doing and then asked about the teaching I'll be doing in Alaska. For those who might just be joining, I hope you enjoy the journey.

To my family who came and supported me (by getting sore bums and backs while playing iPad) yesterday day in the stands, thank you. The graduation was long but I was happy to have you there! Plus, wasn't the name reader's voice totally worth it?! It was like a wonderful song that kept on forever. I wonder how long he had to practice those obscure names to get them just right?

On the flip side, I keep receiving information from my school district. A friend of mine and I who are arriving in Anchorage together are going to be flying from Anchorage to King Salmon together as well. I like that idea. We received a letter/email that gives us a $50 credit for Lake and Peninsula School District (LPSD) logo clothing. That's the next step for me today, I love sporting the school colors/logos! Then there is the idea of more packing. Wait...more...how about I start with figuring out what I am really going to pack, what I am going to ship and figuring out what address I need to ship it to!

My passport came yesterday. It's pretty official looking, though the picture looks more like a mug shot than an ok travel picture. I know you aren't supposed to smile in it but a smirk would have at least been nice. Darn it, I'm saddled with that picture now for 10 years! Oh well, as long as it gets me where I want to go if I ever need to leave the country, it will work for me.

So many things happened yesterday, life changing, transcript changing, moving forward onto the next step. I sure hope I am ready because it just keeps getting closer.

54 days...

It's graduation day

After another year (or so) of hard work, papers and some interesting projects I will head over to Western Oregon University to stand in line with over 700 other students, walk onto the track when during my days on campus I spent many hours on as an athlete and walk across a stage to signify that I completed a graduate program. They'll hand me a little folder that has nothing in it but has a pretty cool seal on the front. My special piece of paper will come about 10 weeks later.

10 weeks?! Don't they know I won't be anywhere near Oregon by then?! Maybe my husband will take a picture of it for me or show me via skype what all my hard work got me. A flimsy piece of paper. More importantly, that all important little note on my transcript that shows that I have this degree better not take 10 weeks, I have a teaching license to get.

Regardless, I have had to go and get new fingerprints done at the Oregon State Police. The guy there was pretty nice after an initial stiffness. He found out why I was taking up his time and became interested and asked questions and thought it was kinda cool. I've ordered an original copy of my CBEST scores because the copy of the original I have won't work. Darn it. It's a waiting game right now. Let's just say, I hate having everything ready and having to wait for others to send me the last little bits.

Once graduation is over with, what do I have to do. Wait. Wait for time to pass, wait for the passport to get here. (It's a just in case, Mom insisted.) Honestly, I kinda like the idea. Maybe I wanna fly somewhere for no reason for Spring break....hum, sounds kinda fun! I must wait for the garage sale date to get here. It's a good thing it's a little bit aways, I have a lot of closets to go through!

One thing I don't have to wait for; the grass to grow. I have to mow that grass all the flipping time! Once the family is gone from coming for graduation (thank you!) I will be back outside making sure the back yard doesn't take over again and then back inside making sure the closets don't eat me alive.

This number just keeps getting smaller.....I almost feel like it jumps more than it should...

55 days.....

The date's are in

The district calendar has been released. I know when school officially starts, when inservice days are, and when all the testing is. I can see that my spring break comes no where near my husbands (no surprise there) and I can also see the several days I will have off for the long holiday break around Christmas/New Years.

Flying during that time of the year should be interesting, exciting and maybe a little death-defying. Driving to come and get me could get tricky but I'm sure someone will take the risk (maybe). I'll look forward to flying over Portland and seeing all the Christmas lights as I'm sure I'll get home later in the evening or at least afternoon after a long day of flying. It's all in the future and I'm excited for what it holds for me.

I do have to say, to my Black Friday buddy: I'm sorry, I won't be back for shopping. I get that Thursday and Friday off. That's it. Keep your computer up and maybe a skype call to browse ads? Of course, mine will be all digital. Maybe you can do my x-mas shopping?

63 days....

Alaska Driver's License

I've known for awhile that I'll be surrendering my ODL. A number I've had since my birthday, 1995. How does one just "forget" a number? This one will come back to haunt me for an eternity as I struggle to learn a new one? Driver's license number please?....oh crap, uh...um....fumble for the wallet and figure out what number/letter (probably) combination to give to them. Great.

It will be cool to see what they look like, maybe get a better looking picture. Maybe I'll fib a little bit on my weight this time? I've always been so truthful....maybe it's time for a white lie... Probably not though. I'm too honest. Darn it.

Anyhow, the link I've provided go to the Alaska "take the challenge" test prep. Each time you take it the questions change and it gives you some insight on the test I'll be taking. Thank goodness I looked, there's some oddities up there that I'm glad I know about now! Just think if I would have failed! EAK!

You can link to it by clicking on the title of this post or the link below. Happy testing!

http://www.dot.alaska.gov/highwaysafety/
64 days...