Traveling with Ellen

I originally thought I would take myself salmon fishing on my birthday but how could I pass up the Summer Solstice Celebration in Anchorage where there is 22 hours of daylight.  Muscle men,  firemen, police officers and military guys in the Hero Games and to top it off the Roller Girls.  I love the Roller Derby and can't wait to see them. Downtown Summer Solstice Festival Saturday, June 23 12:00p  to 6:00p at  4th Avenue ,  Anchorage ,  AK Price:  Free Phone:  (907) 279-5650 Age Suitability:  All Ages Tags:   festival Free family friendly festival on 4th Avenue. Music and dancing, art and food vendors, petting zoo, children's activities include puppet theatre, giant sandbox, kayak pool and bubble tower. Hero Games competition between local military, police and fire representatives. Rage City Roller Girls demonstration and a saw carving competition. Read more here: http://events.adn.com/anchorage_ak/events/show/260674004-downtown-summer-solstice-fest

Today was errand day.  I had to get some keys made, talk to a neighbor for help, get dog food and I also got Chuck a bath (poor dog), got an oil change,  got meds to go, brought a quilt to the quilter, sent myself a few packages to arrive before me and my last trip to NC Walmart. No wonder why I am tired!!!  I was a busy girl today and now I am stuck home on the couch vegetating with my newest Vampire Girl obsession.  The Vampire Diaries!  It is a nice way to relax. Chuck looks so handsome. When I think about what I need to pack, I feel crazy not knowing what I am going to have when I get there and maybe wanting a few things of my own to feel comfortable.  I have to pack my bathing suits and all my swim gear plus my yoga mat and all that stuff.  I bought new swimming fins that are coming with me and I would love to take my knitted by me yoga bag, but I think it will weigh too much.  So for now, I will bring just the mat, towel and band. Tomorrow is GROOMING day, where I will

Poisonous Plants: Alaska has no poison ivy or oak, but it does have cow parsnip. The bruised leaves of this large perennial can leave a chemical on the skin that makes it very sensitive to the sun, causing a blistered burn in a short while. Not everyone is sensitive but those with other allergies should be cautious. The reaction is easy to prevent - wear long pants and long sleeves when hiking around cow parsnip, especially on sunny days. A very poisonous berry is produced by Baneberry, an herbaceous shrub that grows in shady woods. The lacy leaf is distinctive, as is the berry. Though the berry may be red or white, it always has a groove from stem to stern on one side, similar to that of a peach. Be sure your children know how to identify and avoid this plant. I am so allergic to poison ivy, I get it all year round.  This is EXCELLENT news for me!  How do you spell relief:  ALASKA BEWARE cow parsnip....I got your number! Such as pretty plant!  I will have to pass o

Here I am 12 days out before moving to Anchorage for two months.  I guess it's not really moving but it's close enough.  The past two days, I have had minor to major anxiety and I am not exactly sure why.  I am nervous about going and always am scared of other people's expectations of me but I also am closing up my house, arranging for people to come over while I am gone, to do something with Chuck where I feel good about (he is staying with my former student who has children and other dogs, so I hope he will be fine) I am not sure what I want or expect out of this either.  I know I have missed working with children and this is best opportunity I have had to do that and travel at the same time.  I also want to renew my energy, find my place in society because aging hasn't been fun and to renew my spirit.  Young children always help me renew my spirit.  I have always said that I am so much better with young children then adults.  I pause here to wonder if my own childr

=-----There is so much for me to do to get ready to move for the summer.  I have been out of school for two weeks now and have made many lists of things to do in my mind.  My first week off, I had two ear infections and didn't get much done.  This week, I have been moving slowly.  Why, I am not sure!  I am still real tired but mostly I procratinate and move slowly until it's closer to the time.  I am also preparing my two online courses that I will be teaching this summer. List #1  Things to do around my house --Dust/Clean right before I go --Make sure Chuck is set up:  make sure dog food store will let dog sitter come get food, etc --What to do with food I have in house --Get keys made --Make a list for house sitters, introduce them to each other --Do I leave bed made or unmade --Hide personal stuff --Set up mowing every two weeks --Cancel cable --Cancel H20 delivery --Finish two donation quilts --Finish Round Robin quilt --What to do with dirty laundry/sheets?

For the past twenty or thirty years, I have periodically taken in strays to stay with us for a while.  I always felt like I had enough, so for people who needed a place for a while, it worked out fine.  I had a few of my children's friends stay with us over the course of time.  I had "the best" foreign exchange student stay with us for about 6 months when I first moved to this community.  That was 5 years ago and she is still "my daughter".  I recently took in an 18 year old boy for two months.  Enough said!  The list isn't important, what is important is what I have learned from them.  It takes a village to raise a child! I am going to be the "stray" in Alaska, staying with people I don't know and in their house.  I am excited and nervous at the same time.  I think I should talk more about this with my exchange student.    I am moving over 3000 miles away for 2 months.  Wow!  This might be one of those things like I said when I went dog sled

It's just about official!  We are working on housing for me and plane tickets to come!  Here is where I am going to work  (click link).  I will be the substitute teacher while the lead teachers go on vacation.  I am so looking forward to working directly with children again.  I hope my hip hears that!!!  So I checked the weather for the months that I will be there, it goes from 65 to 45 ish.  There goes my tanning days!  Although this is 18 hours of daylight during my stay. I am so excited I cant sit still!

It's been almost two years since I went to Japan. There are a few perks to teaching: one is summer's off. I love to travel and visit new cultures but the drawback to teaching is our salaries are low. With that said, I have to find a creative way to travel. This school year has been difficult with my hip issues and enrollment being low at the community college where I teach. I found myself somewhat frustrated with both and personally when that happens, I need an adventure. This summer I am going to have an adventure.....I am nervous and excited! Packing will be difficult because I will need both winter clothes and summer clothes. I was told to bring it all and especially to bring a hat and gloves because I would need them if I went out on a boat. It's going to be an exciting summer! Where in the world???  More to come!!