For Lori

You know what I love? When it hits Midnight and laying in the bed by herself just isn't enough for Nova. She will spend all day spread out over the covers enjoying every moment of solitude but once it comes a certain time at night she feels I should be sleeping also and instead of laying in our soft bed she lays curled up at my feet as I type this. It has inspired me to make a list of 10 things I love

1. Stepping outside and smelling the sea
2. That really clean feeling you get right after a shower
3. A crazy afternoon with Sarah, she is probably one of the funnest people I know!
4. A clean house
5. Watching Sitka look out the window
6. Sitting around and talking with friends
7. I love, love, love jogging. I need to get in better shape so I can do it more
8. Talking to my sister
9. Surprise phone calls from people who I used to spend every day with
10. Driving with the windows down, a good song playing and that feeling of getting away from everything

I've gotten in the habit of sitting my room on my computer for awhile before I go to bed. It's my time to de-stress and clear my mind and I've been finding more and more just how much I truly enjoy these moments of solitude and clarity. It's the one time of day I don't have to be doing something or going somewhere. It seems like life has been getting busier and busier, it's nice sometimes to just sit back and enjoy a few moments by myself.

Lindsey

Lindsey told me that I should worry about someone blog stalking me.....

Is that person you?

Creepy.

;)

.....pointless, I know

Tragedy

One boy hiked from what I understand miles to get to the nearest house. He was soaking wet, tired and cold but alive. By the time the search and rescue boats got out to where the canoe had capsized it was to late for the other 2 boys.

Can you imagine loosing sons?

High school aged Sons?

My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends, family and community members affected by this tragedy. I am extremely sorry for your losses.

:(

Living in a town that depends on the Sea

When you step outside of your house a sea breeze hits you. You look down towards the ocean and see the waves crashing on the shore, whales breaching in the distance and boats speeding in and out of the harbor.

Earlier tonight the town gathered at the Presbyterian Church for Choir. The people begin to sing praise songs when, from the back of the church, they hear the scratchy sound of a voice over a radio. "3 boys were canoeing on Taiyasanka (Pronounced Ty-Sink-E) Harbor, there boat has capsized and they are lost at sea. All units respond."Away he runs with only confusion left in the air.

Across town Lindsey, Ken and I are sitting in Lindsey's living room. Lori calls me and says "I have the scariest thing to tell you. Remember where we kayaked the other day, you know, Taiyasanka Harbor? Well 3 boys were canoeing there today and there boat capsized. I think 2 have been found but from what I understand one is still lost at Sea. Are you with Lindsey? Tell her they are either students or former students of hers"

Tonight I walk out of Lindsey's house to tie Kazi out and a sea breeze hits me. I can't help but look at the waves crashing on the shore and hope by chance those waves bring all 3 boys home safe. It's funny how the world spins and brings us all together. It's funny how on one day Lori and I can have the time of our life in the Taiyasanka harbor but in that same harbor only days later 3 boys lives hang in the balance of a Search and Rescue Team.

Somewhere in Haines...

Somewhere in Haines Cinder lived
A heart so big, all his love he would give
Somewhere in Haines a family grows
4 furry feet, a cold wet nose
Somewhere in Haines Cinder grew
The more they taught, the more he knew
Somewhere in Haines Cinder grew old
Bones so frail, bones so cold
Somewhere in Haines a family’s crying
A loved one lost, a loved one dyeing
Somewhere in Haines hearts are breaking
No longer willing, no longer faking
Somewhere in Haines a great life is gone
A furry nose, a loving tongue
Somewhere in Haines a family remembers
A loving pet, a family member
Somewhere in Haines Cinder played
A heart so big, a heart he gave

RIP Cinder, you will always be remember in the memories of those who loved you and you will live on in the lives of the people you saved doing Search and Rescue work. You were an amazing, loving and sweet dog. May you know how much you were loved and will be missed.

Tonight I light a candle in your memory, may it guide you to the place in Heaven reserved just for you.

Thank you for letting me be there in your final moments. My prayers and love will be with your family during this time.

What does the future hold?

Today is Tuesday and it's my day off! Yay! I woke up at 7 to go eat breakfast with Lindsey, Ken, Lori and Danielle. My friend Renee owns a little coffee shop here in town called the garden cafe and it's here in the fort right near my house. They have amazing stuff. L-money and I stayed after everyone else because they had to go to work. We hung out on this cool porch swing and talked about future plans. Unlike me Lori is at the cross roads needing to make a decision now. Does she stay in Alaska? Go back to Kansas? What does the future hold and where is God pointing her life? It's hard enough thinking in a year I could be making those same decisions but I couldn't imagine being faced with them right now. I just try to comfort myself with knowing that something will happen, she will get some kind of a sign pointing her in the direction she should go. The nice thing about life is you can never end up where you aren't supposed to be. It just doesn't happen. Even the worst situations in the end help shape you to who you will be in the end. Sometimes you just need to sit back and let life take you where it will.

Begining of a new chapter

A lot has happened since I last wrote. I moved back to Georgia, moved into my own apartment, moved back in with my mom, started an animal rescue, adopted Sitka from myself, moved to Alaska, became Animal Control Officer, moved in with Kate, went back to Georgia to visit, attended Euthanasia training, moved in with Christa and Mark. Whew! It's been awhile but I'm hoping to keep this thing going as a kind of online journal.

Right now it's almost summer here in Haines Alaska and when you walk outside a breeze that smells like the sea greets you. The weather is warm, the sun is shinning and everyone is coming out from wherever they held up over winter. My friend Lori and I went Kayaking 4 days in a row and had a blast! Tonight we went for a walk and found a great walking trail extremely close to my house!! I'm very happy and excited :)

During the winter I had thoughts of moving back to Georgia but as summer comes I'm not sure I could ever leave this place. Is 4 amazing months of warm weather enough for a person to stay in one place forever? Don't get me wrong winter is awesome! Tons of snow means sledding, skiing, snow shoeing and snow ball fights! Who couldn't love that? But with the coming of my sisters little baby (she is 8 weeks along, due in December!) I can't help but wonder if moving back to Georgia is the right thing? I feel like it's a choice between staying in a place and living a life I love or going back to a place I'm mildly happy and being near the people I love. I don't want to be Aunt Ashley, a person this baby only knows from pictures and crazy stories told by her mom but I'm also not sure that moving back is the right choice for me....

Well I will worry about that later. I have another year to decide at least. I feel like there will be a sign telling me what is the right choice. Either way it will all work out in the end.