A Moment of Thanks...

With Thanksgiving approaching-

I've been thinking a lot of the things in my little life that I am quite thankful for.

(along with the friends feast planned and a four day weekend...)

With these thoughts comes a feeling of great love and satisfaction for where I'm at- in this particular moment in time, and the people I'm sharing my life with.

[a satisfaction exceeding even the occasional seemingly hard day paired with the thermometers constant reminder that it is negative (blank) degrees outside...]

And while I miss numerous loved ones who reside thousands of miles from me-

I wouldn't be happier in any other place than where I'm at now...

Truly living, growing, and loving-

Every moment.

Every day.

A thankful girl, I am- indeed.

Loving on this One...

Unfortunately I can't say the same for the rest of his album,

which I mistakenly downloaded for a certain dollar amount-

of which I'd like to request an immediate refund...

Because it hurt my ears.

But I'm willing to give him another chance--

Don't let me down, good sir!

Don't do it!

Oh well-- enjoy, nonetheless.

And Enjoying the Wonderful World of Employment...

Slingin' early morning coffee-

And pastries of this sort...

And Busy Getting Older*...

And receiving small-girl-sized-piano-filled packages

from that handsome gent who's so dear...

Now if we can just figure out how to play it--

*Basically I'm almost a hundred.

For real.

Pardon My Absence...

I've been busy.

Moose watching*.

Because they're everywhere**--

Glad to be back--

Sorry it has been so long.

I've missed you too.

*This place is crazy.

Seriously, crazy.

**Like stray dogs perusing the streets of Mexico.

Sad but true- I know.

We Probably Shouldn't Live SO Far Apart...

What I wouldn't give to have been able to spend this lovely day- celebrating and eating lots of cupcakes with loveliest woman I know--

The person who knows and understands me deeper than any other person on earth...and still wants to be around me!

The one who motivates me to be more productive- more generous- more loving- less judgmental- harder working- kinder- more in shape- talented- more adventurous- more goofy- more honest-

The one who encourages me to live my life as true to myself as possible- no matter my shortcomings.

I love you, dear mother.

I hope your special day was no less than perfect--

as you deserve nothing less.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

All the love in the world,

Your favorite daughter. 

(it's okay--I've already informed the others!)

xo

Happy Birthday Eve, Frannie-B...

You have no idea how much I miss your face...

 And mother hugs-

 Everyday.

Good Morning Josh Ritter

Today I started my [otherwise not so bright] morning with this little piece of magic--

And things perked up quite quickly--

I hope all your days are going well.

xo

Try As I Might...

I can't seem to embrace this newfangled concept called

the onset of my first Alaska Winter--

It's 40 degrees outside right now.

And raining.

Additionally--[while I'm lamenting], 

I'd like to take this time to thank NPR for recurrently emphasizing- [every 15-17 minutes] that we are losing over 5 minutes of sunlight per day.

And furthermore that it has, in fact, already snowed here*--

Twice.

Remember how it's September still?

And remember how my side of the closet filled with sensible sun dresses and strappy huarache sandals that continuously laugh in my bewildered face on a daily basis--

Reminding me that there's an incredibly good chance that I may or may not survive through the predictably ungodly forthcoming 9 months of dark-cold-frostbiting-outside forbidding weather..

Now I know I've been reporting nothing but love for the life in the last frontier, and don't get me wrong--I'm grasping to that love for dear life-

But what I'm getting at is--

I'm frightened for what's to come.

I'm just not sure me and my opaque tights/dress/scarf/sensible boot** combo are going to make it through this winter alive.

I'm just saying.

Wish me luck.

p.s. I'll be carrying a beacon with me on a regular basis.

Just in case.

*Only in the mountains, mind you--but it's creeping down slowly.

And in case I haven't made my point yet, I'm not terribly excited about said event.

**Totally not sensible.