My Job

Working at AJ has been a breath of fresh air. I get to help so many students in all grade levels and I love that. I love seeing their faces when they get it. I love their genuineness and willingness to apply themselves. I teach math and language from kindergarten to 5th grade. It was a big challenge at first but I've realized that I am in a position to do so much more than I did before. I do what is called interventions and get to be with different groups and have my own groups from high functioning students to struggling students. Students who struggle with behaviors and those who are very compliant. I really enjoy these great kids!! In my own groups I have two kindergarteners, five 1st graders, one second grader, seven fourth graders, and three fifth graders. It's great. I also work with mainstream students too. I'm amazed at the opportunities I've been given in my life. I'm grateful for my abilities to make a difference.

Kenai, Alaska; Memory Lane

While I was going through my pictures I found these from July 2004 when me and my daughter Kelsey worked for a month at a fish processing plant in Kenai, Alaska. Wow, that was over 9 years ago and quite the experience of long hours, hard work and a brutal Filipino boss. After it was all said and done it was worth it.

A salmon shark

Me and my King

The Bear Lake group. Me sitting on the table in red, Kelsey on the right in the red bandana. Boy what a time that was.

At the Portage Glacier with my friend from the fishery, I wish I could remember her name. We drove to Anchorage together from Kenai, Alaska the last day of 30 straight days of hard labor without a day off. That smile is one of pure joy.

Up close and personal from the boat. What a spectacular sight.

San Francisco

Last weekend I had an extra day off of work so I flew to San Francisco to visit my sister. She moved to the area about a year ago and I finally got to visit her. While there I also got to visit with Rhonda, my friend since early childhood who also has a home in the area. It just so happened that her sister and several of her friends had planned a girls weekend too. So it was great fun to be able to see everyone and have a lot of fun. Then I found out the day I got there that my brother and his wife were there too. Wow, I can't believe we were all able to get together in just a few days. It was a great time and the weather was just right. I loved it.

View of Alcatraz from Pier 39. While there that evening they had the 35th anniversary celebration of Pier 39 with an outstanding firework show over the water. That was a pleasant surprise.

Looking at Alcatraz from the street.

Waiting for the cable car near Union Station. I was there a week ago and today this whole area was evacuated and stopped the cable cars due to a bomb scare. What a crazy time we live in.

On my way to the Wharf meeting Rhonda, her sister and some of her sister's friends.

My first time riding BART, the SF train transportation system. I found going on BART enjoyable. I especially loved going under the SF Bay. I've been on other city subways and find them interesting. Now the employees of BART are all on strike. Thank goodness they weren't when I was there.

San Francisco Bay.

Feeling the love; while in Rome...just kidding.

me and Rhonda.

Overlooking Pacifica Beach. Pacifica is very close to Karen.

The beautiful Oakland LDS Temple. The day I came in my sister and I went to the temple. I've been to this temple many times but never had time to worship inside. This time I made sure I made time to do that. It is such a privilege to be able to be inside this amazing edifice. Such a peaceful and spiritual experience. Plus it was special to have my sister with me too.

My sister Karen and I standing in front of their place in Daly City. Such a nostalgic home and neighborhood all the homes were built in the 50's and all are well kept. I really enjoyed it there. Thank you Karen and Sterling. I can't wait to come back!!

The San Francisco side of the Bay Bridge. It's still the old double decker.

When you get to the Oakland side it's all new and one level. 5 lanes on each side. It's beautiful, but especially at night. The lights move and make designs. Reminds me a little of the Bellagio fountains.

The Twins Turn 6 Today!!

Where has the time gone? It feels like it was just yesterday when they were born. Happy Birthday Madi and Gracie. Grandma and Grandpa can't wait to see you at Christmas!!

LOTOJA Bike Race and Grand Tetons

Rick and I and our granddaughter Olivia, had the pleasure of watching the LOTOJA race on September 8. It was awesome to see so many cyclist arriving in little ole Montpelier (about 1/3 of the way). This is its 31st year. In its first year there were only 9 racers, now there's over 1,500. The LOTOJA is a 206 mile race from Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I can't imagine being on a bike that long. I'm grateful to put in my 12 miles every few days. My friend's brother took 7th in the pro division this year even with having gotten a flat tire. His name is Dave Higham.

Last weekend Rick and I took our bikes up to the Grand Tetons and rode through the park for about 18 miles. It was so incredible to do that, we've been talking about doing that for several years. As you can see we had the best view!!!

We took a break from our ride and walked around String Lake that feeds into Jenny Lake. We also stayed in Yellowstone and hiked 7 miles along the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. I'll post pics of that on another post when I get to it, it's late right now.

William

My multi-talented grandson turned 3 years old today. He is an amazing little boy. We had the pleasure of spending the night at my daughters last Friday and watching him and his two older siblings for the day. He is a joy to be with and it's never a dull moment. He is such a character. We always look forward to being with our grandchildren. They light up my life with such happiness.

At the driving range with his daddy.

There isn't a sport he doesn't like or play. He is ALL boy!!! Love him.

Las Vegas

The always fantastic Bellagio fountain. My favorite Las Vegas hotel.

The Bellagio garden.

Dinner with mom and Tom and Phil and Lety at the Bellagio Jasmine restaurant.

I was able to fly in to LV last weekend to enjoy a family get together. This picture right to left is my cousin Alice, Aunt Betty, cousin Anita, sister-in-law Lety holding her daughter Nicole and her daughter Bianca standing, my brother Phil, my dad, me, brother-in-law Sterling, and my sister Karen. This picture was taken at the LV LDS temple for a very special occasion. I just wish Rick could of been there, he was unable to attend, he couldn't get away from work. I didn't know if it was going to work out for me to be there. I'm grateful it all worked out.

I got to meet up with Jacob Golden a friend of my daughter Hilary, who is on an LDS mission in the Las Vegas area. I took him and his missionary companion to lunch.

Met up with mom and Tom with Lety and her girls, my cousin Anita, me, cousin Carolann, cousin Alice,and my Aunt Betty. We had the best time. It was a wonderful family reunion and there wasn't even a funeral. My mom hasn't seen these relatives for over 30 plus years. It was all good.

Atlanta And Charleston

A couple of weeks ago Rick and I took a trip back East. We first flew into Atlanta and stayed with my childhood friend for three nights. Then drove to Charleston, SC; then Savannah, GA. We even had dinner at Paula Deen's restaurant, The Lady and Sons, before all this controversy over her made the news. We saw some amazing country and experienced the wonderful South with all of it's charm and hospitality. It really is a different place.

Discovering new places and seeing the history of our country is what I love. Unfortunately, there's never enough time to see everything. One of my favorite places was Magnolia Plantation, near Charleston. It exceeded my expectations.

Finally, of course we wound up in Orlando. While in Orlando we went to both Universal Parks, and three Disney Parks. We logged 10 miles walking in one day trying to get as much in as possible. All well worth it. My endorphins kick in and I forget how old I am. We made it into 7 parks in three days. We must of rode every roller coaster over 4 times each. Fun, fun, fun.

This first collage is of my favorite place...Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, SC. It was so fabulous to actually experience the true South by touring a real 1600's cotton plantation. It was beautiful. The history is captivating. As we were walking along the trails we encountered, exotic birds, small alligators in the lakes, large turtles, and even a water moccasin. You had to pay attention to where you were stepping. But the drive up the road with rows of historic oak trees with Spanish moss hanging from them is a sight to see. Pictures don't do it justice.

This collage is our time in Senoia, GA. It is were my friend lives and also where the A&E series Walking Dead is filmed. By the way, I don't watch the show; I'm not into Zombies. Although last year when I was here they were filming, but this time they were filming in a different location. The fictional name of the town is Woodbury. Rick and I are standing in front of the backdrop (facade) they built for the show. Senoia is a nice town with fun shops and restaurants. So glad I've got to visit it twice. The little turtle I'm holding was just trying to cross the road so I picked it up to have its picture taken, then set it gently on the other side of the road and saved it some time.

More pictures of historic Charleston area. The waterfront, historic cemeteries, and parks. I thought the cemeteries were so fascinating. There were so many. Charleston is where the civil war started. We could see Fort Sumter from the waterfront but didn't have time to take a tour. Guess we'll just have to visit again.