July 9
The lucky sod I call my husband always seems to be on vacation during his birthdays. I think he mentally plans it that way. Expensive trips to the great where ever, laid back atmospheres, exotic foods, nature at her finest.. All I get is rain.
Day Lilies that ever stop blooming (poor confused flora), white daisies, pink roses, green grass and tree trunks. Our view from the lower bedroom. Basement they call them in Alaska. Made my traveling entourage a bit homesick for The Troll Kingdom.
Slept deeply in powder blue flannel sheets and thick quilt. Ahhhh - hard to get out of bed . I rolled over twice. My senses picked up the smell of fresh ground Costa Rican Coffee and the lingering sniffage of last night's supper - Papa Murphy's Thai Chicken, Pepperoni, Artichoke /Chicken Pizzas. My first time having these take home and bake into delicious pizzas. If there were any slices left I'd have that and pretend it was breakfast pizza. Fat chance with four boys in the house.
Coffee brewed by Bill this morning, businesslike on the phone when I came in my family friendly jammies. No time to chit chat as Bill popped upstairs to do some internet stuff in preparation for an upcoming function he was to make a presentation for.
On purpose I did not pay for daily roaming rates for my phone. Only land line for internet here which I had no problem not using. Didn't come all this way to look at a screen of any sort unless it held bears from ripping off my face. Coffee and smokes in hand (yes Jo, I still smoke), I sit at what would become my back porch spot and suck in fresh Alaskan Air. Michelle joins me about an hour later and good thing she did. As we were talking, her back facing the yard, something large and white crept up to the porch. My heart jumped in my ears, my coffee cup clinked on the table as I slowly asked Michelle to turn around and tell me that is not a wolf. She casually rises and says, "Oh that's a neighborhood dog," Thanking the stars for that - this beast was huge and beautiful. I swore to myself to always remember that I am in the wild. Wild animals eat you. I learned from my last visit not to walk (or breathe for that matter) without a giant stick. I came face to face with a Bull Moose casually strolling near their cabin three years ago. Lesson learned. Heart attack averted.
Bob comes out later to join us for Round Table Coffee Talk. Antsy fellow, he decides to stroll the neighborhood a bit, without a stick. Silent blessing to him for safety and scanning the area for a suitable log for him to walk with. Danny and Travis would whittle it down to a Beat Down Stick in no time.
Oh Michelle, today is Bob's birthday. Can we stop and get him something sweet for later? Sure thing. Cake, pie, ice cream, cheesecake? What does he like? We would still be sitting there to this day discussing his sweet tooth, so we opted to find a cheesecake with fruit topping.
Slept deeply in powder blue flannel sheets and thick quilt. Ahhhh - hard to get out of bed . I rolled over twice. My senses picked up the smell of fresh ground Costa Rican Coffee and the lingering sniffage of last night's supper - Papa Murphy's Thai Chicken, Pepperoni, Artichoke /Chicken Pizzas. My first time having these take home and bake into delicious pizzas. If there were any slices left I'd have that and pretend it was breakfast pizza. Fat chance with four boys in the house.
Coffee brewed by Bill this morning, businesslike on the phone when I came in my family friendly jammies. No time to chit chat as Bill popped upstairs to do some internet stuff in preparation for an upcoming function he was to make a presentation for.
On purpose I did not pay for daily roaming rates for my phone. Only land line for internet here which I had no problem not using. Didn't come all this way to look at a screen of any sort unless it held bears from ripping off my face. Coffee and smokes in hand (yes Jo, I still smoke), I sit at what would become my back porch spot and suck in fresh Alaskan Air. Michelle joins me about an hour later and good thing she did. As we were talking, her back facing the yard, something large and white crept up to the porch. My heart jumped in my ears, my coffee cup clinked on the table as I slowly asked Michelle to turn around and tell me that is not a wolf. She casually rises and says, "Oh that's a neighborhood dog," Thanking the stars for that - this beast was huge and beautiful. I swore to myself to always remember that I am in the wild. Wild animals eat you. I learned from my last visit not to walk (or breathe for that matter) without a giant stick. I came face to face with a Bull Moose casually strolling near their cabin three years ago. Lesson learned. Heart attack averted.
Bob comes out later to join us for Round Table Coffee Talk. Antsy fellow, he decides to stroll the neighborhood a bit, without a stick. Silent blessing to him for safety and scanning the area for a suitable log for him to walk with. Danny and Travis would whittle it down to a Beat Down Stick in no time.
Oh Michelle, today is Bob's birthday. Can we stop and get him something sweet for later? Sure thing. Cake, pie, ice cream, cheesecake? What does he like? We would still be sitting there to this day discussing his sweet tooth, so we opted to find a cheesecake with fruit topping.
Joseph, eldest of the four is up and ready to show me his robot collection. Dr. Smith version (Lost in Space) plus the new babies that have recently been added. I'd known for a while he'd been working on a life size version. It scared the nuts and bolts out of me when I walked around the corner. Taller than I am, once upon a time it walked, but needs an update in gears. I'm impressed. The one that impressed me most was the small tin can robot he created that waves at you. You Tube link to see the video:
http://youtu.be/8QihZb-xXNI
http://youtu.be/8QihZb-xXNI
The Catz Wuz Here Game is now underway. I placed three throughout the house last night for the boys to find. Anxious to see who would be the first to collect. $10 down - $150 to go. I'm hoping for each to end up with $40. Yes, I'm spoiling them.
Time to let Bob in on his Birthday surprise before Danny speaks it out loud again. Good thing he was out of ear shot from his Uncle Bob.
MR. WHITEKEYS - WHALE FAT FOLLIES!!!!
Mr. Whitekeys is THE stand up comedian in Alaska. People trek from all over this frozen state to see one of his comedic shows, complete with skits, music and jokes all about Alaska. Bill and I had planned this months in advance as Bob's birthday present. Since Bob wants gifts from the Nothing Store, I was happy to have a visible gift waiting for him. Thank you Bill for all the legwork. Bob was thrilled... until I told him Ittik was coming!!!
Mr. Whitekeys is THE stand up comedian in Alaska. People trek from all over this frozen state to see one of his comedic shows, complete with skits, music and jokes all about Alaska. Bill and I had planned this months in advance as Bob's birthday present. Since Bob wants gifts from the Nothing Store, I was happy to have a visible gift waiting for him. Thank you Bill for all the legwork. Bob was thrilled... until I told him Ittik was coming!!!
Don't ask me what we did before the show cuz I don't remember. Other Side Of Heaven Cocktails (Fire Whiskey and Lemonade) being consumed for quite some time by some of us. We'd have dinner before the show at Taproot - the place where I fell in love with their Breakfast in Spenard Cocktail (Butterscotch Schnapps, Crown and a strip of Bacon).
I remember now, spending quality time with the boys - when they had time to spare. Joseph always had time for me. Our thing: 'Let's Have A Moment'. We stop whatever we were doing, hug each other and enjoy wherever we are. Shane showed me the TV - Danny wanted hugs - Travis was no where to be found. I taught them the Texas Hug. Pat each other on the back up and down a dozen times while asking how ya' doin' - life is great - ya look good. Then we release and throw a punch at each other's faces. Missing the face by inches in the cardinal rule. We all followed that rule well or we'd all have wires in our jaw.
I remember now, spending quality time with the boys - when they had time to spare. Joseph always had time for me. Our thing: 'Let's Have A Moment'. We stop whatever we were doing, hug each other and enjoy wherever we are. Shane showed me the TV - Danny wanted hugs - Travis was no where to be found. I taught them the Texas Hug. Pat each other on the back up and down a dozen times while asking how ya' doin' - life is great - ya look good. Then we release and throw a punch at each other's faces. Missing the face by inches in the cardinal rule. We all followed that rule well or we'd all have wires in our jaw.
Now, in Alaska, going out to Dinner and a Movie requires you to dress. Like you are going shopping. Bob and I brought dressy grown up clothes. Waste of luggage space. We fit right in in jeans and sneakers. When we got to the venue, we asked Mr. Whitekeys to take a photo with us. The Hostess took the photo. I'll have what she's having if this is the best she could do with my point and shoot.
Next Installment - Whale Fat Follies - the rest of Bob's birthday.