Update as of 8-25

Ok... now that it has been over 3 weeks since I returned to Alaska... guess I better catch up on life here in the bush!

WE HAVE RUNNING WATER AND SEWER!!!!

After spending a few days with Matt in Wascilla, I flew back into St. Michael August 6th. Since then, things are busy, busy, busy! Our entire school staff flew into Unalakleet for professional development. Many thanks to the Concilas family for allowing us to crash in their basement. Those beds are so much more comfortable than the air mattresses in the school. 8)
We were also impressed with John's introduction to DART. (thanks for the demo)
Thursday was designated to SPED, then back to SMK that evening.


Patty and I headed out on the Hondas Friday evening. We rode North Beach and collected some firewood. We have a wood stove in our house and we are planning ahead for this winter. The next time we have no power, we will still be warm!

Saturday evening we held a Fiesta at the house. It served a dual purpose, Patty's 39th b-day and welcome to the new teachers. How do you know when there is a party taking place in the bush??? There are more than 2 Hondas in the driveway!

Introducing Becky, one of Stebbins new teachers. (Becky is one of the teachers from Koyuk that transferred into Stebbins. She and Barb crashed our Fiesta and we were glad to have them.

Here's Betty, my older sister.

School officially started August 22nd. I am teaching Math 4, SFA 4, and two sessions of Social Science 3. My afternoons are devoted to SPED. We've almost made it through the first week now. It's been a bit rough but we are all making it! Looks like it is going to be another fun and exciting year for all of us here at Anthony A. Andrews school.

Ok... there... now you have been caught up on my life, at least for now.
Until next time....

Some more memories of summer

This summer dad and I had an ice fight out on the back deck. We were very entertaining and managed to get others involved. It was all fun and games until a glass got broke and then we had to stop, according to mom. Fun while it lasted!

Here's one of mom and Shania.

Me and my brothers. It was nice spending time with all of my family.

Saturday afternoons bring the music to Pickford. There are a bunch of music lovers that gather at Momma Mazolies (spelling???). They get together and share their many talents with anyone willing to listen. I managed to avoid the hay field a few Saturdays to listen the the gang. I told Uncle Jim that I'd join them next summer, but that completely depends on my ability to learn the guitar.

Rich and Connor jamming on their guitars.

Summer pics con't.

June was spend on the house... and July was spent bonding in the hay field. Here's dad and I.

This is Scooby Doo - the latest addition to 330 E. Harold

Queen of the house - Harley Davidson, now 11 years old. Miss my Har!!!

Pictures from the summer

Ok... I promised pictures... here are some.

This is how my house looked at Christmas.



And here is how it looks now... at least it better still look like that Randy! lol

Back in St. Michael

Well it is now August 8th and I am back in Alaska. I flew into Anchorage on Aug. 2nd. Patty and I did some shopping, then mailed it all out. I flew into SMK on the 6th. Patty flew into UNK for training. (Hope she is enjoying it!)
Things in SMK are going fairly well. We once again have running water!!! I did lots of laundry Sunday night, trying to catch up. I've spent some time at the school but so far, most of my time has been spent here at home getting things in "order". When we left, as most of you know, we didn't have water so things weren't as clean as I would have liked them to be... however, a couple of days later... things are looking a bit brighter.
It really is amazing how fast the summer went. It was fantastic seeing everyone but you know, two months really goes by quickly, there were a lot of people I would have liked to have spent more time with... there is always next summer..
June - I spent a lot of time working on my house project. It really was fun and thanks to Corey (and Matt and of course, Randy) it looks pretty good if I don't say so myself.
July - well what else would you do when your dad owns a farm... HAYING SEASON! It was also fun... most days anyway, right Steve??? It was pretty hot but the work got done and that is all that matters, according to dad. Nothing like bonding time in the hayfield...
I talked to mom yesterday and it sounds like she is well on the mend.
I'll try to post some summer pics later.