Catching Up

 I've let this slip by me lately. Just can't seem to find the time to sit down and write anything. I've had a lot of things happen - both good and bad. I'll give you a summary, just to catch you up on my life. Because I know how fascinating I am (tongue in cheek humor there).

Random thought: I wonder why I'm not writing? I love to write, and I do have things to say. I think I just don't have a comfortable spot in which to do the actual writing. I wish I could use a laptop or a tablet. They are portable and can be taken with me outside. I just don't like the keyboard on those things. I like a REAL keyboard, like the typewriters I grew up with. 

Yea, that's my age peeking through there.

Anyway:  here's my life up to now.

Virtual English Class for Mongolian Scientists: I was asked by my Mongolian friend Gana to help teach her fellow scientists to speak English so they can better interact with the volunteers that go out to their research station to help with their Argali program. The class meets every Tuesday afternoon, and I have signed up for two classes a month. She has a pool of about 10-15 volunteer teachers, so we rotate schedules around such that no two people teach a class in a row. This gives the Mongolian exposure to numerous voices and allows them to practice their English-speaking skills in a relaxed atmosphere.

Numerous Weekend-Getaways: Bryan and I continue to get away at least once a month for a nice relaxing weekend with just the two of us. Sometimes we bring the kittens with us, sometimes we don’t. April took us to a tiny house in Seward, May was a cabin out in Homer up on the bluff overlooking the ocean, and June will be a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas.

Kind of Like a Book Club: I’m still a member of our family book club, reading some good books and meeting virtually once a month (give or take a week or two). We’ve read Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews, The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner, The Binding by Bridget Collins, and Death Comes by Sue Hallgarth. Among many others, of course. It’s been fun reading books I never would have otherwise!

Looking for Property: Bryan and I have looked at numerous homes lately, looking for our Forever Home. We thought we’d found it but did not “win” the bidding process so now we have decided to put that effort on hold for a year and just be here to help Mother out. We will pick the effort back up again next year and see what comes.

Staining Decks & Fences: Bryan and I stained the back deck and fence on this property a few weeks ago: it was hard work, but well worth it. They look so nice now! We’re trying to find a time where we can go to Anchorage and get the deck on my rental property (the garage door as well) but we are having difficulty with the weather and two families’ schedules. It will happen someday but may end up being more of a Fall thing rather than a Spring thing.

So there you have it.

Hopefully I’ll do better on keeping this thing going from now on.