Cardiac Appreciation Day and snow ,,,,,,, finally. 8)

Well, Heart Day or as some call it Valentines Day started off great with some nice snow. I could say my mobile is in there somewhere and though that would be fun and shocking to the desert dwellers that I know who read this it is actually a picture from last May taken of a good friend of mine (Rich) with whom I worked at the Border Station in Haines. While the snow looks like a lot it is not an unusual amount up near the station. We would routinely have snow up to the eves of the house. In fact Ashleigh and her friend Maddison would climb up on the top of the roof (we had a shed style roof which is around 18 feet on one side sloping down to 12 on the back) and jump off into the snow.
I remember one year they were up there and Maddy yells hey Bruce watch and off she went. There was a little poof sound and a small amount of powder shooting upward but no Maddy. Then I hear a muffled "Bruce, help me". She was about 4 feet below the surface. LOL Fortunately where they jumped there was an overhang meaning the snow was clear under it so she was only a couple feet in from below that overhang thus easy to retireve. As I dug her out and was saying to be careful because the snow was over 9' deep I hear another poof and hear Ashleigh "Dad ,,,,,,,,,
We probrably got somewhere around 8 inches then sunny and 20'ish. A really nice day and other than one frozen in place rock a fantastic 5 hours plowing it with my little tractor

(Here's Sammy helping me a couple eyars ago do her driveway in Juneau) Anyway I was plowing along and hit a frozen rock which stopped the tractor dead. Notice I said "stopped the tractor" I didn't say me. Nope I flew forward hitting the top of my head against the top rail above the windshield of the tractor. You know, one of those hits that travel down your spine and through your shoulders. As I type this morning I am quite stiff and sore. LOL
But I did get all the areas I like doing done. And it was the first time there was enough snow to make it worthwhile.

If you read on here semi-regular you'll remember that I commented about Missoula getting 12 inches the day I left to come back home last week. Well here are Samantha and Taylor yesterday in thier backyard and in 50 degrees. Thats 50 with a five and a zero. Pretty nice, maybe, just maybe, since they had snow before us they'll also have spring before us.

As many know, yesterday was Valentines Day. You know that day where florists make big bucks, work is disturbed by flower arrangements being walked down the hallways, and sitting on desks and usually accompanied by floaty heart shaped balloons. If every day could be filled with the positve and love filled feelings for those they know, love, and associate with the world / society could be a better place.

Here is a copy of an old Valentines Day card I found for all you love struck friends I know. I hope your day was happy, filled with joy, and that you both recevied and gave a token of the love you have to one that is special to you and your fellow man. (person)

And for those that fall more into the category where I reside of the broken heart then take some duct tape and patch it up.

Dont give up, just dont settle because of loneliness, boredom, or desire. You'll find what is best for you if you are patient and be honest with not only yourself but with life. They say you find love when your not looking so take care of yourself and look inside. Fix what needs fixing so you can be happy with you. Then it is easier to find what you seek because you are confident and happy with what you have to offer.

Some people are simply meant to be alone and spread joy and happiness to everyone that is fortunate enough to come within thier circle. Even alone you can be a happy and exciting person making your friend list even more widespread. But you must be comfortable with your aloneness so you can share joy and not misery. As my youngest said once when she was much younger. A friend's Mom once asked her why doesnt you Dad date. You need a female influence in your life as a young lady. My daughter said why would I want that. I have my Dad wrapped around my little finger. Even as a young lady she knew how the male / female world worked.  LOL

I hope everyone had a great Valentines Day, and those here in Juneau enjoyed the little amount of snow we got. If you see that little green and yellow tractor plowing sidewalks or the bike path give a toot on your horn and say Hi.

Sammy began helping with the tractor at a youg age.

Now it is time to sit back, enjoy the stiffness, and have a cup of Joe.

(Ever wonder why it's called "Joe"

Oh yeah, the other day I was sitting and reading to relax before I go to sleep prior to work. Since I work midnight to eight I tend to go to bed around 3'ish. Anyway I get a call from Dan (Ashleigh's Hubby and Ruby Winter's Daddy) saying he needed some air from my compressor. So I open the garage for him and his cousin Nathaniel so they can air up a tire on the VW Golf Dan and Ashleigh has.
Seems that since he has a new engine in his Toyota pickup he no longer needs the golf thus gave it to Nathaniel to use. I think that is so cool and am so PROUD of him. He is a loving, giving soul anyway but that was just ,,,,,,,,,, COOL.

Taylor's 2nd, the flight, memories.

One week ago today I was in Montana helping celebrate Taylor's 2nd birthday with her family. It was a fun weekend being there with Jason, Amanda, and her big sister Samantha. Got to enjoy a bit of shopping as we all went looking for a birthday gift I could get her. We had breakfast at Perkins which was nice and dinner at Outback which was nicer. LOL

However, the flight's could have been better. I arrived at the airport in Juneau at 6am for the 7am, flight with plans to meet one of my daughters (Carri) at the Seattle airport and some long over due catching up. Well, the flight was postponed, then postponed again, then cancelled. They said I could re-book on the 10:30 flight arriving at 4:30 or the 1pm flight arriving at 4:30. Well, lets see, a 6 hour flight (milk run) stopping everywhere or a direct flight arriving at the same time. I thought hard, considered all the angles and after about 1 sec. decided I would rather wait for the direct flight.

Now my connecting flight was at 4:35 and I was concerned about that but was told that the departing gate was directly across the aisle from the arrival gate so it looked close but maybe doable. So, I texted Carri with my apologies and hope that next trip we could work it out. Upon my arrival in Seattle imagine my surprise and happiness to see that not only was the gate across the aisle but the flight hadn't left yet. So, I ran over towards that gate to head out for Missoula.

Now my kids have a fond memory of my running. At one time we lived in a small town in Southern Arizona called Patagonia. We had a nice, large, house built on the side of a hill with the backyard across the alley from a vacant lot which was next to the "Home Plate" restaurant where we went often. ( so often in fact it never failed that after we would arrive the phone would ring and it got to the point that the waitress (Cindy) would say hey Bruce get the phone it's probrably for one of you. And it always was. People would call the house and if no answer routinely call the Homeplate.Does that tell you something? ) Well, this one day we were going down there for a snack or something and at the alley Jessica, and Amanda decided to race Ashleigh and I to the front door. They went around the other side and Ashleigh and I cut across the vacant lot running. There was a part of a telephone pole lying in the lot that I jumped over as I ran. Well, jumped over may not be the correct term with over being the operative here. Cant tell you why but suddenly I did a face plant and ate an acre of dirt. Ashleigh had to stop because she was laughing so hard, she yelled for the other girls who came around the building and started laughing as well. I got up and we went into the Home Plate where I ordered humble pie with a side of dirt in my mouth. Oh yeah, did you read the words "Hey Dad, are you okay" anywhere in there? I didnt think so. LOL

Speaking of telephone poles, when the girls Mom (Judy) and I first met we took a trip to California alone one weekend. While driving through wine country in November I suddenly slammed on the brakes and looking over at a field filled with obviously new, very white, t-posts on which they let the grapevines grow said "Wow Judy, I havent seen one of these in ages, amazing" She, while also looking at the field of white crosses said "what?" I expained how it was a field of baby telephone poles. that after they got to about 40 feet or so they would be harvested (cut down) and then used around the country to hang wires on alongside roads etc. I calmly put the van in gear and drove away as she marvelled at seeing such a rare site as a telephone pole farm. As much as I loved / love Judy she was my best "staright man" so to speak. My Abbott to Costello, my Larry to Moe.  I (and the girls) have many fond memories because she was / is very guillible.

Anyway, I ran over to gate C-9 excited because my flight was still there and I could go on to Missoula. Upon arrival to check in and board I was told the flight was delayed 30 min.for mechanical reasons. (same reason used in Juneau). Then another 30, aqnd another 30 until 7:30 when it was cancelled and we were re-booked on the 8:55 flight arriving at midnight

After a reaqlly nice weekend I got on the return flight from Missoula and it was snowing like a bugger (12 inches that day for them) we were de-iced and had an uneventful flight back to Seattle where I thought of the multiple delays coming down on Friday. The regular 1/2 wait in Seattle was filled with the normal breakfast at the food court and then on to the gate and board the flight. I was sitting in the seat thinking ahhh, finally back to normal and headed home. Be there by noon'thirty. (never think ahhh) So, we waited, and waited, and ,,,,,,,,,,,,

Two hours later we finally took off after being delayed for a mechnical problem. I did tell the stewardess that if not for the fact that plane had a blue Disney paint job I would swear they only used one plane for the entire trip.

But, it is much better to have a flight cancelled while SITTING on the ground than at 31,000 feet.

It's been a nice week back. Ashleigh and Ruby are great. I get to say Hi when I take the mail over but try not to stay to long so they get some Mommy / Ruby time and later Daddy / Ruby time. Jessica started her new job and is eagerly looking forward to that first check. Actually I think her bank account is looking forward to it as it was getting a tad low with no input just all outgo. Sammy gave me a book (papers stapled together) while there with a class picture on the front and pages of pictures drawn / water colored from each of her classmates to me. It was really cool and has a special place next to an aforementioned sign she made me when she left on a kitchen cabinet door. Still awaiting some decent snow. Youd think living in Alaska we'd have more snow that Texas, South Carolina, Kansas, etc. wouldnt you. While I like warm its not supposed to be high 30's, bare roads and 2 wheel drive, for weeks at a time. C'mon weather dude get it straight this is Alaska and it is February.

It's my Friday with my first weekend back. I have a long list of need-to's from getting my taxes ready to do, and upwards. Notice taxes are at the bottom? I just cant get motivated to sit down and do them. I seem to have left my motivation in Montana under that 12 inches of snow we havent seen yet.