Ramblings from a former Alaskan

The occasional ramblings, thoughts, rants, etc., from an independent who has lived all over the country.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Merry Christmas and Hotel California

The bug came back. Boy did it really knock me down this time.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

I know I should change it to happy holidays, but we celebrate Christmas in our house. If you don't, change the Merry Christmas to whatever holiday you do celebrate.

What does Hotel California have to do with all this? I put in my notice at work. Friday was supposed to be my last day. When the phone rang on Saturday, I thought it would be safe to answer it. It was work wondering if I could come in and work. They had a couple of people who called in sick. I went it to work.

So, I can check out, but I can't leave.

Until next year, have a safe holiday season.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

A bug??

Eating hasn't been fun lately.

It started last Wednesday. I barely made it out of the bathroom. In an hours time I was in there on ten different occasions. Not a pleasant way to spend a Wednesday.

Wait, then came Thursday. Same story. I was able to stay out of there long enough to run into town and watch my grandson's Christmas program. Too cute. It was absolutely adorable. For anyone in the audience, I really hope I didn't give you the bug.

Friday was more of the same with living in the bathroom.

I just knew when I went to bed on Friday night that Saturday would be okay. If it were a bug it would have run its course.

Wrong. More of the same on Saturday. My stomach hurt. I was ready to admit I needed to get to the doctor on Monday. Even knowing some of the tests they'd want to run wouldn't be pleasant in the least little bit.

Sunday was no better. I spent much of it worried about how in the hell I'd pay for all the medical bills that I'd rack up on Monday.

Monday. Was. Heaven. I woke and I was normal again.

Today has been as kind as Monday.

I have no idea what I had. I'm guessing a bug of some kind. It's a five day ordeal. Which gets really old before it's finished.

In other news, there's a respectable chance of seeing the lights tonight. The stars are out right now.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Changes

Life is full of changes.

I have found what most important to me in life.

Family and friends.

Over the last two years, Roger and I have both lost our two closest friends in Alaska. They died, so they won't be back.

This summer the last of our family will move away from Alaska. Those two grandkids mean the world to me. Not to mention I have another grandson that I barely know. I want to get to know him.

Our kids and grandkids won't be back.

Alaska is wonderful place to live and raise a family. I can't think of any other spot in the world where I'd want to raise kids. I'd hoped my kids would have the chance to raise their kids here, too. For various reasons, they don't.

Roger and I have a lot of acquaintances up here. We appreciate each and every one of them.

But close friends and family are far and few in between up here.

Another thing that we've thought about is the fact we own a very expensive chunk of land. Yet we live paycheck to paycheck. It's time to sell the expensive chunk of land and move on.

We don't know how quickly or slowly things will happen, but we're going to leave Alaska. We're going back to an area where we can be around family and friends. And yes, a place where our cost of living will be reduced.

We've found one spot that we both like. The location is a nice location and while it doesn't have the beauty of Alaska, it has its own beauty.

Over the next few months, this blog will be hit and miss. And one of these days, I guess I'll have to change the name since the ramblings won't be from Alaska. Or maybe I'll keep it with the understanding that it will still be ramblings from an Alaskan. You can take the girl out of Alaska, but you'll never take the Alaskan out of the girl. As many who knew me before I ever lived here, I was Alaskan long before I ever stepped foot on Alaskan soil.

Part of me is sad to think of leaving, but another part of me is looking forward to a new adventure. Not to mention fresh fruits and vegetables.