Almost February

Yes, I know it has been a while. I just never know what to write on here. But I will write something even if it is nothing to pacify all of my critics.

As most of you know, I went to Georgia for a week this month. I figured that since Allen had to work a three week shift, that it would be a good time. I was missing everyone and everyone was missing me (right?).The trip went well and I gave everyone a nice surprise. While I was there, God decided to test my faith. Allen knew that his rig was probably going to be shut down, but they weren't certain. If it did, they were told that all of the crew would go to a new one for a few months until summer, when they would come back to their original one. They did end up shutting it down, but they didn't send the entire crew to this new rig, in fact they only sent a handful of men. Guess who didn't go....yep, Allen. He was told on Friday that he would be out of work in two days until the summer. So....we had a serious dilemma. Do we ride out the next few months in Alaska or Georgia. (I know that at this point all of my readers are wondering why it would be so hard to chose, and that your choice happens to be the state you are in) Well, it was a tough thing for us. We would have very little money coming in and so we would have to think smart. It was really "6 one way and half a dozen the other" situation, just which one to chose. Thankfully we didn't have to make that call as Allen had a friend that pulled some strings and got him a position on another rig. The only downside was that he would have to work an extra 4 weeks! But, it was a job and we were thankful. A few days later it got shortened to 2 weeks and then by the time I came back home it ended up getting shortened to 1. Allen comes home tomorrow! The only draw back is that he will only have a week off. Again, it is a job and we are thankful!

Settling back into a routine up here has gone well. Alaska went through a thaw while I was gone and it was actually warmer in Alaska than Georgia for a while. All the snow was gone when I returned and my poor snowman returned to the earth from whence he came. It looked very different without the snow, but still beautiful and majestic. It finally started snowing yesterday! Now there is a soft layer of white all over the place. I have to admit that I have fallen in love with this white little miracle so foreign to us Southerners. I can't explain it. The cold doesn't seem as cold when it is snowing and it just seems to make you smile. I pity those of you in Georgia not able to enjoy it.

As to what I have been up to, I have not been up to much. :) The roads were very good this past week because of the thaw so I took the opportunity and went on some nice drives. I actually drove the P-W highway (Palmer-Wasilla) for the first time yesterday. I have avoided that road in times past as it has a lot of red lights and me, my Yukon, ice, and red lights haven't gotten along very well as of yet. I went to all the big stores, to my husbands dismay, and hit all the clearance racks. Would you believe that Target already has their bathing suits out! It was 11* outside, snowing and they were selling bikinis!!!! I had to laugh. When I was done shopping I went to the Shields' house for a surprise birthday party for Ami. I still don't have any pics of my friends as I always leave my camera when I go visit (not intentional). Not only that, but they love having their picture taken as much as I.

The neat thing that happened this week was that I survived my first earth quake! It was a 6.1! It really wasn't that big of a deal and didn't cause any damage. I thought it was really cool! Can you imagine what it would be like it Georgia had a 6.1! That would be hysterical. People would freak out! Just a funny thought.

Well, I have reached my writer's block and will now end my entry. I hope ya'll are satisfied with my update and I will do my best to make another entry next week.

Here are some Georgia pics for ya'll

Mrs. Mari, Tina, and I

John in the morning. This was the first time he woke up without his hair being all disheveled. I was glad I was there on this historic day. :)

Cassidy

The girls in their new aprons!

Um...Cheri, Carmen(I know that is right), then Cari...I think

Lady Kathryn (Katie for short) giving me her look.

Youth playing Skip-Bo

Entertainment for the evening provided by Steve...the left handed, guitar pickin, toe tappin, Do-Ra-Mi singin wonder.

Cephus playing along with his Daddy

Evan and Kayla

Cassidy won 1st place in her vault and balance beam! She placed 5th over all!

Highway 49

Schwatzi Dog! The coolest, most, amazing dog ever!

Kristin and I

Judith and Rett