Two in a row!

It's shameful, it really is.  Two months since our last post.  I would like to go record saying that this year was suppose to be Joe's year to do the blog.  He always intends to post, but he's just so busy.  So I am posting for him.  The post below this is one Joe had typed, but never published.  It's a nice recap of the trip home and our adventure on the sled.  Since then, Joe had his first basketball tournament in Kotlik, a village down river from us.  The one-day tournament got changed to a two-day tournament, which wasn't ideal, but Joe had a lot of fun with his kids.  I was not going to spend the weekend home-alone, so instead went to stay at Hotel Sandra.  We made yummy food, watched terrible movies, and I woke up each morning to a hot latte and cinnamon rolls.  Now that I think of it, I just might encourage Joe to travel more often!

January really flew by.  I had a great birthday and I thank everyone for the cards and gifts.  Joe got me the cutest Ugg boots that I'm super excited about.  They're tall leather boots with the sherpa lining, and a vibram sole.  Very rugged, but super cute.  I get compliments on them every day.  Way better than the Sorel moon boots i've worn the last year and a half.  I got them at the beginning of last year because they were rated for -40, but they were like walking in ski boots.

As i'm sure you've all heard, our house was broken into over Christmas break.  Actually, they broke in the night before we came back.  They took different things, and made a mess of our bed, but other than that our house wasn't damaged.  I take that back.  They did leave the doors open so the pipes froze and my house plants died....but who am I kidding, those puppies would have died soon anyway.  No green thumb here!  But we were more fortunate than some others.  Ben and Anne were also broken into, but when their pipes froze, they burst.  They were out of water for a week while their kitchen cabinets were ripped out to repair the pipes.  We have filed our report, but are still waiting on the troopers to come over from St. Marys.  5 weeks and counting!  When we spoke to them on the phone, they basically told us that we were wasting our time pursuing this.  But we're going to keep on it.  Another teacher who was broken into 2 years ago, just got a check this week for the items that were stolen.  So it might take a while, but hopefully we'll be reimbursed.

We are heading into town this Friday for a long weekend with Sandra.  We'll fly out after lunch on Friday and come back Tuesday night.  Not only are we going for our sanity, but we're also going to celebrate my birthday.  On the agenda is a couple's massage with Sandra, followed by a facial.  Joe will no doubt spend that day at a sports bar drinking away while watching football.  Not sure how the spa will react to me and Sandra being a couple, but they'll just have to deal with our alternative lifestyle.  :)  Can't wait for shopping, good food, and margaritas!

Well, I will strongly urge Joe to keep up on the blog....ok, I'll ride his ass and make sure he gets it done.  If not, you'll be hearing from me!  Here's hoping for an early spring!