Northern Noise

Efficiency is the buzz word at Delegate Assembly this year.  However simply because technology, in this case clickers, is introduced into the mix doesn't mean things are more efficient, and it certainly doesn't mean things are improved.  I used to love to come to NEA-Alaska's annual meeting because I loved that people from all over the state could come and debate issues, share ideas, create visions for the future, and then at the end of the day sing the Alaska Flag song and head to the bar to still be friends.  The atmosphere on the floor was exciting, people looked to see how others were voting and were actively engaged in raising cards to be heard with a vote. This year we've got clickers for voting, folks are plugged into their own little words, hitting buttons alternatively between their smart phones and voting clickers.  Rules are reinterpreted so that what should be, and used to be, easy are no longer feasible.  Apathy reigns and I'm a dinosaur. I used t

I'm on day 27 of the "get Mel healthy" plan.  This means that for the past 27 days I've lived on a lovely diet of chicken, halibut, shrimp, select fruits and vegetables, melba toast and lots of green tea.  I did cheat once and had a glass of nice chianti  with my husband one night, but that's it.  I actually feel pretty good, and I know that avoiding the sugar and processed foods is good for me and good for my cholesterol.  I've lost a few pounds, been motivated and frustrated, but I'm sticking in. I've been thinking a lot about the uncertainty in life lately.  So many people I know find themselves in unexpected places -  a divorce after 20 years of marriage, a baby 17 years after the last one, life-threatening illnesses, job loss.  No matter how settled things seem, one never knows what could strike next.  Each event, each change is what it is and our job is to deal with it and keep moving forward.  I know it sounds cheesy to say look for the silver

My husband came home the other day with a heated mattress pad.  For those of you who have never enjoyed this beautiful luxury, just be assured that it's pretty much heaven.  On a cold night, you turn it on before you go to bed and then slide into warm, cozy sheets.  Ahhhh. We got them for the girls several years ago for Christmas and they still love them. We got one for Bob's mom; big hit.  So I was excited to see one for me arrive. But, as with all things that seem too good to be true, there's a glitch.  Our heated mattress pad has two controls, one for each side of the bed.  This is a good thing, as I get cold at night and Bob gets hot (yes, I know this pattern will likely change in a few years....).  So I thought we were all set - until this morning.  I woke up and I was cold!  And so were my sheets! At first I thought I'd hit the button accidentally to turn the heat off, or that maybe my controls had come unplugged.  So I queried aloud, "I wonder why my s

What's the difference in roast beef, and pea soup?? Anyone can roast beef. 

"To read a poem in January is as lovely as to go for a walk in June." ~ Jean-Paul Satre "It's normal to be blue in January."  ~Marilu Henner January makes me blue.  It's a silly thing, as January brings lots of good things.  The kids return to school, old friends visit, summer grows closer, days get longer.... lots of good things.  But still, January makes me blue. Maybe it's the return to status quo after the promise and hope that a new year brings.  Maybe it's the long dark days and the cold.  Maybe it's just January. This is the month where I just want to stay home and hold on tight to my family.  To know that everyone is safe and warm and accounted for.  (Heck, that last statement makes me sound like a border collie!)  I want to make soup, and drink red wine, and take naps with the dog sleeping on my feet keeping them warm. It may be that it's been two years since my dad died.  It's funny how I miss him, and when I miss him.  La

Mark Twain once said, " When you're angry, count to four.  When you're very angry, swear."   Do you ever have those days when you're just pissed off at the world?  I'm having one of those days.  This is one of those days that if I wasn't a responsible family woman (doesn't have quite the same ring as "family man" does it??) with children to feed, chores to do, a husband to see I would probably go sit down and have a drink or two, a totally unhealthy response mechanism, and see if I could engage fellow bar-standers in a political debate (Palin or Miller, anyone) or an argument over hockey.  If I was in Kenai, I'd say something about ANWR or Kenai River Guides, but those buttons don't work as well up here in Fairbanks. There's no reason for my grumpiness; it wasn't a bad work day, and I got a massage after work, which is a really good thing.  I think it was coming up to a pile of dishes I haven't done, homework I have

My son just asked me if I knew what a "squishy" was.  I answered no, and he smiled rather evilly and said  "Good."  I figured I'd better find out, so I asked him and, after much hemming and hawing he explained. Apparently, a squishy is when you take ketchup packets and put the under the toilet seat on top of the rim.  And then, when the unsuspecting victim sits down.... SQUISH! I don't know where he learned this trick, whether he plans to actually try it, or why such a thing would enter his mind.  I don't really want to know.  All I know is that I'm moving the saved ketchup packets to a different spot.

I've been feeling the urge to blog, but I have nothing to say.  Our family is surprisingly uneventful these days - minimal sibling conflicts, dog not quite so stinky, husband has stayed out of the dog house, work progresses nicely- there's not even any big political issues getting me all riled up. If I was smart, I'd just enjoy the peace and lack of craziness.  Instead, I've started getting a bit paranoid, wondering what will happen next. Oh well, c'est la vie, d'accord? 

Why is it when I lose any weight at all, it just comes off my boobs?  Couldn't my stomach volunteer for the mission once in a while?