Lost art of letter writing

When I first began this journey I mentioned letter writing. No one writes letters any longer. Sure, everyone tweets, facebooks, emails and blogs, but does anyone actually write letters? There is a big joke about how many things I save. I am quite sentimental and tend to save things. Scott jokes that he'll be that old husband on "Hoarders: Buried Alive" saying he doesn't know how it got this bad! Okay, I am not that bad, clutter bothers me, but saving little things like letters and cards is not a bad thing.

During this last move with all the construction, I was not able to unpack the way I generally do, which is hurriedly to make the house into a usable home. The packers did a terrible job and with the waiting to move into our bedrooms, I had the time and NEED to go through each box, organize and carefully analyze our belongings. This brings me to the lost art of letter writing. Upon my box inspections I found a box full of letters. In this box I found letters from my time in Australia. Letters of "please don't go, I will miss you so much you have become my best friend" "You are the coolest American I have met, please don't go". These two folks I am still friends with today. A letter from my grandmother, whom I miss dearly. Stacks of letters and cards from Scott at various times of dating, wartime, anniversaries, birthdays you name it. Cards from my children. Letters from my sisters once I got married and moved away. I found a letter from my dad from 1985 when he was on a remote deployment to Korea. At 12, I don't think the letter probably meant as much to me as it does now, may be it did I don't remember, but the other day reading it again after all these years I can see the love he was sending, the do you remember I am your dad? I remember writing him, but as a child I don't know if the letters go to him or not. I have letters some where in another box, that I haven't found yet but remember receiving from my dad from Gulf War 1 when he was there. Letters hold memories some good some bad. Letters act as history lessons for future generations, a clip from the past.

John and Abigail Adams wrote letters to one another because they could not text, not facebook, not email each other. I recommend reading some of their writings. He was off on diplomatic "TDYs" and would ask her advice, for her help with things he was working on. Their letters are great writings for history, for love and just great reading. Ronald and Nancy Reagan are another couple that wrote to one another often. Mr. Reagan wrote of his love for her, his need for her and how wonderful she was. Each couple have a book published of their letters.

I wish I had the letters my grandmother showed me from her brothers from WWII. As a military wife letters home always hold a special place in my heart. My other grandmother told me of the letters from my grandfather in the Navy from WWII. I would love to put those all in my box of letters. Scott's grandmother told me it took weeks sometimes to get a letter home. She would wait and wait for a letter from Scott's grandfather. In our world of instant text, I remember waiting a week for a letter from Scott in the Middle East seemed like an eternity. My dear friend has hat boxes FULL of notes and letters from her husband. What testament to her boys and daughter of the love and commitment he has to her.

My friends, write a letter on paper for someone to treasure. Write your children, your mother, your spouse, your next door neighbor, your friend in Alaska. I know in 60 years this blog maybe floating in cyberspace somewhere, but there is something to be said about opening a letter and seeing the hand writing or the typed word printed on card stock or paper. A piece of you will be passed along and cherished for future generations to read.

With love my friends,
Angela

First Snow 2010

After many teasing weather reports of snow in the forecast, a trace sprinkle of snow that didn't stick in September, NOW we have snow... real snow that stuck to the ground and not just the mountains. I know I know, 3 inches in NOTHING up here, but to a Southern girl it was wonderful. It started as a rain, then gradually became a steady snow. The children ran outside to play in the snow/rain mix and I had to hold dinner because they were just too cute to say no to. There is something about a snow fall that makes the world quiet and peaceful. All of the planes were in for the night, the airstrip was quiet as the snow fell. (This is my back yard)

Seeing the children's sweet little faces full of excitement made my night. I have to say I was as silly as they were running outside as soon as it started to accumulate. I keep hearing "talk to me when the snow is still on the ground in May and you are crying for the sun." For those of you who know me, I don't see that happening. At least not exactly like that. The sun and I aren't friends and I don't do heat/humidity. I always say, I can add a blanket, socks, a hair dyer to cold feet to warm yourself, but you can only get so naked and you are still hot and sweaty. I can see possibly getting tired of the snow boots, gloves and hats and gear required just so they can go outside at school and to play at home, but I can't see getting tired of this. I LOVE the smell of the cold air. I love the gentle way snow falls like a blanket. I love to watch my Georgia Peach and Georgia Bulldog sled down the hill with glee in their eyes! Jacob has been so afraid the snow was going to go away. They have been playing and sledding every chance they get.
Jacob was sliding down the hill before the snow started getting deep. Then sledding once it got to a few inches deep. We have this great hill from the airstrip down to the house.. awesome for sledding until I hit the house with my head... well, I was able to stop before I hit hard.



I have to say, I love the invention of snow pants. I was able to sled, play and fall down and STILL have dry jeans! Wish we had those the hand full times we got snow growing up. Jacob and Ashleigh have a new job. The driveway is slightly steep...

My Georgia Peach and Georgia Bulldog are having fun in the snow and that makes a mama's heart happy. For this Southern belle, watching the snow fall on the mountains like a white blanket couldn't be more beautiful.

With love and warm cozies,
Angela

Answered Prayers

I got to spend this past Saturday doing something that I have wanted to do for years. More on that in a minute. I went to college for three years studying Acting techniques, voices, speech, public speaking, stage craft, lighting etc towards a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance. Countless plays, classes and studying and yet I switched my major and minor! I finished college with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management. I always figured I would go back to it or use the knowledge in business for meetings or meeting new people. I watch movies, dissect them to my poor husband's dismay. I re-cast plays and movies in my head, long in heart to be "there" when I am here. I think I did the right thing. I tell young people you do the best with what the Lord gives you with the information that you have. God has given me talents in areas that I don't understand. I sing. I act. Not common talents. Not talents that are useful like crochet or sewing or building things. Believe me I have tried to crochet and made the most beautiful circle that was supposed to be a square!

Now back to what I did on Saturday. It wasn't earth shattering, nor did I cure a disease. However, I had a great time, met some wonderful people and used part of my degree! I auditioned back a couple of months ago for a movie being shot here in Anchorage. Thinking I wouldn't get a call I put it in the back of my head and got on with things. I got a call last week to be in a few scenes with Dermot Mulroney and Vinessa Shaw! The movie is "Everybody Loves Whales" set in 1988 when Greenpeace worked with President's Reagan's office, Russia and the Air National Guard of Alaska to free 3 California gray whales trapped in the Arctic ocean. I got the meet the real Bonnie Carroll the Reagan administrator who was the PUSH behind getting this done. It was her wedding we were recreating. She had the wedding pictures and all. I was picked to sit at the table next to the bridal table with her. The director wanted to get Bonnie's table in the shot with the "fake" couple from the movie. Bonnie has a non profit organization now that supports military families that lose their military member. www.taps.org Meeting Bonnie was a treat. She is so sweet and knowing the movie was partly about her story made "pretending" so much easier.

As an extra you are the bottom of the food chain, lowest on the ladder rung, but we had so much fun just being there. We rehearsed and rehearsed and filmed and the director would yell cut, then we would do it all over again, but just a bit different. The director had me walk in front of the camera by the table where they were cutting the cake like in a real wedding. He told me great walking, like your speed! Funny thing, I usually am not very graceful. I have a tendency to fall down or trip especially if I am thinking about walking. Glad I made him happy.....

11 hours of rehearsing and filming a fake wedding in 5 inch heels dressed with 80s hair. I had a great time watching the cameras, the lighting, the angles, just all of it come together. I have prayed for years, Lord if it be your will. So I wasn't a lead and probably never will be, but He heard me and in His time. I was able to meet some nice people, get a few contacts of folks in this area, possibly make some new friends.

God is good all the time!

With love my friends. Sorry no pictures. We weren't allowed to take our cameras or phones. January 2012 we'll see if my hair or elbow made it to the big screen!
Angela

Snow on the Mountains

Seems just like yesterday I was saying it was fall. Actually it was only a mere few weeks ago. The leaves have all but blow away, the termination dust a top the mountains has turned to full on snow on the mountains. Last week we had flurries on ground level, that didn't stick mind you. Fall is my favorite time of year. A time to reflect on the year, a time to gather in the harvest, to stock up for winter, to be thankful for all the blessings that the Lord has given us. In the South, fall isn't quite there yet. We generally do not have fall weather until November if then some years. However, here in Alaska, I thought it may last a bit longer, enjoy the changing leaves, the brisk temperatures, the smell of the changing season coming. Nope, fall was quick. As soon as the leaves started to change within a blink of the eye they all blew away. I am told snow is coming and coming quick. When it comes to stick, it doesn't leave until May. I am as excited as the children waiting for that first snow fall, to use our new snow blower, to crunch and play in my new snow boots! My list gets longer as I think, we need more gloves, socks, snow pants oh my I don't have all we need yet. But in due time, it will all come together. God's plan. It hasn't snowed yet.

Roy and I were off to go hiking with some ladies today at Flat Top Mountain in Anchorage, but the plans were canceled. Still wanting to get out in the cool air while we can, I donned Roy's coat, stopped at the Sleepy Dog Coffee Co. and off we went to Peters Creek park near our house. I thought for sure it would be a great little hike since it is at the base of a small mountain that has snow all over the top. Well, it wasn't bad it was beautiful and Roy had fun sniffing, smelling all the fallen leaves. Unfortunately, it wasn't a hike it was a nice brisk walk! There is a wonderful picnic area, Peters Creek itself under the bridge and a "frolf" course (frisby golf). There was an interesting part of the trail. I thought gee this will be great, this trail will take me to the snowy part of this mountain. Up up up we climb a nice steady incline nothing steep or rocky, with the rain and trees it almost seemed like something out of a B rated horror movie... as the trail lead me straight to a HOUSE and stopped right there. Common sense came back to me and we walked back down the hill. I could see the headlines, woman and dog missing.. I am sure a nice family lives in that house, but with the rain, the trees and eeriness of the situation it was just strange.

I am making kabocha squash soup so I must go attend to it now. I hope the children eat it. I am also making home made rolls. If anything I know they will eat those.

With love my friends,
Angela