Jim and Friend

This is one of many good pictures Jim got while on his trip to Fairbanks

Twenty Below

Jim called me from Fairbanks yesterday and reported the weather there as twenty below. He is there to watch his nephew play hockey as a senior at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. (That's him in the center of the picture). Jim is going to have a great time as they have planned a lot of other fun things to do like ice fishing. Gavin and I decided to skip this trip for a couple of different reasons...we'll catch up with them when they are in Florida!

Moe and Grayson

My friend Maureen and her son came for a visit recently. They live in Houston and got a kick out of all the snow that fell everyday they were here. Moe and I have been friends for twenty-nine years. As a matter of fact she and I met when I was nineteen, the age of her son, at my very first job out of high school. She works for American Express Travel and has been able to visit me in a few times in Washington and now in Boise.

While they were here Jim and Gavin took Grayson snowboarding, his first time, and hopefully not his last. Moe and I took the boys sledding one day and I think he enjoyed that more. By the end of thier trip Gray was ready to get back to Houston's 70 degree weather!

Alaska Airlines, here I come!

A new year and a new job...never a dull moment in Maryland. I had today off so what did I do? Alaska Airlines was having a hiring event here in Boise for Reservations Sales Agents for thier call center. I went because I have been yearning for a full time job with benefits for awhile now. I'm glad I did because after eleven hours and two interviews, I landed a job. I will start training later this month and after a month of employment Jim, Gavin, and I can fly for free where ever Alaska flies. I'll have strange hours and days at first (they go by seniority), but hey, I'm ready, willing, and able. My sister-in-law Judy just retired from Alaska Airlines after putting in twentyeight years. Watching her work hard and enjoying flying her family all over the world (including me), well, I'm excited about this new challenge and adventure. You never know where the road in life is going to lead you!