Apartment Work

I miss blogging. My restful retirement days are jam-packed so I haven't taken the time for writing. I'll get back to it more regularly now, I hope.

Paul and I have been fixing up the apartment in our basement. I've been painting (Cream in My Coffee) and being the dogsbody. It's a cute one bedroom with a dishwasher and access to our shared washer and dryer. We are in the process of deciding what to put in the lease so that we can get a good tenant, live happily in the same building, and not have lots of turnover.

I went back to Aquasize today where it was so crowded that my hair almost got wet from splashing. It felt good though and I ended up soaking with friends in the hot tub, then going out for coffee. I know it was a good workout too since my shoulders and arms were screaming.

The tax man didn't get to see our desperate search for documentation on Sunday. We calmly walked into his office with our crate of numbers and receipts and his organizer. What a relief to have someone else do it this year. For the last few years I know we have been very conservative since we didn't keep up on all the possible deductions.

We turned the corner after Equinox so it is daylight early...more than 12 hours and gaining over 6 minutes a day. The temps were below zero (not unusual) but windy (very unusual) so I scurried about my outdoor tasks. Tomorrow, Susan and I will be walking from downtown (about 4 miles) to begin our AT training regimen. There are icy patches, but overall, the afternoon sunshine means that the snow is receding (mostly evaporating).

I completed the last village trip of the season last week. Not tonight, but some day soon, I'll relay more of my "bush moments". The last village I visited was Pitka's Point. There are 2 teachers and a principal/teacher for about 20 kids. It is huddled against the shores of the Yukon River about 10 minutes by road from St. Mary's. When I was sleeping there on the floor, I heard the 4-wheelers roaring past all night. About 4 am, I heard some really loud pounding. It turns out that some kids broke into the school and were shooting baskets in the gym! The maintenance man in the next room woke up and threw them out. I had no idea what was going on.

The Health Care Bill just got ratified. About time. It's a sad situation when health care costs so much that young people have no insurance at the same time that employers (assuming you can get a job) are also cutting back benefits. Yes, it's not perfect. Yes, it will take time to be implemented. But, it's a start. And, I think that good affordable health care will save money in the future- reducing emergency room care. Come home, Ben. Your boil can be lanced here in Fairbanks!