Tangled Thoughts

Until Next Time…

Christina

December 11, 2016

When I was younger, making friends was easy. People often joke that I was friends with everyone. I suppose most little kids are. I befriended neighbors and strangers alike. I’m not sure I really had a best friend -because everyone was my best friend. When I got a little older I had a close group of friends.

Then somewhere over the years my friends moved away and I fell into a comfortable area of life where my sister was my best friend (and really, still is). Then she grew up, got married and moved away. While nothing much changed (other than the fact, of course -that she moved a billion and one miles away, got married, has kids and started a life of her own!) I am still here. She is still there.

I guess I lost the ability to befriend everyone.

I don’t remember when, exactly -but a few years ago I had this prayer that I prayed on a regular basis. It went something to the tune of asking for a friend. I specifically remember saying that I didn’t need a bunch of friends -just one. One really good friend. I suppose you have to be careful what you pray for -because sometimes God answers those prayers.

Because I got that one really good friend.

One that quickly became that person that made me laugh. The one that traveled the world with me. Plotted silly things. Watched movies. Hiked waterfalls. That one that you exchange a look with over the table when teaching an especially difficult child -and know that they have your back. Over the years we have shared many different memories. Traveled many different places. Laughed about so many different things. Shared stories. Prayed with each other. For each other. We have shared more cups of coffee than I can count.

Both of our lives have changed over the years, ups and downs -ins and outs.

We started teaching Sunday school this year -in separate class rooms, but with a shared door. Early Sunday morning when I am going over my lesson -the door will slide open and she will march in.

Over the past few years I have stopped praying for that one special friend, and instead starting thanking God for her. Asking that I become a better friend to her. That I can be the same kind of friend to her -that she is to me.

Last year we traveled to England. France. Germany. Italy. And Ireland. We have memories and stories that only need one word to evoke those special times. To make us laugh. Remember.

But the thing about Ketchikan is that no one stays here forever. I knew that when I met her, they were only planning to stay a few years -but I pushed those thoughts aside and instead focused on living now. In the present. Not thinking about that day. Secretly hoping that she would stay longer.

…and then the time came. Where her family announced they were leaving.

It took me a few days before I could even think about it without bursting into tears. It’s hard to say good-bye. I’m still not entirely ok with it. But I am trying to be happy. To know that she is embarking on an adventure that will be filled with so many opportunities. I still get sad thinking about a life without her in it on a daily basis. I still am plotting ways to make her stay. But I am also thanking God for a wonderful friend that has made my life so much better.

A friend who has encouraged me over the years, a friend that God used to answer my prayer. That one special friend who it is hard to say good-bye to.

I’m going to try and be a better friend -a more open, willing, happy person -much like she was. To take these things that she has shown to me -and show them to others.

Thanks for being an awesome friend, Morgan.

Thank you for being a part of my life, and being a wonderfully awesome friend.

Don’t stay gone too long -there is so much more of the world to see (and so much more coffee to consume!)

Red Alert

Christina

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November 18, 2016

Last February before I headed off to Australia, I had my hair dyed red. Not full blown, raggedy Ann red, but red highlights. I loved my red hair. But it faded fast and within a good month, it was gone.

A few weeks ago I was looking in the mirror and noticed a handful of grey hairs. I pulled them and went about my business. Except a few days later -they had returned, and brought friends. I told myself it was where my hair had been bleached. I’m 26. I’m certainly not going grey yet.

A few days ago I made an appointment and went to put the red back in my hair. While I was there I asked if she could give me the skinny on my grey hair. She was silent for a good 30 minutes about the subject, then asked if I wanted to hear the truth.

I could have said no -but, well, I kind of already knew from that. She said I am going grey. GREY. Me. At 26. I told her I’d rather go red…and asked that she please cover it up.

Introducing, Red of 2016:

Who knows, maybe I will just keep going red and ignore the fact that I am slowly (quickly?) getting old. That works, right?

It’s A Dog Party

Christina

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October 21, 2016

Big dogs, little dogs, blue dogs, green dogs…

It certainly has felt like a dog party out here!

A few months ago I got a phone call from someone asking if I could house / dog sit for their two dogs. I agreed. Then a few days later, a regular of mine called to see if I could dog sit during the same period of time. I told her I was house sitting -but wouldn’t mind adding her dog to the mix. Then a week later I got a call from another person asking if I could dog sit at the same time. Again, I agreed. Then a few days ago a friend asked if I could dog sit their dog for the week.

I started out with two -and over the course of the past few weeks have slowly added to bring my final number to six. Six dogs.

Knowing that Yoshi doesn’t appreciate dogs in her space -I bought a baby gate to close off a section of the office in hopes of keeping the peace. It was the best thing I ever did. Not only are dogs not rushing out to tackle customers, they are staying away from Yoshi and the peace has been kept.

Tonight I drop one dog off on the way home. Tomorrow, I drop another. Sunday I drop two. Next week I am back home in my own bed with only one dog who lives here.

It’s been a wild ride!

I felt pretty much like this:

Meet the cast of characters (all of whom were together under one roof):

Yoshi:

Scooter:

Moose:

Molly:

Max:

Allie:

Fall Photography and Yoshi

Christina

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October 6, 2016

Two of the things on my “To do list” this season are to walk Yoshi more and pick up my camera more often. The two kind of go hand in hand, and have worked together rather nicely. That combined with the unseasonably nice weather the past few weeks and I don’t have any excuse!

As a result, Yoshi and I have gone on quite a few different walks and hikes trying to soak up the last of the sun before it goes to bed for the winter.

Ward Lake:

A few days ago I decided to be brave and try out a new trail:

It was a beautiful trail that snaked through the woods -even Yoshi was calm and collect, something she usually isn’t on our walks. That is, until we popped out at the end. I was under the impression this trail looped around, but apparently it doesn’t. We popped out in the College parking lot and had to walk down through two schools to get back to the car. It was lunch time. There were a lot of people and cars and noises. Yoshi thought she might die.

She was very relieved to make it back to the car.

A few other sites from our outings:

…and of course, back by popular demand, some more shots of the star herself.

She cracks me up!

Ha!

Only in Alaska

Christina

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September 26, 2016

So yesterday afternoon I was feeling a bit cooped up, it was raining and I hadn’t been outside for a walk for a few days. I can’t remember the last time I picked up my camera (post summer blues) so I decided that I would take the dog for a walk on the beach.

It was raining, which meant I could let her off the leash and not have to worry about anyone else being there to scare her. So off we went.

This is what I originally had planned on photographing. Maybe spending a few minutes perfecting a shot like this.

The rain, the birds, the low tide -I had some ideas I was planning to perfect…but then something caught my eye.

Now that in and of itself isn’t that unusual. There are people out surfing on occasion, but this person didn’t appear to be surfing…in fact, I couldn’t be sure what they were doing.

I watched a few more minutes…

…and then this happened…

I couldn’t be sure if I was seeing things, but from what I could tell this person was doing handstands…on a surfboard…in the ocean…in the rain.

I am still not sure what, exactly, was going on -but it was sure impressive, especially considering I slipped about four times this weekend. On solid ground.