Well lets see. I am sitting here preparing for the flood watch that was just issued.

Last month we caught the edge of a tropical storm. Wow...lightening, thunder, and we lost our power on the base. So, the first thing I did was go to the PX and grab candles and flashlights. I was in Anchorage mode. How were we going to stay warm? Did we have enough water? Ammo? Gas in the truck? You know the routine. Then it occurred to me that no power here really wasn't that big of a deal. Its warm. We are on an Army base. We had plenty of food and water. We were safe. And of course, the moment I calmed down....the power came back on.

So, today I am going to just enjoy the rain and storm as it is. Although, I am aware that I am on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. And of course, a big enough wave could wipe us out. No big deal. Breathe Tora. Breathe.

I wonder if we will experience a hurricane. I think that would a trip. We have had a couple little earthquakes, but nothing noteworthy.

In other news: we had to take Madison to the Acute Care Clinic b/c I failed to get all of the splinter out of her foot and it got infected and swollen. Whoops. The thing is, it was really strange being back in a clinic. The exam room we were in had so many little reminders of my clinic. Little things like; they had the same brand gloves, wavacide, and sterile lube packets. I could have totally done what the Dr. did in my clinic. We waited three and half hours with sick people to have this taken care of. And I so could have done it.....oh well. Just nostalgic I guess.

We had a great Thanksgiving. Some of the soldiers cooked the turkey and me and another wife cooked the side dishes. And the turkey was delicious and the sides were delicious.

Very strange having Thanksgiving and Christmas in 70 degree weather. Santa does not wear flip flops and carry a surf board. Whatever.

Madison calls this her new family. She now has a lot of Uncles and a few Aunties.

She is doing pretty good. She sure is an ornery little thing. She is brown and white. Her legs and arms are brown and her little tushy is white. Very cute. She loves having a mommy and a daddy. She is the queen of her little world. She has enjoyed having her own room too. She does really well in the ocean. Shes certainly not afraid of it! We have seen crabs and sea anenomes and urchins and tons of fish.

Also, I am going to my first military ball on Friday. Can you see me at a ball? Right. Another wife loaned me a dress and I have to go get shoes today. Jeff looks so handsome in his dress uniform. Whooooowe. Love a man in uniform......Of course, we have to have his uniforms altered to fit his big self. Gee Whiz. Of course, the Army doesn't make stuff his size. But who does? Anyhow, I think it might be fun. I am glad I have had a chance to get to know lots of folks b/f the ball. So we can all hang out together.......It has a slightly high school feel to it. hmmmmmmmmmm

Well, I am going to go make breakfast. Tora and Madison

Aloha
Well, we have made it to Hawaii. We are staying in a military hotel. Its very nice. Jeff was supposed to be here tomorrow..but he will be here on Wednesday instead. It is pretty nice here. Its about 80 degrees. Little strange things are different tho. Like the moon is in the wrong side of the sky. The time change is harder than I thought it would be. Also, its dark at about 6:30. And not Alaskan dark. But REALLY dark.

We went to the pool this afternoon. It is Outside! Wierd. And I was really hot just sitting there. So I actually went into the water with my chubby self. We didnt stay too long...because I didnt want us to sunburn. We are going to ease our way into it. The nice thing is that there seems to be a nice breeze blowing most of the time. And that makes a world of difference. We walked across a parking lot going to the PX and the asphalt was soft under our shoes. Wierd........

I can also see mountains in the distance. That is nice! Its not Denali or anything...but it is a mountain range nontheless.

Anyhow, we are happy to be here.

Tora

Sitting here at midnight thinking about Anchorage. This has been my home for so long. It is really the place I feel most at peace in. Its almost like I am comfortable with thought of dying in Anchorage. And I would hate to pass anywhere else. Strange eh? Everytime I venture outside I miss our State so much. When we lived in Oakland the boys and I would play a game: we would close our eyes when we left a store and hope we had been teleported to the Costco on Dimond. Of course, we never were. ;(

I hope I will be at peace in Hawaii. What if I am not? What if I hate it? What if its too hot? And bugs? ewwwwww! Everyone says its paradise. But, I have my doubts. I think Alaska is paradise. Its a pretty hard act to follow.

I comfort myself by thinking that Hawaii is only temporary. Of course, it doesn't help that no one has any sympathy for this grief. Everyone is like, "I wish I could go to Hawaii. Look, snow is on the mountain already." And I am filled with a strange grief that I am going to miss this winter. Whatever.

I am gonna do it though. Its what in front of me. Theres no getting out of it now. I cant undo whats been done. I gotta go. I'm all packed. My movies are packed. Madison's toys are sorted and mostly packed. She keeps unpacking them. And then she repacks them in places they aren't supposed to go. Its a funny dance we are doing.

The bottome line is: God has a plan here. This is all being orchestrated by something bigger than me. My job is to just show up. And that has always been the case. Maxium service to your fellows Tora. God isnt going to screw you this time either. He hasn't so far...........keep the faith girl.

Either way, I am going to miss this place, my home, so much.