December 2001

	"Snowmen fall from heaven ... unassembled."

Season's Greetings Family & Friends!

Another year has come and gone. I am happy to report that we are all doing well here, and find ourselves blessed to be together and proud to be Americans! The events of 9/11 were quite tragic, and we grieve for those who died and their families left behind. Am pleased to see it has renewed the American patriotic spirit which has seemed to be sadly lacking in the US for the last several years, and pulled us all together as a nation.

I spent the summer working at Westmark Tok Hotel as the Administrative Assistant, doing accounting, payroll and reporting functions (May - Sept). I found that I do enjoy working in the private sector (as compared to my previous work with the government). It was interesting and challenging to work with a wide variety of people in a business that I had not worked in previously. The Westmark Tok Hotel is a seasonal only property - summer only, so find myself once again on the unemployment line. Bradley also went to work there in June for the Maintenance department and he really enjoyed it. He did a LOT of painting, but said that was one of the duties he liked the most about his job. I hope to go back to work there next summer - the only thing that would stop me would be if I found a year-round and/or higher paying job in my field. I believe that Bradley feels the same.

In June, we were pleased to have Dad's sister, Virginia Blevins, and her son, Rick, visit. Bud & Pam toured them around Alaska, which included a trip to Eagle to visit Mom. We all enjoyed their visit. Then in July, cousin Evie O'Connell of California came up with her son, Robert, her mother, Evelyn, and her nephew, Eric. They spent 2 nights with me in Tok on their way to and from Eagle. We sure enjoyed having them up here and I think they all enjoyed their Alaskan visit. Also this summer, cousin Margaret Lord-Smith and Aunt Ida Lord stopped to see me at work. Although they did not have long to visit on their way back home to Whitehorse, I was sure glad to see them.

Yes - I am still collecting beanie babies. My family is quite sure I have gone off the deep end, but I sure enjoy collecting these little stuffed toys, and meeting new friends on the internet who also collect. Plus - I have enjoyed developing friendships with relatives who also collect beanies, like cousin Terri Lynn Houston in Wasilla, and Aunt Phyllis and her daughter Joy - both from Missouri. I am still a member of the Tok-A-Tan Homemakers, FCE Club; and have been serving as their Treasurer this year. But my favorite activity continues to be using the computer, probably spending way too much time at it. Not sure I get all that much accomplished, but I sure enjoy using it!

I drove Eugene to Anchorage in March when he had laser surgery on his eyes Ö he sure is happy not to have to wear glasses any more. In June, he had throat surgery which included having his tonsils removed. He reports that even though he had a bad time of it for over 2 weeks after surgery (I knew he wasn't feeling well when he spent 2 weeks recovering in Fairbanks - which he usually avoids like the plague!), he is now fully recovered and the positive effect it had on his sleep apnea made it all worthwhile. Cousin Teresa took great care of him while he was recovering in Fairbanks, and young Kelsey visited with him every day. He bought himself a new toy this summer, a Polaris Victory motorcycle. Of course, he still uses his boat, 6-wheeler and snowmachine in his hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational activities.

Mom is doing well and continued with her summer fishing in Eagle with her fishing buddy, Riba DeWilde and family. Their fishing was cut short due to lots of rain and high water, but they were able to get some strips, canned & frozen salmon put up for the winter. Then it was hunting season and Mom had another enjoyable and successful season Ö though her moose was the 'baby' of the bunch, she still had a great time. The crew at hunting camp on the Yukon River this year included Mom, Eugene, Leroy Holte, Eddie Biederman (Mom's cousin), Bud, Shaun, Brian, Kyle & his son, Patrick (who is now a proud successful moose hunter!). Scott, Brandy & girls didn't get to go to moose camp this year because they were completing the building of their beautiful new home in Fairbanks. I cancelled plans to go to moose camp myself this year after the events of 9/11, so I could be close to Bradley. Shaun made it home from hunting just a few days before the birth of his & Paula's son, Barrett Lane!

Bradley is spending his winter in Tok Ö. keeping his car going. **grin** He lives in our house on "Harold Johnson Road" and I stay with Mom, so he has his privacy and freedom that is valued by young people his age and I still get to see him once in a while!

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