Susan's Perspective--On Location

Okay, okay, folks---so sorry there have been no follow ups.  My fault!  We have been BUSY!
  We are still living in our Cozy Camper in the driveway of  our dear friends Lisa and Larry and their two ADORABLE children.  Ethan, the youngest, has my heart  wrapped around his little finger.  Joel is quiet and intense and SO bright.  We are so blessed to have their help and support.
   WELL--where to start.  First, the pertinent stuff.  After 16 months of being unemployed in Richmond, Vernon , within  2 WEEKS,  got hired on at the Icicles Seafood Seward Fishery as a plant engineer.  He is one of 5 guys who keeps the machinery up and running.  It is a big job--8-4:30 m-f.  And he loves it.  He started last Monday.  He is getting his hands dirty, wearing jeans and  and  knee high Extra Tuffs boots, and is a VERY happy camper.   He is one of   The Guys,  and has quickly made friends.  Right now the plant is heading into the slow time of year--40 employees.  In the summer, it swells to over 400, with on-sight housing for the workers who are seasonal.  And his work-week will expand to 60 or so hours a week, with overtime pay. The money is good.  Most important of all , his self esteem has returned, and he is happy.  I take him to work each day--5 minutes away, and  at 4:30 I pick up my smiling, grinning blue collar worker.
      I had an interview today for a job, and I continue to look.  The pastry school  is not hiring right now,  but I plan to pester them on a regular basis.  I already know the head pastry chef--we plan to lunch next week.
       We have settled into our new church, St. Peter's Episcopal,  downtown.  Vernon has submitted his paperwork to begin prison ministry.  He met with Pastor Dave from Soldatna last week.  He heads up the program here in Seward, and said they had been praying for a person to take it over here.  And Vernon called.  So they are wasting no time in getting him cleared.  Again, Vernon is happy. 
        In these three weeks, we have met so many people, and they are all so warm and welcoming.  This is a small town.  It has the atmosphere of  Mayberry.  I kid you not.  Folks smile here.  They wave to you as you drive or walk by.  You are greeted in the street with a handshake or a hug.   Children play outside, and ride bikes all over town.  "Rush hour" lasts 5 minutes, and  means that at Nash road, it will take an extra 3 minutes to make the left going downtown.  Downtown is  6 blocks,  27 corners,  no stoplights.  Speed limit is 25, and EVERYBODY obeys it.  No buildings are over three stories high.  That's the law.  It is immaculately clean because people CARE that it is.  Everybody knows everybody, and are more than happy to help you solve a problem, or find somebody who can.
          We arrived at the perfect time, as the tourist industry is closed for the year.  We looked at a house to rent the other day that we both liked alot.  Has a view if the Bay.
           I am still overwhelmed at the beauty here.  We have spent our free time walking on the docks, watching  otters play,  talking to the fisherfolks as they come in and out,  and taking in the incredible sea air.  It is so clean here  that it takes some getting used to.
           So--we have  settled in.  Winter will be here soon, and the snow.  No wondering if Christmas will be white.  It goes with the territory, and oh, what beautiful territory it is!