Random Babbling....

Ok, so we are in our last week of summer.  The kids start next week.  I am ready for them to go back.  They need to go back.  But....I am also absolutely dread them going back.  My biggest regret about coming to Sitka is the schools.  The middle school Travis will be going to has not met federal standards in 5 years.  Taylor's school finally for the first time in 5 years got it together and met standards last year but that doesn't even make me feel better. 

Alaska standards are in my opinion low compared to most other state.  I just hate feeling like my kids will not be getting a good education.  I get emotional even talking about this subject with anyone, including my Trav. I think most parents feel some passion about their kids education.  The kids previous school was top notch to say the least.  I knew leaving Forestdale with their standards and funding, no school would be able to compete.  I just feel very let down by the attitudes and mentality of some people I have spoken to within the schools.   I just hate that the kids will have to do a full day of school and then come home to do more work because we have to supplement.   Military kids face so many social challenges because of the constant moving around.  I am trying to avoid mine having to deal with gaps in their education levels and suffering down the road because of it.  Last year was pretty much one big review period for both the kids.  I would estimate that the schools here are a good 9 months behind Cape Cod. 

If I learned one thing from our school is Massachusettes its that parents should expect nothing less the top notch when it comes to school.  The schools should demand excellence and require kids to progress.   Anything less is just unacceptable.  The really crappy part is we have no choice.  There are no other schools for the kids to attend.  I'm hoping its not a long year of battles.

Moving on.....


Fall is in the air!  I can feel it.  When I let the dogs out in the morning there is a chill in the air that isn't our normal, standard Alaskan, cool summer air.  Honestly its almost a relief though.  When the sun shines in Alaska there is this unspoken pressure to be outside.  I don't think unless you have lived here you can understand.  If its not raining you feel guilty sitting inside.  If is sunny, you force yourself to be outside at all costs, for hours on end.  Its all mental but when you know perpetual rain and darkness is not far off in the distance your mind tells you to get your butt outside.  Today I noticed the ground cover in the forest is changing colors and the rain is back.  Summer is over!  It was a gorgeous summer but I think Mother Nature has decided we have had enough sunshine.  Rain is eminent.   We don't get miraculous fall colors up here in Sitka.  Last year  the wind came in and just blew all the leaves off the trees.  The spruce trees stay green year round.  I miss the fall foliage of the Cape and I loved "leaf peeping".  Some day I will see the fall colors again.

On the up side, I love decorating for fall.  I won't be decorating anything until September but I LOVE fall.  Its honestly my favorite season.  I love running in the cool, crisp air.  I love the smell of the damp leaves.  I love the change.   I do wish our house up here had a fire place.  I loved our fireplace on the Cape.  I loved decorating the mantel.  I just ordered new fall Yankee Candles and am looking forward to my new boots arriving in the mail.  Fall opens the door to the holiday season.  

Sports...I'm no fanatic by any means but right now I love watching the Sox's play with Trav and I love watching preseason football.  Four years on the Cape and I secretly cheer for the Pats.  T.B. is a freaking hottie, Belicheck is a genius and I enjoy partaking in the passion the New Englanders show for their teams.  Trav jumps head first into fantasy football and I find humor in the way he gets almost giddy watching preseason games and highlights.   Trav still cheers for the Raiders but I will be hoping to see a few Pats games on T.V. this winter.

I aleady find myself daydreaming about our dreamsheet next year.  Seeing the list of open billets always fills me with anxiety and anticipation.  We won't see a list until a year from now but I can't help but wonder what will be on it.  Others at the unit are about to see their lists, will be deciding where they hope to go, researching schools, reviewing housing markets.  I am jealous!  I loathe packing up, saying goodbye and starting over but we hope that our next move will be our last.  We hope to buy our first house when we leave Sitka and stay in one place for a while.  Trav will hopefully retire from the service at our next location and we will settle down.  I just hope we have good options.  I find myself dreaming of a place that feels like home, like forever.  Unpacking and knowing we won't be leaving.  Promising the kids they don't have to say goodbye to friends.  

There really are only a few places we even want to go.  I hope that coming to Alaska again and retaining priority billeting gives us the advantage to secure one of those spots.  Trav and I talk constantly about staying put, settling down, making long term friends, painting bedrooms.  All those things that everyone else gets to do.  I find myself daydreaming alot lately of next years list and the potential it hold for us.    The older I get the more appealing forever sounds.

Well... my head feels more clear.  I have gotten some things off my chest.  Its time for my Trav and I to head out and walk the dogs.  There is a break in the weather, its a gorgeous evening and the Sox game is over.  Gotta go.