March Bullet Points

• Birthdays celebrated this month:
• Even though our daughter Jami’s birthday was February 27th, we gave her a surprise birthday party on March 2nd to celebrate her 40th birthday.  Yikes, our youngest is 40!
• Our youngest grandchild, Maddy, turned 11 on 3/6.  
• Son-in-law Matthew celebrated number 44 on 3/14.
• Husband Dave (Poppop) hit the big 6-5 on 3/28.    

•  On March 28, 1966, 52 years ago, my parents and I left Cleveland, TN for Alaska.
• Books I’ve read this month or in the process of reading:
• Lilac Girls, Martha Hall Kelly
• Before We Were Yours, Lisa Wingate
• The Masterpiece, Francine Rivers
• I Bought a House on Gratitude Street, J. Ellsworth Kalas (gift from Phyllis)
• 7.4 inches of snow this month.  (81.7 inches for the season)
• We purchased a new Instant Pot.  I haven’t tried it out yet, but I have one!  
• I’ve always bought Campbell’s tomato soup - but not any longer.  I’ve discovered Progresso’s “Tomato Basil” soup....rich, thick and so delicious. It’s my new favorite.  
• Went to San Diego for a couple weeks to visit cousins & friends   

• Dave and I were both sick the first 4 days of our vacation. Not a good way to start a vacation.  
• Movies we watched while in San Diego:
• All Saints (old movie we rented)
• I Can Only Imagine (showing at the theater)
• I give both movies 5 stars.
• We were introduced to HGTV and became fans of Chip & Joanna.
• Dave went sailing….one of his favorite things to do.  I’m sorry he had to sail alone, but I’m just not into sailing. Ask him about his experience with the motor on board.

• We enjoyed connecting with Stan and Phyllis Wright and meeting their son Brent. 

• Enjoyed Krispy Kreme donuts.  The hot sign was on!
• Fun places we ate at (places we don’t have in Fairbanks):
• Phil’s BBQ
• Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop
• Venice Pizza
• Red Lobster (my favorite)
• In-N-Out Burger
• The Lunch Box 
• Applebee’s
• Jack-in-the-Box.  I went through the drive-in for a bacon and egg  breakfast sandwich with hash browns. When I got back to Mary’s house I discovered I had a hamburger with bacon and french fries. I don’t know who was more disappointed - me or the person who got my breakfast sandwich.  No 5 stars for their service.  
• We went to see Cirque Du Soleil on Ice: “Crystal” at the old Sports Area. An awesome show. We all thought it was funny that we were visiting from Alaska and we went to an “ice” show.  
• We visited a Costco and I purchased two $25.00 gift cards for $38.99 for Sees candy since I planned on buying Sees candy anyway. What a deal. The day we went to Sees the store was a mad house. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity (I’m very impatient), we checked out and was on our way. The next day I found the Sees gift cards in my purse. What?? 
• We enjoyed beach time on Coronado Island and walks on Harbor Island.   

• I loved the blooming  flowers, the birds and fresh fruit picked daily from the fruit trees in Mary & Vickie’s yard. We were told the weather was a little cooler than normal but it still felt wonderful to us.      

• I attended Good Friday service with family at Friends Church. 
• After returning to Fairbanks the roads were dry - snow and ice free. I was driving like I was still in California…..10 miles over the speed limit. Whoa!
• The month ended with two inches of fresh sNOw.  
• Goodbye March, 2018.