Feeling patriotic today...

I stumbled across two performances this week I have to share with you. The first is a performance of the National Anthem by Ayla Brown, daughter of newly elected Senator Scott Brown from Massachusetts. Now, I've been told I must be living under a rock or something, but I had no idea this girl had once been on American Idol. I don't know who beat her, but she certainly has a set of pipes on her and I would have voted for her for sure. Here is Ayla Brown, performing with the Boston Pops (another favorite of mine):



I saw this next performance when it originally aired and I cried most of the way through it. How moving and inspiring. God put Trace Adkins on this earth to sing songs like these and I am so inspired by his talent and dedication to the military. There were wounded servicemen and women who were there, being supported by the Wounded Warrior Project. Please check my sidebar to the right and consider supporting this very worthy cause. Here is Trace performing a very moving tribute to our military, accompanied by the West Point Glee Club:



To see a short behind the scenes look at Trace's performance, click here to check out this video.

Attacks on Conservative Blogger Unwarranted

In the last few days, friend and author Adrienne Ross has been under attack for an article she posted on several blogs, discussing the custody issue between Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston. The flap revolves around one particular paragraph:

“I believe there’s hope for Levi; I really do. And I hope he grabs a hold of it soon because he’s treading on very thin Alaska ice. Like I said at the start, there’s something to be said for letting sleeping dogs lie. But when a lying dog refuses to put his rabid mouth to sleep, sometimes you just have to put that dog down.” (Read Adrienne's entire original article here)

As has been pointed out, Ms. Ross is an English teacher and accomplished writer. In their attempt to discredit her writings, they have used this very point against her, saying she should have known how her words would be interpreted. I use that same point, her writing skills, to make this point: she IS an excellent writer. This article was heavily laced with metaphor and idioms, something that seems to be difficult for her attackers to understand.

Others have used similar phrasings to make a point. For example, when President-elect Obama used the term "lipstick on a pig" during a speech, did anyone actually think he was going around with a red lipstick, chasing pigs? The left strongly argued that their idol was merely using an idiom he was familiar with, but others may not be. Another example is the recent flap over Harry Reid's racially-charged comments, which were made some time ago, and recently came to light after the publication of a political book. Again, the left argued that Mr. Reid was misunderstood and the terms he used were taken out of context. Why should this same understanding not be afforded Ms. Ross?

I have tried to make sense of the far-left's thinking, but there is no reasoning with it:

Insanity + Internet access = Liberal Blogger

This seems to be the order of the day. Adrienne has been fair and accurate in her writings on this subject. The attacks on her by the far-left are unwarranted and much more aggressive than anything they are accusing Ms. Ross of. The threats of legal action against Ms. Ross are baseless. Law is based on what a reasonable person would do in a situation. Any reasonable person who reads Ms. Ross' article will understand that she was not directly calling for harm to befall Mr. Johnston; only that Mr. Johnston needs to grow up and own up to his responsibilities - nothing more. Ms. Ross will continue to write, and should. Each of us brings a unique insight into various situations with our writings. Her contributions are valuable and this vitriol must end.

Pray for our nation - 2 Chronicles 7:14

Watch this, and make sure to turn on your speakers...


Pray for our nation

Are you smart enough to be in Obama's America?

Since when did the democratic party become the party of arrogance? I missed a step here somewhere because I always thought growing up as a child with a left-leaning upbringing that the republican party was the elitist party, the party with the money and the snobby folks. Well, growth has a way of changing your perspective, and time factors in there somewhere as well I suppose. Our two parties are not the same as they were, say 50 years ago. Things have changed, we have changed. Whether that's good or bad I don't know. All I know is I wish the republicans would get back to their conservative platform, and I wish the democrats would stop thinking they know what's best for me, and everyone else. According to our president, we're not smart anough to figure it out. Check out Obama's latest slip of the tongue in this article by Mark Steyn.

TOO MUCH OF A BAD THING
Who’s panting for Obama speech number 412? Exactly no one.

By Mark Steyn

So what went wrong? According to Barack Obama, the problem is he overestimated you dumb rubes’ ability to appreciate what he’s been doing for you. “That I do think is a mistake of mine,” the president told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “I think the assumption was if I just focus on policy, if I just focus on this provision or that law or if we’re making a good rational decision here, then people will get it.”

But you schlubs aren’t that smart. You didn’t get it. And Barack Obama is determined to see that you do. So the president has decided that he needs to start “speaking directly to the American people.”

Wait, wait! Come back! Don’t all stampede for the hills! He only gave (according to CBS News’s Mark Knoller) 158 interviews and 411 speeches in his first year. That’s more than any previous president — and maybe more than all of them put together. But there may still be some show out there that didn’t get its exclusive Obama interview — I believe the top-rated Grain & Livestock Prices Report — 4 a.m. Update with Herb Torpormeister on WZZZ-AM Dead Buzzard Gulch Junction’s Newstalk Leader is still waiting to hear back from the White House...

Read the entire article here

It fills my heart with Glee

I love our national anthem. It's so inspiring. Over the Christmas holiday, I was introduced to the TV series "Glee" by my daughter, a former college music major. I remember seeing previews for this show and thinking I'd check it out, but that never happened. She asked for the first season on DVD and I was hooked.

Recently, the cast of "Glee" performed the national anthem at the world series. This is a very nice rendition. Check it out!

Can you hear us now???

(AP Photo)
"Can you hear me now? How about now? Or now?" This is the question Republican voters around the nation are asking the Democrats who represent them. Tonight in an historic event, Republican Scott Brown is the new senator-elect in the State of Massachusetts, a Democratic stronghold since 1953. Many in the Democratic Party assumed Martha Coakley would easily slide into this seat, including Coakley herself. It wasn't until this week that reality started to seep into the liberal collective conscience and in rushed the cavalry - Obama, Clinton, and others - rallying for the ship USS Coakley that was sinking fast in the polls. Even this morning, Coakley was predicting victory, but it was more wishful thinking than reality awareness on her part.

So, where does this leave us? For the State of Massachusetts, the message sent is personal. This is their representative elect. But Republicans across the country sent money, made phone calls, tweeted, texted, and did whatever they could to get this guy elected. This is almost as personal to the rest of us as it is to those in Massachusetts. It's about sending a message and the message is "Listen to us! Hear our voices! Hear our concerns! WE elected YOU to represent US!"

Ever since President Obama was elected, and the democratic majority became someting of a stronghold, the average pickup-driving, tea party-spirited American has been screaming at the top of his lungs, trying to get those elected to listen to us - "Can you hear us now?" we cry. If they're smart, they will start to listen. Every day that these Democrats continue on this track, they are moving one step closer to the unemployment line, the same line many of their constituents are already standing in. We're asking the Democrats, "Are you ready to walk the plank?" Well get ready, because election day is coming and so is your pink slip.

Susan Estrich, a liberal feminist, was interviewed on Fox News this evening. She was speechless at points in her interview with Greta Van Susteran and if you know Susan Estrich, that's a feat in and of itself. She tried to disagree with Greta about the fact that the people are sending a message. Does national healthcare reform and Obamacare ride on this Massachusetts vote? Estrich argued that the healthcare debate wasn't a factor in Massachusetts because they already have something of a government run healthcare system. They saw no benefit in supporting a national healthcare bill that they might have to pay for when they already have something similar at the state level, something that they're not entirely happy with. She is right in a couple of respects - the people of Massachusetts don't want to be saddled with this because it does not benefit them, but the nation as a whole does not want this bill for the same reason. It will only benefit the special interests and cost taxpayers for decades to come. The people of Alaska voiced their concerns in a recent survery. Here is a synopsis of the findings:

Alaska Statewide Healthcare Survey

n=393 Alaska Registered voters -- December 15-22, 2009
Most Alaskans:
- Are satisfied with their current healthcare coverage (88%);
- Oppose Congressional healthcare legislation (57%);
- Expect costs to increase (64%), and quality of care to decline (60%)
if the healthcare reform plan becomes law
- Want Congressional representatives to vote against healthcare
reform (59%)

(Follow these links for the entire report on the Public At Large and Medical Professional Dittman Research and Communications survey results)

What happens at this point in the house and senate is anyone's guess. There are several negative directions the Democrats can take this thing in, trying to ram through their agenda, continuing to ignore the people. The Democrats are desperately trying to paint themselves into a rose-colored-glasses corner, telling themselves the Massachusetts voter upset isn't about the healthcare reform bill, or the other issues Americans care about.

How about this novel idea - what if the Democrats in the house and senate start listening to their constituents? I want to see if some of the Democrats have the moxie to rise up and represent the people and their wishes. How about our own Sen. Mark Begich? Mr. Begich, have you seen these poll results? Are you willing to stand up and listen to your constituents? Alaska is a largely Republican state, and there is no doubt what Alaskans want, based on these surveys. Mr. Begich, are you willing to listen to Alaskans, or are you and other senate and house members around the nation ready to fall on your swords and go the way of Martha Coakley? We will vote you out! Can you hear us now?

Stay on the horn until November folks!

Stuart Shepard is encouraging everyone to stay active and not let up on the government - this is our time everyone! Let your voices be heard! Use the democratic process our forefathers fought so hard to give us!

ProSarah Radio Hour

Here are links to the ProSarah Radio shows on Jan 13 and Jan 14, 2010. I was a guest both days.



January 13, 2010 show

January 14, 2010 show

Thank Your Military

I received this video from a friend on Facebook. Please watch this, and encourage others to watch it as well. If you want to thank a military member, send them this message. Here is the story behind it:

"An average group of Americans gathered to publicly thank their United Stated Military for the freedom they provide. If you want to thank your military, pass this video on to every person you know so it will eventually reach every present and former military person across the globe. We want the military to know we appreciate their service and sacrifice!"

I'll make the call!

If it were only this easy, I would make the call!

Ray Stevens "We The People"

Ray Stevens has come a long way since "The Streak" - I kind of like this!

Homeland security joke for the day

Every time my daughter flies to Alaska to visit, something makes it difficult for her to get back to school. She doesn't seem to have any problems getting here (should be a sign, I keep telling her), but her return flights are always nightmares: Planes being redirected, flights being delayed or canceled, being bumped to other airlines, etc. As we're all aware, there was an attempted bombing last week so now everyone has their panties in a bunch. Please don't think I'm not for homeland security, but I am aghast at the way the current administration is going about it (or NOT going about it).

A friend of mine made the following observation on Facebook recently:

"Um, if the TSA scanner blurs out your face and your naughty bits, that STILL wouldn't have stopped the Detroit flight dude, right? He was COUNTING on nobody checking his junk, right? Does nobody in power have any brain cells to rub together anymore?????"

Even better is Michelle Malkin's most recent post. Here is a snippet:

We’re at Code Red Elmo on the Homeland Insecurity Scale:

Make sure and check out the entire post here.

US Marines and a very big flag

Earlier this week, a friend of mine sent a message out on Facebook that her daughter, a US Marine, was going to be taking part in something very special. The Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Big Flag was to be unfurled at a football game, and she was going to be a part of it. You might remember this family - they were profiled in an earlier post on my blog. Unfortunately, a previous game ran over so we were not able to see the flag ceremony live on TV, but I did find video taken by a fan in the stands. Please follow this link to learn more about this special flag, and make sure to watch the video below. How inspiring!



Ruth Ann is out there on that field somewhere! God Bless our military!

A new game - wanna play?

The object of the game is to destroy American capitalism by having the government take over everything.

-Wanna play?
-No?
-Too bad, you're already playing.

And in this game, nobody wins.

This should keep you thinking

Make sure you watch it all the way through - will you pass it on?

Alaskan Digest: Slice of Alaskan life

We have a lot of cut wood, but had no stove to burn it in until recently. Now that we have a great wood stove, we spend our weekends digging through an old pile of logs from when my husband cleared our property before he built our log home. He was in "gotta clear these trees to build the house" mode instead of "gotta cut wood for the wood stove" mode, so some of the logs (actually MOST of the logs) need to be cut down and split. It keeps us busy on the weekends, gathering, cutting, and splitting enough wood to get us through another week. Here are some scenes from today, when the temperature outside was about -5. I actually worked up a sweat!


Me in my wood gathering clothes. My mukluks (Alaskan boots) keep my feet toasty warm - they're rated to -40!


We have a long black sled that I tow with a rope to the pile and load it up




Hauling the wood to our porch





Once on the porch, my husband takes over, and I go back to the pile to get more


My husband doing his thing


No, my hair is not white - it freezes and that is frost on my hair!

Check out the video clip below

Sarah Palin, fact checking, and Soapy Smith

I stopped purchasing the Anchorage Daily News a long time ago. I take great delight in the calls I get from telemarketers for the ADN when they solicit their paper and when I tell them I’m not interested, they always ask why. It’s then that I get a chance to tell them about being a liberal rag I won’t pay money for. Not to say I don’t ever read it, because of course I want to know what agenda they’re pushing – I’m just not going to support their cause monetarily.

Recently I was reading an article regarding former ADN writer Craig Medred on the website Conservatives4Palin. It caught my eye because it described a flap regarding Medred and his attempts to disprove a certain portion of Sarah Palin’s book “Going Rogue” regarding the famous Alaskan character, “Soapy” Smith. Sarah’s family lived in Skagway for a time and no doubt she heard, and her father may have even taught, some of the history of this character. She mentions it briefly in her book as part of the history of the state. My husband and I had a chance to visit Skagway, Alaska in the summer of 2008 while on vacation, and I remember hearing the story of Soapy, his life, and his death. We even visited Frank Ried's gravesite which is a huge tourist attraction.

History has a way of rewriting itself, and often it is up to family members to set the record straight. Wild tales of shoot outs and caricatures of individuals of the time abound, but recently a book was written by Jeff Smith, descendant of Soapy, in an attempt to set the record straight.

Why does this matter you ask, and where am I going with this? Medred has chosen to dispute the story as written in Sarah’s book. As a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News and Palin detractor with a history of negative stories against Sarah, Medred’s personal history might give us some background into his agenda.

After attending several higher level institutions of learning, Medred landed in Fairbanks, Alaska and enrolled at the University of Fairbanks. According to an article in the Alaska Press, Medred was stated as saying, “UAF got so fed up with me, they said, ‘here, take a degree and leave.’ So I took a degree [in journalism] and left…” An auspicious beginning to his journalism career. He eventually landed at the ADN and set his sights on Sarah Palin. He has been a Sarah detractor ever since. Since the release of “Going Rogue” Craig Medred has been bent on disproving the published version of events in Sarah’s book. Craig, Craig, haven’t you got anything better to do? Well, maybe not.


In the summer of 2009, Medred left ADN for what was described as a “funemployment” furlough as mentioned in the Anchorage Press article. ADN is a McClatchy paper and bleeding profusely, it’s readership scraping the bottom of the barrel. Many at ADN have been placed on furloughs or “outwrite” laid off, including Medred. Now that Medred has some time on his hands, how better to whittle away the time than to slam Sarah Palin’s book? As if he could find nothing better to tear down, the story of Soapy became his target. One might think he would want to disprove more important passages from her book but I am just speculating that Medred thought this would be an easy way to tear down Sarah without anyone disputing his “fact-checking.”

Enter Jeff Smith, Soapy’s descendant and author of “Alias Soapy Smith, the Life and Death of a Scoundrel.” As Jeff notes on his website, Medred has been busy trying to disprove Sarah’s version of the event in her book. Jeff notes that Medred is wrong, not Sarah. From Jeff’s website article titled “Sarah Palin/Soapy Smith/Craig Medred: It just keeps getting worse”:

Mr. Medred's "clarification" is filled with errors but truth in history is not his goal. Disproving Sarah Palin's book is his goal.

As with any of those Sarah Palin “haters,” I believe Medred’s negativity regarding Sarah’s book stems out of jealousy. Here is a man who is on a “funemployment” furlough from ADN, having nothing better to do than to tear down her book, a book that has been on the best seller’s list for weeks, an accomplishment Medred has not achieved. While Sarah and Medred have a similar background in that they attended various higher level institutions eventually obtaining degrees in journalism, Sarah Palin has reached heights and accomplished more than Medred can ever hope to.

Sarah Palin’s version of events surrounding Soapy Smith and detailed in her book is accurate as confirmed by Jeff Smith, his descendant. Why we are even having this conversation is a conundrum in itself, another of those Sarah attacks that makes you scratch your head and say, “What?” Enough said.

The Christmas Friendship Dinner in Wasilla was a huge success!

I sit here in amazement at what a wonderful event it was that just took place. The Christmas Friendship Dinner held in Wasilla, Alaska is truly unique. I've never seen an event of this size headed up by a group of caring citizens, and not a major organization. They all know what needs to happen, and they get it done. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with members of this group that have been doing this for years. I want to say this to them, and to anyone reading this so you all will know, that this is what makes our community so wonderfully special. I send blessings to all my local friends, and to all those whom I've met through the internet this year. Below is a copy of an article from The Frontiersman,our local valley newspaper. My only comment would be that the writer is not quite correct - our celebration was not about Sarah as he said, but it's not about Santa either, as the article suggests. The celebration of CHRISTmas is about CHRIST. After all, he is the reason for the season! Please take the opportunity to look over these photos, as well as the attached article. God bless everyone, and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Friendship Dinner dubbed 'best ever'

BY GREG JOHNSON
Frontiersman
Published on Friday, December 25, 2009 3:34 PM AKST
WASILLA — Not even Sarah Palin could upstage Santa Claus.

As the former vice-presidential candidate served up mashed potatoes and turkey to a long line of hungry visitors, Santa was still wide awake after pulling an all-nighter delivering gifts around the world. Both were all smiles as they chatted with and served up food and presents to hundreds at the 18th annual Christmas Friendship Dinner at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center.

“No, no, no, not tired at all,” Santa said. “All that cocoa last night, and with all the cookies and chocolate, I’m wide awake.”

While Palin has been making national headlines since the release of her best-selling memoir, “Going Rogue,” there were no mobs of well-wishers, protesters or media. Many of the attendees were glad to see her and husband Todd participating in a hometown event, but said, at least on Christmas, Santa was the No. 1 celebrity at the sports center on Christmas.

“The food is good, the people are good and it’s good to see people you haven’t seen in while,” said Glen Butts. “And, of course, we have Sarah here. ... (But) I’d have to say Santa is the bigger celebrity. He’s going non-partisan, so I’d have to go with him.”

Lt. Micah Weinstein of the Wasilla Police Department reserves agreed. “Sarah’s a great lady, but Santa’s Santa.”

Behind the scenes, Bob Bowers has helped organize and cook for the Christmas Friendship Dinner since its inception. That first year, the dinner served 64 people at the Wasilla Senior Center. Last year, an estimated 1,500-1,700 was fed at Wasilla High School, and this year Bowers was prepared for 2,000 people at the sports center, as the event had outgrown the high school.

After 18 years of peeling potatoes and cooking in cramped, hot kitchens, is Bowers ready to pass on his apron?

“Heck, are you kidding?” he said. “I look forward to this day. This is the happiest day of my life when I get down here.”

This year, Bowers and a small army of volunteers helped cook and serve 63 turkeys, 60 hams, 600 pounds of potatoes, 50 gallons of gravy, 80 pounds of butter, dozens of large cans of beans and corn, and 600 pounds of carrots.

With more space and the kitchen facilities at the sports center, “This is the best year we’ve ever had,” Bowers said. “At the high school, they had to cook the potatoes out in front of the high school, and then they had to wheel them all the way back to the kitchen, mash them up, then haul them right back to where they cooked them. It took us all day.”

The Cowles family traveled from Indian with 7-year-old daughter Tilly for the dinner and passed the time playing Uno while waiting to help clean up.

“It feels like family,” Roger Cowles said about why his family has attended the past four Christmas events. “My folks live here and they peel potatoes and carrots. Last year, we came a day early and helped. This year we’re on the clean-up crew.”

While Tilly played Uno with her parents — “I lost the last hand,” her father said. “I was, like, hundreds in the hole” — her brothers were outside playing with a new toy they received at the sports center.

“We wouldn’t let them bring a football,” Roger Cowles said. “We said, ‘No, it’s going to be indoors.’ So, the gift they got from the giveaway over there was a football.”

Ashley Mills was one volunteer helping hand out presents to children at the dinner. All the gifts were donated, she said, then wrapped and labeled so each child would get a gift appropriate to his or her age and gender.

“It just makes me so happy to see them so happy about getting a present,” she said.

From youngsters visiting Santa one last time to seniors finding some companionship on Christmas, the friendship dinner was the place to be.

Barbara Rice lives at the Wasilla Senior Center and raved about the pecan pie.

“That pie, I’m not kidding you, is just delicious,” she said.

She also had warm thoughts for the local Santa Cop program, which payed her a visit earlier on Christmas.

“I didn’t even know about them,” she said of the Santa Cops. “They came in and said, ‘Are you Barbara Rice?’ And I said, ‘I am.” And he said, ‘We’re the Santa Cops and we’re here to see you.’”

She received a $100 gift certificate and several other wrapped gifts, Rice said.

“I was shocked a just the (amount of the) gift certificate, and I still have the gifts to look at too,” she said.

Kurt Karmer took a break from volunteering in the kitchen to enjoy Christmas dinner with his family. After three days of cooking to prepare, he proclaimed “everything” was the best on the menu.

“I just like bringing a little Christmas cheer to people, that’s all,” he said. “It’s been really good. The volunteers are great and (the facility) is beautiful.”

Sierra Hannan is a Christmas Friendship Dinner veteran. Attending since she was a girl, Hannan now brings her own children.

“I think it’s absolutely wonderful,” she said. “It helps out the community, and it’s not just for poor people, it’s for everybody.”

Bowers said he gets more out of volunteering to make the dinner happen than he puts into it, but what really made him choke up was seeing the community fill the sports center.

“This is the gospel-honest truth,” Bowers said. “I have walked out there three times today, and all three times I had to come back because I had tears in my eyes. I was so happy and so overwhelmed with what I saw, it just makes my Christmas.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please enjoy my own personal photos below.


My daughter Cassie getting organized before the event


The table full of presents from Santa!


My sons Nick and Josh helping set up the Nativity


This is Kurt, who was mentioned in the Frontiersman article above


Some of our delivery crew. We were meals on wheels for today, and we had meals that were delivered to those who could not come to us.


We had volunteer firefighters helping out with meal delivery


We even had sugar free desserts


Kevin was awesome on the carrot shredder!


Some of our door greeters


Bob, on the right in the green apron, is an extraordinary cook and has been with the dinner all 18 years


One of our elves - isn't she cute?


Chuck Heath (center) with Angelina and LindaJo Klapperich


We had plenty of rolls - thanks to all who donated!


We had a nice selection of hot and cold vegetables


Servers with spoons up - at the ready!



People getting their plates filled


We had lots of great young people volunteering, and whole families


There were also servicemembers, young and old alike


Sally Heath talking to Chris, another great volunteer


My daughter Cassie and son Josh, taking a break to eat


Sonja and Gregory, who were running the first aid table


Our honor table, for those who have fallen or were not able to be there as they had in years past


We had a great turnout


This little girl was very happy with her Santa gifts


This young dad was very happy to receive a toy for his child. They dropped down right there on the floor in front of Santa to open it. They were all smiles!


We had some great families who provided sing-a-long entertainment


An overhead view of some people going through the food line

Many of you who follow my blog regularly found me through Twitter or Facebook or through some of the Sarah Palin websites. We were blessed today when Sarah Palin and her family came and devoted time to volunteering at the Christmas Dinner. Sarah and Todd, her kids, her brother and sisters, their children, and her mom and dad were all in attendance. Sarah came in and of course, there was immediate excitement. Sarah was gracious enough to sign a few items. I was working as the volunteer coordinator, and she told me she really wanted to serve so we set her up with Angie and she put her to work on the serving line. Everyone was very excited to see her, and for some it made this Christmas Day even that much more special. Sarah has a servant's heart and I know this is what makes her day as well. Sarah is her mother's daughter, and it was her mother who originally asked me to get involved. Chuck Jr. was so proud that his boys were able to participate and they all had a great time. Sarah's sisters and their families were also involved. Here are some photos from that part of the event:


Sarah's brother Chuck Heath Jr with his boys Kier and Teko. They were a big help!


Sarah arrived. You can see Piper and Willow in the left side of the picture


Sarah signed a few books and calendars





The head of the serving line, Angie, gave Sarah and Todd gloves and aprons and put them to work!


Todd and Sarah enjoyed serving










This special young man was excited to see Sarah, as were many

Wasilla Christmas Friendship Dinner set up Dec 24

Another day has gone by and we're one step closer to a glorious day. Much planning and preparation has gone into this dinner and after receiving a wonderful message from our committee chair, I just know this is going to be one of the best events ever. Here are some photos from today's decorating and set up events.


Boy scouts were there to help


And so were fathers and sons


Even my kids are involved


This little girl was hanging candy canes on trees


We had 600 pounds of potatoes to peel






Lots of signs are needed








We had 3 ladies working on chains - they were all between 90 and 95 years old


I love this shot - I wish you could see it in person


Chris, Robert, and James Hastings who is the head of the Sports Center, working on last minute items


Chains, lots of paper chains, strung over the first floor from the second.


Sally took this picture of me. I think she secretly likes my Cannon camera!


Sally Heath, Sarah Palin's mother and Alaska Sen. Linda Menard, whose late husband the sports center is named after, sitting in Mr. and Mrs. Claus' chairs. They were laughing and having a great time.

Wasilla Christmas Friendship Dinner Dec 23 set up

I am exhausted and too tired to wax poetic, so let me just show you some of what we did today setting up for the Christmas Friendship Dinner to be held on Christmas Day in Wasilla, Alaska. We had some great volunteers show up today, and I have to hand it to everyone for all their hard work. Stay tuned - more pics to come in following days!