Jenna's thoughts on her guests, the Sanduskys, who stayed with Jenna and her fiance', Michael, for five days. She has met Louisiana before (from when she had been injured last November while traveling through Tennessee on her way to Louisiana), but this was the first time she met Louisiana's husband, Bill, and two of their kids, Johnny and Ronee'.
It is so hard to wake up and not see our guests. Our guests, the Sanduskys, have since left to continue their journey as they cruise around Alaska and see some of Alaska's sights. Ever since Louisiana, her husband, Bill, and two kids, Johnny and Ronee', have left, it seems all I have done is cry because I really miss them. They really left quite an indelible impression on Michael and myself.
This is Jenna again, in case you haven't figured that out. I am doing okay; not great, but okay, all things considering. I am still trying to accept the fact that my leg and arm will never be the same, and I will have to learn to live with further disability for the rest of my life and can no longer work. Michael has been very supportive of me, but he knows I am upset, and he is trying to make things easier for me.
The Sanduskys left on Thursday, and I have been a little sad because I really had fun with them. Louisiana looked wonderful, and her husband was rather cute (but he IS very tall; he is nearly 7' tall!); and her kids were absolutely delightful. Ronee' was very cute and very smart, and she delighted in the Alaskan scenery and seeing the Northern Lights. When she first saw the Lights, she was spellbound, and all she could do was just stand there, gazing up at the natural light show, her mouth wide open and her large dark eyes just sparkling with excitement and awe. Johnny, her brother, was more reserved and shy than his sister, but he was still a pleasant kid who loved to play video games and play with Michael's remote control cars when he wasn't busy doing other things or was taking him and his family around, showing them the sights of Anchorage. He enjoyed the Lights too, but not as much as his sister.
Both Johnny and Ronee' behaved themselves quite well (their parents only had to get after them a few times, but for minor infractions, such as when Ronee' got a little too rambunctious and wouldn't leave Michael alone, or when Johnny fell and knocked over Michael's CD collection); and when we took them out, they behaved themselves and minded their manners. They may have been only 11 years old, but they were very well behaved, and it was obvious just by how well they minded their parents (and us) just how courteous and polite they were. They didn't go around, running amuck or sassing their parents; they did as they were told, and they knew that if they misbehaved they would get disciplined; so they were very careful in not to get into mischief. But they did have their moments, such as when Ronee' kept hugging all over Michael and wouldn't let him be; or when Johnny knocked over the CD case, and CD's went everywhere!
During their stay in Anchorage, we took them shopping, to the Northern Lights movie, to the Heritage Museum, and to a Inuit festival that happened to be going on; and this was where the Sanduskys had their first tastes of whale blubber, caribou, moose, and reindeer. They also learned of the Inuit culture, and they partook in some of the games that were going on, much to our amusement. We also showed them the wildlife refuge, and we showed them the wild animals. We took them to the zoo, and we also took them on a train ride through the mountains. We packed a lot of activities in just three days. It would have been five, but Bill had gotten sick and ended up in the hospital for two days. He had a rather bad asthma attack, but I am glad to say that he made it home in time to spend the last two days with us before he and his family were to leave. (He went into the hospital on Sunday after we had picked them up in Sitka, and it was while we were driving towards our home in Anchorage when Bill started wheezing; and by the time we got to Anchorage, he was in trouble, and so we had to go to the hospital, where he was then admitted; and he got out Tuesday, and the family left to continue their cruise on Thursday. Boy, talk about impeccable timing!) The Sanduskys also stayed longer than what was originally planned because the boat they were on developed sudden mechanical problems, so they had no choice BUT to stay with us. That was bad for them, but it sure was good for us!
Now the Sanduskys are on board their ship; and who knows where they will go next..to Denali National Park, to Juneau, to Fairbanks, or on an excursion to see the glaciers (Glacier Bay is such a place) or see the native wildlife and peoples. I know they probably won't go to the Arctic, but I do know that they will see lots of animals and historical attractions along their journey. They have seen so much already (well, the kids did; Louisiana and Bill didn't, thanks to his being sick and in the hospital for two days), and they will undoubtedly see much more during their Alaskan Adventure. They will also probably see the Northern Lights again, much to the delight of Ronee'.
In the meantime, I am trying to help Michael straighten up our apartment (but Michael is doing much more than I am; I can't do a lot, thanks to my leg and my arm; it's really a big pain in the A**!), but helping him is better than sitting around, being bored or feeling sorry for myself again! I have been doing plenty of that, believe you me!!
I do hope that Bill, Louisiana, Johnny and Ronee' do stop by again before they leave; we really would like to see them again, even if it IS for a day! We have made some wonderful friends, and we had the best time since my being hurt last year; it was the first time in months where I actually felt like SMILING or LAUGHING (that was, until my damn orthopedic doctor told me the "good" news about my damaged arm and leg! That kind of ruined the festive mood of the occasion of having the Sanduskys over, as did Bill's hospitalization)! And it sure did feel GOOD!!
I will write whenever I can; I want you to know what is up with Michael and myself, and I want to let you know that I am a better person in knowing the Sanduskys. They have certainly brightened up this sad girl's life, and I am fortunate to call them my friends!
~Love, Jenns. :D
Want to review or comment on this short story?
Need a FREE Reader Membership?
Reviewed by Elvis Fuzzley
4/26/2004
I love the way Jenna comes alive when she writes/tells of the surroundings and the Sanduskeys experiencing it. It is as if she is experiencing it for the first time herself and sort of forgets her pain and worries. Great writing here.
Elvis Fuzzley
The Little Bear that Loves to Read!
Hope we get to hear about a new adventure involving Jenna. I have a story of my own brewing in the back of my mind... we will see how it goes. I have more ideas for stories than I have time to write them all. Hope to hear from you soon. Seems like it has been ages since you sent me a message!
Hey Tornado! Excellent job!
Friday night we HAD a Tornado in Roanoke!
That is where I LIVE! YIKES! It just went into
the fields though. I like your series on the Sanduskys.
Rah Rah! Yea!Love,Becca
((((((Karen)))))
this is an excellent series, great job, can you give me your email via messageboard, the one I gave the publisher keeps bouncing back:S
God Bless
Michelle~
P.S Let me know when you find out when you can come out...
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
A wicked Cajun Fairy named Robes Pierre entered the impenetrable Magical doll land of Sha Bebe. Queen Faustina, the ruler of the doll land, thought she had destroyed him, but he's back! Will the doll land survive his evil ways?
