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I've had several people asking about me. I'm sorry I sorta disappeared for a bit. I've been extremely busy with work and SUMMER!!
The days are supposedly getting shorter again, though it is hard to tell at this point. Hubby and I went camping last weekend for our anniversary (17 years!) and we didn't even bring flashlights or anything. I was able to read my watch at all hours of the night. (and no, I don't have a digital watch)
We are doing very well. C will be 11 in 2 weeks. He's very excited at the prospect.
We have a 3 day weekend off from work, which is fabulous. Hubby and the crew are going on a float/fishing trip with the men of church. I'll probably go to a BBQ at my parent's house.
I hope to be around a bit more. Sorry for disappearing on you.
Have a wonderful 4th of July everyone! |
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Today I took the next step to becoming a real Alaskan woman.
We've already conquered the first winter (and 2nd), we've gone berry picking, we've hiked on glaciers and up mountains. We've seen bear and moose and fox and lemming and eagles. We've got beaver and reindeer and wolverine pelts and Fur Rondy pins and whale baleen. We've got ulu knives and wooden bowls. We've been to the State Fair and seen monster veggies. We've eaten completely Alaskan Grown veggie stew. We've been to 2 Iditarods. We drink coffee like pros. (well, almost. Mine is still decaf....) We are addicted to corn fritters and halibut nuggets. We've seen the northern lights and the midnight sun.
And now, we have taken it one step further.
Ladies and Gentlemen: I have my very first fishing license. Complete with a King Stamp.
FISH ON! |
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1 month ago today I started a new position at a different department. It has been really good for me. This job requires a bit more mental exercise than my last one. I love it.
Well, last week my supervisor announced that she was leaving. And today her replacement was announced.
It's ME! I'm going to be the supervisor of my department, as of tomorrow. I will train with my current supervisor until she leaves June 13, then I'm on my own.
And to think I almost turned this job down. I had several other offers pop up after I accepted this one. I am glad I stuck with this one!
God is so cool. |
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In the summer, Anchorage citizens sprout wheels. They are either on bikes or roller blades all the time. It amazes me.
Thursday was the annual "Ride Your Bike To Work" day. It was cool and rainy that day. As I rode along (in my van!) I looked out the window at all these people in business suits riding their bikes. I almost felt sorry for them riding through the sprinkles and wind.
I think it is just awesome that they rode their bikes. The thing is, I know more than one person who actually does this every day, not just on Bike Day. I envy them thier lower gas bills and exercise.
So, why don't I do it? Well, there are several reasons.
1. I can't ride a bike. Yeah. Crazy, huh? When I was a kid I was on my bike from sunrise to sunset. I even used to ride it all over town. And we lived in the country. My best friend and I would ride for HOURS, even as teens. But, you know that old saying "Just like riding a bike"? The one that refers to the fact that once you learn how, you never forget? It lies. I tried to ride my son's bike to class when I went back to school a couple of years ago and I couldn't even balance. It was quite humorous for our neighbors who were watching me out their windows and laughing at me.
2. I carpool with Hubby. (which cuts down on gas right there, right?) He would LOVE to get a bike and ride to work. But I've never seen a bike with a side car. Motorcycle, yes. Bicycle, no. They do have bicycles built for 2 around here, but there again, refer back to #1.
3. I have also never seen a bike with a side saddle. I can see my skirt either flying up in my face, giving random passersby a show, or getting my skirt tangled in the wheels or something. And high heels would just not work comfortably. Oh my goodness, can you see my waist length long hair after riding 5 miles in the wind...with a helmet on? The top 1/2 would be flatter than a flitter and the bottom half would look like I stuck my finger in a light socket. ;)
4. As my boss put it "Honey, I'd have to get a 2 day head start!" I am overweight and out of shape. I'd have to leave on Saturday to get there Monday morning! I am working on that issue, but I'm certainly not to the point where I can bike 5 miles one way. And besides, even if I WAS, refer to #1.
So, until I lose several more pounds, figure out how to ride a bike in the first place, and then figure out how to do it with grace and style, you will see me chugging along in my gas guzzler van, gazing longingly at the passing bikers while I pump money down my fuel tank.
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So, what are you guys doing with your stimulus checks? We will get ours on Wednesday and its been quite the ordeal trying to decide what to do. Do we want to restore our emergency fund? Or do we want to pay off all the little annoying medical bills that we have? Or do we want to spend it on making our son's bday a very special b'day indeed? (he turns 13 later this month! 13!!)
I think we've decided to pay off all the little bills we have. At least most of them. We should be able to get several of them paid off and at least make a dent in a few more. That's the plan anyway.
Then all those little payments can go into something bigger. Like student loans. Or the credit cards.
Oh, I'm getting excited! :) |
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On Saturday we went to Seward to the Alaska Sea Life Center. Saturday was their 10th anniversary party and they had free admission! We didn't know that until we got there. What a blessing that was! For any AK residents reading this, we get in free on the 10th of every month this year, so make your plans to go! It is an awesome place. We could totally live there. ;)
On the way home we had to drive through near white-out conditions for about 30 miles. Snow was coming down in huge Charlie Brown flakes. It was nuts.
In spite of all the snow down south of us, here in Anchorage things are finally greening up a bit. The trees have buds and some even have baby leaves. We are so ready for spring!
Has anyone ever bought glasses at Costco? I got my new ones there and I'm not sure I like them. My right lens seems to be off a bit. Its just enough to make things look weird. Its like my right eye doesn't work with my left when I'm wearing these. It makes me feel crazy. LOL I keep wearing them for a little while each day, hoping to adjust to them, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to take them back. That makes me sad. I really like these frames. Has anyone else had this problem? Do they send them back and replace the wrong lens or what? |
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As requested, I'm going to share a little bit about our Family Life Weekend to Remember. The weekend is spent in sessions that focus on everything from finances, to the role of men and women, to intimacy. The focus is on God and each other. Each session has several questions to focus on and there were several "projects" or assignments that required husband and wife to talk about some pretty deep subjects that most people don't even think about that often, much less discuss. The goal is to refresh and renew your marriage and your walk with God. At the end of the weekend, each couple gets to renew their wedding vows. One thing that just really made an impression on me was that they have two prayer teams. One at their headquarters or whatever, where each person has a list of couples that they pray for by name. The other prayer team is on site praying for each couple along with praying for any of the prayer requests that are put in the many prayer request boxes throughout the conference hall. It was just so encouraging to know that some stranger out there was praying for us by name. We could feel that wall of prayer around us and feel God working. Truly amazing. I can't tell you how awesome that weekend was for us. It shook my husband awake and lit a fire under him. Not that he was a bad person or whatever, but just seeing him step up and take charge even more thrills my soul. We pray for each other daily, which is something we had fallen out of the habit of doing, and our family following God is now our #1 priority. Its been just amazing in the 2 weeks since our weekend. We've both made some changes and our family has already been hugely blessed. I have to say, in the past my husband would never have been interested in something like this. In the past, we've had serious marital issues and at one point we were planning to divorce. But God stepped in and healed our marriage. Even then, my Hubby wasn't interested in any sort of marriage counseling, helpful books, or marriage conferences. But last year, when other couples from our church went to this one, he wanted to. Sadly our schedules made it impossible. But this year we were both free and able to go. And it was his idea. I am so grateful! After all of our problems several years ago, I've been semi-interested in renewing our vows. I wasn't sure how to do such a thing, and Hubby didn't seem too interested. But at the end of this conference, when they had all the couples turn to each other and repeat those vows all together, it was amazing. Not only did my Hubby willingly renew our wedding vows, he obviously meant them. It wasn't a matter of doing it to please me or to shut me up. I was so completely touched. And in case anyone thinks that their marriage is too far gone, I just want to share that at the end of the conference, before the renewing of vows, they offer anyone the chance to tell how this weekend changed them, etc. One woman stood up and said that she and her husband were halfway through filling out the divorce paperwork. After this weekend, they were going to shred the papers and make this marriage work. Her husband then stood up and put his arm around her in agreement. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. And in case you think you've been married too long and are too settled, there was a couple there who had been married 51 years. Its never too late to improve on something already great! There was also a couple who had just been married the Saturday before. Is that not an awesome way to start a marriage?! I love thinking of how God has blessed our family and pray that He is blessing the rest of the couples and their families as well. And He can bless yours. You are never too far gone or even too good to improve.
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Sorry I've been scarce. Here is a general update on my crew:
1) I did get the job I had interviewed for. I start tomorrow. Oddly enough, as soon as I accepted that position, I was offered 3 others. It was very very stressful for us to decide where I was going. But it all boiled down to the fact that I had already accepted this one and I wasn't comfortable going back on my word. So here I shall stay.
2) Hubby also got the position he interviewed for and he starts tomorrow as well. A whole new beginning for both of us!
3) My grandfather did pass away. I made it down for the funeral. It was harder than I thought it would be. I mean, I knew he was going to die. I thought I was prepared. I wasn't. I am relieved that he is in a much better place now.
4) Last weekend, Hubby and I went to a Family Life Weekend to Remember. Oh my goodness. If you ever get the opportunity to attend one, GO. Don't even think twice about it. GO. It was simply amazing. The changes that have occurred in our home are unreal.
One of these changes is less computer time; more family time. Which is why I haven't been around as much. The family time is so worth it. |
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I greatly enjoyed my first week working a day shift. It was so nice to be able to come home and be together like a normal family. Though I have to be honest, I felt a little like I was playing hooky when I walked out the door at 6:00. I kept thinking I should pull out of the parking lot quickly in case someone came running out after me. ;)
I had an interview in another department on Friday. I honestly don't know how I feel about it. It would be a permanent day shift, M-F, with hours that match Hubby's current hours. And the building is only a block away from Hubby's rather than across town. So it would be ideal, especially since we share a vehicle. I should find out in the middle of the week it I got the position. I'm leaving it all in God's hands. I know that if he wants me to get it, I will. But if not, I'll be ok staying where I am. We are just waiting for His provision. He knows what is best for us.
Meanwhile, Hubby has an interview in another department as well. (We work for the same company) His interview is tomorrow and would still be in the same building where he currently works. The hours would shift by 30 minutes, but that's no big deal. I think that position would be good for him. He has some personality conflicts with some of his current coworkers, but he has lunch with several people from the other department, so we know he'd get along with them. Again, we are leaving the details to God. He knows what is best.
In other news, my grandfather is not doing well. A few months ago he was diagnosed with cancer and refused to treat it. It looks like this is going to be the end for him. I am praying that he will go gently and be spared from any more discomfort. He is on a constant morphine drip and apparently sleeps most of the time, except when he is in too much pain. My parents are down in MO with him. I am not sure if I'll be able to go down for the funeral or not. I definately want to. I dearly love my grandfather. He's the only one I have left. My other grandfather died when I was a child. Pop has a special place in my heart and I am sad to see him go. Yet, I know that he will be pain-free and as strong as I remember him when God takes him home. I hope I can make it for the funeral, but it all just depends on the job situation and when the funeral may be. |
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There has been much drama in my life regarding my work schedule. Hubby and I decided a day shift would be best for us now. I've been working evenings while Hubby works days. That way, I can be home with the crew during the day and we can continue to homeschool. However, MIL moved in with us now and she is perfectly capable of helping the crew with most things school-related. So, I've been looking for a day shift so we can be like a real family again.
Long story short: I have been "next in line" for a shift a few times now, but at the last minute someone with slightly higher seniority swoops in and takes it. I've been trying to maintain a good attitude through it all, but I've been very disappointed. I know that God will provide the right shift when the time is right.
Yesterday, however, I got an interesting offer. The evening crew supervisor broke her leg and had to have surgery. She'll be unable to drive for several weeks. People that live near her have offered to drive her back and forth, but they need to trade shifts with someone on the evening crew while that goes on.
So, starting Monday, I will temporarily work M-F 9-6! (not 1-10, my normal shift) This is only temporary and not a true shift change, but it will thrust me back into the family life. I'm so excited! They had been talking about this possibility all week long, saying it would be a couple of days a week. But now they decided it would just be easier all around if I did it all week.
They did tell me to keep signing for any available shift that interests me, don't worry about our arrangement. So I'm free to keep looking for a better shift for us. (6-3 would be ideal!) Of course, there is always the idea that I could decide the homeschooling just isn't working out this way and I can change back to evenings when my supervisor is able to drive again.
This is just a perfect solution. For now...
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The crew's homeschool group is having a reading contest in correlation with the Iditarod dog sled race. The student picks a musher and then "races" the musher to Nome.
The mushers are racing 1112 miles from Anchorage to Nome. For the readers, each page they read equals 1 mile. So, they have to read 1112 pages. It started on March 1, the day the Iditarod started. The goal is to read their pages before their musher gets to Nome. Even if they don't beat the musher, there is a prize for even finishing the pages. They have until the end of March. The only real rule is that the books must be at or above their reading level, to be determined by Mom and Dad.
So, my crew is doing it this year, for the first time. Last year they said NO WAY. But this year we are doing Sonlight and there is tons of reading anyway. And of course we count those pages, too.
This is a huge thing for my crew. They don't particularly care to read. They go in spurts. In general, the large amount of reading they do for school pretty well hits their limit. So this is a stretch. For S, especially.
S reads like Hubby. As little as possible. He gets overwhelmed by long books with tiny print. For instance, we once checked out the Lord of the Rings series in one book. He couldn't read it. But we got the books individually and he loved them. Go figure.
C reads like I do. If he gets into a book, he can go for ages without coming up for air. So he's doing well, as long as we say "no video games until X amount of pages or time". If video games are an option, the book disappears.
They went all weekend without reading a thing. So they got pretty far behind their mushers. Of course, the real goal is to finish before the end of the March. But, I'm afraid they'll be discouraged if they don't beat their musher. So, for the first part of this week, we are having reading days for school.
As of last night, S has read 671 pages, C has read 693 pages. I'm really proud of them because most of these pages are in books that are above their reading levels. Today they've put the "big books" aside and are reading on some smaller, lower level books. (not below their level, but AT their level) I think they are going to make it!!
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We are in full-on break up already! That is just unheard of this early. This time last year was still dead of winter. Right now it is 9:30 AM and its already 38 degrees! Even on the Iditarod trail they are having problems with it being too warm. One musher said "Its like Hawaii!" So, how can you tell when its break-up?
This is ridiculously early for us, but I'm starting to get Spring Fever!!!
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This past weekend was supposed to be fun and relaxing. Well, it started out that way, then got a bit difficult.
First thing Saturday morning we headed downtown for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod. It was bitterly cold. The air temp wouldn't have been so bad, but there were below-zero wind chills. My MIL and crew were miserable. Even though I repeatedly said "Its cold today, be sure and bundle up good!", none of them really did. So they whined the whole time. We only stayed a little while. Just long enough to see Lance Mackey go past. (He is #6)
Then we went to the mall for the Native Arts Festival. I just love it. Tons of amazing Native-made crafts. I got some adorable ponytail holders with little poufs of fox fur on them. Hubby got a strip of wolverine pelt, complete with claws. The crew got strips of fox fur. I also got a cookbook that is full of Native recipes. Pretty awesome stuff.
When we tried to leave the mall is when the "fun" started. We were locked out of Hubby's Suburban. Got the security guard to open it. Got home and Hubby put some power steering fluid in it, because there was a slight leak. As soon as he poured the new fluid in, the line busted.
Meanwhile, he sold his VW van. The buyer knew that the ignition was out, but wanted to try and pull-start it. So, Hubby pushed it onto the street for him. Many attempts later, they decided that it would not pull-start on the ice. So, they pushed it to the empty parking lot at the end of the street. Not good for Hubby's back.
By Sunday he could barely move. But he spent a bit of Sunday afternoon trying to replace the steering line in the Suburban. No such luck. Its a factory-only part. Ordered that, came in and laid on the couch.
Just as we were leaving for church Sunday night, we got a call that his uncle had passed away a few minutes earlier. It is pretty hard on MIL. being so far from her sister right now.
Yesterday morning I took Hubby to the doc for his back. We were there for 5 hours. I don't recommend a walk-in clinic.........
We should get his x-ray results and such later today. He's still miserable today, but says he has too much work waiting for him, so he has to go in today. Not sure how he's going to make it.... |
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On Thursday night, my parent's neighbor's dog was going nuts and barking like mad. My mother was getting quite frustrated with the noise, especially as there is actually an ordinance demanding a 10 minute barking limit. Anyone letting their dog bark over 10 minutes is subject to a fine. (As a dog owner, I'd like someone to tell me how to shut my dog up when she/he gets going. But that's for another post...) Mom finally decided that there must be a moose in the street or something, so she walked out on the front porch to check it out. Nothing. After searching a bit for the possible moose, she gave up and went to bed. When she awoke the next morning, she and my dad were shocked to find tracks and scat in their back yard. Not moose tracks. BEAR! Yeah. Bear. Does it freak anyone else out that my mom was in the front yard while a bear was in the back yard? This is February, people. The bears aren't supposed to be awake yet! They said on the news just last week that because of the warm weather we were having, some bears were coming out early. And I guess we have proof of that! Keep in mind that the snow in their backyard is knee deep. (I know this because I hiked out there to get a closer look of those tracks and scat!) So, the items in question are quite easy to see on the snow. Yeah, you read that right. I hiked out in the knee deep snow to look at scat. This is after we spent several minutes searching online for pictures of bear scat. Think about that people. I have to say, that ranks right up there as one of the weirdest things I've ever done... |
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So, have you guys finished your schoolwork? Yes. All of it? Yes. Did you do your extra math sheet for practice? Yes. How about the typing program? Well, we've beat that game. Excuse me? (We have a kiddie typing program) Yeah, we got to the castle. Both of you? Yeah. Oh. Well, ok. Do some more just for practice then. Did you do your Hebrew? I finished that. What do you mean you finished it? Well, its just the demo, Mom. I did all the lessons on it. You are kidding! um, ok. Well, do some more just for practice then. How about piano, did you practice your 30 minutes today? Over, actually. I was playing along with C while he practiced his guitar, too. So C practiced his guitar? Did he do each song 5 times? Oh yeah, at least. I'd say more like 10 times each. Dude.
Overachievers!
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My children have been math phobic for many years. Curriculum after curriculum has produced nothing but tears. This year, we started Math U See. We started with Gamma, because I didn't feel like they had a good foundation with multiplication. I was really proud of them when they finished that in January. So, on January 14, I ordered Delta. They are FLYING through it. In fact, we will be doing Lesson 20 on Monday! So, yesterday, 1 month and 1 day after I ordered Delta, I placed the order for Epsilon! Geniuses, I tell you!! |
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Here is a rundown of my day:
Woke to 6 inches of fresh snow. (of course. Its piano day. It ALWAYS snows on piano day) C is doing better with his breathing, praise God. Still has the sniffles a bit. S woke up with a terrible sore throat. Left late to take S to piano. Had to get gas. Turned in the wrong intersection, couldn't get there from that street. I hate how there are so many places in Anchorage that you must do a U-turn to get where you want to go! Got my tank filled, headed toward the piano teacher's house. Got stuck behind traffic in a school zone. Twice. The roads weren't plowed yet, so driving was exciting. The driveway at the piano teacher's house is difficult to manage, especially since the beautiful brick thingies that line her driveway are covered in snow and are now invisible. At least her driveway now looks plowed because I backed up and back so many times trying not to hit the brick thingies. Got home, did school with the crew. They cooked lunch for us. This was the highlight of my day. They did a great job. Roscoe, the bassett who is still really just a puppy, not a year old yet, was crunching something. It was my lip balm. My good, not so cheap because its really good stuff, lip balm. He actually opened the flap on my purse and pulled it out when I wasn't looking! Left for work. Traffic was MISERABLE. Somehow, they had managed to plow my little cul-de-sac street, but not the major highway onto which I turn to drive to work. How is this possible? Got to work 5 minutes late. Got called into the boss' office for a chat. Apologized profusely, promised to never be late again. On my lunch, I went to the store to buy more lip balm. My lips were extremely dry and aching. (I apply lip balm several many times a day, it is so dry here) Of course they didn't have the exact kind I wanted. Bought same brand, different formula. Worked until 10 PM. Excrutiating. Talked to my boss about looking for a day shift. I'm tired of not seeing my crew or Hubby. Drove home on the STILL NOT PLOWED streets. Was trying to relax and heard Roscoe chewing on something. Its my glove. My brand new beautiful pink suede(ish) gloves that I got for Christmas. He has completely chewed the thumb off. 20 minutes later I was reading, trying again to relax, and the demon dog is crunching something else. You'll never guess. That dog had opened the flap on my purse and dug out my BRAND NEW lip balm. I wonder if they sell lip balm flavored chew toys??
On that note, I have locked him in his kennel for the night and now I'm heading to bed. Have to get up in the morning and go buy lip balm. And a zipper for my purse!
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Things have been nuts here at my little wanna-be urban homestead. My father has been battling an extremely large blood clot in his leg. It is a DVT, which is the bad kind. Its been pretty tense for the past several days. I took him to the doctor yesterday morning. He still shows no improvement so I'm still very nervous. He's had 4 days of injections to stablizie it, along with 4 days of oral blood thinners, so that's a good thing. But we are still very much in prayer. And now C is sick again. He has had the sniffles for a couple of days, said he had a sore throat yesterday, and then the asthma kicked in full force today. I missed work to take him to the doctor this afternoon. He is back on steroids for 3 days. Again. And he's just now getting his stomach under control from being on them so very much this past fall. :( On a happier note, Fur Rondy starts later this month! Our church is entering the snow sculpture contest, with my Hubby as the team captain. This is the first time for us. The carving can start as of 10 AM this coming Saturday. I have the women's fellowship that afternoon, but I'm sure the rest of our day will be spent carving snow. (except C of course. There is no way I'm letting him out in that right now!) How fun does that sound?! I can't wait! |
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I taught myself to knit about 2 years ago. I've made tons of scarves, a couple of hats, some dishclothes, and a pair of socks. I have knitting needles and yarn in my desk at work and I've been working on a striped scarf for about a year now. Just a little bit ever so often. I decided to kick it into high gear in November so I could give the scarf to my sister for Christmas.
But then everyone around me was doing the Knifty Knitter thing. And they were whipping through scarves in a day. At WORK, even! So, I gave in to peer pressure and bought a set of Knifty Knitters. I was then able to finish not 1, not 2, but 3 scarves for Christmas gifts. Along with a couple of hats here and there.
And now I've picked up the crochet hook. I've wanted to learn crochet as long as I've wanted to learn knitting, so now I'm doing all 3. I am not really too advanced on any of them, but learning as I go.
Now I've decided to make some baby hats for the Crisis Pregnancy Center where a church member volunteers. What method did I want to use? Well, I figured the knifty knitter would be faster. But I don't have the right loom for that. So, I looked for knitting with sticks. I found a pattern, but I really want these done as quickly as possible.
So, I made my own knifty knitter flat pattern. I used the oblong loom and knitted as much as I thought I'd need for a baby hat, figured out my own way of decreasing for the top, then stitched it all up. I'd still like to go buy the right round loom, but I'm pretty proud of myself. It may not be perfect, but I bet it would sure be appreciated by someone who has nothing at all!
Now if I can only keep those precious little hats out of the pesky puppy's mouth when my back is turned! That little devil is so long he can just jump right up and pull whatever he wants off of any table or counter I have them on!! |
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I know you guys down south are freezing, but WOW, we are having a freak warm-up. It is currently 42 degrees. We had the Chinooks last night, high winds that blow in warm air. The wind was ferocious. I heard the wind got up to 80 MPH in some places. The power went out near us, even. (Not ours, though, thank goodness!) All that snow we had is melting away. We're having a mini-breakup. Weird.
Of course, all this warmth isn't going to last. They are forecasting highs in the teens later this week. Gotta love Alaska weather!
On Saturday, before the big warm-up, we went for a drive in the Valley. Here are couple of pics we took. We love the Valley. Maybe our Little Slice of Heaven will be there instead of the mountain. Hmmm...
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