A favor...

SarahBeth is sick. Nothing to be alarmed about, just a good old cold/fever. She started showing signs of getting sick Sunday night when she kept complaining she was so cold. This is a child who would sleep in a sleeveless satiny short nightgown, with no socks, in January, at -20 degrees if I let her.

Monday morning she got up and got ready and only complained of being cold. She said she wasn't sick, so I sent her to school. After school I picked the girls up and we headed to WalMart to pick up a few things. LeighAnne tells me about her day, but SarahBeth rides silently. When we got to Walmart, she wanted to ride in the cart-Jamison didn't, so I let her. The whole time she is sitting like a zombie, and I can see her temp. rising in her face, but she is still swearing she's not sick. We are in there about 30 minutes and she only moved once to take off her coat and put her gloves on either side of her.

As we leave, she slowly pulls on her coat and starts searching for gloves. Her brand new, just bought 2 days ago gloves. The child sat in that shopping cart for 30 minutes, without moving and still managed to lose her gloves! This winter I have bought at least 9 pairs of gloves, and only 2 remain-and that's because I bought them 2 days ago and the girls haven't discovered them yet.

So here's where the favor comes in...as things start going on clearance would you all be willing to pick up a few pairs here and there? Now I'm talking big time clearance when you can find them for like a dollar or two. Also, I have to be a little picky. The thin little cotton ones won't cut it around here. I'm looking for the thicker ones usually with Thinsulate in them. Color doesn't matter. Of course, if your worried, they have pink and purple coats this year and some I already got on clearance for next year. Size wise, LeighAnne and I pretty much wear the same size gloves...SB can wear slightly smaller ones, but adult size works for her too. (I know because she's lost my gloves also).

So there you go, next thing you know I'll have a link to Amazon.com for my anniversary registery! (Hey, not a bad idea...)I'm kidding Mom. None the less, thank you.

Frozen Fighters

Here's the guys of 1/40th Cav jumping in -30 degrees. Tim was part of the early group into Fairbanks last week, so he didn't get to jump, instead, he got to stand out in the field and watch for a couple hours. Wow, how fun!

OK...brrrrr.....

Yesterday Tim went on a "conversion run". Maybe you didn't know this (I didn't) but at -41 degrees, Fahrenheit and Celsius converge. Don't believe me, try this. Tim said you just got colder faster. He also said being outside is like being somewhere where the chemical fumes are so strong you feel like you can't get your breath.
That's a picture from my backyard
We've been at -15 to -20 here in the Eagle River Valley and I know what Tim means in a 20 degree warmer way. I ran outside earlier to move the truck and had to stop before I "plugged" the truck in to warm my hands. We are talking 30-60 seconds of time. (And no gloves)

I have to say, I have ALOT lately been feeling the old timer syndrome. How can I possibly have been married nearly 10 years...out of high school-well, more than that...I have a 9 year old...I've given birth 3 times...3! But, more than all that, lately I've had the absolutely overwhelming feeling of oh my gosh, wait-OH MY GOD, I live in Alaska. ALASKA!!!

But next month begins the build up to the Iditarod. They call it the Fur Rondy (Rondevous?) and I'm guessing it's a Derby Festival of sorts. Then they run the Iditarod the first Saturday in March...next is Easter...then a little Derby Party in AK (the first Saturday in May!) and then before you know it, the weather is warmer, the snow is gone and the sun is my constant companion.

So here's to end of January-see you next year!

Intelligent Design

I stay away from politics on my blog. For one, none of you all are here for that reason...secondly, I don't want strangers coming on here and making rude comments. But I came across this letter to the editor titled 'A vaild scientific theory'and just had to share. Obviously a brilliant person wrote this...probably passed on some pretty intelligent genes in his lifetime.

Lonely little dog

So, for those of you in the know...the HIGH today in Fairbanks will be -12 degrees and somebody is feeling so terribly sad!

The reason I blog

I responded to the question "Why do you blog?" today. And I have to tell you and show you.

1. I'm miserable at following thru. I have a letter/check for someone sitting in front of me right now that has been sitting here since stamps were 37 cents (damn 2 cents)

2. I never manage to take a picture, develop the picture and send the picture in the same year. I have undeveloped film from LA's kindergarten field trip.

3. I don't write thank you cards. When we moved here, I came across undelivered thank you cards from my WEDDING (also see #1)

4. I lose phone numbers all the time (right Kristen?)

5. I can start a blog entry, walk away and the computer will save it for me. Handwritten letters get lost in the piles of paper.

I could go on and on. but, but, but moments like this...moments where you feel so blessed to be able to raise a child and watch them grow...moments that you can't wait to tell/share with everyone...blogging for me are for these moments...



Jamison started sleeping in his new big boy train bed this week. I can hear him playing after I put him down, but if he doesn't cry, I don't bother him. Here's what I found after the noise died down. He carefully lined those trains up into the grooves of that bed and fell asleep playing trains.

This is my train boy. The boy who won't say "Go Cats"(just training for Uncle Doug's visit) instead he says "no, Go Trains"...who thinks potty training just sounds wrong...and will tell any and everyone who will listen that he sleeps in a choo-choo bed.

This is why I blog. I hope you enjoy these moments as much as I do.

Jack Frost

The temps have been staying below 20 degrees for awhile now. I've notice when they do, frost starts to accumulate on anything not moving. It's sort of the mushrooms of the north...except they won't get you high...or so I've been told... Here's couple of pictures. One is obviously of my house numbers, the other is a post on my front porch. The extra thick layer you see swooping across the top is a little Halloween fake spider web that wouldn't come off.

except for one...

Brandon came last week for a class and a bit of a visit...we were all excited to see him-except for Kenai...Uncle Brandon said he was stinky so...

Brandon and Snowzilla

Oh and did I mention...???

LeighAnne got her some glasses. They are reading glasses, so she only wears them while reading, but she likes them so much that I often have to remind her to take them off. During her appointment, I also had an exam and the Dr. told us our eyes were identical...I ,however, didn't get a prescrip. I could if I wanted, but she said it was so slight that I don't need to bother. (did I say LA had been having headaches?)

Ok, so back to 2005

Looking through my December pictures, I realized I left out a few events, so let's go back-shall we?

LeighAnne had her school choir concert the same night as one of the balls (formal events) on post. When I realized the conflict, I called Tim and told him to take me off the RSVP list, and (I never do this) I gently reminded him that this time next year he probably won't be here to see LA's concerts. So, he too came off the list.

That night was crazy. It had been exceptionally warm and most of the roads had started to thaw. However, by the time we got in the car a nasty wind was blowing and everything was a solid sheet of ice. When we were leaving, there was a blown over trash can in our way, so I got out to move it. When I hit the driveway, I literally slid all the way down. I then waved to let Tim know to just drive down and pick me up. I watched the cars wheels stop rolling, but the car kept going!!! Tim gave a warning honk to make sure I was out of the way. As we slid down our neighborhood to the school I wondered how many people would actually show up to the concert.

Now, you all know I've been to a few choir concerts in my life, but I have to say I was initially turned off by the casualness of the event. No trees, lights...the kids were in blue jeans and their choir shirts. But I was impressed with the energy of the music teacher-and the energy he pulled from the 165 students.


Here's a picture of LeighAnne. Notice how she's not facing the same way as the rest of the group? That's because she's singing to Jamison. It absolutely killed me that she wasn't watching the conductor. I could hardly relax during the first couple of songs. But Tim gave me the evil eye and mouthed the words "she's nine!" so I settled down and enjoyed the moment. And I was glad I did-she made this Moma proud.

Just for Brandon

This is a great place for anyone to visit...but I'm posting it just for Brandon.

The Day Tim Forgot

Here's a nice picture of the girls right after they finished their first ski lessons. There's a slope on Elmendorf Air Force Base (more like a big hill) and the girls went with Tim on a quiet Thursday evening for lessons. Tim got some snowboard "refresher" lessons at the same time. Tim however, remembers none of this.

Meanwhile, Mom and I (and Jamison) stay home and get momma ready to fly out that evening. I convince mom to leave early so we can try and catch the girls skiing. As we pull up into the parking lot and start looking for the girls, we see someone wipe out big time...

I get out of the car and walk around the lodge just in time to find the girls finishing up their lesson and Tim standing talking to the girls instructor. After the instructor leaves, I ask Tim if he would like for me to take the girls with me to the airport so he can do a few runs and he replies, "I just hit my head really hard"...after I quiz him a little more, he admits he shouldn't drive home. "OK" I say, "you turn in your equipment and the girls equipment and I'll meet you at the car" 10 minutes later-no Tim. I go back and find him in the same spot(with 2 bored and confused girls lying at his feet)all still in their equipment. OOOOkkkkkkkkkay

Long story short, take mom to airport, come home and call angelic babysitter and head to the ER. Tim's short term memory was shot and I endured(poor me)the same questions over and over and over again. For example, Tim bought new boots earlier that day, but didn't remember it, so I had to reassured him every 30-90 seconds that those were, in fact, his boots. While we were in the ER he asked me so many times "where are the kids?" That the nurse asked me if I was going to be alright taking care of him. He also kept asking if he just woke up from a long nap and I assured him, it wasn't just a nightmare-he was in fact married with 3 kids. I found it a little sad that one of his biggest concerns was if he was on leave and did he have to be into work soon. But, I should also say, he asked a million times if the girls were OK-and kept checking to make sure we hadn't left them at the slopes.

He got a CT a was given an "all clear" of sorts. No crazy stuff for 6 weeks. And he's less than thrilled that he paid for lessons that he doesn't remember. But all 'n all, I thank God he was OK. And that's how we ended 2005.

...and Momma saw some Moose

OK, youmay not see them...squint your eyes and focus on the 2 black things in the background...now you too have seen you some Moose.

We caught a glimpse of 5-yes 5! of them in a greenbelt right off a very busy 4 lane road. 'Round here, the best way to find wildlife is to pull over whenever you see a bunch of other cars pulled over. While you do run the risk of finding yourself in the middle of a drug bust, chances are good that you'll find some kind of interesting mammal instead. (Not that drug bust wouldn't have it's own kind of interesting mammals involved) None the less, it was nice to finally show off a little Alaskan flair to a visitor.

Whittier

We went to Whittier while Momma was here. We went once while Tim's parents were in town so we knew what to expect. I guess this time we went for the novelty of riding thru the 2 1/2 mile tunnel-Jamison loves tunnels. The one way tunnel is also shared with a train, so the tunnel runs on a 15 minute schedule of in and out times.
The town itself is basically a parking lot with the exception of a few old military buildings. One tall former Army tower houses 80%-90% of the 184 population. From what I've been reading, it also has a church, grocery and medical facilities in the one tower. Surrounded mountians on 3ish sides, it's the only port near Anchorage and leads into the Prince William Sound. It's quaint to say the least, but fascinating too. Can you imagine living in a town where EVERYBODY lives in the same BUILDING! Anyway, it's something you have to see to grasp, but once you see it-that's all there is.

Thar' she blows

My girl Augustine didn't let me down. I've been waiting for her to go for awhile, and with 180 miles separating us, I know we aren't in immediate danger. But it is just enough excitement to have the school district to call me with an automated message updating me on school volcano policy. How cool!

I've been following all the volcanoes via the Alaska Volcano Observatory and just happened to check in this morning around 9:00 when the site went a little crazy and locked up on me...after refreshing it, I was surprised to see Augustine updated to a RED. I was so excited to share the news, but would you believe there wasn't a soul was home to talk to!


Anyway, the ash is blowing west, so we are OK for now. I have to admit I don't want the ash to come this way-doesn't sound like alot of fun...but I'll keep you updated on any more excitement.

Lions and Tigers and Bears

Oh My!!!