At the end of the day...

Almost forgot this picture.

Mom gave us a star for the house, and....


Marty put up Christmas lights on the house without breaking his arm this year!

Thanks Marty! I love you tons.

Merry Christmas

Jesus
"Eternal life is in Him, and this life gives light to all mankind."
~ John 1:4


Merry Christmas

Christmas Crafts

These were such great ideas I thought I would share them.

Last year my talented mother-in-law sent us this...



Christmas ornaments, some beads, and a little glue to match a beautiful candle and you have a gorgeous centerpiece.

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This year my also talented friend Loni made us this...



A glass brick filled with Christmas lights.

The pictures do neither of them justice either, they're much prettier in person.

Northern Dusk

Windy

Wow.

It is SO COLD outside and the winds are going something fierce. Presently we have winds that are going steadily at 35 to 60 mph with gusts of around 75 mph. And from what I've seen its been mostly 75 mph.

I was suppose to teach the kids bible class tonight but church was cancelled due a power outage at the building. I ended up running into town for a few errands, one of which was picking out some movies for the night. While I was inside blockbuster, the windows were bowing in and out, haha which I was a little concerned about. I was a tad worried that if it blew one extra hard gust those windows might just break or implode; but I stayed for another 20 minutes picking out movies, so I guess I wasn't that worried.

When I left the door wouldn't open to let me out, so I pushed again a bit harder and it still wouldn't budge. I thought for a moment that the door had to be deadbolted but then I knew that wouldn't makes sense being it was several hours before they closed so I gave it one final hard shove with my shoulder and WOOSH I was out in the bitter cold. I had to battle with one more door (next door to blockbusters) that was just as impossible to get open and I was in the car again.

These two businesses happened to share a parkinglot with our local grocery story so there are always shopping carts around... As I pulled out I saw from way down the parkinglot a shopping cart that looked like it was demon possessed, racing in my direction with a speedy vengeance. I sat there for a moment as it charged me like an angry bull ready to bulldoze it's prey. I was ready to pull left or right in an attempt to avoid it when suddenly it changed directions. Relieved I started my journey home, and just as I was passing the still moving cart, it SLAMMED into a car full of people. It was so funny because they were about to pull out of their parking space (oblivious to this evil red shopping cart bearing down on them like freight train) when the cart practically mowed them over from the side. I didn't see facial expressions but I did see the breaks jerk the car even though they had only moved about an inch. I also saw the passenger rip around in his or her seat in shock to see who or what had hit them. The whole thing was just so comical. The car it hit was already old and a bit beat up so I'm sure their probably laughing about it too.

In the meantime I can hear the antenna pole banging against the side of the house... totally freaking the dogs out.

Laminate Flooring

I've been meaning to post for a while now, I just don't seem to have as much time as I use to. Just when I think things will settle down, something else comes up. It's ok though, I'm havin a good time and don't mind at all.

While Marty was home this last time we installed new laminate floors. Let me just say, laminate flooring is the best thing since icecream!

The old WHITE carpet we had was brandnew when we bought the house in 2003. The carpet was the really cheap stuff, so in just over a years time there were beat down trails going through out the house and the color was quickly going grey. The part that really forced the change though was the dog smell. Since our house is so small I've had to work so, so hard to keep the dog smell out and in the last several months that task has been overwhelming. We finally had it, and the carpet went to the dump.

These are the before pictures, I forgot to take the shots with furniture though.



Pete's hiding in the bedroom, the whole thing freaked him out.

******************
These are the after pictures....






This is our house, and now you've had the tour. Don't pay to much attention to the decorating, it's not gonna stay this way for to much longer. We've had all the furniture for ages and its all second hand, which means I didn't have much choice on patterns or color in the first place. I'm currently looking at new couches and thinking of putting some color on a wall or two, but that will probably have to wait till after the holidays.

Creepiest Thing I've Seen This Week...

Got this in an email forward tonight...

If I was a kid and saw this, I'd have nightmares for atleast a week.

Free 411

No charge for directory assistance

Phone companies are charging us for 411 information
calls when they don't have to.

When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial
1-800-FREE-411 or 1-800-373-3411 without incurring a charge.

Works on home phones and cell phones.

If your online you can also go to http://free411.com/

**************************

I use 411 more than I should and get charged for it all the time, I got this in an email forward and thought I would try it... It works, hope you can use the tip.

Front Page News

Hi everyone,

Sorry it's been so long (again). I've missed blogging but have had NO time in the last month or so. Mom is up this weekend, we did a big fundraiser dinner last weekend. Meetings for all sorts of different things are planned this week and at this point I'm so glad I don't have a job on top of it all. As busy and unfun as that all sounds I've actually been having a great time.

Anyway the reason I'm making time to blog today is to share the story of what happened to our friend Jake. There is a huge (HUGE!) article on what happened to him and his dad in the paper today and believe it or not there is still lots of details that aren't included despite the story getting 3 pages in the paper. For any of you who said a prayer for him, thank you so much. God is really working in Jakes life.

Anyway, the article is here. Even if you don't know Jake or his family, this is an INCREDIBLE story to read.
and Jakes update site as I posted before is here (sometimes he updates it, sometimes his mom does).

For any of you who are interested, there will be a spaghetti feed and auction this Friday (6th of October) 5-7 p.m. at Wasilla High. There's going to be all sorts of great things auctioned off and the spaghetti is only $7 a plate (for families of 4 or more there is a special rate). All proceeds go to helping Jake and his family with medical costs. We could use all the support we can get, so anyone is welcome to stop by.

Quickie

Wow, its been forever. I didn't realize it was a month ago since I posted. Although it hasn't been our sole distraction, a friend (who still needs prayers) fell during a hunting trip on August 18th. He fell over 40 feet and didn't break a bone but was in a coma for a few weeks. He's still in the hospital but on the road to recovery now. They have a website for anyone who knows Jake and wants to keep updated.

Marty just got home today - super excited about that. We're at dads house at the moment waiting for him to get out of the shower so I had a free moment to blog. Will try and post more later. Hope all is well out there in blogger land.

At a gas station in Palmer...

These cars are just about as high as my waste

Vetch

To vetch or not to vetch, that is the question...

Vetch is purple flowering weed, it takes over and is extremely invasive. I love seeing it around town, its beautiful and bushes up really well.



It creeps really well but strangles out other plants.

This fence surrounds one of our local elementary schools and is the only place I've seen where the vetch looks so neat creeping.



Fence or no fence, I've been thinking about putting it in my front yard against the house, nothing else grows well in the front. If I do it and don't like it, I could just rip it out... But would it all come out? Every where you look they say you can't kill this stuff and is almost impossible to get out. But the front yard is so hard packed, the grass doesn't even grow there well. And there is already vetch on the property and around the neighborhood so it's not like I'd be introducing it in. I guess I'll have to think another summer on this one and leave my front beds bare. I did however want to share the photo's.

The funny part is if I mention this to anyone who even remotely likes to garden they think I'm crazy. But its not like planting dandy-lions right? ha, ok maybe it is.

Prudhoe...

Marty has just gone from working 12 hour days to 16 hour days. He has no time for anything and things are pretty crazy up on the slope right now. It's also amazing how much is incorrectly being reported on the news.

Lots a buzz, some rumors, some not. There was a rumor that all of the people who where sent home because they weren't "non-essential people" are being paid. I really hope the rumor is true, I haven't been able to stop thinking about that since they sent entire companies home. So those employees are sitting home with or with out pay and have no clue when they will be allowed to return to their careers. BP has said it could be weeks or even months before they get flow started again with a possibility of *maybe* being able to start flow on 1 side of the field, somewhere in the future. I can't imagine BP paying people (from sub-contracted companies) regular salaries for "months" to sit at home and wait. It would be great if you could remember these people and the entire situation in your prayers. It may sound silly but a recent Anchorage Daily News report from August 7th said...

"Eighty-nine percent of Alaskas income is from oil revenue, and central to that cash flow is Prudhoe Bay, the nation’s largest oil field. The expected loss of 400,000 barrels per day at today’s oil prices means $6.4 million lost daily in royalties and taxes"

Shutting down oil production in Prudhoe is gonna cause some big bad ripples and what's worse is they can't even say when it will be fully up and running again (that fact alone is just so mind blowing).

I hate all this uncertainty.

This is definitely a time I am holding to my faith and trusting God.

The good news is that Marty's company is being utilized even more than normal and isn't to blame for any of this. He's getting lots of overtime and has become the "single point of contact" for several different crews from different companies ontop of his normal responsibilities. In essence I guess he's become a temporary foreman for all of these crews. He's doing a good job and working his heart out.

Marty will also be coming home for his dads birthday party on the 19th (*Yay!*). I am going to enjoy every minute of it, especially since my time with him will probably be very limited for a while.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own
Matthew 6:33-34

I miss Indiana

Photo by Diane Eubanks, Cadiz, KY.
Diane Eubanks of Cadiz, KY., snapped this scene along the back roads of Trigg County, Ky.
Photo taken from the Evansville Courier & Press

Pete and mini Pete

Two weeks before Blake left we went down to Homer to visit. All of us went out to Marty's parents house and hung out for a while, it was nice and Blake had all sorts of fun with all the dogs while we talked. I think Blake could just waller in dogs all day if we had the time for it. In the picture above you can see how happy Tigger is to finally have met someone who likes to be licked (Yuck!). Bossco felt the same way; now that Blake is gone back home, Boss is back to sneaking in lick assaults whenever our defenses are down. The only time that practice has ever stopped was while Blake was here.

I never realized that Tigger (her little dog) and Pete look so similar. It was so funny watching them - Pete and mini Pete - or Tigger and big Tigger. I had to take a dozen pictures before I finally got the picture below. Tigger is not a poser, haha, he moves around sooo fast and is just to busy to sit for a camera.

Cars for the stars.

Ok, in cased you missed that; they want $22 THOUSAND for THIS car. hahahaha

Yes I know... Original miles... But still, 22 THOUSAND.

It looks even funnier than I could capture in these pictures - I couldn't get the angle I usually always see driving by because of the car parked in front of it.

I don't think they'll ever sell it.

Wooof

For those of you with dogs, good luck sleeping the next few nights.

Everytime a firecracker goes off, it sounds like someones shutting a car door in the driveway - and the dogs go off... Again. Ha, sorta entertaining though.

Anyway, hope everyone has a great 4th of July!

Stay safe and have fun!

How to plant a tree.

I've planted a handful of trees this summer and out of several nurseries I've been to, two of the best had instructions on how to plant a tree so the tree will actually make it in most conditions. Up until that point I never thought much about the process. The tree I planted year before last died, so maybe I should have thought more about it. Wasilla doesn't have good soil conditions at all. It's all gravel and rocks or mostly clay except a very thin layer of topsoil around here. Up until this summer I guess I've always taken Homer's great soil conditions for granted.

Anyway in different conversations I found a lot of people (who are into gardening) didn't know most of this stuff either. Some of them just happened to have great (soil) conditions, and the others new a trick or two to get them by. So for those who requested this and others that could benefit, here it is...

**********************************

The "how to plant" that's below is a general for all trees but, When buying a tree it's good to ask your nursery or search online for your tree's specific needs. As an example...

Birch trees thrive where conditions are sunny and the soil is well drained, somewhat sandy but high in organic matter. Their roots stay near the surface but spread far, so I was able to plant them near my leach field as they won't interfere with the system.

Lilac trees have roots that go deeper, so I wasn't able to plant it near my leach field.

Elderberry trees will grow just about anywhere and will help improve soil over the years so I was able to plant them in the spots of my yard where the clay is concentrated.

*************************************

When planting a tree...
Until you can plant your tree, keep its roots damp, either heeled into soil or wet sawdust and in the dark (or at least shaded). Try to get them planted as soon as possible. In Alaska most tree and shrub roots grow in the upper 12-18 inches of soil and spread far beyond the drip line of the tree (as illustrated below). A bareroot tree, as well as a "containerized" or recently planted tree has lost about 90-95% of its existing root system, therefore the better you treat the roots the more successful your tree will be.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

SITE SELECTION

• Is the tree far enough away from houses, roads, sidewalks for proper root development and from overhead wires for upright growth?
• Plant smaller trees (up to 25') at least 10' from a structure and larger (up to 50') at least 20' away.
• Will the tree obstruct a south facing window as it grows?
• Is the site shady, sunny, wet, windy etc?
  
• Will the site have a lot of runoff in the spring?
• Will salt or other chemicals run into the root zone?
• Is the site needed for snow storage, or is it in a snow shedding area?

SOIL CONDITIONS (many sites have poor soil conditions in Alaska.)

• Is the soil composed of heavy clay, with poor aeration and drainage? Cherry trees especially don't like "wet feet".
• Is it too sandy (which won't hold water) or a good loamy mix with good aeration, drainage and water retention?
• Is the soil shallow over hardpan or permafrost and thus poorly drained?
• Is it very hard and compacted with rubble and debris or composed mostly of gravel and rock?

TIPS

• It is NOT usually recommended that a fertilizer be used (when planting), especially one containing nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth.
• Phosphorous, to promote root growth IS RECOMMENDED (in the form of rock phosphate or bonemeal) as is a slow release fertilizer such as Osmocote.
• Many nurseries use a rooting hormone along with vitamin B, such as Upstart or Liquinox a few times after planting.
• The best approach is debated among growers
• Most trees die of lack of water, give it a deep watering once a week.
  
• Keep grass from growing in the hole you dug for at least a year or so, grass or "sod" robs most of the trees water.
• Wrap aluminum foil or a metal grid mesh (the tip of your pinkie should not be able to fit through the grid holes) around the bottom of the trunk (about 1 & 1/2-2 ft high) before the snow falls to keep voles or shrews away. Although some trees are bypassed, these critters can kill a tree.

HOLE PREPARATION
Most tree roots grow in the top 12-18 inches of soil, therefore the goal is to help the roots grow into the surrounding soil rather than remaining coiled in a planting hole. Growing into a coil will eventually strangle the tree and cause it to die or fail due to limited root spread.

A large area approximately 3-5 times the original root area should be dug and if needed amended with sand or loam. Do not however add more than 1 part amendment to 2 parts native soil or the roots may not spread into the native soil outside the prepared site. If you make your planting hole too "sweet" by replacing all the native dirt with yummy compost the roots will not want to grow outside it's hole and will become coiled as warned of above. (I think this is why my tree I planted 2 summers ago died, I replaced all the not so great soil with store bought good stuff and the hole I dug was just enough to fit the roots in, and no bigger. Ha, no wonder it died!)

(Click to enlarge photo)

Remove vegetation and rototill or dig the soil as shown above. Slope the sides, loosen and roughen the slope as root tips will penentrate this easier. A pitch fork works great for stabbing at the sides of the tree hole to roughen & loosen it up and allow space for roots to grow once they're ready to go beyond your prepared area. In the center, dig the hole only as deep as the natural shape of the root area. If dug too deep the soil will settle leaving the tree in a depression which will eventually fill in at which point the tree will be planted too deep and it will die. It's better to plant a tree to shallow than too deep. Some fruit trees will tolerate being planted deeper than the trunk flare.



Prune away any diseased, damaged, or circling roots. If the roots are rootbound return the plant. If you can't return the plant use a sharp cutting devise of choice to cut 1/2 an inch in, all the way down 3 sides of the ball and loosen the roots and dirt as much as possible.

IF your tree is litterally bare roots, with no dirt what-so-ever leave a small firm mound of soil in the center of the hole and spread the roots out over this. If your tree came in a pot compacted in dirt, skip this mound suggestion.

Set the tree in the hole so that the trunk flare is slightly above the ground level. Turn the tree so the branches face the way you want. Backfill the tree hole, removing rocks and breaking up clumps. This is a great time to layer in your bonemeal, 5 cups scattered through out the hole and around the roots will help the roots grow. I've heard you can't over do using bonemeal or other phosphates. Soak the area thoroughly, this is a great time to use the vitamin B as it's directions show. I have been warned about using the vitamin B too many times though. You can build a berm of earth around the outer perimeter to help hold water but this should be knocked down before winter so a pool of water or ice does not deprive the roots of oxygen. Do not plant annuals or cultivate the soil in the area prepared.

Remember this: the single most important thing you can do is WATER: DEEP, SLOW, and OFTEN for 2 years. Avoid soil compaction in the root zone (drip line plus 10 feet).

Hope this is helpful, and good luck!

Powerful again

So I was actually working (very productively I might add) tonight when the power went out at around 9. Just about everything I needed to do revolved around the computer. What does a person do with out power?

I think people were so productive in the days before power because they had nothing better to do.

Pete is in obedience class right now so I did some "homework" with him for a bit - that wasn't much fun. So I drug Marty out and we put one of the last trees I have in the ground (I still have one apple tree left now). That wasn't much fun either. Sorta raining, ground very wet, and to add to that we became a mosquito banquet. But I was pretty jazzed to get one more tree in the ground - that is hard work if you do it right!

So then Marty and I were dirty and the power still hadn't come back so we decided to go on a driving date... Go check out surrounding neighborhoods, cruz, - haven't done that in years. So all the radio stations were out but a couple. The one we tuned into was doing nothing but stuff on the power outage... It was really entertaining. Someone called in just before we got in the car and announced that Carrs was giving their icecream away... Then for the next hour or two people kept calling in talking about the irritated people at Carrs who were not giving out free icecream. Ha

I guess you had to hear it, but it really was funny.

So far I know the power was out from Homer to Fairbanks (what a trip), with patches of power in between. As of now Wasilla is back up and running and Marty and I finally are clean again *big bonus there*.

Did everyone else sleep through it?

Just the two of us...

Marty flew in from the slope at 11:30am on Thursday and Blake flew to Colorado at 11:10pm to be with his family again. It's so nice to have Marty home but we miss Blake. It was so nice to have him here and I feel so blessed that we had that time with him. He's such a great kid. I want to say so much more about him, this experience, and all 4 of his parents, but I can't come up with the words to measure up to whats in my heart. We thank God, all 4 of Blakes parents, and Blake for the time we got to spend with him.

He and I went through his room on Wednesday and packed up everything - most going home with him but a few keepsake things went into a box I'll keep up here and give him someday when he's old. My mom did that for Ian and I and it is still neat opening those boxes and looking into the past.

I talked to him for a few minutes last night and he said he loved and missed us - I almost lost it. Although it's really gonna take some getting use to him being gone, it's good he's home now; he missed his family and is soooo happy to be with them again.

Education

Ok, for all you parents out there I thought I would share some valuable sites.

Any math problems for you or your kids, whatever subject (in math) is it... Try This site. Its a great tool for starting out or brushing up. It was a big help with Blake tonight.

How bout Geography?? There are 2 great sites that can help you and your kids learn the 50 states. I like this one best but this one is good too.

This site will test you on every continent. Those of you my age or older... your never gonna get Asia or Europe it seems you just can't pin a country down over there.

If any of you know any other great sites out there, feel free to leave them in the comments. Blake and I just might be able to use them.

Memorial Weekend

Beautiful weekend. I can't believe how hot it was.

My brother and his *wife* came into town and took Blake for the weekend. It was truly a holiday weekend for them. They took him to the go-cart tract, hiking, hot-tubing, got him new shoes, new flip-flops, and although I just had them take him for a check up eye appointment they ended up getting him new frames and lenses. Blake is pretty jazzed about it too, the new pair of frames come with sunglasses that attach.

On Friday we all hung out, BBQ'd and played Croquet before splitting ways. On Saturday I went out to a graduation party in Beut. On the way there I passed this odd antique shop...

I didn't go in because it was closed but had to stop and take a picture of this old ferris wheel type ride. That part of me that loves junky roadside attractions was just tickled to stumble across such a neat find. One of these days I'm gonna go back when the store is open and take more pictures. The front yard was a whole other blog post in itself. ha

After the graduation party I took the dogs to Bradley-Keplar lake. First time I had heard of that lake. There's a great trail you can walk part way around the lake to a farther secluded sun spot. I can't really say beach because it was sorta mucky in the water. There were a ton of people around so me and the boys found a small little spot to throw sticks away from everyone else.

They had a ton of fun swimming. I wish I had gotten a picture of Pete swimming but I only had few chances of getting my camera out at that point. The water (and me) got pretty muddy once the boys started running back and forth. The log in the picture was just a little ways out. It was really shallow on this side of the log and a little deep on the other side, Pete wasn't so excited about that so he didn't go the distance as many times as Bossco did.

There's a few docks on that lake too so when we were all said and done I took the dogs out on one of them and talked them into jumping off - so I had clean puppies to take home. It was pretty funny.

Sunday dad came out and Ian and Shira came over and we all BBQ'd again. Getting dad out here is like pulling teeth so having him and everyone else over for a meal was really nice. Dad brought the burgers and accidently bought lamb instead of beef. haha Lamb burgers are interesting. Not bad but definitely different.

Ian and Shira brought Blake home on Monday after I got home from yet another BBQ. Since they're staying with her mom in Big Lake and with Ian leaving on Friday for school in Seattle, Blake isn't able to stay with them. It was weird Blake not being here for the weekend. I think it was a little taste of what I'm gonna have to get use to.. His last day of school is on the 12th and he flies back home to his mom on the 16th. So we have 17 more days to spend together. Marty and I are gonna miss him so much but we are so grateful to have had this time with him.

Anyway we just got home from the dentist, one more appointment and his teeth are finished... Or atleast until his next 6 month check-up. Time for homework (I hate math and am not the best teacher - God please help me through this lesson).

I am hoping to see pictures and hear of everyone else's weekend so to those of you with blogs.... Get to it!! ha

Read all about it

What is it about kids? Blake says he hates soup, but once laid in front of him... Yum! He says he hates Broccli & Cauliflower but once in his mouth - yum! Halibut & other fish - same thing. Not that we have this kinda stuff frequently but you get the point.

Every day, we have to make him read. School requires him to read atleast 20 minutes a day but we usually do a minimum of a half hour. It's good for him so I don't feel bad. He's always disapointed when we tell him its time, yet LOVES the stories he reads. He's currently reading the books of Narnia; he's halfway through book 5 and still has 2 more books in the series to read after. Last night he kept grandma awake around 30 minutes just telling her all about the books. Funny how he remembers just about every little detail.

Yard Work

We planned to get together with our old roomie Shane today and BBQ, we haven't seen him in a forever. So today he shows up with Sean, a few hours early. I was gone at the time but Marty was home. By the time I get home Shane has the only rake we have, going to town on what I haven't finished in the yard. Sean is insisting he have a rake too.

Ha

I told Shane to put the rake down but he stuck to his guns. Actually I couldn't blame them, I was planning on coming home and doing the same thing because the weather was so nice. Marty started at 11 this morning. So I guess in nice spring weather we all had work-in-the-yard fever. So the boys went down and picked up steaks and rakes and by the time Blake got home from school 3 of us we're raking and Marty was the pick up man wheelin the wheelbarrow between the three of us.

My yard is done now.

Man I have missed those two tons and tons but at this rate I'm ready to keep them. haha

Back when we lived in Homer the house Shane, Clint, Marty, and I all rented together had a large field for the front yard. It had been that way for years. Soon as the snow melted we hit that yard and by the end of that month it looked like pro's had done the work. Friends came over and joined in, it was like living in bizzaro world... Guys we went to high school with, guys I would have never imagined choosing to do yard work - out there diving in to help. Sean was part of that yard crew too. Good workers they all are. Johnathan the owner of the house liked it so much he had the yard expanded and put in a pond to go with. Of course the expansion and pond came just before we all moved out of that house, but it still looks awesome to this day. So anyway, today brought back some fond memories.

I wanna throw a big ol BBQ sometime this summer but I need to go get a croquet set and a badmitten set. Then we'll be set.


Need a yard crew?

Cook some ribeye's, they will come.



This isn't even a quarter of the area they did. Man I love these guys, they really know how to treat a gal.



Waitin for fooooood.



Blake and his favorite climbing tree. Supervising all the yard work.

I'm totally ok with climbing trees, it was one of my favorite past-times as a kid. But can I just say, it is sooo different when your the adult standing on the ground? A nine year old climbing a 2 to 2 1/2 story tree with no fall protection makes one nervous, especially when he doesn't belong to me. I had to call his mom and make sure she was ok with it, she gave me the pep talk I needed to calm my nerves. Ha ha

Boys

I don't know how Marty's mom did it. With 4 of them I would be tempted to lock them all in a padded room. Especially hearing all the stunts they pulled, and injuries they got. I better not list any but that would be a great blog post if someone else wants to take it. haha

Anyway have a good night folks.

Durf

I woke up night before last to my ring finger just throbbing, it was about 3 in the morning and I was so tired and out of it I just figured I was laying on it wrong. I bent my fingers a few times to get the circulation back into it and fell back to sleep.

Yesterday I get up and forgot all about it till after church. It was about that time I remembered how my finger was throbbing so bad the night before. I tugged on it and found it loose enough to spin but too tight to get off, I should have had it sized up last time I was able to get it off (it took far to long to get it off my finger then). So I ran my finger in cold water for a spell, got some soap and tried to get the ring off with that. Next I tried lotion, then I tried windex (an old wives tale I remembered which actually works very well, usually). At one point during all this my finger turned blue and I had to push it back into place and start over.

Nothing was working despite continuing to run my finger in cold water; after an hour of water and tugging, my finger had gotten unbelievably swollen and was hurting bad. I've never seen my finger that big.

At this point it felt like it was cutting into my skin everytime I messed with it and I could feel the restricting from the throbbing. I ended up going down to Zales to have them cut my ring off. He cut it and then had to pull the gap open just under a half an inch to get my finger out, and it was still so close to the skin I got a cut pulling the ring off. After it was off I found that sometime during all this I also got a blister under the ring.

Although it's still sore it feels so much better. I have to wait a few days now before I can have the ring sized up so swelling will go down.

I feel so stupid though, haha
Having to cut a ring off, just to get it off is pretty drastic.
Next time I swear I won't be so stupid.

Shoes...

I've always been a "Payless Shoes" kinda gal - great shoes, great prices. I don't care about name brands or anything extra fancy, just something to get me where I'm going. Unfortunatly the dress shoes I bought from them last month aren't working out. I like the way they look and they go with everything, only problem is I can't be in them more then 2 hours (sitting or walking) - they are just crippling after my 2 hour mark is up. So with my brothers up and coming wedding I need a pair to replace them with. I decided to look further than payless and figured I could swallow my routine and pay $10-$20 more than usual for something that would last longer and be more comfy.


I saw these and thought, wow. Those are cute.

Then I saw the price tag...

$470.00

No joke.

I knew Nordstroms could get bad, but man.

I've owned a handful of dependable cars that all together were still much cheaper than these shoes.

School Dayz

We had parent/teacher conferences today. Blakes teacher had his class and school pictures waiting for us. I wish I had a scanner so I could share with everyone - he looks sharp in his picture.

Blake sat in the hall and read his book while we met. His teacher had a good report for him. He is doing well in all his classes and getting along great with his classmates, which was so good to hear. In the middle of it all she stopped to tell me how much he enjoyed church. Ha, That was the last thing I expected to hear about from his public school teacher. She said she constantly hears him telling the other kids about church, how much he loves going, and all the fun he has there. That made me so happy to hear.

Anyway she gave us a few things to work on at home but other than that she had only the best things to say about him. So I took him out for a pizza dinner tonight.

I'm pretty happy to get that out of the way. When I switched schools at his age, I had a hard time with grades and such. The different schools were studying completely different material and it took me so long to get back on top of things. I'm really happy Blake made the transition as well as he has.

Party of 6

We had a puppy show up at our house last week. Cute little thing, came right over when I called him and was starved. It was getting late when he showed up so we thought we'd bring him in and let him stay for the night and figure out who he belong to the next day. Marty said he had seen him that morning taking Blake to school so we knew he'd been on the run all day and hadn't seen anyone turn up after him.

Come to find out he wasn't house broken and stunk to high heaven so before we could go to bed I had to give him a shower. It was sorta funny, he doesn't like baths at all. He was so scared he just froze, I don't think he moved a muscle except when I had to turn him around to scrub the other side. Turns out the bath did no good and it was at the point when he finally dried off all the way we knew something was wrong with him. Dogs just don't stink like that. I felt so bad for him. So the next day Marty and I went to all our neighbors houses to see if they knew who the puppy belonged to with out luck. We also called the pound and left all the info on him in case his owners called looking for him... Because if you lose your dog, you call the pound right?

We took all 3 animals to the vet (it was time for Boss and Toby's annual shots anyway). Come to find out Puppy has round worms - so we ended up getting medication for both dogs, just in case. Other than that puppy got good scores from the vet and while we were there we just got his shots done too.

So here we are a week later and still no sign of an owner, but he smells good now that the worms are gone. And the three of us have fallen head over heals for him, so I guess he'll be sticking around.



It's been 3 days in a row with out a piddle in the house so I'm hoping pody training is done. Since he's an American Bulldog and (other than his face) somewhat resembles "pete" on the old "Little Rascals" thats the name we've gone with. He really had no idea what a leash was when we found him and no coller on - he's still awful about walking on a leash but better. And the most foreign thing for a dog - hates truck rides. I just can't imagine what kind of owners he came from. Who wouldn't come looking for their cute puppy?

Oh and I almost forgot to mention, ha - the poor cat never comes out anymore. Pete thinks he's a chew toy.

New site...

I haven't been posting much here lately... Seems like when I feel like blogging, I don't have the time; and when I have the time, I don't feel like blogging. Go figure. Anyway I sent an email out last week and have been meaning to post on it too just haven't had time, so here it is...

I started a new site...

Devotions

I still plan on using this blog for not only some devotional stuff but family updates, pictures, and whatever else I might come up with. I wanted a separate site for nothing but devotionals, so those who don't care about my personal life don't have to suffer thru it, ha. On the new site I'll be sharing tidbits I find, highlighting different bible verses, and spotlighting other writers and their work all for the purpose of Christian encouragement. I would really like to focus my "blog time" more on the new site than the old one.

I only just started it and already its been very encouraging to me. If no one else reads it, I won't complain one bit; it'll still give me tons of encouragement just thru the writing pieces. But the original thought was to reach out and encourage others as well as myself. I hope all of you enjoy it as much as I do but please don't feel obligated to read it. If there is a piece that gives you encouragement, please forward it on, I just may end up posting it! :)

Do you have a hero?

Thoughts of hero’s have been mixed up in my thoughts for a week or so, which is odd because I really have never had any that stick out in my memory. Not that I haven’t had people I look up to, just can’t think of any that made it to hero status (other than maybe Wonderwoman for a month or two back in kindergarden).

Having Blake around has got me thinking about it. Last week he spoke to someone close to his heart he hasn’t talked to in a while. The moment the communication started the lump became visible in his little throat and a few seconds later he burst into tears from loving and missing this guy so very much. I was trying to fight the lump in my own throat and hold back the tears in my own eyes. I have never met this person but in moments it became very clear just how great this person must be and how high Blake holds him in his little heart. It was at that moment the word hero came into my head for the first time in years like a frieght train out of nowhere, because it was clear that’s how Blake thinks of him.

He looks up to strong male figures so faithfully, it’s just amazing. Not the TV or radio kind but just about all the men in his life, even a few at church he hasn’t known very long at all. Not that us chicks don’t mean a ton to him, but there’s just something different with the men in his life. I really am glad to see this in him and hope he picks the best qualities of each of these guys and carries them with him through out his life.

Hero’s are great, but it hit me this week… We hear about super hero’s, sports heroes, TV stars, rescue personnel, and even family members; some deserve the title of hero, others (like maybe actors and sports players?) maybe not so much.

But sadly I’ve never heard anyone say their hero was God, or Jesus. I’m sure most would agree they're the ones who deserve the title first, and I'm sure its been said before, its just bothersome that I myself haven't heard anyone give them the credit of hero in my 29 years.

I had thought about doing a post on this whole subject a week ago, just never happened for a few insignificant reasons, but the whole hero topic has been bouncin around my brain since.

Last night while I was reading the bible before bed to my surprise I came across the following verse...

Malachi 1:6
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty.

Sorta broke my heart when it all came together. I don't really think any of it was a coincidence either.

So I’d like to give credit to my 2 heroes. Jesus for walking this earth and going through all the trouble, rejection, and pain all to save us from our sinful-selves. For setting a better example then anyone ever could and leaving us his love and teachings. God for making all this possible, for loving us, for guiding us, for forgiving us, and for sticking with us even when we’re so dispicable no one else would have us.

I also want to say how grateful I am to have gotten such a moving lesson. I never suspected a week ago when I witnessed such a touching phone call between Blake and his hero that God had used it to send a message that would be waiting for me on the other side of the week.

Need a Buzz?

Today while in a bit of devotional time I came across something unrelated to what I was studying yet its meaning close to my heart.

Isaiah 5:22 (NIV)
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks

Wow, that brings me back. Back to high school and the parties that followed through the years and well into adulthood. Some of the things that made us cool turned out to be a real detriment, and I really thought nothing of it.

Since pot and other drugs weren't around back in times when the bible was written I apply verses that talk about being sober to not only alcohol but to drugs as well, because they are all mind altering in various levels. It seems that it's ok for a person to take a sip or have an alcoholic beverage for the taste of it, with out getting buzzed or drunk. However I've never met a person who took a hit of pot with out the intention of getting stoned, I think that same train of thought can be applied to all narcotics. And there lies the problems, so often these things aren't being done to fix an allergy, cure a sickness, or some other true medical purpose; they're being consumed for the purpose of fun, relaxation, or addiction, all while clouding judgment which is separate from God and His teachings. This loss of judgment or loss of control is what the word is teaching against, not against relaxation or fun.

I keep a list of verses that talk about being sober and the consequences that follow those who don't heed His warning. I use them to remind myself and anyone else who needs the help fighting drugs and drinking because they are so powerful. I wasn't aware of the verse above till today and thought it might be time to spotlight all of the verses relating to being sober again.

Luke 21:33-36 (NASV)
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Romans 13:13-14 (NASV)
Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Romans 14:21 (NIV)
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Galatians 5:19-26 (NASV)
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Ephesians 5:15-19 (NASV)
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 (NASV)
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

2 Timothy 4:5 (NASV)
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Titus 2:1-8 (NIV)
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Titus 2:11-15 (NIV)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

1 Peter 1:13-16 (NASV)
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

1 Peter 4:3 (NKJV)
For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

1 Peter 4:7-9 (NIV)
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

1 Peter 5:8 (NASV)
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Famous Fishermen

Just discovered our old roommate/landlord/friend from Homer is on a discovery channel show.

We lived with him and a few other roommates a couple years ago before we moved up here to Wasilla. It was a great time in our life, Marty and I were very close with our 3 roomies. The house was a beautiful 2 story place with a ton of room on 6 acres. Don't get me wrong, I love our life here and what its become here in Wasilla - wouldn't trade it for anything but living with our buddies in that house was such a great time. I miss them all tons, we don't get to see them near enough.

Anyway, a lot of you know Jonathan Hillstrand. His son Scottie, who's also a good friend and almost went on this fishing trip sent this link. I think the show's called "Deadliest Catch", its about the commercial fishing industry. If you go to this page, Jonathan (who runs the Time Bandit) is on the 1st, 5th, & 6th videos. It was super exciting to see him in his element working but also a bit freaky. Those guys work so hard, in one of the most dangerous trades and the video clips give a good taste of what it's like. I've seen shows like this before but it becomes much more real and worry-some seeing someone you know in the midst of all that. There short clips, if you get the chance, check them all out.

Thanks for the link Scottie, I swear if I watched that 6th clip long enough I'd be sea sick sittin right here at the computer - I don't know how you guys do it!

Sledding today

We went sledding today up at Hatcher Pass. Sarah and her kids came and another group from church. This is Blake with Sarah's kids, the other 2 kids were a tad late and didn't make it for the group photo. Notice all the clothing on here before we started, by the end of the day much of it was shed from getting so hot. What fun we all had! The weather was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky and it was warm. Although it was windy when we left town, for some odd reason there was not much wind at all up on the mountain... I'm thanking God for that one because no wind on a mountain while there's winds ripping thru town leaves no other explanation in my book.

Sarah, I had so much fun! Thank you so much for going with us today, I can't wait till we can all do that again.


Catchin air!

More photos I took today on my flickr account.

Thank You

Just wanted to give a thanks to all of you who've commented on the last few post's, especially those who have never even met Blake. He's read just about all of the comments and they have really helped boost his confidence such a great deal. Even my mom was wowed with how nice and kind all of you are. Isn't our blogging circle just so great?

And saving the best for last of course....

HE WON A 1ST PLACE BLUE RIBBON AT THE STATE SCIENCE FAIR!!!!
WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!

He must get it from his mothers side of the family, haha.

Rewarding

Blake came home today soooo excited. His science project did well enough he was invited to enter it in the state science fair in Anchorage this weekend. The 3rd graders weren't required to do science projects but were encouraged to do so. There ended up being 6 science projects done in his class (one of them done by 2 students), he was the only one that was invited to go. I am soo excited for him. The lame part is that we will have to drive into Anchorage Friday (tomorrow), Saturday, & Sunday if we want to participate. I cringe at the gas money for that but think it will be worth it in the end. Even if he doesn't win anything he still gets a t-shirt for entering and a great shot of self-confidence.

Another picture for the family... Blake BEGGED for me to make this picture. He thinks its the greatest thing since candy.

Fineato

He finished his science project! Thought I'd post the picture for all the family to see. Oh and that smile on his face? That is genuine happiness right there.

Toyota Highlander

My mom and step-dad just bought a new car. Its a 2002 Toyota Highlander. Anyone who really knows me, Knows I'm a Chevy freak but they got a great vehicle. In all the consumer reports the Highlander beats every other SUV across the board in safety features, gas mileage, reliability, you name it.

They've had several vehicles through the years but its been I think over 10 years since they bought anything off the lot, so I'm excited for them.

They need to hurry up, get up here, and take us all for a spin in it!

Brain Hurts

It's science project time. Blake's first science project ever is due March 6th. He's decided on "How do animals survive from predators hunting them?" Each night he works on it, and each night he wishes it was over, and secretly I do to. But the book work of it all is finished now and its on to the more fun stuff (hallelujah).

Come to find out he's suppose to type his report out, which will be much easier than re-writing everything neat and tidy... The only catch is that he's not learned typing yet, I guess they hadn't started that at his last school. So we went out and bought him a typing program and he had his first go at it yesterday. He did so good, I was really surprised he took to it so well with almost no help from me. I wish I could learn things as quickly. Although the typing isn't the big priority; it would be nice if he didn't have 2 big things to get past all in this very short time frame, all this at once is rough on the poor little guy. So far he's only had the science project stress, I'm hoping the typing stress doesn't hit.

So if we can just make it thru to the 6th, life will be carefree again.

Until then, on we trudge.

Best friends

Well its become clear, Bossco has found a new best friend. Blake is constantly playing with Boss and they both are just loving the whole arrangement. I'm not sure where either of them get the energy but its totally entertaining for Marty and I.

Blake was just DYING to go out and play in the snow the other day, so we bundled him up and let him go out with boss for a little while (even though he's fighting a cold). Being from Texas, all this snow is just way too neat for Blake (it really brings me back to when I was a kid). Anyway those two were just so entertaining I snuck the camera out and took some pictures. Thought you all might like to see, there's 11 total on my flicker account.

Spring is in the air...

So as most of you know, my 8 yr old nephew (from Texas) is temporarily staying with us. Its been so great having him here. Another fact that most of you know is when it starts to melt around here a smell starts coming out. For those of you who don't know about the smell of spring in Alaska, let me enlighten you (ha ha)...

• Everything freezes up for winter, but dogs still do their thing, moose, cats, and all the rest of the animals who leave their droppings around.
• Weather warms up and all that snow (along with the other stuff) starts to melt, leaving wetness and muck everywhere.
• When things can't dry out, they can't air out. Stagnant water and all that other stuff ends up leaving the smell of a sewer plant on the wet and moist ground.
  

Most adults don't notice this smell, but then you don't see adults out rolling in the last patches of snow or sitting on the ground hanging out with their friends. At each of the elementary and middle schools around Alaska the smell becomes quite prominent.

Yesterday Blake forgot his boots in his classroom when I picked him up from school, so we walked back to the class to get them. As I got deeper and deeper into the school the smell became more and more powerful, when we got into his classroom I just wanted to throw up! The kids don't really notice the smell as prominently as those of us who don't bathe in it at recess but boy do I feel bad for the teachers.

After I vacuum, I spray-mist every inch of my carpet with bleach to dis-infect and keep the house smelling clean, I started that habit about 7 years ago after working at a daycare that also did it. All I keep thinking is that I need to send an instruction note to the teacher with a spray bottle of bleach.

Another funny thing is, usually Blake has better things to do than taking showers (according to him) putting it mildly)) but with the smell of spring in the air he has no problems whatsoever taking a shower every night. I guess the smell of spring does have its benefits.

Water

It's been pretty busy around here and as of tomorrow, it's gonna be even busier for atleast the next 3 months. Somehow I'll manage surface for a post here and there though.

So I found something the other day at the gym that was quite interesting. Its a paper all about the importance of water. I've always been a huge water drinker, tons of it all day, everyday. A few months back I just stopped craving it like I always do, now I have to force myself to drink more than a few cups each day.

Thought I would share what it said, sorry about the length of it all. It's just nice to finally hear why when people point their finger and say "ya need to drink at least 8 cups of water each day". A lot of stuff in my weight gain (which is definitely not soley caused by not drinking enough water) makes some sense now.

How 8 glasses of water a day
keeps the fat away

Water naturally suppresses the appetite and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake causes fat deposits to increase, while increasing water intake can actually reduce fat deposits. Here's why: the kidney's can't function properly without enough water. When they don't work to capacity, some of their load is dumped onto the liver. One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. However, if the liver has to do some of the kidney's work, it can't operate at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat and more fat remains stored in the body which stops weight loss.

Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention. When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is stored as extracellular spaces (outside the cells). This shows up as swollen feet, legs and hands. The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs - plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released.

An over weight person needs more water than a thin person. Larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since water is the key to fat metabolism, an overweight person needs more water.

Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles their natural ability to contract and by preventing dehydration. It also helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss. Shrinking cells are buoyed by water which plumps the skin and leaves it clear, healthy and resilient.

Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss, the body has a lot more waste to get rid of - all that metabolized fat must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush the system.

How much water is enough? On the average, a person should drink eight 8oz. glasses everyday. That's about 2 quarts. However, an overweight person needs one additional glass for every 25lbs of excess weight. The amount you drink also should be increased if you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry.

Water should preferable be cold - its absorbed into the system more quickly than warm water. Furthermore, some evidence suggests drinking cold water can actually help burn calories.

When the body gets the water it needs to function optimally, its fluids are perfectly balanced. When this happens, you have reached the "breakthrough point." What does this mean?

• Endocrin gland function improves.
• Fluid retention is alleviated as stored water is lost.
• More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to metabolize stored fat.
• Natural thirst returns.
• There is a decrease in hunger almost overnight.

If you stop drinking enough water, your bodily fluids will be thrown out of balance again and you may experience fluid retention, unexplained weight gain and loss of thirst. To remedy this situation you'll have to go back and force another "breakthrough".

Happy Valentines!

(Photo taken by D'Jair Martinez)

Wishing all of you a great Valentines day.

Bing

Wow. I woke up at 5 this morning and laid in bed for a half hour hoping to sleep a few hours longer. Didn't happen. Finally got up and made my blog rounds (nevermind how much I post, some of you really need to post more *hehe*).

Big bonus besides getting out of bed so early is that I'm 5lbs less this morning. The gym has been working! After not getting anywhere at curves I got frustrated and gained. The Alaska Club membership has definitely been worth it. Having more than just hydraulic weight machines is worth the extra membership fees. Alaska Club has a "cardio theatre", more treadmill, ellipticals, bikes, and stair climbers than I can count all hooked up to 8 TV's and 2 CD players. They also have something similar to the curves circuit only its with weights and not hydraulics (way better). They have a separate weight room (very large), separate family work out room, racquet ball courts, basketball court, steam rooms, hot tubs, movie theatre, free work out classes of all types, tanning beds... I think that's it other than the daycare and game room for the kids.

I did find out for those of you who I haven't mentioned it to, we can bring a guest for under $11 - and every third Thursday of the month we can bring a guest for free. Anyone wanting to join Marty or I is welcome.

So with all that said, I'm off to go work out while I'm still awake.

Crash in Ketchikan

So my brother's working in the shipyard down in Ketchikan. Wednesday he called and said he heard a jet unusually loud overhead and looked up. Just after he spotted the jet, he actually saw someone eject out of a fighter jet, the parachute never fully opened though because the pilot ejected to late. The jet crash landed into a trailer at a trailer park about 200 yards away from where Ian was working. Ian ran over to see if he could help and eventually ended up pointing the direction of the pilots location out for them. Unfortunately the pilot didn't make it. Amazingly enough nobody was killed in the trailer court and nobody was inside the trailer the jet actually ran into, I guess there were only minor injuries. I am just stunned that this happened and even more stunned that Ian actually witnessed it all.

Sitnews has a sad account on the story and some good pictures of the crash site.
KTUU has a story giving a better idea on the cause.

I guess the pilot sacrificed himself to steer the jet away from even more populated area's. It sounds like if he would have landed anywhere else in the vicinity it would have been much worse. My heart goes out to his wife and children.

Cross Contamination

Ok this is serious...

1. People towels and dog towels are washed separately.
2. People towels/clothes and cleaning rags are DEFINITELY suppose to be washed separately.
(People towels that are washed with dog or cleaning rags become dog or cleaning rags. This can become expensive when these two rules are ignored)
3. Rags are washed after all the clothes are done, after the rags come the dog towels. This way cleaning rag juices that aren't killed with bleach get on dog towels instead of MY clothes.

Ok so your getting the idea right?

Well this isn't the only way this whole cross contamination idea can be applied. In our house we have 2 sponges, sounds simple right? One is for washing dishes that can't go in the dishwasher, the other is for cleaning the chickens eggs. Let me just take this moment to remind you that eggs are not the only thing that come from the back end of a chicken and their eggs MUST be washed. So yeah, I keep the dish washing sponge up so it isn't used for cleaning eggs or counters, it can *only* wash dishes (because you know, some of the things it washes goes in your mouth). The chicken sponge is usually left at the sink ready for the eggs. I am obsessive about warning anyone who may use a sponge which is which, you think they would listen. I don't let guest's do dishes but roommates are another story, haha. Back when we lived in Homer and had 2 roomies I warned those two OVER and Over about all this, because I just knew it was bound to happen. One afternoon just after they moved in I go up and one of them had done all the dishes, (it was really sweet and an unbelievable pile that day) being that it wasn't me or Marty who washed them I just had to ask....

me: You used the dish sponge right?
him: ummmmm....
me: you didn't use the chicken sponge right??
him: ummmmm..... (looking a bit worried)
me: haha, which one did you use?
him: ummmmm...... that one...
me: yikes.
him: oh...
me: I'm gonna wash all those dishes again, with a LOT of bleach
him: ok I'll help
**Never happened again after that, I can say for sure. LOL**

This whole cross contamination idea is another great reason for shower/hand soap in a squeeze bottle for guests. Ya know, because who wants to use the same bar of soap as the last guy, you never know where its been or what he may have touched before washing his hands.

My apologies to anyone who didn't share these peeves until now but I'm just wondering if any of you have your own cross contamination peeve? I may not have enough, lol.

Futuro

So I found some pretty odd housing all by accident yesterday. I may post the others later.



One of those "houses" is called a "futuro". I guess there were 100 of them made back in the 60's. Just the look of them makes me want to spend a weekend getaway in one with Marty. Anyway the pictures were so neat I just had to share.


it closes up and locks to look like a real pod. Haha


This is the living room, I think they were originally suppose to look like this though...


The hole reason this got started was to build an after skiing cabin that was easy to put together and kept heat well. The seats you see convert into single beds and I think the futuro's were originally suppose to be able sleep around 8 people. 2 in the double bed and the rest in the living room.


There was also suppose to be a fireplace/grill in the middle of the living room.


Living room/ Dinning room


Kitchenette with oven. But check out the TV, that thing looks like an alien itself!


The center is the door in and out, the left is the bedroom and the right is the bathroom.




Tight space in the pody room, but it comes with a view! Just what I've always wanted in a bathroom.


Master Suite.


Looking out the master suite.

Isn't it neat?? Most of these photo's came from this site. He owns his own futuro and has the best photo's I could find. He has a ton of other info and links if your interested.

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And now, I must DRAG myself to the gym. I wish I was one of those odd people who live for a workout. Maybe then it would be fun. Gotta keep trying though, maybe one day I'll get there.