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.

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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...

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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.

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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.