Vacation

So we're thinking about a trip to Las Vegas.  Anybody have any good/bad experiences with hotels or shows on the Strip?  We were thinking of New York New York or Treasure Island for a hotel.  It would be nice to be in a hotel with people our age.  Always open to suggestions.

Is This Normal?

One of the pleasures of living in a rural community is mostly avoiding excessive commercialism from holiday to holiday. Sure, I could buy holiday treats and chocolates while in Nome and I'm not surprised to see more of the marketing world since moving to Wasilla. But I was shocked this evening. At Wasilla's Wal*Mart I walked past an entire aisle of Valentine's Day sweets---no big deal. But the content of one center stand made me pause and stare. 

Cadbury eggs and Reese's peanut butter eggs!!...Clearly people had been buying them for awhile or all at once because the supply was drained a little low. I confirmed that Easter this year is April 12th, so that's over 2 1/2 months early. 

I ask again, "is this normal?" Not that I'm really complaining...the Cadbury's were only 50-cents each and I love 'em.

*Amy

Before & Aft #3

Project Three (and final): Unpack more of Amy's stuff from moving, rearrange items in the bigger spare bedroom, paint the blinding white walls to a "softer" Cottage White (seriously, the original white matched the closet doors!).

To Do: buy a real desk and filing cabinet, hang some wall decorations, unpack a few more boxes!

This is one of two rooms you can choose to sleep in when you visit us!

*Amy

Radio Highlight: My New Job

The Alaska Public Radio Network (APRN) visited Friday's graduation ceremony for the rural Alaska AmeriCorps Members within my new job. We finished hosting a long but productive week of Orientation training for them. Our week even started with service on MLK Jr. Day. Take a listen to the story about where I work and what it's about! 

The host of this story, Lori, told me that my name came up at APRN that day as a person to contract for coverage along the 2009 Iditarod Trail. I think I'm taking a break for this race! It was an inspiring week and some sites for my youth program include Petersburg, Togiak, Crooked Creek, Chevak, Toksook Bay and more! Pretty fun for the former radio world to connect with my new work world.

*Amy

Snow-Capped Mountains

Sharing some scenery we've recently enjoyed... 

These ice-fishermen on Finger Lake weren't bothered by the recent negative-30 degree cold spell...they included grilling with their outdoor activity. Hopefully the dog didn't stick its tongue to anything frozen!A few weekends ago we went driving on Big Lake. Denali and Mount Foraker were in clear sights that day.

A major ice-road system gets plowed on Big Lake. We had a good time driving it and admiring the cabin-style homes.

Last week I went to Kodiak for work. Here's the view from the airport:

Or, how about the view from the high school parking lot?And here's a quick shot taken at sea-level near the Kodiak harbor. There were bald eagles flying everywhere!

I also enjoy the "normal" views around Wasilla. Can you find the moon?

Finally, I'd just like to write that sarcastic comments on the blog, which I believe are meant to be funny, but are given Anonymously without a name, actually come across as kinda mean. We're glad you join us and feel compelled to share a thought, but please leave a name if you want say something snide...I think it's just respectful. We really do appreciate hearing from you otherwise.

By the way, you can always click on the pictures to see them bigger and close-up!

*Amy

Before & Aft #2

Project Two: paint the master bedroom, including an accent wall, buy all new furniture, reattach closet doors

To Do: install white molding between the walls and ceiling, buy some lamps

Catching up on Christmas

2008 is Christmas of Past now, but it's still fun to revisit. We're slow to post blogs right now and I'm dominating the writing because Andy's 7-year old PowerBook died. May it Rest In Peace in one of the spare rooms. So we're a one laptop household now--oh, the stress! :)

As said before, we flew to Nome on Christmas Eve to stay with Tony, Angie, Cole & Tay Tay (Taylor). At this point I had moved from Nome just shy of 4 months and I was a bit nervous about the emotions of returning so soon. Right off the plane, I ran into the AC grocery story for some holiday ingredients and immediately felt welcomed by familiar faces everywhere. Even the cashier called, "Amy! I can help you over here." It's nice to be "where everyone knows your name." Right after that errand, we strapped on snowshoes and went on a nice tundra hike to pull Tony's hunting traps. It was perfect coastal weather (no wind and warm) and felt great to enjoy the open countryside. One of the highlights of staying in Nome for the holiday was revisiting the world of Santa. 

Three-year old Cole woke to piles of presents under the tree and the excitement of Santa was contagious. Taylor (1 1/2 years) knew she got some pretty neat gifts too. 

I think one of my favorites moments of the trip was gearing up for the outdoors Christmas Day afternoon and stopping by a few houses with good cheer. Our group then walked a snowy trail, carefree and very playful. We sang and fell into the powder, laughed and took pictures. It was almost too wholesome! Cole loved the outdoors because he got the best ride of all! 

We also spent time snowmachining, visiting many friends and eating very well (thanks Liz and all!). 

During Christmas Day Mass I was welcomed "home" by some people. It felt a tad odd not to have an actual "home" while in town, but just driving those familiar streets was a gift. 

By the time we left on the 27th I was ready to return to my new "home" and there was no heartache involved. I'll be back someday and my Nome family is never out of my life--this trip proved that. I just wish it was easier to spend time in each other's presences. I'm grateful Andy enjoys a Nome trip as much as I do. Thanks to G2 and crew for hosting, and for arranging this great weather! 

*Amy

Da Deep Freeze

It's non-news now in Alaska that we're freezing up here. Over ten days registered below-zero temps. Last night as we picked up my car that was parked within Wasilla, the truck said -32 (and my RAV4 is such a tough cookie!). Tomorrow may *finally* be the turning point (which means the cold system moves to the Lower 48!). Throughout this brrrrr time Andy & I have still been sick. The coughing and hacking do not seem to end! I blame a general lack of well-being as the reason for no recent blog posts. We have pictures of Christmas in Nome and other things but just haven't gotten around to sharing them, yet.

I will share that after a wonderful New Year's Eve celebration we came home to Wasilla with NO heat. The air intake pipe was frosted over and couldn't get oxygen to ignite our pilot light. We spent New Year's Day very cold and sick, while spending too much money for some worker to tell us about the intake problem. After buying a space heater and getting back to normal indoor temps. the next day, I'm hoping the start of 2009 was merely quirky and not ominous! 

I hope I don't seem like a complainer--that's just what's going on. Thank goodness Andy & I both, unknowingly, gave each other warmer coats for Christmas. Last night Andy said his puffer jacket was perfectly planned. 

We've got stunning scenery among these cold, clear days, including thick hoarfrost covering everything exposed to the elements (plus we're up to six hours of daylight, gaining over 3 minutes a day). I hope to capture some beauty on digital film soon. For now, here's a picture sent to me that was taken in Fairbanks on Monday...

*Amy