Missing: Winter

It's February 23rd in Alaska. Do you know where your snow is? Not in Wasilla.That's grass. And that's our bonfire pit in the sunken snow area. And the snow that remains is rotten and gross. Well, the 30-40 degree weather that never seems to end is great for road conditions, and my spring jacket! I took my car out of its winter 4-wheel drive.

I won't even show an updated photo of our former perfect snowman, Paddy. It'd make you weep.

*Amy

PS-Andy hasn't plowed with his new 4-wheeler & plow since Jan. 17th.

Anniversary

We didn't just celebrate Cupid's holiday over the long weekend, we also celebrated an anniversary. Last year on Valentine's Day Andy proposed marriage. Yep, we've been engaged for a year now, which is rather long considering we still have 4 1/2 months to go. The year has also gone quickly, of course.

We celebrated the holiday and the proposal by going to the same place as last year--Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood! We didn't go there for sentimental reasons, but to scratch the skiing itch I've had for some time. I hadn't been downhill skiing for three years and Andy hadn't held a ski pole since 8th grade! We committed to the activity and was confused to arrive in Girdwood to RAIN. Yes, February 14th in Alaska and it was RAINING. What?! The temperature had risen to 40-degrees and the precipitation hit the Mountain. We decided to go for it as we had already driven to Girdwood and had a room reserved at the resort.

We suited up in our rental gear and went up the slightest "hill" to try out the feeling of skiing. We went up a "treadmill" in a kid-area. I was a little rusty but enjoyed the sensation. Andy went down the kid "hill" once and called it quits. To his credit, it was raining and he just had a bad vibe. He was content to hang out in the bar and WATCH Olympic skiing as I worked my way up to the chair lift and did some small runs near the Mountain's base. Now that is love.

I scratched my "itch" and felt the snow begin to slip under the rain. I was also drenched and called it good. The rest of the day was more normal as we got ready and enjoyed a phenomenal dinner at the famed Double Musky. This cajun steak house doesn't take reservations so when we arrived it was a two-hour wait. And it took the entire two hours. However, we spent that time enjoying each other's company at the bar and talking with some folks around us (including the multi-millionaire construction company owner who is building Nome's new hospital). We ate at the Double Musky the night before Andy proposed last year. It never disappoints!

The only picture we took in Girdwood was a less than impressive shot of a ski boot on Andy's foot. He skiied for all of 25 seconds but he wore the boots for a good part of the day! Despite the Comedy of Errors (which included the ski rental guy taking cash from us and not logging our equipment--probably a scam) it was nice to change the scenery and recognize the journey we've been on since Valentine's Day 2009!

*Amy

Snug-WOW!

How many ways can we wear Snuggies?

The Statue of Liberty:

A jumping Gumby:

Casually, like on TV:

Or, just chilling like snuggly villians:

Okay, so we didn't dial a 1-800 number and order these Snuggies, nor did we pluck one of the remaining sets at Wal*Mart during Christmas. We did receive them as a holiday gift from good friends who understand cold winters, and we're lucky enough that they included the free book light. In case you see the models above and wish to own a Snuggie sensation yourself, just beware that they run a little big.

But I'm not just a blogger, I'm wearer, and I may have my sage-green Snuggie on right now.

*Amy

Iceholes

"I like fishing; I really do," Andy said Saturday afternoon while baiting a hook with neon-pink shrimp. It's an activity, a passion, a lifestyle he doesn't get enough time to do. Since Christmas, though, his ability and tools to fish year-round grew with the acquisition of some key gear needed for ice-fishing. This winter past-time sure gets its digs when comedians and more "southern" folk poke fun at sitting on something frozen while trying to woo out a wiggly creature that you're most likely gonna throw right back down a tiny hole.These nay-sayers never had an "Eskimo" to sit in hours at a time. This ice "shack" takes Andy seconds to pop open. He set up our Finger Lake dream house and we commenced the "here, fishy fishy."

Tiny salmon and rainbow trout responded to our call.

No lunkers were had during this outing, but more sunlight and the right gear will surely bring the big one to the top of the ice hole.

Bundling up, the fresh air, fish slime and "roughing it" was a pretty good Saturday spent. It's also fun to see Andy hang in his "element."

*Amy

The Routine

Not much to say as of late because January has been the start of a hard-working year, so far. Andy works an average 11 hours per day (on midnights), which includes training a new recruit. My work has been a flurry of activity with the training we hosted last week for about 70 people from rural Alaska. They are part of our new AmeriCorps year. The orientation went very well and I'm enjoying calls and emails from around the state by questioning Members. This week has been full of report-making that makes the funding wheels spin.

Other than the full work days we drank away an afternoon at the annual Beer & Barley Wine Festival in Anchorage with Jodi and Graham. A week later they came out to Wasilla for a great night of sushi and visiting. We're also finding a long-forgotten gym routine. Andy's in a law enforcement fitness challenge. He weighed in, with a couple of other guys, at the beginning of the month and will check his weight and BMI in April. I'm taking to the treadmill while watching "Chuck" and other shows I'd normally catch at home, and I've also found a water aerobics instructor who is upbeat and gets me splashing.

Friends of ours, a Trooper couple, is having their second baby. The Simmons are the same age as us, and we were excited for them in June when we learned they're expecting. Anna and I went for pampering pedicures on Sunday as the guys watched that painful play-off game. Glad we went when we did because she's in delivery as I write! More than two weeks early. I'll probably meet the little girl tomorrow.

And that's how the first month of 2010 is shaping up!

*Amy

Why We Got the 4-Wheeler

Those winds earlier this week left the snowscape a bit tundra-like: worn, drifted and a bit like a frozen waves. Paddy's hat and scarf are safely secured inside. He's hanging on, but minus a limb!

Mile High City

We're well on our way into the New Year and Mother Nature has been blasting 60 mph winds at us for days on end. Makes me wish I was back where I was a week ago...Denver!

I flew to Colorado on New Year's Eve (leaving Andy to work) and was swept into a world of hospitality, fun and friendship with my friends, Megan & Zach. It's high time I've visited their Denver world and what tipped the scales was the wedding of my cousin, Coleman Flaherty.

I spent time in their lovely 1912-built home, felt bright sunshine and went out for New Year's Eve. On New Year's Day they brought me into the Mountains. I enjoy downhill skiing but not to their Mountain level, so I must admit that we played it safe....by ice skating at Keystone! Not just ice skating, though, but gliding around North America's largest frozen pond for skating! It had a hockey rink on it, and a cute Christmas tree with Christmas music playing.

Alaskans engage in crazy outdoor sports so I definitely appreciated the ice road races we caught happening at a Mountain town. I think this clip captures the craziness, spirit and machinery!

Just check out the studs, or spikes, they use on these vehicles!

Megan brought me to Red Rocks Amphitheater (SO cool!), some of her favorite city spots, Boulder for shopping, as well as a fantastic and impressive tour of Denver's Performing Arts Complex (*contented sigh*). In exchange, I brought her as my date to Coleman's wedding!

He's 10 days older than me and moved to Colorado a year and half ago. He and Carie had a very nice event and finally met their son, Jackson. This little two-year old just had to join the ceremony!

I hadn't seen Coleman in a long time and his sister, Claire, in an even longer time. She came up from Texas and Uncle Jay from MN. Some of my Flaherty cousins!This is my lovely date. We found some old WestLaw books to play with (copyright 1931).Most of all in seeing a new city I spent quality time with far away family, and connected with dear friends. Zach and Megan treated me like family. I can't wait to bring Andy to Denver; I picture a loud concert at Red Rocks....

*Amy