"Summer"

I don't have time to post pictures just yet, as I'm trying to just get an updated post in here, but I do believe this week that "summer" has arrived!

I put this in quotes because our lake is still pretty frozen.  There are a few places that the migratory ducks have discovered to drink and pull grass, but the vast majority is quite solid.  I'm not so brave to do my walks across, and  the dogs have certainly put on the brakes when it comes to the edge of our water, but the mornings still look pretty frozen out there.  The snow is mostly gone except on the north side of our house where the roof slide creates the cement snow that takes an eternity to melt.

So why "summer?"  Well, this weekend was insanely busy, not a dull moment, projects going and places to go with friends, and I got a sunburn.  Yep, I did!  My nose is all rosy and it's not from being out in the cold.  I helped a friend and participated in her garage sale this weekend.  The projected forecast was clouds and some rain, but we had sunshine off and on Friday and in all it's glory on Saturday!  I positioned myself to sit in the sun all day Saturday, without sunscreen, and paid for it.  If you've ever spent a winter in Alaska, much less five, you'll understand it was well worth it.  My face itched from the tightness and dryness all day yesterday, but the Vitamin D was my lifeblood!

Besides the burn, the busyness is a stamp of summer.  The garage sale was busy and pretty successful, Pat's getting the deck done (the floor is complete!), we had 2.5 showings this weekend so the cleaning has been insane, we celebrated the new job of a friend who is now going to be moving away (boo!), we had church, grocery shopping, errands, etc.  The winters up here are slow and you do feel like hibernating, but now the sun is up early and you don't mind!  It goes down late and you have to force yourself to stop and go to bed.  The stars are gone til fall, and I'm actually not too sad about it.  I'm ready to get going, forgo some sleep, and enjoy this summer!  I think I'll put on sunscreen, though!  

Crazy

A crazy idea hit us in recent weeks.

It really began about a month ago when we first began to receive unemployment checks. There seemed to be a small amount of stress at this time, and I'm not being sarcastic. It wasn't a lot of stress, just a little. Our budget tightened and we began our typical use of our reserves that are saved for just such an occasion. This was when our focus also shifted from our own finances to helping my sister and her family with adoption expenses. That was a fabulous distraction that helped to teach us that we would like to be able to use our talents/time/treasures to help others more often.

Here it comes!

We are seriously considering selling our beloved home to live much more simply. The idea of using our finances to help others instead of paying our bankers is much more appealing. The plan is to sell our home and use the profits (no loans) to purchase land and build a small cabin. Eventually, we could build a house and shop again, but only as our cash on hand allows. We've also considered that we may like the simple cabin life and choose to spend the money saved elsewhere on others.

The reasons for this endeavor are many. One is the type of work which Pat is involved is seasonal construction. It is a "feast or famine" industry. By owning our own home from day one, we would avoid any stresses to make our mortgage payment when times are slim. Those slim work days may also allow for more travel when we are not strapped to our banker. We may eventually be able to spend much more time, especially during the holidays, visiting family and friends. This potential freedom may also allow for more extensive travel if that is where we are called. Another major reason is the massive amount of interest one pays during the life of a loan. After 2 years of paying roughly $1000/month, we have only paid down (with extra principle payments) $5000 of our principle. That is a huge amount of money simply given to the bank. Think of what we could have done with that much! Nevermind, don't. It makes us a bit queasy. We also feel that this is something that God is calling us to do. We have the potential to live completely debt free and free from the enslaving payments! We like that idea of freedom. It also frees us from relying on economic situations to protect our assets. If we own it all, it doesn't matter as much what the selling price could be. Oh, and last but not not least, Pat has always wanted to build himself a little cabin! Seriously. You know how he is.

I'm a bit surprised at how on-board I am with all of this. I truly love the idea of not making payments to anyone. Think of how much more we could do with all that interest money! I'm a huge numbers person, so I'll be excited to see that build in the bank accounts and see interest GIVEN to me, not taken! I won't lie and say I'm loving the idea of leaving our home. I love it here. I love our views and the opportunity to walk across the lake in winter and canoe it with the dogs in summer. It's a gorgeous park-like setting, but I'm not sure it's worth it. I'm also a little concerned how I'll do in a small cabin. I like those for camping and such, but for years? It could be interesting. I'll be sure to chronicle it all for those interested in seeing one who is a bit claustrophobic and has a bit of Seasonal Affective Disorder to survive such circumstances! Happy thoughts, happy thoughts (big numbers, big numbers...)!

We are a ways from implementing this plan, as we still have projects yet to be completed on the house in which we currently live. We are just in the beginning phases and are researching cabins and vacant lots and acreages. I also need to research the housing market up here and prepare for that daunting task.

Crazy? Possibly. Insane? Not as insane as all that interest and stress. Simple? Yep. Easy? Not likely! Worth it? I'd bet on it.

Can I just take my stove?

Toooomorow!

It's only a day away!
If you couldn't tell, I'm referring to the song in Annie.
I'm just a bit anxious for Pat to get home. I've missed him a little.
I'll be picking him up from the airport in Anchorage tomorrow afternoon. I tend to have the romanticized images of how he will come down the aisle and I'll greet him. I don't think that image has ever materialized, though it came close when he came home from Dutch Harbor. I guess I'm getting jaded. Probably for the best. At least for the other people in the airport.

Pat Update

I heard from Pat today! I was a bit apprehensive, as I had thought that "no news was good news." That was sort-of true, but not really. It seems that a certain someone shot something, but forgot a certain something in a truck that was needed. No it wasn't Pat, since he didn't even get a license or take his bow. Anyway, I had meant to make a lot of fun of the certain someone, but then I realized that I was so thankful. I was thrilled to hear the stories and the background laughter! It seems that the weather has been cooperating and the bugling of the elk has been keeping them up at night! Still no pictures, so just imagine...

Hangin'

Yep.
I'm hangin' in there.
Pat's been gone less than a week and it feels like a month. The first couple days are the worst, when I pout and lay around and feel sad. Now I'm in the phase of getting to do anything I want. It sounds like that would be awesome, but it's a bit empty. True, I can eat bready things or whatever wheat-based products, but I don't currently have much of that in the house. I have noticed that I have not run the dishwasher since Pat left. I guess I don't cook much when Pat is gone, so less dishes to clean! My dogs feel his distance the most, I think. I certainly don't spend as much love on them as he does. Rowdy definitely feels neglected, but the more needy he is, the more repulsed I get. I try to give him attention, people, don't worry. I even took them to a chili-cook off today. No chili for them, but I enjoyed it! I have been working, so I haven't had as much time to pine for my husband, but I feel it when I get home. I miss him. I have also missed the camera. I have had the annual visit of the swans (who have now left), and the most exquisite sun/cloud scene. No camera. I guess it's just in the memory.
I've been watching the weather and it's been confirmed that it has been raining quite a bit where he is. I think Pat will be just fine as he always plans for inclement weather. I hope the other guys are as good. I met some folks tonight who winter in NM and knew just where the guys would be. I avoided his chili, just as a side note. My palette is way too wimpy.
I knew y'all were wondering how I was getting along, so this is the update.
Time for some jello salad. (random eating patterns a by-product of home-aloneness!)

It's Official

Summer is here.
The return of $3 gasoline. $3.07 to be exact. It doesn't warrant a picture. I won't give it the satisfaction. It will not win over our summer.
Well, maybe it will have a small effect.

Relationship Insights

I got this email from a friend of mine and after reading it to Pat, I had to share. It cracked us up! The parenthetical extras were there and not written by me, though I do agree with them! Enjoy a random post!

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? (written by kids)
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure?)

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10 (isn't he ready for the world of dating?)

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-- Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
-- Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
-- Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED ?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8 (I like this kid)

And the #1 Favorite is ...

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
-- Ricky, age 10 (He'll be married forever)

Blowing steam

No, I didn't take this picture either! Thank goodness for the AVO pictures! I did convince Pat to take the long way home from the Nikiski Hardware Store so I could get a glimpse from the perfectly clear sky of Redoubt blowing more steam. I didn't have the camera, of course. Maybe tomorrow I'll remember the camera and either on our way to or from church we'll get another perfect view!
I've been back to work this week, and even though our weather is still wintery (we got more than 2 inches of new snow), there is still a hint of breakup! No, we don't call it spring. That is too positive sounding. Breakup is a much more accurate description of the season. I actually find myself a bit hesitant to give up our frozen pond. It is our ticket to the back woods! I don't know exactly what I'll do with the dogs when we can no longer walk across the pond. I guess we'll just do what we did last year...whatever that was.
Pat continues to work. I think he'll be back on the barge this week. It's not the best gig, but it could be worse. We are just thankful he's still working. It is nice that he comes home every night. I have adjusted my schedule to hopefully make it home before he does! Sometimes it even works!
The dogs are driving me crazy. Bella is nearing her next heat cycle and Rowdy is...well, he's acting accordingly. I think later this week she'll go outside for a few weeks!
I don't have any new pictures. Things look pretty much the same: white. The snow has piled up against the front door, but is melting a bit on the south side. Oh, it did get to 90 degrees today in the greenhouse! I ran out and stood in it for a while. It was lovely. I think it was somewhere above freezing, but less than 40. I just wish I could fast-forward to June when it's all green. Ah well, the joys of Alaska!

I Feel the Earth, Move, Under my Feet!

Yeah, we just had an earthquake. It's an odd feeling for those who don't grow up with it. Pat and I were sitting on the couch drinking our coffee when the house began to sway a little. It felt like someone was pushing the couch back and forth, on wheels. It was a relatively gentle sway! We looked at each other and Pat spoke the thought between us, "earthquake!" We looked up out our big windows and saw the trees swaying as well! It lasted about 10 seconds. It takes a few minutes to register on the websites, but we sent the USGS our responses. Come to find out, it was a 6.1 magnitude quake that was in the Cook Inlet, between Mt. Augustine and the Peninsula. Mom, you remember that? We saw it when it was spewing from Homer. Anyway, it was about 100 miles away and about 58 miles deep! Crazy Saturday morning! After that excitement, we are off to feed the puppies and watch KU play!

Ugh

I have no picture for this entry. I guess I could take a picture of Pat's disgust, but instead I'll just tell you what happened. Yesterday, in light of our ridiculously warm weather which is causing the roads to melt and consequently ice, Pat came home early. It was a real surprise and treat for all of us at home! Pat came home to find me chipping away at the ice around the garage in an effort to create a trough for the mass of melting water that was flowing right under the garage doors, into the garage itself. We worked on several ditches to move the water away from the garage and house before we thought we'd take a puppy out to Pat's shop to let his boss see him. We had thawed a couple of T-bone steaks for lunch, so Pat got them all spiced up, turned the grill on to warm up and off we went. We left Bella in the house while we took 2 puppies and Rowdy to the shop. While the puppies were super sweet and tried their hardest to secure a home for themselves, Pat's boss has decided the timing just isn't right. We packed the pups up and came home. When we came in the house, Pat asked me where the steaks were. I looked at him with my "what?" look and said that I didn't know. His keen hunting skills were employed next as he carefully followed a minute blood trail that led him right to Bella's bed. There was very little evidence left that she had indeed jumped up and took both T-bones from the counter and took them to her spot and inhaled every bit, including the bones. She seemed quite happy with herself, and since we didn't catch her in the act, it was difficult to try and discipline her for it. We hoped that her stomach would do the work, but as we watched her the rest of the evening, it seemed that her tummy was just as happy. How annoying. I guess we learned our lesson.

National Adoption Month

I've been alerted to the fact that it is National Adoption Month from several different places lately. It got me thinking. There are verses in the Bible that talk about the charge of caring for orphans and widows. In this adoption focus, I've noticed that the "widows" part seems to be less emphasized. It's not that I don't think it's important to care for orphans, in whatever capacity one can, but I think many have forgotten the "widows." I take this to mean any elderly person who is primarily alone. I see it very often: elderly people left at nursing homes and visited rarely if at all. Pat suggested something to me recently that made me certain that he is the most perfect husband for me! He suggested that we "adopt" a grandparent! Yes, we do have grandparents, but we don't live near any family. We also know there are grandparents who do not live near their families. This presents a perfect opportunity! I have high hopes that we will be able to find our adopted person/couple. I plan on visiting one of the Senior Centers to start the search process. I hope that I can encourage anyone to not forget the other end of the pendulum. Children are so important, and I think it is an amazing thing for people to adopt a child. I also think it is amazing for people to adopt a widow(er). Happy National Adoption Month!

achy

ow. I just came in from scooping/scraping the snow off of the "ceiling" of the garage. The roof has rafters, but no roof, so the last 3 inches of snow made a lovely carpet up there. In an effort to avoid mold growing in our new loft, I shoveled as much snow off as possible. Oh, and this is after I moved a load of wood onto the deck. We like to keep a small load up close so Pat can keep the fire going during the night and stoke it first thing in the morning. I'm tired and my back hurts. That's my rant! Tonight should be better. Group night. Tomorrow Pat's off work - slow week - so we may be lazy or we may go and run a bunch of errands! That's what's up!
Oh, by the way, check out "Something Clever!" That's my niece Sydney singing!

stuff

Okay, here's the story. I haven't done much lately here. We've been monitoring the puppy-making, and Pat is working on his blog about the trip he took last week. We've had 5 inches of snow that rained off by the end of the week, only to be replaced by another couple inches. That looks as though it may melt off a bit today. The rush is on to put the studded tires on. I got my birthday present: hood/microwave! I am so glad it is installed. My next item is a coffee maker! I have to find what I want, and likely it will have to be online since our options are severely limited. I may go Anchorage with Pat this next weekend. He is going to go to a worship team conference. I'm not on the team, so I'd just be tagging along and possibly going shopping. Mostly window-shopping. They just opened the first Target in Anc., so that's a "big deal" to many. I have discovered that their stuff is just as cheaply made as walmart which should be here this spring. We also recently purchased a ceiling fan that will be installed someday, and a radiator-type heater for our bathroom that is quite lovely! I started swimming last week and discovered that I'm a pathetic swimmer. I can only go 3 laps without resting, at most. They are long laps... I can't wait til the election is over. It's so mean and depressing. I have to go to the grocery store and I'm avoiding it. It costs so much and just the drive there is costly. I keep hearing of how much gas keeps dropping and it's still well over $4 here. I'm hoping to find cheaper flights for February. I'm hoping I can get out then. I'm hoping all the puppies will be sold in time. I'm hoping there will be 10 less puppies. I sound so hopeful! Well, can't think of anything else to drone on about, so I guess I'll get dressed and go to town! Have a happy day!

What day is it?

Another wordy entry follows, so if you want pictures, check next week when Pat gets home!
Well, I don't really know what day it is. I have been home and without working, the days run into each other. This week has been full of me trying to get used to being home. I've stayed up late often and slept in a couple times. I've run around with the dogs and have discovered that Rowdy likes to hang out inside the house with Bella and me! He stays on the rug by the door, and Bella has her bed. They behave angelically. At least when I am right there. I am postponing my shower until I put Rowdy in his kennel for the night.
I've been trying my hand at my initial list of projects. I have been severely humbled many times. I have realized how dependent I have become of my wonderful husband, and that's been a strange trip for me. I have finally mastered starting the weed-eater, but I apparently can't tighten or have broken the skill saw. I did discover that one can saw into concrete! Oops! That may have had an impact on the saw... That woodworking may take me a while! I moved on to a last-minute plan to paint my cabinets/counter top. The existing counter was previously painted a light sage green. Not a bad color, just pealing/chipping off and very stained. I chose a high gloss black. I'm not sure how well it will stick since I didn't sand it or anything. I'd heard of a trick to cover it with contact paper, but with all the chips, the surface isn't smooth anymore and it may not stick well. We'll see how the paint does first. The cabinets are now painted the same color as the walls in a semi-gloss. The previous white was very stained and also chipping off. I know that with my very small kitchen, the darker colors will likely make it look smaller, but since it's only temporary, I thought I'd play with color a bit more! I really like it. I wouldn't have chosen the color for permanent cabinets, but it looks warm and cozy - like a cafe! Pictures later! I like how the color takes the focus away from the cabinets, specifically. They don't stand out like they did before. Now all I can't stand to look at are my mismatched appliances, but they work and will stay until the kitchen is remodeled next year, hopefully!
The garage is slowly but surely moving forward. We've had all the concrete work done, I believe, and we'll work on the first floor framing in a couple weeks.
I just peeked out the window and was shocked that it was pitch black out. It's almost 10:00 pm, so I guess it's time, but it's strange to be in the dark. I told my dad that I saw the stars again for the first time this fall a week or so ago. It's always fun to see them again.
I felt an earthquake recently. I was sitting on the couch and Bella was asleep when I felt it. It felt like someone was shoving the couch a bit. I thought maybe I'd imagined it, but Bella jumped and looked at me as if asking "what was that?" It was only the 2nd one I've felt since we moved and it registered as a 3.98. It was a bit south and pretty deep. It's a bit freaky but kinda exciting as long as it's a small one. Similar to the tornado situation - exciting to see, but not to experience.
Tomorrow I have to go and pick up Pat's moose meat from the processors. I'm a bit nervous to pick it all up and find places to put it. We picked up a new freezer just for that reason, but there's going to be a bunch. On that note, I also just boxed up my bear skin and Pat's wolf skin to ship to Idaho to be rugged. All I need is his mailing address and off they go for a year or so!
Well, I really need to shower. TMI, I know. That means Rowdy's out and time for bed!
Oh, PS: You all need to move up here! We are getting $2069 for our dividend, and an extra $1200 for our fuel! I do think it helps to pay our still expensive gas. We did just recently drop a bunch to $4.44 gal for reg. unleaded. Still over $5 for diesel. Glad to have a woodstove!

Summer Winds Down

Hey! I haven't posted for a while because Pat has the camera! I like to post with pictures and I don't think I have many recent ones. Pat has had the camera since he took a buddy down the Swanson River to fish for Silvers, and still has it on his Caribou Hills Moose Hunt! Without spoiling it all, I'll just leave the stories until Pat gives me the pictures and he can narrate his wild times!
I'm still plugging along at the greenhouse, but will likely only work for one more week. I may drop by a time or two this fall. I have been trying to decide what to do with myself this winter, and I have a couple ideas. I may get involved with an organization called Love, I.N.C. (Love, In the Name of Christ). They work with at least 6 different denominations of churches that work to help people in need in the community in ways that vary from food and money to furniture and a ride to a job interview, just to name a few. I'm not sure what I'll be doing, but that's a possibility. I may also look into volunteering for Hospice. I tried when we moved here, but was unable due to missing a required week-long class that is only offered once a year. I'd like to start swimming (not due to any Olympic aspirations) at our local indoor pool, but exercise is something I do as rarely as possible. Finally, an option that I'm exploring is to expand my hobbies to include something as expensive as Pat's multiple hobbies: woodworking! I'd actually really like to get into it a bit. I have a billion ideas of things that I'd like to make, but discipline is not a strong point for me, so starting small and finishing a project may prove difficult. I also have a goal to find a bread recipe for Pat that actually rises and tastes good! Oh, and that doesn't require a million steps and 14 different flours.
Well, that's me in a nutshell for now. I'd show you pictures of my glorious greenhouse or fabulous flowers, but we've already discussed where the camera is located.
I hope to have more interesting and less word-y entries coming shortly!