Fun in the Snow!

Exercise? Really? Why, when I can get him to take me on a ride?

Merry Christmas!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...!
We are planning to spend Christmas afternoon & evening with our friends, Aaron & Stacey. We'll be feasting on our traditional King Crab, with the addition of shrimp, scallops and bunches more! Somehow I'm getting out of most of the cooking. I think that may mean I'll be in on more of the cleaning. Ah, well. It's really a day to focus on the life that God gave us through our Savior, Jesus. We hope all our friends and family far away have a very Merry Christmas. We love you all and we'll see some of you again soon!

Bathroom Redo, pt.1

The bathroom tile had been redone, but very poorly. There are several cracked tiles, and the grout was sloppily slapped in. The grout is also white and unsealed, which made for some yucky spots! There is absolutely no storage in the bathroom, which someday we will remedy.

After 7 hours of excruciating labor, I finished staining the grout. It took so long because I had to literally paint it in a straight line as much as possible since the grout itself was splattered all over and very uneven. Let's say that I had a very lively chiropractic visit the next Monday.

I spent some time today trying to configure some short-term storage and decor for the bathroom. I've decided that a runner is perfect, and this one even has the right blue in it! Thanks, Linda! We would actually like to use this rug in the hallway, but for now, it's needed more here. Sheet and drape-covered "shelves" will serve until we find those perfect pieces!

Bedroom redo, so far...

Here is the bedroom with the lovely pistachio green color. One cannot fully comprehend the offensiveness of this color unless completely surrounded by it. I think the previous owners thought it would be a bright color to make the room big and open. It was nauseously bright!

We now have a nice warm, dark, cozy den of a bedroom! I still don't have all the bedding or window treatments (haven't decided which color for sure). It is very rich and comfortable, especially with our new down comforter!

King Salmon Platform

Pat went out the other day to the King Salmon platform. I don't think this is that one, but they all look similar, so...! He said it is very much like the drill ship that he was on in Dutch Harbor, only stationary. It didn't feel too stationary, however, when the tide moves. The tide in the Cook Inlet is one of the fastest moving tides in the world, so it really makes it feel interesting. Pat said it was going pretty well, and even had a lobster-tail lunch when he first got there (there was a going away party for a 24-year worker)! I'll be glad to see him when he gets home on Thursday. Until then, I'll be staining and sealing the bathroom grout - fun.

Home for Christmas

Today Pat's Grandad went home to celebrate Christmas in the presence of the King!
Pat always loved his Grandad and learned so much from him. Even recently, as we moved into the house, Pat would reflect on how Grandad would respond to how this place was put together! Pat learned to value quality, hard work and orneriness from his Grandad.

Quick Entry!

Well, for all those who are wishing for something...! Here is a photo of Pat when he was the decoy for the police dog! That suit weighed about 60 lbs!
For an update, we are in the house and getting settled, but I still haven't gotten internet set up, so I'm currently in a parking lot outside the Christian book store here, using their wireless! I've paid all my bills, so I'd better get home and start cleaning and unpacking. Things feel very chaotic still, but winding down. I just left the Chiropractor and feel so much better! I only have to stop at Salvation Army to pick up some shelving (old closet doors) and possibly a bathroom cabinet (dresser/wardrobe), and swing by to drop off my trash, and I'll be back home! I'll be sending off our new address & phone number soon, once I do get service, so please be patient with me! We love you all!

House Tour 2

For anyone not able to view the video, here's a quick glimpse of the house. By now it's already filling with boxes! It's also giving me sore muscles and an ulcer!

House Tour!

Feel free to take a guided tour through our new house! Furniture placement and paint colors are still undecided, so any input will be considered!

Yes, Jesus Loves Me!

Raegan is learning many things, among which are a couple favorite songs!

Backwoods Birthday Girl

Saturday is my beautiful wife's birthday, and I couldn't be more proud of my backwoods girl!!
Happy Birthday Babe!!

New Home!

We are almost to the end of the process, with only a couple hurdles left to hop! Soon we'll close and begin the work on our new house! We're not looking forward to packing again, but it's another chance to re-evaluate what we "need!" It keeps us from collecting junk, that's for sure! We only wish we had some of our old furniture!!!

Happy Halloween!

No other words needed!

Family Trip

The last 2 weeks have been fabulous! I've been back to Oz to see family and had a wonderful time!







Got to see all my nieces and nephews!









Ialso got to spend some great quality time with my sister & folks, as well as Pat's family!

Pat at Granite Point

Pat has been working across the inlet at a camp called Granite Point. He built this "hooch" to work under as they have been erecting this gas tank. As you can also see, they've had a bit of down time in the evenings to do a bit of rainbow trout fishing!

Goal Achieved

Since I had gotten the fever earlier this week, I drug my husband out of bed yesterday morning and had him pack out my bear by mid-afternoon! We had a cold morning with low fog to start off the day, but quickly warmed up on our climb up Skyline. The bear must have felt chilly as well as it was a couple hours before we spotted him start to feed across the draw on the other mountain. I led the stalk up the trail until we began our long side-hill trek. I didn't seem to notice how long we went, since I was very focused and intent on finding this bear. Pat cautioned me that we would likely find him in our lap as the hill rounded off, and we couldn't really see too far ahead of us. The slight breeze was going down the mountain-side and so I took a low, just above the tree line path. Shortly after Pat had us drop our packs to lighten up, I spotted some black ears just above us. I waved my hand frantically down by my side and tried to point all as my heart began to race and my breath suddenly left me. We began the stalk in earnest as we kept an eye on the bear who was oblivious to us. We followed him and got to within 35 yards and it looked good! After getting in position and having Pat help me by turning my scope down to 3 (everything was blurry at 9-power that close), I got the bear in my sights. He only had to pull up enough to show me his chest for a moment and I took my shot. He immediately began to tumble down the 40 degree slope (at least that's my guess). Pat was ready to back me up with his .44 rifle but as we later found out, my shot was an instantly fatal shot through the lungs. It took me a few moments to truly catch my breath as we watched and cautiously approached my new trophy!

I couldn't have had a more wonderful hunt or hunting partner! What an opportunity I had to scout a bear and follow through with success. The trip back out was a long, tough pack, and I'm so glad I have a strong, willing husband! Thanks, Babe!

We guessed this tub to weigh in around 300 lbs., and he squared out at just under 5'. That was what Pat's bear squared out at, but this one was a bit flabbier and weighed about 100 lbs. more, so his rug will be a bit fuller through the belly! This trophy will remind me every time I look at it of the wonderful hunt I got to experience with Pat. I'm sure I'll be reminded of how much work it was to get it out! It was worth it, and we'll enjoy that meat! (Seriously, it is fantastic, and the closest game to roast beef that I've ever had!)

Bears & Berries

With Pat gone again to Granite Point (a camp across the inlet), I took the last day that was forecast to be sunny & hiked up our familiar Skyline. My purpose was to pick blueberries and though it was the afternoon, possibly spot a bear! I was fortunate on both accounts, and before I got up to my intended berry location, I saw a moving black dot between trees on an open patch of low brush. It was only 1:45 or so, and I was surprised to see a bear moving about on such a warm sunny day. It has been getting quite chilly at night, so perhaps the bears know that winter is coming and are taking their opportunity now to gorge. Here are pictures that I took through my "knockers." Most of you would know this to mean binoculars, but our nephew Hudson has created this new shortened version that we have adopted! These were taken at quite a distance, but I have to say, if I'd taken my rifle instead of my .357, I'd been more than just tempted to go after it. This was actually the 2nd bear that I saw on my way down from the berry patch. I took a few moments to plan my solo bear hunt before I came back to earth and decided that may not be the best idea. He did seem to be a nice, shiny specimen of a bear and I guessed him to be around 5.5'. The bear that I missed out on last year was larger at a guess of 6', but I'd definitely take this one on. I'm hoping to have a chance at him when Pat gets home this weekend.

Here was a glimpse of where I was berry picking. All the burgundy plants are the blueberries, and well as some of the ones not yet changed. It was quite a lovely day and the colors are just starting to show off their glory. In about a week they'll be closer to their full potential. I picked, with the help of this berry-picker, about a quart & a half of blueberries. I don't know what I'm going to do with them, exactly, but they are delicious. It was quite a hike just for berries, but I got to spend the entire afternoon on a mountain shared only by a couple bears, and it couldn't have been more ideal. Oh, well, except that I had left my lights on and run the battery out when I got back to my car and had to flag someone down to jump my car. Praise God, a couple men pulled in to help me after I stood at the road with the jumper-cables waving!

North Slope Float Hunt!

For all of you who've been waiting, here's a few of the highlights of the past 2 weeks! We've finished one of the most incredible trips, and had so much fun!

Here Pat is working on my trophy 'bou. A gorgeous sunset!

Pat's wolverine!

My big Caribou!

Pat's black Wolf!

Dutch Harbor Video

Here's a video of Pat's adventures in Dutch Harbor! It's a bit long, but it's all his clips put together. Amazing!

Happy Birthday!

Welcome to the world, Cambria Jane Penner! I know your mommy and daddy are so glad you are here and healthy! Be prepared for some possible confusion from your brother and sister! Don't worry though! I'm sure Toby and Mia will love you and teach you all the things you'll need to know! Siblings are the greatest things in the world (besides spouses!), and they'll be great! Try to sleep a lot in the next weeks so you can grow strong! I'll be praying for you and for your mommy, daddy, brother, and sister! I can't wait to meet you! I already love you!
Love,
Aunt Meli