Havin' a Heat Wave

Whew.  We are having a heat wave.  It was a balmy 10 degrees on my way home from school today.  Yes, 10 degrees ABOVE zero. 
If I had not said so before, the past week or so it has been negative temperatures daily.  Saturday is was a whopping -27!  Yes,  -27. 

Looking at this picture, you wouldn't think that it was so dang cold would you?  Well, I took this (very quickly) in the school parking lot last week after school.  It was -15 that day. 

It is nice to see the sun, even if it SO cold.  We are gaining light and it is just starting to become noticeable.  The sun is starting to even feel warm when it hits you.  It really isn't warm enough to make a lick of a difference, but in my mind, the warm sun gives me hope. 

See the sun on the mountain and the parking lot signs?  The sun is still up when I leave school at 4:30 or so.  Sadly, this is exciting for me. 

Today, the clouds came in and provided a nice low blanket to keep the "heat" in.  Ha, heat.  That makes me giggle it is so ridiculous.  Heat.  But this is why we have the warmer temperature.  Yippee, Spring is on its way.  We just have to make it through February and March and most of April. 

Wait, my yippee has just turned to a sigh. 

Anyone up for a three month trip to Hawaii?

Sleepy

Sometimes a girl just needs a headband and a kangaroo to have a good night sleep.

Wrestling Begins

I know that I committed myself to blogging daily with the new year.  I also know that I have had a rough patch with a nasty virus, and that I have 4 kids, and that I work full time again, and that, and that, and that...blah, blah, blah.

Thanks for listening, I feel better. 

Today, Isaak wrestled his first varsity tournament.  He is a 6th grader amongst 7th and 8th graders.  It was a great experience.  He was handed his hinney on a platter, but he hung in there and wrestled tough. He came away with a new level of desire to step up his game. 

I want arm muscles like Isaak.  Think I'll have to start wrestling to get them?  Isaak is in the red/white singlet.

This picture just proves that yoga is a necessary practice in all sports.  

Peek-a-boo. 

Gotta love wrestling tournaments.  You know how in all sporting events, the spectators are always yelling and shouting out plays or strong suggestions as to what the sport players should be doing?  Wrestling is the same.  It makes me giggle.  I am surrounded by terms like, "Head, head, head!" or "Circle around.  Cross face!"  Perhaps some, "Leg and arm. Come on, leg and arm!"  I do not understand most of this.  I don't really want to understand it either.  I figure that Brad and the other crazed spectators will provide enough spouting of instructions, that I will be excused from participating. 

Well, my bleacher butt has just begun.  With Isaak starting wrestling in January now, and club wrestling starting when middle school season ends, my bleacher butt will just expand over the next 3 months.  Good times, good times.

Random Acts of Observations

1.  At 5:30 this evening, it was still light enough to see into the woods outside the house.  We are actually gaining light.

2.  When you put many inches of snow on a road, then bring in negative temperatures for two weeks, then add high winds you get a sheet of ice to drive on with random snow drifts.  Makes driving interesting.

3.  When I came down with the nasty virus that the rest of the family had already experienced, I spent every evening last week after work sleeping on the couch and most of this weekend doing the same.  The kids started to worry.  One even poked me once and asked if I was ok because he needed a drink of water.

4.  I actually slept until NOON today.  I was shocked.  I am feeling better today. 

5.  I am thankful for NyQuil and ibuprofen.  They have compromised the majority of my diet lately.

6.  I have alot of laundry and dishes to catch up on.

7.  I am thankful for yoga pants and baggy sweatshirts.

8.  I am looking forward to Spring.

9.  I am looking forward to Spring.

10.  It is only January.

Sigh....

I'm old and Some Cage Ball

Today was Professional Development at school.  Meetings, information, meetings, and cage ball.  We ended the day with "team building" exercise.  Or as I like to call it, Rubbing our Noses in our Age or Tribute to Ice Packs and Tiger Balm. 

We tied.  I dislocated my shoulder and ripped a nail almost off (thanks to my Principal's swift ninja kick as I was throwing the ball).  Good time had by all.

Pictures to follow when I get them from school.

Thanks for looking, I have to go ice my shoulder and change my finger band-aid.

Grits

It has been so cold around here (still -22'ish), we are finally recovering from our bout of nasty colds, and we are back into full swing with school and activities that I am in need of some serious comfort food.  I really wanted chicken fried steak with some creamy mashed potatoes and gravy.  But I couldn't bring myself to frying something.  So, I settled for cheesy grits.  They hit the spot!  Mmmmm, yummy creamy cheesy grits.

I used the recipe from Pioneer Woman's Tasty Kitchen site.  If you have never made grits, it was simple and the product was delicious. 

All I am saying is, give grits a chance.

Beauty and the Beast and a Birthday Boy

Today was Av's birthday.
Today it was -22 degrees.
Today Avery requested breakfast in bed.
Today we went to see Beauty and the Beast, the broadway musical. 

Yes, another broadway musical under our belt.
I have to admit, there is one benefit to living in Alaska.  We do get some wonderful entertainment.  I think everyone in the lower 48 feels sorry for us being so far from civilization that they send great entertainment!
We have seen many shows and entertainers living here.

Now for a check.  Anyone missing? 
Yes, Isaak.  When I bought tickets, he said he didn't want to see this one.  I guess he is too cool to see a "girl" show.  His loss.  Gaston was very manly, in an egotistical, degrading, bully kind of way. 

Now that baby O is bigger, she was ready to see her first musical.  Beauty was coming and I couldn't pass it up.  We had a blast.  It was wonderful!  We all loved it.  It was exciting.  It was magical.  We were mesmerized.  Get the idea?

I love seeing their reactions and hearing their perspective on different areas of theater.

Happy Birthday Av!  Gosh, I love that boy!

Birthday!

I love birthdays!  Don't you remember the excitement of your birthday as a kid?  Being one year older.  More options and opportunities open before you. 

January is a month of birthdays in this house.  Isaak at the beginning of the month and Avery this weekend.  Today we brought home 4 extra boys for a sleepover.  Brings our total to 7 stinky boy bodies. 

What do 10 and 12 year old boys do for a sleepover?  Well, tonight we watched the final matches of Isaak and his friend's wrestling tourney, picked up pizza, the boys went out to sled and snowmachine (in -8 degree weather and the dark, crazy boys), and now at 11:00 everyone has plugged into some type of device and they are zoning.  My only concern, they all stink.  Did you know that boys stink?  They do.  They smell like frito chips mixed with something that is starting to rot.  I think I am going to send them to their rooms to stew for the evening and then suffer the consequences in the morning when I have more energy. 
Hopefully the house will air out while we are bowling tomorrow. 

To those of you who are smart enough to hold your child's party away from your home, I salute you.  Smart choice. 
Till tomorrow....

Weather and Weather Men/Women

I have lived in many places in my life.  I have watched and followed many weather men in my life.  One thing I have learned was that if the weather man said severe weather of any kind was on its way, you had two choices.  Choice one was to believe him and batten down the hatches.  The second choice was to continue in your merry land of bliss and ignore the forecast because the weather man is, and will always be, usually wrong. 

How many times has the forecast been for thunderstorms or 6 inches of snow, and all that fell was 3 raindrops or a few flurries.  Would you say that this was the case more often than the actual "severe" weather?  Yup, I thought so. 

All this discussion leads us to our current weather forecast.  Severe winter weather is on its way.  It has also been referred to as a blizzard a few times today.  I personally like my merry land of bliss.  We have not battened any hatches.  We are not storming the grocery store for "supplies".  We are planning that there will be school tomorrow and we are hoping that the 37 degree weather does not melt all the snow we finally have.

I can't wait to wake up tomorrow to see if any snow has fallen at all.  Maybe we will wake up to this....

 

Disclaimer:  I did not take this photo. I found it on USA Today's website.  It is from the recent snowfall in Cordova, Alaska.

But, I don't expect to see this out my window tomorrow morning.

I'll let you know....

Dear Mother Nature,

Dear Mother Nature,

We have had such a nice relationship lately.  What happened?

The snow this year has been lovely. The temperatures have been tolerable.  Now, wind and above freezing temps?  Really?  You know this will result in huge drifts, sloppy roads (that will freeze over night), and ditch divers.  Well, if that is what you want then you had better not try to pull this same weather in February. 
We will have to have words like last year.  Remember that?

So we agree.  Crazy weather now for a nice February.  Too much to ask?  I don't think so.

Thanks,
Me

Family Pet

I thought about complaining in this post about how sick Brad and Ellis are.  And about how much it will stink if the rest of us get it.  And how I won't get to lay around and ignore all the children's needs if I get sick like Brad was able to do.  But, I decided that this post should be perky.  Up beat.  Something to make you giggle.

So, here is your perky, up-beat, giggle.
Are you ready?

Ocelia is convinced that we should get a kangaroo as a pet. 
Why a kangaroo you ask?

Well, for those of you who have dogs or cats, and who's home we have visited, you will remember Ocelia's reaction when she saw your four legged pet.  FREAK OUT!  SCREAMS!  Child trying to climb nearest adult to escape terrifying family pet.  Funny stuff that memories are made of.

We hoped that she would out grow it.  Not yet.  We are considering getting a dog (we are still trying to work out how we will handle our 2 month travel across North America with or without a dog, but that is another post).  Ocelia decided to join the discussion one evening recently with the simple comment..."I don't like dogs.  I don't like cats.  I do like kangaroos.  Lets get a kangaroo at the animal shelter.  I bet them have some."  Yeah, we are working on her pronouns. 

So, now she is obsessed with getting a kangaroo.  Santa brought her a stuffed one for Christmas that doesn't leave her side.  She is making plans for our family kangaroo a place to sleep, eat and where it will sit in the suburban. 

In conclusion, if anyone has a kangaroo you would like to volunteer a brief vacation to Alaska, I think it may cure baby O of her family pet obsession.

G'day Mates!

Bowling!

I always forget how fun bowling is.  Why did we go bowling today you ask?  How nice of you to wonder.

Well, Isaak had invited a couple of friends to go to a golf and shooting range then come over to the house for pizza and "hangin' out".  Hanging out is what 12 year old boys do for birthday parties now.  Did you know that?  I didn't until last week. 

Anyway,  Ellis and Brad have both been pretty sick the past couple of days (temps, chest cold, and body aches) so we had to come up with a Plan B.  I wasn't about to invite kids over to our germ invested house.  Our plan was bowling.  We can bowl a couple of games, eat pizza there,the boys could play video games, and then take the boys home.  It was a great plan.  We shot for 11:00 in the morning.  But, as my good plans are usually foiled by some crazy unforeseen circumstance, we found that bowling league was not going to be over until 11:45. 

Well, Arby's called our name and after a quick lunch we headed to bowling.  When we arrived, the place was almost empty.  It was great!  The kids bowled, gamed, and had a blast. 

I so enjoy my kids getting older.  Isaak and Avery are old enough to be so helpful with the little kids.  They taught Ocelia to bowl.  Too cute!

Avery had requested prior to our Plan B to go bowling with his friends for his birthday.  Looks like we'll be hitting the lanes again next weekend.  Works for me!  Hopefully we will all be able to go this time.

Snow

Guess what?!  We got more snow last night.  And we are expected to get more tonight and tomorrow. 

Now, those who know me best have a clear understanding that cold weather and I do not get along.  We agree to live together, but we don't have to like it.  Why do I live here you ask?  I don't know.  If anyone has information on this, please share. 

I know it is only January 6th.  I know we are gaining light again.  I know that I will be much happier come the end of April when most of the snow is gone and the high temps are in the 40's or better (if we are lucky).  I also know that this pretty snow we have right now will be slick and blown around in February when the winds pick up and the temps drop drastically below zero for weeks on end. 

So I guess I will take a moment to breath in the peace and silence that comes with new snow as I look out my kitchen window. 

 Peace to you as well.

I've Got a Ticket to Ride

This summer my mom and dad introduced us to the board game, Ticket to Ride.  If you have never played it, you should.  It is FUN!  It is competitive, stressful, strategic, but fun. 


I bought my family the game for Christmas and we have played it nearly every day.  Of course there is a smart phone game you can download as well.  Did we download it?  You bet!  Now three of us can sit around with one of the devices in the house and play each other.  I won't play with Brad anymore because he just plays to sabotage.  I like to play for strategy and for points.  Regardless, we are honing our skills for this coming summer and the games that will ensue. 

In conclusion, I highly recommend you give this game a try.  It is great fun!

Till tomorrow....

Already behind

Of course I am already behind on my goal.  But, I am ok with this and I will continue to persevere. 
Yesterday's post was derailed by Ocelia getting sick, Brad staying home, and me coming home from work to a disaster in my house.  Today I am home because Ellis is sick.  The disaster is being cleaned up, laundry is washing, and I have a moment to catch up here.

Because it has been negative 15 degrees the past week and today it is actually above zero, I feel like I am obligated to post a warm and summery picture.

There will be a day again soon when we are able to enjoy the beauty and mystery of nature in hot, sunny weather.

And a day to play and have fun with family and friends! 

I can't wait!

Fly into the new year

Well, with 2011 behind us and 2012 before us I feel compelled to set solid goals for myself.  I recently heard a report on Talk of the Nation Science Friday (yes, I love NPR) about willpower and how to increase one's reserves and ability to utilize our own willpower best.  Here is a link to the story:  http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/201112304 So, upon obtaining this new information I have set two simple goals.  One, to do some type of exercise daily.  Today I did just that.  Check.  Two, I vow to post a pic and small comment each day on my blog.  I have no intentions as to what the comments or pictures should include, just my thoughts of the day. 

Today, being that I am already 2 days late on posting each day, I am going to post 3 pics to make up. 
Enjoy! 

For today:  Have I every shown you where I work?  Here it is!  Or at least part of it.  I took this pic after school today around 3:45.  We are gaining light now, but the sun was almost set when I took this.  And, yes that is the moon in the sky.  Anyway, the view out all the windows are of all the surrounding mountains.  Pretty breath taking.  I'm pretty thankful. 

Yesterday's pic:  My baby turned 12 yesterday!  12!  Can you believe that?  I can't.  Here he is the day after Christmas sledding, or actuallly jumping his sled.  Crazy.

  Day One:  Happy New Year!

later....