Earthquake!

As I layed in bed last-nite,like I have been doing for 3 days I felt my bed start to shake. I was not pleased with whom ever was playing this trick on me because I thought I was alone. I looked up and my candle sticks and TV were also moving. I admit, I thought that's is no more pain meds for me! I layed back down, yelled for Tony and described what had just happened. He looked at me like I had at last lost my mind and it was time to commit me. He told me to lay down everything was fine and then he came to bed. He was very sweet and was concerned for my mental health. As he watched the news the very nice reporter let him know that we had just had an earthquake of 5.3 and that at this time there were no issues. Hummm...seems Shannon is sane after all! I sat straight up and told him..."See I am not loosing my mind, but I am stopping the medication"!
S

Looking for McDreamy for Thanksgiving?

Happy late Turkey Day to everyone.We are celebrating Thanksgiving a day later then normal. I, Shannon decided my life was going to smoothly and had to have some "Excitement". I was a woke on Wednesday morning with a sharp pain in my lower right side. I got up, took some Advil and tried to go back to sleep. At 6:oo, I gave up. I have some issues with adhesion's from a past surgery, so I chalked it up to that. Off to work I went. As I was assisting, I started to feel worse and worse, to the point of tears and bent over at the waist in pain. Dr. Guy was wonderful as were all my co-workers. Sonya...the mom of the office drove me to the ER here in Anchorage. I thought this is great 3 weeks in Alaska,new job and I have no idea what or where Sonya is taking me. Could have been a bush village witch Dr. for all I knew. But,all I wanted was out of pain NOW. So after an IV & several tests, we ruled out kidney stones,appendix and kidney issues. What I did get to have was a cyst that erupted on my ovary. It is 5mm long and considered a "Complex cyst" seems that it will also do it again in the next few days as per the ultra sound.I can't wait. So, we got out of the ER at about 3 pm (good time for an ER visit)Dr. Guy had called several times to make sure I was alive...very sweet. I am now on pain meds with the anticipation of the next "Attack" I have to follow-up with a OB Dr. on Monday in order to get treated for this. Seems it will not just go away. Only get bigger and then be a bigger issue. Yeah! We love being a girl! Tony was awesome as usual. He is always by my side waiting and watching over me. Never leaves my side unless I kick him out.
After we got home we got a call from Dr. Guy's mom. She incested we were coming over for dinner on Thanksgiving. She would not take no for an answer and even said she would send Guy to get us. We agreed to come over for a wile and it was wonderful. They are all so great and caring. We ate and they played WII with Karter. Another 3 more of my co-workers showed up and we all just visited and laughed and I relaxed and did nothing. Senior Dr. Burk slept in his chair right next to me and we just enjoyed watching and listening to everyone. I am so lucking to have found such a great office to be part of. Much different from the last adventure in Fairbanks.
They make me feel like I have always been there. Dr. Guy worried all day and kept tabs on me. I told him I was fine and he said " I just found you and can't lose you" Sweet, but to much drama..lol I am fine. We got home early and watched a movie together. James called at about 9:00,he is in Minnesota with his sister and He will be home in a week.I can't wait to see him!
We are having our Turkey today with Jimmie and I will post the WII tournament pictures tomorrow.
I have so many things that I am Thankful for this year that they are to long to list, but know that all of my family and dear friends are on the top of the list. You are always there for me and I cherish each and everyone of you!
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Much love!
The Eskimo's

The great escape !

Friday morning was and eventful day. I arrived at work to find police. Seems we had an over night break-in. According the cameras it happened at 1:15 am with someone breaking the back window and then cutting power. They torn up the office and Dr's area. they took our pizza money and a few odds and ends, but did not get or pistols (Yes, we have pistols...it's Alaska)or dental gold. All the office drugs were still in the desk. Very odd. We had to re-key the office because they took a key. Seems that it might have been a patient because the other side of the office (Another clinic) was not broken into. Work is CRAZY. We are soooo busy. Both Dr's see medicaid and native patients.I have done nothing but run for 2 weeks. By the time I get home, I want to just shower and go straight to bed. This does not help with the house cleaning or getting un-packed. No, it is still not done. This is what happens when you get a job in three days after moving.I was thinking that maybe it is a good thing I jumped right back into work...then I would not have time to sit home and worry about it all.
Karter tried out for the Anchorage Honor Choir a couple weeks ago to the surprise of Tony & I. They choose 100 children out of all the schools in the district and, Karter was accepted on Wednesday. He will have two practices a week from December on and then a concert every month for 2009. This should be a rather interesting event in our lives. I am proud of him jumping right in to school and activities.
We had dinner with Jimmie(Friend we met on the boat)last night at a local restaurant. He will be joining us for Thanksgiving & and Wii tournament. Should be fun.Karter and him have a good time and he is so awesome with him. He has become a good friend. We are starting yoga together in December.I think he just wants to meet women and taking me is just a way to look innocent. It will be funny to watch a 6'5 290lb guy do yoga. I see some trouble with giggling in yoga class in my future.
We went in to Anchorage to the 5Th avenue mall today. Big family outing. Went to build a bear and checked out Nordstroms & the Coach store.Not to exciting, it got us out.I am off tomorrow with a couple of my co-workers to a Christmas craft show. Will be a nice break from the un-packing. I love the unique alaska crafts. Hope you are all well and we are doing good. We have been blessed in so many ways with our move. Everything has fallen into place and it's like we have been here forever.
Until next time!
The "Getting" frozen and tanned Eskimo's

Slow Organization

Organization is not always my strength. Some days I am all about getting it done and others...well let's just say it doesn't get done. Kinda like the move in this past week.Now, for those of you that really know me , it is not un-usual for me to get ALL the un-packing done in one day. That's everything. Pictures hung,cloths all put away or hung and we are ready to live. Seems I must be getting older or just lazy? I started last Saturday and then went into Sunday,got a job on Sunday afternoon and proceeded to try and get it all done on Monday before going to work Monday night.Worked ALL week 43 hours and then lost it all on Friday evening.
In my line of work you deal with every kind of person you can imagine. The dentist is not always fun. As an assistant it can also not be fun, BUT there are those special patients that catch your heart and you go to work for in hopes of finding more.I had so many of them at Dr. Peterson's, but one in particular won my heart. His name is Ralph Henery. He was in a wheelchair from polio as a child and I would always work after him to make him comfortable. He and his wife and wonderful friends Mary Lou & Hal England always brightened my day.This past Wednesday, Ralph passed away in the arms of his wife.He had been scheduled to have both of his legs removed on Friday, but Ralph died on his terms. After a year of suffering from several things, Ralph did it without addition pain or suffering. Gennifer called me on Friday I lost the wind in my sails and the house sat until today. I know that Ralph wanted to die, in fact he had asked me a year ago to pray for him to die. I remember just hugging him and kissing him before our move up here not thinking it would be the last time. What I think I am getting at is tell the people in you lives you love them as much as you can. Hug them,kiss them and never take that for granted.There will come a day when you won't be able to.
I called Marilyn Henery and talked to her for about a half an hour. The one thing out of the whole talk we had that sticks in my head is something that was so simple. She said "Shannon be happy and love you're husband" Those words have rang over and over in my head all weekend. I know that Ralph is no longer in pain and has earned his wings in heaven. I will miss him very much, but he is no longer in pain and for that I am thankful for.
S

Week one !

Well, It is Thursday and I have made it through 4 fun filled days at the new office. So far it is laid back and sometimes VERY laid back. I had forgotten the Alaska way of life. The basic non-need of showers or nice clothing that covers all the body parts. Shoes are optional. Instead of using mouth wash, rinse with whiskey...You know the normal everyday things we do just to survive. I was looking for a instrument today and come across the mother load of liquor in the employee lounge. It would make any bar look bad. You name it, it's there. Seems it is ok to put a little something something in your morning or afternoon coffee to get through the dark winter.
My back is really feeling the pain of assisting.the chairs are not supportive and that special cabinet was looking really good this afternoon. To bad I am not a drinker, I may grow to love the dental world once again. All is well here and we are getting the house together this weekend. I want it done. I will post pictures when it is complete this WEEKEND. Hope you are all well!
Love
S

New New Digs!

Dr. Peterson this ones for you!
Combo Sterlization,darkroom,compressor room,tank & suppy storage and we change the traps here!

Back in the saddle again !

Well, life here may just get normal soon. Our movers arrived on Friday and I am up to my elbows in boxes.I am not happy with myself, I STILL have boxes every where. I did not get it done in one day, not even 2 days. I did get most of it, but tomorrow I have to finish. They say with the Harley we had 6000lbs of stuff. I say 6000lbs of unpacking and trying to get organized plus keep a 10 year old from going insane from boredom. Karters first day of school was Friday and I had a job interview so he had to ride the bus home. Tony went to then right stop, but the bus driver did not...Tony started to panic and then saw Karter get off the bus several blocks away and started running. All is well. The bus driver was confused and we did not have the proper information. We will try this again tomorrow. He goes to school from 9-3:30 here. A bit of an adjustment, but there are allot of adjustments happening.

The darkness has started.I have started to feel it already and I think the dogs are too. They sleep as soon as it gets dark. They may still just be in shock from the last week,but I worry.With Tony & I being sick the past week it is hard to tell, but I know remember the feeling, a fond memory from Fairbanks. Our new friend Jimmie,the gentleman we meet on the boat is from North Carolina and is really feeling it. I chatted with him today and with the 4 hour difference in time AND the darkness, he too is struggling a little. I advised him of the Vitamin D and the tanning beds. Now, he started to laugh really hard when I said that and I was not sure why it was so funny. He continued to laugh when I questioned it. Now you see I did not understand that a tanning bed is not a good place for our African American friends. As he put it, "Honey, I can only get blacker". We at least had a good laugh.

Also , new on the home front, I am employed as of this afternoon. Yes, a Sunday. I had a Dr. call me this morning and asked to meet him today. So, the family made it's big trip to the big city. I went in by myself on Friday for an interview and did fine, but this time we all went.
The Dr. I will be working for is a new Dr. He has practiced 2 days.His father has been practicing since 1960 and he will be retiring in the next year. So,the practice is established, BUT is it still from 1960. They do not have computers....Yes, you read the letters right. NO COMPUTERS! All PAPER. We do it all by paper...now for you dental people from the age of PEGBOARDS, welcome back! I was laughing and the new Dr...Dr. Burk,I think..I know his name is Guy and that's what I have to call him. Said he was glad I had a sense of humor about it, but what can I do It's Alaska.They still use Amalgam (Silver fillings)Guy does not, but his dad does.He graduated last July from OHS (Oregon Health Science)We will see, I start on Tuesday. Funny, I feel as if I have done this before? I look at it as molding the future dentists of the world.When I need dental work at 80, they will still be young enough to do it.
So, I am off to bed and just wanted to give you all an update.We are all getting better and seem to be getting back in the routine of life.I miss and love you all!
Shannon "Eskimo in training"

Eagle River Landing

I'm sorry, I have been swamped with getting Karter in school and looking at the food prices, that I lost my mind a little. We have arrived in Eagle River and are safe. The movers are coming today. I will catch-up with everything this wekend. ooh and why am I up at 5:00 in the morning...air mattress went flat..

We have made It !

We are off the boat and all safe. As you can see we have the 5 star hotel and are glad it is not rocking. Tony has caught my cold and I am not sure how, he was 4 feet away from me in the top bunk in the quarters. The dogs finally went to the bathroom after two days on the boat. We were able to walk them on board every 4-6 hours, but nothing. All 52 dogs on the boat made a run for it in Ketchican. We were all cheering for the poo! All us dog owners were concerned and high fiving after the great poo event. After three days in the kennel, the pouches are very clingy and tired. I am not sure who it was harder on me or them.

We have snow here in Haines and winter has started for us. We went to the store for some lunch supplies...hahaha. Yeah, A gallon of milk was $5.49 and I wanted to share that you can buy tune in 4lb cans for $4.99. I tried to get a photo, but did not have my camera as I did not know I needed to take a photo of a 4lb can of tuna. The fruit & veggies are awful (reminder here, I worked in produce at the Fred G. Meyer's and I took the produce test and passed, so I know bad fruit & veggies) I could make a KILLING on fresh fruit here, if I could get it here.

We are leaving for Tok, AK tomorrow and the caribou are migrating, so we have some road warnings. It is 450 miles of love and family fellowship on the Yukon! Feel free to pray for us on the Yukon as it will be a bumpy ride!

Happy voting to all tomorrow and may the best PERSONS win.

I love you all

Shannon

Redneck moving!

At last I get the Internet to give you all the update. We are on the boat and floating. We left Seattle yesterday and had a fine time. I have uploaded a few photos for you. We enjoyed our time with Tony's mom. I, Shannon got a head cold before we left and it has progressed to a chest and throat thing. It's a good thing that I am not talking and just typing.
We paid $2.45 for gas in Everett and preceded to get checked into the boat. After we paid all the "Fee's" $15.00 for a security deposit for each of us and then an additional $50.00 for our dogs, they allowed us to get in line...for three hours. Now, you know me,quite,shy and pretty much to my self. I find it hard to meet people in strange places. But three hours later, I have a small pose to keep me entertained for 3 days. We have meet a guy named "Jimmie" he is an officer in the marines and will be working in Eagle River. He is really a nice guy BUT, he use to play collage ball for Hawaii. We are working on the in therapy here on the boat. We have a couple of other guys in the military that we talk to , but Jimmie is our hang out guy.

I have not gotten sea sick as of yet! Very exciting. I think with the head cold, I am distracted. We haven't hit open seas yet...that is coming in the next hour or so. A couple of things to remember while you're on a boat:

1. While taking care of your person business..IE: the bathroom. One should remember you can hit a wave or the boat can turn while you are sitting and knock you off the seat into the shower . Now this does have a plus side....Since you are already needing a shower after this event, you just stand up and turn it on. I do believe I have had 3 showers since yesterday.

2. Never eat clam chowder that is gray. It just isn't right and may cause some issue with your exiting system..please refer back to the reference of #1.

We are all good and a I am bit sadder yesterday then I thought I would be. I guess the boat makes it real. Its all for the best and what is life without a little adventure for a 38 year old that SHOULD be stable....what fun would that be!

Love to you all !
Shannon