The mighty volcano !

So, I have a photo for you of the eruption in 1992. They are estimating that it will blow ash 9 miles into the sky. The winds are going south right now, but that changes everyday.A 1 foot by 1 foot square of ash weighs 9lbs.It will cause a very gray area for us for several days. We have been preparing for the event and several people have sent us information about how to handle the ash. I might be a little weird, but I am excited! After all....what erupts in Boise?
We will keep you in the loop on the "Ring of fire"
Eskimo's in waiting!
S

Volcano's in Alaska?

Greetings from Alaska...
We are all well and living the dream. Not allot to chat about this week, but tomorrow is another day. We are having snow here today for the first time since the pineapple express came blowing. Last Saturday I was awoken to yet another earthquake. This one was 6.1 and was cause by the nearby volcano that seems to want to erupt. We are at a code orange and waiting for it to blow off some steam. They say it will blow ash and we should wear masks. So lets recap...earthquakes,ice rain,100mph winds,volcano's that erupt...where in the world have I moved? It is never dull. Work is very busy and Dr. Guy keeps me running. I think that's his way of keeping me out of trouble.My co-workers can be a bad influence. We start giggling about something silly and it lasts all day.We are all signed up for our reindeer run and looking forward to Fur Rondy in a couple weeks.It will be fun!
I am a dog handler for the upcoming Idirod and look forward to helping out all the mushers. The dogs are so much fun..Its like they have springs in their feet.

We are all well. I am scheduled to have surgery the end of march and my dad is coming up to help. It also seems he is moving in with us for a few months. Funny how the roles reverse as we get older. Fear not,my parents are still married, just seems that being retired and moving in with your daughter to fish the summer in Alaska is a better idea. The only difference this time,I pay the rent.My house, my rules. This is going to be fun!
Love to you all...
The Eskimo's

A new beginning

What a great day for all of us in America!
I have never followed politics nor did I think it would effect me as much as it did today.For the first time in my life I watched as we a nation came together and welcomed our new president & his family. As I watched the inauguration today, I saw so many different people of all nationality's hug,cry and cheer TOGETHER,without predigests of any kind. I was truly proud to be an American. We all have our opinions on who would have been a better person to put in Washington, but that is not what I saw today. I saw togetherness and HOPE. Hope for change and progress that will unite us as a country. My co-workers and I huddled together in a small room watching and listening to President Obama. We laughed and even cried at some of the words he spoke. His smile is so infectious and even when he was taking his oath with a small question on his words,makes him human.
For the first time in a long time, I feel safe and hopeful for our countries future.
I don't want to offend anyone with my post, I just hope that when or if you watched you did not see politics,but saw a man that has brought so many people together to celebrate us as Americans...all of us.

The Pineapple Express 2009

Greetings from spring in Alaska! We have had a very odd beginning of the new year and this has caused some concerns in my life. First, we have this cold snap that requires us to practically dog sled into Anchorage for our morning commute. Week two we have ice rain that shuts down all the schools for 3 days. Now, for Alaska to shut down the schools is a major thing. Never in the history of Anchorage school district have they shut down for 3 days.The ice rain was so bad, the road we travel to work on was a sheet of ice, so we needed ice skates. I was unable to get to work until later in the day when it was suppose to melt. Guess what? It didn't. We purchased a "new to us" Alaska weather handling SUV and we picked it up last Monday nite (Yes, the ice storm night)now I haven't been driving in the snow, Tony is my driver and I was very nervous. As you know, I love to drive in snow, but this was something I had never experienced before. Not even in Fairbanks. I took it very slow and 1 hour later pulled into home.The next day we had a heat wave of 55. We were the same temperature as Daytona Beach,FL. It was wonderful, BUT with the heat comes these winds.100 miles per hour winds. They are called "Chinooks" (possible mis-spell here) I thought a train was coming through our house. Karter was freaking out and I was a bit concerned myself.Being on the top floor and moving like we were? So this went on for two days and now, we are snow free.None, gone. We have several lakes,streams and ponds, but no snow. I am looking for the tulips! We have been in the mid to high 30's and I am sure spring is here!So to sum it up...we have needed dog sleds,ice skates,a boat and a really big kite.
Work has been very busy. Dr. Guy and I worked on Saturday and we will work another one next week. I really hate working Saturdays. I don't feel like I get a break from the crazy people. I don't mind the hard work, just the crazy Alaska patients.

Around the house we are just chill'in and getting ready for the Idiarod & Fur Rondy.Fur Rondy is a big 2 week festival or just a reason for the Alaska people to do stupid things. I am training to be a dog handler for two mushers and am looking forward to that. I also am in training for the running of the reindeer.This event will take place on March 1. We are in 2 teams (Herds) of 4..our name is "The Holy Molars" we will dress as big teeth with holes in us and run. They will let out several reindeer to chase us and we will pray I don't get an antler where I don't need one. This is like the running of the bulls only Alaska style. I will have the video ready for all.
I am taking my driving test this weekend to see if I can get a licence.I hate tests and I am freaking out. I am only doing the driving one first and then will get my motorcycle endorsement later in the spring. Two tests in one day is too much.
So, you are all up to date. The new SUV is great and I feel safe in it. Ooh, it's a ford explorer and It's white. That way when I get in a snow bank it will be easier to see me...hahah.
Hope you are all well and I love you all!
The wind blown Eskimo's

The Deep Freeze & Karter's New Years Resolution

BURRRRRRR! We have had a small cold snap as they call it here in the great frozen north. Now, I would think (Palin quotations)"small" would mean two or three days of -10 or so. No No No...we have 8 straight days of -19 or more in Anchorage. We as you know are in Eagle River...13 miles north or south or something.Yesterday morning we were -34. My teeth were hurting and chattering. Personal note here: Dr. Peterson my teeth are cold,but they look GOOD!I just don't talk at all out in the cold. Maybe that's why Tony has been wanting to park further away from all the buildings? We have been staying in and watching the other parts of the state that have been -50 & -60. Did you know that if you blow bubbles outside when it gets this cold they freeze and look like glass. You can hold them and they don't pop. It's really cool! We were doing it at work yesterday. When my co-workers take a smoke break I take a bubble break. If they can have time to smoke, I should have time to blow bubbles.

At dinner tonite, Karter did the strangest thing. He ate lettuce. Karter has and is the pickiest eater in the world.He has a very firm diet of chicken nuggets,pizza & mac & cheese. He only eats these things, until this past beginning of the year. His resolution this year is "To try new things" He has been awesome. Lettuce,cabbage,broccoli,different sauces and he claims he will try fish. I am so proud of him.My only concern here is this is going to mean I need a second job to feed him. More tasting, more food.He started Anchorage honor choir tonite and sings like a little bird. He is an alto and 1 of a hundred in the choir. Even with all those voices, I can still here him singing.
We are all well and Karter and I are playing hookie from work and school tomorrow. We never let education get in the way of entertainment.Don't worry grandparents...this only happens once in awhile.
I love you all and now I am off to put on my seal & beaver house shoes.
The "hope" to be defrosting Eskimo's