Saturday Happenings

The season has begun. People running around and pushing you out of the way.Stealing the parking spot you have waited for and shoving you way to the back of the elevator with boxes and bags of gifts. "Joy to the World" is screaming out of every speaker in the store and if I hear the "Little drummer boy" one more time I am going to go nuts! Happy Holidays all! I was off early today to get some great deals at JC Penny's. They always have such great deals on Doorbusters! I get really excited on Wednesday when the flyer is in the newspaper. The people at work like to hide it from me because I wait all week.Today was the day 7-1pm and I was off by 9:00am. I had a bazaar to stop at and then off to Anchorage.As I drove to Anchorage I came over the hill and I had a view of all the mountains and ocean that took my breath away.It was so clear and crisp.The mountains were sharp and looked like I could have just reached out and touched them.Although winter can be rough up here,this reminded me how lucky I am to have these views.It still is a treat for me to see such beauty.Ok, back to the good stuff..doorbusters!
I was on my way to the parking lot and got the bestest parking spot right off the bat! Whoot Whoot this was a great sign of things to come! I leaped out of my car and bolted to the elevators....I pushed the button and off I go!No one in sight...Haha I had out smarted the Alaskan people yet again.The bell dinged on floor 2 and the doors opened. I swear I heard the angels sing!I was VERY wrong...It was a screaming child and 300 people waiting to get into the store.Holy Crap! What have I done?
I stop and think what is my beat move....leave and forget it or push on and continue to think I have out smarted the Alaskans! I push on and I push several small children and elderly ladies..I see the door and dart in! I have made it alive! I take a deep breath and move on to the men's area.Two flights of stairs and I stop for a breath and see the elevator I could have taken (this is where I miss my glasses the most)I find what I am looking for...three shirts,a leather jacket and 1 remote controlled helicopter ( I am tempted to by myself the helicopter, but I guess Karter wants it more and when I break it, I will blame him)Ok, off to pay! Record time I have made 33 minutes,got everything I wanted and some more just in case. I see a counter where no one is at...I walk really really fast (Ok, fast for me)I start to set my stuff down and HA! A large black lady almost knocks me down with her small child in corn rolls and beads.Her hair could put an eye out.I do not let this happen.I shove my hip just to the right enough that the coat she is buying falls on the ground. Success! I win! HAHAHAHAH I smile at her and smirk in jest. I showed her. Take my counter.I begin the ring-up...$10.44 a piece for the three shirts. $17.44 for the leather coat (Yes, you read right!) $14.44 for the helicopter. My total $51. and some change.But wait...I have a 15% off coupon up my sleeve. I look around at the crowd and remove the golden coupon! People gasp!(Ok, not really, but go with it) I slam it on the counter..."BAM"! take that JC Penny's. The clerk looks and obeys. Total for this event? With all my discounts...$44.87.HELLO the crowd goes crazy!
I jump a little in my spot and grab my bags before there are any questions. I ROCK. Now I know we are all really happy for Shannon and know we are getting to the end of our story...Ohh no.Lets think back to when Shannon jumped out of the car and ran to get into the store. What did she forget to do? Perhaps look where she parked and what floor? ooh no. This she forgot to do. Now, the parking lot is 5 stories high and I am not sure where I parked on which level.I do not realize this until I get to push the button.Fear now envelops me.Where is my car. It's cold,I have all this stuff and what if that black lady and her child finds me? I try floor 2...nope no car. Floor 3 nope no car.4,and even the top just in case....no car. I have to stop for a minute. What did I drive anyway? My teeth are now chattering because I did not wear a coat (did not match the outfit)and I was in a parking garage. Down I go.5,4,3 and then like a beacon...floor 2 and one ford explorer on the corner! Thank you Jesus! It took me 15 minutes to get warm.I spent more time trying to find the damn car then in the store.BUT, I had won! I had great stuff and still had money in my pocket.I showed them.Now, the real issue. I have to go to Costco...on a Saturday. :(
Love to all!
The Shopping Eskimo!

The hardest week in Alaska

I should have known that if I posted nothing was happening in our world, something always does.
The week started out as any normal week.I often call my mom on Monday's on my way to work just to check in.On this morning, she did not answer.Not to worry I am sure she is busy and will call back. I called again at lunch and STILL no answer. Weird...I try again on my way home and no answer. I now decided to call my father who is a man of many words...not. He answers and is calm about the whole none answering thing.I do not feel a sense of calm.I demand an answer.Come to find out my mother is in the hospital.Panic now sets in. My mom is a healthy woman and I do not recall anytime that we have ever had to take her to the hospital for an emergency in 39 years.
Monday morning my mom woke up in sever pain in her right hand and foot. She has been a bit under the weather for about 3 weeks. It started with a blocked saliva duct and earache that antibiotics were given for.BUT, seems mother did not take the whole Rx until they were gone (Let this be a lesson to us all)She was admitted and they started to run tests. Nothing was found until Wednesday. She was infected with a very serious infection called C-Def. It is common in older people in hospitals or nursing facilities.She got it from taking antibiotics.It is very serious and life threatening.Not only has the C-Def attacked her body, come to find out it had attached to her muscles causing rheumatoid arthritis...thus the pain.By Thursday, she had had it. Too many needles and the pain was too much.They started a steroid and anti-inflammatory and like a gift from heaven, the pain was gone.At last she sounded like herself and I could calm down.I was on the next flight out Friday night but with her improvement, I did not come home.She went home yesterday and I am so pleased.She has several weeks of recovery ahead of her and more tests to see what the damage will be long term. I am so Thankful for her recovery. The thought of being on this earth without my mom is something I cannot even imagine. Worst yet, I was here in Alaska away from her when she needed me the most.Helpless is a good word for the day.All I wanted to do was come home and she kept telling me no. I was lucky to have family and friends keeping me up with all the situations, but it is not the same.
As of today, she sounds like mom and is home resting.She will need to take more time off from work, but they are all very supportive and her job is safe.My lesson in all this is never take advantage of the people you love and need in your life....they may not always be there. This is the first real scare I have had with my mom and I will prefer not to have anymore. I know that life does end for us all, but I think I would like it on my terms. :) So,with Thanksgiving week starting, I have so many things to be Thankful for, but I have to say right now...it's my mom and the fact that I can pick up the phone and there she is...when she answers.
Lots of love!
The Eskimo's

Nothing new on the home front

November has brought us winter. It was really strange,one day we were in the 50's and then the next,snow.We have just enough to make the roads crunchy and the grass is covered.It has been here for about a week. We also have been cold. On average in the teen's or lower.We are all well and living everyday. This last weekend, Karter decided to get sick. He is not sick very often, but when he gets sick, he does it up good.We are on day three and he still is not 100%.This child really took the weight loss thing to heart. As of this morning, he is 123lb.Big differance from August and 148lbs.He is a little frumpy. All his cloths are to big and his pants fall to his knees.Thank goodness for Christmas.Tony is good, he is still the same. This man never changes.He does the same thing everyday and takes VERy good care of Karter and I. I am THANKFULL for him! He was there for me a week ago at 5:30 Am picking me up off the bathroom floor.He stayed home with me all day.I don't need a bell, I tap on the wall and he comes!Between him and NaNa..I was never alone.

No big plans for Thanksgiving.James will be here and we are going to Dr. Burk's again.It is nice to have somewhere to go.We always have fun and there is lots of laughs and food.We will stay around the house and play WII and have a dinner here on Friday.That way we all get leftovers. I will get up early (3:00 am)on Friday and head out to a few sales I can't pass up, but then an afternoon nap will await me.

I feel as if I have failed on my blog this time.I have no stories or new adventures to tell.We are safe and warm and together.I so miss my friends and family this time of year.I do miss you all all year, but this time is hard.Karter and I are planning on coming home the last week of March and I am looking forward to that. Need to see my grandmother and friends.It will be the longest I have ever been away. 18 months.I miss some of Boise, but over all,I am good here.I am pretty sure this is home now.I do not see us moving back to Idaho. I would miss the views and all my animals.Why I can't have Alaska with my frineds and family I will never understand....moving is not that hard!
Love to you all!
The Eskimo's

365 days in Alaska

October 29, 2008 we left Idaho for the second time and here we are 1 year later. So many changes and things have happen to us.I sit here and listen to the sounds of Tony doing dishes and Karter watching TV and wonder where the time has gone.It has been a fast year, but then again, It was long. They always say around here it will take you two years to settle. Living in Fairbanks for 2 years and now Anchorage for 1 I still wonder if we will ever "settle". We both have jobs and a roof over our head. We are healthy (for the most part...lol) we have food and all our needs seem to be met, but I still wonder "What's missing"? We do so much together that I don't know how to do things alone.With it just being the three of us, it can get lonely.I miss my friends.I miss my family and I miss the familiar sights,sounds and smells of Idaho. I forget how easy it was to get around town. I never thought about it, just drove. Here, I still struggle to find work sometimes. Don't get me wrong, I get out and I find my way, it just takes time and patience that I am not good at.We are so much better off here with Tony's work, but I still wish I could have all this and live closer to my family.I want Alaska and my friends and family. Karter is still missing Kuna and his friends.He had such a hard time fitting into this school and I don't think that helped, but this year is differant. He is doing allot better and next year, we go off to Jr. High.It is amazing how fast he has grown. Next thing I know his voice will be changing and he will want my car.Tony does seem to like his work. It keeps him busy and he gets outside allot. He's not a bench worker at heart.
I wanted to say something wise and fantastic about finding new adventures and loving the life in Alaska, but I can't seem to get the right words.I am thankful for the new opportunities and the blessing of Tony's job.I am thankful for our time together as a family, but I am also drawn to the familiarity of routine and security in Idaho.
Know you are all loved and missed very much! As of tomorrow, it is official..we are Eskimo's and full residents of Alaska.
For real at last!
The Davis Eskimo's

The Art of Sleep

After several years of not sleeping and keeping my husband up with snoring,I decided to take control. As some of you know, I have battled this before, but this time I will win. Last July I had a sleep study. At the study they hook you up to a machine and watch you sleep. How you sleep with all those wires, I don't know. I did the study and found out that I in fact have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea effects many people.It is not just a "weight" issue. I thought that for years, but even at my lightest, Tony still kicked me in my sleep. I found out I stopped breathing 48 times in less then 45 minutes.No wonder I can't get good rest. They set me up with a C-pap machine (which I hate) but I try every night to build a strong relationship.It is the hardest relationship I have ever had.I then had my nose fixed. Seems I was not breathing out of it. What was it doing on my face, I still wonder. That was a month ago.I am re-training myself to use my nose and it seems to be working.Funny after 39 years, I have to teach myself to use my nose. OK, what I am getting at is as follows: I have this ritual every night now to help me sleep. I have the following in my room, just to get ready for bed.

1.C-pap machine (Full face mask)
2.Fleece sheets (ooh so soft)
3.4 blankets including the mink blanket
4.4 pillows
5.Electric blanket (compliments of Peterson Family Dentistry)
6.1 box fan (on High)
7.T.V. on sleep mode to watch days of our lives at 10:00
8. 1 yellow lab
9. Cold bottle of water

I go through all this to get 8 hours of sleep.I am still trying to get a full 8 hours with my mask, but I get only 4-6.Depends on how tired I am and when I rip it off and toss it on the floor (This is done in my sleep) I have noticed that I am breathing better and am more comfortable, but after I thought about it today....it is a fine art to sleep!
Love to you all
The "sleeping" Eskimo's

This blows!

The adventures never fail to come here in Alaska. We have had a gorgeous fall and as of Tuesday...first day of fall, we turned on the heat.I was afraid that when we moved I would only get two seasons, winter and winter, but Alaska did not fail me.Eagle River is beautiful. As you know, per our photo's, we live at the base of the Chugiak mountains.We have so many trees that are in fall colors.It looks like someone patched together a quilt on the side of the hills.It has been sunny and crisp. Just the other night we had a hint of smoke in the air that was from the burning fireplaces.I love that fall smell.The leaves have collected in small wet piles of color. With a slight breeze of just a walk will make them scatter up into the sky.
September is a slow month in dentistry.Seems everyone is busy getting back to school and a work routine that we get put on the back burner.As some of you know, I have sleep apnea and I sleep with a c-pap machine. Now, it is a love hate relationship.I have struggled with it off and on now for 3 months.After this struggle, I went to an ear,nose and throat Dr.He informed me that I was not breathing with my nose and that that was a major issue since the c-pap works with your nose.After meeting our deductible this year and all our medical is covered at 100% Tony decided that I should get my nose fixed.Good for Tony. I am sitting here typing with a pack on my nose and 5 of the most annoying painful days I have had in several years.I have these 3 inch plastic splints in my nose (To keep it from healing)that are nothing but trouble.I can't breath,sneeze,cough,talk or move without a nose muscle.Good job Tony! I know that this will all be worth it in the end(hahahah) but right now it just blows! This is what September has done to me. Dr. Guy went to New York for 6 days and I got to stay here and have my nose done. It is HUGE.Karter and I went to see "The Lion King" at the Atwood center in Anchorage and I swear I had the biggest nose in the theater. He LOVED it. I was so pleased.I now have a friend to go see musicals with. Culture in this boys life!
Tony is doing well. Got all his projects done for the summer. He has some slight sinus issues this week that required medication, but we will just add it to his other meds. Who's counting! Karter is fitting in well with his new class schedule and sorry to say out of 50 kids running, did not get voted class president. He was sad, but 50 kids? He was pretty broken up about it, but after a pizza and diet coke...he is good. He is down to 133.5lbs and needs a belt! I am very proud of him! Nanoock and Barkley are good. Running the back yard. We are planning a trip to Fairbanks in October to go fishing and see James. YUCK! I really don't want to go, but James has been bugging me for a year.I hate Fairbanks. But, maybe just maybe the fact that I can leave will make it better. I do hope to get to church when I am there....that will be great to see my old church family. SO, you are up to date on the home front! Hope this finds you all well!
We love you!
The Eskimo's

Fall & Football

Yes, Fall is upon us here in the frozen north. The leaves are changing and it stays around 60 for the most part.I smell the fires starting to burn at night.We have allot of trees here, but I don't think it will be as beautiful as it is in Idaho. I love fall. It is my favorite season. Not to hot and crisp at night for cozy sweat shirts. I can wear fluffy socks and my seal fur slippers and not get hot. Come to think of it, I do this year around.
Karter has football practice 5 nights a week and I watch from time to time in my hat and beaver mitts.A couple of more weeks and maybe I will get out the fox & wolf mukluks with the matching silver fox ear wraps.If that doesn't work, I have the beaver earmuffs. I have to laugh at myself. Last year there was no way I would wear fur.Wanted no part of it...I have seemed to come around.Now that I have found this shop here in Anchorage and they have a wonderful layaway program, I have the fur. Plus I know that the fur is donated by the animals. Linda like when we donate bllod. I am sure that is the way it works.
Little by little it has sneaked into the house. Sometimes my wonderful husband will look at me strange and ask where I got that and I cheerfully reply "This old thing" "I must have gotten it in Fairbanks" Yeah, It does not always work.It keeps me happy and that makes everyone else happy.I would love to invest in a beautiful fur parka, BUT that is the price of a small car and they don't layaway small cars.Someday who knows.
We have been so busy with all the sports that I lose track of time and days.Hard to imagine that a year ago this month we were starting the moving process.It has been a good year.Lonely, but good.We have been blessed with jobs,a roof over our heads and have not felt the recession to much up here.I would like to make life simple again, so I am going farming! We have several veggie u-pick farms and markets over the next few weeks and I have that freezer waiting to be filled.I would like to can a few things and enjoy them in December. I miss the fruit from Idaho the most. That and the fresh tomatoes! What I wouldn't do for a fresh peach and a garden fresh tomatoe. The tomatoes are $6.99lb here.I bought one when my parents were here and it cost me $7.00. Crazy! Enjoy your gardens!
We are all well and taking care of each other.Karter has slimmed down to 136 and I am getting him to 130. He lost his last baby tooth last night. Hard to believe he is in the 6Th grade and will be in middle school next year. He is growing into an exceptional young man. I am so proud of him.
Tony is also well and busy with work.He takes wonderful care of us and puts up with me when I am a not so nice person. He should be sainted.
We think of you all so often and hope you too are all well.
Love to all
The Eskimo's

Mom's day out!

The parents are here and things are a little crazy. Loud,running around and trying to see all the tourist things we can get in.I have 3 days off and will enjoy that with them. Here are a few pictures.They leave on Sunday the 2ND and life here in Alaska will be calm once again. I like the craziness for a little while, but do enjoy the calm.
Hope you are all well and staying cool in Idaho!I see that you have all had hot days.He are comfortable in the 60's.
Love to all!
The Eskimo's

Busy weeks!

We are all well and been very busy with work,school and taking care of my father. We have not been doing any fishing as the salmon have out-smarted all of us and seem to be swimming some where other the Alaska. I am done with fishing for the year I think. I want to do "catching" not fishing.
We had a great 4Th out on the lake with Dr. Guy and all the crazy family and co-workers. Karter forgot to replace my battery in my camera so all the photos are on my phone and I can't get them to down load. I was bummed!He got to swim and ski do and hang out with the grown ups. No sun burns so that makes it an even better day. Things have cooled off her and I am thankful for that. 70 degree's here feels like 90.No air conditioning and 5 box fans later. Can't keep the windows open because it is still light all night. I know fall is right around the corner. No snow, just cool ,crisp days. Mom will be here on the 24Th and then she and Dad leave on August 3.I love my father, but I REALLY need my life back. It has been a struggle.
We are taking a fjord cruise when she gets here. A fjord is a glacier. The tall ones that you see fall into the ocean on the postcards. I hope to have some great pictures for everyone.
Tony and Karter are good. Tony has been very busy with work and Karter is finishing up summer school. He really enjoyed it.He starts football on the 27Th. Need to get some of his weight off.To much sitting and sleeping with Dad.
Hope you are all well and know we think of you often!
Love to all!
The Eskimos

Summer Solitice

AHH the warmth of summer, if we had any. I love this weather. It is a comfortable 66 degrees and then it rains at night. I can do this kinda summer.Forget the 100 degree temps. Dad,Karter and I went into Anchorage on Saturday for the outdoor market and some downtown walking.It was a beautiful day.All the flowers and baskets are in bloom.Wildflowers are all along the highways and mountains. Mom will be here in 3 weeks and by then it will be even more beautiful.
James and I went to Soldotna last weekend to fish for kings and we did not get one. I was really sad.I am really thinking about giving up this so called fishing!. I am going to try dip netting this weekend.Maybe that will work. I am not a patient person, so I want my fish now! Forth of July will be an adventure. Dr. Burk has invited us all out to his cabin on Big Lake. You can only get to it by boat or plane.We are going to spend the day and hope we can escape before the beverages get to out of control! Stay tuned.
Some times, I have an issue from time to time with hitting my head.Today, I hit it again. I had a dental device called "Electroserge" fall on my head. Some stitches and broken glasses later, a scar. Where is Dr. Nelson when you need him? I attach a photo of the new scare on my forehead! I need a helmet! I am fine and again I got to use my coffee cup with my name on it at the hospital...lol
Love to you all
The wounded
Eskimo

The long drive...

I wake up everyday and still wonder how I got here. It is hard to believe that 9 months ago we were packing and trying it again. I still catch myself thinking I am in Boise and driving to Cobby's for a sandwich. A long drive I might add for a sandwich. Today I got a dose of reality.
I leave work about 7 am everyday with a short drive of 15 miles into Anchorage. I see the same cars almost everyday and the same people on their cell phones.I watch for moose and look at the snow topped mountains without a care. Today was different. As I crossed over Eagle River and up a hill, I heard an empty thud that still sticks in my stomach.With a sudden jolt all the cars stopped and a cloud of dirt followed. I knew in my head what had happen and dreaded the sight. I was sure a moose had just got hit by a driver and I was not prepared for this. Boy was I wrong.As the traffic began to creep I saw a man get out of his truck with a large rifle and walk back towards me. I looked over and on the ground layed a HUGE bear.He was very still and I knew he had been hit. I also knew what was next. I turned up my radio as loud as it would go and plugged my ears and screamed as loud as I could.It did not help. The only comfort I had was that he was out of any pain.
As I drove to work, I cried.I hate to see any animal in pain let alone a beautiful wild animal just trying to survive in the forest we took over.I also realized I was not in Boise anymore.I live in this wild country of bear and moose.I have wolves,fox,caribou and eagles that fly by my house everyday.Dall sheep up on the mountains by my house that stand on the peaks. If I drive 30 minutes any direction I have whale,seals,otters and beaver. I have views that are amazing and make you feel small in comparison.I will admit it is hard to be away from family and friends, but I live in this amazing place and sadly it took me seeing this poor bear to really understand the wild I do live in.I hear allot of people say that this is still God's country and I will agree. He took his time with Alaska.
Love to you all
The Eskimo's

Summer !

It looks like our summer is here. We have had several nice "HOT" days. Hot to us now is 70 to 75 degrees.Alaska does not have central air and we live with the old box fans.It reminds me of when I was a kid and Chad and I would lay in front of the fan to sleep. Simple but effective.As most of you know we went out on a salmon charter and was lucky enough to have caught 2 big salmon. I was happy that my Dad had that chance. He caught the first one and then Tony pulled in the second. I had one on line and then it was gone. I am bitter, but maybe it was to small and I deserve a bigger one. The fishing has been really slow this year.They seem to be coming in now better but we have a few rivers that are very slow.I hope to catch one this summer, but the odds are slim.
Karter is in summer school and seems to like it. He was low on his math scores so in order to prepare him better for next year we put him in. He was not happy in the beginning,but enjoys it now.He will be starting football next month and hope he comes around to living here. He has been so home sick for several months. Almost everyday he says he wants to move back to Idaho. Reminds me of someone else when we lived in Fairbanks.
NaNa is still fighting the fight with his health.He still has two small bumps on his stomach that we watch. He has perked up and I am very happy for that. He does play and bark more now. He is to smart for his own good. Since we have to trick him to take his medicine in bread, he would just gulp it and it would be gone...not now. He will pretend to eat it, turn his back and then spit out the pills.He eats the bread, but now pills.We need a new trick.
Hope this finds you all well and enjoying the summer!
We love you!
the Eskimo's

A crazy week...

This past week has been a challenge.We are all trying to adjust to Dad being here. Don't get me wrong, I love my father and am glad he can be here to fish, but it has really been harder then I thought.Tuesday the dogs got out.The gate got left open by accident and the dogs went running. Barkley was gone for 6 hours before we found him. Nanook was hit, or I should say "Ran" into a car. He was very scared and ran right into it. He has fractured two teeth and he has several scrapes. How he lived we don't know, we are just glad he is alive. We found Barkley at a neighbors and he was bouncy as ever."Just out on an adventure mom"...NaNa is not the same dog. He is very reserved and scared of everything. He does not smile as much and I don't remember the last time he barked at me when he was upset. He still lays on the floor with a hollow look. I hope he will bounce back soon. With all those events, it was hard to watch American Idol.I have really liked this year and it is because of Adam. He is awesome and I have my opinions on why Kris won, but I will keep them to myself. They are both very talented and they will do great. I called Adam from the first night I saw him.I had a couple other picks as well, but Adam had such a "Wow" factor.We had an office wedding on Friday and we all enjoyed ourselves.He were at a huge park in Anchorage called Kincaid Park. It was out on the point of the ocean and with the cool breeze you could smell the saltwater.I went of a ride earlier in the week on my bike. I rode by the inlet and really loved the smells and views. It was great. 120 miles in one night and my butt paid for it later. I will ride into work as much as I can now since my riding time is so short. Quality not quantity.
Memorial week end is calm. The guys are fishing and don't seem to be catching much. It's early. I stay home in the silence.It is bliss! I stayed home and watched lifetime TV today and learned how to commit the perfect murder of my husbands cousins aunt's brother for the insurance money. We our building clamming guns and may do some clamming soon. We have allot of razor clams. I again will not eat them, but will catch them. The weather is holding very nice and I hope it stays that way.
We went out to the city market last weekend and it was great except for one thing....The tourists. They are everywhere. I was approached by one and she asked me if I lived here (Alaska)I said yes and she got very excited.She started asking me questions as if I was a rare find. I felt like I should have been in national geographic. Did I live here all year,does it get cold,what did I wear and where did I live.I should have made her pay for all the information. That's it, I will put on all my Alaska gear and just sit downtown for them to talk to me. I will charge admission into my "Homeless" tent on the park grass and tell them scary Alaska stories. Perhaps I will cue a moose or bear to walk by. I will wear all my wild animal fur and black out my teeth to look real. Freaky people.I can't wait for it to snow!
Love to you all!
The Scary Alaskan Eskimo's

Mother's Day Weekend

Mother's day was hard for me. My grandmother had a stroke on Friday. She is 88 and never been in the hospital my whole life. She was home alone when she had it and a friend from her church was unable to get her by phone so she drove over and found her on the floor. They got her to St. Al's and did surgery right away. She is still in the hospital, but we are so lucky that she will be fine.Her life will now change a bit, but she is still with us.I have had family and friends pass, but I am not ready for this one.I love my grammy. When I was a kid, I traveled with her everywhere. We did allot of things together and even now when I am with her I feel like that kid again.It is so hard to be here when things like this happen. I talk to her two times a day and we hope she will be home by the end of the week.I am sure the angels that saved her will continue to watch over her.
On a happy note, the boys took me to "Moose's Tooth" for pizza and we went looking for the salmon in the creek. None yet, but I know they are coming!!!
Summer is here! I have jumped way past spring and decided that summer is here. It has been in the high 60's and it is way to HOT! I am sure we will complain more as the weather gets warmer. We are lucky that it SHOULD not get over mid-80's here.I am not sure we could handle it without air conditioning.I REALLY want to get my bike out and I think the day will be this Friday.Dad will be here tomorrow and he can help get it out of the box and started. Those long rides into the mountains are going to be amazing.Riding along the ocean and smelling the salt water.Watching for the whales and the other wildlife.Long evening rides in the 24 hours of daylight.What did I do in Boise again? It will be great.I hope to have beautiful photo's for you.
I hope you all had a wonderful mother's day! My Dad comes tomorrow and life as we know it will change. I wonder who will get grounded first...him or me?
Love to you all!
The Eskimo's

Leaves!

WE HAVE LEAVES ! It is very exciting. I thought I would never see then again. Last Saturday I was telling Tony that I missed leaves and the green of spring. I wake up on Sunday and there it was....GREEN. We have little baby leaves on all the trees. The mountains are green with tips of snow on top of them. It is melting fast. No flowers just yet, but we have them in the stores now and I smell them all! I hope to start planting this next week.We have had 60-70 degree temps and it is so hot.We were all sweating and complaining about the heat this last weekend.I know...what heat? 70 degrees is hot for us. How we will ever do above that I do not know and don't want to find out.We have no air conditioning here in Alaska, but I have it in my truck. We got in and turned it up!
The light has started to stay.We have bright sunlight until about 10:30 and dust at midnight. The mosquitoes are HUGE and back in force.Was hoping to have that come a little slower.
Work is busy and seems like we don't have enough time in the day to just relax.Tony's job is getting busier with all the thaw and he will be leaving more.Dad will be here on Tuesday and the fishing begins.I REALLY want to beat these guys at the fishing game.I want the biggest fish so I brag for the whole year because we know the fish stories these guys can tell.
Cinco de'mayo was celebrated with friends at a local Mexican restaurant and the restaurant up the street (also a Mexican restaurant)decided to have a mariachi band play until the wee hours of the AM.Lucky us, we are less then 1 block from the action and got to enjoy it in our sleep.
Enjoy your spring!
The Eskimo's

Happy May Day!

Time has gotten away from me. With getting settled from the surgery and back to work, I don't know where it went. I think spring is here at last. We have been in the mid-60's and sunshine for three days. No leaves yet, but I know they will come. We do have the bears out of hibernation and they are walking the streets or treeing runners. Over by Tony's office there is a momma bear and two cubs. She has treed three people in two weeks. I am excited to see a bear! I have only seen them behind bars. Bears at a distance are a good thing.We have gone over "Bear safety" with Karter and done some research so I think we are all good.That is the way we live now, so we must be prepared. Last summer a bear attacked a man less then a mile from our house.
Tony had his 43rd birthday last week and we went to dinner and saw "Spamalot" with John O'Hurley. It was a great Broadway show and we laughed all through it. I am so happy we get great shows here. We will be going to see Lion King in September,The Wizard of Oz in November and Chicago in January. With the weather being nice we get out allot more.Found the Harley dealership and meet a few people and this weekend is the bike blessing for the summer.I hope to get the bike out in the next couple of weeks. There ar so many bikes up here and the are everywhere. I am afraid I won't meet any new riding buddies but all I can do is try. Karter's birthday is in a week and Dad will be here for the summer on the 12Th.I too have a birthday this month.Seems I get to be 39.Wow...everytime I see that I get a little sick. Doesn't seem possible. I feel like I am still 18 but my body says 39.We are all good and hope to have tans soon, we need them!
Love to you all
The pale and pasty Eskimo's

If you build it, they will come!

We awoke to Easter with grey skies and cold. Scattered snow storms all day. Yesterday we had 40 degrees and sunshine.Tony is home from survival training in Sitka and I am glad for that. He and Karter put up the trampoline.I told Karter that once that tramp went up, kids will flock....and I was right. We already had two kids eyeing the grand adventure. Since we are in duplex's and triplex we are really the only people with a fenced yard.I am sure we will have several kids knocking on the door. This is good for Karter.
Karter had is first "social dance" at school on Friday. Was a bit strange for me to give him rules for the dance.He was really shy to go at first, but by the time I picked him up he needed a shower. I am proud of him for getting out there.
I am back to work tomorrow for two days and then have an additional 5 off.I am sure I will need it. I am healing slower then I thought.My incision is not healing on one side and they found a blood clot in my right leg. Seems to be OK and I am on aspirin three times a day and suppose to be walking, but it is hard with the incision thing. I know this to shall pass. Funny this was all so easy when I was 3 years younger. 39 is sneaking up on me in May. Hard to believe. In my mind I am 30! I hope to have the Harley out by Memorial Day! They are all riding here and I get the ache in my heart when I see them. I will have some beautiful rides this summer! Now all I need are some friends.
We are having dinner here with Jimmy and a WII competition.James is coming this next week and I will be glad to see my friend and get in some laughs. We are looking into coming to Boise in November instead of December just because it is easier to fly in November the December.
I hope you all had a wonderful day with family & friends. I miss you all!
S

Issues!

We are all fine, our internet is acting up due to an earthquake today.I will post more when it is working!
Love to you all!
S

The great venting blog!

I love volcano's! They are wonderful....They erupt at the greatest times. 2 days before my mom flies up to take care of me. Not just one big eruption...5. Seems that once did not get it's point across. I was up most of the night watching the reports on the great "Ash" falling. We have none here. It is blowing north...for now.It is still restless and we are expection additional eruptions. Hurray for me. I love being patient and quite. I love to just sit calmly and wait as this volcano decides what it is going to do with my life for the next 72 hours.WHATEVER! WHY did it have to do this now. It has had months to do it and NOW it wants to blow. I have something I would like to say to it, but I am not sure I can type it or even spell it right for that matter. Alaska...never a dull moment. We will keep you in the loop on the adventures of Mt.Redoubt!
Love to you all!
The Patient Eskimo :)

Spring in Alaska

Happy Spring!
We were given a gift of 6 new inches of snow here this morning! So much for tulips and green grass. We are in the mid to low 30's and have had blue sky and winds that make it seem colder. I am thank-ful for the sunlight. It does not get dark here until almost 9:30 and gets later everyday. I was hoping to see the robins by now. No such luck. For that matter, I am not sure I get robins here in Alaska. I still have the bald eagles screaming at me at night, but no robins.
Mom will be here on Wednesday for the surgery on Thursday. I am so very happy she will be here! I will check in at 5:30 am at providence hospital and be there for 2-3 days.I am not that worried about it, but it is only Sunday.
We all were pretty sick a week ago and seem to have gotten past it. I had a really bad cough and chest thing that kept me from work for two days and one Dr. visit for a total of $215.00.Why is it that it cost you more to be sick then to be well.Tony still has a little bit of a sinus infection, but Karter never really got a bug. Thank goodness for that. I remember when we moved to Fairbanks and we got every sickness known to man. Seems like we are just adjusting again.With summer coming, I am sure all the bugs will have visited us and left.

The Idirod is over and Lance Makey won for the third year in a row. He was a patient of mine when I worked for Dr. Cerney in Fairbanks. Great guy. Always wanted to give me one of his retired dogs.I cried as we watched him and the dogs glide into Nome.I know the dogs love it, but 1000 miles in the cold is a long way. He is good to his animals and that is what matters. Next year I am getting more involved with the races. Who knows mabe I will run some dogs in a local race someday. I would really like that.I will need more dogs! I am not sure a lab & basset hound could run that long.

Sorry I have not been keeping you up to date very well. Had some issues with the internet and work is always busy. That I hope will change soon. I want to work 4 days a week and hope that I can do that by summer. After 23 years of this work, I am bored and need something new to do. FISHING is what I am doing this year. Dad will be here on May 12th and I hope we can catch the big ones!
I will keep you up to date on the surgery when I get home. I love you all!
S

Reindeer Racing!

What a weekend of oddness in Alaska. Just when you think you have seen it all....You move here and there it is. We had a very busy day on Saturday of "Rondying". We saw the dog pulls where the big and little dogs pull as much weight as they can to win.I think I will tie a tire to the back of Nanoock this summer and enter him next year.We walked up a very long hill and caught the carnival rides & the fur auction. Next year the fur will be mine! Now that I know what to expect. We caught the last of the sled dog races and checked out the people. As you can see by the pictures Tony,Karter and I were under dressed for the event.I was a bit disturbed to be eating a funnel cake in the snow. Seemed like I was in a very strange place. Kept looking for the pronto pup hut.It snowed all day. Huge flakes. Our hats were soaking wet, but we were not cold.

Sunday I awoke to the sun blinding me through the window. The big day had arrived. The reindeer were waiting. I was calm all morning in preparation. We arrived in Anchorage to a crowd of 10,000 people. They were all there to see me, Shannon run with the wild beasts. My fans.We met at a local tavern to discuss our plan...we had none and when we left, still did not have one.We were warm with drinks and laughter, but no plan to stay alive.As we got closer and closer to the starting line you could here the roar of the crowd. The cheers and laughter. I might add here, it was sooooo cold. The sun was out, but the wind off the ocean was cold.We huddled for warmth and then one of our group had to pee. Way to go! Our tight ship was a-miss. Our third tooth was missing.As our hurd prepared to run as three, the reindeer were returned to the back of our crowd.I saw the fear in their eyes and could also smell something odd.A musty wet reindeer smell.As they waited for the count down we prepared to sprint.The count down 5,4,3.... At this point I am standing next to a guy dressed in only a woman's dress and a king. They release the reindeer and one of them gets caught in the kings cape. Not thinking that this adventure of mine is of any danger to myself or others. WRONG..That is what the disclaimer I signed meant.Ah, injury is not to be held against Fur Rondy, inc. or the city of Anchorage. I get it now.The horns tear the cape and proceed come a little to close to Shannon's leg. Joel (Jackie's husband co-worker)pulls me out of the way and saves my leg from being severed by the fierce horns of the reindeer.Ok, it was not that vicious, but it looks good on paper.I ran for 2 blocks in snow and thought I was going to die from lack of air. I did not stop, I ran and ran. Jackie has ran marathons and even she was winded.Snow is hard to run in and the cold did not help. After it was all said and done it was so much fun and I will continue to do it for several years to come.A tradition of sorts,trying not to loose a limb. You can also go to youtube.com and see the video. Just type in running of the reindeer, Anchorage Alaska.
I can now say...I have ran with the reindeer and lived to tell about it!
Until next year Rudolph!
Huggs
Shannon

Karter's Concert and working for Fude !

Last-nite Karter had his Honor Choir concert. He looked very handsome and was funny. After every song, he would turn to the crowd and wait for the applause, then turn back around and start the next song.He was very excited and all wound up the rest of the night. We went to dinner with Jimmie and got home lat. It was a good family night.
It has been a long week and now will be a busy weekend. Yesterday Dr. Guy and I were a bit bored and had some time on our hands, so we went outside to drum up patients..The above photo was the result. We laughed for a long time...I will upload more photos on Sunday. Sorry I have been a slacker again on the blog...Things will settle down and I will get back into a routine. Mom will be here in a month and then Dad will be here on May 12Th for the summer to fish. It will be tight quarters for awhile, but I look forward to it!.
Love to you all
The Rondy Eskimo's

Bad Blogger

I am very sorry, I am a bad blogger. I have been warn out from work & with all the pending tests for the surgery, I have lost track of time.

The volcano still rumbles, but does not blow. I am afraid it will blow around the time my mom flies up to help me. I want to say a VERY special THANK-YOU to my brother & sister-in-law, Chad & Rae. With out the help mom would not have been able to fly up. I was so scared that I would have to go through this alone. Yes, Tony will be here and all my dental family, but this time, I am scared. With all the reports and having three Dr.'s working on me, it has made me nervous. You would think having been through this before it would be like riding a bike, but not this time. So, Chad & Rae....THANK-YOU so much!!
We are looking forward to Fur Rondy in two weeks. James will be here to run the reindeer race. I am making our costumes this weekend and it is hard then I thought. Seems making foam molars should come natural to me, but it is a challenge. I will have a video for all to see. Lets hope my molar does not get pierced by a reindeer.
Tony went to the Dr. last week for the first time in who knows how long and seems to be in good health. The office called him today to come in and talk to the Dr, but did not say why.This makes us nervous. He was to go back in 6 weeks, not 6 days. His heart is good and blood pressure a bit high, but I think we may have a cholesterol issue. I am sure it's all fine, but we worry. So, that is what is happening in the frozen north. Karter is well and will sing in the Honor choir next week in Anchorage.He sings pretty good. It's funny as a mom, I can hear his voice out of all 100 kids. Not sure what is next adventure will be. Know that I love you all and think of you often!

The Eskimo's

On Edge

No new adventures with the volcano. We have moved to the very scary stage of " Let's wait and see" That's what the special trained volcano experts say. Makes one feel very safe. I have been very busy at work and had so little time at home to blog. We are having a girls night out tomorrow and than I have dog handler training for the big dog race coming up on Saturday with it all ending at my co-workers house, "Melba" for a jewelry party.All the guys will be joining us...weird-o's. I will post all the fun on Sunday! I need a little fun. All this surgery stuff is to over whelming.
Love you all!
S

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