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Monthly Archives: February 2014

Wildlife

Part of the wonder of living here in Alaska is the wildlife. I enjoy seeing moose and eagles regularly. Once in a while I get to see a caribou or a bear. Today I added the wolf to the list of sighted animals. We were driving down the Kenai Spur Highway and saw a few cars pulled over to the side of the road, this usually means there’s something to look at. As we drove by I spotted the “something”, a lone wolf. I wish I had my camera handy at that moment. Once I got over the initial excitement of seeing my first wolf, I thought of my niece, she would be thrilled. 🙂 Now, seeing one a far off from the comfort of my truck is the ONLY way I care to see a wolf, thank you very much.

Longing

When I first decided to come up here, I wanted to spend a few months in the summer living in Dad’s cabin. That didn’t work out for a number of factors. Now that I’ve been here for a while and spent several days out there, the longing for living there returns. When I think about, all that is necessary to do so for a family, I think to myself that I must be crazy! The logistics and all. But I can’t shake it. It draws me like a beacon on a dark night.
I have no definite plans about being able to do so yet, but the thought is there, revolving in the depths of my mind. Maybe… just maybe… one of these days.

Log Cabin Building Update

Well we have the cabin roof decked and tar paper on, then we put in windows and insulated around them yesterday. Shingles are going on today. Once we get the gable ends enclosed and doors on we can put HEAT inside and work in comfort! 🙂 There is much sanding to be done. I finished one wall up yesterday, only 6 more to go inside and then the entire outside of the house. Yes, lots of sanding.

Plus I was able to see four moose yesterday from the job site. I love moose. I don’t think I’ll ever grow weary of seeing those large goofy looking critters!

Still a girl?

A funny thing I’ve notice lately, how I still refer to myself as a “girl”. I guess I always have, and maybe always will. Does anyone else do the same thing? Is it human nature? Or wishful thinking on my part? Will I still be a “girl” when I’m 60?

Maybe it is because I still like to play and have fun with the little ones. Maybe it’s because I never really grew up on the inside, the female Peter Pan perhaps? nah, not likely, just ask my sister. 😉

Truth is, I’m just a big girl now. Taller, older, a little wider…  er, I mean wiser. 😉 but I’m still a girl.

 

JOlsteenquote

The Old Mountain is Smokin’

Seeing my first volcanic activity today on the way home from work. Mt. Redoubt had a small plume of smoke/ash. It seems that there was a 2.0 earthquake this afternoon over there and the result is some venting.

You might work in Alaska if…

  1. a moose walks through your job site
  2. a bald eagle flies over-head
  3. you have to set up lights and shovel snow before you can start work
  4. your “uniform” is Carhartts and Baffin boots
  5. breaks consist of warming your hands in front of the heater
  6. visitors come by on snow-machines
  7. you work outside all week and still dream about going “outside”
  8. you know what #7 means
  9. your co-worker shares moose jerky with you
  10. you don’t pay state income taxes!!!!

 

Finished Walls!

We finished stacking logs on Tuesday.

Finished walls, 16 courses

Finished walls, 16 courses

The trusses were delivered on Wednesday.

Trusses and roofing materials

Trusses and roofing materials

We got to work immediately setting the trusses. First time I’ve been in on that sort of thing. Wow!

18 Trusses set up, 2 more to go

18 Trusses set up, 3 more to go

It really is beginning to look like a house now.

The sun on the downside

The sun on the downside

A good day’s work.

Learning is Fun, actually hilarious!

The older two kids are learning American Sign Language, ASL, for their foreign language in our home-school program, and have been doing quite well. While they are at it, the youngest tries her best to learn it as well. She now has her spoken ABC’s down, but is still working on the signing part…

 

  • Did you know that ASL is officially recognized as a foreign language?
  • ASL is the fourth most spoken language used in the United States.
  • The roots of ASL can be traced back to 18th century France.
  • Each nation has their own version of sign language, such as German Sign Language, and they are not the same.
  • There are other forms of sign language such as Pigeon and SEE (Signed Exact English).

For more information on American Sign Language, visit here.

 

 

 

8 months

Feb 4th marks our 8th month here.

We’ve seen summer slip into fall, winter arrive to wax and wane. Now we are anxious to see spring mark its arrival. Of course we just had a taste of  a pre-break-up warm up last month. With more than two weeks of above forties weather, rain and melting snow, even some green grass peeking through. The stores are full of forced spring bulbs, hyacinths,daffodils and tulips. They are so cheerful, but bring a bit of spring fever with them. We still have  a few months to go!

We are 3/4 of a way through our first year here. It has been a real experience and we’ve learned a lot so far!