Happy Cativersary

Pixel on the day I got her (below)

Pixel & me today!

Nine years ago on New Years Eve I went to the Fairbanks animal shelter and fell in love with Pixel, who I brought home with me. She is a sweet, talkative, energetic kitty and a great mouser. I am so happy to be her human.

What a difference a decade makes

It wasn't until just a few days ago that I realized that this is the end of a decade, the first decade of this century. Back in 1999 I never could have imagined what and where my life would be now. Back then I was living somewhat listlessly in Sitka and on this night ten years ago I was flying back from visiting my family in Ohio (before my parent moved to AK) to spend the New Year's with friends. Just eleven months after that I moved from Sitka and started pursuing this new path.

In the last decade Io (my first kitty) and I moved to Fairbanks, I brought home Obsidian and Pixel (my 2nd and 3rd kitties), I went back to school and got certified as a teacher, spent a year living in a very small isolated village in the Aleutian Islands, moved to Seward to teach middle school math and science, bought my first house, met Phil, decided to adopt a child, traveled to Japan (twice in one year), sold my house, moved in with Phil (who was previously living in his trailer and at the boarding house in winter), lost 120 pounds, found out that I have a bicuspid heart valve that has mild stenosis (and may eventually require replacing), went to China, climbed the Great Wall, stood in Tienanmen Square, met my beautiful daughter, became a family and just recently, got engaged!In 2010 I look forward to visiting our families in the Lower 48, watching Quin continue to grow as this little amazing person she is, and getting married to Phil, my soul mate and love of my life.

Happy New Years to you all!

Last looks at 2009

Quin's Happy New Year's Greeting

My dad's work

One of my dad's beautiful marquetry pieces

Homer Sledding

On Wednesday we had fun playing in the snow at NaNa and YeYe's. Quin, mom and I went sledding down their driveway. Mom and I had a bit of a snow ball fight--we'll mostly we pushed each other into the snow and then I gave her a white wash (snowy glove in the face).



Then mom called for dad to help and he dumped a shovel full of snow on both of us. Quin pretty much stood back--she likes the snow (especially to eat it), but doesn't like it on her face.

Baking Cookies at Nana & Yeye's

Quin, NaNa, YeYe and I made cookies while we were there. YeYe made the dough and rolled it out (w/Quin's help), Quin and I cut the shapes out and decorated them, and NaNa baked them. It was a fun afternoon. Quin was very excited to eat the cookies she made--NaNa and YeYe made other cookies, but Quin only picked her own sugar cookies.

Visiting the Rents

Quin and I are over in Homer. We had a pretty good drive on the way over (even though Quin needed to stop to use the bathroom every hour or so). The weather has been overcast for the past few days, but it warmed up to right around freezing, so it it not so bitter. The sky and sea are both a leaden gray, which is very typical of winter here in Alaska. It will definitely be a white Christmas as about five more inches of snow fell yesterday.

Quin is having a great time with Ye Ye and Na Na. She loves having all the adult attention--I do as well. Yesterday they were working at the gallery where they have their art, so Quin and I visited them there in town before driving up the hill to their house. The view from here is stunning--mountains, ocean and glaciers. Even though we grew up in Ohio, it feels so much like home here.

Break Time!

Finally, it is winter break! I am definitely in need of some time off. Tomorrow morning Quin and I are driving to Homer for a few days at my parent's house. Phil is working most of the next week, so he can't come. We'll return on Christmas Eve, Phil's first day off. He is on call on Christmas, but hopefully there won't be any problems. Phil says there usually aren't any major issues on Christmas until the evening...

It is really cold out--3 degrees right now and a little windy, which sends the chill right to your bones. We have lots of extra layers for the car, so we should be okay for the drive. This house is poorly heated and insulated and when it is cold like this it is hard to keep it warm in here. Right now the inside temp is 63 and that is with the furnace cranked up to 77 since two this afternoon. At least it is getting close to bed time so I can snuggle under the covers for warmth.

Quin's one line in the play

First School Play

Quin was Mary in her first ever school play. She had one line (as did all the other kids). It wasn't much of a production as some of the kids wandered off or ran to their parents, but Quin did her part and was very cute in her costume.

Here she is singing Jingle Bells.

Dressing Up for Spirit Week At School

Last week was spirit week. I was the only teacher to dress up all the days-- a few others did one or two days. The principal, who instigated the entire thing didn't even dress up once, including the last day which was school colors/crazy hat day. I had fun, though, and the kids liked it.I had a peace symbol drawn on my face, but you can't see it in this picture.

Saturday we drove to Anchorage to go Christmas shopping. We stayed up there over night. I think we did a good job controlling ourselves and not buying everything we saw for Quin. We got her a mix of educational and fun toys without going overboard.

Today after school Quin was coloring and cutting (her new favorite thing). She is very serious/focussed when she is engaged in an activity and it was hard for me to get her to even look up at me and the camera.

Only three more days of school left (Friday is an inservice, which means no kids!). This weekend Quin and I are going to my parents for a few days, but we'll be back home for Christmas.





Quin's new stocking.

Wheels on the Bus

Quin just learned this.

Dancing Queen

The light is a little low and you can't hear the music, but Quin is still cute!

Because I moved the computer, I didn't have my mouse and had to get on camera turning it off...

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

I know she has sung this before, but this time it is on her own.

Row row row you boat

Quin really likes singing. We sing a lot. I need to teach her some more songs, though.

Quin talking

Quin likes to dance

Quin gets lost in my hat

fUNNY pICTURES OF qUIN

Quin got her H1N1 booster shot today, so we are all now covered.
Here she is acting silly.

Our Tree

Happy St. Nicholas Day

Today is St. Nicholas Day!

My dad's side of the family is German and we always celebrate this tradition. On the 6th w e get our stockings from St. Nick, usually with an orange, nuts, chocolate and a small present. I know most people get their stockings on Christmas, but I like this much better. St. Nicholas day is like the kick-off to Christmas...it builds the anticipation of all the presents and the holiday season.

So this morning Quin got her first stocking. She was the most excited about the chocolate, which we are rationing out slowly. Quin wanted to eat her orange for breakfast and made a point of sharing it with me--very sweet!Yesterday we bought a Christmas tree and today Quin and I are decorating it. It is way too big, but Phil wanted a big tree for Quin's first Christmas. It is so much fun sharing this time of year with her.