Tuesday, December 30, 2008

A thought or a few

photo by Dan Bush

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.
You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too,
so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love
for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone
you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every
sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.
Don't be afraid that your life will end,
be afraid that it will never begin.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Yikes

This picture just cracks me up -
What do you think Sydney is thinking?
I think: mom, save me or I am petrified!! or I could fit in that head

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Another site

I have joined the masses in Facebook - if you have a page as well my page is under Dana Aasland and lets become friends. I find it to be a more user friendly site then Myspace and tons more interactive and fun. Join up, there are long lost buddies out there.

...and to boot, today I synced (is that a word) all 3 ipods that we have onto one Itune Library. I have to reload several of my CDs onto my nano, but eventually I will get caught up. I loaded Seths shuffle with some hip kid music as I think he is out of the Backyardagain genre and more into High School Musical and Jessee McCartney.

I felt so good about my achievement (and coming out of frustration) I had a glass of wine. I had forgotten to stop by the Wine Styles store last month so this month I have 4 jugs of vino. bottoms up.

And here is another pic from the trip of the boys going down the waterslide at the hotel. We also sent Sydney down, she asked for it, and screamed the entire way. Glen put her in and I caught her at the bottom, and yes she was wearing a flotation swimsuit. She actually went down again the next day, again she asked for it. I don't think we are getting the parent of the year award.




Snowmen Unite

A quiet snowmen protest was made at City Hall on Christmas day in support of their bigger friend Snowzilla. Held signs were: Snowzilla needs a bailout too, Snowmen have rights, and Snowzilla for President. The winter is long here.....



Friday, December 26, 2008

Disney Moments


Snowzilla

I would like to introduce Snowzilla. The past few years this Anchorage resident has built a large snowman in his yard and each year it was getting a bit bigger. This year it is 25 feet tall and the neighbors are not thrilled with all the traffic it brings in so in a Scrooge sort of way they initiated a city order for him to not build this year. The resident claims he does not know how it was built this year. hmmmm.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Back Home

With the snow falling or should I say dumping in Seattle we were set to prepare for an adventure coming home - not a good sign when your flight out of sunny Orlando is delayed - but thanks to our techy gadgets we were informed and spent another hour at the pool and me in the hammock with the thought "well, if there are 3000 people stranded in Seattle, lets give up our seats and stay another day" although the kids would never have that with Santas visit right around the corner. I was pushed out of the hammock and we started our depart from Disneyville all went smooth and we got to Seattle in time for a quick gate change and headed home. It snowed just enough to make it feel like a white Christmas.

We put the kids to sleep - it was 3am when we got home - and just like us, I think they really liked being in their own beds.

I will be heading to an electronics store to purchase another memory card reader as ours went caput. Pics of Christmas and Disney are itching to be posted.

Wishing all of you a relaxful and memory filled Merry Christmas
- I must say the two most popular sayings on our trip was Merry Christmas
and We LOVE your Governor.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Outta Dodge

We interrupt this blog to let readers know we are on vacation seaching for Mickey & Friends in Orlando. Although I plan to relax, do some rides, soak up sunshine, eat at Emeril's restaurant, watch the kids have fun and make some great family memories I may find the time to post, but you know how best laid plans go.....

Saturday, December 13, 2008

The Doghouse

Please pass on to anyone who needs the warning. Dual Bag, baby - the best.

Dog Snow Pounce

Good thing the dog has some black in its coat. I need a dog.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

I HEART Bakerella




She just never ceases to amaze me.
blog link in the right sidebar.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Life Lessons

Most recently I have learned a few life lessons:

1. when at your husband's company Christmas party and he is introducing you to people don't stand too close to the man because as he turns and extends his arm towards you it will slam into the glass of wine you are holding and spill all over your nice gold coldwater creek blouse and drip down to your nice cream linen slacks. You will hear someone command, "club soda, now dana, club soda, go" You will try to remain calm while giving your husband the look of "I'm going to kill you, right after I go get my club soda and hit the ladies room, that's if I come back."

2. when re-heating your peppermint mocha in the microwave, take the top off of the kaladi cup so that it does not explode and paint the inside of the microwave brown. This reminds me of another lesson learned many moons ago: when trying to soften up marshmellows by using the microwave, stop yourself - its not a good idea - they explode too. No marshmellow treats for me that day.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Playing a bit of catch up that I don't think Seth minded. He got to put up 7 days on the advent tree. Will have to put up high so that "lil Destructor" does not get her hand on it.

Friday, December 5, 2008

1st Visitor


Let's see how far we get on names this year: starting with Annika. Tried to get a better shot, but Annika was a bit startled from the camera noise and took off - thankfully not towards me, although I was one step away from the front door.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Tis the Season


Updating the site for Christmas is much easier then getting the fall decor down & packed away, the christmas bins inside the house to unload, clean the house first before even doing that, going out for a christmas tree and all this after being in the mobs of black friday shoppers - saved a whopping $37, and will not be doing that again unless I have been kidnapped and am stuck in someones trunk who is.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Thanksgiving 08

Yummy pies, perfectly moist Turkey, and the most golden rolls were the stars of the show.





Gotta have a dog in the mix for a bit of begging, this is Lucy and I gave in - heck, its the giving that counts today.


Had a little bit of this (I hope thats the kid stuff)

and a little bit of that

and of course some of this






Thursday, November 27, 2008

Rootin for the Lil Guy

I would be a bit nervous if I was in that boat, but what a smart little penguin.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

How You Like Them Eggs?

For the past year now I have been getting eggs from a friend at the club. She lives in an area that has maintained their zone rights to having livestock - while being surrounded by huge, overpriced, but incredible homes. Normally the eggs I get are the brown variety and normal sizes, but this batch offered some blue, grey, and some odd shaped ones (look at that one in the front!). Do you know how long it takes an egg to get to Alaska? From the moment the egg is taken from the hatch it takes about 6 weeks (unconfirmed) and who knows what the hens were nibbling on prior to laying the eggs. These little gems are hand picked from the hen house and delivered to me that day and they make the most fluffy, light, delicious scrambled eggs - You can tell the difference.

History Time: Once when visiting the family farm, Grandpa Angus took me to the hen house for a lesson on how to fetch eggs. He and I had our little baskets and as he was telling me the reason for these hens existence on the farm (providing eggs) he just jammed his hand under the resting hen and came out with the 2 eggs that she had been nurturing. The hen did not seem to mind and just readjusted her position, but I could not help noticing a look of resentment on her face. "He just took my babies" was what I interpreted. So the next day I was sent out to get some - by myself. I entered the coop, looked around and went to the one hen that did not look too mean. First I tried to move the hen, but she would not budge, so I had to go under her. Yikes. My hand gingerly approached the belly and then the wonderful creature started to fiercely, and I mean in a really angry way peck my hand until I backed away. I went back into the house with an empty basket and turned around to hear Grandpa Angus shake his head and say "city kid."

This may have been the same trip that the Thanksgiving turkey chased my all of 2.5ft tall body around in circles. (Okay, now that I think of it, I may have been alittle taller, but when a monster like that is awkwardly waddling/running behind you saying gobble, gobble, gobble and all you think is in turkey language that is kill,kill,kill you tend to feel really small) I am screaming for my life and my parents are just laughing. That dangly thing on the turkey was right at eye level and it was going to kill me if I stopped running - I was sure of it. I don't remember how I survived, I may have blacked out, but I do remember enjoying every bite of that turkey.

Wouldn't you run if this thing was after you?



Such good times on the family farm

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

or kill, kill kill (however you say it)

Friday, November 21, 2008

Here's Hoping

We may not get to a bowl game, but beating
Ohio State would be nice.

Update: well that did not happen, not even close.
wow and ouch all at the same time.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Gobble Treat




Let's just all bow to Bakerella - all together now.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Turkey shoot

Need something to break your day up - Those gobblers are fast at the end

Click HERE

HIGH SCORE: 64331

Leave your score in the comments

Proof Positive



Ladies and gentlemen of the blogging world I present to you clear evidence that little boys do before they think.

As I pull into the driveway I notice something is on the roof that was not there earlier. I focus in on the object and I realize it is Seth's lunch box. There has to be an explanation and I had to hear it.

You see, I have a husband who likes to hit golf balls towards the roof and have them roll back to the yard or there are times when he would throw a ball up and have Seth try and catch it when it rolled down. Did Seth think his lunch box would "roll down?"

So here goes:

Mom: SEEEETTTTHHHH, get out here. (one of the reasons why a one syllable name was chosen)

Seth: What?

Mom: Can you explain why your lunch box is up on the roof?

Seth: Well, I was trying to get icecicles down to eat and I threw it up there to knock them down.

Mom: Oh, good grief child.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Explore Alaska

I need to get out more. Falls Creek is in my backyard (well, a short drive)

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Good Grief

As I have mentioned before, I have a hypothyroid that requires I take a little pill each day - to be in "normal" thyroid function. All editorial comments on the "normal" usage, you can keep to your funny little selves. The instructions to taking this pill says I cannot consume anything for an hour after taking - so I have a routine of putting a pill and a glass of water on the bedside table and at some point during the sleeping hours I roll over, find the pill and gulp down water. The days of sleeping through the night are pretty much over for me, but I have a wonderful knack to regaining the REM status once my head returns to the pillow.

So last night, as in the hundreds before, I did what I do. Or so I thought, because when I woke up the pill was still there in the spot I left it the night before. Did I not awake and take it? No, I remember doing it and when I check the water glass - its empty and I know I filled it. So now I am thinking I hope I did not swallow a Lego.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

A Jewel of a Blog

I am more of a good medical mystery/suspense kind of reader and not much of a romance Danielle Steele kind of gal, but I came across this blog The Pioneer Woman and spent the next few days reading her love story chapters, gazing at her amazing photography of horses, sunsets, early morning sunrises, family, and don't forget Charles- basically I am hooked and wanted to spread the obsession to you.
Trust me, you will thank me later - no gifts necessary.
************************************************************************************
The Night I Met Marlboro Man, Part IVOr, Harlequin Romance Meets Green Acres, Part IVSep. 11, 2007

“Hi, Ree? We met at the J-Bar last Christmas?”
It was the Marlboro Man.
It had been almost four months since we’d met; four months since we’d locked glances in a bar over Christmas; four months since his icy blue-green eyes and prematurely gray hair had made my knees go weak; four months since he’d failed to call me the next day, or week, or month. I’d moved on, of course, but the rugged, smoky image of that Marlboro Man-esque creature had left an indelible mark on my mind. And my hiney.
But. I’d been planning my big move to Chicago before I’d met him that night four months earier, and I continued my planning the next day. By the end of April, just after my brother’s wedding, I was just about ready to go. But suddenly, four months after we’d first met, I found myself on the phone with him, mistaking him for a boy named Walrus and trying to appear cool.
“Oh, hi.” I said, nonchalantly. I was moving to Chicago. I didn’t need this guy.
“How’ve you been?” he continued. Ugh, that voice. It was gravely and whispery at the same time. I hadn’t realized it had already set up permanent residence in the marrow of my bones.
“Good,” I replied, focusing my efforts on appearing casual, confident, and strong. “I’m just gearing up to move to Chicago, actually.”
“No kidding,” he said. “When are you going?”
“Next month,” I replied.
“Oh…” he paused. “Well…would you like to go do something this week?”
This was always the awkward part. I could never imagine being a guy.
“Um, sure,” I said, not really seeing the point of going out with him, but also knowing it was going to be next to impossible for me to turn down a date with the first cowboy I’d ever been attracted to. Actually, the first cowboy I’d ever met. “I’m pretty free all this week, so…”
“How ’bout tomorrow night?” he cut in. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
He didn’t know it at the time, but that single take-charge moment, that instantaneous transformation from shy, quiet cowboy to this confident, commanding presence on the phone, affected me very profoundly. It positively set my interest afire.
So did the starched denim shirt he wore when he picked me up for our date the next evening.
“Hello,” he said, as I opened the front door of my parents’ house.
Oh, those eyes. They were fixed on mine, and mine on his, for more seconds than is customary at the very beginning of a first date. My knees—the knees that had turned to rubber bands that night four months before in a temporary fit of illogical, immature lust—were once again like spaghetti.
“Hello,” I said, smiling. I was wearing sleek black pants, a violet v-neck sweater, and spiked black boots—a glaring contrast to the faded denim ensemble he’d chosen. Little did I know how utterly symbolic of our future lives together those respective wardrobe choices would turn out to be.
We talked through dinner; I don’t remember the food. About my childhood on the golf course; about his upbringing on the ranch. About my college days at U.S.C.; about his unnatural passion for football. About my retarded brother, Mike; about his older brother, Todd, who died. About Los Angeles and celebrities; about cows, horses, and manure. And by the end of the evening, I had no idea what exactly I’d even said. All I knew was, I was riding home in a white Ford F250 diesel pickup with a boot-wearing cowboy—and there was nowhere else on earth I wanted to be.
He walked me to the door, naturally. Oh, I’d been walked to that same door many times before, by pimply high school boys and cocky college boys and a few miscellaneous suitors along the way. But this time was different, bigger. I felt it.
That’s when the spiked heel of my boot got hung up on the grout line of my parents’ brick sidewalk. I saw my life and any ounce of pride remaining in my soul pass instantly before my eyes as my body lurched forward; I was going to bite it for sure—and right in front of the Marlboro Man. I was an idiot, I told myself, a dork, a clutz of the highest order. I wanted desperately to snap my fingers and magically wind up in Chicago where I belonged, but my hands were too busy darting in front of my torso to brace me from the fall.
Someone caught me, though. An angel? In a way. It was Marlboro Man, whose tough upbringing on a working cattle ranch had produced the quick reflexes necessary to save me, his spastic date, from a certain wipeout. Once the danger was over, I laughed from nervous embarrassment. Marlboro Man chuckled gently. He was still holding my arms, though, in the same strong cowboy grip he’d used to rescue me moments earlier. Where were my knees? I suddenly couldn’t feel them. And suddenly, he wasn’t chuckling anymore; he was standing right in front of me, still holding my arms.
To be continued…

mystery ointment revealed

The Farmer's Wife got it - it was sunscreen lotion.

The weekend before I walked around the house with a masque on and I think someone wanted to mimic me in her own special way. I was impressed with how she was able to go around her mouth with the lotion without using a mirror (hidden talent?) and I hoped she did not eat any. The next day dashed my hopes as her "diaper gift" was the color of Wasabi - okay, now you'll never look at Wasabi the same way ever again.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Celebrity Sighting


While working my shifts at the gallery I have had old friends walk in and local celebrities. Once I had Jack Frost, the guy who voices for the Sagaya commercials, come in. I was working on something at the desk and only heard him, thinking it was another commercial then realized I had a CD playing and heard him talking art and not GIANT, DELICIOUS FRESH from the SEA, PRAWNS. Another time, Mr. White Keys was in and I just wanted to find a can of Spam and a camera - he too has another recognizable voice. I wanted to say hi and then the fear of being an add-in to one of his comedy skits set in. (like that would ever happen, but just in case - sit there and don't say a word, let the man shop)
Well last night, Greta Van Susteren was in. She is here to do a post-election interview with S. Palin. I wondered should I play nonchalant and treat her like any other customer? She was browsing and coming closer to the desk, so the words came from somewhere"can you sign our gallery book so when I tell the other gallery gals you were here they'll believe me" She said "sure"and started signing away while almost in an apologetic way said "I am a bit tired" I just said thank you and she said thanks for watching the show. As her group left one said thanks, another said good night and we might come back tomorrow to shop - we are just too tired right now. What did I say? Not, thanks for coming in, have a good night or the normal thing. Dork says "SLEEP WELL."
Who Says That?

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Conversation with Seth


Seth came home on Friday, out of breath, red nose and rosey cheeks, full of excitment and had a story to tell. First that he beat Gabby home from the bus stop - only Gabby likes to saunter home so he wins every day and he thinks its because he is sooooooo fast. But there was more to the excitment and he shared:
Seth: Mom, today is a great day.
Mom: Why is that?
Seth: because Caden, a kid at school, broke his nose and won't be back at school.
Mom: Why does that make it a great day?
Seth: (in a softer tone) Well, Caden is not nice to me and he always cuts in line in front of me.
Mom: That's not very nice - see what happens to people when they are not nice - that is called karma. - and then i had to explain how Karma worked.
Seth: I like karma and I will always be nice.
Mom: (note to self) I should have added something in there about keeping his room clean too.

Friday, November 7, 2008

At it Again

When things go quiet in the night and Sydney is not down to sleep something is wrong, very wrong. So you go searching for the little tyke and this is what you find.

Any guesses on what the white stuff is?

Monday, November 3, 2008

Its Hockey Season

We are into another season and had our first game with 3 periods and officials. Seth got a bit spooked when the loud buzzer sounded to end the period. So spooked he did not want to keep playing so the coach took him off the ice to calm him down. Afterwards he said he does not like the horn or jet airplanes.










Saturday, November 1, 2008

Halloween 08









The snow held off for another Halloween Trick or Treat evening. Seth is Indiana Jones and Lil Stinker is a cute pumpkin. I had face paint for a 5 o'clock shadow, but Seth said that having a beard would be ridiculous. He had an inservice day from school so I had to endure an hourly update on when we were to head out for candy and once again we went to about 20 houses and Seth proclaimed he had enough candy and wanted to head home - whose child is this?

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Good Happens

DALLAS — A Texas woman went to a housing auction distraught about the prospect of watching strangers bid on her foreclosed home.
Then one of those strangers bought it back for her.
Now Tracy Orr can return to her Pottsboro home, making payments to the woman who unexpectedly and impulsively bought it for her.

"It means so much to all of us," Orr told Dallas television station WFAA. "It's not just a house."
Marilyn Mock said she was acting on instinct on Saturday when she decided to buy a house she had never seen for a woman she had never met. Mock was at the foreclosure auction to help her 27-year-old son bid on a house when she struck up a conversation with Orr, who was crying about losing her home.

Orr had bought the house for $80,000 in 2004 but fell behind on the payments. She lost her job a month after taking out the loan, and earlier this year she lost the house. On the spot, Mock decided to buy it, eventually bidding $30,000.
"She didn't even know if I had a job or was a nut case," Orr said in a story for Wednesday's online edition of The Dallas Morning News. "She didn't even see a picture of the house."

Mock told a crying Orr she could stay in the house, making payments to her instead of a bank.
"She needed help. That was it," Mock told the newspaper. "I just happened to be there and anybody else would have done the same thing."
Orr said she hopes others will do as Mock did.
"More than my house, she gave me something inside, and that's more important than material or financial things," she said.

The two are waiting on final approval from Fannie Mae before visiting the home.
Mock's son also got a home at the auction.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

A Day of Firsts

I have lived in this town for over 34 years (minus come college years that I considered myself to be on loan to CA and CO) and there are times I will say to myself "I don't think I have ever driven this road" or "I have always wanted to see where that leads" or "wow, have never seen that before" - well you get my drift.



Today was the day of a few firsts.


As I am driving down Elmore Road, a road that connects Abbott with Tudor and edges the Bureau of Land Management (hence, undeveloped parkland) I notice several cars pulled to the side and traffic has stopped. I thought, "oh, another mama moose" OH NO - it was a bear, a big black bear that sauntered across the street and into the woods. Had my camera, but alas it went down where I could not get a pic. First bear I have seen in city limits.

Then, with about 4o minutes to kill and Linda Eder singing to me about Vienna, I decided to explore a road I have not been on - Campbell Creek Airport Road. It was a beautiful, blue sky day so I thought a clear view of the mountains would make for a great pic. The road weaved back into woods I have never been in and now want to go hike. I saw many trailheads and low sloping mountains to explore - lil sis is always up for an adventure, I will grab her and go.


See, I was not kidding about the blue sky

...and since I was on that side of town I decided to visit, well to be honest, pay homage to the newly opened Target Store. Now, most of you would just hem and haw about ANOTHER Target, but this is the first in Alaska (we are catching up) and I was told it needed to restock the shelves after the first week of operating. Krissy - don't fret, its been restocked and properly prepped for your visit as the managers have been briefed

I bought a Michael Buble CD, some dove chocolate looked around to see what I will be filling my home with once it is built and went on my merry way - oh, and speaking of merry, Target already has Christmas stuff out. Can we get past the turkey first people?

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Pin the Tail on Syd

So what do you think of my fast thinking and creativeness. Told Beth, the fabulous graphic designer, to print out a picture and she (with Lindsey, the fantastic marketing extrodinaire) said e-mail it to Kinkos and have them make a poster. Those marketing people have all the quick and creative ideas. Well, that takes my idea up a notch and wa-la. The winner was Mikayla who put it right on the nose.

Only now I am thinking of having them do a more quality picture so I can frame this great pic.

Oh, the madness.

Amazing Grace

Strength, Love, Faith, and Prayer
****Nie Nie is awake and kids are reunited with Dad****

For an uplifting post read cJane on Oct. 24
For a heartfelt story
on the family (with some insight to the day of the crash - its been some time since I teared up so much I could not read words) read the article "A sister is held even closer" posted on Oct. 26 - you will want to have some tissue ready and then maybe call your sister just to say hi.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Happy Birthday to Lil Stinker

Sydney turns 2 today and we have some festivities planned. A phasghetti with meatballs feed, some game that I have yet to come up with - although I do have the prizes, plenty of adult tappas (appetizers), cupcakes, Nutter butter balls (because they will be expected) and maybe a Halloween movie.

She has been caught with her pants down - and I mean literally, people- if you do not catch her in time she yanks her diaper off. Right now she has entered the room I am in and has no shirt on. Thank goodness she does not do this in public. The pant/diaper thing may be a good sign though - how? you might ask - well its a sign that she is not liking her wet diaper and might be ready to potty train. The shirt thing has me wondering though.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Conversations with Seth

The two boys in the house are both playing hockey this season. Glen joined his company team and Seth is in the Mites program in town. If you add up the team fees plus the equipment fees I am thinking I am due a good week at a desert spa - I keep saying that and one day I will follow through - oh, a morning sunrise hike with a yoga class on a peak hill followed with a nice egg white omelete with fresh squeezed OJ and a side of raspberries - okay, slap back to reality.

Glen plays late at night because that is the only time adults can get ice in this town (more rinks please) and Seth was upset that he could not go watch - it's a school night, son. So when Glen got home, Seth, who is still awake in his defiance to fall to sleep, asks "Dad, did you score a goal" Glen responds,"no, I played defense and did not score a goal, but I knocked down 2 guys. Is that good?" Seth: "good job dad."

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Learning words - quickly

Sydney is learning new words/phrases almost daily now. The most recent is "I Love You" although it sounds more like "Uv ew", but we all now what she means. She likes to pick up the phone or the blackberry and babble to someone, she has the pauses and responses down as if she is having a conversation. For bye she says "dye", ask her if she wants something and its a clear "yes or nooooooo" (with an added shake of the head - especially if she is not ready for bed). Seth is Seph, Mom is Mahm, and Dad is Dah - all yelled out especially when we are not in the room.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Almost won!!

What were you doing last Wednesday night? I was working out and my little sister put herself in a Palin look-alike contest. She came in 2nd! and has to go back for the finale. She got the details down - look at the american flag pin and Alaskan earrings.

The lady in the red blazer won. I will be shopping for a red blazer for Beth.