It is a "Groundhog's Day" today (and all week).

Remember when Bill Murray's character is waking up to the same thing on the radio every morning and the same things happens throughout the day, that is what it feels like here. The radio alarm goes off and I hear the dj's talking about the 40 below temperatures in town, the ice fog is so thick that you can't see and the numerous accidents on the highway because people cannot figure out that if you can't see 20 feet in front of you it doesn't mean you should go faster to see what surprise lies ahead. According to today's newspaper, we will have another couple of days of this weather until it warms up to 10 to 15 above. For those of you outside of Alaska and see 10 to 15 above and think it's cold, consider that is a 50 degree difference that what we have been having.

To remind me of what summer will bring I found a picture that reminds me of the Fairbanks summers. Only 4 more months and we'll be enjoying the summer days!

Time to focus on something warm and fuzzy - love!

I haven't always been a fan of Valentine' Day - but this year - it is extra special. And it is still 40 below outside and I need to think of something cheery. Although Brent will be down in Delta for Valentine's Day (he is working the month of February, but don't feel too sorry for him - he'll have 6 weeks off). I will be going down to visit him the day after and we'll go out to dinner in Delta and celebrate then. But now the pressue is on, this is our first Valentine's Day together - what to get for a gift? I can't go with a box of chocolates, although I am sure he would enjoy it I think it is not the best choice. Do I get a puppy for a playmate with the dog he has now ... yup hanging outside for a little too long and I got brain freeze. One dog is enough for now, espcially since he is at my feet whining now for me to throw him a toy. But if he had a playmate I wouldn't have to throw his toy .. I would just be throwing two!! (still waiting for the brain to thaw) A new gun? What doesn't scream romance better than that? But I don't know if he would appreciate the rubberband gun as much as I would. If I was in high school I could burn him a cd of all the love songs that remind me of him and put a picture of me on the cd label, but I am not in high school. So I guess it is down to adding more to his fly tying collection or a book on how to catch a bigger fish than your partner (just ask him who caught the first king salmon in the family last year).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Look out Hawaii, here we come!

After the last entry - I had to add something that was at least a little warmer. I can see the spot on the beach that I will be sitting. I cannot wait for the honeymoon. Sun! Heat! Sand! Maybe we'll be able to thaw out before we come back home. Which reminds me, I better start tanning.

Global warming??????

Okay, so the picture wasn't taken in North Pole, but it was taken down the highway in Tok. Although it is supposed to be getting close to 50 below here tonight!! This is crazy! Driving to work this morning was like driving through pea soup. Only 2 more days of this (we hope). I believe we all have earned our cold weather badge and it is time to start preparing ourselves for warmer weather. I'll be sure to let you know when we hit 30 above, I will gaurentee that I will see someone at the grocery wearing a pair of shorts! You figure that is close to a 70 to 80 degree difference. So here is to a warmer day tomorrow. But for now I am going to make a cup of hot chocolate.

Accck ..... where did the time go??

It is hard to believe that it has been so long since I posted a new posting and even more the wedding is 5 weeks away!!! It seems that I have everything under control - I have the invitations out, reserved the caterer, reception hall, church, photographer ... but then you start thinking of the things that are left to do. Bottom line is - I have my dress and Brent has his suit - no matter what we have a date on March 8th and we'll be there. I am looking forward to seeing everyone there.
I am finishing up my last week of housesitting - the last time that I will be housesitting and then on Thursday I start my new job at the hospital. Yep, not enough stress in my life - I took on a new job. I am looking forward to starting the job and am excited for the new journey. But I know that after the wedding Brent and I will be heading to Kauai and enjoying 10 blissful days on the beach - I can't wait!

Be careful what you wish for!

I don't know if I should appologize to Fairbanks for making my earlier comment about not being able to earn our badge of honor when at the time I wrote that it hadn't even hit 20 below. Well, the cold weather has hit - it was 43 below this morning and the ice fog coming into town was like pea soup. But the good news is that it will be warming up to 20 below tomorrow. We all have earned our badge for cold weather and hopefully this will be the last we see of it ... at least for this year (2007). I hope that everyone has a great Christmas! Take the time to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and a Christamas cookie.

More about Brent.

For those of you who have not met Brent, a few of his favorite things ... hunting, hunting, hunting and hunting. You get the picture. He was able to squeeze is a quick day hunt for a moose on while he was home on his shift home this fall. Brent got a huge cow moose, and as he describes her - she was one of the first to cross the ice bridge (meaning she was pretty old). After a hunter processes the meat, one of the things required by Fish and Game is that the hunter bring in the lower jaw. By doing this they are able to determine the health and the age of the animal. By the estimates given by Fish and Game, they said the one Brent shot was about 12 years old. If you take a look at the picture you can see by the size of her head, compared to Brent's leg, how big she was! Needless to say we have a freezer full of meat and that is after giving half the meat away to Brent's friend who helped him process it.