That's almost $1.40 down from what we were paying just weeks ago.
And Bonus! We have had four - count them - 4 - crystal clear days. Absolutely beautiful. Mountains were visible, including Denali. Of course, it was 5 here this morning and 6 yesterday morning...but then, life is full of trade offs!
Monday was our 4th anniversary. Robert truly spoiled me this year. I received flowers AND an abstract print with sled dogs. I feel bad to say all he got was a card. Next year...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
What a Beautiful Morning
It's about 7:30 and pitch black outside. So dark you can see lots and lots of stars. (I noticed this when waiting for Squirt outside.) I checked the thermometer on the way out - 22 - plenty warm. I was expecting 8 degrees and with the 14 degree difference, I didn't need to put on my gloves or zip my coat!
I just wish the northern lights would show up around this time instead of 2-4 am. I'll never see them!
We went to a Seawolves hockey game last night. The Seawolves are the University of Alaska - Anchorage team. It was a good game and they won! I have been to one semi-pro Aces game before and didn't really care for it. Every time you turned around, fights were breaking out on the ice - sticks thrown down, gloves flying, fists connecting (as well as they can when someone is padded up). As I see it, I wouldn't go to a boxing match expecting to see a hockey game break out...why should a boxing match break out at a hockey game.
(OK - I'm sure there's some snappy pit bull comment here - I just haven't had any coffee and nothing is coming to mind!)
We got the Christmas lights up yessterday. It was sunny and 19 and we wanted to get it done before it snowed lots. Today will be Christmas present wrapping and shipping day. (We like to avoid the rush!)
I just wish the northern lights would show up around this time instead of 2-4 am. I'll never see them!
We went to a Seawolves hockey game last night. The Seawolves are the University of Alaska - Anchorage team. It was a good game and they won! I have been to one semi-pro Aces game before and didn't really care for it. Every time you turned around, fights were breaking out on the ice - sticks thrown down, gloves flying, fists connecting (as well as they can when someone is padded up). As I see it, I wouldn't go to a boxing match expecting to see a hockey game break out...why should a boxing match break out at a hockey game.
(OK - I'm sure there's some snappy pit bull comment here - I just haven't had any coffee and nothing is coming to mind!)
We got the Christmas lights up yessterday. It was sunny and 19 and we wanted to get it done before it snowed lots. Today will be Christmas present wrapping and shipping day. (We like to avoid the rush!)
Sunday, October 19, 2008
All Appears to be OK
Robert fared better than I gave him credit for. His knee never swelled and while both knee and arm are still colorful, he is able to walk and did fine Saturday when grocery shopping and ATV parts hunting. (BTW - the parts hunting appears to be just as difficult and almost as expensive as moose/bear/grouse hunting.)
As for dealing at the charity casino night. Nothing to it. Just like real casinos in Vegas, I took their money. (Amazing how things change when you are a dealer!)
PS - Friday, I forgot to wish everyone a Happy Alaska Day on Friday. Maybe I'll be on time next year!
As for dealing at the charity casino night. Nothing to it. Just like real casinos in Vegas, I took their money. (Amazing how things change when you are a dealer!)
PS - Friday, I forgot to wish everyone a Happy Alaska Day on Friday. Maybe I'll be on time next year!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
No Broken Bones Identified Yet!
Apparently, in every young ATV's life, there is a right of passage it must survive known as "being rolled over". Our little (600lb) ATV's special day was yesterday from a height of 3500 feet.
If you recall, I mentioned a grouse hunting trip with the hopes of fresh grouse for dinner last night. Well, they got on a trail that ended up being a little too steep and when backing down, Robert went over the side into the blueberry patch. The ATV landed on him once and luckily Robert stopped in the blueberry patch while the ATV took another spin. Robert said he was laying there, praying the thing didn't go all of the way down the side of the mountain. However, two rolls was enough for it.
Of course they were out of cell phone range but at least he wasn't alone thank goodness! Robert was able to get up and walk away from the accident and the little ATV that could was still running when they finally got down to it. The gun case bracket didn't survive, the throttle lever is gone, brush guards are loose with some broken plastic here and there and the GPS holder is loose but he found the GPS.
As for Robert, with the help of a Leatherman as a throttle lever, he was able to drive both the ATV and the car home. He had an ugly red welt on his harm (handlebar in shape) and his right leg / knee is pretty banged up. He was pretty sore and tired. I haven't seen him yet this morning but expect the bruises to start coming out sometime today. He will SO look forward to the charity event we are going to tonight. (I can't not go as I am dealing blackjack.)
As for dinner last night, the pizza was rather tasty.
If you recall, I mentioned a grouse hunting trip with the hopes of fresh grouse for dinner last night. Well, they got on a trail that ended up being a little too steep and when backing down, Robert went over the side into the blueberry patch. The ATV landed on him once and luckily Robert stopped in the blueberry patch while the ATV took another spin. Robert said he was laying there, praying the thing didn't go all of the way down the side of the mountain. However, two rolls was enough for it.
Of course they were out of cell phone range but at least he wasn't alone thank goodness! Robert was able to get up and walk away from the accident and the little ATV that could was still running when they finally got down to it. The gun case bracket didn't survive, the throttle lever is gone, brush guards are loose with some broken plastic here and there and the GPS holder is loose but he found the GPS.
As for Robert, with the help of a Leatherman as a throttle lever, he was able to drive both the ATV and the car home. He had an ugly red welt on his harm (handlebar in shape) and his right leg / knee is pretty banged up. He was pretty sore and tired. I haven't seen him yet this morning but expect the bruises to start coming out sometime today. He will SO look forward to the charity event we are going to tonight. (I can't not go as I am dealing blackjack.)
As for dinner last night, the pizza was rather tasty.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The Moose are Back!
Sunday night, about 10:30pm, Robert came quietly up the stairs, sneaking into the bedroom, gently waking me up with the words...
"Do you want to come watch the moose?"
Sure enough, Mother and Baby Moose were feasting on the black current berry bush - stripping the leaves right and left. The baby is so small. She wondered perilously close the the Halloween decorations until a car scared her/him back toward Momma. Along the way, the baby nibbled on the broken birch limb which had fallen to just the perfect baby moose nibbling height - about 6 feet from the window we were watching from.
Squirt just does NOT understand why those giant dogs get free run of the yard when he has to stay inside and be quiet!!
They left about 11:00 and the pumpkins had so far survived...
However, a second, lone moose (based on telltale tracks) stopped off at the Trosper Buffet later that night for a pumpkin snack. There are only a few seeds and a small piece of rind left. This turned out to be record eating time for pumpkins. They lasted 4 days this year. Hope he enjoyed it! (Time to go buy more this weekend!)
BTW - we have had 13.1 inches of snow this year. The average for October is 10 inches. I am predicting an above average winter!
Robert is off grouse hunting tomorrow. We may have fresh meat for dinner tomorrow night...
Or leftovers!
"Do you want to come watch the moose?"
Sure enough, Mother and Baby Moose were feasting on the black current berry bush - stripping the leaves right and left. The baby is so small. She wondered perilously close the the Halloween decorations until a car scared her/him back toward Momma. Along the way, the baby nibbled on the broken birch limb which had fallen to just the perfect baby moose nibbling height - about 6 feet from the window we were watching from.
Squirt just does NOT understand why those giant dogs get free run of the yard when he has to stay inside and be quiet!!
They left about 11:00 and the pumpkins had so far survived...
However, a second, lone moose (based on telltale tracks) stopped off at the Trosper Buffet later that night for a pumpkin snack. There are only a few seeds and a small piece of rind left. This turned out to be record eating time for pumpkins. They lasted 4 days this year. Hope he enjoyed it! (Time to go buy more this weekend!)
BTW - we have had 13.1 inches of snow this year. The average for October is 10 inches. I am predicting an above average winter!
Robert is off grouse hunting tomorrow. We may have fresh meat for dinner tomorrow night...
Or leftovers!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Starting on the Winter Wonderland
We are on our third snowfall this week. Luckily, the last 2 have melted away. This one is covering all things green and leaving all things black (roads) wet. This means tomorrow's drive to work will be fun!
It has been snowing since I got up this morning. The pumpkins are covered and Robert did have to shovel the deck. Luckily, we were energized yesterday and cleared out a lot of the dead plants, the raspberry canes, downed tree limbs and put up the patio furniture. Much easier when not covered in ice and snow!! You might say perfect timing!
BTW - here is a picture of the neighbor's tree. One example of damage all over town. The tree is firewood now.
It has been snowing since I got up this morning. The pumpkins are covered and Robert did have to shovel the deck. Luckily, we were energized yesterday and cleared out a lot of the dead plants, the raspberry canes, downed tree limbs and put up the patio furniture. Much easier when not covered in ice and snow!! You might say perfect timing!
BTW - here is a picture of the neighbor's tree. One example of damage all over town. The tree is firewood now.
Friday, October 10, 2008
The winds are here!
They teased the hillside with a few gusts during the night but arrived with a vengeance at 5:40 am this morning and at 5:45 the was a bang and then no power. It was blowing SO hard I just prayed the windows didn't come out of the frames. I have no idea yet what speed the gusts were roaring through but I would guess 80-85 mph.
Squirt and I got up when the power went off because something was banging against the house and Squirt, a.k.a Guard Dog Supreme when Robert is out of town, was barking like crazy. Once downstairs, I couldn't see the grill anymore from the back door. Sure enough, it was close to going over the side of the deck. SO, I made Squirt stay inside because I wasn't sure he would stay on the ground and I went out (did I mention it was pouring rain?) and moved the grill to a more sheltered part of the deck...or so I thought...while being attacked by a raspberry cane that came loose from the pile I cut down last weekend. I also moved the patio chairs up against the house to minimize their potential to bang the house.
Once done on the back porch, we could still hear the thudding and I went out the front door and one of the hanging baskets was just about to fly off, twirling so hard it was hitting the porch column. Once that was down the banging miraculously stopped. I checked the grill one more time and the cover was gone. GREAT - ran outside to find the cover and secured it until the storm was over. (For some reason it was till on the porch.)
We lit some candles, found the camping light and sat in the living room waiting for power to return. Got really hungry and fixed breakfast by camp lantern. (It took me a minute to realize the electric start on the gas stove wouldn't work. I blame lack of coffee.) Power returned promptly at 9:00am which is about the time it is getting good and light here and I noticed the neighbors had a tree fall across their fence and on to the top of another house. First time that's happened in our neighborhood. In fact I saw four trees down this morning and while I'm not entirely sure, I think every little stick in the metro area ended up on our porch.
Now to start the clean-up. I went outside and moved the rest of the flower pots to a sheltered place, rounded up the rest of the raspberry canes and noticed the wind had knocked the cover off of the main junction box to our house. While this happens periodically, it can't be good to have your two main breakers exposed to the pouring rain. SO I stomped through the bushes and put it back on in the process turning one of them off. Didn't know it until I was back inside. This calls for something to help hold the panel in place...I've got just the ticket - an Allen wrench. I just needed something to brace it in place. Looked like it would work. It did until Squirt and I were off to get some gas and groceries and the darn thing came off again in a gust and turning the power to the house off.
Me - ever the patient person, it is now covered in the end all, be all, fix all, can't live without it duct tape.
Robert will not be happy...maybe I shouldn't tell him until he has recovered from his flight home today. This does however go to show you nothing has changed. He goes overseas and something breaks at the house. Thank goodness I have a good supply of tape!!!
On a brighter note...I put our fall decorations out today. Two nice pumpkins on the front porch!
Squirt and I got up when the power went off because something was banging against the house and Squirt, a.k.a Guard Dog Supreme when Robert is out of town, was barking like crazy. Once downstairs, I couldn't see the grill anymore from the back door. Sure enough, it was close to going over the side of the deck. SO, I made Squirt stay inside because I wasn't sure he would stay on the ground and I went out (did I mention it was pouring rain?) and moved the grill to a more sheltered part of the deck...or so I thought...while being attacked by a raspberry cane that came loose from the pile I cut down last weekend. I also moved the patio chairs up against the house to minimize their potential to bang the house.
Once done on the back porch, we could still hear the thudding and I went out the front door and one of the hanging baskets was just about to fly off, twirling so hard it was hitting the porch column. Once that was down the banging miraculously stopped. I checked the grill one more time and the cover was gone. GREAT - ran outside to find the cover and secured it until the storm was over. (For some reason it was till on the porch.)
We lit some candles, found the camping light and sat in the living room waiting for power to return. Got really hungry and fixed breakfast by camp lantern. (It took me a minute to realize the electric start on the gas stove wouldn't work. I blame lack of coffee.) Power returned promptly at 9:00am which is about the time it is getting good and light here and I noticed the neighbors had a tree fall across their fence and on to the top of another house. First time that's happened in our neighborhood. In fact I saw four trees down this morning and while I'm not entirely sure, I think every little stick in the metro area ended up on our porch.
Now to start the clean-up. I went outside and moved the rest of the flower pots to a sheltered place, rounded up the rest of the raspberry canes and noticed the wind had knocked the cover off of the main junction box to our house. While this happens periodically, it can't be good to have your two main breakers exposed to the pouring rain. SO I stomped through the bushes and put it back on in the process turning one of them off. Didn't know it until I was back inside. This calls for something to help hold the panel in place...I've got just the ticket - an Allen wrench. I just needed something to brace it in place. Looked like it would work. It did until Squirt and I were off to get some gas and groceries and the darn thing came off again in a gust and turning the power to the house off.
Me - ever the patient person, it is now covered in the end all, be all, fix all, can't live without it duct tape.
Robert will not be happy...maybe I shouldn't tell him until he has recovered from his flight home today. This does however go to show you nothing has changed. He goes overseas and something breaks at the house. Thank goodness I have a good supply of tape!!!
On a brighter note...I put our fall decorations out today. Two nice pumpkins on the front porch!
Sunday, October 05, 2008
PS - I forgot to mention
My new, favorite, Alaskan, bumper sticker...
"Save a Moose - Send Sarah to Washington"
"Save a Moose - Send Sarah to Washington"
Signs of Winter
OK - I missed the snow estimate. Weather (up to Friday) was absolutely beautiful...we had 6 (count them SIX) days of sunshine in a row. That was the first time since February. Then Saturday morning, when taking Squirt out, I almost broke something by slipping down the deck stairs. The forecast was for SNOW - not ICE. By Saturday afternoon, it was gone. Good thing we got to 35 degrees!
So what are the 10 "sings of winter" for the Trospers...
10. Studded tires are on the SUV
9. I bought a new fall coat (on sale of course!)
8. The snow thrower has oil and gas - ready to run
7. I was instructed on snow thrower use - again
6. Robert scored a business trip somewhere warm and exotic (relates to #7)
5. Squirt's 2008-2009 dog bootie order came in (they had PURPLE this year!!!)
4. Most of our Christmas shopping is done (just have to wrap and ship!)
3. I bought a new winter coat (on sale of course!)
2. I cut out this year's raspberry canes (oof - that was a chore)
And the #1 sign...
According to the tracks in the frozen grass and nugget piles, we had a mother and baby moose in the yard over night. (Of course I missed them.)
Yes, the moose are coming back down from the hills to the city. I can't wait to see how big the baby is. From the tracks, I couldn't tell if there were 1 or 2 babies. Last spring she had twins. I hope they both made it.
Our apple crop was pathetic this year. We only had about 20 and they were the size of golf balls on steroids. No applesauce over the winter for us! I decided yesterday to toss them back in the yard for compost.
I also made the last trip to the farmer's market Saturday for a little combat vegetable shopping. I splurged and came away with 28 lbs of potatoes (Rose gold, peanut and reds) for a mere $31 and what ended up being a gallon of Brussels sprouts for Robert for $18. (How I miss L48 prices!)
So what are the 10 "sings of winter" for the Trospers...
10. Studded tires are on the SUV
9. I bought a new fall coat (on sale of course!)
8. The snow thrower has oil and gas - ready to run
7. I was instructed on snow thrower use - again
6. Robert scored a business trip somewhere warm and exotic (relates to #7)
5. Squirt's 2008-2009 dog bootie order came in (they had PURPLE this year!!!)
4. Most of our Christmas shopping is done (just have to wrap and ship!)
3. I bought a new winter coat (on sale of course!)
2. I cut out this year's raspberry canes (oof - that was a chore)
And the #1 sign...
According to the tracks in the frozen grass and nugget piles, we had a mother and baby moose in the yard over night. (Of course I missed them.)
Yes, the moose are coming back down from the hills to the city. I can't wait to see how big the baby is. From the tracks, I couldn't tell if there were 1 or 2 babies. Last spring she had twins. I hope they both made it.
Our apple crop was pathetic this year. We only had about 20 and they were the size of golf balls on steroids. No applesauce over the winter for us! I decided yesterday to toss them back in the yard for compost.
I also made the last trip to the farmer's market Saturday for a little combat vegetable shopping. I splurged and came away with 28 lbs of potatoes (Rose gold, peanut and reds) for a mere $31 and what ended up being a gallon of Brussels sprouts for Robert for $18. (How I miss L48 prices!)
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