Done with this semester...

I'm finished with the fall semester at UAA and am happy to announce that I got a 4.0! I am so relieved about that since the only class I thought I might have a "B" in was Senior Seminar, which was also the one class I needed an "A" in to graduate with Honors in history through PHI ALPHA THETA, the history honor society. So I breathed one big sigh of relief and am now on my first day off from work post-school. I've been skiing a bunch this past week, and would go today except it is ridiculously windy and we need to wax our skis, which we will do this evening.
I've spent the entire day cleaning my house. Not just cleaning I guess, but also going through stuff and getting rid of stuff. I cleaned the bathroom, the kitchen, our bedroom, washed all our bedding, towels and clothes, and cleaned up our living room and put everything back in its place. Then I went through our second bedroom and threw away/got rid of about three garbage bags full of stuff. Another huge sigh of relief, since we will be moving sometime next year and need to start weeding stuff out that we don't want to move. I've also been baking cookies like crazy, and can't wait to bake even more for those who are flying in to appreciate.
Here's a few pictures of everything I've been up to:

Molasses Cookie baking...

Moose family that has been hanging out in my parents neighborhood

Skiing at Russian Jack Park with Steven

Beautiful!

Me (and Steve) at Hiltop

The little shortcut we took at Hiltop...

It's a winter wonderland here! Hope everyone else is having a fabulous winter and a happy holiday season

It's that time of year!

I am taking a break from my studying/paper writing frenzy to post on my blog.  I put the first few presents under the tree today.  I'm so excited for school to be over so I can enjoy my favorite time of year a little more.  Here are a few fun pictures of my pathetic little tree...I think when I am done with school work I will make a little tree skirt to cover the dinky plastic tree stand.

Our little tree :)

 The reason we don't have a real tree...do you see her?

 Such a silly kitty :)

Thanksgiving!

So I didn't get to say what I was thankful for everyday.  But I had a great week and am thankful for so much!  My husband, my family, my little dog, and God for giving me such a beautiful life.  It snowed here over the Thanksgiving weekend and I am also extremely thankful for that.  Now it's crunch time for me in regards to school; I only have about 10 days to finish all my assignments and tests, so wish me luck!

The delicious feast my sister and law and I made, with Steve and his dad and stepmom...

The most adorable little niece ever...

today, it's baking...

Today I am thankful for baking. There is just something about it that is so cozy. I baked and cooked all afternoon and evening with my sister-in-law and it felt so good to share the kitchen and make delicious smelling and looking foods. I can't wait to actually eat everything tomorrow! I hope that everyone has a great Thanksgiving and remembers to give thanks for everything, not just the obvious!

Thanksgiving Week

Since it is the week that we as Americans traditionally set aside one day to give thanks, I have decided to post everyday with something I am thankful for.

Today, I am thankful for the church family I grew up in and all the times throughout my life they have been there for me. I am also thankful for my close-knit family and great family lunches like the one I enjoyed today. I could keep going on and on about all I'm thankful for! One last thing I'm thankful for is the end of the semester being right around the corner. And the privilege of being able to get a good education.

Hope everyone is thinking about what you're thankful for this week too!

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November, November...

So its November already.  I can't believe it!  This "winter" has just flown by so far and I feel like it's going to be summer before I know it.  I have been a busy girl; this semesters work load is just about killing me.  Today I'm working on a paper that is due tomorrow as well as trying to finish my senior thesis presentation powerpoint presentation.  That's actually going well, it is the paper writing that's eluding me.  And by eluding me, I mean I haven't even started it!  But I'm sure I will get it done at some point today.

I got my Christmas cards in the mail today, and I need to address them and get them ready to send out.  I am so happy with how they turned out, but no spoiler on this blog.  I'll post a picture of them on Christmas Day for all my bloggy friends who don't get one.  They are magnetic photo cards and I ordered them from Crinklednose.com, an amazing site with lots of great options for photo gifts.  I hope all of you are busy getting yours done and putting my name on your list of people to send them to! :)

I have actually already been skiing more this winter than I did during the entire winter last year.  Which is really sad, since I've only been skiing three times.  But that's actually pretty good for this season, since there has only been about 6 inches of snow so far.  I am dying for more snow, but so far nothing.  Hopefully it'll dump during the month of December and I can ski everyday of my Christmas break.

Hilltop ski area about two weeks ago, before we got the snow in town...such a beautiful day!

I'm a pretty aggressive skier, hahahaha...

Couldn't get over what a beautiful morning it was...

Skis!

After we got snow in town, I headed to Kincaid Park...this weekend was the best snow ever!

Sisters skiing!

Last ski before the big thaw/freeze cycle that messed up the snow...Ms. Moose didn't want me to get to the top of Elliot's Climb....

All in all it has been a great, though extremely busy, couple of weeks.  Now I have to go finish my work and figure out what projects are upcoming.  I only have three weeks of school left, but I've got at least 5 papers to finish and a few midterms to complete.  Wish me luck!

Rain, rain, go away!!!!

Ok normally I love the rain. But not when it should be snowing and I should be skiing! So this rain today, which could be snow if it was only 15 degrees colder, is really making me crazy! Working everyday around beautiful skis doesn't help. boo. Plus I got some wonderful new ski boots last week for classic skiing, and I want to use them! Also, this 40 degree business makes it hard to dress properly. I'm always chilly, but not enough to need my warmest jacket. :( Just snow already! But it is Alaska, so what should I expect. Ah....back to research.

birthday fun

Saturday was my 24th birthday.  It was a great weekend of birthday fun.  Friday I went to Mamma Mia with my sister and my mom.  It was hilarious!  I wish I could have gone again with Steve...he would have died.  We got great seats - five rows from the front, thanks to house manager Bob.  I hung out with my nephews earlier that day when my sis went to get their babysitter.

Corbin - my "peanut butter jelly" 

 Me and Noah, my little snuggle worm

My gift from Kelsey, adorable! 

Watching Bugs Life with the boys... 

Saturday we got up early since we had lots to get done.  I did research all morning, until about 11am.  Then we headed out into the yard to do fall clean up.

 Me and Annabelle, enjoying the last bit of sun before winter hits

 She's a climber!

 We love raking!  not.

"Whitney" birthday party.  Me and my friend Whitney, who turned 24 Sunday (hers was golden)

What a great weekend.  Now Steve's off to work and I'm back to school, work, and research...

October 11, 2010

Outside my window.... rain is drizzling from the low, gray clouds, soaking the heaps of leaves that litter the ground. There are about three leaves left per tree, and there is snow falling on the mountains.

I am thinking... about all of the homework I have to do. And about whether or not I should get a 29er (bike) or a fat bike...decisions, decisions...

I am thankful for... cozy clothes, new wool yarn to knit into something special and warm, plenty of food to eat, and the wonderful fall weather.

From the learning rooms... way too much homework. It's midterms this week, and I have a two-part test to study for, a 30 page senior thesis paper to get some serious writing done for, ect, ect, ect the list goes on way too long.

I am wearing... black yoga pants, black t-shirt, black Patagonia zip neck thermal and woolly REI socks.

I am remembering... how good it felt to just have work, without any school stuff.

I am going... to UAA later this evening. For now, I'm staying here and cleaning house, doing laundry and working on homework.

I am creating... lots and lots of historical research. The words on this blog. My dreams for the future.

I am reading... knitting patterns, Gold Rush Women, Co. Aytch, Son of the Revolution, and Skyscrapers Hide the Heavens.

I am hoping... to get through this semester gracefully, for next semester to go by quick, and to have a wonderful holiday season.

I am hearing... Beau growling quietly at something outside and Billie Holiday Radio on Pandora.

On my mind... way too much.

From the Kitchen... not enough.

One of my favorite things... winter. snow. Christmas. holidays. everything!

A few plans for the weekend... house sitting for my parents, relaxing, homework, knitting, baking.

Hello, October!

Hello there.  I'm supposed to be working on my take-home exam for History 478 The Era of the Civil War, 1850-1870.  But I haven't blogged in a week! So of course blogging is my priority, even though the test is due tomorrow by midnight and I have work from 6am - 1:30pm, then two classes from 2:30-5:15pm tomorrow.  I'll get that done eventually...

I love October.  It is really the start of winter in Alaska, at least in my opinion.  Also, it is my birthday month.  And I just love it.  This October I'm pretty slammed, what with work and school, but I'm going to try and spend as much time out in the crisp, cool air as I can.  I biked to work Monday, but haven't had the time since then.  Plus it's dark now at 6:00am, so I need to get my lighting rigged up on my bike and helmet.  Once that's done, I'm ready to roll.

It's been weird without Pepper around (Pepper was our 80 lbs labradoodle that we had to put down three weeks ago).  She really loved this time of year.  It's been really hard for Steve and I to adjust to life without her.  I got her the summer before my freshman year in high school, and from then on we were inseparable.  And with her and Steve, it was love at first sight.  The morning we put her down was probably the worst in both our lives yet, and we really miss her.  I thought I'd post some of my favorite pictures of her, to try and convey what a great personality and spirit she had...

This is us in Girdwood in October, 2006.  Like I said, she loved this time of year...

Her and Beau loved each other, it's been hard for him too since she's been gone.  We came home from work one day to find them snuggling like this, so cute!

This was just a few months ago, already a year into her illness. She LOVED bones and thought she was clever stealing the entire bag in addition to the other three she had already swiped...

Skiing with her this past winter.  She loved it!

Steve and his girl in Homer, 2005

We miss her dearly but know that it was for the best.  Pets influence and enhance our lives in so many ways, and I hope you all appreciate the time you get with yours.  We sure didn't do that enough during the time she was with us :(