Driven to distraction...

I love Craig's List. I can always find something I think I need.

Last week was no exception. I've been looking for one of THESE for a long time.

As you can see, it is very popular with my little men!

We also finally set up the fabulous teepee that Aunt Angie sewed for Squirt Boy's birthday. Even Fuzzy Butt loves it. The first night we set it up, she promptly nosed her way in, curled up, and went to sleep.

A cool dude.

Looking out the window, waiting for you to come visit...

Today's Adventures!

This morning, I piled the boys into the Chariot, leashed up Fuzzy Butt, and went walking with our friend Lisa, and their yellow lab puppy, Wrigley, to the local dog park.

Squirt Boy picked raspberries (well above pee level) and snacked on them. Wrigley and Fuzzy ran and ran and ran some more. I hope they can play often!

As we dodged dogs in the baseball field, Gus found something in the grass. I wandered over to investigate. He was holding a slug! No, he didn't eat it. He didn't mind holding it, but didn't really like it sliding along his pants leg. Can't say I blame him.

Around the dog park, numerous heavy machines are moving tons of earth, much to the delight of two small boys. As we played, Lisa said, "The ground's shaking. I think it's an earthquake."

To which I smartly replied, "No, it's just the big machines shaking the ground." Then I stopped, sat down, and felt the ground shake. Wouldn't you know, it was a 4.97! (And I'm sure none of those heavy equipment operators felt a thing.)

Sadly, Squirt Boy also had his first too-close encounter with a yellow jacket, a frightening sting just below his nose. I'm glad to report he's not allergic, and feeling much better!

All in all, it's a gloriously sunny day. So glad to get to play in it!

Happy Birthday, Fuzzy Butt!

Fuzzy Butt is four years old today. Happy Birthday to you! (and to my dear friend Diane, who is a little more than four...)


Here she is, a few weeks ago, in her yeti stage.




Isn't she pretty?

Winter Fun

Winter keeps its grip on us in the great white north. 8 inches of new snow in the past couple of days. The chickadees and redpolls devour their weight in sunflower seeds daily. I still marvel that little birds can survive the winter at all.

As the sunshine pours through my lovely round window and warms outside temps from -20 to +20 during the day, we have ventured back outside.


Some time on the kick sled. They stayed on!


The great black Yeti. Didn’t know we had those up here, did you?




A walk on the wild side.



The road home.

And so it begins.

September 28, 2008 (It's not autumn anymore, no matter what the calendar says!)

Winter fun

Squirt Boy has enjoyed a little kicksledding, stomping through the snow in new snow boots, creating snow bunnies with Papa, and drinking hot cocoa when he comes inside.

When Squirt Boy has cold hands, he runs up to me and asks, "Button?" Meaning my belly button. Meaning he really wants to warm his hands up on my belly. Do I let him? Of course. Does he let me? Not on your life!!

Fuzzy likes the snow, and Peanut slept through much of the excitement. He's not quite sure what to think of the cold little prickles when he's carried outside.

In house news, we now have a working toilet on the MAIN floor! Thank you, Papa! No more running up or downstairs, hoping that everyone will be okay for the few seconds it takes. And to think a year ago, we didn't have ANY functioning toilets and were using a honey bucket. We've come SO far!!

Holiday Knitting, Part II

Following are the previously promised photos of holiday knitting. I worked until the 11th hour....literally 11PM on Christmas eve, but all the gifts and stockings are finished. Fuzzy even got into the holiday knitting spirit this year.


FO: Kureyon Kozy from the Winter 2004 Knitty.com

Yarn: Noro Kureyon, one skein

Needles: Size 7, circular and DPN

This is a project I've wanted to knit for a long time, but haven't had a teapot to dress. Gave it to someone who has dressable teapots. A fun and quick knit. Excellent for last minute gift-giving, or instant gratification knitting.

FO: Children's Neckdown Pullover by Knitting Plain and Simple, Size 6-8

Yarn: Patons Decor in Floral Variegated, 3.5 skeins

Needles: Size 8 and 6, circular and DPN

Made this for my niece Sparkle, who loves pinks and purples. I hear the sleeves are a bit long, but has growing room, which is nice. I love KP&S patterns; VERY LITTLE seaming involved, and straightforward directions.

FO: Teddy Bear from Melanie Falick's Knitting for Baby

Yarn: Plymouth Galway Heather, from stash. It's actually a darker purple. Sorry for the flash burn.

Needles: Size 7, circular and DPN

This was for another niece, Sugar. I got LOTS of seaming, mattress stitch, and embroidery practice on this one! Still, the end result is pretty cute, IMO.

FO: Diamonds in the Rough Argyle Stocking from IP's Christmas Stockings: 18 Holiday Treasures to Knit

Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted in Silver Sliver, Spice, Turkish Olive, Orange You Glad, and Sapphire

Needles: Size 8, straight and DPN

FINALLY!!! This stocking has been five years in the making. I'm pleased with how it turned out, though it is, in fact, GINORMOUS! We might have been able to stuff Squirt Boy in it, with room to spare. (Not that having a huge stocking is a bad thing.) Instead of carrying the orange and blue while knitting, I went back and duplicate stitched the x's in afterward. The modified Jester stocking next to it is Papa's, finished 2 or 3 years ago from the same book.

You would think that all this Christmas knitting would encourage me to take a break, but no! I can't get enough. I started and finished a Toasty Topper for Squirt Boy in the last few days (in Classic Wool Merino by Patons, Denim Marl). I knit a Christmas ornament for Holly Jo. I'm continuing on Squirt Boy's Aran sweater, hoping to finish as much as possible by next week's knitting circle, and bought the yarn for my Tangled Yoke Cardigan. It is Elizabeth Lavold's Silky Wool in a greenish-gray called Woodsmoke. I just ordered some Harmony wood needles from Knitpicks.com, and am SO looking forward to swatching! After all this, I'd love to learn magic loop socks for some pretty sock yarn I've collected, and I might even start on NEXT year's holiday knitting BEFORE Peanut arrives in April. (All bets are off after that...)

Nineteen Months Old!

Squirt Boy is the busiest little body on the planet, it would seem. He waves at everyone, walks/runs everywhere, and climbs or opens or dumps out everything. His vocabulary is growing – a distinctive “NOOOO!” was heard while wrestling Fuzzy for a bone the other day. It’s crazy to think how much of a little boy he’s becoming; from what I hear, time will only go faster when Peanut arrives in April.

Speaking of Squirt and Fuzzy, they were playing together yesterday when I heard her yelp in pain and jump away. Upon further observation, the boy was chasing the dog with his mouth wide open, ready to chomp her! They don’t talk about the BABY biting the DOG in the baby books. MUCH to her credit, Fuzzy did not beat (or is that bite?) the tar out of him. Good girl, Fuzzy Butt.

Squirt Boy loves music. He claps and dances and sometimes sings along. He’s even learning to play instruments, including the harmonica and p-trap. Papa and he are quite the talented pair.

The phone fascinates him. Everything is a phone: TV remotes, the surge protector, the phone itself, the battery charger… To help soothe him while Mama talks on the real phone, his auntie in PA sent him this one:



A budding artist, Squirt Boy sometimes “helps” Mama with her knitting.


He’s also learning the finer points of coloring on PAPER.


He enjoys watching the lights on the tree, and looks forward to updating the advent calendar my mom made for me when I was small. Only 5 more days until Jesus’ birthday…

And the skies danced...

Two nights ago, Squirt Boy's persistent molars woke him in the wee hours. It was actually dark, and after comforting him, I really needed to visit the bushes outside. I didn't want to go by myself, though. A number of grizzly and black bears have been seen repeatedly in our neighborhood over the last week or so, and I didn't feel like meeting one in our woods. Graciously, Papa answered my, "Will you PLEASE come with me?" plea, and it was more than worth it. Not only for personal relief, but because the sky was DANCING!

A shaft of moonlight pierced the darkness, casting shadows across our yard. As I looked up, what I first thought was moonlight took on a bright green hue, and started wiggling and dancing across the sky in beautiful curtains of light. We watched the waves arc across the night sky, and lingered several minutes to watch them wax and wane in intensity. I really do think God made the Northern Lights for those of us who must endure our seven month winter. What a treat!

Squirt Boy is officially on his way to a dancing career, as well. He took his first two steps yesterday afternoon at the Drive In, while lurching after my soda. (No, he didn't get any soda. Yes, he got a big whoop and hug and kiss.)

Some other things he's enjoyed lately:

Berry picking in an alpine meadow. Blueberries, this time. Yes, he picked and ate all he wanted. I'm looking forward to when he can start filling a bucket!


Walking Fuzzy. Notice his intense concentration. "Poodle on!"

Playing in the one mud puddle in our yard last night. He had a grand time finding soggy leaves in the puddle and waving them around. Though we have some fallen leaves (yes, it's fall here, regardless of the calendar), most of those you see are from felled trees for our soon-to-be-completed circular drive. Wahoo!

We'll be moving into the basement this weekend, and getting phone service next week. (A minor miracle here.)

Grandaddy is coming up this weekend to help work on insulation, the deck and the driveway, as well as to pull the tent trailer home again. Thanks so much, Granny and Grandaddy, for letting us borrow it!

We'll Miss You, Dekin.

Fuzzy is sad today, along with the rest of us.

Granny and Grandaddy had to put down their dear poodle yesterday because he had an inoperable tumor in his lungs. He was smart, sweet, and so understanding. He's also the first dog that Fuzzy met and loved to play with. I hope you are playing with your buddy Eli now, sweet boy. You are a special dog, and will be greatly missed.

The Update

The House

We’ve MOVED to (but not quite into) our new place! We are living in Granny and Grandaddy’s pop-up camper while we finish a bathroom in order to move in. We are enjoying dining on the deck in the evenings.


Papa worked hard to provide us a working kitchen this weekend, and hopes to have the REAL stove functional by the end of the week. Have I told you today how wonderful he is?


Look! Running HOT water!



The Visits!

We’ve been blessed with visits from family and friends the past few weeks.

Auntie Paula, Uncle Lee and The Cousins were here for a week in June (along with Granny and Grandaddy).

Blue Lantern finally met Squirt Boy, his one and only cousin so far, and gave Squirt Boy his first underdog.

Super Climber taught Squirt Boy how to climb the stairs. He was fascinated by her walking abilities, too.

Wonder Woman greatly enjoyed the hammock in the yard with her brother, mothering the dogs, coloring pictures and going on walks.

The older kiddos braved frigid Alaska waters and swam in Birch Lake with Grandaddy. They also had a super time playing with our friends Isaac and Abigail, and we of course ate at the Drive In. (More than once. Wahoo!)

Aunt Jessica visited the following week. She also experienced fine Drive In cuisine. She and Squirt Boy had a grand time!

Last weekend, Jim and Nancy from Connecticut stopped by while driving from Prudhoe Bay with Nancy’s brother, who just completed some work up there. Sadly, they didn’t see any critters on the way down, but we are glad they stopped by to see us!


Other Random Things

Thought you might enjoy seeing Fuzzy with her namesake. (I know you’re shocked to learn Fuzzy Butt is not her real name.) The irises grow wild all over town; they’re beautiful!


Miracles DO happen! My beautiful tomato plant drowned in an afternoon thunderstorm several weeks ago. I poured water out of the pot, and sadly watched the perky green leaves shrivel, blacken and fall off. Not being one to bury my dead quickly, the pot sat on the porch with my other plants (which fared a bit better, but not much).

We drove into the yard one evening about a week ago, and I yelled, “Stop the car!” I ran up the stairs, and saw this. I guess it’s not REALLY dead…..yet!


I also promised a picture of Aunt Jessica’s bag. She liked it.


We celebrated the 4th at our town’s little shindig. Papa threw an axe for fun. Squirt Boy waved a flag. (Notice how the flag matches his groovy shorts.) We ate DELICIOUS homemade ice cream. We moved over to our new place. It was sunny and beautiful. No, we didn’t see any fireworks. They don’t do them here until February. It’s not dark enough at night in July.

The following weekend, we went camping with the Ruse and Whitson families at Tangle Lakes. It rained, but we ate S’Mores and enjoyed great company all the same. On the way home, we explored some new territory for future camping excursions.

After camping, Squirt Boy went to a “Look Who’s Turning One!” party along with four other little ones who have birthdays this summer. We had glorious weather and a great time watching all the babies play and eat together.

He especially enjoyed the sandbox. We now have five bags of sand waiting for a new home.

MIA

We really haven't fallen off the planet. Just into the craziness that is moving and packing and organizing and saying, "Wow! I didn't realize we'd brought so much stuff!" Of course, Squirt Boy's arrival doubled or maybe tripled the volume of stuff we already had.

I really DON'T like moving, but have had wonderful help from friends and family, and am feeling pretty good about getting all of our debris out of our rental and over to the glamorous storage that is our shed and blue and black tarps. The house isn't quite ready to move in yet....but will be in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, we will reside in the glorious mansion that is Granny and Grandaddy's tent trailer along with our giant Kelty tent. We're doing this Alaskan style! I'm so thankful that it's summer still, for a few more weeks, at least.

Stay tuned for pictures of Fuzzy Butt with her namesake, fun videos of our time last week with Uncle Lee, Auntie Paula and the Cousins, and perhaps even a photo of Auntie Jessica's gift. (Yes, I have finished it, and it's quite pretty. Good thing it's done, too. She's coming to visit tomorrow.)

Still knitting on my felted clogs. One more sole to knit and attach, and then the bumper, seaming, and ready for felting. I'm playing with the idea of needle felting fun designs on them. Any suggestions?

Randomness

Some friends from Anchorage came to visit this weekend. Thank you, Stan, Karen, Heidi, Eric and Erik for coming to see us way up here! Thank you as well for your help with the house. Karen and Heidi stapled in bird screen in the rafters, Stan and Erik helped Papa install the front deck, and Eric manned the burn barrel. Wahoo!!

Yes, we have a front deck now. Papa worked on the overhang over the deck before it rained, then moved inside to install the duct work for our ventilation system. After the duct work (which is coming along beautifully) comes the water plumbing and electrical stuff (switches, outlets, wiring), THEN we get an inspection and can insulate the walls.

We finally have rain. With our incessant wind and dry weather, it's been pretty dusty and fire-prone here lately. The last couple of days, the earth and plants have soaked in gentle moisture. I miss the 70 degree temps, but we really needed a drink. The sun's peeking through the clouds as I type, so I think Squirt Boy and I will venture out on a walk today. (Yes, we can walk in the rain, too. No, we won't melt. I just didn't want to.)

Fuzzy got left outside in the rain yesterday (by accident). She doesn't love rain. Rather the opposite. I let her out to go potty, knowing she'd be right back, and got distracted by putting Squirt Boy down for a nap, finishing the pizza crust for dinner (YUM! Caribou italian sausage and mushroom pizza with homemade sauce and herb-wheat crust!), knitting a bit on Jessica's gift.... An hour went by, Squirt Boy woke up, and I realized that Fuzzy hadn't been pestering me to play as she often does while he sleeps. Oops! We had a soggy doggy who looked at me rather reproachfully when she came in.

I don't know if those of you with dogs experience this, but when Fuzzy gets wet, she races maniacally through the house. To get warm? Just because she's psycho? Hmm...

Squirt Boy is pulling himself up, cruising the furniture, and giving us long oratories at meal time, complete with hand gestures to punctuate his points. Still don't know what he's saying, but he's quite sincere and serious about it. I'll try to capture it for your viewing pleasure.

Today is a "catch up" day...on laundry, dishes, email and the like. I'll post updated house pictures soon.

Extreme Makeover - Poodle Edition

Fuzzy Butt is TRULY fuzzy. She is four months overdue for a good grooming.

Some dogs shiver, shake and whine in fear when they go to the groomer. Not Fuzzy. Her tail wags in excitement, and she barely contains her pleasure at seeing Mary, who treats her to a spa day of beauty treatments. Sadly, on this trip to Anchorage, Mary was on vacation. However, Fuzzy still enjoyed her day at the salon. Isn't she beautiful? It's amazing what a bath and a trim can do for you!

Okay. So Fuzzy did NOT go blonde for the summer. (Thanks, Dekin, for standing in.)

Here she is in all her poodley glory. It's amazing how much weight she "loses" each time she gets a haircut! Her silky coat feels like chenille and she's much more snuggly, now that she's not roasting in her fur coat.

Fishing with Fuzzy

Last week, Fuzzy disappeared for several hours, which she often does in warmer weather. I strapped Squirt Boy on my back and we walked "the loop" while whistling and calling for the dog.

As we neared the end of our walk, a large black wookie flashed across the path. When I called her, she pranced playfully towards me, then took off towards the house. I saw something long hanging from her mouth, and sighed. Another hare leg.

I trudged through slush after Fuzzy, who stayed far enough ahead that I couldn't catch her, but close enough to look back and check on us. As she turned one time, the hare leg in her mouth flashed silver. Yes, snowshoe hare are changing color right now - from white to BROWN, not silver. "A fish?" I voiced incredulously. "Where in the world did you catch a fish?"

Fuzzy was so proud of her catch, she raced to the house, deposited it in a "safe" place, and came back to fetch us. When we finally got there, she had indeed caught a fish. It was about 8 inches long, and had a faintly yellow cast to it. At that moment, it dawned on me that the fish was smoked, and Fuzzy must have stolen it (and how many others?) from our neighbor's smokehouse.

Neighbor, if you are reading this, we are really sorry. Fuzzy is now on a very short leash.

Baby Wrestling

Squirt Boy should be part of the WBWF, World Baby Wrestling Federation. The very second I plop him down to change a diaper, he wriggles, twists, squirms and screeches his way out of my grasp. The baby books don't mention that 'baby wrestling' should be added to your parenting resume! Squirt's smile shows his determination to not be diapered....

Hmm. Can you tell which way he'd rather be?

In other news, our suddenly warm spring weather (the 50s! Wahoo!) has caused our ice-locked world to melt and quickly! Squirt Boy and I slogged through the slushy snowpack yesterday afternoon. The sun shone, I wore a light jacket over both of us, and we were hot. Yay!

As we tromped, Fuzzy flitted through the forest, finding all kinds of tasty tidbits that have thawed. The only downside to our spring landscape is the emergence of carcasses of less than fortunate rodents from their icy entombment. Fuzzy really likes snowshoe hare. And not just chasing the live ones.

While I vainly shooed Fuzzy away from unsavory places, Papa worked hard on our house. He finished framing our bedroom and most of the upstairs bathroom, and finished putting on the roof. Okay, the roof is not quite finished; Papa put on all of the roof he could safely attach without sliding onto the concrete pilings below.


Do you see the white rope across the top of the roof? That is Papa's safety line. He tied himself into a climbing harness and attached himself to the rope while hanging in awkward positions to attach the metal. Next weekend, he'll use a lift to attach the rest, and install the doors and windows. It's amazing how warmer weather helps everyone!