Cure for the common case of Cabin Fever

It better not snow much more this season...

The tramp is officially  up for business.

Because we're nerds like that, part duex

So, I realized after my last "nerdy" post that Scott and I watch a LOT of "nerdy" shows(aka documentaries). 

This is something the wonderful world of instant Netlfix has opened to us. 

So, I thought I'd share with you a few of our recent viewings. 

You may be interested...shhhh, I won't tell anyone! 

First up is this:

This movie was made about 20 years ago.

There are few crazy people who have chosen to live life "off the land" out hundreds of miles from another human. They have families, and frostbite, salmon and caribou as their staple nutrition.

There is a teeny tiny part of me that admires this lifestyle and even craves it. 

But, remember, I said "teeny tiny".   

 Second up is this documentary:

I admit, I groaned and whined for a good 15 minutes when Scott turned this on. 

I hate politics. 

Unfortunately, after the first 15 minutes of protesting, I was hooked. 

I am undoubtedly one of those "stupid" people who knows absolutely nothing about politics and government. I don't claim to be anti-or pro-Obama, neither do I like Sarah Palin, but the circus rings the media throws in the name of politics are astounding. If anything else, this documentary planted in my mind the need to research for myself candidates in political races. I don't blame either party for issues, I blame media. 

So, there you have it: 2 Adam's family endorsed "nerdy" documentaries to fill your quiet evenings. 

On a few random notes, 

I taught classes back to back this morning for the first time in several months. I was terrified of passing out or looking like a weak fool getting through my second class, but did fine! Serious confidence booster right there.

&

It's been seriously 2 weeks since I've blown my hair dry and let it down for a day. Today I did,

 and my hair seems super long. :)  Yippee! 

The igloo that almost was...

My husband is ambitious and fun. 

At the beginning of this winter he had a dream. 

That dream was to build an igloo the way the real Eskimos do and spend at least one night in it's warmth. 

He did good. 

He did his research. 

He worked countless, back breaking hours; slicing, and packing, and stacking snow. 

I on the other hand was laaaaammmmmme. 

I wanted nothing to do with cold temperatures, and bundled layers, and snow. 

I did not help. 

He needed help to finish the top...curvature of the cave. 

I did not help.

Poor igloo: 

(I realize this may look like nothing to you, but imagine what it WAS)

The bittersweet end to this story is that the temperatures up here in the arctic have been reaching the

 mid 30's during the day. 

This is HUGE people. 

 It's so sad to see the dream melt away:

But hey, I am NOT complaining about a sliver of an idea that spring is on it's way. 

On other important notes,

Henry has joined in to our family game of BINGO each time we are driving in a car. 

(BINGO is the first person to see a yellow car)

He's a VERY competitive opponent:

For the record.

I just want to put it out there that I'm having extreme emotional issues and/or jealousy pangs as I stalk 

Design Mom and her new life in....

in...

I can't even say it.  

I may need therapy. 

Oh the shame!

Zeus is a fantastic dog. 

We had a two month period where we were not the best of dog owners.

Scott was busy, I was sick, Zeus did not get much attention or love. 

But we've made ammends. 

Scott has been listening to Marley and Me on cd as he commutes to work. 

It's made him a better doggie dad. 

We've discovered that you get out what you put in to a dog. 

As much as we love him, he must still undergo bathes regularly. 

He's is a good boy for the bath, but the shakes he gets after leave for gross water spots on my walls and hair...

Meet Scott's fix:

He walks around so ashamed:

And I say, "Hey, at least you don't have a cone on!"

Because we're nerds like that.

The last week or so Scott and I have been gearing ourselves up to be big Iditarod fans and supporters. 

We watched this show on Netflix:

When Scott first proposed that we watch it I was annoyed and had a bad attitude. 

But after the first episode I was secretly looking forward to the next...then the next and so on. 

We are now big fans of Lance Mackey, Martin Buser, and Dee Dee Jonrowe. 

Today was the "ritual" run through the city while tomorrow the official start of the Iditarod begins north of Anchorage in Willow. 

We arrived in our designated viewing spot early just to make sure we didn't miss our favorites. 

Gracie and Henry were not happy campers. 

But Scott and I are now star struck groupies.

 We were staying to "high-five" those guys no matter what the kiddies said.  

Woot! Martin Buser!

Henry got a "high-five" and Gracie got a handful of doggie booties. 

Next:

THE Lance Mackey:

I had to hurry and take a picture before he got too close, I didn't want to miss watching him slide by. 

Henry is refusing to smile for a picture. 

Stink. 

Gracie perked up after a hot dog. 

And that's about it for our Iditarod quest. 

Now we just sit comfortably in our warm home and watch the stats on t.v. 

Hey Baby, Baby

As we were sitting in Henry and Lydia's bedroom saying our nightly family prayer I was studying one of my favorite pictures hanging on the wall:

And then it hit me. 

I see a remarkable resemblance to this guy:

(or at least this picture)

I may be way off here, but I'm not. 

I seriously saw Pitbull in my son tonight. 

Just added some manhood and look:

Okay, so it's just the buzz and the shades, but go with me on this, okay.

I seriously don't know how to use Paint. Where the heck is the "undo" button? 

As I was trying to fix some hair growing into his lip I had issues, okay?

Yay me!

I just want to throw it out there that I have been pleasantly productive the last few days. 

Today I did :

*laundry

* painted over the gashes in my walls

* cleaned my blinds

* vacuumed 

Yay Me!!

Prednisone has made me feel good. Though as I'm tapering down on dosage I can feel little aches coming back. The fatigue in the evening is returning as well. I've gotta do as much as I can while I feel good!

Plus,

Last night was such a magical experience. 

It only lasted about 3 minutes, and then they were gone. 

But Scott and I watched the northern lights right out our front window. 

I was so sad when they disappeared, I didn't get a picture myself. 

But the picture above is roughly what we saw. 

My time in AK now feels complete. 

(on a certain level)

5 things I can't live without

1. Netflix instant play on our t.v. (through our Wii)

Scott and I use this almost every single night. We've watched all 6 seasons of The Office and loved every minute of it. I love that each episode is only about 20 min. long so it doesn't keep us up all hours of the night and we still get "mini dates" all the time. 

2. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day products in Basil. 

I am obsessed with this stuff. The smell is more perfect than anything. It works amazingly and I don't have to worry about harsh chemicals. 

3. Redmond Bath Salts Plus.

(sorry the picture is fuzzy...not sure how that happened)

This is from a company based in Utah. This is what it says on the back of the packaging:

"Redmond Bath Salt Plus helps restore trace minerals to our mineral deficient bodies. Toxins are released from the body into the bath water through osmosis, while trace minerals from the salt and clay are absorbed through the skin."

I know it sounds crazy, but I'm a believer! When I take a bath in this stuff my aches and pains go away for at least several hours and I feel good. 

 4. My slippers:

Yes, they are dirty. 

They keep my feet warm, but most importantly, they have an inch of cushy padding that is like little pillows for my feet. I'll tell you - it's a lifesaver for my aching feet, especially with my entire house being hard wood. I pretty much wear these 24 hours a day. 

 5. This man:

The kids are great too, but my hubby continues to amaze me. 

He is my calm. He is my rock. He is my cheerleader. He is my relief. 

I keep expecting him to have a break down and get mad at me when I'm so lazy and say I can't take care of the kids and/or clean up. 

He doesn't.

He won't. 

Lately, I haven't been the girl he married, but he still sees me that way.

I KNOW that we were destined to be together from before we were even born. I just don't know what I ever did to deserve such a partner in life.   

home cooked donuts

Scott discovered this magical trick in a recipe book I have. 

At first I was so glad that he figured this out. 

Now, I'm not so sure. 

(grease and sugar hangover)

But I'm sharing the love. Try this, you'll LOVE it! 

*First, you take a package of Pillsbury Grands biscuts. 

*Separate the biscuts and cut the center out with a paring knife. 

*Warm about 2 cups of canola oil in wide pan. 

*fry biscuts:

It only takes about 45 seconds on each side. 

Make sure you get them nice and brown, almost burnt. 

You don't want any raw dough in the center of these babies. 

*Next, fry the donut centers too!

* Prepare a simple frosting/glaze with soft butter, milk, and powdered sugar. 

(I like to add cinnamon...oh yeah!)

*Dip donuts in frosting:

 Like so:

My kids like to frost their own. 

 *Enjoy!

Today

We watched WAY too much t.v. 

But you know what?

I didn't even care because we all did it together. 

Perspective

I've been avoiding blogging the last few days because I feel like a downer. 

All I want to do is complain. 

And no body wants to come back and read a blog thats all about complaining. 

I'm trying to have a good perspective on my life. In 10 years, this will all seem but just a moment. 

I will eventually have some control and management over my disease and be able to live a normal life. 

Until then, I'm just trying to be patient, I suppose. 

Like this picture:

It was taken from my window as I was leaving the arctic for sunny CA. 

All the millions of bodies down on that earth living their lives, unaware of the amazing, beautiful place they are living in. My life is beautiful. I'm so grateful, trying to be so grateful for each moment I have. 

Trying to soak in the special moments each day. 

Like when my Henry presses my cheeks together with his chubby hands and says, "I cereal. I hungreen."

Like when my Lydia combs her fingers through my hair and says, "I just love your beautiful hair mom."

Like when my Gracie walks out of the bedroom with a big smile on her face because she has just successfully changed Henry's diaper. 

Like when my husband lets me read a book for hours on the couch and makes a romantic dinner with his little helpers:

Scott made my favorite tomato and pesto soup. 

It's my favorite because it's so amazingly delicious, and for sentimental reasons; it reminds me of my dear friends the Penn's, who shared this recipe with us, and our great times while at law school in VA. 

Since I missed the opportunity on Monday, let me just tell you all how much I LOVE you!! 

My web-linked blogging family sprawled throughout the world. 

Mwuah!!