Hello,
It's been a while since I posted anything... probably because I'm not in Alaska anymore. I'll have to figure out if I can change the name of the blog. :P
Anyway, I've been back in California for 5 months. I am currently living in Elk Grove and working in Folsom. It's a long commute. I am also taking kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes twice a week. Awesome!!! I love it!
At the moment, I am house-hunting. I was preapproved for a home loan so now I'm shopping. Yay! It's been interesting. There aren't a whole lot of small houses out there. And I don't want a condo. I want my own backyard for the dogs. I'll try to keep you updated on this adventure.
The other thing that I am doing is volunteering at the Sacramento SPCA. I do Small Animal socialization. Basically, I hang out with the bunnies, guinea pigs, rats, and whatever other small animals are there. Right now there are 9 rabbits, 6 rats, and a lone guinea pig. It's very relaxing to hang out and let the bunnies run around and stretch their legs. I'll be at the SPCA Mobile Adoption on Saturday, January 28th at the PetSmart on Laguna Blvd. Please come visit if you have a chance.
That's all for now.
Take care,
Sandra
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Monday, January 17, 2011
Burr!
Hello,
So after the super warm New Years weekend, the temperature has dropped and is now in the single digits. It was a high of 2 degrees today. -10 on my way into work this morning. Rumors have it that it will be in the 20s by Thursday and everyone I know is excited that it's supposed to warm up! There is another rumor that snow is coming too and I hope it is. The thaw a couple weeks ago left everything icy and dirty from all the sanding. Snow will make it safer to walk and much prettier.
Shelley (a co-worker and friend) is starting to worry that I won't survive the winter. I've fallen four times since the first snow fall. Of course, the first two times were in the same spot, same night. Not sure if those should even count as two or just one due to the learning curve. The third time I was excited and not paying attention. So the fourth time was me not taking small enough baby steps. It's not pleasant to walk slowly and take baby steps when you are carrying something heavy. Thankfully, I haven't broken and thing and the worst injuries were a couple bruises and massive embarrassment.
I have figured out that the darkness does not bother me. It's dark when I go into work and dark when I leave. So I don't really notice the lack of light. I just have to look at the clock to see if it's time to go to bed... and I do that in the summer too. The cold is getting to me. I can understand the need/want to hibernate. Not getting out of bed for a couple months would be dandy! Bundling up to take out the trash is really no fun. Neither is having snot freeze inside your nose. It's a unique feeling that I don't enjoy.
Nothing else to report at the moment. Just staying inside as much as possible. I'll post some general pics of my "children" and me.
Take care,
Sandra
So after the super warm New Years weekend, the temperature has dropped and is now in the single digits. It was a high of 2 degrees today. -10 on my way into work this morning. Rumors have it that it will be in the 20s by Thursday and everyone I know is excited that it's supposed to warm up! There is another rumor that snow is coming too and I hope it is. The thaw a couple weeks ago left everything icy and dirty from all the sanding. Snow will make it safer to walk and much prettier.
Shelley (a co-worker and friend) is starting to worry that I won't survive the winter. I've fallen four times since the first snow fall. Of course, the first two times were in the same spot, same night. Not sure if those should even count as two or just one due to the learning curve. The third time I was excited and not paying attention. So the fourth time was me not taking small enough baby steps. It's not pleasant to walk slowly and take baby steps when you are carrying something heavy. Thankfully, I haven't broken and thing and the worst injuries were a couple bruises and massive embarrassment.
I have figured out that the darkness does not bother me. It's dark when I go into work and dark when I leave. So I don't really notice the lack of light. I just have to look at the clock to see if it's time to go to bed... and I do that in the summer too. The cold is getting to me. I can understand the need/want to hibernate. Not getting out of bed for a couple months would be dandy! Bundling up to take out the trash is really no fun. Neither is having snot freeze inside your nose. It's a unique feeling that I don't enjoy.
Nothing else to report at the moment. Just staying inside as much as possible. I'll post some general pics of my "children" and me.
Take care,
Sandra
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year's and Weather
So everyone else on the planet has entered into 2011 except this part of Alaska. Then again, maybe Hawaii is behind us. I can't remember. Anyway, we have about an hour to go and I would be in bed given the choice. However, the war outside is going to keep me awake. The Municipality of Anchorage has allowed fireworks this year. And I don't mean the little ground-bound fireworks that are legal in some cities in California. Here they let people buy the big fireworks that explode in the air. So since 8PM it has sounded like war outside... without the screaming, shaking buildings, and (hopefully) people dying.
The weather today was warm. It was 37 degrees, so the snow melted leaving slush and exposed ice underneath. The forecast calls for highs in the 30s all this week. Claims we'll get snow too, but if it's over 32, we'll get rain. Maybe the ice will mostly melt before I have to drive to work on Monday.
Have a Fabulous 2011!!
Take care,
Sandra
The weather today was warm. It was 37 degrees, so the snow melted leaving slush and exposed ice underneath. The forecast calls for highs in the 30s all this week. Claims we'll get snow too, but if it's over 32, we'll get rain. Maybe the ice will mostly melt before I have to drive to work on Monday.
Have a Fabulous 2011!!
Take care,
Sandra
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Winter in Anchorage - Dec 8, 2010
Hello!
It's been too long since I've posted. I apologize. Work is still crazy. Our motto seems to be "It'll get better".
The first snow was just after Halloween. We have a foot or so now. Just enough for everything to be covered. Snow is infinitely better than ice. We all cringe when the temp gets to 32 degrees or warmer. It happens rarely, thankfully, because when it does the snow melts and freezes when the temp drops again. That gives us a bunch of ice. You can drive on snow. Driving on ice is next to impossible.
Someone needs to write a guide for Alaska transplants. Things I've learned (either thru advice or personal experience): ~Baby steps will get you over slick pavement in most any shoe. ~When driving in snowy conditions you are pretty much guaranteed to slide. Give plenty of following space for braking. Turn the wheel the direction you want to go when sliding. ~Don't let your gas tank get below one-fourth to one-half of a tank. If there is any water in it, it will freeze and that is bad. ~Keep Kleenex on you at all times. Something will run as you move from warm to cold to warm again. ~Hold onto you car with two hands and one foot firmly planted while moving you other foot into you car. Falling is embarrassing. Falling and sliding under you car is worse. ~Carry a small can of de-icer with you in case your car door freezes closed. ~Scarves work as ear warmers and face coverings if needed. ~What they call "sanding" up here is really "gravelling" and you will eventually need a new windshield. ~Not all bears hibernate. And the awake ones tend to be grumpy. ~Static Guard spray isn't the best smelling, but is a necessity. ~Lotion is also a necessity. ~Have one really good, warm, dry pair of snow boots. ~It's only cold if you don't dress for it. ~Walk (the dog if you have one) everyday. It will make you feel better.
I'm sure there are more. That's all I can think of right now. I do have to say that I'm much more in the Christmas spirit this year than last. Being so far from friends and family I have to plan ahead to account for shipping time. Plus decorating and doing holiday things knowing family and friends are doing the same things just a ways away gives me comfort. I'm not flying home for Christmas and I actually have a couple invites for Christmas up here. Not sure if I'll accept any of them. On Christmas Eve I am going to a friend's house. I found a cranberry turkey crock-pot recipe that I'm making. She's making dessert and we are going to sit around eating and watching movies for the day.
Take care!
Sandra
It's been too long since I've posted. I apologize. Work is still crazy. Our motto seems to be "It'll get better".
The first snow was just after Halloween. We have a foot or so now. Just enough for everything to be covered. Snow is infinitely better than ice. We all cringe when the temp gets to 32 degrees or warmer. It happens rarely, thankfully, because when it does the snow melts and freezes when the temp drops again. That gives us a bunch of ice. You can drive on snow. Driving on ice is next to impossible.
Someone needs to write a guide for Alaska transplants. Things I've learned (either thru advice or personal experience): ~Baby steps will get you over slick pavement in most any shoe. ~When driving in snowy conditions you are pretty much guaranteed to slide. Give plenty of following space for braking. Turn the wheel the direction you want to go when sliding. ~Don't let your gas tank get below one-fourth to one-half of a tank. If there is any water in it, it will freeze and that is bad. ~Keep Kleenex on you at all times. Something will run as you move from warm to cold to warm again. ~Hold onto you car with two hands and one foot firmly planted while moving you other foot into you car. Falling is embarrassing. Falling and sliding under you car is worse. ~Carry a small can of de-icer with you in case your car door freezes closed. ~Scarves work as ear warmers and face coverings if needed. ~What they call "sanding" up here is really "gravelling" and you will eventually need a new windshield. ~Not all bears hibernate. And the awake ones tend to be grumpy. ~Static Guard spray isn't the best smelling, but is a necessity. ~Lotion is also a necessity. ~Have one really good, warm, dry pair of snow boots. ~It's only cold if you don't dress for it. ~Walk (the dog if you have one) everyday. It will make you feel better.
I'm sure there are more. That's all I can think of right now. I do have to say that I'm much more in the Christmas spirit this year than last. Being so far from friends and family I have to plan ahead to account for shipping time. Plus decorating and doing holiday things knowing family and friends are doing the same things just a ways away gives me comfort. I'm not flying home for Christmas and I actually have a couple invites for Christmas up here. Not sure if I'll accept any of them. On Christmas Eve I am going to a friend's house. I found a cranberry turkey crock-pot recipe that I'm making. She's making dessert and we are going to sit around eating and watching movies for the day.
Take care!
Sandra
Saturday, July 31, 2010
In the News
Hello!
I finally subscribed to the local newspaper, Anchorage Daily News, for weekend delivery. It's a very small paper compared to the Sacramento Bee. But I won't hold that against it.
It was very interesting that the first day I receive the paper the project I am working on is on the front page. TransCanada and ExxonMobil have requested bids for buyers/transporters of natural gas. There were several bidders which is very good news for the project. I think I've posted this before, but if you are interested in the project, the website is www.thealaskapipelineproject.com. Alaska residents are very interested in the project, because of the money it will potentially bring in.
Speaking of money, that brings me to the next topic. The other interesting article in today's paper (also front page) was about the PFD. I've heard this acronym several times and thankfully the paper explained: Permanent Fund Dividend. This is the yearly dividend that Alaska residents receive from the investments in oil the state made... basically from the Other Pipeline. This year it will be between $1,250 and $1,320. Nice! Of course, I have to apply to receive this dividend and I can't do that until I have lived here for a year... so maybe next year depending on the application deadline.
In other news, I have sold out and allowed advertisements on the sidebar and underneath my blog. I'm not entirely sure how this process works, but do not feel obligated to click on the ads unless you are truly interested.
That's all of the interesting things I have to say. Work has picked up and I'm in the office 60+ hours a week now. Makes for a nice paycheck and for a lousy allowance of free time to explore the area. :-P I'll try to keep everyone entertained anyway.
Take care!
I finally subscribed to the local newspaper, Anchorage Daily News, for weekend delivery. It's a very small paper compared to the Sacramento Bee. But I won't hold that against it.
It was very interesting that the first day I receive the paper the project I am working on is on the front page. TransCanada and ExxonMobil have requested bids for buyers/transporters of natural gas. There were several bidders which is very good news for the project. I think I've posted this before, but if you are interested in the project, the website is www.thealaskapipelineproject.com. Alaska residents are very interested in the project, because of the money it will potentially bring in.
Speaking of money, that brings me to the next topic. The other interesting article in today's paper (also front page) was about the PFD. I've heard this acronym several times and thankfully the paper explained: Permanent Fund Dividend. This is the yearly dividend that Alaska residents receive from the investments in oil the state made... basically from the Other Pipeline. This year it will be between $1,250 and $1,320. Nice! Of course, I have to apply to receive this dividend and I can't do that until I have lived here for a year... so maybe next year depending on the application deadline.
In other news, I have sold out and allowed advertisements on the sidebar and underneath my blog. I'm not entirely sure how this process works, but do not feel obligated to click on the ads unless you are truly interested.
That's all of the interesting things I have to say. Work has picked up and I'm in the office 60+ hours a week now. Makes for a nice paycheck and for a lousy allowance of free time to explore the area. :-P I'll try to keep everyone entertained anyway.
Take care!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)