Friday, December 28, 2007

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to Jari and Anita. It was a very cold day 22 years ago when you were married on the Iron Range. You had first planned on a March wedding and then decided
as you were coming to the Range so everyone could meet Jari you may as well get married
at that time. Lots has happened since then. Different jobs. Different rental units. Home
owner. Moved to the new frontier. Children are growing up; nice kids. Blessings too
numerous to count. Thank you for being who you are. dk

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Christmas on the Range

We got the snow over the weekend, so slowed down travel, but everyone was still able to make it...The food is ready....
Laurie and Tristan opening his presents...

Shawn ....
Laurie...

Isa recording what they got and from whom....

Gary...

Jen with her blanket from Anita....

Tristan checking out Grandma's tonsils (or lack thereof)...

Tristan and Grandpa...

We have been dog sitting.... Lucky is with us, while Randy is out of town.

It was so much fun to spend the holiday with some of the family. Waiting to see pictures on how the rest of you spent your holiday!
Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year!

Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas

We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2008!Come on over for pulla....
You're always welcome to our home....
Just a few other pictures:
Shawn and I were able to visit with Amber, Ryan, and Nolan when they were in MN. It was so fun to see them and to meet Nolan.

Here's a wintery scene from our "neck of the woods". We have more snow now thanks to this weekend...

I hope all you have a wonderful Christmas and I can't wait to see pictures posted of how and where you celebrated the season!

Heather

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

You know you're tired when ....

You know you're tired when ....

I ran to the post office today on my way home from work. Made a quick stop at the grocery store. Was thrilled that I could use my Safeway card at Carr's so I didn't have to pay over $7 for 18 eggs. The cashier rang up my items. I slid my debit card and she looked at me and said "your card has been declined". Don't you love those moments??? The thing is ... I know the card is good. So what had I just done? She asked me if I slid my Safeway card instead of the debit card. No, didn't do that. I slid my DRIVERS LICENSE through the machine. Like the state of Arizona is going to pay for my groceries or something. Don't bother trying it ... it doesn't work. I decided that if I couldn't remember to use a debit card instead of a driver's license to pay for food ... it was time for a nap. The nap was great.

Yesterday Tia turned 11 years old. 12 years ago I would have never imagined this day would come. I had a houseful of little people then .. my own and others I "borrowed". Now my baby is 11 years old. Two short years and I'll have yet another teen in the house. Anita Laulainen shares the same birthday (she truned 12) so we had a joint party over at Ray & Brenda's house. It was a lot of fun!


Time to go swap some laundry. For some reason the dryer doesn't keep up with the washing machine. Maybe it's balking at the cold too. I'ts -4 out there right now. Just a tad chilly ... but the wind isn't blowing. Life is good!

Monday, December 17, 2007

More land....

Shawn and I signed a purchase agreement to buy "Julie's" land next door. So, we will have an additional 32 acres attached to ours. She has 30 days to remover her belongings and then we will be closing on the house on or around January 15th. I'm very excited. We will have more pasture land and need to get more goats - Shawn says cattle - or sheep. We may end up putting a new sewer in and building a house of some sort to rent out - We will see. The possibilities will be endless - once we really do own it. The current owner said that she already considers it ours but we have to wait for Julie to move her stuff out.

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Happy Holidays

Just wanted to send a little note to everyone. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday!

This past week, Shawn and I were able to go to the 'cities. I, of course, for a meeting. We were able to meet with Amber, Ryan, and little Nolan. It was so much fun to see them again. Really makes me want to move to Alaska. Wednesday, I had 2 meetings in St. Paul, but Wayne Skoog came to pick up Shawn and they hung out for the day. After the meetings, I went out there to pick him up. If I ever thought of moving back to the 'cities, I'd just have to do that again and reality would convince me that traffic is not fun. Wayne was really nice and had dinner cooking for when I got there. We enjoyed a nice visit with them. Stayed too late and got home too late, but it was fun.

This weekend, we plan to do some Christmas caroling and then a 40th b-day party for Randy. Not sure who all is going to come over for that tomorrow night. Sunday, Shawn and I may head to Brainerd for the Sunday School program there and do some computer things for Isa.

Hope everyone's holiday preparations are going well. All of you are invited to come and spend Christmas day with us, if you would like. The more the merrier, just let me know, so I know how many potatoes to peel.

Heather

Monday, December 10, 2007

Holiday stress management tips

Holiday Stress Tips – Management Tips for the Holiday Season
(www.acqyr.com/Holiday_Stress_Tips)

01: Do what you can
Too much food. Too much to do. Too much everything

‘Tisn’t the season of excess. At least it shouldn’t be. Having too much on your plate (literally and figuratively) will overwhelm.

Be aware of time constraints on yourself and your schedule. Don’t over-book yourself or stretch yourself (or your pants) too thin

02: Set a budget
Too little time. Too little money. Zero patience.

‘Tis the season of giving, but no one said giving had to be expensive. Set a budget and stick to it.

There is no greater gift than giving yourself, your time, and your full effort. What comes from the heart outweighs all else.

03: Creative
Pure imagination

‘Tis the season of imagination. Imagine making your own gifts. It’s not only more personalized and heart felt, but you’ll be de-stressing, too.

Arts and crafts, baking, or card-writing will get your mind off things. Plus you’re avoiding the stressful shopping scene and saving money.

04: Count your blessings.
All is calm. All is bright

‘Tis the season to celebrate. What do you have to celebrate? More than you think.

Concentrate on what you do have, not what you wish you did.

05: Expect the time crunch, not perfection.
Year end projects. Last minute shopping. Time pressures galore

‘Tis the season of the time crunch. With so much expected of you – family, work, social events, and more – it’s just not possible to meet every demand.

Unreasonable expectations will lead to great disappointments. Manage what you can with the time you have. There’s no use in stressing yourself out.

06: Beat the procrastination bug.
Make a list and check it twice.

‘Tis the season of much to do. Your mind may drift onto your long to-do list, but don’t let that distract you from the task at hand.

Get everything out of your head and onto paper. Once you do, stop worrying. Trust that things will get done in time.

07: Beat the shopping rush.
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style

‘Tis the season of busy malls and parking lots with long line-ups and stress filling the air.

Avoid the hustle and bustle by planning ahead, ordering online or making personalized gifts. Don’t let the stress of others rub off on you.

08: Let Go
Little battles everywhere. At Home. In the Parking lot. At work.

‘Tisn’t the season of conflicts. Trying to win small battles may cost you health, happiness, and peace of mind.

Grudges, arguments, and fights waste energy and magnify stress. Instead, let go and seek peace in your heart.

09: Create new traditions.
Let nothing you dismay.

‘Tis the season of togetherness. Don’t let conflict create division among your family or friends.

Rekindle relationships by creating new holiday traditions that involve everyone. Taking a fresh look will give you all something to look forward to.

10: Eat, sleep, and be merry.
Sleep in heavenly peace.

‘Tis the season to be healthy. Bring good tidings to your body, mind, and stomach by managing your diet and sleep.

Good health starts with healthy food and quality rest. Otherwise you’ll feel bloated, tired, or cranky, and that just might rub off on others.

11: Be Jolly
O tidings of comfort and joy.

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Santa isn’t the only one who has the right to be jolly. After all, if he can be jolly with is workload, you can be too.

Remember what “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays’ mean. Don’t perpetuate anxiety or fear. Instead, spread joy and happiness.

12: Laugh, dance, sing, and play.
Joy to the world.

‘Tis the season to be free from stress. There is much more to worry about, but there is much more to bring you joy.

Embrace each moment – good or bad – with a smile. Live, love, and laugh. All else will fall into place.

Sunday, December 09, 2007

A few pictures of our new Alaska home.











A few pictures of the rental house we have in Alaska. I don't know how long we'll be in here ... but could get use to having all this space. Makes me wonder where everything fit in the other house!! The house is rather spacious ... and we have an empty guest room! Welcome!! Will try add other pictures. Maybe I need to just do one at a time .. after getting use to the ease of Bebo .. Blogger can be incredibly frustrating sometimes. :)