Hawaii!

We arrived to Hawaii last night and are waking up with the warm breeze, ocean waves lapping on the shore and morning doves outside. Best soul food ever!

Patrick has been struggling with an allergic reaction in his legs which has been persisting since his goat hunting injury. He has had awful itching, pain and raised red welts. He went to the doctor last week and has been trying all sorts of various creams and pills to help reduce the pain, with little help.

Fortunately benadryl and zyrtec are helping reduce the intensity of the flare up but we're still not sure what caused the initial reaction.

I'm just so glad he survived the trip without too much flare up and he is here with us. I"m thinking a visit to a dermatologist is in order in the next day or two. Or just some swimming in the ocean and some sunshine could hopefully clear things up.

Open-aired Maui airport

warm breeze…heaven

Early morning swim time

Grandpa George and Stuey

Before leaving Kodiak, I was extremely tired and sick with an 8 week cold...just run down. I"m really feeling on the mend now and a winter getaway was definitely a good idea.

Zoya

Desperation Snow

Checking the news this morning it is all about the forecasted cold snap descending on the Lower 48.  There is a reason it is expected to get so cold in the eastern half of the United States.  It is because there is a serious jet of warm air coming from Hawaii up into Alaska.  It is literally pushing cold air from the North Pole down into the Midwest.  For the Lower 48 they are saying that it might bring the coldest air seen in decades.  The flip side is that Alaska is seeing an epic warm snap.

As I write this it is blowing 40 and pouring outside.  Mill Bay is a maelstrom of white and grey.  We are going to Hawaii on Monday, and looking at the satellite image for the North Pacific (click here) you can see that the same storm stretches from Hawaii to Alaska.  It's literally pouring rain from Hawaii to Alaska!

Funnily enough this sort of makes me happy.  Usually when I leave home during the winter Kodiak experiences a cold snap with lots of snow. This time it looks like I'll be leaving behind warm temperatures and rain, and I will not be missing out on much.

Still it has not been all bad this winter for skiing here on Kodiak.  On New Year's day the sun came out and we all went for a ski at the golf course.  The temperatures were in the low 40s and the snow was actually a bit soft in places.

The photos make it look like it was epically bad snow conditions.  Conditions that I have been accused of calling 'good for your technique'.  But you will note that everyone has smiles on their faces.  We had fun!  Zoya got to use the new skis I gave for Christmas, and the kids got to work on their 'technique'.

Patrick

Now that's epically bad snow conditions!

Zoya's Christmas Skis

Satellite image showing the size of the storm

The Holi-daze are over

The holidays are over and what a whirlwind it was. 

The Christmas cards still remain to be sent out but I'm trying to remain zen about the fact that only 1/2 of them are addressed. I'm glad the cards say, "Peace" instead of Happy Holidays this year!  This happens occasionally, I remind myself. I've had a lot going on. 

Last week the new physical therapist arrived to town to start working at A Balanced Approach and it has been a dream come true to have a full time therapist in the practice. Getting ready for her arrival and transition was quite a time commitment but now the hard part is done. 

Kelsea's arrival is a blessing to my practice right at a time when I'm really needing the help. She is so intuitive, enthusiastic, kind, intelligent and puts clients right at ease. From day 1 I knew that this would be an excellent transition and I could breathe easy. 

As Kelsea treated her first client in our treatment room, I was giddy with excitement. The thought of another therapist putting the treatment room to use made me really thrilled.

In two days we leave for Hawaii and the vacation can't come soon enough. I"ve been struggling with an 8 week long cold and really need some rest and relaxation (under a palm tree on a beach, preferably!). The sun and warm air should help my cold heal up.  

I asked my office manager to change the password on the business account to something I don't know so I can't be attempted to check in on work. I'm learning the art of really unplugging from my business when I'm away so I can really enjoy every moment of vacation. 

I'm ready to relax, read, swim and see family. We're meeting up with Patricks parents and sister and her family. 

Zoya

Dancing at the Eufemios!

Nora looking at ornaments with her friend Sophie

Add caption

After the party...Nora in a dress that I wore as a girl. I think its the last time it will fit her. 

Stuey with block creation!

Learning to watch Football

Today at the Golf Course

Last night I taught Nora and Stuey about American football.  The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles were playing 'Sunday Night Football' and the game was streamed live on the internet. We do not have a TV in the house so the kids hardly ever get a chance to watch a game.  Last night Zoya actually encouraged me to have a beer and sit in front of the computer with the kids 'watching football'.  She thinks it is important that they learn about mainstream activities like watching football on TV.

Nora and Stuey were totally engrossed in the game and asked lots of questions.  Nora and I rooted for the 'green guys' (the Eagles) while Stuey chose to root for the 'White guys' (the Cowboys).  I am pretty sure he chose to root for the 'white guys' because he picked up on how much I despise that particular team.  I did not make a big deal of his choice in the hopes that it does not become a permanent allegiance.  I think we will just try to forget about the Cowboys.

Anyway, today while driving to the golf course to go skiing I asked Stuey how he liked watching football. He replied that he 'really liked it', and then added, 'I also liked the cheerleaders.  They cheer and wear shorts'.  I almost drove off the road.  It seems Stuey may have a particular reason to stick with the Cowboys after all.

Patrick

Island Lake ski over the weekend

Nora enjoys her new skis

Stuey's sunset riding lesson

Saddling up Bob the horse

Yesterday Nora and I took Stuey out to his horse riding lesson out at the Fairgrounds.  The indoor riding area was crowded with other riders so Becca decided to give Stuey his lesson outside.  Normally the inside area is freezing and lit with a greenish fluorescent hue.  Outside it was hovering around 30 degrees, but I bet that was warmer than the inside area.  And outside there was a spectacular sunset going on.

I was very happy with an outside lesson.

Nora and I walked along beside Stuey and Becca as he went about his lesson.  Nora and I got a walk,  Stuey got a horse riding lesson, Bob and Becca got a change in routine, and we all enjoyed the sunset.

Patrick

Stuey learnes how to lead a horse

All saddled up and mounted

We did 2 loops around the outside of the Fairgrounds

Stuey practices telling Bob what to do

Awesome sunset!

And back to the stable we go

Same View Different Composition

Here on Kodiak after scraping by for over a month on minimal snow pack we finally have good cross country skiing.  A good solid base with a half foot or so of powder on top.  Grab the old wooden skiis and slap on some extra blue wax kind of snow.  Perfect.

Yesterday I tried to capture the mood of the trees and snow with my camera.  Mostly I tried different panoramic compositions.  After stitching the panoramics together back at home I am amazed at how subtle compositional changes can make the view look so different. Each of the panoramic pairs belowwere taken from the same spot.  But in each case, the resulting image looks very different.

It just goes to show that having a great view does not necessarily mean you'll get a great picture.  And I don't think I quite captured the views yesterday.  But I did get some ideas about how to take a better picture next time!  Patrick

Kelsea!

24 hours from now, Kelsea arrives on the ferry. She is the Physical Therapist who is moving here to live in Kodiak and work at A Balanced Approach. I'm giddy with excitement about her arrival.

Yesterday when I was down with the stomach virus and Ella and I were texting back and forth. She had me guessing on what was arriving on Friday...I thought she was bringing me a secret health elixir from Seattle.

Kelsea' arrival...even better!

Zoya

Christmas Times

This morning the kids woke up "late" for opening presents. I believe Stuey was up at 6:15 and Nora didn't awake till nearly 7:00. This is in stark contrast to years past when they would awake at 5:00 to open presents with no chance of going back to sleep!

opening presents this morning

Stuey searching and sorting

The year of the Red Sox gifts from Patrick's parents! Red sox hats, bracelet, grill set, ornament.... 

Lots of activity books to occupy time over Christmas Break. 

Yesterday I stayed home from work because I wasn't feeling quite right and then last night I was struck with a stomach virus. Fortunately it was a short lived, 24 hour virus but this morning I wasn't feeling top notch. Our initial Christmas dinner plans included having some friends come over here, but this morning I could tell I didn't have it in me to host dinner. One phone call later to our friends Mike and Roxann and they offered to have dinner at their place.

I was so glad I felt well enough to go; Mike cooked up a tender, delicious elk roast, Patrick made mashed potatoes and Roxann had a great spread of appetizers and desserts. Brooks brought smoked white king salmon-my favorite.  The kids all played together and laughed from upstairs. Bless the hearts of Mike and Roxann to have such flexibility to throw the dinner at their place so last minute. And with such grace and kindness.

Zoya

White Christmas

Yesterday a big storm blew through Kodiak - High winds and snow.  At Abercrombie Park where I took this picture it was mostly rain, but here at our house we got an inch or two of snow.  And the further from the coast you go the deeper the snow gets. Inside the house this morning it has been a blizzard of wrapping paper.  The layer is deepest by the tree and thins towards the margins of the living room. 

Best of all it is white outside.  Snow is my favorite Christmas gift.

Holiday Treats

This Holiday season has brought with it some fun surprises. 

DOOR DECORATING CONTEST

I just celebrated my first year as the PT on the Coast Guard Base! The time has flown and I've really enjoyed being the PT for the base.  

As part of the holiday tradition, the clinic has a door decorating contest. This was my first year participating and the PT door won first place! I was thrilled and surprised because my door didn't have any lights or anything jazzy on it. The sign says, "Don't be a Frosty- Remember your Ice Grippers!".  The prize is a $25 gift card to the pizza parlor. 

Contest Winner for Door Decorating Contest at USCG Base Clinic

 HOLIDAY CARD
The office manager, Kate, at A Balanced Approach designed a holiday card which highlighted a lot of different aspects of A Balanced Approach to celebrate 2013.

Happy Holidays from A Balanced Approach

HARD CORE HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS
Stuey's horseback riding lessons are going well. Ms. Becca is his teacher and we go rain or shine! I"ve learned the art of bundling up super duper good to keep me warm- as well as Stuey. Lessons are in the indoor arena, but we have to tack up horse Bob in the stable area and walk him over to the arena. Brrr….but fun! Becca lets Stuey ride bob bareback without saddle which helps warm Stuey up more also.

Ready to ride! 

FLOWERS!
A member at A Balanced Approach surprised the instructors with a bouquet of flowers. This was such a fun, thoughtful gesture for A Balanced Approach. Its fun to help people with help and fitness and rewarding to see people so appreciative.

"Merry Christmas everyone! Thanks so much for all the help with my workouts. Your all awesome! Thanks Jason"

Zoya

Play and kid-isms

Stuey saying one of his lines. 

KID-ISMS
Stuey and Nora have said some funny things lately~I'm trying to get good about writing their quotes down again.  When I look through our older printed out blog books, its the kid quote parts that I enjoy the most.

-Recently I made oatmeal with brown sugar, milk and butter. Stuey sat down to eat it and I asked him how it was. He took a bite and shrugged his shoulders quite dramatically. He said, "It doesn't really taste like anything. It just tastes blank." I chuckled to myself…his choice of words.

-I've been working with Stuey on his R's. My sister warned me that if we don't take care of his R's now, then he'll be still having issues with them in 7th grade. Its funny…I'll gently correct him with an R…he'll repeat with improved R…then if I give him feedback he doesn't like he says,
"Mom-WHATEV-AH!" I say, "Stuey, you can say whatever but you need to say "What-ev-R""  This cracks us both us.

HOLIDAY PLAY
A few nights ago was the school holiday play. Nora and Stuey both had a really fun time in it. Stuey was a Star and had 2 lines. He said them so loud, clear and articulate. We could hear him in the back of the gym. I was really proud of his confidence with saying the lines. Half way through his first line, the girl standing next to him started making funny faces and laughing at Stuey which cut Stuey off. Stuey stood there choking back his tears, trying to compose himself before finishing his line. He was able to finish his line, which was good. Later on, Stuey said that the girl next to him was just really nervous and he wasn't upset with her.

Nora was a camel and had a camel routine/dance which she was really smiling all the way through. She seemed so happy up on the stage performing, having fun with her friends.

Zoya

Nora behind a star.

Sweetest Camels ever!