Noontime on New Years Eve

Today is absolutely the brightest sunniest day we've had in a while. I thought I'd go back over to Earthquake Park for pictures- so glad I did- here's why- A pinkish glow in the sky, the water was blue and the mountains are out all white and pretty. McKinley was in full view.

Even downtown was clear and the sun was glowing on the buildings-very picturesque....I was one of about 15 picture takers there-for half hour or so...think I should drive here more often...

Drove home with the sunshine glaring in my eyes and spur of the moment then I turned into Ruth Arcade Park (horse park) near our house and snapped a couple more pictures there.

It was so peaceful out here- didn't seen anyone or any horses but was hoping to.

During the summer this park is busy with riding and horse shows...today it was empty.

Happy New's Eve to Everyone...we are going over to Gene and Vicki's for steaks, baked potatoes, cheese and veggie tray with dill dip, champagne and playing games...We will have a lot of fun even if this is low key for the backyard bunch!

Elliptical illusions

See the new addition to our bedroom.....John was gung-ho to put this together.....and I promise it will not become my clothes hanger! Figure no excuses if I have to step around this to get into bed!

Slowly starting to undecorate the tree this afternoon - hate the empty feeling that leaves the living room, but it is a now or never type thing that I might as well get started.

But that means this Christmas is over and it's been a good one -good friends, good food and good times. It is back to work for me tomorrow - dental work and diet work- plenty to keep me busy!

Enjoy the last few days of 2009...

Soldotna to Anchorage

We are on this long straight road headed north... to Anchorage about 1:00 today...And there is a patch of BLUE sky ahead of us...

And the temperature is 44 degrees...more like a spring day than what you think Christmas Day in Alaska would be...

The Kenai River has the bluish green color but lacks all the fishermen this time of year...

some more views of the drive home...

peaceful and serene setting...

Not much snow on the mountains, is there?

And it is still RAINING...

And I amuse myself...

Might be snow in the higher elevations but then again it is probably rain...

Uneventful drive but the rain makes for sloppy roads...this is the stretch by the Girdwood turnoff...

Avalanche seems to happen in this area every year...

Boardwalk at Potter Marsh...

Arrived back in Anchorage to a 10 degree drop in temperature...

A stop to refuel...Oops lost the picture of the gas prices.... and the final stop at the wash...

It is now 8:30pm and our real Christmas Day is coming to an end. It was a short stay but a great visit just the same. Chris went in to work this morning, we went back to bed for a bit, got back up and headed home...We had some delicious prime rib that Chris smoked and sweet potato french fries for dinner...Now I am watching Julie & Julia- a very good movie---I'm laughing out loud all by myself... Bon Appetite!!!

Gift of Love

The Abbott Loop Community Church on the corner of Lake Otis and Abbott Road puts this Nativity scene out each December. It is up on the little hill and visible every time we drive by.
Which we will be doing shortly- on our way to spend the evening with Chris and Becky. He has to work tomorrow at the main station so it will be early to bed and early to rise ... hopefully he has a boring shift. John and I didn't want Becky to be alone and we really didn't want to be alone either so we'll be traveling along with Santa and the Reindeer tonight. Being with our family as often as we can is important.
Happy Unwrapping!!!
Deb and John

We're All Together!

This was in my draft section and i just found it...better later than never I guess. Thanks to some creative talent- Brenda was able to join us for the Santa photo shoot. She hasn't changed since we saw her in Utah and it is so good to know she is looking over my shoulder!

Until we are together again- this will have to do, ladies!!!!

Merry Christmas

Here's a few pictures of our "Christmas Day".... we celebrated today because of the work schedules. Sunday is the only day all four of us had off together. We slept in, had showers and ate cinnamon rolls before we opened our gifts...notice I'm the only one to put new pj's on instead of getting dressed?....typical comfortable me!Chris commented on the house not being AS decorated like years ago...jokingly, I told him it was because he was not here to carry all the totes of decorations up stairs ... actually that is the truth!

I was playing with camera settings- the white lights are hard to get and then some of my favorite ornaments- John's mom knit the stocking years ago.

Miss Belle slept all last evening and wanted to be awake in the middle of the night - so Chris is trying to keep her awake this afternoon. She would sneak to the bedroom to snooze.

Dinner is done and we are all full. Had buffet style with all of our favorite appetizers and main dishes, like chex mix, baked beans and the ham.
John ready for a nap...Chena guarding him or and playing keep away with the football.

I wanted to get pictures of all of us today-and it was time for them to leave before the camera was set up and used....we get so busy doing other things! when they are here. Chris and John took old tv off bedroom wall and replaced it with our new flat screen. Only one trip to the store for this process today!

I deleted the pic of us four that was suppose to go here so I added it back in - so #1 now.

After Chris, Becky, Bear and Belle left our dogs are "waiting at the top of the stairs" for them to come back!!!!!

Can't believe it is all over-they are driving home and we are sitting here- I'm on computer and John is sleeping in the recliner. We are talking about driving down to Soldotna on Christmas Eve, (depending on the weather and what time John is done with his route) Chris will be working on Christmas Day but we can take lasagna or pizza! to the station and eat with him. We would have to drive back to Anchorage that afternoon/evening so John is here for work in the 26th. We even talked about just me going down for the weekend and Becky and I could play and drinking wine while the guys work!!!! Who knows what we will end up doing. Of course, we have to hope there are no snow storms coming this week- no way we would drive down if there is a chance of that.

Hope all of you are enjoying your family as much as we did today.

Merry Christmas to all of my friends and family reading this...Miss You ALL.

Debbie and John

Santa Claus

Donna, Diana and I went to see Santa. We've done this many years for our friend Brenda. Although this year there were a couple of surprises for us....
SANTA IS READY ...BUT IS...............
MAVERICK REMAKLUS????? after waiting in line for 2, yes 2 hours, he is not so sure about sitting on his lap....

He actually stood there for a little bit and I tried to get some pictures but he was on the move...as in let me outta here now...

Isn't he precious? He's my boss, Greg and Debbie's grandson. It was a nice surprise to have Tandy and Maverick waiting in line just in front of us.

And then it is our turn....IS SANTA READY????????

Look at his EXPRESSION........................!!!!!!!I handed my camera off to someone standing in line and she took these pics.

Good thing we paid for the professional photographer to get ONE of us all looking in the same direction....That is the one I will mail Brenda soon.

It was worth every minute waiting in line with these two...we talked, laughed, saw people we knew (former employers) and giggled the time away...we have so much fun together. And Brenda you were with us believe it or not!

love and miss you,

Deb-- also now known as Miss SmartyPants........

Friends at Breakfast

We met at the Mid-Way Cafe for breakfast and visited for a couple of hours. It feels just like old times- with us gathered around the table chatting away. Makes me realize how much I really miss these folks and how special our friendship is. Thanks for a wonderful Saturday.

Alaskan Trees

New tree for us this year, liked the slim style but having issues with it already... one string of lights has decided not to work- the one at the top- still have totes of ornaments that will not fit on the tree and the star is too heavy...But it is so nice to have all the house lights off and sit here and enjoy the ornaments and decorations.

Our Real Christmas Tree outside in the front yard....remember transplanting this coming from Lazy Mountain? and the Birch tree, also?

View out front of house-Alaska Christmas tree tops!

Sunshine came out and set in a hour span today!

Winter is still here!

I found this background tonight- should of looked for new one when I posted the ACBailey Challenge layout...perfect match, huh?

4:00pm and the Lake Otis and Tudor intersection is at a stand still... Winter tires...maybe even studded tires or chains.... should be mandatory expense with the deposit of your PFD's....... Lights "hidden" in the snow around our back deck and the dogs tracking it up before I can get it shoveled!

Looking out my office window toward the 36th Avenue. The snow has stopped and some blue sky is coming out for a little bit today.It is so pretty out there even though I know the drive home will be terrible. About 5 inches of new snow today- more in the forecast. Everyone that is dreaming of a White Christmas will get their wish this year- at least in Anchorage!

See the orange glow in the Surgery Center windows- sun is about to set...just as I am ready to drive home.