Well hello everyone!  And by everyone maybe just one or two people who are die hard fans and actually check this blog out because I have failed you readers.  Much has changed since I last blogged (shocker right?) including my job, living situation, and critters!  Briefly catching up with an old professor from MSU I told him I was still living in the cold north, though back home in the midwest they've had much more impressive winters since I've lived here, and somehow have acquired another dog and 4 chickens.  That's right, I am now a proud owner of four lovely hens.  Now if you had asked me about my chickens a month ago I probably wouldn't have had such positive comments about them but these ladies have finally started to earn their keep and have been laying eggs.  I admit I don't know the first thing about chickens and maybe shouldn't have just up and ordered chicks on a whim but it's been a fun project and the ladies look good.  Between moving and a new coop I'm surprised they're laying at all!  Ironically they started laying during the coldest week we've had this year, go figure.  We decided to get four cold hardy breeds, 3 silver-laced wyandottes and 1 buff orpington that came in the mail as a mistake (so of course I took her!).  I've become quite attached to our buff orpington naming her konan after konan the barbarian (she was HUGE compared to the other chicks) and then there's Beverly.  Bev is loud and in charge and runs the coop.  She actually kind of drives me crazy.  I didn't end up naming the other two.  Maybe one of you readers has name suggestions?

Best friends!  Eh...kind of. 

So I may have let them live in the bathroom a little too long...

The first egg!!

Last February I had the pleasure of volunteering for the Iditarod in the ECG/Blood work program.  For those of you who don't know much about the Iditarod, or "the last great race", this dog sledding race covers 1000 miles of all sorts of terrain from Anchorage to Nome.  In order to prepare for such a feat all the dogs must have their blood drawn and processed as well as have an ECG to make sure their hearts are healthy with no abnormalities that may pose a threat during the actual race.  As a volunteer, my role as a technician assistant was to handle the dogs while getting both blood work and ECG done.  Learning a different handling technique and getting to know more about the race, mushers, and dogs was amazing.  And I have to say, addicting!!  I definitely plan on being involved to some capacity this year and look forward to February!  Here's a link to check out the processing we did for Dallas Seavey: Meet the Champions!

The musher sits at the head of the table to pet and comfort their dogs while they're having their ECG done.

Lisbet Norris and her dog handlers.  I just loved her trailer.

Dallas and Got, his three legged dog!  Check out the link above to hear his story.

Rob Cooke (2015 rookie) and his dogs getting ready to be processed.

This is Sake, a sweet dog on musher Michelle Phillips' team.

Last I blogged we were two weeks out from getting our new puppy, Bear.  We decided to name him Bear to stick with our Alaska theme as well as after my best friend Emily's dog, one of my favorite dogs I've known!  Sure enough, he's lived up to his namesake being a very well behaved and pretty easy puppy.  That being said we won't be getting any more puppies for a long time, talk about work!

First night!

Aly finally warmed up to him.

Bear's favorite thing to snuggle with...Aly's tail

Breakfast stand off

Lady killer

Last spring/summer we went on a couple fun hikes.  One of my favorite's was renting a public use cabin for two nights.  We're hoping to try our hand at winter camping once we get some snow.  

Moose spotted from the front porch

Aly and I went on a little hike at the Alyeska resort

Beautiful view of the arm

Since the last blog we have moved yet again.  Scott and I had been looking for places in Girdwood for a long time and finally a place found us.  It's the top floor of a triplex right in the middle of town, perfect walking distance to pretty much everything.  After a cold winter depending on our wood stove it's been great having consistent running water and a toilet!!  No more frosty outhouse mornings ; )  After going off the Seward highway yet again I decided it was time to end the Anchorage work commute.  Though I absolutely loved working for PET ER and the staff there it was time to save money on gas and focus on a new goal, going back to school!  This fall I started taking a physics lab and organic chemistry/biochemistry course at UAA.  It was definitely a little difficult getting back to the grind but it feels good to be in school again.  Another challenge I recently had was taking the GRE, talk about a pain in the rear.  As for the job front during the summer I took on a weekend gig at Jack Sprat, one of the Girdwood restaurants, as barista during their Saturday and Sunday brunch.  It was fun to try something new and have moved into serving in the fall.  Though learning the menu and wine list has been a little bit of challenge while being in school it's been fun to try something new.  

This baby's a trooper!!  Our neighbor was in disbelief when we pulled her out and she drove off like nothing had happened. 

Quark!  A duck I've cared for a couple times while the owners were out of town.  One of my favorite pics, some people think it's photoshopped!

This last summer we went blueberry picking and made some pancakes...yum : ) 

Homer bonfire

Every summer we are lucky enough to have some friends come and visit.  This summer Scott's family (parents and sister Sarah) and Grandma and Grandpa Schneck made the trip as well as Scott's good college friends KJ and Julie (above)!

Someone's upset they had to be super girl two years in a row...

This fall we made another trip to San Francisco for Sarah and Eric's wedding!!  Here we're at City Hall where they got married.  (Montana, Scott, Pat, and I) 

  

Well, back to the grind for me...two more weeks of school and I'm all done.  Till next time!

Happy New Year all!!  My new year’s resolution is to not take so many pictures of my husky…just kidding.  But as I was preparing to write this blog I was going back through my pics to remind myself of all the happenings since I last wrote and it’s picture after picture of my dog!  O well, guess this pup is well loved.  Or should I say dog.  Alyeska is a year old now which is hard to believe.  Time just flies. 

Last I wrote was late summer/early fall when I was starting up at my new job, my two best friends Emily and Chelsie came to visit, and I was volunteering with the otter pup Mishka at the Alaska SeaLife Center.  I’m still volunteering here and there but Mishka is all grown up now!  Or at least doesn’t need as much round-the-clock care as she did before.  So I now have gone back to helping out in vet services with Natalie and Jane.  Making the drive after not being there for a while was so enjoyable. Some people think I’m a little crazy to drive an hour and a half to volunteer but going back through the old neck of the woods and being at the SeaLife Center is so worth it.  I absolutely love catching up and seeing old co-workers and driving through that area.  The only bummer is seeing the old Moose Pass place…boy, do I miss it.  But then all I have to do is think about our mouse roommates and my bat incident and I quickly move on haha. 

Well work and life in general has kept me pretty busy.  I’m looking forward to a new year with a new start and new goals.  That’s right, goals, not resolutions.  I figured if I called it something else I’ll have more luck on following them.  So my resolutions are 1) take vitamins (especially living in AK…Vitamin D might be a good one)  2) try not feeling obligated to do things I don’t want to do (life is too short!), 3) take more pictures!  I live in a beautiful place and even though it’s harder for me to blog with the job I currently have it doesn’t mean I don’t have other great things to share, 4) it’s a secret ; )  What are your new year’s resolutions?  

So since my last blog I’ve learned so much!  It kind of blows my mind when I look back to my first month or two at work and how much I’ve grown.  It’s nice to finely feel comfortable and more helpful around the clinic.  I’ve had to pleasure of working with some great doctors and technicians who are patient and want to teach, and see some pretty cool/interesting things along the way.  Just like with blogging about the AWCC, ASLC, and Surfing Goat Dairy most things just have to stay private out of the respect of the animals and patient confidentiality.  Being in a clinic makes it that much more confidential.  Some things I’ve learned the hard way include 1) I clearly don’t understand how 3-way stop cocks work (sorry Kathleen), 2) cats have a mind of their own, and out of all the animals large and small I’ve been able to work with, they intimidate me the most and 3) the amount of love people have for their pets and how much they’ll do for them is amazing (especially when that involves making that hard decision no pet owner wants to make).  O yah!  And huskies may seem tough but they tend to be quite the opposite haha because of that I’m constantly messing with Aly’s mouth and feet and lucky her, I even bought a rectal thermometer for at home. 

We had a couple visitors one day while I was at work!

Management spoiled all us technician assistants and techs for tech appreciation week.  I loved this cake they fashioned out of rolls of vet wrap, catheters, etc.

Scott and I have finally settled into our new cabin…which isn’t dry anymore!  But has a tank for catchable water (rain water).  Even though the water pump is incredibly loud and irritating it’s so nice to be able to do dishes and have the option of showering.  The outhouse on the other is something I’m still not quite used to.  Especially since it’s my first winter having one.  I’m starting to seriously consider getting a toilet seat that I can keep inside and bring out with me because let me tell you…frost on the heiny early in the am isn’t the most pleasant feeling.  I do appreciate having only half a door..hey it’s cold anyway…might as well have a nice view of the woods while doing my business.   All jokes aside I really like the new place.  It’s very cozy and of course our favorite part is the wood stove.  Both being from the Midwest and growing up having fire places Scott and I tend to have a lot of fires.  We’re starting to put pictures up and even have plans to paint!  The only problem is there’s this new gig I’ve been doing lately which causes me to be away from home…house sitting/dog sitting!  I’ve even helped out at the AWCC here and there so day’s off have kept us busy but hoping to get to painting soon.  We’re thinking yellow.  Any suggestions?

Our favorite part!  The wood stove.  We bought 2 chords of wood for the winter.  The day it arrived was when we left for San Francisco and before going to the airport had to load it up in the truck and gator and drive it from the end of the road to our cabin since the truck didn't fit under the rail road bridge.  God bless Derek who was going to house sit for us.  It would have taken Scott and I forever to transport all that wood just the two of us.  What's more is that it was cold and raining, we have a sort of curse where any day we leave for vacation it's ALWAYS super stressful haha.  Thank you Derek!!

Bathroom.  With a toilet just for looks haha.

Kitchen! 

Annnnnd frost on my toilet seat in the outhouse.  Gotta love Alaska livin.

A couple critter's I've babsat a few times.  Teka and Pilot!

Another critter I love to dog sit...Mongo!!  

Coming up soon is the Iditarod!  I’ve been offered a chance to help volunteer with the ECG/blood testing program as an assistant and I couldn’t be more excited.  My first day of volunteering will be this Wednesday.  It’s always fun to see different aspects of the animal field and gain any new knowledge or skills I can. 

The biggest highlight since blogging last was our trip to San Francisco.  Scott and I went to visit his sister Sarah and brother Pat.  His mom and dad were even able to meet us out there as well.  I’ve never been and what a cool city!  I have to admit, I was a bit overwhelmed at times but it’s great to experience something other that what you’re used to.  And we kept busy!  Since it was my first time we did a lot of touristy type things and saw the sights.  We were exhausted once we got home.

One of my favorite days in San Fran was going to the Aquarium on the Bay.  Scott and I spent a few hours there are learned so much!  The walk through tank was my favorite part.

Fisherman's Wharf

Peir 39.  It was fun to see some Sea Lions in a place other than Alaska.  Look at how cuddled up they are.

We even drove down the infamous Lombard St.

Twin peaks.  A real good view of the city up top. 

Another favorite day was going to Sonoma wine country.  We went to 5 different wineries and had a blast.  I think Scott even started to like wine by the end of the day ; ) 

The impressive Academy of Art

The three siblings.

Montana and Pat at the farmer's market.  One thing I was SO jealous of in San Francisco.  Amazing produce, cheese, and other products at the farmer's markets.  Sarah and Eric even have one on their street every Saturday!  We were able to enjoy a lot of really good goat cheese. 

Scott, Cliff, and Kathy at the bridge.  

Muir woods.  I think one of my favorite things about San Francisco is that you don't have to go very far to get out of the city and see some beautiful landscape whether it's wine country or the woods.  

One of the trees fell on Scott.  Good thing he has super strength and was able to hold it up 

Well, just like the last time I slacked off on blogging it’s hard to remember everything that’s been going on so I’ll put up my pictures and go from there.  Hopefully it won’t be so long until I blog again!  Sorry papa and grammy : )

You're probably wondering who this cutie is.  Scott and I will be getting another puppy in a couple weeks!!  Rufus' mom had another litter!  After keeping in touch with the breeders since we lost him last November they told us on New Years Eve Midnight would be having another litter.  What a great way to start the new year! 

Last weekend I took Aly to Winner Creek for a little hike.  It was so gorgeous out.  

My early bday gift from Scott!  I've been eyeing this Emily Rae painting for months and months at the Grind in Girdwood.  She is an amazing local artist and I'm so excited to own a piece of her work.  Not to mention a piece with mountain goats ; ) 

Remember Zelda, Erin's dog?  She's one of Aly's best friends.  I got to babysit a few weeks ago and those two wrestled the whole time. 

Aly loved her super woman costume.  Can't you tell?

Halloween!  A super hero family.  Scott would not stop doing his "batman" face and impression.

Aly and Zelda getting ready to greet at the guests for Thanksgiving.  AWCC folk got together at Erin, Sarah, and Jeremy's for a misfit Thanksgiving.  

The amazing water color that Erin made for us for Christmas. 

The ASLC staff gave this to me as a thank you gift for helping out with otter pup shifts.  One of the resident otter's paw print.