Settling In...

I've been absent from my computer for awhile ~ not because I've been doing endless fun activities as my previous posts may lead you to believe...unfortunately the realities of daily life are still present, even up here in beautiful Alaska...so I've been busy working, unpacking, working and unpacking some more.

This is where I will be calling home for the next several years,

and it's also my 'office' for the time being as well.

I'm finally starting to feel like I'm catching up from work after being absent for about 2 1/2 weeks (not the smartest thing to do when you work for a landscaping company ~ taking time off in the middle of summer ~ but what can you do)?  I guess I haven't really shared about the job situation recently, although many of you already know...for the immediate future, it's worked out for me to continue working for my Colorado company from up here in Alaska.  We've had to do SOME finagling and shifting of duties but thanks to some helpful and flexible co-workers, we're making it work for the time being.  I'm enjoying being able to work from home ~ the dogs still get to 'come to work' with me, I don't have to worry about getting a dressy wardrobe, and I have some flexibility in terms of working in the evenings if I have an appt. during the day (which will come in handy as I need to get an oil change done, get my AK plates, and AK drivers license etc...all of those necessary but loathsome chores).

Anchorage is pretty easy to get around so I'm feeling fairly comfortable finding places ~ although for the moment, the most frequented place I've been is Office Max for work supplies.

The wildlife seems to have gone into hiding ~ I did see a bear (the same bear?) again walking up our driveway, but other than that, the moose are staying hidden.

One thing I've quickly learned is that the weather forecasts are even more of a guessing game up here than they were in Colorado.  I don't really bother checking the forecast anymore ~ I just plan for layers.  The saying in Colorado was always 'if you don't like the weather, just wait 10 minutes'...the other day I heard a radio d.j. say, "If you don't like the weather in AK, just wait 6 months...or 6 minutes..." and it's so true.  There have been several mornings where I've woken to POURING rain ~ but a couple hours later, the sun is shining brightly and it's all cleared up.

I've been slacking some with my photo taking as well, but for now, here are a couple of shots looking out from the house...the solitary mountain you see is "Mt. Redoubt" and it is an active volcano.

 The Alaska Range