I am posting a couple of more Ice Sculpture pictures today, I won’t be posting the next couple of days, as I will be very busy with my family and friends, because we celebrate Christmas, and want to spend the day together in remembrance of what Jesus has done for us, plus exchanging gifts, and eating a wonderful great big meal with all the trimmings. I can taste the pumpkin pie already… Yes!

So I will take the time to say this Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas!

And Happy Holidays to all those who read this blog. And a very Happy Prosperous New Year full of:

 Joy… Hope… Laughter… and Love…

Later…

K

Well, I have gotten a few more pictures to show on the ice sculptures today. The lighting was a little better because it was darker outside today. It helps bring out the definition of the ice designs.

Today we had an appointment at the hospital for pre-surgery stuff.  They take blood to test it before surgery, so if you should happen to need any during surgery they can have the right type etc ready.  They also did and EKG to check the heart rhythms so they would know ahead of time if the heart beat is off or different.  They also instructed on what to do to help yourself from getting infections, and how to strengthen lungs with a little breather tool, so the lungs will be strong and healthy during the surgery and healing time. 

They also tested for that terrible virulent staph infection MRSA that is resistant to antibiotics, and it is running rampant in the nation.  They said if you are tested positive they will have you shower with special soap for about 7 days, and you will be in a private room, and precautions will be taken like gowns, gloves etc so that it can’t be spread into the other wards and rooms at the hospital.. The interesting thing I found out today is that a person could be a carrier of this thing and not even know it.

So all the preliminaries are set up and ready to go, and surgery has been scheduled for the 30 of this month.  So now all we have to do is think about Christmas the next couple of days.  And have fun and celebrate with family and friends.

Later…

K

Reindeer or Caribou…  that is the question???  Seems that there isn’t much difference between a Reindeer and a Caribou, except that the Reindeer are domesticated…  in other words…  farmed.  The Caribou run free in the wilds of Alaska, and the Reindeer are fenced in.

Both the male and females have antlers, which are used like shovels in the winter digging through the snow so they can uncover the dried grass and roots on the ground, which they eat.  They also are used for protection, and the bulls use them on each other during the rutting (mating) season. 

Wild Caribou in Alaska

Photo by Mike Kingston

Later…

K

It is a busy time of the year for me. I own a small business and right now I have customers that want their orders by Christmas. Since I make each thing I send out, and sometimes I have a hard time getting the customer to understand that I am pretty quick, but not quick enough to get a complicated order done and in the mail to them, and they get it by Christmas day when it is less then a week away.  It always takes at least 2 days to get anywhere from Alaska by mail.

I think we get so spoiled by the “I see…. I want…. I get… Now! Kind of marketing, that when something is being handmade they get confused by the waiting time it takes. I am thankful for the customers that do understand and order ahead of time, or don’t mind the waiting time it takes to get it done.

Here is a shot of two of the Reindeer kept at the Santa Claus House in North Pole…. Yes! Santa really does live in North Pole. It isn’t the greatest picture, since our daylight isn’t very bright this time of year!

They are kept in a very very large fenced in natural wild area, to keep them safe from predators and people, and are well taken care of. The kids enjoy seeing them when they come out of the wooded area and can be seen like today. They are pretty tame and don’t mind the people ogling and taking pictures. Later…

K

Well… my first award has come from the author of Youth Mystique!

I am honored and want to say “Thank-you!”

So I will dedicate this wonderful little award to some blogs that I love reading. I have a variety of blogs that I love to read. I don’t just stick to one niche, but travel all over, so here are a couple of my favorites, then again I do have my blogging buddies that I like to visit too. But that list is too extensive for this… so here’s to you wonderful bloggers… that are just as refreshing to read as a cool glass of lemonade! 

~K

Youth Mystique

Is There Life After 50

Arcticulates

Double Portionz

El Blog de la SourDough

Every Day Heros

Ability Focus