Hi everyone.  We awoke to a rainy morning but it is suppose to be gone around 11 this morning.  The moisture is welcome.  There is a wind advisory out for us today.

Yesterday was an interesting day.  I got a lot done yesterday morning including the cooking projects I had on the schedule.  Pat did get in to see the chiropractor about 4 pm yesterday and I went to Aldi's, where everything was very much picked over and some of the produce items I wanted were out of stock.  I will stop there again this morning after coffee to see if they have restocked as the cashier told me the restock items were coming in this morning.  I only have coffee this morning as our Wisdom group is not meeting because the minister is out of the office today.  We are fixing a roast in the crock pot for our dinner tonight and the meat is ready as are the vegetables.  So I look forward to a laid back day.  I am sure I will watch some football before the day is over as South Carolina plays at 2 pm and then Virginia Tech plays a little before six.

While I was at Aldi's yesterday Scott called me to say his flight from Augusta had been cancelled due to staffing problems.  That was going to mess everything up in terms of his flight back this morning, the car rental and whether he could get a re-ticketing or would we lose the expensive fare for the return ticket. However, about an hour later he texts us and says they have him on another flight leaving 30 minutes earlier than he originally expected.  He did make it to Albany, NY, and we had another text from him early this morning saying they were at the Albany airport and their plane back was on time.  So it appears all has worked out for which we all are very thankful.  I look forward to seeing our Granddaughter, whom we haven't seen for probably 7 or 8 years.   

Mary Ann, glad that your bandage is no longer required.  I can't even tell where I had the MOH's surgery as there is no scar.  Fortunately, my cancer wasn't very deep and I only spent three or four hours in the doctor's office as they had their own lab to check the tissues to be sure all of the cancer cells were gone. I don't remember having any pain with my procedure or afterwards but it has been a number of year ago it was performed. I hope you enjoy your second Christmas celebration today. Nice that you can let Annie earn some money by doing some cleaning for you and that you are satisfied with her efforts.

Beverly, playing golf and going to lunch with friends would be a reason to be tired at night.  As you saw in my writing above Scott and our granddaughter are in the air on their way to Charlotte so don't have to worry about the storm now.  It was a most welcome message from him this morning.

Patricia, it sounds like you have the positive attitude about your weight and getting your house in order again.  I can't even imagine walking 20 miles a day either in very hot or very cold weather or any weather.  Farrah has probably been dreaming about those treats she doesn't have currently.  Interesting information on the domestication of cats and dogs.  That sounds like some storm headed your way.  Nice that you got a heads-up from your management.

Joy, I expect your MOHS was done at the hospital to have immediate access to the lab which she probably didn't have in her office.  At least you didn't have to be admitted. I had the impression that using the MOHS procedure requires special training.  I was sent to a specialist by my dermatologist. 

Marilyne, I expect the patients are told to expect to be there the whole day in case multiple sessions of removal by layer of tissue is required.  I am sure your husband will get along fine with it.  They may use large bandages to help justify the large fees they charge. 

Good morning from sunny Florida!

I can't see any scar from my surgery, either, but I have scar tissue beneath the skin and it changed the shape of my nostril. If I had to do it again I'd choose a plastic surgeon.  Oddly enough, this past year my oldest daughter had a basal cell skin cancer in the same spot on her nose and the results are similar.

I used to love snowstorms as long as I could be on the inside looking out.  It's a different story if you need to drive in it!

Larry - Wonderful that you'll get to see your granddaughter after so many years!

Mary Ann - An e-mail wedding invitation would be a first for me! I suppose it's practical and also money saving. Between the invitations and stamps it gets very expensive. With so many people on special diets, it's thoughtful of her to inquire about food choices.

Good morning from “clear” Grand Rapids.  I have no idea what is in store for us, but I seem to recall seeing that we would be cloudy with rain Friday.  I hope that is true because Tom’s kids will be here for our Christmas.  And that will end this Christmas season for us.  Annie will be here about 3 pm and we’ll start things for supper tonight.  Gifts have been wrapped and I didn’t wrap any of them.  Even those to others so I’ll be surprised too.  I did pick things out and I paid for them.  Probably the strangest Christmas I have ever had and it’s kind of neat for a change.

Larry, I am glad Scott’s flight to Albany was on again.  I don’t like to fly at this time of year but I used to fly to Florida in February when Norm and Dot were there.   

I don't expect any scar from my surgery.  I do have bags under my eyes and I think the suture is along the bottom of one of them.  There is still some puffiness but I only had the surgery a week ago.  I was in the office for four hours.  At my age, I'd have this doctor do another skin cancer removal because I think he's good.  My other skin cancer was above my right eyebrow and was not as deep as this more recent one and you can't tell where the cancer was.  I will go for a checkup in March and I'll let you know about a scar.  Right now I don't care because the cancer is gone.  They do everything in their office - surgery and lab.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn, look at the mat flooring underneath this cute little pixie, Sandy's Fe at eight months.

http://www.seniorsandfriends.org/index.php?topic=11.msg66889#msg66889

We are still awaiting the massive storm here with most saying it's a tempest in a teapot. We've been having intermittent snow with no accumulation for the past week.

"Winter storm warning in effect from 3:00  o'clock PM AKST until Saturday 6:00 o'clock AM AKST. Source, U.S. National Weather Service

MORNING UPDATE: 12/29/16
Thu, 12/29/2016 - 05:42 -- jrlewis
WINTER STORM WARNING.
TODAY, FLURRIES IN THE MORNING, AN INCH OF SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON, HIGH ABOUT 9.
TONIGHT, 6â€"9 INCHES OF HEAVY BLOWING SNOW, WINDS GUSTING TO 30, LOW AROUND 5.
TOMORROW, 2 MORE INCHES OF BLOWING SNOW, WIND GUSTS TO 35, HIGHS IN THE 20S
EXTENDED OUTLOOK: SNOW LIKELY AND 27 SATURDAY, CLOUDY AND 15 SUNDAY, CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS AL NEXT WEEK, HIGH 5 TO 10; AIR QUALITY FORECAST IS GOOD IN FAIRBANKS, AND NORTH POLE; AND THE AURORA FORECAST IS LOW."

This having any sticking snow accumulation will be new for us. The times of heavy snow was back in the late eighties, early nineties.

Patricia, I did notice it.  Is that like what you told me about?

Annie is here, helping her dad get ready for our dinner tonight.  I have a couple of things for her to do, too.

Kendrick looked out the slider door and saw a group of ducks and hi-tailed it to the slider in the lower level where he could see them better.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn, it is a more lightweight version of the tile I have. Mine is a larger tile and red on one side and black on the other. But yes, it is the same thing.

The link I posted had several types and versions for sale, but I only posted it as a reference.

Farrah sees mainly the smaller winter flocks and Ravens and or owls, but in summer there are different Hawks and Golden Eagles because we are by the rivers. She will rush over and jump onto the table to see. However, she stays silent, no "chittering" and no tail lashing.

Just a few odds and ends in photos;

http://www.seniorsandfriends.org/index.php?topic=11.msg66938#msg66938

Now they're getting serious, this type of wind is more Anchorage's norm than seen here.


URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FAIRBANKS AK
310 PM AKST THU DEC 29 2016

AKZ222-301500-
/O.CON.PAFG.WS.W.0016.000000T0000Z-161231T1500Z/
MIDDLE TANANA VALLEY-
INCLUDING...FAIRBANKS...FORT WAINWRIGHT...EIELSON AFB...ESTER...
NORTH POLE...MOOSE CREEK...TWO RIVERS...FOX...CHATANIKA...
CHENA HOT SPRINGS...SOURDOUGH CAMP
310 PM AKST THU DEC 29 2016

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM AKST
SATURDAY...

* SNOW...8 TO 15 INCHES.

* VISIBILITY...ONE HALF MILE OR LESS AT TIMES IN BLOWING SNOW.

* WINDS...WEST WINDS GUSTING 30 TO 55 MPH.

* TIMING...SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT. SNOW
  WILL DECREASE ON FRIDAY BUT WILL PICK UP AGAIN FRIDAY NIGHT.
  SNOW WILL TAPER OFF SATURDAY MORNING. STRONG WINDS AND AREAS OF
  BLOWING SNOW WILL DEVELOP EARLY FRIDAY WITH THE STRONGEST WINDS
  EXPECTED FRIDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. WINDS WILL
  DECREASE DURING THE DAY ON SATURDAY.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WILL BE DIFFICULT.
  TREES MAY FALL ON TO POWER LINES AND RESULT IN POWER OUTAGES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS ONE OR MORE SIGNIFICANT WINTER
WEATHER HAZARDS ARE OCCURRING OR EXPECTED.

I may not be posting tomorrow so could someone post my photo link in the Soda Shop? Amy had wanted to see photos of Farrah.

Patricia, your snow pictures are beautiful.  Much like what we get occasionally.  I enjoyed the pictures of Farrah wherever you posted them, but I don't think Amy posts in this folder.

I like the cat carrier and I am sure the one I have (in the garage) is too small for Kendrick, but he hasn't had to go anywhere anyway.

Mary Ann

Hi everyone.  We have a bright and sunny morning that starts for me at 44 degrees headed into the low 50's for later today. 

The good news yesterday was that Scott and his daughter, Jennifer, arrived safely and on time yesterday afternoon back here in Augusta.  We invited them out to dinner last evening but they were so tired from the trip that they declined.  This was understandable as Scott said he had been awake since 1 pm on Wednesday and it had been a lot of flying and uncertainty. 

The housekeeper will be here later this morning.  I plan no cooking today as we have plenty of left overs from last night for this evening.  I plan on staying home and watching some of the bowl games, including Georgia playing at noon.  I saw two good games yesterday. 

Mary Ann, Scott said it was snowing as the plane left and the pilot said they were fortunate to get out of Albany when they did. 

Patricia, with your latest warning it sounds like the weather bureau is still expecting for you all to get some heavy snow.  I just looked at the pictures you posted yesterday and see the weathermen were on target. That is a pretty pictures of Farrah.  She looks very much like the cat we had for 14 years.   

Hi everyone.  We have a bright and sunny morning that starts for me at 44 degrees headed into the low 50's for later today. 

The good news yesterday was that Scott and his daughter, Jennifer, arrived safely and on time yesterday afternoon back here in Augusta.  We invited them out to dinner last evening but they were so tired from the trip that they declined.  This was understandable as Scott said he had been awake since 1 pm on Wednesday and it had been a lot of flying and uncertainty. 

The housekeeper will be here later this morning.  I plan no cooking today as we have plenty of left overs from last night for this evening.  I plan on staying home and watching some of the bowl games, including Georgia playing at noon.  I saw two good games yesterday. 

Mary Ann, Scott said it was snowing as the plane left and the pilot said they were fortunate to get out of Albany when they did. 

Patricia, with your latest warning it sounds like the weather bureau is still expecting for you all to get some heavy snow.  I just looked at the pictures you posted yesterday and see the weathermen were on target. That is a pretty pictures of Farrah.  She looks very much like the cat we had for 14 years.   

If you use the MS Windows Essential 2012. it will end on Jan. 10.  I still use W7 so have to see what happens.   http://www.howtogeek.com/286552/how-to-replace-windows-essentials-2012-after-support-ends-in-january/

Patricia, looking at the pictures of Farrah, she looks as if she has about the same build as Kendrick, just a different color.  Both have stripes and both have the same expressions. 

Annie bought a laser for Kendrick for Christmas and it is in the shape of a mouse.  I've been busy this morning, so haven't tried it out with him, but it is something I can sit down to use.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - I'm looking forward to hearing about how Kendrick likes the laser?  I've heard that cats either love them or hate them. (As in all things cat related!) LOL  I would like to try one with Winnie, but I don't think it would be good for him. He is way too arthritic and slow, to try to chase a laser.  His back legs are weak, and even getting into a sitting position seems difficult for him. I think he gets all the exercise he needs from walking around the back yard a couple of times a day. 

It looks like Patricia, is getting some strong winter storms. I hope she checks in later with a weather report? 

Same old typical winter weather here in NorCal.  One cold front after another - some with rain, and some with only bitter N. winds.   Most people don't realize that the climates are totally different, between Northern and Southern California.  The Southern part of the state is a basin, protected by mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. So it stays in the 60's and 70's all winter there, with occasional days in the 8o's.  I talked to  my cousin in Long Beach, yesterday, and it was 79 degrees there!  We had a high of about 55, which is good, compared to last week, when it never got out of the 40's during the day and around freezing at night. 

Good morning everyone from a very snowy Interior. We had 15 to 19 inches of snow yesterday and expect another 11 or so inches today. The storm warning is in effect through Saturday at 6 AM, and we have had 55 mph winds.

We had a 3.2 accumulation before the storm, so the plows are out for the first time all year with warnings of overladen trees falling. So far, no blackouts although we have had three incidences this morning where the lights have gone off for a minute or two and then returned.

I can see the upper mid levels to three trees outside my balcony window. They scrape against the bedroom window when they sway from side to side and then dip back and forth in that wind. If you watch too closely, you begin to feel seasick.

The entire coastline, both north, and west are under blizzard conditions with the rest of the state under a winter storm warning, so this is unusual for us, but at least we are not in the blizzard areas.

Thank you, Larry, for posting the link in the Soda Shop to my photos of snow and Farrah from yesterday. I know Amy had expressed an interest in seeing pictures of Farrah.

I'm glad Scott and your granddaughter returned safe and hope they are getting the rest they need.

MaryAnn, Farrah is small,(7 pounds); stocky and is very athletic. She often twists about in midflight when she is killing her felt mice or running off excess energy. I noticed the similarities to Kendrick before and wished they could play together with Taffy. I do know that Farrah doesn't like other cats so even without the astronomical distances involved, I doubt if the three cats would get along. But it's a good idea in theory! 

Gloria, what a neat photo of Taffy enjoying her Christmas present! If you like, email your photos to me as I have a photo program and can resize and post them for you.

Thanks to everyone who took a look and commented on my photos. Farrah makes a good photo subject and an even better companion for me.

Hi, Marilyne! It is indeed unusual as we have not had a storm like this since 2006. So far only brief electrical blackouts here and the plows are busy for the first time in probably three years. I know what you mean about folks lumping an entire state into the same misconception. 

Farrah chased the laser a couple of times when I first tried it but then she noticed it in my hand, connected the dots and now comes to watch my hand rather than chase it.

Good morning and happy new year to all posting here!

I have no plans to go outside until Monday.

Local preparations:

11 a.m. update: A travel advisory is in effect for the Fairbanks region. Road crews are working overtime to clear the roads, according to DOT, but may not reach all areas today before a second round of heavy snow moves in.

The Steese Highway is closed Eagle Summit, between miles 101-116. Travel is not recommended on other Interior Alaska highways and Fairbanks police recommend residents travel only if absolutely necessary.

Scattered power outages are reported from Healy to Goldstream to North Pole. Winds are picking up up through the region and more outages are expected.

With some vehicle accidents and two people sent to the hospital, police are asking people to stay home if at all possible

• Heavy snowfall, blowing snow, and drifting snow have made driving conditions hazardous on Interior Alaska highways.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities says driving is hazardous on the Elliott Highway from milepost 92 to milepost 106.

The advisory says motorists should use extreme caution through this section of highway.

The road is expected to become impassable tonight, the DOT says. No maintenance is scheduled after 5:30 p.m.

The DOT also reports difficult driving conditions this afternoon on the Parks Highway from milepost 276 to milepost 344, just outside of Fairbanks. The DOT reports heavy and blowing snow and poor visibility.

Driving conditions are also difficult at Eagle Summit on the Steese Highway and from milepost 235 to milepost 250 of the Dalton Highway, the DOT reports.

• Emergency response officials are getting a weather briefing today at 2:30 p.m. from the National Weather Service as they continue to monitor the storm, according to Baird Stiefel, emergency manager for the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

• The city of Fairbanks will beef up its snow plowing operations beginning at 7 a.m., Saturday Mayor Jim Matherly said today. He said the city's snow removal crews are scheduled work two 12 hour shifts to keep snow removal going for 24 hours. Extra vehicles and temp workers are scheduled to work as well. City crews will also work to clear bridges, handicap ramps, and roundabouts.

• Matherly is asking people to park off-street so that roadways are clear for snow plows.

• "We saw a huge uptake in generator sales, we had two trucks from Anchorage bring more generators, and we have another scheduled to arrive tomorrow with the last generators from our distribution center, in Anchorage." said Chris Morris, general manager of Alaska Industrial Hardware in Fairbanks. Morris said generators are still in stock at the store. He said a "ton" of cordless heaters, propane heaters, and snow shovels were also brought in and that items are moving off the shelves quickly. A similar situation was reported at other Fairbanks retailers.

Kendrick is not ignoring the laser, but he hasn't gotten out of his bed to chase it either - at least not on his feet; he does chase it with his eyes.

I don't know that Kendrick has been weighed since the last time he was at the vets and that would have been about three years ago.  I figured he weighed about 10 pounds but I'll have to weigh him and Annie together some time, then Annie separately. 

Kendrick hasn't played with other cats since Annie brought him here and I don't know how he'd react.  I know I would not take him to Indy because he is so much larger than the cat there.  He also is much younger - 3 years to 15 for the other cat.

Mary Ann

Farrah is also 3 years as her tag said she was born in 9/2012. However she is small but stocky.

Kendrick was born in July 2013 which makes him three years old.  He first came to live with  us in December 2013.  Is your 2012 a typo?  If not, that would make her four years old.  But if 2013, she is two months younger than Kendrick. 

One place Annie lived there was a young pit bull and Annie said that Kendrick ruled the roost - and the pit bull.  He doesn't seem overly aggressive to me but I haven't seen him with other animals.

We don't have your snow, Patricia, and our temperature at nearly 5 pm is 29 degrees.  I hope your storm does not come in our direction.

Mary Ann

Patricia - Whenever our weather person says that we're going to get a storm or a system out of the Gulf of Alaska, we know we are in for extreme cold North wind and a sparse amount of icy rain.  I always mean to look up that area on my atlas, because I have no idea where the G of A is located?  All I know is that it must be a direct shot between there and here?
I hope you don't have any power outages, and that your extreme weather passes quickly. 

The new pictures of Farrah, are beautiful.  It looks like her coat is like Winnie's used to be . . . thick and luxurious. Winnie is a short haired tabby, but it was thick and abundant.  Now, in his old age, it has thinned out, and has lost that pretty shine.  He has no bald spots, but has lost much of his fur on back and stomach.  Makes his legs look long and skinny.  I have a fairly recent picture of him that I'll look for and post in Photos.  He was born in Aug. 1998.     

MaryAnn, it was my brain that had the typo!      We shot up from five above to 29 above with the storms and tomorrow is expected to have a high about plus 38.

Marilyne, remember the difference between Northern and Southern California? Alaska has three geographical slash climatic zones or areas. The North and West coasts are treeless and subject to wind and cyclones. The South is mainly land below sea level and backed up against mountain ranges. That area/zone is part of the same rainforest climate as Oregon and parts of Washinton. Ketchikan, Alaska holds the record for North American rainfall. The gulf of Alaska lies between that zone and the Pacific Ocean.

"The Gulf of Alaska is an arm of the Pacific Ocean defined by the curve of the southern coast of Alaska, stretching from the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island in the west to the Alexander Archipelago in the east, where Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage are found.

The entire shoreline of the Gulf is a rugged combination of forest, mountain, and a number of tidewater glaciers. Alaska's largest glaciers, the Malaspina Glacier and Bering Glacier spill out onto the coastal line along the Gulf of Alaska. The coast is also heavily indented, with Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound the two largest connected bodies of water, but also including Yakutat Bay and Cross Sound. Lituya Bay is the site of the largest recorded tsunami in history and is a popular sheltered anchorage for fishing boats.

The Gulf is a great generator of storms. In addition to dumping vast quantities of snow and ice on southern Alaska, resulting in some of the largest concentrations south of the Arctic Circle, many of the storms move south along the coasts of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and as far south as Southern California (primarily during El Niño events). Much of the seasonal rainfall and snowfall in the Pacific Northwest and Southwestern United States comes from the Gulf of Alaska."

We do not have the same weather systems as the South. The Interior is largely arboreal forest and watershed valleys with more water, rivers, lakes, streams, etc that any other state including that one billing itself as the land of ten thousand lakes. There are in the area, less than 100 miles from me, three mountain ranges with the highest mountains outside of Everest.

So between those ranges protecting us from extreme weather and foothills, plus the arid climate; we rarely have the humidity necessary to cause snow. That is part of the reason that these series of storms have the area so discombobulated. The fact that the entire state is involved brings it to unheard of status.

Patricia, thanks for the offer to post pictures for me. I am so happy you are in a complex, and not along in this storm.

Glad to see June doing a little posting. Prays going your way June, to hurry and get that leg well.
It is cold and very windy, but it is the end of Dec. I do not plan to go out till Monday, as I have to go to the hemotalogist to have a blood check. and a shot if needed.

Hi everyone.  When I looked at the temperature at about 7 this morning it was 33 degrees but don't think it was that cold here at the house.  We are expecting the mid-50's this afternoon with no rain.  I had a very quiet day yesterday and plan another one for today.  I fixed Pat's breakfast and now will work in my office this morning and plan on watching the college football games today as they start at 11 am the four games will take all day.  I will work a little nap in there somewhere. 

Patricia, those are really strong winds.  Do you have a lot of drifts.  Hopefully your bad weather from this storm will be over shortly.  Maybe some of the snow will melt if it gets to 38 degrees and the sun is out.

Thank you all for posting.  I just couldn't think of any particular comments to reply but I did read all of the postings. 

Patricia - interesting information of the different climate zones in Alaska.  I have been hearing about the, "storms coming from the Gulf of Alaska", for much of my life.  I did finally find the Gulf, on my atlas, which shows a one page map of AK.  I also got a better perspective of where the major towns and cities are located.  I hadn't realized that the coastline along the Bering Sea, was so devoid of communities?  I guess life up there would be pretty rough going? 

Larry - This morning, your temps are almost identical to ours here in N. California.  Usually you're slightly warmer during the day than we are. My husband, AJ, will be watching lots of the bowl games today as well.  Then tonight, another Sharks hockey game! (two nights in a row!)

Here we are, just a few hours from 2017! It's a beautiful, sunny day here. Temp has gone up to 70. I slept so late that I haven't been outside to enjoy it.

Patricia - Like Larry, I was wondering about snow drifts with that wind.  I wouldn't want to be driving in that weather.

I will be ushering in the New Year with the cat - if either of us is awake at midnight.  Tom has a busy day; he's in Holland right now, visiting a friend, will have an early party with his lady friend and about 9 pm will drive for Uber until the wee small hours of the morning.  I don't stay up on purpose, but sometimes I get to doing something that takes me toward midnight and then I stay up just to say I did.

We are having a so-so day.  I saw some snow flurries in early afternoon, but when I went for the mail there was no snow and also no sun.  Tom hopes the weather will be bad so there will be fewer Uber drivers.  I would rather the weather be good so I don't have to worry about him.  Tom is a very good driver and I usually don't worry, but with bad weather, who can help it!

Lots of whitecaps at Grand Haven with the temperature in the mid-30s so no ice yet.  I notice the red outer lighthouse is all red now.

If I don't make it back here tonight, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Mary Ann

HAPPY NEW YEAR  to all of you.  hugs

MaryAnn.  Your New Years Eve sound like mine will be like. Just the Parrot and me. Need to teach is to say Happy New Years . Thing is it complains if I don't cover him at 8pm. I never manage to stay awake either.
It is sunny here today but cold still.  I am in for the day. Fact still got PJs on at 3pm. Bet I don't dress.
Going to start cooking to fill my freezer. Almost emply.
Hope everyone here get well soon if Ill. and those of us feeling good keep our health in the coming year.  Sure go fast don't they?.

Happy New  Year,  Everyone!