With 2013 underway and in full swing, I have enjoyed nearly an entire month of solitude and peacefulness at our home. December was full of deadlines and preparations for not only our house, which we wanted to have dried-in before winter hit in full force, but also for Tanner's absence in the month of January this year. When Tanner isn't completely immersed in building our house, and helping to care for our yurt, he travels to Antarctica, and places like it, to drill ice core samples for scientific research. When he isn't working in the field, he designs, engineers, and helps maintain new and existing drills used for such work. Tanner loves his work and enjoys traveling to such a special place, for such interesting projects.
This being said, I have been left to hold down the yurt while he is away this year. Compared to most years, this has been a short season, and as busy as our year has been, we have anticipated a shorter absence. Some have asked why we wouldn't want to live in the yurt for a longer period of time than one year; take our time building the house. Well, the fact that I run the show solo while Tanner is away, would be the main reason why. Tanner and I both, were looking forward to a month or so away from the frenzy of construction on the house, anxious for some time to reflect, relax, and maybe even do some playing in the snow.
 |
| Our barometer, showing a storm's arrival |
 |
| Buddy, Chilko, and Moose, on our ski in the woods |
Winter arrived in full force, and my free time was soon gobbled up by shoveling snow, hauling firewood, raking snow from shed roofs on the house and the roof of the yurt, building fires, and thankfully, skiing with the dogs for dual exercise and therapy sessions. Mind you, this is all on top of regular chores, including laundry at the laundromat, and cleaning up after three very large dogs. This also means, ladies and gentlemen, that all spiders have been killed by yours truly. Just in case I had a moment to plan anything too relaxing or extra curricular, a whole garden of issues have sprouted up over the last couple of weeks, which have called my attention, including but not limited to, a fender bender with my neighbor, a clogged shower drain, and a nasty flu bug that has been trying to wear down my immune system.
 |
| Moose and Chilko |
As I look back on all of these things that have filled my last four weeks to the brim, I am exhausted, but also so proud of myself. I dealt with all of these things. By myself. I won't deny that I had my fair share of phone calls to family, and from Tanner, in which I needed a pep talk and a lot of encouragement; but I'm so thankful for those who were there to offer advise and help. I dealt with said neighbor, and the insurance company for my (very minor) accident. I grabbed a coat hanger, my leatherman, and a bucket, and showed that shower drain who was boss. I've been staying in, getting lots of rest, fighting this head-cold tooth and nail. All the while, I've been soaking up all of the grandeur around me, and reminding myself how wonderful things really are.
 |
| January Sunrise |
 |
| January Sunset |
Having five other years under my belt, this solitude comes as second nature to me anymore. I'm sure, for those who don't know me personally, you might suspect that this get-your-hands-dirty kind of work comes as second nature to me. I do believe, however, that I've pushed myself to be as resourceful as I can be, and most times, I surprise myself. I don't know if my way of live makes my own career an unlikely one, but I love it as equally as Tanner loves his. I work as a hair stylist. I make people look pretty. I change how people look, how they feel about themselves, and encourage them to be the best that they can be. It's fitting, because I know first hand what can be accomplished with a little encouragement. (Stubbornness helps too) I laugh at how my activities change so dramatically from morning to evening when I start out my day giving someone highlights and a haircut, and in the evening I'm getting built-up goo out of the shower drain. Many hats I wear. I don't think I'd want it any other way.
