Wow, only one day left of 2025! This has definitely been a HARD year. The last week has been super cold, in the -30s and -40s. The ice fog was so bad you couldn't see the other side of the lake. Mom and I went to town today because it was "only" -27, and the next few days are going to be in the -30s and -40s again..the high for Saturday is forecasted to be -43!! Depending what weather site you look at, the lows could be in the -50s!!! I've never felt -50 before, but I'm curious to experience it haha. I'm supposed to work Friday and Saturday, but we close if the weather is -40 or colder at 7 AM, so Lucie will probably tell me to stay home. This is definitely one of the longest, harshest cold snaps I've experienced! Curti has been more snuggly too hehe, he's so cute. <3 Here are the highs and lows of 2025!

Lows: Losing Abby in March, which was devastating. We were soulmates..she stole my heart as soon as she sat in my lap at the animal shelter. She loved everyone! At the end she was so weak she'd just fall over when trying to walk on my bed, and had that "I'm done" look in her eyes, and she was SO skinny..I couldn't watch her suffer like that. I sobbed SO hard at the vet, and mom and the vet did as well..I told her how much I loved her and what a great cat she was. I watched her last breath and then she was gone. I got her cremated and have tattoos of her pawprints on my arm. I cried SO hard again when I walked into my apartment without Abby, and saw her water and food bowls on the floor. It was recently after that I went to bed and felt something at my feet..I'm sure it was Abby, telling me she was still with me, just in a different way, and another time I thought I heard her meow. Oof, that always make me very sad when I think about it. I'll never forget her <3

The move at work, which was very rocky and tiring, and then Vicki saying she was quitting after the move happened (I still miss her SO much). Bill and I felt abandoned during the summer and, the managers seemed to do everything in their power to make us suffer. Everyone was always complaining and hardly any customers came in anymore. Bill and I were about ready to quit! Amanda only lasted like a month, we were abandoned again, until we finally got a temporary manager. That's something I hope I never experience again. I hope the manager starting in January is nice!

I sprained my ankle in March. Very painful! In August I exhausted myself and didn't feel well, I had awful face pain and a migraine and a sore tooth, and had to get the tooth pulled. I then threw my back out, all in the same week! I'd rather not experience that again either lol

Dad's mental health hasn't been great since last summer, and his neuropathy is worse..hard to see :(

Highs: After Abby died, I started looking for a new cat. I looked at pictures online, went to a shelter, etc, but there wasn't an instant connection like there was with Abby. One day a picture of a tiny kitten was posted online..I showed mom the picture, and we both felt a connection, a very good feeling like "this kitty is the one!" We cleaned my apartment and got new cat stuff, and then met the owner in town. The kitty was meowing and scared, but as I held him, he relaxed and started purring. I'd been chosen! (Mom originally said no male cats because they might spray..of course a male cat chose me haha.) He explored around my apartment while I thought of a name. I said "hmm, Wilson? Nah," and then thought "can I shorten curtain?" I wrote it out and I was like "oh, curti!" I called it out to him and he responded right away! I said it again and he answered again, which in total happened in like 10 seconds..he approved! I knew he was smart from the very first day. He can be a handful, but he's SO cute and sweet, and has a fun personality. When he curls up in my lap, I think "just another reason I can't live without a cat" haha. I feel the connection deeply when he's on my lap! I'm very glad he chose me <3

I saw the play The Fourposter in April, which I never thought Fairbanks would do. Super cool!

I went to Santa Fe in May and hung out with Aunt Cindy and Uncle Dean and their friends, and saw Drew Lynch live. He's so good at improv and isn't afraid to laugh at his stutter. Pretty cool!

In June, as a birthday present, I went flying around Black Rapids Glacier and the surrounding area with mom and her friend. I wish I had seen more of the glacier, but I still drooled over the snowy landscape..Alaska is just so pretty!

Going to the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics with mom and Ingrid, and helping with the blanket toss, and going to Music With Reindeer with them as well

Those are the major things, at least! I can't wait to do my end of year book post tomorrow, I look forward to it all year haha!

( dec 27-30 )

This morning, Ryan made everyone scrambled eggs and cinnamon rolls, and after we ate he made a drink called sahlab, a Middle Eastern "pudding," made with milk, sugar, vanilla, etc, topped with cinnamon and I think pistachios. It tasted like cinnamon-y warm milk. It made definitely made me full for awhile haha. After that we opened presents..there were a lot more under the tree this year, it seemed like. Of course Curti had to come check everything out lol. Jo got me a bowl he MADE with Curti's name on it and pawprints on the bottom, with glacial blue colors! It's SO cool, it looks professionally made! I also got cat themed PJs and socks, a Doordash gift card, a Barnes and Noble gift card (which I got early, because it was going to snow the next day and then get super cold again), a booklight (yay, I can read on the bus if it's too dark now!), a bookstore jigsaw puzzle, some plush dragons from How to Train Your Dragon (I guess mom knows how much I love that movie haha), and an Amazon gift card from Dana (there might be more, but I can't remember at the moment :P). A great haul for everyone this year! Later we had a pot roast dinner..Ryan made SUPER fancy carrots, with cream fraiche and other stuff on them..I am definitely full now lol (mom got a popcorn maker, and thought about using it tonight, but we are WAY too full..maybe we'll try again tomorrow :P). Last year mom and I had the stomach flu during Christmas, and had to delay opening presents..this Christmas was definitely way more fun LOL

( pics from the day! )

22. Some things you want to start doing: Probably do housework more often..I'm just so tired a lot of the time though :P

23. The most valuable lesson you've learned this year: I am stubborn and can definitely get through a lot..it was definitely a hard year, especially with Abby dying and the move at work. I hope 2026 will be better!

24. Your favorite holiday traditions: Opening presents, yummy food, listening to Trans-Siberian Orchestra, (not a Christmas song, but one of my favorite songs right now is "Night Castle"..I love the guitars and of course the lyric "stairways hidden behind curtains" haha), etc

25. Your feelings and beliefs about the holidays: They're exhausting, but fun too. The stores start putting out Christmas things earlier every year, it seems like O_o

1. If you were Santa Claus, what might you change about your job without destroying the season’s traditions? I'd go through some type of a portal instead of down the chimney haha
2. If you were Santa Claus, what snacks would you like children to leave out for you? Chocolate chip cookies, gingerbread men, brownies, etc
3. If you were Santa Claus, how would you spend December 26? Sleeping for a very long time, and giving the reindeer some extra pets :P
4. If you were Santa Claus, what would you put under your own tree? Books, cat shirts, gift cards, etc
5. If you were Santa Claus, what songs would be on the playlist you listened to in your sleigh Christmas Eve? "Wizards in Winter," "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo," "A Mad Russian's Christmas" (I miiight like Trans-Siberian Orchestra haha), "The 12 Pains of Christmas" (such a fun parody!), etc

This is Curti's "I want to play!" face

He was looking at the laser pointer in my hand, he LOVES chasing the red dot haha (he's 1 year old this month, wow!!)

Yesterday at work Bill and Juella (the temporary manager) were talking about the move, and Bill said something about me taking time off in the middle of the move, and I chimed in and confirmed it because Shelby said everyone should take time off during the move, to get some rest so we're not overwhelmed. Juella was like "oh, Shelby said you guys blew them off and didn't come in!" WHAT!! I was there in the staff meeting when Shelby said to take time off and Vicki approved it ahead of time. Is that why they treat us so terribly?? That's a lie and SO messed up..everyone is definitely tired of Shelby and Lucie, ugh. At least today is another First Friday 50% off sale, where the bookstore is open until 8. Hopefully lots of people will come and do Christmas shopping!

I'm ALARMED at how many people I see wearing just a hoodie and jeans in below zero weather..that is so dangerous, what if your car breaks down, or somehow get stuck outside?? (Maybe they have extra clothes in their car, but still.) Wind chills as low as 55 below are expected in the next couple days. D: D: Good thing it's the weekend and mom can drive me to work, it would be awful standing outside in that!

( dec 3-5 )

1. What do you see when you are looking out of the window closest to you? A house, trees
2. Who was the last person who came into your room? Besides myself, maybe mom?
3. What is the most predominant colour around you? White, with blue mixed in
4. What is right behind you? A pillow and a wall
5. What is on today's calendar sheet? I worked, and now I'm relaxing at my parents' house. How is it Friday already??

Curti put his front paws on one of my bedposts, which touched the lights I have around it (he chewed the cord, so they don't work anymore *sniff*), and they lit up for a second or two! It was really cool! That's definitely when you know it's dry in Fairbanks :P

Another big donation day tomorrow at the bookstore! I hope we get LOTS of cool "new" books, everyone's beyond tired of looking at the ones that have been on the shelf since we moved haha. On Halloween, a kid recognized me from the bookstore, and a regular customer came in today and said one of her kids recognized me..I was like "that was your kid??" I was busy handing out candy and didn't get a good look at her. Her mom said one of her relatives lives on a nearby street, how cool! Definitely a small big state :P

( nov 10-14 )

1. Do you ever wonder if the way you see things visually aren't how other people see them? I have definitely wondered that before! I was shocked to learn not everyone sees halos around lights, it's just a "side effect" of astigmatism when not wearing glasses! So weird haha
2. What kind of sounds are the most annoying? Popping/chewing gum, snoring/constantly sniffing, saxophones, etc. One of my coworkers CONSTANTLY groans/mutters to himself which has been driving me INSANE. It would be mean to say something though, he probably doesn't even realize he's doing it
3. When walking through a store, do you shop with your hands by touching/feeling the texture of things? If it's something I'm curious about
4. If you could only smell three scents for the rest of your life, what would they be? Books, evergreen trees, rain
5. What sorts of things do you savor when eating them? Strawberry milkshakes, chocolate chip cookies, bread my brother makes, etc

My cousin Jordan's wife Sarah had another baby yesterday! Her name is Annaka Catherine Pfannenstiel. That's a pretty cool name! Hopefully I can meet both their kids someday, they're not around when I go to Kansas lol

Curti weighs 12 pounds now! I miss being able to hold him with one hand hehe

( oct 2-3 )

A book you have always avoided reading: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville (Jul 30-Aug 10). Phew, that was a long one. It was interesting, sometimes tedious..I don't regret reading it, but I was glad when I finally finished it haha

Hans the Eskimo: His Story of Arctic Adventure with Kane, Hayes, and Hall by Edwin Gile Rich (Aug 11-12). You know you're starving when you have to eat your boots D:

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman (Aug 13-18). Best one in the series! Emotional, but funny too. The new one (The Impossible Fortune) is coming out on the 23rd, yay!!

Blood Lure by Nevada Barr (Aug 19-25). Anna Pigeon really needs a job where she isn't getting hurt/shot at/stalked by animals, etc haha. This one took place in Glacier National Park, yay! I loved all the literary references too ("lead on, Macduff!")

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown (Aug 27-28). The movie was great, so I had to read the book too! Such a lovely story with great illustrations!

The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown (Aug 28-30). Not quiiite as good as the first one, but still pretty good. I love Brightbill and Roz! <3

That was a fast summer, and stressful with work moving too. There's lots of yellow leaves on the trees now!

Earlier Curti went upstairs, set a toy down by mom's door, and waited until she came out. OMG he is too cute and sweet for words to describe <3

( sept. 1: Are you competitive? )

1. What do you consider nature’s perfect food? Strawberries
2. What was once difficult for you but now seems like second nature? Running the register at work. I was terrified!
3. What is your favorite way to commune with nature? Go to the mountains, go in the forest and enjoy the smell of the trees, etc
4. How have you tamed nature within your living space? I don't have any nature in it lol
5. When you were you last bitten, stung, or slimed by nature? Hmmm..not sure..

Last night my back pain was so painful that I went to the hospital! They gave me a bunch of pain meds, but they didn't really do anything. This morning I saw a chiropractor, who said my muscles were SUPER tight. He had me stand in front of him and he told me I was leaning forward a little and my left palm was up a weird way. He said no one else would notice something like that, but I have noticed that in pictures of me, and mom said I walk stiffly too. He put some pain-relieving gel on my back, and some kind of electrical thing, stretched me, etc. He showed me a couple stretches to do to improve pain/my posture, and said to come back on Tuesday so he can work on me more. He said I was too young to feel so old haha! My back is still pretty painful, but hopefully it'll heal quickly. Universe, please stop hurting me, I've had enough LOL

Of all the comfy places Curti can sleep, he chooses..the floor?? He can sleep behind a chair for HOURS. Whatever makes him happy, I guess :P

( 29. How would you describe luxury? )

5. Name five favorite movies: LOTR: Return of the King, Cutthroat Island, Twister, 1917, Interstellar
4. Name four areas of interest you became interested in after you were done with your formal education: Glaciers, polar exploration, four-poster beds, curtains
3. Name three things you would change about this world: I'd give a message to everyone: the secret to looking young is enjoying things, no matter how little they are. Being a adult doesn't mean you just get boring and are just "meh" about things you like. People think I'm still in my 20s! Doesn't matter if I've lived in Alaska for 17 years, I'll ALWAYS get excited about seeing moose, flying over glaciers, etc. The world might be a bit more cheerful if there was more enjoyment. Second, there'd be more resources and help for mentally ill people. They don't deserve to live outside on the corner of a building! They need true help rather than just going to jail (I've seen many police bodycam videos where that has happened, so sad!). Third, get rid of Orange Guy and the awful yellow curtains haha
2. Name two of your favorite childhood toys: Barbies and a scooter
1. Name one person you could be handcuffed to for a full day: No thanks, that sounds awful D:

Yesterday at work someone came in and handed me a huge wad of cash and said "this is $2,000, to help since you lost some of your funding." I was completely shocked! I told her how grateful I was and how amazing that act was! How cool! Later Bill got a $5 donation and I was like "aw, that's not fair!" haha. Amanda also told us today she's resigning in a couple weeks. She works part-time at a radio station and they offered her a full-time position with healthcare and stuff. Aww man, she was just settling in! That is fair but I'll have to get used to a new person yet again..sigh. I hope she'll enjoy her new job though! Hopefully it won't take as long to hire someone else this time though

Curti might have some Maine Coon in him, but he is definitely a Siberian..they're active and playful, love being up high and are good at jumping, play games like fetch (I played fetch with him last night! So cool lol), they get the zoomies first thing in the morning and again at bedtime (YES haha), are very smart, etc. Other Siberians I saw pics how had the same interesting mouth shape. They actually grow slowly and reach maturity at about 5 years old, reaching 15-25 pounds! Curti's already pretty big, he might be hard to pick up if he gets to be 20 pounds! I wonder if his meow will change over time too..

( aug 13-15 )

1. Which job on a film crew would you most like to do, and which would you be best suited for? It might be cool to be an extra, be on camera for a minute or two. Being a set decorator might be fun too..you never know what you can find at thrift stores haha
2. Which job on a hotel staff would you most like to do, and which would you be best suited for? Probably working at the front desk, checking people into their rooms. I'd also be in charge of the curtains LOL, seeing if they need to be washed and opening/closing them at appropriate times..probably not a "real" job, but I'd make it one :P
3. Which job in a hospital would you most like to do, and which would you be best suited for? Probably checking people in as well, and being a Curtain Inspector there too LOL
4. Which job on a cruise ship would you most like to do, and which would you be best suited for? Maybe working at the gift shop, or taking pictures of people/scenery
5. Which job on a fashion magazine would you most like to do, and which would you be best suited for? A copy editor, finding misspellings and stuff

At work the people I got Curti from stopped in, and they were SO happy when I showed them some pictures of him. They thought it was amusing that he has doglike qualities too lol. They were pleased he's doing well and is in a great home :D

( aug 7-8 )

1. What has you feelin’ groovy? Relaxing
2. Where do you often stop when you are homeward bound? The bus transit center..nice that it's so close!
3. When were you most recently awake far too late in the evening? Hmm..maybe in the last couple months? I have urges to pull black hairs from my body and have spent literal hours doing it..they grow in the weirdest places haha
4. Where might you go to hear the sound of silence? My apartment
5. What proves you are still crazy after all these years? Uhhh..I've gone to Anchorage just to go to the bookstore there haha (and of course I had to go to Olive Garden lol)

Today at work, as a thank you and reward for moving, we spent a few hours at Tanana Lakes. We had burgers and snacks, and there were kayaks/paddleboards/etc if we wanted to go on the water. I went out on the paddleboard, which was my first time..I like kayaks better, but it was still nice to be out relaxing on the water. It was also nice sitting around relaxing, having nothing I was supposed to do. The water was too cold to go in all the way (for me anyway..there were lots of kids swimming out there lol), so I just waded in. It was a nice afternoon and we should do it again lol. Curti thought I smelled VERY interesting when I got home :P

( pokemon update )

18. What changes would you make if you were President of the United States? Mehh I don't want to do that much thinking right now LOL