Next adventure bound

A lot has happened since I last wrote...more traveling that I wrote about (I need to get better at this).
The 3rd September was our last full day in Panama City Beach, FL.  It has been our home for the past two years but we are ready to go and an opportunity presented itself!
We are on the road to Anchorage Alaska!  I got a job at the VA Hospital there and Joe will find a job once we get there, he is still on terminal leave so he's getting paid to move!  We are going to take about 3-4 weeks to get there.

We have been staying with friends and in AirBnB's which have been amazing.  We got one in Panama City Beach that was two blocks away from the beach!  It was chill and relaxing, a good way to leave the area before Irma made her presence known.

Our first stop after leaving Florida was Wynne AR where Joe's family is.  It's the farmland of Arkansas, similar to where my grandparents are.  We spent a full day there and two nights.  It was a good visit, and even Joe was surprised how well everything went.  His family is lively and some are chatty, there is always some drama and we were caught up on that!  One thing that we laughed about was the day to day living and how it goes when visiting family in the country.  We drive a lot, because nothing is near anything, sit, eat, visit, drive some more, sit, visit, eat, and repeat!

After AR we were off to Amarillo TX.  We again lucked out with an AMAZING AirBnb!  We got there early enough to do some touristy stuff and checked out Cadillac Ranch before having wine and Joe a cigar at our little cottage!  We also found a local eatery that was great!  We do very well at avoiding chain places as much as possible!

With all our sitting and eating I'm going to need to start a hard core exercise routine once we get settled in Alaska!
After Amarillio we were off to the Denver CO area.  
On the way to Denver we stopped at a random deli in Pueblo CO.  It was a legit Italian deli, Gagliano's Italian Market and Deli, it has been a family business since 1921!  We got a couple of amazing sandwiches, found a little lake, put Tux in his carrier and had a leisure lunch by the water!
Once we got to Denver we stayed with a friend of mine from my time in the Utah Guard.  They opened up their basement to Joe, Tux, and I.  We had some awesome dinners in the local area.  It was here that I realized I was not use to the dry weather like I was once before.  It's taking me some time getting use to the dry air.  
One of the reason for staying in Colorado for a couple of days was to check out the 4 Wheel Campers who had a dealer in the area.  We went and checked them out but we both didn't have a love connection.  We are the beginning parts of our research of them but it was good to get eyes on and physically get in one instead of just looking at them online.  
I had applied for jobs in that area of Colorado and Joe mentioned that he was glad that I didn't get that job, which I agreed with.  We like the area but maybe not the best fit for us, living wise.  
The next stop is Salt Lake City, UT.  The first few nights we had another AirBnB before moving in with my Aunt for the rest of the week.

Birthday Month!

It seems like I'm posting after an adventure and we are having more and more of them :P  Last post was the beginning of July and here I am at the end of August.  I turned 40 this month and Joe turned 41!  He had a TDY to Atlantic City so I flew up there and had a long weekend checking out another new place.  Bonus was that I didn't even have to pay for the plane ticket!  It was a free trip with my credit card rewards....Happy Birthday to me!  
Even though we are always out and about we also have fun here in PCB.  There are days where we just need to get out of our apartment and enjoy the local places and music.  One of our regulars is Buster's Beer and Bait, and yes Buster has both of those things!  He has great outside seating and regular live bands!  

What's not to like :)  On weekends we will go for bike rides, out to a breakfast spot and then wherever we end up riding!  I'm all about exercising that doesn't feel like exercise! 

We enjoyed Atlantic City but we were also sadden by how run down it was.  It still had it's charm but we could see how amazing it use to be.  Talking to a local barista he said it's due to casinos being everywhere nowadays and not just Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City...and of course politics :(  I got there early afternoon and once we checked in we did a walk around and figured out a show to see.  Ended up seeing a very good burlesque show after some tapas.  The next day it was a pool day and we scored a cabana platform (which is normal $75) for free!  Nothing like laying around a rooftop pool on couches drinking mojitos!  We walked the boardwalk that night, stopping where ever for drinks, hookah, food.... and good people watching!  

Second time doing hookah!  First time was in Baltimore with my girl Natalie!  This time we sat on the boardwalk, had drinks, and watched the city go by!

Had to have a little fun!  

Happy birthday people!

Before flying out we did a quick visit of Philly, a city we want to go back and explore further!  

It's always hard to come back into adulthood and our jobs :( but again... we make the most of being here. This past weekend we finally got out and did some stand up paddle boarding!  It was fun and relaxing!  We'll be doing it again for sure! 

 In 20 days we'll be checking in for our Ireland/Scotland trip!  Work is just a means to fuel our adventures! Loving my life!

Part 2 Advocare and onward to my "L"

The cleanse portion is over, now it's on to the next phase... the "max phase".  The three products that we are now taking are to "work together to provide you with sustained energy, appetite control, core nutrition and overall wellness".  I am grateful that the first day of this new phase I am off of work, so I can see how this will play out over the day.  There is more things to take, with some being required to be taken 30 minutes prior to eating.  So again....back to time management :P  

We've been doing pretty well with the clean eating, only a couple of setbacks ( I blame the weekend :P ).  Now that I'm over that blasted head cold I can incorporate working out now also.  Yesterday morning was the first day I managed to make it to the gym here at our apartment.  Nothing like working out at 5 am and then working until 6pm at night! Long day! ugh  So with this new max phase we will see how my energy and everything else goes!

As mentioned, I've been working pretty steady with long days trying to keep my had above water with figuring out how to do everything.  Rumor has it another PRN therapist has been hired and he's prior AF so that should be good.  Plus, currently all the therapist are females so the docs (who are male) are probably glad to get another male in the ranks.

My meeting with the potential supervisor went well so I have secured that and now I'm applying to get my intern license. One more step closer to my "L".  Now a hangup is getting my NGB22 which shows my military history/separation.  Apparently a retirement order doesn't work :(  So I'm making phone calls, leaving messages, and trying to get that handled.  Fun times!

One thing about living here is that there is always something to do here!  This past weekend we attended Unwined which I have described as speed wine tasting.  We tried a handful of wines and walked away with a nice one that supports military members!  Since it was at Pier Park, we walked over and had dinner at Hofbrau Beer Garden and then over to Tootsies for a couple of drinks and some people watching!  We took it easy on Saturday and then took in a Bluegrass and Folk Music Festival which was very relaxing.  It was at a park on the water.  Sunday was a lazy day, I took care of things and Joe went for a ride and then that evening we took a ride together.  We stopped at had salads at Longhorn Steakhouse and the manger, David, hooked us up with a free desert!  We couldn't be rude and it was yummy.  On the way out we talked with David some more, about the area...he gave us some local hot spot recommendations.  People are friendly and welcoming here and we are enjoying it here immensely! On Wednesday the big bike week is started so this weekend we'll probably check that out...and who knows what else. Unfortunately I'm working on Sunday :( 

My parents will be here next week so that should be interesting :P  I'll work every other day next week while they are here so they can have some free time in the area and then we'll have days to do stuff together.  I think that is why I'm working Sunday... since I have a weird schedule next week.  

Sunshine State!

We've been in Florida for a little over a week and we're still pinching ourselves.  The move went SO smoothly, we were really blessed.  We had great packers and movers, everyone was professional, nice, and did a wonderful job!  

Sami and Tux are such traveling professionals themselves at this point!  They were sequestered while everything got packed up.

They handle road trips like champs!  Mostly sleeping with a couple of check ins to see what is up!  The drive from NC to FL was about 11 hours or so, it was a long day but with the regular stops for Sami breaks and gas it wasn't too bad.  Since Sami got her walking breaks, Tux was not happy to be stuck in the car all day!  

We made it to the temporary living facility (TLF) on Tyndall that evening and we got settled.  When we walked Sami that night we came across a deer.  Later on we were informed that there are bears on base!  In our apartment complex, there is a rumor of a gator in one of the ponds and Sami and I came across a snapping turtle on a walk!  

The next day we walked over to the marina, yes walked, and checked it out and then drove into town to check out Panama City.  

far in the background is Panama City Beach where we live!

We got a two bedroom apartment in Panama City Beach. Most people told us not to live in PCB due to spring break craziness but we wanted to be near stuff so here we are!  We are not in the middle of everything but a quick drive and we have this....

I can deal with some crazy months of heavy traffic and people, and then have quick and easy access to the awesome relaxed low key beach the rest of the year!  Amazing!

The furkids have settled.  We have a good sized screened in porch, aka lanai, and with the cooler temps we leave the sliding glass door open a lot.  It didn't take those two long to get settled out there!

Not only are they settling in, they have started conducting crimes together.  I think Sami is more of the criminal due to opportunity and that Tux is the instigator.  

Exhibit A:

Noticed the scratch marks?  Dogs are not that neat BUT this was found on the floor and Sami doing her best to lick it clean!  I just opened this last night and within 24hrs it's gone!  My chubby monkey Tux is already overweight and he acts as if he's starving! Crazy cat!

Needless to say, all is well and almost normal in our household with this move :P

I start my new job on Monday with three days of orientation.  It's always nerve wrecking to start a new job but I need to get back to work.  Although it's a PRN position (as needed), I am scheduled for 15 days in October!  Looking at the other therapist's schedules the average is between 13-20 days/month so we will see how this goes. I'm looking forward to putting my degree to work!  Bonus is that I am working with a population that I want to work with, veterans!

We are going to do our best to "survive" the next couple of years here ;) Oh did I mention all the fresh seafood?!  This weekend.... Scallop and Mussel festival, last weekend it was a lobster festival! OMG!