Patience and Cider

It's Saturday morning, I am slightly dehydrated from a bottle of wine last night sucking out my moisture but I sit here with my coffee with a splash of yummy salted Carmel Kailua.  I look out in front of me to the sun creepy over the snow covered mountains and I am happy!  This sun loving, gotta be by the beach girl is happy in Alaska!  Before moving here our friend Adam told Joe that Alaska will steal your heart!  He spoke a hard truth and we are grateful to have this experience.

We have begun to live with the belief that we must not fight life, we need to be open to it, embrace the moment, and not force something that is not working.  Neither one of us ever thought we'd be living in Alaska, let alone loving and embracing Alaska and all that she has to offer!

My work hasn't changed much but I am working on myself in that regard.  Instead of focusing on my frustrations and irritations I just do what I can, learn what I can, and be open to what I can do.  I've talked to some head people and they are aware of my frustrations and that I am eager to be engaged so that is all I can do.  Apparently I have started work here in an stage of change so roles and responsibilities are being clarified and tweaked.  it's a government job so nothing moves forward in a fast manner so I am choosing to embrace the situation and have patience.  I have no control over others or the process just myself.  That is something we try to instill in our clients as therapist but sometimes we get caught up in life and forget that truth ourselves.



Last weekend I had the blessing of volunteering at Survivor's Day.  It's a day, that is set aside nationally, for those people that have lost someone due to suicide.  It's was a touching day with movies, actives for remembrance, and of sharing of grief and strength.  This was their 4 year of doing it here in Anchorage, I believe, and when it started there were more volunteers than participants.  This year it has grown and there was a good amount of people.  It's good that the word is getting out, it's not strongly advertised, but sad at the same time.  The high schools here have had a hard year of students dying by suicide which was heart braking to hear about, and frustration to here that people don't want to talk about in the schools or take any preventive measures.  It does seem like with this year of loss, the the students themselves are making a change and there is also some change from the higher ups to address it.  So although the loss has been great, there are finally some action to help the kids.




This past Monday we had a fun night of cider and chocolate pairing at the local cidery.  They worked with a local chocolate shop and it was amazing!  9 ciders and 9 truffles!  I was a happy girl!  The hardest part was waiting while they set out the ciders and chocolates!  
Last night we had dinner with our other neighbors, a newlywed couple from Colorado.  We had an evening of finger food, good drinks, and good conversations!  Our condo is small, only four units and one is an air&b so it's awesome to me that we've made friends and broke bread with our neighbors.  





We have been here in Alaska for 2 months! We have done and experienced more than what we had in Florida, and we've interacted more with our neighbors!  I can't believe it's only been 2 months! We are just getting started!

Bit by bit, or box by box

It's been a busy week for us.  We are mostly unpacked but have yet to start putting things on the wall, baby steps.  We have a least two boxes of donation/give away items.  I survived that crazy workout session and can now walk normally again.  Tomorrow I will be at the gym but I will ease into my workout!  We have Alaskan driver's licenses and Alaska license plates on our vehicles!  

We are enjoying Alaska!  It's cool, it's been around 50 degrees  give or take a few degrees up or down and now we have a good dusting of snow on our mountains.  Yep I'm claiming our mountains because if I'm sitting at our table or on the couch I can see them :)

We are truly blessed.  We have another couple that we hang out with and they have been here for some years so they know what to do and how to adapt to living here.  

I picture above is driving to their place and it was amazing how the sunlight was highlighting that snow capped mountain!  Beautiful!  Also, a few minutes later during that same drive I saw my first moose walking down a side street!  NOW it is official, I saw a moose so now I live here in Alaska!

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.

It's been awhile....

Wow!  The last post was in August 2016!  I have been busy living life so I cannot complain one bit!  A quick run down/update....
-still working towards my LCSW in Panama City Florida
-Joe will retire October of this year
-2016 ended awesomely
     -had an awesome vaca visiting the UK and Ireland in September

     -had some Halloween fun in PCB

     -had a great visit with my Mom

     -learned how to ride and promptly bought a bike!

     -took my first cruise

     -rung in 2017 in New Orleans

Things have slowed down in 2017, mainly due to needing to build my back account back up from all that fun!  We've been working hard but we have a trip to Miami in a couple of weeks so we have to balance work and fun!

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!

Back to the grind

Everything has been cleared for now.  I had the biopsy, they took three samples and left a little "clip" in.  Everything came back as benign and I'm on the watch program so in 6 months I'll get another ultrasound on both breast to just keep an eye on everything.  It was a nice sign of relief, especially since I have a high school friend who I heard via FB that she things are more serious for her.  I don't know why things happen the way they do for people...I guess we all have to just do our best to survive and live our lives to the best of our ability.  
Joe went to the appointment with me where we found out the results.  As soon as the doc said things were good, Joe looks at me, smiles, and says "I told you so".  He has been a good grounding for me during all of that stress.  

Soon after that appointment, Joe and I had already planned on taking a little mini vaca to check out Tampa.  It was pretty chill and it was a good change of venue from PCB.  We actually stayed in St Petersburg in an old hotel a block from the wharf.  The hotel, The Ponce de Leon, had a lot of character and the bathroom was smaller than my bathroom in my old apartment in SLC, Ut!  I didn't think that was possible :P  We lucked out and there was a nice little Irish pub right around the corner that we went to a couple of times to just chill from our day's activities.  Tampa, downtown itself, wasn't all that for us but we found a nice little town Ybor City that was more our style: historic, walkable, coffee and cigar shops everywhere, and a good vibe. 

We checked out a couple of museums.  We were surprised to find the Salvador Dali museum just a couple blocks away from our hotel.  We were both surprised that his work was more than melting clocks!

We found some great outdoor places in St Pete to hang out, eat, and have some drinks.  

We will probably go back again, they do have Busch Gardens after all :P  
Now it's back to the grind of adult living :(  We have a big vacation planned in September and October, and then I have a girl trip planned in December!  I'm definitely working to these travels and live life to the best of my ability!

Garden City Love

We took a few days off and drove up to Savannah.  Joe has been there before and wanted me to see it thinking that I'd love it and he was right!  The history, the Spanish moss, and just walking around looking at everything was awesome.  We went in the middle of the week so it wasn't crazy busy and the weather was almost perfect!
We stayed in an historic house, well... we stayed in the carriage house so we had our own little place :) It was off of a main road and it was perfect for the two of us!  We got there before we could check in so we just parked at started walking.  We were about 4 blocks away from the river...so much to see!  All the old houses, the gardens here and there.... words cannot capture the beauty of that city!

us walking around checking out everything!

After we spent time walking around, checking out some pubs, we were able to check in.  Joe was trying for a bed and breakfast but this was not like that, it was like we were renting out our own little apartment!

the headboard, our house number was 109

Once we got unpacked and situated and I put on some warmer clothing we were off again.  The joys about these cities is the random happy people you meet.  We stopped at a pub that was right around the corner from our place and a girl next to us, from the UK, was talking to another man getting some traveling tips.  Once the guy left we began talking to her.  She's in her early 20's and decided to save her money, sell everything, and go traveling around!  Awesome!  We found it funny that she'd never been to Ireland because it's "too expensive".  We had a good chat and we were off doing a thing I started "apps and drinks" :P  We stop at places, sit at the bar, get an appetizer and a drink, enjoy some chit chat and then we go off to another place!  After few places it turns into just drinks but it's a good way to extend the visit and make sure one didn't get too toasted along the way.  Oh Savannah is an open carry city.  I got drinks "to go" and in the doorway of every place is a stack of plastic cups!  The city is beautiful and to walk around drinking.... it's like walking around with a drink in a museum!  

We didn't realize how many movies are made in the area until the next day when we did a trolley tour of the town.  We knew about some of the big ones but it was good to hear about others.  That pub next to our place, we stopped in at least twice, was from "Something to talk about"!  "There is Forest Gump" and "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil".  We found the bench area where Gump was chillin and the tower where the feather floated down, and the house where the killing took place from "midnight...".  Once we got home we watched "Midnight...." We are still working through Savannah movies :P

Outside of Six Pence pub

We walked around and took pictures and just enjoyed the city.  

crossing the street.... so much green and beauty everywhere

We had a good time, listened to some music and just walked everywhere!  

this was an awesome pet store :( went through it and thought of Sami...had a chuckle with their signs though!

Not sure what city we have our sights on next but either way we'll have fun exploring!

Hello 2016!

this was in the bathroom....good words to live by for 2016!

What a year 2015 was and as sad I was to close that chapter, I'm excited looking forward to 2016!  Joe and I took a quick trip over to St Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S. to ring in the new year.  We took Sami girl with us because I wasn't comfortable boarding her with how she has been doing.  She is such a good traveler but I can tell she's a fan of her routine now that she is getting older.  She was good on the trip but was not completely herself :( but she is still plugging right along.

Ms. Sami, professional road tripper

St Augustine was a fun little city.  We stayed visited mostly the old historic part of town, with the cobble stone streets.  We drove down on New Year's Eve and once we got settled we found an Irish pub/restaurant on the river bank, had some drinks and some good food before moving along.

We walked around and ended up in a small little bar with sangria and old Charlie Brown the keyboardist playing songs non stop.  Charlie was in the front by their big window and watching people walk past, stop and have some fun, do a little dance on the street before moving on was awesome.  Joe and I cut a rug off and on, enjoyed the good vibes, fun people, and good drinks.  When 2016 hit we shared a traditional New Year's smooch and cheered with our other bar friends!  We left there and ended up in another little bar for a couple of more drinks before heading back our hotel.

Needless to say we were hurting a little the next day but we went back to the historic district and walked around.  A lot of fun little restaurants, bars, and stores to explore. Very beautiful area!

There had been a lot of changes this past year.  My parents divorced and I'm not sure when I'll see my Mom again...she's planning on moving to Hawaii as soon as possible.  I want the best for my parents but it is a tad weird and I'm trying to be supportive to both of them as they move forward with their lives.  I've had two major moves (from UT to NC to FL), graduated with my MSW, retired from the AF..... A LOT of things happened this year and for 2016... we are planning a big European vacation around September/October :D  So that's going to be fun!  

I'm slowly working toward my LCSW.... we are getting beach cruisers soon so we can ride to the beach when it gets crazy here and we don't want to drive, plus we have some places nearby that we can ride to for breakfast or dinner!  There are so many ways we are moving forward with what we value in our lives... we are happy and excited!

Moving along....

I can't believe this year is almost over!  I also just got an email from my boss saying that I'm hitting my 90 day marker so I will have my evaluation right after the 1st!  Just the other night Joe and I were talking how it feels as if we've been in Florida a lot longer than we have and then I look back on this year and damn, I've been busy!

First off Sami is amazing and has the heart of a puppy.  She is still struggling but she's still moving about and her spirit has lifted with her adaptations.  We met with the vet this past weekend and we put everything out of the table in that we are not going for "heroics" in regards to Sami's care.  We are going to maintain her quality of life as much as possible and when that goes then it's time to let her go.  The vet was great and was supportive of our view on the situation.  I was worried that she would want us to get test done to confirm if it's DM, or do extra stuff...but she's seen a good amount of dogs and she said even if it's not DM but, let's say, a tumor on her spine there is still only so much we can do.  We probably won't board her anymore due to how bad she was when we picked her up, I think the activity was just too much for her.  We haven't figured out what we are doing for Christmas and New Years yet, I am working Christmas Eve and Day but we will be taking Sami with us wherever we go!

Joe is off on a TDY back to New Orleans, I know...hard life, and I'm holding the homestead down and even though I'm off of work this week I got my "to do" list.  Thursday I am meeting with someone at the Red Cross so I can volunteer with their Crisis Disaster Team.  I'm nervous but excited.  I tend to have some down time and the job front isn't as busy so I guess I'd do some volunteering.  I also got a book club that I joined and will be attending the first meeting this weekend!

Joe had his annual work Christmas Party this past weekend and it was actually fun.  We got dressed up, I got my hair done, and I must say....we are a good looking pair!  

The following night we had dinner at the American Legion. Joe works with some guys that are members there and they have cheap drinks LOL  They have a great set up, nice patio area where they will have live bands, and for this time of the year a really nice fire pit!  They are doing a toy run next weekend and I'm not sure if we're going to do that or not.  There is always something going on around here, and we are looking forward to the summer to get a lot of beach time in.  After the holidays I think we are going to get some beach cruisers so we can ride bikes to the beach or to brunch :)

This is at my work on the desk by the communal computer and I will read it off and on, it helps remind me of what's important with my work!

Work has slowed down but I'm getting some individual clients so that makes it so I get at least 2-3 days a week.  They did send me to Eglin AFB for so training, which I am grateful for! More tools to utilize with my clients :)

I am truly blessed in life and as much as I want to be lazy again, I need to get going on my "to do" list!

I took this photo of Sami because she has been struggling getting up in her beds but she got in with no issues the other night! :)  Love her to pieces!!! 

November in Flip Flops

We still keep our sliding door open, the weather is awesome here in Florida!  It gets chilly every now and then, chilly to where I have to wear socks and shoes :P but nothing less than a hoodie is needed :D  

The last few weekends, one of us has worked a day...either myself or Joe.  When we do have days on the weekend together we like to get out and about.  The other weekend we went and checked out Eglin AFB (Joe needed to check out the clothing sales there).  We stopped at a neat Irish pub for lunch and then headed to the base.  It was a beautiful drive along the coast.  I learned something new about Eglin, they have this huge hanger that they can make extreme weather conditions to test planes, vehicles, weapons..... anything really.  It's really cool!

Mom and Dad came for a visit and had planned on staying with us for a long weekend but due to other circumstances only stayed one night with us. Hopefully we'll meet up again soon. We took them to a beautiful place on the water for dinner and made sure to cue up a colorful sunset for them ;)

Some days we have a relaxing time out and will stop at random places. One weekend it was overcast but we stopped and had drinks at a nice little place on the water.  There were some surfers for a little bit.  It was so peaceful!

The ocean is so relaxing to me.  I am truly blessed to live this close to the water.

This past weekend was a big car show.  We only went to one day of it but all the old cars were amazing to look at!  One guy let me sit in his car that he put together.  He had amazing random things on his car.  He had lights from WWII that flyers used to send out emergency signals if they needed to. All the little things he had on the car...I could look at it for hours.

Our Veteran's Day was amazing.  We didn't go to any of the restaurants that give the free food.  Neither one of us is a big fan of that craziness.  We have found a favorite bar/restaurant that serves great Cajun food.  We went there for lunch, had a couple of drinks, and then met up with one of Joe's friends that is military.  Had a couple of drinks outside enjoying a little hole in the wall place before going to a place on the water.  While sitting outside we saw numerous dolphins out in the water and had a gorgeous sunset.  Another military member, retired, showed up and I couldn't think of a better relaxing veterans day.  I spent it with good military members, having a few drinks, and enjoying a beautiful day!