Life goes by way too fast. Not much is really new up here just plugging along.
Mike started the Academy for the DOC on Monday. It lasts until November 6th, when he will get his badge :). So from now until then he is car pooling with 2 other CO's out to Palmer, about 1 hour each way drive time. He said that a lot of the information he already know from his the Academy he had for school, so it should be pretty easy. Another nice thing is that he gets nights and weekends off!
We are still doing the 200 situp challenge. I am on the last day of week 3, and Mike is on the last day of week 5, since he started on week 3. Tonight I have to do 5 sets (24, 34, 23, 23, 32+) and Mike has to do 8 sets ( 26, 26, 30, 30, 26, 26, 30, 67).
I am also still working on the C25K. I am starting week 4 today. I have to jog 3 minutes, walk 1.5, j 5, w 2.5, j3, w 1.5, j 5. Hopefully it goes smoothly, since I did an extra day of week 3.
I have also started on my meal plan for October. We did really well in September. We only ate out twice, at the fair and for our anniversary!
9/29/2009
9/23/2009
9/22/2009
SNOW
Photo courtesy of Rebecca Belcher - www.rebeccabphotos.com / ADN reader submissionLocation: Anchorage, 09/21/2009 Termination dust on the mountains
Yep that's right. SNOW on the mountains, for the last 2 days. I guess our week of Fall in Alaska is over. This summer was amazing, especially in comparison to last summer. We did a ton of exploring Alaska, along with our visitors. The highs for this week are going to be in the low 50's, and it is supposed to rain a lot. Ugh!
This winter should be a lot of fun. My grandparents are coming up for Turkey Day (Thanksgiving)!! And Mike and I are meeting my parents some place warm in late January or early February. We also plan on skiing and snow shoeing more this winter.
9/21/2009
Weekend Review
This weekend was AWESOME!! Friday Mike and I went to Kohl's and Target. My favorite stores! And then just hung out.
Saturday I had my first FLL meeting. We had 5 girls who all seem really nice and excited about the season! We expect 2-3 more to join. Then Mike and I went and worked out. I ran, he did the elliptical and then we did our sit ups for the day (we are doing this challenge http://www.twohundredsitups.com/).
Then we got dressed to go out to dinner. It was so good. We had not had steak in a long time. I had a Fillet Mignon and Mike had a Bone in Rib Eye. We also shared a Cesar Salad, some bread, and had a berry ice cream for dessert. When I made the reservations I had written a note that it was our Anniversary so we got the ice cream for free, had rose petals on the table, along with a little card saying Happy Anniversary. After dinner we went to Samantha and Hans house for a game of Life.
Yesterday we slept in then went to Church with Samantha and Jacob. Went out to lunch with them at IHOP, I had nutella Crepes with Bananas and Strawberries, really good minus some of the Strawberries being frozen. Then Mike and I went home. Mike sat on the couch and watched foot ball while I made 2 dozen rolls and hemmed his pants, (that we bought in MN in April). I had been being to do it for a while. And did it just in time for him to wear them to the LION KING!! So at 4ish we headed back for to Samantha and Hans house for an amazing dinner of Ribs, baked potatoes, salad, strawberries, and rolls. WE WERE STUFFED! Han's mom was over to watch Jacob and four of us went to the Lion King.
The Lion King was AMAZING. I have been talking about going forever and it surpassed my expectation. In first scene "the Circle of Life" they have tons of animals walk down the isle, including a life size elephant, which has one person in each leg (4 people total for you not so good at math). The music, costuming, acting, and dancing were all amazing. Mike and Hans even really enjoyed it. And Mike is not really the play going guy. I however would not pay for a 3 year old to see it, yes there were some there. The costumes/ puppets for the the Lions, Timon, Pumba, and Hyenas were amazing. If we had the money to do so I would go to it again, there was so much going on, I am sure I missed a ton.
We had a great First Anniversary. I will post some picture of us all dressed up some time!
Saturday I had my first FLL meeting. We had 5 girls who all seem really nice and excited about the season! We expect 2-3 more to join. Then Mike and I went and worked out. I ran, he did the elliptical and then we did our sit ups for the day (we are doing this challenge http://www.twohundredsitups.com/).
Then we got dressed to go out to dinner. It was so good. We had not had steak in a long time. I had a Fillet Mignon and Mike had a Bone in Rib Eye. We also shared a Cesar Salad, some bread, and had a berry ice cream for dessert. When I made the reservations I had written a note that it was our Anniversary so we got the ice cream for free, had rose petals on the table, along with a little card saying Happy Anniversary. After dinner we went to Samantha and Hans house for a game of Life.
Yesterday we slept in then went to Church with Samantha and Jacob. Went out to lunch with them at IHOP, I had nutella Crepes with Bananas and Strawberries, really good minus some of the Strawberries being frozen. Then Mike and I went home. Mike sat on the couch and watched foot ball while I made 2 dozen rolls and hemmed his pants, (that we bought in MN in April). I had been being to do it for a while. And did it just in time for him to wear them to the LION KING!! So at 4ish we headed back for to Samantha and Hans house for an amazing dinner of Ribs, baked potatoes, salad, strawberries, and rolls. WE WERE STUFFED! Han's mom was over to watch Jacob and four of us went to the Lion King.
The Lion King was AMAZING. I have been talking about going forever and it surpassed my expectation. In first scene "the Circle of Life" they have tons of animals walk down the isle, including a life size elephant, which has one person in each leg (4 people total for you not so good at math). The music, costuming, acting, and dancing were all amazing. Mike and Hans even really enjoyed it. And Mike is not really the play going guy. I however would not pay for a 3 year old to see it, yes there were some there. The costumes/ puppets for the the Lions, Timon, Pumba, and Hyenas were amazing. If we had the money to do so I would go to it again, there was so much going on, I am sure I missed a ton.
We had a great First Anniversary. I will post some picture of us all dressed up some time!
9/20/2009
Happy One Year Anniversary
Today is our One year Anniversary! I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by. In the past year Mike and I have:
- Gone on our honeymoon the Bar Harbor Maine
- Joined Planet Fitness
- Celebrated our first season of Holidays in Alaska
- Made some great friends in Alaska
- Bought a brand new car
- Have gotten on the same page financially
- Went to MN in April
- Traveled around Alaska with family
- Mike started his new job at the DOC and we have adjusted to the Schedule
- Fallen more in love with each other
9/19/2009
New Van
Well it looks like new! So pretty! We got the Van yesterday. Total cost would have been $1,700, but thank the Lord it only cost us $100. The most ridiculous thing was that just for the Dodge name and Grand Caravan name it cost over $100.
Today I had my first meeting for FLL (First Lego League). We had 5 girsl but know of at least 3 more who will be joining us today. The girls seem nice and I know it will be a great time. Then we went and worked out. And tonight we are going dinner at Simon and Seaforts.
9/15/2009
Tuesday
I brought the van in this morning to get an estimate. If we had to pay out of pocket it would be $1,400, ouch. Thank the Lord for insurance. And that is for a salvaged gate piece that the body shop will repaint. I just left the van there and got a ride to work from one the the guys at the shop. It "should" be done by Friday. We were a little unsure of the body shop since no one had suggested it to us but the shop has a 100% guarantee on the work for as long as we own the vehicle. And since Mike and I have decided that we will pretty much drive it until it dies we are not so worried.
We do not have to much planned for tonight. Homemade wild rice soup is for dinner with some left over corn bread muffins that I made last night. And the Biggest Loser Starts tonight, I am a dork but I love this show.
I am also excited for this weekend! Mike and I are celebrating our 1 year anniversary! We are going out to dinner on Saturday to Simon and Seafort's. And on Sunday we are having dinner at Samantha and Hans place and then going to the LION KING!! I am sooo pumped! To bad it is only Tuesday.
We do not have to much planned for tonight. Homemade wild rice soup is for dinner with some left over corn bread muffins that I made last night. And the Biggest Loser Starts tonight, I am a dork but I love this show.
I am also excited for this weekend! Mike and I are celebrating our 1 year anniversary! We are going out to dinner on Saturday to Simon and Seafort's. And on Sunday we are having dinner at Samantha and Hans place and then going to the LION KING!! I am sooo pumped! To bad it is only Tuesday.
9/14/2009
Oh Happy Day
Pictures of the van
So I decide to call insurance this morning to see if maybe the vandalism on the car would be covered. Guess what? It was covered almost 100% yeeha! All we have do is pay out $100 deductible and all the body and glass work is taken car of.
Mike and I celebrated tonight with treating our self to Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream
Weekend Review
Saturday was a wonderful day. I baked Enchiladas, Manicotti, wild rice soup, and made puppy chow. I went and worked out. And Saturday night we had the first get together for the young adult group at the church.
Sunday... was not so nice. It is 5 am, Mike gets up gets ready and heads out to the van to go to work... he gets in the van and realises that the rain sounds like it is in the van. He starts looking for an open window, turns around and realizes that the back window is completely smashed and broken out. So what does he do... runs back in the house turns on the light in the bed room and asks me if I took the check book out of the van. I say "yes dear" grunt and turn over.
Mike says " well the van does not have a back wind shield"
Me "CRAP"
So Mike goes to work and I call the non emergency line for the police they say to just file a police report online, there is nothing they an really do for us... SERIOUSLY. If we do not have a suspect they can not do anything... isn't it their job to find who did it! ugh! So I move the van into the garage since Mike took the car. And go back in the house to sulk a while.
Later in the morning, feeling like I could deal with the situation and replacing a window is not that bad; I go to investigate and clean up the glass a bit. Only to realise not only did the culprits smash in the window they also hit the back of the van with a bat, their foot, a bar, or something. And the back hatch back of the van is totally deformed. Because of this I cannot even get the back door open, are you kiding me!
So Monday I plan to call some companies on my lunch break and see how much it is going to cost us. I hope we can get the back hatch working and opening, so we only have to replace the window. Other wise we will try to find a hatch for the van at a junk yard to put on.
Hope everyone else weekend was good! (I will post pictures tonight)
Sunday... was not so nice. It is 5 am, Mike gets up gets ready and heads out to the van to go to work... he gets in the van and realises that the rain sounds like it is in the van. He starts looking for an open window, turns around and realizes that the back window is completely smashed and broken out. So what does he do... runs back in the house turns on the light in the bed room and asks me if I took the check book out of the van. I say "yes dear" grunt and turn over.
Mike says " well the van does not have a back wind shield"
Me "CRAP"
So Mike goes to work and I call the non emergency line for the police they say to just file a police report online, there is nothing they an really do for us... SERIOUSLY. If we do not have a suspect they can not do anything... isn't it their job to find who did it! ugh! So I move the van into the garage since Mike took the car. And go back in the house to sulk a while.
Later in the morning, feeling like I could deal with the situation and replacing a window is not that bad; I go to investigate and clean up the glass a bit. Only to realise not only did the culprits smash in the window they also hit the back of the van with a bat, their foot, a bar, or something. And the back hatch back of the van is totally deformed. Because of this I cannot even get the back door open, are you kiding me!
So Monday I plan to call some companies on my lunch break and see how much it is going to cost us. I hope we can get the back hatch working and opening, so we only have to replace the window. Other wise we will try to find a hatch for the van at a junk yard to put on.
Hope everyone else weekend was good! (I will post pictures tonight)
9/11/2009
TGIF
Thank God its Friday! Even though it was only a 4 day week I am so glad that it is Friday! One good thing today I won tickets (purchase by my employer) for a fundraiser event the 24th of September. Mike has to work so Samantha and I are having a girls night! It is raising money for Special Olympics, and we get dinner, drinks, chips to play casino games and lot of other fun stuff.
I get to sleep in this weekend! Mike works, Saturday and then we have a young adult group thingy at church that we are starting! During the day I plan to run, cook, and maybe take a nap :)
Sunday I have church and then maybe I will scrapbook! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
I get to sleep in this weekend! Mike works, Saturday and then we have a young adult group thingy at church that we are starting! During the day I plan to run, cook, and maybe take a nap :)
Sunday I have church and then maybe I will scrapbook! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
9/10/2009
Alaska State Fair 2009
Goats
Jacob and his Sun Glasses (Samantha got tons of comments about them)
Samantha and Jacob
Holy Big Veggies and Fruit
World Record Cabbage... 127 pounds
The goats were so funny ramming each other
9/08/2009
Great Weekend
Mike and I have a truly awesome weekend. Here is just a quick overview of what we did
Friday: I got off early and we drove to South Rolly Campground (http://www.dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/matsu/sorollylkcamp.htm) We got an awesome site, right on South Rolly Lake, where we could put the kayak in the water from the site! We saw loons and Mike saw some beavers.
Saturday: Got up and drove to the Alaska State Fair where we met Samantha and Jacob. Ate a TON of food, went to a lumber jack show, looked at the world record cabbage and the hundred of shops. Then drove back to the camp ground for a fire, and some kayaking and reading.
Sunday: Got up had eggs and sausage for breakfast, yummy! Went on a 6 mile hike to Red Shirt Lake and back. Then drove to friends cabin. My boss, Brian, and Mike co worker, Lindsey, are siblings and invited us out their family cabin in Willow, off of Shirley lake. So we hung out all day with them, had a BBQ dinner, went on another walk and played some games. We stayed up way to late and drank a little too much but it was a great time.
Monday: Slept in, had sourdough pancakes, bacon and sausage for breakfast. Did some kayaking on Shirley Lake and saw a loon family (mom, dad, and baby). Packed up, helped clean up the cabin and headed home!
We had such an awesome weekend. I love getting away from it all but back to real life this week.
(I will post pictures soon)
Friday: I got off early and we drove to South Rolly Campground (http://www.dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/matsu/sorollylkcamp.htm) We got an awesome site, right on South Rolly Lake, where we could put the kayak in the water from the site! We saw loons and Mike saw some beavers.
Saturday: Got up and drove to the Alaska State Fair where we met Samantha and Jacob. Ate a TON of food, went to a lumber jack show, looked at the world record cabbage and the hundred of shops. Then drove back to the camp ground for a fire, and some kayaking and reading.
Sunday: Got up had eggs and sausage for breakfast, yummy! Went on a 6 mile hike to Red Shirt Lake and back. Then drove to friends cabin. My boss, Brian, and Mike co worker, Lindsey, are siblings and invited us out their family cabin in Willow, off of Shirley lake. So we hung out all day with them, had a BBQ dinner, went on another walk and played some games. We stayed up way to late and drank a little too much but it was a great time.
Monday: Slept in, had sourdough pancakes, bacon and sausage for breakfast. Did some kayaking on Shirley Lake and saw a loon family (mom, dad, and baby). Packed up, helped clean up the cabin and headed home!
We had such an awesome weekend. I love getting away from it all but back to real life this week.
(I will post pictures soon)
9/04/2009
Labor Day
Mike and I are packing up and heading out to Nancy Lake to go Camping this weekend! We are taking the Kayak, the bikes, the tent and of course a ton of food. I am excited to have a camp fire and it actually be dark so we can enjoy it. Maybe we will even be able to see some stars. It will be a little chilly in the tent with the lows expected in the low 40's to upper 30's..brrr.
We are going to go into the Alaska State fair on Saturday. We are meeting Samantha and Jacob out there! Mmmm fried food, free crap, lots of entertainment, farm animals and giant veggies.
In other news. I am super pumped! I am going to be a co-coach for FIRST Lego League (FLL)Robotics team through Girl Scouts! Me, two coworkers and another engineer are leading a team together. We will have a team of 7-10 girls ages 9-14. From now until January they will have to build a robot, and program it on the computer to complete different tasks. It has some way cool applications. I had the first coaches training last night. The basic program is somewhat like what I did for Tech GYRLs in College, so I have a bit of a leg up!
For more information on the events look here http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll/missions1.aspx
We are going to go into the Alaska State fair on Saturday. We are meeting Samantha and Jacob out there! Mmmm fried food, free crap, lots of entertainment, farm animals and giant veggies.
In other news. I am super pumped! I am going to be a co-coach for FIRST Lego League (FLL)Robotics team through Girl Scouts! Me, two coworkers and another engineer are leading a team together. We will have a team of 7-10 girls ages 9-14. From now until January they will have to build a robot, and program it on the computer to complete different tasks. It has some way cool applications. I had the first coaches training last night. The basic program is somewhat like what I did for Tech GYRLs in College, so I have a bit of a leg up!
For more information on the events look here http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll/missions1.aspx
9/03/2009
New Phone
I finally broke down and ordered a new phone today! I could have ordered a new one back in April but I have been sticking with my current one, Mike switched back in November I think. Any who the past couple weeks my phone has not been holding a charge... at all! We put Mikes old battery in my phone it worked a little better but not much so I went online to Verizon today and signed into our account. I was eligible for a few select free phones. (I have to order it on line since there are no Verizon stores in Alaska!) This is the one I choose to get, it is a LG Glance. 
I really do not love flip phones (which my current phone is) so this phone looked perfect. It should be here early next week.
I really do not love flip phones (which my current phone is) so this phone looked perfect. It should be here early next week.9/02/2009
You learn something new everyday. Meal Plans.
You learn something new everyday. Yesterday I learned that you do not go grocery shopping on the 1st of the month. That is when many people in Alaska get their "checks" or deposits or stamps from the state/government and can get food for the month.
Last night after dinner with Mike, I went to the gym and started the C25K again. Hopefully I can finish it this time. I really want to finish it before Thanksgiving.
Then went to the grocery store with my big list. I made a meal plan for the month of September Monday night and decided to go grocery shopping to get most everything for dinner for the month last night, plus lunch stuff for this week. Fred Meyers was a NUT HOUSE! They were out of fresh spinach, so I had to get frozen. (Actually made my green monster yummy and thicker.)
Any who back to the meal plan. I hate not knowing what is for dinner and having to come up with something every night so this month I made a plan for the whole month and got almost everything to make a month of dinners at the store last night. When I got home I assembled 4 dinners. 2 meals worth of a white chicken chili and 2 meal worth of chicken in Raspberry sauce both from the cook book "Don't panic, dinner's in the freezer : great-tasting meals you can make ahead," by Susie Martinez, that I got from the library.
Having a meal plan really helps to combat the going out to dinner. I am determined to only go out to dinner once this month, for our anniversary. Plus spending some money on food when we go to the "big" Alaska State Fair this weekend. It also helps to eat healthier. I have all the meals written on the calendar so I can make sure to take everything out of the freezer a day or 2 before. Some of the things on here twice I will only make once and the freeze 1/2 for the next time.
Here is what I have planned for the month:
1-chicken curry
2- chili
3-tuna casserole
4-hobo packs (camping)
5-fair food
6-marinated chicken (camping)
7-tostada salad
8-raspberry chicken
9-wild rice soup
10-pork chops
11-tater tot hot dish
12-enchiladas
13-manicotti
14-chili
15-salmon
16-hamburger
17-waffles and sausage
18-brats
19-chicken raspberry
20-anniversary
21-enchiladas
22-Manicotti
23- halibut
24-wild rice soup
25-eggs
26-bbq chicken pizza
27- spaghetti
Last night after dinner with Mike, I went to the gym and started the C25K again. Hopefully I can finish it this time. I really want to finish it before Thanksgiving.
Then went to the grocery store with my big list. I made a meal plan for the month of September Monday night and decided to go grocery shopping to get most everything for dinner for the month last night, plus lunch stuff for this week. Fred Meyers was a NUT HOUSE! They were out of fresh spinach, so I had to get frozen. (Actually made my green monster yummy and thicker.)
Any who back to the meal plan. I hate not knowing what is for dinner and having to come up with something every night so this month I made a plan for the whole month and got almost everything to make a month of dinners at the store last night. When I got home I assembled 4 dinners. 2 meals worth of a white chicken chili and 2 meal worth of chicken in Raspberry sauce both from the cook book "Don't panic, dinner's in the freezer : great-tasting meals you can make ahead," by Susie Martinez, that I got from the library.
Having a meal plan really helps to combat the going out to dinner. I am determined to only go out to dinner once this month, for our anniversary. Plus spending some money on food when we go to the "big" Alaska State Fair this weekend. It also helps to eat healthier. I have all the meals written on the calendar so I can make sure to take everything out of the freezer a day or 2 before. Some of the things on here twice I will only make once and the freeze 1/2 for the next time.
Here is what I have planned for the month:
1-chicken curry
2- chili
3-tuna casserole
4-hobo packs (camping)
5-fair food
6-marinated chicken (camping)
7-tostada salad
8-raspberry chicken
9-wild rice soup
10-pork chops
11-tater tot hot dish
12-enchiladas
13-manicotti
14-chili
15-salmon
16-hamburger
17-waffles and sausage
18-brats
19-chicken raspberry
20-anniversary
21-enchiladas
22-Manicotti
23- halibut
24-wild rice soup
25-eggs
26-bbq chicken pizza
27- spaghetti
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