It's the end of 2008 already... Wasn't it just February, or something?
2008 brought me mostly great joy, with a few "surprises" that we had to deal with. The outlook so far into 2009 is pretty good. We're still keeping our fingers crossed that we will be able to do our big trip next year to hit as many relatives and friends "down south" as possible in 2-3 weeks. If things go as planned, we should be able to (but when was the last time something happened as planned?)
On a great note, we now have a hanger for our plane. THANK HEAVENS! It has been a freaking winter wonderland the last few weeks, and if A hadn't been home, I would have been freaking out, what with the lovely experience I had sweeping snow of the plane while he was gone. It's not heated (yet), but we will be sharing it with only one other person (the owner), so that's good. Once it warms up above freezing, we can go out and continue to work on the plane, pulling the interior pieces out of it. And, now we have a place to store all the stupid plane crap, like seats and stuff, and get them out of my bedroom... Although, that probably won't happen right away...
A leaves tomorrow for Bethel. His schedule for the next few months will be varied, so he'll be home around the 12th again.
Someone gave us chocolate-covered espresso beans in a Christmas basket here at work. My stomach is upset after eating just one...
Oh, BTW... The airplane that now resides at the top of my blog is the current beast, as depicted on the ramp, covered in ice...
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
What I Got For Christmas...
Doesn't that sound like a school report? Like the teacher said (after Christmas break), "I want you to write an essay on what you got for Christmas." The second report that would be written that co-exists with this one, is the "What I Did For Summer Vacation"... LOL... I'll try to keep it to 1000 words or less.
My lovely husband got me books. I know that sounds weird, and "why" and such, but it's what I asked for. I love books, especially Nora Roberts books, and he got me her 2 newest ones in hard cover, and one of them is signed. I read things so fast, that those 2 books are read cover to cover already...
I also got some kitchen stuff. In the moving around and such, I lost my cooling racks somewhere along the line, so I got a new cooling rack. I also got one of those really cool plunger-type measuring cups that Alton Brown uses all the time on Good Eats (one of my favorite shows too!). I've been wanted one of those for a long time.
I also got a bunch of stuff from friends and family, which I won't list everything here, but I will say thanks to everyone who sent me something! I love everything I got!
The person in our house who made out the most is our dog, Noni. She had the biggest stocking. She got 4 new toys and a bone. Then, when we went to dinner at the neighbors, they made prime rib and gave us the bones for Noni. I tell you, that dog is spoiled! She was in seventh-heaven on Christmas day, with all her toys. And, apparently, there is another box that is probably here, but I won't get it until I go back to work tomorrow, that is JUST for the dog... lol.
Well, I'm not going to count my words, but you can if you want. I hope you had as good a holiday as I did, or better :)
My lovely husband got me books. I know that sounds weird, and "why" and such, but it's what I asked for. I love books, especially Nora Roberts books, and he got me her 2 newest ones in hard cover, and one of them is signed. I read things so fast, that those 2 books are read cover to cover already...
I also got some kitchen stuff. In the moving around and such, I lost my cooling racks somewhere along the line, so I got a new cooling rack. I also got one of those really cool plunger-type measuring cups that Alton Brown uses all the time on Good Eats (one of my favorite shows too!). I've been wanted one of those for a long time.
I also got a bunch of stuff from friends and family, which I won't list everything here, but I will say thanks to everyone who sent me something! I love everything I got!
The person in our house who made out the most is our dog, Noni. She had the biggest stocking. She got 4 new toys and a bone. Then, when we went to dinner at the neighbors, they made prime rib and gave us the bones for Noni. I tell you, that dog is spoiled! She was in seventh-heaven on Christmas day, with all her toys. And, apparently, there is another box that is probably here, but I won't get it until I go back to work tomorrow, that is JUST for the dog... lol.
Well, I'm not going to count my words, but you can if you want. I hope you had as good a holiday as I did, or better :)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas!
I love Christmas! We went out today and enjoyed a lovely clear, beautiful, bright day here in Juneau. We took Noni on a walk. She loves the snow. One of these days, we'll have to get some video of her romping in the snow. It always makes me laugh.
I'm not sure exactly how we'll be celebrating the holiday this year. Being so far removed from family, we will be dining at our neighbor's house for dinner. We had a great time for Thanksgiving with them, so Christmas dinner should be awesome.
Thanks to our lovely governor, I get 3 paid holiday days for Christmas, so I get a 5 day week-end. I couldn't ask for a better Christmas gift than that, getting to spend the holiday with my man.
Family is the main thing that is important, especially at Christmas. I am enjoying mine. I hope you enjoy yours.
Merry Christmas!
I'm not sure exactly how we'll be celebrating the holiday this year. Being so far removed from family, we will be dining at our neighbor's house for dinner. We had a great time for Thanksgiving with them, so Christmas dinner should be awesome.
Thanks to our lovely governor, I get 3 paid holiday days for Christmas, so I get a 5 day week-end. I couldn't ask for a better Christmas gift than that, getting to spend the holiday with my man.
Family is the main thing that is important, especially at Christmas. I am enjoying mine. I hope you enjoy yours.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 22, 2008
It's almost Christmas! - Random thoughts of the day...
One of the most annoying Christmas songs out there is "Santa, Baby"... I cannot stand that song. It glorifies being selfish in a time we should be giving to others.
A weird "gift" idea I saw out there on the internet is something called a "fundie"... I won't go into too much detail, but if you choose to google it, you'll see why I am wondering WHY WOULD ANYONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WANT TO GIVE/RECEIVE THAT?!?!
According to some website that I saw today, my close relationship with my female best friend could be considered cheating on my husband... The things people are coming up with now-a-days...
I REALLY want to start opening presents... It has been FOREVER since we've had anything under anything resembling a tree, and I want to see my husband open his gifts... I am pretty sure he'll like what I got him, but I want to see his face when he opens it... (at least that's what I tell other people while I hide the seven-year-old inside me that is excited to see presents with my name on them... he he he...)
"They" are calling for snow here, to start tonight and head to Wednesday. "They" are also predicting that Christmas day will be clear and bright, but too cold for any snow to melt, so it'll be a White Christmas! Bring it on! I wish I could stay home all week to enjoy it, but I guess I'll just have to put up with taking a half day on Wednesday, then having a 4 day weekend.
I can't wait for the 24 hour marathon to start! You all know of which I speak, so don't deny it! I TRIPLE-DOG-DARE YOU!!!
A weird "gift" idea I saw out there on the internet is something called a "fundie"... I won't go into too much detail, but if you choose to google it, you'll see why I am wondering WHY WOULD ANYONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WANT TO GIVE/RECEIVE THAT?!?!
According to some website that I saw today, my close relationship with my female best friend could be considered cheating on my husband... The things people are coming up with now-a-days...
I REALLY want to start opening presents... It has been FOREVER since we've had anything under anything resembling a tree, and I want to see my husband open his gifts... I am pretty sure he'll like what I got him, but I want to see his face when he opens it... (at least that's what I tell other people while I hide the seven-year-old inside me that is excited to see presents with my name on them... he he he...)
"They" are calling for snow here, to start tonight and head to Wednesday. "They" are also predicting that Christmas day will be clear and bright, but too cold for any snow to melt, so it'll be a White Christmas! Bring it on! I wish I could stay home all week to enjoy it, but I guess I'll just have to put up with taking a half day on Wednesday, then having a 4 day weekend.
I can't wait for the 24 hour marathon to start! You all know of which I speak, so don't deny it! I TRIPLE-DOG-DARE YOU!!!
Friday, December 19, 2008
We are just flying fools!
One of my husband's hobbies is to make videos of what he does. Of course, most of his movies (with the exception of the one he made of the dog that I asked him to make) are aviation related. These are some ones that I'm fond of. He's got quite a talent for pairing the video with the appropriate sound track.
This first one is a movie he made of what he did for fun while we lived in Hawaii. It is one of his most favorite jobs he has ever had. He so loves to fly, and he had nothing but fun flying the bird-dog.
This second movie is one that he made from some old home videos he took MANY years ago, with an old video camera that sat on the dash of the plane. The first 2/3rds of the video is him flying his old Pacer, back in the time when I first met him. It shows a lot of the area that he flew in and the fun he had flying the old plane. The last third is some footage that he shot of me flying solo in my Tri-Pacer, on a day when I was practicing "touch'n'go's". The video quality isn't that great, due to most of the film deteriating while in storage, prior to being copied digitally. The footage of me is the only copy that we have of me flying, so you'll just have to put up with the green tinge to the video.
This last movie is one that he just recently shot while in Bethel on this last trip. This is what he does now, on a daily basis while away from home. It showcases the equipment that he flies, as well as the remote strips that he flies to.
I hope you enjoyed this little look into our lives. I may post some more videos that he's made. I think he's made one for every different job that he's had in aviation. I love them all, because his love of aviation comes out in the videos, and I am so proud of him. But, that'll be for another post.
This first one is a movie he made of what he did for fun while we lived in Hawaii. It is one of his most favorite jobs he has ever had. He so loves to fly, and he had nothing but fun flying the bird-dog.
This second movie is one that he made from some old home videos he took MANY years ago, with an old video camera that sat on the dash of the plane. The first 2/3rds of the video is him flying his old Pacer, back in the time when I first met him. It shows a lot of the area that he flew in and the fun he had flying the old plane. The last third is some footage that he shot of me flying solo in my Tri-Pacer, on a day when I was practicing "touch'n'go's". The video quality isn't that great, due to most of the film deteriating while in storage, prior to being copied digitally. The footage of me is the only copy that we have of me flying, so you'll just have to put up with the green tinge to the video.
This last movie is one that he just recently shot while in Bethel on this last trip. This is what he does now, on a daily basis while away from home. It showcases the equipment that he flies, as well as the remote strips that he flies to.
I hope you enjoyed this little look into our lives. I may post some more videos that he's made. I think he's made one for every different job that he's had in aviation. I love them all, because his love of aviation comes out in the videos, and I am so proud of him. But, that'll be for another post.
Thank Goodness...
The Christmas stuff is out! Actually, it's cookies for some friends and family. I've been baking for 2 days, making approx. 13 dozen cookies to ship out to everyone. I hope they like them. I just put quite a dent in my pocket book mailing out the boxes of goodies from Alaska. Awesome...
I almost miss not doing anything for the holidays. When we would be moving (or planning on moving) around the holidays, we didn't really do anything. We would call the people that mattered on Christmas day, and request cash in lieu of gifts so we didn't have to pack anything (the cash would be donated to the moving fund). There was no stress... no crowds... no lines... It was lovely. This year, we aren't going way out of our way for Christmas, but farther than we have in the past. The added stress of the last few days has had A and I at each other since yesterday. Given the current state of the economy, and the fact that he's not used to putting anything out for Christmas, he's a little irrated with the money it costs to do stuff. I tried to tell him that what I spent to mail out cookies is less than it would have been if we were sending presents.
The cookie making process itself was fun. A helped me dish out the cookie dough. He was enamored with the disher... for a while, at least. LOL... I'm glad he helped out, because that makes our Christmas cookies that we just sent out "from the both of us" instead of just from me. I hope everyone likes them. I made my famous Oatmeal trio for everyone. I have Traditional Oatmeal Raisen, Orange-Cranberry, and Lemon-Blueberry.
As if that many oatmeal cookies aren't enough, I also made a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies for A last night. I was a cookie-making fool the past two days, which is the reason I haven't updated my blog as promised.
I almost miss not doing anything for the holidays. When we would be moving (or planning on moving) around the holidays, we didn't really do anything. We would call the people that mattered on Christmas day, and request cash in lieu of gifts so we didn't have to pack anything (the cash would be donated to the moving fund). There was no stress... no crowds... no lines... It was lovely. This year, we aren't going way out of our way for Christmas, but farther than we have in the past. The added stress of the last few days has had A and I at each other since yesterday. Given the current state of the economy, and the fact that he's not used to putting anything out for Christmas, he's a little irrated with the money it costs to do stuff. I tried to tell him that what I spent to mail out cookies is less than it would have been if we were sending presents.
The cookie making process itself was fun. A helped me dish out the cookie dough. He was enamored with the disher... for a while, at least. LOL... I'm glad he helped out, because that makes our Christmas cookies that we just sent out "from the both of us" instead of just from me. I hope everyone likes them. I made my famous Oatmeal trio for everyone. I have Traditional Oatmeal Raisen, Orange-Cranberry, and Lemon-Blueberry.
As if that many oatmeal cookies aren't enough, I also made a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies for A last night. I was a cookie-making fool the past two days, which is the reason I haven't updated my blog as promised.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Busy, Busy, Busy
Between work and getting the house ready for the man to come home today, I haven't had that much time to devote to my blog the past few days. Hopefully I'll be able to work on it tonight, but if not, look for something more than this tomorrow.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Christmas Tag!
I've been tagged by ThePilotWife for a Christmas meme. Here goes :)
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Depends on the gift. If it fits better in a bag, I go with the bag. If it will easily fit in a box, then I go with the paper.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, with the lights already on it. (I HATE having to untangle, then wrap the tree with lights, it is my least favorite thing to do)
3. When do you put up the tree? I try to get it up the day after Thanksgiving, so you can enjoy it longer.
4. When do you take the tree down? Somewhere around Jan 1. Although, this year, it will probably go down before then, since the hubby has to leave before then. It's a 9' tree people, I need help.
5. Do you like eggnog? Not a big fan of it. I prefer cocoa.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Lucky Bear. My pink teddy bear.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Husband. He always wants something that we can't afford.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Me. I know EXACTLY what I want.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Not yet, but I hope to get one next Christmas.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I "try" to mail them... (But I'm so bad that in the past, I have filled out, stamped and sealed Christmas Cards, and then found them under my bed 2YEARS LATER!)
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't really think of one.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Story (Fa-ra-ra-ra-ra -ra-ra-ra-ra)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I haven't shopped for Christmas for years. When I did, I would shop November/December and ONLY at 2 AM - I don't "do" crowds)
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Probably.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Pie and Peanut Butter Fudge
16. Lights on the tree? Of course! What's the point of a tree with no lights?
17. Favorite Christmas song? I'll be home for Christmas and Silver Bells
18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home...
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixon! Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen! But do you recall… the most famous reindeer of all… Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer! (can you tell I had to sing the song?)
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Red, Green and Gold spire.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? In the past, we've opened on 12/24... But this year, we MAY hold out until the big day...
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The Crowds
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Red and natural.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Exercise clothes, because I am under Doctor's orders to make a "lifestyle change." But it'll also help me with my "before I'm 29" goal.
I tag my SIL and my BFF! Have fun and Merry Christmas!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Depends on the gift. If it fits better in a bag, I go with the bag. If it will easily fit in a box, then I go with the paper.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, with the lights already on it. (I HATE having to untangle, then wrap the tree with lights, it is my least favorite thing to do)
3. When do you put up the tree? I try to get it up the day after Thanksgiving, so you can enjoy it longer.
4. When do you take the tree down? Somewhere around Jan 1. Although, this year, it will probably go down before then, since the hubby has to leave before then. It's a 9' tree people, I need help.
5. Do you like eggnog? Not a big fan of it. I prefer cocoa.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Lucky Bear. My pink teddy bear.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Husband. He always wants something that we can't afford.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Me. I know EXACTLY what I want.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Not yet, but I hope to get one next Christmas.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I "try" to mail them... (But I'm so bad that in the past, I have filled out, stamped and sealed Christmas Cards, and then found them under my bed 2YEARS LATER!)
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't really think of one.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Story (Fa-ra-ra-ra-ra -ra-ra-ra-ra)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I haven't shopped for Christmas for years. When I did, I would shop November/December and ONLY at 2 AM - I don't "do" crowds)
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Probably.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Pie and Peanut Butter Fudge
16. Lights on the tree? Of course! What's the point of a tree with no lights?
17. Favorite Christmas song? I'll be home for Christmas and Silver Bells
18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home...
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixon! Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen! But do you recall… the most famous reindeer of all… Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer! (can you tell I had to sing the song?)
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Red, Green and Gold spire.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? In the past, we've opened on 12/24... But this year, we MAY hold out until the big day...
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The Crowds
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Red and natural.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Exercise clothes, because I am under Doctor's orders to make a "lifestyle change." But it'll also help me with my "before I'm 29" goal.
I tag my SIL and my BFF! Have fun and Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 12, 2008
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas...
My Mommy gave to me... A little Brother!
My younger brother was born on December 13, 12 days before Christmas. Happy Birthday, "little" bro! We can now start the "count down"!
PS: I put "little" because he is so much bigger than I am now that we are adults. In fact, I think he passed me in height when I was 15 or 16... you know, back when it still kind of mattered...
My younger brother was born on December 13, 12 days before Christmas. Happy Birthday, "little" bro! We can now start the "count down"!
PS: I put "little" because he is so much bigger than I am now that we are adults. In fact, I think he passed me in height when I was 15 or 16... you know, back when it still kind of mattered...
I Love My Pilot...
I found a really great quote that I felt the need to incorporate with a photo I have of my husband (when he was younger) and share with you all...
Thursday, December 11, 2008
I choose to be tagged...
In reading my SIL's blog, I got duped into me being tagged for a high-school meme. I prefer to see it as wishing to re-live a very weird time in my life... and share it all with you...
1. What school did you go to? Uh.... which year... Freshman year, I went to my beloved Park High School, in Livingston Montana... Where the school is small and you had the same teachers practically every year... Sophmore year, Butte High School in Butte Montana... Where my dad graduated, but we only lived in Butte for a year... Junior/Senior years were spent at Olympus Sr. High School in Salt Lake City, UT... I was involved in the school functions my freshman year, but did not find that I had the "spirit" at the other 2 schools...
2. Shy girl, outcast, wierdo... you pick... I was very much a "keep to yourself" kinda gal... My freshman year, I was still in the whole "pick on her" phase of my life that transferred over from middle school, so it wasn't that fun. I don't do well in new situations, so the schools to follow weren't much better for socializing... Come to think of it, most of my socializing has been done outside of school, excluding my BFF, who I met my Freshman year, of course... To her, I was "Bobcat" and to me she was "Fredneck"... I don't remember EXACTLY why we picked those names for each-other, but I think, at the time, it was "cool" to have "guy" nicknames for your girlfriends. We added the "cat" and the "neck" due to our proximity to MSU in Bozeman (the bobcats) and our obsession with all things Jeff Foxworthy... Seriously, we grew up in Montana, but we can both slip into a southern accent when we want... It's weird...
3. Driving... Who had the money for a car? I rode the bus (and was darn proud of it!!!) I'd bum rides from friend when I could. I didn't get my license until I was 19, so I don't get the whole "teenage driver" thing... I prefer to think of myself as having reached adulthood by that point (and legally getting over the newly-enforced teenage-driver rules introduced to the state of Utah)... Although I do remember a time (with my BFF, of course) where she "let" me drive and I took a turn too fast and ended up scaring the living s*** out of me and knocking the rubber tires off the rims of her wheels... I am still leery of sharp turns today... Oh, and I LOVED the "no day speed limit" in Montana when we were teens. She and I would get in the car and go visit relatives on the other side of the state, driving 90 miles an hour down the highway! It was GREAT! What would I have done without her...
4. Wrangler Butts Drive Me Nuts! I was a COUNTRY girl... I preferred my men to be tall, lanky, cowboys who drove pick-up trucks. I never dated one though... I usually got the shorter, more urban guy... My favorite birthday was when my BFF and I went to the Wrangler Rodeo when I turned 16. I felt that at that moment, I could die a happy woman... (and yes, at 16, I really did think I was a "woman") I listened to country music exclusively. I have since broadened my tastes for music. Although, I've noticed I don't really have a tolerance for country music produced after 1999... Usually, if I'm in the mood for country, I listen to "Prime Country" on Sirius radio... That's all the older stuff from when I was in high school...
5. Junior Prom... My grandmother made my dress out of burgundy velvet (I still have it). I had my nails and hair "done" for the first time in my life (and the only time, come to think of it). My date got a limo. We ate at Benihana's (my first time there too). We went to Prom, found it lame, and stayed long enough to get the standard pictures. We then went to "The Fun Dome" and played lazer tag (yes, we were still done up in our prom wear... I was wearing 3 inch heels... He was still in his tux...)
6. Senior Year... I broke up with my boyfriend (at Christmas time... the putz). Luckily my BFF was there visiting to help pick up the pieces. She came over from College to visit me. I met my husband, but back then, he was just a punk pilot. Too skinny for his own good. I probably made my parents crazy with me being out all hours of the night with him, but I was 18 and they trusted me. He was out of school and working graveyard shift at the time... We spent most of our dates at Denny's or Dee's at 2-3 AM... I loved being 18...
7. Graduation... If I had stayed at my first high school, I would have graduated with many friends in our school gymnasium (I think it was a class of maybe 80?). If I had stayed at my first high school, I never would have met my husband. But I graduated in the Rice Eccles Stadium (where the U of U play basketball) in a class of several hundred. I got in trouble for writing on my cap. Where I came from (in Montana), it is tradition to write something on your cap. Favorites were "See Ya!" or "Thanks for the Memories" or something corny like that. Apparently, (and here is where I was mistaken, because, see I bought my cap, so I thought that I could do with it what I wanted), in Utah, it's offensive and disrespectful to write something on your cap. You don't "fit in"... So they said if I wanted to "walk on the stage" that I needed to have a cap with no grafitti... Totally ruined it for me... I had something really cool written on my cap... I don't remember what it is now, but it was AWESOME! They picked really bad music for the ceremony. The choir singing "Seventeen" by Tim McGraw... Very weird choice people... Should have picked something like "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba, because that would have been more appropriate. Class of '99!!!!
If you feel like participating, consider yourself tagged. Nothing too specific, just list 7 things from High School that are true.
1. What school did you go to? Uh.... which year... Freshman year, I went to my beloved Park High School, in Livingston Montana... Where the school is small and you had the same teachers practically every year... Sophmore year, Butte High School in Butte Montana... Where my dad graduated, but we only lived in Butte for a year... Junior/Senior years were spent at Olympus Sr. High School in Salt Lake City, UT... I was involved in the school functions my freshman year, but did not find that I had the "spirit" at the other 2 schools...
2. Shy girl, outcast, wierdo... you pick... I was very much a "keep to yourself" kinda gal... My freshman year, I was still in the whole "pick on her" phase of my life that transferred over from middle school, so it wasn't that fun. I don't do well in new situations, so the schools to follow weren't much better for socializing... Come to think of it, most of my socializing has been done outside of school, excluding my BFF, who I met my Freshman year, of course... To her, I was "Bobcat" and to me she was "Fredneck"... I don't remember EXACTLY why we picked those names for each-other, but I think, at the time, it was "cool" to have "guy" nicknames for your girlfriends. We added the "cat" and the "neck" due to our proximity to MSU in Bozeman (the bobcats) and our obsession with all things Jeff Foxworthy... Seriously, we grew up in Montana, but we can both slip into a southern accent when we want... It's weird...
3. Driving... Who had the money for a car? I rode the bus (and was darn proud of it!!!) I'd bum rides from friend when I could. I didn't get my license until I was 19, so I don't get the whole "teenage driver" thing... I prefer to think of myself as having reached adulthood by that point (and legally getting over the newly-enforced teenage-driver rules introduced to the state of Utah)... Although I do remember a time (with my BFF, of course) where she "let" me drive and I took a turn too fast and ended up scaring the living s*** out of me and knocking the rubber tires off the rims of her wheels... I am still leery of sharp turns today... Oh, and I LOVED the "no day speed limit" in Montana when we were teens. She and I would get in the car and go visit relatives on the other side of the state, driving 90 miles an hour down the highway! It was GREAT! What would I have done without her...
4. Wrangler Butts Drive Me Nuts! I was a COUNTRY girl... I preferred my men to be tall, lanky, cowboys who drove pick-up trucks. I never dated one though... I usually got the shorter, more urban guy... My favorite birthday was when my BFF and I went to the Wrangler Rodeo when I turned 16. I felt that at that moment, I could die a happy woman... (and yes, at 16, I really did think I was a "woman") I listened to country music exclusively. I have since broadened my tastes for music. Although, I've noticed I don't really have a tolerance for country music produced after 1999... Usually, if I'm in the mood for country, I listen to "Prime Country" on Sirius radio... That's all the older stuff from when I was in high school...
5. Junior Prom... My grandmother made my dress out of burgundy velvet (I still have it). I had my nails and hair "done" for the first time in my life (and the only time, come to think of it). My date got a limo. We ate at Benihana's (my first time there too). We went to Prom, found it lame, and stayed long enough to get the standard pictures. We then went to "The Fun Dome" and played lazer tag (yes, we were still done up in our prom wear... I was wearing 3 inch heels... He was still in his tux...)
6. Senior Year... I broke up with my boyfriend (at Christmas time... the putz). Luckily my BFF was there visiting to help pick up the pieces. She came over from College to visit me. I met my husband, but back then, he was just a punk pilot. Too skinny for his own good. I probably made my parents crazy with me being out all hours of the night with him, but I was 18 and they trusted me. He was out of school and working graveyard shift at the time... We spent most of our dates at Denny's or Dee's at 2-3 AM... I loved being 18...
7. Graduation... If I had stayed at my first high school, I would have graduated with many friends in our school gymnasium (I think it was a class of maybe 80?). If I had stayed at my first high school, I never would have met my husband. But I graduated in the Rice Eccles Stadium (where the U of U play basketball) in a class of several hundred. I got in trouble for writing on my cap. Where I came from (in Montana), it is tradition to write something on your cap. Favorites were "See Ya!" or "Thanks for the Memories" or something corny like that. Apparently, (and here is where I was mistaken, because, see I bought my cap, so I thought that I could do with it what I wanted), in Utah, it's offensive and disrespectful to write something on your cap. You don't "fit in"... So they said if I wanted to "walk on the stage" that I needed to have a cap with no grafitti... Totally ruined it for me... I had something really cool written on my cap... I don't remember what it is now, but it was AWESOME! They picked really bad music for the ceremony. The choir singing "Seventeen" by Tim McGraw... Very weird choice people... Should have picked something like "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba, because that would have been more appropriate. Class of '99!!!!
If you feel like participating, consider yourself tagged. Nothing too specific, just list 7 things from High School that are true.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
I'm having a much better day...
It helps when you are pretty much caught up on your sleep and don't have any medical stuff to do... Although I wish I could have gotten everything done at work today. I didn't even complete a quarter of my to-do list... Man, it's frustrating... Oh well...
My husband did something with our spare universal remote and I can't find it. I looked where he said to look, but it isn't there... If he would have just left it where I last put it, I would know where it is...
My husband did something with our spare universal remote and I can't find it. I looked where he said to look, but it isn't there... If he would have just left it where I last put it, I would know where it is...
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Today...
It snowed last night. That means... I get to go sweep off the plane. Joy. I also had an appointment this morning to have my blood drawn again. I decided I'd hit the plane first, then to the hospital, since the airport is on the way to the hospital. Well... I should have forgotten about the plane and just went to the hospital. I made my way onto the airport. They hadn't started plowing my ramp yet, so I didnt' have car-hood-high burms of snow to try to get through... No, just some foot & 1/2 deep snow drifts that due to the lighting and such, you couldn't see until you got right on top of them. For anyone who doesn't know, I drive a Ford Focus... Not EXACTLY the BEST car to be driving around in the snow... Needless to say, I got stuck... Great... And the plane didn't have a bit of snow on it, just a little on the nose... So I got stuck in the snow at the airport for nothing... Great... And NO ONE came to help me. I discovered that even though I remember GRABBBING my cell phone this morning, it didn't make it into my pocket. A number of large trucks and other vehicles equipped with a snow plow on the front drove by watching me try to dig my car out with MY ICE SCRAPER and didn't stop... Thanks guys... No, don't pay any attention to the woman who is in knee deep snow, trying to kick and dig her car free while she cries... she has everything under control...
So I was over an hour late for work. I finally got the car free... My jeans were SOAKED up to my knees. I missed my lab appointment. Luckily, they were able to get me in just before noon. I went home first to change my jeans. By this time, I was starting to get really cold. I think I'm going to have to take a nice LONG bath tonight just to get warmed up again...
I handled this second blood draw better than last week. I didn't freak out last week and the lady today tried to make it as painless as possible. I was in/out in less than 10 minutes. They took another 3 vials, so that makes 6 within 4 days. I was a little woozy afterwards, so I stopped at the store on my way back to work to get some food in my system to help me boost back up.
I'll be working through what's left of my lunch. I'll be staying late tonight to make up what I missed this morning... Here's to a Crappy Day...
So I was over an hour late for work. I finally got the car free... My jeans were SOAKED up to my knees. I missed my lab appointment. Luckily, they were able to get me in just before noon. I went home first to change my jeans. By this time, I was starting to get really cold. I think I'm going to have to take a nice LONG bath tonight just to get warmed up again...
I handled this second blood draw better than last week. I didn't freak out last week and the lady today tried to make it as painless as possible. I was in/out in less than 10 minutes. They took another 3 vials, so that makes 6 within 4 days. I was a little woozy afterwards, so I stopped at the store on my way back to work to get some food in my system to help me boost back up.
I'll be working through what's left of my lunch. I'll be staying late tonight to make up what I missed this morning... Here's to a Crappy Day...
Monday, December 8, 2008
I was featured!
I was the featured pilot wife for the month of December. You can check out my interview here.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
In Honor...
In honor of the men who died that day, 67 years ago. In honor of all the men who fought on after them. In honor of all the men who still fight today... We will never forget your dedication, courage and sacrifice.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
My Christmas Decorations
I am participating in the Pilot Wives Club Holiday Home Tour. I have decided to share with everyone who reads my blog, my Christmas Spirit :) I made this wreath this year. I've never had a wreath before, let alone made one. Actually, scratch that. In 3rd grade, we made these really cool wreaths out of old punch cards. I wonder if my mom still has a picture of it. Anyway, A decided that he wanted a very specific tree topper, but it has gold accents. I don't usually go for the gold accents, but I decided to go for it this year. So this wreath was the first thing that I made in our Red-Green-Gold color scheme. I love it because it has jingle bells on it so when I open the door, I'm greeted by bells :)
The tree is the first one we have had since 2001. It is so beautiful. Although, now we have to always live in a place that has high enough ceilings to accomodate it. It's a 9' tree.The Ornaments are ones we've had for years. Some of them are old ones from when I grew up, handmade by family members. Some have been given to us as gifts. They are all precious.
The snowman was given to me last year. He came with a friend, who is on another shelf. This one is in a place of prominance. Next to A's beloved airplane-music box that his grandfather made. It plays "Fly Me To The Moon".
I hope you all enjoy our pictures! I know this Holiday Season will be the best we've had in a long time, mostly because we get to be together.
PS: A has a train set that goes under our tree, but he didn't have enough time before he needed to leave to pull it out of storage. It will be pulled out after he gets back... It's such a joy seeing him with that set that he has had so long. He's like a 7 year old again. :)
Friday, December 5, 2008
Sorta Sucky Day...
So I started out my day at the Vampire's - I mean phlebotomist's - to get some blood drawn. I am pretty phobic about needles, so it is never a pleasant experience for me. She asked me if I wanted to lie down while she did it, but I said no... Just don't be worried if I start swinging my feet or making weird noises while you're doing it... I have to admit that they were pretty fast with the majority of the tests they were running on my blood. I had most of the results this afternoon. Basically, my cholesteral is not great, but not bad. The most worrysome part is my "good" cholesterol is WAY low, which is driving up my "cholesterol ratio"... So I have to go in next week to discuss what we are going to do to correct that. They also said they were getting conflicting information on a few tests, so I have to go back next week (once the Doctor determines EXACTLY which specific tests she wants run) to have more blood drawn... They want to know if it is the actual result or if the lab screwed up... Is it my month to be crapped on? Just checking...
So, enough gross stuff... Other than that, the day went OK... I was pretty busy at work... It was one of those days where you know you aren't going to get everything done, so you wish you could clone yourself so you can have help but not have to take the time to train anyone... That was me today.... Although it's been like that for a long while now, so I am so far buried in work that I don't know where to start. I wanted to go in this weekend to get it done, but my "overtime" wasn't approved. As I'm the only one in the office that isn't salaried, I don't get to do it. Which, on the one hand, is pretty good because that means they won't take advantage of me... But on the other hand, with covering 2 positions (the one I was originally hired to AND the one they promoted me to a while back), I'm not getting everything done... I hope they hire someone in the next few months so I can focus on the main portion of my work.
I had a realization today that it is almost the end of the year... Which signifies Tax Season... Which means I have to find where I put all those receipts for the move to Alaska so I can deduct them... As this was our most expensive move to date, I'd really like to deduct it, so I guess I'll be organizing my office sometime this month...
So, enough gross stuff... Other than that, the day went OK... I was pretty busy at work... It was one of those days where you know you aren't going to get everything done, so you wish you could clone yourself so you can have help but not have to take the time to train anyone... That was me today.... Although it's been like that for a long while now, so I am so far buried in work that I don't know where to start. I wanted to go in this weekend to get it done, but my "overtime" wasn't approved. As I'm the only one in the office that isn't salaried, I don't get to do it. Which, on the one hand, is pretty good because that means they won't take advantage of me... But on the other hand, with covering 2 positions (the one I was originally hired to AND the one they promoted me to a while back), I'm not getting everything done... I hope they hire someone in the next few months so I can focus on the main portion of my work.
I had a realization today that it is almost the end of the year... Which signifies Tax Season... Which means I have to find where I put all those receipts for the move to Alaska so I can deduct them... As this was our most expensive move to date, I'd really like to deduct it, so I guess I'll be organizing my office sometime this month...
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
What I've done (and get to do tomorrow...)
I started cutting Noni's hair... The night before a snow storm... Call me crazy, but I think she'll be just fine. Besides, she's not outside for more that 20 minutes at a time. I'm just clearing the hair from her face so she can see (and not bite me as a result of not being able to see), and so she stops "eating" her face fur... You know what I'm talking about... There was always some girl with long hair who would "eat" or suck on the ends of her hair... (yeah, it's kind of gross)... She's been doing that because it's too long on her muzzel and it gets stuck in her mouth... The only problem with trimming her face fur is that the rest of her looks so bad with long hair and her face short... So that's when I started trimming the rest of her. I got about half of her back done. I'll finish the rest tomorrow. Oh, and I'm doing this with a pair of scissors. She broke the last pair of clippers I bought, and I can't afford to replace them just yet...
Tonight, they are calling for 2 inches overnight, with anywhere from 3-5 inches tomorrow. When I first heard this, I thought, "Cool, it's going to snow..." Then, I got a call from the guy we will be renting hangar space from this winter (it's not available yet) to say he had a friend that we might be able to use his hanger to get the plane out of the snow... Then it hit me... A is gone... That means it falls to me to take time out of my busy day to brush snow off the plane... So I had to go buy a "soft-bristled" push broom, because the other hanger has just been built, but hasn't gone through the final inspection, so we can't use it right now... Great... Although, I guess having to constantly sweep snow of a plane is better than having to replace a landing gear that collapses under the weight of snow...
I cleaned up the frozen dog crap in the front yard. Decided I should probably do that before the snow hits... You know how they have those robots that will vacuum and mop your floors for you (Roomba, etc...)? Well, I think they should make a robot that will pick up the dog crap. I mean, they have those automated cat boxes... Too bad the dog is too big for a cat box... That would be awesome...
Tomorrow I get to go see the lady doctor. Oh joy... Nothing like the yearly "poke and prod"... Man, I really can't wait for that to happen [dripping with sarcasm...]
Tonight, they are calling for 2 inches overnight, with anywhere from 3-5 inches tomorrow. When I first heard this, I thought, "Cool, it's going to snow..." Then, I got a call from the guy we will be renting hangar space from this winter (it's not available yet) to say he had a friend that we might be able to use his hanger to get the plane out of the snow... Then it hit me... A is gone... That means it falls to me to take time out of my busy day to brush snow off the plane... So I had to go buy a "soft-bristled" push broom, because the other hanger has just been built, but hasn't gone through the final inspection, so we can't use it right now... Great... Although, I guess having to constantly sweep snow of a plane is better than having to replace a landing gear that collapses under the weight of snow...
I cleaned up the frozen dog crap in the front yard. Decided I should probably do that before the snow hits... You know how they have those robots that will vacuum and mop your floors for you (Roomba, etc...)? Well, I think they should make a robot that will pick up the dog crap. I mean, they have those automated cat boxes... Too bad the dog is too big for a cat box... That would be awesome...
Tomorrow I get to go see the lady doctor. Oh joy... Nothing like the yearly "poke and prod"... Man, I really can't wait for that to happen [dripping with sarcasm...]
Monday, December 1, 2008
Our Airplane Project
My lovely husband wrote up our initial progress on the airplane interior project. You can see it here, if you are so inclined. Be prepared...it looks gross...
He told me today that the company that is doing the interior for us had a fire, so they will be delayed in getting our interior out to us for an additional month while they clean up the smoke damage and restock their fabrics.
While I am glad that no one was hurt and there wasn't much damage except for smoke damage, I am exstatic that we are on hold for now. I thought I was going to have to strip 2 more seats and clean them up to prepare for paint before the 16th (when the hubby gets back from Bethel). Whew! I can be lazy (in that regard) and just focus on my Christmas. Getting my house ready for the holidays. We plan to have our neighbors over for dinner (to repay them for their lovely Thanksgiving dinner) and invite friends over for Christmas Eve. I started a tradition a while back of MAKING chinese food for dinner with a bunch of friends. I volunteer friends to fill and seal the wontons while I make everything else. As we get closer, and I finalize the menu, I'll post it. Then I'll explain how easy it is... I learned how to make chinese food living in the village, because getting take out involved a 2 hour flight... I couldn't believe how easy most of it is...
He told me today that the company that is doing the interior for us had a fire, so they will be delayed in getting our interior out to us for an additional month while they clean up the smoke damage and restock their fabrics.
While I am glad that no one was hurt and there wasn't much damage except for smoke damage, I am exstatic that we are on hold for now. I thought I was going to have to strip 2 more seats and clean them up to prepare for paint before the 16th (when the hubby gets back from Bethel). Whew! I can be lazy (in that regard) and just focus on my Christmas. Getting my house ready for the holidays. We plan to have our neighbors over for dinner (to repay them for their lovely Thanksgiving dinner) and invite friends over for Christmas Eve. I started a tradition a while back of MAKING chinese food for dinner with a bunch of friends. I volunteer friends to fill and seal the wontons while I make everything else. As we get closer, and I finalize the menu, I'll post it. Then I'll explain how easy it is... I learned how to make chinese food living in the village, because getting take out involved a 2 hour flight... I couldn't believe how easy most of it is...
High-points of Monday
1. Dead mouse at the bottom of my stairs that I had to clean up before I went to work, causing me to be late. (Had to distract the dog while picking up dead mouse and while I disposed of the body in the woods, then clean up the gross area - it was not pretty - before she came back in...)
2. Teeth hurt from dentist... There is "some decay we need to address" (dentist's words) that will be spread out over another 4 visits... That's what I get for avoiding the dentist.
3. Dental work is costing me more than I anticipated, so my Flex Spending Account through work is exhausted before I got to order my contacts.... Maybe I'll be able to after the first of the year...
4. Way too much work to do at work... Covering for too many people who are still on vacation (read: stuck out of town due to cancelled flights), so not able to do any of my actual work...
2. Teeth hurt from dentist... There is "some decay we need to address" (dentist's words) that will be spread out over another 4 visits... That's what I get for avoiding the dentist.
3. Dental work is costing me more than I anticipated, so my Flex Spending Account through work is exhausted before I got to order my contacts.... Maybe I'll be able to after the first of the year...
4. Way too much work to do at work... Covering for too many people who are still on vacation (read: stuck out of town due to cancelled flights), so not able to do any of my actual work...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)