Home

Well, since I last posted we FINALLY signed for and took possession of our home! We FINALLY checked out of lodging for the last time! And we got the first of our two shipments! Our main shipment, the items from our home in NY, will arrive on Tuesday. Finally we'll be Alaskans- and no, we are not given $1000 upon entering the state as the Simpson's movie implies- too bad, we would certainly enjoy spending that!
I have also started my new job as admin assistant to the Department of Teaching and Learning at UAA! So far I think I'll really enjoy the job. It will be great being among so many smartie-pants! (to use a "big" word, lol) From what I've read, the benefits are pretty good also and I think I'll finally be able to earn a PAID vacation! Whoo hoo! I don't think I've ever had one....
Today Oldest Son had his first scrimmange and unfortunately could not play. He pulled his left hamstring at practice last night. It was cold and rainy all day today with a high of 59. My poor boy had to stand with his injured muscle in the cold rain from 10-3. He was soaked and stiff and hungry, of course!
Meanwhile, we thought we'd go pick up the sofa and love seat we had picked out and return to watch most of the scrimmages. Well, we had an adventure instead. First of all, our debit cards expired at the end of July so we can't use them at all any more. So, we found a member credit union and went in there to withdraw the cash from our account to pay for the furniture we wanted. Well, our credit union only allows $500 per day to withdraw. So, we asked if we could cash a check and we have the same limit for check cashing- apparently. GRRR! So we thought maybe the furniture store would accept an out-of-state check from us since we are military (many businesses will waive that rule for military). They would not So we decided to see if the local bank with which we have opened an account would cash a check for us- and they did. Yeah! All of this took from 10 am to 12-ish. We went back to the furniture store and after getting there couldn't decide on which of the two sets we wanted. So, we walked around the store and ended up buying a totally different set. We are now the proud owners of a reclining sofa & love seat with a matching recliner- in dark burgundy leather. Ooh la la- fancy schmancy! Now all five of us can choose a reclining seat! So, we had brought our trailer along to carry the furniture back with us, only there wasn't enough room and we had to take the sofa and recliner home and go all the way back across town- again to pick up the love seat. In case you've lost track, that's three trips back and forth across town. Finally, we got all the furniture (we had grabbed Wendy's drive through on the first trip back with furniture) and it was 3pm and we had missed all of Oldest Son's scrimmages. So, Sgt. Dad dropped me off at the field (Oldest Son had driven just in case) to ride home with Oldest Son and he went on home with the younger two. We were in a hurry to get home since the telecommunications company was due at 4pm to install our internet and cable. Can you believe we got an appointment time and not a time frame?????? He was only and hour late too!
So, after a long day we not have internet access, TV and some place nice to sit. Still no home phone but we have our cell phones, so it's no big deal! Sgt Dad and I are sleeping in our favorite recliners- more comfy than the air mattress!
Sgt Dad is set to quit smoking- for good- on Monday. Tomorrow is my last day with a smoker! We are all excited and ready to be supportive! Whoohoo! Good for Sgt Dad!
I almost forgot- we saw our first Bull Moose today. He was young and his horns were just forming- they looked like little hands off the top of his head. He just took his time crossing the street while Sgt Dad sat gawking and I was frantically trying to grab my camera from the back seat. I didn't make it in time to snap a shot unfortunately. At least I finally spotted one though.
Till next time!

Gutter Ball, Spare, Gutter Ball, Strike!

My title describes the day using bowling analogies. We started off today by going to the housing office. We got the keys to see the house and Ken was not happy. He doesn't like the dining room. It's a very small square at the very front of the house. It's not very practical. Then he was very unhappy with the master bedroom layout. It's a long "L" shape and, again, not very practical. He couldn't figure out furniture placement for that all important bedroom TV. So, he was considering declining those and waiting for something else. However, all the four bedrooms are the same, so there is no point. (gutter ball) In addition, we would lose our TLA benefits (that means the Army would no longer pay for our hotel and daily meals). Therefore, we accepted those quarters. (Spare) So, we are set to actually sign for the quarters but they aren't ready paperwork-wise to be transferred to us. (gutter ball) We were told to come back later in the day to see if they are ready. In the mean time, we have had to check out of the hotel and now have no place to stay for the night, all the kids and dogs and STUFF are in the van. (double gutter ball) So, we go have lunch. Sgt Dad goes back to work. I go to get Youngest Son's military ID renewed- I need power of attorney and it's not on me. (gutter ball) It IS in the van and I find it. (Spare) So I got that renewed, stopped by the housing office (it's in the same building) and am told the paper work should be done by 3 and to come back then. (SPARE) I stopped by the lodging/hotel office (same building) and they DO have a room for us for tonight. (STRIKE) It's not clean yet (gutter ball), so we went bowling.(Spare) At three we went to housing, the paperwork was ready but we can't officially sign for and take possession until tomorrow. (gutter ball then spare)Finally it was time for Oldest Son's football practice so we checked into lodging and he went off to practice. Now I'm decompressing and can't wait to get moved in. The movers are coming on Tuesday, so we'll be camping out in the house for a few days. I'm just glad to have some space to spread out! I'm not sure how quickly we'll be able to get internet and phones so my posting may become sporadic. I guess you'll have to wait and see.
Oh and the biggest STRIKE- I got the job at UAA. I'm so happy! I can't wait to get started! It's such a relief to have that settled. No more interviews!!!!!
-Till next time.

It's a Bust!

Well this whole day was a waste!!!! I wish I could just fast forward the remainder of the day and be done with it.
My "second" interview was terrible. I had a sneaky feeling that this company was trying to get sales people and I ended up being right. In fact, I nearly skipped the entire thing but Sgt Dad talked me into going anyway. When I got there I felt as though I was sitting in an Amway or Mary Kay presentation. Finally at the end of the "interview" they covered the "positions" they were "filling". EVERYONE they hire- to include "office staff" must get insurance licenses and do field work which means going to peoples homes to sell them supplemental insurance and working "retail hours". At the end of their multi-media presentation I was mad! What a phenomenal waste of my time. I told the guy in my first "interview" that I wasn't interested in a stressful job and wanted to be available for my children. What part of that sounds like I want to go into people's homes to sell them insurance and work until 9 pm???? How would that make me available for my kids??? So when they pulled each of us aside to ask us more in depth questions I let them know how irritated I was and informed them that I had NO interest in sales nor in working until 9pm. GRRR!
Then when we went to housing today (as we were told to do) the woman we were working with was in training. So, the manager "helped" us and of course had no information and told us to come back in the morning. I'm sure had we spoken with the woman who knew our case we would have had a more fruitful meeting.
The one bright spot today is we are planning on furniture shopping this evening. Some of you already knew that we discarded our sofa and loveseat before leaving NY and need replacements. We also need a computer desk or two. For those I will check thrift shops and yard sales. The sofa and loveseat need to be new. I wouldn't want to get home with one infused with cat urine- or worse. We'll soon see how bad sticker shock is up here.
Speaking of sticker shock- I spent over $17 buying lunch for Oldest Son and myself at Arby's last week! Yikes! Things are not cheap up here. We haven't shopped for vehicles yet. We are thinking that we'll make what we have last or buy clunkers. We are strongly considering a vehicle purchase for the boys to use. It would be nice if they had their own wheels.
Time to attempt the crossword for the day. See ya!

Breaking In

Well, Oldest Son endured his first practice. We had to stop and buy Aleve and Icy Hot. His pointer finger is either jammed or broken and this is just the first day. Hopefully it's just jammed. A broken finger would be the end of his football season I think. I'm glad to see him getting involved though.
Tomorrow I go for my second interview with the insurance company. Hopefully I'll know more about the position after tomorrow and whether or not I want to pursue it further. We also should get a solid move-in date for our home! I can't wait! I'm so ready to get to "normal" life
That's about it for the day- no big news.
See ya!

Fishing is to Alaska as Sunbathing is to Hawaii

My family attempted salmon fishing this evening. Oh those wily fish! We could see schools of them taunting us but they wouldn't oblige us by biting our lures. Oh no! They teased and jumped and swam but no biting. I guess we probably looked much like the cast of City Slickers out there attempting to fish. I found us under dressed- all the other fisher people were wearing rubber waders while we were wearing jeans and sneakers! After about two hours of unsuccessful casting we joined the ranks of those leaving without fish. We'll try again and as God as my witness (to quote one of my favorite heroines) we shall catch a fish! (hopefully it will be a keeper)
During our unsuccessful attempts at fishing we spotted a bald eagle! That was very exciting. I was amazed at how large it was and I have to admit that while I was quite thrilled to see it in it's natural environment, I was jealously watching the fish and wanting it to stay away from my fishing spot! Unfortunately in the rush to leave for our fishing attempt I had forgotten to grab my camera. So- no pics! If only there was a way for me to upload my memories as photos...
In other news, I bumped in the woman from the housing office at the shoppette this evening and she told me that she checked on our house today and to come see her Tuesday! Yippie! And what a sweetie that she is staying on top of that for us! Such a rarity to see someone who really enjoys her job! I will be running into her quite often over the next few months as her son is also a football player.
Speaking of football, Oldest Son is all set to start practice on Monday. We ran around today getting all the gear from his school, purchasing his cleats and other protective gear. So, he's all set and now he's got something to do and will be making new friends before school starts. I'm sure this will be quite beneficial to his mental well being.
No news on my job-hunt as yet. I'm not terribly worried. I don't really want to start working for another two weeks anyway. I'd like to be all moved in before I have to start putting my mind into a new job. I'm still hoping to hear back from UAA. I think I'll send a follow up email. Maybe initiative will put me over the top.
That's all she wrote for today!

Getting Settled

Well yesterday I got Oldest Son registered for football and practice starts Monday. All of the coaches seem very experienced and happy to have him join the team. I have to admit I was much relieved that these boys didn't look like NFLers already. Those southern boys were HUGE! Of course the last time Oldest Son played football he was a freshmen so he was quite a bit smaller. Today we have to go back to the school so he can be issued his equipment and Monday he starts twice a day practices. I am hoping that getting involved will pull him out of his self-inflicted doldrums. I am loathe to see him so sad.
Last night we had dinner with our friends from Japan. It was SO nice to be in a home again and eat a home cooked meal! It was also very nice to rekindle an old friendship. It's always a nice to suprise to run into someone you once knew- and liked! How dreadful it would be to run into someone that you had gladly left behind! Happily there are very few people that fall into that category.
Today we are going to attempt silver tail salmon fishing. Sgt Dad and I have no clue on what to do with the fish once it's caught. I hope the gentleman escorting us will be able to show us how to clean a fish. Alaska has some complicated and rigid regulations regarding fishing so I hope this guy knows the rules pretty well also. I sure don't want to pay a steep fine for ignorance. Hopefully I'll have some great fishing pictures to post tomorrow.
If all goes well, next weekend I'll be posting from my new home. I guess I better start figuring out where to get internet access. We tossed our sofa and loveseat before leaving NY so sometime this week we need to find a replacement. It's nice to get new stuff but shopping for large ticket items is such a pain because you always have to go to more than one store. I do realize I'm a woman and should love shopping- and I do but not shopping all day for one specific item. I can window shop and browse all day long but if I have something specific to purchase I don't enjoy going all over for it. Strange?? Someone should explain that to me.
That should cover all the news. I've got to get the boys up and showered we have lots of errands to run before fishing this afternoon.
See ya!

Civilization

Well, Anchorage is civilized after all. I found the "real" mall! Yeah! It's called the 5th Avenue Mall. It has all the stores one would expect from a major shopping mall. The only drawback I guess is parking. It's a big parking garage that is not free. Oh well, it will be nice in the dead of winter not having to hike a mile in the elements! It's probably as big or bigger than Marketplace but it goes up instead of being spread out. I know it seems simple and materialistic but I feel so much better knowing there is a "real" mall. I generally do most of my shopping at the PX and Commissary but it's nice to just go and shop sometimes. I also discovered all the tourist shops today. I can't wait to go exploring those.
I'm sure you're all on pins and needles waiting to hear the results of my interview. Well, I wasn't hired on the spot but that rarely happens. I guess I did very well and actually would not be surprised to be offered the position. I would think that unless someone with a background in an educational environment had interview I would be the top candidate. I am certainly well qualified for the position. We'll see how it goes. If it's the right job for me, I'll get it.
I totally lost my train of thought so that's it for today. See ya!