Behold

the awesome power of the iphone. You might not believe a word that I'm about to say what I'm about to tell you, but as sure as the day is long- It's the gospel truth.

Remember that trip to Valdez we took back in March? You know, the one where I lost my iphone in the snowy drifts of an Alaskan winter? Yeah, I had forgotten all about that, too. I try to block those things out if at all possible. Who wants to recall losing a couple hundred dollars? Unfortunately, this hasn't been the first time that I've been forced to move on after the loss of a beloved iphone.

Anyway, I was happily visiting family in September when a 907 number popped up on my caller id. I didn't answer because I screen phone calls due to my overwhelming popularity was enjoying a dinner and that would be rude, no? After leaving the dinner party, I picked up my cell to listen to the voicemail that the ominous 907 number left. I hear a man's voice on the phone saying that he has my iphone. I think to myself, ' um, actually it's pressed up against my ear, silly man...'

Then a faint memory crosses my brain of a time when I had another iphone.

Turns out, this man was walking along the road on a break from work when he saw something blue in the grass. He picks up the phone, charges it that evening, and voila! The iphone comes on!

At first thought, you may think this isn't so impressive but I assure you that you'd be wrong. If you evaluated all the elements working against this apple creation, you might change your mind. This phone withstood forty below zero temps. It was laid to rest in snow where it stayed through breakup- which is just a feat in itself. Then summer rolled around and it was one of the wettest summers I've ever experienced! It rained so much, but it was all small potatoes for this iphone.

I was pretty pumped to receive my little jewel in the mail last week. Most of the Alaskans I've come in contact with are so incredibly kind and this man was no different. He could have easily kept the phone for himself, but instead he called me so that he could return it. It made this girl really happy to have all my cutesy pictures of Drifter as a tiny pup back in my possession.

Here's to you, Apple. You never cease to impress me.

Ahhh, is this love?

Let me tell you, I think I'm in love. Her name is...well, that doesn't matter. She works at Elements and she is amazing...at least her hands are.

Captain J bought me a spa package for this past Wednesday and oh my, I'm in love with massages, facials, pedicures, manicures, relaxation, and just pampering in general. I felt like such a princess and it was really a very thoughful gift. I should say, I love that man. And I do. He makes me laugh, he takes care of me, and he loves me. I've been really blessed.

We had a pretty uneventful Veteran's Day. Of course, J had time off today but we didn't do much. I just sat around and thought about how thankful I am that he is home with me. I'm so grateful he came home when so many others have not. I hope you all paused today to think about the sacrifices that men and women, past and present have made for the rest of us. It is very humbling!

My husband, the hero AND pretty darn good birthday gift giver. Check out my new colors! (*side note- How many pictures of my toes do you think will make my blog this year? ha)

Tuesday Was Fishy

The water is trickling down around the dishes, washing them, cleaning away the awesome food that my husband prepared for me and our friends. On the menu tonight was halibut and salmon. I would post the recipes, but he forbade me. He's particular about his food and with good reason. He made a wonderfully tasty meal tonight and I couldn't be more thankful for him.



We woke up this a.m. with much to do. I tell you that now with his long, grey robe on and nothing to do but sleep. I can't, though. I'm wide awake. I'm not sure why though because I've been nonstop all day. This morning I made breakfast and some tasty chai tea while we procrastinated a bit longer. Later, we began doing laundry, moving furniture, organizing (for lack of a better word) crap, cleaning, and hoping we get everything we need to do accomplished by Friday. The latter is yet to be determined.

This week would be a good week to be our friends. I say this because we decided to have a whole slew of people over to empty out our fish we've accumulated over the many fishing trips we've taken the past year. Tonight we put on a dinner party full of many of our favorite couples in the area. I had such a good time visiting with all these people and I'm hoping we can get together again soon...before we leave.





It's sobering (this coming from a girl with more than one glass of red wine this evening)- trust me on this one. When I think about these awesome individuals that I've met even just over the past few months, I get sad. I hope we'll make a point to see each other again. I hope we'll write, facebook, skype, something so that we'll stay in touch but I also know that I can be a terrible conversationalist on the phone. I hope the fact that technology bores me doesn't become a reason why I don't stay close to the quirky, interesting, caring, sweet individuals that I've come to know this year.



Sometimes I wonder why I met them so late in the game or why (in Sarah's case) I only got to know her better after she officially moved here. Now, I feel as if I missed out. These are my people! I never thought I'd feel like that anywhere but Tennessee. There are some friends that life takes you away from, but there are still some that stay with you no matter the distance. I hope these girls will be that to me (and me to them!). 



When I went "home" in September, I quickly realized that even though I may not speak to my close "friends" frequently doesn't mean we can pick right back up where we left off originally.

Facebook has the 30 day Thankful craze going on right now. I try to do this every single day. Nevertheless, today I'm thankful for friends both old and new.



Bright and early tomorrow, I'm headed for my day at the spa! Yay! I'll be sure to fill you in soon.

Love,

Blissful Birthday

I suppose I owe you all a birthday post, don't I? Or perhaps it's very narcissistic to believe that you all give two hoots about what I did on my birthday weekend. Regardless, I'm going to tell you alllll about it! Thursday evening, Captain J and I deemed date night. We hadn't had one since the game night date night a couple of weeks prior so we decided to spend some time together at a new restaurant in town. We headed down college road for the quiet atmosphere that Azucar Fina provides. Fairbanksians, if you haven't been there- go treat yourself. The food was amazing! I actually cleaned my plate, finished my wine, and had dessert. That never happens! The Cuban cuisine was cooked perfectly and the service was great, too. When we first walked in, Beauty and the Beast was playing on their large flat screen. It's possible that this is what sold me. I sang (quietly) to Disney ballads until they turned off the movie and put on some Latin music. This was okay with me, too but I definitely didn't mind the kiddo tunes either.

Saturday, Captain J was hanging with his buddy all day so I joined my dear, Ashley, at the Women's Bazaar on UAF campus. I bought some items there and then headed home for a nap. I just love Saturday afternoon naps! I woke up later and headed to a Wii party with some of my favorite Fairbanks girls! We had a good time playing Guitar Hero and Mario, although I think many of us lacked the talent required for the former. Here are the two pros of the evening-

[caption id="attachment_1826" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Poor Justin ended up being the only dude in company."][/caption]

Don't they look intensely focused? After some Wii action, they turned off the lights, lit some candles, and sang me Happy Birthday with a huge chocolate cake in hand! I'm so thankful for thoughtful, sweet friends :)

Sunday was a good day, too but we decided not to do much that day because we had too many other things to get accomplished because of the move. I woke up and began getting ready for breakfast at a favorite local spot. Captain J surprised me with a gift certificate to Elements for a massage, pedicure, manicure, and facial. The big day is tomorrow. I can't wait! It will be nice to relieve some stress. I've been crazy with all these PCSing tasks.

The movers came yesterday to estimate how long it might take to pack up our entire house. While here, they informed me of what all items that we couldn't take including liquids. Umm...

Look how many liquids I have just in the perfume department! They can't take them and I don't know that I can either. I know there's alcohol in perfumes, but is it enough to not freeze while floating on a boat through parts of Alaska and Canada? Any suggestions? I can't part with my smell goods :(

Anyway, my birthday night, J cooked for me. I don't know if I've told you this before but my husband is a pretty amazing cook. I told him what I'd like to eat and he went to the grocery, stocked up on what we'd need, and purchased a bottle of wine that my Mimi suggested. I had a lovely birthday evening with him and went to bed that night feeling incredibly blessed and loved.

Army Bombs

Perhaps you're wondering where I've been. I've been up to my eye balls in an Army Bomb*! My house may or may not still look like the picture. I've been running around like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to get ready for this move. As you can see, the "help" I've got here is good for nothin' most of the time. There's so much on my To Do List that I'm afraid my blog will have to suffer for a day or two. Forgive me?

Love, 



*We have an ongoing joke in our house about army bombs. One time, early on in my Army Wife adventures, Captain J told me that he had "accidentely detonated an Army bomb" and that I "probably shouldn't go in" the room in which it occurred. I freaked out- asking questions about my safety while staying in the house. Little did I know, he simply meant that he had made a mess of his issued Army gear.

Christmas List- Friday Fives

Hey Y'all! Do you hear my southern accent coming back to me slowly the closer we get to PCSing? I'm getting so excited, lemme tell ya! I'll be home for Christmas and that warms my heart :) In the spirit of Christmas, I thought I'd play along with the lovely, Beth for her Friday Fives! This week, the topic is (drumroll please!)

 

"5 Things That Will Be On Your Christmas List This Year"

1.) I'm loving all these cute ETSY headbands. I'm not one to spend much time on my hair so it would be nice to have something to add to my head that instantly makes my head cuter. Ha! Here are a few examples of ones I like:

2.) I really want to learn Spanish. I thought I would use the Army's sweet deal they offer families to use Rosetta Stone, but my husband tells me it isn't as good as the real one. Is he fibbing? I don't want to come out saying stuff like, "Lower your weapons!" instead of "How much is that?" or "Where is the bathroom?" The last two are very important! Now, I'm rambling. Clearly, I probably only need level one, but this is the picture I found. Anyway...I really want this:

3.) Remember the other day how I mentioned some books I'd like to read. I want those!

4.) In order to properly document our huge trip across America, I could totally use this for my Cricut- The Going Places Cartridge

5.) This has to be on the list, too. Although, I fear it might make me terribly hungry for something I can't make!

There's 5! Tell me, what is on your list this year?

Five Question Friday 11/5

What a great place to make a still photo, YouTube. Thanks, thanks a lot. Anyway, to play along, visit Mama M.'s page at My Little Life!



*also, I'm almost officially, exactly in my mid twenties. Birthdays are much less exciting the older I get, though. Hmm...I wonder what Captain J has planned...

I hope you all have a superb, Mrs. K Birthday weekend!