Reasons why I would like this week, heck month to be over.

1. Graham is gone (not being able to sleep!)

2. I'm sick- coughing, sore throat, runny nose, the works

3. Coworker accuses me of being a bad doggy parent

4. Feeling like a bad doggy parent, no matter which way I do things

5. Crying at a friend's house
6. Friend has personal issues that emotionally affect me
7. Doctor is insensitive with comments
8.Struggling with getting some military things figured out and waiting ridiculous amounts of time
9. Only receiving a two day paycheck
10. Crying at work (in the bathroom, but nonetheless, my red watery eyes were a total giveaway)
11. Having to talk to my boss about my personal life and hearing her try to praise me, because she wants to make me feel better, but knowing she's doing it out of sympathy
12. Cat breaks laptop charger (I think by licking the magnetic attachment)
13. Refrigerator light bulb goes out
14. Pink eye
15. Not being able to go to church, because of pink eye
16. Dog eats pink eye eyedrops
17. Birds tear open trash bag in back of truck
18. Figuring out winterizing the truck is going to be 3x the price I thought it would be

and the positives, because I believe in trying to find some light in my life right now.

1. Hanging out at Capt. J and Mrs. K's place and making new friends
2. Having a few friends over for some games
3. Being able to commiserate with friends (some all night) on the phone about how terrible things are going
4. Holding and cuddling babies
5. Girl talk and taking doggies to the dog park
6. Calling in sick to get stuff done :-)
7. Actually getting some stuff done

on the to do list.
1. military paperwork
2. winterize the truck
3. fix gym membership, cell phone, and internet plan
4. get healthy
5. order a new laptop charger

What a week!

I'm ready for girl's night!

the space heater is my new best friend

The kids pulling a fast one.

  

      It's been a lonely weekend since Graham left late Thursday for Ranger school. I never cry when I say goodbyes, maybe it's the military kid in me, but I straight up bawled driving home from the airport. Two months until we see each other just seems too long. How did we ever do this in the first place? I moved into the 'guest bedroom' with a futon that doesn't seem as empty as the king sized bed.

      Friday night I settled in with a movie (The Greatest- wonderful movie about grief) and let Lucy and Finn in the room as well. In the time it took for me to make popcorn (3 min and 20 sec) Lucy had urinated on the duvet, comforter, and futon. She hasn't had an accident in weeks, why did it have to be on the bed?! She's been crazy lately... I can't wait till her immunizations are complete and I can take her to the dog park!

      Saturday, I decided to be proactive, drove to Walmart, popped the hood open on the truck, took out the manual and changed the headlight. I am so very proud of myself, considering Graham and I have both been avoiding the issue like the bubonic plague. I have a sneaking suspicion the man I have a kitty and puppy with, is not very handy with trucks or general fix- know- how. My dad is a great guy and although he is a bit of a pack rat and sometimes forgetful, he always knew how to fix whatever needed fixing. Light bulbs, doors, vacuum cleaners, ceiling fans, and of course- our vehicles. I will admit to calling him on various occasions for help (that's what dads are for) and groaning when he insisted I change my own oil. Today, I'll gladly fork twenty bucks over to not change my oil, but I'll always appreciate my dad's do-it-yourself attitude (even if he did check a book out from the library about karate, when I asked for lessons).

      I have also been making cookies, and over indulging in hot cocoa, split pea soup (much more appetizing than it sounds, I discovered), ice cream, and blogs. Like I said, it's been a lonely week! And a cold one at that. The space heater is firmly situated at the foot of the futon and a freshly cleaned duvet has been put to full use. It's been snowing off and on and I don't think I'll have to dream too hard for a white Christmas.

Lucy's first snow :-)

Catching up.

First and foremost, this day will never be the same. Nine years ago, I was living in Germany and I remember seeing the attacks on the news. Smoke filling the sky, people crying, and frantic questions. I remember thinking it was a movie and turned it off. I was so desensitized. Everything seemed so far away. The military base was put on lock down, so our parents came home late that night. The next day at school, my classmate, Ross, was missing. Rumors circled school that his dad was in the Pentagon that day. I couldn't imagine losing a parent and my heart hurt so bad for him. Thankfully, his father was fine, but that moment made it so real to me. Never forget.

The most difficult part about blogging is that I reserve things to talk about, never get around to posting, then when I finally do, it's a good week later.

Last weekend, Graham and I took off to Valdez to meet some friends, Zach and Sarah. They always remind me of that Ben Folds song! The drive alone was worth it! Alaska is so amazing when the leaves have changed colors. When I visited last october the leaves had already fallen and I thought Fairbanks was so gray and brown, and not at all beautiful. Well, my mind has certainly changed! Reds, oranges, and yellows lit up the forests and made me oh so happy. Add in some tents and toasted marshmallows that made for an excellent weekend. Valdez contains some of the most breathtaking glaciers and waterfalls I have ever seen. We took Finn and Lucy with us, which was great. They were so cute- snuggling and playing. Finn slept in my sleeping bag (my own personal heater) and Lucy slept in a crate in the truck. Finn has got to be the best kitten ever- he used the litter box while the truck was moving! He's definitely a keeper. We did get a bit rained out, but we checked out a small museum and a yummy place to eat. On Sunday we continued to Anchorage, did some quick, unsuccessful shopping, then headed back home. Poor Graham did all the driving and we collapsed when we got home!

that's a mountain up there!

Finn cautiously exploring

loveable Lucy

Valdez

Tuesday he left. I feel like I'm always saying that. I thought I'd update this more, but I can get so lonely and I don't want to focus on the fact that he's gone. This time it'll be about 2 1/2 weeks. Hopefully, I can set up some date nights with a girlfriend. I want to surprise Graham with some tasty new dishes when he comes home.

Until then, I'm mainly bundled up on the couch watching bad tv on my laptop, calling family, taking Lucy for mini walks. Monday I start a job working at a children's daycare. I'm excited because I love kids, but disappointed because the job I really wanted, is no longer available. Another way to pass the time- check. And ranger school? Have no idea how I'm going to handle that one.

hello world. nice to meet you.

current location: Fairbanks, AK

A few of my favorite things: rainy days with good books, colorful skies, interior design, other people's smiles, list making, online shopping and browsing

A few of my least favorite: Seinfeld, too quiet houses, the end (of the toilet paper, a great story, a trip), fish tacos

I can't sleep, nothing too new. Graham is out in the field and the only thing breaking the silence is Finn's bell jingling as he darts around the room. Finnegan McGillikitty Jamal is one of the best ideas Graham has ever had. He's been a constant comfort; "talking" to me, playing with my feet, making me laugh, and snuggling up with me all night. I'm only worried about when his new sister, Lucy, joins the clan in a few days...

Love this little man!

Today I helped my friend, Jenna, paint her baby girl's bedroom. It's going from a mauve to a cheery yellow. My bedroom back home at my parents is the same yellow. A bright yellow that makes it hard to feel anything but happy. Colors can have such an emotional response. The soothing blue in the spare bedroom seems like the perfect nap room. Graham's work room is a khaki green that softens the utilitarian space,while the master bedroom is a warm orange that will keep any room during an Alaskan winter bright and toasty. Painting a room is such an inexpensive and dramatic way to change a room. What are your favorite room colors?