TGIF

Funny...TGIF doesn't really apply when you are on vacation. But it *is* Friday and my staycation is rapidly coming to an end. And anyone that REALLY knows me...knows I haven't even touched that pile of boxes downstairs. Yeah...the ones I took the picture of. Lame, I know. But you know what? I really don't give two hoots about it. I have worked upstairs on some boxes that needed my attention so the week hasn't been a complete loss. And like Tony said, everyone needs time off once in a while! So, that being said...I have been enjoying doing a whole lot of nothing!! The weather has been nice and we've been out and about a little bit...but there's been a whole lot of TV watching, internet browsing, and napping going on!! Happy Vacation to ME!! And, I *do* still have a few days left before going back to work so there's still hope I'll get to some of those boxes shortly. :)

Has anyone checked out the book contest I mentioned previously? Manic Mommy is up to 37 books so far!!!!! And there's still 6 days in the month left!! I am OBSESSED with winning all these books. LOL! I did end up going to the library the other day and getting one of the books b/c I was just so curious about the author and her reading style. I checked out "Something Borrowed" by Emily Giffin. I could NOT put the book down and read it in like 2 days. So, add THAT to my vacation list...I read a novel!! And I didn't PAY for it...even better!! Anywho...MM is talking about having two winners for the contest since there's so many books. The selfish part of me says "No way, Jose...I want them ALL!" But the practical side of me says "I could live with that...it doubles my chances of winning, right?" LOL...I really *do* like the idea of winning them all, tho. I am SO selfish, y'all. I don't wanna share! Waaaa!!

It's almost time for breakfast so I better run. Tony is making french toast and bacon. It smells SO GOOD in here this a.m. How lucky can a girl be?!? The kids are over the moon happy, too. They've been eating a lot of cold cereal this week. You didn't think I was going to cook every morning, did you? I've been doing a full-on dinner EVERY night. It's amazing what having an extra person in the house will do...motivate you to make sure there's food on the table every night. It's much easier to do the leftover thing when it's just the 3 of us. Three more nights and our guest is gone and life goes back to normal. :)

Hope you have a great Friday and an even better weekend! Hugs~ Nanette XO

Too Much Stuff

In case you haven't figured it out...this is the "abyss" that I have to work on this week. I tried going in there today and got so overwhelmed I decided I'd wait til Tony was home to cheer me on. I started working on some boxes that were upstairs. Getting into THIS MESS is going to be tough. I have too much stuff to say the least!! Anyway, as you can see...I wasn't kidding when I said I had a lot to do. So far, I'm getting very little done. It's so nice to just do NOTHING once in a while!!

Tony and I are both home starting tomorrow so I know I will make a huge dent in this before I have to go back to work. I need to get an early start and just jump in and DO IT. Feel free to come over and help if you are so inclined! And perhaps maybe someone should stop by at some point to make sure I'm not buried alive...like on that show "Hoarders". I'm just sayin.

Night!!!!! Nanette XOXO

Staycation

Mornin'! Today is Day 1 of "Staycation". I'm not counting the weekend b/c I got nothing done over the last two days. LOL! Today is probably going to be a bust, also, since I have a doctor's appointment today and so does Jake. By the time I go to mine, get home, and take Jake to his...the day will be lost. I *am* up early, tho, so maybe I'll get a few things done before I have to leave. At any rate, it is SO nice to be home and I'm trying not to think about what's going on at work. I am hoping this week is enough time to get thru all my stuff and get unpacked. I haven't even gone downstairs to look at the mound of boxes yet.

Anywho, we had a nice weekend and the weather was GORGEOUS! Spring is definitely here. We had lots of sunshine and almost 50 degree temps. There's still quite a nip in the air but the sun felt wonderful. We have a friend of Jake's staying with us so Saturday we did some running around and went to McDonald's for lunch. It was an all-around good and busy day. We managed to do some recycling and getting groceries for the week. We also went to the library and I actually checked out a book! I haven't done that in YEARS! I am tickled over how much money I am going to save myself by doing that more often! :)

Sunday was not quite as busy. I ended up going back to town for a few things and ended up with a whole nother cart of groceries...LOL. Apparently, I didn't get enough the day before! Funny how that can happen. Then I went over to see Julie...she'd had a birthday on Friday and I had a gift for her. So, back to the old neighborhood I went...I sure miss living down by the water!!! Anyway, after getting back from Julie's I took the boys up the hill from the house to get them outside and away from video games. I had never been up there but it was such a beautiful day that it was the perfect time to check it out. I knew there was an empty lot up there...sure enough there is!! Tony had said there was but I had never checked it out. So, Jake and Gabe kicked the soccer ball around and I visited with the neighbors for a bit...they were out working in their yard.

Speaking of my neighbors...have I ever mentioned that we have the NICEST neighbors in the world? OMGoodness!! They are awesome! Patty is going to help me with my yard this summer...she's going to show me what's what and what I need to keep pulled as far as weeds (cuz I have NO idea what I'm doing.) She also told me she'd help me plant some bulbs in the fall. I CAN'T WAIT!! I've never planted bulbs...I've never had my own yard for that matter and I am so excited to start working out there and enjoying the fruits of my labor. I'm so looking forward to everything blooming and coming alive again. I will be sure to take pics of everything and post them on here. :)

OK...I think I'll take advantage of being up early (Tony is getting ready for work which is why I'm up at all!) I'll check in with you all later....and post a pic of my mountain of boxes before I tackle them.

Happy Monday!!! Nanette XO

Here Ya Go

Here's the blog/website I told you about with the book giveaway. I am sharing it under one condition. In the event YOU win a book or two...or especially ALL the books at the end...you MUST share them with ME after you are done reading it/them. Deal? Thanks, Y'all. Love ya!!! Happy Reading!!!

www.manicmommy.blogspot.com

No Time Like the Present

It's 6:05am on Saturday....A.M!!! I woke up coughing my head off and didn't want to keep Tony up so I decided to head for the couch, drink some water, and go back to sleep. No.Such.Luck. I remembered the blog I've been going to daily written by a gal who is doing a book giveaway every day and I got so excited to see today's book I decided to log on. She's in Arizona so I knew she might have it posted. Anywho..sure enough, I was right. And today's book sounds exciting! If y'all are interested, go to www. Oh dang it...I'll have to look it up and post it later. At any rate, this gal is giving away books every day...sometimes more then one book...sometimes two, and the other day she posted a whole SERIES of 5 books. Here's how it works...you leave a comment daily to win the book of the day. Each time you comment you are eligible for a final drawing at the end of the month to win ALL the books. EVERY SINGLE BOOK....the motherlode of books, if you will. This makes my heart skip a beat, y'all. If it's one thing I LOVE...it's books (especially if they are new...and free!!) Books to me are like shoes to other women. I think I love them more then even Pampered Chef...and you KNOW I love me some PC!!! Anyway, I will post her site on here later...I did NOT mean to ramble on about THIS, believe me!!

So, it's been a while since I posted. A lot has happened since then...the most obvious, the tragic events in Japan. It has weighed heavy on my heart...can you imagine dealing with? Not to mention the loss of life...and the nuclear disaster which just seems to get worse every time I turn the news on. I was greatly concerned about my cousin and her new baby but quickly found out (Thank-you Jesus for the iPhone!) that the area she is in wasn't hit too hard by the earthquake and there was no Tsunami in her location. To make a long story short, she just posted last night that she and the baby are getting out of Japan asap. I think the biggest fear for the civilians there at the base (her hubs is a Navy man) is running out of supplies. I would be lying if I said I wasn't relieved she's getting the heck out of there!! Love ya Rachel!!!! Anyway, it seems silly to post about trivial things (such as books above) when such serious things are happening around our world today...but life goes on and you can't dwell on the negative or walk around being depressed, right? I can donate to Red Cross, I can pray...there are many options! But most of all...I can LIVE MY LIFE because life doesn't slow down just because of an earthquake somewhere 5000 miles away. (I totally made up that number...sorry.)

So, enough about that...I did my 3 days of obsessing over the news and freaking out...I'm MOVING ON....and so should YOU if you are still worrying about it. :)

Today is the first day of "Staycation". I will be posting a pic later of the ginormous amount of boxes that I have to tackle during this time at home. And the weather has decided to cooperate. We are going on our 3rd day of sunshine...it's been GORGEOUS. This will come in handy when it's time to haul stuff to the second-hand store soon. Yep....as I unpack, if I don't NEED it...or LOVE it....It's GONE. I cannot wait!!!!!! No more hoarding for THIS hoarder!!!!

As I type this it is getting light already...it's not even 6:30!! Even with the time change, the day is starting earlier and earlier. Do you know what this means? SPRING HAS SPRUNG!! As I mentioned, we are on day 3 of clear, sunny weather...Yesssss! As we approach the "Spring Solstice" I am left to wonder "where the heck did winter go?" Seriously....THAT is how fast it happens around here. One day we are having snow and the never-ending winter....then the next day it's sunny and 40 degrees! It is nothing short of awesome to know we survived another Alaskan winter. LOL!! April 6th will mark my 21st year since moving here and I can't believe I've done that many winters...amazing!!

I guess I should talk about other happenings since my last post. We had Jake's final "Parent-Teacher Conference" for elementary school last week. I can't believe it was the last one!! I did not realize there wouldn't be another before the end of school. Just another reminder of how fast the year is going already!! Anyway, Jake is getting all As and Bs in school and is doing really well. I think he will transition well to Jr. High next year...I can't say the same for his mother. Gulp! He is such a nice, sweet boy...but I've already caught glimpses of the "teenager" in him and I am somewhat frightened. Recently we had to school him on how to really shower now that he's starting to "stink"....they ALL stink so I don't feel bad in saying it. LOL!! Boys are just SMELLY....so accept it and move on!! Anywho....so yeah. We are in full "pre-teen" swing but I am loving every minute of it. I know it won't be long before my "baby" wants nothing to do with me. Sniff** I asked Tony last night if he'd like to have another baby....LOL!! It was a weak moment...what can I say? And before y'all get too excited...IT'S NEVER GONNA HAPPEN. That ship has SAILED...so again, accept it and move on!!! LOL!!! Tony and I enjoy our sleep FAR too much to go thru that again. We can barely keep up now...just sayin'. Making and having and raising babies is for the YOUNG. :)

OK...I keep getting off on a tangit. Sorry! So yeah...it's been a very full week and a half. I have been working really hard at the office getting ready to be gone for over a week. I did not realize when I asked for this week off that we also have the 28th off so that's a nice little bonus for me. I get a full 10 days in a row off PAID. Many might be wondering why I didn't head south to see family and get off the island. Well...all I can say is I have SO MUCH to take care of around the house that NEEDS to get done. Plus, I just don't have the extra money for airline tickets right now. That is really the bottom line, I guess. Even when I was looking at PFD tickets back in October it was still like $500 to get to Portland!!! That's a SALE ticket????? I think not. So yeah, I'm spending my vacation time at home...and I'll probably take more time off this summer to paint the house. Did I mention having to paint the outside of the house this summer?!? OH YEAH...fun times. Welcome to home ownership!!!!!!! Thankfully, we have many friends that have offered to help as well as offered up equipment to use. We will definitely be taking them up on their offers!!

Wow...have you guys been watching American Idol???? Who are your faves???? This has become the highlight of our week (sad, I know!) I'm still rooting for Scotty, of course, but I have fallen in love with a few others. Stefano is my "home boy". He's from Kent...which is where I'm from (before moving away to Mt. and Ak.) He is wonderful!! So talented. My other fave is Paul...he just makes me smile when I watch him. They are ALL talented in their own way...it's been so fun to watch! What else are you guys watching out there? We love reality TV...we also watch Survivor and The Amazing Race. Course, right now, March Madness has begun. The Huskies won again last night....not sure they can beat Carolina next...IN CHARLOTTE!! WHAT??????? Sigh. We are big sports fans...the ultimate "reality tv"....or should I say "the original" reality tv? LOL!!!

OK...enough of my yammering for one day. I will let you get on with your Saturday. I am hoping to do some catch up as I promised of some pretty neat past "happenings" (as my gal pal Debra likes to call it) now that I'm home for a bit. It will be a nice break from unpacking which I'm sure is going to get REAL OLD, REAL FAST! It's a lot of work...I'm just sayin'. Allrightythen.....have a great weekend and keep Japan in your prayers...they need it!!!

Namaste~ Nan XO

Another Monday

Well it's Monday again and I don't have a whole lot to report. I will mention, however, that it is finally warming up here and spring should be here soon. It was 4o degrees yesterday...a heatwave compared to what it has been! Yahoo is what I say! It froze overnight and was freezing this morning but the sun is out so I think it's going to be nice again today. Maybe I'll get out for a short walk. Wouldn't THAT be lovely? I should have gone yesterday but I was feeling lazy. Sunday should be a day of rest, right?!? That's what *I* say!

So, yesterday, Jake had an opportunity to go shooting at the gun range with some friends. It sounds like he did very well and enjoyed himself. Some guys in town are going to start a "shooting league" for kids after Spring Break...they will even supply the guns. I am hoping Jake will be interested in joining...I think it would be a great experience for him and he will learn a lot about safety. We don't have guns in OUR house, but I know there are many people that do and if and when he comes into contact with them, I want him to be smart and safe about it. He has also expressed an interest in hunting. If and when he gets the chance to go (not with us but maybe some buddies) he will know what to do. I am so grateful there are people out there willing to take this on and get these young ones on the right course towards knowledge and safety! Tony and I aren't into the hunting scene so this allows another avenue for our son who is very much interested. Course, he doesn't realize yet he has to EAT whatever he kills. Based on that venison roast we ate...maybe we'll just have to give away anything he brings home. :)

OK...I've procrastinated long enough. I'm diving into Monday y'all.......Love and Hugs!!! Nan :)

Wow!

I hope this link works....whoops! Wrong one...hold up!! :)

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/video/default-ap.aspx?cp-documentid=5551bc25-6a0c-a7cf-92ba-8f25ef8a7ddc

OK...that should take you to a video about last night's "Idol". I haven't watched it yet so I will be seeing it for the first time with all y'all. At any rate, I know I went on and on about Idol already but last night's show DID NOT disappoint. It was over the top GOOD!! Tears were shed over this program much to my dismay. How do you get so into a program that you physically shed a tear over it? Maybe I was just tired. Maybe the song that Stefano sang moved me...Yeah, Yeah...that's the ticket!! If you missed it....SIGH!!!!!!!! YOU MISSED IT!!!!!!!!!

Anywho...that's all I got for now. TGIF!! Nanette XO

P.S. After just watching the video...I must apologize for all the other garbage that's on there. Oh...and YES...my fave, Scotty, is obviously in the Top 10 and YES...I was worried!! LOL!! A lot of my other favorites made it as well but there were a few that didn't and it was SAD!! Sigh....

March 3rd...Really?

We got a massive amount of snow last night and I'm not the least bit happy about it. When I say "massive"...I mean just enough to stress everyone out but not enough to keep us snowbound at home. Grrrrrr.....it's MARCH for crying out loud!! I think we have about a foot accumulated in our driveway which we will have to shovel tonight. Normally, my neighbor takes care of it with his 4-wheeler/plow combo but he was nowhere in sight this morning. Not sure if he's out of town or what. But anywho....that means we'll have to dig ourselves out when we get home. NOT my idea of a good time. Thankfully, the snow is pretty powdery for the time being so it shouldn't be too difficult...just annoying. And, of course, we were dumb enough to buy Tony a little front-wheel drive car that is useless in this kind of weather so we are carpooling these days. Enough said about that. He tortures me and makes me listen to Rush Limbaugh all the way to town in the morning!!!! Double Grrrrrr!!!!!!

Anyway, in other news...American Idol was on again last night and it was the girls' chance at the Top 10. They were AMAZING!! We counted at least 9 out of the 12 that ROCKED IT...but there's only 5 spots and 7 will go tonight. You MUST tune in!!! This is GREAT television y'all!!! I am SO hoping my picks make it thru. I really like Ashton, Thia, Kendra, and that country girl...her name is slipping my mind. At any rate...they all deserve to be there and it's going to be heartbreaking to see their dreams crushed tonight when they get sent packin'. BUCK UP LITTLE CAMPERS is what I'll be screamin' at the TV. :)

OK...I suppose I should get some work done. That's all I got for now. Have a great Thursday and I will be catching up on some blogging later with pics from past events that I have failed to provide you with.

Take it easy, y'all.....XOX. Nanette

American Idol (Slow News Day...Sorry!)

Let me introduce you to Scotty McCreery!! America's newest rising star (imho) in country music!! My #1 pick on American Idol this season...GO SCOTT!! :) I know, I know...I'm a geek for watching "Idol" but it truly is one of the best shows on television this time of year. Tony and I miss football SO BAD right about now so it's nice to have something we both enjoy watching so much. My soft-spot for country music has drawn me to this contestant and I really believe that American Idol or NO American Idol...he is going to go FAR in the country music business. He makes me sqeal with delight when I hear him sing. He has God-given talent and is a breath of fresh air amongst the others in the group...althought MOST of them are amazing in their own right. If you aren't watching already...it's not too late! The talent this year is incredible and I think we will be happy no matter WHO wins it this time around!

Rollin' Into March...Under a Deep Freeze!

Wow! I can't believe it's been 9 days since I last posted! And March? WHAT? We would expect that spring is right around the corner but it's been SO cold out it doesn't seem possible. Over the last several days we have experienced a roller coaster of weather and it's just about to get worse. I heard this morning that it's been almost 3 weeks since it rained....which makes sense because it's been either clear and REALLY cold or it's been snowing. Hard to believe for this time of year in SE Alaska!! Rain isn't ideal...but at least you don't have to shovel it!! :) Anyway, so we've just been hanging on and staying warm and waiting for spring. Jake can't wait for spring break...and ME TOO! I've decided to take the week off work to finish unpacking the house. Did I mention this already? I probably did...oh well. Just consider it a "reminder". It will be my first (and hopefully last) "staycation". Google it if you don't know what that means. I can barely stand the thought of actually staying HOME when I have an entire week off work but 1. I NEED TO UNPACK!! and 2. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO TRAVEL! (That's what happens when you buy a house!) Sigh...enough said on that one. I swear, tho, if I hear ONE MORE PERSON tell me they are going to Hawaii I just might SMACK 'EM!! Seriously!! What is the deal with EVERYONE going to Hawaii lately?? SIGH!!!!!!

Anyway, work has been crazy...we've had two new candidates come thru in the last week and we hired one today. We recently lost two therapists (3 actually) so we've been short staffed as of late. But today, we offered a job to a very nice therapist named Annie. She comes to us from Seattle and she fits right in. She even loves rain! I guess I should back up a bit and mention that we also recently hired a very nice man from Idaho....and we like him too. So, we are slowly getting back on track and will hopefully hire one more therapist soon to be completely staffed. It's been a bit stressful to say the least...it always is when people go and new people come in. You have to start all over getting to know them and their "style" etc...etc....it's quite a "dance". It's not easy and sometimes you get very attached (which stinks when they leave!!). We can't help but become like a family down there...a great, big, diverse, dysfunctional family!!! LOL!!! I'm kidding...it's not always dysfunctional. But if you know anything about Mental Health...you know what I'm talking about!!

But enough about work...I try really hard these days to put work behind me and focus on enjoying our new home. I haven't done any new projects since finishing the bathroom. Unpacking is my main focus for now. I need to get the guest room together also...which I'm rethinking these days regarding the "location". Right now it's right under OUR bedroom...I don't think it's going to "work". LOL!! There's NO privacy for anyone. I don't want to make Jake give up his room...and if I use the other room downstairs I will HAVE to paint...and right now it's DARK BLUE. It would be a big job to paint it. Sigh...I guess I don't have to paint right away but it's so darn ugly!! I want the guest room to be an "oasis" so to speak. Maybe that will be project #2. Actually it will be #3 since the room is currently FULL of boxes...and I'm not even kidding. I will have to take a pic so you will see what I'm up against in the next 3 weeks.

Jake is doing great in school...I feel I should mention that. I can hardly believe he's in 6th grade and almost in Jr. High. We have a teacher conference next week...then spring break the week of the 21st...then before we know it school will be out. Holy Cow...the time FLIES!! Only good thing about that is it will be SUMMER!! I can't wait for summer...my favorite season. Course, between painting the house and working out in the yard...there won't be much time for enjoying it. I do plan to try to get to Petersburg in July to see my friend at her family's cabin right on the beach. She has 4 kids and it will be paradise for Jake. I also want to get over to POW again to stay with Jaqie and her dad and hopefully do some fishing. We'll see....that's a ways off and just a DREAM at the moment. It's not as if the ferry is "cheap" and getting the time off work will be a challenge...only b/c I will need time off to paint the house when we get nice weather. PLEASE LORD...let it be a nice summer!!!!!!! Amen!!!!!!!

OK...I better go check on dinner. I can smell garlic coming from the kitchen. Just thought I'd drop a little line before too much time went by. I heard there's a big storm heading our way so maybe I'll have something exciting to report next time I'm blogging.

Hope you all are well and I'll see you soon!!!! XOXO Nanette

P.S. One exciting thing of note...the days are getting LONG!! It's getting light really early now and it's not dark until after 6pm. This is EXCITING...and...drum roll please...I have SURVIVED another winter in Alaska y'all!!!! AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! I deserve a fricken medal....Yep. :)