Home Sweet Home

 Hi Folks

We finally moved into our new home on January 23rd. We are getting settled and enjoying our little log home in the woods. With the help of Saun's Uncle Joe, we unloaded our trailer in less than three hours. It is a great feeling having a place to call our own. It was like Christmas morning unpacking all our belongings. Hannah was over the moon excited. She is also happy to be back to herself. No more "Hannah you need to be quiet because the people next to our hotel room can hear you". She now has her space to run and play.

Remember the story about hitting a rough patch of road on the way to Alaska and we were afraid of what may have been broken in the trailer. There was one box that took a beating. In the box was our unity candle vase from our wedding. It was clear glass and had marriage vows engraved on it. It shattered. I was bummed and Saun had to humor me. He said "it is a sign, we are DOOMED!" We hugged, said I love you, and threw it away.  We will be together 18years and married for 13years... our "unity" will forever be strong.

The new house 1000sqft., 2 bdrm, and 1bath. Do not have a garage. That will be a fall project. We are going back to a "Battle Ground" style of living. Our first house together was in BG and it was 900sqft. We looked at soooo many houses that could accommodate more stuff and guests, but this little fella was perfect. It is on the out skirts of town, no immediate remodeling, and move in ready. One of the benefits of moving to Alaska was that Saun would not be overwhelmed with a day job and side jobs.
When we lived in BG there was a train track that ran through town. To our surprise, the first night we were here we heard the whistle of a train across the highway. We looked at one another and just smiled. We were home!

Saun is enjoying his job. They are staying busy this winter. The majority of his work is about 45 min from home. He actually enjoys the drive because he gets to see a different sunrise every morning over the snow covered mountains. He grew up in Tucson and has commented many times that he is happy to be living near the mountains again.

Hannah is doing very well in school.She enjoys music and computer classes. She is official boy crazy. Every week is a new boy that she is going to marry when she is eighteen. Oh Lord, help us!
So happy that she is making friends. We are very pleased with the staff at her school.

I am doing well. I am still on the prowl for a job. I am enjoying be able to take Hannah to & from school and having dinner on the table before 6:00pm. Adapting to the sticker shock at the grocery store, I have started to coupon. No No I am not extreme, but I really want to make a difference in the money going out.  We had done out research on the cost of living before moving here, but it is a real tough adjustment. The basics we are used to, but the heating costs are outrageous. Our house is forced air but with heating oil. Natural gas is not available near our house. I am not complaining, but it is hard not to compare to what the costs were back in Indiana. A local birdy told me back in May "Michelle, you move to Alaska and your quality of life will change". I believe my quality have life has changed in some small ways. The hustle and bustle is no longer there. Saun and I have minimal stress right now. We are in the company of one another every day. Back home Saun was working many long hours. Some nights he would not be there to tuck Hannah into bed. Saun has lost 27lbs. It is amazing how lightening you work load can be healthy. As for me I have gained 12lbs. Damn you coffee, cookies, and cable!!!! Hibernation is in full effect for me...lol.

Oh I finally got my Alaskan Driver's license last week. I passed by the skin of my teeth. You have to get at least 16 questions out of 20 to pass. That is exactly what I got....16 correct and 4 incorrect. I studied, but they get you with verbiage such as "may" "must" "might". The question I passed with was a DUI question...hahaha. I have never had a DUI, but they are not taken lightly in this state. 

I am not going to lie I miss Indiana family and friends something fierce. I think one of biggest things is that they are starting to release music concerts dates. So many memories made at concerts. I do not have that much assortment here, so far. They did just announce that 3 Doors Down will be coming to the State Fair this year. One of our favorite bands. With all these Alaska reality shows you would think more bands would want to come here for the experience.  Maybe not, since there is State Trooper Post not far from the fairgrounds...lol. "We have a 10/96 in the beer tent!"
We shall see who else will be on the concert bill this summer.

We attended "Big Lake Winter fest" last Saturday. It was our first festival on the ice. When we heard that people drive their vehicles on the ice for this festival, we were like that is BS & you will not see our truck on the ice. Well we manned up and drove on the ice to attend the fest and fireworks. The firework show was awesome. There was a band called Big Fungus. They played some good ole' tunes. This fest is also the start line for the Iron Dog Race. The race began on Sunday. It was televised. You would have thought is was the Indy 500.

Below are photos of our digs and outdoor fun.

So long for now!

Metal Roof - Took about 9 days for snow blanket to slide down

 

Broken Unity Cylinder

Grandma Kris was sneaky and hide a doll house in the trailer for Hannah.

 

 

 

 



Our neighborhood patrol. We named her Molly

Small Town Post Office

Hannah at school

Snow Tubbin at home. Unable to upload videos :(



DIY - Cased in flat screen

 

 

Valentine Sundae at school

Hannah Family Heart

Miss Diva

Festival on the Ice

 

Hot Chocolate and Snow Machines