Life – Page 7 – Dust Bunnies and Dog Toys

Our Cutlass Heirloom

Published on July 31, 2014August 4, 2014 by JennaLeave a comment

My husband inherited his father’s Navy cutlass and wanted to display it somehow. I knew there were sword stands that would work and researched a couple online. I originally planned to have a custom one made by the same artist who made his coin holder, but the price was a bit excessive for something that wouldn’t get much notice. At one point the hubs considered making a stand, but that would have required several new tools – which was probably his real motivation – and time that could be spent on other more important projects.

When I found a basic wooden stand on a discount website I ordered it right away. Unfortunately, I soon got an email that they wouldn’t ship to Alaska and had to cancel the order. I searched on and off for the next few days and finally found one for about $15. A few dollars more for shipping and it was on it’s way.

It’s definitely not fancy, but it does the job. And because we display the flag from his dad’s service in front of the sword you really don’t see it anyway. Together they make a simple display to honor his dad. And I find it fitting that the custom art I had created from a drawing of the hubs in service hangs above them both.

Want some history on the traditions of the Navy Cutlass? This website details the origins of the Navy sword and it’s demise with the advance of modern warfare.

Rules of the Road

Published on July 30, 2014 by Jenna5 Comments

Having recently traveled over 5,500 miles, plus commuting 2 hours a day each, the hubs and I are well versed in highway driving. Unfortunately, not everyone is taught highway courtesy before they hit the byways. Alaska is rated as having some of the best drivers in the nation, but I must not travel the same streets they do because my commute often includes asking the good Lord for patience in dealing with other motorists, but at least I’m not as bad as this guy. Here’s my top 7 driving pet-peeves:

Entrance ramps are usually designed to give you an appropriate distance to match the speed of on-coming traffic and merge in without causing disruption to the flow of vehicles. Don’t “putz” down the ramp and then hesitate when faced with moving traffic as your lane ends. Most motorists are fine with others merging in front of them IF you match their speed before moving over and may even flash their lights to signal that they anticipate you moving in. I also typically follow a general rule of one oncoming car between each highway vehicle.
Most exit ramps are also designed to allow you to slow down after leaving the highway, so please don’t reduce speed prior to taking your exit unless you are hauling a load that requires it.
When there are two lanes in the same direction stay right except to pass, especially in hilly areas. If you do pass slower traffic, remember to move back to the right once you’ve given the other vehicle enough room.
Remember that large trucks with trailers can’t stop as quickly as your single vehicle. That’s why they need extra space in front of them when behind other traffic, so don’t see that big open spot as an invitation to whip over in front of them. They also need extra room to turn because they have to compensate for the length of their rig, so don’t try to squeeze in next to them as you approach an intersection. That long load also prevents them from seeing you behind them, even at what you might think is a ‘safe’ distance. A good rule of thumb is if you can’t see the trucks mirrors, he can’t see you.
Yield to emergency vehicles when their lights and/or sirens are active unless you’re on a divided road. When you see an approaching response vehicle, slow down and move to the right if it’s safe to do so, without cutting off other motorists. Failing to do so is illegal in most countries and delays emergency personnel from reaching those in need as quickly as possible. React how you would want others to if you were the one on the needing end of those emergency services.
Slow down as you approach emergency vehicles on the side of the road, but don’t stop and gawk at the situation. It’s usually just someone getting a speeding ticket or a minor fender bender – nothing to write home about. But your brief pause to check things out delays traffic behind you and can cause a chain reaction that could result in a mile long back-up. Or even worse, your nosiness could cause you to not pay attention to those in front of you, creating another fender bender.
Don’t think that it’s your responsibility to slow down speeders or teach other drivers a ‘lesson’. If you see someone driving irresponsibly, call the authorities and let them handle the offender rather than goad them and create a situation of road rage that could spiral out of control causing others injury.

Imagine how much better our commutes would be if everyone used these tips! So now that you know my driving pet-peeves, I want to hear yours! Or have other tips that I didn’t mention? Share them below! Maybe we’ll help the next generation of drivers improve. 😉

Down the road…

Published on July 2, 2014July 2, 2014 by Jenna1 Comment

I can now cross driving the AlCan off my bucket list , since we just completed a trip from Alaska to Portland and back! It was a long haul – about 5,500 miles – but it went pretty smoothly and we saw lots of beautiful scenery. There was a plethora of wildlife along the route as well, including black bears, grizzlies, caribou, bison, elk, porcupines, beaver, mountain goats, deer, fox, ermine, swans, geese, hawks, rabbits and moose.

We didn’t stop at every attraction along the way, but we did hit a few of the fun ones:
The Hell’s Gate Airtram on the Fraser River was closed when we came through, but we did get to see the trams move across the canyon as they did safety checks on the equipment.

We picnicked at the 108 Mile House Heritage site before I wandered the 13 historical buildings from the old 108 Mile Ranch and 105 Mile Roadhouse. The Clydesdale barn was my favorite. I seriously considered digging up some of those amazing white and purple iris, but figured that would be frowned upon by the caretakers.

The world’s longest wooden tress pedestrian bridge and a huge gold pan in Quesnel.

We missed the numerous chainsaw carvings in Chetwynd on the way down due to traveling at night, but enjoyed seeing them as we passed through during daylight hours on the way back.

Milepost 0 of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek, which dates back to the 1940’s.

Crossing the Canadian Rockies and hugging the blue-green Muncho Lake were two of the most scenic areas of the whole trip.

We wandered the Signpost Forest in Watson Lake, B.C., where we added our own sign to the over 75,000 already there!

We watched the world largest weathervane, a Douglas-DC 3 move with the breeze in Whitehorse.

Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church was created in 1954 out of a quanset hut previously used by the US Army during construction of the Alaska Highway. Today it’s the most photographed church in the Yukon.

The main reason for the trip was to pick up my 1955 F-100, which we trailered from Virginia to Portland last fall. We also loaded up several family heirloom items of my husband’s while at his mom’s house including a grandfather clock, plane models and a set of china with glassware.

Of course I took the opportunity to shop at retailers we don’t have in Alaska while there, with a pilgrimage to Home Goods, World Market and Marshalls. Posts on the treasures I found at each, along with a few others will be coming soon. Additionally, I enjoyed a session with personal shopper at Macy’s, which I will share in another post.

Because we live in Alaska, our visits with family are few, so making the most of them is important. Before leaving, I made sure to squeeze in some family portraits with the hubs and his mom.

We were certainly the most unique rig on the road, resembling the Clampits on the trip back with the tarpped grandfather clock sticking up in the back and the cab of the 55 packed to the roof.

But even with that, we still had many admirers along the way. Someone would ask about the F-100 every time we stopped, even when it was for road construction and we chuckled watching folks stop what they were doing to watch us go by. One guy stared so hard he fell off the bike he was riding!

All said and done, it was a wonderful experience full of fun memories.

Luna, the Explorer

Published on May 7, 2014June 1, 2014 by JennaLeave a comment

When we brought little Bacardi home, the hubs made the doggie door go all the way to the floor so it was easier for her to learn how to use it. That change also provided Luna the opportunity to start using the exit as well now that she didn’t have to jump over a glass panel at the bottom. This new-found freedom turned her into quite the explorer, much to my concern.

I’ve always had indoor/outdoor cats and hoped to eventually get Luna to that status one day as well (mostly so we can eliminate the litter box!), but I was nervous since she’d always been an indoor cat and had only been outside with supervision before this. She had just recently started going out without her harness and leash, so she was probably feeling quite liberated. Granted she does have her claws and is pretty good at defending herself with the dogs, but Alaskan wildlife might be a different story. Also the cats I’d had in the past began life outside and migrated to becoming part-time indoor felines, so I never worried that they had the skills to find their way home safely.

At first she stayed pretty close to the house, scouting along the walls, but she soon grew bolder and started wandering out into the trees. Then she would disappear for several hours at a time. This included a couple overnight explorations on very chilly nights, which was worrisome for me.

But she kept coming back home to her food bowl and belly rubs while snuggling on the bed with Mom & Dad. So my fears have subsided, although I still worry when I haven’t seen her for a while. It’s just a Mommy thing. But I’m also proud to see her be independent.

Unfortunately, she also still seems pretty tied to her litter box. In fact, we watched her come inside, eat a few kibbles, go potty and then go back outside. I’d get rid of the box and force her to go outside, but I feel think that might be a cue to go a little too independent. Plus I’m fairly certain that her outdoor adventures will subside come winter since she’s not a fan of the snow. So I guess scooping the box remains on my to-do list for the time being.

Down at the Riverbank

Published on May 4, 2014 by JennaLeave a comment

Sorry for being MIA last week, it was a tad bit busy around here between work and appointments. Because of that I decided to make sure we had some fun with the kiddos this weekend which included a trip down the trails in our side-by-side to a nearby river. This was the first time both Stoli and Bacardi had been to a river so I was excited to see what their reactions would be.

As soon as we arrived Tequila was ready to jump in, but Bacardi and Stoli weren’t as sure. They stayed well on the bank checking out this new environment.

So while their big sister was bounding through the chilly water, they decided to cautiously approach the edge. Stoli’s approach reminded me of Tarzan’s elephant friend, Tantor.

Although they never did go in the water, they did seem to enjoy exploring the riverbank while watching their big sister play in the deep end as she crossed the river again and again without hesitation.

Eventually, Bacardi decided to hang out with Daddy while Stoli, Tequila and I ventured down river a bit to a very picturesque spot!

Then I had the hubs call Tequila back so she would cross the river again, much to Bacardi’s delight.

And before we left I stopped to snap a few shots of Bacardi in the sprouting grass, since she’s growing so quickly and I don’t want to forget how little she started out.

But my favorite shot was of her showcasing her tiny attitude along the riverbank. 🙂 She’s definitely the perfect fit for our family!

Welcome Home Baby Bacardi

Published on April 18, 2014December 4, 2014 by Jenna2 Comments

Last night was our new fur baby’s first night at home. She’s fitting right in, playing with her siblings and checking out her surroundings.

She’s already bonding with the hubs and I as well. We seem to have another snuggler on our hands, which should prove interesting when she’s full grown!

Everyone is getting along pretty well and both Tequila and Stoli are already protective of her, although they’re not so sure about sharing things all the time.

She’s also met the cat, which although it was a brief encounter, went better than we anticipated. Perhaps Luna wasn’t sure what to think of someone smaller than her!

Of course there are plenty of teachable moments like nipping and a couple of accidental tinkles on the floor, but that’s to be expected. We’ve directed her chewing toward the bevy of toys available, and she’s pretty keen on tennis balls. So much that she threw a fit when hers went under the couch and she couldn’t reach it!

She does love to be outside, but she’s not too keen on the doggie door just yet. Instead she likes for Tequila or Stoli to open it for her so she can sneak back and forth underneath them! Smart cookie. And when they aren’t willing to do the work for her, she attempts alternative methods.

But all that adventure makes for a tired puppy. She tries so hard to fight it, probably thinking she might miss something fun.

But eventually she gives in and finds a comfy spot to rest, even if that means claiming the biggest dog bed in the house all to herself. 🙂

Our Family Gets Minionized!

Published on April 6, 2014April 13, 2014 by JennaLeave a comment

Sorry for being MIA most of last week, I got sidelined with a nasty sinus congestion and a super busy schedule. Luckily, I’m feeling much better this week and thought I’d share another purchase from a local artisan.

Peg characters have been around for some time and I’ve always thought they were cute. Recently, I saw a local artist making custom pegs for families including “Despicable Me” versions and knew I just had to order a set for us!

There’s Gru for Matt and Lucy for me, then a minion for each of our fur babies! And each represents that kiddos personality. Tequila’s minion has a heart because she’s a big love bug. Stoli’s minion represents his goof ball nature with a clown face.

As the lone kitty and ‘tailed’ baby, Luna got a purple minion with an expression similar to the one she gives the dogs every time they try to play with her. Bacardi’s minion sports a little flower because she’s the new ‘bloom’ in our lives.

For now our little family lives on the dresser in our bedroom, but they will eventually find a place of honor to be displayed in the studio once my new desk and shelves are installed.

If you’d like to order a custom peg set for your family check out Fireweed Lane, the artist who created ours! She has lots of designs, including Disney princesses and super heroes!

Spring Fling? More Like Break-up!

Published on March 19, 2014March 19, 2014 by JennaLeave a comment

Tomorrow is the first official day of spring, but we do everything a little different here in Alaska, including Spring. When you live near the Arctic Circle spring doesn’t include pretty little green sprouts popping up after misty rain showers. Here, spring brings a continued chance of snow, slushy roads edged with puddles and grey everything – not the 50 shades kind either.

Spring is known as “break-up” season in Alaska, because that’s when the ice on the rivers starts to break apart and move downstream. In fact, traditions are based on it. Many native villages hold contests for residents to guess when a wooden tripod placed on the thawing river will fall as the ice below it gives in to rising temps. It’s usually the talk of the town and you’ll find everyone available on the river bank watching, because it’s what you do in rural Alaska.

One of the things I love most about Alaska is the change of seasons, but now that the beautiful snow of winter is melting and we’re left with wet, slick ice splotches I’m ready to fast forward to summer’s greenery. Maybe it’s spring fever because I didn’t get a “spring break” like the school kids did. Or maybe I’m just eager to get my garden set up and my landscaping installed.

I have big plans for the yard, including hydroseeding a lawn for the dogs, flower beds near the front door and several birdhouses with feeders nearby so our feathered friends stay. Watch for a post on the full plan soon. But none of that can happen until the ground thaws and the warm temps are consistent. Until then my ‘yard pretties’ will remain stashed away in their cabinet in the garage and I’ll continue to day dream about the pretty flowers I’ll be planting.

Dog Tired

Published on March 12, 2014March 11, 2014 by Jenna2 Comments

I’m a night owl by nature. I detest getting out of bed and require hitting snooze at least twice before doing so. Given the choice, I’d stay up all night and sleep till noon. But that’s not feasible with a full-time job, a commute and two side businesses. Plus I typically feel guilty about wasting half the day when I do sleep in on the weekends, although that’s a rare occasion these days.

The hubs new work schedule is 6 am – 2 pm, which means he’s up at 3 and leaves around 4. After two decades in the military he’s pretty much able to function on any schedule, so this doesn’t seem to bother him much. He is pretty good about keeping the noise and lights to a minimum when I’m still asleep, but I do still usually wake up at some point during the process. While that’s not a huge issue, when I go to bed at 10 pm and don’t typically fall asleep until around 11, it does cut into my rest cycle. And now that I’m in my 30’s my body isn’t as game to function on a measly 5 or 6 hours of sleep anymore. So I decided to try something new.

For the last week I’ve gone to bed at the same time my hubby does, around 9 pm and get up at 4 am just as he’s leaving for work. That means I should get around 7 hours of sleep each night. It also gives me an hour of uninterrupted time each morning to work on my side businesses before getting ready for my full-time gig.

For the most part it’s working well. There have been a few nights where circumstances had me up a little later than my new self-imposed bed time, and I actually gave up my extra morning time to sleep a little more one day due to this. But getting up and moving, then putting my brain to work before setting about my normal routine has me feeling more awake and productive during the day.

I think it will take a bit longer for my body to fully adapt to the new schedule. I’m usually tired when I get home after work, but then I get a second wind an hour or two before bedtime and have the urge to stay up and attack things on my to do list. Unfortunately, that gets me recharged about the time I’m supposed to be winding down. I still try to be in bed by 9, although I usually end up surfing the web on my iPad or watching TV to relax before actually falling asleep around 10. And that means I’m back to my 6 hour sleep pattern, so I’ll need to be more diligent in starting the wind down process a little earlier.

Or maybe I just need to take a page from my hubby’s book and nap when I get home each evening since that apparently works for him and Stoli.

Granted, his job is much more physical than mine, but I still feel “dog tired” and wish I could just kick back and catch a few winks. Unfortunately, my brain just won’t let me until at least a good chunk of my to-dos are done. And if I try to ignore those tasks I just lay there thinking about when I’ll do them, so I might as well just get it done. The hubs calls that “being an over-achiever.” I just call it being me. 🙂

Bringing a Little Bacardi to the Party

Published on February 28, 2014March 11, 2014 by Jenna2 Comments

Our little family will be growing by four more feet in a few weeks when we adopt a new baby blue heeler! A woman we met through a local buy/sell page had a litter of blue heeler puppies and was expecting another, by accident.

We contacted her about the dogs and got good feedback so we made arrangements to meet the expecting momma dog and see what her personality was like. Although she wasn’t very social with our dogs – who could blame her a week from her due date – she was well behaved and definitely people friendly, especially when those people gave ear rubs.

The woman who owned momma dog was excited to hear that we had a Rottie as well, which is the other breed in their home. She also liked the fact that we are previous heeler owners so we know what to expect and have plenty of space for such an active breed. She liked us so much that she told us we had first pick once the litter was born!

A little over a week later she emailed me to say there had been 3 boys and 3 girls born the day prior. We knew we wanted a girl, so she sent pictures of those three. One was all white with just a snip of black on the tip of her ear. Another had a black mask on her head, but no other spots. And the runt had a black mask with several body spots. Including one shaped like an upside down heart on her side.

We discussed it and unanimously agreed we wanted the runt. As you can guess by the title of this post, we decided to continue our alcoholic theme and name her Bacardi.

She will be ready to join our family in mid-April and we’re excited to see how everyone reacts to her. Baby momma’s owner says momma and the pups are all doing well and although little Bacardi is by far the smallest, she’s a fighter and does get some one-on-one time with mom. Sounds like she will fit right in around here.

Hopefully, the Alaskan spring will appear soon after she comes home and we can get the yard finished so everyone has plenty of space to romp. Regardless of weather, I foresee many puppy photos in the near future! 😉