July 30th just another Manic Monday....

.....we had a busy day at the Base getting signed in....etc...getting ready for DH leaving on his course to Oklahoma City.  Found out our Furniture will be here on Thursday....so that's great...getting sick of living out of a suitcase.  Tonight we went to Benihana Japanese Steakhouse for dinner, we had tried to go on Sunday but it was to busy.  It was great, meet a family of 4 from San Diego in Alaska for vacation.  Doing laundry, getting it out of the way....have a great night...take care

July 28th~We made it to Anchorage, Alaska

We woke up early and after a buffet breakfast we started heading for Anchorage.  We stopped along the way at a view spot of Mt McKinley, it's so high it was hard to make out with the clouds, but saw glimpses of the snow at the top.  Stopping in Wasilla 3 1/2 to 4 hours later.  We stopped at a bike shop, DS had been eyeing on line, and he bought a bike...we have to go back and pick it up when we get settled.  We then had lunch and heading for Chugiak.....Stopping at Mirror Lake, so show the kids around, then to our house, but the carpet cleaner was there, so we kept on driving heading to Anchorage, stopping at the kids schools, to show them around.  And now we are settled into our hotel...Comfort Suites...our home until our furniture arrives....DH is so done driving....for a while.....=)  Taz seems to love the truck now...he thinks it's his home...=)

July 27 ~ almost HOME~Home is where the Military sends us~

  Day 4~July 24....we show up at the ferry after lunch, 3 hours early, and head in for our tickets, Passports in hand, filling out customs forms....etc....then we wait, watching trains go by and just hanging out....then we have to drive through US customs, stopping to explain we are moving etc....yes we got our I-94 paper work....then we wait what seems like forever.  Then they start loading the vehicles....not like BC ferries...they pull this car and that car and then a trailer....etc....sure glad the guy knew what he was doing because I was confused....but with the one hour back time change, we leave 1/2 hour late....I think.
We headed for our cabin....it was great, we spent time down stairs, and watching the sights, headed for dinner, then hung out before heading to bed for the night, with the ferry stopping in Ketchikan.

  Day 5~July 25.today the ferry...making stops in Wrangell in the AM, then Petersburg, both fast stops, unable to get off the ferry. Making our way up to Juneau, with a 2 hour stop, we decided to stay on the ferry, and time just flew by.  Loved seeing the Glacier, and taking pictures.  Later DD and I are walk around the ship on the deck, and the Captain makes an announcement, about humpback whales on the left side (Port)....so us talking to some people we meet on the ferry, we head to watch the pod of whales...feeding.....DH and DS catch up with us, they had took video with DH's iphone....they thought we had missed them...it was a wonderful end to our trip.  We head for dinner then for a short nap before getting to Haines at 12:45am....then head for our hotel.... 

  Day 6~July 26 ~ up and on the Road again...Heading for the Canadian border then 5 mins from border, we have to turn around for Gas...not going to make it until the next station..so we have to heading back through the US border....then back after gas ($5.19us gallon) not cheap ....so we are back on the road again....make it through Canadian border again.....and we are on our way.  We saw Eagles, Brown (Grizzly bear) with a cub maybe two, black bears, and one Moose with an amazing rack on our journey to Tok, Alaska. 
  Day 7~July 27 ~ wake up in Tok, had breakfast and the truck is packed....DH loves to put everything back in....NOT.....We start driving around 8:30am, heading for North Pole, Fairbanks and then Denali Park. We saw one casualty around 9:30am, a Moose (female) and a car hit each other...and they both lost.....I will post pictures soon...as we now have card working....the Mason's out... y'alll =) 

July 24th ~ Prince Rupert

So Day One (July 21) of our travels, was Saturday, we went to the house and picked up Taz, finished cleaning up the house, then DH loaded the truck...that was a big chore....we had a lot of stuff.  Don't for get Taz...=)
We head up Island stopping a few time for our meowing cat, then made it to Buckley Bay Store, had lunch at Subway, eating it outside picnic style, on a pallet.  Taz wanting to go in the bushes the whole time.  Packed up again and headed for Holiday Rd....you know the song from Chevy Chases's Vacation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hPZFUz0YOY

well my brother lives on Holiday Rd, when ever I go up his road I sing the song...the kids love it..NOT...but I do it any ways....=)

We visit with my family at the farm, going to miss you all, we head to DH's parents for dinner and the night.
Day two (July 22) we start our trip up the Island, filled up with Gas at Courtenay .....121.9 got to Campbell River and the Gas was 139.9, glad we filled up.  On our trip up Island we meet rain, sun, and the start of cool weather....we got to Port Hardy around 5pm.  Checked into our hotel, and relaxed for our early night sleep.  Got to bed around 9pm, then woken up to what was gun shots ...... Fireworks....if I would have know I would of got up and dressed to capture some of them with my camera.  They seem to last forever...In the AM we asked the kids did they hear them and No was the answer. They ended up sleeping like a baby I guess....
Day three (July 23) 4:00am wake up...for our 7:30am ferry, we had to be there 2 hours early.  We load the ferry, and spend the whole day on the Northern Expedition....we saw Humpback whales, and a pod of Killer Whales.  We got to Prince Rupert at 10:30pm, and head to the Hotel, Taz had to spend the night in the truck....no pets allowed in the hotel.
Day four (July 24) early morning wake up, have to keep us on early morning wake up....got up had breakfast, tended to the cat and now we are wasting time, before our Alaska State Ferry, at 4pm, we have to be at the terminal, 3 hours early, so we are staying here until they kick up out, then we will check out some Prince Rupert sights.  It's over cast today....signing out for now..... the Masons out.... =)

July 20th

So today we woke up early, and heading down town to sign the house papers....then came back to the house to finish cleaning.  We got lunch and headed to hotel for a fun day in the pool.....DH and the kids had a great time...I napped....then headed down to the pool...did some more napping on the sun deck out side the pool.  After a few hours we head back up to the room and the Maid/house keeping is here...so we looked around the hotel and headed back to the pool.
After getting back to the room and changing, we head to Boston Pizza for dinner, thanks to DH's work for a gift card.....after dinner we stopped by to see poor Taz, hanging out at home...with his bed, food, water and cat litter....I'm sure eat can't wait to see us tomorrow and to get on the road......ya right.....we will see how long that will last....we may have to get ear plugs.....hopefully the medicine we have for him makes him drowsy.   Not sure when I will be updating again, stay tuned..... RM

July 19th

We stay at the hotel (Prestige) in Sooke, very nice hotel, very up scale....DH and I had a date night last night Ric's Grill......yummy calamari Ahi Tuna and Bellini

Heading to the house for the Loading of our stuff.....and cleaning....wonder how Taz made out.....okay I have to go.....

Monday July 16 2012

Had a very nice visit with Tamara, Derek and Victoria, visits are always to short.  We will miss you guys and all our friends and family.

So today was a pre pack day, at our house, tomorrow, is the pack day, Wed is the pre load day and wrapping our couch etc...for shipping.  Thursday is the load day and Friday is the clean day.  And all the other things we will be doing.  it's defiantly getting closer, I can feel the Alaska cool air already....not packing many shorts for our trip North to Alaska.

Well heading to bed, the packers will be here at 8:30am...good night all

Sat July 14 2012

it's a sunny day in our neighborhood, after our thundering and lightning show last night and the night before, it's nice to see the sun again.  One week until we are heading North to Alaksa, still have a bit more to do, then the packers come on Monday, we thought they would be here Tuesday.  The refrigerator seems to be getting emptier.....then to buy as we go for Groceries.....=)

Finished a hat today for RM Hats....it's a cow, the boys say it's a bit weird for a cow but it's for a kids....  Will be putting away my stitching until we get to Alaska though.....to much of a mess and our truck will be packed already with the stuff we have to bring.

Have a great weekend everyone.... =)

July 13 2012 ~ in the early morning 12:08 am

Hi all so today, well yesterday July 12 2012 was a pretty busy day.  First off Dentist...I guess the appointment was for 10:10am and we showed up at 10:32 am thinking it was at 10:30am, needless to say we are late.  We make a couple stops before heading home.  Hang out and do some things before getting Taz on his leash and then head for his appointment for his adventure to the great White North.
it's funny how much Taz will walk on his leash, the lady at the Vet said she thought a Dog was coming and put away the cat....=)   Taz did not like the 5 minute car ride, not looking forward to his drive up north. Fingers crossed it goes well.
After that we head back into town to Pearks Arena, for the 3rd Annual Hockey Demo Day, we stayed for a bit, the kids tried out skates and sticks.  Then half time, so we headed over to Zellers (closing out) but didn't find anything.  Then back home for dinner, and to watch Big Brother.  I also cleaned up the back yard, and brought things to the garage, so that it wont be forgotten on pack and load days next week.
Then around 11:30pm I took some pictures of Lightning (I'm a shitty speller sorry if i make mistakes)

Well I have to head to bed, DH's and my last shifts tomorrow, DH is getting Promoted and getting his Crown (Warrant Officer) WO.  So proud of you, wish we could be there....love you!! <3

Okay got to go,....good night all

July 11 2012 - cont

So it's a new day.....I'm working tonight, it's my second to last shift....can't believe it, going to miss everyone.

Forgot to mention, all the baking I did yesterday.....Black berry Pie, from last years berries in the freezer.....yummy
Blue berry muffins, and Blue berry tarts from berries from the freezer
and I made Graham Break Aways from the Christie HoneyMaid Biscuits Graham Wafers Box:
want the recipe: this is from the package:

GRAHAM BREAK-AWAYS
Just follow our 3 simple steps:
1. PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees F. Place 26 Graham wafers, with sides touching, in single layer on nonstick baking sheet. 
2. PLACE 1 cup each non-hydrogenated margarine and firmly packed brown sugar in large microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 2 to 4 minutes or until margarine is completely melted, stirring after 2 minutes.  Stir until well blended. Spread evenly over wafters: sprinkle with 1 cup chopped nuts. (Slivered almonds I used)
3. BAKE 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly; sprinkle with 1 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate chips.   Continue baking 2 minutes or until Choc Chips are melted.  Cool completely before breaking apart the wafers to serve.

Well that's all so far this AM will talk to you soon, =)

July 11 2012 - 12:57am

Not sure what I'm doing up....but I'm ready for bed here now, but thought I would write down our busy day activities.  DH, DS and I head to town, DD stayed at her friends house.  We went to the Mall first, DH and DS headed to Best Buy, and I headed to the Dollar Store to get a new brush.....an arm load later, the boys meet me at the store in the mall.  We head through the mall checking out the sales, then head to Canadian Tire to check out the new store and to spend our Canadian Tire money, we have been saving forever.  But thought maybe in 4yrs they may not honor the money, so wanted to spend it all...   By now it's 12pm and DS has to be at the Dentist for 12:30, so we head out.
  We dropped off DS, then heading for a haircut for DH, gas at Costco (130.9) not cheap, and then Staples time, before heading back to pick up DS at the dentist.  With he's mouth frozen from his filling, we head to the Goodwill, have been trying to find a vacuum/sealer second hand for my hats I send in the mail, would love to get them smaller and in a  thinner package, to cost less.
  We head back to Canadian Tire, looking to spend our CT money. After a few hours we come up with an arm load and a half of stuff....get to the till, we went to the service desk, because we had all the CT money to count at the till.  needless to say after a bit of time, we get all our things almost free.

well I have to hit the sack...well write soooooon

ps....sunny and warm here....you can see the smoke from the fires in the states......good night all

Sunday July 8 2012~ Foggy day

Woke up early to find the fog in Sooke, seeing how it was my day off,  I grabbed my camera and heading out to find the right photo/photos....after driving to find the right photos, it took me to 4 different spots, I added some of my photo's to RMM Photography if you would like to check them out.  (there's a link at the top of the page as well)

It's been warm and beautiful here in the capital region for the last few days, summer has finally arrived, we are enjoying it now, well we can....not sure it's going to be this warm in Alaska.

Work is winding down, I work, Monday, Wednesday and Friday....going to miss everyone at work......it's the life of the Military....just get to know everyone and we have to move, thank god for Facebook and the internet, to keep in the know with everyone.  Boy how life has changed over the years.  We got our first computer, back in Moose Jaw (1996), our first posting, we only had the internet over the phone line....a real pain if someone was trying to call you.....=)

Brief Timeline of the Internet:
http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/timeline.asp


Well just finished breakfast, thinking about what to do today.....Have a great Sunday all!!

July 4th

Happy July 4th to all my American friends in this great internet world!!

  So woke up to sunny skies, hopefully this weather sticks around for the rest of our time in Canada, I'm thinking we are going to miss the warmth we get here on the Island.  An older customer today told me we are to have 32 days of sun shine from this day....I never did get his phone number, in case the weather changes.... =)

  Today the big freezer is empty, and ready for cleanning.... hate working in the grocery store, because I'm always thinking oh I should buy that....but we are moving.....soon, the freezer can be stocked again in Alaska....=)

  I sold a hat from my RM hats store...it was Jack from the nightmare before Christmas...it's on it's way to my friend Patty's daughter.  I have another one also, ready for a lady at works son, it's Oscar the grouch.  Hopefully it fits, I don't have time to make a new one.

Can't believe it's 4:35pm better go and get things ready for dinner, we are having BBQ chicken, corn and Caesar salad...summer has arrived....oh ya had our first bowl of Raspberries, and some more strawberries as well...I love summer.

Well bye for now, until another day....=)

July 3rd already

  Happy Canada Day to all my followers....we spend the weekend up at Horne Lake, with my parents and had a family dinner on Sunday, one of the better days.  Got to see my new niece, and her brother....so cute going to miss seeing everyone on our new adventure up North.

  My dad took up panning for gold....just for fun, we didn't find anything and the water was so cold...

Kids are done school, both are moving on to the next grade....5 and 10....=)

Back to work until July 13th, then a busy next week after that getting everything packed up ... etc...we are leaving town July 21st.  Wont be long now....take care

Panning for gold

Dinner line....yummy

family

hanging out at the fire

new addition