Crazy Drivers

As I grow older, multi-tasking becomes more difficult.  I think it's because I now have the attention span of a GNAT and get too easily side tracked, but I could be wrong. 

What does this have to do with driving?  I recently witnessed a GREAT example of the problems caused by texting and driving which re-enforced once again, the combination is a really bad thing when concentration is required for staying alive.  It is not something I can do!

I was on the Hardy Toll road (one of my favorite NASCAR time tracks in Houston).  It generally doesn't have as many cars or traffic jams as I45.  In fact, I had the highway to myself. 

Except for one, 4-door Caddy sedan and a large panel van carrying fruit further down the road.

I was behind the car but slowly catching up to it.  The Caddy had erratic speeds, slow down, floor it, repeat.  As I was watching, it started to weave across lanes...all three of them.  Including the shoulders.  At one point, the driver almost crashed into the wall.  Bloody lucky he didn't jerk it hard enough to flip the car.

Then came the tough decision:  Speed up and try to go around without getting hit OR fade back and watch the crash with the fruit truck down the road.

I opted to pass.  Amazingly enough, when I started to pass, I had a full lane between us and the idiot almost hit me.

I honestly figured he was drunk.  He may have been, I don't know, but I do know he had his cell phone out and was using the keyboard. 

I never did see a crash (thank goodness) but if traffic had been heavier, I have no doubt there would have been one!

Best Thanksgiving Ever!

I have so many things to be thankful for:

A loving husband...
Wonderful, caring family...
Spectacular friends around the world...
Warm home...
Food on our table we can share...
Too many things to list...

OH...And infrared moose detectors freshly installed yesterday. :)

They went off at 4:30am and we jumped up to check on it.

There she was - a beautiful little lady waltzing through our yard.  We found out later she was near the front porch and in the raspberry patch. 

I am so blessed...
thank you!

United We Stand

(Image subject to copyright)

Remodeling underway....

Our first of six remodeling projects is underway...we are starting small and working up to the master bathroom.  New pantry, floor tile, paint and a heated floor. 

Monday spent demolishing the old floor and removing old fixtures.

Tuesday putting concrete board down and updating the electrical and plumbing requirements. (It always makes you feel good to hear the plumber say, "I've been doing this 34 years and have never seen anything like that."  I don't believe it was a compliment.)

Wednesday (today) mud the concrete board, put the heat pads down and start laying the tile.  Maybe some wall board to patch all of the holes.  This will be the longest wait as tile has to cure 24 hours before you can walk on it.  I will have to block the door tonight so I don't forget.

Thursday put the rest of the tile down and maybe paint, texture or just finish the wall board and finish the wiring.

Friday maybe start on the shelves---which is the end goal!!  Hopefully put the washer and dryer back into the laundry room.

And somewhere in here, I am having our pressure tank replaced.   Our well person suggested it and I decided to go ahead and to a planned replacement vs an emergency replacement. 

Of course my favorite part is playing with the dogs that come with the construction workers.  They are big, spoiled babies (the dogs - not the workers!).  

What are the other projects you ask???  Three more bathrooms, the front entrance and extending the deck.  I may also want a new stove and oven/microwave.  To be decided.  The deck is a "Robert" project so I may remove it from my list of projects.  He has his own list...deck, greenhouse,additional garage, whole house generator and electric gate across the driveway.  In other words, we have enough to keep us busy for several years!!! 

Pictures from our trip

Just a few...

First time I had ever been to Rushmore at night.  Worth the return trip.

 Lake Louise

 Berries by the side of the road...

 Peek-a-boo stone sheep

 Caribou

 Straggler at the lodge.  There was a herd moving north

 How would you like to wake up to this in the window!

Once More Across the Alcan

I left Houston on August 20th for my 5th journey across the Alcan highway.  On the way, I picked up my copilot in Oklahoma and we set off for a nice relaxing trip.

We started our tour in Mitchell, SD and attended the Corn Palace Festival!  I love stumbling into things like that.  We had no idea it was going on.  What a treat!  Believe it or not, we almost didn't get a hotel room due to the crowds...yea for last minute cancellations!

From there we headed over to the Black Hills to visit Mt Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial.  Crazy Horse hasn't changed much since I was there in the mid-ninety's.  I think seeing it again made me truly realize what a huge project the Memorial is and I am saddened to know I won't see it completed. 

Next stop - Devil's tower.  That place is just cool. 

Wandered over to Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper.  BEAUTIFUL!  (I highly recommend the drive if you enjoy mountains.  Take snacks though.)

After Jasper, the wildlife started coming out.  We saw white tail deer, elk, moose, eagles, buffalo, black bear, swans, caribou, fox, dall sheep, stone sheep and amazingly enough a wolf.   YEA - none were introduced to the car!

After Jasper, the drive really starts and by the time I get to Whitehorse, I just want to be in Anchorage.  Yukon Territory after Haines Junction has some really bumpy roads.  Sadly, we did come across a semi trailer that had overturned on the highway.  The driver and passenger were airlifted out by helicopter but seeing the damage to the cab when we drove by, I would be surprised if they survived. We stopped at the wreck about 2:30 pm and didn't get going again until almost 4:00pm.  The highway had been closed since about 10:30am.  Makes you appreciate cell service (there is none there) and lots of communities (closest ambulance was 90 minutes away). 

Our last night on the road was in Tok, AK.  The inn keeper was a champ and let us watch the OSU vs Florida State game in the lobby of the hotel as my Sirius radio does not work here.

After 5502 miles and lots of paint destroying rocks, we safely arrived in Anchorage on August 31st.  

And then there's the library...

We have been working steadily for 8 days now.

Unpacking, storing, moving things from point A to point B and back.

Repeat.

We have moved 6 times in the last 10 years and this time has been the most physically draining.  I am honestly amazed by how tired I am and have decided to take today off.  :) 

Ah...a day of surfing, writing, reading, relaxing.

Tomorrow is another matter.  I must start on the library...always the last boxes to be unpacked. 

As with everything else, we have too many books. At one time in my life, I didn't think that was possible.

Now it is hard to find people that want books and I can't bring myself to throw them away.

OK - I may make an exception for my calculus book.  :P

Regardless...a day of relaxation to prepare for the next couple of days of once again seeing my books.  :)

On a different subject, one of our shelves collapsed and we lost 5 steins.  While Robert promised to get rid of some, I think he had "sell" in mind vs "smash".  OOPS!!

AH...I love living here!

Time to retire.

Hard to believe so much time has passed and over 2/3rds of my life is most likely gone. 

Where oh where to live?

Alaska - the obvious choice! 

We have had the opportunity to live in some amazing places during our work careers.  However, when it comes to the final...this is my forever home for at least 20-30 years...I just can not imagine living anywhere else. 

We have made 3 trips to Anchorage this year.  One to look for a house, one to close on a house and one to move in.  While we are in the "move in" phase (that requires a whole other blog post) it is not a mistake moving back here.  (BTW - why does every bathroom in a freshly purchased house require a toilet rebuild kit???)

We still have many friends living here and are anxious to make new ones, the climate is perfect and our view absolutely ROCKS.

We see Denali to Redoubt and Sleeping Lady is directly in front of my dining table.  I have no doubt I will be eating outside in ski bibs in the dead of winter.  :)

It is great to be back!

New car syndrome

Yes...I have new car syndrome.

That affliction where you park as far away from the front door (and other cars) you possibly can to avoid door dings. 

However, it amazes me how many others have "park next to a new car" syndrome. 

Every single time it happens...someone parks right next to me when there are approximately 4255 other empty car spaces...

Back in Texas...

Yes, we have returned from the land down under...and are working on getting a house at the top of the world! 

We are moving back to Alaska!!!  Can't wait!  The view from my  new deck should encompass volcanoes to the south, Sleeping Lady to the west and Denali to the north.  :)

I still have several things to wrap up regarding Australia stories.  I so miss the animals at Lone Pine on Mondays and most of all my very good friends still living in Brisbane.  Oh...and my "local" (the pub).  One day, we will bump into each other again...even if we have to plan it!

In other news, I have retired; my favorite nephew on my side of the family has graduated from college with his degree (so very proud of him); my stepson got married to the sweetest girl in the world...  All in the month of May. 

Rob is getting ready to retire...he notifies me of this daily (sometimes hourly).

Talk about change!!! 

Coountdown!

Our Australian adventure is over...

Two weeks from today we pack up and move back to Houston. 

Sad to say good-bye to new friends here but looking forward to seeing friends and family back home.

Ya Gotta Love Dogs!

Since I now work on Monday's doing physical labor at the Koala Sanctuary, I don't cook on Monday nights.  (Hey...it works for me!)

This last Monday, we wandered down to a cafe / pub to eat dinner.  This cafe is built on an incline and to reach the seating area, you have to go up a set of stairs. 

While we were waiting at our outdoor table, a gentleman pulled up and parked his car directly in front of the stairs.  He walked around the car and opened the passenger door. Out jumped two little dogs who trotted up the stairs and sat down right in front of the big french doors where the bar is.  Their master walked into the cafe and ordered a drink and the dogs never moved nor did they ever go inside the cafe.

The gentleman then joined a table behind us (in the outdoor seating area) and the dogs followed him.  Perfectly behaved...no commands required.

When our food arrived, we started eating and I happened to look down...

There were two little dogs sitting at our feet looking up at us. 

I am pretty sure they expected a taste also.

I still smile at their antics.

By the way...a shout out to all of the dog friendly cafes, pubs and restaurants.  That's one of the best things about Brisbane!!!

Where have I been?

OK - Not entirely sure, but I think this is a record for not posting!  Almost two months. 

Time flies when living in a tropical paradise!

Of course we had a HOT Christmas.  (So not normal for people from the northern hemisphere.)

Our last scheduled company arrived and left.  (Once again- SO MUCH FUN!!!)  Zoo, Koala Sanctuary, shopping, Beach, aquarium, beach, surf lessons, beach, beach...oh yeah...and we went to the beach.  :)

A trip to Melbourne and Sydney (pictures to come)!

However, today is about Australia Day and the Aussie Tucker we had to celebrate. 

The menu included:
Smoked Emu pastrami
Smoked Crocodile
Roo tail and Tasmanian possum sausage

and for the first time in my life...

Camel. 

The Emu and Crocodile were GREAT.  The camel had a good taste but tough.  The roo and possum sausage wasn't my favorite.  I just don't have a real craving for possum. 

My real favorite dish though was the damper (soda bread)...but you can't live on bread alone!!  :)