Well, November is over and it seems to have gone by in a flash. Trav was gone most of that month and somehow I survived. I managed to get all the kids to their activities, not forget anyone or to get them anywhere and I didn't even have to call in reinforcements.
I did get a yearly physical which included a diagnosis of tendonitis in both hands and the onset of Carpal Tunnel in the right hand. Interesting to say the least. I have begun a regiment of Braggs Apple Cider vinegar, fish oil, vitamins, hand exercises , medicinal skin salve and much needed nightly sympathy to see me through the days. Honestly I can tell a difference so I'm not sure if it is the Omega 3's or the fact that Trav is home to give me sympathy but something is working.
Thanksgiving was a great success. We had friends over and our turkey was awesome. My Trav took over cooking the turkey 3 years ago and let me just say that between the stuffing with pears and apples, smoking with Alder chips for two hours and BBQing for an additional three hours the turkey reflects all of his TLC and attention to detail. It was delicious!! One of the best I have every had. I felt great about the meal we presented to our friends and exhausted at the end of the night. I would say that means the holiday was a success.
I have all of my Christmas cards ready to send out and I am very close to being done with my shopping. That is saying quite a bit for me considering I started extremely late and have only walked into two stores to buy gifts. Most all of our gifts will be purchased online which makes shopping convenient, expedient and efficient. Its is very weird to never set foot in a mall or a mega super store but then again I am not subjected to the greed of the holidays, the fight for cheaply made gifts from Taiwan or the frustration of overcrowded parking lots and stores. I am content to stay home, click on our laptop , buy local when I can and get free shipping for all my goods. I am against Black Friday shopping, typically have to work and just don't enjoy annoying crowds so holidays in remote Alaska seem to suit me yet again.
The weather has been complete garbage. Its been snowing, raining, snowy/raining and windy. Not to mention the darkness. I had to chuckle at a comment I saw on FB the other day. A person in the lower 48 complained about the winter darkness in her location. Honestly, my first thought was "Bitch Please" but then I reminded myself that everyone is entitle to their complaints. We are currently enjoying a sunrise at 8:30am and a sunset at 3:15pm. Not to mention that the sun never rises in the sky much past what would look like morning. It is very dark, especially on the very gloomy days. I have to remind myself that people in the lower 48 for the most part have no idea what real winter darkness is. I have to be sympathetic to everyone, even those who complain about dark days when their days are not even really dark...really, not dark at all!!!
Anyways, last weekend after the holiday and a couple hours of my Trav and I laying on the couch taking a nap we forced the kids to take a walk with us. We bundled up and headed to our local waterfall. A favorite spot for me and Trav. Its roughly an hour walk round trip. It was snowing, cold and beautiful. We talked, laughed and hoped that the Coast Guard would allows us one more year in this gorgeous place. We are still waiting to hear. I'm trying to be patient and at peace.
I am also trying to prepare for a great Christmas and the fact that I have 9 days off in a row. I will say that again...9 days off in a row. I am giddy!! My parents will be here for the holiday and are bringing a prime rib as a carry on in the plane. It's going to be wonderful. Until then, I am getting my fill of Hallmark holiday movies, putting up yet another gorgeous, real tree, listening to beautiful holiday music and watching the anticipation of the holiday build on my children's faces. Taylor has a holiday recital next week and I plan to buy tickets for the all of us to attend a Christmas concert. Seriously this time of year reminds me to breath in slowly, reflect often, be happy and relish in the feeling of being content!!
Before I go, a few random thoughts to put down on here for anyone out there who reads this. In the coming weeks there will be some wonderfully uplifting, inspirational, all true stories turned movies hitting the theaters. They are all based on book, books that my Trav and I have read. Books that are phenomenal and worth reading before you pay to see the movie. FYI a book is always 100 times better then the movie. Here are my "books before movie" suggestions:
UnBroken: A true story of survival about an Olympic Runner/WWII POW. This book is an amazing story.
Written by an American Hero, Chris Kyle. If you enjoy military history or just a good book about life, sacrifice and dedication. Read this!
We picked this book up on a whim before our trip to Hawaii this past spring. It is an awesome book! A story about overcoming life's challenges.
If you not a reader, well I'm sorry. My suggestion, put down the remote control, turn off the TV and pick up a good book. I am not 100% that any of these movies will make it to the theatre up here, we only have on show play at a time and its hit or miss. With that said, we rarely ever go to the show. If these make it up here, my Trav and I will definitely be going. We loved these books.
Also...in one of my moms boxes of stuff she always sends up to us she randomly included a roll of burlap. I had no idea what the hell she thought I would do with it and put if off to the side. Fast forward to the other day as I was sitting in the living room, drinking coffee, staring at our Christmas tree that was already decorated. I thought, why not try to use that burlap as garland. I'll be damned, it turned out freaking awesome. My mom must have some sort of special powers at the store. Why have I never put up burlap garland before. I am in love with my tree now. I recommend you attempt burlap garland at some point on your tree. It just might make you as happy as it makes me.
Also, my boys have spent the weekend in Juneau at the Southeast Alaska Championships for competition swimming. My little Travi went into beast mode over there. He has made the final event in all of his swims, set best times in every swim event he participated in. That kid amazes me. He swims 5 days a week, waking up two days a week at 5:00am to swim before school. He is a fish!! I am so darn proud of him. He works hard in the pool and his progress is really showing. I have no pictures to show you of him, I am not there and Trav probably have just videos but I know Travi is on top of the world with how well he has competed over there. I can hear it in his voice when he calls me.
Posts
