Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Just A Little Exploring
Bonnie and I spent a couple hours out and about today. It was a little scary..... I get lost so easily. But thankfully I followed a blinking light on my google iPhone app that says where I am and where I want to be. I'd be in a whole lot of trouble if I had not have had that available to me!
We went to a local bank to get info on opening an account.
Then we went to the library. Oh my gosh it was HUGE! We are used to a little shoe box size library, but this one has 4 floors! Bonnie had a blast with all the video selections available.
Then I was going to try to find the post office to mail Kati her birthday card (which will be late because her 19th bday is today), but decided I wasn't feeling that adventurous. Funny... when pulling out of the library parking lot, I saw the post office right across the street. Can you believe that? How convenient!
Then we went to Walmart to get a "shake" which is what she calls chocolate milk, some butter sticks so we can make a homemade cake tomorrow, and turn in a prescription request to pick up tomorrow.
Short little update. Gotta go try to straighten out this moving in mess before Tom gets home in a little while. I want it to look like I did something around here today. Which I did, but it sure doesn't look like it. :)
Enjoy your day!
Janis
We went to a local bank to get info on opening an account.
Then we went to the library. Oh my gosh it was HUGE! We are used to a little shoe box size library, but this one has 4 floors! Bonnie had a blast with all the video selections available.
Then I was going to try to find the post office to mail Kati her birthday card (which will be late because her 19th bday is today), but decided I wasn't feeling that adventurous. Funny... when pulling out of the library parking lot, I saw the post office right across the street. Can you believe that? How convenient!
Then we went to Walmart to get a "shake" which is what she calls chocolate milk, some butter sticks so we can make a homemade cake tomorrow, and turn in a prescription request to pick up tomorrow.
Short little update. Gotta go try to straighten out this moving in mess before Tom gets home in a little while. I want it to look like I did something around here today. Which I did, but it sure doesn't look like it. :)
Enjoy your day!
Janis
Alaska Arrival... Finally!
Hi, everyone! Thank you so much for being so patient while we were traveling and out of touch. We arrived on Friday safe and sound and had the internet hooked up today. It's so nice to get back on line. Only problem is I have so much unpacking and organizing to do, I feel guilty getting on the computer right now.
I have missed all my bloggy friends so much! I can't wait to sit down and get caught up on what everyone is up to!
We had a blessed trip.... God is so good.
Tom drove the entire way. I offered a couple of times (secretly hoping he would say no), but he always wanted to do the driving. We pulled a trailer behind us with everything that would fit into it including my car. Thank goodness nothing else would fit in the trailer, because this apartment is nice, but so very small. I have to do some creative organizing. But I will say, this is my favorite part of moving... unpacking, organizing, everything fresh and new.
We drove 93 hours, 53 minutes in 7 days. No offense to the Canadians out there, but I hated being out of the country for 3 days. I had no idea I was going to feel that way, but I just had an uneasy feeling the entire time we were in Canada. I couldn't wait to get back on American soil. I wonder if my son feels that way while he's in Iraq?
The Canadian scenery was absolutely the most boring I've ever experienced. Nothing but plains, hay fields, windmill farms, and more hay fields. I'm sure Canada has a lot to offer, but our particular route.... BORING! Until we got to the Yukon, that is. The Yukon was breath-takingly beautiful. Snowy mountain ranges. Gorgeous!
When we crossed back into America onto Alaskan soil, we had already been driving through snowfall for 2 hours. This was making Tom a little nervous since we didn't have snow tires on the truck. But once we crossed the border, the snow started to ease up and stop.
I could feel the prayer going up for us. Everything just fell into place the entire trip. When we stopped in Minneapolis to apply for passports again since ours didn't arrive before we left, we were pleasantly surprised that we only had to pay the expedite fees instead of reapplying again and paying all the fees. This was a major deal. We are talking a difference of paying $180 instead of the $460 we had planned on. Yes, I thanked God for that. (Notice pic of empty office room - that was the passport office and we were the ONLY ones there!)
While stopping at a gas station within a day of arriving, a trucker noticed bad tire wear on the trailer and approached Tom about it. That was a shocker. One of the tires was not wearing well. So on Thursday, Tom took that tire off and put the spare on. The next day, I had to make one of my frequent stops, so Tom pulled off onto a rest area with potties and checked the tires. The spare was leaking air so fast, he could hear it. Again, thank You God, for me having to make a stop and Tom checking the tires BEFORE it was flat. So Tom removed the spare and put the original tire that was balding back on. Yes, Tom was concerned about the tires the rest of the way.
On Friday, 2 hours from our destination, we stopped at McDonald's (yes, I had to go again - I can't help it), and a man walked up asking Tom about the trailer saying he was looking into getting one. Well, oh my gosh, he bought it. Now remember, this is the trailer we bought for the sole purpose of moving our belongings and my car here. It was cheaper to buy one than to rent a U-Haul or have my car shipped here for us. Our intention the entire time was to sell it after we got here. The guy came by yesterday (Saturday) and paid cash and picked it up. Again, I can feel the prayer going up for us. Things have just worked out like this the entire time we have been planning on moving. I'm so very grateful.
We have gone out a couple of times to the grocery store and to Walmart for things we've needed. Tomorrow Tom starts his new job. Oh, I pray he likes it and that it's a great place to work. I'm intimidated right now about this new town. I get lost so easily no matter where I live, so I'm afraid to venture out on my own. But, I will do it tomorrow anyway, and hope I don't have a panic attack. In fact, just thinking about it kinda makes my stomach hurt. My sister knows about my silly stomach aches. She's had to deal with them while we were growing up. Whenever I get really nervous, the stomach aches start up. It's much better now that I'm grown, but they come back sometimes in situations like this.
Thank you all for thinking of us and being so supportive. I will try to start the posting on a regular basis now, although it may take a while before they become a daily thing again.
Enjoy the pics. I hope I didn't post too many.
Hugs and love to you all!
Janis
Janis
I have missed all my bloggy friends so much! I can't wait to sit down and get caught up on what everyone is up to!
We had a blessed trip.... God is so good.
Tom drove the entire way. I offered a couple of times (secretly hoping he would say no), but he always wanted to do the driving. We pulled a trailer behind us with everything that would fit into it including my car. Thank goodness nothing else would fit in the trailer, because this apartment is nice, but so very small. I have to do some creative organizing. But I will say, this is my favorite part of moving... unpacking, organizing, everything fresh and new.
We drove 93 hours, 53 minutes in 7 days. No offense to the Canadians out there, but I hated being out of the country for 3 days. I had no idea I was going to feel that way, but I just had an uneasy feeling the entire time we were in Canada. I couldn't wait to get back on American soil. I wonder if my son feels that way while he's in Iraq?
The Canadian scenery was absolutely the most boring I've ever experienced. Nothing but plains, hay fields, windmill farms, and more hay fields. I'm sure Canada has a lot to offer, but our particular route.... BORING! Until we got to the Yukon, that is. The Yukon was breath-takingly beautiful. Snowy mountain ranges. Gorgeous!
When we crossed back into America onto Alaskan soil, we had already been driving through snowfall for 2 hours. This was making Tom a little nervous since we didn't have snow tires on the truck. But once we crossed the border, the snow started to ease up and stop.
I could feel the prayer going up for us. Everything just fell into place the entire trip. When we stopped in Minneapolis to apply for passports again since ours didn't arrive before we left, we were pleasantly surprised that we only had to pay the expedite fees instead of reapplying again and paying all the fees. This was a major deal. We are talking a difference of paying $180 instead of the $460 we had planned on. Yes, I thanked God for that. (Notice pic of empty office room - that was the passport office and we were the ONLY ones there!)
While stopping at a gas station within a day of arriving, a trucker noticed bad tire wear on the trailer and approached Tom about it. That was a shocker. One of the tires was not wearing well. So on Thursday, Tom took that tire off and put the spare on. The next day, I had to make one of my frequent stops, so Tom pulled off onto a rest area with potties and checked the tires. The spare was leaking air so fast, he could hear it. Again, thank You God, for me having to make a stop and Tom checking the tires BEFORE it was flat. So Tom removed the spare and put the original tire that was balding back on. Yes, Tom was concerned about the tires the rest of the way.
On Friday, 2 hours from our destination, we stopped at McDonald's (yes, I had to go again - I can't help it), and a man walked up asking Tom about the trailer saying he was looking into getting one. Well, oh my gosh, he bought it. Now remember, this is the trailer we bought for the sole purpose of moving our belongings and my car here. It was cheaper to buy one than to rent a U-Haul or have my car shipped here for us. Our intention the entire time was to sell it after we got here. The guy came by yesterday (Saturday) and paid cash and picked it up. Again, I can feel the prayer going up for us. Things have just worked out like this the entire time we have been planning on moving. I'm so very grateful.
We have gone out a couple of times to the grocery store and to Walmart for things we've needed. Tomorrow Tom starts his new job. Oh, I pray he likes it and that it's a great place to work. I'm intimidated right now about this new town. I get lost so easily no matter where I live, so I'm afraid to venture out on my own. But, I will do it tomorrow anyway, and hope I don't have a panic attack. In fact, just thinking about it kinda makes my stomach hurt. My sister knows about my silly stomach aches. She's had to deal with them while we were growing up. Whenever I get really nervous, the stomach aches start up. It's much better now that I'm grown, but they come back sometimes in situations like this.
Thank you all for thinking of us and being so supportive. I will try to start the posting on a regular basis now, although it may take a while before they become a daily thing again.
Enjoy the pics. I hope I didn't post too many.
Hugs and love to you all!
Janis
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Alaska Bound
Hi! This is Kati, Tom & Janis' daughter. Mama wanted me to post this for her. They have not been able to post from the iPhone like they thought they could.
Here's what she said:
We left yesterday at 5pm. We reached Knoxville, TN around 11pm and stayed there for the night. Most of the travel time was filled with light rain.
This morning we got back on the road again around 6:45. Tonight we will be staying in Minneapolis and hope to arrive there at the latest around midnight.
The current driving conditions are excellent. Slight clouds, clear, and 63 degrees.
Bonnie is in a great mood. She's been very giggly. She laughed driving through the tunnels and over the really big bridges.
Tom has been the sole driver so far.
I am almost finished with the baby afghan I started crocheting during the trip yesterday.
Our passports never came in before we left, so we have an appt tomorrow to get one while we wait.
Completly off subject, Lizzy, Mama got your card and loves it! She's saving all the handmade ones she's gotten to put in her scrapbook.
That's it for now!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
6 More Days Until We Are Alaska Bound
Was your weekend as fun as ours? We did tons of sorting for the Yard Sale this Saturday, packing for the move, shopping, and planning.
Our passports aren't here yet. Hmmmm..... Hope they get here soon. I'm predicting they'll be here on Wednesday. If they aren't here by Thursday, then I'll have to make another trip to Columbia to get another copy of our long form birth certificates and make an appointment to stop during our travels and apply in person for another passport so our trip is not delayed. They do have offices where you can walk in and get your passport the same day. But we are hoping not to spend the extra dough. It would just save time and money if the passports which are already on order come in this week.
At this point, we're excited and anxious to get on the road. There are still things that have to be done this week: errands, etc. Our plan was to leave first thing Sunday morning, but after discussing the logistics of all that needs to be done, we are now thinking leaving Saturday night would be better.
Tom is getting an enclosed trailer for our move. Our plan is to drive my small car into the trailer and pack around it. He would really like our mattresses at the front of the trailer, so if we slept on the beds Saturday night, we wouldn't be able to do any packing into the trailer until Sunday. Which is why he's thinking load it up Saturday and leave that night instead. It sounds like a good plan.
We are all wondering how Bonnie will handle this 5 day trip. She doesn't really understand what we are talking about when we say Alaska or moving. We've always done a lot of traveling, and she handles that part really well, but we've never traveled somewhere where we had to spend 5 days driving in the truck. That's probably going to confuse her a little. Tom thinks once we get her bed set up in her new bedroom and get her Wii set up, she'll be as happy and content as always and figure out that this is our new home.
We are planning on updating the blog during our travels with pictures, journaling, and videos. Check back often!
Time to get some things checked off of my To Do List. Have a great day!
Janis
Monday, September 14, 2009
It's Official
It's Official... Tom has turned in his resignation at his current work and officially accepted the offer at his new work.
We spent a lot of time sorting and packing this weekend. There is a room in our house dedicated to a massive yard sale. Yes, we are moving lite.
We will be moving Sunday, September 27, if our passports arrive in time.
The trip will probably take 5 days. We will probably be traveling through Canada 3 of those days.
We plan on taking lots of photos during traveling and hopefully doing some video posting as well. Just don't expect me to have on makeup if I show my face in the videos. :)
There is a lot of excitement in our house. Of course we are going to miss our friends, family, and children here, but as Heather so aptly said tonight, "You're just a Facebook away,"..... or in this case, just a blog away.
My sister, Melody, sent me a list of questions I thought were interesting, so I've included them below with the answers:
Q: Where do you plan to live when you get to Alaska?
A: Apartment in Anchorage for at least a year
Q: How long before you have internet service?
A: I will have uninterrupted internet service through my iPhone
Q: When will you be having an all night summer party?
A: Um..... no
Q: What's the average summer / winter temps?
A: "Average daytime summer temperatures range from approximately 55 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 26 degrees Celsius); average daytime winter temperatures are about 5 to 30 degrees (-15 to -1 degrees Celsius)." [from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Anchorage,_Alaska]
Q: Will you send a postcard like photo everyday to me?
A: http://carolinatoalaska.blogspot.com - check it often!
Q: How far away is the public library (she knows me so well)
A: The Anchorage public library is downtown where we will probably be living.
http://www.muni.org/Departments/library/Pages/LoussacLibrary.aspx
Q: Will you learn to eat fish?
A: I eat fish now, so that would still be enjoyable there.
I hope everyone has a restful evening and pleasant night.
Hugs,
Janis
We will be moving Sunday, September 27, if our passports arrive in time.
The trip will probably take 5 days. We will probably be traveling through Canada 3 of those days.
We plan on taking lots of photos during traveling and hopefully doing some video posting as well. Just don't expect me to have on makeup if I show my face in the videos. :)
There is a lot of excitement in our house. Of course we are going to miss our friends, family, and children here, but as Heather so aptly said tonight, "You're just a Facebook away,"..... or in this case, just a blog away.
My sister, Melody, sent me a list of questions I thought were interesting, so I've included them below with the answers:
Q: Where do you plan to live when you get to Alaska?
A: Apartment in Anchorage for at least a year
Q: How long before you have internet service?
A: I will have uninterrupted internet service through my iPhone
Q: When will you be having an all night summer party?
A: Um..... no
Q: What's the average summer / winter temps?
A: "Average daytime summer temperatures range from approximately 55 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 26 degrees Celsius); average daytime winter temperatures are about 5 to 30 degrees (-15 to -1 degrees Celsius)." [from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Anchorage,_Alaska]
Q: Will you send a postcard like photo everyday to me?
A: http://carolinatoalaska.blogspot.com - check it often!
Q: How far away is the public library (she knows me so well)
A: The Anchorage public library is downtown where we will probably be living.
http://www.muni.org/Departments/library/Pages/LoussacLibrary.aspx
Q: Will you learn to eat fish?
A: I eat fish now, so that would still be enjoyable there.
I hope everyone has a restful evening and pleasant night.
Hugs,
Janis
Friday, September 11, 2009
Offer to Move from South Carolina to Alaska
Wow! What a week this is!
Yesterday, my husband, Tom, received an offer to work for a company in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska is a place we've been talking about going to for years. Hmmm..... should we go?
Living in the South, we are used to hot, humid days and mild winters. Snow is something we read about and see in movies, but our personal experience with snow is very limited.
When it snows here in SC, everything shuts down. School is out. Banks are closed. The world stops for a holiday filled with anticipation and excitement. Even the mention of the possibility of snow sends people to the grocery stores who quickly run out of milk and bread - a phenomenon I've never quite understood myself.
If we are lucky enough to actually have snowflakes fall from the sky, I stand in awe at the window. I know it won't last long. If it doesn't melt immediately after hitting the warm earth, it may last for a few hours. But lasting overnight? Extremely rare. Whatever snow may be left in the morning, is usually now just ice and mud. Not very pretty to look at.
So when I think of moving to Alaska, the first thing I think of is SNOW. I wonder if I'll ever get used to it there? Will I get sick of it? Will it be as normal as late evening summer thunderstorms here?
Alaska... just the thought makes my skin prickle with excitement.
Yesterday, my husband, Tom, received an offer to work for a company in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska is a place we've been talking about going to for years. Hmmm..... should we go?
Living in the South, we are used to hot, humid days and mild winters. Snow is something we read about and see in movies, but our personal experience with snow is very limited.
When it snows here in SC, everything shuts down. School is out. Banks are closed. The world stops for a holiday filled with anticipation and excitement. Even the mention of the possibility of snow sends people to the grocery stores who quickly run out of milk and bread - a phenomenon I've never quite understood myself.
Average annual snowfall for Columbia, SC is 1.8 inches.
If we are lucky enough to actually have snowflakes fall from the sky, I stand in awe at the window. I know it won't last long. If it doesn't melt immediately after hitting the warm earth, it may last for a few hours. But lasting overnight? Extremely rare. Whatever snow may be left in the morning, is usually now just ice and mud. Not very pretty to look at.
So when I think of moving to Alaska, the first thing I think of is SNOW. I wonder if I'll ever get used to it there? Will I get sick of it? Will it be as normal as late evening summer thunderstorms here?
Average annual snowfall for Anchorage, Alaska is 70.4 inches.
Alaska... just the thought makes my skin prickle with excitement.
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