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Category Archives: Journey

Landmark: Homer

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We took Pearl for our first road trip to Homer. And one cannot go to Homer without at least cruising by the Salty Dawg Saloon.
Starting out as a mere cabin in 1897, it has served as a post office, a train station, grocery store, and a coal mining office. Around 1909 it got a new life as a school house when a second building was added. Then again serving as a post office, and grocery store.
Sometime in 1957 it became a saloon.
After the Quake of 64, the buildings were moved to the spit and the lighthouse tower was added to camouflage a water storage tank.
One of the most recognized landmarks in the state of Alaska.
For more info go to http://www.saltydawgsaloon.com
And when you come to visit us, we’ll go visit the Salty Dawg!

How Many States?

How many states can we see on one vacation?

Start in Alaska, hop over to Washington skip to Missouri. Jump over to Iowa, kids went to Nebraska, I went back through Missouri to Kansas, then back to Missouri. Soon I’ll be headed back to Iowa for one more night, then return to Missouri to catch a flight.

So for our family, it looks like 6 is our magic number.

I think I already have jet lag.

We’ve enjoyed every minute, every mile and especially every smile.

 

 
ETA: I forgot Oklahoma.

What a Week!

Last Sunday I took the kids to meet their Aunt De to spend time with their Nebraska family. Talk about a sweet reunion!

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They were so happy to see her!!
With the big kids being gone, me and the little mister had to hang out at Aunt Claire’s and get by without them. It was rough let me tell ya! Little Mister missed his siblings terribly.

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But we managed.
We decided Monopoly was a good idea, until…

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Uncle John decided to be a jerk and put hotels up.

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Short bus candidate.

But all was well by morning and we had our coffee.
More quietness with -3 kids than I’m used to.
Friday was travel day, back to SE Kansas. And we’ve been going ever since.
Had a great visit with our cousins from Louisiana and reminisced some red dirt, fire ants and lizzards. Some of the best childhood memories!
Had lots of fun with Bryan and his family. Then Emma late Sat night. Finally got to meet all of her lil ones!
More to do today so I am up and at ’em earlier than I’d normally be…
But the homesickness is creeping in. And I’m ready for my big kids to be back.

A few more people to see, memories to be made and laughs to be had then it’s North to Alaska, my home, sweet home.

Got gas?

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At that price, you betcha.

Joy in the morning.

Last Thursday morning, early, we embarked in our journey to see family. It Has been 2 1/2 years… Too long.

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Our first sunrise before 10 am in quite a while.
On our way to make a surprise visit to Grammy and Papa, my seester and lots of folks along the way. We’ve been going nonstop since.

A Little Trip

Made a little trip out to the cabin this past weekend. Had meant to spend Thanksgiving out there for the long weekend but the weather warmed up and we had so much rain I feared we’d get stuck out there. So we made the best of Thanksgiving at home.

Now that we’ve got our cold back and had a bit of snow, we trekked out. The trail was a bit rough after the thaw and refreeze, bumpy sled ride for the kids. But we made it in right at nightfall.

Spent a day and half out there, time enough to get stuff put away and then pack up to leave again! And much to my dismay, some idiots had completely tore up the trail the night before. They were trying to drive a couple of trucks out. Busted through the ice, made many a messy spots along the way. Made for a more bumpier ride back out. Some people. *sigh* But alas, such is life.

If it stays cold we’ll soon be able to drive the vehicle out soon. Which the kiddos much prefer! Something about a heater and no snow in their faces… gee whiz.

Dreadiversary

I started this dreadful journey some years back in 2011. I can’t believe that it has been 4 years now. A lot has changed in those 4 years!

I’ve learned a few things along the way:

  • Some people do not like dreadlocks, and feel as if they need to tell you, as if it matters to you if a perfect stranger disapproves of you life.
  • Some people do like dreadlocks, and enthusiastically tell you, young and old, male and female.
  • A person can look nice and well groomed with dreadlocks or without them.
  • A person can look like hell warmed over with dreadlocks or without them.
  • Dreadlocks are not just a hairstyle. It isn’t something that you change on a whim. It is an investment. A lifestyle.
  • Dreadlocks are a lot of work! Ha! What was I thinking??
  • Dreadlocks are awesome. I already knew this, but now I have lived it.
  • Fabulous people have dreadlocks! 😉

Some of the things I’ve heard over the years:

  • “I don’t like dreadlocks for me, but they are fine for you.” ~ Lil Bit, age 6
  • “Tiger lady” ~by an elderly gentleman.
  • “Is that her real hair?” In a loud “whisper” by a lady.
  • “I love your hair” ~by many people over the years
  • “I’m jealous of your hair” ~tatted young dude at the gas station just the other day.
  • “I really like your hair” ~by a little girl in a church youth group just last night.
  • “If I had hair, I would have dreadlocks.” ~a man in line at the bank with short cropped bright yellow hair. We went on to become acquainted thanks to small town, social media, and hair!

I have had far more positive reactions to my dreadlocks than I have negative. The negative comes mostly in stares and upturned noses. Their loss. You don’t go on a dread journey to win a public opinion contest.

If I could do it all over again… I think that I would tell myself to doooo eeeeet  much earlier than what I did. So instead of 4 years of locked living, I could be like a decade now. 🙂

So thanks to those of you who have helped me on my journey: Amanda who knotted me up, my sister, my mom and Thing 1 for countless hours of maintenance. And for all of you beautiful people out there with locks who inspired me. ❤

Dreads on the Kenai

Dreads on the Kenai

 

Heavenly Birthday Wishes!

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I stumbled upon this sweet poem back on my step-brother Mike’s birthday. It was a great find. This is a beautiful poem and one that resonates with me. If I Could Send A Birthday Card To Heaven by Kathleen Viaes.

Link over and read the full poem. ❤

Doodles

I’ve always been a doodler. I remember getting a compliment from my 11th grade geometry teacher for the lovely palm tree doodles on my desk, and the reprimand that the desks are not for art work. If I have a pen or pencil in hand and something capable of inscription, there will be doodles.

My friend Lindsay, who is quite talented, introduced me to the concept of Zentangle and I fell in love with it. So I have been doodling to while away the time and keep my mind occupied. My first creative work in a while.

hand.doodle.signed.AOMMI have a lot to learn about this particular genre of art but learning is fun!

Alaska 2.0

Today marks our second anniversary in the great state of Alaska.

It’s raining.

Sorta dreary.

But I’m not complaining, because everything is so green due to all of the rain. It has been a dry two years.

Life is a lot like the weather. It changes. Sometimes it rains. Other times the sun shines, for 16 hours. Learn to enjoy it all. ❤