Rambling.....

• In the world of remodeling/contracting, one week actually means one month.
• Never assume people use their brains.  If you do, then you end up with a whole bathroom done in oil rubbed bronze fixtures and one bushed nickel drain, because they "didn't realize you wanted it ALL to match."
• Book titles should be considered carefully.  "She Smells the Dead" isn't making me want to read your book.
• Never try to pay a $10.50 bill with $20.50.  You'll get $9.50 back plus your original 50cents with an explanation that the 50cents wasn't needed because the $20 was more than enough to cover the bill.
• I really hate walking past the "Lids" store here.  They stand in front and try to talk to everyone who passes.  Do I look like the type of person who wears ridiculously expensive (and quite ugly) hats from sports teams, Tap Out or DC?
• I wish I had learned how to play the piano.
• A recent blogger posted Would it be as swoon worthy if your man said it? about how women love sappy declarations of undying love in books, but maybe not so much in real life.  It's true.  If Jason suddenly came home and professed his love for me in the way of the alpha males in my books, I'd probably wet my pants from laughing so hard and then instantly want to know what he did wrong.
• And finally, if I ever did Karaoke, I'd sing "Fancy" by Reba McEntire.  Come on, who doesn't love that song, even if it is about her becoming a prostitute.

Can't a girl catch a break?

I'm sick again!  Seriously, this sucks.  I haven't even finished my course of antibiotics from my sinus infection. I started feeling icky yesterday.  Today I have a lot of chest congestion, coughing, tightness in my chest, body aches and a fever.  I am blaming it on all the rain we have had for weeks now.  The lower temperatures and constant dampness obviously doesn't bode well for a healthy body.  You would think with all the vitamins and medication I have been pumping into me, I'd be the picture of good health.

Off to curl up on the couch with a mug of coffee and a blanket for my chills and my nook. 

Did you want a sink in your bathroom?

I've been looking forward to today since May.  Why?  Because today was the start of my master bathroom remodel.  When we bought this house we knew right away the bathroom had to be changed.  The vanity was too small and so was the shower.  The shower was a tiny corner shower so small we could not shower without hitting our elbows on the door, which was not installed properly either.  I found a contractor and ordered everything needed for the bathroom and began the long wait.  It took two months for everything to get shipped here.  Once it all arrived,  I had tons of boxes filling my garage and was left parking outside.  Then my contractor broke his finger and the job was pushed back again. 

Finally, the day arrived.  The contractor showed up and started tearing everything out.  Then he went out to the garage, only to discover everything was there but the vanity top!  WHAT?!  Apparently the plumbing supply company I ordered from left it off the order.  And to top it off, all my stuff is custom order solid surface material, so it's not like I can just run up there and get one.  Luckily, the company has one in my material, size and color in Canada but it will take at least two weeks to get here.  Meanwhile, my old vanity top broke in half while being removed, so I can't even use it as a temporary one.  Looks like I'll be without a finished master bath for at least the next month.  Great! 

Goodbye Pike's, you've lost a loyal customer!

I don't ask for much.  I do best to get through these deployments, sanity slightly dented but mostly intact, handling everything thrown my way.  All I ask for is one night a week to relax and be me, not mom, dad, maid, chef, chauffeur, handyman, referee and all around saver of the world.

I found that place at Pike's Landing for the past three months.  I went there not only for the food and drinks but because of the staff.  To say Gina and I became attached to the bartender, Michelle, is an understatement.  She became a friend and we became loyal customers because of her.  So why, for the love Pete, did Pike's have to go and ruin it all.  They not only let go of a fantastic bartender, who kept order in her bar and was on top of her job and her customers needs, but also lost two very loyal customers in the process.  And for what?  Not a good reason that's for sure.

I'm sure some people will read this and think I am being overly dramatic.  But I am very OCD by nature.  I do my best to control it and not let it consume me.  It's a daily battle and routine is the only way I know how to deal with it.  I don't like "spur of the moment" and the phrase "let's try something new" makes me cringe.  I need stability.  The military makes that very difficult.  To counter the constant change and moving, I try find something to be my rock.  Pike's and the friends I made there were my constant.  Now that is gone. 

It's going to be a long winter!
Team Michelle!

Once upon a time.....

Once upon a time there was girl named Courtney who dreamed of greater things and grand adventures outside of her boring small town.  One day she finally decided to take a chance and do what she wanted to do, not what everyone else told her to do.  So she packed a bag, hopped a bus and headed to Southern California.  Now, the three day bus trip was hell and there were more than a few times she thought she must be insane to be doing this.  But not once did she consider turning around.

After many ups and downs and weeks of uncertainty, things were finally working out.  She had a place to live, a few friends and was really enjoying her new life.  Then one day she met another girl named Shannon, who moved into the apartment downstairs.  Shannon and Courtney hit it off and became instant friends, despite their differences.  Shannon was a Yankee, Courtney was a southern girl thru and thru.  Shannon liked Notorious BIG, Courtney was a 2Pac fan.  Shannon drove too fast on base, Courtney hardly ever drove.  Shannon worked at a video store, Courtney worked at a drugstore.  Shannon ate whoopie pies and drank sweet tea that came in powder form in a can!  Courtney ate boiled peanuts and new how to make real sweet tea!

They spent lots of time together and shared many great experiences.  They were together for Courtney's maiden trip (and only trip) to Tijuana, Mexico and together for the God awful, but short term, attempt at becoming telemarketers.  They set by the pool and tanned, went to the mall and just enjoyed each others company.  Shannon was there for a very embarrassing and anger filled trip to the base hospital after a not so good phone call.  She was comforting and non judging and Courtney never worried about her repeating everything she knew.  They were together for a massive party which ended badly with lots of yelling and eventually a scratch motorcycle helmet, but they remained friends.  Shannon never told Courtney she was crazy when she confided in her about her nightmares. Shannon was there for Courtney on the single worst day of her life.  She comforted her and helped her find someone to share their cigarettes with Courtney to calm her down so the doctor would not be forced to admit her.  She was sitting next to her when she was told everything was turned off and it was all over and everyone could go home.  Shannon stayed up with Courtney all night so she didn't have to be alone.

Courtney moved away and eventually Shannon did too.  They stayed in contact and played catch up when they could.  Shannon was there when Courtney took a huge leap and decided to give life another try.  She was there for the wedding that marked a new start for Courtney and a chance at being happy again.  She joined in the celebration for all the good things the future would hold.

It's now almost 15 years since Shannon and Courtney met.  Courtney is extremely grateful to have met such a wonderful friend and she will forever cherish their friendship.

The End.

Need B12, BINGO!

Finally got the results from my blood work today.  My Vitamin D levels are extremely low, which came as a shock.  Now I get to take a gigantic blue capsule every week for the next 3 months until I have more blood work to check the levels again.  My B12 was very low as well.  That was not a shock.  The whole reason I went to the doctor was because I have suffering from extreme exhaustion.  I have also had a terrible time concentrating and have been extremely forgetful.  Today I start a good B Complex and hopefully everything will get back to normal.  At least now I know I'm not losing my mind from old age, just low B12. 

My car hates me

My battery died again last night at the ball field.  I was able to find some nice strangers to jump start it.  This morning I called Toyota so I could take it in and of course then darn thing won't start again.  I had to call my real estate agent, who's office happens to be half a mile away, and he came to my rescue.  Once he jumped it, I took it straight in.  Toyota doesn't know when they will be able to get to it, so I had to rent a car. 

Have you ever had one of those days where everything just seems to hit you all at once and no matter how much you try you just can't keep it together.  That was today.  I just felt so completely over whelmed and started crying.  It's just a stupid dead battery, but it was the straw that broke me.  I had no idea who to call, how I was going to get my car to the mechanic, how long I'd be without a car.  Plus it's Chey's birthday and we had dinner plans but now no car.  My car also seems to want to break down every time it's raining.  Why can't it do this on a nice sunny day?

You realize how alone you really are when things like this happen.  I am extremely grateful for the friends I made here and for the few people I have been able to count on when I needed them.  It is a shame that the ones I was told to call in times of need are NOT reliable at all.  All I can say is Karma is a bitch and you'll get what's coming to you.

I will be sending my agent a nice Thank You gift.  He has come through for me on several occasions and it is so nice to know there are still great people in this world.   For anyone who needs a wonderful real estate/rental agent in Fairbanks/North Pole be sure to call Ed Daml at Northern Pioneer Realty.