No Place Like Homer

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Just My Luck

So who is not at all surprised that while my friend is in town that the car that I do not officially even own yet but have had in my possession for about 3 weeks decided not to start yesterday?? NOT ME!! Long story short, after getting a tow truck to haul my red beast to he only open auto shop and having them look at it, it turns out that I have a faulty starter and my battery is bad. Only problem is that the closest starter is in Anchorage. Luckily, Amy and I have plans to drive to Anchorage today!! So lets cross our fingers that we make it there with no problems! Thank God that I am still under a 60 day warranty with Hertz!! I thought you didn't have to worry about car problems for a while when you had a newer car!!

So anyway, our plan is to hit the road sometime this morning with a car full and Sophie in tow. We are going to pick up the best sandwiches at Odie's Deli in Soldotna (cashew chicken salad--yummm) and thenm make our way to the big city. I have to stay there for 2 whole weeks for training and Amy flies out late Monday night. Her trip here has just flown by too fast and I am going to miss her hanging around with me! I am excited to be in Alaska's land of milk and honey though so that I can do a lot of shopping (for Christmas and for me!!). I have never had to pack 2 weeks worth of clothes before!! I better go attempt it... this is going to be bad, I am a chronic overpacker!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!!

So today is a day of mixed emotions.

I am so sad that I was not able to spend this day with my family, stuffing my face with turkey and 3 layer roasted pecan cake. I love this holiday and i think what is the hardest part about not being home this weekend is not being home tomorrow. More than Thanksgiving, I love the Friday after. Black Friday shopping and Christmas decorating day! It is a day rich in tradition for the ol' Simon family! However I am in Alaska and the nearest Walmart is over an hour away!

But all in all, today was a great day! I woke up in Soldotna and had a wonderful friend to greet Thanksgiving with me, I was able to skype my family twice, went to one of my new favorite stores (Fred Meyer), made chocolate oreo truffles, went to a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner for the displaced members of Homer, ate til I was not able to breathe, and now I am about to get a good night's sleep! There is so much to be thankful for and although I would have given anything to be in the presence of my family today, I feel blessed. Thank you to my family for keeping me there in spirit and thank you to Amy Still for making the journey out here to visit me! If it weren't for you, I would probably have spent Thanksgiving in bed watching movies and that would have just been sad! I love you all and I can't wait to see you at Christmas!! One month to go!

AMY"S HERE!!

Today is a great day because Amy is here... in Alaska!! I just picked her up from the Kenai Municipal Airport and we drove back to Soldotna and are staying at the Aspen Hotel. I am so so so excited to show her Homer and this beautiful state! Tomorrow we are going to a Thanksgiving get together with my coworker, April.

I took pictures of my office today to share with y'all....

My pretty new lamp for my desk at work

A closer look

My one framed photo! I love this picture but I need current one

Le Office

How cute is this?? Thank you Fred Meyers

Had to bring a little of my state to the office

Sophie's cute new dog bed

This is a sad day because I no longer have a Texas driver's license :(

New business cards :)

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Lazy Sunday

Today is just a lazy Sunday! I LOVE lazy Sundays :)

I completed my first week of my new job and I think I am really going to like it!! My boss and coworkers are all really nice and really welcoming!! They say that this week was unusually busy but it seemed like my normal pace back in Texas so that is a good sign that it won't always be like that.

I just realized that I never posted pictures of my new living situation.

This my bed

This is the other part of bedroom-- my kitchenette

These pictures are of my living room

It is a good place and I am grateful to have found something reliable online. I will probably start looking for a new place once I get back from my trip home for Christmas. I think that Sophie and I could use a little more privacy and quiet :)

I miss everyone and hate that I will not be home for Thanksgiving but I am so grateful that Amy Still is coming to town in 3 days!! And then in a week I will be in Anchorage for 2 weeks doing my first set of trainings. And then two weeks after I get back.... I come home for CHRISTMAS!! YAY! I need to start my Christmas shopping!!

The view from my window :)

Saturday, November 12, 2011

INTERNET!!!!

I FINALLY HAVE INTERNET!! Thank you dad and Jesus!!

I drove a total of 150 miles today just to pick up a device that makes my apartment a WIFI hotspot and it works!! I am sitting on my couch right now typing this! And the cool thing is that it is mobile so I can take it and use it anywhere! Thank you dad for finding it or me! You are awesome!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Hitting the Road Alone

Well, sadly, I put my mom on a flight back to Texas late last night and I am about to head back to Homer with Sophie! Mom and I met my coworkers yesterday and saw my new office! There were so nice, warm, and welcoming!! I am excited to start my new job!! Then we drove up to Anchorage and spent the last part of the day doing a little shopping and had a great dinner at Outback. The only chain restaurants in Homer are McDonalds and Subway so we decided to eat somewhere familiar. Mom booked me a night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel for the night and unfortunately we had to board Sophie here in Anchorage.

Thank you mama for coming out here with me and helping me get settled. It would have been so difficult to do all that we did without you and it definitely would not have been as fun! I love you so much and thank you for your support and abundant picture taking skills :)

Thank you dad for sending mom with me. I wish you could have come along but you will get to see Alaska in all her glory in the summer! Thank you for knowing the hearts of the women you love and knowing that both my heart and mom's heart would have been unsettled if she had not accompanied my out here. I love you so much and thank you for your support in all of this. I wouldn't have a car, almost internet, and the assurance of a block heater without you!!

So I am about to go pick up Sophie and some breakfast and these two girls are taking the long, winding road to Homer, AK! Happy Veterans Day!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Pictures!!

Yesterday when I posted, I did not have any of my pictures uploaded to my computer. Well I did that this morning and here are some photos of my first few days with my mama in Alaska!!