The Beginnings of Walking...

Reminisce #3: Arctic Circle and Back

One spectacular sunny Thursday afternoon as I was sitting in the office in downtown Anchorage I decided that I wanted to take a road trip. Where shall I go? Hmmm, how about the Arctic Circle? After hours of researching the routes, etc. I departed on Friday afternoon. A couple of friends accompanied me until Fairbanks and then I continued North solo.

I was a bit intimidated by the James Dalton Highway which I would be traveling on. It begins just north of Fairbanks and ends at Deadhorse near Prudhoe Bay/Arctic Ocean at mile marker 414. It is a wash board dirt road which is infamous for destroying tires. Not only that but the Dalton highway is one the of the most isolated roads in the United States.

Gas was only available at the Yukon River crossing before the Circle. I must have paid nearly $5 per gallon there. I guess not so shocking today.

It took me 24 hours round trip. Since it was summer the sun shown around the clock so it never felt too early or too late. I had some fantstic music mixes and I sang my heart out while imbibing Red Bull and snacking on black licorice bits (weird, I don't even like black licorice).

Thanks to my guardian Angel I made it to the Circle safe and sound.

Once again my guardian Angel helped me return safely to Fairbanks to meet up with my friends again. I was one of the happiest and sleepiest person that night. I will never forget you, James Dalton Highway. I wonder if Pudge would be up for returning one day to drive you all the way North to dip our toes in the Arctic. Sigh...

View looking North to the Arctic Ocean

Running Man...

Look at those chubby legs go!

My Mother

As a youngin' my mom has been described as a phenomenal competitive swimmer, avid horse rider, ravenous pitcher, fearless water and snow skier, and all around fantastic athlete.

In my personal experience, I would describe my mom as hard working, persevering, high energy, organized, stern, quite a good writer, and humorous. She is always scrubbing, cleaning, or organizing SOMETHING and at times needs to be told to, "Sit Down, Woman!" And she is a wonderful dancer and still is even in her 60's!

But most importantly, there is no doubt how much she loves all her children. She tirelessly helped raise 11 children and has 28 grandchildren (two of which are still in the oven).

I have really enjoyed being back in Phoenix and I feel like I am making up for lost time with my mom now. She has become more of a friend than just my mother.

Sure love you, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mad Scientist?

My father-in-law accidently came across this spreadsheet on my laptop during his last visit to Phoenix. "What the hell?" was all he could ask.

I explained that instead of a scrap book I have an intricate Excel spreadsheet of Constantine's sleep schedule, patterns, and major milestones to compare and contrast in the future. I told him that I thoroughly enjoy collecting facts and data like a scientist.

Even after this vain attempt to explain myself he still thinks I am a weirdee...

A Little Dancin' Before Bed...

Easter Holiday

So, I am not what you would call a "crafty person" but thanks to Mary Weisse who gave us this wonderful idea on how to make an Easter garland I actually quite enjoyed sitting down tracing, cutting, and gluing this project together. I felt like a kid again really... so excited to hang it up for John to see when he came home.

Although the Easter bunny did not make an appearance at the Klocek household this year I'll bet he'll start making plenty of visits in the coming years. But we did indeed have a nice Easter. I was cooking and baking well into Saturday evening and we spent a lovely afternoon with family at my sister's house on Sunday. I love holidays. I wish there were more of them in a year.

The next holiday approaching is one that my husband considers a very serious and significant holiday on his calendar. It's called THE PURPLE. But more on that later.

It's Rainin' Bags

Since our kitchen is as big as an outhouse I have been racking my brain on how to neatly store all my plastic grocery bags. If I had the cupboard or cabinet space I would stuff those darn things out of sight but unfortunately that space is severely sacred. Having them out in the open is my only option.

So, I got an idea off the internet which I tried/started. You fold each bag like a flag.

Ok, so it is a bit tedious when you have hundreds of bags to fold and I am not sure if I have the patience to complete this task. So, until I get over my laziness I have given the fish bowl a different job in the meantime. I hope the bowl is cool with 'dat.

Reminisce #2: Did Juneau that Alexander the Great was an Epileptic?

Back in '04 Arthur, my boss, sent me to Juneau for a couple of days to oversee a conference that we were hired to coordinate. The thing is... is that he sent me down there alone (gasp!). I was so nervous about the task. All I had ever known was the "behind the scenes" work. I was really good at this part but put me on the front line as the go-to person? Yikes! Little did I know that Arthur would send me down there a few more times on my own. All in all everything always worked out just fine. Phew.

I am so thankful for these trips because on my free time I was able to see this beautiful part of southeast Alaska.

Juneau can only be accessed by boat or plane and Alaska has been long criticized for having it's capitol in such a remote place. I personally think it's kind of cool.

Lastly, I saw this poster in the Juneau terminal while catching a plane back to Anchorage. I guess you could say that I was quite surprised... but what a sight for sore eyes.



Have a happy and holy Triduum!

Peek a Boo

Time for new jammies...

Naptime...

I just love this little pink foot...

Boy, I would do anything to sleep soundly like this little guy.

Reminisce #1: Blizzard for a Blizzard

Up until 2008 the nearest Dairy Queen was 144 miles away from Anchorage. One cold March morning in '06 I decided to feed this bear of a craving for a Butterfinger Blizzard and drove 2 hours south through what felt like an actual blizzard. I couldn't believe my darn luck.

I made it safe and sound and boy was that blizzard treat delicious. This last picture, with another weary traveler, made the trip all the more worth it.



Soldotna, Alaska

  

I am 9 months old!

I love you my big baby boy!!

Back Up Plan?

I have been seeing a lot of this lately...

Constantine wedged in tight spaces clearly seeking some sort of assistance...

It never occurred to me that he doesn't know how to crawl backwards.


Come to think of it, I don't think I have ever seen a baby crawl backwards...

Trading In

Recently I sold a beloved belonging of mine, an Icon Merc motorcycle jacket fully equipped with asphalt resistant armor and shoulder, elbow, and spine guards...

... and bought one of these with the money...

...oh boy, what have a I become?

Oddly, I am terrified to use this machine. I wasn't afraid to do 100 mph on the Seward highway outside of Anchorage on my motorbike but I am simply intimidated by this white plastic channel of creativity. However, each day I am gaining more nerve to push that grey pedal.



I shall miss you jacket...but I know you have a nice new home with someone who will use and

 love you as much as I did... sigh...

Hatchers Pass, Alaska