Out with the old...

...But no in with the new...yet. lol. We're busy cleaning and packing. Getting ready for trip ahead. Brent, my personal mathmetician has calculated out that we have to fit our life into 14 tubs. 14. Yes, you read right. That's all folks. But no worries, we're being very thoughtful in our rid, save and pack piles. All in all, I think we're doing well.

We did find out that our landlords do not want to buy our furnishings as we originally thought. So, now I'm busy putting together items for a moving sale. Right now I'm concentrating on putting away the things that we're going to keep so that people can just come in and pick things off the shelf, off the wall, and what not. The less I have to assemble the better. So, for now, it's just about getting things ready to go.

We'll open it up to friends, family, etc first and then advertise a public visit and hopefully somewhere in there everything will go. Whatever doesn't go will go to Good Will. Oh well, we'll have plenty of write offs in 2009! Ha!

So, I'd better get my butt off the chair and head and get back to packing! Have a great day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

For a complete list of seven things I'm thankful for, you can check me out at Rollercoaster Road. Enjoy your day!

Hmmmm...

Well, nothing really wonderful happened in the land of the movers today.

We did get a line on a home sweet home. Newer duplex built in 2006. She emailed in connection with the ad that I placed, so I'm hoping that something comes from it. It's actually an ad that I had called on previously, and was under the impression that the property had been rented. At the time I spoke with the husband, it was the wife that contacted me. So, time will tell.

Woobs seems to be settling at the "Other Kings". :) So, I'm feeling infinitely better about that. I'm sure it will take a little time for me to stop missing her. But I will, in time. And let's face it, now she has 6 hands to pet and love her. Thank you!

Well, it's been a long week already. I've gotta get moving on my letter of resignation. I'm not looking forward to that. I am, but I'm not. I know that doesn't make any sense. I'm looking forward to having everything out there, and I'm not going to miss the job much, but they're great people. And I feel like I'm letting everyone down these days. I'll get over it.

Happy day!

Change is hard

I don't know who first said it, but boy oh boy, was he/she right. This has been a rough weekend. Really rough.

So, as some of you know, our cat, Woobie, found us last winter. It's not like we went looking for her, she found us. She was starving and homeless, and had run away or been dumped. Dumping of cats happens a lot up here. She was declawed, and defenseless. She was skin and bones when she showed up at our door. Despite many attempts to find a home, we always found a reason to keep her. Inevitably, we fell in love.

I'm not a cat person. I'm just not. But Woobie changed my mind, and my heart. She's cuddly, and loveable, and so sweet. What a personality she has! She's my Woobs. But she's not mine, anymore.

Saturday morning we started for Bryan (Brent's brother) & Tara's house with Woobs and Ches. We thought we were going for a trial run. Thought. We got about a mile out of town when we realized that not only could we not do that to ourselves, it just wouldn't be fair to do it to Woobs. We knew that she wouldn't be coming home with us again.

I know that she'll be happy. She'll have a safe, warm, loving home. But somewhere in the last 11 months I became a cat person, and she became my baby. She loved to be snuggled and cuddled like an infant, and I was happy to oblige.

She'll be happy, and I'll miss her, and I'll be happy for that...eventually.

This moving crap is hard. Who's idea was this anyway?

Now, if you've skipped over the cat part (Dad) you will be excited to know that our passports are here!!! Woot! We're official, we can drive though Canada! Brent's trying to figure out how to legally get his guns/handgun to Canada. The way we understand it is that the rifle and shotgun can go with us. The handgun may not make it. We'll see.

Dad was concerned that we didn't have our ducks in a row with Ches. I know that he is excited to keep her should it be that she can't get into Canada, but Dad you just can't have her!! She's mine! I know you would like to share your home and bed with her, but I'm keeping her!! lol. We'll double check all the rules, but we're on the ball.

Anyway, I'm wiped out. Hopefully there will be more happy news tomorrow.

'Til then,
B&K&C

A busy week and weekend

Hello All!

Well, yesterday was my dad's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Last night we got the Envoy back from having the coolant heater put in and the serpentine belt replaced. Brent showed me the belt and was apalled at how "cracked" it was. Hmmm. It didn't look that serious to me! But seriously, I'm happy it's replaced, we have the old one as a backup in case we lose it half way through Canada. And hopefully we'll at least be warm when we're driving places. Ha!

So, in reading the Fairbanks NewsMiner I stumbled across this great ArticCam feature they have. It's so interesting to pop on and view a live feed. So, here's a list of live web cams around Alaska. http://www.newsminer.com/arcticcam/webcams/. I had discovered a bigger list, but can't seem to find it in my sleepy state. I'll post it later, if I can dig it up.

This weekend we are traveling to Bloomington to see Bryan, Tara and Toryn. :) Woohoo. We're also taking along our Woobie (cat) to see if she and the other Kings experience love at first sight. We're hoping, and praying, that they do, so we'll see how it goes! Poor kid will completely freaked out at first, but she'll adjust quickly, I hope. They have a lot more area for her to explore and roam. Hopefully that is a good thing!

Hoping you are all having a happy day!

The excitement builds

Every day brings us closer and closer to Alaska. We're both starting to get really excited now. Mostly we've been stressed. Worrying about this and that and everything else in between. But in betweeen we get smidgets of excitement. And, that's where we are today.

Brent's still trying to figure out how to get his guns to Alaska. Canada has all these darn rules! What the heck? So, we're trying to figure out the best, and of course, cheapest route to getting the goods there. And of course, legal is important too. Right? lol.

So, tonight we rented a car, dropped off the Envoy to have the serpentine belt changed, and a heater put on the coolant line, or something. I'm not up on all that auto stuff.

Brent talked with Tracy at Boeing regarding some last minute details. She's so great! Always enthusiastic, always so helpful, anyway, turns out we don't have to lug all of Brent's tools with us. Boeing provides everything he needs. What a relief. And what a change! We're pretty happy about that development.

Oh, also I posted a (free) ad on the Delta Web News for a place to rent. We'll see if it actually brings us anything. It hasn't posted to the site yet, but it should soon. Hopefully.

Happy Day!

A day of rest.

Last night I did virtually nothing in the interest of the move. We sat, snuggled Ches and the neighbor dogs, and cats, and relaxed.

I did call on another rental. However, since it's available Dec.1 we won't be putting ourselves on the list. So, I wait. Some more. I'm trying to stay positive and know that we'll find somewhere to live, but my faith waivered, for a just a minute, yesterday.

Today's a new day. Enjoy it!

Busy little beavers...

Well, we've had a good weekend. Busy, but very good. We've been trying to take advantage of the bits of sunshine we have left here, and enjoy Minnesota before we go.

Yesterday morning we managed to load up and haul our weight equipment to storage. I was so dreading this as I figured it would take forever. However, Brent did such a great job tearing it down and making it manageable that it was really easy. The heaviest part was loading the individual free weights, but we got it all done and stored before 11 a.m. When we got home I started on laundry from our weekend away and did some ironing and such. And just plugged away at cleaning out.

When we started the purge I was excited. Then we both went through a period of "mourning", but despite the fact that it's just stuff, it's our stuff. Now, I'm resigned that it's necessary, and though I may not like leaving all of my stuff behind, it really is for the best. I'm come back to some, other stuff will find new homes, and in the end, I'll have the most important things with me.

Later we made a trip to Walmart. I just don't like the Walmart here very much, they're ALWAYS packed. Packed. But we decided to take our chances and go. When we got there Brent decided that divide and conquer would be our best plan of attack. So, we each carted up and were off to the races. Brent managed to put together all the makings of a winter emergency kit. And I picked up mostly necessities. Then we raced home to get warm and finally relax.

Today was more sorting, organizing and packing. We got the last of the "heavy" stuff moved and now we're home free. Just a few totes and deciding what to sell, what to take. It's nice to have a little time to just plug away at it leisurely. We still have packing to do, but it's down considerably. I'm pleased. He's pleased. And now hopefully the stress level will begin to lower. Though I doubt it. We're still homeless in 6 weeks. YIKES.

To celebrate this great achievement I'm roasting a chicken for dinner. I'm going to make some of Dad's fresh, home-raised potatoes and carrots and we'll be feasting like King's. Did you get a lot accomplished this weekend?

Happy Day!

...Everybody has one.

Someone once told me, "opinions are like assholes, everybody has one". I'm finding out the wisdom in this crude, but accurate statement. And it's interesting to see and hear people respond to our news. Some are all out shocked and dismayed, others are excited and would truly like to come along for the ride, others are happy that it's us going and not them. But we are excited. I will admit that at first I was scared, but that has passed and despite the stress and worry, we're both very excited.

In the process of planning for this move, we've been doing a lot of research. Most of that research has come in the form of blogs, message boards, and a few phone calls. I want to know what real people like, or dislike, about living in the Interior. I've come to the conclusion, it really just depends.

We've been searching for a place to call home. This process has led to phone calls. I spoke with our first potential landlord a few weeks ago. Stacy was helpful and informative, and a native Alaskan. We talked about their home, the rent, etc. When I asked her to email photos she happily obliged. In her email she said that she'd be happy to answer any questions we had. Since I didn't know where to begin with the questions, I just asked her to give me her opinion about Delta. She had a lot of things to say, but the statement that sticks with me the most is "Delta is just another small town with nothing in it".

Wow. That's a very real statement. And I don't doubt that from her eyes it was accurate. At least at that moment. However, I will say that it's the ONLY negative statement I've heard in reference to Delta. Most of the people I've talked to are positive, upbeat, and happy to be living in Alaska.

Don't get me wrong. I'm very realistic, but I also know what a wonderful opportunity this is for us. And more importantly for Brent. He's been looking long and hard for a job that he could feel good about again. And it was time, way past time, for a change. So, we thought, we prayed and we leapt. When we made the list we realized that the positives far outweighed the negatives. I hope we're prepared, but if not, we'll learn as we go.

Last night I called on a house to rent. I knew from the start that it's a little bigger than we want, or need. But I'd rather have more space than less, and since the rent was comparable to the smaller spaces we've inquired about I decided to seek out more information. I talked with the owner who was a very nice lady. I forgot to get her name! But she was nice, helpful, and said that she was sad to leave Delta.

I know to some that Alaska seems bleak and boring and COLD. I'm sure there will be days that I share that sentiment, but for now, I'm excited. I want to see it all. Every last bit. To explore it with Brent and Ches, and whomever may come to visit. We may hate it, we may love it, and we just might stay forever. Only time will tell.

Have a happy day!

Seven Strangers...Picked to Live in a House...

Much to Kyle's dismay our trip won't play out like a season of the Real World. I'm still laughing, thanks Kyle. However, we'll try to keep a diary of the trip as we go and post when we can. I'm expecting that it won't be while we're on the road, but after we're settled. Either way, we'll keep everyone as updated as possible. And try to share as much of our journey as possible.

Last week we both went and got our passport paperwork done. "They" said that it would take 4-6 weeks. Since we had 8 weeks at the time, I'm really, really hoping that it only takes 4 weeks. However, I've chosen to not worry about it because frankly, I have enough other stuff to worry about.

Today our Space Saver bags came. You wouldn't think someone could get so excited about space saving bags, but these little honeys are gold. You know the ones, with the commercials that show the exasperated housewife shoving 15 comforters, 6 blankets and 3 sets of sheets into one bag that becomes a 4"x4" square after all the air has been sucked out. They really DO work. And now, now they come in cubes. Can you imagine all the goodness that we can shove in them? Awesome. I can't wait.

This week has been cruising by much too quickly. We're trying to get stuff done, but it's hard at night with the lack of light and the constant state of chaos. So hopefully this weekend we'll be able to sort and get a handle on some things, move it around so that it's efficiently stored for the time being, and try not to drive eachother absolutely batty in the mean time.

I will state for the record. I make no guarantees.

I checked on a couple apartments tonight. Rented. We still have time. I'm not freaking out...yet.

Tomorrow Chessa will be spayed. I need to schedule more appointments for us, the vehicle and so on. For now, it's late, and I need a bed.

Fueling up

In preparation for our journey we purchased a new video camera. Can't have a video diary without a fancy pants camera to capture it all. So we bit the bullet and bought ourselves a snazzy little handy cam. So far so good, we practiced with it in Grygla this weekend and managed to capture some priceless deer tales.

Today it's 17 degrees in Delta. It was 33 here and I thought I was going to freeze to death. My only solace is that I'll be able to work from home, wrapped in down from head to toe, and not have to go out in it every day.

Brent is a fiend for information. I think he craves it, much like a body craves water for survival. Today he came upon the information that 1000 accidents per winter happen between Delta and Fairbanks. There is a spot near North Pole that claims over 700 of those accidents. This is scary. I don't like ice. Snow I can handle, by the bucket loads, but ice. I freeze. Pun intended.

We're still searching for a home. There were some new listings on the Delta News Web today so I will call tomorrow to find out more information. It's still a bit early. I don't want to have to put out anymore money than necessary, but we've heard that finding a place for Ches may be difficult. Time will tell.

Other than that, nothing new. I'm sitting here in my short sleeves trying to thicken up my skin. I don't think it's working, and I'm going to jump under my electric blanket. Audrae, if I haven't said....THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ELECTRIC BLANKET!!! lol.

Happy Day!

Welcome!

Hello Everyone!


If you've talked to us, or anyone we know, in the past few weeks you'll know that we're moving! This is a long trek, across Canada, in the dead of winter. We'll be leaving our home here in late December, or early January and heading to my parents home for a few days before starting off across Canada for our new home in Delta Junction, Alaska.

Delta Junction is a town of approximately 950 people. It's located about 100 miles Southeast of Fairbanks and is fairly remote. Brent will be working in Ft. Greely which is an army base located about 5 miles from Delta Junction. You can view more information by clicking here.

We have yet to find a new home, but we're optimistic and hopeful that something perfect will come along soon. Until then, we're trying to be patient and trying not to chew our nails to the quick. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

As you can imagine we have a lot going on. We've decided to store or sell most of our belongings and just make a clean start. It makes more sense financially for us to leave most of our stuff behind. We're still deciding on what to keep, and what to sell or what not. In time it will all work out. I'm convinced.

As many of you know the hours of light and dark are distributed differently. You can view a chart of what our hours of daylight and darkness will be here. The nearest city listed will be Fairbanks. As you'll see we have less hours of darkness than some areas of Alaska.

So, as we plan and plan and fret and plan, we hope to take you along for the ride. This will hopefully be a good and easy way for us to keep you updated and for you to see pics of our move, our new home and our life.

Welcome to Insanity!!