Alaska Amie 4.0

Wegmans in Allentown, PA

2019-11-12T15:28:00.000-05:00

Current Location: Springwood Suites, Room 229, Allentown, PA
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast with Matt
Lunch: Brie and Triscuits in the room
Dinner: TBD
Weather: 43* and rain dropping to 33*
Thought of the Day: I need to take responsibility for my own intellectual entertainment.

We landed early on Sunday morning at 4am, then drove 90 minutes to the Springwood Suites in Allentown. We all three took a long nap until 1:30. Matt was still pretty out of it, but I was awake and needed some alone time too. I drove to Wegmans and literally started at the far end and just enjoyed every aisle. I didn't have a list but had an idea of dinners and lunches for the week. The grocery store is just a gem! It has the best selection of EVERYTHING and the generic Wegmans brands are so affordable and limited ingredients and just great quality. My favorite surprises were the cheese selections, the Hungarian food aisle, and the Functional Beverage aisle.

The cheese that I purchased turned out to be freaking amazing! A medium Brie, 18-month Gouda, Comte, a strong Blue Stilton, and a triple cream Brie that is sweet and amazing, with fancy cherries and almonds. That cheese manager knows how to make a cheese plate! Matt and I watched the rest of Jack Ryan while enjoying the cheese. I think even he had an appreciation of how good it was.

Today I am finishing off the Brie and hope we stay home tonight so we can finish the cheese plate!

I Write About You All the Time

2019-11-12T14:38:00.003-05:00

Helping an older person go through the last stage of life rewires your brain and the way you think about life and death. Losing someone you care about always leaves that hole in your heart in the shape of them, but walking and living with my grandfather during his last three years of his life I see the world differently. When I was with him and doing all the things - the pills, the doctor visits, the late-night conversations - I didn't have the perspective yet because I was just so busy. Somehow when I realized he needed my help with managing his health I made room for it in my busy life. When he needed more of me, I made even more room. Now he's gone and I have a lot of room in my life - it doesn't feel busy at all anymore. All the room has my mind thinking a lot. Maybe the things that used to keep me so busy doesn't seem as important anymore, I'm not really sure. I do know that I think a lot about how I want to live this second half of my lifespan. I also am very aware of how getting older changes the chemistry and our ability to think and remember.

My husband and I are trying out a new lifestyle. First, we have a goal of being together - in the same city physically together, for six months. That started in September and he starts going to China again in March, thus the six-month goal. It might be more if I can swing going to China with him. In doing this traveling with him, I noticed how much I forgot about where we have been, and the things I have done. We landed in Philadelphia this last Sunday - for the life of me I couldn't remember what the airport looked like or where it was located in relation to the city. Once we got off the plane it started to come back to me, but it was strange how slow it came back. I could feel the atrophy of the memories of our life in Pennsylvania.

Currently, today, we are in Allentown, PA for the week. I haven't been back here since we left in 2010. I'm honestly not even sure if it was 2009 or 2010! The roads are familiar and the grocery store felt like I never left. As I wandered around my favorite grocery store it brought back the feelings of how lonely I was when we lived here, but I kept trying to remember what I used to cook and bake - I know I loved that store because I always had a plan and it was a critical part of my weekly kitchen missions!

As Matt and I drove around the area we remembered the restaurants we went to, but couldn't recall the names of them or why we went.

All the holes in the memories made me realize that I want to document more about my regular life so that I can look back as I get older and remember the places we have been and the things I do. Remember the journal that Drew Barrymore kept in 50 First Dates? She said, "I don't know who you are but I write about you all the time." One day that might be me, my mind might play tricks and I want to see in my own words who I am, who he is, what our life was.

List Addiction

2018-11-25T22:38:00.000-05:00

I make lists every day. When I'm on vacation it kills me not to make a list. When we were in Cusco, Peru last month I was so excited to write a grocery list for our AirBnB! Not all of my lists are created equally. Some are very efficient and make me super productive, but they take a few drafts usually. I used to laugh at my husband because his lists included things like:

Shower
Get dressed
Eat 5 strawberries
Don't read the news

I always teased him that he forgot to put "Wake up and breathe." This made me realize how not all lists are created equal. Also there are so many types of lists that best serve at different points in your life. Sometimes you need that basic list to tell you 'Go take a shower!' I find myself wandering around the house sometimes not sure what I should be doing. I check the list and I have a task. When I am in a funk I try to give myself easy tasks that can be done without too much effort. By the time I am half through the list it feels like I am so on top of things! It gives me confidence to take on the next day!

Today I killed my list! Uber productivity especially since it was a Sunday and I have been dragging for the last three days with a holiday television binge. Today I started off with making the bed, and showering. I did everything on my list except go to the grocery store, which I put off until I heard from my husband of when he is coming home this week. Turns out he is coming back on Wednesday, so that changed my grocery list for the week.

A Sunday well spent brings a week of content!

Long Walk With The Boys

2018-11-25T06:59:00.000-05:00

Found this in my drafts...we were in Allentown, PA then. It sums us up so perfectly.
___________________

Walking Miles Today: 7.2
May Miles: Good Question
Temp on Departure: 74* sunny with a nice wind

Yesterday and today I was feeling overwhelmed with loneliness and homesickness. I hadn't felt either for quite awhile. The cuz is spending the summer in Alaska, I think that is what caused it- knowing she is there- and I'm not. Although at the same time I don't really want to be, I have so much going on here. Once in awhile it just hits me, it starts with a headache, then an overwhelming nauseous and then a big ol' stomach ache. I'm always shocked at how terrible it feels and how PHYSICAL it is (at least for me). But I woke up this morning and it was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine, no humidity, some wind and really not alot to do. I had a very productive last few days, so I thought today we are going to walk. And walk we did! It's been awhile since we walked and took pictures like we used to in Atlanta (daily). Petey wasn't sure what we were doing. I guess that is why he put his head in the bushes!

Petey says"Oh, we're taking pictures?"

"Oh, well let me pose then...Common Blue- Look FIERCE!"

There is a ridge that I can see from our house, I have yet to make it over the hill, but today we walked to it. I haven't figured out the path to get over it safely. Most of the roads/streets have no shoulder and no sidewalk.

But there is a great walking path that has all these neat old stone structures here and there. So we did a little photo shoot.

Oh, my boys. They are always here for me. Somedays I'm like, "This is it, these are my last dogs, they are SO needy!" They follow me all around the house when Matt isn't home. I mean GLUED to my leg. We have this BIG house and Blue literally leans on me as I am doing laundry. As I put the dishes away Petey tries to lay ON my feet. Blue scratches at the bathroom door when I shut it. Petey howls when I take the garbage out (like 2 minutes!) I find myself yelling at them "Give me some [elbow] ROOM!"

Then we have a great walk like this. And I think, I couldn't IMAGINE my life without dogs, especially these two.

They are my angels, always here for love and adventure- what ever I come up with, they are always ready! I can't wait to have them in New York City with me!

They are always there to take the loneliness away. Just when I need it too!

That's mamma's boys.

Hello! Again!

2018-11-25T05:16:00.001-05:00

I can't remember what I first called this blog when I started it in 2006. I think it was just ALASKAAMIE. I was 29 and living in Atlanta, Georgia. This blog was part of a blogging community back then. It felt like I had friends with similar interests that were actually reading about my daily adventures and sharing theirs. It was before anyone used the words "social media" and before Facebook and Instagram, also towards the downward crest of MySpace. I wrote so often because I found it helpful to log my life, see my daily choices in black and white, it also was a fun way to improve my writing just by doing it so often. Since I let the blog die off I have moved 12 dwellings since then between Atlanta, Pennsylvania, Alaska and currently in California. I'm now 41, almost 42 years old and a completely different mindset, different body, different goals, LOTS more life experience. The funny thing about blogging is that you get to say "I" a lot without judgement and it feels good! I really feel the need to sort out how I got here, look at my daily choices again in black and white, and see how it all adds up to the life I have created in vivid color.

Before I get to the new stuff, I have to clear out the past. A new title and look needs to be refreshed. The heaviest is the About Me section of this blog. Much of this blog in the beginning was about me and my dogs - my boys - Petey and Blue. They have both passed on to Rainbow Bridge this last year and honestly I am at a complete loss without them. I've had over a dozen dogs in my life since I was 18 years old. Those two have left a mountain size crater in my heart with losing them. They had such an amazing life together, and we had 12 years together! For some reason I just can't let go. I find myself counting the days since they left me almost everyday. I scroll through this blog at the peak of my fitness and the peak of theirs - we were a perfect match for each other and had so many adventures. We became a perfect trio that grew older together in perfect harmony. We added my husband to our pack, then a cat, a couple foster dogs, and finally an abused pup from Philly named ChaCha.

Now I'm struggling to move on, struggling to tell myself that ChaCha is enough dog. My husband and I have come to a point in our lives and careers where we travel, a lot. We want to travel more for pleasure and see more work travel in the near future as well. We want to simplify our dwelling style from a house with a yard and a doggie door, to a super low maintenance condo in the city next to the train and with a pool. We have agreed that ChaCha is the last dog for us for this new chapter of our lives. Thus the new blog name Alaska Amie 4.0 since it is my 4th time reinventing this blog, and my fourth decade in this particular human experience! I just realized there is also 4 of us right now - my husband Matt, me, ChaCha and Kitty. While I have also been called Alaska Amie, I have a strong connection to the number 4 right now.

I love my old About Me section with the info on my boys. God I loved them so much and I loved our life together so much! It looks like an obituary in this format but I need to do this so I can move on. So before I rewrite my profile I am going to place the old one here about the three of us so that I have it in a safe place that slowly moves down the page, but is only a search away and always there in vivid color.

About Me

Industry	Construction
Occupation	Having Fun
Location	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Introduction	I was born and raised in Alaska and loved every second of it. I never thought I would leave. A job moved me to Atlanta, then that company left and I stayed. I found love in the south. Following his career dreams, we moved to the northeast. Now we are giving up on big city life in the Lower 48 and headed north ... Back to life in Alaska!
Interests	Dogs, plants, flowers, cooking, long-distance walking, hiking, riding bikes, writing,reading, music, crafts, dog training, appalachian trail-stories, learning about it,planning for hiking it.
Favorite Movies	Hope Floats, Elf, Almost Famous, Homeward Bound movies, Sideways.
Favorite Music	KNBA- 90.1 Alaska Radio (thank god for the internet!), SIRIUS Radio- the Coffeehouse Channel, I love David Gray and Jewel. Kate Earl is where I got my title from- she rocks and is from Chugach!
Favorite Books	The Horse Whisperer, Where the Red Fern Grows, The Final Frontiersman, any story about Alaskans, dogs, bikes or the Appalacian Trail.

Why don't you ever wear a scarf? It doesn't need to be cold outside for your neck to feel naked.

It makes me look like I have no neck when I wear a scarf. But when it's cold outside it's soooo comfy to wear a nice scarf!

Blue

More About Blue...

Blue was born in Anchorage, Alaska in September of 2004. I found him when he was named "King" at the Anchorage Animal Control Center where I volunteered. He was only 70#, as his 2nd owner had surrendered him because she 'couldn't afford to feed him'. He doesn't eat that much for a big dog, in this picture he is a healthy 100#. And is as sweet as the first day I met him!

Petey

More About Petey...

Petey was born in Clemson, SC in late 2004 with the name "Thump". He has grown up in Atlanta. Much of his history is unknown, I adopted him in 2006 from my cousin who was his 3rd owner. His early papers put him as a 'K9 mix'- I think he has some Border Collie in him somewhere, but I like to call him a 3rd+ generation mutt. He is the smartest dog I've ever had and the best walking partner I could ask for!

________
I am going to leave the rest of the sidebars as they were. I don't have a lot of emotion connected to them. Except my Grandmothers book! I'll leave that up there forever probably.

But for now, I am going to work on rewriting the section about me. I'm really not sure where to start....

Heart Over Head

2016-03-08T17:37:00.001-05:00

It's always better to follow my heart rather than my head. My stepdad always told me to follow logical thoughts and really think things through. My Gramma always told me to never ignore my gut. For years I've told myself it was a combination. Turns out Gramma was right. I make myself miserable every time I "think" before I make big changes.

This blog was originally started ten years ago as my outlet for my ridiculous home sickness for Alaska. Now I'm in Alaska and I've lost all of that joy that I found and wrote about when I was in the South. I blame my demise of spirit often on the East Coast. But relocation back to Alaska has only spiraled me downward.

It's time to regain my life back. I'm 39 now, horribly overweight and out of shape. All I wanted was to be closer to my family, I am logistically, but can't seem to get there emotionally. I am working two incredibly demanding jobs. Our cat went missing. We still have the three dogs, although we are a geriatric household now. My husband sleeps in his car in Los Angeles about 90% of the time because I've plunged us into the abyss of owning our own small business and he is terrified of losing everything. I have my dream nail salon now with five employees under 23 years old. Opening it killed my oldest friendship, my step dad can barely look at me he is so disappointed, and my Mom needs her nails done and feels like she can't come in because my stepdad hates our business so much. I have my $2000 dream bike getting dusty in my garage. Did I mention I'm overweight and unhealthy?

I am guessing no one reads this blog anymore. I am going to use it to unravel all of my woes and track my progress of emerging from this darkness and back to a great life. I'm going to be honest and probably incredibly long winded about the negative aspects I have created. My writing will probably make me cry a lot and hurt the feelings of my family a lot of the time, but fuck... I have got to do something! My Facebook and Instagram is SO filtered for public use. This is going to be damned raw and not for the faint of heart! xoxo

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Waiting for Real Life to Begin

2013-03-15T15:46:00.001-04:00

Well, that whole law school thing didn't work out.I lost hair, gained weight, went into debt, got depressed, pulled myself together, and quit.

That's really all I have to say about that.

NOW

It is settled. A new chapter begins. It is time to go back, to Alaska. I always knew I wanted to go back, but I didn't know when or how. The travel plans include driving north starting the end of April. We will drive 4800 miles with a full box trailer, three dogs (yes, we have added to the pack) and at least one cat (that's a long story in itself).

Best of all, I will be driving back with my husband. Sometimes going where the wind takes me actually pays off.

I can't wait to get back to life in the Great Land!

Lazy Days of Summer

2011-08-11T16:30:00.001-04:00

Looks like my summer days are coming to an end soon.

I'm really doing this law school thing. I have registration and the swearing in ceremony on Monday. Then Tuesday through Thursday is filled with mock classes such as The School Experience, The Judicial Process, Case Analysis, and Financial Aid Workshops. Then Friday is an Examination followed by an All-Campus Picnic.

I am anxious and excited that this time has arrived in my life where I have finally come to a point that I have been working towards for the last 3 years. I have always had a small inkling in my mind that I would enjoy being a lawyer. But my life, and my choices in my life had inhibited such a direction. Until I met Matt. We were living in Atlanta in a house I could barely afford on my meager waitressing wage after losing my construction career, when Matt asked me a question. It was a question my parents had asked me numerous time, yet at the moment when Matt said it I heard it. More importantly I heard my response. He asked me if I could go back to school and do anything what would I do?

At the time, I had an associated degree from University of Alaska Anchorage in Small Business Administration and was 29 years old. I had three dogs, bills, a car on its last leg, and $200 to my name. I was in no position at the time to go back to school. How would I pay for tuition? Books? How would I make a living and pay my rent? I remember thinking, Isn't it too late for me to start over in my career??

I told him I would go to law school and become a lawyer that specialized in construction law and federal procurement.

I always like contracts. I like how they are clear and substantially detailed and outline exactly what the parties are agreeing to do. Yet there is still so much misunderstanding and interpretations. In construction I have seen so many times the smaller company get the short end of the stick often because they don't realize what they are signing when they sign a subcontract. I would like to work in the field, but on the side of the federal government procurement contracts.

Matt asked me what I needed to do to make that happen. At the time, I was looking at 2 more years at least, to finish up my Bachelors degree. Plus three years of law school. So here I am.... it took me almost 5 years to get here. I am 34 years old now, and starting my 1L year. I will be 37 when I finish and will have almost 8 years of higher education. I still have not come to terms with the total dollars spent, but it is a lot!

So here I go. Wish me luck!

-Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

What I Did Over My Summer Break

2011-08-10T18:50:00.001-04:00

My office before....

After....

Before....

After....all set for briefs and...stuff!

Front room before.....

After.....

Kitchen, dining before.....

-after.....

Entry way before....

Organized entry area after....I love Ikea!

Scary basement before....

After... Waterproofed walls and organized laundry area.....

Scary old cabinets before....

Fresh paint, cleaned and new shelves....after! Now it's Matts work organizing area.

Under the stairs before was a spider lair! I swear there were 100 year old webs under there!

Few coats of fresh paint and new shelves went along way! Now this is where We have our freezer and our household tools....

It might not look like much but it's been a lot of little things to make it feel like home.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

What a Weekend!

2011-05-02T18:13:00.006-04:00

In our clean up efforts, we found this little critter! YIKES! I almost had a heart attack! I found him under a huge pile of leaves, he was under an old cinder block piece.

And we found this pre-historic creature! That's the biggest slug I've EVER seen! We thought we was pretty special until we found another one identical on the other side of the house.

Early Spring/Late April:

Spring has sprung! Look at the jungle growth we are battling!

Late Winter/Mid March:

This poor lot has been unloved for many decades now. It's like that show about what would happen if there were no humans. The vines and jungle growth would take over everything in just a few years! What is better? (or worse!) Jungle and overgrowth??? or Human's garbage and mess!!! Look at this monster mess we bought! It was so overwhelming, but with some serious sweat equity we made a new yard!

But this was our biggest victory to date with our new house! We still have a lot to do, but this clean up feels fresh and clean at the very least... and a very good start to projects to come! Happy Spring!

Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon

2011-03-22T17:35:00.003-04:00

As always, I was wishing all my loved ones were with me and could see how beautiful the beach was!

And as always, my heart is in the Last Frontier!
I had a great time on the beach! The weather was windy, sunny and perfect for me!
This was Matt's 5th Marathon in the 4th state.... He is going for 50 in 50 states. Only 46 more to go!!!

Here are the guys at 7:45 am ready to go!!!Matt just pass the half way point! Still smilin!

GO DOD GO!! Dod flew by at the Half Way marker- too fast for me to get a picture!

But I got a good shot of Dod at the last half mile. He was sprinting and so focused he didn't even see us!!!!

Matt came in the last half mile still smiling and glad to have another one in the bag!

This was Dod's first marathon! And he did GREAT! I couldn't believe how together he was at the finish! It was fun to be there for him and Matt! GREAT JOB GUYS!!!

Next year- Alabama!

New Place

2011-03-05T17:49:00.003-05:00

I missed the forest so much we decided to buy a small forest! At least that is what it feels like in the middle of the city! Here is a little preview...

Almost a Year Since My Last Post!

2010-06-10T21:55:00.004-04:00

Memorial Weekend Hike on the PA AT.

I'll ease myself back into bloggin more and watching less tv.

2009-10-14T20:34:00.000-04:00

No Comment

2009-10-01T23:37:00.001-04:00

Mooooose

2009-09-30T17:57:00.000-04:00

Where Am I?

2009-09-23T18:41:00.000-04:00

Miss Me??

2009-07-21T16:54:00.004-04:00

I think everyone might miss me a bit in July. I'm busy this time of year! But I won't go into that because I know most people couldn't care less about the Tour. I've also been busy with the end of the semester wrapping up. Just a few more weeks, so that means papers to write and more papers to write!

We've been walking a lot lately too. Every Sunday I have been trying to get out and find a new trail around here. Last Sunday Matt went with us and we did about 9 miles on a trail called D&L trail, plus the boys and I did our regular 2 miles. Almost a half marathon without really trying! The next day I thought I'd be sore, but wasn't the least bit. That was really good.

I just wanted to check in and say hi! Next Sunday is the last day for the Tour, I'll be looking for a good, long walk after that- I'm always sad for a few days when it's over.

Philly on the 4th

2009-07-09T12:16:00.005-04:00

I love this picture of us...
It was a really great night. It wasn't as crowded as we thought it would be. We rode SEPTA into the city from Norristown thinking it would be crazy packed, but it wasn't necessary- we could of drove in no problem. SEPTA was free on the ride home.

It was a beautiful sunset. PERFECT weather- 80 something with a light wind, couldn't of been better!

I'm not all into Sheryl Crow, or as I call her 'Lances ex-girlfriend'...but she rocked! It was hit after hit after hit. But I'm still glad they broke up.

By the way....Lance is ROCKIN' the Tour de France!

I'm in love with the silliest man!

More Jewel

2009-07-02T14:50:00.002-04:00

I wish I had my camera (seemed tohave misplaced it somewhere at home!) - I am completly soaked from head to toe. It looks like I took a shower with my clothes on! It was POURING downtown when I got off the subway at WTC. It was clear and sunny in Midtown. The ONE day I decided to forgo the umbrella in my bag and opt for a cap thinking it would maybe sprinkle a little since it looked so nice. I won't do that again!

I figured out another reason why New Yorkers always opt for black clothes. Black clothes aren't AS noticeable that they are wet when you are caught in the rain. I'm wearing olive green cotton pants.... yeah, not a good choice. I look a wreck!

Tonight we scored FREE tickets to see Jewel perform at the pre-taping of the Macy's 4th of July celebration that will air on tv on the 4th. She is performing a 1 hour set on the U.S.S. Intrepid and her fans were invited through her website. www.jeweljk.com Matt has tomorrow off for the holiday so he is going to meet me later tonight.

I was feeling pretty awesome, til the rain.

But a free Jewel show always helps! *wink*

Before and After

2009-06-29T15:49:00.014-04:00

The outside yard was just as much of a disaster as the inside but we didn't take any pictures. There are no words for how happy we are to have a FOR SALE sign in the front yard!

Somewhere (Alaska?) Over The Rainbow....

2009-06-21T02:53:00.004-04:00

...Skies are blue. They were yesterday for a little while....anyhow...

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Summer Solistice!

The Longest Day of The Year!

Yippeee!

My mother and I are so weird...we always get excited that "it's all downhill from here" as far as daylight goes. Now we start losing seconds, and then minutes... and then the next thing you'll know it's the holidays and snow again.

Is that depressing or what?!

All I can say is....THIS is my weather forcast this week:

Nothing like loggin on to see that eh? I think it is making me cranky. Or maybe I'm just tired.

Guess Where I Was Today

2009-06-20T00:45:00.004-04:00

NY Miles: 5.09

PA Miles: 4.3

After a 5 mile walk just on the streets of New York, I headed indoors and probably walked another 5 miles!

Full Report Tomorrow- My feet and me need a good night's sleep after all that.

Hot Summer Days....Already!

2009-04-28T18:49:00.002-04:00

This picture was from the first hot day in the PA heatwave that we have had this week. Saturday morning we left earlie to head to Elizabeth, PA (outside Pittsburgh) for Matt's cousins wedding. It was a lot of fun meeting all his family from his dad's side. We turned around and drove back on Sunday then he went to Charlotte for the week. The hot weather hasn't left yet.

It was 91 yesterday and I think it got there again today. Since we don't have central air the dogs and I have been miserable at home. The house is SO hot. I put the little window a/c unit in our room today. But I can't lift the big one for downstairs. The boys are panting and looking at me like DO SOMETHING! I feel bad for them!

Tomorrow it is supposed to rain and only get to 60. Sounds nice!

The Center of the Center of it All

2009-04-14T20:11:00.004-04:00

Yes, I did get accepted at New York University. They think I am wonderful and can't wait for me to be part of their amazing student body... at least that is what I read between the lines of the form letter! ;-)

I can't wait to get started there. I never dreamed in a million years I would be attending school in New York City. I'm such a small town girl at heart! But boy do I love the hum of the gritty city.

Next weekend I have to go take placement tests. Then the following week I will go register, get my ID and financial aid package. It's really unique because its so integrated into the city. The buildings for the classes are all over the place. There is no real campus area, it's all over. They have claimed Washington Square as the center of campus. You have to look for purple flags. It's like the Amazing Race kinda.

So yeah, I'm totally excited and ready to finish up this semester. I'm working hard to get A's in all my classes here in Atown. Speaking of.... I really gotta go get some more work done!