So, like I said...

 

Our cat, Pichou (the one with the blue flower on her collar), looks quite content in our her new surroundings.  

While I'm happy that she seems to be enjoying herself, and has made a new friend in Max, I'm worried that she may be a bit lonely without his companionship when we bring her back home after our vacation.  I also hear that the children of her temporary home are getting quite attached to her.

Any cat experts out there wanna share your thoughts on this?  Really.  Comment.  I want/need your advice on this.  

With that being said, I see that at least 34 people have an interest in my blog (followers, etc.).  Thanks!  It means a lot to me.  It really does. 

And, after vacation, when I have access to a real computer (not this teeny, tiny little laptop), I will do some major catching up on everyone else's blogs. 

Because, I really do enjoy reading about what everyone else is up to.  The creativity that flows through the blogosphere inspires me.

Have a good day, Y'all! 

J~

Not much going on here. Just enjoying our surroundings.

Here's a small rundown:

• Gabe and I spent the weekend in New Orleans last weekend.  I always LOVE going out there.  Gabe loves being there.  He said that we need to start a tradition of Mom and Gabe weekends in NOLA whenever we go back home to Louisiana.  We also got a chance to have lunch with and go to the WWII museum with Phillip's brother, Greg, Greg's son/Phil's nephew, Adrian, and Greg's girlfriend, Lynn.  I love those people...
• The kids have been in Red Cross swimming lessons for the past couple of weeks.  Gabe has completed Level III, and Sarah has completed Level I.  I was so impressed with how she's picked up the whole swimming thing..."like a mermaid!".  I'll try to upload pictures (especially so that Phillip can see) to the photo collection soon.  When we get back to Alaska, I'll try to put them in Fall lessons, so that they can keep up the good work.
• I've been shopping.  In stores that offer variety!  I can't wait to hit the outlet mall in Foley, Alabama in a couple of weeks.
• I also can't wait to put my toes in the sand at Gulf Shores, AL either!  
• The kids and I spent Sunday before last at my Dad's house.  I love having a full belly of my step-mom's rice and gravy (and smothered cabbage), and resting on the couch after lunch.  Late afternoon trips to get ice-cream is always fun too.
• I've spoken to my friend, Lidia, a few times to check on Pichou (our cat).  Looks like we may have some trouble getting her back when we return.  Pichou has a new playmate in Lidia's cat, Max, and Lidia's children are getting attached.  Pas Bon (not good)!
• Gabe went to the movies with my brother.  Sarah went to the movies with her Ya-Ya.  I plan on going to the movies by myself soon.  That's right.  I said "BY MYSELF!".  Nothing like snorting/laughing and eating chocolate covered raisins in a "chick flick"...by yourself.

I hope that this post finds all of you safe, happy, and healthy...

Janet

It was all his idea.

His sense of humor is contagious.  

It's refreshing.

I LOVE that kid!

(The above photos were taken at the Museum of American History in Washington DC.  If you go to my photo collection, Our story in pictures, you'll find our NYC and DC photos; the DC photos do not have titles yet, and might not for a few days.)

J~

It's so nice to be home.

 

The above picture and quote was taken at the Museum of Natural History in Washington DC last week.  Right now, I'm in the process of uploading, and editing pictures of the entire East Coast trip to 

put in the photo collection (I took lots of em').  

I've scratched off 3 more items on my Bucket List.

We had so much fun exploring 3 different Smithsonian museums in Washington DC.  We did a LOT of walking.  We flew into New Orleans, tired and happy. 

The kids and I are home in Lafayette, LA this week.  We'll be here for pretty much the rest of the summer.  It's so nice to be home, and I'm not sure that we'll be so ready to leave to go back to Alaska when it's time.  I never thought I'd find myself saying this, after having spent the first 20-something years of my life in this area, but I miss home.  

I couldn't wait to leave Louisiana. (Right about now, certain family members are slapping their hands on the computer desk) 11 years ago.  Lafayette was too "small town" for me.  Everyone knows of everyone; you run into the same people, etc., and I couldn't wait to see what else was out there.  It felt like life here was at a dead end.  Now, things are starting to change around here, and I'm not sure if I like that suddenly and slowly, I'm starting to feel like a stranger to it.  

But, I have a bad case of wanderlust, and I love to travel 

and live in different places to experience all that the area has to offer. 

I'm thankful for the experience of living in Alaska, but it doesn't fit me.  Alaska has taught me to slow down, and be more creative with my time. I'm so used to just going and going, constantly looking for things to do and see.  BIG city life would be perfect for me, I think. 

With that being said, everything happens for a reason.   I'm exactly where I need to be right now (in life),  and the experience of living there is changing me.  I'm appreciating the slower pace of Fairbanks.  I'm learning more and more about myself. 

But, when our time is up, I'll be more than ready to leave.  

When it's time for us to say good-bye to full-time, active military life, 

it will be wonderful to set our roots down, maybe somewhere closer to family.

At this moment, I'm content to be sitting here on the couch, typing with a full belly of my in-laws home cooking.  I'm listening to Sarah talk her Ya-Ya's ear off.  

And, I know that there is no place like home.

Well, we've been so busy that...

...we've not had the chance to think much about the fact that Phillip has been deployed.

We've said our "Good-bye" and "See you later" to both Phillip and Alaska.  And tonight, the kids and I are so tired, that I'm typing from our hotel room in Arlington, VA while Gabe peeks out of the room window periodically for the start of the July 4th fireworks. 

Last week, we were in the Jersey City/NYC area, and had a really good time visiting with Jessica, an old friend and co-worker.  On the first day that we were there, Sarah woke up extremely sick (couldn't even keep water down for more than 5 minutes), so that put a huge damper on plans to spend the entire day in NYC, but by the afternoon, she was thankfully well enough to eat soup, etc, and swim for a while in Jessica's pool.  While we were visiting Jessica, we got the chance to spend time on the Jersey Shore, and go into NYC to see some of the sights there.

It was so good to see Jessica; to finally see for myself, and put images to names and places that she's talked about over the years.  And, I had no idea how crazy Times Square could be on a Friday night!

We left Jessica's house via Amtrak and arrived at Union Station here in Washington DC on Saturday.  Yesterday, we spent over 5 hours in the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History, and about 2 hours in the Air & Space Museum.  Today, we spent time with a dear friend (Kristen) at her house below Arlington, and tomorrow, we plan to finish what we started last night, plus more.

This area is crazy, busy with people right now.  The metro was filled with people going into the city for the fireworks.  And I didn't much envy them.  Better you fight the crowd, than me.  Did I mention that I'm tired?

As soon as I can, I will put pictures up in the photo collection.

Goodnight, Ya'll!

J~