We’ve Moved!
Yes, we are stepping up in the world of real estate. We left our home with wheels (and literally greener pastures) behind and have been cozily sleeping in a quaint little cottage in town. Now, when I say town, I want you to imagine about 5-7 one-story places of business and homes all in a rectangular grid. That’s it. The rest of the buildings around town, are sparsely placed. Our place is bright blue yet simple. It is only 1 year old so everything is clean and fresh inside. Jeff and Courtney (our landlords) kindly moved a play set in our backyard for Princess Pea. They also went out and purchased Barbie princess sheets, comforter, and rose curtain set and had everything all set up in her bedroom when she walked in. She was blissfully happy and grateful. Courtney and Jeff had plans to paint her room pink with purple trim until we decided we likely wouldn’t be in this home for the long haul. The house is great but town isn’t where we long to be. Most homes in Alaska come with a small bit of acreage so we are hopeful that we will eventually have room to roam in our own yard.
Chuck allowed me some time yesterday afternoon in his office away from Princess Pea to get back to the internet. Because I was using his computer and because of various malfunctions, I was unsuccessful in my many attempts to get the blog updated. But, I got lots of other computer tasks complete and it was nice to have a little time away.
The following afternoon, Chuck let me off the family hook again and DRUM ROLL PLEASE………I GOT TO GO HORSEBACK RIDING!!! For those who don’t know, I love horses. I love horseback riding. For a short while in my teenage life, I got to take English riding lessons. Since I have moved into adulthood, opportunities to go horseback riding have greatly diminished. The few times I have gotten to ride have either been on horses that were near death only the week prior and limited to the space within the metal circle fence or after paying $65.00 for an hour’s shared ride with Princess Pea through the trails of Georgia (the sharing part was great, the paying part not so much).
My new friend Courtney volunteers for the local 4-H club and swore she needed another grown up to take a small group of girls trail riding. I got there and quickly realized that the girls were much more knowledgeable than I ever was, so instead of worrying with pretending, I just enjoyed it. We started down a narrow trail between spruce and birch trees and continued until the trail narrowed even more. Then, the trail opened into a gloriously green field covered in yellow dandelions and for the first real time, I got to see the mountains beyond the trees. I almost broke out in a church hymnal, ya’ll. That’s how beautiful it was.
My horse, Storm, was a good boy and smart enough to know he knew more about horseback riding than I did, so he pretty much did want he wanted, which was ok with me. He was determined to continually snack all along the way and I can’t say I blame him. That grass looked so good I almost grabbed a fork myself. We continued into another gloriously beautiful pasture and onto the trail that led back to the horse trailers. It was a great day.
Afterward, Courtney and I took the horses back to their pasture and she headed inside to get started on supper for all of us. I headed back to gather my Chuck and Princess Pea. Once back at Courtney’s, I tried to help with supper. She already had the corn on the cob boiling, the pork chops covered in corn flakes and smothered in cheese in the oven, carrots and cherries in a bowl, and the blueberry cobbler cooling. I set the table and made the blueberry topping with a lot of instruction from her. Yes, I plan to work past how she unknowingly intimidates the HECK out of me, and continue to build our friendship. Did I mention that she also competes in pistol sharpshooting contests all while riding a big black horse at great speeds? Yeah.
When the working man returns, the family is heading into Fairbanks to get some groceries. I figured it was time, when I had to resort to washing the dishes with shampoo and working that last bit of Colgate up through the hole. Though, I know some Delta Junctionians don’t look forward to heading to the “city” I am interested in really seeing what lies beyond this little town.
Today, we have rain and a good excuse to wear my new-to-me, galoshes. Now, I must go to collect this alarmingly large fly that keeps buzzing about my head for Princess Pea’s insect collection.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Such and Such
This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response.
I hope you enjoy your trip to Fairbanks. The next time you come this way, let me know and we'll meet up for lunch or coffee or just a chat!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're getting settled.
Susan
Will do! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteEveryone sounds SO nice. How sweet of your new landlord/friends to buy things for your little one's new room! You sound a little like myself, in terms that I can be intiminated by authority figures. (even in my newfound adulthood!) I would definately feel a little nervous in a new place. You sound like you're settling in so well though, and everything's working out great for you guys. Congrats on your move to Alaska to live out your dreams!
ReplyDeleteThey are so sweet to fix up that room for Charley. I'm glad ya'll found some good friends so quickly. But what I want to know is why and how did I develop the allergy gene, and you're totally fine? I get on a horse (tried it not long ago armed with a full dose of Claritin in my system), and I get continent shaped welts all over my bo-ttay, can't see, and am sneezing my face off. You nude mount a persian stallion, ride 'im bareback through endless fields of waist-high pollen weeds and microscopic dust mites, and you're still functioning like a champ? I don't get it. Nope. I'm glad you don't have to get shots in your butt at least once a week like me, though.
ReplyDeleteThis whole story sounds really cool... and beautiful, too... and delicious also (the dinner part).
I can't nude mount a cat...if that makes you feel any better.
ReplyDeleteOR a rabbit.
ReplyDelete