Surprise!

Yesterday Ryan turned the big 3-0.  I had been planning a surprise party for him for months and it went wonderfully!  I convinced him that after school we would go out for a drink at the local Elk's club, get burgers for dinner, and go to the basketball games.  He was a little skeptical to go get a drink at 4, but I convinced him.  We walked into the club and a whole bunch of people yelled surprise.  Ryan looked at least three times before realizing it was a party for him!  He was so surprised.  A job well done.  It was amazing to have so many people there celebrating.  I like to think it made turning 30 a tiny bit easier to know that he has so many friends that have been there before!  The only way it could have been any better was if friends and family from back home could have been here too.   A great time was had by all!

 

Mail Day!

Hello Friends!
Yesterday I didn't get a chance to write but I had a wonderful day!  After working as the high school science teacher I went to the mailbox and found some delightful mail.  I received a notice that upon further paperwork, I am officially a Certified Teacher in the state of Alaska as of February 10th!  If that wasn't enough, I also received a flashy new pair of Sketchers Shape-Ups.  It just so happened I was on my way to the gym, so I got to wear my new shoes on the treadmill.  After the gym I went home and enjoyed a peaceful, relaxing evening of reading and snuggling up with a blanket on the couch.

Today I wore my Shape-Ups all day at school.  I still have not felt any "pain" or strengthing like others have reported, but I did feel like I was standing straighter.  Maybe they won't give me a sexy butt however I hope they help my posture.
Also, I would like to post some pictures from a few days ago.  It had just snowed and it was absolutely beautiful outside.  Check it out for yourself...

President's Day

Well, today is day 2 of being alone.  I also had the day off due to presidents day and the entire city was closed because of the holiday.  Therefore I slept in until 10am and woke up to make myself a wonderful brunch of french toast and sausage links.  There is something about french toast in a cast iron pan just the way my Angel Grandma makes it.  I just cannot get enough!  Anyhow I watched "The Proposal" for the second time in 4 days, "Psych", "Robin Hood Men in Tights", and "The Last Song".  You've got to LOVE Netflix!  I also cleaned the apartment, it is so pretty!  I also made some beautiful wall art with all the cards and drawing that were cluttering our fridge and hung it over the headboard in the bedroom.  Lastly, I just got home from making some new friends...it turns out there are more respectable people my age in this town than I was led to believe.  We hung out, ate snacks, played Mario Kart, and watched a movie called "Man from Snowy River".  Today was a wonderful day, even though I pathetically miss Ryan dearly.  He called today and said he was learning a ton at the Special Education conference in Anchorage.  He also has been eating delicious food, and getting work done!  Well for the rest of the week I am working as the High School Science teacher and I am looking forward to it.  I will keep you all posted.

All Alone

Today I woke up at 8am to make Ryan breakfast and then I took him to the airport.  He is attending a conference in Anchorage for the next five days and I am all alone.  It is really strange not having any responsibility (any other time in my life I have ever been alone I have had school work to do)... I went back to bed until 1pm, woke up and ate lunch, watched "Wedding Crashers", "Psych", and "Grumpy Old Men".  I downloaded the new Amos Lee album, which I highly recommend and ate some dinner.  Polish kielbasa, cheesy noodles, and a biscuit.  This week will be interesting, I hope I have plenty of time to relax and enjoy solitude.

  

"Looks like Chuck is taking the old skin boat to Tuna town!" -Grandpa Gustafson

Go Wolves!

This week we got a treat!  Usually our basketball teams play on the weekends, but this week there were games Monday-Thursday!  We went and watched the Lady Wolves last home games on Wednesday and Thursday.  They lost both evenings, but Thursday night was a really close game.  We had a blast!  I love sitting next to Ryan at the games because he is always confused at the calls.  Not only is it funny, explaining what's going on to him makes me feel extra clever!  He thinks that every time the girls touch the ball they should shoot it, even if they are at half court.  It is entertaining to hear him yelling "shoot the ball, shoot the ball".  Other favorites include "punch her" and "icing"; I guess he is still learning the differences between basketball and hockey.  We also finally got to eat the Chili I had been making for a few days (yes, a few days).  Believe it or not dinner was delicious and it made even better lunch today!

Deadwood Night!

We enjoyed a night of watching our favorite new TV series, Deadwood, of which we have the entire series.  We were excited to see some of the characters that we learned about during our stop in Deadwood on our drive to Alaska; we both thought that Deadwood was our favorite stop.  Next time we go we'll make sure to stay at the Bullock Hotel, which was owned by Ryan's favorite character, Seth Bullock, and stop over at the Silver Gulch Casino, too.  If any of you happen to be near Deadwood anytime soon, stop in at the historic No. 10 saloon and watch the re-enactment of the shooting of Wild Bill; it's pretty much like you see on the TV series, except the actor gets up at the end of the narration and shakes hands with the actor playing Jack McCall, and so you feel ok about eating your buffalo burger afterwards.  We are 4 episodes in and loving every minute of our favorite new weeknight hobby.

Mad Libs

Last night I was shifting through the pile of "brain game books"  by my chair and came across a book of Mad Libs.  We hadn't done them since we were kids, so I had Ryan give me words to fill in the blanks and I though I would share!

Description of the Lovely Group That I Am In:
We are having a perfectly blue time this evening in the fluffy home of Heather.  The rooms are decorated happily with many stylish horses that must have cost 12 dollars.  The guests are all dry conversationalists and are all quietly dressed.  Herbert (our plant) has been entertaining us by telling us the time he showed his boney flubber to Julia (our other plant), who mistook it for an early American clump. The refreshments are bulging, and the idea of serving how and wet hors d'oeuvres showed imagination.  Visiting here is always a sexual experience.  


My Dream Man:
My "Dream Man" should, first of all, be very rubbery and crispy.  He should have a physique like Brittany Spears, a profile like Tom Hanks, and the intelligence of a shrew.  He must be polite and always remember to drop my turd, to tip his boat, and to take my eyebrow when crossing the street.  He should move sheepishly, should have a stinky voice, and should always dress quickly.  I would also lie him to be a lumpy dancer, and when we're alone, he should whisper black nothings in my ankle and hole my round carpet.  I know a broken man like this is hard to find.  In fact, the only one I can think of is Ryan.  

I had forgotten just how fun those stupid little things were until I read them out loud.  We laughed pretty hard!  I hope you enjoyed them too!

A Look into Our Life.

Hello Everyone, 

As a recent graduate, I have realized I have a lot more time on my hands than I know what to do with.  As far as starting a blog, I have always thought it was a silly, pointless idea.  However, Ryan and I were talking about it the other night and after contemplating a little we have decided it is a perfect way to keep family and friends up-to-date in our life here in Alaska.  I plan on writing at least once a week (I hope I will remember to do so).  So come back soon for new updates and Enjoy! 

With love, Heather