Joy, and pain. Sunshine, and rain...

Today was a little bittersweet. I finally get to announce that I was selected as an honorable mention in the Scrapbook.com Lucky 7 Contest! I'm so excited! And, I can't wait to get my hands on that $70 gift certificate. I already know EXACTLY what I am going to spend it on. Anyway, I was never good at keeping secrets, so not being able to say anything about this for a few weeks was killing me!

But, that's about the extent of my smiles for the day. Today is the last day I will spend with my husband before he has to go back to Afghanistan. Tomorrow, I will drop him off at the airport at 4:30 am. This will be our 3rd goodbye in 7 months, and I must admit, it's getting old. I am just anxious for the day that I will get to say hello again, and know that it will be for longer than 14 days.

And, a big thank you goes out to the group of guys that work with my husband who have abused the emergency leave and R&R policies so obscenely. Thank you for your irresponsibility. I sure appreciate the fact that you all have had your 14 days of R&R ON TOP of 60+ days of emergency leave. Thank you for taking advantage of the system for something that you didn't even need, and then ruining it for people like my husband who only try to apply for a 3 day extension and then get denied. I don't know how I can ever thank you for that.

A little bitter? Perhaps. But, just because I "knew what I was getting into when I married into the military" doesn't mean that I should be required to paste a smile on my face and happily send my husband back off to war. I'm tired of being told that I knew what I was getting into. Yes, I did. But, trust me, it doesn't make it hurt any less every time we have to say goodbye. Actually, we don't say "goodbye". "Goodbye" is too permanent. I prefer, "See you soon..."

Lookie! Lookie!

Ooooohh...I just ordered these, and I can't wait for them to come in the mail:



Fisheye camera from Urban Outfitters.



Pop camera also from Urban Outfitters.

I really shouldn't have spent the money, but I couldn't resist. I can't wait to get my grubby little paws on these cameras and PLAY, PLAY, PLAY! Now, I just need to order my Holga, and all will be right with the world. So, anyone looking to send me some random love via the US Postal Service, you know what to get me! LOL. Just kidding. Well, sort of. ;0)

So excited for today...going to the State Fair! I love the fair, and I haven't been in years. My husband has never been to the Alaska State Fair. NEVER. EVER. He doesn't know the thrill of seeing unnaturally large vegetables, or going through all of the crafty booths. Well, I'm sure he actually couldn't care less. But, the fair food alone is worth the trip. So, my dear stomach...watch out! Here we go...

So very proud of myself!

Woo hoo! I finally completed my first LO for the Scrapjacked challenge. I'm fairly pleased with how it came out. Of course, whatever I envision in my head is NEVER what actually ends up on the paper. But, hey...if nothing else, this LO proves that pink isn't just for "girly" pages. And, yes, I was at it again with the Thickers! LOL. I want a package of every color, in every font, in every material! They are the greatest alphabets EVER!



I'm amazed that I got this page done so quickly...only an hour or so. I'm finally getting faster at scrapping! I used to spend a day or more on one page. And, honestly, the ones that I've done more quickly, are the ones that I like the best. Anyway, that's one more thing to check off my list of "29 Things To Do Before I Turn 30."

Me getting that LO done so quickly was even more amazing considering everything that I did today. My husband and I climbed Flattop Mountain to scatter my father-in-law's ashes. Let me just say...hiking up a mountain when one is as out of shape as I am...NOT a smart idea. I felt like my lungs were going to explode! But, we accomplished what we set out to do, and my father-in-law is now where he belongs. And, we did get to stop and take some cute pictures on the way back down the mountain. I can't wait to scrap these...

It's some good dirt...

It is so good to have my feet back on Alaskan earth. I miss it here. I miss my family. I miss my friends. I DO NOT miss the snow. But, we still have several weeks of decent weather before the miserable winter sets in. Although, I must admit...I have never gotten used to not having a white Christmas. So, by the time Thanksgiving rolls around, the snow is a beautiful thing. And, I'll be out of here come January...I won't have time to really get sick of the white stuff.

But, I am so excited for the next few days before my husband has to head back to Afghanistan. We are going to the state fair, the zoo, out to dinner with some really good friends, and we're going to have an early birthday party for my hubby. I guess I need to go shopping for that in the next couple of days.

I will definitely be taking LOTS of pictures in the coming days. And, once my husband heads back overseas, I will have PLENTY of time to get creative. So, get ready for some LO's and scrappy projects! I need to get crackin' on my home-made Christmas gifts.

I had some of the YUMMIEST pizza tonight. Live in the Anchorage area? You have got to try the Frito Pie Pizza from Champion Pizza. Sounds gross? I thought so too...it is so NOT gross! Just the thought of it makes my mouth water. I think I might just have to go dig another piece out of the fridge right now!

Poor little miss...

Please send some lovey feel-better vibes to my dear Angie. Instead of going to watch her band last night, we found out that she had been admitted to the hospital with meningitis. She hadn't been feeling well, and went to the doctor just to get some medicine to help her get through the next 2 nights of performances. Instead, she was told she had miningitis. The doctors don't know if it is viral or bacterial. We're still waiting to find out. But, just keep her in your thoughts and prayers, please. She's one of the sweetest girls you could ever meet. Here's a pic of her from our last trip to see her play:



We did have a good time last night. Good sushi. Good friends. Now, we're just getting ready to return our rental car and head out to the funeral. I think that we're all ready to go to Alaska tomorrow. I can't wait to see my friends and family back home. I'll just leave you with a group pic of my little family. It really is so nice to all be back together again. Too bad it will only last another week...