OooOohh! A surprise!

Time is truly of the essence here in my TLF (Temporary living facility) room here at Eielson AFB. We've been here almost a month and it's really wearing on me. While I like, and agree, with the more minimalist living....its getting old living out of a suitcase. (Nomads out there, you are brave) We're going on 2 1/2 months of living out of suitcases now and probably another 20 days. Ugh.  Anywho... we are purchasing a house and we (whatever you have available to cross...please do!) are trying to close August 15th. That plan was almost SEVERELY derailed when I made a call to my lender and they couldn't close the day we wanted. Needless to say...we had to start over from scratch with a new mortgage lender.  A day of frantic scanning and phone calls...we back on track, appraisal ordered, good to go. Hopefully. 

So, with a day full of hair-pulling and terror of losing the house, I was doing my blog surf seeing who was being crafty, because I can't, and I stopped by Lisa's blog Stampin, crafting, & snow, Oh My! and saw that she dedicated a "Thing of beauty award" to me! This was just the thing to cheer me up! I couldn't have needed this at a better time! (Funny, because Lisa was having the same sort of day when she received hers! The stamping angels are looking out for us!)

Here's what she said "Last, but certainly not least, Jayme of Closet Stampin', Its Not A Hidden Addiction!--Jayme and her family just transferred to Alaska and she loves it already, which is just awesome. Unfortunately she is close to 300 miles north of me :( If I remember correctly Jayme is the one who told me about the previously mentioned Christmas blog when I met her through the Friday Mashup. I might have that mixed up though because my memory stinks! LOL Anyway, she is another super talented gal whose blog I love to check out!"  Aww! Thanks!!

So now the thing to do is pay it forward! (I love that movie by the way!!) I share with 5 other bloggers and share 5 things about myself! Here goes!

About me:
1. We have lived in Alaska all of a month (almost!) and we've counted 11 moose as of today!! We saw a mother and 2 calves here on base on the way to our squadron picnic. I am blown away every time I see one!

2. I've been doing a lot of reading since not having the ability to stamp. Have fallen in love with Jennifer Weiner's books and Jodi Picoult. They can really bring a story to life! I just finished Jennifer Weiner's Fly Away Home and it was AMAZING! And so true to real events!

3. I've become obsessed with having cable again. We had AFN in England because it was free and carried all the sports Carl could watch! We've been staying up really late (again, easy when the sun is out so late!) watching HGTV, Pawn Stars, Alaska State Troopers, Tracking Big Foot (which these people are crazy-they have all this scientific knowledge, but can't find the things! lol!) Reality shows are our life. We are a one-TV household...will probably get a second one once we move into our house.

4. I will be a full-time student at University of Alaska Fairbanks in September! I'll be studying High Latitude Agriculture!

5. I play Roller Derby! I recently had the chance to guest skate with the Fairbanks Rollergirls...and it was AWESOME!! These girls were super nice and chatted me up like I've known them all my life, and gave me some new war-wounds (which I proudly showed off to Carl when getting home!) They are having try-outs soon...I'd love to skate with them!

I tried to share things I didn't before...that was difficult. Trying to get the exciting bits out there!
Now to pass this along:

~Belinda over at Studio B Designs. Belinda and I met a long time ago (07) when she was my Tupperware Director. She's awesome and really far away (in Germany!)I miss stamping and creating with her. (Some day...keep those fingers crossed)

~Darlene at darlenedesign her work is amazing!!!! I pop over to her blog from time to time to get some new tips and tricks!

~Shirley at Look at my cute stuff always has awesome creations!! I can't wait to play again on her Ala Card Monkey challenge blog!

~Jen at I Create I aspire to learn her simplicity in card making. Her cards are beau-ti-ful and always very elegant!

~ Jamie at Wanna be creative. I get a lot of neat ideas form her blog. Her and Belinda used to stamp together!

Congrats ladies, and thanks again, Lisa for brightening my day when it was so badly needed!!

Have a scrap-tastic day!!

Join for only $99!!

$99 Starter Kit + Free Project Kit! During July, you can join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator for only $99! This limited time Starter Kit—valued at $185—comes with the following high-quality products: Easy Events Clear-Mount Set* Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set* Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad Brights 8-1/2" x 11" Assorted Card Stock Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper* Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon* Note Cards (20) Clear-Mount Block C Blender Pen (1) SNAIL Adhesive Business supplies *Brand new to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog! Plus, join in July and get a FREE Christmas Keepsake project kit—a $40 value! Imagine an afternoon spent chatting with friends while creating something beautiful—isn't that what Stampin' Up! is all about? But act now because this special kit is only available as part of this limited-time offer. Join Stampin' Up! in July and get brand-new products, including an exclusive project kit—all for just $99! Contact me to get started today. Hurry, offer ends July 31st!!

Regional in ANCHORAGE!!!

CEO Shelli Gardner, © SU

 Whats that? You heard me right!!!! It was announced at convention this past week, and Cindy, the roving reporter just put this on Facebook...

Here’s the latest Stampin’ Up! news from our CEO and co-founder, Shelli Gardner: as of this fall, Stampin’ Up! will offer shorter regional events (with all supplies included)! This will allow more of you to attend a Stampin’ Up! event close to home! Our first round of half-day regionals will be held in Anchorage, AK, Birmingham, AL, and Albuquerque, NM! Woo hoo! Full-day regionals will be held in Charlotte, NC, Henderson, NV, and Edmonton, AB." ~ Cindy

How exciting is this??? I have been itching to attend a Stampin' Up event!!! Can't wait until they announce these dates and hope I get to be crafty before then!! 

As always, have a scrap-tastic day!!

Last Frontier!

Moose on base!!

Just a quick update, we've arrived in Alaska and are LOVING it!!! We are not loving the tiny billeting room we (Carl, Evan, Rocky, and I) are staying in. You don't need a whole lot of room when you don't have a lot of things. I can't wait to have my kitchen back and my stamps back!! (everything else hasn't been missed too bad) The most of my gripes are lack of proper kitchen utensils, but my thinking is if that's all I'm griping about, it can't be that bad.

Here are a few things I've learned by living in AK so far...
1. Roads are bumpy. Only main roads are paved, neighborhood roads are gravel. I'm told you don't notice the bumps come winter time because of the snow. We'll see.

2. Cost of living is quite a bit more expensive. I saw cereal for over 5 dollars and don't ask about milk. But, we are a long way from the lower 48, so it costs to ship up here.

3. Gas is expensive! Don't complain to me about gas prices, ours is over 4 bucks a gallon, 4.17 in some parts.

4. Alaska is breathtaking. So far we've counted 6 moose and was in awe the entire trip to Anchorage from Fairbanks. (Only took 1 tank of gas in our huge F350 we got though!)

5. The people are awesome! We've encountered so many nice people. Local business owners are quite chatty!

That's all that sticks out in my mind so far. We've only been here a few weeks and don't ever want to leave. We just had our offer accepted on the house we are purchasing so in a few mere weeks, we will no longer be homeless. I'll report on those -40+ temperatures from in front of my blaze king wood stove with some hot chocolate here soon!

Until next time, be scrap-tastic for me in my absence! The new catty is awesome and can't wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work. (Although it wont be too current, home-buying is expensive!!!)