Luke and Leia take on England

So today was the day, after a very long 6 months of waiting for Luke and Leia to be able to enter the United Kingdom. It's an extremely expensive and lengthy process but it was more then worth it when I saw the dogs today!

So in getting ready I got them all new food and water bowls but they looked a little plain for me for I used some puffy paint and added the little dots and stripes to them. I think they turned out really cute and give them a little bit of uniqueness.

Over the past few weeks I have been so nervous thinking that something would go wrong with the dogs coming over here.

Today was the days after a long time they were on their. Although it didn't go perfect nothing that we couldn't handle.

Austin has to work so I went with my friend Wendy to go and pick them up. I would have been WAY to nervous to drive by myself. So after a long two hour car ride we got to the animal reception center. I told the woman my name and she went to find out how far along they were in the process. She came back staying she had the papers and they were cleared. She just needed to find out where they were and she would bring them out... So after more waiting I turned around and there they were! I was sooooo excited I got all teary eyed.

So after getting the crates loaded into Wendy's car we were on the road! It felt so weird having them with us in the car. We arrived home after over 3 hours(stupid London traffic) we were home just in time to show them their brand new back yard. Much bigger then the one we had at Laughlin. Then Austin got home, they were WAY more excited to see him then they were to me, or at least I think.

But after a REALLY long 6 months the dogs are here in there new home in England! It's gonna make the next 2.5 or more years so much better.

Scooter or Tokya or something

The May's have a new member of the family! His name was Tokyo, but we really dont think that suits him very much. He is a year old Cockateil that another Military member was giving away because he just didn't have time for him.

(Right out the cage he sat on my head)

(Giving Kisses)

(He is a really pretty bird)

We are so happy to have his as a member of our family. I think he will make a great addition to our family. It's going to be interesting to see how he does with the dogs and the dogs do with him.

Tomorrow we are gonna go to a couple of the pet stores in the area to get him some new toys and stuff to warm up his cage.

London Apartment

So we spent the last weekend in London for the Britney Spears concert. We stayed in a really AWESOME hotel. We had our own apartment that we shared with another couple we came to the concert with. It's great it was a two bedroom apartment with two bathrooms. It wasn't in the heart of London but we got a great deal 90 GB pounds per night. It's about 160 dollars, which in London is a GREAT deal. Trust me. It had a really nice view

(The view from one of the windows in the in the living area of the apartment)
(The view out the kitchen window in the apartment)
(The living "area")

It was a really great hotel and we are already planning our next trip to London because we just didn't have time to see everything or nearly everything we wanted to. We plan to stay at the same place even if it just hubby and me. Over all our London apartment ROCKED!!!

My First "TDY"

So I'm going on my first TDY for work if you can really call it a TDY. We are having a remote clinic at RAF Alconbury this thursday for work. It is only a day trip but I still feel special because it's like a TDY and I haven't even gotten to go on one.

I have been really busy getting prepared for it though pulling all the files and getting everything prepared so that it's easy as possible to get everything going. We leave really early to on Thursday we have to be at work at 645 which is like almost two hours before we normally would. I think it will be a great experence and hopfully I get to go on alot more!

Make that Number Two

So I'm now surviving my second TDY since we got here to England. Austin went to Sweden for the week and left me home! But oh well you gotta live with it. I'm trying to stay busy while he is gone, which seems to be going very well. The day that Austin left I had work and about half way through the day I started getting a sore throat. I made it through the day but crashed as soon as I got home.

Saturday I woke up feeling pretty crap but knew I had alot to do that day. I started with going to the bank, then took my car to get it's MOT done. MOT is a compulsory annual test of older motor vehicles for safety and exhaust fumes(pulled definiction off the net). Needless to say it didn't pass, they say I need new brake disks, and a couple light bulbs are out but those are the easy fix. So needless to say my very first paycheck from work is going to getting my car fixed. But we got a really good deal on the car so I guess this makes up for it. By the time I had finished the MOT I felt horrible and just wanted to go back to bed, but I didn't. Instead I went to Jess' baby shower, she is a really sweet girl I met at work who expecting a little girl in September. Once I got home from that I was really tired so I got into my PJ's and just hung out around the house.

Sunday I slept in for the first time since I started work. I woke up this morning feeling alot better but decided to just kinda hang out around the house and rest so that I was feeling good for my week. I did go and put gas in my car and get some grocerys for the week that hubby is gone.

Now I'm watching TV and getting the house straightened up for the next week. I always feel better about starting my week with a clean house and having all the dishes and laundry done. I'm ready to start my week!

Week one DOWN

So I started my first job here in England on Monday! I'm a Veterinary Operations Clerk at the Vet Clinic on RAF Feltwell. It's about 10 Miles from where we live in the opposite direction from where Austin works. It takes about 20 minutes to drive to work everyday, but the drive is totally worth it! The drive is so peaceful and and really pretty.

As for the job it's GREAT! I love what I'm doing and working with Animals is what I really want to do. I have also made some new friends, everyone seems really nice. So I made it through my first week and it was really great. I feel like I'm picking things up really fast and it all seems to make sense!

I survived my first week of work and think I'm really gonna love this job!

Flowers

I love all the flowers they have here in England! It's great because every weekend I can go to the market and get fresh flowers for my home. Plus there are daffodils everywhere here. They are one of my favorite flowers.

It's funny because I don't have a green thumb at all, my mother would not be proud. She always had the most beautiful flowers and could make anything grow. I on the other hand can't make seem to keep anything alive. I want to plant a lilac brush in the front yard because I love them and they are sooo pretty and always smell really good.

We love England so much and it's seems like everything have just bloomed overnight. Everything here is so green and lush. It's hands down one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I know I'm so blessed to live here and I want to live every minute to the fullest while we are here. Not everyone gets a chance to live here and so I want to make sure I enjoy every moment we are here.

We are so happy being here and can't wait to see what happens next. We are planning all the places we want to see while we are here. I think we are gonna need to live here at least 4 years if not longer to see it all. Over all life is good and we love out new home.

The First!

Well yesterday I dropped Austin off for his first TDY here at RAF Mildenhall. We are both so excited that he is going to get to travel so much while we are here.

For his first TDY here he sure got a good one! He went to Finland for a few days. Being alone in the house is really kinda weird. It's hard because I have never stayed alone without having Luke and Leia here. As everyone knows my dogs are my kids, and they keep me company when Austin is gone. On top of that our house makes funny noises! It's a brand new house why does it make noises.

So to keep myself busy I went with the Janes to Bury St Edmunds for some shopping. Retail therapy always helps! I got some fabric to work on some quilts and we will see how it all goes. My first quilt is gonna be one for my baby sister Emily, I hope I have it done by her birthday!

I interviewed for my first job here. It's at the Vet here at one of the bases. I'm hoping to start out working the front desk and then which over to be a Vet Tech when we spot becomes available. I haven't heard anything back yet but I hope to hear something this week. It would be the perfect job for me, and I know I would be really great at it! So everyone please keep your fingers crossed that I get the job.

Other than that life goes on! I love being in England and it's soooo wonderful here and it really feels like I fit into everything here. Plus I love the lifestyle! Everything moves alot slower pace and lets face it I love a slower pace!

An update on us!

ok I know I have been totally horrible about updating but life has been soooo busy! Where to start! Well we made it to England and spent the first three weeks here in the hotel on RAF Mildenhall. While we were there we found out new home! It's a small 3 bedroom bungalow in Lakenheath Village. It's about 10 mins from RAF Lakenheath and 20 mins from RAF Mildenhall. We met Austins office and everyone is REALLY REALLY nice!

On the 7th of march we moved into our new house! One of the things we love most about it is that fact that it's right around the corner from some new found friends we have made here. Lakenheath village is big enough to have what we need but small enough that everything is walking distance and it feels like a quaint little English village.

We had about a week to get everything as set up as we could until our first house guest was going to arrive. My little sister Lindsay was coming to spend a week with us for her spring break! We didn't know a whole lot about area by this point but we have good friends who have been here for two and half years and they have taken us all over showing us where to go and what to see. We took Lindsay to see Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds and a few other places around here. Also while Lindsay was here we celebrated my 22nd birthday! We went out to a real English pug to show Lindsay what England was all about! Good food and beer! Our week went way to fast and we wish she could stay longer. But we know she will back to visit alot while we are here.


Since then nothing to eventful has happened. We got the house pretty much all set up except for the garage and my craft room. Which hopefully by the end of this week will be totally set up too! We are over half way through the 6 months untill the dogs can come over. I can't wait! It will really make everything feel like home if when they get here. Have them playing in the yard and taking them on walks through the village.

Over all Life in England is wonderful we love it here and it feels just like home!

Back home for a while!

On Sunday we arose EXTREMELY early to catch our flight home to Alaska! We got the air port with lots of time. The flights weren't that bad although our second flight form Minneapolis to Anchorage was PACKED I didn't see an empty seat on the flight! We were really tired through the whole trip bit made it safely! After arriving in Anchorage we went straight to my grandparents house where they were waiting patiently for us to arrive. Here are two pictures of us on the the plane! It was a long ride and we are bored quickly!

Soon all of the family arrived for dinner! It was great to see everyone and see how excited they were to see us! Sometimes I think they were more excited to see Austin then they were to see me. But they hadn't seen him in over two years! I was amazed to see how tall Emily has gotten she is WAY taller then me and almost passing up Austin!

After dinner we went the Knapps which it where Austin and I always stay they are like a second set of parents and we really enjoy staying there! after visiting for a while Austin and I went to bed mainly because we have been up for like 20 hours by this point and had been traveling and frankly that wears a person out.

The next morning to got up and had dutch baby pancakes with Joanna and Dave. I LOVE those pancakes they are the best! After packing our stuff up and showing Joanna and Dave the houses we are looking at in England dad and Emily arrived. We put all our stuff in the car and went to get coffee run by best buy to pick up and couple of things and were on the road to Homer.

All of us and Shannon the dog crammed into the car it was a tight fit and headed on the 4 and half hour drive to home. Our first stop was Girdwood because lets face it you know coffee always makes you have to pee! lol

So once back on the road we drove for like an hour and half and then stopped in Hope for Lunch. Now if you ever get the chance to go to Hope Alaska go! It's a wonderful place and such a cute little town! While you are there you have to go to the Tito's Discovery Cafe for lunch or dinner they have wonderful food there and some of the best pie you can have! Then take you time and drive around Hope it may not look like much but it's a great place and the people are the nicest! It's 28 miles out of the way if you are driving two Seward or Homer but it's worth everyone mile once you get there and see everything there is to see while your there.

So after our stop to visit the quaint little town of Hope Alaska it was back on the road towards homer. A couple miles down the road was the spot along the road where my mother was killed in a car accident in 2006. We stopped to take some pictures of what we call Shari's creek after my mother. Although it was horrible to lose my mother she couldn't have died in a more beautiful place in my opinion!

Back on the road once again, we stopped in Soldotna to get gas and a couple of things for dinner this week. Then we drove the last hour and half to make it to my dad house in Homer. It felt great to be off the road and knowing we dont have to go anywhere at least for a couple of days. It's so great being home and I love the feeling of being back in my home state of Alaska and everything that is so wonderful that goes along with it!

New Running Shoes

So we went to the Galleria mall in Houston today, talk about over whelming! I saw stores today that I have never seen before in my life! Stuff I had read about or seen on TV, it was like heaven! If I had a couple of thousand to just spend I would go nuts in there. I walked around and just stared at everything. We went into a couple stores but most of them I was scared to go into.

After the mall we went to the New Balance store so Austin and I could get new running shoes! The man that helped us was so nice, watched us walk then fitted us for shoes! I got a pair of orange pair and Austin got a blue pair. It's funny because we picked out our shoes and the sales guy laughed, Austin and I got the same pair of shoes but in different colors and one was for woman and one for men!

My New Running Shoes!Austin's New Running ShoesHubby and my shoes together!

3x Thursday!!!

List the 3 most important things in your life, and why they are important to you.

Firsts things first! My husband, he is my world I love him to death and always want him to be happy. He is the love of my life and my best friend. He has been there through the toughest times in my life and is always there for me! If there is something that I want I know he is gonna try his hardest to get it for me!

Second thing would be definitely be my family. I have such a wonderful family and they are such a wonderful support for me and my life. We have been through alot but we are survivors and we tough it out! After my mother died things were really hard but we stuck together as a family and prevailed because we are a family.

Third would be my dogs. Talk about something that loves you know matter what. My dogs are my kids, they always have my back and when I have a bad day they are always there to make me feel better. Every time Austin is gone they are there to keep my company, and make sure that I'm ok!

I got my theme for this post right here!

Take5 Tuesday!

1. 5 things that have interested you lately. England, the really weird weather in Texas, please to visit once we get to England, learning how to use our new camera, getting organized really organized in 2009
   
2. 5 things you’ve researched recently. Taking our dogs into the UK, Houses to rent in the UK, Airplane tickets for Texas to Alaska, jobs in the UK, and life in the UK
   
3. 5 things you liked about the inauguration, (if you watched it.) All the people that came to see our new President, How well Bush Senior and Clinton seem to get along, Michelle's Outfits for both the day and at the ball, How many important people showed there support, His first speech as president
   
4. 5 things your looking forward to this year. Our move to the UK, In July our dogs coming the UK, my birthday, being able to travel, going back to work I really miss working!
   
5. 5 things you’ve watched recently. Simpsons, LOST, Star Wars Clone Wars, two and a half men, American Idol
   

I want Wednesday!

So I'm gonna try one of these a day and then I will also write whatever I want... Emily sent me a GREAT site to find different things to write about, it's at http://thedailymeme.com/ So here we go....

What I want this Wednesday is I want a house.

We are in the process of PCSing to RAF Mildenhall and have yet to arrive there as we are taking a month of the leave to visit family because heading for the England. I have this horrible feeling of being homeless even though I know we aren't I feel that there is no place for me and my husband our dogs and most of all our stuff... I'm the type of person who wants everything to have a place. Right now I don't feel that everything has a place, my stuff needs a place. So this week I want a house, a home for me and my family...

Me and Max

So after a quiet morning Austin and I went to a RC hobby shop to buy Austin a new RC helicopter. He is very happy with it and has already gotten it out to play with it.

As for me I'm spending the day relaxing and enjoying my furry companion Max, Austin's moms dog. We are watching the Inauguration of our 44 President of our United States of America. It is an extremely historical day for our country. I know that I think that our new President will do good things for our nation.

So back to me and Max we are gonna relax watch some TV (which he does do I know it's crazy) then take a nap. Austin and I leave for Alaska in about a week and half and I can't wait I wanna see my family and my home state. There will be alot to cram into a very short ten days.

My thoughts and prayers go out the Senator Ted Kennedy and his family, I hope that he will be alright and things will work out.

A day in the life...

of an Air Force wife who is PCSing... Let me tell you it isn't easy, I now understand why everyone said that the first PCS is one of the most trying times in a marriage. After the past few weeks between not getting our orders till 10 days before we were supposed to leave having only a days notice that the movers were coming, to finally seeing Laughlin in the rear view mirror then realizing that Austin left something back at his office and having to go back to get it.

Now we are finally out of Laughlin and moving on to our new life at Mildenhall. I'm so excited to see all of the new and wonderful things that life over seas has to offer. For now we are enjoying our time with hubby's family before we head to visit mine. Then the middle of next month we are off onto our new life and all of the new experenses life has to offer.

So I have been meaning....

to write in this more, I started it a while back and then never really got into it. Well it's a new year and I wanna try and start blogger more then I did last year... I got the idea from Emily to do the Where I've been Map! So here is mine! I know I dont live in the UK yet but I will be there in three weeks!