Monday, July 28, 2008

my day off!





The rain has ceased!!!! Seriously, its been so drizzly and gross lately. Today I was so happy to wake up and see sunlight peeking into my bedroom. Praise the Lord! I met Ashley my personal trainer at the gym and she worked me HARD, let me tell you what. Yikes, at least I know I'm getting my money's worth. Its a love-hate relationship we have...lol.

Katie met me in Soldotna to pick out some frames for my next step in my house beautification project (stay tuned for pictures). We enjoyed the tasty salad bar at Froso's for lunch and then I got an invite from Janine to join her on a walk.

Janine is my cousin Lance's wife. What a sweetheart- I'm excited to get to know her better now that I'm living in the area. We took the dogs on a walk around Kenai- we originally were going to walk the beach, but the dogs were a bit distracted by all the dip-netters so we took to the highway.
Janine & Sherman

I walk Lil' Anne

I love walking through cemeteries...















a noteworthy item:
my neighbors (two houses over) are pirates. no, seriously. i was warned by the previous renter that many men occasionally would come over and line up on their back yard with various guns, revolutionary muskets and cannons (yes, actual cannons) and shoot/fire them over the bluff. I have yet to be home to witness one of these "gatherings", but today as I pulled into my driveway, I noticed this flying for the first time...

this could prove to be an interesting neighborhood.... :)

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

the epitome of being Alaskan

dipnetting.

I know I had a post about this a few days ago, but I went out again today and took more pictures that will hopefully capture more of what this whole dipnetting phenomenon is all about. it seriously is a whole culture of its own and an interesting look at all different types of alaska residents that come out of the woodwork and join together on a handful of beaches on the peninsula every July to catch fish for their families. Only Alaskan residents are allowed dipnetting priviledges and can only harvest a certain amount of salmon (per member of their household). This year I am my own household so I can get 25 or 27 fish I think. My mom can get tons more though cuz she has a household of 5 (can't include me anymore)

We didn't catch much today. I finally left around 9 cuz I was freezing but Mom and Uncle Jim and Joel stayed and braved the brisk wind, rough waves and strong current. I hope they catch some to make it all worth it! I had fun even though I didn't get anything this time. Enjoy the pictures! :)

OH but hold up. BEFORE the slideshow, a word on fashion. Well, fashion may not be the appropriate word, but dipnetters most assuredly have a certain "look". It is not for beauty sake that we dress, and our outfits are more definitely NOT flattering. We dress for warmth. and to stay dry. and to cut the wind. :) Its a funny site. And everyone understands so although you might think it odd to see us wearing what we do in public, we don't bat a eye as we enter the grocery store or a 24-hr restaurant with our fishing gear on. It's what we do. It's our lifestyle. We don't have time to go home and change for the sake of fashion. We have our own style. SOOOO without further ado, the Thornton sisters display the multiple layers of a dipnetter...

the sexy long underwear. mine is definitely the real deal (check out the pee hole lol). Katie is just rocking some leggings (SOOO not authentic Alaskan wear)

Follow up with some sweatpants

sweatshirt, cap to pull back the hair (and avoid seagull crap) and thick wool socks - pulled over your sweats (sexy, I know! but we're not nearly done yet!)

Once on site at the beach, it's time to don some chest waders!

And finally, a good rain jacket to cut the wind and keep water from spilling in those chest waders

Ooo and after all that hard work dressing, make SURE you have your fishing license and dip netting permit! (AND a king salmon tag if you wanna keep any king you catch). I suggest placing it in a sandwich size ziploc and placing it in your rain jacket. You never know when the police or Fish-n-Game might ask you for it!

Well now that we're properly outfitted, let's head to the beach! Enjoy the videos and slideshow!






Monday, July 21, 2008

Taking care of His temple

So I joined a gym this past week. I decided to work with a personal trainer and met with her for the first time this morning. I'm excited to incorporate this into my daily routine and really start becoming healthier. I'll post pics of my progress and keep you guys updated :)

coffeeshops and open mic...

one of the things I love about the Kenai Peninsula is an abundance of coffee shops and live music. Last week on one night in particular I grabbed a friend who was in town and we made the circuit... first to the Youth Center for my brother Michael's band's first concert, then Kaladi Brothers to listen to Melissa, and lastly to Mugz to hear Katie accompany Kelsey (video clip of pretty harmonizing below...)
mmm organic parfait and mocha

The Funky Monkey has a modern feel

The Band Next Door's first concert

That's my brother!

Seeing Melissa (right) at Kaladi's

So fun to have her in town!

Kaladi's eccentric ceiling

Hey, we were just there!

Erin and Sammi show up for the fun!

Katie and Kelsey blend so well

That's my girl!
Coffee shops are the best place to hang out!


Jacob and Justin are mocking us

Erin





dipnetting adventures

This is the epitome of being an Alaskan, right here! :)








Sunday, July 6, 2008

my new casa!!!

here's the video tour.... this was right after moving in last Tuesday. It's gotten a little cuter since then... :)

downstairs:


upstairs:

Friday, July 4, 2008

Hot Tubing, Unwanted Advances and Babies

I'm officially moved in. I really like my new apartment! I took video footage of the new place but haven't had internet for long enough time slots to fully upload. But stay tuned...I'll post them sometime. I have been penny-pinching so paying umpteen some dollars for wireless hookup and a land line has suddenly moved WAY down on my priority list. :) I don't mind tho- I recently discovered a SWEET new family owned coffeehouse conveniently located on my way to/from my house and work. They serve AMAZING coffee and great food too- all organic stuff. mmm mmm good. And did I mention free highspeed wireless? Helloooo match made in heaven. I'm only slightly embarrassed to admit I've been there 4 times within the last couple days. They don't know me by name, but they know my drink order! :)

So I took off work Tuesday to unpack and get settled in the new casa. I was wiped by the end of the day and was just getting ready to go to bed when I heard a knock on my door. It was my old friend Justin (who is in town for the summer and staying next door), Jacob and a couple other peeps from the college age group that has recently been born. Their invitation, should i choose to accept it, was to join them in climbing down the steep bluff, run into the frigid water and climb back up the bluff and into the awaiting hot tub. I opted out of the first part but took pictures until hot tub time. Check out the view. *Note: this glorious view and amazing hottub is in the very backyard of yours truly!)









Somehow Erin & I were confused as to the theme of this shot

"Whoa bear!"





OKAY, time for a story....
Remember Fish Day on Monday? (see previous blog post for context) Well when I was walking on the beach with my new friend Adrienne, she mentioned that one of the middle aged (slightly creepy) male clients that was there on the beach had asked her if I was single and to put in a good word. She did not encourage him whatsoever but it was the subject of some humor as us female staff walked up and down the beach.
Well, when I came into my office yesterday morning (Wednesday), this is what greeted me:



The note went on to give his full name and number and to ask me please to call anytime, he "always has his phone on him". Finally, he urged me to keep smiling, because its beautiful.
At first I was certain this HAD to be a joke- Adrienne must be behind this...But an hour or so later it was confirmed that this bouquet and love note was most assuredly from this man. Adrienne said he had actually called her on Tuesday to see if I'd be in at work so he could have flowers delivered. When she told him that was not appropriate and was not a good idea, he replied with "why not? she's not MY counselor" and told her sometimes you "just know" and it was love at first sight. (Let it be known that I barely SPOKE to this man let along lingered in his company on the beach)

I was thankful that my group supervision was scheduled for that morning, so I was able to share this unexpected display of affection with my coworkers. It was helpful to hear more about this guy's nature and glean specific advice on how to tactfully reject his advances. Those of you who are probably actually reading this (hi roommates and lauras!) know that I dislike confrontation, so I delayed making the phone call until the afternoon. But I did it. It was horribly awkward and I had to explain boundaries and policy more than once, only to hear an irritated, "well, I'll just try again in November!" (whatever THAT means)

But now I can't say I've never received flowers from a man! haha... I was joking with the girls today...saying I know I prayed to find a man in Alaska, but I guess I need to be a little more specific. :)

After such a stretching phone call, I knew one thing that would immediately have a rejuvinating effect on my heart....

A BABY!!! So I stole a coworker's child from down the hall and had some quality one-on-one in my office. Seriously, how cute is HE!?