Did you know?

that a quick run through the airport is a great way to lessen your anxiety about flying? I knew exercise helped, which is why the dogs and I took a one hour walk today, but I didn't know that I should just make it a habit to run from one gate to the other. I went the wrong direction in Houston to the "B" terminal and ended up having to go through security again. So, I called my receptionist to look up the next flight b/c I was supposed to be boarding as I was waiting in line. Turns out...the flight was a bit delayed b/c of a couple broken seats. Yep, I ran for nothing but the exercise was good for me anyway :)

I'm home for a couple days. Pretty tired and hoping to get to bed early tonight. JT and I are thinking about going to a movie tomorrow. Either The Prestige or The Departed. It'll be nice just to be home and spend time with JT. I'm sooooo ready to be done traveling.

Basil is full of piss and vinegar, and whining, as usual. He just seems to get so worked up after I've been gone. Right now, he's just staring at me...praying that I'll let him outside :) It's a good thing he's cute!

Back from Alaska

And back on the road again today. That's right, less than a week at home this time. I'm off to TX until Friday evening, home for the weekend, then out to NJ on Sunday night. Then I'm done until mid-November. So, as with any day of a flight, I'm feeling anxious. Gonna have to start getting ready in about 30 minutes, maybe 15 :)

So, Alaska was beautiful and the meetings were great. Not sure if I mentioned it but there was a very small earthquake while I was there. I was laying in bed when it started to move a bit. I knew it was an earthquake but I tried to convince myself it was a truck, meanwhile I was looking for the closest door jam to get under. But, it turned out to be very minor.

I'm also posting a few pics of Basil at the beach. I can't believe how much he loves it there.

Ok, I better start getting ready soon so I'm off...take care.

I saw MOOSE! I saw MOOSE!

After looking for two days, including going out during lunch at our meetings, I finally saw moose. I saw two young male moose in a park and a baby moose in the woods...so cute and so cool! So far, I've taken nearly 100 pictures, can't wait to develop them. We went to the Alaska Native Heritage Center for dinner and saw some native dance. It was unlike anything I've seen...such a rich history. Dinner was nice. Then a few of us girls went to the Wildberry Company for some quick souvenir shopping. A full, busy day but it will be well worth being tired. I'm missing JT something terrible so he WILL be coming with me the next time! Time for bed :)

I saw BEARS!!!

It was through a telescope, but I saw a momma and her two cubs. Way up in the mountains. There were goats too :) It was so exciting! Sharon and I spent the day sight-seeing. We drove down the coast, up to Flatop, around town, then Benihana's for dinner. Alaska is just so beautiful. It wasn't this beautiful the first time I was here, which was during the ice break. Now, I just want to see a moose. A couple at Benihana's suggesting a park nearby where they like to congregate...big bull moose. I'm hoping to have some sunlight left Wednesday to go check it out.

Safe and Sound

I've arrived in Anchorage safely, maybe not so soundly though :) It was a LONG day of travel, followed by an very short sleep. For some reason, I woke up after 4 hours of sleep and haven't been able to go back to sleep. Ah well...I watched the sunrise, which is at about 8:00am up here. Think I'm going to call Sharon and take the short drive to Alyeska (hope I spelled that right). It's about 45 minutes from here but the drive is along the coast and there are quite a few parks around. I really want to see a moose and I think Sharon really wants to see a glacier. Maybe we can kill two birds with one stone.

Also hoping to hit the grocery store (water, fruit, healthy stuff) and the downtown Anchorage area. There's a book store there that carries this great Alaskan author. I could really use a massage but since I have a pedicure the day after I get back, I think I'll pass. But, a nice hot shower is definately in my future.

I ran in to another subsidiary staff member while getting my rental car and she asked if she could get a ride b/c she didn't want to get a car then proceed to get lost. It was kind of nice to have the company in a strange place. We grabbed McDonald's then headed back to the hotel. So, today is mine then meetings for the next 3 days.

I did have a bit of frustration with my travel. Besides the fact is was bumpy pretty much the entire way from Houston to Seattle...yep, Seattle. You see, my itinerary said noting about Seattle, just Houston to Anchorage. But, we did stop in Seattle. I guess there is a difference between a "direct" flight and a non-stop flight. Not good to throw that at a person with anxiety. JT was able to get me the information about flight times and layovers though so that helped a lot. At least I didn't have to change planes.

Ok, I think it's time for that shower :) I'll try to write more tomorrow and take a bunch of pictures.

Matching shoes are overrated

So, today I wore two completely different shoes to work! Yep...one black, one brown, and both had different heel heights. And I didn't even realize it until I walked into the elevator. Fortunately, my coworker had a clean pair of socks, which I promptly put on my feet and proceeded to tell everyone that my feet were cold - whatever works and keeps me from looking like a nut. I think I need a vacation. Or at least a good nights sleep.

Jenny kept me up most of the night. She wanted out at 11pm, 1:30am, then barked for 30 minutes, up again at 3:00am (JT let her out that time). She better sleep tonight or she might find herself in the back room with the door closed. I'm pretty sure she just wants to play and chase whatever not-so-furry woodland creature might be outside.

I'm off to Alaska on Saturday and I seem to be more anxious than normal. I think it's the idea of being on one plane for 9 hours...not to mention the other 5 hours of travel time. The plane will be big, which I like, but I think I'm worried I'll get bored or uncomfortable and then I'll just have to deal with it. Guess my carry-on will be packed to brim. I did have to dig out my winter coat, scarf and gloves - that was fun :)

Ok, off to check the clothes in the dryer, work on my packing list, and set the DVD recorder to tape Grey's Anatomy...because I plan to be asleep by the time it comes on.

What a way to start a Saturday

I was up early again at 5am, which is actually about an hour more sleep than I've been getting lately (but I digress), to let the dogs out. Well, they took off after something. This, of course, is not good because I have no idea what type of not-so-furry woodland creature they might be after. Turns out it was an armadillo. It was a small one so it must have been young. The little thing looked so scared and just ran off once I distracted the dogs. I've heard dillos are mean and I'm sure they carry parasites (kind of like a rat with a shell). So, that's the start to my day but nobody is any worse for the wear but I'm certainly wide awake now.

I've actually spent the whole week at home and I have a three day weekend. Yes, we get Columbus Day off, which is pretty cool b/c it lets me run errands on a day when there aren't a lot of people out. No big plans exept maybe a trip to the outlet mall. I've already started Christmas shopping. I'm hoping that planning ahead will help save some money.

Well, off to the dog park soon so I better get up and get going.