Been Snowin'

It's snowed a few times in Fairbanks. But just today I actually got my butt out in the -10 degree weather and took some pictures. I just went over to the park that is adjacent to my house on base in the middle of the day on one of my random days off. 

I didn't think I would get such cool shots. Since I know nothing about photography.

I posted the last picture on my Instagram (frenchie_mom) and a professional photographer asked if he could use it for magazine print. I don't really care either way if he uses is or not, or if he gives me any credit. I just think its cool that I was out taking random pictures in freezing ass cold weather and when I looked to my left, the sun was starting to set and it was just BEAUTIFUL shining through the trees. I barely even know how to use my nice Canon camera,

#nofilter

Of course, the sun was setting at like 3pm. So it was easy to be out and about to be available to catch it. 

I'm trying to get proficient at taking photos of the aurora, or the Northern Lights. James bought me a new lens for the Canon that is more appropriate for capturing the lights. I need a tripod and a remote switch to take the photos without touching the camera. I promise someday I will be able to post beautiful pictures I've taken of the aurora on my blog. As of yet, I've only seen it with my eyes. 

The Frenchies Wear Boots

Since it has snowed, and the temperature has stayed averaging 0 or below, the frenchies are not too keen on going outside to potty. Picasso is a trooper and he has just reduced his bathroom frequency requirements. Gertie has chosen to just use the restroom in the house in places I cannot supervise completely. Apparently she thinks I will like to find random dog poo in the kitchen or on the landing upstairs. 

She's wrong. 

I know it's cold. It's averaging 0 lately....

I just started to plug my car in while I work all day. By the time I'm off work, my car has sat over 12 hours out in the elements. Now that it's below 0, I need to be concerned that the battery will be too cold for the engine to start. Most of the parking spots at the hospital (and all around Fairbanks) have little towers at the head of parking spots that have outlets for you to plug your car in to. 

Anyway, this is not good weather for french bulldogs. They require pretty moderate temperatures to flourish-- not too hot and not too cold. This is too cold, FYI.

I was prepared to dress the frenchies with coats before we moved to Fairbanks. Each frenchie has 2 coats each, 2 NICE coats each. I bought one set and their wonderful Aunite Rosie purchased their second set (how much does she LOVE them; there is a reason she is their gods mother). I had to purchase booties for the frenchies once I got here. This has been... interesting.

Neither of them like their booties. I bought color coded booties (purple for her, red for him) while up here because it was brought to my attention their feet will be really cold. I didn't think of that for some reason. I thought about their bodies, but not their little paws!

They both loathe their booties. I tried their booties on each dog on different occasions. I tried Gertie first, mostly because she is more easy going and agreeable to weird things. If someone was going to kidnap one of my dogs, it would be Gertie. But she was so embarrassed to wear her booties that she kicked Picasso's ass for simply being present. Nothing is more sad than seeing a dog fight while one is wearing small purple booties.

A few days later, I tried Picasso's booties on. He is not a fan of his feet being touched, which is why I didn't start with him in the first place. He has historically been a hater of his feet being touched.

So I was super wary of touching his feet. He didn't really have much of an issue with me physically putting boots on his paws. He didn't try to bite me or anything. 

Taking the booties off was another story. He tried to bite me with each paw I tried to disrobe. He was so embarrassed that he wouldn't take another step further off the back porch,

I don't think the outlook of bootie wearing is positive in the DeGraf-Buckley household. This winter should prove to be interesting.

#firstalaskanwinter

My House

We decided to move on base. This is the first time I've even considered living in on-post housing. Usually there is much left to be desired when it comes to government quarters. But the housing here on Fort Wainwright is nice. There are some neighborhoods that look a little more hood than others. The neighborhood I was placed in is very nice. 

Front of the house.

Fenced back patio (frenchie approved).

I have a corner unit in a row of 4 town homes and the house is at the end of a cul-de-sac. I have a 3 bedroom, 3 bath home. That's a whole lot of space for just me, James and the frenchies! I have not finished decorating but most of our stuff is unpacked enough to share some pictures of my new digs.

New chairs in my HUGE living room.

The kitchen. There is a dining room on the other side of the counter.

Guest room. Come visit!

So far I am really happy with this decision to live on base. I am literally a 3 minute drive from work. That is going to be wonderful in the winter. Now, if only my house in Tennessee would sell, I'd be all set!

I'm Back

Alright, so there was a leave of absence from my blog. I didn't think anyone read it. And I was personally losing interest since I have been back in school. But I visited friends and family this summer and everyone was like, "WTF." So, due to overwhelming requests to continue sharing my adventures, here I am. 

I'm between homes right now. That's the nice way of saying homeless. I wouldn't go so far as to refer to myself as a free range human because I am still employed. But I definitely do not have a home. James and I packed the frenchies into my car and we put Fort Campbell in our rear view and Fort Wainwright in the GPS. 

So here we are, en-route to Alaska for a 3 year adventure in the last frontier. 

New Hobby

I realized the other day that I don't have any hobbies. 

I mean, I read. I read a lot. But since I started going back to school, I haven't picked up a book for leisure. (That kind of makes me sad now that I think of it.) The only thing I do on the weekends for fun is road march 6 miles with my friend Tracy. That's actually not something that falls into the "fun" category. I have not been drinking nearly as much as I used to because my hang overs are EPIC. So I don't have that hobby anymore... 

I need a new hobby.

I knew how to crochet when I was younger. But after years of not doing it, I completely forgot how. I figured it might be a handy skill to have since I will be PCSing to Alaska next year. So I had good old YouTube reteach me. 

Right now my skill level is strictly scarf making. I figure if I get good at it again and learn a bunch of different stitches I can make afghans. And if I get really good, I can learn to make dog sweaters, which lets face it, that's the dream. I want the frenchies to be very fashion forward. Its hard to look good in cold weather.

It's good to have a hobby. Now I just have to get really good at it. I have a year to prepare before the dogs need sweaters.

On Assignment

After months and months of going back and forth with my branch manager and my retention NCO, I am very happy to report that I am finally on assignment. I actually got something that I wanted and wasn't stuck taking the lesser of evils.

I'm on assignment to go to Fort Wainwright, Alaska. My branch manager was able to slot me in MEDDAC. I've never worked MEDDAC before. The idea of doing something so outside of the realm of anything I've done before is a bit daunting. Some people love working in the hospital, and others really hate it. But I am excited. I'm excited to go somewhere I've never been and work a job I've never done.

My report date isn't until late 2016. December, actually. I'll try to request early report so I don't have to drive through Canada in the winter. I'm so excited! I will have to get snow boots for the Frenchies!

Alaska bound!