Hello All
I hope this finds you all well.
I am happy to be reporting from the sales and marketing office for Pikes in Anchorage. I am really happy to have finally made it in to town from Palmer. If you haven't heard the Mat-Su Valley, Anchorage and Valdez got completely slammed with snowfall over the last 72 hours. It started snowing Monday night and has now finally stopped.
My son and I spent about two hours on Tuesday plowing (on a 4 wheeler) and shoveling the approximate 8 inches of snow that had fallen Monday night and Tuesday during the day. It was quite the workout. Also, that morning it took 2 hours for me to make the 40 mile drive into Anchorage.
It just kept getting worse and worse and by Wed. morning I was not willing to take the risk of driving into Anchorage while in a winter advisory. They were asking people to try and avoid the Glenn Hwy. if possible. I was not about to risk getting into an accident while I was responsible for taking care of my children and could not very well do that if I were in a car accident. Plus seeing all if the cars along the way in ditches and upside down all along the hwy on the way in was pretty scary.
Yesterday, I was all prepared to be brave and drive in to work, however, Mother Nature had other plans. I got to the end of the very long driveway and got Cameron on the bus and made it back to the garage. Next, I got Collin to the end of the driveway and on the bus. THat was about as far as I got. Yes. I was STUCK. Plus it was pitch black and I could not see a thing. I hiked back to the house, called in and said I was stuck and couldn't dig the car out until it got light.
Once it was finally light enough I hiked back to the car with my bucket of gravel and shovel. I took about 45 minutes but i got the car out and back into the driveway. At that point, I was not about to get on the roads and worry about getting stuck again.
I would not have been able to go anywhere if I needed to or wanted too, because when someone plowed the road, they had buried the entrance to the driveway. So, I was " stuck" once again. They ended up closing the Glenn for a while because an 18 wheeler had jack knifed and had to be cleared. I heard the number of accidents since Mon evening was up to 220.
I decide I am going to shovel the walk and at least clear the steps to the house. I had no idea that 13 inches had accumulated at this point. Man, it took 3.5 hours and it was quite the work out. I was really contemplating seeing if I could figure out how to use the 4 wheeler and the plow. Common sense took over and I had to wait till my son came home. I realized that while trying to shovel a path from the bus stop to the house for the kids, I figured out that was one of the dumbest things I had decided to do. Made a call to my ex who called Tracy who called her hubbby. Bubba who came and saved the day and came out to plow the driveway. I was so happy to see him that I cried. Well, it was the second time that day I cried. He did manage to get a good chuckle as he saw that I had tried to shovel a path in the driveway.
Bubba will be heading back out tomorrow to dig out my ex husbands truck that is buried under all of the that snow.
I also got a quick lesson on how to operate the 4 wheeler but I don't think I will be trying it by myself anytime soon.
So, that leads us to this morning, I am all psyched up for the trip into Anchorage. The driveway looks good, the roads in Palmer look ok however it was still snowing. I got a little sad but figured I would be fine.
Traffic was not too terribly bad but the roads are super slick and there is a lot of blowing snow. I did not let any other driver intimidate me and everyone seemed to be on their best behavior and not speeding like maniacs. All in all, it was still very harrowing and I did have to sit in the car in the parking lot for about 10 minutes while waiting for my legs to stop shaking.
This afternoon, I will be driving home in the daylight so that should be a little better.
So folks, that has been my little adventure that last couple of days and am now hoping for the last 24 hours I will be here to be non weather dramatic.
I would hope that all of you on the roads be safe and courteous and remember the road conditions are a bit treacherous and everyone needs to stay safe and have a Happy Holiday.
Till we meet again,
Cammerlyn
Friday, December 18, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Way windy in Anchorage
My editor is telling me to blog. Not a lot to report on around here but I will tell you about my flight coming home after my last trip to Anchorage since I am heading that way again tomorrow.My ex called me that morning to tell me that they were predicting 80 mile an hour winds in Anchorage. I had done my web check in and didn’t get any cancellation notices or anything so I assured him it would be fine.
Make my way to the airport that afternoon and everything is fine. Get on the plane and start the wait. Apparently another plane had a mechanical so we waited for those people to get on the plane.
The pilot tells us it may be a bit choppy on the way up. Understatement of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was VERY choppy. I was really scared. I am afraid I uttered a few curse words and promptly apologized to the man sitting next to me.
Now, while this crazy scary turbulence is going on, I am thinking about the game I had purchased my son for Christmas. It took me three months to find and was in my carry on bag. I started making plans to grab hold of the bag when I had to put my head between my knees for the impact. I was not about to lose that bag. My next thought was maybe I should put a note in and tell them where to deliver it if they found it when they would be collecting all of the debris from the plane. The only problem with that was I could not take my hands off the arm rest long enough to write the note.
When we were coming in to Fairbanks the turbulence was just as bad. The pilot was trying to tell us something but the only words you could actually here was” We will be on the ground in a few minutes.” The man next to me looked at me and said” One way or another”.
Much to all of our surprise, the landing was quite smooth. Now I am feeling like a complete coward. I felt much better when all of the men that were sitting around me started talking about the fact that they too thought we were going down.
I get off the plane and see the owner of the hotel and was shaking so bad all I could do was hand him the cards my children had made and say how scary the flight was and that I have to go now. He probably thinks I am crazy.
I make it into the van and get to the hotel and there is a line of people waiting to check in, so I don’t even bother taking my coat off but hop behind the desk and start checking in lots of people who had been on that same flight. They were still shaken as I was.
Sooooooooooo, I am hoping that there are no winds tomorrow when I head back to Anchorage or when I return the following Saturday.I hope you all have a great day and I will talk to you again soon.
Cammerlyn
Make my way to the airport that afternoon and everything is fine. Get on the plane and start the wait. Apparently another plane had a mechanical so we waited for those people to get on the plane.
The pilot tells us it may be a bit choppy on the way up. Understatement of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was VERY choppy. I was really scared. I am afraid I uttered a few curse words and promptly apologized to the man sitting next to me.
Now, while this crazy scary turbulence is going on, I am thinking about the game I had purchased my son for Christmas. It took me three months to find and was in my carry on bag. I started making plans to grab hold of the bag when I had to put my head between my knees for the impact. I was not about to lose that bag. My next thought was maybe I should put a note in and tell them where to deliver it if they found it when they would be collecting all of the debris from the plane. The only problem with that was I could not take my hands off the arm rest long enough to write the note.
When we were coming in to Fairbanks the turbulence was just as bad. The pilot was trying to tell us something but the only words you could actually here was” We will be on the ground in a few minutes.” The man next to me looked at me and said” One way or another”.
Much to all of our surprise, the landing was quite smooth. Now I am feeling like a complete coward. I felt much better when all of the men that were sitting around me started talking about the fact that they too thought we were going down.
I get off the plane and see the owner of the hotel and was shaking so bad all I could do was hand him the cards my children had made and say how scary the flight was and that I have to go now. He probably thinks I am crazy.
I make it into the van and get to the hotel and there is a line of people waiting to check in, so I don’t even bother taking my coat off but hop behind the desk and start checking in lots of people who had been on that same flight. They were still shaken as I was.
Sooooooooooo, I am hoping that there are no winds tomorrow when I head back to Anchorage or when I return the following Saturday.I hope you all have a great day and I will talk to you again soon.
Cammerlyn
Monday, December 7, 2009
Swim Suits in November
Hello all,
I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving. Last week I went to Anchorage. Weather was good the first day or two I was there.
Right before I went to the airport, a plan to take my children to H2oasis was plotted. Sure, sounds good in theory, however, I realized it may be a bit difficult as I had no bathing suit. Have you ever tried to find a bathing suit in November? Not an easy task.Especially over Thanksgiving.
I had to venture out on Black Friday in a snowstorm. ( not a normal practice, shopping on Black Friday)
I finally managed to find a Speedo suit at Sports Authority. I was a bit hesitant to put it on. ( as if going out in public in a bathing suit is not traumatic enough) I knew that if people saw the Speedo logo, this would imply that I was an athlete and not an aging, out of shape mom trying to make my kids happy by engaging in this water park.
I managed to swallow my pride and hope that I would see no one that I knew while at said water park. ( luckily, I did not)
It was quite an adventure and I would warn those who have never been on that Master Blaster, you must pick up your rear end when taking off as it can be quite painful. ( almost as painful as the terror of going out in public in the bathing suit)
After about 6 times of climbing three flights of stairs, I realized that I was really out of shape. Luckily the Lazy River was great and relaxing and thank goodness for inner tubes.The best part was that the kids had a blast and Mom got some exercise. I will remember to pack my bathing suit on my next trip in case I am called upon to brave the Master Blaster once again.
Until the next time,
Cammerlyn
PS My editor is back from vacation now, so I will post more often.
I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving. Last week I went to Anchorage. Weather was good the first day or two I was there.
Right before I went to the airport, a plan to take my children to H2oasis was plotted. Sure, sounds good in theory, however, I realized it may be a bit difficult as I had no bathing suit. Have you ever tried to find a bathing suit in November? Not an easy task.Especially over Thanksgiving.
I had to venture out on Black Friday in a snowstorm. ( not a normal practice, shopping on Black Friday)
I finally managed to find a Speedo suit at Sports Authority. I was a bit hesitant to put it on. ( as if going out in public in a bathing suit is not traumatic enough) I knew that if people saw the Speedo logo, this would imply that I was an athlete and not an aging, out of shape mom trying to make my kids happy by engaging in this water park.
I managed to swallow my pride and hope that I would see no one that I knew while at said water park. ( luckily, I did not)
It was quite an adventure and I would warn those who have never been on that Master Blaster, you must pick up your rear end when taking off as it can be quite painful. ( almost as painful as the terror of going out in public in the bathing suit)
After about 6 times of climbing three flights of stairs, I realized that I was really out of shape. Luckily the Lazy River was great and relaxing and thank goodness for inner tubes.The best part was that the kids had a blast and Mom got some exercise. I will remember to pack my bathing suit on my next trip in case I am called upon to brave the Master Blaster once again.
Until the next time,
Cammerlyn
PS My editor is back from vacation now, so I will post more often.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Why afterwork activities sometimes hurt more than work
Continued from previous post:
I went into work and left with just enough time to grab something to eat. I went to a fast food joint that I will never, ever step foot into again. I had to refrain from jumping behind the counter and taking care of all of the customers in line myself. After an extremely long and frustrating wait, I was finally served my stone cold awful food. I figured out after one bite, I needed to skip the meal. I could not get an employee to give me a comment card, so I just jotted down the number to call if I was dissatisfied with my service. (I never did call) Got into my car and headed out for my long drive to my appointment. Along the way, I was headed straight for a gigantic pot hole, the one and only car I passed on the 56.5 mile drive was in the other lane so I hit the pot hole and sure enough, ended up with a flat tire.
Now here I am, already running behind after trying to nourish my body and now I am stuck on the side of the road with no cell phone, no bug dope and no umbrella( Yes, it was now raining at this point). I could not figure out the jack as the picture on it did not match anything that I held in my hand.
I struggled for about 20 minutes and then two men in a truck pulled up and I now was trying to decide if I really needed help. All alone out in the middle of nowhere and the only form of protection I had was the tire iron. I held on to that for dear life but I had absolutely nothing to worry about. The men that had stopped to help were from the Transportation Squadron out at Eielson. They were great and had my tire changed quickly and I was on my way once again.
By the time I had made it to my destination, all I wanted to do was find a pay phone, make a call to the ex-husband and let him know I was going to be a little late picking up the kids.
I stop to tell the powers that be that I had missed my appointment and they could just keep my certificate. They decided I really needed the massage and they would find somebody for me. They suggested that I soak in the springs until then but I was freezing and did not have a swim suit so I passed it up. Hiked to find a phone card so I could use the phone, called and took care of the kids and hiked back to wait for the masseuse.
They finally located one and directed me to a cabin and instructed me to get on the table. It was heated and so comfy I told the masseuse she could just leave me there for 30 minutes and that would be all I needed. No, no such luck. She went to work and immediately I knew I was in trouble, she explained it would take way more that 30 minutes to help me. It was the most painful thing I have ever experienced. It was worse than the time I got run over by the van and it was worse than childbirth with no pain medication. I survived the session but was questioning why I had subjected myself to this pain.
I wobbled around trying to get dressed and then managed to make it home. I could believe how much pain I was in and the next day it was even worse. So, I still try and understand how something that is supposed to make you feel good can hurt so much. Needless to say, I have not gone to get another massage since then. I told my friends that if they ever decided to get me another gift, that chocolate and coffee would always be appreciated.
Cheers for now,
Cammerlyn
Recycle, Conserve Energy, and Prevent Pollution
I went into work and left with just enough time to grab something to eat. I went to a fast food joint that I will never, ever step foot into again. I had to refrain from jumping behind the counter and taking care of all of the customers in line myself. After an extremely long and frustrating wait, I was finally served my stone cold awful food. I figured out after one bite, I needed to skip the meal. I could not get an employee to give me a comment card, so I just jotted down the number to call if I was dissatisfied with my service. (I never did call) Got into my car and headed out for my long drive to my appointment. Along the way, I was headed straight for a gigantic pot hole, the one and only car I passed on the 56.5 mile drive was in the other lane so I hit the pot hole and sure enough, ended up with a flat tire.
Now here I am, already running behind after trying to nourish my body and now I am stuck on the side of the road with no cell phone, no bug dope and no umbrella( Yes, it was now raining at this point). I could not figure out the jack as the picture on it did not match anything that I held in my hand.
I struggled for about 20 minutes and then two men in a truck pulled up and I now was trying to decide if I really needed help. All alone out in the middle of nowhere and the only form of protection I had was the tire iron. I held on to that for dear life but I had absolutely nothing to worry about. The men that had stopped to help were from the Transportation Squadron out at Eielson. They were great and had my tire changed quickly and I was on my way once again.
By the time I had made it to my destination, all I wanted to do was find a pay phone, make a call to the ex-husband and let him know I was going to be a little late picking up the kids.
I stop to tell the powers that be that I had missed my appointment and they could just keep my certificate. They decided I really needed the massage and they would find somebody for me. They suggested that I soak in the springs until then but I was freezing and did not have a swim suit so I passed it up. Hiked to find a phone card so I could use the phone, called and took care of the kids and hiked back to wait for the masseuse.
They finally located one and directed me to a cabin and instructed me to get on the table. It was heated and so comfy I told the masseuse she could just leave me there for 30 minutes and that would be all I needed. No, no such luck. She went to work and immediately I knew I was in trouble, she explained it would take way more that 30 minutes to help me. It was the most painful thing I have ever experienced. It was worse than the time I got run over by the van and it was worse than childbirth with no pain medication. I survived the session but was questioning why I had subjected myself to this pain.
I wobbled around trying to get dressed and then managed to make it home. I could believe how much pain I was in and the next day it was even worse. So, I still try and understand how something that is supposed to make you feel good can hurt so much. Needless to say, I have not gone to get another massage since then. I told my friends that if they ever decided to get me another gift, that chocolate and coffee would always be appreciated.
Cheers for now,
Cammerlyn
Recycle, Conserve Energy, and Prevent Pollution
Friday, October 23, 2009
Painful Birthday Gifts
Good afternoon,
So today we are going to discuss massage. The reason this is the subject today is because Monday was Ursula’s (Pike's Catering Manager) birthday.
She was supposed to have the day off, but her morning person called in. We talked about how we have on rare occasion, cried because we have had to come in. It is usually on the rare occasion that we have made plans. Yes, I know, it comes with the hospitality territory. She left early after breakfast was all taken care of.
The next day when I came to work, I inquired on how the rest of her birthday went. She looked a little funny and was a little pale. She replied she was pretty sore, but good. She told me that her son had purchased a 90 minute deep tissue massage for her for her birthday. She then explained the painful process that she went through to make her feel better. At one point, tears were shed and it also involved a lot of yelling in pain. She walked stiffly around for most of the day but has decided she may go once a month to be tortured.
Now you hear all the time that people are going to get a massage to make them feel better but there is always pain involved. Not quite sure I understand that. I, myself had one and only one, experience with a massage and it was a complete disaster.
It started out as a gift from a friend. I did have to reschedule my massage three times due to work reasons. The 4th time I was supposed to go, I decided come hell or high water, I was going to make it to my massage appointment. Little did I know I would have been much better off missing it. To be continued...........
So today we are going to discuss massage. The reason this is the subject today is because Monday was Ursula’s (Pike's Catering Manager) birthday.
She was supposed to have the day off, but her morning person called in. We talked about how we have on rare occasion, cried because we have had to come in. It is usually on the rare occasion that we have made plans. Yes, I know, it comes with the hospitality territory. She left early after breakfast was all taken care of.
The next day when I came to work, I inquired on how the rest of her birthday went. She looked a little funny and was a little pale. She replied she was pretty sore, but good. She told me that her son had purchased a 90 minute deep tissue massage for her for her birthday. She then explained the painful process that she went through to make her feel better. At one point, tears were shed and it also involved a lot of yelling in pain. She walked stiffly around for most of the day but has decided she may go once a month to be tortured.
Now you hear all the time that people are going to get a massage to make them feel better but there is always pain involved. Not quite sure I understand that. I, myself had one and only one, experience with a massage and it was a complete disaster.
It started out as a gift from a friend. I did have to reschedule my massage three times due to work reasons. The 4th time I was supposed to go, I decided come hell or high water, I was going to make it to my massage appointment. Little did I know I would have been much better off missing it. To be continued...........
Monday, October 19, 2009
Exercise Equipment and the single Life
Greetings,
For those of you who do not know, I am single and have been forever and probably will be single forever.I have decided that there are definitely times when it does not pay to be single. One of those times is when attempting to put exercise equipment together.
Last Sunday I went and bought the AB Lounger. (Yes, I definitely need some help in that area) I got it home and started the process of trying to put it together.
The written instructions are great if you have an engineering degree which I happen to be lacking. After about two hours I gave up. Figured I had had a good enough mental workout which would suffice instead of the physical workout. My attempt looked nothing like the end product should have looked like and I knew there was no way I was going to be able to actually get on it and accomplish anything.
The next day after work, I went home and dismantled the work that I had done the day before. Turned the instruction manual over and went strictly by the picture.
Boy that method worked so much better! Had the whole thing put together in about 45 minutes. Hopped right on and exercised away. Granted, the whole time, I was afraid it all might crash right down to the floor but I made it through in one piece.
I will have to admit defeat when it comes to the mini trampoline because right off the bat, as the instructions list two strong men on the list of things I need to put it together. I will just have to cross that bridge another day.
Till we meet again,
Cammerlyn
For those of you who do not know, I am single and have been forever and probably will be single forever.I have decided that there are definitely times when it does not pay to be single. One of those times is when attempting to put exercise equipment together.
Last Sunday I went and bought the AB Lounger. (Yes, I definitely need some help in that area) I got it home and started the process of trying to put it together.
The written instructions are great if you have an engineering degree which I happen to be lacking. After about two hours I gave up. Figured I had had a good enough mental workout which would suffice instead of the physical workout. My attempt looked nothing like the end product should have looked like and I knew there was no way I was going to be able to actually get on it and accomplish anything.
The next day after work, I went home and dismantled the work that I had done the day before. Turned the instruction manual over and went strictly by the picture.
Boy that method worked so much better! Had the whole thing put together in about 45 minutes. Hopped right on and exercised away. Granted, the whole time, I was afraid it all might crash right down to the floor but I made it through in one piece.
I will have to admit defeat when it comes to the mini trampoline because right off the bat, as the instructions list two strong men on the list of things I need to put it together. I will just have to cross that bridge another day.
Till we meet again,
Cammerlyn
Monday, October 5, 2009
Norwegian hunters at Pike's
Greetings all,
Hope everyone is doing well. Getting ready for winter I would imagine.
Now, I know that in my job, I occasionally have to do things outside of my “other duties” category, but I just want all of the hunters out there to know that I do not have a clue how to get your trophies to your home locations.
I am writing to plead that you do not leave moose racks and hides in the bell closet. You must take care of this yourself.
Also, if you need trophies shipped to Norway and I am supposed to take care of this, you need to leave me much more information.
Like, how much does it way. And on a side note, UPS does not ship to PO boxes. I will do my best to assure you all that the trophies make it to their final destination, but I would be very happy if this was not left up to me.
I know it is a short blog but I am about to leave and go decorate for an event that I must attend tomorrow evening and then make it home to have a nice relaxing end to my birthday.
Cheers,
Cammerlyn
Hope everyone is doing well. Getting ready for winter I would imagine.
Now, I know that in my job, I occasionally have to do things outside of my “other duties” category, but I just want all of the hunters out there to know that I do not have a clue how to get your trophies to your home locations.
I am writing to plead that you do not leave moose racks and hides in the bell closet. You must take care of this yourself.
Also, if you need trophies shipped to Norway and I am supposed to take care of this, you need to leave me much more information.
Like, how much does it way. And on a side note, UPS does not ship to PO boxes. I will do my best to assure you all that the trophies make it to their final destination, but I would be very happy if this was not left up to me.
I know it is a short blog but I am about to leave and go decorate for an event that I must attend tomorrow evening and then make it home to have a nice relaxing end to my birthday.
Cheers,
Cammerlyn
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