Sunday, April 19, 2009

Things To Do Before We Leave

We are down to the last few days here in Tulsa and I've been thinking of some things that need to get done before we go- other than finishing packing.  I LOVE Alaska and I LOVE living there, however- when you live in that part of the world, there are just some things that are not readily available.  This is my last week to do and buy some of those "Lower 48" things!
1. Eat at Pei Wei.  Oh my goodness- I will miss this place.  I get several cravings a month for Pei Wei- but we have restrained ourselves and only eaten there or got take out from there a couple of times in the last several months.  We have "heard" that Anchorage is getting a P.F. Changs (they also own Pei Wei) but whether it's true or not remains to be seen.  Anchorage is also 6 hours from Fairbanks, so it's not like we can just get a fix whenver we want!
2. Krispy Kreme.  No such thing can be found in the great land of Alaska.  Need to drive by when the "hot now" sign is on so that we can have one last melt in your mouth yeasty donut before we leave.
3.Target.  Anchorage now has a Target.  Wasilla might have one as well.  There was one slated for Fairbanks, but got put on the back burner, I think due to the recession.  I MUST go in for one more browse before we go, because, like P.F. Changs, the closest Target will be 6 hours away.
4. The mall.  The mall in Fairbanks- The Bentley Mall- is affectionately referred to by locals as "The Bentley Hall".  It's size is comparable to one end section of a small mall here in the Lower 48 and it's anchored by a Safeway on one side and a Michael's on the other.   Now- I'm not a mall junkie, but do occasionally enjoy looking and letting the girls play in the play area.  The major department store in Fairbanks- Gottschalk's- is closing, so I best get my department store fix, too!  Anchorage has a great J.C. Penney's and a couple of "decent for Alaska" malls- but again- 6 hours away.
5.Enjoy some good fresh produce.  Alaska doesn't get the best produce in the world and it's DANG expensive!!  The bananas are WAY green in the grocery store and taste awful- I think because they have to pick them so early to get them all the way to Alaska before they go bad.  Melons- holy cow.  Can you say $10 for a watermelon??? $10 for cantaloupe???  Tomatoes aren't near as sweet.  And the Alaskan grown tomatoes- they may look nice and get big, but tomatoes need heat and people, Alaska doesn't get HOT!  Apples are always consistently good- which is a great thing, because my kids love apples!
6.Bath and Body Works.  I'm not aware of Anchorage having a Bath and Body Works- they may have since we moved back.  I need to stock up on anti-bacterial hand soap and my yummy smelling hand sanitizer.  I know I can order online, but who really wants to pay for shipping???  And shipping is NEVER free to Alaska!
These are just a few things off the top of my head that I came up with- I'm sure if I asked Jeff, he could list off a dozen other things that are here in the Lower 48 and not in Alaska.  I'm sure you'll all here about them, too, after we move and begin to miss some of our favorite stuff!  One thing that is greatly loved in our house is GOOD COFFEE and Alaska has an abundant supply on every street corner of GOOD COFFEE!  We should be just fine! :)

7 comments:

Joanne said...

Wow - Target would be a hard one for me! Why are you moving to Alaska? I'm sure it's on your blog somewhere, I just haven't had a chance to read back far enough. Good luck with your move! Are you nervous about Jada's care when you move? That's one thing my husband and I talk a lot about when we talk about moving away from Texas... we want to make sure we're going to a place that has lots of options care-wise for Elise. I pray that you have a safe journey to your new home.

Just Momma said...

Okay, so what is the difference between Lenox and Alaska? :) I could probably give up everything as long as the Coffee is good. Isn't it interesting how we get so use to things and then wonder how we would ever live without? Have a safe trip on your new adventure and in the words of my kids, "Mom, don't make this a field trip for school." :)

Jen said...

Well, anything you decide you need once you get there, all you have to do is name it and I'll mail you what you need! I hope you get some rest in between packing and managing your family!

Hugs,
Jen

Jill said...

LOL to the comment about Lenox & AK. Hee, hee So true...I had to go without internet, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, & Pei Wei in IA. But Target...girl, you're so brave & sacrificial. I could live w/o Starbucks 'cause i can make coffee cheaper at home, but life without Target?! I just don't want to imagine that world. It sounds like a nightmare! *LOL* Should I mail you a Target bag every now and then for the nostalgia? ;)

Jen said...

Thanks for the gluten-free blog tip. I'll definitely check it out. I thought about you as I was at first resistant to doing this because it would inconvenience me...it's a life or death matter for your sweet girl - it's not a matter of convenience. I needed to change my thinking. My son is so worth a little inconvenience and then some! I just finished baking a pan of GF brownies and a dozen GF cupcakes so that when he has a class party I can send him an alternative dessert. I think with some planning on my part it won't be as hard as I feared at first.

Shamae (Ghost written by Loren her hubby) said...

I hope you get it all done!!! Good luck! My aunt lives in Juneau and I went there to visit once and their produce didn't taste the same either. But you do have some of the best scenery in the country!!

Anonymous said...

Well my dear.. there is two targets, in Anch and in Wasilla.. AND if my sources are correct we should be getting at target by Dec of 2010, early 2011.. this is what I am hearing.. so we will have a little target break, then we will get one and we can fall in love with it all over again!! :) I have my fingers/toes crossed. I love my Target!

I also will be bummed about B&B.. My momma is going to keep me stocked.. so let me know we could do some bulk orderin!