Sunday, April 28, 2013

Small step for bloggers, GIANT step for this baby blogger

As I stumble through this new found world of CSS, HTML and a lot more new foreign languages I find myself taking steps in the right direction.  You see, I've always loved languages.  ALWAYS.  From learning French at KinderCare, then HS, moving to Belgium for more practicing and jumping the pond to Español, language is a currency I fluently trade in.  This being said, a jump to a new language is exciting, invigorating and completely terrifying for me- but alas, I am making the jump.  Every blog, tutorial and google search is fueling my fire for this new land.  My first accomplishment- adding a new background!  I did this pretty easily but it's not completely fulfilling my design astetic...yet. 

Accomplishment #2- adding links!  I know there's this cute little button on my tool bar when creating a new post that says "Link" but how was I supposed to know how to actually execute this??  Ok, it's kind of self explanatory but still!  There isn't an instruction manual for creating the coolest blog in the world... it has to be searched for, like a right of passage.  As you can see here, I took on a little tidbit of this new language and won!   

Accomplishment #3- adding fonts!  While I haven't found out yet how to add them ALL, I did find a tutorial on how to add the fonts I downloaded from the kinch life to my WORD and copy/paste.  This may seem trivial and oh so easy from the new X, Y or whatever they are calling the High School kids now but for this *almost* 30- it's a big step!  Here are a few new outfits you will see for my words!


I can add things like this!

And THIS

And THIS

And THIS

And THIS
 
Learning to speak this new language isn't going to be as easy as Myspace or immersing myself in a new country, but I think it will be just as rewarding and FUN!  So as my blog goes through those awkward teenage years that helped shape each of us into the people we are, enjoy the ride and keep coming back to see what new adventures "The Ladds" have gone on, and how my new language is shaping up. 
 
Until next time...

Friday, April 26, 2013

Cordovaisms Vol. 1

Cordova is a very special little town.  There are things here that I haven't found anywhere else- no I'm not talking about unicorns, although if I look hard enough I could probably find one!  These volumes are going to give you a unique look at everything that makes you go... Oh, Cordova.

1.  Hitch hiking is a completely acceptable, safe and an encouraged form of transportation. 

Not only do most people know who you are but even if they don't they'll offer you a ride.  If you see a hitch hiker, like my husband and I did today, you pick them up like they were your best friend needing a drunk ride home.  Well... that's not at all unlikely either with 9 bars for 2,500 people, but I digress.  So if you're ever in Cordova feel free to stick out a thumb and chance fate- I'm sure you'll find a ride and probably make a new friend!

2.  If the sun's out- You're OUT.

In the land of the midnight sun and full of liquid sunshine, when that yellow ball in the sky makes an appearance- so do you.  Whatever you had planned that day get's put on hold and you gear up to soak up all the Vitamin D you can.  It's not uncommon to see local businesses closed or have some poor man, low at the totem poll manning the ship with an attitude that tells you he'd rather be elsewhere.  People that you swear moved out of town because you haven't seen them in 3 months, magically appear!  This bright light brings everyone and everything out of the woodwork!  

Here are some of the images and fun we had in the last two days. 
Sunrise 5:48-Sunset 9:31









Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Cannon Beach or bust!

A couple days ago we took a fast and furious trip!  In 72 hours we were in Seattle, Cannon Beach, Portland and back to Cordova, AK.  Whew!  Jet lag anyone? 
 
Go big or go home.  Because it's true. What do you have to lose. -Eliza Dushku
 
Well Eliza, sleep... but it was WELL worth it.  We took this F&F trip to see D's friend Ron get married!  Don't worry, we had fun along the way!  Case in point- our drive... and my awesome husband/navigator took us on a wild adventure!  Who needs major road systems?  Not the Ladds... rebels without a cause, that's us. 
 
Here are some pictures from our "road less traveled"
 
After 1.5 hours of Hills Have Eyes, back road fun we looked like this...
 
But finally we made it and found this...........aaahhhhh Goonie lovers everywhere gasp!

 
The next day we decided to take Cannon Beach by storm!  First stop- beach!
 
We found lots of treasure around Cannon Beach- crepes, Chocolate Café and so much more!  Check it out!

 
In the midst of all this exploring was the real reason we ventured down to Oregon!  Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Ron Cowgill!! 
 
Our Oregon trip would not have been complete without a check to one of my foodie desires!  We woke up at 2:30am just to drive from Cannon Beach to Portland and stop at--------VOODOO Donut!!  I have wanted to go here for so many years and never got a chance until now!  Look at these!  We chose a "Captain my Captain", "Bacon Maple Bar", "Old Dirty Bastard" and a "Chocolate Cake"!  Um... YUM!  Completely worth the wait!  We were in a food coma and gained like 20lbs! 
 
And with that, we headed back to the Final Frontier!  Until next time!
 

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

My Big Entrance

Why HELLO bloggers, friends, family and general voyeurs!  Thanks for coming to my little slice of sanity.  This blog will be an amazing, or not amazing, attempt at a creative outlet.  I'm a baby blogger so bear with me! 

Well, that's me!  My name is Annalee!  I am a 29 yr old woman, Coast Guard wife, pug mother, world traveler, chef wannabe, eternal dreamer, creative captive, tv lover, nature girl in training, new blog writer, and so SO much more! 

This blog will be about me and my life, laughs and everything in between!  So buckle up and hold on, it's going to be an adventure!

Annalee