Moving... Wait.. What???

Lets Do This!

Okay so since 2007 I have been Fractured Fairy Tales. But for a little over a year I have felt like I wanted to change. Or at least move to wordpress. I have finally decided to take the plunge and move over. I have brought all my old blog posts with me. But I have changed my name. From here forward I will be ADVENTURES IN ALANA LAND!  I am very excited about this change. I am also hoping to take this opportunity to blog and vlog more. The semester is winding down and I only have two classes left to finish and I am hoping to wrap them up in the next couple of days. I have 4 credits this summer, and I am hoping they will be easy ones. So on to funner things, Photography, Blogging and Vlogging!

I hope you enjoy the new page! Head on over and let me know what you think!

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Re-branding

I have been thinking about rebranding the last couple of weeks. Changing my name, and moving to wordpress. I've been fractured fairy tales since day one. Way back in 2007 when I first started writing, just for fun, as my own personal diary.  I don't really know what I would call myself.  Maybe  "Alana's Little Adventures"  "Adventures of Alana"  "Little Adventures"  "Alana Loves Wine" 

I dunno. But I feel like it's time for a change. 


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No Title

Hey friends!
I wanted to drop in and say hello!
I've finally finished the history class that was taking up all my time. Thankfully this semester it wasn't a #historyclassfromhell. I actually really enjoyed it. It was History of Japan to 1800. It was a lot of fun and I feel I learned a lot. I got to write a paper on Buddhist influence on architecture and a also I wrote a paper on Samurai. Both were a lot of fun. I have a few days before I start my next crazy intense class, Which I am hoping is not that crazy and intense, but with my luck it will be.

We have been doing pretty good overall here in California. It's almost been a year since we left Montana. It's crazy to think that we've been gone for so long. I look at my Timehop and I am so relieved I don't wake up to feet of snow, or WAY below freezing temps anymore. In fact the weather here is really nice. I wear T-shirts or tank tops every day. I have a couple hoodies that I save for chilly mornings, but it's been a nice change.

Not much has been going on besides school . Well and we are all crazy sick right now. Paul brought home cooties from work and it got so bad it developed into pneumonia in Evey. I was really worried at first but I had her followup appointment with her doctor today and she is doing so much better. Now if we can all just kick this nasty cough!

I've also started running. I am doing a "walking for fitness" class and I have to wear a fitbit that tracks my movement, the teacher uses that info to see that I am completing our walks. Being sick has really put a damper on that though, I haven't ran in over a week. Even though the class is called "walking" we are allowed to run, jog or walk, so I decided to take the opportunity to start running. I have a goal of 450 miles by the end of the year. I am somewhere around 60 or 70 miles already so I think I'll surpass that goal.

I hope I haven't lost too much of an audience in my absence, I will try to update here more than once a month. Perhaps once a week will be my new goal.
And remember you can find me on Facebook and Instagram, I am always on there.

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Fours

I know I talked about trying to blog twice a week until the end of the year, but I got sick with a terrible sinus infection the last week of school. The endless sinus headache, and vertigo I have had has really limited my ability to do anything but watch Gilmore Girls. I am still not up to par, however today is the first day in a week I haven't been eating an enormous ibuprofen with my morning coffee, so that's a plus. 

I decided to do something a little fun this week. I found this last night on Scattered Seashells, and it looks fun! 

4 names people like to call you other than your real name:
1. mom

2. sister (my sister calls me sister, we are weird) 

3. Alana-Banana

4. Banana 

4 jobs you have had:

1. Manager at AAFES

2. Motorcycle sales person (I was terrible at it) 

3. cook in a takeout Italian restaurant

4. Courier for a real-estate company 

4 movies you've seen more than once:

1. Star wars series

2. Indiana Jones series

3. Harry Potter series

4. Strange Brew

Del Mar Beach Camp Pendleton December 2014

4. books you'd recommend:

1. Harry Potter 

2. anything by Chelsea Handler

3. Bitter is the new black - Jen Lancaster 

4. I have read so many books but my mind is blank

4 places you've lived

1. Tucson, Arizona

2. Chicopee, Massachusetts 

3. Okinawa, Japan

4. Helena (and Butte), Montana 

4 places you've visited

1. Washington DC

2. Mexico

3. Glacier National Park

4. Las Vegas, Nevada

4 places you'd rather be right now

1. Okinawa

2. anywhere else in Japan

3. my moms house in Arizona

4. Okinawa

Okinawa, Jp September 2010

4 things you don't eat

1. raw carrots, they are just gross

2. raw onions

3. radishes 

4. natto

4 of your favorite foods

1. Kraft mac and cheese

2. cheeseburgers 

3. french fries 

4. eggs

4 TV shows you watch

1. Gilmore Girls

2. Archer

3. Bobs Burgers

4. South Park
(I don't watch a lot of TV, we don't even have cable, just netflix and hulu)

Okinawa, Comprehensive Park 2010

4 things I am looking forward to this year:

1. making through it in one piece 

2. vacation to NorCal

3. summer 

4. how sad is it that I can't think of anything?

4 things you are always saying:

1. Stop climbing on that!

2. You are not a monkey!

3. I'm tired, is it bed/nap time yet?

4. In or out dogs! in or out! 

Bates Nut Farm 2014

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Okinawa Candy

During our time on Okinawa we did lots of sightseeing, and lots of eating candy and treats. One of our favorite places for both was the Nago Pineapple Park (official link). It was a lot of fun for visitors, I have a very brief post of pictures here, but more or less you go through the pineapple farm on a remote driven car and you listen to a short lesson about pineapples, and then you enter into the winery. You walk through the winery and you can taste wine and vinegar all made from fresh pineapple. You follow into a little store with cosmetics and then into a room with fresh pineapple, to buy and eat, and pineapple cakes, candies, all kinds of candies not just pineapple ones, lots of touristy stuff, bags t-shirts, stuffed animals. And that leads me to the point of this post. On of our favorite candies while in Okinawa was Shikuwasa Hi Chew. So shikuwasa is like a key lime, sort of.

Photo Credit: Naturally DIY

They go great on just about anything. They are a bit sweeter than limes. When in season they are used frequently in Okinawa, and even out of season you can find them bottled in juices all over the island. 

But we are here to talk about candy. So back to the Pineapple Park ( OkiHai link), well this was the only place Paul and I ever saw Shikuwasa Hi-Chew, so every time we went we bought enough to last us until the next time.  Hi-Chew is a chewy candy, like starburst.

Photo Credit: Ilubgrub

Since we are not making bi-yearly trips to the pineapple park anymore, it has been YEARS since we have had this candy. I have frequently put feelers out to get some, but not many people frequent the pineapple park, especially long term residents like most of my friends over there. Recently a SoCal blogger and her husband moved over there. Perhaps you have heard of her, Elizabeth over at The Young Retiree, if not go check her out! Well I mentioned the candy to her one night, and she knew what I was talking about, she had picked some up at a local mall! I was so excited! I asked her if she could send me a couple boxes, and she so kindly did!

Happiness doesn't even begin to describe the excitement of having these candies again. Thank you so much Elizabeth, you are awesome! This is truly the best flavor. We are rationing them now. Hopefully when we run out Elizabeth will send me more!

Queen Bee Market

I had an awesome blogger date this weekend with Kara at Ramblings of a Marine Wife. 

We met up at the Queen Bee Market. I didn't really know much about it going in, but have some grownup time out of the house, sounded like a great time.  Kara and I actually spent more time talking afterwards than we did shopping, it was so nice to meet her and chat, she is just as nice in real life as she is online. I am looking forward to meeting up again. 

But... back to the market. 

There was lots of cool things, antique furniture, Christmas ornaments, hand made bags and jewelry. Lots of great stuff. But I made out with hair accessories, for me and Evey. 

First the bows, they are mostly for me but I can share them if Evey can not destroy them with dirty little fingers. 

 I recognized the Hello Kitty one right away. A bow with Hello Kitty bows on it? YES PLEASE! 

A Little Delight had some of the cutest bows, and other hair ties. Very cute stuff. 

Next up we have Bacon and Eggs. Seriously so cute. Also Bacon is one of Evey's new words (and favorite foods), so of course I had to get her one. 

The Bacon and Eggs clips are from SoCutie. And they are So Cute! 

Last but not least we have the Jellyfish. 

Holy Moley Jellyfish is the cutest ever. 

It also has a little bit of Velcro inside that helps keep it in the babies hair. This is genius. It makes it difficult for the baby to pull the clip out.

Jellyfish is made by Shining Stars Boutique

Please ignore dirty baby face. I didn't want to fight with her. She's still cute. 

We love all of our new hair clips. And we really hope the dog doesn't eat them. 

Sadly I guess this is the last QBM that will be held, but you can check out all of the vendors on the page, if you are looking for local vendors in So Cal, they are all listed on the vendor page. Lots of cool stuff. 

*this is not a sponsored post, I purchased all of the items shown*

Blog Redux

As you can see I have made some changes around here. I am so excited. I have wanted to do a revamp for a while but my two biggest issues were price and I had no idea what I really wanted. I saw that Mrs. K over at Mrs. K and Captain J had just her redesign done by Angi Clark designs and its super cute. All I knew was that I wanted something that was simple and would look more like I was a serious blogger.

I contacted Angi, and she made it so easy on me. She was finishing up one blog so she could start on mine right away. All I had to do as answer a few questions and get her a picture and she had a sample inspiration board put together right away. I was surprised how great it was, considering I don't think I was very good at articulating what I wanted, because I didn't even know. I pretty much described my personal style, listed some things I liked (Elephants, cherry blossoms, hello kitty) and I gave her some color swatches.  

Angi made the whole process easy and very quick, and at a very reasonable price. The whole process from start to finish was about 15 emails and 5 days. I like to think I am pretty easy to please and that's why it didn't take too long, but Anji was just awesome. Really the hardest part? Picking a new profile picture.

With my new look I am going to try to blog more, and about more than just baby. I'll have a My Town Monday Link up monday if anyone wants to join, just write about where you are living, I'm trying to learn more about Butte and learn to love Montana more, despite the terrible long winters. 

Thank you again Angi, for doing such a great job!

This is not a sponsored post. I chose to write it after my blog was completed because I was so very pleased with my experience working with Angi Clark Designs. 

Wonderful Weather We're having

I swear I haven't abandoned you. I got back from vacation last week and Miss Evey has been very active and very much wanting 100% of my attention, also the weather has been very nice so we have spent a lot of time outside. But all these activities have been taking up the time I use to blog, and read blogs.
 We have been really enjoying the wonderful weather, walking every day, cleaning the yard. Having the windows open and breathing in the clean air. But today is rainy so I have found some time to throw some blogs together, stay tuned!

Google Reader is Quitting Me.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

To say I am frustrated would be an understatement.  A fellow blogger has shared that Google Reader will be closing its doors on July 1. Lies! Lies!  nope not lies.  Maybe I'm just silly to think that RSS readers should stick around. I use mine all the time!  Before Google Reader I used Bloglines. Bloglines (i think that's what it was called) closed a few years ago, now GR is closing. SERIOUSLY GOOGLE! do you know how much of a pain in the ass it is to move all of my 9,000 (maybe slight exaggeration) blogs I read into another reader?  So yet again, I have started the long arduous process of moving the blogs I read. I totally don't have time for this. I have a household to run! lol.  okay for reals though, I think bloglovin and I may become real friends, there's an app for that.  Yep Bloglovin' has an iPhone app. Google Reader doesn't, so Bloglovin is already better.  So Follow my blog with Bloglovin and I'll follow you back! 

 

2012 Wrap Up

I hope you had a great 2012. For me it was a great year, the highlight being the birth of my little Hammie. I look forward to blogging more in 2013 and sharing more adventures, our growing baby, and another move this fall! 

Most popular posts of 2012:

Post Secret

Evelyn's Birth Story

I have a Photo Addiction

Bicycle Safety

Sunday Social 8/5

Just a Picture Post

Hair

Spicy Tzatziki 

Fifty Shades of Grey

A Papaya 

Some of these I totally don't get. I know part of this is google searches. The 50 shades one I know is totally google searches. But I guess blog traffic is blog traffic, no matter where it comes from. 

My Picks for Year In Review: 

Recipes: French Onion Soup & Potato Salad

Announcing Pregnancy

Visiting Tucson 1 & 2

Doggies got educated

Coral Fire knocked out my internet

(and it has never been the same since)

My favorite post of all time:
Evelyn's Birth Story

Just in case you are wondering, My most popular post of all time is Birthday Presents

- Alana

Blog Awards!

I have been nominated by Holly over at The Morrow

Go Check her out, she's pretty awesome. 

The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

The Rules:

- Each person must post 11 things about themselves.

- Answer the questions that the tagger set for you PLUS create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.

- Choose 11 people and link them in your post.

- Go to their page and tell them.

So 11 things about me: 
1. I almost always have nail polish on my nails
2. but it's usually a week old or more and half chipped off. 
3. I am a very untidy person
4. but I am also a bit of a germ-a-phobe
5. I don't put socks away after washing them, they go into the sock basket. 
6. I really suck at putting most laundry away actually. 
7. Well it's not just laundry, I suck at putting anything away. I tend to leave groceries out because of this lazy habit. 
8. I love to read but have a hard time finding time to do so. 
9. I am mildly Hello Kitty obsessed. 
10. I often loose things, because of my habit mentioned in #7. Like my Hello Kitty Flip Camera, I can't find that bitch anywhere. 
11. I cuss, a lot. If you know me in RL I drop the F-bomb ALL THE TIME. 


1) To you, who is the most inspiring person ever? 
I am very inspired by John Muir, He is a Naturalist who did most of his work in the late 1800's. He's an awesome guy that made many geological discoveries, as well as worked to create programs to preserve and protect the environment. He did what he thought was right, and did everything he could to support a cause he believed in. His cause was not just for his personal gain but for the future. I have several books containing his short stories and essays. He is a very smart guy with lots to say, much of it is still relevant today. 

2) What is the one thing you are most passionate about?
Okay this makes me sad. I don't think I am passionate about anything. I am very lazy. Paul calls me a 'starter' I have bazillions of projects, crafts, books, etc. around the house that I have started. Many of which have never been even close to finished. 

3) What is your favorite book of all time?
Harry Potter. 

4) What is the scariest thing to ever have happened to you?
I have been in a pretty scary car accident or two. But never anything serious. My life is pretty un-scary. 

5) Do you know how to use a gun/would you carry one? Why/why not?
I don't know how to use one, and for that reason I would not carry one, because it would be unsafe. I have nothing against guns, I grew up in an environment with hunters and guns, my husband has a gun, (he's a Marine, I'm surprised he doesn't have a bunch of guns). But due to my lack of knowledge I do not personally handle any guns. 

6) What is the best advice (in few words) that you can give to younger people?
It's not the end of the world. Things you think are life altering when you are 17, 18, 19 are usually not. 

7) When did you really know yourself?
I don't think this came about until I was in my mid to late 20's, So fairly recently. Before I had always tried to be someone else, someone I thought everyone would like. Now I just don't give a damn. I know who I am, I like who I am, and my true friends like who I am, that's all I need. 

8) Do you think body builders are attractive?
Sorry but no, not really. Especially the extreme ones. The guy on the left, has a very nice body, but sort of a dumb look on his face. The guy on the right has a very nice smile and I like his face, but not his body.

9) Worst injury so far?
A broken heart. Hahaha. Okay no seriously. For someone as clumsy and accident prone as I am, you'd be surprised to hear that I have never broken a bone in my life. I don't think I have ever been to the hospital due to injury (in my adult life, as I kid I had a tendency to make a mountain out of a molehill and think I was dying when I merely twisted my ankle) . I have only had stitches once, and it was when I had a mole on my side boob removed. So all I've got is nasty shaving accidents as a pre-teen, and the occasional trip down the stairs, where I've had some serious bruising. 

10) If you could go back and live at any time period, which one would you pick and why?
I am currently reading a historical book about the Tudors. And I would love to have lived around that time. But only if I could be a nobel, or maybe a lady in waiting at court. 

11) What is your greatest talent?
I can put both my legs behind me head. Haha! 

Wow, Holly, these were some hard questions. 

And the nominees are: 

1. Jess @ bleu dress and dress blues (Living in Mainland Japan!)
2. Mrs K @ Mrs K and Captain J  (she's also my due date buddy)  
3. Brandy @ A little bit of Brandy
4. Sara @ This = my experience 
5. Cassidy @ I'll follow you anywhere 
6. Katie @ Married to Red, White, and Blue
7. Amelia @ Hastings in Hawaii
8. Liz @ Try on Life
9. Sarah @ 90 percent blonde


Okay I hope she doesn't mind but I am going to recycle her questions, because they are really good ones and totally made me think. Which is a good thing on a Monday morning. 

1) To you, who is the most inspiring person ever?
2) What is the one thing you are most passionate about?
3) What is your favorite book of all time?
4) What is the scariest thing to ever have happened to you?
5) Do you know how to use a gun/would you carry one? Why/why not?
6) What is the best advice (in few words) that you can give to younger people?
7) When did you really know yourself?
8) Do you think body builders are attractive?
9) Worst injury so far?
10) If you could go back and live at any time period, which one would you pick and why?
11) What is your greatest talent?

- Alana

Lets blog about not blogging!

I've been MIA still, despite my best efforts I've really not been online at all much the last few weeks. I have over 350 (it was 400 this am) blogs to catch up on in Google Reader. I have barely been on facebook except to stalk a few people. And I clearly haven't been blogging.

What do I have to show for it?

A clean house?
no
Laundry all put away?
no
Is the laundry even done?
no
How about the bathroom? That's been on your to-do list of cleaning for two weeks now.
nope.
Dishes, you've at least done dishes right?
only when I ran out of knives to cream cheese my bagel.

But I should have a decent paycheck headed my way because I worked a few extra days this week. And sadly I physically paid for that. I had some uncomfortable contractions off and on this week, plus some really sexy feet/cankle swelling. I have a friend who has never really in her life been on the internet, and she has barely used a computer beyond simple work stuff. So Paul and I visited her to set up her internet and get her iPad online so she can join in on all the social networking and stalk ex's like the rest of us.

Today I was super productive though, I got up and got my newspaper, which to my dismay had no coupons. But the Target ad was nice, and I may go buy a crib this week. I also worked on a project that Paul and I have been working on during our spare time for over a month now. We should finish this week and I'll post lots of pictures then but for now here's a sneak peek.

I also did the dishes (even the hand wash!) and made myself dinner. I need to get back off the computer though and finish some chores, I'm off work for the next week but I have an epic list of things that need to get done ASAP if I want to buy a crib and work on Baby E's room later this week.


Oh and I've been working on Time-Lapse photography.


I have a sunset that's a little better but I haven't put it all together yet.

- Alana

What I don't write about.

A few weeks ago someone wrote about things they don't blog about, I don't remember who, I really should save things like that so I can give credit where credit is due. 

But I suck. 

I think every blogger has things they dont blog about. Be it for privacy reasons, or because some subjects are very touchy, we all have them. 

These are the things I don't write about, some of my reasons are silly, but it's just how I am. 

I don't write about road trips or vacations that have not happened yet.
I am slightly paranoid since moving back to the states about having my house broken into. I am not sure why, but I'd rather people not know that I will not be home. For this same reason, you'll rarely find me talk on facebook about leaving for work, or going to the store. 

I don't really talk about my work, specifically.
You never know who is reading your blog, and I don't want to get fired, or reprimanded, or even make enemies because I am talking shit about work. I will also rarely talk about my husbands work in specifics.

I don't gossip about family issues.
Again for the reasons above, I would hate to say "my (relative) is a (adjective) (noun)" and then have it get back to said relative. 

I don't talk about politics, or my personal political views.
Everyone is entitled to any opinion. And I have mine, but on the same hand I don't know that I am educated enough of any political subject to defend my views intelligently, so I just don't. I actually don't talk about this with anyone, not even my husband. 

I also try to not make posts without pictures, because I think those are boring. 

So here is a picture for you. 

It's my dogs trying to eat each others faces while they were supposed to be sleeping in my lap. 

- Alana

MIlitary Monday

Oh wait, it's not monday any more!
In fact by the time I post this it'll be Friday.

Oh well.

^
That is my motto this week.

So this is supposed to be about me.

Well, I am a Marine Wife. Currently hanging out with my husband in Helena, Montana.
He is assigned to Recruiting Duty here. So he spends his days (and nights) scouting out fine young men and women to join his elite club. I, on the other hand, spend my days and nights working retail, which I hate, but I am good at so I keep it up. I also spend a lot my time growing a human. This entails napping, watching TV and eating, eating everything.  Along with the human I am growing we have two Boston Terrors, that are currently napping because it's too hot for them.

We are not fans of living in Montana, it's too cold and much the the inhabitants we encounter in Helena are not the kind of people we hang out with. Prior to living here we lived in Okianwa Japan. We miss that little island in the Pacific. I think that, at least for me, that's my home. I originally hail from Tucson, AZ and I miss it often too, but when I get homesick 95% of the time I am longing for Oki. I blog about that a lot here. I also blog about food, and when I have nothing of importance to say I do a bunch of link-ups. I try to blog about military life but I don't find my life a whole lot different than anyone else right now, except yesterday my husband worked from 7 am to 1130 pm, that's not normal.
Oh and lots of pictures, especially of the dogs, you'll find that here too.
So welcome aboard, enjoy the ride.
You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterst!
Go follow me, because we all love more follwers!

-Alana


 

A project, but I need your help

I love to read Military life blogs, and I know that there are several directories out there, but I think it would be cool to have a directory that sorts by branch of service and by duty station. All the ones I see are sorted by branch of service only.
So, like, if you are headed to Germany, or Delaware, you can look up other military bloggers from that area and read about every day life where you are going, or learn about what people do for fun, or maybe just make some connections so when you arrive at your newest duty station you are not alone.

If you are interested in this either comment or email me.
PrincessAiko@me.com


Also if this exists somewhere please point me to it.


-Alana

 

Thirty in Thirty

1. Have a Baby! 

2. Go fishing and catch something

3. Try (really try) to enjoy our last winter in Montana.

4. Go to at least one national park. 

5. Loose the baby weight, however much it may be. 

6. Learn to play my Ukulele.

(not me, fyi)

7. Knit cute winter clothes for baby.

8. Grow my hair out, at least enough for a ponytail.

9. Dye it pink again. 

10. Learn to coupon.

11. Get family portraits done. 

12. Boost my blog following (Ideas on how to do this are welcome)

13. Get my FASFA done.

14. Register for fall classes. 

15. Walk the dogs more often. 

16. Either a. learn blog layout design, or b. pay someone to make me a new blog.

17. Get rid of HUGE amounts of our stuff to prep for moving next winter.

18. Re-read Harry Potter.

19. Go hiking again.

20. DIY decor for babys room via pinterest ideas.

21. Knit two baby blankets (0/2)

22. Visit my sister in Albuquerque
23. Learn some photo editing software

24. Stop being a recluse.

25. Have friends over for a BBQ.

26. Cook more & Eat out less.

27. Remember birthdays/ holidays and send out cards on time.

28. Get better at keeping up with the housework.

29. Take lots of FUN pictures of our little girl!

30. Thrift more.

I got this from Karen @

-Alana

Just a quick click-