JD's Reviews: Bars, Restaurant, & Life

“How I Found True Love” by Jennifer Hawkins

JD — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 20:38:35 +0000

When John and I meet new people, we are often asked “How did you find each other?” My short answer used to be “through a mutual friend”. Now that we have been together for nearly 2 years, I realize there were many events that led to our meeting.

In 2010, I realized my relationship with my ex was not healthy. I believed, however, that a “strong” woman would endure a toxic, unfulfilling relationship so her children would have the benefit of a two parent home. By the end of April 2011, I had decided that I would just accept my fate, for my children’s sake, and remain in the relationship.

That is when I got the phone call that would change my life. My step father called to tell me that my mother had been found in bed unresponsive. She had been rushed to the hospital. After 45 minutes, her vital signs stabilized somewhat and she was admitted to the ICU. My step father asked me to come, but felt my mother might not be alive when I arrived. I packed a bag, booked a flight from Alaska to Texas, and began to prepare myself for the difficult road ahead of me.

When I arrived in Texas, my mother was in grave condition. I spent every day at her bedside, and most nights as well. Each day brought more devastating news; sepsis, possible stroke, blood clots, failing organs, etc. At one point I called our family and suggested they come say their goodbyes.

One day, she showed some improvement. The next day, there was a little more. One day at a time, my mother was healing.

During the long days of her very slow recovery, my mother and I shared many hours just talking to each other. I finally told her about my failed relationship. She listened, she didn’t judge, she offered insight, but didn’t try to influence my decision. Never once did she tell me that a “strong” woman would stay in a hurtful, toxic relationship “for the kids”. She helped me realize that LEAVING an unhealthy relationship takes strength; strength I didn’t know I had. For weeks she fought for her life, which gave me the courage to fight for mine.

I was able to stay with her throughout her crisis because of the generosity and support of my family and friends. My father tells me that because of my daily presence at her side, my mother was able to pull through and go on to live another wonderful year. I see things a little differently….

Somehow, I knew my place in the world for that moment in time was in Texas, so my precious children could be with extended family and feel the love and support and generosity that I had felt all my life. After four long weeks in ICU, my mother was able to be moved to a rehabilitation facility. After getting her settled in and on her way to a full recovery, I was able to return to Alaska. I now had the strength and courage to end the harmful relationship. I was looking forward to my new life and the adventures I was about to begin. As my mother began learning to walk and regain her independence, so did I.

In December 2011, I flew back to my hometown of Corpus Christi, Tx and began to settle in. I will always be so truly thankful for that move, because it allowed my children and I to enjoy eight additional precious months with my mother before her death.

I was focused so hard on this new path in my life. Every day was a new challenge as I tried to gain insight about myself, and started to heal old wounds. That was when I ran head-on, full-speed into my destiny. John and I met on Facebook, and from the moment we began a conversation, we did not go more than a few hours without talking to each other. He showed me a life I never thought possible. Through his kindness, patience, and understanding I learned that not only do I WANT to live every possible moment feeling this blissful, this loved, and completely fulfilled; but I DESERVE it. Because of John, I was able to hold my head up and see this beautiful world. I felt like I was finally, truly able to live a happy life. When I saw myself through John’s eyes, I saw more than just a woman, more than just a mother, more than just a nurse. I saw a compassionate soul…a soul with value and worth.

It was a blessing that my mother was able to meet John. She witnessed as the tiny ember inside of me grew into a bright flame full of life as John and I fell more deeply in love each day. She said it was something she had never seen in me before, and she was so glad I had found him. My mother had brought me into the world, and now…42 years later, she watched as my life began.

If my mother had not gotten so acutely ill, I wouldn’t have had the chance to spend time with her…. If I hadn’t had the chance to spend time with her, I wouldn’t have found the courage to end my relationship and move back to Texas…. If I hadn’t moved back to Texas, I never would have met my Sweet John.

I now realize that during that time of crisis, that time I was supposed to be “saving” my mother, she was saving me.

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John and Jennifer’s Quick Guide to the Best Food in Alaska

JD — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 07:39:35 +0000

These are our personal favorite places to eat and some of the places to avoid. It is a personal joke how we say, “Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a way to put all the restaurants we love online. You know, like a website or something that does reviews.” lol. This is that list. Not a complete review of places, but enough so we can figure out where to eat.

I am breaking the list up by Towns:

Anchorage
Eagle River & Chugiak
Wasilla

Anchorage, Alaska

Appetizers

Brew Pub Pretzels

Applebees – 7611 Debarr Rd – (907) 332-7753
Hours: Sun – Sat ???

After 9pm their appetizers are 1/2 price and I have to say these Brew Pub Pretzels are awesome! The only reason we even come to Applebees is for these. Just typing this up is making me want to eat them now, lol. So good!

Quesadilla – Denny’s – Debarr – Open 24hrs

Baked Potato – Yes, just for Jennifer

Peanut Farm – 5727 Old Seward Hwy – (907) 563-3283
Hours: Sun – Thurs 6am – 2:30am Fri – Sat 6am – 3am Serves food till 2am
We order this potato with Chicken, Veggies, Cheese, Chives, and Butter.

Chicken

Wings

Moose’s Tooth – 3300 Old Seward Hwy – (907) 258-2537
Hours: Sun – Thurs til 11pm and Fri & Sat till Midnight.

They have some of the best wings on the planet and the pizza is really good too.

Chinese

Try – Jewel Lake Pizza & Tea – Suggested by Virginia

Chicken Fried Rice

Tempura Express

Sweet & Sour Chicken

Tempura Express

Coffee

Denny’s – Debarr, when freshly brewed – 24 hrs

Awful – Village Inn

Cold Beer

Peanut Farm
Buckaroos

French Fries

Long branch

Okay – Red Robin, Leroy’s, McDonalds

Hamburgers

Longbranch
Leroy’s
Red Robin
Blue Fox

Try – Burger Stop – Suggested by Adrienne, Virginia, and Robin

Awful Burgers – Burger Cash

Italian

Try – Little Italy – Suggested by Virginia

Mexican

Try – Don Jose
Try – Xalos Mexican Grill – suggested by Angel Wallis

Fajita

Chepo’s – Beef Fajita – Wasilla

Nachos

Pancakes

Leroy’s
IHOP

Awful – Denny’s

Pizza

Moose’s Tooth
Sicily’s

Try – Guido’s – Suggested by Virginia

Awful Pizza – Great Alaska Pizza Company

Popcorn (Free)

Eddies Sports Bar
Buckaroo
Darwins
Chilkoots
Last Frontier
JJ’s Sports Bar
Time Out

Seafood

Try – F Street Station
Try – Mama Os

Steak

Cattle Company
Leroy’s
Lone Star

Try – Rice Bowl – Suggested by Virginia

Okay – Outback

Awful – Applebees, TGIF, Peanut Farm

Sushi

Tempura Express – (907) 770-7022, 3024 Mountain View Dr

This place is our benchmark for sushi. It was good, but not outstanding. It has a really high score on Urban Spoon, probably more for the Japanese food instead of the sushi.

Try – Samurai Sushi – Robin suggested
Try – Tokyo – Leeanne suggested

24 Hour Places to eat – Just a list of everything so we can decide at 3am

Leroy’s – Great Place!
Sicily’s – They Deliver – Awesome Pizza!
Golden Donuts – They have Philly’s, Mochas, and of course Donuts. Dine in open 24 hrs.
Denny’s
China Garden – They Deliver – open till 4:30am, later on the weekend. Rather a dirty place, not really sure we will come back
McDonald’s – Jenn only like the Selects, Southern Chicken, Crispy Ranch Snack Wrap, Egg McMuffin, Nuggets, or Fries
Ski & Benny’s – Never gone…
Taco Bell

Cheap Drink Specials

Time Out

Coffee Flavored Bailey’s $3.00
Free Popcorn
Free Hotdogs
Free Soup
Free Live Music on Friday & Saturday
Karaoke on Wednesday & Thursday

Eagle River, Alaska
Including Chugiak

Philly

#2 Birchwood Saloon – 20146 Pilots Rd, Chugiak, AK – (907) 688-2827
Hours: Sun – Sat Open ?? – Although the bar stays open later, food is served til midnight, except Sundays, where the kitchen is closed.

AWESOME! I had the Chugiak Philly and it was the Best I have ever had until I ate at the Windbreak in Wasilla. The bread and lots of cheese really make this want you to stuff as much as you can in your mouth. The order comes with fries, they were not really worth it, but I did eat them.

Wasilla, Alaska

Baked Potato – Yes, just for Jennifer

Silver Fox - 50 George Parks Hwy Wasilla, AK – (907) 892-6179
Hours: Sun – Sat 4pm – Whenever it dies down up until 4am. Food is served from 4pm – 11pm Sunday -Thursday. Friday & Saturday 4pm-12am Steak night is Friday & Saturday

AWESOME! According to Jennifer this is the best Baked Potato she has ever had. This place is a full service bar with 7 pool tables and 7 dart boards, plus many other electronic games are available.

Chicken Nuggets

Silver Fox – 50 George Parks Hwy Wasilla, AK – (907) 892-6179
Hours: Sun – Sat 4pm – Whenever it dies down up until 4am. Food is served from 4pm – 11pm Sunday -Thursday. Friday & Saturday 4pm-12am Steak night is Friday & Saturday

Pretty crunchy and really jucy, a tad over cooked but all’ in’ all they were good.

Enchiladas