Smells Like Heaven, Tastes Like Love
Wherein Valette Talks About Neither Her Hair, Nor Her Dog. Since all of our Christmas gifts have been distributed and...26 DEC
2007
2007
Main Posts
2007 Archives
Santa Came Early
Sometimes Lacey can be so smart. Steve found this gift in the middle of the living room this morning with...24 DEC
2007
2007
Dealing With My Hair in List Form
Places My Hair No Longer Gets Caught Yet I Still Act Like It Will, Which Is Almost As Annoying:The seatbelt...23 DEC
2007
2007
Identity
People, strangers, have always had an opinion on my hair. It's so beautiful I should never cut it or...19 DEC
2007
2007
The Reason Why My Dog Rocks
Steve posted a video of Lacey freaking out over air. I can't stop watching it....17 DEC
2007
2007
Boot Tracks
1/2 cup salted butter 2/3 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour...16 DEC
2007
2007
Personal DNA
I haven't done one of these personality tests in a while: I am a benevolent analyst. What is your personal...15 DEC
2007
2007
O Christmas Tree
I do not understand why stores don't order enough Christmas decorations. Like, for instance, and I'm just throwing this out...13 DEC
2007
2007
There is Hope
The sky threw white fluffy things at us yesterday, and all of Anchorage freaked out. What is this white stuff?...12 DEC
2007
2007
Still Avoiding The Oldies Station
I am feeling the need for Christmas music this morning. Does that mean I have the holiday spirit?...11 DEC
2007
2007
I Didn't Mean To
Done with November and my post-a-day nonsense, and then I completely disappear! You're welcome! You've missed a great story about...06 DEC
2007
2007
A Little Mixed-Up
In the last two weeks, I have been to the office for work-type activities on only five days. Or is...01 DEC
2007
2007
Mission NaBloPoMo: Accomplished
I wasn't really 100% sure I would post something every day for the month of November, but I totally did...30 NOV
2007
2007
What Pretty Pink Eyes
Never to let one of my brothers show me up, I saw his gritty eye scratch and raised him one...29 NOV
2007
2007
You Have No Idea
My sinuses and my left eyeball are excreting substances I'd rather not talk about, companies charge way too much for...28 NOV
2007
2007
Still Not Feeling Good
When I stepped out of the shower this morning and had a hard time standing up long enough to towel...27 NOV
2007
2007
Save the Internet
If you don't recognize any of these internet superstars, you are missing out on a wonderful world of awesome....26 NOV
2007
2007
Pretty Pathetic
Was just now lying in bed falling asleep when I remembered I hadn't posted anything today. How pathetic is that....25 NOV
2007
2007
I Really Have Not Much To Say
Except maybe that I might have a wee sore throat....24 NOV
2007
2007
Surprise! I Have Body Issues!
I've been having "issues" with working out since the weather turned cold-ish and riding my bicycle was no longer an...23 NOV
2007
2007
Full of Turkey and Sparkling Cider
Seven minutes till midnight, and I have the hiccups. Today I am thankful for Guitar Hero playoffs that I was...22 NOV
2007
2007
Dear People who Use Caller ID,
When you see that you have missed a call, and you see an unfamiliar number associated with that call, please...21 NOV
2007
2007
Steal My Product Idea!
A Kirby vacuum salesman came to my home tonight and sucked up every bit of dirt deposited in my carpets...20 NOV
2007
2007
The Best Way to End the Day
One part fresh sheets One part hot bath One razor One tube of lotion One good novel One miniature schnauzer...19 NOV
2007
2007
Tell Me on a Sunday
We went to see the Rocky Horror Show last night, guests of a wonderful friend who spent the night dancing...18 NOV
2007
2007
Dammit, Janet
Have two comp tickets to Rocky Horror STOP Am all tarted up my mother would die STOP No time for...17 NOV
2007
2007
Dear Oldies Station,
I'm not really comfortable with the new direction our relationship has suddenly taken. I know this is a bad time...16 NOV
2007
2007
Poor Little Kitten
I think I may have lost a mitten today. I stepped into the grocery store after work and pulled a...15 NOV
2007
2007
Adult Impostor
I had a meeting with this guy who showed up in a very nice striped tie that I wanted to...14 NOV
2007
2007
My New Love
I bought a new camera lens from Some Guy on craigslist last night: a Sigma 50mm f2.8 macro lens. I...13 NOV
2007
2007
Our Lives on Holiday
So apparently today was Veteran's Day? Some kind of national holiday? Which apparently means that places like banks and post...12 NOV
2007
2007
Weekend Getaway
Steve and I drove to Homer this weekend where I showed him around the town I grew up in. Which...11 NOV
2007
2007
Keep Them at Bay
I'm out of town this weekend. But if I was at home, I'd be killing zombies. Which, incidentally, was just...10 NOV
2007
2007
Schnauzer Aliens
Her tummy was talking so loud last night I half expected a tiny alien to burst from it and...09 NOV
2007
2007
Toffee Bars
1- Finish a load of dishes and see that it is 8.30pm. 2- Remember the potluck at work tomorrow and...08 NOV
2007
2007
Trading Some Things for Others
Yesterday was my one-year anniversary at my job, and today my supervisor took me out to lunch to celebrate. We...07 NOV
2007
2007
Even Though My Mom Hasn't Yet Asked, She Will
Do you know what Valette wants for Christmas? Do you? Because if you do, you should tell me. People (read:...06 NOV
2007
2007
Let Us Eat Cake
05 NOV
2007
2007
30 Days of No Fact-Checking
Things the movie 30 Days of Night taught me about vampires, Alaska, and nature that I previously did not know:Crude...04 NOV
2007
2007
One Committment is Never Enough
The same day that I agreed to write one post a day for the month of November, I decided I...03 NOV
2007
2007
Day Two and Already Resorting to Memes
I'm not able to install iTunes on my work computer, so I have plugged my speakers directly into my iPod....02 NOV
2007
2007
Steve is really awesome
Have I mentioned how awesome Steve is? Because, if Steve had access to my Moveable Type control panel, I'm sure...01 NOV
2007
2007
Okay, Yes. Fine.
I don't know why or how. Well, I do know how, since I pressed the buttons and filled in my...01 NOV
2007
2007
Not What I Had Expected
The lights go up at intermission of Saturday night's Hair: "This is so totally not what I had expected at...29 OCT
2007
2007
Better Looking Backend
I upgraded my blogging software to the new WhizBang version, and I'm completely lost in it. Until I figure things...28 OCT
2007
2007
Would Like to Hibernate kthx
I don't know if it's the change in the seasons -- the snow on the ground has no intention of...24 OCT
2007
2007
If Haircuts Weren't Torture Enough
"There are STARVING children in AFRICA who never get cookies, DOG. So just BE STILL for TWO seconds longer...19 OCT
2007
2007
Combination of Happiness
I don't drink a lot of coffee. I don't usually need caffeine in the mornings, no matter what my coworker...19 OCT
2007
2007
Five Indications The Dog Is Drugged To Perfection
1// Head mass increases exponentially. This is best seen by the refusal to lift her head when her name is...17 OCT
2007
2007
Good Morning, Monday
While most people were using the previous 8 hours for sensible things like sleep, I was at the airport twice....15 OCT
2007
2007
Pre-Season Pink
We managed to score two free awesome-seat tickets to the Alaska Aces pre-season game last night, and then managed to...12 OCT
2007
2007
Gobsmacked
I just smacked my head on a door in the office. I thought I was pushing it open, when in...08 OCT
2007
2007
Valette Would Like To Accomplish This Sunday
Taken straight from my Moleskine notebook and accomplished in no particular order:laundrymake bedmanicureput away clean dishesfood shoppingdinnerclean out refrigeratorLacey haircut...07 OCT
2007
2007
Do It For the Ta-Tas
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and that means the Boobie-Thon is back in full swing. There are a ton...05 OCT
2007
2007
My Weekend Had Its Moments
And how was yours?...01 OCT
2007
2007
OMG Zucchini Bread Yum
3 eggs, beaten 1c sugar 3.25c flour 2c zucchini, grated 2t vanilla 1t baking powder 1t baking soda 3t cinnamon...26 SEP
2007
2007
The Exercise Habit
All of the Major Life Changes™ I thought would be really fun to jump into all at once this past...25 SEP
2007
2007
Five Years
There have been a whole shit ton of changes in my life this past year. Big, huge, and scary changes....22 SEP
2007
2007
Not Spoiled At All
A dog can't really be expected to lie on the floor....20 SEP
2007
2007
Reason #27 to Love Alaska
This year's Permanent Fund Dividend, just announced an hour ago: $1,654. And oh, the things I could spend it on....19 SEP
2007
2007
Not Ready For This
I had to scrape ice from my windshield this morning....17 SEP
2007
2007
French Onion Soup
2T unsalted butter 5 medium red onions (or 3lbs multicultural onions), sliced thin salt 6c low-sodium chicken broth 1¾c low-sodium...15 SEP
2007
2007
Fun Amongst the Giants
Here is everything you need to know about the Alaska State Fair: 1// Bok! 2// World Records! 3// Teh cyoote!...09 SEP
2007
2007
Window Shopping on the Internet
I can get sucked into browsing through Etsy like you couldn't believe. There's some amazingly bad crap on there, so...04 SEP
2007
2007
I Didn't Get You Anything, Sorry
I got approximately zero amounts of sleep last night because Lacey was up every 10 minutes, and I had to...03 SEP
2007
2007
The Eating Habits of a Gremlin
I am still processing photos. I am slow. This is because: 1// I want to have the Sunlight Experience that...29 AUG
2007
2007
Jiggity Jig
I'm back in Alaska with it's humane temperatures, minimal traffic, terrible public transportation, and un-groomed nature. I don't think I...26 AUG
2007
2007
My Flight Leaves In Four Hours
What am I forgetting?...17 AUG
2007
2007
Summertime Will Be a Love-In There
I rode six miles on my bicycle tonight, following the Campbell Creek Trail to its end. It started raining on...15 AUG
2007
2007
Mango Salsa of Yum
2 mangos 4 tomatoes 2 bell peppers 1 small onion (or 1 bunch green onions) 6 jalapeños (or 12 pepperoncinis)...13 AUG
2007
2007
Lucy Lettuce
Part of my job at the state's tissue bank is to keep in contact with the families of tissue donors...09 AUG
2007
2007
Four Point Friday Update
1// My coworker and conspirator Jeff got some nerd injury to his eye from foam swords Sunday rendering him half-blind...03 AUG
2007
2007
Ganging Up On Me
After surviving a horribly freezing near-death experience with camping and after surviving a terribly unexciting fishing excursion earlier this summer,...31 JUL
2007
2007
I Don't Get Out Much
While Steve was busy shouting at the last few chapters of Harry Potter, I decided it was high time my...26 JUL
2007
2007
Stack Poetry
I was going to make zucchini bread tonight (my mom sent my fresh zucchini from her greenhouse!), but then I...24 JUL
2007
2007
Dental Crush
I had a dentist appointment first thing this morning, which is a great way to start off a Monday. The...23 JUL
2007
2007
Glacier Burgers Cure Cancer
Oh my God, people. The picture of that burger. The one down below this post. It just looks so good....20 JUL
2007
2007
Going Home
My trip to Homer! Was so awesome! And I have pictures! I drove the 220 miles south Friday after work,...18 JUL
2007
2007
Not Dead, Despite All The Groaning
My mother just emailed me to let me know that my site is void of all posts. Which: okay, fine....17 JUL
2007
2007
Wherein Valette Conquers A Mountain And Then Loses Her Shit
I voluntarily accompanied John and Heidi up Flattop Mountain on Friday, which is definitely less flat-like and more mountain-like. I...08 JUL
2007
2007
Three Point Holiday Update
1// Parade What better way to love my new camera than to bring it on an outing on its first...04 JUL
2007
2007
Oh My God
03 JUL
2007
2007
You Have No Idea
Oh my God oh my God. (Refresh. Refresh.)...03 JUL
2007
2007
On the Kenai River
Yeah, I was dragged along fishing. With a pole, even: the most inefficient way to catch fish. Seven things I...01 JUL
2007
2007
Ribs
Best way to sugarify a vegetable: celery with peanut butter. Discuss. (Did you know that you can peel the backs...29 JUN
2007
2007
Fancy a Margatita?
Steve noticed this after work yesterday and made me turn around. Do you think a// no one noticed, or...27 JUN
2007
2007
Caribou Hills Fire
I showed up at my brother John's place on Saturday looking for a party he promised in celebration of Tay's...26 JUN
2007
2007
5 Things Valette Has Been Doing to Cheer Up
1. Sitting in the front yard with a book and a bottle of sunscreen and a squirt bottle full of...23 JUN
2007
2007
Cemetery Luck
If I find an old baseball in the cemetery -- in an edge flowerbed, not on a grave -- during...21 JUN
2007
2007
Sum Sum Summertime
I was at the Alaska Botanical Garden twice this weekend; once for a wedding and once for a Flickr meetup....18 JUN
2007
2007
In Line At the Deli
Hi! I love your shoes! Your skirt is so pretty! I'm four! Trees with flowers on them are silly! I...13 JUN
2007
2007
Mom's Apple Crisp
10 apples 2/3c sugar 1t cinnamon 1½t nutmeg 2T unsalted butter 4T frozen orange juice concentrate Peel the apples first,...11 JUN
2007
2007
Rescue 911
In November, the roads are slick in Alaska. Everyone knows this. But the shiny gadgety buttons in my parents' brand...06 JUN
2007
2007
Surprise Dollars
When I did my taxes back on April 14, I surprised myself with the amount of my refund. There were...03 JUN
2007
2007
Fridays Are the New Mondays
I should have stayed in bed today. Actually, judging by the snippy undertones in the office, I think everyone should...01 JUN
2007
2007
Survival at Byers Lake
I won't tell you about the giant blister on my heel. And I won't tell you about freezing my butt...29 MAY
2007
2007
Have I Mentioned I'm Unfond of Camping?
I think I somehow agreed to a camping trip this weekend. I don't remember how that happened, but the pile...25 MAY
2007
2007
Sausage with Legs
When my brother Rodney was in town visiting a few weeks ago, he commented on how tubby my dog has...22 MAY
2007
2007
To Hell With Comfort Zones
Hello, my name is Valette and I don't like stepping outside of my comfort zone. People who know me think...21 MAY
2007
2007
Completely Unrelated
When one can get king crab for under $9 a pound, one gorges oneself. Or at least one tries. And...16 MAY
2007
2007
Sound of Silence
Upon arrival to my office, it became glaringly apparent that I had left my iPod at home. I remembered the...15 MAY
2007
2007
The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of
There was a weekend! A weekend where I did stuff! And a blog for the reporting of said stuff! There...14 MAY
2007
2007
Lepidoptera for Tay
11 MAY
2007
2007
Four Things Currently Making Me Happy
ten colors of highlighty heaven that I really really rilly neeeded at workmy new shoeshippies moving to the Alaskan bush...10 MAY
2007
2007
You kids! Get off my lawn!
06 MAY
2007
2007
Of Things. And Also, Stuff.
There was a carbon monoxide scare at work yesterday. A Guy™ came to look at it, and his little gadgets...04 MAY
2007
2007
Five Things I Am Currently Not Doing
1// I am not hiccupping. 2// I am not worrying about my niece's surgery. 3// I am not eating any...02 MAY
2007
2007
How Was Your Morning?
6.30 - Turn off alarm. 6.52 - Ohh shit. Get out of bed. 6.53 - Let the dog out. 6.54...27 APR
2007
2007
Keyless Teeth
If one carries a proximity card for entry and reentry of one's place or work, and one must carry it...23 APR
2007
2007
Best Laid Plans
On Wednesday? On Wednesday, I had a plan. This plan included stuffing every waking moment of my weekend with Fun....22 APR
2007
2007
An Open Letter To My Miniature Schnauzer, Lacey
Dearest Sugarbutt, I know that in the past I've been very strict with locking you in your kennel, but there...16 APR
2007
2007
Maybe It's A New Definition of Edible
I found the cable for my camera phone, you lucky, lucky Internet....15 APR
2007
2007
I Call It A "Laser"
I am highly disappointed to discover yesterday that laser car washes do not, in fact, use lasers. I think this...15 APR
2007
2007
On Being A Girl
I splurged recently and bought some skincare items; the amount of money I spent on three items could have fed...14 APR
2007
2007
My Easter Summed Up In Four Photos
08 APR
2007
2007
I Knew That
The guy sitting beside me? He knows all of the characters names by heart, plus all of the announcer's calls...05 APR
2007
2007
Zero Suggestions
Steve signed up for Netflix a month or so ago, and we've been getting all manner of strange movies delivered...31 MAR
2007
2007
Annie, Annie, Are You Okay?
As a gift for my office's open house last month, the Red Cross offered free CPR and first aid training...28 MAR
2007
2007
Thin Mint Ice Cream
Step 1: Poll the internet to help decide what the base will be. Get some awful suggestions, ignore the internet,...23 MAR
2007
2007
Too Much Caffeine
Apparently it is possible to overdose on caffeine, and according to a coworker's personal experience, four cups of coffee and...20 MAR
2007
2007
Bibliophile
(Content filler stolen from Pretty Ashley.) Hardback or trade paperback or mass market paperback? I prefer the trade paperbacks because...16 MAR
2007
2007
New to Me
What could be more awesome than hauling three large baskets of dirty stinky laundry to a laundromat every two weeks...14 MAR
2007
2007
Three Point One Four One Five Nine
It's Pi Day today, and there is a serious lack of pie in the office. What gives, people?...14 MAR
2007
2007
Advice Smackdown
I don't know why I'm so excited to have Amalah answer my question about eye makeup remover. But I am....09 MAR
2007
2007
Five Things For the Purchase of to Which Making Happy Valette
(I don't know why I must do titles in Engrish, but I must. Just be thankful they never make it...05 MAR
2007
2007
Sunday Open Letters
Dear Snow City Cafe, Hollandaise sauce should not be runny. Neither should gravy on biscuits. Especially not after a 45...04 MAR
2007
2007
Go Army
Upset that I didn't take her to the Aces game tonight, she took her frustration out on a foam...04 MAR
2007
2007
Working Eight to Four
Diet Dr. Pepper does not, in fact, taste like regular Dr. Pepper, despite what commercials and coworkers might claim. It...28 FEB
2007
2007
Rendezvous, Come On!
Fur Rondy, Anchorage's let's-all-battle-cabin-fever winter celebration, is in full swing. The sled dog races happened to go right my by...25 FEB
2007
2007
Something You, The Internet, Should Be Grateful For
After the discovery of Parissa wax strips, hair-removal has never been the same. It's quick, it's easy, no crazy preparation...23 FEB
2007
2007
Life in a Tissue Bbank
—Exsanguinated. I love that word. —You know, "bleeding out" is a perfectly acceptable cause of death. —Huh. That's a weird...20 FEB
2007
2007
Man-Killer Brownies
2/3c. stick butter 5oz. unsweetened baking chocolate, cut into pieces 1¾c. sugar 2t. vanilla 3 large eggs 1c. flour 1c....19 FEB
2007
2007
Wherein Valette Is the Exception to Every Rule
Every single conversation Steve and I have had since I moved to Anchorage has been some variation of: Steve: Some...18 FEB
2007
2007
Let Me Count the Ways
Happy Valentine's Day, Innernet. I didn't get you anything. I'm pretty broke. And by "broke," I mean "really sooper dooper...14 FEB
2007
2007
If You Give A Valette A Doughnut
If I don't listen to my coworker's announcement of doughnuts in the break room, then I won't think about the...13 FEB
2007
2007
Steve and I Went To the Museum Today
"Hey Steve, I think you should come stand next to me." At the Anchorage Museum....11 FEB
2007
2007
Classic Bert & Ernie
Imagine That I Don't Want To Live On The Moon Dance Myself To Sleep Put Down the Duckie Doin' the...09 FEB
2007
2007
The Best Comment Spam I've Ever Received
And it's about dogs. Eating poo....08 FEB
2007
2007
Indie House Rock
On an actual telephone conversation (because, despite popular belief, my family does periodically talk to and see each other outside...06 FEB
2007
2007
Priceless
New office building remodel completed: $hundreds of thousands in grant money Appetizers and wine: $hundreds New outfit which gained quite...02 FEB
2007
2007
What The Crap, Internet?
Why can I no longer view embedded videos on sites? I'm using YouTube's embedding code for When Harry Met Sally...02 FEB
2007
2007
Speak It
So there's this Speak n Spell emulator? Online? And I was going to link to it, see? And related a...31 JAN
2007
2007
Birfday Weekend
Has anybody seen my weekend? Because I seem to have misplaced it. It's a very special weekend, you see, because...29 JAN
2007
2007
Twenty Five and A Half
My dear, sweet mother has this terrible habit of asking me what I want for Christmas. And for my birthday....24 JAN
2007
2007
The Reason It's Better in the Shower
Does anyone else have problems with water running down your forearms and dripping off your elbows, tickling every single microscopic...23 JAN
2007
2007
The Internet Has No Fifth Amendment
Valette: what did you do to my dog last weekend? John: meaning? Valette: she's been sleeping nonstop since we got...22 JAN
2007
2007
Polar Bear Jump Off
Alaskans like to pretend that we love winter. We like to pretend that we love winter more than our neighbors,...21 JAN
2007
2007
Renewed License To Kill
Hypothetically, if I left half of a deli sandwich, upon which may have been written, "Valette really needs to take...19 JAN
2007
2007
Happy Feet
Thanks for all of the concern about my eye-rot. Because of the nature of my job and the shelves full...16 JAN
2007
2007
The Internet is the Best Place To Seek Medical Advice
What is wrong with my eye, people? It's been hurting a little bit today, I noticed it at dinner and...12 JAN
2007
2007
More Cowbell
I'm not a big fan of sports. I have a hate-hate relationship with playing sports, and an even slightly less...11 JAN
2007
2007
In Traction
I know it's Tuesday, but Tuesday is not being interesting today. Tuesday is being cold and lethargic. Instead, let's talk...09 JAN
2007
2007
Great Things Lie Ahead
It's -15°F in Anchorage this morning, and the internet tells me it's -44°F in Fairbanks. This morning I got out...09 JAN
2007
2007
Don't Be Jealous
Dear Internet of my Heart, Darlings. You know that I love you more than words can ever express. And I...04 JAN
2007
2007
The Downside
So now we have all of this beautiful and wonderfully clean and white and fluffy snow covering the ground and...03 JAN
2007
2007
Happy New Year
The year 2006 went out like a giant sinus infection, and I for one am glad it's gone. I didn't...01 JAN
2007
2007
Additional Content
Hi, I'm Valette
I'm a photographer based out of Anchorage, Alaska. I've recently become a wife, a stepmother, and a homeowner. Life is pretty awesome. You can email me anytime. Learn more...
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