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Did I mention we had an awesome trip? Wow. Fantastic. One of the best overall Montana trips I’ve ever had. We always had something to do, someone to see, and somewhere to go, and good things happened to us the entire time. Good things like:

• Craig’s camera was sitting at our table when we returned to the wedding reception praying it wasn’t long gone.
• We sat and watched a fantastic thunder/lightning storm race across the Montana sky one night for at least 45 minutes.
• We got 2 of 3 items (a disc golf disc and a baseball bat) out of the tree we got them stuck in in Pioneer Park in Billings.
• We ran into the friend we forgot to get ahold of before we left.
• We saw Old Faithful erupt at sunset.
• We set off about $350 worth of fireworks after an awesome Rumble in the Vally 100th Anniversary display without incident.
• We saw the moon rise over Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone Park.
• George’s surgery went well, and he has recovered quicker and better than anyone expected.
• We got the last campsite at Mammoth Hot Springs.
• We saw either 2 wolves, 2 coyotes, or one of each.
• I saw a bighorn sheep ram in the Columbia Gorge.
• Yellowstone National Park was absolutely beautiful – lush and green and full of wildflowers – because it has been so rainy this year.
• We pulled into Jiffy Lube just before 4 other cars, so we were done in 25 minutes instead of 45.

There’s so much more…but I’ll leave it for another post.

We’re home after a whirlwind 3-day trip to Montana to sell our Grand Am.

Such. A. Long. Drive.

We’re back safely from Montana. It was a nice trip; too short, but entertaining. I think the right amount of time is 10 days for a “normal” visit. More than 14 and we start getting bored. Less than 7 and we rush through everybody.

Thanksgiving Day we spent with my mom – she cooked a fabulous meal and then we watched blowout football. We went to Handsome’s mom’s the following day and spent time with his family, some of which he hadn’t seen for many years. I also went to a family member’s birthday party at a really cool new water park in Billings, and then followed it up with good ribs at a neighboring restaurant.

Sadly, Handsome’s dad’s girlfriend is in the hospital for an infection stemming from a broken kneecap. We went to see her often and she’s just fed up with the whole ordeal and ready to go home and be done with it. I can’t blame her; shes got tubes coming out of her knee and her arm and will be stuck in the hospital for about 4-6 weeks AFTER her 4th surgery today. Please keep her in your thoughts.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We made it…and the weather is nicer than in Oregon: 45 degrees and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. No snow, but the roads were clear so I guess I’ll survive.

Eat lots, watch football, and be merry!

Things are starting to fall into place:

• Living arrangements – check!
• Key to living quarters – check!
• Trip food – check!
• Check weather conditions in the passes – check! (dry roads all the way)

But others still need doing:

• Pack
• Make bed
• Finish web projects
• Clear desk at work
• Clean bathroom counter/tub

We leave tomorrow around 1:30pm…gotta run!

It’s that time again; we’re headed to the land of dialup internet service. We’ll be gone until the beginning of the year, so expect very limited contact from me until we return to civilization.

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! See you next year!

For those of you who understand, and for those of you who never will:

In a small town…

• people are called “folks.”
• only the main road is paved. They don’t bother with stripes.
• K-12 is in one building.
• the practice field/gym and the game field/gym are the same thing.
• the multipurpose room is exactly that.
• you don’t have to be invited to the wedding to attend the reception.
• town kids don’t ride the bus (unless its really, really cold and the bus drives by your house on the way out of town).
• an actual person calls your house when you’re not at school.
• your mother has heard from your softball coach’s wife that you were pulled over two towns over before you get home.
• your house water comes from a well.
• you and your neighbor switch off mowing the patch of lawn between your houses. There is never an argument, even if you have to mow it twice in a row.
• EVERYONE you pass by, even in a car, is acknowledged. Otherwise you’re extremely rude.
• you know as much about your teachers as you do your friends.
• similarly, they know as much about you.
• if you forget to take your hunting rifle out of your car before you go to school, no one’s going to care. It doesn’t cross your mind to use it on the school grounds.
• farm kids don’t attend school during harvest.
• someone will know what you did last night, and they will tell someone else.
• town consists of six blocks.
• mail will reach you without a last name, a street address, or a zip code.
• 3 minutes between classes is an exorbitant amount of time.
• when your dog runs away, someone across town nabs him and gives you a call.
• sometimes you forget to lock your door when you leave.
• you never lock it while you’re home.
• to call someone in town only requires the last 4 digits of the phone number.
• the government is county-based.
• there are alleys and ditches, both of which are fun to play in as a kid.
• it is not out of the ordinary to stop in the middle of the road and have a conversation with the passing car. Other people will drive around you.
• it is difficult to walk around without someone offering you a ride.
• when your neighbors are watering their lawns, you might suffer a drop in water pressure.
• the “rich” people have a hot tub.
• outsiders are recognized immediately. Everyone else knows your name.
• there are no stoplights.
• a traffic jam is three cars at a four-way stop.
• you have to go to another town to buy groceries, clothes, and other amenities.
• there are more bars than churches.
• minors can enter a bar whenever they please.

*dance* I’m very excited today…I’m going home for Christmas! It’s official; my supervisor approved my time off today. Yeah!

No waking up early. No dressing up. No nothing but whatever for 11 whole days! (December 21 – January 1) Even a chance of some serious snow! Eff yeah!

Ack! Must. Find. Cheap. Tickets. Soon!

Merry Christmas, everyone! I am in Montana, as is Eric, and we are celebrating with the families. Enjoy your holidays!

Okay, this news made four people’s days; I know its good.  I got the entire week of Christmas off to go home to Montana! *huge grin*  I get a week of paid vacation for my anniversary in the end of November, so I’ll be getting paid to spend time with family and friends.  

Boo-yaa kick ass.