Chinooks!

So I've been hearing this term from several people... Chinook (sp?). I know that it's a town here in Montana, but the way people talk, it's defenitely not a town in that sense. Apparently, a chinook is when them temperature goes from the low negative temps (like -30) to 40-50 degrees above zero in a matter of hours. Now, I think I would enjoy the temps going in that direction, however, I would not care for them to go the opposite way from above zero to way below.

It has been very cold here for over a week. It seems like I have permanent snow in my car down by the pedals due to what I track in on my shoes. It hasn't gone away! I've learned my lesson several times over to make sure I have gloves when I leave my house.

A teacher asked me tonight if I preferred the dry cold here to the high humidity cold in NY. I picked NY's cold right away. Here in Montana, You don't recognize the cold until your fingers have frozen off!

When I go home for Christmas next week, I will be in a heat wave! Don't be surprised if you see me in shorts and a t-shirt in 30 degree weather!

P.S. Shelby played Browning in B-ball tonight and won! But, Browning's team is mainly made up of Natives. Watching them made me think of survival of the fittest; Shelby boys would definitely not survive if forced to run and jump for very long! Those boys are huge and fast!

BRRRRRRRR........

Well, winter has hit Montana!!!

Yesterday, I woke up and the temperature was -31! I was expecting this so I took measures to help my car be able to start. It actually started at that temp! This morning, it decided not to start and it was above zero. It confused me too!

I love how at twilight, the snow covered ground makes the scenery look blue tinted. I was walking in the horseshoe above the gym (the equivalent to an indoor track) and I looked out the window and stopped to watch this view. It was beautiful. I keep being amazed with what I see here. I've never seen anything like it before.

Good news!!!! I'm flying home for Christmas!!!! I arrive on the 23rd and leave on the 30th.

I hope to see some of you while I'm home!

A long 8 weeks of no internet at my house!

Hey all!

So, I FINALLY have internet in my apartment. It's been a month since my last post and now I will be able to keep up with it. Montana is awesome! I love it here! My job is great, the people are so nice, and the scenery is beautiful. From the top of any hill in Shelby, you can see the Rockies to the East on a clear day.

So far, I've only been to two places since I arrived in Shelby. I went to Butte, MT for training for work for 3 days, and to Cut Bank, MT, which is the next town to the east from here, for a football game. Let me tell you... the drive to Butte was amazing! Once I drove past Great Falls (86 miles away), I drove through the mountains for 2 hours. They were snow covered too, so that was gorgeous. I'm surprised how not homesick I am. I think my cats help, but I'm having a great time. I know this was the right move for me. I love my job. The kids are great and my cohort Jill and I get along great!

Some things I've seen/heard since coming to Shelby:
~Tumbleweed! Like in American Tail: Fievel Goes West!
~Our Lady of the Rockies- a 100 ft. statue of a woman in Butte that sort of represents the Virgin Mary.
~Border Patrol all over the place
~NO SALES TAX!
~More dogs in the cab of trucks than ever before in my life!
~A "root" is not pronounced root. It is "rut."
~Wind like you wouldn't believe! It's like the wind is getting knocked INTO me!

Here are some pics from Montana! I'll post albums on Facebook this weekend.

The state border!
The scene a few miles South of Shelby on I-15.

Lana and Leo in the car on the road.

Back in Communication!

Hey all!

So I finally made it to the Library to get on the internet. I still don't have it at my apartment yet. I've been writing about my adventures in a journal and will post them here soon.

I didn't want you guys to think I was forgetting about you!

Hope all is well.

So the Adventure REALLY Begins!

If you haven't seen my facebook status, you have not heard that my car broke down 9 miles outside Billings, MT! White smoke started coming out from the hood. I hope it's not too expensive to fix! AAA will get a piece of my mind tomorrow! First, the said that my account covered the whole tow to an approved AAA garage. Second, instead of saying that the truck towing my car might be able to tow my trailer too for a fee, they make me call Uhaul to do it. So 2 wrecker trucks came to my rescue. One to put my poor car on the flatbead, and one to tow my trailer to the same place.


Now, I'm going to have to reschedule my pre-employment drug screen yet again!

Howe, IN

Are those the right initials for Indiana? I never aced those in Social Studies...

Well, I made it to the Crossroads of America! On both sides of I-90 is.... CORN!!! along with those water thingies that span a mile of field.

The drive was exciting. I'm physically tired, but not tired of driving. I'm excited to get on the road tomorrow morning!


Gotta check on the kitties before One Tree Hill!

I'll miss you!

Today is the day before I leave on my big adventure. Tomorrow at 7am I will be heading off to drive 2,100 miles to my new life. I am now finished with visiting those who are closest to me. There are still many who I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to in person. Today is a day of packing and relaxing at home.

I have constant butterflies in my stomach about the coming drive. It's excitement and anxiety in one. I'm all set to go and have everything arranged. The tears have not crept up since I said goodbye to Becky before I left Rochester. I honestly don't know if they will come tomorrow. It's quite different not being an emotional wreck like I used to be 2 years ago. A Master's degree in counseling took care of that.

Well, I bid you all farewell in order to go pick up the Uhaul!

Apartment shopping

So Labor Day has passed, along with it my going away party for my dad's side of the family. I have started the apartment looking and am not having loads of luck. There are a couple of options, but there are circumstances that might interfere with renting them. Most don't take animals (I can't leave my babes!), or they won't be ready until Oct. 1st. I'm a little discouraged...

On a happier note, I saw my family yesterday, which was awesome! I got some wine from a family friend (always good!), and a travel box with snacks and stuff for my trip!

We Made It...

...to Syracuse!

Lana, Leo and I spent our first weekend at my parent's house. Boy, was it an adjustment for the two of them. Here, there is a black cat named Midnight who hates other cats. Lana got a taste of her on Friday night when she ventured to the bay window in the living room and Midnight was on the other side. With Midnight's hiss, Lana shot off toward the safety of my bedroom! Since it's still warm outside, Midnight spends most of her time outdoors, and I can let my babes roam the house. When she comes in to eat, Lana and Leo are banished to my room. Midnight then proceeds to stalk the house looking for the intruders into her domain. She has now figured out that they are behind the closed door. She then puts her nose under the door and begins to cry and hiss until someone shoos her away.

This should be quite interesting over the next two weeks!

The Vet

This morning I took Lana to the vet to update her rabies vaccination. I have never seen this girl so wide eyed and quiet in her life! At this particular vet office, cats roam free wherever they want to go (except the basement). A cute little gray kitten named Sarah took an instant liking to my lap and my hand. Poor Lana was in her carrier the whole time and was a little miffed that I was paying attention to the adorable baby and not soothing her. When we finally went into an exam room, Lana wouldn't get out of her cage. Once I could drag her out, I put her on the scale and found out she weighs 10lbs 11oz! What a chunker! The vet reprimanded me for letting her free feed due to all the carbs in her dry food. Lana got her shots and hissed and scratched her way through the exam and then we were finally done! I made sure to give her extra treats when she got home.

Now that I know how much Lana weighs, I'm afraid to have Leo weighed! He's twice her size!

MG!!!!

....is Mama Goose!!! How could I not recognize the initials! For those of you who are confused, MG is my friend Anne Marie. Her nickname is a long story...

I hate packing. But, it's quite liberating getting rid of a lot of stuff. It forces me to say, "Do I really need this?" If I even hesitate, I chuck it. I have a huge spot in my living room that is being taken up by items that will be donated. Anyone need a desk, dining room table, or futon?

So the cats are now getting used to wearing collars. They never have before, but I'm not driving 2,000 miles with them only to lose one of them and not get him or her back. Leo slipped his this morning, although I think it was just because it was cheap and not because of an ability to undo it. :)

FYI: My official goodbye to NY will be on Sept. 14th, my mom's birthday. Sorry Mom!

Non-stop thoughts...

First business... MG, who are you? I don't recognize your initials. Thanks for following! :)

Next... I haven't been able to calm my mind down from thoughts of the big move. Thursday night I went to bed at midnight, only to fall asleep at 5 am! For the life of me, I couldn't sleep. Mostly, I was thinking about the drive out there. It's 2,000 miles away! Also, I'm dragging two cats along, so I hope they will handle the drive well. I was also thinking of what the people will be like once I get there. I didn't hear an accent in any of the Montanans during the interview, and I was a little disappointed. :/ I was really hoping to adopt one!

Since being offered the job, I have found myself thinking constantly about Montana, not just at night when I'm trying to get my beauty rest. I feel somewhat bad, for most of my conversations have been about the move. I know it's still new, but I don't like monopolizing conversations (to the disbelief of a lot of you who really know me!).

Even though I'm excited and anxious, Lana and Leo are excited too. They are loving all the boxes in the living room!

The Big Sky awaits!

"How do you feel about wind?" One of the interviewers asked me.

Today I had a phone interview for my dream job of being an in-school therapist to adolescents. Yes, it's in Montana. Why Montana you may ask? I've always wanted to go there and I finally got my wish. How many people can say that they get their dream job right out of school? I CAN!! I am moving to Shelby, Montana, population 3,300. It's a rural town with no access to mental health treatment, so they have in-school therapists for the kids. They also asked how I would adapt to small town living. When I told them the populations of Chittenango and Bridgeport (next to my hometown), they fully understood that I'm a country girl. So I begin this blog to tell you all of my great adventure of moving 3/4 across the USA (with Lana and Leo, of course), and having an experience of a lifetime!

I wonder if I could get a cowboy hat for the cats...