Iditarod

I've realized that when I lived in NY, I knew way more about the Eastern US than the Western. Since coming to Montana, I've already regained and gained alot of history that I either forgot from school, or was never taught. The information that has been regained, is fascinating. I know a lot more about Canada than I have ever known, thanks in part to Dallas, my friend and co-worker who is proud of her Canadian roots. Even Alaska has become a great point of interest for me since I'm closer than I've ever been. Don't get me wrong; I do realize that Alaska is still thousands of miles away!

I found out that the Iditarod is starting within minutes up in Anchorage. Knowing that 5 mushers out of Montana are racing gives me a sense of pride even though I've only been here for a limited time. I always gave dog sledding a passing thought, but never went in-depth before in gathering information. That has changed since moving here. I watched the movie 'Snow Dogs' this morning and actually knew the terms and what they were talking about!

FYI: There is a musher out of Jamaica racing today! Jamaica?!?! It reminds me of 'Cool Runnings'. ;-)

updating

I really need to update this blog more often. I just realized it's been 3 weeks since my last entry, and a lot has happened since then.

Can I say.... I'm sick of this gosh darn weather! I have cabin fever like crazy! Today is actually a nice day, although am I outside? No. So, I guess I should stop complaining.

Last night, I went to the high school to watch the Divisional Boys Basketball Championship between Shelby and RockyBoy. RockyBoy is a reservation about 1 1/2 hours away. The game was awesome, even though some of the fans were not. I think that if fans start booing at a high school game, they should be thrown out! Unfortunately, we lost by 1 point!

I've been becoming very active in the First Baptist Church here. I'm in the choir, on the decorating committee, and attend services whenever they have them. I'm beginning to feel emotionally and physically better than I was a few months ago while renewing my relationship with God. I still haven't mastered the 'Cleanliness is next to Godliness' line though. :)

I recently bought an Amazon Kindle! For those who don't know what that is, it is an electronic book reader. It was pricey, but books are to me like videogames are to my brothers. When I moved to Montana, I had to donate loads of my books, due to a lack of space. This way, I can store the books on my device or Amazon account and it takes up less space than a magazine or paperback book. (it's about the size of a kids chapter book like the Boxcar Children or something like that!)

I'm really loving that it's getting closer to spring, due to all of the sales on winter items at Pamida (our Ames-like store in town that's rather pricey.) I'm getting sweaters and long sleeved tops for $5! I still can use them for the rest of this season, and save them for next winter as well!

All right, off to see if I can become more Godly by washing my dishes!

Miss you all back home!

February!

I can't believe it's the 1st of February! Last month just flew by!

Believe it or not, it has been warmer here over the last few days than back home in NY! I've been getting used to the cold here, but I'm excited for Spring to pop up!

I think I'm officially experiencing cabin fever. Yes, I am actually participating in a lot of activities. However, I would love to take walks outside, but I can't. It's just too cold! I hate getting into my car because my car is frozen on the inside, and I don't want to waste the gas warming it up! Also, I want to clean my car out, but again, it's too cold to be outside!

I hope that we get a warm spell soon!

Frost

So, I have survived half of my first Montana winter! I was so afraid of what winter could have brought, but it's a breeze! I was expecting it to be continuously cold in the negatives, however, that only lasts a couple of days at a time. It's been consistantly in the 20s for the last week, but the wind chill is freezing! There hasn't been snow in awhile, but I woke up this morning to all the trees being white! It's actually very pretty as you can see from the pic I posted.

Work is going well, and I have found I still hate paperwork. I don't think that is ever going to change. Being with the kids in the sessions has been awesome! I'm reminded everyday why I went into this field. There is more planning than I thought, though. I love supervision with Nellie because I'm able to get feedback about what I'm doing and how I can do it better. Hopefully, someday soon I won't feel so new at all of this and be more confident.

Love Y'all!

Toto, we're not in NY anymore!

I just got my new license plates today!

So, now I can go to state parks for free, and I won't have to worry about the cops coming after me about my car having out of state plates!

P.S. Here's my Chunker Butt, Leo!

-20!!!!

It is cold in Montana today!

My car tried not to start this morning, however, I made it do so! I have yet to get my headbolt heater installed, so I need to do that soon!

The one thing that bugs me about this weather is that when I track snow into my car, it doesn't melt and it stays there for days on end. It just keeps piling up. Lana and Leo are so lucky to be able to stay inside and not venture out into this abominable coldness.

On a side note, a new elementary therapist has been hired and now I'm showing her some of the ropes since she is new to Shelby. It feels good to not be the newbie anymore!

Hallelujah! I'm home!

Hey everyone!!!

I made it back to Montana in one piece! Although I didn't come back with my luggage... In fact, I didn't arrive in Syracuse with it either! To those of you who haven't heard, United Airlines lost my suitcase. I'm over it though, as long as I get reimbursed for it! Then, I was delayed almost 24 hours in the travel process from Syracuse to Montana.

Well, the time spent with my family was great, even though the traveling wasn't. I got to see my grandpa (and I didn't think I would since he was in Atlanta). I didn't get to see any of my college friends because of the weather. :( Sorry Mama!

Happy New Year to you all! 2009 was great and I hope 2010 is even better. Who knows, maybe I'll meet the man of my dreams in small town Shelby! I'm made some resolutions, although I haven't really planned the details of them yet.

Lana and Leo survived a week without me, thanks to Jill! I think I missed them more than they missed me!

See ya!