Can I squint any harder? And what is up with the mouth?
No idea, but I had a blast so who really cares right? This is the day I learned how to drive a snowmobile, the one in this picture, it even had heated handles.
I have just spent my 1st Christmas away from my family. Since I went to Oregon for Thanksgiving I had to stay a little closer to home for Christmas. So I went to what Mama calls my second family, the Dustins in Whitefish. It was a wonderful time of snow, love, traditions, and new experiences.
I haven't since...
1. I haven't been on a snowmobile since 3rd grade in Wyoming. On the 26th I learned how to drive one :)
2. I haven't been ice skating since my first year in college. On the 27th we went for 2 hours and I didn't fall once. I did, however, take a little bit of skin off of my heel.
3. I haven't stayed up until midnight on New Year's Eve since I moved to Montana, 6 years. This year I was up until 2 am watching The World Trade Center, The Devil Wears Prada, and Material Girls. All three good movies.
4. I haven't updated my resume since I applied at Great Falls Public Schools in 2003. Today I worked on updating not only my resume but my portfolio and applications for 3 school districts in the Whitefish area.
These are things I either hear in my office or when I have a class.
1. The hum of the pop machines.
2. The bubble from the water cooler as somebody fills their cup.
3. Somebody flushing the staff bathroom toilet.
4. The constant run of water from the toilet mentioned before (nobody taught them that if you jiggle the handle it will stop).
5. "You're mean" because I won't listen to them tattle tale.
6. "Rumor is....is it true?"
7. The fridge kicking on and off.
8. 5 different conversations while the staff is at lunch.
9. 200 students eating lunch on the other side of the wall.
10. Miss....um, I forgot your name.
Have you ever had a day where you just needed a pick-me-up and chocolate wouldn't do the trick. I've had a few lately with all the bits and pieces of my life creating a very busy and mentally/emotionally exhausting time.
Well, God being the awesome Father that He is, provided the pick-me-up that totally turned my spirit around yesterday. I love how He knows exactly what we need and provides it, often, even when we don't ask!
My friend Daniel called me last night. I love talking to him because I don't have to worry about what I say, all is fair game. He always seems to know the right thing to say and usually it doesn't even come close to being something serious. They say that laughter is the best medicine and I would totally believe it. I miss his conversations a lot and miss him even more. He was one of those friends you could sit with and have conversations without even talking, not to mention he would gleefully and willingly watch chick flicks with me, no complaints.
He's one of those friends that when they get married you say that she is totally blessed! So thankfully he has found a wife that is up to the challenge and recognizes the blessing.
Oh, what a wonderful trip I had for Thanksgiving! I had a great weekend in Whitefish with Cameron (we watched almost the whole 5th season of Smallville in 2 days), Barbara, and Scott before taking the train to Oregon on Sunday night. The train ride in itself was an experience. Let's just say there wasn't much sleeping from Whitefish to Spokane because of a unknown person who is experienced with silent but deadly. All in all, not a bad experience, even a possibility of doing it again sometime.
Spending the week with my family was absolutely, positively a good time. I got to see my little sis, Genna, and brother-in-law, Troy, who was home so he could do recruiter's assistance. I also got to spend quite a bit of time with my nephews and older sis, Lauren. The boys are growing so fast it's hard to believe. For Thanksgiving we had a huge group together for lunch and just all around fun. It gave me a chance to see aunts and uncles as well as my grandma Betty and grandpa Doyle. A time of laughter, catching up, and meeting a new cousin. Hannah is a 5-month-old girl that LaDonna and Bruce have taken as foster parents and are working on an adoption. She is the cutest and happiest baby! She just steals your heart right away. But, best of all I got to spend quite a bit of time with my Mama! I miss her dearly and cherish the little snippets of time that I do get to be with her.
Coming home I rode with Betty and John Dustin. We drove all day Saturday and made it to Whitefish around 11pm. It was a wonderful chance to spend lots of time with them and see the country side, that gradually turned to snow. Sunday I went to church with Betty, ate lunch with the family and jumped in my own truck for a trek that took a little over 5 hours to get home. The roads were pure ice and anytime a car passed either way you were blinded by snow.
Arriving home I had about 8 inches of snow in the yard because of how the wind blows it from my neighbors and it stays in mine. I wasn't anticipating having to shovel it. Being so blessed by God, I pulled up and my landlord had already done it for me! What a pleasant way to end a wonderful trip.
