2 month hiatus

Well, after a nearly 2 month hiatus, I am going to update everyone. First of the the 4-H exchange trip was AWESOME! It was easily the most rewarding thing that I have ever done in my career. I had no behavior issues, no one got hurt or sick, and everyone had a blast! We did the Floyd County Jamboree, Busch Gardens (Apollo's Chariot is a my personal favorite roller coaster there!), Virginia Beach (first time at the ocean for most of my kids), and stayed with some of the coolest host families ever...Thanks Floyd County!!! After I got back from Virginia, I had a couple of weeks before 4-H Fair; so I spent the majority of that time out in the field watching combiners and haying operations; it was really cool. I went out one night and watched the combines run after dark...really eerie looking! Fair was excellent this year; we had cooler weather, and really good judges; again, no behavior issues; other than one crazy steer that tried to drag 5 of us around and even tried to pull down a horse once we roped him! After fair I met up with Wes, Laura, and Abi for a weekend of camping in the Medicine Bow National Forest southwest of Laramie, WY. We camped at nearly 10,000 ft and I know that I got cold up there. I took the motorcycle down there which was by far the farthest I had ever ridden it (1100 miles that weekend); and finally, last weekend, my friend Rae and her daughter Danni (Glyn was working so he couldn't go) went to Great Falls to see Casting Crowns in concert. IT WAS AWESOME!!! So now everyone is caught up. I'll try not to let it be two months next time!

Countdown

Exchange week is here! I don't know whether to feel scared, excited, apprehensive, or what so I am trying to feel everything at once...scary. I am anxious to see friends and family again back east, but the apprehension of being responsible for 21 other people is daunting. I would ask that everyone prays that everything goes well, the kids learn something new, meet some cool friends, and have a good time; also, that my volunteers (without which I could not do what I do) have a good time as well. I'll try to write from the road (or tracks)!!!

what's new???

I have often wondered exactly how much information to divulge in an open forum such as this. I mean there is no expectation of privacy as this is on the internet and open for everyone to read. With that, I have always been a little guarded about what I post, but this time I think that I will let everyone in on what's really going on in my life. For the first time in a long time, my emotional state is good; my spiritual life is good; and while I am not happy about being alone, I am content in my situation for the time being. I am making some drastic changes in my daily life and how I approach things...this is all in an effort to make myself into the person that God wants me to be rather than someone else's definition of who I should be. I am going to counseling to make sure that I can put "the past behind me" and put down the baggage from a life that I no longer want to lead. So here's to putting one foot in front of the other and beginning a journey where I know the end destination, but the route is still obscure. It should be fun!

Spring Continues...MT and MD

Well, after a LOOOOOOONG winter, I believe that we have finally entered spring here in Montana for good. I'm letting myself believe that we won't have any more cold weather. I went around town the other day and took some pictures of the plants and flowers in bloom so if you are interested in flowers, look here.

I also just got back from a conference in Baltimore, MD. The weather was great all week, not too hot or humid...apparently it is very hot there today (but now I am back in Montana so they can keep their humidity)! I had never been to Baltimore prior to this trip and I have to say that I enjoyed myself more than I thought that I would. It is still a big city that I would never want to live in or visit for an extended period, but it was nice for a couple of days. The Inner Harbor was nice...and touristy; the aquarium was neat; and Mt. Vernon was fun. I wish that I had gotten to see Fort McHenry while I was there, but I didn't have time. Pictures from Baltimore can be found here.

Spring has sprung...FINALLY!!!

I got out on Friday last week and went to visit some producers in Lodge Grass. Apparently everyone thought that it was a good day to be out because I didn't find anyone at home, but I did enjoy the ride and I took a few pictures of the spring green-up here in the area. It did rain a little on Friday, but I thought that the spring rain storm was kind of pretty so I took some pictures of the approaching rain as well. Pictures from spring in Montana can be found here.

Post 100!!!

Well, here it is...post 100!!! If this were a television show, I would make this the season finale and have some sort of cliff hanger ending that would leave you on the edge of your seat. Alas, this is only what is happening in my life and really isn't all that exciting some times...come to think of it, that is exactly like television.

Since my last update; Mom and Dad came out to Montana for a visit and I have finished school for the summer! The visit by the parentals was fun and I got to show them some of what I love about Montana (we didn't get to go to Glacier). I took them to Yellowstone Park (and yes, some of the park is in Montana), down to Big Horn Canyon, around some of the farming areas in the county, out to the Big Horn River (one of the prettiest rivers in the world as far as I'm concerned), and generally just had an enjoyable visit. Now I can settle in for a busy spring and summer with many exciting Extension programs scheduled for this month and next, the exchange and fair in July, and then the best part...Banff in August!!! I can hardly wait to be in the Canadian Rockies! Pictures from Yellowstone in April can be found here.

4-16-07

Still hurts...