Mama I'm Coming Home!

I will be home in less than 6 hours! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to have the plane touch the tarmac in Billings. There are many things in life to love and I love going home! Nothing is better than having Sherry and Greg waiting for me at the bottom of the escalators at the Logan International Airport!

I will be home for 4 full days! That means 4 beautiful days of home cooking, tripoli, card games, Grandma's hilarious laughter, Amy telling jokes, Michael amusing all of us, sitting on the deck as the sun goes down and so much more!

Now I was home back in July, which really isn't that long of time, but I feel like it's been FOREVER!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! This year, I'm thankful for YOU!

KELLY CLARKSON!

Monday night.
Paramount Theatre.
Kelly Clarkson.
Changed My Life.

I had the pleasure, nay the privilege of catching a one miss Kelly Clarkson on Monday night. And let me just say that I had no idea my love for this singer could get any bigger. Until she performs her song Sober in my very own presence. Or until she pulls out an updated, remixed version of Miss Independent! Or rocks the house with Since You Been Gone.


Seriously? SERIOUSLY!

She rocked my face off. I literally have no face left because she rocked it off. That sassy thing from Texas performed her little heart out! This was my second time seeing Miss Clarkson in concert and she continues to amaze with her simplicity. She doesn't get caught up in the fireworks, fancy lights or even elaborate costumes--Kelly just gets up there with a microphone, her band and rocks the house. She played every song I wanted her too--including the song that started it all for me--Miss Independent (stop your snickering, that song allows you to totally rock out). And she played my favorite song, How I Feel, off her new album, My December. And then she brought goosebumps when she sang Sober. If you're a Kelly Clarkson fan, you need to listen to this song. If you're not a Kelly Clarkson fan, you need to listen to this song. If you're a human being, you need to listen to this song! To hear it live....wow...almost too much for this Montana girl!

All in all, this concert was amazing, Kelly was phenomenal and I left as happy as can be.

And then I found out the next day that CELINE DION is coming to Seattle. Could my concert Karma get any better?

Positively Postive.

All my life I've tried to be positive.

Have a positive attitude.
Get positive grades in school.
Be a positive influence.


And now at 24 years young I find that being positive is the hardest thing ever! Lately, I've made a definite effort to think positively. To attempt to view life with rose colored glasses. To see the light instead of the dark. To affirm the glass is half full. And while I've been mildly successful at it, I find it to be quite possibly the most difficult thing I've ever done.

But I've always believed that anything worth doing should never be easy. I've been very blessed to have positive people in my life lately. The influence of a few people has definitely helped me change the way I think about my life, the things in my life and how those things are going in my life. It always amazes that there are always a few people who, no matter what, can always look and more importantly find, the best in any person or situation. And I appreciate their ability to see the good and expect the best, it's educational for someone like myself. And inspiring.

A quote in my quote book instructs me to change my life, but if I can't change it, change the way I think about it. I think that is such a priceless nugget of advice. So I'll keep on keeping on, but as I trudge ahead on this adventure, I intend to see things from a positive perspective.

Puppy Love

I've fallen in love. And with that picture above, how can you not? I am in love with puggles. Tonight Jodie and I went to Green Lake and it did nothing to help my puppy love. First off, I have to admit, in my previous trips to Green Lake I've gotten myself into some awkward situations--once I lock my eyes on a puggle, I lose all motor skills. I've nearly run into numerous trees, stroller, joggers, walkers, rollerbladers, bikers etc--you get the picture. But tonight was the worst! I'm not even exaggerating when I say that there was 5 puggles at Green Lake tonight. And one of those puggles was a puggle puppy. It was all I could not to maul the little guy. And to make matters worse, we past the owners twice and I'm almost positive the girl thought I was totally checking out her boyfriend!
Last week I was laying on my couch with a cup of hot tea, my classical music playing and a book in my hand. Now, before I was puggle struck, this would have been an ideal Sunday afternoon for me. But as I sipped my tea and turned the pages, I couldn't help but imagine how much better this situation would have been with a warm, snuggly puppy curled up with me. I find myself even thinking of names. Bella? Dublin? Jack?


Only time will tell.......


Happiness is a warm puppy. ~Charles M. Schulz

Fall Fun Weekend!

Fall has officially arrived! Apart from the obvious falling of the leaves, there are a few things that signify the official Fall Season.

It's not football.

It's not the re-appearance of the Uggs.

It's not even the damn Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks.

It's clearly a trip to Greenbluff! And if that wasn't enough, a trip to Greenbluff with two of my favs! This weekend I hopped in the car and drove 289 miles east to Spokane to see my friends Kelsey and Melissa. It twas a glorious day in the 509 and we hit the road for the goodness that is Greenbluff. Greenbluff is the quintessential fall haven. From apple orchards to pumpkin patches, hot apple cider to real caramel kettle corn, Greenbluff has it all.

Our first mission was to pick the perfect pumpkin. I learned from Melissa that Kelsey had yet to EVER pick a pumpkin and carve one, so it was a must do. Kelsey did a fabulous job of selecting a pumpkin--it was as though the pumpkin was calling her from across the picked-over field. Samson (that was the name we gave this little guy) and Kelsey instantly bonded and the connection was clear.

Once Kelsey found her partner, it was time for Melissa to find her other half. Melissa, being the level-headed, analytical wonder that she is, took her time and carefully examine several pumpkins. Her diligence certainly paid off. She spotted Bernard from across the way and it was love at first pluck. I've never seen Melissa so happy (well, with something that doesn't involve her adorable dog Toby). Bernard and Sampson proved to lovely additions to the gang.

After our romp in the pumpkin patch, we headed over to Harvest House for the world famous pumpkin donuts. And let me be clear, I am NOT a fan of pumpkin anything. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin spice lattes---no thank you no thank you no thank you. But Kelsey and Melissa insisted that these were not to be missed. And apparently everyone else got the same message because the line was SO long! Before hopping into the never-ending line, we decided it would be wise to grab a caramel apple to sustain us. One of the many wonderful decisions we made that day. Caramel apple heaven I tell you! I've had a few caramel apples in my day, but this was one for the books. Not only did they dip the apple right in front of you, they washed the apple and stuck it on the stick. Talk about made to order!
Once the caramel apples were devoured, (okay, it took like 3 minutes to eat that caramelly goodness) we began to stand in line for these donuts.

And stand.
And stand.
And stand.

We stood in line for an hour and a half! We finally reached the beginning of the line and it was worth it! Not only could you see the entire process of the donuts (Krispy Kreme has nothing on Harvest House) but we got the donuts hot off the press! And I'm proud to announce that I enjoyed these fabled pumpkin donuts! It was well worth the wait--they were so hot, they burned our little fingers.

The weather was perfect, the company was awesome and the weekend couldn't have been better!

"Seasons change, so do cities; people come into your life and people go; but its comforting to know the ones you love are always in your heart, and if you're lucky only a plane [or car!] ride away."
Carrie from Sex and the City

When In Doubt, Run It Out

When life gets too much and I feel like I'm going to explode, I only know of one thing that relieves all the pent up energy.

A good long run.

Nothing like burning lungs, aching muscles and some great pump up music to get the blah out of the day. Today was one of those days that I just needed to go. And today was perfect. I chose one of my favorite places in Seattle--Green Lake. The trees are starting to turn and it's not as crowded as it is during the summer days. I love the days when you have to wear your running pants and a long sleeve t-shirt. The crisp autumn air made my lungs ache, but in the best way possible.

All the elements fell into place as my feet pounded the pavement, my breathing matched the pump of my arms and the beat of the music pulsed through my body. Running is such a cathartic thing for me--it's the only way I allow my bottled up emotions come out.

And so I run. I run because it lets me release all the bad thoughts I had during the day, all the negative emotions I'm feeling and just clear my mind so that the only thing I'm thinking is 'keep going...a little longer...five more minutes'.

I'll keep running. Because it lets me be selfish. It's the thing I do that's just for me and nobody else.

Side Order of Hair

Let's talk about side ponytails. I believe that they are close cousins to the mullet. While yes, the mullet proves to be a multi-faceted 'do (refresh: party in the back, business in front), the side pony is more fashion friendly, but equally as distasteful.

I think it's safe to say that the mullet, no matter the context, will always be a fashion faux pas. The side pony, on the other hand, I'll give some leeway. Let's be honest, Mischa Barton can pull the side pony off pretty good. But mere mortals are not as capable. Let's take this waitress I had tonight. She was real nice, and an okay waitress, but it looked like she had been taking a nap and the weight of her head and the pressure of the pillow displaced her regular ponytail. I understand the dilemma that girls face as you struggle to come up with an alternative to the regular pony tail, but I stress the importance of re thinking your initial urge to sport the side pony. I tend to use it strictly in jest and for a good belly laugh.

And I caution you--never crimp your hair AND rock the side pony. That is double whammy no-no. Save it for the 80s parties and Madonna Tribute parties.

Don't even get me started on mullets. Or fanny packs.

"In matters of style, swim with the current. On matters of principle, stand like a rock."
-Thomas Jefferson