Countdown....till Wedding Day

Well, Here we are Ya'll!! It is the countdown. First, the countdown was that Dustin was here for Ronan, but that still seemed ages away. And then there was the countdown 10 days later when he came back for a wedding of his buddy here in Glacier Park. It was a freezing cold day, we were running around finding black pants at the mall before hand because I still do not know the size my husband-to-be wears. I do know that he was stretching the comfy zone by branching out into dress pants! But Wowzea!! He found out that he's a natural! He even gave a great speech for his good friend. I was so proud of him. He really does not do well being the center of attention! I think part of his speech was like this: His buddy asked if he was going give a Best Man Speech. Dustin swallowed hard, said yes, streaked to the bathroom, lost some lunch, came back and was a pro. This was a monumental moment because the Groom and Dustin played HS Football together and it was published in the Billings Gazette of the Groom saying, "If Dustin throws up before a game, that's a good sign- we know we're going to win." And they did. Every game. And Dustin did again before the speech which both he and the Groom knew was a symbol of a good marriage.

I never played football.

I have no idea what they're talking about.

But everyone laughed, and they hugged.

I thought my Fiance was very Handsome up there, so I smiled too.

Consequently, being at a wedding kind of was a trial run for us. I looked at the Gorgeous Bride, the barely-contained-happy Groom and I felt so excited for our Wedding Day! I was told by a good friend to start writing a journal because you forget SO much of the planning and you want to read back on it later. So I guess that's what this blog is turning into- the Wedding Journal.  I've been zooming around trying to get things figured out and we get married in 6 weeks.

The only plan I have so far:

I have my wedding dress.

Dustin has his suit.

That's It. 

Which means there is a good bit to do....

Since he's been here all weekend, that means there has been no planning going on except a very quick trip to Missoula to pick up some water. Do you think 27 cases are enough?? Yes. Over 500 bottles of water is probably plenty for 100 guests. Yes. Me thinks so. But I do love them. They're awesome. Mom found a stock tank down at the barn yesterday so I think we'll get some very large bags of ice from Costco and fill 'er up! Should stay cold that way.

REALLY REALLY REALLY doing the sun dance. We haven't had a day without rain or clouds in a very long time- months worth. And it's clouding up again right now. It's warm out which means we're going to be in for some really nice thunderstorms tonight. Which means we won't start haying and we really need to. I'm excited to get on the tractor again.... there is nothing like cutting 1000's of acres of hay, seeing it lay down behind the swather in perfect winrows, smell the sweet scent of the fresh cut, feel the heat radiate from the ground while trying to change the knives.... it's the epitome of home, hard work, love and harmony. Yes- harmony even when there are breakdowns and irritated crews. 

Okay! Just heard the first ka-boom!!  I've got to get the clothes off the line.....

Secrets

Okay. So confession time. I'm busy and don't blog. Actually that's not totally true. I have 4 days left of work. Thus, I have checked out. Seriously big time. And am a little ashamed. However, I also have a horrid cold, I think I've died twice today out of having a sinus headache and I'm pretty sure that the only thing to fix me now are some Almond Butter Chocolate Brownies. I've tried the drugs. And they don't work. Exactly how The Verve says they don't. ! tehe. How all of this pulls together is that One.) I don't blog because I secretly LOVE roaming around the blogs of the world. Seriously. It's so fun. I have learned how to do all kinds of things like how to make my own crackers, how to make seriously good curry (the trick is to 'toast' the powder first) and my sister and I made it last night. You should have seen us trading ideas back and forth how to 'toast' powder. Turns out it's easy and makes for great flavor. Along with lots of garlic.... how to cook Gluten Free, how to make adorable little flowers for accessories, how my tummy hurts a lot because I don't have enough acid in there so I drink apple cider vinegar. Yeah it's gross, but it sure works! My Great Aunt Susie (Mary) would be so proud. how to make crates, how to find a needle in a haystack- get a really strong magnet, Duh...., how to reclaim disastrous old clothes into something hip, et cetera.

So. My point. Um just realized I started a list out with One. And never followed to Two. Of which i can't even remember right now, so that takes care of that. This happens often. Don't worry. I'm still functional. Mostly.

I don't blog because I'm busy stalking other blogs which is all kinds of fun. I have lots of down time at work, so this is a handy scenario to practice blog stalk.

Also, there are only about a million ideas running through my head and small lists (ok a TON of small lists) that I know needs done prior to Aug 5th. It's funny about getting married, people are so excited for you and ask how planning is going. I'm super excited to marry My Hubs-to-be BUT I secretly hate wedding planning. It's no fun. Ever. No, I'm totally serious. Really hate it. Which probably explains why I just ordered invites yesterday and how the only thing I have planned is my dress and Himself's suit. Which we actually have in possession. Minus the fact I need to hem pants..... can't forget that one....  The only prayer of a chance that this could change is I found a blog that explains how to dye shoes and adorn them with buttons. I'm holding my breath and hope the 'fun' feeling stays. I'd really like to like this part of the adventure....... Honestly buttons could be the whole change up here for me. And lots of chocolate, which is the bottom of the pyramid and replaces the 'grains' part. But I'm trying to be good. Because, I am, after all, getting married and *gasp* dieting which I can never forgive myself for because I've always scoffed at brides who do this..... Who can think about being swimsuit worthy when we're still in Winter and it's June and there isn't an 80 degree around to be had????? 80* is appropriate warm weather btw. Maybe hubs will someday warm (pun intended) to the idea of living tropical. I would support this very much.  I wonder if tropical destinations let you drill for oil..... hmmm.

I'm trying to find some cute captions of button quotes. Something cute, like "A heart that loves is forever young."  Has nothing to do with buttons. But I want quotes that make you smile and laugh yet leave you will the Awwww fer CUTE feeling! Anyone know of any?

I'm looking forward to rusticating, to having my own kitchen (really think it's a great trick to become friends with your kitchen), to blog about Gluten Free fabulous food that's easy and healthy, finishing school, blog about designing clothes, master my sewing skills, finish all my projects that range from knitting-photo organizing -finishing 11 half made dresses and skirts, to hone my photography skills which are at a low point, to finally get to know my husband (tehe I love that word!) and never have to be apart!! Yay for the latter end of that run on sentence. How awesome would any of the above be to make a job out of it (minus my hubs- I don't share nor am shared). Except there are only a zillion me's out there with the same idea!

Oh well. The ultimate job would be getting paid to eat chocolate. I'd probably own Switzerland by now, have reinvented all Toblerone's to Dark Chocolate only and moved Trader Joe's with me.

For now, I'll have another piece of chocolate. (In my dreams- I'm dieting remember?) And hunt up some shoes to dye.

A few odds n ends.

Well, the sun does shine in the world! And flowers do come in blossom for real and it's not imagination. There is one snowbank left and it will be there awhile since it's close to 4 feet high yet. The days press on, life keeps going, and there is beauty that suddenly pops out of unexpected places. Yes, even chickens! I love chickens- much to the chagrin of my Dustin. No I will not decorate a kitchen with them, but their antics are hilarious and they give fresh eggs. Some can't fit in the carton....  The other day I came home to find them fighting over a piece of twine. I'm not sure what the attraction was, but they were fighting about it. Whiski got them straightened out properly by chasing them away from garden. She's such a good little watch dog. :) She also is not impressed to talk on the phone when she's trying to sleep as you can see above. Really, she runs the place. We just live with her.

  

This little guy looks certifiably flapped

Enjoying hamburgers in the park, this guy came up and wanted to share.  

Comfort and well wishes

Thinking of my mother-in-law to be, hoping surgery goes well. She gave me this cup the last time I saw her, and it's a perfect fit for me and my favorite friend, Coffee. It's a comfortable cup, molds to the hand just right as I wake up in the morning. That might be strange, but it's not. It's a comfort thing. And it goes perfectly paired with a stack of gluten free buckwheat pancakes. Or gluten free blueberry coconut muffins. Or tomato ham quiche. Or just black. 

Love you Judy.

A Day for the books!

There is always cause to rejoice in the spring when the ice fiiiiiinaaaaaallllly goes out. This spring it has taken forever.... It is hard to believe that all of this will look so different in another month and we'll wonder why we wondered if it would ever get green and leafy and warm!  Those photos depict a very different idea right now. Just keep remembering in 30 days... 30 days... 30 days! The eagle is back again for the 3rd year. I haven't been able to get a photo of him yet.

Watching the ice move doing homework

The creek broke free... it's roaring

The end....

Few more photos of the end of the ice fishing.

Days passing as a snail

I imagine, no, I KNOW that we all have hard days. Ones that make you doubt yourself, your abilities and even your time. There is much to be said about being quiet and not getting worked up about our own selves. It is something I need to re-learn every day. I love quiet mornings that I don't have to be anywhere in a hurry. I love waking up with a cup of coffee (we are good, comfortable, old friends) and feeling the sun come up over the lake to splash its warmth is a welcomed part of my day with a morning read. Even with that little utopia, today, this is what I feel like:

Today though, there is a hurt inside. An ache that won't go away. Some days it is easier to keep a stiff upper lip and ignore it, but not today. Today I'm not strong. Today I'm weak. Today it's hard to accomplish anything. We can all expect days like this, but this kind of day is especially hard. It's going to be 6 weeks before I see my Fiance. He's working long and crazy weird hours, I don't have any more vacation time except the 3 day saved for convention and can't go see him, he's tired, I miss him, wedding plans are difficult and stressful, it's cold and snowy here still, I'm trying to pack and there is no room to store it, and we're trying to do this all 700 miles apart. Keeping a love burning, a love growing stronger, keeping each other encouraged, hoping that the next 14 weeks pass quickly for the day we never have to be apart. It is hard.

Talking to my other mother last night she told me that there was time in her newly married life in the Alaska bush when they took stock of their account and money jar and all they had was 9 pennies. Think of it! 9 Lincoln's. That isn't very much. But she was happy and content being there with her husband and the adventures of the years building a cabin, keeping a garden and canning and freezing, and making trips once a year to the grocery store in Anchorage. That is love, they had each other.

My own mother has done the same; came to Kalispell to teach after living in London and abroad, married my dad and they were going to be gone 3 months to Alaska for dad to finish out working on the Slope for Neighbors Drilling. She moved with a cardboard box, her purse and two hot pink suitcases. Dad left her the day after they arrived for 3 weeks to work his shift. They were there six years upon which they moved back to the family ranch in Montana with me (8 months old) and struggled along wondering how to feed a growing family, running a sawmill, ranching, dad breaking his neck, not knowing if he'd walk again and mom 6 months pregnant with #3 having to water the pigs by 5 gallon buckets, farming, and living in a little cabin we later dubbed as The Rat House. That is love, they had each other.

So, there aren't too many differences of hurts and worries, just thirty-some years apart. I imagine those two women having to be strong and having some hard days. I was the oldest and had no concept of there being hard days, poor times, and dealing with the burdens of life. I just knew love from them and was wrapped up in the cocoon of it along with my siblings. They had to sacrifice because they did love.They are some of the most amazing women I've ever known and if I have half of their pluck and drive and ability to love, I will be a good wife. We do not know what is in our future, but we know Who holds the future. That will be a comfort no matter what kind of days there are.

DIY flowers

I've been having fun lately trying out different 'etsy' touches that I refuse to buy because "I know I can do it myself." There are days when I wonder what on earth I was trying to prove by Doing It Myself. However, I LOVE the look of these and cannot wait for them to be put to use!

Engagement Photos

The season of Spring

There is one season that is hard for me to reconcile with. That is Spring. It is my very least favorite. I know people say they love spring because they love the "change in the air" and the "flowers starting to grow" and the "smell of the earth" etc and so on. It's quite depressing really. Anyone who says that has never had to endure spring in the mud, get tractors stuck (like dad and brother did Saturday trying to plow), or seeing the ground under the trees and still have 2 feet of snow in the yard, or calving season or simple things like going for a walk with the dog and then having to give her a bath afterwards because her white 'fur' goes completely black. Giving the dog a bath every day is not in my top 5 things considered as Fun. It is also difficult to stay hopeful when this is the weather pattern of the first hour of the day. Like today.

6:35 am - Woke up to rain on the roof. That's okay. It's a tin roof and it sounds beautiful.
6:50 am - Stopped raining and made coffee. The smell of caffeine in the air is half the wake-up battle.
7:02 am - Started the pickup, slipped on the ice in the driveway. The wind came up and carried me back inside
7:10 am - Back to the pickup, stepped in mud -the only mud in the drive and may have ruined beloved Danskos. Left the house. It is snowing.
7:10:28 am - To the end of the driveway and it stopped snowing. Pickup thermometer says 33 degrees
7:58 am -  I see a big bright dot in the sky. It is not shining though.
8:10 am - Got to work,  it's raining....
And probably by the time the day is over, there will be snow, slush, sun, wind and rain, not in that order.

My real lament? It is supposed to be spring. Which means sun. Which we haven't seen since about the 1900's. Because we live in Sibera. And I am dying to feel the sun on me rather than just my eyeballs.

There are a few sweet things about spring which is seeing tiny crocuses' push up through the snow. And seeing the daffodils pushing up out of a flower bed that is surrounded in snow. And baby calves, okay especially the calves. Photos to follow.

I love buttons. They are just fun.....

and, thanks to my almost sister -in-law I have become totally enamored with these edible buttons she found on etsy. Yes. Oh yes and thank you. :)

Ice Fishing Days

 Saturday morning proved to be a beautiful blue bird day... And the fishing wasn't bad! Lynae and I brought breakfast out to the men hard at work. Some coffee, tea and blueberry muffins.

A new life to be....

What happens when you don't control your own life? Amazing, wonderful, unthinkable things that would never happen to you in a million years. Like falling in love in 10 days of meeting someone.

This was the first photo ever taken of us. 

3 weeks later, here we are acting like gangsters. :) 

And gradually he started to show a sweeter side.... a side that makes me smile inside just because.

But the happiest day was when he asked me to marry him and be his wife. I said YES!! This happened like any other couple getting engaged. I dared him! And that's how we got engaged :)