Getting Settled

 

This was the view from I-90 heading West to Billings.  I seriously have not gotten used to all of this.  It is wide open....and I mean WIDE OPEN.  I know that Montana is called Big Sky Country, but it completely amazes me how there is nothing blocking our view of this incredible sky.  The storm had calmed a little bit on our way in, but you could see it lingering over the distance.  

The fields have been plowed, so most everything here on the plains is now brown rather than the green.  Despite it not being as green as when Ken and I were here in June, it is still breathtaking.  There are so many times that Ken will squeeze my hand and whisper to me, "We are really here, in Montana!"  The girls have not been able to get enough of it here either.  They want to travel and see everything.

Our trip to Billings required a stop at a sports store for Taylor to obtain the necessary equipment for volleyball.  We had to exchange some shoes for Mandy, and Mama finally caved in and did some Back to School shopping for herself.  Before heading to the Rimrock Mall, we stopped at a guy's house to purchase a lawnmower.  This is the first lawnmower I have ever purchased!!  Talk about weird! Thankfully, Ken knows how to use one.  LOL

We then went back to Home Depot - the place that has taken a whole lot of our money lately.  During our trip here, Mandy decided that pushing the flat cart just wasn't for her.  There is a video on my Facebook page of her "driving" the cart which was hysterical.  She was really good about her driving skills, but I couldn't get over her enthusiasm for being different.

 

The trip home included quite a show from Mother Nature.  There was lightening that lit up the entire sky.  The girls would have gone to sleep on the drive, but the show was brilliant and captivating.  Oh, and when I say the lightening lit up the entire sky, I mean it.  Remember about the statement that this is Big Sky Country??  Yeah, try imagining endless sky on the horizon, and the entire thing is on fire from lightening.  The bolts that we saw were incredibly and awesome.  There was only a little rain for us, but we watched the storm move East as we drove.

Today, I was able to spend the entire day unpacking boxes and getting some things settled.  I started with the China hutch - mostly because I wanted to see the pretty items but also because it emptied three boxes very quickly.  

As much stress as I went through to pack, unpacking is killing me slowly.  It never seems to end!!  I am happy to report that I got through over half of the boxes that were residing in the living room.  Unfortunately, this does not include the chaos that is in the basement.  

 

While I worked on the Kitchen and Dining Room, Ken kept working away on the Office.  There has been some major re-working of things since Ken and I are combining both of our offices into one.  I loved being able to pick out the perfect writing desk, and Ken surprised me by getting it set up for me today.  Talk about squealing with delight!!!  Now, I have to go on the hunt for the perfect chair to match it!  As soon as I finish in the Kitchen and organizing the Living Room while we wait for the furniture, I will find my writing supplies and unpack them!!  

 

I am finally start to feel "at home."  I purchased some Jim Shore items for the house, and they were the first things delivered to me here.  The first one in the sand castle.  Just because I left the beach, I cannot find a good reason not to bring the beach to me!!  (I also managed to get a couple great items for Halloween from Jim Shore, and I'm excited about being able to set them out soon.)

This spot is clearly seen when you first walk into the house.  For now, I have placed my stitched month of August on here, but it's only until I can find my Back to School center piece and get that together.  This will be an excellent place for the pictures and flowers that I have for each season. 

 

My feet and my back ache from all of the work, but it's seriously worth every moment.  Tomorrow, I have to head into Orientation meetings for the week as my Contract begins in the morning.  After four years of working in my PJ's, I'm not sure how I feel about having to get up and get out of the house for work.  I'm excited about the new job, and the slower pace.  

I am completely tired of having swollen feet, however, and no amount of soaking it relieving the poor things.  They are much better than they were, but I think I'll have to break down and start taking the stupid water pills to help out.