Rewarding Yourself

When you don't have kids to buy cute things for, you have to reward yourself and buy cute things for yourself. Nine weeks ago I embarked on a little health and fitness journey to lose weight and run a half marathon. 22 pounds later, I rewarded myself. I love Dooney and Bourke handbags, and finally bought this one. (Okay, okay....maybe I have a couple, but in my defense, I have NEVER paid full price for one!!!)

There's just something about Montana.....

I don't know about anyone else, but have you ever been glad it's Monday so you can go to work and relax? That was my thought today. I had such a busy weekend that I am exhausted. Overall, it was fast-paced, exciting, and rewarding, but then again, I got nothing done except for a few loads of laundry and a load of dishes done. I didn't feel well on Friday, so I came home and pretty much fell asleep on the couch. Ben came home for dinner around 10:30 or so, and I don't even remember him leaving. On Saturday, I made my weekly trip to Billings for groceries and whatever else I needed. I came home and we had lunch with Mom and Dad, and then took Quincy to the creek so we could swim. That dog is a swimming fool. Then, we came home and took a nap before Ben headed to work at 6PM. Then, the night began. This weekend was the Harley Davidson's Annual Iron Horse Rodeo in Red Lodge. The county goes crazy. It is so sad to see society go down the drain with all of the drinking and craziness. The first Ambulance call came in at 9PM and the last one at 2:45 AM, a car crash about 15 miles from my house. I took one patient the hospital, and the other died, and since Ben was the Coroner on duty, we both rolled into bed around 6:30 Sunday morning. Some people ask us how we can do it; all the car crashes and hurt people, and dealing with it. Truth of the matter is, its not always easy, but we are each other's support group and we enjoy helping people and at least thinking we may make a difference. So, yesterday, Ben was gone all day at the autopsy, and I had to combine after meeting and all afternoon for may dad. I think I was asleep last night before I even hit the pillow.
Okay, this picture really doesn't do it justice, because it sort of looks blue here, but that is just the sunset making it look this color. Also keep in mind that I have not painted the overhang or the trim or garage doors. And, we still haven't moved the satellite dishes yet because when we called to have them taken down, they said we would have to pay. So, Ben is just going to have to get his latter and take them down off of the front of the house. So, this is our house after one year of living here. As soon as I can, I will try and post a "before picture." I'm telling you, you won't recognize it!

This was the Sunset behind our house on Friday night when the house picture was taken

This was the sunrise that Ben and I came home to Sunday morning after being on the car crash all night. It was about 6:15AM in this picture. Ben and I both agreed that after such a bad night, this amazing red sunrise was a good reminder of God's power, and just how fragile life is.

And on a much lighter note, Quincy, isn't she so ugly that it makes her so adorable? I love this dog. And does everyone notice how cute her pink collar with studded dog bones is? (This one is for dad, who claims dogs are not grandkids)

Just some old pics ......

I had these pics on my jump drive, so, until tonight when I get to take pics of my house, these will have to do as a post today. I also want to say that I love everyone's blogs! I have to admit that I don't get as much work done as I should now that I have all of your darling families to entertain me.

This is when we were bound for Mexico on our honeymoon!

On the beach in Progresso, Mexico. Our cruise ship was in the background. I submitted this photo to a photography contest for Carnival Cruiselines. I haven't heard back yet.

About a month ago, my white Mercury Sable just about died, (120,000 miles) and we decided that I needed a new car. The Sable was just going to nickel and dime us to death, so I got online, and found what I really wanted. We went to Butte, Montana to pick it up because it was 2,000 to 3,000 big ones cheaper than in Billings. I have always wanted a Subaru Outback, so kids are on one seat, and stroller and dog are in the back. This is my new ride. And, because I made such fun of my dear hubby below, I will show off his prize antelope mount to make up for it! This lovely creature adorns itself on my living room wall. I am so proud. (can you sense the sarcasm?)

Hubby

Many of you do not know my husband, Ben. He is the most accident prone person that I know. (He doesn't read this very often, so, I can embarrass him a bit.) I have decided I am going to get him a helmet and put"Benny" in crayon across the front of it. A month or so ago he cracked two ribs when he was riding his mountain bike with the dog, and Quincy flushed a pheasant, cut in front of him, and Ben when flying forward, and caught two ribs on the end of a handle bar. And then, a little while ago, he was trimming some trees, and the blade on the saw broke, and he cut the tendon of his middle finger. (see above) He could not move it or straighten it out, it just slumped down. He has to wear a finger cast for 8 weeks. And the finniest part of this all, is the Ben is a manly, tough, brave person, but when he sees his own blood, he gets woosey and almost faints. The man is a Coroner, for goodness sakes, but when he sees his own blood, the room starts spinning. he he......(love you, hunny)

Painting Update!

So, I have an adorable hubby! My husband and his dear family worked so hard on Tuesday. They masked off all of the windows and doors and put the two coats of paint on that it needed, so when I got home from work on Tuesday, IT WAS ALL DONE! Minus the window and door trim, but, still, they did everything. It looks great! We did not have a chance to take any pics of it yet, but I promise that when I get everything put back together ( The rain gutters and screens) I will post pictures. And, it is not white- it is a nice shade of grey, and it makes the house look so much bigger! I love it! We moved into our house one year ago today. It doesn't seem possible that it has been a year. Time flies when you are busy and have a lot to do. When I get to a color scanner, I will send before and after pics of the house, inside and out, after one year!



On a side note, isn't it amazing how much we take for granted in our day to day life? I would say this is especially true of friendships. For example, I can go an entire 10 months before chatting with a friend, or even a year before I see some friends at Convention. On Saturday I have to go to a funeral for a good friend of mine. He was more like a teacher and mentor. He was my paramedic instructor and mentor on the EMS Service that I work for. He had an outpatient surgical procedure and later that evening, thew a clot and had a massive heart attack. He was CPR'd for 45 minutes and died six days later in Intensive Care. He was 53. I just wish I would've been more appreciative towards him, and thanked him a bit more. It's not fair. I know life isn't, and that's why we need our Spirits to be right at all times, but he saved so many lives, taught 100's of CPR classes, and he dies because no one gave him CPR soon enough. Ironic, I guess, but just not fair. So, in memory of my friend, please tell the people you care about how much you truly appreciate them, because you never know if it might be the last time you tell them.

It's painting day!

So, I am pleased to say that when I get home, I will no longer have a turquoise/mint green house, but a grey one! Although my husband tells me that it looks white, which is NOT a good thing! I hope it's not as bad as he says, because I do not want to go and buy more paint! I will hopefully post some pics on Thursday, as tomorrow is my day off, and I will be helping with the second coat!

Let's hope it looks good!

Happy 4th of July!!

America, the Beautiful!!


Some Yellowstone Park wild flowers

Ben and Quincy overlooking Yellowstone Lake

Old Faithful- Right on Time......

The 6 x6 Bull elk we saw- I should've got closer....

Our cabin in Cody



We had a great 4th of July. We had planned to go to Butte, MT, to see Ben's grandparents, but his grandpa fell ill and had to come to Billings to see his cardiologist, so we ended up going through Yellowstone National Park via Cody, Wy. It was great and just nice to take a mini-vacation. First we went to Cody and spent Tuesday night there in a little cabin. It was very nice and charming. We went out to eat and then just laid in front of the air conditioner, it was soooo hot. We tried to hit the pool, but they closed it for cleaning- just our luck, eh? We got started towards Yellowstone at 10:30 Wednesday morning and were at the entrance around 11:30. We went to Fishing Bridge, the Lake Hotel, and ate a picnic lunch at Bridge Bay and the marina. We went for a little walk and Quincy tried to go swimming in the lake. Then we headed towards Old Faithful. As always, right on time. This was the first time Ben had ever been through Yellowstone Park. We also went up through Canyon Village where we saw a grizzly bear, and a 6x6 bull elk. We went home through Cooke City and over the Beartooth Pass, onto Red Lodge, and arrived back home around 10:30pm. Overall, it was fast, but fun! Quincy is still scared of the fireworks, so the vet gave us doggie Valium. Doggie Downers.... how funny is that?

The Ups and Downs

Skunks and Dogs.... Don't mix.. Bath time!

If you would have asked me five years ago if I ever wanted a dog, I would have said "Maybe." Last year I would've said, "Yes," but it's no big deal- it's just a pet. Boy, if you could've seen me on Saturday and Sunday- So, our dog, Quincy, who I might add is the best dog in the whole world, doesn't like fireworks. Nope- not at all. She got so scared when the fireworks started that she jumped the fence and ran away yelping. She was not catchable. I haven't been that upset or cried that hard in a long time. I was grief stricken, sick to my stomach. I even missed meeting to go out and look for her on the four-wheeler ( I know, I know, priorities, right......?) My dad says this is a sign that we need kids. I think he may be right, but it was horrible. Ben and I just laid in bed terrified that someone would see this $600 pure bred hunting dog and take it home. I must have put 100 miles on the 4-wheeler out looking for her before I finally came home and cried my eyes out. Ben was working and stopped by to see how I was holding up when the dispatcher called him on his portable radio and said that she thought our dog had been found at the neighbor's a mile away. She had definaitely had her share of fun when she was gone. She came back reaking of SKUNK! Now, there are going to be some people who read this blog who say, "This couple is messed up- it's just a dog," and there will be couples who say," Oh, those poor people, how devastating." But, either way- Dad still says- Uh...... you guys need kids. He has even bribed us- and then there's my mom, who claims, at 48, she is way too young to be a grandma.
Overall, the get together was a hit, followed by great fireworks and fun, but it was so exhausting. I took a long nap yesterday and it was great. I did, however, manage to puncture my back with barbed wire while out looking for Quincy, so today I was at the MD's to get my tetanus shot. Now I feel like I have dead arm and a huge headache. I hope that the rest of the week goes better and that we have a great holiday. Be safe everyone and buckle up!