Holiday update letter 04-05

Well, this is it… you are experiencing the first ever, soon to be annual (after next year) ‘holiday’ letter. What could I be talking about? ...Holiday letter? Most of you over the past years during the winter holiday season send me wonderfully enriching letters about you and your families. I read them, and say to myself “what a darn good idea” and then I just leave it at that, but it dawned on me this past year, I bet folks want to hear what I am up to… so here it goes…. Before I begin, please sit back, change out of your work cloths, poor your self a nice glass of wine or a cool glass of filtered water, and enjoy! O.k. where to begin… it all started on a warm summer day in July back in the roaring 70’s and from there the lessons started to be absorbed and a enchanting young woman started to develop. I will save you all the stories about the tooth fairy and bathroom adventures and move on to the millennium. So let’s look back to this past year, a reflection on 2004 and the journey into 2005. For those that do not know I live in Bozeman, MT (since May 2002). If you have never been you should visit because you will understand why I live here and have never left. Back on track, in December of 2003, I completed my second term of service with the Montana Conservation Corps (MCC) and was working at a bakery and on weekends working with the developmentally disabled. I decided in Feb. 04 to go full time as an Office Manager/Recruitment Coordinator/ Layout Specialist – other wise known as an Administrative Assistant at the MCC, which was only that title I got paid for. So with that understanding I trucked along. Working in the office full time was a switch from my two summers doing field work in the back country of Montana, but I felt I needed a bit of grounding and well, let’s be honest, benefits. The spring came and went. My sister and a good friend of hers came up for a visit at the beginning of June. Three girls headed up to Glacier National Park and had a lovely time, minus the honey on the toes we saw no bears, but shared stories of them. I began my first garden (we are talking 40 by 30 feet) just perfect. I planted tomatoes, squash, carrots, spinach, peas, beans, strawberries, asparagus, brussel sprouts, white potatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, a variety of leaf lettuce, radishes, cabbage and whole mix of herbs (apple trees and raspberries were already present.) I can not say that all items were a successful harvest, but a true educational treat. The summer seemed to pass as quickly as the spring. It was not as warm as the two years prior so the fire season was south of Montana. I did experience a breath taking 4th of July camping trip with my room mate of 3 years, Henri. First time the two of us had ever shared a wilderness experience and it was unforgettable. Camping at close to 11,000 feet and looking forward to fishing for 3 days at lakes that we came to find were still frozen over, in July! I then hiked the ridge (meaning the Bridger ridge, which ends right in Bozeman) 21+ miles all in one day with a few perfect hiking companions. It is amazing what you learn about yourself when you truly push yourself to the limit. The summer started to shorten its day light hours, but not with out a trip down to Denver. Walt, Barb, and Will all few up from Florida and we all celebrated and congratulated my sister on her completion of studies from the University of Denver (Master’s of Social Work). That was a grand trip and to be honest, the first time the family did not get into one argument, believe it or not, but it is true. A few weekends after her graduation, my sister head up to Bozeman and my step father, Pat and his partner, Kate, flew in and we all enjoyed a lovely vacation right out side of Bozeman, at Chico Hot Springs. During that trip, as time would have it, I met a man that was soon to court me over the following months. From what I can gather, Pat and Kate fell in love with Montana and I am hoping they want to buy a home here, so I can house sit for them, he he. Then the fall crept in, falls out here are not as colorful as a patch work North Carolina fall, but it was by far the prettiest fall I have seen in Montana, golden yellow around every corner. And it was charming because someone had found me to spend it with and I them. Minus falling in love, I started itching for a new job, I knew I could not last in front of a computer 8 hours a day for another year because I am going to save that for my later years of life. The search for the ‘perfect’ job began. Aside from work, I started to feel a bit ill over those colder months and decided to go to the doctor. I figured out that I am getting a bit older and need to start addressing ‘body changing’ topics. Before I fully addressed all the ‘topics’ troubling my body, I headed south for Thanksgiving to meet up with the family back in sunny Florida. It was the first time I had been home for that holiday in years and I needed it! I said hello to friends I had not had the chance to be close to in awhile and it allowed me to realize how much I have been blessed with true timeless friendships and how precious it is to love. Not to mention how encouraging it was to spend time with one of my grandmothers. Like all trips I had to head home. Off I went back to white and brisk Montana. I came home in time to face my surgery… ah, the most physically challenging experience of my life (for those that are weak in the stomach, skip to the next paragraph)… so I had a polyp removed from my rear end… woozier, I cringe just writing that, yuck! As most of you know with my family history, that was important for me to take care of. I was taken care of by one of the most giving friends, Whitney, who saw me through each day of that ‘crisis’ (I felt like I was working in crisis mode for a few weeks). It took a full 2 months to heal from but I will spare you of the tears and discomfort, rest assured, I am o.k. O.k. lets see… so that was early December and I started making plans with my fella to visit his family over Christmas down in Los Angeles and I could not wait, I had never been. We drove down to LA in a truck with two dogs, all of our stuff and Christmas presents, we listened to books on tape and laughed a lot! His family was lovely and welcoming (I had the chance to meet and hold his new cousin of 3 days!) I got to experience the city life, which was a far cry from Montana life. I had a most memorable New Years in the Frank Gehry concert hall and reflected on how precious life is, surprises around each corner. We left sunny California and headed home to a snow coated Montana and it sure felt great to be home. That puts me at January of this year… a nice month, busy at work, but quiet, with no big trips. Then came February, I decided early in the month that it was time to make some changes. I decided to move homes and to quit my job, both of which I have done! Wow… and during those two changes the man that I was hoping to proudly introduce to each of you decided that he needed(s) to find a better match and so like an unwise man he left me. Let me be honest, I am crushed and I miss his dogs and the laughter. But if you could meet the friends I have in this town you would know I am not short on laughter and shoot, maybe I will get a dog. I am keeping my chin up and maybe one day I will find a smarter one. Now March is here which means spring draws nearer, a new garden will be under way, and new changes are around the corner. I am helping a 7 year old in math (whom I just adore) and doing some odd jobs (meaning working on an air stream trailer, it is just nuts, but I love it!). I am on the quest to find the ‘perfect’ job. I have filled out an application for heading back to college at MSU (the University located here in Bozeman) my BFA does not seem to cut it any more. I am looking forward to each of you visiting, which is a hint that you better come to Montana. SO this is not your standard ‘holiday’ letter, I have no kids so they are not doing any thing fun and I have no husband to make write this letter, so this is what you get. Oh yeah, I swim close to everyday and still shy away from meat (I did how ever eat antelope in November and it was delicious!). I love breathing fresh air and hope future generations will have open space and wilderness to play and learn in. I voted this past year and attended numerous city council meetings. I volunteer like crazy and do the quarterly newsletter layout for a local wilderness organization. I laugh plenty and have the greatest friends any one could ever pray for! And I am officially in my late 20’s!!!!! Cheers to each of you!