I can't explain why they make me happy, they just do.

I've got them sitting on my night stand and can smell them as I lie in bed.
It's just kinda nice.

"Owwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeee"

I checked on kitty this morning and as I walked into the bedroom he was sitting on the floor "meowing" at me. He didn't run for his hiding spot which I took as a good sign but sat there looking at me and meowing.

This is the first noise I've heard the kitty make and he makes the oddest sound. It's not a typical "meow." There is no "m" with it so it sounds like the poor kitty is saying "owwwwwwweeeeee" over and over again.

Now you know that just digs right at my heart, hearing the poor kitty owwweeeeing. With each passing day the kitty does things that endear me to him, but....



he makes me itch and turn all red and splotchy.

Progress

I've managed contact (the non-painful, biting, clawing kind). The cat let me lie on the floor and pet him for about a half hour last night. He was sitting in the corner and I laid down on the floor and talked to him for a while and then inched closer until I was right next to him and could pet him. He tolerated my presence just fine and actually seemed to enjoy being loved on a bit.

Then around 4:00 this morning he discovered the window ledge and pulled the curtains down in the process. No worries, we just moved the curtains for now.

He really is a sweet kitty.

Don't be such a 'fraidy cat

A quiet weekend at the homestead. I made plans that included some outdoorsy stuff, hiking etc. I also planned a nice dinner out with some live music afterward.

It ended up being a weekend spent around the house and in bed - sleeping. Somehow the plans didn't really come together for one reason or another but it was still a good weekend. Although it seemed to fly by at times.

Oh, and we got a cat. I'm not convinced as of yet that this cat is THE cat for us. So far he has stayed under the bed in the guest bedroom, afraid to come out and explore. I heard him early this morning getting something to eat and walking around a bit but other than that, nothing. He's scared and very anti-social. Because of that I am not convinced he's the cat for us. The reason I wanted a cat was for the social interaction (with me, with the dog etc.). This cat wants NOTHING to do with us so far.

I have until Saturday to make a decision. I'm torn because on one hand this cat is not the personality I was hoping for but on the other hand he came from an environment that I'm not too excited to return him to either. Honestly, if things don't improve I can't see myself falling in love with this cat.

Any hints or advice on socializing a cat would be appreciated. It's been ages since I actually had a cat and I've never been around one this freaked out.

I'll keep you posted.

Phones in Church

A man in Topeka, Kansas decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to New York and started working West from there.

Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and making notes.

He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued. A sign read 'Calls: $10,000
a minute.'

Seeking out the pastor he asked about the phone and the sign. The Pastor answered that the golden phone is, in fact, a direct line to Heaven and if he pays the price he can talk directly to GOD.

The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way. As he continued to visit churches around the country, he found more phones, with the same sign, and the same answer from each pastor.

Finally, he arrived in Montana. Upon entering St. Raphael's church in Glasgow, MT, behold - he saw the usual golden telephone. But THIS time, the sign read 'Calls: 35 cents.'

Fascinated, he asked to talk to the Pastor, 'Reverend, I have been in cities all across the country and in
each church I have found this golden telephone and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to GOD, but in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign reads only 35 cents a call. Why?'

The pastor, smiled and replied, 'Son, you're in Montana now ..... You're in God's Country, It's a local call.'

Da, da, dut da.....

I'm so excited!!

Why is it among the most glacial mountain peaks I find the greatest warmth?

Another beautiful weekend spent in Glacier Park. Moose and I drove up to stay at the cabin we rented at Stanton Creek Lodge. After a long drive we were both eager to stay in a cabin surrounded by snow and wilderness and just have some time to relax. Imagine our surprise when we arrived to see this...


The lodge was completed snowed in. Nothing had been plowed, there was no way in and over 2 feet of undisturbed snow rested on the roof of each cabin. There wasn't even a place to park the car other than the side of the road. We decided to drive back to West Glacier where we had cell service and call the National Park Service reservation desk. The kind ladies informed us that the owners of the lodge were in Florida. It was so considerate of someone to inform us that we wouldn't be able to stay at the place where we had confirmed reservations.

Undaunted by this predicament we pressed on and the park service managed to reserve us other accommodations - at the Super 8 in Columbia Falls. Not exactly the cabin we'd had in mind with access to snowshoeing right outside the door but oh well, it was warm and dry.

The next day was spent snowshoeing in Glacier Park. The snow was clean and white, the sun was bright and it turned out to be a beautiful day.


Before we left Glacier we walked down to Lake McDonald for some photo ops and trail lunch.


Our last day began early with a drive to Missoula so Moose could get inked.


There were a few minor set backs and a few disappointments but the good definitely out weighed the bad and overall we had a great time.

Let's go!

Uuuggghhh....

fever, chills, sore throat, cough. Nooooooo!

This is not the week to be sick. Wednesday Moose will be here and Thursday starts the snowshoeing trip to Glacier. I can't be sick this week.

Airborne, Tylenol, Chloraseptic. Yaaaaaaaay!

I think I'm a good person. Sure I have my moments but overall I think I'm an all right girl. I try to be kind and honest to everyone. I try to be generous, especially to those I love. I volunteer in my community and shovel the sidewalk for my neighbors.

Despite being a good person it always surprises me that there are some people you just can't warm up.

Come on people, smile. Exchange hello's and thank you's with the guy who holds the door open for you. Greet your neighbors and be kind to puppies and other small things. Stop by and say hi to people who leave comments on your blog. Shovel snow for the elderly woman across your street. Do good works and remember that eternal, universal karma that we must all respect.

;) Have good days kids!

Uuuggghhh....

Is it time to go home yet?

"I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours."

Project Vote Smart

Die you nazi spin bitch!

I taught my first spin class this morning. The regular instructor was late and as the only other staff member at the gym I ended up teaching.

I kind of faked it since I've never had to teach anything there before but I've been to spin class a couple dozen times so we made it through. We did a lot of a hill climbs and seated arrows to work the glutes. Everyone ended up sweaty and gross and disgusting and laughing and still able to walk so I would call it a success.

Yay me!! ;)

Note to self

..."what is up with this underwear today?"



I guess it helps if you have it on the right way. ;)

We are getting hit with a big snow storm today. Our high temp. is only supposed to be -12. What fun! It is going to drop a ton of good snowshoeing snow and the temps should be back up to normal by Friday.

I can hardly wait for the weekend! Want to come snowshoeing?

Interesting day so far...

I couldn't sleep last night so I took a sleeping pill. Then slept through my alarm this morning.

I knew I was going to be a couple minutes late to work.

Ran around the house looking for clothes to wear (shut up for those of you who've seen my closet). Decided to hell with it and threw on sweats and a long-sleeved t-shirt - good enough!

Thought I had better stop at the store on my way and grab some breakfast stuffs, bananas, yogurt etc. Easy, peasey, lemon squeezy.

My car absolutely refused to start upon leaving the store. It started just fine this morning when I left the house but suddenly refused to fire up. I ended up sitting in Van's parking lot for 15 minutes. Now I really was late for work.

Finally get to the office and get a little grief from the boss man ("suuuuuuure the car wouldn't start, uh huh") with a wink, wink.

The phone in my office rings. "Is this Rachel Z__?" (uh oh). "Yes it is." "Did your last name used to be I__?" (uh oh.) "Yes it did." "Oh good, this is so and so with the class reunion committee (shit!!) and we need to get some information from you...."

Oh goodie!

On the really good side I found an article in Women In The Outdoors magazine that says snowshoeing is better for you than running - sweet! I'm going snowshoeing again this Saturday so that is awesome news.

Have good days kiddies! ;)

What a great weekend! The snow was fabulous. That white, soft, fluffy stuff that drifts down as you hike and blankets everything in silence. I don't know how many times I just stood still and listened to - nothing.


I want to bottle the feeling and take it with me.

(Thanks for the photos!)

Snowed In

But wow! It is beautiful.

It has been snowing since yesterday and the forecast for the week is more of the same.

I'm kind of enjoying it although I was planning a trip to Glacier this weekend for some snowshoeing. Its possible that I won't be wanting to make that trip come Friday and that's disappointing.

I'm keeping an eye on the sky and the weather channel.

If this keeps up I might not have to go to Glacier to get some snowshoeing. Although, if this keeps up it might be a good weekend to spend with some hot chocolate and Baileys and The Shining.

Sneaky sneaky, hide and seeky

So I've got this Yahoo Messenger on my lap top. I hardly ever use it and don't bother to check it that much.

Occasionally I will sign on but am almost always invisible. Once in a while I will log on as visible to some people on my messenger list. You know the feature where you can show yourself to one or two people and keep yourself invisible to others? It can be a nice feature once in a while.

It turns out that one of the people on my messenger list has discovered a way to tell if I'm logged in or not regardless of my visibility status. Regardless of what I'm doing he can always tell if I'm signed in to messenger or not.

He's being all sneaky when I'm trying to be sneaky.