snowghost...unseen and unheard...

As this day draws to a close, I realize that I have a lot to be thankful for.

I am thankful for:

Skywolf: He's the BEST thing that has ever happened in my life. He makes me laugh when I'm down (and even when I'm not), and has never put me down for anything. He puts up with my bursts of random weirdness, and counters with his own. He loves me for who I am, not for what he thinks I should be. He loves me for all my flaws, and never puts me down for them. For that, and so much more...I love him with all that I am. <3

Sky's family: They accepted me and my son from day one, made us feel like we were part of the family.

My kids: they can be PITA's sometimes, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. <3

My sister: she's always stuck by me, and loved me even when I was a brat. <3

My friends: I love you all! <3 I am thankful that I know you.

My extended "family" on WH: You guys are so great, you don't even know how much. I appreciate you all more than I can ever express.

I need to get this written out, and done with, so bear with me. Some of this may be triggering to some sensitive individuals, but I'll try to keep it vague.

( my personal boogie man )

Having a bad anxiety attack. I wish Sky were already home. D:

Yarp, it's snowing again. :o

It's been more like snow sprinkles earlier...with none of it sticking since it's been too windy, but now the flakes are really starting to come down. Maybe it'll stick this time. The mountain ranges around us are getting a good coating already. Someone on the radio here defined the start of winter as "snow stays on the ground for 3 days in a row". lol


Anyway, got a few more pictures to post. I'll try to take snow pictures later if it sticks.

( pictures )

We're finally getting settled into our new apartment, and got internet/phone/cable yesterday. So I am finally posting from home! We bought a golden pothos (an ivy type houseplant) and I have named it "Octavius" since it has 8 vines hanging down. I know, I'm weird. :B

It's been hard getting used to Sky working 12 hour shifts. I get so lonely sometimes, but it's a really good job so I'll just have to buck up. :} At least when he's home, he is always showering me with affection. <3

Last night when we were at the storage unit getting stuff cleared out, a beautiful grey and white tuxedo kitty came right up to me and started demanding as much love as I could give him. He gave me lots of headbumps, nuzzles, cheekrubs and licked my arm and hand a bit. I really wanted to take him home with us, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have minded--he protested when I put him down onto the ground--but he probably belonged to someone who lived in the area. He was in really good condition and so friendly, not scared at all. I thanked him for giving me some kitty love, I have sorely missed that over the past year and a half. Sky said it was something I had needed, and called me a snow leopard who attracts cats, lol. :}

After we get all the deposits and such taken care of, we're going to start looking at shelter kitties, and adopt one or two even though Sky is mildly allergic. He's willing to put up with it so I can have my kitty fix. :B

And I have to say: we have the most awesome landlord in the entire world. :}

Oh! And anyone who wants our address and/or phone number, please post here with your email and I'll send it to you. :D

We have decided on a tentative wedding date; July 13, 2010. It will be next summer, regardless. Too much snow and cold here otherwise. :B

For anyone who wishes to witness Skywolf and silver get shackled with the ol' ball and chain, please leave a comment here with your address (comments will be screened) so we can send you an invitation. It will be here in Montana and we plan for an outdoor wedding.

There is a good priced motel here, and we have one spare room that some can camp out in if they wish. We have a queen sized airbed.

We've been very slowly moving into our new apartment. Now that Sky is off work for a few days, we'll be able to rent a Uhaul and get the rest of our stuff moved in. We're also looking at getting cable installed soon. I looked on the website, and they have a 3 week installation schedule, so we'll try calling them later after we get back.

Heading out on a roadtrip to Butte today to look into getting a comfortable chair for me, and to just get away for a little while. There's not a lot we can do when Sky is working, since he has 3 12 hour days and a 5 hour day each week, but now he's got his 3 day weekend. >:}

It's been weird getting used to sleeping on a pillowtop mattress. O_o

We miss everyone, and hope things are going well for you all. <333

Saturday night I got a text from my sister informing me that my daughter got hit by a car while riding her bicycle. D:

She's okay...she has a nasty bump on her head, a hematoma on her hip, and her entire left side is stiff and extremely sore. Her bike faired far worse, the front wheel and possibly the fork are broken.

The worst part of all this is that I am unable to be there with her. I can't be there to help ease her pain, or hold her and tell her, "mommy is here, everything will be alright".

I know she's 23, but she'll always be my little girl.

We've been going over to the rest stop for the past couple of days, and sitting in the picnic area where there's shade. I've been able to "lure" a ground squirrel over to take cracker pieces from me. He actually will take them from my hand now! :o We got some videos of him doing this, and as soon as we can, we'll upload them.

We tried having me lure him in with the tongue clicking noise I use, and Sky holding the cracker piece, but "Stumpy" wasn't having any of it. He stopped a few feet away and peeped loudly at us, lol.

I called him Stumpy cause he's missing his left rear foot. D: He still gets around really good, though.

http://www.wildlifenorthamerica.com/Mammal/Richardsons-Ground-Squirrel/Spermophilus/richardsonii.html

Some info on him til I can upload the real pictures and videos we took.

Miss you all <333

Thought I'd share some of the pictures we've taken since we arrived in Montana. :B

( Montana... )

I'll make a scenery post tomorrow. Miss you all! <3

She's back! A few years ago, I had worried that I had lost touch with a vital part of myself, I just could not feel it anymore. But I've come to realize that the worse I felt about myself, the more despair I felt...the more she retreated and hid from me. As I heal from that, the more I feel Snow Leopard. :D

The mountains call to my soul
Their siren song to alluring to ignore...

~me

We're sitting in the public library right now in Bozeman. It is gorgeous up here. Almost every direction you look, there's mountains. XD The mountains are like a balm to my soul.

I've taken lots of pictures, but can't upload them until I can access my own computer.

The trip was relatively good, had a wonderful visit with Timber, Nenana and Vladimir on our way through North Dakota. All three are awesome people. :D We did run into some snow in western North Dakota, but nothing that was sticking to the road.

Anyway, on a time limit here, so I'll update as I can.

Much love <333

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realised what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy: Free your heart from hatred - forgive. Free your mind from worries - most never happen. Live simply and appreciate what you have. Give more. Expect less

NOW... enough of that... the donkey later came back, and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him. The gash from the bite got infected and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.

MORAL FROM TODAY'S LESSON: When you do something wrong, and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.

My youngest child graduated high school last week, and is leaving for Oregon this morning. I'm really going to miss him, as I miss my daughter, but at least they'll have each other and their aunt and cousins. And I have known for awhile that this is what David really wanted to do after he graduated.

We all went out and watched the new Star Trek movie, David really loved it, as did we.

I made David a collage as a going away/graduation present...besides paying for his bus fare.

( Collage )

As much as I miss and will miss my children and family, at least I will be moving closer to them all next month.

My son just graduated from high school this past Friday.

( Graduate Ahoy! )

The answer to life, the universe, and everything. :B



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Answer_to_Life,_the_Universe,_and_Everything#Answer_to_Life.2C_the_Universe.2C_and_Everything_.2842.29

Just got a call from Sky's mom asking where I want to go eat tomorrow night for my birthday. It is a tradition for them to take the birthday person plus the whole family out to dinner at a place of their choosing. I completely did NOT expect for them to include me in their family tradition, immediately I said, "you don't have to do anything." She asked again, "where do you want to go? Barry and I want to know. Let me know as soon as you decide." I have no option but to choose a place. I feel overwhelmed, in a good way, but overwhelmed nonetheless.

I even got a birthday card in the mail from Sky's grandparents today, with a $20 check enclosed, and "Happy Birthday Diane--and so glad you're part of the family." :'}

I've never felt so welcomed and cared about by anyone else's family as I have had with Sky's.

Edit: Sky's mom is also planning a graduation party for David this Sunday. :o

Happiest of birthdays, dear ferum_animi

Much love *cheekrubs and nuzzles*