Today is the 11th anniversary of the best date ever. My husband and I had just started dating and we went out with about six other couples. We hit every bar in Missoula while dancing and drinking our asses off. After the bars closed we went out for breakfast with everyone. Then it was back to my place to crash. It was night of fun, laughs and that feeling of falling in real, true love with someone. The kiss at midnight wasn't bad either!!!

Eleven years later we will spend New Years Eve at home with the kids. Eating pizza, playing board games and waiting for the ball to drop so we can set off fireworks.

Eleven years later and it's still a great date.

I'm not one to get all nostalgic at the end of the year. I look back at 2004 and I'm glad it's over. It started off with a struggle but ended comfortably. A lot of great things happened this past year but that doesn't mean it was by any means easy.

I'm looking forward to 2005 with the hopes that it brings peace. Peace to myself, peace to my family, peace to my friends (that includes you bloggers) and peace to the world.

Yes, you can say it. I'm giving peace a chance...

¶ 6:00 AM //

I took a break from shoveling the snow (we are getting pounded) to come in and read the mail. I was very anxious to open a piece from the Sundance Film Festival. Several months ago I applied to be a volunteer for 2005.

But, alas, I was not selected as a volunteer this year. The letter said they had over 1,000 new applications and requested that I try again next year. I think what doomed me was the box on the application that I had to check requesting housing.

Oh well - I'm a pretty positive person and there is one bright side to this. I am now on the Sundance Film Festival's mailing list. Ha Ha

And now back to shoveling...

¶ 1:25 PM //

I know I should be blogging about the Tsunami and how devastating it is to the world. I just can't seem to find the words. The numbers and the damage are so hard to comprehend. I guess the only thing I can say is thank goodness for cable news networks. 50 years ago people may not have been able to see the mass devastation or hear the stories telling the magnitude of this disaster. There are many organizations who are helping with relief efforts but I think everyone could use prayers. Prayers are free, easy to come by and not very time consuming.

And now back to our entry....

Happy Blogiversary Rance.

You don't know who Rance is?

Well, accordingly to Entertainment Weekly, Rance could be Jim Carrey, Ben Affleck, John Cusack, Owen Wilson or any celebrity looking for publicity.

Rance says he is a high school kid who spends a lot of time in his basement pretending to be someone famous.

Either way, I don't give a f**k.

Over the past year, Rance became a friend. He introduced me to a lot of his friends and was the reason that I became a blogger as well. After awhile Rance disappeared and so we (as a community) decided to have a little bit of fun at his place. Kind of like having a party while you are house-sitting for someone.

It started off with Pardon the Interruption and I was happy to be selected as a contributor. My entry went up on a Friday and I spent the weekend freaking out about what the comments were going to be like.

Because this was the first time I was "published" anywhere.

The comments were favorable and gave me some thought that maybe I could be a writer. So I wrote a little sitcom pilot and submitted it to Bravo. Then I started on a couple of screenplays and now I am considering a book.

All because of an opportunity to be part of a community. We are a crazy lot of folks who have discovered their hidden writing talents.

So thank you Rance, for being full of piss and vinegar and awarding Dodge Viper points as bribery for entries/comments/rants.

Thank you Captainhoof for keeping the peace and making sure no one ended up in jail.

And thank you Rubberduckie for keeping the community alive.

And thank you Rance community members for starting up blogs and sharing email addresses. What a wonderful group of people I have gotten to know. I look forward to "meeting" more of you in the coming year and reading what you have to say.

¶ 9:20 AM //

Today I am craving Chinese Food. Why? Because there isn't a good Chinese restaurant here.

There must be something in the water because suddenly pregnancies are popping up (no pun intended) everywhere. A cousin, a few friends, a neighbor and one of my husband's coworkers. Since pregnancy and cravings go hand in hand (no I am not, nor will ever be again) I recall cravings from past pregnancies:

First one - french fries dipped in vanilla ice cream

Second one - Margarita Ice from Baskin Robbin's

Third one - Frozen cokes, slurpees and any kind of shaved ice product

Anyone want to share?

¶ 2:50 PM //

I have a confession to make. I have not left the house since I went to mass on Christmas Eve! It has been so great. Home has been my own little haven for three days. It's almost like being on a mini-vacation. Except you still have to cook, clean, do laundry, entertain kids...

Ok scratch that vacation thought.

It all ends tomorrow though. I have to go back out into the world. First I will spend an hour on the phone scheduling haircuts, vet appointments, doctor appointments, dentist appointments and a chiropractor appointment and massage for the husband. Then I will bundle up the kids and we will take a trip into town to visit the post office to mail bills, the store to pick up a new snow shovel (still on snowblower watch), the car wash to get rid of grime and the library in hopes of interesting my kids in something other than the movies and video games they got as gifts.

And lucky me - the children are dying to use the McDonald's gift certificates they got for Christmas! So I guess we will get that out of the way as well. Those things say "drive thru only" right?

And joy of joy, since the kids are out of school we can all make an outing to the grocery store together to pick up staples like milk, bread and juice. A five minute trip alone - a 35 minute trip with kids.

Well behaved kids that is.

Do I really have to go?

¶ 7:12 PM //

Ahhh....it's over. And boy did we overspend but boy did we have some fun.

One of the best things about having kids at Christmas is all of the toys you (I mean they) get. I had a lot of fun playing with my daughter's baby doll (cured any baby fever I might have) and her keyboard with the grand piano setting. It also comes with a computerized instructional tool so I am learning how to play Fur Elise by Beethoven.

My husband had fun playing with (I mean setting up) the Batcave, the superheros racecar track and a Hot Wheels Rocketpark. Our oldest son's Gameboy SP never left his hands - even when he went to bed.

But the funniest thing was our three year old who SCREAMED about his gifts every time he opened one. BATMAN!!!!! SUPERMAN!!!!!! SPIDERMAN!!!!!! BUZZ LIGHTYEAR!!!!!! He was a riot.

I was spoiled by my husband who gave me a rare set of canisters for my kitchen that match my moose dishes and a gorgeous watch from Coldwater Creek. Actually the watch isn't here yet but the picture he cut out and wrapped is gorgeous. The best present though was the quilt from my brother made up of patches from all my kid's baby clothes.

We tried really hard to make up for last year's stressful Christmas and I think we were successful. The kids and the inlaws all seemed to have a great time. Who wouldn't have fun with lots of toys, food, drink and gifts.

Good thing we made it to Costco for batteries!

¶ 2:30 PM //

If blogs had voice mail:

"Hello. You have reached the blog of Annie Montana. It is the holiday season, so at the time of your read, I am currently either away from my computer desk or on another blog. Please feel free to leave a message and I will get back to you. If you need immediate assistance, please dial 911."

In all seriousness, if you are reading this then please know that I extend warmest wishes for a very happy holiday season for you and yours. I hope you find happiness, peace and more than a little fun this year.

And please come back after Christmas to tell me what Santa left you under the tree...

¶ 1:04 PM //

This fall my son started a Sensory & Motor Stimulation horseback riding program developed by Human Therapy on Horseback which provides funding for riders. He has made amazing progress in his speech, motor skills and overall development.

Since this is the season for miracles, I thought I would some miracles courtesy of HTH:

(Names have been changed for privacy reasons)

In 2000, a brain aneurism damaged the right side of Mike Smith’s body. The following year, a stroke damaged the left side and his ability to speak.

For six months, Mike participated in speech, physical and occupational therapy with little success. During rehabilitation, Jane Doe brought Mike to SAMS Riders and introduced horse therapy. After just one ride, his spirit was notably boosted. Encouraged by this response, Mike began regular sessions and showed remarkable improvement. Within two weeks, he no longer needed speech therapy. Within two months, Mike was able to discontinue physical therapy. Within four months, he was released from occupational therapy.

HTH has been a blessing for both Mike and his parents. Jim and Joan Smith attribute Mike’s smiling face, twinkling eyes and incredible progress to the horse therapy sessions. “Our neurologist told us that it is a miracle that Mike is walking, talking and thinking at all.” says Joan.

With HTH subsidizing the sessions, Mike’s progress continues after almost three years. Today Mike is an avid weight lifter who trains and competes regularly. At the 2004 Special Olympics, Mike was a multi-medalist taking home Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. He is currently training for the 2005 Special Olympics.

Horse therapy is the only therapy Mike continues to this day.
----------------------
Diagnosed with autism, Steve Jones began horse therapy sessions when he was just three years old. Steve’s mom, Jane Jones, was referred to the program by the Childhood Development Center in Kalispell.

Jane believes that it is because of HTH and SAMS that Steve is talking today. Nonverbal at the beginning of therapy, Steve was speaking after just four sessions. Six years later, Steve can now tell you himself why he likes horse therapy. It is “because Bob helps me with my problems” he says.

By subsidizing weekly horse therapy sessions at SAMS, HTH has provided Steve with a way to work thru problems and move onto other things. “There is so much more to it than physical improvement,” says Jane. “It’s an emotional bond as well.”

Jane believes that HTH and SAMS are a benefit to the community because they are providing riders with the skills they need in order to integrate socially. By teaching them independence and providing them with self confidence, the riders are able to participate in school, church, sports and other social activities.

Today Steve is a 4th grader at ABC elementary who attends mainstream classes and continues horse therapy on a weekly basis.

This program is going to be close to my heart for a very long time to come. If you would like to contribute to HTH, please include the program and it’s riders in your prayers. If you are interested in donating horses, hay, equipment, time or money, email me at anniempm@yahoo.com. I can provide you with an address and a tax exempt number for filing purposes.

¶ 10:03 AM //

There is a big push to bring the film industry back to Montana. Reminding everyone of this catastrophe may not help.

Any of you out in Lala land feel free to weigh in on this:

http://www.dailyinterlake.com/articles/2004/12/20/news/news02.txt

¶ 7:49 AM //

Boy did I have to go back to school for this one!!

Sir Rancelot inquired as to what it would cost to buy the state of Montana. Here sir, is your answer:

Montana is 147,046 square miles.
There are 640 acres in a square mile.
147,046 square miles x 640 acres = 94,109,440.00 acres.

The approximate cost of an 1800 square foot home on 1/4 acre is $189,900. $189,900 x 4 equals $759,600.00 for an average cost of one acre of land.

$759,600.00 x 94,109,440.00 acres equals = your answer

(My calculator couldn't compute that high)

And our state doesn't even have sales tax!

So depending upon your view, this may or may not be a bargain. Especially when you consider the following story sent to me by Bgcalways:

The Creation of Montana

Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael the Archangel found Him, resting on the seventh day. He inquired of God, "Where have You been?"

God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look Michael, look what I've made!"

Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said,"What is it?"

"It's a planet," replied God, and I've put life on it. I'm going to call it Earth, and it's going to be a great place of balance."

"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused.

God explained, pointing to different parts of Earth, "For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is going to be poor; the Middle East over there will be a hot spot. And over there I' ve placed a continent of white people, while over here is a continent of black people." God continued, pointing to different countries."This one will be extremely hot and arid while this one will be very cold and covered in ice."

The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a large land mass and said, "What's that one?"

"Ah," said God. "That's Montana, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful lakes, rivers, sunsets rolling hills, & high mountains. The people from Montana are going to be modest, intelligent & humorous and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, hard working and high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace."

Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there would be balance!"

God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the idiots I'm putting around them in Idaho, North Dakota, and Wyoming."

¶ 1:48 PM //

This is list week at my house so until I can get my other blog entries done, I will do lists on the blog as well. Feel free to chime in with your favorites!

Here's my list:

Christmas Vacation
A Christmas Story
Elf
The Grinch (Jim Carrey version)
Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas
It's a Wonderful Life
Scrooged
Home Alone
The Santa Clause

And of course all of those specials that were on tv when we were kids. Rudolph, Frosty and who could forget Charlie Brown.

¶ 10:17 AM //

I got a couple of early Christmas presents on Friday that I would like to share with you.

First, the gracious Pink Poppy bestowed upon me the honor of being one of her Five Golden Rings. I am thrilled to be in the company of her four other rings as well. The term "Pink Ladies" comes to mind for some reason...

Then the lovely Sass gave me one of God's gifts to women. Sass is spreading holiday cheer by graciously giving Hollywood men to her friends for Christmas. May the force be with all of us!

And in real life, the hubby FINALLY, FINALLY went to the chiropractor after over a year of me "suggesting" (yeah that's a nice way to put it) that he seek medical attention for his back and neck problems. After one visit to the miracle worker, he feels better than he has in years and plans to go back three more times next week. A happy, healthy husband is a good thing to have.

COMING ATTRACTIONS: I am working on entries at the request of KJ and Rancelot as well as a piece about my Vanity Fair Essay contest entry. I am also going to post shortened versions of two articles I wrote about two children who are living miracles thanks to equine therapy.

I am also working on a 'Twas the Night Before Christmas entry for Rubber Duckie at Rance's place.

Happy Reading!

¶ 10:20 AM //

You've heard of women who go nuts cleaning the house before the mother-in-law comes to visit? Well I confess, I am one of those people.

Not that my mother-in-law would care. She is the kindest, most loving, fun to be around, genuinely nice person I know. Everyone who knows her LOVES her and I am so fortunate that she considers me her daughter. Period. No in-law stuff.

But it is a thing for me. The house must be spotless the minute they step in the door. It doesn't matter if 20 minutes later the place is a mess with presents, coats, food, bags, etc. It's that first "walk thru" that needs to be perfect.

In my family, I am known as the "Monica" of housecleaning. Remember that episode on Friends where she couldn't go to bed with the shoes left out in the living room? So totally me.

But there is a difference between picked up and clean. (Really kids there IS). And I am a better housecleaner when I talk on the phone. I will call Runaway Bride and pray that she has an hour to entertain me while I dust, windex, scrub, polish and tidy up.

There is something soothing to me about organizing cupboards, changing bed linens, washing the rugs and making the house smell nice.

I'm a freak of sanitary nature.

¶ 10:16 AM //

This is the weekend (next to Christmas) that my kids look forward to all year long. For most of today and tomorrow, we will be baking and eating holiday goodies while listening to Christmas music.

(Note to self - hide BOTH Chipmunks cd's)

So on today's menu:

1. Banana Bread (already did this last night)
2. Melt in your mouth sandwhich creme cookies (ditto)
3. "Snowed on" Powdered sugar & sprinkles Browines (ditto again)
4. Peanut Butter Cookies with Hershey's Kisses in the middle
5. Snowballs (also known as Mexican wedding cake cookies)
6. Chocolate Crink Cookies (chocolate balls rolled in powdered sugar)
**double batch at the husband's request
7. 7 layer bars
8. Rolled sugar cookie candy canes
9. Popcorn Balls

And I'm really disappointed that I can't include No. 10 on the list this year. Usually I make holiday rice krispie treats but I can't find the red/green rice krispies anywhere this year.

1/2 of each batch gets put away for Christmas Eve. The other 1/2 is for snacking and giving away. On Monday the kids will take an assortment of goodies to their teachers, bus drivers, neighbors and dad's work.

I'll try to take a picture and post it for "blog drooling".

¶ 9:16 AM //

GO GRIZ!!!!!

The Griz play for the 1-AA National Football Championship tonight. All of "Griz Nation" will be watching.

Bring home that trophy boys!!!

¶ 12:01 AM //

Dedicated to Dr. Cat/Sawbones:

When I was a kid and people would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said many things. A figure skater, an actress, a lawyer, a nurse and television anchor. But none of that ever happened. In high school I worked in a clothing store at the mall and in college I started to climb the corporate ladder.

When I was having a bad day in the corporate world, I used to think about what I would do if I could try a different career (other than writing). Usually I would end up picturing myself working in a hosptial. Not as a secretary or administrative role but something patient related. There was no way I could go back to school so becoming a doctor or a nurse was out.

Then in March of this year I had my annual mammogram and started talking to the technician about medical careers. She told me that she thought I would make a good diagnostic imaging aide. Someone who goes and gets the patients and brings them back to the radiology department. She said I was easy to talk to, "bubbly" and could handle the physical part of the job.

So I looked into it, found a part time position at the hospital, applied and got the job. I went thru two weeks of training and then started work. I loved it. I got to wear scrubs, roam around the hospital meeting all sorts of interesting people and the adrenaline was a rush. I worked a lot in the ER and every time we had a patient, it was always exciting.

But then one day we had to treat a four year old boy who fell out of a three story window. And then we had to take a newborn from his mother to have x-rays. And another time we had to treat a teenager who was dying. I learned from the doctors and nurses that medicine is not a job or a career, it's a dedicated lifestyle.

And unfortunately it was a lifestyle that didn't mesh with my family. My son starting having meltdowns and regression because of my absense and my husband hated leaving the little one at daycare. I knew I couldn't continue to work outside of the home.

So after a few weeks of being on the job, I quit with no regrets. I took a chance and no longer have to wonder if I would have been good at it, if I would have liked it and if I would have been able to do it. I am at peace with having had the experience. And I'm sure that if writing doesn't pan out, I could always go back someday.

But it makes me wonder if any of us lived out our childhood dreams?

¶ 2:25 PM //

In case you haven't heard...the Griz are going to win the 1-AA National Football Championship in Tennessee on Friday night.

We can't have a National Championship Football team without the National Mascot of the Year.

Monte will be appearing at BOTH national championship games this weekend. After the Griz win on Friday night, he will head over to the NAIA game (also in Tennessee) to watch the Carroll College Saints of Helena win their National Championship as well.

So go vote for Monte - he's earned it!

Merry Grizmas!!

¶ 9:04 AM //

Our loft is now booked up for the holidays. My brother is coming to spend a few days and then when he leaves, my in-laws arrive on Monday to spend the holidays with us.

The computer is in the loft so my blogging time will be limited. I'll try to write a few things this week and post them when I can next week.

Since this is the season of giving, does anyone have any requests?

¶ 9:50 AM //

Shortly after my husband and I married, the whole purple Teletubbie gay furor arose in the media. Tinky Winky was it? Anyways, our daughter was given one for a gift and my brother, who is a notorious homophobe, made a big stink about it. In a funny way.

So that year at Christmas, my husband drew my brother's name. Guess what my brother got for Christmas.

Yep, a purple teletubbie.

The following April was my husband's birthday. Guess what he got.

The purple teletubbie.

This has been going on for ten years. The purple teletubbie has been regifted in many ways.

The boys finally called a truce on it and I got my brother's name for Christmas this year.

Guess what he is getting....

¶ 9:09 AM //

I can't believe it. I am done shopping for the husband. This never happens. Unfortunately, he usually ends up last on the list and I call upon the friendly people at FedEx to save me. This year, he is done early but we have only purchased one thing for our three year old!

Since no one in my family reads this, I can safely say that this year I got the hubby a George Foreman Next Grilleration grill, Tiger Woods 2005 on PS2, a hand massager with different attachments (our 5 year old is constantly asking dad to rub his back) and a couple of cds. Velvet Revolver and Pearl Jam's Greatest Hits.

The 9 year old daughter is getting a Beta aquarium, clothes, the Princess Diaries 2 DVD and a couple of cds. Both Britney and Shania's Greatest Hits. But the gift I am most excited about for her is a baby doll. She has never played with baby dolls before. It was always stuffed animal dogs, Barbies or Bratz. This year she took me to the store and showed me the exact doll she wanted. Is it possible she feels her youth slipping away from her and thinks this is her last chance?

The 5 year old is easy. ShrekOperation, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys, the Iron Giant DVD and the Playmobil PirateTreasure Chest. He'll be so excited that we won't see him again until the day after Christmas.

But the 3 year old we are having a hard time with. So far we have gotten him a Dora the Explorer Gameboy Advance video. That's it. He'll just want everything his brother has!

Only 11 shopping days left...

¶ 8:58 AM //

Dear Readers (all three of you):

Please accept my apologies if I do not respond to your comments. Truth be told, I only blog for about an hour in the morning (including reading/commenting on others) and an hour in the evening if I am lucky.

Your comments come to me via email and I do read them. Even though I say I blog only for me, it is a validation to know that someone is actually interested in my small (but nice) life.

So please do not think I am a stuck-up-comment-snob. I was one of those snobby popular girls in high school but that (thankfully) wore off.

Ha Ha...

Annie

¶ 8:47 PM //

"Next year all our troubles will seem miles away...."

Dedicated to Pink Poppy who is having her own crisis this year...

That was my mantra last year. I did not get into the Christmas spirit except for singing that song line all the time. A week before Christmas, we were referred to a pediatric neurologist for our four year old son. After examing him, the pediatrician determined that he needed an immediate MRI because she suspected a very rare disease call "tuberous sclerosis". The disease basically attacks the internal organs and leaves lesions on them. The MRI would show if he had them on the brain and if he did, he probably had them on his kidneys, liver and heart. She wanted the MRI done the next day.

Merry f**king Christmas.

We were in the midst of a move. Stressed because our house hadn't sold yet and they were ready to close on our new house. Stressed because of all the self inflicted pressure we put on ourselves to try and make the last Christmas in our first house perfect. Stressed over whether moving was the right decision for our son and then bam - this hits the fan.

You can't give a 4 year old an MRI without putting him to sleep. This requires hospitilization. So we had to move quickly to get time off of work, arrange for someone to watch the other kids and finish the things on our Christmas "to do" list. I took that evening and stayed up all night long finishing Christmas shopping, wrapping and baking so that I could focus on whatever would be necessary to take care of our little boy.

We had to wait about 24 hours after the MRI for the results. Knowing my son, I purchased an item that would both hold his attention and distract him from hospital monitors, tubes and restlessness. I bought him a music box.

It's very small but when you open the lid, a train circles a Christmas tree and music plays. He never let it out of his sight. He would stare at that train going around and around in circles - never tiring of watching it.

The MRI turned out to be negative and this little crisis put everything else into perspective. The music box was put away with the rest of the Christmas items until it was found last week.

When my son saw it, he said "ohhhhh - this made my brain ok."

Mine too...

¶ 8:40 PM //

Over the river and thru the woods
To the stadium we go
The Griz know the way to execute some plays
That'll take us to the show

Over the river and thru the woods
To see the Grizzlies fight
They'll maul the Bearkats handily
So they can play on Friday night

FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

See the Griz on ESPN2 at 12:04pm Mountain time on Saturday...I'll be one of many amongst "Griz Nation".

Have a great weekend!!

¶ 9:29 AM //

There is a great line from the movie Bull Durham where Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon discuss who they were in a former life. Crash says "How come nobody ever says they were Joe Schmo?"

It's the same with shirttail relatives. You wouldn't give a crap if I said my second cousin on my husband's stepmother's side was Joe Schmo. But if I said Greg Maddux (the Atlanta Braves pitcher), then sports fans might think that was cool.

If you believe in Adam and Eve, then I guess we are all related right? So give it up - who is your most famous shirttail relative?

I can already tell you that KJ or Rancelot is probably going to win this one if they 'fess up.

¶ 9:23 PM //

It was one of those rare days when I staying home all day and getting some projects done. The kind of day where you slip out of the shower into sweats and a baseball hat.

In the middle of the day I needed something from the hardware store so I bundled up son #2 and we made the trek into town. The little hardware store sits just off the lake and it reminds me of when the townspeople would go into Ruth's on Northern Exposure.

So I was standing in the aisle looking at surge protectors when I saw him. Mr. Actor. My first thought was "oh god - please don't recognize me." (Ironic isn't it?) But he did. We had worked on a deal together in the corporate world a couple of years ago.

He came over to say hello and we had small talk. I told him I was living in the valley now and we discussed being home for the holidays, the ski season, current movies, the upcoming awards season and Griz football.

Then he asked me if I was working at all. I wanted to say "hello - I'm in a hardware store with sweats and no makeup. Of course I'm WORKING - just not with a suit and briefcase." But instead I told him that I was staying at home now and working on a writing career.

To which he laughed his head off.

Big star or not...I did not think this was very nice.

Then he told me that everyone in Hollywood who's not working says they are "writing." Some people use it as an excuse saying that there just aren't any good parts anymore or they have had this idea in development for YEARS and finally have some time to work on it.

I just stood there - smiled at him and shook my head. Son #2 was ready to leave the store so we wished Mr. Actor a Merry Christmas and said our goodbyes.

And as I was driving home I thought "that bastard".

Good naturedly of course...

¶ 9:15 AM //

Well the white stuff finally fell last night. We woke up to about three inches and it is still coming down as I type. The hubby shoveled this morning and it will be my turn later today.

We have a very long driveway. When my family comes to visit, they can park 8 SUV's in the driveway and still have room for a compact. The kids love it for riding bikes, sidewalk chalk, rollerblading and basketball.

When they built the house last fall/winter, the builder used the driveway as a dump spot for building materials. Then it snowed. Snowed again. And as the snow continued to fall, it buried all sorts of items like paper, nails, shingles, wood, etc. The builder never shoveled or cleaned up the mess. How do we know this? Because after we moved in last January, we spent three to four days literally chipping away at the ice, packed snow and debris in order to clear the driveway. I was not a happy homeowner - but that's another story.

The city here is very strict on keeping driveways and sidewalks clear. They even ticketed people in our subdivision last year for basically being lazy. So we spent last year shoveling. A lot. There was no way to afford a snowblower and truthfully I didn't mind the exercise. Then during the summer the "s" word came up. And we started to consider it. Then the hubby decided that they were too expensive (a cheap one is about $400) and that ended the discussion. But now that the snow is falling...I am thinking it won't be long...

And on a sidenote, I am working on the following future entries:

-The helpful Hollywood hardware man
-Hollywood Nepotism
-Shirttale relatives
-Blog it forward (as suggested by Pink Poppy and I still haven't done it yet)

¶ 9:11 AM //

Recently I was asked by my son's equine therapy group to help them put together a newsletter for their organization. I was asked to write two articles and help with "verbage" on a few other things. Our inaugural issue comes out this month. I am now "on staff" and will continue to write for the newsletter and help put together a brochure. It's completely volunteer but I feel a tremendous sense of goodwill in helping these people because of all the progress my son has made as a direct result of his equine therapy. I feel like I am in my element with this sort of thing and it is highly rewarding. Even if I haven't made it in Hollywood yet, it feels gratifying to have someone say "please write for us."

So between this new "job", all the Griz playoffs (no complaints there) and getting ready for Christmas, it's a wonder that I've had any time at all to work on screenwriting. I am, however, very excited about my current project and that helps with the motivation factor.

This one is a romantic comedy drama that takes place in Chicago (the home of For F*ck's Sake) and it has been on my mind for a long time so it is good to start putting it down on paper. I like stories that show laughter thru tears and this one has chick flick written all over it. I don't want to say too much but there is a death, an engagement and sassy best friend. Not necessarily in that order either.

I thought about making it into a novel instead of a screenplay but like my friend Tad, I don't think I have the patience to write a book. Unless it's a children's book - I have an idea for a something somewhat along the lines of the passion that my good friend Pink Poppy has for manners and etiquette.

Usually it's never good (for me personally) to have very many loose ends but right now I like the idea of unlimited possibilities.

And on a sidenote, I have recently been the recipient of some lovely emails from Sir Rancelot about his travels within the state of Montana. Sir Rancelot is always in the know and has highly entertaining photos and stories on his site - especially of his newlywed neighbor Britney.

And finally, on Saturday, the Griz will play Sam Houston State for a spot in the National Championship. We will go back to Missoula, again, and lose our voices, again, while cheering for the Griz on national tv, again. This time I am going to make a sign - something along the lines of:

Even
Santa
Picks
MoNtana

I'm still working on that one...

¶ 5:05 PM //

If you live in Montana then by now you have probably heard that the lights are here. The lights at Griz stadium that is. There has not been a lighted football game at the U of M since the 1950's but since the game starts at 2:00pm and will have many, many television timeouts, the playoff game is expected to go well into the evening.

The lights were trucked in compliments of ESPN and you'd think it was the second coming for Griz fans. Most people I have talked to are as excited about going to a "night" game as they are about opening presents at Christmas.

Weather-wise it is going to be in the 30's with rain and snow mixed. Climate-wise it is going to be an atmosphere like no other. Everyone is pumped up and the excitment will be electifying.

And I can't wait!

For those that don't live in Montana and want to see what all the ruckus is about, pop some popcorn, fix yourself a drink and tune into ESPN2 at 2:00pm Mountain time. You will not be disappointed.

GO GRIZ!!!

¶ 8:54 AM //

On vacation I noticed a big trend in "man purse" carriers. Men who had (very unstylish) grunge type bags that they carried around with them. I wonder what they have in there? Anything like what's in mine? All of them?

Mom Bag:
Wallet
Checkbook
Pens
Chapstick
Gum/Mints
Huggies baby wipes & pullups
Cell phone
Straws
Suckers
Daytimer (I'm not a PDA user)
Gameboy Advance
Gameboy Advance Videos (Spongebob & Dora)
Medication (for me)
Hand sanitizer

Non-mom bag:
Wallet
Checkbook
Pen
Chapstick
Cell phone
Gum/Mints
Medication

Datenight bag:
Credit card
Lipstick
Cell phone
Gum/Mints

I'm sure you can imagine which bag I like to carry the best...

¶ 9:00 AM //

When the hubby has time off, we take advantage of it. If it's a weekend and we can get out of town, we usually do. Even if it's just to a town 15 miles away. Other days we use that time to get chores done around the house (the honeydo list) and run errands.

If he has more than one day in a row off (or a free morning) I try to take a little time and get some errands of my own done. It is amazing how much faster you can walk and shop without kids. So this morning I hit the stores to stock up on groceries, household necessities and pick up a few Christmas presents.

I think there should be a rule that if you are in a bad mood - stay home. There was certainly a temperate amount of moodiness out and about this morning. I was driving along in our truck, listening to the Boston Pops rendition of Sleigh Ride when I noticed a young man on my tail. He was doing that weaving thing were he's not really going to pass me, he is just trying to get me to notice his impatience so that I would speed up. He finally passed me and did a California stop (a slow roll in which the vehicle never actually stops) at the next stop sign and was promptly rewarded with some pretty flashing lights. And I ain't talking about the Christmas kind if you know what I mean.

So as I drove by, the devil in me wanted to look at him, smile and wave. But the angel in me just kept looking forward.

Then at the store I was greeted by the person parked next to me who announced that I was taking up too much of the parking space and that my truck was too close to her car. I looked down and clearly saw a three inch space between tire truck and the yellow line while her tires were ON the yellow line. The devil in me wanted to point this out to her but the angel just said "yes, they don't make parking spaces as big as they used to."

Then I went into Costco. I LOOOOVVVVEEE Costco when I am there without kids. It's so fun to browse and I don't even mind the long lines. But then there is that person who has three items (how can you possibly buy ONLY three things at COSTCO) that gets behind you in line. First there is the huffing, then they do a similar weaving motion to see how many things are in your cart. Then more huffing. You KNOW they are dying for you to say "why don't you just go ahead." And of course I did.

Why? Because I am NOT, nor have I ever been, a Grinch at Christmas. I don't mind the hustle and bustle. I actually can get quite giddy when I am out shopping during the holiday season.

But don't make fun of my Santa hat or I'll kick your ass.

Just kidding...

¶ 3:32 PM //