Getting Settled

In the early morning following a snow storm.....when everything is blanketed in snow it's eerily quite. I love it.



Since arriving at my new home almost three weeks ago I've done quite a bit of settling in. Almost all of my boxes are unpacked and the ones that aren't are tucked away in the room no one goes into. :) So my living room, kitchen, bath/laundry room, and bedroom are nice and cozy and starting to feel more like home (especially since my bedroom is a mess.)

I'm loving the town, surprised at how much I think I'll enjoy 'small town living' at least for a while. This weekend was my first 'trip to the city', otherwise known as driving an hour to Billings to go shopping at stores other than our local IGA. It's ironic to think that last month this time I was 5 minutes from a Kohl's and a Target and now I actually have to fill up for gas before I head out for these stores. This will definitely be a good lesson in planning ahead, which as a planner, you'd think I'd be good at (you'd be correct some of the time).

Speaking of planning, my new job has definitely been a growing experience - in a completely good way. It's so refreshing to be learning new things. And let's be honest - to not have to deal with 'the public'. Working with my dad has been great too - it's interesting how similar we are. He runs his office much the same way I ran mine....and so I am now even more thankful for the wonderful staff I had back in Valdosta....their ability to accommodate my lack of focus and extreme multi-tasking was brilliant. Being on the other side of the fence is fun. No day has been the same yet, that's for sure. The fact that our office is right next to a coffee shop and one block up from a bakery are fabulous bonuses. Plus, I can walk home for lunch, walk to the post office, walk to the IGA.....well you get the point - I can pretty much walk every where. Except for when it's snowing. Or freezing. Which yes, is pretty often.

But, so far, my Montana Year is starting off nicely. I've finally figured out how to use my wood burning stove. I'm enjoying the slower pace. And not having to be at work until 9am is fabulous. The only thing that hasn't worked out so well: I tried baking a cake tonight....it looked beautiful until I tried to move it and then it crumbled. I'm blaming it on the altitude since I've never had this problem before. (But don't worry, it still tastes great so it won't go to waste.)

Below are pictures of Shelby's new 'security' post. From the back and the front. :)