Random Facts

I've been tagged by my friend Colette...which means that I am supposed to post 8 random facts about myself on my blog. So here goes...

1. I have a shoe problem. Whenever I sit down, or sometimes even slow down, my shoes come off. You'll find pairs of shoes under the kitchen table, by the couch, by the front door, on the steps. In fact, if I am driving for more than 15 minutes, I'm usually barefoot in my car as well.

2. I don't sleep "on" a pillow. I do use a pillow, but I scrunch it up against the side of my face...it's not actually under my head. Weird, I know!

3. I'm a sucker for flowers. I love all the colors and types and shapes. They instantly brighten my mood. As a little girl I had my own room in our family's barn for arranging flowers. I often buy flowers for myself...and I can't wait to have a beautiful garden to learn to grow them. In fact, I think the perfect job would be to own a flower shop and deliver flowers. Everyone loves to see the flower delivery person!

4. My favorite pen color is blue. I "red line" documents with a blue pen! Red just seems so harsh and teacher like...black blends in and seems too formal...so blue it is.

5. I love Italian sausage - If I'm in a restaurant, and there's an item with Italian sausage in it, I'm very likely to order it.

6. I don't consider myself a picky eater, but I don't like bananas or raisins or ketchup or miracle whip or blue raspberry flavored foods or slimy eggs (over-hard please!) or pickles in my potato salad or ...hmmm, that's all I can think of right now.

7. I am a data hound. I like spreadsheets, getting to the bottom of tons of confusing data, and helping draw conclusions. There's nothing I like to do better than playing with lots of data, making charts and graphs, and demonstrating trends, etc all day long. Call me a nerd!

8. I've only lived in 2 towns in my entire 30 years of life: Billings or Spokane. I actually just realized this and was rather surprised.

Ok...enough about me...

Big Sky Beauty

Last Saturday (meaning June 23...yes, I'm a tardy blogger), I took a drive into the mountains with the purpose of reminding myself of one of the reasons that I actually moved to Montana. Believe it or not, it's been harder than I expected to adjust to this move! Anyway, I decided to go soak in some the beauty that God created, enjoy a roadtrip in my new-to-me BMW, and try to get some good photos. Well, I did get some pictures, but I can't say I'm pleased with the quality or that they did the views justice. (I'm seriously considering a new camera at this point.)
None-the-less, let me share with you some of God's beautiful creation...

These are the Beartooth Mountains...about an hour's drive from me...
Isn't this church in the most beautiful location...I think I'd get distracted from the sermon by looking at the mountains out the window...though I suppose that God would be pleased that I noticed his handiwork on display. :-)

Love Antiques and Tools?

I recently purchased this antique Machinist's Tool Box at an antique sale. I very rarely get giddy over a purchase, but I came close on this one. ;-) It is in such good condition, with beautiful quarter-sawn oak and lots of tiny little drawers, each lined with felt. What to use it for? I'm thinking a perfect jewelry box for now, but maybe office supplies later. Anyway, I'm just so excited that I have to share it. ;-)

My niece has learned to smile

Too cute!!!

I'm an Auntie!!!

Danica Katherine was born on St. Patrick's Day at 6:45pm by C-section. Everyone's happy and healthy.

Boba in Billings?

This post is specifically for my good friend Julie D. I found a restaurant in Billings that serves Boba! I had the coconut version and it was pretty darn good! I got some pretty strange stares from the people around me, but it was worth it. Come to visit and I'll take you there! ;-)

For those of you unaware...this is an Asian drink that is usually a tea based, frozen, blended drink with large tapioca balls in the bottom. You use a large straw to suck up the balls with the slushy drink. It's best when the balls get a bit frozen. Sounds aweful...and takes some getting used to. But with Todd and Julie raving about it, I just had to try it when I went to California. Not bad...an aquired taste I suppose. The more I've had it, the more I've enjoyed it. I never found it in Spokane, and certainly didn't expect to stumble across it in Billings. Heehee.

Church Update

Well...some good news. I've found a church that seems to be promising. I went to the weekend worship service a few weeks ago for the first time. The message seems to be pretty solid, with a focus on the importance of the Word and outreach. They're also large enough to have some good ministries in which to to get involved. When I first attended, I sat next to a couple who ended up being extraordinarily friendly. The gal has been faithful to call, and has invited me to women's Bible study on Tuesdays. Last week I went to the study and was truly encouraged. It's a group of ladies from college age to 80+ yrs old. The leader touched on some potentially difficult issues, and I was very encouraged at how she handled the Word in response.

I'm still hungry for fellowship, but I'm starting to see some potential relationships forming. Praise God!