Mix of Emotions

I just don't know what to think, a lot of things have happened in the last month and now I'm stuck holding too much emotional baggage and I need to dump some of it.

Happiness:
Jon and I spent an amazing Christmas holiday season together. We spent time with my mom and the kids, with my dad and step-mom, and with his family (parents and meeting a brother and wife and sister and husband). Our families may not know each other but we are getting to know each others families :) Over New Year's Jon and I were in Chicago and we did the Sears Tower and went shopping on Michigan Ave and picked out my engagement ring. It is the most gorgeous ring I've seen in a long time!

Sadness:
I didn't get to see my Gram while I was home for vacation, and by the time I see her again it will have been well over a year since I've seen her. I was sworn to secrecy about a person's health in my family because this person hasn't told me yet but Jon couldn't keep a secret from me. I had to leave Milwaukee, and Wisconsin for that matter, and all the family, friends, and modern ammenities!

Anger:
I have been shut down by someone that I love in trying to help them. I had to come back to Butte. I had to listen to a lady at a class I was taking be rude to strangers. I had to put on hold my plans because of my discust for humanity at a place that should bring nothing but goodness and faith. That my house is so cold and at myself for not taking the action steps to correct it.

Gratefulness:
For having a major stressor in my house gone. For being welcomed back with waiting and open arms in Butte. For being able to set my own schedule and do things on my time. Being able to do what I say I will because of this flexiblity.

I'm sure there is more but for now I feel better!

Amazing points...

So on my way home back to Milwaukee with Jon from my mom's house for Christmas we spotted at the best store ever. The people were friendly, they allowed us to take things out of the packages before we bought them, and did a demo of two competing products. We together spent over a hundred dollars and walked out the door with 3 things. All well worth their weight in gold I must say as we used all the products last night and, wow! Who knew that I could walk out of a store like that with a huge kid on Christmas morning smile on my face?!?!

It's too close for comfort

Ok, so it's been a while and I have some things to blog about that is for sure. Jon came to visit almost a month ago now. He took the train and I met him in Whitefish, MT. While I was waiting for him in Whitefish (very similar town to Whitefish Bay in Wisconsin) I made the best of my time. I made a coffee mug, well made as much as I painted the inside and outside with fire-able paints. Jon and I spent the first night he was here in Whitefish, we then drove to Butte, where we spent the majority of our time as I was not really on vacation. The whole time that Jon was here, from the minute he walked through the door at the hotel he was asking me, "Will you..." I knew instantly what I wanted him to end that question with. But, the end didn't come until Thursday September 25, 2008 when I had had enough and asked him, "Will I what, marry you?" to which he said, "Yes". I gave him the evil eye, and was like, "Are you serious?" and he was so of course I said, "YES!!" We called the family, and texted the friends letting them all know that we were engaged with amazing responses.

So, Jon and I set a wedding year long before I left for Butte, Montana so that was knocked out of the planning thankfully, now the more difficult plans need to come together. Like picking a date, a location for the wedding, a location for the reception, and what the colors, flowers, and the bridal party numbers will be. After about 30 seconds I had my flowers decided on, Stargazer lilies with Gerber daisies and some other very pretty delicate flowers. I have read quite a bit on weddings and what is appropriate, and acceptable for announcements, and for the reception. Jon and I both don't drink so I was trying to limit the number of drinks each person could have, but then I read somewhere that instead of having a full-on dinner with open/available bar that some people are moving towards cake and bubbly receptions. Then I read that some people aren't even doing cake professionally made, but are going to homemade pies-it will depend on what the reception hall will allow I guess. I am pretty sure I have the style of dress picked out for myself, and I am moving towards just letting my bridesmaids pick their own dress styles within the color field that I have chosen. Lots of reading, and doing yet to do. Jon wants to get married in a Catholic church, and there is planning that needs to be done with that considering I am not Catholic and I have no desire to convert.

On top of all that good news I have made strives in my VISTA position too. I have created one sustainable project for the whole state of Montana, not just Safe Space. I am working now on preparing for volunteer training that is going on at the end of this week-then we are done with all of the Domestic Violence month activities!!! I then am going to go to work on planning and coordinating a inter-agency training on people with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence. Bridgett, the MSW practicum student from MTech, and I are going to work on this training together since she has the hook-up with all the professionals that I want to be involved and I have the material and I want to boost my resume for professional content. Then when I'm home for Christmas break I am going to work on finding a grant or two that I can apply for that won't be a burden on Tonya's schedule to keep up. Preferably one basically for technology upgrades!

Home for Christmas is something else I am excited about. I bought my train ticket almost two weeks ago now and I will be home in less than two months! I am leaving Thursday December 18 from Whitefish, this means I am taking the bus up to Whitefish Wednesday December 17 from Butte. I will be in Milwaukee by December 19, this is something that pleases me greatly!!! I figured I will be gone from December 17 to January 6, 2009. This basically uses all my vacation time, but I am ok with that as I will be working a little bit because what else am I going to do when Jon is working and I am in the apartment, honestly!

She's Pregnant

I love the McCain camp. He chose a VP that has a pregnant 17 year old unwed child. Just another ploy I'm sure to get some more votes. Gross.

more pretty

look, pretty