Taking Emergency Leave Effective Immediately

I'm taking an emergency leave of absence from the blog, so I will begin a new post upon return on Wednesday.  Not the best way to start a blog, I know, but I am needed in other places right now.  Thank you for your understanding  Please continue to visit the links I have advertised here in the meantime as I do believe you will find them helpful and information.  God bless!

My Life at 48 Degrees North

I grew up in the south never thinking about this place other than being "the middle of nowhere" as some like to say.  I never once stopped to realize the sacrifices I was making when I moved here to raise my children, but what a blessing it has been.

Many people come to Montana every year from all over the world to visit the national parks.  They find it so awe inspiring that they buy land and/or build their second and third homes here; seeking solitude away from the fast lane.  Montana thrives on tourism, but those who come here rarely take the time to meet the "locals" and understand what it's like to live and work here, what makes a Montanan so different from the rest of the country. 

It took me moving here to really begin seeing just how little I knew about life beyond the big city.  Of course, part of that is due to maturing over the years.  I grew up in a fairly large city and took things for granted.  Looking back I remember my small neighborhood as "being" the whole city!  I never got to know life beyond that neighborhood.  I still can't say to this day that I even know what makes that city thrive.  But I never wanted for anything, it was all right there; 7/11's every block; multiple malls; people outside in their driveways shining their cars on the weekends; you know, normal city life.  But when I made the choice to move to Montana, it was not a happy time in my life, a divorcee with two young children, no direction and no idea what I was doing.  All I knew was that I wanted a good life for them and somewhere in my heart I had to trust that it was the right decision.  Suddenly I realized just how removed I was from what I deemed civilization...pick up trucks everywhere, logging trucks running in every direction, no street lights at night, pitch black; one mall at the time and no nationally recognized stores at that, except for JC Penney. There was  no Home Depot; no Costco or Sam's Club; so many privately owned businesses and everyone seemed related. I was definitely an outsider.  Rather than judging it, it was kind of exciting, but I did question myself a time or two as to how I was going to make it.  I was broke of course, so those little luxuries died pretty fast for me; the fake nails came off; eating out was not an option and a six pack to help me sleep at night, had to last a week.  Can't stand the stuff now.

A few months later I met my husband, Scott and once again my life changed.  That was the true beginning of a new life for me.  He has taught me so much that I wish that everyone had someone like him in their life. He opened my eyes to a whole new world; teaching me things I never otherwise would have known.   I also acquired a mother-in-law, Arlene, who has got to be the most angelic, strong  and genuine woman I have ever met.  The things I have learned over the past sixteen years, I give credit to both of them and plan to write about throughout this blog.

You see, one can't just visit this place and build a home here and call themselves a "Montanan".  It is earned through learning, understanding and respecting a different way of life.  Rather than taking the time for those things, many choose to return to where they are most comfortable and have what they consider the "luxuries of life", taking for granted things in their daily lives just as I once did.  This isn't to say that people in the big city don't know these things, but I take great pride in what I have learned and I want to share them with you.  Becoming a Montanan has taught me to be self sufficient; to have a deep appreciation for how things are made; how precious time really is; to learn and want to live within my means; to deeply love with all my heart; to continuously explore and discover.

Over these past sixteen years, I have experienced divorce; being at the bottom alone; how to forgive those that have hurt me deeply; what it's like to be in a food line and on welfare temporarily; the joys of building a life with someone so very special;  raising three beautiful and healthy children; being a foster parent; what it's like to have a great paying job (for this area); and the emptiness that comes with death and dying; bad business deals; and unemployment. And I still consider myself blessed by God.  By His grace, I have survived it all and  plan to write about many of these topics.  Other topics include information on a variety of topics that I have found off the beaten path and to be educational.  The kind that just might inspire you to get involve or research something new. 

My hope is that you will open your hearts and minds without judgment to learning new things everyday; to reach out to others; to know that's it's OK to fail sometimes as long as you learn from it; to respect other people's way of life; how important saying "I love you" is and to count your blessings each and every day.

My first blog ever!

I have often wondered what it would be like to have a blog, if anyone really would look at it. My passion has always been to help others...whether it's finding something in a store, ideas to market themselves for a new business, sharing a personal experience that helps them realize they're not alone, bringing food to someone in need, being a cheerleader...the list goes on. Being unemployed for over a year has allowed a lot of time for reflection. I have so many passions that it's been hard to pin point how I can make a difference in this world. So I plan to share some of what I have learned in life in hope of enriching the lives around me.

Being unemployed...

I have been unemployed for 15 months now...that's 452 days to be exact! Oh, I have searched for work and perhaps been too picky searching for that "perfect match". I took a part time job over the summer months, but even part time didn't provide but 2-8 hours a week and cost me more in fuel than what I made.

But what I have learned in these past 452 days, not to mention throughout my lifetime, speaks volumes and I am truly grateful for all I have! In the days ahead, I hope to share with you some of them and hope to enrich your lives by making you think about things we often take for granted; when life is good and the checks are rolling in; when we live our lives so fast that we forget to stop appreciate what's right in front of us; when we fail to simply slow down.

I plan to talk about random things that revolve around my own life and interests ...informational, sad, happy, etc. My goal is to open your minds and hearts that you might reflect on your own life.

I only ask that you do not judge me or try and read things in to what is not there. Please respect the thoughts, views and feelings of all bloggers without casting judgment.