Women's Run/ Torch Run

Saturday morning, I took part in the Women's Run in Billings.  This is the 3rd year I have participated.  The Women's Run is held to promote women's fitness and health.  All the money is donated to various local entities.  I participated in the 2 mile walk.  I am soo not a runner!  It was an amazing day.  The weather finally cooperated and there was no snow or wind!  It was a beautiful morning!  There was a record breaking attendance with close to 8,000 women participating this year.  It is an amazing event and a lot of fun.

Today, it was Tim's turn to take part in an event.  He participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run.  The Torch Run benefits the Special Olympics.  The run began on April 26th and has 14 different starting points as it makes it way to Bozeman (a journey of 2,500 miles) where the opening ceremonies will be held.  The Wheatland County leg of the race started in Harlowton this morning and made it's way to Big Timber.  Kim "rock star" biked for 19 miles-- all of it hills!-- before Tim took his turn at biking 3 miles.  He really lucked out and got a nice stretch of flat highway.  The rain was just starting when he took off, and by the time he ended and it was Jeff's turn to carry on, it was coming down pretty good.  The torch will continue on into Big Timber and make it's way to Bozeman where the cauldron will lit on May 12th to commemorate the opening ceremonies.  Another great cause!

Bundle Up!

Here Come's the Escort!

And Away They Go!

He Made It!

This weekend we will be going to Helena to take part in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Mother's Day

For Mother's Day we went to Fort Benton for a wonderful buffet at the Grand Union Hotel.  It was a nice day for a drive.  I hadn't been to Fort Benton since highschool when we had our divisional volleyball tournaments there-- always a blast!  I'm pretty sure I wanna retire in Fort Benton.  It's such a pretty little town right on the Missouri River.  And it's so historic too, which fits in nicely with my useless History degree! 

Downtown there is a little monument dedicated to ol' Shep.  Shep was a sheep dog that belonged to an old sheep-herder in the area.  When the sheep-herder died, his body was shipped back east on the train.  Shep had accompanied the body to the station.  Every day Shep would wait at the station, waiting for his master to come home.  Many people took pity on Shep and tried to adopt him, but he would never stay, showing up every day to see if his owner had come back for him.  He did this daily for about 5 years until he died.  For a way better, more complete story, please click "HERE".  It's very touching.  I've always loved that story.

The Grand Union, built in 1882 was open for around 100 years before closing in the 1980's.  Some people from Montana bought it in 1997 and began the long process of restoring it to its former glory.  It is very beautiful inside and out. 

The buffet was out of this world!  They had 3 different seating times, with each time having a different menu.  Our menu consisted of a flatbread appetizer with carmelized onions, a spinach and strawberry salad, Turkish apricot cous cous, basil whipped potatoes, mixed vegetables, roasted chicken with a honey glaze, pork loin stuffed with blueberry stuffing, and a perfectly grilled flank steak with an ancho-chilli lime sauce.  The food was absolutely astounding. I couldn't pick out a single favorite.  It was unbelievable.  Oh and the dessert table!  It was so disgusting how we piled our plates up, but man was it yummy!  There was the caramel cheesecake.  Oh man. To die for.  And so many many other things I can't even think.  Needless to say we didn't need supper when we got home!  Mom and I had to take a little walk down the block and back.

Spring Storm

Benjie is back to "normal" (whatever that means!) since his surgery.  He hasn't had any problems with his eye and it has grown shut nicely.  He also got a brand new haircut andeverything looks really good. 

Of course the day after he gets his haircut, we have to have a horrible spring blizzard!  He has been soo cold he has been glady spending his time in his sweater, or on laps, or burried under blankets, or warming himself in front of the heater!

We luckily haven't lost power.  Mom and dad have been withouth power for over a day now.  They have been spending time in their camper staying warm and listening to the wind howl.  The wind has just been relentless.  We don't have too much snow on the ground here in the Gap 'cause the wind has blown it all away.  Stanford however has been getting some good accumulation.  Mom sent me this picture this morning.  The snow is drifted halfway up the barn door.

Roads are still closed from Great Falls to Eddie's Corner.  Schools have been cancelled again.  It's an old fashioned Spring Storm!

Grandma Moves to the City

After 70 something years of country living, Grandma Jo has decided to move into Lewistown.  Grandma started her life near the breaks, north of Denton.  After grandma and grandad were married, they lived in a small cabin at the base of the Twin Sisters, near Buffalo.  They were there for about a year and a half, before settling on a ranch between Stanford and Denton.  They were there for 40 years before moving just outside of Lewistown.  17 years later, grandma decided to try out the city life.  I know it's a huge change for her, but she will enjoy being closer to things and having neighbors and people close by. 

This last weekend the family got together and moved boxes and furniture with a fury!  It was quite a whirlwind, but we got things accomplished!  When we left, Grandma and the schnauzers were settled comfortably in her chair, watching some TV!

Signs of Spring....

Missoula Getaway

Two weekends ago we were able to get over to Missoula to visit the Compton Family.  Had a great time visiting with Sarah, Jimmy and the boys.  Tim and Jim were able to get some golf in and Sarah and I enjoyed some girl time-- shopping!  Saturday night they hosted a barbecue/birthday party/going away party for Jimmy's brother, Danny.  Lots of fun.  Always enjoy going over there.

One-Eyed Schnauzer

Our poor litte guy had to have his blind eye removed last week.  :(  His little eye just wasn't doing too well.  It was just getting really goopy all the time and sort of retreating back into his head.  He was born blind in his left eye due to an infection, so he really doesn't know any different.  But it was difficult for us.  I think I cried all the way from Horizon Vet to the Town Pump.  Poor little guy.  He looked like such a wreck when I picked him up 8 hours later.  He was soo loopy yet from the anesthesia.  He was pretty sad for a couple of days.  I think he was a little embarassed too, because when you talked to him or he looked at you, he would try to hide that side of his face.  But it's been over a week, and he's just about back to normal.  He has to go back next week and get his stitches out.  I'm sure that will be a fun visit!