My New (Eight-Legged) Friend

I have always been known as a fan of spiders. I've always thought them fascinating. Between the monstrous hunters, the dainty web weavers, to the little guys that end up on my ceiling some days, I love them. It is only fitting then, to finally own one as a pet. A colleague at work was getting rid of one and I jumped at the chance to take her home. She is a Chilean Rose Tarantula (whom I've given the delicate name Rosie), and she is a beauty. Some folks get chills at the thought of a spider this big, but it just makes her more interesting to watch! She is so gentle when she moves and walks. Taking care with every step. They're very fragile creatures so she always moves with caution. I picked her up today for the first time (with gloves this first time around) but one of her legs slipped and she stepped on my wrist. It was the softest little foot ever! I was charmed. :) Welcome, Rosie, to the family!

It's My Mom's Birthday!

I haven't a better friend than my Mom. (Lots of you know her from her own blog, A Montana Life.) She is my role model, confidant, and hero. We see each other all the time and yet still always have something to talk about! We're extremely similar, and it never bothered me years ago that I realized I was 'just like my mother.' I was honored! She is an amazing woman who deserves the best Birthday ever. So that's exactly what she gets! Lots of surprises today all in the name of my Mom. Let the fun begin! :D

My all-time favorite photo with my mom. :)

The Colors of Spring

I can finally see the pattern I used for my tulips last fall. Tall and light, alternating with short and dark purple. I didn't pay too close attention to the types I was planting, just tried to keep the colors separated. Now that enough of them have bloomed, it has become apparent. I recently obtained a tea rose from my mother. It is a Mister Lincoln variety and is my all time favorite. The scent is as close to heaven as you can get. And the bloom is classic red. Now to decide where in the yard it will go. Our lilacs, that line both sides of the yard are about to open. Another lovely scent, though a plant that makes me sneeze. I can't stop smiling now that the days are warmer, the trees are greener, and the rains are bringing more and more life to Montana. Here's to Spring!

A Night Out in Heels and Sequins

Oh it had been so long since my last Stiletto Night! My graduate student friend text me yesterday saying she needed some girl time. So I dug through my closet for a cute top, skinny jeans and, of course, stilettos! Which pair to wear? Always a tough decision. ;) We sipped cocktails downtown, vented about work, and gossiped about boys. It was so freeing! We told stories, caught up, and most of all, laughed like crazy. Just two ladies in satin and sequins, living it up. Exactly what I needed!

A "Bear"thday!

On Wednesday we celebrated what we like to call a Bearthday. The fourth Birthday of my cat, Bear! As close to a Birthday as we can calculate. Four years ago I let her into the foyer of my apartment building on accident one night. Unclaimed, and quite lost, she became mine a month after that. For the days leading up to her "official" adoption she lived in my bathroom as we hung fliers and called pet shelters. No one had reported a Russian Blue/Manx. A few years later, after she panicked upon our moving to a new house did I get the feeling she'd been abandoned long ago by her original family. She looked at me so scared that I was going to pack up the apartment and leave her behind. It felt good to scoop her up, throw her in the truck and take her to the new house. She seemed bewildered...and very thankful. :) She's a unique cat, and being a handful is an understatement, but I love her to bits. So glad she found her way to my house on that Spring night.

So what did we do this year? Well, after letting her run around the backyard, stalk mice and eat a lot of grass, she came back inside to throw up. Not out of the ordinary. But this time it looked like she must have ate some sharp grass and cut her throat. Yikes! So we called up Mom and after getting a ride headed off to the vet. An antibiotic later she was sent home. Her little hoarse meows last night were so hard to hear! Poor girl. Today she looks fit as a fiddle though and we'll just make sure to only eat the good grass from now on. What a day for a Bearthday!

They May be Weeds, but I Don't Care

Enough sun and rain and the city explodes in....dandelions. Most would call these tough flowers weeds but you can't deny their beauty in large groups. I walk past this field often and when these bloom it's like a meadow of torches. I love it. :)

Supreme Spring Happiness

I had a weekend spent outdoors! The sun shown, and though the wind blew in forceful gusts it was still pleasant. I weed trimmed, and mowed, washed the truck and moved plants around. My sister and I weeded the raised beds and I am now relaxed and letting my sprinklers water the lawn. *sigh* Felt good to get my hands dirty and get some yard work done. It's amazing how much better the property looks with a little maintenance. :) Soon I will buy flowers to plant and veggies to grow. I can't wait to add some color! The beginning of our week will bring rain, but when the sun returns again I'll be outside painting on the house and pruning the roses. The rain will be a welcome, cozy affair that I will not mind. At least this crazy wind will stop! Oh! And before I forget, my first tulip has finally bloomed! Success! The evening has wound down pleasantly with wine outside in the backyard, enjoying the warmth and the smell of summer.



I hope you all had a pleasant weekend!

Things I'm Loving Right Now

It's Friday! The sun is shining, the temps are increasing and I am happily perched at work in a sunbeam. Lovely! Our trees have exploded with green this last week and my tulips are finally about to bloom. Spring hath arrived! And in my gloriously smiley mood it's time for another Things I'm Loving Right Now:

1. Spring greenery. I love the neon green that sprouts first in Spring. Our maple tree, whose mature leaves will be a stately dark shade, start out lime and it looks magnificent against the thunderstorm skies we've been having.

2. Hoops! Always wanted a good pair of hoop earrings, and finally got 'em. They're a little bit heavy but I like to feel them when I move. So nice! They go with everything!

3. Spiders! Spiders? I've always had a fondness for our eight-legged friends, and yesterday acquired a tarantula. A coworker didn't want it anymore so I leaped at the chance. My fuzzy little pet has yet to make it home, so is next to me in the lab. She's our new mascot for the time being. :)

4. Dress weather! I know my pregnant friend is very excited about this too. It feels so good to finally be able to don a dress and not freeze your little legs off after going outside. They're so comfy and I feel so girly!

Happy Birthday Sister!

My sister and I have always been close. She's my best friend and she's had my back since I was, well, born. I can't begin to tell you what a relationship like this is like, if you yourself don't have close siblings. But it's definitely amazing. And a little magical. She can practically read my mind these days and the fun I have with her is unmatched by any other. I can't express the love I have for her, but I try to, often. She's one of the coolest people on the planet, and on May 11th, she'll turn one year older. So exciting! We have a party planned at my parent's house and the day will be filled with many festive surprises. I can't wait!

Love you so much, sis!

Being silly, as normal! She's the one on the right

with the cool kayak shirt (that I got her for her
Birthday years ago. he he)

Love You Mom!

My mother is my best friend. She fills my world with joy and love and I would be lost without her. Summing her up is always a challenge, so I will just share some photos of our fun times together. I will join her and the family tonight to take her to dinner and shower her with affection, attention and gifts. :) Love you so much, Mom!

Epic Disneyland Trip

Easter Sunday

On the Ferris Wheel!

Photo Challenge: Bird

Oh thank goodness for Friday! It has been a strange week and I am ready for a nice weekend. At least the weather has been amazing! Finally some sun and the ability to do yard work. :) Last weekend was spent in Spokane, WA where I found these two feather friends. Chania's theme this week was Bird(s) so I thought it was a perfect shot!



Head on over to her blog, Razmataz for more entries and have a great weekend!

Mosaic Monday: Bloomsday 2011

The first weekend in May always means Bloomsday in Spokane, WA. Our family of four loads into the car and head across the states to enjoy two fun-packed days in the city. We always take in an IMAX movie, visit our favorite bookstore Auntie's, and shop at Boo Radley's and Atticus. Two amazing stores. We eat well at the Olive Garden and rest our heads at the Davenport Hotel. On our second day my Dad and I run the footrace, among 51,000 other participants. Brightly colored and eager to run, we all pack into the downtown streets at 9am in the chilly morning. 7.46 miles later, you pick up your race t-shirt and greet the rest of the family for celebration. This year was sunny with clear, blue skies. My father always finishes with an astonishingly quick time. Me? Not as impressive this year! But for not training any I did pretty darn good. We'll see how good I can get before next year!

Mom and I at Sunday breakfast, sleepy.
The Hall of the Doges in the Davenport Hotel.
Duck and Goose friends in Riverfront Park.
The family looking at Spokane Falls.

Mom and the clock tower in Riverfront Park.
Sister and I after touring the race trade show.
Me in our luxurious safari chair in the hotel.
Huge chandelier in the Marie Antoinette hotel ballroom.