No Place Like Home

Welcome my dear friends! I'm excited to start blogging. I've wanted to start a blog here for a while. Finals finished up last week and now I'm back home in Montana visiting for a few days. What better time to start a blog than with a slow internet connection! :) It's really not that bad, but compared to the internet I have in Utah...it's like a cheetah vs. a turtle.

There really is no place like home. Here are just a few things I love most about home in Montana:

1. Momma's cooking. For breakfast today she made a peach strawberry smoothie and it was heavenly! (In my opinion, way better than Jamba Juice.)
   
2. My water bed. My Dad built this water bed for his Dad before he passed away, and it's been my bed since I got out of my crib. I love feeling like I'm sleeping on the ocean! When I was little and I couldn't sleep, I imagined I was out on the ocean. (there were no sharks, of course). Somehow that helped me relax and get to sleep.
3. My best friends live with me. Not all my family is here...one of my best friends is in France (my sister, Whit - I miss her lots!), and my Dad's away at work for a little bit (who I also miss tons but get to see next week!). But to have my brothers and my mom be my roommates is the best! Family is the best.
   
4. My dog, Penny...have to admit I've missed her! Even though she is a little crazy and eats everything in sight, she makes me happy.
   
5. My 80 year old neighbor was wearing a hot pink jacket the other day and it just made me smile. My neighbors here are so friendly and warm.
6. The creek right behind my house. I love listening to the sound of water.
7. The piano. We have a piano that I can play whenever I want! At school, I usually have to go to campus to play. But it's just right there! Love it.
   
8. Seeing old friends. I got to meet up with my friend, Justin, for dinner last night, and I'm meeting my friend, Jane, for lunch tomorrow. Catching up on life with someone you haven't seen in a while is wonderful!
   
9. Going for walks with my mom. My mom religiously walks our dog morning and evening. I love going with her and just having mommy/daughter time. Nothing better!
10. People here drive ten below the speed limit (not all, but a lot of them). Which sometimes is not my favorite thing when I need to get somewhere (it's the complete opposite of Utah driving where everyone seems to drive ten over the limit), but in a way it says a lot about Montana. People aren't in a rush. They enjoy life and take it as it comes. Everyone waves at you as they drive by (the little finger wave on the wheel which is kind of funny). And people are just warm and friendly. If you haven't been to Montana, I recommend it. Here's a quote about Montana that I like:

    "I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love, and it's difficult to analyze love when you're in it." -Steinbeck's "Travels with Charlie"