25

So I turned 25 today, and with that came the realization that I am nowhere near where I wanted to be. When I always thought of the future, I thought I would be married (or at least dating), with a solid job (preferably a ranch). Instead I am working 3 jobs to make ends meet, single, and broke (in debt due to college and my car.)

In a way I guess I am content, and even more blessed than others. I have a roof over my head, food to eat and a car to get me places. I am not sure if I am mature enough to be in a relationship (I also see the trouble some relationships have) so I guess I am ok with being single for now. I really only get mopey about my situation when I compare myself with some others my age, those married, on a salary, no debt...

I have been thinking for a while about going back to school, but now I really want to. I am thinking of either vet tech/assistant or youth/social worker. I wonder if I sell a kidney if I will be able to go back then...

I decided to name the rats Echo and Helo.

In Loving Memory

As most of you know, my grandfather went to his forever home last Thursday. The funeral was yesterday (Monday) and it went well, if you can say that of a funeral. There were a lot of stories, memories, jokes... The common ones were his ice cream spoon, werthers candy, and his love of Newfie music.

Amber, mom (Laura), Leanne and Linda and I each had a little speech, and Jenna sang a song. There were a lot of people there, and they all had good memories, showing that he was well loved and lived a good life.

Mom will be doing a bigger blog, but I felt that I had to say something to remember him. I finish this blog with a bible verse that reminds me of him. He always loved wildlife, and I believe that he is not suffering anymore but walking and running.


'Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:28-31

Names

I have some new friends that need names. We are hoping they are both girls. Here are the names that I like. I will have a vote on them till Friday at which point I will pick a name. Please respond with the name you like or if you have a suggestion.

Tango and Cash
Helo and Echo
Tweak and Twitch
Chevy and Nova
Flotsam and Jetsam (mom likes these but I think they are not girl names)

Misc

Today has been a very productive day. By 10:00 i had already taken the dogs jogging, gotten snow tires (bought and installed) and went to the dollar store for more "Operation Shoebox" stuff. Then I had a nap and when I woke up I went to the barn, had a lesson and then did the pm barn chores.

I am now going to eat dinner (after showering, as my parents are weird and do not like the smell of barn) then I will probably do the cat litter, and head to bed.

I am working as a housekeeper at Blue Mountain (or should I say hill compared to some of the places I have been). I had contacted them before moving back (as a safety net in case nowhere else was hiring). Most of the places I tried were not, but Blue is not a bad place to work so I can last there for a while again. I got home on Thursday October 27, and was offered a job on Friday, but wanted to look into some barns that had called me. I went to one, and they were looking for part time help or working student. So I accepted part time and will be helping her with some young horses as well. I am mostly working in exchange for lessons, but may take half lessons and half pay. Back to Blue... I called Monday and accepted the job, and started Tuesday.

The dogs are glad to have me back. I am living in the basement at my parent's house for the time being (not sure how long this will last as it is insane sometimes. But between the trip here and getting snow tires, I am almost broke.

That's prob it for now as I am eating.

Montana and North Dakota

Not much to say today. Just a lot of driving... We covered 885 kilometers today (which I drove 530 of)We are in Dickinson North Dakota for the night. I would have loved to have pushed another hour to Bismark, but mom was afraid it would get dark before we got there.

The weather has been holding fairly well since we left the wet coast...I mean west coast. There has been a few little showers of rain, but nothing bad. We have seen more deer (dead and alive), 2 buffalo and lots of cows and horses. I still have not seen a real cowboy, but am holding out hope for tomorrow.

We were joking today that I should put myself out as a mail order bride... the add would go like this...

Name: Caitlin
Skills and attributes: Can ride horses, drive tractors, good with children, doesn't mind being isolated, can eat jerky while in the saddle all day, and finally... has good child bearing hips

I wonder if I would get any sane replies?

I love Montana and North Dakota as they remind me of Alberta, with hills, mountains, badlands, hoodos, lakes...

There were a lot of old shacks along the highway (some up a ways, some right near the fence line. They were rather neat and I would have loved to have been able to stop and explore them. A lot of the fences were on hills, and in rocky areas, I am glad that I did not have to put them up...

Here are a few pics from today's journey, then I am off to dinner (Mom wants to go to "Bonanza" although I would be happy to sit in the room and eat my jerky and sausages)

Day 2 and 3

Friday was a bit of a bomb...the weather was atrocious. It just rained and rained and rained. We went to Lynn Valley Suspension bridge, Edgemont Village and Whitespot. Then we napped.

The George Canyon concert was awesome!!! He is an amazing performer. He and the band all joke with each other and get along great. He has such a loud voice and really puts on a show. The crew was joking around, doing Van Halen so he said that would be as silly as him doing ... then he started singing "Baby Baby, Oh Baby" it was hysterical!!! The opening act was Ryan Laird, and he was really good as well (an Ontario boy) (well not really a boy...2 years older than me) There was a really drunk girl that was sitting behind us and she spilled her beer, kept tripping, made a lot of noise, flashed her undies... oh yeah, she also fell on the lady beside me. Her boyfriend was no better and kept giving her more alcohol!!!! He was very noisy and kept shouting out things. All in all it was a great concert.

We were on the road this morning around 9:30, crossed the border with no problems. We were planning to stop at Ellensburg (about a 5 hour drive) but I wanted to keep pushing. We stopped in Everett for lunch and gas then continued on. We saw "Wild Horse Monument" which is a bunch of wild horse statues on the top of a hill. Mom took over driving then (I drove for about 6 hours) then we stopped in Ritsville about an hour/hour and a half. We went out to "Perkins" for dinner.

When we had stopped at lunch they had pie and I had a chocolate one but really wanted peanut butter pie. Guess what Perkins had? That's right...Peanut Butter Pie!!! So we bought a whole pie (it was cheaper than just 2 pieces) so that's lunch tomorrow :)

We are now going to go to the pool, then crash and hopefully be off between 7-8 am in the morning. (I am trying to go fast so when we get to Montana I can spend a while chasing cowboys ;-) I am hoping to go for a ride somewhere along the way as well.

That's about all for now. Stay tuned.

Mom's Visit

Mom arrived yesterday around 4 pm We went over to the pet store I worked at (after a slight detour downtown cause the streets are silly there...) Then we went to a restaurant called Andrea's. It is really good Italian/Greek, and I always take people there. (If I remember) We split a platter that had a bit of everything (and had it again for dinner tonight) Then they gave us a free loaf of bread which will be lunch/snack for a few days. Then we headed to the hotel and were in bed by 9.

We got up around 6:30 this morning, went for the continental breakfast. Then we headed towards Mt. Seymour, but the cloud was insane and part way up we had to turn around. We then went to Deep Cove. We then went to the Quay (saw some butter tarts...almost got one for Grandpaw but it may not have survived the trip), took the seabus, went to gastown (Roger's chocolates...) Then we came back to the North Shore, drove across to Stanley Park, biked around the seawall, then went to the Aquarium. We then attempted Mt. Seymour, got to the top parking lot, but it was foggy so got a picture in dusk from the second to top parking lot.

Then we went to superstore, got gas, bought some cheese, filled my tire (it was flat) drove back to the hotel, and are now blogging and watching :Big Bang Theory".

Tomorrow we are headed to Midas to check all my tires, then off to Horsehoe Bay, Whytecliff Park, (maybe) Capilano suspension bridge, Lynn Valley suspension Bridge, and the George Canyon concert. Then Saturday am, we head out to Seattle (and hope we have no problems going through, cause if they need to search my car everything will fall out the trunk...