New Beginnings

As a few of you may know, it has been almost a month since moving to North Dakota.  It has been a trip so far.   Knowing that my family is about 2000 miles away, and his is just right up the road.   For the first part of our relationship, my family had been there just about every step of the way.  Now, its his family's turn I guess you could say. 

The first Friday we were here, we met for dinner and drinks with family and a couple that his folks know.  I met and talked with his cousin Kim.  She's a neat lady and very into Relay for Life.  I can understand.  Both of her parents are gone, her mom passed from breast cancer a few years ago.

Our first delivery we received was from my favorite flower lady, Tracey.  She sent us a nice arrangement with this one cool flower tho I can never remember what its called, pine cones, twigs, and small white flowers.  It really made me feel happy, after the stress of the move and all.

Christmas was different but fun.  We had Christmas Eve dinner with his parents, the kids, Aunt Linda, and his brother Tyler (who I've finally got to meet).  After dinner, we unwrapped gifts.  I got lots of bath stuff (yay!), fuzzy socks, plus a book about a woman who helped settle North Dakota.  I'm really enjoying it so far!!  From his brother, we got a couple of gift cards, which works cuz we enjoy eating out every once in a while!  Christmas Day we hung out around the apartment til dinner time, then back over to his folks for dinner with Tyler, mom and dad, Ericka, Linda and her friend John.    All in all, a very nice Christmas.

Next thing that happened is that I started working at David's Bridal.  I'm sure most of you that know me are thinking, she's working in a dress shop?!?!  And the answer is yes, and I am really enjoying it.  Its nice coming home not covered in dirt and grease.  Don't get me wrong, I loved my job, mostly because of the customers.  Got my first pay check on Friday.  Whoo-hoo!  Income again!!!

New Year's was pretty quiet.  Spent the night here in the apartment, after taking Austin, Sabrina, and a friend of theirs out to dinner to celebrate Austin getting a job.   New Year's day we spent most of out at the farm with the dogs.  Got some really fun pictures of the 4 of them playing in the snow!  Bailey is really enjoying farm life.  I miss having them around tho.  This place is pretty quiet without canines around.  But alas, not allowed to have them here.  I'm making plans to go out and see them this week.  Maybe tomorrow..

31. 41. Memorial Day. Vacation!

In just under 2 weeks I will be visiting far off places! Well, to me anyhow! I will be going with Ryan and Austin to North Dakota.  I am so excited!!  To see the place where Ryan grew up, see where some history took place, ah! Can't wait!

It has officially been 1 month since my 31st birthday and to date, it has by far been the best!  I saw a wonderful couple say their I dos before their family and friends on that day. Ryan had bought me some very beautiful pink lilies and a very nice card to go with them.  But that wasn't all, I had my other gift at his place.  I didn't get to open that til day after.  Turned out it was a sailor bear (Ryan is retired Navy), and he (the bear) sings Anchors Away. Very cute!! Domino wasn't quite sure what to do when I was playing with the bear, making it sing.  He kept backing away.  ahahaha!

And just 2 short weeks later was Ryan's 41st birthday, or as he's now calling it, the 1st anniversary of turning 40.  He tells me that 40 was a pretty good year for him.  He tells me that its because he met me, a true companion, his girlfriend.  Makes me feel warm fuzzies when he tells me that.  I too tell him that 30 was great cuz I met someone that makes me feel as good as he does.  Anyhow, onto the real tale.  We went to Berlin-Ichthyosaur National Park for his birthday.  I couldn't really do what I wanted, which was to take him to lunch in Reno, broke you know... It turned out to be a really fun time! Erin, Ryan, and I toured some of the old building in the mining town of Berlin, then got a non-tour tour of the Ichthyosaur fossils.  Our tour guide was a character.  He told us how the fossils were found, how they believe that there is at least 4 animals there.  Showed us different types of ichthyosaur, shared interesting facts, and even cracked some jokes. Great time. :)  We got back to Fallon, had some pizza at Pizza Hut, then called it a day. Usually on Mondays, I try to come back to Yerington, after our long day, I decided I was too tired to drive home.

Memorial Day was fun this year too.  It marked the 1 year anniversary of my friend Erin to her husband Jimmy. It was kinda funny that I was in Fallon, on that same day, exactly one year previous.  Well, made me chuckle.  Since mom was also in Fallon with me that day as she was a year ago.  Anyhoo, Ryan and I held a BBQ for a few people.  We had invited Erin, Jackie, mom, Ila, Garry, and Ed.  Sadly Erin and Jackie couldn't make it.  For good reasons. Jackie was trying to aquaint her new kitten to her older cat and it was Erin's anniversary.  It was fun none the less.  Ryan and I had provided drinks, burgers, and chips.  Mom had brought a delicious fruit salad, Ila had brought potato salad and Garry (hahaha) and Ed had brought deviled eggs.  Good times, good conversation, and good friends. That is what BBQs are about!!

Like I'd mentioned, I will be going on vacation in less that 2 weeks! I really can hardly wait! Can't wait to see his mom and dad again, meet his daughter, and visit the farm that Ryan keeps telling me he won't get me off of!

 Have a great night folks! Will write again soon!!