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Once again my intentions to journal every night were just that-intentions. So, I apologize that this entry is lacking in passionate details-just rote fact. As I write this I am waiting to go into town to pick up a UPS package. Evidently UPS doesn’t deliver out here so I have to go into town and pick up my package from the coffee shop. The lady who runs that coffee shop will really hate me come fall. I order all of the kid’s winter clothes, schoolbooks, and Christmas presents online. Maybe she will encourage UPS to deliver to my house! This morning I feel like Ma did when Pa was away. Although I am certain Ma would have been feeling less intimidated than I am right now. Last night the mother of all storms visited us. It was glorious and horrific all at the same time. The house shook and the lightening cracked right in our driveway. Thunderstorms in the mountains are much different than the ones we got in Central Oregon. And the rain-it poured and made noise so loud I couldn’t hear myself thinking. After I got the children tucked into bed I went into the battery room to check our electricity level-as I do every night. This room contains everything we need to run utilities in the house. I learned last night that I know nothing about the things in that room-although the mountain men have been by several times to explain different things to us. Well, when I walked into the room I was met by water knocking me in the head. The source of the leak was a giant metal pipe coming out of the ceiling. I still don’t know what it is. But, I was able to surmise that it had something to do with the rain because the harder it rained, the harder it leaked and vice versa. On top of which I think our indoor cistern may be leaking. Obviously, that wasn’t enough because when I climbed into the shower this morning the water was ice cold. Sometime in the night the pilot light to the hot water heater was blown out. Now, none of this would even concern me if the man of the house were around. Hubby is on a business trip and won’t be home for two weeks. So, that leaves the mountain men and myself to figure this all out-if the mountain men are willing. The good news is that I relit the pilot light myself. The rest will have to wait until I can coax one of these hairy creatures over to my house to help me! This past week has been a joy. I still am getting settled in, I have already had to rearrange the kiddos room. It was still too crowded. The kitchen isn’t feeling right and the garage is in serious need of attention. But, I have moved enough to know that these things come in time and money. Honestly, I love it up here and can’t imagine being anywhere else. I do miss my life in Redmond, but not Redmond itself. I really miss the familiar things. I miss my friends. I miss Starbucks! But, we are making new friends here and I even have found that the little drive up coffee shop isn’t too bad. After church on Sunday we met up with Karolee and her family for lunch. It was so nice to make human contact with people who are like you. Don’t get me wrong…I appreciate all the nice people I have met. But, to chat with folks who know where you are, care about what is going on, and know the same Savior… well, it just makes all the difference. Karolee had a knitting circle on Monday where the kids and I met nice moms with nice kids. Today I am going to the Butte homeschoolers park day. I normally wouldn’t attend so many things, but while we are getting to know every body I think this is important. I know in time we will find a few select friends and get involved in those things that suit us. But for now, this is the only way I know to meet people. I have proved my theory (in my own mind) that ‘school’ has very little to do with textbooks and table time. Just living creates so much learning that I don’t feel at all guilty for putting away the traditional textbooks this summer. One of our favorite learning opportunities this past week was a trip to Crystal Park. This park was so neat! You bring all of your own digging tools and search for quartz crystals. We had many hours of digging in the dirt and did in fact find some crystals. I am amazed how perfectly these beauties are formed by nature. Truly one more testament to the creativity of our God. On Saturday we took a trip into Missoula. It was about an hour and a half drive. Which in Montana is a quick trip! Anyway, we spent a long while at the alternative energy store. We learned so much about what is out there and what we need. We were surprised to find some fairly inexpensive solar panels that we will need before winter. I was thrilled to hear that we could install them. That means $$$$$ in the bank and not in the pocket of our local mountain man electrician. I am finally able to bake all of our own bread again! Yippee!! Well, I am sure that this entry would be much more exciting if I had written a short entry every night, but time just isn’t permitting it right now. ***NO PICTURES THIS WEEK...PHOTOBUCKET ISN"T WORKING*** I had planned to share a slew of pictures, including in the house...I will try again next week! Farewell until next week! To all of you with a pioneering spirit (Yeah, Tiffany you!) let me recommend a wonderful book I just finished. It is called Letters of a Women Homesteader by Elinore Pruitt Stewart. This woman was strong and capable and she inspired me to light my water heater’s pilot light today! Till next week-may the Lord bless you and keep you! |
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