Awake in Boise

It's midnight and I'm having trouble getting to sleep. I think I'm anxious for my trip to continue tomorrow. I left Nome last Sunday, the 17th and was in Anchorage for a couple of hours between 11pm and 1am and Mike and his brother Timmy, were nice enough to come and scoop me up so I didn't have to sit in the airport. I flew all night, had a long lay over in Seattle and got into Boise a little delayed at about 2pm on Monday. I've been staying with my friends, Jim and Nikki and enjoying getting to know their new baby, Emmett. Nikki is still recovering from the delivery and we are just doing a lot of hanging out at home with the little guy who is just barely 2 weeks old now.

My mom came down to Boise on Monday evening to spend some time with me too. Today I got a chance to hitch a ride with Jim up to Weiser to see my mom again. He was going that way for work and was able to drop me off. We had a nice day together, I got to meet her sweet puppy, Rusty, and see all the others; dogs, cats, horses, goats, and chickens. What a great place she has! She brought be back to Boise and we went to see a movie together, Charlotte's Web. My mom sobbed and I have to admit it made me laugh. It was tear worthy in parts and I could have maybe shed a few myself if I hadn't been giggling at how choked up my mom was. I'm sorry mom, I couldn't help it. There was incredible scenery(filmed in Melbourne), talking animals, a great story. . . and of course Dakota Fanning who has just sort of become a required person for any movie that needs a child actor. She is great, but gee whiz, aren't there any other kids in Hollywood? What about Abigail Breslin from Little Miss Sunshine (my new favorite movie by the way)? I'd like to see her step into those pre-determined Dakota roles, wouldn't you? Enough of that. Miss Fanning did great in the movie, as usual. All around, it was a very sweet film that I would definitley recommend. And, I'm so glad I saw it with my mom. This is her kind of flick!

Its been sunny and "cold", as everyone around here says. The thought that this weather is cold is actually just hilarious to me. My perspective on cold has changed so darn much since being in Alaska that its hard to even think this could go in that category. Its been in the 30's and 40's and to me, has felt great. Today, the sunny blue skies turned grey though. Its been snowing most of the day, to most people's delight I think. Looks like maybe it will be the white Christmas after all.

Being here in Boise is sort of strange for me. I like being here and I miss it, but I must admit, I'm beginning to question what I miss. I don't know that I actually miss Boise, or that I miss the life that I had when I lived here. I was young (22-25), my job(s) were great, I had awsome friends, and spent almost every spare moment doing things that I loved outside. I had fun, A LOT! I miss that. Don't get me wrong Boise is good and Idaho is spectacular, but me moving back here does not mean that I would have that life back. Hard to explain and a bit too heavy to even continue processing here. Maybe another day?

Thanks to Dillon for adding some things I asked for on my blog. And for those of you who recognize seeing Romy's comments, check out her blog through the link on the right. She's hilarious!

I think I'm ready to finally fall asleep. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas weekend filled with lots of love!

Welcome to the world Baby Emmett!

Emmett Joseph Hulme was born Tuesday December 5th. He is the first born of my dear friends, Jim and Nikki in Boise. I am so happy he made it here safe and sound and I can't wait to meet him. I'll be visiting them for 5 days next week, leaving Nome this Sunday. Happy Earth Debut Day Emmett! Lots of love to you all. . .

I love this picture! What a handsome little guy.

The first "real" snow. . . and Leo

You may have seen a post a couple of months ago complaining about the first snow coming a bit too early. Well, the snow didn't last then and by Nome's standards, could hardly even be called a snow fall. But, it has since come to stay. These pictures give you an idea of what our snow storms really amount to. I must say, just after the snow has come, its typically warmer than its been in days and the fluffy white stuff just puts most of us in a good mood. Most Nomeites would agree that cold without snow is just no fun. So, when the snow comes we're all a little happier.

My little house covered in nice powdery snow! Yay! I get to shovel. Have I ever mentioned that I love to shovel snow? Really. Its so fun and feels like I'm playing. With so much snow, I get to have fun forming walkways and carving steps. Maybe you'd have to be here to see what I'm talking about. Its great though!

It may not look like it, but this is about the same height as my car. The plows pile the snow up in the middle of the street and usually within a day to two clear it away.

A big machine that is sort of like a vacuum comes and sucks up the piles of snow and shoots it into the back of a big truck. . .

. . .and then the big truck hauls it away.

I'm not sure why, but when I first moved here, this whole scene was always pretty exciting for me to watch. I've just never been anywhere that there was enough snow to require an ordeal like this and truth is, its still very cool for me to watch. Cheap thrills, eh? You learn to take them where you can get them in Nome.

And on to Leo. . .

When I adopted Fiona she was the only girl in the litter, with 4 brothers. One of her brothers was adopted by a little girl down the street from me. She named him Leo and was pretty in love with him initially. But, the novelty of having a cat wore thin very quick. A couple of days ago, she called me to say that she had decided that she just didn't want the cat anymore and wondered if I would like to have him. She explained that she had decided that she wants a dog instead. I'm not too thrilled about helping to send the message to her that its okay to simply dispose of an animal when you're tired of it, but I also don't want to see this little guy go out in the cold to someone who won't take care of him. She is just a kid, 11 years old, who I suppose is learning about taking care of an animal and I'm glad to see that she is at least seeking a good home for him and not just sending him back to the pound. I had no interest in another cat, and if this was any other cat I don't think I would even consider it. But, he's family. He's Fiona's brother and that has to count for something. So, I agreed to bring him home and give him a trial with the other animals.

He came home with me on Saturday and immediately Henry shyed away, Duke wanted to lick and sniff every inch of him, and Fiona showed her true diva colors. She believes that she is queen of this house and she was not going to let Leo think otherwise for one little second. She was in his face hissing and doing that internal growl that cats like to do from the moment he came in the door. She cornered him by the couch and stood above him looking down making it very clear that he was not to attempt moving from the corner she had placed him in. He just cautiously looked up at her and at me with pleading eyes. I retrieved him from the corner, but then gave them their space to figure eachother out. I listened to thumping and snarling cat fights most of the night with my fingers crossed that neither would get hurt. Occasionally there would be a bark and I knew Henry was trying to join in. He's too chicken to do anything on his own, but he gladly followed his little sister's lead when it seemed safe. They were relentless with poor Leo. But, he took it well and remained his sweet little self.

A little history I haven't shared is that when I brought Fiona home I was not exactly smitten. I don't know what it was, but I just didn't instantly fall in love with her like I expected. But, I really wanted her and had committed to adopting her so I was just going to make it work. When the little girl down the street adopted her brother she asked me to come visit and meet him I experienced something different. When I saw him there was an unexpected, instant connection. He was just a sweet little doll and I felt what I had hoped and expected to feel with Fiona. I thought maybe it was because he was a boy. I had really wanted a girl in the house so when I went to pick a kitten out at the shelter I didn't pay much attention to the boys, I just went right for the girl. I do remember one of the little boys standing out to me though. He was more reserved than the others and seemed less interested in getting out of the cage and more interested in me. I thought for just a moment about getting him, but instead went with the girl just because she was a girl. Isn't that ridiculous? I have no way of really knowing, but I think there is a pretty good chance that Leo was that little boy I first felt something for at the shelter.

Anyway, Leo and Fiona survived last night and have been much better today. Leo has been a sweetheart and not aggressive at all. He just seems to be doing his best to cope with an angry and dare I say, bitchy, little female who has something to prove. Oh and let's not forget her sidekick Henry who tries to be just like her. Poor Leo. In the picture below, you can see Henry and Fiona cozied up together and actually allowing Leo to sort of be a part of it. This was as close as he has been able to peacefully get since he arrived.

I'm not convinced that I'm keeping him, but I am very fond of him. I hate to admit it, but I do feel an adoration for Leo that I just don't feel with Fiona. Don't get me wrong, I've gotten to love my little girl, but there is definitely something special about this boy Leo that I just don't have with her. I've decided to just give him a little more time and see how things go. It hasn't even been two days, so we'll just see what happens. I think Duke may feel a bit overrun by the little furry people, but he seems to be tolerating it fine. I'm waiting to see all four of them cuddled up together, but I think I might have to wait a while for that. By this evening though, there were at least three cuddling up together.

What do you think? Should I keep him? If I do keep him, should I keep his name Leo or give him a new one? I'm not crazy about that one, but it is his name and I guess it feels sort of strange to change it. My friend Buford (a.k.a. Beagle) calls him Leroy. Although I always correct him when he calls him that, I think I actually like the name Leroy. Maybe more than I like Leo?

Hmmm?? A single girl with two dogs and two cats. . . and not opposed to more if/when the room allows for it. Am I my mother's daughter or what?

Please do give me your thoughts on the matter of Leroy. I mean Leo.

I'm having trouble posting it, but I have a cute video to post so check back.

What is your deepest fear?

One of my favorite quotes for many years is one that I've only heard from time to time, but never been able to find. I recently heard it again in a movie, "Akeelah and the Bee". A very sweet movie by the way. Anyway, I was reminded of how much I love it and so my friend Buford got on the internet and found it for me. Its so good, I had to share.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~~Marianne Williamson

Thanks for finding this Beags. . .

Its been an uneventful week so far. I've spent a lot of time at home, as usual. Since I am gone so much, I find that when I'm home I become very hermit like and just love to be in my own space with my dogs. Its been really cold and I've found myself rather lazy to get outside for much more than little walks with Duke. Typically I'm itching to get out and go skiing right about now, but instead, I find I have no interest in it at the moment. Its okay with me for now though. Work has been quiet and slow for me too. Hence, the blog post from my office. I'm so glad to be home, but am so anxious too. I'm anxious for my trip in a couple of weeks. I get to go and meet Jim and Nikki's, new baby boy in Boise, then on to Vegas to meet up with Erik for a couple of days, then to St. George with bunches of my family for Christmas week. I'm so excited to see everyone I can hardly stand it. It feels so darn good to have this to look forward to. We have lots of snow here in Nome and its plenty windy, cold, and dark. There has been some beautiful moonlit mornings/afternoons though.

Dillon is in the process of making some changes on my blog, so you may start seeing things a little different with colors, pictures, and links. He's pretty creative so it will be fun to see what he does.