Reality 2018

My reality has returned!  Today was the first day back for GPS and the 2018-19 school year.  

Dave and I had the best summer that I can remember in my life.  I was able to put aside a lot of things and just enjoy this wonderful man and our new life.  

However, my GPS Governing Board commitments are extremely important to me.  Despite all of the difficult decisions that we need to make and the public criticism over some things we do, I absolutely love being on the Board.  And the best part, Dave is so supportive.

Today I had to be at two convocations that were absolutely amazing and uplifting.   Dave went with me to the secondary one in the afternoon and was amazed by it.  

We then had a board meeting this evening.  It was fairly short, which was good.   

So I am back to my duties that are so important to me to be able to give back to an incredible community. 

And Dave and I will be getting back to "normal" if that is what it is called. We have been going nonstop for the last few months for many reasons.  But being back in Gilbert with my duties, etc., will be our real new life.  I have no doubts that it won't be wonderful as we have spent so much time together just "living."  

I am blessed to have a wonderful position on the Gilbert Board and I am double blessed to have such an incredible man in my life who loves me for who I am and whom I love with my whole heart and soul!

 

Kerri and Cameron "Invade" Butte!

On Monday afternoon, we picked Cameron up at the Butte airport as he was flying in from Salt Lake City after spending time with a friend there.  The Butte airport is about five minutes away.  

As soon as he got his stuff put away, we headed to Bozeman to pick up Kerri.  She was flying on Allegiant (which is super cheap but doesn't fly into Butte).  We took Cameron out to dinner and then went to a casino for a short time to "kill" some time before Kerri's plane got in.

I decided to give her a bit of a hard time but had to convince Dave.  Our friends, Jessie and Elise, always wear the same t-shirts.  I told Dave I dress  a lot better than him so that wouldn't happen.  However, since they were just here, he agreed to wearing the same t-shirt to pick them up.  This has been kind of a standing joke in our family!  So here we are at the Bozeman airport.

We took Cameron to the casino as you only have to be 18 to gamble here.  He got a "free" five dollars to start and used some good strategy on poker.  However, it is still a game of chance (and luck).  Like many things with Cameron, he enjoyed it, but two times was enough.  Kerri, Dave and I went a few times.  We never lose much and always have fun and free drinks!!!

We went to a few breweries as that is Kerri's things to do. She liked them all.  I am not much into them, but I bought a growler that is a copper as I love copper!!

Tuesday was toured Butte.  Dave took us to different areas and told about the history. We saw the Berkely Pit which is filled with toxic water.  They are working very hard to try to correct this as it could become a major issue for Butte and the Columbia drainage in the next several years.  A few years ago, about 3000 geese were migrating and stopped there and they all died from the water.

 

One of the most touching places we went was to the Granite Mountain Monument that honored all of the miners killed in a mine fire in 1917.  It was and still is the largest metalic mine disaster in the US.   

Wednesday morning I made reservations for us to go horseback riding.  It was a two hour ride and it was absolutely breathtaking.  I enjoyed it so much, but the last 30 minutes, were a bit painful.   We went to the most isolated and beautiful places and it was absolutely worth every minute of it.  Wasn't too sore the next day, which surprised me.

Kerri has some nerve damage in her foot so we ended up in urgent care.  She is on crutches and some meds and will be fine.  So we didn't do much yesterday.  We found a great tap room while waiting for her meds.  I loved it.  I also bought what is probably my most favorite t-shirt ever.

We have been sitting on the deck each night as the weather is so beautiful.  Kerri has really enjoyed the view, the weather and listening to music. 

Last night Dave took the pugs for a walk (which he does often).  There was a deer across the road.   I was afraid that Diego would think he was getting a venison dinner.

This afternoon we take Cameron to Bozeman to catch a plane back to Arizona.  Kerri is (hopefully) going to drive my car back to Arizona.  She is going to stop and see our cousins Mark and Austin in Wyoming.  This will really help us as that way Dave and I won't have to drive two cars.  But her foot is more important, so we will figure it out.

I have to say that Dave has been incredible these past two weeks with all of the company in "our" house.  He even gave me the most beautiful card about loving me and enjoying "my" family and friends.  I love this man more and more every day and can't believe how I lucked out finding him.  

We leave next Friday to get back to Arizona.  I have loved every minute of our time here in Butte and look forward to being back here more, especially in the summer!!!

 

 

Jessie and Elise--Montana Visit 2018

When Dave and I decided to get married, one of the first friends who wanted to come visit us in Montana were Jessie and Elise. They have been such dear friends to me through the years and it is important to me to have them and Dave get to know each other.  We have already done several things together and have a cruise planned for October, but when we suggested they visit us in Montana, they were excited (as was I).

They arrived Tuesday afternoon here at the Butte airport.  It is small so we were able to be be waiting for them as they got off the airplane.

We came back to the house on got them settled in the basement, where it is nice and cool.  We bought a new bed and put the other one downstairs for guests to have some privacy.

We went on a fairly quick tour of Butte and then went to Headframes Distillery.  I wanted them to try what has now become my FAVORITE drink--Dirty Girl.  We all had one and they enjoyed it.  However, we each tried another one--my rhubarb with vodka is up there as one of the best ever, too!

Dinner and the casinos were really popular!  I have gone to Vegas and Laughlin with Elise and Jessie several times.   They love to play Keno and don't spend a lot a of money, plus they are lucky!  They loved having all of the casinos close by.

My favorite story from when they were here was the afternoon that they decided to go for a walk and I told them some "routes" to go that are really pretty.  In about 30 minutes, I got a text from Jessie.  They had walked to the casino!!!!  So we met them there a bit a later.   I should have known that is where they were headed.  We had a good laugh for the whole four days!!!

Wednesday we went up to see "Our Lady of the Rockies" at the top of the continental divide.  It was absolutely amazing and beautiful.  It is a tribute to mothers and women of all denominations.  The story behind how it was built is unbelievable.   It was nice in that Wednesday was Elise's mom's (Marge Littrell) 103 birthday.   So she was able to honor her mom.

In the afternoon, we toured the Clark Mansion.  Elise was amazed at the comparisons between Butte and Bisbee and Douglas.  All of the copper mining history is so tied together.
 
Thursday we went swimming at Fairmont Hot Springs.  It was so nice and the pool was warm.  We stayed inside, even though there is an outdoor pool.  But the hot tub was the best.  It was almost hot and felt so good.

After that we went to lunch in Anaconda.  That is where the smelter was when the mines were fully working.  It is so similar to Douglas.  We went to an Irish pub there.  The food around here is so good and so reasonably priced!!!

We had such a great four days.  Yesterday we just ATE (I may not eat another meal for a few days), went to some pubs and casinos and just enjoyed each other.  It was so nice for Dave and Jessie and Elise to spend time together and get to know each other.  Jessie and Elise are so important in my life and it is was so great to see how well they all got along.

They enjoyed having the basement to themselves and it is much cooler down there.

I took them to the airport at 5:15 a.m. We are looking forward to a possible cabin trip in September and we have a cruise booked in October.  

They have been such good friends to me and I dearly love them.  And it was so nice to have them here.  They said they will be back next summer. 

Miscellaneous Musings from Montana in July

As our lives have started to slow down and we are able to just enjoy being together and being here in Butte, it as been quite an experience in so many ways.  I have lived with family members for almost my entire life.   From having my kids, to having them live with me as adults, having Cameron live with me for so many years, to living with Teresa in Douglas for five years and then having her off and on after 2015, I have always shared a home.

In October after getting the house in Douglas cleaned out and sold, I came back to Gilbert and to having no one living with me.  As much as I loved having family with me, it was so nice to not have anyone living with me.  I was able to get the house in order and get rid of a lot of things that weren't needed.

Then in December, I met Dave and everything changed in so many ways and I mean that in the most positive of ways.

We have been on the go for several months.  Spending almost 24/7 with someone after being single for so long has been a huge adjustment for me.  In Gilbert, I had a lot of other things going on and Dave was busy with golf and pickle ball.

Here in Butte, he is still doing these activities plus going fishing.  It has been an adjustment for me to not have anything that I have to do and not having any "personal" friends here.  However, I have loved getting to know his friends and family.

One of the important decisions that we made when we decided to get married, was that we would go ahead and get married right away.  Because Dave has not had his marriage annulled in the church, we couldn't get married in the church.  I had mine annulled in the 80's.  I remember it being a very painful experience to fill out the paperwork at that time.  What is required today, is way less compared to what I had to do.

I know it has been weighing on Dave's mind that he needed to get his paperwork done.  So Sunday, he sat down and completed it.  I know it was a difficult day for him to go back and think about his long marriage and why it didn't work out.  I tried to help him as best I could.  A few times we talked through things that he has told me.  One of the many things I admire about Dave is that he is not bitter and holds no grudges.   He did the best he could for such a long time and decided that for him that he needed to get out of the marriage.    I have to say that I am glad that he did or he wouldn't have come into my life!

He got it all done and is waiting to hear back from the priest as to when he can submit everything.  I can tell what a relief it has been to him.  It has been amazing to watch the transformation in him now that it is done and behind him.

It is a very emotional and difficult task to go over why a marriage didn't work and to actually put it down in writing.  For us, we have been able to talk about some of the things that happened in his relationship and make sure that we can work through them in our marriage.

I am glad it is behind him.  I just hope that it doesn't take a long time for everything to get taken care of so that we can get our marriage blessed in the church.  Although I want to see that happen, it is more important to him, than it is to me.  I feel that we are truly married in every sense of the definition and I love Dave with my whole heart and soul.   He is such a good man and I can't believe that he is a part of my life.

Like any relationship, we have to work through issues, but we do and we can talk.  I am an over communicator and he isn't always as communicative as he could be (a  man, right), but we are doing well.  The fact that we are together so much and doing so well together is amazing in itself.

Marriage at this stage in our lives is a true joy and I feel that we both have learned and have much to give to each other because of our previous experiences.

We laugh a lot and I know that I make him laugh and enjoy life more than he has before.  He keeps me grounded, which isn't always an easy task. 

What a blessing this man has been for me!!   And I will always believe that my dear Aunt Teresa had a huge hand in this!  So now, Teresa, could you please try to speed the annulment process up a bit so we can get our marriage blessed?  I know it would be important to you and my mom!

One of the many reasons I love this man!

Earlier today Dave told me about a message he received from a former student on Facebook.  I asked if I could share it.  It is like so many other messages, conversations, etc. that I have heard about him.  To me, this is what is it is all about and I love that Dave has made an impression and his students reach out to him.  And I know how good this made him feel, and it should.

Mr. Uggetti...Not sure if you remember me or not, but you taught me at Centerville. You made us run the stairs to the theme from Rocky 850,000 times... You taught me to type...a skill that I use everyday!!! You were one of the toughest guys I knew...I just wanted to drop you a line and thank you for your service to children. Your vocation and life passion made a difference in our lives...You made a difference in my life! Blessings, Jim Underwood

Eureka, Montana with Craig and Connie

On our way back from Washington, we stopped for two days in Eureka to visit with Dave's friends, Craig and Connie.   Dave and Craig have been friends since eight grade and they came to our wedding in Gilbert.

Eureka is five miles from Canada and is absolutely beautiful.  They live out of town a ways as they have property and horses.  We had the best time with them and even had our own "honeymoon cottage."

They were so gracious in so many ways.  Craig does woodworking so he gave us a sign for our Gilbert house.

I loved that they had horses.  They have two Clydesdales and two others. I even got to go for a ride.  I haven't ridden a horse in years and it was so cool!!

Craig's daughter was with them from Arizona.  She is a teacher in Tempe so it was nice to meet her.  We all went to Canada on the second day because I have never been there before.  What a difference trying to get into and out of Canada as compared to Mexico. 

We visited a place called Fort Steele and then went to a brewery and I bought Kerri some beer from there.

Another really cool thing, is that Craig is a retired elementary principal so we had a lot to talk about.  He started a reward program for his kids if they read so many books.  The reward--getting to ride around the town pulled by his Clydesdales!  He said the first summer he only had a few kids and the next it was almost the entire school!  I took a picture of a picture and it didn't come out that great, but it shows enough!

All and all, we could not have been treated any better and had a more wonderful time.

I love Dave's friends and how they feel about him!

Fourth of July--Family and Friends

We have had a great few days with Dave's family for Fourth of July parties!  We were invited to some cousins on Tuesday night to watch the fireworks.  Butte does them on the evening of the third.

These cousins have a brand new and very beautiful home out of town.  It was an absolutely view.  I brought the green chili rice and it was a hit and requested for the next day.  

Because of the weather here, people have really big garages.   As a result, that is where the parties take place--plus outside.  They have tables and chairs set up inside and whoever wants to sit out, can.   We just brought our own chairs and drinks.

Two of the "cousins" ran into Dave when he ordered my ring here.  They immediately wanted to see it.  The good things is that they are all Irish and understood what it means to me.

I love his family!  They remind me SO much of our family.  Everyone is so friendly and I was accepted right away as part of the family.  

Yesterday we got up and went to the parade.  We parked at his cousins' house where the party was going to be after and walked about a block to watch the parade.  It was a typical small town parade--really fun.  Senator John Tester was there driving a tractor.  He is up for re-election.  He is a former teacher and a farmer.  He student taught at the same school where Dave was a teacher years ago.  He was a music teacher which I think is kind of cool for a U.S. Senator.  He got a LOT of applause when he went by.

After the parade, we went to Carol's and Pierce's house for a barbecue. I met a few more cousins and once again had a great time.  They all have a wonderful sense of humor and know how to throw a party.  

It is so nice to have so many relatives close by.  And it is so nice that they have welcomed me into the family.  I can relate to how Dave feels meeting all of my family and friends!!!!!

Three Years Ago--Such a Huge Decision

I posted this on Facebook yesterday.   It doesn't seem possible that it was three years ago.  So much has happened.  Wish I could cut and copy the wonderful comments.

This post is a bit long, but it is important to me to be able to express a few sentiments today. Three years ago today was my last day of "official" work as an educator in a public school setting after 44 years. I had decided to retire the previous December. Saying good-bye to all of the wonderful people in Douglas was so hard. I did not think I was ready to be done at that time and I guess I haven't--just in other ways. Moving back to Gilbert and bringing my Aunt Teresa with me was the best decision. At that time, I didn't think I could really retire, but had no idea what I would do.

The past three years have been amazing back here in Gilbert and it has been so incredible for me to continue to be involved in education in different roles. I have done some work for ASU, subbed as a principal, and then ran for the GPS Board. It has been incredibly rewarding and I am so proud that I am up to 47 years in education. Still have a few more to go and I am hoping to "maybe" make it to the magical 50 year mark in a few years! 

The past three years have brought many changes to my life, both sad and very happy. I continue to thank all of the people who have made a difference in my life during this journey. I have been so blessed with so many people who have been part of my life both personally and professionally. I am so fortunate to call so many friends and know that they truly are friends! Thank you for this wonderful ride. I am so grateful to the many people who contributed to the first 44 years and the many incredible people I have met these past three years. What a ride it has been and I think will continue to be!!! Not many people are as fortunate as I have been and again THANK YOU to the many people who are so supportive, kind, and wonderful!