Visiting Mom in Montana

 Howdy, howdy Y'all.  It feels like I just got home and I'm off again.  It's the 23rd of May and I'm heading to Montana with a very early morning, rainy send-off.  

Might as well watch something long that I haven't seen before.  Dune is it and I have to admit I really liked it.  It's certainly set up for a sequel, but aren't most movies these days?  A few peeks out the window now and then

Here comes the sun.

Hello Salt Lake - 

There is minimal snow on the mountains -- quite different than the last time I went through a few weeks ago.

Well now ---- isn't this interesting?

A new view for me.  Mister is joking that the cheaper tickets have you load your own luggage as well.  Crazy, right?  I DID have a long layover in which to eat, but not anymore.

Finally, see ya later Salt Lake, at least it wasn't boring.

Ahh, the scenery changes.  Getting closer now.

We came in a whole new way to me.  Bizarre, but Flathead Lake is in the distance at the top of this picture and that is my destination today.  I've never come in from the west before.  It WAS bumpy so I'm sure they were skirting storms.  At any rate, Hello Kalispell.

The airport here is undergoing quite the change - Mister will be surprised as this area held the gates we departed from less than a month ago.

Now the have temporary gates near the baggage and it's a little odd.  Everyone walks through them to get to their luggage AND they are a LONG way from the tarmac.  Must be traveling in strange hallways to board the planes.

My sis and her hubby pick me up and we are off to Moose's for lunch.  Love the table - perhaps someone was bored ---- hahahahaha, get it?

As soon as I get to the house, I meet up with the gals that are going to be cleaning Mom's house.  Yep, had to find another one as the last just didn't communicate at all.  Hopefully these will be better and they'll start on the 31st.  The back needs some work as well, but it's a lot greener than when I left.

24th - After a good nights sleep - so needed, I am ready to go again.  I've scheduled some work on my car for when I return, balanced the accounts, and generally gotten some paperwork stuff out of the way.  Yes, even though I'm away, those things still need to happen.  Then it's off to Mom's first rehab appointment and it turns out to just be an assessment that lasts forever.  Ugh.  I'm so not sure how this will all play out.  The best part?  Well, out front there were some lovely tulips to enjoy.

25th -  I'm getting the sewing area set up today.  I HAVE to make a quilt from start to finish while here and I'm thankful that I have managed to build enough supplies here.  More came this time and I'm close to being able to work on various items while visiting.

26th - It's a dog grooming day.  Doesn't he look nice?  No jacket for a brief time and fluffy fur.

Mom and I went into the grocery store and I got a chance to stop and enjoy the cherry blossoms a bit.  So, so gorgeous and so many memories.

It doesn't take Bailey very long and he's after his jacket.  It's sitting on the table and he is determined to get it.  For him, it helps with anxiety and he really wants it on.

27th - Yesterday, Bailey had a "me day" and today it is Mom's and my turn.  We are off for pedicures and the first thing they do is give me wine.  I could stay here for a very long time.  This new salon in Bigfork is a branch of the one we went to in Kalispell and the service is wonderful as well as the surroundings.  What a nice time and it's so fun to just be pampered a bit.  I really needed it -- last time my toes were done was in the fall.  Mom finishes first.  Sure don't look like 82 year old feet.

Mine are super cute although I took the pic before all the stuff was wiped off.  Oh well, my toes look dry but they aren't, although they sure look older than my moms.

28th - A surprise visit from my niece and her family today.  ALWAYS fun to see them and spend time together.

My great-nephew was in a fun mood and even willingly came over for a selfie.  This is his response to, "Smile."

I am off to Bigfork this evening for a dinner pick-up and take a trip through the village, finding it filled with kayakers.

The Festival is on and I wish I had a chance to go watch for a bit, but between family and not wanting to sit in the cold, rainy weather - it's not likely to happen.  I'll live vicariously thought the pictures online.

29th -  Off to Kalispell today with a stop at a plant store and I get to take pictures of some gorgeous flowers that we just don't see a lot in Texas as it is too hot for them.  I do LOVE Fuchsia's.

Mom wandering and looking for something to get later.  Sis in the way back.

How about some gnomes just for fun?

Lunch at Moose's once again - no hole in the table this time.

AND, the reason for the trip today.  We've picked up some fabric to make a lightweight jacket for Bailey.  Rain all the way back to the house prevented any further stops.

I started drawing a pattern for his new jacket and then called it a night.

30th -  I truly spent the entire day sewing.  

31st - We have the cleaning lady coming today, but before that happens, I decide to get Bailey's new anxiety jacket made.  It all goes well and fingers crossed that it fits right.

While the ladies work on the house, Bailey and I take a walk.  Once we return, it's out to the back and I get the patio cleaned with the help of a blower.  There is more to do, but it's a start and I'll share pics in the next post as it will happen in June.

When the gals are done, we are off to Sliter's searching for some plants.  While there, I have another moment of fuchsia love.  This time they are PURPLE.  How fun.

Mom chooses a couple of hanging plants and a geranium before we head into the store and get some white paint for the tables out back.  I know what lies in store for me this week.  A stop at the grocery store and we are back home once again.  As I put the flowers out back, I notice something copper colored up in the lawn.  Upon closer inspection --- toadstools are everywhere.  How fun and now I wish I had some gnomes to sit by them.

Hey Bailey --- let's try your new vest on.  Yay!!! It fits.

What a cutie.  Well, that's about it for today.  Pretty sure the rest of the day will just be quietly visiting and getting my posts ready to go for June.  Have a great day and I'll see you tomorrow with more fun information.