The Idaho chapters

My Idaho journey is ending as it started: My mom helped me move up here with a truck and u-haul trailer; now, she's coming up to help me move back to Colorado with the truck and a [horse] trailer. Full circle, and such.
So what about the in between? I realize that I have much to be grateful for in thinking about all the things I got to do while working for Appaloosa Journal. In the course of that time, I:

• Got to visit Albuquerque, New Mexico for my first American Horse Publications seminar. I remember thinking "It's nice to be back in a state that has I-25." And if you want to hear a funny story, ask me whether New Mexico is a part of the U.S.'s 50 states.
  
• Got to see Oklahoma City. In July 2007 I covered the National Appaloosa Show in OKC, and not only got to see first hand a major breed show for the first time, but visited a lot of cool places, like the Alfred P. Murrah building memorial site, a really neat Oklahoma firefighters museum and the racetrack (of course!).
• Got to go to Saratoga Springs, New York for my second AHP seminar, where I won third place in the "service to the reader" category with my Appaloosa-minded racing feature. I also got to visit Saratoga Race Park, the National Racing Museum and walk along downtown SS. It was awesome, because that town is very horse-oriented and I can appreciate that mentality! I also got to stay a few extra days for a photo seminar with Gabrielle Boiselle, a German equine photographer who taught me quite a lot.
  
• Got to cover the 2008 World Championship Appaloosa Show, where I honed my photographic skills learned at AHP and also got some great tips from Trey Talbot. It was my second trip to Fort Worth but the first time I was able to drive around downtown and really see everything in Cowtown.
• Got to cover the 2009 National Appaloosa Show held in Jackson, Mississippi. I got stuck in Memphis, Tennessee during the flight down and was stuck in a hotel with no air conditioning (my room did have it) and saw some of the most bizarre traveling outfits ever created (think all pink spandex on someone that shouldn't have been wearing spandex at all). I also learned why anyone not born in the South should not live there. Humidity = Yuck.
• Got to go on the 2009 Chief Joseph Trail Ride, from Hamilton, Montana to Big Hole, Montana. It was the first time I ever rode 18 miles in one day (my muscles were protesting by the second hour) and I had to wuss out the second day and only ride half of the 31 miles they covered that day. Yes, little old ladies can ride longer than me—they're made of sterner stuff. That ride was amazing.
  
• Returned to Fort Worth for the 2009 World Show and also got to spend sometime in the historic stockyards, which was awesome. And experienced Billy Bob's, the largest honkytonk in the world. (And as far as I'm concerned, the Grizzly Rose in Denver was better.)

I'd say that those experiences add up to at least partially negate all the drama and politics that are part of the horse club. I always loved what I did—the interviews, the photos, the writing—and I still do. But I've learned that it's not always possible to reconcile what you love with the environment you're in; thus, it's time to start a new chapter in Colorado.
And in the next post, I'll talk about the things in Moscow I've come to appreciate and really will miss. [Hint: It's all the people.]

Counting down

Only 14 more days until I leave for Colorado! Yay!

We're coming home!

Matt was offered a position with his old company! I don't know what to call it because it's not ACC anymore (it was bought out by another company, name unknown). But that's the start of this ball rolling!
Matt is scheduled to start his new position February 17th. I will more likely be following in March, so that I can wrap things up here, find someone to take over our apartment lease and establish a relationship with the magazine's new editor, with hopes of working for the AJ from Colorado.
Please pray for us. God is faithful, but these challenges are trying!
We can't wait to be home in beautiful Colorado. Idaho has brought many things (most importantly, Matt came to know Christ and was built up by brothers in Him) but there are many things that inspire us to return to Colorado.
Pray for clear weather, good roads, and a safe trip for Matt's upcoming voyage to Colorado.

Zephyr

I just watched our kitten take his toy, drag it to the water bowl, and promptly drop it in. Apparently water isn't just for drinking!
Zephyr is approaching 4 months old, and is antagonizing Zora the same way Zora antagonized Boo. We've decided that when our "Z's" are departed from this world, the next cats will be siblings (if we get more cats at all...That's a decision far, far away!) or I'll adopt the fluffiest cat that's been at the shelter the longest. When I adopted Boo, I knew that kittens were always the first to leave the shelter, thus, Boo joined me and was a great pal for nearly 5 years.

In other news... There is no other news on the job front. I'm still waiting to hear from the AQHJ, Matt is waiting to hear from his prior company in Denver, and I'm also waiting for AJ's new editor to arrive. So, we wait. (Imagine Hermione and Harry in "Prisoner of Azkaban" the movie. Yes, it's pathetic I can reference this.)

Weirdness

Look what was growing in the red pepper we were slicing for dinner tonight! Kind of gross and cool at the same time!