Monday...Tuesday...Wednesday....OMG

I bought my ticket for Greyhound - 1 Sr Adult - OneWay...three days until I leave Minnesota for Montana. A year of contemplation. A year and a half of emotional upheaval. Then the right decision. At first I thought New Mexico would be a good spot. North Central New Mexico. But just didn't feel the magic of New Mexico. It held no attraction. No draw. No compelling need to become one with the essence of New Mexico.

Loved going to Ojo Caliente. And, thus started my love of natural hot springs. The cool fall air. The hot steaming waters of the hot spring. I was hooked. Thus started my research for a place that I would fall in love with and had the natural hot springs that I was definitely drawn to...compelled to take in...to let my body indulge and heal with the magical waters.

I was able to walk better...to move more freely...those nuts & bolts that held my two places in my lower spine together loved those waters. And, then I discovered Montana...and how many natural hot springs there were!

The moment I flew over Montana into Billings...I felt a sense of something marvelous...I felt after three days at Chico Hot Springs and touring the south central area of Montana that I have found a place I had fallen in love with the moment I put my foot on Montana soil. I was home.

All these last minute things I have to do. I thought I had planned it all out but you know how the best laid plans go...they go awry...

But the important thing is...I'm going home...I am going on a great adventure. This was not only my New Year's Resolution for 2011 but also my birthday gift to myself...

Countdown!!! 15 DAYS until move

Whew!!! I have exhausted myself this past week. First thing that happened was I got the ok for renting a cozy (buzz word for small) apartment in Red Lodge. Just off of Broadway which is there "Main" street. It really is adorable. The main post office is directly across the street from the building. A beauty salon is attached to the lower street level - how convenient is THAT!!! No excuse not to get my hair cut. The bedroom has glass paned French doors - ambiance for sure.

The truly nice thing is that there are retail spaces on the street level. And, there is one that I would love to rent. I will settle in to live in Red Lodge and then think about an artist co-op with studio space for classes, demos, shows.

Will be making my Greyhound reservations from Minneapolis to Bridger, MT. A taxi service will pick me up and take me to Red Lodge (40 miles) and then I'm home....

Plans for my first night in Red Lodge - walk across the alley to Natali's Front Bar for a Guinness - yes my Irish roots are showing...

This is so exciting and what an adventure!!!

Mid Move

and now I'm houseless - not homeless - just no place to call home yet. I'm with my daughter until the end of March. Have applications in for an apartment in Livingston, MT. Really even more perfect for me then Red Lodge altho I'm sure I will end up in Red Lodge.

Livingston has two theatre companies AND a ballet company. A real movie theatre too. Lots of art galleries and just a fun place to be and to photograph.

Now I play the waiting game...

First Phase...

The journey is beginning. On February 26 I moved out of the loft in Lowertown. A cold day with snow and crazy woman harassing everyone moving out or moving in!!! What a send off...but the journey began.