T-Minus SOON

It's getting to be crunch time. I'm leaving August 31st for Helena, Montana. I now know what it looks like at least, because I just returned from a visit there dropping Tanner off at college with his parents. It really is such a beautiful city and the perfect mix of downtown Bellingham...and a little bit of small-town vibe like Lynden (with a side of heaven, because there's an Ulta next door to a Hobby Lobby). I also don't know what happens in the 11 hour drive over, but somewhere along the way, strangers get a little friendlier and sales tax is no more. Can I get an amen?

I got to check out my new home and meet my new roommates. And it's looking good. They're awesome and no potential serial killers!!! (That was my main criteria.) And the rent is seriously perfect. I'm on my way, baby.

And if I can brag on myself a tiny bit, I have learned and been following a BUDGET. No, no, please, hold the applause. I've been patting myself on the back enough for it. But that's been a real worry for me. Finances. Don't know why I even bother to worry though, you guys. God is so, SO faithful. And money is just the first baby step of learning to trust him. So, God, I guess it's time to throw off the training wheels and trust you with something big... like, trusting my pup is going to be okay without me. :(((((

Okay and get THIS. I am all freaking out and having a coronary about this job interview that I had scheduled for while I was there visiting. I just really wanted this job at The Hub Coffee. It's this hip little coffee shop on the main downtown shopping street, complete with live music, cold brews, acai bowls, and mimosas. It looked like perfection online and they had already been emailing me saying they'd love to meet me to see if I was the right fit. Because, of course, a full-time job would be opening up in September. Go figure. (Thank you Jesus. I'm trying to continually give more cred to the giver and not the gift. So every time I say a little sarcastic comment like that, it's mainly just me laughing at myself again because why should I be surprised that my homie upstairs has once again winked at me with an incredulous provision?!) Anyways. I walk in, newly printed revised resume in hand with a perfectly thought out cover letter on top. (Thanks, high school :)) I'm looking hipster, and I got a fresh cut. Then I stand in line because I don't want to be rude... and I don't exactly know if you're supposed to act like you're ordering an interview instead of a latte or if you're supposed to march up to whoever you thinks in charge and tell them you're here, exactly ten minutes early, for your scheduled interview. So, I just stood in line. All the while, I was observing. Everybody looked like they were having a blast as the music was blaring overhead. Tattooed arms were cranking out espresso, septum piercings were bouncing as they laughed at some obviously hip joke, white curly hair was being flipped out of the way of tortoise-shell glasses... Going to be honest, Montana, I didn't know you had it in you. And then it's my turn! I walk up, announce my intentions (aka nervously ask for the manager because I was Catyler here for my 1 o'clock interview), and smile. Two managers proceed to walk out, ask me if I want something to drink, and we sit down at a table. We chat for no joke, maybe FOUR MINUTES, and I have a full-time job at The Hub. They didn't really read my cover letter, and I don't think they looked much at my resume, but hey, I have never had less complaints in my LIFE. They said to call whenever I was settled in and wanted to start! God is good. Because the odds of me emailing them back in May about them having a job for me now and then it happening?? That's pretty insane. And now that I say that, that I emailed them in MAY... It's kinda funny and a bit ridiculous. But Jesus, man. Jesus.

 I was pretty excited after that. Congratulated myself with a milkshake (not in the budget, whoops) and couldn't stop smiling for another couple hours after that.

As for the real reason we were there though, my boyfriennnnd, I know that these first few weeks for Tanner are going to be really difficult, because of intense two-a-day college football practices in triple-digit-degree weather. But I really believe in him. He's gained like 35 lbs. from the time he visited them in January to now because they asked him to, and it was actually hilarious seeing all the coaches just go gaga over him and how good he looked and that he actually did it. Like seriously, you think girls are funny when they fall all over each other about someone's new hairdo or tank top? You would not believe these dudes. They are like 30-65 year old men just grinning like mad men about this huge man in front of them. It was, all around, adorable. I was surprised I got to meet them, but also relieved. "Girlfriend" can be worrisome territory for college football coaches. But I was able to show the best I could that I was supportive and not going to pull him away from workouts or whatever they think I could possibly do to get in the way of the O-lineman beside me. They said they'd call me if Tanner every got misty-eyed. Ha, yeah, right.

So now I'm just using these last three weeks to work my butt off to make some more money, and I'm hopefully going to get to say goodbye to mi amigos. If I haven't texted you recently or hung out with you, then I'm very sorry and I will try to soon!! Just been a little bit all over the place recently. Everyone of you is so important to me, seriously. Hopefully you enjoyed my little rant here, but yeah that's what has been happenin!!