Montana.

I flew to Spokane, WA on Thursday of last week.

Both of my flights went well (which was a rare surprise for me) but my luggage didn't arrive (which is a pretty common thing for me).

After we got the whole luggage situation figured out (it arrived an hour after I got there), Jill, her boys and I got on the road, headed for Helena, Montana.

Jill came up with this idea a few months back; she'd pick me up from the airport and then we'd drive to her in-laws in Helena.  Her in-laws were going to take the boys to the lake for a few days while Jill and I trapped all over Montana hitting junk shops and eating junk food.

I should state right now that I spent the entire drive through Montana with my mouth wide-open, just taking in how beautiful it is.  Unfortunately though, I just kept telling myself that I'd get pictures of it all later.  And of course, 'later' never happened so I left Montana without a single shot of it's amazing scenery. 

Just thought I'd inform you now, in case that's what you were hoping to see.

We got kind of a late start on Friday, but had time to hit Goodwill and the coffee shop before grabbing lunch at the Staggering Ox.  Jill had been raving about this place but I didn't think to take my camera.

The best sandwich I've had in my whole life.  (Don't worry, I took my camera back there the very next day to have lunch again.)

Then we hit some antique shops in Helena.

That's an enormous, black metal magazine rack (and Jill striking a pose.)  It nearly killed me to leave it behind.

Since that didn't kill me, I figured I'd take my chances by posting this picture of Jill.  (Sorry Jill...it's just too funny not to post.)  Jill likes to approve any pictures that are posted of her on my blog. 

She did not approve this photo.

Wait till you see what she's going to do with all the glass insulators she bought.

I'm not sure what I had just spotted, but apparently it was wonderful.

Awhile later, Jill spotted this for me.

Have been looking for an antique, silver-plate chandelier for the dining room in the new, old house for months.

It's the prettiest thing I ever laid eyes on and I got it for a steal.

We had to cut antique shopping a little short because we had appointments for massages.  I was nervous about getting one because the last one I had was terrible.  First of all, it was a guy...awkward.  Second of all, he talked the whole time and I'm not a multi-tasker (can't relax and enjoy a massage while trying to listen to someone share their life story.)

Jill had her massage first. 

I picked out some Strawberry Daiquiri colored polish and got my toes painted while I waited.  Bo, the guy (awkward again) who did my toes explained to me that the big toe I ripped off would never grow back to look like a normal toe (encouraging) and that while it was trying to heal, I shouldn't paint it.

All nine of my Strawberry Daiquiri painted toes looked great though.

When Jill came out from her massage, she gave me two thumbs up saying that the massage was great and that the massage lady didn't say a word the whole time.

So when the massage lady took me back, I was feeling pretty optimistic.

30 seconds into rubbing my shoulders she started talking.  60 minutes later, she was still talking.

I won't go into all the details, but lets just say that I learned enough about my massage lady to know that she consummated her relationship with her current boyfriend while wearing her hair in a side, crimped ponytail and a Flashdance sweatshirt after they met for the first time at an 80's party.

After our massages, we went to see 500 Days of Summer (loved it) with a couple of sodas and a couple of popcorn's (we can't share because she likes butter on hers and I don't).

We left the theater in a thunder storm and decided that even after soda and popcorn, we still had room for a couple of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Blizzards from Dairy Queen.

We stayed up half the night talking and went to bed with stomach aches.

Woke up early the next morning, hit Starbucks and then left for Butte because Jill had read on Craigslist that there was a salvage sale starting at 9am.

That's Jill (in her Millie Vanilli legg-ins) telling me to hurry up because we were late to the salvage sale.

It may not look like much to some...but it was like heaven on earth to me an Jill.

We even took a few minutes discussing whether or not our husbands would leave us if we rented a U-Haul to bring all this stuff home.

We both like being married though so we decided against the U-Haul.

I got this old, bathroom sink for 20 bucks (have seen them on Ebay for $300-$400).

We filled up the back of Jill's car for a whopping total of $31.

And see that little white, toilet paper looking thingy in the lower right hand corner?...that's a baby wipe.  Somehow it got stuck to my butt before we walked into the salvage sale.  I didn't notice it until after we left.  Jill said she had actually noticed it earlier, but in all the excitement of the sale, she quickly wrote it off as a handkerchief (because I carry a handkerchief around so often?) and went back to her rummaging.

After salvage sales, Germ-X is a must.  (Thank goodness Jill happens to keep a gallon-sized bottle of it in the center console of her car at all times.)

That's our coffee, our Mountain Dew's and our maps to all the local antique stores.

Butte is kind of desolate but it's beautiful to me.  Lots of old, wonderful buildings and history.

We decided not to eat in Butte though, because we wanted more sandwiches from the Staggering Ox in Helena.

If you get to the Staggering Ox early enough in the day, you can get 'bread guts' before they run out of them.  Just a few minutes after we placed our order, they ran out of guts. 

Thank goodness we made it in time.

You get to pick what kind of sauce to dip your guts into.  Jill likes Italian.  I like Sesame Ginger.

The sandwich bread is hollowed out like a cylinder that they fill up with your choice of fixings.  Then you pour sauce on it and try to eat it.  It's messy.

And you wash it all down with soda in a mason jar.

Whoever came up with this whole concept is a bloody genius.

I may not have remembered to take any beautiful photos of all the awe-inspiring scenery that Montana has to offer but at least I remembered to take pictures of our sandwiches at the Staggering Ox.

And then we went to Reeder's Alley which is the coolest little shopping area I've ever seen.  Lots of old, brick buildings set on a hill.

She (barely) approved this photo.  (Check out our new necklaces.)

Did lots more shopping.  Ate dinner and then headed home with some chocolates from the local chocolate shop.

Sat up half the night talking and eating chocolate.  And then we found some icrecream bars in the freezer.  Went to bed with stomach aches again.

Unfortunately, we both woke up with stomach aches too.

Grabbed coffee from Starbucks and headed to Great Falls with a list of antique shops.

It pained me to have to leave behind that green cabinet too.

Not sure that I could find a spot in the new, old house for a stuffed pea-cock though, so I had to leave it behind as well.

Spent the whole day hitting antique shops and then grabbed a couple of salads for dinner and headed to the movies to see Unglorious Basterds (gruesome & dark but funny & interesting). 

We skipped on the popcorn and sodas this time because our guts were killing us.  (We both eat pretty darned healthy at home so our stomachs were having issues digesting the sudden onslaught of sodas, chicken cannaloni, orange-cranberry scones, bread & butter, icecream sandwiches...you get the idea.)

Jill's in-laws were home with the boys by the time we got back.

Spent about an hour trying to pack up Jill's car before we headed home Monday morning.  We were quite pleased with our packing job.  Only had to leave behind one old window, a sleeping bag and a cooler.

Jill suggested we quit our jobs to try our hand at being professional packers.

Had to drive the five hours back to Spokane with a chandelier on my lap.  My legs started aching about 15 minutes into the trip but it was still a small price to pay for that lovely chandelier.  Too bad I couldn't take it on the flight with me so it'll just have to sit in Jill's garage in Seattle, WA until I can get it home.

Stopped at McDonald's to use the restroom and grab lunch.  Somehow, Jill managed to loose her keys somewhere between the McDonald's entrance and the car as we left (a span of about 10 feet). 

It was actually the 4th time she lost her keys on the trip which only goes to prove her husbands theory that individually, we are both quite intelligent girls but together, our cumulative IQ drops by at least 100 points.

We had actually fished through the McDonald's trashcan before Jill realized that the keys had fallen between the center console and the drivers seat.

And even with all that, she managed to get me to the airport on time where I had to take three flights just to get home from Spokane WA, to Medford, OR.

The kids were asleep when I got home so I couldn't give them their surprises.

I actually threw up twice that night after I got home which I'm sure was just my stomach's way of revolting against my blatant disregard for the sensitive tummy I inherited from my Dad.

The kids were all excited to see what I had gotten them but Annie was particularly excited about her Hannah Montana movie, which I got for her only because she was convinced that I had been in "Hannah Bontana" with Jill, listening to "Hannah Bontana" sing for the last five days.

Comments

[Mary Ann]

OK, I have to admit up front that I laughed so loud about the baby wipe/hanky story that I woke up the baby. LOL
It looks like you had a great time with your very best friend in the whole wide world.

[tanyawebster]

I am SOOO glad you had such a good time!! I was thinking about you during my long 13 hour drive to and from Montana....and Rylee kept calling it Hannah Montana the entire time we were there too LOL!!!

[Tammee Donaldson]

As usual, loving your blog stories and thinking once again that my BFF in the whole wide world forever get together for a weekend of just us.

[JaYne]

I've been waiting all weekend to see what treasures you two would find. I would not have been able to leave that magazine rack behind. At least not without paying for it and saying I'd be back. Sounds like a wonderful weekend! You deserve it.

[Jennifer M.]

Hannah Bontana! That is awesome.

[jaymee]

I have been "blog stalking" you FOREVER and to think you were right here in Hannah Bontana, right in my back yard for days! Had I know you too had an obcession with Staggering Ox I simply would have put up camp on the sidewalk and waited so that I could finally meet you and tell you just how awesome you really are and to thank you for all the laughs you've given me over the years. So so glad you enjoyed our big sky country...oh and if you really have your heart set on some photos of our grand scenery just let me know, I've got hundreds. Though no matter how hard I try the pictures never seem to do it justice...you just have to see it in person. So glad you had fun. : )

[dmatthews]

Karen,
I really love the b&w photo of you and Jill-it's so precious. Loved hearing about the weekend!

[Shari]

GREAT to see you back posting! Your blogging breaks always seem so long... always look forward to your inspiring posts! LOVE that black and white. Would love to know your conversion method!

[{vicki}]

Sounds like a great trip. Thanks for sharing it with us. In the photo of you looking at something wonderful---LOOKS JUST LIKE ANNIE!!!!!!!

[Bonnie]

Welcome Home! Glad you had an awesome time rummaging thru Montana. I admit too the scenery is WONDERFULLY AMAZING. I took lots of pictures but they really do it no justice. Bonnie

[Leslie]

Karen, sounds like you had a wonderful time in one of my favorite states. I just love Montana, course I am biased. I grew up there. Love your photos. Glad you had a good time.

[Ree Donnelly]

Wow, what a lucky person you are to have a friend like Jill, and she you! And, husbands that put up with the hilarity!!
I laughed aloud at the baby-wipe story too!

[janel]

Looks like a fabulous time. So glad you posted about Helena, as I am going to be there in a couple of weeks and cannot wait to go to the Staggering Ox. Loved all your photos. Happy homecoming to you!

[Aimee]

I am so jealous. I have a good friend who lives in Montana... I think I'm going to have to visit her. Soon.

I love Spokane too but have never been junking there... I bet they'd have some good junk shops there as well.

Glad you had fun.

Glad you're a rebel and post pictures that have not been approved by Jill. I like them :)

[Trish]

I have read this blog post twice and I cannot stop laughing at all your encounters. I love your perspective, the way in which you write about your love of people and places and things. You have such a gift!! Glad you had fun. Thanks for sharing your treasures with us. I missed you!!

[Cara]

Jealous! I went to an antique store near me just the other day. It was heavenly. My house is 100 years old and decorating it is fun. I found an old ventriloquist doll that will be a birthday surprise for my husband. Anyway, just wanted to say I was jealous. Sounds like the best vacay ever.

[Melissa Mann]

wow. i so need to just plan a trip to see my best friend and do something like this. we haven't seen each other in 6 years. it's just been too long.

sounds like a lovely trip! and jill sounds like she is just the bestest!

[Kelliann]

Thanks for the laughs this morning. I really needed them.

[Danella Perkins]

re: 'massages' and other such experiences. ha. I've the answer for you in 'having' to listen to them talk and talk and... I'm 'deaf', but have a cochlear implant. I TELL them that I can't hear very well at all, and lo and behold, I don't think anyone EVER talks to me! Too funny, 'cause since I have the implant, I actually can hear pretty well, but... you know, just in case... So maybe you CAN try saying... 'uh, I can't hear too well...' THANKS for your VERY entertaining BLOG. I'm one of your long-time 'stalkers'. My hubby THINKS your one of my 'best friends'!

[TerriB in Oregon]

Great trip! Loved every minute of it! And I am glad to know everyone's children are stuck on "Hannah Bontana". PS the picture of you gazing at something up in the air looks just like a picture of Annie!

[Melanie C.]

Hey Karen, don't listen to the nail guy about your toe. I completely ripped off my big toenail a few years ago when I dropped one of those fold up banquet tables on it. I saw a podiatrist who would do stuff to it (I kept my eyes closed because I'm super squeamish) as it was growing back. It looks completely normal and I've only had one nail person ask me if something had happened to it during a pedicure. It took almost a year to grow back but seriously, go have a podiatrist check it out and you will probably have 10 pretty pink toes next Summer.

[Kelli]

OMG! You are so funny! We don't have shops like that around here! I had to get my antique doors from my friend's mom's garage because the previous owners removed them and then tossed them in there and there they sat for years until she met me. Now I have 3 being used in our basement, one has leaded glass! I love them!
I love the sink! I love the chandelier and the shot of you kissing it!
And those sandwich things! My mouth is watering! Kerry wants to take a US trip where we just go to places that we have heard about their good food! That would be one of the places we'd have to go to! And I'd throw up too! After a trip like that Tums would be my best friend.

[Dina]

I just love hearing your stories, Karen! Thanks for sharing. I really love that chandelier! And those sandwiches really looked yummy!

[Patty Hetrick]

Oh how I've missed your posts!! Love all the old stuff. I always liked old stuff but I see more beauty in it now because you enlightened me with your style during the scrapbook classes. Now I want to redo my office/scrapbook room in old stuff!! Wish me luck convincing my husband:)

[Tracy]

Glad to hear you had such a great time...minus the stomach aches! I had to laugh at the missing keys story...I left mine the other day in the Wal-Mart bathroom...thank goodness they did make it to customer service. What a fun shopping trip, can't wait to see a pic of the chandelier in your house!!

[Christine]

What an amazing trip to spend with your bestest friend in the whole wide world. Lots of fun, laughs, and belly aches, just the way it should be.

[Vicki]

Thank you so much for the recap of your great trip; kind of makes us feel like we were along for the ride. You are a great storyteller.

In one of the pics of you at the antique store are you carrying a Miche Bag? I just got one and the chain straps look exactly the same and the shell looks like one I have.

Vicki A
Redding, CA

[Val]

Sounds like such a fun trip with lots of fun stories. Thanks for sharing! :)

[Libbi M.]

it's so wonderful to have girl time with your bff. please tell jill that she's beautiful in all your photos and i would love to see more of you and her in your lovely shots. thank you for sharing this wonderful memorie with us. oh, and i'm so curious what you have in store with the sink and all your vintage finds. please do tell. have a wonderful and glorious day with your family before the school year starts.

[Tanya]

re: massages...you can actually tell them in advance that you prefer a massage in silence as you're easily distracted. ;) don't give up on massages because of these two experiences. they really can rock. i swear! LOL

thanks so much for this fabulous post and for your humour and brilliance! congrats on the chandelier! :)

[Arianne]

I love Montana, I'm from Vancouver Canada and me and my girlfriend did a road trip allt he way there in June. We went to the battlefields in Garryowen but stayed a night in Butte on the way. What an old awesome town. Glad you had an amazing trip, makes me think of my own :)

[Sally]

That cabinet totally looks like something that would be in your house. (Not that I've been to your house. I'm basing it on the pics you show here on the blog.) Oh, and I really miss your class. I might just have to sign up again so that I can "talk" to you via the message board. :)

[Maureen F]

WOW - That sounds like the best weekend ever !!!! How fun that must have been - thanks for sharing !!!!

[christina cole]

looks like you had a really fun time in those antique shops! i was actually driving by butte and helena on thursday(on the I-15)...we were driving back from calgary (where we were for six weeks visiting my parents), and going back to salt lake...hope your tummy feels better!

[birute]

Karen, how I've missed your posts and laughing out loud! I'm so glad you had a great trip with Jill, and I'm just as glad that you're back posting!!

[kat-in-texas]

Nelly...that's some of the most funny to date! I'm with Jill...hate pics with me in them...I can totally relate!!! But what a fun trip!!!

Love your new chandelier! Adorable!!! It's gonna look soooooo good in your new, old house. I can get you the hook up on some fine vintage italian crystal sconces with macaroni beading for your new, old house too. (My sister and her husband are getting divorced...sigh...and they have a really nice lot of antiques, and shabby, wabby light fixtures to sell. I'm helping her with that, or I wouldn't know a thing about macaroni beading...)

Let me know, I can email you some pics (Jill too). Glad y'all had fun!

[Sierra]

I'm so jealous! Sounds like a great time!

My Mom is a masseuse. And she doesn't chat during a session! How unbelievably rude and unrelaxing. If you are ever in Modesto, CA, I will see to it that you have a great massage!!

[Patty Hetrick]

As for the toe---I damaged my big toe nail Feb 2008 in Vegas (wore shoes that were too tight). Then I may have damaged it a little more running/working out in tennies that needed another inch. Why didn't I know these shoes weren't the right size? Anyway, podiatrist told me the funky, tender ridge in the middle of my toenail would grow out. A year and a half later it is still not right but it looks a little better. I thought it was a fungus at first. I don't know if it will ever be right!
Ugly toe girls UNITE:)

[alicia]

Oh, that sounds like such a great time!

[Kimberly]

Sounds like you had a fabulous time. I love the read and the photos.

[Vicki]

Sounds like a great trip!! I have never been to Montana and now it is on my "places to see" list!

I would love to see that chandelier hung!

[Jessica K.]

oooohhh, I wish I had a "best friend in the whole world" to go junking with and eat junk with. Sounds like an awesome time. Eat better now.

[Jodi]

So funny that you bring up Milli Vanilli. My friend and I have been searching all over the internet trying to find that song, Girl you know it's true, OO-OO-OO, I love you. But I guess it has disapeared off of the face of the earth because of the scandle! Brings back fond memories of the 80s!

[anne]

Your toenail may surprise you! I had a similar unfortunate toenail injury a few years ago when I walked clumsily into a brick planter while wearing flimsy flip flops. My whole toenail was ripped off the bed, and fell out a few days later. After at least 6 months, a new toenail grew back in and it looks totally normal (and polish-able!!). Best of luck to you and your toe!

[Sandy]

What a beautiful story of such a very special friendship! I must say though that the photo of you looking up at something wonderful suggests to me why Annie is as she is -- it's Annie as a grown up!! lol!

[Laura Plunk]

Awwwwww love the story....

Laura P
Southern OR

[Terrie]

I'm so homesick!! I grew up in Helena and still have family (and my version of Best-friend Jill) there. I try to go back regularly, but not nearly as often as I'd like. I know all the places you blogged about and love them. Wish I'd been with you.

[shelley]

Thanks for sharing, you are a master at story telling:)