Adventures on the Western Front

Hello all from Great Falls, Montana!

I made it out here on Saturday, after attending Geb's little boy's baptism (pics and post to follow soon). Our flight didn't leave until 9:15 CST, so we didn't get out here until 11:30 MST. I was a pooped puppy - way past my bedtime!! And, strangely, traveling always makes me tired. I don't get it - I'm just sitting there, right? But sleepiness abounded nonetheless.

We had a full day to "play" when we got here. Sunday found us on our way down the road to Belt, MT, and tiny podunk that boasts its own post office, a few bars, some churches, and not much else. Now, you know I didn't go for church, and the post office isn't open on Sunday. So... you guessed it, bar time!

Linda & I enjoyed the local fare at the Harvest Moon Brewery. Delicious brewed beverages and, I swear, the best darn cheeseburger I've had in a long time!! (Oh, and our waitress was from MN! How random is that?) I tried the Harvest Moon Select, Harvest Moon Pale Beltian, and something called "Charlie Red." All good, baby, all good.

Monday and Tuesday were hard-core studying days, and Wednesday a super-review day. We had a small group (5 counselors & one educator) and really hit the books. The test, supposedly very rigorous, would be set up for Thursday as soon as we got our HUD agency number from our boss back in MN.

We studied charts, tables, definitions, etc. We did word problems to learn practical application of various formulas and terms. We filled in blank spreadsheets with product-specific items. My head ached, but it started to set in. Flashbacks to college abounded.

Lo and behold, the boss back in MN didn't get the HUD agency number to get us registered for the test. So, our educator tried to register Linda and I as employees at his agency. The testing center didn't care, which was good. Linda got the 2:30 slot on Thursday in Helena, MT (the nearest site).

But me - nada. They have no more spots available. Unless I want to stay in Helena, MT another week (no can do).


So. A summary:

1) I took a short Thanksgiving weekend at the last minute to come out here. Did not go to Duluth, did not see immediate family.

2) I took a full week off at TCF to come out here (lost earnings for which I will not get reimbursed).

3) I studied my ass off for the past three days.

4) Now I can't take the test as planned, will have to set it up somewhere else (God knows where) and some other time (again, will likely miss work). And, to top it off, I'll probably have forgotten half of what I crammed in this week.

Not a happy Di. My boss that's here with me, Linda, not a happy Linda. Grrrrrrrr.

Hopefully I'll find a test site near the Twin Cities and a date and time that isn't too inconvenient. Keep your fingers crossed.