So I haven't updated in far too long. As of late, October is not a good month for me...and I have been on a roller coaster of emotions this month!

I think the last time I thought about updating I was going to finish my post about the business trip I went on. I got dragged out to a really nice golf course in El Paso and played a round with the boys. That's right...I was the only girl...again...someone please act surprised. I also didn't have any of my equipment with me (clubs, shoes, glove), so I had to make do. Luckily my rental clubs were King Cobras...so I didn't have to suffer too much. I had a really good time...and I drove almost 240 yards! Which I'm pretty sure is a personal best. The best part of that was that it was a short par 4 and I was on the fringe...and if I hadn't messed up the putt...I would have birdie...definitely a first for me.

Then it was back to Utah for 10 days before wedding craziness #2 for the year. However, before that happened my parents called me on Monday night and informed me that they had to put my horse down. I know he was old, but it didn't make it any less devastating. This was the one thing I had wanted since I was a little girl, I finally got when I was 13 and now it was gone. It was like a little piece of my childhood dying. My parents did a really good job though, and I'm proud of the way they handled it. And it also meant that I had a week to get myself together and over my grief before I had to go home to the empty box stall.

On Tuesday my great-aunt died. Now most people probably wouldn't be too upset about this, but they aren't part of our family. Aunt Betty was as much a staple at Thanksgiving as Grandma was. And damn was she fiesty! She had almost died of aneurysm a number of years back, but she was able to dial 911 before she passed out. Her doctors said she should have died then. But here she was at 87 years old and had an infection. The doctors wanted to give her all this treatment and take blood and antibiotics...and she just told them no. She was done and she wanted to go back to her home and die peacefully...and she was of sound mind to do it. So they let her. Even her dying she did on her own terms. You gotta respect that.

Thankfully the rest of the week was death and drama free...until Saturday. When hell froze over (literally) and it started snowing on October 12th. Yes. The 12th. By the time I left for New York on Sunday evening we had a foot of snow on the ground. It was so ridiculous! But luckily my plane was able to get me out of Salt Lake and on my way to JFK.

Monday morning I landed in Syracuse and I thought I was going to pass out from exhaustion. I didn't sleep as well as I normally do on planes...so a 3 hour nap was in order! Then I had to trek out to the field to see where Chris had fallen and where he was buried and I was all emotional all over again.

Tuesday was, according to Mandi, my day to rest and relax before I started the craziness that was wedding week. Well there wasn't much resting and relaxing going on because my mom didn't have anything to wear to the wedding...and she's so tiny nothing fits her. I'm not even kidding, even petite small jackets were too big. That took up a good chunk of the day and then I had dinner with an old friend, and then it was time for bed.

Wednesday morning I had orders to report to Mandi's at 9am. I think I went strolling in at 9:15...but who's keeping track. The reason we were meeting so early was that we had to cut out, bake and frost 260 cookies. And we did. The first batch got done that morning, the 2nd batch that night...somewhere in there, there was some dress drama...and it made for a very eventful day.

The next couple of days after that were a blur. Most of it was spent helping my cousin do random things and trying to get my own dress ready for the wedding.

Saturday was the wedding day and it was beautiful!! The weather was a little cool, but sunny. Everything just worked out so beautifully and I even kept up my end of the bargain by making sure the train on her dress was appropriately "fluffed." The reception was an absolute blast. I don't think I have had that much fun in a very, very long time. After the reception it was back to my aunt's for some R rated card playing, then a movie...then no sleep. That's right I stayed up for 24 hours for the first time in a very, very long time. And I forgot how when you stay up for 24 hours you kind of feel drunk...even though you aren't. A very weird feeling indeed.

Since I didn't sleep I carefully drove home and then carefully drove to the airport where I proceeded to crash on the flight from Syracuse to JFK. I don't remember the safety briefing, take off or even landing. I remember waking up while we were taxing to the gate and thinking...are we leaving Syracuse or are we already there? I was so confused!! My flight at JFK to SLC was delayed almost an hour and we taxied for almost an hour...so I decided it was time for my first sick day ever!

Monday was so nice! It was definitely a well deserved sick day...and if I hadn't taken it, I hate to think about the shape I would have been in long about Wednesday.

Other than that...things are going. I was able to go trail riding twice in one week and it has been an absolute blast! I have definitely been in enjoying the Utah outdoors! And I think I officially have less than 1 year left in Utah! I'm sure it's going to fly!

That is all!