Thursday, October 4
It has been awhile, but I have actually been doing a few things!  Marcella and I have been walking.  It is terrific to have someone to walk with, company, and makes me accountable.  I feel great!  And of course the dogs are loving it.  Even little Wendie gets to go.

Meg was home for the weekend and we stayed busy.  Friday night was Sandoval night.  It used to be a Friday night tradition.  When Manuel was alive, we were at his mom and dad's any Friday night that we were home.  Everyone come, Dan and his family, all of us, sometimes Martha and Greg, and back in the day, Frank and Doris.

Danny and Yvette still always come.  But it is just not the same anymore.  I think mostly because Manuel is not with us.   We go occasionally, but not regularly.

Saturday we went to the microbrewery for Octoberfest then to Phillip and Kristine's.  IT was a great day, perfect way to start the autumn season.  Which, by the way, is sooooooo my favorite!

One of my favorite things is having my kids together, laughing, talking.  They are the two most incredible people I know.  Strong, fun, beautiful, smart, thinkers, problem solvers and hard workers.
They will do anything they set their mind to.  And always with support from each other, myself and Ruben.

Today, Mom, Uncle Doug and myself are off to Oregon to visit my uncle Rick.  I am looking forward to the trip.  Maybe I will even post daily.(Don't count on it!)

Missed my Thirsty Thursday today.  But I will be back in town for next weeks!

Fall is definitely here!  It rained two days this week, very unusual for New Mexico.  Yesterday I had a couple of seasonal firsts!  Got up to go for a walk.  It was maybe 50 degrees.
Firsts:    Put on my favorite old sweats (Manny tried to throw them away, he says they are ugly) and sweatshirt
              Went for a wonderful walk in brisk, fall weather.  Just cold enough to make me walk a little faster to get warmed up!
              Went to see Dorothy for the first time since she has been sick.  We had a wonderful visit.

And then there is Thirsty Thursday.  We try to get together, several of us, on Thursdays for drinks and socializing at my house. Well, this was a typical Thursday.  Martha came by early for a birthday drink, She didn't stay long.  Then the gang came.  We had a wonderful dinner and wonderful conversation.  We always do.   What a great support group I have.  They are truly family and we do whatever we can to help each other.

If, for some horrible reason, we miss TT, the kids are more upset than any of us.  Manny was mad because Robin could not make it Thursday night.  Ok, not mad, but said something about it.  How could she miss our time? !?

Sometimes Thursdays are what gets me through the week!

Our little Wendy is 100%  She is fighting with Shooter and raising cain in general, but so adorable.  John fell in love with her.  She is a treasure.  And Shooter likes her too, sometimes.

Today is another continuation of Fall.  We are going out to Ken and Rose's to help roast chili.  I can't wait to smell it!  And have a freshly roasted chili with some cream  cheese and a warm tortilla, a little garlic salt.  UM..... Delicious!

Looks like it is going to be a beautiful weekend:)

Poor Little Wendy!

My sad little Wendy!  Hopefully she will be jumping around tomorrow.

Monday............

What a day!  I came home last night from Las Cruces with a terrible headache.  Took something for it and went straight to sleep.  I woke up to the sound of the puppy throwing up.  And she continued all night.  Poor thing, she was losing weight by the hour.

So this morning, I am very worried about her.  I have this thing about dying on my watch.  I just can't let it happen.  So, off we go to the vet.  Good news, no Parvo.  But a very sick puppy.  She got fluids  and three shots.  Plus I got medicine to give her orally.  Dr. Mel.  She will not die on me!!!!!

I also went to the doctor.  No wonder I had headaches, the back of my neck is so tight.  It usually is, but today tighter than usual.  Too much driving maybe.

So I spent the day running around.  No news on the Alaska job.  But I was an exemplary stay home mom.  Manny and Trey come after school.  I fixed them a snack and something to drink, and gave them a little help with their math homework.  Ah,  the pleasures of mothering!  They are great boys and I LOVE to hear them talk MATH!  Of course, they hate it.  But who cares?  This is about me, right!

Off to the store, then start supper, then Shooter and I are going for a walk.  Wendy, (the sickly one)  will have to miss out on this one.  I am going to try and post a picture of her sad little face.

Tomorrow, Cleaning house!  That is my goal, anyway.

September 8, in Las Cruces.  A beautiful, almost Fall day.  Overcast, light rain, 63 degrees, what more could you ask for in New Mexico in early September.  The perfect day for my potato soup and corn bread.

We went shopping today and bought fall decorations for the new home of Megan and Ruben Gastelum.  Ruben rolled his eyes, and Meg just decorated with a smile.  Just a few things, but enough to feel the Autumn season, and the candles to smell it.

My kids have me doing this whole technology thing quite easily.  They are patient and kind, most of the time, when it comes to teaching Mom.  I am starting to love it!

What a great day!  I am so lucky.

Now this Alaska thing.....  Talked to the principal today and they have a teacher who has applied for the position.  It would be a full time teacher for the kids, and that is what they really need.  But if it does not work out, they will need me for a couple of months.  I am so ready to do this.  Feels good to make this decision, but now I wait.  That's ok.  I have time!!!!!!!  Maybe I will start running while I wait:)

Happy Fall Ya"ll!  (Well, almost)