Food Diary, Day 2

November 4

Breakfast.  First let me say, Morgen Hiner joined us for breakfast!  So nice to see him.  He looks great, a Marine.  And Mom is here as well.

2 homemade biscuits(they were delicious!!!!)
One with gravy, one with homemade apple butter( I made that too)
Scrambled eggs with green chili and cheese
1/3 of an avocado
3 cups coffee
glass water

1/2 slice of Meditoranean Pizza
Goulash
Piece of peppermint chocolate
Cup of Tea

Butternut squash/pasta/Italian Sausage
wine
2 skinny girl cosmos
Peppermint chocolate.

November 3, 2014
I'm starting a food journal today.  I have about come to the conclusion that cutting my portions is my best bet.  I think I eat pretty healthy, (we will see when it is actually recorded) and I exercise regularly.  I may have a different picture after journaling for a few weeks.
So.... here we go

Breakfast.  3 cups of coffee with half and half
tall glass of water
boiled egg
greens
2 slices polenta

Walked 51 minutes,  3.45 miles

Brown rice bowl with grilled chicken, carrots, broccoli and cabbage

Cocoa Almonds

chicken
cabbage salad
roasted okra
Mashed potatoes and gravy (small portion)
green beans
First serving was small.  Had 2nd serving of cabbage salad and okra
Muffin

glass of Merlot

Not too bad, think I got it all..  And feel pretty good about it.  Tomorrow, walk first thing.  And keep it up.

Photo Album of Oregon trip

Pictures from the Oregon trip.

Heather And I Sunday afternoon, enjoying the wine and the sunshine.

Mom, at the root of a fallen red wood tree.

Red wood forest on the way to Brookings.

Karen and I, in the Redwood forest.  Yes, we  were also on the trip!! This is our attempt at a selfie.

Mom and I, Another selfie attempt.  In the red wood forest

Out our window of the hotel in Brookings,  Oregon

Mom, Uncle Rick and Uncle Doug on the patio in Grants Pass

Oregon Trip

Mom, Uncle Doug and Uncle Rick

April 6, 2014

Our trip to Grants Pass/Brookings, Oregon 

April 5 through April 10, 2014

Karen, Doug, Mom and I went to Oregon during spring break to see Rick and Linda, and Heather too. We flew in Saturday, rented a car and drove to Grants Pass, about 3 hours.   Stayed in Grants Pass 2 nights, then drove to Brookings, ( one of my favorite beach towns!), stayed for 2 nights, then drove up the coast, pack to Portland and flew out Early Thursday morning.  

It was a great trip.  The siblings are so funny together.  They each remember things differently.  Rick embellishes all his stories, while Mom and Doug try to get back what really happened.  They say that everyone remembers events in their own way, perspective.  That is very obvious with these three.  They reminisced, shared, bragged about their own children and grandchildren, laughed, talked, argued, hugged.  Doug and Rick are hard of hearing, Mom doesn't always remember what we just talked about, so between the "huhs" and the repeats, we heard some stories several times!  That's ok!  We just laughed about it.  

Sunday, we spent the day at Rick and Linda's.  It is a beautiful place.  Weather was gorgeous!  I went for a long walk.  We spent the afternoon on the deck, drinking wine(the women), and visiting.  Walked around the property.  They have a huge garden, roses, trees, a chicken house with a white picket fence, and an art studio, where Linda paints.  Nice day.

Monday morning we drove to Brookings, through the red wood forests, following a river all the way to the coast.  Incredible drive.  Only about 100 miles, but took about 3 hours.  Twisting, turning road.  Slow travel.  And of course, Uncle Rick got car sick.  We  got to Brookings, stayed at a hotel on the beach.  Went straight out to the beach, enjoyed a glass of wine, more visiting, then went to dinner.

Tuesday, we did some shopping.  Great little shops in this small, beach town.  Did I mention I could live here?  I could!!!!  Karen and I drove around a bit, while the others rested.  We drove out to this incredible golf course.  I have not been on vacation with Karen in several years.  She is one of my favorite people.  It was really nice to get to spend some time with her.  We laughed and talked.  

Went back to the hotel, gathered the troops and went to dinner.  We had delicious sea food the whole time we were there.  I really missed my kids. They also love Brookings.  I would love for Ruben to see it.  And Craig too.  One of these summers, I am going to rent a house for the summer, big enough for lots of people, and have company all summer long!  If I have grandkids, maybe they can stay even longer than their parents:)

Wednesday morning, we got up, packed, went to breakfast, said goodbye to Rick, Linda, and Heather, and began the last leg of our Oregon trip, up the coast, then east to Portland.  It was a long trip, but so enjoyable.  We saw light houses, elk, more incredible scenery, and the ocean all along the way.  We talked, looked, ate (of course), just enjoyed the drive.  

Now, some personal details.  My uncle Rick and Uncle Doug give the best hugs.  They are such good, gentle men.  Very different, but very loving.  They each married beautiful, warm loving women that completed them.  Wonderful, welcoming families, both of them.  

We don't see Rick often, but he is always so glad to see us.  And I don't see Uncle Doug enough.  We have been on some great vacations with him and Karen, Manuel and I and the kids.  Wonderful memories.  Doug, the kids and myself went to see Uncle Rick about 3 years ago.  That was the first time we went to Brookings.  Another tie, after that trip, Doug, Mom and I went.  On that trip, Doug and I ended up staying in Brookings, just the two of us.  That evening, we ordered clam Chowder to go, two beers, and went back to the room to enjoy our meal.  The next morning we drove around for hours, looking at houses, just checking things out.  Both great trips.  And now this one.  It was a terrific trip as well.  

As they get older, we just never know if it will by the last for all of us to be together.  Manuel gave us a huge dose of THAT lesson.  Mom really enjoyed it.  She kept telling my that this would probably be her second to last trip.  I kept telling her NO, it would not!  She loves to travel, till she is ready to go home:)  She was quite the trooper.  I worried she would get too tired, because she has not been able to get out much because of her feet, injuries.  But she did great.  I enjoyed the trip, and cherish each one that I get to take with her.  And there will be more.  Next, we need to plan a girls trip.  We have not done that in about 3 years.  Girls, lets get back to that!  It is important, and most of all, FUN!

Yes, Family can be stressful, irritating, and hard to take some times.  But on the other hand, they are who we are, where we come from, and what we may turn out to be some day.  We share memories, traits, and personality disorders!  I love them, every single one of them!!!!!  Come on family, Bring it on! Again, and Again.

March 1, 2014
Lexi is here for the weekend and what a wonderful day we have had.  We walked to midtown, had breakfast at Pena's, then walked home.  Beautiful morning,  delicious breakfast!
Got ready and hit the road.  Went to look at Bonita lake and then checked out some houses.

Found my dream house!  We will see.  I am checking into it.  

Now for the best time of the day.

Making chicken alfredo, drinking wine, laughing and having a wonderful time.  Wait till the you see the end result!!!!

Delicious! 

February 8, 2014

Just when I think I am doing great, getting over things, finally really moving on, I see Garth Brooks performing The Dance and All My Friends on the Jay Leno show. Manuel loved GarthBrooks.  We never got the chance to see him.  He was in Alb a long time ago, but we already had tickets to a Dallas game.  We should have chose Garth.

I have not listened to his cd's in a really long time, probably since Manuel.   Just made me sad.   I am going to listen to it again.  I love Garth!  And one for my bucket list.  I am going to see him in concert, for Manuel and me.

I have had a wonderful weekend with Craig.  He just makes me feel appreciated, safe, sexy, fun.  All the things I haven't felt in a long time.  He is exhausted.  Poor Guy. I will let him rest, take care of him. Tomorrow is another day.  I hope he does not go home early.  We will see.

February.  Wow.  This year is just flying by.  Manuel is playing Rugby, Meg and Ruben are wanting to start  a family and buy new furniture, ( a big deal for a young couple), I think my students are learning math, I think!, and I am doing great.  

I have decided that I look cooking again because it fills the time, gives me something to do most evenings, and always an excuse for a nice glass of wine!

Meg, Shandra and Rheanna are coming next weekend. Can't wait!  It will be nice to see all of them.  Meg is coming a day early, so we will have some time just the two of us, cooking a great dinner and having some wine, and enjoying my beautiful daughter!

Now I need another weekend with Manuel.  Sounds like I won't have one for awhile.  He is busy with Rugby on the weekends.

Till next time.  .......

February 6, 2014

I miss Lisa!  And John too.   That is the one thing I miss.  Having friends come over, just talking, drinking  wine (together), laughing, sharing.  On a regular basis.  

February 4, 2014

I woke up this morning to snow.  Waited a bit to get in the shower, and there it came!  The two hour delay phone call!  I love 2 hour delays.  They are unexpected, wonderful slow mornings.  Started some laundry, making a bacon/avocado omelet for breakfast, time to blog, lay in bed enjoying my coffee, listening to Matchbox 20(craig suggested that) and texting with Craig and Meg, and putting together a grocery list.   That's a lot for a slow morning, but it is all at my pace.  Slow and easy today.

Wow, February already.  January flew by.  Before I know it, school will be out, summer will be here. and who knows what will happen then.

I think I need to be making some plans for the summer, but things are happening.  I wanted to get a job bar tending or waitressing, but if I am still going to Eunice on the weekends or having company here, I don't want to work the weekends.  I would like to find another place to live.  So moving is definitely on my agenda!  Maybe a trip to Montana with Dora.  50th birthday party for JoAnne.  The Chancellor graduation/retirement party.

And continuing this new romance.  When I moved to Ruidoso, I decided I was going to open myself up to opportunities and create some as well.  So, I let Jo Ann set me up with a friend.  That was nice, fun, but not  what I wanted.  No spark.  Set up profiles on match.com and Eharmony.  Actually met someone.  We had a lot in common, had fun, but timing is everything.  He had personal stuff going on, I believe.  Anyway, that faded away.

At thanksgiving, one of Susan's friends was here visiting.  She has an older brother that I knew in high school.  I was asking about him, told her I thought I would give him a call, just catch up with him.
So I called, he agreed to meet me for drinks.  The next night he came with me to a Christmas party, and Sunday we had lunch before I came home.  There was a spark, we had fun, and I think he has texted me everyday since then.  January 1, I went back to Eunice to see him again.  Definitely some chemistry this time.

It is so weird.  I know right away if there is something there or if there is no point in continueing to see someone.  I realize that time makes a difference, but it seems like a waste of time if there is no spark to get the fire started.

Well the fire is started.  We have seen each other every weekend since then, except one.  He is not what I expected to be dating, but apparently what I needed.  We talk about any and everything, I go to work with him when I am in Eunice, we have common friends, friends I have not seen in years.  It is comfortable, easy, and very enjoyable.......See where it goes.  Just enjoying him and I think he is enjoying me.  Keena asked me this weekend, "What are you going to do with him?"  Not sure what she meant by that.  I told her we are having fun.  And that's all we need for now.

One more thing, one of the things I like most about this new "friendship" is that it is just about Craig and I.  Has nothing to do with the kids, the Sandovals, my past life.  It is just about me.  I feel very appreciated, safe, and I love all this attention he gives me.  I realize it is weird to mention the Sandovals, but they are an incredible family, and everyone wants to be around them, with lots of social events going on.  I love them dearly, but I need a life without them.  My own life.  I will always cherish them and the memories, but  this new life finally feels really good.  And here I am getting tears, guess it is finally time to let go.  But never, never forget.  Manuel is my soul mate, I will always love him. But I can love again.  And he would want me to.  I don't know if this is the time or the person, but now I know it is ok.  It's ok for me to take care of me, and do what I want and need.  It is my time now.
Wow, this turned into quite a self therapy session, tears and all.  


Well this was a blog all about me, wasn't it?   Next time, I won't be so selfish.

January 4, 2014

Happy New Year!  It has been a tough holiday, a few days of overwhelming sadness and tears.  BUT... it is done, a new year has begun, and I am ready.  We are all in a more settled place.  Each with plans and direction.  Lets Begin!!!!!!!

January 17, 2014

51 years old.  It may sound old, but it is NOT!  I am loving my fifties.  I have found a freedom that I have never experienced before.  Sure, I still have responsibilities, my children, my parents, but it is really about me.  I can afford to do things, (for the most part),  can go when I like,  have popcorn and wine for supper, watch a movie, see who I want, doing what I want, and not having any guilty feelings.  I am comfortable with me, confident, like what I have grown in to, physically and mentally.  I am just in a really good place. This move is exactly what I needed.  I am still finding Melanie, but the search is wonderful and fun.  My children will always be my number one priority, but I have allowed myself to be a priority as well.  Love it, love it love it!

2013  What a year.  I bar-tended, served and cooked at a senior citizens center, took a job in Capitan teaching math,  moved to a new town, knowing  no one,  made some new friends, got back into teaching, and most recently, a romance has started.

Megan graduated from NMSU and is working in Albuquerque using her degree.  She has had quite a year, with some tragedy included.  She is a trooper.  Strong, beautiful, smart, kind.  She is finding her way, realizes there are things that need some work and things that need to be let go.  Her and Ruben are  living in Moriarty.  Starting a life without college.  The real thing.  They seem to balance each other and they have so much fun together.  

Manuel Joseph Sandoval.  He qualified for the state in Discus, received his High school diploma at the state track meet and missed his graduation ceremony.  But so worth it!  He is going UNM and loves it.  He is so like Manuel, college is his thing.  He is in the dorm and loving it, writing for the daily LOBO, making friends and also struggling with some demons.  We all do that at times,  I realize.  He is working through things, and talking when he needs to.  That is progress!  He is having a long distance relationship with Mikeala.  Tough on both of  them.  Time will tell.

And my mom.  She has had a tough year.  She has had some physical injuries, and her memory seems to be getting worse.  She is healthy otherwise.  She is not walking like before, because she can't, but wants to get back into it.  Daddy has had a year too.  Surgery, prescription drugs that just about made him crazy.  They are getting older, but doing ok.  

I am headed to Eunice this weekend.  It is Sherry's 50th birthday today.  We are going to celebrate the fabulous fifties.  I love going back to Eunice.  I have reconnected with friends that I did not see much of for years.  Since I lost Manuel, they have become a terrific support system.  Jo and Sherry are as crazy as ever, we get together and it is as if we were never apart.  We laugh, talk, tell secrets, cry, and share!  And John and Bubba are my rocks.  They are the big brothers close to home, checking on me, worrying, talking to me.  I have always enjoyed and loved them, I just never thought I would need them like I do now.  I sometimes think about moving back there.  I am not sure it would be the same if I lived there and it is so far away from kids!  I think I am good where I am for now.

And then the new romance.  FUN!  We are just enjoying.  Enough!  Getting up and moving!  I will be back soon:)