Technically, I’m not done yet. I still need to take a science lab over the summer, but other than that I’m done with my BA in Sociology (Minor in Anthropology). Since there is no commencement ceremony for summer graduates, I got to walk with the spring class. I’m taking three classes this summer and will start graduate school in the fall. Grades were posted today and I am more than a little relieved. I was sure that I was going to get a B in my Social Research: Methods class.
In other news, I got a job. Work during the day, school at night and five kids still at home. It’s funny… You wouldn’t believe how much crap I’ve had to listen to over the years because I was a stay at home mom. Everyone acts like I don’t do anything. Now that I’m working, I get to hear about all the stuff I don’t do anymore because I am at work. Figures. Can’t win for losing! Seriously, though, it is a big adjustment and not just for everyone else. I feel a little guilty because I really like working and getting paid for it is even better.
We are busier than ever. Butterfly is still in softball and plays one or two games a week. This weekend she is in a tournament and Mike is entering another chile cook off. I’m tired, but happy… and so grateful to everyone who has supported me since I returned to school. It has been a lot of work, but so worth it.
17 May 2012 ♥ 1 comment
Saturday was our 15 year anniversary. We celebrated at the annual red chile meat cook off at the Beverly Hills Hall. Mike and his brother entered the competition (their first time competing) and won first place! Their red chile was the bomb. They ran out of food at the end and people were literally scraping the inside of the pot with tortillas, it was THAT good! Great job guys…
More pictures on flickr.
26 April 2012 ♥ 4 comments
To celebrate, here are a few of my favorite jumping pictures!
29 February 2012 ♥ Comments Off
I ran into this guy (Mark) in the parking lot of Walgreens. He was wearing a full body Scooby Doo suit and I asked him for a photo. He was very proud of the fact that he had been featured in four newspapers and one magazine. He just got into town from Albuquerque, looking for warmer weather. I gave him a few dollars and he said he was going to Wendy’s to buy some food. This morning his photo (taken in the Wendy’s parking lot!) was in the Sun News. I guess that brings his total to FIVE newspapers.
“Scooby Doo fanatic Mark Kammerdiener, 45, shares a moment with his dog, Buddy, on Monday as they sit in the Wendy’s parking lot off of Walton. Kammerdiener, who has been homeless and traveling for more than 20 years, has sported his costume every day for the past three years. “I make people smile when people see me. Do you know how many lives I’ve affected? It makes me feel better,” Kammerdiener said.” [LINK]
In other news, I must have dropped my new (gulp!) phone in the parking lot when I went to take his picture. Mike and I were eating lunch when his phone rang. “Why are you calling me?” he asked. “I’m not! I don’t even have my phone with me.” A man found my phone and redialed the last number. Mike offered to give him $20 for finding it but he refused. He left it for me with the cashier at Walgreens. Talk about the kindness of strangers! I hadn’t even realized it was gone. There is no way I could have replaced it so I am VERY grateful!
24 January 2012 ♥ 4 comments
Mike and Bleu, all dressed up
21 January 2012 ♥ 2 comments
The Land of Enchantment… I wasn’t always enchanted. When I was younger, I hated the dirt, the rocks, the wind and the sand. I longed for green growing things and moisture in the air. But something changed: I fell in love with this beautiful state. There is a peacefulness to the wide open spaces that speaks to me. On January 6, New Mexico celebrates its 100th birthday. I can’t think of a better reason to celebrate! Here are some of my favorite places in New Mexico:
White Sands Balloon Fiesta
“Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world’s great natural wonders – the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Here, dunes have engulfed 275 square miles of desert creating the world’s largest gypsum dunefield.
White Sands National Monument preserves this dunefield, along with the plants and animals that have adapted to this constantly changing environment.” [link]
More of my photos of White Sands on flickr: set | slideshow
“Rock formations like those at the City of Rocks State Park exist in only six other places in the world. Imaginative visitors may see the rock formations as a small city with houses, chimneys, courtyards and streets.” [link]
More of my photos of the City of Rocks on flickr: set | slideshow
Bisti Badlands
“The 41,170-acre Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is a remote desolate area of steeply eroded badlands which offers some of the most unusual scenery found in the Four Corners region. Time and natural elements have etched a fantasy world of strange rock formations and fossils. It is an ever-changing environment that offers the visitor a remote wilderness experience. Translated from the Navajo language, Bisti means “a large area of shale hills” and is commonly pronounced (Bis-tie). De-Na-Zin (Deh-nah-zin) takes its name from the Navajo words for “cranes.” Petroglyphs of cranes have been found south of the wilderness area.” [link]
More of my photos of the Bisti on flickr: set | slideshow
Rio Grande
6 January 2012 ♥ 3 comments
