Today’s the big 3-3. More than ever I’m feeling taken aback by the fact that I’m now measuring memories in the decades. For instance, I visited with my buddy Ali a couple of weeks ago and we realized that we’ve been friends for 20 years. 20 YEARS, people! My husband and I started dating almost 10 years ago. The first child in my group of close college friends is going to be 13 this year (holy moly!). Where has time gone?
I met my family for dinner out at one of our favorite seafood joints. My dad hugged me and asked if it sucked to be 33. I told him I wasn’t sure yet, at which time he pointed out it won’t be long till I’m 40. Of course, that logic reminded him that it won’t be long till he’s 70, which he says sucks even more. So I guess 33 isn’t all bad. 
32 has been a year I think I’ll be glad to be done with. It’s not one thing in particular, but a lot of smaller life hiccups that have made the year a little difficult to cope with sometimes. Health problems, unexpected deaths in our circle, upheavals at work, and a terrible homesickness, to name a few–all combined for a not-too-healthy attitude. So I’m determined that 33 is my year to overcome 32 and set out on my path toward a happy and healthy 34! 
My birthday was lovely! I’ve had several cards, notes, and calls from friends and family. I’ll admit the joy of gifts hasn’t completely worn off (I still love loot!) but I appreciate the loving thoughts of my dear ones more than anything. For the girl who has everything (and has recently been subjected to the wallet-killing shopping enablement of my girlfriends), an iTunes gift card never goes amiss. I got some cool books that are burning a hole on my to-be-read shelf. Some groovy stationery from my sister and a Hobby Lobby gift card, which also never goes amiss. ;) And then I got a handful of coupons for tetrazinni (my most favorite dish that my mom makes) or Mrs. Deppin’s toffee bars (a favorite family cookie recipe). Seriously, I could have tetrazinni for months! My tummy is anticipating comfort food heaven! AND THEN! The top item on my wish list, something I never actually expected to get: tickets to the upcoming Neil Diamond concert. OMG, and they’re floor tickets! Sure, Neil is a little old school, but he’s been a part of my life for, well, all my life. I can’t wait! I’ve been humming Sweet Caroline all night…
So thank you to my friends, family, and The Universe for a happy birthday. Y’all rock!
I feel re-energized after spending the first part of August in the northern part of New Mexico. There’s something I love in every part of the state, but I’m partial to the northern mountains. It hardly seems possible that I’ve been gone from NM for almost 10 years! But it’s taken me those years to be able to return to some parts of the state that hold a strong personal history for me. Places have always held a strong emotional and memory ties for me. You know how smelling a certain scent can bring back very visceral memories? Place does that for me too.
So I was very excited to show my hubby some of those places that have been special to me over the years. He spent 5 years at school in Socorro but never got north of Albuquerque, and I lived in NM for 16 years and didn’t see Angel Fire or Eagles Nest. Definitely shortcomings that needed to be rectified! We spent a whole day driving from Santa Fe around the Enchanted Circle. We had perfect weather–storms in the morning and clear skies in the afternoon.
Here are some photos from the trip!
Santa Fe
1: I went with a writer friend to see the Georgia O’Keeffe museum and was pleasantly surprised to see an AWESOME exhibit with O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams. If you’re in the area, don’t miss it!
2: A beautiful, albeit crazy busy, day on the plaza.
Enchanted Circle
1: My favorite shot of the day. As we drove into Taos through the Rio Grande gorge we were surrounded by scattered storms.
2: A view of the Rio Grande River Gorge stretching into the horizon.
3: Sunset from my condo in Red River (I stayed here for a writing workshop before hubby met me).
Elizabethtown, New Mexico
We were pretty excited to see a ghost town on the Enchanted Circle map! Sorry to say, it was a bit of a disappointment. The only obvious ghost town element are the ruins of the hotel, which you can see from the road. (Interesting side note: the photo of the wall ruins was taken on my iPhone–not a bad picture for a camera phone!) There is an introduction video and building filled with ephemera from the town, but it’s a messy jumble. The marketing/PR demon living inside of me was railing at how much cooler the place could be with a little funding and know-how, but as always, I ignored the demon and enjoyed myself anyway.
For this week’s “WTF?!” moment, we have a man who pleaded guilty to murder in Oregon with an unusual deal. His plea deal: a fried chicken feast.
I leave for two weeks and all hell breaks loose. Sheesh. Here I am, enjoying a lovely visit in the New Mexico desert, and Edouard is bearing down on my home. Literally.
Hubby tells me that I don’t need to worry, that by the time it reaches our home it will have dissipated so much that it won’t cause damage. He’s in our truck so he can navigate past the street flooding we expect near our home. So I’m going to work on not worrying and trust that my loved ones are in the good and loving hands of the Powers That Be. I’m holding you to that, Powers That Be.
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