New Year - 10 Years.

As 2010 is looming on the horizon I am pleased to look back at the past 10 years. Things I'm grateful for over the past 10 years (in no particular order).

1. Our home (we bought it ~7 years ago).
2. Mike (together over 12 years now).
3. Our kitties (brought home at different times - but ~8 years with all three).
4. My friends (I have such a long list of wonderful people in my life ... I am blessed).
5. My family (living in a state near enough ... but not too close).
6. My hobbies (always keeping me busy).
7. Facebook & Twitter (where I have found long lost people).
8. iPods and iPhones (I know - crazy ... but I love them).
9. The great out doors - living in New Mexico for the past 10 years has been a challenge and fantastic. I like being so close to nature.
10. Courtney (finally coming into her own as a sweet chicka and going to Tech - very proud of her).

I hope everyone has a safe new years eve and 2010 greets you with more love and fun than 2009.

Orchid Blooms

Christmas 2009.

Square Pegs

Ever hear the saying square peg in a round hole? Our new chair has this.

When It Snows.

I totally forgot to post photos from Tuesdays snow storm. I'm hoping we get another one before the holiday break is over!

Better -vs- Well.

While driving home the other day I was listening to the radio and they were talking about the difference from living better and living well. It was an interesting concept that I really hadn't given much thought. In the conversation they were saying living well is improving the wealth of your life (friends, family ... things that are not purchasable that make your life wonderful) - where as living better was buying a bigger house, getting more stuff. I'm probably not doing the concept justice - but the story hit a nerve. I decided to see in my own way what better -vs- well would mean. My first step in this process is to see if it is possible for me to spend a month not buying anything that isn't needed to live. I'm not talking about being harsh on my store shopping list and only buying 1 bag of potatoes to live on. But, not buying things I don't really need. Of course January is a tough month to choose (with all the after holiday sales) - but this seems like an even better time for me to try this out.

I guess I should finish up my thought. The plan is not to spend a dime on anything I don't need. The question of what is needed is a good one. Do I need to download that song? Do I need a latte with my friends at hot rocks? I'm going to try and come up with some rules for what is needed -vs- not. But, in the end ... I'm just going to try and live well .... not better!

New Furniture.

We went down to Mike's folk's place this weekend and picked up some furniture. The recliners everywhere are pretty sweet. And the cats seem to enjoy it as well. Moab was the first one to test it out.

Day Five!

I have just finished day 5 of my yoga routine and am loving it! Thanks for the support people!

The Wager.

Here is my new wager with myself. I do yoga. I do yoga some days. Not every day. Sometimes not for a week. My wager is to see how many days in a row I can practice and keep track. If I fall off the wagon I will not flog myself - but instead give myself inner support and carry on. I'm not saying 2 hours of power yoga. But, some. Anyone interested in tracking their practice with me?

Methow - Roving Princess

Methow loves wool fibers. Just loves them. It is actually pretty hard to keep her away from them!

Vegitable Soup.

I love to make this soup when Mike is gone (since he doesn't really like vegetables nearly as much as I do). I figured other people might like some hot and steamy vegetable soup on a cold winter night. The spices are really what make this dish though.

Mix all together and simmer.
Recipe.
4 cp (or as many as you like of broth)
1 onion diced
1 tablespoon garlic
frozen peas and corn (or canned)
kidney beans (1 can)
carrots and celery diced
1-2 potatoes diced
salt and pepper (to taste)
1 tablespoon of fennel seed, crushed red pepper, and oregano

Gas Insert Finished.

Insert done. I'm now toasty on the front and back side :)

Gas Insert - Step 1

Gas insert going in. They filled this box with foam to protect the cover plate. Very strange and a pain in the arse to watch the plumbers pull apart.

Winter Evenings.

You can see that each cat gets a pillow. They are facing the fire and sleeping pretty hard. It was reported that we were suppose to get a ton of snow today ... but nothing so far. I of course and waiting to hear from the plumber. They are suppose to be here around 8am to install the gas insert.

Weekend ... FINALLY!

New phone dangle from Japan. Yep. Pink Hello Kitty.

This week has been crazy. With Mike out of town and the holidays. Toss in work and getting the gas insert installed (or trying ... the plumber canceled on Thursday because of snow) .... hectic week! One thing I love about the holiday season is the holiday mugs. Both Mike and I do. There is something about thick glass mugs with Santa's face on them that just makes you smile in the morning. I'm pretty happy to be sitting in my pjs and not having to deal with the craziness that is my office right now. Ah .... Saturday!

Presents.

Today is the first day of our advent calender and it was my day. Well a day that I get a little gift. A raspberry chocolate. From the photo I do believe that Methow likes to leave presents under the tree already. Her elk goes with her everywhere. Under the tree is probably where she'll keep it until after Christmas

Yep - Moving On.

Right after Thanksgiving I really like to move onto to the next holiday. The decorations are all out and I'm now feeling the holiday spirit. Christmas music here I come!!

The Thanksgiving.

The Thanksgiving
Originally uploaded by RocketGirl*

Here is a video of when we surprised my father for Thanksgiving.

Calm Before The Storm

As I sit here, in the calm of the den with the three cats, an apple and a fire, I know that chaos and all hell will break loose soon. I can feel the pressure from the drivers on the road (and they aren't even in Los Alamos County). My father and Chris are down in Chimayo and will be heading back up soon. Courtney is outside of Albuquerque and will be here in an hour and a half. Frank, Mike and James are on the by-pass and will be here in 30 minutes. Needless to say I feel the pull of my bed room and pjs.

So far this visit we have already had a number of yelling matches (some with me - but mostly between other people), one full blown adult melt down (yes - they happen and let me tell you ... NOT PRETTY), my hands are raw from cleaning (cleaning up mostly after other people), and at this point I'm about to toss other people's crap around just to get it out of my face.

I know - deep breath - it is family. I love having them around. I like a big house of crazy during the holidays .... but for these few moments ... I'm going to relax and enjoy this apple. It is crisp, simple, and exactly what I need.

Thanksgiving Time.

Mike and I just went to the store where we spent a crazy amount of money. Turns out that we are having 16 people over for dinner on Thanksgiving (and that is including my family). The turkeys are now starting to thaw and the stuffing is drying. I can't wait for Turkey day. Football, friends and family, food food food .... oh such a great day!

CatManLove

Bend loves his daddy.

Few More Japan Photos.

New Korean Jewlery Box.

The South Koreans that were in town gave me a lovely new jewelry box. It opens up and has loads of small drawers. Wonderfully beautiful - I can't wait to put stuff into it.

Upholstery Anyone?

I just got back this chair which was re-upholstered here in town (at Chair Works). The cats have already taken to snuggling on it. I think they did a really nice job.

Unfriend.

Yep. The new word of the year picked by the Oxford dictionary. Used in a sentence; "Creepy person on Facebook - I unfriend you!" Now word and the rest of the typing programs will have to catch up and stop saying unfriend is miss spelled!

Home & Tired.

Robes in Tokyo hotel! It was a wonderful 1970's James Bond looking hotel.

Hotel room bibles.

Observing from inside the city seems painful - but I guess they do it!


Here are some final shots from Tokyo and my final few days in Mito City. Overall it was a blast. Too short for the number of things I wanted to see and do - but at least I now know the ways .... for the next trip that is.

Japan Day 2.5 (or is it 3).

Today was a day of visiting gardens and shrines. My how my feet hurt. I decided after seeing the 3 greatest garden in Japan to take a load off my feet and get my nails done. I can't count on one hand the number of times I've had my nails done. A very relaxing experience. Last night was dinner out at a cook your own place. It was fantastic (although mine had to go back to have the egg removed). Tonight is tempura and sushi. Hmmm - I can't wait for Mike to get back to the hotel.

Japan - Day 2.

Today I found gardens, stores, groceries, and wonderful snacks.  There is way too much to do and very little time!   (and yes ... that is an Asian pear the size of my head ... and yes ... I am eating it one bite at a time)

Japan - Where Does The Water Go?

My first yen.  My how exciting.  We left ABQ at 6am and got into Japan 8pm the next day.  Basically all of Saturday and Sunday were lost (well lost on a plane ride).  The hotel room is just big enough for a bed that will fit 2 short people and the toilet has WAY too many controls.  I'm worried where the water might go.   Free internet in the room.  I'll try to keep the posts coming.