First Installment of Living Greener in the Black

The eldest says that striving for a natural healthier life is a unique focus that needs be exploited to the benefit of those, especially people of color, that think it far reaching  -- in ease of putting into action and in grasping the possibilities.

She's right. Because it is not out of reach. It takes wanting it and moving there - with small steps, not necessarily huge strides. It is then amazing how easy it generally becomes to embrace and the world that opens up and expands before you. There's a wealth of knowledge and support out there and some misinformation too.

My intent is not going 100%; I'm going (albeit sometimes inperceptible) beyond where I am today, every day. I'm going to explore and exploit my adventure into this realm and hope that not only I glean something from it. I expect to enhance my own well-being and that of the lives I touch in so doing. May you also, if you come along for the ride.

On that note, Farmer's Markets ...
Attended one with the eldest in Texas in the summer, essentially in spectator mode. However, since I returned to California, I've been frequent the Fontana Farmer's Market Saturdays. This past Friday, visiting a recovering friend, I saw a Farmer's Market at the nearby Kaiser Permanente Hospital (apparently they have several). There are actually many Farmer's Markets in the area, currently listed under Southland Farmer's Markets. 

booty from my winning raffle ticket!

Other Farmer's Market pictures:

Farmer's Market goods (yes I even bought the orchid there!)

Fontana Farmer's Market

When I went to the nearby supermarket after Thanksgiving to get some fresh fruit (a Farmer's Market wasn't held that weekend), I was highly disappointed and recognized how indulged I've become. The fruit I purchased was more expensive and in lesser condition. The strawberries I bought were actually grossly molded underneath. I was so glad to get back to the Farmer's Market this weekend and pick up my fresh produce. 

This weekend, I made the utmost usage of the Thanksgiving turkey by concocting a soup - the ingredients were largely (with the exception of the turkey) from fresh produce and seasonings, and leftovers. There is a distinct improvement in the taste and texture of the vegetables, not to mention the increase of nutritional value. I was pleased with this accomplishment, freezing some for rainy days (looking out the window at the cloudy sky) and the cold/flu season, and keeping some for now.

I may sound like Susy Homemaker now; I'm far from it. I'm a busy family woman working outside the home with other consuming activities. The small steps in the culinary area I've taken actually help me enjoy cooking and prepare quick and healthier meals (my resistant family actually enjoy).

Well, there's the first installment of Living Greener in the Black ;-)

What Has BeFallen Me

My grandson is huge in my life. The eldest and her husband had this beautiful baby.

days old!

Kayden is a joy. I was there at his birth; what an honor! And just this November, I spent some time with him in San Diego when my daughter spoke at a conference. He's 5 months now.

pillow talkin'

Kayden 'n popi

Bruin octupied!

mom and Kayden oceanside

dandy lion dreaming

visiting with a Treasured friend

 My eldest son is deployed. I keep him before the Lord. In this age of Skype, Facebook, etc., we are able to keep in touch which I am thankful for. He's come a long way and I'm proud!

training in San Antonio, TX
"is this the only picture you have of me, mother?"
He has many more of those "bar" thingys now ;-)

full of thankfulness!

A day of Thanksgiving - well can it be with so much preparation involved? Yes, it can, if you do everything with a spirit of thankfulness. With as many trips as we had made to the store over the last few days, I was thankful we had everything we needed for the meal. The turkey was thawed and I got up early to finish the stuffing, stuff the bird, and put him in the oven. Then I could rest for a couple of hours - the remainder wouldn't take long. It was nice to be surrounded by helping hands of loved ones just happy to be sharing space and time together. We even had a chance to talk to Troy, their cousin, our nephew, and few other loved ones.

The meal was completed with sweet potatoes (started the night before), green beans, greens, fried corn, macaroni and cheese, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, gravy, sparkling and mulled cider. We served our plates and sat down at the table blessing the food, each of us speaking to what we were thankful for. An dutch apple pie baked in the oven, which we ate as room became available in our tummys. We had such a lovely time this last full day of our time away. We were in the midst of the beauty of God's earth.

It seems when we take these trips we come across unusual programming. Here we saw several episodes of Dirty Jobs, another Discovery channel offering. We saw snake habitats and crocodile habitats cleaned; clams shucked or whatever you call it and more. The shows we get hooked in - oh my!

We began the packing process; who was it we were taking back as much as we brought? Check out was 10 a.m. but us Norman's had a long drive ahead; we were hoping to be home by midnight. The Rodriguezes had a bit of a drive themselves. The next day we packed up the cars and headed on out, leaving our not so Ruidoso Camelot with Crown drive above. We stopped for breakfast at the local Denny's and then went our separate ways. They would stop in the Roswell (their pics) area on their way back to Texas.

We pretty much drove straight home. Having parcelled off all of the leftovers including the carcass for soup, all of us had turkey sandwiches for the road and snacks handy. The hubbi started off the drive and took us all the way into Arizona once again. He likes to collect caps, so we stopped in two Love's to add to his collection. As we left we saw the hill with the cross on top of it commemorating the Battle of Round Mountain. We saw some of the places we missed on White Sands day, and stopped by Eagle Ranch and a local road stop for my souvenoirs.

The skies seemed emotionally clouded at our departure, even shedding a few tears of rain along our way; yet there was a rosy glow as the sun went down on our vacation. I covered the Arizona span from Tucson, and the hubbi drove the rest of the way. Hours and hours later we made it home, shortly before midnight. It would be Saturday and we had time to re-adjust to the real world. It has been a wonderful escapade.

rudimentary in ruidoso

We had a few days to ourselves before those Rodriguezes arrived ;-). They would be leaving for our parts Sunday around midnight and arriving near noon Monday. We just really enjoyed the time basking in our surroundings and each other's company. As I mentioned we had certain creature comforts of home - so the guys were playing their games y estudié el español. We brought a lot as we are in the habit of doing. We found the local store nearby - a Walmart - with everything else we would need. Amusingly enough, we made at least one trip every day - guess we're not used to not being at home; there was always something we thought we could use.

Oddly enough, I became very domestic - I made breakfast nearly every morning - hashbrowns, eggs, bacon and sausage - and kept the kitchen cleaned up. I walked around the facilities. I went over to the clubhouse every now and then to make sure all was right with the world on facebook and mobwars and the hubbi did some banking. But we also had cellular wireless connection which could be used right there in our accommodations.

The first day I had a headache - symptomatic of high altitude as we were 7000 ft up; after 24 hours I adjusted. We watched movies - The Mist (the book by Stephen King) - without the youngest; he was playing his games. What an intense (and I mean that in the most intense way imaginable) movie! I was pacing the floor and wondered how anyone could have sat through the amped up atmosphere of a theatre with that movie. It still was a great look at the human psyche under extreme circumstances.

By the time the Rodriguezes joined us we had regrouped from our long drive, were relaxed and acclimated. It would take them about a day and half to achieve the same. We had lovely weather - nice and warm fresh air slightly thin on oxygen. In the evening it cooled quite a bit and we cuddled up in our quarters by the fireplace - every day closer to Thanksgiving was a little cooler.

When they arrived, we watched a few more movies - Traitor, Hulk, Taken and Wall-E (the hubbi and I still have yet to watch this one). We played a few games - Carcassonne, Mille Bornes, and Spouse-ology. We enjoyed all the movie selections as well as the games. The Rodriguezes and the Normans tied in Spouse-ology. It was a lot of fun testing the strength of our marriages in this competition. The youngest learned and quickly grasped Milles Bornes, a game our family has played 3 generations now. We introduced the Rodriguezes to the intracacies of Carcassone on the initial level while indicating how enhanced it can become. The winner was undetermined, as we moved pieces off the board before it could clearly be determined.

That's pretty much it for the day-to-day activities. We made a couple of extracurricular outings - and those are yet to come!

the road to Ruidoso

We took off Friday morning hoping to have a couple of hours to spare before the offices of our accommodations closed in New Mexico. It was a pleasant ride - the youngest is a very good road buddy. We had food, we had music, we made restroom and gas stops - and we made away into the southwest - Blythe, Phoenix, Tucson, Las Cruces. I actually did a lot of the Arizona drive.

The scenery was indicative of an imaginative God with lively skies and wonderful mountainscapes and desert vegetation. The youngest can identify cactus. There was a section of mountains that the rock reminded me of "The Never Ending Story" - remember the rock guy - Rock Biter "Where-where-where I come from in the North, we used to have exquisite gourmet rocks. Only now... now, they're all gone." The formations had the same rounded shape. My S-I-L's favorite quote "They look like big, good, strong hands, don't they? I always thought that's what they were". A delightful movie; but I digress.

By Las Cruces, our Garmin was indicating our timing was tight - would we make it before Crown Point Condominiums closed. Oh yeah, we lose an our traveling into Mountain time. The youngest has been very amusing describing my stress as to whether we'd make and his dad trying to reassure me. A half hour away, I called to let them know our predictament; they were willing to make it so we could get a key to our place, even if they closed. However, in fact, we made it with minutes to spare.

We were using a timeshare with a full kitchen - so along with clothes, I packed a lot of things I preferred not to buy like seasonings, condiments, etc. You buy those things and you come back with double your need. Also while those places provide things like dish soap and stuff - usually more is needed, so I brought that too. So the Rondo (our car), same name as the Celtics basketball player, was packed to the gills with all the creature comforts of home - I even had a candle. I like places to have a familiar pleasant smell, so I bring my own. Didn't use it this time though, the clean fresh, woodsy air seem to more than suffice. I keep a bag with such things as these for when ever the ocassion arises - its filled with samples of things, like ketchup packets, lotion, aspirin, antacid, tissue - you name it. We unloaded Rondo and settled in for a night's sleep at Crown Point, Ruidoso, NM - our home away from home for the week to come - leaving most of the unrefrigerated fully unpacking for the next day.

Plum Loco RoadTrip

As I was lovingly reminded, it's been awhile since I've posted. I've actually penned one, but haven't uploaded it yet. But just back from New Mexico it's time to cover that trip. This is the first installment.

Plum Loco is a wine made in Deming, New Mexico. I actually acquired it in Alamogordo where wine is fine as well, along with pistachios. Tularosa wines were recommended too. I debated between my selection and a peach wine variety; the clerk convinced me to go with the plum. It's a sweet wine I found plum delicious. I'm intrigued enough to find some of these varieties online.

That intro leads me into our NM adventure. What a week! We traipsed into Ruidoso, also visiting White Sands Dunes, Capitan (did you know that was the origin of Smokey the Bear?), Fort Stanton, and old Lincoln NM. It turns out that New Mexico is a bevy of history and events that our travels only touched upon. I was quite impressed with that as much as its beauty and diverse people and landscape.

It proved to be an excellent opportunity to get away and relax, see some sights, enjoy family, and, well, take the new car out onto the open highway. Some might have thought our choice for a Thanksgiving week celebration was just plum loco; I think it was, as my dear son-in-law would say, Sweet!

The slides cover the aforementioned locations as well as the going to and fro and, well, our cast of characters.

You oughta Meet the Browns

First let me say happy birthday to my eldest! Love you, Princess! Make each moment a makeover! ;-)

Now Tyler Perry is at it once more, with Meet the Browns - you'll be with the likes of family. The cast is chock full of surprises - I particularly enjoyed discovering one of them was who played Suge Avery in the movie, The Color Purple - a Margaret Avery who has done a host of films herself. Check out what I said about her in my Diary Music post. You have basketball star and actor Rick Fox, the very talented Angela Bassett, Ms. Jenifer Lewis (remember her in The Preacher's Wife - well she has a lot of work under her belt), and David and Tamela J. Mann, spouses, who have a history of Tyler Films.

While being crazy along with Madea's cameo, this is a different Tyler, but the movie speaks of kinfolk and friends, strugglin', raising children in difficult environments and tough love, and much more. Some critics say its a step back, but I think its an expansion of Tyler. Angela took you right into her role. For me, she and the Browns touched the heart of home.

Look for more from Tyler according to imdb.com -

1. A Jazz Man's Blues (2009) (pre-production)
2. Madea Goes to Jail (2009) (filming)
3. The Family That Preys (2008) (filming)

Let the games begin ...

Ever since the eldest and SIM introduced us to Settlers of Catan, the husband and I have been on a tangent. They having also given the youngest The Settlers of Canaan, we've acquired a taste and penchant for this type of game. Reading up on all of these games, we took a chance on Ark of the Covenant and were delighted. Ark does not have add-ons and, because of that, leaves you wanting still to play. It ends far too quickly.

We researched more and found ourselves wondering about the source game. These games were fashioned after Carcassonne, a game with many, many add-ons as is Catan. At boardgamerevolution, I found the bundle of a lifetime and the husband quickly maneuvered to get it as soon as possible - the basic game and river expansion as well as the four major expansions: Inns & Cathedrals, Traders & Builders, Princess & Dragon, and The Tower - for nearly half of the going price, needless to say far less than buying each separately. If you like board games, check Carcassone out. If you like this type of strategy game, the add-ons expands the appeal to whet many gaming appetites. We are looking into getting even more expansions. You can't beat what Boardgamerevolution offers.

The husband and I played this weekend starting with the base game and the river. Wow! We added inns and cathedrals. Woah! Then we added the princess and the dragon, and played that one with the youngest. The only one we have left to play is the tower. The game is designed for 2-6 players age eight and older. Finally so far we added traders and builders. Each expansion adds new dimension and playing time to the game. It requires intensive concentration but not beyond the abilities of an eight-year old. It has the element of chance as well as mental challenge. It whiled away hours in which I was experiencing unrelated physical discomfort. It was a delightful if not sometimes exasperating diversion. It was great to be able to put my mind on something else.

We've become passionate Carcassone addicts! We'll be playing for years to come! If I'm not blogging, answering my emails or phone, I'm probably gone ... deep into the roman and medieval southern french city of Carcassonne!

For tonight though we'll be pottering away at our Harry dvd collection. Stay tuned for the update. Toodles.

TX trippin' - the final stint

Heading out of San Antonio, a week ago Saturday, we stopped for breakfast at the eldest's highly recommended Cracker Barrel - it was a restaurant and store - quaint and folksy. The husband didn't like 100% maple syrup - go figure ;-). I really liked the spicy sausage.

Then we seriously hit the road. We made our way much better than the trip south as we had very nice weather. The eldest pointed out for me in Dallas where the grassy knoll was from the freeway and other sights along the way like where athletes play ball. All and all, however, we were quite tired by the time we reached Denton.

The original plan was to take them home and then start on our way back to California until we made a stop for the night - at one point and time we had hoped to stop at the Grand Canyon the following day. But by this time that hope had faded in fatigue. Instead our stop for the night was once more their home, which was nice and cozy and familiar. It was a good decision.

Before we got there we had dinner at 'Raising Cane' - they have a entirely different spin on Chicken fingers - and were delicious. They had their own sauce which I liked - it was on a peppery bent from other finger sauces. The eldest however always takes her own barbeque sauce, as this is one sauce they don't offer. We really enjoyed the food and we saw the apartments they had lived in before they had bought their house. Then to their house we went with the setting sun. The snow that had chased us away was still upon rooftops and all around.

We awoke with a teary youngest in the pre-dawn of the morning to get on our way. With the earliest glimpses of sunlight, we packed the car and slipped out. Already we had lost an hour - it was daylight savings time Sunday. And so we headed home.

Despite all of our calculations, we didn't complete that trip until 3:30 the following a.m. Still, it was a good trip. I have to apologize to New Mexico - the landscape is b-utte'iful. I really enjoyed the countryside especially after the long flatlands of the Purple Heart Trail in Texas. I had hoped to get pictures of Arizona's landscape but it was becoming dark as we came upon it.

The greatest trooper of them all was the husband - he drove an endless amount of hours during the whole vacation - especially in all directions the drag of the final hours to each destination. He took us, by the grace of God, to and from safely. Thank you dear for a wonderful vacation. At 3:30 in the morning, man our bed looked great! House, we're home!

TX trippin' highlights

As I bring the end of the saga nigh, a few things come to mind ...

Do you watch the Discovery Channel? One evening we got caught up in the soap opera lives of hippopatamus' and the lemur. It was crazy! The dramatic narration holding us spellbound, we anxiously watched the television to see what happened to the lives of these creatures, laughing at ourselves all the while.

The youngest was a great travel companion and a trooper - he never complained - he rolled with the punches. He was enjoyable and amusing. We are assured Cali is now going through withdrawals from the lack of the youngest's presence. The youngest had the couch - and Cali would lick him awake from there. What a kid - can't help but love him!

The last night before we left, we had a final game of Catan. It was tense and at the end anybody's game - but the important part is that I WON! Whew what a relief - the game got so close! times like these are priceless! HA HA

We had a very enjoyable and memorable time at the home of eldest and SIM. I had brought and bought books that even with long car rides, I never had time to read. My only regret was to have done more huggin' - seriously, times like these ARE priceless! Love those two and, oh well, Cali too!

With those things said, I will move ahead with the northwestern journey home.

TX trippin' Giant wise

Well as I continue the Texas saga, we finally connect with the Giant. As the husband kept saying tell me again, why did we make this trip? - all together at last!

He called when he was ready, and the eldest and I set out to get him. Well, did you know there were two AF bases in Lackland - we ended up, of course, at the wrong one. Through some sibling cellphone discussion in which while driving I referreed :-), we finally arrived where he was stationed that Friday evening. Today he is on his way to our direction, before continuing on to new orders in Washington state.

That Friday, he showed us around, introduced us to some of the people he knew, and we took some pictures and then headed with him back to our home away from home so that all of us could go out to dinner. Another sibling conversation insued about what is the best steakhouse in Texas. After picking up the rest of our passengers we went looking for the eldest's recommendation - 1.5 hour wait. So we drove around the area - there were a lot of eaterys - checking time. We left the Giant at the Outback, because they had a .75 hour wait, to check out some more only to find that was our best bet. Outback - it was! We enjoyed ourselves and each other, and the food was delicious. By now it was late and we were all very tired and the giant had a curfew. The men (strange referring to the kids as adults even still) took him back against the odds of extreme traffic and delivered him there on time.

A week ago Saturday morning, as we had arranged, we set out early, after checking out of the hotel, for the base to have breakfast. As it was, we were too late - by a minute or so. Our second plan was to go to the PX to experience military shopping - so we waited for the bus. And on that icy wind morning, we waited and waited and waited. The every half hour bus hadn't shown up in over an hour. It was on that note we had to say our 'goodbyes' as we had to get back to Denton, and then back home before the end of Sunday night. Military life had its effect on the Giant in ways difficult to deliniate, beyond the fact that we needed a dictionary for all the acronyms he spoke. He had worn his military 'dress' that day so we could take pictures. I guess all mothers want to say of their son, he looks a little thin. I'm so glad we made the trip and at least a little time with the oldest son. Love that boy!

So we departed from him and headed north due Denton.

TX trippin' on the Riverwalk - remember the Alamo!

River walking is highly recommended. We found our way to downtown SA area after a bit of wifi banking and breakfast at McDonald's - the Texans had the no where yet to be found in Dallas El Pollo Loco. It was a beautiful Friday. Thanks to the navigational skills of my Beloved and SIM, we undertook and surfaced from the riverwalk right by the Alamo where there was a bevy of activity. There were advertisers of the Circus Soleil walking around on stilts with tiny, tiny shoes and a Mary Poppins I believe. The clowns talked with the youngest, one bestowing upon him a 'special' small clear stone. Miss Mary chatted with him and gave something to brighten his face - a clown nose! We initially found public parking near the Greyhound station and entered the subterranean world of the Riverwalk by Convent Street near St. Mary's, traipsing along the meandering pathways at a leisurely pace taking in all the sights and sounds. It was also possible to traverse the river by water. It was rare eye candy - simultaneously colorful and bustling while sumptuously serene.

At one point, SIM broke out in a round of The stars at night are big and bright(clap, clap, clap, clap), - pausing for response or effect - Deep in the heart of Texas, which had us all laughing.

Learned 2 things in particular at the Alamo

• One of the men who died there - John J. Baugh of Virginia - might have been a distant relative.
• Texas was called 'God's garden' (hmmm...).
  I must say as to what I have seen of Texas, it is the garden spot of the world, the best land and the best prospects for health I ever saw, and I do believe it is a fortune to any man to come here - _{Alamo hero Davey Crockett}

The giant wasn't going to be free until after late, so afterward we weary walkers found our way back along the riverwalk to where we parked and headed back to our revised accommodations.

TX trippin' Incidentals

Before I go on ...

let me take a moment to say I love my Garmin Nuvi GPS - it made navigation virtually painfree. It found our destinations; where we wanted to eat, stop, fuel; revealed our errors and directed us back on track; and kept us apprised of our progress.

Let me also say SIM is so kewl - he is generally low key and easygoing. He took time with the youngest on a project to write a story. They worked it out on a laptop over the roadtrip and the last couple of days of the vacation, ironing out the plot and discussing plagerism. He is sending him the final edit in a few days.

Let me confess I broke the husband's phone. Really, it was an accident. Holding off going to the restroom while everyone else went, in order to check us in Thursday, I waited until we got to our room. Getting in the car to ride to it from the check-in circle, I noticed my zipper of my opened windbreaker was preventing the car door from closing, so I pulled it closed again before I realized I needed to pull the jacket out of the way. When, he found his phone inoperative, I probably shouldn't have said it wasn't me! so quickly. Shortly thereafter I realized it was his phone that had been in my jacket and had been the doorblocking culprit. I felt so bad. Thank God for insurance. Thank God for a forgiving husband.

TX trippin' - not so sweet Suites (loathesome travelodging)

As stated we arrived in SA when it was dark on Thursday. It was about a half past six. We were all spent from our journey and ready for the spaghetti the eldest had made the night before.

The two bedroom with kitchen turned out to be a sad excuse for accommodations, we discovered. Over time we came across numerous issues with the room and were sorely disappointed.

• pull out couch poorly supported mattress
• no glass tray in microwave
• stove burners didn't work because gas was off; when on, only two of four worked, but then it emitted gas fumes
• no light in closet
• no iron where it was supposed to go
• no carafe for coffeepot which had old coffee bag still in it (nasty!); no cream, sugar
  
• kitchenette void of pots, pans, utensils, dishes, etc.
  
• 5 person room with 3 towel sets
  

But we made the best of sub-par circumstances and enjoyed a delicious meal after a run to Walmart on the other side of the highway turnaround for supplies.

In the morning, we found that the popping sound we had heard in the early hours was a transformer - there was no electricity sporadically throughout the complex including our unit. The free breakfast offerings became extremely limited for the same reason.

Sharing our overall displeasure with the Travelodge Suites front desk gained us an upgraded room soon to be operational - we had another whole night yet to get through. This took a lot of the morning to accomplish, but we were indeed much more comfortable. However there was no making their ice machines work.

Putting this trauma behind us, with the knowledge we couldn't connect with the giant until 16:00 hours, we set out to experience finer aspects of San Antonio.

TX trippin' San Antonio bound

On this daylight savings Sunday, we are headed home which is only the final chapter of this saga still in progress.

Our San Antonio roadtrip started Thursday mid-morning after we dropped by the eldest's school. We found ourselves chased out of town by impending snow. Of course it initially disguised itself as rain but soon fluffy stuff was falling onto the windshield. It didn't seem to lose pace until we were outside the Dallas Fort Worth area, leaving us - after lightning to contend with - decreasing rainfall. Our weather forecaster was fired!

The Thursday afternoon weather slowed our drive down to a crawl; it was dark before we arrived at our destination. But as before when we crossed countryside with the Rodriguezes, it was a delightful trip. The husband who was the constant driver distorted a quote from Die Hard, saying "Come out to Texas, we'll get together, have a few laughs..." We laughed, yammered on with quips and silliness about things, and lapsed into a delirium of singing to the tune of mp3s playing. At the end of the day, before losing our sanity loomed too near, we arrived.

TX trippin' two-step

You know you're on vacation when you have nary a worry. The husband and I are relaxed and loving it; we walked into town to Blockbuster and used his Christmas coupon to buy 4/$20 DVDs - we got The Last Mimsy, Facing the Giants, plus two others. We racked up 10,000 steps in that trip. We saw two snowmen, a horse grazing, a voting area surrounded by democratic candidate signs - mostly Barak, and one republican one with mostly McCain. Here, the caucuses were called the 'Texas Two-Step! At the end of the day, HRC won TX, OH, not Vermont but also RI (the difference between them remains about the same) and McCain clinched his party's nomination. And the battles rage on.



The husband and I familiarized ourselves more with Catan, but the eldest and SIM gave Canaan to the youngest for his February birthday. We played that today - it has nuances that are quite enjoyable, but that version can end rather quickly. I received the Jane Austen collection and an ornament that identifies the eldest as my favorite! She's been holding our gifts hostage until we got here ;-)

She and I went over to Mardel Christian - a very comprehensive and inexpensive store. I spent $11 on 4 books. The husband barbequed ribs and chicken at the end of the day; now every one has retired (except me) in preparation for tomorrow's trek to Lackland AFB in San Antonio to visit the giant. He probably won't have time for us until Friday evening - so, there'll be sights to see. Although it was a nice sunny day; tomorrow is expected to threaten snow once again. Since we are traveling south, I am not sure what we will encounter. But God is in charge and we are excited. We have reservations for the Travelodge Suites with a kitchenette. The eldest has made spaghetti and we have snacks for the road - can you say Roadtrip!

She's been playing Scrabulous on Facebook. I haven't looked at Scrabble online in ages; I was immediately re-hooked. Signed myself up outside of Facebook so I can enjoy in the future. This vacation 4 days in has been filled with fullness of family and fun = what a blessing. Going to get some shut-eye myself. C'ya!

TX trippin' climate

What's left after fog, wind, rain, and sun - can you believe it snowed! For the sake of packing, I obtained from the SIM (son-in-marriage) a weather forecast for the week, which not surprisingly did not include flaky white stuff. Where we come from the temperature doesn't drastically drop during the day. We stayed in, caught up on our rest, and watched the weather pattern develop - which really just meant it became colder and colder outside while the hearthside of the fireplace became more and more inviting.
When the eldest returned from coursework and SIM from the office, they barbequed and the snow fell - steaks, links, ears of corn, and snow on the bar-b! We closed off the evening with a game of 'The Settlers of Catan'. The husband and I hadn't played before although the eldest had been telling me about it for some time. No wonder - by the time we caught on, she won the game! It was a nice end to a snovely day and we woke up to sunny snowfall on Election Tuesday. Meanwhile, The youngest played with Cali the yellow (white) labrador, who I am sure was thankful the youngest finally became engaged with his electronic games too! We also watched 'Beowulf'.

TX trippin'

Well the time came when we could kill two birds, the two eldest, with one trip. The youngest is off-track for March, so off we went to Dallas and San Antonio for a visit - coincidentally in time for the crucial OH and TX primaries. The eldest did the early voting, but will be participating in the caucuses on Tuesday. She said democratic presidential candidate Senator Barak Obama called their house.

Anyway to get back on subject, its a cold Sunday 9:27 am on highway 40 east outside of Santa Rosa, New Mexico. We just left Denny's for breakfast after catching some shuteye Motel 76 from 1-6 am. The innkeeper was very accommodating even though the only room available was a king-size/smoking - felt like we slept in an ashtray. But we are all refreshed and its a beautiful day.
So...we left in the foggy mist of noon yesterday north on highway 15 into the sunshine of the 40. We've seen where Cars took place and interestingly a lot of race car carriers like the one in the movie. We've also seen very long freight trains moving about the countryside - on one we counted 99 including the three engines, another with 133.

The youngest has finished the last episode of The Spiderwick Chronicles. He's recording all the state license plates he's seen (even Alaska). We've gone through Barstow, Bullhead City, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon area and Gallup.

Comparing to the majestic moutain ranges in Oahu, I was equally enthralled with meticulous sculpting of the Arizona mountains we saw - the Lord put forth an intricate display!

Can't say too much about New Mexico - what we are seeing is wide-openness with buttes on the horizon. Fernando, found your town though :-) - Villanueva NM! We approach Amarillo now.

So now I am getting back to our time of worship and praise and prayer. We are having an awesome time with mp3s. We are overcomers...order my steps...hold me Holy Spirit...He's taken my heart and shown me the right way...I will open my heart to everyone I see and say Jesus Christ is the Way!

Will get back to this later. If pictures aren't here, will insert later.
Texas here we are! Now we are leaving warm and windy Childress heading toward Wichita Falls; its 1:36 pm Cali time. We love Sonic commercials, but have never been to a establishment, not having near us. Very enjoyable - the youngest had chicken strips kids meal, the husband who has done all but 8 hours driving on this trip had a huge cheeseburger, and I had the bacon cheeseburger on toast which included an onion ring. I got a 'brain freeze' in the throat with my strawberry drink, then the husband got one over his eye with his green apple drink, and then the yougest who thought he had escaped was attacked causing him to hold the side of his head by his ear by his lime drink. No wonder they ask "how many have you had"?
Now we are on the road again encountering a little rain with distant lightning strikes, hoping to arrive around 5 pm Cali time. Saw my sister's block, Laurie St. Indeed, we did arrive the corresponding Texas time 7 pm.