Thanks big sis!
Friday, 26 September 2008
my mudbath bday
During my time in Santa Fe with my big sis Liz she took me for a day out to celebrate my bday since we didn't get to spend it together. We are fans of hot springs and she has long since raved about Ojo Caliente, this town up north with a great spa. I am not your typical "spa girl" but outdoor hot springs and a mud bath sounded great. AND when you're covered in mud it feels more like you're in a scuba suit which is comforting.
Thanks big sis!
Thanks big sis!
Thursday, 18 September 2008
the sibs
My family makes cute babies. I've spent the last week driving around northern NM with most of my life, minus a tupperware container or two, packed away in my car as I visit my brother and sisters and their cool kids.
My little sis, hannah, is attending NM Highlands in Las Vegas, NM. She has her little Ruby Sierra joining her in the not-so-sin-city of NM. There are wonderful hot springs within the town limits, a community of other single parent mothers in her apartment complex and a playground that Ruby is attached to.
My little sis, hannah, is attending NM Highlands in Las Vegas, NM. She has her little Ruby Sierra joining her in the not-so-sin-city of NM. There are wonderful hot springs within the town limits, a community of other single parent mothers in her apartment complex and a playground that Ruby is attached to.
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| From Tour de Fam 2008 |
My older sister, Liz, was trying to teach Ruby about her belly button last month, but somewhere in there Ruby got the "button" a little misplaced on the torso. I had her on my lap and she pokes at my boobs with her pointer fingers and says, "buttons," and then proceeded to push them up as she mustn't have thought they were accurately placed on my body. Gotta love those kids.
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| From Tour de Fam 2008 |
Arthur and Kristi are living in Rio Rancho with their little men, Benjamin (4) and Parker(5 months). I was in ABQ for a friends graduation and didn't make it over to see the fam till sunday afternoon, which was apparently a little late for Benjamin. He ph0ne-bombed my sister and I asking when "his animals" were coming over to play monster trucks? My sister's nicknames are Lizard (liz) and Hampster (Hannah) and mine is Renee Bird (followed by cacaaaw, cacaawww if you are lucky). So his animals had not arrived and he was ready to play. I ended up staying with them for a few days, hanging out with my brother on the disc golf course (he's been practicing in anticipation of my visit but I gave him a run for his money), playing monster trucks with ben, letting Parker spit up on me and telling Kristi stories of my summer and what veggies we dream of growing.
It happened one day that the cautious little man was ok with no training wheels. Now he is "wheelin poppies" all over the place.
Liz with Benjamin on the rare occasion he's not doing a totally crazy smerk and our little Parker, the old man in a baby body.
My 4yr old BFF
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| From Tour de Fam 2008 |
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| From Tour de Fam 2008 |
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| From Tour de Fam 2008 |
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| From Tour de Fam 2008 |
Arthur's Bday was on Tuesday and Kristi made some cupcakes - here is the happy fam:
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
on the move... not on the run
After realizing I am now an adult, I did one of those potentially foolish things... I decided to get some momentum by lifting off into the unknown. Yes, I packed up my car and headed North. I didn't/don't know where I shall end up by Thanksgiving or Christmas, but I needed to get my feet moving.
I have a phone interview with a company in Chicago on Wednesday. I applied for 2 jobs in NWA and a few dozen in the mile-high city. It may take all these people a few months to realize they've got a great worker on their application list so I think I'm going to wait it out in Denver. I am not sure where I shall stay or how long it will take to find temp work, but in the midst of all that I know I am capable and God is good. With that in mind I shall utilize all the wisdom myself and my confidantes can muster and hopefully make some sound decisions about the next season of life for this wanderer.
Why Denver:
1. Some of my favorite people in the world are in close proximity to this very great place... in no particular order: katie, camille, calley, scotty, trev, nik's fam, sophie, kev, bethany, etc.
2. There is more opportunity than Ruidoso - once I crack into it that is.
3. Short distance to Chugwater, Wyoming, home to one of the greatest families ever, the Kirkbride-Westermans
4. Denver International Airport. Those last two words are key. Of course, I'm on a traveling fast until I secure that financially freeing J-O-B.
5. Free things to do outside that are pretty and make me smile.
Please pray. As you can imagine, there are a few gaps in my plan (or lack of one).
And to those of you who live a very planned life:
I know this stresses you out, but don't worry, it only stresses me out when you tell me about the said stress;)
I have a phone interview with a company in Chicago on Wednesday. I applied for 2 jobs in NWA and a few dozen in the mile-high city. It may take all these people a few months to realize they've got a great worker on their application list so I think I'm going to wait it out in Denver. I am not sure where I shall stay or how long it will take to find temp work, but in the midst of all that I know I am capable and God is good. With that in mind I shall utilize all the wisdom myself and my confidantes can muster and hopefully make some sound decisions about the next season of life for this wanderer.
Why Denver:
1. Some of my favorite people in the world are in close proximity to this very great place... in no particular order: katie, camille, calley, scotty, trev, nik's fam, sophie, kev, bethany, etc.
2. There is more opportunity than Ruidoso - once I crack into it that is.
3. Short distance to Chugwater, Wyoming, home to one of the greatest families ever, the Kirkbride-Westermans
4. Denver International Airport. Those last two words are key. Of course, I'm on a traveling fast until I secure that financially freeing J-O-B.
5. Free things to do outside that are pretty and make me smile.
Please pray. As you can imagine, there are a few gaps in my plan (or lack of one).
And to those of you who live a very planned life:
I know this stresses you out, but don't worry, it only stresses me out when you tell me about the said stress;)
whirlwind of life
Since my last post -
I had a birthday! It was my 25th on the 25th and it was splendid! My mom and I went to pick raspberries in Arabela then adventured around Lincoln County for the afternoon.
We had Cafe Rio pizza for lunch - an essential in truly celebrating the goodness of life - white pizza with a starter of a garlic bulb, thanks to my dear friend Eric.
We then hustled to the community garden to gather goods for the evening feast and celebration. I picked squash blossoms to stuff with goat cheese, diced garlic and fresh basil while my mom found some veggies for salsa. A watermelon, can of pink lemonade and a few hours later we were all enjoying yummy punch (with a bit of rum) and our tasty treats.
It was a wonderful smattering of my favorite faces and a few missing, but I felt well-celebrated.
I had a birthday! It was my 25th on the 25th and it was splendid! My mom and I went to pick raspberries in Arabela then adventured around Lincoln County for the afternoon.
We had Cafe Rio pizza for lunch - an essential in truly celebrating the goodness of life - white pizza with a starter of a garlic bulb, thanks to my dear friend Eric.
We then hustled to the community garden to gather goods for the evening feast and celebration. I picked squash blossoms to stuff with goat cheese, diced garlic and fresh basil while my mom found some veggies for salsa. A watermelon, can of pink lemonade and a few hours later we were all enjoying yummy punch (with a bit of rum) and our tasty treats.
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| From 25 on the 25th |
It was a wonderful smattering of my favorite faces and a few missing, but I felt well-celebrated.
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| From 25 on the 25th |
I even got a capgun from my friend Lindsay! How exciting is that?!
And the wonderful Peanut Butter Cake my mom makes for our birthdays! I can pass the recipe along if anyone is in love with peanut butter too.
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| From 25 on the 25th |
And the wonderful Peanut Butter Cake my mom makes for our birthdays! I can pass the recipe along if anyone is in love with peanut butter too.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
adulthood
is this the face of an adult?
I have bills. Does that make me an adult? Is this the point people warned me about, that place in life that feels a bit restrictive to this wandering soul? I hope this is only a season in life. I have to work. I desire a deeper purpose in my career. I have a budget. I have a car payment. I have a budget. My finances require discipline and self-restraint. Yes, this is what they were talking about.
I'm looking for jobs in Denver right now. I like my hometown, but I feel as though I would have to work 4-5 jobs just to make ends meet and then my quality-of-life would be compromised. They wouldn't be bad jobs though:
- 7th grade vball coach.
- Teach a couple classes at the community college.
- Manage the restaurant.
- Sub at the high school.
- Work with the youth corps
I coached volleyball this summer and LOVED it. Really, I am considering the education field and hopefully coaching as well. What was I doing in college? Business? Seriously, why did that sound better than a Spanish degree, or Education with a TESL endorsement? Or a history degree? There is purpose in it all, I am sure of it, but I now encourage my college-bound employees to explore different majors, try to gain clarity on their strengths and areas of joy as they take classes and choose how to spend their summers. I've applied for several jobs within charter schools that don't require a teaching certificate, but I think I'm a bit late for this school year.
Now I am hoping to take a job in HR - training and development for the next season of life. This could be good for a few reasons -
1. I really enjoy this part of the business world.
2. It could get me established in Denver.
3. I could become more financially stable and therefore open some opportunities for the next go around, hopefully in a school.
I miss being involved in the education world. And coaching volleyball this summer reminded me of how much energy I can devote to a cause I care about.
Friday, 15 August 2008
positive thoughts
Well this summer has been interesting. Let's look at a little timeline:
March 3
Arrive from 6 months in London. Sad and cursing the American voices around me in the airport. Reverse culture shock is weird. It probably didn't help that I went from London to Arkansas. Next time I'll rethink the re-entry plan.
I stayed in Steph and James' house watching endless episodes of Law & Order until I finally made an appearance in Wal-Mart. I purchased my favorite beef jerky and ate the whole 16oz bag within a matter of hours (minus the parts I spilled on Stephs floorboard that didn't qualify for the 5second rule).
Slowly I made my way around to friends and family and finished the week with DP and AP's wedding. I stayed with Pam in KC, took the train back to NM to celebrate my niece's first bday in Pagosa with my sis' then back to the homeland, Ruidoso, NM.
April 11-19
Reconnect with my dear kindred Hannah K at her family's ranch in Wyoming. It was good for my soul and our friendship to see her roots. Front and back end of trip spent with friends in Denver - stayed with Katie, brunch with Dave, baseball game with Scotty.
May 8-11
Spent the weekend in NYC with Cody Willard. Adventures around his neighborhood - ice cream in our pj's, italian food with a t-shirt from the owner, failed attempt at finding wellies in the middle of a downpour, adventures in the forest with Lobo, picnic with friends and conversations that continue to replay in my mind.
June 12
Luke and Stooks, good friend from college and new one, graduated from PJ school in ABQ. What an accomplishment. Prayer for their lives over the next few years.
June 19-22
Chi-town for baseball, beers and fun with the hometown boys.
June25-27
Couchsurf in old psych ward of hospital in Reading, PA with a med student. New psych ward is a floor below so you still get the affect with the late night screams. Charming. Actually a really great time and the point of the trip was to interview with a company based there for a job in NM. Highlight was obviously not the interview, but my new friend Tim was great - had good local beer and good debriefing convo post-interviews.
July 10-13
Las Vegas with hometown peeps. Our annual adventure together ended up with 18 total now that people are gettin hitched. Not that Vegas has made the list of top destinations, but it was a great venue for our reunion. Saw Cirque's Love show... incredible. Laughed till I should have peed my pants, but thankfully did not.
August 7
Heidi had little baby Joely in her home - what a trooper!
August 8-9
Was in ABQ at a wedding and decided to ditch the reception for an adventure with Nik. Spent less than 24 hrs with some brit friends at a bbq with a really horrible hypnotist and out on the town for a good time.
Today
I have applied for at least 12 jobs, been turned down for 3, hopeful about a few and who knows about the rest. I am thinking positive thoughts though.
March 3
Arrive from 6 months in London. Sad and cursing the American voices around me in the airport. Reverse culture shock is weird. It probably didn't help that I went from London to Arkansas. Next time I'll rethink the re-entry plan.
I stayed in Steph and James' house watching endless episodes of Law & Order until I finally made an appearance in Wal-Mart. I purchased my favorite beef jerky and ate the whole 16oz bag within a matter of hours (minus the parts I spilled on Stephs floorboard that didn't qualify for the 5second rule).
Slowly I made my way around to friends and family and finished the week with DP and AP's wedding. I stayed with Pam in KC, took the train back to NM to celebrate my niece's first bday in Pagosa with my sis' then back to the homeland, Ruidoso, NM.
April 11-19
Reconnect with my dear kindred Hannah K at her family's ranch in Wyoming. It was good for my soul and our friendship to see her roots. Front and back end of trip spent with friends in Denver - stayed with Katie, brunch with Dave, baseball game with Scotty.
May 8-11
Spent the weekend in NYC with Cody Willard. Adventures around his neighborhood - ice cream in our pj's, italian food with a t-shirt from the owner, failed attempt at finding wellies in the middle of a downpour, adventures in the forest with Lobo, picnic with friends and conversations that continue to replay in my mind.
June 12
Luke and Stooks, good friend from college and new one, graduated from PJ school in ABQ. What an accomplishment. Prayer for their lives over the next few years.
June 19-22
Chi-town for baseball, beers and fun with the hometown boys.
June25-27
Couchsurf in old psych ward of hospital in Reading, PA with a med student. New psych ward is a floor below so you still get the affect with the late night screams. Charming. Actually a really great time and the point of the trip was to interview with a company based there for a job in NM. Highlight was obviously not the interview, but my new friend Tim was great - had good local beer and good debriefing convo post-interviews.
July 10-13
Las Vegas with hometown peeps. Our annual adventure together ended up with 18 total now that people are gettin hitched. Not that Vegas has made the list of top destinations, but it was a great venue for our reunion. Saw Cirque's Love show... incredible. Laughed till I should have peed my pants, but thankfully did not.
August 7
Heidi had little baby Joely in her home - what a trooper!
August 8-9
Was in ABQ at a wedding and decided to ditch the reception for an adventure with Nik. Spent less than 24 hrs with some brit friends at a bbq with a really horrible hypnotist and out on the town for a good time.
Today
I have applied for at least 12 jobs, been turned down for 3, hopeful about a few and who knows about the rest. I am thinking positive thoughts though.
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Floodgates opened
So I'm not sure if you've seen on the news, but my homeland had a record-setting flood from the aftermath of Hurricane Dolly. Our little rive that is usually 5-10 feet wide swelled to 100ft in some parts!
One of the bridges that busted through.
A trailer park that got completely flooded and carried away a car or two. The normal river is the part on the bottom left, but usually only a foot or two deep at best.
One of the bridges that busted through.
A trailer park that got completely flooded and carried away a car or two. The normal river is the part on the bottom left, but usually only a foot or two deep at best.
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