Damn Good Team

Tonight the Valley Administrative Team got together for dinner and a visit. None of us work there any more but we all worked together for many years. So we met with Toby and Bernice H., Leah and Patrick G., Barry and Carol G., Gus and Pam G. and us. Barry is retired as are we but the others are still employed in the Albuquerque Public Schools. Toby reminded us all that one year our motto was, "Damn Good Team." He also remembered the combination to the school safe was 60 - 50 - 40 - 21 and three of the numbers were ages of administrators of the team. Now he wants to know if they have changed the combination. Somehow we all managed to talk non-stop and relive old times. These folks were wonderful to work with. They created a great environment that enabled us to establish a wonderful educational situation for our students. Even though I retired 12 years ago we all keep in touch and want to know what is happening in each others lives. Of course now we also talk about how many grand children we each have as well as what the children are all doing. You know, it was a Damn Good Team. We were missing Jo S. and Terry H.

It Is Getting Colder Here

We woke up this morning to temperatures in the 40's. It is about time for us to leave this lovely place, but we are not quite done here. We still plan to visit with two more friends, and we have a dinner with several administrators that HW1 used to work with at Valley High School. Andy's birthday is this week, and so we must do these things before we leave.

Jerry helped us make some changes to the trailer that we use to haul the car when we are traveling. These changes should make it a bit more difficult for someone to steal. He had one taken right out of the yard and has learned this lesson the hard way. So now we have a cable intertwined between the wheels and a ball lock cover so that it is not so easy to just hitch up and drag it away. The trailer also got a coat of paint to help slow down the wear and tear on the wood floor.

Anne, you will be happy to know that Jerry's family now can play Pitch, too. We taught them last night, and now you have some more folks that enjoy this card game. I think Marlene won but am not exactly sure this morning, since I rarely remember who wins. I just enjoy playing. Michelle caught on quickly, but Andy was not sure of all of the rules. He will get it quickly if we can play again. Happy travels.

Visiting Family and Friends

We have continued to visit with family and friends. We drove to Los Lunas (thirty five miles south of here) on Friday to visit with 1HW's sister Sue and husband Mike and their three sons and families. James is married to Candace and they have a 2 1/2 yr old daughter Cammie. James teaches English on the Navajo Indian Reservation and is in his fifth year of teaching there. Matthew is married to Heather. Both work and go to the University part time. Matthew is employed full time in the Air Force Reserve and has been on several rotations to Iraq. Charles is completing his senior year at the University while working full time. It was a delight to see this family together and to be able to spend an evening with good food and conversation.









Last evening HW2's sister Susie and husband Al hosted a family get together for her side of our family. Brother Herb and his wife Sue joined us and the six of us had a great time. We had not been together for a long time, as we are seldom in the same city, much less the same state or country. Susie fixed a great dinner of steak, twice-baked potatoes, salad, and fresh fruit for dessert, and the conversation kept up non - stop throughout the evening. Saturday morning we met long time friends Cal and Susan at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Loyolas, for breakfast. HW2 is gradually getting her red chili fix. This time she had huevos rancheros. I stuck to eggs and pancakes. Two hours later we finally left after greeting the whole staff that has worked there for many years and seeing other friends from the antique dealer world, too. We have traveled with Cal and Susan on a barge trip through the Bordeaux, wine growing region of France. What a marvelous trip we all had, and the wines were enjoyed by all. We may yet get together for dinner this coming week as we have not finished talking to each other. So it goes. Happy travels!

Michelle's Birthday

Michelle is now twelve. She wanted dinner at home and a dinner consisting of pot stickers, rice, and stir fry vegetables. Dessert was root beer floats. It was Thursday so Jerry picked up his brother Scott on the way home from work so he could join the celebration. It was good to see Scott who currently has a day job on Sandia Base at guest housing as a janitor. He continues to live in his group home with two other males and a full time staff that helps them. Scott is able to get to work by using the public bus system although it takes him nearly two hours to get there each day.

Once dinner was over and dishes cleared and the root beer floats enjoyed, it was time for presents. Michelle received some clothes, a book, a cookbook on making cup cakes, decorating supplies and cake mixes, and boots for winter days. Throughout this time she just smiled with great enjoyment over her special day. Andy, who has a birthday this next week, gathered up the tissue wrapping paper and did boy things with it like throwing it in the air until his dad made him put it in the trash. A fun day for the whole family. Our treat was to be able to be here too. Happy travels.

Family and friends

We are having a wonderful time visiting family and friends. Jerry and Marlene have made us feel so welcome. We get to visit on a daily basis and thoroughly enjoy the grands. This week is birthday time for Michelle and Andy. So, lots of celebrations. We had lunch with Susie and Al (HW2's sister and husband) and talked non-stop for two hours. We see them so seldom since they winter in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico while we are in Texas. Our paths seldom cross but when they do, it is a joy.

We have plans to meet Peggy, Pat, Cal and Susan, Valley High School Administrative team and others. Life is full, and we are thankful that we get to meet and greet these great friends. All of this happens in the beautiful clear air of New Mexico and decorated with balloons each morning. Who could ask for more?

Today HW2 and sister Susie are going shopping, which they both love to do. I will remain here as it is not my favorite thing. Happy travels.

New Mexico things

Fall in New Mexico means to me the smell of roasting chilies wafting through the air, balloons in early October, red chili ristras, the smell of pinon wood burning in fireplaces, and beautiful blue skies and cool nights.

Yesterday HW2 needed a red chili fix so we went to Garduno's for lunch, and I can report that she is much happier now. When you go to a restaurant here the question is frequently, "red or green?", which also considered to be the "State Question." What they are asking is how you want your chili. We are split on this question as I prefer green, and HW2 prefers red.

This morning we went outside of the motor home and could see many balloons coming our way. Some of those pictures may even get into this blog. The sky is blue and the air chilly enough to require a jacket. Wonderful!!!!!

We have been having fun with the grands. Andy is a kick and he loves to play especially when he gets you to join in. Michelle and Kait are dears with lovely smiles. Michelle delightedly helped HW2 make dinner last night. As we sat around the table we managed to tell stories of their dad and some of his adventures when he was young. The kids love to hear stories about their parents. We are having a wonderful time and today plan to take Michelle shopping for her birthday. She wants boots for the winter months. Happy travels.

Albuquerque Balloon Festival

The first full week in October is the date for the annual Albuquerque Balloon Festival. There are hundreds and hundreds of colorful balloons in the skies with times set aside for mass ascensions and balloon glows followed by fireworks. There are great prizes for the pilots such as a new car if they can grab the keys while flying their balloons. You have to get up early in the morning, since that is the time when the winds are the lowest and the temperatures the coolest, with the balloons setting off at day break. Albuquerque is also the home of "the box," which is a unique climate condition where the air flows one way at one altitude and the opposite direction at a different elevation. This gives great flying conditions for the pilots.

Jerry and Marlene live up close to the mountains, and we are treated to balloons flying that can easily be seen from their house. As we left the motor home to walk over to Jerry's house, we were treated to the sight of many balloon flying by. If you ever get a chance to see hot air balloons, do so. Albuquerque is the capital of it all. We had not seen this wonderful celebration for several years and are delighted to be in the area at this time. Happy travels.