New Mexican Educational Vacation Part 1

I have been wondering where I should go with this blog since I started this, the second one. The first was all about me going on and on about life and those who annoyed me. And also being single and living alone. I do enjoy a good rant, but I don't want to bore the one person who may stop on this blog randomly at 3 am one day three months from now.

How about writing about what I come across. It seems to be varied topics if you knew what I watch on TV and what I google. And I have referred to myself as "The Googler" enough times that my husband has also referred to me as that. I am either "The Googler" or my husband is easily manipulated.

While out on vacation it took an educational slant since I have Internet on my phone. If I wonder about anything I Google it and read it to the husband or whomever is closest to me. This could be informative and interesting or very annoying. I am hoping it was the first.

So while on vacation in the most beautiful state of New Mexico, which I have never been to before in my life, our first stop was Elephant Butte. My husband's family has a single wide trailer right there by the Butte and I fell in love with the place.

I will admit that I have been utilizing Wikipedia more in recent years even though I have always made fun of it. I picked on the site due to my brief background in journalism and its lack of credibility since anyone can post anything on it. Yet with a slow internet phone I take what I can from the first few sites to come up on Google and it is usually Wikipedia. If I want to report my experiences here in the blog I will try and get reputable sites slash sources. I know, that goes against all that blogs stand for (hahaha, nothing personal, I am kidding).

According to http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/elephant.htm the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department site, Elephant Butte is the most popular and largest lake in New Mexico. And it was HUGE! There were a bunch of campers, boaters, fishing folks and swimmers at this beautiful lake. Oh, I forgot the second weekend when they had hot air balloons. That was beautiful too. The husband and I discovered that we both like hot air balloons when we went on this trip. That is what led us to the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum.

http://www.cabq.gov/balloon/

It cost $4 for non-residents ($3 for New Mexicans). We wandered around a cute, small museum that covered the history of balloons since, well forever. They even had interactive parts. The husband attempted flying a balloon. I tried to make my own colorful balloon. The staff were very nice. They have a nice sized gift shop. I bought a magnet, of course. It was informative and interesting. I had no idea that Japan had sent thousands of balloons to the US during World War II. See, I told you there was educational aspect to the vacations.

I ate at a La Pinata Restaurant in Truth or Consequences, NM. I had a great New Mexican burrito. I didn't know they could come with potatoes in them. Of course I had green chilies on it. Good prices and a small, small town restaurant where the waitress says people don't like her because they are jealous. Not quite Flo from Alice, but she would do for some town gossip I am sure.



We didn't get to do anymore than drive through Truth or Consequences, or TOC according to the locals. From the ride through it looked a little like the small town I live in. Small movie theater, a downtown area and lots of trailers.



It also makes me want to watch the film Truth or Consequences, NM again. Although the town has little to do with the film it wasn't a bad flick. Check it out. The 90s had some good indie films.

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A Few Months Later...

Man, what a few months can do for ya.

I moved. I rented my house to folks who couldn't pay on time the first month.

I came within a week of starting the doctorate and changed my mind after wrestling with it for months and being ready (except for the renter money need to travel).

I went on an awesome vacation to New Mexico.

I swear I gained 20 more pounds.

I changed job locations, but do the same exact job.

I bought my first jump drive.

I read a few books.

I started being less stressed and more calm.

My husband was laid off.

We wish we could move to New Mexico. Maybe it was the high altitude making me so dizzy or the beautiful scenery.

My mother might have Hepatitis A.

My oldest niece got all teenager on me and isn't texting anymore.

My sister neglected to tell me she left the country the other month (I am sure she left her kids alone).

My cat is regressing and pooping in the wrong places.

I had to move all my stuff after not moving in 10 years.

I realized that I don't have a lot of clothes, but I have a lot of heavy books.

I decided on a design scheme for the house - 40s dining room. 60s living room. 50s kitchen. The husband claims the master bedroom and bathroom. They will be urban camo and Gators respectively.

I was told I talk like a Valley Girl last week.

Ok, that is mainly what I just thought of. Most everything else is the same - watching too much TV and reading the news on my lunch break. I have been arguing with the husband more. Of course there has been a lot happening and a lot of stress. I just call him on it when he is acting like he has the cranky pants on. What more can I do? He doesn't like to admit grumpy/crankiness and being understanding isn't always working.

Now I am trying to figure out what to do with myself. The husband is on the job hunt. I read more on vacation than since I have been back. I want to read more. I am also working on getting chores done during the week so I won't feel bogged down on the weekends. I am also working on hunting up a second gig since money is so short now. I also want to write more. I am great at putting that off.

So here I have been playing online for hours while hanging at the in-laws. We went to the flea market trying to find a screen door for the porch since yesterday the husband and father in-law up and screened the porch. All we need is a door. No deals there so we are going to build one. I know, with what money? If the renters pay their rent next week it is on.

We ended up here all day. We ate dinner and then the late Gator game has us still here. The laptop I bought for school keeps me busy while I am here. I did manage to play games, read a cool blog about houses, look at stuff advertised on the TV (laptop skins) and generally screw around, I thought in the fourth quarter of the game how I ought to pull up the old blog.

My eyes are going wacky from staring at the screen all day. So here is the cool house blog...

http://hookedonhouses.net/