Anticipating My Trip!

This time next week I will be on a plane for a very exciting trip with 21 people . . . some family members and some close friends.  We are taking a trip to Scotland and London! I'm not sure what excites me more the trip or the wonderful people making up the tour! We have been planning this for almost a year and it's hard to believe it is almost here.  I am so grateful to be going and can't wait to come back and share all the wonderful sights we are fortunate enough to see and experience.  Life can pass us by so quickly, so we need to be sure to stop and smell the roses . . . corny but true ;-) I won't be blogging for the next couple of weeks, but I plan to journal so I don't forget any details!  See you in a few weeks!

Look Back at a Great Week!

Had a great visit when my brother and sister-in-law came last week!  It's always fun and this time was no exception.  We took my brother to our "body combat class" which he loved!  He was very impressed with the high intensity of the class.  :-)  We went hiking at the Petroglyphs, which is always a visitor favorite.  It's like stepping back into a history class.  They wanted to do something we had not done so we went to the Botanical Gardens for the evening music concert in the park.  Gorgeous evening, great food and music and the company of course was awesome! We also attended our first Isotope AAA baseball game. New Mexico does not have any professional teams, which was hard coming from Chicago, but, we decided to give it a shot.  Fun filled evening even though they lost. Their last day/night we had a pool party to introduce them to the new friends we have made.  Again, perfect day and evening!  The plan is for them to also move out here within the next couple of years.   Here are a few pictures from their visit!

Beautiful Sunset just for them!

My sister, brother and cousin at Petroglyphs

 

Petroglyphs

My cousin, sister and sister-in-law enjoying the music!

Go Isotopes!

Start to my birthday celebrations thanks to my brother! And yes it was yummy!!

My First Year . . .

It is a one year since I've retired and have moved to New Mexico.  The year has flown by to say the least! A year with many changes but happily all the changes have been good! I'm starting to feel like it's now home . . . and I love it here! Of course I will always miss the people that are part of my life, but so many have come to visit and I can share this wonderful place with them. So my slice today is some of the reasons I love it here . . .

The lifestyle . . . much slower and definitely less stressful
The weather . . . one word awesome! Four seasons to enjoy but no extremes like Chicago
The sun . . . that it shines most every day

The people . . . so friendly and generally kind and helpful
The beauty that I see everyday . . . mountains, breathtaking sunsets,  awesome hiking trails and open land that goes on for miles
New friends that we have made in our neighborhood
Seeing the hot air balloons floating on most days
Watching the geckos running freely and sunning often

So hard to choose . . .so many beauties

I never tire of seeing them

One of the hiking trails

The view from the front of the house of the city of Albuquerque

Another Slice From Kiki . . . Her New Mexico Visit

If you have read my Aunti's blog, you would have known I made an appearance once before.  I wanted to slice today because I want to share my very long visit with my extended family.  On April 28th I was hanging out in New York with my mom Lyndsey, and my two aunts from New Mexico.  I love when they visit because they really spoil me.  Little did I know that I would be leaving New York for the last time on that weekend.  I knew something was up when I saw the "bag" come out.  It's not my most favorite thing to get pushed into the "bag" but this time I saw my aunt Lynn . . . (who is really my godmother but that's another slice) spray something wonderful all over and inside the bag. It felt so calming when I smelled it it was almost pleasurable!  I later found out my mom had an interview in California that weekend and there was no one to watch me here so that's why I was going to New Mexico.  Don't get me wrong, I love going to New Mexico and it was even better than I thought it would be.  I have been treated like a princess!  I've discovered some really cool hangouts here and the hugs and kisses I get all day are just amazing! My aunt Lynn told me today though she is really sad because I will be going to my new home on Thursday . . . my new home in California.  She told me she and my other aunt will be taking me there and staying a while.  As much as I'm looking forward to seeing my mom again, I will be sad to leave here.  But I know I will be back soon and be able to spend time in my favorite spots.  Enjoy the photos from my vacation here!

My first night I slept with my mom's shirt.  But after a couple days I  felt comfy and cozy without it!

I love looking out the window!

In the evening I could sit here all night staring out at the stars!

What am I thinking?  I hate water!

Here's proof that I do get some exercise!

Good-bye To My Aunt

Sadly my aunt passed last week after a long and hopefully happy life.  "Neni" as her nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephew lovingly called her because as small children we couldn't pronounce "Thea Eleni" which is greek for Aunt Helen.  Neni was always ahead of her time and I always respected her tolerance for people of all walks of life.  Her friends were eclectic, and to say she beat to her own drum was an understatement.  She disliked having people tell her what to do, which at times made for very humorous moments! If you have read some of my past slices you know that when we moved to NewMexico almost a year ago, my two cousins, sister and I decided she needed to come with us.  She spent her final year in a wonderful nursing home where she met and befriended some awesome ladies.  In fact, these ladies became part of our "family" over the past year. Neni spent time looking and enjoying the mountains, playing BINGO, beading, and sharing her thoughts about life with us.  We never regretted bringing her here with us.  I'm glad we were with her on her last days, comforting and letting her know how much she was loved by all. I will miss her for sure but feel she is at peace.  Kisses and hugs Neni . . .