State of Obvious

My husband and I decided that I would go to London with my sister and mom as a reward for graduating. But, then, tickets were like 1 trillion dollars, give or take. Plan B: New York City.  I bought tickets for Wicked on Broadway (I know, I was asking for it).  We had a hotel in Manhattan.  We were going to visit some amazing places. But, then, my sister had to change her plans so she could launch a rocket. So, off to Florida we went, we three.  (Cha Cha doesn't do press). In Orlando, we went to visit a magical wizard (twice, but not in a row).  We bought wands and chocolates that melted in the bag before we could get to the parking lot (and yes, we bought them on our way out).  We rode rides that spun us around and upside down.  We ate in the Three Broomsticks and drank Butterbeer (one person was too afraid to try it, but I won't name names Charlotte).     We visited a very strange swamp meet/flea market whe...

Carly sees life on another level.  No, literally.  She's short.  In accordance with her unique point of view I came up with the brilliant idea to equip her with a camera.  We jumped in the car and drove to some local ruins.  And then Carly didn't want to take pictures.  Awesome!  She did take a few, though, so here is our trip through her eyes.  In retrospect I should have realized she's too busy making moments to stop and catch them.

I've got to give it to you, New Mexico.  Just when I was missing Michigan you came back at me with a little of this: A little of that: A little bit of this: And a sprinklin' of that: There was some: And we can't forget the (it did, after all, come from the 1700s): And, of course: All on the High Road to Taos . 

First, because my parent's will ask, I love being back 'home' in New Mexico.  I love the beauty and variety, I love the quiet and peace, I love being near my family. But... I miss Michigan. I miss the trees. I miss the water. I miss the flowers in spring. I miss sidewalks and parks and shops. I miss restaurants. I miss walking to school. I miss streets so famaliar they are like old friends. I missed memory filled places, like my in-laws house, the cemetary where they took Joshua to play, A&W. I miss my friends.  I rarely make close friends and I had the most there that I have ever had in my whole life. I miss my church family who welcomed, nurtured and loved me when I was far from home, trying to adopt, and generally lonely. I miss the revolving door that was our home, always someone stopping by, joining us for dinner or just hanging out. I miss my husband's family who loved me from the first moment and made me their own. I miss driving...

When Camping: Do : Check to make sure you have a luggage rack actually installed on your car before you buy the fancy luggage rack mounted bag and spend an hour (plus) packing it neatly. Don't : Expect all your stuff to fit. Do : Wear sunscreen even if it's not that hot outside.  Especially if you plan to sit next to a lake right around lunch time.  Don't : Forget to pack the aloe.  See above. Do :  Find a campsite with plenty of privacy trees for your latrine. Don't :  Bring your dignity. Do :  Dump your shoes out in the morning before you put them on. Don't :  Be surprised when you find a bug crawling around inside your shoe.  See above. Do :  Set aside some extra funding for popped tires. Don't :  Plan for anything to go as planned.  Do :  Relax and leave behind your busy bee inhibitions. Don't : Forget to pause and appreciate the total isolation.  No phone, no internet, no TV.  Bliss.

We've been having a good time down here on the farm. We don't really live on a farm, although we do live in the sticks.  30 minutes from the nearest Target, I am barely surviving. Instead of going to Target, we've been off adventurating.  That's not really a word, I just made it up.  If you just play along it could become the next redonkulous.  People say that, really.  It's redonkulous. Anyhow, we've been places like here: And, can you believe this little bit of fancy was tucked down inside? Eric was scared to go all the way up the ladder.  It was amusing. We also visited this little Pueblo town.  I am in love with New Mexico's churches. And finally, we went camping.  Can you believe this was our first actual overnight camping trip as a family?  Me either.  We are planning to go again this weekend. Life is good. p.s. All this wonder is within 2 hours of our house.  Teehee, you look a little green with envy....