New Mexico

 When we got to AL's, we were early so she wasn't off work yet.  Ana and I unloaded the truck and then relaxed.  When AL got home, we spent the evening drinking, laughing, eating, and generally enjoying each other's company.  

I was trying to be all artsy with our wine - AL went with Pinot Grigio, Ana's a Red Moscato kind of gal, and I went for my Apothetic Rose, cuz I love the bottle.  The wine is good too, but the bottle is the best. 

The AMAZING dinner we had - fried elk steaks with mashed potatoes and gravy, and breaded garlic Parmesan cauliflower.  It was HEAVEN!  AL made it from a recipe my cousin sent her and holy CRAP it was awesome.

Ana had to leave the next day, but they spend the morning drinking coffee and chatting until I got up, then we all were drinking coffee and chatting.  Hehe.  AL made bfast for her and Ana and then she took us to meet Magnum (her new Ranger) and see Bruce (her big truck) and the new RV (which she uses Bruce to haul).  Ana took off and AL and I went to the general store in Bruce.  We spent the day chatting and making plans.  Since she worked on Thurs, I decided to make her a buffalo chicken pizza for dinner, so that meant I had to go to town in my new Stink Bug on Thurs.

Before I left, however, her cat Popeye came in with something small and furry in his mouth.  He deposited the rodent on the floor of AL's bedroom.  I went to get a paper towel to throw away the dead rodent.  Lo and behold, the rodent was not dead!  The chipmunk (as said rodent turned out to be) tried to get out the window, and I tried to open said window to let it out.  However, this did not work and it escaped into the rest of the house and seems to have entered another dimension because I couldn't find the darn thing!  Stay tuned for updates, tho I REALLY hope it found a way out.

Meet the Stink Bug.  My first silver car.  The rest were white, red, and red.  

He's a cute little stinker, isn't he?  Just look at all that room!

There is a spot for Boss - he shall be the protector of the Stink Bug and my constant road trip companion.  Look how happy he is with his fishie!!!

I gotta tell you, it felt AMAZINGLY good to drive.  The Stink Bug and I should get along just fine, though it is going to take some time getting used to backing up in the thing.  It seems like my cars just keep getting bigger and bigger butts - from the Mustang to the Intrepid to the Taurus to the Sportage.  On the other hand, it'll be perfect to load a couple of coolers and beach stuff in to go to the lake this summer.  :)  It should also be able to carry all my crap from Mom's garage when I know where I'm going to be headed.  I'm really, really happy to be home.  I also feel incredibly blessed to have the friends/family that I do.  I've felt so welcome and loved ever since I saw Ana in DFW and it's just been getting better and better.  It was interesting when I went to the store - 2 people said "Hi" and one even told me she liked my T-shirt!

I also was able to report my Kindle as being lost/stolen, so no one can use it to try to download anything.  I'll put off replacing it for a while as I just got a new Kindle Fire sent to J&D's house.  Then I can really start studying for the FSOT.

I made buffalo chicken pizza for AL - she LOVED it.  It's super simple, and SO GOOD!!!  I was so glad she was willing to try it because it's one of my favorites.  I did go a little overboard with the sauce, but I was so happy to HAVE it!

Popeye - the mighty hunter.  This kitty was responsible for bringing a chipmunk in the house, who was a resident for about a day and a half.  The cat brought in the chipmunk like a cat carries a kitten.  I thought it was dead.  It was not.  It got away... the next day, AL and I looked like crazy ladies trying to corner the darn thing in her room.

He mocked me... he mocked me all day.  Between the 2 of us, we ping-ponged him until the poor thing was exhausted and I was able to get him into an empty trash can, hold him down with a duster, and get him out the door.  He really enjoyed sunning himself on AL's windowsills.  We had to run around at his hidey holes to clean up after him.

Feeding the horses.

Paco is 30... and SHAGGY!  They all still have their winter coats.

Then AL decided that since she had a hair appt, I should get some color in mine.  So I had her add red and blonde highlights and I must say, I'm happy with the result.  She also cleaned up the back some and made it look a little better as I'm trying to grow it out.  

We also went to a Mexican restaurant and I got myself a CHIMICHANGA!!!  I think they could have put more green chili on it, but it was SO GOOD.  I missed getting refried beans with my Mexican food, I must tell you.  I've also been eating a lot more beef lately.  There was shredded beef inside it - for those who don't know a Chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito that is smothered in red or green chili, or cheese sauce.  As you can see, it came with refried beans, spanish rice, sour cream, and guacamole.  I was in HEAVEN.  The salsa was nice and spicy, too.  

Today AL, her boyfriend L, and I are going to have a pot roast and relax.  It's been a wonderful trip and I'm going to take off on Tuesday to head to San Antonio and J&D!  I'm still so happy to be home, to be spending time with people that I love, and to have things be familiar.  I'm pretty much over the jet lag by now and I really do feel like me again.  :)  Much love to all who are still reading, and I hope to see most of you pretty soon-ish.  :D