Country roads take me home

I will now answer all the FAQ's about my Thanksgiving trip home this past week. The drive took 12 hours, there was a fatal accident on the Navajo Reservation on the Colorado/New Mexico border that had us stopped on the road for an hour. No worries, Mandy the pilot of this trip had her lap top. 2 episodes of Heroes later we entered New Mexico. Got to the 505 around midnight.

My mom and dad and the 3 dogs (only 2 of which i acknowledge) and Katie had waited up for me. Dad built a fire in the fire place and Katie and i picked up where we had left off the last time i was home, both falling asleep on the couches down stairs watching reality TV.

yes Katie's hair looks way cute blond and short like Victoria beckam.

No she and i did not get matching tattoos. That is TBD at this point. It was discussed very thoroughly but not acted upon.

Cousins included in this year's day of thanks: Cousin Casey and his lady friend Andrea, cousins Seth and Joe. Uncle Carlin and aunt Joyce.

Siblings in attendance- all but David who went to New Jersey with Ally and the dogs. Tim and his little Family of Heather and Ruby came, they did not bring their dogs do to the amount of traffic already in our house over the weekend 2 more German Shepards would have been too much

YES, it snowed basically the entire time. It was magical! but as all New Mexico snow, it melted by noon the next day. But it did cancel the Fall Out Boy concert we were gonna hit at the Santa Ana casino.

No i did not participate in black Friday

My parents did, and got me a Microsoft ZUNE for my birthday, which is named pepito after my 1st car. remember the little while Oldsmobile omega the the 2 ball solid as the gear shifter? he was pepito too. right now playing on the zune? some cat Stevens.

Places i hit while home: old town, ABQ museum, radio shack, circle k, walmart, albertsons, little anitas, one word my friends SOPAPILLAS! and of course DIONS, twice. i know that dions is true

Also we went to the Ancient Egypt traveling exhibit from The British Museum hosted by the Albuquerque Art Museum. It was very crowded that day and instead of tour guides they gave us little phones that told us about each artifact. I got mine stuck in german mode accidentally which was of no help at all.

I stayed at Tim's most nights, which is in the south valley by the Montano LDS church. It is a very cute adobe house off 4th street. Cute neighborhood but wouldnt park my car there and leave it unlocked at all. Just about a block or 2 from the Rio Grande.

Ruby is the cutest baby ever. I got major quality time with her.

yes my entire family wants me to move home as soon as possible. my sister asked me "have you learned what you needed to from Utah yet? have you met that purpose cause its time to come home," leaving me speechless.

Did lunch with dear friend Kelley where we continued the ageless discussion of how all girls are cheap and easy in their own way, along with other great dating debates and drama. guys, dont ask girls to make out via texts ok? just a heads up on that. its tacky.

All and all a great time, fun and magical, some scrabble, and hard core taboo games at my sister's apartment. Erni and i had some fun sat afternoon driving around the 505 to get him a zune too. Everyone is well and it was a really good trip. didnt see any movies, suprise there i know. any other questions?

The Sandias just east of Albuquerque

CANCUN

I would like to announce to all that i have lost all the weight i gained over the summer. I am back to the 30lbs i have lost since i joined weight watchers. I had gained some major pounds during my adventures of the summer.

Lets re-cap

Phase 1- "No one mourns the over-eaters" Road trip to Denver to see "WICKED". Over eating consisted of the tradional road trip twizlers and chex mix, combined with way too much carbonation and dinner at the Olive Garden. Great show. I loved every bit of it.

Phase2-"Cowboy Take me Away" Road trip to my family's cattle ranch in southern Idaho. Once again twizlers, chex mix and diet coke overload. Home cooked meals for 3 days consisting of the staple food- MEAT AND POTATOES

Bonfire 'smore party where we got a little to creative incorporating various name brand chocolate candies into the graham cracker and marshmallow treat. i loved the Reese's smore the best. We also did go to dinner one night in town to a pizza place (my weakness)

Phase 3- "One upon a time in Mexico" International Flights to Cancun, Mexico for 10 days. This overeating consisted of rice and beans are every meal (i love rice and beans) and the family i traveled with are hard core about dessert menus. We ordered off the dessert menu every night. Tamales, sopes, enchaladas, pollo, carne, frijoles, arroz, and tons of tortillas for 10 days!!!! not to mention the virgin pina coladas by the sea as i read "He's just not that in to you" and other great reads. Lets not forget the ridiculously over prices airport cardboard tasting fast food either. I enjoyed more than just the food in Mexico i promise. I went to Merida, and Uxmal and hiked the Mayan ruins. I hug out in the plaza bartering for souvenirs too. Mostly it was walks on the beach and poolside reading, and EATING.

Phase 4- "Mommy and ME" My mother came to visit me for a week while here for her nursing school reunion. Her chums of 30 years and i went out to eat a lot that week. Cine Grill my favorite Italian food place in the SLC, Mexican food, Pizza Factory, to name just a few eateries. Each night we would come home and do the daily crossword puzzle and watch "Law and Order". I did kick her trash at Scrabble one night too.

That is how i ate my way through the summer months. I wont talk about the dark day i stepped on the scale in September. Lets focus on the positive. That weight is gone, and i am back on track and was able to lose 3 lbs this week and it was my birthday too!!!!! i am in the cage. its buckle down time as i head home for the holidays.

keep your hand (and heart) at the level of your eyes

So on occasion i call my sister to talk and while we do so we put on the same movie and watch it together over the phone. This week's movie was "The Phantom Of the Opera". This movie is filled with eye and ear candy for all, amazing sets and cinematography, beautiful elegant costumes and dancing, masquerades and murder. LOVE IT! Calm down, stage version is better of course.

Watching this movie found me revisiting an old debate and opinion i founded upon the film's release. Is it just me or is Raul a bit of a pansy? I would totally choose the Phantom over Raul any day. What does that say about me? Yes i tend to pick the boys with emotional damage and deep issues. The "fixer-upper" types if you will. The Phantom has major deep rooted issues with abandonment, and self worth. And yes these issues have caused a few dramatic incidents involving broken chandeliers, hanging stage hands, and Carlotta singing like a toad. So what!?! He still is beyond dreamy and just needs a little loving.
Raul, is a mama's boy who has never gone with out in his entire fancy french life. Phantom has street cred, and has a void that my love and patience could fill. He just needs some TLC. So the debate is Phantom or Raul? Most of you know my dating history, i have had a few "Phantoms" in my past, none of which could sing or burn down an opera house. But when it comes down to Christine's sad little choice, i pity the fool. I would live in The Phantom's underground liar with him by my own free will and choice. He could write me operas by day and we could have hot cave loving in his swan shaped bed by night. (that just happened! i just said that!!!) We'd go find that evil carnival and help all of the Phantom's deformed friends escape to freedom. We would start some kind of literally underground gang of misfits who sing and write operas and light candles and Box 5 would be our turf. Raul would be left all alone with his fine white horses and girly hair and French countryside estate.