We have been busy little elves making dough ornaments for our tree. The ones against the fence are Meg's handy work and the ones with the blue background are Crystal's masterpieces. We all worked on decorating the tree, including the crocheted garland and paper towel cactus angel. All made with love. We are sending out many warm thoughts and wishes to all of our friends and family for the holidays!!!

Surviving

Billie has survived her first day of work after 3 hours of sleep (Indian Food party and a snow storm make for a late night)! Counter Culture is a funky little cafe not far from here. The rest of us are still on the hunt.

In other survival news - Crystal survived her first plane flight - alone - to enjoy Nik's wedding. Everything was beautiful!

We're planning to celebrate our 1 month Santa Fe anniversary on Friday - going out dancing. Hard to believe we'll be planning Christmas dinner soon! Happy Holidays!

working hard?

We have spent much of this last week looking for jobs, picking up applications, and filling out applications. It has been rewarding to get crackin' on this part of our lives out here, but stressful as well. Crystal will be gone to PA to be a bridesmaid in Nikole's wedding - hopefully there will be a job at a cafe or the co-op upon return! Thankfully we've had some downtime to make some orniments to decorate our Christmas tree! We also took a break last night to check out our friend's band with a light show - a very good time!

More turkey day fun...

Thanksgiving FUN

city fun

Last night we went to the circus. It was really beautiful, like a local Cirque du Soleil, with the aerial acrobatics using the long bands of cloth, the aerial hoop acts, and contortionists. The music for the show was performed by some of the people we've met out here. Having live music really brought another layer to the show. And, it was so fun listening to the kids laugh and ooooh and awwww. Afterwards we went to the Cowgirl to check out the bluegrass group we had met. The music was so good and the atmosphere was a lot of fun. We also had a celebrity sighting while there - Jeremy Irons - Alex in Steeling Beauty, the voice of Scar from the Lion King. The Cowgirl was all a buzz about it!

Today we're enjoying watching movies and cooking a feast! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

takin' it easy

It has been a relaxing couple of days here. We have done our shopping to make Thanksgiving dinner, got wood for the fire, and done some yardwork. Tonight we'll probibly hit the "Cowgirl" to see some more of the local scene... there seems to be something different to do all the time! We have made some discoveries in the local big box shopping arena... TARGET, TJ Maxx, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Linens n' Things... all the shopping comforts of home!

Something new everyday!

Good Times

So we've been here for 3 days now. It is truly beautiful and so different. The weather has been mostly sunny and 50's and 60's during the day, 20's-30's at night. The sunset over the mountains is amazing and all of the adobe houses glowing in the sunset. We have seen a lot of the city with all the history and different architecture. Our new favorite store is Trader Joe's - a reasonably priced wholefoods store and we also hit up the local Goodwill today! Yesterday we managed to get ourselves invited to a party. It was very cool, a cookie bake-off, performance artist, folk singers, a screening of a short movie, a bluegrass band, and so much more. Everyone is really nice, and all the people there were crazy funky, and pursuing their artistic passion. We were invited by some guys who have a band to check them out at the "Cowgirl" on Wednesday. We have invites to a circus performance (for real) and some other things. We are so psyched to be meeting fun new people and get to see some of what this crazy city has to offer.

another quote:

"I want to like this painting, but I think it pisses me off?!"
~ Megan, commenting on the hotel room "artwork".

The mothership has landed!!!

WE HAVE LANDED! We were able to visit with our friends in Arkansas. We drove out into the Ozarks and saw some real Hillbilly country then we got some southern BBQ for Brian's birthday! We got up early and drove for 10 hours and took a break in Amirillo, TX. Got up early (yup - 6am) yesterday morning and drove the last leg of the journey. I have to say Oklahoma, northern TX, and part of New Mexico is some of the flatest country we've ever seen. Cattle ranches, pastures, and windfarms pretty much sum up that whole area. Openness as far as the eye can see. Now we're in the mountains and it is SO different at 7000 feet above sea level- we got so dizzy on the drive in! We had to wait a little for our apartment to be ready, but we went out to dinner and then settled in. Luckily we don't have that much stuff and the house was good to go with dishes, pillows, etc... We have spent much of today acclimating to the altitude and settling into our new digs! We'll keep you updated!

QUOTES

If we're going west, then we're not going east. ~ Billie Jo

Long days

It has been 2 long days in the car. We went from Ohio into Indiana and landed in Illinios for the night. A little town called Effingham (ya, really) - the Gateway of Opportunity. This morning we got up and drove through St. Louis and saw the Gateway arch. Had to by a cowboy hat now that we're officially in the west. We're noticing the landscape changing now. It's Brian's birthday tomorrow, we're going to see some friends here in Arkansas and have a day a rest before the last leg of getting to New Mexcio!

NY state

November 15
There are certainly rolling hills to slow us down as we hit route 20 through upper NY state, but we are still energized from the Michael Franti and Spearhead show! Passing through Madison County and the Fingerlakes, hopping to find a place to stop soon.

November 16
Got up and saw Niagra this morning. It was sleeting and parking was $10, so we parked on the side of the road and RAN down, snagged a few pictures and RAN back - soaking wet - hopped in the car to head toward Ohio. Landed in Ashland, OH. Headed to Illinois (if the snow holds out)!

Day One

Today is our first full day out of Maine. We hit the road yesterday and arrived in Burlington. Today was fun, exploring Church Street and catching up with old friends. Tomorrow we might check out a concert in Albany and then head to Niagra Falls. So many possibilities...