Today has been good! 😊

Today has been good! 😊

Caitlin went with me to the consignment stores and lunch today. I only sold 4 things total, but I found a few treasures. One is a neat-looking sweater. Another is a plain shirt, but very soft and will look nice at work. I also got a printed shirt. And the best one is one that Caitlin spotted. It's navy blue and so beautiful. I've never felt elegant one day in my whole life, but that shirt made me feel like a princess. Caitlin got it for me because we couldn't pass it up! (I'll get pics, but not today).

Then me and Shaun and the dogs went to a park. They walked and I skated. I had some stumbles, but no falls this time. I got about 30 minutes in before the dogs were done.

After reading about wheels with edges, I decided to try some tighter turns and that went well. I can definitely tell the difference in the precision. Also, I had Shaun install a back brake for me. I'm already doing better using it than I ever got at using toe stops. I usually stop without using brakes at all, but I wanted some kind of brake just in case.

I know I'm not supposed to look at my feet while skating, but it's helpful that I can look down and see if I'm holding my foot straight while using the back brake. Using a toe stop has my foot bouncing everywhere and lurches me forward, and it's behind me so I can't see the mistake I'm making to correct it.

Anyway, after that we went to a car wash and cleaned our cars. Both were super past due, so I feel happy to have that done. Now I'm just resting, or maybe doing my nails. We'll see.

I hope this Monday has treated you well, too! ❤️

Here's a photo from my birthday last month.

Here's a photo from my birthday last month. I was so busy that I didn't think to post it. A few of my friends from the bootcamp came over to have pizza and cake with me. It was a good time. ❤️

Shaun had a really delicious red velvet cake made for me. The pizza was from Dion's - it's always tasty. Can't miss with a 505 (green chili and pepperoni).

It was a quick and impromptu get-together after class, but I appreciated the company. Maybe next year I'll get to have a skate party again. 😊

Tl;dr: The show was great, Janet was great...

Tl;dr:  The show was great, Janet was great, the city was interesting but smelled like pee and I needed all the help navigating it.

I have to write about going to Houston.

Ok, so first of all, since I'm unemployed, one of the only reasons I was able to see Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso was because my friends, Janet and Jajuan, said I could stay with them.  I consider them both to be my friends, even though Jajuan insists that Janet stole me from him.  😅

They live in a suburb of Houston, so that's nice.  I like suburbs.  I grew up in the woods, so suburbs are a comfortable medium for me in that things are close, but you still have space.  I am NOT a city person.  I don't think I could live in an actual big city, but I can go to them if I need to.

I invited Janet to the concert with me because I didn't want to go alone and Shaun wasn't coming.  She's like me in that she's often up for whatever.  I think we both like experiences.

One thing to know about Janet, though, is that she is a planner.  I do not mean that in a casual sense.  😆  She even out-plans Shaun, which is saying a lot since he was an Eagle Scout and taught to always be prepared.  Me, on the other hand... I didn't often have a lot of choices in life, so I'm good at rolling with whatever happens.  So a Blu + Shaun combo or a Blu + Janet combo is a really great thing.

Days before I even headed to her house, Janet had scoured the parking situation at the venue, made travel plans, and also back-up travel plans.  She had the train all figured out and everything.  I am so grateful to her, because otherwise I would have just tried driving to the venue in my car (which turns out it would have been ok, but you never know).  We ended up taking the train and that was pretty cool.

But let me tell you, I was LOST AS FUCK tryna get to that train.  I was out there in the streets accidentally jaywalking and shit.  I was a whole mess.  She probably should've held my hand like a little kid.  😂  She was thoughtfully looking at the crossings and figuring things out and I was just melting in the heat AND INESCAPABLE HUMIDITY, trying not to die.  She was a lifesaver for that city stuff.

So we got to the venue and found the line and the wait began.  Then we got put into corrals and we could see the side of the stage.  I could hear them doing soundcheck.  I almost cried when I heard Paco's voice in real life, OMG.  Ca7riel came out the back of the stage and took pictures or videos of us.  We all started cheering and waving.  I love how playful he is.  I was so emotional, and the show hadn't even started!

When we were finally let in, I somehow made it to the front, which is fortunate because I'm short.  We were there pretty early, so that helped.  I've seen some pictures and I look like a puppy with my paws over a fence and only my head poking up.  😂  Janet was feeling uncomfortable in the crowd, so she went to the back and that was ok.  I was paying attention to nothing but the guys once they got on stage.  It's stupid because I feel like I only remember bits and pieces.  From the heat and excitement, I was basically on another planet.

The show was great.  I'd definitely see them again.  I think Phoenix was rescheduled, and I'd totally take Shaun to that one if I could find tickets (it's sold out).  I haven't been that lucky, though.

Anyway, before we headed to the show, we met up with Carla and Samuel for lunch.  Me and Carla had nail stuff and animal stuff in common on Facebook, so when she found out I was coming near, we decided to meet up for realz.  It was really fun!  We all got along well and it made me super happy to be able to know more people in real life.  We'll definitely have to get together again the next time I'm in town.  I also got to stay a night with my friend Meia.  I hadn't been able to spend much time with her since we both left Alabama and I missed her greatly, so that was nice.

There were a couple of other people that it would have been great to see, but the timing didn't work out.  That's ok.  I'll definitely be back.  Me and Janet used to hang out frequently when we both lived in Alabama back in the day.  She's been my friend for like, 20 years now!  Then life happened and she moved a few times and then I moved, but we always kept in touch.  Now that she's just a little 13-hour drive away, I can do that in one day.  We're not going to go years without spending time together in real life anymore.

Actual footage of us walking back to the train after the show:

😂😂😂

Full video here.  It's great.  Watch it:

I'm so excited I could die.

I'm so excited I could die.

Going into a city.

Meeting a friend.

Seeing Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso live.

I'm literally vibrating with excitement.

I made it to Houston around 11 last night.

I made it to Houston around 11 last night. Thirteen hours on the road, 2 bathroom/fuel breaks, but otherwise a straight shot.

I didn't sleep at all on Tuesday night before I left. I definitely wanted to, but the excitement was too much. But I wasn't tired on the road. I listened to Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso the whole way and I was awake and happy. I crashed hard and slept like a rock when I got to Janet and Jajuan's house last night. I'm currently so excited it's causing a headache. I'm a whole mess. I've never been this excited for a show before. How am I in my 40s being more of a fangirl than I ever have in my whole life?

These guys are magical. They've been a daily staple for me since I first saw them on TV back in May. I can't get enough. They're creative, talented, beautiful, funny, bold (not afraid to go against norms)... I could go on and on. But I'm gonna try to chill down and level out so I'll be ready for the show tomorrow. I plan to match their energy.

❤️❤️❤️

My friends have made it to their next destination.

My friends have made it to their next destination. Things are back to "normal" around here.

The dogs looked pretty upset when we got home from the airport without them. Little Bear was confused. He said "Where's the rest of my herd?" 😂

Bear was mostly good aside from getting mouthy a few times. We left the dogs home alone for extended periods and that went ok. We'll have to take them for pup cups tomorrow. Cub loves to go and he hasn't been anywhere in over a week, but he did love having new people around to pay attention to him. So did these cats that we obviously never pet. 😂

I really needed adventure times and good company, so I am feeling happy and good. It was a great break from the boredom and stress of being unemployed. Now it's back to appointments, getting prescriptions transferred/filled on this new insurance, and of course the job search. Super fun stuff going on around here. 😝

But for real, the company was excellent. Please come back anytime, Janet and Dianne! ❤️

I love Trio Jalisciense! ❤️😊

I love Trio Jalisciense! ❤️😊

Quizás is always a hit!

Today, we got our exercise in.

Today, we got our exercise in.

We started the morning heading through the Jemez Mountains (in the car). There were so many scenic stops where we could walk around and take pictures. I got a bunch despite being the driver today. I even got one of a little waterfall!

Then we made it to the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The Caldera is where a volcano erupted and the land sank, so it's a flat area on top of a mountain. Shaun and I had gone before and saw the prairie dogs that live there, but this is the first time we saw the elk! There was a whole herd and it was amazing! They were super far away, but one of the rangers let us see them through his binoculars. When we go again, we'll definitely take binoculars and try to get a photograph through them!

After that, we drove towards the Bandelier National Monument. On our way there, we went through Los Alamos. That was interesting. There was a security check and they said "Don't turn right for the next mile and a half." It was government property and I guess we'd have gotten in trouble if we'd gone onto it. We saw a lot of signs that said "Tech" with a number. Didn't know what exactly those meant. We also saw Oppenheimer Drive. That was pretty neat.

We finally made it to the museum and monument and it was really interesting. The museum was small, but gave a good background on what we'd be seeing. The weather was warm; we're having a little heat wave. It was in the 90s today despite the 6066 foot elevation, but you gotta love the New Mexico breezes!

We hiked the monument loop and took a ton of pictures. It was really interesting to see how people made homes and towns there.

I know I say this all the time, but I love New Mexico and I love living in the desert. It's so beautiful and interesting here. The drive was scenic all day. There were decorative overpasses and walls when we started to head home through Santa Fe. It was just lovely all around, although I will admit we almost turned back halfway through the Bandelier loop. It was so hot with very little shade walking/climbing up the face of that mountain. The end half of the loop was through nice, shaded forest, though, so we're glad we stuck it out.

Here are a few photos. 😊

Just beautiful desert-scape through the Jemez Mountains

A little waterfall under that weird rock formation

Elk on the Caldera. They're the brown line just below the green patch.

One of the cave homes at Bandelier

A squirrel on top of some giant rock formations

Interesting cliff side at Bandelier

Yesterday we took a rest day.

Yesterday we took a rest day. We had lunch at Hot Tamales New Mexican Food and mostly just chilled out.

Today, we were ready to go adventure again. We went to Santa Fe, so OBVIOUSLY we had to see Meow Wolf Santa Fe. They had done some updating since the last time we'd been there, so there was new stuff for us to see even though this was the 3rd trip for me and Shaun. Even if they hadn't, we'd still go again and again because you just can't experience all of it, regardless. The most exciting part (for me) was a telephone with a video screen where we could see people at what I'm guessing is another Meow Wolf location. We could also speak to each other, but it was super distorted (probably intentionally). It was so neat when we realized that the people on the screen were interacting with us!

After Meow Wolf, we had lunch at Plaza Cafe Santa Fe, which is always delicious. Then we walked around the square. There was a vintage car show happening, which we didn't see advertised, so it was dumb luck that we found it. Janet and her mom are into old cars. I don't know a ton about them, but I do love seeing them fixed up all sexy and still working.

We found a really cool shop called The Mineral, Meteorite, and Fossil Gallery. Shaun bought me a fossil and a piece of black Tourmaline. The shop owner was very confusing and delightful. I wanna be his friend. 😂 There were also trash sculptures in there that looked to be made by the same person who made the Transformers. I also really wish I had $1200 for this flamingo/dinosaur hybrid. 🦩🦕

We took the long way home so we could see The Turquoise Trail. We found some cool rock formations at Garden of the Gods and also tons of really pretty blooming cholla.

We're off to bed so we can rest up for tomorrow!

Random Zia/Ghostbusters sticker on a pole outside of Meow Wolf

The "phone"/video station where we interacted with other people

All of the decor in this room was made from trash/recycled items. It was super cool.

The four of us taking a picture of us taking pictures. 😂

Saw these little monsters in the gift shop of Meow Wolf and had to snap the pic. I obviously have Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso on my brain. 😊

My fossil and tourmaline

Iron Man and Darth Vader made from scrap metal

🦩🦕

A bear holding a dragonfly statue

Garden of the Gods

Blooming Cholla

Last post for the night.

Last post for the night. Janet wanted to see Pinkman's Pickup spot (from Breaking Bad) and the Transformer statues, so we did that. She's got the photos for those things.

Then, we went and saw some cars. Specifically, the Batmobile, the De Lorean, the Mystery Machine, and the A-Team van. Here are a few pics.

Then we went to the The Paleta Bar Rio Rancho for a snack/dessert.

It was a busy, but fun day!

It's a lot of posts tonight, but...

It's a lot of posts tonight, but it's the first time I've chilled in a few days, so it's catch up. 😂

Today we went to the ABQ BioPark. We didn't make it to the zoo part, but we did see the Botanical Gardens, the Bugarium, the Aquarium, and the Shark Reef Cafe. The cafe was cool because it was part of the aquarium and you could watch the fish, rays, and sharks swim while you ate. The aquarium was pretty small compared to the ones in Tennessee and Georgia, but it was still very nice. I didn't take any photos there, though, because my phone was dying from the Botanical Gardens and Bugarium. Also, the Bugarium had Naked Mole Rats for some reason. I didn't get any good photos of them. They were roped off, so you could see them, but not up close.

I'm not going to post every cool photo that I took today because I don't think people want to scroll through all of that, but I'll post a few of the best ones with captions.

Shaun making faces near a Tree Aloe. 😂

Euphorbia something. It's really pretty.

Me and a Tree Aloe

Dragon in the area of the cave/maze for kids that we also definitely went into. 😂

Shaun in the cave

Me with a little cactus

Shaun said we can get married in here. 😂❤️ I guess if we ever decide to renew things, I know where we'll do it. 😊

This Agave is death-blooming. 🙁 It pushed through the thick leaves of the Yucca to get it's pollen up high.

Yesterday, we also went to Old Town Albuquerque to look around.

Yesterday, we also went to Old Town Albuquerque to look around. I was trying hard to be good and not buy things, but of course we had to get some candy from The Candy Lady. It's just not a stop in Old Town without some.

We also got thirsty and happened upon the Blackbird Coffeehouse, where Shaun won a free drink for balancing a coin on a lemon that was floating in water. I had a delicious and refreshing Prickly Pear Lemonade. The decor was gorgeous. Janet got most of the good pictures, so I'll post those later, but here are a few that I got.

Me and a Prickly Pear

Some flowers growing in Old Town

A wall at the coffeehouse

I love these chairs; they look like tree branches!

A bat skeleton hanging outside the coffeehouse

Yesterday, we went to Sawmill Market.

Yesterday, we went to Sawmill Market. Me and Shaun have been saying forever that we need to go in there, but we almost never do cool shit unless we have guests. 😂 It was really neat in there. It's like a large, indoor food court. There's just about everything you can imagine.

Sunday...

Sunday, we had Weck's right after the airport, then went riding around and hiked to see some Petroglyphs at the Petroglyph National Monument. Afterwards, we had some delicious green chile and pepperoni pizza from Dion's.

Monday, we had a balloon ride (our third one with Rainbow Ryders, Inc. Hot Air Balloon Co. - Albuquerque), went to US Forest Service - Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands, then to The Range Café. The food was delicious. Janet had the green chile apple pie with cinnamon ice cream and seemed to love it.

View from the mountain

Some pretty lichen on the mountain

Mural on the side of The Range Cafe

The Range Cafe has tons of plates signed by celebrities.