Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We enjoyed a Family celebration on Christmas Day.  My daughters, Mary and Amanda, were there, as was Matt, Mary's boyfriend.  We started with a New Mexico breakfast of burritos filled with green chile, cheese, bacon or sausage, hash browns and guacamole.  Then we sat down to exchange presents.

Ron enjoying the Christmas present openings


Mary opens her first present


Matt and Amanda exchanging gifts


Vicki and daughter Mary

Ron admires a new shirt and sweater

Matt checks out his Rolling Stone music history book


Amanda models her new jacket and hat

A new sweater for Amanda

Matt gives his new camera a try

Matt and Mary

Vicki tries on perfume from Ron

Amanda tries on her new hoodie from Ron

Mary gets a kiss from Matt

Pretty nice Christmas for all!

Later in the day, my neighbors Cathy, Walt and Linda joined us for Butternut Squash and Apple Soup, Prime Rib with Au Jus and Mushrooms, Carrots, Green Beans, and Mashed Potatoes .  Dessert included cheesecake, cookies, and pumpkin Pie. 



Vicki poses with neighbors, Linda and Walter


Mary and Matt enjoy a laugh




Merry Christmas!


I hope you enjoy yourself as you celebrate the New Year.  Please, be responsible and don't drink and drive.
 

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Please Don't Drink and Drive!

I'm MADD about Drunk-Driving!    Another horrible wrong-way drunk driving accident that killed a young woman who was the "sweetest person in the world" and injured two other women happened earlier this month.

Here are some drunk-driving Statistics you need to know before you go out drinking during this holiday season.  For example, do you know that:
 "A first-time drunk driving offender has driven drunk an average of 87 times prior to being arrested"?  No wonder a person keeps driving drunk, they get complacent about the practice, thinking "I won't get caught".  Remember, plenty of people get "caught" the first time, especially with the heightened enforcement and awareness on the roads these days. 

You can give the gift of life this holiday season by offering to be a designated driver. Customize a Gift Coupon to give to your friends.



If you have been the victim of a drunk-driver, MADD can help with victim services for you and your family.



Please, let's not have more horrible accidents snuffing out innocent lives.


Fight back against drunk-driving!

Monday, December 13, 2010

My Birthday Party Celebration

On Sunday, December 12, we had a 60th Birthday Party at The Greenside Cafe in Cedar Crest in the East Mountains. We had wonderful live music in the tradition of Django Reinhart's gypsy jazz by local Albuquerque band Django Rhythm Meat Grinder




My daughters Amanda and Mary
dance to the great vibe



We had a marvelous group of friends and family share the evening for food, drink, music, and fund-raising for the Roadrunner Food Bank of New MexicoThe Greenside Cafe staff did a fantastic job keeping up with us and serving tasty food and making our evening perfect!

Amanda and Tim

Matt and Mary

Ron, Alan and Catherine


Ed, Jennifer, Joe, Kathy and Caroline

Matt, Mary and Price

Tim enjoying a glass of wine

Bruce and Paula

Caroline, Maria and Nacho

Bruce and me

Mary, Vicki, and Linda


Me with Kathy and Ron

Happy Birthday to Vicki

That's one BIG cake! Thank you Mary
for providing such a yummy treat from Flying Star Restaurant!


Linda and I share a smile



Amanda, Maria Lovato from Kewa Pueblo and her daughter, Caroline

Mary, Maria, Caroline and Amanda

Cathy and Mary

Joe and Kathy

Susan and Amanda


Ron, Alan, Catherine, Walt, Linda, Susan, Maggie, Bruce and Paula

Vicki and Jennifer
Ed and Albert
Alma, Ed, and Albert
We had a very successful Silent Auction of local art from East Mountain Artists including Linda Kearns (beaded jewelry), Albert Noyer (original novels), Alma Quillian (sculpture), and some of my pastel and oil paintings.  We raised $414 for the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico

Cathy, Yvette, and Jennifer discuss Albert Noyer's book
during the Silent Auction. Yvette had the winning bid for
"The Cybeline Conspiracy"

Some of the paintings up for bid
 
"I'll bid $8 on this item and maybe $10 on that item..."

Thank you to all who helped by contributing!  If you'd like to contribute online to help feed the hungry in New Mexico this holiday season, please contribute here: Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico On-line Food Drive.  It is tax-deductible.