Night at the Museum

When Jei first moved to Roswell, she made me promise to one day take her to the world renown Roswell UFO Museum!  I had been years before... but there was no way I could let Jei live in this little town without taking her to see what really happened on that fateful night in July, 1947. 

We obviously didn't have anything better to do on a beautiful Saturday afternoon... so we stopped by the museum and for the next hour, we played the roles of 'Mulder' & 'Scully' and searched for the truth!

If you can't tell by the pictures, YES... 

it's extremely cheesy, but for five bucks it's very informative!

There was plenty of reading to do!

Everything you wanted to know... 

and plenty you didn't, about the UFO crash in Roswell.

The museum is surprisingly quite large.  Besides a ton of stuff on the Roswell crash, there was a lot of other randomness... all dealing with little green men & flying saucers of course!  

To be honest, it certainly wasn't a bad way to spend an hour or so of your time.   If you ever find yourself stuck here (God help you!) or just passing through... I'd actually have to recommend it!  So although 'Scully' & I never did find the truth... we had a good time searching for it! 

The truth is out there!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...

Okay... so there's no snow falling, no Christmas tree hunting/chopping or even buying, and no hanging Christmas lights all over the outside of the house!  But Jei pulled out her pretty little tree she brought from home, decorated it (with the help from Bing!), and started wrapping presents... and before we knew it, it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Our Christmas tree is up... our stockings are hung...

and our, or rather "your" Christmas gifts are wrapped!

Sure, it's a gratuitous shot of Ming being cute as ever snuggling up with Jei... but it does have our tree, stockings, and a few presents in the background, so I figured it was appropriate enough to throw in!  Besides, who can resist a cute pic of Ming?

Locked, stocked, and just about ready to send them all away!!!

(Jei & I secretly daydream and wish that they were all for us!)

It certainly didn't take very long...

but we're all set & ready for the Holidays!

...counting down the days!!!

Thanksgiving in... where?

Thanksgiving in Elsinore?  ...Nope.

(2008)

Thanksgiving in L.A.?  ...Negative!

(2005)

Thanksgiving in Florida?  ...I don't think so.

(2006)

Thanksgiving in Meeker?  ...Not a chance!

 

(2009)

 

No, this year Alec & I were forced to spend our Thanksgiving in... Roswell, New Mexico!  To tell you the truth though, we both were actually very thankful... not that we were in crummy New Mexico, but that we were together... with our Key-Dens... as one small happy little family!  So although we so wished we were with our family somewhere else stuffing our faces with Turkey... we certainly made the best of our situation and had a quiet but extremely delicious Thanksgiving dinner... just the two of us!     

THE MENU: A full 15 pound turkey, brown rice (thanks Moe-Joe!), mashed potatoes, bacon-green beans (thanks Jason!), cornbread stuffing, gravy, and of course an Etheridge staple on Thanksgiving: croissants!  YUMMY!!!

You would have never known this meal was for two!

(Can you say, "Leftovers!")

Not to worry... Ming and Bing got their turkey too!

Sure, it was Turkey & Giblets from Science Diet in a can...

but we never heard them complain!

The traditional first slice photo... not sure Alec had any clue as to what he was doing, but everything was so delicious and we were so incredibly hungry that it really didn't matter!  

I must admit... not bad for my first time in the kitchen alone cooking a huge Thanksgiving dinner!  (The last time I was in charge of Thanksgiving dinner was in 2008... but fortunately, I had my Mom and plenty other "supervisors" to help make sure we didn't burn the house down!)

And of course, what would Thanksgiving dinner be without dessert!

Homemade Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream...

and Alec's favorite: Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies... YUM!!!

...and yes, we both had tummy aches, but it was well worth it!!!

FOUR DAYS LATER...

So after four straight days of nothing but turkey sandwiches, turkey paninis, turkey & gravy, and everything else turkey related... we finally finished all the leftovers, and we are officially, completely, and 100 percent absolutely sick of anything TURKEY for dinner!!!  With that being said, we sure did eat well for those four days!  Hope everyone enjoyed their leftovers just as much as we did!  

  

Adjusting to a New Home

So after a long and somewhat stressful 16 hour car ride... Ming & Bing finally got let out of their traveling mobile cage and into their new 'temporary' residence. Naturally there was some adjusting to do... but it wasn't long before their curiosities took over, they forgot about their beloved cat-tree, and they both felt right at home again! 

 Bing's two favorite things: being lazy in the warm sunshine... 

 ...and seeing what's going on outside!

And of course Ming's favorite thing to do: snuggle up & be lazy with her parents!

But when there's no sunshine, the blinds are drawn, and we're too busy to snuggle & be lazy... Ming & Bing do their other favorite thing: snuggle with each other!

I'm sure the long car ride and adjusting to a new home wasn't very fun... and perhaps even a little stressful, but for selfish reasons alone, I sure am glad Ming & Bing are here with me now!

Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft

My first official day here in lovely Roswell, New Mexico was a Monday, so I took the day to sleep in of course... and then got acquainted with my new temporary home, started to unpack, and kept our Key-Dens company!  On Tuesday, I got up early all excited about getting out of the house, exploring the city... and of course, looking for a J-O-B!  But my excitement quickly came to an end when I realized that the most popular bakery in town seldom makes fondant cakes and unfortunately they didn't need another decorator.  A total bummer... but I did actually enjoy going in as I swear this store was the headquarters for CakeWrecks!  And then I found out the second most popular bakery isn't hiring either... and then things didn't get any better when bakeries three and four were nowhere to be found! But just about the only good thing that came out of my bakery witch-hunt was that I got a chance to get acquainted with one of the strangest towns I've ever been in!

As I left the house that day, I was fully aware of Roswell's little & only niche... the visiting Aliens from outer-space that just so happened to crash here (allegedly) over 60 years ago!  So I knew the town was pretty proud of their Aliens... but I just wasn't aware as to exactly what extent.  For some strange reason, I kind of figured Roswell to be this small charming all-American town... but very soon into my exploring I realized I was wrong and it felt more dull, old, and smelly than anything!  

But don't get me wrong... I'm certainly not complaining!  It was my idea to come out here and I wanted to be in this small smelly town, so I'll take the good with the bad!  And speaking of the good... I am in fact jobless right now (unfortunately), but that just gives me more time to explore... so in every outing there is always something new to discover!  

The other day on my way to Walmart, I stopped "downtown" to walk around with the tourists and check out a few of the Alien nick-nack stores.  The first one I entered looked worse than a Salvation Army store and had an overwhelming smell of mold inside!  Needless to say, I was in and out of that one.  The second shop was pretty much the same, except that their air freshener of choice was cigarette smoke!  After being very disappointed and quickly leaving that store... I thought to myself, "do I dare try a third?"  There was one last shop I wanted to try, so I took my chances... and I was happy I did, as this was actually a very pleasant shop... so much so that it totally made me want to buy something, but I just couldn't see myself having a good use for an Alien antenna ball or an Alien clad shot glass! So although I didn't walk away with any cool Roswell/Alien memorabilia that day...  I did manage to snap a few shots of this crazy Alien infested town:

Even the light posts are decked out in "Alien"!

The cheesy Alien decor isn't just in the touristy area of town either!

Oh no... it's everywhere!!!  Yes, even at KFC! 

Now how polite would it be if fast food establishments like Arby's didn't welcome the little fellas from outer-space?  After traveling for 65 light years... I'm sure a good roast beef sandwich would really hit the spot!  

Oh... and check these out!  Who could resist going in here and buying some top quality furniture with Alien greeters like these?!?!  Alec and I have got to go in there and buy something someday!

You'll have to excuse the dirty windshield... but is this Alien decor at Walmart really necessary?  I think we get the point already!

I have to admit... with all the strange Alien decor around, my eyes & face lit up the most when I saw a Bank of America of all things!  As you'll notice in the picture below, it's an actual building and it just so happens to be the tallest in Roswell.  Yeah, I know... why get all excited about a tall building... but to tell you the truth, it just makes me feel a bit more like home (a real city), and a little less like being in the middle of nowhere!   

 

And in case you were wondering... I really wanted the song "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" by The Carpenters to play while readers enjoyed this post.  But unfortunately, neither Alec or I could figure out exactly how to do that... but again, in case you were wondering, feel free to open it up in another tab/window and enjoy!  

Elsinore to Roswell

Leaving Chef Gema's celebration lunch, we all found ourselves a bit sad... as it was time for Alec and I to say goodbye for a long five and a half months!

We drove home with all the intentions of packing up, sleeping a few hours, and then leaving in the wee-hours of the morning... but once we finally finished packing, it was nearly 11pm!  We were both starving and Alec got his second wind... so we shut down the house, each grabbed a Key-Den and hit the road late that night!

New Beginnings (part 2)

I don't think it could have worked out any better if we tried!  It was just one of those times when everything just worked out perfectly!  For instance... it just so happened that the same weekend that I was coming home to pick up and move Jeilene & the cats... was the same weekend of the graduation!  I flew in Friday night and 12 hours later I was with family watching Gema receive her diploma & her official chef hat!  

Being the monumental occasion that it was, I certainly wasn't the only family member that happened to drop by!  As it turns out... J.R. had planned to fly up earlier in the week from Mexico to pick up a van his uncle gave him and then drive it back south.  Once "the Girls" heard about J.R.'s short little visit... there was no way they were going to let him cross that border without the cuter/prettier half  of his family!  So adorable little Anabella and Idely packed their bags too and by week's end they were in L.A.! (Baby Joanna couldn't get her Visa taken care of in time for the trip, so she had to stay home. Bummer!)       

So although Gema was very proud and happy to be recognized for having perfect attendance and graduating with Honors... I think it's safe to say that she was even happier and felt more blessed that her extended family was there to help share in her accomplishments and her outstanding achievements... on such a amazingly beautiful day! 

We weren't really sure what to expect... but the venue was definitely a lot bigger than I expected... there were a heck of a lot more people in the stands than I imagined... and there was definitely a lot more people wearing white than I thought there was going to be!

 

 

Here is Gema with some of her classmates during rehearsal.

Once we all finally found some seats together... 
we all sat down eagerly anticipating the ceremonies! 

 

The graduation ceremonies eventually commenced and it was only a matter of time before it was Gema's turn to walk down the aisle (so to speak) ...with all her family & friends in the stands cheering her on!

 So wonderful to see classmates reach their goals!

...And greet what is only the beginning of their journey with a big smile!

Chef Gema with her two biggest fans!

Gema showing off her beautiful 'Le Cordon Bleu' Graduation Ring

I'd like to think we all were important enough to somehow snag an open spot in the sea of people outside the park... but I think we were just lucky!  So of course we took advantage and squeezed in for a photo!  Like I said... an absolute gorgeous day, but tons of people! 

My new best friend!

After graduation it was off to celebrate!  We all packed in to a restaurant in old town Pasadena and raised our glasses in honor of the new Chef!    

How else could we have celebrated & honored a newly graduated Pastry Chef?  ...But with a delicious flour-less chocolate cake of course!

Fortunately for Alec... he had his own little helper to clean up his messy eating habits!

Congratulations Chef Gema!!!  

..from your biggest fans & your most loyal taste testers!

The graduating class of 2010

I would like to thank Gema for setting such an excellent example and for teaching us it's never too late to discover and follow a new passion, no matter how long it takes or how hard you have to work ...even if it means setting aside your social and personal life!  Alec and I both admire her effort and dedication and are so very proud of her and her new title!  We feel blessed to be a part of such a wonderful family who supports and encourages one another no matter how rough the journey ahead of us lies!  We congratulate "Chef" Gema and wish nothing but good luck and great success to her and her new future!       

To new beginnings!