Christmas Tree Adventure

December 23, 2010 by Robbie in Cortez

Finally, we decided to go and get our tree. First, I searched high and low for a saw, as we didn't have one (last year we used an axe). When I finally found one, Seraph, Isabell, her friend Gennys and I started our long hike in search for our perfect tree. We climbed a hill, and marched through long untamed, dried, yellow grass. We then started up a rocky snow covered hill, panting all the way up. We slipped, rested, crawled up on all fours, and eventually spotted our tree encircled in a giant halo. When we reached our destintion, we gave great praise to our tree, cut it down, and dragged it 50 yards back to our house!

It's nice to live so close, so we can hike up and cut down a christmas tree!

Christmas Gifts

December 21, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Hello!  Some of the gifts from us may arrive on time for Epiphany, as it's taken awhile to get my act together.

I sent Saie & Greg's and Adam & Joanna's gifts to Mom's house, and there are 2 parts to Mom & Bob's gifts.  Sam, Emma, Duncan and Berry's gifts are coming! 

Yayoe & John - your gift is getting mailed you your house.

Jenny, Destin, and Jordan's gifts won't come until latter, but I'll call and tell you what it is on Christmas!

Dad & Ana's gift was sent to the Springfield address.

GOOD NEWS!!! Things are looking up!

December 10, 2010 by Robbie in Cortez

I finished my last class on Tuesday. I handed in my portfolio, went out with a few friends and celebrated with a glass of wine. Today I got my test results back and I past both of them! My reading endorsement test will now allow me to be paid $25 an hour. I also heard from the masters program that said that Taos schools are now involved in the program, and I can go there to participate in the program next fall without me traveling more than forty minutes to another school. I do need to think about this, as my principal told me that there is a chance that I can get a "real" teaching job at Velarde next fall, either teaching kindergarten or first grade. Velarde has past AYP for the last five years, and getting a teaching job here, would look very impressive on my resume. AAHH, choices! What to do, what to do...

Praise!!!

December 03, 2010 by Robbie in Cortez

I am quickly coming to the end of my Alternative Teaching Program. I have one class on Saturday and a final class on Tuesday. For one of my classes I have to do student teaching. My job is basically my student teaching. My advisor comes and observes me while I teach and I also needed my principal, Mrs. Lopez, to come and observe. Anyway, my advisor came in and said that I did a wonderful job teaching and said that I was a natural and I am going to be a successful teacher. Mrs. Lopez couldn't make it to either observation and finally came in today with Angela another Title 1 reading teacher from Alcalde. Angela observed me with first graders and also said that I was a wonderful teacher, and "it was a fresh of breath air to watch me teach." Mrs. Lopez finally came in to observe and also said that I was a terrrific teacher and said she would hire me on the spot as a teacher (right now I am reading tutor). None of the observers had any negative feedback. The critique from Mrs. Lopez was the high for me, as she is an excellent educator with an incredible teaching background. For her to give me that feedback, made my day, and I now know that I will be a very effective and influential teacher.

Happy Birthday Robbie!

December 01, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy Birthday Robbie!  38 amazing years, and just getting better!

Thanksgiving

November 25, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy Thanksgiving, and Happy Birthday Sam!!! (Your birth still makes this the most memorable holiday!)

Busy Week!

November 18, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

The week has kept us all on our toes! 

Isa came home early on Monday with a stomach and headache, and then stayed home on Tuesday.  She was much recovered by Wednesday.  Monday night she was feeling good enough for us all to go see Mega Mind, which was fun.

Yesterday, Robbie had his advisor come and observe his classroom.  Overall they told him what we already knew.  He's a pretty awesome teacher.

I've been getting the computers in the store, cafe, and ski shop all set up for opening day.  I've spent huge amounts of time in the cave where the server lives, updating records.  We have a new manager in the cafe, so I had to clear all the old info, and re-enter the new menu into the POS system.  Additionally, the managers - who have never really learned to set up anything in the 2 yr old POS system - are out of town today, so I'm running over to do some sales training this morning. 

Somewhere in there I've finished up the kitchen remodel (the new light fixture goes in this morning).  I'll post before and after pics when I get the chance.  Also, I think there's a holiday next week : ) and Alex will be out to visit.  Should be a fun time, and our snow's great, so Robbie and Isa should get some runs in!

I am still alive and kicking...barely!

November 12, 2010 by Robbie in Cortez

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have been drowning in a flood of final school projects and work. I have a huge portfolio due at the beginning of December. Luckily, I had most of the work done for it, but I had a lot of other smaller projects that I have to finish. During my lunch break I have been typing up these papers and stressing out. I have realized that I don't multitask well and stress out quickly. On top of this project, I started another class and hoping it would be easy without any projects. No such luck! I have a webquest project due with a partner who is meticulous about every little detail. I just want to finish the project, but she wants to make sure every little detail is flushed out. AUGH! I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel though. Finally, the last stressful item on my agenda is that I have to take competency and reading endorsement test on Saturday the 13th. The competency test is for graduation and the reading endorsement test is for work. Once these projects are finished in early December, I will have finished the program.

Work is going well, and I do enjoy the students. I work with students that are just below benchmark, from 1st-6th grade. I will work there for a year, and next year I have been accepted in a Masters of Education for Special Needs program. Through a special grant, they will pay for my schooling, place me in an independent school district and pay me $30,000 a year.

I have also been dealing with buying a new car. I have been looking at the new Ford Fiesta, but have had no luck with the Taos dealer. I am now in contact with a dealer in Albuquerque who seems to interested in working with me.

Once December comes around, I can finally relax for a little while!

Marking the 11th hour of the 11th day of the ...

November 11, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Marking the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.  While I strongly believe we should honor all vets, I wish we'd honor them better by ending wars.  Try spending 1 day NOT hating something or someone - even those that really piss you off.  One part of a better world is allowing everyone to have a different opinion, and being ok with that.

Generic Heading

November 10, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

SNOW!!!!

Cleaning closets

October 20, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

So yesterday afternoon I pulled everything out of our bedroom closet.  It's pretty big, and we've spent a year shoving bags and boxes of random crap into it.  At this point Robbie gets home, takes a look at the pile on the floor, and promptly lies down on the couch with a washcloth over his eyes, saying he has a headache!  I don't know why he doesn't understand my OCD episodes.

Anyway, I have spent this morning sorting through years of saved papers, documents, and again, random crap.  I know have neatly labled expandos for each year, with only the really important documents (I realized I don't need to keep EVEY bank statement and bill from 2006).  Sadly the pile hasn't gotten smaller.  Now I have a pile of paper the height of Isa that we'll need to burn.  We don't have a shredder or recycling, so I think we'll roast marshmellos tonight by the warmth of burning check registars.

A last note on all the paperwork.  I noticed that the times we;ve been really broke, we kept amazing records.  The years when we were a part of the free spending economic process, our records are sloppy and incomplete.  I guess we didn't care about every possible tax write off then.

Long Time, No Post

October 19, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Hello All!  I've been on vacation off and on the last two weeks, so we haven't had much time to post! 

We had a great visit with Hanni, Charles and Judy for Hanni's birthday.  Poor Hanni had a cold, but still managed to be cheeful and fun.  It was fun to catch up with everyone and show them around the area.  I only managed to get everyone lost once!!  Charles and Judy drove back to WY on Sunday the 10th.  Isa and I camped out in our campground on Sunday night, and Robbie and I went to Ojo Caliente on Monday night for our anniversery. 

 Isa was sick with a cold during the week, but was better on Friday.  Friday, Robbie delivered Hanni to the airport and then joined Isa's class at the ABQ Natural History Museum for an overnight field trip.  Sat we all met in Santa Fe and used a gift certificate we had to stay at a resort there.  Isa had a friend along so that was fun.  The rest of the weekend was low key, with me back to work tonight.

I've spent the day working on our 2009 taxes (arrggggg).  I don't know why we have to be all biblical and have tax season coinside with the end of ski season!  We're working on a USDA loan for a house and property in Dixon so I've got to get them done though, sigh....

Happy Anniversery!

October 11, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy Anniversery Robbie!!  13 years - wow - here's to many more : )

BTW Adam, Robbie wants to know if you really can get lucky by drinking mocha.  Hee hee, maybe he'll become a coffee drinker after all.

Labor Day

September 06, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Just a quick hello before I head off to labor on this Labor Day morning!

We've been "spring" cleaning this week.  I've filled Robbie's Audi w/ boxes from the kitchen, and I still have to fit in 2 garbage bags full of old linins.  Both Robbie & I have gutted the old clothes from our closets (we did Isa's clothers at the begining of the summer - but with all of her growing, we could stand to do it again).  Last night we rearranged the living room, opening everything up and making more breathing room.  There's sill a bunch of boxes in our bedroom closet to go through, which scares me!

Other than that, we went and picked raspberries yesterday.  There were slim pickings, as most of the berries won't be ready until next week.  We'll try to make a jar or two of jam with what we have, and sneak over to pick more next week.

Well, off to work.  I wonder if holidays, like Labor Day, will fall to the way-side as more of the US economy moved towards the service industry.  Remember to thank your grocery clerk, barista, or anyone else working today so that you don't have to!

This week Isa continues to be sick

September 03, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

This week Isa continues to be sick.  She tried school on Tuesday (made it half day), went all day on Wednesday, but was home yesterday and today.  Her nose is swollen and scabby (gross), but she's starting to get better.  She was feeling well enough to create a dark wizards spell book this morning! 

On Wednesday Robbie and I went to a farm with our friend Amanda to pick tomatoes.  We stayed to help pick 1000+ pounds of veggies for the food bank, and bringing home 2 large buckets of tomatoes, and a box of peppers, chilies, and mellons.  Isa and I worked late canning tomatoes, and I now have canned tomatoes and tomato sauce to go with my pickeled green beans.  This weekend we're hoping to pick raspberries for jam, and next week it will be apples!  In the next week or two we may go out and dig potatos with Amanda.  I feel a bit like animals hording for the winter!

Robbie started work today.  He missed the training in August, so he's in doing an observation with another Title 1 Tutor today.  Next week he should get a regular schedule.

Weekend Fun

August 31, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

We had another great - but busy - weekend!  There was a mycology (mushroom) group here this weekend.  So we watched a bunch of middle-aged nerdy science guys & gals scour our mt, and display 150 different types of mushrooms.  This inspired us to go on our own hunt/picnic on Sat afternoon.  We filled a basket with lots of cool fungi to dissect (at this point we don't know enough to actually eat anything!), and made a lot of spore prints.  Over all it was a lot like Easter egg hunting.On Sun there was the Santa Rosa Festival in Dixon (where Isa goes to school).  So we went over and walked in the parade.  We were all pretty tired, and headed home soon after. 

Yesterday Isa woke up with a stuffed up nose and sore throat.  She ended up staying home, while Robbie headed to Velarde to get his new job set up.  He will be a Title 1 tuoter, working with K-3rd graders who are having reading problems.  It starts at 25 hr per week, and could quickly go up to 40 hr.  It will also give him the perfect foot in the door if they open up a second 3rd grade classroom! 

My Baby Is Home!

August 25, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Sadly, I'm not talking about Robbie or Isabell, but my car.  We picked up my beautiful girl, after 6 months and 4 mechanics later (only in NM)!  We quickly took her down and got her washed up so she's all shinny and new looking.  She's still driving a little rough, but that's to be expected after sitting so long (and it's been awhile since I've driven a stick).

We also spent the morning detailing the Subaru.  Robbie's new-to-us car should be here next week, and he already has some interested buyers in the Subaru.  So we buckled down and scrubbed away 9 years of gross.  We kept joking that the old boy would know something was up as I removed ancient raisins, Cheerios, and glitter!

So the Cortez family once again has happy cars!  We're easy to please.

Budgets and Carnivals

August 24, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

We had a fun yet exhausting weekend.  Some of the exhaustion was our own fault as we all stayed up way too late on Friday and Saturday nights. 

Poor Robbie, on Friday I made him sit with me and update our budget.  We reviewed all of our statements from the summer, and by the end we couldn't help but laugh at ourselves.  It was clearly a child free summer!  We could see how we slowly moved from real grocery shopping to milk and cereal trips - followed by a lot more dining out!  I rained in Robbie's book expenditures (no - not school related books - just the addictive amazon.com purchases), and we've learned to plug in more auto maintenance into the budget.  After we crunched all the numbers, we will be able to start putting away a big chunk into savings each month, and still keep a decent cushion in our bank account.  I know doing this is right up their with Chinese water torture for Robbie, but it did feel nice to have it down on paper (or on a spreadsheet as the case may be).

On Sat we went to the Penasco carnival.  Within 2 hours we had gone on numerous rides, played games (though we refused to let Isa play the one that gives you a free goldfish), and eat cotton candy, funnel cakes, snow cones, and corn-on-the-cob!  We left tired and sunburned - all in all a good time.  I switch around my work days so I had Sat off and worked on Sun.  Robbie headed out to church on Sun morning, while I worked and Isa hung out.  After church, Robbie went to some friends to watch the parade.  He came home with massive amounts of candy for Isa and a new violin.  He traded his guitar for a violin and will be taking lessons with Isa.  This lead to a round of tuning and shoulder rest trials, all the while Isa and I were giving Robbie a crash course in Twinkle Twinkle! 

Summer?

August 14, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Isa headed back to school on Wednesday!  We're slowly readjusting to a normal routine, though not everything is running smoothly yet.  It is great to have the girl home though!

Almost Home

August 06, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

After 24 hours of delays, Robbie is heading home with Isa and Hanni.  Here's a snapshot of some of Isa's redecorated room.

Rain Rain Go Away

August 02, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

After 8 consecutive days of rain, our little river finally flooded last night.  Our campground had a small secondary river running through that was fed by the overflowing pond.  Additionally several large trees came racing through, though luckily they didn't take out any of our bridges.  There are several folks nearby whose cabins had flooding, and at least 2 cars were washed into the river.  Sadly, due to all the septic systems, it also smells like sewage.  Not sure I'd eat any fish from there for awhile!  This is a picture from this morning - after the water had retreated a foot or two.  It was a lot clearer today, and they finally lifted the flash flood warnings this afternoon. 

Birthdays!

July 20, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy belated birthday to Adam!!  Happy early birthday to Mom!!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since our last posting.  Yes, we did get rain.  It comes most afternoons between 3 and 5pm, rains off and on for an hour or so and then stops.  Very nice!

I've been busy with work, and Robbie has been busy with school and job hunting (yes, hunting is more appropriate then searching).  We're starting to get excited for Isa's return in August, even though everything else feels in limbo.

Please Rain

June 25, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

We're in desperate need of rain down here.  The weather report is calling for it, the clouds roll in, we hear the thunder, but alas, no rain.  There are several large fires burning in our region, and the Forest Service has put out some Stage 1 fire restrictions.  So far this doesn't affect our campers, but without rain they'll upgrade to Stage 2 restrictions, and there go the summer s'mores! 

Father's Day

June 20, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy Father's Day one and all!  Thanks Robbie for being such a wonderful dad : )

Tucson

June 15, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Isa made it safe and sound last night to Tucson.  She was a ball of nervous/excited energy about flying on her own.  I think the waiting was the hardest part, and we got to the airport really early which didn't help.  It's expected to be around 100 degrees while she's there, so I imagine there will be a lot of pool time!

Hair

June 14, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Isa's sporting a new super-short hair cut, but I can't post pictures as the goal is to surprise her cousins!

Sadie!

June 09, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy Birthday!!!!  We love you!!!!!

Sunny Days

June 04, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Remember when I was complaining about the long winter?  Well, in true NM fashion, we skipped spring and landed smack in the middle of summer.  It's been absolutly beautiful!  There are moto-cross trials this weekend, so we're swamped with riders and their familes.  Isa's already made friends with a bunch of kids.

We snuck over to Las Vegas yesterday for lunch and a walk around.  Now if we can just magic up the perfect teaching job for Robbie over there!

Birthdays and more!

May 27, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy Birthday Jenny!!  I'll do a celebatory happy dance in your honor!

I had so much fun with Sadie & Greg that I was making plans to move into their closet.  It was great to see Sadie become a master (hood, robe, only missing the staff), meet Greg's family, and have game night with their truly wonderful neighbors!  Plus, we went to the most amazing mall and touched beautiful things.  Ok, so maybe I'm the only person who will remember the mall as one of the highlights, but there really were amazingly beautiful things to see!  We also saw quintisential New England places, full of history and trees (Sadie - shall I mention the trees again??)

Live!

May 13, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Here she is!  We spent way too much time last night on YouTube.  Ahhh... American past times.

Internet

May 11, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Tomorrow the satalite dish arrives that should (crossing fingers, knocking on wood) deliver consistant internet.  We finally gave up on the resort delivering on their promise, so we're taking the initiative.  Anyway, once it's up we'll upload a pic of the new baby (our new computer that is)! 

Happy

May 09, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy Mother's Day to all!!  We love you!

Ahhhh!

May 01, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Our internet has (again) been off and on this week.  I've just now picked up a very low signal, which is amazing as we got 8" of snow last night and our power was out for 6 hours.  I'm glad I've only planted things that are hardy to -30 degrees.  Sigh....

Back Home

April 13, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

We made it back around midnight.  There were spectacular lightning storms all the way up from ABQ.  The house was in one piece and the cats still loved us, so we couldn't have been gone too long.  Robbie will pick up Shiloh today, so we'll see if she's still speaking (barking) to us.  We're letting Isa sleep in a little this morning.  Robbie will be taking her down to school in a while.  We've got inventory underway at the store today and tomorrow, so I'm not sure it I'll be down here or up doing laundry.  Sigh... back to real life.

Soon!

April 07, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

We're heading out to the airport in a few minutes.  See you all soon!

Internet Down

April 03, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Sorry folks, the internet at home has been down this week, so I'm sending a quick hello from the store.   

Yes We Can

March 28, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

My old friend from SEHS, Tove, wrote & posted this little poem on Facebook.  Thought you all might enjoy it!

"I do like it Uncle Sam, I do like it Sam I am.  I do not like these dirty crooks (corporations and banks), Neither how they cook the books.  I do not like when republicans steal, I do not like their secret deals (that usually have something to do with my freedoms or my body).  I do like this Speaker Nan, I do like the "YES WE CAN!".  I do like this kind of hope, I do like it, Hope!  Hope, Hope!" (author Tove)

Earth Hour

March 27, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Just a reminder to everyone that tomorrow at 8:30pm is Earth Hour.  Turn off your lights!!

Getting Excited

March 26, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

I bought a new dress for Easter and Sadie's graduation!  Now I need to dig out "grown-up" shoes from storage.  I'm starting to get giddy with thoughts of Oregon spring time! (Thankfully I don't suffer from the evil allergies)

Soup

March 25, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

I made veggie soup today.  The fact that it turned purple from the cabbage was just a plus!

Happy Birthday!

March 05, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy Birthday Dad!!  I hope you have a great day, with just the right amount of rest and family craziness!  We love & miss you - can't wait to see you in April!

e-mail via familyofadam

March 04, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Well, everytime I've tried to open my today my internet kicks off-line, and the last family post I wrote was lost, so I'm going to keep this short!  A huge thank you to Mom for the little packages of magazines and goodies.  They came on my night off, so we all scoured the Smithsonians at the lodge.  If anyone knows what the Easter plan is please let me know so I can make travel plans.  I can't wait to see everyone - though the thought of growing green things might be nearly as strong of a draw!!

Getting better

February 22, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Things are getting better here, though my cars still in the shop.  We're in the middle of a large storm system.  While this brings in great new pwder, it keeps knocking out my internet connection.  Sigh... more when the signal is stronger!

When it rains, it pours!

February 16, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Hey everyone!  Sorry I've been out of the loop lately (what's new...?).  Our internet is still a little screwy at the house.  My car's been in the shop for 2 weeks - the timing belt went out, and it took awhile to find a reliable place.  A few days after that, I started to have problems with my back again.  It's been over a year since it's bothered me, and I still don't know if it's a muscle or pinched nerve problem.  It's starting to get better now, so I'm feeling a lot happier.  Huge thanks to Adam and Sadie who sent me books and movies, all of which helped a lot when I've been stuck in bed!  We survived the holiday weekend at work (some of our largest skier counts yet), but V-Day got pushed aside a bit.  Between Robbie's foot on his birthday, Isa's birthday getting snowed out, and my back on V-Day, we've been failing in the celebrations these days.  I think we'll try a fun day trip one of these weekends to make up for it.  Anyway, I think about you all a lot, and I can't wait until April!!

Minnesota

February 06, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

This is a picture of Minnesota.  He's a coyote (wolf?) mix that has been hanging out at the resort for a month or so.  While friendly, yet timid, he will never be a tame "sleeps at the foot of the bed" kind of dog.  We feed him, so he hangs around and lets us scratch his ears.

Birthdays!

February 04, 2010 by Seraph in Cortez

Happy Birthday Destin!!  How'd that happen again!  Just remember, I'm over 30 now, so you can't trust a thing I say :)

I now - sort of - have internet in my office.  Yeah!  So look for more news from us.  Isa not only managed to turn 9, but also loose her 2 top front teeth in a week!  Robbie's started classes again, but he's still getting in a lot of skiing.  It's snow again today, another 5" so far!

As for me, my car's in the shop - we think the timing belt is out.  Sigh, it's always something.  Work continues as always, in fact I should get back to it!