Currently living/working in: They’re back … Our quiet winter retreat at Fenton Ranch has been interrupted by high-decibel shouting, courtesy of 20 kids a day! The truth is, we don’t mind, in fact, we absolutely love it!!! We are happy to add a dose of environmental education in today’s nature-deficient children, no matter how deafening and tiring it may be!
A nice aerial view of where we live and Fenton Ranch.
We are so lucky to live in this beautiful area!
Current mood: Some days my head is spinning, other days I feel organized and on top of it all.
Currently excited about: Our epic summer!!! I am just so stoked to hit the road for our Te Araroa speaking tour and live out of a van!
Currently not excited about: Kid germs. Our last 2 seasons working as environmental educators, I’ve gotten terrible colds and earaches. I am arming myself with some Lysol and Emergen-C in hopes that I don’t go 3 for 3.
Currently proud of: Making changes to Justin’s diet. The poor guy has the digestive abilities of a coffee stirring straw. Since surgery, he’s had to make some major sacrifices of his favorite foods (strawberries! donuts! gummies!). This guy has major willpower. We’ve spent some time this winter trying to experiment with different non-inflammatory foods with the help of supplemental vitamins, a nutritionist’s knowledge and a fantastic Danielle Walker cookbook we borrowed from a friend. We are making progress, we think. But someone recently reminded me that the best changes happen over time, so patience, more willpower and confidence in our choices is key here.
Currently worried about: Managing J’s diet while on the road. We’ve noticed that traveling and eating out do not go hand in hand for people with dietary restrictions. Funny how you take things for granted until it becomes your own issue.
Currently thankful for: A really awesome and compassionate medical team of doctors and nurses that flow with our non-traditional life.
Currently regretting: Not being able to write off more for our 2016 taxes. Just the way the cookie crumbles!
Currently amazed by: In a matter of 7 days, we sold the Wanderer and bought a 2016 Chevy Trax! It was nearly unintentional … we thought, let’s list our camper van for sale, knowing we didn’t need it this summer thanks to our Superfeet Sprinter van and it would sit again next winter. Our very first caller asked a bunch of questions, put down a deposit and high-tailed it from California to pick it up. We were a bit sad to say bye to our first camper van, but it certainly won’t be our last! As for the Trax, we just thought we’d go down to Albuquerque to look around at cars. Found a good deal and a vehicle that fits our lifestyle!
Goodbye Wanderer ... you may have only been in our life for less than a year, but we enjoyed 10,000 miles together! Hopefully the new owners enjoy it just as much.
Current confession: Spring and winter dance together in the New Mexico mountains, so while we have some really warm days, we still have those occasional snowstorms! Overall, though, we have little need for our wood stove these days and it makes me both sad and happy. I miss the coziness of our fires, but it's a chance to air out all our clothing and gear from wood smoke!
Current guilty pleasure: Expensive food purchases and supplemental vitamins for J. In my mind, it is all worth it if it helps keeps him healthy. In his mind, a dose of From Good Homes live in concert is the best medicine.
Only J could conveniently schedule doctor appts in Denver the same weekend FGH is playing!
Currently reading: Our recent Florida trip was all about visiting and reading.
I picked up “The Magnolia Story” by Chip & Joanna Gaines and Mark Dagostino from my in-laws’ shelf. I never even heard of this couple’s TV show “Fixer Upper,” but their story of working together seemlessly intrigued me. I blew through it in 3 days.
J is reading "The Ship and the Storm" by Jim Carrier. He feels very devastated by the story about the loss of Windjammer Cruise Lines' biggest sailing ship as it tried to avoid Hurricane Mitch in 1998. He just keeps looking up from his book and saying, "it's so tragic!"
Currently watching on Netflix: Onto Season 2 of “The Wire” TV series via Netflix DVD. Our mail service up here resumes April 1, which means we will receive our DVDs quicker!
Labels: Currently, New Mexico, Van Life
