Carla's Children Visit From Springtown, Texas

Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15, 2015

Carla's son, Russ and his wife, Kelley, came to Alamogordo, New Mexico to visit from Springtown, Texas.  The weather was perfect except for a bit of wind and we had a great time sight seeing and catching up on all the grandkids and great grandkids.

When they arrived at the house Friday morning, I had a breakfast awaiting them consisting of blueberry-sour cream pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee. We then drove to Cloudcroft in the Sacramento Mountains and explored and shopped in the many cute little stores. For lunch, we went to Big Daddy's Diner and Russ and I had their "all the catfish you can eat" special while Kelley opted for barbecued pork. We traveled back to the house with leftovers and a to-go container of posole soup for Doug. After visiting for a while, the kids went to their motel as we had all risen early and were more than ready for sleep.

Doug and I met Russ and Kelley at the IHOP for breakfast Saturday morning and Doug stayed home while we went to White Sands National Monument. It was a gloriously beautiful day and we took off our shoes and socks and climbed a huge sand dune and enjoyed the feel of the cool sand on our feet. Kelley took many pictures of the area, of which, I'm sure you will be seeing on face book. Afterward, we picked up Doug and drove to Tularosa to our favorite Mexican Restaurant, Casa de Suenos, for lunch. The food, as always, was absolutely delicious. Kelley and I each found a couple of bracelets we couldn't live without in their gift shop which we promptly purchased.

We took a short break in the afternoon (as Russ says, "nap time") and then went to the Flickinger Center for the Performing Arts where we enjoyed seeing the Sons of the Pioneers, a group that has been pickin' and grinin' since 1934 (they do some fine fiddlin' too). What a nostalgic trip this was. They played and sang Tumblin Tumbleweed, Cool Water, Ghost Riders in the Sky and Happy Trails, just to name a few. They are consummate entertainers and we enjoyed every moment of their concert. The Flickinger was packed and the crowd loved them. If you ever get a chance to see this group, don't hesitate--they are worth every penny of the ticket!

Sunday morning, I made scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns. We also had fruit and coffee and it was too soon time for them to leave for El Paso for their return flight to Ft. Worth, Texas.  They promise to return to see even more of this beautiful state of New Mexico. I miss them already!

Kelley and Russ at IHOP

L to R: Doug, Carla, Kelley and Russ at IHOP. Thanks to waiter for the shot!

Russ and Kelley at White Sands

Kelley and Carla

Kelley and Russ

A view of the sands lit by the sun from top of a sand dune

Kelley, Russ and Carla taken by a passerby from El Paso

L to R: Kelley, Carla, Doug and Russ dining at Casa de Suenos in Tularosa, New Mexico. Thanks to the waitress for the shot.

L to R: Carla, Russ and Kelley Sunday morning as they are getting ready to head for El Paso to fly home.

L to R: Carla looking at a New Mexico Magazine, Kelley catching up on email and Russ reading AARP Magazine while Doug is trying to get a DVD copy of a play to start on the television

I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of our shopping in Cloudcroft, but I just get too much into shopping to think about my camera! It was such a wonderful treat to see them both and spend that precious time with them. Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for the photos he took.

This is all I have to say for now.

Red Hatters Attend Flickinger Center Guild Tea

Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of Red Hat Society attended the Tenth Annual Turquoise and Silver Tea of the Flickinger Center Guild. All members of the chapter were present except for two and we added one new member that day, Esperanza, and had two prospective members visiting, Sylvia and Darla.

The entertainment was over the top with the theme "Centennial" exploited at every turn. New Mexico is celebrating their Statehood Centennial Celebration and Alamogordo, New Mexico is right in the thick of it. We very much enjoyed Lina Guzman and the Fiesta Dancers and fiddlers Cheryl Hughen and Alex Burke from the Classi Fiddles Music Studio as the pre-entertainment of this event.

The Faces of New Mexico were represented by Barbara McDonald, Chairwoman for our local NM Statehood Centennial Celebrations; Karen Aragon, Acoma Pueblo, representing the Native American population of NM; Ermelinda Noriega Moyers, representing the Hispanic population of NM; Ailene Jensen, representing the Caucasian population of NM; Carol Coverdale, representing the Afro-American population in NM; with each woman dressed appropriately.

Heather Kangas and Brownie Scout Troop #55 led us in the Pledge of Allegiance as well as the Pledge to the NM State flag. Donnie Burt, vocalist, rendered a superb version of the NM State song "O Fair New Mexico".

Throughout the event, ladies modeled fashions from retailers in Alamogordo and Cloudcroft and one could hear many oohs and aahs in the packed room as the styles were presented.

Another presentation was made by The Centennial Ladies led by Barbara McDonald and including Gloria Burch, Joan Griggs, Linnie Townsend, Dixie Albers, Jan Wafful, Tonya Williamson, Ila Denson, Kim Lopez Gallager and one lone gentleman, Joel Hamilton, representing the first black educator in Alamogordo. The ladies were dressed in Victorian ensembles including lovely hats as they walked around the stage with each being described as to whom they represented in Alamogordo history.

The Academy of Ballet Dancers in Alamogordo presented a beautiful ballet entitled Azure Skies.

The Men and Women of the Flickinger Guild presented Moments to Remember, eras depicted in song and costumes, and those taking part were Palla Duncan Mack, Judy Vollmoeller, Monte and LaVerle Hoover, Swan Colpitts, Pat Douville, Connie "CJ" Rogers, Janet Cooper, Dottie Rogers, Mae McDonald, Peggy Andre, Naomi Walker, Donna Clark, Janet Theriot, Joylyn Mercouris, Jane Belk and Rowena Dale Laabs.

The extremely capable host and hostess of this event were Eli Levy and Sarina Turnbull. The Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center and Mountain View Catering provided delicious refreshments and servers were members of the Alamogordo High School Jr. ROTC.

As one can deduce, this was assuredly a community effort and its success assured by the efforts of many volunteers. Last I heard approximately $4000 was raised.

Vice Queen Penny aka Duchess of High Rolls and Margie aka Countess of Karr Canyon

L to R: Marian aka Mistress Marian, Monica aka Duchess of Cottonwood, Dorothy aka Dame Dorothy and Lynne aka Lady Lynne

Some of the Fiesta Dancers

L to R: Lynne, new member Esperanza and Rosa aka Lady Rosamar

Prospective members Sylvia and Darla

Centennial Lady Barbara McDonald and Carla aka Queen Ladybird

Penny and Margie looking stunning in those gorgeous hats!

Esperanza with colors reversed because its her birthday month, Rosa and Carla

VQ Penny, Carla and Margie

Alas, the photos of most of the entertainment did not turn out properly. I'm still getting used to my new camera. However, suffice to say, a great time was had by all and we can't wait to go again next year.

This is all I have to say for now.