10:365:2011

January 11, 2011

Relationships are hard. All too often, one person will sacrifice their beliefs, their ideals, their goals ... in favor of the other's. They think they are helping... or being kind... or even being selfless. But I think, more often than not... they end up losing their sense of self. Not gracious... not giving... just lost and a mere shadow of what they used to be. Oftentimes, resentment is a companion feeling to this sense of loss.

There aren't many examples today where there is genuine give and take in a relationship. Where one person truly cares as much for the other, as they are cared for by the other. It is sad.
All too often... we see a "what's in it for me" response.

Just look at a news segment... and you will have an instant reminder of the worst that humanity has to offer. Perhaps I am an idealist... but I think that NOW more than ever... we need to get back to simple kindness. Looking out for each other. Helping each other. And not because we might get some kind of reward... but because it's the right thing to do.

Tonight we all went out for dinner at the Route 66 Malt Shop here in ABQ. It was freezing balls out... and yet... there were instances when gentlemen still held open doors for "their girl" instead of rushing in for warmth... where waitresses were helpful and nice... where cooks sat down and chatted... where pleasant conversation was shared around a good meal.

...kindness matters... simplicity happens... love abounds... ((spread it around))

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

213:365

August 02, 2010

-----> photos by Elaine A. Russell

...sometimes it's really hard to pick a photo for the day...

a discarded newspaper

a cool urban bar window

accessories at a retro diner

architecture in the summer sun

or a gothic inspired building with an awesome fence

---which would you choose?

86:365

March 28, 2010

**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

Today was a blur of: cleaning cars, burning trash, doing laundry, and such.

It was basically another really long day... but it ended with a fabulous dinner at Fezz's Diner. The original building was a diner in 1954; and it was bought several years ago and restored to it's former glory. The inside is all vintage... right down to the napkin holders, and the vinyl on the seats.

The menu can be seen here

We had a great meal (I had steak and eggs, hash browns and toast)... total cost for 4 people was just under $40.

One of the really cool things about the diner is the tons of memorabilia all over the restaurant. Records, model cars, vintage photos and postcards... all there to see. Original recordings are featured on the tabletop jukebox selectors, and there is a really cool jukebox in the larger dining room in the back.

Needless to say... it was alot of good food; and alot of fun!

Kristin is feeling slightly better; although she still has a terrible cough and stuffy head. Mom is still "under the weather"... ever so slightly better now that she has been taking antibiotics and steroids for a few days. Dad had a horrible day.

Hopefully... tomorrow will be better...

70:365

March 11, 2010

-----------------------------------------------photo by Elaine A. Russell

Today we woke up and left the hotel around 9:30. We drove until lunchtime... and stopped at a Waffle House in Indiana. Those of you who know me... know I love diners. I know the food isn't the best for you... I know the music is generally awful.... I know they are usually all sorts of tacky.... but I just love 'em. There was a park nearby, and Sabrina was so happy to see actual grass... she ran around and ran around and rolled in it; smiling and panting the whole time.

We made several short stops today... but basically concentrated on driving and getting as far as we could. Surprisingly, there is very little snow about. I remember it usually having tons of snow still in March... so it really surprised me.

We saw tons of police en force on the highways.... really. Not sure why. ... but things were pretty uneventful. Kristin did have a relatively close encounter with a groundhog... she even got a photo of him... which was pretty cool.

Had my last Starbucks around dinnertime... figured it was the last one I was going to be near for awhile. It was good ♥

Made it to the backwoods of PA... about 2hrs from our destination when I got a call from a friend of my parents to call my mom "immediately." So I pulled off and called. Turns out my dad has had a turn for the worse. This am; they had told my mom that he was going to be transferred tomorrow to our local nursing home for rehab... and that he would be leaving by ambulance tomorrow.. and that I would need to come and get her in Geisinger. Well. Apparently he is not doing well...and that is all on hold for now. I am anticipating driving the 3hrs to the hospital tomorrow sometime to be there.... but my mom told me to just stay put for now.

So... At this moment I am at my parent's house in PA... doing laundry... and unpacking.

I have a "1 bar" connection here.... so ... internet is sometimes fleeting...but I will post when I can.

neat to eat ... part ONE

December 03, 2009

Because I will no doubt be busy with Nob Hill Nights, First Friday events.. and making the rounds of some cool places.... I have decided that today's and tomorrow's entries will be on a theme.

We started working in earnest on our house back towards the end of September.

And... the hubby and I LOVE to eat out... so we took this as an opportunity to visit some local places.

This post (and tomorrow's) will feature some of the places we have visited over the course of the past few months, and some of the great food that ABQ has to offer.

When possible, I have tried to include links to the places.

♥♥♥I hope you enjoy this ♥♥♥