myretroperspective

I got a phone call last night that some friends of mine would be passing through the area on their way to Florida.  We made a plan to meet and have lunch today. Paul and Peggy I volunteered a couple of years at Balcones Canyonlands NWR with Paul and Peggy.  They’re from Vermont, and we had a good time working together.  We’ve kept in touch, and I was happy to see them again today. Paul is an internal medicine doctor and surgeon (I hope I got that title right), and had a few suggestions for me concerning my upcoming surgery. Most importantly, he wrote down several important questions that I should ask my surgeon before having the procedure.  I will take those questions with me the next time I meet with Dr. Brodersen.   He also suggested that I take these pictures of the entrance to my rig to show the physical therapists at the hospital.  He said it would help them understand my circumstances, upon release from the hospital, so they could

This is not some strange boycott against the materialism of Christmas or a bah humbug approach to the most wonderful time of the year.  For good reason, in our first 5 years of marriage we will only end up decorating for Christmas twice-in 2011 and 2013.  It pains me to see friends' photos on instagram of freshly decked mantels and their homes lit up with christmas lights.  I've walked through Target's holiday section multiple times already this year, picking things up and putting them back. Merriest hearth in Atlanta 2011 You see, in 2010 months after we were married, we were in temporary housing until we moved to our little rental house (which I miss even MORE this month) a week before Christmas.  R didn't quite have a job, and he definitely didn't have a paycheck.  We were spending 6 days in Florida with my parents right after our move for the holiday, and it just wasn't practical to decorate for only a couple days. cutest house on the block all aglow (2011)

His favorite place to sit and watch me do my hair and makeup in the morning. Dear Zeke,  yesterday you tried to jump in the shower with me. Then after I was out you proceeded to crawl into the shower and lay down in the water. You are a cat right?  Dear Kindi student, today you came into class and asked me to sing you a song. I tried to play charades to explain that me singing would make you cry but you just gave me a confused look and said 'never mind, I'll sing you a song.' Good idea.   Dear heartache, this week you came when I saw this photo of my niece in the hospital. It's times like these that I hate being so far away and would do anything to be there. How cute is she! Even with the IV tube on her arm.  Dear bet to self,  once again were playing the little game of 'how long can we last until we use the heat.' Although I must say we're slightly cheating with our heated bed blanket but I'm ok with that.  Dear pseudo nephew, on Sunday you turn ONE! I

Today was the second of my three days in a row off this week.  Yesterday was cold, dark, and dreary and my scheduled boat ride into the swamp got cancelled due to inclement weather.  So I just hunkered down inside, did laundry, and watched some daytime TV.  It has been years since I’ve had the TV on during the afternoon on a weekday.  Can’t say that I’ve missed anything. Today, the sun was shining and I had a long list of errands to run about 35 miles away in Kingsland, GA.  First up on the list was to get a much needed haircut.  I really only go to Wal-mart when I have to.  The bigger stores usually have a beauty parlor, so that’s all I did there.  Then it was on to the Publix grocery store.  I’m really liking this store.  What a selection they have! I can’t even guess the last time I had B&M Brown Bread.  When I was growing up, my mother would occasionally buy a can of this tasty bread, and we would slice it and slather cream cheese on it.  I haven’t even seen it in many years

While everyone in our family has made a tremendous effort this year despite distances to get together, we knew we had to set aside time for family photos when we were all home in Bartlesville.  It might be a while before we're all back there together.  Thankfully, the weather was perfect and we got some really great shots of the whole family. The whole family including Uncle M! brothers girls with mom mom and her boys all grown up kids! sisters- so thankful for the awesome family I married into! The whole crew for thanksgiving- friends, family & COWBOY (the dog) looking good guys we were the master minds behind the color palette (well except R- he didn't really help) ok so when are you all coming to shenyang? 

Anyone else's man participate in No Shave November? Hubs actually did his a little early and grew out a nice 80's worthy stache in October. But to commemorate this wonderful yearly tradition I tried out a little DIY project that I have seen floating around. This is an easy craft to do and would also make a great gift! I grabbed two porcelain mugs, a permanent marker (I hear the more expensive markers such as Pebeo Markers work better and also the design stays on better) and printed out a mustache from online.  I traced the stache shape onto the mug and colored it in. Next, I popped them into the oven at 350 and baked the mugs for 30 minutes. Allow them to cool completely before washing or using. Note:do not try to wash in the dishwasher, the design may smudge or come off, it is best if you only hand wash the mugs) I hope everyone is having a great week and is getting excited for December and holiday celebrations!

hello from bartlesville! We were so blessed to spend Thanksgiving in Bartlesville, Oklahoma with R's entire family. One thing that typifies our time together is FOOD.  I know, I know, it's Thanksgiving; that's not super original, but since I'm just now emerging from my food coma I thought is was worth mentioning that they do not approach a holiday menu cavalierly. One particularly noteworthy tradition for R's family is the thanksgiving pies.  When I met R in Asia he insisted on baking pumpkin pie each thanksgiving (we actually spent a couple together even before we were dating). He maintains that he has baked a pumpkin pie every year for the last 15 years. showcasing R's pumpkin pie in Asia 2009 at Thanksgiving pre-engagement :) Growing up Mama C had assigned each child a pie to bake to contribute towards the Thanksgiving feast.  It started with their eldest making apple pie.  Then R took on pumpkin.  Younger sister is meticulous with her pecan pie. Then, not wa