Robin Tolbert

A Puzzlement

- robin

It is a Thursday morning and my desk is empty. There is a painting drying on the easel and a watercolor that needs attention, but that can wait.

This past weekend a good friend of ours was in a bicycle accident. He is hurt very badly, could you please whisper prayers and think good thoughts for him? His name is Bruce. Our friend Kim’s nephew lives in Boulder, CO. Her nephew and his family has been touched deeply by the mass shooting that has recently happened there. Prayers are also needed for this wonderful family.

I apologize that this post is a bit negative. So much is happening in the world, we cannot help but feel overwhelmed. This is when our FAITH steps in. It is often difficult for me to just step back and pray. There is so much that I want to do. I always promised not to blog about certain things, but I do not mind asking for prayers and good thoughts.

Since life is such a puzzlement, I have a challenge for you. Turn on your printer and print up the puzzle below!

Photo: Puzzle

I will post the answers tomorrow. Till then, stay safe, happy and know that I am wishing you the best as these odd days go slowly past.

Love you beyond the moon.

Robin

Monsters On Main~Filming a Commercial

- robin

https://monstersonmain.com/

Yesterday, Larry and I drove to Denison, Texas to be in an adventure. We were going to film a commercial.

We did not know much about the shop where we were to film the video. But I must admit, we found out soon enough and it was the most amazing morning I have had in a very long time.

The film crew was wonderful…and the business that we were doing the commercial for, is charming. The shop is called Monsters On Main. Nitia Musico is the owner ARTist and is quite a talent. Nitia makes, Custom Rugs, Bedding, Ottomans, Headboards, Cornice Boards, Pillows and Cushions, and she repurposes furniture. The front of the store is filled with charming MONSTERS and the back is where she does custom pieces.. The monsters are made from designer fabric in a unique, way and each Monster has a name….

Photo: Monsters and Retro furniture makes the showroom special.

The commercial went very well. It was a fun experience and I discovered a new, wonderful shop!

Photo: Do you see the ottoman on the lower right? It is made from men’s ties! It is perfection.
Photo: The film crew was absolutely wonderful

During filming, I had to carry some of the Monsters as I acted like I was shopping…and I fell in love with a few of them. It is interesting how a person can make a connection with one of these sweet monsters.

Photo: Lauren and Matilda, and in the background is the ARTist Nitia Musico.
Photo: Nitia gifted me with a monster. I love it so much.

To be honest, yesterday was rainy and dark. Being in the showroom with the ART and Monsters brightened my day very much.

Photo: Robin, Matilda and Larry. Filming a commercial for MONSTERS ON MAIN

You can find the link to MONSTERS ON MAIN, Here—> https://monstersonmain.com/

It is a wonderful site and Monsters On Main, can ship a Monster anywhere!

Did I mention that Monsters On Main is a shop for adults too? Larry and I adopted “Chester”….

  • Photo: Chester

Chester has found a new home sitting on the leather chair. He grins at me as I walk through the room…we are both remembering yesterday and how much fun we had.

Have a happy day. Please check out Monsters on Main.

Love you beyond the moon.

Robin

Stand Tall

- robin

This past weekend was lovely. Early on Saturday, Larry and I walked my miles at the Dallas Zoo. We arrived before opening and the parking was great. We walked our regular path for about 40 minutes, and then decided to sit for a few moments. It had gotten very busy, but the bench we found was across from the elephant compound. It was amazing to be there early, at feeding time. We were mesmerized.

Photo: by Robin March 2021

There was a spinning container above the elephant. He would spin it and then treats would come out. It was wonderful to watch and I could have stayed there all day.

As we hiked through the bird area, I have come to the conclusion that the birds must have known that my name is Robin. They all posed and made eye contact with me. (In reality it was just feeding time)

Photo: by Robin March 2021

I had the best morning with Larry. We got our miles in and had an excellent adventure to top it off.

Photo: by Robin 2021

What is it about Flamingos? They make me smile….

The day has started….Be flamazing.

Love you beyond the moon.

Robin

Finally, A Date Night

- robin

Last night, Larry and I grabbed our masks and went to Pin Stack…the bowling lanes near us.

We played a practice game….the light pink ball was mine.

Of course, it is a Brunswick Lane…….

And they have FYI’s at the bottom of every board. This one told of how everyone has a tongue print. (like finger prints)

We were on Lane 17, and the TV above it had March Madness on it.. (boring)

I had a burger and a beer for dinner. Larry had chicken tenders and a beer. I took my mask off to enjoy dinner. Then we played our second game…SCORE: Larry 103 Robin 90. I am not very competitive. Haha. Then we came home…A date night felt wonderful. Almost like REAL LIFE has returned. So we splurged with, Ice cream!

Chocolate chip ice cream! I must admit that the evening lightened my spirits…

Love you beyond the moon.

Robin

I’m Possible!

- robin

Last night Larry and I had stuffed pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes and creamed corn for dinner. For dessert we each had a slice of the orange cake left over from Sunday night dinner. It felt a bit special but in reality it was just a plain old Tuesday night.

We were both in a quiet mood last night. Dinner was yum, and we did not feel like reading so we did what any normal couple does, we trolled Netflix. Nothing seemed entertaining so we landed on a documentary about Audrey Hepburn. I wondered if Larry would find it a bit boring.

It is her story. It is charming, Well told and organic. We both enjoyed it very much and learned fun little facts about her and her movies.

During the filming of Breakfast At Tiffany’s, The producers said that they wanted to remove the lame song, Moon River from the production. Audrey Hepburn said: over my dead body. The song remained in the movie. (Henry Mancini wrote the song and it made him a household name)

Roman Holiday is one of my “Comfort Movies” You know, when I am sick or feeling blue I watch a comfort movie to escape. Last night, watching the documentary about Audrey Hepburn, was an escape of sorts. Larry and I both enjoyed it and recommend it.

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!”

~Audrey Hepburn~

Happy St Patrick’s Day.

Love you beyond the moon.

Robin

Dance Around The Lake

- robin

I heard once that “dance is the hidden language of the soul“.. It is such a beautiful expression of a person. Is it true? (I do not know how to dance)

Have you ever been to one of those company parties, where the band is amazing and people that you know, just co-workers are out on the dance floor? They are moving and having the best time. They are expressing themselves in a way you have not seen before and it is wonderful.

I remember as a teenager, seeing my parents dance. It was so amazing that I will never forget it. They even jitterbugged that evening.

When Coronavirus lockdown in Texas was letting up, I signed Larry and myself up for ballroom dance classes. It was to be on Monday nights for 8 weeeks, starting last evening. I was SO READY and Larry was too.

The dance instructor called yesterday. Class was cancelled. I signed us up because the Coronavirus lockdown was slowly letting up, but 2 couples dropped out because of that same reason. Larry and I planned on wearing our masks. I am not sure what the others felt, but I am just disappointed. That’s all.

We stayed home last night and watched The Bachelor. That was a sad waste of 3 hours. THREE hours watching that mess. Forgive me if you like it….I have watched it for years, but this latest group of bullies and undecided 20 and 30 somethings was a waste . I should have been reading OR dancing!

I must close………write a letter, cut out a new summer dress, take my BP and walk 3 1/2 miles. All before noon.

Maybe I should dance around the lake.

Love you beyond the moon.

Robin

A Personal Truth

- robin

In my minds eye, I am much younger than I really am and I am untouched by old family problems. It is an interesting place to be, because the observations are much more objective.

Photo: My first selfie using a Flip-Phone (maybe 2004?)

Have you ever noticed, that people who claim that YOU are a liar, are really the BEST liars? I guess since they are so proficient at lying, they think that you are too. I am not a liar. I am so bad at it, that I gave it up after I lied to my Mother about failing a spelling test in 3rd grade. (yes, she found out and boy was I in trouble)

As we get older the lies we have, told become the Karma we live with today.

Even here, on Blog. Everything is the truth. This blog will be around long after I am gone. Truth is important. Granted, there are things I want to share, personal hurtful things that I keep to myself…even after being broken hearted by my family, I just cannot share the specific details and maybe hurt someone’s feelings.

My Larry says, they hurt you very badly, it is ok to share the truth. I say, but I do not want to hurt anyone the way that they hurt me. Do you believe that truth eventually comes out? Does it matter?

I LOVED my family. They were everything to me, even as an adult. But there came a time when they had to play games to get what they wanted. I hope that they are happy. I hope that as time goes by, people can see that the lies were a profound injustice to me, Larry, Lauren and Jamison. (How can a grandparent and aunts do such things to children?)

There are family friends who will still not talk to us. Sweet Larry calls them, Team Norman- Norman was my father, Team Judi Or Team Cyndie……and we smile. (sometimes we laugh)

Living your personal truth is always best. Thank you for listening. It felt amazing to write this all down….

Love you beyond the moon.

Robin

The Second Vaccine Was Easy

- robin

Playlist: Soundtrack to Something’s Gotta Give

Larry came with me. Larry comes with me a lot now. I honestly do not know what I would do without him. After the past few years, health wise, he sticks close and keeps his eye on me. I appreciate and love him so much.

Photo: I got my second coronavirus vaccine and they gave me this pen

The second vaccine was easy. No lines, I registered for #2 vaccine and went for the shot. The nurse, a man, asked me how did the first shot go? I said no side effects. He gave me the shot, then Larry and I sat in a quiet area for 15 minutes. Done.

A lot has happened since the FIRST shot. That crazy winter storm, when we had no electricity for 4 days and the week after the storm, I was bitten by a Pit Bull. I cannot promise that I have recovered from either of those things.

The storm made me realize that Larry and I are alone. The house (inside) was 37 degrees for 4 days. We were contacted once by a neighbor who was away at a place where there was heat and hot food and Internet, she asked if the electricity was back on yet? I layered many clothes and spent must of my time in bed. It seems like a blur now. The memory makes me sad and angry all at the same time.

The dog bite has me traumatized. It happened so fast. I was just walking past women with a baby and the dog. He attacked me before I knew what happened. That is probably the thing that frightens me most of all. I had no reaction time.

Out of all the things that happened in the past weeks, the vaccine was the easiest. I am glad that it is done for now. I feel safe now.

We all need to respect each others decisions in the next months. Negativity is swirling around. It is easy to become agitated and defensive. (ask me, I KNOW!)

Please, if you have time…pray for and send good thoughts to our friends and loved ones in Hawaii. They are struggling with flooding and mud-slides right now….may they stay safe.

Love you beyond the moon.

Robin

The Impressionist Sweater

- robin

I call the new sweater that I made for Larry, The Impressionists Sweater for one reason. It looks better from far away. (It is knitted, in a Fair Isle design with acrylic/wool blend yarn)

Today is the day when all of the loose yarn is woven into the stitches and I Fray Check all of the knots.

Photo: Larry’s new sweater

The body of the sweater will then be blocked….and Larry might get to wear it ONCE before putting it away for the warm months. Ironic isn’t it?

It is not very quiet in my studio today. Henry Mancini is on the playlist and the garbage men in their noisy truck have just gone down our street. It is Tuesday at The Cottage.

It looks like it is time for a new knit project? (I have it ready to start and will post when has progressed a bit)

What are you doing to keep Busy? Relevant? Happy? Or just plain old content?

Love you beyond the moon.

Robin

For Comfort

- robin

Yesterday was beautiful. Spring was reminding us that she is on the way. It was glorious.

On Larry’s lunch hour, we walked around the lake. We only wore sweaters but the lake was still frozen in spots. It was not an uneventful walk and I will share details later.

Photo: Larry and I walked the lake

After such an eventful walk, we came home. Larry is on marathon zoom calls this week. One of his huge accounts is having their annual meeting. (it is huge and usually held in Austin for a few days each year) Since we are in this stunning year of coronavirus and social distancing, this meeting 2021 is held on zoom calls. Back to back zoom calls…it is interesting and almost overwhelming for everyone involved.

Yesterday, when we came home, I rested and while Larry was working, then made soup. Zucchini soup.

Photo: Zucchini soup

I needed soup and it was delicious. What do you do for comfort when you have had a difficult day? Is it a book, a blanket or is it food?

Love you beyond the moon.

Me