Robin Toujours

Vanilla

- robin

Yesterday was vanilla. A day like plain vanilla. I did the laundry, tried to walk at the lake but the wind became to fierce and cold that it was impossible. I went with Larry into Dallas while he had a quick drop-off for a client. We went out to dinner and came home where I had another nose bleed.

Ten years ago, I was having a bleed almost every day. I found a great DR. who burned the boo-boo ….for six months he tried that. {i forget what that is called} One appointment, he said: one more nose bleed and I operate. I had one and he operated. That was in July 2009. I have not had a bleed till we arrived in France this year. {I blew it off as dry air in the plane} Then I had one this past Sunday {a big one} and one yesterday, { a little one} . I am so sad that after ten years…

Photo: Tuesday painting

I usually paint with oils. But….today I am trying something new, and using acrylics. Larry bought me a new set and merde, I am ready for something new. I only use acrylics when I paint with my g-daughter. It is exciting trying something new.

So, as I forge ahead, trying new and exciting mediums….the day is sunny and bright. Perfect for painting.

What are you trying new? A recipe? A new exercise? No matter what it is, stay happy.

Love you.

Me

Share Your Heart

- robin

What a weekend.

On Saturday we went to the Ft Worth Stock show. It is my favorite rodeo of all time. I had a corn dog. It was wonderful.

Photo: Stock Show-Getting ready for the show

Sunday I walked a much needed 4 miles, went to see one of the Oscar nominated movies, {Favourite}, made Sunday, Dinner and Movie, had a reflexology appointment and a nose bleed. {yes, in that order}

Sunday dinner consisted of chicken soup, cheese on toast with tomato and hot cheese puffs. The Turner Classic that was on was The Mating Game, with Debbie Reynolds and Tony Randall. We had never seen it so we watched as we enjoyed the meal.

Photo: Sunday Dinner and Movie

Now, here we are. A brand new week.

One of our greatest {couple} friends, who live in Memphis, lost their Father/Father-in-law late last week. Larry and I wish them strength, love and happy memories as they share Mr Aven’s legacy.

Our Mr Garcia is being interned today at the Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. Prayers are being whispered for the family.

Have a great day. Share your heart today, we never know what tomorrow might bring.

Love you.

Me

He Is Home

- robin

After a few long days, Larry has returned home. The quiet cottage is once again fulled with Larry’s voice, breath, laughter, footsteps and smile.

He was home in the early evening, in time to eat dinner. I made him baked ziti, a salad and garlic bread. For dessert we had white chocolate pudding.

After dinner and after he finished catching up on work, we decided to watch a movie since nothing good was on TV.

A year ago, while at my work table, I found a movie on my laptop. It was a great movie and I often thought maybe on a quiet night Larry and I would watch it. Tonight was the perfect night.

We watched “Dare To Be Wild”….

Dare to be wild is a true story about Mary Reynolds, the plant whisperer. It was one of my favorite movies last year. Larry and I settled in, both of us so glad that he was home and watched the movie. Larry liked it for different reasons other than mine but we both loved it.

It is a very cold Friday morning. A new washer is to be delivered this morning and Larry is home…

Love you.

Me

So Much More

- robin

Yesterday was utterly miserable without Larry, while he was out of town on business. I missed hearing him in his office and when he would take a break to go to the kitchen and get junk food for energy. The house was creepy, quiet all day.

Larry and I have been married 41 years. Can you imagine being with someone that long? I cannot imagine my life without him all this time. How lucky have I been?

Photo: Larry & Robin breakfast at the apartment, Paris 2018

He takes me on adventures, supports me one hundred percent, loves me unconditionally inspires my ART…..and so much, much more.

Who can ask more than that?

Hurry home my love.

Love you.

Me

Book Of The Day

- robin

Larry has been out of town and even though I have a dozen things to do, all I want to do is read.

I bought the novel, Small Great Things for my Kindle and all I want to do is read.

It is well written, it does a chapter back and forth thing I don’t like and the story line….well….it is appalling. My senses are abused with inappropriate language that is essential for building proper characters.

Maybe that is why I cannot put this book down?

Have you read Small Great Things? What did you think?

Have a wonderful day.

Love you BEYOND the moon.

Me

Tuesday At The Cottage

- robin
Photo: Matilda gave me this sweet tree It make me feel wintry.

It is cold outside and I am so late posting Blog today. It is because I watched the Academy Awards Nominations in bed. Each year {you might already know this} Larry and I see each nominated movie and on Oscar night, we have dinner and the red carpet/ awards. The process is fun and we see movies that ordinarily we might not go to see.

*****

Photo: One of my Christmas gifts is a Pug Dog quilt pattern

For Christmas, I received a quilt pattern and fabric. It is for a quilting technique known as paper-piecing. I was given loads of fabric to make a quilt. Yesterday I took the pattern to Office Depot and had it enlarged. Excitement is building! I cannot wait to start this new project. Stay tuned?

*****

Photo: Left over blueberry bars

Last year I became very sick. It was then I took myself off all meds and started feeling better. I am still exercising, I am organic, except for the random Excedrin Migraine for the random headache I get. But in all of this “getting healthy,” there is a casualty. I love to cook, but when I do, there are always left overs and then throw-aways. Larry goes out of town and leaves me with things like this. The neighbors are getting sick of me bringing food over, so I throw it away. It really upsets me to waste things, especially when people are hungry.

Larry is in San Antonio. Attending a convention for one of his clients. I was invited but chose to stick around the house and throw food away.

What are YOU doing today? Go on, smile…..

Love you.

Me

Sunday, Dinner and Movie

- robin
Photo: Sunday, dinner and movie.

Yesterday, Sunday Dinner and Movie was uneventful. We had spaghetti, salad and garlic bread.

Larry chose an interesting Italian wine and we watched the movie Roma.

Photo: Sunday movie.

It was a creative movie, I compare it to watching an abstract painting come to life.

Photo: The spaghetti

Dinner was good. The movie was ok….and the company perfection.

Today, is Martin Luther Kind Day. Many people are off from work….if you are, have a beautiful day.

Love you,

Me

Remembering “OUR” Mr Garcia.

- robin

When my family moved to Memphis Tennessee in 1974, the new neighbors were amazing. Friendly, kind and like a huge family. I worked at the local Florist, babysat for the most wonderful families and met My Larry.

One family, The Garcia’s, were like my Aunt, Uncle and they had the sweetest children.

We have stayed in touch for these 40+ years. Mrs Garcia taught me how to quilt and Mr Garcia gave Baby Lauren her fist jalapenos at a baseball game.

My adult life has always included the Garcia’s. The wonderful family that touched our lives in the most positive of ways.

Photo: Our Mr Garcia

On this past Tuesday, January 15th Our Mr Garcia passed away. Angela, his daughter let us know and he and Mrs Garcia have been on my mind every moment since. I am in a bonafide funk.

Mr and Mrs Garcia were a huge support when my father disinherited me. They have always been the best of family.

Mr Garcia could burp a baby like no one else I ever knew. he was honest and fair. He loved life and he loved Mrs Garcia.

I am crying as I write this…life is trying sometimes, but I know that Mr Garcia is looking down on his lovely family…

Larry and I found a few classic pictures in his files…enjoy.

Photo: Larry with Mr and Mrs Garcia. I LOVE this photo!
Photo: me with The Garcia’s
Photo: Angela and Chris Garcia with Baby Lauren (brother David is MIA!)

Today is a day for reflecting on this lovely family and Our Mr Garcia. May the family be guided by God’s hands and may Our Mr Garcia rest peacefully , knowing that all is well.

Love you.

Me

Late Night~Early Morning

- robin

Last evening we had dinner with clients of Larry’s. The restaurant was busy, the food good, wine great and the conversation best of all. I love when that happens.

Going to bed late is OK but getting up the next morning sucks. {excuse my French} I am dressed and ready for Friday Tai Chi…

Photo: Trying to get energy for Tai Chi class

Have the best weekend….

Love you.

Me.

The Late Gift

- robin
Photo: Christmas gift from Matilda

Sweet Matilda called me one evening. She said that she had forgotten to give me a Christmas gift that she bought for me. It was fine, but she insisted that she get it to me, soon.

The next time I saw her, she had a beautiful gift bag for me. Inside were two ornaments, both birds and a stunning bar of soap. The soap came in an envelope of its own. She was smiling and watching me open the gifts. When Matilda is so thoughtful, I become sentimental. {I adore her}

I am a woman who uses a simple bar of DOVE soap. This new bar of soap thrills me, frightens me and inspires me ARTistically.

I knew that I wanted to share this on Blog and in my research I found this quote. After reading it I understood the “soap” attraction.

“Soap, water and common sense are the best disinfectants.”

~William Osler~

Photo: The bar of soap

Maybe next year, I will give bars of soap for Christmas. This is a wonderful gift. Thank you Matilda.

Love you.

Me