Category Archives: U.S. Austin, Texas

Our land base home, Austin Texas

Family in LA

Stateside Whirlwind Visit

1 Reply

Will spare you from the boring details of my stateside visit, but wanted to post a few of the highlights.

I flew non-stop from Papeete, Tahiti to Los Angeles on Air Tahiti Nui.  It was a lovely flight on their new dreamliner.  They offered me a super soft, pretty turquise blanket and pillow. In addition, I had a small pack with ear plugs, socks and an eye mask.  They served dinner and breakfast in addition to offering entertainment.  No bad for a coach seat.

I landed in LA, but didn’t stay long.  Two hours later I was on a flight to Austin. The next day many of my amazing friends showed up for happy hour at Abel’s on the Lake.  For some reason, I did not manage to take a single photo.

I stayed at the exclusive resort of Michelle and Jeremy Martin and enjoyed super special visits with all my friends.  Especially, Jamie who flew in from Sedona.  Top photo Sharon, Sidney, and I, then Deborah and I and Jamie and I.

My amazing friends.

My amazing friends.

After a week in Austin, I flew back to Los Angeles to visit with my family.  My dad is pretty sick as he battles with cancer, but he is fights on.  I was able to spend many days with him which is just what we both needed!

Disneyland & California Adventure

My sister spoiled me with a rare day off at Disneyland.  I had not been to the park in over 30 years and had never seen California Adventures.  It was a true treat to spend the day with her, Cole, and Cameron (my nephews).

Cole, Cameron, Kimberly and I at Disneyland

Cole, Cameron, Kimberly and I at Disneyland

A few of the rides like to capture a look of pure terror on your face – but we fooled them!

Konis Klan and I At Disneyland

Konis Klan and I At Disneyland

On the new Indiana Jones ride it broke down just as we were finishing the ride…got to see the behind the scenes of the adventure.

Indiana Jones Behind the Scene

Indiana Jones Behind the Scene

My family came over for a tasty BBQ at my sister’s house.

My loving and crazy family

My loving and crazy family

Somehow I convinced Kathryn and Gene to join the craziness.

Kathryn and Gene visit

Kathryn and Gene visit

My fabulous sister, Kimberly and brother law, Troy

Kimberly, Troy and I

Kimberly, Troy and I

 

My sister and I spent a lot of time at my dad’s house.  He is very ill but was having a god day below.  This is my sister and I, my dad and two uncles.

Dad, and 2 Uncles

Dad, and 2 Uncles

 

Michelle and Heather

Visit to the States: Part II

Leave a reply

Visits to the States, especially my home town always put a lot of pressure on me as there are so many people I want to see in between all things I have to do.  Squeezed into a very short amount of time.  I only have 2.5 days to get everything done and its not enough time!

After I arrived in Austin, I met Sharon Popp at Hula Hut for happy hour.  She drove all the way from Houston (3 hour drive one-way) to meet with me.  Which makes me incredibly honored.  But I am disappointed that we didn’t get a photo.  We were too involved in catching up to whip out the phones.

Afterwards, I met my friend Michelle so we could pick up Jamie who was flying in from Arizona for a short visit during my stay.  We took advantage of some quiet time and enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Bartlet’s.  Again, forgot to whip out the camera.  Its been years since the three of us have been together, so there was a lot of catching up to do.

The next day, I met the renter of our house, visited with my neighbor, and saw my oncologist.  Dr. Patt at Texas Oncology gave me great news: labs showed me to be “perfectly average”.  In fact, she was so happy with me that she changed my appointments to annually.

That night, Heather Newbby planned a happy hour where I was able to see a large group of friends at one time.  Thank you everyone for showing up!

Image:  Jamie, Missy, Heather, Michael, Michelle, Aimee, Kim, Selma, Oscar

Austin Friends

Austin Friends

The next day, more errands and had a fabulous lunch with my sweet friend Diana at Nordstrom Cafe. I was hankering for their tasty saladsand it did not disappoint!  Then our really good friends, Shawn and Sharon drove in from San Antonio (over 90-minute one way drive) to have dinner with me at Maudie’s.

Managed to run all my errands too:

  • Pharmacy
  • Market
  • PO Box
  • FedEx
  • Norstrom
  • Sephora
  • LuLu Lemon
  • Walgreens
  • Bank

Quick 2 weeks in and out of the States, but managed to get everything done that I came for – blessings.

50th Birthday Celebration

Austin Part II: The Celebration

Leave a reply

Austin has been my home for well over 20 years and has enabled me to amass many, many amazing friends.  But, living remotely and out of the country makes it challenging to stay in touch. Why?  Well because, frankly, life gets in the way.  Yet somehow, my group of friends forgives my absences, supports my failures, and celebrates my successes.

Heather Newby organized an enormous 50th birthday celebration bringing together friends from the past and present.  Matt and Diana Barker hosted it at their beautiful home, made brisket, provided a host of apps and beverages, and many others supplied drinks for the bar.  It was a spectacular party and a great opportunity to catch up with my long lost Austin friends.

My amazing Austin friends gathered together!

My amazing Austin friends gathered together!

Diana and Matt had a giant “50” balloon sign out in the front yard, just so people knew where the party was.  She did not even know that I had always wanted something like this – loved it!

Diana truly made me feel like a princess - even the day after!

Diana truly made me feel like a princess – even the day after!

Heather Newby made the most delicious carrot cake and Diana hired a piano player.

This carrot cake was beautiful and incredibly yummy!

This carrot cake was beautiful and incredibly yummy!

Lisa Wood created a beautiful photo montage from a collection of photos that our friends sent in.  I’d publish it, but it is a huge file.

Daniel is famous for his birthday poems even though he had “retired” many years ago.  Somehow, Heather convinced him to come out of retirement for one more poem.  See entire poem below and see live recording on my Facebook page posted 1/13/18 from Lisa.

Daniel overwhelmed me with his spectacular poem.

Daniel overwhelmed me with his spectacular poem.

It was truly overwhelming to see so many happy, fabulous people come together for a celebration.  I am humbled to be surrounded by such love.

Lucky girl that I am to call these people my friends.

Lucky girl that I am to call these people my friends.

Love abounds!

Love abounds!

 

POEM by Daniel Dolce

Lordy, Lordy look who’s…shit, you’re not 40!

Let’s try this again…

Back from the Ocean Blue

So, Happy Birthday to you

Got a pretty sweet lookin tan

Good to have you back on dry land

 

A year on a boat with Matt?

How they hell did you manage that?

I mean, I know you two are married…

Really, no thoughts…to leave him out there buried?

Back with friends for just a spell

The time away has done you well

You’re looking awful nifty

Even though, you’re 50

We’ve missed you very much

Though never really out of touch

We Love you with all our power

Well…now that you’ve had a shower

Raise a glass to Christine

So lovely and pristine

Keep on drinkin that whiskey

And we’ll do this again when you’re 60!

 Special Thank You:

  • Matt and Diana for hosting my birthday party
  • Heather for organizing it and for making the cake
  • Wayne, Sharon P., Michelle J. for coming into Austin
  • Lisa for making the video montage
  • Michelle M. for letting me stay at Casa Martin
  • Sharon and Shawn for helping me clean my attic
  • And all my friends for making me feel so loved