Stranger Things

 I have to say I am loving the series Stranger Things. We just finished season 1. The show is so true to the 80's, so don't worry I won't be making any negative comments about the show in that regard, lol. I think my favorite character is Dustin, he cracks me up. I was never a fan of Winona Ryder, but I have to admit she is awesome in this series. We've seen Millie Bobby Brown in other shows and had no idea that was the same person.

Atari was just making it's way into the middle income homes, we didn't have the Atari but a Colecovision. I looked up the cost for the time period and it was about $175. Here's a photo of Aunt Karen playing ours, probably Space Invaders. I remember we had Donkey Kong too.

That was taken in the finished basement of Nanny and Pop-pop's house. A lot of families made the basement into an extra room, just like in the show. We spent a lot of time there.

The phone was connected to the wall with a cord. Back then, Bell Telephone was a subsidiary of American Telephone and Telegraph Co, also known as AT&T. In the early 1980's the government decided AT&T was a genuine monopoly and controlled every phone in the US. At the time, you rented the phone from the telephone company after the monopoly was broken up we could eventually purchase our own phone. Here's me, probably talking with my BFF Mindi. Our cord didn't go too far, Mindi had a cord that stretched pretty much through several rooms of her house!

Boom Boxes were popular then. Here's the one Dad and I had, with some cassette tapes. Of course, you can't beat the 80's music! It is just classic

Here's a random picture of Dad from the 80's, he had a nice head of hair! I think this was after he went in the Air Force, but before I met him, so around 1985-86.

Drop me a comment and tell me who your favorite character is. I guess mine could change as the show goes on but for now I'm sticking with Dustin. 

love,

Mom

July Through August Happenings

Well, it seems I've been a little neglectful of this blog. So here's what's been going on lately.

The 4th of July was quiet for us, but Holland enjoyed herself with sparklers.

Dad and I explored a local state park and noticed these things sticking out of the ground. According to the sign,  the cypress trees have "knees" that continue to supply air to the tree during flooding.

Here's a video of Cricket after his bath, he gets the zoomies.

Dad and his painting, he is really enjoying this new hobby. 

I started reading a new mystery series by JK Rowling, who uses the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. The first book is The Cuckoo's Calling, it's been really good.

 Little Miss Holland got a fancy new pair of high heels, isn't she the cutest?!

And of course the two standouts at the Olympics, Snoop Dog and the Turkish Shooter who walked out in flip flops and his hand in his pocket and took the silver medal.

John John came for a visit, he has grown up quite a bit since last time we saw him. Pop-Pop took him on an airboat ride and lots of dinners out. 

I bought an Air Fryer and made some panko breaded cod. We plan to make some wings and try a few new dishes. I really liked it and am surprised it took me this long to buy one.

Well, I will leave you with a joke I heard. A man divorced his cross-eyed wife, they never saw eye to eye. LOL

Love,

Mom

David's Spouse Visa

 I though I would do an FAQ with David regarding his spouse visa in case anyone was wondering how that works.

Are you limited in the type of job you can get?

You can get any job including being self-employed.

How does the NHS system work?

Taxes pay for the NHS, which pays for the whole healthcare system. It's not much different than the US except it's already paid for. You do still pay about $2.50 for prescriptions though.

Can you vote?

No, I cannot vote.

How long before you renew your requirement?

I have two years and six months on this visa, I'll have to renew after this one is spent. After that one I can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. After 10 years total in the UK I can apply for citizenship.

Are you considered an immigrant?

Yes, I am an immigrant.

Do you file taxes in both the US and UK?

I have to file US taxes, usually you don't owe anything unless you make quite a bit. UK taxes are filed automatically.

Is it your plan to stay over there indefinitely or do you two plan to come back here eventually?

For now, we're gonna be here indefinitely. That might change in 10 years. We'll just wait and see.

Well, there you go! If you have any other questions for David or Charlotte post in the comments.

love, 

Mom

June Happenings

 Well, another month has passed and I have a few items to share. Some are things you already know but might not have pictures of.

So to start...another baby girl is joining the family. No name has been decided as of yet but they are still taking suggestions. Below is a video with Holland watching as she finds out Maureen is pregnant. 

Note: if you don't want to see the video of the ultrasound don't watch the video.

Luke and Hailey went to the zoo, and sent me some pictures. This was from the zoo in Waco.

Luke has started his nursing job and will be on night shift soon. Luke, I really hope you find it to be a very fulfilling career.

Guess who's been sleeping in their own bed for about a month now?

Ahhh, let me tell you about the adventures of Cassie the Cat. Cassie was missing for a few days, they are not sure if she was hiding under the decking or if she went somewhere. Unfortunately, she got herself into a situation where another animal or she got stuck on something and took all the skin off the tip of her tail. She ended up at the vet when she came home and they amputated about 1-2" off her tail. She's doing much better, here's a picture of her yawning in the backyard.

Towards the end of June, Dad and I drove up to Panama City as Chris, Maureen and Holland were there visiting her mom. It was great to see them. We took Holland to the zoo. Chris said you could see the rip currents on the beach, just 1 week before their visit 3 people had died there because they could not get out of the rip current. Here's some photos from our visit:

This is me at the villages pool, finally found one that wasn't crowded. Dad and I just celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary!

Keep those photos and news coming to me and try and leave a reply if you are able.

love, 

Mom

NEW THINGS

 Starting a new job and the orientation is Monday. I should find out my schedule as well. The job is a Lobby Host in one of The Villages sales office, greeting people and answering questions. It's 3-4 days a week for about 6 hours. I'm hoping to work Sunday-Wednesday, with every other Wednesday off. 

I started a new hobby, geocaching. I downloaded an app and you look for hidden containers in the area you're in, so far we found 2. It's fun and doesn't cost anything. One was a little wooden birdhouse hidden in a tree.

We went kayaking on a tandem kayak. I enjoyed myself, I'm not much of a water person but it was peaceful. We're looking at kayaks now, lol.

Next Sunday is Father's Day so will be taking Pop-Pop out for dinner next weekend. He's been doing well and has started taking walks again. We suggested that he get a watch that alerts us if he falls but I don't think he's too keen on that. The last time we went over he showed us how he gets himself off the floor, lol! For now, I've dropped it though he usually likes to process things before he comes around to agreeing to them.

Ikea, Valentine and a New Hairstyle

We took a drive down to Tampa last Saturday just to check out IKEA! Oh I gleaned so much inspo, as Hailey calls it! Dad enjoyed it too. So many neat ideas and we had lunch and chocolate. I would say we spent a good 2 hours in the store it was that big. There is another one in Orlando, which is closer to us we will check out on another day.

For Valentine's day we got Chinese takeout and split a box of chocolates. Holland had a party at school and wore her Bluey shirt with hearts. What a sweetie.

I went with a new hairstyle and have to actually curl it. I am liking it a lot, though this is not the best photo of me.

We're planning a trip back to Texas in a few weeks to put the house on the market. I can't wait to see you all and catch up. We haven't decided if we will stay until we get it cleaned out and up for sale or just stay until it's sold, which could be a couple of months. 

Love, 

Mom

David and Charlotte's Pictures from England

 David and Charlotte sent pictures from a couple of outings they took a couple of weekends ago. The first is Bramber Castle. Here's a link to the Wikipedia site about it.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bramber_Castle

This first one is called the Gatehouse.

Here's a couple of Dave being funny.

One of the cute couple.

The rest are pictures from the South Downs.

Check out this awesome gate below!

Well, that's all I've got for now. I hope you all have a great week.

Love, 

Mom