Whooo left the surprise?

Whoever left the little (hand-made) owl earrings in my mailbox at work -- thank you. The smile they brought to a very long day is genuine and your kindness is so appreciated. I just wish I knew to whom I owed a hug....

Dr. Mac

Sundays in Big D

JP doesn't cook much. He can do basic stuff, but, well, cooking scares most guys and JP is a guy so there ya go. So, when I come to Dallas I spend Sundays (in this case Monday as we had a holiday) filling the freezer with goodies to last till I get back to refill. It's appreciated, and I don't worry about him quite so much....Before: one little container from the last visit. I got back just in time.
A couple of italian casseroles fresh out of the oven.And some chicken casseroles. There's a big pot of chili involved but chili just isn't a very photogenic subject. All packed up and ready to thaw for dinner. This should last until the next visit! Bon Appetit JP!!

Cheap Thrills!

Annie had to go out of town, so Audrey spent the night this week. I told her we were going to the (Dollar) store and she could pick out anything she wanted. Her eyes, large as saucers, looked and looked and looked all over the store. Finally, she spotted what she wanted. A little plastic green turtle, and it cost 25 cents! What a deal - she loved it. So she played with it and some other toys in the bathtub: And then she asked to take it bed, so she fell asleep with it. In the morning, before I had to wake her: Look at what is still in her little hand: I love you Audrey Anne!

Presidential Inauguration Day 2009

Made in China

JP and I found some awesome barstools for a steal this weekend. We kept wondering why the manufacturer was practically giving them away. So, we borrowed a truck and got them to his apartment. They were unassembled. JP wasn't too happy about that but I convinced him that we could do it. This was fine till we discovered there were NO DIRECTIONS INCLUDED. Nada.

One half of the hardware. I sorted while JP was acting less than thrilled with the task ahead.
Assembling. Patience was wearing thin - I suggested waiting till we get directions but my prodding only received a silent reply.

The first time didn't turn out so good so we started over. I think the look on his face is priceless.
We tried every sort of combination and eventually were successful!



A couple of new cushions that match the couch! Most importantly, in spite of some testy moments, we remain friends :)

Pete Comes Galloping Home

This is a beautiful oil painting that JP's mother completed three years ago - click for enlarged view. Ruth was 80 at the time. The painting has been shuffled around as things sometimes are when life gets complicated. Suffice to say, it made it back to JP's apartment this weekend during my stay in Dallas. I had never seen it before though JP had tried to describe it. I was amazed. I never, ever knew how beautiful it was. She is an incredibly talented woman! I wish you could see it in person - the detail in the eye, beautiful mane, soft mouth - the horse's personality so shines through. It is an awesome composition. Ruth's nickname was Pete when she was growing up -- that's another story. We decided to name the horse Pete in her honor. I am so proud to know her and to love her!

Electric Smile!

This is my little great nephew, Eric David. His Dad sent me the pic this morning. I think the glow from my monitor could be seen all the way to Lubbock. He is a doll!

First Day of Fall Semester

I always like to put up an interesting photo for first class sessions. This is it for Fall 2009 semester. Open ended questions revolve around the science such as how does this illustrate properties of water? Surface tension of water? How is the fish using water to it's (the fishes) advantage? Is this a learned behavior or innate behavior? WHY? Why are the fins red? Why is it looking up out of the water? Is it coming up for air? WHY? HOW DO YOU KNOW?
And then the personal...how will we be feeling like this fish in a few weeks? What can we DO to prepare?
Thanks to my colleague and avid fly-fisherman Jonas Magnusson M.D. for sending me the pic.

No job is finished until...

you know the rest. Audrey is out of diapers during the day and has her own (growing) collection of panties. However, this is what I found in my little half bath after she left last night...suffice to say she needs to get the paper thing under control:
By the way, she DID flush :)

Welcome to the 21st Century Dr. Mac!

I'm pretty good with the computer and have a moderate working knowledge of things technical, but when it came to my stereo system and television, well, let's just say I was satisfied with the status quo. Though not an exact model, this is a close cousin of my 1972 stereo system. It was my ex-husband's, and I inherited the speakers when we parted ways:
The television I had came from a post-divorce (not mine) garage sale. I was excited because it came with a remote. A huge monster that I have cursed with every move.

JP very tactfully brought the antiquity of these things to my attention one weekend, and even went so far as to suggest that I give away the stereo and get a new one. I was highly offended. After all, it worked, right?? However, when Annie was moving from her apartment, JP and me went on a major cleaning the clutter spree and JP won -- Rudy the Mover took the stereo, the television, the cabinet, the speakers - and at least a hundred pair of shoes, clothing, down comforters (this IS South Texas!), assorted gadgets and knick-knacks and Lord only knows how many bags of clothing. Rudy was ecstatic. I was left with a lot of space, clean closets and cabinets (thank you JP!) and, no television or stereo.

I asked my son Scott for advice on a replacement system. He very patiently explained the pro's and cons of plasma vs. LCD, why Bose is worth the money, etc. etc. Then, I had to move the 50 gallon fish tank - that is another story, but everyone survived and is doing well:

Today, the Best Buy Geed Squad came by loaded with my new plasma television and sound system!
Mark the Geek was very nice and hooked everything up. He very patiently explained how to work the remotes and was even kind enough to write out instructions for me -- I'm a visual learner ya know. Then he left. I quickly pulled out my favorite Josh Groban DVD that I have previously only listened to, and was mesmerized. I literally had goosebumps! It looks like he is right in my living room and even better, it SOUNDS like he is in my living room. I am so pleased!!!!!

Come on over and I'll give you a demo. The best part: Mark the Geek told me that I got the best plasma on the market for the money and best sound system for my needs. Thank you Scott!!!!!!!



I have to go watch some televison now....

Sweet spots

I've been taking voice lessons. Not because I don't know how to sing as I have been singing in choirs all my life, but because, well....after an 8 year hiatus, my voice was not there. I mean, enough to suffice and certainly okay, but not THERE. So, I thought some professional coaxing was in order. I had several lessons. After many hours of practicing, today I found there are several voices available. They all appear randomly during my little practice sessions. My teacher, who is awesome, continued to try to coax yet ANOTHER voice forward. Yes, this is like Sybil...and I was having a devil of a time finding THE ONE. Well, today, we did.

I figured it out. I could never explain how ...it took a LOT of practice. Today, Cherie's voice came forward. The instructor was blown away. "How did you find it", he asked. I said, "I listened to so many singing (this assigned song) and decided to experiment. This is what you told me to do. I finally figured it out." It was such a moment. He so pleased, me so pleased. The tonality worked with anything I was given to do. I found my voice today.

I spent the day playing my piano - Bach, Beethoven, and Five for Fighting. So many songs. And then I practiced singing. Dinner with Annie and Audrey.

Once again, my heart is so full.

I can't wait for the next lesson. We are working on a piece and I am learning so much -- the lyrics are awesomeness. I shall post them once I have mastered the piece. Five lines that bring a person to their knees.

I read something today that meant so much to me, and I am reminding myself of what it says/means. I really, really think THIS is what got me to this point today:

"It doesn't matter to God how much you do in a day. What matters to God is how much you love what you do." ~Mother Theresa.

I want to wake up to that thought every day. I found my voice today. I wonder what I will find in the coming days....

Five Stars: Mac's Film Pick of the Year

The acting, the cinematography, the storyline, the messages...it's the whole package. I loved it. Will see again!

Resolution: Balance

Several students have inquired -- here is my (one) resolution: "Work, love and play are the great balance wheels of man's being." ~Orison Swett Marden. That includes women :) Happy New Year!

-Dr. Mac