criplomats

A lovely four-week R&R was over in the wink of an eye! We left Hot Springs early on Saturday and arrived back in Monrovia at 9PM the following day. I forgot to blog!

Our last week in HS was great! My cousin Julie and her husband Scott came for coffee one morning (with great Mueler’s pastries).  John’s friend Russ came to spend a day; I shopped while they visited, then Russ’s wife Cathie came and we grilled delish steaks from Weldons. Thursday night, we went to Via Roma with David and Alison (yummy). We had another afternoon of coffee and yakking with D&A on Friday.

We were able to tour the Arkansas Passport Center one day, as well. We had an informal session with employees where John and I talked about life in the foreign service, then we got a tour of the facility. Such nice folks!

Our last night in town, Sarge and Miller from high school days came over for pizza on the balcony – what a treat to see them!

The trip home was long with stressful moments but we made it! Now we’re teleworking as we quarantine. What a great vacation!

Why I love my husband: when I text him from a thrift store

I’ve been having so much fun that I forgot to blog yesterday! Time slips away.

Three of my favorite people in the world came to visit last Sunday: Ann, Pamela, and Jackie. We spent the afternoon on the balcony yakking away for hours.

Later in the week, Jonathan H. (up from New Orleans) came for coffee and a quick breakfast on his way to take his dad to Easter service. This weekend, Kelly H. from Seattle was in town and spent the day with us (the last time I saw her I was in a wheelchair in the hospital in Seattle!). John’s good friend Russ has been over a couple of times, as well. I’ve had several afternoon coffees with David and Alison (how fun to be able to just stroll over to their place!). And this morning, Chuck D. spent the morning with us drinking coffee and reading to us from his latest book. How wonderful and recuperative to see friends!

Ann with Pebbles

Chuck

With Ann, Jackie, and Pamela

Russ

Elk in Boxley

We are so enjoying our time in Arkansas, and keep commenting how good retirement looks…!

We spent time with David, Alison, James, and MaryBeth in the early part of the week, with a BBQ dinner one night and a picnic on the boat the next day – it was a gorgeous day.

On Thursday we drove to Fayetteville, stopping in North Little Rock for lunch with Doug and Deb. We stayed with Phillip and Michele but saw a lot of Pete and Ginger. Ginger took me to a fun flea market, and I picked up a cute table at Goodwill (I’ve been on a flea market kick this trip and have hit several – fun!).

We meandered home via back roads on Saturday and got lucky in Boxley where we saw elk babies! We tried hiking to Hawk’s Bill crag, but I got too tired after 1.5 miles so we turned back. (I’d love to try again when we’re better prepared). We had a great Whattaburger at the original place in Russellville, then continued down Hwy 7 to get home – great trip!

Red-bellied woodpecker

Turtles

James, Marybeth, David, Alison

Pete

Happy John

Pete and Ginger

Little waterfall in Boxley

On the road to Hawk’s Bill crag

Baby elk!

The week flew by! We are slowly getting over jet lag. We’ve done some shopping for the house and are just generally relaxing.

We had a great rib dinner at David and Alison’s last night, along with their good friend Peewee, who we always enjoy seeing. Earlier in the week, we went on a boat ride with D & A to celebrate the lake’s water level coming back up.

James and MaryBeth drove up from Texas today – they came over with D & A this afternoon. It’s so nice to see them!

The lake is so relaxing – we are really enjoying being home!

John and I finally got a break from work, and are back home in Hot Springs on R&R! We’re thrilled. It’s been a long 15 months with no leave. The trip was really long – over 40 hours total, but we eventually made it to Hot Springs in one piece and are enjoying the little condo we bought down the bay from David and Alison.

We arrived a little after midnight Sunday morning. Thanks to Jackie and Alison, we had food and all kinds of goodies waiting for us – it was so wonderful of them!

We’re thrilled with the condo. It’s so peaceful here, and we have a great view facing east. The first day, there was a lovely afternoon rain. There are ducks paddling around, and we wake up to honking geese and birds singing. Just what the doctor ordered!