30, Thirty, The Big 3-0, etc.

Today is April's birthday.  She's 30.  I think we often forget the age difference between us (after much coaxing from Brett over the years because it used to be something April was a bit self-conscious about).  But, turning 30 is definitely a time for self-reflection...

On milestone birthdays...I've never done anything important on a "major" birthday.  My sweet sixteen was low-key, I was sick and friendless at 18, for my 21 Jim and I went out to dinner and I had my first (ever, really) drink, and just one at that. At 25 (which is not actually considered a major birthday), I was in D.C. and probably had more friends and freedom than ever before, but I still spent the night working, watching TV, and eating take-away.  So, lots of people asked about what I'd do for 30.  Brett was really sweet about doing anything I wanted. It depends, like everything these days, on how I feel, not by the day but literally by the hour.  I think we're planning a day together at home, no-electronic interference (my excuse for posting now is that he's still in bed, lol), and just spending time catching up on our us-time.  If it won't antagonize our migraines too much, I have an impossipuzzle, I'd like to take a crack at. :-)

On transitioning from the 20s to the 30s... I was never afraid of the 30s.  Instead, I am welcoming them with open arms.  I am disappointed that I have not finished my dissertation by 30 (something I truly believed I would have done had I not suddenly deteriorated with these new crop of neurological issues in the fall).  But, other than that, I expect the 30s to be a pretty awesome decade of my life.  The 20s were a time of learning (book-learning and life-learning and April-learning) that I desperately needed to get to the happy, settled, grateful place in my life that I am currently in.  Now, I plan on enjoying that to the best of my ability with my amazing partner who makes every day better and more wonderful.  I don't want to ever take for granted what I have because the journey to get here was a roller coaster I am glad to say I experienced but wouldn't want to get back in line for seconds.

Ok, well, that's all the typing these fingers can do for today. Thank you to those who read our Team Beattie blog--We appreciate y'all and having you in my life is one more thing to be grateful for on my birthday. Hugs and love, April

Cape Jervis Station

Cape Jervis Station is the current front-runner in our search for a wedding site in South Australia.  We haven't posted a deposit yet, but Brett's family (his parents and sister/brother in law) went to visit and loved the location, accommodations and atmosphere.  The pictures were hard for me to really capture the essence of where we'd get married, but I recently found this video and it helped to get me pretty excited.  Here's the link if you want to check out the place more:  http://www.capejervisstation.com.au/

Best. Husband. Ever.

I am not sure how nearly three months slipped away.  Now here it is at the end of March and there is so so much to recap about our adventures the past 11 weeks.  But, for the most part, we've been sick, seeing doctors, teaching classes, doing research, taking care of animals, taking care of each other, more doctors, making fires, doing chores, cuddling, grading papers, resting when we get a chance, and so on...

I am hoping that this coming week ("spring break" if you believe there is such a thing once you're a grown up) gives us a bit of a reprieve from the stress, busyness, and nonstop work that we've had on our plate.

Brett has been such a trooper.  Taking such good care of me despite him also being sick.  I do my best to take care of him too, and we're making it day by day. He's been helping me out a lot with my job too...now that I'm 90% caught up, it'll be time that we focus on getting him to the next level on his dissertation.

Still no news on a diagnosis for me.  We're starting a new medication regimen for him and hopefully beginning chiropractor and allergy therapy in the coming days.

Still no news about next year on any front.  I'm hoping no news might be good news...

More Team Beattie Holiday Firsts...

Well, things have been really busy around here since Brett's parents arrived.  Luckily, it has been busy and fun! My apologies for not posting more, but between all this busyness and fun, plus bouts of not feeling well and chilly chilly weather, we've had our hands full.

 Here are a few pictures from the first-ever snowman these Aussies have ever made and our holiday gingerbread house.  Details are in the captions:

It was really much harder to make a snowman with Colorado snow than PA snow.  And with the temperature in single digits that day, brrrrr...   Brett named him "Bob" (big surprise there!).  He lasted five days through serving as Baxter's potty hydrant, a bright Colorado Springs sun, and warming temperature before his head fell off.  RIP Bob the Snowman.

Front view:  I really should have read the directions on the gingerbread house sooner.  It has to be made at least a day before you try to put the frosting and candy on top.  Oops.  The front includes a Snowman, Xmas tree, door and wreath.  The candy decorations were so much harder to work with than we imagined.

Side view:  Both sides looked the same and had a lot more plain brown that we intended but it probably would have taken so much extra time and effort to cover it all up like the amazing one on the box and this was pretty enough.  I especially like the heart candy cane on the roof. <3

Well, that's everything for now.  We're heading down south at the end of the week for the great Australians meet Texans family reunion (or family introduction as the case may be).  Wish us luck!

Team Beattie 1st Christmas Tree

Now if only we could convince Baxter that the tree, ornaments, and lights are not food...

For the love of cricket (bats)...

A  long time ago, in a far away place called Adelaide, a young boy named Brett had a cricket bat.  Brett loved playing with his cricket bat and balls in his family's backyard.  He'd practice his bowling for hours on end and he would love to bat even though he couldn't play any hook shots to protect his parents' windows.  The famed Beattie pitch changed over the years but Brett always found a way to put his beloved cricket bat to use playing the all-Australian pastime.  

Brett grew up into a tall, smart, handsome young man and his family was very proud of him.  He decided to move to America to pursue a graduate degree and was sad to leave his cricket bat behind.  Even as he packed his final bags, he knew that he wasn't saying goodbye to his bat because someday they would be reunited and they would be able to be hitting boundaries together again [even if they were six-and-outs].

Years past and Brett flourished in America.  He did well in his graduate studies, fell in love with a beautiful girl, and explored the world.  Every time he visited Australia or his family and friends came to visit him, his heart tugged at him to be reunited with that special old friend--his cricket bat.  He would meet new friends who suggested he just buy a new one, after all, it would be about the same cost as having the old one sent from half way across the world.  But, Brett knew that just wouldn't do.  If he couldn't have HIS cricket bat, he didn't want any cricket bat.  It was only HIS cricket bat, that held so many memories, that felt just right in his hands, and that loved him just as much as he loved it that belonged in his garage. It was his cricket bat that he wanted most of all...

UPDATE:  Brett's parents were very generous and brought his beloved cricket bat to him.  We were able to go outside in the afternoon on Christmas eve and play.  I learned a few of the rules of backyard cricket (I am not very good at it, sad to say), and we found out that Baxter really enjoys going after the balls. If only we could properly train him to bring it back to the pitch! :-)  I'll try to take a picture of the bat soon and post it for those who are interested in what a cricket bat looks like-it wasn't anything like I imagined, and really heavy too!

Snow day!

It snowed a few inches last night and this morning Brett and I went out with the dog to play in the snow.  It is definitely a different type of snow than we got in Pennsylvania and now that it is colder, it didn't "all melt before noon" like the native Coloradoans have been claiming since we moved here.  The dog, having probably lived in Colorado his whole life didn't mind the snow a bit but Princess wasn't having any of it, preferring to sit at the window and watch. 

We were supposed to go to a holiday party this afternoon hosted by one of my colleagues but we were feeling sick (it hasn't been a great week-headaches, fibro, Brett's broken toe and my falling down the stairs!) so we had to cancel.  I give my first final tomorrow--I cannot believe how fast the semester has flown by!  Students also turn in their final papers so I will be busy grading (same thing happens Wednesday with my second section) for the next week or so.

Team Beattie has been slowly preparing for the arrival of our Aussie parents/in-laws (9 days to go).  Brett keeps looking for a real pine Xmas tree, which apparently is pretty hard to find in Colorado where 99.9% of all of the trees are firs of one type or another.  But, our tree will be up and decorated (hopefully) before they get here.

Ok, well, Baxter the Beattie Beagle is being bad (how's that for alliteration?), so I need to run and save the day.