Easy Bake Memories

I remember my Easy Bake oven, do you? I felt very grown up baking my very own cake. And now Elle has this memory too.

Everything about the oven is the same except for maybe the addition of extreme safety warnings. Another thing I realized is that 25 years later, it's tough to find a clear, non-soft white, non-energy effecient light bulb. The Easy Bake oven requirements have not caught up with the advancements and concerns over America's carbon foorprint.

The cake still tastes like shit. She only wanted to eat the sprinkles!

You got to know when to hold em'.

My husband is a gambler. I am not. He is good at it. I am not. He would do a lot more of it but I won't let him. What can I say? I'm tight with my money and he's a dreamer. Usually though, Doc knows he's going to win and sometimes his manifestation comes true.

After having pizza with some friends last night, we stopped by Tulsa's Cherokee Casino. My sweet husband took me to the bar where the band plays because he knew that music is more my thing. And FYI, the smoke in that place was BAD. I felt like I was stuck in an elevator with 12 European chain smoking fanatics. So we listened to the band (and laughed at the guitar player who had a prosthetic penis in his pants...I just know it), and played a little in-bar poker. He put in $20. I was thinking about how much I'd like to have $20. I'd get one of those cheap pedis from the Vietnamese chop shop. And he? He nearly doubled his money and paid for our beer. I like free beer. And I love that he didn't make me witness the loss of that $20. He's a good man.

OK Ice Storms

I woke up at the crack of dawn to the sound of sleet hitting the windown pane. And oddly enough, I also heard thunder and saw lightening. What kind of place gets icy precip and a thunder storm at the same time?




My Japanese Maple held strong the last time one of these winter storms blowed through these parts and I sure hope she can do it again. I love this tree. I got it for Mother's Day 2006.



Oh well, we were planning to rework this flower garden again this spring anyhow.

Now you see why I am working from home today. The streets faired no better than the rest. I'd really planned on not getting out in this crud today but Jason left his truck downtown after the AC/DC concert last night. I guess the parking garage traffic was unreal. Ah, the joys of owning property. I'd almost rather leave it than drive on this stuff.

1st Tooth

Dakota was paid a visit by the toothfairy! He is 7 years and 2 months old and it seems much delayed considering all the Kindergarten kids at his school already have gaps in their teeth. Wonder if that means his permanent ones will last longer?

He's quite cute and $5 richer. I told him the toothfairy probably won't be as gracious with the second tooth. There are onl so many firsts.

True or False?

What's your opinion? Is it true or false that the busiest people are also the most productive people? I'm hoping the answer is true. I'm busier than a worker bee and yet I relish the activity. I live in a constant state of over-doing and yet I don't seem to mind. So long as my body gets plenty of sleep, I'm content to push, and push, and push.

Take this weekend for example. I had a girls night at my parent's lake house on Friday evening. I made it home on Saturday with enough time to fit in a 30 minutes walk, laundry, house cleaning and even watched a bit of DVD'd American Idol before my family walked in the door. We then shared some great family time, more house stuff, book reading, etc. Today was just as action packed but with a HOA meeting tacked onto the evening. I even had my daughter in tow and she had a ball playing with the neighbor's baby and chatting away with the baby's momma.

And even now that the kids are fast asleep, I cannot decide if I should blog, Facebook, work or read my latest novel. Sometimes I wish for greater simplicity in life and sometimes I'm grateful for all the energy. Tonight, I feel alive and well!

So you had a bad day?

Yes, today was bad, sad, you name it. We had a small round of layoffs today and while I was not on the receiving end of it (this time), I had to deliver the news to a very sweet man who has three kids in college. Where is the beauty in that? None. But it's business and I suppose that I of all people should be used to such decisions. I'm seeking the silver lining and I know there is some. As my Mama used to say, "When we fall out of God's hands, we land in His lap". Thank heavens for that.

Happy New Year 2009!

The beautiful thing about a blog is that you don't have to spend New Year's Eve documenting all of the things that happened this year. If people really want to know, they can read the blog history. Lucky for me! But I did want to share a pictorial review of 2008 (of things in and around Tulsa) provided by Tulsa World. While most of these happenings don't have anything to do with me, they are about life and that's what I'll be celebrating in 2009!

Happy New Year all.

Granny & Papa Doc's 65th Wedding Anniversary

Sixty five years is a long time for anything. But for Jason's grandparents, it is representative of the time they've spent together as a married couple. Weekend before last, we drove to Quinton, OK to celebrate this occassion with the family and I caught myself feeling very sentimental about marriage, family and more.

There are five children that are the products of this amazing marriage. Gammy Sandy is one of five children and Jason, Shara and Kara are three of 13 grandchildren. Most all were in attendance to share in this special occasion.

Dakota and Elle are two of 12 great-grandchildren. It brings us so much joy watching the kiddos play with their cousins and the both of them really enjoy their time on the ranch. Cousin Rynda is Elle's favorite of all!

Each of the grandchildren read a paragraph or two from the story of Granny and Grandpa's life together. I was amazed to learn that Granny and Papa Doc met for the first time when there were 11 and 10 years old.

What a proud day this was and I feel very blessed to be a part of this family.

Elle's Winter Dance Recital

This year's winter recital was ballet and I couldn't have been more excited. We were instructed to wear plain clothes and Miss Kristy added the headband and skirt to each girls' attire. Elle was precious and very happy to have had a cookie party afterwards.

She was concentrating very hard on the task at hand.

Such a beautiful ballerina! To see all the pics, visit her online by clicking here.

Winter 2008 Studio Recital

Junkie

I have to admit it, I'm a Facebook junkie. I love it. And after weeks of encouraging my huband to join in on the fun, he finally mde the jump. I've really enjoyed catching up with old friends and acquainences and silly as it sounds, I love reading their status updates. Is Facebook addiction a real thing? I'm beginning to think so. See you online!

7 Years, Where does the time go?

It was seven years ago at this very moment when I gave birth to my handsome little boy. The surprise that we were having a boy was told to us even before we heard his first cry. That's the case when a baby who is frank breach is taken from his mother's womb during surgery. I can remember it pefectly..."It's a boy!" said the doctor. Jason and I immediately started to cry and laugh at the same time. "Is everything alright? I don't hear him crying." I asked. "Everything is fine. We just haven't delivered his head yet." Everything was more than fine, it was perfect.

Dakota is now a first grader and is wise beyond his years.

He loves to read and ride his bike and like most boys his age, he loves some time on the Playstation. We're proud of Dakota and his academic accomplishments and even more so of his gentle disposition. His teacher tells us that he has a natural ability to lead and there are times that we're fortunate enough to witness his peer interaction and see the potential this young man has.

Dakota is growing although I suspect he'll always favor his grandpa Herman and have no trouble maintaining a respectful weight. He's about 45" tall now and weighs about 42.5 pounds. Unlike most first-graders, he hasn't lost a single baby tooth yet!

This past year, Dakota experienced several firsts. He witnessed his first (and second) NBA game watching both the Spurs and the Thunder. He learned to ride his bike. He went to the circus. He learned to tie his shoes. Dakota attended his first outdoor concert, went golfing with his dad and learned to drive the golf cart solo. And the list goes on...

We celebrated with his friends at the Tulsa Air & Space Museum and that was a huge hit. I recommend stopping by sometime.

We're proud of our little man. Happy Birthday son!

Eufala Lake at Sunset

This was taken at 50MPH on our way to Quinton, OK. The camera phone doesn't do it justice.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lost, then Found

Today's good news continues. Jason had lost his wedding ring and last remembered having it during our trip to Austin. After lots of searching and calls to our hotel, we'd given up.

Thankfully, the good people at LaMode Cleaners are diligent about checking pockets and they retrieved our treasure. I just went to pick up the clothes from 6 weeks ago (mostly because I'm cheap and knew that load would cost me) and I was pleasantly surprised to see the ring hanging there! I even woke Doc from his slumber so I could show him. It's nice to know that there are still honest people all around.

Now, if only some honest person would return his lost wallet...

Wow

I must say, I honestly never thought I'd see the day. I mean, I knew the days of $0.89/gallon were long gone. And yet, I didn't think there was hope for less than $3.00/gallon.

Thank God for giving us the gift of the unknown.

Holiday Thrift

I have to share the good news that one of my co-workers and friends shared with me. It's an online shopping rebate site that literally earns you cash back for your online purchases. Just sign up for an account by clicking here and then do all your holiday shopping online. You can earn cash back on every transaction plus get information on free shipping and other promotions.

I joined on just a couple weeks ago and now I can't shop online without checking my e-bates site first! I'm so pleased to be earning money back for the purchases I planned to make anyhow. Pass it on!

Halloween Treats, Compliments of Nana

So, my mom bought all these little Halloween give-a-ways for Dakota and Elle to package up for their friends. Naturally her thoughtfulness lead to a requirement that I do the only thing a good mom would do and make her gifts as thoughtful as could be. And so I ordered some Halloween stamps from my Stampin' Up friend Krystal and came up with some ideas for decorating our treat bags. Elle and I worked on hers one night and then Dakota, Elle and I teamed up to do the 18 we needed for his classmates. We became assembly line experts and the finished product was imperfect but handmade with love.

Livesay Orchard Pumpkin Patch

I wouldn't say that I love this time of year and mostly that's because I'm a wuss when it's cold. I don't like to shiver and I don't like for my toes to go numb. I do, however, like some of the activities that go along with the season.

This past weekend we made a visit to Livesay Orchards in Porter, Oklahoma. We were in need of some pumpkins and thought it might be fun to tie in a hay ride and other children's activities at the same time. Livesay does a decent job of combining the commercial with the traditional.

We took a tractor ride ($3 fee) out to the orchard where we got to trample the pumpkin vines and choose our loot.

We were promptly returned to the farmer's market where we pay for our pumpkins plus whatever other items our hearts desired at that time. Jason was quick to point out that they would do quite well if they had an on-site cafe and sold food to low blood sugar fathers who are along for the ride.

We ran into some old friends at the orchard and enjoyed watching their little guy save caterpillars in his pocket. And we gave the kids some play time in the hay maze, etc. Even Elle showed off her ropin' abilities and Dakota proved that he knows how to milk a cow's tit ("You have to pull AND squeeze Elle!").

Racine, MO

I took this picture while standing in front of Racine Christian Church. I was there for a funeral for my great Aunt Jean. It was nice to revisit her home place and I never realized how beautiful it was there. The last time I visited there I was a child and didn't have much appreciation for the landscape. This part of MO was very pleasant.

I also had little knowlwdge of Jean's early years. As it turns out, she was fond of dancing. And as her tribute stated, when we all go on to meet our creator, we should look for her on the dance floor. I know I will.

Oh no, say it isn't so!

We had to say goodbye to the man plant. It is sad. Guess I didn't give it the TLC it needed. It's legend lives on in spirit I suppose.

Capitol Building

I love visiting other cities and actually seeing something that doesn't look like all the rest. This shot is of the Texas capitol building taken out the car window. Sweet!