Road-Aversion Disorder

We're making a quick (6 hr) trip to Tulsa for a party tonight (Mister's high school friends) and then back home tomorrow morning.  Did I mention it was a 6 hour drive one-way?  UGH! 
I.Will.Not.Gripe.
I.Will.Not.Gripe.
O.K.I.May.Gripe.A.Little.

You know I hate road trips.
 I think I have "Road-Aversion Disorder".

Livin' Off the Land . . .

not our land, 

but someone's land.

Mister made a trip 

to the Farmer's Market.

Last night's dinner was sliced fresh tomatoes.

Squash, prepared per my bloggy friend, Karen's recipe.  YUM!

We also had pinto beans, a pan of cornbread,

and a big pitcher of SWEET TEA

to wash it all down.

Princess snarled at the idea of "livin' off the land",

informing me that she was a city girl and not

a farm girl.

Mister enjoyed the meal but didn't

feel it was substantial enough.
(What he really wanted was Pizza!)

I loved it ALL!

I've not decided what's for dinner tonight,
but whatever it is it won't be
nearly as healthy as last night.

What's for dinner at your house tonight?

Thinking deeply today. Waaay deep.

“Nanny always said that sweet tea is the thing for frayed nerves.”  ~Downton Abbey
Can I get a big southern "Amen" for this quote?  Love it!


 Princess and I are watching Downton Abbey as a summer "thang" we can do together.  Can you say "extremely lazy Summer thang"?  This is how we roll in the good ol' Summertime.  We turn the volume up and try to read their lips, as we find it difficult to understand much of the dialogue with the heavy British accent.

* * * * * * * * * *

Things I wonder about -

#1
"Why do people love the smell of clothes fresh from the clothesline?"
Anytime I hang something outside to dry I think it "smells".  I don't get it.

#2
What's the big deal about Squash?
I've tried preparing it different ways but it just never seems to have any flavor.  Hmmmmm.

#3
Does it seem to you that some people attract wasps, more than others?
I hate wasps.  My family laughs because it seems when I am outside they buzz all around me.  Perhaps I am "The Wasp Whisperer".

I'm thinking deep thoughts today.
And I'm humming the old Nat King Cole song, "Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, the days of soda and pretzels and beer. . ."

What are you doing today/tonight?

Totally Tuesday

I feel rested this morning despite the fact that I was either waking during the night to fan myself (HOT flash) or scratch my foot (Fire Ant bites).  Isn't my life fascinating?!

I'm trying to get back on track with my dieting, after a weekend of reckless abandon.
I think I can.
I think I can.

Then later today I am off to have my "mammies" grammed.  Just a girl who knows how to have a good time on this Sunny, *102, Tuesday.

I'm so thankful for a/c!!

*I just noticed that my daughter has posted about me today.  Please visit her and read her kind words.  You can find her HERE.

What's the agenda for your Tuesday?

Weekend "Besties"!

Friday: They got here at 7:30 pm.
They had great stories to tell over dinner.
The keys had been accidentally locked in the car at one point.  There had been unexpected car problems that could only be resolved by leaving the car at the dealership.  A vehicle had been rented so they could continue on their journey. . .and at last they were here!

We ate.

Then we talked the evening away
sitting around the table, laughing and swapping stories
as only good friends can do.
Left to right standing: Teresa, Daretta, Markita, Maryletta, 

Left to right seated:  Me, Machelle, Helen, Marsha

Saturday:

We shopped and shopped.

Then we shopped a little more.

Then we waited for our table at

The Salt Grass Restaurant.

Seated.at.Last.

And always, a little silliness!

Sunday:

Packing to go back to Oklahoma.

"Even the best of times must end at some point".

Amazing packing, huh?

"Byeeeeeee!"

And they all went home!

Another sweet, sweet memory to savor.

I'm counting my blessings today

and 7 of them are in this vehicle

heading  toward Oklahoma.

Ready.Set.Party!!

Waiting for my guests to arrive . . .

The table is set.

The BBQ has been prepped.

The Rum Punch is waiting.

And of course there is plenty of Sweet Tea on hand.

My friends are running late.
At the very start, the driver locked her keys in the car, so that required waiting for someone to bring replacement keys to her rescue. . .Then a little farther down the road there was some car troubles, so that required some time spent at the car dealership.  When a bunch of women travel you just never know what is ahead. . .but you can always know there will be a good story when it's all said and done.

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

Noooooo, not really.

But, my Tulsa Bunko Girlfriends are!!

This is the rowdy bunch the last time

they were here, two years ago.

(This was taken right before I realized

I was standing on a mound of FIRE ants!)

I've known these gals for YEARS!

(I'm too lazy to do the math

to figure out exactly how long,

but it's been a LONG time!)

Can't wait to see them.

I'm off to put clean sheets on all
the beds and make the Rum Punch.
Par-tee!

"P" is for . . .

Planning.

Baking.

Prepping.

Decorating.

Someone must be having a PARTY!
I wonder who?
And why?

Take a guess!

I'll tell you tomorrow.
Now?
I'm in full 'Party Prep Mode".

High-Tech

As I was driving to yesterday's hair appointment I got a call from Princess to tell me the hairdresser had called, was running late, but just to wait, "cause she would be there".

"Ok.  Darn.
I forgot my ipad.
Bor-rrrring."

Then Princess said, "Mom, pray!'

"Pray?"
She caught me off guard.

"Yes, that's what they tell us at church, when you're bored you should pray for someone."

Why didn't I think of that?

Praying is really the most high-tech thing we can do, isn't it?  No AT&T or Verizon needed, just an automatic direct connection to the top.  Love it!

I've got a pretty smart kid!

Hair-brained ideas

Just a few of the images drifting through my thoughts as I head out to a new saloon salon today.  Gonna trust my tresses to someone I've never used before.  I know, I know, "it'll grow back".  Doncha just hate it when people say that?!

AND

you do know what else people  say

don't you ?

UPDATE, 2:45 PM:  hair appnt went well.

At last I've found someone near me

who cut it "just right"

No photos, same do, just freshened up

and trimmed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Anyone remember these lyrics?

"Let it fly in the breeze
And get caught in the trees
Give a home to the fleas in my hair
A home for fleas
A hive for bees
A nest for birds
There ain't no words
For the beauty, the splendor, the wonder
Of my...HAIR!"

10:10

I'm posting this at 10:10 am.

I enjoy the times I glance at the clock and notice the numbers have repeated or are in a sequence of some type.  You know, 11:11,  12:34,  5:55, that sort of thing.  I think it was the movie, "Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud" that talked about this very thing, saying it was good to let this serve as a visual reminder to pause and remember those we love who have passed.

This thought has stayed with me.

It's one of those "little things" that bring me joy as I'm doing life each day.  

Today many of us are enjoying/remembering our Dad, and we need no reminder on this special day.  Here is my Dad as a young man.  This is my favorite photo of him.  He would have turned 92 tomorrow, June 18.  He always said he was gonna live to be 100, and he is, except he is living in Heaven now and enjoying his new body.

"Moon"

What.I.Know.For.Sure.

What.I.Know.For.Sure.

  ~by: SWEET TEA

I love David McCullough Jr.

I want YOU to have his babies.

We're all a little obcessed,

just about different things;

it's called "passion".

President George H.W. Bush

is a very wise man.

Can't remember if I voted for him

or not, but I found the interview

he gave to his granddaughter,

quiet touching...I sure hope I voted

for him.  What a guy!

The Pioneer Woman and Paula Deen

are bad influences to a woman on a diet.

It's not the camera.  It's me.

Bath & Body is having a great Summer sale this month.

Just because one plays "Words with Friends"

doesn't really mean these folks are actual friends.

I also know I have pretty toes,

'cause many of you told me so

in the comments you left yesterday..

At my age, good toes are something to be celebrated!

I also know I should never blog after
taking my sleeping pill.

Goodnight.

W.I.M.P.

Yesterday I did say there would be no photos
of me in the pool.
(You know I am not to be believed.)

It was fun.  It was cool
and
yes, I did some robust dog-paddling,
enough to actually qualify for the
"E" word - excercise.

Now hear this . . .
I am a
W.I.M.P.

Woman.

In.

Major.

Pain.

I HAVE A CRICK IN MY BACK!
(Yes, I am screaming,
I told you I was a wimp!)
"I don't do pain".

It will probably be much better by tomorrow.

I will probably not be able to do any housework
for an entire week!

No.Not.Nada.Nil.

I am going to a friend's house this afternoon
to exercise in her pool.

There will be no, not, nada, nil
photos forthcoming.

Day #3 of Weight Watchers.
I want to lose 20 lbs.
Many miles to go . . .

Yes.I.Am.Already.Obcessing.

It's what I do.

". . . peanut butter".

I should go water the garden, but it's like a furnace out there peanut butter! 

I should be making plans for next year's homeschool year, but I really need some time from thinking too hard. peanut butter!

I really should go exercise as part of my Weight Watcher committment, but you know how boring that would be! peanut butter!

I remember very little of the church sermons I heard as I sat my tush on the church pew during my youth, BUT (gotta love the pun!) I do remember one sermon in particular.  It was a sermon on excuses people make for not doin' what they know they oughta be doin'.  The pastor gave several examples, then said, regardless of the excuse, people might as well just say, "PEANUT BUTTER", cuz in the end they were all the same, just an "excuse", and one word was as good as another.

Funny how certain things stick in your mind, (or the roof of your mouth) isn't it?!

So, off I go -

I am gonna
     1.  Order some school curriculum
     2.  Walk a mile
     3.  Water the garden

BUT, no Peanut Butter for me -
I just joined Weight Watchers (more about that another time). 

June Mumble Jumble

Please fasten your seatbelts and roll
with my unrelated thoughts -
my brain is spinning today!

The Summer is unfolding fast and fun - my favorite time of the year.  Lots to do and see, but I plan for only one thing at a time - this plan keeps me sane and my family speaking to me (most of the time).

Now for a personal question - "Do you eat Hummus?".  I've been wanting to try it for sometime but each time I go to buy it there are so many varieties that I can't decide which to choose.  Finally I closed my eyes and chose one, "Roasted Pine Nut Hummus".  I found it to be OK, but the longer I ate it the better I liked it.  I ate it with Fritos so I think that negated all the health benefits. I'm told the proper way to eat it is with chopped veggies. 
Bummer!

Look what's in my backyard!

These make my heart sing Barry Manilow hits.

I think it's a sight/sensory condition.

The family newlyweds have been here the past couple of days.  It's great to be in the presence of new love - all smiles and stolen kisses.   The only kink was the fact that our spoiled rotten pooch, Boudxy, doesn't like my son, and the feeling was mutual between the two.  They did finally find a mode of general tolerance for each other though.  Geesh, there was some noisy barking in our house for a while, then my son finally settled down.  *wink

Just FYI, for the price of a movie ticket you can tickle your funnybone by going to see "Bernie".  What a pleasant surprise this was.  It was a HOOT!  The entire theater laughed through the entire thing, and be sure to stay while the credits role for some exra fun.  This tip is free.  You'll thank me later.

Please note - I've had company so am behind on visiting blogs.  I miss you and will be by to say "Hello" on Sunday afternoon, "the good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise"!

According to me . . .

June 2 dawned sunny and warm,

the perfect day for a wedding.

Chug-a-Chug-a-Choo-Choo!

The wedding was held at

the historic Santa Fe Depot in Norman, OK.

now known as the Performing Arts Space.
From the outside it sort of looks like
a school, doesn't it?

Me thinking:

"If these spanx begin to unravel

I'll ricochet like a balloon losing air,

bouncing off every wall in this room."

Mister thinking:

"Now that would be

something I'd even pay to see!"

"Wah! Wah!"

Baby girl and Baby boy.

"How can I cut this so that we

both can have a corner piece?"

(Two youngest Granddolls)

The cake was non-traditional

and quite yummy.

Someone said it was a

"Dulce de leche cake".

I'd never heard of this before

but found out it is basically

a caramel cake.

Very moist.

VIP's

(left to right) my Sister, my nephew,

my BIL, oldest daughter,

youngest granddoll, middle granddoll.

Youngest son made his flight arrangements

the evening before the wedding,

I'd say that's "cutting it a little close",

but it all worked out.

He showed up (from Atlanta) wearing a suit

and brought with him a plethora

of ties of all colors.

The purple one was perfect!

What he lacked in trip planning

he made up for in proper

wedding apparel.

"Stuff it!"

"No. You stuff it!"

"Do you think this is how

they met?"

(this was on the wall of a BBQ

place where we ate while in town)

A private joke.

Let's just leave it that way.

When the wedding had ended

we spent a relaxing night at our

friend's home.  The grands loved

playing around the pool. . .

Feet in the water. . .

Then everyone decided to

get in!

A fun ending to a BIG day!

*Details*

The colors for the wedding were Purple and Spring green.

I thought that worked out nicely.

The centerpieces were green and purple

hydrangeas, similar to the bride's bouquet.

Is there a woman anywhere
who doesn't LOVE hydrangea's?!!

*loved the confetti and the photo magnets

on the tables too

(sample photo)

The sign in book, actually wasn't a book

at all.  It was a canvas with a tree,

sans leaves.  To sign in we

could choose from a purple or

spring green ink pad - make our thumb

print on a branch of the sketched tree,

then sign our name beneath our "thumb leaf".

They are planning to frame this

as a keepsake and it will be a

photo for their home.

Also there were crafty little birdhouses,

(hand painted by the bride)

placed on the ledge of

many of the windows.

All the women were told to choose

a birdhouse to take with them

as a keepsake.

I hadn't even noticed the birdhouses

so it was a nice surprise.

This is mine.

I chose a large one.

I figured the Mother of the Groom

could have a big one..

Such fun!

Another personal touch -

instead of toasting each other,

the bride and groom toasted

the guests telling how appreciative

they were to have all these special

people in their life

and to thank them for being there.

Big Budget/Small Budget,

it's the personal touches

which mean so much!

Just one more thing . . .

This is my Dad,

who passed 3 years ago.

Look how much Greg looks

like his grandfather (my Dad).

Do you see the resemblence?

The newlyweds are on their

honeymoon to New Orleans.

They will stopping by to visit

with us Thurs and Fri,

on their way home.

They're both vegetarians,

but I think I've got my menus

in place -

"salad and water".

Just teasin'!