Another Wintery Day in Oklahoma

It is yet another wintery day here in Oklahoma and frankly I'm tired of it.  I have to say though, the snow was just beautiful.  The Hubby and I went to friends for dinner last night and the drive made me wish I had my camera.  It was just breathtaking.  You know the fir and pine trees looked like Christmas cards with each branch topped with the icing of snow.  Just beautiful.  That being said, bring on the spring.  I've been a bit productive with the signage of two more paintings and the beginning of a couple more.  Sometimes it is kind of nice to be snowed in, makes us do stuff. 

I really need to get back to Daddy's so we can finish putting the final touches on his kitchen.  He needed a small bed in his computer room for when his niece comes back with him for a visit and we were lucky enough to have one of the girls trundle beds still in storage.  I ordered a comforter, sheets and pillows and that is a go but I need to get down there to put it together.  It's getting down to crunch time for his return and I want everything perfect.  Supposedly the back porch room is getting the paneling put up and then we can strip and wax the floor in there.  I'm going to put this out there and I may step on a toe and make someone scream at me but I really don't care.  We have had tons of help on this project but there has been a glaring omission of help, a relative, very close that has not lifted a finger in this project.  Now I know that it was my idea but I am not an only child.  I'm getting tired of this person having the excuse that because of health reasons they can't lift (dishes can be washed) or that they can't afford it like "I" can!  There is much more to it.  Okay, again this was our idea, The Hubby and mine but still.  One of the main reasons for the inabilty to help is funds on their part but then I see on Facebook this morning that one of their children got a new laptop...whoa...I may have to get angry again.  Oh well, Daddy will have a nice place and that is what counts isn't it!

Snow, Snow, Snow-Ain't it Pretty!

Weather Update

Beady little eyes

Yesterday morning after my usual workout I went into the bathroom, turned the heat vent on and jumped into the shower. I didn't close the door all the way, just pulled to. I went about my business scrubbing the sweat off when I noticed the lights from the dressing area so knew that Clayton had pushed open the door. My thought was that the heat was escaping and it was goin' to be chilly. I finished and opened the shower door that when opened is against the toliet area.  I stood there and looked out the door thinking that Clayton was out on the rug by the bed, but no.  I quickly finished toweling off and closed the shower door...

to this...these beady little eyes staring at me from behind the door.  I jumped!  It was funny and a made my heart jump a bit that he was behind the door all the time waiting and watching.  Kind of Chuckie like don't you know.

The Sky is Falling

The sky is falling.  That is what is literally going to happen this afternoon, according to the weather people.  Let's scare everyone half to death why don't we.  I mean really.  It is crazy out there and on the TV.  Yes, yes, I remember how it was being without power for 9 days in '07 but let's not put such fear in everyone please.  I know the media is trying to be helpful like how to keep your food in the fridge when the power goes out or how to run the generator or, or, or... but I'm tired of it at this point.  Maybe I feel this way because this time our generator is all hooked up and ready to take over, unlike last time when it sat at the side of the house because The Hubby did not have time to get it hooked up.  You see, being an electrical contractor we install permanent standby generators and were so busy doing everyone else's that ours sat.  That is a good thing, to be that busy, but not when the power goes out for 9 days. 

Okay on to other things...

Last night was the 4th week of the forced-into dance classes with The Hubby.  I have to admit here that it was a little fun but I'm not happy at 2 solid hours of it.  By the middle of the 2nd hour I'm done!  I'm a sweaty mess and so tired that my feet are not minding my brain.  Sometimes I watch the clock slowly tick the seconds away, just waiting to go home.  I've decided (haven't shared this with The Hubby yet) that I'm giving him a year of this once a week crap and then I'm done.  I'm sorry but I just don't want to do it.  I had to have two glasses of wine to go last night and that does not go very well with the constant spinning or twirling or whatever you call it.  Yeah, it helped to make it a bit more fun, but I can't get half drunk every Wednesday night, or can I.  I know you ladies are confused by my dislike of this dance thing.  Many have commented that they wished their husbands would like to dance with them but I think it is a dominance battle with us and my not wanting to pushed into yet another obsession of his.  Oh I'm a bit confused myself about it all but will carry on, at least for a bit.  I think I'm going to have to buy dance shoes...EGADS!!!!!

True Writers Block

I truly have writers block.  Many times I have opened the new post box to sit and stare at a blank page.  My mind is just not doing it lately and I'm not sure why.  Sometimes I think it's the addiction to Facebook and Farmville and television that keeps my mind occupied and not letting the whatever fire to create words and thoughts.  It could also be the days and days of endless cold and dreary days that are depressing me.  I hate, HATE, HATE this time of year.  The trees are stark dead sticks that look like a nuclear war or something.  There is not green or yellow or fresh, only dead, dark and brown.  I am so ready for the winter to be over and yet they are predicting another winter storm here at the end of the week.  Here we go again!  I'm in need of laughter, friends and sunshine, warm sunshine.  Maybe we ought to go south for the winter.  I would not be opposed to that at all.  Love the beach, especially Destin.  I'm also feeling a bit lonely.  We of course celebrated the anniversary and worked at Daddy's the past weekend so no cabin and cabin friends.  

It's very hard to generate friendships, life-long friendships that can endure and I don't mean the casual friends that I have a plethora of.  I love all my friends and cherish them but I don't feel that I have one that would just die for me, would drop everything they are doing to be there for me.  I'm sure I'm wrong but that is how I'm feeling right now and I'm sure it is fueled by the winter depression.  I'm sorry for being a Negative-Nellie today.  Wait, sun is now streaming through my window.  Think I'll sit in it for a bit and get some of the good stuff. 

On a side note.  I've been playing around a little with paint again and quickly dashed this off from a very old photo I've had for 30 years or so.  I love it.

The Day After

No I didn't post anything on the day of our anniversary, yesterday, Jan 23, but chose to post the day before and the day after.  Yesterday was our 34th wedding anniversary and we celebrated it very quietly.  I spent the day at Daddy's with B&B2, my aunt GiGi, Bro, and B's friend JR.  We cleaned more of the kitchen cabinets and sorted through over 50 years of dishes and crap and can safely tell Daddy that every dish he owns has been washed.  I forgot to take pictures of the progress but will soon.  We have totally organized his kitchen cabinets and even threw out the old dishwasher that was never used.  That left a gap in the flow of the cabinets but I found a rolling butcher block-like cart that fit beautifully into it.  We also found sliding contraptions to put in the bottom cabinet for his pots and pans and B2 brought his trusty drill to install for us.  I can say that we only have a couple more days of just putting stuff back then a good vacuuming and dusting and the place is ready for Daddy to come home.  He's getting homesick and I'm ready to have him home. 

After the day of work I went home and took a quick catnap with Clayton in my lap before I hit the shower to ready for dinner with The Hubby.  We had never been to The Chalkboard restaurant so that is where I chose to toast to ourselves.  I had the stuffed orange roughy and The Hubby, lamb.  I was stuffed and then we had complimentary bread pudding for our anniversary.  Wonderful evening and we were both ready to relax.  It was a quiet evening.  After 34 years this is how we celebrate, being together and happy. 

By the way, The Hubby knows I have a blog but he just hasn't found it yet to read and I haven't shared.  He tends to want to censor my mouth, or fingers and I won't let him anymore. 

Happy Anniversary to me!

34 years ago tonight I was at a wedding rehearsal for The Hubby and I. I was preparing to say "I Do" to a man that I had only known for barely a year. Who could have known that we would still be happy after 34 years of wedded bliss. Oh don't get me wrong there have been rocks. No relationship can go without rocks, just can't happen, yet her we are and I can see another 34 years together. I love this man and will always love this man even though he can frustrate me sometimes. He is my soulmate! So Happy Anniverary January 23 to The Hubby. I love you dearly (I hope he hasn't found my blog yet.)

What A Week

What a week I have had.  We've been very busy trying to get Daddy's house done.  B and I, as posted Monday, worked all day and are really getting close to the finish.  I know this next picture is yucky and trust me it was yucky.  Yesterday, while we had help to haul off the junk we got the last room cleaned out, and most of the stuff went Bye-Bye!  What a mess it was and is.  The room was originally a porch which was enclosed and was my poor brother's bedroom.  Now it is just a catch-all.

Looky, looky what a little throwing away can do.  Actually the file cabinet will be stored for a bit because it is full of Daddy's old business records from about 30 years ago and I need to go through and shred.  This room also housed a lot of house plants for the winter and so lots and lots of dead leaves and lots and lots of cat urine.  PEE-U!  We will scrub and put in new walls and ceiling and the room will be good as new!  We also continued the scrub fest in the kitchen of dishes and shelves and tomorrow we will finish.  We have some new glide racks for his bottom cabinet for the pots and pans.  I'll tell you there are probably 20 Revereware pans under there.  I'm really excited at the thought of it almost being done and him coming home.  I've sent pictures to him to keep him excited and now he is really getting homesick!  I can't wait to see his face when he sees his new home!  Yesterday we also bought curtains for his bedrooms like the living room.  They were so simple, nice and cheap!  I love it! 

The Work Continues

Today B and I spent all day working at Daddy's. Since he has been sick I feel that he may come home sooner than later and I want the house done! We also had to wait for his new couch that I purchased last week. We worked all morning on the laundry/porch/pantry area most of the day and can I just say YUCK! It was just awful but we got it looking better than it has looked in years. I don't think we will paint as I don't want to open that can of worms to what really needs to be done in that room but it looks good from where it started.

Here B is hard at work.  We washed shelves and threw away tons of food that were a bit suspicious and definitely outdated, 1993...umm, you think.  This can of pineapple was absolutely bulging! 

Oooo, gross!  We scrubbed and scrubbed and then laid some rubbery shelf liner on the shelves and Voila...

Did you notice the little valance on the door.  We also went to Wal-Mart and purchased some kitchen curtains and living room curtains that we love.  Now I'm not sure about the floor.  It is concrete and has been painted several times but I'm not sure we will again.  I'm tempted to get some kind of a rug and just put it down. 

While at the local Wal-Mart we also found some nice curtains for the living room to replace the dusty things we tossed.  They are not expensive but look nice for Daddy and go great with the color scheme that has evolved throughout the house. 

The wicker chair Daddy bought for Momma many, many years ago for Christmas so I had to make it fit and the other one was my grandmothers.

Once we got a handle on the living room and part of the laundry room and kitchen we started to tackle the back porch.  The porch used to be a open air porch when my grandparents lived there and when we bought it there was a need for a bedroom for my brother in the two bedroom house.  So the room was enclosed and it leaked from day one, usually on my brothers bed and the old piano.  It was repaired numerous times to no avail until they finally put a whole new roof on the place, uh well, about 10 years ago.  It has now become a catch-all for junk and today it began the end of that.  It is messy, dusty and just plain cluttered and dirty but will be clean as a whistle, well, as clean as we can manage.

There she is again hard at work.  She is a real work-horse and is not afraid of anything, well, except when we heard a creature in the wall.  She ran out the front door while I was at the store returning a wrong length curtain when she heard the scratching.  We're still not sure if it is a mouse, highly doubtful or squirrel.  My bet is a rat....EGADS!  Where is a cat when you need it. 

Party, party, party

I've been out of pocket for a few days.  First I have to say that Daddy is doing well but cranky apparantly.  He snapped at his niece that he is staying with yesterday when she suggested that he needed to get up a move around more.  That he would not be sore if he would move out of his chair that he had been living in for several hours.  He's just setting himself up to go back to the hospital.  I told him and his niece that he needed to move but he is being stubborn to the point of yelling at her.  That is not good.  He'll wear out his welcome very quickly with that kind of attitude.  We need to get him well so he can come home and enjoy the nice new house he is getting dammit!

Back to the weekend...

Thursday I went to the cabin for an all girl birthday party bash.  What fun and what a lot of food.  Egads...talk about ruining my diet, well, I think I did this weekend.

After the Thursday night bash I had to get up early the next morning and go back to the office to do payroll and lunch with The Hubby.  Then it was back to the cabin for more socializing and food.  We had the leftover soups and salads for the second night.  Saturday night was a meal of awesome burgers and fixin's.  Oh my gosh it will be extra time on the treadmill.  I'm still on the no-diet-pop-wagon though, not the wine wagon! 

He's home, we sort of

Daddy is home from the hospital. Actually he's at his "winter" home...his nephew's. I talked to him this afternoon and he sounds better but does play the poor me card a bit. I told him he has to stay up and moving around or it will happen again. Not so sure he will. This is just a quick note as I was at the cabin for a birthday party last night and then back in town to do payroll. We are going back to the cabin again for the weekend in a bit. I promise I'll post more info and just stuff Sunday. Toodles all and thank you so much for the prayers and kind thoughts.

On the Mend

Daddy is getting better, slowly.  I talked to him the first night and was very concerned by the weakness of his voice.  My Bro said Daddy called him and then said he was glad that Bro had called.  Then he started talking about his Sis and her hubby Bob bringing him to the hospital...well, Bob has been dead for a few years now.  It was their son and d-in-law that took him.  I'm sure it was just because of the dehydration and fever and not eating for a couple of days but still.  He sounded better last night but is talking about coming home, that means driving.  Someone has to drive him home in his car and fly back one way or another.  Sis has said all along that she would fly there and drive home but since her stint procedure that may not happen.  Hmmmm, I DON'T want to do that.  My job is to get the house finished and I need to get that done ASAP.  Next week we will begin the final stages of getting it together. 

Daddy

I am not happy that my Daddy is ill and so far away from home.  My cell phone rang the minute I got to the office and it read "Daddy".  So I answered, "Hi Daddy."  It was not him.  It was his niece, Vicki, who he is staying with.  She said that she didn't want to alarm me but that Daddy was on his way to the hospital.  She said that he wasn't feeling well yesterday and that they had been gone all day long and when they came home he was still in his chair with chills, fever and very weak to the point that Dennis had to help him to his bed.  She thought it was flu-like symptoms.  She promised to let me know something just as soon as they knew anything.  About lunchtime she called to tell us that they had admited him overnight for observation for a touch of pneumonia.  The hospital said it was early stages and he should be fine.  This is the first time Daddy has had pneumonia.  We were used to it with Mother.  She got pneumonia nearly every year, but Daddy, that has me a bit worried but I'm not going to wig out.  They are supposed to release him tomorrow.  We'll just have to take their word for it.  I hate it that he is so far away.  You would think that being in a warmer climate that he would not be sick but I guess you never know.  I thought he had made it, missing the ice, snow and cold here.  I'll keep everyone posted on his status.  Please send every kind of good vibe to Arizona please. 

Day by Day

Monday is upon us like any other day.  It's day by day by day and each of those days we get older.  I really hate that and don't feel older most of the time, until I look in the mirror.  Every five weeks or so I have to go in and cover the most obvious sign that I'm getting older, my silver gray hair.  I'm just not ready to look older.  For a long time I didn't look my age, actually up until a few years ago, but now, well, I look all of my 53 years.  I don't like it but growing older is really something we can not halt but we can at least help it to not "hurt" so bad.  So a little hair color, a lot of night cream, exercise, laughter and I think I'm holding my own, except in the weight department but I'm actively working on it.  So it is just day by day by day. 

Just a Quickie

Just a quickie note:

We're off for the cabin tonight and tomorrow night to host some friends for a huge pot of chicken and noodles and a warm fire.

Last night I kept my part of the promise to The Hubby and we went dancing.  I still hate it but it was okay.  Two of the instructors said I was really good and I should be as I've been a few times before...remember The Hubby!

Later everyone...hope to have some "chilly" pictures to share...

Day 9 on the Wagon

I know that may be a bit confusing but today is day 9 of no diet pop.  I've been on the wagon for nine days and actively "dieting" for about seven days.  I've really done fairly well with acouple of oatmeal raisin cookies a few days ago.  I'm trying to get the water in and keeping a food journal which I struggle with.  Yesterday I finally made it to the grocery store and bought some stuff to aid in my journey.  I am not a big fresh fruit eater and have to force myself to eat them.  I've already read book this year, Skinny Bitch and it was full of interesting info but I am no nor will I ever be a vegetarian which they promote.  The bashing of us meat eaters and all that entails just kind of angered me in the book, but I do not disagree with some of the tips for obtaining my goal.  One was the fresh fruit and veggies, and veggies I LOVE!  Yesterday I bought a bag of oranges and apples and I always get a banana at my work out place so I'm well on my way to mastering the fruit hangup. 

Yesterday for lunch B wanted to hit our favorite place, El Rio Verde.  EGADS...I was not sure how to handle that as I love their wet burritos but I went with a mind to work it out.  I did not eat the chips and salsa, ordered water and had fish tacos.  Not good but not bad either.  I told The Hubby that I would go dancing with him once a week and that once a week would be Wednesdays and that he would take me out to dinner.  Well, dancing was canceled, not sure why, but the dinner plans were still on.  I was so hungry for salmon.  The food channel was doing nothing but salmon this week so I was primed for it.  I chose The White Owl on Cherry Street.  I was proud of myself.  I ordered the lettuce wedge with blue cheese dressing and I know I should not have eaten the dressing but I only ate a fourth of the thing.  The salmon plate came with fresh spinach and mashed potatoes.  I ate the salmon, spinach and left the potatoes!  HOORAY for me.  That was a step in the right direction.  I've also added cardio on Monday and Friday with strength training on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  If this stupid weight does not start budging I'm may have to get drastic.  Some of my friends have tried the HCG shots, I don't think that is for me, but may have to get drastic.....I have a physical on Wednesday.  Hopefully I'll drop at least 3 or four pounds!  Wish me luck!

P.S.  Quit bowling too.  Didn't enjoy it anymore so out it goes. 

Tuesday is my day to paint

Today, Tuesday I usually have an art class but we have been on break since Dec something. I decided that I would keep up the Tuesday paint day and that is exactly what I have been up to. Since we have been on break I have painted 4 paintings, although they are not through I think. I need to take them to class and see what I need to do to tweek them. Two of them I think are done but we will have to see what the instructor says. I like them a lot and I think that is what counts but I am also in the class to learn.   So what do you think.

Wine and Strawberries?

Hats anyone?

The Kid???

Tomatoes and Eggs

2009 packed away

Christmas is all packed up...

Nutcrackers, angels, snowmen and Christmas fairies all piled and ready to hide for another year...

The poor tree is bare and sad...

all packed up and ready to hide in the attic for 2010...

2009 is gone and we move forward to the new year...I'm starting it off right with a food journal and today adding extra cardio.  I have a plan...let's hope I stay healthy and focused!  Happy January 4 all!  

Merry Christmas to me

Well, we did it. I am now driving a new 2010 Jeep Commander. I love it.

We finally got it today.  The paperwork was all done and paid for on Dec 30 but with it being in Arkansas we had to wait till it was here, but it is!  I'm a very happy girl.

Voting has begun!

The voting has now begun for the 2009 Okie Blog Awards so get to voting!!!  A list of all the Oklahoma bloggers is listed on the side bar of the Okie Blog page...

Happy New Year 2010

Happy New Year to one an all!  Welcome year 2010 !

First of all, I know, I know the colors are a bit much but I'm so bored with the old stuff that I'm trying all kinds of stuff.  Stay tuned in to see if I keep changing. 

The new year was brought in at the cabin, or at one of the cabinites places.  We had a wonderful pork tenderloin dinner while listening to Paul McCartney live album and watching, silently a football game.  Don't ask me who was playing because I have no earthly idea.  Later in the evening we had homemade creme brulee made by Bare, who doesn't even eat the stuff.  The best I have EVER had!  Oh my gosh, my last indulgence for awhile.  About 11 pm the guys were getting restless so the poker chips and cards were brought out.  It was 4 guys and me.  I love cards of any kind and am pretty good at them.  I don't know what all the check and call things mean in poker but I won the first hand big and the last hand big.  Told you I can play cards.  Finally it was pucker-your-lips time and we all got a good dose of lip action.  The Hubby and I were struggling to stay awake as we were up at 5 am like most every morning so we were closing in on being up for 19 hours straight.  Speaking of 5 am.  I had missed workout all week long because of the stupid ice and my reluctance on being the guinea pig on the stuff at 5 am but yesterday I braved it since the main roads were clear and it was melting (run on sentence).  I backed out of the drive and down to the street and of course found the only two patches of fairly tough mounds of snow packed ice to get stuck on.  I had to run inside to call The Hubby to push my little car forward and backward a bit to get me out, but I finally got a workout in. 

The night before we finally made a decision on a car.  We spent all of Tuesday test driving four cars:  Jeep Commander, Ford Flex, Nissan Armada and the Chevy Tahoe.  My heart was for the Commander as that has been catching my eye for a bit but after driving the Flex we were torn.  The Armada was unavailable, the Tahoe was pretty much like The Hubby's Avalanche and I've had a Tahoe before.  The Flex was a dream to drive but they were not very negotiable on the price.  Overnight we talked about it and I told The Hubby that since the Jeep was the better deal and it was my personal favorite I would prefer to get it.  Besides The Hubby has never been a Ford guy so I was surprised he was leaning towards it.  We bought the car yesterday and should pick it up tomorrow afternoon.  I will have pictures later.  Later that night at dinner I kind of started needling The Hubby about why he was going to sell my Miata and not keep it in storage.  We have kept his step-dad's 1971 El Camino, and his 1949 Dodge pickup that is being restored (let's talk money spent) and I didn't see the reason, just because it was a fairly expensive car that we could not keep MY car.  I mean I really don't mind him selling it but why is my stuff not that important.  We keep tons of his stuff and have a few buildings to do that.  We keep his collections but I'm asked sometimes to scale down my stuff while he amasses his.  I mean, I was just kind of perturbed by his insisting here and I wanted him not to think about the money involved, that it was a matter of does my stuff stink or something and his doesn't.  Well, let me tell you my needling set off a tirade from some pent up feelings.  I was on my second bite of prime rib and was left with my mouth hanging open and frankly embarrassed by his anger in the restaurant.  I love the guy but I hate it when we go rockin' along for months on end and he lets stuff build up to the point of an eruption.  I won't go into all that was said because there was plenty more but I was just curious of what you would feel if you and your stuff felt devalued somehow, how would you feel.  I kind of felt cut down.  Also, during all of this crap I ended up backing down on the dance stuff and will attend 1, I said 1 class a week with him dancing, YUCK!  I didn't address the crack on my weight.  I've already addressed that here!  Oh, man marriage is still so much work even after nearly 34 years this month!  ARGHHHHHH!!!!!