Outdoor Kitchen and Living Space

BEFORE

THE TEAR OUT:

IN CONSTRUCTION

ALMOST COMPLETE

NEW LANDSCAPE...MORE TO COME

FINISHED!

Babies, Moons and Flowers

Friday night The Hubby and I attended a concert at the River Spirit Event Center, The 5th Dimension and The Spinners.  The Hubby was adamant that we go to see them so tickets I purchased.  The venue is fairly small and quaint and was quickly filled to the brim with a lot of blue and white hair, not the pink or yellow variety but the OLD kind.  But really, we are so in that age bracket it's scary.  What a rowdy crowd that loved to sing along and dance in their seats and aisles.  The 5th Dimension was okay with a founding member Florence LaRue, which I had never heard of.  The Spinners had two returning founding members and it was a great concert.  We were pleased.  

The next day we were headed to the cabin for one night but The Hubby was insistent that we spend some time with Rio.  She is growing so fast already and it's only been 3 weeks.  

Her face is changing so much and even smiled when her name was mentioned.   

The drive to the cabin was beautiful.  The day was incredibly beautiful with the colors changing quickly. 

I grabbed my camera when we got there and hopped on the golf cart to try and capture the beauty. 

Check this out.  I was driving through the meadow and when I stopped on the backside where it is quiet, I turned to capture this in the bright midday sky! 

The last of the flowers are trying hard to get all they can out of the sun and warmer temperatures. 

I am already waiting impatiently for spring.

Life Rolls On

Life seems to be marching on, day by day.  Little Rio is growing like a weed, already gaining nearly a pound in 2 weeks.  Her Momma is finally able to get out and about which will help with the stir crazy feeling.  Isn't this sweet.  It's the mother-in-law with her little great-granddaughter.  Aren't they both beautiful ladies.  

Work is slow for me but in general the guys are busy, busy, busy.  That is finally good.  It has been a weird few years in the industry and very slow to build back up.  I will be ready for the elections to be done and the US can move on, however things turn out.  At this point there is no telling which way it will fall.  

Yesterday we got new android phones, the new Galaxy III so I will be knee deep trying to figure out how it all works.  Should be fun.

The view from the new The Vault

The Hubby and I try to eat out only once a week but sometimes more.  Last week we tried the newly open The Vault in downtown Tulsa.  It's in the old First National Autobank and has a room called the Tom Tom Room  that can be rented out for special groups along with a general restaurant eating area.  The menu consists of pimento mac and cheese,  eggplant moussaka, and pretzel sliders with some old fashioned drinks like Manhattan's, Mai Tai, and Pink Stag.  The  decor is kind of Mad Men'ish and something B&B2 would love.  It's funny that some 36 years ago I was in the autobank when it was an autobank.  I used to work a couple of blocks away and the company I worked for deposited our paychecks automatically into new accounts set up there.  It's great to see the old being saved and re-thought for new.  

NOTE:  Still have not heard from the doctor office about the MRI.  It's been 2 weeks and I called yet again yesterday to have the girl say that was not right.  She took my number and said they would call me when they were back from lunch.  Do you see anywhere here where they called back...NO!  So today I will call yet again and see what is up.  I don't have time to play around here as life rolls on.  Next Tuesday they will start the tear out of the very old landscaping in the backyard and I need to concentrate on that.  I don't have time to play phone tag when I'm the only one phone tagging!  Can you tell I'm pissed!  Oh well.  On to my Friday as I wait around for the outdoor drapes to be delivered sometime today.  Tonight The Hubby and I go to see the 5th Dimension and The Spinners.  

LIFE ROLLS ON!

I'm Still Blogging

Good Sunday morning one and all.  I bet you thought I had given up blogging altogether but I haven't, I've just hit a lull in what wants to be put into words.  

We finally skedaddled off to the cabin Friday afternoon to only stay one night but what fun we had.  Pizza with some of the cabinites and then home on Saturday afternoon.

The last of my summer flowers are trying to keep spring and summer in the air.  I love the beautiful rose and there was one more tiny bud ready to pop soon.  I may have to paint this one.  

Along with the beauty we were left with the ugly.  This nasty little millipede was just one of thousands that were milling (LOL) around the front doorstep at the cabin.  We swept them off into oblivion, or at least into a huge pile that was NOT on my doorstep.  I Googled them knowing the were probably millipedes and found them on the okstate.edu website. Thank goodness it says they are harmless.  Yeah, that's what they think until you crunch tons of them under your shoes....ICK! 

Fall is beginning and the color is coming.  It will probably not be as pretty from the drought conditions but it will be here. 

Baby Rio is doing well and tomorrow she will be 2 weeks old.  Wow!  Her momma, B, is doing well too and getting her girlish figure back very fast.  I think she's a bit stir crazy, not being to go out on her own yet but all in all she is doing remarkably well.  

The knee is still an issue.  I went to the specialist 11 days ago and am still waiting for the okay for an MRI.  He said they had to get the nod from the insurance company but how long does that take.  At least the pain is a bit better but I'm ready to get this thing fixed.  I'm going to give them till Thursday and will call yet again and raise a little ruckus.  Really this is silly, don't you think. 

Monday Morning Ramble

Good Monday morning...brrrr, it's in the 30's here this morning and I DON'T like.  Wow, why is it so chilly this early in the season.  I am not ready for the chill but I guess I can't fight it.  

The knee is a bit better today, not as swollen and sore but definitely still there.  I've been waiting since Thursday for a call from the scheduling office to see if the insurance will pay for the MRI and then the surgery.  If the insurance says no on the MRI but yes to surgery that will make me want to scratch the head.  I mean wouldn't they want to know exactly what the doctor is going after in there!  At this point I'm ready.  I'm tired of crippin' around here and being so careful and this cold weather will make it ache more.  I've already been dealing with a potential crick in my neck since the cold hit.  

Today is the first day for B2 to go back to work leaving B and baby Rio alone, on their own for the first time since she was born....wow, 7 days ago.  Rio is 7 days old, one week.   

Saturday I went to see Daddy with the purpose of taking him to see his first great-grandchild and he was elated.  We hopped in the car and trekked over there.  Isn't this picture awesome.  

Rio and her Great-GrandPapa!

This and That Saturday

Good Saturday morning all.  We're in town for yet another weekend.  The Hubby has to do some office work which means my Monday at the office will be on overload with invoicing.  We've missed several weeks at the cabin but it's all been good as we were waiting for little Rio to enter this world.  I think we will go up on Sunday afternoon because one of the cabins is going to be auctioned off.  Sadly one of our friends has hit very hard times and their cabin is one to go.  Makes my heart break for them and to see one of the places where we have all shared so many happy fun memories go to a stranger.  I'm not sure why The Hubby wants to go except for maybe curiosity, surely he doesn't plan on bidding?...?...?

Today I'm planning on visiting my dad and maybe seeing if he wants to go to B&B2's to see Rio.  I also hope to attend the Art in the Square at Utica Square but I'm not sure my knee can survive it.  I'm still waiting for the scheduling office to call for the MRI and they have not yet.  Monday if I have not heard by the afternoon I'm calling because this pain is non-stop and it is starting to grate on me.  Making me frown and that causes wrinkles and I'm having none of that!  Tomorrow I will do a bit of painting or pastel or something.

Last night I made my first risotto, successfully!  It was yummy.  Sauteed shrimp with a bit of garlic, lemon and capers and fresh steamed asparagus, I felt like we went out to dinner at a fancy restaurant.  It was a nice quiet Friday evening.

Foggy Days

Foggy days...yes that is me today.  I've been dealing with an increasingly sore knee for some time now but the past couple of weeks I'm in agony.  A lot of standing and waiting at the hospital put me over the top with pain so I finally called my internist and saw him yesterday.  He immediately had them book me to see a specialist this morning and in the meantime he gave me a prescription for hydrocodone.  I have been under the impression for over 30 years now that I could not tolerate any kind of codiene medicine so I have not taken it.  I get so very ill, usually, but I said okay I will try it again.  I was desparate to end the pain that I'm dealing with constantly.  So, last night I popped that mighty pill in my mouth and waited to see if anything happened.  What happened is that I slept.  You see sleeping has been an issue because the pain, in any position, does not stop.  I slept HARD, so hard that I could not wake up this morning.  I had the doctor appointment at 9 am and I threw myself out of bed at 8:30, gulped a cup of coffee and the hair in a ponytail and rushed out the door.  I was still in a fog until lunch with The Hubby when suddenly I saw sunlight.  Well, we know that stuff works for the pain and sleeping but I will only be taking it on the weekends.  Sheesh!

The ortho doc took x-rays and determined that I have a torn cartilidge in my knee and will confirm with an MRI and then arthroscopic surgery to take care of my issue.  I knew I had a problem when every dance turn I had pain but the pain had been increasingly worse and worse till one time I felt a kind of snap, pop, PAIN.  That was it a few months ago and now this. 

Wordless Wednesday

Grandpop

Rio Rae

She's here, she's here...sweet Rio Rae!

That precious little peanut firmly grasping her daddy's finger made her appearance yesterday, October 1 at 10:59 p.m., weighing 7 lb 12 oz.   

She was just a few days late but made an impressive entry in the world.  B had crampy labor pains all day long and then as the contractions got about 4-5 minutes apart they headed to the hospital.  Dilated to a 3-4 there was not a rush that she would be there anytime before 4 am the next morning but Rio had other plans.  After a whirlwind 5 hours labor and going from a 4 to 10 in less than an hour B had the natural childbirth that she didn't think possible.  Too late for the epidural she was a champ and sailed through bringing this precious little bundle into our world.   

Introducing our first grandchild, 

Rio Rae

Burger Disaster Averted!

Our little family is soon to grow.  This pic was on Monday as we celebrated B's 33rd birthday and A's being in town for hopefully the birth of Rio.  B's favorite place to eat is India Palace and by the evening's end I was STUFFED!  So yummy.  

Last night we all gathered here at the house for the mother-in-law's 85th birthday dinner.  Unfortunately, I did not get the camera out to take some snapshots but found this recent one from one of B's baby showers in August.  My MIL is a fabulous lady and I was very pleased to be able to celebrate her birthday here.  

We wanted to also show off the new outdoor kitchen/patio and we love having rain but NOT YESTERDAY!  About 30 before the group was to arrive the deluge came.  The Hubby and I quickly moved one of the tables and chair sets under the cover.  What a muddy mess it was for the little ones.  

I also had a food malfunction.  On Friday I went to the store to get all the fixin's for burgers, including potato salad stuff and baked beans.  I decided to get patties that were already made up.  When I poked a knife through the cellophane to get the patties on the tray for seasoning my nostrils were assaulted by the familiar stench of bad meat.  WHAT!!!!!!!  I was just cursing and screaming at The Hubby for HELP!  He said he would take it back to the store and get it traded for GOOD hamburger meat.  I was on a tear to find the damn receipt in my purse.  I dumped the thing on the bed and had A helping me look when I remembered my jeans pocket.  I ran to the closet and dug in my dirty jeans and YEAH, receipt.  Unfortunately, it was a monsoon out there and The Hubby had to go in that but being the great guy he is, he was the hero of the day.  Of course, you know that mean I had to patty out 20 burgers in record time.  The store also gave him another 3 pounds of meat for free, so my freezer will be full.  Everyone arrived and the burgers were great, rain and all.  We hovered under the large patio area and had a great time celebrating 85 years of life of a fabulous lady.  

Happy Birthday MiMi!

Saturday Stuff

Hello all!  Yes it is very early Saturday morning and I'm up as usual.  We are still in the holding pattern for sweet Rio but she will be here at least by Thursday, Oct 4.  The OB told B that is when he will induce if she doesn't come in the world by then.  B has made her peace with the process but I think she is really, really ready to be done with the pregnant process.  

Today we are celebrating the 85th birthday of my mother-in-law.  Tomorrow is actually her day but we are celebrating today so all of the family can attend.  We're using the new patio/kitchen, grilling burgers!  Thursday was also the sister-in-law's birthday and Monday was B's so September is just full of birthdays.  

The picture above is from Friday on my way to the office of the Tulsa skyline looking west.  The cloud through the middle of the buildings was pretty cool.  We've had rain, precious rain and the temperatures are cooling down, ready for full-fledged-fall.  

Alarm Clock Woes

Good early morning.  This is the second time in as many days that The Hubby and I have NOT heard the alarm.  I don't know if it's the changing weather, our exhaustion, The Hubby actually working in the field or just excitement of the upcoming birth of grandbaby.  We have just been sleeping in and I told him that I believe our bodies are trying to tell us something.  TAKE A BREAK!  I'm sorry that I've missed workout but it is what it is.

Baby is still keeping herself hidden away in B's tummy so we wait but she's probably just not cooked enough.  The excitement is almost overwhelming.  She will be here when she is ready!

Monday I missed yet again the portrait drawing class.  It was the third class but I had only been to the first one.  Monday mornings and B not working, that means I have to be at the office so it was interfering with that and I was NOT going to give up the art class with Ross on Tuesday's.  So something had to give and since I was not happy with the class anyway, well it had to go.  Class Tuesday was awesome.  I was out of projects but told Ross I wanted to try something new, pastels.  Actually, I still have the pastel set that my parents gave me at age 14 so I dug them out and told him that is what I wanted to do.  What FUN!!!!!

It's not finished, that will have to be tackled in next Monday's class, but what fun I had.   

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday my dear.  

Well, she still has her birthday all for herself as we are still waiting for the little missy.  

Multiplying Bunnies

Yesterday I decided that since my easel was totally empty of anything to paint that I would try and set up some still life's to paint.  What happened was me digging through my china hutch and getting rid of some stuff and finding memories long forgotten.

As I was pulling all kinds of junk out I found a raggedy, torn gift bag with these wrapped in old newspaper.  I remember them fondly.  Actually half are mine of the blue birds and the other half, including the red bird, were my Granny's.  I believe they were made by someone in Arkansas and were very popular at the time.  I loved them and now I have a whole aviary of little blue birds, and Mr. Red Bird!

Bunnies, I found bunnies but as usual they began to multiply...the large one in the above picture was my mother's.  I think it was given to her with flowers or a plant when I was born.   

See, multiplying...I found another one several years ago at the flea market and couldn't resist... 

the metal one was Granny's.

More treasures.  Cups and saucers that were Grandma's, Granny's, Greatgranny's and Momma's.  Now they are all mine.  The little tiny girl by the wishing well was Momma's when she was little girl.  I love it.

The top of my parents wedding cake...hey, who's intruding on the picture...

BAMBI!   

My favorite movie character...we had the record album story of the movie and I could recite every line from the movie plus sing the songs.  Momma would put it on the record player at nap time everyday and we would listen to it.  I still have the horribly chipped record and album cover.

Awww, three little elves waiting till it is time to come out and play at Christmas.  These too were Granny's.  

All these things makes me remember being at Greatgranny's and seeing all of her lovelies on her little shelves in the freezer room.  We loved to go in there, stand on the bed and touch her things.  People were all the time bringing her knic-knacks.  She is the one who taught me about knic-knacks and I have many.  Often she would send us home with some of her precious things.  I can't wait to do the same with little Rio and make memories with her.

Oh, and last but not least were these beauties.  Someone gave them to me a few years ago and I totally forgot about them.  Now I remember why I started really digging in that hutch, candle stick holders for these.  Man I can get sidetracked but made for an awesome blog post, don't you agree!  Memories!

Pat Conroy

Yes, I know I have been MIA but we are still in limbo (baby) and having a hard time with words lately.  On a good note, I was invited yesterday to go to the Tulsa Town Hall to listen to author Pat Conroy speak.  WONDERFUL!  I have never read his books, and I know that is odd because I read a lot, but it's true.  A couple of his books:  The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini. Hey, I know those movies, right.  In fact The Great Santini is one of The Hubby's favorites, and mine.  Pat said he just finished writing The Death of Santini a few days before so I will be on the lookout for that.  I didn't know they were autobiographical books about his life.  Wow, I have already ordered and downloaded a few of them to read.

The auditorium was packed yesterday at the PAC.  I never saw so many grey heads bobbing around but I also saw several empty seats and I say this with a reason.  My friend C, who tends to be late and I knew was coming to the program was left outside without a seat and two $75 tickets in her hand.  I called her to see what she thought of the speaker last night and she told me she didn't get in.  "They" told her there were no seats left.  I said to her that was a flat out lie, that we had seats around us.  She said there were several people left out in the lobby to watch a TV screen with tickets in their hand.  She was livid and I don't blame her but I think what may have happened is that, when he started, the policy is no one gets in in the middle to interrupt.  They offered to give her the money back but she told them she didn't want her money back she WANTED TO HEAR PAT CONROY SPEAK!  I don't know if she got the money back but she didn't get in.  Sad.

I am sorry for her but I had a wonderful time and I also got to spend time with a lady I am trying to begin a friendship with.  Bev is the friend and high school classmate that The Hubby hooked up with his best friend and they've now been married about 3 years.  The Hubby's bestie lost his wife Gail my bestie 6 years ago and I've written about it many times.  Yesterday was great.  We had great talks, listened to the speaker and a fabulous lunch at Stonehorse where I bought her lunch in appreciation of the invite to the morning.  She is now in my book club too, so the path to a long friendship has started.

Construction --- DONE!

Good morning Wednesday.  Brrr, it is chilly out this morning as I venture out for the paper.  Woke up with a rip-roaring sinus headache this AM so I'm staying close to home and some strong black coffee.  Usually when I get out of bed and move around it goes away but this one is being a bit stubborn and taking it's time to move on.  Plus my knee is giving me fits and I'm not sure why so workout is on hold for the rest of the week.  I think I need a break and my mind is a bit anxious playing the baby-waiting-game.  

This morning is the first day in MONTHS that I am not going to wake with the expectation of having construction workers in my backyard.  We are DONE!!!!!  The Hubby has to finish the electrical and we are waiting for the outside drapes but basically finished.  The fence guys have nailed up the last board and we have a gate, all ready for sweet Clayton to have the run of his yard again.  No more worry that he will escape again and we're ready for the grand-dog to come stay while Rio makes her appearance.  The money flow has stopped too and that is a very good thing.  I won't have pictures until we have it totally done, with drapes and all.  

Trucking Along

Life is just trucking along here.  We are waiting patiently, or impatiently for the little lady to make her appearance.  It is so exciting and every time my phone rings or pings I run to see if it's "THE CALL!"  

Last weekend we stayed in town and enjoyed a most wonderful time on the new patio.  It's not quite finished but close enough.  The furniture has arrived with us having to exchange the bar stools.  We bought them somewhere along the measurement line our expectation of height was WRONG.  The countertop was set and I climbed on the new one and my nose was on the counter.  So we exchanged them for these and now The Hubby thinks they are too tall.  I told him to make up his mind.  I prefer to not be wiping my nose on the counter please.

I snapped this picture but failed to get the new fountain just around the column. 

Poor little Clayton.  He is not happy here because of the flies that were buzzing around.  He preferred to watch from the foot stool just inside the door while we enjoyed the weekend.   

Oh look, more furniture.  This little cafe table is perfect for the corner.  We have a bigger table too but needed extra seating.  The chairs I got on a huge sale from Pier One.  I love them. 

Awww, life is so good.  

This past weekend we finally had to go to the cabin and make sure everything was okay.  We've missed so many weekends this summer but everything will level out.  We arrived on Friday afternoon and immediately jumped back into the car to go for Mexican with several of the cabinites.  It was yummy and when back to the cabin it started raining.  We opened the windows and slept with cool temperatures and soft rain falling all night long. 

I got up early, about six to feed Clayton and stayed awake a bit then the hypnotic sound of the rain pulled me back to bed and I slept till eleven.  So wonderful and restful, the whole weekend.  Sunday morning The Hubby didn't get up till ten.  He SOOOOO needed the sleep.  We had Hari and Jimbo over for dinner Saturday night.  I make chicken and noodles, a good stick to your ribs dinner.  

The flowers are some of the last for the season, wildflowers.  

Goodbye Oklahoma Summer, I'll miss you! 

A Quick Note

I am still here.  The writing juices have not been flowing so I'm chosen to just stay quiet for a bit.  I would imagine things will be spilling here in few days.  We are anxiously awaiting the birth of baby Rio and that has my mind occupied.  The backyard is still rocking and rolling and hopefully I will have finished pictures soon.  Right now the fence is gone, totally gone and of course it is raining so the guys have not been back.  Poor Clayton is not allowed to go out there without a leash because he is an escape artist for sure.  I've had to run after him twice this week alone.  We have got to get that done because the granddog will be here to stay while B and baby are in the hospital.  Things will work out.  Now we are planning a cookout for the mother-in-law for her 85th birthday.  She has had a rough few months with a nephew being very nasty to her about here "older" sister, and she can't let it go.  I can't stand it when people hurt her, she is one wonderful lady.  Okay, that is all I'm spouting about today.  Just keeping in touch with everyone...toodles!

Remember, Don't Forget

Remember and don't forget 9/11.  Where were you on that fateful day.  I was driving to the office and just before I got there I turned my CD off and turned on the news for some strange reason.  I was stunned by the news that something was happening in NYC.  I pulled into the shop parking lot and rushed in to the back office to turn on the television.  There it was playing out on the set, complete devastation on the twin towers. I was watching with my mouth hanging open,my hand clamped over it,  not knowing what to say.  Soon The Hubby joined me as did several of our employees as we stood around the television watching.  What do you say.  It was the most awful thing I have ever witnessed, even though I was not there I/we witnessed it because of modern day televising.  First one tower fell then the second, right before our eyes.  All I can say is Remember, Don't Forget, I never will.