Friday, December 4, 2009

Swampy in New York, New York!

Swampy in New York, New York!
Swampy is in New York this week.
She was outside the Today Show with
her sign. I was watching tv this morning
and got to see her wave.

She took this photo request for me.

Here she took a photo for me in front of Tiffany's.

Thank you, Swampy.



Thursday, December 3, 2009

The Best Cat in the World


Pebbles
He was the best cat in the world. My son could
carry him around like this and he loved it. We
named him Pebbles 'cause we already had a Bam
Bam and we also got his sister Wilma. We had him
for about eleven years. He got sick one day and died.
He is buried in our yard with a stone on his grave.
He was a very loving cat. He was nice to all the other
cats we had and loved to play with new kittens. We've
never had another cat quite like him. Rest in peace,
Pebbles.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Christmas time is here again

It's gonna be fun this year! I went Black Friday
shopping and found some bargains. Early Christmas
start for me.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

My Baby Fell Over

She's my little director. She directs the day when
I'm with her. She's all sunshine most of the time.
Today, her tummy hurt and she cried a little.

Lola fell over before I could catch her.


She loves Grandma anyway. Today she was saying, "ma
ma".

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

2007 BMW meets 2009 DEER

This was not "my" idea. I had no prior knowledge that we would meet so abruptly.
I was happily and I do mean "happily" driving along early that morning before
dawn enjoying myself because I had an extra hour of sleep the night before.
The sun was beginning to come up and the weather had turned cold. I was wearing
my warm camoflauge hunting jacket with sherpa pile lining. Quite a coincidence if I do say so. I don't think the deer could use that for an excuse. "I couldn't see
her. She was camoflauged!"
So what did I see to the right of me in the ditch? What a funny looking dog!
Oh no, look at how high it jumped! Oh, it's a deer jumping the fence. Cool.
Then I remembered there are always more than one. Oops, too late!
Here comes a truck with bright lights in my eyes. What was that thud? Oh my!
We met in the middle of the highway. It all happened so fast. I was driving with
my cruise control on exactly 65 mph. It was such smooth sailing. Until we met.
In that moment I felt remorse for the life of that deer. Then my mind switched to
my little beautiful car. I did not want to see the damage. It seemed such a small
thud. Maybe, just maybe I only lost a headlight. After all, my car dash control did
send me a signal that looked like a big headlight pointing downward. Maybe my
car's computer was telling me it's only a dream. You only have a headlight out.
I drove on twenty more miles to the next town before I stopped to survey the
damage. I guess I really should have stopped very soon after but I just couldn't.
I wasn't shaken by the ordeal at all for some strange reason. I didn't cry at all.
I kept thinking to myself this is only a car and not the most important thing in life.
I thought of the necessity to get to my daughter's apartment to watch my grand daughter that morning. All I could think of was, Lola. She's important. People are
what's important. I am not hurt and it's going to be all right.

I stopped in Skiatook and got out hoping to see very little damage. But alas, that
was not the case. From the front to the rear, the meeting with the deer left many
scars. I have been reminded many times throughout life that the rain falls on the
just and the unjust. We are not immune from bad things happening to us even though we are children of God. The Bible says in this world we will have tribulations. But we are reminded that Jesus said to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. Ahhh, I'm not trying to preach, really. I just have this in me and it comes out. It is called peace. I honestly don't know how people can make it in life without peace. But you know the corny answer that beauty contestants always give when asked what they wish for, "world peace." I do so wish the world had peace.

"so may peace rain down from heaven like little pieces of the sky" "little keepers of the promise"

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Share a day.

A day in the life of someone I don't know. Just found it interesting.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Louis Giglio ~ Indescribable Part 1

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Ree Drummond-The Pioneer Woman Cookbook

I got to meet Ree at her cookbook signing in Tulsa on Friday.
She was a lot of fun to meet and listen to her talking to others as I
waited. I got to the store first and could have been first in line
but I decided to shop the little store and bought my grandbaby
some cute onesie's. One was a pink Cain's ballroom and the
other was a "I love (heart) Tulsa." I found a very cute purse that
was handmade. I will post a photo soon. It was made out of an
old linen tablecloth, very vintage. I know no one else will ever have
another one like it. I also bought a small Uglydoll. Big toe.
I'm about ten people back from the front of the line.
We all got to watch MM carry in boxes of books. He
didn't have his hat on and he looks even finer in real
life. Forgive me, but I'm much older than both of them!
I had pre-ordered one cookbook from Amazon but
I bought another to give as a gift.

And here I am posing with Ree. She was so very nice
and it was so fun to talk with her. I told her I would
like to go to the Pawhuska signing but I had tickets for
Dracula (the ballet). She said she would have liked to
gone to that. I also mentioned that I had never read a blog
before hers and that was when I started blogging two years
ago. I told her that I had met Swampy and of course she
knew her also. I had a very fine day! I left there and went
to Utica Square and shopped in Williams Sonoma. And
even better, I took home Asian Grilled Salmon from PF Chang's.
I honestly cannot get enough of it. I wish I could eat it every
day!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

The Economy of A Police Officer

Economy: sparing or careful use of something.

There has a been a heated controversy going on in Tulsa over letting some police officers go. The economy is to blame. Budgets have to be cut.


TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Officials have figured out what to do with horses from the Tulsa Police Department's mounted patrol unit, which has been eliminated because of budget cuts.

Twenty-one officers turned in their equipment on Wednesday after learning they were laid off. The city says the budget is to blame. We watched as they emptied their cars and turned in their badges. They say they simply don't understand.

There is also a discussion about officers who do not live in Tulsa don't get to drive their cars home.
Tulsa - The Fraternal Order of Police is being asked to help the City keep police officers on the force by forgoing its take-home car benefit for officers.

I think the police budget should be the last item to cut. During this bad economy the crime rate has been going up. Every day there are more reports of bank robberies, hold-ups at convenience stores, home invasions, and car break-ins. When I drive a little over the speed limit I always keep my eye out for police or highway patrol and guess what? I rarely see them anymore.
I also think the parking of a police or highway patrol car in a neighborhood or apartment complex is an excellent crime deterrent. I know when I see a police car parked in my daughters' complex it makes me feel a little safer for them. I don't think giving this up would save enough dollars to matter.
When you think about the sacrifices these officers make every day, you just can't justify denying them their due. I've heard that officers get their coffee free at the places they frequent but that's a small price to pay for their presence. I would welcome them.
I believe they are worth every bit of pay or benefit they get. In fact, they are worth more. The economy of a police officer (sparing or careful use) is a delinquent (formal failing in one's duty) idea.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Egg in the Hole


I made "Egg in the Hole" for breakfast this morning. It is a recipe from "The Pioneer Woman Cookbook." My husband taught me how to make this when we first got married almost 34 years ago. His mother called it, "Hobo Sandwich." She made a story about a hobo who was hungry and so he borrowed an egg from a chicken and milked a glass of milk from a cow. I don't remember where he got the bread. It is a quick, easy breakfast. I love eggs anyway. Did you know that Dr. Oz says you should eat an egg a day? No more problems with cholesterol like they used to say. It is full of protein and all the vitamins except C. It is a good source of iodine and vitamin A.
The recipe is in Ree's new cookbook. It is obviously very easy to make just by looking at my plate. Bread, egg, butter, salt and pepper. You just cut a hole in the center of the bread with a biscuit cutter and brown the bread in butter in the skillet. Drop the egg in the center hole and cook on both sides. Voila! Instant breakfast. No need to make toast. You already have it.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

The Milk of Human Kindness

Milk of human kindness

Meaning

Care and compassion for others.

Origin

From Shakespeare's Macbeth, 1623:

"Yet doe I feare thy Nature, It is too full o' th' Milke of humane kindnesse."



I watched Marley and Me last week. I was unprepared for the sadness at the last half of the movie. I thought it was a comedy. I do recommend the movie to any animal lover but be warned: tears could fall. 
 It was horrible beyond belief.  

And you see these sad commercials about animal abuse.  Sometimes she sings "In the Arms of the Angel."  It really is a sad statement about human nature.  These are my beliefs.  I believe that all humans are capable of evil.  I believe that man was created in the image of God.  I believe that Adam and Eve fell by choosing to follow their fleshly desires.  I believe that there is a devil that tempts us but I believe that we make the choice.  God has made a way to escape temptations but we must look for the way.  Not every one is taught this.  But everyone is without excuse:  "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."
"Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.  They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised.  Amen."
"Futhermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.  They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity.  They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice.  They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;  they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless."
"Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."   (Romans 1: 20-25; 28-32)
I think this describes our society quite well.  Man apart from God can commit atrocities.  I am not talking about religion either.  Religion has been the cause of most wars.  Religion is just a belief that you practice.  Mankind loves darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.  Turning away from God and being separated from Him has made a lot of evil deeds possible.  I am not trying to judge anyone, I think the Word of God has clearly done that already.  
I am thankful that not all people turn to darkness but it is sad to view the depths that some have fallen.  God help us.
This is what I believe.  There is so much more to this life than meets the physical eye!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Camping

Our trip to Dover, Arkansas was successful. We used our Chalet Alpine rv for the first time. We stayed four nights without too many problems. Since this was our first trip we had to get used to the camper. Hauling it was no problem, we were able to haul it and the four-wheeler trailer hooked together with our Toyota Tundra. We could run 70 and 75 miles ph easily. The first and second night our furnace came on and several times we would hear a beeping sound. My husband finally figured out the 12v wire needed to be hooked up so the spark igniter could work properly. The freezer worked great. Things were so cold in the refrig part that the milk partially froze. I had to turn it down. All our meat stayed frozen solid in the freezer. We didn't try out the shower because the campground had a shower and bathroom to use. Our air bed was great but we have decided to get a regular mattress because we will never use the table under the bed. We'll just dedicate that space to the bed full time. We had our flat-screen tv and dvd player that we bought for the rv. We got an off-air antenna that worked great picking up 9 channels with HD even. The only thing I cooked this time was waffles for breakfast. We ate a packed lunch every day out in the woods on the trails. Every evening after trail-riding we would get cleaned up and go into Russelville and find new places to dine. The weather was beautiful. It was pretty cool every morning and would warm up to about 60 degrees. We did not get rained on except the first night and that was while we were sleeping. We rode the Moccasin Gap trails every day. There were four couples all together. Two couples stayed in cabins and two of us stayed in RV's or toy haulers. It was a great trip.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Wordless Wednesday-Home Away From Home

2005 Chalet Alpine
Home away from home

Hauling toys. Headed for Arkansas Mountains.

For more Wordless Wednesday go here.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Visiting Marauder

Here is the rogue. He invades our yard. He eats
our cat food. He torments our cats. He's adorable.
He stays a week or so and leaves. But he always
comes back. (The cat came back...)

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Ronald Reagan`s Funny answer

So funny.

Kissa

This cat is so much fun. Every day. I get lots of scratches because we play a lot. She likes to play hide and seek. She always wins! She is now four years old. She's not a sit on your lap kind of cat. She doesn't rub up against your leg when you walk and try to trip you. But she does stay in every room I'm in and sit near me. In the bedroom she sleeps on the recliner and occasionally at the foot of the bed if I've been gone all day. She's a good house cat.


Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Eyes Have It


For more Wordless Wednesday go here.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Colbie Caillat Breakthrough





Must be Music Monday.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

All in a Day's

I've been awake for a while now
You've got me feelin' like a child now
'Cause every time I see your bubbly face
I get the tinglees in a silly place

It starts in my toes
And I crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go

Aunt Melissa & Lola Abigail

Mama Rebecca and Lola Abigail  

She is more fun than ever now that she is three months old.  She laughs out loud now and is all smiles when she wakes up.  I am all in a daze over her.  Or did you not notice?  

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Class is Out



You know, I can't even say that I don't like Kanye, I just don't get
this behavior.  Of course, MTV must condone it because they let
it happen and put up this video immediately with an ad.  

In the course of this world, this is just one minor incident.  But haven't you noticed the lack of respect that goes on world wide?  

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Who Let the.......

I would love to have this guy in my front yard.
I am sure that Julie will recognize this gorilla.
I wonder what there motto is for selling cars?

Just where are those tethered? Ouch!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

By the Light of the Silvery Moon

Here is my Honda with new paddle tires
We're taking a break in the shade.
By the light of the moon
Top of the dune
Night riders
Flying high
Father and son

See the orange moon?
Our trip to Little Sahara turned out great. We had a decent little three bedroom house to stay and I made Ree's rib eye steak recipe with onion/blue cheese sauce. I grilled hamburgers the next day. We had pancakes for breakfast one morning and the next morning we went to a cafe for their buffet filled with good selections. I had to do a little extra cleaning on the bathroom but the super cold air conditioning made up for it.
My husband and son and I rode all day and night. We were able to ride from the house to the dunes on our four-wheelers. On the way home we stopped in Enid and ate at El Chicos.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that my husband rolled his four-wheeler on Saturday night and I rolled my four-wheeler on Saturday. Boy, was that an experience! Both of us were fine, just surprised, but we were wearing our helmets. And on sand it is a soft landing. I actually just slipped off mine and it rolled over on top of me and then one more time before landing on its tires. I was in the middle of it where your leg is and there is just enough room for clearance. I remember thinking as it was on top of me that I hope it goes on over. And it did. My son came to my rescue immediately. I was trying to go up a really tall dune and decided at the last minute that I wasn't going to make it so I did the wrong thing- I turned sideways. Something you don't want to do at the top of a soft backside of a dune unless you are going fast and are turning on purpose and I suppose a lot more experienced at driving than me. I fell off and it turned over on me. It all happened quickly but it seemed longer. The four-wheeler didn't turn over immediately, it just hung there for a second and then it was on top of me for a second and then back off and on its wheels. I actually didn't mind the experience, of course mostly because I wasn't hurt but I don't want to do it again. Now anywhere else besides sand this would be much more dangerous.
All's well that ends well.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Little Sahara Dunes


We are heading to Little Sahara dunes for the Labor Day
week-end. We've got to try out our new Honda TRX 450.
It's a little hotter than our Honda Ranchers. You have to
shift it with a clutch. I haven't even tried it out yet. My son
or my husband will be driving it. I'll stick with my Rancher
and my new paddle tires. We're going to stay in a house we've
rented. I hope the house is clean and spider free! The last house
we stayed at had fiddlebacks. One house we reserved was so bad
we had to decline and stay at the fiddleback house. The house
we didn't stay at was a nightmare on Park Avenue. The banker's
daughter's house from 1904. It was the most run down house
I have ever seen. The wind was blowing in from every window
and it was 104 degrees outside with one window unit (swamp cooler).
It had an upstairs that you could not go in to but you could see the wind
blowing the curtains above the living room ceiling. It was very creepy.
It had a locked door to the stairs and a window that someone had broken
beside the stairs. The broken place was covered with a tapestry and
the breeze was blowing it too. I wondered if there was some homeless
person up there. We didn't stay around long enough to find out.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Wordless Wednesday-Baby Baby































Baby Baby
For more Wordless Wednesday, go here.