Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Grandaddy

(Look at those blue Paul Newman eyes.  This was his high school picture.  He met Granny driving her school bus.  He was her age.)

Last Friday I wrote about Saturday night in a small town and it got me to remembering my life as a whole in that small town.  It was great actually.  My family are long time residents and I am very proud that they are part of the history that makes up Broken Arrow, Oklahoma!  My mother's father, Grandaddy was an awesome man.  He was my mother's best friend and confident as her relationship with her mother was always on the edge.  Grandaddy was an incredible man whose laugh or snicker-laugh will always be a happy memory.  He was gifted at making money, being an awesome salesman.  The Hubby so loved and respected him and learned tons from his experiences.


(This picture was on his turkey farm.  He's the one in front with the cigarette in his hand.)



When I was little he had the Purnia Feed Store in town.  I remember going into the store and smelling the sweet smells of chicken, cow and rabbit chow throughout the store.  At Easter time, and I know it is not a good thing, he would have all the little baby chicks and ducks and the chicks were dyed easter colors.  The peeps and soft cuddly babies were almost overwhelming to a child.  I wanted to own everyone of them.  Later, when the feed store was no longer he got into used car sales.  He did quite well at that and then it was real estate.  Actually, he and granny got their real estate license but he couldn't pass the broker test, but granny did, and they used her license to run the business.  He dealt mainly with rural farm land and was very successful in that endeavor too.  He was a smart man who was kind and an awesome granddaddy.  Sadly he died 3 months before his first great grandchild was born, our oldest.  I think he would have been so proud of our lives and our girls today.  I miss him terribly.  He was a smoker, like mother but was exposed to asbestos many year ago.  He had lung cancer and emphysema, like mother.  His life was taken much too soon.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Think I'm Back

I had a glitch in my blogging but I think I'm back.  If I offend anyone in any way I'm sorry, but that is just how I roll.  I say what I wish to say and be damned with what you may think of me.  I am an honest person who choses to speak her mind but I will for now on be careful about who I talk about, again on this blog.  Really it is kind of crappy but I will try, at least.  Now on to a topic that hopefully I will be able to link to the Oklahoma Bloggers Club successfully.



Small Town, Saturday Night

I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, Broken Arrow.  In 2010, this is not a small town anymore but in my day and in my parents day it was very small town.  We walked all over town without the fear there is today of even stepping out the front door.  It was an awesome place to grow up and I will never forget the quaintness it once held.  It is a big city now, at least in my eyes and doesn't hold the allure that it once had.  I grew up on Main Street and my father still lives in the house.  In fact, my mother moved there when she was in high school and when we three kids were young my parents bought the house from Granny and Granddaddy.  In good ole' BA there was not a lot to do on a Saturday night, at least for me.  I didn't run with popular crowds that went to parties or even to Tulsa to drag Peoria but we did drag Main.  I was lucky because I didn't even have to have a car to be in the hot spot of the town.  I would sit on my front step and wave at some who passed and yearn for the popular guys to notice me sitting there and stop by, it never happened.  If I was in the car, my friends and I would drive down Main from north to south to where the old bowling alley was (it is now the board of ed) and then turn in the parking lot and go south to north till we had to turn west.  The next turn was the Tastee-Freeze for the next turnaround and then the process would start over and over.  We would spend hours driving with occasional  stops at the local Git-N-Go, Tastee-Freeze, Ken's Pizza or even a taco at the local taco restaurant and to visit with other draggers.  If you were lucky a date might be on the agenda for the evening.  That would usually mean a trip to the big town of Tulsa which had a movie or maybe dinner in the offering.  Most usually I spent my Saturday nights either on the front stoop or watching TV with the family and playing solitaire.  My life was pretty quiet.  I have to say again that this my experience and others had much different experiences.  Mine was low key because I was a low key kind of gal.  I loved it and would not trade it for nothing, even though I was a bit lonely. 

(Linked this to The Prarie Maid.  I'm not sure if this is right but I'm trying.)


Check out the new do...I'm a brunette...never have been and I LOVE it!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Rethinking

A quick note to say I'm taking a break here.  Rethinking the focus of this blog. 

Sunday, March 21, 2010

First Day of Spring my **^**$#%%

Okay, Mother Nature, I've just about had it with you.  Snow on the first day of spring, that is quite enough.  The only good thing that happened for me is a day of painting.  Even though I worked on four paintings I didn't finish a one of them and I don't feel I accomplished anything, really I did but.  I think today I will paint again and that is a good thing but I really like sunshine.  When summer comes I'm going to kick someone's ass if I hear them complain about the heat of the summer.  I'm so ready to be warmed by the sun I can't stand it.  I'm just angry at this point, no more depression, just anger!

Poor little Clayton is sick yet again.  Friday evening a little after 5 I was preparing to have company for dinner when I noticed his little manhood and some inflammation and pus again.  Oh my goodness.  I called the vet and asked for some more antibiotics and they told me that if this did not clear up with this round that we need to x-ray him for kidney stones!  Egads!  That really worries me about him.  Poor little guy.  This snow doesn't help that he DOES NOT want to go out to relieve himself.  We have to force him.  He seems to feel better today but we will see. 

Now on to a more pressing subject.  This week it is time to change my age again, cover the gray.  I have been thinking of doing something different, but still hiding the gray.  I have been a blond all my life but I'm having a yearning to go dark.  Don't know why except that I am very bored with the blond.  I'm toying with the idea of darker shades but I also know that the problem with that is the gray will come back sooner and I am a total gray headed gal.  I will not "go gray" for a good many years so I plan on having fun with this stuff but I'm torn.  I usually don't mind playing with this but it will be a drastic change if I attempt it.  We'll just have to see if I'm brave enough to attempt. 

wait a minute......................................................I hear The Hubby yelling at me from the shower...............

Well, we are out of Dove soap and he is not happy.  He takes a shower at the shop every morning, never here and I use ladies body soap so I forgot to replenish his addiction for Dove soap.  I'm a bad wife.  At least that is what I feel like when I fall down on the "job" and forget to keep him happy.  Tuesday when he went to fix his usual oatmeal for breakfast he realized that the cupboard was bare of oatmeal.  He was not happy.  He gets all bent out of shape when the milk is gone too but I don't drink the stuff so I don't keep up with it much.  I'm just a bad wife I guess.  Hey, why should I feel this way.  I'm not his mother.  He's quite capable of caring for himself, uh wait, he could do without me...better watch out.   LOL, really, I don't mind much.  I'm lying, I do mind.  When I said wedding vows I did not say that I would keep the pantry stocked, the Dove soap in the shower and keep the toilet roll in the right position.  I did not say I would do laundry or iron, and I don't.  I gave that job up many years ago.  I do my own laundry and ironing and I'm not very good at that either.  Let's face it, my sister used to call me "Little Miss Suzy-Homemaker" but it was a ruse.  I can do it and pretty well, but it is not really me.  I hate it.  I hate laundry, I hate doing dishes, I hate cleaning house and making beds.  I do like cooking, most of the time.  I am not "Little Miss Suzy-Homemaker", I'm me who has an independant life, or least as independant as I can get it being married for 34 years.  LOL!  I think I've been rebelling for most of our 34 years of marriage.  I was a good mother and wife along with working WITH The Hubby and going to school and just all of it.  I really want to do what I want to do now and that does not include keeping Dove soap and oatmeal at the ready.  It has just evolved to be my "job".  Oh God, I'm on a tail spin of complaining about stuff that is just not important.  What is important is I love.  I love The Hubby.  I love my home.  I love my kids.  I love my life.  I love my family. 


Friday, March 19, 2010

Figured out something.

I have figured out something as of late.  I have figured out why my fingers have ceased to speak here.  I have pushed to get my blog read by people but that is a two-edged sword because it causes me to put a muzzle on myself.  I'm afraid of speaking my mind truthfully for fear of inflicting injury to family and friends.  It can be a wonderful thing to have readers but can really cause a hinderence to "freedom of speech", so to speak.  It can also hurt our business, so I zip it...

I've also been doing a little soul-searching about my life and my life with The Hubby.  First of all I have to say, I love my life, I love The Hubby.  I would not change a thing about it but I have questioned a few things and have yet come to a realization.  I have to think about where I came from and the time era of when I have lived and what society expected of me and my life and what my family and I have expected of me.  That said, I am accepting my life as it is.  Really my issues are minor and really petty and I need to grow up....HAHA, funny that is for a 53 year old woman don't you think. 

Today we are getting a hot tub.  I'm so happy and The Hubby is ecstatic.  We had a brand new one at the other house four years ago but the lady that bought our house wanted it.  We have missed having one for our aching mucsles and now, we will have one again.  Happy, happy, joy, joy!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Just thought I would have time off!

This week has not gone according to plan and so my supposed time off didn't happen as planned.  It couldn't be helped as B has been sick and home so her spring break time off didn't happen like planned either.  I did go to workout this AM and then headed over to Daddy's, early to take him some more mail that keeps coming to my house.  It was still so early when I arrived, sun not up, that I sat in the driveway for about 10 minutes till I could tell if he was up.  Really that was silly as he gets up early to read the paper which if I had been paying attention would notice was not there, DUH!  It was a nice visit in which he then informed me he thinks he has a girlfriend!  WHAT!  Okay, okay, I'm pretty much fine with that idea but he's only been home for not quite two weeks.  Actually, he talked to her on the phone last night and talked about having dinner but he thinks he has a girlfriend.  Gosh, sounds like junior high thinking but if you think about it the last time he had a "date" was in high school, with Momma.  He really looks good and sounds good so I'm happy for him to try to move on. 

After the visit with him I headed back to Tulsa to the grocery for oatmeal for The Hubby who discovered that he was out this morning.  Puts a real kink in his day without his oatmeal.  Then to Walgreen's and to the post office before heading home for a day of painting and time AT home!  I was no sooner home and checking emails when I had one from B at the office.  I have to say that if I didn't mention it before we let a guy go a couple of weeks ago, I won't go into details.  Anyway, back to the story, I opened my email from B and found out that The Hubby was letting another go, actually fired.  The guy has been with us for about 17 years but lately he has been late consistently, doesn't call or even come in at all and then we can't contact him (company supplied phone).  There is a lot more but it apparantly came to a head this morning and of course I wasn't there and I probably need to be there to do a check or something so I'm now waiting for a call to come in.  ARGHHHHHH!  It really stinks and we have not had to do anything like that for many years.  Our guys like us and stay forever but when someone takes advantage sometimes you have to draw a line.  Sad thing but it is life as an employer.  Sucks!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Killarney, Ireland 2009

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all my dear friends!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

A Little Good News

A little good news today.  My dear friend, going through chemo and radiation for a few weeks now got a report that the tumor is shrinking.  Very good to hear.  Hope it continues.

Monday, March 15, 2010

The Hamster Wheel Spinning in My Head...

Today is nothing but hamster wheel spinning around in my head.  Hope you can keep up. 

The weekend was gloomy yet again but was full of some fun stuff with friends at the lake.  There was a birthday party for one of our friends that turned 72.  She is an absolute inspiration to everyone.  A few years ago she had cancer, actually I think a couple of times, different kinds, and then she had a stroke that affected her speech.  The speech thing is kind of cute, especially when she will ask about my wife, meaning my husband, cat for dog,etc.  She is an inspiration because she has survived with a smile on her face and a laugh that is healing.  The party was really enjoyable to celebrate her zest for life and beating a lot of odds.  I also got to visit with another friend who lost his partner very suddenly a couple of weeks ago after many, many years together.  He got pnemonia while on vacation and was just gone.  Just broke my heart.  It was nice to see A out and trying to move on with his life after such a tragedy.  That makes me think about my friend who is battling cervical cancer.  I feel so bad that I have not been able to be there for her when she has called to be her driver to her treatments but she has called at the last minute and I just couldn't make it happen.  That doesn't mean that I don't feel terribly guilty for not helping.  I decided that I would go buy a ton of cards and bombarde her with a card nearly every day for a month, so that is what I did.  I have a stack of cards ready to go out.  I have to do something but not sure what to do.  I would do food but she is doing complete organic everything and wierd stuff vitamin wise, etc.  Food might be an issue for her.  (Thinking out loud here....) I might send flowers later in the month.  I just feel worthless right now. 

Interruption.....

I knew this would happen when Daddy came home.  The constant phone calls about stuff he can't find is about to drive me crazy.  He can't find his riding lawn mower manuel, he can't find his last bank statement, he can't find his blender that he never used, he can't find the extra mini-chopper....EGADS!!!!!  Again, I thought I was ready for this but NOT!  We will get through this, we will get through this, we will get through this....

Friday, March 12, 2010

Art Show

I have my first art show under my belt now and sadly I didn't win anything.  See in the upper left side, my Cigar and Flowers and underneath is my friend Sheila's wonderful piece.
In this window is the fan, next to a 1st place win in the pastel category.  Sheila and another lady couldn't understand the win and told me that my fan should have gotten something, but alas that was not to be.  I was a bit sad but after all it is my first time out, I couldn't expect to win anything, could I...yes I could.  Oh well, it was an experience and on to the next show and next painting.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Nothing to say

I'm just here to say nothing.  For some reason I'm pulling a blank for words here lately.  Actually, I do have to say that I'm a little anxious today.  Today is the reception for the art show and find out if I possibly got a ribbon.  Excited but anxious...

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Robin

I have been trying to find online a poem that I memorized when I was a child about a robin and a secret.  I think I have it in a three-ring binder that I used to keep poetry in....let me take a look...oh, there it is.  I was about 10 years old when I had to memorize this for school.  The other day, when the warm up started, I looked out in the backyard around the bird bath and there were no less than six robins drinking out of it.  That whole day I never saw so many robin's around town.  Truly spring has sprung.  Today I believe it is supposed to be around 70 degrees and I am so amped for it.  As I type this I am sitting in the living room and behind me sits my lone canary, Trinity.  She is talking to me and hears the birds outside that trigger her to chatter.  She is a female canary and they usually don't sing but I have music on too and she is trilling to it too.  Awww, spring is here.  As I drove home this AM, a little before seven I noticed all of a sudden that the grass is beginning to turn green.  Not only do we have the sounds of spring, the warmth of spring, but now the colors of spring beginning to brighten our lives.  I love it.  Enjoy the poem and have a great day all.  (Amazing how a little sunshine and green can brighten my attitude!)

The Secret by Anonymous


We have a secret, just we three,
The robin, and I, and the sweet cherry-tree;
The bird told the tree, and the tree told me,
And nobody knows it but just us three.

But of course the robin knows it best,
Because she built the--I shan't tell the rest;
And laid the four little--something in it--
I'm afraid I shall tell it every minute.

But if the tree and the robin don't peep,
I'll try my best the secret to keep;
Though I know when the little birds fly about
Then the whole secret will be out.

Monday, March 08, 2010

Onward

Onward we go with life.  Daddy is home and the house project done.  He is happy and I'm content with the outcome.  Now I guess I have to move on to something else, I guess.  It has been so much on my mind that there has not been room for much else.  Yesterday we had a little open house/house warming for Daddy and his niece, just cookies and punch/coffee.  It was simple and just what was needed to welcome him home.  His sisters and another niece came along with Bro and his family and Sis.  It really made him feel like everyone really cared and loved him.  I'm not worried that when his niece leaves that he may not do well.  She has been so wonderful caring for him and just doesn't take any guff from him.  He needs that but he needs to take care of himself.  She worries and I do too that she may not feed himself when he needs too.  He's still a young man, 74 and very capable of caring for himself if he will quit acting like he's 90.  Worry, worry, worry!  I've got to quit.  He will be fine.  We will just have take turns calling him and checking up to make sure he's okay.  We also have to read between the lines a bit and he is a downer sometimes. 

I have to get back to work and my art.  Today I take my paintings to my first art show.  It's exciting and I'm a little nervous as it is a juried show with ribbons and all. 

Friday, March 05, 2010

He's Home

Daddy is finally home and he was emotional the minute he stepped out of the car.   I almost missed when they (his niece V) pulled into the driveway.  I wanted to greet him at the car and then run inside to snap pictures of his reaction...
The first thing he noticed was that his house was white again as The Hubby had it power washed then...

His reaction was total shock as he walked through out the house and saw all the different things.


New kitchen floors...

Here he is discussing with B the arrowheads that she cleaned and reframed for him.
It has been a huge undertaking for Daddy but so well worth the effort for him and to have a wonderful place for him to live the rest of his life.  I'm content.


The day has been full I can tell you.  I went to workout early this AM and did 3 miles on the treadmill before the day even got started.  Then it was off to the doc about my hand.  X-ray's done I was then told that I had arthritis and carpel tunnel syndrome both hands, (knew that) and I will need to go back in 4 weeks.  Oh, and I got matching set of beautiful wrist accessory...



Tomorrow is another day...taking Daddy and V to the cabin for the afternoon then Sunday an open house to show off the work and welcome Daddy home. 


Side note...Little Clayton posing for me...Ain't he just adorable...

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Scooting by

I'm just scooting by to let everyone know I'm still around.  Kind of busy with the anticipated homecoming of Daddy tomorrow.  Some final steps like food, new bar stools, door mats, bouquets of flowers and we are ready for the big reveal.  I just can't seem to settle down I'm so wired.  Also, Monday is the day I deliver three of my paintings for my first show to enter.  It is a juried show so I'm extra excited.  I won't find out anything, like ribbons till next Thursday but will keep posted.  Hopefully next week I should have a full week of pictures and info to share.  Toodles all and I LOVE sunshine! 

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

Forwarding some info

I am forwarding this info from the oldest in her latest fun endeavor:



Greetings Family & Friends! I write you today to give you a little update and some news! As you know, I love to create things, have fun in life and stay connected within my community! As a result of this, and as a result of me thinking I don't already have enough to do, I've embarked upon the world of producing an arts and crafts show this summer! That's right, I must be insane! ;)


While the OKC area has multiple enjoyable and successful handmade fairs a year, Tulsa has only a couple, which are wonderful shows yet, I yearn for something more! Instead of waiting for more shows like this to pop up, I decided to take one on myself!

The show is being hosted by SheezKrafty, mine and April's jewelry business, and is called The Alliday Show! Our belief is that everyday should be celebrated as a holiday, as all days are special days, and that if you're going to shop, you should do it handmade! We are holding our fair at the Tulsa Fairgrounds in the Ford Truck Exhibit Hall on Saturday, June 26th from 9-5. This event will be FREE to the public and quite affordable for the artists as well! This will not be your typical potpourri and wreath fair but rather, offbeat, hip and an event not to be missed! I only anticipate that this event will grow and will become a permanent fixture in Tulsa!

So, why do I tell you all of this in a rambling e-mail? Well, for one, to spread the word! And two, to ask for your support! Perhaps you have a friend who has been wanting to give a show a try - let them know that they can apply now! Or perhaps you've been wanting to plan a shopping day with your loved ones - put this on your calendar for one-of-a-kind finds! Please feel free to spread the word by telling your friends and family, forwarding this e-mail, tweeting, status-updating, blogging or whatever it is you do!

Links can be found within the text above or right here:
The Alliday Show - http://www.allidayeveryday.com/
The Alliday Show Blog - http://www.allidayeveryday.blogspot.com/
The Alliday Show Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/allidayeveryday
SheezKrafty Etsy - http://www.sheezkrafty.etsy.com/
SheezKrafty Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/sheezkrafty

Goodness, lots of links! Please know that we appreciate your support over the years and can't wait for many more! Thank YOU for believing in us and in our new endeavor!

Cheers! B