Time to Face the Music

So I guess I'm in the beginning of a mid-life crisis.

My baby, my last born, is 18 now. You know.. I thought I would handle it well. WRONGO! Every time I look at her I just feel forlorn. I'm watching her grow and getting prepared to start her life. I know it's a good thing & I am so incredibly proud of her, but at the same time, I just got her back and it hurts.

Maybe I should re-start my book, or go to school – it's either something productive or chop my hair off, buy a mustang and get a boyfriend (OK not the boyfriend)

 

Vicki

The Blizzard of Christmas 2009

I opened my eyes to hear the sharp sound of ice hitting the roof on the morn of Christmas Eve.   By mid day, the storm had hit.  Wind howled, snow fell left to right, and the street no longer existed, we seemed to be alone on our street. 
My husband had to leave to take Nick to work early, and it took only about 1/2 the trip for the storm to hit.  Leaving Nick at work, Gayle came home having mad as hell that Nick insisted, even though we were expecting the blizzard of the decade, to go to work and the phone rang.
Rob… on his way home ran off the road and into a ditch… a rescue mission was sent.  They got home, sans car, and the storm was white out.   
Finally about 2, Nick called, no business at Wal-Mart… worried to about getting home.. well we couldn’t go get him (white out – duh) so he had to wait until the storm lifted.  And it finally did and off Gayle went, along with Alissa, for a second set of eyes. 
Finally, they all got home and I was fully relieved. 
We ended up opening presents on Christmas Eve because for once in years we were all in the same place at the same time.
Fast Forward to Christmas Day:
Tried to get Robs car out, didn’t work: Here’s some pics

I’m Certifiable!

I finally got Red Cross/CPR certified today. It wasn't a hard class… mostly common sense, a few techniques.

The company I work for paid for my training, so it was nice. We had a lot of fun and I did enjoy. I think everyone should learn the basics.

Home made taco seasoning

2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt

A Slightly changed Ginger Molasses Cookie stolen from Paula Deen

This is Paula Deen's Ginger Cookies w/a little less sugar – and yes, of course, butter

¾ cup butter

¾ c sugar

1 large egg

¼ cup Molasses

2 c all purpose flour

2tsp baking soda

1tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

½ tsp cloves

½ tsp kosher salt

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Heat oven to 350, line cookie sheets w/parchment paper

Cream butter and sugar in one bowl, add Molasses and egg and mix completely

Sift all other ingredients together and add slowly to wet – incorporating a little at a time.

Put a little sugar in a bowl – roll dough into 1 in alls then roll into sugar. Place about 1 in apart on cookie sheet and bake 12 – 14 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Decisions….

I have a decision to make at work and I really want to make sure I make the right decision.

Our office is divided into section that deal with different banks. I work for the section that deals directly with Chase. Well I have been offered to move to Barklays. The offer was made before and I decided against it due to some bad input I received from a couple of people, but now I don't know.

After being reoffered, I spoke to a couple others and they love it! My other concern was that if I take it, would that prevent me from being able to be considered to a better job? Well the supervisor said no… he'd never keep anyone from moving up.

I told him I'd let him know Monday – I am looking at rare to no bonuses, but the stress would be downgrades INCREDIBLY.

Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars

I found this recipe online. I LOVE THESE!

For Cake Base:

 2 sticks margarine (or butter if you want to indulge) -- softened

 1 and 1/4 cups brown sugar-- packed

 3 large eggs

 1 teaspoon ground ginger

 1 teaspoon vanilla

 1/4 teaspoon salt

 1 and 1/2 cups flour

 1/4 cup minced dried cranberries

 1/4 cup quality white chocolate -- coarsely chopped

 1/4 cup minced candied ginger

For Frosting:

 4 ounce cream cheese -- softened

 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar

 2 Tablespoons butter -- softened

 1 teaspoon vanilla

For Frosting:

 4 ounce cream cheese -- softened

 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar

 2 Tablespoons butter -- softened

 1 teaspoon vanilla

For Garnish:

 2 Tablespoons minced dried cranberries

 1/3 cup white chocolate chips (e.g. Ghiradelli or Guittard) – melted

Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease a 9x13 pan.

Beat butter and sugar together for the cake base, and add eggs/vanilla beating until fluffy. Sift together flour, ginger, and salt and then add to the butter/sugar mixture beating well. Fold in the cranberries, chocolate and ginger. Spread thick batter in pan and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden.

When cake is cooled, mix all frosting ingredients together and spread a thin layer over the cake. Immediately sprinkle with the minced cranberries. Then use a cake decorating bag of melted white chocolate with a tiny decorating tip (like the size used for writing on cakes) and drizzle the chocolate over the cake.

Cut this into bars immediately because the white chocolate hardens pretty fast and makes cake cutting messy

Happy Birthday 2009

Today I turn (gasp) 42 years old!!!

I never thought they could beat last year, but instead of 'theme-ing' the day, they trickled out gifts all day long!

It started this morning with a wonderful set of pajamas that fit me- after losing so much weight, all my jammies were too big. Then Alissa brought me a wonderful mother/daughter necklace, then Rob brought me "Christmas Sweater" by Glenn Beck – which I have been really wanting to read, Nick brought out Sons of Anarchy – the first season, then new wine glasses, cake… GOOD DAY.

Been counting my blesses all day long.

I am so thankful for my family, for my life… the good, the bad and the ugly of it!!

So Much Going On

So where did I leave off: Well, not meningitis, not thyroid but an anxiety disorder. Not too surprising, anxiety disorders are on both sides of the family.

The worst thing we have now is what's called a "spinal" or "lumbar" headache. Hurts when you sit up, better when you lay down, caffeine can help but not necessarily get rid of.

We have to go back to Dr tomorrow to see about those. She's taking Darvacet, but it's not really helping.

Sometimes I really need someone to talk to, but sadly the person NOT in the home that I have always been able to talk to doesn't want to talk to me and has always been sarcastic and mean when it comes to disorders like this.

Sadder yet, she hasn't even inquired Ali directly about how she's doing – but has left comments on other things on my FB.

 

I am feeling sad.

cool!

Ali's Lumbar puncture: way cool

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Wow - wild night

Have you ever had one of those times when you had an awful feeling? Like something seriously NOT GOOD is going to happen? I've had one for the past two days. It got pretty strong yesterday and Mom entered my mind – why? I don't know – but I called her. She tells me she has an appointment with her neurologist next week – she just decided it's been about a year, and she needs to see him. I figured that was it and that was the end of it.

That nagging feeling wouldn't go away, but figuring it was Mom, I pushed it aside. Even gave my daughter permission to go out for a late date with her new beau. I guess it would have been around 730 ish, she called to tell me she was having seizures. After talking with her date, I made the command decision to get her to hospital. He's drive her there and I'd meet them.

Well after a few minutes of panic because I couldn't find my blessed keys, and of course calling to have her Dad meet us there, off I went, praying the entire way that no one would panic, no one would get in an accident, no one would be pulled over .

I made it, Ali made it and we got her checked in, after a few minutes, Gayle got there too and we were all in the bthack awaiting a visit from the physician on duty.

Her seizures seemed to come on quickly and one right after another – but they were atypical. She was able to focus her eyes, she was able to keep her speech and her memory was unaffected. She did, however, have a killer headache. They seemed to come one whenever anyone messed with her head.

Anyway a long night of tests went forward. Drug test (no illegal drugs) pregnancy test (no baby) CAT scan (normal) Lumbar Puncture (for bacterial meningitis – again none and Ali was mad she couldn't watch) However… possibly viral meningitis or a reaction to regular meds or something she was around or ate.

Well… the good news is that we got to spend time with her new boyfriends and we like him.

Here we go again

So not cool. Here I thought we were all done with this H1N1 thing… thought Nick had already gone through a mild form of it but nooooooooooooooooooooo.

He's got it now. And it seems to have hit his chest – watching carefully for any signs of pneumonia.

Pray for us.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

James 5:15-16

Aw Those Cotton Fields Back Home

I was tired today when I went to work.. but that's not surprising, I am ALWAYS tired on Mondays.

I work in a call in service center for Chase. We get calls from all around the country, and a sweet friendly voice is vitally important for the comfort level of our customers. By the time they call us, they are usually ticked off to begin with, very few are calling to just get info.

Three calls into the day, I can feel and hear my voice going… crap. After two hours I came home – I think it's because the cotton is blooming and every year that causes problem… so back onto allergy pills.

Ramblings of a Crazy Woman: Halloween Pizza Party

Ramblings of a Crazy Woman: Halloween Pizza Party

This Weekend is Oktoberfest

I have been stuck home with Alissa since Wednesday. I am going to work tomorrow and then, during the evening, I am going to OKTOBERFEST.

I know it sounds as if I don't care.. but I am tired of being home. Work is somewhere I have to be, but I need to get out and away too.

Anyway, hopefully Gayle will have tomorrow off and he can come with me… we can fight over who's the designated driver!!!

 

Good Night!!

My Take on: Roman Polanski

It was a few years back, one of the years Roman Polanski was nominated for an Emmy award, I found out he wasn't able to attend due to the fact he ran after his conviction of sex with a 13 year old. That so disgusted me I refused to watch any of his movies.

That isn't an easy thing, I mean the man is very talented. His movies have included "The Pianist" "China Town" as well as had cameos in several movies, but the fact is, Roman Polanski did something so deplorable I cannot in any way, shape, or form support him.

I realize he had a horrible life, I mean his mother died in a German Death Camp, he escaped the Warsaw Ghetto's, wandering around the countryside, staying with mostly Catholic Families wherever he could. After reuniting with his father after the end of WW2, he ended up in school, then acting in the 50's, ending up in Hollywood.

He started his Hollywood career with Rosemary's Baby and within a year, his young wife was murdered by the Manson Family. Even though there seemed to be no end to this rising star, we have to remember - here is a man with a whole lot of baggage.

In 1977, he was 43 years old, and he took an interest in a 13 year old girl. He talked her and her mother into allowing him to take photos of her, showing them photos he had published in the French Vogue. He actually took pictures of her a few times before the incident. The girl, according to her Grand Jury testimony, didn't trust him, but couldn't seem to get out of going with him for more pictures.

She was taken to a house she was unfamiliar with, plied with Champagne and a Quaalude. She wasn't feeling well (duh) and he took her into one of the rooms, where he proceeded to rape her. Let's get this straight, at 43 years old, he got a 13 year old girl
drunk and stoned. This man, who was close to 50, took this young girl in a bedroom and, even though she protested, proceeded to orally rape her, then vaginally rape her and then anally rape her. Even after being interrupted by someone else, he raped her again.

The man PLEADED GUILTY to a lesser charge of sex with a minor – I would image so the fullest of his crime wouldn't be known to the public. Let me repeat HE PLEAD GUILTY. His excuse of fearing the judge would throw out the plea deal and sentence him for a longer period of time for RAPE isn't valid. He RAN AWAY to avoid the sentence, not the charges. He is GUILTY.

And now, the Hollywood Elite thinks he has 'served his time' by living out his life outside of the country (the very country so many of these same people disrespect all the time) They act as if him paying off his victim in the early 90's was enough.

 

NO this is a land of laws. It matters little what the victim wants at this point. This man committed a crime, convicted of a lesser crime and ran off to keep from servicing his sentence. He deserves to spend the rest of his nasty life in prison, fighting off those who would do the same to him.

Sunday Sunday

Gayle and I both had today off. Kinda nice after not seeing one another often because of our schedules.

Anyway, we didn't do much because the MONSTER MILE was today (for those not "in-the-know" that would be the NASCAR race at Delaware. Always an exciting race! But this time… oh THIS TIME we got to watch one heck of an accident. It's amazing how Joey Logano walked away from this!

Very much enjoyed the day with my honey! I love you baby!

Just a saturday

Got my results back.. strange that even though it was good news (I passed the stone) the Doctor himself was the one who called. Very cool.

Went to the International festival today after work, it was alright, but there just wasn't a whole lot going on – though a LOT of food! Finally got my gyro though!!

Weary

I am quite aware that I have done this to myself. My health problems, for the most part, are due to my own foolishness – as a young woman and as an older woman.

Now, as I have been dealing with the repercussions of my own stupidity, I wonder how much more I'll have to face.

I have never liked telling people, "Oh I have this, I had that, this, happened to me, that happened to me…" Drives me crazy when people almost BRAG about their illnesses and diseases – and to be quite frank - growing up in my family it never seemed that anyone really cared anyway, so it's hard to move past that.

Now, today, one more thing hit my plate of crappy health issues. Nothing serious or long term, or should be anyway, but one more thing I have to keep in my mind as I live my daily life… and again I await test results… is it something big? Is it something small?

I grow weary.

The Big Wedding!

We got back to the hotel at about 2:30 pm to finally meet up with Debbie and Terry in the Casino, got to sit and have a cup of coffee (or tea for dear Debbie) and talked for a few minutes before Mike, Joie and I had to get showered for the wedding.

The Wedding… wow!

AMAZING! BEAUTIFUL!

Jamie looked like one of those brides right out of the magazine, Chris looked exceedingly nervous.

The wedding itself was informal, but still had an incredibly sacred element to it. The scenery at the club was outstanding.. There was a guitarist strumming in the background

All together – it was breathtaking.

Unfortunately – being the dingbat I am, I forgot my camera – but here is a photo of the bride and groom from the reception - which also was amazing!

Reno day 2

Let me see, where were we??

Oh yes, Reno!!

After waking up on Friday morning, I text family and in a few met for breakfast at Biscotti’s. (by the way.. great potatoes) and I was very excited to find out the waitress could get soy for my coffee.

Mike and Joie and I decided to get ourselves together to go to Virginia City, NV.

There we met all sorts of interesting people.

Here you see Diamond Jim

He was in the visitors center – helping people find things to do and tours to go on. He made suggestions for a stagecoach ride and a mine tour.

After we bought our tickets and headed down the street, I began to hear “ching, ching, ching” the sound of spurs kept getting louder. I looked up and the first thing I saw was a red sash. It was a COWBOY ala Tombstone!

He challenged me to tell him who he was and if I was right, he’d allow me take a photo with him. Well that was easy.. the mustache, the sleek hair, the dark clothing, why it was JOHNNY RINGO!!! Having guessed correctly – I got my prize!

Yes, strange as it seems, it excited me greatly to have photo taken with this man.

We stayed in Virginia City for a few hours, but then headed back to Reno for the main event. The WEDDING!!!

My Trip to Reno

I am sitting here with one sore back. I’ll get in to that in a bit.

Early, early Thursday morn, I flew out of OKC to attend my nephews wedding. It was an easy trip to Reno, the flights were easy, no problems, and I landed in Reno at just after 10am. The weather was B-E-A-UTIFUL! I missed the shuttle to the Peppermill by just minutes so I had to sit and wait for the next one. Normally that would be irritating, but I found myself sitting next to a wonderful older woman and her husband. She regaled me with stories about her many trips to Reno and all the things I really should spend time doing while I was there. Sadly, there is no possible way I could do all the things she suggested, but promised her I would try and do at least one.

I had reservations at the Peppermill Spa/hotel/casino and hoped that I would be able to check in early, so with my hopes in hand, I made the call. YES! They had a room available as soon as I got there! WOO-HOO!

When the shuttle stopped, I all but ran inside this beautiful hotel – well at least on the outside it exuded class. Wonderful Tuscan designs were the backdrop to many, many statues and water fountains. I was so excited to see the hotel – only to find the inside was definitely a casino. Neon flashed and the sound of clinking coins filled the air.

That’s OK – once I got in my fabulous room, nothing else mattered. It didn’t take long for my sister, Joie to find me. I was only in my room for a few minutes when I got her text.

We got together, hugged and did the “OMG!” thing grabbed some suits and went to the pool!! An AMAZING POOL!!! Warm and with beautiful statues and waterfalls. ~sigh~

Joie and her husband Mike were heading up to Virginia City on Friday and asked if I wanted to go along… I'll blog about that, THE WEDDING, the Aunties, Uncle and my cuz later!!

Stay Tuned!!

A Movie Review

Today we went to see the new Quinton Tarantino film

Inglourious Bastards.

This film stars Brad Pitt as Lieutenant Aldo Raine, who takes great pleasure in bringing together eight Jewish soldiers on a mission behind the lines of Nazi occupied France.

Their goal? To Kill and Terrorize the Nazi Army.

They (and a few extras they find along the way) become a rather painful thorn in the side of Nazi Germany and in particular, the German hierarchy.

At the same time, we watch another story line of how a scared young Jewish girl finds herself in the situation of having to play hostess to the man who murdered her family, as well as Hitler himself.

The two stories parallel one another until finally explosively colliding in a very fictional (but cheer worthy) ending to WW2.

As any Terantino film, there is an immense amount of violence, far too much blood and a whole lot of great energy.

Would I recommend – yes, but remember – it is Quinton Terantino – the man who brought us Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and the Kill Bills – not for the faint of heart and definitely not for children.

An open Letter

Dear Mr President, Members of  Congress and all who wish to read:

As I have been watching the Town Hall meetings, reading the editorials, watching the endless commercials and reading blogs from both sides of the health care debate, there are few things I would like to add.

We were a military family for 17 years,  both suffering through and benefiting from the Military Health Care system.

With this care, we have been able to get surgeries, casts, medication, and MRI’s for no cost, and these are good things.  There are also many, many other things that we need to consider.

I have gotten on the phone at 7 am hoping to get a same day appointment for urgent care for UTI’s and being told to call back in the morning or go to the ER and waiting 7 hours there because so many people are coming in who couldn’t get in and see their Primary care physician

I have dealt with  doctors who push you through because they are only allowed 15 minutes per patient but yet were 1 hour or more past our appointment time.  

After leaving the military – our family has no health care insurance.. my husband did through VA, for what’s that worth. 

After some time we did get health insurance, and though it does cost quite a bit, we can see a doctor when we want, and have prescription coverage, dental coverage and eye exams. Some of it is rather confusing, but we do muddle through

The VA health care… well that’s another thing. The VA has been good to my husband as far as dealing with service related injuries, however, to make an appointment for urgent care, or even a follow-up for something more going on with his service related injuries we are told it takes TWO MONTHS to see his doctor. 

Please,  when considering health care reform, please understand, you are a high level government official, getting in to see a doctor is easier for you and faster.  Your name alone would bump me and my family (as we were several times while in the military when a Generals kid was ill)

Government run health care is a travesty for those who are not in power, regardless of the form. 

You cannot get into your physician, and in the end, the cost to the individual, through taxes, will hurt our personal finances. 

If you tax the rich, they would either pass that down to us in cost or lower wages, or even move out of the country.  There are not tax cuts in the world will pay for this monstrosity.

Start over.  Move slowly,  find cost savings so insurance and physicians can both lower cost..

It can be done, but not by pushing it through to keep egos intact.

Thank you,

Vicki in Oklahoma

purple pup

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We’ll See You Soon!!!

Rob, Brett, Alissa and Nick

 

 

Faye, Rob, Nick and Alissa

 

 

Faye, Brett & me

ugh I hates spiders

About two weeks ago I woke up with a swollen leg, figuring it was just a spider bite, I didn’t think much of it. 

But here it is, two weeks later and my leg is still swollen and my muscles are sore! There is no sign of Black Widow or Brown Recluse bites, so I figure it was probably one of those big ass wolf spiders that are out here or maybe a small tarantula.. wouldn’t be the first time I got bit by a tarantula.

 

I hate spiders.

Sitting @ the Senior Fireworks stand

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Happy Birthday Honey!

Happy Birthday to my beloved!!

Why I am Fat

This recipe and others like it are why we are fat today

Enchilada Casserole

4 c shredded chicken (boil enough chicken to shred - I use 4-5 chicken breasts)

1 box chicken rice a roni

2 TB butter/margarine

3 cups water

1 sm can green chili’s

taco seasoning (Recipe to follow)

cheese

4 – 5 tore up tortillas

1 large can enchilada sauce

melt butter in med saucepan, add rice –a –roni and brown, add seasoning packet, taco seasoning, green chilis and 3 cups water. Bring to boil, then simmer for abt 20 minutes.

Add rice-a-roni to chicken and stir until incorporated

Spray a 9X14 in baking dish w/Pam. put 1/2 chicken, 1/3 cheese, 1/2 tortillas, 1/2 can enchilada sauce poured over the top.

Repeat layer

add remaining cheese to top

Bake abt 10-15 minutes in a preheated oven set at 375. Remove from oven and let set 5 minutes or so until set..

Put whatever taco extras you like on the top of individual servings – serves a lot of people

So far So good

Here’s the gist of the job I have.

The company I work for, Assurant, is a company that supplies the call center for several companies, of many types. 

Now it’s going to be a TOUGH job,  people can be just mean to the person on the other end of  the phone and most people don’t call unless they are pissed off anyway, but….

I have never seen a business where the employees have so much fun – I mean really. Music, games, prizes and great benefits.

I hope my impression of this company is a correct one.  They seem to understand that  if you keep your employees happy – and healthy, your employees are faithful and will stay with you.

Anyway – that’s what I am seeing so far.

V

I am doing nothing more than playing w/ the new phone... forgive me!

had lunch here. Not impressed with the gyros. The were beef, had little spice and loose tzitziki.

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First Day on the Job

Well, day one is over. Mostly simple orientation, who are we, what do we do, values blah blah blah. You all have bee through that.

We have 10 people in our class. We're all there for different reasons... need a second job, get out of the house, need a first job. We are an eclectic group.

Did OK.. nothing big.

Until tomorrow.

Hasta later!

I love My Pool!

A few years back, Gayle wanted to get one of those big Easy Set Pools - like the one you see to the left.

I fought tooth and nail - what the hell did we need one of those for? I mean really - the kids are older, and I really didn't see US using it.

Within a few weeks - I had to apologize. I spent every moment I could stand out in the pool, swimming, floating, daydreaming. Every night he came home from work, we would light up the tiki torches (Oklahoma Mosquitoes are HUGE) and enjoy time with one another in the pool.

The following summer it was super hot, and I got that pool set up as soon as I could, and yet another summer in the water.

I admit it, I go through withdrawals - it just CANNOT warm up fast enough for me - if I could figure out how to heat the darn thing in the winter it would never come down!!

Once again, Gayle was right. I just love that man!

T-I-R-E-D

I had to wake up at 4:30 this morning, get up and go to the city. Gayle has Drill weekend and being as we have only one really decent car, I had to drive him up to OKC, have him dropped off by 7 and come back home.

By 8:30 I had driven 182 miles round trip on on cup of coffee and no food....

But, on the bright side, tomorrow we'll drive up early and go shopping before we pick him up. Mama needs some new shoes!!!

Kabobs!!!!

I grilled shishkabobs for the first time. It was easy!!!

I cut chicken into chunks and marinated them in lemon pepper marinade (store bought) then I slid them on metal shish-ka-bob skewers.

also on the kabobs:
Green Peppers
cherry tomatoes
bite size potatoes (I used Yukon Gold)
zucchini
(this is really up to your own taste and imagination)

You might want to use a wee bit of oil and spiced them.

then I put them on the grill - remembering to turn them every few minutes.

They were AWESOME!

Just thought these pics were cute

 

She got in on her on her own.   I promise – she’s just that curious

 

 

 

 

hmmm I need a Tom Tom

I have been to the OKC Zoo several times - but leave it to me to get lost.
We decided to go to the OKC Zoo today - but somehow, and I don't know how, we got LOST. I mean LOST.
I'm driving around, lost and aggravated when I see a beacon of hope, the Bass Pro Shop in Bricktown.  I KNOW I can get directions there. 

 

In we go and straight to the Customer Service Desk? NO – to the marina side and start clicking on the Tom-Toms.  Yes – I cheated. We snap a cell phone pic of the directions and off we go.

Well, we turn right on Reno, Left on Lincoln, past the hospitals, next to the capital, on to 23rd NE, left on Martin Luther King and right at the zoo.  badabing!  It’s 4pm and the zoo closes at 5 (isn’t that awfully early?)

So we turn around and go BACK to Bricktown and eat at Toby Keiths (on of my favorite restaurants in OKC. ) stop back into the Bass Pro and my cell phone goes off – it’s the weather warning system in Lawton.

We decided to go back home, hopefully we can bypass the storm.

The clouds around us are ugly most of the way home, bu1t some how, some way, we got home w/out ONE DROP OF RAIN!

So – getting lost in OKC, not getting to go to the zoo, having to come home early and NOT getting hit by the storm – I think it was a GREAT day!!!

Vicki

Pool Kitty

So we put our pool up, and the kitten wanted to check it out, she did this on her own.

HORRAY

I am

Employed

W00T!

I have a job interview! 

Wish me luck, pray for my nerves

It’s PROM NIGHT

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View Full Album

Click on in and see the Photos.

Her date is Ryan Dees… He’s an awful nervous guy,but nice. :)

Love It

Today is the last PWOC regular session for the year, it’s been a year of up and downs, but as sad as I am that it is over, I am excited about next year!!!

 

~sigh~

I can’t wait to see what God has in store!

Ugh = Can’t Sleep

It’s not atypical for me to wake up at least once a night, usually I can just roll over and go back to sleep, but not today..

I woke up, went to the bathroom, took a puff from my albuterol, and laid back down, and my back itched – you know in the spot you CANNOT reach.   I began wondering if I could use cat as a back scratcher. 

Then the heartburn started.. ugh. 

Anyway – been up since 3am.

Its the dress!

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How To Scare the Children

According to a recent study, one in three children (ages 6-11) are afraid the Earth will not be around when they are adults.
According to the study, minority children have more anxiety about the end of the world than white children. Girls worry more than boys, urban more than suburban.
They worry about a major weather catastrophe and they are concerned of animal extinction. They are concerned that no matter what we do, the world will be destroyed. (www.treehugger.com)

I pondered why that is. Then I remembered the fear I had in the 70's that the world as we know it would be destroyed, no- not by global nuclear annihilation, (and I lived near missile silos) but by GLOBAL COOLING Yes - you read that right.

We were being inundated with "scientific evidence" that the world was cooling at such a rate, we could expect an ice age within 20 years. The ice glaciers would be covering MOST of the continental United States, covering most of the farming states, bringing about famine, death and disease.
The rain forests would cease to exist, because the area would be too cool to sustain the forests, and without new trees to cover the planet, oxygen levels would decrease and Carbon Dioxide would increase and the population would decrease and many bloodlines would fall away.

If that didn't kill us, a giant meteor would crash into the planet and kill us like the dinosaurs - as they talked about how we only watched a tiny portion and another one would come at anytime...

We are doing the same things with our children - but worse, now they are inundated with these messages at school, on the internet, over cable TV. They saw horrible visions after Katrina and the Tsunami. This is followed up with Discovery telling us "This is what would happen if it hit the US" and Al Gore running around saying the weather is directly related their evil parents who don't care about the planet...

No wonder they are afraid.... Come on! We can do things to help the planet without scaring the hell out of our children!! We can take steps without totally destroying our way of life...

Well - except for the damn mercury filled lightbulbs...

Off my soapbox

Oye Ve!

So I decided I would clean up the big ‘flower garden’ in the front yard…  well, reality is that is was more of a weed garden. 

I dug and I dug and I pulled weeds and I turned over soil.. I pulled out the border.  The garden was far too big, and I need to make it smaller, so I have to figure out exactly how big I want it.

Anyway.. after all that, I know I am going to be sore tomorrow..

YIKES.

Amish Bread

This is an awesome and easy bread recipe – it does use yeast, but fear not, you CAN do this!!!

2 C warm water (110 degrees F)

1/2 c sugar

1 1/2 Tb active dry yeast (this is NOT a full packet)

Dissolve sugar and water in a large bowl, add yeast to “Proof” and let it sit until you have a creamy foam on top.

ADD

1 1/2 tsp salt (I use Kosher)

1/4 C vegetable oil (I use canola or peanut)

then mix in

6 C flour – 1 cup at a time

knead until smooth.

Put dough into a well oiled smaller bowl (metal or glass if you have it) turn the dough over so it has oil on both sides. 

Put someplace warm, cover with a clean wet cloth and let it be for about 1 hour.

Punch down (yes, punch it) and divide it in half, shape them into loaves and put it 2 greases loaf pans.  Let raise again for about 30 minutes,

Cook for 30 minutes at 350….

turn out of loaf pans onto a cooling rack.

Easy breezy and super yummo

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To cut bread, turn bread onto it’s side and use serrated knife..

Family

Here it is, a photo of our new Aunt and Uncle.

Well, not new, per se, but newly discovered.

Terry Ruby and Debbie Aragon

This week was CRAZY

This week, my sister got hold of Harold Ruby’s prison record… big deal? Well it would be, except Harold is my mothers long lost father.

He spent a lot of time behind bars. He was in prison in Montana, Oregon and Nevada. He was virtually lost to Mom when her parents divorced when she was only a few years old, back in the 30’s. We assume it was around the time of his first incarceration.

We know she had contact with her Aunt Helen (Harold’s sister) but, except for finding out that he had died, they didn’t discuss him. I would imagine it was due to my grandmother.

Now Gram was a very strong woman who came from a very influential family, and if they said, “NO” that was it.

Well – after getting hold of a link that had a series of messages about Harold, I dropped a quick note on it, never thinking it would yield anything, after all, they were old, I found my mothers 1/2 sister!!!

Mom has three siblings. Debbie, Sherry and Terry

Crazy!!!!

Great Hiking Trip

We had a great time at the Wichita Wildlife Refuge today.

Nick and Gayle both had to work, so it was just Ali, Rob and I. We went out and found the buffalo down by Prairie Dog town and found some young males fighting – well, I think it was just playing, but they got close enough to us we could hear their horns clanking against each other.

It was so fascinating to watch, we couldn’t stop – even though we should of, being as we had gotten out of the car.

We then went hiking up to my favorite spot – oh I love that place…

~sigh~ I feel good.

A week in review

This has been an interesting week.

It started out Monday – Ali grabbed a girl by the throat and bashed her head against the wall. I mean – OK – so the girl needed to learn she wasn’t all that, but that’s a wee bit much. Oh, yes, she’s suspended.

Luckily she was going to see her counselor anyway, so we did have that. She finally decided Alissa should be on meds, but she couldn’t prescribe them, they had to be prescribed my an MD.

soooo

Tuesday, we end up at the doctors. We get a months worth a prozac for her, as well as a referral to an MD who can follow her.

then we get home and find out Nick has a job interview!!!! HORRAY!!! His interview is 9am on Wednesday.

Alissa’s meds made her silly and a little jittery – we are assured via internet that this is normal at first.

Wednesday – 9 am Nick’s job interview, and Gayle and I were shopping at Walmart (I mean, since we were there) Nick got the job but needs to go and get a drug test done. We have to get home to get Rob to work (we have but one car) and I told Gayle we need to get the escort up (new tires, new battery) so after dropping Rob off at work, off Nick and Gayle go to get a pee test and tires/battery for the car. They came home, we put the car together and ZOOM!

Thursday – I had the devo at PWOC, I was a wee bit nervous because of the seizure, but I think it went OK. Got some shopping done and now I am sitting here…

Wonder what tomorrow will bring??

Crazy

I really don’t get it. How can people decide they are mad at you, “delete” you from their social sites and then send you junk email….

Is that a way for her to “win”

She’s crazy.

Lord, give me some aspirin

Sometimes I just want to grab my chest and start yelling the immortal words of the great Fred Sanford, “Oh my heart!!”

It just seems that every little possible thing happens all at once. I am just ready to SCREAM.

My husband and I went to his VA doctor today, and found out he’s pre-diabetic. That means he will develop full blown diabetes type 2 if we don’t get proactive. I’ve been researching a ‘better diet’ and he has begun to exercise but we will see how much he really wants to do this.

That isn’t the problem – I’m glad this happened because I know he needs a wake up call due to his weight. He’s been referred to a nutritionist and I’ll go with him to also learn. I mean – a good diet is a good diet. The problem is my daughter just can’t let it be about someone else.

She’s been seeing a shrink, and I know they’ve been working on this, but I am really not in the mood to be a loving caring mother right now. Sometimes I just need her to act like an adult.

Storm

The storm coming it behind my house!

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Why is it?

Why is it that once the tears come they can't stop? I mean really.  I'm still leaking.  That sucks.

Melting Down - Nuclear style

I managed to have a complete meltdown today. I don't know what exactly happened. I wish I did.

It would be easy to blame my husband - after all, it's what he said that set me off, but really it's my fault completely.

You see, my husband has been suffering with what I believe is stress related chest pains. We have a lot of stress in this house. I would let him know all about the issues of the day, and he was suffering for it. Knowing this may have been causing some of the issues, I stopped and it got better.

In short order, he stopped having the pains and things were better for him. The less I bothered him with things, the better he felt, but I kept getting sicker and sicker, but it didn't matter, as long as he was feeling better.

I guess I should have seen the signs, after all, I was sick all the time, tired all the time, I had a constant headache, even had a seizure, but still, I kept going.

Today he made a comment that I had been sitting on the couch for the past few days, and he was worried about me. I lost it. I have not been sitting on the couch all the time, but truly, as tired as I have been, I haven't been up to going anywhere or doing anything.

A complete and total meltdown. I was crying and babbling incoherently, shaking all over... I'm still crying...

Well, as Scarlet O'Hara said, tomorrow is another day, and I will pick up the pieces and start again...

A Comedy of Errors

My nephew, Brett, was on leave in Montana, visiting his mum and such. Anyway, he bought a car and drove home, taking him within about 1 hr of here.

I drove down to OKC to see him, and was planning to meat him at Toby Keith's Bar and Grill in Bricktown.

Alissa and I got to the restaurant at around 5pm, and got our name on the list. We had about 30 minutes, and so I called to see where Brett was. He was only about 20 minutes out - coolio!!!

Then he gets lost!!! I am finally able to ground guide him to Bass Pro, which is pretty darn close to Toby Keith's and he STILL can't find us.

Knowing he's in the parking lot, I sent Ali down to find him, and I let him him know what Ali is wearing and to look for her. Next thing I know, he's walking past me and OUT the door!!!

I got his attention by knocking on the door (meanwhile, our awesome server is laughing at me ) only to find out he didn't wait to find Alissa!!!

I know what you're thinking, you're thinking she always has her phone, call her.... NO! SHE LEFT HER PHONE ON THE TABLE!!

OK - so Brett took off, found her and brought her back.

CRAZY!!

Good news - Bretts a cheap date - he took the free meal for military. :)

Anyway, we traded his sword for my china and off he went. Poor guy!

Love that kid!

Pop in law

My father-in-law is sick again, he had to have surgery to remove a partial blockage in his colon, and then also had a hernia removed at the same time.

He's still in the hospital, and on morphine and cranky as all get out.

Hopefully he'll get of f the morphine soon, and get to go home soon....

and Then Comes the Tears

Today I went to PWOC.  I have been feeling emotional anyway, but today brought the tears. 

Dear Kellie told us the story surrounding her journey toward adoption, the adoption of her wonderful daughter and now her son.  She talked about the disappointment of being unable to conceive, having fertility treatments and then still having no results.

She spoke of the heartbreak of thinking they would be adopting, only to find out the birth-mother changed her mind, and finally, the joy of the children God has chosen for her family.

That was then followed by two moving songs, and the tears came. 

Things have been rough and sometimes sometimes things remind you of where your priorities need to be. 

Anyway, I cried.  With blotchy eyes, and red nose, I walked into our local convenience store and they were concerned that perhaps something horrible had happened. 

I explained what was going on, and smiled, telling them it's not much more than me being emotional.

My tears used to shame me, but you know, they don't any more.  Tears are an expression of the heart. 

Stuff and Junk

Today is Mom's birthday. I didn't get her anything. 

It's not that I forgot, it's because I got it in my head that there was 31 days in February.  I know, I know, that is just plain stupid.  There has never been 31 days in February, there isn't even 29 this year, but no... I knew I had two extra days to get online and buy something....

Yep, in case you're wondering, I did tell her.   What I didn't tell her is why.  I am pretty sure this had to do with my seizure. (I haven't told her about it, because it was only one and there isn't much to tell)  It seems that as well as losing names, I can't keep my calendar straight, however, numbers are easier.  

Strange huh??

How I got here

You know, it boggles the mind how different some people are after 20 years - especially me.

I've been FACEBOOKing for the last little while, several of the people who were in high school around the same time as I was have friended me. It  started with a couple of us  who were on myspace getting together, and then all of a sudden, I have so many I don't even know what to think. 

I love it.  We have all grown, we have all had trials, some have found love and lost it, and found it again, some have raised children, some have lost children, some have found success, some are still trying.  In the end, we have all grown up. 

I love my old high school friends.  I am so glad we can all laugh together, some of us can pray for one another.

I know there are some out there who have never gotten past their high school glory - but it doesn't seem to be anyone who are socializing with me. 

Love you all

Home Improvement

So, now that we actually can, we are doing some home improvement.

Our first project would be the door into the laundry room. I am telling you, the people who built this house had no idea how to use a level.

The door swung backwards, into the laundry room, making it near impossible to turn on the light, or even get around. So my dearest hubby sets that project into motion.

First my husband takes the door off, then the molding, and realizes the door frame is about an inch shorter on one side than the other. This door always hung wrong, as well as a couple other door, making them impossible to latch.

So now, he's off to Lowes to get what he needs to fix it. We have found several little things like that.... and they were supposed to be professionals.

We'll see how much longer before he is done.... but deep inside, I know he enjoys it!!!

Update on Dale

My in-laws have a grandson, Dale. The reason I call him my in-laws grandson and not our nephew, is because we do not claim his father, who has spent the most part of his 41 years as a thief, a liar, an addict, and all around ass.

Dale, his son, didn’t fall far from the tree, even though he was removed from the home and adopted by a cousin (or something like that)

Dale stole pain killers from his mother-in-law and the police were called. He has to go to court about that in March, but couldn’t stay with his wife, as she lives at home. So off to Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

Well, he has run up the phone bill, makes a mess, and makes a general nuisance of himself, oh and did I mention, stole $3000 from them!?

Oh and try to sell other a compressor that didn’t belong to him?

But, oh, they so wanted to believe him when he said he wouldn’t do it again, but after some haranguing from family, the police finally were able to get the evidence to arrest him and now he sits in jail.

Tonight, we sleep better knowing he isn’t staying in the house that sits in the middle of no where.

Let it rain!

OK God.... I know You are up to something, I know You will be here throughout everything, but wow! How much more?

Bring it on! Let it rain! Let it Rain, Let Your love rain down on me! Let it rain! Let it rain! Let it rain, rain, rain!!!

I KNOW all will be good in the end!

I am dancing in this rain You are sending down.

step 1: seizure
step 2: Alissa's breakdown
step 3: Dale stealing fromMom and Dad
step 4: ?

I will waltz in the rain!

Rain dancing!

You know, sometimes it feels like it's raining cats and dogs. I mean there are times I feel as if I'm dodging German Shepherds and Persian cats trying to make it through without too many bites and scratches.

This past about 5 days has been like that. It started out with my son finding out one of his friends, who was a DOD civilian was coming home from Iraq and got killed by a drunk driver.

Then I was feeling a little 'off' and ended my day in a seizure. Never had one of those before, so yes, brand new info for me. It was definitely a strange sensation.... Thank GOD Gayle was here. The horrible thing is my whole family got to see it.

Then my daughter came home after having a hysterical fit at school. She's been having more and more meltdowns. I think she's bipolar. It would not surprise me. I have one sister who is diagnosed bipolar and another who really should be. She goes to see a counselor on Friday.

I guess it's going to be raining for awhile. I can be thankful that I have a great God and instead off wallowing in the mud, I'm going to

DANCE IN THE RAIN!

OK here it is

I am just going to have to say the words. Hard as it is, as much as I don't want to, as much as I HATE that "Oh I feel so sorry for you look" I will have to say the words.

I had a seizure

Now I'm forgetting names of people I love dearly, friends I have known for a long time. It's not completely forgotten, I can dig them up, but it is just harder than it used to be.

The seizure was caused by lack of oxygen for about 10 seconds. What a strange feeling. I remember trying to breathe - actually thinking "force yourself to breathe, Vicki" and then saying "help me"
I remember right before, and seconds after.

We think it's a one time event, but only time will tell.

OOOOPS they did it again!

Over the past 10 years or so, my sister has been doing genealogy and has found out some interesting tidbits!

The man my Dad said was his father DIED 4 years before he was BORN. He was actually the illegitimate son of a German/Russian (ie German living in Russia.) Oh, and he and his sister are the only two of the siblings that are fully biologically related. Granny had, let me see, 1,2,3,4, yes 4 husbands and then this lover that fathered my Dad and Auntie.

Mom, we knew was raised by someone other than her biological father, a man we all knew and loved as Grandpa. But her biological father, we just found out, was German/Russian!! Yes!

So, if Dad was 1/2 German, and Mom is 1/2 German, that would me ME 1/2 German (getting 1/4 from each)

10 years ago - all I really knew was Irish/Scottish and English. NOW I find I am really, really German!

Wii fit - day 4

So - the Wii Fit. It hurts me. It has this boxing thing on it, and yesterday was the first day I as able to use that particular workout. I boxed and had a great time.
This morning my arms hurt - they hurt like OW! I couldn't figure out what was the deal - then I got on the Wii this morning, got on the boxing and figured it out quickly.

Oh, and I have lost 1.3 pounds!! In the next couple days, I'll let you all in on the numbers. :)

WOOT!

Wii got Wii fit!!!

I finally made my mind up and got a wii fit. Everyone talks about how much fun they are and it seems to work - so I thought, "Hey - I want that."

Well after the initial fitness test (weight, height, BMI,) and it informing me that I am not only fat, but am old too, I found myself having a load of fun.

First I went skiing, then hit soccor balls, then hula hooping, after that a short run and some yoga - I really felt worked out.

Great fun folks

schools in session

Well, after two days, Geronimo Schools are back in session.
If you were to walk outside my house you would think we were in the North Pole for all the ice. But once we got out to the main streets, where they had sanded, things seemed to be a little nicer and the county roads were fine.

Regardless it was slow drivin'!

Ice storm! We got inches and inches of ice!!

Snow in southwestern Oklahoma!

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.

Ice Storm

It's hard to believe that just 4 short days ago it was mid 80's! We're on the farthest side of a several day ice storm. We'll have two days, but feeling sorry for our friends in Missouri and Illinois!!!

Keep WARM friends!

Love
Vicki

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Getting stuff off my chest

1) Mr President, you may have 'won' but that doesn't make you Emperor. You claim to be a 'reach across the aisle' kind of guy - but you sure ain't showin' it.

2) Mr President, You are now officially public property, deal with it.

3) Mr President, the Press has absolute right to ask you questions - especially in the press room. It doesn't matter why you are there.

4) Mr President, 'open' means just that - if you want us to trust you, then you should have started when you did that 2nd swearing in.

I am sure there will be more.

What I'm writing...

Over the past year and a half, I have been studying the book of Esther in the bible. I also discovered that the Xerxes depicted in the movie 'The 300" is the SAME Xerxes in Esther.

I also read a wonderful book by Charles Swindoll, "Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity" which really got my creative thoughts flowing. Some of the questions unanswered seemed odd to me.
For example - what was the reason for 6 months of partying? What happened to Vashti? What caused Xerxes to become so melancholy, he would need to find another queen - after all, he had a harem where he could pick and choose his nightly entertainment? What was really going on?

This led me on one interesting journey through history. After some research, I found that Tom Holland was supposed to be the guy 'in the know' about the Persian Empire. So I ordered his book, "Persian Fire"
Through this book, insight is revealed to the horrible atrocities of Nebuchadnezzar, and why Cyrus would allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their temple. It explains also why Darius wouldn't have known about the royal decree allowing the temple to be rebuilt, and why Vashti didn't come to the party when called, and how indeed, Esther would have/should have been beheaded on the spot when she entered the Kings chambers.

The history of this particular line of Kings is rich and incredibly intricate.

With Gods help, I am gathering all the info I have, and will hopefully put together a bible study of Esther using the historical insights of the Persian Empire.

Transition of Power

I have been considering this inauguration. I did not vote for Barack Obama and was not a big fan of John McCain.

This COULD have been a rough transition, but former President George W Bush made it his personal mission to make this as smooth as possible.

Mr Obama and his incoming staff were given briefings as well as the information leading up to every decision made. They were shown the top secret stuff - you know - the stuff no one but the President and his staff get to see.

They welcomed Michelle and the girls with open arms (the Bush girls even showed the Obama girls their rooms and had them jump on the beds)

We know the transition from Clinton to Bush was ugly. Everyone has heard about the 'W's missing on the keyboards, but only recently have we heard about the paper thrown all over, the crap tacked to the walls and the mess left behind. It was like the Frat got evicted from the house, and they wanted to get even.

This shows how classy the Bushes are. Class is something you are born with, and the Bushes exude the friendliness and courtesy that comes from growing up with class.

Thank you, George and Laura! Thank you for the past 8 years, thank you for showing us what class really means.