More Spring Work

Toby has been bitten by the spring-cleaning bug. The days have been warmer, although you never know when the wind (and there is a lot of wind) will do a switch from the south to the north. It can get cold pretty quick or thunderstorms can spring up – no wonder they call it spring. We did lots of cleaning around the farm and hauled a trailer load of junk to the transfer station. Dealing with the trash people always makes me homesick for NM. We staked out the area for the addition on to our existing house (rather than build a separate house) so that we could get "a feel for it." I really think it will happen soon. We put out a couple of big bales of hay for our horses and hauled the last of the hay to a neighbor. Toby had me help him put the big round bales on the trailer. I never do it jut the way he wanted, but after thirty years of marriage, he knows better than to complain. Of course, if I could just get "the mind reading" down, I would know exactly what he wanted. After he set the two bales on the trailer, he just drove off in the tractor and left me standing there by the hay wondering "what the hay!" Do I follow him? Is he expecting me to pick him up in the truck? Okay, now he is walking towards me. Maybe I should drive the truck to him – and so I do. So why is he waving his arms and pointing behind me? Oops, the last bale rolled off the trailer. For some reason that made me laugh, which made him laugh - after thirty years things are funnier.

When the weather starts warming up and the days are longer, Toby goes into "outdoor work-mode." I mentioned that I would like a few tomato plants this year and maybe a squash plant or two. Being a male, his brain went into over-drive and he started listing off all the plants we should have in the garden.
Me: No, a few tomato plants are all I want!
Him: I’ll get the tractor and the plow.
Me: For a few tomato plants?!
Him: You stand out there and show me where you want the garden.
We go through a big to-do to change the hayfork to the plow. I walk back to the house and find just the right spot. He drives over in the tractor.
Me: Right here.
Him: Well, I was thinking about over there (pointing further out in the pasture).
Me: Just a little square garden right here.
Him: (He takes twenty giant steps out into the pasture) How about from there to here?
Me: Why did you ask me if you were going to do it your way anyway?
Him: I’ll buy some new soaker hose.
Me: (Yeah right, why do I feel like I’m the one being soaked?) Okay, but only two rows!
He plowed up enough ground to plant at least four rows before he moved on to work on the driveway. None of this was new or surprising – it is just a spring ritual.

By the way, I switched out the winter clothes for the summer clothes - expect a big cold front any day.

Thunder heads to the East.

Art Lessons

Yesterday’s art classes went well. Both were small classes, and I was able to get some one-on-one time with my students and some of my own painting done at the same time. These three watercolors have been done as lessons with my students. They are copies of other people’s work taken out of watercolor books. The Venice scene was taken from the internet – it was an attempt to paint "looser." Two of the biggest struggles for my students and me are to paint loose and to put color down without it becoming muddy. Painting with my students is always helpful, although I have trouble keeping the younger student's attention. These lesson paintings of mine are not usually my best work, because I am not focused so much on my own work, but on the student's work. Plus, I show techniques over and over on the same painting until I paint something to death. I don't want them to paint just like me, but I want them to find their own niche, and I want them to care how their art works out. Just writing that last sentence makes me realize that many of my students never see their art work as "bad or good." They are just happy no matter what. Is that okay? I guess it is good that they just enjoy being here and painting. On the other hand, they never seem to improve because "its all good." Their painting will be a mess, but they are okay with it. Other students get frustrated trying to make a painting look "just right." Then I have to convince them that it is okay for their painting to be unique or different. Keep painting; keep working it out. Art is so subjective. Who am I to judge? And yet, art is judged.

Buying Inspiration

My "inspiration" yesterday was store bought. The last couple of days I have had that tickle in my nose and drainage in my throat – the beginnings of something. I loaded up on the vitamin C and Cal-mag. That was not enough, so I took a Sudafed. That is some good stuff, Maynard! If it were not so bad for me, I would take it every day. Not only does it stop my sniffles, it gives me energy and suppresses my appetite. It probably messes with my heart and metabolism too. When it wears off, my arms get heavy and my head closes up. I tried to buy a spring supply at Wal-Mart, knowing that allergy season is coming, but the clerk would not let me buy both Drixoral (for night) and Sudafed (for day) at the same time. I asked for the smaller package of Sudafed so that I could buy both, but was informed that they do not carry a smaller package. When I said, "you did back in December" I was then treated as some sort of liar/criminal. Fine, I’ll take what I can get for now and send my daughter back for more (as any good druggie would do). While I was "inspired," I bought some new containers for my art supplies and did some reorganizing. I still have some more to do today, but today is art. Art days are busy with people and painting. Yep, I already took my Sudafed. Bring it on!

Here is a photo of Ranger, the rat-terrier, sitting in GBN1’s "favorite" car seat. I think Ranger knows that it is her seat and he relishes his time in the seat. GBN1 calls it her "favorite" seat because it is in our truck, which means she gets to go somewhere with us. Last night we went to church in the truck, and it smelled like baby puke. It turns out that GBN1 left her sippy cup full of milk in the truck. Temperatures got up in the 80’s yesterday and now the truck stinks. Although we drove to church with the windows down, I could still smell the soured milk. I sat by Ashley in church, and I wanted to ask her if she could smell baby puke. I think it might be worse than skunk. Maybe I should not have taken that last Sudafed and my nose would have closed up.

Inspiration

I have not been inspired to write this morning, but I have been inspired to do some spring cleaning. First, I have to go to town and do some grocery shopping. Jes has her four-wheeler photos up at her blog for your viewing pleasure. I will post later - maybe.

Justified

Toby found the following excerpt last night while reading an article on CNN. I had him copy and paste it so that I could post it this morning. No, I’m not trying to start anything, but I do feel justified. My comparison of Richardson "turning his back on the one who brought him to the dance" was rather mild compared to James Carville’s response:

"…Clinton aides also distanced themselves from remarks made this weekend by Clinton supporter and CNN analyst James Carville.
Carville told the New York Times Saturday that New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's endorsement of Obama "came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out [Jesus] for 30 pieces of silver."
On Monday, Carville defended his comments.
"That's exactly what I said and ... I think the quote had the desired intent ... that people saw Richardson and saw somebody who is disloyal," Carville told Wolf Blitzer. "I'm very satisfied with the response I gave."
Carville also said he hadn't spoken with Hillary Clinton about Richardson's endorsement, but that he was outraged.
"I doubt if Gov. Richardson and I will be terribly close in the future," he said, but "I've had my say ... I got one in the wheelhouse and I tagged him."…"

Here is the video link.

More Okie Fun

Since I posted about Okie fun, I thought I would give you an update on some real Okie adventures that make the kite/kayaking seem tame. And yes, I did use the term "Okie" quite a bit yesterday - on purpose. Yesterday Jesse rode her motorcycle to the Johnson’s place, Lindsay’s cousins, which is about 20 miles away as the crow flies, but much further when you have to drive around sections of land (lots of bends and turns), across about five cattle guards, a couple of creeks, dodge free-range cows in Brown’s Bottom, and bypass Lake Fuqua to get there. It is one of those times when I want to say “call us when you get there” but I refrain because, she is 25 years old. She said the trip over to the J's was a bit windy, but it was great coming home. The plan for the day was to ride four-wheelers and shoot guns, but they ended up only riding four-wheelers - the guns were probably safer. Alex, Lindsay’s cousin, apparently rigged up some sort of “snorkel” on his four-wheeler for going through the pond. Did anyone’s eyebrow go up when I wrote that? Alex is always coming up with something wild and crazy. He may be married with two kids, but he is still just a kid at heart. He came up with some sort of cover for his four-wheeler that he used during paint-ball wars - the other kids say that he is like a tank that cannot be taken. Anyway, from what Jesse told me about yesterday’s adventures a great time was had by all. In fact, I’m not sure I want to hear any more hair-raising tales. What she doesn’t tell me is often for my own good. They did get the four-wheeler stuck in the pond, but pulling it out was half the fun. Reagan, Lindsay’s sister, did have a bit of a crash, but no one noticed so it doesn’t count (life is often not fair for the baby in the group). I guess Jesse took her camera to work, because I tried to find it this morning to take a look at the pictures. Hopefully, she will post photos on her blog soon of the latest Okie adventure.

Good Okie Fun

A troll by any other name still stinks. But then, it is spring and the skunks are scurrying around at night stinking up the countryside and causing a raucous. Such is life in the country as well as the Internet.

My sister and her family came up on Friday. We had an art lesson and painted a bit, but the day was just too beautiful to be inside. When Toby and Jesse got off work, we decided it was the perfect day to fly a kite - just enough wind to make it fun. With all the rain we have had it was also a good day to do a little kayaking too. We launched the kayak into the pond and the kite into the sky letting the kite pull the kayak across the pond. It worked well, but the trees were a bit of a problem toward the end of the ride across the pond. Fortunately, we had my brother-in-law here to get the kite out of the trees and briar (hehe). The second trip across the pond Toby held the kite while my nephew did the steering. This time we managed to keep the kite out of the trees. The afternoon was getting late, and it was time for Toby to cook his famous fajitas on the grill. So Toby left the kayaking to the BIL and nephew to paddle around the pond while we fixed an excellent meal.
The Grand Girls were here to enjoy the excitement of the kayak, kite, and cousins. GBN2 discovered the fun of being pushed around in "Bess’ car." She would prop her little elbow on the side door and drive with one hand and honk the horn – all with a poker face. GBN1 eventually took over the car (couldn’t let her little sister have all the fun), and GBN2 got ousted to the tricycle. When GBN1 left the car unattended, GBN2 ran for the car and did a "Daisy Duke" into the window of Bess’ car. She really thinks she is big riding in Bess’ car. We decided to send the car home with the Grand Girls – so we loaded it into the back of their mini-van. GBN1 climbed into the back with the car and got wedged between Bess’ car and the backseat. She hollered, "I’m stuck!" Thinking that it was just a ploy to not get into her car seat, no one really thought she was stuck, but when her mother reached back and caught her hands to pull, sure enough she was stuck. In her best dramatic voice, GBN1 said, "It’s no use!" We all started laughing. Her daddy mocked, "Save yourself!" and we laughed even harder. Opening the back of the van was all it took to "save" GBN1.

Saturday was spent doing some spring cleaning around the yard and house. Toby started up one of his favorite toys, the bulldozer, to work on the driveway. This included pulling some old pipe fence posts with the dozer. I got to be the grunt who stood around and hooked the chain to the bucket of the dozer while Toby got to drive/play in the dozer. We got lots accomplished including lunch with Jesse at a local hamburger dive.

Sunday was the usual church day for us fundamentalist Okies. GBN1 & GBN2 had pretty little dresses looking quite lovely. GBN1’s dress was that silky, taffeta type material. Holding her during church was like trying to hold butter. She does sit in her own seat, but it is still a bit of a wrestling match with her in my lap, on her seat, coloring in her notepad, dropping her colors, going to potty, etc. After church Jesse went to Lindsay’s to ride four-wheelers and shoot guns (good Okie fun) while Toby and I took a nap. What a great Easter! Us Okies find fun in the simplest things.

A Big Deal

This morning when I read the headlines that Gov Richardson of NM had endorsed Obama, I was a bit wowed. It seems to me that the Clintons have done much for Richardson’s career. In fact, without the Clintons, Richardson would not be a household name and possibly not the governor of NM. According to the article, both Obama and Hillary have been courting Richardson hoping to get his endorsement. IMHO it seems that this was a big decision. To not go with Hillary was to turn your back on the one who brought you to the dance. It could mean political suicide if Obama loses and Hillary wins. So what does it really mean? At a time when Obama is struggling with the race issue and Hillary gaining a bit, does it mean that Richardson thinks that Obama will win the nomination, and he is jumping on the winning team. What kind of promises did Obama have to make to win over Richardson? Maybe Obama thinks he will pull in the Hispanic vote by getting this endorsement. I doubt if an endorsement will do that, but if Richardson were running as the VP…now that would get the Hispanic vote. I find it very interesting, and a bit greasy, slimy.

The Ol' Switcheroo

Every now and the chance for a good practical joke presents itself, and it is just too much for me to resist. Last night before church, I was visiting with Janice, Lindsay’s mother, my partner in crime. Looking down the row of seats, I noticed that my sweater (hanging on the back of my chair) was just like another sweater (in the floor) belonging to a little girl, Alayna (Janice’s niece). I remarked to Janice that it would be funny to switch them so that when Alayna put her sweater on after church, it would be way to big. Janice said, "Let’s do it!" And I switched the sweaters – one being a 1X and the other being about a little girl’s size 10. Alayna’s big sister saw the switch and told her grandmother, Beverly (the infamous tea maker of Tuesday’s post). The stage was set, but as usual my joke backfired on me somewhat. Rather than wait until after church to put on her sweater, Alayna picked up her sweater during the lesson. She started putting it on and realized it was too big. Turning to her grandmother with a look of dismay she said, "Nana, why is my sweater so big?" Then she handed the sweater to her mother, who was not in on the joke, and said, "This must be your sweater!" Her mother shook her head saying it was not her sweater, but Alayna was insistent, and her mother did not have a clue what was going on. Beverly, who was caught in the middle, was worried that the incident would get out of hand (cause a stir in church with everyone looking on) but was having a hard time not laughing. Alayna’s sister was also trying not to laugh. Beverly quickly wrote a note to Alayna’s mom saying "Janice and Lou played a trick on Alayna with the sweaters." Then she whispered to Alayna, who turned and looked at me with her big brown eyes. When I showed her that I had her small sweater, a big grin spread across her face. I think she liked the joke. Although it was fun to tease Alayna, the best part of the joke was on Beverly who had to deal with everyone during church. Of course I was in a bit of trouble since the joke came off during church and not after, but it was still funny.

Coffee Time

I had a friend in NM who lived about an hour and a half a way in another resort town. We often met for lunch in Taos or RR to let our kids get together and play while we visited. In between face-to-face visits, we would often call each other and talk for hours. I’m not normally a phone-talker, but places and people are often few and far between in NM. We called our phone conversations our "coffee time." One of us would call and say, "Do you have your coffee?" Then we would just sit, drink coffee, and visit about our family, our life, and our crazy NM neighbors. I worried about my friend because I knew she came from Normal, TX and needed some normalcy in her life. Hopefully, our phone conversations helped. That friend is not in my life anymore for different reasons, but I miss our coffee time.

I am going to do a commission painting for someone - not something I normally do. This morning I met with my "client." This could be interesting - maybe a bit of a challenge - definitely a stretching.

Rainy Days and Tuesdays

As I have mentioned GBN1 has been quite the magpie imitating everything she hears. Lots of her drama comes from the Disney movies she watches. You never know what she is going to say, but sometimes it is recognizable from a particular movie. While we were at the park last Saturday, she said "Gorge!" quite often. We assumed it was similar to Goofy’s "Gorsh!" We still are not sure about that one. At one point while we had GBN1, Aunt Jesse had a little tiff with her and made GBN1 go sit in the chair for time-out. GBN1 sat for a second and then got up, but Aunt Jes made her go back to the chair saying, "Do not get up without asking me first." To show her irritation and frustration, GBN1 said, "Good grief!" Jesse ignored her, so she said it again only louder, "Good grief!" Jesse managed to keep a straight face.

If you are wondering how my morning is going, you can read "Caffeine" that I already posted. I thought I would add this little item. A few minutes ago, I stepped outside to feed the dogs. Without ever leaving the covered carport, I fed the dogs and managed to step in dog poop while wearing my house-shoes. Gorge! Then without realizing that I had stepped in dog poop on the carport in my house-shoes, I came inside and stepped on the living-room rug. Good grief! Good grief!

Caffeine

It has been raining since midnight. How do I know? I could not get to sleep last night and was up at midnight. It was not the usual anxious or worrying type of feeling that caused me to be restless. It was like a caffeine high. I am always careful about my intake of caffeine after 6 PM, and I could not figure out why I was having trouble sleeping. Then I remembered getting a glass of tea at the women’s supper at church last night. When I asked the young lady serving the tea if there were any unsweetened tea, she said, "Oh this one that Beverly brought is unsweetened, decaffeinated tea". "Hmm," I thought, "decaffeinated, that might be nice." Normally, I can drink tea in the evenings without any problems, but I am willing to bet that this tea was different. So last night about midnight lying there wide-eyed, I wanted to call Beverly and ask her about her tea. "What the heck was in that tea, Beverly?" But I did not. I started to get up and get online to see if Buck were having a sleepless night or maybe Ashley, the night owl. I started to get up and read, but I had finished my book earlier in the evening. Aiee, I hate that non-drowsy feeling. I would not have been a good drug user.

It is still raining as I type this. Jesse rode with Toby to work rather than get her little car out in the muddy road. I may cancel art class today since our driveway is so bad (and I may be really sleepy later today). And Toby drank an extra cup of coffee this morning leaving me with the dregs. Funny, now I want caffeine. I am just not a happy camper today. I think I should go back to bed and start over.

How Old Are You, Little Girl?

Jesse did some kayaking with Lindsay on Friday, which was a pretty nice day. She posted photos on her blog. She also posted the last of her Scotland series. For their next adventure, she and Toby are considering taking a sailing class in Norman. She emailed a sailing organization for details on the class. When she did not get a prompt reply, she called the instructor. She said he sounded very gruff. I guess because her voice is so small, he wanted to know how old she was. She thought that was pretty funny. Did he think a little girl was arranging a sailing class for herself and her father?

Magpie

We kept GBN1 yesterday afternoon and last night. We went to the park and McDonalds. She pretended to sail a boat while we stood on the fishing dock at the park. Ranger went for a swim in the pond. Later we flew a kite and fed the horses - still she was not tired. She was a Magpie imitating everything she heard. She chatters non-stop. I told her to be careful not to step in horse poop. She said she would hop over it. Toby said, "Kind of like hop-scotch, but it's hop-poop." GBN1 said, "Hop-poop!?" Thanks, Toby. When it got dark, we came in and painted. It was a good evening. Then she got up at 5:30.

Party Pics

My friend, Sherry, brought me a CD of photos that she took at the Hawaii Five O party. There were many of the Grand Girls looking adorable, but I only chose a few to post today. Here is Jesse arriving at the party with pico de gallo in hand looking ready to party. Here are Toby and Bo on the volleyball court. GBN1 is quite pleased with herself and the good cat. GBN2 playing peek-a-boo in the tire swing and sitting in the Tonka truck which seemed easier to sit in rather than push around in the sand.











Painting
I did this watercolor at art yesterday. It is not a finished piece, but I have already painted more than I wanted to on it. The painting is from a photo I took of two ladies at a McDonald's in NY.

Geraldine You Go Girl!

Many of you may remember that I once got into an argument over Geraldine Ferraro back in the day when she ran for VP and I was a Democrat. Today, Geraldine seems to be in hot water, but I still like her - not because she supports Hillary, but because she won't back down (I hope). I love it that she is saying what others are thinking:

Any time anybody does anything that in any way pulls this campaign down and says let's address reality and the problems we're facing in this world, you're accused of being racist, so you have to shut up," she told the (Torrance, California) Daily Breeze. "Racism works in two different directions. I really think they're attacking me because I'm white. How's that?"

Personally, I don't think she is being attacked for being "white," but she is being attacked because she is right.

Cadillac Frame of Mind

One of the duties of the older kids in a family is to drive the younger ones to school or soccer or whatever is necessary so the parents do not have to. Also, they need to drive themselves to school, work, and wherever without bothering the parents. When my brother went off to college, he took the old family car that had become his (and mine) transportation. This made Dad have to start looking around for transportation for me. Dad’s idea of "decent transportation" and my idea were very different. Dad wanted something cheap and large – so that if I were in a wreck, it would protect me. I remember looking at an old forties model car up on blocks in someone’s driveway (it only needed tires and a new battery and we could have it free!). It was huge and rusted and the seat covers were mouse-eaten with stuffing coming out. Dad said, "Isn’t it cute!" I remember replying, "It is a tank!" I almost cried. Fortunately, he did not get it for me. One of his friends had reminded him that he needed a car that was reliable too.

Twenty years later, when Toby got the idea to buy an old Cadillac, I had déjà vu. I told him that I did not want an old Cadillac – they were tanks – old-lady tanks. Instead, I found an old Honda Accord (five-speed) and we bought it. I loved that little car, but Toby was still obsessed with buying an old Caddy. I think it was genetic or something. While Jesse and I were in NM at a wedding, Toby called me and said he had bought a 92 Cadillac Seville. My reaction was, "That is nice dear; I hope you enjoy it." It turned out to be a good car. The first time I drove it, I found a pair of old-lady sunglasses in the glove box (the huge wrap-around kind that fit over your regular glasses). I put them on, gave Toby a smug look that said, "see, it is an old-lady car," and drove off. Although it was a comfortable, reliable car, I never warmed to it. Come to think of it, the heater never worked very well and the leather seats were always cold.

We have had the car for about 10 years now. I drove it to a family reunion in NM where my cousin called it a "pimp-mobile." Toby has driven it to work. We have loaned it to family and friends when they needed a car (because we had more than the Okie allotment of cars in our yard). It has been a trooper. Unfortunately, it has also been a deer-magnet. The first time we hit a deer with it, we found some junk parts to replace the shattered fender. This time, it is not worth fixing. Today, we are driving it to Lawton to sell it. I don’t think I will cry like I did when he sold the Dodge truck or the Chevy truck or the Honda, or my little brown horse trailer. In fact, I doubt that I will miss it all. I think Cadillacs are a frame of mind. Just not my frame of mind!

The Best Day

Things sure have been busy with all of the birthdays and such. I am trying to catch up with my blogging, but I have lots to do. Yet, here I am still sitting in my new pink birthday pajamas drinking coffee and reading blogs - forever the procrastinator.


Yesterday I spent the day with Mom. She sold her old house and feels a big relief. We put the money in the bank and went shopping for things needed for the new house. My sister, Kathy, showed up in time to help us pick out some rugs. The three of us never agree - maybe two of us, but never three - on decorating or style, but with three, there is always someone to break the vote. We did finally decide on some rugs, and put them in the new house where they looked great. I did not get home until late. I think my birthday volleyball game caught up with me and I was feeling tired and sore.


My birthday was wonderful and a beautiful day. It started off Sunday morning with Jesse giving me a new spring purse, earrings, and a funky ring. I decided to dress up for church (something I rarely do because I usually wrestle Grand Babies during church) to show off my new purse and jewelry. I wore one of those colorful shirts with small beads attached, which GBN2 found fascinating. She kept picking at the beads - very embarrassing. Toby was no help. In fact, he offered to help GBN2 "pick the beads" off my shirt. I turned him down. Then GBN1 discovered that I was wearing panty hose. She kept running her hands over my legs and up my skirt. Once again, Toby thought this was highly entertaining. I was slapping hands all through church. After church we took GBN1 to the convenience store to get some chicken nuggets. As we were walking back to the church parking lot with GBN1 between us eating chicken and taking swigs from our diet colas, I told Toby that this being fifty was not so bad.


Later in the afternoon, we went to the Hawaii Five O party. There was lots of good friends and good food. I got some nice presents and mushy cards ( I must be getting old ’cause the cards were just as important to me as the presents). The day was simply gorgeous - just right for a game or two of volleyball. There was a huge tire swing near the VB court which kept the Grand Girls entertained and made for some great photos. My friend Sherry, who threw the party, is a professional photographer besides being a caterer, a decorator, a ranch-hand, construction worker, and one of my art ladies. I can’t wait to see her pics. She also had this cool cat that was easy to catch, didn’t mind being wrestled (too much) by kids, and would run when it had had enough “loving.” The cat, the swing, and the GBN1 were highly entertaining. The volley ball game was good too. For those of you who know me, I love VB. I love my Grand Babies, and I love being with good friends - the perfect birthday.


Of course getting older has its quirks - like saying the wrong word and then not being able to come up with the right word in conversation (or blogging). Jesse and I were discussing Michael Bubl'e, who recently had a concert in OK City. I mentioned one of his CD’s, but wanted to mention a video I had seen. Instead, of saying “video” or “CD,” I said “VD” which made me burst out laughing. I could not say what a I meant at that point due to the laughing. Then I thought of Buck teasing me the last time I said “VD” and I laughed even more. Jesse just looked at me like I had lost my mind and said, “I don’t know what word you are trying to say.” which made me laugh harder.

Hawaii Five O

Bo and Jesse’s birthdays are a week apart in June. When they were little, they thought birthdays lasted all week, because we celebrated birthdays with different family members all week. That is pretty much how I felt this week. It seems that we have been celebrating all week. Yesterday was the Hawaii Five O party, and it was probably the best birthday ever. I want to share it with you, but this morning I need to head to WF. Mom closes on her old house today and has asked me to come over. My sister will be in WF too – more birthday presents! I will leave you with some pics from yesterday, and write about it later. Here are the Grand Babies on a tire swing at the party. Bo and Jesse are in the back ground with GBN1 - notice their Hawaiian shirts.

Birthday Weekend

It has been a weekend of birthday parties, and we aren't finished yet. Friday night we had some friends over for dinner to celebrate my up-coming birthday. I do have some photos, but they are on Jesse's camera and will have to be posted later. This morning, Toby and I picked up both Grand daughters and went to McDonalds to eat and play. Then we went to WalMart to pick out a new birthday bike for GBN. She chose the Princess bike - imagine that! We let her ride it to the front of the store and bought it. She does not really grasp the idea of pedaling and steering at the same time. She said that she needed "new tires" because she could not steer her bike. We kept GBN1 busy while her daddy put together another big birthday surprise. She got a little Tike's Play House. When she saw it, she said, "Wow, I want one of those!" It took her a few minutes to realize the house was hers. Later in the afternoon, GBN1 had a birthday party with several of her girlfriends including TFNP and his royals. At the birthday party she got a new princess dress. She and her friends put on their princess dresses to become Ariel, Sweeping Booty, and Cinderella. The knee pads and helmet that Aunt Jes gave GBN1 were a big hit. Aunt Jes also gave hula hoop lessons.

Tomorrow some of my friends are throwing me a Hawaii Five O party - we are to wear our Hawaiian shirts. Yep, I turn the big 50.

All-time Fav Place to Eat

Yesterday, I had art students all day. The older ladies brought lunch to share after their art session. The younger ladies came early so they could share in the feast before their art session. It was a great day with good friends, good food, good conversation, and good art.

The Piper blogged about his favorite all-time eating-places, and came to the conclusion that great places to eat have the great memories mentioned above – good food, good service, good friends, good atmosphere, etc. It made me think of my favorite eating-places. Since we have been able to travel some, we have been able to sample some darn good food at some awesome places. Italy had some great places with good food and good atmosphere – especially the steak in Florence. The seafood place in Pescara had the best frito misto - melt-in-your-mouth fried seafood. Toby and I ate at an Italian food place in Scotland that had all the requirements of a memorable evening along with the best calamari I have ever had. We also ate at the Marine Hotel in Stonehaven and had a great evening. Last year Toby took me to OK City on a "date" and we ate at a wonderful Italian food place with good food and lots of charm and interesting art work. The Piper will have to supply the name of the place – up on Western. When we lived in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, we had a favorite place to eat Mexican food in Edinburgh. It was just a whole-in-the-wall type place, but it had Mexican seafood bonita platters with shrimp, crab, frog legs, fish, etc. and waiters who would bring you a frosted mug and refill your beer every few minutes.

Living in NM, I have had some of the best Mexican food in the USA. Back in the day, I loved to eat at the La Cocina on the plaza in Taos which was frequented by movie stars and had lots of local color. It had margaritas that would knock your socks off. The La Cocina is gone now - too bad. Now when we are in NM, I love to eat at Sundance in Red River – a small place owned by my good friends the Hoags. Their Mexican food is not Tex-Mex and not New Mexican, but it is so good – you just have to try it yourself. Their little place has great atmosphere, great service, and is usually filled with people I know and love.

But my favorite all-time place to eat is Texas Red’s – the best steak you will ever put in your mouth with the best waitresses and best atmosphere. Maybe it is all the good memories of times in TR’s with good friends that make it my all-time favorite. Aiee, the stories I could tell! Here is what my son, Bo, wrote on Piper’s comments: My favorite would probably be Texas Red's when I was young. The steaks were great, but the atmosphere was perfect. It may have to do with all the family meals there and the fact that I knew everyone that worked there. Sadly, the old building burned to the ground. It's just not the same without that old building and the old picture of the boy holding the sign for a TZ Wright concert.

Bo also mentioned: For New Mexican food, Sadie's in Albuquerque. I remember eating there back when it was still in the bowling alley. HMMMM!!! Papitas!

Yes, I raised some food connoisseurs. I also raised some pretty good cooks. Still, it is the good friends and good food that make for good memories.

Another Birthday.

March is a great month for birthdays. Today is GBN1's fourth birthday. What a joy she is to my life! The old saying, "If I had known that grandbabies were so much fun, I would have had them first" is certainly true. We will celebrate with a party this weekend, and I will have new pics then.

Foxy Fifty

When my little sister was born, my parents let me name her. I named her Kathy after my friend in NM. This week my friend turns 50 years old. I know I blogged about her before, but I could not find the post. When we were both 17, we were running around Red River in her yellow jeep. We pulled up at the post office and she ran inside while I waited for her. My friend, Steve S. came up and said, "Wow! Who is your foxy friend?" Rather than answer him, I said, "Wait a minute; am I foxy?" Steve said, "No, you are cute, but not foxy." His reply rather irritated me, and so I refused to introduce him to Kathy. Of course, we have all been good friends since then, but it still rather rubs me that I was only "cute."

Kathy is still foxy at 50!

Photos Posted

Jesse posted her garage sale photos and some more Scotland photos. Be sure and take a look.

Soon-to-be 4 Years Old

This morning I received "an unauthorized" phone call from GBN1. It took me a minute to figure out what she was saying, but it was something about "needing to talk to Crewcraw (Toby)" and being "under the bed." So I asked, "Lizzie, are you under your bed?"

"Yes, I need to talk to Crewcraw. I need to tell him sumping"

"Are you hiding from your mother?"

"Yes, she can’t reach me."

After I smothered my laughter, "Lizzie, you need to be obedient and go to your mother."

"But I need to tell you sumping…" Then I heard her mother in the background demanding that GBN1 hand over the phone and come out from under the bed. I heard giggles from GBN1. Then GBN1 said, "She got my arm." Next I heard my daughter-in-law on the phone, which gave me the freedom to go ahead and LOL.

GBN 1 will turn four years old on Thursday. I hope she can stay out of trouble until she gets her birthday presents. It would really not be fun to be in trouble on your birthday.


The summer we moved to NM, Jesse turned four. She had always been very independent and blunt with her words, but she found new freedom in NM while we opened up our café and were quite busy with work. She also found a new audience with the RR tourists. Once when we were really busy and shorthanded, I had her seating people at the café and handing out menus. A man came up to me, laughing. He said, "I just want to see a menu, but that little girl will not give me a menu unless I sit down." Another time another man asked her how old she was. When she replied, "Four," the man said, "Wow, you are just about old enough to be married." She looked at that man like he was just the smartest man she had ever encountered and batted her little eyelashes in agreement. While we were busy at the café, Jes often hung out at the beauty shop with her grandma. She was a big hit with the beauty shop crowd - Like the time that Jesse asked Hank Mutz (an old-time RR lady with a loud, deep voice) "if she ate kids for breakfast." Anyone who knows Hank will appreciate that story. Another time she asked a lady who was having a rinse put on her hair, "Do you like purple hair, because you have purple hair now!" Then there was the fact that my sister was a teen-ager when Jesse was four, and Jesse repeated things that she heard my sister and her friends say. That got both of them into trouble a few times.

They say that what goes around, comes around. Jesse and GBN1 have already been in trouble together more than once. With GBN1 turning four, things could get even more exciting around here.

Bums

In case you are wondering, there are no weddings in the future at our house. Although Jesse did ask, no one took her up on her Leap Day question. I think she only wanted the consolation prizes anyway.


Jesse told me that she wants to take up rock climbing again, but she does not want to buy the equipment. She knows that rock climbing is only a fling, and that she will eventually move on to other adventures. She is thinking about joining some Okie outdoorsman club so that she can find someone to bum equipment off of (why buy when you can borrow). I am beginning to see a pattern here.

On Saturday Jesse helped with the garage sale. She pointed out to me that there was a kid’s watercolor set for sale. It was tin, which meant it was an old watercolor set, and she thought I might want to keep it. A man picked it up and said, "Why this was mine when I was a little boy!" He flashed us a silly grin and continued on joking about the watercolor set being "the one he lost." The man looked homeless – skinny, dirty, ragged-clothes, unkempt long hair and beard, few teeth, etc. Jesse laughed at his antics which encouraged him to be silly. Later she said, "You know he was not the kind of man whom I would normally talk to. I would have missed his sense of humor and quick wit." Although I don’t like the idea of her talking to strange, homeless men, I liked it that she recognized that people are not always what they seem, and that she was not offended or put-off by the man.


On Sunday, Toby's mom and sister came for a short visit. We had lunch with them at a local Mexican food cafe. Toby, Jes, and I arrived at the cafe ahead of time with Toby's mom and sister joining us later. Before they joined us, TFNP and his royal family came in and sat the table behind Jesse. Later during the meal, The Piper leaned back in his chair and said something to Jesse to which she laughed and said something back. Toby's sister said, "Does Jesse always speak to strange men at the next table?" Hmm, I guess The Piper is a bit strange, but I hadn't really thought about it much.

Garage Sale.

We had the big garage sale this weekend at Mom's old house. Let me tell you there are some interesting folks that make garage sales, and you never know what they are going to buy. At one point I started to walk over to the conviencience store to buy a Pepsi and I thought, "What if someone steals something? Wait! What am I thinking? It won't matter!" On Friday evening, a really nice lady bought some things including a couch. She said she would come back for the couch on Saturday. We were closing up the sale when she came back with her brother-in-law to load the couch - he had his six kids in his truck with them. We told them they were welcome to whatever they wanted. We helped them load the couch, they helped us load the refrigerator, they hauled off lots of junk - what a trade.

Jesse took lots of pictures again. I will let her post first on her blog. We got Mom's house emptied out. The store house is empty. We played beauty shop one last time in the old shop putting a little color on our hair. It was a beautiful weekend. Let me say that again, a beautiful weekend! The temps reached the low 80's - perfect for a garage sale.