Gas Prices

Anyone else notice that the price of gas is coming down? In fact I just paid $2.99/gallon for gas at lunch. And that price had gone UP two cents since when I drove by the station this morning. Wow, I never thought I would see prices below $3 again.

I will say that Oklahoma does have some of the cheapest gas in the country. So sorry all you people who pay through the nose in taxes. Come visit us!

Friday Fragments Furlough Edition

I'm joining Mrs. 4444 for another version of Friday Fragments. All are welcome to join in.

I've spent two days hearing about furlough this and furlough that. Did you know that there is a difference between a government furlough and an administrative furlough? Yeah...the end result is the same either way. Enough already. 

On the good side we held our all staff meeting yesterday and it went very well. No negative tweets were discovered to be coming from the meeting so that's my sign of a good meeting. Plus I bribed everyone with cookies and that seemed to help.

I've blogged every day this week. Trying to make up for the missed days earlier this month.

It is supposed to rain tomorrow. I was hoping to go to the Dog Day Afternoon at the park. Not that I would take Abby but I enjoy looking at all the other dogs having fun.

Excitement in our little cul-de-sac the other night...animal control was called out. I believe I mentioned that last week there were two chickens wandering around two houses away. Seems as if they lived at that house. Our next door neighbor called animal control because there was a dead chicken in their backyard. You are allowed to have chickens in our town if they are cooped and the wings clipped. The neighbors hadn't clipped the wings so they flew the coop. And the next door neighbor's dog wasn't too happy about the visit. So one less chicken.

Dan thinks that the chickens may be why Abby has wanted to stay outside at night. If they have been flying around she is trying to protect the backyard. I guess from the chicken invasion.

We have a new fire station that is located on the main street our neighborhood is on. I thought I would hear the sirens but I don't because we are far enough back. But I know when they do leave the station because all the dogs start howling. Except ours who has never howled in her life. 

I finally passed the level in Candy Crush that I had been stuck on for a month. Now I'm not quite sure how to pass 277 but I think I'm working out the system. But I really hate these stupid bombs. If not for them I would be doing so much better.

Journey State Fair

I'm so behind that I'm going to try and catch up.

About a month ago my church held the Journey State Fair. Basically we had all sorts of fair type rides and inflatables and food trucks so the whole family and the whole town could have fun.

It was a little warm that day but what else do you expect in August in Oklahoma. But there was so much fun to be had. I love that my church does things that families can participate in together.

Hodgepodge

1. What's one thing that's still the same about you as when you were young?
There is only 24 hours in a day. No matter how much you want more or less.

2. What's more important-history or science? Why?
This is actually a very hard question. They are very much intertwined with each other. If I have to go with one I would give a slight nod to science because of scientific discoveries.

3. Lima, kidney, string, garbanzo, black or pinto-your favorite bean?
I'm not really a bean person. I guess it would be chili beans (not listed) because I do like my chili with them.

4. What's something people come to your town to do?
The obvious answer is go to OU football games.

I avoid that part of town on Saturdays.

5. When was the last time you were in a meeting? Sum it up for us in five words or less.
I was in a meeting on Monday. Five words: Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. (And I even presented for 40 minutes at it).

6. What special event would you like a VIP pass to attend?
A World Series game.

7. What's one piece of advice you'd give a writer?
Make sure you know correct grammar.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
My baby has started her countdown to her 21st birthday. This time next week she will be an adult for everything. Yikes.

Bad Fashion

Just a quick little blog post of something funny that I saw in the Detroit airport a couple of weeks ago. This man sat in front of me on the flight but I didn't notice what he was wearing until we got off.

Yes that is matching madras print shorts, top and CAP. And look the shoes are the same colors too. Can you even buy clothes like that or do you have to have them made?

Oklahoma State Fair

The weather was gorgeous this weekend so Dan and I went to the state fair on Sunday. We haven't been in years and we decided to people watch and take in things that we hadn't done before.

When we first got there it was about time for the Swifty Swine pig race. Some of the pigs were quite big for little pigs. They race to get an oreo cookie.

And the end of the show is Swifty swimming. Well he jumps halfway into the tank and then swims. He was a little shy about the water but when he took off, he took off.

Next we went to the horse barn to see the Clydesdales. The great thing is they were hitching some of them up and we were in for a treat. The six horse hitch contest. There were ten sets of six horses pulling a wagon. Three different Clydesdales and then some other types of horses. The goal was for the six to look like three from the side. Some of these teams were so in sync with each other. We watched the entire contest for an hour. It was air conditioned in the arena so that was nice.

This is the team that won

After that we wandered into the building with all the winners from the normal fair stuff and saw some interesting categories.

How about this for a shoe?

Then we saw the Four H club entries. They had decorated pumpkins.

To end the day we saw all the fried food. The only thing I got was the cheese curds and they were so good.

Friday Fragments

Mrs. 4444 hosts this every week. Time to empty the brain.

So I said I had blogs running through my brain and yet I still haven't written. Consider this a warmup. I will get better.

Stupid criminal was a robber who left his car keys at the teller's window when robbing a bank. He had to leave on foot and was caught shortly thereafter. Probably wouldn't have been a good idea to go back and get his keys so he could drive away either. Stupid either way.

Procrastinated working on reports and now they are due Monday. I work better under pressure (at least for these reports I do). I'm the only one that has an input in them and I know how much time they take.

I'm wearing jeans to work today for the first time in months. We had a cooling rain come through yesterday and it is supposed to only be in the 70's today. 

Tomorrow several ushers from church are driving to Dallas to check out a church there because our pastor likes the way they usher. I'm not sure what I will learn and I really don't know what we can change. We are always scrambling to find someone to do a section for the offering. I can't imagine if they want us to do more than that what kind of response we will get for assistance.

People I work with are already planning the "Furlough Eve" party in case the government shuts down next week. Got to love their sense of humor. My job wouldn't be affected but I do know lots who would.

I think I have the new dvr set to tape the new shows I want to watch. I'm still reading about several premieres but I don't think any of them interest me. 

Project Runway finally got rid of the scariest person ever on the show. I really thought he was going to get violent. Hopefully he gets some anger management training after this because he is going to be one of those people you read about that goes to jail for bad stuff.

Looking forward to the twitter-world for the Emmys. Miss America was so fun to read what others wrote. My daughter goes to school with the second runner up and the school had a watch party. You know you are a performing arts school when everything shuts down for Miss America but nothing for sporting events. They don't even have a football team. They do have some other sports.

Hopefully I'll load some pictures and write about my trip to Michigan next week.

Joyce's Birthday Hodgepodge

Seems like someone is having a birthday and we are getting birthday related questions!

1. When did you last sing happy birthday to someone? When were you last sung to? Does that embarrass you or do you enjoy being the center of attention on your special day?
I don't sing the song and don't want anyone to sign it for me. Unless you are a little kid it really isn't that great of a song. I don't mind birthdays. I usually take them off but I worked this year...then got sick and had to take off two days.

2. Name a famous or 'infamous' person (living or deceased) who shares your birth day and month. Is that someone you'd like to meet in person if it were possible?
Well I had to google this and it says Mother Theresa has my birthday. I had never heard that before so maybe I need to look into it again. The big thing that happened on my birthday was that women got the right to vote in the U.S.

3. Someone hands you a box tied up in a lovely bow...what are you hoping to find inside?
If I'm hungry...chocolate. Otherwise anything would be lovely.

4. What can you guarantee about yourself?
I guarantee you that I look better now than I did 20 years ago.

5. Talking art and beautiful cities here...'The Last Supper' in the Santa Maria della Grazie Abbey in Milan Italy or 'The Mona Lisa' in The Louvre, Paris...which would you most like to see up close and in person? Why?
Since I've seen the Mona Lisa (not impressed) I would choose The Last Supper. I've never been to Italy.

See here is Whitney in front of it when we went to Paris many years ago.

6. Your favorite dessert?
How to narrow it down? I like all sorts of desserts. Big on cookies, cheesecake, ice cream. I don't eat them very often though.

7. This coming weekend marks the official start of autumn (in the Northern hemisphere)...what is something you do to get ready for fall? What is one thing you're looking forward to on your fall calendar? Spring or fall-which do you prefer?
Definitely prefer fall. We have made it through the oppressive heat of summer and have beautiful colors to look forward to. Well if I lived somewhere the leaves turned. But then the pumpkin decorations come out, smells, and maybe someday soon we can turn the fireplace on.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I promise I have blog posts in my mind written. I just need to upload some photos and write them. Don't know what is stopping me other than procrastination.

Hodgepodge

Joining up for another round of questions from Joyce. I love that I can schedule these (see reason in number 8)




1. What's the best thing about growing older?
I think the wisdom to know not to sweat the small stuff. Everything is not a crisis.

2. When did you first feel like a grown up?
I think when I lived in my first apartment and had a terrible roommate and had to decide to get out of that lease and move somewhere else.

3. Chocolate cake with white icing or white cake with chocolate icing?
I'll choose white cake with chocolate icing. I don't like white icing but white cake is fine. Chocolate anything works.

4. What's the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
I have no idea. Does that mean strangers don't do nice things for me or I just don't notice them doing it?

5. What's something you learned from your grandparents?
I don't think I learned anything from my grandparents. I didn't see my dad's parents very often and while I remember my other grandma dearly, I don't remember learning anything from her. She just had a the really cool small house to go visit and play at.

6. Wednesday marks a sad day in the history of planet earth-9/11...what's something you do (or can do) to bring peace to your little corner of the world?
Pray.

7. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song containing the word peace.
I searched and searched and can't come up with anything for this. I'm not doing too well on this quiz.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm on my way to Ann Arbor, Michigan today for a meeting. I didn't even realize I was flying on the anniversary of 9/11 until these questions (not very perceptive am I?)

Wicked Weekend

The big happening this weekend was that Whitney and I saw Wicked.

We had seen it before a few years ago in Tulsa but this version was so much better. The lead had played the part on Broadway and she was so talented. Almost gave me goosebumps. It was sold out...although the people sitting next to me left at intermission. I'm not sure why you would do that when our seats were $100 each. Whitney gets to go again in a couple of weeks and she can't wait.

We had started our evening at Cheesecake Factory. We both just got an appetizer so we could order cheesecake.

I got white chocolate caramel macadamia nut. It was so delicious. Only ate half of it and took the rest back to Whitney's dorm before the show since I had to drop her off after the show. She got oreo cheesecake and literally had two bites before boxing it up.

I got home so late that I forgot to set my alarm and slept to late to make it to church to serve. I did make the later service to hear the talk which was really awesome. And then Dan installed the new door knocker on the front door that we've had for a few months to match the new lock. We only need a new kickplate and hardware for the screen door and that project will be done. We also went and ordered a new mattress. We had bought one in July and absolutely hate it. So the store gives you one year to change your mind. Ended up buying one a few hundred dollars more than what we originally bought but you need a good one to sleep.

Friday Fragments

Not too many fragments today. Guess I'm not not fraggilicious?

No stupid criminal this week. Guess they either weren't stupid enough for me to hear about or the criminal world is getting better. Nah...who am I kidding, I just didn't hear about them.

After so much rain this year, we haven't had any for a month. I had to water the tree we planted last fall because the leaves were starting to turn yellow and it is still 90 degrees. I don't think that should be happening yet.

I'm happy that the birds are loving the birdseed I'm putting out but they sure are messy. Piles and piles of seeds on the ground. And I have hummingbirds again which I'm very excited about.

Tomorrow night I'm taking Whitney to go see Wicked in OKC. We saw it a few years ago in Tulsa and she wanted to go again. So I bought tickets and then she recently found out that her scholarship sponsor is taking them to see it in a couple of weeks. I told her I could take either mom or Dan but she wants to see it twice. 

I'm trying to get back into the swing of cooking again but after being sick it just isn't happening. Although last night we made hamburgers and corn on the cob and it was really tasty. Guess I just need to get inspired.

The county fair is this weekend and I'm considering going. It is free and in town. The state fair starts next week in OKC.

Hodgepodge

Another week of great questions from Joyce. Seems like this is the only way I'm blogging lately.

1. What's something you're never too young or too old to enjoy?
Fountains. When you are young you like to play in them. When you are old they are great to watch.

2. Share one happy memory from your high school years.
My sophomore year I won Best Minor Actress for my role in Arsenic and Old Lace. My crowning achievement in acting. It all went downhill from there.

3. A nationwide strike of fast food employees took place in the U. S. last week...they're calling for higher wages and the right to unionize? Your thoughts?
If they want to unionize, go for it. It doesn't mean they will succeed though. And if the fast food restaurants closed it wouldn't hurt me since I very rarely at at them. I understand wanting to make more money but I'm afraid that if they paid more money, those people striking wouldn't be the ones with the jobs. There is a reason why some people work in places like that and why some people don't.

4. September is National Honey Month...what's a favorite dish you make or eat that calls for honey?
I can't think of anything that requires honey. I have some in my pantry but the last time I used it was months ago.

5. If you notice someone with a tag sticking out, a button unbuttoned, a shirt on inside-out, or some leftover lunch stuck between their teeth do you say something or do you keep quiet?
I will probably tell someone a tag is showing no matter who it is. All the rest of these I probably keep my mouth shut unless they are a really really close friend. What does that say about me?

6. What movie always makes you cry? Or at least makes you feel like crying?
Field of Dreams. I can flip to it at any point in the movie and start tearing up. And the ending...oh my. The floodworks come out.

7. 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' was written in May of 1830, and published in Juvenile Miscellany in September of that same year. Now for the fun part...create your own four line rhyme using that same tune.
Joyce has a little blog
That we all get together at
Every week great questions asked
Until next week...adieu

(Obviously I'm not good at this) :)

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Labor Day was a bust. Poor Whitney came home for the weekend. She started with a cold and then Sunday night she got the stomach virus I had the previous week. We spent four hours at the ER on Labor Day getting her IV fluids and some anti-nausea medicine. She spent an extra night at home and we drove her up Tuesday so she could make a couple of classes. So much for relaxing at home. :(