Back in the Day.....

Did your parents ever tell you their hardship stories from when they were growing up?  "Back in my day, we had to walk to school in the sleet and the snow and all we had to wear on our feet were gold slippers that turned up at the end like elf shoes."  (You laugh, but I swear my mom told me that)  I actually caught myself doing this to one of my children this weekend!  Only my story was really pathetic after I thought about, being a child of the 80's, we just did not really have the hardships that our parents had.

We went to measure my daughter for her cheerleading uniform for next year when she is in 6th grade.  Talk about sticker price shock, her uniform is going to cost $180 doll hairs!  After it was all said and done, I ended up writing a check for $335 doll hairs to pay for cheer camp, camp shirt, dance camp, uniform and registration.  I think it was the sticker shock that through me in to my, "Back in My Day" story.

Stop it Mom!

As we got in the car I said, "Back when I was a cheerleader in elementary school, our uniforms were green polyster and homemade with a green gingham shirt.  They had Jets ironed on the front in a diagonal.  (Don't make me ask my mom to dig out those photos of my green, gingham, polyster nightmare)  We didn't get to just be cheerleaders if we were peppettes in 5th grade, we had to try out and do a cheer and jump.  We had to carry huge, giant pom poms across football fields.....I think they weighed 10 lbs.....in the SNOW." (You have to add in the snow to any "Back in the Day" story)

You see what I mean, pretty pathetic hardship huh?  Can you imagine what our children's "Back in the Day" stories are going to be like?  "Back in the day I had to walk every where I went, we didn't have jet propelled shoes like you.  We had to cut our own food and couldn't just take a pill of steak and potatoes.  We had to carry our cell phones and talk on them, they were not implanted like they are now."   

You never know...

Take a Chance

Tonight our family went to Big Daddy's to eat.  Kevin noticed the guy at the table next to us was about to lose $5 dollars out of his pocket and that it was just barely laying on the chair.   This always seems to happen at Big Daddy's, guys losing their phone or wallet out their pockets & us noticing it.  It's like there is a black hole sucking everything to the floor once the hush puppies hit the table.   Kevin encouraged Hayden to walk up to the guy and tap him on the shoulder and let him know.  There was hesitation...Hayden stood up....we both encouraged him to go....he just wasn't sure about approaching a stranger.  Peyton encouraged him, "He might give it to you, just go tell him."  In the end, he sat back down and did not go through with it.  Peyton decided to take the matter in her own hands, "I will tell him."  She walked over and told the guy and he said, "Thank you Sweetheart."  She sat back down & he decided to give it to her as a reward for her honesty.  Hayden was immediately bummed.  He missed out on a opportunity to profit.  Kevin told him, "You should never hesitate when it comes to doing the right thing."

How often do we as adults miss out on golden opportunities?  We hesitate because we don't want to take a chance, approach a new situation that we are unsure of.   We are creatures of habit and are willing to let things stay status quo because it makes life easy.   Yet, any time another adult approaches me and offers a helping hand I am so appreciative.  It reassures me that there are still good people in the world.

Hayden refers to adults as "humans."  Many times he has told me, "I am still a kid, I am not a human yet."  Maybe we should all act more like "human" beings and open ourselves up to others.  Take a chance!

18 and Counting!

On Monday, Kevin and I celebrated 18 years of marriage.  We actually have been together for 22 years, we dated for 2 years and were engaged 2 years. (Slow & Steady)  This means that we have been together more than half of my life!  That's a long time to share a dresser with someone and get along!  Just sharing a closet with a roommate can send a friend packing.  (I am still pushing for more closet space, dudes just don't get that 5 pairs of shoes is not equivalant to 30 pairs, you don't need half of the closet!)  Sharing everything, being friends and still liking each other--what a privilige.  I realize that we are the exception not the norm, I myself come from a mixed family and I am so glad my mom's second husband got it right with my brother and sister and being willing to be my "Dad".

That being said, I realize that my children are young at 10 & 8, but I pray that they get loving and caring spouses.   Often times, I pray that Hayden get someone who does not take advantage of his tender heart, who is nurturing to him because he is the baby of the family.  I pray that he gets someone who is an equal partner and respectful of others.  For Peyton, I ask that God give her someone who is understanding when she is a little dramatic, someone who appreciates her take charge spirit and loves her for her ambition.  It is never to soon to ask God to bless your children with great love. (Even though they are not allowed to get married until they are 30!HAHA!)     

I am including a picture of Kevin & I on our wedding day  18 years ago.  (Hey!  It's my blog, that's how I remember us looking)

The Haul

The other thing that made our trip to Oklahoma so fun, besides the continuous witty banter and laughing, was the shopping!  We actually got our shopping started on the way to Oklahoma, there just happened to be a T J Maxx behind the Olive Garden in Wichita Falls.  Since we were already in the parking lot, we were obligated to stop and check it out --after all we do not have a T J Maxx in Odessa.  We needed to investigate. (I am good at finding good reasons to stop and shop)  Kim got some really cute shoes and a phone charger for the car.  I got some cute floral shoes and and a pale pink, silk shirt. We also found our selves in Target at 10:00, looking for a toothbrush and I found a really cute ring.  (I love Target)   

We started our Saturday morning off with driving from Norman to Oklahoma City.  It was huge, lots of clovers to drive around in circles on.  We made our way to Penn Square Mall (a double decker), it had to be good if PW recommended it.  We ate lunch at this Mexican food cantina place, very fancy.  I took a pic of Kim.

 We started out with Charlotte Russe and found black lace print shirt and a long gold sparkly chain necklace and earrings.  Every piece under $10 bucks.  We spent the most time in Macy's, I found my find of the day.  A brown floral chiffon type shirt for $9 regularly $68.  We then went to Sephora.  They made things way to easy in this store, handing me a little basket to fill up and carry around.  I spent more here than I did at any of the clothing stores!  My sticker price shocker item of the day was some Nars eyeshadow that I looked at the receipt after the fact and realized I paid $33 for.  I also got some Avian face spritzer ( need a fresh up, ask me for a spritz), some Sephora eye shadow, a hair pony tail holder that matches my color and a heated eyelash curler.(the jury is still out on whether this thing really works)  If you spend a lot of money in their store, they give you free samples. 

I came back with some money still in my wallet, so all in all , a good haul!

PW

Well after 2 coyotes crossing the road, 4 tolls (some paid/some not) and 7 hours in the car on Friday, we made it to Norman, Oklahoma.  Kim and I were going to meet Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond!  We were given tickets for our order to line up.  Ours were 205 & 206 and it was blue.  Blue meant we would get to line up after the 100 people with pink tickets and after the 204 people with blue tickets in front of us.  Might as well take seat and make your self at home, it's going to be a while.  We actually got about 5 ft away from her and got to see her take many photos and talk with all the PW groupies.  We met some lovely ladies from OK, we became friends with the manager, Steve, who was actually from Midland. (He got to OK by route of managing Amarillo store and being transferred there.) We got sample hand outs of Chai Tea and Brownies. (Hasting's was so thoughtful with there refreshments in OK)  Her daughter, Paige, was also there.  PW did a short Q & A via Karoake Machine and after a question or two I thought, "Duh, Why aren't you recording this?"  So I did tape a little on my phone that I have not been able to get to upload on the blog.  I will continue to work on that & hopefully get it to upload in the next few weeks.

We spent 2 1/2 hours at the Hasting's.  When we lined up, we were in the corner next to the magazines.  (I think some men who came to get their Playboys were a little shocked to find a whole gaggle of PW book toting women in their section)  We worked our way through the cook books, bibliographies, nature and finally made it to the animal section.  There was a light at the end of the tunnel, we could actually see her table and hear her voice. 

I made my way to the table and asked her if she was tired of smiling for photos yet & told her we had driven 7 1/2 hours from West Texas to meet her.  She said, "Oh, did you tweet me earlier?"  (I did tweet her earlier about us coming so far to meet her!) 
 Me - "Yes, I did tweet you earlier."
PW - "That sounds so funny to say tweet, 10 yrs ago that would not have made any sense. It's nice to meet you.  You aren't driving back tonight are you?"
Me - "No, we have got a hotel room over by the Sooner Mall."
PW - "Good because when I read your tweet I was worried about whether yall would be traveling at night.  So, what are yall going to do while you are here in Oklahoma?"
Me - "We are going to do some shopping.  So where is a good place to go?"
PW - "Pen Square Mall is a good mall, it's in Oklahoma City, but it's only about 35 miles away."

I got my books signed(also got one for Margie and friend Millie) and photos taken with her and introduced her to Kim and she just seemed like such a genuine person.  Very tall, so stylish.  What a wonderful experience.   We had a blast while we were in Oklahoma, great girl trip. 

More to come on the next blog about our day of shopping.

 

Oklahoma is OK!

So I have a big trip coming up in two days.  Kim and I are taking a girl trip to Oklahoma.  I have to admit I am a little hesitant to go to a state who's motto is, "Oklahoma is OK!"  Wouldn't you want your state motto to be "My state is great!" or "My state is better than your state!" (I am pretty sure that should be Texas' motto, I am a little partial though)  Back to my trip--we are going to see Ree Drummond, better known as The Pioneer Woman.  For those of you who do not know who she is, she is the bees knees when it comes to blogs.  Hers covers a little bit of everything, ranch life, recipes, home schooling, photography.....  She has written 3 books and will be doing a signing of her newest book on friday in Norman, OK.

She has appeared on The View, Today show and Throw Down with Bobby Flay.  My sister-in-law got me hooked a couple of summers ago.  We usually spend one week of the summer with ALL of Kevin's family at Lake Brownwood.  Every night she would be looking at her laptop and telling me all about the Pioneer Woman Blog. 

I am very excited about my girl trip.  Kim and I will be spending about 7 1/2 hrs in the car together.  I plan on video documenting it.  My last two road trips with Kim were commical at best. Trip to Lubbock, our heater got stuck on and we had to drive with the windows down on the highway, finally got it to turn off and our navigator took us down every dirt road with huge pot holes you can imagine. Last trip to San Angelo we got hailed on kept ending up with Storm Chaser trucks all around!  Scary!   

I have already gotten a pedicure and a new suitcase for the trip, one with swivel wheels so it doesn't fall over every time it hits the curb.  (Important stuff, I know)  Now I just have to figure out what to put in my suitcase.  Is 10 outfits too much for two days?  Shoes are another issue, they have a chance for rain friday--but, I got a pedicure darn it!  I will let you know in next week's blog how our adventure went.