Let Me Entertain You!!

I am struggling to get some exercise in each day, and have decided to walk on the treadmill in the garage to old movies I have purchased at various yard sales. (Let me just say, I will not be walking in the garage when it is 108 degrees, like it is today!) So, yesterday morning, I watched my second installment of My Fair Lady. If you have never seen the movie--Rex Harrison, and one of my favorites, Audrey Hepburn, you don't know what you are missing!! The story--amazing! The music--incredible!! Just pure, unadulterated entertainment!! A movie from an era where you actually went home feeling good about life after seeing the movie!! A far cry from many of today's movies which seem to focus on the evil, the crime, the hate, and the fear in life. I guess that's why you will find me at all the movies like Toy Story, Up, Mama Mia, High School Musical, Alpha and Omega, and the Legend of the Guardians. I want to be entertained, I want to laugh, cry and identify with characters who are fun and enjoy life!! I want to, no need to, feel good about my movies!!

Country pleasures!!

When we first moved to our current location, about 7 years ago, I glibly remarked that this was probably the closest to the country we would ever live. We back up to a big canyon and see the Cleveland National Forest across the canyon--above a few houses. Very quiet and nice!
Recently, however, I am beginning to believe we do indeed live in the country. Why do I say that, you may ask? Well, it started a few weeks ago while I was working in the garage after dark--after it cooled down a little. I stepped inside for a few minutes, and when I came back to the garage, a huge (it had to have been at least 50 pounds or more!) raccoon went scooting out of the garage! We had never seen raccoons up here before.
Then last night, some friends stopped by, and as they were coming in the front door, a bird flew in. We spent the next 20-30 minutes trying to get it out!! Crazy!
Then tonight, I came in to work on the computer and I started smelling some serious skunk smell. And the window wasn't even open. I went to see if Lonnie was noticing it--and as I walked down the hall, it smelled like the skunk was in the house. We raced around closing all the windows and turned on the fans to try to get the smell out of here!! Seriously, my eyes are still burning. I have never smelled skunk so strong! I think a family of them has taken up residence in my yard. I was afraid to walk out there tonight--super crazy!
So I guess I am saying, even though I live in the middle of a very populated area, it seems I really do live in the country!! Now if I just had a red barn--I've always wanted one of those things!!

New School Year!!

I'm doing some serious vegging after our first 3 days of school. I swear the state and the districts are trying to kill teachers--what have we ever done to them? My heart goes out to all my teacher friends who, like us, are beginning our adventures this year with anywhere from 30-38 students in their classes, not enough desks, or text books, and even higher expectations than last year. Yet--we are thankful to have jobs, and just want to do the best for this little charges of ours! Lord help us!! Give us energy, patience while training these little ones (Kinder and First Grade for us), and lots of creativity to manage these large numbers! (35 for us!) And may they, either with our help or in spite of us, learn and grow!!

Vacation Entry--Day 7

I've actually been home from this particular vacation for two weeks now, but I have just a little more to say regarding our last day's drive. Our last night was spent in a nice hotel on the outskirts of Winslow, Arizona, made famous by the Eagles' song Take it Easy. So early the next morning, we decided to take a little time and visit the little town that made it all happen, and even the little corner, where it happened!
The first few blocks down Main Street were downright depressing. Abandoned motels (which could be fixed up really cute, I might add!), run down houses, empty churches, sleazy bars and restaurants--it was all there. Then, I saw a change as we approached "the corner". After parking, we walked toward the "corner" and observed other tourists taking pictures of the sculpture of the cowboy on the corner, backed by a huge mural that covered the side of a building. A gigantic route 66 sign had been painted in the middle of the intersection. Two darling gift/sundries shops were on two of the corners. A restored hotel was down the street.
Of course, we shopped. Lonnie bought an Eagles poster from a concert long, long ago. In fact so long ago, the price for the concert was listed at $15!!. We also bought a 2 CD set of the best of the Eagles. Which we promptly started reading about and playing on the remainder of the trip! Brought back so many memories, their songs were really great--even poetic! While drinking my "venti" sized cup of hot tea, I wrote a few lines of poetry of my own:

I won't last long
with this much tea.
I won't last long
with out a pee!

And down the highway we sped--eager to get home!! Or to the next rest stop!

Vacation Entry--Day 6

We finally got on the road this morning (actually noon) after a delightful breakfast on the patio at Uncle Bob and Aunt Jody's. Before we left, they introduced us to their Wii Fit plus. I think we will have to get one! I never laughed so hard in my life. Especially when Lonnie tried the bird one using Uncle Bob's statistics--He about wore himself out and couldn't get that bird off the ground!! Looks like a fun way to get in shape--and boy do we need that!!

Our drive has been great so far. We drove through some "toad stranglers" as we crossed New Mexico and part of Arizona. (Serious rain storms for those of you from California!) And even this evening, we are surrounded by a beautiful lightening show. God's amazing handiwork!! We still have 8 hours or so before we get home. Can't wait! We will see the kids on Sunday!! It's been a great trip. Lonnie and I are still friends!! I got tons of shopping done for school. We saw the most beautiful scenery and storm clouds. We hung out with family and friends. Even went trout fishing!! As good as it was, I am very excited to get home!! Just like Dorothy--there is no place like home!!

Vacation Entry--Day 5

As I begin this post, I am reminded of travel journals my son Michael wrote, and the subsequent book that he published, Miles to Cross. Great reading!! Let me assure you, there will be no book as a result of these mindless drivilings. Just a way for me to remember the trip!!

Again, it is not really day five, just post 5! I've had no internet access since Sunday. As some of you may have read on my facebook, we had a very interesting evening at a bar in Enid--part of Lonnie's reunion tour!! Had a fun day of shopping on Saturday--I always find the neatest things when shopping in Oklahoma or Kansas. We had fun at the reunion that night--dancing and being silly!! One of my favorite things!! Sunday, we drove down to Edmond, Ok. for a reunion of sorts--several of Lonnie's cousins, nephews, and other family members were there. We had a great time seeing everyone again! And ate some delicious steak!! Thanks Darrell!!

Monday, more shopping and more goodies to pack in the car!! Yikes, if I buy anything else, I will be carrying it on my lap all the way home!! Tuesday, we drove north to my hometown in Kansas. As we were driving, the temperature kept rising--from a mere 103 in Edmond to a high of 114 in Kansas. We met my 97 year old uncle and other friends for dinner--so nice to see everyone!! Stayed with our lifelong friend, Pearl--she is such a sweetheart to open her home to us at the last minute!!

Wednesday morning we woke up early and went out to our storage unit and went through some things of Lonnie's from Boy Scout stuff, to old girlfriend photos, and other high school friend photos--a walk down memory lane for him. I will give him credit--he got rid of most of the stuff (and I use that term loosely!) He went from two foot lockers full, to 6 small shoeboxes. (Don't even ask where the shoe boxes came from--see first paragraph!)

Then we started driving south/west toward Lubbock, Texas home of Lonnie's aunt and uncle--amazing people!! Lonnie got to play golf with his uncle. Then we went to a great Soup Plantation type restaurant for lunch. Now we're playing on the computers. Tomorrow we start home--dread the drive, but can't wait to get home and see my little grand kids!! Then Wednesday, I take off again for Kansas for a week!! Yay!! More shopping!!

Vacation Entry--Day 4

It's not really day four--I've been out of reach for a day or so. To update you, we saw no bears at the High Country Lodge. I consider that very good news. So after a great rest in the woods, we met our guide Scott for our adventure up the mountain to some fantastic streams. I truly have never seen such beautiful scenery. And the streams--amazing!! I loved being in the streams--of course walking on those boulders is not exactly easy--thankfully I had Scott holding my hand!! How did I do, you may ask? I did catch the first fish of the day. I also caught the smallest fish ever caught out of these streams. Scott took a picture for his web page!! And he told me I was like job security for him. So what do you think?

After our fishing adventure, we travelled up the hill and across Wolf Creek Pass to a tiny little town called, Creede. Absolutely adorable!! We stayed at a darling B&B called Blessings Inn. If you ever go up there check it out!! We ate at the Antlers Lodge, right on the river. Saw lots of fish and a deer while eating!! A beautiful and relaxing town!

Then Thursday, we started our trek to Oklahoma and arrived here at 10:00 last night. We are staying at Cherokee Lodge, a nice place on the Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Lonnie's hometown. We are here for his class reunion. So, at this moment, I am all caught up on our laundry, and ready to hit the town of Enid!! Lonnie's sister, Kay will be joining us this afternoon--can't wait!! More to come!