I Want to be a Novelist

"T. told me that I should be a writer.  She told me I should have taken a journalism classes back in the day and maybe I would have a novel or two under my belt by now." I said.  "She also told me I could write a newspaper column.  That would be so cool to write about everyday stuff." 

"Yes, that is probably true.  Actually, you could definitely be a writer!  After all, you shade the truth just like a newspaper," he said snidely.

"What, I shade the truth?  What!!??!!  What are you talking about?"  I ask.

"Yes, like when you say I made you a tuna casserole with potato chips.  I never heard of cooking with potato chips.  That sounds horrible!  It was cheese so that was not the truth and you bent the truth to serve the story - just like a newspaper," he said giggling.
OK, people, how many of you think that everything I write to be the complete and unadulterated truth?  Yes, sometimes I enhance the story.  I fully admit it.  For the most part it is true and besides these are my memories and in my mind, there were potato chips on the top.  It was 'gag me with a spoon' awful.

By the way, I want to thank you for reading my blog and for the comments.  They are fun for me to open and see what someone has to say.  A couple of weeks ago, a new reader told me how they enjoy my posts.  Thanks D.  Enjoy everyone.  It is all written from my perspective and with a little tongue in cheek.  I want to be a novelist, but I won't be a novelist.  I will just have to keep entertaining my family with these memories.  I love you, guys.
      

Cinnamon Rolls

Last week, I went to the grocery store without having lunch first.  Big mistake, big mistake.  I hardly ever buy treats.  My kids can attest to that for they remind me constantly of how deprived they were especially when it comes to chips.  Poor little ones never got to have any flavored chips and my daughter loves to recall the special treat of picking out her own chips for those grade school field trips.  Poor, poor children....so mistreated.  Back to the trip to the grocery store....A package of Pecan Cinnamon Rolls jumped into my cart on the way out of the store.  Paid $4.99 for four huge pecan rolls..what a waste...what a waist!  Good thing the hubby was driving because I had those babies open before he got the car started.  Oh my, oh my, they were so good even not warmed per the instructions; a far cry from those little pecan rolls in the vending machines at Tinker.  Although, they were not all that bad and if you unrolled them slowly they could last all morning long.

Hubby and I started discussing the vending machines and the cafeteria at Tinker.  We have time now to discuss all that stuff, being bored and all.

Here I go..........back to the past and memories of the things that filled our tummies while working at Tinker.  Sounds interesting, huh?

Those of you still at Tinker will be interested to know that the snack bar on the north end of 3001 is at the same place it was in 1967.  Back then, you could get a coke with ice from a vending machine.  You'd make your selection and the cup would drop, some ice would plop in, and your coke would fill the cup.  Great, huh?  Well, not always.  Sometimes the cup would fall off center or fall sideways and the ice and coke would go everywhere except inside the cup.  Great machine when it worked right, huh?  Again, not so fast.  This machine also served all manner of hot and cold beverages; i.e. coffee, hot chocolate, and the best......beef broth...........!!!  Coke that has a hint of beef broth........not so great.

There was a great vending machine, however, which held small cans corned beef hash, vegetable stew, chili, pork n' beans, soups, and various other delicious foods (smile).  Actually, they weren't as bad as you might think.  At 35 to 45 cents a can, it was a pretty good alternative to the pricier cafeteria food.  The greasy corned beef hash was my favorite topped with a jalapeno pepper.  Mr. Guerrero would make a trip to Mexico every couple of months and brought back a gallon of those peppers for the office.  They were a nickel each and really upped the wow factor of the corned beef hash.

Back in my early days at Tinker...think December 1966...a group of us would go to the cafeteria each morning for breakfast.  We had our special table right behind the cashiers.  It was our morning ritual.  We were the popular table...I tease, but General McNickol or was it McNickle, joined our table every day.  It was a different time back then.  It seemed we were all family, and the general didn't seem as stuffy as they do now.  We had lots of fun or maybe I felt that way because most of us were single and hung out together.

Back in those early days, there was a little room off the cafeteria (Oklahoma Room) which was like a restaurant, even with white tablecloths.  One would order off a menu and the food was delicious.  The club sandwich was a favorite with everyone which was served with crinkle potato chips.  I do have a memory, huh? 

The cafeteria was revamped several times of the years, but it never held the same allure that it had in the early days.  I might have been hunting a husband.  {wink}  About the time I retired, they put in a coffee bar, but back just three years ago, I didn't like coffee, but it still didn't have that same draw as 1967.  Good times......and a more naive palate.

One of these days soon, I am going to recall some of my office luncheons.  Who will be interested?  Probably nobody, but it will be fun for me to recall.  Am I the only one that food recalls a memory?  I know I am a little off my rocker.  I love you.   

It Could Have Been 1984

Nothing like a couple of cups of Chocolate Velvet coffee and an episode of Pioneer Woman to bring on the tears - well not the complete set of waterworks, but a couple of tears forming in my eyes.  Here's the deal, if you knew my daddy and you saw today's PW, then you would know what I am talking about.  PW's father-in-law reminds me of Daddy.  Not in his looks.....well, sort of....but the fact that the man is a rancher.  OK, Daddy was not a rancher, but he was a farmer and they all sort of resemble one another, these ranchers and farmers.  Daddy had cattle, too, albeit not several thousands of heads like PW and her crew. 

This old man was setting enjoying his PW birthday breakfast when his grandchildren appeared with their gifts.  And then the tears started forming.  They brought him tools.  How many tools did Daddy receive as gifts over the years?  Probably a dozen hammers, for sure, and most of them lost.  Most of the time these tools were not wrapped just like PW's father-in-law.  Just one more little tear.

Old man, eating, talking, grandchildren, tools, no wrapping paper...........could have been my daddy.  It could have been 1984. 

Memories - don't you love 'em.  Just one more little tear, but a tear of good times, not a sad tear.  It could have been 1984.  Have a great Saturday everyone.  It's going to be a good one.  I love you.
By the way - this is not the post I promised yesterday. 

Aunt Geneva

I had planned a completely different story for tonight's blog, but I went to see Aunt Geneva today and want to share a few little things with you.

1.  Aunt Geneva, age 97, uses her cell phone.  Yes, I saw her use it today. 

2.  Aunt Geneva showed my grandsons how to make music by covering a comb with a piece of paper.  They were in awe and practiced doing the same.

3.  Aunt Geneva told us that her father's, Grandpa Will Thompson, mother died when he was 3 days old.  His birth mother's name is Linton Robins Thompson and was buried at Cedar Glades Cemetery which was relocated after the Ouachita Lake was built.  I am looking for her name at the New Cedar Glades Cemetery which is a part of another cemetery, but cannot find that name.  Note:  I do not know the exact spelling, but will talk to her more.  Aunt Geneva is extremely alert so I know she will know the correct spelling.  By the way, the name Linton is Aunt Geneva's cousin's, Lorene Linton (Thompson) Garner Young, middle name.

4.  She said that Grandma Thompson told her that when Lorene was born (1915), snow was blowing onto the bed and was making little drifts that they had to keep shaking off.  Log cabin - I gather not a tight warm cabin.  How'd you like to be giving birth with snow blowing on you and without any kind of pain relief except maybe to scream?!  Times were rough, huh?

5.  Aunt Geneva went to college at UCO when the only building was Old Main.  There were no girls dorm, however, there was a boys dorm.  She and several other girls boarded with an old woman.

6.  She taught school at Prairie Valley School which was located just about 1/2 mile north of the Earlsboro exit on I40.

7.  The first year Uncle Virgil and Aunt Geneva were married, Uncle Virgil pledged $100 to build the new church "Pleasant Home Baptist Church" located where it is now.  She said she wondered how in the world they were going to come up with a $100, but they did.  The church was build debt free.

It was a total delight to see my aunt today.  She was in a terrific mood and had her hair cut and permed.  She looked 10 years younger than her age.  She laughed and enjoyed my little grandsons.  On the way out of town, we stopped at Hamburger King, our favorite. 

I love you!

Come Visit Mom's Frogs

Remember this, kiddos?  Yes, this is mom's frog collection and it has found a new home.  Right here at Regina's house.  I wasn't sure I ever wanted to display her collection of frogs in my house for frogs is not really my thing, but I didn't want them to be thrown away either so I took them...and held on to them.  Six years later and after agonizing whether I wanted a new display case, they are finally hanging on my wall.  Finally, I made the decision that the collection would mean more to me and every other member of my family if they remained on their original case.  Here they are in all their glory along with a few other little mementos; the little shoes from Holland from Aunt Geneva's trip in 1989, the little tiny plastic lamb that undoubtedly came from someones Easter basket, a brass bell, and a lone stone turtle.    

    Each one of these little frogs held special meaning to mom and after reading some of the labels, to me, too.  There are frogs of every sort...the more intricately carved stone frogs, the silly little souvenir frogs, the glass frog from Paris, the Alabama Clay frog, the one that came all the way to Oklahoma from Panama in my mom's suitcase, the brass frog from Greece, the Christmas Angel frog, the Santa frog, the frog chimes, the straw frog from Mexico, a thimble with a silver frog attached, frogs in rocking chairs, a frog made of sea shells, a frog with bright red lips, frogs that grandchildren showered her with on every gift giving occasion, frogs that were brought to her from various family member's vacation, and the list goes on and on.

I hate that some of the labels have fallen off for now we will never know exactly their origin, but I kept them anyway in hopes that someday one of you might help me put them with the right frog.

Here are a few of the carved stone frogs.  Notice that the label is still on one made from Alabama clay.  That one we know came from one of their many trips to see my youngest sister living in Alabama at the time. 

I mentioned to the hubby this morning that seeing her collection again made me want to start my own, but really sometimes "less is more" and besides this hobby was mom's which makes them special. 

Does it matter whether one collects cheap little souvenir frogs or Faberge eggs, diamonds or glass trinkets?  One may be more expensive than the other, but the value is in the pleasure that it brings you while acquiring your collection...making memories....whether they are memories of a special trip or a gift from a child. 

Come visit Mom's frogs.  You are no doubt a part of those memories.  I love you!



Trying to Counteract Negativity

Do you read your horoscope in the paper?  Yesterday the hubby and I were exchanging sections of the Sunday Oklahoman, when I noticed the horoscope on the back page of the Life section.  It's usually a source of amusement so let's just take a look and see what mine has to say.  Maybe it will tell me to buy a lottery ticket.

"Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 23):  Not everyone can get a hold on emotions the way you can.  You'll set an example for others and turn a difficult situation around.  Forcing yourself to smile is one way to counteract negativity."

That was my horoscope.  Are you kidding?  Me, have a hold on my emotions?  Do they know me?Nothing could be further from the truth - 180 degrees from the truth!  About 4 weeks ago, if you had seen me you would have definitely known that was a big fat fib!  I was crying day and night, throwing myself into the bathroom rug crying and sobbing till no more tears would come.  It didn't stop there.  If someone called, I cried.  If someone hugged me, I cried, if a stranger said hello, I cried - for two weeks.

Then something happened.  I came to the realization I was not in charge of anything about my "difficult" situation.  No, not one thing.  Somehow realizing this, lightened my heart.  God gets the credit for this one cause nothing I did eased my pain.  That second week I received a little devotional book from a distant family member and began reading it each day and reading the verse that accompanied it.  That, plus prayer and prayers from many, many people have eased my heart and also my mind.

With that in mind, I began to get a grip as they say.  I began to smile again.  I started eating again.  I began to get back into my routine or get into a busier routine.  I began to relax and know that I was a part of a much bigger plan.       

So......rereading that horoscope, maybe I can make a difference on someones life just by smiling.  Or perhaps an encouraging word, or even a home cooked meal, or a card, or a hug, or just opening the door for someone at Target, or even giving up that perfect parking space to that aggressive driver (and doing it with love and a smile).

The next time you see me, I hope that you seen Grace and Love in my face.  I hope that I can be of some service to you.  That doesn't mean that there aren't "difficult" situations in my life...it just means I am trying I am trying to counteract negativity.

Pleasant note:  Did you know my mother never used the word "lie"?  She always used the word "fib".  She was a lady in every sense of the word.

I love you and I hope you don't take this post as a "downer".  There will be more "memory" post soon.
    

Just a Little Bit About Nothing

The beauty of writing a blog is that you get to write about anything you want.  Today - just a little bit about nothing.

1.  Day before yesterday we were out early.....that being 8:30 a.m. - remember my blog is "Retirement The Good Life"!!  We were waiting on Logan to arrive to spend the day so we were just walking around the place as we often do this time of the year admiring our little place in the sun.  Right now we are having a progression of blooms.  Hyacinths, crocus, redbuds, Bradford pears, jasmine, candy tuft, lilacs, spirea, forsythia, tulips, jonquils, daffodils, and various wild flowers.  And as quickly as they come, they will be gone.  They are fading fast, but we can still look forward to the honeysuckle, iris, and roses.  Speaking of gone, while we were enjoying our early morning walk, we looked up just in time to see a beautiful deer leaping across the acreage.  He was actually leaping ; those magnificent slim golden legs outstretched as far as they could go.  If the boys had been there, I am sure they would have thought him to be Rudolph.  My gosh, why can't ever moment of every day be this calm and serene. 

2.  Today we went to my cousin and his wife's 50th wedding anniversary.  I am just in awe of their youth, their love, and their beautiful family.  You would never pick them out of a line-up as the couple with 50 years behind them - a handsome couple.  As often is the case these days, their children put together a video of pictures set to music.  I just love that, don't you?  I wish I knew how to do one.  It was all I could do to hold back the tears.  Good tears - good years.  I remember them as that young couple....how do they have 50 years behind them.  Gosh, I remember going to their wedding.  It was a couple of years ago.

3.  I had a talk with my youngest grandchild this week.  His birthday is coming up - 5 years old he will be!  "Nana, I want you to get me a shrink hat for my birthday," he says.  "Shrink hat?" I question.  "Yes, a shrink hat.  You know, like this" he said as his little hands reach up to the top of his head and he pulls them down to his mouth."  "Oh, you want me to get you a drink hat?", I respond.  "Yes!!!", he nods with his face lighting up with the sweetest grin ever.  "I am not going to buy you a hat where you put drinks on your head.  That is red neck and I will not be a part of that," I reason.  "Well, I guess you are not going to get invited to my party!", he exclaims as he tears up and heads to the other room to have his private cry.  After a bit he came back, his eyes red and sniffing, to say I could come to his party if I just make the cake.  It was hard for me not to grab him for a quick squeeze of love.  5 year old boys do not like that.  I may be buying a shrink hat.

4.  J.C. Penney - What happened?  I haven't been shopping in weeks, but today I drove into town just to get out of the house.  Penneys may have lost me.  Their inventory seemed so low and the shoes...have you looked at their shoe department?  Nothing there.  I used to think they had a pretty good array of shoes, but either they have sold out or they have cut back on inventory.  For a Saturday at 11:00, they were lacking in customers, too.  There was only two checkout lanes open.  I asked the lady in front of me in the checkout line if she liked the new layout and she said no and that she hated their new magazine.  Have you seen it?  It sure doesn't entice me to buy.  I hope they see the error of their ways before we loose our MWC store.  Maybe I just need to lighten up.  See I told you I get to write about anything I want.

5.  I miss Tinker.  No, not always, but days like today.  Not one person said one word to me about St. Patrick's Day or wearing the green.  You couldn't get to your desk before somebody would be checking you over for your green and giving you a little pinch even if you were wearing a neon flashing shamrock.  Holidays gave us something to celebrate and have good food or groceries as Ken would say.  Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody.

Well.........that is all I have to say tonight.  Just a little bit about nothing.  I love you guys.        

And We Do Not Eat Lima Beans

Honeymoon Conclusion:  After we left Colorado, we headed to Dallas with a layover in Red River, NM, our first trip there as a couple, and one of many over the next 40 years.  I would love to remember that day in Red River, but nothing comes to mind.  So......let's just get on the road to Dallas.  By the way, do you know there is a lot of nothing between Red River and Dallas?

Dallas........a little different than Colorado and a little more upscale.  We got a nice room, took a nap, and then got ready to head down town to the Ports O Call for our evening dinner reservation.  Going down town or perhaps it is up town.  We were stepping out.  Gotta look good!  Hubby takes a shower, shaves, and slaps on aftershave..............right in his eyes!  Hubby splashes water in his eyes.  Hubby does the "I am in pain" dance.  Hubby splashes water in his eyes again.  Hubby dances.  Hubby tears.  Hubby in pain.  Hubby can't keep his eyes open  Look at the time.  "I would if I could."  Gotta go.  Reservations!  Down town!  Eyes tearing!  Eyes burning.  Eyes red.  Eyes tearing.  Regina gotta drive.  Regina cannot drive in Dallas.  "I am NOT going to drive in Dallas.  No way, bud!"  "Yes, way!  Wanna eat in a fancy restaurant?"  Regina going to drive.  Regina scared.  Regina drove.  Regina drove in down town Dallas and on the freeway.  Whew!!!!!!!!  We did NOT die.  Regina do anything for a nice meal.

Ports O Call - on the 37th floor.  This was some fancy place where we had to take one set of elevators to the 17th floor and get off and take another set of elevators to the upper floors.  "Wow, this is a nice place", I remember thinking as we stepped from elevator into what looked like an open abyss into the stars.  Windows from floor to ceiling.  I remember thinking I was not going to be able to set at a table near those windows.  The waiter must have felt my vibe for he led us to our table on the upper tier.  We just missed our death by a few feet. 

Settling in, we ordered our iced tea, but were served iced coffee.  Ugh.  I ordered trout at least twice in Colorado, but it was never cooked to my liking, so here was my chance, in Big D, to order trout......one last time before heading back to OKC.  I am here to tell you that if you order trout in Dallas, do not expect it to be any better than trout in Colorado, or in OKC, for that matter.  It was pretty bad and not only that, it came with lima beans.  Wow, here we were in this terribly fancy restaurant having our last meal before heading back to start our lives and I don't even get a baked potato, the food that brings a restaurant up from mediocre to a fancy place.  That's all it takes for me - just a potato.  Lima beans for Pete's sake!  We never even had lima beans on the leanest of days when I was a child.  Lima beans?  Where's the baked potato?  The good news of the evening.........the hubby's eyes quit hurting and he was able to drive back to our hotel with us both giggling about our unfortunate evening.  We probably would have little recollection of this evening if I had gotten my baked potato.

Back home, it was time to get on with our lives.  The hubby went back to work on Monday, but I decided to stay home one more day and play wife.  You will remember all my stuff that was dumped in the hubby's living room?  I was able to put all that stuff away and have a nice meal for my hubby.  "Honey, I'm home."

 The honeymoon was over, but our lives were just beginning.  Today, we have settled into a comfortable, blessed life.  We made it.  And we do not drink iced coffee.  And we do not eat trout.  And we do not eat lima beans.  I love you.


         

Married Life - Day 2 and 3

I didn't get around to writing about Day 2 last night so you get day 2 and 3 in one post, not that there was a lot to post about. 

After we left Raton, we drove straight up I25 to Colorado Springs (Sunday).  If you have never driven that route, you should.  Almost every time we have driven that road, there has been a storm brewing way off to the West.  You can see snake lightening streaking in the sky.  Delightful drive.  Anyway, back in Colorado Springs, we tried to find a cute little hotel I remembered from a trip with mom and dad when I was a teenager but we didn't find it.  However, we found another place to save a little money, the Motel 8 out by the Air Force Academy.  Up to that point, our car was still decorated with all sorts of sayings that my husband's nephews wrote all over our car.  One I remember was "Tidal wave in the water bed tonight."  Hubby finally said we had to wash the car so I acquiesced.  I was thrilled to let the world know we were newly wed and it took me a couple of days to give in.  Hubby was ready to wash the car in OKC the very first night.  As it happened it snowed about 4 inches that night and the shoe polish was running like some really bad mascara.  It really did need to be washed.  Boo-hoo.  Does that mean the honeymoon is over?

On the next day to Lake Dillon, CO (Monday).  Lovely little resort just being developed.  We stayed at the Ptarmigan Inn there on the lake.  Beautiful place and a little more upscale than the prior two nights.  Two things I remember about that place, OK 3.  1.  It snowed.  2.  There was a live lady bug in my salad at the beautiful restaurant where we walked that night.  and 3.  We locked out keys in the car.  Yep.  We did.  Hubby had replaced the pull up locks in the car with some that were just straight up posts.  Now that keeps people out, but it also keeps us out.  Here were were on a snowy morning, and the keys were in the ignition and we were outside.  Finally hubby got a hanger and tied a fabric loop to it.  He snaked it down into the window, wrapped the loop around the lock till it was taut and then was able to pull the lock up.  And we were outta there.......   

More wedding memories:
1.  We didn't have a rehearsal and we were able to get married anyway.  Who knew?  But then again, maybe if we had, perhaps the minister would have gotten my name correct.  We didn't even repeat vows, just said "I do".  Simplicity..............

2.  As I was decorating the church along with my mom and her sisters, my aunt said I looked like I had just lost my best friend.  I remember replying "I did."  We have a side view picture of my dad, mom, and me standing in the receiving line - yes they did that back in those days.  We all have this look of tiredness and sadness.  Such a range of emotions on my wedding day.

3.  Hubby bought me a set of new tires the week before the wedding.  We took my car.  He had the 1960 Corvette and an Avanti.  Some sort of fancy car.  Got rid of it the first year we were married.

I love you.

Married Life - Day 1

Kids, I thought you might want to know a little more about your parent's wedding and honeymoon week.  Don't worry, I promise not to embarrass you.  As for the rest of you readers....if you are out there....hope you enjoy, too.

As I told you day before yesterday, our first married night was spent in Yukon, OK.  The next day, not too early, we left for Colorado.  I don't remember much about that day other than it was hot and we used the air conditioner.  We went up through Dalhart, TX, where we stopped in an old fashioned drug store that had a soda fountain.  We had some sort of ice cream treat there.  From Dalhart we took the route to Clayton, NM, and spent the night in Raton, NM.  I believe that to be on I25.  We found a room for $10.  Big spenders even back then.  Not exactly the wedding suite, but it sufficed.  It was clean.  I remember the wall paper.  Probably been on the walls for 20 years prior.  We were just spending the night and the next day we would be off for more adventures.  Our trip was just beginning.  No need in spending the big bucks on a hotel room in Raton.

On to Colorado Springs tomorrow morning.  Our life is just beginning.

Wedding Memories:
1.  I, along with my cousin and sisters (the bridesmaids), were in another area of the little church.  In order to get from there to the back of the church, we had to walk outside so my cousin told my dad to hold my train so that it wouldn't get dirty.  Once I started down the aisle, I noticed that Daddy had pick up the train again and had it wrapped around his arm.  He sure wasn't going to be the one to let my train get dirty.  Here I was - going down the aisle with my arm through my dad's arm which had the train entwined.  I whispered to my dad to let go of the train.  Maybe I gritted my teeth to tell him to let go!  Eventually he got the message and dropped the train.....4 pews from the front.  My wonderful mom made this dress and here it was, wrapped around my daddy's arm.  A sweet memory.
2.  My home church was between ministers so we asked the well loved minister that was at the church when I was a baby...23 years ago, to perform the service.  The man was old.....old I tell ya.  He hadn't been around for 20 years.  We had not met with him before that night.  If I hadn't worn white, he wouldn't have known me from Adam.  And it gets strange from here.....  We had candles in each window............  We had the lights turned down which means OFF at our church.  The lights were either on or off.  No in between.  Even though the candles were lit behind the minister, he couldn't see a thing.  Remember.......he hadn't seen my family in 20 years.  He only knew me because I was the one wearing the white dress.  So here he was, turning his notes to the candle light behind him...trying to decipher who I was.  And......he missed it.  Yes, he called me Regina Hawkins.  In case you don't know, my maiden name is Dawkins.  So, I, Regina Hawkins, took thee, Johnny Tucker............  We had asked for a short ceremony and believe me, it was shorter than either of us dreamt.  I remember we were just beginning to kneel for the prayer and before we could get down on our knees, we heard Amen.  The service was no more than 5 minutes.  Now that! is the way to have a wedding. 
3.  One of the groomsmen got lost on the way to the church.  My brother filled in - Thank you Robert.  The original groomsmen drove up just as the exited the church as man and wife.

I may tell you some more wedding stories tomorrow night.  I love you guys.
  

40 Years - 40 Things

Today is our 40th anniversary and I want to share just a few things with you about these last 40 years.  I am not going to get all mushy in this because that is private between us.  Some of these things you may know about, some you will find funny, and all of these little things made us what we are, 40 years later.  Now in no particular order, I give you 40 fun facts.

1.  Fiat Spider - We had so much fun in this little red convertible in the first few years of our marriage  - $250!  Paint, new tires, and fun!

2.  OETA - Watch this channel a lot.  We are so boring!!

3.  Births - Two beautiful children, a boy - 1974 and a girl - 1977

4.  Christmas - We are traditionalists at heart opting for red and green and using the same decorations year after year, adding one new one each year, opening our presents on Christmas morning just as we have done for 40 years.

5.  Vacations - We love a driving vacation not knowing exactly where we will be each night.

6.  Tinker AFB - Allowed us to give our children the life they became accustomed to. 

7.  Death - Our marriage started out two days after my favorite grandmother passed away.  Such a sad time for all of us, but we made it through.  My future hubby moved all my things to his place the night before my wedding since I was with my family--bless his heart.  Actually, he dumped them in the living room of his house.  Literally dumped them.  

8.  Building of Our Home - A challenge for any married couple.  We were so naive.  Love our house, but would do things so differently today. 

9.  Anxious Moments and Stress - Did I mention building a house?  As most couples, we have our fair share of stressful and anxious situations.  Some almost unbearable, but with God's grace we have made it.

10.  Red River - our favorite place to be.  At least it is for me.

11.  Mimosa - Our second home in 1973 is on Mimosa Drive - $8500.  In the last year, there was a murder there.  Oh how sad that the happy place for us ended in tragedy for someone else.

12.  Corvette - Hubby had a 1960 Corvette when we met.  I might come in a distant second to that car.  Over the years we have had a 1957, 1958, and a 1964 Corvette.  Did you know that?  Wish we had them back.

13.  Valentine - On our first Valentine's Day, before we married, I split my scalp open.  Future hubby came to the rescue with micurocrome.

14.  Grandchildren - Two little boys are our life.

15.  Retirement - On the day I retired, I skipped out early (about 9:30 a.m.).  Hubby met me with tears in his eyes as I drove in the garage and said "We made it, Babe."  I will never forget that moment.

16.  Poetry - Did you know that my hubby quoted me poetry on almost every date?  Do not think Dobie Gillis and beatniks, but if you do, you are as old as we are. 

17.  Paris - I never thought we would be able to go to Paris together.  Thank you, Tinker!

18.  Jaguar - Our new little joy!  Having fun!

19.  The Love Machine - Our first movie together.

20.  Glen's Hickory Inn - Hubby bought a new suit for our wedding and the week before the event he wore it - waitress dropped a bowl of sour cream on him.  This was our favorite restaurant.  Wish we could have one more night there.  Some of the picture that were at Glen's are now hanging at Cattlemen's.

21.  Pike's Peak - Been to Pike's Peak three times, but never been to the top....maybe 2012????

22.  Oatmeal - We have our oatmeal almost every morning setting in our comfy chairs in front of the front room windows.  Something we really enjoy.

23.  Airgun Shows - Hubby's hobby for the last 10 or 15 years.  He has a table and brings all these antique and hobby airguns and BB guns to the Arkansas Airgun Show.  I go with him....and look for antiques...and read magazines.

24.   Stormy - Our little best friend and has been for 10 years now.  What will we ever do without him?

25.  Norman - Our third home was in Norman; lived there for 3 years.

26.  Waterbed - We have been sleeping on a waterbed for 40 years.  Last holdout.....

27.  How we met - I had car trouble and he came to the rescue and took me to work.  The car was less than a year old, but I promise I did NOT rig the car.

28.  Duplex - Our first home.  He owned his and I lived in the one across the street.

29.  Birds of Paradise - Hubby bought me these flowers when our son was born.  When our daughter was born, he brought me an ivy in a Corvette ceramic planter.  Anybody see anything strange about that?

30.  Walking - Two years ago we were walking almost 3 miles a day.  Now we never do.

31.  Yosemite - Rented a convertible for this vacation.  One of our very favorite trips.  Would love to do that trip again, and the one to Seattle, and the one to Canada, and the one to Washington, D.C. and the one to Maine, and the one to Florida, and the one to Niagra Falls.  I could go on and on.  We have been so blessed.

32.  Cat - We have had a cat for the last 40 years - not the same cat.

33. Hawaii - Thanks to Tinker we spent 17 days there.  What a wonderful TDY/vacation for our first anniversary.

34.  Books - Hubby used to buy tons of books and still has them.  He also has over a thousand albums, just about as many CDs, and more MP3s than anybody I know.  The other music media?  Who knows?  And now he has Pandora and a million other ways of accessing music.  Need another house for his hobbies.

35.  Engagement - While I was Christmas shopping in Shephard Mall in 1971, hubby snuck away to Kurt Lichter's jewelry store, Treasure's Incorporated, across the street and bought a diamond.  I had put a pot roast in the oven before we left.  It was 10:30 p.m. when we returned to my duplex.  I was tired, hungry, and I still had to put that meal together...and the house smelled like pot roast......stunk...well, to me it stunk.  I will mention again I was tired, I was hungry, and I was plain old cranky.  I just burst into tears, crying my eyes out..........Didn't take long for him to ask me to marry him.  Poor guy.  He told me he bought the diamond.  Later we picked out the mounting.  People, I promise you I don't use the tear factor anymore, but now that I think about it.........hmmmmmmm 

37.  Fiddler on the Roof - We looked forward to watching this all week, but the night it came on TV our little son was only 12 hours old.  It was on the TV, but we couldn't stop talking about our little boy and our plans for our future to even look up at the TV.  Excitement was in the air!!!!!!!

38.  Trips to Arkansas - Every 5 or 6 weeks, we made a trip to Conway, AR, leaving after work on Friday evenings, returning on Sunday afternoon, two little kids in tow.  They grew up in that back seat.  Many, many future plans were made during those 22 years that Mrs. Tucker was a part of our lives.

39.  5 Acres - Now these little 5 acres have been home for the last 34 years.  It would be difficult to live anywhere else.  Go back to the poem I put in my post a few weeks ago.  Reread it and you will understand.

40.  I have thought and thought about what to end these 40 things with.  Many things I haven't mentioned including our extended families, the love and support of our parents and siblings, etc, and our love for them.  The death of each of our parents was particularly painful, but also a bonding time.  I think for number 40 I will just say "intangibles"; the things that cannot be measured, the things that are private, the glue, the fabric of our lives.  Remember, these are not in any particular order!  If you are reading this, then probably you, too, have been a part of the last 40 years and we love you.

I love you!!  

The Day Before....

Do you know what you were doing 40 years ago tonight? Were you even born 40 years ago? Well, if you were not, let me tell you what was happening to me 40 years ago. Everybody got that...?? We are talking 40 years ago.

As I told you yesterday, my grandmother died two days before my wedding - that would have been on a Wednesday. My grandpa insisted my wedding go on as scheduled and he also insisted that Grandma's funeral happen the day before my wedding so it would be behind us. In fact my two uncles and my aunt insisted as well.

I remember the funeral so well and even what I wore. I remember all the girl cousins rode with my uncle Milo who was married to one of my very favorite aunts. I remember him telling us as we were riding to the church that Grandma died with all her teeth. I think of that now and laugh. What a thing to think about as one rides to a funeral. I remember that I had a new green tweed wool coat. I even remember that it cost $10. I remember that because I only bought it because it was $10. Back in those days, one could get a pretty nice wool coat for $40 and I am sure my green coat was on sale. I have no idea why I remember wearing that coat.

What I also remember is my favorite aunt asking me to take her six year old daughter on out of the church after the service. After the service, the mourners had filed out of the church leaving on the family for a little time alone. My sweet little cousin was really torn up so her mom thought she would be better off outside. My aunt has since apologized for having me do that, but you know what I felt? I felt it a privilege and an honor that my aunt asked me to take care of her daughter. I felt grown up - that I was trusted to take care of her emotionally distraught six year old - that I could comfort that little girl - that must mean I am a grown up. Strange thought isn't it? Here I was getting married the very next day, I was 23 years old (old maid in those days), and it took my aunt to make me feel like I was an adult.

I am a sick puppy, huh?

Well, since I was getting married the very next day, I decided to stay the night with mom and dad. We had lots to do the very next day, like clean and decorate the church. We never thought about having any help. Besides, my wedding was simple.

Tonight (present tense) my hubby was reminiscing about that day. After the funeral, he came on back to Midwest City and starting walking my things to his duplex. Good thing we lived across the street from each other, huh? He told me tonight that he just brought drawers (I had a furnished duplex) over and dumped them out on the floor. I know that for a fact.

After the wedding we had to go by his (now our) duplex to get his things packed to take on our honeymoon. What man doesn't come to the church packed and ready to go on the trip? I was literally starved because I hadn't taken time to eat all day. We had cake, but I only had a taste. New brides do not have time to eat. There are too many people to talk to. Anyway, back at the duplex...new hubby asks if I just want to spend the night there? NOOOOOOO!!!!! I sure didn't want to stay there on my first night as a brid. No way! Besides I could never have rested knowing that house was in such a disarray.

He grabbed his bag and off we went....to Yukon! Ok, granted Yukon is only 10 miles from the duplex, but the point was IT WAS NOT THE DUPLEX! Yes, we stayed in a motel in Yukon, the Chauteau Inn. I still have the matches....we even asked for the Honeymoon Suite.....and believe it or not..they had one. Okay......I truly believe it was the Honeymoon Suite. It was nice to this little girl from Prague, OK. Now it was getting on towards 10:30 and we still had not eaten. Nothing open in Yukon, OK, at 10:30....nothing. New hubby runs across the highway to a convenience store and grabbed some bread and bologna. That was our first night together. Both of so hungry and too nervous to eat.

I wasn't sure about the bologna and bread, so I just now asked the hubby. He verified that and said, "we were sure tired, weren't we?"

The next day we headed out for Colorado. We headed out for a new life. 40 years later....

I love you.

My Grandma

Today, 40 years ago, was the worst day of my young 23 year-old life.  My heart was hurting like it had never hurt before.  My favorite grandmother passed away, two days before my wedding.  We had hopes that she would feel like being at the wedding.  Alas, that was not to be.

Instead of me dwelling on that sad day, I want to tell you a little about her love of flowers and she could grow some beautiful things, but she never saw a flower that she didn't appreciate.  At the first sign of spring, she would pick little flowers and lay them in a saucer with a tiny bit of water. In case you are thinking she picked little crocuses, no, I am talking tiny little weeds.  I can still see those tiny flowers in that saucer on her kitchen table.  Ah........the simple things can make the best memories.

A couple of weeks ago, my grandsons were here on a beautiful day which was perfect for our walk. Oh my, it is nice to have an acreage where the boys can play and explore just as my own kids did. The tiny little flowers were just peeking through the ground.  You had to look hard to even see them.  We stopped to pick some and I took the opportunity to tell them about my grandma and how she found beauty even in these tiny, tiny flowers. Have you ever stooped over to look at them and noticed how truly and delicate even weed flowers are?  Sometime get a magnifying glass and look at them and you will see that they are just as beautiful as any prize winning specimens - maybe even more so in their diminutive size.

My little guys were awed as I was with my grandma. They had to take their little flowers home in little medicine bottles with water.  I showed them how to hold the bottles just so - didn't want to spill the water in the car.

Memories!  We are making them all the time, folks, whether we realize it or not.  I love you Grandma.  I have so much to share with you.

Fishy Tales

Today my little one came to spend the day with me. He had his little little lunch bag packed with a peanut butter sandwich, a Capri Sun, and a Ding Dong just like his big brother took to school. What could be better than peanut butter and jelly?  Well, a tuna sandwich according to my little guy.  He had only eaten one bite of his peanut butter sandwich before he said he wanted a tuna sandwich instead.  Now what grandparent is going to deny a 4 year old a tuna sandwich?  His mom had told us he loved tuna and mayonnaise on bread, but we didn't believe it until we saw the little guy put away 1 1/2 sandwiches (plus three bites of his peanut butter, his Ding Dong, and a Capri Sun, but no green olives cause he hates green olives.  He loves the black ones though).

I am not a huge fan of tuna, but I can eat a cold tuna sandwich loaded with pickles, mayo, and boiled eggs on a hot summer day when you have been working outside and want something cold.  Serve me hot tuna and I want to gag.  You know me by now, and know that I am going to tell you a couple of stories about hot tuna, don't you?

1.  When I was a little girl, occasionally mom would make tuna gravy for lunch.  It was awful!  She'd toast bread and pour this 'gag me with a spoon' stinky, chunky, fishy gravy over perfectly good toast.  Try to get that stuff down without gagging, I dare you!  I hated that stuff, but not nearly as much as my little brother.  Ask him about it.  I'm sure he has vivid memories.  In case you are wondering exactly how to make tuna gravy, it is simple.  Make cream gravy, open a can of tuna and pour in.  Mix and gag - oh I meant serve.  Makes you want to make some tonight, huh?

2.  When the hubby and I were dating, he decided he would fix me a special meal.  I walked in and could smell that smell - a definite hot tuna smell.  My stomach just churned.  My thought was that I wasn't going to be able to get it down, I couldn't and I didn't.  There he had fixed me his special tuna casserole with potato chip topping, the only thing he knew how to cook, and my stomach was doing flip flops.  Back in those days I was a tiny little thing and could fill up on a bite so that was my excuse for not eating much.  Eventually, I told him the truth and he never fixed me another tuna casserole again.  Yea!  He loves the stuff, but I just can't make it for him. 

As the hubby and I were eating lunch with our little guy, we happened to say something about 'tuna fish' sandwiches.  Tuna is fish?!?  His little lip curled and his nose wrinkled, his eyes cut up and to the left.  He was in deep thought about it, but he must have rectified eating fish because he kept on eating.  And today was the day he learned that tuna was in actuality, fish.

I love you guys.  One day at a time.......       

Cheez-It

Do you have a favorite comfort food or snack?  If you know me, you know that mine is my (that word will be explained later) Cheez-Its, but did you know that they are not Cheez-Its. The product is Cheez-It. I found that out tonight when I was double checking whether it was hyphenated or not. Nonetheless I can eat me some Cheez-Its and that means a lot more than one little cracker.  And don't try to tell me those other brands are just as good.  No way man!  And get the original flavor. 

A box of these salty cheesy tidbits has gone with me on every vacation as far back as I remember. If we went to Dallas, a box of Cheez-It was in the car.  If we went to Tulsa for a couple of days, a box was in the car.  We have even stopped at the nearest Cheez-It mart if I had failed to buy a box before we left.  If we flew for a trip, we rented a car and stopped at the nearest convenience store to load up on junk food. You never know when you will be stranded out in the middle of nowhere. Better get the Cheez-It.  One should never be without them. 

When we went to Hawaii in 1973, I went to the drug store next door to our hotel and bought a box for my lunch while the hubby was at work.  I ate Cheez-It's and an avocado every day for lunch - you don't to know about the avocados.

They have gone with me when I went TDY - ask my TDY partners.  I stayed near LAX at the Embassy Suites many times.  Lucky for me, there was a little convenience store out the back door of the hotel and across the street. I would risk my life by running across the street for a box of crackers.  There is nothing better after a long day in meetings than a hot bath, relaxing on those wonderful fluffy white linens with a good paperback, the remote control in hand, a Coke over the clear hotel ice, and Cheez-It - you gotta a meal!  A picnic in bed!  Who needs to eat out?   I would dearly love to be that relaxed right now.          

I have been having my comfort food a lot this week which brings up a little memory.  Years ago when my first great nieces were about 3 or 4, we were all at mom's house.  Snacks were all about, and I had my box of Cheez-It.  Those little grub hounds wanted my Cheez-Its.  I shared some, but they kept coming back, wanting more of my Cheez-Its.  There were other snacks so why did they want my Cheez-Its?  I had to do something about this!  I put the box behind my back.  When they came begging for my Cheez-Its, I turned them on to some other snack.  My sisters saw this and gave me grief for hiding my Cheez-Its from those sweet little girls.  To this day every time they see me with a box, they tease me about hiding them from the kids.  Better ask permission before reaching into my Cheez-It box. 

By the way, throwing away the box before I have poured all the salty bits into my mouth is cause for a lot of drama at my house.  I will be the judge of when the box is empty.  

I love you all.         

Smiling

Tonight I want to share a few things with you that just made me smile this week.

1.  The strength of my son - he has handled a lot lately and is always been so kind.
2.  My son's sweet fiancee - she is so strong, too.  I love having her in our family.
3.  My daughter's faith - she came to her mom's emotional rescue this week.
4.  My son-in-law's thoughtfulness.
5.  Last night hubby and I went to a catfish buffet.  At the next table I noticed an elderly man (he was my age - oh no!) at the table waiting on someone.  Shortly, his wife joined him.  The man rose and walked around to pull out her chair.  Chivalry is not dead!  I smiled.
6.  My sweet niece who texts me daily - they make me smile.  Those texts mean more to me than she or her mom know.
7.  Ceramic birds I found at Toni's Tree Farm - so glad that it is now open.  I smile every time I look over at them.
8.  All the Bradford pear trees in bloom.
9.  A joke someone sent me in an email - I laughed out loud.
10.  A sweet little 12 year old girl who was so polite to us tonight while looking at computers - so much different than the 12 year old boy at Best Buy.  She renewed my faith in the younger generation.
11.  Facetime with my sick grandchild - How could I not smile?
12.  I smiled when my other grandchild invited me to his house because he hadn't seen me in a long, long, long time (7 days).

It has been a very bad couple of weeks and I have done my fair share of crying.  Reading my Bible and praying has helped as well as the prayers and support of many dear friends and family and those around the world who are praying.  They keep smiling.  

Later this week I hope to share some fun things about a huge anniversary coming up.

I love you all.