Another Perfectly Boring Saturday Evening

Good Saturday evening everyone.  I have so much news, but I will go into all that in another post.  Tonight, after a perfectly wonderful week welcoming a perfectly wonderful new granddaughter, we are home enjoying what some might consider a boring Saturday night.  We are watching The Lawrence Welk Show.  Yes, that shows our age. 


I have written about my memories of this show before.  For many years I didn't have warm memories of this show and never wanted to watch it again.  Mom and Dad would grocery stop on Saturday nights and often (even most of the time) we kids would stay with Grandma and Grandpa Dawkins.  I am sure Mom and Dad wanted (needed) a night out without five children.  Now I loved my grandparents dearly, two of my favorite people in the whole world, but I had visions of my parents  going to Hamburger King and staying home meant I wasn't getting to eat out, too.  If you know me, then you know my love of hamburgers.


But tonight, I am watching the show with a different perspective.  Back when the Welk show was on in prime time it was definitely a gentler time.  It was a beautiful show in every way.  The music was always light and uplifting.  No rap with bad lyrics, nobody was scantily dressed and there was nothing for which you had to send your children to the other room.  The clothes worn on the show were just stunning; the colors -- bright and cheerful.  The entertainers, whether dancers, singers, or musicians, were always dressed to the hilt.  Their hair was coiffed in elaborate styles, but very becoming.  Nobody looked or acted like they were drunk or stoned.  It was a very pretty show.


Tonight when the camera scanned the audience, I really get nostalgic for those people.....for those are the people of my past.  I see my aunts and uncles, my grandparents.  I see the clothes they wore.  I see my grandmothers' eyeglasses.  The hairdos were much as I remember in the late 60s and 70s.  Yes, those people are my relatives............ 


What tugs at my hearts, though, are the smiles.  The smiles of the people watching a totally entertaining show; the smiles of the audience who are dressed in their own personal finest.  There was not one bit of worry when they left the house that they would encounter language inappropriate for their youngest grandchild or their 90 year-old mother.  These days you cannot even take you grandchild to Target without worry that they will hear several inappropriate words even from children in the toy aisle. 


So..........we are enjoying another perfectly boring Saturday evening.


I love you.


Next week, expect to be bombed with baby pictures.








 








 

Happy St. Paddy's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone.


Green day.  I put on my green earrings this morning, not that anyone would pinch me if I didn't have on green.  It is just the hubby and me and he is going out to have lunch with old engineers later.  Who knew that engineers have a patron saint?  And you guessed it, St. Patrick. 


One of my favorite scents is lavender.  You'd think it would be growing all over these five acres.  NO!  I planted several plants last summer so we will see whether they made it through our particularly cold winter.  Anyway, this morning as my ode to Ireland, I used my lavender soap and my lavender body scrub.  That and my earrings are about as close as I come to actually celebrating the Irish holiday.  No Corned Beef and Cabbage and no green beer. 


So {glasses raised} Happy St. Paddy's Day my friends.  I hope your day is full of Irish Blessings. 

I love you guys.

My Dear Work Friends

Good morning everyone.  The weatherman promised us rain, but none yet I am sad to report.  Oh, we need rain; let's pray that we don't have another long, hot, dry summer.


If you are retired, do you ever miss your work friends?  There are some days, I really, really miss my work friends.  Yesterday was such a day.  It all started when I dropped off something to my dear friend who happened to be having lunch with the office, my old office.  I knew that she was having lunch with them, but I didn't expect the feelings I felt when I left.  I had that old lump in my throat like I was missing something.


I was missing something alright and that something was my friends.  It was wonderful seeing them, but at the same time, it was terrible.  I was now an outsider.  In the old days, I would have been right in the middle, right in the thick of things.  We'd be exchanging tidbits of information that is only given out to the "group". 


I could not stay and visit with my friends, 1) because I had errands to run and another friend waiting in the car, and 2) because they were leaving the restaurant.  But I wanted to just pull up a chair and chat with everyone; chat while everyone was relaxed and not at their desks with phones ringing and emails popping up.......or do they just text these days.


Do I want to go back to work?  Not really, but I sure miss those lunches and I sure miss my Dear Work Friends!


I love my friends.

Restaurants, Come and Gone

Good Morning Family and Friends.  What a day it is going to be.


A few days ago I wrote about some of the now defunct restaurants we used to haunt that hold fond memories for me.  Here's just a few memories. 


Der Dutchman's hush puppies and peel and eat shrimp they served on Monday's.  Everyone loved Der Dutchman when they were new to OKC.  One was located by Founder's Tower and if that rings a bell then we are of the same generation.  It also might be the restaurant where my sister went in the men's restroom and accused my brother-in-law (who was also in there) of being in the women's. 


Casa Bonita's buffet with the little flag.  Remember the one on NW 39th?  Fun times and good food.  You raised the little flag if you wanted another enchilada, taco, etc.  I wonder if that has any relation to Oklahomans being overweight....




Tony's Via Roma's lasagna and veal parmigiana............and ooh their appetizers, especially the fried eggplant, fried ravioli, and fried zucchini.  This restaurant was one of our absolute favorites; heavy red velvet drapes to divide the more intimate tables.  Wonderful food, white table clothes, candles burning in Chianti bottles.  This is also the restaurant where my little 9 month old daughter threw her first fit.  We had her and her 3 year old brother dressed to the nines, ready to enjoy our meal.  We had just placed our order when our baby decided she would throw a fit, crying without ceasing.  Our happy outing ended quit abruptly.  Hubby took her to the car, brought her back in when she calmed down, but it started all over again.  Then it was my turn in the car.  Hubby finished his meal alone.


Glen's Hik-ry Inn - EVERYTHING!  I will start with a fillet mignon, a lobster tail, and sautéed chicken livers...........their house dressing.  As they seated you, they'd bring a small tray of celery, carrots, and olives.  A few years after we married, we were at Glen's having a special meal for a special occasion, rarely done since we were now watching our budget.  In drives the Prague High School band bus and a bus load of kids came storming in.  Katrina was there.  When did Prague High School buses start stopping at upscale restaurants?  Dairy Queen was always the best we could do back in my day.




Underwood's barbeque beef sandwich with their sauce.  The last one we remember was in Norman--a buffet line, but good sandwiches.



Lum's ham sandwich.  Now this brings back lots of memories for it was a favorite of the Tinker crowd, especially my friends.  You'd walk in the door and right in front would be a ham and a roast beef on a spit.  Best ham in OKC.  This was located at the SE corner of 15th and Midwest Blvd (before Girlie Pancake House moved there).




Girlie Pancake House's breakfast.  The one we most often frequented was on 29th Street.  Great breakfast place.  Each table had a tray of 8 or 9 different syrups; butter pecan, strawberry, blueberry, etc.



Kip's Big Boy Special, a salad, fries, and their three-bun burger with thousand island dressing.  This was located at the NW corner of 15th and Air Depot next to the theater.  It was a fun place and always reminded me of being on a vacation.




Sirloin Stockade's (circa 1968) sirloin steak.  Another Tinker favorite and where I learned to love a more rare steak...........up until then, I was a "well done" gal.






El Chico's (in Shephard Mall) nachos.  The first time I ever ordered Nachos was at this restaurant...a couple layers of tortilla chips piled high with melted cheddar cheese.  On the top of each chip and cheese was a slice of jalapeno baked right in.  When I order nachos today, the jalapenos have been put on after the nachos come out of the oven.




The Captain's Table view and lobster.  This is the restaurant where we went for lobster; always my favorite.  The restaurant was on the 6th floor, pretty view.  We took my teenage sister her and she told us it was ok, but she'd just as soon be at the McDonald's she saw below.  No accounting for teenage taste.





Shakey's Pizza - the fun.   Live entertainment right there in Del City.




Godfather's pizza.  I have a nice memory of my family and my brother's family eating there....good pizza too, thick and gooey.




Zamudio's cheese enchiladas with chili.  I have so many fond memories of this place.  This is where the Tinker girls took me for my 21st birthday.  Oh how they embarrassed me by making me open embarrassing presents right in front of the other diners.  The food was good, but that memory, and many others, was better. 



Chez Vernon - the best OKC had to offer.  This was located on Classen Blvd somewhere around 15th or maybe it was 23rd.  The building is still there, but the restaurant is long gone.  The menu was on a small blackboard.  I remember there was a full table setting, even spoons at the top of the plate.  I always heard you use the utensils on the outside first, so that is what I did.  It all worked out.  I remember having chocolate mousse for dessert.




Rose's in Midwest City - the best rolls in town.  I could talk for an hour about this place.  Many, many snippets of memories.  It was next to the tire store at 15th and Midwest Blvd.  Another Tinker lunch place.  There was a shortcut to the back door so we'd park in back.  They had lunch plates and always had the best hot roles in town (outside the Tinker cafeteria which were better than all the rest).




Piccadilly's gumbo.  This was in Heritage Park Mall if I have the name correctly.  The best place in town for gumbo....we were limited.



Across the Street's Spaghetti Red.  I think this restaurant was where Checker's is now if memory serves.  I remember having the chili over the spaghetti a lot.




Dairy Mart's fried apricot pies on Thursday.  Now this goes way back.........to my high school days.  My parents told me I could eat out for lunch as long as I had money to pay for it, but they were only going to give me what it costs at the cafeteria, $1.25 a week, a quarter a week.  I could usually come up with a few extra cents a week, but more often than that I could eat for $1.25 a week; 5 days.  On Thursday's, the Lion's Club had their lunch at the Dairy Mart, and that was the day Dairy Mart made fried pies.  I don't remember the exact cost, but I would get a fried pie and ice cream-LUNCH! 



Dairy Boat's Frito chili pies in a bag.  And lime ice!!!!!!!!!!!!  One of the ways I was able to scrounge enough money for the week was Dairy Boat's Frito Chili Pies; a bag of Fritos slit open, chili and cheese over the chips - 15 cents!!!  Those were the days.  Remember the Lime Ice?  Crushed ice with lime juice and salt.  We loved them!


Just a few memories of restaurants that have come and sadly, gone.  Hope you enjoyed reminiscing with me. 


I love you.

The Calm Before the Storm

Well, here it is, 7:21 p.m.  The winds have calmed, the sun is setting, my house is clean, no TV, and it is very quiet.  I have my Pandora radio station tuned to piano solo.  I haven't felt this relaxed in a long, long while.  Very soothing and comforting.  The music reminds me so much of my sisters playing in the evening so long ago. 


This is the quiet before the storm.  Spring break starts tomorrow and my boys will be in and out of our house all week...........no time for soft piano music that's for sure. 


Our lives are sure to change next Thursday.  Nothing will be the same after that day.  Exciting!  Not much longer and dreams become reality.


But for now, tonight, we have the calm before the storm.  Good evening to all. 


I love you.

Now I Want to Read the Book

Yesterday we went to see a movie.  We only go to the theater about 4 or 5 times a year and most of those times we are with the grandchildren.  Since it was our anniversary, I wanted to see something without a message.  I didn't want to feel guilty or remorseful.  I didn't want to be terrified.  I wanted to feel uplifted.  So today, I picked a movie which I thought was going to be a comedy.  Well, I was wrong.  It had some comic spots, but it really was a drama.  Still, I felt uplifted when I walked out.




Even though this wasn't the movie I was expecting, it was probably one of the best movies I have seen in years.  Saving Mr. Banks starring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks.  I won't go into all the particulars just in case you might want to see it.  There are several reasons I enjoyed it; no violence, no bad language, and no sexual overtones.  It was one of those movies where I giggled one moment and cried the next; always the standard by which I judge a movie.




Now I want to read the book, Mary Poppins. 




I love you.   


Little side note:  We went to the matinee, 2:15 p.m. movie.  I love movie theater popcorn.  Since we were basically the only people in the place (to be honest there were two others), I asked the girl behind the concession stand if the popcorn was fresh.  She said not really but was willing to make me some and it would only take a minute.  She and I are now best friends!!!!  She held the bag so that the popcorn fell directly into the bag.  You can't beat freshness like that.  I will say it again, She and I are now best friends!!!!  This little act of kindness made my day.  We always talk about the guy who cut us off or the woman who took that coveted parking spot or the girl who short changed us at the restaurant, but we seldom say anything about or to the person who gave excellent service.  She and I are now best friends!!!!

42 Years

Tonight we had a nice seafood dinner to celebrate 42 years together.  42 years ago we had bologna and bread for supper at 11:30 from a convenience store which was the only thing open; we were hungry.  Thankfully, we didn’t have to eat bologna sandwiches tonight.

 

 

Back in 2012, I wrote 40 things about my husband, me, and/or our married life.  Rather than try to come up with 42 new things about us, I am just reposting what I wrote a couple of years ago.  I will add a couple of new things and I may add a new comment here and there.  42 Years!


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!  I have a cute picture of me in this car when I was 8 months pregnant.  I will post that one of these days.

2.  OETA - Watch this channel a lot.  We are so boring!!  (Still watching our many favorites there; Downton Abby, Mr. Selfridge, Doc Martin, etc.)

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.  42 and counting...............

5.  Vacations - We love a driving vacation not knowing exactly where we will be each night.  We usually have a destination in mind, but the route may change by the hour. 

6.  Tinker AFB - Allowed us to give our children the life they became accustomed to.  People often knock their jobs, even I have.  All in all, Tinker was the best thing that happened to either one of us.

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.   (Since this was written, we have lost more family members.  The pain of those losses is still very great.)

 

 

I love this photo.  It looks like we are all three a little stunned.  I guess we were.  We went from the saddest time of our lives only the day before and here we are trying to make merry.  I remember it being challenging, but not nearly for me as it was for Daddy and Momma.  All these years later, I don’t know how they did it. 

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.  (We have had a couple of changes in the last two years.  We added a sunroom and have opened up the wall between the dining room and living room.)

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, in our old house.  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 mercurochrome.

14.  Grandchildren - Two little boys are our life.  (Now they are 6 and 9, and soon they will have a little sister if the ultrasounds were correct.)

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.  (Two years later and we are still having our oatmeal in those same chairs.  What do they say about old habits????)

23.  Air gun Shows - Hubby's hobby for the last 10 or 15 years.  He has a table and brings all these antique and hobby air guns and BB guns to the Arkansas Air gun 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.....  (Since I wrote this, we bought a regular mattress.)

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 duplex 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.  (I bought new shoes.............but still haven't walked............I feel ashamed about that.)

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 Niagara 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.  (Sadly, our little Nikki died 6 months ago.)

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 Shepherd 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 was 23 when I married and weighed 110 pounds.  He was 30 and weighed 130 pounds.  Needless to say we have gained a little weight.


41.  Neither of us has ever had a speeding ticket.

40 (NOW 42).  I have thought and thought about what to end these 40/42 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, (and now the death of our brother-in-law and Johnny's sister) but also a bonding time.  I think for number 40/42 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 40/42 years and we love you.

AND HERE WE GO!

Daylight Savings Time

Well, it happened.  We changed the time again and I have the same old problem; what was the time yesterday?  For some reason (and I know it is going to happen year after year after year), I cannot get it straight.  Was it 3:45 yesterday or 5:45?  You'd think this would be simple, but not for me.  It is one of those things I will have to live with until the next time change. 


I am tired today and for no good reason.  I got up at the old time, the same time as I have done for the last six months.  Nonetheless I am tired.  So.............I did what I suspect a lot of folks do on a Sunday afternoon, took a nap.  I stretched out in the floor of my still-new-to-me sunroom in what else..........the sun.  I wadded up a comforter and put my head down and the lights were out.  Then I woke up.............I was hot.  Very hot.  But for a while, until I got hot, I was in a cat's heaven; stretched out length-wise basking in the sun.


And here is the problem with this new daylight savings time; I took a nap and was up by 3:30 and it seemed like it was 2:30 (imagine that!).  So what do I do with all this daylight?  Clean the patio?  Already done that.  I am ready to go to bed, but I can't go to bed now.  It is still daylight.   


I need to ponder Daylight Savings Time.  "Johnny, what time was it yesterday at this time?"  "Regina, you ask me this with every time change.  Why don't you just accept it and not question it?"


I love you.

I Might be Starving to Death

There's a good chance I might be starving to death.  Just thought you should know that.  Maybe not actually starving to death, but I sure am hungry.  That egg sandwich for lunch is only going to last so long before my stomach starts growling like a lion.


Of course food is always on my mind especially when I am hungry.  The hubby and I were driving across Oklahoma City this morning and we started discussing (our best discussions come when we are driving--captivated audience) all the great restaurants that have come and gone.  Wouldn't you like to have:


Der Dutchman's hush puppies and peel and eat shrimp they served on Monday's.


Casa Bonita's buffet with the little flag.


Tony's Via Roma's lasagna and veal parmigiana............and ooh their appetizers, especially the fried eggplant, fried ravioli, and fried zucchini. 


Glenn's Hickory Inn - EVERYTHING!  I will start with a fillet mignon, a lobster tail, and sautéed chicken livers...........their house dressing.  As they seated you, they'd bring a small tray of celery, carrots, and olives.


Underwood's barbeque beef sandwich with their sauce.


Lum's ham sandwich.


Girlie Pancake House's breakfast.


Kip's Big Boy Special, a salad, fries, and their three-bun burger with thousand island dressing.


Sirloin Stockade's (circa 1968) sirloin steak.


El Chico's (in Shephard Mall) nachos.


The Captain's Table view and lobster.


Shaky's Pizza - the fun.


Godfather's pizza.


Zamudio's cheese enchiladas with chili.


Chez Vernon - the best OKC had to offer.


Rose's in Midwest City - the best rolls in town.


Piccadilly's gumbo.


Across the Street's Spaghetti Red.


Dairy Mart's fried apricot pies on Thursday.


Dairy Boat's Frito chili pies in a bag.  And lime ice!!!!!!!!!!!!


What I wouldn't give to have these restaurants back for one more meal of some of my favorite dishes.  And wouldn't I just love to experience the very first Mexican food I ever tasted; right down town next to the Civic Center, El Charito's.  They actually had the best hot corn tortillas on earth.  Spread a little butter, let it melt, add a little salsa and salt.  I want that right now!


I have to find something to eat.  I might be starving to death!


I love you.

 (Next week, I will write a little story about each of these restaurant experiences.)

It’s Time for Me to Start Sewing Again

It is time for me to start sewing again.  At Kohl’s this morning, I saw this adorable little coat and dress and it reminded me so much of Mom that I had to take a picture just for my blog.  Mom would have loved this little dress, she’d be sketching in her little notebook.  Look at all the details in this outfit; piping, bows, matching trim around the hem.  She’d sketch this one for sure.

 

Back in the day, the month before Easter was always a busy time for Mom.  She had four little girls to be outfitted for Easter and that meant sewing.  Off to town she would head, looking for inspiration at the local children’s shop…..sketching.  Then she’d be hitting all the fabric stores in town, and most of them had fabric, to find the right fabric (material, as we called it), trim, thread, buttons, patterns, and zippers.  I can still see her pulling out a spool of thread and unwinding just a bit of thread to see how it would blend in with the material.  She’d get home and sew up our little dresses only to find the weather turning very cold on Easter.  Back to Shawnee she’d go to get more material to make us little dusters (spring coats).  Usually she’d make white ones, but once in a while it would be a little coat to match our little dresses.  

It is time for me to start sewing again.  I don’t have to sketch.  I have my cell phone.  I have Pinterest.

One of these days, I will publish an Easter picture of us girls.

 

I love you!

The Oscars

The Oscar goes to......................................Regina for her role as Nana in the "Tucker House".


Just a little fluff this morning because I watched the Oscars last night and am going to talk about it.  Specifically, I am going to talk about all those beautiful evening gowns.  Mostly, the gowns are why I even turn on the show.  I like to see what people are wearing and remember, I am still 12 years old.   


I especially enjoyed seeing the dresses of women of my generation, Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Glenn Close, and Meryl Streep.  What beautiful gowns they all chose, but oddly enough, the one that made the best impression was Bette Midler.  I don't think it was especially 'Oscar' looking as some of the others, but I thought it was most fitting for her personality.  I fantasized what dress I would be wearing if I were in their shoes.  None of their dresses were especially my favorites on the runway, but when Camila Alves stepped out with her man, Matthew McConaughey , I knew I had found my favorite......the one I would have worn, even at my age.  What a beautiful color, her elegance, her posture!  So stately and fitted perfection; her arms were covered...........see, I told you, I could pull that off.  What?!?  That woman is a model?  Are you serious?  Well..............maybe I haven't found MY dress after all.......too bad..........I'll just have to keep looking.  I am sure Versace will be clamoring to dress me.  Not to worry.............


The hubby was not into this show at all and most of the time he was in the other room, but occasionally he'd come through and make some derogatory remark as he'd rummage through the refrigerator.  Despite the fact that he hates award shows, he sat on sat on the couch with me a couple of times.  Once when Kevin Spacey was speaking; we both agreed that he had a wonderful speaking voice.  Another time he was in the room was when Viola Davis spoke.  We agreed that she and Kevin could have presented the whole show.  Both of them made me want to stop looking at Pinterest and listen to what they were saying.


Another thing I noticed is the use of Botox in Hollywood is rampant.  I am sure the cosmeticians had their needles at the ready.  I can't imagine doing that.  Speaking of Botox, I saw Eva Marie Saint on TV yesterday.  She was so beautiful, wrinkles and all, at age 89.  She said her family asked her to never do anything to her face and she promised she never would.  After that interview I have a great deal of respect for her.  I find a woman who can age gracefully, so much more attractive.  Nothing uglier than someone with not a wrinkle in their skin, but with vapid eyes.  Don't do it ladies.


On a totally different note, I saw my boyfriend, Harrison Ford with Calista.  I don't know what he sees in her.  Her -- Me?  You pick.  A new heartthrob of mine, Benedict Cumberbatch, was there as well.  I might, too, have a small crush on Matthew McConaughey.  The verdict is still out on him, but I loved his acceptance speech.  I know what you are saying, "you pick the oddest people", but hey, to each his own.  Somebody gotta love these guys.


That's all I have to say about the Oscars for now.  Hope you enjoyed my little fluff about the Oscars.


I love you.

It was Never About the Cheese

Hi everyone.  I hope you are having fun on this Saturday night, and I hope you are prepared for another round of winter weather tomorrow.  Hey, is it me, or do the rest of you wish that this winter would leave?  I don't want to wear my heavy coat, or any coat for that matter, anymore.


We were at Target yesterday where I saw some Swiss cheese in the refrigerated case and I had one of those moments......transported back in time.  When I was a child, we shopped for groceries at the Humpty Dumpty in Shawnee.  I remember my dad buying a package of white sliced cheese and I am most definitely sure it was NOT Swiss.  Maybe it was white American cheese.  As Daddy loaded the groceries in the car, he grabbed that package of white cheese.  He opened it and we all got a slice.  It was the best cheese I had ever tasted and probably will remain the best cheese I ever taste. 


I have told this little story to my hubby many times.  I have looked for white cheese many times and bought quite a few packages hoping it would be the same as I had that day.  None has ever measured up, nor will they ever.  It was the time, the place, the people, and the memory.......never to be replicated.  It was never about the cheese.

I love you.