Just a Thought

Likely as not, the child you can do the least with will do the most to make you proud!

In this year . . . . 2009

I Wish in 2009 God gives You... 12 Month of Happiness, 52 Weeks of Fun, 365 Days Success, 8760 Hours Good Health, 52600 Minutes Good Luck, 3153600 Seconds of Joy...and that's all

CELEBRATING IN . . . .
GOA
New Year in Goa means partying the whole night, be it on the cool beaches or sailing aboard cruises. One can also choose to witness the celebrations in various hotels and resorts in Goa during the New Year to make your New Year in Goa an event to cherish forever.

USA
Come January 1 and the whole United States will be seen celebrating the New Year with fun and excitement. Americans simply can’t resist celebrating New Year in USA, as for them it’s the time of the year to remember the achievements and make merry. When it comes to celebrating New Year in the United States, it’s no doubt turns into a gala event.

CARIBBEAN
If it’s the sea that fascinates you, then New Year Celebration on Caribbean beach will take you in for surprise. Dance away the night as the clock strikes 12 on the cool and serene Caribbean beaches. You can also immerse yourself in nature’s bounty listening to the soothing melodies played by the piano players in the New Year Parties on the Caribbean beaches.

Who are YOU?

Know who you are, what you are about and what you value.

Strive to continually improve every aspect of your life.

Here's a quiz.

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Think about this.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away."

You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.
1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
5. You mean the world to someone.
6. If not for you, someone may not be living.
7. You are special and unique.
8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.
11. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.
14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

Heading for a New Age

OK, it's almost 2009!
That means: another year older.
That means: I am going to have a teenager granddaughter. OUCH!
That means: I will also have a daughter that is going to reach the grand age of "40". OUCH!

I am going to try and stay UP and cheerful for both of them. Jessica is already saying "3 more years till I can drive." Can't she just be glad to be 13?

I am slowly sneaking up on 60. It shouldn't be so bad! I found that the 50's have been terrific, we have done a lot of traveling, camping and enjoying our life. We have grown to 7 grandchildren, 4 boys and 3 girls. I can just imagine how much more fun we will have in our 60's.

SO WATCH OUT 2009 here we come!

The Twelve Days After Christmas

The first day after Christmas
My true love and I had a fight
And so I chopped the pear tree down
And burnt it, just for spite

Then with a single cartridge
I shot that blasted partridge

My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

The second day after Christmas
I pulled on the old rubber gloves
And very gently wrung the necks
Of both the turtle doves

My true love, my true love, my true love gave to me.

On the third day after Christmas
My mother caught the croup
I had to use the three French hens
To make some chicken soup

The four calling birds were a big mistake
For their language was obscene
The five golden rings were completely fake
and turned my fingers green.

The sixth day after Christmas
The six laying geese wouldn't lay
So I sent the whole darn gaggle to the
A.S.P.C.A.

On the seventh day, what a mess I found
The seven swans-a-swimming all had drowned
(I think there's a "my true love gave to me" in here somewhere)

The eighth day after Christmas
Before they could suspect
I bundled up the
Eight maids-a-milking
Nine ladies dancing
Ten lords-a-leaping
Eleven pipers piping
Twelve drummers drumming - well, actually I kept one of the drummers -
And sent them back collect

I wrote my true love
"We are through, love!"
And I said in so many words
"Furthermore your Christmas gifts were for the
(Soprani) Birds!"

(Everyone else) Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS

It has been a GOOD Christmas! A little lonely when I stop and think about not being with Bob for the holiday. Him being on the nbeach. NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS! But he is in Dui on the Arabian Ocean. He says he feels like Indiana Jones. He will be back online really soon.

I fixed and had lunch with my parents. It was a very simple meal of Turkey and some of the fixin's. But it tasted good and dad said it was good that we were together.

I went by my daughters and saw all the Christmas presents that Santa brought them for Christmas. Also got to see her new puppy. Check out this 1 1/2 pound little darling Bella

Then I went by my middle daughters and we had a new traditional Christmas Lasagna dinner. I got to check out Cade's presents from Santa Claus.

I have to say that Santa was good to my grandbabies again this year.

Christmas Eve

Well, it's finally here! Sun is shining here. Worked till noon and then headed to mom and dads. Arrived about 1:30pm and they were off to water walk.

I got online and decided that I am going to spend the evening TRACKING SANTA. This should be fun. Why not join me.

ElfYourself

I think that everyone will enjoy this.
From Bob and Kathi - CLICK HERE.

Merry Chirstmas

Better World!

You make the world a better place by making yourself a better person

Christmas Tree

Christmas trees have been associated far back as The Dreams of Joseph a Biblical story. However, there has historically been opposition to the custom of the Christmas tree because of its pagan origins. Thus, Oliver Cromwell preached against "the heathen traditions" of Christmas carols and decorated trees. As pastor Henry Schwan of Cleveland, Ohio, decorated in 1851 what was likely the first Christmas tree in an American church, his parishioners condemned the idea as a pagan practice.

Friday before Christmas

As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same.

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.

Winter Wonderland

Ice isn't over in Enid! As I was driving North to my parents I crossed Highway 51 at Hennessey. It was like driving into the picture below. Everything was covered with snow and ice. The road was clear and dry, but all of the trees look like the trees in my daughters yard. It stayed that way all day. It never got above freezing. The sun never came out.

We took Dad to his doctor appointment. He is doing great. They have an new Golden Chick in town, so we picked up some chicken strips for dinner. After we ate I asked dad if I could borrow his car to go to Garber for the grandkids Christmas program. He said "Sure, but you have to take your mom!". What is borrowing your parents car, if you have to take your mom! LOL

So mom and I started out in freezing temperature and a 30 minute car ride to the small town of Garber. The kids were all dressed up and looked great! They are growing up so fast. Jessica is looking like a model. Jake is getting so tall and handsome. Josh is going to be a ladies man. He will have a string of girls after him. AND then there is Jenni, she is so precious, she is so funny and so very smart. Watch out for that one!

The program was really cute, then we made it home just fine1

Ice is finally over!

The weather is supposed to get above freezing today. So maybe it will melt some ice off the trees.

Doesn't that look COLD? This is a picture my daughter took out in front of her home. I ventured out myself. My mother and I rolled over a pickup on the ice when I was about 10 and I have never liked the ice. So it was a real adventure for me to go 2 blocks to Blockbuster and get the movie that just came out "Mama Mia". So I spent the rest of the day watching movies. OH YA! I did some work too.

Olive

How come you never hear anything about the 10th reindeer "Olive" ?

Olive ?

Yeah, you know, "Olive the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names"

The Yule Log

The burning yule log is symbolic of the light that will return after the dark days of early winter and gives us an excuse to gather with family and friends before a roaring fire.

Little Known Christmas Facts

Saint Nicholas of Myra, the original Santa Claus, was the patron saint of children, thieves and pawnbrokers.

Based on previous surveys, 17 percent of you will embarrass yourselves in some way at your office Christmas party.

A Mongolian wild ass can run 8 mph faster than a reindeer.

It's Donder, not Donner.

Christmas pudding should be stirred from east to west.

56 percent of Americans sing holiday carols to their pets.

53 percent of Americans plan to "re-gift" this year.

The average American takes six months to pay off holiday credit-card bills.

1 in 3 men will wait until Christmas Eve to finish their shopping.

1 in 6 men would like to get rid of all the "gift-giving nonsense."

A traditional Christmas dinner in early England was the head of a pig prepared with mustard.

On Christmas Eve in 2001, the Bethlehem Hotel had 208 of its 210 rooms free.

It's "God rest ye merry, gentlemen," not "God rest ye, merry gentlemen."

There are 1.76 billion candy canes produced every year.

December is the most popular month for nose jobs.

Average wage of a mall Santa: $11 an hour. With real beard: $20.

Pogonophobia: the fear of beards.

There are currently 78 people named S. Claus living in the U.S. -- and one
Kriss Kringle.

Kris Kringel, a man in his 40s, lives in North Pole, Alaska, and delivers pizzas for a living. He drives a 1984 Ford Tempo.

Weight of Santa's sleigh loaded with one Beanie Baby for every kid on
earth: 333,333 tons.

Number of reindeer required to pull a 333,333-ton sleigh: 214,206 --
plus Rudolph.

Based on a 1999 estimated population count of North America and Europe, on Christmas Eve of that year Santa Claus had to visit 42,466,666 homes in a 12-hour period -- that's 983 homes per second.

A Preemie Deer

If this doesn't make you go aaaawwww, nothing will.
Baby Deer

CHRISTMAS CAKE RECIPE

You'll need the following:

1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
4 large brown eggs
2 cups of dried fruit
1 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of brown sugar
Lemon juice
Nuts
1 bottle of whisky

Sample the whisky to check for quality. Take a large bowl. Check the whisky again. To be sure it's the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer, beat one cup of butterin a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar and beat again. Make sure the whisky is still OK. Cry another tup. Tune up the mixer. Beat two leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Mix on the turner. If the fired druit gets stuck in the beaterers, pry it goose with a drewscriver. Sample the whisky to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Who cares?

Check the whisky. Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Spoon the sugar or something. Whatever you can find. Grease the oven. Turn the cake tin to 350 degrees. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Throw the bowl out of the window. Check the whisky again and go to bed.

Santa Claus has the right idea

Visit people once a year.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, Redneck Style

On the 12 days of Christmas, my true love gave to me
12 pack of Bud
11 rasslin' tickets
10 tins of Copenhagen
9 years probation
8 table dancers
7 packs of Red Man
6 cans of Spam
5 flannel shirts
4 big mud tires
3 shotgun shells
2 huntin' dawgs
and some parts to a Mustang GT.

12 Days Of Christmas - Bayou Style

Day 1 Dear Boudreaux, Thanks for de bird in de Pear tree. I fix it las' night with dirty rice. I doan tink de pear tree will grow in the swamp, so I swap it for a Satsuma.

Day 2 Dear Boudreaux, You letter say you sent two turtle doves, but all I got was two scrawny pigeons. Anyway, I mixed dem with andouille an made some gumbo out of dem.

Day 3 Dear Boudreaux, Why doan you sent some crawfish? I'm tired of eating dem darn birds. I gave two of dose prissy French chickens to Marie Trahan over at Grans Bayou an fed the tird one to my dog, Phideaux. Marie needed some sparring partners for her fighting rooster.

Day 4 Dear Boudreaux, Mon Dieux! I tol you no more dem darn birds. Deez four, what you call dem "calling birds" were so noisy you could hear dem all de way to Napoleonville. I used dere necks for my crab traps, an fed de rest of dem to de gators.

Day 5 Dear Boudreaux, You finally sent somethin useful. I like dem golden rings. I hocked dem at da pawn shop in Thibodeaux and got enuf money to fix da shaft on my shrimp boat an buy a round for da boys at de Raisin' Cane Lounge. Merci Beaucoup!

Day 6 Dear Boudreaux, Couchon! Back to da birds, you coonass turkey! Poor egg suckin' Phideaux is scared to death at dem six geeses. He tried to eat dems eggs and dey peck de heck out ah his snout. Dey good at eating cockroaches, though. I may stuff one of dem wit erster dressing on Christmas day.

Day 7 Dear Boudreaux, I'm gonna wring your fool neck next time I see you. Thibideaux, da mailman, is ready to kill ya. The merde from all dem birds is stinkin' up his mailboat. He afraid someone will slip on dat stuff and sue him good. I let those seven swans loose to swim on de bayou and some duck hunters from Texas blasted dem out of de water. Talk to you tomorrow.

Day 8 Dear Boudreaux, Poor ole Thibeau, he had to make tree trips on his mail-boat to deliver dem 8 maids a milkin and their cows. One of dem cows got spooked by da alligators and almost tipped over da boat. I doan like dem shiftless maids, me no. I tolt dem to get to work guttin fish and sweeping the shack but dey say it wasn't in dair contract. Dey probably think they to good ta skin nutrias I caught las night too.

Day 9 Dear Boudreaux, What you trying to did Huh? Thibideaux had to borrow the Lutcher ferry to carry dem jumpin twits you call Lords-a-Leaping across the bayou. As soon as dey gots here dey wanted a tea break with crumpets. I doan know what dat means but I says, "Well, La Di Da. You get Chicory coffee or nuttin." Mon Dieu, Emile. What I'm gonna feed all dese bozos? Dey too snooty for fried nutria, and de cows done eat my turnip greens.

Day 10 Dear Boudreaux, You got to be outs you mind! If de mailman don't kill you, I will for sure. Today he deliver 10 floozies from Bourbon Street. Dey said dey be "Ladies Dancin" but dey doan act like ladies even aroun dose Limey twits. Dey almos left after one of dem got bit by a water moccasin over by da out-house. I had to butcher 2 cows to feed toute le monde an get toilet paper. The Sears catalog wasn't good enuf fer dose hoity toity lord's royal behin.

Day 11 Dear Boudreaux, Where Y'at. Cheerio an pip pip. Your 11 pipers piping arrives today from the House of Blues, second lining as dey got off de boat. We fixed stuffed goose and beef jambalaya, finished da whiskey and we having a fais-do-do. Da new mailman he drink a bottle of Jack Daniel an he having a good time yeah dancing with de floozies. Thibeau he jump off de Sunshine Bridge yesterday, screaming your name. If you get a mysterious, ticking package in de mail, doan open it man.

Day 12 Dear Boudreaux, I sorry to tell ya but I not your true love anymore, no. After da fais-do-do, I spent sum time with Jacque, de head piper. We decide to open a restaurant and club on de bayou. The floozies, pardon me, Ladies dancing, can make $20 for to dance der, and de lords can be waiters an valet park de boats. Since de maids have no more cows ta milk, I trained dem ta set my crab traps, watch my trotlines, an run my shrimping business. We will probably gross a million clams nex year.

Learned Something NEW

Today I learned how to tell what side of your car that the gas tank is on. You know when you pull up to the gas pump and you are not sure what side the gas cap is on to fill your car.

Look down at your dashboard. Do you see a little symbol that looks like a gas pump? If you look and see what side the gas nozzle is on, that is the side of the car that you will need to have next to the pump.

Isn't that clever!

==== Another Road Tip ====
On our trip to Memphis, Scott (a former truck driver) told us if you look at the top of the exit road signs, there is always an exit number on the top of each sign. If you will notice that the number will be on the top right side of the sign if it is a "RIGHT EXIT" and the number will be on the top left side of the sign if it is a "LEFT EXIT". Now isn't that something else that can come in really handy!

Enough education for one day!

Why Women Would Love To Be Santa Claus

1. You'd never be expected to make the coffee.
2. There'd be no more early morning decisions about what to wear to the office.
3. You could grow a gut the size of Guam and consider it a job requirement.
4. Buy one big black belt and you'd be accessorized for life.
5. There'd be no reason to have your colors done.
6. Everyone would be extremely nice to you, even if you weren't.
7. Should people suggest your belly jiggled...when you laughed...like a bowlful of jelly, you could hit them with your purse.
8. You'd always work in sensible footwear.
9. There'd be no need to play office politics; a hearty ho-ho-ho would remind everyone who's boss.
10. You wouldn't need to buy an expensive briefcase.
11. No one would dare ask for a ride to work.
12. You'd never again have to wear pantyhose or worry about your slip showing.
13. No more trips to the vending machine...you'd just snack on milk and cookies all day (FOR FREE!).
14. You'd never be asked to take an early retirement package.
15. Juggling work and family would be a breeze because your children would adore you; even your teen-agers would want to sit in your lap.
16. You'd be guaranteed the best chair in the office.
17. Age discrimination wouldn't be an issue.
18. You'd never grab the wrong coat on your way out the door.
19. No one would ask to see your job description.

Scentsy - Their candles are matchless

My daughter has signed up to sell Scentsy! Yes, it's an annoying Home Marketing scheme, but she really does like their products. Kimi's Scentsy Page


She delivered mine this morning. I got a plugIn and "Sweet Indulgence" scentsy bar to melt in the plugIn.

Scentsy Story
Scentsy “Makes Perfect Scents”. We are pioneering the move away from the smoky, sooty candles of today to safe, healthy, fun and creative ways to bring the scents that make us happy into our lives. We offer over 80 high quality fragrances delivered in a variety of ways. Our flagship product is the Authentic Scentsy Bar, an impressively fragrant wickless candle bar that is warmed in a warmer rather than burned with a flame.

I also bought a warmer that plugs into the wall with a cord and "Mulberry Apple Masala" scentsy bar to melt in the top..

I put the warmer on my desk and it smells so good. It really made the office smell TERRIFIC.

ICE and SNOW

It's cold and snow is headed our way. I went to bank and stopped and got a couple of movies. I am going to grab a blanket and try and stay warm. I just hope that the electric doesn't go off. Then it will be more blankets and a book.

Sunday PM

Got dad home. He is not sure he was ready, he felt pretty weak, but he was really glad to be home. He was lost from the time that I picked him up from the hospital till I reached the entrance to their condo. I went to pick up their prescriptions while they had some alone time. I also went to grocery store. I probably bought more groceries than they would have bought in a month. But I got a really good Black Angus steak. Got some fresh green beans and fixed a salad. It was just might taste.

I put up the Christmas tree after dinner and then Chuck brought them a new scale. Dad is supposed to watch his weight. If it goes up mora than 3 pounds in one day he is supposed to call the doctor. Heart failure. Kidneys are working overtime getting rid of the extra fluid.

Christmas carols are playing on the CD player. Bob texted and said that he had made it to Ahmedabad. Slept most of the way. He had no toilet paper, no paper towels, no Dr. Pepper NOTHING. I will talk with him when he gets up tomorrow. Wish that I was with him, but I feel pretty needed right here at this time.

Sunday AM

Dad is doing great. He just got out of the shower and is again asleep in bed. His organs are just wearing out. He just can't give up. Mom is crying because she is worried about dad and afraid that he will give up. Mom is also getting so frail. She just doesn't know what she is going to do with all this stuff. I keep telling her the stuff doesn't matter. She is so close to giving up. It makes you realize how awful it is to get old. Not healthy enough to get out and enjoy life. Mom's knee's keep her from walking. Dad's legs and feets hurt, he has to keep them up. So they just sit at home and wait for company. Which doesn't come very often. They are always so very glad to see you when you finally show up.

Yesterday the doctors came in and mom and dad just can't hear or understand what is going on with dad. His fluid is building up around his heart, his kidney functions are down, has spots on his liver. He wasn't taking his lasix. Now his levels went up that showed he had heart failure. Is it due to the fluid from not taking his lasix or is it he had heart failure and the fuild started building up faster. You can't drain the fluid off too fast, because the body will react and speed up the fluid. So he will be in the hospital until Monday. He's not liking that much.

I am glad that I am spending this time with them. They have been such good parents and gave me a very good life. I want to be here for them like they were here for me as I was growing up. It's tough turning around and becoming the parent to your parents.

India will just have to wait for me another month.

Friday

Seems like time is flying by. Lots to do.

COLD

It's COLD in Oklahoma. I had to get out my winter coat.

Went to see Cade last night. He kept saying "Don't GO" Now I thought that was a pretty dirty thing to do.

I enjoy traveling and being with my husband. I am looking forward to living in our bungalow. But the bombing and terrorist in Mumbai makes it really hard to not be just a little nervous about the trip.

We mailed two packages and one has already arrived.

We are going to see grandkids, daughter and parents today. Going NORTH so it should be alot colder.

Memphis Weekend

We took off Friday for Memphis. We picked up the RV loaded it up and met Scott and Ginny is Fort Smith AR. We then fixed a sandwich in the RV on the road. Then we arrived in Tunica MS at 10pm. Got the trailor parked in the Sam's Town RV lot and we headed to the casino. It was a big WINNER night. I came out with $50 ahead and Ginny had a few toooo many drinks and went back to the trailor, so she only lost $20, but Scott made up for her loss. Bob didn't do so good, but nothing that would break our bank for the weekend.

Next morning we went to Paula Deans Buffet at Harrah's. It was fabulous! Then off to Memphis to get the HAT that the trip was for. We found the Mississippi River RV park for the RV. It was 1.2 miles from BEALE street. Not really much of a RV park, but the lady that ran the park was well worth the parking spot. She drove us down to the HAT store. Bob bought 2 hats, because he left his old hat there to be cleaned and they are going to ship it to us. Then the RV hostess drove us to the car rental place to rent a car.

We made it to the Peabody Hotel, just in time to see the DUCKs walk up to the elevator and up to the roof. Andrew (7) really enjoyed that. We then went to Jillian's restaurant for dinner and the football game. Preston got a good deal on a couple of Abercrombie & Fitch shirts. We are not sure just how they were purchased before they were offered to Preston, but it was a really good deal.

At half time of the OU game, Scott and Bob moved to a bar on Beale street. Ginny and I walked up and down Beale street with the boys. Then we met up with Bob and Scott again.

Sunday we went to Ihop and had breakfast. We took Scott, Ginny, Preston and Andrew to Graceland. Bob and I went to Walmart and bought stuff to prepare breakfast Monday morning, then drove around trying to find Corky's Barbeque. After we picked them up at Graceland we went back to Beale street and then to Corky's for the best BBQ I have ever eaten. Then the banana pudding was SOOOO good. We went back to the trailor and decided to stay in and watch movies. We had been out having so much fun we were all ready for a night of quiet.

Monday morning we fixed: Bacon, sausage, pancakes and eggs for breakfast, then we went to purchase a gift for the RV hostess for driving us around. We then went back to Beale street to go into J Swabs. The best store in Memphis.

We pulled out of the trailor park about 1 pm and took the rental car back and got on the road for home. The boys slept most of the way. We dropped them off in Fort Smith at their car and we got coffee and headed home.

Arriving about 12:30am we unpacked the trailor and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow and I did not want to get up this morning.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Hope that everybody eats alot of TURKEY and pumpkin pie!

From our family to yours!

Thanksgiving Worries

I am not worried about HEIGHTS!
I am worried about WIDTHS!

Here are some: Thanksgiving Disaster and Savers

It may be a little late for most of the steps of:
Thanksgiving Planner, but it might help these last couple of days.

Sherry's Turkey Recipe

You have got to put Sherry's turkey recipe on your Thanksgiving menu.

Turkey w/ Popcorn Dressing

2 weeks and we will be back in Ahmedabad, India.

Turkey Roasting 101

You will need to plan ahead if buying a frozen Turkey: it can be catastrophic to find that the only turkey available for your intimate four-person dinner is a 26-pound glacial beast.

A frozen turkey needs to be defrosted. The preferred method is to defrost it in the refrigerator. (Yes, the one filled with the rest of the holiday fare.) Allow one day per 5 pounds. A 15-pound turkey will require three days to defrost thoroughly.

To prepare the turkey for roasting, first remove the giblets! Not only is it disconcerting to find these paper-wrapped lumps when carving the bird, but you may also wish to use the giblets in your gravy or stuffing. Next, rinse the bird inside and out. Pat dry with paper towels. If you are stuffing the bird, stuff it loosely, allowing about ½ to ¾ cup stuffing per pound of turkey. Brush the skin with melted butter or oil. Tie drumbsticks together with string. Lastly, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The thermometer should point towards the body, and should not touch the bone.

Tuesday 18th

Bob and I went to our oldest granddaughters basketball game last night. It was a really good game. They won by 4 points in overtime. It was a very exciting game. This morning I headed to Kimi's early, taking her White Chocolate Mocha Coffee from Starbucks (her favorite). Bengi was coming to help get Cade to day care.

I have alot to do before we head back to India in 2 weeks. We are going to mail off a couple of boxes before we go. We don't want to travel with suitcases, just 1 carry on. My laptop will fit in my purse, so all I will have is my medications for 3 months a my laptop. Travel light.

I got all the checks written for the bills for the next three months, personal and business. I have to put them in stamped, addressed envelopes, but then I will be ready to go.

Thanksgiving is next week and I am in charge of 2 cranberry salads and 3 pies. Pecan, Apple and Mincemeat. Then we will all be cooking Thursday morning. We are having a Wii tournament. They are not saying what it is, so we wont be practicing. I got to create Bob and my characters on Wii. Kimi and I laughed so hard we were both crying. Cade just looked at us like we were nuts. OK, maybe we were.

Start a Good Habit

WHY?

Do not look back and ask: WHY?

Look forward and ask: WHY NOT?

What a Weekend!

We had an amazing weekend. We went to Tulsa and had dinner and after dinner drinks at a piano bar with really good friends Scott and Ginny. Then Sunday we had Dim Sum lunch at our favorite restaurant with Martin and Nikki.

"We don't know how we are going to touch someone's life."
Let me tell you how Michael touched mine. He will forever be in my thoughts and another story for my rocking chair memories.

We went to a restaurant, outside of Tulsa, called Molly's Landing. We had to wait for a table so we choose to go to the bar for a drink. There was a table that became available in the bar and we took that table. The hostess asked if we wanted to eat there, seems that we took the table without asking. We were OK with that table, so our waiter came to greet us.

Michael was our waiter. He was very nice and laughed along as Bob gave him a hard time thru out the meal, as Bob always does. Drinks and a bottle of wine and great conversation, we were the last ones to leave and we left only because they wouldn't serve us any more drinks. So we walked out to the car which was the only one left in the parking lot. As we were driving by the ramp that went to the restaurant, our waiter came down the ramp and Bob rolled down his window. He handed Bob something small black and square. I thought it was Bob's cell phone. Bob thanked him and we pulled off and Bob says, "This isn't my wallet". I said let me see for some reason. IT WAS MY WALLET. I had placed it in my back pocket. My pocket was small, but it was hard to get my billfold in so I never dreamed of it coming out.

I am still in AWE of Michael. He took that extra step of caring. You don't know how much stress and anxiety I would have gone thru, when I finally did notice that my billfold was gone. Where had I left it? When was the last time I had it? Where had we been? Looking everywhere. Calling everywhere. The trouble of replacing everything inside. I am so grateful for Michael.

Things happen for a reason. I am so grateful this happened at Molly's and Michael was the reason. Michael has added some great Karma to his life.

How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a weary world.
~William Shakespeare

PS: Michael, if you are ever in India you have a place to stay with us in our bungalow.

Power of the Universe

1. ask
2. believe
3. receive

Thanksgiving Blessing

All the grandkids were visiting for Thanksgiving. Before dinner, Grandma made a lengthy speech about being thankful for her extra-special blessings, her seven grandchildren.

Two seconds after she stopped speaking, all hell broke loose and the kids were yelling and grabbing for the home-made rolls. Grandma sat there, eyes closed with a tight squint on her face.

When asked what was the matter, she replied, "I'm just praying for a little patience to handle all these blessings."

Songs for Commercials

I VOTED

Now we will see who WINS!

I had to go to Enid this morning to accompany my parents to their doctor appointment. When I left this morning at 6:30AM, there were lines in front of all the voting places. When I reached the church at Morgan Road and N.W. Expressway at 7:10AM the parking lot was full. Lines was across the front of the building twice. It was after 7 so I would think that there should have been some people inside the church. I was really dreading the lines. So after their doctor appointment I then took them to VOTE. There was one other person there at 10:30AM. I made my parents sit at different tables so that they wouldn't cheat. They were voters 183 and 185.

Then we went to eat lunch. I called Kimi at noon, she had to wait in line for an hour. I called Jake at 2PM, he had to wait about 10 minutes. So it was looking good for me. I drove by my voting place on the way home to get Bob and there was not very many cars. So I got my registration card and went back to vote. I walked right in, got my ballets and was out in 10 minutes and was 2198 voter. The front side wasn't really hard. But the back side. YOU HAD TO READ THEM. Then try to figure out what they said. Then I got a special PINK ballot for councilmembers.

So I feel good that I voted for my choice in the election. I want to be on the winning team. Either way it was a good race.

Waiting on Husband

Bob's last Flight From: Minneapolis/St. Paul-Int'l, MN (MSP) To: Oklahoma City, OK ( OKC )

The Flight left the gate at 9:20PM but has not taken off.

So he will be home
Scheduled: 11:29PM
Estimated: 11:29PM

I will leave for airport about 10:30PM. Refreshed the website and then it said 11:22PM. I decided I better go now. Off I went. Got to the airport and on the monitor it said: "DELAYED". I got on my iPhone and looked up the NWA flights. It then said that it was to arrive at 11:17PM. I refreshed again and it said it landed and was not a gate. The monitor said "ON TIME" I waited.

Then I saw the most handsome man coming thru the gate. He looked "MARVELOUS"! I was one happy woman!

Bob insisted on driving. He was flying down 44 and I reminded him that here in USA we DO have traffic laws. He didn't forget how to drive and he has always been a terrific driver.

NYC

Bob called at noon and he is in NYC. He has been texting me. He slept 6 hours on his first flight. Said he was feel pretty good. He had the whole Exit row by himself. That is about as lucky as you can get. He will be back in my arms tonight. I AM SO EXCITED.

Two of My Halloween BatMen

I took some pictures, but my iPhone crashed again, so I went to Apple store and they gave me a new phone. The only thing that I lost was my new pictures, which was just a couple of Halloween ones of Cade. So Kimi eMailed me these two. Hope you like them.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Jimmy

This just tore me up!

Almost Halloween

Who turns the lights off at Halloween? The light's witch!

A boy went to a Halloween party with a sheet over his head. "Are you here as a ghost?" asked his friends. "No," he replied, "I'm an unmade bed." Another boy wore a sheet over his head. "Are you an unmade bed?" asked his friends. "No, I'm an undercover agent," he replied.

What do you get when you goose a ghost? A handful of sheet!

Costume Party

A couple was invited to a swanky masked Halloween Party.
She got a terrible headache and told her husband to go to the party alone.
He being a devoted husband, protested, but she argued and said she was going to take some aspirin and go to bed, and there was no need of his good time being spoiled by not going. So he took his costume and away he went.

The wife, after sleeping soundly for one hour, awakened without pain and as it was still early; she decided to go the party.

In as much as her husband did not know what her costume was, she thought she would have some fun by watching her husband to see how he acted when she was not with him.

She joined the party and soon spotted her husband cavorting around on the dance floor, dancing with every nice chick he could, and copping a little feel here and a little kiss there.

His wife got close up to him and being a rather seductive babe herself, he left his partner high and dry and devoted his time to the new stuff that had just arrived.

She let him go as far as he wished; naturally, since he was her husband.

Finally, he whispered a little proposition in her ear and she agreed, so off they went to one of the cars and had a little bang.

Just before unmasking at midnight, she slipped away and went home and put the costume away and got into bed, wondering what kind of explanation he would make for his behavior.

She was sitting up reading when he came in and asked what kind of a time he had.

He said, "Oh, the same old thing. You know I never have a good time when you're not there."

Then she asked, "Did you dance much?"

He replied, I'll tell you, I never even danced one dance. When I got there, I met Pete, Bill Brown and some other guys, so we went into the den and played poker all evening.

But you're not going to believe what happened to the guy I loaned my costume to......."

Why Pets Hate Halloween

MORE Halloween Pets
MORE Painted Cats

Sunday

What a great day. The wind is 8 mph, but I thought it was supposed to be winder bringing in the cold front. It's supposed to get cold, the first freeze of the season.

I hope that everybody is warm and cozy. I miss everybody! ESPECIALLY my husband. 8 more days and he will be home. I know that he wont be ready for the COLD weather. Monday his temperature is going to be 97 degrees F. Tuesday it's supposed to be 101 degrees F. Low temperature is supposed to be in the 70's both days.

I am still cleaning and working on projects. I had better get to the store before the temperature starts to drop.

Shred-A-Rama

I was listening to the radio in my Truck and I heard about a bank in Edmond that was doing FREE paper Shredding for 10 to 12 on Saturday. I thought there must be something that you have to do. Sign up for a Bank Account. So I got up early, packed 10 paper boxes full of old files dating back for 10 years. {My storage unit is almost empty)

I put a tarp over them and secured it. I wasn't going to get on the highway so I went to Kelley and headed North. I didn't go over 35 miles an hour, so I knew it would take me a while. I made it to 15th & Kelley about 9:00 am without losing 1 piece of paper, the trap didn't even blow off. I was VERY impressed with my packing of the boxes.

It was the right place. Signs everywhere. FREE SHREDDING! So I went back to Starbucks got me a Grande Cafe Americano and headed back to the bank. Waiting for 10 am. At 9:45 the Shredding truck pulled in. It was a promotion for the 3 highschools in Edmond. KISS radio, in which I heard the advertisement, was also there. So I had to pick one of the 3 teams. Then they took all of my papers and in about 5 minutes all of the 10 years were GONE!

It was going to cost me a fortune to have them shredded. I just kept putting it off because I knew that it was going to be a pretty penny to have all of those papers shredded.

THEN I had all of those empty boxes and they didn't weigh the tarp down, so I had to stop several times on the way home. If I could have found a trash can, I might have stopped. But I need the boxes so that I can fill them up again.

Returning to my storage unit, I filed up the blank spots that all of those files had taken. Cleaned, moved and threw away stuff. Then added some more stuff to the storage from the house. So I was a very productive day.

Oh Ya, I stopped at the "Greek Festival" on the way home. It was fun. I saw a lot of really pretty stuff and now I want to go to Greece. I ate Baklava. IT WAS SO GOOD! Not on my diet, probably why it tasted so good.

Bob, hope there wasn't anything in those files that you wanted.

Biggest Fear

One of our biggest fears, Obviously, is the fear of abandonment.

It hits a primal wound when someone whose loves has meant so much to us, then changes his or her minds.

Learning to be by yourself is not an easy thing to do. You have SO much time to think, then you start thinking too much!

All anybody wants is validation, the "LOOK AT ME", I'm important to someone. It's hard to get that when you are all alone. How much time is there left for each of us? That's not the question. It's what we do with our time that's important. Are we TOO busy to take the time to care about another person? Yes, I believe that in today's world we are too busy to take the time to be a friend.

As I have grown older I have learned empathy thru books that I have read. Finding that I didn't have any. So now I try to look at each person tosee the war that each is experiencing.

BANANA Diet

Have you heard about the new "BANANA DIET"? It's supposed to increase your metabolism.

Here’s how it works -

1. A banana and glass of lukewarm water for breakfast

2. Eat anything you like for lunch or dinner, as long as it’s before 8 p.m.

3. A three o’clock snack is recommended

4. No desserts after meals

5. Go to bed before midnight

“The human body has three essential nutrients ? carbohydrates, fat and protein ? The golden rule is to balance these three nutrients and a daily calorie intake.”

Bananas help people lose weight because they contain resistant starch, which ferments in your large intestine, creating by-products that block conversion of some carbohydrates into fuel, so replacing ordinary carbs with the resistant starch in bananas can boost fat burning. And banana fiber bulks up in your stomach, so you feel full for longer. There’s a healthy way to do the banana diet which makes sense and includes exercise

COLD in OK

The temperature is dropping. It's raining and I just want to curl up under a blanket and read a book. Maybe eat a box of Chocolates, but that's not on my menu.

I have turned on the heaters. The new smell of heaters when you first start them up, that smell is priceless. A big bowl of vegetable soup for super.

Pretty much made my girls mad about me not being here for Christmas. But I don't know why it's a shock to them. We have never been a normal family and I have never been able to have a FUN home to have a great Christmas on Christmas DAY. Once their is a divorce the family gets so split up that it's hard to make it to in-laws, out-laws and both parents house on Christmas. I was ALWAYS the one to have Christmas the week before, because "Everybody had other plans on Christmas Day" So instead of sitting around crying all day on Christmas Day, Bob and I made it a tradition to go "Somewhere" on Christmas. It was our tradition.

My girls all have wonderful families. They need to start their own traditions and stay at home with their children.

Why am I so sad? To turn back the clock and do things different? That's not possible! You have to make your life the best that you know how to make it. You will hurt some people along the way. The ones that you depend on the most will hurt you the most. You just have to be HAPPY for the time that you have with them and not be SAD when you can't be with them.

Sorry for airing my heart aches. But what's a girl to do?

Monday10/20

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.

While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.

The dung was actually thawing him out!

He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to inv estigate.

Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.

(2) Not everyone who gets you out of s hit is your friend.

(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!

Friday 10/17

Lesson of the Day
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.

The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.

When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor.

Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to drop that towel.'

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.

The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?'
'It was Bob the next door neighbor,' she replies.

'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'


Moral of the story:

If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

Thursday 10/16

Lesson of the Day
A turkey was chatting with a bull.

'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'
'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients.'

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.

Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story:
Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there..

Wednesday 10/15

Lesson of the Day
A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.

They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'
'Me first! Me first!' says the admin clerk. 'I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.'
Puff! She's gone.

'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep. 'I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.'

Puff! He's gone.

'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after lunch.'

Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.

Tuesday 10/14

Lesson of the Day
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.

A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?'
The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.'

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

You are who you are

You are who you are, not who you might one day be. Your life is what it is, not what it might someday be. Focusing on who you are and what your life is right now, you come to the ironic and almost amusing realization that, yes, the fun is in the journey itself.

“When you’re old, you don’t feel old.” The essential being I am inside myself is the same in my 50s as when I was only 15. So who am I really? Am I the woman who has changed with age, or am I the changeless self within? Am I the woman who is encased in time or the being who dwells apart from it?

Life is Precious

Bonnie Raitt sang: "Life gets mighty precious when there's less of it to waste"

New diet

As of today, my diet has been highly modified. No more red meat, eggs, salt, butter, or anything else which tastes good. From now on only cardboard, twigs, and the occassional leaf will have to sustain me.

Lottery Winner

I got a letter today that congratulated me as a winner of "One year's worth of Powerball with Power Play and Hot Lotto with Sizzler Tickets". $416.00 value.

When I was at the fair and the Lottery was at $200 million, they gave me these two tickets that I was supposed to go online and register my tickets. So today when I went to the post office there was a letter that I had won. I just had to send them a copy of the ticket and proof of age.

I got home from the post office and faxed them the information. Now I will wait and see what I get.

This was a very excited day for me. Maybe my "Worm has Turned" and I will start winning all kinds of stuff.

Now don't start calling and asking me for loans, I am not sure what I have really won. I will keep you posted as how this works.

Kathi

Shopping Cart

I am not sure why the people that live in the row of houses behind our business, feel like our parking lot is their BIG trash disposal. It seems that I get all kinds of surprises.

When I arrived home on Sunday, there was a WalMart shopping cart in my parking lot. I moved it out onto the street and in the next vacant lot. About 2 pm the next day, it was back in my parking lot. Also a little red car visiting my new neighbor decided that she needed to park in front of my driveway. She was in the street but blocking traffic from both directions. It just surprises me how stupid people are. They think that there is NOBODY on this earth but them. This too is a constant problem with my neighbor directly behind our business. This retired Veteran has a study stream of visitors. He drives a 50 year old motorcycle that has to roll down the hill to get it started. That is all he has to drive and has NO muffler. He is up 24 hours a day. Doesn't that sound like a very good neighbor to have. I am thinking if I am in need of some drugs, he would be the first that I would visit.

Feeling really frustrated at this point, I loaded up the WalMart shopping cart and delivered it back to the WalMart store. The manager was really glad to get the shopping cart. Nobody else wanted to take possession of the stolen cart.

I am sure that I am feeling lonely and missing my husband at this point. But it just seems like if I don't go around putting trash in my neighbors yard, why should they treat me with less respect. I am trying to be strong and be the better person, but it is getting REALLY hard.

I have this saying "He who angers you, controls you!" I firmly believe this. I am always telling my daughters. SO guess what! My daughter has been telling me that saying the last couple of days. I am trying to live by my own rule. Take a deep breath and enjoy life and don't let anything anger you. FORGIVE! Is that really in my vocabulary? The shopping cart is gone, and I just keep picking up the trash.

Will this every end? Yes, I believe that everything works out in the end. Just have faith.

Mount Abu

I received the pictures from Bob's trip to Mount Abu.

FUN weekend

I was honored to met RJ Washington.

RJ is on the left and on my right is another senior at Keller Fossil Ridge HS that is another red shirt potential at OU. My son-in-law is a OU Fan, so I took the picture and sent it to him.

When RJ becomes famous, I have a picture with him. RJ facts on OU Sooner website

The reason I got to met him, is my daughter teachers and she taught last year at Keller Fossil Ridge. RJ is a really good friend of one of my daughter's friends. The one that I got the eliptical machine from (which I used for 1/2 mile this morning). I can just see the next 10 pounds coming off really fast). My next TEN pound lose is what I dedicated to Rick (former owner of eliptical machine) for giving me the machine.

Everything Happens for a Reason

My doctor has requested that I lose 15 more pounds. I was going to going the YMCA to swim. He said that it would take time to get there, dress, swim, get dressed and back home. That I wouldn't follow thru and fail. He said to continue doing what I have been doing, get an eliptical machine if I could. So I decide that I wanted to get some more exercise equipment, a bike so I went to Craig's list. Found a bike for $75, went to Sears and looked they had the same bike NEW for $89. So I waited.

I am glad I did, because spending the weekend in Haltom City, TX with my daughter, we had went to their friends house Rick and Sherry. Abigail spent the night, so the next morning on the way to pick her up we saw a Garage Sale sign. I said that I need to hit a few garage sales because I was looking for an eliptical machine. Brandon asked if I was kidding. I said no, the told him my story. He said that Rick had told him the night before he had one in the attic and was going to take it to a garage sale this morning. SO when we got there we asked and I loaded it up and now I have a new eliptical machine for FREE. Although I feel like I need to do something in return. I told Rick that I would didicate the next 10 pounds lose to him.

The universe just sometimes amazes me. You ask for something and if you have patience, you will get it. Just ASK!

Potty Training

Two of my daughters are potty training their toddler boys. My oldest daughter has all of her 4 children in school, she had twin boys, I can only imagine what she went thru. Maybe it was easier with 2 at the same time. The other 2 are girls so I know that they were easy.

I have said all along that the problem is "The disposable diapers that causes the dilemma. They can't tell that they are wet.

NOW I HAVE PROOF. Sometimes I think people are reading my mind.

This is from Dr. Wayne Jensen (PhD (Med)) website.

The answer that I discovered, is what I term "Diaper Dependence".

You see, the only really significant change to have occurred in the toddler world over the last 50 years or so in developed countries, is the shift from wearing uncomfortable cloth diapers to the modern disposable diaper. The technology in disposable diapers has increased to the extent that young toddlers today have No Concept of the feeling of being wet, so they don't have an incentive to get out of them!

... And the consequence of disposable diapers? The average age at which kids in western society are potty trained today has been delayed by well over one year!!

Now I am not telling you to go out and buy his product.

Monday

It was a typical Monday. I got up late. I guess you have to sleep sometime when you get up at 1:30 am to talk to your husband on Skype.

The SearchKing India office is offically moved to Bopal and they were offline all weekend. So it made my weekend long too. Bob and I texted a couple of times, but it was really good to see his beautiful face and hear his voice. I am not sure what this LONG seperation would be like without SKYPE. Our technology has improved.

Can any of us remember when we had to write letters? Waiting by the mailbox for a letter any letter. Post office boxes. Knowing the postman's name. Giving him a box of homemade goodies at Christmas time. I DO!

Can any of us remember the phones that had 3 rings and it was your phone call? Then everybody would get online and listen. Party Lines. You had to stand in one spot in your house where the phone was. Some houses had built in little shelves for their phones. I DO!

I can also remember our first color TV. My dad just reminded me that the television company in our area, brought us the first TV, because we lived on a hill and could get good reception. EVERY Saturday when the fights were on, we had a house full of people watching our TV! We always had a house full of people watching our TV.

I really miss those days. Things were alot easier. Now time goes by so fast, I hardly have time to think about the old school days that you thought that would never be over. They have all gone and now I can't remember much about any of it.

Time to go and find something to eat. Eating by yourself can be a challenge as well.

iPhone

I have had my iPhone for a week. I have to tell anybody thinking about getting an iPhone. It is the simpliest phone that I have every owned.

It is very easy to sit up. I have not put any iTunes in yet. That will be my weekend project and I will get back with you on that project.

I am going to really enjoy this phone.

Tell a Friend and Win $100

Just a friendly reminder to please support our 'Tell A Friend' Promotion this month. All you have to do is tell your expat women friends to join ExpatWomen.com

If they join and win our US$100 prize, we'll ask them who referred them, and if it was you, we'll give you US$100 also. So you both win! See conditions and details here SIGN UP

Skinny Bitch

OK, I have been reading again:
Skinny Bitch, by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. If you can't take one more day of self-loathing, you're ready to hear the truth.

Skinny Bitch is not your typical boring diet book, this is a tart-tongued, no-holds-barred wakeup call to all women who want to be thin. With such blunt advice as, "Soda is liquid Satan" and "You are a total moron if you think the Atkins Diet will make you thin," it's a rallying cry for all savvy women to start eating healthy and looking radiant. Unlike standard diet books, it actually makes the reader laugh out loud with its truthful, smart-mouthed revelations. Behind all the attitude, however, there's solid guidance. Skinny Bitch espouses a healthful lifestyle that promotes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and encourages women to get excited about feeling "clean and pure and energized."

Order your copy, it's under $15.00

It is very funny and I enjoyed it alot. They have another books that I might look into:
Skinny Bitch in the Kitch: Kick-Ass Recipes for Hungry Girls Who Want to Stop Cooking Crap (and Start Looking Hot!)

Then I might get this one for my daughters:
Skinny Bitch Bun in the Oven: A Gutsy Guide to Becoming One Hot (and Healthy) Mother!

Found a new Toilet Accessory

I have a really good friend that sends me the best pictures. I couldn't resist sharing this with everyone in India. I think that they would appreciate this toilet accessory the most.

Celebrate Life

The more you praise and celebrate your life, The more there is in life to celebrate.

Long Day

First I had a doctor appointment on Monday. I arrived to find out that I was an hour late, found my card and it was at 8:30 and not 9:30. Getting old really is not much fun sometimes. So I re-scheduled for this morning. Up early for 2 mornings to drive to Edmond. Fasting so that the doctor can take fasting plasma glucose, HDL levels good colesterol levels.

The fasting plasma glucose test was down from 217 to 172. And my A1C levels was down from 6.4 to 6

HDL levels below 40 mg/dL result in an increased risk of coronary atery disease, even in people whose total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels are normal. HDL levels between 40 and 60 mg/dL are considered "normal." However, HDL levels greater than 60 mg/dL may actually protect people from heart disease. My reading came in at 35 mg/dL. So I have something there to work on.

How can We Increase Our HDL Levels?
Aerobic exercise. Many people don't like to hear it, but regular aerobic exercise (any exercise, such as walking, jogging or bike riding, that raises your heart rate for 20 to 30 minutes at a time) may be the most effective way to increase HDL levels. Recent evidence suggests that the duration of exercise, rather than the intensity, is the more important factor in raising HDL cholesterol. But any aerobic exercise helps.

Lose weight. Obesity results not only in increased LDL cholesterol, but also in reduced HDL cholesterol. If you are overweight, reducing your weight should increase your HDL levels. This is especially important if your excess weight is stored in your abdominal area; your weight-to-hip ratio is particularly important in determining whether you ought to concentrate on weight loss.

Then lunch with my daughter. She had to know how my doctor appointment went. So off to Panera Bread for Salad. I had the Fandango and Kimi had the Orchard Harvest. We laughed and had a good time, I am so lucky to have such great girls.

Thinking about my husband has made me a little sad this evening. There is not enough words to express my love for him. I am so grateful for his never-ending patience, love, and support. I feel so blessed to be traveling through this life with him.

A Very Special Child

How special are we, each individual? It's hard to imagine that a specific child came from one sperm out of a million. How do they decide?

Oklahoma State Fair

The Oklahoma State Fair. My kids from Texas came to the state fair to watch the "MONSTER TRUCKS". My 3 year old grandson talked about it for 2 months. All day on Friday before we went to Mom and Dad's in Enid. He told everybody he was going to the MONSTER TRUCKS.



We got to the fair at 10:00 am, rode as many rides as the lines would let them. Brady and Abigail had a ball. We went thru some of the buildings. Went to the pig races. Rode some more rides. NOT me, just the kids. Kati and Brandon rode a roller coaster, while I sit with the kids while they ate cotton candy.

I headed for home when they went to the VIP part of the monster truck show, where you can go and look at the trucks, take pictures and get autographs. WELL little Brady got scared. They only got 1 picture with him and the trucks. He wouldn't go near them. He then went to sleep during the show. Abigail on the other hand, had a really good time. She got all of their autographs on her hat. Got pictures sitting in the wheel of her favorite truck "BIG FOOT". The driver also took a picture with him and he signed her hat too.

They didn't get back to the house until 10:30 pm. They were all very tired. I had hot chocolate chip cookies waiting on them.

Then on Sunday when they went home, it was like SO EXTREMELY quiet that I cried. Your home is supposed to be full of life and bouncy kids. I miss them so much when they are gone.

Distance.

Does absense make the heart grow fonder? YES! There is just something missing in my life. It's like being in the middle of a great big crowd and being all alone. I am missing my husband today, really really bad. Weather is beautiful and I want to be at the lake with him. I just want to see him. THEN he calls me on SKYPE. It was so good to talk to him, see him and hear his voice tell me what he did. Hear his plans for his day and what s going on new with the business.

Then when we hang up, it was so quiet and so lonely. I really don't like be 10,000 miles apart. I have so much in the USA to handle, and Bob needs to be in India. Once he hits his numbers the pressure wont be so great and we can finally enjoy some more time together.

I have been doing pretty good and time really flies. Cade makes me laugh and always wants to go with me. I will have a houseful really soon, the 2 grandkids from Texas is coming up tonight. So the weekend will be full of noise and excitement.

Biggest Loser

I watched the new episode of "The Biggest Loser". It was so good. It made me cry when you see the weight that these people are going to try and lose. They were very inspiring. This season featured our beloved Dr. H, who shared with the teams how old and sick their bodies really were. Many folks were hit with a wake up call when they were told that although they might be only 20 something, their bodies were in such bad shape that it was like they were actually in their mid forties! They cried, I cried, mom or daughters cried, spouses cried. You would have cried too.

I look at some of the women. I used to be their size. 10 years ago. It has taken me that long to gradually work off the weight that slowed me down, made me feel old. As I have said before, my doctor said that this is the best thing for my heart and my diabetes. So today I am going to work a little hard, eat a little less and BE SO THANKFUL for my very loving husband, the beautiful day, my beautiful family and THANKFUL that I am healthy and very HAPPY! (Missing Bob A LOT)

UNBELIEVABLE

I have a REALLY great friend that sends me all kinds of funny, strange, weird and sometimes unbelievable. See what you think!

Think you've seen it all? Take a look at this!!


Is it real? Computer generated? What would you do if you daughter did this? Luckily my daughters are between 30 and 40. I hope that they are past this, but I have to admit, I probably wouldn't say to much, and that is probably the reason that none of them every had to try anything this bizarre. I have never been surprised at anything, anybody does. I totally accept my daughters 100% percent. They are all doing a great job raising my beautiful grandchildren.

What a Beautiful Day

Slow done today, enjoy what you have!

Weather

The fall weather has been perfect.

The days have been in the 70's. Nights go to a low of 50's.

The sun is shining and the wind coming from the North is cool. The Oklahoma State Fair is going on this week. So the fall weather is making being home even more enjoyable.

I traveled to Enid to take my mom to her knee doctor appointment today. What a beautiful drive. I had to wear a coat this morning, it was so cool. But it has warmed up, so I shucked the jacked. I am loving my new transitional glasses.

Hope you are enjoying your weather wherever you are.

One Week

I have been home one week. I have seen 5 of my grandkids and next weekend I will spend it with the other 2 grandkids. They say you get shorter when you get old. WELL, what really happens is that your GRANDKIDS get TALLER than you and it just seems like you have gotten shorter.

Heart doctor appointment went REALLY well. I have my well woman doctor appointment next week. I am on a very good tract to improving my health. It's a tough battle and one that you have to tackle EVERY day, all my yourself. You just have to eat less calories than you use. My doctor recommends the mediterranean diet. So you can sit around and eat nothing or get up and walk and exercise and be able to eat more. This is so different for each individual. I have read all the books and know that it is going to be dealt with everyday for the rest of my life. I love myself and care about myself enough that this personal battle I will win. If I cheat it is only me that it is hurting. Don't take this wrong, I am not selfish, OK maybe a little, but the only one in the world that will take care of me is me. NO ONE really cares if I eat that pineapple fried pie. BUT I DO! It will effect my heart and my diabetes.

So I have only been out to eat 3 times, since I have been home. 1) DIM SUM with my best friends, 2) Applebee's with my parents and 3) Grand House (chinese) with employees of US Searchking.

I ventured out to the movies yesterday "The Women". It wasn't until I left that I realized that there was not 1 man in the whole movie. Now I want to go and see it again, just to confirm that there wasn't not one single man in the movie. The theatre was packed and 99% of the audence were women as well.

Got my pictures put into a creative memories album. I so like to show my pictures that have been displayed in order and explanations of the pictures. I do not like to hand a bunch of pictures for people to look at your trip. There are always way to many extra and duplicate pictures and then they get mixed up and then I have to put them back in order. My daughter started selling creative memories and we have enjoyed it so SO much.

Today is the first day that I have cleaned up my home. I have had something everyday and now I have a day off. Picked up and cleaned the floor, I even moved the furniture. Cleaned the glass front doors. I got my knitting basket out, my hair dresser is having a baby and I need to knit some booties for her. She will find out Tuesday if it is a boy or girl. So I am going to wait to see if I am going to make pink or blue.

I watched the OU football game last night. Now when I talk watched, I have it on the TV and check the score. My son-in-law asked me if Bob could watch the game on SKYPE. So I tried last night. Bob was on skype and I let him watch some of it. So yes Chad, he could have watched the whole game.

I am going to get my iPhone on Wednesday. My contract will need to be renewed then. I am going straight over to my daughters to help me get it sit up. I really enjoy having her around. I love her new home, it is so beautiful. She has so much stuff to do, but it is all so much fun.

Going to go and get on the treadmill and then watch a movie. I will miss Bob alot today. I have to keep busy or I will REALLY miss him. If I get to sad, I just SKYPE him and hope that he is awake.

BUNGALOW

I finally got the webpages up for the new bungalow.

Thrusday

I finally have a day that I don't have to do anything!

Saturday - I spent my first day home with my youngest grandson(Mom and dad went to the OU football game). Cade and I had a REALLY GOOD time. He liked to tickle me, then he would just laugh.



Sunday - went to see Mom and Dad, then the 4 more of my grandkids. We sang Karaoke and played catch.

Monday - was Don's office and pedicures.

Tuesday - HAIR - I always feel so much better when the hair is done, I also had my eyebrows waxed.

Wednesday - Heart Doctor appointment. Lost 15 pounds since I had seen him 6 months ago. NOW he wants another 15 pounds by the time I come back in 6 months. I have a pretty good team with my heart and diabetes.
My 3D's
1) Doctor - I have a really GOOD doctor.
2) Daughter - She helps me with my meds
3) Drugs - Between the two I have the best drugs available on the market.

Thursday - It's raining and a little cold. I am thinking curling up on the couch with the 3 movies I have rented.

Friday - My mom has a heart doctor appointment, so I am going to drive 90 miles to go with her.

Saturday & Sunday are free at the moment.

Monday - Back to Enid for my mom's knee doctor appointment.

I stay busy and Bob is thinking that I haven't been around much, at least not online at the same time.

Tuesday AM

It was a really full day yesterday. I got up and exercised, another really hot LONG shower. Talked with employees here in OKC. Went to Norman, Sam's for some beautiful fruit and fish, went by Son-In-Law's work and gave him his present, went to German restaurant "Ingrids" for a 3 Salad plate, broccoli salad, pea salad and 3 bean salad (food tastes so great here, I haven't had one thing that is SPICY HOT), went to BOA, got a pedicure, a massage, went to Arvest Bank, Radio Shak to get plug for my Acer laptop, Blockbuster for some chick flicks. Fixed myself a salad, fish and asparagus for super. I was going to bed, but it just seemed like so much stuff to be done. I finally did go to bed at about 9:30 pm. I remained asleep until 4am. So I am gaining on my hours of sleep.

It has been really GREAT to be home. My list of things that have to be done, is getting smaller. So now maybe I can rest, before I go to take my mom to her doctor appointments.

Monday 8th

Got pictures back of BhoPal bungalow. You can now see the pictures on this Webpage

The address is:
217-218 Vibhusha Bunglows
Opp Homeopathy College
Bopal
Ahmedabad – 380058
Gujarat, India
Phone we will have a little later.

I have been up all night the last two nights, trying to survive on 3 hours of sleep each night. I have not be at all sleepy. Went thru 2 months of mail the first night. Found surprises and some not so good surprises, but it's Monday and I have a list in my blackberry that is 2 miles long. Just going to take one day at a time.

Saturday I got to spend the whole day with my youngest grandson. His Mom and Dad went to OU football game. We re-bonded and laughed and played all day.

Sunday I went to Dim Sum with our best friends Nikki and Martin, we had lunch at my favorite chinese restaurant "Grand House". I had purchased Transitional prescription glasses for them. They loved their new glasses. We looked pretty cool when we stepped out into the sun and all of our glasses changed to sunglasses.

Then my daughter and youngest grandson went to Mom and Dad's and then to my oldest daughters. All 4 of her kids have grown. They say that you get shorter when you get old. It's just that all of the 'GRANDkids' are getting taller than me. It is awful when you have to look up to your grandchildren.

I have appointments all week. I do have one thing to ask and if anybody can tell me, I would appreciate it:

"When you are on the plane . . . Who has the arm rests? There are 3 seats and 4 arm rests. So is the person in the middle just out of luck? Why is it always me that ends up with NO arm rests and I have to cross my arms the whole trip?"

I'm Home!

Back in the USA! It is pretty nice to be back with your stuff.

Flight were all very good. Slept 3 hours on the first 8 hr flight. Slept 5 hours on the second 8 hour trip. What I got to NYC I arrived at JFK, took a cab to Laguardia airport, (my booking mistake). The first thing I did was get a GRANDE CAFE AMERICANO. Oh my gosh. I don't anything has tasted so good. I drank it hot and steamy and down to the last drop.

Then I shopped around to see what I really wanted to eat. So I settled for a Nathan's hotdog. Texted Kimi and she said I should have had the cab driver take me to get NY style cheesecake and NY Pizza. I was already in the airport, so I went on a hunt in the many restaurants in the airport. I picked out the largest cherry cheese cake on the shelf. It was also WONDERFUL! Then about an hour before my plane took off (I had 6 hours in the Laguardia airport) I went and got a Whooper from BurgerKing. It was everything that I remembered. The sesame seed bun, lettuce (real lettuce) onion, tomato, pickle, mustard and a VERY good meat patty.

Got home on time at 11:30 pm and my daughter was there to pick me up. She looked so beautiful. We both talked as fast as we could. Tell me that Cade had put himself in time-out. He will be 2 in October. They are going to the OU football game tomorrow, so I am going to babysit. What a great first day home.

Wish you all were here.

Last 12 hours in Ahmedabad

It is countdown time. I have my bags packed and I am not sure if I am really ready to leave Bob and India. VERY good things are happening with our company and it just seems like I need to stay. But Oklahoma City office and property needs my attention too.

MOM and DAD are also anxiously waiting for me to return. They are 85 and 86. They don't like it much me being so far away. They do understand. AND I have 7 GREAT grandkids that are waiting on me for all those grandma kisses and presents.

So I will be off line for a couple of days. But will post as soon as I get home.

September 1st

Monday, September 1st. What does that mean to me?

1) End of months reports.
2) New worksheets for September
3) New Chief Operations Officer at SearchKing
4) 4 days till I go back to USA

Spicy food in India

I was told why that people have been eating spicy food for centuries in India. I will let you decide if it sounds reasonable. I could see where it could be an explanation.

Most of the people in India are so poor that most of their lives they only eat maybe one meal a day. So if they eat spicy food, it makes them very thirsty and they drink a lot of water to quench their thirst and the water fills their stomachs.

Now only eating one meal a day, I can actually see that as a fact even today in India. Looks like you could drinks water without having to eat the food so spicy hot.

Suitcases packed

I got my suitcase out and put what stuff I am taking back to the USA. I was not taking anything with me. Leaving everything here, so that I don't have to check a bag at the airport. But after this morning, this is not going to happen. I could probably make it, but Bob wants me to take the 3 suits back with me.

Now I am not blaming Bob for the extra suitcase. I have 4 pair of shoes and several books I want to take back to USA.

I bought way to many shoes. I am only going to bring home 4 pair of the 10 pair I bought. I only wore 1 pair of shoes to India.
Then I bought:
1) a pair of house shoes (leaving them here)
2) Tennis shoes (leaving them here)
3) Plastic shoes for the rain (wore a blister - leaving here)
4) Plastic shoes in Goa for the rain (leaving here)
5) another pair of plastic shoes (leaving them here)
6) beige sandals (leaving them here)
none of the above cost of $10. Plastic ones were only $5.
(Probably why I got blisters)

The 4 pair I am bringing home
7) red sandals
8) black sandals
9) pink sandals
10) gold sandals
These cost between $15 and $20.

After reading about all of the shoes that I have purchased, I put up a webpage that we all should read:
Let us Complain Less and Give More

Mother's Unite!

OK, you caught me, I have been reading again. A chapter "Children, Parenting and Self Esteem" in Louis Hay's "Empowering Women":

A mother has more influence over the child than anyone else. When women get it together, we can have the kind of men we say we want--in just one generation.

I would like to see self-esteem and self-worth taught in all the elementary schools as a daily class. Empower the young children, and we'll have empowered adults.

No baby boy is born an abuser, and no baby girl is born a victim or lacking in self-worth. Abuse of others and lack of self-esteem is learned behavior. Children are taught violence and taught to accept victimhood. If we want the adults in our society to treat each other with respect, then we must raise our children to be gentle and to have self-respect. Only in this way will two sexes truly honor each other.

Parents have a tendency to repress many emotions. What we call the terrible twos really happens when children begin to mirror their parents' repressed feelings. The teenage years are an escalation of this pattern. Parents have a tendency to blame the children rather than cleaning up their own stuff. If your child is acting up, what suppressed emotional problems of yours could they be mirroring? When you have released your resentment and forgiven your issues, then you will find that your children will miraculously change for the better.

Next time you get very angry at someone, try to step back and ask yourself, "WHAT IS THE LESSON HERE?"

Our children and our friends often show us things about ourselves that we really don't want to loook at or deal with. We do love to run from our lessons.

Bob should NOT let me outside!

I have no business going outside. It usually cost Bob a lot of money. I found the most awesome new toy.


ACER ASPIRE ONE . . Ultra portable PC..

A tiny notebook that is making a big splash in the press. Feature packed and powered by the new Intel® Atom® mobile processor. Stuff HOT BUY - "The new must-have ultra-portable" 5 Star Rating CNET -

A tiny notebook that is making a big splash in the press. Feature packed and powered by the new Intel® Atom® mobile processor.

Stuff HOT BUY - "The new must-have ultra-portable" 5 Star Rating

CNET - "One of the best devices in it's category - great value for money" Rating: 8.8

PC Pro - "A great keyboard, fine screen and keen price make for a superb mini-laptop" Recommended Award

First Solo Rickshaw Ride

Now I have been in Ahmedabad India for just about a year. But could never find the nerve to go out on my own.

Well today I took my first solo rickshaw ride. Arif has been coming and getting us. So I know him and he knows where I live. So I don't have to worry about getting home. He doesn't speak alot of English, but we can communicate. My first ride was full of emotion. 1) Being so far away from home. 2) Nobody knowing exactly where I am. 3) Proud of myself for being excited and not scared to death.

I went and had a facial at Dolly's. I am going to miss her. Her fingers feel like 10 little angels. She is so gentle and you get a complete 1 hour facial for 250 rupees. Yes $6.25 USD. You just can't walk out with paying her so little.

The when I came out of Dolly's Arif was waiting on me. He took me accross the street to Sun Photo so that I could get the pictures on a CD so I can upload them and you can see my rickshaw driver.