mysterri

sunset

2011-02-23T20:39:00.002-06:00

Some days...it's good to live way out in the middle of nowhere. I didn't take this picture today. It was much colder that day than it was today. Today was gorgeous! The temp got up to 73 degrees here. I'll take that kind of February weather anytime.

Kane the Dane

2011-02-21T16:43:00.004-06:00

This guy comes to visit at the office from time to time.

2011-01-15T16:42:00.001-06:00

sportstracklive.com

SportsTrackLive | mysterri | Walking

2011-01-14T18:24:00.000-06:00

SportsTrackLive | mysterri
| Walking

It's Friday! (almost)

2010-02-25T21:38:00.003-06:00

Be sure to find a way to enjoy your work! It seems like it's been a long week and I'm tired. I'm so ready for the weekend. I have to finish up some bookwork for the taxes...yep, that's my big weekend plan. We've been waiting for it to begin snowing all evening and so far it's just a little damp outside. Hey, I am NOT disappointed. At this point I can safely say that everyone I have talked to is ready for spring. We're all tired of this cold weather! NO MORE SNOW! Please?

Meanwhile, my great-niece is playing softball for OU. (yeah you knew why I was really checking in, didn't you)That's her smashing the ball. Go Katie!

I need an upgrade

2010-02-09T20:41:00.004-06:00

Man have we been busy at the office lately! I'm meeting myself coming and going while trying to make ends meet. I've decided that I'm awfully scatter brained and I wonder if my insurance would pay for a brain transplant. I need more memory and a faster processor. Of course I only want a new brain if I can get my contacts, pictures and ring tones transferred.

Is it wrong to play the "It's My Birthday" card?

2010-01-07T09:48:00.003-06:00

Yes it's my birthday and I've had all sorts of nice birthday wishes today. There was a sweet card on the kitchen table from my husband when I woke up. My wonderful co-worker Beth took the time to make a delicious lemon cake to celebrate. I am blessed with many good friends and I feel special.

But back-up to 5:30 this morning...I usually get up, fetch a cup of coffee and sit down with the cat on my lap to watch the news, read twitter and e-mail on my phone. Then I head in for a shower to get ready for work. Today was no different except that when I grabbed my coffee and cell phone, I accidentally pushed a button and hit a speed dial. Looking at the screen of my phone revealed that I was calling my daughter so I quickly pushed the end button and headed for the shower. A few minutes later my sleepy husband handed me the phone (after I dried off because blackberry's are expensive) and there was my frantic daughter on the other end of the line. It seems that she had been me back calling and I had not heard the phone. Apparently she began to panic thinking that something was terribly wrong because I had called so early and then didn't (or in her imagination couldn't) answer the phone. I explained what had happened and said that I was so, so sorry. She sounded sort of upset that I woke her so early so I just had to play the "It's My Birthday" card. I said "Oh I thought that you were calling me to tell me "Happy Birthday" and her tone immediately changed. She said "Happy Birthday Mama, I love you." Sigh...I feel a little guilty, getting off so easy but it was awful nice to hear that first thing this morning.

Two entire days without leaving home

2009-11-28T16:23:00.010-06:00

Well three actually counting Thanksgiving. Rare. I've been traveling at light speed for the past several weeks and although I should be busying myself with other things, I've been deliciously lazy. Other than the new J.O.B. (which is crazy busy) here's a glimpse of what I've been up to.

"The Amen Corner"

Being in a play again was a lot of fun. It wasn't the same without my brother and sister-in-law involved. I'm glad I was able to do it again but, I'm so relieved that it's over.

Weekends are too short

2009-08-16T16:26:00.003-05:00

It's already almost Sunday evening and I've not accomplished much this weekend. I have to figure out how to not sleep so much on Saturdays but I'm just so dog gone tired after a busy week. I have been back to work 3 weeks now and I do feel better, although by the end of the week I'm dragging.

Friday I interviewed for the Canton job. Whatever they decide is fine. There are pros and cons to working in just one office and roaming too. So whatever happens, happens. Just so I have a job when it's all said and done, that's the main thing.

We ran down to Weatherford today for a late breakfast and grocery shopping. We had not been grocery shopping for two weeks. I guess it's needless for me to say that the cupboards were bare and the freezer was becoming an icy empty cave.

We also did a little birthday shopping for a certain ornery nephew who just happens to be turning FOURTY next week. We had to pick up a few things for him like a denture cup and Polident, a magnifying glass, Ben Gay and some Grecian Formula. We just like you be helpful, ya know.

In two weeks we're going to see this guy again! He puts on a great show, so if you're in the vicinity of Shooters in Enid the weekend of August 28th and 29th you won't be disappointed if you stop in.

Ugh, that laundry simply isn't going to fold itself dang it.

Random Stuff

2009-07-22T09:12:00.005-05:00

I've been working like mad on the books for our little business for the past two days. Today is the last full day I'll be home on sick leave. I'm feeling quite a bit better, thank you. And I thought of my "Bro". That's how he used to sign e-mails to me. I never called him that out loud and he never said it either. It was just so cute that he signed that way. My brother, history & science teacher and coach. The valedictorian of his class that lettered in every single thing that our little school had to offer. Carpenter for our local theater. Volunteer at Habitat for Humanity after they moved to Stillwater. Our official family photographer and bread baker. Avid sports fan, there was always a game on tv somewhere. Any kind of game would do. He was worried about tennis matches after surgery in Oklahoma City. Worried he would miss them. Father of four great kids. Grandfather of two. My "Bro". When I think of him all kinds of memories flood my heart. I miss him so. We all do.

That's Ron with his beautiful wife Janet of 39 years. She misses him more than anyone.

I have always said that my job is such a blessing. It allows me to blissfully avoid any personal trouble I may be having in my life. Now I realize that it keeps my pea brain from thinking about a lot of things. Please release me tomorrow dear Doctor. I need to get back to work so I can get some rest.

Wong's

2009-06-13T21:27:00.007-05:00

Last week left me dragging. But at least we could have Wong's take-out on Friday night. The daughter's future fiance introduced us to Wong's a few years ago and we've been hooked ever since. It's delicious.

As soon as you get on I-40 coming from Burns Flat, call in your to go order and it will be ready when you get to Clinton. When I opened the car door upon arriving, the scrumptious scent of Wong's was already wafting through the air. It's pure torture to drive the 40 some odd miles home with my sacks and boxes of take out in the back seat. I wouldn't dare put it in the front seat with me for fear that none of it would survive the entire trip home. When I left with my order I noticed a little house on the north side of the street across from Wong's. With Oklahoma's prevalently southern winds the poor folks who live there must be craving that wonderful aromatic food constantly. There might be a very heavy person living in that little house. Maybe they can't even leave the house anymore and the Wong's deliver to them. That's what would happen to me if I lived there.

Quick update

2009-06-13T11:43:00.006-05:00

I've been busy lately or I would like to think so.

We began the week in Shattuck with cellular activation training. I rode with my boss Sara and Ginny the cellular service order guru. Tuesday I worked with Martha Okeene. Wednesday was back to Shattuck. Thursday I was in Okeene again and worked with Janel. Friday I worked in Sentinel. So I made quite a few miles this week and I'm tired. Phew! I believe I'll have a nap.

part 2

2009-05-27T06:57:00.010-05:00

We got our package. It was a clock from a supplier that I'll hang in my office. FedEx delivered it to our neighbor a mile and a half away. Not even our closest neighbor. Neighbor lady called to say that she found it on her porch. She wasn't home when it was delivered. The address and directions on the package have been blurred to protect the innocent, but there were a lot of directions hand written right on the front of it. Maybe the regular delivery person was off that day. Maybe he/she doesn't know north from south. Maybe they didn't want to get dirt on their tires. Maybe they couldn't read. Dunno. But for I'm sure FedEx still doesn't know where I live.

Recollections

2009-05-26T13:49:00.001-05:00

I'm in Okeene today and the water here tastes funky. They have one of those little filter things that dispenses from a separate faucet at the sink but it still tastes weird to me. Their water wells are located several miles away and surely that long stretch of pipe has stuff growing in it. I am a water snob.

Anyway, I stepped out just past noon to buy some water and heard the bells from the church. They were playing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". When I was a little girl my father was the water superintendent for our town. He used to take me with him most evenings to check the water wells. He had this peanut can and would fill it with water straight from the well. It was so cold and delicious. That's one of the reasons behind the water snobbishness. Is that a word? Snobbishness? One night on the way home he sang a Capella "Glory, Glory Hallelujah the truth is marching on!" With gusto even! Nice memory of my father.

My new address

2009-05-24T10:01:00.003-05:00

Recently the county put a sign on my corner. I've lived down this particular stretch of road for many years and we've never had any signage. Well except that old sign down on the corner of the blacktop road that used to point which way and how far to go with various family names on it. As you can see, our sign has not been in use for quite some time.

I'm not sure what purpose the clothes hanger serves...

If I ever have to call 911, the sheriff will be able to find my dead body after the 45 minute drive to my house from the county seat. Ah, country life.

It was handy the other day to have a physical address when I got a card from FedEx asking for directions to my house. I used to tell delivery people to go to the blacktop road at the top of the hill. Turn north for 3.5 miles. Go through the swamp. Follow the bend in the road to avoid the pond. Go up the hill and around the curve. Turn west for .75 miles. North into. I'm joking but I think that's what FedEx hears when I give them directions. They call and I have to meet them in town for deliveries. It's not that way with UPS. They have always been able to find me. My UPS fella delivers in other towns too. Whenever he sees the company car at one of the offices I work in and has a package for me, he stops to deliver it. This also saves him a trip down my road since we are the only people that live on that 3 mile length of EW 710. Ha! See how I just threw that out there? I'm a natural at having a physical address. Anyway, FedEx seemed to know exactly where I am. Isn't that great? A vast improvement over having package left at the gas station or the bar when I'm not at home.

To be continued...

It's Official, I'm Falling Apart

2009-05-19T11:01:00.006-05:00

Or How I got a new pair of socks from Blue Cross/Blue Shield

Two trips to Oklahoma City in one week to two different doctors = I am officially old and falling apart. I'm not ill. Just routine check up stuff.

The first trip was to the podiatrist. How exciting...I thought the whole thing she did two weeks ago was mumbo jumbo. She wiggled my foot around and twisted it and pulled on my big toe. How can that fix it? But you know, it did fix it until a few days before the follow up appointment. She had suggested I bring someone along next time to learn how to fix it if I continue having the same problem. So I my daughter graciously offered to switch her day off with a co-worker and came along. She learned to repair my infirmity and we had a nice day together.

The end.

I wish.

I had a procedure Saturday afternoon. It had nothing to do with my foot and hopefully we won't repeat it for another 10 years. But I did get a new pair of socks out of the deal. When I checked in they gave me Bair Paws to wear complete with matching socks. I wore them home because the Twilight Sleep had not worn off yet. The socks, not the gown. I slept a lot that evening.

All in all I felt pretty good on Sunday and accomplished quite a bit. Had to, I lost my Saturday. Everything is pretty much back to normal except that I feel awfully old all of a sudden.

2009-05-09T21:49:00.002-05:00

We didn't get to take Mother to Oklahoma City to see her Great-granddaughter play softball today. Mom just wasn't feeling up to it. My sister has a painful knee right now too. So I stayed home to clean house and plan Mother's Day dinner for the family tomorrow. And for the Big 12 softball final game at 11:30 AM. It's OU vs Missouri. My Mom's television provider isn't going to have the game on Fox Sports. That's a shame too because I work for my Mom's television provider. There are so many OU fans that work there that I suspect it may be more than just a coincidence that all the company vehicles, logos and etc are red. Another picture of my great niece. Are you sick of all this yet? I feel for you, really I do. This will all be over soon enough and I will be bleeding orange again. But for now I'm saying Boomer Sooner. We're just so dad gum proud of Katie. She made All-Big 12 first team and was the only freshman from OU to earn the honor. OU was victorious over Texas tonight 6 to 2. Okay, I'm off to bed so I'll be ready for visitors and cooking and watching softball. I have to keep it together too, around my family. Because I can't help thinking about how much my brother would have loved seeing his granddaughter have this success. Stiff upper lip.

Pandora is my new obsession

2009-05-05T15:19:00.004-05:00

The ladies at the Kingfisher office last week were all excited about Pandora. They had found it right before we had to give back the BlackBerry phones the company let us use for a month. I had forgotten about it until last weekend so I checked it out and wow. I really love it.

I have always been a supporter of broadcast radio because I used to work at a tiny radio station out in the middle of a cow pasture. Think about the one in "Oh Brother Where Art Thou". Remind me to enter "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" into my Pandora. Thank you.

There is a sense of community about a small town radio station. We provided a valuable service. Weather reports concerning our area instead of just Oklahoma City forecasts. Weather is a big deal this time of year in Oklahoma. We did live broadcasts of local high school sporting events so that no Grandparent ever had to miss a game. We announced deaths and births and local news several times throughout the day. We had live coverage of every parade in the county. It was an interesting job and I enjoyed it. Except for the mice... But a radio station makes its money from commercials. When I began working at the station, I was told that my job was to play commercials with a little music mixed in here and there. A gospel station from another community bought our little KIMY and there is no more local news except for the weekly newspaper.

Pandora on my BlackBerry has no commercials. If I don't like a particular song, I can skip it. Just be sure that you have a data package on your cell account if you decide to try it. Mine is unlimited and I've not had any charges for using Pandora. I've checked daily to be sure it's free and so far I've not had any charges for using it. It's nice to have the capability to edit my choices on their website. I've listened to it at work in my quiet corner too. I think it's good stuff.

Another week begins

2009-05-05T09:59:00.001-05:00

It was hard to get up yesterday morning. I reset the alarm an hour later the first time it went off. I really had to hustle to get out the door on time, but wasn't late.I worked in Watonga until noon and then drove in the pouring rain to Canton for the afternoon. Watonga was very busy yesterday morning, a lot of people paying their bills at the first of the month. Canton,by contrast was achingly slowww.

Mrs Kitten is returning to her old self. The incision from her being spayed was tiny, truly amazing. Her appetite is so much better than before she was spayed.

Today it's back to Watonga and more rain. Again.

.

Thursday was Shattuck

2009-05-03T17:49:00.005-05:00

Before I was completely thrilled to hear the news about my talented great niece on Friday, I worked in Shattuck on Thursday.

It's roughly 80 miles from home, so I get some windshield time. For lunch I went to the Shattuck Windmill Museum.

The Mr. shuddered when I told him. He hates windmills. You see back in the early days of our business he had to climb many a rickety old windmill tower to make repairs that were nearly impossible. You just can't make a bent up old windmill run like a brand new shiny one without spending more hours on it that a farmer wants to pay you for. The windmill museum is a horse of a different color though. Those machines have been lovingly restored and are a sight to behold.

I signed the guest book and saw that someone from Bolivia had been there the day before. The lady minding the mills that day was very friendly and we had a nice visit. She invited me back another day. When the weather warms up and I'm in Shattuck I may just have lunch on one of those benches and watch the mills turn.

I swear I'll stop sometime soon

2009-05-02T23:22:00.002-05:00

I'm so proud of my great niece! I swear I'll stop talking about her soon.

I just can't help it

2009-05-01T18:59:00.003-05:00

Okay, this is the part where you have to put up with me because I just can't help it. I MUST brag about my great niece. She had a fantastic game last night in her hometown of Stillwater, OK.

There's this...

and this...

and this...

I'm an OSU fan and I'm completely rooting for OU. Don't tell anybody. Okay? We plan to take Mother to the big 12 tournament in Oklahoma City next weekend. She needs to see her great-granddaughter hit one out of the park.

heh

2009-04-30T13:35:00.001-05:00

Makes me smile.

Crackberry update

2009-04-30T13:34:00.001-05:00

They took the Blackberry away. Sigh. I resolved to go back to my old phone. To save my money for pedicures and having Mrs. Kitten spayed. So what did I do? I got a Blackberry, of course. Sheesh. Self control? Out the window. Instant gratification? Charter member.

I really do like my phone. Bunches. It's great to get my email anywhere I am. That helps me keep up with my job and my business. The GPS helps me find my way because I do get 'round.

We did have Mrs. Kitten spayed. We had tired of riding the hormonal roller coaster. She spent most nights meowing loudly at the window above the bed. None of us were getting much sleep and hopefully her life will be less fitful.

Mrs. Kitten was horribly upset when the Mr. picked her up at the vet hospital. Can you imagine that the humans you trust most in the world dumping you off at a strange place where your are starved all night long and not allowed a drink? Then some other humans do unspeakable things to you while you are sleeping. When you awake, you are in a cage between two large snarling dogs. Kitty was fit to be tied. Growling and hissing. She calmed down when she recognized his voice and crawled into her carrier. She seems relieved to be at home and has been resting well. Her appetite is good and she's thirsty. I don't think she blames us for her suffering. Yet.

Blackberry Crackberry

2009-04-10T14:56:00.003-05:00

The company I work for gave us ~~Blackberrys~~ Crackberrys (Blackberries? or Crackberries?)to carry for five weeks and I can't seem to accomplish a thing. I have pictures for the previous post but can't seem to get them edited. I can't read my book. I can't watch a movie, or even a 30 minute sitcom. That darn ~~Blackberry~~ Crackberry is never far from my reach. I can't seem to do without it now. I think that is what the company was hoping for. Hoping that we would all become hopelessly addicted and pay for the extra data/text package and the higher "Cell-u-care". Well now they're offering a reduced price employee data/text package and gosh...I'll probably have to have a ~~Blackberry~~ Crackberry.

I'm in Sentinel again today. Another gal from another office worked here yesterday and they had repeated power outages and lots of customers coming in. I've just had a steady stream of payments and no power outages at all. I think she's jealous. It's a long drive home but I get to close at 4 PM.

As far as I know the fires that spread far and wide last night are under control. Hopefully we will have some rain this weekend. All those small town volunteer fire departments are going to need our help to rebuild their resources. Lately, I've been giving the local fire dept. monetary gifts in memoriam instead of sending flowers when someone we know passes away. The volunteer fire fighters do get grants for equipment, but I don't know how they can continue to operate in the years that have such active fire seasons. If you're a smoker, please keep your (cigarette) butts in the car.

I've been waffling lately over the cabin at the lake that my Grandfather built. We had thought about buying it and now it's been offered as a gift. That really touched me. How completely generous. It does need a roof... We'll see.

Road Trip

2009-04-02T14:27:00.002-05:00

Man is it ever windy today! It'll blow you off the road if you don't hang on to the steering wheel. And It seems that every time I have to make a longer trip for my job, the brakes on the company car act up. So this morning I traveled from my home to headquarters in Kingfisher where I swapped cars. From Kingfisher I traveled to Sentinel. I will work in Sentinel until 3 PM (hey it's after 3 PM now. What the?)and then drive home again. But truthfully, I would much rather drive than wait on even one irate customer. Personally I didn't run into any customers like that today, but the tech in Sentinel did. Poor fella.

The South Canadian River had water in it today. That's a welcome sight. It's been fairly dry for several months. On the way home, I'm going to stop at Wong's in Clinton to pick up dinner. Yummm.

Sneezing & Wheezin

2009-02-24T14:17:00.005-06:00

I have not checked in for awhile, life got in the way. The boy is home again as of today. His home, not mine thank goodness. Allergies are knocking me down so I went to see the doc yesterday. I got a shot and some meds. I had to sign for some Mucinex D because it contains pseudoephedrine. They'll be able to track me now whenever I decide to whip up a batch of meth.

I've been working in Seiling for the past couple of days and having lunch with Mother. Whenever I cook these days, which doesn't seem to be that often (and by the way, we're talking about food here not meth) I make a little extra to bring to Mother so she has a couple of dinners that are home made. She doesn't like to cook much anymore and frankly, I worry she will leave the stove or oven on and forget about it. I normally give her the care package after we get back to my office and yesterday I forgot. She came back 30 minutes later to get her goulash. She may be getting a little spoiled. (I hope so, she deserves it) Mother says that I've learned to cook well. She reminds me that I wouldn't let her teach me how. I was willing to learn from her, I just wanted to do things my own way and look up stubborn in the dictionary. Mom's picture is there. It's right next to mine.

I've been dreaming so much lately but I can never remember what the dreams are about.
I received a nice notebook as a birthday present and decided to keep it by the bed so I can record my dreams. Last night I wrote down "big loopy clothing software". I have no idea what that means. At least that's what I think I wrote down, it was dark. I did watch the red carpet fashion police before falling asleep last night...maybe I was dreaming about some big loopy dress and the software to design it. Dunno.

Brrrrr

2009-01-27T10:06:00.013-06:00

Rather chilly here today.

The boss offered to let me use a day of vacation, since the roads are treacherous.

So I'm burning a vacation day. Better safe than sorry.

Catching up

2009-01-16T11:06:00.002-06:00

No excuses here...except being very busy or very lazy. You choose. I celebrated the "big" birthday and it was a really nice day. My boss brought a gift and an ice cream cake for the office to share. Then she promptly announced to the entire office including the customers "Hey did ya'll know that Terri is 50 today?" Isn't she just the sweetest thing....she'll get hers in November when she turns 50.

It was very cold this morning when I got up. 13 degrees. brrrr.
I had just arrived in Watonga for work when I got the call to turn around and head to Mooreland. Not a bad deal. I would rather drive than deal with customers. Well some of the customers anyway. At least I can slip over to Woodward on the way home and wash my dirty little company car if it warms up today.

No big plans for the weekend. Sunday we are supposed to go to Mother's for the January birthday dinner that we didn't get around to earlier this month. It's difficult this year because my brother is gone. Today is his birthday. My sister went to Stillwater to lay flowers at his grave. I miss him. I know it will get easier as time goes by.

Ewwww. A large young fellow just came into the office to pay is bill wearing a t-shirt that said "got milf?" Ewwwww!

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T13:51:00.001-06:00

As we usher the old year out and embark upon another new one, hold that thought. I have to sell another BlackBerry. Sheesh!

Dreams

2008-12-23T10:38:00.003-06:00

I had a bad dream early this morning. In my dream I was supposed to run the Okeene office by myself on Christmas Eve. Only I forgot to do it. Puttering around the house, it was after lunch when I grabbed my cell phone to make a call and realized my phone was off. I turned it on and had SEVERAL missed calls from my boss. I was about to return her calls when my phone rang. It was a psychologist asking why I had not shown up for work. She was asking, "Do you often have problems with you memory? Do you have deep seated anxiety in connection with your work?" (hello?) I told the good Dr. that I was leaving immediately and would be in Okeene in an hour (we seemed to be living in a house we lived in almost 30 yrs ago) and that I would stay until 6 pm or later if needed. The doc asked "Why are you screwing up such a nice job? And then I woke up, jumped out of bed and got ready for work! Sheesh!

I've been dreaming a lot lately and I wish my psyche would just give it a rest. Isn't it enough to get through each day without all this crazy crap happening in my head all night long?

Anyway, I am in Okeene today, I am not alone in the office and I wasn't late. We are selling scads of cell phones. Tomorrow I'm lunching with family and I get off work at 3 PM. Let's just hope that I don't forget to go to work.

It's just not right

2008-12-21T17:28:00.002-06:00

I've not been treated well lately... I gave blood and they didn't give me a band aid for my pricked finger. The girl got into trouble when the supervisor noticed. I told her that it was okay. Really. She asked "What if you reached into the cookies with that hand?" Good point. Except they didn't offer me any cookies. Or even a soda or juice. hmph.

I went to the grocery and picked up a few things, spent about $50.00 and they didn't carry my groceries out. I wheeled em out there myself and brought the cart back in. I don't know how it is where you live, but in small town Oklahoma they usually help with my groceries.

Yesterday, walking out of a restaurant I saw something fall as a bird flew by and sure enough, that bird shit on me.

It's just not right.

Today I've made cinnamon rolls, sugar cookies, English toffee and some melted Snickers things. Maybe the world will treat me better if I'm bearing gifts.

For the Birds

2008-12-18T12:16:00.004-06:00

On any given morning, gaggles of birds show up to drink behind from the pans that the outside cat drinks from. Brave birds? Not so much, he's an old cat.

Coming home via the lake

2008-11-19T21:17:00.004-06:00

I'm not sure how warm it was this afternoon, but I turned the a/c on at the office for awhile. The bank the thermometer said 77 the last I looked. We are told to expect a cold front coming through this evening.

It's nice to work in Canton because I can drive to the lake on my way home. Recently my sister-in-law gave me a key to the cabin so that I can check on it from time to time. I like it there. The air smelled crisp and fresh this evening. The leaves were crunchy under foot. And a nice sunset as I drove home across the dam.

It was too dark for the windmill shot, but the sky was such a pretty orange.

Lotsa nuthin'

2008-11-18T15:27:00.002-06:00

A new week and so far it has been busy.

Sunday I met Mother, my sister, my sister-in-law and one of my nephews in Watonga for lunch. Then we went to see the current play at the Liberty Theatre. It was a good show, we all enjoyed it.

Monday morning I worked in Watonga...until they sent me to Okeene. That drastically changed my plans because I had to be back in Watonga by 5:30 pm to work in the box office at the Theatre. I didn't think it would be right to drive the company car back to Watonga, so I skipped lunch, left early, and drove the 40 some miles home to get my personal car. Then I left for Watonga, another 25 miles. It kinda looks like I'm leaving a big footprint on this planet even though I try not to. It's just hard when you live out in the boondocks.

Working the box office is usually fun, except it was the last night of the play and all the high school English students showed up to get extra credit. And they all paid one at a time. At our little bitty box office window. Suffice it to say, the play started late. They may never ask me to work box office again. (let's hope)

It's Tuesday and I'm working in Canton and is everyone who lives in has a telephone a racist? Ugly things are being said and it makes me very uncomfortable. I'm in the office alone this afternoon and thankfully it's been quiet most of the time. One of the girls went to the optometrist this afternoon to have her eyes dilated. She is having laser surgery tomorrow.

The other girl in this office is a former classmate. Last Saturday night Canton had their annual lighted Christmas parade. My sister and Mom sat in their car to watch it because the weather didn't cooperate this year. They said there were four floats, 2 horses and one Shriner. (I thought they traveled in pairs) Our company usually participates in the community parades all over our service area. They send a truck and Partner. It just so happens that our little high school football team made it to the playoffs this year and the entire town came out to send them off on Friday afternoon. The girls in the Canton office decided that since they had the Partner suit, one of them may as well put it on and wish the boys luck. Well, it was pretty windy on Friday and the Partner suit makes whoever is wearing it about 7 feet tall. The wind caught her and toppled her over onto her back and her head hit hard. She still has a headache and her neck is swollen. She's sporting a big neck brace. If she doesn't feel better tomorrow, I'll insist that she goes back to see the doc.

Tomorrow I'm opening the office all by myself. Just like a big girl. I need to get a life.

The BEST News

2008-11-08T12:48:00.001-06:00

The doctor called and my daughter's brain is perfectly normal. I said well sorta and they laughed. Really, really great news!

I've sequestered myself in my office in an effort to get caught up. Wish me luck.

Good news and bad news

2008-11-07T09:25:00.007-06:00

Good news - I am on vacation for 2 days. (actually 4 if you count the weekend)
Bad news - I have to go back to work Monday.
Good news - I am off work on Tuesday for Veterans day.
Bad news - This is the last time we have Veterans day as a paid holiday.
Bad news - I took my daughter for an MRI yesterday.
(testing for the cause of syncope)
Good news - We're keeping a stiff upper lip while we await news from her Dr.
Good news - She is a wonderfully vibrant, kookie, intelligent and kind young woman.

I'm gonna move

2008-11-05T10:54:00.002-06:00

It's the day after Election Day, I am in a different office than yesterday and yet the hating is just about the same. I will simply have to move away. I called The Mister a bigot this morning after I tired of his belly aching. He was not pleased with my attitude. Yet another reason I am spending more time with the cat than with him lately.

2008-11-04T15:23:00.001-06:00

Election Day and I'm seeing some ugly racism in the office I'm working in today. It's not very nice at all. I will be so glad when this election is over.

We had a good day

2008-09-19T08:56:00.005-05:00

I've been feeling down lately since my brother has been ill. My sister is staying with my sister-in-law while my brother remains in the hospital physical therapy ward. My sister calls every evening with a report and last night it was a good one. She said that my brother had a GREAT day. In physical therapy he had unwrapped the beautiful tie dyed t-shirt he had made the day before. It was exciting to see how it had turned out. He played broom soccer with three other patients and my sister said he laughed and laughed and laughed. Not only good physical therapy but wonderful therapy for the soul. The therapists had him stand up with parallel bars and that's a new thing. We so hope that he will be able to stand and maybe walk with a walker, eventually. My nephew John is moving home from Washington D.C. next week to help. Some muscle will be needed when my brother comes home. A young man that played on the Jr. High team coached by my brother several years ago that won the state title came by to see him. And my brother may be changing his mind about chemo and radiation. They had been leaning toward not having it. I had hoped he would try it and maybe he will. It's ultimately his decision. Anyway, I'm feeling better about everything today. We're taking Mother to see him on Sunday. That's my brother and sister up there with our dog Velvet. Looks like he was having a good day.

It all hit the fan

2008-09-06T15:25:00.003-05:00

You may not want to read all of this. It's not very happy, not much fun. A week ago I was having so much fun. My daughter and I were in downtown Dallas, having just checked in to our hotel room on the 18Th floor. We had a great view of the skyscrapers, a pleasant culture shock for both of us. We had traveled by train to Fort Worth from Oklahoma City and I would highly recommend that to anyone. The ride back was a bit stressful, lots of tired little kiddies on board, but their parents did a lovely job of keeping them amused.

Saturday night we went to the House of Blues. The School of Rock, Dallas, opened the show. If you ever get the chance to see a performance by these kids, or any other School of Rock do it. Those kids were awesome. About five different groups of five or six kids performed a classic rock song perfectly. These kids ranged in age from middle school through high school. One of the singers was likely a mom. Each and every one was excellent. I wanna go to the School of Rock.

Then Fan Halen took the stage. The lead singer had David Lee Roth down pat. At first it was hilarious, and then it just plain rocked. The crowd loved them. My daughter said she didn't realize that she knew all the words to all those Van Halen songs. We really had a great time.

Monday morning my sister called and the world has been a little off kilter ever since. She called to tell me that our brother has a brain tumor. Well, three actually and that a biopsy would be done Wed. morning in Oklahoma City. My brother has been having "difficulties" for about 2 weeks. He couldn't remember things and was confused. So we were hoping for the best, hoping that it would be benign like our Father's was. Hopefully catching it early on. The surgeon (who is very experienced and has seen a lot) says it looks like a very aggressive cancer. I think my brother and sister-in-law had a clue about this but couldn't bring themselves to tell us. We don't have lab results yet. They went into the left side of his brain, and he can't use the right side of his body. His speech is a little slurred. I went to see him on Thursday. After I dropped my son off at a 6 month rehab. Another long story. Normally my brother is pretty quiet. When I saw him Thursday he was talking a lot. He has all of his wonderful vocabulary. He remembers things. He talked about his feelings. His emotions are very near the surface. He cried easily and I'd never seen that before.

His sons flew in from Washington D.C. today. I think we're taking Mother to see him for the first time since his surgery, tomorrow. My sister hasn't seen him yet either. She has been staying with Mother, bless her heart. I've been curled up in my hole here for the past two days. I don't know that I can deal with anyone. I guess I will tomorrow. I really didn't want to leave OKC Thursday. I wanted to stay with my brother, but my sister-in-law encouraged me to go home and I did. He had a bad night that night. They moved him out of I.C.U. yesterday. He got very upset about the entire situation and had to be sedated. I don't think he'd had much rest since Wednesday. He's mad now about the whole thing now and who could blame him. I'm sure it's part of the process. Maybe you have to get mad so that you can fight back. Monday they will be talking with the oncologist to see if treatment of some sort will help. It's not looking good. So if you have a chance, have a positive thought for my brother.

I've been busy lately...

2008-08-26T20:18:00.002-05:00

I have been, really. And I've been tired too. I'm ready for my vacation, not that it sounds like I'll get much rest. I think the change in routine will help. Not getting up at 5 am for 10 days has to help.

Over the past week I've worked in Shattuck, Canton, Okeene and Watonga. We've been having a challenge lately too... A certain percentage of customer service reps are required to complete Blackberry training. MAN is it difficult stuff. I read what I could of the training, it's online and part of it just wouldn't load. I took the test and failed. I don't fail tests. Of course the kind people at Blackberry don't show which questions you got wrong. So I took the test again, copying down my answers thinking that I could correct them the third time I take the damn test. Failure number two in preparation for test three. I took the test the third time, reviewing my answers, checking and double checking, and failed again. Those sweet people at Blackberry change the order of the answers each time you take the test. SHEESH! How in heck can you cheat when they do that to you? So I was angry and disappointed by then and took a week off from Blackberry training. I took a few deep breaths. This whole Blackberry thing was really undermining my confidence in the ability to do my job.(and that waivers from day to day anyway) Besides I was certain that I would need to know the infrastructure of the Blackberry Internet system everyday for the rest of my life.... So after a week I began studying, taking notes, reading and re-reading. Finally all the info would load on my computer and that helped a great deal. AND I PASSED THE DAMN TEST!

Thank you.

Then I took the three safety tests I was behind on. I was boycotting the safety tests because we seem to have hired another guy (who is really very nice) to film the safety info so that we can somehow find the time to watch the grainy out of focus film online and then take the tests that don't quite pertain to those of us that work inside. And I took all three of em and passed em.

Thank you.

So I'm all caught up and the testing. yea. And I'm really kind of excited about riding the train to Dallas this weekend with my daughter. Goin to the Big City. I hope we don't get lost.

Ouch!

2008-08-20T06:01:00.002-05:00

In pondering what to do with the rest of my life, I just hope my children don't feel this way about me when I'm gone.

workworkwork

2008-08-19T19:55:00.004-05:00

It seems like all I have been doing lately is working. Wait a minute, that is all I've been doing. Yesterday and today I worked in Shattuck again. Longgg drive.

I have been planning for my vacation a little. Yea!! Boy, am I ready for some time away from the office. Since this is my first full year on the J.O.B. I have to take my 5 days consecutively. I'm taking the week after Labor Day and counting the weekend before that, I will have 10 days all together. My daughter and I are going to ride the train to Texas and stay there for a couple of days. I barely get to spend any time with her anymore, so I'm really looking forward to that. I really need a vacation too. I have a bad attitude concerning my customers these days. I don't treat them poorly, I just think bad things about them.

Mother called to visit. She said that she had planned on attending church on Sunday, but her schedule is all out of whack due to the Olympics. She has become a Michael Phelps groupie. That's OK, it takes her mind off politics for awhile. She was a little confused about when Labor Day is. I reminded her that it's not this weekend, but next. She really does have it together pretty well for a woman of 85 years. We are so very lucky to have her in our lives.

I've not had much to talk about lately. I have been thinking far too much. I've been contemplating what direction the rest of my life can go. There are still decisions that can be made that could completely change the path in which the rest of my years will go. It's never too late to change things.

2008-08-13T05:49:00.006-05:00

Before the whole alarm fiasco on Monday evening, my day went fairly well. My supervisor called just as I was getting into the car Monday morning. One of the girls at Shattuck had been stung by a wasp in the head three times over the weekend and she had swelling the size of a "cantaloupe". Gasp! I've gotta remember to call that gal the next time I need an excuse to miss work. So I had a nice long drive on an unusually cloudy rainy august morning. Working in Shattuck is always interesting. Besides that, I don't get into the office until 9ish and leave at 4 PM. Drive time works for me. I came home through Woodward to get groceries since it's on the way. Yeah it is! Sort of. Passing through Gage I saw this old church.

I guess the blue windows caught my eye. Then I noticed the sign.

That is a blessedly creative hair stylist.

Will I ever outgrow this?

2008-08-11T20:37:00.003-05:00

I am an idiot. No really, I am. I worked way out west today and the Seiling girls asked if I'd drop a phone off this evening on my way back through. Sure, no prob Bob. So I took my little security device and swiped it. The light changed from red to green. I entered the security code and opened the door, placed the phone inside on the counter and closed the door. I had picked up some vitamins for Mother and noticed that she was at the Senior Citizens next door for game night. I pulled over there and parked and the security alarm was BLARING!! Geeeeze. So I ran the vitamins inside to Mother and explained that I had to GO! NOW! She understood completely, hugged me and played her next domino. So I'm driving away, dialing the local manager. Why was I driving away? I can't figure that out at all. He told me how to reset the alarm and I told him that I would turn around and go back to do it. He said he was already almost there and would take care of it. SHEESH! I feel like a complete idiot. Why didn't I just pull across the street and call him? Well, I likely wouldn't have been able to hear him with that alarm shrieking anyway. I'll call tomorrow and tell him I'm sorry that he had to come out and fix my mistake. There's just something about an alarm going off, that makes me want to run away, I guess. I handled this all wrong. I hope that someday I'll outgrow my awkwardness. sigh...

2008-08-10T10:05:00.005-05:00

I am having such a lazy weekend! It feels really good to do that once in awhile. We will have to make the long trek to town later for groceries though. It's much cooler today, only 74 so far. Cloudy and cooler. Yes!

That fella up there? He lives down the road from me. His owner says that he is a paint mule. (meaning his mommy was a paint horse that had a date with an ass)

Muy caliente

2008-08-06T06:29:00.004-05:00

Tuesday was not to be outdone by Monday in NW Oklahoma. My tires actually burst into flames on the way home.

The construction on the new highway continues and I believe that everyone in Seiling has had most of their vacation time now. Driving there has become an adventure as different streets are opened and closed everyday. I am hoping that I won't have to brave the gauntlet of Seiling again anytime soon.

Ouch

2008-08-04T21:00:00.002-05:00

Saturday morning

2008-08-03T11:06:00.005-05:00

The Mr and I were on our way to town Saturday morning for breakfast out, when my cell phone rings. Darned display on that thing just keeps getting smaller and I can't
really read who is calling before I answer anymore. Besides that, I have the home phone forwarded to my cell so that we won't miss any calls for our business (He drills and services water wells) and I don't take it off call forwarding at all anymore. Basically we have a home phone for that number, because it's in the yellow pages and our DSL comes in on it. Other than that, we don't use it at all. But anyway, my cell rings and I answer it and this is how the conversation goes:

me: Hello?

Strange guy: Hello, is this Terri?

me: Yes

Strange guy: Hi, how are you?

me: Fine, thanks....

Strange guy: Good, I just called to talk dirty to you for awhile.

me: I'm sorry, you have the wrong number.(WTF?!?)

Strange guy: Is this Terri _________?(insert last name of your choice here)

me: NO! (but it really is me and who is this pervert calling me?)

Strange guy: OMG! I'm sooooo sorry Ma'am! (Ma'am?) I didn't mean to insult you or anything! I was just trying to reach _________ _________ (the Mr, insert names of your choice)

me: just a minute... (after having let him sweat for a few moments about calling women at random to talk dirty to them and what the ramifications might be)

Then I handed the phone to the Mr. This guy is an old friend of ours and had called to visit. Since we'd not heard from him in such a long time, I did not recognize his voice. He and the Mr visited all the way to town. (about 20 miles or 20 minutes or so) He had the audacity to the the Mr that I need to lighten up! What!?! After all, I don't talk dirty on the phone with just anyone. So I told him that I'm gonna show him to the Internet and Internet, here he is. And by the way, he doesn't call random women to talk dirty with to them on the phone. And no I've never done that with him. Ok? All right then. Sheesh! The way people think some times! But honestly, he is such a talented guitarist and singer and it was wonderful to hear that velvet voice of his again. Maybe he could just call and sing to me sometime instead.

My rear end is sore

2008-07-30T06:00:00.006-05:00

Yeah I know what you're thinking and it's not like that at all.

We drove the 85 miles to see the Hank Williams play on Sunday in the basement of The Methodist Church in Sayre, OK and the play was really good. But we sat in folding chairs for 2 1/2 hours during this play. Then we squeezed back into the car for the 85 mile trip home. That's a lot of sitting.

I took a few photos of the set, with permission of course, for my brother the elected set builder for the Watonga Community Theater. He has moved away, but the director wants him to keep coming back to build sets and they paid him last time. The director wants to do the Hank Williams play in Watonga this fall, so she wanted my brother to see the set. We arrived at 2 with showtime being 2:30 (actually starting around 2:45) and the place was already getting crowded so I took photos. This was a shot of the cute little diner. The waitresses were very fun to watch, constantly wiping the counter, wrapping silverware or dancing and singing along to the radio. Their part was probably added by the director, she does that often.

Yesterday we had a 2 hour budget cut meeting at the company I work for. The only thing that really effected me was the fact that I'll have to work until I'm 68 to have the company pay for my husband's and my own health care until I die. It's good to have health insurance until you die, I just didn't expect to work until I was 68. What was I thinking? Sheesh! Doesn't everybody work until they're 70 these days?

But the trip to and from the meeting combined with another 2 hours in a folding chair has taken it's toll. I'm saddle sore.

On a final note, please say a little prayer for my son today. He's been having a tough time of it, and that makes it tough for us too. But we've been through hard times with him and because of him in the past and I'm sure that we'll come out on the other side of this too. One way or another.

Is it great niece or grand niece

2008-07-24T21:11:00.003-05:00

Either way, she is the daughter of my oldest niece and we are all so proud of her. She appeared on the front page of the Daily Oklahoman today. It's a nice story.

2008-07-23T20:48:00.005-05:00

I received a flier in the mail today from the Watonga Community Theater advertising a show that's being produced in Sayre. The director is the woman that directed the plays that I've participated in. She has directed plays in Sayre, in Weatherford at the college, as well as Watonga where she is the heart and soul behind the Theater there.

The show is "Hank Williams: Lost Highway" So, of course, I showed Mother the flier since she has always loved Hank Williams and she was thrilled! We decided to drive her new car to Sayre on Sunday to see the matinee. Then my sister-in-law called. She is the one that has fed my interest in the theater at Watonga. She's been very involved there for several years and the last play wasn't the same without her, now that she and my brother have moved away. But they're coming to go to this play with Mother and me. It should be a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

2008-07-17T16:26:00.005-05:00

This is pretty cool, from Poppytalk's blog.

There are so many clever and creative people!

I still can't seem to get caught up, even though I worked at Canton all last week and that's the office that closest to my home. I did get the chance to drive out by the lake.

Ahhh...the days when I could go to the lake and lay on the beach all day...that was a lifetime ago.

Oh well, it's still July and there are still so many ladies gone on vacation for me to fill in for. It looks to be another busy week ahead. I do believe it's disconnect where I'm going tomorrow. That keeps us tied up and Mondays near the lake are always busier. Seems a lot of cell phones like to go swimming over the weekend.

I'm loving the YouTube these days too...

Stop this thing!

2008-07-14T20:30:00.004-05:00

I wanna get off! Man, I couldn't believe it when I woke up one day last week and it was already Friday. Don't get me wrong, I was happy about it being Friday so soon. But the week had really flown on past me. Then the next thing I know, it's Monday again already. I've been running all over the place. Lots of people are on vacation and that's why I'm there, to fill in where needed. Today I worked in Canton, just down the alley from where I grew up. Funny thing though, when I work there I don't see that many people I know. It has been a long time since I lived there. It just doesn't seem like it was that long ago.

Mother called yesterday and she was in a tizzy. It's all my sister's fault. A week ago when she spent a few days with Mother, my sister took Mom car shopping. Sigh...
Mother has had new car fever for awhile. It's just that Mother is 85 now and doesn't drive that much and sometimes I wonder if perhaps she shouldn't. But Mom had found a car she liked and she decided to get it. Her old car needs a slight, but costly repair (aren't all repairs like that anymore?) and she was trying to decide whether or not to have it fixed. I told her that I thought her old would sell more quickly at a lower price with full disclosure about the repair it needs, rather than doubling the price of a 15 year old car. In the end, I'm not really certain what she decided to do about the old car.

But on to the new car...it has heated seats. She wanted that because I went on and on about my heated seats during the winter. They really are nice and I will never own another car that does not have them. Ever. Amen. The new car has a CD player somewhere she says. What she thought was the CD player is actually a GPS. The computer that my sister gave to Mom a few years ago made Mom very frustrated, so I don't know that the GPS will get that much use. It would be nice if the darned thing would tell me where she is all the time. I would like that. The new car is silver, that's one of the reasons she had to have it. Color is important in the choice of a new car after all.

Anyway, she is very pleased with it. She only drives a few blocks each day to get the mail and has the occasional trip to one of the restaurants where she lives. Then of course there is the big weekly trip to Woodward to have her hair done. That one scares me. I wish that I could take her instead of her driving there. Tomorrow she is driving to Canton to show off the new car to me. I'll be worried about her all morning. She has a cell phone in case she ever has trouble. Apparently it only calls out, because when I can't figure out where she is and I call her cell phone, she does not answer. I don't know if she doesn't hear it buried in her purse, or doesn't quite know how to answer it, or simply doesn't want to be bothered with the likes of me.

Honestly though, I love my Mother to pieces. It's just been Momma and me since I was 12. When I grow up I want to be just like her, if I ever do grow up. We are so very lucky to have her in our lives. And isn't she just the cutest thing ever?

2008-07-08T21:30:00.003-05:00

Got home late on Tuesday, because I went through Woodward. It's on the way, really. It is too on the way, if you think like I do. Besides, I wanted to get my nails done. It's been awhile since I've had that, I'm sure. I try not to do it too often. I'm always afraid that I'm becoming high maintenance and we wouldn't want that, would we. It's not really my fault that I like having things like that done anyway. Really it's not. I grew up in a beauty salon. Honestly I did, so therefore, it is not my fault.

Mother started beauty college when I started first grade and she had her shop open before I was out of school that year. The Lincoln Avenue Beauty Salon was located in a back room of our home where Mother had done laundry and ironing for people before we started school. When I wasn't in school I hung out in the beauty shop. Well, not all the time. She had a few customers, my favorites, that didn't seem to mind my being there. Some did seem to mind though, so it wasn't comfortable being there when they were. Mother says she put the shop there in our home because (a) she had this space that was plumbed & paid for, and (b) she could keep an eye on me. Hah! She says now, that I raised myself and she was close by in the case of an emergency. Like the time I skinned my knee so badly in a bicycle wreck that I needed stitches. On a Friday evening. Mother had a standing appointment with Irene every Friday evening and I should have known better than to have a bike wreck on that day of the week. So I sat quietly and bled until Irene was rolled and under the hair dryer before I was bandaged. But looking back, it was nice that she was close if I needed something important. Like permission to go fire pop bottle rockets off ~~piss bridge~~ the old river bridge. You would think with her standing there in that beauty shop all day long, making little old lady's hair blue, that I would have been able to get away with all sorts of mischief. But no, that just wasn't the case. Somehow, she aways knew when I had done something inappropriate even before I got home. There seemed to be no end to the number of spies in our small town. These people were all "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child" long before Hilary Clinton was. Thank goodness they were.

Split day

2008-07-07T21:38:00.002-05:00

This picture has nothing to do with anything. I just thought it was pretty. This morning I worked in Shattuck, but one of the girls was sick in Seiling. So I worked there this afternoon. We're still crazy busy. It must be all the oil field traffic. Lots of new installs and cellular to keep us on our toes. Tomorrow it's back to Shattuck.

Independence Day

2008-07-06T08:38:00.007-05:00

Ah the 4th of July...makes me think of picnics, hot dogs, home made ice cream and fireworks. We celebrated at our house this year too.

We did a little yard work...

Our son was kind enough to help us.

We ran about 60 feet of brand spanking new lateral line.

The Mr. is pretty good with his "hoe".

No, that's not my front yard.

We've never flushed felt better!

NBA Basketball!

2008-07-03T06:30:00.002-05:00

Yes, OKC got the Sonics. They'll have to change their name and the team colors too. But how exciting! I'm ready to get tickets!

Tuesday in Okeene

2008-07-01T21:38:00.002-05:00

Today was disconnect in Okeene. We had some cellular business today too as well as all the folks who are compelled to pay their bills on the 1st. Not a terribly exciting day at all. I did speak with a couple of old friends about the school reunion this Saturday. These two organize the whole thing. I just check people in. One of them mentioned having me emcee the deal, but I think I'm just too slippery to be roped into that. My sister isn't going with me this year. My brother and sister-in-law aren't coming either. The Mr won't attend because last time, we had to sit at a head table and everyone watched us eat. Especially his ex-wife. I didn't notice, but my sister did and she didn't like it. Isn't she great?

Anyway, tonight I just had to hear this.

And a little of this.

Now I can rest easy.

Monday, Monday

2008-06-30T11:20:00.005-05:00

Monday in Mooreland again. That means driving through Seiling and I'm not liking that at all. They have the streets torn up to construct a new road. This has been going on for months and looks like the end is nowhere in sight. As I was barely going 10 MPH this morning, I noticed that part of the construction seems to involve kicking stuff on the new asphalt. All the guys were doing it, so it must be necessary. I could have avoided it all by going through Chester and Greiver Canyon. But there isn't much cell signal there and I just know that this is the place I'll have a flat, the engine will blow up or the steering wheel will come off etc... The highway 270 route seems shorter anyway, since it angles.

I forgot my camera today and wouldn't you know it, the two sunflower fields are in bloom. They were very pretty this morning. It looks like most of the wheat worth cutting has been harvested now.

It's cellular hotline today. This means that if you haven't paid your bill, your cell phone won't work. That's keeping us pretty busy coupled with the last day to pay or make arrangements for the Mooreland customers. Tomorrow is disconnect for the Mooreland exchange. I'm not sure where I'm working tomorrow. It's 30Th cycle disconnect in a few other offices where people are vacationing. We'll just have to see who has more accounts that are unpaid.

And to think, this time last year we were packing so we could go here....

playing with photoshop

2008-06-28T17:22:00.009-05:00

Thursday and Friday I worked in Watonga and Friday was very busy, we were shorthanded. But we made it through.

I've wasted a lot of time this weekend playing with photoshop. Well maybe it wasn't wasted, I did learn a little. I learned that this can become a complete obsession. I don't know how many hours I've spent clicking and tweaking photos.

This is the original.

These have been "doctored".

Then there's this.

And this...

It sure doesn't look like much. Sigh...I played with other photos too. It has been a pretty quiet weekend and I should be doing bookwork.

2008-06-25T12:18:00.005-05:00

Whew! This week is going by so fast! Monday and Tuesday in Mooreland were very busy. Tuesday was disconnect day for 4 towns in that exchange. Making friends. People really aren't very friendly when they get disconnected for non-payment, go figure. I suspect that the economic stimulus checks are floating around now too. New installs, upping DSL speeds, premium TV channel additions....I'm dreaming cell phone activations at night we've had so many lately. I'm ready for a vacation. Really ready. That probably won't come until Sept. or so.

I came home through Woodward. Yes, it is too on the way, kind of, depending on how you look at things. I went through the auto-car wash and the company car came out bright and shiny. Only thing bad thing though, was i only had a $20 bill. So I fed that into the machine and it gave me $14.00 change. In quarters. So I'm ready for the next car wash. I guess...

I stopped by the Wal Mart and saw my sister-in-law. She is a retired special needs teacher. She took a link out of my watchband for me and told me how busy both of them have been. She said she had just arrived home from Mexico, where she bought her drugs. I took a double take and then realized she didn't mean recreational drugs. The world has certainly changed.

The Mr. has been quite busy lately too and unusually grumpy as well. At least the grumpiness has been directed at the boys and not me. Poor fellas. One of them has been quite ill lately, poor guy. None of the bad attitude is directed toward him. But the other two....it seems like they can't do anything right these days. That reminds me again that I am so thankful for my job. I'm so very fortunate. If I work somewhere else, then I'm not working out in the field, experiencing the grumpiness first hand. I am truly blessed.

Today I am in Okeene again. I visited the tag agent to renew my driver's license.
I stopped in at the Catholic Thrift Store to pick up some white T-shirts for those poor guys that can't do anything right. I noticed that the boys were looking a little dingy these days and it was a $1 a bag day. Light colors are cooler out in the sun, trust me, I know. I found this there too.

This reminded me of Mr. Bill. I do have a special place in my heart for Mr. Bill. Always have.

My kittycat is a trollop

2008-06-23T13:30:00.008-05:00

Well, Karma is not really my cat. She belongs to my daughter but lives with me. My daughter got a boyfriend that has a dog that eats cats, so I inherited Karma. If this is any indication how the whole Grandmother thing is going to go, then we are sooo not ready.

Karma has become a wanton hussy. She has discovered that she is a cat and not a furry little person. She has always lived in the house, but recently, she escaped. Several times. And when she escaped, she met the TOM CAT. Now, she's in love. Since her revelation, she has become inconsolable. She spends countless hours in the bedroom window languishing for that old Tom Cat. She cries out for him in the night, so I put her out in the garage comfort her through her heartache.

That old tom cat is ancient. We have tried to calculate his age and all we know is that he's been around longer than we can remember. We hope suspect that he is shooting blanks. It has been long enough now since her last escapade, to detect a pregnancy and so far, so good. If she had kittens, it would change who she is forever and I love who she is right now. Except for the all the night meowing business anyway. I could have her spayed but I'm afraid that would change her persona as well. Oh the travails of kitty care....

Where my Mom comes from

2008-06-19T12:57:00.017-05:00

Today I find myself in Okeene. It was time for my quarterly evaluation. I really do like my job a lot these days and I have the best supervisor. She gave me a glowing report. It's so nice to know that she appreciates me. I certainly do appreciate her.

Okeene is fairly familiar to me. We used to make frequent trips here to visit my Grandparents. My Mother was born on a farm south of town.

She attended Elementary School school here in a one room schoolhouse. Grandfather was on the School Board.

This is the present day High School. (yes that's part of the car again, lots of traffic in Okeene, OK. you know)

Their mascot is a whippet. (whippet, whippet good. Sorry, there was a bitter rivalry between the Okeene whippets and the Canton Tigers when I was in school.) They have a whippet named JoJo that runs around the football field when they score.

My Grandparents lived here before moving to town. You can't see much, it's so overgrown. No one has lived there for years and I didn't bring my boots along. Okeene is rattlesnake country. They have a big hunt every year. I was working there this year and I kept waiting for PETA to show up, but I never saw them.

They lived here when I was little. Yes, there's my mirror again. Traffic! That was long ago too. The house was in much better shape then. My mother rented it out when I was a teen and she took good care of it until she sold it to my Uncle. And that was also long ago.

AND tomorrow is Friday!

Watonga Wednesday

2008-06-18T21:12:00.020-05:00

Monday and Tuesday I worked in Seiling. It's always good to work there, because I get to see Mother. We had lunch together both days. It's not good that I order the dessert on the special though...because I always eat it.

Wednesday was Watonga. It's good to work there, because I know where everything is. I can run all of my errands too. Watonga is the county seat for Blaine county. This is the courthouse.

This is an older home I've always liked. It's for sale.

There are a few "murals" around town.

The wheat harvest is winding down now. Farmers are waiting for drier weather so they can finish up. These are some of the elevators in Watonga where the wheat is stored.

I drove out to Roman Nose, it's been awhile since I'd been there.

Tomorrow I work in Okeene.

Things we find in the yard

2008-06-15T18:07:00.004-05:00

Just look at this little cutie that the fellas found. When they brought it in, I scolded them for picking it up. If the Mama is still around, she won't accept it because it will smell like their hands. They assured me that the Mama was long gone and this little fella was all on his own.

Doesn't that boy have hard working hands? Gosh he could certainly use a manicure.

Finally Friday

2008-06-15T17:43:00.004-05:00

Friday was a long day. I had to travel more than usual. Thursday evening the company car was growling when I hit the brakes. Friday morning I was supposed to work in Shattuck, 80 miles away. After speaking with my supervisor, we decided I needed a different car. The place to get a different car was the motor pool in Kingfisher. It's 50 miles away. In the other direction.

View Larger Map

I figure that I logged about 180 miles that morning, finally arriving in Shattuck at 11:00 a.m.

View Larger Map

Then at 4 p.m. I drove 80 miles home.

View Larger Map

I get to leave at 4 so I'll be home by 5:30. I get to be home by 5:30 p.m. no matter where I work. Lotsa road time. I'm so lucky to have my job. I'd drive further if they needed me to. They're pretty good to me. And cool stuff! The maps are clickable! And more cool stuff! I didn't have a flat on Friday the 13th!

Mid-week in Kingfisher

2008-06-14T07:25:00.014-05:00

Tuesday and Wednesday I worked in Kingfisher. Working in the main office of the company was exciting. So was working in the cellular office. But it's really not that different than working in any of the other offices. Actually that's the way it's supposed to be anyway. Every office works the same way. Well, pretty much the same way. Here's the building were the execs have their offices.

"This building was constructed in 1900 by the Anheuser Busch Brewing Association of St. Louis, Missouri. In 1922, the building was restored similar to its original appearance by Pioneer Telephone Cooperative, Inc."
"www.lasr.net"

I did not know that.
Actually I don't think Pioneer was in business 1922. I will have to do some research on that in my spare time.(between midnight and 5 a.m.)

This is how it looked last August courtesy of Fuzzzzy on Flickr. Fuzzzzy has some great shots of the flooding that took place August 19th. http://www.flickr.com/photos/70412979@N00/1194143075/

I saw this guy in Kingfisher.

He's a new monument they've erected honoring Jesse Chisholm. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Chisholm

Rather interesting placement of him too.

Yes that's my side mirror, I was too lazy to park and get out of the car the traffic was too heavy for me to stop for a picture. Yes I realize that we are talking about Kingfisher, Oklahoma and you should realize that I'm not very accomplished in the skills of negotiating traffic. All right yes, I realize there is no traffic in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. I was pressed for time. I am always pressed for time. That's just the kind of gal I am. Okay? Thank you.

Why did they put him up so high? It's likely that they didn't want just anyone to ride his horse with him. Any old lazy person could get on that horse if it was at sitting at ground level. This looks like it may be an invitation for some rowdy industrious person to climb up there and seat themselves behind old Jesse for a midnight ride. Or possibly they were worried that someone might want to share his peace pipe. Hopefully not. But I'm just sayin....

P.S
I'm having a terrible time learning how to embed a link in blogger. You'll just have to be patient with me. Or not. For the time being though, you will have to copy and paste in your browsers address window. Thank you.

Monday and Tuesday are already gone

2008-06-10T20:27:00.018-05:00

Monday morning we awoke to an even bigger lake in our field because we had 4" more rain.

Good thing we have 4 wheel drive.

I traveled to Watonga first, for about 30 minutes until I had to go to Geary. The ditches were all full. Rivers were almost at flood stage.

I worked in Geary a until noonish and then had to go back to Watonga. Seems like I drove around in the rain all morning. Wait a minute, I did. We had a fairly busy afternoon and that made it go by quickly.

Today I worked at the Kingfisher office. I had never worked with any of those girls before and they were all very nice. It's nice to have some different scenery on my drive.

This aerial crop sprayer was flying around too.

Not a bad day at all.

Catching up

2008-06-08T16:57:00.007-05:00

I know I said that I would catch up. Fact of the matter is, I've not been doing anything that I think that YOU would find very interesting. I worked in Watonga Wednesday and Thursday.

That's where I bank in Watonga. The other bank sign was advertising "Splash Pad" and didn't give time and temp on Wednesday. We had storms on Thursday night and received 2 1/2" rain.

My daughter's electricity was out from Thursday evening through Saturday night. I worked in Thomas Friday morning , but our company has big diesel generators that kick on whenever there is a power outage, so we had power in the office. This also keeps the phones working. But if you have a cordless phone, they operate on the electricity in your house. Therefore they don't work during a power outage. It's always a good idea to have an old fashioned plug into the wall jack kind of phone around so that you'll have dial tone all the time.

The lake in our field is back again.

Friday afternoon I worked in Geary. This is a hill between Watonga and Geary. I heard that people used to hang glide from the top of it until it caused traffic accidents. Probably a rumor.

Saturday I had lunch out including a margarita and then a pedicure. I took a pic of my pretty toesies....but come on. You don't wanna see my feet and I'm way too insecure to put them out there for the world to see. Let's just say that they do look pretty, in their own crooked toed kind of way.

Now I have billing to do and it looks like rough weather is coming in again this evening. We're in a tornado watch, heavy thunderstorm watch and after 9 pm a flash flood watch. Guess I'll be doing lots of watching then.

I've been busy

2008-06-06T10:21:00.002-05:00

Yes I have too! And by busy, I mean overwhelmed. AND we had storms last night. I wouldn't dare even have my computer plugged in during a storm! AND also my brain has not been working so well. I feel dull and unimaginative. I've been forgetting things too. I think it's the drugs. Yes the Doc prescribed them! I have been going to work, getting home, taking the drugs and passing out. Period. In that order. So I'll catch up this weekend.

Hot, Hot, Hot continued

2008-06-03T19:31:00.007-05:00

Today I worked in Seiling and had lunch with Mother there.
This is the scene across the street from the office.

And the heat wave continues...

I suspect that these thermometers aren't quite accurate...

HOT HOT HOT

2008-06-02T19:05:00.003-05:00

We had some rough weather recently

2008-05-31T16:43:00.006-05:00

All we really had was wind, 1/2" rain in the gauge.

4 day work weeks are good

2008-05-30T09:35:00.011-05:00

It's already Friday! Thank goodness for short weeks. The company car rolled over 100,000 miles this morning. Will probably log over 500 miles this week. All that driving makes me tired, dad gum it. After I got home last night I had dinner and then slept on the couch until bedtime. Slept all night too. (might be the meds)

Back to Shattuck again today. It's such a pretty morning out too. Seems a shame to sit inside at a desk. I walked during my lunch hour again today and went a little further. No doggies to keep me company though. Just lots of yappie dogs barking as I walked past their fences.

South of Shattuck before the road turns east toward Arnett, you can see Pack Saddle in the distance.

The afternoon was slowww and it's back to Shattuck again on Monday. I logged 562 miles this week in four days. On the way home I had to take a picture of this house. I think it's a pretty little place, on the west edge of Vici. It was so pretty at Christmas time when they had little white lights everywhere. This spring when the wisteria bloomed it was lovely. It's for sale, but what would I do in Vici? I'll just drive by once in a while and admire it.

My brain refuses to cooperate

2008-05-29T12:13:00.003-05:00

This is really effecting my work performance today. Silly little mistakes that I should not be making. Maybe I need lunch and a walk. Wanna wait a little while til I get back? Thanks.

Lunch and a walk helped. It was pretty warm and windy outside. A little corgi type dog followed me about two blocks, then decided he didn't recognize that neighborhood and went home. I did see several pretty flowers in bloom, as well as a horse in someones yard.

Monday on Tuesday

2008-05-27T19:47:00.021-05:00

It sure was early this morning when the alarm went off. But it's so nice to have Monday on Tuesday. Of course, when this happens we're pretty busy, but tomorrow is already Wednesday! Does that make any sense? Thank you.

Today I worked in Shattuck. I always enjoy going there even though it's a long drive. I hope that maybe someday they'll fix my cruise control. Anyway I saw the nephew today and that was nice too.

I always see something unusual when I go to Shattuck. At Halloween they had a very interesting scarecrow out in front of the bank.

This is in Shattuck too.

Lots of different kinds of windmills there.

If you drive through Gage, you might see this guy.(more about that another day)

High School Graduation

2008-05-26T14:05:00.012-05:00

Friday my sister and I took Mother to our Great-niece's high school graduation in Stillwater. It was a long ride for Mother, but she did great.

We arrived at my Brother's new abode at about 4 pm. This was our first visit there. I really miss having them close, but I can understand that they would like to live closer to their daughters and grandchildren. They have a lovely new home and I hope they'll have many happy years there.

We went to one of my niece's house for a barbecue. She has the loveliest home of all, I think. She is the hostess with the mostess. (I know that's not a word, by the way) There were a lot of people there that I didn't know. But my two nephews had flown home from Washington D.C. and my other niece was there too. All four of my brother's children home at once! This is rare indeed! So nice to see them all.

Then we were off to Gallagher - Iba Arena for graduation.

We are not used to such large classes graduating. 351. Wow.
It was a long evening, but my sister and I had fun. We played with our cameras and Mother visited with our nephew-in-law's Father most of the evening.

We enjoyed watching the people who were sitting around us. This was a very ethnically diverse group. (we're not used to that out here in the sticks) Our beautiful great-niece graduated and the entire class seemed to be quite excited about it all.

I've been busy

2008-05-25T09:55:00.001-05:00

It's been a busy couple of days and it looks like the next couple of days will be busy too...so I'll catch up soon.

Terri

Ever have one of those days?

2008-05-23T11:27:00.008-05:00

I knew Friday would be an experience right off the bat.

The very first thing, I tipped the trash over, after already dumping the coffee grounds into it. Cleaned that up, no big deal. Stuff happens.

After my bath, I just could not get dry. This was the kind of morning where the humidity is so oppressive that you can't get dry without stepping outside in the wind naked. (good thing we live in the country, we don't want the neighbors to become ill at 5 am) Instead of that I opened the bathroom window and took off my towel, throwing it into the hamper. But half of the towel landed in the toilet. Great.

Rinsing the facial cleanser junk off my face, I noticed my feet were getting wet. Did I spill something else? The drain was leaking....brush teeth in other bathroom. Forgetting that I left the first bathroom window open, the cat gets out. Have to retrieve her by running through the yard in my second towel of the day before daylight...

Breakfast went without incident. Surprising.

The Mr. takes me to the company car in town, so I can drive to work. (at this point I'm wondering if I should drive anywhere today) Since we had storms last night, there were leaves stuck all over the car. AND I had just washed the car on Wednesday! Then, realizing that I had left my cell phone at home, I had to swing back by the house to pick that up.

Arriving at work everything went pretty smoothly until a plethora of trouble calls started coming in about voice mail. Apparently the storms the night before had knocked it out. System wide...

But the 4 hours at work went by pretty quickly. Yes I said 4 hours. I took half a personal day so that my sister and I could take Mother to her great-granddaughter's high school graduation. (more on that soon)

It turned into a very long day, but we survived. Somehow.

Tuesday's gone with the wind

2008-05-20T17:53:00.002-05:00

Just a quicky before I fall too far behind...Monday I was in Thomas again. Had a yummy lunch from Miller's. Saw Jess and we went to Weatherford for shopping and dinner. It's always so nice to see her.

Tuesday was disconnect in Seiling. Had a lovely lunch with Mother at Willies, came home after work and was completely worthless all evening.

Today back to Okeene. Took my lunch, bought Memorial Day flowers after work and washed the company car. Came home and puttered around a bit.

It's turning into a busy week. I'll just have 1/2 a day Friday and then we leave for Stillwater. Should be a nice weekend.

How I survived Jr. High

2008-05-19T11:20:00.002-05:00

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away I was 12 years old and starting 7Th grade. Yes I roamed the halls with the dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. In our tiny school, the Jr. high was lumped together with the high school all in one building. Therefore, I went from being one of the oldest kids in school where I felt like we reigned over the underclassmen, to being one of the youngest, most inconsequential beings on the planet. No longer did we have desks, we had lockers. In grade school our classes were held in one room but In Jr. high we had to go to a different classroom every hour. We had to learn where those classrooms were! I was completely out of my element. I was a little fish in a huge pond.

This being the case, I did what I typically do when I'm overwhelmed...I did something stupid. Right after lunch, I walked up to the biggest guy of all the guys who were standing around doing nothing and said "Wanna fight?". If memory serves correctly (which it often does not) (child of the 60s) this guy nearly passed out from laughing. He said something like "Go on, get outta here kid" and that's just what I did realizing the silly thing I'd just done. You know how that is don't you? How you don't really notice that you're doing something stupid until you're in the middle of doing it? He could have pounded my face, or tripped me as I limped away. He could have humiliated me entirely.

But it turned out that this guy was nice. He said hello if he saw me in the halls. If I ever seemed upset or anything he wanted to know why, just in case his "muscle" could fix my problems. It was nice to know that somebody cared and that if I ever did need back-up, it was there.

And so we learned how to stuff all our books into our lockers and where the classrooms were. And we learned how to stay out of the upperclassman's way.

Goin to the Walleye Rodeo sorta

2008-05-17T15:56:00.007-05:00

So we discussed what to do this evening and decided that we were too lazy tired to go out but we needed a few things in town. I wanted to eat out was being to lazy to cook so we settled for El Charo to go. (Ha! settled for!) Mine was delicious and didn't shift in the container at all on the way home. His got all mixed up together and they didn't give him any guacamole. Poor guy...

Today we are mowing, later we'll grill. Playing catch up around the house before the new week begins.

Friday in Thomas

2008-05-16T19:15:00.004-05:00

This is my first post in this new place.

Today I had the pleasure of working in Thomas again, with one of my favorite co-workers. We had many interesting discussions since business was kind of slow today.

First thing right off the bat, the Hostess truck drove by on it's way to the local grocery. My co-worker (we'll call her Linda) and I discussed appropriating said Hostess truck. We thought it might be profitable to drive it to the lake where the annual Walleye Rodeo is being held this weekend so that we could sell all the treats to the hungry fisherman. But the driver looked a lil too beefy for us to overtake.

Then I told "Linda" about the affair that I've been having lately with Little Debbie. I'm going to ask Little Debbie to marry me in California. "Linda" was worried about Little Debbie's age and wondered if I might be arrested for carrying out such perverse deeds. Gosh I hope not and on second thought, I won't be involved with Little Debbie any longer. She can be such an addictive bitch .

Speaking of addictions, I had lunch from Miller's again today. Oh Mercy!!! It was sooo yummy and sooo terribly unhealthy. I really need to start behaving again sometime soon. But I'm back in Thomas again on Monday and I should surely patronize my daughter's place of employment. Shouldn't I?