I live in Tulsa, OK which isn't the biggest city in the US... it is a city but has a small town feel to it. Anyways, I heard about a festival in one of the outer suburbs called- hang on to your hats- The Bixby Corn Festival. I can't make this stuff up! But I heard that it was pretty fun so I thought I would go and have a looksey. First of all it wasn't as hillbilly as it sounded. It was a bunch of craft booths and food venders, then tonight a little carnival. Dan and I don't ride carnival rides. Well, we don't ride very many rides carnival or not, so there wasn't a point in going back.
It would have been more enjoyable if it wasn't 105 outside. This heat needs to build up a good thunderstorm, its so hot out! A good storm needs to come and cool it off. I can handle heat up to about 98 degrees, however, once we get well into the hundreds I'm hiding inside with the A/C blasting! They were handing out fans and bottled water, which was pretty nice because usually most places take advantage of heat and make you pay five dollars a bottle or some nonesense like that.
We did find a new burger joint which was featured in Southern Living. It's no Weber's but it was a very close second. The burger it's self was very tasty but I had to deduct points for the fries. Weber's has home cut french fries and these were the crinkle cut frozen kind. I love french fries and the homemade kind will always trump the frozen, if any of you reading own a hamburger joint cut the frozen crap and go back to the original!
We then wandered outside where I saw a sign for friend green tomatoes. I love some good friend green tomatoes, yeah I know, I'm country leave me alone. Can't help it, I was raised in a little bity town in Oklahoma. Good soul food is what I was raised on, but I digress.I knew that I would be eating them so I only got the baby burger at the cafe. These were horrible. I was so disappointed! They were deep fried and they served them with ranch... ew! First of all, I hate ranch and second I like mine fried in a pan preferably a cast iron pan but never deep fried!
Of course I had to add some Fried Green Tomatoes Clips!
So, this brings me to the last portion of the blog. My dinner. You know I went home and made fried green tomatoes the right way. They were so delicious and I was too excited to eat them to take a photo. The right way shouldn't be majorly coated in flour you should be able to see a little of the tomato skin. I can still taste them and I am going to have to go hunt more down because even Dan who hates, hates, hates tomatoes had to say they were tasty!
As we all know by now I love things from the 40's and 50's, but, that's not all! Being that I was born in the 80's I love all things 80's... even that big awful hair. So I thought I would write a little about that crazy decade when crack attacked, AIDS became something we learned about in kindergarten and people drove Gremlins. Not to mention wacky shows like Alf, Growing Pains and Night Court.
I don't know why, but, this was outside a movie theater here in Tulsa.
Let me get to the shows and movies that I still watch even though it's 2012! Starting with the top of the list: The Golden Girls. I like nothing more then kicking back and watching Sophia's one lined zinger's. Picture this, I always watch them while I do housework and especially while I am folding laundry. I've been watching this show since I was about six years old. First I started watching it with my Nana, then my cousin cemented it. I've been watching it ever since. But I digress, as Sophia would say.
Next I watch Designing Women, because this reminds me of my mom. She always liked that show and although I was too little for it to hold my interest when it was originally syndicated, I do remember it being on. Thanks to T.V. or DVD I have the first season and am working on building the rest into my DVD collection.
I found out this house is in Little Rock, AR
If you're talking about the 80's and the sitcoms you know the last one that should be mentioned. The Cosby Show. I don't have any season on DVD, yet. (That's about to change, thanks to my new job and my love for spending hours on end browsing Ebay!) I love the Cos, I have ever album that he recorded on vinyl. My dad used to repeat the jokes to me when I was a kid and always seemed to be asking for a story. He said that when he was a kid he had all those albums, after he passed I made it a personal mission to find each one and add it to my own collection.
I don't just relish the sitcoms but the movies too! Although I thought I would just post the pictures as I've spoke about a few of them before. If your bored on Netflix I highly recommend them! The highlighted ones are: ET, The Land Before Time, Mystic Pizza, Steel Magnolia's and Nine to Five.
By the way I watched The Land Before Time a few months ago and bawled through the whole damn movie. Seriously- I remember my mom telling me she wouldn't rent that movie for me anymore if I cried when watched it. Guess twenty some odd years later I still didn't get that memo!
Like Totally hoped you enjoyed this awesome blog post,
Blame it on my mother and grandmother for reading to me for endless hours. Books entertain me more than movies or sitcoms. I love movies, most of which started out as a book, but, really does the movie ever compare to the book?- all most never. As one of my posts which was written from a very sarcastic view point will tell you I love books, libraries and coffee scented book stores. I'll wonder for hours at a time in a bookstore if you let me.
Today, I read "Out Of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper. My mom gave this to me about a month ago and because I had so many library books coming in I've just gotten to read it. I think originally my sister ordered it by mistake, so it's written for a young adult reader. It only took about an hour and half of my time to finish, but, this was one of those books that once you start you finish. Period. It begins with a young girl with cerebral palsy narrating the story about how she has a photographic memory but can't utter a syllable of a word to let anyone know how smart she is. Finally she is given a computer which talks for her and she starts earning real grades in school.
It's well written and gives you the view point of someone living with a handicap. That these handicapped kids are still kids. Aching to be played with, talked to and just basically treated like their normal.peers. It also gives the insight to that golden rule, do not judge a book by its cover. You never know what people are going through and what they are capable of. Something I know every person on this planet is guilty of.
This book is relatable. Everyone wants to feel excepted, everyone wants to know they have a friend outside of the people that have to love you- like your family. I'll admit it, I got so into this book I cried when feeling the frustration of the narrator. We should all be thankful that we're normal and not have live with such a challenging disability.
For those of you that read to your kids, keep it up. Nothing is better than opening a book and getting this into a story or to be transported to a new world, time or way of thinking. I love hearing the stories of me as child begging my Nana to read. Always the same stories and while the other grand-kids would run away and play I would sit still and listen to the story. Now that I'm an adult we all share good books that we can't put down and I look forward to reading to my kids.
For some reason when I think of the Fourth of July, images of WWII posters come to my mind, well that and an apple pie. I think of the movie Pearl Harbor and dream of a time when people were truly patriotic. Every year on the Fourth I dress like Rosie the Riveter, handkerchief and all! I usually spend the day with my family, cooking out, playing games and swimming.
This year I get the good fortune of working on our nation's birthday, we don't even get time and a half for it either. That's okay I will still dress up and we're having a pot luck that day, I know have to figure out what I'm going to bring with me. Between you and me, though, I'd rather have the cash, but I digress.
I get off work at seven so I will get to see the fireworks, last year Dan and I laid a blanket outside and watch the fireworks in the neighborhood- I am hoping we get to do that again. I'm sure Oscar isn't looking forward to it though. I've never seen a dog that likes the Fourth, it must be scary for them- all these booms and sparks all over the place. If I was a dog I would run for the hills!
For this entry I thought I would try and find the most vintage-y patriotic poster's I could. But, I couldn't help but putting these last few in. I was in the ninth grade when Sept. 11 happened the in 2011 I got to go to New York and stand there at ground zero. Even all these years later, there is still a quite hush that falls across those few blocks. This was our generations Pearl Harbor, it did spark a fan of patriotism that fanned across our country. I just wish it didn't take something so devastating for us to remember why our country is so great.
So tell me whats your Patriotic Fourth of July traditions?
1. When you go to the restroom and the stalls are off centered. Like, the toilet is up against the wall and you basically have to sit sideways because the other side of has so much room you could practically roll out a yoga mat and do some downward facing dog. Okay, please know this is majorly sarcastic, please, please, please don't ever do yoga in the restroom!! Eww. Eww. Eww.
2. When you have to explain your jokes. If you have to do this then it's no longer funny!
3. People that speak in acronyms. Saying LOL or ASAP out loud just is the extreme of laziness... they are only supposed to be used when writing. You know a short little note, but, LOL said out loud makes you look like an idiot. Why not just actually laugh out loud instead? It obviously wasn't that funny if you didn't really laugh! Just my opinion here...
4. Week nights when I know I should be going to sleep but I just can't seem to make myself, then, I turn around on the weekends and I can't wait to go to bed. Why is that? Or you constantly push snooze through the week and on the weekends when you actually can sleep in your wake right up with no alarm or anything?
5. People that take FORRREVVERRR to make a right hand turn! Ugh, I just want to honk at those people but I don't. One of these days I will though, road-rage thy name is Stephanie!
This is just my quirky self coming out, but, in the dead of winter I am bursting for the summer sunshine and green grass. I want to go outside and watch a baseball game and eat snow-cones, go to the lake and go fishing or just looking for that summer rain shower that I love so much. No matter the season my most favorite weather is a gray and drizzly day, I just want to curl up and read a good book on days like those!
Then when it reaches summer and we are having the 103 degree days that we're experiencing now (real temp feeling was 111, yikes!), I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. I want to carve pumpkins on crisp autumn days and toast marshmallows by an open fire. I actually feel like those days when I was cooped up inside my house while a blizzard was raging outside wasn't so bad.
It's really only in extreme weather when I start itching for a change of temperature. It also doesn't really help that the A/C unit in my office started to malfunction and I was sweating like a pig for the last three hours of work. I ruined a page of notes fanning myself, but I digress. To try and beat the heat I like to imagine myself on top of a snowy mountain making snow angels! Just rolling in the snow like a dog rolls in grass, ahhh, yes that thought is like biting into a York Peppermint Patty. Refreshing!
I really love Autumn and would probably be happy to walk around looking at pretty foliage, drinking apple cider and putting out scary Halloween decorations for most of the year. Spring time isn't really my thing, probably because I suffer from extreme allergies and Spring time pollen is a mortal enemy of mine! Although, who doesn't love seeing the world wake up from it's winter's nap? It is very pretty and reassuring.
So, does anyone else suffer from Seasonal Bipolar Disorder or is it just me that thinks the grass is greener on the other side?
I titled this entry after watching 9 to 5 and hearing Dolly saying everyone thought she was a "Dime Store Floozy" that saying makes me laugh every time I hear it!
I am an oddity. Maybe it's because I was raised and not just allowed to do anything and everything I wanted. Don't get me wrong I did plenty of things I wasn't supposed too. I know everyone does things in their teenage years that they cringe to think of later on in life... but I digress. Aren't you supposed to learn from those things? What I am talking about this time is the fact that I was raised to carry myself with a certain class and mannerism. I was always taught, manner's matter and the worst thing was for someone to think bad about you. Granted I don't always care as much about other people's feelings as I should. I can come across blunt and sarcastic or so I thought until recently.
In all the jobs I have had and all the classes at college I have taken, one thing I have noticed is people around my age love to talk about the things they have done. The people they sleep with, how wasted they got and how much weed they smoked. They go in detail on the size and technique the man they were with had, how easy the girl was and so on. This stuff doesn't offend me, when I feel I get to know someone personally I open up more too. I just don't broadcast my personal life to everyone. Until people get to know me, I am reserved, quite and sometimes shy. I have no idea why because I used to be the extreme opposite. However, lately I feel like I am turning into an adult which is good, right? You're supposed to grow up and get over those silly things you did as a teenage, aren't you?
Which brings me to my next questions: How is someone supposed to make friends, when they are out of touch with the things people their own age do? I have lots of people that I can chat with and even go out for coffee with but close friends, those are very limited. I don't know if I push people away or they just don't want to be my friend, but, I have nothing in common with most of the people I come in contact with. They talk about sex, drinking and other things. Most of the time I have no idea what they're talking about (for instance I had no idea a car was called a whip) which is embarrassing to admit. I sometimes worry that I act like a little old lady, it's true most of the people that I really connect with are forty and up. At two different jobs I made friends with a sixty year old lady and a fifty year old lady. They were so nice and I absolutely loved their company, chatting with them made the days go by so much faster!
I guess it's really my own fault, I just enjoy doing things like playing cards, reading, watching T.V. and spending time with my family. I do drink but it's very rare (when I do it's wine and I usually end up drinking the bottle because it's so tasty!) I don't smoke or do drugs and I listen to 50's and 60's pop music. I want to drive a 56 Belaire not a 2012 Camero... guess I was just born in the wrong generation.
Maybe this whole vintage thinking has started to become an obsession?
Does anyone else ever feel like this? Like you just don't fit in and it's hard to make a new friends?
If any of you know me personally you'll know that saving money has never been my strong point. I try really hard but then I end up spending money when I shouldn't. Call me irresponsible, greedy or just plain stupid, but, I actually have been trying much harder to save the all mighty dollar now that I have a job.
I just thought this was cute!
What is it about the green, coins, dough, Benjamin's- or any other word you want to call it? Why are some people brilliantly frugal and can manage there money like none other and some of us, just buy then regret it? Now I've gotten better, but, stores like Walmart and Target still get me. I get in there and think about all the things I need and buy way too much. I know that these stores are designed that way... that's why they make so much damn money- cause you walk in there for one thing and walk out with twenty items you couldn't live without.
Still have a hard time buying everything for my home and not spending every dime I have!
Now that I am wanting a new car, house and other grown-up crap I realize how horrible my spending has been. I had a great job, and, had started saving but then I, like most people around the country, lost my job and depleted my savings. I'm starting from scratch- actually worse because I have medical bills and other bills that I got majorly behind on. Now I must dig my way out of debt and start all over again. I'm not really sure why I feel the need to put this out on my blog for all the world to see. I mean it's really personal and this is sort of the thing that I tend to keep to myself. Who really wants to tell people, oh, yeah I can't buy that I don't have the credit or the money at the moment? But maybe, just maybe, by putting this out here it will drive me to stay on target and keep squirling (love that term even though I am sure it isn't actually a word!) my money away for a rainy day and the little starter house I've been dreaming of.
So let me know, do you have any words of encouragement on saving money and still paying bills??
My work has been keeping me pretty busy so doing a daily blog isn't going so well. I like the job, and, seem to be picking it up slowly but steadily. Although if any of my colleagues are reading this they may beg to differ. Week days are okay, until about five o'clock then all hell breaks lose. People are getting off work so that's there chance to call in and take care of whatever issues they may be having. The mornings and afternoons aren't too bad, sometimes steady but really it's just busy work and a crossword puzzle or two.
As much as I like it though, I can see that it will be a repetitive job. Sunday, jeans... get to be casual. Every other weekday, khakis or black pants. Get up do the left over dishes, walk the dog wear the khakis. Come home, make dinner, watch t.v. and read until falling asleep. Wake up put on black dress pants, walk dog, watch morning new shows, go to work. Come home for lunch, walk dog, eat soup and salad, go back to work, come home, bring home dinner, watch t.v., take bath, read until falling asleep. Wake up, wear khakis, walk dog, go to work, come home for lunch, walk dog, go back to work, come home play with dog, argue about dinner, watch t.v., paint, go to sleep. This will be my life for the next few years. How exciting.
Really though the thought that gets me through my day, is knowing I come home to Daniel and Oscar. I know, I know, excuse you while you vomit from the sweetness of that sentiment, but, it's true. While I am sitting at work, listening to a person that keeps breaking there recliner because they're too fat to sit in it in the first place, I just keep thinking- five more hours and I get to be with my best friend. Four more hours to go and I can go laugh and talk with someone that truly wants me to be there and loves my company. Three more hours and I'm out of here.
I'm not sure what's clicked, but, for the first time I don't want to leave my job. Sure, I'd rather be at home with Dan but that isn't reality. Reality is everyone has to work. Everyone has to do something, and, when I wasn't working I was bored out of my mind. Bring home a paycheck really helps too. I got my first paycheck today. I forgot how satisfying it is to know that you earned that money and for the time being you will have your bills paid and food in you fridge.
This weekend is the weekend before my before, I turn 26 tomorrow, so my Mom and Sister drove up here to see me. It was such a fun weekend. First we went to Weber's for Burgers and guess who we ran into there? Oh, you'll never get it so I will just tell you... Bill Hader from SNL and many movies. He was such a nice guy. We just asked, "Are you Bill Hader?" and he was, then he saw my sister playing with her phone and he asked if we wanted to take a picture with him. Well, hell yeah we did!!! Dan and I watch SNL just to watch some of Hader's characters. In fact right now being that I went to work today and wanted to get comfy am wearing Dan's Stefan shirt.
Then we walked down Brookside and went to Purple Glaze which is a place you can paint pottery and they fire it in the kiln for you. I think I may have created a monster in my mom because now she is addicted to this! I get to pick up our goodies on Tuesday so I will probably post some pictures when I go and get them. The first night mom and I both painted salt and pepper shakers and spoon rests. Dan and Sarah painted vases and we made a mug for Fathers Day. The next day we realized that it would be a great idea for Grandfathers as well. So we packed ourselves back into the car and went back for more fun. Dan made a coaster and mom made a picture frame.
Our original plane was to go to the lake but since mom didn't want to tow her boat up here and there wasn't any to rent we made new plans. I know how much we all love to go watch Broadway plays and I remember that Jersey Boys were playing so I suggested it and it was the hit of the weekend. If you have never seen this play I highly suggest it. It is the story of Franky Valli and The Four Seasons. It was a soundtrack that will have you singing along to all of the hits and colorful dialog that kept us laughing! If I had the money I would go back again, I loved it!!
As with most fun weekends they go to fast and you wonder where the time went. I love spending time with my family and really how many people can honestly say that? I've had such a good twenty fifth year I can't wait to see wait twenty six has to offer.
