Frankie and Slim

Frankie and Slim
Happy New Year

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

BELIEVE IT OR NOT

Yes, we actually closed on the new house today. The day did not go without incident and we did throw up our hands in disbelief over more than one seller surprise. Regradless, the deal is done, and for better or worse, we own this house. Hip, Hip, Hooray.......I think.

Monday, April 24, 2006

TWO REASONS FOR EARLY SHOW

How often do we look at the news and say, "It's always bad"? This will be a good chance to test our desire for good news. We should watch CBS Early Show tomorrow for the beginning of a good news series on our troops in Iraq. If we can give positive feedback, perhaps the media will decide it is beneficial to provide the public more good news.

Also, it is my understanding that Harlan Coben will be interviewed on CBS Early Show in the morning. His newest book will be released tomorrow and it is titled PROMISE ME. Yes, we hear it is to be a Myron Bolitar story. Yea!

Now, TV aside -- the other good news story for tomorrow is that we are closing on our new house at 4:00 pm. According to the grapevine, the seller is OUT and ready for us to take possession.

Sunday, April 23, 2006

AUTHENTIC PAIR

Retired Bishop Blake used the word "authentic" to describe my brother. It was my favorite word of the day and it fit my sil (sister-in-law) as well. An authentic pair retiring after 41 1/2 years in the ministry as part of the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference.

My favorite phrase of the day was the quote from a Tom T. Hall song about "feeding the hogs". You never know where a preacher might come up with spiritual meaning. Thanks Norman for being so succinct.

Friends and family were allowed to express their love and respect for the retiring couple and it was a beautiful day of tributes and fellowship. We were so very honored to be there and to be a part of such a grand celebration.

Melissa spoke for the children and moved us to tears with her loving tribute for their mom and dad.

My sister and I had a minor part on the program, and while we threatened to do something like the Aunt's Dance that we performed at niece's wedding a few years ago, we actually tried to be a bit more dignified. We collaborated on our talk but Elenore was truly the poet of the day with this offering:

The Reverend Doctor JPG
Is the title of this honoree.

Born the son of Owen and Liz
He turned out to be quite a whiz.

The smartest thing he ever did
Was marry that cute El Reno kid.

This preachers wife was much, much more.
Elaine, family and friend we all adore.

From pulpit to moving a preacher or two
Jim, Old Man, you're finally through.

A well deserved break for this special pair
As they enter retirement and Medicare.

We send our thanks, our love and prayers
Godspeed, have fun! Rich life be theirs!

Congratulations!

And I can sum this up by stating PRIDE was the feeling of the day for this baby sister.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

PARTY UNPLANNED

Eleven years ago today my family had prepared a surprise party for me. A limousine had been hired to pick me up after work and whisk me away. It was to drive me, along with several family members, to our favorite restaurant where other family members would be waiting. It was an odd reason for a party. They were planning to celebrate the 20th anniversary of my divorce. It was a period of time I had survived and successfully raised my two precious children with the help of parents and friends, and had participated in raising two precious god-children plus I was embarking on the wonders of grandparenthood. My banking career had gone well in the process and we were going to celebrate my 20 years of triumphs.

The Tulsa bank I worked for had a board meeting that morning. A little after 9:00 am one of the board members was called out to take a phone call. Everyone who viewed his response to the call knew something was wrong. He was learning that an explosion had rocked downtown Oklahoma City a few minutes earlier.

I was advised of the planned party and the cancellation. The limousine for my party was cancelled, but our family still grouped at the restaurant that evening and shared the unbelievable events that had occurred that day. We had called and searched for friends and family in OKC that would have been or could have been affected in some way. A bank co-worker searched by frantic phone call after frantic phone call for her father who worked in the Murrow building. It was late in the day before she learned that he had stepped out for coffee and was returning to witness the explosion that killed many of his coworkers and friends.

It was a horrible day in history. It drifts farther from our memory, as does 9/11. How can that be?

Sunday, April 16, 2006

F.Y.I.

The following is my favorite, all time story only I always heard it was a squirrel. With this photo, we now have proof it was a rabbit. Thanks Monica for clearing that up.

HOPPY EASTER!

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STORY

A lady opened her refrigerator and saw a rabbit sitting on one of the shelves.
"What are you doing in there?"
she asked.
The rabbit replied:
"This is a Westinghouse, isn't it?",
to which the lady replied
"Yes."
"Well," the rabbit said,
"I'm westing."

HAPPY EASTER :-)

EASTER MESSAGE

“This day can be a hard one for people who have recently lost loved ones and for all of us when we struggle with doubt about what lies beyond the mystery of death. And yet, the day can be celebrated as the centerpiece in the hopeful love that draws us closer to God.” J. Phillip Wogaman, The Upper Room Disciplines 2006

Friday, April 14, 2006

REFLECTION

Today is Good Friday. I can remember as a child asking why anything surrounding the crucifixion of Christ could be named "good".

A beloved aunt passed away on Wednesday morning. She was definitely one-of-a-kind. She took everything life handed her and remained strong. Her survival these years past a major stroke has also been a tremendous feat of strength due to so many effort of love, until she was finally invited this Easter Season to let go.

A cherished wife, a loving mother of six, a mother-in-law and foster-mother, grandmother, daughter, sibling, friend and aunt.

At this same time I have a dear cousin who is hospitalized once again for his major illness. The prayer Steve ask us to pray for David is one that we can also pray for all those who grip our hearts this Easter season.

"The light of God surrounds you, the love of God enfolds you, the power of God protects you, the presence of God watches over you. Wherever you are, God is."

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

CLOSING DATE? NOPE!

Will we close on our new Oklahoma property today as scheduled? No, of course not. Why should things go as expected?

Our seller is the seller from hell. We contracted to buy this house on February 3, 2006. Seller wanted 60 days to move, so we agreed on a closing date of April 3, 2006.

Next we learned this crazy person wanted to close in February, get the money for the house and keep living in it until April 3. Once we communicated that wasn't going to happen, she began to start listing all the things she would be taking that we had believed she was going to leave -- like the propane tank AND fencing and gates. Ron calmly said we can replace it, okay. We signed a new contract on February 10th, still showing closing date of April 3.

As we neared the initial closing date, the seller needed an extension. We agreed to extend closing to April 26th. After we initialed the agreements to extend, we were told this jeopardized our locked in rate. (Was I really a banker? How stupid could I have been?)

Realtor and Bank agreed to pay our penalty and keep our rate if we would close on April 12th. Okay, we said once again. Once again the seller stated she needed to close on the 12th but stay in the house until the 26th. We actually considered doing this just to get this thing going. Then our insurance agent warned us NOT to do such a thing.

We went for our property walk around Saturday. The seller had not done one cotton pickin thing for over two months. We decided we still wanted the property but it was time to stop making concessions. Ron and I agreed that we would rather gamble on rate than gamble on this woman being out of the house and off the property on April 26th. So we stuck with that closing date and said we expected to take possession of the property on that date or the seller would be in breach of contract and we would expect her to reimburse us all our costs.

Suddenly this was great and there was no problem.

Anyway, it looks like we're moving.....maybe......on the 26th....or sometime....possibly.......blah, blah, blah, blather and blither

PRETTY WOMAN

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SPRING CHICKS

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OOMPA LOOMPA

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My, Oh My, My Michael!

Here is our sweet Michael after his mad dash to the hospital yesterday. Yes, all is well, Thank God! It seems Chelle, Kit and Mike all have poison ivy and Mike's grew very bad. Chelle took him to the doctor. They gave him a shot and about five minutes later Mike was dizzy and by the time Chelle got him back in the doctor's office, he passed out. Oh me, oh my! She was in her car with Hope crying, following Mike in the ambulance to the hospital when she called us. Kit was on his way from work to meet them there. We were on our way back from Tulsa and just kept going. Before we were halfway there, Chelle called that all was well and sent us back home. I talked to Michael on the phone and told him that he has his parents wrapped around his little finger now and he better milk it for all it's worth. Inside my beating heart I prayed for this precious grandson, his sweet mama, daddy and sister and grandpa and I are truly rejoicing this beautiful new day!
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Sunday, April 09, 2006

MI RANCHITO NEAR GRAND LAKE

If you are in the Grand Lake area near Fairland, OK you must eat at Mi Ranchito. It is located on the NE corner of the intersection of junction 125 and 59 highways. It is our understanding this restaurant has only been open a short time.

A young couple owns Mi Ranchito. The Hispanic husband is the chef and his wife the hostess at this unusual Mexican Buffet. I believe the price of the lunch buffet is $6.99 and you can eat all the homemade salsa, guacamole, tamales in corn shucks, enchiladas, tacos, delicious refried beans, perfect spanish rice, delightful fried sugared bread, etc., that you desire. Their sign politely states, "Take all you want, but eat all you take."

We have always understood that you can judge the cleanliness of a restaurant by the cleanliness of their bathrooms. Well, this place has exceptionally clean rest rooms.

The first time we arrived at Mi Ranchito, we almost did not go inside. The outer appearance is very plain and almost run-down looking. However, once inside you see the clean tables and hear the lively music, plus the walls are brightly decorated in Mexican decor.

We hope if you happen to read this blog entry and are familar with the area, you will try this restaurant. It is important to us because we are moving to this area and want this couple to succeed and stay open so we can keep eating there. Yes, completely selfish reasons.

Elenore and David joined us there yesterday for lunch and they were as enthusiastic as we are about the food. I know they will help us get the word out.

Saturday, April 08, 2006

First Braids

Hope's first braids.
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Hope's Art Work 4/7/06

Hope painted this picture and proudly presented it to her mother. "Oh how lovely!" Chelle said, "What is this a picture of?" and Hope announced: "it is
A poop fly."
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Friday, April 07, 2006

Easter Greetings From Terri

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Asparagus And Water In The Pond

The world is wonderful. We finally had substantial rain after six months of waiting. Our pond is more than half full. The grass and trees are green. Our garden is yielding perfect asparagus. Yum! Makes we wonder why we are working so hard to move away from here.

Oh yes, leaving 720 sq ft for 1762. Leaving one bathroom with a broken toilet for two full baths. Leaving one Rottwieler for millions of coyotes and bobcats. Leaving Kansas for Oklahoma. Leaving a pond for Grand Lake.....oh yes, now I remember.

We shall close on our new house on Wednesday the 12th. Or, so we think today. Who knows what can happen between now and then. I shall think positive.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

COULD ROAST CHICKEN WALK AGAIN?

Good news! This morning I let the chickens out of the hen house. Lily was standing in her cage and moving around smartly. I lifted her out and she was able to walk fairly well and flap her wings enough to get over the threshold and out in the chicken yard. She is still slow moving but seems to be enjoying herself. Amazing!

This is the second beaten and mutilated chicken I have seen bounce back and become whole again. It causes me to wonder if I couldn't take a roasted chicken off the dinner table and put it in a hen house and have it come out all perky in the morning.

Monday, April 03, 2006

MA AND PA KETTLE RUN AMOK

Our toilet handle broke when the spring break grandkids were here. Now the back is off the toilet tank and we have the flush arm rigged with a wire on it to pull each time we flush.

When we married I promised "No Lists". I have kept my promise to M.H. I know the toilet will be fixed......I just can't bet any money as to when.

STORM TRACK

We had storms and tornados all around our part of the U.S. this weekend. Friday night the was a tornado tracking right over our house. The lovely area weatherman announced the direction and said, "Thankfully it will not affect any significant towns"...........ah, another reason for us to move.

Oreo Strutting His Stuff

The Aracaunas are approaching their first birthday. Here is their noble leader, Oreo. Can you tell what a beauty he is? I wish the chickens would hold still for their photo op.
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Lily In Hen Hospital

Here is Lily in her mobile hospital room. She has her own food and water and might be enjoying her seclusion. I did let her out a minute this morning and she was moving around better. It looks like she may have broken her wing, but she is improving. Yea!
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Sunday, April 02, 2006

"Bath" has come and gone

Her name is Beth and she has been calling from Louisianna about a few of our auctions on eBay. They won several and have kept wonderful contact about when they would pick the items up. She would call and always announce herself saying in her thick LA accent, "Me-us A-yun, (Miss Ann) this is Bath".

She and her husband arrived today and they were as delightful in person as they were on the phone.

Selling these items before our move for local pickup only is truly a social event yielding people from further than we imagined.

We have started calling our granddaughter Beth, "Bath".

Good Children

Jessi was in Colorado for Travis' 27th birthday. What a fun surprise. I cannot wait for Jessi to write all about it on her blog. I was jealous because if I had been there too they could have teased and taunted me, locked me inside a porta-potty, made a video about bodily functions, hid in the closet and jumped out on me or built a dry ice bomb, etc. LOL

Say A Prayer For Lily

You might say Lily hit the ground running this morning, but she actually hit the wall running. She flew off the roost and hit the wall and seems broken. I have sequestered her in the hen hospital and know that chickens can bounce back from all kinds of injuries, so I am hopeful.

I know, I know, with all the terrible things in the world, I should do better with my time than worry about chickens, but they are my pets.......and Lily is so pretty. She's my all white Aracauna. Her siblings are worried about her too and are clucking around her pen.


I ran to the house with Lily and called to Ron. He came out to inspect and to tell me that I know more about chickens than he does and then I turned around to see old Rottenwieler standing about a foot away from us licking his chops.

Once this move goes through I may not have any chickens left to take with me. Oh yes, right now it looks like we will close on April 26. I'm not putting any favorable odds on that.