Small town living

Living in small town in Oklahoma can be a blessing.  Although not everyone will agree with me.  For instance this morning when I made my gas and coke stop at my favorite convenience store Sarah asks how everyone is doing and updates me on her family.  Her mom and I was friends from grade school.  In fact our parents were friends.  Growing up in Marlow Oklahoma hasn't been a bad thing considering everything.  Such as small town gossip, where if they have nothing to say they will make it up.  Growing up back in the day if I did something bad my mom already knew before I got home.. That is still crazy scary to think about today.  In fact now that I'm a parent it still happens, for which I'm grateful to be aware of what the kiddos do.  Ok so they really aren't kiddos anymore.  Blake turned 25 years old, Aaron is 21 and  Trevor is 18.  Amazing how time has flown for me.  Another good thing about living in a small community is knowing that there is someone who can give a helping hand in need.  The other morning I had a blow out in Aaron's truck.  In less than 10 minutes I had a ride to work and Aaron went to change my tire.  Thankfully because it was on a bitter cold day. I also like the fact when I run into a elderly person they will not hesitate to ask who my parents or grandparents are and go down memory lane.  I enjoy hearing stories from way back in the past.  Makes my soul happy. 

I sure miss both my parents. So many times I would like to call mom or dad with some exciting news and realize nope can't do that.  With the boys getting older they sure are missing out on how much they have matured thru the years.  Some days the pain and hurt of them passing way to early hurts my heart.  Dad was 62 and mom was 64.   I hope to live a bit longer than that myself... I feel like 60's is hardly old.  Especially since I am  fixing to be 50 years old myself.  

I've always heard age was just a number and I totally believe that is how we should live each  and every day.  Thru  the years I've heard older family members say when I retire I want to do more camping or fishing or even traveling.  They retire and somehow they never get around to doing what they dreamed of doing. 

Daydreaming about next cruise!

The weather here in Oklahoma has been snowy since Friday.  I took a snow day and enjoyed being home on the love seat with a warm throw and a mug of hot cocoa.  So then I got on the Carnival site and started daydreaming.  I would love to be able to afford more than one cruise a year.  Although that isn't going to be possible in the near future.  So therefor I will settle for one cruise a year.

My next cruise is scheduled for October 7th 2017.   Am hoping Aunt Kathy, Janet and Turtle will all go on this cruise.  Going back to Cozumel and Progresso Mexico.  So many things I want to do but haven't yet.  This year I may do the Cozumel Island Hightlight excursion.  I wouldn't mind doing another Mayan Ruin excursion.  Not sure this would interest the other ladies but I don't mind going by myself.

I need to get my budget figured out and start putting some money away for this trip.  Am thinking I want $100.00 for photos,  $100.00 for aa few cocktails,  and $300.00 for spending on board.  I like to have $150.00 for each port.  Can I cruise cheaper absolutely but I don't really want to do that unless it's necessarily.  I will want some money for the casino as well.  I enjoy going to Casino to play the penny slots on occasion.

This next cruise I will NOT overpack.  I had bought a HUGE suitcase and a carry on.  Way too much stuff.   Although I did wear nearly everything I bought.  I did change several times a day.   I do enjoy wearing a dress to Main Dining Room.  I never wear dresses so that part was very nice.

I have always taken a bottle of wine but never opened it and took it back home with me.  Guess that means I would rather have a Miami Vice or A Kiss On The Lips from the bartender.  My goodness you can't go wrong with a yummy frozen drink.

Hurry up October 7th! I will be ready for another cruise!!

Cheers
            Karen

Happy New Year 2017

My goodness can you believe it's a new year already?  May everyone be blessed this year and every year.  I did not make any resolutions this year.  First off I need peace and happiness for myself.  So am going to focus on what makes me happy.  One thing I know is this blog and my pen pals make me a better person.  Am sure your wondering how can that be possible? Well when I write pen pals or jot down a entry it's as if it lifts the weight on my shoulders off.  Tension is a mean and nasty thing for your body.  I'm not always good about communication with my boys or Mr. C.  I never stop worrying about being judged.  Yes even at my age I still feel like people are judging who I am and what I have done thru the years.  So this year is my year to let me be me.  I'm going to focus on the inner me as well as the outer me.   I'm ready to have a healthy life and until I make much need changes that will never happen.

I do have goals for this year.  Some simple to some that might be out of reach.  Spending more time with family members.  I say this time and time and then it's like I just don't feel like going and visiting.  Blake and Jessica just bought a beautiful house with a huge shop.  I've only been out there a couple of times.  Yes I know shame on me.  I just get caught up in my world and forget to be more involved with others.

Everyone I'm sure has heard of The Pioneer Woman? Well she had got The Mercantile in Pawhuska Oklahoma.  This would be a perfect road trip with several other ladies.  It's about 4 hours from where I live.  Am thinking we could make it a over night trip and stay at Tulsa at the Hard Rock hotel and Casino.   Which is something I've been wanting to do for awhile.  

Organize my life!  Planner, new organization skills, and figure out how to control paper clutter.  I don't know about you but I love paper of all kinds.  It's to the point the paper clutter is taking over in my craft room.  Yikes!!!

My yearly cruise!! Scheduled for October 7 2017.  Carnival Valor here I come!

 

It's a sister ship to the Freedom, so am looking forward to exploring her. She is a beauty by the pictures I have seen! Can you tell I'm super excited! 

Purple Christmas?!?

I so want a purple Christmas tree and decorations this year.  It would drive Mr. C crazy! So I better stick with my same old same decorations.  Then maybe I can put a minuture purple Christmas tree on the fireplace in the bedroom next year.  So I could still have my way..lol

Beautiful purple Christmas trees!  W

Christmas bucket list

I normally do not make up a Christmas bucket list but I felt like I needed one so hopefully I can mark off some of the items I want to do

Put up Christmas tree and decorations

Listen to Christmas music

Make candy and truffles
     Aaron likes to help with rum balls
     Trevor likes the Oreo balls

Bake some gifts for church family

Make a gluten free treat for Ms. Shirley
       But I will go full gluten for everything else I bake..just because I can..

Go see Christmas lights.
        Would love to go to Chickasha Oklahoma for their light display.

Be kind and not grumpy!
          I don't like being grumpy...but when I get to that point it tells me I have way too much on my plate.  So I need to remember to prioritize my list.

Read a couple of Christmas  novels

Movie night with favorite Christmas treats.

Get family picture taken

Go caroling with church

Make a Christmas craft

Donate a new toy

Give some non perishables for a needy family
          Doing this thru church

I really think my list is doable this year.  I want to do mason jar spa kits for a few special ladies. I also thought about using mason jars for men some hot chocolate mix.   I would decorate the jars with Christmas colors.
     

Happy Thanksgiving

Blake's 25th Birthday

I can't believe my oldest son turns 25 years old today!  He has to work today but tonight Jessica and Logan and Blake are going to La Fiesta Mexican restaurant.  My step mom Karen Sue came, my brother Lonnie and his girlfriend Becky and her son Houston,  So it was really nice to catch up with everyone.

Just seems like yesterday I was holding this baby boy in my arms.  I really need to find some cute baby photos of the boys and post on here. Which would cause all three of them to have a stroke if they knew. Lol! 

Happy Birthday Blake!! .