Wichita Mountains

For years I have asked Mr. C. (hubbie) to go with me to Medicine Park he always declined.  I finally asked Cherrie if she’d want to go on our Sunday Funday outing. She said yes! It isn’t very far from my house. So we made plans and off we went to see everything in that area. Just so you know this post is going to be heavy on the pictures.  Overall the day was great and I can’t wait to go back especially when they do free concerts.  

Cherrie   Outside the Harley Shop.  She has a fondness for bikers. Was surprised that she didn’t want to go  check the store out. 

Finally my first Angel wing mural! Hope to find more while out on my outings. I need to start making a list of surrounding areas that have wing murals. 

Made Cherrie pose as well. She probably would rather skip pictures.  

Found a cute waterfall! I wonder how many waterfall is in my area? That might be something I need to do more research about.  Waterfalls make great pictures. 

To go swimming it’s $3.00 I think that is a great deal. Although I can remember when it was free to swim.

I have always wanted to eat at The Old Plantation and it did not disappoint.  The service was great. Staff was very friendly. I will be going back for sure. 

Cherrie will not like this picture of herself. It’s me I don’t know how to take good pictures. Hopefully I will get better as time goes by for me.

Beef tips and baked potato was so tasty.  Was amazed that the prices were decent. I figured with it being a tourist destination the prices would be sky high. 

Went to Mt. Scott for the incredible views. Cherrie had bad anxiety going up to the top. At first I thought she was just joking. Oh no she was really having trouble with the drive. I probably shouldn’t have laughed at her. I’m a bad friend, am glad she still remains my friend. 32 years of friendship for us! 

Experiencing this view is good for my mental health.  Fun fact when I was in my early 20’s I lived and worked on Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs. Wish I had pictures from that season of my life.

It’s getting hot outside.  I am not an outdoor type person at all.  I tell everyone I am more like an indoor cat. I like to be comfortable and inside an air conditioned room. 

On to the Wildlife Refuge to see the museum. It has changed quite a bit since I was last there years ago. Am glad we went and seen the different displays. 

Wildlife fires do happen so often course the museum must have the firefighter display. 

Our last stop was Holy City. We definitely took some pictures of several different things. 

The church was very nice. When I stepped thru the doors I felt peaceful and relaxed.  

Did like how they decorated this area at back of church. Very serene and beautiful.  The Angel reminded me of one I had years ago.  Makes me want to find another one for my rock garden.

Overall the day was exactly what my soul needed.  It was at a slow pace and we didn’t spend much money. more importantly I felt like I was reconnecting with nature on this beautiful Sunday.

If your ever near Lawton Oklahoma be sure and visit this area.  You will enjoy the scenery and the views. 

 

Family & Friends at Blake & Jessica’s.

Got to Blake’s around 6 pm. Kyndall had been playing in the wet bounce house with the other kiddos. She is so happy to be with her cousins.

Sherry and I  always enjoy seeing each other.  Jessica’s mom is so down to earth, I love hanging out with her every chance I get.

Brooks and John having a good talk.

Hattie having a good time with all cousins and friends. 

Trevor, Mellissa Liam and I on back patio. 

Mellissa and Kyndall.  

Brittany, Tanner and Liam.  Blake’s cousin and her hubbie.

Jessica had catered in food. The food was very good.  Jessica always has a great food spread on every occasion.

I didn’t get a picture of all the desserts that was offered. 

Looking back I wish I had taken more photos of everyone.  I actually got caught up in the moment and had put my phone up.  Trying to be more intentional with my time. Am thankful my children and spouses still want me around. I know how blessed I am with my 3 sons and the spouses. 

 

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!  Marlow’s Parade started at 9am and lasted till 10:30 am.  It was really good. Seen many people I knew in the parade.  Got to love small town communities.  I walked down where Blake, Jessica and kids were standing.  My brother Thomas & Dana and family was there also. Don’t forget Sherry and John(Jessica’s parents.)

Here’s a picture of some of us. 

Love this outfit! Very patriotic.

I love fire trucks!  

Brooks and Hattie had a great time. They both got plenty of candy and goodies.

This group has been participating in Marlow’s Parade for years.  Cache is a good 45 minutes from us. I am certain David Kuntz (originally from this area) might be in that club. He has an older tractor he rides in parades. 

Always got to have the horses. This was the last part of the parade. 

 

15 Bean Soup

I have been hungry for a bean soup for several months. When I was in North Dakota at Melissa and Trevor‘s she had made the 15 bean soup for us. It was so very good. I do not believe I have made it before. So I threw it in the crockpot Before I left for work this morning so we would have it for supper. I added two small potatoes cubed, a can of rotel,and diced up the ham. I use the cages spice that came with it, also some creole seasoning, and of course, garlic salt, salt and pepper. 

This is how it looked like when I placed it in crock pot.  I can’t wait for dinner tonight.  Instead of heating the house up this evening I will swing by Walmart to pick up some cornbread from the bakery. 

This meal was relatively simple and budget friendly.  Next time I would only use half the beans and half of the ham.  Was way too much for just Mr.C and I.  We did freeze leftovers, so I can’t wait for take to work a few times the next several weeks.  

 

Food compilation for June

I have found that I like to look back at the foods I have had over the past month. What I do know I tend to eat a lot of Mexican food during the month.  During summer months we grill out quite often. I try to keep freezer stocked with meats just in case we spontaneously decide to have a cook out. 

 

Salad was good.

Breakfast that I cooked for us. It was really good. 

Cherrie’s meal

This was at Witches Bar and Deli at Norman, Okla.

The ice Creamatory in Norman, Okla

Jake’s Ribs are always the best. 

I always enjoy our cookout’s, so much food. Always yummy.

The steaks were so tender and good. 

The Cotton Blossom Winery wine ice cream.

Chicken and dressing for the win.

Homemade pulled pork on sourdough bread. It was so good. The sourdough bread was homemade that I had bought. 

This was at Sophie’s baby shower. Was a very nice selection. 

Brody’s birthday cake, had his party at Pizza Hut. 

By creating this type of post I have a visual record of what my taste buds leaned toward for that month.  I tend to eat the same kinds of foods consistently.  My husband has always said “why risk trying new foods, when you know what you like.”  In our neck of the woods we don’t have a lot of choices on food. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy Sunday Funday.  So I can try different foods from different cultures. 

Roof completed!

Our new roof is completed.  We used WCS roofing out of Chickasha Oklahoma.  Brian the owner was friendly and knowledgeable about roofing. He has been in business for July 1st 1995.  They specialize in roofing,gutters and siding. 

So now we are looking at other home repairs that are needed. Our next project will be painting the house.  We are leaning toward gray with blue undertones or off white.  I know myself and will change my mind a few times before we get to painting.  Elizabeth (Mr.C’s ex wife) has been sending ideals my way. We tend to have the same taste in many areas.  Nice to bounce ideals off of each other.  Mr. C tells me we are going to wait till next spring for painting the house.  He says we need to wait on Christmas and house taxes before budgeting for the paint job.  He isn’t wrong but hate having to wait on it.  Our income is going to be stretched very thin for the next 3 years, due to getting loan on roof.  

Then I need to focus on my Rock garden. I have been neglecting it for many years now. I will need several bags of white River rock. Then I want to find some cute outdoor decor for that area. It is on the north side of our house. It’s about 16 feet long by 6 feet wide. Which is right about 96 square feet.   We will need landscape material then place river walk then decorate the area. I need to break it down on just how much of each I need. My math skills aren’t great but I know it’s going to probably be more than my pocketbook is going to allow this summer. 

Going to be checking out Home Dept gardening center for my needs.  At least get some ideal on how much I will need for this project.  Mr. C has told me a dozen times we have more important things to worry about.  I just know it brings me pride when the rock garden looks nice. 

Tearing down the roof

Back on March 14, 2025 Oklahoma had high winds of 75 mph.  It totally rolled up the back part of our roof.  Unfortunately we have a high deductible.  Then factor in depreciation making the insurance payment not much at all. I went ahead and took out a loan to cover the cost of the roof.  Truthfully we badly needed a new roof. The last roof we had was 2017.  They didn’t do us right they ended up adding on top of the two layers making a total of three layers of shingles. WTH?  Which made it hard to find us an insurance to cover the roof.  A hard lesson to learn $10,00 dollars later.

Looks like a big mess but am trusting the process. This crew seems motivated and they are friendly fellows.  They work fast and equally hard.  

We already know this trailer is going to leave lots of ruts in our yard.  We have had lots of rain the last several months.  But that will be okay, will work on the ruts once roof is on house.  I am also going to work on making my rock garden pretty.  Haven’t done that project in several years.  

In addition to getting the new roof, we will be painting the house. We are leaning toward a darkish gray with blue undertones.  We are going to paint everything the same color this go around.  I will say if I don’t like it I will go back and paint the small trim a different color.  We currently do not like the color we have on the house and shop at all. So it’s time to make changes.