Autumn-y Things

For the next couple of months, I suppose all of my posts to this blog should have the following warning: 

DANGER
If Autumn isn't your favorite season, do not continue . . . .

You see I love this time of year.  I could babble on and on about -- pumpkins, crisp mornings, foggy/rainy weather, scarecrows, candy corn, Halloween, even more pumpkins. 
( Please see picture below of the beautiful pumpkin decorating my Mom's front step).

To celebrate another October Weekend -- I plan enjoying a few Autumny things: 

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  baking Holy Trinity Apple Crisp,
  
  
  
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  buying flannel for pj pants for the grandbabes,
  
  
  
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  taking pictures of the of the fall foliage progress,
  
  
  
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  making a big pot of soup for Sunday supper. 
  
  
  

That's a great list, but if I could just add --

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  watch the Sooners win on Saturday,
  
  
  

It would be a perfect Fall Weekend!

Attitude Adjustment

All the 'talking heads' on various cable channels are all shouting about all the gloom & doom in our nation and the world around us. They bicker and rail against each other all throught day and into the evening. Calling each other names and saying that 'other' cable-news program is too liberal -- and then the 'other' program is declared too conservative by the first 'other' program. From the outside looking in, the world of politics today has the attitude of 'you are either with me or against me' -- no one seems to understand how to 'agree to disagree' and respect each other's views anymore.

It's all too depressing for me. And, like any woman - when confronted by a depressing situation -- I bought new shoes. New sandals to be exact.

They are so cute and green and comfy and the best thing - - - - They were on Sale !!

I feel much better now. Maybe all those 'talking heads' need to go out and buy new shoes - it can do wonders for your attitude !

P.S. The sandals also come in black -- and, I bought a pair of those too !

Little Yellow VW Bug . . . .

On my daily commute to/from work, I see the same vehicles on almost a daily basis. That sort of thing happens when you have worked in the same area for 25 years. People, like me, heading into work around the I-40/Meridian area of the City every day. After awhile, you begin to wonder what sort of people those other drivers might be - - - -

Lately I've been seeing this very cute yellow VW Bug Convertible.

The driver is a woman; but, I wonder what sort of woman she is ?

Maybe those stickers on the back of the car will give me clue - - - -

O. My. !!

By reading her bumper stickers, she looks like an interesting kind of person -- very 'up front' with her views and I like that. Maybe the next time I see her driving by, I'll honk & wave. We two gals could go for coffee and discuss the need for yearly mammograms or what the Barbie doll has done to the self-image of girls for the past 40 years. That's a nice thought -- but, I probably won't ever honk. I will continue to smile every time I see her little VW Bug --and, I might even give her a little wave because I admire her spirit and wish that I were brave enough to put my views out there on my bumper !

What the . . . . .

Two things come to mind when I look at this picture:

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  How did the model keep a straight face as she was walking down the runway ??


• 
  
  Does this designer have some unresolved issues concerning his mother's handbag ??

O' come on -- you do know this had to be designed by a man.

Because a female designer would have at least made the bag functional. And, wouldn't it be handy to have a bag that could be perched on your head -- for all those times when you need both arms/hands available. For example -- when you are juggling a squirming child, carrying three bags of groceries and trying to unlock a door or chasing after a small child running with scissors or trying to avoid an attack by alien beings. A 'perch-able' handbag would just the thing to save the day -- and, you would be making such a fashion statement too !

This is probably my first and last post about New York Fashion Week.

Celebrate

History is being made today.
And, no matter who you voted for back in November -- we all have cause to celebrate today.

Because our country might just be a place where all people will be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin.

And, isn't that something worth celebrating ??

Tomorrow is another day . . . .

Dear CNN, MSNBC, FOXNews, etc. . . . .

I get it already. The economy is really bad out there. And, here's a little tip -- you all don't have to talk the subject to death. Believe me everyone has noticed the trouble with the economy. The whole world knows about the stinking economy. And, if we should forget, we're reminded every time we stroll down the aisles at our local grocery store or fill a prescription or open a utility bill. It's bad out there.

But, you know -- the sun came up this morning (and it was a very pretty show indeed --there were just enough high clouds to make those 'sunrise colors' spread all across the horizon). And, I'm pretty sure that by the Grace of God,we will have another sunrise tomorrow. A new beginning. With that in mind, can you please tone down the 'gloom and doom' talk? It's not helping the situation at all. So, tomorrow morning --get youself out of the studio -- watch the sun come up -- and, know that you are not in charge of things. Then go buy yourself a cup of coffee (and, maybe a donut or cinnamon roll). Now that might actually help the economy !

Sincerely,

Regina Anne

P.S. I'm going to leave you with a couple of quotes:

'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.' Maya Angelou

'Tomorrow is another day' Scarlett O'Hara

Trees of a different color . . . . .

As I wrote yesterday -- all Christmas Trees are beautiful.
Some are just beautiful in their own way.
Take for instance these - - - -

• On the left -- you have the bright orange trees for the OSU Cowboys/Cowgirls.
• In the center are the white trees for ----- well, I suppose anyone who wants a white tree. (It would look pretty with silver ornaments and white lights. Just not my taste.)
• To the right of the white trees are the red trees for all those Boomer Sooner fans out there. (Go Big Red!!)
• On the far right are the pink trees for all the 'girly girls' out there. (my KC girls would love one of those to decorate)
• And, in the back, between the orange and white trees -- you can see just a bit of the black trees. Yep, you read that right -- Black Christmas Trees. (I'm not going to comment -- except to say that the store manager told me that they have sold out of the black trees for the past two years)

I guess this picture proves that it's all in your point of view on what defines a beautiful Christmas Tree - - - -

In with a bang . . . . .

All the turkey & dressing leftovers are gone.

The pumpkin & pecan pies are just a memory.

And, look what arrived with a bang --

CHRISTMAS !!

That's right -- 23 days and counting.

At our house -- the tree isn't up -- the gifts aren't wrapped -- and, I'm already at least 4 batches of cookies, 5 pajama pants, and 2 felted tote bags behind. But, it will all come together (and, what doesn't get done won't matter in the end).

Over the next three weeks, I'm going to cherish this holiday rush of activities and projects -- and, be thankful for my many blessing and the 'gift' that is the true reason for this season.

Note: video captures the lighting ceremony in the Plaza -- Kansas City, Mo.

Thankful - Part 1::

I'm taking a cue from many other bloggers this week -- taking some time to post things I'm truly thankful for ::

• the way my crepe myrtles are changing colors from the bottom up
• crisp cool mornings and warm sweaters
• the sound of geese calling to each other as they fly overhead
• seeing a friendly harvest moon rising in the east
• my favorite season, Autumn -- may it last a few more weeks before the winter winds blow

What are you thankful for ??

Get out the vote

For one and a half hours, I did the following:

• read the newspaper
• watched the girls basketball team practice (we vote in a school gym)
• chatted with my neighbors
• knitted a little on a dishcloth
• looked over the sample ballots
• enjoyed 'people watching'
• played 'peek a boo' with a very cute 2 year old
• cast my vote

Yes, it was a long wait to vote -- but, many men/women did so much more to give me this right to vote -- I owed it to them to stand in that line. And, you know -- in the long lines this morning, I did not hear one word of complaint. It made me very proud to be an American and an Oklahoman.

Now get out there and vote !! Remember, you can't complain unless you cast your ballot.

Note: Something cool -- as I was actually marking my ballot, the Star Spangled Banner began playing on the sound system of the school. Everyone placed their hand over their heart -- and, stood at attention until the last note and then the voting resumed. It was something I'll remember for the rest of my life.

Weed report

Last week I took a picture of this over-grown/weed filled median and posted it on my blog. I thought it was a shame that all that hard work to 'beautify' this part of the city -- was for naught if no one was going do any upkeep on this project.

As of today -- I'm happy to post this picture - - - -

Very nice -- and, here's the person doing all that hard work.

Yea Mr. Landscaper in the white t-shirt !!! You rock !

Just wish I had rolled my window down and thanked you in person.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone.

I'm heading south for a family wedding.

Back on Tuesday.

Just a little suggestion . . . . .

Dear Oklahoma City Leaders:

I want you to know that I truly appreciate your efforts to 'beautify' our city -- heaven knows there are some parts that need it badly.

But, I need to inform you that putting all that money and time into planting crepe myrtles all along the medians sort of loses the 'beautifying' effect if you don't occasionally do some maintenance -- like say -- weeding ??!!

It's just a suggestion . . . .

1900 - 2008: Mothers & Moms

1900: 'Young Mother' -- Painting by Mary Cassett
Hand-sewing while young girl thinks about getting onto her lap for a cuddle.




2008: 'Young Mom' --
'Gearing up' one child for soccer while another quietly chews on her fist. Photo of my daughter with her two children: Joe 4 yrs & Laney 4 mos


It doesn't matter if today's Moms work inside or outside the home -- or a combination of both -- being a Mom is a busy/crazy life -- and, sometimes the only rewards are sticky hugs & kisses.

My thanks and admiration goes out to all the 'Moms' out there -- I hope your weekend was a good one !!

I'm really tired of 'corn flakes'

Over a year ago, as I began this 'blogging' adventure -- there were two things I vowed I would never mention in my posts: religion and politics.

I have strongly held beliefs on both topics -- but, they are my beliefs -- and, I'm positive your own beliefs are just as strong. With that in mind, my little blog was not conceived to be a forum for religion or politics -- I just wanted a place to chat about about life on the Southern Plains -- being a Daughter / Sister / Wife / Mom / Grandmother and the creative jumble that fills my life.

But, after two years of constant political ads -- debates -- sound bites -- campaigning craziness --

I think it's time to dabble a bit in politics (You will notice that I'm leaving religion alone - even though I could go on and on about a certain Minister who firmly believes he is '(W)right' to spout hatred from the pulpit -- but I won't go there).

The picture below reflects my opinion of our political process as it stands right now - - -

Wonder if the ballots in November with have a box labeled:

NONE OF THE ABOVE !!!!