The Oklahoma Trip

Things didn't start out as good as I planned. I felt the first scratchiness in my throat Thursday night and by Friday afternoon, my voice was gone and my sinuses were terribly congested. So while I had intended on talking more than listening, it was a listening kind of weekend for me. It was very frustrating for me, since I love to talk more than most anybody, but I still had fun.

When we first got to Seminole, we decided to go visit Pam's dad in the nursing home. My heart broke when I realized that I couldn't hug him since I was afraid I had a cold and certainly didn't want to pass it on to him. As sick as he is, I doubt I will have a chance to see him again, so I am glad we went. It was so hard to see him like that though.

Friday night Pam's brother Eddie made us the most amazing pizza with pepperoni, sausage and jalapenos! Yummm! We sat around and talked and laughed. I was able to get myself to go to bed much earlier than usual (most times we stay up till 2:00 or 3:00am and then get up at 7:00) since I wasn't feeling that well and really needed the sleep.

The next morning we drove 2 hours to Tulsa to do our "shopping"...there actually wasn't much shopping going on (as I had expected). At lunch time we decided on Mexican food (love it!), and I got to sit next to my favorite Oklahoma sister, Annie. Then we went to the mall for more shopping.

That evening we found out that sister Lisa's teenage son had an infection in his hand (back in Seminole) and needed to go to the E.R. As a result, it looked like we would have to go back to Seminole rather than stay at the hotel with the other girls. Thankfully, we got word a little while later that the doctors said that Lisa's son was going to be ok, so we decided it would be alright to stay in Tulsa for the night.

I was thrilled to get to spend more time with the group that had already spent the night before in Tulsa. While I didn't get to have much actual conversation with them, it was still fun to hang out and listen to their stories. We were laughing so loudly in the hotel room that I was afraid someone would complain, but thankfully no one did.

Sunday we headed back to Seminole, said goodbye to the ones that were there, and headed back to Dallas. We all made it back safely and I'm glad we were able to make our trip again. I look forward to next year and hope that then I will stay well enough to TALK.

4 More Days!!!

Only 4 more days till I leave for my girls' weekend! This will be year 18 for me. Every year my best friend Pam (and sometimes another friend) and I travel to Oklahoma for our yearly shopping trip. So I've asked for Friday off from work, as have Pam and another friend, Maria. And while everyone else is slaving away at work, we will be driving and talking and talking some more.



First we travel to tiny little Seminole, Oklahoma to see Pam's mom, dad and siblings. Pam is one of 18 children (yes, you read right, 18!). She has 10 sisters and 7 brothers. And I just can't even express how much I love all of them. They have "adopted" me into their family (what's one more, huh?) and have been such a blessing in my life. Pam's dad is so special to me that I even named my son after him (T's middle name). And her mom is one of the kindest and most gentle women I have ever known in my life. I have never met people quite like her family.



Friday night we have plans to hang out and play games with some of my favorite siblings. I'm sure we'll stay up way too late, but we always have SO much fun. I can hear Pam's brother Danny (who truly is more an uncle to my kids than my own brother) laughing even as I think about it. Her brother Eddie is supposed to make us his famous homemade pizza (yum!). Lisa will also be there and she always brings life to the party as well. Lisa might even bring along her kiddos who I dearly love.



Some of the girls (Pam's sisters and maybe a niece or two) are planning to stay in Tulsa at a hotel on Friday night while we are in Seminole. Saturday morning Pam, Maria, Lisa and I will load up and drive to Tulsa (about a 2 hour drive) for the shopping!!! Well of course the shopping isn't the part that is most fun. Seeing the rest of the girls is! I haven't heard who all is going to be there yet, but there are about 4 who never miss the trip. I can't wait to get my hugs from Annie, Mary, Patti and Kathleen!



Once in Tulsa, we will shop till we drop and we will no doubt shock some waitress at lunch with the size of our group. Most fun of all, once the shopping is done, we are planning to stay at the hotel with the other girls Saturday night for a slumber part of sorts. We have always wanted to do this, but it's never really worked out before and we've always driven the two hours back to Seminole after shopping. Even as tired as we always are, the drive has always been fun because of the wonderful conversation, but I'm really excited about the slumber party instead.

Can you tell I'm excited?!?

A meme should be easy to get done, right?

Since I haven't had much time to do a "real" post lately...a meme should be easy (actually editing to say that even this post took me a day and a half to get done...busy, busy, busy!)..., so ok Gretchen, I'll play too: one-word-answers please. Let me know if you're going to do it too. :)

1. Where is your cell phone? pocket


2. Your significant other? reliable


3. Your hair? twisted


4. Your mother? challenge


5. Your Father? forgiven


6.. Your favorite thing? helping


7.Your dream last night? none


8. Your favorite drink? Dr. Pepper


9. Your dream/goal? heaven


10. The room you're in? ISS


11. Your fear? incompletion


12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? closer


13. Where were you last night? game


14. What you're not? shy


15. Muffins? chocolate


16. One of your wish list items? ipod


17. Where you grew up? Texas


18. The last thing you did? teach


19. What are you wearing? jeans!!


20. Your TV? old


21. Your Pets? messy


22. Your Computer? essential


23.Your life? amazing


24. Your mood? satisfied


25. Missing someone? Grandpa


26. Your car? blue


27. Something you're not wearing? earrings (and I have to say I hate that I forgot them today!!!)


28. Favorite Store? Kohl's


29. Your summer? HOT


30. Your favorite color? purple


31. When is the last time you laughed? today


32. Last time you cried? Thursday


33. FOUR PLACES I GO OVER AND OVER: Work, Grocery Store, Sonic Drive In, Taco Bell


34. FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS: Mexican, pasta, brownies, fresh veggies


35. FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW: Nashville, The Ozarks, Paris (France, not Texas), Hawaii