The Move

On March 28, 2024 I loaded up Harriet with plants and a few items I would need immediately and I headed for Oklahoma. We've been here for almost a year. I have failed to document the trials, the joys and my general "feels" for the place.

Now that I've been here for a minute, I don't have any regrets. This state is VERY conservative and it does piss me off at how poorly the state is managed. But, that being said there are some wonderful benefits surrounding the move. We love our home that is all on one floor, all brick, lots of room, and huge shop for Boyd. We are (4) miles outside of Guthrie in state road 33.......it's like our little house on the prairie.

                         Thanksgiving point....in the rain

Well, me and the bestie went to Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival.....it was a wet soggy day, but the grounds were spectacular and the company was top notch.

Since retiring, I've been able to spend some fun days with Miss Val.

                                                                      *SNOW*

                                           How beautiful this snow is. We are so in need of snow.

I 

It's just so beautiful.

 Burrrrrrr, it finally snowed, a real snowstorm.....real accumulation!  

I'm so glad that I don't have to go out and drive in it.

                                       Blooms in Winter.....

These amaryllis were purchased dipped in wax. I'm pretty sure I won't purchase them again. It seems like the blooms weren't as tall as bulbs that are planted in soil. That said, I love having a beautiful bloom of any kind.

 

The Hardest Christmas.....and yet beautiful

I knew that the first Christmas without Harmony was going to be so difficult.  I wanted all my family with me.  Boyd and I rented a beach house in Oxnard California and all the kids agreed to spend Christmas away from home.  I convinced Mom, that her first Christmas without Dad was going to be hard, no matter where she was, and she might as well come with us.  She Agreed.  We picked her up and headed out on December 23rd.

On Christmas Day, Jeff and Travis gathered up the kids and filled balloons with helium, some for Harmony and some for Dad.  We gathered on the beach and we let them go.  We let the prayers of our hearts lift to Heaven with the breeze as the balloons floated lazily upward.  As the tears run down my cheeks, I hoped with all my heart, that Harmony was happy, and she was with my Dad.  I prayed that they were aware of the love I had for them and that I had a huge hole in my soul where I missed them.

We had such fun in the sunshine.  These pictures show a blue sky and sunshine, it looks warmer that it really was, but after we started pedaling, we warmed up and enjoyed the ride.

Alex started out riding with Uncle Jeff and Milo......there was a "crash" and he decided he felt safer with his dad.....

This is just some of the road rash that was delivered when the bike crashed......Milo was pretty brave thru the whole thing....sort of.

McPhie 1, Aimee and McPhie 2

The Lloyds

The Taylors

The trip was fun, the weather was glorious and my heart was lifted a bit being with the people I love most in the world.  I miss Harmony every.single.day.  I look at this sunset and am grateful for beautiful endings to hard days.

Can you smell the Nitro..

Boyd and I took Isaac to Rocky Mountain Race way to see the Nitro cars.  It was the first time Isaac had been.  I think he really liked it.  He was able to take a Frisbee, and a tee-shirt home....from the big furry "Rocky" that wandered the sidelines and threw things into the audience.....Isaac is an easy-going kid, and we loved the one-on-one time we had with him.

The night was beautiful and the seats were great, and the noise was thunderous.....it was perfection.

Weird Al......

Red Butte Garden is the perfect

venue to see some

Weird things

Red Butte Garden for a concert is fantastic.

After that......you need PIE...

Lemon Supreme (from Village Inn) and triple Berry

ala mode.....



FANTASTIC FALL FROLIC

Boyd and I took our 6th grandchild on a road trip with us.  We flew to Oklahoma City to see this little guy get baptized.  This was a big decision, that Milo made.  He didn't come to it quickly, but with lots of thought and preparation.  We are so proud of his decision.  If he remembers the promises he made this day, he will have a full and happy life. 

Jeff baptized Milo and confirmed him.  The confirmation blessing was one of the most beautiful I have ever heard.  I wish I would have written it down.  

It was a beautiful day, with blue skies and sunshine for miles.  

Believe it or not, it was difficult to round everyone up.......

why is that?

This was Mr. Mr. Alex's first trip to Oklahoma, and the trip isn't complete without going to the Oklahoma City Memorial.  It is a beautiful place, and it stirs lots of memories and emotions each time I visit it.  

I love him

 

My kids can look at this picture and attest to the fact that it's true. Over the last 18-20 years it's been a love/hate relationship with me and my body. I was in my thirties when I started to feel comfortable in my own skin. When I took stock of my friends and family, I realized that women are strong and soft. We are healers...of boo-boos and of broken spirits. We are confidantes and cheerleaders. We are at times our own worst enemies. I realized that if all women fought FOR one another and not against each other, we would be such a force for good! We are constantly being told how to look. How to get the perfectly cellulite-free legs.....tight toned abs...firmer breasts...clearer skin...longer, fuller lashes, healthier looking tresses...it's non-stop. I'm ashamed to admit I bought into it....to an extent. Through it all, my sweet Boyd, told me every day...multiple times a day that I was beautiful -- that he loved exactly the way I was -- that he wouldn't change a thing! Why was it so hard for me to believe him? So, here's the deal, I believe him, and I know that this body is a miracle-maker...it grew and birthed three beautiful human beings, who couldn't love me more. They don't look at me and see the imperfections...they see mom. So, I'm going to be kinder to myself, eat right and exercise and know that I'm beautiful. 

Lunch with the Lloyd Brothers

It's that time of year again.  Take your grandparents to lunch.  When Isaac told me about it, I asked if he wanted to each the lunch at school (sometimes it's his favorite) or if he wanted me to bring it.  Last year in the fall I took Subway, but it was decided on McDonalds this time around.  I gotta tell you, Mr. Mr. Twisted Sister was happy I was there, contrary to how this picture looks!!

I forgot to tell them that he wanted ketchup only on his burger, so we had to pick off the pickles and onions........arggggggggg

This guy has the drill down, you sit and smile when Mims wants to kiss ya....I figure I have a couple more years before he starts to object to this in public.....what do you think?

They are some of the most handsome lunch dates I've every had....and cheap, for the cost of a Happy Meal, I get a few minutes with them, and get to see them interact with friends.  It's priceless. I love them so much and and so grateful for this chance.

There was some weird side walking spider looking toy in the meal, and they surprised me by eating their lunch before opening the prize.......Well Isaac ate his entire lunch, those 10 years olds seem to be hungry all the time.  Alex ate most of his, he put the sliced apples in his pocket for later....

(I called his mom on my way home and told her

so she doesn't have a suprise in her washer!!)

The PTA has this figured out.  As you leave you go thru the "Book Fair" I told the boys how much they could spend.  I cannot believe how mature Isaac is, he picked out a book (minecraft) and it was half of what I said I would spend, he said "I don't need anything else" So I spent extra On Alex.  I purchased this book for myself. The way I remember the old lady swallowed a fly "I don't know why she swallowed a fly, poor old thing I think she'll die." was the way it went......well, the "new and improved" version, says: "I don't know wey she