New Year's Revolutions

Taking an idea from my dear Sistah here are some of the random revolutionary ideas that I am planning for 2008...We'll see how it all goes!

Finish my reread through the Bible. Seems I missed alot during the first time through. Almost every morning I think, "did I read that before?? I don't remember this part." After the 2nd time through I want to find a really good study. Any ideas will be appreciated.

Take a trip with my Sistah. Yes, if we both put it on our list we will surely do it!

Do a total clear out and review of my wardrobe (I know this amazes some of my family as I'm still wearing things I got in 1970) This will include shoes that I've worn once and hate (but couldn't throw away because of the guilt factor). So if you see me this summer in the same three outfits just ignore it. It just means that I've thrown out all my old ratty stuff and am too cheap to buy anything new just yet.

Ditto on the things in the attic and the hall closet. Things like maternity clothes, boxes and boxes of every piece of paper any child ever brought home from school, random Christmas things that haven't made it down in 18 years, etc. can probably be sorted and recycled. Don't worry, I won't throw anything that could possibly be used by a grandchild should I ever be so lucky to have one!


Find a mission that speaks to my heart and commit some time to it. I'm looking around and there are several possibilities for service. I'm asking for courage and the willingness to serve.

I hope that everyone's New Year is full of beautiful blessings and wonderful surprises! I'm looking forward to the changes and challenges that the new year will bring. Love to you all!

Hot time in the Old Town

Yes, it was ALMOST a hot time in the old town last night here at the Allen household! Seems the Head Poke decided to preheat the popcorn popper for his evening snack...then went into the other room to put on comfy clothes...a few minutes later the cry from the kitchen, "DAD!!!!DAD!!!FIRE!!!" Yep, the ole Whirly Pop was a flamin'. Luckily the trained boy scout, aka Daniel, knew just what to do and had the popper unflamed by the time we ran into the kitchen!!! Whew. Pretty exciting (and stinky). Guess what Dad is getting for Christmas??!!

I'm feeling better!

This made me smile and laugh out loud this morning. It will make you feel better too! Kind of like Egyptian cheerleaders!!

Just Whining

I just have to say that I am sick of being sick. I just don't get sick, but for some reason this year I've had the fever, aching, feeling icky all over, epizooty TWICE. NOT FAIR, I tell you, NOT FAIR!! When I should be out having the wonderful experience of shopping with a kabillion other folks at the mall, NO, I'm home, in bed, overdosing on aspirin and herbal tea. It stinks.

To those of you who are still reading, thank you for listening to my whine. I feel better already for having gotten it out of my system!

Do you know this Eagle Scout?

Yes, it is true! Patterson's Eagle Board of Review was this evening and he passed with flying (pun intended) colors!! We are very proud. Party to follow as soon as all the paperwork gets back from the National Office!!

Me -n- Jon

%1

If I only had the hair!

HUGE SURPRISE...NOT

You Are a Red Crayon

Your world is colored with bright, vivid, wild colors. You have a deep, complex personality - and you are always expressing something about yourself. Bold and dominant, you are a natural leader. You have an energy that is intense... and sometimes overwhelming. Your reaction to everything tends to be strong. You are the master of love-hate relationships. Your color wheel opposite is green. Green people are way too mellow to understand what drives your energy.

What Color Crayon Are You?

Robert Goulet--Sir Lancelot

A moment of silence is being observed.

An update

We are at day 68 of our 90 day journey through the Bible!! Ethan, Daniel and I are still plugging along and staying caught up! I must say I am very proud of my boys-because neither of them really like to read!! I know for myself this has been a great experience- very enlightening. I've found lots of those "I always wondered where that was" passages and also some new favorites. I also enjoy going back to see what the guys marked. (I read first thing in the morning and they read in the evening) It's amazing what things just hit each one of us. If you have the chance, do this study! It is great!

In other news, fall break has come and gone. We had alot of fun going through the maize maze, doing the Race for the Cure (mom and Elizabeth), seeing the Pokes whoop up on Kansas State (boys)and just generally enjoying the break and each other. Those bulbs I ordered from Holland finally made land from their long ocean voyage. It only took a month for them to arrive...The box looks like it got kicked around alot on the trip, but the bulbs seem to be fine. I'll be getting those in the ground this week and getting Grannie's half to her for planting. We're gonna have great spring gardens next year!It has been a busy fall and it really has just started!! Halloween next then that downhill race to Christmas!! eeeeek.

The PROJECT

After months of preparation and anticipation...we proudly present Patterson's Eagle Project!! Today was a long day of digging, raking, hauling, and tamping. It was alot of work but the boys had some fun along with their labor! Patterson was a great supervisor (surprised?) and the pavestone walkway looks great! Now we are all headed for showers, ibuprofen and bedtime!!

The saga continues

We are down now to one car between the three drivers in our house! Last night we went back to Edmond to get a prescription for Elizabeth (Sinus infection) and get some things out of the Escort (which, you remember runs fine but won't stop). One the way home we heard a big "Pop" and the sure signs of a blowout on the van. We were on the turnpike but luckily right at an exit and we s-l-o-w-l-y crept off the road into a parking lot (we're spending a lot of time going slowly in parking lots lately). Daniel got a lesson in changing a tire and we managed to get home on the spare (after a quick stop to air it up better). So today besides the sandman it looks like I'll be figuring out how to get a new tire for the van. I won't be rolling it down the street, not to worry. Patterson will probably be pretty grumpy if you see him today cause he's going to have to give up his car so Ethan can go to work and then share the van (aka ghetto wagon) with me. Of course, sharing the car with me only means that it isn't sitting in the parking lot all day waiting for him to get out of school. It's not too much imposition, really.
Here is the advice from our weeks experiences: 1) Don't go to Edmond anymore this week or you will be walking. 2) Remember that when the world is tilted (and obviously it is this week) you should be very careful not to say or even think "What else??" 3) Today is FRIDAY finally! And things will get better I'm sure!!

Isn't it Friday yet?

I'm still having the same week I was having on Tuesday. Funny how that happens. Yesterday Daniel and I drove to Edmond to see some Directing Scenes in Elizabeth's class. (Hers was FABULOUS, by the way...I'm still crying) Anyway, after class I drove her over to her rehearsal at the dorm building. Dropped her off at the pull through in front and began traveling around the building to exit and head home. As I turned the corner of the parking lot and put my foot on the brake it became apparent that my brakes had vacated the premises. NO BRAKES, NONE, TO THE FLOOR. Luckily I was going about 10mph and the exit to the parking lot is up a hill. We were able to reverse and get into a parking space heading nose out. Whew. Of course it was a faculty parking space, but whatever. So, to make a short story longer, we called in the troops (AAA and Ethan) to rescue us, towed the car to Pete's house and had dinner at Steak and Shake.
Today we have school pictures which is always a treat...three year olds, creepy picture taker person, no moms, you get the picture (and it will probably not be one of them smiling).
Tomorrow I am meeting the "Sandman" to take delivery of a ton + of sand for Patterson's Eagle project which is happening on Saturday. I can only hope I have my car back by then, but if not maybe I'll get to ride in a dump truck!
As the saga continues, I'll keep you updated!

I hate it when I do this...

This morning I got up, got showered and dressed all the while thinking "today is Wednesday, so tomorrow we have school pictures." (I need to figure out what to wear and something to do about my hair, you know). After about an hour and a half it suddenly dawned on me that today is in fact TUESDAY. It's going to be a long week.

I am a Centaur

Yes, yes I am...

You Are a Centaur

In general, you are a very cautious and reserved person. However, you are also warm hearted, and you enjoy helping others in practical ways. You are a great teacher, and you are really good at helping people get their lives in order. You are very intuitive, and you go with your gut. You make good decisions easily.

What Mythological Creature Are You?

Brainstorming

Pete-o just came over this afternoon for a visit before he went to work. He heard I'd made a HUGE batch of vegetable soup and a good portion of it with organic vegetable broth just for him. We had a wonderful visit while he taste tested and have come up with the best idea...you all remember that I am learning to play the violin, right? Well, if you had forgotten, just come by the house some afternoon about 1:00 and it will be very apparent that I am LEARNING (very slowly). Anyway, as my sistah would say, I digress. I also have for many years been praying that the people next door to me would find a wonderful job in another town (preferably Siberia or outer Mongolia) and move there where they would be infinately happy and I would therefore also be infinately happy (because they would no longer be my neighbors). So here's the idea. I need to find a quiet spot to practice my new found bow skills (hee hee) and the spot I choose will just happen to be right under the window of the next door neighbor. I need to practice for a LONG time because I am bow challenged (to say the least). It may sound like cats dying to everyone else, but I know that I am in fact playing Mary had a Little lamb. I figure a few days of my wonderful violin concerto should pretty much seal the deal on outer Mongolia. I'll let you know how it works out! :)

Why do I do this to myself??

There are just some things that should never be purchased by me. This is one of them. I LOVE candy corn and it is fat free and it is little and I just think I should have only one or two (about 29 times a day). So now that I am having a sugar high I think I'll see if I can locate the Polo player (see blog below) and see if his pony needs any candy corn!!!

A beautiful day in the Neighborhood...

Just have to share the wonders of North Rockwell with you all this morning. I just came north past grocery store row and coming down the street was a man... wearing white jodphurs, a billowing white "blouse", hardhat, and cowboy boots. He appeared to be using a Swiffer mop as a makeshift walking stick/polo mallet. Not sure where he was planning to play polo or where he had his pony tied up, but he was ambling along whistling a happy tune and enjoying the sunny morning. The flock of Canadian geese across the street all raised their necks in wonder just as I did! It's going to be a great day!! Have some fun!

Just a preview

  This is the Elodie Lily. One of several varieties of beautimous flowers that I ordered yesterday. Grannie's and my gardens are going to be fabulous next spring if we can just get it all in the ground this fall!!!

It is the Centennial after all...

I know, I know, I just DON'T go to the state fair. It is dirty, crowded, stinky, creepy and all those things. However, it is the Centennial Expo and I'm trying to really do as much celebrating as possible this year. Also, as you can see from the ticket stubs, it was only $1.00 to get into the fair yesterday. (100 pennies, get it? Yes, so did the man at the ticket booth. He was so-o-o-o happy to see three one-dollar bills!!!) Anyway, back to the fair. We arrived with the other twelve billion and two (cheap) people who wanted to be there on opening day. We had corndogs, ice cream (Ethan),and more corndogs (Ethan). Cause that's what you do at the fair. We checked out the "flea market buildings"...amazing what you could buy at the fair should the urge strike. Daniel played one carney game and won an orange rubber bracelet. He had fun so it was worth twice the price of admission! And best of all, we went through the Made in Oklahoma building and saw First Prize jelly, cookies, candy, amazing decorated cakes and of course MANY QUILTS! Beautiful Centennial quilts with almost watercolor backgrounds, lots of waving wheat, covered wagons, cowboys, indians, surries with fringe. I was transported back to teeny girlhood and going to the fair with Grandma Pat who loved to do the buildings, all the buildings, until we thought our legs would surely fall off and she never got tired. It was worth dealing with the stinky port-o-potty, corn-dog grease all over my jeans, semi-intoxicated (well, not so semi actually) people dressed in various renditions of fair clothes...think, shirts unbuttoned halfway down and 3 chest hairs showing(eek) or short skirts and high heels (it's the fair...). Barkers yelling, "Hey, doll, c'mere" (not a chance)to see the kids having a blast, a fabulous fireworks display and to remember what it was like to love the fair. It was the fair, the Great State Fair of Oklahoma. Go, it's fun!

Yes, those are teeth!

Yes, those are Dano's teeth...eight of them! And this is what Dano looked like most of today!

It's Back!!!

So, it's a good thing there were none of my children around when I went to the grocery store this week. I did have to do a major happy Peter Pan Peanut Butter dance!!! I know it is silly to get excited about such things, but I do!! A new jar of Peter Pan and a new box of Ritz Crackers...heaven!!!

While we're doing the ooky things...

Your Aura is Blue

Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

What Color Is Your Aura?

Vanquishing Guppies

Today is the day for vanquishing "guppies"--Not a day for changing the world, but rather to get to all those little picky things that never seem to get done--like sorting out the spare sock basket, mending that tiny hole in Patterson's favorite shirt before it unravels completely, sweeping the dust bunnies from the baseboards and vacuuming them away. All those little things that eat at my spirit every time they pass through my sight. No sharks today, just guppies. Today is the day for me to vanquish the guppies...maybe you have some to vanquish too?

90 Days

 

We began this series yesterday. 12 pages a day. Doesn't seem like alot, but it is. Please keep us in your prayers as we commit to this project!

I Thank You

i thank You God for this most amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth
day of life and love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any–lifted from the no
of all nothing–human merely being
doubt unimaginably You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

~ e.e.cummings


Still, in my humble opinion, one of the best poets ever.

inspire and encourage

This is video from a site I visit called Square Peg People. It isn't fancy or dancey, but I was encouraged by it and I hope you will be too. By the way, should you visit their web site you will see that "Dawn from Oklahoma" won a contest! I'm not sure I remember what I did (I think I commented on something), but I guess they liked it! Hope you enjoy the video. Blessings on this Thursday!!

Indeed!!

Very interesting since this was one of my "enlightened reading" choices in high school. Maybe I should read it again now that I'm even more enlightened??

You're Siddhartha!

by Hermann Hesse

You simply don't know what to believe, but you're willing to try
anything once. Western values, Eastern values, hedonism and minimalism, you've spent
some time in every camp. But you still don't have any idea what camp you belong in.
This makes you an individualist of the highest order, but also really lonely. It's
time to chill out under a tree. And realize that at least you believe in
fairies.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Item on Life List...check!

"Why?", you may ask, "would there be a violin on dawn's blog?" Good question!! Could be because yesterday I signed up to take a beginning VIOLIN CLASS! I told Daniel that the Philharmonic wanted me to play with them...he said "really..." in that 13 year old boy tone of voice!
Really, this has been one of the items on my "Life List" for a long time (since Pete was 4 if I remember correctly). The opportunity presented itself and I jumped on it. So if my family asks if they can come to your house while I practice, please be kind. I don't start until September so everyone is safe for a few more weeks! I'm excited! Can you tell??!!

Here is the way to spend your 23rd birthday, or the day after and the day after and the day after. In case anyone needs to know this is the cool, Eco-friendly (tree hugging, I think...)hammock that Pete-o's wonderful family gave him for his birthday. So if you need some relaxation while waiting for a train, go to Pete's house!!!

A thought for Tuesday

* We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

Yes, they are oldies, but goodies!!

We saw a great concert by AMERICA in Wichita this weekend. They are old (Eliza's observation), but they can still rock!! Sang everything we ever remembered...You can do Magic, Ventura Highway, Tin Man, Horse with No Name, Sister Golden Hair and much more! A very fun weekend. And, just a side note, this was a community concert given as a gift to the people of Wichita by Cox...Concert and parking/busride free (we scored some parking passes, but the general public could ride in from various parking all over the city.) Good for Wichita!!

Just in case you miss me...

I'm almost finished with the book I started BEFORE the newest H.P. came out. I will then be delving into the world of Hogwart's and probably unavailable to the real world!
Last week was a "vacation" at home for me. Boys (all of them) at summer camp. I cleaned Patterson's room (yes, he's mad at me...huge surprise), went to Tulsa with Elizabeth to see Oklahoma! (really good!), mowed yards and cleaned out the garage. Let's just say the Goodwill Man and I are getting to be really good friends!! As soon as the camp laundry is completed I will feel totally entitled to a day or two full of magic with Harry and Ron (Yes, Erin, I love Ron too. He is so cute!!) So enjoy and I'll get back here soon!

Happy Ice Cream Sunday!!!

I have to say that this is my new favorite...No, it's not low fat, low sugar, low anything. But, in moderation (like when no one else is here to see me...)it is great!!!

I Scream!!

Just a reminder....Tomorrow is National Ice Cream Day!!! I've created a little art in honor of the day. Join me in the celebration!!! I-Scream, You-Scream, We all scream for Ice Cream!!!!

Milan!!!

I could do Milan...cause I know they have the best Gelato in all of Europe (well, I've heard)

You Belong in Milan

Stylish and sophisticated, you want to enjoy a truly European life - away from tourists! Milan fits you perfectly. Great shopping, high quality food, lots of culture... with very little hype.

What European City Do You Belong In?

Here I am....

You Are 56% Democrat

You aren't a full fledged Democrat yet, but it's likely the party that fits you best. You probably consider yourself an independent Democrat. You usually support the party, but you also think for yourself!

How Democrat Are You?

hmmmm

You Are Paper

Crafty and creative, you are able to adapt freely to almost any situation. People tend to underestimate you, unless they've truly seen what you are capable of. Deep down, you're always scheming and thinking up new plans. Your mind is constantly active. You are quite capable of anything you dream of. You can always figure out a way to get what you want. You can wrap a rock person up in your sheet of trickery. A scissor person can sneak up and cut you to pieces. When you fight: No one can anticipate your next move If someone makes you mad: You'll attack them mercilessly when they're unprepared

Are You Rock, Paper, or Scissors?

July 15, 2007 Be there!!

This Sunday, July 15, is National Ice Cream Day!! So, get out there and celebrate!! I'm beginning with breakfast...Vanilla on a WAFFLE cone and going from there!!

Week of Hope

This boy is heading out tonight for a Mission trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan. He will be participating in a "Week of Hope" camp with 100 other youth/adult volunteers from all over the country. Please pray for him and the whole group while they are traveling and while they let their lights shine!

Independence Day

The Creedence Clearwater Revival - Who'll Stop The Rain

Just in case anyone has the answer...I am ready to know...

Me too!!!

You Are Chardonnay

Fresh, spirited, and classic - you have many facets to your personality. You can be sweet and light. Or deep and complex. You have a little bit of something to offer everyone... no wonder you're so popular. Approachable and never smug, you are easy to get to know (and love!). Deep down you are: Dependable and modest Your partying style: Understated and polite Your company is enjoyed best with: Cold or wild meat

What Kind of Wine Are You?

Guess who's been to play!!!

 

 

Dano and Theo played some and then worked some..."Boomin bugs"

This may not seem BIG, but it is!!

As some of you might know, I've been fighting the dryer problem forever...Clothes never seeming to dry in less than 4 hours...clogged vent....clogged vent...clogged vent. (Patterson was getting really tired of cleaning out the wet soppy guck in the vent pipe every other day). All of this because my dryer vented UP into the attic instead of straight OUT (Not a wise plan by the house builders), and whenever it rained water would collect in the vent pipe and turn the lint into lincrete. Until today!! We rerouted the vent pipe through the back of Daniel's closet and straight OUTSIDE!! I am excited! I just dried 6 pairs of jeans in one hour! My new dryer now has a fighting chance of lasting through the college years! Ok, I know, I need to get a life.

Memorial Day, 2007

Daniel and his fellow Troop members have been raising and lowering the flag this weekend at a local cemetary. In case you can't pick him out, Daniel is carrying the flag. Long hair, but not the longest hair. I'm proud of them. They did a good thing this weekend!

Got Milk?

I may not be able to cook calimari (why would anyone...), or gourmet chicken, or even a passable trifle....but I can make peanut butter cookies!!! Yeppers, we've got some and if I don't eat them all as they come out of the oven (or eat all the dough before they go into the oven) they will be winging their way to our boys in Iraq tomorrow morning!
While I was putting the criss crosses on them I wondered, "Why do we put criss crosses on peanut butter cookies? And why does everyone on the planet know that if they have criss crosses they must be peanut butter?" Does anyone have the answer to this puzzling question?

OK, I'll take the bait!

If I was an hour of the day... 7 a.m.
If I was a planet... I'd be Venus.
If I was a direction... I'd be South.
If I was a piece of furniture... Anti-gravity chair.
If I was a liquid... I'd be tequila.
If I was a sin... I'd be sloth.
If I was a rock... I'd be granite.
If I was a tree... I'd be a redbud.
If I was a fruit... I'd be a strawberry.
If I was a flower... I'd be a iris.
If I was a climate... I'd be the tropics.
If I was a musical instrument... I'd be a violin.
If I was an element... I'd be Earth (or, Periodic Table-y speaking, Carbon).
If I was a color... I'd be red.
If I was an animal... I'd be a lazy cat.
If I was a sound... I'd be singing.
If I was music... I'd be a folk tune.
If I was a music style... Jazz.
If I was a feeling... I'd be excitement.
If I was a book... I'd be Mary of the Lost and Found.
If I was a food... I'd be tirimisu.
If I was a place... I'd be home.
If I was a flavour... I'd be sour.
If I was a scent... I'd be herbal.
If I was a word... I'd be perky.
If I was a verb... I'd be reading.
If I was an object... book.
If I was a part of the body... I'd be the heart.
If I was a facial expression... I'd be a smirk.
If I was a cartoon character... Lucy.
If I was a movie... I'd be Funny Girl.
If I was a shape... I'd be a spiral.
If I was a number... I'd be 21.
If I was a season... I'd be Summer.
If I was a sentence... I'd be "I love you, too!"

HAPPY MOM'S DAY!

 
Here we are in younger days, but just as silly as we are now!! Happy Mother's Day to Mom and my sistah!!

limerick

There was a young girl at work
Who thought office supplies were a perk
When mascara was banned
She took Sharpie in hand
And eyelined with nary a jerk

BLAME IT ON THE MOVIES

April 12, 13, 14th at the UCO Jazz Lab. Elizabeth is an Usherette! Be there to hear her sing, watch her dance, embarrass her with your whooping and hollering!

D.E.L.T.A.

Edit#2: Elizabeth arrived in NYC at 8:20pm (NYCtime)Sunday evening. Only 23 hours and another state different from the original plan. She will keep me posted on what happens next. I think she is just relieved to finally be somewhere besides Will Rogers World Airport!

Edit: Elizabeth is still at the airport in OKC. It is 11:42 and she was supposed to be departing at 11:00. She will miss her early flight from Cincinnati to NYC and so will not arrive at LaGuardia until almost 10:00. I have a knot in my stomach and I'm trying to remind myself that she is a great traveler. My new wish is that since she is arriving so late that Jana will be able to pick them up instead of having to take the bus to Jana's apartment. Keep that thought. Thanks.

An anacronym for D.on't E.ver L.eave T.he A.irport. I didn't make it up, one of Elizabeth's friends sent it to her after a 6 hour wait for a plane that didn't fly. Yes, Elizabeth is still in Oklahoma...not too happy, but keeping her sense of humor as best she can. She will fly to NYC tomorrow as her Boston flight was cancelled today and she couldn't get into Boston before 5:00 tomorrow. So, one set of auditions won't be happening. She is still planning to do some open calls in New York and make her Strawhat auditions on Thursday. So keep those prayers coming for decent weather and planes that are in proper working order!!

Drumroll, please...

Yes. It has been 25 years. Tomorrow. Weren't we cute?

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!

Looking for little redheaded girls!!

Patterson is playing Charlie Brown next Thursday and Friday at 7:30pm...There are tickets available at the door!!