The Polar Vortex...aka Hell Froze Over

It started out as another normal Monday morning routine: wake up, take a shower, stoke the fires, do the chores, start the truck, and go to work. The routine went haywire at the start the truck point. Let me back up a bit, my mother and I ride to work when it snows, sleets, ices, etc, because her truck has 4 wheel drive. I brought the truck over last night so I could warm it up and go pick her up on the way to town. For some reason she likes getting in a warm truck :-) Well, I turned the key to start the truck, and it did not roar to life like normal. Apparently it's not too keen on starting when the temperature is -10 or below. I called and broke the news to her that sadly we wouldn't be going anywhere today. She said it was just as well since the roads weren't really that clear after the 5+ inches of snow we received from yesterday's storm.

I did what any normal, sane person would do: I spent a good part of an hour outside taking pictures with the new camera I received for Christmas. It was fun, but it was freezing outside. I'm glad I had lots of layers on to keep warm.

Late morning, my father came to start the truck. Turns out the starter got locked up, so it took him a while to fix it. I'm pretty sure there were threats of making me crawl under the truck with a hammer, but he was nice enough to do that himself. With his mechanical skills and my help of turning the key and trying to start it, we eventually got the beast running. He decided it would be a good idea for me to drive it back to my parents' house and put it in the garage for tomorrow. I bundled up and took the truck home, along with my camera because Dad wanted me to go take pictures of the cows. I visited with Dad and Mom and Jerry (their cat) for a while, and Dad brought me home. It's been a fun day off, but I hope I make it to work tomorrow. I really don't want to use all my vacation days for this year all at once due to snow.

I'll leave you with some of the great photos my awesome camera takes.

I think we are feeding the birds well!

Been A long time gone....

After reading a new blog written by a cousin, I decided it was time for me to start writing again. I doubt I will ever write anything that will be intelligent or as interesting as she does, but oh well. I consider myself to be a very boring person, so maybe these posts will help alleviate that perception. As I was looking back through prior posts, I noticed my last entry was exactly 6 years ago. I'm taking this as a sign that maybe I can stay more committed this time around. With that wonderful insight, I'll sign off for the evening to veg out in front of the tv.

Here's to another New Year!

Wow, what a busy year 2007 was! I'm sure this year is going to be just as busy as last year. Quite a few things have changed for me since my last post eons ago. I switched jobs from a bank teller to an insurance agent in training. It has been an interesting month switching to a field I know nothing about. I am slowly learning the art of quoting auto insurance. The one thing I have learned quickly is that it is never a boring day at the agency.

This summer my grandmother remodeled the kitchen. She built a new bar with shelving for storage. We also laid a new laminate flooring that looks like cobblestone. We are almost done with that project, and are moving onto the bathroom next.

The weather has finally turned into winter around here. I've had to chop ice the last couple of days. It is going to warm up by the weekend. I won't miss chopping ice. Until next time.

Sailing with Pirates Again

While in Tulsa, my uncles, cousins, and I went to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie. This was an experience all in itself. It was a huge theater filled with true fans. I think half the crowd was dressed as pirates. You have to understand that I live in a rural area. I don't see a lot of originality in wardrobes around here. Everyone dresses 'normal'. Sure, there are the different clicks at the school, like goths, preps, country, etc, but no one parades around in costume unless it is Halloween or Homecoming. Every time Captain Jack Sparrow came on the screen, the crowd erupted in cheers and screams. I enjoyed the movie and think it was the best of the three. Since my brother hasn't seen it, I think we'll go sometime this week. Maybe this time I'll be able to hear the movie. I also doubt I'll see any pirates in the audience, but who knows what surprises will be in store.

Graduation Season

I've just returned home from a very long and busy weekend. My cousin on my mom's side graduated from high school last Thurs. night, so we went to Tulsa for the weekend. It was fun going and spending time with family that I only see a few times a year. It's only about a 4 hour car trip, which isn't bad at all. On the way down, we stopped at the arch across the highway. As you might have guessed, there was a McDonald's inside where I started my Shrek glass collection. The only one I didn't get over the weekend was the donkey glass, but I ordered it on eBay as soon as I got home.

There were a total of 68 kids in my cousin's class, which made for a long evening when they announced different things for each senior (like where he/she was going to college, who he/she would like to thank, etc...). The coolest thing about the whole evening was the bag pipe band the led the procession/recession.

On Friday my uncle took us to Jenks to do some antique shopping. I found a store called Peace Frog Store where found some cool frog shirts for my grandpa and cousin.

We spent the rest of the weekend visiting and shopping at the mall and a Super Target. My mom hadn't been to a Super Target, so we had to take her.

When I got home Sunday (my birthday), my grandmother told me the cat got trapped in my room for a day and a half before he was missed, and crapped. She didn't clean it up, why I don't know. Luckily, he chose the middle of the floor where it could be easily spotted. Needless to say it was the worst birthday present I've received to this date.

Today I unpacked and cleaned on the house. It's almost spotless, or as spotless as it will ever be :-)

Been A Long Time Gone...

To quote a favorite band of mine, it has been a long time. I recently looked at my blog, and realized that so far I've averaged a post a month. So from now on, I'll try to do better. I've been busy lately. On the weekends we've been fixing fence and cleaning up limbs. The farm is starting to look better.

Last week I got my hair cut and colored. It is scarlet with blonde streaks. I like the color, but will probably go toward a brownish-red. The scarlet looks purple under the lights at work. I've received a lot of complements. It is sure a change from my natural blonde color.

I am keeping close tabs on Dancing With the Stars. I am a big fan of Apollo Ohno, and I really hope he wins. I'll also be glad when Billy Ray leaves. He can't dance, but he sure tries. It's also fun when my worlds combine. Meat Loaf actually performed on the results show last night. He is one act that I'd love to see in concert.

The weather has finally warmed up. It has been a wet spring so far. The news reported that the drought for this area has ended and hopefully it will stay that way.

I switched cell phone providers, so now I can actually use my phone. Not to worry for those who have my number; it remains the same.

I finally watched Happy Feet. It was really funny. Robin Williams is at his best doing at least 2 different voices. I might eventually get the soundtrack if there is one.

Well enough ramblings for one day. Until next time....

In like a Lion

I hope the saying that March in like a lion and out like a lamb is true, because it started off with a bang and flash of lightening. The usual gusty winds have blown in the the first of the month. We've already had a severe thunderstorm with wind and hail, and several tornadoes touching down throughout the state. I've been keeping busy with cleanup around the place. We are still cleaning up after the ice storm, and probably will for months to come. I helped my dad drop a pecan tree the ice storm split in half. He cut with the chainsaw, while I pulled on it with a rope. My grandmother is starting the process of remodeling her kitchen. She had the heating and cooling guys come and move vents so she could build new cabinets. I think it will be a fun project. Until next time.....