Dressing like well...a warm redneck

My daughter-in-law spent some time shopping for Carhartts. Yes, not all of us know what those are -- hence the link -- first time I ever heard about those was when I took a press tour of "ag" Missouri, and we were stopping at a country store off the highway between Columbia and St. Louis -- great store by the way. Anyway, everyone kept talking about how it was the best place in the state to get Carhartts.

I thought they were saying "car parts" I was a little surprised when I went into the store at what they were talking about (yep, the lights came on in the brain about then.)

And, yes, my son is right -- It ain't cheap to be a redneck. Heck, do you have any idea how much it cost to spend a weekend in a travel trailer at the Texas Motor Speedway for a Nascar race?

Writing

Today I wrote six press releases that all said basically the same thing, just different location, different person reciting the same quote for newspapers across the state. I found out that at least three newspapers ran -- in total -- one of the news releases/articles I wrote last week. Then I took a video news release and turned it into an article that will get printed and read all over the state in medical mags and health pages. I wrote another article that two newspapers immediately picked up. My copy is likely being read by more people than the "riveting stories" I ever wrote about the Legislature. So why am I so sad?

I sent my resume and clips to the Seattle Times today. I felt better.

Training log

Well, not so good this week. So I'm still at three miles a day, and will continue tomorrow. I need to find an indoor track or place to walk for a while because while I don't mind cold weather, the wind is an entirely different matter -- started out today and didn't make it far. brrr... But I'm committed to this, so I will get to four miles a day by next week. My goal is to be "running" by February 1.

White lights and promises

I watched with amusement yesterday as my daughter and husband turned the front of our house into a winter wonderland -- with white lights and lighted deer. They are doing more work outside today. It's an unofficial competition. The folks across the street are lit up like a forest fire, and somehow hubby and Daughter #2 took it as a challenge. So far I think they've spent about $100. Ah, Christmas in America.

I was cranky yesterday, and this morning I feel guilty for being so cranky. I was so cranky, I was uninvited to help with the aforementioned project, so I sat inside and read. I have an excuse - really. My arthritis was hurting so bad -- it does -- don't laugh -- everytime the weather changes (turns cold.) I'm moving to Florida this coming year or California...In the meantime, I promise I won't be so cranky again.

Christmas cards. I can understand why people get the "holiday blues." Just digging out the Christmas cards and going through the stack of old cards (yes, I keep them) and addressing them is sometimes sad. I look at changes. This friend got married. This friend got divorced. This family member died. This 'little kid' who's parents we used to party way before they were born, just graduated -- from college.

But the good news -- our Christmas card list has grown. That just means we have more people in our lives who are important.

Thanks

I'm thankful for a lot of things this year:

My husband
My children
My grandchildren
Our friends, near and far
Our jobs
A nice home
Food, shelter and good health
Our country
Our servicemen and women

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Turkeys and turkeys

I'm going to bake tonight. It doesn't seem like Thanksgiving without the pumpkin pie even if we're not eating at home.

Hmmm. Turkey, can't wait.

But speaking of the real turkeys this Thanksgiving. GM -- nothing like a little holiday warmth to give employees. You know I hear Americans say they are going to boycott this and that. I think if Americans really said, "We're not buying...from an American company that takes our tax incentives and then takes jobs and moves them overseas or south of our borders where they will pay people peanuts," then that company might really pay attention. But we gotta do it. We gotta put our money where our mouth is.

So the "Turkey of the Year" Award goes to General Motors. (Who ever said Dubyah doesn't have any competition?)

Sad news

My oldest daughter just found out that one of her best friends from high school in Virginia died of complications from her diabetes. I remember when the girls were still in 8th grade, and J found out she had diabetes. It was a tough thing for a kid to deal with a disease at a time when she should have been worried about so many more things. She had a tough time. I wish I could make my daughter feel better. I know how she feels, somehow your own mortality feels that much more vulnerable when your friends or family members die.

Training Log

Three miles a day. Will be moving to four miles a day on Tuesday. So far, so good. Sore a little, nothing aspirin can't cure. Investing in better shoes this week. My old running shoes are sort of old.

Saturday Sports

I'm trying to gear up for the show, so this will be my weekly Saturday routine:

Football - I've unofficially become an Indianapolis Colts fan this year. Not because I like the Colts necessarily, but because I simply like to see records broken. The Bears couldn't do it in the 80s, so maybe Indianapolis will be able to match the Dolphins 1972 undefeated season. Sunday, 4 p.m. CBS against the Bengals.
T.O. might be back on the team that doesn't want him. Owens' appeal is pending and if it goes his way he'll be at the very least on Philadelphia Eagles' sidelines before long.

Basketball - In Flip Saunders' first season with the Detroit Pistons, the team has improved to 8-0 for the first time since 1988-89 -- the season it won the first of back-to-back NBA titles -- with a 78-70 victory in Houston on Friday night. On the Oklahoma/New Orleans front - the Hornet recorded a win 95-92 over Atlanta.

College Basketball - Same powerhouses on tap to get to the Final Four this year. I bemoan the fact that Mizzou is not among those anymore. Quin Snyder -- as much as I like your voice and your cute wavy hair, maybe it's time to send you back to Duke for some tutoring. I think Snyder lost control of the team two years ago, and he's never gotten control or respect back.

Women in sports: (V-ball)Shellane Ogoshi, a sophomore setter at Hoftstra, had 61 assists and 25 digs against William and Mary, and 60 assists and 19 digs aginst Virginia Commonwealth -- both team wins. Wonder Woman in disguise?

(Track and Field) Angela Homan, a senior at Auburn became the second femal athlete to win the Southeastern Conference Championships individual title three times. She won the 6K race in 19:40 - a career best. It was her 10th career victory.

(Golf) Emma Lavy, a freshman at Fayetteville High School won the Arkansas Women's Gofl Association High School Overall Champtionship at the Harbor Oaks Golf Club, Oct. 11.

Fast Lane: Women swimmers established seven new records at University of North Dakota meet this week, five of them in the preliminaries on Friday night. Dagne Knutson set records in 200 IM, 2:05.73, and 100 fly 57.18.
Kelsey Schoonhoven won the 100 freewith a 51.52 and the 100 back in meet record style, 56.72.
Hannah Whitehead, a sophomore from Grand Forks Central, was the only double winner taking the 500 free in a 4:59.76, just short of her state mark set the day before, 4:58.49, and the 200 free in a 1:50.09 and a new state record.
Sprinter Carissa Gormally won the 50 free with a 24.08 just one one-hundredth off her Friday state mark of 24.07. Gormally swam a 23.87 at her conference meet a few weeks earlier, racing to one of the fastest 50 frees ever recorded in North Dakota for a high school girl. Ashley Reiter was the final event winner in the 100 breast with a 1:07.67

Athlete of the Week: Kim Jenny: She prefers to be called "Alley Oop." The 5'2" athlete keeps up with the best in skateboarding and is quickly becoming an icon on the streets of Santa Barbara and Pasadena. It might still be a while before Nike figures out that women actually do skate, so you're not going to find Jenny on the mainstream tube. But fans can catch her outlaw techniques on the Internet -- a tool that's doing as much to push that sport into the mainstream as the X games.

One more thing

Before you read the previous post, this disclaimer:

I have not lost my mind. We can do this. Really.

The view in my mirror

OK - this is not a pity party. I think it's more like I've been hit with reality and need to deal with it. Talk (or blog) about it and then take action.

I started out the day feeling pretty good about myself. I've done a lot of great work this week and am prepared for a big meeting tomorrow. Then, I get THE CALL.

"Hi, are you ready for the meeting?"

"Sure."

"Well, I'm wearing...." and then the caller in a very subtle, "I think I'm being insulted way" inquired what I would be wearing.

Welcome to P.R. it's all about the looks.

So, I'll be the first to admit that I avoid mirrors as much as possible. I know I've gotten fat -- obese -- out of shape. Whatever you want to call it. That's me. I'll take the blame.

So, I had been toying with getting in shape. But as usual, I need a deadline and a reason besides the medical "it's not healthy" spill. Heck, drinking soda and wearing heels isn't healthy either but I'm not going to stop that. Well, maybe...

Anyway, here's my idea for reshaping me, and maybe doing something to feel good spiritually. It's actually something I've been wanting to do for at least two years.

I'm going to start training -- TODAY -- for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. I want to do this in honor of the many journalists from all over the world including the United States who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. So I'm inviting my journalist buds -- yes, those of you who live in Iowa, New York, St. Louis, Springfield, etc. -- to join me. Train at home, then come here in April and run/walk/crawl the marathon with me.

Who's game? Gotta hear from you, and yes, I'll be sending you an entry form.

Santa

"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow." It's not even Thanksgiving yet, and Christmas music blares all around already.

Inspired by the The Rev. Brian Black and his warped definition of Santa:

"Then I think more about Santa Clause. Old white man living with a bunch of child-like creatures that make toys. Then he makes children sit on his lap to ask for toys. Sounds like a pedophile with a sweat shop to me."

I was inspired to look up some Santa sites. Here are some interesting ones:

Santa's Net

Track Santa via Norad

Santa Television

Cell phones

I carry a cell phone, and yes, I have occasionally used it while driving. Unfortunately it's part of the job. For several months, March to mid-October, I cut the wireless cord. No cell phone.

That's almost like carrying around a 'Will work for food' sign in these parts. "You don't have a cell phone?" people would ask, their eyes showing the pity they felt. Well, no. And for those few months, I enjoyed shopping without interruptions, driving without interruptions and listening to the radio as I drove and I enjoyed eating a meal out without interruptions.

But alas, my new employer wants me to have a cell phone. It rang at 7:30 on Sunday morning. I ignored it. It rang again at 7:45. Same caller. Again at 8:15.

"Hello? Yes, this is she. No, I don't work on Sundays, can I call you back tomorrow? An emergency? Well, no the Thanksgiving news releases haven't gone out yet. Tomorrow is fine..."I listen for another five minutes of explanation until I finally bid the caller -- a client -- adieu.

I tried unsuccessfully to get her on the phone today. Maybe I should have called her cell phone at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Photo op

"Papa" and the grandkids.

Falling leaves

Autumn. Fall.
Whatever you call it, the season with it's warm colors and temperatures that migrate from cool to cold, and warm to downright hot -- at least in Oklahoma -- always makes me a little sad.

The epilogue to a chapter. Maybe I'm sad because this year, I've seen the last of my children get married...my precious grandchildren move far away...another year slipping quietly into history.

I'm sad also because I know this might be our last holiday with my dad. I'm sad because my sister's hubby's brother is now in hospice -- his last stop before moving on to the next world. He wants to be cremated. I don't know how I would act if I knew this was my last chance to see the leaves turn golden and orange.

For all of this I'm sad, but I know like autumn my sadness will pass and I'll laugh and dance and cry a little longer.

I'll be glad for Spring.

Zathura Review

If I were a kid, this would be my favorite movie this year. If you have kids -- take them to see this movie. It's fun. It's exciting. It's imagination and it has a whole lot of good lessons for kids.

Hubby and I loved it. I'd even go so far as to say watch for this at the Academy Awards -- in the special effects category. It was a great film, and one that I would actually PAY to go watch again.

Snobs suck

So, we just went to a car show and chili cook-off at Northgate Mall. We decided to hit a restaurant next door right after.

As we pull in and are leaving our car. We see none other than hubby's brother -- yes, the one who lives in D.C. His only brother.

We wave and hubby goes over to say hello. The general's wife calls him back to the car, she half-heartedly waves and makes a big to-do about how busy they are. Hey, we're there to have a lunch by ourselves, but you know you see relatives you say hello. At least most people do. Well, about that time a whole bunch of her relatives and friends that we met Thursday night walk of the restaurant. They all say hi, and "why didn't you join us earlier." So how do you say, "uh, I thought my brother had already left town?"

It was embarrassing. Their treatment of my husband was embarrassing. What the hell?! We're decent law-abiding citizens. We go to church. We are educated. Why does having a little more money that someone -- even a relative -- make you so much better? So hubby's brother shook his hand and said bye and dismissed us as if we were mere acquaintances.

We sat down to lunch and neither one of us said anyhing for a long time. I think we were both sorting out our feelings. I was angry. He was hurt. Damn those people. Damn 'em to hell.

The week in review - Patriots

Wow, I didn't have much time this week to write -- at least not for leisure. But it was a great week. We actually stayed home last night and tried to catch up on some missed television shows. This morning, I got up early and watched E.R. and Grey's Anatomy.

If you didn't see this week's episode (actually last Sunday's episode) of Grey's Anatomy -- you should. Since I was in the living room alone and everyone else is asleep, I watched and blubbered through most of it. It was a good show. I know -- guys don't undertand that. But my guess is that this show will make them cry too. Watch it.

But I had enough of television when I flipped over to "But Can they Sing?" Think American Idol with celebrities. I watched as Morgan Fairchild "sang" Nancy Sinatra's "These boots were made for walking". Not good. Antonio Sabata Jr. sang "I'll be watching you." Painful. But the final straw was some psuedo-celeb Bai Ling singing -- and I uses this term loosely -- Madonna's "Like a Virgin." I shut the television off.

The best part of this week was attending the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony -- yes, that was even better than Thursday's event at the Petroleum Club, even though I love that view. Sis-in-law's father was one of the inductees.

It was an honor to be there. Among the inductees were silver star recipients, purple heart recipients, Distinguished Service Cross recipients, the Bronze Star recipients. Most had a multitude of awards for heroic service.

Souls of warriors, hearts of patriots. It was an honor to share the night with them.

Writing

Inspired by my friend Gina I've decided to try National Novel Writing Month .

My working title is Southern Fried Baptist

This will hopefully turn into a book based on my life growing up Baptist in Texas. The characters are based on a combination of people, at least some of them are. Some of the characters are based on people I knew, with creative liberaties of course.

Remember, you're getting to see the very rough draft.

Where the heck did Nov. 1 go?

I'll post more on this later, but I do believe I'm going to get a late start on my commitment to write at least 50,000 words this month. Again, more on that later -- time crunch right now. I was supposed to start writing yesterday. Instead I went to see yet another free movie -- Jarhead.

Good flick. Maybe a few too many hidden "anti-war messages" in there. Not that I'm a great supporter of Dubyah's current war. But I do support our troops. Hubby was in Saudi the first time, and both of us know why that battle was really fought, but it was his commitment, his duty, to follow the Commander-in-Chief's orders. That's the same thing for the young men and women who are in Iraq today. That's why the more I thought about the movie, the more it bothered me. But it is a good flick. Go see it, make up your own mind. It's realistic (not too bloody or gory, but not a kids movie.)

Anyway, my novel that will begin taking shape later today is titled: Southern Fried Baptist" -- I'll provide a link later for anyone brave enough to read.

Later -