The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Just finished reading the new book by Stephenie Meyer--It was wonderful of course. Had me cheering for the vampires once more!
She is such an amazing author--Just to be able to think and express what everyone was experiencing~

Our Oklahoma Oil Pump

Thanks to Carie & Jon I was able to put up this video. This is one of the pumps on the old farm property in Oklahoma. It was so exciting to see it pumping---Love the sound it makes! ha!

Savannah, GA

The water in Savannah, GA wasn't pretty--It looked dirty, but I'm spoiled--I want all my oceans to look like Hawaii~ We enjoyed looking around Savannah, but didn't get to do all we wanted. I wanted to eat at Paula Deen's. But you can't make reservations, unless there are 10 or more. So, we had to show up early, put our name in, and then they tell you what time to come and eat. We wouldn't have gotten in, until 3:30 that afternoon, so we didn't wait around. We did go to Paula's store, and shopped for a bit.
Can you see the cruise ship way out on the ocean--don't know why it was just hanging out there, it didn't move the whole time we were there~

New Orleans, LA

We had an interesting time in New Orleans, LA--Kevin had told us not to go to Bourbon Street at night. We didn't--I'm sure it was really wild at night---We saw enough during the daylight hours. Beautiful iron work on the terraces, and big trees--Also lots of night clubs, voodoo parlors, tattoo shops, and other evil places! And I swear you could just smell death, from the moment you drove into the area. Still lots of homes ruined from Katrina--And I'm not sure they've found all the dead~ I loved the graveyards, and I'm not sure why I didn't get a picture of them~ Also we ran into some looks, and nasty ones, at that--pointing fingers etc. from our AZ license plate!

Charleston, SC & Tallahassee, FL

We're Home~~!

After 3 weeks, and over 5,000 miles on my car, we're finally back in AZ~ It was a fun trip. Some of my favorites were Graceland, in Memphis, TN, Charleston, SC, Tallahassee, FL,& San Antonio, TX. We thought Savannah, GA was pretty dirty, as was New Orleans, LA. My favorite thing in New Orleans, was the grave yards! The French Quarter was cool, Bourbon Street, was dirty & scary!
On our way into New Mexico yesterday, we got to see first hand some illegals trying to sneak over! There is a border patrol area, you go through. About a mile before the check point, there was a car unloading illegals, they had on their sun gear, & were carrying their ice chests & water. By the time we got up to the check station, they had the dogs, ATC's & were going after them. So, I'm sure they didn't make it. I was just amazed that they were doing this at 2 in the afternoon---broad daylight! You'd think they'd wait till dark at least. There are a lot of cameras in the area--so it looks like they are pretty on top of it.
It was great getting to see my Aunt Harriet in Ok, of course, Elvis, Taryn & family in NC, Gil & Kay in FL, & Uncle Jerry in TX. We ate some wonderful food--but I'm a little tired of sea food--Actually some home made meat loaf sounds wonderful. It's funny when you're traveling, how home made food sounds so good, not to mention your very own potty & bed~
You really do miss out on so much when you always fly. It's amazing how each state seems to have it's own landscape. The only thing I didn't get to see was a gator! ha! The highways were all fenced, so the little critters couldn't get on them. 
I have lots of pictures to go through & post--right now I'm just ready for a nap. I haven't gotten readjusted to this time.

Happy Birthday Phillip

Today is Phillip's Birthday~ I can't believe he's a husband & daddy! I'm so proud of him, & his beautiful wife, & cute little boys!!

Charleston, South Carolina

We had a busy day~ Went to the historic area of Charleston, & took a carriage ride around the city. Got to see all kinds of old homes, and historic stuff---right up my alley~ I loved it. Some of the streets were made of rocks---with I guess concrete between them--The big rocks were brought over in ships--some thing to do with leveling out the ships...I should have taken a picture~ The homes were just beautiful, many have these side doors, that open from the street---onto a porch area~ Beautiful iron work on almost all of them~ There is a market area in the center of town, where women weave baskets--and try to sell them. These darn baskets cost $350.00~~ Our tour guide told us they were something you could pass down to your children, like silver or china! Yeah right~~ A basket~ Who would ever guess they were so valuable. For lunch we had fried grits with shrimp~sweet potato pie~ Crab cakes~ It was delicious~
 Derik is sporting a new look!! We laughed & laughed~ He got many compliments, however Taryn wasn't laughing, she has no sense of humor! ha! 

Tonight we went to the beach, & walked in the moon light--got our feet wet. The sand at this beach, was like powder---very soft, and you really didn't sink down into it, like in Hawaii---In Hawaii, it was much harder walking on the beach~ We had planned to tour a Plantation, but they were having a wedding there, so we couldn't do it today==How cool would that be? And I wonder how expensive~ Maybe tomorrow~

Storie, Emmie & Kade, Trevor, Flowers for Mother's Day

Kevin & Helen didn't realize we were gone, and sent flowers for Mother's Day. Fortunately, Phillip found them on the porch, and put them in the house for me. Kilee took a picture, so I could enjoy them.

Charleston, SC

We are in Charleston, SC~ Haven't got to see much yet! While checking into our hotel, a man waiting commented on the weather, hoping it would rain, because it was really dry here!! Ha! I told him I was from AZ and it looked pretty green and wet to me. We crossed several huge rivers coming into Charleston~
Meanwhile back in AZ Cole has a cast on his little leg. They aren't sure what happened to him. He had just started to walk before his birthday, so he must have done something wrong.

This is a picture of Taryn from our cruise. We laughed and laughed~ Our little rag head!

Clovis, New Mexico

When Myrle and I got married---back in 1969 he was still in the Air Force, & stationed in Clovis, New Mexico. So after we were married this is where we lived. Our apt was so cute, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, small kitchen & eating area, and living room. And completely furnished!! ha! We had to drive by, when we went through Clovis and take pictures. It hasn't held up very well in the past 40 years~ But at that time it was all new. Oh, I had turquoise appliances!! Once it snowed a lot, and Myrle and his friends built a huge snowman out in this court yard!

Cousin Kay's House

My Cousin lives just a street over from my Aunt Harriet, in Chickasha. She's been working on her house for several years. It's an old home she's restored, and has added a garage, and full size apt. in the back. The addition is over 3500 sq feet--not sure how much is in the original home! But it looks beautiful~ She was in France, at her farm, so we didn't get to see the inside~There are some beautiful old homes in the area. In fact my aunt's is also an old restored one. The trim, woodwork, doorknobs, and all the little cut outs and built in shelves are so neat!!

Oklahoma Farm & Oil Pump

We visited my only aunt in Chickasha, Oklahoma. It was great getting to spend time with her, and catch up. I lived with her my senior year, and went to Camelback High School, which is where I graduated. Anyway, I've always felt really close to her. So it was fun getting to see her. She is 91 years old now~
We went out to my farm, and was surprised to see an oil pump actually pumping!! Last time I was there, a pump was in a different location, and wasn't pumping. This was the farm where my mother was born. There isn't much left of the old house, barn or chicken coop--actually they're in better shape than the house. When we looked in the barn 2 huge white owls flew out~ I've never seen owls so big! Anyway, the old farm brings back a lot of memories. I spent a lot of time there with my grandma when I was young. You could feel the spirits of my grand dad, grandma, mom & her sister there. I think since they were born there, and worked that land--it's just strong there for some reason, I can't begin to explain. But every time I go, I can't help but shed some tears, and miss them terribly.

The location is beautiful, but the wind blows--Can't talk Myrle into building out there--Especially with the tornadoes, which we got to see while there. Five people were killed as a result, and yesterday while driving we saw the aftermath of some of the damage it did~

My Dad Surprised!

These are the pictures of the end results of my Dad's surgery~ He was posing for these pictures, and looks surprised. Normally he doesn't look like that! Anyway, I thought it turned out very nice. Now, I'm looking at my own droopy eyelids, and wondering??? Ummm---Not me~ ha!

My Book Report

Just finished reading a wonderful book--It's called "The Help". I couldn't put it down, and seem to have picked up the accent' of the nigra maids in the book! Great~ Anyway, the book reminded me so much of growing up in the South, and the attitudes I was around while young.  One of the little towns we lived in, in Texas had a sign on the outskirts that said "If any niggers are caught in the city limits, after sunset, they will be hung" ! And they were---
It was a different world---and not a good one in so many ways. I was scared to death of "negros"---didn't know why, certainly my parents had no dealings with any--but that was just the way it was. The term "high yellow" was used to describe a 1/2 white child--who wasn't welcome among the blacks nor the whites. A term my Dad just used the other day~ Crazy!

Anyway, if you're interested in reading a good book, I highly recommend this one~