Birthday Girl

By cliopatra

Jul

6

Norse-Borgen Solid Pink Baby Booties (Girl's)
Image by handmaidenbymaria via Flickr

(note: NaBloPoMo has been providing prompts for 30 days of posting. Since I suck at posting day to day, I’m saving the prompts and writing about them as the spirit moves me)

June 28: Tell us everything you know about the day you were born.

When I turned 30, I was living in New York City. That prior fall I had been witness to 9/11, a day when I thought my life was going to end.  Turning 30, which I thought would be horrible, turned out to be a terrific celebration.

In honor of my birthday I flew back to Oklahoma for a week’s vacation to see my family, my friends, and my boyfriend.  My mother was sober and lucid, employed and happily single.  The weekend prior to my birthday I spent hanging out with friends and my boyfriend, going to the Arts Festival, and enjoying the amazing spring weather.

I stayed at my grandmother’s with my mom.  The night before my birthday we went out to dinner (Mexican food at Abuelo’s) and then we spent the night in the same bed at my grandmother’s house.

That morning we both woke up early and my mom told me about the day I was born.  I was her first child, and it was a full two weeks past her due date.  The doctor had advised patience, and my parents were trying their best to be patient.  My dad really wanted to go fishing, so the night of the 28th they went to the lake so he could fish.  My mom said they fished there in the dark and silence, him not catching anything, and her wishing that she could have this baby already!

Late into the evening an owl hooted, and my mom told my dad that they needed to get going.  When he asked why, she said “if we don’t go get some sleep, how can I wake you up at 2 a.m. to tell you the baby is coming?”

So they went home, and at 2 a.m. she woke him up to tell him the baby was coming.  They packed and went to the hospital, and she was in labor with me for 13 long hours.  About midway through she told the doctor she had changed her mind and didn’t want to have a baby anymore, but he convinced her to stick it out, despite the fact that I was born breach. (Gotta put your best foot forward, you know?)

She said they knew I was a girl hours before they saw my face.  They didn’t know what they were having, and my dad had joked that he would divorce her if she didn’t have a boy.  When he didn’t show up after delivery to see her she was devastated, until my grandmother told her that he was at the nursery with his face pressed against the glass all day.

I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to connect with my mom and hear that story.  It’s been nearly a decade since then, and she’s come and gone from the drug world.  But at least I had 30.

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Memorializing

By cliopatra

Apr

19

Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial
Image by amanderson2 via Flickr

I’ve been blogging in one iteration or other since early April of 2001, so this would be at least my 9th blog on April 19th.

For those who don’t know, I’m an Oklahoma girl.  I was born and raised in Oklahoma City, and it’s something I’ve quite proud of.  Oklahoma is my home.  I am an Oklahoman.  No matter where I go or what I do, this will always be so.

TODAY marks the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.  I was 22 years old (about to turn 23) when it happened, and this event shaped my adulthood.  I think a lot of us lost our innocence that day, but especially Oklahomans – good, hard-working people who would give you the shirt off their backs if you so much as thought about asking them.

168 innocent people lost their lives that day.  A junior high classmate of mine lost both of her sons in the blast.  I have since met others who lost loved ones.

In 2003 when I moved back to Oklahoma (I have since moved away again) I volunteered at the Oklahoma City National Memorial museum and it was an amazing experience.  I was able to attend the 10th anniversary ceremonies, and I very much wish I could be there today.

Instead, I’ll be attending a celebration for a professional accomplishment.  There will be a little heaviness in my heart today because of what happened 15 years ago.

Please, if you can, make it a point to go to Oklahoma once in your life.  It’s beautiful country – God’s country – filled with incredible sights and sounds, and some of the best people on earth.  Take some time to go to the Oklahoma City National Memorial, as well.  It is an amazing experience that will touch your heart.  There is sadness there, but also hope and beauty that will make your heart swell with pride.

To my fellow Oklahomans, I carry you all in my heart today, and the memory of those we lost.

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In Remembrance

By cliopatra

Apr

19

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 19: An Oklahoma Cit...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

You never forget your first terrorist attack, especially when it happens in your own hometown.  Today marks the 14th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing.

I was at work that morning, 8 miles away or so, and we felt the blast shake our building.  What happened after that was a blur of volunteer efforts, standing in line for hours to give blood, countless prayers and an ocean of tears.  There was sadness, fear and anger.

I am still, to this day, so proud of my fellow Oklahomans.  Their responses were swift and sure.  Everyone pitched it and started digging – whether it was at the site, in their pockets, or with their hearts.  As they say, life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it.

Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial

Image by citron_smurf via Flickr

.

I was honored to volunteer then, and then years later I volunteered at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, a stunningly beautiful and peaceful place nestled in the heart of Oklahoma City.

I do hope that if you ever get the chance, you will visit that Memorial, and either remember that day and those people, or learn more about it.

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Got It!

By cliopatra

Jun

30

Back in another post I mentioned that I was going to order a Shawnee Mills sampler pack.  It arrived today, at the office (because it’s rainy season and any package left on our front porch, while safe from potential thieves, would be subject to a good dousing).

Contents are as follows (1 packet of each):

  • Peppered Country Gravy Mix
  • Yellow Buttermilk Cornbread Mix
  • Honey Bran Muffin Mix
  • Mexican Cornbread Mix (!!!)
  • Yellow Corn Muffin Mix
  • Buttermilk Biscuit Mix
  • Cornbread Mix
  • Buttermilk Pancake-Waffle Mix
  • Pizza Crust Mix
  • Fudge Brownie Mix
  • Whole Wheat Pancake-Waffle Mix
  • Blueberry Muffin Mix

I’m sure someone on Atkins that is reading this just went into shock.  I’m giddy, because I get to share some tastes from my hometown area with my husband.

The box was only $20.49 or something like that, which works out to about $1.71 per packet, and they usually make 8 or more servings each.  No shipping charge.

I think we’ll be having Mexican Cornbread very very soon.  Like tonight.

Casa Bonita

By cliopatra

Jun

11

I was watching Veronica Mars on DVD tonight, and after the DVD ended, I got up and started doing some writing. I just left the TV on, and eventually everything switched over from the DVD’s auxiliary connection back to the cable. Our cable company (the very sucky Comcast) has a “My Comcast” channel, which is the default channel the TV will be on whenever you turn it on in the morning, or, apparently, leave the DVD player on too long with nothing in it.

It’s not such a bad channel. Early in the morning they play The Cosby Show reruns, which I love. Occasionally they have movies on in the evening. Most nights, though, they have Jerry Springer.

So I’m sitting here writing, minding my own business, when the last 10 minutes of a Jerry Springer comes on. I know it will be off soon, and I’m too lazy to change it. Good thing, too, because the next thing on was an episode of South Park.

I go into the kitchen to get some tea, and I hear Cartman grousing about not being invited to go to dinner at Casa Bonita. It reminded me of a place with a similar name back in Oklahoma City when I was a kid.

I did some research, and found out it’s the same place. Casa Bonita was started in Oklahoma in the 70s (when I was a kid) and I remember it being a “fancy” place.

Tex Mex food is like a religion in Oklahoma, and we always ate at fast food places like Taco Tico and Taco Bueno and this other place that was by the community pool, the name of which I cannot remember. If we went to Casa Bonita it was a special occasion.

The last Casa Bonita in existence is located in the Denver suburb of Lakewood. Kinda sad, but it brought a smile to my face thinking of old time.

Cheesy Good Fun

By cliopatra

May

26

Okay City has started his road trip, and this weekend they went to Western Oklahoma, and stopped for dinner in Watonga, Oklahoma, home of the Watonga Cheese Festival.

This festival was something our family went to every year we could. We are cheese lovers and two days of nothing but cheese is a wonderful thing. It’s a very down-home kind of festival, like you’d expect in small town Oklahoma.

Reading his blog made me go to the website. I found a recipe there. Is it weird that I really REALLY want to make this?

Cheese Fudge Recipe

1 lb. oleo
1 lb. Velveeta
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 cup cocoa
4 lb powdered sugar
2 cups chopped pecans (optional)

Melt oleo and cheese in microwave.
Mix well.
Add 1 tbsp. vanilla, 1 cup cocoa, mix well.
Stir in 4 lbs. powdered sugar and mix well.
Stir in chopped pecans. Press in buttered 9″ x 13″ pan.

(lifted directly from here)

Heading Home

By cliopatra

Apr

22

Day after tomorrow Irish and I will be winging our way to Oklahoma City for a longish weekend visit. OKC is where I’m from, and I haven’t been back to visit since I moved to Naples in February 2006.

This visit nearly coincides with my birthday. We’ll be flying out there on Thursday and coming back on Monday. My birthday is on Tuesday.

I had only two things on my list that I had to do while we are there:

  1. Attend the Arts Festival
  2. Go to Church

I also wanted to eat at Abuelo’s, and see my grandmother and my best friend, and just enjoy OKC in the spring (hopefully minus tornadoes).

I was talking to my best friend Q yesterday morning, and I mentioned that something had reminded me of the Memorial Marathon. We worked it a few years ago, serving pasta at the dinner the night before, and handing out finish line medals at the end of the marathon.

She mentioned that she had heard there was a 5k fun walk associated with the marathon. I blurted “we should do that!” and we talked about it all the way to work. Then I got online and saw that the walk starts at 6:40 a.m. on Sunday and called to tell her.

“That’s no problem,” she said.

I gulped “yeah, no problem for me either.”

So we’re doing it. Actually, I think it will be fun.

Dear Oklahoma City,

By cliopatra

Apr

19

I’ve been thinking of you all day. It’s been 13 years, and I don’t know if the pain will ever go away, but I do know it’s less.

As a native, I’m proud of all you have done and all you will do. The best is yet to come.

Love, C.

Cold Snap

By cliopatra

Apr

15

It’s been summerlike around here for a few weeks now, but on Sunday a cold front moved in and has cooled things off considerably.  Right now it’s only 56, and the high for the day is 73.

That’s a bit chilly for mid-April in south Florida.

I like it.  I’ve got the front door open right now and the chill feels good.  It also felt good while I was out on the lanai working out.

I’m finishing up watching Jericho, season 1, while on the Gazelle.  Turns out 40 minutes is not that much harder than 22 minutes.  I guess I’m going to have to step it up even more.  Maybe 2 episodes in a row.  80 minutes?  I’d have to carve out the time more than anything.

We live for Oklahoma in 9 days and I am SO EXCITED.  I haven’t been there since I moved here in February 2006 and I miss the people that are still there.  It’s a really short trip and looks to be jampacked with things like family visits (mine and Irish’s), the Arts Festival, church, and just general Oklahoma-ness.

Besides seeing my grandmother and my best friend, I’d have to say the next best thing is either my church, that I loooooove or Indian tacos, which I also love.  I get to have it all!

Pray for good weather!