It's Snuggie Time

Can you tell I'm getting bored as well as cabin fever?

Poor Toby. He will be 10 years old soon. He shivers all the time now. So, I managed to trek to Walmart today. Toby scored a Snuggie. Millie is truly jealous - she cried and tried to take the snuggie off Toby.

Now we are hunkered down and waiting for Round 2 of the winter weather.

Nicole sent pictures from Rome today. They had a guided tour of the city. Ryan sent an email about how much fun they are having. He is beginning to think Nicole planned to lose her luggage based on the amount of new clothes she has purchased.

Long days and pleasant nights

No Fear

This black panther actually believes the puppy that hates her will share his buttered biscuit with her.

She followed him from the kitchen to his blankie in the frontroom.

Note: she was sure Toby would be generous - never crossed her mind to try Millie.

Long days and pleasant nights

Snow Gnome

Meet Gary the Snow Gnome.

After risking my life to go to Best Buy to purchase what seemed like an incredible deal on a digital photo frame - and coming back with only kitty litter, dog food and dog treats - I decided to play in the snow with my "kids."

We decided to build a snowman. After all the kids in Frosty the Snowman had no trouble building a man size snowman with the Christmas snow. So surely we could also.

Did you know it truly takes a village to raise a snowman? This is how Gary the Snow Gnome came to live at the Kolker's. After about ten minutes rolling around in the snow. Freezing my knees off - the gnome idea sounded pretty darn good.

His eyes are made of jingle bells. His mouth is a lai from Maui. He has no nose because, well, Oprah had no more available toys. (I'm thinking Toby Keith could make this into a hit single.)

He stands in the back yard protecting us from the evil that dwells out there. At least he scared the black panther enough to send her running into the house like her tail was on fire. This could be an awesome storyline for SK. Just put him alongside a possessed monkey and you have a winner.

Long days and pleasant nights to ye...

picture of the day!

Come on sissy - I know how to get us out of here!

Christmas Blizzard

Feliz Navidad

Christmas 2009 was supposed to be the year that I gave Aunt Becky the BEST gift EVER! Sadly it will have to wait.

When we went to bed last night there was snow. What we thought was a lot - Christmas morning brought the correction - we have officially 6 inches of snow in Tulsa. OKC has 14 inches.

So I donned my snow boots, cap, coat and gloves and trekked up the hill for a picture. On my way I encountered two pickup trucks backing down the hill. The snow was going up almost to my knees.

I tunneled a path for the dachshunds to go potty. For the first time Oprah Mae simply sat at the door and refused to go outside. She is a very smart black panther.

Finally on my blabbering blog - Skylar should be very happy. Aunt Tammie called the weatherman for him and asked for snow in McAlester. What a great aunt!!!

Merry Christmas from the Kolker's - Tammie, Toby, Millie, Oprah Mae.

Only in Oklahoma

Tulsa - A mixed bag of weather is hitting the state on Wednesday as a major storm system continues to gain strength to our west.

Blizzard watches are out in southern Kansas while a tornado watch has been issued for southeast Oklahoma and north Texas.

Currently a strong winter storm is taking shape over the southwest states and its aim is on the Central Plains.

In response to the storm system the National Weather Office in Tulsa has issued a Winter Storm Watch for parts of northeastern Oklahoma.

Doesn't anyone know?

As a child I remember every year we HAD to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas.

That was before VHS or DVD or DVR. So if you missed a show you couldn't run to the computer and watch the episode the next day or the video store and rent it.

We (Jeff and I) carried on this tradition with Nicole. Even though by the time she was old enough to pay attention we owned our own copy of it. Doesn't matter, I still make sure I am sitting in front of the tv when that one show is aired every year. Something sappy about that I know, but...

So as we either wind down to or pick up the pace and race to Christmas day, I would like to take a moment, in Charles Shulz fashion to remember "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"

Linus’ King James version scripture reading from Luke 2: 8-14, read:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Long days and pleasant nights to ye everyone!

Honeymoon - First Stop Barcelona

While I have no idea what the kids are actually doing, this is an idea as to some of the stuff they will see. They arrived yesterday and will leave for their next destination Wednesday afternoon. This is taken directly from a travel site:

Barcelona, Spain's second largest city, and the 2,000 year-old capital of Catalunya, is a thriving port town with an excellent year-round climate, a cosmopolitan attitude, and enough art, architecture, nightlife and gastronomical delights to satisfy travelers of all ages and budgets. Indeed, if you are planning to travel Spain Barcelona should not be missed.

Barcelona Spain was the seat of a vast Mediterranean empire when Madrid was one-horse outpost on the sweltering Spanish steppe. Since 133 BC, the Romans, Visigoths, Franks and Moors have all, at one time or another, controlled Barcelona. The city grew increasingly more powerful throughout the middle ages. In 1561 the more centrally located city of Madrid became the seat of the Spanish Royal court, though well into the eighteenth-century Barcelona enjoyed special privileges and autonomy in the Catalunyan region.

Though it has a population of over three million, Barcelona Spain feels much smaller and more accessible. For the wandering tourist, Barcelona attractions are easily seen on foot.

Barcelona is comprised of four main districts: Ciutat Vella or the Old City, El Barri Gotic or the gothic quarter, La Ribera (the waterfront area), and El Raval, the outskirts southwest of the Rambla. Like Madrid"s Gran Via, La Rambla is Barcelona"s main thoroughfare, and among the best Barcelona attractions. La Rambla bisects Barcelona"s Old Town, and is a perfect first stop for tourists looking to familiarize themselves with the city.

After a walk down La Rambla, and a stop at the nearby Boqueria Market, head to the Gothic Quarter to see the Catedral de la Seau. Other Barcelona Attractions include a stop at Antoni Gaudi"s unfinished architectural master piece, the Sagrada Familia. In color and texture this towering cathedral resembles a sand castle that has been smoothed over by a wave, or perhaps a sculpture of ice that is slowly melting away.

After a day trip through downtown, make your way up to Parc Guell. Also designed by Gaudi, this park overlooking downtown Barcelona was originally designed as a residential compound, though only two houses were every built on the site. Nonetheless, the twisted ceramic benches, towering pillars, warped sidewalks and multicolored tiles lend an Alice-in-Wonderland feel to this most original of Barcelona attractions.

After a long day of hoofing across Barcelona, the hungry traveler should look for some authentic Catalan food. The Mediterranean diet of virgin olive oil, seafood, onions, garlic and red wine is as mainstay in Barcelona. Typical entrees include habas a la catalana, a spicy bean stew, and pinacas a la catalana (spinach with pine nuts, raisins and bacon). If you travel to Barcelona, wines are one thing that will temp you again and again. The nearby Penedes region produce an especially tasty local sparkling white wine known as cava—not to be confused with the Fijian liquor of the same name—that is best enjoyed while sitting at a sidewalk café and marveling at all the Barcelona attractions you've seen, and all you have left to explore.

Christmas Time

Christmastime is here... (you should be hearing Charlie Brown's Christmas in your head)

I'm not a big fan of Christmas. Don't know that I ever have been. My earliest Christmas memories are great, but still not a big fan. Patty used to be the first one up and would run to the front room to see what Santa had brought - then wake the rest of the family. She still has that same enthusiasm for Christmas.

I hate the pressure that is placed on people at this time of year. To the point that I have tried to cancel the whole holiday. No success yet.

So instead I have decided to just do what I like - have family time.

The Smith Family gathering was early this year. Nicole and Ryan had their honeymoon trip planned to begin the 19th of December and returning the 6th of January. So mom moved the Christmas celebration to the 13th of December.

We tried to arrange the grandkids that were present for the annual Christmas picture under the tree. Honestly I think it would have been easier to get 10 cats to look at the camera and smile at the same time! Skylar made out like a bandit. The best toy of all that day was the $1 stethoscope from Aunt Dada. He checked everyone's heart rate then gave them a shot. Nicole's shot was up the nose for some reason.

Hayden and Bella weren't able to make it on the 13th - they came a few days later - but we managed to get their picture also. Hayden was full of thank you's and oh man's and AWESOME. He received a nintendo something and a kit to spy on Mom... Bella opened a baby doll but loved the dancing reindeer. She even began packing her own Christmas bag. We were able to take the telephone out before she left with it.

The point to this blog is: No matter where you are, take a few minutes to savor the family. We don't know what tomorrow brings - find the happiness in the now.

Long days and pleasant nights.

Freedom

This blog was originally to be about our family Christmas celebration yesterday. But we received the best Christmas present today.

Mom has been released to go back to work - light office duty! The release is good to begin Thursday of this week.

We take the daily stuff for granted all too often. The past 3 months we have learned just how wonderful it is to be able to wash laundry, change your bed and even scorch a pot of beans.

It has been a long road for the family. Thank you for all your continued prayers. Looks like this portion of our family story is finally coming to a close and it is a happy ending...

Long days and pleasant nights.

Colors

Wow, time really does fly when you are busy living it.

Thursday the Mayes County Leadership something will be at the station. The reason I don't know the complete name is when I graduated from it the name was simply Leadership Pryor. And since I'm "blue" and it is no longer about me - I just can't remember the name...

Anyway. Ten years ago, I was working as the PR person for ViaGrafix or Learn2.com, honestly don't remember the name of the company at that point. I convinced Mike to let me take this 9 month course in Community Leadership. I had no idea at that time what an awesome impact those 9 months would have on my life.

I met some of the most incredible people. That's when community involvement literally saved me from a life of depression and craziness. Nicole was in her preteen stage. I was still newly divorced. Pryor wasn't my "home" so friends were few and family non-existent.

The first session of Leadership Pryor was a self examination. We had a True Colors workshop. No this isn't what "season" you are to determine what colors to wear to work. (I'm a Winter just in case you want to buy me something) This is a personality colors. Basically there are four colors that cover all the people in the world.

Blue - The Earth people that take care of everyone. The world would starve without Blue people.
Orange - The fun one in the group. Orange is the center of attention and is always looking for a fun time. Your Orange friends helps you remember to laugh.
Gold - The organizer. Without your gold friend you would not have tissue at the movies. She remembers all those small details that make the world run smoothly.
Green - This is the big idea person. Without green people we would have no effective leadership. They have the big ideas and depend on the other colors to pull it off.

For a short but wonderful period, the three people that I talked to daily, were Gold, Orange and Green. We ran the PACC very well. Once we were all awakened to our Colors and the strengths that each of us had, there was no stopping us.

It taught me how to talk to the different colors. This was very beneficial when going thru job interviews. If you can assess what "color" the interviewer is - answers to questions are easier.

So Thursday, Blue and Orange are responsible for bringing up a new generation of Colors. I can't wait!

Long days and pleasant nights...