It's going to be a good day

Folks, every once in awhile you wake up feeling great. Sure, those days are few, but still sometimes it happens. As you can guess, it happened to me. Today, is going to be a good day for the following reasons...

It's going to be 70 this afternoon.
No, explanation needed.
I will be attending a game tonight. I'm still on the hunt for a seat partner. Volunteers?
I was just read Fiber One is rolling out a new flavor, Blueberry. This makes me happy.
And...just because he's pretty.


Happy to Friday to all my Blogger Friends!

Your funny for the day....

I don't want to brag or make anybody jealous or anything, but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in high school.

Anonymous

Happy Australia Day!

Unlike most post, today's post is actually worthy of brain space. Did you know that today, January 26th, is Australia Day? Did you know there is such a thing as Australia Day? If you answered no to both of these questions, you are not alone. I did not know about Australia Day either.

Wikipedia, the source of all information, has this to say about Australia Day...
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, the date commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 and the proclamation at that time of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of New Holland. Since 1988 participation in Australia Day has increased and in 1994 all States and Territories began to celebrate a unified public holiday on the actual day for the first time.

I thought it would be nice to celebrate Australia Day here on This is my world. You know, I've been to Australia. It was when I was young, free, and didn't have responsibility...A.K.A. college. I have great memories from my trip, like when i was chased by a naked man. True story!

Australia, you have a few things I love....

To all my Australian friends, Happy Australia Day. Please celebrate by lying on the beach. It would mean the world to me.

Parents

It's funny how the Blogging Community Works. If you have enough time, you can find thousands of great blogs. One day, I hopping from blog to blog and stumbled across a new blog. It's called Brew Crew. I happen to know half of the Brew Crew, in real life. We went to college together. I wouldn't say we were friends in college, but we knew each other.

For the past month, she's been writing on her blog everyday. It's a 30 day challenge, where each day the topic is provided. I've enjoyed reading her post, and seeing what topic will be given to her. And today I thought I would steal one of her topics. The topic is parents.

Day 4: Parents
I have parents. I have a mom and a dad. I've had the same set my whole life. I know, you guys know all this. I talk about my parents often. I've even shared pictures with you. However today, I'm going to share some things you don't know about my parents. Maybe this will explain why I'm so weird, or why I have this witty humor. Actually, I'm pretty sure these small antidotes will not explain either.

One thing you may not know about my parents is they've known each other forever. They both grew up in Land of the Hogs; which should explain why we go there so often. My parents started dating in High School, and finally married after their college graduation. See, I told you they've known each other forever.

Now that I'm older and wiser, I realize my parents never complained. I'm kind of a complainer, or a whiner. It's ok, we can all agree on this. It won't hurt my feelings. My whining did not come from my parents example. I mean, every once in awhile they could make a comment about something, but they didn't just sit around complaining about all the lemons life threw at them. I don't remember my parents complaining about their jobs, or the fact that they could not buy the newest technology gadget because all of their daughters needed braces. I also never heard my parents make one negative comment about driving to Land of the Hogs, every weekend, to care for their parents. Nope, nothing. This leads me to my third point.

Folks, Land of the Hogs is not a short drive for wonderful OKC. However, my parents made the journey many times. If my parents taught us girls one thing, it's the example of caring for your family. Friends come and go, but your family is your family forever. I can't even begin to account all the great lessons we learned from being around our grandparents. My parents made this happen. They took us to Land of the Hogs so we could experience all these great memories.

My parents taught me a lot of things. One thing that was beat into our brains was the value of money. The importance of saving your money. When most little kids received money for their birthday they went to Wally World to pick out a new toy. Not in my family. We took our money straight to the bank. We saved. Then when we became older, they taught us about the stock market. Most families sit around the fire drinking hot chocolate and visiting about their day. Not my family. We sat around discussing the stock market. I'm not kidding.

The Sisters and I have pretty great parents. I would venture to say some of the best parents. They've taught us great lessons, loved us, and been very generous. Sadly, I do not tell them thank you enough. So, today I'm telling my parents thank you. I appreciate all the things you do for me. I appreciate all the time you've spent helping me work in the yard. The time you spent chauffeuring me to basketball, soccer, softball, and tennis practice. The money you spent on tutors and brain medicine, just so I could pass high school. I know those are some memories you'd like to erase. HA! Thank you mom and dad. You made the Sisters and I upstanding citizens because you loved and cared for us; and you never gave up on us. I'm sure that was difficult on more than one occasion. I can't even imagine reliving the teenage years three times, with all girls. YIKES!

Life as a Bachelorette

Have you ever wondered what a single girl eats for Sunday night dinner? I'm sure you've pondered this a time or two? I'll save you the time and brain power. Instead I give you a running diary of my Sunday night dinner. Please contain your excitement.
Tonight's menu consist of Sloppy Joes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Broccoli & Cheese.

First, I fry the hamburger meat for Sloppy Joes.

This meat is special. It came from my coworkers. Well, it came from their cow. They gave me a few pounds for Christmas. One of the best Christmas presents I received this year. By the way, I just realized I do not have hamburger buns for the Sloppy Joes. It looks like I'll be using sandwich bread.
While the hamburger meat is cooking, I start on the potatoes. Oh, you thought the pototoes would be homemade? HA! I haven't bought potatoes since 2004. Not true. I buy sweet potatoes very often. However, I didn't want sweet pototoes tonight. I feel you juding me. Stop juding me for using box mashed potatoes. I never claimed to be Pioneer Woman or my friend Mommie Cooks. Besides, this box of potatos was free, and it's quick to fix.
The last step is microwaving this bag of veggies.Have you had these? Please tell me you've had these? Personally, I think Green Giant or Bird's Eye steamers are the best thing since sliced bread and nonfat Chais. I kid you not! Also, these were free too.

After 20 minutes everything is ready. Of course, I don't have a final picture of this culinary masterpiece. Sorry guys. I'm sure you can imagine what Sloppy Joes, boxed potatoes, and broccoli & cheese look like on a plate?

Now if you would excuse me I'm going to end this post. I want to enjoy my Sunday night meal while watching Titanic on the Spanish channel. I'm at the part where Kate W's character is caught hanging out with Leo's character. You know, watching the movie in Spanish is pretty fascinating. I understand every 20-30 word. So far the word has been Rose.

This week

I've learned a couple things. Important things. Since I'm all about educating my readers, I thought I would share my new found knowledge.

1. Vacations are important for the soul.

2. The chick from 90210 needs to eat a burger.

3. Sometimes life isn't fair.

4. Traveling makes me hungry. Monday I ate breakfast, twice. It was different time zones.

5. If someone would develop a way to have one password for multiple programs, they would be a millionaire. No, a billionaire.

6. Life is a bit more pleasant if you have fun coworkers.

7. I do well with four day weeks.

8. Today is hug day, and squirrel day.

And, I think that's all I've learned this week. What have you learned this week? They say you should learn something new everyday. Ok, maybe I made that last fact up, but it's believable.

The Winter Storm without a name

If I have taught you anything over the years, about my wonderful state, it's....
we love us some good weather, we can't handle a good ice/snow, and we name all of our winter storms.

The past week the weather folks have been blabbing about a snow/ice storm that is going to hit the state on Thursday, today. Most Okies usually take the weather people serious about 58% of the time. Unless it's tornado season. When it's tornado season you don't screw around. When the weather people are shouting (and they do shout on TV) your street as the next dropping point for that massive wall cloud; you move, you duck for cover. You don't mess around with tornadoes. However, all other weather matters are pretty much hit or miss with OKC's weather peeps. Well, this time they were right. An ice and snow storm hit my wonderful state early this morning. I woke up to find a thick sleet of ice on my driveway and street. I wasn't expecting a thick sleet of ice, even though I'd been warned all week. Obviously no one else was expecting ice, because this winter storm still does not have a name. This is odd because our news people love to be dramatic and name our storms. Seriously they do. Remember last year?

As an experience snow storm adult, I have to take proper precautions. This morning I was at work by 6:30am. I like to be out on the roads before all the crazy people. But this morning, I was not alone. There were lots of smart people out. We were all going a safe speed of 40, and remembering to leave plenty of space between each other. My theory is...arrive to work early and leave work early. Yet I remind you that I do not have a husband or a boyfriend. I have a father. One man in charge of three daughters and his wife. There is an unspoken rule that if you end up in a ditch, because of an ice or snow storm, your staying in the ditch. He is not driving 30 minutes to come rescue your sorry butt. Of course, I have never tested this unspoken rule so I cannot be certain he would just let me sit in a ditch. But there was this one time when my mom, Sister #2, and I ended up in a ditch because of snow. It was the week of Christmas and we were on our way to Arkansas. My dad was no help. He didn't even answer his phone when we called him 309 times. So yes, I guess I have tested this unspoken rule, and it is safe to say that my dad would probably let me stay in the ditch.

PS- The above picture was not taken today, or even in OKC. I'm just being a bit dramatic, kind of like our news media.

A few of my favorite things...

Blogger World, every once in a while I like to provide you with a list of my favorite things? Why? Well, I feel that if a product or service is good, consumers need to spread the news. It's the Marketing degree coming out in me. We always hear about the bad, but rarely the good. This is my chance to applaud the good. Therefore, I give you my updated list of my favorite things...

1. Starbucks Mini Vanilla Scones
These little things are quite delicious. Also, since they are mini they don't have as many calories, which my butt and thighs love. Of course, that theory is blow out of the water when you eat three, or four.

2. White Collar
Have you guys seen this show? I highly recommend it! Here's a brief description stolen from IMDb: A white collar criminal agrees to help the FBI catch other white collar criminals using his expertise as an art and securities thief, counterfeiter and racketeer. The show comes on USA, which is not part of my 25 channel cheap cable package. However, this great website called Hulu, allows me to watch it for free, which is why I have the 25 channel cheap cable package.

3. Beef Stroganoff
A few weeks ago, my friend Paul made this for me. It was my first time to have Beef Stroganoff, and folks it was tasty. I have been craving it ever since I had the tasty dish. I am mostly adding this as a favorite for a begging plug. If anyone is planning to prepare Beef Stroganoff for dinner, please remember me. Please.

4. Airports

Most people hate the airport, but not me. I enjoy a good airport. In fact, the bigger the airport the better. I actually have a list of favorite airports. I don't have the list written down or anything. It's just stored in my head; with the other worthless information I have stored. Minneapolis and Denver have the #1 and #2 spot on my list. They have plenty of restaurants, clean bathrooms, and great people watching. I have a whole rating system for airports. I'm not kidding on this.

5. Coupons
Blogger World, coupon clipping has become a hobby of mine. To be honest, it's been a hobby for awhile. It's so addicting! I seriously, get a thrill of seeing how many things I can get for free or practically free. Don't believe me. Ask my mom, I pretty much call her after every grocery store visit. Coupon clipping is addicting. You should try it. I bet if you would get hooked too. I mean, who doesn't love to save money?

6. Groupon

Folks, if you are not signed up with Groupon, shame on you! There is no excuse for not being signed up on the website. No excuse! The website is free, until you buy a Groupon, and they offer great deals for restaurants, stores, services, or activities around town. I can't even count how many great deals I have bought on Groupon. Really, you need to join Groupon. Everyone in America is doing it.

Well, here's the list. Love them, hate them it's up to you. But for crying out loud, please sign up on Groupon!

Keeping Portland Weird

For the past four years, Sister #1 and I have been doing our part to keep Portland weird. We leave wonderful OKC for extended weekend in one of our favorite cities. As I've stated before, Portland is one of my favorite cities. Mostly because it's so...Portland. I have no other way to describe the city. I just love this crazy little city! Let me show you the level of crazy we are talking. Last year I took this famous picture.... Ok, it's not really famous, or crazy, or even weird. It's just funny. I look like a wet rat, I have this huge smile on my face, and I'm standing in front of a wall that says Keep Portland Weird. But that's the Portland we know. Happy people with goofy smiles on their face.

Like all previous years, Sister #1 and I had a great trip to Portland. It was our fourth time to spend Martin Luther King Weekend in Portland. It's our little tradition. I never said it a normal tradition, it's just what we do. In the past, I spend this post raving about how much fun we had, the neat places went, and then I post pictures of all our fun. Not this year. You see, this year I only took one picture the whole trip. I know, I know I'm fired. However, the picture I have for you will make up for me being a picture-taker-failure. So, are you ready to see the one and only picture from our trip? Yup, that's the one and only picture I have from the trip. But, isn't it a funny picture? This picture was taken, in the airport, at 4:30am. It's Sister #1 modeling her new shirt for me. Folks, have you ever experience something so funny, but you knew it really wasn't funny, you were just tired? Well this isn't one of those moments. This picture still makes me laugh and it's 7:45pm. It also makes me smile because it's our only memory from Portland 2011.

But since I'm a good blogger, I will post pictures from previous trips. We hung out with most of the same people, and the people are one of the main reasons we keep returning. No, it's not just because they can get us into fun stores like-Columbia Employee Store and Adidas Employee Store. It's because they are awesome people. Every year they cart us around town and introduce us to their friends. I think my favorite part of the trip is all the new friends we have made through the years. When we started our Portland tradition, we knew one person, Tabs, living in Portland. Now, we have a list of people we hang out with while we are there. I love it! These are some of the people that make the trip so fun....
Thank you Portland for another great year. We look forward to our trip next year....

Folks of Hollywood

This morning, I was browsing US Magazine.com's pictures. For some reason I feel the need to look at People.com and US Magazine.com every morning. It's kind of annoying, because it's a waste of time and brain cells, and I have to work hard to keep all my brain cells. But to be fair, I'm only doing this while my computer programs are loading. I use quite a few programs in a given day. I do. I'm important at work! I AM dang it. Anyway, on US Magazine I noticed a headline about Natalie Portman. In bold black text it said:
Pregnant Natalie Portman: I'm Excited to Get Fat!

Please raise your hand if you believe this statement? And, raise your hand if you have the sudden erg to punch the computer screen, the nearest person around you, or Natalie Portman? No? Sorry, maybe it's just me. But I find this statement annoying and very fake. Is it just me?

Oh, and you can put your hand down. Unless you already put your hand down to punch the computer screen, which if that is the case sorry about your computer screen.

Now, I just read that Kate Hudson and her Muse rocker boyfriend are expecting a child. Also, Owen Wilson and whoever he's dating are expecting. Do these people not know about birth control? Good grief. I need to read something stable, like MSN.Money.

Letter from OK Chick

Dear Self,
It's a new year. It's time to get back into shape, hardcore shape. No more excuses. No more, I'm too tired to go to aerobics because I've worked 12 hours. Self, need I remind you that shopping for bigger clothes is NO FUN!!! Now, get to aerobics or on the treadmill. You'll thank me later, like around spring.
Self

Dear Ryan Reynolds,
Let's just cut to the chase. I'm single, your single. We can make this work. I just posted about moving to a big city. I can move to your big city. It's not a problem. Plus, I love Canada. Go Canada! True I have never been to Canada, but really, how bad can it be? It's the home of Shania Twain and Wayne Gretzky. They seem like great people. I see this working out. I really do.
XOXO,
OK Chick

Dear Cute High School Girl from Church,
Thanks for the tip about Jeggings. Right after church, I purchased some at Old Navy. They fit, and even look good on me. I now appear to be cool and stylish. I feel that Rachel Zoe would be proud, even if I can't watch her anymore.
Thank you,
OK Chick

Dear Cox Cable,
Bring back Bravo. I need the channel back. I only have 25 freaking channels. COME ON! Don't make me get mean. I can and will bust out some of my Jazzercise boxing moves.
I refuse to just listen to the channel, I want to see the people on the channel.
An unsatisfied Customer,
OK Chick

Dear Blogger World,
Did you know today is 1/11/11? I didn't until right now. Isn't something great suppose to happen on this date? No? I felt I read or heard that fact. Well, I'll let you know what happens to me.
Curious,
OK Chick

Well folks that's all the letter I have for today. Until next time....

Big Girl City Dream

Today, it finally feels like winter around here. I love winter. Did you know that about me? It's true. I love fall too, but I really love winter.

There are a couple reason why I love winter. For starters, I love sweaters, hoodies, snow boots, cute boots with the fur, coats, and gloves. The other reason, is the my Big Girl City Dream. Have I told you about this dream? You see, ever since I was a little girl,I've always had this dream of living in a big city (with a high power job), walking to work, while drinking Starbucks to stay warm. Of course, in this dream I have a fabulous apartment, and wear fabulous clothes. Isn't this what every eight year old dreams, while playing with her younger Sisters?

Someday Big Girl City Dream will come true. I just know it will. It's on my list. My list of things I want to do before I die. It's sandwiched between attending the Cotton Bowl and marriage. And I want it noted that so far, I've been checking things off that list pretty regularly. I'm making real progress with the list, and someday Big Girl City Dream will have it's time to be checked off the list. You just wait and see.

Goals for 2011

I survived my solo New Year's Eve. I'm happy to report that I watched/finished three of the movies I rented. I made a good effort to watch The American. Horrible. I did not like the movie at all. I turned it off about 20 minutes into the movie. You know, sometimes you can just tell a movie is a stinker and it's not worth your time. I know you agree.

So, now we are 4-5 days, depending on where you are globally located, into 2011. Yes, that's right folks, OK Chick has international readers! Anyway, I hope things have been ok for you these first 4-5 days. I've had a pretty good start. I've been to aerobics at least 5 times, vast improvement from the months of November and December. I've also cut back on the Starbucks addiction. Currently, only half of the staff knows me by name/drink. Again, vast improvement.

What are your goals for this year? I would ask what are your resolutions, but I don't like that question. It just seems like you are asking for failure when you make resolutions. It's been reported (by reliable sources I'm sure) that people do not keep their resolutions. They tend to break them the first month. Failure. I'm more of a goal setter. If you know me, it's very clear to see I'm a goal setter. This year I've set some goals, but then again I set goals every year. Actually, I set them monthly. Come to think of it, I set them daily. Do not scream or kick someone today. See, that's a goal.

This year, I plan to be a better person. Yes, I realize this is a very broad goal. And as a professional goal setter, I know you are suppose to be very specific on your goals. Therefore, these are some of the ways I will be a better person....

1. I will not gripe about watching Pepper for Sister #1. It's true sometimes I gripe. I know shocker!
2. Write at least 3 thank you notes, for something other than Christmas and birthday presents.
3. Each day I will ask someone how they are doing. But here's the kicker, I will actually take the time to listen to their answer. I will admit, sometimes I ask the question in passing, which means I keep walking after I ask the question. It's a horrible habit.
4. I will cook for Sister #2 and her roommate more often. I already do this often, but I can do it more. I'm a working individual, they are poor college students. It only makes sense.

Right now, this is all I have. These are small changes, but I think they will make a difference. Again, what are your goals? As always, it's fun if you actually answer my question and not just read the post.