Ramblings....

We are a day closer to Friday. Shall we celebrate with some Ramblings? Why yes, I think we shall.

I have decided when I get old, I will start taking cruises. Here's my thought process....
When I'm gray and old I will still want to travel overseas. I'm predicting the traveling bug doesn't leave me at a certain age . You see, I get a thrill from receiving stamps on my passport. What, you don't? Liar.
By taking a cruise, I can still travel overseas, but not be crammed on an airplane. Let's face it being crammed on an airplane for 10+ hours is not paradise. But being on a cruise ship for a few weeks is fine. I can handle laying out and eating for a few weeks. The plan is perfect. I'm a genius.

Right now, Bill Pullman is in OKC filming a movie. My coworker's wife is an extra in the movie. Bill Pullman personally called her to be an extra in the movie. Apparently, her and Bill are BFF. I know! When my coworker was telling me the story I thought to myself... why are you just now telling me you know Bill Pullman? He's in one of my favorite movies, While You Were Sleeping.

I just read that President Obama was not invited to Chelsea Clinton's wedding. I would think President Obama would have more important things to do with his time, than attend a wedding and be a guest on The View. I'm just saying....

The past two days, Sister #1 has been sending me word of the day. She thinks I'm stupid. I kid. Here is today's word. Veblen Good-Goods that are perceived to be exclusive as long as prices remain high or increase. Veblen goods get their name from economist Thorstein Veblen, who was one of the first to look into and write about conspicuous consumption and the concept of seeking status through consumption.Veblen goods are often referred to as "status symbols".
Like I said, she thinks I'm stupid. Again, kidding.

Speaking of being stupid, I've decided to go back to school. This will make degree number three, and it's going to be a Finance degree. Unlike my MBA, I will not be done in one year. I think it will take about three-five years. I have no idea what I will do with this degree, beside decorate my office. I just trust it will come in handy, someday.

My 30th birthday is coming up soon, March 22. I've decided I will celebrate by going on a trip. I know, go figure. I've narrowed down my locations to either NYC or Italy. Who's in?

Folks, this is all the ramblings I have for today. Now if you would excuse me, it's oatmeal time!

Tour De OKC Food-Stage I

Welcome to the first Tour De OKC Food. If you are completely confused go here to read about Tour De OKC Food. Normally, I would make everyone wait for you to catch up, but not today. I need to push forward. Today could be a long busy day.

The first stage of Tour De OKC Food was Big Truck Taco. This was my fourth attempt to dine at the new trendy dive. Thankfully it was a successful attempt. Seriously, I've tried three other times to eat a freakin' taco. The line was always out the door, and you know I have zero patience...kind of like you guys, so let's move on to the pictures.

Fellow Teammates:My fellow teammates were Land of the Hogs folks along with The Parentals. Do you notice all the people in the background? It's a happening place, and we went at lunchtime, on a Saturday. Now, can you imagine this place on a weekday at noon? See, why it took four attempts?

The Food:
Ok, I'm going to tell you something very important. Are you listening? No, are you really listening? You need to try the guacamole. HOLY CAT FIGHT! It's incredible. It taste fresh, and has the perfect amount of seasoning. Some places make it too salty, which I hate. Some places make it creamy, like you are eating green mashed potatoes, which gross. Not Big Truck Taco. They make it chunky. There are huge chunks of avacodo and tomatoes. Love it!

I ordered The Rancher, which is slow-braised brisket with sauteed mushrooms and onions, HQ potatoes and escabeche (pickled relish). It was good. I have to be honest, the taco did not knock me off my feet. However, I think it was due to my ordering error. My recommendation is before you go, study the menu. This will eliminate the oh-my-gosh-look-at-the-line-I-have-no-idea-what-I-want panic feeling. Please tell me I'm not the only one with this feeling? Right. Anyway, I can't complain about the taco because everything was perfect. The meat was tender, the tortillas were warm/soft, the potatoes were a good combination with the brisket, and the veggies were seasoned perfect-not too hot. It was a good taco, just not the taco for me.

Extras Kilometres:
Big Truck Taco isn't a huge place, as I've said. It is an old Sonic transformed into a trendy restaurant. The place has character, but not much seating inside. However, lots of seating outside. If you take a large group that want to sit inside, you might have to stalk a table for a few minutes. I'm cool with stalking. Well, stalking tables.
The service was super fast. I was worried I'd eat my right arm before I had my taco. Not the case. I left the place with both limbs.

Overall, I give BTT a solid 8. My experience was good.

A Weekend in Dallas

Friday I mentioned I had big plans. I didn't lie.

This past weekend my family went to Dallas for our family vacation.

It was a nice weekend. We had some good family time and we stayed at one of my favorite hotels. This is the second time my family has been lucky enough to stay at the Four Seasons. Unlike last year we had no redneck moments. Vast improvement if you ask me.

Overall the trip was very fun. I spent time with my family, ate great food, shopped, worked out in a fancy gym, visited with friends, pool time, and ate more great food. In my family, this is a great trip. But sadly, no dinner with Justin. There's always next year.

3 Truths and a Lie

Big plans this weekend! However, I'm not telling you my big plans until Monday morning. Sorry. If I didn't keep you guessing, you would get bored of my blog. Admit it.

To help keep the curiosity going, I thought we'd play my favorite blog game 3 Truths and a Lie. Blogger World, your job is to pick out the lie in your four choices. As always, the winner will receive one imaginary high-five. Good luck!

1. Am I spending an exciting weekend hanging out with friends and running a race Saturday morning.
2. One of the highlights of my weekend will be hitting Back-to-School shopping at the outlet mall.
3. Dinner with Justin Timberlake.
4. Birthday celebration for a friend.

I'm going to admit, this one is tough.

Summer Days

Blogger World, sometimes you just need to enjoy summer.

No To-Do List

No Bills

No Food Journal

No Exercise

Every once in awhile you just need to say, oh what the heck.


Celebrate we will, because life is short but sweet for certain.
- Dave Matthews Band

Tour De OKC Food

Blogger World, I love food!

I don't think it's a big secret. I would say 50% of this blog is about food. Of course, the other 50% of this blog is about the exercising I do to enjoy food.

Yesterday I came up with another Brilliant Idea. We will classify this Brilliant Idea as Brilliant Idea #92.

Every year a local newspaper, The Gazette, publishes a Best of OKC. This is where fellow Okies vote on the things we love about our great town. One section of Best of OKC is the list of eating establishments around town.

Yesterday while reading The Gazette, I realized there were many restaurants in town I had not tried. This is where Brilliant Idea #92 comes into play. Folks, for the remainder of the summer I will embark on something I like to call Tour De OKC Food. I will be eating at these new establishments and documenting them for you, my readers, all three of you.

I look forward to Tour De OKC Food. Feel free to join me on Tour De OKC Food, if you live around the area. If you don't, well....you can start your own Tour De Food. As always, my Brilliant Ideas are free for anyone to steal. Unless you make money off one of my Brilliant Ideas, then I'll sue your butt so fast you won't know what hit you. *Insert big smile*

Happy eating!

The tale of two brothers

Hometown, USA is being invaded by Land of the Hogs folks. It's the third time this summer Land of the Hogs folks have come for a visit! This weekend two of my dad's brothers will be in town. First we have my uncle BD....

There is never a dull moment when this uncle is around. If you remember, this picture was taken after my dad and uncle went hunting for beer bottles. I know, we're weird. And they are equally weird together. No lie. Actually that was a lie. When they are together, they are just funny. They kind of feed off each other, and the result is pretty stinkin' funny.

The second uncle that will be in town is FT.....
This picture was taken when FT was young and mean. Twenty years later, FT is a husband and father. Life is a whole different ballgame. Now, The Sisters and I get to tease his son, and teach his son bad things. The circle of life is pretty great.

I'm predicting this weekend to be very fun. Both uncles are bringing their offspring. One cousin has already declared staying at my adobe. Hopefully, this cousin realizes I do not live in Hometown, USA and I will not be bringing her home if she misses her dad. Ok, so maybe if she throws a fit I'll drive home, but only if sugary foods won't work.

Sadly, the third brother and his family will not be coming to town. Oh don't feel sorry for him. No he's not being left out. He's taking his family to Jamaica. I warned you not to feel sorry for him. Trust me, these brothers get a lot of family time. They have their annual ski trip, annual golf trip, and annual Dallas Cowboys football game trip. See, lots of togetherness.

Sooner Born and Sooner Bred

I thought there was hope for us. He seemed to have it all together! He was normal. He had a good job. He loved God. He enjoyed college basketball. For crying out loud, the man had health insurance!

But as we all know, I'm not lucky in this department. The dating department. What seemed normal, really wasn't. Actually, I can't say that about him. I suppose he's still normal.

Before I left the Awkward BBQ with Pistol Pete, him and I discussed hanging out on the 4th of July. He said he'd come to my town to hang out. By the time the 4th of July rolled around (a week after the Awkward BBQ), I hadn't heard from Pistol Pete. Loser. I assumed I didn't need to text message him my 4th of July plans, since I hadn't heard from him. But, The Cousin and Sister #1 both said I needed to text him my 4th of July plans, because I told him I would. Despite the fact that he hadn't called/text/emailed/facebook me in over week I still had to send this text message. *Insert Eye Roll Here* The Cousin said I couldn't be mean. *Insert Eye Roll Here* SO this is how it went down on the 3rd of July...

Me: Do you have plans on the 4th?
PP: I'm going to hang out with my family. I'm working on my bathroom and kitchen so maybe we can get together in a week or two?

End of conversation via text message

I did not respond to his text message. How do you respond to that? Sure, call me when you have time. I'll be waiting right here by the phone. Waiting. Waiting for you to call me.

I don't think so! Instead, I deleted his number from my phone. Yup, that's how I roll.

The 5th of July

Monday I was a step closer to my wedding registry dream. You know, my dream of going to Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn to register for overpriced sheets, knives, and an ice cream scooper?

On the 5th of July, Sister #1 and I headed to Hometown, USA for a nice lunch with the family. While the food was being prepared I was stalking, I mean looking on Facebook. When my mom announced lunch was ready I just walked away from the computer to begin eating.

After the kitchen was cleaned I decided to take advantage of my parent's expensive cable. I was totally into HGTV and zoned out to everyone else around me. They were remodeling the outside of a single guy's house. Interesting episode. Anyway, where was I? Oh right.

After the episode was over, I realize that I heard giggling coming from the kitchen. My sisters don't giggle. We aren't a giggle family. So I found it odd that giggling was coming from my sisters.

I went to the kitchen to see what was so funny.

What's so funny?

Nothing.

What are you two doing?

Explosive of laughter between the two ding dongs.

We made some changes to your Facebook page.

WHAT?

You changed my profile picture? Whatever.

YOU CHANGED MY RELATIONSHIP STATUS TO ENGAGED! Oh Lord, take that off my facebook!

End of conversation.

I thought...the conversation was over. We all had a good laugh about me being engaged. Single girl, who can't get a date, is all the sudden engaged. HA! HA! After the group laugh, I thought the sisters changed my Facebook status back to single, because that's what they should have done!

They didn't listen to me, which is typical!

At 9:30pm, my mom called angry with me. One of my aunts had just called to see if I was really engaged, and wanted to know why no one in the family had met the guy. My mom was not happy. I quickly changed my relationship status back to single, which I must say is a low blow even if it is all a joke. I'm not going to lie, I was slightly embarrassed that my Facebook status had been set to "engaged" for the most part of the day.

But I've been thinking.....

I was engaged for about 8 hours. The equivalent to a work day. I believe that is sufficient time to hit up PB and WS to begin a registry list. DANG IT! I totally missed out. Stupid, stupid! I'll know better next time someone screws with my Facebook relationship status. I'll make them pay....literally! You know, I'm registering for All-Clad pans and those suckers aren't cheap.

Happy Chocolate Day!

Today, July 7th, is Chocolate Day! This is my gift to you. I hope you like it.


Today is also National Macaroni Day. I'm serious. So if you are not a fan of chocolate, please feel free to celebrate this fine Wednesday with some Macaroni and Cheese. May I recommend PW's Mac and Cheese. It's tasty. She uses lots and lots of cheese. I think I just gained 5lbs looking at the picture. For real ya'll.



By the way, this is the first and last time you will read ya'll on my blog.

Summer is...

new green purses

hula-hooping in the yard...

messy ice cream sandwiches...

smores...

hiking with friends...

family visits...

ice cream at the Zoo...

AND

yummy summer fruit salad...

Pepper

Today, I'm dog sitting this puppy.



I told Sister #1 she could leave Pepper with me while she was at work. I know, gold star for me!

So far we've watching a Lifetime movie, cut coupons, and made pesto. Not in that order, of course.

The highlight of my day has been watching Pepper attack my full length mirror. She believes there's another dog, just like her, visiting me. It's funny. Yes, I realize it's mean to find humor in the dog hitting the mirror many times, but it is seriously funny!