Oma's famous dinner

As I typed the title of tonight's blog it made me laugh. You see there are two stories I could tell you... I think I'll go with the safe one for now. My Mom (Oma) made a meal that was my family's favorite. Pork Roast, Sauerkraut and dumplings. Now some of you all were lucky enough to come over and eat the real deal! My Mom cooked by feel not by measuring. So when I asked her to show me how to make this meal there was a lot of heated conversation. She would end up doing her feel and I would be scooping up and measuring behind her! It's a meal that take's me back to my childhood the moment the Pork roast begins cooking with the onions in the oven. My Mom made the best gravy in the world. I've only came close to her gravy twice in my life. Once with this meal and once at Thanksgiving. As I was making the meal tonight I thought of the many times my Mom had made the meal and gave a silent thanks to God for blessing me with my German Mommy! It did make my heart feel good when my family told me thank's and how good it was tonight. Missing my Mom.

Remind me to tell you about my Mother's other famous meal sometime.

Sunny Sunday!

Yikes! It's hot! In fact I have found it so hot that there is not much I want to do. So I haven't posted cause I didn't think you all would like to hear how I haven't really done that much.

I'm starting a new book. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. It come's highly recommended. Doe's anyone out there have any books you can suggest we read? I Welcome comments! In fact I'm surprised some of you haven't spoke up! Helping a partner in crime move some boxes today! Then I'm sure I'll have to sit in front of a fan! So that's it folks. I don't have much. So til next time. Be good! Be careful! Stayed hydrated! Use Sunscreen! And don't forget to call your Mom if you still can!

xoxox

Barbie

Hey Cupcake!

Self confession: I'm a cupcake slut! Never met one I haven't tried!

I've got a Secret!

I've got a secret! And it's not Victoria's secret!

I've decided to share it with you, my few, my proud, my followers! I belong to a small network, Ok a really really small network. I guess it's more like a one girl army! I've taken a stance against neglected Gnomes! Someone had to stand up for the poor guys. I think it's my calling. That's right I hear the call of the Gnome. (Ka~gnome Ka~gnome) Can you hear it? I didn't think so... It's a special talent that I alone might have. This all started about 3 weeks ago. One night while unable to sleep I came up with the idea to freshen up Madison's Gnome collection. I proceeded to groom her pool Gnomes. (See picture below).

Oh the joy! It was nothing compared to the excitement these little fellow's were feeling. ;)

I believe they then sent out a secret code to other Gnomes who needed a little TLG. Tender Loving Gnome. As I was driving by a neighbors I sighted another Gnome who needed some love! I recruited some former Gnome thief's and had them Gnome~nap the dude at dusk. I showed this Gnome some love and had the before mentioned special agents replace him back in the yard that he came from. I hope this random act of Gnomelove brought a smile to his owner's face! :) I've got my eye's peeled for more of these neglected suckers. It's a big world out there peeps and we have to do what we can for all species!

Your Gnomeloving Blogger,

Barbie

Bicycle, Bicycle!

I want to ride my Bicycle, I want to ride my bike!

The only problem is I don't have a bike. I have been looking for a bike. Craigslist, garage sales and last but not least my brothers garage. But no bike for me yet. I have a dream! That's right a dream of getting back on the bike! Actually for those of you who didn't realize I was such a biker, Parke and I in our youth rode quite a bit. Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris. I want to go on a Backroads tour. Maybe thru the wine country. Now this might just be a pipe dream.. The last time I was on a bike. Julie tried to kill me by biking 22 miles in 1 day in the Hot Texas sun!

I was so dehydrated and hot that I got lost on the way home! A woman taking her trash out to the curb noticed I had rode up and down her street about 3 times (might have been weaving) and asked me if I needed some water. I of course delirious from the Sun, told her she just might have saved my life! She pointed me out of her subdivision where I proceed to call Parke to come pick me up! I sold all the bikes soon after in a garage sale. But now I have had a change of heart! I'm ready to get on my bike and ride! Patti bought me a cute bell with dice on it. I'm going to get a cool vintage basket also! And I plan on putting water in the basket just in case I lose my way home again! Just call me Bike'n Barbie. Well when I get a bike that is....

Peace,

Barbie

Thought I forgot about ya huh?

Salutations!

I've always wanted to use that word! Salutations! Makes me think of Wilbur and Charlotte! If you don't know what I'm talking about ask your parents! The Old Spice guy now answer's my phone! It's so funny! I admit that I called myself just to hear it! It's been a wild ride this week and I think I've done a pretty good job of just holding on....

I'm outta here for tonight!

Sweet Dreams!

Barbie

Road trip!

Woke up, got out of bed ran a comb across my head..... Then I headed to Waco with Robin and Maddie! Road tripppppppppp! We drove the Mustang and looked cool. Actually we were cool!

Found some great stores with good buys! Rockin Robin found the best buys! Antique ladders and some kick ass boots! Madison and I piled our picks out to be rung up and for the love of monkeys I almost choked when she told me the total! I even expressed my thoughts in a louder then loud How much????? Madison was of course embarrassed and wanted to high tail it out of there. I had thought my selections were less expensive then they were... (Sorry Punk). But hey can I help it if my special talents is spending money? No I didn't think so either!

Mad Mad and I went to the store where I was almost forced to show her my excellent karate skills. (Where and the heck did these kids these days learn to talk back) And Maddie was really chipping me off by trying to get the last word in.. You all know that I Barbie (Mom) get the last word in..... After some pushing and shoving a few arm smacks she straightened up and good thing. Because I had my fight on tonight. I could have taken her down right there in the produce isle and not felt bad about it at all. She's lucky I didn't get my kick on. Cause if I do LOOK the hell out. I will hurt a kid! Sorry I was kinda re liven it..

On the way out to the car I assisted a sweet lady trying to put some heavy items in her car. Her name was Trish and I know we could have become very good friends. She told me she loved me and thanked me for my help. I told her it was no problem and that I too had a Mommy who couldn't always lift everything. I bid her farewell and headed over to my car when she yelled out. I have lots of jewelry and I could be your Mommy. I stopped and smiled and walked back over to her and let her know that I didn't need any jewelry but I was interested in being her friend.. She was so sweet and kind. I did want to go home with her right there and then. We decided that it was fate that had brought us together and that we would look for each other again at the grocery market! Walking over to my car I had tears in my eyes and my heart felt full. It feels very, very good to pay it forward my friends... Very, Very good...

Thank you and goodnight!

xoxox

Barbie

Sad day in my life..

July 9, 1986

The date above was truly one of the worst days of my life. My older Sister Darlene was a victim to domestic violence. She passed away at the age of 38. I can not describe my sorrow and won't even try. However, I would like to urge those of you in abusive relationships to GET OUT!

There is help. Contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline. 1 800 799.safe 1 800 799 7223.

It's Anonymous & Confidential. They are there 24/7. There is help for you! Get educated and Get help NOW.

To my Sweet Sister Darlene, your in my thoughts and heart.

I love and miss you.

Barbie

As time goes by.......

I know, I know.. I haven't posted! Well it's because I forgot my sign in and pass code. The memory is not what it use to be. It's all I'll say about that.

Had a Great time in Ponca City, Oklahoma home of the fighting Wildcats! It was a rainy affair.

We went out to Braden's ranch to watch some fireworks and in the words of my brother in law Doug.... It was like a Oklahoma Woodstock you could get in but didn't know how you were going to get out! I wish I had a video of Max pulling up in his pick'em up truck laying on the horn fist pumping engine humming and yelling "Jump in" We were literally riding dirty! After some of the finest BBQ and some mobster shooting we had Wild Max take us back up the hill. Fearless Mike and Parke rode in the back (I'm thinking they might have consumed more Jack Daniels then we realized) I might have heard them scream like girls once! (Just kiddin).

We drove Squeaks up for some TLC! And yes she still purrs! 180,000 miles and going strong!

I had a near death experience this week.... I went back to work and put in 12 hours each day. My body aches and my brain is mush. I always knew work could kill ya! With that I'm outta here. I gotta go find the Sandman.

Peace Out Peeps!

Barbie

Note to self...

Stay out of the casino.........

Postings from Ponca!

Good Day!

Rolled into Oklahoma last night. When we crossed the Texas/Oklahoma border our car immediately took a hard pull to the right! I was able to gain control and park at the Windstar Casino! Camille and I decided that we probably should get out and stretch our legs (always looking for ways to exercise). HAHA. Camille being 18 and all she was excited to see what this gaming stuff was all about! A couple of hours later! Yes we were there that long. We headed back out on the road... The next 4 hours went by quickly as we sang song after song from my youth! I had finished a water bottle and was using it as a drum stick until Bug couldn't take it anymore.. Kids they never let you have fun anymore! My mind going back to all the High School memories! Good times! Good times! As soon as I hit exit 214 on to highway 60. My heart beats a little faster! Honked thru the Conoco tunnel. And made our way slowly thru the sleeping town to David and Sue's house. Lake Ponca is calling.. And were going...

Back later

love and kisse's

Barbie

On the road again.........

Getting ready and gearing up to head to O K L A H O M A!

Sometime's I'm amazed at my own hometown pride! I am incredibly proud to be from

PONCA CITY, OKLAHOMA. HOME OF THE FIGHTING WILDCATS!

That's how I usually respond when asked! When I reminisce about my childhood I think of swimming lessons at Bogan Pool. Elementary school sports. Running the neighborhood without shoes on and your toes getting cut from the grass. My parents playing cards with their church friends (Mom would always buy frozen Chocolate Sara Lee cake).

Spending Sunday's after church with my Dad showing Patti and I how to clean coins.. My Mom doing her crossword puzzles and smoking cigarette after cigarette. (The reason I never smoked)

My older sister Darlene lining us up to play Capt'n Big Stuff! A game she created to smack the crap out of us! I was in a band... David on the drums, Patti strumming guitar, and me on lead vocals! We would sing louder then the record player! If I remember right the Monkee's were one of our favorites! It all seems like yesterday.. but now just hazy memories that I find myself going back over in my mind. I was truly blessed with having the parents that I did. My love for my Brother and Sisters still so strong. I'm glad to be heading home.....