Oklahoma

      This year has rocked my world.  In particular 2020 so far, not just the 'school year'  I usually measure things by as a teacher.
     I'm not ready to dissect it yet, but after a LOT of changes at work.  A lot of unknowns.  After quarantine for all, and a personal battle with Covid-19  I feel stole a huge part of the last 6 weeks from my personal life and those of my immediate family.  Lots of things to say about that eventually.  Praises to be shared as well.  This weekend I need something normal.  I'm sure we all do.

       Last weekend I packed my facemask, and my hand gel, and gloves, and I drove North to Oklahoma.  Just two hours, but it's the farthest I've driven BY almost 2 hours in almost 3 months.

     I sat by a lake away from the new normal these days and I got to feel, for just a moment, like, even as we take these lessons we learned over the last few months, there are going to be things that still can feel the same.  Sweeter, not worse.  My iPhone and I looked at the details of these flowers, by a lake, and then we drove home again and I took a little bit of that back home with me.

Glamping in Oklahoma

 This past weekend I headed across the border of Texas to Broken Bow, Oklahoma.  My pals and I rented a luxury cabin to celebrate my pal Kelly's b-day.  She actually has another month before she is 40, but she's about to travel the world and not be home to be celebrated, so we had to take advantage of a free weekend.

I found the cabin on Air BNB and it was absolutely stunning with two story views, a game room with a pool table, great seating inside and out, a grill, hot tub etc.  

It's unusually hot, so we ended up spending a lot of times in the Great INDOORS and enjoying all the cabin had to offer!  

 I made a bucket for each girl with personalized blankets, cups, cookies, and popcorn.

Night one I had a big spread with the gals arrived, and we munched all night....and the next afternoon too.  Dessert was pie (Kelly's favorite).  We went to lunch the next day in town, but other than that it was a weekend of girl talk, heads up, grilling, hot tubbing, and smores.  

I tend to overplan my life, so one of the best birthday gifts that I accidentally got was a weekend to disconnect with the to do list, and connect with fun people.  Here's hoping we can do it again before another 10 years pass!

Thrifting in Oklahoma

 One of my favorite things to do on the weekend is take a day trip.  I usually only do this on three day weekends...if then....but....with every mile headed out I feel free.  One of my favorite routes is north to Oklahoma.  I like to scour antique stores and thrift stores.  Over Labor Day I headed north across the Red River.  I've been collecting a few odds and ends for my upcoming craft room.  Mostly, I need functional pieces to organize my materials, but I wanted a few vintage items from OTHER people's craft supplies. I ran into one of my all time favorite stores and found a few finds.  Usually I just share the 'end' result of projects, but...I decided to share a piece to the journey this go 'round.  Anytime I decide to redo something the journey starts months in advance.  I start looking for deals and throwing around ideas in my head.  When it's time to put it all together I usually have most of the pieces I needed, and then I can just add to it over time.  One thing I know I want to store things in are cigar boxes.  I found a few over Labor Day, including one with unicorns inside...what?  Yes.  I also found this little pin cushion with vintage pins...which will go nicely with my pin cushion tomatoes I collected.  I also bought a little stack of books (4) for a buck, including one I'm sure I had as a child (The Night Before Christmas).  These I took up to work where I have a collection of vintage books.  I also found some seed packets from the 80's I took to work...our district's theme this year is growth for all, so....these will probably come in handy.  Again, it was a dollar for about 8 of these.

 OK, the hat pins....those I just couldn't resist.  All but one is from the original packaging...made in America?  What?  I'll probably put these in my craft room somewhere.  The irony of my hat pin obsession is that I never wear any sort of hats, so I would have been the gal without my hat once upon a time, but I just love them....I wavered on this one b/c I knew I didn't 'need' it, but in the end I've learned when I'll regret something I didn't get....and if the money is there I'll go ahead and get it and promise myself "I could sell that..." if I decide it's frivolous.  Trust me, I won't be selling these anytime soon.

 I also bought this antique pink bread box.  It reminds me of some of the color pallets I'm going for and I thought it might be a fun place to store some supplies.  The bird decals?  Those beauties are staying fo' sho'.  Random is my favorite decor pallet!

 Last up from the antique store was this ball jar.  It wa 3.50, but I had a bag of buttons I wanted to put inside from my pal Amber's little gal Charlotte.  Amber knows hat pins are second in my heart because buttons on number one.  I do love a good button.  When I was little they had these bins of vintage buttons you could get bags of at the old MJDesigns and I spent hours sweeping my hand through those buttons and making them click and clatter.

 As soon as I got home I headed down to Home Depot.  They had a deal on paints and I went ahead and stocked up for my craft room and a few other jobs around the house that need to get done sooner than later.

I usually buy one can of paint at a time.  I usually buy one antique at a time, but....it turns out Labor Day was a gold mine for me.  ...and it's Ramen Noodles for October because even at the right price, it sure does add up quick....which is why I need a year to redo any room in the house!

Tulsa, Oklahoma Route 6 Half Marathon

 I started running about 5 years ago.  Before that...I ran a mile.  Once.  I've lost a lot of weight running.  I've gained a lot of weight running.  I've been slowing down lately b/c it hasn't been a huge priority, BUT I know that it's good for me, so I keep doing it...even when my hip hurts, it's just a few miles, and I'm going slower than the walkers.  Or...I'm walking with the walkers. At least I'm still out there and really, it's about my health with a few shiny medals thrown in along the way.  I've got two on my bucket list (2 1/2 really)...and it's totally about the medals.  I decided to sign up for them this school year...just in case.  #1 was the Tulsa Route 66 half.  Why?  Because look at that pretty medal!  A hood ornament.  Yes, please!

 My brother joined me.  He was doing the full marathon, which means (not by much)...I was able to finish before him.  Which means, he's almost twice as fast as me.  I'm OK with that.

 It was a CO-OLD morning....the first one this season.  I debated layers and knew I'd warm up when running.  I probably still wore too much, but I'd rather be a little hot for a few hours and not really cold the whole time.

 This was my sixth half marathon (one of those was a full) and it was my favorite route so far.  It was pretty hilly.  BUT it mostly wound through gorgeous neighborhoods with all their fall colors on display.  I could not do it justice...I took a few photos while running, but could never get the best shots of the most beautiful spots, so...you'll just have to go see for yourself.

 I think it was my favorite crowd.  There were a lot of folks in their front yards, and block parties every few miles.  I've never seen so much alcohol in my life.  There was a couple running near me for about 6 of those miles who stopped for every shot neighbors offered-beers passed out from coolers, or jello shots handed out by the thousands (no, really).  There were some pretty drunk people by mile 10....not enough to be a problem, but that was a new one.  Tulsa is apparently full of friendly people who are willing to provide hard liquor to 15,000+ strangers.

 Going with the Route 66 theme there were a few girls who ran in fun outfits, my favorite was this group in sparkle skirts, checkered aprons, and malt head bands.  Another gal ran in a similar outfit holding a tray of drinks.  I'm doing good to get myself across the finish line, much more....a costume. I'm grateful for the costumes though....it keeps me entertained.

Not a lot of the route was along Route 66, but....there were a few fun spots.  I hit up a few of the other local stops the day before, along with some antique shops.  This was my second time in Tulsa.  I love it-a smaller town feel in a bigger city along the Oklahoma highways.  There are some great restaurants, including a place that served food for us 'regular' people and vegans (my brother) called Chimera.  It's hard to find a place good for 'both' kind of people.  Next up....the Hot Chocolate 15K in February...the medal is a candy bar with a bite out of it.

Oklahoma City and Route 66

I interrupt my daily craft/food post for a random road trip.  One of my favorite things to do is find a misc place I've been thinking about (there are a lot) and drive.  The problem is I keep a pretty busy schedule....I'm always trying to leave more room for being spontaneous, but then I have to literally schedule those days too....sooooo...this year we were off mostly AFTER Christmas, and I knew it was the perfect time to (re)visit Oklahoma City.  I went a few years back in January b/c I had always wanted to see the memorial.  I wrote about that here.  This time around, my cousin really wanted to see the city.  So....we filled up the car...and we went.  My one request was that we got to drive to Arcadia (about 20 minutes outside the middle of town...if that) and see some of the sites along route 66.  I heart Route 66.  I've driven so much of it, and pretty much every mile from Amarillo on, but I've just hit little spots along the route going North. 
We stopped at Pops and checked out their walls, coolers, and racks of every soda pop under the sun.  The organize them by 'type'-cream soda, cola, grape....whatever.  Being the good stewards that we are-we both picked up a bottle of Dr. Pepper for our Moms.  To say it's sort of their 'thing' would be an understatement.  If Dr. Pepper only knew what portion of their profits were due to my family's obsession.....

Outside the shop there is a ginormous bottle that lights up in neon at night.  I'll save that for next time. 

Next up....the Round Barn.  Why?  Because it's there.  You can literally see one site standing at the other, so it wasn't a hardship to check out both.  The barn is open to visitors. 

After getting our kicks....we headed back to Oklahoma City where we tried out Ingrid's.  I saw it featured on Diner's, Drive Ins, and Dives.  I get it.  I love a good Reuben (cut the sauerkraut), and it was goooood.....I'll definitely go back next time I'm in town.  I know, I know-German food and Oklahoma City.....but wow.  Go.  And then there is this case about a mile long filled with cookies and desserts I can't even talk about.  Let's just say New Year's Resolutions were broken. 

And as we were driving towards downtown, I made my cousin stop so I could hop out and take a picture of these clouds.  I've become a little obsessed with clouds lately, but I can never capture them.  It doesn't do it justice....those waves of white, but it was gorgeous.  The one thing I can say about Texas and Oklahoma, especially the Dallas area on up is that the sky is so 'big.'  Drive along the East Coast and you'll leave and miss the green, out west you have the red rocks, but right here in the planes....stop and look and you'll notice the skies are 'bigger' in Texas and Oklahoma....less obstruction, more room to notice fun little formations....

We also visited the memorial.  They really have done a beautiful job keeping pieces of the past. 

And honoring the lives lost and changed forever. 

It was a quick trip, literally, a day, but it was nice to get away, explore a little bit of our sister state before heading back home....and back to work. 

The Antiques Roadshow in Tulsa

 I do believe this post will be high on the list of strange things I've blogged about.....more on that in a moment.  Last year I took up Antique Roadshow on my list of weekly TV programs.  I'm completely addicted.  I now hunt through stores looking for something that must be worth a million dollars that some grandkid tossed out, the store tagged, and I can take home.  My Mom signed up for tickets (they open up the lottery system in January, and contact you in the late spring if you are drawn.  There are six locations (six days of filming) a year, and 2000 tickets given out for each filming).  We were drawn!  Now, I'm double hooked.  We drove to Tulsa (a four hour drive) on Friday morning, one of this year's 6 locations.  First, there is a great antique store called J's around Exit 1 in Oklahoma when you leave Texas on highway 75.  He has great prices.  Down the road in  Atoka is an Amish store we also stopped at on the drive. 

 They had some pretty incredible looking items.  I purchased gummy bears because I'm  a dare devil like that, but I recommend everything I sampled....which was everything they offered.

 This is my first time to spot the Tulsa skyline. 

 We checked into our room, and then went out to see what the city had to offer.  My Mom had surveyed some experts on the subject.  We visited Cherry Street with some fun stores and restaurants. 

 There is a lot of art deco style buildings (apparently 3rd only to NYC and Miami.   I didn't have the camera I usually use with me, but you get the idea). 

 I also found Route 66.  I'm in L+O+V+E with everything Route 66.  I can't even start on this subject, but there's an old sign commemorating the route and what once was....
 We then headed out to Jenks (more advice), a suburb along the Arkansas River (that runs throughout Tulsa).  We ate at Los Cabos.  The queso was muy beauno.  There were also more antique stores along old main street leading up to these river front restaurants, but most were closing at this time we arrived. 

The next morning we drove to the convention center for our slotted time, 9:00 am.  Something I learned is that you can bring carts to wheel your stuff around.  I'd do this next time.  You can also bring chairs to sit in, but we didn't have to do too much standing around.  You also can't take pictures once you enter the appraisal area (behind one of those large TV screens).  These are the lines.  Each person can bring a guest, and both you and your guest can bring two items each for a total of four objects. 

 We saw some really bizarre things.  I can't WAIT to see what makes it on the show. 

 Once you weave through the line (it goes quickly once your time arrives) you go to a check in point.  You show your items, and you are given a ticket that describes the category your item will fall under.  This directs you to where you will stand in line to see one of the appraisers (firearms, decorative arts, toys, collections, textile, furniture (people were actually wheeling these in on large dollies etc).  There are volunteers you then show your ticket to, and they direct you to lines.  The appraisers are all in a large circle with backdrops behind them, and they are filming in up to three places in the center with large spotlights.  While we were there they were filming a segment with a blue lamp with a brass base.  Can I pause for just one moment and say the Tiffany Lamp thing....it's overdone.  I'm just sayin'.....seen one seen them....fine, I'm just mad I don't have one to bring and be filmed with on the show because it's pretty much their favorite thing to talk about!  I also saw a guy with a painting in the process of filming. 
You take your item up to the appraiser, they look at it, tell you about it (sometimes, depending on the appraiser) and tell you what it's worth at auction.  Usually appraisers cost money, and they might give you a brief snippet about your item, but then again, they don't have anything they are using for research so you just have to assume they have the info filed in their head.  I saw a lot of ladies arguing with the value of their items.  If the appraiser thinkss your object is interesting, they send you to a seat, and a producer comes to see you.  This didn't happen to me, but I did see some people waiting in line, one had some silent movie reels.  The producers came and they decided to film this lady, but they are just going to feature her online.  "Just"....I know, it's more than I will be featured, but really, I'm already planning what I'll bring next time.  As for this time, I have no regrets, I learned a lot about some items I've had for quite awhile.  I have this painting, my Grandfather got it in Japan.  He served in the Navy clean up efforts after WW2 .  I learned that's Mount Fuji and this is a reverse glass painting (I'm still not sure on this because it looks like it's silk, but two people said it).  The guy told me it's worth 25 dollars....uhhh...OK.  Whatever, I wouldn't have sold it for anything because it's a piece of my Grandfather, but this appraiser and I shop at different places. 

 Next up, a surprise.  I brought this because my brother asked me too.  It's a lighter, also from my grandfather.  He gave this to my brother.  He got it in Japan, it's made out of American Beer cans due to the metal shortages at the time.  Value-$50

 Next up, and this one I didn't argue with, but.....this is my Grandfather's Daisy Red Rider beebee gun from the 1930's.  I'd say at least 20 people asked about this in the short time we were there, but the value (from the 40 year old appraiser who said he had one when he was little....which is interesting because he's at least 40 years younger than my Grandfather would be)....$30.  Again, I'm not selling it, but I'd think sentimental people would place a LITTLE more value on this guy.  I can't even find them on ebay.  One thing about firearms, you have to check them in at the entrance before going (which explains the white tag on this)....hey, it's just something good to know.  I don't have anymore guns to bring for appraisal, but....

 Last up, and this is where things get weird.  My Great, Great, Great Grandmother made the below peicture.  It's about 2x3 feet.  It's a flower wreath with a harp in the middle, well over a hundred year's old, winner of a blue ribbon in the state fair of Texas in the early 1900's, and completely made out of her children's hair.  ...yup...hair art.  I can't say this will ever make my list of projects to try, but I can also say when examinging it very closely, I don't think I could ever do anything this intricate if I wanted to pick it up. 

Here's the harp in the middle, even the strings are hair. 

Apparently this was a popular art form in the late 1800's.  I have been examining how she made those little loops and I can't figure it out. 

OK, seriously, check out those roses.  After 120 years, there are a few hairs that have pulled out of their original hold. 

My great-great grandfather's hair is in there somewhere.  My dark brown hair comes from my dad's side. 

The weird craft projects.....I guess it clearly falls from my Mom's side.  Had I lived a hundred years ago and there were no craft stores I'm sure all my kids would have been bald because I'd be busy weaving their hair into my harp as well.

Apparently, there isn't a big market for family hair pictures. Shock!  The guy who appraised it first called it bead work.  I had to correct him, but I don't think the value changed.  He was impressed by the work, but at auction...only $250.  I guess it's off to my Aunt's house to hang for another hundred years.