Co-op

I think we've found a way to get around the crappy grocery options we have. Join the co-op!
I think it would be well worth the annual fee of $51.75 to have 100% locally grown or processed items. And what a variety of items it is!
Check it out: http://www.oklahomafood.coop/.

Are we there yet?

Everyday I wish we were back in Austin.
I'm not going to go on with my rant ad nauseum.

We've been here 9 months and at least time seems to be flying. I look at it as just steps closer to getting back "home". I guess it's not so bad being here during this time of our lives when we have so much going on with Scott's new job and two small children. Not much to do here anyway. We would be (and did) miss out on a lot in Austin the past few years.
Every once in awhile we see that one of our favs made it up here. Sometimes after the fact (damnit) sometimes before but we couldn't make it (such is life).
Guy Forsyth will be here this week. BettySoo will be here next month. Brave Combo comes here regularly (thank goodness) and Los Super Vatos was here recently.

Last weekend a friend and I went to see Spamalot at the Civic Center. Freakin' hilarious. Sat five rows back so had an awesome view. We went with her Mom. I don't think she liked it. Of course, she has never seen The Holy Grail (or anything Monty Python for that matter).
I loved it. Go see it.

Travel Tic Tac Toe!

Here is what I've been working on lately...
just in time for the summer holiday. A 6-inch square pouch that holds all the pieces (extras included) and the "board" is on the outside. I'm really excited about them and I think I've worked out the kinks, now to just come up with all the great color and piece combinations!

CEM for Charity

Cafe Etsy Moms Street Team has a special shop set up for charity. Right now the charity is the March of Dimes. Click on the link below for more information and to see the cool items available.
www.cemforcharity.etsy.com

I know it's just stuff but....

UGH!!

Well, our garage flooded when we had an all day deluge, came all the way up to the door leading into the house. The stuff at the front of the garage was sitting in about 6 inches of water. The front porch was so flooded it came into the house. Lovely.
That was several weeks ago. We couldn't get to everything in the time frame needed.

We just keep finding more stuff damaged by the flooded garage.
My portfolio (of senior projects, studio jobs, first design job) ruined, in the trash. My original artwork from school (pencil and pen illustrations, some framed, all ruined) in the trash. The file with all my school papers (letters, transcripts, certificates) trashed. Framed prints, Mexican folk art, books, trashed.
My Grandmother was an artist and I only have two of her original watercolors. Found one last night, completely wet. Salvaged it from the frame but it has mildew on it in some places (at least that can be covered by a mat). I don't know where the other one is, hopefully it's in the house somewhere.
I wasn't worried about the antique china but now I feel like I need to go through the boxes as they are covered in soaked newspaper. I hope the furniture is dried out fine and not too messed up. I really dread opening another box.

I feel for those that have lost all their belongings in a total house flood or fire.

Bring on the refund....

because we need a French drain. Ugh. No more rain please (and no more high dollar surprise expenses!)

What's new at Brannock Artsy Etsy store? French barrette clips. As usual the store is a work in progress.

And lastly but most importantly, please visit the blog of an Etsy friend whose hosting a charity auction for her brother to help support his ministry, knitsandknotsweb.blogspot.com. Check out the auction items....cool stuff!

We aren't the only ones.....

So, those of you who know us...what has been our big gripes since moving here from Austin?

This letter was in the April 16, 2008 issue of the Oklahoma Gazette. Other than the bits about the NBA (cuz we could care less), it's right on (but if bringing the NBA here causes these changes to be made, then so be it).
Mr. States, we feel your pain.

Still Stagnant After All These Years
I say that Oklahoma City is really not ready for the NBA. The Oklahoma City Council and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce need to lobby the state to change Oklahoma's liquor laws and court some new stores such as Costco, Whole Foods Market and H-E-B.
We need to show America we are more than a Wal-Mart state. If the mayor thinks having an NBA franchise in Oklahoma City is going to bring new residents, he is sorely mistaken. People of nearby states - Texas, Kansas, Missouri - are used to having choices in where they shop.
To compete with true NBA cities we need to change. We need to be able to offer strong beer and wine in the grocery stores or wholesale clubs. We need there to be alternatives and choices.
I moved away from Oklahoma in 1995 due to its stagnant economy and views and moved to Austin, Texas, where I found an abundance of choices and bright ideas. I have since moved back to Oklahoma and found not a whole bunch has changed at all. Still stagnant in choices and views.
-Jeffery States, Tuttle