I like shoes. Not in an obsessive, hoarding way (that’s purses, so keep ‘em straight). I just appreciate a good, pretty, comfortable pair of shoes. So much that I usually wear them until they are falling apart and I end up wishing I had bought two.

FACT: My favorite pair of tennis shoes (that I still own and wear regularly) was purchased when I was in 10th grade. Yes, that means they are 10 years old.

Even though I love shoes, I often make bad shoe choices. Like my bad food choices. I pick out things that look good and I end up paying for it a few hours later.

About a month ago, I spent a day shopping with my mom. I don’t even remember the shoes I wore that day, but I do know one thing — they hurt. My feet were screaming by the time we made it to our 4th stop, which just happened to be TJ Maxx. After I had wandered through every aisle of their housewares section, answered phone calls from my mom (who was in the dressing room), and become bored beyond all reason (I hate shopping in stores unless I am looking for something specific — but YES, I am a woman), I found myself in the shoes. And before I knew what happened, I had a shoebox in my hand a new sandal on my foot.

And it was glorious.

It felt like a massage and walking on air all at once.

And the best part? FIFTEEN DOLLARS.

Sold!

The only thing is, I don’t know what my shoe is. I mean, I don’t know its name. It’s a Columbia sandal, but I’m pretty sure they don’t make it anymore and there’s not one in their current line that’s exactly like it.

It looks like a cross between the Gretta™ II and the Kambi™. The body of Gretta II (without the icky flowers) with the little between the toe strap of the Kambi.

Flowers? Yuck.

Toe strap. Keeps my foot from sliding all the way through and the inevitable tripping scene that would follow (trust me).

So I don’t know what I’m wearing, but I love it. It’s all that I wear now. With shorts, with jeans, with skirts, and you can just almost get away with dressing it up…but it’s tricky. And I will wear it until all the support is gone for my one foot that still has an arch. (Long story. I’ll share sometime. Suffice to say I have got a whacked out right foot with a fallen arch, that is also 1 inch longer than my left.)

Columbia doesn’t know me. I mean nothing to them. And that kinda hurts, but I’m okay. Alls I know is that they make warm jackets that have kept me safe and cozy whenever I left mine at home over a spring break trip to New Mexico and ended up snowed in under 3 feet of snow. So, yes, Columbia, I kinda owe you my life.

If you leave the OKC metro area and head south on I-35, after about an hour you’ll be in the middle of the Arbuckle Mountains. Down there just south of Highway 7 running through Davis, is a little place surrounded by vehicles. At least, I haven’t figured out a time to visit that it’s not surrounded. Officially known as Smokin’ Joe’s Rib Ranch & RV Park, but more affectionately referred to by its many patrons as Smokin’ Joe’s or just plain “Joe’s.”

I’ve never been much of a barbeque person. That’s got to be a surprise to some people, given my upbringing. It’s not the barbeque itself that I don’t like, it’s the nasty sauce that often accompanies it. It takes a very special barbeque sauce for me to put it on what I’m eating. Nothing too sweet, nothing to vinegary. Joe’s has some that I really like even if it isn’t my favorite.

But it’s not the sauce that’s so special — it’s their food. Joe’s is the first local place that I’ve really liked. And I like it. A lot. You won’t go wrong with their chopped brisket (though you might want to skip it if little puddles of orange grease frighten you), the ribs, or the sliced brisket. I’ve seen someone order the smoked bologna, but if you know my history with that then you know I won’t be having it any time soon. My dad enjoys the smoked chicken (which I’m thinking of trying this weekend) and he and my mom usually split one of the 2- or 3-meat dinners. You’re still going to bring home 1-2 lbs of food, so be prepared. The portions are huge.

Don’t go during peak hours unless you’re willing to wait and battle a crowd. Twelve to 2 and 5 to 7 you’re looking at a decent little wait and the possibility that there’s no place to sit. Go on a nice day when you might not mind sitting on their front porch or in the bed of your pickup.

(Did I really just suggest that?)

There’s another thing you need to be prepared for — the table stake out. My mom sure enough doesn’t want to sit outside in the heat when we visit Joe’s, so as soon as we order, we start watching. It’s all in the body language. And the amount of visible plate. You can tell when someone’s close to being done. And the minute they start to move it’s VITAL that you get close to that table.

Laughing, talking, having a big time? Nope. Staking out a table.

Then you have to be ready to be neighborly. In a place like this you can’t sit down with a group of four at a table that seats six and expect no one to join you. On this particular visit we were joined by a couple (the gentleman half of the couple is the man at the end of the table in the above photo) that used to go to church with my aunt and uncle 30 minutes away from our hometown. While this restaurant is 30 minutes in the other direction. Of course, didn’t know who they were until we got out to the truck and finally asked my mom. Because that’s how I roll.

Smokin’ Joe’s — bringing folks together.

And, hey, Ree? I know your farm is in southern Oklahoma and you’ve mentioned the county a time or two. So, by my calculation, this lovely little spot could be right on your way…or a small detour out of your way. I’m thinking since Marlboro Man is a guy and he’s from Oklahoma, this could be right up his alley. Once you’ve eaten just hop back on 7, head on over to 81, and you should be back on track in no time. And you can call me Tom-Tom.

So, the next time you’re down in Davis, tell them I sent you. And then they’ll give you a funny look because the good people of Joe’s have no idea who I am.

Before we get started, would you care to see William Shatner scared to death by a dancing ape creature? Thought so.

This was one of my favorite shows to watch when I was a little kid and I enjoy it even more now. Kevin and I have been going through the collections disc by disc on Netflix and I’ve gathered a pretty good group of favorites. Do you have any?

I can’t really say much about the episodes, because you know how The Twilight Zone goes. Lots of twists and revelations toward the end of an episode that would really ruin it if you knew ahead of time!

13. On Thursday We Leave For Home
Classic episode starring James Whitmore. There’s some religious commentary in this one and a really great story about a leader, change, and fear of the unknown.

12. Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?
Like aliens? This one is for you. It’s a bit of a mystery with a funny little twist at the end. Love it!

11. A Hundred Yards Over the Rim
This episode combines two of my favorite things — the Old West and time travel.

10. Two
In spite of the fact that I really, really don’t like Charles Bronson, this is a good one. It also stars Elizabeth Montgomery as they portray the last two humans left on earth.

9. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Simply because it’s also one of my favorite stories by one of my favorite writers, Ambrose Bierce. Also, I think you can gain a lot of insight about LOST from this.

8. Little Girl Lost
Little girl falls through a portal to another dimension in her bedroom. What more do I need to say?

7. Nothing in the Dark
I love the premise here. An elderly woman thinks that Death is waiting outside her door. Only the man she thinks is Death is a young Robert Redford. And he delivers one of the best lines in the entire series — “You see. No shock. No engulfment. No tearing asunder. What you feared would come like an explosion is like a whisper. What you thought was the end is the beginning.”

6. Stopover in a Quiet Town
A couple wakes up and has no idea where they are. Looks like a pretty terrible bender, but just you wait…

5. The Obsolete Man
Such a good episode. Some commentary on socialism and what appears to be the direction Rod Serling may have assumed our country was going. In his closing monologue there is another wonderful quote — “Any state, any entity, any ideology that fails to recognize the worth, the dignity, the rights of man, that state is obsolete.”

4. It’s a Good Life
There’s just something about a crazy psychokinetic child that I can’t resist.

3. Nick of Time
There’s a creepy little fortune-telling machine in this one. And there’s William Shatner. One that I actually find chilling.

2. The Invaders
Little aliens! Cah-reeeep-y! I recommend watching all of this one. There is a signature crazy twist at the end.

1. The Hitch Hiker
This one really scares me a little bit. You know me and my fear of highway deviance (à la Breakdown). This fits the bill.

A few weeks ago my husband and I joined a walking challenge sponsored by our local hospital that pits us against some of the most fabulous speed walkers you have ever met. You know who I’m talking about. Stylish sweat suits, visors, jewelry, a freshly made face…yes, those ladies. One group we’re competing against (closely; we’re in the same organization) is averaging over 20,000 steps per day and they are militant. A couple of them tried to draft me into their group, but I knew better. If I had joined they would have already drawn and quartered me by now because I’m doing good to meet our team’s goal of 10,000 steps per day.

It’s a great challenge. One that, literally, anyone can participate in (they even offer wheelchair pedometers for those who need them) and it’s served to motivate me and Kevin. Both of us think that by the time it’s done we will have developed a healthy habit of walking around the neighborhood. And just a 30-minute walk each day has shown to reduce risks of a number of health issues. You can never start too early.

There was only one thing that stood between me and the challenge when we first started. I had dealt with it in the past and had never really been able to overcome this obstacle.

What daunting thing stood in front of me? Well…finding the right pedometer.

If your experience has been anything like mine, finding one was no easy task. I have tried out a number of them and I know what my dilemma is. I refuse to pay over $20 for one. I know, I know. How can I expect to get a quality piece of plastic, pendulumy craftsmanship if I’m not going to shell out the dough? Well, as a college student I chose to spend my money on other things, like antique books on eBay (the purchase of which garnered a letter from the FBI inviting me to join the witness protection program…wait, I need to tell you that story, don’t I?), Rusty’s Frozen Custard, and kitchen gadgets from IKEA with names that I am incapable of doing the tongue gymnastics that are required for pronunciation.

This time I headed to our local Academy to peruse what they had to offer. Again, my goal is middle-of-the-road, not over $20, and quality. I made it out of the store with this:

It is the Sportline 340, Step and Distance pedometer. At $17.99 it comes in just under my spending limit. After setting my stride length (exactly 24 inches for those that may be curious; I’m a short-legged little thing) I was off and racking up the steps.

This is the best pedometer I have ever owned. I check it for accuracy a few times per day and so far it hasn’t failed. The battery is still alive (I’ve heard of different pedometers needing to be changed regularly) and the best thing of all? It’s durable. I have dropped this thing countless times. It’s what I do. If you are making a product that I am going to hold in my hands it needs to be able to withstand being dropped on concrete. Seriously, it happens a few times every day. The front cover has popped off a couple of times when I dropped it, but I pop it right back on and go on my merry way.

Thank you, Sportline, for making a pedometer that meets all my needs, doesn’t count a walk across the room as 100 steps, and seems to be strong enough to endure whatever I throw at it. Next time I may even upgrade to the 955 Women’s Pedometer Watch. You heard me right, I might actually spend over $20. I’m sold.

I don’t know Sportline. Sportline doesn’t know me. But I love this pedometer and want the world to know!

You guys know I love LOST. What you may not know is that this obsession has been a long time coming. Any time I showed higher than average interest in something fantastical, my parents were quick to pull in the reigns. Well, truthfully they did that with anything that I started getting a little crazy about. Do you think I got to go to that *NSYNC concert in OKC in 1998? NosirreeBob.

There have been a number of sci-fi TV shows that I was interested in over the years. It was rare that I watched them during their original run or that I got to watch them regularly. Listen up. I used to live in a household that owned only ONE television. I was the only girl in the house (my mother didn’t care about TV). Do you think I got to watch anything I wanted?

Sci-fi shows were a natural preference for me, but it was encouraged by the fact that it was something I could get my brothers interested in. As long as they were interested and not in the mood to pick a fight, I got to watch my shows.

Now, in no particular order, clues that it was about get much, much worse:

Dark Shadows
Granny and Paw Paw had satellite television long before my parents. With that came the Sci-Fi Network and this oldie. I used to creep into one of the back bedrooms and watch this. Then I mentioned it to my mom and she revealed that she had watched it as a kid, knew it was about vampires, and then there was a whole lot of rain on my parade.

The Secret World of Alex Mack
One of the great SNICK shows from the good ol’ days. They don’t make them like this anymore. Alex gets some kind of chemical dumped on her from a local chemical plant and instead of shriveling up and dying, she gains the ability to morph into some Capri Sun looking ooze and slither all over the place. She can crawl through air ducts and under doors without anyone noticing. Now, I never bought it that she didn’t leave any residue behind, but whatever. Loved it. Larisa Oleynik before 10 Things I Hate About You.

Muppet Babies
I know, you’re all, “What?” Muppet Babies was like Intro to Star Wars for Preschoolers. And I loooooved it. The Star Wars episodes were my favorite, probably because I had never seen the movie and it just whetted my appetite for the whole thing.

Ghostwriter
This was the first show I was really devoted to. It aired when I was in elementary school (the original, not the “new adventures”) on Sunday afternoons on our local PBS affiliate. Basically I had to hope that we got home from church in time and weren’t going to church that evening to get to watch both new episodes each week. I can’t even remember if we ever found out who Ghostwriter was, but this show kept me interested for a number of years. I wrote to the cast enough when I was in 3rd grade that I finally got a signed postcard back and even a Ghostwriter notebook for participating in their songwriting contest. That is so embarrassing now that I think about it. Worse yet, I can remember the lyrics of my song and no I will not repeat them ever in my life. I’m pretty sure they were set to the tune of Exposé’s “I’ll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me” so let your imagination run wild.

My favorite story arc from the show was the one about time travel (go figure; I’m really starting to notice a theme in my life) — when the kids connected with some children in the past living in one of the current Ghostwriter group member’s home…back in 1920 or so.

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Another SNICK show that it seemed everyone watched. I think I got into it during the summers when it would run on repeats during the afternoon. I don’t think my mom would have let me watch most of those episodes at night. This one was more creepy than sci-fi, but it had its moments. They don’t make them like this anymore.

Space Cases
Let me go ahead and tell you that a huge part of the reason I watched this show was Kristian Ayre. He’s the one with the hair.

And this show makes up for the fact that I’m not a trekkie.

The Tribe
And finally, maybe my favorite…The Tribe:

It’s a New Zealand export and something I watched on WAM! during my last few years of high school. Basically a soap opera for teens. The premise is that there are groups of kids (or people under the age of 21 or so) who have formed tribes in a post-apocalyptic world where all of the adults were killed by a virus that only young people were able to survive. The main tribe that the series follows is the Mall Rats, a group that took up residence in the city’s main shopping center. There are good tribe and bad tribes, tribes that live in the country and the city, those that create their own religions, build up their own rulers, etc. It was a really brilliant show. Sadly, we didn’t get to see the whole series in the US and because of a family crisis the series was put on hold and then cancelled.

And, if my obsessive viewing of this show wasn’t enough, I used to be a part of a Livejournal based RPG based on this series. Yeah, I know. I won’t lie. If someone told me there was a text-based RPG active and placed in this world, I’d be there in a minute. So, umm…hey. Tribe folks. Got anything for me?

So, you see? I told you. It was bad and only got worse. Right now I’m in LOST but almost to the end, starting Twin Peaks, and I hope to check out The Outer Limits, Dead Zone, Sliders, and The X-Files in the future.

Any kiddie sci-fi shows you were into?

If you’re my friend on Facebook, you probably saw the status update I posted last night. If you didn’t, well, add me. I’m easy to find.

A lot of people responded. Most agreed with me. The whole thing was about spelling. Spelling mistakes really annoy me. Now, you’ll have to forgive me whenever I make them because mine are usually things like…I’ll be thinking this (just an example) — “People perceived the reception to be…” and instead I will type “People perception to be…”

See? Valid. My brain is just going going going and I forget to stop and spell. People should understand my mental shorthand, right? Right.

The whole discussion reminded me of something I look at every day. It’s on my refrigerator and I took some photos about 2 years ago, intending to blog about them. Well, here you go.

It’s perfect. I would almost wear it as a badge. Maybe I should. I bought these magnets on Etsy at Nifty Stuff Made by Voz a few years back and I would highly recommend his/her/their? work. Brilliant stuff. There are a number of different magnets and stampers to fit whatever your superiority complex.

Would you rather just share a few truths about yourself? Voz has you all taken care of.

Or…maybe you’re looking for your favorite animal. That’s how I found Voz’s shop in the first place.

It’s a guinea pig!

That’s not all though. I also bought a magnet featuring one of my other favorite animals. I’ve talked about it before.

It’s kind of like a really large guinea pig, but it’s not. It’s a Capybara. And, much like the strange flavors of Sriracha that are only available in Thailand and illegal to import here, it’s just another thing I’m going to have to smuggle into the country. Apparently they have a heinous deer tick problem. Sounds like they’d love Oklahoma.

Umm…so this turned into a magnet advertisement. Sorry about that. I’ve always been one to go around my elbow to get to my thumb. I wasn’t paid. I don’t even know this person. But I love their work!

Lovely Miss Samantha has some gorgeous new postcards available at her shop. Go on over there and check them out!

I was first introduced to Miss Lamb’s work whenever she shot a wedding that Kevin was in. Shortly thereafter I found some of her photography online and I just adore it. The way she captures light is really amazing and I look forward to each new capture she shares.

If you’d like to see (and purchase!) some of her photography, stop by Cuppies & Joe in OKC. Have yourself a cupcake and peruse the frames lining the walls. The spirit of that place is joyous and peaceful as it is, but Samantha’s captures really add a celebratory sense of life to the establishment.

These are part of a low-carb diet, right? Because they look absolutely scrumptious.

Longies, by Green Way Babywear

Here’s a little something green that I like:

I have no need for this, but I think it is one of the cutest pregnancy shirts I’ve seen. So I thought I’d share it with those of you who might have some use for it! Most pregnancy shirts that I see on celebrities annoy me (e.g. Britney Spears), but this one…this one is just perfect. By disco belly™.