North Side vs. South Side

Disclaimer:
This post may come off as snotty; but does not mean to offend anyone. (:-)

OK so something else that I have been struggling with lately (BTW what is up with all of these struggles, I need to get over it); it is the location of my new home. Now I know what you are thinking, "didn't you seriously consider the area before you purchased?" and my answer would be yes; however I was also considering other factors and those were priorities as well.

Here's the deal for those of you who aren't familiar with OKC; there are two very distinct areas and those would be North side and South side. And you are either a North side girl (which I am) or a South side girl........it's no secret that the South side is the less desirable of the two (remember my disclaimer above please). Personally anything south of N.W. 63rd street is "south side" for me; realistically it would be anything south of I-40. So with my house being located south of N.W. 50th street makes me feel way out of my element. Although I am familiar with the area, I don't want to get out and walk around the neighborhood if you know what I mean. I am used to the 5-6 mile radius known as Lake Hefner and the Village; and this is where my peeps are still located. I feel away from the "flock" so to speak.......it's not that I am unsafe (I need to quit watching 48 hours and freaking myself out though), it is that I feel "south" and for some reason it just hasn't worked itself out with me yet.

No turning back now, and the PQ pad is seriously cute and in the very near future will be getting even more blinged out, just something that has been on my mind. Good news is, is that I am slowly starting to get over myself :).

Meat and Potatoes=LOVE

OK so I am struggling; I am a huge animal advocate-enough so that I have researched products that have treated products on animals and it sickens me. It is a topic that people wish to pass over and act like doesn't happen and we all know that it does in fact exist. There are many labels we use everyday that condemn these poor, defenseless, and voiceless animals to their deaths. I know it is a fact and I have seen the evidence.

I am the type of person, like so many, that think since I am a meat eater (cows, etc.) that these animals are treated more "humane". I know that this isn't the case but I kidd myself, because it's easier to turn a blind eye. I am not trying to start a revolution, but if I know anything, I know myself. And above an elderly person, there is nothing more than I love than an animal. And to know that I feel this way and can contribute to their demise, whether by beauty product or steak I pick, is does sicken me.

I struggle.

The only reason I haven't been able to give it up yet is my granny's steak fingers and mashed potatoes. I am not making excuses, and I am not blaming my up bringing. It is what it is. The fact remains that memories I have from this meal, with the ones I love, means more to me than you can imagine. It's the love that I taste in every bite, of the gravy, the steak, the potatoes and then the gravy with bread. It is my granny standing in her kitchen preparing every detail with love, and my papa sitting on the stool next to the phone talking to me about the time he picked me up at school in Claremore and brought me back to this "home" away from home and we had this same meal time and time again, why? Because I loved it and they loved that I loved it-it made memories more than anyone could know.

I had this meal with granny the last time I was "home", and even though the love hadn't changed, the meal tasted different. Because he wasn't sitting across from me, saying "Baby how was your week, I know you are busy and we miss you-you work hard baby doll but do you remember when....." and what I want to say, that I never said-is that I remember. I remember every moment with you, every smell, every story, every talk, every steak......

I am a meat and potatoes kind of girl, I don't approve of cruelty to animals anymore than I approve of cruelty to seniors. It doesn't mean it doesn't happen, it just means that for me the two mean something combined. I hope the cows can forgive me....

Disclaimer: The picture below has nothing to do with my St. Patrick's Day

That's right there is no green beer in the PQ's near future; I am actually officially on the couch with a fever and strep throat......this all started yesterday and ended this afternoon at the doctor. So all of my visions of dancing leprechaun's, green beer, rainbows and friends has been put out with an antibiotic induced haze......

Well not all is lost, I am in the company of the fur babies (my niece Tia and my son Sam). The Dets are actually on their way to Orlando for a 3 day cruise with some of Det's friends and I am sure they will have a good time and it is some much needed time away for the both of them. That means I am house sitting and hanging out; now with meds.

Hope all of you have a great St. Patty's Day and drink some of the green stuff for me!



P.S. I have not forgotten that you haven't seen the actual pics of the PQ pad, and I will have some up and posted soon-swear it!