Small town girl, big city dreamer

Growing up in a small town you just never know where life will take you.  You hope one day you will get out of that town and then one day you hope to return and raise your family there.

When I was 18 we moved to the North Dallas suburbs and oh my oh my how I miss it!  After living in a big city and returning to a small town you are never the same.  I long for those spur of the moment trips to that cute little cafe on the corner for lunch.  I miss having everything I could EVER imagine at my finger tips.  I miss Ikea, I miss the mall, I miss La Madaleine.

The shopping in the Dallas area is like no other.  Seriously.  It is just different there.  With just a word or two everyone knows exactly what you are talking about.  Sam Moon anyone?  My fav is Nordstrom Rack.  Hello!  If you think you can bargain shop around here (Tulsa, Oklahoma area) then you have never been bargain shopping in the Dallas area.  Heart be still!  Gasp!  WHAT?!  NEVER been shopping in the Dallas area, did I seriously just say that?  Please tell me that just isn't true!  Well, we will just have to change that now won't we! 

Anyway!

Yeah, we have Ross.  We even have TJ Maxx and Marshall's.  And well, Dallas has that as well.  But they also have SOOO much more!

Can you tell I am missing that area HARD right now?  If hubby would let me I would just up and move!  But, he does have a great job and our family is here, for the most part, so I guess we really can't just do that.  Unless, no I shouldn't.  Ok, I will.  Unless anyone knows of a great job in the Dallas area that we don't have to worry about layoffs and also has great benefits?  Yeah, didn't think so.

So for now, I will just window shop from my computer I guess.  *sigh*

Confessions of a Couponaholic

COUPON SWAP!!!!

Oh my!  When I see those two little words my heart nearly skips a beat!  My first coupon swap I ever went to was over a year ago.  It was a rather small swap, only 15-20 people there.  I was totally there for the coupons and only the coupons, ok and maybe some of the food because it was at Cossi (YUM) and catered by Cossi (double YUM).  I gained so many new friends that night and learned so much. 

The next swap was a bit larger, maybe 30-40 people.  It was held at a local scrap book store and was a pot luck.  It was fun and I was again there for the coupons and a bit of the food (which was GREAT).  I gained even more friends from that swap. 

The next two swaps were held at a local church and were even bigger than the first two, combined.  Again, great friends awesome food! 

The last coupon swap I attended was this past weekend.  It was the biggest swap EVER!  There were over 100 ladies swapping coupons, sharing stories, eating food and just enjoying the night out of the house.  Going to the swaps has evolved for me, I now go for the food and fellowship and yeah I may walk away with a few coupons but if I don't that is fine also.

If you have never been to a coupon swap before you really should go sometime!  They are a great place to get TONS of coupons, ask questions about coupons and just get to meet new people and get out of the house!  If you can't find a swap in your area start one!  It doesn't take much, coupons, scissors and a few friends.

I hope to see YOU at the next MSQ Coupon Swap!  It will be in August!!

My Favorite Holiday

The Fourth of July is one of my very favorite holiday's.  Ever.  It all started when I was younger.  My hometown of Kiefer, Oklahoma would put on a fireworks show.  I remember helping with things when I was younger like filling drinks at the concession and such.  If you have never been to the Kiefer 3rd of July celebration you really should plan to go one year.

The show really is one of the best shows I have EVER seen.  No, I am not just saying that because I am from there.  It really IS one of the best.  There is just this awesome small town atmosphere.  The entire evening you just sit there, enjoy the food, friends, and music.  They have flyovers of old war planes, the Tulsa Starlight Band performs and then, it gets dark.  The lights go out and it gets as still and quite as nothing you have ever seen.  Then....it starts.  You are SO close that your heart beats with every BOOM.  You will be in amazement that such a small quaint little town can put on such an awesome show.  The population of Kiefer hovers around 1100, every July 3rd we open our arms graciously and welcome nearly 20,000 people!

If you are free THIS Saturday, July 3rd, come on down!  You can find me near the gazebo with all of my family.  Bring the kids, chairs and bug spray.  Please do leave your cooler at home though.  Let me know if you would like me to save you a spot.  See you on the 3rd!

If you will be joining us from the Tulsa area just hop on Hwy 75 South, go through Glenpool.  You will see a sing for Bixby/Kiefer.  Exit there and turn right.  If you get there early you can park in town, otherwise save yourself some trouble and park at the new High School.  They will then come pick you up and shuttle you to the park.