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Time In Oklahoma-A Weekend of Festivities

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This weekend was chock full of fun! There was no long drives down Oklahoma road that led us to disappointing locations. Instead we had fun locally.

It all started on Saturday. I held a “thank you” brunch for the Key Spouses in our wing. The Air Force has a program where selected spouses have the opportunity to communicate the vision of the commander to other spouses. This is a peer-to-peer program that provides support to all families within the unit. These men and women work tirelessly for our families and a brunch is a small way to say “thanks”.

Even though I don’t “do” hostessing, I did it for these women. We had a good turnout and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. There was plenty of food and my co-hosts were exceptional. They alleviated my stress and provided some yummy food too.

Eating food and having fun!

After that wonderful morning, we headed over to the Oklahoma State Fair. Who doesn’t love a fair? We have gone every year we’ve been stationed here. It was different this year since there are no kids at home. There was no need to go to the petting zoo or the rides. And with that, we had the freedom to go where we wanted to.

And we took advantage of that freedom. Oklahoma is a big agricultural state so the 4-H and the FFA had big displays. I love seeing what kids can do! And once we finished that section, we wandered off to the food entries. I love seeing what people in the local community can create. And a bonus is that we know a woman who enters many submissions to the fair, and she wins!

Pam is not only a wonderful baker, she is the consummate hostess. She invited us, as well as other commanders on base to her house for a BBQ party. She bakes up a storm and her husband, Mike, always has touching words for us. They are incredible supporters of our wing as well as the base as a whole.

They opened their home to us on Sunday evening. We were not disappointed. Pam had her baking prowess on display. I love all of the desserts as well as the way she displays it all. You can’t go home hungry.

And they make sure you don’t. Mike told us that the rule was that you had to have “two hamburgers, two hot dogs and dessert.” I didn’t quite succeed in that endeavor but I tried.

Since I failed, I had to take home a few doggy bags. I wasn’t upset at all. The desserts were delicious! It gives me the opportunity to continue the joy each brownie brought me. In addition, Pam sends us home with extra treats that weren’t out for all.

And that’s how you keep a party going.

Giving Thanks for Family

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This Thanksgiving was a special one for my family. Usually, as a military spouse, Thanksgiving is a time for your military family. Not your blood relatives. And don’t get me wrong. I don’t assume that our family will come to where ever we are for a long weekend. Especially one that is a super-busy travel time. No, I don’t think so.

Being with your military family is great. Don’t get me wrong. But this year my in-laws flew in from New Hampshire and my father and stepmom drove down from Connecticut. My mother and her husband were also supposed to drive with them but mom had bronchitis and that waylaid her from the festivities. My little brother lives out here so we have been counting on him in attendance for the three Thanksgivings that have happened. Not only that, but both of my kids came home for that time. That was a treat and a half!

Talk about being grateful. My heart was overflowing with joy. So much so that I didn’t take any photos of the time we spent together. I had to rely on others. My kids would tell me that I was shirking my responsibilities as a blogger. They are right but I was too busy enjoying the moment to think about it.

I know that the past Thursday was the last time we will all be together again for a while. My oldest daughter is living in Seattle and depending on work, she may or may not be able to come home again. My youngest daughter is getting ready to graduate from the Air Force Academy and she will go off to CSO (Combat Systems Officer) training. That means that next year, she’ll be in school.

So as I sat at the dinner table, I said a silent prayer for all that I had this year. I hope you had as wonderful a Thanksgiving as I did.