
She used to dress so snazzy. Now she wears tents in all colors and they are long long long! Why try to hide the bump!?!?
...Because that's the way we are.

I must possess one of the most well-behaved cell numbers in phone history. The same cannot be said for TBC or sis. Several times now, sis has received texts from guys that want to hook up with her and refuse to believe she’s not the gal they are trying to reach. In September she was in OKC spending the night before taking Jellybean to the airport to catch her early morning flight. Sleep was at a premium but Mr Hot & Horney was bound and determined to score with his elusive consort and kept up the mobile pressure. As a last resort, sis insisted he call her to prove she was not his playful amante and he finally ceased and desisted after the truth trickled its way through his thick skull.


TBC and I seem to possess a fleet of vehicles and are therefore never without transportation should the unexpected (car accident) occur. Basically, we have double the vehicles to people ratio. Therefore, for the majority of October and some of September, I’ve been driving The Beast. *reverential moment as we bask in its awesome glory* The Beast was and still is a very popular muscle car that inspires lust and envy in every red-blooded American male gearhead within a fifty or possibly even hundred mile radius. I watch the heads swivel around and jaws drop in wonderment when I whiz by, and it’s with mixed emotions that I realize it’s not Mz Circe’s contours that are causing all the fuss and commotion. I realize there are a few minor accessories that no longer work such as the horn, the clock, the radio, and most recently, the speedometer, but it still looks and sounds magnificent.Power Users are the heaviest and most frequent users of Yahoo! Mail and were selected by Yahoo! to participate in this pilot program. These users spend an incredible amount of time using Yahoo! Mail, so the Power User program is our way of thanking them.
(love these costumes...)


It can be tricky trying to dress for a funeral and wedding but I felt I pulled it off with a certain grace and aplomb. I opted for a fancy dark plum blouse with a black skirt and low black heels. After the funeral rites, TBC and I hopped in the car and sped toward the structurally pleasing backdrop of the cowboy-themed, chilly, outdoor October nuptials. Knowing this family well, I expected one glorious affair and was far from disappointed. The blushing bride was resplendent in a gorgeous, strapless ivory confection complete with a dazzling tiara atop her golden curls and cascading veil. Groomsmen sported cowboy hats along with semi-formal attire and I suppose it was anxious nerves that kept those bridesmaids from breaking out in a massive epidemic of goosebumps while wearing their chocolate-hued, bare-shouldered creations. After the ceremony, we headed inside to enjoy the tasteful elegance of the meticulously decorated site. Always a hit, I gobbled down many a gooey, drenched strawberry baptized in the chocolate fountain holding court on the groaning appetizer table. From there we entered the dining room where boxes of fancy chocolates awaited each seated guest. Catered by a local BBQ restaurant, we supped on brisket, twice-baked potatoes, green beans, and rolls washed down by either water, pop, or a nice selection of mixed drinks and beer. I chose the Heineken. :) There was dancing and laughter as the jovial crowd kicked up their spit-shined, polished boots and a good time was had by all. I do love a good wedding!


Originally, one wedding and one funeral were on tap for tomorrow. Until our neighbor died Wednesday and his widow also arranged for yet another Saturday burial. As this is pushing an already severely nudged envelope, we are sticking with our original plan of attending the first two, but we did pay a visit to his wife last evening and shared a meal with her and several sets of former next door neighbors that we hadn’t seen in ages. Though it’s sad to reunite under these poignant circumstances, the evening was upbeat and pleasant without ever veering toward the maudlin.A student will wear vision impairment goggles while driving a go-cart to simulate driving under the influence. Other activities during that time will include a simulated jail experience (Kerbear had one of those to raise money for something when she worked here) and other events to increase awareness of the possible consequences of drunk driving.
Anyway, as I was trudging across campus heading for the gym, I observed the go-cart in action and though I thought of it too late to get any really decent pics of the festivities, here are a few I did snag. This is just like reliving the college experience, isn't it? :)
After a comfy, if somewhat odiferous, night’s rest and a continental breakfast consisting of waffles and biscuits and gravy, we hopped on the road again heading for the Talimena (Talihina, OK to Mena, AR) Scenic Drive. Be forewarned, there are a lot of motorcycles vrooming down this particular highway. A lot. Scads. Buttloads. It’s just about mandatory to cruise this stretch of asphalt from the seat of a massive Hog. After snapping a great deal of pictures and vainly looking for leaves that had turned an expected shade of yellow, orange or red, we entered Mena and headed south to DeQueen. From there, we crossed back into Okrahoma and stopped in Broken Bow.
One would think the middle of October would be an ideal time to view the annual Changing O da Leaf Colors, but you would be wrong, wrong, wrong no matter what this website tells you. I did spot a bunch of Goldenrod though. *aachoo!*“The Talimena Scenic Drive is probably best known for its Autumn colors, and rightly so!
Because of our unique geology and geography our fall color season is unusually long. From early October into late November you'll see a variety of trees and bushes changing colors, either deep in the sheltered valleys or along our mountain top.”
Anywho, just north of Broken Bow is the wildly popular winery with the marvelous designation—Girls Gone Wine. This fabulous location has only been open a few years (I think) but what it lacks in stuffy credentials, it more than makes up for in enthusiasm and passion. Rhonda herself was manning the front desk when we arrived and welcomed us warmly. A cute, bouncy Malaysian gal was our perky pourer and she
was a total blast. I did have to restrain myself from asking what she thought of the movie, Zoolander. *snicker* Not only did we load up with a case of assorted wines and a commemorative wineglass, but I also purchased an adorable black top with the caption “Wine Diva.”
After snagging dinner at the local Sonic, we bedded down in the “luxurious” Charles Wesley Motor Lodge. I hereby refer to this decrepit, dilapidated hole in the wall as The Palace. While the outside sign drew our attention to newly renovated rooms, they were most definitely not referring to ours with its astonishing pink sheets, dingy brown drapes, broken locks, fluorescent lights, and lack of essential hair dryer and coffeemaker. At least I didn’t glimpse any resident bugs and the sink and tub did look sanitary.
Not quite as lovely as they make it out to be. *arches brow*
Their version of the room
Our actual room
Their version of a cushy chair
Our actual utilitarian chair put to good use
And really, it could have been much worse. This place looked even shabbier, and with a somewhat depressing name and a very disheartening pic...
Early Saturday morning, we fled the premises and before daybreak, headed west toward the Indian Nations Turnpike where we then headed north and home. While the landscapes were uplifting and revitalizing, and we most definitely dropped some serious cash (ok, Visa) purchasing vino, I’d be lying through my teeth if I said we also enjoyed gastronomic delights. After thoughtful deliberation I realized we had chowed down at Sonic, Taco Bell, Subway, and Mickey D’s, with Best Western’s nearby restaurant the only fast food exception. Nevertheless, it was great to get out of town and you’re all invited to Casa de Circe to experience the fruits of Okieland’s labors. ;)
I’m back at work today after taking an extended four-day weekend hitting the southeast trails and celebrating an abbreviated Wine & Sex Tour 2007. Fall break at Chaos College started last Thursday and this year I took off both days to make up for losing my July vacation time thanks to the ill-fated car accident. After a stormy, water-logged Wednesday in which I managed be driving both to and from work when the angry, tempestuous fronts came through, conditions turned warm and sunny making for beautiful traveling weather. So let’s get started, shall we?

Wild Thang – "It Makes Your Heart Sing." This is a fun wine for spring and summer. Slightly sweet blend of four distinct wines. Really good with spicy (Tex Mex) foods.
Jeremiah’s Red - One of our most popular wines. It is wonderful blend of full-bodied red wines and Blackberry. It is a perfect dessert wine or for any occasion. It can be enjoyed alone or paired with rich dark chocolate or cheese cake.
After Stable Ridge, we headed down the road to Sparks Vineyard & Winery in charming downtown Stroud. They have a lovely banquet room right off the tasting area that features paintings done by Oklahoma artists. I couldn’t resist snapping a pic of a lovely wooden door that would have fit right in as a banquet room for King Arthur.
Our new tasting room is located at The Wine Village, downtown Stroud on Route 66. It is only a 15-minute drive away from the winery. The Wine Village tasting room is the result of renovating a near 100-year old building on the north side of Route 66 in the heart of Stroud.
By now I was feeling kinda tipsy and downright sentimental as we made our way toward our third and final stop for the day, the Grape Ranch. For a brief, passing moment, we traversed I-40 and much to my and TBC’s astonishment, I felt my eyes welling up with huge crocodile tears. When TBC turned to look at me and asked what was wrong, I loudly sobbed “I want to go home!” He knew precisely what was meant as I-40 East holds
a very special place in my heart. It’s how we head for North Carolina’s Outer Banks and we haven’t made my favorite pilgrimage since the late ‘90s. (But we did fly there in ’02.)
The building housing the tasting room was nothing to write home about but the surrounding grounds were so picturesque and serene with grapevines, a trickling stream, and lovely back deck overlooking a pastoral orchard. Here I am basking in the bright sunshine, enjoying a delicious glass of vino. Wish I could remember which wine I’m happily imbibing but, what the heck.
beehive of bustling activity (though there is Big Mac), but we were barely able to secure room lodging as the place was packed with people. The only room still available was a smoking suite, and though lovely, made for some unpleasant breathing.
I know, I know! I have neglected you too long, my darlings. But if it helps take the sting out of my prolonged absence, I’ve had excellent reasons. Yesterday was spent in the dental chair (fun, fun), but Friday I was away soaking up helpful suggestions to make the college experience a positive one via speakers who focused specifically on fostering good relations among fellow employees, attending students and ourselves. The sessions were enjoyable, motivational, and downright inspiring and our final speaker was so mesmerizing, one could have heard a pin drop during her discourse. Nursing students provided health information along with blood pressure and diabetes checks. The pièce de résistance were the chair massages offered free of charge of which Mz Circe took full relaxing advantage. On a disappointing note, the vendor who always spreads an accessory-laden feast for public consumption was unable to make it, so I left without purchased goodies. On the upside, I won our table’s fall centerpiece door prize. (woo hoo!) This year our registration gift was a laptop carrier with the sponsor’s logo. Last year it was a zippered folder with this same logo emblazoned across the front, and a few years back we got to select a lovely totebag in a design (I picked animal print) of our choice. And one year was so unbelievably memorable that I have completely forgotten what souvenir we received. *sigh* At any rate, here are some shots for your viewing pleasure.Wall Street
Bourbon Street
Sesame Street
--Only in America




