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OG&E Smart Hours Help

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I’ve gotten a lot of response on my previous blogs regarding OG&E SmartHours and their thermostats.  These rate hikes can be confusing so I thought I would post some things that I found helpful.  I found these two photos on the OG&E facebook page.  I’ve noticed that someone at OG&E is taking the time to respond to people on FB.  Like their page and maybe you can get some questions answered.  Also – check out their website for a video on how to program your smart thermostat.

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I’m not sure why I’m taking the time to post all of these helpful hints.  You already know how to google OG&E to find answers.  Heck, maybe you did that and it brought you here.  If so…welcome!  I’ve already done my duty to OG&E but I somehow I feel responsible to the readers who are here looking for answers.  I’ve already gone above and beyond when it comes to blogging for OG&E.  I’m doing it for you guys…I want you to save money and be happy at the same time (even though saving money means sweating it up during the hours of 2-7 p.m.)  I think it must be my people pleasing personality and my inability to say “no” (although I’m getting a lot better at it).  I also think this is my pitiful attempt to help the environment.  When I think about all those air conditioners chugging away in 107 degree heat all I can see is the CO2 being spewed into our beautiful blue skies.  And then I think about the power plants working over time to keep all our houses cool.  Where do you think all that energy comes from?  Contrary to what environmental nay-sayers think, power plants are not run on fairy dust.  Stepping down from my soapbox now.

What I really should be doing instead of blogging about thermostats is finding out who the heck is going to toss King Joffrey’s sorry butt from that throne.  Robb, Stannis or Daenerys; I don’t care as long as he gets his because that kid is a punk.  I’m only on book three so please don’t respond with a spoiler.

Anyhoo – Now that I’ve gotten these helpful hints out into bloggyland and gotten a little bit of an environmental load off my chest, I’ll return with normal posts soon.  Yummy food and cute crafts/wreaths coming soon.

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Oklhaoma Heat Wave

It’s here…we’ve all been dreading it…praying that maybe, just maybe, this year would be different…Oklahoma heat wave.  The temps are predicted to be over 100 all week long. blegh.  For me that means one thing…time to put up the clothes line.  Actually it’s been up most of June but now is really the time to look on the bright side of 100+ temperatures: hanging clothes outside to dry.  It worked wonderfully last year and so far this month I’ve only had to use my dryer when I’m drying unmentionables.  My back yard is pretty private but if someone was so inclined they could peep through my back hedges and take a look at what I have on my clothes line.  Just the thought of some lookie-loo peeping my families Hanes gives me the creeps…so I don’t put them out there.

I’m counting on this old fashioned method of drying clothes to save me money on my electric bill.  Especially this week.  When temperatures climb, so does the cost of electricity.  Thanks to the OG&E Smart Hours program I know exactly what days and times they are going to be increasing the rates.  I know that sounds really infomercial-ish but it really has helped.

Apparently the thermostat lights up when there is a price increase and we’re in energy savings mode.  It’s getting a little toasty in here but don’t worry, I can lower the temp if I feel like it’s getting too warm.  In the mean time I’m going to conserve my own energy by reading a book.  Now is not the time to be doing housework, people.

Disclosure: I have been blogging about the OG&E SmartHours program because 1) they asked me to and promised an incentive and 2) I’m a little fanatical about saving money on our electric bill.

Prairie Song, Bartlesville, OK

Looking for an authentic western town?  And you happen to be in NE Oklahoma?  Look no further than Prairie Song, OK,  15 miles outside of  Bartlesville.  Actually it’s technically in Dewey, OK but I’d never heard of Dewey before this trip so in my head it belongs to Bartleville.

During Dear Sister-in-Law’s wedding weekend, while the rest of the gang was playing golf, BFF and I took Harry to visit Prairie Village.  The brochure suggested you call ahead but we didn’t take heed until we were turning down a dirt road on to someone’s private cattle ranch.  Turns out that cattle ranch also sports a western village.  Who knew?!

Apparently the man who owns this village has been working on it and building it with his own two hands for the past 20 years (or something insane like that).  He was very proud of the fact that he has built all of the buildings in an authentic to the era style.  All of these buildings were chock-a-block full of stuff.  Authentic, turn of the century stuff that he has collected for the past 20 years (or something crazy like that).  He was extremely proud of all his stuff (as he should be) and had a story for everything and where he got it from the 100+ year old wood burning stoves (I counted no less than 6) to the jail cell to the surrey with fringe on top.  Basically, this place was pretty amazing and crazy at the same time.

He had a building for everything.  A general store, jail, post office, trading post, hardware store, saloon, doctor/dentist office, school house, church, cabin, printing press.  There were more but I can’t remember all of them.  The Little House theme song was playing in my head as we meandered this turn of the century town.  Each building was full of stuff that was relevant to that building.  I’m pretty sure this guy is an organized hoarder.  Check it out.

Out of all the bazaar stuff we saw I thought this was the most interesting.  This a picture of “Big Nose Kate”, Doc Holliday’s gal.  Her license for prostitution is signed by Marshal Virgil Earp (Wyatt’s brother).  What?!  Where does someone get this stuff?!  You can’t make this up!  Who knows how much this is worth.

Here is our host.  We found out the reason you need to call ahead for a tour is because this man is the tour guide and all the buildings are locked and only he has the key.  Two hours (no joke) into our tour we were spent and had only seen a little more than half the buildings.  We left early with the promise that next time we’re in Bartlesville we would return so we could see the rest of the village.

If you want to get your Little House fix in the middle of Oklahoma make sure to call ahead. 918-534-2662 and check out their website.

Toy Review – Blocks & Marbles


Mid June and the “I’m bored” syndrome has already set in.  It’s time to pull out toys that have been forgotten about.  At one point in time building marble runs was what it was all about at our house.  We have made them out of plastic, wood, paper, hot wheels tracks, legos, we even have the expensive Quadrilla set.  But that fell by the wayside when Legos Star Wars took the main stage.  Today it was time to pull out an oldie but goodie.  Wooden blocks and marbles.

It’s a simple design, easy to set up yet the construction possibilities are endless.  Addison had such lofty ambitions for this design that a few alphabet block reinforcements had to be called in.

Creativity, construction, building, problem solving and knocking down.  Little boys and mommy agree…this is a great toy.

Give a boy a box

Isn’t it amazing how much kids love empty boxes?  You can spend tons of money on the latest thing-a-ma-gigger 2000 but they are more interested in the box.

Last week my M-in-L bought two new pool lounge chairs and gifted Addison the boxes they came in.

Saturday afternoon I came home from a much needed pedicure to find this…

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All are welcome at the table

The following is a letter from the Disciples of Christ General Minister and President, Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins.  More from her can be found at her blog.

June 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In fielding questions from Disciples, I am asked, “Where are we with respect to sexual orientation?” Since the question comes up frequently, I would like the Church to know how I answer it. (more…)

DIY old dress to a new skirt

“They” say that if you haven’t worn an article of clothing in a year then you should get rid of it (exception being formal wear).  I’m pretty good about that except for a few items.  I have a few dresses that while I never wear any more I can’t seem to get rid of them.  Either the fabric is really pretty and I keep thinking I will do something else with it or it has sentimental value.  While I enjoy purging my closet every now and then I keep feeling like I should keep a few items for the long haul.  I have several beautiful pieces that were once my mom’s or grandmother’s and I LOVE them.  If I get rid of everything now I won’t have any fashion treasures to pass down to my future granddaughters. (more…)

Wordless Wednesday

Just a few words…can anyone guess what is going on here?

Oatmeal Craisin Cookies

Oatmeal raisin cookies.  The “healthy” cookie choice.  I’m never one to choose a cookie based on its level of good-for-you.  That sounds like a oxymoron and I mean let’s be honest, who really wants a “healthy” cookie?  I’ve tried to get on board with those Kashi cookies and I just can’t do it.  They need to go back to the drawing board.  However, I won’t turn up my nose at an Oatmeal Raisin cookie but I’ll admit that it’s not my favorite.  I’ve never been a super big fan of raisins in cookies.  They tend to be too hard and chewy unless you go to the trouble to soak them in something prior to baking so I decided that a happy alternative in any situation to raisins is Craisins. (more…)

Myriad Botanical Playground

Last week we found ourselves at the Myriad Botanical Gardens in downtown Oklahoma City.  We were there pretty early so we beat the heat and the crowds.  We didn’t pay to go inside…we’ll save that for another day.  Instead we stayed outside and enjoyed the playground and children’s garden.  The best thing about the playground (besides how cool and unusual it is) is that it’s FREE.  I love it when I can get something for free.  I do a little happy dance. (more…)