Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Picture EXPLOSION!! 365 Caught Up!

YAY FOR PROJECT 365!! 

81% COMPLETE!!!

 I am officially caught up on my pictures.  YAHOO!!!  Some of these are out of order because I could remember exactly what day I took'em, so they may not match up exactly to the day they were taken, but they were!  So enjoy this explosion of picture madness.

Day 299 - 2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Here is Oklahoma it been nothing but rain for about 4 days straight and before that, it was drizzly and yucky.  So this evening after it had rained and poured all day and night, they sun actually came out to play for the last few moments of sunlight left.


 Day 298 - Baby Lettuce!
In my garden I planted leaf lettuce seeds and amongst all the rain/flooding, I have baby lettuces popping up!

 Day 297 - Cheery Drops
These are my fun color plant cages in my garden for my cucumbers, squash, zucchini, and tomato plants.  Again, it's been raining like we should build an arc and I liked the raindrops hanging from the cages and the raindrop bokah in the background. 


 Day 296 - Pretty Door

 Day 295 - Small Town Downtown
The Downtown Streets of Sapulpa, OK have some really fun painted alley ways.

 Day 294 - No Name yet...any ideas?
Found a cool place for sunset pictures


 Day 293 - Gate Beauty
This gate, I've always loved...the vintage look and the ornate swirls...always been a sucker for swirls.  This is the entrance to the Gilcrease Museum
Quick Funny Story---The museum closes in the evening, but today the gates still happen to be open, so I was picture taken away and then I found another fun thing to photograph and then thought, oh, I bet if I go to the parking lot, I can get a great picture of something else...so in I went.  I was there for about 15 minutes and got some shots and packed up...we I was driving out to the exit (separate from this gate)...the gate was CLOSED!  I thought, $#!*, I'm stuck in the museum all night...and the museum isn't a grand part of town either.  So I keep going, really thinking I'm gonna have to ran the gate with my little car...as I got closer...I wasn't locked in the gate ACROSS the street was closed and it just so happened to match up perfectly with the museum exit.  Whew!


 Day 292 - TAX DAY
One of my least favorite parts of the year.  Mike is in charge of doing our taxes, because of the business and all he has to get together.  So I have nothing to do with it, which is probably good practice for me to not have to feel I should be in charge of most things...but it drives me crazy!  I love my husband and ALL that goes with him, even his little quirks of being, aside from my mom, the biggest procrastinator I know!!  So here we are Monday April 18th, yes we get 3 extra days because of some weird local holiday, sorting through all the tax stuff.  You can see Mikes little spot where he sat in the midst of all the paper work.  FYI, this is after he left to take the taxes, so not ALL the paperwork is there, but this is most of it.

 Day 291 - Be Fruitful and Multiply
Genesis 1:28.  Our Garden!  I am so excited about our garden.  I heard about Squarefoot Gardening from my friend Alayna and did some research and built a garden. I planted Tomato, Cucumber, Squash, Zucchini, Onion, Bell Peppers, Banana Peppers, Jalapeno Peppers, Lettuce, Okra, and Beans!  I'm so dang excited.  I also added fun color planters for the extra plants I had.  So hopefully we will be fruitful this harvesting season!!

 Day 290 - Freedom isn't Free
This is to Honor all that fight for our county, but to symbolize Casey's returning home from deployment!! 

 Day 289 - Tornado Alley!
Remember Twister!! Well in Oklahoma, we are in full force Tornado Alley and boy, have the storms been great!  If you live in Oklahoma, more than likely you were probably (or use to) outside watching the storm rather than listening to the weathermen telling us to take cover.  I got home from work early and noticed some dark clouds and some awesome lightening in the South.  I tried to capture some lightening bolts but none of my 100's of shots turned out, then the sirens went off and I was like "whaat..."  So I went to the front to see what was going on, along with at least 3 of my other neighbor in my cul-de-sac.  We didn't see much and the sirens went off again.  I went inside and looked at facebook and a friend had posted "I'm right underneath the wall cloud" he lives just  a couple miles from me...so what do I do? Head back outside to find the wall cloud...and what do I see??  Rotation!  It never dropped, but it hung around for a couple of minutes and then moved north.  Not too much damage here in town, but it did continue moving to the east coast and had damage out there.  Prayers for those affected by the storm.

And here I am with the storm way to the north of me! 

Day 288 - Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head!!
April Showers, we are ready for you to Go Away!
Enjoyed playing in the rain with Remi and Cam (my Camera) and my homemade Camera Rain Jacket! 

Day 287 - An Up-Hill Walk
Do you ever have times in your life where is seems like everything is an up-hill battle?  I have these thoughts sometimes and then I take a look around and just enjoy the scenery that God has painted on my up-hill walk for me.

 Day 286 - Another Beautiful Sunset

Day 285 - High Contrast
At least I think so...I am trying to understand contrast lately and get pretty confused...so I think this is High contrast because it has very distinct light and dark pieces. Any contrast lovers out there with some insight, would love to here!

Day 284 - This Old Barn
Isn't she a Beauty!  Went with my friend Katie on a picture outing and we found this Old Barn on the side of the highway!  Love it!

Day 283 - Tulips!!
One of my Favorites!!


 Day 282 - Reverse Lens!
Playing with my camera is so much fun.  I saw an online photo friend do what was called Reverse Lens photography...basically it's a Macro Lens the Cheap Way!!  I used my 50mm Prime Lens and litterly turned it backwards on my camera body, held it as close as I could to not let in extra light and Wallah! Macro Photography!  You should definitely try it out!  They even have Reverse Lens adapter that connect your lens backwards on your camera.  So fun!


 Day 281 - Spring is Here!!
It's finally sprung here in Oklahoma!  The Red Buds are in full bloom and it was a beautiful day to get some pictures with the brilliant blue sky as a wonderful backdrop!

Day 280 - Something Shinny!!
Some of my favorite shoes.  I got them in college when I knew I'd be working in a facility that probably would let me wear my Chaco's and needed some closed toe shoes.  Have had them for about 5-6 years, they are super comfy, and a bit smelly! 

Day 279 - Fire Side
I love this type of fireside!  With wine and lots of friends...now where are the Smores!


 Day 278 - Mommy's Time Out!
I thought this was hilarious!  Joanna and her friend ordered this for lunch!  Sometimes this Mommy (to furkids) needs a timeout and I love me some wine to go with it!

Day 277 - Cafe 7
This place is fabulous!  In Edmond, OK.  A couple of our friends opened it a couple years ago and it is awesome, we keep asking when they are opening one in Tulsa...they tell us they have different plans for Tulsa...but anyway, they have 7 salads, 7 pizzas, 7 sandwiches, & 7 pastas, all for $7 and its out to you in about 7 minutes!  Love it and you will too!!

Day 276 - Orchid
At Kandace and Koosh's Wedding...I loved the orchids as center pieces

Day 275 - Texture
Love the texture the clouds give the sky!

Day 274 - Wel-COME Home!!
Casey's Banner that greeted him when he returned home (Japan) from Afghanistan.  We want him to come Home Home soo soo bad, but are very thankful he left the Sandbox safely!

Well, if you made it this far, you are Awesome!!  Hope you enjoyed my picture explosion!!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Drum Roll Please...Our Great News!! (Remember not Preggers)

Our Great News....


Casey is outta of The Sandbox!!!  Also known as Afghanistan!!  He told us two weeks ago that he'd be leaving Thursday...so Wednesday rolled around and I texted mom, so do you think he's packed and ready to go...I had actually thought he would leave earlier than Thursday, ya know, its the military and they do funky things.  Well, mom texted back and said, you're right about the military changing their mind...Casey had called earlier that day and told mom that now he thought he'd be leaving Saturday.  Boo Hiss!
Side Note:  Casey had been packed and ready to go the minute they told him he'd be leaving, so he had been living outta his bag for at least a week!
So Saturday rolled around and we didn't hear from him, so I'm thinkin Awesome, he's on a really long flight back to home (not real home, his permanent duty station in Japan).  Got another call on Sunday I think saying he was in some country that starts with a K...I can't remember.  Then Sara, his wife, got an email from the Gunnery Sgt saying he would get to Japan by Wednesday! Woot Woot!
We don't know if that was our time Wednesday or Japan Wednesday, but we heard from him Thursday and he had slept all the way back home, but was home safe and sound.  We are so excited for him to be 'home' and praying that he will get to come Real Home soon!


This is the banner that greeted him in his barracks along with some care packages that family sent.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Picture Throw Up!! Part I

Project 365!! Woot Woot!
It's been so long since I've posted my 365 pictures, so here are the rest of March and I will hopefully get all the April ones later tonite or tomorrow. 
I've kinda been MIA from blog world for the past week or two.  Been really busy, but not really doing too much fun--work and work.  Ya know how I mentioned my schedule changin...well, I'm about sick of it, especially with Spring being here and it being beautiful!  I'm at work til 7:00 and 7:30 for the first part of the week and Thursday and Friday, I try super hard to get out by 5 or 6.  Yuck!
So I get home, and don't want to really do anything, but lounge on the couch or on the patio. 
Hope you enjoy!

Day 273 - Silhouette
This is from Miss M's photo shoot and I just love the silhouette that I got with the bubbles.

Day 272 - A Bit-'O-Sunshine!

Day 271 - Flyin Pig...
Tails that is!!

Day 270 - Great Great!
This is Granny with her 2nd great-great granddaughter, Jaci and proud parents (my cousin) Nate and his wife Whitney.

Day 269 - Birthday Boy!!
This is CJ (Granny's other Great Great grandson) at his awesome John Deere Birthday Party.  He's so sweet!!  It was hard to just pick one...I'll probably post more of him from his Cake Not-So-Smash...He's a very clean baby and didn't want anything to do with the cake until he got a fork!

Day 268 - Let Your Light Shine

Day 267 - The Speed of Light
This speed was only about 5mph in the parking lot.  It was a beautiful night and I stopped by the River Parks Park on my way home from work...yes it is dark when I leave work sometime...Ugh!

Day 266 - Pavilion at Night

Day 265 - New Kicks
I L.O.V.E. my new Merrell's!!  They are the best kicks ever.  Mom and I found them at Marshal's and we were both just strolling down the isle and all of a sudden we both went "Ooooo!" and we both got a pair.

Day 264 - Aquarium
Little Nemo in the Coney Island Aquarium...I love going there just to eat by the Aquarium...I'm not a fan of the glass glare, but oh well!

Day 263 - Super Moon!!
A day Late!!  I was so mad at myself...I had been looking forward to seeing this 'Super Moon' since I heard about it and told all my friends and family about it, and then I didn't go out and see it on Saturday!  Silly Me...so this is from Sunday night.

Day 262 - Spa Southern Hills
My super sweet brother got me, my mom, and my sister-in-law a spa day for Christmas.  Love it!! 

 Day 261 - Evening Moon
A stroll in the park and the moon was stunning as it rose in the trees.

Day 260 - Happy St. Patty's Day!
Mike's stock of necessary celebratory drinks!  Hope y'all had some green on!

Day 259 - W
Adding on to my letter's...I love this United Methodist Church downtown and the steeples create a beautiful W!

Hope you enjoyed and look forward to the rest of the pictures soon, along with the Great News!!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Not Preggers...But...

We've Got Great News!!!
 
Stay tuned to find out what it is!

No, we aren't preggers either...but the news is just as much fun!

Happy Saturday!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Little of This...Little of That...

This is a kinda random post....
So, Tulsa has been under mass construction for...well forever it feels like and they just keep addin more and more projects.  So with all the construction, are those bright orange barrels and cones...Well tonight, I was driving home, windows down, sun roof open, and Remi's head out the window, and I saw a long line of orange cones. Ya wanna know what went through my head?  How fun would it be to run all those little sones over and watch them going flyin!  I know you've thought the same thing.  I did control myself, but thought if it were later at night with less cars around...I just might do it!

So thankful the weekend is almost here!!
I have been so confused on what day it is all week...I even had a dream last night about being confused if it was Thursday or Friday, so I woke up this morning even more confused and really had no idea what day it was...really really hoping it was Friday...but finally came to the realization that it was only Thursday. So yay for tomorrow being Friday and then the weekend!  

I plan on making my way to Cherry Street Farmers Market this weekend along with Springfest held by Tulsa Garden Center.  I've never been to either, but I think it will be super fun. I'll probably take Remi with me and she'll love it!  Thanks to my good friend, Alayna at The Ruby Jewel, I am starting a Square foot Garden this year.  I have my frame built for my garden.  I built a 4'x4'x10'' box.  Mom tried to get me to buy the pre-made box that didn't require very much work...but it was $120! I don't think so!  So I got 1 16 foot long 2''x10'' board for about $16 and some brackets for a couple bucks each and waala!  Garden box complete less than $25.  Dad came over and helped me get it started.  We actually had to screw the screws in by hand cause I forgot to charge my drill and his wasn't charged either.  Oh well, it didn't take long at all and it was a beautiful evening.  I will also be making a trellis with 1''x3'' boards for my cucumber and squash to grow up instead of out. I don't know exactly what I am planting yet, but so far I want cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, okra, onion, and some herbs. 
Apparently Square foot Gardening is very popular and seems pretty simple for first-timers.  There are several ways to build your box, but basically you can plant so many plants in each square foot, there is a book on it and I have found lots of info online at various websites.  Anywho, I am super excited for fresh veggies.

A couple of weeks ago, I took pictures of Miss M.  This is my best friend from college, her niece.  Hope you all enjoy the pictures!






Hope y'all enjoy the pictures, your cd is in the mail!

Talked to Rick and Mel last night and found out we will be staying in Venice for 3 nights at Duodo Palace which looks amazing and then 5 nights in Florance!  We are waiting to hear back from the Travel Agent about what to do...but we will for sure be going to push over the Tower in Pisa and going on a Vinyard Tour of Tuscany!  We are so excited there aren't words to describe it!



Weight Loss Challenge
 
 ARRRGGG!!  This will be the second time of typing this part...stupid blogger decided not to save what I wrote...so here we go again...

I was readin up on some blog friends and I saw Brit was doing a Weight Loss Challenge...so I checked it out and thought what the heck, I'll give it a try!
It's the Jiggle Challenge, what a great name huh?  I have some Jigglin goin on that I'm not too proud of.  In High School I was very active and had definition where my now muffin top is.  It was easy for me to stay fit, I was in practice everyday and tumbling classes 3-4 times a week too.  I didn't really have to workout, I just tumbled my way to fit.  At games, I did back flips for every point scored, stretched everyday.  It was easy back then.  Went to college and had some drink drink, still pretty active, but definitely gained some weight.  Got married and got busy with life and plum lazy!
Mike and I started the P90X in January, and did it for a couple weeks until the massive blizzard came sweeping through Oklahoma...Why we stopped, I really don't know, I was havin a blast playin the snow though!  But we never got back into it and I don't have a lot of self-motivation to just work out.  Some friends of mine actually went to a tumbling class about 2 years ago and had a blast, but my tumbling buddy hurt herself and it seemed kinda weird being almost 30 in tumbling class with 10 year olds, so I stopped that too.  Mike is super busy now with work (lawn and landscaping business) and baseball.
But with this, I may have accountability and motivation from others and if I'm having to put my weight up there, that maybe a motivator too!
The rules are simple, we check in once a week and report any loss of weight (pounds or percentages) and share about how we are meeting those goals.
 
My plan:
Be more active.
Take the Stairs again.
Walk with Remi.
Attempt P90X a 2-3 times a week.
Drink lots of water.
More Fruits and Veggies.
Watch my Proportions.
 
I don't really have a specific number of pounds I'd like to loose, really just feel more comfortable in my clothes.
 
If you'd like to join us, check it out here.
 
Well I hope you all are looking forward to the weekend as much as I am!  What are your plans for a happy Friday and fabulous weekend?!
 

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Tail Wagging Tuesday






So I'm linking up with CMae and her Tail Wagging Tuesday! If you know me...you know my animals are my kids with a fur coat.  I love them and treat them like my babies and I really feel they complete our family in our life thus far!  So until real babies do come, these are my Apples of my Eye!  It was really hard to just pick one, but I did do it and if next week Tail Wagging Tuesday doesn't have me post more pictures of my sweet furkids...I may just have to make this a weekly thing of my own.  I laughed so hard at some of the pictures of them.  So anyway, enjoy!

Meet Jerry!
This is our bullfrog that comes back every year to see us...I hope to see him in the near future!

Meet Nellie! (aka Nelbert Wilber by her daddy-o)
She will be 4 years old in May.  We got her right after we got married in June 2007.
She was helping me prepare our anniversary dinner in this picture.

Remi (aka Remington, Remi-doodle, Rem-Tin-Tin, etc.)
Remi will be 2 the end of April, we got her shortly after we bought our first home. 
This is when she was about 10-12 weeks old and she was having a hay-day in the dirt!

 And here's the whole gang!
Luna and Panda (bottom left and top right) are Casey's dogs and since he's stationed in Japan (currently in Afghanistan) Mom and Dad are keeping the pups.  Maggie-Moo (top right) is my parents dog and then Remi.  They are the best of friends!

Let's see your furkids!!

Hope you had an awesome Tuesday.  Dad came over and help me begin my Garden Frame!  So excited!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Love/Don't Love

Walked in the American Heart Association Heart Walk on Saturday 
LOVE
New work schedule and having to get up earlier to make it in to work
DON'T LOVE
Raised over $600 for the Heart Walk!
LOVE
Mike's transmission went out
DON'T LOVE
Mike found a great deal on a transmission
LOVE
Found out the transmission doesn't fit in his truck and probably can't return the transmission
 REALLY REALLY DON'T LOVE
Went to Kandace & Koosh's Wedding on Saturday and had so so much fun!! 
LOVE
Gaillardia (where the wedding was) over-served me and the rest of the reception guests to a drunken stupor
LOVE
Now my whole body is achy because of all the wine!
DON'T LOVE
Latest Favorite quote from a kiddo at work, "It smells like a horses fart!"
LOVE
Baseball Season has officially started! Go Yankees!!
LOVE
Have to do my mountain of laundry
DON'T LOVE
Creeper that tell you creepy things and make things awkward
DON'T LOVE
We're going to Italy!!
REALLY REALLY LOVE!!
Casey only has a short time left in Afghanistan!!
LOVE LOVE
Our ants came back in full force killing themselves off by the Hot Shot, leaving goosebumps amount of dead ants on our countertop
DON'T LOVE although, I think I LOVE that they may be gone now
My good Friend Tiffany has finished a painting of Remi for me! 
LOVE
Getting my Garden ready for planting!
LOVE


Mingle 240


Head over to Mingle Monday with Life with Meg to visit some great blogs!