Tulsa Trip: Day 3

And finally, Day 3.

Got up (phew!), said good bye to Beth, Dave, and all the creatures and headed off to say a quick hello to a good college friend Maria, her husband Kevin, and son A.

So glad we did!

We loved meeting their adorable son and teaching him bad habits (it was Darin totally, we just love playing with kids and forget the whole rule concept sometimes), and seeing their house even though they were trying to sell it. Can't wait to see them again when they visit Disney in a couple of months!!

From there, we drove to Hideway Pizza to meet Kristen another good college friend - met in a British literature class and probably talked more to each other than the professor talked the whole class! We've kept in touch pretty well (totally her, she's much better at this than I was) and we HAD to see her.

Plus she has a mini-Jake.

Del, Twiggy, Kristen, and Lulu.
Isn't the resemblance scary?

Said good byes and headed east to Arkansas.

I was wrong by at bit (45 minutes) of our departure, so we ended up getting there early and watching the Magic play in the bar at the airport. And drank some great beer.

And then were off. Back home. To Jake. And sunshine (no offense Oklahoma, I know it wasn't your fault it was rainy). But, I'm already ready to return - air flight prices, go down!

Tulsa Trip: Day 2

To continue our Tulsa Trip:

On Saturday, we drove around a bit and then headed back to get ready for the wedding! We were headed for the zoo, but it started sprinkling outside, so ended up going to the Hard Rock Casino. And lost $10, but had a good time.

Woo hoo!

Got back to Beth and Dave's, changed, and headed off!

The wedding was at this place called The Barn. It was in the pretty area of Tulsa (like rolling-hills-green area) and was a beautiful setting. We went inside to check things out - pretty snazzy! Carrie (and Matt too!) did a wonderful job of making the site their own - I loved all of the patterned cut-outs (see pictures below) and the fun/unique touches.

While we waited, I got some pictures. And did not eat the cupcake that was calling my name.

The handsome couple.

And then the wedding began!

Pretty Carrie!

After the ceremony, we went to our table. Ours was the Chicago theme: The 3-1-2. Sweet!

Adrienne, Darin, and I

Adrienne and Bree

Colors.

The KDs there!

We stayed and had a wonderful time. Drank some really good beer (and not 3.2), ate above said cupcake, snacked out on some brie and veggies (much needed), ate Zios, and talked and talked!

Oh, and ate M&Ms. Loved them.

And then we got back and Darin attacked Heidi.

Did we mention we loved her!

Congrats to Carrie and Matt - and here's to seeing you again soon!

Four Years of Tugging

It will be four years today.

That we decided to actually take the plunge and pick him out.

It was a great decision all around. And we love our pup beyond measure.

Here he was on day one.

Can you see how dark his face was?

Two years later.

With his/my baby. Tanner face now.

Last year.

Happy as ever.

Can't believe it's been four years already. Time has flown by. Will we ever forget all the crazy things you did/ate? Or the funny way you crawl on the bed and howl when we sing.

I don't think we ever will. You're our pup.

Hugs to all dogs!

Tulsa Trip: Day 1

It finally happened.

I returned to Tulsa.

Kidding, kidding.

I've been meaning to go back forever - should have come back for other good friends' weddings, but I could never get the price to be reasonable. But this time, I checked this airlines and found a great deal.

And so off we went - to see old friends and to celebrate with Carrie and Matt (they were getting married!)

***

Ended up flying into Bentonville, Arkansas and driving east to Tulsa. It worked out great. We decided to get some dinner in Arkansas (Darin's first time). We got us some bbq.

Gumbo. Spicy!

Ribs. Pork, baby back style.
And hush puppies.

The place was called Brightwood Grill - it was very very good. Ended up driving later that day and got into Beth and Dave's about 10 pm. Worked out really well.

***

Next day, we drove into T-town and went to campus. In case you didn't know, I went to school in Tulsa at TU. I loved every minute I was in college and picked the perfect school for me. It was exciting to show Darin my school and share with him my memories.

One BIG memory was:

My sorority house. Lived here for 3.5 years.

View of downtown from campus.

D on football field

I played flag football on this same field.
Great. Memories.

And then I made him drive around Tulsa with me. I got Bill and Ruth's for lunch. Merritt's for dessert. We saw the Golden Driller. The praying hands.

Cookies.

And then we headed off to Beth and Dave's - our wonderful hosts!

How was it that I never actually get pictures of people...

We found that their animals weren't as social/friendly/talkative as they were...

The bird.



The guinea pigs. (2 of 5)

And Heidi.
The cutest puppy ever.

Enjoyed just hanging out and playing with Heidi. She had the best personality ever - such a crazy sweetheart.

It was good to just relax that afternoon. That night we went to the rehearsal dinner (what's with me not taking pictures?!) and headed to The Bar for some drinks with friends. Nothing like smoke filled bar with 3.2 % beer. Oh Tulsa, how I missed you.

Next up. Wedding.

Birthday with Meat

Last week, we all got together to celebrate Goestov's birthday.

Now one of his favorite things to do (other than work outside and play/torture the dogs) was to eat steak.

He's a steak eater.

We headed over to Linda's La Cantina for some fine meat.

Darin with rainbow trout.
Outstanding.

Del with manicotti.
I had to. It was calling my name...

G with his t-bone and Diana's teeny tiny fillet.

My MIL and FIL came too but the only pictures I got of them was with one of their eyes closed. Oops. I guess I could have someone pasted them unto each other... not too good at that.

Had a great meal (as always) and didn't eat too much.

And this year we didn't sing. But boy will we next year!

The Story of the Bunny

Once upon a time there was a bunny.

Someone got it for Easter and shared the bunny with her dog.

Within a day of receiving the bunny, the dog had already removed a leg.

And was very pleased with himself with the bunny's leg.

But it wasn't enough for him; this leg.

He had to remove all of the bunny's insides. They were the best parts of the bunny, and the bunny didn't need them.

But the bunny wasn't dead. It still smells good and can be chewed on.

And he still has his bunny. And loves it - it sleeps with him.

It is just now one leg-less, inners-less, and missing one bunny ear.

But we still love our dog because he's special.

The End.

Special Trees

We have these special trees in our yard.

They are old and majestic - spreading their branches far and off. They offer shade and beauty. Are home to squirrels and protect the staghorn ferns.

And they are also monster trees.

They spread their stupid annoying spores everywhere.

They contaminate people - especially me.

Thought I'd share since I can't go outside for any amount of time.

It's bad this year - allergy season. Worst yet.

Up Close and Personal

Not too bad...

From two days.
Seriously.
I blew it clean two days before.

And for comparison, the across the street neighbor's driveway.

You see what I mean.

So let me complain, okay? I think they are almost done.

Those evil oak sperm creators.

(Can you tell I got a new camera? Yep. Broke my old one. Have never broken one before. Oops.)

Anna Maria Visit

Spring Break was a wonderful idea, especially while growing up. We'd go to Florida or Alabama, enjoy the sunshine, get the much needed break, and be with each other getting burnt and eating too much food.

Now Spring Break was when the students weren't on campus and traffic was good! (Only took 20 minutes to get to work compared to my normal 35.)

This year, I got to celebrate Spring Break with Julie and Justin AND Julie's parents. You see, Julie and Justin were teachers and get Spring Break still. Amazing concept really.

I went over to Anna Maria Island (just south of Tampa) to visit for a day and a half.

And get a mini-Spring Break.

Unfortunately the weather didn't really cooperate, but I got to spend time with the friends which was about perfect.

The first night we ended up walking the beach - it's so different then our beach at Cocoa. So many sea shells! I love sea shells.

Angry sky and ocean

Before Monster Julie

After Monster Julie

We walked around for awhile searching for shells for Justin's science class - found lots of fun little bits of shells with cool textures and shapes.

It wasn't too warm, but it was still the beach! Definitely something to celebrate.

Justin and Julie. So cute!

Spent a lot of time talking to Julie's parents (I've know them since I was in 6th grade - same as how long I've known Julie) and Julie about life and all that jazz.

I got to read my book.

And relax.

And sit outside in the sunshine the next morning (the weather was a bit better).

And enjoy my friends.

Kathy, Bob, Julie, Justin, and Del

Happy Spring Break!

Erdbeeren and Dog

It's strawberry season here in Central Florida. Actually, I believe it's officially past, but we have strawberries a-plenty here in our stores. And on sale. Sweet!

It's amazing to me that we get so many of them that were so good in our regular store.

Great actually.

Normally we pick some up on our way back from Tampa in Dover, but we haven't gotten the opportunity yet to do that. Those would be the super fresh ones we eat on the way home and get red fingers.

But the ones this year from the store were pretty fantastic too. We freeze them down to use in our smoothies - and will eventually eat so many we won't want any more until next year.

If that's even possible.

Here's our favorite pup NOT eating his strawberry.

He used to not be a picky eater, but now with his older age he has become one.

Though he'll eat them fresh when we're in the car. Maybe it's because they're warm still from the summer sunshine?

We have probably have a flat of them. And I'll get more next time I'm at the store.

Must. Eat. Strawberries.

Love 'em.

Will make this soon.

The Cute Things

I forgot to post this cute picture I got from my sister a couple of weeks ago.

It's of my parent's new house!

Dad, Mom, and Cricket

We watched it being built - fun fun. Enjoyed talking to my mother when she freaked out over the color as well - which I have to say we all really liked. Can't wait to see it all finished and actually go inside!

Congrats to Cricket for getting her parents to get their house done!