We moved!!

Mark and I moved to our new home last week!! Once we decided that we were going to stay in Oklahoma City, we went on an aggressive hunt for a house. We had already predetermined the neighborhoods that we liked and they all had the theme of historic. Our house was built circa 1920 and we love it! We discovered in our search for an old home that many old homes have character, which includes very poor layout. Luckily, we think we found the best of both worlds an old home with a functional layout and minimal house projects. We moved in last weekend with the help of my parents! There are some major advantages with living close to family, they can be roped into helping with big projects. We honestly could not be happier with our house and we would love for everyone to come and visit. As Mark says: (1) We have a spare bedroom and we are not afraid to use it & (2) Oklahoma City was recently listed as the top tourist attraction in central Oklahoma! Come and enjoy the fun!!!

Wedding Weekend!

My mom is catching the ground, but it is early so we are convinced that she has caught a big one!





Mark, my parents and I all traveled to the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri for one of my best friend's Katie and her fiance Andy's wedding. We had a blast!! My parents and I made it up on Thursday night and enjoyed a barbecue hosted by Katie's parents. On Friday, my dad played golf, while my mom and I took fishing lessons. The lessons were really fun. We decided fishing can be addicting like gambling, because we kept casting out "one last time". Neither of us caught a fish, but a few times our hook latched on to the bottom of the lake and gave the feeling of catching a fish. The rest of the weekend revolved around wedding festivities. Katie and Andy have dated since our senior year of college so it was so exciting to finally watch them tie the knot! The reception was a blast and I think we were all sore from dancing the night away. The other highlight was seeing my cousin Charlie and my sorority sister Kristin together as a married couple!!

My Fridays!

I love Fridays! I currently work part-time mainly because I have taken a full load of classes for the past year. My schedule rocks because I have Fridays off. I am hoping to move to a full time job in the near future, so I am enjoying this amazing schedule while I have it. So each Friday I can read the Oklahoma Gazette (OKC's independent newspaper) or study, clean up our apartment or  venture to a local coffee shop. My favorite coffee spot in town is Coffee Slingers. My mom, the connoisseur of cappuccino's, had two cappuccinos the morning she visited Coffee Slingers!! So I hope you have at least one day a week where you indulge in something that makes you happy! I know when I begin a full time job, I will have to transfer my Fridays to Saturdays! 

Mark's Camera Skills!

Mark has major picture taking skills. In the future, I know he wants to purchase a professional camera so he is able to enhance his skills. Below are two pictures that Mark took in Paris. We were leaving a party and the night time sky was beautiful. The picture is of the Paris Chamber of Commerce which is an old train station.





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4th of July!!!

Our original plans for the 4th were to visit our friends the Sips in Memphis. Unfortunately, our plans did not work out, but the Sips are moving to Little Rock in the fall so we will soon be state neighbors!!! We were lucky because our fall back plans were to go to Paris and see family! My Aunt Terry, Uncle Fred and Aunt Nancy were all going to celebrate the 4th in Paris. The highlight of the weekend (besides seeing the family!) was the Paris Parade. Only in Paris does the parade include free Twinkies and a huge cow on wheels. Other highlights included a 4th of July barbecue, picking food from the Clark/Swasko garden and sitting outside at Buffalo Joe's enjoying a frosty beverage! The weekend went by too fast!!

We are Okies!!

Mark and I have decided to plant our roots in Oklahoma City!! For the past several years, we always talked about where we would settle down after Mark's military service was over. I don't think Oklahoma was even on the short list during these discussions! But after living here for a year, we have really begun to appreciate the OKC community. It also has major location perks (near both families and in the Big 12) and major conviences (Airport and Amtrak). This is all pretty new to us still but we are excited!!! We are even starting to look at buying a house. As always there is an open invitation to get the royal treatment next time you are coming through Oklahoma!

My first Greyhound Bus Experience

This weekend I had two goals. One, I wanted to get to Dallas to see my friend Catherine and her new home. Two, I needed it to be a one way trip because Mark was on his way back from San Antonio and he was also going to stop in Dallas. I originally thought I would take the train, but low and behold it was sold out! I was very dissappointed, but excited that people were taking advantage of mass transportation. The only other mass transit available to me was Greyhound, so I booked the Friday morning trip.

I actually have to admit that the trip was much better than anticipated. I had a whole bench to myself and we arrived 30 minutes before our arrival time. I did learn a couple of things on the trip.

• One, DO NOT get to the station early. I asked the lady what time I should arrive and she told me 40 minutes before departure. At first, I wanted to call BS on this woman, but because I lacked any Greyhound experience I took her word for it. We actually departed an hour and a half later!
• Two, 90% of traveler's smoke. Therefore you make stops at gas stations along the way. The stops will revert you back to high school field trips except that everyone smokes when they get off the bus.
• Three, my driver actually talked on his cell phone on the trip. I think this should be illegal.
• Four, the Greyhound was an easy alternative to driving to Dallas. It may not be your best bet for a long distance trip, but short distances are duable and inexpensive.