Another year older...

Happy Birthday, O Captain, MY Captain! 

I'm so very proud of you; your accomplishments, attitude, goals and your life in general. You continuously amaze me with your love and support, with your ever present positive outlook, and your endeavor for improvement.

I like you. A whole lot. 

Happy Birthday!

Love, J

Salty Air

Recently, we vacationed in one of our most favorite places on Earth, enjoying 4 days of salty, sunny bliss. 

The Captain caught a 3 ft baby Hammerhead Shark. It was awesome. Surprised us all in relatively shallow water with frozen shrimp. We cut the line and wished him well. 

I caught no less than a dozen puffer fish throughout the day.

Still smiling 5 years, 1 month and 2 days to the hour in the place.

                                                                                   

Cheers. 

To Bartlesville Who Raised Us

It seems like years ago but that's just because I stalk people on facespace instead of updating my blog. However, earlier last month I got to meet the lovely Ree during her latest book signing in Midtown.

Most of you would know her as The Pioneer Woman from her blog but I found out about her while living in Hawaii as we are from the same hometown, Marlboro Man and the ranch being a mer hour or so away. I still enjoy her love of Oklahoma and enjoy her cooking but find her blog to have become pretty commercialized with a lot of other contributers. 

So, book signing, disappointed also. She came out said hello, answered 4 questions and sat down with her pen. Granted, there were at least a couple hundred people with line assignments, many with more than one book, however I would have thought it a bit more enjoyable to hear her read an excerpt. I appreciate her awareness of how long the evening was going to be but a funny story or an Ethel impersonation would have been fun!

I introduced myself and stated how nice it was to see another Bartin around the area. She was shocked and I explained how I do live her, and we chatted about the hometown, how she thought I looked like one of her friends' sisters, how my FIL and her Dad were work colleagues, and how I chat with Mike when I meet my SIL for lunch at the hospital cafeteria. She was a lovely lady. We smiled for what I consider a great picture, I'm terribly critical of myself, and away I was ushered. 

Overall, it was nice. I was happy to meet her. Marlboro Man was there also but I don't like myself in those photos so you don't get to see them. 

Cheers!

Of all the weekends...

The lineup for the 2011 Beale Street Music Festival (BSMF) was announced today and it made me elated for about 10 minutes, then I more closely looked at the dates.

MGMT. In my backyard. Freakin' awesome. Rockin' out on Friday night, after Cake, after The Flaming Lips---yes please!

The whole lineup looks much more awesome than last year. I'm not a fan of Earth, Wind and Fire or Bret Michaels. Bigger headliners this year, or at least in my musical world.

I could totally take a nap all morning to recover from getting up 4 AM to watch William and Kate get married. However, the Captain is a groomsman in his best friends wedding that weekend 2 states away. Doh.

I shake my fist at those that plan REALLY COOL things in the Memphis area the one weekend I can not and will not change my plans.

For those of your that are going to be in the area, or wouldn't mind a drive (I promise it will be worth it!) check out the website. Just don't send me a postcard telling me how awesome it was.

Fingers crossed for next year.

Cheers!

Lately....

The Captain and I went on a vacation where were used 4 whole bottles of sunscreen. None less than 30 SPF. I'm a fan of bronze skin but not skin cancer, and since it's only February we didn't need to get burnt yet, so we lathered up and enjoyed ourselves. All of these varieties of sunscreen, the sun, sweating, salt water, etc resulted in a breakout of the undesired kind on our faces. Thank God for concealer!

After 5 years of moving from Norman to Hawaii to Portland to Memphis (with more homes in each location) we payed off our credit card! Hip-Hip-Hooray! That piece of plastic has saved our butts numerous times and allowed us to do what we needed to do when we needed to do. However, it also was the root of many heated discussions, angry nights, worrisome weeks, and stress. We are no longer a salve to the lender and feel a great relief off of ourselves. We did it!! Now to knock out the rest of my school debt....

Weather has been sporadic lately. Sunny and gorgeous one day ending in an evening enjoying patio dining with some friends. The next overcast and 50. Rain, no wait, now it's muggy sunshine. Hooray for springtime! The daffodils are blooming and I can't get enough of their fragrant smell.

My dog is still scared of thunderstorms. As well as the sweeper, hair dryer, real fires, football, and heated discussions. She will however, eat anything.

Reading from my Kindle is very enjoyable. I loaded it up with books for our trip and it was so much more enjoyable than lugging 30 lbs of books because I'm never sure what kind of mood I'm going to be in.

I need a pedicure. And to quit biting my nails. And to quit procrastinating from my job related work that needs done and didn't take a vacation!

The Captain and I reversed sleeping roles over our time in Florida. I was struggling to stay awake past 9 AM but ready to start my day by 7, he however stayed up till midnight every night. At least we balance each other out!

Cheers!

Snow Daze

First the snow graced us with a lovely couple of inches that weren't good for making snowpeople. 

Though Callie and I enjoyed it. 

No, I don't like to take down my Christmas decorations. The wreaths stayed up till the snow started to melt. Satisfied?

We then got a snow fall that lasted a whole 2 hours in the bight sunshine and looked like a cotton field.

            Now, I'm ready to grill out. You bringing the steaks? 

Above are pleasant stories of lovely snow. Stay tuned for photos of destructions. Hope you are staying warm wherever you might be!

Cheers!