Welcome to Yoklahoma

We have a very cute, very athletic, very now teenage friend who at the age of four was adorable. When we'd ask him where he lived he'd say, "Right here in Yoklahoma." If I mentioned that to him now it would probably mortify him.

But that phrase kept coming back to me as I sat at my kitchen window and took pictures of the snow falling.

These pictures are taken about 2 hours apart.

You don't always see snow like this in Yoklahoma.Even the fly trap that hangs from the Magnolia tree had snow piles on it. It hangs at the bottom of a two and a half story tall tree. How did the snow make it through all those branches??And no matter what the season, we have a ladder leaning up against the tree. And it also got snow in it. In it. Wild.You have to work with me on this one. See the pipe on the far left?Even it gets a snow cap.The hanging baskets with all the dead plants needed something to make them look better.Much better.And where else but Yoklahoma could you have a January rainbow that covers the whole state?I know the other 49 are jealous now:c)

How do you spend a snow day?

Well, since we live in Oklahoma, it's actually a snow/ice/sleet day. I was cooking non-stop to be prepared in case we lost power and the girls...well, the girls...were doing this.

Can I just say that it was weird to watch. I could almost picture them doing this on their wedding days. Helping each other get dressed. Straightening the train. Helping get the veil just right. I was torn between enjoying the moment and freaking the stink out.

Since I have my dress, veil, and flowers they had a lot of fun. I also have my mom's wedding dress. It is so 1970's. Growing up I always said I'd wear it. I tried it on all the time. I drooled over her picture and told her I couldn't wait to wear it. But then I got engaged. In 1994. And you know what? Her dress was soooo 1970's. So I got my own. And it was perfect.

Today each of the girls mentioned that they wanted to wear mine. I told them that would be neat but I would be fine if they chose their own. I think everyone should get to pick their own. Personalities are different. Styles are different. They are certainly individuals. I can't wait to see what they pick. And I want their daughters to play dress up with their dresses and say the same things.

How do you all spend your snow days? I can't wait to hear!

Here it comes

Oklahoma is once again bracing for an ice storm. It's not our first and it certainly won't be our last. Since this is the third I've endured in this house I spent yesterday getting a few things ready.

I can handle everything except no electricity. No electricity=no heat. Because of that I have used a lot of energy, and muscles apparently, to carry in firewood. Shawn has been at work and is there now, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. Last time we were without power for over a week. We spent a few days all warm and toasty in the den of our house. We got it over 80 degrees in there! But...with only one tiny patterned window there was no light. Ice storms usually go hand in hand with cloudy, overcast skies. With 2, 5, and 8 year olds I ran out of ideas for entertainment in the dim light in about 4 1/2 minutes. Luckily Shawn was off work and my aunts house 2 miles away had power. We spent our days there and our nights toasty warm in the den with every blanket we own.

This time? Who knows. But no matter what happens, we'll have plenty of firewood. But now we have to face the fact that I am not the best fire builder. And someone (who is yet to come forward and admit it) has used the lighter and not returned it. So me lighting a fire with regular kitchen matches?? Have 911 on the phone and ready to dial.

Happy Valentine ' sss dd a,,,,... ..

My Valentine's decorations have been out for two weeks now. Well, not so much decorations...but conversation hearts that go in two candle holders. I know, I know, such the romantic. Christmas is really the only holiday that I get all fancied up for.

That must explain what I found on top of the fridge last night.
Oh good grief.

Is this necessary??

I do not like bottled water.

I know. What other weird things will I force you to learn about me?

But avoiding it (the water) is not easy in today's society. Couple that with the fact that I'm cheap and you get our filtered city water put into recycled water bottles. And three girls that hate to be on House Duty and have to fill them.

That might explain what I found today.Yep, one empty, one 1/4 full, and one 1/2 full.

Good grief. Sadly it reminds me of this.

I love living here. Every day is an adventure:c)

One of the many reasons I love my husband

While on our way to Reagan's indoor (thank goodness) soccer game yesterday Shawn started getting excited when we were approaching a low spot in the road. He plays three of his five indoor teams at the same place and had taken his Taurus through the high water. He said it would be so fun to drive my Expedition through it. As he talked faster he drove faster and soon we were in the midst of what looked like a water explosion. He told me on the way home he wanted me to take pictures of the car going through. He was like a kid in a candy store.

After the game we went through again and he dropped me off at the corner with the new camera and a setting for continuous shooting.

I shot as he drove through twice. Being the big kid he is, he loved these.

I just had to share. But now...he owes me a car wash.