The Okie College Girl» the Beach

Figured Out What To Do…

theOkieCollegeGirl — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:59:17 +0000

My bathroom is done in Zebra….and Bright Red. I picked up this from Hobby Lobby a few months ago, hung the frame picture-less and debated about what to put in it. A few years ago, Roomie and I took a trip to Florida (our first) and on one of our last nights on the beach we decided to use our super camera and take some great photos of how wonderful the ocean looked with tide rolling in (instead of waveless days which happened a lot or red tide waves which only happened a few times….in which I nearly lost my bikini top/bottoms a few times).

With digging through those beachy photos I found the set Roomie had taken with the waves rolling in. I was reminded of the time the waves splashed UP my dress, playing Frisbee with some random guys on the beach (during this photo session) and of course the pina coladas that directly followed our fun times on the beach. Oh how I miss summer vacations and the beach.

the Recap of 2009

theOkieCollegeGirl — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:09:00 +0000

I accomplished so much in 2009. It’s crazy at how many trips I took and the places I got to see. So, to recap at the events that took place in 2009….here’s the rundown.

The Backyard slowly turned into something fantastic.

I graffitied someone’s yard.

I found a love for Framboise

I bought a Netbook with Ubuntu Linux (and named him Gizmo)

Norman was hit by a Tornado

I met Kevin Costner. He’s dreamy.

I danced as an ALUM in the Tecumseh Dance Recital (don’t even get me started on being an alum, I realize I’m old)

Ate at Grey’s Papaya in NYC

The Boys met Papaw & Delilah

Roomie & I drove to Florida all by ourselves (actually she drove). It was the best vacation I’ve taken in awhile.

Re-did my Bathroom & Bedroom.

Mom, Dad & I visited New York City for 2 weeks. It was probably the highlight to my year….well the first 3.5 days were.

Attended my first Yankee’s Game.

Drank Pina Coladas with my feet in the sand.

Caught the Subway.

Met Ree Drummond.

NB was finally out of the picture.

Went Parasailing.

Saw my first Oklahoma Blizzard…14.1 inches of snow dumped in Norman on 12/24…amazing.

Walked through Central Park with Mom & Dad.

Baby Brother Graduated!

Flew in a Private Jet with Mom & Dad.

Set foot on Staten Island.

Made some amazing friends.

Bought my Sony Vaio – it’s awesome – her name is Petunia.

Drove to Minnesota with Mom & Dad.

Celebrated turning 25 with the best friends a girl could have.

There is soooo much more I did & things I saw that I honestly can’t think of them right now. 2009 was a great year and I can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store for me. Hopefully the years will only get better from here…even if I do stay 25 for forever.

Oklahoma Never Felt so Gooooood

theOkieCollegeGirl — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:54:00 +0000

We do love our Aunt & Uncle, but after being gone over a week it was time to get back home. Don’t get me wrong, spending a week in beautiful Destin, Florida was amazing. But, there comes a time when you’re ready to sleep in your own bed – without sand and 6 little feet poking you in the back, where the springs don’t poke through the mattress and gouge you when you sleep. Our vacation was perfect otherwise. I got all the sun and sand I could wish for.

But there’s nothing like seeing this amazing sign. Thinking you’re 3 hours from home and there’s a bed with your name all over it. A bed with no sand or 6 tiny feet poking you in the back all night. I love this Oklahoma sign, especially when coming home from a week long vacation, especially just days after making one of the biggest life changing decisions I’ve ever made.

We picked up the child from our parents and headed East. I think she was more excited to see us than she’s ever been. She spent the entire week with my parents and believe me, she was even more spoiled than when we left her. And that’s the end to our Summer Vacation.

the Puddle Jumper

theOkieCollegeGirl — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:52:00 +0000

Ever bought a car off eBay? My Uncle has! Although, I can’t remember where he had to pick it up from. I’m pretty sure it was Florida, but then again I could be wrong, very very wrong. It’s a pretty neat little car, only a 2 seater and hummmms when you go down the road.

Entering Louisiana and Arkansas

theOkieCollegeGirl — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:49:00 +0000

Since Oklahoma is such a long drive from Destin, FL we stayed over night with our awesome Aunt & Uncle. We just had to cross Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and then make it to Arkansas to our destination. After 8 hours of driving, which included stopping at Dairy Queen, a few gas stations and of course for dinner we made it Arkansas. The drive home wasn’t near as fun as going. Chalk that up to never going to Florida perhaps, but when you’re ready to get home, you’re just ready.

M-I-S-S-I-P-P-I :: One state down! We were both a little excited when we crossed over into this state line. Since we came through Texas on the way down and Arkansas on the way up, we saw some different and new territory. Going this way was definitely easier to drive through and maneuver through. I must say if I ever drive to Florida again (although I did not drive to/in/from Florida the entire week, Roomie did) I will definitely take the Arkansas route. Although, I do hope to fly next time.

Crossing over the mighty Mississippi. Roomie hates bridges and this one was not an exception. We quickly sped across the bridge like it was a see how fast you can go, race to the other side type of thing. I think Roomie might have been a bit tired of driving already, but I also know she hates bridges too.

Jehovah Java. Ever heard of it? Yeah, me neither. But it’s located in Arkansas if you need some Jehovah Java! I’m sure ya’ll think I’m nuts for even taking a photo of something like this, but I just couldn’t resist or pass up the opportunity. Plus, at least I know where I can find Free Wireless Internet Access now!

Care to guess what BIG event took place on my birthday so long ago? Why the Louisiana Purchase of course. Stunning I would know that, isn’t it. It took place December 20, which just so happen to be my very own live & breathe Birthday. There’s your history lesson for the day, now go make use of it!

Almost home. Yes, I actually mean home. We were just a few hours outside of Little Rock and then a hour from our pit stop for the night. I’d never been to this part of Arkansas in my life, so every turn was a new adventure. Amazing yes and very, very thankful we had Tommy Boy to get us by.

The Mad Butcher, a place with a very odd name. Come to find out my Nanny used to shop at a store just like this one. Mom made the comment about this only after seeing this photo. I don’t think she realized they still existed. I didn’t take a picture just because Nanny used to shop there, but because I had never heard of the Mad Butcher before. Odd. Strange. Fascinating.

Those Crazy Alabama Tunnels

theOkieCollegeGirl — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:43:00 +0000

Coming home to Oklahoma from Florida, you go through these awesome tunnels. I say awesome and guess they are, but maybe only to the passenger. I was better prepared for these tunnels coming back than I was going to Florida. Roomie just wanted to fly through them as fast as possible, something about claustrophobia or something? Poor Roomie, she’s afraid of so many things.

Hold your breath! We’re goin’ in! Back to Oklahoma we go. The tunnels just symbolize being home or closer to home. I miss home, but these tunnels are really something to see. Especially if you’re not used to seeing things like this back in your home state.

What happens when you have a car wreck inside the tunnel? Well that was one thought that crossed my mind while we were driving through. I’m thrilled we came out on the other side without having a wreck of any kind.

I see light! There’s light at the end of the tunnel. The saying is actually true. I believe this is the very first time I’ve been through an extremely long tunnel like this one. It honestly was sort of scary coming out because we had a hill to climb and it made you think that you were going to hit the top of the tunnel. I mean we didn’t, it just appeared that way. I’m very very ready to get home. Can you tell?

Tommy Boy looks confused, doesn’t he? Well, he’s not. I promise. He actually changes colors according to if it’s daylight or not and even when you’re underground! He looks sort of cool being underground and all.

….and we’re out! We came out of the tunnel with flying colors. Making it out alive with Roomie still driving. This is a huge accomplishment, making it out of the tunnel. We’re that much closer to home, to sleeping in our own beds and to seeing Ellie.

the USS Alabama

theOkieCollegeGirl — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:41:00 +0000

Being the big History nut I am, I really wanted to see the USS Alabama. On our way back, we planned that, just didn’t follow through. Who knew it would cost $30 for Roomie & I to tour the ship? Really? She isn’t into history like I am and I knew she wouldn’t enjoy it, so I snapped pictures from inside the park.

I really wanted to eat here. The parking lot was packed, but I was saving all of my hunger strength for Copeland’s. Yes, their food is speechless good and if it were anywhere near me, I’d eat there on a daily basis. They have the best Crawdad tails a girl could ever wish for.

There it is. The USS Alabama. I was thinking I was about to tour this awesome ship, instead all I got was shock over the cost to tour it. Maybe some day I’ll make my way back to the USS Alabama and tour the ship. One day.

The entrance to the USS Alabama. There were so many planes inside the park it was unreal. I don’t think I’d ever seen that many planes in one location that were just on display. I just snapped photos of all the planes and then looked each one of them up just as soon as I got home.

A gunner just inside the park. The thing was massive, I mean even more massive than what you would think of in the movies. I have no idea how you could control a gun like that in battle. It’s hard enough turning some of the knobs and wheels they have, but ones built 60+ years ago I can’t even imagine what it would’ve been like to fight in a war like that back then

The Coast Guard plane on display. It was a change to get to see some of these planes on display, especially after seeing The Guardian with Kevin Costner. Yes, I saw an actual Coast Guard plane, maybe next time I’ll take a tour of the ship too.