Division II Swim Meet

We spent the weekend at a swim meet for Reese. He did great. He swam in 6 different events! Two relays, two backstroke, and two freestyle events. Great job Reese!

Asian New Year

My work sponsored an Asian New Year party this evening. It was a lot of fun. They had great food and even better entertainment.

school

I rarely blog about school. (Did you guys even know I was in school?) Maybe it's because I spend so much time doing school work, that taking time to post about it feels like...well.....school work. I prefer to spend my time blogging about more creative things to take my mind off of school and work (I rarely post about work either!)

But, while you've got me on the topic of school......as of today, I officially have a draft of my dissertation completed. I'll be emailing it to my full committee tomorrow. Now, I just have to survive all of their comments, make any necessary revisions, give a presentation, defend the whole thing, and turn it all in to the graduate college. It may sound like a lot, but it's all nearing the end. Pretty hard to believe. I'm not sure I've accepted the fact that I'm almost done. Some days it seems like yesterday that I started this process. Other days, it feels like longer than the four years it has been.

My advisor has just told me that barring a comet striking the earth, she sees no reason that I won't graduate in May!!! So, here's an open invitation to anyone who wants to watch me graduate! The ceremony is in Stillwater on May 7th. Of course, you'll have to call me "Doctor" for that whole day :-)

Cool Art

I've added a link on the left to my Mom's art website. She does such fantastic work! Her back is healing up and she is getting back into it, so watch for new pieces here!

Here's one of her more recent pieces. It reminds me of the top of a bridge sticking out in the fog.


And this one brings out the microbiologist in me. Reminds me of looking at cool one-celled organisms under the microscope.


I'm bummed that she sold this one (for selfish reasons, because it would have looked great in my house). I really like the flow of the colors! It's named "field of flowers", and I agree!!! Beautiful!


That's the cool thing about abstract art....it's interesting how everyone sees different things when they look at it.

Oklahoma Roads

I have a great idea for Oklahoma roads. I saw it here and it totally made me smile! After the winter we've had here, we have a ton of potholes!



The artist who does this does this is named Pete Dungey. How creative! Too bad they won't last long before they're all squished!

Happy Valentines' Day

Rumplestiltskin

Here's my boast! Last night was the production of Rumplestiltskin. Reese did such a great job in his role as a villager. It was so fun to watch! I think he might have a bit of the acting bug now. He is thinking of trying out for the summer production of the Music Man. Here are some photos from the show!










Of course, we had to do the post-show McDonald's run....followed by cake and balloons!



Great job Reese!!!!

Best way to start the day

Next to a 6 mile run with friends....this is my favorite way to start the morning.

Guess that Rock

Another edition of "Guess that Rock". Let me know if you have any guesses!


Ignore the green in the background.....it's not a part of this rock. I'll feature that one (with a backstory) later!

Pajama Jeans

These look absolutely wonderful!!! This brings a whole new meaning to casual Friday. Must have a pair :-)



"A pair of pants designed to look like jeans - but feel like pajamas - is now on sale. The aptly named PajamaJeans are made of a mixture of cotton and spandex with a gray jersey lining to provide a snug and relaxed fix, complete with pockets and rivets to give the illusion of trendy denim."
More information here or here!

Stalking Spring

Yes.....I am still stalking the Cardinals in my backyard.

This was a picture I took last weekend.

I love the intricate detail on her feathers

Reminds me of the peonies that bloom in my backyard each spring.

Hurry up spring.....I'm ready for you!

Buffalo Controversy

So....apparently there is a controversy brewing in Bartlesville. Remember this picture?


Bartlesville has a series of buffalo statues that are painted and spread around various locations in town. Apparently the pink buffalo is offending people in town, because the mold used for the buffalo is a "male". To add insult to injury...this pink, male buffalo has had its boy parts decorated like a disco ball. You know...I actually had never noticed that until the newspaper article pointed it out to me! Sure enough....I looked back at the picture I took in December, and there it was!


I actually like all of the buffalo, and the pink one makes me smile. I never thought to myself that the buffalo was gender challenged. I just accepted it as a funky painted buffalo decorating the street corner. Who knew was controversy was dwelling? I've decided that some people have far too much time on their hands to worry about these sorts of things!

Reason #2 that Disco Balls are cool!

Here's a link to the editorial in our newspaper!

Congrats to Reese

Reese auditioned for a part in the Missoula Children's Theater's production of Rumpelstiltskin this afternoon. He was cast in the role of a villager. We were very proud that he wanted to try out and are so excited to watch him perform on Friday!!! Hopefully I'll be able to get some good pictures!

Congrats Reese!!!!!

Everybody was..........???

Reese says:

Surfin'.......Surfin' USA


I say:

Kung-Fu Fighting

What do you think everybody was doing?


Sorry if you now have those two songs stuck in your head like we do!!!

Swim Practice

Superbowl Sunday

We're excited to watch the game this afternoon. I'm looking forward to the commercials and all the snacks that we have bought in preparation! I suppose I don't really care who wins.....although I'm going to root for my friend Betsy's home team...the Saints! Here's a photo of Betsy all ready to watch the game. New Orleans really knows how to throw a party!


I'm guessing that the boys in my house are probably cheering for the Colts!

Update....the small boy was cheering for the Colts. He's a fan of Peyton Manning.

Here's one of our yummy snacks!

Married to a Super Star

Reese spent the night at a friends house last night, so Mike and I went out to see a movie. We picked the new John Travolta movie "From Paris with Love." It won't be one of the most memorable movies ever plot-wise, but from the moment that John came on the screen it was like watching Mike! Well, sort of ......except with more of a potty mouth, and toting a gun and shooting everyone that made him mad!

Monogrammed Toaster Strudels

I thought this was so cute!

Reese starts his mornings by monogramming his food!

Guess that Rock

I recently received a bunch of rocks/gems from my grandfather's collection. They are simply spectacular. I wish I knew a lot more about them (or had time to research them), but I figured I would throw some photos up now and then to share. Hmmm....maybe this will give me an excuse to go buy a macro lens for my camera, so that I can take fantastic close-ups!

Let me know if you know what it is!

Purrfect Reflection