Wedding Pics, Wendy, U2, Flaming Lips & More!

This is a LONG post, so feel free to just skip through and enjoy the pictures if you want ;)
So wow, where the heck have I been? Let's see. We got back from Maui and life has been a crazy whirlwind since. Here are a couple of wedding pics from Frank Baranik of Maui Professional Photography (must give credit where credit is due!)Thank you Frank! We LOVE our pictures!




I got one day of "rest" so to speak, if you can call doing laundry, taking one of the dogs to the vet and just trying to get ready for the next week, rest...Yes, I picked up the dogs from the Kennel on Sunday night and on Monday I was on my way to the vet with Nestle. Not only did he have an eye ulcer but he lost quite a bit of weight while we were gone. He went from 6.1 pounds to 5.5 pounds which is pretty significant in one week's time.
So, I've been putting drops and ointment in his eye since we've been back and he is STILL not healed. But, we are working on that and I am rapidly sinking into debt as we continue to try and change medications and go for follow up after follow up. Oh well, he is my baby and I don't want him to lose his eyesight. In a couple of weeks he gets his little shark teeth cleaned. Yeah - I'd better keep working. Anyway ~ I think I've fattened them all back up too.
The following day (Tuesday), I picked Wendy up from the airport. She came to visit for a few days. We did lots of fun things. We went to Oklahoma Aquarium, ate at a bunch of different places around town(Fuddrucker's, McGills, Oliveto, In the Raw, Los Cabos, BBD,) we got pedicures:

(Real Men DO Get Pedicures!), did some shopping, and did some beading:

Wendy made a couple of bracelets and I helped her attach the clasps.
She was originally going to leave that Saturday but we had extra tickets to U2 on Sunday and I convinced her to stay and go to the concert with us! Yay!

We had so much fun!
Doug called and got a limo so this was our luxurious ride to and from Norman:

I was thrilled to not have to be the designated driver!
Me & Wendy ~ I'm thoroughly enjoying my glass of wine ;)

Me and my honey enjoying the concert (it was a little cold!)


We got home around 3am and MAN! it was hard to work on Monday. In fact, it kind of made the rest of the week a little difficult.
Wendy went home on Tuesday and I was sad to see her go. It was fun to have my friend to pal around with.
The rest of the week went on as usual busy with work - I had to go to Norman for three days for the Physician's Assistant Conference and then on Saturday we went to OKC for the third annual Ghouls Gone Wild Parade. We were just spectators the first year for the March of 1000 Flaming Skeletons but we've marched this year and last. Here we are in our scary makeup!

Yep! and me getting a little squeeze from WAYNE. COYNE! (The lead man from the Flaming Lips - for those of you who don't know) He is so awesome! (Don't worry honey, YOU are my MAIN Squeeze! Mmmmwah!)

Finally on Sunday night we went to an art fundraiser at Holland Hall. Doug and I had planned to just stay in, cook a roast in the crock pot and just chill. Just after we got the roast started, the phone rang and it was Dr. Sherburn. Leigh Ann was the chairperson for the event and had extra tickets and they wanted to know if we would like to go. We picked up Frank and Tonya Tomecek and sat with them at dinner which was catered by the Palace Cafe. Overall, it was a fun evening with some laughs.
Don't ask me where this week has gone because it is Wednesday already and I have no idea how we got here.
I've been feeling the stress creeping up over the past few days so today I went and got a massage at The Spa with Amber. She is FABULOUS~ and my back and neck feel 100 times better. I've got to remember not to let myself get so stressed and to just go get a nice massage when things start feeling like they are getting to me.
This weekend is Halloween and I'm looking forward to seeing all the little goblins and ghouls spooking up the neighborhood - just hope the dogs don't go too bezerk!

Married in Maui!!

Yep! We did it! We were married Thursday evening, October 8th, 2009 at sunset on Kapalua Bay Beach. It was wonderful. Peaceful and serene and just beautiful. We were on one end of the beach by the rocks and another couple were also getting married on the other end of the beach. We took a couple of snapshots of ourselves after we were officially married. We also had a professional photographer take some photos and once he sends us the CD of photos he took, I'll post some of those too.
Below is a picture of some of the view from our balcony. The picture was taken the morning after we arrived and is a bit hazy but totally incredible!


We stayed at the Kapalua Ritz Carlton - what a great place! We walked to several beaches from the hotel and the grounds themselves were so beautiful. One of our favorite things was the incredible breakfast buffet which we indulged in every single morning of our trip. I'm going to miss the sweet fresh pineapple and the delicious orange juice and the tastiest bacon I've ever had!

Doug got to play golf at the Kapalua Bay Course. This is him playing the 4th hole. I went along to keep him company and was able to get some incredible pictures. I'll just share this one for now.

As we walked around the resort area, we stumbled upon one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen. Above the dunes is a boardwalk of sorts meant to preserve the integrity of the beach dunes. Here is my honey taking a break along the path and taking in the spectacular view.

Incredibly amazing, isn't it?

Kissing on that beautiful beach. So romantic!

This is DT Fleming Beach. On our last day in Maui, we were swimming just to the side of the rocks behind where Doug is standing and we saw a HUGE Sea Turtle playing on those rocks. It was so awesome. I was hoping he would get up on the rocks so I could get a picture of him, but he just kept sticking his head out of the water and raising his flippers. There was no way to get a good picture of him because the crashing waves on the rocks made it impossible.

That's it for now. We are still tired from our overnight flight home and headed out now to go pick up the dogs. Wonder if they missed us or if they are going to just be mad. We'll see.

Mamma Mia!

Dr. Webb called yesterday afternoon and said he had two extra tickets to Mamma Mia if Doug and I wanted to go. Of course I wanted to go! We didn't buy tickets when they went on sale because we are always so busy on the weekends, I don't like to plan too far ahead. As the show got closer to coming to town I was wishing we had purchased some. So, "Thank you" Dr. Webb for the tickets ~ and our seats were fabulous!
Yep! It's official ~ Doug and I *will* be participating in the March of 1000 Flaming Skeletons again this year! We had a blast last year and decided to do it again. Here we are in our scary makeup:

Here we are in costume (I'm not chunky, I just have BIG BONES!)(Ha! Ha!)

1000 Flaming Marching Skeletons:

If you are going to be in the Oklahoma City area on October 24th, you can participate too! Just click here for the details and to sign up!

We have our New Year's Eve all planned already too! We will be attending the Flaming Lips Concert for the third year in a row at the Cox Convention Center. Last year we had back stage passes although there was so much smoke we didn't stay back there for too long. We were lucky enough to have our pictures taken with Wayne Coyne and then went to our seats to enjoy the show!


Can't wait to do it again this year!

Other than that, looking forward to GETTING MARRIED in just a couple of weeks!!! Then Wendy is coming for a visit. Can't wait!

Less than three weeks!

And Doug and I will be heading to Maui to get married! Can hardly wait!The location is picked out, the minister and the photographer are supposedly all set. Now, just to figure out what we are going to wear. Better get going on that one!
Wish I could report something exciting going on around here but lately it's just been work, work, work for both Doug and me.
Doug did get to go to the Chickenfoot concert last night at the Brady. Tonight we went to dinner at Redrock (yes, again!)It's always good, just too much food. So much for being on the straight and narrow...
Well, I've had just about enough of this day and this little guy has the right idea:

Good night!

She was here but now she's gone...

and I'm really going to miss her!

My sister January came to Tulsa to visit me for a few days and what fun we had! We went out to eat every.single.day. The first night she arrived, we went to McGills. It was delicious. We shared the mushroom caps stuffed with spinach and herbs and covered in cheese. Doug and I shared the Shrimp cocktail -mmmmm. For our meals, Doug was good and had the lite plate which consists of a sirloin patty, various fresh fruits and sherbert (which I ate). January had the chicken picatta and I had the chicken marsala. Delicious, but we could hardly move we were so stuffed after we finished eating.
The other places we ate during her stay:
Oliveto (twice)(Chicken Scallopine for both of us - both times!)
Oscars - appetizers: fried green beans, quesadillas, artichoke dip and something else I can't remember right now.
Red Rock - Jan: Steak, Me: Ribs, Doug: Salmon
Louies: Burgers of course!
Custard King:

She couldn't leave town without having a custard! I think I gained 10 pounds during her stay.
We also did some shopping - scored some cute boots at Shoe Carnival during their BOGO (buy one, get one 1/2 off sale) event.

We went to the Oklahoma Aquarium on Sunday and had lots of fun. That is where the above picture is from.
Of course, Doug and I had to take our "self shot":

But, she had to get back to Connecticut for the beginning of classes, and sadly, I have to go back to work. For those of you lucky enough to have your sister's living close to you, appreciate it. It was fun having her here while it lasted!

In the meanwhile, it is four weeks until we leave for Hawaii! FOUR WEEKS! I can't wait but I am definitely on the straight and narrow. See that picture at the beginning of this post? If I left today I'd be looking like a beached whale in my bathing suit. So, for the next four weeks I am going to be good. No lunches out today ~ no dinner out either. I am marinating shrimp to throw on the grill along with some veggies. I have been working on a meal plan for the week too. Let's see if I can drop a few lbs. before our trip.

This morning I went for a 5K. I walked/jogged. Believe me, I didn't want to move but I did it and I'm happy I did. January's flight was at 6:45 this morning and since I was already up and moving I figured I might as well go. Yay me!

How boring does it get!?!

Sorry I've been away for so long. Wish I had lots of fun stuff to share but my life has been filled with mostly work. :P Not fun...

Doug had a birthday last weekend but we didn't get to do much of anything because he ended up having to work the entire weekend. Sorry baby! Hope you are enjoying your present though!!

My sister January is coming to Tulsa for a visit this week ~ can hardly wait!

Let's see what else... In a nutshell:

1. CKC Tulsa (Creating Keepsakes Convention) - was in town two weeks ago! I did manage to stop by for a few hours and picked up a *ton* of scrapbooking supplies. I purchased a couple of kits that I intend to do in the next couple of weeks. I'll take pictures and post them here.

2. Scraphappy's is a local scrapbooking store that I frequent. I took a paper piecing class this past Thursday. When I finished with work on Thursday night even though I was so tired and all I wanted to do was come home and veg, I went to the class and I'm so glad I did! I'll take a picture of the *adorable* snowman layout we did and post it here (maybe tomorrow).

3. Dinner at LXI with the Tomeceks. Always a good time!

4. Niles and Nestle got a bath this weekend (good times! Yeah, NOT!)

5. I've been walking a few times a week - trying to drop a few lbs. before we head off to Hawaii to get married. Just wish I didn't love to eat so much!

6. Had a Celebrating Home Party. Not too many people showed up but I got the cutest holiday bean pot! And I'm having a jewelry party in a few weeks ~ that should be alot of fun.

Okay, gotta run. I'll try to be better with the updates ~ and include more pictures.

A funny memory

Welcome! I was visiting Rachel Anne's Home Sanctuary Blog this afternoon and one of her video's stirred a funny memory for me:
I was shopping one day with my mom, we came out of the store and I put my sunglasses on. All of a sudden, I couldn't see very well and I felt dizzy and I told my mom that I was having trouble with my vision. Well, she started laughing so hard and it was then I realized that a lens was missing from my sunglasses! At the time I was so embarrassed and felt so undignified but now I just laugh about it. I take myself a whole lot less seriously than I did back then.

Well, this is a short post because Douglas and I are heading off to Louies for a quick bite to eat. Tomorrow we are going to Norman for Doug to defend his title in the Neil Shindler Invitational (is that right? or is it Neil Shindler Open? whatever).

I'm planning on going to a couple of my favorite scrapbook stores and meeting up with my friend Jodi so it should be fun!

Guess where we're going!

Gosh, it's been a while since I've posted but so much has been going on! Doug and I have been making plans to get married! I booked the travel plans today. We are going to Hawaii!!! *AND* we are staying at the Kapalua Ritz. I'm so excited that I can hardly stand it!
We are going to be married in October. I'm not sure of all the details just yet but we've talked about a simple ceremony on the beach, completely casual. Sounds perfect to me!

In the meanwhile, I've decided to get on the straight and narrow and focus on losing a few lbs. I'm trying to eat healthier and do more exercise. I want to look pretty and feel good about myself when we get married!
We've been cooking out on the grill which I LOVE! Check out this:
This is the shrimp marinating before being put on skewers

Yummy grilled veggies

The awesome shrimp kabobs!

The shrimp are wonderfully light and flavorful and make a perfect summer meal combined with the grilled veggies and a bit of orzo. If you are interested in the recipe for the kabobs, let me know and I'd be happy to share.

I also made some delicious Chocolate Cinnamon Gelato with Toffee Bits. Came out wonderfully! I didn't take a picture of it but it was very good, believe me! Yeah, that's not exactly calorie conscious, I know...But I've been wanting to try the recipe to see if I liked it and turns out: I do! January wants me to make it when she comes for her visit in September so that is what I'll do.

Lets see...what else... Oh yeah! Doug took me to a couple of movies that I have been wanting to see. First, we saw "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock. Unbelieveably, we had an afternoon without too much going on so we went to the Riverwalk for an early dinner at TeKei's. After dinner we walked around and saw that "the Proposal" was playing so on a whim we decided to see it. I liked it. Kind of predictable but enjoyable. We hadn't been to a movie in about a year and a half!
This past Friday we went to see "Julie & Julia". I have been wanting to see this one since the previews first started. It was delightful! Probably not a movie for everyone but it was nice to see something different for a change.

I'm trying to rev up my real estate career and so the last two weekends I have done a couple of open houses. I love real estate. I love that you get to see how other people live. If you know of anyone that wants to buy or sell a house, have them get in touch with me.

I'm having a Celebrating Home Party here on Wednesday night so I'd probably better get off the computer and straighten up around here. Plus, I have to decide on a few snacks to make for my guests. Should be fun!

Tulsa Osteoporosis Support Group

Tonight was our second Osteoporosis support group. Lisa Bates, the Clinical Director of Diagnostica Osteoporosis Center came and talked about Dexa Scans - what they are and what the numbers mean. She is an excellent speaker and although I already knew about Dexa scans and the numbers, I did learn some new things and reinforced my learning about treatment options for osteoporosis.

One thing about seeing so many patients with osteoporosis, and lots of patients not nearly as old as you might think: it's making me start treating my bones with more respect. I'm taking my daily calcium along with extra Vitamin D3 and concentrating more on strength training.

Things have been incredibly busy around here with work, stuff to do around the house and just life in general. I'm so excited because I'm going to be having guests! I get so wrapped up with work and things going on around here so it's going to be nice to have some diversion.

My sister January is coming for a week long visit in September although I probably won't see much of her while she is here. Her friend Dana is coming with her and Dana is going to be staying at her uncle Bruce's house while January stays here with me. January is going to meet up with a friend of hers and probably just take in the sights. I'm curious to see how much she thinks Tulsa has changed since she lived here in 2002. Wait until she sees the new casino! And the Riverwalk!

Then, in October, my best friend Wendy is coming for a visit. Can hardly wait! I'm already making plans for what we are going to do while she is here - eat sushi at In The Raw, check out the Oklahoma Aquarium, walk on the new and improved river trails...Catch up on things and just enjoy each other's company.

In late September, Doug is going to be participating in the MS150 bike ride between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. He is training for it now. Should be alot of fun. I'm going to be the "support" part of the Stryker Byker team: cheering him and his team on and waiting at the half way point and the finish line with lots of big, cold, frosty beer!!

At some point, we really need to take a vacation. I'd love to go someplace warm with crystal clear water. I'm giving it some serious thought. Any suggestions?

Wicked!

Our friend Frank invited us to to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center today to see Wicked! It was awesome and we thoroughly enjoyed it! I've heard lots of people talking about seeing it but I really wasn't sure what all the hoopla was about. Now I know - the show was absolutely fabulous! I'm so happy that we got to see it. Thank you Frank for inviting us.
It has been such a long time since I have seen a show and I've never even been to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. What a nice resource for Tulsa. It's amazing how you can live somewhere with all kinds of great things to do and never take advantage of all your town has to offer.
My sister January is coming for a visit in September and my friend Wendy is coming in October. I'm going to look up all the "touristy" things to do around town and take each of them to see the sights of Tulsa. January actually lived here for a short while quite a few years ago. It will be interesting to see how much she thinks it has changed. I can't believe how much it has changed.

Change is in the air...

And instead of being scared and resisting it, I'm doing my best to embrace it. Lots of thoughts swirling around in my head these days. I feel some kind of change getting ready to happen. For now, I keep focusing on this quote:

"Breathe. Let go and remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure."

I'm trying to just go with the flow and chill out. What I think I really need is a vacation. Doug and I just need to get away, have some fun and relax. The stress of too much work and not enough down time is starting to wear us thin. Today I started researching a few vacation spots - just have to narrow down a time and place.

The last few days I've been cleaning out my closet and purging all sorts of things. Trying to do that in all areas of our home. Sending things out into the world where they will have new owners who need them much more than I do. I've had too much stuff for way too long and it is time to let it go. The "stuff" is weighing me down. What I need is space and positive energy - trying to surround myself with it and send it out into the universe.

I'll keep you posted....

Grand Lake for the 4th of July!

We had a wonderful 4th up at the lake with Doug's family. Before we left our house it started to POUR and continued to do so just until we got off the Vinita exit. We ran into Walmart to get a watermelon and when we came out the sun was trying so very hard to peek through the clouds.

When we got to David's lake house it was still sort of drizzling but after about an hour or so the sun came out and we decided to jump in the boat and head out. We had so much fun!
Katie and Jennifer enjoying a cold one:

Lots of people and boats at Dripping Springs:

Douglas and me:

Me and Dee:

Getting a smooch!

Dee and Katie:

David had a little "accident" with a butter knife while trying to pry apart some burgers. He cut his middle finger really deep so he had to keep it dry and elevated. We got this picture:

Today we were at home trying to get a few things accomplished. Doug mowed and edged the yard while I worked inside the house. Here is what I got accomplished:
1. Niles: Bath
2. Nestle: Bath
3. Bedroom cleaned and vacuumed
4. Our Bathroom cleaned
5. Several (about 6) loads of laundry
6. Cleaned the dining room
7. Cleaned the kitchen
8. Cleaned the nest (where the dogs sleep)
9. Put up the shower curtain in the guest bathroom
10. Cleaned the credenza in my office
11. Doug and I hung a picture over the fireplace, and three pictures in the dining room.

Whew! Productive day! I don't really want to work tomorrow since I'm on a roll with projects around the house. I'd really like to clear a spot in the garage so I can park my car inside. Plus, I'm embarrassed for people too see how terrible it looks out there. We'll see how it goes...
Have a good week!

Spoiled on my birthday!

My birthday was a very good day. Douglas took me here:

For my dinner, I ordered the caprese salad as an appetizer and the scallops for the main course. It was absolutely delicious! Of course, I forgot to get pictures of the entree, but I did get a picture of my dessert, apple crumb ala mode:

Here we are in a self portrait sneaking a kiss!

Here I am ~ another year older!

Douglas bought me lots of cool presents. I got a pair of MBT sneakers which I have been wanting for a very long time, a Shu Umera (?sp?) eyelash curler, some new clothes, and a great lens for my camera. The pictures above were taken with my little old point and shoot but I can't wait to try my camera with my new lens!

In other news, it has already been a busy week. Last night we went to dinner at D'alesandro's on business. I ordered a caprese salad (!surprise!) and the carbonara. Delicious! But as usual, there is enough carbonara left over to last a week.

I had a business luncheon today and met with another local attorney to discuss a potential case that we might share. Can't talk about specifics here. You know, client confidentiality and all.

On a sad note, over the weekend, a good friend of mine was in a bad motorcycle wreck in Connecticut. He broke his arm, some ribs, punctured his lung and broke his clavicle and shoulder. The shoulder injury is very, very bad. He had a six hour surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital to try to repair the damage. The doctors are not sure how things are going to work out post surgery. If you are so inclined, please pray for Scott. It makes me so sad to think about what he is going through right now.

On a lighter note, we are supposed to head up to Grand Lake on Saturday to see Doug's family. Should be lots of fun out on the boat but we will need to be careful too as I'm sure with the 100 degree temperatures the weather man is predicting in combination with lots of potentially drunk people in speeding boats - we just need to be careful.
Last time we were at the lake, riding the Seadoo ever so peacefully until I got the thing going about 50 miles per hour and dumped Doug right off the back! How I didn't fall off too, I'll never know.

I'll let you know how it goes!