Wordless Wednesday

I'm at a loss for words today...I guess chalk it up to Bloggers Block. So I'll share some shots I took while at home over Christmas.



An old barn on my family's farm



Looking to the east



A Babbling Brook

Back Where I Come From

First of all, if you haven't had the chance to ask me a question yet on the post below, then please do so! I have a few questions, but would love to have a few more to answer.

Yesterday I was talking with someone at the USO about where I was from. When I told them Oklahoma they said this, "Oklahoma? Is there even anything in that state?" They were mostly trying to give me a hard time, but it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I'm a fiercely loyal Oklahoman and I don't take it well when people act like our state is barren of any sort of entertainment or culture.

So here are a few things about the great state of Oklahoma.

Ever heard of a little company called ConocoPhillips? They started in my hometown.



Did you know the only skyscraper that Frank Lloyd Wright designed also resides in my hometown?

It's called Price Tower



Ever heard of Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Troy Aikman, Kristen Chenowith, Vince Gill, Toby Keith or Carrie Underwood? All from Oklahoma.

And how about Ree Drummond of the infamous Pioneer Woman website? She lives in Oklahoma and her husband just happens to run one of the biggest ranches in Oklahoma, if not in the country.

What other state has its own musical?



Oklahoma has beautiful scenery. We have the prairies to the west, tons of lakes, the hills and forests in the southeast and watefalls in the Turner Falls areas.

We don't just do steaks and BBQ in our state either. There are many wonderful restaurants in the smaller towns like Bartlesville and McAlester and there are tons of options in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

A local favorite in my town is Murphy's Steak House, home of the infamous hot hamburger. Basically it's a hamburger, on bread, smothered with fries and gravy. I don't personally like gravy so I don't eat it, but rumor has it that Murphy's is going to be featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.



If you've never made it to Oklahoma, then you must! We are a great state with tons of things to offer. A ton of history, some faboulous museums and some excellent food!

Dang...I should be an Oklahoma spokeswoman! Too bad this gig is not a paying one.

As much as I love Italy, there are times I really miss Oklahoma. Sean and I have decided we want to settle around Tulsa one of these days. Until then, it's wherever the military takes us!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Ok..I know lots of people do Wordless Wednesdays on here, but mine isn't totally wordless.

I just wanted to include a few pictures from my visit to Oklahoma this past weekend, most of these were taken on our family farm.

Home Sweet Home

I think I might be going "home" this weekend. Technically I know home is wherever the Army sends us, but I will never stop thinking of Oklahoma as my home. I lived there for 24 years, so it's kind of hard to think of it as anything less than that.

Sean has a four day weekend, but since he is currently on standby status, it's not really a good idea for him to be 10 hours away in Oklahoma, so he's staying here. I never look forward to the long drive, but audio books make the drive seem so much shorter! I learned that on my last drive down here and I swear I'll never take a long trip without them again!

I'm excited to see my friends and family back home. I'm trying to see them as much as possible and as much as our pocketbook can afford before we PCS to Italy next January. I plan on seeing all my grandparents and of course my immediate family as well as some close friends. I also think I'll be eating at my favorite sushi place. Oh how I have missed the sushi at In the Raw! What a treat it will be. :)



Today was my first Army Family Team Building class. I have to say for the most part I really enjoyed it. I learned some things that I didn't already know and met some new people as well. I really enjoyed learning about the various volunteer opportunites that are available. Some of them sound like something I'd like to involve myself with.

Sean cooked hamburgers tonight and they were just delicious. Man, he can cook! He just goes by instinct and he always seems to know what works and what doesn't. He put Swiss cheese, onions and mushrooms on my burger. Sans bun of course, since I'm limiting my bread intake.

My little dog Boomer is something else. I think he was mad at us today because he was crated for quite awhile since I was taking classes and Sean was too. I would put him in the yard, but he's such a little escape artist and always manages to get outside the fence. So until we get some of large cage for the backyard he has to be crated inside. He's such a smart, little puppy! Sometimes he really aggravates me and I have to admit my desire to have children soon has gone down a bit since getting a dog. Being responsible for him right now is enough for me!



Well, tomorrow is going to be a bit busy for me, I have a couple of hours of class, then my yearly exam (oh joy!) and a job interview. Should be an interesting day!