DD1 (we have to decide an alias for her soon) has moved back up here, from Texas, to attend summer school with Hais. This is the first time in many years that they have attended the same school at the same time. Both are taking 6 hours this first summer session and after the first day, both realize the huge challenge before them.

Life promises to become very interesting these next few weeks, as the stress of working…taking classes…and still wanting to be a kid…all mesh together in this short semester. I hope that all of you will be sending me good vibes and lots of positive thoughts to get us through these weeks.

DD1 and Hais on the first day of attending college together. The “grann-mobile” is in the background.

Well the last child will soon be on her way to making her own life.

Hais graduated on May 16th.

Today is the last day that my baby walks through her school’s doors as a student. Graduation is tomorrow. Family has already begun to arrive. The house isn’t ready, nor is the Hall for her reception following commencement…..but it somehow it doesn’t matter. I cannot believe I am going to let people see my house in the disarray it is in…but somehow it doesn’t matter.

I will be away for a short while. My dear mother-in-law passed away this past weekend.

We are in Oklahoma City this weekend to celebrate Christmas with J-Mo. Celebrating Christmas in a hotel isn’t most peoples’ idea of a perfect Christmas, but we are having a great time. Last night we spent the evening at Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma (just east of Edmond). I have been hoping to visit there for over a year now, but I am so glad now that we waited and enjoyed the experience together. Take a look at their website here.

This is what we sat next to while we dined.

It was fun trying some different flavors of soda. My favorite of the evening was Dr. Pepper with White Chocolate, DH and Hais opted for Vanilla Dr. Pepper. J-Mo had Cherry Diet Coke, which she said was the best she had ever tried.

The food was simple, delicious, plentiful, AND reasonable.

It doesn’t look like it in this photo, but the Cheeseburger was large…however, maybe not as large as Hais’. She ordered the 7 oz. Pop’s Burger made from beef brought in from the NoName Ranch in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. The beef is free of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics and qualifies for the 100 Mile Diet for the locals because NoName Ranch is only 85 miles from Arcadia. I would like to think that these are the reasons Hais chose this burger, but I know better. The choice was made because she could add bacon, jalapenos, and special cheeses..haha! Nevertheless, it WAS a yummy choice! Check out the description on the Pops Menu.
I had never tried fried WHOLE okra, but I know this is how I will be cooking it at from now on. I am just a bit sad that I didn’t think of this on my own.  YUM! Afterward, I tried my hand at some time exposures of the beautiful 66 trees for Route 66… …followed by some antics in front of the neon bottle.