Snake Skin Boots and a Whole Lot of Awesome

Honestly, it's hard to get more badass than a pair of snake skin boots. I haven't even owned a pair of boots, outside of the hiking variety, since I was probably 12 or so (Dad, help me out here, I'm sure you know.). Anyway, Megan and myself found our way to the local neighborhood Drysdales just to look around and we both ended up walking out with a pair of boots. Hers are great, I'm sure after seeing this she'll post up about hers too, and mine are...well mine are freakin' snake skin!

Also, loyal followers, you may have noticed that my wife posted something epically fantastic last night. It really meant a lot to me so you should definitely go read it if you missed it.

Other than the all consuming awesome of my new boots, the theme of the past week has been snow storm and how much a city that doesn't get much normally isn't prepared for 20+ inches of the crap. Our neighborhood is still barely passable, especially in the 'Stang, and we've got like 8 to 10 more coming tonight. Joyous. I'm just naturally assuming that tomorrow, and possible the rest of the week, work will be from the comfort of my nice warm sofa.

It has also become very evident that I miss having a 4x4 hanging around. I'm in the market and it doesn't have to be pretty. While cheap and nasty may not work in some cases, it makes for a good 4x4 vehicle.

Almonds - the healthy choice!

Ok, here goes my crazy creative side - NOT. This is purely for educational value - NOT. Actually, I don't know what this is about other then I like my almonds!

DID YOU KNOW:

The almond tree (Prunus dulcis) is native to the Middle East and is also commercially cultivated in California. An almond may also be the edible seed of the almond tree and is an important food crop. You can eat almonds whole as a snack and they have many other culinary uses, especially in desserts. Almonds contain very few carbohydrates, so the flour is commonly used in baked products for diabetics. (OH I HATE THAT WORD - Don't you know it's pancreas challenged, people?!)

Serving Information

Calories

Almonds may be prepared for consumption in a variety of ways. This nutritional information is for the whole kernel of the almond seed. The almonds are raw and the outer shell has been removed. The following nutritional information assumes a serving size of 1 oz., which is equal to approximately 23 whole kernels.

A serving of almonds contains a total of 164 calories. Fat accounts for 129 calories, carbohydrates contribute 11 calories and proteins provide the remaining 24 calories. A serving of almonds provides 8.2 percent of the daily value (DV) for calories, assuming a diet of 2,000 calories per day, which I am not -- I'm on about 1,100! GO ME :)

Fat

A serving of almonds contains a total of 14.3 g of fat, which is 22 percent of the DV for fat. This total includes 1.1 g of saturated fat, which is 6 percent of the DV for saturated fat. Almonds don't have any cholesterol.

Carbohydrates

A serving of almonds contains a total of 5.6 g of carbohydrates, which is about 2 percent of the DV for carbohydrates. This total includes 0.9 g of complex carbohydrates, 1.4 g of simple sugar and 3.3 grams of dietary fiber. This provides 13 percent of the DV for dietary fiber.

Protein and Minerals

A serving of almonds contains 6 g of protein, which is 12 percent of the DV for protein. It has 206.4 milligrams (mg) of potassium, which is about 5.9 percent of the 3,500 mg DV for potassium. A serving of almonds also contains 70.3 mg of calcium, which is about 7 percent of the 1,000 mg DV for calcium.

So, as I'm eating my delicious snack this morning, I just wanted to remind you of how good these little suckers are. BTW, Thank You Granma for roasting me such a delightful treat!

My Valentine (a few days early)

I wanted to write this for the love of my life, my best friend and the man who supports me no matter what. Not because it's almost Valentines Day, not because his 30th Birthday is next week, but because I wanted to write out what an amazing person this man is to me.

<-- This is one of the first pictures I have of him. This is still one of my favorites!

Where to begin? Well, to start, with one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. One afternoon we were hanging out at his apartment (whoo hoo!) and I wasn't feeling just right. I went to the bathroom, promptly shut the door (oh how time's have changed) and got very very very sick. I was trying to be as quiet as possible, and clean up after myself. After I was in the bathroom, oh let's say, 20 minutes trying to clean myself up, he quietly knocked on the door and asked, "Are you ok in there?" -- as to which I meekly replied, "not really". He sprang into action, got me water, clean towels and his t-shirt to put on (needless to say mine needed to go in the trash!). But then and there, it was clear that he was my hero. If you can take care of me at my worse, you truly deserve my best!

<-- He cleans up pretty sweet too! This was my 20th birthday (WOW, where does time go?)

2nd reason (of like 1,000,000) why he is the man for me:

The evening this picture was taken, again, my 20th birthday, and the wedding of his friends Chad and Sara, he gave me my first insulin shot. While this may not seem like that big of deal. This was HUGE! A man that didn't freak out that I had diabetes, didn't ask if it was contagious and actually offered to give me and insulin shot when I was unable to give it to myself. What an amazing man!

That was the beginning of what was an amazing and  fast ride of our relationship!

Reason #3 - He's always ready for fun! He'll never back down from an adventure and deals really well with my shinanigans!

Reason #4 - Our engagement. Three words: "I dare you" HA! Never in my life would I imagine that I would/could find out that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with a man so quickly! Some may have not understood it, but all that mattered is that we knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.

Reason #5- HE'S A FREAKIN' ROCK STAR!
How cool is that? He's a GRAMMY Academy Member.
Other then Mr. Punk Rock himself, our love of music is what made me love him. We sat for hours on our 1st date and went through his music catalog. A man who had a punk rock version of Backstreet Boy's "I want it that way" is alright in my book! He appreciated my love of "boy bands" (that wasn't all I listened to) and I was learning to appreciate the punk rock culture. It was just the fact that we both LOVED music, listening to it, making it, recording it - it was our common bond!

Well, after a whirl-wind romance and some really tough times that we got through together (let's leave the past in the past) - WE GOT MARRIED! 8 months after meeting, we took the plunge!
It was a beautiful Fall day in Eureka Springs and October 22nd will never be the same! (Our wedding is reason #6 why I love him!)

One name: Paul McCartney
Holy cow. If you know anything about us, it is our love of the Beatles. On our honeymoon (VEGAS BABY!) - We got to see the one and only SIR PAUL! This started a pretty steep curve of our concert calendar for the past 6 years! I don't know who was more excited, Joe or I. Coolest honeymoon gift EVER!

Reason #....oh who's counting anymore. I just love to write about him :) HE IS STILL A KID AT HEART! Our first trip to Walt Disney World was in 2006! We had a blast!

Goofy chased him down! -->

Back to him being a rock star....he's knows HOW TO PARTY LIKE A ROCK STAR! (or with them!)




<-- Gypsy Pistaleros at 1st Annual ROCKLAHOMA!

I have to throw this one in just because....we're just a bunch of Indians! 

We have so much dang fun together! Seriously, our conversations are endless, we never run out of smart ass comments for each other (always meant in the most loving way possible!) and he is truly the person that knows me best.

Did I mention he's a PIRATE? Actually, our love for Capt. Jack Sparrow is quite evident!









Captain Jack Sparrow is a fantasy for both of us....







Ok, just a few more favorites of my favorite person.

We share the same passions in life. He has the strongest convictions that I have ever known a person to have. It amazes me. While I have "personal" reasons (i.e. diabetes) for the way my political thoughts go -- he just lays it all out there, he holds nothing back!

And one of the reason's I love most;. his compassion for animals. It is simply amazing how much we both want to save every animal in the world. If we could we would take home and love every single kitty in the world!!


He was there for my family and I on the worst day in my lifetime, when we lost my beloved Colby. This man has a soft side (I know, shocking...). He is not afraid to cry and this man LOVES HIS CATS!

There's no doubt about it - we've had a FABULOUS 6 years together and I can't wait for the next 75!

I just want to personally say how much I love you darling and thank you for letting me follow my hopes and dreams and allowing me to do it along with you!

This thing called Grad School....

So I am absolutely in love with the thought of Grad School. I absolutely LOVE Emergency Management.(true story).

I love being a Grad Student. Just the fact that I can say I'm a Grad Student makes me smile :)

I do not love how is consumes your life. I'm not complaining about the work load, or the reading, which I actually enjoy because of the subject matter. But the fact that it seems like every waking hour could be spent on research, reading or writing is driving me a bit insane. Oh yeah, or the fact that everyone has an opinion (valid or not) about disasters.

Just my opinion (valid or not).



Here's a look at my exciting reading material from my lunch break today:

I will have only 4 classes left and my thesis to complete for my Master's! PTL! Just getting antsy to have that degree in my hands. I can honestly say that walking across the stage for my Undergraduate Degree was quite honestly one of the best days of my life. It seemed to take a little longer to get there then it should have, but I DID IT!

Oh yeah,
GO COWBOYS!

The Superbowl in my tweets, just in case you missed ANYTHING :)

Game over. Good job greenies. #superbowl

I was hoping for more from the @KimKardashian commercial. She did look amazing though :) #superbowl

Ok, commercials are not so entertaining now. Give me something good! #superbowl

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz...I've ACTUALLY been singing that lately. weird. #superbowl Good one @iamdiddy

New Beetle? WHAT? Coool! #superbowl

TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #superbowl

@firehat - EXACTLY and THEY WIN GRAMMY'S :)

firehat firehat

True story: the only person on my twitter with positive things to say about the BEP is married to a Grammy voter. Ahem, @Tellab77

Im a Bronco fan 4ever my Dads in Pitt I HATE Bret Farve he played for Green Bay 4ever & they played against the Broncos in #Superbowl = PITT

Keep dropping it! Wahoo! #superbowl

@firehat @m_arty - Boo! BEP's were great! :) Along with Slash, Usher and the 100's of on field dancers!

Though I'm still laughing about the McD's commercial w/ the bears b4 the #superbowl even started. Very cute

copyblogger Brian Clark

by Tellab77

The Chrysler ad worked because of an emotional premise bigger than the product - the salvation of a city and its prodigal son.

Eminem Marshall Mathers

by Tellab77

Imported from Detroit... The Chrysler spot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKL254Y_jtc

LOL! RT @jammons @ezraklein: Stella Artois and Miller Lite are clearly targeting different markets.

Eminem commercial has been most moving yet! Go Chrysler! #superbowl

@DisneyPictures - me me me! #pirates

Simon is BACK! WAHOO! #superbowl

What's with the Clockwork Orange music during the Coke ad?? #superbowl

Extended Preview of new #pirates http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGXpV61opOk

Jack Sparrow!! HECK YES!! #pirates #superbowl

TOUCHDOWN STEELERS!!!!! #superbowl

Whats a Bieber? EXACTLY OZZY~ #superbowl

@iam_spartacus - oh thank goodness!!! THAT would not be good!

Yep, BEP's has been the Best #superbowl #halftime ever! Slash, Usher and the best song's ever. Yep, tonight's gonna be a good night!

WHERE IS THE LOVE? Should be the theme of the US! Maybe we should listen to the BEP's more! #superbowl #halftime

  @McClain_EmerMgt -ah, come on now :) Slash, Usher and BEP? You gotta love it!

USHER!!! Are you kidding me?? #superbowl #halftime

OMG! Slash!!!!!!!! Hells yes!!!!!!!! #superbowl Sing it FERGIE!!!!!!!!!

I like their dancers on the field vs. a regular crowd! Way to use the field!! #superbowl #halftime

Nice entrance @iamwill! My favorite song first! Tonight's gonna be a GOOD night!! #superbowl #halftime

@mikeyonkhits - def keeping it classy :) #superbowl halftime to be great!

Now comes the good stuff- HALFTIME Show with Black Eyed Peas!!! #superbowl

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!! Touchdown Steelers!!! #superbowl

@iamwill - going to be the BEST HALFTIME! Much better then the game so far!! #superbowl

Pretty sure I'm more excited about the new @Glee tonight then watching the #superbowl

this is just ridiculous. where are the steelers?? #superbowl

VW Darth Vader ad is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #superbowl

»

iamwill will.i.am

by Tellab77

I'm not crying out of sadness or nervousness its joy and pride and memories and the journey...18min before we go on to rock

Tiny Dancer Budweiser commercial = AWESOME #superbowlad

@DisneyPictures-- Is Captain Jack there or are we watching for movie preview?? #pirates

Not too bad @iamwill to have @oprah tweeting for ya! Looking forward to best half time yet!

Doritos > pepsi max, so far #superbowlad

Fast 5!!!!! The count down is on for my beloved Vin Diesel!!!! #superbowlad

Awesome Kenny G #superbowlad

"The judge in Florida is WRONG" - President Obama...Thank you for healthcare for everyone with pre-existing conditions!z!

iamwill will.i.am

by Tellab77

My goal is to get to 1mil. people to follow me on twitter before halftime so we can all invent a new way to share a experience at a show

Watching Superbowl Pregame Show, waiting for Leader of Free World to destroy Bill O'Reilly!!!!

Our visit to the ruins of Tulum!

Have I mentioned how much I loved our visit to Tulum? It was definitely my favorite thing of our cruise this past September! The only thing that I didn't quite take a liking to was the iguanas. I think there were at least 10 per foot. No...really....but I conquered my fear and actually walked by them. I honestly think they smell fear, because one ran after me once and I was petrified, BUT, I stopped and it stopped running after me. So again, back to one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Absolutely picturesque!

Did I mention how gorgeous the beach was????

The ruins were fascinating! I loved the ruins in Greece and Turkey and Tulum took me right back there! The pictures just don't do it justice!









These are just a few of the like 100 we took...but I wanted to get them up! I recorded our tour guide for like 25 min on my flip video so I could remember all the interesting facts and figures! This was well worth the 1+ bus ride from the port!

You are invited to a Girl's Night Out!!!

This next Thursday evening, February 10th, I will be hosting a GIRLS NIGHT OUT. Well, actually, Girls Night In (at my home) but you know what I mean :) From 6:30 to 8:30pm

Meredreth Maynard, Valerie Clanton, Lynnsey Childress and myself will have our respective products available to touch, see, feel and try!

• Mary Kay Cosmetics
• My Thirty-One
• Scentsy
• Pampered Chef 

Thundersnow

In case you haven't heard of thundersnow, which we had in Tulsa on Monday night.....here's your neighborhood weatherman FREAKING out over it. Priceless!!!

Snow, SNow, SNOw, SNOW....

OK, being in Emergency Management, this could have been a great adventure, which it has been - sorta. But seriously, enough is enough. It started Monday evening with the crazed "thunder snow"...we got 14" in Tulsa Monday-Tuesday. School and work were canceled and needless to say, the city literally shut down. IT WAS INSANE! Here is one of the first shots -->

So a few hours later on Tuesday about noon, the blizzard had consumed our backyard furniture (below)

Seriously, we didn't try to venture out till Thursday because the snow drifts were 4 and 5 feet! It was absolutely crazy. I stayed entertained by listening to the Tulsa Fire Department on my THD radio. Even the fire trucks were getting stuck in this stuff!!

<-- The drifts up to our windows! Our little shrubs were covered!

 <-- It was -3 out!!! Just thought I'd get out for a momento in it!

 <-- But our house looks so pretty covered in snow!

Just had to take one with the hubby out in it! It was blistering cold and he shoveled our entire driveway--- THANK YOU HUBBY!

And today is Friday, and guess what??? More snow!!! You can't really see how hard it's coming down, but it seriously is! And here is how we gauge how much snow we've gotten, our poor little outside furniture is almost covered!! ECK! We're going to be snowed in till March!!!