Summer Update

This has already been such a long summer for me. I finished school late this year--thank you, December ice storm--and almost immediately left for two weeks straight to teach a workshop. After being home for six days to pay bills, interview for a job, and do laundry, I left to visit my family in St. Louis. Due to the outrageous price of gas, I decided to stay a little longer than I normally do in the summer and only do one trip. Below are a few of the shots that have captured my summer so far.

The wildlife reserve in the Wichita Mountains outside of Lawton, Oklahoma

The animals below have the run of the refuge. There are signs all around warning that they are dangerous and to not get to close.

Forest Park and the Art Museum in St. Louis

At the art museum, I got to see Monet's original "Waterlilies." It was so amazing!

The Gateway Arch and the Flooded Arch Grounds

The Family

A Glimpse of Lawton

This week I've been in Lawton, which is in southwest Oklahoma, just 30 miles from Texas. The church is a beautiful site I see every time I go into town. I just love its steeple.

At the Zoo

Last Saturday, Jana and I spent the morning at the Oklahoma City Zoo. Even before I got my new camera, I recorded some beautiful pictures to record the day.

We did see some animals, too. The animal exhibits weren't like those of one of the stellar zoos in the nation, but they were pretty good. Did you know that alligators are indiginous to Oklahoma?


All throughout the zoo, there were all of these miniature statues of animals. It became a game to find these statues and take Jana's picture with each one. Which one fits her the best???

A Practice Shot

I've been in Oklahoma City for a week now teaching a summer workshop for teachers. After a trip to the zoo (pictures to be posted in the near future), I decided that updating my camera wouldn't be the worst thing to do. After all, I am working during my summer break and I deserve a present of sorts. :) Now, my new camera isn't one of those semi-professional things that I wouldn't have even a clue to use, but it's still a bit more advanced than my old Kodak EasyShare. Personally, I am just thrilled that they make a camera for people like me who have naturally shaky hands and the camera steadies the shot so it doesn't blur--as much. Here are a few practice snapshots that I took today out on Lake Hefner in OKC. I'm still figuring out the flash, coloring, etc.

I Can't Believe I Did It!!!

I hung the medicine cabinet!!! Thanks to the nice customer at Lowe's who helped me drill holes in the metal bracket, to Jana who held the cabinet as I was installing it on the wall, and to my dad for letting me know that the replacement anchor was going to need to be a size bigger than the original one I installed. I really can't believe I installed this without hiring someone to come to the house. For now, I think I am done redecorating my bathroom (not that there isn't more that I could do).

FYI--I read online that installing a medicine cabinet is as easy as hanging a picture. I personally have never taken hours hanging a picture. I'm sorry, but this is a lot more complicated than that.

Weekend Project

I'm always wary of projects around the house. Personally, I don't want to make a mistake, especially an expensive one. However, after finally finding a new shower curtain for the bathroom last weekend, I decided that it was time to paint. Last weekend Jana and I found some paint samples, and we both agreed on one in particular. The color was a shade of yellow, but seemed to have a slight brown tone in it and it didn't seem bright at all. So, yesterday was painting day. After preparing the walls, I was off. The color sure seemed bright as I was rolling it on, but at this point there was no turning back to those baby blue walls.

I'm not even sure at this point if I made a good decision, but for better or for worse my bathroom walls are yellow. It is bold, but it is rather fun, too. You'll have to let me know what you think.
I can't wait to see it when the entire project is finished. I also decided to put up a medicine cabinet; I'm having a difficult time though getting my drill bit through a piece of metal.

Splash!

For the first time in the twelve years I have been in Tulsa, I went to Big Splash today. What a great way to celebrate the last day of work!!! A couple weeks ago, I thought it would just be a nice way for me and my friends to spend those warm (okay, hot) summer days. I got a season pass and can't wait to go again. I went down the small slides into the pool, on the Mega Blaster, and down two other bigger slides. What a fun day!