Valentines with my Sweetie

 

One of my good friends works at a steak house, Gage's in Historical Guthrie, Oklahoma. I love Guthrie, OK it is like stepping back in time. I wish the city had more money to restore the buildings in a historical manner. I wish the people that worked in the buildings had to dress like that era it would really give the impact I would hope for in a historical city. But it is still an amazing looking town. It was originally to be the state capital of Oklahoma but it was disputed and Oklahoma City was set in the center of state. I had Oklahoma History class but to be honest I would have to research the exact details and I'm busy writing this blog so that's not happening... lol!

So on to my wonderful Valentines Day, my friend had us at one of the 3 best tables in the restaurant the window seat, when you look out the window you want to sing the theme song for Cheers "Where Everybody knows your name"... I think everyone new one another in the restaurant but us...lol!  It is one of those type of towns I think where everyone really does know everyone's names. 

The view outside of the window was one of those old iron stair railings from up above and then with the historical building from across the street lit up with lights framing the tops of each oval window that looked awesome, I'd have to say it was a great seat! 

Our reservations were set for 7:30 We arrived a little early and my sweet friend looked like she was bouncing off the walls. Due to it being valentines day several people had called in leaving her to wait on half the restaurant. I felt so bad for her. She truly was working like a dog she had already been there since noon. 

I tried a few wines hoping to find one I like and we ordered the lobster & steak dinner w/salad and for dessert Long stemmed strawberry tuxedo's. The lobster was amazing! The steaks a little small, but it was still a wonderful meal. The bread oh my it tasted like it was fresh from the oven! Along with dinner, the owner of Gage's, I wonder if his name is Gage, any how the owner passed out a rose to each of the ladies. At first I noticed all the older ladies were getting one and I was beginning to wonder if I wasn't yet of that age to get a rose...lol! But as soon as I mentioned it to my husband during our dinner you know who popped up from behind me with a rose. No warning from my sweetie letting me know the guy is walking up. We have been married 17 years and still he has some learning to do... :)

After the romantic dinner, we headed home and watched some of my favorite Valentines themed TV shows that aired while we were out.  Before I new it I was exhausted and we were off to bed. I still thought it was a great evening, even if my hubby had no stories to brag about with the guys....lol!

Flat Stanley Gets his Kicks on Route 66

 

 First off Flat Stanley, my daughter and I went to my local post office and mailed my handmade Christmas cards.

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We all know how much Flat Stanley likes his music. Next stop was just south of Historic Route 66 the UCO Jazz Lab!

Just around the corner on Boulevard and to the north is the Edmond Historical Museum! Do you see Flat Stanley hiding in the bushes? 

 Flat Stanley wanted to know where we could find books about him in our community. So our next stop was the Edmond Library.

 We decided to turn east and head toward the University of Central Oklahoma UCO but on our way we found Shannon Miller Park. Two time Olympic Gold medalist who lived & trained in the very city of Edmond. This Park is dedicated to her.

 Flat Stanley just really liked the look of that church! Our next stop is what I call the Clock Tower, but it is known as the Old North building This is where they launch our Independence day fireworks, it is an amazing show!

 The Christmas lights look so festive at the campus!

 We decided to drive east down Historic Route 66 just outside of Edmond is the town of Arcadia. But first Flat Stanley seen signs for swimming and camping. Although it is winter and to cold for swimming there were still people in their campers. Flat Stanley took a look at the view.

 We made it into the town of Arcadia and the Historic Route 66 landmark The Arcadia Round Barn, built in 1898.

 We were losing daylight and tummies were growling so on the way back west to Edmond we stopped in for a special bite to eat and a delicious bottled  soda. Mine was a Shirley Temple, but you betcha I brought home a 6 pack variety of flavors to try!

Flat Stanley Arrives in Edmond, Oklahoma!

 

As I returned from picking up my son from school I noticed my mail was hanging out of my mailbox. I let my son in the house and went back to the mail box to find Flat Stanley trying to use my mail  to climb out of the mail box but he was having no luck and the mail had only been sticking in the slot and he was trapped until I unlocked my box and let him out. I only have a week to show him my community. I will keep you posted on Flat Stanley's road trip through my community! First thing Stanley insisted was to play with my Your Story Laminating machine and  he will be protected from the elements and maintain his clean clothing during his entire visit! He has a BIG day on Friday!

Cruise Cancelled

 

We were expected to leave in 7 days.  It seemed like fate that we were supposed to be on this cruise. Our room number was our wedding date scrambled. My husband and I never talked about going on a cruise until this last Summer. We were camping with a camping group when someone had mentioned that they had returned from a cruise and wanted to get together for a cruise instead of camping. We thought,  "why sure it sounds like it would be a lot of fun." When we returned home my hubby realized he new several people through work that had been on cruises and before we new it we were going on a cruise sooner than we had planned. As the days were nearer to departure my hubby being the business owner he is began to stress about leaving when work is going so well. He decided we should hold off until next year. I was extremely nervous, but yet very excited about going on a cruise for the first time in my life. I went shopping for what I called cruise wear. I was ready to go, have my passport, all I need is a suitcase! So I thought. I needed someone besides myself  to tell my hubby that it will be okay if we go out of town. Business will be fine. We will only be gone a week. But there was no one telling him. 
So as the days get closer to departure the search to find someone to fill in for us continues. We will not get a refund but can have the names changed on our tickets for a fee. It seems everything is pointing us in the direction that we should go now. But for some reason my husband isn't feeling right about it. Unfortunately now that we have already paid 1700 to reserve our room Carnival Cruise lines would not let us reschedule the dates for a later time, and even though we found another couple to go in our place all that would be needed to do is change the names for the room and Carnival Cruise lines will not change but one person's name for the room, which leads us to our 1700 donation to  Carnival Cruise Lines. Geez I hope they enjoy the empty room and the money they are losing by not allowing us to change the dates or the names of the occupants. I have never been on a cruise and after this fiasco I WILL NEVER CRUISE CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES!!

Camping Missouri

What a vacation! First stop was Pomme De Terre Lake State Park, MO on our way to our final destination. We attended a Pop Up camper rally that we have been going to every year for the past 3 years. This year the rally was held at Mark Twain Lake the Ray Behrens Recreation area. We owned the whole loop! It was the most humid of all the rallies we have attended, not to mention the deer flies were larger than nickle sized in some cases and hovered in mid flight only to dive bomb you with numerous bites. I think the heat was more bearable than the flies! We toured the boyhood home of Mark Twain, took a Riverboat ride on the Mississippi River, cooled off on a tour of the Mark Twain Cave, squeezed in some Antique shopping and photographed many historical buildings in the town of Hannibal. MO. While camping at the lake we were asked by complete strangers if we would be witnesses for their marriage that was to take place in a Gazebo behind our campsite. We agreed and my husband and I officially became a part of the wedding party. We also celebrated 5 birthdays and a 35th wedding Anniversary during the rally! What an experience we will never forget!

 

I decided to play with some of my camping rally pics from our trip to Mark Twain Lake - Ray Behren's recreation area. Here's the collage I came up with from our excursions to the Mark Twain Boyhood home, Mark Twain Riverboat,  the Mark Twain Cave to our fine dining at the rally potlucks, outdoor games, and activities!