Oh, Power Supply...

I took some time tonight to investigate why my desktop computer won't turn on. Now, you may be wondering "how are you blogging right now?" As a BBA in MIS, I love computers. I love owning computers. Each computer offers something new and different. I should say I love PCs - Mac's frustrate me to wits end. That's another story... this one is about my power supply.

My Dell Desktop has been with me since summer 2005. It saw me through my college years - Walker 7, Kappa and now to my married life. The hard drive crashed in 2008 thanks to a vicious lightening storm in Norman. I have invested in a UPS (uninterrupted power supply) and external hard drive (to back up my precious pictures and music).

Now, when I try to turn my computer on - the power button flashes amber, which leads me to believe its the power supply. Tonight, it went under.

 

The power supply is located in the top right corner. The copper belt is in the way.

It has a small collection of dust, which my swiffer swiffered away (gently). Without going to much further, I told myself "Kayla, you do not know the infrastructure of a computer that well to take it apart and attempt to diagnosis this problem". Within minutes, I called the geek squad. Best Buy is literally down the street from me, so I will most likely go there tomorrow.

So much for the diagnosis. 

Cutest Baby Contest

I had big plans for these two pictures. I have to say, I am quite proud of these two pictures I took of Maggie and Henry last month. I wanted to enter them into a cutest baby photo contest on Kodak Gallery. When I got the picture to the right size - the contest had closed early due to technical difficulties!! UGH- I just knew one of these pictures would win! So, for you to enjoy - again - since I have already shared these two pictures on here.

 

Peek a boo Henry!

 

Maggie's first time on the play fort.

Perhaps there will be a contest for which I can enter a picture of Ava and win! I will keep looking to win them some college money! 

Thanks for reading!

Happy Birthday Maggie!

My sweet little niece Maggie Grace Harper turned 2 last week! My sister did a great job on her party and her cake!

Happy Birthday dear Maggie!

 

Hi sweet Ava!

Happy Henry! 

That's right - it's a rainbow cake!! Alicia made it! It was so good!

 

Happy birthday my dear Maggie!

You will have so much fun as a two year old!!

Aftermath of the Hail...

Needless to say, the hail has melted. Our neighborhood is covered in blue tarps and roofing signs. Everytime there is a rainstorm, I take cover! Who knows what Oklahoma weather can bring.

With all the hail, rain, tornados and sun - I've taken some time to take pictures of the house (for insurance reasons), but I thought I would share some, since some haven't seen the house.

 

Our TV (with channel 4 covering the weather) and entertainment center. It's a work in progress; soon it will have a back panel for the TV to hang.

 

 Our "bar". Jack built the wood bar his junior year of college. It's been through a lot. We are also fortunate to have this built in shelves to display our stemware.

 Our Living Room (as viewed from the hallway). We are so lucky to have the best hand-me-down couch ever! All three of us fit so nicely on it.

Our second living room, the Den. Duncan often hangs out in this room, since his crate is here and the rug is messed up. We love the fireplace, but apparently I am allergic to burning wood. Again, we love the hand-me-down blue couch and recliner.

We enjoy our little rent house. We enjoy everyday here!

Holy Hail Storm!

We survived the hail storm, with little damage.

The view from out back door.

 

It looked like snow!

From left to right, water bottle cap, hail, hail, hail, egg, hail. 

 Hail, Hail, Hail, egg, water bottle cap.

Duncan meets a Friend

Poor Duncan dog has been crated all day. Jack and I came home for lunch to let him out (and to enjoy some Hideaway left overs). So, when I got off work, I let him outside. It's wet outside, but it hasn't been raining - just misting all day long. He was excited to be free, but he met a friend.

He met his friend in the bush. He stuck his head in the bush just outside of our patio and paused. I laughed at him and kept trying to figure out what he was looking at. When I got down to his level, I saw two baby blue jays. At first I thought it was cute,  Big Boy Duncan and a baby blue jay.... until Duncan "attacked". This poor blue jay can't fly yet, so he/she flopped and waddle for safety (Duncan was only interested in one of the birds). I intervened finally after flopping around myself to grab hold of Duncan's neck. I had to pull him away because I saw the momma and daddy blue jay watching us. Duncan didn't capture the bird (thank goodness, I am not ready for him to bring me a bird!) but I think he got a little taste of he/she. 

I thought I was having a heart attack. My little Duncan harassing blue jays.

Please learn to fly soon blue jays! I can't always control Big Boy Duncan!!

Maybe next time Duncan, when I am not around.
(sheesh, I need to clean that door - it's covered in Duncan Dog snot/slobber).

Until next time -
Jack and Kayla (and Duncan!!)

Duncan Swims!

Our Duncan Dog is a litte fish! He loves swimming.

I love this picture! Too bad it's not centered, but it's a great action shot!

Labs have webbed feet, so he can easily tread water longer than me.

He really likes retrieving tennis balls!

We love our Duncan Dog - He is such great entertainment!!

Tornado Season

When Tornado Season arrives, the true OKIES stick out. For me, I learn so many little towns in Oklahoma by listening to the weathermen. Here are some ways to know if you are an Okie.

You know you're from Oklahoma if:

1. You can properly pronounce Eufaula, Gotebo, Okemah, and Chickasha.

2. You think that people who complain about the wind in their states are sissies.

3. A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel.

4. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on the highway.

5. You've ever had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.

6. You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of shade.

7. Stores don't have bags, they have sacks.

8. You see people wear bib overalls at funerals.

9. You think everyone from a bigger city has an accent.

10. You measure distance in minutes.

11. You refer to the capital of Oklahoma as "The City."

12. It doesn't bother you to use an airport named for a man who died in an airplane crash

13. Little smokies are something you serve only for special occasions.

14. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.

15. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit.

16. You know cow pies are not made of beef.

17. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.

18. You have known someone who has had one belt buckle bigger than your fist.

19. A bad traffic jam involves two cars staring each other down at a four-way stop, each determined to be the most polite and let the other go first.

20. You know in which state Miam-uh is and in which state Miam-ee is.

21. You aren't surprised to find movie rental, ammunition, and bait all in the same store.

22. Your "place at the lake" has wheels under it.

23. A Mercedes Benz is not a status symbol. A Ford F350 4x4 is a GT.

24. You know everything goes better with Ranch.

25. You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.

26. You actually get these jokes and are "fixin" to send them to your friends.

Finally, you are 100% Oklahoman if you have ever heard this
conversation:

"You wanna coke?" "Yeah." "What kind?" "Dr. Pepper."

Another Weekend Flys By

 Two days is not long enough for a weekend! (note: is it flies or flys.. fled or flewed? I promise I have a college degree!)

We had a pretty relaxing weekend - Saturday was low key. I hung a few pictures, laundry, and cleaned the house. Jack and Duncan went on a run/walk around the neighborhood. After his walk, Duncan hopped on the couch to his favorite spot - on top of every single pillow. We try to not let him on the couch - unless he lays on his red OU blanket or he is invited up. We sometimes stick to that rule, but what can we say ... we love him and want him to feel at home.

I have been feeling abitious to bake lately, so Saturday evening seemed like the perfect time to try my dream creation. As much as a sweet tooth I have, I had never baked a cake using 8'' rounds. So I did. Then I thought, I want to make it a double layer, with buttercream icing, oh and maybe try fondant. So, the baking began.  After just a few hours ...

 

TA DA!!!!

I lost my patience to sit and smooth the buttercream icing around, so it's a little rough. Tasty as can be!

Sunday was also a big day! Church, delicious lunch prepared by Jack's mom, and a wonderful wedding shower for Jordan! I am so excited for her to get married and I am honored to stand as a bridesmaid as she exchanges vows. I love weddings! 

While the shower went on, Jack and Duncan decided to swim. While the water was a little cold for Jack, Duncan L-O-V-E-D it! He chased Jack around the pool, jumped in after tennis balls, and even found his way to the steps. Big Boy Duncan is growing up! I need to get his swimming on video....

Have a great week! 

Blessings-

Jack and Kayla