What an amazing weekend...

Well I haven't been writing here as much as I used to last year, but I do want to update you on how this City girl is dealing with being in a smaller town. In fact, this weekend reminds me why I absolutely LOVE this place.

Friday afternoon my Dad came over from OKC on his motorcycle. He showed up at my office around 4pm, and we went on a tour of Muskogee. I got to show him all the great things about this town. He was excited to see where I live, work and play! He was impressed with the size and quality of the town, just by driving around for an hour. He didnt realize it was as big as it is!

After our little tour, we were getting hungry for some LOCAL food, so we met up with Daniel and went to Max's for dinner. We all tried the new Gyros, and they were actually quite delicious! After a yummy dinner, we headed out to the Cook's Party for the prelude of the next day's Chili Cook off. This consisted of walking through many many many tents of people preparing all their food, as well as an amazing band inside the civic center. Of course Daniel and I danced, but I even got dad to get out there and join us! Dad danced with us for 2 full sets with the band! They played through 4 decades of music, so everyone there enjoyed it. My personal favorites were the Black Eyed Peas covers, as well as the Tina Turner which ended the night.

Saturday started early with some IHOP with dad. We then headed straight over to the Car and Motorcycle show that the First Baptist Church was holding. We looked at some awesome cars, and I really think Dad enjoyed telling me about each and every one of them. I love hearing stories that start with "My dad had a truck EXACTLY like this..." or "This is the car EVERY kid i went to high school with wanted..." etc. It was some serious Dad/Daughter bonding time.

We then headed downtown to watch the parade! (Parade for the chili cook off? Yeah, I was surprised too.) But it was fantastic. Our local legistlative/congressmen, as well as plenty of police/firemen, marching bands, boy scouts, clowns, and dont forget the shriners!!! After the parade, everyone headed back over to the Chili Cook off, for the official Chili tasting. Daniel, Dad and I meandered through a crowd of what I'm sure was thousands and thousands... we tasted probably 20 different booths of chili, beans, sausage, hot links, etc. We had so much fun, and definitely got a little sun doing it!

Dad left around 3pm, and Daniel and I had a quiet relaxing afternoon. For the evening, we knew that Muskogee Little Theater's production of Beauty and the Beast was completely sold out, but we went an hour early to see if they had any will-call seats left. Luckily, we got in!! And what an amazing performance. Muskogee may be a small town, but this Beauty and the Beast production was just as good as anything I've seen in Oklahoma City. The costumes/sets were incredible, and the actors/singers/dancers were fantastic too! It is definitely a must see!

Today, Sunday, has also been an amazing day. I slept in til almost noon, then made pancakes! I spent my afternoon running 4 miles and biking 12 miles at the gym, following by a quick tanning session, grocery shopping, and yard work. It's just amazing how much better you feel after being so active for the weekend. I feel like a million bucks. =)

And its going to be a wonderful evening as well. Currently I have the living room windows open and a cat in my lap. I'm sure I will make dinner soon (I'm thinking asparagus and mushroom cous cous) and then perhaps some much needed WRITING. I'm finally ready to start that book I've always talked about writing.... more to come on that later.

As for all of you, I hope you've had a wonderful weekend as well, soaking up this fantastic sun, and spending time with people you love. It really doesnt get any better than this. =)