Rule, Britania

POSTED IN | 8:44 PM

Even now my sis, Laura and her ginger hubby, Sam are on their way to England for a two month sabbaticle. Wanting to spend some time with the British side of the fam, they'll be there for the holidays and return conveniently on the same day as the Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State basketball game in January. Methinks this not a coincidence...

And sadly, with this across-the-pond migration, I'm without roommates for these next two months. So if anyone wants to make dinner plans and/or cook something at my place in the ensuing weeks, I am ALL for it.


They're taking one of these to make the 5,000 mile hop from Dallas to London. The venerable 777.


They'll ride on these.


While in Nottingham they'll be here on good ol' Baulk Lane.


They'll stay here at the hospitable Negus headquarters.


Perhaps they'll venture into Nottingham's city centre.


And a stop at Robin Hood's memorial is a must.


And if in the mood, they'll eat this — tasty fried cod fish.


And some of these — the delectable chips (with extra salt).


Much of this will be consumed. Samuel, of course, will take his strong and without cream, thank you.


And of course PINTS of this will be downed. Careful, children, you've been subsisting on 3-point malty water for the past months and your tolerance is but a frail garter...


And if The Chubby Giant has anything to do with things, some of these will definitely be eaten.


Sam will watch his storied Derby County Rams dominate here at Pride Park on perhaps more than one occasion. We can only hope for victory.


Perhaps a daytrip like this one — a day in Castleton to visit a Norman castle — will get thrown in the mix, just to keep things interesting. Mhhmmm...green grass in winter...


Or maybe a scenic walk up in Derbyshire for a touch of fresh air and sheepish delights is in store.

Yiiiibble...


But a trip to see Manchester's most eligible bachelor is definitely lined up.

Mr. Chris "I am the law!" Gawn, folks.


And of course an excursion to Parliament to find this stunning young professional is of utmost importance.

Mr. Martin "the future M.P." Davy, ladies and gentlemen.


Unfortunately, these characters will not be coming to visit the Old Country along with Laura and Sam this time. *sigh*


And neither will these folks...

It's my blog, so I get to be in both pictures...


But thankfully, with Sam and Laura's venture across the Drink, all these folks can be in the same room for at least a time (though not for such an epic occasion as depicted).

The Negus families and the not-so-distantly-founded Sanlon family.

So a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Oklahoma to all ya'll way over there.

And to my roommates, I'll be here when you get back. And perhaps a little bit thinner...
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Thanksgiving @ the Stuart crib

POSTED IN | 9:47 PM

The immediate family, minus little nephew Josh. He was napping. Mhmmm...napping...


My bro, The Fat Man, putting away some of mom's legendary cole slaw.


The Tiny Pet and the Chubby Giant.


Walking the dogs.


Cousin Chris out of the shotgun and going deep. Chris lives in Wyoming and drove down to Norman with the fam for the festivities. Go WYO!


Storm and Dr. Alex.


Storm fetching the bumper. Yellow labs are enjoyably easier to photograph than their black counterparts, I've discovered.


Big dog, little dog.


Sam "holding" London. She is real. She is a tea cup Chihuahua and weighs 14 ounces.




Cousins Tanis and Marshall. They live in Wyoming too.


Mmaow.


My sis-in-law, Laura Jean, Pa and Ma. The awkward family photo. Glorious.


Nephew Carson and cousin Myles. "Mom, Myles is my new best friend." ~Carson


Carson and Myles on the powerwheels.






Dinah and cousin Marshall.


Chubby Laura, London (in the sweater) and Mama Stu.


Thanksgiving sunset.
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Family Project — phase II

POSTED IN | 11:33 AM
My dad started working on the pergola in our backyard two years ago. On Wednesday my brother lobbied for the completion of the project, so the Stuart-family men (with a Negus thrown in) helped out to get 'er done. Overall it looks good. Just don't look too closely at the curvy jig-saw cuts. Some of the ones I did are kind of shady.


This is what the pergola has looked like for the last two years. Very — basic.


Aaron laying a chalk line.


Dad knotching the posts. As a safety note, it's probably not a good idea to hold a running skill saw over one's head whilst rigging the blade guard to not cover the blade. But my dad is old school. He can't be held back by such modern safety conventions.


Molly giving nephew Joshy some love.


Kids like popsicles.


Quarterback.


Sam and his jig saw.


Putting up the first side post.


Nephew Carson helping his dad with some cuts.




The screw gun master.


The girls pleading for Sam's food. I can't imagine why they think he would feed them...






The end result minus a few top posts.


The X cross braces. My brother's idea.


All done. Looks good, team. Now my mom can start planning the foliage to grow on it.
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