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Friday, December 31, 2010

A New Year in Oklahoma with New Rules

A new year in Oklahoma with new rules.  The Oklahoma City area housing market is new every day.  There are so many new businesses and projects starting to make things happen in Oklahoma City. With Maps III, a new outlet mall, the Devon Tower, and I-40 construction reshaping our neighborhoods, It's a little like an earthquake shaking new things into place.
Oklahoma City gets more exciting each day.  With all the changes going on, the rules of logic will be changing.  The pulse of the old downtown area is getting stronger.  The  outskirts of the Oklahoma City area are growing really fast.  With all the publicity from Forbes and other columnist, Oklahoma City is standing out more than ever as a popular U.S. city to live in or do business.

Real Estate rules changed many times over the last year.  Lending programs changed. Buyer incentives have came and gone.  Interest rates have dropped to a very low rate, and now seem to have headed into an upward trend.

I'm looking forward to a new year.  My rule number #1 is to be positive.  Rule #2 is to remember rule #1.

Wishing you the best in 2011,

Rick  and Nancy Jackson
Dreams Do Come True in Oklahoma City

Saturday, December 25, 2010

It's a Facebook Christmas Card

It's a Face Book Christmas card from Rick and Nancy.  Just wanting you to know we are thinking about you.
Glitter Graphics

Today is the special Holiday of the Year.  This message is for everyone of our friends.  Not just Facebookers that are down at the end of the internet freeway, but all people God has put in out lives. 
Nancy and I want you to know you turned into  much more to us than picture profiles and  i.p. addresses.  We are in touch with a lot of people every day in many ways of communication.  Most of you we will see in the physical form from time to time.  There are a lot of you that bring us joy over the internet via Facebook, Blog comments, email, and comments on our web site.
Some of you may be clients of Christmas past, Christmas Present or Christmas future.
Some of  you are funny and supportive.  I might have met you in FarmTown. Most of my facebook friends are positive and uplifting. That's something we can't get too much of.  To have this gift, you must know where it comes from.  It's the baby that Christmas is about.  How he was born, and through him, we have been given this joy.
Have a Merry Christmas and get ready to start a Happy New Year
Dreams Do Come True

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone..  I will call it a day of gratitude for what is going right in my life, not even looking toward my goals, the things I desire, or disapointments. 
As I enter into this holiday season, I will focus on blessings such as a the roof over my head, plenty of food to eat, and the fellowship that will accompany the day. 
I will be thankful for clothes that I have and the fact that I keep outgrowing them.  Thankful that jobs can still be found and we have freedom of choice.
Let us number the things we do have that are things to be thankful for and watch as an infinite list appears.



Blessings to all best wishes from:

Rick

Friday, November 5, 2010

Life in Yukon

The Ranchwood South Addition in Yukon Oklahoma is just south of Old Route 66 and east of Ranchwood Drive and West of Mustang road.  Just a short drive from Lake Overholser, this little neighborhood has almost everything a family could need nearby. 
There is bowling, shopping, great places to eat.  There are great things ahead with the Oklahoma City Outlet Mall on track, and the new Yukon High School that is due to be completed in 2011.  Other Schools in the area are Lakeview Middle School and Skyview Elementary 
New Yukon High SchoolClick here to see a live feed of the progress.
Ranchwood South is a wonderful little addition with a wonderful future to come. 
Where Dreams Do Come True,
Rick Jackson
Realtor
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Saturday, October 2, 2010

Oklahoma City -- Let's Run the Numbers


I thought this was an excellent video about Oklahoma City and the surrounding area.
Just sharing it:
By Dreams Do Come True

Sunday, July 25, 2010

What to do in Oklahoma

What to do in Oklahoma?  Watch the sun come up, while there is hardly a sound as the morning dove starts to coo.  Listen to the cars and trucks as traffic starts to populate the streets.  Drink some coffee and thank God that we have so many options in Oklahoma City, U.S.A.

There are so many things to do in the summer that it's hard to choose.  Dreams do come true  in the Oklahoma City area for many families. There is the Oklahoma City Zoo, White Water, Frontier City, The Cowboy Hall of Fame, Bricktown Canal, Omniplex, Wiley Post Museum of Aviation, and the Malls.   

This is the land of recreation.  There are so many things to do that the Television show, "Discover Oklahoma" creates a new show every week about places to visit and things to do.

There is Remington Park, the Firefighter's Museum, and Train Museum.  There is a large world of night life in Oklahoma City.  There are many clubs with live music, the Jazz Lab in Edmond, and several great movie theaters.

I know there are many other things to do in the Oklahoma City area that I haven't mentioned, such as the Oklahoma River Boat ride,the Flee Markets, and many city parks.  There is Bass Pro, Celebration Station, and biking trails.

I could ramble on and on about what to do in Oklahoma.  The above is local entertainment.  Could write for weeks telling about things to do in the remainder of Oklahoma.

Thank you for reading.

from the desk of:
Rick Jackson

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Celebrating the 4th of July in Oklahoma

Celebrating the 4th of July in Oklahoma is coming soon.  This United States Declaration of Independence adopted on July 4th, 1776 is celebrated in many ways across our nation.  When I say our nation, I'm talking to American Citizens that respect our flag, and what it stands for, our country, forefathers, and our constitution. Those of you that know this country has been defended and fought for since before the time it became an independent nation.  As we enjoy this very special occasion, lets remember the great men who looked to God for the wisdom to structure our country, wrote the declaration, and our military who have upheld our independence. 

With all that being said, here are some events that will take place the weekend of the 4th of July 2010.
Edmond Oklahoma's Liberty Fest winds up Sunday, July 4th at the UCO Campus in Edmond, when Fireworks start at 10:00 pm.  
The city of Yukon celebrates the nation's birthday with a huge Freedom Fest event. With free admission to all events, the celebration includes two nights of fireworks displays, outdoor evening concerts, kid's activities, a triathlon, volleyball tournament and more.
Bethany's Freedom Festival takes place on Saturday, July 3rd this year and begins at 7:30 a.m. with the Centennial Freedom Run, but gates don't open to the park until 11 a.m. The car show runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and musical entertainment starts at 5:30. One of the state's largest fireworks displays begins at 9:55 p.m.
Oklahoma City's Red, White & Boom begins July 3rd with plenty of live music on the Chevy Main Stage at the corner of Oklahoma and Sheridan avenues. Then, the OKC Philharmonic presents Patriotic Pops in the Coca-Cola Events Center parking lot. Joel Levine will conduct the concert and singer Mike Eldred will perform. On the 4th, there is more live music from Bricktown's School of Rock performers. There are fireworks on both the 3rd and 4th.
Midwest City celebrates the nation's birthday with a free annual event that features live music, park performers and fireworks display at dusk.  Tribute to Liberty is held on July 4th, with music beginning at 6 p.m. and lasting until 10 p.m. The fireworks begin shortly after. It will be held at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, located near Reno Avenue and Midwest Boulevard.

There are a lot of things to do on the 4th of July in the Oklahoma City Metro area and most other places across the United States.  Have a happy and safe celebration, but please remember what the fun is all about.

from the desk of:
Rick Jackson
Dreams Do come True

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Oklahoma Roads and Coutry Living

Oklahoma roads and country living go together. There is a difference in having a home in the country, and country living. Having a home in the country, means that you have a home in the country. Country living, means that you have an obligation to making the country your home.
 As I departed from the Oklahoma City Metro area, the traffic began to thin, and the grassy real estate became thicker. Oklahoma lots were dropping from $20,000 for .22 acres to 20 acres for $20,000.
As I past through the outskirts of the smaller towns south of Oklahoma City, I saw some very nice gated additions near Blanchard OK.  There were a lot of new homes for sale with golf courses near by.  I remember several years ago that these areas were in demand, but then the gas prices went up, and City commuters chose to stay in the city closer to their work place. 5 year later, gas prices are about the same, if not a little less than they were. There are still lots of new homes on the county side out here for sale.  There is a couple of additions with gates and only one home complete.
Although lots may be a lot less expensive in the country, there are other costs to consider.  Water wells, septic systems, driveway construction, and electricity.  The pros are you can get a lot more land and more privacy for your dollar.
Of course there are properties available that may already have water, septic, driveways, and even outdoor buildings already existing, just waiting for you to breath life into them.



Oklahoma Real Estate in site by:
Rick Jackson

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Oklahoma Cottonwood Trees

Oklahoma Cottonwood trees are doing their thing.  It looks like little angels floating down from heaven in the sunlight, but they are the devil when your air conditioner's condenser gets plugged up with them.  I'm talking about the fluffy little parachutes that drop the seed down from the eastern cottonwood tree which is also known as the Populus deltoides

Every year, I try to wait until they have fallen to clean up our condensers so that the fluffy little buggers won't stop them back up.  A lot of the time, it's very hot when it's time to complete the preventive maintenance.  But even if you have home warranty, it will not cover a plugged condenser.  Usually they can be rinsed out of the condensing unit by a professional or someone who knows what they are doing.

Some years they are very sparse and hardly noticed.  Other years they come down like a blizzard and pile up everywhere.  Some people probably experience allergies from them.  It makes my nose itch just thinking about them.  They remind me of the little fluffy things in Avatar when I saw it in 3D.


The cottonwood is the Nebraska State tree.  Oklahoma is fortunate to have the red bud tree for their state symbol.  A lot of people don't know this, but as a small child, I was shown that you could cut a small branch of a cottonwood tree at the rigid joint and you can see a small star in the middle.  

The cottonwood typically lives for 70 to 100 years, but can live up to 400 years with the right genetics and proper environment. They can grow up to 100 feet to the top of the canopy and have a trunk as big as 5 - 6 feet wide.  The female trees produce the cottony seed.  This of course means the males are not messy.

More about life in Oklahoma by:

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Digging it in Oklahoma

Digging it in Oklahoma this weekend, we had started a remodel on the back yard.  The bushes and vines had been neglected way too long and the removal process brought about a trip to the country to recycle the organic overgrowth. 
It took several hours to drag the plant life around to the front and slowly compact it into the truck.  It was a great opportunity to get some sun and start to develop a tan for the summer.  The weather was great with the Oklahoma sunshine beaming down, yet it was still cool enough that it wasn't uncomfortable. 
Upon leaving Warr Acres, we decided to stop and and have lunch at Ann's Chicken Fry on Route 66.  If you have not had the pleasure of eating a chicken fried steak at Ann's, you might want to check into it.

  As we pulled into Ann's just west of Maxey's Cycles we noticed the dealer had a band playing, and what appeared to be some of the girls from a local restaurant chain outside to help entertain customers and passers by.  I carefully snapped a shot or two as we left the restaurant thinking about sticking around a little while and watching the band. 

But we were on a mission to get the truck emptied and to have an early Mothers Day with my mom.  We proceeded down Hefner Parkway south and made our way through Tri-City,Newcastle, Blanchard, and past Middleburg. 
Finally upon arrival at the farm, we were met by what appeared to be bull headed pet.  He was basking in the sunlight just outside the house.
We spent several hours at the farm and started our way back home.  We saw many small additions south of Blanchard, with only a few houses.  We saw a pasture full of Oklahoma buffalo, and lots of other things as we cruised down the Oklahoma Highway.
As we got back to Warr Acres, we couldn't help but take a picture of the duck family as they waddled down the street.  The little ducklings are growing fast, and will soon be on their own.  Just like many of the Oklahoma High School Graduates that are finishing their last year in high school this month.

It was a very good day.  What started out about work, turned into a vacation trip.  Seeing a lot of interesting places and things in Oklahoma, and leaving me with lots of thoughts and ideas about the future.  It had been a great Saturday in Oklahoma.  Just doing what Oklahoma does.  That's why we are Digging it in Oklahoma.


  Bringing you good news about Oklahoma,
Rick  Jackson 

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Company work ethics are amazing

Company work ethics are amazing.  Not because of the average performance of employees in the United States, but because of my observations of the employees in the local work force.

With immigration being a big topic these days, and the unemployment rate being at an all time high, I would want to be a valued employee.  After all, there are lines of people looking for jobs.

But I see so many employees that don't seem to have any initiative to sustain their positions at the workplace.  I notice it in the local markets when I go shopping.  It appears to be worse in the larger companies and Federal and State agency's.  I see a lot of (it's not my job).  I hear a lot of (I don't know).  I see employees surfing the Internet and chatting in general with other employees.  Often it is very difficult to get good customer service.

When the Oklahoma Real Estate market began to slow down, I took a job as a Service Manager for a company the sells and services ice machines in Oklahoma.  I was fortunate to have the qualifications to get a job due to my experience at another company of similar services. 

I had started on the ground floor and learned everything I could about the previous company.  I worked hard at getting my designated job complete so that I could dabble in other areas of the company. I never felt that it wasn't my job to pick up trash or help a customer that was waiting.  As positions opened up above me, I found myself qualified to fill the spot. I had became versatile and flexible.

It's beyond my comprehension that employees complain about their wages, expect more out of life, while they cheat the company they work for out of time and quality labor.

It's no wonder there is such a political struggle with people from other countries wanting to come to America to make money and American Companies wanting good employees that will work for less.

I take a lot of pride in my work ethics at my day job, and as being an Oklahoma Realtor.  To me, it's about putting your company first when your on their time.  It's about putting your client first when you are working for them.

I hope our future generation learns from what our country is going through now.  There is a new group of Americans graduating every year.  I hope they have the work ethics our country needs.

Good Luck America
From:
Dreams Do Come True

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Oklahoma High School Graduation time

It's Oklahoma  High School Graduation time again. It's the day when you head across the stage into the rest of your life.  Nancy and I are proud of you and wish you much success in your journey through life.  You are America's future in the present. We hope all your dreams do come true
Below are some of the dates that I've been able to confirm in Northwest Oklahoma City and Edmond area when Graduation Ceremonies will occur.  If you have any information about a graduation, please post the school, time, and place into a comment.
  
Deer Creek High School

6:00 p.m. May 15     
Cox Center


Moore Schools
Westmoore High School
7:00 p.m. May 18
Cox Convention Center

Putnam City High School

7:30 p.m. May 21
Putnam City Stadium

Putnam City West High School
8 p.m., May 22
Cox Convention Center

Putnam City North High School
6 p.m., May 23
Cox Convention Center 


Keeping you informed about life in Oklahoma by:
Dreams Do Come True

Friday, April 9, 2010

The Edmond Jazz Lab

The Edmond Jazz Lab is great place to go hear some get down jazz music. We went a few weeks ago and had a great time.  It was the 2nd or 3rd time we have attended.  The University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Lab is located at 100 East 5th Street, in  Edmond, Ok.

Tonight my lovely wife and daughter went to hear the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The girls looked happy as they took off.  I hope they have a great time.
The atmosphere is great and HIDEAWAY PIZZA  caters to those within the establishment. Tickets are very reasonable and the sound is great.

That's life in Oklahoma:
Rick Jackson

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Oklahoma Liberties Continue

Oklahoma Liberties continue in spite the bitterness I hear coming from around our Nation. I am around people each day in different places that show a fear concerning the state of the Nation. These fears are not fictitious. There are forces at work trying to turn our Government into a power that would determine what our liberties would be. This evil exists in all countries. Please take a moment to thank our troops for what we have.

Without blaming or taking sides with any particular office leader, political party, or religion, I would like to focus on the liberties we still have.

Like so many others, I don't want to loose my freedom of choice. Freedom is probably something that we don't think much about, because we are so engulfed in the fruits of our freedom. This thought came to me as I was trying to decide what shirt to wear. We still have the freedom to wear an out of style coat and tie. We have the freedom to wear an obnoxious t shirt from the 1960's. Anyway, most of us in Oklahoma are thankful for this freedom. Sure, many of us have to wear uniforms if we are fortunate enough to have a job. Some religions, which we have freedom of, mandate their believers to wear certain clothes. People incarcerated in Oklahoma have little choice of what to were, and I guess some of the private schools have special dress codes, but in general, we wear what we feel is appropriate without facing the consequences of breaking the law.

A lot of our freedoms and liberties are determined by what we do with our time and our life style. Freedom of speech is a powerful tool. It can be just as devastating as it can be constructive. The news ratings depend on how the facts are put into perspectives. Facebook is a good example of freedom of speech.

I probably listen to too much talk radio. I also watch Oklahoma TV stations and listen as they display a perception of events that are taking place in the Oklahoma City area where I live.

I know there are many people in Oklahoma that are struggling and hurting for jobs, health assistance, and keeping their homes. As in all of the United States, we may have seen better times. I also know there were far worse times that I haven't had to live through.

What I do know is. I've never heard the Liberty Bell ring any louder that it is now. Oklahoma will speak up. We will fight to preserve our freedom, liberty, and justice for all.

I hope all the states in this country will support each other and still remain united to the cause that our Forefathers put together so well. I stumbled across a couple of videos on You Tube that related to Patrick Henry's famous quotation,"Give me liberty, or give me death". What a concept? Are we afraid to speak up, or are we just too polite?

From the Desk of: Rick and Nancy Jackson

As residents and Realtors of Oklahoma City, we just want to keep you informed as we see it. We would love to hear from you and what it's like in your area. Feel free to post a comment.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Oklahoma City's First Day of Spring

Here we are, living in Oklahoma City with snowfall on the first day of spring. Just yesterday I was out in a long sleeve shirt taking pictures of the construction of I-40 and enjoying the sunshine. I was thrilled about the progress of Oklahoma City's new bridges, walkways, and overpasses. Oklahoma City's I-40 project seems to be going really well in spite of the harsh winter we've had. Just a couple of weeks ago, I got up on Saturday and went down town and took some pictures of Oklahoma City's new Devon Tower as it is being built. The weather was great that day. I think all the good weekends we have had since 2010 started can be easily counted on the fingers of one hand.

This morning I get up, and there is snow on the ground and the temperature has dropped below the freezing mark. The poor robins look confused. This has been a very cold and wet winter in my book. I'm ready for a nice weekend that will allow some motorcycling, tennis, or any type of outdoor recreation. Luckily we got some steaks grilled yesterday while it was still nice.

I'm not going to complain. I'm just expressing myself to keep from shouting. I am enjoying the time with my granddaughter playing WII. Taking a break now and then to check out face book or post a blog. Looking at some of those pictures we took on vacation might help.
Oh, the memories of the good times. These are the memories. These are the good times.
The one thing you have to love about Oklahoma is the weather is never the same very long at a time.

written by:
Rick Jackson
www.OkcRick.com

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Oklahoma Facebook fans tired of change


The Change. (to alter, make different, to transform) Many people don't like change. In the U.S. people are upset with the change that is taking place. Facebook users don't like the new way it looks. The old saying, "change is bad", or is it "change is good", still sticks in my head.
One of the many things I like about Oklahoma, is that the state is not quick to change. Many changes can be more productive, if more time and thought are given before action is taken.
Change is not always bad. The first seat belt law was a federal law which took effect on January 1, 1968. It has saved many innocent passengers from loosing their life. However, some people will never wear their seat belt, and a lot of people only wear it to avoid being fined for not strapping it on.
This change did not come without expense. It started a new trend in auto safety that has raised the average cost of a new car in 2009 to $27,958.00 according to Wiki. That is as much as my first house in 1990. From seat belts, to padded dashes, airbags, anti-lock brakes, motion sensors, auto dimmers, and back up alarms, these changes have gradually taken place while the American public trusted our legislators and auto makers to build a better car. Then there is the pollution prevention safety devices that have been tacked on due to the heavily populated states, that the entire nation has to pay for.

Granted, these new expensive cars my go many more miles than the that of the new 1976 Camaro Rally Sport that I purchased for less than $7,000 after my high school graduation. Most of the expense is for safety and environmental protection. If you have a slight accident, and the airbag deploys, it will cost thousands of dollars to repair the fiberglass bumper and return the air bags to a certified state that will meet requirements.


I'm not putting the safety change down, but I do believe that it goes along with the mood about change. I'm positive that a safe V-8, with plenty of power can be built for a lot less than what we are paying for them. When running correctly, it won't pollute the environment or use a lot of imported fuel. A lot of new technology has came from change. In fact, I would like to build my next car. Maybe restore an old Chevrolet Nova, or something like that. I never did like the Camaro that much. I think the best year for the Camaro was 1967.
With all that said, car prices are just the tip of the change ice-burg. Tires are another story. You have to pay your tire dealer to take your old tires weather they keep them or not. This is another change, that I don't remember voting on.
Our public officials put rules and regulations together, and if we don't stay on top of it, they soon pass as laws, and we have to live with it.
One of the great things about facebook, is that it allows the American Public to express themselves and even start groups. It allows politicians to speak up and express their thoughts and concerns. Facebook is an avenue for our Freedom of Speech. It is not the only one, so I hope it's owners are proud United States Citizens, and continue to support out country in all ways possible.

written by: Rick Jackson

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Happy Birthday Vince


Hey Vince,
I just wanted to wish you a very special Happy Birthday. I want this to be your special day. You have made so many people laugh when they didn't feel like laughing. You have given your life over to the title "Entertainer" when you are much more than that. Besides being an excellent keyboardist, singer, writer, and performer, you have great people skills.

You are a real person, just like all of your fans. You are also a patriot, something America needs now more than ever. You have been blessed, and you give credit where credit is due.

This blog is usually about life in Oklahoma. You have played many times here in the state. I have never seen a bad performance. No matter how big or how small the crowd, you are never disappointing. You always put all you have into every show.
So today this blog is about Vince Vance, the entertainer that Oklahoma loves to see. So have a Happy Birthday from all of Oklahoma, and come back soon.


Sincerely,
Rick

Elderly without Electricity in Oklahoma


Oklahoma City residents didn't experience the power loss that was projected when the last icing took place. However, the residents in smaller communities south and southwest as well as southeast of the Oklahoma City Metro have had a lot of outages. My parents that live near Chickasha were told it might take four days before REC can restore power to their small farm home. This company is telling it's customers to relocate if they have health problems that require electricity. The backbone of Oklahoma lives in these small towns and in the country nearby. A lot of our elderly live there and have fought for our country in the years past. They are still appreciated and loved by many, and play a part in our community. There wisdom and experience are greatly appreciated and not replaceable.
I know the last time Oklahoma had a large power outage, that there were Power Companies from other states and areas that came here to get things going again.
I am finding that the Coops and independent electric companies don't play well when it comes to state wide outages. O G&E works together nation wide to support other workers when it comes to natural disasters and power outages. I would think that this would really make them popular and be really good for the corporate reputation. The are also offering walk in centers for customers to report power outages.
I don't always support large corporate companies and believe that sometimes they set standards in pricing. I do support independent companies because I think that the competition is good to have and they can promote jobs for local communities.
I believe that everyone working together is what this country is all about. Whether or not it's an independent, or a corporate business, the public welfare should be the number one priority. Lets help one another anyway we can. It's not always about competition. Damage done by ice to power lines is a non profit situation for all the companies. Your electric bill remains the same, no matter the cost to get the lines back up.
If you know of someone that lives in the outage areas, please take the time to give them a call and check on them. I'm sure they would love to hear from you.

Written by:
Rick Jackson

Friday, January 29, 2010

Snow Chains in Oklahoma City


As I got up this morning and looked outside, I was hoping for a phone call that would tell me the office was going to be closed today. As the clock ticked on by, I lost hope that the call would come.
The night before, the preparation for the wild ride had already begun. I installed the tire chains that Nancy had picked up for me. I took the back streets to downtown Oklahoma City, scooting over the ice and light snow that had accumulated the day before.

I got home today in about 28 minutes, as apposed to the 5 hours that it took Christmas Eve to reach the house from my day job. I owe all to the the snow cables/chains that we purchased prior winter mix moving into Oklahoma Wednesday night. I figured that, once was enough as far as being unprepared for bad road conditions in the OKC Metro area. I was able to comfortably stop at lights on hills, and proceed before the light turned red again.
If taken care of, I intend to keep these on hand for as long as I own the Nissan Titan that these snow cables fit. They are easy to install, and have a handy carrying case that will fit nicely behind the seat.
Hopefully, I won't be blogging about Blizzards in Oklahoma any more this year.



written by: Rick Jackson

Sunday, January 17, 2010

The Brighter side of Oklahoma

It's been three weeks since the 15" blizzard in Oklahoma City, and I believe there is only one little patch of snow left in our neighborhood. It's been a very long time thawing out due to the cold temperatures we have had in Oklahoma. 2010 is here, and it's finally warming up to around 45-50 deg. each day. The raging blizzard is already just a memory, with a few patches of snow that remind us of how plans can change.



Just like the weather in Oklahoma, the economy can change. The local businesses are starting to see some hope in customer spending, and the Oklahoma City housing market is slowly but surely picking up. With all the damage done to the streets from the ice, snow, and snowplowing, there will be more work for road crews, auto repair centers, and tire stores.
Sometimes I wonder if we have to have difficult circumstances to help our state and cities grow. I ask my self "if it were a perfect world, would I appreciate it as much if it was not for the difficult times"? I would like to think so, but I don't think it will ever be perfect enough to answer that question.
Never the less, life goes on in Oklahoma. The new Maps project has passed, and will continue to change our city into a vision that looks pretty good from the pictures. Businesses are coming to Oklahoma City to take advantage of the benefits the city continues to offer. We have some of the best hospitals in the nation, and a lot of medical professionals continue to move here.
The new Devon 51-storey premier corporate skyscraper broke ground for construction in downtown October 2009 and it is estimated to be in use by 2013.
There are exciting things happening in the Greater Oklahoma City area. The nearby smaller towns are also flourishing as well.
Sometimes we become overwhelmed with negative things that happen around us. At least that is true for me. But looking ahead, and not behind gives us a fresh start. After all, everything crumbles at sometime, but putting it together is what going forward is about.
Now that there is only one little patch of snow, I remember that I never did get all the leaves picked up. I always dislike having piles of moldy leaves to deal with in the spring time when starting to get the yard in shape for the summer. We will probably have more winter. In fact, we usually don't get snow until as late as February or March. But no matter what the weather, life in Oklahoma continues to keep us all on our toes. I'm looking forward to many exciting things this year. It's much better than being disgusted with the things that didn't turn out the way I hoped last year.
Oklahoma City, where Dreams Do Come True.

written by: Rick Jackson