First Annual Konda/Henningsen Golf Oklahoma

It was to be a weekend of surprises . . . Our son in law Tracy asked us to come down to Topeka on Sunday night, and surprise Casey.  Just show up unannounced.  So we did . . . with a surprise of our own - our new car.

We parked on their street and texted the picture to Casey - - - she however didn't get the text and we ended up in the drive way and honking the horn before our arrival was announced!

Surprise part #2 . . . We told Casey we were there to golf with her the next day on her dad's birthday.  Tracy then threw out the rest of the story . . . pack a bag girl because we are headed to Guthrie, Oklahoma to golf for two days!    

Don't know how you are with surprises like this??  I being a "first born" and little bit bossy . .  I like to have a plan . . meaning I need notice so I can have a plan . . . but Casey can roll with it and was excited to go!

Tracy chose Guthrie as he and his best friend Gary had golfed there before - four championship courses within two miles, one even named "Augusta".

Monday we headed out and arrived in the red dirt state at our destination around noon.   After checking into the motel - we headed out for our T-off time of 1 p.m.    I myself am not a golfer  - but was allowed to ride along for free.  I did sneak in a few holes.  We had the best time together, laughing, golfing, and enjoying the beautiful area.

Tracy had special supper plans for us . . . after four hours of golf and some rest time at the motel, we headed downtown Guthrie to Stables Cafe.  One of my favorite kinds of places to be . . .full of memorabilia.  And known state-wide for their chicken fried steaks.  

More great times!  Even though they were fresh out of chicken fries!

Day 2 of Golf Oklahoma or The First Annual Konda/Henningsen Golf Oklahoma Vacation started out early on the golf course after a great breakfast at the motel.  Kudos to the Holiday Inn Express.  Great rooms, great pool, and great food!

  

What a great way to start the day - - - This course was named Aqua Canyon . . . LOTS  of water to deal with!!

 

 Wrapped up a very special mini-vacation with these two great people.  How blessed to have them in our lives.  One of Clay's first comments was, "we've got to get Todd's up here to golf".   Hard to do things with one of the kids and not wish that they both were there.  We will do it!    And anytime that we can all get together - we are blessed!

Thanks to a son in law who means the world - and thought to ask the in-laws along on the Surprise Trip!    Great memories made - we will treasure!

Refocus

FOCUS FOR 2014

• WORSHIP
• HOMEMAKING
• FRIENDSHIPS
• TRAVEL
• WORK
• EXERCISE
• READING

This is how my New Year's post probably looked.  These are the seven areas that I chose to spend my time on this year.  Didn't set resolutions - just thought about the important things in my life and set out to focus on making improvements and growing in each area.

More than midway through the year and here is where I stand:

Worship - attending church less and attempting to read and study my Bible alone.  There is much to be said about Hebrews 10:25:  Let us not give up on meeting together as some are in the habit of doing . . . My kids heard this multiple times.

Homemaking - no change here.  I enjoy an organized and clean house.  

Friendships - this has been a very sad focus for me.  I have been able to say for the last decade that I have a best friend.  And I believe that we have friends for seasons of our life.  I have not kept a friend FOR life.  People change and situations change and although I love my dear friend still - we don't find the time to spend on our friendship like we did at one time.  We both know it.  We discuss it.  No change here.

Travel - This has been one of the biggest surprises of my life actually.  I had never understood why people loved to travel and why anyone would want to retire and travel the countryside.  I became a traveler in 2002 and actually I became pretty mobile in 1998 when my son went to college and I had to check in with him from time to time . . . Then we have traveled to see our granddaughter, who is nearly 12 now.  Precious memories made on every single trip to either  South Dakota, Texas, Great Bend, Junction City, and now Garden City. Ballgames for our daughter.   Many trips now to Texas and Topeka to see our kids.  Throw in a few trips for business and or business-related and I have seen some territory and love it!  I wanted to focus this year on making travel easier.  I have done one thing to impove travel.   I have given up taking a "carry-on" bag that Southwest so nicely lets us have - I used to stuff it full of everything I might possibly want or need for the flight and trip - and found out that lugging that plus my purse (not a small item either) was too much for my broken down back.    So I travel lighter.  Just my purse.  And of course my luggage that I checked.  

Work - Much thought, worry, prayer, stress and anxiety here.

Exercise - Have done almost none.

Reading - Have done almost none.

So . . . I still like my plan for focusing on these areas, but as you can see, I didn't get a very "clear picture" in several of these areas.  But I'm a work in progress.  To finish out 2014, and please disregard any other post recently where I have said differently, I will focus on taking action and improving my life in these areas:  Worship, Work, Exercise, Reading.

I plan to take action and write about it as I do - - - stay tuned - - - I promise to be back on track before it's time to sing "aulde lange syne" my friends.

                                     

A vow of silence . . .

"Silence is golden . . . "

                    “Never miss a good chance to shut up.”   

        

            
                                         “My personal hobbies are reading, listening to music, and silence.”

 

 

I recently decided to explore silence.  I have a Bible that teaches of the "spiritual disciplines" and one of them is silence.    Spiritual disciplines are ways to imitate Christ in our lives.  Thought up by someone who noted in scripture that certain fruits were present in the life of Jesus.  And so what better reason to practice those ways.

 

That being said, my motivation as well as being more Christ-centered - is to eliminate some stress in my life.  Let me explain:   Here is my pattern - and would some psychoanalyst out there please leave an in-depth comment on how to fix me?  In the situations of my life I stay jolly and positive and want everyone around me to feel comfortable.   Sure wouldn't want to upset anyone.  Instead of sharing healthy opinions - I stuff them and stuff them - until they come popping out at seemingly small issues.  Confusion abounds.  I then feel bad and apologize.  Or I just say too much and get tied up in a long conversation of which I do most of the talking . . . Then I buy into negative self talk.  Great life strategy huh?

For whatever the situation - whether it be at work, with family, or with public I end up thinking to myself - be quiet - don't get involved - practice silence.

For the next three weeks I'm going to work through the area of silence in my spiritual disciplines Bible.  I'll be back to share . . . or . . . not.

Enjoy some quiet time for yourself too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open Your Mouth Only If What You Are Going To Say Is More Beautiful Than Silence

                   

 

    

Virtual Book Tour: The Songbird of Sovereign by Jennifer Wixson

You can own a copy today! See giveaway details below!

The Songbird of Sovereign is the third book in a series by Jennifer Wixson called The Sovereign Series.  This is my first book review and I have been excited to give it a try.  As I began to read this month I was drawn into the story for several reasons.  I first read about Addie and Pappy Russell.  Addie was a 55 year old farm wife - hard working farm wife I might add - and she had arthritis.  She and Pappy had been married 37 years.  (Loved it!  Clay and I have been married 37 years, I am 55, and yes I have arthritis!)

This made me think as I read the rest of the story . . . what is it that catches your interest and lights your fire for a book?  It can be something like I mentioned above - a certain character who shares your age - maybe your interests - or maybe your name?  It could be the home that is featured in the story.  And one of my favorites is when I fall in love with the setting of the story - especially a town.

The Sovereign Series are all about a little town in Maine named, Sovereign.  My bucket list includes traveling to the east coast and staying near the ocean so I was thrilled to discover these books.  I have the first two books, Hens and Chickens and Peas, Beans and Corn, all lined up on my virtual shelf on my Kindle!  Reading them out of order but very anxious to get started!

A little glimpse into the story goes like this:  Jana Hastings is the star of the show.  I had no idea, that the disease of Tuberculosis was so devastating!  I have always taken that little TB skin test I used to get at work as a minor little test of inconvenience.  Jennifer Wixson opened my eyes to the dread of that disease that put fear into all people in its day.  At the beginning of the book, Jana is diagnosed and taken to Windmere Sanatorium in central Maine.  She quickly learns the "groups" that the children are placed into according to their prognosis.  Some, like Jana, have hopes of a cure, but some do not.  I was floored to learn that some of those children would spend their lives there.  How naive I can be . . . I quickly thought of my own parents - born in 1935 and 1936 - they too were at risk for this devilish disease as the antibiotic did not come around until the 1940's.    The story continues with Jana making friends and meeting a young boy who she quickly finds a special place for in her heart.    As the story of the two families - the Russells and the Hastings unfolds - it is interestingly intertwined with modern day characters and their story line.    Jumping between the 1940's and 2013 - - - we hear the story of Miss Jana Hastings through the eyes of the town's minister, Maggie.  And we get to meet Jana who is present day age 89!

Once again the most unusual events in the story caught my interest.  The dawning of World War II.  My son in law is a history teacher and I have hundreds of history type questions that I fire at him regularly.  I was thrilled to share with him the part about President Roosevelt and the differing opinions people had of his involvement with bringing us into that war.  My heart ached for the mothers and fathers who feared for their sons as the war loomed ahead.  

I highly recommend the series of books.  Jennifer Wixson does a fantastic job of descriptive writing and certainly has a talent for developing characters that you quickly love!    Now on to books #1 and #2 . . . 

Lastly, if you would like to have a chance to win your very own copy of The Songbird of Sovereign please leave a comment below and tell me . . . what is it about a book that can clinch the deal for you?  Keep you reading and not wanting to put down a book . . . Can't wait to hear your thoughts! 

If at first you don't succeed . . .

Half of 2014 is officially over and I have a few of my "focus areas" that need some work.  To refresh your memory - check this post and then continue reading as I enlist the hubs to once again get back to movin' and getting stronger and more fit!   There are sooooo many reasons that all of us need to be serious about staying active and being strong.  It's not just for the young who want to build muscle and look great on the beach or in the gym or who want to win competitions . . . it's critical for optimal health in the 30's 40's and as we are finding out . . . the 50's.    Use Google - check it out for yourself . . . I'll leave that to each individual and their own physician to recommend a program.  Here is what Clay and I have decided we will do:

     1.  No food eaten after 8 p.m. 

     2.  Healthy portions.  Healthy food.

     2.  Limit eating out at restaurants to once a week.

     3.  Exercise 5 days out of 7.

     4.  Bible reading daily.

     5.  Once a week do something fun together - not including the meal we can eat out.

Nothing earth shattering or surprising in that plan.   We each have a weight that we are wanting to achieve - I will lose 40 pounds and hubs will lose 25.  

The exercise will vary - I love to bike ride - I love to swim - I like to walk, play catch, clean house, and water flowers.   Those are my activities of choice.  I also like Bocce ball and working out on the fitness machines.  I have a treadmill and a gym membership.  Beloit offers many walking paths - awesome swim pool with lazy river - and plenty of places to hike.  

Clay does mega-walking in his job - - - He loves to golf - - - He will use the treadmill - - - and he has a gym membership.  

I know that I will need to start slow and I challenged my sister, Tami to a week of fun activities to get us moving.  Tami has been a success story in losing and keeping off a significant amount of weight.  She is active around their farm with gardening, and yard work, walking, jogging, and man-handling a large dog on a walk . . . known as the BDW (big dog walk).  

So here we go . . . and if you would like to join in the fun this week . . . please follow along  - - - here is our exercise routine for Week #1:

Choose five activiies from these seven and do any day you choose!

Activity #1 - Take a hike in the countryside - at least one mile of walking.  Take 3 pictures to share via your blog.  (Clay's will be shared on my blog)

Activity #2 - Swim or Bike Ride or Golf (If you chose to ride along with hubs - take your hand weights and you are required to do hand/arm exercises at every other hole!   Yes I've done this before!

Activity #3 - Walk 1.5 miles and do strength training for arms of your choice.  

Activity #4 - Play catch with baseball.  Keep it going for 20 minutes.  

Activity #5 - Walk 1.5 miles on a walking path - or country road - or around your farm!  Do the BDW!!

Activity #6 - It's all about the tummy today:  

                               Put on your favorite music - make it loud

                               15 jumping jacks

                               15 sit ups

                               15 bicycles

                               15 leg lifts

                               Repeat once!

Activity #7 - You choose!!!  Anything you'd like to get your exercise for the day!

Unfortunately for those of you who are more advanced in your ability to move . . . I have made this a beginners pace as Clay and I need to not get discouraged.  My hope is that we can all have fun with it - and that's the key!!  

Side note:  I am going to have my blood work done for a cholesterol panel and I am going to see my chiropractor.  These are two areas that I have been negligent with for quite a long time now.  

Hubs will be monitoring blood pressure as he had a few readings that were too high when last at the drs. office. 

How about you?  Please feel free to share in your blog the choices for exercise you picked here and what other things you may be trying in order to live a healthier and happier life!

Let's get moving!

Puppy Tales (Tails)

Introducing Liberty - Libby for short.  Libby was born on the 4th of July - at the same time that we were saying goodbye to our BT Dodger of 11 years - - - This is the craziest thing - me and a dog - because I was raised in a home with no dogs - never wanted one - never planned to own one - said no to my son for 11 years and watched him "play dog" "dream of dogs" "Look at books and pick out dogs" until one day - - - we got a call from the local vet where our brother in law worked - and they had a free BT puppy with a bent ear.  So we got him.     Later Clay's mom Janice recorded in her diary that Todd said "it's the best day of my life"  

Pepper and I did not fare real well together for awhile - he threw up a lot - I yelled a lot - he threw up more - and on and on.    He was a great family pet - and I've written about this as well as the next BT Dodger.  Dodger's purpose in life was to refill the empty nest . . . he did it well . . . and then some.

So how I got from the nervous and unhappy puppy mother to the one pictured above - is just kinda funny to me - - - I like the companionship and having someone to take care of.  And I heard it said best this last week - - - "Dogs bring out the best in people."  

I agree.

Book Review

Snow Melts in Spring is my first book read for Summer 2014. 

I am participating in a summer reading program called Kate'sBook Blog.

She loves the land. Mattie Evans grew up in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Although her family has lost their ranch, she still calls this land home. A skilled young veterinarian, she struggles to gain the confidence of the local ranchers. Fortunately, her best friend and staunchest supporter is John McCray, owner of the Lightning M Ranch. They both love the ranch, and can’t imagine living anywhere but in the Flint Hills. He’s haunted by it. Gil McCray, John’s estranged son, is a pro football player living in California. The ranch is where his mother died and where every aspect of the tallgrass prairie stirs unwanted memories of his older brother’s fatal accident. Gil decides leaving the ranch is the best solution for his ailing father and his own ailing heart. But he doesn’t count on falling in love. Falling in love isn’t an option. Or is it? When Mattie is called in to save a horse injured in a terrible accident, she finds herself unwillingly tossed into the middle of a family conflict. Secret pain, secret passions, and secret agendas play out against the beautiful landscapes as love leads to some 

unexpected conclusions about forgiveness and renewal.  (Taken from the author's description)

I really enjoyed the book!  I live not too far from the Flint Hills and I have always wanted to do some hiking in that area and spend the night in a little Bed and Breakfast I found online.  It was a fun read, had twists and turns that kept it exciting, and as always I have the Lightning M Ranch all mapped out in my mind - the house - the barn where Mattie builds a small animal clinic after a fire - and the area where the horse rides were taken.  Great read for the summer!    

Also interested me as our granddaughter wants to go horse back riding in the mountains . . . and the plans are in the works for that . . . I'm sure that will be another post as my time on a horse has been limited to about a whopping total of 20 minutes per lifetime!

Here's to the next book on my reading list . . . Songbird of Sovereign by Jennifer Wixson.

Enjoy your summer reading!!