Wordless Wednesday

This chair is so special to me sits in my childhood bedroom. Every time I would go to Grandma and Grandpa Foss' house Grandpa would get it out for me.  Such a treasure!  I had snapped a picture of it at Christmas when I was back home after starring at it taking in the memories and then deleted it when I got a new phone so my mama resent it to me last week.

Wine Walk

On Saturday I went to the JRDF Wine Walk at Power and Light.  The Wine Walk strolled in and out of about 8 restaurants and bars with wine tastings and food. The weather was awesome, more than awesome, the chatting was good and so was the food! We were a tad disappointed that almost all the tastings were red wine so we may have stopped at one place and just sat and ordered a bottle of white..... Good times and love supporting charities!

Man's Best Friend

As I worked away writing support plans for individuals at work oh precious one sat perched behind me on my over sized chair. Every once in awhile she'd kick her paw into my back or lick the side of my face.  5 years ago I could have never seen myself with a D.O.G let alone letting the thing sleep in my bed, climb on my furniture or ride in the front seat of my car.

I'm pretty sure I judged people that did things like that or had homes that had a dog odor. (Although I'm working very hard to keep mine odorless)  But every day I'm reminded as I get kicked in the night or wake up to a paw across my stomach or a lick on the face not to mention the dog hair that gets in every nook and cranny that oh precious one now lives here.  Does she ever?! It's like she owns the place and I couldn't be more happy to have her around.  It comes with its challenges and learning how to make things work but just coming home to a wagging tail and multiple face licks makes a bad day forgotten.

I'm excited for nice weather and getting oh precious one out socializing and mixing it up with some of her doggie friends. She'll probably be hosting a Yappy Hour once the run is over and we get settled back in.  I think I understand now why dogs are man's best friend.

                       

Thankful Tuesday

162. Rain! My yard and plants are growing like crazy!
163. Wine Walks- always a good time checking out new places and new wines with great friends.
164. Coupons. You should seem my messy purse, crammed with coupons and such and this week scored free paint, $20 off at RA and free stain remover (yes, Dad I know I need that!)
165. Naps. I think I say that every week but with run preparations in major full full force I've been taking more naps.
166. Generosity. People are so generous and it makes me smile as we get closer to the run at all the generosity of those around us.  So grateful!
167. Paul Davis running for Governor. (Enough said. Let's hope he wins!)
168. Gas in my car. As the price increases and we work with those with very little I'm always so thankful to be able to put gas in my car. I know that sounds strange but there are lots of people in the world with few ways to get around.
169. My job.
170. My church.
171. My friends. B & L- great times this weekend!
172. Happy Hours. Fun to see you ML!

Feel Good Friday

                             

Wordless Wednesday

My childhood Easter basket courtesy of Grandma McCreedy and my adult Easter present, fountain diet coke courtesy of the Dad! 

Thankful Tuesday

152. Easter! Life goes on!
153. My Parents- a great Easter weekend with them, we had some fun but did some serious yard and house work.  Thank you!
154. Friends- nothing like a hot meal after a treatment. Thanks LM!
155. WWJD- not quite Jesus but somebody else and learning from how she responds to challenge. I used this theme last week!
156. Good Customer Service- my brand new custom cell phone cover my My Custom Cases tore within 6 days and I alerted them and within 5 days had a brand new case. Thank you!
157. A full pantry- my mom told me a very sobering statistic about hunger last week. I'm thankful for a full pantry and a full belly!
158. Smooth treatments.
159. Farmers Market- love getting there early and checking out the goods!  I'd go more often if I remembered to get up and go early.
160. Somerset Ridge Winery- such a fun place!
161. Easter Bunny. This year the Easter Bunny bought me a 44oz fountain diet coke from QT- how about that! Thanks Dad!
      

$99

When my parents were here we made an early morning trip to the Farmers Market to start out our Saturday. One of the biggest tasks for the weekend was to start getting my yard back into shape. After the worlds naughtiest dog occupied it last summer it has been a little more than a trainwreck, destroyed flower beds & hoses, sprinklers never replaced, big holes, meant that we had some major shopping to do and overhaul! But I was excited because it's gonna feel great to get it back into shape.  There was a hosta farmer at the Farmers Market and my mom said she would buy me one to replace some of the hostas I had.  So I go over to the booth and pick out a med sized one and take it up to the clerk to buy and he looks at me and says, "You can have that one but it is $99."  $99! I about dropped the thing and my mom proclaimed she was not buying me a $99 hosta! Apparently he had been growing it for 9 years.  Hard to believe that there was a $99 one in amongst the ones that were $9.95, $11.95 and $13.95!

Lovely Weekend

                      

Easter 2014 in the books ! Lovely weekend! Farmers Market, house projects, ALOT, thanks Mom and Dad! It starting to look like last summer never occurred in my backyard, YAY, trips to Nuts and Bolts, new door,  new hoses, new flower beds, refreshing! Somerset Ridge Winery for vines and canines, Thomas, Coopers Hawk, steak kabobs, the worlds biggest dog bone, awesome weather and a great church service! Thank you God for all I have been given in my life. Forever grateful! 

Feel Good Friday

                    

A Little Bit of IA Love in KC

Anybody from Iowa will appreciate what I found in HyVee yesterday..... Sterzlings! 

Mother Teresa's List for Humility

A few weeks ago, something occurred and I got really angry. So angry that I spent my time that I would eat lunch at Curves pushing the machines as hard as I could push. I wanted to go back to the situation and address it front on but realized it would probably make a bad situation even worse. There is nothing more sad in life than when a person lies and others believe the lies and impacts other situations.  The truth is ALWAYS going to come out whether it is today, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year.  Over the 30 minutes I spent at Curves I kept reminding myself be the bigger person,  be the bigger person, the truth will come out as it always does, it may just take time.  And then I saw this later on Pinterest and it was the perfect reminder I needed.  Leave it to Mother Teresa to get me through the rest of the day.
  

One Love

I am sure you have seen all over the news about the shootings on Sunday in Overland Park at the Jewish Community Center by an alleged white supremacist and shortly there following at Village Shalom.  Without a doubt, one of the worst tragedies that has happened in KC in the 10.5 years that I have lived here.

I am blown away by the strength of the victims families and wonder how I would react if I was in their shoes. Probably not as posed or as graceful but we can all take a lesson from what has occurred.  And so can the State of Kansas.

The current governing body in the state of Kansas promotes hate by introducing bills that discriminate against homosexuality and religion, against women, against the disabled and then last week the debacle against educators.  GOOD GRIEF Kansas!  I find myself saying this more and more how embarrassing some of the politics in Kansas are and in a social conversation about them quickly state, "I'm not from here, I'm from Iowa where we are P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S.I.V.E"  Newsflash, it is 2014 friends!

Hate doesn't just happen against those who are Jewish, African American, Hispanic, hate is happening in so many shapes and forms that we each need to stop in our tracks and think, really think about, how our world is impacted and by the leaders who promote it, even if its just by voting for a bill that discriminates against equal pay for women or contraceptives for women, or the tenure of a teacher.  One love.  Part of being a Christian is opening your arms to accepting all and avoiding hate and I have a really hard time accepting that some of our leaders in the state of Kansas can truly be Christian by how discriminatory some of the issues on the table are.

I believe in one news conference the mother of the youngest victim made a statement about good can come from this. And I believe her. Good things do come out of tragedy. I hope this horrific incident can move the state of Kansas, the citizens of Johnson County, to promote equality and love and stray from division of religious sect, sexual orientation, race, etc.  For God so loved the world.....

Wordless Wednesday

                                

Love taking in spring and all that nature has to offer us as the days become longer.  When you sit around and stare, (or look up!) life really is beautiful.....

Never Give Up!

                           
The MGA Triple Crown Run is bearing down on being 4 weeks away. We've moved it to a new location, Town Center Plaza in Leawood in hopes of getting a lot more participants, raising more money and spreading the word about Myasthenia.  I've written before that this year has been more stress, more pain, more tears, more blood, more sweat than any other year.

I keep saying that we are having growing pains. We've had bumps in the road and challenges and do-overs and this and that and then yesterday.... We got over $1000 in donations and doubled the amount of participants we had.  That my friends, makes me smile. Never give up! What's good is good and is going to work out! We hope to see you on May 18th! Oh yes and on May 17th at the Celebration BBQ as well.

Thankful Tuesday

151.  Rainy Sundays. I took a 3 hour nap Sunday with the rain pattering at my window. Loved it.
152. Yard work. I love being able to do little things in my yard. It's mine and I can do it. A sign of my independence. Ok, I write this but I did have to have somebody come lay seed down. Oh well! I do what I can. :)
153. Perspective. It's all about perspective.
154. New cases at work = breath of fresh air!
155. Generosity. In one day we got almost $500 donated to the MGA Triple Crown Run and 50 registrations. That is awesome!
156. My support system and dear friends. Thank you LW for conversation over a glass of vino the other night. Much appreciated!
157. Sunshine. I love that it is no longer winter!
158. Handwritten thank yous. So fun to get those in the mail.
159. The Masters. Reminds me of spring visits to Grandpa and Grandma Foss' and watching the Masters on their small TV on their sun porch.
160. Jelly Beans. There is a lady at work with Jelly Beans on her desk. I probably owe her 10 bags. Good grief! Happy Easter!

Oxymoron

I saw this the other day and sent it to my brother and Grace. Pretty sure there is not Seattle fish in KC unless it's flown in....

Feel Good Friday

                   

Along the River

Writing is my therapy. In fact, mostly why I keep this blog.  It's like a lifestyle journal for me and a way to express things that I am far better at writing about then talking about.  This is something I've wanted to write about for some time but words escape me and the thoughts don't hit the paper.

Finally, I feel clarity and some peace. A work meeting took me to Northwest Kansas recently.  As I crossed over the Missouri River in a small NW Kansas town I glanced down at some park benches sitting in the grassy bank of the river.  My thoughts drifted to 6 years earlier when I sat on those very same benches with a dear friend who was battling addiction at a nearby facility as we chatted about life, about demons, about goals and priorities.  A lump formed in my throat. It was a day very similar to this one, sunny and warm, the newness of spring, the water of the Missouri river swiftly moving on by.

Life is really like a river. Yes, I think Garth Brooks sings a song titled that and I guess this is sort if the same concept only not a country song.  Our lives keep on moving. Sometimes we go upstream and sometimes downstream.  Life takes us to different banks and different bends. There are times when we are drowning and times when we are swimming so fast that water is going up your nose and in your ears and you can't believe all that is happening. Sometimes we need tugboats to give us a tug and other times we are the captain in the drivers seat.  Sometimes life, like the water, is murky and other times it's crystal clear. Sometimes the river is about to overflow and other times it's grown old and nearly dried up.

Life keeps passing by just as the water keeps flowing; keeps moving.  People will come and go in our lives just like boats on a river.  Captains change, passengers change. We are in constant movement and sometimes you are lucky enough to ride down the river with some of the same companions you always have had. Sometimes people head to different waters and that is OK too.  If your river stops moving that's when you are trouble. Not when there is a bend in the river or a switch direction of the stream.  Changes form who you are and each bend is a new chapter in your story.

Crossing over the river and seeing those benches was a great reminder for me that life goes on.  Perhaps even a little therapeutic to the pain and wounds crafted by a person in your life battling addiction or to your own co-dependency given the situation.   Forgive and keep your face to the sun and pray that the person you sat with on the bench along the river is doing the same.

Humbled

So, most who know me well know I am about the least photogenic person EVER.  I attribute this mostly to my Myasthenia and the "frozen face."  Regardless, I am beyond honored that I am currently in the Visions Across America Photography exhibit at Iowa State University.

In a very cool project, the Iowa State Alumni Association interviewed individuals from every state and featured them in a recent Visions magazine about their vision in their community.  A very special honor indeed.  My friend Mary alerted me that there is actually a blog about all of the stories and if you click here this is where I am featured.  All are a must read. So neat to learn what Iowa Staters are doing in their communities.

The opening of the exhibit was last Friday at the Brunnier Museum at Iowa State and I attended with my mom and my dear friend Brad.  My dad ironically was filling in for ISU President Leath at an event at Iowa Wesleyan College because the President was at the opening so he did not get to come.  You can check out the Visions Across America exhibit until August 9th at the Brunnier.

                      

Wordless Wednesday

How do you spell classy? Why using black duct tape on your side mirror because it kissed the side of your garage. That's classy!

Thankful Tuesday

141. Iowa
142. Home. My real home. My parents house. Love going HOME for some R & R.  I instructed my Dad to let oh precious thing into my room after they went on a morning run and he DIDN'T. She was supposed to be my alarm clock and I ended up sleeping til 10am. Good grief!
143. Cable TV. I know many go without it but I love my Today show watching. A cable outage yesterday did not make me happy!
144. New phone. No more cracked screen!
145. Payday. Do we need to elaborate? :)
146. Friends- new and old
147. Organization- back at home with my April calendar going makes me feel organized.
148. 1/2 birthdays mean coupons to some places- exciting!
149. Humor. You need a sense of humor after oh precious thing clawed a hole in her Grammy and Gramps couch AND ran through the screen door to catch a squirrel.
150. Unconditional Love. Oh precious thing peed when she first saw me after 10 days. I had no idea she liked me so much.

7 on 7

                   

1. Back in business with our daily walks only oh precious thing wants to run because she spent 10 days running with her Gramps!

2. Today is my 1/2 birthday! Cheers to a few email coupons for free things. Come on, who doesn't love FREE?

3. Oh precious thing back on squirrel duty.

4. Iowa. Home. Sweet. Home. Loved my weekend in Iowa and the pile of laundry that followed.

5. Bring it on! New neighbors. I was hoping for a single 36 year old doctor or contractor but word on the street is its a girl about my age moving in next door. Here's to hoping she has a very cute single brother!

6. Daffodils coming up in my rocky backyard.

7. Sushi dinner with some of my KC faves, the Larsons! 

Feel Good Friday

                                

Vino For A Cause

My dear friend LM is very involved in the Beds Program at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood. You may recall I wrote about a fundraiser they had done a few years ago about it. She is one of the founders of the program and even last year they got a shout out from their Pastor in the Presidential Inauguration. Super cool. Anyway, they are having a great fundraiser next week at Buckley's Wine Market where you can get wine and clothes! Here are the details! 

                        

Wordless Wednesday

I miss this precious little one and can't wait to see her on Friday!  She's been walking a fine line at Grammy and Gramps house and I think has finally settled in and has some new best friends! Not sure I can keep up with her morning runs but we will try.

               

Thankful Tuesday

I missed a few weeks, again! Back on the train for now....
131. My bed.  Sleeping away from home and I can't wait to get home!
132. Mom & Dad. They have graciously been watching Riesy girl while I overnight babysit. I think she is keeping them on their toes or they are keeping her on hers. Not sure!  Thank you!
133. My house. See above.
134. Cyclone basketball. What an amazing season. So fun!
135. Blogging. Back into the routine, kind of, after several weeks of absence.
136. Medicine.  After suffering through the worst cold/infection I have had in years. I am thankful for medicine that finally wiped it out.
137. Yoga pants. After laying around for days trying to kick the worlds worst infection I am thankful for comfy pants! :)
138. Checking off things on the to-do list! What a great feeling.
139. Spray Paint- making something old look new. Yes, please.
140. Non cracked iPhone?! After having dealing with a cracked iPhone for a few weeks, damn excitement at the Big 12 Tourney, I'm thankful for the times I had without a cracked phone and looking forward getting a new one- just need to go do it!