Casa Bonita, Slide Zone, BOK Center, OSU Football & Hospital Visit

When I say that getting off work at 4:30 p.m. on Friday was going to be busier at that point than working full-time this week, I meant it! I started out with a surprisingly good meal with my brother at Casa Bonita on Friday at 4:45 p.m. They apparently reopened with the name almost 2 months ago. I had the veggie enchiladas, which were awesome! Lots of cheese though, but no onion! :) I ended up buying Slide Zone tickets from the Tulsa County 4-H Horse Show...so Michael and I got some cultural learning in the Reining world of horses. After vi sting Starbucks, we got to bed.

Saturday- jam packed and ready to go to sleep....we started out with the BOK Center's Grand Opening....talk about a phenomenal building...the design is magnificent...I was very impressed. There were so many people there. I think it was busy the whole day. No one wanted to miss out. We got home in time to get ready for the OSU Football game. Tiffany, Lance, John and Garrett came over to watch the show. I had a sidebar, working with McKinzey on some 4-H stuff!

Michael made is famous Turkey Chili, which was yummy as always! He's such a terrific cook...very talented. The game wasn't very exciting, except that we did win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll take a boring game....if it means victory for our cowboys! :)

To finish the day off, we went to see Cody's little girl with Tiff and Lance. You talk about a miracle happening. There was a complication with Jacie's mouth development. She has the most gorgeous eyes and eye lashes. She has a tough road ahead of her. Please pray for the surgery's to come and other miscellaneous things her parents will have to go through. They are very strong. It definitely was not easy being in ICU with all those babies! :(

That gives you a breakdown of a jam packed day, but it was worth every little thing that happened. God is so good! He definitely has a plan! I learned a lot today!

Back on Track

Since Aunt Tracy is going to be gone for some more adventure traveling, I wanted to get in one more time to continue catching up and just having girl time! Yes, I actually am getting to have girl time...how awesome is that?....So AWESOME! I'm so blessed to have someone to talk to about anything and everything.



I even got to talk to Ale, who is lucky enough to be staying at the Miller Manor. About Miller Manor.....what to say...it's very peaceful and full of energy and relaxation. Aunt Tracy and I got to relax in the living room sipping hot "chocolate" tea while carrying on about this and that.



We proceeded to the Infrared Sauna that really got us sweating. It was very toasty, but I never felt better. This week has been perfect for getting back on track with my "I'm going to relax more" goal for myself.



I did acupuncture on Monday...loved it...always love it...it's amazing...then time with Tracy on Wednesday.



Thursday, I got to spend time with Michael...our eating habits are changing...so when we try to put something not so good for us...we really pay for it. This has been a frequent learning experience for me and my hubby! :) I think we are starting to get the gist that we really have to stay away from eating out.



Any ways, this weekend will be full of seeing the new BOK Center open house, quilting with the Whitten Women, watch party for season opener "OSU Football Game" (GO POKES), Church Family Picnic and possibly painting our Master Bathroom. Okay, it's a lot of stuff. I am getting back on track with enjoying life and living it up with family and friends.



Sometimes you have to step aside and let life go...you never know what will come your way! :)

Fairest of the Fair - Payne County

Last Saturday, August 23, 2008, I was lucky enough to judge the Payne County's Fairest of the Fair Pageant. It was a very rewarding endeavor for both the participants and the judges! This pageant has impressed me the most from all that I've ever seen. The "real" girl stands out and makes her place as the winner. All four categories were fun to judge.

My favorite was the Teen Category. I didn't know until after we had selected the winner that she had competed 6 or 7 times at this event and never had won. She was the most excited...she cried, I cried and so did some others. It was cool to see that perseverance does pay off...it just depends on how willing each of us is in meeting our goal and hitting it out of the park! :)

I'm so happy I participated in this wonderful event. Thanks to Michelle for helping me out when I did the Mrs. Northern Oklahoma Pageant and in exchange getting me to judge. :)

Tea Time & Springfield

First off, I had a wonderful time with Aunt Tracy at our tea time yesterday. I'm so proud of how far her and Uncle David have come in changing their outlook and lifestyles to how they see it best for themselves. It's never easy changing, especially when everyone else stays the same. Being at their house is so relaxing and well decorated! I have to give it to Aunt Tracy for all her hard work, I'm very impressed and inspired to get my projects started in making the home stress free and a sanctuary. The chocolate flavored tea with fresh strawberries was an added bonus. I talked a lot (sorry Aunt Tracy, I couldn't help it) and it felt so good to have someone listen! There is a difference! Thanks for the quality time....I look forward to doing it again soon...even doing some sauna time. :)



I think it's important for all of us to take time to spend with loved ones and friends. Slowing down is so important in life. May we all slow down, be still and enjoy what we have right now!



Now for this past weekend with my mother-in-law and her boyfriend. Michael and I had a great time with them. Everything seems rushed when you only have two days, but I think we made the most of it. We had a blast with the picture taking. Please see slide show! :) I think I'm more accepting of having to travel to see family more now than I ever have before. You just have to make the most of it and value the time you have until the next time. We did lots of shopping and I somehow found amazing deals that never come my way...some for free. Can't beat that on any day! :) The Steamboat Branson Belle was a hoot! We have many fun stories from that...especially when I got a steak dinner from the higher menu, because I was allergic to the other meals (sorry to all three that had to watch me eat it). Any ways, I will let the pictures explain the rest...the past three days have been great....tea with Aunt Tracy and weekend with Mike, mom and my hubby!

Going on Another Adventure

As some of you know, I've been a traveling more than I ever have....since last November. Well, I'm off to Springfield, MO to my mother-in-laws for a weekend visit. We get to go to Branson, which will be fun. I haven't been there in awhile.

We are going to have a nice adventure on the Showboat Branson Belle. I've heard good and bad, so I'm going to go towards the good sided. They were nice enough to take a special request, since my allergies love to get in my way. I usually don't go overboard and request, but I will be on a boat...and an ambulance has a hard time getting on a boat! :) Don't you just love a life with food allergies...it definitely has it's on adventure that plays out from time to time.

I'm very excited for the weekend and my return, because I get to have tea time with Aunt Tracy. I'm very much looking forward to that! Any ways, may your weekend bring you a little adventure....wherever you may be! :)

Staying Up Late

Yes, the Olympics is keeping me up late...and what happens when Chrissy stays up late...I want to stay up longer and get things done. I ended up cleaning my kitchen (including dishes and oven) after the wonderful viewing of our Olympians! :) The kitchen looks spectacular...I give myself a Gold medal for the cleaning competition. It's funny how our houses can get so dirty sometimes. This will always puzzle and amaze me at the same time.

I am a true night owl, but I'm working off and on towards making sure that I don't stay up late too many night in a row. I just love to get things done. I know for those that know me that I'm a little tough when it comes to organizing and cleaning. :) I can't help it. It's what I do.

God's been working on cleaning up me! :) I feel closer than I have in a long time. It's like relationships around us. You have to put the time in to get a flourishing relationship...whether that be friends, spouses and loved ones. It takes the time and energy to keep it going. Just like it takes the same efforts in order to keep the house clean and organized.

May we give time to all our relationships in order to grow closer. Staying up late reminded me that effort is a major key in getting anything accomplished.

One more thing....there was a quote at a meeting I was at last night. I was looking around the room and there the quote was....

Do what you can, where you are at, with what you have. - President Theodore Roosevelt

GO USA! GO USA!

Okay, me...non-competive...I think not. Even when I cheer....my blood is pumping and I get way too involved. My husband tries to remind me that our Olympians can not hear me from Tulsa to Beijing...I beg to differ. In spirit, I know that I play a tiny part....perhaps smaller than I'd ever admit....that my heartfelt, cheering and screaming...makes it just a little better for our USA team members overseas. I can't help it. I love to cheer! I love for us to win! I want to see Phelps win his 8 golds...and for the USA to have our flags raised in as many medal ceremonies as possible.

These athletes have the biggest dedication and heart. Phelps has pretty much been living a life of sleep, eat and swim for the past 4 years to prepare him for this Olympics....how amazing the dedication. I wish I could be dedicated just 10%. I give it to them for working so hard. They give us hope, courage and drive. Thank you USA for giving us freedom...for giving us the drive....I just pray and hope that we can see the things we need to improve to make it even better! :)

Shopping in Chrissy's Closet

Oh yes, as today has been my first day just to do whatever I want to do....sigh....I decided to shop in my own closet. Yes, sounds different and cheap!!!! What the greatest thing is to me.....is that it was completely FREE! :) There are so many times in the past that I've had to buy that emergency top or outfit for an event.

My closet was color coordinated (go figure), but it needed to be more than that. I have thought time and again that I have nothing to wear. So I fixed that today by trying on almost every single article of clothing that I have. It was so much fun. I got to rediscover some of my old favorites. I matched up pants, Capri's, skirts and shorts with really cute tops that I OWN! :)

I have so many outfits now that I could probably go 2 months or longer before having to start over. So, with the newly refined wardrobe that cost me nothing more than time to get it into perspective...I will not feel the need to go shopping for a long time! I will be able to enjoy showing off my new looks. It did help that I lost 12 pounds from the surgery on June 24th...so I can fit into a lot of the clothes that haven't seen the light of day in a long time!

I am very satisfied with my accomplishment today. I encourage all of you to take a few hours to try on clothes and rediscover yourself and your wardrobe. Remember that it's something to do, free from spending more hard earned money and fun! Happy organizing!

God Shines On

God knows just when to shine brighter than ever in my life. I got to talk to Gaby, an old camp buddy, tonight on the phone. She's in Mexico and I here! It's amazing what God is doing in her life! As of right now, she is going to be a missionary...possibly going to Africa later on. She got to share her story, which is phenomenal. I met her during a time in her life where she didn't know where life was taking her, yet she had a spirit about herself. She did have a lot of bitterness, but you can't hide your soul! :)

She reminded me how important each of us is to one another through our walks in life. She met me when my faith was so strong and abundant, which I'm getting back to with each watering from God. I am far from perfect. I hope I get it right more times than I do wrong. I don't always say the right thing...or react how I should, but when it's all said and done...I could do nothing without God!

May you be still and see what God has done for you. May he lead you through your purpose in life. May you step aside to let him work. May you stop to count your blessings. May you display the fruits of the spirit! :) GOD KNOWS WHEN WE NEED TO BE LIFTED UP! PRAISE HIM ON HIGH!

Organizing never ends!

Have you ever felt that you almost have things organized....yet look deeper...and realize there's still more. I don't think it's meant for us to be completely organized in anything we do. It helps me see that I'm far from perfect...though I've never been in danger to think I was! :) I've had opportunities to visit many homes, business and misc. places. It's very interesting to find out just what level each owner is at in their life.

I have found places that are really organized to a nightmare and disaster zone. What makes us keep our home or business the way we do? I find that psychological elements come into play. For those that keep things fairly organized, perhaps you have it more together. For those that have things everywhere, perhaps you could slow down. For those that have things that you can't even identify, perhaps it's time to hire someone to help! :)

I do not keep things completely organized, but I do like to try. Some of my family members are notorious for their hoarding. This is why I try to keep up with things, because I'm naturally a hoarder. After years of working out it, I think I've come a long ways.

Organizing may never end, but I'm up for the challenge to try to keep it roped in and clean! :) Good luck to those that struggle...and for those that don't...may you not backslide! :)

Master's Degree...CHECK!

Master's Defense.....sweated...conquered...scored!
Last Course...Summer 08...online...crazy...got an A!
Completed Master's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad I decided to dust my feet off and get back into the school mode in summer 2006. It was a crazy ride with many obstacles, but I got it done....of course with the help of GOD! I'm so happy to be done.

I will miss the lectures, readings, papers and projects.....then again...I think I will manage to be without them as well! I actually get my freedom back a little. Lots of time spent away from my hubby, family and friends. It's good to have my life back...though life never stopped while I was back in school.

It was tough balancing all of it, but well worth my education and success. To all those reading this, always challenge yourself and reach higher than you feel that you can...who knows you might discover something you never knew you could do or accomplish!

Getting my Master's degree was one of my top ten things to accomplish before I turned 30....I cut it really close! :) I turned 30 on July 16th and finished school on July 25th! YEAH!