That Curl can RUN!

 Back?  Not really. At least I don't think so. Who has time for a comeback? We all want a comeback, but how? When? And why? Of course I've had plenty of great conversations in my head (and out loud with my steering wheel) over the years but those float off into space and only the Heavens here me. No one is recording, no notes. How would I recreate those here for your enjoyment?  Sorry to tell you, I can't.  I could try to put pen to paper, if you will. here as they come up, but I'm not available that much.  Do you work full-time? Do you have family? Did you go back to college? Do you like to sleep? Me too. That leaves little time for blogging.  I did find myself reminiscing today though, on a Thursday no less. Shouldn't it be Khaki Thursday? Or TWPICK Thursday? Or even TOWPICK Thursday? It could be. It's actually TPPIOK Thursday I guess. (those pink pants instead of khaki). I can't even find a good pair of khaki pants anymore. That's a rant for another d...

Hello there! Greetings from SEOK. It's hot, it's hot, and it's hot. The good news today is that it's my FRIDAY!!!! Shhhh, don't tell anyone, I don't like my business being made public. I will tell you that I won't be at work for the rest of the week, but I'm not saying what I'm doing. So don't go snooping around my house trying to find out where I am. Weirdos. I plan to run this week, so I have that going for me. I'll keep you posted on how it goes, and if I keep up with R4G's half marathon training. Today I get my new tooth too! So hillbilly. Since I won't be available much this week, I thought I'd share all the things I've been doing since last (real) Friday. ______________________________________________________________________ I visited my parents, brother, SIL, nephews, and niece! Dad isn't a big fan of pictures. Sometimes I can get him to pose, but this trip was not one of those times. Mom was...

So, we picked a spot for my Okie swag to hang. Bam! He told me to look like I was having fun in the picture. Not sure what it looks like I'm doing, other than being a poor dresser... I'm guessing he doesn't like me for my after-work fashion sense. I either have professional duds, or running wear. This...this is something. But look at that Okie schwaaag! Thanks dude! __________________________________________________________________________ Back to the Act  Reading on in Acts 16, Paul and Silas traveled where the Holy Spirit led them. They were beaten and imprisoned for preaching the Word of God. (How many people have been beaten and imprisoned so far? I've lost count!) While in prison they prayed and sang hymns, and God opened the doors and released the shackles from their feet. However, they did not run out to freedom. They remained, as they should, and had the opportunity to convert the jailer! How awesome is that?! Afterwards, they were released with...

I hate technology.  I hate it before it can hate me.  It's stupid.  It makes me crazy.  I cried because I couldn't figure out my username and password to Spotify so I could log into it on my new digital doodad. I cried and yelled at A DEVICE! Gah.  I can't connect my tablet to my to my TV. I bought 2 adapters and nothing.  I can blog.  I can Spotify (finally). I can Pinterest.  I feel like Leah is yelling. Rant over. Sorry. :) _______________________________________________________________________ When fair is not fair I like to be happy. Making other people happy makes me happy, but that is hard sometimes. I'm circling back to that 'dying to oneself' issue we all have. Don't we just love to be justified in our feelings? When we are angry because someone made us angry, or when we are sad because someone made us sad; we want to point it out so they will understand, agree, and apologize. How often does that happen though? And,...

We survived the weekend. Flooding, tornadoes, flooding, wind, coyotes, giant rocks, and flooding. I didn't 'holiday' like normal, and I can't say that I'm sad. I had a really great Memorial Day weekend doing the things I like most. Napping, cleaning, and hanging with my favorites.   We visited the dam Friday, and the spillway before it crested. Facebook and Instagram are full of pictures of the lake over the years. This is only the 4th time on record that we have had this kind of flooding. The previous 4 years have been near drought conditions, so anyone that wasn't around for 20-ot-7 or prior (meaning me) is getting a pretty cool experience. The bridge across Lake Texoma was closed yesterday for a short time, but has reopened. We are mainly dry today and tomorrow, however, runoff is a major issue. The spillway is 640ft above sea level, and the lake is at 642.89ft and rising. They are monitoring the bridge closely; we assume it will be close...

It's sun-day on a Monday! There is a big bright thing outside. We aren't sure what to make of it, but it sure is pretty. It has rained here since last Monday or Tuesday(maybe?). Every day brought thunderstorm warnings, tornado watches, tornado warnings, and a constant flash flood warning. We are so water-logged. Roads are washed out, rivers are out of their banks, and tomato plants are hanging on for dear life. Let's catch up on my weekend ok? Here we go! __________________________________________________________________________  Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain We had a rockin' weather weekend. This was our view from the fire station near my house. The rotation was about 6 miles west of us (looking straight at it). There wasn't a confirmed touch down, but there was a lot of roof damage, and downed trees. These pictures are courtesy of local storm chasers. This tornado and supercell were products of the storm that tracked from Sherm...

How much do you like BBQ? Let me tell you about some Okies from the FBC that would face the fuschia to get some Smokin' Joes. 1 1/2 hr drive, in blinding rain, in construction, on a major highway, in a church bus with a bad tire... 11 people, most under 21, on a mission from God to get the best BBQ around. Ok, maybe God didn't send us out for smoked chicken and brisket, but I bet if He tried it, he'd most definitely want us to go. It was a very thrilling trip. We all laughed a lot, maybe too much at times. Laughter can help you escape the reality of danger. Maybe we shouldn't have been so aloof. Oh well! Tra lah lah, tra lah lah. We made it to dinner, an hour ahead of closing (that's a whole different story) and ate until we were tired. We stopped by Falls Creek for a minute, and headed back to town. The return trip was less threatening, but no less stressful. Oh, the joys of group travel. ___________________________________________________________________...

Do you know that it's Star Wars day? It is. You should know that. I know that's why you come to my blog, to find out these very important things. I'm calming down from a whirlwind weekend. I visited my parents Friday night, and my ex-in-laws Saturday. I burned up the highway to get back in time for cutey-cuteys 3rd birthday Saturday evening. Can I have a birthday like a 3 year old? A spread of snacks, tons of gifts that I'm SUPER excited about, lots of friends and family, and a water gun fight! Adults should get to have this much fun too. Saturday evening provided a relaxed vibe, which was very welcomed. Napping, and then sleeping. I think I liked that as much as cutey liked the Rescue Bots. Sunday brought a great worship service, the kind that has you unable to contain your thanks for His grace. The praise band had it TURNT UP yesterday. You know when you want to jump up on the pew, look at the congregation and say "how are you standing still? Do you hear w...

I did it!! I ran my first half-marathon! Official time 3:13:55. This included a 14 minute stop at the port-a-potty and 5 2-minute stops. Runner friend was having trouble with her feet cramping so she had to adjust her shoes and stretch a bunch. We promised to not leave one another during our first half-marathon, so I would run on, then run back and get her. I only actually stopped when she had to take the potty break, as I knew it would get me too far ahead if I went on. Minus those delays, I would have finished around 2:49, averaging 12:50/mile. I am very happy with that thought. Let's review the experience. OKC Run to Remember is rated in the top 12 "must run" marathons by Runner's World. I would agree. There were so many great points that I don't think I'll be able to list them all. Here is a good overview though! General organization: The set up, signage, and announcements were top notch. At 5am when you're half awake and cold, it's nice to...

4/19/2015: 20th Anniversary of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing in OKC, OK. 4/26/2015: Run to Remember in honor of the 20th Anniversary. The first Run to Remember was in 2001 with just under 5,000 participants. Today it has grown to over 25,000 runners/walkers. This will be my first entry. I am running the half. As I write this I am overcome with emotion. I received my confirmation email just moments ago with my bib number. I can't believe it. I'm in a marathon known around the world. A very public stage where I get to participate in a very personal experience. Giving my all to do what I love, for no one but myself. An opportunity to push through my own pain and doubt in an attempt to reach a finish line that, at this time, seems so very far away. I am scared and nervous. No doubt these are the same emotions that run through each person upon facing adversity, tragedy, and eventually the hope for a future from behind its shadows. We face giants every day. The ...