Living Life

So often, I feel like I'm just going through life.  Not really living it but just going through it.  There are moments that I live life and I enjoy it and sometimes think, why don't I do this all the time.

This month, I felt like I've been living life and wanted to share those moments.

 Fall brings FOOTBALL.  I love me some Sooner and Chief's football. I've attended two NFL games this year and enjoyed my experience at the Chiefs game.

I've always wanted to go to Weston, Missouri and I went this month with my church's single's group.  We had such great weather and the Irish fest was going on the same time, so it was extremely packed with people.  We had a lunch at the park which would be worth going back to again.

I went to the Maple Festival again in Baldwin, Kansas.  Lorie and I went last year for the first time and had a great time.  This year I invited Erica, Nemo and Lana to experience the festival and they loved it.  I was on a mission this year to bring back some Mango Salsa and to find the lady that sold casserole covers and get a OU one.  Get to the salsa table and they were out.  She did sale me their last sample jar which didn't have a label on it, so it was 50 cents cheaper.  The good news is that they have finally branched out to the Kansas City area in Overland Park, KS.  You better believe they will be no stranger to me.  Best mango salsa ever!!

The Hill's, a couple from church have been God sent.  They have been my Kansas City parents.  They invited me to Springfield, Mo to go visit their grandchildren.  I had such a good time.  Luci (4yrs), Calla (2yrs) and Seeley (2mths).  We took them to the pumpkin patch, played and they showed me how they can fit in the play kitchen stove and dishwasher, tried on their halloween costumes, and prepared for a bon fire event they were having.  Learned that pumpkins start out green.  I guess I really never thought about it until I saw the green ones and learned they turn orange.  I thought it was the neatest thing.  Also learned there is a difference between a mule, donkey, and burro.  I've just classified them all as donkey's but they are different.  You can always learn new things, keep your eyes and ears open.

While in Springfield, I went shooting.  I shot an AK47 and 357 mag.  I passed on the 44 mag as it seemed a little too powerful.  I was so scared to shoot the guns.  On tv, they make it seem like it's nothing but these equipments were so powerful and loud.  I was informed I have a long ways to go still in order to go hunting.  I shot from 25 feet away and I thought it was pretty challenging and still scary.  I hit the target but not the dot that I was aiming for.  I want to get more practice shooting and not be so scaried shooting them.  I'm going to need to find a partner who wouldn't mind taking classes with me. Humm, that may be challenging and I may have to take this one alone.

On our way home, we stopped in Osceola to sample some cheese.  This place is worth the hour and a half drive to go visit again.  They had tons of cheese and other things to try and a gift store with some really neat things.  We stopped and had chili cheese fries with my new pirate friend.  It wasn't happy that I had to leave him.

I've been meeting new people and getting out of the house on the weekends.  It's been nice.  I'm so used to going to work--coming home and eat--go to bed and do it all over again.  Then when the weekend comes, I just stay in bed ALL day. No joke.  I love it.  However, I also enjoying doing what I've been doing for the past two months.  Being around people, going to festivals, making memories and taking pictures.

I want to be and do what God has for my life.  I know He does not want me sleeping my life away.  That is not what I'm called to do or be but yet it makes me happy many times to do nothing.

Lord, thank you for the opportunity to be around people and to meet new people.  Thank you for letting me experience life and the good it has to offer.  I know this life is temporary and the things of this world will one day be gone.  I pray that I take advantage of the time you have given me in this world and not take for granted family, friends, and time.  I pray as I continue to see Your will for my life, that I use the wisdom you have given me to make the right choices.  Thank you for your Grace and Mercy.  Thank you for loving me just for me.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Joy's of Fall

I know it's technically summer still but fall is right around the corner which means...Fall Festivals.

This is the first time I've been to Chillicothe, Mo, home of the slice bread. I Learn something new on every trip.  They host the Chautaqua fall festival every year and a good friend of mine invited me to go and you better believe I was in that car. 

There are many reasons why I like fall festivals.  I think the number one reason is the yummy FOOD!

Cake pop, pork skins, blueberry cobbler cheese and walking taco's Oh My!  I've been hearing about all the different types of food that are at festivals and fairs lately and I was geared up to try the fried twinkie but this year they decided not to come.  Of course but that's okay, there were many other temptations.

No fried twinkie...that's okay, I tried the homemade Root Beer and it was so good.  The prices were based on the bottle and there were many to pick from.  You could walk around and drink your root beer and for a small fee come back and get a refill.  How cleaver is that.

I admire those crafters who keep those traditional way of crafting alive.  There were many women out there with their wheels and turning Ilama hair into yarn so they can knit with.  Some were making scarves, hats and many more items.  Something new I learned was that Ilama hair is the new knitting yarn.  I wonder why?

There was a lady demonstrating pottery making which I was really amused, it reminded me of "Ghost".  I want to hopefully make pottery on a wheel.  I was so happy being in the midst of such crafters.

I told you I like the food.  We were walking along and this booth caught my eye.  The sight of the pig skins made me completely forget I was walking with my friends and got engrossed in how pork rinds were made.  The pork rinds start out like the first picture.  Once you put them in hot oil, they expand into alot of good ole pork rinds.  I purchased the bbq flavor.  But I will tell you, they taste a little different now since I've seen the behind the scene making.  I still have a almost full bag.

There were so many creative stands and crafts and I could have stayed out there forever.  In the midst of all the stands and crafters, there were plenty of people to watch.  Something that made me laugh out loud was this lady pushing her dog in the stroller while her and the child pushed along.  This dog was no light weight.  Man, that dog has the life.

The rain held out until it we were walking back to the car.  We got completely drenched.  On the way back to my house, this was my view.  Thank you Lord for a great day and fall festivals.