It's been awhile

Well, I have more friends and family joining this thing, so I thought I would try and start blogging more. It's been an extremely long time since my last blog!




For those of you who don't know, I work at The Territory here in Duncan. It's a private golf and country club and residential community. It's very nice and resort like. Our golf course is beautiful! We have some pretty big events that take place at our golf course including college golf tournaments, Golf Channel events, and high school golf state, just to name a few. The Territory ranks every year in Golf Digest and Golfweek.
We also have lots of events for the kids! Including movies on our giant screen outside at the pool, golf camps, holiday parties, etc.
And we also have stay and play packages available. You can stay in one of our 3 lovely homes and enjoy a relaxing weekend playing golf, swimming in our pool, or eating at our wonderful restaurant, The Prairie House, which is run by Chef Keith Zinke formerly of The Coach House in Oklahoma City.
Check out more about The Territory at territorygolf.com or by calling 580475.0075






Another Memorial Day Weekend has come and gone and it was enjoyable. I had friends and family in from all over and it was nothing but a great time spent at the golf course for the annual Blowout Tournament!

My little cousin Sarah graduated from High School last week and I just can't believe it. It makes me feel pretty old! I'm so proud of her and all she has accomplished in her young life!


Not much else to report right now. Life is nothing but work, work, work. Especially since summer is upon us, the kids are out of school, the weather is nice so the course and pool are busy!

Dining Etiquette

I know I've posted things like this before, but being in the industry myself for 10 years, I have to stick up for myself and others in the industry. It's important to me. It is my livelihood.
So please, be respectful of us, just as we would of you if we came into your office and hired your services.
I absolute hate it when I bust my ass for a table and I get gypped when it's all said and done. Next time, I won't work so hard for you. I'm sorry, you wanted extra ranch, well when you leave me a better tip, I might be in a hurry to get that for you. I remember who you are. And I remember those who do treat me well. They always come first in my book. Want the best service I can provide? You've got to earn it and by earn it, I mean tip well and respect me!

I saw this article on AOL and I don't think I could have said it any better myself.

Tara


DON'T TALK DOWN TO ME

Quote: "I hate when customers speak down to me like I am a teenager/20-something because I look young. I am 30 years old, and have been serving food for 20 years."
"For those of you who think servers are stupid, ignorant, or somehow below you in class or social standing, etc., let me just say that I am far classier than most people I served. Most of the people I worked with were extremely classy individuals as well. Money does not equal class."




PLEASE DON'T CAMP OUT

Quote: "When it's closing time, please GET OUT. How would you like it if someone came to your office five minutes before you closed and kept you there an extra two hours?"
"Remember that every minute you occupy one of our tables is affecting our income for the night. If you sit for two additional hours chatting after settling up and drinking water, consider compensating us for that time, especially since most good servers will continue to check up on you and refill those sodas and waters. If you buy drinks at the bar and then move to our tables and just sit talking, remember that table represents our livelihood. The longer you sit not tipping us, the less our hourly rate comes out to at the end of the night. Many servers only get between two and five tables to earn off during a shift. If they lose one for a couple of hours to "campers", as we call them, it can make a big impact at the end of the shift."



IF YOU CAN'T TIP, DON'T EAT OUT

Quote: "Oh and here's a little tip for those of you who don't know: we don't just want tips for our pocket, we want 'em for the food that Uncle Sam taxes US to feed you. That's right, I get taxed for what I sell. So if you order a huge meal, and then sheepishly tell me that you're sorry but you just don't have enough for a tip, I may smile and say, "That's ok, just get me next time." (Which is exactly what I do.) But inside I'm thanking you for giving me the privilege of paying for part of your meal, and for working for you for free. I'm sure my kids will too."
"Does anyone realize what a waitress/waiter gets paid an HOUR!?!? I work in a restaurant that is like Eat n Park. Make ALMOST $3.00 an hour for wages, but HAVE to pay TAXES on $4.35 an hour! If I do not "bust my butt" and try to get AT LEAST 18% TIP from a table, I am LOSING money!"
"Also, when prices rise in the rest of the world, i.e. gas, milk, the percent you should leave as a tip rises a little as well. So don't leave that crummy 10% tip you watched your father or grandfather leave while you were growing up. 15% is the minimum today, with 20% being customary most everywhere."



JUST TREAT ME LIKE A PERSON

Quote: "I think that a lot of people might really be ashamed of themselves if they could witness their own behavior. for some reason, it has become socially acceptable to treat wait staff like indentured servants. People should just stop, take away all the tangents and remember that they are dealing with a PERSON, with feelings. It truly is amazing to see how people act, especially when they don't realize they are being watched (or worse yet, when they know they have an audience)."
"People seem to totally forget themselves. I have an aunt who is a pretty cool person, until she walks into a restaurant. Is there a sub-culture that gets some secret, subconscious thrill from being able to put themselves on a pedestal above another person, just because that person is literally depending on YOU for their very livelihood? Some of the behaviors I have witnessed from restaurant guests is reprehensible, and if some people would stop to chill out and listen to themselves for a minute, they might truly be ashamed."



UP-SELLING IS MANDATORY

Quote: "I'll let you in on a little secret -- we have meetings on up-selling and suggestive selling, and yes we have to go and listen to someone explain the importance of up selling for 2 hours at the butt crack of dawn on a Saturday. Sounds fun doesn't it?"
"All of the restaurants I have ever worked in require the servers to not only up-sell (for example, from tap to bottled water) but also require that they offer specific appetizers, desserts, and alcoholic beverages. And the consequences for not doing these things can be anything from getting a "bad" section to being fired."



I'M BEING WATCHED

Quote: "At our restaurant (and most other high end major restaurants) we have what we call a shopper. This person basically grades us on our job, without us knowing, and we have to hit several key points. For example, if a couple of people at a table ask for the same glass of wine, we must offer a bottle. And we must tell you about a feature that is off the menu. We must offer cracked pepper. If we do not do this, we are reprimanded and maybe even have some good shifts taken away until you can prove that you are a quality server.
"Anybody can be a secret shopper. If these aren't met the server can be fired on the first offense. think about that next time you think the server might be helping too much. They are not just trying to make more money they also trying to save their job."



PLEASE WATCH YOUR KIDS

Quote: "We would not need to use the sweepers or brooms on the floors, if you and your kids did not act like pigs, throwing everything on the floor, just because you don't have to clean it up!"
"We get tired of people that allow their kids to throw food everywhere and behave like little animals simply because they don't have to clean it all up (for that big two dollar tip no less)."
"I clean up after kids that are monsters (even puke!). How can you take them out in public and let them act like that?"
Please do not let your children run around the restaurant. It's dangerous and we're not your babysitters. Waitresses come by with big heavy trays filled with hot food or coffee, and she can't always see a small child. And we're not required to entertain your child just so he or she won't run around the restaurant and act like a monkey. It takes away time we could have spent getting you refills or helping out another table that is acting a little more civilized.



DEALING WITH CHANGE

Quote: "I don't understand the gripes about asking if you need change. I work at a restaurant and if someone has cash (and most of the time I don't know because our checks are in books) I can't read your mind if you have a twenty or a hundred in there and I am not going to look until I get to the register, because it's rude. I ask because some people do not need change and get offended if I don't ask. So if you need change say so."
"Many places do not require severs to carry cash on them, SO if you do need change we have to go to the bartender, wait for him/her to see me, wait to give him/her the cash, then wait for it to be returned to me (many times the bartender is busy so this can take several minutes) only to go BACK to your table and have you say "Oh it's for you." I could have helped other tables or done another tasks and could get that change later or at the end of the night. It is NOT our way of asking for a better tip! It is our way of saying "Do you need me to come back to this table anymore?"

[[Personally, I just tell the table I will return with their change. Usually they tell me ok or they say no change needed. Sometimes they don't say anything and that's annoying because I don't know how much is in there and depending on what you left, I might return with 2 cents that you didn't even want. So please speak up.]]



WE'RE NOT THE COOKS

Quote: "We did not cook your food. We only brought it to you. It is okay, if the food is not to your satisfaction, for you to tell us this, and we will bring you something else. But please remember we are not COOKS, we are servers."
"A restaurant is not a McDonald's. Our food is not cooked ahead of time so please allow ample time. Most of our food is cooked to order. If your food comes out and its not satisfactory, please tell your waitress. It is her job to take it back and get you what you want, but keep in mind that she didn't cook the food so there is no reason to be nasty about it."
"If you order something well done, duh, it's going to take longer."

Dreaming with a broken heart...

I've been lying in bed the last hour or so listening to my iPod sleep mix shuffle. Lots of slow, soft songs to relax me.
One song in particular came on.
I've heard this song a million times before. It's one of my absolute favorite songs by one of my absolute favorite artists, John Mayer. And yes, every time I hear it, I get a little emotional and the possibility of a tear. But not this time. This time, I lost it. Huge tears rolling down my face. I was sobbing uncontrollably.

No, it's not that time, if that's what you're thinking.

I miss him so much. More than I like to admit at times. He was my best friend. One of those friends you have in your life that you just never want to let go of. One who makes you smile, makes you cry. One who always has a shoulder ready for you at the drop of a hat. One who knows just the thing to cheer you up. One who knows all the right buttons to push. But no matter what, one who always loves you for you.

This song I've heard over and over and over, can be applied to almost any person or situation, but tonight, it was for him. I listened to it about 5 times in a row just now. No, not because I was wanting a good cry, but because I was remembering all the good times. And for those 20 minutes of my life, I didn't want to be doing anything else. All I have left are those memories. I can't ever let go, nor do I ever want to. And sometimes I just need to sit there and think back.

There are many things I would do differently towards the end, given the chance, but maybe that's just not how it was supposed to be? Maybe things played out the way they did for a reason. Maybe not. But I definitely would have made more of an effort towards the end. But I guess it's easier saying that now, knowing there was an end. I had many chances to see, talk to him. I was just always too busy when I came home for quick visits. But I have to live with that and at times I do feel a little guilt, but I can't let that control me. And I don't. I struggle with it a little during times like these, but I push on.
I think about him every day that I am alive. Every year on December 15, I think of the day he was born and the birthdays we celebrated in his honor. And every year on July 10, I think of that tragic day when his life abruptly came to an end.
Every time I see his mom, or his brother, or his adorable little daughter, I think of him.
My heart aches every day. But I know that he was a part of my life and if it means dealing with this heartache each and every day, then I will withstand it, because he was that important to me and touched my heart and I was honored to be his friend. It's now been 4 years, and it doesn't get any easier. If anything, it gets harder.

After I heard this particular song tonight, I had to skip forward to listen to another song that so often reminds me of him. My best friend Kristy introduced me to this song when we lived together in NY. She also lost her best male friend, Jesse, unexpectedly. We would both listen to this song many times just thinking about our friends whom we missed dearly.

So Jeremie James Hefner, these songs are for you kiddo.

I miss you "Heifer"
Love, your sister, Taradactyl
XOXO

When you're dreaming with a broken heart
And waking up is the hardest part
You roll outta bed and down on your knees
And for a moment, you can hardly breathe
Wondering was she really here
Is she standing in my room
No she's not
Cause she's gone gone gone gone gone

When you're dreaming with a broken heart
The giving up is the hardest part
She takes you in with her crying eyes
Then all at once you have to say goodbye
Wondering if you could stay my love
Will you wake up at my side
No she can't
Cause she's gone gone gone gone gone

Now do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hand
Do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hand
Do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hand
Do I have to fall asleep with roses in my
Roses in my hands

Would you get them if I did
No you won't
Cause you're gone gone gone gone gone

When you're dreaming with a broken heart
And waking up is the hardest part

"Dreaming With A Broken Heart"
-John Mayer


~~The beauty of a song is the way each person interprets it differently. That's what makes music so magical. ~~



If you wait for me then I'll come for you
Although I've traveled far
I always hold a place for you in my heart

If you think of me If you miss me once in awhile
Then I'll return to you
I'll return and fill that space in your heart

Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
If you'll be waiting

If you dream of me like I dream of you
In a place that's warm and dark
In a place where I can feel the beating of your heart

Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
If you'll be waiting

I've longed for you and I have desired
To see your face your smile
To be with you wherever you are

Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
If you'll be waiting
I've longed for you and I have desired
To see your face, your smile
To be with you wherever you are

Remembering
Your touch
Your kiss
Your warm embrace
I'll find my way back to you
Please say you'll be waiting

Together again
It would feel so good to be
In your arms
Where all my journeys end
If you can make a promise
If it's one that you can keep,
I vow to come for you
If you wait for me

and say you'll hold
A place for me in your heart.


"The Promise"
-Tracy Chapman

Birthdays and Texas

Went out to eat with the family tonight. It is Grandad's birthday today and we tried out the new restaurant inside the casino. It's Billy Sims BBQ and it wasn't all that bad. I'm not a fan of BBQ but I got the sliced brisket with no sauce. I enjoyed the brisket and everyone else enjoyed their dinners as well. I gambled a little bit and lost 60 bucks. Of course. I never go to the casino so I figured eh, what the heck. Last time we went out there for dinner, Dad wanted to gamble for a little bit and I didn't want to, so he bribed me with a $20 and I stuck it in the video poker and won about $150 so I gave him his $20 back and walked out with $130. No such luck this time. My aunt, however, put in 5 bucks tonight and walked out with almost $500! Bitch. lol No, I kid, I kid.

Hannah's [my niece] 3rd birthday is next week. Hard to believe she is 3 years old! Where does the time go? All she wants for her birthday is a "swingin set" so we've all decided to pitch in and buy her a "swingin set." She will absolutely love it. This girl never stops. She has more energy than anyone I've ever seen! The only time she actually stops going is when her parents make her go to bed! lol

Well, I'm headed to Texas (again) early tomorrow morning. I'm going to a small town called Gruene [pronounced Green] which is right next to New Braunfels. There are 14 of us going to float the Guadalupe River and I'm really looking forward to it! I've gone white water rafting in Colorado [loved it!] but I've never floated down a river. Should be fun! I'll definitely update you once I get home.

Hope you all have a great and safe weekend!!

XOXO~T

Turner Falls!

Today I went to Turner Falls which is located in Davis, Oklahoma about an hour east of Duncan. I went with my co-workers and we had such a blast! I came back with a nice little sunburn too. Splendid.


Turner Falls is the oldest park in Oklahoma. Many springs in the Arbuckle Mountains form Honey Creek which cascades down a 77 foot fall to a natural swimming pool. There is also another natural pool which features a slide and diving board. In between the pools and beyond, water rushes downstream and over rocks. Turner Falls sits on approximately 1500 acres which includes the campsites, picnic areas, caves, and nature trails as well.

http://www.turnerfallspark.com


The website doesn't say anything about it, but there's also an old castle built on the side of the mountain next to the water. A former professor at the University of Oklahoma built the castle in the 1930's and it is now owned by the city of Davis, OK as they also own and operate Turner Falls where the castle is located. Unfortunately, the city hasn't perserved any of the castle and it is deteriorating. There is also graffiti inside the castle. Such a shame that it hasn't been kept up over the years. There are also stories of it being haunted. Exciting! I love haunted places and I believe in spirits! I just love learning more about the history of old places and their stories. You can see more stairs towards the top left of the photo. Those stairs lead up to the stables of the castle.


That's just a little information and history about Turner Falls. It's a natural beautiful place.

There's also a place called Arbuckle Wilderness nearby. They have some fun rides like go karts and bumper cars among a few others, but the main attraction is the "wilderness!" It's basically a safari where they have exotic animals such as giraffes, rhinos, tigers, etc. and you can safari in your own car or in their safari buses. They also sell buckets of food which you can feed to some of the animals! I haven't been there in ages either! Oh my! We all decided we're going there next time.

www.arbucklewilderness.com

I remember going there as a child with my family. We always had so much fun. I can't believe I went so long without visiting!

We got there around noon and headed straight to the picnic area to cook out some declicious hamburgers and hot dogs. After eating, we went straight into the water! It was so stinking hot! We walked all around Turner Falls to all the different "swimming holes" and to the falls! So much fun! Warning, even though it's August and not quite 100 degrees outside, the water is still chilly! But once you get in and swim around a bit and stay in the sun, you're golden. In the water, there are rocks, some huge, some just little pebbles. Well the huge rocks are covered with moss from all the years of the water and it's so hard not to fall when you're walking on them! Oh my gosh! I fell right into this poor lady's lap! We just had a good laugh about it though. But hey, I'm the girl who can trip over her own two feet walking down a straight, dry sidwalk so it was only a matter of time until I fell!
That's pretty much how we spent our day. In the water. My upper body is burned, but my legs are still white as a ghost. lol Maybe I should think about hitting some tanning beds to even myself out? Oh well.

After playing in the water all day, everyone decided to hit up Pizza Hut for dinner. No where nice since we were all wet and nasty looking. I decided just to head on home and have dinner with my family instead. So I don't know what kind of trouble they all got into at dinner! There's no telling with those people I work with! ha! Love you guys!

So, maybe my day wasn't super exciting, but it was definitely fun. If you've never been and you're in the area, you should definitely go! Oh, and don't forget to call me so I can tag along! :)

XOXO~T

Yeeeeehaaaaw!

I'm back home, in my own bed, after a long, but exciting week in Texas and logging 1,050 miles on my poor car!

I set out last Tuesday-July 24th-for Ft. Worth. First stop-Brad and Steph's house!
They are cousins of mine and it was Steph's birthday that day, so we had a fun little celebration at their house. They invited a couple of friends over and we drank, talked, and played a little poker. It was a blast and I enjoyed meeting a few of their friends!

Wed. July 25th-Jeff and Heather's house.
I headed over to Jeff and Heather Crook's house and finally got to meet their new little man, Davis! He is so stinking adorable!!! And probably the best baby I have ever met! He rarely fusses, at all! I don't think I heard him scream or really cry at all. So good! Ahhhh, I just love him! Heather and I left Davis with her mom for a couple of hours while we went shopping. I bought a new dress, new shoes, new jewelry-for the wedding. And I got a few other things while we were out. We went home, made some yummy dinner and just sat around and chatted. Oh yeah, I tried to sneak away with Jeff's new iPhone, but he wouldn't let me outta his sight while I had it in my possession. Hmmmm, I wonder why? ;)

Thursday July 26
I had a few more shopping errands to run so I went out on my own while Heather stayed home to do some work. Then I went back to the house, gathered my things and left that afternoon/evening. It was so good catching up with her. I miss her tremendously!

I left for the big town *hint of sarcasm here* of Dawson, Texas that evening. It's about a 10 minute drive from Corsicana, about 2.5 hours south of Dallas/Ft. Worth. I have an aunt and uncle who live there and I was staying with them for the night. Another aunt and uncle from Duncan were down that night also. The drive was HORRIBLE! About halfway through, I finally had to pull over to the side of the road because it was raining so hard, I couldn't see anything at all! Not to mention I had started hydroplaning and that scared the living you know what right out me! I think I prayed continuously for at least 30 minutes! Anyway, once the rain had subsided somewhat, I started down the highway once again.
But before heading over to their house, I stopped in Corsicana to meet my cousin Kristy at her job and then we headed over to Chili's for some dinner. Afterwards we went to her parent's house (my aunt and uncle) and sat up talking for a couple of hours with the family.

Friday July 27-Conroe, Texas for my cousin Jenny Huff's wedding
I hung around my aunt and uncle's house until the afternoon, mainly by myself as they were all at work and my other aunt and uncle headed out that morning for Galveston. I think I left around 3 that afternoon on a 3 hour drive down to Conroe, a northern suburb of Houston. I do not recommend traveling on I-45 in Texas to anyone. It was the worst stretch of highway I have ever driven. I'm a pretty good driver, and I have driven from the West Coast, to the East Coast, and every where in between, but this 3 hour stretch of highway is the worst I have ever traveled. I don't ever recall being that scared anywhere else! The drivers are what made it so bad. Weaving in and out between lanes and other cars, bumper to bumper, no turn signals used, slow drivers in the passing lane. It was horrible. I was so glad when I finally got to my hotel in Conroe!!
But as I was driving along I saw a few interesting things: I saw some trucks carrying pieces of a space shuttle-very cool-; I saw Mexia-Anna Nicole Smith's hometown-;and I saw signs for Sam Houston State University near Huntsville. I wanted to go there and kick Rhett Bomar in his nuts. But I didn't. :)
As soon as I got to the hotel, I ran into my cousin Melanie that I hadn't seen in a couple of years. I checked in and got settled and then I saw some other family that were there for the rehearsal and dinner. I talked to them for a bit, then I went into Conroe to get a long overdue pedicure. I grabbed some dinner and headed back to the room where I sat around and watched TV and drank a few Vodka Tonic's. Relaxing and peaceful.

Saturday July 28
I woke up that morning and headed into Conroe again and went shopping at Ulta and visited with more family members who had just arrived that day, including my dad. Got ready and left for the wedding which started at 7.30 pm.
The wedding was absolutely beautiful! It was held at Burkshire Plantation and it was something out of a movie. A cross between My Best Friend's Wedding and Gone With the Wind. Jenny, in true Jenny fashion, smiled and laughed alot during the ceremony.

We were introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Plagens and as they walked the aisle as husband and wife, my cousin Kels sang "At Last" and he did a very fine job!
After the short, but sweet ceremony, we ate, drank, and danced the night away under a big white tent. I, being the social butterfly that I naturally am, made my rounds and talked to old and new friends and my family. I had an absolute blast! And I'm so happy that Jenny finally got her fairy tale Gone With the Wind wedding she has always wanted! Congratulations Michael and Jenny! I love you both!
After the wedding and reception, I helped clean up a few things that were Ginger's (Jenny's mom) and we all went back to the hotel. A few of us went back to Ginger's room and had a little 'after party.' It really only lasted about 20 minutes because we were all so very tired already, and Lacey (another cousin) and I were pretty much drunk. She went and passed completely out! lol

Sunday July 29
The morning came way too soon for me. After getting into bed around 2.30 a.m. I woke up at about 8 Sunday morning. All the Harper's were going to Cracker Barrel for breakfast before leaving Conroe. Jenny and Michael came and joined us as well and we all reminisced about the night before and how perfect it was. We also teased Michael that he didn't know what he was bargaining for by now joining the Harper family. He's a great guy though, and Jenny is so blessed to have him, as he is her. We all love him. After breakfast and some goodbyes, I went back to the hotel and got ready to head out on my last destination. Austin. I was extremely tired from the night before and thankful that I didn't have to make the 7 hour drive home that day but only a 3 hour drive to Jordan and Marisa Jackson's. I mapquested my entire trip and so far, so good. But I did get into a little pickle and spent about 30 minutes lost and trying to figure my way out of the jam, but I finally had to stop at a gas station and ask for help. I still don't even know how to explain what happened because that part of the directions were confusing! Anyway, I got it all straightened out and got to their house safe and sound. We sat around and chit chatted for awhile, then my friend Jennifer called me. She is a friend of mine from Up With People and had invited me over for dinner before I began my journey. She called and we made plans and she also invited Jordan and Marisa over as well, which was so kind and thoughtful! We made it to her house and met her husband and two beautiful and smart little boys. Such a gorgeous family! I'm sure Jordan and Marisa were bored as Jennifer and I caught up on each other's lives and swapped Up With People memories and stories. Ahhhh good times! Dinner was great, conversation was great, and Jordan ended up playing around and wrestling with the boys while the girls talked. Jennifer gave Jordan and Marisa her address and phone number and new friends have been made! Everyone was excited because both families are new to the Austin area and don't have friends. So glad I could be a part of helping out some friends! :)
Went back to the Jackson's after dinner, talked some more and went to bed. Got up the next morning and hung out with them for a few hours before I had to be on my way home. Unfortunately I didn't get to experience Austin this time, but I'm definitely going back to explore that quaint little city one day! I hear fabulous things about it all the time. I was dreading the 6 hour drive home for sure. I don't know about you, but for me, when a trip is over, I just want to push a button and be home already!
So I'm driving along and just about to enter Ft. Worth when I flip through the radio stations and come upon some guys talking. I decide to listen for a minute because I thought it might be a weather forecast (it rained on me every damn day!) but no, no weather warnings. It was a local DFW news station reporting on a high speed chase through DFW and it was headed my way! Oh my gosh! Scary! They didn't know why the guy was running from the law or anything about him so the unknown is always frightening. So I'm listening to this for like 15 minutes when they finally got the spike strips to blow out his tires. They apprehended him and the chase was over. Just as it was over, I was getting more and more into Ft. Worth and saw cops and sheriffs all over the interstate waiting for him to come their way. Whew! I dodged a scary scenario there! I watched the news tonight and they reported on the chase that took place. Apparently he was being pulled over for a routine traffic stop-probably speeding-and he kept running from the law. He said he was in a rush to get to the vet because he cat was dying and he couldn't waste any time. After the cops got him in cuffs and started to clean up the scene, his cat was in the front seat in its carrier and had already died. So sad, but so scary.

So that's the excitement of my exciting week in Texas. It's really the shortened version, although from the length of this blog, it doesn't appear that way. I had a great time with great people and so glad I did it. I've always been pretty independent and spontaneous and love doing things like this. Others couldn't believe I was doing this alone, but what do they know? Sometimes the best company is yourself ;)

XOXO~T

Goodland Boys Home

So as I mentioned before, I went to Goodland Boys Home in Hugo, OK last week. My friend, who is more like a little brother, Isaac, is a Youth Minister at Eastside Presbyterian Church in Durant, OK and I went as a sponsor with his youth group, along with his mom and sister.

I first started going to Goodland when I was a freshman in high school with my own youth group. Isaac and his sister Sarah were a part of that as well and so was their mom, as our sponsor. Sarah and I graduated together and we have been friends since her family moved here back in oh 6th grade or so. But neither of us had been back to Goodland since about 1998, so it was definitely a blast from the past for us and a good time was had by all!

***A little bit of history ***

Goodland was founded in 1848 by the Choctaw Indian Tribe. It was founded during the Trail of Tears-which if you don't know about, you need to go back to history class-as a small community in which the children could become educated in a school setting while also learning about the Christian faith.

It houses boys from all over the country who either have been in and out of foster care, orphans, or boys who get into trouble and are sent there as boarding students. All the boys particpate in Boy Scouts and are members of 4-H. Goodland has many animals for these boys to be responsible for which include llamas, horses, rabbits, sheep and more.

Some of the original buildings remain such as the chapel and the gym, as well as other older buildings that were built in the early 1900's. Lots of history there.

They have a private school for the boys, but also a small public Christian school for kids in the area.
Goodland used to be federally funded, until one day long ago the government said that the teachings of Christianity must go. Refusing to abandon the Christain faith as an integral part of the education, Goodland abandoned federal funding instead. It is now funded by private donors, churches, and companies.


Goodland sits on approx. 390 acres and in the process of expanding the campus to include sports such as football, baseball, and track, and new larger buildings to educate a much larger student body, which will include both boys and girls.

The point of these mission trips is to lend a helping hand. When there, we help in many ways which could include painting a building-inside or out-, cleaning duties, landscaping duties, etc. We also interact with the boys and have a great time getting to know them.

David is the director of Goodland and has been since 1988. He built Goodland's finaces basically from the ground up. He stepped in when Goodland was facing a huge debt. With David's help, he has wiped out any debts and now Goodland sits on a little over a million dollars in funds, thanks to the generous donations. Now, a million dollars may sound like a lot of money to you and me, but to a facility that house children, pays salaries to the staff, keeps up 390 acres, animals, and all other expenses, it doesn't last too long.

Ok, now that you know a little bit about Goodland [probably more than you ever wanted to know!], I'll let ya in on our fun trip there this past week.

We have become very good friends with David over the last 15 years and we always enjoy seeing him and spending time with him and his family. David is such a character and always makes for an interesting and fun time! When the lights are out, and the children are sleeping, we like to sneak out into the night! Of course, there are other adults watching over the children while we wonder off on our excursions. :)

You never know what we might end up doing. We usually make late night trips to the local Wal-Mart and just goof off. Play some toilet paper football in the aisle, try on masks and take pictures with people, or even have a scavenger hunt inside Wal-Mart! There was this kid named Mitch who grew up at Goodland and we all became great friends with us. Well he had this watch that could turn on and off the TV's in the electronics department. No lie! So it was always great pretending to be browsing around the electronics department while the Wal-Mart employees were trying to figure out what was going on with all their TV's! They eventually found out what was going on, and he was banned from ever coming back. Whoops! But of course, that never stopped him or us. lol

There is also an old old old Indian cemetary directly across the county road from Goodland which is owned by Goodland. We like to go out there late at night and get a good scare!

Or we like to make trips into Paris, Texas-about a 20 minute drive south- and hang out there.

David, Sarah, and I like to go out during the day with one of his many metal detectors and search for old hidden treasures buried in the ground. Just the other day we found an old toy that has to be from the early 1900's! Sarah kept it and she's checking into it. Of course, it needs a little cleaning and it's dented a tad, but she's working on fixing that. Sarah loves the old history and that sort of thing so much. I go along for the ride and yeah, it's interesting, but she LOVES it. David actually gave her a metal detector this last trip, so her and I are looking forward to getting out and about here in this area and using it! We're nerds. haha

Ahhh, the good times are never ending!

I guess I didn't really go into much detail about this exact trip, but you get the idea. It's always great fun with great people.

The kids that I went with, I had never met. There were only 7 of them that made this trip, but let me tell you something-they were the best group of kids ever! Everyone gets along so well, better than most families. They are just awesome, inspirational, and fun!

So I leave for Texas today (Tuesday) and I should be back on Monday. Pretty sure I won't be doing any blogging this week. Not sure if I will have a computer while on the road, but I'll definitely write about it once I get back! I'm going to see alot of people and I'm getting anxious!!

Hope you all have a great week! Be safe!

XOXO~T

www.goodland.org