Fields of Gold

As promised I am putting up several pictures of the wheat fields behind our house. It's a pretty amazing sight with the sun setting over the fields and the breeze rippling across the top of the wheat. The pictures definitely do not do it justice. And of course the one time I finally take my camera, the sunset isn't that great. But none the less it was breath taking.

Other updates on life: James is up at Broken Arrow Ranch, our conference's summer camp. He gets to work as the camp pastor this week and have a complete blast. Me, on the other hand, I just get to enjoy good old Southeast Kansas by myself once again. Thankfully the weather is good and no tornadoes this time. A few weeks ago when the tornadoes rolled through, James was out of town for work and that was not a fun experience for me and the cats...

Work is keeping me very busy and when I get home I barely have energy to do my evening work out. Depending on how tired and hungry I am, I usually end up working out about 8pm instead of right after I get home. It's been surprisingly cool this May/June. According to the locals it is usually in the 90s by this time of year. Yesterday was the first time it reached up into the 90s. Don't get me wrong, it's been high 70s and 80s all through May and June, but having to be out in the heat and trying to track down people to investigate all day long is exhausting. Doing interviews in a client's home with no air, with sweat dripping down my back...Yea, it's been fun. :) But I can't complain. I would take the heat over the cold any day. The cold will come soon enough!

Enough of my babbling. I need to go to sleep. Enjoy the photos!

Sad Cat Diaries

Ok, so I just had to bring some silliness to my week. It's been an extremely long, exhausting, and sad week at work so far (an it's only Wednesday!!) and when I saw this video pop up on Facebook I just had to share. James and I have watched the short video several times and can't help but laugh and point out which of our cats these scenarios describe. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did :)

 

Summer Date Ideas

So now that summer is in full swing and I haven't posted/linked anything to my "All About Love" tab, I think it's about time I posted something about Love. This is summer #2 where I don't get the joy of having a summer break and living the life of a student (though last summer I was still in grad school I had a job, internship, and school full time, so no break for me!). It's kind of depressing hearing from some of my friends who still get to embrace three months of time off and hear of the fun and "freedom" they have. But, none the less, I still plan to have an absolute blast this summer! So, for you with significant others (and those who have full time jobs and probably do not have a full summer off), here are some fun date ideas you can use, whether that's during a week you have off or on the weekend.

1. Go to the Zoo 

                                

We have a small (and free!) zoo in our town. It's a perfect place to walk around, feed the animals, and relax.

2. Watch the sun set 

Watching a sunset with your significant other can definitely be relaxing and intimate. We have a lake about 2 miles behind our house and James and I often go up there to watch it set over the water. But you don't have to have a lake to enjoy it!

3. Go for an evening stroll together 

This is another thing James and I often enjoy. Our house sits on about 2 acres of land and behind the house is just acres and acres of wheat fields. In the evenings we will go on a walk around our property and along the wheat fields. And of course our three crazy kitties will trail us and follow along like a pack of dogs. They are wackos! They rush through the wheat chasing each other and all you can see is the tops of the wheat moving. I will have to post a picture of the wheat fields sometime. It's beautiful with the sun setting over it. I just always forget to take my camera with me when we are out.

4. Get Froyo

I LOVE frozen yogurt. Such a yummy treat in the summer time. Our town is soon to get a frozen yogurt place called CherryBerry and I am psyched! Frozen yogurt places often offer multiple toppings and flavors to give you a nice variety of options. (If you're not into frozen yogurt, then hit up some ice cream stands)

5. Hit up an Amusement Park

              If you live in driving distance of an amusement park this would be a fun day trip.

6. Go to a fair or festival

This is another activity I just absolutely enjoy. Ever since I was a little kid my family would always go to festivals (Iris Festival, fall festivals, etc.) or go to our County Fair every August.

7. Enjoy a local landmark or museum

Here in southeast Kansas you have so many options and attractions..except...not. LOL! But we do have the Laura Ingall's homestead and famous Wayside post office and school house about 7-8 miles from our house. It's a fun place to visit and feel like a tourist. If you are in to the Laura Ingalls Wilder books/Little House on the Prairie movies/show then I would definitely suggest taking a road trip out to Independence, KS and check it out. But if you're not lucky enough to live in driving distance of the homestead, do some research and find some of your own local landmarks or museums.

8. Pack a Picnic


Whether it is the middle of the day or an evening, pack a quick picnic and enjoy nature. You could even enjoy it in your own back yard!

9. See a concert

Most towns offer concerts in the park during the summer time. This is a good activity to enjoy during a weekend.

10. Go swimming

This could include: a local pool, lake, waterpark, etc. Whatever the location cool off with some water fun!

11. Weekend getaway

Pick a random, fun location and take the weekend to enjoy the adventure!

12. Go to a ball game

There is nothing like routing for your local sports team and enjoying an evening outside. A good excuse to hang with friends too.