Runs/Walks in Kansas City: Head for the Cure August 23, 2015

Before I was the homeschooling writer mom of 5, I used to love to walk all the time as a stress reliever and to stay in shape. Walking is something you can do as a parent anytime, but now that my youngest is 5 and my oldest is 14, it's a lot easier for me to fit in time for my own fitness. Over the winter I walked some at the gym on the treadmill and track. Now I can walk the neighborhood or the field at the school by my house. I'm not a jogger or a runner yet ... special equipment needed for my upper lady parts ... but might be someday! For now I walk in my OOFOS sandals because they are the most comfy thing I have ever worn and work perfectly for summertime.

Because I love walking so much, I'll be posting upcoming walk/runs in Kansas City as I find them. This does not mean I'll be participating in all of them, so don't show up expecting me to sign autographs or anything. I MIGHT or MIGHT NOT be there, depending on household funds at the time, Mr. Kerrie's travel situation, my sanity level, etc. Enjoy the race info, and go out and find some in your town!

What: Head for the Cure

When: Sunday, August 23, 2015 at 8 a.m.

Where: Corporate Woods, Overland Park, KS

The Head for the Cure Foundation mission is to raise awareness and funding to inspire hope for the community of brain cancer patients, their families, friends, caregivers and other supporters, while celebrating their courage, spirit and energy.

Fun facts: my uncle Kris used to coach track at a high school in Lee's Summit for many years!

Check the link (above after WHAT) for more info!

P.S. I get my info from the fabulous KC Running Company website.

On a personal note, here's my walking story for National Walking Day a couple of years ago with an update.

When you're all done, you'll be hungry! Grab a copy of my Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook and whip up a batch of happiness for dinner!

My #Summer Reading List 2015

Yeah, who am I kidding? With only roughly 5 weeks left of summer, I have taken on something huge here. I don't get a lot of time to read in general. I get antsy at the pool and can't read more than a page at a time, whereas my mother could read an entire book during one pool session during my childhood (okay, maybe I exaggerate). But I have a varied list of books I want to read and then pass on to someone who can use them. I used to be a Book Hoarder but not anymore. I don't need Intelligent Clutter ... I like to take the lessons from the books and pass them on or sell them! Here are the 7 I am tackling this summer and I'll check back in with a post about each one later on.

1. Gratitude and Trust (Six Affirmations That Will Change Your Life) by Paul Williams and Tracey Jackson. My Aunt Cathy read this and loved it and passed it to my mom and I took it over before she could read it. So far I like the "shopping list of bad behavior" and basic principles of those in recovery from addictions like making amends.
2. Ask. by Ryan Levesque. I got this free from some online offer. I want to skim it for business advice. If you don't ask anyone to buy your product or sign up with your company because you are scared they will shun you or think you are a jerk, then you are in the wrong business. You have to ASK. I have lost business and potential team members because I assumed someone didn't want to join my company or buy my product ... and then another consultant grabbed them!
3. The Art of Significance by Dan Clark. I started reading this last summer and liked it so much I had a zillion sticky notes in it. It applies to business and life ... the level beyond success. So you get rich and successful ... then what? What do you do with that? Do you give back, do you maintain integrity or do you turn into a narcissistic, stingy wiener?
4. Homeschooling: Take a Deep Breath -- You Can Do This! by Terrie Lynn Bittner. This is a 28-chapter wonder that seems like it's going to cover a LOT of homeschool ground. It's also full of resources.
5. Help for the Harried Homeschooler by Christine M. Field. This says it's a "practical guide to balancing your child's education with the rest of your life." Enough said.
6. The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family by Patrick Lencioni. This is a quick read and I'm really into it so far but it's going to require a lot of homework. It applies business principles to running your family and makes a lot of sense so far!
7. Dream Lovers by Darin Dodd. This is the kind of book that I could read in a day back before I had kids running around distracting my brain. After we watched the movie Beyond the Sea about Bobby Darin's life, I had to seek out this book. I ordered it that night and checked my email hourly for shipping updates. So far I am not disappointed, but it's definitely a little bit depressing.
8. (not pictured) Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, which came in from the library after this post. I think I'll return it since I got a free trial of Audible and that's the book I chose to listen to while I go on my walks. It'll make me walk longer, is the idea!

If you are a writer looking for something to add to your summer reading list, consider MY books, here, two of which are available as print books and all four in Kindle format ... AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO OWN A KINDLE TO GET THEM!

Runs/Walks in Kansas City: Run by the River August 22, 2015

Before I was the homeschooling writer mom of 5, I used to love to walk all the time as a stress reliever and to stay in shape. Walking is something you can do as a parent anytime, but now that my youngest is 5 and my oldest is 14, it's a lot easier for me to fit in time for my own fitness. Over the winter I walked some at the gym on the treadmill and track. Now I can walk the neighborhood or the field at the school by my house. I'm not a jogger or a runner yet ... special equipment needed for my upper lady parts ... but might be someday! For now I walk in my OOFOS sandals because they are the most comfy thing I have ever worn and work perfectly for summertime.

Because I love walking so much, I'll be posting upcoming walk/runs in Kansas City as I find them. This does not mean I'll be participating in all of them, so don't show up expecting me to sign autographs or anything. I MIGHT or MIGHT NOT be there, depending on household funds at the time, Mr. Kerrie's travel situation, my sanity level, etc. Enjoy the race info, and go out and find some in your town!

What: Run by the River 5K/10K

When: Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 7 a.m.

Where: English Landing Park and Platte Landing Park in Parkville, MO

Join us as we kick off Parkville Days Parade with our 5k/10k River Run.  This walk/run will take place in English Landing Park and Platte Landing Park.  Finish in time to watch the Parkville Days Parade!  One of Parkville’s biggest festivals, the annual Parkville Days offers great family entertainment and fun in historic Downtown Parkville.  Visit ParkvilleMo.org for more information about Parkville Days.  First 200 registered guaranteed goodie bag and t-shirt.

Fun facts: my uncle used to coach track at a high school in Lee's Summit for many years and my dad has taken up jogging ... it's in my blood!

Check the link (above after WHAT) for more info!

P.S. I get my info from the fabulous KC Running Company website.

On a personal note, here's my walking story for National Walking Day a couple of years ago with an update.

When you're all done, you'll be hungry! Grab a copy of my Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook and whip up a batch of happiness for dinner!

My Daughter Went to #SewingCamp

As always, there is a story behind this! One day our lovely neighbor Ana told my 10-year-old daughter Callie she had to go to sewing camp. Callie told me and I was interested. You see, Callie is a little fashion maven and if she could sew she would be UNSTOPPABLE! So I texted my neighbor to find out what this was all about and it turns out a friend of mine was doing the camp at her house for 3 days and I missed the memo because I am not in any of the groups she posted in. Note to self: get in these groups.

So I contacted my friend Suzanne and she said she would offer another the following week. SCORE! Oops, except for we were leaving town Friday and we needed all the supplies ASAP so we could wash and dry the fabric before the class and we don't shop on Sundays normally.

So Friday morning I headed out with Callie and the sewing camp list. We headed to Harper's Fabrics in Downtown Overland Park. I fell in love with the idea of sewing when I saw all the cool things I could  make but I know in reality I probably don't have the patience for it. I did find some fabric I fell in love with to make *something* out of. Forty-five dollars later and we left the shop in a rush to head out of town. Yes, $45 later. Sewing camp only cost $20, which is a steal and I owe her a sheet of Jamberry nail wraps as even more of a payment because it was really cool of her to do it and she went over on time by 2 hours to make sure most of the girls got their skirts done!

The day of sewing camp. Callie with her friends Ciara and Sadie and her sister Eva.

Suzanne with Callie showing off her skirt! And Eva photobombs.

Ciara with her skirt! Once Sadie's is all done I'd love to post a pic here! Most of the girls got done in about 8 hours.

Bottom line: sewing camp was awesome. Seek out a super patient person you know who might offer something like this and pay her handsomely!

Runs/Walks in Kansas City: Race for Recovery August 16, 2015

Before I was the homeschooling writer mom of 5, I used to love to walk all the time as a stress reliever and to stay in shape. Walking is something you can do as a parent anytime, but now that my youngest is 5 and my oldest is 14, it's a lot easier for me to fit in time for my own fitness. Over the winter I walked some at the gym on the treadmill and track. Now I can walk the neighborhood or the field at the school by my house. I'm not a jogger or a runner yet ... special equipment needed for my upper lady parts ... but might be someday! For now I walk in my OOFOS sandals because they are the most comfy thing I have ever worn and work perfectly for summertime.

Because I love walking so much, I'll be posting upcoming walk/runs in Kansas City as I find them. This does not mean I'll be participating in all of them, so don't show up expecting me to sign autographs or anything. I MIGHT or MIGHT NOT be there, depending on household funds at the time, Mr. Kerrie's travel situation, my sanity level, etc. Enjoy the race info, and go out and find some in your town!

What: Race for Recovery

When: Sunday, August 16, 2015 at 8 a.m.

Where: Heritage Park, Shelter #1, Olathe, KS

Friends of Recovery advocates for Oxford Houses of Kansas. Oxford Houses are transitional living houses for people in recovery. Your support will ensure the success of this event and will help us continue our valuable programs.

Mike Johnson was just a regular guy who loved a good story, appreciated a good meal, and treasured his family and friends. A regular guy in every respect except he had the disease of alcoholism. Mike's story ended on February 5, 2011 when this vital, handsome, funny, intelligent, tormented young man chose to end his life. Mike is not unique. There are an estimated 18 million Americans with the disease of alcoholism and only 7 percent seek treatment. We honor Mike and all those who struggle with this horrible disease by bringing public awareness through this memorial walk for recovery. Thank you for joining us!

Fun facts: my uncle used to coach track at a high school in Lee's Summit for many years and my dad has taken up jogging ... it's in my blood!

Check the link (above after WHAT) for more info!

P.S. I get my info from the fabulous KC Running Company website.

On a personal note, here's my walking story for National Walking Day a couple of years ago with an update.

When you're all done, you'll be hungry! Grab a copy of my Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook and whip up a batch of happiness for dinner!