Rain Shadow

I really am trying to post more blogs. Looking at my blog history, there were 30 posts in 2008, the year I began this, 25 posts in 2009, 10 in 2010. And so far this year? Ta da...3. Facebook happened in 2010 and that slowed my blogging down. It stopped some people competely, ahem, my brothers. Still, there is nothing like a blog for ramblings.

Rain Shadow is not a reference to the lack of rain here in Kansas. Our springs are usually quite wet, sometimes flooding, but not this year. Come on rain! Rain Shadow is the name of an Australian mini series filmed in 2007, starring Rachel Ward. I loved Rachel in The Thorn Birds, a mini series we enjoyed in 1983. She was beautiful back then and at 54, is still a gorgeous woman. In this series, she plays a sorrow hardened veterinarian in a region of Australia called Paringa. Think of the Flinthills and you will get an idea of the country. The photography is stunning and worth the watch if just for that. Rachel's character, Cate, runs off assistant vets sent out to help her, due to her prickly personality, but one young woman vet stays and weathers Cate and the locals and the never ending drought. This is the story of Paringa and it's hardy inhabitants, but especially these two strong women, who both love and hate Paringa. It's a compeling drama and one I didn't want to see come to an end.

I'm not much good at movie reviews but I appreciate hearing about good things to see through Netflix. If you discover you like similar movies, then perhaps my reviews will help. If not, then you will know what to steer clear of. Chuck really liked it too and I wouldn't say this is a chick flick, even though the main characters are women and there are some really hunky guys in it. Ok, maybe it is a chick flick. But one that guys can enjoy as well. It's certainly not Lifetime. Men are not made out to look like creeps.

Land - ho!

Since Chuck is in the land business, we thought we should own a parcel for our own enjoyment. So, a few months ago, we began a search for some acerage in the country where we could pitch a tipi and have a private camp. We finally found 40 acres just west of Hutchinson that seemed perfect for we wanted to do and we made an offer. A couple of offers later, we had a deal. And then the deal died due to a lien on the property. We gave it up and planned to keep looking, when suddenly the deal was alive and before we could sneeze, we were signing papers at a closing. Yee haw!!

The land has a pond with dock, storage garage, water well, garden plot, and lots of trees. Chuck, Charis, and I drove out yesterday after church to plant some seeds in the garden and have another look around. Sadly, we forgot a camera so I don't have current pictures, but those will be coming shortly, I'm sure. We have a lot of plans for the place and are excited about jumping in. I will post updates as things progress.

I need to think of a good name for our place.

Running on

After swimming for exercise three years, one of those in a master swim class, I had to give it up due to allergies. Why it took three years to manifest, I have no idea. The last couple of months I would get out of the water feeling great about my swim, and then sneeze all the way home. And then sneeze for the rest of the day. My left eye would turn bright red and a rash would pop out around my left eye. It took a good two days to somewhat recover. Allergy pills didn't seem to even slow it down. I tried ear plugs after suffering an ear infection and then added a nose plug. All to no avail. Sadly, my last day in the class was last week.

So, I'm going to take up running again and hope my knees don't give out on me. I participated in a two mile race on Saturday, a fund raiser for Youth Horizons, a mentoring group in which I participate. I wasn't too optimistic about running the whole way because the last time I ran, I ended up wheezing. Oh yes, I forgot the wheezing. I'm not sure if that was a swimming by-product or not. But Saturday, I plodded onward in a slow and steady jog and maintained it for two miles and came in at 22 minutes. I was pretty happy about it and thrilled that I wasn't wheezing. Next Saturday is the Emma Creek Classic, a 5K run. I wish I had more time to train, but I think I will do ok. At least I know I can make it two miles. I had planned on running this morning, but it was raining and it doesn't take too much of an excuse to postpone a run.

Time to swim

I somehow dragged my body out of bed at 4:30 this morning after being out late to see Riverdance (so worth it!), having a hard time dropping off to sleep, (visions of tappers in my head), and then waking up too often before the alarm went off. I didn't want to miss this morning because the game plan was to time our 1000 yards. I can't remember what my old time was back in March 2010, probably around 25 minutes. It wasn't much better today. I was pumped and optimistic and ready to stroke it! I started out strong, but around 400 yards, started to feel fatigued and gasping for air, and realized I was swimming too fast and too strong, for me. I tried just slowing down, but instead felt panick setting in. I had to stop and catch my breath (how embarrassing!) and then start again. I forced myself to calm down and think about my form and breathing and found a comfortable stride and got through the last 600 yards without difficulty. But the stop dented my time and I came in over 22 minutes. I can't remember the seconds. So, hoorah, I am officially the slowest swimmer in the class. But then, I'm relieved that I am not moving to the next lane just yet. Maybe next year! I need to work on those long distance swims, breathing in, breathing out, pull pull kick kick kick.

Christmas Pt 2

 
Ah, I couldn't get all the pictures in one post. Can't leave out the youngest! Here is Blaise admiring his new cell phone. Such concentration!
 
And my favorite. What is on your head, Uncle Keenan?

We mostly stayed home during the Texas Roaches visit to keep warm by the fire, but on Monday, Keenan, Sara, Brent, and Kelsey, went to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader, while Papa and I babysat all four kiddos at the Gray's house. I would say they all had a wild good time. We are so blessed indeed!

Merry Christmas 2010

 
We were so blessed to host Christmas to all our children and grandchildren this year and what a merry time we had. The gift openings were spread out so as not to be too overwhelming to the kids. The stockings were opened Christmas afternoon when Keenan, Sara, Ari, and Keira arrived. The rest waited until Boxing Day when Brent could join us. He had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We did get to have breakfast with all the Gray's on Christmas morning and watched while Charis and Blaise opened their gifts from Santa.
 
Keira got a cash register as one of her gifts. It came with all sorts of accesories. To make change, she tore a dollar in half.
 
Ari's favorite stocking stuffer was an Ironman toy. He took it to bed with him.
 
Charis loved her microphone to help her put on shows.

Charis visits Santa

 
Chuck and I took Charis to Botanica to see Santa last night. That was definitely the main attraction for her. She insisted we keep moving through the display of lights and was impatient to get to Santa. But first we had to go through the candy cane forest and swirly twirly gumdrops, otherwise known as the butterfly house. The line was long, but Charis did not complain once about having to wait. She kept telling me she wasn't going to sit on the big guy's lap so I was perpared to hold on to her.
 
When we got up to the front of the line, an elf picked Charis up and set her in Santa's lap. Not a peep of protest. He asked her name. That was a mistake because of course, Santa should know her name. She asked me about this later. Oh Santa. Then she told him she wanted ear plugs and a fishing pole. You can see in the picture that he is listening very carefully. He was quite interested in a little girl wanting a fishing pole, but never mentioned the plugs. This worried her but I assured her we could write a letter and remind him. Oh, the plugs are so she doesn't have to hear Blaise cry.
 
These are some dancing Christmas trees.
 
And last, but not least of the beautiful lights, a fountain of lights in the Shakespeare Garden. The night was gorgeous, not windy or too cold, perfect for walking the gardens of Wichita. It is definitely looking a lot like Christmas!