Guymon, Oklahoma

March is almost over and I’m so confused. I have to turn the air conditioner on when I go home because the house is so hot. Then in the morning it is so cold, I need to turn the heater on. How inconsistent. How wasteful. How irritating. Same thing in the car. Heater in the morning when driving to work. Air conditioner when driving home after work. No wonder we’re all confused.
Saw a red tulip of the neighbors had bloomed. Spring really is here. I guess it is. Can’t promise about tomorrow. Wasn’t it about 90 degrees plus the day after the official last day of winter? Made me laugh.

Read these words recently that are great to live by:

Live beneath your means.
Return everything you borrow.
Stop blaming other people (be a doer, not a blamer, and find out what is happening at the state capitol at the Chamber’s Eggs and Issues at 7 am on April 7 at the Ambassador. Free breakfast.)
Admit it when you make a mistake.
Give clothes you don’t wear to charity (drop them off at the Methodist Clothing Ministry).
Do something nice and try not to get caught.
Listen more – talk less (and dance on … at the Senior Citizen’s Dance on April 15 from 7 – 10 pm, 515 NE 15th).
Every day take a 30 minute walk (maybe you should sign up to walk in the April 1 Guymon High School Color Run … call Jennifer Reynolds for more information).
Strive for excellence, not perfection.
Be on time.
Don’t make excuses (get out and help with the community clean – up on April 22. Call 338-6246 for more information).
Don’t argue.
Get organized.
Be kind to people.
Let someone cut in ahead of you in line (at the Lifeway Indian Taco Dinner in the Methodist Enrichment Center on April 7 in the evening).
Take time to be alone.
Be humble.
Realize and accept that life isn’t fair.
Know when to keep your mouth shut.
Go an entire day without criticizing anyone.
Learn from the past (take part in the Dinosaur Skeletons and Fossils program at the First Christian Church on April 6, 7, and 8).
Plan for the future (attend the Chamber General Membership lunch meeting on April 3 at the Ambassador).
Live in the present.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
It’s all small stuff.

I love these words of wisdom. Let’s all try to get better at doing them!

See you on the bricks!

In our Career Focus classes, one of the teachers kept quoting the book “The Road Less Traveled” by M. Scott Peck. So, I ordered a used paperback version of the book and I’m finally getting around to reading on it. I’ve made it 29 pages and it’s interesting.

Self – help books are not my favorite to read. There are so many things that need to be changed in me that it is a little overwhelming. And, to be honest, I would so much rather be reading “The Sugar Cookie Murder,” a really fine book that keeps my attention very well.

But it is “The Road Less Traveled” for me today during some wait time at work. And it is interesting … not so much as the cookie murder mystery, but interesting, nonetheless.

Let me share some of it with you.

The first sentence is “Life is difficult.” Then it goes on to say, “Once we truly know that life is difficult – once we truly understand and accept it – then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.

“Most do not fully see this truth that life is difficult. Instead they moan, more or less incessantly, noisily or subtly, about the enormity of their problems, their burdens, and their difficulties as if life were generally easy, as if life should be easy.

“Life is a series of problems. Do we want to moan about them or solve them? Do we want to teach our children to solve them?

“Discipline is the basic set of tools we require to solve life’s problems. Without discipline, we can solve nothing.

“Wise people learn not to dread but actually to welcome problems and actually to welcome the pain of problems.

“Most of us are not so wise. Fearing the pain involved, almost all of us, to a greater or lesser degree, attempt to avoid problems. We procrastinate, hoping that they will go away. We ignore them, forget them, pretend they do not exist. We even take drugs to assist us in ignoring them, so that be deadening ourselves to the pain we can forget the problems that cause the pain. We attempt to skirt around problems rather than meet them head on. We attempt to get out of them rather than suffer through them.

“This tendency to avoid problems and the emotional suffering inherent in them is the primary basis of all human mental illness. Since most of us have this tendency to a greater or lesser degree, most of us are mentally ill to a greater or lesser degree, lacking complete mental health.

“Some of us will go to quite extraordinary lengths to avoid our problems and the suffering they cause, proceeding far afield from all that is clearly good and sensible in order to try to find an easy way out, building the most elaborate fantasies in which to live, sometimes to the total exclusion of reality.

“But the substitute itself ultimately becomes more painful than the legitimate suffering it was designed to avoid. The neurosis itself becomes the biggest problem. True to form, many will then attempt to avoid this pain and this problem in turn, building layer upon layer of neurosis.

“When we avoid the legitimate suffering that results from dealing with problems, we also avoid the growth that problems demand from us. It is for this reason that in chronic mental illness we stop growing, we become stuck. And without healing, the human spirit begins to shrivel.”

The “tools, techniques of suffering, the means of experiencing the pain of problems constructively” that are discipline are delaying of gratification, acceptance of responsibility, dedication to truth, and balancing. …they are simple tools and almost all children are adept in their use by the age of ten. The problem lies not in the complexity of these tools but in the will to use them.”

So, let’s confront some of our problems this week and work through them, living through the pain and growing. We can do this together.

See you on the bricks!

Last weekend my youngest daughter had the wedding dress shopping adventure. It went very well and she found a beautiful dress. Myself, the bride, the bride’s sister, the bride’s sister-in-law, the bride’s granny (my mom), and the bride’s nieces (my granddaughters) all took part. Pretty sure the brothers would have been there, had they been invited.

What fun.

The big day is Sept. 23. And there is a reception with the groom’s family in Baton Rouge, La. That’s a big day, too, as far as I’m concerned.

There are so many reasons that this is perfect. The bride and groom aren’t babies, they’re like 30 or so. They don’t fight, they make one another laugh. I think they’re exceptional people. They are not rushing the planning or picking things that cost a lot. They know that the marriage, the ceremony itself, the commitment and the people are what matters, not impressing with fancy clothes or over the top decorations and such. This is their first marriage for both of them and they have no children. It’s like in proper order, you know?

It’s family at its best.

Marriage advice is probably not something I have earned the right to give, so I looked some up on the internet. Yes, really. I’ll share with you.

“Always strive to give your spouse the very best of yourself; not what’s left over after you have given your best to everyone else.” ~Dave Willis

“Marry someone who has a different favorite cereal than you so they won’t eat all of yours.” No idea who first said this.

“Marriage is … Finding the person who puts up with your crap, admires your weird little ways, and still says they love you at the end of the day.”

There were some other opinions and statements there with the advice that I thought bear mentioning as thoughts by a bride.

“He stole my heart so I am planning revenge … I am going to take his last name.”

“I love you today more than yesterday. Yesterday you got on my nerves.”

And then the final one, as stated by the pastor, “I now pronounce you man and wife, you may now change your Facebook status.”

Ah, what fun. And a full six months to pray for them before they become man and wife. Life is good.

And I read somewhere that newlyweds should save an item from their wedding ceremony to use as a treasured Christmas ornament. Neat idea.

While you’re being attentive, there are a few happenings coming up that should be shared.

The Toastmasters are hosting a workshop that will help you get over the heebie geebies when you have to speak up in front of people. This workshop will help you conduct and participate in a business meeting, motivate people, interview for a job, sell ideas or products, and solve problems. That’s what the flier says. It should say that it will help you to not break out in a rash on your neck, sweat profusely, or stutter while having to do any public speaking.

Anyway, the Toastmasters workshop goes Mar. 7, 14 21, 28, and Apr. 4 at 7 pm. The cost is $15 a person. Call Barbara at 338-7570 or Velma at 651-2474 for more information.

Maybe Lisa and Keith should enroll so they can say “I do” with confidence.

Brayden Lehew is giving a public presentation on Alopecia Areata, which is an autoimmune disease resulting in the loss of hair, on Tues., Mar. 7 from 7 – 8 pm at the Guymon Public Library, 1718 N. Oklahoma. You should go just to meet this fabulous young man who has some health issues that are good to learn about. What is really good about his presentation is that he and his family are kind and caring and make the best of what has been given to them. You are blessed when you get the chance to meet them.

Family, again. A very special family.

And Panhandle Services for Children has a great opportunity for mothers and sons on Sat., Mar. 11. That evening is a date night where you come and go, having dinner together and just having fun. Relish in your relationship with your son. The cost is $30 per couple and $10 for extra son tickets … or mom tickets? This Dinner with a Prince takes place at the Methodist Enrichment Center, 6th and Quinn.

That morning of Mar. 11 is also the Livin’ Green 5K / 10K. You can walk or run with your friends or family. Go to www.runguymon.com to get your registration forms and see the route maps. There is even a half marathon run with it!

Now, go enjoy your family.

I’ll catch you on the bricks!

PTCI Channel 2 video

March 2017

Oklahoma Trivia with Jada Breeden and Melyn Johnson

    Three boys came to help me on Saturday at the Main Street office. All three are from the OPSU Upward Bound program. Jonathon Ibarra, Valdemar Sanchez, and Jonathan Guerrero were all on time and willing to help however I asked. They took out trash, swept the floor, and started hanging posters in windows. People are shocked to learn how much time it takes to hang posters around town. People are showed to learn how long I can avoid sweeping the floor and taking out the trash. So, you know I was happy to see the kids.
    I’m in the office on this Saturday because it’s the day I can work and have less visitors and meetings. And because this morning three Main Street Transformers left with two adult Main Street mentors to visit Alabaster Caverns. They all left the office at 8:30 this morning laughing and knowing they are going to have a wonderful time. I am not sure whether Terry Brand and Kristine Scott are more excited about going or the kids, Taos McIntyre, Alfonso Ortega, and David Ortega.
    I am so lucky to work with people with such giving hearts and great attitudes.
    There are a lot of people who don’t have such great attitudes. Some are also very unappreciative. For them, instant gratification takes too long.
    The kids that I see when we have the community clean – up are probably the ones that are going to continue working as community volunteers. Likely they’ll be the Lions Club members who run the boats and trains at the park. One of them will probably be the Tail Twister at the Tuesday meetings (first and third of each month at 6:30 pm).
    There are some great youth in our community.
    “As far as rearing children goes, the basic idea I try to keep in mind is that a child is a person. Just because they happen to be a little shorter than you doesn’t mean they are dumber than you.” ~Frank Zappa
    Sometimes we just need to make it a point to teach these kids things that are important. It is unfair to just expect them to pick it up automatically. That’s why Theresa Carillo is teaching a free class on Interview Techniques at the OPSU Guymon Classroom at 304 NW 5th on Feb. 21. The class runs from 6 – 8 pm. Be sure to get an advantage on that job that you want and learn about ways to come out ahead in the interview.
    It is always good to improve ourselves.
    It is always good to educate ourselves.
    On Wed., Feb. 22, there is a free Healthy Heart Luncheons for ladies. It’s a Red Dress event, meaning the ladies are encouraged to wear red. You have a chance to learn more about your heart. There are some excellent speakers, including a cardiologist, the mean is healthy and catered by Virgil Gibson. There are folks there to give a BMI (body mass index), blood pressure check, blood sugar test (Ac1), and a voucher for a blood cholesterol check, all free of charge.
    Some folks really want to help us get healthier.
    The next day, Thur., Feb. 23, has another free lunch available to seniors (over 55 years in age) at the Senior Citizen’s Center on their Appreciation Day. They are also having some BINGO. That fun starts at 11:30 am and ends at 3:00 pm. The center is located at 515 NE 15th Street in Guymon.
    That evening from 6 – 8 pm, Carillo is teaching another class, this one about writing a resume. That, too, is at the OPSU Guymon Classroom and has no charge.
    At the same time, on the same evening, is the Main Street Guymon Awards Evening at the RC Party Room on 5th and Main. Some great folks are getting recognition that night and we would love to have you come to it. The cost is $25 a ticket and this is another Virgil Gibson meal.
    Time for me to get some work done.
    See you on the bricks!

          The weather is beautiful. My friends are the best in the world. And work is fun. Life is so good.

          Nice thought for the day: Take a shut–in a scrumptious meal. If you don’t cook, go get something good from a restaurant. Take a little time to visit when you deliver. Make their day wonderful. It will improve yours too.

          “Happiness is in your ability to love others,” said Leo Tolstoy.

          Speaking of meals, if you’re one of those who is watching your carbs, take a gander with the grilled chicken breast with peppers and onions. You can get it with salad and vegetables. Great meal and almost no carbs. That’s at the Pub on the Bricks.

          And if you’re really working on taking good care of yourself, you might consider setting aside twenty minutes each day to catch your breath. Make yourself a cup of tea, put your feet up, and don’t answer the phone. Just relax and ponder the good things about the day. Ponder on the people you love and just refresh. Seems difficult to ignore the rat race for so long, but it is possible! And healthy. Check out the teas at Urban Bru. Blackberry is great.

          I loved the Guymon Daily Herald front page last week that had three stories on the front page. The top story was about local ladies who went to Washington D.C. and marched. Whether you agree or disagree about why they marched (in fact, we probably don’t even know why they did), you can relish in the fact that we live in a country where you can stand up for your beliefs. You can also thank God that those who marched did it in a peaceful and respectful manner. And two of those who traveled to the march were young ladies in their early twenties. It is so good to see young people getting involved in their community, showing that they care.

          “We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided,” said by J.K. Rowling.

          The second story was about Pioneer Days and it is lovely that our community has such a positive and long standing tradition. We have a great Chamber of Commerce who has hundreds of volunteers that make it happen. It is a happy time. I am proud to be part of a community that has such an event.

          “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Henry Ford said those great words.

          The third story was on a local business, Western Medical, that gave to someone in need. Another instance of caring individuals from our town. Cool.

          “The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life four ourselves.” Helen Keller said that.

          Cassi Jo Schreifer is the person who started and keeps the Cassie’s Kids Mentoring Program going and she gave a program at Rotary recently. One of the Rotarians took a quote from Cassi Jo that is so worth sharing. She said, “You don’t have to be rich or privileged to follow your dreams and make a life for yourself.” This is another young lady who is making a difference in other people’s lives. Cassie’s Kids has mentors for junior high aged girls. She works with the school and the mentors are an example of the best folks from our town. I love it.

          “The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” That’s according to Mitch Albom.

          Feb. 10 is the Cabaret at the Galleon to help the Guymon School Arts. The cost is $30 person, $50 a couple and it starts at 6 pm. Call 338-7678 for reservations.

          Feb. 11 is the limb pick-up community clean-up time. Meet at the Main Street Guymon office at 10 am to help. We will work for 2 hours. Also, that day the OPSU basketball teams play in Goodwell. The women’s game starts at 1, the men’s at 3.

          Feb. 13 the Word Weavers meet at the Galleon at 6:30 pm. Great time for those who wish to wield the pen.

          Mark on your calendar for the Veteran’s Discussion on Feb. 20, the Healthy Heart Dress Red Luncheon on Feb. 22, and the Main Street Awards Evening on Feb. 23. Watch for information on those.

          Ravi Shankar said, “Sound when stretched is music. Movement when stretched is dance. Mind when stretched is meditation. Life when stretched is celebration.” Let’s all celebrate these wonderful people and activities.

          See you on the bricks!

          Last Sunday at church we had a special offering for the Oaks of Mamre, Guymon’s homeless shelter. It is on Super Bowl Sunday each year because that is the day the Oaks Board holds their Souper Bowl fund raiser. Our special offering was giving in pots. It is good to do.

          But the interesting part is that in our church we have three Bible readings each Sunday that are set by the church calendar. We don’t pick the readings (although our preacher could change them, I suppose). On Super / Souper Bowl Sunday the first reading was from Isaiah 58 and this is part of it, “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. …if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.”

          The Psalm reading came from chapter 112, “Light shines in the darkness for the upright; the righteous are merciful and full of compassion. It is good for them to be generous in lending and to manage their affairs with justice. …they have given freely to the poor, and their righteousness stands fast forever; they will hold up their head with honor.

          Wow. It was like the church readings were chosen especially for the Oaks offering.

          Gibbs on NCIS says there are no coincidences. Pretty straightforward, don’t you think?

          Yes, I gave to the Oaks. No way I wasn’t going to after hearing and reading the readings. You know, if you haven’t, you still can. The Oaks does good work and they should be blessed by us.

          Another blessing is a meeting at Main Street Guymon on Feb. 20 for veterans. Any and all veterans are invited to come and discuss benefits, health concerns, and life concerns. It is to be at 5:30 pm in the Main Street Guymon office at 116 NE Fifth Street. Hope to see you there!

          Then on Feb. 22 is the free Heart Healthy Luncheon for women (dress in red if you can) at 11:30 at the Methodist Enrichment Center at 6^th and Quinn. Women have the chance to get their blood pressure, BMI, sugar and cholesterol tested free. And after having those tests, you will be in the drawing for a red Brighton purse.

          The next evening, Feb. 23, is the Main Street Guymon Awards evening. Virgil Gibson is catering and we are honoring some fabulous businesses and individuals. Hope you’ll come to it. The tickets are $25 a person and it is held at the RC Party Room at 5^th and Main.

          Be blessed and see you on the bricks!

            A friend gave me a little book that has some very interesting things in it. It is a journal of sorts with the heading on the blank pages, “Why I am dysfunctional today:”

            The first page has directions and says, “We all have issues. The idea that anyone has it together is a myth – despite the occasional deliberately constructed appearance to the contrary. The only thing that separates the men from the boys and the women from the girls is self – awareness. Do you or do you not know that you’re half – crazy? Do you celebrate and process your dysfunctions or do you stumble along in blithe denial – or, perhaps, the stubborn refusal to deal?

            “Either way, being dysfunctional is the norm, not the exception, especially in this era of pop psychology and antidepressant ads littered with daisies and sunshine. I’m not okay and you’re not okay, and there’s a drug for that. Now that we know how to diagnose and name it, 29 percent of the American population has experienced a significant episode of anxiety, while about 15 percent will suffer from a major depression at some point. …

            “But as creatively valuable as our dysfunctions may be, we must manage them in order to live a practical and not entirely miserable existence. Toward that end, our most convenient, accessible tool is surely a journal. Kathleen Adams, founder of the Center for Journal Therapy, calls journals ’79 – cent therapists.’

“According to a widely – cited study by James W. Pennebaker and Janel D. Seagal, ‘Writing about important personal experiences in an emotional way for as little as 15 minutes over the course of three days brings about improvements in mental and physical health.’ Proven benefits include stress management, strengthened immunity, fewer doctor visits, and improvement in chronic illnesses such as asthma. ‘It’s hard to believe,’ says Pennebaker, a psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin, but ‘being able to put experiences into words is good for your physical health.’”

So, do you write in a journal? Seems maybe it is a good thing. I believe I’ll just stick with writing a column. But if you feel yourself twisting off to the deep end, grab a pen and paper. Its worth a try!!!

Tammy Faye Bakker once said, “I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist.” My personal opinion is that if you have a chance to be part of a quilting circle, it serves as therapy.

Staying active is also good for your health. There are plenty of things going on to take part in here.

Feb. 2, you have the choice of attending OPSU basketball games with the women at 5:30 and the men at 7:30 or you can go to the Diabetic Support Group at the YMCA meeting room at 5:30 pm. The support group has a speaker and is led and sponsored by HealthWatch.

Feb. 3, at 7 am you should come and be a part of Eggs and Issues. Quit spending so much time posting those stupid facebook political comments and come and hear the real thing. Representative Casey Murdock is always there to give inside into what is happening at the capitol. And Apollo MedFlight is buying breakfast for everyone. It takes place at the Ambassador Restaurant.

Feb. 4 is the OPSU Rodeo Team’s Top Hand Auction at Pickle Creek at 6 pm. Come and buy some fellows to haul your limbs off! 

Feb. 5 is Sunday and the Super Bowl is happening. So is the Souper Bowl. For lunch, take part in the Oaks of Mamre Fund Raiser, a Souper Bowl, at the Methodist Church Enrichment Center, 6^th and Quinn.

Feb. 6 is the Chamber General Membership meeting at noon in the Ambassador meeting room and that evening is the Methodist Groundhog Supper from 11:30-1:00 for lunch and 5:00 – 7:00 for supper. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children.

There’s more coming up, but this should keep you busy for now!

See you on the bricks.

PTCI Channel 2 video

February 2017

Heart Watch with Shawna Kelly