My friend Connie

It is so good to connect with friends after years. Connie and I have been friends for 30 years. Last time I saw her was almost 3 years ago. She drove over to camp today and will be spending the next few days with me. I called her on the way and had her pick up two dwarf lop eared bunnies in Fredericksburg. We bought them for the junior zookeepers class. They are precious. Tonight was Time Machine night and everyone was dressed in costumes from times past. We did some hair braiding with feathers and ribbons for the girls. We watched them play disco freeze, where they dance and then freeze when the music stops. They had cave men games, folk music, pie eating contest, etc. It was fun.
We went for a walk to the barn and put Indira up for the night. I wanted to show Connie the two deer that hang out around the horses every evening The evenings are so pleasant here. It is my favorite time of the day. It is a great feeling to enjoy God's beauty with a friend that appreciates the Texas hill country as much as I do.

Enjoying a Sunday Ride

As you know, one of my favorite things to do is riding. Yesterday, I took my filly, Indira, for a trail ride with 10 of the guides at camp. We rode about an hour and had a nice shady trail most of the way. The camp is 3000 acres so I have lots of exploring to do. I have only ridden Indira a few times and she is doing great. I have owned her since she was 6 months old and she trusts me.
This is going to be a busy week at camp. The accountant from Houston is coming to help me do the payroll and work on the accounts. I look forward to meeting her. She is a horsewoman too!
I love living in my own little "bubble" out here. The staff are putting on a musical skit at dinner. I am performing. We all play some kind of "thing"(i.e. trash can, broom, etc.) I have volunteered to be Madame Manners next session. I'll have to post a picture of my costume when I get it put together. There is always something to do and ways to contribute. I get back so much more than I give. It just makes me want to give more and to be all that I can be.

HERO NIGHT!

Everyone loves to dress up. I didn't have a costume this year but I will next year. I've got plenty of time to think of who I want to be.

I love that I feel so detached from the rest of the world out here. There is no cell service. No TV. No newspapers. I still have internet but to be honest I just don't look at what is happening in the world. It is like being on vacation. It is like stepping back in time (only with air conditioning and computers and phones). The focus is on your present day and what you need to do. Living in the moment.

So my hero isn't a TV personality or a movie star. I'm not sure who I would pick that is presently living. There are so many people that I know and I look up to for their character and integrity. It makes me think of the qualities that I want to strive for. To have loved and made someone feel loved is the greatest legacy of all. Don't know what kind of costume I can come up with for that one.

My Office

This is where I spend my days. Those are my birds, Frick and Frack by my desk. They are singing and happy in their new home. I have a great view out my window. There is a chuck wagon outside. I love that the furnishings are all done with top quality in mind. My desk is carved wood with a leather top. Very nice!
It is great that inside is so nice and the outside is so nice too. I think we should look at that lesson for ourselves. Be great on the inside first then the outside will be a bonus.

Baby deer love

Camp ended today for the first session. It was a touching ceremony and a few tears were shed. It is hard to believe what goes into these kids lives in a short 2 weeks, memories are made.
Some of the guides went into town to enjoy some well deserved time off. Some of us had a relaxing dinner here at the health lodge. Kitty made potstickers. Jennifer made armadillo eggs (jalepenos wrapped in sausage) a little wine and beer were served. We watched the video that Chris made of the camp. Meg and Clayton had a friend join us from Wimberly. It was a nice evening to just relax and be with friends.
The two baby deer had to be fed their dinner so we got to hold and love on them. The is Esperanzo, the boy. He was sucking on my ear and giving me the giggles. It is such a blessing to be here. I have to say it is a perfect fit. Thank you GOD.

Every Night is a Party

Great concert last nigh! We had the Summer Singers perform at the amphitheater. They are a group of college kids from Oklahoma Christian University. They sang songs from every era. The kind of songs you can't help but sing along and dance.
Today we have a field day going on. Lots of running around.
I am going to the barn at noon to evaluate some new horses coming in.
The kids from this session check out after breakfast tomorrow and I will have the afternoon off. Next group will arrive on Sunday and I'll be learning the check in process. And the fun continues....

My home in Hunt, TX

I met my Mom and Aunt in Hunt, Texas this morning to drop my car off at the house I will be living in after August 15th. OH MY GOODNESS! It is beautiful!!! I know that I keep writing about how beautiful it is at camp and IT IS. This house is just as amazing. I will live in the guest house over the garage and it is like staying at the Ritz Carlton. The views are incredible. I can see for miles and miles. The Texas breeze feels great on the front porch. The pool will be a refreshing break from the Texas heat.
Another blessing! I hope I never leave. For now I will remind myself to enjoy today and this present moment for what HE has done for me. Don't worry about tomorrow but praise and give thanks for this day and all that is provided. Give us this day and our daily bread.
Just look up and around you there is always something to be thankful for.

Wild West Night

Howdy Yall, it was Wild West Night at Camp Lonehollow. Jennifer is the office manager and Kitty teaches scuba diving. They are two of the fun people I work with and we sit together at meal time. I am going to have to start jogging up that mountain because the food is too good. Tonight our vittles were fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, salad, and carrot cake. Blas is the chef and he does a wonderful job.
I feel like I got a little more accomplished today in the bookkeeping area. I had a meeting with Jeff, the construction and deer operation manager. It was fascinating to learn about the deer breeding business. The camp will have some huge bucks to hunt in the coming years. I am excited to be a part of it now as it begins to grow. They have a buck named Gladiator that is one of the top producing bucks for breeding. I will get a picture and put it up on the blog in the next few days so you can see the kind of horns these deer have.
I spent a little time with my filly, Indira, this evening just letting her graze and relax away from the herd of horses she lives with. I haven't had time to ride but I am going to try to get an hour in tomorrow. It doesn't feel like work, it feels more like a lifestyle here, I stay busy from morning til evening and I love it.

First Day

Today was my first day at Lonehollow. It began with a walk up the hill toward the entrance (it is 2 miles from the main gate to the headquarters). As I turned around the sun was rising over the mountains and I could see for miles over the beautiful Texas hill country. It is truly God's country. I am blessed to greet each day with this beauty. I wasn't the only one up and outside at that hour of the morning. I passed Meg, the owner of the camp out jogging as well as several of the girl guides. This camp has an amazing group of people on staff and they invest in these kids with a servant's heart. What a great world it would be if we were all investing in others like that.
I had the honor of being one of the judges for the talent show tonight. I couldn't stop smiling. These kids will make you laugh and want to sing along with them. The photo is a picture of the moon from where I was sitting. The amphitheater overlooks the lake and it is a beautiful setting.
I can't wait for another day to begin.

Im here and Im ready to get started!

I finally made it! Two long days of driving but we made it without any problems. My horses and I are glad that we don't have any further to go. It is sooo beautiful here. I arrived around 5 and unloaded Indira. I got my stuff put in my room. Took a shower and felt human again. I like my room and it is peaceful. I joined everyone for dinner at the staff table. We had a beautiful church service overlooking the lake at sunset. Wow, I can't believe I work here!!! I am sooo tired but I am excited about getting started. The church service was led by guides and the kids. The verse was Isaiah 41:13 which says, For I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.
He has surely helped me by bringing me here. So many people have helped me and supported me to get me to where I am now. My Mom and Aunt Pat flew up to Kentucky on Friday and we all got up at 3 a.m. each morning to make the long drive to Texas. Friends have been there to encourage me with their time, prayers, money and encouragement. I will heal and I will pass on what has been given to me. Thank you all for your love and your friendship. I start a new chapter tomorrow. I plan on getting up at 6 and as soon as it is daylight I am going to walk 4 miles on the entrance road. I have a staff meeting at 8, breakfast at 8:30 and a full day with lots to learn. I'll post a picture of my office. It is really nice. I am taking my birds, Frick and Frack, over there tomorrow. Good night and sweet dreams! A new day is dawning, let the healing begin!

Yeesss! I am the proud Mom of a son on the Dean's List. Bebo has been so consistent and steadfast in his studies and it has paid off. It is a character quality that will reap big rewards in his life.

I had a wonderful day with Ryan, Blake and Crystal. We started out the day with a trip to Redstone College where Ryan gave us a tour. I met some of his teachers and people he has worked with. I got to see all the equipment he has built for the college. Then we made a trip to the Boulder Running Store. We ran on a treadmill and they had a camera that films the way your feet land and then they can evaluate the film in slow motion to see what shoe is best for you. I got a new pair of Mizuno running shoes. If I run 20 miles a week they should last 4 months.

Next on the list was a trip to Sweet Bird Studios in Boulder. I had seen the belt buckles this lady makes at the World Equestrian Games. They are unique works of art. As part of my new life I have designed one with my horse Indira's picture, a cross, bright colored tin and stones. I just have to come up with my statement. I am thinking "Live Simply with Purpose" and I will have that stamped on the buckle. I was glad I got to meet some of the people that work there and see the studio in person. I would love to sell some of her stuff at art fairs in Texas.

Ryan, Crystal and I all had a massage this afternoon. I have been so tight in my neck and shoulders that it hurt. I need to get the knots worked out and it will take more than one massage. Driving to Texas for two days will not help. I will need to try and schedule another one when I get a chance.

We picked up Blake downtown and had dinner at BD's Mongolian Grill. I love eating there because you pick your own meat and veggies, they grill it and add the sauce you pick. Yummy. I was starving and had only eaten a small 50 cent bag of peanuts all day. I love downtown Denver. It has an old feel to it with an artsy look and the weather was perfect.

Blake and I walked from his house to downtown Golden. We got frozen yogurt and took pictures. They were kayaking on the Clear Creek. We went to the Coors Recreation Center and sat in the hot tub and sauna. I think I am going to sleep well tonight. It has been a day filled with lots of good things and I feel like I am on vacation. So glad I got to do this before I start my new job and make the drive to Texas. Tomorrow is Ryan's graduation and the day to celebrate his accomplishment. Looking forward to that.

New Chapters

It has been a bittersweet day saying goodbye to many dear friends, lots of hugs and tears. I will miss so many people in Kentucky that are dear to my heart. I am a better person because of the love and compassion that my friends have shown me during a tough time in my life. I can only say I hope to carry that love and compassion on to others as they cross my path in life.

God has been so good to me. Everyday as I approach my move to Texas He has taken care of the details. Like my friend, Lori said "It is like watching pieces of a puzzle being put together:" Today it was the air conditioner in my truck. It hasn't worked in over a year. I was expecting a thousand dollar repair bill and even with having it repaired AND all four brakes done it will be less than that. Thank you God for providing.

I am off to Colorado tomorrow to watch Ryan graduate from Redstone College on Thursday. I have never seen where Ryan and Blake live. I am very excited that I will get to spend some time in "their world" and hang out with them. Ryan called yesterday to tell me that he and Crystal have scheduled massages for us. Wow, I can't wait for some R & R. I don't think I have relaxed for months. It will be a good break before I head for Texas and start a new job and new chapter in my life. I wonder what life will be like in June of 2012? Time will tell and this blog will keep a record of the progress. I have a feeling it will be good!!!!