Life Lessons and Love

There are certain events that trigger reflection.












There is news that changes perspective.

And there is realization that can occur at any given moment. When these all happened to me recently it set my mind in motion and these words came out of my fingertips.

As Facebook filled with pictures and tributes on the one year anniversary of the death of IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon who died in the season finale race last year on October 16th, I was moved. That year was lightning fast and the shock and finality of the day was still fresh in my mind.

Recently I was at a get-together with some friends and was delivered the news by a father that his daughter had a medical situation that could possibly be grave and the doctors were unsure about how to go about dealing with her. He was matter of fact and hopeful. He was frustrated by insurance companies and doctors but not surrendering to negativity. He was, in essence, the bravest parent I knew. I went home and hugged and kissed my children extra.

Not long ago I was faced with an unpleasantness tied to a wondrous opportunity through my work. I was letting it overwhelm me – the “unpleasantness”. But I reached out to friends and trusted mentors and asked their advice. Confident I was taking the correct path I found I was far more at peace.

Only I can control my reactions, mood, and destiny. My husband, in his infinite wisdom, reminded me to not allow anyone to take up space in my head who was not paying me rent. He assured me that the course of action – in this case inaction – I was taking was the wisest.

Dan Wheldon’s untimely demise is a constant reminder to live in the moment. To try to not take things for granted for we never know when life will throw a curveball at us and we’ll have to take a detour. His death urges me to reach farther, try harder, and love richer than I had before lest I miss a moment on this good earth.

My friends frightening medical problems with his daughter added to the above lessons. When I think I am getting “stressed” due to job, obligations, and extracurricular activities, I step back and really rethink my life. Stress is self-inflicted and does little to nothing to propel change. By throwing myself into my life head first and rolling with the waves as they crash around I am better prepared for that which we are unprepared.

Lastly, the work situation that had messed with my head for a short time is released. I am not perfect nor do I profess to be. But I am hard-working, honest, and dedicated. Those qualities and having “right” on my side gives me renewed courage in my convictions and a sense of calm and peace.

But, the true bottom line came to me as I was driving my children to yet another activity.

Love.

It really is that simple. When Love is accepted in one’s life, is shared with others, and motivates, Love is the strongest emotion.

Love conquers hate. Hate becomes all-consuming and burns itself out – in short, it destroys itself.

Love strengthens desire. Infatuations may wane, but love grows, deepens, and takes root, weathering storms.

Love outlasts all. It may sound overly simplistic and hopelessly romantic, but it’s true. Love has endured and will continue.

And that’s what’s been on my mind of late.

Simple Joys

Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

Whenever a smile spreads across your face, a giggle escapes, or a good feeling permeates your being – however briefly – you have experienced Simple Joys.

Since Simple Joys premiered on this site nearly two years ago as a “one –off”, I have written my weekly Simple Joys down for public consumption and have encouraged you all to focus on yours as well.

Personally the weekly examination of all things that make me happy has elevated my moods, shooed away depression, and changed my perspective to a far more positive one.

And, of course, the one-off became a widely read weekly favorite on the site.

It is always my sincere hope that you all look at your own life for the Simple Joys you experience.

And now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.

Swimming. My daughter and I go to the local “Y” from one to three times per week. I am beginning to think that the child is happiest when she is in her swimsuit spending the morning with me swimming in the pool.

She is confident and graceful, enormously thrilled in this environment and works hard to constantly better herself. At three that is impressive. In her element my daughter ceases to be a needy child and shows maturity beyond her years.

Spending one-on-one time with my little girl doing something she excels that delights her to no end is a Simple Joy I revel greatly.

Book Fair. Each year the elementary schools my children attend hold a Book Fair run by the Parent Teacher Organization. The gym is converted into a store with hundreds of book titles to choose.

I surprised my first grader last week by showing up on his buying day and nearly bought him everything on his list. He was overjoyed and so excited.

Making my son’s book dreams come true knowing he is becoming an avid reader is a Simple Joy worth every penny!

Karate. My oldest son is a hard-working Karate student. He has been going for over five years to the same dojo and attends regularly never taking a hiatus.

Now my son is on the path to his junior black belt test which could be given in April 2013. This is a rigorous test that involves many skills, concepts, and execution of movements.

Although I know the test is terrifying to my boy, he is working steadfastly to improve, learn, and reach his goal. As a 10 year old, that is a very impressive feat.

Watching my son face the challenges that lie ahead and constantly strive for better is a Simple Joy that makes me proud daily.

Pumpkin Picking. Each year our family goes to the same U-Pick Pumpkin farm to stock up on autumnal décor. It is tradition.

This year my husband, Den leader for our middle son’s Den in Cub Scouts, scheduled the Den “Go-See-It” (fieldtrip) at this farm.

We took a hayride, picked our pumpkins right off of the vine, investigated the tiny petting zoo, took a pony ride, and had a grand time.

Spending the day at our favorite locale to pick pumpkins with all of our new friends in the Den was a fabulous Simple Joy.

Date night. Last weekend my husband and I were able to enjoy another date night. We went out to a fantastic dinner and afterward saw the band Blues Traveler in concert at a local venue.

The food was superb and the show was terrific! Listening to front man John Popper’s harmonica playing was the coolest thing ever as he is a true virtuoso! The drummer and bassist were incredible musicians as well.

Mostly, getting away alone with my husband recharged the batteries, strengthened our bond, and was a Simple Joy I never tire experiencing with him.

My Simple Joys often revolve around family but they are not limited to that. What is most important is I let the sourness of every day melt away and get dissolved by the Simple Joys that exist.

Even in times of great despair, overwhelming sadness, and/or pain, Simple Joys can be a balm if you let them into your life.

Wishing you a week full of Simple Joys.

Please join me tomorrow as I wax poetic on yet another topic on Freestyle Wednesday on Chief 187™Chatter.

Monday Media Blog-World Series

Welcome to the Monday Media Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.

As baseball enters the final days of its post-season, my thoughts switch to the World Series.

When my husband and I lived in Virginia years ago it was not just NASCAR that we began to watch, but baseball, too.

It was the 1991 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins. I chose the Braves as “my team” and never looked back. Of course, the Braves lost that year – thanks to the Twins’ Kirby Puckett among others – but my fandom for the sport was born.

For this week’s topic, list your all-time favorite World Series moment or moments. Baseball was once America’s Favorite Pastime and, for some, still is, so let’s give it the recognition it deserves!

If you don’t watch baseball, then the alternate topic is list your favorite baseball movies, especially if they include World Series games.

Please join me tomorrow for the uplifting and ever-popular Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

Hollywood Casino 400 Race Recap by Chief 187™

In what may be the surprise of the year Matt Kenseth pulled out all of the stops to win his second race of the Chase and third of the 2012 season at the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.

Kenseth outlasted the field which suffered 14 cautions – a record at the track and for this season to date – and saw Chase Racers scramble to the finish in ugly fashion.

The repave at Kansas Speedway provided the “ideal” setting for the rollicking action at the track.

Kenseth earned his 24th career Cup win which ties him on the list of all-times with Kurt and Kyle Busch.

Martin Truex Jr. battled to the line but was .495 seconds behind Kenseth and had to settle for second.

Non-Chase racer Paul Menard finished third, his best finish of the season to date.

Pole-sitter Kasey Kahne earned a fourth place finish. Defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart started 33rd, had a rough day, and still managed to take home fifth.

Clint Bowyer finished sixth. Non-Chase racer Regan Smith, subbing for Dale Earnhardt Jr. who had a concussion, ended the day in seventh. Earnhardt Jr., it was announced, was cleared to race again for next week’s race from Martinsville, VA.

Brad Keselowski placed eighth. Jimmie Johnson hit the wall and still managed to pick up ninth place. Jeff Gordon brought up the top-10.

Keselowski retains the points lead another week with a slim seven point margin.

Johnson, also in the same spot as last week, occupies second.

Denny Hamlin finished 13th in Sunday’s race and is still in third for another week. Bowyer held on to fourth for another week as well. Kahne held firm in fifth.

Truex Jr. bumped up one spot to take sixth. Stewart also moved up one to occupy seventh. Gordon also stepped up one for eighth. Kenseth’s win ascended him to ninth, a jump of two positions. Kevin Harvick, 11th in Sunday’s race, stays at tenth.

Falling the farthest due to a 27th place finish, Biffle dropped five spots and is currently 11th in points.

Earnhardt Jr. remains in 12th place due to his imposed hiatus from racing since being diagnosed with the concussion sustained at Talladega two weeks ago.

From the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers return to short track racing at Martinsville Speedway next weekend. The Tums Fast Relief 500 will be run on Sunday, October 28th at 1pm EST on ESPN.

Be sure to tune into the seventh Chase Race and then return here upon the conclusion of the race for my Tums Fast Relief 500 Race Recap.


Candice Smith can be reached via Twitter by following @Chief187s. To find out more please visit http://Chief187.com.

Friday Music Blog-Kansas Cont.

Welcome to the Friday Music Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.

This week the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers arrive back at Kansas Speedway for the running of the Hollywood Casino 400, the sixth Chase Race of 2012.

The music topics that sprang forth were once again plentiful. In both gambling and racing, luck plays a part! So, songs containing the word “luck” in the title, lyric, or artist’s name is the first.

Next, list songs containing Kansas place names like but not limited to Abilene and Kansas City. They, too, can be in the song title, lyrics, or artist’s name.

Lastly, songs that were released in 2001 as that is when the track opened for racing.

Be sure to check this post throughout the day and weekend as more selections are added consistently.

Weekends are a fantastic time to catch up on all things at Chief 187™Chatter.

It is a complete resource for its readers.

From Tantalizing Thursday recipes to Monday Media Blogs (Monday Movie Blogs) and from Simple Joys to Freestyle Wednesday posts there is something to learn, read, entertain, use, or glean from these posts.

As the holiday season is nearly upon us, shopping is a part of many people’s weekend agenda. If shopping Amazon, please use my Amazon link located on the right hand side of this page. Enter Amazon through my link, browse, add to your cart, and check out in one transaction and at NO EXTRA COST to you, my organization benefits greatly.

If you are looking for Chief 187™ gear for yourself or as gifts, please visit my online store at http://cafepress.com/Chief187. There are over 60 items to choose at all different price points to suit your needs. From quality apparel to novelty gifts, housewares to electronic sleeves, and paper goods, there is literally something for everyone! Don't forget to search for coupon codes to save big money upon checkout! New deals weekly.

Another milestone has been surpassed and Chief 187™Chatter is trucking along strongly. Each and every one of you who visits this site to read, be entertained, informed, enlightened, or enthralled, your presence is vastly appreciated. Thank you for your time and your loyalty.

Please join me on Monday as I begin another week of all new, fresh, and original posts on Chief 187™Chatter.

Tantalizing Thursday-Kansas Revisted

Welcome to Tantalizing Thursday on Chief 187™Chatter.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase Race No. 6 will be held at the Kansas Speedway for the Hollywood Casino 400.

This is the second visit to Kansas of the season. Kansas is known for many kinds of delicious foods, but barbeque and the sides that accompany are among the most famous.

For a superb side dish, try this hearty and flavorful one.

Kansas Baked Beans
Recipe found on http://allrecipes.com/recipe/kansas-baked-beans/detail.aspx
"Sweet-and-spicy, 3-bean, baked beans. Substitute cayenne pepper for all or some of the chili powder if you like it spicier." – CPENDERS

Ingredients:
Original recipe makes 8 servings


1/2 pound bacon, diced
1/2 pound ground beef
1 onion, diced

1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup barbeque sauce
2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
2 tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 ounce) can butter beans, rinsed and drained
2 (16 ounce) cans pork and beans


Directions:

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook the bacon, ground beef, and onion in the skillet until the bacon and ground beef are completely browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain any excess fat, and transfer to a casserole dish.
Stir the white sugar, brown sugar, ketchup, barbeque sauce, mustard, molasses, chili powder, and black pepper together in a bowl; pour over the bacon mixture. Add the kidney beans, butter beans, and pork and beans; mix thoroughly.
Bake in the preheated oven until the liquid thickens, about 1 hour.



To soak up the great flavors from the baked beans or any other meal that requires “sopping up”, try this ‘utensil’.


Cracked Wheat Bread I
Recipe found on http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cracked-wheat-bread-i/detail.aspx
"This is a nice light loaf." - Sue Litster

Ingredients:
Original recipe makes 1 -1.5 pound loaf

1 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons margarine, softened
2 tablespoons dry milk powder
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
3 cups bread flour
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup cracked wheat
1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast


Directions:

Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select regular/light cycle; press Start.


Kansas offers more than just barbecue. There is a German segment in the state that prepares dishes reminiscent of its heritage. Here is an example.


Galuskies
Recipe found on http://allrecipes.com/recipe/galuskies/detail.aspx
"A traditional meat and rice-stuffed cabbage roll from the Volga-Germans families prevalent in Ellis County, Kansas." - paper_boy21

Ingredients:
Original recipe makes 40 servings

3 heads cabbage, cored
1 cup apple cider vinegar
3 cups water
1 1/2 cups long grain rice
5 pounds ground beef
1 (16 ounce) package bulk pork sausage
1/4 cup diced onion
4 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1 (16 ounce) jar sauerkraut, drained and pureed


Directions:

Place cabbages in a large stockpot filled halfway with water; add vinegar. Cover and steam over low heat until leaves are tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Remove cabbages, reserving vinegar cooking water. Rinse with cold water to chill the cabbage, then separate the leaves.
Meanwhile, bring 3 cups water and rice to a boil in a saucepan over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork; set aside to cool.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef and sausage with the onion, salt, garlic salt, and pepper, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Cover the bottom of a large roasting pan with a single layer of cabbage leaves.
Prepare the filling by stirring together the rice, cooked meat, and sauerkraut until well blended. Place 1/3 cup of filling into each leaf and roll into a cylinder, tucking in the ends as you roll it up. Place the rolls into the roasting pan. Pour in enough of the cooking liquid from the cabbage to come halfway up the sides of the rolls. Cover pan with a tight fitting lid or aluminum foil.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours. Serve warm or at room temperature.


Finally, something sweet needs to end the meal. Who couldn’t use a new cookie recipe?


Oatmeal Cherry Walnut Cookies
Recipe found on http://allrecipes.com/recipe/oatmeal-cherry-walnut-cookies/detail.aspx
"Old-fashioned caramelized sugar oatmeal cookies like my Grandma in Abilene, Kansas used to make, updated with Dried Tart Cherries and crunchy walnuts. Yumm!" - Chef Doogie

Ingredients:

Original recipe makes 3 -4 dozenChange Servings
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter flavored shortening
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup dried cherries


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a mixer bowl, combine the white sugar, brown sugar and shortening. Beat until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time mixing well after each one. Beat mixture until well combined.
Mix in the milk, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and vanilla to the egg mixture. Beat for one minute. Add the flour and mix until incorporated. Add the walnuts and mix again. Add the oats one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the dried tart cherries and mix just until they are distributed evenly.
Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of batter about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Do not shape them, they will spread evenly during the baking process. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 12 to 13 minutes. The tops of the cookies should just turn a light golden brown. Remove the cookies from the oven and let sit on the sheets for about 5 minutes before moving the cookies to cooling racks. Let cookies cool to room temperature than place in airtight containers for storage.


Hopefully these recipes will see you through the Kansas Chase Race weekend and beyond.


Please join me tomorrow for the week ending, interactive, and popular Friday Music Blog on Chief 187™Chatter.