Monthly Archives: May 2023

Greater – Movie Review

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Have you seen the movie Greater? We came upon it when we were looking for something to watch over the weekend. I just wanted a fun entertaining movie that we could laugh at. I saw Greater and thought, “I love a good football movie. Let’s watch that.”

Greater is  the inspiring true story of Brandon Burlsworth, a college football player. From the time he was 12, he wanted nothing more than to play football for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. We learned early on that the story takes place in Harrison, a place we spend a lot of time because it’s the nearest big city to us. He works and works and works and gets the opportunity to walk on to the Razorback football team.

His catch phrase for motivation because “How bad do you want it?” I now have that hanging on my wall so I can see it every day when I’m thinking about the goals I sent for myself.

The movie beautifully captures his remarkable journey, starting as an undersized walk-on player and ultimately achieving the prestigious title of All-American offensive lineman at the University of Arkansas.

Driving through Harrison yesterday, I saw signs on the street corners for the upcoming Brandon Burlsworth football camps. I wonder if I would’ve noticed them if I hadn’t watch the movie?

The movie is truly uplifting and you will find yourself cheering Brandon on through the whole film. Watching his perseverance, faith, and determination are truly amazing. My short review: What a story, what a legacy!

Crawdad Festival 2023

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I had so much fun this past weekend reigning at the Crawdad Days festival as Ms. Classic Crawdad Days 2023.

We started the day out hosting a baby pageant and I was the queen in charge of taking the registrations. it was so much fun to see all the cute babies as they were registered by their parents.

There were performances by the Ridge Runner clogging group. Clogging looks like so much fun! As a dancer, I feel like I may need to try that style of dance.

After the baby contest we got a chance to walk around the fairgrounds. Behind where we held the baby contest was a building that was loaded with vendors. Of course I had to check out the Queen Pop popcorn!

And what’s a crawdad festival without a life sized crawdad?!

There was a crawdad eating contest which was very interesting. I’ll be honest, I have no idea how to eat a crawdad but I’m 100% intrigued by eating contests. I’m pretty sure I could dominate one if it were a cake or pancake eating contest. LOL!

We then wandered around the festival on our official photo shoot. Our director decided to put us on the big swing ride, something I haven’t ridden in a long time. I was a little afraid of having a dress on but it all went fine.

Riding the swings with Miss Teen Crawdad Days. I enjoyed visiting with her so much!

After we were finished for the day, we came back that night for the rodeo. It was my FIRST rodeo! We were introduced to the crowd and then we went and took a seat to watch. It was exciting and terrifying all at once. I can’t wait to go to the next one!

All in all, I really enjoyed my reign at Crawdad Days. It was a lot of fun. I always feel like a good pageant queen day ends with sore feet and Saturday was no exception!

My buddy, Little Miss Crawdad Days. What a sweetheart!
Being introduced at the rodeo

Book Review: The Favor

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Nora Hammond is the queen of vintage fashion and antique finds in the heart of Manhattan. She’s got style, success, and a happy marriage, or so it seems. But really, Nora and her husband Jacob are swimming in a sea of debt thanks to pricey fertility treatments and failed IVF attempts. It’s hard for them because there’s just one embryo left.

One day Evelyn Elliot comes into Nora’s shop loving and buying everything. Nora is excited about their newfound friendship but she has not idea that this friendship willlead her into the world of multimillionaires, where yachts, fancy homes, chauffeured cars, and an army of staff are the norm. It’s a juggling act, but Nora’s managing just fine—until Evelyn drops a bombshell: she wants to carry Nora and Jacob’s baby.

“The Favor” is a fabulous mash-up of friendship, family, fertility struggles, and surrogacy, all set against a backdrop of glitz and glamour. Plus, it’s fun to read about all the vintage clothes. I loved this book so much! 2 thumbs up.

New YouTube Channel!

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It’s no secret that my favorite part of real estate was my YouTube channel where 98% of my clients came from. I decided to temporarily deactivate the account because it was still bringing me leads that would take me time to farm out and I really just needed some time away.

Today, I decided it was time to bring it back with a bit of a new direction. But it’s gone. Gone, gone. I can’t get it back. I’m a little upset but I’m going to look at it as a blessing in disguise.

I’ve started a new channel and I hope it will attract my correct tribe instead of trying to morph my audience from the other channel into something they didn’t sign up for.

Refined Country Wife will be a fun YouTube channel that chronicles the exciting journey of a city girl, Me!, turned rural dweller in the stunning Ozarks region of Arkansas. Join me as I embrace the charm of country living, immersing myself in the beauty of nature and the captivating rural lifestyle. From our idyllic farmstead, I share the joys and challenges of raising chickens, cows, and dogs, offering a glimpse into the daily adventures and heartwarming moments that pop up.

As an advocate of healthy living, I am passionate about growing up without growing old. Fitness and well-being are at the forefront of my lifestyle. Join me as I explore various fitness routines, share workout tips, and inspire viewers to embrace an active lifestyle that keeps them energized and vibrant.

In addition to nourishing our bodies, I believe in nurturing our minds and souls. Through thoughtful discussions and personal anecdotes, I delve into topics like personal growth, mindfulness, and finding fulfillment in everyday life.

As a dedicated carnivore diet enthusiast, I also delve into the world of meat-based nutrition, sharing delicious recipes, helpful tips, and personal experiences on this unique dietary approach.

Furthermore, I’ll take you along as we explore the hidden gems, local attractions, and exciting events in the scenic North Central Arkansas area. From breathtaking nature hikes to charming local festivals, there’s always something new to discover.

I invite you to join me on my new channel where I’ll be celebrating the beauty of rural life, indulging in mouthwatering meals, pursuing an active lifestyle, and discovering the wonders of an extraordinary region.

Book Review: Under The Influence

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I love social media and I loved this book. I think it’s a fictional work that probably accurately describes the real life influencer world.

Harper wants to be a writer but she’s having no luck in New York in a series of dead end jobs when her best friend spies the ad to work for influencer, Charlotte Green. Harper isn’t really in the world of social media but she figures out, “why not?” and fills out the application. In a whirlwind of events, she’s hired and moves to Nashville to join The Greenhouse.

The story tells of Harper’s experience being flavor of the month, can do no wrong employee but what she has to give to achieve that status.

The characters in this book are wonderful and I already miss them. This is a fun book that I had a hard time putting down. Two thumbs up!

You’ve Got to Move It!

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Yesterday I was listening to GRUFFtalk, one of my favorite podcasts. It’s for those who want to age well and I’m certainly in that group.


Barbara Hannah Grufferman is the host of this great podcast. I love the topics she covers and the guests she has on her show.

Yesterday’s guest was 102 year old Gladys McGarey who is the mother of holistic medicine.

I love how she believes the same things I’ve come to believe in regarding aging.

You need to move your body. You can’t bank energy like vacation days. If you’re moving, your body will think you can move. The same is true if you don’t move. Your body will think you can’t. Dr. Glady’s new book came out yesterday, and I can’t wait to read it! I want to live until at least age 102 and, after listening to this podcast, I’m certain this book is loaded with more awesome information.

I have talked about the book Younger Next Year for Women before and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s such a smart book and I wish I had written it!

In this book, author Chris Crowley talks about how once we’re 60 and beyond, we need to workout like it’s our job. We are swimming upstream against aging and in order to stay off the rocks, we need to exercise six days a week for the rest of your life. They have seven rules to live by to age well and exercise is rule number one.

Dr. Issac Newton said that “a body in motion remains in motion” and Dr. Gladys emphasizes this fact. If your body is in motion it will stay that way. I have believed this myself and I haven’t altered how I work out over the years. I continue to try new things because I find I go through phases of loving different ways of exercising.

Right now, I’m in my dancing and kettlebell phase but I have an ultra marathon (100 mile race) and the Senior Olympics on my horizon. Mainly because I’ve never done them.

I encourage you to move today! You don’t need to start by climbing a mountain or running a marathon. Just get out and walk in nature. it’s great for your body and great for your soul.

10 Months Sober!

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I haven’t had a drink in 10 months and no one is more impressed by that than I am.

I didn’t always drink. I would have a drink here and there to celebrate or when out to dinner but I never started drinking to relieve stress until we moved to Ghana.

Trying to get used to living in a country so different from ours was difficult for me. In addition to the general situation, we brought our little puppy, Frankie, along with us. He was a handful. And I’m being nice.

Every day, David would go off to work. I didn’t know anyone and would be stuck in the house with Frankie. It all seemed too much and suddenly, a nice refreshing Gin and Tonic seemed like a really great idea. After a couple, I could nap the afternoon away until David came home and we could go out and grab dinner. And Club beer.

When we started traveling overseas, checking out the local beers became a thing that David and I loved to do. i remember the first time was in Amsterdam. I loved how the city was set up and that on practically each corner you’d find a bakery, a cheese shop, a chocolate shop, and beer. Tables with umbrellas dotted the intersections. Heineken was the beer we’d drink there.

Eventually, we made a Top 5 list of our favorite beers:

  1. Club Beer – Accra, Ghana
  2. Belekin Beer – Belize City, Belize
  3. Fiji Gold – Suva City, Fiji
  4. Tiger Beer – Singapore
  5. Red Stripe – Strawberry Hill, Jamaica

After we returned from Ghana, I continued to enjoy beers with David almost every place we went but I wasn’t stress drinking until I became a REALTOR. As the real estate market got crazier and the deals got harder, I started drinking. Sometimes every day.

I hated that. My dad and grandpa were alcoholics. I could see that drinking out of stress was a slippery slope. I would beg God to help me stop drinking. I’d wake up with fresh resolve and then, at the end of the day, give in and drink. The more I couldn’t stop, the more I hated myself. I pleaded with God to please help me stop.

On July 2, 2022, we went out to dinner with a couple who were some of my very favorite clients. It had been a tough day. I was so looking forward to visiting with them and just relaxing. I proceeded to drink my face off. I HATED myself the next morning. I was so embarrassed.

David said I wasn’t obnoxious but I couldn’t get past the fact that I drank way more than I should have. I was so mortified and that was the last time I drank. God did a miracle and I haven’t even wanted to drink since then.

I could not have done it without Him. He is still in the miracle business and I’m so glad to have experienced one.

I fondly think of drinking beer on a street corner, with David, in another country but I don’t ever have a taste for alcohol and I’m glad. God is good. Thank you, Jesus!

Classic Ms Crawdad Days 2023!

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This past Saturday, I competed for the title of Classic Ms Crawdad Days. And I won!

I was SO excited. I did my first pageant in 1998 and, while I’ve had a lot of at-large titles, I’ve never won a pageant and had the crown placed on my head on stage.

It was awesome! But it went so fast. As soon as I digested the fact that they called my name, the lady beside me through a hug on me so big and so hard I almost fell off my heels. It was great. And a little te3rrifying.

The day was long. I didn’t need to be there for so long but I didn’t know that. In the end, I’m glad I was because I got to visit with the other contestants in my division and they are some pretty special women. To me, that’s been the very best part of pageantry and I’m still friends with girls I competed with in my first pageant.

What I was hoping to achieve at this pageant was to just have a good experience. To have fun and meet new friends. Last year, I competed in a pageant that wasn’t like that. It left a bad taste in my mouth and I didn’t want my last pageant experience to be a bad one. Because, after that weekend, I was never going to compete again. Last year, I was so stressed from work which compounded the bad feelings I took away from the weekend.

This time, I did things easy. I did my own hair and makeup. I love, love, love Jill and her talents are way up there but I didn’t want to bring her away from her business for the entire day. I thought I’d try it on my own for once. Boy did I miss her when it came time for the eyelashes! I did my own pedicure.

I did my own nails. You know, I got a package of glue on Nails for $6 at Walmart and they look fabulous! I did have to have David help me with the second hand after I stuck a finger to the other nail. But it took us about five minutes with no noxious fumes. And, if I can get them off (LOL) I’m hoping my nails aren’t destroyed for three months like they would be if I had gotten a gel manicure.

I did not diet. LOL! I’ve been trying to keep our food intake on the healthy side but, for the first time in my life, I do NOT want to be pageant skinny. I do not want to be a frail old lady who gets taken out when she falls and breaks a hip. I’m sturdy. It’s who I am. I’m going to start owning it.

The pageant was extremely well run. There were over 130 contestants from babies up to me. I was the oldest contestant in the pageant. It moved along smoothly and, while it seemed to take forever for our group to be on the stage, there were no holdups.

I am excited to hold the title and to reign, along with the other nine titleholders at the Crawdad Days Festival May 19-21. I hope to see you there!