What are the best home improvement projects to tackle before you sell your home? How much do you spend when you’re not planning to stay in your home for long? Where do you splurge and where do you skimp? What projects do you skip altogether? My brain whirls with all the possibilities born from hours…
Let’s get going on the best home improvement projects for resale
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Surviving mini-crisis mode at home
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When life spins out of control into what I call “mini-crisis mode,” how do you manage stress at home? I want to share some tips to survive that I’ve been practicing lately as I’ve been slogging through a season of challenges. I hesitate to give advice because I am so far from having it all…
My Melanoma Story (or how Troy Aikman saved my life)
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I’m healthy today and I have Troy Aikman to thank for it. No, seriously. The Hall of Fame quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys had a huge impact on my health. Because of his diagnosis of melanoma, I went to a dermatologist for my first skin check-up and discovered I had melanoma, too. I was only…
Easy and delicious gluten-free blueberry oat crumble bars
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Blueberries pack a lot of health benefits in a teeny tiny package. From antioxidants that help prevent cancer to improving the health of the heart, brain, bladder and eyes, these little guys are truly a super food. They may even help reduce belly fat. Now if you’re a mom of any age mourning the shape…
Trial by fire: How to handle your next crisis
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In early March, Reno County had the worst prairie fires in anyone’s memory, and Plum Prairie Ranch was right in the middle of the danger zone. Eleven homes nearby were destroyed and about 6,000 acres burned, but that was less than 10 percent of a massive prairie fire in Clark and Comanche counties. The…
A journey of faith where spring is never far away
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Here on Plum Prairie Ranch, my focus is on building a home. That involves caring for family, the community and ourselves. To quote the old saw, “you can’t take care of everyone else if you don’t take care of yourself.” As a person, I bring together mind, body and spirit. If I don’t care for…
The Plum Prairie Ranch Story, Part 2
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This is Part 2 of the Plum Prairie Ranch Story. If you missed Part 1, go here. Shawn and I left DFW for Kansas in the wee hours of the morning Jan. 9 to make the 400 mile drive in time for an afternoon appointment to view the Plum property and get a home…
Our gluten-free journey and my top GF baking tips
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If you or someone you love needs to avoid gluten, you may know the challenges of baking without the magic of the binder that makes tender cakes, fluffy biscuits and flaky pie crust. I’ve learned a lot since our family started our GF journey several years ago. Read on for our story and my top…
My Mental Illness Manifesto
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I belong to a huge club with many members, but every one of us would rather be someplace else. We didn’t choose this club. It chose us. I come from a family deeply scarred by mental illness. After having his own father (my grandfather) in and out of mental hospitals during his childhood, my father…
How to paint your front door in 7 (mostly) easy steps
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Want the unvarnished truth about painting a front door? I’ll give you the inside scoop on the best way to complete the job and be happy with your results. Even if you’re not planning this project anytime soon, stick around. Hilarity ensues. What do a mischievous dog, hordes of mosquitoes and trick-or-treaters have in common?…