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Recharge!

I am newspapered out. Is that a word? Certain times of life we are all go no quit, sacrificing self care for what needs done. 
  On the most beautiful day of the year so far, I had to turn down a walk, give up a healthcare appointment, and watch as many others had those opportunities. Maybe they went on vacation, or took a walk, relaxed with a book. Whatever it was, I wasn’t in that place. Then things started barreling down and I began getting envious and frustrated at myself. 
Why aren’t you doing more? 
  It is not in the cards right now to go away on a vacation. But I need to carve out a little me time. Today that will be going to Garden City to the dentist for a checkup which I can’t stand but needs done.    
  But hopefully can take a walk, buy a few things we need, and just drive. 
It’s not a beach but it is awareness that my needs are valid. And if I don’t take care of them a little bit, I grow weary in my work, in being a wife and mom. 
Sometimes it’s my own fault as I can dive into something head on and not realize the needs I have. 
Anyone else out there good at that? 
  It’s a topic I have to revisit often but maybe I am getting a little better at recognizing it. 
So while the doors to my office have been closed a lot, I have been at meetings, ball games, helping collect donations, and more. It was midnight Tuesday when I shut the computer (newspaper) off and went to bed. 
I love to help and I love to do but once in a while my needs become top of the list. I acknowledge some people are far better at this than me. 
I am not sure I will ever be great at balancing life. 
 I am so grateful for all I have and wouldn’t change it. Just need a few tweaks.
 How often do you self assess? 
I am guessing if you have the time to self assess you haven’t hit a wall yet. 
 I feel like one of those drug commercials. 
Lack of self care side effects include - envy, crankiness towards family members, irritations, moodiness, and more. Ha.
 Do you or someone you know suffer from this condition?
 I remember  many years ago my life was so empty that I seeked to find something to fill the days. 
 Today I have so much of what I dreamed of. But it is a little more tiring than I expected. 
 In the old days I could go for a hike, travel, etc. 
Today some of my self care opportunities have changed.
  Have you heard the saying Awareness, Acceptance, Action? 
I am aware of my state of mind and energy. Acceptance? Not so easy. Instead of being happy or proud of the good things, I start to get angry with myself of what I haven’t done, should have done, and go down a dark path that doesn’t help a thing. Acceptance for me usually starts with a nap, then a list of things I need to tackle, and being happy with what I did accomplish.  
  Finally, there is action. Where do you go from here? Checking off a few tasks that need done helps. Getting into my bible, even for a few moments also helps. 
 More water to drink? Some water to drink. Ha! Maybe a walk with a friend if I can carve the time out.
   Are you in that season? You are not alone. 
A great self care quote I read was “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”— Anne Lamott
The quote is usually next to a young woman in a clean minimalist room doing yoga. 
And while it is time to unplug, I don’t have that youth, that body, that clean room. 
In less than an hour, I will have the opportunity to unplug. For a few minutes. And then find some ways to recharge. 
 Check in with yourself, you are worth it. And while God needs you, your family needs you, and the world needs you,.you need you too.  
 So I hope this week brings you a little laughter, a little fun, a little adventure! 
  And I would take a little of that too!

OPINIONS

You Matter

At the funeral of a friend’s father this week, the priest said something that has stuck with me. So often at funerals I think the focus is on the glory of Heaven and what joy there is. But it is rare we stop and discuss the emptiness that is left behind.  During his... [More]

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Please or Thank you

I am home from State Fair. A little excited, a little behind, a little tired, and a little sore. I walked almost eight miles  the first day. I feel like that is worth noting. To all the show parents out there, I see you.  When I got back, a few situations arose with... [More]

Helping Others

Here we are in September. I thought the summer flew by. Well, hang onto your hats,  I feel like this week I was strapped into a rollercoaster speeding down the track. It’s not all bad but it is crazy.   We spent a couple hours helping sort cattle this weekend... [More]

Lay Down or Get Up and Fight

Here we are at the end of August. School is underway, the first home high school football game is tomorrow. Fall is in the air. It’s just an expression as temperatures are predicted to be in the upper 90s.   I haven’t slept much lately. In the wee hours... [More]

Keep Moving

A former owner and editor of the newspaper dropped by my office the other day. She is beautiful, smart, fun, and so vibrant.  We talked about her life. She is busy. She is active. She is involved in her church, in her community, in having fun, and keeping active.  It... [More]

Remember Who You Are

Last week there was a New York Times article about farming in Syracuse Kansas.  I read it and was impressed. The writing surpassed anything I am capable of at this time. It bruised my ego a bit. My confidence was taken down a couple notches.    I took a breath... [More]

Make Good Choices

I’m writing this on my way to one last sheep show midweek before school starts here. At 5:30 AM we were on the road. For those who know me that is a rare occurrence.  The air is cool. The sunrise is beautiful and I wonder why I don’t take the time to enjoy these... [More]

Suffering

The pastor on Sunday mentioned suffering is good. Or I think I heard that. I was after fair tired and wanted some refreshment. But it turned out it was what I needed to hear. Sometimes suffering pushes us to do more.  For the sake of small town and the public not knowing... [More]

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SPORTS

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STATE GOLF RESULTS

State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams.  On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott  and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]

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JH BASKETBALL WINS

Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and  C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]

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LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!

The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]

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JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin

Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]

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Senior Night Volleyball

Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse.  Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]

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HS Track

Head coach Steve Navarro said, “The coaching staff has really enjoyed working with this group of kids this year. They have been putting in hard work despite some less than stellar conditions for practice and meets. We are excited to see what they can do now that we are... [More]

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SHS SPORTS WRAP UP

Baseball: The Bulldogs faced the Goodland Cowboys at home on Thursday, April 8, losing game one, 2-22 and game two, 1-17. Head Coach Dustin Doze said the Bulldogs really struggled throwing strikes again and they had too many errors. We need to clean things up if we want to... [More]

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Spring Sports Start

One year ago, athletes and coaches were beginning practice for their spring sport, some practicing during spring break, others enjoying the break from school. Soon they found out their break was extended a week, some with great joy, others with apprehension. Then came the unfortunate... [More]

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NEWS

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AFTER 47 YEARS OF SERVICE, COUNTY FIRE CHIEF RETIRES

Last Thursday, the Hamilton County Fire Department held their Fireman’s Appreciation Dinner. County Fire Chief Ed Baker and four other firefighters retired.  Years of service awards were announced and those recognized were Ed Baker  who has served Hamilton... [More]

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LOCAL 4-H YOUTH PLACE AT KANSAS STATE FAIR

The 2023 Kansas State Fair began September 8 and continues through September 17, 2023. If you are headed there this weekend, you may want to check out the 4-H building where many local 4-H youth will have their work on display.  To be eligible to take non animal exhibits... [More]

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SHS CROSS COUNTRY AND GOLF KICK OFF WITH MEDALISTS

 Fall sports are in full swing and Bulldog fans had an opportunity to cheer on cross country, golf, cheer, junior high and high school volleyball and football, all in the same week.   Junior high and high school cross country travelled to Goodland Thursday August 31,... [More]

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Gould Runs With The Bulls

How did you spend your summer? Swimming and bicycling? Working?  For Syracuse High School Senior Jay Gould, he took the opportunity of a lifetime. He explored Spain for five weeks with foreign exchange student Inigo Moral. Moral hails from Valladolid, Spain. Last year, the... [More]

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HB2350

Pictured L to R - Carlos Huato, Antonio Banda, Sally Catlett, Griselda Sigala, Erica Rodriguez, Frank Garcia, Shelby Hernandez/photo by Michele Boy

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SIMON ENDS GYMNASTICS CAREER WITH NO REGRETS

Stella Simon wakes each morning in her bedroom to a wall of trophies, medals, and ribbons. Fourteen All-Around Champion trophies, 193 medals, and 6 ribbons. There is more if you count participation trophies and All-Around medals.  The Syracuse Journal has been following... [More]

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CLARE DUNN PERFORMS BENEFIT CONCERT FOR DUVALLS

Country singer Clare Dunn will headline a benefit concert at the Prowers County Fairgrounds Arena on Saturday, September 2nd to help with recovery efforts after an EF-3 tornado destroyed the home of John and Myrna DuVall.  Dunn who grew up in Two Buttes has plenty of Syracuse... [More]

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1971 SHS GRAD RETIRES FROM NURSING CAREER

1971 SHS graduate, Grace (Boy) Donecker, retired from a 32 year career in nursing, but the path was not a straight one. “I was never going to be a nurse. I hated needles!” Grace grew up just south of Syracuse where Dave and Jenny Schwieterman live. Gordon and Lois... [More]

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OBITUARIES

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James G. Brucker

A Memorial Service for Syracuse, Kansas resident, Jim Brucker will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 22, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church in Syracuse.  Pastor Larry Alexander will officiate. James G. Brucker, known to most as Brucker, was born June 27,... [More]

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Timothy J. "Tim" Haslett

Timothy J. “Tim” Haslett, 75, of Syracuse, Kansas, passed away at home (after a fall) on September 13, 2023. Tim was born September 26, 1947, in Dodge City, Kansas. He was the oldest of seven children born to Floyd B. and Magdalene (Stegman) Haslett. Tim was a farm... [More]

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Patricia Berniece Tyler

Patricia Berniece Tyler of Denison, Texas, passed away on September 7, 2023, at the age of 82. She was born on November 3, 1940, in Cairo, Kansas, to Albert Alexander and Lois Aletha (Wilson) Clark. Patricia had a caring and nurturing spirit. She loved working as a nurse and... [More]

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Robert “Bobby” Nelson Moore

Robert "Bobby" Nelson Moore, 56, of Seward County, Kansas passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo, TX Bobby was born in Waynoka, Oklahoma on July 5, 1967, and was lovingly adopted by Jackson Nelson Moore... [More]

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Kerri Lonnberg

A Memorial Service for Kerri Lonnberg will be held Friday, September 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Holly School with Pastor Kathy Leathers officiating. Kerri Lynn Lonnberg departed this life September 1, 2023 in Denver, Colorado at the age of 44.  She was born August 1,... [More]

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Marvin (Babe) E. Graber

Marvin (Babe) E. Graber passed away August 31, 2023 at the age of 89 at the Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. Marvin was born at his family home in Kendall, Kansas on March 20, 1934. He was the youngest of six siblings born to John and Carrie Graber. Marvin graduated... [More]

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David F. Wagner

A Memorial Service for Coolidge, Kansas resident, David Wagner will be held Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, Colorado. Inurnment will take place at a later date.  Per David’s request cremation has taken place and... [More]

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Dr. Leo Russell Finkenbinder

Dr. Leo Russell Finkenbinder, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, university professor, and biologist passed away on August 8, 2023.  His memorial service will be held on Monday, August 28, 2023, at 10:00am.  Bethany First Church... [More]

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