Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

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Here Comes Grumpy Cat For The Holidays!

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by Kimberly A. Cook          (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Survived the big non-snow event yesterday, but stayed inside due to the freezing rain that did show up. Since the holidays are approaching faster than they should according to the store displays, it’s a good thing to have a new holiday movie to look forward to on tv. Not sure this one will fit into the “classic” category, but I’m going to watch it for chuckles and the whole paint ball firing episode.

Prepare for the cold weather and holidays by stocking up on your favorite movies now. In case of a real snowstorm. I’m putting this one here so I won’t forget to watch it on Lifetime Nov. 29th.

Happy Quirky Friday! Have a great weekend and stay warm out there!

Happy Veterans Day To All Who Have, Are Now And Will Serve

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by Kimberly A. Cook                         (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Happy Veterans Day! To all my warrior sisters and brothers who have served in the Army, Navy, National Guard, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force and Merchant Marine, active duty and reserve, thank you for your service. While we are veterans everyday, it is nice the nation sets aside one day to say thank you.

Our fabulous pink (me) and purple (Karen) fleece outfits before the 5K walk. Notice my first ever bib race number!
Our fabulous pink (me) and purple (Karen) fleece outfits before the 5K walk. Notice my first ever bib race number!

In honor of this day, I decided to do something I had never done before. This past Saturday I entered the first ever Veterans 5K Run/Walk at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon.

My power walker sister Karen agreed to go with me and we were registered and off. The Nov. 8 race was 3.1 miles on the Camp Withycombe grounds with luckily a flat as a pancake course.

We got there at 8:30 a.m., got our race numbers and swag then hit the course after the kids. For some reason there were more walkers than runners, but works for me. We got to walk by the display tanks, through the motor pool, a fun time was had by all. They even had a fabulous drummer halfway through the course to help us keep a beat.

Coming attractions: Re-opening August 2015.
Coming attractions: Re-opening August 2015.

Now we did stop and take our pictures with the tanks. Since $10 of each entry fee went to the Oregon Military Museum slated to reopen in August, 2015, you know I was happy to support the tanks and their museum.

Once you’ve served in an Army mechanized division, you always love the tanks. It was a fun event and now we have to plan for next year. Maybe I can reduce my time by a minute or two.

 

A girl and her tank,,,, a true love story.
A girl and her tank….. a true love story.

I’m not a runner, with old joints and big boobs it’s just not a good thing for me to do. But walking is for me! Think I am going to frame my race number, we never got those when we did the PT tests in the Army or Air Force Reserve.

I also earned the coveted dog tag by completing the course – jewelry! My friends will faint when they’ve learned I competed in an organized athletic event. I’m not known for group games and competitions ever since surviving combat volleyball in the Army.

I’m lucky to have today off from the day job, so I’m going to meet with family for a Veterans Day lunch to honor my Marine Mom, my Army brother-in-law Gordon and my sister Karen for putting up with all of us. We will also have in our hearts my Army Air Corps Dad, my Marine Uncle Rod, my Army Grandpa John, and my brother-in-law’s Army brother David for their past service. We’re a joint service family!

Thank you to all who have served, those currently serving and those who support us. Today is your day!

Karen gets her own tank too! Best sister ever!
Karen gets her own tank too. Best sister ever!

Do You Have An Office Cat?

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by Kimberly A. Cook           (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Spec Ops Cat has a lot of responsibilities here at the world wide headquarters of Warrior Tales. There is building security, ecommerce and training the humans. Even though he rules the home office, it is still a business and his time is plum full of duties.

Nice to know he’s not alone with his hectic schedule. Cole and Marmalade have the same work challenges in the video below. I think their video should be named “What it’s like to TRY and work with humans.” A cat’s work is never done!

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

 

 

Pachyderms, Pumpkins and Holiday Movies?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                            (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Today is a very special Quirky Friday Halloween holiday two-fer. First up is Oregon Zoo pachyderms pulverizing pumpkins in the annual “Squishing the Squash” event. We’ve got elephants versus 1,200 pounds of giant pumpkins. Guess who wins? Miss Lily is even practicing for soccer or football using the pumpkins and plastic grey cans. She’s a little several hundred pounds cutie!

Next up is the Hallmark’s Channel launch of their Countdown to Christmas movie series on the link below. On Halloween. Yeah, I don’t get the timing either, except maybe they had too many new movies and not enough weekends? Also, know there are many other holidays out there to celebrate besides Christmas, so everyone can start their countdown for the holiday of their choice. Because the holiday decorations have been right next to the Halloween candy for several weeks now.

Have a great weekend and a Happy Halloween Quirky Friday! Don’t eat too much candy….

http://bcove.me/wjibmr9v

 

Have You Hugged A Goat Today?

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by Kimberly A. Cook           (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

One of my favorite industries is agri-tourism; visiting locations where food products are made. While in Maui we visited the Surfing Goat Dairy upcountry and had a great time.

These talented goats practice their water moves on surfboards in their play area, plus they produce amazing milk which is used for fabulous cheese and truffles! We took the tour of the grounds and got to feed the goats and taste a wide variety of cheeses. Heaven!

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Boy goat and his girls at Surfing Goat Dairy – their surfboards in the back!

Of course, I had to buy several items in the gift shop and came home with a special Surfing Goat Dairy apron to use in my own cooking adventures. One can only imagine the trouble I can get myself into if I try to surf and cook; goats are better balanced in all areas than moi.

Besides the nirvana of one day hoping to tour the Hershey factories back East, there are many chances for all of us to support local farmers and growers while filling our tummies. Right now is harvest time so check around and see what food adventures you can have in your own backyard.

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Goat milk truffle heaven on Maui….just leave me here…..

Support your local goats!

Link to the dairy: www.surfinggoatdairy.com

Last but not least: A 10 minute video about the Surfing Goat Dairy, in case you can’t wait to get to Maui. There is a part 2 on YouTube for my fellow cheese making freaks! Hug a goat today!

http://youtu.be/q3noMg1SW-I

Happy Fourth Of July America!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                  (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Have a happy Fourth of July everybody! Thank you to our troops serving around the world today so we can party as a nation. Now head for the hot dogs and potato chips!

Watch this video on YouTube.