Edmond Outlook - July 2019

July 2019

To Treat & to Train Animal Planet host shares his passion for pets

Best Friends x 3 x 3 Feed it Forward Frenzy Brewing

Features

This past weekend I got a wonderful lesson on what family is. I attended a wedding - not for my side of the family - but for my late wife Sandy’s side of the family in Texas.

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ASK EDMOND

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THREE X THREE X THREE

What do you love about your fur baby?

Past, present & future best friends

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LOCAL EATS: THE MEAT HOUSE

I’ve known Sandy’s relatives for years and I appreciate them continuing to welcome me. And I especially appreciate them welcoming my bride, Alison into their lives.

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FRENZY BREWING

The wedding was wonderful and seeing Sandy’s relatives was grounding for me. I miss being called Uncle Dave. I love being called over to meet some extended family. I love that people want to meet and know Alison.

Sure, there were some awkward moments like when people ask how I am related to the family - give me a few minutes to explain that. And there was a “remembrance table” set up in the reception hall with pictures of family members who have passed, which included a photo my late wife.

There are times when we know to respectfully step back, like family group photos.

And kudos to Alison for being willing to attend. Sandy’s relatives have been so welcoming to her. From messaging her on Facebook to personally reaching out to her before and after the ceremony.

The buzz on Edmond’s local brew

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TRAVIS BRORSEN: TO TREAT & TRAIN

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FEED IT FORWARD

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JEWELRY & GEMS: OKLAHOMA STYLE

Animal Planet’s pet expert & trainer

Changing the lives of OKC’s homeless The art of unique and affordable jewelry

Business

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ALUMINA SURFACES

Locally created home improvement product

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ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL

I don’t have a lot of family. It means so much to be loved and accepted by this Texas clan. I thank them for making this Yankee feel at home.

Ready to grill or ready to eat

Faith-based education since 1990

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LOUISE TUCKER JONES

Pray for Recovery

Dave Miller Back40 Design President

Cover photography by Marshall Hawkins

ADVERTISING l Laura Beam at 405-301-3926 l laura@edmondoutlook.com MAILED MONTHLY TO 50,000 HOMES IN EDMOND/NORTH OKC 80 East 5th Street, Suite 130, Edmond, OK 73034 l 405-341-5599 l edmondoutlook.com l info@edmondoutlook.com July 2019 Volume 15, Number 7

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Edmond Outlook is a publication of Back40 Design, Inc.

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© 2019 Back40 Design, Inc.

PUBLISHER Dave Miller l ADVERTISING MANAGER Laura Beam l GRAPHIC DESIGN Adrian Townsend, Anne Richardson l PRODUCTION Rachel Morse PHOTOGRAPHY Marshall Hawkins www.sundancephotographyokc.com l DISTRIBUTION Edmond Outlook is delivered FREE by direct-mail to 50,000 Edmond & North OKC homes.

Articles and advertisements in the Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Back40 Design. Back40 Design does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by the Outlook does not constitute endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. The Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

LOCALLOOK

Ask Edmond

What do you love about your fur baby?

Ben Nevis

Rex

Rocket

Scooter

You might say that you don’t like cats, but Ben Nevis is everyone’s favorite.

He’s more like a dog than a cat really. He sleeps under the covers with us or on our pillows. If you are in the same room with Ben, he will come sit next to you and contently purr.

There’s something magical about Ben...

He will make you fall in love with cats no doubt.

My dog Rex is THE BEST! He is a “foster fail” from Country Roads Animal Rescue.

We have had other foster puppies in our home since then and he took on the role as Mr. Mom. He shows all the puppies how to become housebroke, peanut butter loving, snuggle insisting dogs that has lead them to find their forever home! Without Rex teaching those puppies the rules of the house would have taken much longer.

Rocket takes great pride in retrieving items from the house and yard that need extra attention— pillows, bath mats, blankets, sticks—and parades them in front of us like he’s completing a job well done. He also comes running when he hears the ice dispenser, eager for his cubed treat, and loves getting cooled with a splash of water when he comes in from outside—his summer spritzer, as we call it.

After Oklahoma Dog Trainer’s 14 day board and train… Scooter now accompanies me to the facilities I go to with Seasons Hospice.

He brings so much joy to all my patients and has earned a reputation as the most well-behaved therapy dog.

Human: Ann Taylor

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Human: Stephanie Tolson

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Human: Jackie Ellis

Human: Denise Warner

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FEATURELOOK

Three x Three x Three

By Amy Dee Stephens

Three Edmond moms are living the life that most women would envy, because not only are they best friends, their husbands are friends, and all their children are friends. They all like each other so much that the three families gather weekly and even go on vacation together.

Sound too idyllic? Well, there is something odd afoot; something unexplainable...

Two years ago, all three women, Brittany Decker, Ali Weaver and Kylie Boaz became pregnant at the same time. Brittany and Ali found out the same week, and Kylie was a few weeks behind them. This was not planned, nor could it be planned. Kylie’s pregnancy actually came to her as an unexpected shock. So, these best friends shared nearly the exact same timeline as they journeyed through their first pregnancies together. All three had baby girls, born at the same hospital, within a few weeks of each other.

The uncanny connection these three families have even goes back to high school, when Kylie, Brittany and Brittany’s husband all went to high school in Edmond. The other three went to high school together in Tulsa. After a few years of separation, the three couples reunited through a small group at Life Church. They like to say that they, “Celebrate LIFE together.”

They really do gather together every week, all twelve of them, in their own kind of Brady Bunch style.

“My daughter listens to all the dads as if they were her own, whether he is reading a book to her or getting her in trouble for acting out. We all swoop in to help each other,” Ali said.

“The dads are very helpful,” Kylie said. “They take care of the kids on Monday nights so we can do our weekly tradition of watching The Bachelorette, and this past Saturday, they all went golfing.”

As the couples contemplate having further children or not, they are all curious if a pregnancy “three-peat” might be in their future. Ultimately, they believe the timing is in God’s hands. If they weren’t all so happy, their shared lives would make for a great reality television show!

“We all got to be there for each other,” Kylie said. “We all visited each other at the hospital, made each other meals and bought each other coffee. We pulled each other through.”

This spring, it happened again.

All three became pregnant at the same time and delivered within two weeks of each other. Ali, who was last to find out if she was having a boy or girl, held a gender reveal party. It was pink on all three counts.

“We joke that we can’t ever be pregnant alone, but really, we couldn’t have timed it like this if we’d tried,” Britany said, laughing. “What if one of us had had a boy and messed up the cycle?”

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From left to right: Moms - Kylie Boaz, Brittany Decker and Ali Weaver Babies - Peyton Boaz, Addie Decker, Alex Weaver Toddlers - Blakely Boaz, Ava Decker, Logan Weaver

“Life is definitely chaos, as is any family with babies and toddlers, but we are getting through it together instead of by ourselves,” Ali said. “We do not take for granted how lucky we are to have each other.”

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FOODLOOK FEATURELOOK

By Laura Beam

The Meat House Edmond’s boutique grocer

If you’ve ever spent hours planning and preparing a meal you were excited about, but decided to cut a few corners and were disappointed with the results, you know how important it is to choose quality ingredients—especially when it comes to the main dish. Nothing makes it easier to put an amazing meal on the table than starting with the highest grade, prime cuts of protein. It’s all about the meat—tender, juicy, perfectly seasoned and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. No cook wants anything less for their efforts in the kitchen.

For years, Edmond’s unique neighborhood grocer and butcher has been a staple for seasoned cooks and those of us looking to make everyday meals like we’re pros. The Meat House makes it happen. One step into this incredible shop and your taste buds light up with their endless selection of USDA prime or choice grade beef, all-natural chicken, pork and fresh seafood, plus cooked meats and side dishes ready to take home, heat and serve. Whether you’re eager to cook or grill, or ready to eat right now, this is your go-to spot.

Weeknight Wonder Especially on those nights when you’d rather eat snacks for dinner than go to the grocery store after a long day of work, a stop at The Meat House brings new life to the table. Their prepared, house-marinated grilled chicken has a just-right smoky flavor and charred texture that rivals your best-ever summertime meal on the grill. “The smoked salmon is another popular take-home item,” says Stephanie Hill, General Manager. Paired with side dishes like their seven-cheese loaded macaroni (yes, seven!), including cheddar, provolone, parmesan, romano, blue cheese and two types of mozzarella, your dinner is an instant success.

You’ll find other favorites like broccoli salad, marinated mushrooms and twice-baked potatoes, too. The chicken salad is a true find, made with regionally-sourced, all-natural chicken and some kind of creamy, magical mixture that gives it a rich, slightly smoky flavor, unlike any chicken salad you’ve ever had. You’ll want to eat it with a fork, right out of the container, on the way home. (That’s never happened).

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Get Grilling It’s never too early to dream about the weekend or about grilling out, especially this time of year, and The Meat House is the star of the season.

You haven’t had a burger until you’ve tried their 85% ground chuck made with both prime and choice filet mignon and ribeye trim. Their awesome variety of filet, rib-eye, strip, top sirloin, T-bone and porterhouse steaks never fails to satisfy either. And the expert staff is always happy to offer helpful cooking tips and suggest just the right spices, rubs and marinades, including Made in Oklahoma selections. “The Meat House has a small-town feel where people are comfortable asking for advice,” comments Hill.

The Party’s at Your House Whether it’s a special occasion you’ve been planning or a last-minute get-together, The Meat House is always a crowd-pleaser. Grab their house-marinated steak tips or order bacon-wrapped Nathan’s hot dogs. Pick up luscious desserts, bread and craft beer, or simple necessities like milk, deli meats and condiments. Shopping at this full-service neighborhood grocery is a food run you’ll actually enjoy!

Don’t miss their Customer Appreciation Open House July 20, 12-4pm, with great giveaways, samples and store specials.

Look for weekday specials on Facebook or visit The Meat House at 2249 W. Danforth Rd. in Edmond or www.edmondmeathouse.com

Laura Beam is a writer and advertising manager with 25 years in radio, newspaper and magazines. Connect with her on LinkedIn or Facebook.

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FEATURELOOK

Frenzy Brewing Edmond will soon welcome it’s first brewery and taproom, Frenzy Brewing Company. Outlook sat down with brewers/owners Matt Conner and Jeremy Estle to learn more about their plans to bring their local craft beer to Edmond.

How did Frenzy Brewing get started?

Matt: I started homebrewing as a hobby in 2011. As I got more serious about it, I joined a home brewing club and learned a lot from the members there.

Then I started entering my beer in competitions, my main goal was to get honest feedback (not just from my friends). Soon after, I started winning competitions and decided that brewing craft beer was my passion. My wife and I began talking about opening up our own brewery. We came up with the Frenzy brand and started pouring at festivals under that name. We quickly started realizing that I needed a business partner that had time to commit. I found Jeremy through my brew club. I originally wanted an investor, but after talking to Jeremy and seeing his passion and dream to open a brewery, we became business partners and good friends.

Where did the name Frenzy come from?

Matt: Brewing is a lot of waiting around interrupted by moments of critical timing. I’m a little scatterbrained and shift gears quickly. So Frenzy became the name - because of the chaos.

How many brews are available?

Jeremy: Two commercial beers are available in stores and restaurants right now. Matt and I enjoy brewing, so we are always experimenting. When we open, we are planning to have 6 beers that we will have all the time and around 8-10 rotating beers. We’re also thinking about producing our own non-alcoholic soda.

How would you describe the two beers?

Jeremy: Unspeakable Things is our New England style IPA. It’s a cloudy orange-colored beer that isn’t thick or thin. It has more of a soft and creamy flavor and texture to it. It has a lot of hop-forward aromas. With this brew, you are going to get a lot of orange, grapefruit, and lemon flavors and aromas.

Even a little mango. It’s our favorite that we have ever brewed.

Matt: Yeah Yeah Yeah Because I’m a Blonde is our Belgium Blonde. It’s not our favorite beer, but it’s won many awards. It’s more approachable and puts off fruity esters and phenols that are peppery and spicy. Its 7.5% alcohol and super easy to drink.

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FEATURELOOK

Matt Conner and Jeremy Estle

Continued from page 16

Where is Frenzy available?

Matt: Our beer is currently on tap at the Patriarch and Skinny Slims. We self distribute to liquor stores. We want to mainly distribute in Edmond because that is where our brewery is going to be located. Our goal is to create a local following before our taproom and brewery open.

How long does it take to brew beer?

Matt: Regardless of the amount of beer we brew, the process takes the same amount of time, usually 6 to 8 hours and then it will be about 2 weeks until it’s ready to drink. Some beers take longer, like lagers which need cold storage, so they can take a couple of months sometimes.

How much beer do you consume when you’re brewing?

Jeremy: We have a tradition that after we are done brewing, we will sit down and have a beer together. When our taproom opens, we will have a shift beer for employees. So after their shift is over they can enjoy a beer.

How do you come up with flavors?

Matt: There are traditional styles of beer. People really like defined styles of beer with known recipes. Brewing is the same way. You take a simple recipe and with some experimenting - make it your own. Like adding fruitiness to a beer through yeast and hops.

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Do you bottle Frenzy?

Matt: No. We will only can our beer because bottles actually affect the taste of the beer. Also with the caps on bottles, there is a risk of air getting through the cap if it isn’t sealed properly. Bottles also let light in which affects the taste of the beer. Cans also stack on shelves easier. Aluminum cans block light, are air-tight, recyclable and are easier to store.

Do you have an opening date and location for your brewery taproom?

Matt: We are looking to open at the beginning of 2020. We are currently renovating the historic E.A. Bender on Broadway in downtown Edmond.

What food goes best with your beer?

Matt: Pizza goes well with any beer. With Yeah Yeah Yeah Because I’m a Blonde, spicy foods pair really well. And Thai food would go really well with it. Unspeakable Things would go great with a brunch menu because of its orange flavor. It also pairs really well with a burger.

To learn more visit www.frenzybrewing.com

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FEATURELOOK

Travis Brorsen:

To Treat & Train Animal Planet’s pet expert & trainer

By Amy Dee Stephens

Travis Brorsen has an impressive resume as a television actor, host, and dog trainer. You might know him from Animal Planet’s My Big Fat Pet Makeover or CBS’ Greatest American Dog reality show, or maybe even from his parts in Desperate Housewives, Bones and Jag. Now, Travis has moved back home to Oklahoma and is using his celebrity status to support healthy pet lifestyles. He has put his resources behind a line of organic dog treats made in Enid by adults with disabilities who struggle to find jobs in the workforce.

“When I met the wonderful people at 4RKids, they were making great dog biscuits, but not selling very many,” Travis said. “I partnered with them to get their kitchen certified as an organic facility and added my name to the packaging--but they do the baking, labeling and shipping.”

At least once a week, Travis visits the facility to work side-by-side with his treat-making buddies. Travis Brorsen’s Greatest American Dog Treats are now found in specialty pet stores and through a monthly subscription service.

The treats also have a big fan base in New York, where Travis still owns his dog training company. Funny story how that happened…

“Being an actor was not as glamorous as I thought,” Travis said. “I had to keep finding roles to get paid. In 2008, when the writers’ strike happened in Los Angeles, there was no filming. So, what did I do? I got a dog.”

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but Travis admits that he did all the wrong things people tend to do with their first pet. Despite his years of working with farm animals on his home farm in Perry, Oklahoma, Presley, his first indoor dog, was untrained and undisciplined. One day, Presley ran away at the park. The woman who reunited Presley with Travis happened to be searching for a single man in his twenties, with a dog, for a television show called Greatest American Dog. “I was at the right place at the right time, and I won this crazy show!” Travis said.

He began making appearances and eventually started his dog-training company, Greatest American Dog Trainers. His approach was unique, because he didn’t enter the industry as someone who’d always wanted to work with animals, but as someone who wanted to work with people. “I’m passionate about helping dog owners not make my mistakes.”

In 2014, Travis was selected as host for My Big Fat Pet Makeover, in which he coached pet owners toward healthier habits. He also came to the realization that he could film the show and not live in New York. Travis’ wife, Heather, a native of Stillwater, agreed that she was willing to give up her role as a Broadway singer. As new parents, the couple did not enjoy raising their toddler in the bustling, subway city. “We wanted to raise our son in a place where everyone was genuine. We wanted to find a great church family and have the freedom to go help our parents on the farm.”

One year ago, Travis and Heather moved to Edmond—and are extremely happy with their life change. Travis still travels regularly to New York.

He continues to offer dog training lessons, film shows, and make public appearances--but he is now able to focus more on animal advocacy and to put his name behind healthy dog treats made by Oklahomans. “I’m grateful for the gifts God has given me and excited to share them with the great people of Oklahoma.”

Visit www.gadogtrainers.com to learn more.

Travis and Pete

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BIZLOOK

Alumina Surfaces

By Maria Veres

A leakproof shower may seem impossible, but that’s exactly what Alumina Surfaces guarantees.

Their experienced team creates shower enclosures made of Aluminite, a solid-surface product they developed and trademarked themselves.

Alumina Surfaces showers are low maintenance, with no grout or tile to scrub. The surface is mold and mildew resistant, and there are no seams where water can seep through. “We are the enemy of grout,” says Production Manager Scott Ebert. “We are the best solution to prevent or replace a leaky shower.”

Besides being easy to care for, Aluminite is also attractive. “Our product is unique in its beauty,” says Scott. “It doesn’t look like any cultured marble product. It’s more like natural stone.” The Aluminite in-stock inventory standard shower wall slab sizes are 144” x 84” and can be poured larger if needed to allow an unbroken, natural vein and pattern. “As far as I know, nobody else

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is pouring a product that size,” says Managing Director Jerry Emmons.

Unlike most other solid-surface shower enclosures, Aluminite isn’t finished with a gel coating. Gel coats can crack or stain over time, requiring extra maintenance or refinishing. Alumina’s manufacturing process densifies the material to create a strong, durable surface that doesn’t need any additional coating.

The business opened its doors in 2018. “The company was born between friends,” says Scott. “Jerry, myself, my wife, and another local businessman began planning about two years ago.”

Jerry is a retired lieutenant colonel and a 28year U.S. Army veteran. He brings a wealth of leadership and business management experience to Alumina Surfaces. Scott, who has a strong background in solid surface showers, oversees the manufacturing process along with engineer Mark Lawson. Scott’s wife Jennifer handles the administrative and communications side of the business. “We have a hundred years of experience between us,” says Jerry.

Alumina Surfaces wants to bring its unique product to homebuilders and home renovation companies looking for a high-quality solid-surface shower to offer its customers. The company is

part of the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association.

They are also glad to work with individual homeowners. “We encourage do-ityourselfers,” says Scott. For customers who like the look of tile, Alumina’s leakproof shower floors can be paired with traditional tile walls. They can also create wheelchair-accessible showers, countertops, and even dog-washing stations.

Most of their projects so far have been in the OKC metro area, but they have extended their reach into other parts of the state, from Watonga to Lawton to Tulsa. “Anywhere in the state of Oklahoma, we’re willing to handle,” says Jerry.

Alumina Surfaces takes pride in their unique product.

OKC area customers are invited to stop by the showroom and check out these beautiful, durable shower surfaces for themselves. “We didn’t create solid surface,” says Jerry, “but we’ve created a product that makes the superior shower.”

Alumina Surfaces is located at 14825 Metro Plaza Blvd in Edmond. Visit them at www.aluminasurfaces.com or on Facebook.

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BIZLOOK

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School

By Maria Veres

Edmond parents don’t need to go far to find a highquality Catholic education for their children. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School has been serving the community since 1990, offering an academically rigorous, faith-based curriculum to students through eighth grade.

“First and foremost, we’re Catholic,” says principal Laura Gallagher. “Our faith is infused into everything we do.” Students attend weekly mass, and curriculum for all grades includes religious studies. Even the youngest children are encouraged to live out their faith through community service and church involvement.

St. Elizabeth’s, or SEAS, began with just 85 students in four grades. Now it serves around four hundred students. Recently it upgraded its Pre-K4 program to an all day program and added an allday Pre-K3 class.

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Along with gaining a solid academic foundation, students enjoy many extracurricular activities, including band, theater, and sports. As a member of Catholic Grade Schools Athletic Association, SEAS allows primary-school students to compete in sports—an opportunity that isn’t available in most public schools.

Most eighth grade graduates go on to study at OKC’s three Catholic high schools. Many of them score well on college entrance tests, and some have been accepted by the nation’s top universities.

Although Gallagher takes pride in her students’ achievements, the greatest reward for her is the chance to help them grow in their faith. “I value the community that has been established here and appreciate the opportunity to combine faith with my passion for education,” she says. She is a Catholic school graduate herself, and she was inspired to work in education by one of her favorite teachers at Mount Saint Mary High School in Oklahoma City. After holding teaching and administration positions in Joplin and Ardmore, she returned to her OKC area roots five years ago to take the helm of SEAS. Gallagher appreciates the school’s ties with the Catholic Parish of St. John the Baptist, its

sponsoring church. “We feel fortunate to be a part of the vibrant and active community of St. John’s,” she says.

As a Catholic institution, SEAS gives enrollment preference to families who attend St. John’s and others who are a part of the Roman Catholic faith.

But they welcome students of any faith. Generous need-based financial aid is available.

As the school approaches its twenty-ninth anniversary, it continues to be inspired by the example of the great teacher it was named for, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. “It’s an honor to be able to carry on what she started so long ago in opening the first Catholic school in the U.S.,” says Gallagher.

“We truly try to embody that spirit.”

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School is located at 925 South Boulevard in Edmond.

Openings are still available in some grade levels for the 2019-2020 school year. Learn more at www.stelizabethedmond.org.

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FEATURELOOK

Feed it Forward

By Lea Terry

Several days a week, Edmond resident Whitney Bates gets up at 6:30 am and begins gathering supplies for the meals she’ll hand out later that day, at lunchtime, to around 100 members of Oklahoma City’s homeless population. This has been her routine since December 2018, when she headed out to the streets to give out Christmas leftovers.

“I decided to package them up and take them down to the homeless as a way to get out of myself, because the holidays are hard on me because I don’t have much family,” Bates said.

She was disheartened by the level of need she encountered, and was even more shocked when she returned home and began researching homelessness. The problem was bigger than she realized, and she was surprised by how few options people in need had.

“When I went down there my heart just broke,” Bates said.

Whitney Bates

Bates spends all morning preparing and packaging the meals using a local church’s kitchen, before heading out to distribute them through her nonprofit organization, Feed it Forward OKC, a project she balances with her studies at OSU-OKC. It takes about 20 minutes to hand out the meals.

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One of her main goals for Feed it Forward is to permanently institute a four-day-a-week schedule. Bates is also considering eventually opening a brick-and-mortar location, although she does like the current mobile model because it makes the organization’s services more accessible.

“What makes us unique and sets us apart from other nonprofits like us is that we are mobile, so we reach more people,” Bates said. “It’s not just a certain location of people. A lot of them live farther, and they can’t walk all day to get somewhere for a meal.”

Her initial vision for the organization was to create a permanent location offering three free meals a day as well as assistance to help people get back on their feet. It’s a mission that’s important to her because she herself once struggled.

However, she could also relate to their circumstances because she had encountered rough times early in her life when her next meal and a place to stay weren’t always a guarantee.

“I love being able to go down there and provide people with these precious meals,” Bates said. “It just brings so much joy to my heart, and to see their smiling faces is just everything to me.”

Bates also juggles these duties with applying for grants and writing bylaws for Feed it Forward, which she’s transformed from a primarily one-person operation to one with over 30 sponsors and a board of directors. In addition, she’s expanded the organization’s services from around 50 meals a week to between 300 and 400, for a total of over 4,000 meals since she started. She’s also raised over $20,000.

“A lot of people praise me for it, but I don’t understand it, because to me I’m just doing what I’m meant to be doing,” Bates said. “This is the first time in my life where I feel like I was put on this earth to do this one thing.

This is what I was meant to do. It just brings me such joy and happiness.”

To learn more, visit www.feeditforwardokc.com.

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ALOOKBACK

Pray for

Recovery

By Louise Tucker Jones

I can’t tell you how thankful I am for your prayers for my son Jay. On June 7th he underwent an extensive five-hour dental surgery. Knowing my apprehension and Jay’s lack of articulation, the anesthesiologist invited me to grab some scrubs and accompany Jay to the operating room. It was a gift to me, and as Jay called “Mom” one last time, I kissed his face and watched his eyes close in medicated slumber before being escorted out of the OR to a family waiting room.

Six hours later, I joined Jay in Cardiac ICU, catching my breath at his paleness and the blood

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still seeping from his mouth. He opened his eyes and said, “Mommy!” I kissed him and his eyes closed again while I cried. And so it went through the night with beeping monitors and IVs. I admit I wasn’t prepared for this sight but the good news is Jay went home the next day. Having oxygen, a pulse oximeter, walker, AED and more at my house, the cardiologist felt Jay would be safe and recover quicker at home than in the hospital.

But it has been a rough recovery. Three days after he came home, Jay fainted and was rushed to the ER by ambulance and kept overnight for dehydration. He has since seen a family doctor for an infection and is on antibiotics along with Tylenol & Motrin for pain. His jaws hurt. His mouth, neck and even his eye are in pain, and his oxygen saturation levels are abnormally low.

The Lord and I have been in constant communication during these long June days and nights as I petition Him for Jay’s complete healing.

I was so focused on prayer for a safe surgical procedure that I underestimated the difficult recovery. But one thing I didn’t underestimate is Jay’s tenacious spirit. He is determined to get well.

To walk without a walker. Watch TV without oxygen. To sing and dance to his music again. To go to church and eventually to Sonic for a Coke.

I’m thinking he will make it.

Thank you for continued prayers!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker & founder of Wives With Heavenly Husbands, a support group for widows.

LouiseTJ@cox.net or LouiseTuckerJones.com.

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FEATURELOOK

Jewelry and Gems, Oklahoma Style!

Q&A with Fashion Jewelry Designer Stephanie Carel Silver Leaf Gems in downtown Edmond has become a go-to store for unique, but affordable, costume jewelry. No need to wait for department stores to stock the right color and style of beads to match your outfit.

The locally-owned store makes each piece by hand in a wide range of styles. Stephanie Carel, a co-owner of the store, shares her tips on this year’s fashion trends.

What makes your jewelry different from that found at a department store?

Although we design all kinds of styles, we do a surprising amount of custom work for brides, pageant participants, television personalities and other events. Our clients can bring in their clothing, and we create pieces that complement the outfit.

What is the latest trend in costume jewelry?

Women are into neon colors big time this year, in clothing and accessories.

It’s back to the 70s and 80s. I’m getting requests for tie-dye tassels, which is a 70s style of beaded necklace with little tassels. Another trend is baroque pearls, which are misshapen pearls with a very natural look, as well as coin jewelry. Our men’s jewelry line has exploded the last few years, because there’s a limited market for men’s costume jewelry.

Silver Leaf also seems to have a special niche as a place in Oklahoma that repairs costume jewelry, because we get repairs shipped to us from all over the state. Restringing silk-knotted pearls is an especially difficult art that Diana has mastered. We also refurbish old jewelry styles into new pieces.

Rose Rock jewelry is our biggest online seller around the world. It’s so unique to Oklahoma. We have a local woman who digs them up for us, and we design them into jewelry. We also dig crystals from the Great Salt Plains.

It is all authentically Oklahoma.

How did Silver Leaf Gems get started?

Designing jewelry is a family business. My mom, Diana Pate, and sister, Sondra Reid, owned the Bead Attic at Bryant Square in the early 2000s. In 2006, I joined them full-time as a designer, and we moved the business to downtown Edmond. The three of us make 100% of all the jewelry in the store.

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Your store is located in a historic house?

Yes. At first, we were in the basement of a downtown building; then we moved upstairs to a larger area. In 2016, we moved into a restored 1930s bungalow. Everybody who comes into the store loves looking around the house. It feels cozy; perfect for a jewelry shop. It still has the original architecture, even the original doorknobs, but we’ve added some fun twists of color and decoration.

The family who built the house still comes by to visit. They had nine children living in this little house—which seems impossible. I would love to see more people taking these older homes and turning them into something special instead of destroying them. The historic site adds charm to our jewelry business.

Visit www.silverleafgems.com to learn more

80 East 5th St., Ste. 130 Edmond, OK 73034