UPDATES...

Ann Cowan inspecting
her work: her own most
demanding judge!

Mona was busy staining
old floors.

Finally! Mona and I have moved out of Sayre, where we had been living since last March, to a home in Elk City, just 3 miles away from the golf course. It happened two Saturdays ago, sandwiched between the last tournament of the year (GPN Bank Bedlam Cup) and the week I was to leave to caddy for my youngest daughter, Anya in the LPGA finals (where I am at the moment). Since golf weather has not been very good lately, it has given us a little extra time to fix some things at home, and of course, continue unpacking (I can't believe how much junk one accumulates over time!).

This door gave Brad Gilbert and
crew many headaches! (we bought
the wrong dimentions!!)

In the end, we couldn't be more grateful to several people who personally helped Mona, and I make this transition easier and as inexpensive as it was possible. Their time, help and support helped much more than anyone who wasn't around can imagine, so, from the bottom of our hearts: thank you to Ann Cowan (who else if not her who gets things rolling?), Terry "T.A." Anderson, Joe Wynn, Brad Gilbert, Myra Baker with her staff and last, and last but not least, my daughter Paola & husband Jeff from Oklahoma City.

Low temperatures and high
winds do not stop aspiring
athletes.

All this assistance, including painting, building, etc., truly helped my whole family as well in another area, which is why I now have enough time to come and caddy for my youngest in the pursuit of her dream: playing in the LPGA Tour.  Depending on her play this coming week in the final stage of qualification, will be her status in the LPGA and/or Futures Tour.

The finals will start on Wednesday (Nov. 30), 5 rounds (90 holes). The first four rounds, will be two each at the Legends and the Champions Clubs of the LPGA headquarters, where the top 70 of 144 will play an additional 18 holes to "reshuffle" for top positions. For her, it has been a long, arduous quest, each qualifying tournament more and more difficult to get through.

"SPREAD YOUR WINGS &
FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS",
latest painting by prolific artist
Armando Alvarez (4ft x 8 ft)

From high school, to college to the pro ranks, it has been a long learning experience that talent alone is one thing (and of course needed), but that putting it to work is entirely another; part of it is all about getting fit, hard work -sometimes in the worst possible weather conditions-, and finding time to do do so, particularly if you do not have the financial means to afford not to have a regular job (that is why many seek financial help from sponsors); and part of it, if not most of it, it is about self-confidence: Knowing deep inside you that you are good enough not only to survive there, but that you have it inside you to become a winner, that every shot and every round, have a purpose and a lesson within. 

There is also the managing of your time, working at home (if you have a job), and of course, the traveling, which redundantly as it sounds, it is being away from home and your close ones more time than you'd like to. If this traveling happens to put pressure on your close ones because they do not have the same vision, nor understand that fire inside you to excel in this "silly game" (or any other sport) to make a living, chances are that you will not be able to give 100%  all the time in order to spread your wings and follow your dreams (See picture of painting above right. For more work of Armando, click here or visit "Armando Alvarez Compean on Facebook).

Knowing that no matter the score, husbands, wives or relatives, are there waiting for you with open arms, is an advantage not to underestimate that has inspired many champions.

And finally, you need a little luck as well, so, all of you out there, PLEASE WISH HER LUCK...