Free Summer 2014 Movies for Tulsa Families and Couples

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Tanna Strom

Want to take in some fun free movies for your family or for you and your honey. Then check out what Tulsa has in store for this summer. Sometimes a movie fits the bill for a fun outing. These can be used as conversations starters to talk about deeper issues or values with your partner or children, etc. So there is a way to make them a bit more substantial as to meaning if you wish. And then there are times for just a fun evening out and not really thinking about any thing but a good laugh and spending time together. So here goes as to what I found for this summer.

Riverwalk Movies is located at 600 RiverWalk, Terrace, Jenks, OK . And of course in the summer this a nice place to take your children for a walk before or after on the riverbank. www.selectcinemas.com

Dickinson Theatres – Starworld 20 – Tulsa OK has a Free Summer Vacation Movie Series. You can go to www.dtmovies.com for more information. The following is what they currently have listed for this summer’s free movies . These movies play Tuesday – Thursday from 10:00 am & 12:30 pm.

June 10-12 The Nut Job

June 17 – 19 Despicable Me 2

June 24-26 How to Tame Your Dragon

July 1-3 The Smurfs 2

July 8-10 Escape From Planet Earth

July 15- 17 The Lego Movie

July 22- 24 The Second Jungle Book

July 29-31 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

If you are interested in some free outdoor movies you may want to consider Guthrie Green in down town Tulsa. The park is located at 111 East MB Brady Street. Go to www.guthriegreen.com for more information.

The movies include a spectrum of movie ratings, from child friendly to adult movies. All movies begin at 8:30 pm. The movies they are listing are as follows.

May 29 Freedom’s School 2013 (PG)

June 5 Breaking Away 1979 (PG)

June 12 American Graffiti 1973 (PG)

June 19 Pan’s Labyrinth 2006 (R)

June 26 Jurassic Park 1993 (PG-13)

July 10 The Wizard of Oz 1939 (PG)

July 17 Dumb and Dumber 1994 (PG-13)

July 31 The Princess Bride 1987 (PG)

August 7 Back to the Future 1985 (PG)

August 14 Disney Movie, Voter’s Choice

August 21 La Bamba 1989 (PG-13)

August 28 Romy & Michelle 1997 (R)

September 4 The Outsiders 1983 (PG-13)

September 11 The Bridesmaids 2011 (R)

September 18 Motorcycle Diaries 2004 (R)

September 25 Almost Famous 2000 (R)

October 2 Tootsie 1982 (R)

October 9 Shawshank Redemption 1994 (R)

October 16 Stand By Me 1986 (R)

October 23 Coming to America 1987 (R)

October 30 Beetlejuice 1988 (PG)

Enjoy a film in the Philbrook Museum Gardens on June 26 from 7:30 – 10:30 am. Midnight in Paris with Owen Wilson will showing. The north garden gates are open at 7:30 pm. The film begins at dusk. Food trucks and entertainment will be part of the evening to celebrate Philbrook’s 75th anniversary. This is a FREE event to member and non members. All ages are welcome. I am not sure on the rating on this movie. So if you have very young ones you may want to check that out. For more information you can go to www.philbrook.org . In the event of rain the film will be shown in the Patti Johnson Wilson Hall.

Special Note: All of these movies at the different venues may not be suitable for your children and their specific ages or your specific value system. As always as a parent we have to consciously decide what is best for our children to view.

How to Get More of What YOU Want In Your Relationship with This Powerful Morning Ritual

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Tanna Strom

Are there things you want in your relationship with your spouse or maybe with your child ? It may be you want more communication or more affection or time together. Regardless of what you want, you can use this simple, easy strategy to begin to get more of what you want. I am talking about using the powerful combination of Morning Gratitude and Intention. Here is the basic foundation of starting a Daily Morning Gratitude and Intention Practice.

1. Upon waking in the morning, before you get out of bed, think about what you are grateful for. In this case, as we are talking about your relationship, make sure to include what you are thankful for in regard to your relationship. Be specific as you think about what you like that is going on in your relationship and how you appreciate these things.

2. Then think about what you want in your relationship. Maybe it is for more communication with your spouse or maybe it is more hugs between the two of you, etc.

3. After you decide what you want then tell yourself what you want to have happen in PRESENT tense. This speeds the process.

Example: “I am communicating more with _____________. I see us talking and connecting.”

Example: “I am spending more time with ___________. We are enjoying this time together.”

4. BELIEVE the intentions you have created.

5. Feel how good this will feel and visualize this happening.

6. Give thanks for what you foresee happening.

This is a wonderful way to start your day. The more you do of this, the more it will work. We can set the tone and momentum for good things to happen in our relationships. We have more control that we think. Enjoy this creative wonderful process as you start your day!

Setting Boundaries with Love

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Tanna Strom

As parents we spend much of our time setting boundaries with our children. Sometimes we worry about how our children feel about us as we are the disciplinarians, asking them to come home on time, clean their rooms, etc. Well they may not always be happy with us, but in the long run they will be so happy that we set boundaries and encouraged them to be self disciplined, responsible adults. Our role is not one of being a friend or companion, but one of being a parent. Not always an easy task, but one of the most important things we can do.

One thing we do want to do is remind our children that we love them and that is why we set boundaries and keep them safe. So one strategy is to combine our boundary setting with words of love.

“Your return time for tonight is 9:00 pm. I know that seems early. But as it is a school night, I want you to be fresh and alert for tomorrow. I love you and want the best for you.”

“Only two cookies please. I know you want more, but I want you to stay healthy and strong. You are important to me and I care about your body.”

“I cannot let you hit your sister. You will need to use your words. I want you to know how to solve problems peacefully. You are so special to me, I want the best for you.”

“I don’t like how you are talking to me. It feels disrespectful. I want you to find another way to tell me what you are upset about. I respect you and want you to respect me also.”

Yes this takes more time and thought. But it is so worth it. Not only will your children be more inclined to be cooperative, but they will also know you love them. And don’t all children need and want this. It is a win win – communicating boundaries with words of love.

Tulsa Children’s Museum’s Electric Lime Gala – May 10, 2014

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Tanna Strom

Want to have a bit of fun. Some dinner and dancing, a live auction and a chance to play at the Children’s Museum as an adult. Plus, help support our Tulsa community’s Children’s Museum. Then check out the Electric Lime Gala. See the information below.

This could be a fun couple’s event and serve a good cause at the same time. If you have not checked out the Children’s Museum here in Tulsa this would be a great opportunity to do so. So have fun and do something good for the community. What a nice mix.

How to Calm Your Anxiety with One Easy Strategy

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Tanna Strom

Want to calm yourself quickly and retrain your brain to be more calm? Consider what you are saying to yourself. If you find yourself telling yourself things like the following, it is time to rework your self talk to be more helpful for you.

Do you hear yourself say?

“I can’t do this,”

“I am so overwhelmed!”

“What if I mess up?”

“I am scared I won’t be able to do this.”

What you do with this negative self talk is to turn it into a self prophesy, giving you more of what you are thinking.

You can change your thoughts which will in turn change how you feel. Our thoughts are so powerful and so changeable. We can create what we want with what we choose to think. And yes we can choose what we think. We may feel one way and we can acknowledge that but we can then change our thought.

Here are some potential calming self talk statements.

“I can do this. I know I can make happen what needs to happen.”

“I can turn this around. I can do this one step at a time. I feel calmness come over me as I do what I need to do.”

“I am perfect just the way I am. I see myself accomplishing what I need to do.”

“I feel confident in my ability to ______________ . ”

Two basic thoughts that help with anxiety are the following.

“I am safe.”

“I love myself.”

What we say to ourself is what we get. So create a world free from anxiety and full of confidence and calmness. It is in your power to do so.

This easing of anxiety not only helps us as individuals but helps us in our relationships. So consider this as a relationship building activity as well.

A Cooperative Family Egg Hunt – A Great Message and So Much Fun

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Tanna Strom

What is a Cooperative Egg Hunt? This is something I created many years ago with my own family and have continued to do this year after year. I had never liked the competitive rush out to grab all you can approach, so I decided we should try something else. And we did and we still love it! I might add this can be used for all ages, including adults. It is a bit more work, but so worth the effort.

Here are the steps to creating this new way of hunting Easter Eggs.

The group counts the NUMBER THAT WILL BE HUNTING and then decides HOW MANY EGGS each person will PREPARE FOR EACH of their FELLOW HUNTERS. For example: You might have 10 people hunting (hopefully all ages!) with each person putting together 1 egg for each of their fellow hunters. The ending result is that each person ends up with the same amount of eggs. In this example each person would come up with 10 eggs.
So this could be traditional real eggs or it could be candy filled eggs that many folks do OR it could be that you choose to do an alternative kind of egg, such as small healthy treats or toys in the eggs or if adults are involved some small items that they may find fun. Example a tea bag, nail clippers, hair ties, batteries, etc . I might say JUMBO Eggs do tend to work best. Another alternative may be that the egg holds a note in it that says to go see another hunter for their prize. This works well when the prize or treat is too big to go in the egg. This opens the door for lots of fun things. The dollar store is great place to gather gifts.
All the eggs prepared can be the same or individualized by the age or by the sex or by the specific person.
Each participant marks their eggs with all of the names of their fellow hunters. So everyone is specifically looking for eggs that have their name on it.
Of course you will need someone to hide eggs.
This is cooperative in that when someone can not find one of their eggs they have all of their fellow hunters who can give them clues or straight out tell them if they become desperate as to not being able to locate all of their eggs. It is so much fun and heart warming to see the young ones at times help the adults find their eggs.
Of course thank yous are nice at the end. Folks can mark their eggs with a to and from to help with this.

So what you have is a peaceful, exciting hunt with no pressure and no crying or upset with someone who does not get enough eggs. You have folks helping each other. And you have an opportunity to make the eggs carry whatever kind of message you like – one that stands for healthy treats or for maybe garden gloves, a box of crayons for creative expression, etc.

I hope you will give this a try. It is wonderful tradition that I love each year. And one that all can participate in and enjoy together. Happy Easter!

Free Tulsa Area Events for Families and Couples – April 2014

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Tanna Strom

Spring Garden Market & Festival at Tulsa Garden Center

Consider connecting with your family or your honey by attending some Spring Garden Events together. Every community has these kinds of events. These specific events are in the Tulsa, OK area. Local plant, herbs & art sales, informational talks, live music, wine gardens and fun family / child activities are some of things you will find at these annual events. Each year the community blesses us with these wonderful events. See below for specific activities for each event.

April 11-12 Spring Garden Market & Festival at Tulsa Garden Center, 2534 S Peoria Free Event, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Locally grown plants for sell. Linnaeus Garden tent area with rare plants. Kids Zone. Arts & Crafts. Food. More information call 918-746-5125 or www.gardencenter.com
April 12 Herb Day in Brookside, 41st and Peoria Free Event. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Oklahoma growers and crafts people selling herbs, heirloom flowers, pottery, birdhouses and more. Call 918-260-7680.
April 17 Tulsa County Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale, Tulsa Fairgrounds, Central Park Hall Plant sale of natives, annuals, herbs, perennials and vegetables. Call 918-746-3701. www.tulsamastergardeners.org
April 19 Jenks Plant & Herbs Festival, Main Street, between 1st and 3rd Free Event. 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Over 100 booths. Child activities are included. Contact: jenksgardenclub@gmail.com
April 22 Tulsa Garden Center presents “The Hosta Connection” Free Event. Meet & Greet 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm for presentation on designing a shade garden with Hostas. Call 918-747-5125 www.gardencenter.com
April 26 Sand Springs 25th Annual Herbal Affair, Downtown, 2nd & Main Free Event. 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, rain or shine. Peppermint Lane Children’s Area from 10:00 am – 3:00 am. Trolley runs from Charles Page HighSchool to the Herbal Affair. More than 100 vendors. Native and heirloom herbs and plants, herbal products, garden supplies and folk art. Wine Garden. Live music performances throughout the day Call 918- 246-2500 ext 2594 or www.sandspringsok.org

Live Music at Sand Springs Herbal Affair

Hope you will be able to take in one or two of these events. Getting out in the wonderful spring weather and buying “green things” is about as healthy as you can get. Being outside nourishes us, reducing stress and helping us feel good. Plus it is just good clean family or couple fun. And we all need that! Happy Spring to you all.

Update on Hunter Park – A Fun Outing for a Couple or Family

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Tanna Strom

Biscuit Acres Dog Park

It is time to go back outdoors and enjoy nature. Yea! Consider a visit to Hunter Park here in Tulsa. We had not been in a long time and were surprised at all of the improvements that they have made. It could be a very fun outing for a couple or for a family. It is composed of 71 acres. Hunter Park located at 5504 E 91st St, Tulsa, OK. Here is what we found at our recent visit to Hunter Park.

Biscuit Acres, A Dog Park ( Only one of two public dog parks in Tulsa. The other is Joe Station on Charles Page Blvd. )
Basket Ball Courts
Frisbee Golf (You need to bring your own frisbee. )
Point 9 miles long walking / jogging / biking trails
Large Pond with 4 Fishing Platforms ( With a few ducks in residence. )
Playground for Children
Shelter with Picnic Tables and Grills, with a Large Open Field Behind It ( A nice place for game of soccer or baseball. )
Men’s and Women’s Restrooms

Fishing Docks

Frisbee Golf

Even though we are a cat family, we enjoyed watching folks having a grand time with their dogs. We liked how the big dogs and the little dogs had separate areas. So if you have dogs you will love this park.

The walking trails were fun and we liked how they looped through the woods and around the pond. It was very busy the day we went, but we will go back as it has a lot to offer.

Being outdoors in nature is a wonderful place to connect with your family or your honey. So hope you too will get re-introduced to Hunter Park if you have not been in a while.

Hunter Park is located at:

Five Ways to Protect Your Relationship When You Are Crazy Busy

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Tanna Strom

We all at times feel the intense pressure to do more, to achieve more, to be more. Not all bad. But when it affects our relationships we have to stop and take a look at what we can do to protect the most valuable thing in our existence – “Our Relationships”.

I think there is a difference between a “Full Life” and a “Crazy Busy, Over the Top, Exhausting Life”. We are all unique and different as to what we thrive in and what puts us over the top. And in addition, our relationships are all unique, but at the same time similar. No relationship can withstand – a no water and no sunlight environment. So here are some things to consider as you work on the balance of work and relationships.

Five Ways to Protect Your Relationship When You Are Crazy Busy

Listen to Your Body – When you feel you are so busy that you are falling apart – not enough sleep, not time to eat properly or to take a break you will probably find your body trying to tell you there is something wrong. You will find that you don’t feel well, you feel anxious, you might even feel like you are falling apart. And then for some, (I am in this category) you will get sick. Basically your body takes over and shuts you down to get a rest. Of course this shut down will only get you more behind. So much better to just listen to your body. Plus, you can be more bright and effective when you are caring for yourself. Ultimately, unless you protect yourselves you will not be able to protect your relationships. So listen to that magnificent body of yours. It knows what is doing and is created to help you do what you are meant to do.
Listen to Your Loved Ones – Try to really hear what your loved ones are saying to you. Are they complaining that they never see you or that you never do anything together? Do they say you never talk to them – that you are not communicating enough? Are they shutting down and not communicating with you? These are all signs that your work has begun to disrupt your relationships.
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate – You cannot do this enough. This is a real key for your relationships. Taking time to communicate what is going on that is taking you away from your loved ones is important. At least you are acknowledging that you know it is affecting your family life and that you care. Explain why it is important to spend the time away. Maybe it is to keep the money coming to keep everything afloat. Maybe it is to make sure there is enough money for the kids to go to college. Sometimes giving the specifics of how critical it is that you do put in the extra time can make a difference in how your family views this time away. Reminding of the real reason you work can help. Having a conversation about what your family needs and wants and what everyone may need to do to make this happen can help. Ask your family what is important to them. You may be surprised. It is different for each family. Acting as a team is an approach that can help you support one another. Also, coordinating your “business” can be helpful as to making sure your “off” time is the same.
Prioritizing What is Most Important – This can be hard at times as we will have competing things that will both be validly equal. Providing for our family and time with family are two common ones that arise. They are both important of course. It means really listening and being attuned to our loved ones to make sure we keep this balanced. At times we will have to give more focus to one than the other. If a family member is really needing you, this may mean that work will have to take a back seat for a bit.
Setting & Keeping Boundaries – This can help us stay on the path of balance. And this can be a hard one. With our technology, our offices now extend to our homes, to our cars, to anywhere our laptops, smart phones, iPads can go. I think it is about being thoughtful about what we want our boundaries to be with our work and our technology and then being disciplined in keeping to what we feel is most healthy for our families. It pays off to be fully focused on our loved ones when it is their time. That time really means something as to really “being there” and isn’t that what most of us really want “to be there for each other”. So keep those boundaries, your family will love you for it.

There are extra benefits to spending “off time” with our loved ones. I think taking time to be with our loved ones can rejuvenate us to do a better job with our work. So even if it feels like we are not giving our work our full focus, it may be in reality what we need most for our work. It can give us our most fresh, rested self to do the most awesome job we can with our work. So here is to lots of R and R with your loved ones.

Be Happy for You and Your Relationship

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Tanna Strom

It may feel seeking happiness is a bit selfish. But it is not. Being happy puts you in a place that allows you to show your best side to your loved ones. It makes a real difference in our relationships. I am sure many of you have heard the old saying, “If Mama ain’t happy, nobody is happy.” Well there may be some truth to that. Of course this saying includes Dads as well. It is hard to be with someone who is not happy. And if the “not happy feelings” are more long-term they can affect others wanting to spend time with you, thus disrupting your relationship. In addition, children model their parents, so if you are modeling being unhappy, you may find your children follow this path. So taking time to be happy is a good thing for you and your family.

Ways to bring more happiness into your life and in turn to your loved ones.

Check in with yourself and see if you feel you are doing what you want to do with your life. We all want to feel we have a purpose for our lives. This may be different at different stages of our lives. So be flexible with your thinking on this one.
Decide to find happiness in the NOW. Waiting until a particular thing happens or changes steals your opportunity to be happy at the present time. Yes we may need to make changes, but finding the things that we are currently grateful for can put us on the road to happiness in the present moment.
Keep a daily ‘gratitude journal’, listing 3-5 things a day that you are grateful or glad about.
Hang with Happy People. We are affected by those around us. When we choose to spend most of our time with others who are happy we begin to feel more happy too.
Make a list of things you love to do. Include these things as regularly in your life as possible. You deserve it!
Acknowledge and honor your unhappy feelings, with then coming to a place where you can CHOOSE to BE HAPPY. Use of positive self talk and affirmations that promote these happy feelings that you want to have can be a big help in this process.
Talk to others when you feel happy. As humans we tend to be drawn to wanting to talk about what is making us unhappy. When we choose to talk more about what makes us happy, we get more of those feelings.

Being happy is not just for you, it is for your loved ones and those around you. Best wishes in your path to finding the happiness you were created to have.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Five Ways to Protect Your Relationship When You Are Crazy Busy

Share this:

Share this: