Time to Live

It's a three day weekend. I only get these a few times a year and I crave them. I feel like there is so much time that I can conquer anything! I have this upbeat, positive energy flowing through my body, my brain is whizzing around at 100mph, and I feel like I have everything I need at my fingertips. What to do? Where to begin? 


I like to take time out for the things that I love. I love writing. Too often we're too busy with our "lives" to really live life the way we're meant to. I'll admit, I'm guilty of this crime. We are really selling ourselves short unintentionally. If we aren't doing the things that we love, the things that truly make us happy, what are we doing? We are simply going through the motions of the life we think we are supposed to live. 


This weekend I'm trying to forget silly worries and focus on accomplishing things that I want. This is my three day weekend. 


Harvey (my dog) is so curious about the world around him and he loves to soak it up. Earlier today I was sitting in bed checking my daily websites, trying to decide what I wanted to do next. He jumped off the bed (after nudging me multiple times), stared at me, and then started crying. I opened some blinds for him. He loves leaning on the couch, staring longingly out the window. But that excitement only lasted so long before he wanted more. He told me he needed to go outside. So we moved from the bed to the patio out back. I grabbed the laptop and as I sit here I can really revel in the beauty of the outdoors. My small backyard in South Kansas City isn't ideal, but it's still beautiful. The weather is amazing. My fence line is surrounded by trees and overgrown vines. Their long arms are blowing gently in the wind and that same breeze plays with my hair and tickles my legs. There's a beautiful sunny glow breaking through and gently touching the grass. I hear the buzz of the summer cicadas and a cawing bird somewhere in the distance. Harvey gets it. He knows that being outside is the most wonderful feeling. He stands still and stares at the beauty around him. I look at him and feel it too. This is relaxing. There's nothing like it. 

The Day I Married My Best Friend

Yes, I have been missing for quite some time. What was the reason for my internet disappearance? Well...I got married. :) The last 6 months or so have been a rolling snowball up until the big day- June 4th, 2011. I could've written about the little things that stressed me out, the big things that didn't, and the good times I had with my family planning and preparing all of the details down to the font on the napkins. Yes, weddings are a big thing even when you plan on keeping them small and simple. I may have just tackled the planning and execution for the biggest event of my life, but I couldn't have done it without the support of those who love me. The day flew by as everyone warned us it would. It began with a mani/pedi with my mom, sister, and future sister-in law. The in between was last minute details, laughs, hugs, and pictures. Then, the main event came. I wasn't nearly as nervous as I thought I would be. I saw my closest friends and family, walked to the front with my Dad by my side, and locked eyes and arms with the man of my dreams. Not a shred of doubt or worry ever crossed my mind. Then, just like that, we were married. We were both smiling- so happy, so in love. Best friends, lovers, bonded by the unity of marriage. Forever and always. 

Snow Day!

It's been snowing for more than 12 hours. I haven't noticed a break yet. Funny I was just thinking how odd it's been to only have one snowfall for all of Winter so far. While it's been nice on the drive to work, I haven't been able to wear my snow boots. Snow boots sit idly in your closet all year. They live for snow days!


I woke up for work today and was shocked to find several inches coating everything and more drifting down. While I found a coveted job in education, apparently my university wasn't the best pick. Everyone else woke up to a free snow day and went back to sleep (or I would have anyway). I put on my boots and we carefully slid to work. 


But, to my surprise, we got the winter weather alert that the university was closing at 1 pm! Snow day! Err half a snow day!! A free afternoon regardless. So, we slid back home and bundled up on the couch. 


Harvey was happy to see us and I got to wear my boots! 

Merry Christmas from us!

Oh What Fun Christmas Card

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It's a Dog's World.

One of my greatest joys are the dogs that have been a part of my life. My lifelong friend, Jazzy, a Cocker Spaniel/Schnauzer mix passed away last year just before Christmas. She was a major part of my childhood and was eager to be a part of whatever my latest crazy dog fad was. Jazzy was a show dog, a sled dog, and an active agility participant. Did I mention her breed? She would do anything for a little love. Some might describe her as a nuisance. She terrorized the mailman and barked at anything that dared to move down our street (watch out rolling leaves!). Sometimes she was difficult but I think we can all agree, we wouldn't have traded her anything. RIP.

Since moving out on my own a few years ago, I realized my dwelling wasn't a home. It didn't take me long to realize what was missing. Eight months later, and after hours of searching, we threw in the towel and adopted a five pound "Dachshund/Fox Terrier mix. He was the cutest little furry mess our eyes had laid eyes on. We named him Harvey. He had a rough start to life and wasn't very trusting of humans. He had serious abandonment issues. We showered him with love and tried to look past his lack of potty training (oh puppies!) and constant finger, leg, and arm biting (thanks teething). Today, Harvey is an extremely active, healthy, happy, thirty pound dog. He is the smartest dog I have ever met and he loves us with every wiggly bone in his body. 

Last weekend I went to the Dogtoberfest with my mom and fiance. This used to be a yearly tradition for us before life got a little too crazy. It's basically events, booths, and dogs. Lots of dogs. The weather was perfect. I think what I love the most is the number of people who care about dogs as much as I do, just right here in my little part of the world. Everyone had a different breed, each with its own personality. I wish I could hear everyone's story. Where did their dog come from and what was the moment when they knew that was the dog for them? 


Dogs are family members. Homes without them are quieter and definitely much cleaner but are missing the love that only a dog can provide. 

Enough of me sounding like a crazy dog lady, here are Seven Reasons that I LOVE Dogs:


7. Eager to Please. Were you reading earlier? My 20 lb. terrier let me use her as a sled dog. Enough said. (Disclaimer: No terriers were harmed while training for the Iditarod).

6. Friends Forever. You may leave your dog (not by choice) for an undisclosed amount of time. They won't be mad that you didn't call. All they care about is that you made it back safely.


5. They will eat whatever you give them. You don't have to worry about getting creative here, just toss some kibble into their bowl and they will happily devour it. That's not to say they won't droll over your chicken. 


4. They will always lend an ear and never criticize your decisions. Sometimes all you want is someone to hear you out without making any judgment. 


3. They don't mind when you have bad days. They will probably even offer to cheer you up. How can you be down when there's a dog around (no rhyme intended)?


2. Snuggling is what they do best. Sometimes they don't realize how large they are. Harvey, if you're reading this, please stop using my shoulder as a perch.


1. They are always, always thrilled to see you. When was the last time you saw a human who was that excited to see you? Never. Harvey takes on the form of another creature anytime one of us comes home. He gets a case of the uncontrollable wiggles and his tail flops around so fast, it has literally cleared our coffee table. 


If you are reading this and haven't owned a dog, you are truly missing out. 

Where are you Summer?

Apparently fall is officially here. Le sigh. 


I love summer. I love the sun, the warmth, the memories of freedom. I love wearing short shorts and tank tops. I love letting my dog out at 7 am and feeling a warm breeze rush over my skin. I love the smell of fresh cut grass and the way it feels under my bare feet. I love barbeques. I love driving windows down with my music blaring, it makes me feel cool. I love sunglasses. I love summer. 


So, to cope with the loss of my close friend summer, I have decided to make a list of 7 things that I actually love about fall. 


7. Boots! I like shoes, a lot. And there is something sassy about a good pair of boots.


6. Apple Cider. Maybe it's available all year, but I like to think it isn't. It's fruit with a kick.


5. Heaters. I love the musty smell that leaks out of the vent when the heater first kicks on. I love driving with the windows down and heat blasting (see ode to summer).


4. Candy Corn. Multi-colored, triangular bites of sugar. The layers are so perfectly proportioned. They are good for the soul. 


3. Pumpkin Cookies. Or bread, or pie. Pumpkin as a food is wonderful.


2. Halloween Decorations. It's true that fall includes more than Halloween but there really aren't any good turkey decorations. 


1. Pumpkin Patches. Call me old school but I still enjoy a good trip to the pumpkin patch. A magical wagon takes us to a field of pumpkins looking for good homes. We find one to adopt and then rip it's guts out. But, it wears a smile. 

Exercise Doesn't Have to Be About Running 10 Miles

Exciting - I'm a guest blogger for fitbotommedgirls.com!!

Exercise Doesn't Have to Be About Running 10 Miles

Seven

Alright so I've decided I need to focus this a little more. That doesn't mean I won't be posting random excerpts from the mind of KT, just that I found a fun topic...for now.


Seven has such a significance in our world. Seven days of creation, seven deadly sins (see Se7en, with Brad Pitt), seven wonders of the world, and the list goes on. I thought it would be fun to post a topic each week (span of 7 days) of 7 things. 


So, my first topic, in honor of my trip this weekend, is "7 Things I Love About Chicago." I'm no expert, but these things I know.


7. The L. Chicago's finest transportation system -  partially e"l"evated. I'm from a city where everyone drives. 


6. Dunkin' Donuts. Chicago isn't the home, but you can find one on every block. Something else KC is lacking. 


5. The Architecture. Again, no expert, but there is a giant, reflective bean in the middle of the city. And they have the Sears tower. You can stand above the the city with nothing but a piece of glass separating you and the busy street below. What do you mean there isn't a weight limit?!


4. Chicago Style Pizza. I could eat pizza any day, from any place. But pizza is so much more impressive when it's 4 inches thick.


3. The Cubs. Ah the Cubs. I wish you would win a World Series so I can stop coddling a grown man every Fall. But really, they are America's favorite team and quite a sight to see.


2. Wrigley Field. Is that cheating? This stadium is extraordinary. It sits in the middle of the city, it's sold out nonstop, and people wait in line for hours to get in. It hasn't been touched by the modern world. It's distraction free baseball, the way baseball was meant to be. 


1. Jared Wight. The love of my life was born in Chicago. Lucky for me, he didn't stay there forever. 

No pain, no gain. Or something.

Yoga Booty Ballet - Yoga Core. One word...KILLER. Those are 2 crazy chicks with rockin' bods. I was shaking from head to toe and fell over more than once. Ah yes, backstep, I feel so weak. There is no need for that. I'm young and beautiful and I need to feel beautiful! So after I had my butt handed to me by the yogi twins, I did some crunches, jumping jacks, and a little weight lifting. Smile, you are beautiful too! 

Red Swingline Stapler

I need something to do. I'm craving a new goal (as if wedding planning isn't enough). So, I'm applying for grad school; two actually. The first is through MU. It's a library media specialist teaching certification. I would get to spend my days in an elementary (hopefully) school library, reading children's books...my favorite! Oh and you can't beat free summers! They accept 12 people a year...so that only leaves 11 spots for the rest of the country. Yikes.


The other is a new creative writing program at UMKC. I could choose a focal point in fiction or screenwriting. Too exciting! But, at the end of the program you have to have a completed work, from your focus area, and defend it in front of a panel of professors. Talk about nerve-wracking. 


After the GRE and application fees I probably won't be able to afford grad school anyway. But I feel like I'm so much better than a low-paying data entry job. I can't live stuffed in a silent cubicle day after day. There has to be something more. I know God has a bigger purpose for me and I intend to find out what it is. But until then, the clicking of keyboards and hum of the air conditioner will just have to suffice. 

Students

It's Friday night and I must say, I couldn't be happier. This week was my first "first week of school" experience on the staff side at a university. It was insane. Clueless students, from all walks of life, stampeded through the office day after day. The phones and fax machine were constantly screaming. If you managed to get away, there was no solitude. There was always someone, somewhere.

But it made me think back to my first college experiences. And I get sad; maybe a little jealous of the students. I wish I was in their place: excited, optimistic, and terrified.

I miss the community, the atmosphere, and the learning.

But, it's Friday night, I have the weekend to relax, and I don't have any homework. Cheers.

OH!

Did I mention..I found my dress and it's beautiful!

Brides Against Breast Cancer, check it out! 

I highly recommend this to any engaged lady looking for a special dress.

http://www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/

:)

We're on top of the World!

Made it back to normalville.  I must say it feels good to sleep on a mattress that won't deflate. I like peeing with a rug under my feet. And showering isn't bad either. 


We hot-dogged, s'mored, tented, hiked, and bean bagged. That's right, I said hot-dogged. But really, we had an afternoon long bean bag toss tournament. Hardcore. 


Upon hiking a 2 mile "warmup" (see photo) and a 4 miler at 13,100' the "real deal," I have come to terms with the fact that I am out of shape. If you aren't able to recognize the signs on your own, vomiting and nearly losing all oxygen (mostly caused by altitude sickness) should definitely clue you in. Hiking at high altitudes is hard for anyone, but especially a desk jockey from Kansas City, MO. 


With that being said, I have the best fiance a woman could ask for. He absolutely loves the outdoors (clue in on the mountain beard). He's stronger and faster than me and probably wanted more than anything to reach our original goal of Mt. Ypsilon a peak at 13,500'. But we summited at a slightly lower peak, Chiquita at 13,100'. He stayed behind with me and encouraged me to keep going when I probably would've turned around. We're partners; lovers. That's how it should be, the two go hand-in-hand. 

S'more what? I didn't have anything yet.

Got my traction tennies. Finishing packing. Definitely bringing along lot's of cleanliness items.

Yes I CAN!

Thought about bringing along my bear mace. Let us not forget bears are the #1 threat to America. It'll probably get more use from predators here.

^ Camping...it's in tents. ^

boots?

I'm stuck in a 6 month probation period at my new job. The good news is we planned this trip prior to starting. So, Colorado camping here we come! I've always wanted to go camping with the love of my life. I guess I always imagined it would be just the two of us sitting by the fire, snuggling, and enjoying each others company. How about camping in the middle of Estes Park with 4-5 other deodorant-less couples, without a shower in the vicinity. I'm sorry but I'm not totally convinced this is the camping experience I have always dreamed of. Thank the sweet Lord Jesus there will be a toilet. He knows squatting isn't kind to women. Everyone else claims to be packed and ready...they aren't leaving until Friday. What is so crucial that it must be packed a week in advance? Maybe I'm not thinking about this hard enough. I was going to count my socks and undies, you know, the basics. Anyway, it should be quite the experience. More to come as the week goes on.

Sometimes decisions aren't as easy as choosing red or blue...

especially when they don't taste like chocolate.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

...Robert Frost

Summer Lovin'

Family, barbeque, movies, warm nights, sunny days, relaxing, shorts, tan lines, traveling, lemonade, and garage sales. I LOVE Summer.

2012 Review in U-News

http://media.www.unews.com/media/storage/paper274/news/2009/11/16/Culture/Movie.Review.2012-3833325.shtml?reffeature=recentlycommentedstoriestab#cp_article_tools

Check it out!

Don't push my button

Why is it that today, November 5, 2009, I flipped through the radio stations in my car and heard Christmas music on not one, but two stations?
I love Christmas as much as the next person. I love the holly jolly spirit and all that. But, I still have a pumpkin on my front porch and I'm three weeks away from enjoying mashed potatoes. Hearing Christmas music this early is like pushing the fast forward button on our lives. Mine is going turbo speed as it is, I don't want my button pushed.

I'm not even sure why they have begun playing it so early. I have a pretty good idea it's all a part of the Christmas marketing campaign. You know that when you turn on those loving, cheery sounds it fills your heart with joy and excitement about the holiday. You remember all of the good times that you have had and then it reminds you that you haven't bought any gifts yet! And obviously if they are playing music on the radio, Christmas must be close.

So, listen to your music one month in advance, speed up your life, and buy, buy, buy.