Flat tire

I like the beer but not the situation. Especially, when it is 6:45 pm and I am trying to get home to excercise and then go to dine with my two favorite girls from out of town and my cell phone is ghetto and breaks when I use it and my only ride options are my roommates who are out of towners too and their phone numbers are long distance and thus, not remembered by me and the Checkers and Victory cab companies claim they don't pick up in the Perimeter area and the 'flat tire repair in a can' that your mother gave you because she was worried about you being a cute single young lady doesnt have any promise of working.....
All is well though today. My super brother came out this a.m. and helped me fix it (actually he gets al the credit). But it allowed me to wear scrubs to work basically so I could get dirty and fix a tire.
Why does it happen when you least need it to happen? You know, whatever it is - always at the wrong time. I am trying to leave to go to Nasheville to help out at the Passion conference - you'd think God wants me there but man is it getting harder to get out of town each hour......Inconveniences are always at the complete wrong time (thus the word in-convenience, Betsy)....Anywho.....here is the rosy colored glasses of this mute point - maybe, Betsy, it was that this perfect God liked the tire to be flat before Nasheville rather than on the road to Nashville???? Yeah, I like that.

Anyway, Nasheville or bust! See you kids in the New year! And, ps - 25 is really going to be the year to thrive.

Penguin love

How far can you make the penguin go?? My personal best was 222, but with lots of strikes initially.
http://n.ethz.ch/student/mkos/pinguin.swf
(Click on the Yeti to assume batting position, then click again to torpedo the little penguin as he approaches—don't forget to turn on your sound!) Enjoy!

Yeah, some of you insiders already got this from me today but I would feel terrible not sharing it with the rest of the global world.
PS - I really really love penguins and the way they walk and mate and eat and sound and look. There is an island supposedly in South Africa that is full of penguins which is not where I would expect penguins to be. I would like to go there and take wine and cheese and watch them.

Estoy ocupado

I am actually really really busy today while the rest of the world takes time off. It is great to feel busy and to have things to do so I am happy. I am going to work solidly for the next 5.5 hours because that is the way I do it best - hard hard for 5 hours and then no mo'.

I started off this morning perfectly. If you want to start your morning perfectly you wake up, brush your teeth, put the coffee on to smell - not to drink, poor the creamer from the cute little cream-cow in your fridge and sit in your robe and read. John Piper today. Then you make your eggs - perfectly. Then you check email, run out the door, Bruce Hornsby on the radio and head to salsa class! You got it - salsa at 8am with the studio lights down low will invigorate anybody's day. I feel like a rockstar but more than a rockstar - I feel really connected. To what - I don't know but I like it. I sond like I have been smoking pot. I have never smoked pot though. Nor do I have any desire - praise God. Of course, if Matthew McConnahay (sp??? and no time to look up the spelling) wanted to play bongo drums, in the nude and smoke on my porch - I could be tempted.

Busy busy busy....enjoy your days off!

Mama and I for The Nicholson Clan Christmas Gathering. I came home with a rubber overn mit shaped like a dolphin. Lovely. 

And another.....

As mentioned, the Christmas discoveries would be continued...

-Entertainment at it's best is Mama and Daddy dancing in the dark on the Dance Dance Revolution Xbox game. Daddy was acutally the best player of the night despite looking like he was digging for potatoes.
-Surviving Christmas, Ben Affleck, 2004, not worth your time.
-Mama's green beans can not be beaten.
- Still haven't found the stupid lost item.
-Hiking through the trails on a cold, wet Christmas afternoon is by far the most perfectly serene way to enjoy the day. (I didnt pass one person until I ran into a good friend at the end...just me and 6 deer and 2 foxes.)
-Flowers sent to my house by a surpise elf is a really thoughtful gift but also the cause of commotion among the whole Nicholson clan (Grandparents and all.....) trying to figure out who the elf is.....They think I should capture him and start producing great-grandchildren. No pressure.

Merry Merry

Things I have discovered this Christmas....and it is not over
-My dad hide's peanut M&M's around the house in various places.
-I don't like cheese in my eggs
-Lionel Richie and Boy George Christmas songs are comforting
-My uncle likes to bless the 'nourishes' of our body during the prayer before dinner lastnight
-A deck of cards can entertain multiple nights in a row
-Mama asks for and gets pajamas everyear but I never see them on her? What does she do with them.
-Candles are the safe gift.
-Boys get toys but I like toys too and I want a fishing pole like the boys got.
-Don't ever lose valuable items during gift opening time - they are likely to make the trash and then you have to go through all bags to find them.
-Dad likes the kind of grits that stick to your ribs.
-Family Guy DVD's were the item of choice this year.
-I am the reason for the season.
-Mama's family really just wants liquor.
-Christmas morning pictures should be illegal.
-You can never watch Christmas Vacation too much.
-Getting to church on Christmas Eve 45 minutes early is not good enough and only results in a floor seat up front.
-I have a pretty amazing voice when singing Angels we have heard on high.
-I have never had a White Christmas.
-And this is just a thought and you can answer if you want but what do 0ther non-celebrators do on Christmas Day? Especially when Christmas falls on a Sunday and there is nothing open anyway?
-Wine makes me cry and then sleep.
-Commercialized Christmas only began in the early 1800's and the wise men didnt appear til 4 years after the birth of Christ
-Half and Half and eggnog are packaged in the same cartons but when you go to be sneaky and drink straight from the carton out of the fridge and you mistake one for the other it is not a pleasant experience
-My generation may not know this but in 1968 when Apollo 8 went to the moon on Christmas Eve and the crew was asked what they saw they responded by reading from Genesis (courtesy of Buckhead Church Christmas Eve Service)
-We still have the same hand-sewn Hillybilly stockings from when I was a wee little girl and I love them!
-The whole 'Santa' thing is really wheighing on me??? I am a terrible liar and I am not sure I can put myself through lying to my children
-I want 4 kids too like my family.
-Mistletoe hasn't helped this Christmas.
-Showers are overrated.
-I can't wait to start y own traditions.
-Next year we have decided to go somewhere tropical and forego the gift giving thing.
-Watching my mama giggle is one of my favorite things in the world.
-to be continued....

Merry Christmas kids! I pray this Christmas you came a little closer to the real thing.

Side note: I have about 6 days remaing of '05 and according to the name of this blog - I was supposed to thrive. I did. Just not in ways I imagined. The blog may have to be renamed or hyphenated for '06...any suggestions????

Lost thing = breakup

Okay, this has been determined. My most hated thing but it isn't a thing - it's a disease. A really really bad omen......
This thing is LOSING things. Misplacing something is like a breakup. You'd almost rather the person die so atleast you know the outcome. When you breakup you just sit and mettle over it and wonder and do the what if thing and try to replay the steps. I have lost something. Mama says there is a saint that you can bury or something and he will help you find the lost thing. I mean, she hopefully doesnt believe it either but at this point I am desperate. If I could have just broken the thing then I would be better off. The outcome would be known. Instead, I misplaced it and I have torn apart even the trash to find it. Nothing. I have retraced steps - looked at pictures to see if I could see it in the picture and then put the mystery together (yet again the breakup analogy). Still nothing. I am frustrated and trying not to let this ruin Christmas but I really can't sleep and can't get it off my mind.
Death is better I have decided. I like closure.

PS

I just whooped up on my brothers and cousins in a little Texas hold 'em.
Y'all thought I'd check out for the Holiday's but this is blogworthy.
After 2 nights of tournament play I am now up $4.
4 whole dollars.
This is big after the dirty game playing these kids were doing. I was even out completely at once and then bartered my way back in via favors and then ended up ahead.

I am taking myself to Stilesboro Biscuit tomorrow morning and indulging in the best biscuit my $4 can buy. (99.96% of you will have not a clue what or where the little treasure, Stilesboro Biscuit can be found - that is why it is a treasure.) You should be jealous. Though jealousy isnt a good Christmas-time feeling to embody so dont be jealous. Be happy. Be happy for me and my winnings and my biscuit and for Christmas Eve. I love Christmas Eve - though, this year, tomorrow will be the 3rd family party in a row so I feel like I have already done Christmas twice over. But I do love love Christmas Eve - so many good things and good memories and traditions all in one day.
For now I am going to put my $4 under my pillow and sleep happily.

Now I aint sayin she's a Golddigger.......

Christmas Traditions

Or maybe one's that I would like to be traditions but they never quite fly.

I am extremely delusional. It is noted in an earlier blog this year that I have expectations for things. The biggest thing God has worked on in me this year is my expectations of people, places, experiencs, reactions, follow ups, the weather, meals, presents, holidays, etc etc etc.....
It's bad. But I am getting better. Just lots of drugs.
jk jk

So, tis the season to eat, drink and be.....not always so merry it seems. Well, not this year. I am declaring today, December 21st (geez, louise, is it the 21st??? I have yet to finish the Christmas cards, the shopping, or find that special someone to bring to the crazy fmaily dinner Thursday night where I always get hounded about my beloved solitude) so, yes, today, the 21st, I declare that I am expectationless!
I mean really. I am supposed to be the salt and light of the world to all you secular hedenists and here I am, every year, being somewhat dissappointed by the not-so-merriment of Christmas. really, I love the time of the year for all the right reasons. I love the time with my fam - I crave it (well, only about 2.5 days of it). I love the decorations around the house. I love Christmas service at midnight. I love that it brings out the giving spirit in everyone (or else the guilty spirit). It is the not-part-of-Christmas parts that make it not- so-merry. Namely, the expectations that this Christmas things will all click for everyone, You know, everyone will truly, including myself, realize why we are even here to begin with and why we even needed a Christmas in the first place. WE needed a savior at Christmas because we needed saving. (Great message on this at www.Northpoint.com. Go to "Make Believe Christmas" from December 11th).

Anywho, withall that being said....here are some of the Nicholson things that come to mind. I should probably find that special someone before I publicize this but here it goes....
-8-12 dozen Pinwheel cookie rolls are made on an all out baking day with mom somewhere early in December
-Nana adorns each of the grandkids trees with the ornament of the year at Thanksgiving ( I have yet to know where my mother hords these ornaments but I know i have a stash somewhere).
-Carter and Matt (the coolest brothers in America) call me about 4 days before Christmas and ask me what 'we' got mom and dad for Christmas
-Early December mom asks for the 'list' to which we all reply that this year (like the last) we really dont want anything.(This isnt true every single year. We are trying to think that we dont want things because we want to feel that true Christmas -filled, Christ-centerd feeling but....every year about a week and a half after we swear there is nothing at all that we want we come with a list 12-20 lines long.)
-Throughout December dad rallies the troops (or attempts these days with 2 siblings away and 2 of the 3 are sociable teenagers) to watch EVERY Christmas movie EVER made. He recites the lines to White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, The Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation for the next 60 days as well.
-Day after Thanksgiving dad adorns the windows with the usual wreaths and bows (very comforting)
-Sunday before Christmas (though moved to this Thursday this year) the entire 60+ Nicholson clan gathers for what seems like an evening of wassle and bad gift giving. The dirty Santa game has produced bowling balls, lots of liquor, empty boxes, a bag of condoms (I tell no lies. And this particular year there were some 'first time' guests. Nice.) Dad makes his classic wassle for the event (look it up - wassle is really a thing.....except I can't find anyone but my family that seems to know what it is). He is very proud of this concoction and should be.
-Christmas Eve mom's family always stays real late until they forget that their young children need to get in bed before 2am for Santa to come
-Dad goes to 4pm Mass. He likes to beat the crowd in all circumstances.
-I wake up at 5:45. Yes, still....run down stairs. Glossy-eyed, peer at the presents on the floor. Go back to bed until awakened around 8 by the kids to which I tell them they are inmature and should go back to bed.
-I stubbornly climb out of bed and stroll downstairs an hour later. Santa presents opened first then...
-Dad (and only dad. No one can help) makes his usual Christmas breakfast of smoked eggs, smoked ham, smoked bacon, smoked biscuits (this is somewhat sarcastic but dad did get a smoker last year and EVERything was smoked. Hopefully this year he is over it.)
-Then we open presents from mom. Mom plays Santa and dishes out.
-Dad gets re-excited about the socks or shaving cream that we give him as those are the only things he ever needs.
-Dad sets up the video recorder to capture all of the action. This is always lovely and in such high demand to view when the fam comes over again later.
-The boys go play with toys.
-I play with their toys too as Santa doesnt give grown ladies toys anymore.
-I get online and decide what i want for my birthday just 3 weeks later.
-Dad and the boys go over to the cousins to play poker. They never win but they always play.

I love Christmas time! I love the traditions and the not-so -traditions that arent worth noting but always make their way into the Christmas scene. I can't wait to start my own traditions someday. The Terrace Christmas party may be the first! PS - check out the pics if you were there (and if you werent there and you check them out then that is weird)
www.pic-man.com/sureshot
(You should have the password)
Merry Merry.

I gave in. I am feeling ashamed.

Not only did I give in. I gave in hard. I didn't just jump off the bridge cause my friends did it - I went out and bought their clothes first, colored my hair their color and then jumped, nearly years after they had already done it. I joined facebook today.
Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. I already have multiple outlets to spill my life on the www but now I have taken the ultimate drug. I have wonderend around for a year now thinking I was too cool because I was an alum and therefore couldnt participate in the foolishness and then Kat, my kool roommate, was playing on FB Sunday night and she was reading the random comments having to do with our most fabulous party we threw Saturday night. We were entertained for hours putting together everyone's comments and creating drama that may have occurred at the party. Needless to say, not only did I sign up today - I had to go way out of my way to sign up.....at the expense of the poor UGA alumni worker who helped me set up the alum email account. Yes, this is true. Not kidding. I don't know that such extreme measures have been taken for anything else (well, maybe I have for animal cracker cravings....that's all though). Anyway, I am putting a limit on myself that it can only be looked at 2 times per day. Only one blog per day and MySpace is now gone. For real. I am purging myself. Do you think I am pathetic? I am feeling pretty worthless right now but I am sure when I check and see that I have actaully been accepted by 5 or more friends - I will feel like a superstar again! See, it's like therapy or something. It's all about a healthy self-esteem.
Okay, going to check for the 2nd time today. That's all. Poke me!

Terrace Crew at the 2.5 Christmas Party. More to come when I muster up the energy to retell the fun. 

High High High

The whole weekend I was high! High on life and on friends and quiet time and Jesus and the beautiful weather...High High High.
But, now my dear amigos, I am tired tired tired. I have never been this tired. I just thought about my sheets and fell asleep. I haven't slept in like 42 hours or something but if I go to bed now, my regemented body will wake me up at 3:45am so I am doing all I can to be alive but really this typing thing isnt helping. Typing and a computer screen are not good for lazy eyes. So I will leave you now but you should await the report on this fantabulous weekend! Friday - lonely but perfect. Saturday - A blast but very tiring. Sunday - relaxing and energizing. I am in an all day meeting tomorrow but the reports and pictures to come should be very interesting.

I loved seeing your smiling faces this weekend.

PS - as I type my 3 roommates and I are sitting in complete perfect silence in our now spotless living room (which 16 hours ago had 200+ people in it) and we are all just listening to Amos Lee on the loud speakers. No words. Just Amos. Just the candle and twinkle lights. Just perfect serenity. Perfect ending to a memorable weekend. Please one day someone sing Amos Lee to me personally. I will be forever indebted.
NIght night.

OTP Nightmare

Did Atlanta shut down this morning and I was unaware? I woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed after a grand 3.5 hours of sleep and ready to face the world and solve world peace. I headed into the office for a 7:30A sales meeting as I would on any Friday of the month. Then by 8 I had 2 appointments cancel on me due to ice. Where is the ice? And if there is ice - why didn't it cripple my day. I would have loved to stay snuggled to my heating pad in my 900 thread count sheets with read my newest, The Heart Aroused by David Whyte. I have plenty of things inside the casa that want me to do them today but the ice obviously only hit the slow-movers OTP.
So then, being the diligent young sales lady that I am I went to go visit one of my accounts for the day and as I pull up to the office at 2 til 10 the office looks like a morgue. Luckily, someone heard me - let me in and said the ice had shut down the office til 11.
Supposedly, this ice graced anything outside of 285 and decided to leave the rest of us alone. Do you know how great my life is be it that I exist in a 4.6 mile radius? Many a crazy day ago I did the commute thing from the 'rents house in Marietta - actually, West Cobb. Granted, I liked the quiet time in the morning but the one hour and 55 minute round trip commute takes a toll on anyone's sanity. now, I live, work, shop, run, have coffee, go to the bookstore, grocery store, workout, and do church all within in 4.6 miles. How fabulous is my life? I considered once getting a vespa. You think I am kidding. I tell no lies. I would love to wear the helmut and not have a huge car payment and be able to park easily. Mama says I wouldnt look good with bugs in my teeth when I finally get to work. I told her I floss.
The only downside of my little world of interaction is that I do LOVE to drive and listen to good music or no music and listen to God. I love when I get lost and know that ultimately I'll hit a street I know but for the time being, I am lost and I am happy.
Anyway, seems after a late start the ATL is coming to life. I shall go be productive today! I feel it! TGIF, kids.

Broken Santa after the last Christmas (in July) party. We hear he is fat, happy and ready to mingle again this year. Don't ask me what I was doing....

To tell or not to tell

My neighbors to the left of us are miserable people. They do not enjoy life and everything seems to be in the box - no coloring out of the lines and no cookies after bedtime (maybe this is common for all people but I like to eat cookies at all the wrong times and all the right times).
We are super friendly. In case you dont know I live with 3 other incredible girls. I'd say we are all pretty decent and have done nothing to offend them. Or so we thought, after our second party of our tenure here last July, Kat (who was only 5 days old to the house) got a lecturing from Mr. Grinch next door. He claimed at the time that he hears us everyday talking on our cell phones outside. (Okay, I may have been the culprit for this as this summer I had a thing for Texas and people, namely boys, in Texas and I probably talked on the phone a bit overboard. Still, maybe they heard a conversation or 2 - no reason to hate.)
Anyway, the 2nd annual Twice Yearly Terrace Christmas Throwdown is upon us and to be honest - we are scared silly. No, not about the party, the masses of people and then random people that those masses bring, not about the lack of space, parking, eggnog,food, girls, beer or any of the sort but of the neighbors! All of our other neighbors think we are the coolest thing since sliced bread and they can't wait for the 'little' shin-dig. They all show up and love to mingle and see the activity of the young Atlanta crowd. But our Grinch neighbors (God Bless them) won't even acknowledge us when we walk outside. Often, I will say an obnoxious hello just to make them have to respond to me.
So the question is....Now T-44 hours.....Do we tell them that a few peeps may be stopping by Saturday night for a little Christmas cheer? We tell them, they just call the police and us before hand or (as mama once taught) do we just ask for forgiveness rather than permission -the next day? I need your thoughts. I respect your opinion and need your help.
We thought about just paying to send them to the Hilton. Or should we walk over in person with cookies? They already told us last party that they didn't appreciate that we invited them too....their lives didn't have time for our nonsense.

The party is not nonsense. It is the the grandest form of fellowship that you may only want to be a part of once a year - but you don't want to miss it nonetheless.

And I will tell you this...We have another surprise...................

.......................................................................................

PICTURE MAN! You got it, ZAPS, BOPS, whatever you want to call him. He'll be here - later in the evening. Take advantage for sure.
Merry Christmas!

Favor

I am being favored right now in many ways. I don't deserve it but I like it.
A few to note:
-McAlisters ice tea with lemon ...yes, true heaven in a glass
- T-58 minutes until I get my new orthotics for my shoes which I am confident is going to transform my knees thus leading to the ability to run again thus leading to happiness in me
- I found out for sure I get to volunteer for Passion this year depsite my youthfulness (24.94 and I need to be 25 years old)
-Yummy Chicken tortilla soup with yummy people twice this week (Monday - Beth (PS - HAPPT BIRTHDAY!) and today with Mark)
-3 days from the big Par-tay at my house and I love to plan parties!
-I signed up to do some big travelling trip this next year and I am extatic about it
-God has closed some doors that I couldn't close on my own
-New job opportunities with my company
-It is cold enough to wear a scarf (and my scarf looks oh so good today)
-Encouraging partial-marathon walk around Atlanta with Meredith lastnight
-Christmas shopping is almost done
-My brother's are on their way into town for a while!
-I went to bed at 9:02 lastnight and feel like a Rockstar today!
-I received a personal piece of mail from a friend with a great message
-I get to go to a dance class tonight at the gym (Flamenco!)
-I have an abundance of my favorite kinds of gum which always makes the day go faster

Good things I tell you and I really don't even deserve it. Stay bundled today!
XOXO

Narnia Bliss

I can't get over something that I have read many a time, know in my heart and thought that I believed. I haven't fully put my fingers around this truth until this past Thursday at the preview of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Lucy is talking to Mr. Beaver about Aslan. .. .In the same moment Mr. Beaver was talking to me about Jesus.

"Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy.
"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good."

Nothing about following Jesus is safe. He doesn't promise that. Nothing about following anything wholeheartedly is safe and only in Christ can even that kind of risk be good. Ultimately good at the very least. It sounds so simple and childlike to sa God is good. But in middle school and highschool youth group at First Pres Marietta they would say "God is good." And we would answer "All the time." No lies, this was very well rehearsed and sounded great and comforting at the time and very well fit into my childlike view of God. But it is recently, now in my 20's with alot of mileage behind and alot more to go that I can affirm that He is good all the time. Even in the personal catastrophies of our lives and in the small furstrations. He is good. His purposes and his intentions through even the bad ulitmately, prove good, whether or not we see them in this lifetime.

Stir Fry Life

I somehow got the invitation for a little culinary experience lastnight at Chow Baby on Howell Mill and it gave me a new taste bud for both food and life. You get a paddle (like a little stick, not quite a canoeing paddle) and you take the paddle and a bowl and get ready to experience stir fry at it's best! (though a paddle and a bowl does sound like we are going sailing or something). I was a little thrown off as this was my first 'do-it-yourself' stir fry experience. To be honest, the smorgashboard of food options is quite overwhelming - especially, for a 'newbie' like me. Plus, in honor of my body these days and because I really do not like noodles and rice (can you believe that? I know, I know, everyone loves noodles and italian food and rice and pasta. Not me. I had a scarring experience with rice in 5th grade. My forgotten friend, Lisa, decided on a summery Florida afternoon that while we were at home alone we should make a snack of Mr. Ben's instant rice. We didnt know much about cooking or about life so we dumped the whole bag and what seemed to be a cup of dry rice made a heaping pot full of rice. Lisa's mom was at work and we werent supposed to be cooking I guess or atleast Lisa seemed to think we had made a bad mistake and we now needed to cover up for it so we started eating the rice like we would be exhiled if we didnt. We ate fast and we ate alot. I think I finishd the 5th big bowl of yellow rice, bobbled my way through the woods to my house and was sick the next 2 days. I have not liked rice/pasta/noodle foods since but nor have I really given them a second shot either.) so since I am not the biggest fan - I turned my boat of goodies into a salad.
I loaded my biowl with lots of green vegetables, some pineapples, water chestnuts, chicken, red peppers, carrots, spicy peanut sauce and gave it to the chef to turn it into to culinary bliss.
And that it was. Here's the mystery and the lesson: how could that combination of random food be comined to make something so delightful? Yeah, if I had been bold enough to go back for seconds as many did and as you are allowed to do because it is all you can eat - I would have dropped the pineapple but other than that, this concept floats my boat.
How I think beautiful God does the same with the smorgashboard of experiences that we incur. Do you ever think how you got where you are and really there is no clear answer at all. Somehow, you mix a little good and a little bad and a little tough and a little funny (all the produce of life) and you give it to Someone else and they can make it into a tasty creation. And often the vegetable alone, say broccoli, isn't all that apetizing but somehow together with pineapple and water chestnuts and ginger sauce - it is just the taste you wanted. And it is so satisfying!

FOTW -MBV

You got it. It's actually been about 2 weeks so this is the bi-monthly FOTW brought to you by Orbitz gum because I have already had 3 pieces of my new fave - the light green flavored gum - and it is only 5 til 9. (I like to say time like that. In my mind alot can be done in the 5 minutes that I have til 9 and it makes me feel much more productive. I think the productivity is just an illusion these days too but it makes me feel good. And 5 til 9 or 'half past noon' or something is very eloquent. It makes me sound like a good manager of my time as well. And we are all about just sounding good. (Can you sense sarcasm on a blog? Not so sure...))

Back to Matt.

Matt is Fan of the Week for several reasons. First, Matt, amid tackling 87 papers in his 75 hours of class (numbers may be a little off but picture is there are more papers than hours) and though, he is on the road to superstardom still has time to visit the blog - which of course makes me happy, but more so still makes a lovely appearance throughout the week at social functions.

Matt makes me laugh. Giggle is better. And as you know, recently a giggle includes a snort. A giggle with a snort is a good mark of a genuinely entertaining person. My props to you. Greatest thing is he often doesnt have to say much but he still makes me laugh. I know your soul purpose, Matt, is not to make me laugh but you do. Good facial expressions is key.

Matt comes to us from the little town just north of the ATL known as Marietta. Specifically, East Cobb. Matt's got a little Auburn in him - just enough to make him aware that his allegiance is really in Athens, Ga...aka Aspen, GA....aka God's country....

Mr. Vaughan will be finishing up his educational career tomorrow and a celebration is due for sure.

Other things that you should know about Matt (and these are only a few as I, myself, have only had the pleasure of his friendship for the past few months. Beth, Holly, feel free to add (or check out www.hollyfrew.blogspot.com for a little birthday bio on our MVP -MBV).
-John Mayer fanatic
-fabulous impersonations
-Only person I know who can wear the half hat and wear it well
-Makes for a great Emu running down the sidewalk when he so chooses to use those long legs to entertain (that sounded odd) (Becca, you might recall)
-Know's seemingly every word of every rap song this side of 1995 (and can make a good duo with Mr. Dave Harp if asked) as well as any other random 1990's jingle
-Great at intentional conversation
-Loves Jesus and it shows
-Has a fabulous, enjoyable presence wherever he goes
-Just celebrated the big 2-4
-Self-proclaimed 'Funny picture taker' but in the pic below I disagree

Congrats, Matt. Enjoy the honor. You Rock!

Fabulous pic of Matt = FOTW

First time for Everything

Never have I ever.....okay you can kiss me now. Isnt that how the game goes...
Maybe not but that would be my Never have I ever game.

Well, here's one: Never have I ever been to a sneak preview of a movie before. Ever. I mean the last movie I saw was Finding Nemo, literally. (Actually, not literally but I tend to say that for emphasis - it has been a long long time though). So not only do I not go to the movies - I never see them before they hit the video store if at all.

So, tonight my coolest friend Aaron put on a little special showing just for me of the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe! So.... a few other people decided to join but point is - I was there and I saw the movie before you can even buy a ticket for it. (I should now tell that the showing wasn't only for me it was for about 300 people put on by Priority Associates - check it out. Cool stuff God is doing.)

I want to tell you all about the movie but I am on a schedule these days (just every other day actualy) and need to go to bed but this movie is amazing! The imagery and the costumes and the filming (is that the word?) and the story are just spectacular. I need to extrapolate tomorrow but I just had to tell you how fabulous this movie was. What a beautiful picture of Christ's sacrificial love for us! You should go online now and buy tickets and go see it tomorrow. This is coming from a non-movie fanatic. More to come.

Goodnight. Sweet dreams, loves.
(Okay, so it is a drinking game not a kissing game someone just kindly informed me. Oops!)

This will only be funny to me & Kat

Yesterday I had one of those intense belly laughs that make you hurt each time you chuckle. I mean, all out, can't drive, can't breathe, can barely see straight, crying, burping, choking kind of laughs that only come maybe twice a year. And I love them. And the cause of the scene wasn't funny at all. No humor involve just for some reason it made me giggle and then when I heard myself giggle it made me giggle more and then more and anytime I took a breath and stopped I would start smiling again trying to contain the ruckus and then I'd burst into tears and cackles again. This little episode was just beautiful and refreshing! And I was alone which makes even the more beautiful.

Anyway, so laughing is the medicine of the soul. This a.m. Katherine (who has now been mentioned numerous times and has no reason to ever feel bad about herself) starts off my morning with this strand of emails.
Made me laugh so I wanted to share. You won't laugh I am sure - cause if I were reading it and it werent me I wouldnt laugh. Plus, I am not trying to make you laugh. My whole goal in life and in this blog is not to make you laugh.

KAT TO BETSY:
ok people....its 8:45....I can already tell its gonna be a lonnnnnnng day. lets start the emails asap. What going on? Tell me something funny. or interesting. or sad. or stupid. One... Two.... Three..... GO!

BETSY TO KAT:
You are funny and interesting and sad and stupid.
You know i'm a kidder. Okay, so my productive new self only lasted one day. One whole day! Bummer.
I need you. Why do you have to be at work already.
I need you like water needs rain I mean like flowers need the rain.

KAT TO BETSY:
hahaha.. like water needs rain. Last time I check Betsy, rain is water. Duh.
I have the early shift this week, so thats why I am here early. I like the early time better cause that means i can leave at 5. I hate work.
You can still be productive without getting up early...no fret my pet. Did you notice I made up my bed??? I dont know what came over me...but its a start to cleaning up my life.
{THIS PART HAS BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT}
Anyway, I just called Phipps to see if you have to make an appointment with Santa and you do, but I have to call back at 10...so i will ask about sunday afternoon and let you know. {YES, WE ARE GETTING OUR PICTURE WITH SANTA}
What are you doing today?

BETSY TO KAT:
{EDITED AGAIN}
You should write a book about all of the thoughts you have thought that have not come true.
I loved our walk lastnight. I felt better about life after. I love you too! 2 peas in a pod - or is it three???

Santa sounds great and I can maybe break away and do it today or Sunday I suppose.
{YOU DONT WANT TO KNOW WHAT I HAD SAID}

KAT TO BETSY:
3 peas in a pod!?!? do you have something to tell me?? are you pregnant??? Will you name it Katherine if its a girl and Henry if its a boy?? jk jk... I know loved the walk too. We are pretty funny... we should have a sitcom. Or have our own Laguna Beach, and call it The Terrace.
I love how your solution to everything is, "you should write a book." I thought when you said that, "You Wouuuld." My book would be out of control- yours would be hilarious/great.
Just let me know if when the best Santa time for you is, or we could just set up the tripod in the front yard, or if we should scratch the whole idea all together. let me know.
{EDITED AS WELL}

BETSY TO KAT:
I can see you saying and motioning "jk, jk..."
Did that make sense?
I am headed to the office now. My sleeves are too long for my jacket and I look like a goon!

KAT TO BETSY:
haha, I can see you saying, "I look like a goon" thats hilarious. I'm sure you look H-O-T hot.
{WE"LL END IT THERE BECAUSE I LIKE THAT ENDING}

Kat and Henry 

Henry

Henry is the name assigned to our peculiar Christmas tree ( with a house full of estorgen a little testosterone was needed). Kat took the honors of naming it as she was solely responsible for it's glimmer and briliance. Yep, dad brought the tree over this weekend and it sat for a day then Sunday night we adorned about a foot and a half of it with lights and then decided that that was enough for the evening. Then, Monday night - Kat, the go-getter, took matters into her own hands and just started twisting and twirling herself in lights and within an hour Henry was complete. Well, complete with lights. Here is the problem - we have a tree with lights sans a star and ornaments. And knowing the way the Terrace operates - it will be December 27th before we decide to hang the ornaments.
Please hold us accountable to hang the ornaments. I am tired of things in my life being half-complete. I won't list things as not to offend but I want to be a completer and not just a rockstar-starter. As I have said before though, it is part of the EFNP that I will blame for the ability to start many wonderful projects but never complete them.

Drive by and see Henry. henry sits in the big open window in the front of the house that most people tend to peer through when driving/walking by the house. It's really kinda scary cause you can normally see everything sketchy going on inside. Therefore, we thought Henry would atleast cover some space and distract our stalkers.

Also, Henry needs a hat or something up top to top it off. Any suggestions? A star seems so cliche but then again I guess a tree with lights is too. Thoughts??? My mama always put a big red bow - maybe that's the ticket?
Or maybe we could string popcorn like we used to do in grade school and then wrap it around the tree. Did you ever do that? And did you ever make long chains of construction paper....you know where you make loops and you take one off each day? I LOVED that. In fact, that may be my project after small group tonight.

Okay, I have to work. I am being diligent today - I can feel it.
Merry merry.

Container Store Issue (okay, so I did a little silly shopping today)

If you ever go to the Container Store which is quite possibly the greatest store to get lost in and create disorder in your life only to know that you have every solution available at your finger tips. - come with a list and a certain amount of money and maybe even afriend who will hold you adccountable. I make this trip...oh, bi-monthly. I walk in with no needs nor wants but you know.... just to brouse. I walk out with less than $20 worth of organizational tools that only end up adding more disorder to the mayham ((sp?) and I dont want to look it up) in my life. Here's the dilemma: you are not able to go in to the container store without thinking that you suck at life and need to spend a whole season just sorting and buying tools to help create order in a lawless, pre-marital world of old clothes, dirty clothes, clothes to return in bags, reading books, college books, self help books, gifts to give, towels to fold, towels to wash, trash to throw out, food to dispose of, pictures to hang, to do lists to get to and on and on and on. ( I am not that messy just manageably-disordered). For some reason I tend to think marriage or the next step in life (and not the container store) solves this issue though I know this is not at all truth. (Nor am I saying I want to get married tomorrow all you analytical boys who I know will turn this around.) But I do. I walk in the store, buy unjustified containers only to go home and find something to contain and then resolve that I will do all the containing I need in my next venture of life. As if it will ust take care of itself with time.

Anyway, you have been warned. Take caution before entering this madhouse of a store. Danger can occur. I have to go organize now. I bought a new shoe rack for the endless shoes in my two closets. And three other little trays that I have to go find something to be organized. Sad, Betsy, sad.

Richard's Variety Store

I am obsessed.
Officially.
I am one of those types that finds something I like and then I stain it. I stain and stain and stain it over and over and over again. Like a good song like anything Amos Lee or a good food item like chicken rotisserie at Eatzi's or vanilla latte at Starbucks. Tonight I couldnt decide what I wanted to do with my time (hence the blog below about indecisiveness). My mind has a good memory, though, for things - so when I see something good whether it is a store, a street, a house, a color, a boy, a restaraunt, a hairstyle - I remember it. So a few weekends ago for Catie's birthday we opted to spending the afternoon playing around Atlanta. We didnt get very far but we did roam around the Peachtree Battle Shopping center....you know, LimeTree, Heliscos (great, greasy Mexican) and more. We casually walked by what appeared to be a little store for your grandmother that would soon go out of business. Little did we know that Altlanta's greatest find was in this very shopping center and it has been there since the birth of the shopping strip 50 years ago. People, there are no places like this left in this city. Richard's Variety store has my heart.
I walk in tonight and go straight to the card section.
Side note: Along with snail mail I love to buy, send, receive, give and collect original cards. You know - the ones you will never find anywhere else. I have a collection and it is bitter sweet when I have to go give them away to people. I know someone else will be so happy and amused with my little find but I do hate to delete it from the collection as they are typically rare cards. Like last year for a former boy I dated's dad's birthday I found the coolest card ever in my collection. It was a svelt young nude man rollar blading down the streets of San Francisco (from the back). It was a great card and the whole birthday party thought it was fabulous. Now that was a card that I had bought nearly 4 years before while residing in Charleston, South Carolina. So you see the obsession here. See good card, buy good card, keep good card until perfect occassion.
Needless to say, I am literally sitting on the floor peeing and crying at the cards as I read them.

The 70 plus year old clerk tells me that Richard's has the best cards in the counrty and that people drive from all over to see their cards. Best in the country! I believe her. I can't repeat some of the ones that I bought because they are not appropriate but I figure one day when I am older and I am a house mom and I need good laughs for my other aging mother friends I can pull out the racy card stash.

Well, After I finish my 75 minutes of bliss in the card section I meander through the aisles of randomness in ADD heaven. Bobbing-head Nun figures, Mad libs - yes, I said it, the original Madlibs....tin-square HeMan lunch boxes, old school Lego's, you name it.....I mean, really, this is such a great place and you are sure to walk out with something worth while. I had to find a white elephant gift for a Youth group leader party tomorrow night (yes, I shop and save the world and kid's souls too - pretty amazing, I know) and I ended up finding ("earmuffs" if you don't know my sense of humor.......) glow in the dark angel snot (actually just glow in the dark silly putty titled Angel's Snot From Above), the original Mad Lib, and an action figure of Jesus with directing hands and all. Perfectly fitting for the party and I secretly hope that Billy, the youth director gets my gift. I am so impressed with my finds. I wanted to get the Transformer lunch box but didnt want to exceed the $12-$15 limit.
On top of the gift and the $47 (no lie) worth of greeting cards I also found a non-mildewing shower curtain, some old school baseball cards with gum in the wrapper, a stuffed animal for a baby shower and the game of Old Maid. If I end up getting fired anytime soon, which could be a possibility, I will for sure seek employment at Richard's so I can play with the rubber chickens and matchbox cars and the random kitchen utensils that were must haves, I presume, back in the 50's. So Richard's is -for sure a new favorite. This is a real one - not a fleeting favorite like other favorites that have come to pass. Tried and true.

Favorite Things About Atlanta (revised edition) (actually, this is the first edition but it is revised from what it would have been a fewhours ago). And there really are but a few.....
-Nuevo Laredo/Taqueria Del Sol (These are tied for sure)
-Capital City neighborhood (my 'hood)
-Richard's Variety Store
-Buckhead Church
-Souper Jenny's
-Chastain Park and the Ampitheatre
-Pastis (okay, so it is in Roswell - but it counts)
-The Starbucks on Peachtree next to Brookhaven ( thanks to Brett and Jason Alexander, no not Britney Spear's 1st husband and no, not the guy from Seinfeld - but the 2 best baristo's in town!)
-The Concourse Club
-Silver Comet Trail
-ALTA tennis
-Brookhaven Marta Station
-Surin of Thailand
-East Andrews - no, not on the weekends when all you people go but on Tuesday nights before 7 for buy one get one - yummy! )

Okay, so there are several more but point is that Richard's rocks and makes the list right away! Don't you just love finding the hidden little places in Atlanta. Check it out. Tomorrow. Check it out tomorrow. And, yes, I do LOVE mail as you recall so do keep me in mind as you brouse the rows and rows of one-of-a-kind cards.

Charlsie and Betsy making friends on MARTA post the Victory.

4th quarter at the SEC Championship.

Fave things of the weekend

The one that must be noted is Marta. Marta was the greatest idea I had of the weekend. Dad, Charlsie and I rode Marta from Brookhaven to the game. We waited for about 5 happy minutes while greeting other dawg fans and rather unattractive people in Purple and Yellow. The train came. It smelled. Despite the hospital like smells though the ambiance was nothing short of perfect. The ride back was the golden ticket though. Now me, dad, Charlsie and my uncle running all around the dome to find the sneaky way to beat thecrowd back to Marta. We were the only ones trying to beat the crowd. Then Charlsie had her most brilliant idea to not try to beat the crowd because we had just one the greatest game of the season and of her football career and it was early and we had no where to go and Marta was fun with a crowd. Needless to say, we had to take one train to catch the other heading towads the 'burbs. Train experience #1 was fabulous. The train came and everyone pushed which was really exciting. My dad pulled me and Charlsie on and we hugged close to some friendly UGA folks. Then the crowd kept pushing and another 400 people crowded in. I went to feel for my camera and reached into a guys pocket instead. I managed to find the camera and my arm and snook a few shots of Charlsie, pom pom and collected oversized cups from the dome in tow.
MARTA definitely was the SMARTA thing to do this time. I wish I could utilize Marta more often. It makes me feel really resourceful and really good about my contribution to the city's public entities.

Other fave things:
-The confirmation from our cool neighbors at the neighborhhod party yesterday regarding our 2.5 annual Christmas Party that is coming up
-Wearing my red scarf all Saturday (and holding on to the lucky pom pom the whole night)
-Running in to all of my cajun frinds at the game - and then some after...I was so nice though.
-Down time on the couch yesterday re-reading Piper's Desiring God and catching up on Grey's Anatomy (speaking of...love the show but why all about hooking up??? I will have to replace it's rankings as my fave if it is all about the troubles that come from hooking up all the time.)
-Collard Greens from Eatzis..... two days in a row.
-Marathon walkwith Meredith on Sunday: no one esle is crazy enough to believe that only an hour and a half walk around the perimeter isn't enough for a day
-Time with my dad: the perfect game day date.
- Falling asleep to the rain lastnight.

Good stuff.
Ride Marta when you can.

Thoughts on a rainy Monday

Indecisive. I hate the word and I hate being it. How happy are you when you are truly doing what it is you want to do. I don't say this selfishly so change your tone of voice when you read this to a sweet tone with more emphasis on want than on you. (Okay? Good.)
Today's STORYPEOPLE of the day was this:

Real Reason
There are things you do because they feel right & they may make no sense & they may make no money & it may be the real reason we are here: to love each other & to eat each other's cooking & say it was good.

How perfect. I just love storypeople too. Yes, this was a Charlsie idea back in college and now I check the new story everyday. If I could just sit around doing exactly what it is I want to do which is love on people (that agape love thing...I'm not thiking intimacy here though I am not against that either) and eat their cooking and like it??? These are my two favorite things and the things I am good at! How beautiful are we when we are doing what it is God designed us to do. There is no better way to glory Him than to be in our sweet spot...right where we are supposed to be just doing what we are called to do.
Yes, the matter is that it often takes way too long to figure that thing out. I think we think about it too specifically though.. .Like what should I be doing with my whole life everyday - like in a work setting.... I think the key to the question is realizing that we are created and called to do something and it may be the thing that makes us no money or counts to no one but God. I know I am designed to encourage and invigorate people. I don't say this arrogantly and I literally thank God daily that He has helped me discover this year these gifts I have been given to be used to glorify Him. And the days where no matter what it is that I am actually doing that I am also being the way I am supposed to be then I am fully alive and fully engaged in even the thing I maybe don't like to do. I may have lost a few on that one.

So this comes back to my indecisiveness because often my flaw is that though I know and have experienced the joy of being fully alive because I am fully doing what I was created to do - I often get stuck trying to decide what I should physically do. This is true on all levels: Onthe grand scale: my job. On other levels: what to eat and when, to go or not go to the thing I dont want to go to but I am a people pleaser and feel I should.
I should take my own advise, I know, and just not worry about the day to day because I know, too, and have experienced that really, when we allow it, God shows us or maybe eliminates certain things for us to where you are left doing what you are supposed to be doing maybe for reasons unknown.

I have to end this. I am confusing myself and I am hungry. Go figure.
Enjoy the rain today, kids! I love it!

AMAZING

And, I am not kidding you....the post that was done nearly a few hours ago(read previous post) regarding my affection towards snail mail - has mystical powers. You know who you are (and everyone else wants to know too) but you are amazing! Ask and you shall receive says the Lord and that I did! What a great day of joy I received from the short trip to the mailbox. Boocoodles of mail but one special hand-written letter to me! I couldn't be happier. I don't even know what you said yet but I know it is mail and it is to me with my name on it and it is hand written and it is in the form of a note and I am thrilled.

37 cents of happiness

That is all it takes. 39 cents and I am yours. This subjet has been broached many a times in the blog before but needs to be noted as Christmas time draws near and yes, the birthday. 39 cents these days will buy you a stamp and that stamp will allow your genuine words -even if it is only a few - to be delivered to me from wherever you are in America to me - wherever I am. Personal mail in my mailbox is by far the greatest man made thing that I know of and quite possible the cheapest but most effective form of communication.
I am such a sucker for it that I am that girl that falls for the marketing ploys by company's that send you what looks like real mail only to be opened and completely dissappointed. My Charleston friends are super on top of this when it comes to mail dropping. We used to be better in college as I would send and receive a hand written letter once a week so you always had something to make you smile around 3:45 pm when the mail lady came. I am that girl, too, that likes to greet the postal service worker as they are delivering their bundle of joy daily. And, once, i even wanted to be a walking mail lady for life.
You probably dont even know this but if you have ever written me a letter it is saved in a huge tuperware container in my closet. And I actually do go back and take a peek everyone once in a while. This would drive you nuts, you neat freaks who throw away everything immediatly. Love notes that were passed in middle school and highschool - still got 'em. And, yep, those are great entertainment for a quiet Friday night and maybe a glass of wine.
My sister, Mary Lauren, used to write me the coolest notes ever when I was in school. I am going to go grab one in a sec....but I cant tell you what a surprise a handwritten note does to even the coldest of people (not that I am cold but others are and I know they too like getting good mail). Funny thing is in my business they teach us that the best practice you can adopt is to mail thank you letters atleast 5 times a day. They even teach us to lay out the 5 daily with the date on them so you do them. Some times I find myself thanking even a waitress at a restaraunt. Now, was I so thankful that I should write a note - probably not, but just the art of thinking of the people during your day who made you smile and then recognizing them is a treasure in itself.
I was once wooed (sp?) by a boy and one of the initial acts of interest was to send an overnighted UPS letter to my house (at the time was my parents house which makes for some fun family drama) with a letter and 2 tickets to a concert that I would have given my left arm to see ( go ahead and laugh...it was the artist formerly known as Prince! Yes, it is true). Needless to say, whether the guy was a creep or a genuine-romeo: letter to the house, overnighted =major kudos. I was a little smitten from day one. Okay, so I did learn from that that a mail-writing (ONCE) type of guy isnt always a mail writer nor even of marrying quality but - hey, you have to live and learn.
Okay, so anyway - if you wish to send me your address I will put you in my list to mail to. It may be nothing profound but it will for sure make your day to have your red flag on themailbox down, the box stuffed and one of the pieces to be a hand written envelope - with YOUR name on it. Natural high - better than many things i can think of and some I have probably yet to experience. Your heart will do somer saults as mine does a few times a week.
I write this because yesterday, not only was there no personal mail. there was nothing. Now, that, my friends, is a sad sad day.

Hey to prove it doesnt take much - our sweet and obviously busy landlord sent us a white piece of computer paper lastnight with this note written in pencil:

Dear Wieuca Girls,
Thank you for being great. Happy Holidays!
Neil

And, yes, it is on the fridge. Maybe a little undeserving of fridge material but it is the thought that counts.

(letter from sister on the way - I have to find one when I get home)

STILL WANTED

This didnt work the first time so I am trying again. I am like Thomas - the little engine that could, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..." (hopefully your dear mothers read this to you as a little munchkin).
What is it that I still want?
ONE SEC TICKET TO SEE THE DAWGS PLAY IN ATLANTA IN T-33 hours. I never ask much of you people so find it within you to pass on your connections to a desperate Dawg fan.
A whole boocoodles of items have been squandered as a reward for your thoughtfulness.
I should have no worries as 2 years ago we road the MARTA bus to the dome because it is smarta and all the obnoxious Dawg fans were selling tickets on the train.
I have faith but any help will not go unnoticed.

Great Discovery

So, through a friend of a friend's blog some one emailed my friend and now they are friends and I wanted to know who the friend originator was and I found him! Mr. Stewart Grace himself! What a great discovery to the world of blogging! Not that I wasnt already addicted to this drug - now I have added yet another great form of mindless entertainment. I foresee an Oprah episode where Blog-addicts like myself (BAA(nonymous) are followed and investigated and they come clean on the show. I mean, isnt that how anyone of stature with a terrible addiction come clean these days? Like yesterday, the gospel singer who wrote Stomp and brought gospel music to a new level confessed his porn addiction but I suppose because it is on Orpah it is viewed not as harshly in the public eye. Did anyone see this? I did because instead of going to work out after I drove all the way to the gym lastnight I decided that I have Thalycemia Anemia (look it up) and I was too tired to function so I went home to my dark house, plopped on the couch and turned on the Tivo only to find gospel man confessing the last 30 years of his life. Wow - this is real stuff.
Anywho - Stu, this knowledge of yet another, meaty, entertaining, relatable blog might put me over the edge.
http://www.stewartgrace.com/stewartgrace/weblog/

She's a riot! Catie can't even sit up straight at this point after one of Kat's classic impersonations.

Kat, FOTW, is to the left of me. Fellas - she is a catch. You must come through me first.  

KAT

FAN OF THE WEEK (FOTW): Katherine Green Coleman......aka: Kat
aka: newest roommate in the Terrace

Kat comes to us from the booming metropolis of Augusta, GA. Many of my buddies in college would refer to Augusta as 'Dis-gusta' but I beg to differ. I like several things about Augusta -
Katherine Coleman
Charlsie and her house on Milledge and the Paine's
The Amish bakery
Very Vera Strawberry Cakes
Blue Star beer at BeesKnees
My brother who is a 1st year in Med School
Leslie H
The Masters every April
The River

But let's talk about the first subject, Kat. Kat, from what I know, is a cloth salesman on the floor of a designer showroom. She is considered the 'Blanche' of the office for those of you Golden Girls fanatics. Kat is really just passing time there I think because soon enough her shower singing talents are going to be picked up by somebody important and she'll be on the first thing that smokes to Hollywood. Or maybe Nasheville - she has more of the N'ville appeal I think.

She wears the perfect short haircut - better than anyone else short hair cut I know. And her naturally red hair just makes you want to know her. Redheads seem to have depth from what I have experienced. You should see a picture of all of her redheaded siblings together. Precious! I secretly want to be in Kat's family. They are all girls, they all have red hair, the go to the farm and play for the weekends and holidays and there's this cute dad that rides on a tractor just to clear things. kat says he likes to clear things. As much as I like to act like I grew up in the backwoods, we all know Marietta, Georgia, even old school Marietta is NOT the backwoods. I will raise my family on land with a house (hopefully with a porch with rocking chairs) and they'll get to go fishing and hunting and climbing trees and such.

So Katherine also does great impressions of people. I can't name names because you may have been one of them but they are great. Always unexpected and they make me snort when I laugh. No one but Katherine makes me truly snort when I laugh. Isn't this hideous? In a way, it is comforting to know I can amuse myself that much but come on - it has gotten to be obnoxious. I used to try to control the weird sounds that may come out of my body but these days - the more obnoxious, the more entertaining. My sister, Mary Lauren, would probably say this is yet another reason why I am single.
I hate the word single. In Mexico they call it 'soltera'. That word has alot more appeal.

Kat also knows how to cook and make a mean pb and j. Everyday at precisely 1:22 she comes home for a whole 18 minutes, makes the perfect pb and j, makes me giggle if I am there and then heads on her merry way.

Katherine is the FOTW for all of these reasons and more that you will have to wait for because I promised myself by 8:45 I would work diligently. It is 8:59. Bye.
Love ya Kat!