Friday, December 6, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Summertime Favorites
According to the view outside my window, summer is officially gone. We were lucky to have beautiful weather for a whopping 4 months instead of 3 this year in the Pacific Northwest! Now its rain time, which doesn't exactly bother me. I don't mind sweaters and rain boots, not one bit.
So before all the leaves turn, I'll pass on my favorite things from the past few months.
Until next time....
Cheers,
KB
So before all the leaves turn, I'll pass on my favorite things from the past few months.
- Apparently I am a minimalist runner. I have been wearing these shoes for a while now, but they have officially changed my views on running. After grad school and my first year without cheerleading, it was painfully obvious my body needed some cardio. But my shin splints were so bad I could only run paths where grass was available to soften the blow to my knees. Treadmills were out of the question. So I bought these Brooks shoes, and after slowly building mileage, I am running and training towards my first half marathon next year!
- It's called Noosa Yoghurt. "Aussie style" yogurt that is now a staple in our refrigerator. I tried it on a whim and now I don't have to waste my money on Yoplait Light that tastes like fake sugar. Not a diet food, but definitely satisfies my post-meal dessert cravings.
- Orange is the New Black. In a household without cable, Netflix saves my life. This series is only on Netflix and it is sooooo good! With AB gone its important I have things to look forward to, and one episode/day of an entertaining show. Too bad the second season doesn't start until 2014, nooooo!
- Once I started consistently running, eating more vegetables than pieces of chocolate, and really paying attention to my life choices, AB got me a little device called a FitBit! It tracks my steps and sleep patterns, and with the help of the iPhone app, I can monitor water intake, calories and activity level. Even on days where I don't have time to enter each bottle of water consumed, its a conscious reminder to get movin!
- Finally, at the end of the summer I decided to make a change and commit to something I have wanted to do but maybe didn't have the courage to do in the past. I cut off 11 inches of my hair and donated it to Locks of Love. I've always been the girl with the long, thick hair, so letting that go was more challenging than I thought. I did it as a surprise to the husband, for him to see when he came home after a couple months of training, and that made it an exciting and happy experience.
Until next time....
Cheers,
KB
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Things you learn about people
friend \'frend\ noun
The dictionary makes it sound so simple (with the exception of that Quaker thing). Friends like each other. Yet, this word has become far more complex to me in recent years than I could have ever predicted.
I have probably hinted before that moving to Seattle was a difficult transition for me, not because of the location, but because of the people. They are a different breed up here. I won't waste too much time explaining, however there is a stark contrast between the welcoming, wave-at-passersby Midwest, and the "Seattle Freeze" of the Northwest. (That's really a term, Google it!) Perhaps I had taken it for granted back home, but kindness from strangers, now, sadly, takes me by surprise. Don't get me wrong, this is a beautiful part of the country I am lucky to reside in, but there are trade-offs.
Throughout my life I have had many friends, twice as many acquaintances, with only a few being specially close to me. That is how I like it, but even then, sometimes ya get burned. Close high school friends fell out of the loop when I went to a college that wasn't KU or KSU *GASP! SHOCK! OH NO SHE DIDN'T* College and grad school friends seemed too inconvenienced to chat when I moved to work 1.5 hours away. And you can guess what moving to the opposite end of the country would do. But this blog is not about the people who dropped out of my life because of petty mileage. It is for the ones who love me enough to pick up the phone every once in a while.
Thank you. To those of you who opened your schedules and your home to me while I visited this weekend, thank you! The ones who send a text, or call just to say hello, thank you! My amazing husband surrounded himself with some equally amazing people throughout his life, most of whom have adopted me into their circle, thank you! Anybody who is as energetic and passionate about my goals, marriage and daily-going-ons as I am, thank you! And for the few of you here in Washington that I trust and adore, thank you for reminding me that kind people still exist in the PacNW.
I have made it a daily goal to try to encourage the hearts and minds of people I deem true friends, and it is refreshing and inspiring to have that reciprocated. RainyCat and I spend a lot of time bein' independent ladies, but it is nice to have others to lean on, even if they aren't right down the street.
So here's my message for those of you who do have many friends who are close in proximity to you: It is A GIFT to have good friends that live in the same town! Cherish your favored companions.
Some day we will settle down in the countryside of Stillwater, Oklahoma with all of our comrades as our next door neighbors, but until then, thank you to you guys who make me feel like I am right there with ya, in your hearts, when I can't be by your side.
Cheers,
KB
1: one attached to another by affection or esteem
2: one that is not hostile
3: one that favors or promotes something (as a charity)
4: a favored companion
5 capitalized : a member of a Christian sect that stresses Inner Light, rejects sacraments and an ordained ministry, and opposes war —called also Quaker
The dictionary makes it sound so simple (with the exception of that Quaker thing). Friends like each other. Yet, this word has become far more complex to me in recent years than I could have ever predicted.
I have probably hinted before that moving to Seattle was a difficult transition for me, not because of the location, but because of the people. They are a different breed up here. I won't waste too much time explaining, however there is a stark contrast between the welcoming, wave-at-passersby Midwest, and the "Seattle Freeze" of the Northwest. (That's really a term, Google it!) Perhaps I had taken it for granted back home, but kindness from strangers, now, sadly, takes me by surprise. Don't get me wrong, this is a beautiful part of the country I am lucky to reside in, but there are trade-offs.
Throughout my life I have had many friends, twice as many acquaintances, with only a few being specially close to me. That is how I like it, but even then, sometimes ya get burned. Close high school friends fell out of the loop when I went to a college that wasn't KU or KSU *GASP! SHOCK! OH NO SHE DIDN'T* College and grad school friends seemed too inconvenienced to chat when I moved to work 1.5 hours away. And you can guess what moving to the opposite end of the country would do. But this blog is not about the people who dropped out of my life because of petty mileage. It is for the ones who love me enough to pick up the phone every once in a while.
Thank you. To those of you who opened your schedules and your home to me while I visited this weekend, thank you! The ones who send a text, or call just to say hello, thank you! My amazing husband surrounded himself with some equally amazing people throughout his life, most of whom have adopted me into their circle, thank you! Anybody who is as energetic and passionate about my goals, marriage and daily-going-ons as I am, thank you! And for the few of you here in Washington that I trust and adore, thank you for reminding me that kind people still exist in the PacNW.
I have made it a daily goal to try to encourage the hearts and minds of people I deem true friends, and it is refreshing and inspiring to have that reciprocated. RainyCat and I spend a lot of time bein' independent ladies, but it is nice to have others to lean on, even if they aren't right down the street.
So here's my message for those of you who do have many friends who are close in proximity to you: It is A GIFT to have good friends that live in the same town! Cherish your favored companions.
Some day we will settle down in the countryside of Stillwater, Oklahoma with all of our comrades as our next door neighbors, but until then, thank you to you guys who make me feel like I am right there with ya, in your hearts, when I can't be by your side.
Cheers,
KB
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Wooooo!
PARDON ME while I dust off this computer! I know I am not the most consistent blogger, like, at all, but GIMINY CHRISTMAS, time just got away from us there.
Since we last spoke, a wedding reception has taken place, we navigated our first holiday season together, lots of new memories made, friendships lost, better friends acquired, Air Force awards won, dogs trained and many new Rainy tricks of course.
So let me take this opportunity to illustrate the past 7 months of our very happy lives for you!
There is our fall season! Full of love and crisp air and SUPER CAT and letting the stores of Vitamin D from Jamaica drain from our body. No pictures from Thanksgiving....we had TV dinners....not joking.
And it the class of Thanksgiving wasn't enough, there you have, exhibit B, our Christmas tree. A branch from one of our neighbors real trees that I found in our parking garage! It did the job, held ornaments and even smelled nice. Painting pumpkins that we still had from fall was one of my favorite projects.
The groom's gift I got for Andrew was an inflatable kayak. It has proven to be an investment in FUN and now that the weather is warming up (weather pictured above was NOT warm), it is definitely getting some mileage. We see seals each time we take it out, and even the occasional Minke whale!There are lots of "marine trails" in Puget Sound for man-powered vessels, as well as special campsites for us non-motor folks.
Had a splendid time with my lil sister and her boyfrand when they came to visit! They had both explored downtown Seattle in previous visits so we concentrated on the Tacoma side of things. Showed her airplanes on base, took them kayaking, went on hikes, saw Elf on Broadway, rang in the New Year, cooked a lot of food, what more could you ask for?
Tulip festival in Mt. Vernon, WA.
Dock dogs competition at the spring fair in Puyallup, WA.
What a great few months it has been, I look forward to keeping you all up to date on a more regular basis! This blog has been through a lot of exciting times with me, I went from a girlfriend moving across the country for a guy, to a fiance, now a wife. Tomorrow we celebrate ONE YEAR of marriage. I cannot believe it. I kind of don't believe it....he was gone so much in the beginning I still feel like I am trying to catch up on the newlywed time. Good thing we have the rest of our lives! Until next time...
Cheers,
KB
Since we last spoke, a wedding reception has taken place, we navigated our first holiday season together, lots of new memories made, friendships lost, better friends acquired, Air Force awards won, dogs trained and many new Rainy tricks of course.
So let me take this opportunity to illustrate the past 7 months of our very happy lives for you!
And a fun time was had by all :) What a great few days we had with our close friends and family. I would elaborate, but I have a whole post dedicated to the reception and some tips for anybody and their future wedding endeavors...keep an eye out!
And it the class of Thanksgiving wasn't enough, there you have, exhibit B, our Christmas tree. A branch from one of our neighbors real trees that I found in our parking garage! It did the job, held ornaments and even smelled nice. Painting pumpkins that we still had from fall was one of my favorite projects.
The groom's gift I got for Andrew was an inflatable kayak. It has proven to be an investment in FUN and now that the weather is warming up (weather pictured above was NOT warm), it is definitely getting some mileage. We see seals each time we take it out, and even the occasional Minke whale!There are lots of "marine trails" in Puget Sound for man-powered vessels, as well as special campsites for us non-motor folks.
Had a splendid time with my lil sister and her boyfrand when they came to visit! They had both explored downtown Seattle in previous visits so we concentrated on the Tacoma side of things. Showed her airplanes on base, took them kayaking, went on hikes, saw Elf on Broadway, rang in the New Year, cooked a lot of food, what more could you ask for?
Tulip festival in Mt. Vernon, WA.
Dock dogs competition at the spring fair in Puyallup, WA.
What a great few months it has been, I look forward to keeping you all up to date on a more regular basis! This blog has been through a lot of exciting times with me, I went from a girlfriend moving across the country for a guy, to a fiance, now a wife. Tomorrow we celebrate ONE YEAR of marriage. I cannot believe it. I kind of don't believe it....he was gone so much in the beginning I still feel like I am trying to catch up on the newlywed time. Good thing we have the rest of our lives! Until next time...
Cheers,
KB
Sunday, September 30, 2012
September Favorites
Ahhhhh, FALL IS IN THE AIR! September and October are my favorites in and of themselves- the weather, the smells, that one dressing up holiday, the sweaters, the rain boots. Lighting a pumpkin spice candle is my happiness. I suppose I can highlight some more specific favorites so you can try them out as well....
Cheers,
KB
- Newest career adventure. That's me....working. Yep. Rough. Dog training is something I will be able to take with me wherever we are stationed, unlike zoo keeping. **Eventually I see myself doing private lessons, and once we settle down, I would like to run a kennel to take care of the beloved fur children of military men and women when they deploy** I work with an extremely supportive, amazingly talented team, who have taken me under their wing and want to teach me as much as I can soak up! What a blessing! Have any dog questions? Ask and I would love to give you some pointers
- I would like to be a yogi. Last year I was intrigued by a 70 year old woman who strolled into the gym, quietly took a spot in the corner and for the next hour, proceeded to stand on her head, stretch her leg up to her ears, and bend over backwards with the greatest of ease. Holy moses. When I say 70, I mean at least 70. She could have been 80 or 97 for all I know, but she was amazing. Not wanting to miss out on the benefits of being a future elderly bendy person, I tried something new. I neglected to add it to my bloggery, but throughout July and August, I was taking an introductory intensive to the world of Yoga. Originally I had thought it a way to battle my severe case of self-diagnosed exercise A.D.D; it would be a new and interesting way to work out. Ehhh, almost. More like a stretchy, breathing, wooo sahhhh, soul workout. The way I feel after a yoga class is, in a word, taller.Yes a very relaxed tall person. I must admit, I am not good at practicing yoga on my own. Something to work on though!
- There we are, walking into an eternity of fun. Reception time is eerily close. Tough to believe all the planning will actually come together! No matter what the weather is like, how many candles are lit, or how the cake tastes, it will still be a glorious celebration of our new baby marriage. Ok, the cake tasting good is actually important, never mind that one. Friends and family, food, booze, dancing, fancy clothes, pre-reception beer olympics. I don't think there is anything better to be excited about! Our wedding reception just so happens to be the same weekend as my Alma mater's homecoming......hmmm....all I have to say is SORRY SOUTHWESTERN, your 12 months of scrupulous planning will pale in comparison to the party we're about to have. Good luck with the football game and all, but, yea, our wedding parties alone are crazily awesome, so you add some lively wedding guests, and that's an unbeatable combo! :) for us :( for you
- Febreeze "Falling leaves and spice." I am not sure who concocted what a leaf smells like when it falls, or why it needed spices added to it. Nevertheless. If you love fall, buy it, spray it, love it. It has to be good, it made the list.
Cheers,
KB
Thursday, September 20, 2012
I is for Impatient Winos Eat Grapes.
Working together for a year created one of the closest friendships I have ever known. We get into trouble together, grow into adults together, support each other, and LAUGH. All the time.
My little love, Laurel and I enjoy spending our time dishing out one-liners, inappropriate jokes, and reciting Mitch Hedberg quotes, verbatim. But when I moved to Washington, we had to change all of our friendship activities into textual conversations and Skype chats.
As an engagement present to themselves, Matt and Laurel came to visit us! (OK so maybe it was to see their family who just so happened to live in Washington, but whatev to that!) (And it takes too long to call you Laurel and Matt, so I'm getting a head start: you are now and forever The Stacys. Better start accepting it now.)
Sometimes when you haven't seen a friend in a while, it might be weird to get back in the swing of things, and other times you pick up where you left off :) That's how you know you've got a keeper! Here's some photographic deets on our time together...
Days filled with food, drink, ocean, and shooting virtual animals trying to kill you. HELLOOO, what else is there to do in life?
Laurel and I smashed the scores of our husband and future husband. Apparently, military men and cops do not use Cabela's Big Game Hunter to practice gun skills.
Welcome to our backyard you little engaged love beasts!
They brought the Oklahoma sun with them! One of the hottest days of the year while they visited. (90 is HOT AS HELL for Tacoma)
Stacy Family beginnings. All you need is Jadepup and some fancier clothes and that's a straight up wedding photo no?
The Underground Tour in Seattle is a great, and humorous history lesson about the city. I was glad to go on the tour for the third time, because they were there! Oh ya Andrew too :)
Vonn's in Downtown Seattle. A favorite spot for people who like to get drunk for $3. The place is famous for their house martinis...but the girls got the $10 drinks instead of drinking diesel fuel.
I asked her to show off her ring and this is what she came up with....
We look ridiculous. Too busy to slow down and smile normally.
Andrew and I had a magnificent time with the Stacys, however my excitement only increases with each passing day since we will be reunited in Kansas SO SOON. To wrap it up, here are some closing words/explanations on Laurel and Kelsey's Greatest Hits.
1) Have you ever heard of Mitch Hedberg? If not, get on our level. He is the silver lining to cloudy days, the umbrella to our tropical drink, the duck to our Subway sandwich. Want some of our favorite jokes? Here. *Warning: It's best to hear Mitch, because his comedic timing is...just perfectly awesome. Too bad he died.
My little love, Laurel and I enjoy spending our time dishing out one-liners, inappropriate jokes, and reciting Mitch Hedberg quotes, verbatim. But when I moved to Washington, we had to change all of our friendship activities into textual conversations and Skype chats.
As an engagement present to themselves, Matt and Laurel came to visit us! (OK so maybe it was to see their family who just so happened to live in Washington, but whatev to that!) (And it takes too long to call you Laurel and Matt, so I'm getting a head start: you are now and forever The Stacys. Better start accepting it now.)
Sometimes when you haven't seen a friend in a while, it might be weird to get back in the swing of things, and other times you pick up where you left off :) That's how you know you've got a keeper! Here's some photographic deets on our time together...
Days filled with food, drink, ocean, and shooting virtual animals trying to kill you. HELLOOO, what else is there to do in life?
Laurel and I smashed the scores of our husband and future husband. Apparently, military men and cops do not use Cabela's Big Game Hunter to practice gun skills.
Welcome to our backyard you little engaged love beasts!
They brought the Oklahoma sun with them! One of the hottest days of the year while they visited. (90 is HOT AS HELL for Tacoma)
Stacy Family beginnings. All you need is Jadepup and some fancier clothes and that's a straight up wedding photo no?
The Underground Tour in Seattle is a great, and humorous history lesson about the city. I was glad to go on the tour for the third time, because they were there! Oh ya Andrew too :)
Vonn's in Downtown Seattle. A favorite spot for people who like to get drunk for $3. The place is famous for their house martinis...but the girls got the $10 drinks instead of drinking diesel fuel.
I asked her to show off her ring and this is what she came up with....
We look ridiculous. Too busy to slow down and smile normally.
Andrew and I had a magnificent time with the Stacys, however my excitement only increases with each passing day since we will be reunited in Kansas SO SOON. To wrap it up, here are some closing words/explanations on Laurel and Kelsey's Greatest Hits.
1) Have you ever heard of Mitch Hedberg? If not, get on our level. He is the silver lining to cloudy days, the umbrella to our tropical drink, the duck to our Subway sandwich. Want some of our favorite jokes? Here. *Warning: It's best to hear Mitch, because his comedic timing is...just perfectly awesome. Too bad he died.
I was gonna get a candy bar; the button I was supposed to push was "HH", so I went to the side, I found the "H" button, I pushed it twice. Fuckin'...potato chips came out, man, because they had an "HH" button for Christ's sake! You need to let me know. I'm not familiar with the concept of "HH". I did not learn my AA-BB-CC's. God god. Dammit dammit.
I met a girl who works at the Double Tree front desk, she gave me her phone number. It's zero. I tried to call her from here and some other woman answered. I said: "You sound older!"
My hotel doesn't have a 13th Floor because of superstition, but c'mon man...people on the 14th Floor, you know what floor you're really on. "What room are you in?" "14.01". "No, you're not. Jump out of window, you'll die earlier!".
Imagine being killed by a bow and arrow. That would suck, an arrow killed you? They would never solve the crime. "Look at that dead guy. Let's go that way."
I mostly included that because I know Laurel is sitting at her computer reading those out loud in her best M.H. voice. I even included italics and bolds and underliners so you, too, can put the emPHAsis, on the right syllABle.
2) I have loved James Taylor since the day I was born. I remember watching him on Sesame Street. One day while reminiscing about the days of yore we YouTubed one of his old school performances, and could not stop laughing. JAMES WHY ARE YOU SHUSHING THE CHILDREN?
3) THIS little monkey made such an impact on the Stacys while they were here, that they wanted their very own! I didn't know Rainy had so much power over others. Must be the hypnotizing eyeballs. Oh yea, and the new cat's middle name is JellyManKelly. Win.
Until next time.....yakka yakka yakka
Cheers,
KB
Friday, August 31, 2012
Summer Favorites
Since I seem to be horrible at blogging consistently, I've crammed June, July and August's favorites into their own post. Here's what I have favored these past few gorgeous months in Washington!
Until next time.....
Cheers,
KB
- Plain greek yogurt. Once I tried to add fruit to it and eat it as regular yogurt. Sick. Don't do it. I do however use it for a VARIETY of other things and it is SO GREAT. Instead of butter, sour cream, cream cheese, heavy cream, basically anything that is bad for you, but tastes good, try greek yogurt instead! I've recently even made chocolate muffins with greek yogurt instead of butter and eggs and milk. They still turned out yummy!
- Check out this uke. Decided to pick up this new lil hobby with one of my favorite friends, Kim. This month I had one of those times in life where I was forgetting about the big picture; getting caught up in petty drama of small-minded people. So Kim and I took a day to watch the sun set behind the Olympic Mountains, listen to waves crash and have ever-so-philosophical conversations about what was really important in life. Somewhere in these talks, we pictured ourselves forming a ukulele band, playing on the beach. One week later, ukuleles were purchased and I can now add it to my jack of all trades list :) I'll let you know how this goes....
- An herb garden that actually grows stuff! Yes friends, it is true. We grew plants from seeds! I harvested one batch of parsley and cilantro and have been using fresh basil leaves and green onions while I cook. How Northwesty is that??
- Washington summertime in general. Filled with warm days, temperate evenings, Mariner's baseball games, grilling, long walks, fresh smells, local produce and if I'm lucky, experiencing those things with my husband. Maybe I'll be luckier in autumn? Keep your fingers crossed.
Until next time.....
Cheers,
KB
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