Grey? Or Gray?

Tonight, I found my first 2 grey hairs.  I thought maybe I had something shiny in my hair as I work at Pier 1 and I can't leave that store without reflecting light like a disco ball. Alas, it was not holiday glitter, but my first 2 greys appearing extremely close to one another.

So how does this work? Am I supposed to freak out? Initially I was like, "NO! What are these things?! What do I DO?!?!?!" And then I started thinking about how awesome it would be if I went grey only in that one area and I could have an amazingly cool streak in my hair.

I had attributed grey hairs to childbirth in my family. Because that's who has grey hairs. Those with children. Not I! My doggie-child would NEVER incite a color change to my hair! But what about the past year? The stress, the craziness, the change of career, the restarting school? I did just have my interview for a nursing program (I find out Monday if I am accepted). And I can't really keep calm about it right now. Did THAT spark the spark of color? Or lack of color, I guess?

Whatever. I'll let them go for now. Seriously, if they are the beginnings of an super-cool streak, I'm totally on board for that! If not, I'll keep my tweezers handy. Or marker. I already have really thin hair.

Couch to 5K

I'm doing it.  I'm getting off the couch and am going to run, not walk, a 5K in May.  Just started the program, and I'm feeling pretty goo about it so far!  

I've completed 1 day.

So what 5K's are happening in the DFW area in May?  I know the Katy Trail and Disco Run are going on.  Any others that would top those two for my registration?  

I'm only running 1.  Maybe 2.  We'll see how well I'm doing by registration deadlines... :)

Pick Up the Pieces

From The Wreckers' "Leave the Pieces"


And it's alright, yeah I'll be fine
Don't worry about this heart of mine
Just take your love and hit the road.


There's nothing you can do or say
You're gonna break my heart anyway
So just leave the pieces when you go.




It IS alright.  I WILL be fine.  Time to pick up and move on.  I have a tough time marinading in emotion, though I consider myself a pretty emotional person.  So while I'll let myself reminisce and be sad off and on, it's not something I want to wallow in.  So I'll pick up the pieces and put them back together.  

Etsy

Well thanks to my sister Stacy's suggestion, it's happening. I've had an Etsy account for awhile, mostly to purchase unique and fun gifts for my friends and family. They're always a hit! However when Stacy started getting multiple inquiries regarding a beaded bracelet I made, she passed on the idea to sell the things! Well, since I need some more money for France next summer, I'm taking her up on the idea! You can go to my shop, Laughing Soprano, at www.laughingsoprano.etsy.com to view and purchase my crafty creations. Don't worry. There may be 3 items now, but after another trip to the bead store I'm sure the number will grow. Though hopefully not by too much since I'd really like the things to sell rather than sit online the entire time.

Happy Etsy Shopping!

The Perfect Blade

I've decided to start a new blog. No worries. I'm keeping this one. It's mine. This other one is for my doggie tales. I love telling stories about Coda and our expeditions into the city or trips or just our day-to-day comings and goings. But I have found people want to hear more about me than my dog. But I can't stop talking about my dog. My sisters have their children. Friends have their spouses. I have... Coda. And I love her! So I'm going to write our stories down. Read them if you wish. Ignore them if you're not a dog person.

The Perfect Blade

Enjoy.

Memorial Day

On Friday, East students and staff wore red, white, and blue in honor of Memorial Day. My friend Alicia helped me out by picking up a great tee for me!



We have several ties to military at that school, including staff and student's immediate family members who currently serve overseas. We are so thankful they have been safe thus far, and pray for their continued safety. To those who have served and those who are currently serving, thank you.

My family ties to the military...

Pa Dr. Arthur M. Lindsay - US Army
Grandpa John Gabriel - US Army
Grandpa Bob Gehrman - US Army
Cousin Stefan Mueller - US Marine Corps

Katy Trail 5K

So I almost ran a mile. Almost. Had I realized they had signs posted w/times at the mile markers I think I would have kept running. Can you tell I don't participate in these things very often? It was fun though! Great activity with great friends! Gay, Jenny and I enjoyed ourselves! Now I just have to get out there and do some more... 'cause it's high time I started feeling better about myself and exercising! Concert is Thursday, so official workout regime begins next Monday. It's happening, folks. Bring it.

Mother's Weekend

Well thanks to a last minute idea and generous and sharing family, my mom, Bob, Alyse, Jeff, June and I all got to meet up this weekend at the Possum Kingdom Lake Home to celebrate Mother's Day.

I miss my family! My parents are absolutely wonderful people who are so insightful, caring, and loving. It's nice to feel like the kid again rather than the adult in the room. And watching Alyse and Jeff 4 months into their parenthood is so fascinating! What amazing parents they are, and how beautiful a child they have! June is a delight to watch grow! Makes me wish we all lived closer so I could see Finley and the soon-to-be-new nephew as often as I see June (which is not nearly enough as it is!).

We played frisbee golf, ate, rode the four-wheelers, swam, ate, drank, ate, played dominoes, ate, read, and ate wonderful food. I think we all needed the time away from our hectic lives to enjoy one another for a bit and have some fun. Thanks to Bill and Carol for their hospitality in letting us stay out in PK! I leave you with some pictures (even though they're not as clear as one would like - phone camera) of our brief stay...


Orender Lake Home


Scary, crazy, big-a$$ centipede!!! WHERE was The Verminator???


Ahhhh... goats. Much better than the nasty centipede.


Jeff and Baby June. That's right. No other pics of the family. Just June-bug sleeping. I was too busy playing with and holding her.

Doesn't it stink when you want to post something but putting your thoughts out on the web is not the smartest thing to do?

Format

I want my blog to look cute. To look organized. To look like I know what I'm doing! I know, I know... start with Cutest Blog on the Block. But how do you work out the formalities of the format? Mine doesn't seem like it fits "just right". Help!

PS: Yes, I know this means I might actually have to post more than once every 2 months.

Clean Desk

As many of you know, I have a cozy home. If you arrive, you will most likely find it picked up, and if I knew you were coming, the floors would be cleaned and the rugs would be vacuumed. I'm not the most diligent or concerned when it comes to things being "clean". Not that I don't like things that way, but that I'm rather apathetic about the process it takes to get there.

2 weeks ago I vowed to clean my floors. And boy did I! I not only swept and mopped; I got down on my hands and knees and SCRUBBED the tiles. There is no exaggeration, and if you're still reading this, I'll allow you a moment or two to come out of your shock and breathe normally again.

Ready to move on? Good! My task this break? My desk. Some of you are probably surprised to find out I even own a desk! That pile of papers and items in my "office" area? It's not just a pile. It's piled ON TOP of my desk! It's a beautiful desk, too! Cherry colored wood, rounded edges and just enough storage for all the mailing supplies I'll ever require. But you couldn't see it! So, ta-da! I cleaned my desk! At first, it looked like it has for MONTHS...



And then I had to document my progress, because this is BIG STUFF for me!



Now, it's workable! I am sitting at it this very moment, blogging to the world about my clean desk! And no, I did not just take everything and shove it in a closet or under the bed. It's actually PUT AWAY.



I know for most of you this is menial. You keep everything so clean and organized. I'm jealous of you. I know I CAN, I just have so little drive! I know where everything is how to find it. I don't eat germy things (though Mom did tell me once that "dirt is just God's way of seasoning things"). I make sure that when I have guests everything is in order and neatly arranged (mostly - if you're a REALLY good friend, you lose). And I try to keep my chaotic clutter confined to the "office" area of my home. If it had a door, it would be better. Because then I could ignore it all the time.

Ice Day!

So really I'm just blogging to inform you all that I'm safe and sound indoors, warm, and that I didn't fall when I took Coda on a walk/slide earlier this morning. Thankfully watching her attempt to avoid any flat surface kept me entertained and distracted me from the 1 degree wind chill I was out in. Her cute 'little' paws spread as wide as they could go, and it took her awhile to find a 'spot'. I'm guessing because 1) she couldn't smell the grass and 2) she was so focused on finding a place she could securely stand whilst going about her business.

So now that I've updated you on her 'business' and my warmth, I'm going to debate being productive at home. Like I should be. I'm sure I will be... right? Right.

Christmas

Well Christmas 2010 is over. Are presents put away? The tree down? Clothes washed and folded from the trip? No. 'No' is the answer to every question. I have slept in this morning, run errands, and started The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson. And Coda has slept all day. It's been beautiful. Christmas was small numbers this year. Just me, Mom and Bobbert. I headed out to Albuquerque and had a great time talking, shopping, and skiing Sandia! Mom and I had a blast. And Bob? Well he got sick. So he was out. Then he went to Minnesota. So he was still out. Boooo! Thankfully everyone has returned home safely and healthily! A couple of pics for you... I took very few, so sorry. ;)

From Coda

En route to ABQ, Coda did well!

From Drop Box

And I remembered I need to steal this from my mother one day.

From Family

But then I felt better because the animals only ate 3 of the 1000 pieces of our annual Christmas puzzle! Huzzah!

Merry Christmas!

Minimize

I finally ousted the begonia vine, empty boxes, and roman column that have been taking up precious space in my home. And I discovered something after putting up only a few things back on top of the bookshelf. It looks great in here without so much STUFF. How do you accumulate so many things throughout a lifetime? And mine's not even 30 years old! There are boxes I have that I haven't opened in YEARS. And I can't bring myself to just toss them. Some have horses I played with as a child. I want them for my future children. Some have books I have read - or haven't yet. Will I ever read them again, or for that matter, at all if I haven't yet? WHY do I feel the need to keep so many things that are not needed? A reminder of my past? REALLY??? I feel like things are so much better now than they have ever been - why hold onto so much? So I'm going to simplify. If something tugs at my heart, I'll keep it. But if I don't even remember it to begin with? It's gone. This is my goal. To simplify. To minimize. To reduce my stress and calm my soul in a home I can relax in and love to be in. To reduce my material possessions in an effort to accomplish this goal.

And then I won't have so much stuff to pack the next time I move. =)

It's All Good

From my last post, and from those of you who have been in contact with me the past week and a half, you might think, 'Ummm... that's not what you've been saying'. And you're right. I've had a tough time looking on the bright side lately. But today was a wake-up call to all the good and positive things I have going in my life. So let's review THOSE and not the other things. :)

*I have wonderful parents. They check in on me, offer support, love me, know what to say and when, and all in all, are there for me. WhenEVER I need them. They provide a loving atmosphere in which I get to learn, explore, and be ME. And that's tough for me. Being ME hasn't always been easy. And while I've been able to do a much better job of it the past few years, it's still a struggle. But not around them.

*I have fabulous sisters. Growing up, living with a family of girls was difficult. Because we weren't the same. In almost every way we were different from one another, and that was tough. I think I basically lived my secondary years at school partially to avoid conflict with them. I'm not good with it. And they are. Not in a bad way, they have always been much more comfortable and confident in their opinions and beliefs, and I envy that. But now that we're grown, I try to NOT avoid it. Their opinions are so valuable to me, and I LOVE that we are different. I enjoy telling people how my "blended" family doesn't feel "blended" and how the 4 of us are so very different, and yet still try to remain close. While we may not be as close to one another as we would like, I know they've got my back. And I've got theirs. They expand my knowledge and open my eyes to things I would otherwise have missed.

*My friends are... there for me. I'm sure some of you have known what it's like to feel like you are the outsider in a group. I know I have. A lot. But I don't now. I know my group(s) of friends are there when I need them and I can count on them. This was my wake-up call today. I listened to a voice message today telling me that if I needed anything I could call on her and that I was loved. And I could tell her the same thing. And others. In multiple areas of my life. How awesome is it to know that no matter where I turn, I have friends who will be there for me and tell it to me like it is - difficult or not.

*My school is the BEAST. Friendships from the previous paragraph were formed here. And where most schools divide into cliques like the students we teach, ours is a family. Sure, we have out groups, but there isn't one person in that building I would go talk to or just stop in to say hello. Oh yeah, and they've totally helped me build my program. Almost 170 kiddos at last count for this upcoming year!!!

*St. B's is a great church home. And I know they'll probably rope me into it again for saying this, but VBS did wonders for getting to know people OUTSIDE of the church choir and their families. It was awesome to make so many new connections.

*I have a great home. Really thankful for the location and place itself.

*My dog rocks. I know this goes without saying, but I really do think I have a great dog in Coda. She's just a GOOD DOG. I couldn't ask for a better doggy companion. Especially after she's put up with me being sick on the couch for over a week. We were finally able to play a little in the empty lot nearby tonight. And then we had to stop when she took off after a little chihuahua mix. :/

So life is good. There are stumbling blocks and there are rough times. But you can always find something that is a positive. And more often than not, I can find more than one. So I leave you with a video my mother sent her girls. It pretty much sums it up.

Warning: Vent Session

This is my venting. The urge just sort of hit me, and it's actually kind of nice to put it out in the open. Don't read it if you don't want to. It's more for me to get out than anything else.

-------------------------------

I feel like I've been taken advantage of. From all aspects of this stupid car wreck (the other car? UNINSURED.) including the rental company, body shop, the OTHER insurance company (which isn't going to matter here)... the only good thing? MY insurance company is doing its job. Thank goodness. But really?? Everyone else?? I JUST WANT IT FIXED.

My old apartment complex. You want me to pay for new carpet? I lived there 6 months, and gave you a deposit as well as a pet deposit. I don't think I owe you anything. So you're next on my list to take down.

My ex. Without going into all the embarrassingly agonizing details, I wish the lightbulb would have gone on sooner in my brain. So now I'll be that much MORE skeptical of someone I might possibly have a relation with. Because he's still messing with my - we'll keep this family friendly - stuff.

And me? I'm compliant. Too much so. I know this, have known it, and probably will struggle with it my entire life. I have a feeling this next year I'm really going to have to stand up for myself and what I need. It's going to be a rude awakening. Professionally and personally.

So I'm going to PK tomorrow afternoon to enjoy my aunts and my mother. Thank goodness for amazing women in my life who I can look to and find support in. That includes my sisters and my friends. Because Lord knows where I'd be without them! Probably not in as good a place as I am.

Nature in the Big City

I am constantly amazed at the number of natural elements I find living in the city rather than the suburbs. Sure, you have your normal squirrels, chipmunks (or ground squirrels), grackles, pigeons, etc. But now that I live IN Dallas, I have seen more wildlife and a vast array of trees and plantlife. From the opposums to the snails (big as I've ever seen!) to the variety of mushrooms - ones that look like parasols, neon green, even one that I thought was a white rock until I realized Coda was sniffing it and it was a fungus. I am constantly amazed. There are more birds here than the suburbs. More cardinals, more blue jays, more robins... And more trees! No one is plowing up vast acres of land to plant the same tree 50 times and say it's a "wooded" lot! There are vines everywhere. Flowers along the roadside and the residents take great pride in their landscaping. Mostly. I am more drawn to walk around and take in everything here than I was living in Grapevine, Irving, Frisco... all the suburbs just don't seem to offer the same unique, and yet familiar, landscape I enjoy. Kudos to the people here for bringing and maintaining the natural landscape you wouldn't think to find in Big D.

Sunday

I am ready to be in Colorado with my family. I'm on break, right? I STILL feel like I have ALL THIS STUFF to do! Colorado means I can relax and enjoy my siblings, my niece, my parents, and all the activities or non-activities I wish!

So Sunday... GET HERE.

God Bless

FINALLY

An update! I've moved to Oak Lawn! It's a community in Dallas, just north of Uptown. LOVE IT. The people are friendly, the area is green, and I have easy access to highways, food, and friends. The latter two are extremely important. :)

So I will post pics of the new place soon. Right now I just can't find my camera from the move. But if I put off posting any longer, you'll all have thought I'd disappeared off the planet!

Other exciting things? My choir program is growing like crazy next year! I have 79 students currently. Or did before school let out. Next year? 180!!! How crazy is that?!?!? I am really looking forward to finally teaching Choir, and only Choir! I will miss the time with the administrators at lunch duty, and the hecticness that is Yearbook, but CHOIR! This is what I'm SUPPOSED to teach! So I'm happy!

ANOTHER exciting thing? I get to go on vacation with my family in a few weeks! Time to enjoy horseback riding, hiking, and the mountains of Colorado. I am REALLY looking forward to seeing my sisters, my parents, and my NIECE. Love that cutie pie!

So as soon as I get pictures uploaded, you can see the new place for yourselves. It's very, "Kate". :)