OH MY GOODNESS! I just want to pinch those cheeks!

Movin' on Up

In exactly 16 hours the movers are arriving to transport all my crap from the old apartment to the new one. So far I have 18 boxes locked and loaded and ready to go. How does one young woman collect so much stuff? I really am working on the purging process. I have a car load to take to good will tonight. When I realize the reality of my closet situation at the new place I'm going to have to take another load - OR! - all my friends can just come by my apartment and glean my clothes and shoes. It will be like an open house except you can take things with you. BUT DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY NEW PINK AND BLACK VIA SPIGA HEELS!

I'm excited about beginning something new. But I'm also sad to leave a place that has housed so many wonderful memories. I don't say it enough but I am a blessed girl.

Dance Rehearsal

Pulled a Hammy

What 31 year old in her right mind agrees to pop into the splits at the end of a dance routine? Apparently me. I was a gymnast for eight years and cheered in high school for a couple of years. In other words, I'm flexible. I'm pretty impressed with the flexibility that remains as the toe touches and splits become less frequent...and there's the fact that I'm getting older. I am getting...just say it...olllllderrrrr. Ugh. The pulled hammy basically sealed that deal.

Rehearsal last night was one of the more hilarious rehearsals I've ever experienced. I showed up and they told me to make up a dance and teach it to them right then and there. Ooookay. I busted out every cheesy, raunchy dance move I could think of at the time. I don't know if the audience will laugh as hard as we did last night but I'm thinking it might be a hit...or a cringer; you just don't know.

I'll post a few pictures that were taken when I upload them from my camera.

And the reason that a pulled hammy is so sad? I'm supposed to run a half-marathon in 10 days. Pray y'all. PRAY!

Spring Finally Hit Chicago

This weekends schedule:

• Wake up
• Pack
• Apply sunscreen
• Bike
• Get sunburned
• Apply sunscreen
• Drink water
• Count new freckles
• Sleep
• Wake up
• Pack
• Apply sunscreen
• Play tennis
• Apply sunscreen
• Bike
• Get sunburned
• Drink water
• Connect freckles with a line to recreate constellations

And I loved every minute of it.

Aqua Naturale Per Favore

I've been drinking more water today than I have in a long time. There are two reasons for this behavior:

1) My friend just told me she had kidney stones because she wasn't drinking enough water and was extremely dehydrated. Kidney stones = fear.

2) I'm extremely bored at work and going to the kitchen to refill my cup gives me the opportunity to walk around, talk with people, and step away from the little black box that is slowly sucking the life out of me.

Drinking lots of water is good for you, right? My coworker, Erin, just informed me that a woman died the other day from drinking too much water. I'll probably make the news later this week as the next woman to die from drinking too much water. Thank you job-in-a-cubicle.

World Vision

Online shopping is as much trouble as it is fun (hence the two pairs of shoes that arrived at the office yesterday). But now you can do some good in the world when you online shop! Ever wanted to buy a goat? A well? Fishing supplies? All of these things can help support families and communities in need.

World Vision is an incredible organization. I've been supporting children in impoverished nations through World Vision since I was a freshman in college. Visit this website to learn more about opportunities for you to help. It doesn't take much!

Power of Shoes

I'm a shoe addict. Occasionally I'll even call myself a shoe-whore. Those are strong words for a strong obsession. I recently bought two pairs of shoes online. I was having a crappy day and then voila! The shoes arrive! It's sad how I got such a pick-me-up from a silly pair of shoes.

The movers came on Sunday to do an estimate of how much it will cost to move me. The guy kept repeating over and over "I'm so glad I'm a guy. Look at all your clothes and shoes!" Yeah, well everyone has their vices! Yes my closet did snap in half a while back, but it hasn't broken since - thanks to extra bracing. It's my goal to purge my closet and my apartment this week to shock the movers at how much less stuff I have than they originally thought. I just feel bad for giving something away; it's like I'm abandoning it or something. I need to get over it already!

My second pair of shoes arrived. The day just keeps getting better and better! It's a sickness. I need help.

Grammar Geek

As a junior in college I still hadn't decided what I wanted to do with my life. (Obviously nothing's changed.) My school counselor told me that if I was going to graduate on time I needed to decide on a major. My problem was that I wanted to do it all! (Again, nothing's changed.) I needed a little help and took an eight hour long aptitude test to help give me direction. After two days of testing they came back to me and decided that they couldn't figure me out. WHAT?! If these "experts" couldn't figure me out how on earth was I supposed to understand myself?

This very large man, who loved to hear himself talk and talk and talk, told me that I would probably be in school the rest of my life. I DON'T THINK SO!

It turns out he may have been correct. Yesterday at work we had a writing workshop where we focused on grammar for five hours: commas, semi-colons, and colons. (Please don't look at my blog for immaculate grammar. I know it's horrible.) Most people would have been bored out of their minds. I kind of geeked out and enjoyed it. It was almost as if I was reliving the 8th grade without the braces, perm and big bangs.

Tragedy

This breaks my heart. My prayers and thoughts go out to all those affected by this tragedy.

Me! In a Film!

I just got this email:

Hi Katy,

I am excited to tell you that you have been selected for the part of Jennifer in the film "Families".

I will be contacting you soon with a shooting schedule. Please contact me with any questions that you have. Thank you and I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

JoAnna

Me! In a film! Yes it's a student film but I don't care! It's the big break I've been waiting for! I'll be paid with potbelly sandwiches and water. What more could a girl want?

FYI, it is a short film that none of you will ever see. Two words: Resume Builder.

Dear Man Wearing Short Shorts at the Gym:

I think it's great that you feel confident about your legs and want to show them off a little at the gym. Heck, come summertime I might even sport a pair of shorts. I need to work on my tan first. The glare is just too distracting.

My problem begins with the different exercises you choose to do in your short shorts. Let's call them flyaway shorts. You know, the kind really skinny marathoners wear? Do you remember when you put a mat on the floor facing the mirror and layed on your back while holding an extended right leg in the air while the left one remained flat on the ground? You don't? Well I do. In fact it has scarred me for life.

As the voice of our generation, Gunther from Friends, once said, "Keep the mouse in the house buddy. This is a family place."

Family Photo

I stole this picture from Paula's website. You can see the infamous blue jeans on my dad. They actually don't look too bad in this picture. It must be Paula's fine photographic skills. I love this picture and can't wait to see the rest!

Heavy: It's Official

See it to believe it.

Easter Fun

This weekend was so fabulous! It was almost as if the hours had been extended to make my stay feel longer. And another thing was confirmed this weekend: I have the dorkiest family in the world. IN THE WORLD! What other family goes Easter Egg Hunting...for the adults?! Sings their favorite 90's tunes while circled around a guitar player? Plays on the new jungle jim just built for the kids who are to small to play on it? Are you beginning to see why I am the way I am? It's fabulous!

I'll post mostly pictures from the weekend but I must tell my favorite story first. Some of you know that when we were younger we called my dad Mr. Cheap. Our neighbor, whose spiritual gift is roasting, once told a group of people that my dad is so cheap that when his daughter broke her arm he took her to the airport to get an x-ray. This definitely isn't true. And he is the most generous man I know. You may also know that my dad does not wear jeans. He refuses. He owns one pair of jeans from 1978 that we would borrow for our high school's Homecoming Week 70's day. He only wears "jogging suits." He looks nice in them and he finds them comfortable. Well my mom emailed us and said that we would be taking a professional family picture on Easter Sunday. We have not done this since I was in second grade. The attire of jeans and a white top were required. My dad said, "Can't I just stand in the back and wear what I always wear?" Seriously dad. Mom suggested that she go and buy him a pair of jeans. No, he wanted to do it himself. So he bought a pair of blue jeans...from Walmart. These were serious tractor riding BLUE blue jeans. But he bought them...and wore them. Then while being asked to sit on a dirty stone staircase he said, "Aw man, now I can't return these to Walmart!" I know I'll never see those jeans again.

He's so tiny! We snuggled for hours and even took a nap together.

Carpool Ballad

As you might know, there are five of us from work who carpool together during the frigid winter months. Here is a little song written by Megan in honor of our time together. It won't make sense to any of you (and probably will make you raise an eyebrow) but it made me cry laughing. Thanks Megan!

"I want your ding...ding...dong and I want to p ick you up everyday!
I want to see that fine lookin' man on the sidewalk by the man
riding the horse statue at Addison & Belmont.

I want your ding...ding...dong and I want to pick you up everyday!
Don't forget your man muffs for those blistery days...or not so blistery days.

I want your ding...ding...dong and I want to pick you up everyday!
I want to whistle out the car window at those crazy runners/walkers/stupid people
on or near the Ochen of Lake Michigan.

I want your ding...ding...dong and I want to pick you up everyday!
I want your ding...ding...dong and I want to pick you up everyday!"

I love my carpool peeps!

This song is in reference to our carpool theme song "Ding Ding Dong" by Gunther & The Sunshine Band.

Easter Pics

If you're bored and need a quick fix of entertainment, here are some pictures for you! Just click here to see lots and lots of pictures with babies!

I'm going to write a post soon and will have more pictures up and running!

Happy Easter

It's snowing. In Texas. In April! I kid you not y'all.

I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend. I spent last night snuggling with my new little nephew, Liam. I seriously have a crush on him. I think he kinda likes me too. I'll be sure to post pictures soon.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Spring Chill

Why, why, why, why, why? WHY?! It seems I'm taking this arctic spring weather home with me to Texas this weekend. I had visions of playing tennis, laying out by the pool, running in warm weather and returning to Chicago with my freckles in full bloom.

This is just too much for a Thursday morning. I need to go lay down.

Drewby

Look at what my little brother wrote about me on his blog:

My sister Katy also comes in from Chicago this weekend and I CAN'T wait to see her! She pretty much rooocks.

I'm pretty much getting misty eyed. He's the bestest. I know "bestest" is not a word but it's the only way to describe him. How else can you describe your little brother who puts up with you telling him that you started your period?

99 Balloons

You can see the video of Eliot Mooney's life here. Please take a few minutes to see the miracle of his precious few days on earth. You can visit his website to learn more about his story and his incredible parents, my friends, Matt & Ginny.

DWTS Recap 3

I hate to say it but I was completely bored watching last night. There are only two talented dancers and maybe three entertaining personalities. You know it's going to be a bad season when Leeza Gibbons receives three 8's.

Wrinkles

I have to post these pictures. Liam looks so cute and tiny! Look at those wrinkles! I am leaving Friday to head to Texas for Easter. I am spending the night with Patrick & Alicia to make sure I can have as much time with Liam as possible.

Photo Shoot

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekends! I hardly slept this weekend and am feeling it today! I was having too much fun to sleep. That and for some reason my body clock wanted me to wake up at 7am on both Saturday and Sunday. WHY? The good news is that I was able to do my 6 mile run before the lakefront path got busy. And I made it! I didn't even stop! It was cool with a little bit of rain. Running in that weather is my favorite. I did happen to see a man getting CPR right next to the path. It was definitely upsetting. All I could do was pray. He was just thinking he was going out to start his day and suck in some fresh air. I don't know how it turned out.

********

On Sunday we had our "photo shoot" for Heavy. I call it "photo shoot" but it was more of us taking picture in and around The Golden Apple. The guys wanted to maintain their figures with some greasy cheesy eggs and pancakes. I opted for the egg whites and fruit.

It will be a fun cast and here are some pictures they'll use to make us look snappy: