First Day of the Rest of My Life.

Ladies and Gentlemen, theres a big week on tap.

That's right.. BIG.

Here are some items to anticipate:

1. I have my third of four radio appearances on "On the Homestretch" tomorrow (Monday morning). i'll be discussing time management- tune in if you like. Just click the link to listen live at 10:25a.

2. the church retreat is coming up this weekend. This is the retreat that really solidified for me, just one short year ago, that City Church was the home for me. I am excited about a little getaway to Camp NaCoMe. good thing i'm in charge of games...

and last but CERTAINLY not least:

3. The first of a 12 Week intensive health overhaul. Body for Life starts bright and early. Am i nervous? sure. Have i attempted this program in the past and actually enjoyed it? yeah. Did i take truly horrifying before pictures that are my incentive? of course. Here's the best part... If i haven't reached my goals by Saturday, June 21st- you'll get to see those pictures. May i say- GOD help me if that happens. it won't. it can't. there are no apologies fancy enough, thus, i must kick it in to gear and stick to this! Operation Kelley commences in... 6 minutes. Monday, March 31st. I'm pumped. grab a sweatband and i'll see ya out there!

My bed is screaming my name, so to you I say, "Goodnight. sleep tight. don't let the bed bugs bite."

Time Flies

I have been avoiding writing this post.

I just wish you'd all gotten to know Kate. Some of you did! Most of you didn't and that makes me sad. Ten years ago, as a puny freshman in college, i met someone who would become one of my four very best friends in this life.

Four years ago on the 26th, Kate Marie Schultz Colon left her earthly shell and upgraded to a heavenly body- not riddled with bone cancer. As each year passes, i find myself less and less able to find traces of her in my world. That being the case is nearly as painful as losing her in the first place.

She was this magical creature full of love, trust, and spunk. and she chewed faster than any person i have ever seen. ha. like machine gun fast. makes me laugh just thinking about it. She married Joel just over a year before losing her battle with that disgusting disease. I know wednesday had to be tough on him in a way that I can't even understand.

Kathy, her mom, and I caught up on the phone and it was wonderful. She's a strong woman who is free to feel the pain of loss in a healthy way. She asked me about all the normal stuff and then, in a delightful way, asked if there was anyone special in my life. something kate would have wanted to know SO BADLY. ha.

Here's the strange thing- after four years, i have about 12 things i am just itching to tell Kate! silly things! gossip, if you must know! ha. she would have eaten it up! she could have been a part time detective with her knack for investigation into people's love lives!

Well, as i sit and just remember her, i find myself smiling more than anything else. She would love that.

Kate, darling... can't wait to see you again! i love you!

Up from the Grave He Arose!

What an Easter Weekend!

I had such a great weekend! no- not only because it was the first weekend i was in town in weeks and weeks, but because it was just restful and delightful.

Sunday went a little different than planned. We planned to hit up the early service... at 6:15a. So, the alarm got set for 5:30a. Then, i woke up at.... 10:30a. so, needless to say, i sort of missed the early service along with the 10 mile run with our group (the East Nasties). guess i needed the sleep.. ?

For lunch, I had chelsea, greg, and chris over for some belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, maple bacon, fruit, and mimosas. It was so yummy! We took some hilarious pictures- you know- the classic ones in front of flowers. Then it was time for church! Craig, once again, brought it. It was really a wonderful day.

This week is started rather strangely. i need to book a bunch more work but i am hopeful!

How did everyone's Easter go? any fun pictures??

london bridges...

Here's a story for you:

Last evening, as I headed to a consultation, I realized i needed some more gas in the old tank, so i swung into a station. All seemed well as i swiped the card, set up the nozzle, and set the auto switch thingy... right up until i turned to step into my warm car. THAT is when i forgot i was wearing heels. that is also when i managed to clothesline myself with the cord of the nozzle. ALSO when i hit the ground with amazing force. onto my knee. I would have cried had i allowed myself to realize the pain. instead, i was laughing SO hard at the thought of how funny that must have looked.

so i wrapped my wound with a bag of frozen summer vegetables and enjoyed an ice cream sandwich, thank you very much.

will i ever stop being clumsy clara? better yet, will it somehow become an attractive quality to a gentleman caller?

ha ha...doubtful on both points.

Vows, Leprechauns, and Borrowed Dogs

I find that i avoid writing these "catch up" emails almost as much as i avoid returning phone calls. Perhaps this will fade with maturity...?

So, as you know, emily and justin got married last saturday evening! it was a great wedding! There were, of course, your normal funny stories to tell. Some cannot be shared on this open an outlet, but suffice it to say- there were some notable characters present. It all made for a magical day and a GORGEOUS bride! i ended up pinch hitting and doing her makeup! she looked great- it helps that shes a stunner with no make up- i'm just saying. All in all- a great time to celebrate a wonderful couple, enjoy old friends, and just generally have a blast.





On tuesday i joined everyone in donning green for the celebration of St. Patrick! I also tried my best to drink some green beer as an act of solidarity. but alas... we ended up around a fire pit at the Greenhouse. A great time was had by all.

All this week, i am keeping watch of two doggies. One lab who is stubborn and one rescued terrier of some sort. They're nuts. but... its been kinda fun! Early this morning it started to storm and i had two large dogs came whimpering into my room. what sissies! gracie kept me awake because she was shaking so hard! some watch dogs! (it was kind of fun).

So- here i am - mid week. mid Holy Week! How is it possible that its already that time again!?! Time flies!

I'm really eager to let the magnitude of Christ as the Risen Lord penetrate my heart and mind in a new way this year. i think i am going to spend some time in the "Jesus StoryBook Bible". it is so lovely. i cannot recommend it highly enough!

PS. i forgot to mention! Coco and Jimmy got the ultrasound and saw "baby boy" sucking his thumb!! it is so strange to think that this tiny person is about to be here! I cried. its true.

READ!

In the land where cute children roam freely, there is a prince... and his name is Read Walton.

here... see for yourself!



So, as I made my way to the rehearsal for Emily's wedding, i stopped in and had the distinct pleasure of some fabulous time with the waltons. little read has gotten SO big and is seriously the cutest kid! Since he's such a big boy, i figured he needed a cement mixer truck and here he is enjoying the box. ha!

Also, he has a taste for the finer things in life:


Here he is enjoying a present from Aunt June:


Basically, i almost let him come with me! He's so precious!!


Thanks, Sam and Charlotte, for a magical afternoon! Y'all are the best!

Beezy

I just peeled myself out of bed after sleeping too few hours. ouch.

I am headed to do a quick consultation in Brentwood and then i'm off to Birmingham for the start of Emily's wedding weekend! First i get to stop in on Sam, Charlotte, and Read. I'm pretty excited!

Per always, there will be a run down (with the ever present likelihood that i will keep you updated with pictures during the weekend).

Happy weekend, e'rybody!

Lets Get Physical

we all know Olivia Newton John said it best.... lets get physical!

Before you go pulling out your sweat band, let me back up a step.

So, last week, my dear soul sister of a college bestie Katherine, emails the other three of us college friends to challenge us. She's good like that. Specifically, she challenged us to a 7 Day jump start to health sort of a Quest. You may be thinking, "Kelley... i love you and all (we're close, you and me) but you need more than 7 days of wellness, OK!?" and i would have to agree. the idea is that i will be motivated upon feeling so good that i jump into at least one more week and so on and so forth. Here.... read her blogspiration for yourself.

Needless to say, this was a big change for this girl. I love food. i mean- i love good -for- me food, i love not -good- for -me food, and everything in between. That being said, I am not a terribly unhealthy eater. I mean, i would choose grilled salmon over almost anything. unfortunately that doesn't cover a multitude of sinful french fries. sorry- freedom fries.

As the week's beginning rolled around, i was visiting my beloved sister! It was fabulous and quite honestly, she helped motivate me toward the health quest. Kristin got up and went to the store so there would be eggs and fruit to devour. she's so good. We ate breakfast so late that the next meal was at about 5pm and it was simple and fabulous as well. (sidenote: my biggest shock lies in how often i pace around the kitchen like an addict. swarming around the morsels of food trying not to give in out of habit or boredom. It has been really weird.)

Tuesday was good also! It helps when i am trapped in the car for 7 hours. no kitchen pacing. The cravings started to give way anyhow. so nice. I went to the store before working for the evening so that i could choose some lovely, earth -reaped whole food goodness... and water. LOTS of water. I met up with some peeps, later on, and among them was Nathan. He is already a convert of this way of eating. (if i may say so, it shows. he's very healthy. well, i guess now i'll know if he reads this blog. ha.) He referred to it as the Paleo Diet. a VERY intriguing google search, if you have the time.

Today, Wednesday, was my best day yet! veggies! fruit! more fruit! pork loin and mashed sweet potatoes with a salad! WATER! discipline! victory.

Ok... don't fret. i will not be "that girl" who starts to log my every meal. no time for such lunacy. Suffice it to say, i feel great. Perhaps i am actually detoxifying my system! how nice! I just need to conquer the caffeine battle. that will ensure my maximum health potential.

Bottom line: i've decided i want to be/feel (and look.. why not?) my best. in 2008. You have permish to hold me to it. (unless, of course, I'm drinking a margarita. then, its in your best interest to just let me just enjoy it!) Look out world!

Ahem- back to the challenge at hand- getting physical. part of the challenge is exercising for 30 minutes a day. I love this part! especially when it is almost TOO beautiful out lately! Now that the race is behind me, i get to toss it up. pilates, hip hop dance, etc. I am finding this step is the key! I can eat right but without the exercise, it won't work.

So, here's to you, Katherine. motivator of motivators. here's to kristin for hiding the honey roasted peanuts and here's to you, blog reader, for your support. Preesh!

What Would You Do?

So, the "fave" list grows... "Lost", "American Idol", "the Biggest Loser" and now... "Primetime: What Would You Do?" on ABC.

It is a limited series addressing some really sticky and controversial situations- testing the reactions of America at large. For instance, anything from a public argument where a woman is being assaulted to a man sitting and openly crying in a park. Most people walk right by without wanting to be involved or made uncomfortable. In some cases, the actors were really believable and i found myself wondering what i would do. really.

There were some silly scenarios like a waitress hitting on a girl's date/husband right in front of her. the reactions were really funny. But then there's the seemingly painful ones or the reactions that remind me we're much more racist than we all thought. There was a shocking difference between how many people intervened to break up a fight between a white couple and that of a black couple. makes me sad. and totally intrigued by the experiment.

What do you think you'd do if you came upon a public fight between a couple?

The Birthday Girl... Claire!

Ladies and Gentlemen... It is now only moments until the technical birth date celebration of my dear friend, Claire Yates Bailey. We had dinner this evening to honor her fabulocity. (you have my permish to spread that word around. i have high hopes!)

The amazing meal of chicken enchildas was prepared by Coco and served to Claire, June, Leslie, Courtney, Blair, Whitney, Mary Martha and me! what a fun crew. here are a few choice pics from the lovely affair.

lovely ladies! [some faithful readership included. the madame blogger wishes to point out! ;) ]


armed and dangerous.

the FEAST.



happy about it being claire's 29th celebraysh!


In case you were wondering, here are just a few of the reasons i adore Claire:

C is for the way you CARE about all the details in my life and remember the important stuff!
L is for the way you LAUGH at all my jokes and warm any room with that cute giggle.
A is for the way you ASK good questions... forcing me to choose b/w my twin and my hoodie.
I is for the way you INVESTIGATE. be it the local crime scene, best new restaurant, or good show- you're on it!
R is for the way you love ROUTINE. you are so consistent and disciplined! i admire you alot!
E is for the way you EXPRESS yourself through dance.... when encouraged. ;)


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Claire! my life's better because you're in it!

being a grown- up

... is hard.

(read: giving up luxuries, fun stuff, or delaying adventures for the sake of being debt free... is hard.)

and i ain't even seen the half of it yet.

the RUN down

ha ha ha.... i really do make myself laugh sometimes. is that bad? :)

The half marathon is behind me! Angela and i had a great weekend full of laughter, YUMMY food, tons of talking, and lots and lots of running! there are few people in the world who make me laugh like angela. i just wish you could all encounter her as a story teller. she was THE girl to have with me as we encountered some of the funniest "treats" Albany, GA had to offer.

I have sore muscles (but that's fun because they are earned), a strange and piercing pain in my right foot (but only when i walk...so, i guess it could be worse!), and a really sore back. bottom line - this girl has earned a week off from running!

i am quite sure that i would never understand what endurance even means if i had never done a race. With that said, i am newly comfortable with not ever racing again if that's what happens. i no longer have to prove anything to myself or anyone else. i am quite proud of the racing i have done, i am not too shy to say. That decision is based on lots of consideration and realizing that freeing up from the "need" to race (triathlon or running) is more of a satisfaction that the racing.

SO- in totally unrelated news... as i catch up on the DVR, i am astounded that alaina (sp?) got kicked off of American Idol this week!?! simon even called her one of the dark horses of the competition. what was america thinking?! i just don't get how the skunky rock nurse is still here! c'mon!! that's it.... i'm voting next week. look out, world!

night!