are. you. ready?

Today, we were having a meeting outside and LO and behold... the landscapers came over to us and held out what they'd found.





prepare yourself.

A BABY BUNNY!!!!!

That thing is about the size of a baby carrot! I named him Brian (because our new on-call design guy started today and his name is Brian.)  Brian had to go back out to his hutch later in the afternoon. We realized he was scared to death. Or loved us. I can't decide. Either way, we love and miss him already.

Here, look how much he dreaded loved me!

Life (as seen through my camera)

Hi.

I had a fun weekend. MOST of it was not captured by my camera. (I have to carry a little purse, ok? Sometimes fashion means pain. Your pain.)

I did, however, capture some shots of a concert I took in Sunday night. My friend Duane and I went to hear Jonatha Brooke (and her magical songwriting/singing abilities). She did not disappoint, y'all. I taped her singing my favorite song of hers ("Because I Told You So" and as soon as its uploaded on YouTube, you'll be the first to know.)

Next, I wish I had captured a picture of the smoothie that Hilda brought me yesterday afternoon. You see, I was having what doctors refer to as a "major freak out" about the MRI I had to have done. It wouldn't have been a big deal if I hadn't been assured of an open MRI (read... open. NOT a cave). Well, you guessed it. I had to have the real deal. The cave. The CLAUSTRO-chamber. I lived. But that was only due to some seeeerious prayers from Cam, Carol and my friends... and that smoothie. More on what the MRI shows (with regards to my eye ball/health, etc. later. I don't know yet, ok?? ;)

So, once the procedure, and the rest of my work day, were over (can I use that many commas?), I headed to Costco. Obviously. En route, I saw this:

It is always a surprise to me how gorgeous the sunsets are here! Lovely.

Also, don't be jeal of my Costco purchases... GONE are the days of buying 3 pounds of "granola" that is really oatmeal cookies.

That's right. Mango!! I'm trying out my schmancy new dehydrator tonight! Can't wait.

love love.

Good Citizen

wastin' my flavuh

This weekend has been jam packed with fun and taxing things. Which is a perfect segue to my position on having to do my taxes on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

BOO.

BLOGGER BETA!

Blogger is WITH IT, y'all.

For all you RSS readers, you'll want to actually see the blog and take a gander. They've added some super amazing features to the design/layout options and I. AM. GEEKING. OUT.

I think its because I spend all day, every day, working with folks to help them maximize the service we offer at Emma! Its just plain exciting to give people the tools to present themselves with style!

::slow clap::

Have a look. Give me thoughts if you think I could move stuff around... because THAT is an option now!!! Yay, Blogger! Cheers!

BONUS things to look forward to this weekend:

1. Hoop-walking 10 miles all over Nashville in gorgeous weather... and maybe my unicorn t-shirt.
2. JULIE LITTLEJOHN GETS MARRIED!!
3. John comes thru town (on his way to STL to meet the brand-new Ellie Cate... so cute!!) tonight and then we have dinner with friends! Yippie!
4. Sleeping in as late as poss on Sunday.
5. First Sunday in our new church meeting place- East Literature Junior High (SO EXCITING!)
6. Seeing Jonatha Brook in concert for the first time (Luke and Sarah... I have you to thank for my addiction to her tunes)
7. Peyton turns THREE!!
8. Whitney's baby shower (though I have to miss for the wedding).. but still. :)
9. Stevie's bday partay at McDougals.
10. Nater's and Stevie's shindig on Sunday night. NO... I don't know how I'll attend all these overlapping things.

...but its gonna be 70, sunny and awesome.

booyah.

Prepare yourselves.

There is no way to prepare for how adorable and hilarious this video is. You'll just have to go in to it and hope you do not melt from cute. You've been warned.

click HERE.

Thank you, Joanna, for the single best thing I've seen in while. (and Ryan for being a super trainer/dad.)

TGIF!!

Update...

Because I know you're dying for a visual update to "the Birthday Sign" post.... I give you proof. 

http://orderly-conduct.blogspot.com/2010/03/this-story-tells-itself.html

Strawberry Catchers Mit or delicious treat? You pick.

Carol: the Singing Volunteer Edition

mama: I told myself I was going to stop giving you blog-worthy stories, but I just had to tell you what just happened.
me: oh my gosh...
mama: so, I was called in to volunteer this morning (at this amazing place my grandma used to go to have a blast and be treated with dignity while being cared for...and give my parents a little break) and I got assigned the group on the porch that was playing a game. So, the game was called "musical plates", so I thought they would take turns passing a plate when the music was playing.
me: sure.
mama: no. instead, they were each holding a stuffed animal that they would throw on top of a plate on the ground that had a song written on it. That is what would decide which song i sang next!!!!!
me: mother.
mama: so, honestly, there I am leading these adorable old ladies and men in songs that I totally forgot the words to!
me:   ::uncontrollable laughter::
mama: then, there were some ladies who never sang at all. They just groomed and hugged their stuffed animals. But there were some folks who wouldn't say a word but they would sing their hearts out to "Amazing Grace" and "Let Me Call You Sweetheart". So precious.
me: awwww!
mama: So, the riot of it was that the assistant I was supposed to have never showed up, so it was up to me to sing my heart out in front of all of them.
me: This is too good.
mama: I couldn't remember the real words to "On Top of Old Smokey" and all I could remember was "On top of old smokey... all covered with cheese.... I lost my poor meatball... when somebody sneezed"
me:  ::weezing with laughter at my desk at work::


I love my mother and her little volunteering heart.

Sidenote: evidentally, the ladies all asked about dad and when he was coming back. Naturally. :)

I'm back!

I'm home from vacay and it was simply delightful. I even have a little remnant of a sunburn to show for it. I rather loved every moment with my family and friends that came by. I am refreshed and ready to hit the ground running. It helps that the weather in Nashville is to hover around 70 this week!

Additionally, just take a look at what my amazing co-workers bought me while I was out!!!!!

So incredibly kind! It will make my raw food ventures that much more convenient. I think a lone tear found its way down my cheek. :)

xo,
k

I am...

Carol: the Vacay Prep Edition

mom: We're bringing the birds with us to the beach (parakeets that have always been a part of the Kirker Family)
me: mom... that's so weird. Please don't. For three days??
mom: Well, the oldest is having some congestive heart failure, I think.
me: That's a good reason not to bring them.
mom: Well, we brought them when we came for the wedding (in 2007 when we stayed at the same house for Kris and Chad's wedding)
me: You did?!
mom: they weren't at the church, but they came.

uh.... OBVIOUSLY. I couldn't stop laughing b/c I kept envisioning parakeets in tuxedos.

I prefer Carol a little nuts.

Eye Ball Whisperer 2.0

Well, I got back in to see the Eye Ball Whisperer and it was a good appointment, I suppose.

It was helped by getting a cozy evening with Sarah June and Chip. Chelsea and I were treated like queens! Gourmet dinner, movie and COMFY bed = happy me.

The next morning, we (chels, SJ and me) headed to Emory to see the doctor. I cannot even tell you how grateful I was to have the support of these girls. I was, obviously, a nervous nelly. They calmed me down nicely and I got thru it.

Nevertheless, It was an inconclusive appointment, really. Until I get an MRI next week, there's not much she could tell me. I'm still just praying and praying and choosing not to freak out or worry until I have reason to. Join me. :)

Afterward, we grabbed some lovely steamed asian food and the photo above was my "fortune." I'll take it. Thanks for your prayer and concern, notes, calls and love. I'm so lucky to have you all in my life.

xo,
Kelley

Carol: the dancing eddish

me: hey mama
carol: so, remember last week when we went to the senior expo and we wore the green wigs? Well, today, we went to the "Senior Games". We worked a booth for "Comfort Keepers".
me: stop it.
carol: So, these adorable old ladies were dancing with their walkers then all of a sudden, they ditch the walkers and start cutting a rug!
me: awwww!
carol: then, the guy asked if anyone would volunteer to come dance on stage...
me: no.
carol: yes. i did the cupid shuffle!
me: I'm so glad i come from you.

Design Department Friday

Things.

These are the things floating around in my head right now (in no particular order):

- Its sunny!
- There's nothing more perfectly matched than vinyl oldies and a sunny Friday. PB&J has a run for its money.
- I have really wonderful friends and family.
- I got in to see the eye ball whisperer at Emory on Monday.
- VACAY is so close I can taste it.
- Life is funny... even when its trying to pull a fast one on me.
- I'm happy.
- ANNIE IS IN TOWN!!

love,
kelley

Busy Stork

That stork must be BUSY...

because I have 12 friends pregnant right now.

not. kidding.

Hope he gets frequent flyer miles.

Pretty!

Just look at the smoothie I whipped up this morning. This is moments before it met its whirly demise, but it was so pretty, I just had to snap a picture.

Healthy/mostly raw food diet is gorgeous if nothing else.

Reader Appreciation- Long Distance Edition

You need to know Stephen DeLoach, friends.

He's outstanding- and the next READER being appreciated!

Besides being a Tennessee boy, he's an adventurer who has found his way to Cambodia teaching English. Whoa.

Stephen and I met one night a few years ago. In my living room. I'm pretty sure I scared him... or scarred him- probably both, really. (It involved a read-aloud of the "Facts of Life" pop-up book with which Carol taught me about the birds and the bees...whatev.)

Nevertheless, Stephen is one of those rare breeds of intellectual and social. He's way too smart about literature, writing, life and all things Tolkien... but he'll also be the first to cut a serious rug on a dance floor. He's one hilarious dude!

So, when he told me he was hopping a flight (for a ridiculous amount of hours) to spend time in Cambodia, I was obviously curious and excited for him! His goal was to go spend time in their culture and impart (what is) life changing knowledge- conversational English. It is hot. It is inconvenient. It is unfamiliar. But he is there...pouring himself into a once in a lifetime experience for the sake of these precious people.

Last week, Chelsea and I got to skype with Stephen and two amazing girls. The one on the right is Srey Lin and the one on the left is Srey Mom- Stephen is obviously in the middle.. duh. These girls are outstanding and have extremely good comprehension of English. They knew what we were saying the whole time. I may or may not have done a hooping demonstration. I seem to remember they are also digging, "Imma Be" by the Black Eyed Peas, so I know we'd be friends.

Bottom line: I wish you all knew Stephen because your life would improve exponentially. Here's to Cambodia, adventures and pizza with peanuts on it.

TGIF: Nostalgia Eddish

Two incredible things set this Friday apart, my friends.

NOT only does this world's most awesome Brother in Law come through town tonight....but.....

JIMMY FALLON REUNITED THE CAST OF "California Dreams"!!!!!!

**Thank you, Annie, for the tip off... I spent WAY too many hours (watching this show as a kid) to miss such an epic reunion. Kris, can I get an amen?**

This will be a hoop-filled, music-filled (video promo for "City in the Round" here), fun-filled weekend. Can I squeeze house guests, Hannah's Bachelorette party, Hoop walking 8 miles, Organizing a friend's basement, Co-hosting a night o' music, Preparing a week's worth of anti-inflammatory foods, church, a work "Beer and Tapas" evening (plainly I'll be a bystander), lunch with a friend, the Oscars AND some sleep??? 

we. will. see. 

If its one thing I love.. its a challenge.

Full Disclosure

I'm gonna let you in on what has been eating up my mental and emotional energy lately.

My eye weirdness is back. Optic Neuritis.

Its scary that it is recurring as that can mean auto-immune issues. I'm not going there yet.

My doctor has confidence that my symptoms (and who knows... my looming condition) with a diet rich with anti-inflammatory foods. Read: you're about to see me with a mouthful of blueberries from now on.

I'll be honest. It scares me to not be in control. That's really what it comes down to. When did I start to think I was in control? I can be foolish like that. Control freaks don't yield well.

My church gathered around me last night as did my friends (and family by proxy) to love on me and pray for me. I'm a blessed girl, y'all.

So, now I do the next thing (as Sarah June taught me.) That means eating lots of leafy greens, NOT referring to overly-informational WebMD articles, and trusting I am loved and cared for in a perfect way. Who knows what the future will look like. Follow-up appointments to follow. I'll keep you posted.

I know one thing... I'll be eating a vegetable next time you see me.

This Story Tells Itself

I just don't know how to tell this story. It essentially tells itself, so maybe I'll just get out of the way.

Scene: Salisbury, NC. Print shop.
Characters: Cameron the Great/ aka Muh Diddy and the Printer Guy
Quotable quote: "Are you bragging or what?" - Printer Guy

Rewind to my sweet father dreaming up ways to make my adorable mother's 60th birthday a smashing success. You may recall that we have a celebration under way for March; A beach trip to celebrate the muddah of the millennium. This was a surprise party for the actual day...which was at the zoo. Of course.

Carol has simple joy. It does not take diamonds to woo her. Dad lucked out with a hippie who would rather gaze at her emerald engagement ring any day. Shells are her love language. BIRDS her hobby... for the love. So, naturally, pop (a smart man) makes plans to have her nearest and dearest waiting at the zoo for their arrival.

Surprise one: Kristin (took back the birth-right for this one) left her home in Columbia to be there, flowers in hand, at just after 8am on a Saturday. Mom = delighted. Kristin's job, to convince mom to still go the zoo even though she'd come to town. Executed brilliantly... even though I kept calling and attempting to ruin the surprise, albeit inadvertently.

Surprise two: Friends and family huddled behind a birthday sign! What a thrill for the old girl! She loves a party (and between you and me, parties like a woman of 54.)

THIS is where the story gets incredible.

Dad is not one to do anything half way. Cam does it up right. He decides on a sign and then decides to give a nod to sixty. Of course! But hey... let's not stop there. Sixty and sassy. Yeah, that's it. Well, wait.... if we have one "s" word, why not three? AND THIS is what my dear, amazing, well-meaning father landed on.

ARE. you. ready?

"Sixty. Sassy. Sexy. Satisfied"

I CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP, okay? I can't.

Dad meant satisfied with life, etc. (It reminds me about that verse that says "to the pure, all things are pure".. warms my heart... right after it cracked it UP.) Now imagine the printer and the run-in dad had with him while paying for it. Homeboy thought dad was bragging. OMG.

So, my mother shows up to a group of middle aged women (and a couple dudes) huddled behind a sign, at the zoo, that seemed to be announcing their delight with.... life.

To say I had tears streaming down my face, while I heard about "the sign", is putting it lightly. Candace thought I was going to have a seizure. I was losing it. ONLY in the Kirker family would this happen.

I don't know if I have ever loved my mom or dad more.

Here's to 60, surprises and, well....satisfaction.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA!!!

Update: here's the banner for visual proof of hilarity. Enjoy. 
(Dad brought it to the beach to make my day... thanks, pop.)