hiatus.

I am taking the week off from blogging to enjoy some much needed quiet. Its been an intense cuppla days, y'all.

See you next Monday, faithful readers.

- Kelley

(eating up Psalms 139, lately. Who knows, you might like to as well.)

Confession:

I just got really excited about the prospect of spending an evening in solitude. Tagging every blog post I've ever written. For searching purposes.

My memory is freakishly good... creepy good. Like I-remember-what-I-wore-for-my-school-pictures-in-3rd-grade-good. But, the old girl can't recall every post, youknowwhatimsayin?

So, if you're looking for me tonight. Don't check any social setting. Check my house. Under a blanket (FALSE... after a ridiculous electric bill, I keep it at 81 lately), tagging away.

Tomorrow will be the peak of my weekend when I spend the day doing cannonballs into the kiddie pool with James (he's bringing his mom Courtney and sister Mary Margaret for safety purposes). I can't wait!

xo
k

Milestone... missed?

...but NOT forgotten!

It seems but a moment ago when we began this journey. I dare say my only readers who were on board from the first moment (and have not bailed yet) have got to be Kristin (and mom and dad, prob) and Courtney.

If you can believe it- that was 501 posts ago! Here's a wordle of some recent posts:

I had every intention of highlighting my 500th post with much pomp and circumstance! Alas, I will simply take a moment to say that his has been the most fun project of my creative life thus far. This is the first place I began to love to write. I enjoy having this friendly void as an outlet. I even love that some of you are now my friend because of this blog. That is amazing.

Without getting overly gushy, I just want to say thanks for continuing to check in and be invested in my life. I love you. (yes, you.... person who I do not know exists that reads every day.)

Here's to another 500!

The transformation:

became...

Two Three things:
1. This is mostly for Kris. She likes to see what she enabled. She's my hair guru, obv.
2. I am obviously exhausted at this point which explains the bags under my eyes in both pix.
3. I put up a picture that didn't showcase my gray hairs as much I could have. Because I'm the editor.

love you,
kk

GPOYW

that means "Gratuitous Picture of Yourself Wednesday" (proof here).

so, here you go:

(why yes, that is freshly colored hair. No more gray, suckas!!)

*update on yesterday's challenge post* :  I spent my evening reading and working- no TV. I will say thank goodness for This American Life for the moments it got too quiet in my lil cottage. I think I'm going to like this phase of no TV. I just need to get comfortable with silence in the meantime. Good things happen in my heart when I'm quiet enough to notice it.

Sucker for a Challenge.

So, you already know I love a challenge.

Like giving up alcohol for the whole of 2010.
Like Hula Hooping a half marathon.
Like playing softball in high school (ignoring my lack of depth perception and athleticism.)
Like committing to ride 115 miles on my bike in October for "Jack and Back"

well, I have another, y'all.

Its not as defined but equally satisfying.

I am only going to try and only watch 7 hours of tv a week.

I KNOW.

I say "try" because I won't be Stalin about it. I just want to get more and more in to reading and my recent tv/movie watching pension (i use "recent" VERY loosely) has squashed out reading in general. I now have a book to finish for a book club next month and need to get to it! I am a slow reader, so I need to get started.

The lack of cable and DVR helps this considerably, I'll be honest. Otherwise, how would I refrain from
watching stuff like this on the Dish!

Feel free to interrupt me if you see me looking far-too-cool reading at a local coffee shop. Chances are, I'm reading the same sentence over and over.

xo

I GET TO SEE EMMY IN JUST A FEW HOURS!!!!!

I can't help myself.

I guess I am a full-on country fan.

I keep listening to this song. (and I didn't even have a dog growing up).

It does make me want to stop by Savannah Round and ask to walk around.

xo

mind. blown.

This weekend has sufficiently blown my mind- hence my clever title.

But, for real... it. is. blown.

Let's start with having some of my favorites arrive on Saturday (Boe, Dana, Adrienne, Chelsea and other assorted guests) to celebrate one Gregory Fenske and his bride Emily as they made things legal. It was, by far, the most swank event I've ever been to in Nashville and maybe ever. The finest of everything. Made me wish I was sipping some bubbly (because I'm still sticking to my year long hiatus from the fruits of the vine, I'll have you know. I'm kind of surprised myself, really.)

So, after a gorgeous wedding at Covenant Presbyterian, we made our way to War Memorial Auditorium. Having been a few times for shows, I did not know what to expect. It is such a cool building but nothing I would ever have expected for a fancy event. I sat in a folding chair on the main floor for Ray Lamontagne, come to think of it. You will just have to take my word for it- UNBELIEVABLE. Those event coordinators worked some magic and turned that place upside down making it in to a wedding wonderland. Forget that I thought the cocktail hour was the actual reception- it was that cool. As they ushered us in to the building I think I gasped. No joke. Maybe it was because I eyed a sushi station. There's really no telling.

The one thing I do know is that I am still kicking myself for leaving my purse at home. Had I brought it, I may have a picture to show you from the blessed event (or at the very least the dance floor), an ID to get in to the Roberts after party or a spare pair of flip flops to revive my aching feet. (which, for the rec, were hurting so badly that they were stinging. I thought they may explode with each step.) Instead, I have only the memories, pajamas and watching "Shag" with Dana instead of Roberts, and feet that had to be in an ice bath.

All things said and done, it was so lovely that I just keep thinking about it all day today.

AS IF that weren't enough, I saw Inception tonight!!!!! whoa. It was a doozie. It is important that you know I am probably the only person in Nashville who couldn't have come up with the name Christopher Nolan without googling him first. I also had no idea this movie existed or was coming to theaters this weekend. The way I heard about it? Watching Joseph Gordon Levitt on Jimmy Fallon last week. The reason I saw the interview? Because I only get local network stations on my tv now. You can imagine that I had no idea what I was getting in to. I only knew that I wanted to not miss the hype like I did the whole Avatar craze... and the clip they showed was outstanding.

I will share specific thoughts once you've all had a chance to see it. (Really, I'm just tired and don't want to keep typing). Go ahead and assume enlightenment... I am cooler that way.

Watching it was similar to watching the Matrix the first time- in its own realm. I think I could take a course on "Inception" and still have questions. I think my brain is still in shock. The strangest part of the whole evening took place in the parking garage, though. On the way in, I noticed two girls holding shopping bags. They were noticeable because I almost never see people standing where they were standing. Not near cars, per se. Definitely not near stores. Just.... the entrance to the parking garage. Well, three hours later, I would absolutely swear they had not moved an inch. That would not be a big deal... except that I had just left a movie that left my brain sore (and questioning reality*) and they seemed like they couldn't have moved an inch. But why wouldn't they find a place to sit down or put down their bags or something?! I ignored it, deciding I was nuts. UNTIL Chris called me and said, "so... I may be crazy but there were these two girls.." and I started freaking out a little.

Lessons learned:
1. I shouldn't be allowed to see brilliant movies on a school night.
2. My totem would be a yo yo.**
3. Everyone who endured the 83 degree temperature inside our theater should have gotten free popcorn.
4. I am ridiculous.***
5. I will see this movie again.

My mind is satisfied. ROCKED but satisfied. Another work week begins in the morning and I need to get my act together. Think I'll wake up and work out? Yeah, me neither but we'll see.

xo,
kk

*not really, c'mon. But... maybe? I don't know. Perhaps. Not really. What?
**you must see this movie.
*** not new but always note worthy.

Delight!

I don't know what is more fun than waking up, getting to work (in my favorite skirt, no less), and logging on to my computer... ONLY to find that dearest Annie has written a ridiculously kind post about ME!

I can't stop smiling. :)

Also, last night, I had dinner with my friend Sarah (wherein I made a pasta dish including pulled chicken, cherry tomatoes, asparagus and pesto- YUM!). We giggled and told stories and just had a blast. SPEAKING of stories.... this one has to be told.

Behold: Air Jeff. (my comments in red... cuz I can. Cuz its my blog.)

Sarah told me of a friend of hers who met and dated a man they referred to as "Air Jeff". Air Jeff was (is, i presume) a professional skydiver. (who knew that was a profession?) One evening, Air Jeff picked up her friend and proceeded to tell her about his pet hawk. (in fairness, Sarah confused it for an EAGLE and I started to convulse with laughter. I just kept imagining... where must one live in order to have a pet eagle??) The best part? The hawk's name is LeroyCarter.Com. (You can't make this up) So, he offers her a visit with his pet hawk. In the car. (!!!!) So, Sarah's friend, of course, starts to wonder how the eagle hawk LeroyCarter.com gets fed. He happily offered that he sometimes freezes... meat... for LeroyCarter.Com. He said sometimes he has to get resourceful and pick up fresh roadkill. (.....) so he keeps a plastic bag in his car!

Y'all.

OBviously, things didn't work out for our main characters. (shocker). THE BEST part of this story? Sarah, totally genuinely, said, "things probably would have worked out if he had a pet penguin."

I started flipping out laughing and immediately grabbed a piece of paper so as to not forget to tell you.

Like Bryan says, "Everything I do. I do it for you".

Living a Lie: a dramatic journey to identical truth.

Hello, readers.

I would like to welcome our esteemed guest, Mrs. Kristin Kirker Rochester. A woman among women. My co-boarder in the womb of one Carol Sue Kirker during a balmy 1979.*

Kelley: Kristin, thank you ever so much for joining us this evening.
Kristin: Thanks, boo. (I will go by that for the remainder of the article to keep us straight.)
B: Do us a favor and walk us through the conversation and happenings that changed our lives forever. Not to be dramatic or anything.
K: I was at a party for the Fourth and bumped into a mother of 3 year old twin boys. They looked incredibly identical and, after mentioning I was a twin, she asked me if we were as well. I answered with my standard, "we're fraternal but look identical. Like Mary Kate and Ashley Olson". She followed that comment by saying she figures her sons are identical but they just hadn't gotten around to the DNA test yet.
B: I am on the edge of my seat. What does it all mean?
K: She went on to say, "don't you know that identical twins can have separate amniotic sacs?" **
B: Right... uh.. what??
K: So- my thought bubble said, "then WHY (in the midst of our similarities) did Cam and Carol assume we were fraternal when the docs said it was so?"

This is probably the point in the story where it is essential you know we were a total surprise. Like... "we didn't make our presence known until mom was in labor" kind of surprise. All along, Carol was told that she was carrying one big boy. The only proof to the contrary was a recurring dream she had. Mom dreamt that she was rocking a baby but could hear another baby crying in the distance. Never the one she was holding. This would prove to be foreshadowing of what was to come. It is also true that the author of this blog is old enough to be a product of the times before regular ultrasounds. We digress.

K: I think I also said, "OMG... I need to call boo!"
B: Which I recall reacting less logically. Didn't I scream, "WHAT AM I IF NOT A FRATERNAL TWIN?"
K: THAT LOOKS JUST LIKE HER BESTIE?
B: riiiiiight?!
K: Didn't you immediately google it?
B: I did. I also sent mom and dad an email asking if it could be true.
K: Dad responded with "yeah, guess so"
B: To which I responded... "GUESS WE'RE BOYS TOO!"
K: You're not rational.
B: There's no time for logic. 30 years have been a lie. We have to figure out our new story to tell people.
K: What should it be?
B: This isn't the place. We have to figure that out amongst ourselves.
K: So, wait... do you think we're identical for real?
*silence*
B: Kris.
K: What? Are we?
B: IMPOSS. you have red hair. I have brown.
K: NEITHER of us come by those colors honestly, if you know what I'm saying.
B: At least I'm graying honestly.
K: Get back to the point.
B: Let's wrap this up. I'm getting tired.
K: Me too.
B: So, from here on out we're just not sure. Is that right?
K: Yep.
B: So, we may be identical twins. We may be fraternal twins.
K: Yeah.

B: Thank you for your insights, Ms. Rochester. I know we've taken you away from laundry doing and various and sundry tasks. You are appreciated.
K: My phone is going to die, by the way.
B: I love you too. G'night.
K: Oh, boo.... I love you. Good night.
B: I hear a helicopter.***

*during Hurricane David, yes.
** Until now, we believed what we'd been told: Identical means a shared sac and placenta while fraternal means separate for both.
***I have never claimed not to have A.D.D. Also, this is, verbatim, the phone call that just took place on a quiet Tuesday evening.

xo,
your potentially identical friend.

in keeping...

...with the theme of making much of the mundane:

(a) I just made a deelish meal of brown rice and steamed veggies. COVERED with black pepper.

and

(b) I got my toes done with Coco last night and was not totally sure about my choice of barbie-dream-car-pink but today... I LOVE IT! I keep staring at it.

girly mcgirltown,
k

block?

I don't know. I sort of have writer's block lately.

I think it is a result of reading that most people have one good year of blogging in them. Anything after that becomes something of a watered down bullet list of the comings and goings of one's life.

y'all.

THAT. IS. ME.

I have subjected you to... gasp... the contents of my FOOD choices. Who am I? My late grandmother (may she rest)? She used to love to tell us what she'd eaten. Oh man...

So, here's the worst part: I don't think I'll change, thankyouverymuch. I don't pretend that you all visit this lil blog space for world-shattering wisdom or pithy politic-ing. You come here because I write like I speak and, chances are, my life is a little more ridiculous than yours. Who doesn't love that?

Buckle up. This break-neck adventure of the ordinary will keep on keepin' on.

Next stop? "Living a Lie: an identical twin in a fraternal twin's body" with guest blogger/collaborator Kristin Kirker Rochester.

xo

dreamy.

I am in my pajamas. At 1:45pm on a Sunday.
I just whipped up a berry cobbler. (truth be told, its frozen berries with a tiny bit of "crumble" on top.)
I am listening to This American Life's stories on camp. and loving it.

I have worked for a little bit but I find my attention being pulled toward picking out a new hair cut and painting my nails.

Is this the girliest day of my life until this point?

maybe.

just maybe.

OOOH- cobblers done.

*addendum

... beware of daring yourself to smile all day lest your less lovely clients test you on it.

thatisall.

TODAY.

Today, friends.

TODAY is the day I wear my new fabulous heels.
TODAY is the day I wear a smile ALL day.
TODAY is the day my mind is a little calmer, my outlook a bit brighter.

Why?

CHRISTY STARTS WORK HERE TODAY! I can't keep from yelling it! She's so great and we're about to get to have her here working with us each day! I am so grateful and so excited.

Really... pictures will probably follow.

Oh- and I  giggled through "Eclipse" last night with Chelsea and Jessica. If I'd read the books, I feel sure I would have gotten a bit more in to it. Still, it was giggle worthy and a nice break for a LONG work day.

xo

a week(end) in pictures.

Mom and Dad come by Emma to get a key- the fun begins! Work family... meet real family.

Laudy is officially over. Take a look at the empty porch- crazy.

 The first guests at my new place (besides Cam and Carol) were friends over for breakfast! 

That is creme brulee french toast, maple sausage and hash brown casserole. YUM!

 Then Rebecca came over to see the place and brought the girlies! Here is Peyton playing with mom's parakeets. :)

Not pictured: Pictures from the impromptu grill out at Naters' for the 4th, the blood sweat and tears of moving, or pics from the Ryman on Wednesday.

I am a happy girl! xo

the Hizzle!

And now, my dears, I present...

MY house!

Take a another tour, won't you?

xo,
k

*anything hanging on a wall is thanks to Cam. Anything clean is thanks to Carol. Anything arranged in my room is thanks to Courtney. THANK you, loves.

Settled.

I finally feel like, even if not one more thing got hung on the walls, I am settled in this home. (video update to come soon. Just a li'l sweeping and picking up necessary. That's how I roll.)

WHAT a great feeling! Mom and Dad have absolutely spoiled me rotten by hanging pictures, mirrors, decor, and drapes. Buying cleaning supplies... USING cleaning supplies. I even got a vacuum! (i have never written vacuum before. Woulda guessed 2 c's and 1 u, but I'd be wrong... obv.)

I am loving life! Clean air (thanks to the air purifiers!), filed papers (I love it, OK?), functional internet (more on that in a sec)... Its all coming together so nicely.

Everything was great until the neighbor came over today and (without introducing himself until I forced him to) told me to stop parking in his yard. Sidenote: who knew my driveway is his yard? Whatev. He didn't make the best first impresh, but I'm gonna win him over. You just wait. Good thing Laura and Seth seem cool. They're on the other side and I will win them over by babysitting. (It doesn't take a therapist to see I am the kind of girl who *needs* to be liked. Or at least not hated... for parking in someone's yard. I digress.)

THE CABLE GUY.
Y'all. That dude showed up completely annoyed that he had to do his job. I mean, I get that no one wants to be drilling under a house in the heat of the afternoon sun.... but is that my fault? I am paying good money and had no way of knowing my house wasn't "ready" for internet or "an ideal situation". I just waved my benjamins and got work done. (right.)

Did I bat my eyelashes and get free help setting up my wireless? duh.
Did I win him over so much that he didn't leave before showing me pictures of his grand babies? duh.
Did he say I was nice but a little high strung? double duh.

Mish accomplished. I am now the proud owner of channels 2-20 (excluding ESPN and CNN) and bargain basement internet. But seriously- I win. Comcast, do you hear that? I WIN. Its cheap. It will encourage me to read... and its cheap!

In summary, I would like to say that this evening was magical. Dinner at Mafi's with Will, Kelly, Sarah Mac, Meg, Tim, Mom and Dad was fabulous. Let's face it, I just whipped up a batch of "Creme Brulee' French Toast" (because it has to sit for 8 hours) and I'm ti-red. I'm about to swan dive in to my cozy bed and hope that my "black out" curtains don't let me sleep til 2.

holler.