New leaf.

Today is the first day to feel like Autumn. It leaves me feeling equal parts invigorated and hesitant. Sure, there are parts of Fall that you'd have to be comatose not to enjoy. The air smells like pumpkins and football. And hope. And love. Nevertheless, I know what it brings and it makes me resent this lovely season. Like shooting the messenger. How can the season that brings me nutty lattes, new seasons of 30 Rock, brisk walks and pencil skirts have the nerve to affiliate itself with the likes of Winter?

How can it be time to move away from Summer already? It doesn't feel like it. I haven't seen the first leaf fall. It is officially Fall (as of last week) and I've not seen the first sign... until today. Today barely crept into the 70's- a welcome reprieve for all. We managed to have weather cooler than North Dakota, for goodness sake. Mark that down some where. Today also brought darkness shy of 7pm. Truth be told, my distaste for the Winter months has mostly to do with Daylight Savings. Sunlight just does something for me.

Still, its moments like these, sitting on a cozy couch near an open window, that I cannot help but smile. For me, Fall is always the season of beginning. Its the time each year when Katherine, Julie, Heidi and I get together to dream for the coming year (as well as pay respects to the following). It is the start of a new school year (which I cannot convince my 31-year-old self does not apply to me any longer) and I just feel like the reset button gets a nudge when the weather cools down. I think its fair to say that most folks feel it in Spring or at the beginning of the year. Nah- this time of year draws me to contemplation.

So what? Well, for me, in this space, it means a bit of newness as well. As I look back over the last year, I feel like I've showered you with silliness. Which, lets be real, is somewhat who I am. But not all. I think I am going to spend some time telling stories. Don't worry- I assure you this will not become a serious place where we discuss the globalization of health care... but it will likely also not be what I did last night. That's what Facebook is for (when will I become too old for that statement?). I will really write here. I figure, if you love a story as much as I do, this will be a fun little detour.

old people injury

I think I have one, that is.

Let me back up.

Last night, I had an extremely energizing evening of organizing (mostly preparation for organizing) with my friend Alice. I really love order, so it left me with so much energy! I decided to go home and use some of that energy for good.

ON MY WII!

And, thus, I think I've pulled something in my right shoulder playing Wii tennis.

But that backhand was. worth. it.

xo

carol.

Mom had a bad day today.

Heres how I know:

me: hey, mama
carol: hey bun, did you try to call me?
me: no....
carol: well. ok. hi!
me: hey mom.
carol: today has been a day from H-E- hell.
me: that is the best thing you've ever said.

I just love her.

Sorry for your bad day, mama. Prop those feet up and have diddy make you dinner. xo

misty, water-colored...

memories!

Things that were just remembered by me:

- How I got good grades in 3rd grade and got to pick out the bed I wanted. Any bed. I chose.... a water bed. That's right. A water bed. It ruled.

- Dad (Diddy) and I had a ritual. Once a month, we would empty said bed of air bubbles. I would roll from one corner diagonally to the opposite corner. I loved it.

- My room was the one on the front of the house with a gardenia bush. It smelled lovely when the windows were open.

- One time Kristin got locked out and she knocked on my window til I came to the door. It took so long (it worked its way in to my dream) that she was in tears by the time I arrived to let her in. She was starting to think she'd be left to sleep in her car. Oh man.

- In middle school, my most often packed bag-lunch was simply a bag of microwave popcorn and a juicy juice. Gross. (kind of).

- I used to sleep nap in pink curlers because I was convinced I looked like Julia Roberts when I fluffed out my insanely thick ringlets in the morning.

Last, but not least, I thought Ronald Reagan was a grandparent of mine as a kid. We prayed for him every night and I just thought he was a relative... and he was old. It made sense to me. (True story: I flew in to the Dallas airport the day he died and I cried a lot.)

adieu.

case of the mondays.

woke up to a headache.
writhed around a while.
gave up and just got ready for the day.
still got to work late.
lots of emails.
monday.


at least I'm going to Coco's for dinner. :)

Team Evans

WHAT a blissful weekend!

Julia wed Jeremy on a beach in the Outerbanks. It was perfect weather, a constant breeze, a weirdo tourist who snapped pictures from 8 feet away during the ceremony, and oodles of gushy love stuff- EVERYthing a girl could hope for!  It was simply beautiful!

Julia is probably the friend I've had the longest. Aside from Kristin. But she doesn't count... she has to love me. Its in the twin bylaws. Julia, on the other hand, chose to. We met in Summerville, South Carolina as leetle girls. She has been a constant friend (and delight) my whole life since then. It was nothing less than a total honor to stand with her on her most special day!

Jeremy and Julia have actually known each other longer! Life-long family friends, they got reacquainted after Julia got back from spending 2 years in Tanzania. It look about 2 dates to realize they were going to make a lifetime of this thing. And thank goodness they are. They make each other laugh. a lot (a non-negotiable in my book). They both get a little giddy when the other is around. Julia seems to have just relaxed in a really beautiful way. That's what love does, I guess.

So, there are a ton of gorgeous pictures... I just didn't take any of them. As soon as I have them, you'll see them. Another amazing part of the weekend? Two new friends that are just amazing. Mary Katherine and Karen. All I have to say is DUH. These two were just an absolute riot and I am already planning to visit both. It will just have to happen. ;)

What fun to enjoy the dreamy backdrop of the beach for such a lovely occasion. Here's to you, Team Evans! Love you!

what?

I just started to google "bob's work out" (in an attempt to locate an awesome work out care of Biggest Loser fame) and the list of suggestions made me laugh.

There are a lot of questions that come to mind... but none more intriguing than "Bob's Your Uncle".

It turns out that is a phrase oft used in the UK.... wh wh wh whaaaaat?

Refer HERE for a giggle... and bob's your uncle.

this just in...

For those of you wondering...

I got my blood work back and DO NOT have the crazy neuro condish I was tested for!!!!!

bliss.

Supreme thanks to Holly for introducing me to this little nugget of visual peace. Behold, Things Organized Neatly.

Carol at a mall.

Its been a while, so I'll toss you a Carol story.

We (Kristin, Chad and me) met up with them (Mom, Dad, and my grandparents- Big Daddy and Judy) at the Southpark mall. I had just flown in and we were all about to celebrate birthdays with a nice dinner together. Four birthdays between 7 of us.

So, after relaxing in a comfy chair chatting (while we wait for our reservation), mom leans over and says this:

carol: So, how are things? Are you feeling good?
me: (taking a breath to start to answer)
carol: (leaning in) do you want a pet?
me: are you drunk?
carol: *uncontrolled laughter*

two things:
- I have never wanted a pet. Of any sort, really. [I once had guinea pigs that I gave away less than a year later.] That is.. UNTIL i watched a documentary on the sweetest assistance dogs the world over. A dog named Salsa (a trained seizure-detecting dog!) won my heart. I am just saying... the tide may have turned. Stay tuned.
- You should know how quickly and hilariously Carol rattled off those questions. She's a wonder to behold.

Then we ate upscale pasta. And it was awesome.

xo

Gifted friend.

Intentionally, that can go two ways. Yes, Sarah Mathias Brodine is wicked talented and creative but she also bestowed me with a gift. So there you have it!

Sarah (or Kara, as she is referred to in the Kirker fam) shares September 7th for a birthday. We are kindred spirits. We lived together in Columbia, SC while both doing full-time ministry and bonded quickly. In fact, I think we knew we'd be dear friends the moment we met. :)

Sarah and her hubs, Luke, live (with their son Nealon) in San Fran. Pretty dreamy, huh? Well, Sarah spent the month before her 30th bday accomplishing her own list of 30 challenges... a girl after my own heart, to be sure. Hers were amazing! Check them out here. Somehow, I lucked out and became the beneficiary of the most beautiful hand-decorated note cards EVer. Just look:

I mean, does that ribbon not just melt your heart? 

Thank you, dearest Sarah for the lovely gift and EVEN more for being the kind of friend every girl should be so blessed to have! Love you, little triplet. :)

xo,

k

oh SNAP.

... what a difference a year makes.

 circa 2009

circa 2010.

Crazy Cat Eyes

I had just gotten dilated and had to get some blood drawn. As I sat down in the chair, I was greeted by my phlebotomist (sp?) who was MOST definitely from the Caribbean. She said, "oh girl, yo dress look so com fuht ah bull" (it was). She chatted for another moment and then let out a little gasp and said, "YOU got some crazy cat eyes". A funny statement at the Emory Eye Clinic, to be sure.

Then, I saw the picture and you know what?

She's right.

(mom laughed a lot).

Santa Rosa Beach

I hate to sound like a broken record, but...

Y'ALL.

I am a ridiculously blessed girl. Who gets to go to the gulf coast TWICE in two weeks? (In fairness, before then, it had been 4 years, but I digress). First, we went to PCB then, last weekend, we went to Santa Rosa Beach.

Catherine, Miranda and I loaded up our worldly goods and headed south for an epic Labor Day Weekend. Many adventures ensued. Such as, getting so involved in story telling that three control freaks did not notice our missed turn until stopping to use the restroom an hour later. We laughed for the following hour.

I have said this numerous times, but it is true. The trip was enchanted. Every single element was the *best* it could have been. Perfect weather, great food, incredible company, fun excursions, etc. We had a blast and here are a couple pictures to paint the picture for you. (But only a couple... the rest are just for us to remember.)

xo,
k

A week lost, but not forgotten.

No, I didn't lose it.

You did.

Because I haven't blogged in that long. Sorry.

Just so much to cover and you and I both know that shuts me down. Over the next few days, I'll fill you in on my blissful trip to the beach, assorted things and a tribute to my beloved godfather, Pete, who went to Heaven over a week ago. I haven't been able to collect my thoughts quite yet. When I do, you'll be first to know.

BUT.

For today...

I AM 31!

Which means that I am officially a "thirtysomething". ;)

xo,
k