Author: Kathleen

  • Ten On Tuesday: I Want To Live A Simple Life

    1. Fill in the blank. Sometimes I wish my life was more ______.
    Simple, spiritual.

    2. How do you cure the hiccups?
    Take a knife or a fork and bite down on it. While your teeth are clenched there, take a couple sips of water without letting them go. You will probably spill some on you, but your hiccups will be gone if you do it right – guaranteed.

    3. What are three of your favorite indulgences?
    Pedicures, chocolate, and reality TV.

    4. Where is the most exotic place you would like to travel to? The most mundane?
    Most exotic – Africa for a safari. Most mundane – Kansas to visit friends.

    5. Does having your time planned out stress you or relax you?
    Relaxes me. Even when I have time off to do what I want, I like to plan it out for myself so that I can accomplish everything I want to, even if it’s just reading a certain number of chapters or catching up on DVR.

    6. What are your favourite fabrics to wear?

    I’m not a fashion snob, and I like wearing anything smooth and comfortable. I know what I like when I feel it, but I have to say that I don’t know what that is.

    7. Do you sleep through the night?
    I almost always wake up when David comes to bed 2-3 hours after I’ve already been to sleep. He says that I moan in pain/exhaustion at that time, like nothing could be worse in the world at that moment than not being asleep. I also rouse when my dog Cleo wants to get under the covers, or if she wants to get out from under them. That happens a few times during the night, but I don’t fully wake. If I didn’t have those two distractions, I think I’d easily sleep through the night every night.

    8. When you were younger, what did you think you would be doing at this age? How close is that to what you are doing?
    I can’t remember thinking about this age much when I was younger. It was so far away it was like a different world to me, one where I didn’t belong. I guess I had some vague ideas of what I wanted to be when I grew up, which ranged from a photographer to a physical therapist. The latter is somewhat along the lines of nursing, I suppose.

    9. What has surprised you most about growing up?
    I think it’s that I never really feel like I’m “grown up.” I don’t feel old, and I’m not depressed about getting older. But also, I never would have guessed that my parents (and my in-laws) would be my friends at this age, and that I would enjoy spending time with them more than almost anyone else.

    10. Are you good at keeping secrets?
    Yes, except from my husband. I consider him an extension of myself, so don’t tell me anything unless you’re okay with him knowing too. But don’t worry, you can trust him. :)

  • 28.

    This is a picture of me and my parents on my first birthday. My mom is pregnant with my brother and I have cake all over my face. I like it.

    Today I turn twenty-eight, and I am solidly in my late twenties, which I guess is okay with me since I’ve felt like I’m twenty-eight for months already. I remember when I thought seventeen was soooo old, and when thirty seemed like a lifetime away. But honestly, despite the fact that I practically live the life of a grandma (sans retirement), I still feel young. I can’t imagine actually feeling old, even years and years from now. But what do I know about that?

    It’s been quite a birthday week. We acquired a third dog, which has been fun and overwhelming and deserves a post of its own. I started an additional part-time job that had me nervous all week but turned out to be fine, and pays really well too. I’m probably getting a new car tomorrow, which is a good thing since I want to cry every time I get into my truck. Sadly I got sick this week, and still am, and I just don’t do sick well. The weather has been dreary since I can remember.

    My husband has gone above and beyond to make sure I have a wonderful week with countless small gestures such as flowers, notes, and putting aside extra time for me, not to mention the gifts that he’s been orchestrating that I don’t know about yet. I haven’t exercised at all and I’ve eaten a lot of ice cream. It’s definitely a week I will remember for a long time.

    I have today off work, but I plan to spend the bulk of it doing chores and errands. I simply won’t be able to relax otherwise, and I know how much happier and calmer I’ll be once it’s all finished. Then at the end of the day I get to go to my parents’ house for a mom-cooked meal, which somehow always makes things better.

    I love being 28. I am in love with my life. Just, every once in awhile it would be nice to go back to being a baby with cake in my hair.

  • Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover

    Isn’t that one of the oldest adages? Meaning, of course, don’t make up your mind about something based on what you see on the outside. I wholeheartedly agree with the principal and in most cases, such as with people, I do my best to adhere to it.

    But y’all, I totally judge books by their covers. I just can’t help it; I’m drawn in by a pretty design. Although I mostly buy books based on recommendations and reviews, occasionally I find myself wandering Barnes & Noble ready to make a random purchase. Those are the times I am susceptible.

    The thing is, I know the cover doesn’t mean anything about the quality of the book. Here are a few of my absolute favorites, for example:

    enders-game

    Ender’s Game. Okay, this cover is completely outdated and screams “geek” when in reality, I think it is palatable even for those who aren’t into sci-fi like I am. I’ve had several friends verify that assertion.

    a-prayer-for-owen_l

    A Prayer For Owen Meany. There’s nothing special going on here. In fact, it’s quite boring, and completely opposite of the genius that lies inside.

    rebecca

    Rebecca. This looks like a sappy romance novel, something I would normally stay far, far away from.

    Do you have any examples of your own? A deceptively bad or good cover, or one that is right on? How do you feel about book covers?

  • Currently In February

    Current Book(s): Just finished my book club book a few days ago and the next meeting isn’t until next week, so I picked up The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl off my “unread” shelf. My husband also got me The Wonder Spot by Michelle Bank to listen to while I drive. I like it so far, although it’s read by the author which I don’t think is a good idea. Her voice really annoys me.

    wonderspot

    Current Playlist: I finally went through all of my recovered files from when my hard drive crashed, and it’s like I have a whole new music library now. I discovered some classics that I forgot I had such as Ace of Base, ‘N Sync, and Queen’s greatest hits.

    Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Every season I tell myself that I’m not going to watch The Bachelor again, but every season I find myself watching it. Ah, well.

    Current Drink: I think this is the most boring category for me since not only am I a teetotaler (I think that’s a fun way of putting it) but I also dislike most sodas. Pretty much the only things I ever find myself drinking are water and coffee. If that changes I’ll let you know.

    Current Food: After an unplanned break from cooking during the holidays, I’m back on it. This week I’ve made PW’s chicken spaghetti and this ham & potato soup. Both are amazing, and I have tons of leftovers!

    soup

    Current Favorite Show: Not The Bachelor. Definitely not that.

    Current Wishlist: I moved my wishlist to Wishpot. Among the things I’d like the most are: sport headphones, a tea kettle, a Kindle, Over the Rhine’s Live From Nowhere Vol. 4, a custom made address stamp, and new pet tags for my dogs.

    Current Needs: New running shoes since I’ve had mine for over two years. A case for my iPhone since I seem to drop it all the time. My wisdom teeth removed. A NEW CAR, preferably this one, which is still my dream:

    ToyotaPriusSuperWhite

    Current Triumphs: I’m proud that I got our cash budget going again this month. I’m proud that I made a meal plan at the beginning of this week and I’m sticking to it. And I’m proud that my meals have turned out delicious so far.

    Current Bane(s) of my Existence: I think I’ve whined quite enough about the annoyances of my truck, but I don’t care. Unless you have experienced it yourself, you have no idea how difficult it is to drive a vehicle without power steering. I approach parking lots now with the fear and trembling that should only be reserved for The Lord. Thankfully, my husband has finally convinced me that it’s time to put Bubba to rest and purchase a new/used car for me. It may or may not be happening this weekend.

    Current Celebrity Crush: My crushes don’t change as often as every month. I’m still on the Robert Downey, Jr. kick, and of course Derek Webb is always my #1 crush.

    Current Indulgence: Too many to count. Birthday week, remember?

    Current Blessing(s): My God, my husband, my family, my friends, my dogs, my job, my house, my church–I’ve got it pretty good, I’d say.

    Current Outfit: As I’m writing this (Tuesday afternoon) I’m wearing a sweater, jeans, and slippers. I wish I would have taken a picture on Sunday when I looked cute, but you’ll have to settle for this, my boring sweater:

    IMG_0164

    Current Excitement: My birthday, the prospect of getting a new car, and that my blog is being redesigned and should hopefully be ready to launch soon. All three things make me so happy.

    Current Mood: Apart from the random pangs of sadness I get due to situations beyond my control, I am feeling very, very, content. And full.

    Current Link: AllRecipes is the best website for recipes. If you haven’t checked it out, you need to.

    Happy February!

  • Ten On Tuesday: Some God Talk

    rr10tuesday1. What is your favorite travel destination spot?
    Beaches, fun activities, and history are what gets me. My favorite vacation ever was to Kauai, Hawaii for our honeymoon, but the fact that it was my honeymoon probably elevates it to that level. A close second would be to Athens, Greece and the islands.

    2. Cats vs. Dogs.
    Dogs by far, although I do like cats and wish we could get one. Unfortunately Cleo would probably eat it. But I think I really only like cats that cuddle and have personality like dogs do, and that kind of cat is rare.

    3. Do you believe in fate?
    No. See question 9.

    4. Do you believe in karma?
    No again. See question 9.

    5. Everyone has a unique laugh. Do you like yours?
    I’ve never thought about it before. I think my laugh is fairly normal. I don’t laugh whenever I think something is funny, though. Sometimes I just smile a little and say, “That’s funny.” And I mean it.

    6. Is love really all you need?
    What everyone really needs is God, whether they realize it or not. His love is all you need. It’s the only thing that brings a true, lasting hope, and what is life without hope?

    7. What’s your take on the whole 2012 scare?
    Never heard of it. Is that what that one movie is about?

    8. If you won a million dollars and had to give it all away, who would you give it to? (Family and friends not included.)
    Partly to the organization Compassion, through which we sponsor two children, and partly to the organization Merge Ministries, which is a team of missionaries from our church’s denomination (Evangelical Covenant) who I have done several trips with. Both stand for what I believe in, do excellent work, and put as much of their resources as possible into actually achieving that work.

    9. Do you believe in God/religion/the power of prayer?
    I consider my primary identity to be a Christian and daughter of God. It’s more important to me than being a wife, a nurse, or any of my other roles. So if you know one thing about me, know that. I won’t say that I believe in “religion,” because what I have isn’t that; it’s a relationship with a living God, and yes I believe that He hears my prayers. I don’t always understand how prayer works or what it does, but it’s the way that I commune with God and it changes me. As for fate and karma, I don’t think they are compatible with God, who is all-powerful and thoroughly good. I believe that He is working out everything according to a perfect plan, and I trust Him implicitly.

    10. What New Year’s Resolution do you always make but never keep?
    I usually keep my resolutions, and I never make the same one each year. Go me.