*yawn*

While I do have day to day adventures- and rearranging my furniture might be exciting to some, I feel that all in all I have very little to add to the blogging world. At one point I thought of it as an online journal... then I realized: that is about the dumbest thing ever. If there is anything I do NOT want the entire world to see, it is my personal "journal".

So, if you are all wrapped up in what I have to say here, shoot me an email with your very own email address. Ask me what you want to ask me (yep, all eight of you), and I will tell you what you want to know. Heck, shoot me an email asking me to update you when something cool happens. I'll try my best to oblige. Then again, as I have demonstrated here, I am not the gold standard of compliance.

Patience is a virtue.

Good day blog, your days are numbered.

blurry

Looks messier, but progress is being made. Slowly.

I haven't really tried to take any good photographs so you get a mix of natural light and well, darkness plus a lamp. Neither are quite representative of what the place looks like, but its a start. Again, feedback is a-okay.

Pat on the back to James, installer of clothing rack and bully to the bullies.

How hot is that bike!?
The Multicare Security guys love it when I leave my door open... They come around the corner ready for a bad guy breaking into my place, and find me, posting a picture of my open door, waving at them. They smile.

Nighttime falls, hulu appears on the screen...

I've got nothing smart or witty to say. This is my kitchen.

Aaalrighty. More later.

In case you were keeping track

The new address is as follows:

414 S. I St. #8
Tacoma, WA 98405

Allow me to give you a tour (of the tentative layout... this is by no means the final product!)

When you open the front door, this is what you see.

Take a step back and check out that kitchen you just walked through...

And now, the dining table/desk, bookshelf/office stuff.

Finally, the "get ready for the day" area. Dresser, mirror (which will eventually be hung) makeup stuff, closet, and BED.



And that, ladies and gentlemen, takes you full circle. You have just experienced a day in the life of Kara's new studio!

Hope you enjoyed the ride.

I am very very open to suggestions. I have a bunch of stuff that was not included in the photos... namely, an awesome, old, HEAVY bicycle. As well as boxes full of books, vases, wall decor, lamps, etc.

Depending on the numbers, I'd like to get rid of the dresser (which holds more than you think: the usual bras and undies, socks, swimsuits, pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, towels, washcloths, and some makeshift curtains) and trade it for an armoire of sorts. Then I could use my skinny little closet for storage.

We will see. I'm just happy to have my own place. And at the moment, my focus is not so much on myself as it is on Mommy-to-be Mer! Gotta give the little peanut a friendly welcome, right!?

More at some point, thanks for the patience!

absence makes the heart grow fonder

Right?

Right.

So here is the deal. I am back in Tacoma for at least a couple weeks! This is what I've been up to:

First, I spent two weeks or so in Sioux Falls for Caitlin and William's wedding.

The Beautiful Bride and I

The "pretending to be hammered" Groom and I. (He didn't have to try TOO hard)

Next, I got back to Tacoma, unpacked, did some laundry, packed, and headed off to Athens (not THAT Athens), Georgia (sorry, not that Georgia either). Anyway, my friends Ali and Brent were kind enough to pick me up in Atlanta and drive me to their home in Athens, provide me with my very own room and bathroom, sign me up for a 5k (I did it!!), teach me all about tennis, feed me delicious food, make me coffee, introduce me to super nice people, take me to the pool.... I could go on...

Ali and I at the pool
Brent, me, Ali, and Laura living the good life. Food, drink, and merriment.

Anyway folks, I'll try my best to get back on track. These next few weeks will not be without excitement either... I will be moving (somewhere, not sure where yet), and with any luck, finding a full time job.

Send me good vibes, I'll be needing them!

He's all grown up!

Many of you have heard this story, but I'll share it again the best I can.

April 20, 2008. On the phone with Michael.

Mike: Hello?
Kara: Hey
M: Whats up?
K: Not much... Happy Birthday!!!
M: Thanks
K: So the big one-nine. Your last year as a teenager! How cool! Man, enjoy yourself while you are young. Soon you will be in your TWENTIES. So mike, this is your last year as a teen, what are you going to do? Big plans?
M: *pause*
K: So happy birthday! Nineteen years! Mike you are growing up so...
M: Kara?
K: Yeah?
M: I'm 20.


I'll post the pics that inspired this post.... at a later date. Right now, reminiscing with the brother :0)

quarter century

I'd love to say something deep. To really take a step back, observe and analyze my current state of being, and share eloquently stated pearls of wisdom... but this is not going to happen.

Instead, (three days late), you get old pictures of me!

12 days


1 year


2 years


Apparently 3 and 4 were not photo worthy, so here's year 5


And year 6


Would you just look at how rockin' we all look in that last picture? Daaaamn!

Funny how things change. Anna, my cousin, the one in the white polka dot shirt, now has two boys, the oldest being exactly the age I was in this picture.

Well anyway. Tomorrow I'm off to visit that cute little guy in the blue and white tank top and yellow sunglasses. Only now he is 21, has a girlfriend, a house, a motorcycle, a car, and a job running sound for events at South Dakota State University.

Ahhh life.

This is why I like solo roadtrips...

Today I am grateful that I made it home and am no longer sitting in my car. I'd like to make it known that for that final stretch, I was rockin' to Billy Joel. This made me very happy- not so much the act of listening to Billy Joel, but knowing that if there was video footage of me in that last hour or so of my drive, it would be hilarious. Deeply embarrassing, but hilarious. Windows down, stereo as loud as it would go, smoking a cigarette, singing (badly) at the top of my lungs, playing the steering wheel drums, and just having a grand 'ol time.

Needless to say, I am running on adrenaline. I am officially so tired I'm giddy. You know what I'm talkin' about. More tomorrow 'cause right now

I

am off

to la-la-land

Old Maids

I said I would update, I haven't. But ya know what? I am pretty sure the people who actually read this are the ones I spend all my time with anyway so they know exactly whats been going on. There are no big surprises here.

However, I think I had a good thing going when I was coming up with at least one thing to be grateful for each day. I dont know if you liked it, but I enjoyed doing it, and I'm all about starting that up again.


















I have had a really great week. I mean- I don't feel like giving the world a great big hug, but I don't want out so desperately either. Perhaps this is weird, but I feel it most in my eyes. I dont know if you can tell by looking at me, but this last week my eyes have been open and anticipating and actively taking things in. I have had happy eyes as of late- as opposed to being all droopy and cynical or darting around desperately trying to avoid eye contact with others. I can fake a smile, speak happy words, and make it seem legit... but my eyes are (or at least feel) more telling. Yeah, maybe this is weird.

Anyway, I'd like to get back on track with my documentation of what makes me smile for real. Whole body smiles. Things that really truely bring me joy.

Today (yesterday, I guess) I went to Beth's, a very cool cafe less than a block from Lance's house in Greenlake with Kristen, Lance, and Brice. Beth's is known for their 6 or 12 egg omelets. (The four of us split a 12 egg bacon something-or-other omelet. It was delicious, and I am still full a solid 13 hours later) They also have an interesting way of decorating the place... there are stacks of plain white paper, big 'ol packs of crayons, and masking tape to stick your art to the walls wherever you can find a space. I was feeling less than inspired, but Lance and Kristen went all out. Kristen's artwork is what I am going to officially be grateful for... but really, it was the whole day.



















Above you see photo documentation of some impromptu art that kept me giggling for quite some time. Thank you Kristen, Lance, and Brice. You guys get an A+.

I am thankful for friends friends friends.

Its been a busy weekend... update, and multiple photos within a week or so!

Back!

I have returned!

The next few days are filling up quickly. Today is for regrouping, organizing, laundry, etc. Tomorrow I'll be back to babysitting, and in the evening my friend Nic and a buddy or two of his will be staying with me and spending the next few days in the Tacoma/Seattle area. There will be appointments here and there, planning for my August trip to Sioux Falls, and catching up with friends.

But for now, coffee.

Adios!

Well everyone, I am off! Going to spend a few days with the fam, then some more days with my other family.

Happy 4th, catch ya in a couple weeks!

Oh, Mister Sun?

Sun? Mr. Golden Sun?

I'd like to thank you for being around the last few days! I am grateful for your presence, Mr. Sun! You are quite a pal. (If you are not too busy, I would looove it if you could come to Winnipeg with me next week! We'd have a blast, really!)

Thanks again, hope you stick around!

Mmmm

So lately I have started some new medications. Some days I think I feel better, some days, not so much. Today, is a good day though. One side-effect of these meds is a marked decrease in my appetite. Without giving it much thought, it seems like a fabulous side effect. Weight loss goals finally attainable!! But really, it can be a bit of a bummer. I never really realized how big a role food has in every day life. So many interactions take place around food. That, and I really like food. I would like to eat it thankyouverymuch.

I would love to be thin and toned, but not at the expense of feeling lethargic all the time or on the verge of passing out. So, I've started reading lables. Very closely. It is really something I should have been doing all along, but this kinda forced me into it. I have to get a lot of bang for my buck when I eat. Luna bars and protein shakes have been lifesavers. And today I am grateful for a new discovery...

Veggie burger from Trader Joe's baked in the oven (it was the recommended prep)
Big 'ol dollop of guacamole
Lots of cilantro
Topped off with a couple slices of tomato

We've got protein from the burger without the bad fat of real burgers, good fat in the guac, and maybe a couple vitamins/minerals/whatnot from the rest. And in my humble opinion, it tasted pretty good!

backtracking

I've missed a few days, please allow me to make amends.

I am grateful for the feel and smell of clean laundry coming right out of the dryer. Heavenly. I am currently enamored with all things Mrs. Meyers Geranium Scent. I have the hand soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, and dryer sheets. Its a bit on the spendy side, but the stuff lasts forever. I say its definitely worth it.

I am also grateful for my computer. It does what I want it to do, when I want it to do it. It also has an application called, "Photo Booth" which enables me to show you...

How rockin' I am...

What I look when I am feigning interest...

Or that I am actually a twin... who knew?!

If I'm still missing a couple days, I'll leave you on this note. Now it is time to climb into bed (which I am grateful for) and watch some Arrested Development on Hulu (which I am also grateful for). Have a nice evening folks!

Squeeeeeeze

I am grateful for hugs. Hugs hugs hugs hugs hugs. Then, some more hugs.

Stop Thinking

I am grateful for Solitaire in all its forms. I really think I am.

I put some thought into it... Am I really grateful for something that keeps my mind busy with absolutely nothing of substance? Can I be grateful for a game so monotonous, so addictive, so brain numbing, and so unrelated to "real life"? Turns out, yep, at this point in my life, I am.

I am grateful for Solitaire because it keeps my mind from wandering places I do not want it to go. No, it is not productive, but it is not destructive either... and THAT is a step in the right direction.

Some of the "distraction techniques" I have encountered do no such thing. Taking a bath just makes me think about things I don't want to think about while I'm all wet. Going on a walk just makes me think about things I don't want to think about while wandering around the city. Talking it out with a friend just makes me think about things I don't want to think about while becoming embarrassed and flustered.

So I am grateful for the boring old Klondike, Spider, Tri Peaks, or whatever. Not productive, but more importantly, not destructive.

joining the club

Michael Jackson has died. The guy gives me the heebie-jeevies, but when it comes right down to it, he was absolutely brilliant.

As much as I respect the man for his artistic contributions, I am grateful for the honest comments left by all those fans (or not) of his.

Quotes yes, recognition given... nope. Deal with it :-)

"Due to the fact that Michael Jackson is 99% plastic he will be melted down into lego blocks so that little kids can play with him for a change"

"Does Michael Jackson being dead make Justin Timberlake the new "King of Pop"?"
"I think not. JT is king of Dick in a box."

"No one will be able to forget him for atleast the next few weeks."

"May you moonwalk with Jesus"

"I wonder if the Catholic Church has honored him with Sainthood yet. He can be the Patron Saint of the Bad Touch."

"sometimes i think we're his own personal dancing chickens."

"Caitlin Cummings has found something positive in the death of Michael Jackson: MTV is actually showing music videos again."

"Say what you will about his personal life, but the man could write a catchy tune and dance his bony little ass off."

For the love of Xanax

I am grateful for pharmaceuticals.

Good People

I am grateful for the kindness of strangers.

Yes, there are bad people out there. Yes, I have encountered a few. And yes, because of these people, I am very cautious. I hope for the best and plan for the worst.

If you are a woman and have not read the book, Cunt by Inga Muscio, you should. It can get a bit preachy, but it is worth it. She has some very practical tactics for avoiding/getting rid of unwanted attention- none of which include, "Never go out alone after dark." I find this refreshing.

I am grateful for the kindness of strangers.

I place a very high value on "alone time." I like to experience things on my own. I like to read. I like to listen to music. I like to walk. I like to sit. I like to observe. Odd as it might sound, I like meeting new people.

I find that when I am with people I know, when I am with my friends, I meet very few new people. But when I am on my own, it never fails. I WILL meet someone new. I rarely catch their name, but their stories stick with me and I am forever grateful to them. When I spent a week in California, I met a positively fantastic man at a laundry mat. We spoke for hours, even once our laundry was long since washed, dried, and folded. This time around I met the kindest couple in Port Angeles. They opened a small restaurant in October (She does the cooking, He does the greeting/seating/serving). They were both born in Mexico, her mother was Italian. They have traveled the world together, and were kind enough to share some of their culinary creations with me: a mix of what her mother taught her, traditional Mexican cuisine, and dashes of other flavors she picked up along the way. I came in looking for some free chips and salsa and left stuffed to the brim with both fabulous food and a fresh perspective on All People.

Yes, there are some not-so-nice people out there. But there are also good people. I am simply not willing to let fear keep me from all those extraordinary folks out there.

All this in two days. Imagine.

Change of Scenery

I'm off on a solo outing this weekend. Heading to the WA coast and working my way up the peninsula.

Catch ya on Monday!