On hiatus

Let's state the obvious. I barely post in here! It's been another few, busy months. I feel compelled to return, though -- for a few reasons.

1) The handful of you who read this (and maybe enjoy it?)
2) So I can re-read my own posts once and awhile and ground myself. When I actually have to write out what's happening in my life, I tell it like it really is. (The heckler who lives in my brain doesn't have opposable thumbs and can't type. So, I win).

Tim is gone for his annual guard training, and when he goes away for periods of time, I revert to the purest forms of my quirkiest self. My house has never been cleaner, I've never been more anxious to meet up with friends to do fun things, and I've been living off of cereal for the most part. All of it makes no sense.

I tell you what, though, having your person leave for awhile makes you crazy thankful for all they do in your life. You know what really motivated me to finally update this blog?

Poop.

Yes. That was the final push. We have a precious window of time this weekend when it's not going to rain, and I need to use it to clean up the yard a bit and mow/trim/weed. This is usually Tim's job. He deals with the gross jobs because he knows I hate them. But, while he is gone, I need to do it or risk neighborhood embarrassment. So, here I sit, updating you all on what's going on in my life, all to avoid coming within three feet of dog crap.

I've also had to suck it up and come home every day to let Polly out, take out the trash, and attempt to stuff puppy antibiotics into a hot dog. All. Gross. Things. (Polly has been struggling with excesses of bacteria in her system, joy of joys. Also, I ditched the hot dog plan after day 1 and moved to the peanut butter plan, for those of you who were curious).

So, another week to go and I get my person back. Then, things return to homeostasis. (Apologies if you come into contact with me before then, I'm not in control of myself).

Other updates -- we are having a good and busy spring/summer..... swinter? It seems like every weekend there are plans to look forward to. Recently, we celebrated a few weddings which were beautiful and fun and FULL of catching up with friends.

It's blurry, but these are [most] of my P-C friends in one place!

Work is keeping us both busy, and I'm getting the opportunity to travel more on sales meetings. I'm loving the meetings and the thrill of selling prospective clients, but the travel has been less-than glamorous. (If you catch my random status updates on Facebook, you can see this).

I'm in class again this summer, too, and same story as my other classes. I'm soaking it up. I never would have guessed graduating college that these skills/opportunities would excite and challenge me, but there you have it. That's life for you. I'm toying the idea of writing a blog post in the future directed at my 20-year-old self to this point. (20-year-old Kate and my brain heckler gang up on me sometimes with my life choices....)

I can't figure out how to rotate pictures from my phone, but check out this note someone left in my "Accounting for MBAs" text book :)

OK, that's..... 25 minutes wasted. Time to go confront the yard.

Until next time!

It's still not spring

Almost three months after that last post, and it's still not spring.

Also, it's been three months since I posted? Where did the time go?

Here's what's happened around here, list-style:

1) Celebrated Mardi Gras in St. Louis for the first time in years. Had a blast with my siblings and other STL funtimes friends.

2) Celebrated anniversary No. 2 with Tim, at the same place we went last year. Avoided getting sick beforehand but ate so much delicious, rich food that I thought I'd go into a coma. Took pictures that didn't save on the camera, boo.

3) Busy at work, busy at home. Meetings, meetings, plans, plans, plans. Working out, not working out. Eating crap, feeling guilty and eating better.

4) Joined All Saints, and the choir. Happy to be singing again, love the older ladies in the soprano section :)

5) Celebrated St. Patrick's Day a day early with friends. Breakfast, cards, wandering, bar time, food time, movie time, sleep.

6) Next few weeks will be another whirlwind -- Easter, film festivals with Tim's mom/stepdad in attendance (excited), finally finishing taxes, then a work trip to NYC, then the annual officer ball in Des Moines. That takes us to.... mid-April. Whoa. Must find appropriate attire for both the work trip and officer ball.

7) I finally got an iPhone. That doesn't necessarily deserve its own list number, except that it might mean I post more pictures.

8) Took Polly to the dog park for the first time and watched her in pure, doggy bliss. Only took 30 minutes for her to be cashed out for the rest of the day. A pack of huskies also showed her that there are consequences to knocking little kids down. No consequences to knocking over the communal water bowl, though.

9) Class is going fine, and I'm keeping up with the content. Sorta geeked up about re-learning algebra (it wasn't fun 12 years ago, but I like knowing things now, so that helps keep my head in the game). The professor works hard to keep econ light (funny, even) to make the 3+-hour stretch every week go as quickly as possible.

I can't believe how quickly the weeks are going. In the meantime, I need for the weather to catch up to me. Our backyard is trashed, along with half the screen porch that we love. Wonder if that has anything to do with the 90+ pound puppy terrorizing the house? (Terror until 9 p.m. when she crumples into a squishy, adorable, sleepy puppy pile and I can finally pet her).

Like that.

Anyway, my OCD is on overdrive and I want things back in order, stat.

Easter is upon us, also. I haven't really done the Catholic "Easter thing" in years but was motivated (? if that's the right word?) this year to get back into it. After 10 years on hiatus, I'm  ready for Sundays to be about reflection and family again. No matter what is happening politically in the Catholic church, it honestly doesn't affect me. It's how I grew up, I know where I stand, and it's been nice to have in my life again. Plus, when I do have weekend days where I do nothing and go nowhere, I feel SUPER restless and even a little depressed. Does that happen to anyone else? The level of laziness used to be my favorite thing.

I told Tim he could make me fish on Fridays, and I've gone to mass pretty regularly throughout Lent. I can't explain it, but I really love this time of year in church. It's really reflective, and even somber (I asked Tim to come with me this past weekend, and just ask him what he thought about Palm Sunday mass from the perspective of a Protestant). But then Easter comes and it's like this huge release. The music and liturgy become celebratory and it really ushers in spring for me.

That, and every year I HAVE to watch "The Ten Commandments" with Charlton Heston. And eat Reese's peanut butter cup eggs. Best shape of pb cup, in my opinion.

Cheers!

Pump the brakes, guys

Now that Christmas is over, my blog rolls and Facebook feeds are full of posts pleading for spring to be here.

Whoa.

I know I've said this a lot, and I might be crazy, but I LOVE the seasons. I definitely haven't gotten my fill of winter yet!


For those of you who have forgotten, this summer was hot. Stupid hot. So hot, that we all barely needed to wear coats until the Snowmaggedon hit us before Christmas.

All I can think of was the blast of hot air that greeted me every time I left a car or building, the sweat beads on my forehead and dying/dead yard. So hot, that you actually don't want to be outside.

I'm pretty grateful that snow is hiding my yard right now :) I love sweaters, coats, blankets, something warm and bubbly on the stove...

 (photo credit)

So here it is, friends, a find-your-inner-winter-lover guide. To carry you through at least February.

1. Find one of these, stat.

There is nothing more romantic/winter than a fireplace. The crackling, the ambiance, the couldn't-be-more-cozy. If you can't locate one, make plans with us and we'll show you :)

2. Try a new soup/stew/casserole/bread/cocktail recipe that you would never think of eating or making when it's 80+ degrees out. I made a sweet/spicy chili this weekend (um, not a part of our pre-cleanse) with jalepeno-cheddar corn bread and it was like a hug. I'm trying to locate a good, classic recipe for hot toddies and some cozy appetizers for a gathering this weekend** and couldn't be more stoked. I'm actually excited that temps are going to drop again.

3. Get away. And I don't mean to Cancun. For our second anniversary, Tim and I just caved and decided to spend a weekend here again. Forget finding a new bathing suit and beach cover-up, I'm on the hunt for a new ROBE. BAM. 

4. I'm no health nut, but I totally understand the whole seasonal-depression-lacking-sun nutrients thing you get in the winter. For me, this is a great time to get started at the gym again. I've realized over time that this tendency isn't attached to any real New Year's resolution (I suck at goals), but things are just slightly less busy/noisy right now, and the extra energy and endorphins I get from working out keep the seasonal slump at bay. Right now, my gym routine isn't intense -- at least 3-4 days a week, treadmill/elliptical and squats/lunges/crunches, and I hope to increase it in the next few weeks (and potentially switch gyms) to incorporate group fitness classes again (I actually miss spinning classes.)

5. This doesn't appeal to everyone (if you are low-key when it comes to clothes), but dress the part. Get a new cozy sweater (yup, this happened, only in black, and I'd really love a new one of these). 

That's all. If you have other winter survival (read: thrival, yes, I made up that word) tips (any good reads to recommend? Feeling crafty?), post a comment and share them with me. And for heaven's sake -- I've heard predictions that this summer will be at least as hot and dry as the last one, so don't wish away our natural cooling off period! I'm not ready to face the tan tines, cellulite-bearing, and mess of a yard.

***This weekend, Tim and I are getting the chance to see the final edit of  The Formula, a movie project he's been working on with some other really rad people. We're planning to host the writer/directors and executive producer at our house for a little sneak peak and celebration. Unfortunately, we are going to miss the premiere at The Englert on Sat. Jan. 19, but that doesn't mean you have to! Represent for us: Reserve your tickets now. The event is free!

Did I mention that supporting local, independent movie projects was a key winter thrival tip? Because it is.