Day 10 - Challenge Complete!

This is supposed to be the post were I finish my 10 Day Blog Challenge and get a nice big pat on the back from the blog world (or not) and then continue posting to this blog with some kind of consistency. Right? ... right. I started this blog almost as a means of communication with my family because now that we are all adults, we are kind of spread out (China to the US, so maybe "kind of" is an understatement) and I thought it was a great way to stay up on the goings on of each other's lives. And it was. I jumped on the blogging bandwagon with ideas of grandeur... the only problem was, I don't always FEEL like writing. Some days it's because I'm being lazy and other days its because to write about what's going on in my life means I actually have to think, and process. And sometimes that's just not fun.... The thinking or the processing.

I want to be better at this blogging thing. I really do. Sometimes I feel like if I had a switch that could just shut my mind off, I'd be better off because I think a lot. I analyze things that don't need to be analyzed, worry about things that can't be controlled and think of ways to control those said things. All to no avail. BUT there are days that something happens or someone's words dig their way into my heart and I find myself, my perspective changed. Then a month later, I can't exactly remember why... More often than not it seems the things that I want to remember are fleeting and hard for me to recall because I may have the world's worst memory. When I do remember some thing, a lot of times the details are foggy at best and it's like sorting through a bunch of muck. Out of necessity and a longing to grow, I NEED to get better at this... I like the idea that this is kind of turning into more than just an update for my family but somewhere I can process and record my thoughts. A place I can look back and have some sort of stream of conciseness and order to my thoughts, heart and life happenings. Like I said in my last post, I feel transition knocking at my door. I want to be able to look back on it and recall what I was feeling, how God was moving, what He was teaching me, how He was changing me, and just a record of where this escapade called life has taken me. As for the Challenge....

DAY 10: ONE confession.....

(drum roll please)

I have not shaved my legs in over two weeks. gah! It's starting to get to me.... tomorrow is a new day. I will be baby buttery smooth in the morning. Look out world, here I come!

My life... Day 9

Day 1: Ten things you want to say to ten people right now.
Day 2: Nine things about yourself that most people don't know.
Day 3: Eight things you couldn't live without.
Day 4: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Day 5: Six things you wish you could change or wish you would have never done.
Day 6: Five people who mean a lot to you.
Day 7: Four turn offs.
Day 8: Three turn ons.
Day 9: Two words that describe your life right now.
Day 10: One confession

Two words, huh? That's all I get? You, my little Ten Day Challenge are really getting on my nerves. I mean, really. I'm supposed to sum up my life in two words? Did you mean two blog posts?? I think it would actually require less thought for me to just let my fingers speed away at the keyboard talking about where I am in life right now. But nooooo, you want two words. Well then, here you go, my two words that describe my life right now (am I at least allowed to explain my two words? ...yes.) Okay great, here goes:

1. Transient- Sometimes I feel like I live out of a suitcase... my job keeps me traveling and when I'm not traveling for work, I'm normally traveling to see fam/friends at least one weekend out of the month. And now my life feels particularly more transient because I have been in MD/VA for a little over 8 years (has it really been that long?) and am feeling a nudge towards movement. I don't know what that nudge is toward (ie-going back to school, moving to San Antonio next fall with my job, changing careers, or ... who knows?) but I do know it's something and right now feel like that something is calling for transition... whatever that transition may be. It's an uncomfortable feeling because I like security and knowing. But right now, I really don't know... Anything. All I know is there is a change in the air and it's going to be here in the blink of an eye so I need to be ready!

2. Overwhelmed- Do you remember when the most nerve-racking decision you had to make was who to pick up on your team for a neighborhood game of Capture the Flag? Which was in fact, a stressful situation at times. But I digress to now. NOW, I would be ever so delighted if who was on my team for Capture the Flag was my biggest concern. NOW, I get to make decision between keeping a stable job with great flexibility for my lifestyle (which would mean moving) or stepping out on faith, going back to school (which has a whole bunch of variables in itself), or getting a new job (that may or may not be as secure) here in the NOVA area. Please hear me when I say this. I am not complaining about having to make these decisions... this is life, there are always decisions to be made. But sometimes, some decisions are harder to make than others. I am thankful that I have options and the opportunity to make a decision rather than feeling backed into a corner and having a decision about my life, by means of circumstance, made for me. Trust me, I am grateful. But I am also overwhelmed. This is a big decision that will change my life for at least the next couple years but most likely more than that. I'm excited but overwhelmed too. I pray that my heart is open to God's leading and that as I walk forward in this decision, His hands are all over it and it would be clear what my next steps will be.

DAY 10 is almost here!!!!!!! :) Thanks, Meggo, for the kick in the pants to start blogging again. It may have taken me longer than 10 days to finish... but it's given me some motivation (Lord knows I need it!)

Cheeseburger Doritos.... my life just got a little better.

WHERE have you been all my life? And why couldn't someone have invented you when I was 10 so I could eat a whole bag in one sitting and not worry about still being able to fit into my wardrobe?? Seriously. I know they SOUND gross. But. They aren't. They are delicious. And I want to eat them for every meal. But. I won't. Drat. So if you walk by these in the grocery store, depending on your goals over the holiday season (to gain weight or to not gain weight), pick a bag or two of these up. or don't (if you're not trying to gain weight). But if you don't, you will be missing out!

Attraction... Day 8

There are a lot of things that draw me to the different people I meet.... I could go a lot of different ways with today's topic, but the phrase "turn ons" sounds more like this survey or challenge, if you will, is requiring me to tell you what gives me butterflies...

Day 1: Ten things you want to say to ten people right now.
Day 2: Nine things about yourself that most people don't know.
Day 3: Eight things you couldn't live without.
Day 4: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Day 5: Six things you wish you could change or wish you would have never done.
Day 6: Five people who mean a lot to you.
Day 7: Four turn offs.
Day 8: Three turn ons.
Day 9: Two words that describe your life right now.
Day 10: One confession

Three turn ons:
1. A big, pretty smile. This, people, can make or break an attraction with me. I can see some ordinary looking guy, who hardly catches my eye but then smiles and his smile brightens the room while causing me to smile, and he's in! And contrary to that, if there is a guy who walks into a room looking like a tall glass of water and then his smile is jacked. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHH .... I'll say no more.
2. Relentless Pursuit. of me. We're talking "turn ons" here right?! So don't go getting all spiritual on me here, saying don't you mean relentless pursuit of Jesus, Katie? Just stop it, that is a given ... yes, that is attractive but I don't consider it a "turn on." It is a turn on to me when a man pursues ME and to pursue by definition means:
-to chase (ok, chase may sound a bit stalkerish, but that's not the intent of what I'm trying to get accross) somebody: sometimes for a long time, in order to catch or capture her (HEART) (and break through the walls of insecurity and fear that she has built around her heart. Letting her know that love may not be safe, but it's good and it lasts, by leading in a manner that allows her to trust and slowly let down those walls)*
-to carry something out: to work at something or carry it out
-to continue with something: to continue with something or follow it up (continuing to pursue and encourage who I am even after he has captured my heart)
3. Manly forearms. Yes, I know that sounds so weird. But I love a set of strong and masculine forearms... I don't know if it's the fact that a nice pair of biceps, nice shoulders and a nice chest come with those forearms is was does it, but goodness I just love it! Buh-tter-flies.

*Italicized and bolded = my emphasis

And there you have it. 3 turn ons. Take 'em or leave 'em.

Behind the Power Curve - Turn offs - Day 7

Would you believe that the dog ate my computer (and every other computer I was in possible proximity to while I was on vacation)? I'm not even going to apologize anymore about not finishing this in 10 days. You know me and my blogging tendancies. So without further ado... onto Day 7!

Day 1: Ten things you want to say to ten people right now.
Day 2: Nine things about yourself that most people don't know.
Day 3: Eight things you couldn't live without.
Day 4: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Day 5: Six things you wish you could change or wish you would have never done.
Day 6: Five people who mean a lot to you.
Day 7: Four turn offs.
Day 8: Three turn ons.
Day 9: Two words that describe your life right now.
Day 10: One confession

Four turn offs:

1. SELFISHNESS --> We all have our moments of selfishness... but when someone is so self absorbed that they never ask how you're doing or even realize all they do is talk about themself, I lose interest. fast.

2. LACK OF INTEGRITY --> If I notice that you're always trying to "get over," cut corners to get what you want, don't follow through on things you say you're going to do, or constantly catching you in little white lies, I'm not a fan. I want to be able to stand on the fact that your word is your word and you are doing everything in your power to hold true to that (especially if I'm considering entering a relationship with you). I don't want to be wondering if I'm getting the whole truth in a situation, whether it be big or small. TRUST is so important.

3. ARROGANCE --> I don't deal well with people who have inflated sense of self, think they are better than most (intolerance) and can't admit when they are wrong. "what you made the Varsity football team your Freshman year but can't believe the coach wouldn't play you even though the guy in front of you was Mike Vick!? just ludacris." *yawn....and I'm fading. oh by the way, you're 30 years old...GET OVER IT!

4. DEMEANING SENSE OF HUMOR --> Words of encouragement is one of my main love languages so when I'm around someone who is constantly cutting down other people to amuse themselves or others around them I get annoyed. Super annoyed. And in dating terms, if the 'clowning' is constantly at my expense you can rest assured that relationship is going no where fast.

Breakdancing into Christmas... we got skillz

Just thought we'd start your Christmas season off with some new moves we put together over Thanksgiving.... enjoy!

People, people, people.... Day 6

Day 1: Ten things you want to say to ten people right now.
Day 2: Nine things about yourself that most people don't know.
Day 3: Eight things you couldn't live without.
Day 4: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.
Day 5: Six things you wish you could change or wish you would have never done.
Day 6: Five people who mean a lot to you.
Day 7: Four turn offs.
Day 8: Three turn ons.
Day 9: Two words that describe your life right now.
Day 10: One confession.

I know. My 10 day challenge has drawn out to more like two weeks. or so. But who's counting... Since I'm making excuses, I'll throw Meggo under the bus and remind you all that she has STILL not finished her last day and she started WAY before me. So technically, I'm winning. Wait, this wasn't a competition was it? Ok, well then I'm only kind of winning. I'm making a rule for my post today... I am not allowed to include people that I've already talked about in my 10 Day Challenge. So pretty much all my fam is out and a the handful of friends I mentioned in the first couple days. Here goes:

Five people who mean a lot to me-

1. Carrie (McKee) Cramm. She's one of those people to me that if you really want to know me, meeting Carrie is a must. I have known Carrie since the latter part of my adolescent life and I can't say enough about her and how her love and wise words have helped me as I've stumbled along this bumpy road of life. My parents sent me out to visit with her my freshman year in college... We laugh about it now because when she tells me about the phone call she received asking if I could come visit, it came across to her that I needed saving from some of the decisions I was making in my life... I wasn't at that time making any crazy decisions about the lifestyle that I would lead but the visit was in fact life changing in my life. It turned out to be a week in my life that I experienced, grace, truth and love all in the same breath and started to understand God's love for me on another level. Carrie was a catalyst to part of this discovery. And I'd bet on the fact that this is not the first time she's sparked someone's heart in the direction toward God.

2. Aunt Julie. I love her spunk. Aunt Julie is the woman who was diagnosed with cancer and throughout her fight, I'm pretty sure her house or hospital room was rarely empty if ever. But what sums her up is the fact that when people would come visit her, I'm pretty sure every person left encouraged. and at a loss for words. Because you see for Aunt Julie small talk wasn't enough for her. This woman is the prayer warrior that you have NEVER known. She wouldn't let people leave with out either joining her in prayer OR if that was uncomfortable for them, she told them "well you can just sit there and I'll pray for you." :) That's Aunt Julie. She's got fight, she's got spunk and she's got God... and she's not afraid to let people know. Oh, btw she fully recovered from stage four ovarian cancer and the doctors said they had never seen something like her case. Gone. Completely. Gone.

3. The guys (Walt, BBC, Chief, Marcus and Shal) - They bring joy to my life through their sense of humor, their infectious laughs, listening ears and protective love. I can't help but think about any one of these guys and not have a smile on my face. Their friendship is true, respectful and giving. I hear girls talk about how they wonder where all the good men have gone, I get sad for them because I know a lot of good men who love and cherish women in general, these five in particular!

4. Nikki (Curtis) and Carrie (Hewitt). These two girls have got to be two of the most encouraging and supportive gals I know. I've gotten to walk through adult life with Carrie and Nikki and they always listen to me vent and talk things through while processing the craziness going on (whatever that may be at the time). Thanks ladies!!

5. Kia - She makes me laugh. We've been through ups and downs and over a decade and a half of friendship. I am thankful for her loyalty and that she let's me be me. We've been through it all over the past 15 years and I think that says a lot. You can't be friends with someone for 15 years and not walk through all different types of things... Thanks Kia for enduring it all! :)

whew... that was hard to narrow it down. If you were not on this post, please don't get your feelings hurt. It only let me pick 5!!!!! I'll write a post about you and only you if I have offended you ;) But I'm almost positive that if you are reading this blog, you have been mentioned at some point in time on my blog! :)