Tuesday, November 30, 2010

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.

Monday, November 29, 2010

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!

Monday, November 22, 2010

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! :)

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

What if, shmut if... Day 5.

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.

Day 5: Six things you wish you could change or wish you would have never done.

To say that I wouldn't change anything or wish I hadn't done something would be somewhat of a fabrication. Because, you see, I hardly ever get things right the first time. It may even suffice to say that I more often than not, I do not get things right and need a so called "do-over." But isn't that part of life? Isn't it our trials and failures and whatever other cliche word you have for the not-so-fun moments on our journey that mold us and give us character and all that other crap? So I'm not sure even if I had some magic wand, that I would go back and change any of the big trials that I faced in my life... I do, however, know there are most definitely things I wish I had never done, starting with that crack pipe back in the day. Ok, not really... but here goes:

I wish I had never....
1. been concerned about what other people thought of me
2. smelled one of (name eradicated)'s farts... so not kidding (you know who you are)
3. wasted time in college
4. stayed with someone for longer than I should've because I wasn't brave enough to let it go
5. said something hurtful out of spite or mal intention
6. decided getting tan was more important than wearing sunscreen when I was younger (sun spots are the worst!!)

That's all for now.... Half way there! woot woot!!!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

I'm back.... Day 4

Sorry to all my blog followers (all three of you), for the pause of my 10 day challenge. I guess you could say I failed, but not as miserably as my Skins last night... Good gracious. Back to the drawing board, minus the $40 Million that they just handed over to McNabb... I wonder if he had an issue looking himself in the mirror this morning? Probably not. Maybe I can get Danny boy to sign ME for a few mil. I mean, why not?! I'm perfectly capable of playing miserably and would look better doing it, I'm sure! But back to my blog... I may have failed in consistency but like the Redskins, I gotta get back on the horse and finish this thing out... hopefully with a little more excitement than their season seems to be headed (which btw, I am not attacking the players... it's a competition, sometimes you have games like last night, where nothing clicks... BUT Dan Snyder is quite possibly the worst thing that has ever happened to the Redskins).

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.

Seven things that cross my mind:
1. Where I will be this time next year? For those of you that don't know... who am I kidding, if you're reading this blog, you already know that my job will be moving to San Antonio, TX next Sept and if I want to stay I have to move to TEXAS... I'm not convinced about this move, more over I'm not convinced of anything concerning my next step professionally. Look for a new job? go back to school? live in Amy and David's basement while I figure it out? Move to Texas? I don't know.. but it sure does cross my mind a lot these days.
2. Relationships. Do I need to clarify?? I'm 31 and dating... how fun does that sound?? You be the judge.
3. Family/Friends... since Christmas is around the corner when I think of my loved ones I've been trying to figure out what gifts I'm going to get them or if I'm going to get to see them over the Holidays!! yay!! Fun fun fun!
4. Am I in the right place and going in the direction I was called to be heading today (or just in general)...
5. Do I love the people in my life well and how can I love them better?
6. Food!! What's for dinner? :) I LOVE good conversation/company over a good meal... so dinner plans cross my mind almost daily!
7. Working out. I sure do THINK about it a lot :) Soon I hope to be thinking about how sore my body is because I've actually been ACTING on the thought!

There you have it... 7 thoughts that cross my mind. The list could go on for days... thank goodness (for your sake) the challenge put a number to it!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Day 3.... Chik-fil-a, what?!!?

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.

Eight things, huh. Here goes nothing....
1. the internet
2. forgiveness - giving and receiving it (grace) - and the Ultimate Forgiver
3. exercise (this is becoming painfully apparent)
4. family/friends and the time to spend with them
5. music
6. my camera
7. love
8. laughter

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Keep it Rolling.... Day 2.

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.

NINE THINGS THAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOURS TRULY....

1. I sleep with ear plugs. yes ear plugs. in my ears. It's a long story how it started, but thanks to Megan, I can't sleep without them.... Although I have been trying to ween myself off of them lately. Wish me luck.

2. I'm not a huge fan of small talk on the phone. In person it's ok but via phone, I get distracted and would rather just text or get a text saying "hi, I've been thinking about you."

3. I did not read a single book all the way from start to finish until I was in college.... again, I think that had something to do with my attention span and the fact that I HAD to read them. But now I enjoy reading quite a bit when I get to pick what and when I read.

4. Someone asked me how old I was last week and I told them the wrong age. on accident. and didn't realize it until I was thinking about the conversation later. Great. My memory is already failing me.

5. I've had 6 surgeries in 12 years.

6. I am moderately psychotic when I'm on a plane that is flying through turbulent airspace. And by moderately I mean I might suddenly grab the armrest or your hand if you're sitting next to me and ask you "is this normal, should we be shaking like this??" so many times that you'll start to wonder, "I don't know... is THIS normal?" Ambien is my friend.

7. I'm thinking about getting my Masters in counseling. Possibly.

8. I just got my closets re-done and had to remove every. single. item. In doing that, I found 3 *new pairs of shoes. sweet.

9. I am the replay queen. When I hear a song that moves me (physically, spiritually or emotionally), I will listen to it over and over and over again for however long I feel like it.

*new = I bought them and forgot I had them.

Day 2. check.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Need. Motivation.

I have left my blog hanging high and dry for quite a few months.... sorry, blog. With all my travel and crazy work schedule, I just haven't had the time, energy it takes to be creative and quite honestly the motivation to write. So I found some motivation or challenge per say, that I saw up on Meggo's page. And here it is:


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.


Let's see if I can blog for TEN days in a row.


Day 1: Ten things you want to say to ten people right now.


1- Happy Birthday Megan!! I am so proud of you. Truth is, I was a little worried when you said you were moving to China, not because you'd be far away and would miss you, and not because I didn't think you would be great at your job over there.... But more because you were going somewhere that was further than I could get to if you needed your big sis to come rescue you! ha. Sounds silly, I know... but you, my dear little sister have proven that you don't need your big sister to come rescue you, and you're probably thinking, "duh, Katie, I haven't needed your super-hero-rescuing-powers for years." But I guess sometimes I just like to worry (go figure). You are so strong and have grown so much over there. One of the most valuble things we have in this life is to know who we were made to be and I have seen the light bulb come on in you as far as knowing yourself. You are just shinning like the flood lights over a football stadim. It's awesome to see you walking with confidence in who God has made you to be :) I love you, Megan.

2-Melissa, please bring Siah to VA so we can go to Sweet Water Tavern ASAP! I miss you and need to meet your little man! :) Thank you for being there whenever I need you most. I love how we can go months without talking (yeah, I know... we need to get better at that part) and then pick up right where we left off the next time we talk!

3- Shayla, goodness I miss you. I can't think about our friendship and your crazy butt without smiling! lol...see what I mean? God crossed our paths at just the right time! My twin. I am sad you had to leave VA but am so excited for you and know that you are right where you need to be for the time being. Do it BIG and keep following your dreams, they were put inside your heart for a reson, my friend!

4-6 My older sibs, I know we all have different relationships and I am so thankful for each one of them. But what I want to say to you all is thank you. Thank you for being there for me at different times in my life and listening. and praying. and even when you thought I wasn't listening, thank you for sharing and advising. I was listening. I love you guys and pray that I will one day have a family that has a solid foundation and that loves each other just like all of yours. (4) Jules, you are so creative, so calm cool and collected, a FUN mom and one of the hardest workers I know... (5) Amy, I AM SO EXCITED for you and David! I love living so close and getting to be a part of your family and the support you and David give me. Matthew is lucky to have you guys as parents. (6) Adam, I miss you and am thankful you're coming to SC for Thanksgiving with your fam!

7-9 Janetta, (8) Hambone and (9)Summer, seems like we've been through it all as friends, huh?! I'm thankful for our history! It's been over 10 years that I've been able to call you guys my friends and my heart is filled when I think about the moments (UPS AND DOWNS) we've shared and memories we've made. I love you guys and can't wait to walk through another 10 years of friendship and sisterhood with you all! (J- YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!! SO. EXCITED.)

10- Mom and Dad, where do I start? Thank you, for always loving, always giving and always sacrificing. You done good, mom and dad :) All the soccer games, band concerts, awana nights, basketball games, calls from our teachers (oh, was that just me??), tears and laughter, game nights and tables full of good food, friends and family were worth it. You're leaving a legacy through which God's glory can be revealed. I can't tell you enough. I love you and thank you. thank you. thank you.

Day 1, down... 9 days to go. *gulp*