I Get by with a Little Help From my Friends ;)

I've been having issues with my phone lately. grrrr. It's so frustrating. I thought about going to upgrade because I am eligible to do so. With the move and all, I'm trying to pinch pennies where ever I can, so getting the iphone just because a couple of apps weren't working seemed frivolous when I could just wait until the NEW comes out in September. That would be the responsible thing to do. Because really it's not a matter of IF I'm going to get it, it's just when. right?!

Well, I went into the Verizon store to get some technical help for my phone and they told me "yeah, sorry, there's nothing we can do because you're having issues with a third party...." blah blah blah... And it happened, visions of me looking oh-so-chic with my new WHITE iphone up to my face, chatting away with one of my trendy friends who, of course, was holding an iphone on the other end too. I would get a hip little carrying case for it and people would think (because of my phone) "that girl is with it" as I walked by with my nose up. And all would be swell.

Okay, Okay, I will stop drinking the haterade. Not all people with iphones are snobs... I just want one. But don't necessarily NEED one because the Android phones are really great too... But this is why I don't have an iphone, and really did happened after the "helpful" tech support I received was this. The conversation in my head went something like this:

Me (the Consumer KT)- Sweet! Iphone here I come!!!
Me (the Sensible KT)- Why don't you just wait until you get out to Colorado and see what kind of bills you have then?
CKT- Shut up. I'm not listening to you.
SKT- Seriously, let's think this through. Your phone works, it's just a couple apps (mainly facebook, you nerd) that is acting screwy. You don't NEED this right now and you may need to buy things like... oh I don't know, books, when you get out to Colorado!! And you never know how long it will take for your GI Bill money to kick in... just wait.
CKT- You are SUCH a downer. Can't you just enjoy the fact that I want to buy this for US?!
SKT- What if the NEW version comes out early in August?
CKT- I hate you. Fine. I'll wait.

.... And with that, I turned around and walked out of the store after thanking the "help" (for what I'm not sure). But the best thing about this story is my friend saw that I was having issues with my phone (on facebook, duh) and offered to send me her Samsung Fascinate until I could get a new phone! I mean, seriously!! Thank YOU, Sensible KT. Thank you for finally having some restraint... little as it was (discipline can have its reward). And thanks to Summer for your generosity (especially being that you've seen how often I have dropped my phone)!! I'll be careful with your phone, I promise!

A year of discovery_The gift that keeps on giving...

Well, spring is here, which always beckons the dawn of a new year for yours truly. Yep, it's my birthday. It sounds so cliche, but I am sitting here thinking about my 31st year and wondering where it went and how it zipped past me so quickly? I'm not sure what I have to show for this past year... I didn't buy a new house, get engaged/married, have a kid... you know, the normal stuff that people my age are doing at this point in their lives. And before you think I'm throwing myself a pity party, I must tell you that there has been a dramatic shift with in me over the course of this past year. For the better, in my opinion (let's hope). No, I may not be moving at the same speed as everyone else, with respect to life benchmarks (who cares, I don't*), but I can tell you that in this past year I have discovered more of myself - the good, bad, & ugly - which has proven to be one of the most valuable gifts I have ever been given. And I'm grateful, with a huge helping of humbled.

*on most days

Have you ever heard the song 'Beautiful Mess'? I don't know who sings it or the exact words to that song, but I get it. This life thing ain't always pretty, in fact, it's just plain messy at times.... But somehow, some where along the way, as I take a second and gasp for a deep breath of perspective, I see beauty in the process. When I truly start to understand the depth of forgiveness, the healing in redemption, the freedom in truth and the love behind God's never-ending grace for me, is when my eyes are peeled wide open to the beauty of this thing called life. But I think without drudging through the unkempt, often heart-wrenching trials in my life, I'm not so sure I would see the beauty with the same vividness and humility. If anything, this past year has given me a lot of perspective (Do I sound like an old lady or what?!). Life isn't about what I have or keeping up with the Jones' (unless I allow it to be)... It's about living MY life to the fullest, however it may come at me, in a way that is real, full of love and with dignity.

As I step into this next "new year," I am expecting a LOT of change. What that change will look like, I don't know. But what I do know is that there will be moments that are not easy, there will be uncomfortable situations and times that I really wonder "is all this really necessary?!" And all this so-called perspective that I've been talking about has proven time and time again that, yes, it REALLY is. Growing pains are a means to an end... and in the end, I want to be just who God made me to be, doing just what he made me to do. Knowing that alone, is enough to bring a smile to my face as I sit here thinking about 'what might be' :) in this coming year! I am so thankful for 31. It had a few more bumps in the road than I expected and they caused me to do some self-analyzing to ensure I was moving in the right direction, but it's been well worth the ride and has ignited a passion inside of me to love others better and to seek what is true in every aspect of life!! I couldn't have planned it more strategically for the next season of my life!! Thirty-to-tha-TWO, I don't know how you got here so fast, but I ain't mad atcha! Let's get this party started... TODAY! :)

PS- Thanks to all of my friends and family who are amazing and make my life THAT MUCH BETTER!!! No matter what changes in my life, you all remain a constant...I am so thankful for the love you all give me day in and day out! I hope that I can support and love you, the way you have done for me. Forever grateful and feeling very loved today!

Ah to be young again... just for a night

OMGosh! OMGosh! OMGosh! Giddy. Do you remember that feeling? You know, the "OMG-the-boy-I've-been-doodling-about-in-my-spanish binder (ok, not just spanish)-just-left-a-note-in-my-locker-and-he-likes-me!!!" giddy feeling you got in high school? If you don't know it, what the heck did you day dream about when you were sitting in class?! I'm pretty sure that was ONE of the parts (if not the only part) of high school that any of us would want to recreate. At least that's my opinion* Anyway, last night I had the priveledge of going to see Boyz II Men in concert and that is just where they took me. Back. Waaaay back.

I'm not sure how else to describe last night other than epic; I get giddy just thinking about it. I got lost in their songs, their moves (yep, they still got 'em), and their larger-than-life, iconic voices... And so did everyone else in that building. At times, the concert was pretty much a sing-along and nobody cared if their the person next to them was singing too loud, off pitch, or bumping into them as they swayed back and forth to the timeless songs coming off that stage.. And that was because we were in the presence of Boyz II Men. It was all so surreal. If someone would've told me when I went to see Boyz II Men that I was going to feel like a teenager again, I would've laughed at them and said something like "Whatever, I don't get silly over celebs." And I don't. NORMALLY. But last night was different... Maybe I was off my game or something, but they got me. They had me swooning, screaming and giggling like I was 15 again. And I loved it. I feel like I should be embarassed, but I'm not. lol. I had a ball.

It's like they always say, "if you got it, you got it." And BoyzIIMen, yeah, they got it....

*Sans High School Athletics and the lack of adult responsibility

One day at a time...

For those of you that saw my list, you will be happy to know I am on schedule and almost EVERYTHING on my list can be. checked. off. I have some very tired, sore and pretty amazing friends that came out this past weekend to help me MOVE OUT! I did take one or two pictures but the frigged weather made sure I kept my gloves on and well, it's just hard to take pictures with gloves on your hands.

Can I just say that moving stinks? It really does. And moving when it's 12 degrees outside stinks more. When I say it was cold outside, that is not an understatement. We're talking, steam coming off Chief and Jon's heads because they were hot....the air was not. Did I mention they were sweating? Yes, they were the first two guys there and after a few overwhelming moments, I sheepishly (not really) put them to work. And... they. were. awesome. They both admitted half way through that maybe the idea of working out prior to helping me move (really?! What the heck?) was a bad idea. Seriously though, I am so grateful for them and the rest of the crew that came out! I couldn't have done it without them.... I loved watching David and Chuck strategically figure out where things should go in the storage truck/unit as it seemed that more things began to appear out of no where... How on earth did I collect so much stuff and where has it been hiding?! It's like it started crawling out of the crevices as I started to pack.... Brittany and Julie were good for helping me figure out what I "needed" to keep or not. At one point I was like, "ooooh there are those dumbells that I haven't ever used....I should pack those so I start using them." lol. Needless to say, they were put in the goodwill pile (that took up practically the whole dining room....nice). Abby helped me fend for my stuff at times, until she got relegated to the kitchen (sad face) to finish some of the packing that I hadn't been able to get to... Thanks Abs!

Note to self... always go with the bigger truck. I horribly underestimated the amount of space my valuables (junk) would take up and we ended up having to make two trips.... second trip lacked a little motivation... but we got it done. Most of it at least. We dropped the second load at Amy and David's then booked it to Ledo's Pizza before we all passed out. Second note to self, don't underestimate time or the necessity of eating prior to a serious move day. We were all STARVING... some of us hadn't eaten since breakfast (eh hem) and we ordered something like 5 pizzas. ha. We didn't eat them all but, it sounded doable when we ordered!

Thanks to my wonderful friends who sacrificed their Saturday to help me out! I am so grateful (why isn't that word spelled like GREAT? ugh) for your kind service and friendships! :) I only have 7 (partial), 9, and 10 left to do on my list and you guys are all to thank for that!

(pictures to come....)

Wordless Wednesdays - Go Navy!!!

BEAT AIRFORCE!!!

Visions of John Legend danced in my head

Today is one of those days that as an adolescent, you wouldn't be able to sleep the night before. We have a game tonight at home and it's our first league game of the season! We're 0-3 right now but I'm hoping we turn the corner tonight. And if season league opener isn't exciting enough... I will be going to the John Legend concert after the game!!!!!!!!

For those of you who don't know about John Legend or my love for him, you obviously don't know me well. If you have spent any amount of time traveling with me, it's inevitable that you have heard this man's voice playing through my stereo. His voice is smooth and at the risk of sounding over dramatic, a part of me melts when his genius hits my ears and then resounds through my soul. I remember hearing "Ordinary People" for the first time on the radio and I thought to myself, "who sings this and when was it made? How have I not heard this song before??" I had mistaken his oldschool sound and soulful voice for song from the real R&B era, when people use to actually sing to real music... but I knew that it must've been a new song because I had never heard it. When I found out that he was a young semi-new artist and this was in fact a single from his NEW cd, I was hooked! I HAD to get this man's cd and when I did, I wasn't disappointed. As a matter of fact, John Legend has not let me down yet. I have loved EVERY cd he's come out with and am like a child the night before Christmas everytime he drops another album.

Unfortunately I have missed him in concert almost everytime he's come to my area (I saw him in concert with Common in Baltimore...amazing). And I thought I was going to miss him again because I had a game tonight. I didn't think anyone would want to go a little late and go after the game so I chalked it up as another missed oportunity. BUT I was wrong (thank the Lord)... I have a friend who loves John Legend almost as much as I do and bought a few tickets for the concert. He asked if I wanted to join him and I told him I had a game so if I came it would be late and I didn't want to make anyone late to the show. Sad. BUT because he shares the same affinity for John Legend that I do (he says J.Legend is his man crush... lol), he decided he would wait for me so I could go too!! How awesome is he?! Very.

So JC, this blog is for you and it's dedicated to you and your awesome opening-act-sacrificing-self!!! Thank you :)

More Fall and Fun

I was gonna post about my weekend and put a few pics from the different excursions I joined in and some how or another I came across these cutie pie pics and couldn't help put them up. I know I'm not related to J & A's Lil D... but I sure do dote on him like I am! I love going by their place after work just to see this little smile looking up at me as I walk up the stairs and come around the corner. It melts my heart! I can't imagine having to say no to this little man. Thank goodness I don't have to! :) Here are some pics of my weekend (but mostly of Dawson):

Tiny D in his Halloween costume... What a handsome little cowboy! Saddle up!

Playing with Tiny D... The cuteness factor is way ridiculous here.

I asked A if I could take the little guy out and do a photo shoot with him... he didn't disappoint, of course. He's a natural!!

I went to Great Falls with some friends from GCC. It was absolutely beautiful on Saturday! And of course we got to partake in my favorite: 3F's Fun, Food (picnic) and Fellowship

Here's a shot of the crew after our hike!

Needless to say I had a great and relaxing weekend as well as enjoyed God's beautiful creation with some of my favorite people!! I start my early days the week after this one...So this was a much needed time of rest for me. Now it's time to get down to business :)

Wordless Wednesdays - Fall is Here

My dear friend MM {real name eradicated}, is somewhere that has no Fall (very sad I know). So my friend, Precious {name also eradicated} and I decided to take some pics so we could send a little fall her way.

MM, these are for you! We love you!! Happy Fall!!! :)

Wordless Wednesdays

Okay, so today won't be wordless.
Disclaimer: I'm not sure my Wordless Wednesdays will ever be completely wordless but the alliteration is catchy and "Cool Pictures with Captions" doesn't really roll off the tounge quite as easily. So here's the start to another endeavor in letting you see a little bit of my world as I journey through this life! Enjoy.....

I went to Goshen, VA this weekend on a retreat. We stopped at a little hole in the wall restaurant that was chanelling something like Cracker Barrel.. The product below was being sold there..... What is Butt Massage??? Apparently I'm not spending enough time in the kitchen!

These are some of the girls that I got to hang with all weekend! I had too much fun with these ladies!

Office coversation - Whoever smelt it.....

The person's name with whom this conversation transpired has been removed but I just had to blog this moment. I could not stop laughing.

XXX: how late are you working today?
Me: i'm trying to leave at 630 but we'll see
XXX: omg i just farted and i didnt think anyone would come by my desk
Me: lol lol lol hahahahaha
XXX: but of course right after i did it two people came over and were standing here for like 3 minutes!!!!
Me: i just laughed out loud.. did they smell it?
XXX: and it stunk bad!!!!!!!!
Me: AHHHHHH AHAHAHAHA
XXX: so embarrasing
Me: LOL so funny
XXX: yeah, and embarassing... its one of those things where i SHOULD have said something like hey sorry i just farted but i felt dumb!!!
Me: lol lol omg i'm rolling over here


What a riot. I could totally imagine the scene as XXX was telling me. Anyone ever had a similar situation??? Just a fun post to get you through humpday!

Trip down yonder.... waaaay yonder!

Well, I'm back from South Carolina. I went down to my parents' place in Six Mile, SC and had way more fun than I deserve. I got to hang out with my family, sans the Little Scotts, visit with old friends, golf, play in the lake and chill by the pool for 5 days! Doesn't get much better than that, does it?! It's a different world down there in Six Mile. Megan and I were driving to the grocery store from church and saw 5 cars pass us... we looked at each other and said it must be rush hour. The lake is absolutely beautiful. You can see the Smokey Mountains from almost anywhere and you get the feeling that God is showing off just a bit when taking it all in... "you see all of this? enjoy it. marvel at it. take care of it. Can you see the joy it brings me when something I have made takes your breath away?" I think I would've stayed on the lake all day, everyday if it were possible. I kept asking Dad to take me out on the boat as if I were a child asking to go to the park. I ended up giving him some gas money because he obliged and took me out more than my fair share of times! :) Thanks Dad (and Mom). I'll post some more about the trip but for now I'm just going to list my Top 6 moments of the trip and put some pictures up!

6. Tubing with old friends.... watching Megan try to get in the tube for the first time might have been one of the funniest things about that event!
5. Golfing at the Cliffs
4. Sunset cruise with Mom and Dad
3. Pool competitions with the fam (baseball, races, helping Beckham fly highest, inner tube diving... it was a riot)
2. Watching the Olympics....Cheering the Men's 4x100 relay team to a Gold medal over the French.... most amazing race I've seen!!!
1. Being with my family - my favorite.... Food, Fun and Fellowship

Jules and I just hangin out

The Newlyweds :) cute

Captain and his mate!

The Smokey Mountains from the Lake

Meggles and I on the boat...again.

The kiddos

Golfing at the Cliffs with Mom and Barb

Dani and I on the tube... well trying to be!

Beautiful SC sunset...ahhh.

Try-Athlete, A New Mindset

This Sunday is the big day. I, along with about 7 other friends, will be racing, more like participating in the Culpepper Sprint Triathlon! This all started back in May when I had to go out to L.A. for work and act as the OIC for the All-Army Triathlon team. I watched those triathletes prepare and compete in the race and felt somewhat nostalgic about my days as a swimmer and olympic hopeful (probably a bit over zealous, but in my mind I was). They were so fit and made working out look like fun to me. So I decided then and there to sign up for a triathlon so I could start getting back into shape and compete.

And now here I am, 5 days out from the big race and I feel like I'll be lucky to finish! So I'm more of a TRYathlete (kudos to Wendy for thinking of that name) than anything. What's the fun in that? If you can't win or don't have a chance of winning something you're competing in, can you really call it competing? I've had to come to grips with the fact that all the years of running and pounding I have put on my body via basketball has caught up with me. I'm training for a triathlon but am not supposed to be running b/c of my knee. I'll let you know how that turns out for me!

Can I be honest for a second? Cardio is not fun for me. I hate the burning in my chest that I get when I'm pushing myself to limit or the fact that my legs feel like lead when running hard. Who enjoys that? I think about the blood, sweat and tears I put into training while growing up and throughout my collegiate career and I can't imagine EVER having a reason to physically work THAT hard again in my life. Which is actually kind of sad. Pushing yourself to your limit is gut-wrenching and rewarding all at the same time. I sometimes wonder how in the world I got myself to work so hard as an athlete (mom and dad probably wish I would've worked that hard in school). But at that time in my life all the pain, discomfort and effort was worth it. I had goals and dreams to motiavate and push me when I was training. So it was worth it... right? right.

Despite the fact that my training level has dropped a few notches, eh hem, and my determination has shown instances of lacking (what? I can't help it if So You Think You Can Dance takes precedence over training), I will still be there this coming Sunday. I may not be one of the elite triathletes, but I will be competing. It's funny how your mindset changes as you get older. I've actually enjoyed this new way of thinking and it's allowed me to enjoy getting back into shape (using that word very liberally) while at the same time providing me with a goal at the end. It's kind of nice being a try-athlete and not having the pressures of winning and living up to expectations that you and others place on you. Maybe one day I'll consider myself a triathlete but for now, I kind of like my status as a TRY-athlete and I'm going to enjoy it for as long as it lasts!! :)

Wish us luck! I'll let you know how it goes! Hopefully with pictures!

I'm a disappointment to the blogging world

So remember a month or two ago when I concocted a way to start blogging more regularly, called "Fantastic Fridays?" Well, it worked. Kind of. But yes, last Friday I disappointed all of you (all 7 of you who loyally read when I finally sit down and write). Okay, so maybe disappointed is a bit too strong of a word and maybe no one even noticed. But I will say that I was getting into the Fantastic Fridays and my efforts to be a more frequent blogger. And I like to think that my readers (again, all 7 of you) enjoy being kept up to date as to the goings-on of this 29 year old chick, who in my opinion has been given a pretty fantastic life! :) So in attempt to reconcile any broken relationship through my neglect of this past "Fantastic Friday" post, I will update you on my trip to the Dominican (which p.s.- that is why I didn't blog so you can't be too upset about it... I had no internet!) and post some pictures!

Most of you know that I went to the Dominican from July 4-9th this past week. The trip started early early morning, way earlier than I ever dream about getting up but we wanted to get there and hit the beach as early as possible! Once we finally rallied and got to the airport, we were like little kids waiting for Christmas! We finally got through all the hustle and bustle of security checks and were ready to fly. I'm realizing if I give you a play by play of our trip, this could be a considerably long post so I'm changing directions. Fast forward. We arrived in Santo Domingo, took a shuttle/van (?) to the resort and were on the beach as soon as we were checked in (check-in process was complete chaos, but we survived).

The beach was awesome and the resort was better than I expected. I got a little nervous right before we left because I read a few bad reviews. But I was pleasantly surprised with the resort as a whole! PTL! The average day for us went something like this: Wake up regime, whatever that was for each person (work out, read, journal, shower, roll over and out of bed), and then we'd head to breakfast. Then we'd hit the pools or the beach for a few solid hours (volleyball, kayaks, vendors, pictures, reading, ipods, and of course catching some rays). Next it was lunch time. Then we'd go back out into the scorching sun to try and see if we could get as dark as the natives. Some would nap in their room, some (megan) would nap outside, but altogether it was just more time to relax and hang out together. Depending on the day, we'd head back to our rooms to rest and get ready for dinner. After dinner there would be a show and then we would head to the "DiscoTeca," for a few drinks, socializing and a lot of dancing! I learned how to Meringue!!

All in all, it was a FANTASTIC trip and there has already been chatter about next year's trip as to what it may hold. Jamaica? Cruise somewhere exotic? Who knows... But I am in whatever the trip may be! We had such a great time and really were able to just relax as most of us were completely disconnected from our lives back here at home. I got to spend quality time with some great people that are very dear to me, and if we had been back here, our every day schedules would have most likely interrupted or cut short the time that we were able to share!

Here are some more pics from our trip to the Dominican... I'll post of few of the funny stories from the week when I get a chance!


The girls on the 4th of July ready for dinner!

Snack bar and drinks... 1st day.

Group shot after dinner

One of the many good laughs we had...

Last day. Adios Amigos!!!

Fantastic Fridays - is there a calm AFTER the storm?

1. Car accident - check

2. Bridal showers - check

3. Bachelorette party - check

4. Campbell Wedding - check

5. Family departs - check

6. Sheila (from Wisconsin) comes to DC - check

7. Dad in town - check

8. Dad out of town - check

9. Appointment for car estimate - check

10. FRIDAY - C-H-E-C-K!!!!

That is why today is fantastic. I feel like I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off for the last 10 days! I actually will be on the go again tomorrow because one of my roommates from Annapolis (kelly) is moving and they're throwing her a going away party. But as for tonight... I am relaxing. I'm not making any plans unless I feel like it and I may just sit at home, watch a movie and do laundry. I never thought that would be an ideal Friday night for me, but this Friday night, it is. I've had a blast the past two weeks with everything going on and people coming in and out of town. But this girl needs a second to breathe. I need a calm AFTER the storm... does that happen? Here's to hoping it does.

Pics from the past two weeks (I'll get some up of my car when I get a chance to download them)




One of a couple Bridal showers


Rehearsal Dinner - Kickball game (Swanson clan w/ a couple Scotts)


KICKBALL!!!!!! (we crushed them, by the way.)


Wedding preparations


Cuzzins!


The aftermath!!


United game with Sheila (old friend from AIA camp)


Romping around DC


....doing the tourist thing


And b/c she's from Green Bay, she wanted Seafood :)

A balanced life...for now. (and pics)

There are seasons in our lives when it seems like whatever it is we're involved in, whether it's a job, commitment, or the everyday chores of living life and getting by seem to swarm around us and suffocate any type of freedom we may have once had. I remember being in high school and even college for that matter and people saying "don't be in such a rush to grow up." I thought they were crazy. I couldn't wait to be on my own, doing my own thing. My question is, why didn't they hold up caution signs and wear bandages around all the scars that they've accumulated throughout this journey called "being on my own." Then maybe I would've heard what they said and slowed down to savor the "I have no real responsibility" journey. I would've seen that driving an hour to work and home after a 10 hour work day is really not what most people would call fun. Most sane people anyways. Or those silly things called bills that seem to never stop coming no matter what, aren't really that cool. Kind of annoying actually. It's like they never die. Persistent little creatures that seem to grow every year.

In saying all that, I have realized that although some of this "on my own" thing is more work and less play, some how I have found a sort of balance... for now. The Lord has blessed me with a fairly secure job (keeps the bills satisfied) that at times can actually be fun and allows for me to travel and visit, as well as meet a lot of people. It also allows for me to take vacations, for the most part, when I feel the urge. And just this week I was offered the Head Coaching position at a Episcopal High School. Needless to say, there will be less balance when I start that in November on top of my job with the Army. But it will be fun working with the girls and I think it will be fulfilling.

Speaking of living a balanced, grown up life, I figured I'd post some pictures from my different escapades over the past month. I was in FL (for work), NC (for fun) and Cali (for work). This being "on my own" thing isn't really that bad once you get the hang of it and figure out how to enjoy the ride. Sometimes you gotta roll with the punches but for now the blows have been minimal and I have to say the last month has been refreshing. I definately have tons to be thankful for. The Lord has kept me in His care and provided me with more than I deserve. He's an awesome God and I'm thankful for this season of my life, even if it's not quite what I expected. So here are a few pics from my trips.

Jamar and I on Country Western Night in the Outer Banks

Being silly

Majestic... Point Magu, CA

The sunset was amazing....

see what I mean?!

ps- I love my camera... look what
cool things you can do with it

Shoreline in Malibu

Off the Pacific Coast Hwy in Cali

Did I tell you I met the Bachelor?! :)
Just another day in the office!! lol.