Kikibee

No Days Left

2012-01-26T23:52:00.002-05:00

Well it's here.

The last day of work.

I'm overwhelmed with emotion and they all come flooding in at the same time. At once I am so sad to say goodbye to every promise I thought the store and company held for me and then in the next moment I am so excited about what is coming. Sad to say goodbye to my team. My friends and the family we have created at our store. In the next I'm excited to be able to spend time with those people outside of the store getting to know them better and differently than how I know them in the store. Excited to be a better wife, friend and sister. Excited about caring for our home, a return to school and eventually a different career.

But not yet.

Right now I'm just going to let tomorrow wash over me. Whether it brings tears or laughter or a little of both; if I feel sad, glad or mad....I'm going to let that come. I've never been one to hide my feelings, I'm not uncomfortable with wearing my heart on my sleeve and I'm okay with the messiness of letting people know exactly how you feel.

Yes, I know the sun will come out. Yes, I know God has big things in store for me. Yes, I am SO INCREDIBLY LOVED! Yes, I am so blessed to be surrounded by such good, good people....but tomorrow is not about that. Tomorrow is about saying goodbye.

I will cry.

I will be sad. Mad. Glad.

And as always....I'll be me.

Stay Tuned.

XO,

Kiks

Blog Design

2012-01-24T23:01:00.002-05:00

I have been trying, for the longest time, to change the look of my blog. I search for the right background, choose the colors I want to use, apply all the changes and then....I'm not happy with it.

I do like one of the blog templates called Dynamic...it reminds me of the Facebook Timeline look, which I really like...but the layout isn't quite right either...so here I am...using the stock photo of Grand Central when my own pictures of New York would be so much better.

This is the first day of us being closed to customers and we were really able to get so much clearing out done. Last night was so emotional as we did things for the last time, we all met back at the store and toasted (non-alcoholic) mocktails to the end of one chapter and the beginning of something new. We told our stories of how we came to Gap and just enjoyed the last night of being open for business with the people who have made it so spectacular.

Of course we still have moments of tremendous sadness and last night I couldn't sleep a wink...today was a little more hopeful and maybe, just maybe...because we were so busy just doing....we didn't have time to think how sad it all is.

I am also working on a "goodbye" letter. Good idea? Bad idea? It's not overly dramatic, its simple and I really want to say goodbye, I want to make sure that closing the store has a face attached to it. Weird? I'm not sure, but I've got it written and I really like it. We'll see.

This week is all about closing the store and then next week I'm just going to relax...but after that we are going to see my nephew who is the lead in his school play-a prouder auntie I couldn't be.

Hope you all are having a lovely week.

XO,

Kiks

Gap Girl

2012-01-22T22:08:00.007-05:00

Tomorrow is our last day open for business. I'm sorry for the photo dump.

But boy, did we have fun.

The Kids

2012-01-20T02:39:00.005-05:00

Chantz. So proud of this boy..... of his bright mind and strong character. Watching him grow is just a joy!

My oldest nephew, Aden. 21 years old and just an absolute delight. What a fantastic man he has become, a prouder Auntie I couldn't be.

Aldan and Theron (l to r) Twinsies and just precious, I can't stand the cuteness....I kiss them every minute they are with me. Luckily, they tolerate me and my crazy smothering!!!

Christmas was the best. My sisters, the kids, Ken, friends and family.

I've been dealing with the closing of our store and its a struggle, I'm not going to lie....after 23 years of being with the same company, of working with my team and playing with clothes every day...to suddenly stop doing that is taking some time to adjust to.

So next Monday, the 23rd is our last day of business and then the 28th is our day to vacate. The team and I are going out Saturday night to dance our tears away and then Sunday we are going to bowl as a store. I'm hoping coming together, as a team and having some fun will help us end it on a high note. We'll see.

Caed, Kik and Theron.

In the meantime....I'm missing these faces. Terribly.

Caed. What a smart love. I just adore his sweet face and his mind is always working, such a bright boy with a loving heart!!!

Livvy at church. People. I just can't even tell you the love...she is perfection. Smart and bright, loving and sensitive....just a wonderful child!

All these kids are the loves of my life.

Brookgreen Gardens-Night of a Thousand Candles

2011-12-17T00:29:00.004-05:00

Ok....we have this amazing gardens (Brookgreen Gardens)near us and every year they light a kajillion candles all over the property, they have food and music....its magic.

They also have lights strung up everywhere and its just magical....did I say that already? Because it is. The property is so beautiful during the day....Ken and I love going but I'd never been at night, so this was treat. Also, I've been wanting to go to this event since we moved here and we always run out of time....but we somehow managed to make the trip and fit it in this year!!!

Floating lights in all the ponds and fountains....it was hard to get the photos right...I wasn't sure if I should use the flash or not...I was trying to capture the glow.

Went with Lindsay and Antonella.

Scary lion and they had these weird laser lights pointing at it....annoying!!

Hanging succulents in the indoor space.

Stars in the trees.

More floating lights.

I want so desperately to post all the photos tonight...but I am so exhausted and have to work tomorrow morning....so I'll have to update more later.

Decking the Halls at the Store

2011-12-10T12:19:00.003-05:00

We always manage to find ways to be silly and have fun at the store.

Lights in mason jars make the walls glow....it makes the store feel super festive!!

How it looks all put together.

Things are plugging away over here and I'm trucking along just fine. If you caught my previous post before I took it down I'm going to ask you to not comment until I post it again....I hope you'll understand.

Change is good and I'm excited about spending the holidays with my sisters and their families....its going to be amazing. The rest of the stress....I'm putting that on hold.

XO, Kiks

After The New Year

2011-12-03T06:39:00.003-05:00

Shhhhh. My store is one of the 200.

It's public knowledge. My staff knows. It's hard not to feel like its my fault and I could have done something to stop this....but I am going to be doing some exciting things (I think) with my time....so I'll start looking forward to that. And posting about it.

Hope your day is Merry and Bright.

XO,

Kiks

Thanks and Giving (Late, But You'll Forgive me.)

2011-11-27T12:01:00.002-05:00

1. I am so very thankful for my family; they love me unconditionally and without reserve. I can count on it, trust me, it's been tested.

2. My precious, sweet, loving Ken. No words for what his belief in me has meant to me, his love has given me freedom to be the whimsical (his word) girl that I am. I am blessed. Fully.

3. My friends. (You all included) Again. They are precious and amazing. Each so different and so awesome.

4. This little, neglected blog of mine....so thankful for my little piece of the internet where I can say what I like, how I like and feel better once I've put finger to keyboard.

5. My Savior, Jesus Christ. Without whom I would be a lost soul and because of Him I am found and forgiven (on a daily basis) for my foibles. I'm not asking you to believe; I simply, completely and with all of my heart believe that He is the reason I am here today.

Adult ADD / Halloween / Snow

2011-11-15T22:59:00.003-05:00

This year I decided that we needed to head north for Halloween....

C. decided for Halloween to be Dr. Who....

Olivia as a cute hobo. As a side note...I covet her eyebrows. For reals.

The Trick or Treaters.

Little did I know that we would get to be a part of the first snow of the season....and what a storm it was. It started on Saturday morning and was that thick, heavy stuff that weighed everything down....as the morning wore on we could hear limbs snapping all through my sister's neighborhood. By the next day, when we could get out, this was not uncommon to see.

We lost power on Saturday and proceeded to take silly pictures and pretend we were camping out.

My South Carolina Jeep all covered in snow....it made me giggle all day.

Silly pictures with C. We call this "facebook angle" shot.

I seriously have adult ADD when it comes to my blog design....I have something in mind specifically and cannot get it just using the template given by blogger...if I was a better blogger I would total pay for someone to make a better page for me...but we are not there yet.

Plus, I'm gearing up for Black Friday....it's all crazy town already...blurgh.

Sky Wheel Adventure

2011-10-27T08:46:00.002-05:00

Sooooooo.....not even sure if there is anyone still out there, reading this sweet little blog of mine but I'm posting just for me and if you're there then great, if not, that's ok too.

A friend came into town for a visit and we (Lindsay and I) decided to bring them to the Sky Wheel....this thing was made to mimic the London Eye (which I've heard Londoners hate) and is huge!!! Goes way, way, way high three times around! And I'm not going to lie....I was nervous.

And once you get used to be slowly waving back and forth way high up in the air....I really enjoyed it!!! Now, let's be honest...I do this little gasp-y thing when I'm uncomfortable, which I did do a little bit the whole time....but it was really incredible!! Look!!

Can't wait to go again!!!

Just Tried

2011-09-28T21:32:00.002-05:00

Well I just tried to upload a bunch of pictures but we are having a wicked storm and I think that might be messing it up.....whatever then case may be, blogger won't let me upload them so I'm off to make out with the treadmill then shower and bed.

Hope you all are having a great week...believe it or not we are starting to receive early Holiday Flow (.....and don't freak out because I said Holiday, let's remember that there is more than just Christians [me] in the world and while I may not share others beliefs it does not negate that they have the right to believe and celebrate what they choose. So Holiday covers every faith and God knows what I mean. That is all that matters.) and let me tell you it has been running me around-learning a new store (Kid/Baby) is not easy and then add to it all new tiny clothes, whew, exhausting!!!

Ken and I are doing great, family is all good and friends are fun and fabulous. Again, if you're reading this I hope it finds you well.

More soon.

Kiks

Gamecock Football Weekend

2011-09-25T22:23:00.002-05:00

This is how they end when they win....the BEST!!!!

I Go To My First Gamecocks Game

2011-09-25T21:42:00.002-05:00

My dear friend, Kenady, and her sweet family are moving. To Germany. Sad panda. In the meantime, they were loyal (South Carolina) Gamecock fans and attended several games over the course of the season and since they are unable to use the seats this year....my friend, Lindsay, offered to buy them instead.

So of course I had to buy the above hat....because I'm 12. And I've decided I'm only going to pose with kissy lips or open mouth/surprised face because I'm over my smile.

The stadium is ENORMOUS!!! And so cool. And ENORMOUS!!! And really beautiful. And, duh, ENORMOUS!!!!

Kik and Lindsay. See what I mean about the smile? Too gummy. But Lindsay and I HAD A BLAST!!!! The game started off with their fantastic band, an invocation and then the team ran out on the field!!!!! I was screaming and clapping, freaking out like a crazy person!!

The game was a bit....messy. But guess what, GAMECOCKS WON!!! And a win is a win so we'll take it....six hours and lots of screaming later we were on our way home, in some crazy (NY style) traffic to Lindsay's college friend's home. (Thanks Suzanne!!) I could have relived the game for a few more hours but we were so icky/sticky from sweating earlier in the day (it was one thousand degrees and on and off rain-y =100% humidity. ICK!) that we showered and went right to bed!!

UGH, there is that gummy smile again!!! I can't stop it because when I'm so excited/happy/overwhelmed I can't back it down!!!

A wonderful game, a fantastic weekend, great friends....lucky Kiki!

Wherein A Baby Shower Is Held At My Humble Bee Hive

2011-09-11T23:15:00.004-05:00

Today we had a baby shower at my home for this lovely friend of mine, Jack. She is due with her second child in October and I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day than celebrating life. New life, my life, American life. Of course we remembered what happened on this day, the people who lost their lives were in our thoughts...but this was a celebration of what those terrible people who tried to destroy us could never destroy....our way of life.

(l to r) me, Lindsay (the hostess, she planned all the food, the decor, got everyone organized- it was really great because this girl knows no boundaries when it comes to going all out. Trust me, you want this girl as your friend!!), Charity and of course of mom-to-be, Jack!

Purple and green banner, the baby's bedroom is purple.

More pictures later...it takes blogger so long to upload and here at the Bee Hive we're exhausted!!!

Stormy Weather

2011-09-03T23:45:00.002-05:00

You may have heard we had storm blow through last weekend ...for us it was just wind and rain but for our Northern friends it was definitely much more and our thoughts are with them as they continue to assess the damage and rebuild.

For Lindsay and I it meant an opportunity to get out and pretend we were intrepid weather reporters....we had a blast acting silly and Lindsay is working on getting all the video pulled together; complete with local interviews! Hilarious!!

Me. Pretending the wind was blowing me away. Not moments later I split the crotch of my jeans.....that was also.....Hilarious!

Lindsay. Fun friend. Weather lover!

Fashionable Friday

2011-09-01T11:57:00.004-05:00

Recently I had a whirlwind conference in Las Vegas for the company....for those of you who don't know me Vegas is not at the top of my list....I love to have a good time but this is just not my jam. But I do love a good outfit and so I give you my three days of day looks.

The one above is "vintage" Gap (I just mean not from this year) shirt dress with a wide belt. Easy to wear and so comfy as I was running around saying hi to lots of old friends....this is my district of GM's. I am, without a doubt, the tallest girl in the world because in this pic....I'm wearing flats. Oh, that girl in the back row....she's standing on a chair.

This picture is out of order....we had an awards night the second night there and this is us, all dressed up. I'm standing next to our SVP, no big deal.

This one: slim cropped pants, with layered Gap tanks (the best, I swear) and a open sweater vest-so comfy. I am lately into tons of arm candy and try to layer as many bracelets as I can stand. Gladiator-ish sandals on my feet. Every bit of this outfit Gap. Duh.

Here are the Italian denim legging jeans I told you about earlier, worn with tanks tops and sweater, layered with scarf (because its always cold inside). Also a cork wedge gladiator shoe that is to die for.

Thursday Ramblings

2011-09-01T11:48:00.002-05:00

1. I think I need a professional to help me with the blog background....my blog may be sorely neglected but she needs an update to feel fresh and ready for the fall season!!

2. Has anyone tried the new Blogger interface....I'm scared to try it, curious if anyone has and liked/disliked it?

3. Ready for football. This season I am attending my first University of South Carolina Gamecocks game (against Vanderbilt) and I couldn't be more excited.....I love football and especially college football so much!!! Of course I'll never stop loving Notre Dame football-they are my team for life!

4. Ready for some new fashion. Fall fashion. This summer I spent as much time as possible in shorts, skirts and dresses-nary a jean in sight. But I'm ready for a revival of denim and am looking forward to sporting my Italian denim leggings that feel like butter and make me look fit and lean!!! LOVE!!!

5. Heading North for Halloween this year. I always work on Halloween so the mommy's in my store can be with their kids and the other managers, who love Halloween, can party....but this year I am planning a trip North to be with the kids (my niece and nephews) for the weekend. Pumpkin picking, apple orchards and maybe a hayride await!!!

I am desperate to get back to my blog.

Babar Exhibit With the Kids

2011-09-01T11:05:00.003-05:00

There is a very small, very sweet museum here at the beach and we generally try to go whenever there is a new exhibit....but this one, in particular, was perfect while the niece and nephews were here this summer. BABAR!!!!! They had the original artwork and interactive stations set up and if I'm telling the truth the adults may have enjoyed it as well!!!

Miss O enjoying India...

...and China. Yarn noodles that needed to be cooled. Please note my niece holding the chopsticks like a pro, no big deal.

Aldan put them in his mouth....I may have gagged a little.

Miss O and Caed enjoying the kimonos.

We began in the airplane with lessons in French, Spanish and Italian.

Theron and Aldan in Italy....I couldn't stop laughing at the picture below.

Theron.

Miss O and Caed with Babar.

A Baseball Game

2011-08-14T21:05:00.003-05:00

C and O came to the beach early this year....when we first arrived C was sick; fever and headaches and we thought he had turned a corner....turned out he was still sick even though we dragged him out to the baseball game. He put on a brave face though....and really isn't baseball just one of the easiest games to watch, no pressure...just sit back and enjoy!

In the meantime O is TERRIFIED of mascots. I don't mean just weirded out at adults dressed up in costume but seriously....freaked...out....by it. So I did what any great auntie would....I bribed her. I told her that if she could make it through the game I would buy her the Deuce dog if she could make it through the game. She did it. And auntie bought her the puppy.

Theron LOVES to see himself in the camera.

We had special friends with us of course, Lindsay and Jack(lyn), Jack's daughter and Emily who looked like Olivia's little sister!

I love summer baseball games...

Lauren and Jon....it was so nice to have them here and we had so much fun having adventures and running all over town with all these kids in tow!!

Auntie, C and O.

Theron is extremely affectionate and he has this thing where he leans his head forward to yours to touch foreheads.....it touches my heart.

O and C at the game....two little troopers!!

C and Lindsay!!!

C and O at the game....C LOVES his O!!

Fun With Photo Booth

2011-08-14T21:00:00.001-05:00

Theron LOVED it!!

He loves seeing himself on the screen and couldn't get enough!!!

Chantz got in on the fun too!

Me too. Oooof!

Whew

2011-07-19T23:37:00.003-05:00

It's a lot right now in my life.

But....one of my sisters comes to visit next week with her three.

And then another sister comes the week after. With two of her three.

I'm hanging onto the knowledge that no matter what storm I am in, they are the calm that soothes my soul.

That...and what isn't made better by niece and nephews who love and adore you?

Pretty much nothing.

So if I'm out of touch here...its because I'm holding it all in....until the storm passes.

Edited to add: Things with Ken and I are perfect....he is just as loving as ever and any stress I currently have is of my own doing and in my own head.

Food and Decor

2011-07-12T16:44:00.002-05:00

I know that I wrote about going to my sister's for Memorial Day/her in laws anniversary....it couldn't have been a more perfect day....filled with family fun and of course, love!

Little sister, April and I hung the paper lanterns and then Heathey came out and gave us the fabric for the tables....everything was so simple and really perfect for an outdoor family gathering.

I loved the wine on the tray with the super simple glasses, Heathey made the potatoes without mayo so it was safe to leave them outside....so delish-you can't imagine!!

I cut up the melon for this salsa...I'm kind of proud of it.....plus, it was delicious. Of course it was Heathey's recipe....no way could I come up with the deliciousness that she does.

Here's the backyard...to the left of the picture is a circle of camping chairs around a fire pit....when night fell we roasted marshmallows and made s'mores-perfect ending for a perfect day!!!

Rope Swing

2011-06-28T22:48:00.002-05:00

This is me. Swinging over a creek. That is not nearly full enough. On a rope swing. That was placed in this tree.....by teenage boys. Nothing wrong with this idea. Right?

Ken swinging back from his ride over the not-nearly-full-enough creek.

Ken over the dangerously low creek. Most. Fun. Ever.

Aden (my nephew) after he hopped off the rope swing, letting the rope go is a no-no because someone has to wade into the water to retrieve it. Jerry (my BIL) and Aden's dad is "catching" him, although it does look a bit like he is trying to push him back into the creek.

Aden swinging out over the creek.

Pennsylvania was just such fun, tomorrow I think I'll try to post the food and decor from her(Heathey's) Memorial Day/Anniversary party.

The Time of My Life

2011-06-26T23:29:00.002-05:00

I just had four days off in a row.

I didn't go anywhere.

I didn't do anything super special.

It was Ken's birthday and we enjoyed a date night on his birthday and then a family night out with dessert at our house after.

And it was perfection.

I don't want it to end.

I need to figure out what I'm doing with myself.

Because I feel like I need a change.

One For One = Love

2011-06-07T21:18:00.002-05:00

My friend, Jill, works for TOMS, in fact she is in this video....I couldn't be more proud of her and the work that her wonderful company does-even more so now than ever.

Memorial Day Part I

2011-06-07T14:41:00.002-05:00

Youngest sister, April and her boyfriend, Tom....I swear I have a sweet picture of them but this one was too funny not to post! (See April, I didn't call you 'baby' sister!)

These pictures are from the end of the night and we were wrapping up the party with a fire pit and s'mores extravaganza.

Ken and I....ignore my weirdly long hair....I can't find the time to get it cut.

Ken working out a nicely burned marshmallow-yes, please!!

The End.

This post will have to come over several attempts, I have so many pictures as we used Memorial Day weekend to celebrate my sister, Heather's in law's 50th Anniversary-so I took a ton of family shots!!!

Dear Customer Who Left Their Gum Under This Shelf for My Finger to Smoosh Into,

2011-05-25T22:17:00.002-05:00

While I appreciate the fact that the gum you were chewing had probably lost its flavor and was getting kind of "not chewy" in you mouth....we are a store with garbage pails and would happily let you use ours as a receptacle for your icky gum.

Next time ask for the trash, we are very good at sharing here!

Thanks,

Kiks

Hrmmmm

2011-05-13T23:09:00.002-05:00

So using the other tab ("edit HTML") I can type, on my iPad and post.....this might be the best thing I've discovered so far.

Not that I have anything new to report....oh, well one thing....I had a suspicious freckle on my face that I had to have removed. I waited, not thinking a thing about it until the doctor's office called and said, "you have to come back in, there are cancerous cells in there that we have to get out". So yesterday I went back in, they cut my jaw open for the second time and scraped as much as they could out. Then I waited again, with an open cut, for the results to tell them they got all of it. Which they did. Then he sewed me back up.

I'm sorry if you follow me on FB or Twitter and this is all a repeat....

So that's all I've got for now....exhausted, more later.

Desperate

2011-05-13T23:08:00.001-05:00

I wonder if this will work....typing my post in the "edit HTML" tab......so this is only a test!!!

Dear Heathey

2011-04-11T22:40:00.002-05:00

My Dearest Heathey,

You were the one who made me a sister first; you taught me that sharing is good, taking turns is ok and that love only grows the more you spread it around. Thank you for reminding me that I have a blog that has been sorely ignored and that it's one of the ways I share with you and my other sisters not just in the ten times a day we all talk....

Hope you enjoy the update, I miss you dear sister....I miss all three of you dear girls.

Love,

Kiki

(your big sister, my favorite title ever, well maybe next to auntie...)

Recap/Lesson Learned/Friends Forever

2011-04-11T21:30:00.007-05:00

Once again I registered for the Cooper River Bridge Run, a 10k two hours away from my home where you run over an amazingly beautiful bridge and right into the heart of downtown Charleston. This year Lindsay and I headed down to Charleston a day early to spend time with friends and enjoy the day relaxing...not thinking about running over this b**** of a bridge.

We were silly along the way and talked, sang songs, ate pita chips and ignored the fact that we were running over a bridge that we were in no way prepared for and more than that we didn't officially have a plan for where, what and how the whole thing was going to play out. I'm okay with flying by the seat of my pants....Lindsay- notsomuch but I was so proud of her, she managed the lack of a plan really well. Mostly because she knew that when we got to E.'s store E. would insist and set a plan in motion!!!

We arrived at E.'s store and lo and behold Lindsay and E. are wearing the same outfit....so cute! Lindsay and I tried on new "running the bridge outfit's", which we bought because who doesn't want to run a race in new prettiness!!

Downtown Charleston...prepping for runners who can't hold their tinkle. I'd have to be DESPERATE to use one of these-DESPERATE! That is why I don't really eat or drink the day before or the day of the race, not the best pre-race plan....but it works.

We hit the Expo to see what we could see and of course had to stop and see H. at the iFitness booth, where we convinced E. she could not run the race without one of their belts....they are the best running belts, there's no wandering up, they hold a ton of stuff....and their customer service can't be beat!!!

We may or may not have seen the Weinermobile and chased it down to grab a photo.

The morning of the race...I knew I hadn't run outside enough, had done all of my running on the treadmill and wasn't going to be ready for it....but I tied my shoes and promised myself I'd do my best!

Gathered in E.'s kitchen, Lindsay and I crashed here for the night, slept great and had a great time with E. and her family....the most generous, kindest, lovingest people ever!!! Plus her kids could not be more presh!!

Waiting a thousand hours before we could run....FREEZING our booties off. People, it's the south, why can't it be warmer sooner???

Snuggling for warmth with my sweet E.

Lindsay's dear friend, R., her parents were in Japan at the time of the earthquake and tsunami....but far enough away that they were and continue to be safe. But R. was wearing a, handmade by her, tee shirt to remind everyone to keep Japan in their thoughts and prayers!!!

Not ready to run. And I have no idea why I didn't have my earplugs in normally yet-weirdo.

End of the race. I was 10 minutes SLOWER than last year. Bummer. But I ran, walked the bridge because, like Lindsay says, "Someone made that bridge taller and longer this year." And then ran some more.

Note the weinermobile behind us.... hilarity.

After the race we all parted ways, my mom, auntie and sweet Ken were at the race to cheer me on (best thing ever) and we stopped at possibly my most favorite restaurant ever. Five Loaves in Mt. Pleasant....seriously people, the food....there aren't words. I snapped a picture before I ate mine but everyone else...wiped their plates clean!

Lessons Learned:

1. Training should involve indoor AND outdoor running.

2. Maybe a sort-of-plan is ok.

3. A cute outfit made me feel ready to run.

4. I have the best family. Ever.

5. My friends. I have so few and the ones I have....I am truly blessed by their encouragement, support and love for me and the tolerance of the crazy that I bring to each day!!

Gap Give and Get is Here!

2011-03-15T20:44:00.002-05:00

Hey Guys,

It's that time of year again, time to enjoy a 30% off discount at all Gap businesses and then Gap makes a donation to the non profit I've chosen. (Feeding America) I chose Feeding America because no one should have to go hungry and it makes me crazy to think that there are people who don't have enough to eat!

Give and Get is Here!: Enjoy 30% off from March 17-20 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy plus we'll make a 5% donation to a non-profit.

If you need anything else, help or whatever please feel free to get in touch with me....hoping you'll all get some great new bits of goodness for yourselves and those you love, while Gap gives to a worthy cause!!!

Much Love,

Kik

It All Started.....

2011-03-11T00:50:00.002-05:00

With a phone call....my sister called me at home and told me that overnight my mom had gotten sick. Again. The third same type of sickness that she had experienced within the past six months, you'd think I'd have just been alerted to the possibility that something was going to go dramatically wrong. But instead I called my aunt, who was with my mom and she told me to come over to my mom's, which I did. I got there and my mom was in bad shape, she had thrown up and was complaining of pain in her side which she blamed on throwing up and that if we left her alone she'd be fine, she just wanted to rest.

(whoa, I look tired and not pretty)

We did wait. All day. Another day, except in the past when she had bounced back from the exact same illness she was not bouncing back and my aunt scheduled a doctor's appointment that I would take her to. So I did, we went and I went in with her, as is our family tendency we downplay our aches and pains and tend to self diagnose....but the doctor is lovely and she listened to my mom, felt her belly, listened to her tummy sounds and then sent her for a CT scan. We headed up that way to get that out of the way and got her all set up with her "yummy" drink and I delivered her to Nana's to get that going and my Uncle would then take her to the CT scan.

We don't like sick mommy. Wahhhh

She gets to the CT scan, they complete and she is sitting there waiting for her results watching all the other people get their results and they just give them the info right there, then they call my mom and tell her that the person would like to talk to her and she starts thinking the worst, when I think about this moment when she didn't know what they were going to say and I wasn't with her....I could cry.

But they don't tell her she has cancer....she has an appendix that has torn and is seeping into her body, for at least the past six months. Digest that for a moment, I'll wait.....unreal, right? So I get the call at work, I'm on a conference call and I hang up to leave work (I work with amazing people who always pitch in when I need them most!) and head straight to the hospital where there is some flu epidemic running rampant and I'm freaking out that I'm going to catch that while sitting there waiting for news about my mom.

Brave mommy before surgery.

She gets the whole workup and is ready for surgery and we're waiting, my sister calls from P.A. and we say a prayer with her on the phone and crack inappropriate jokes with her precious and amazing doctor....who I fall in love with (not really, but I'm totally starting a fan club for him)! He assures us that he is pretty sure that he can handle this laproscopically (sp?)and they wheel her away....a few hours later he comes out and says " About every ten years he has to do the actual operation on a patient and my mom was the lucky one...her appendix was tucked up under her intestine/stomach and he couldn't get to it any other way.

So she goes into recovery, we meet her in her room and hang out with her as she is insistent that we stay....while she is loopy with meds and keeps saying, "wow, wow." and when I say, "Mommy, what is it?" She just says, "The pain". Ugh, it was awful. She finally goes to sleep-ish and we leave to get some rest ourselves.

But we (Ken and I) have a trip planned to PA to watch my nephew in a play where he has a solo and a lead part.....should we stay or should we go now? More later.

Be Right Back

2011-02-25T00:29:00.002-05:00

Two Things:

1. Mommy had a leaking/seeping/messed up appendix-surgery to take it out, accompanied by some drama. All is well and she is on the road to recovery.....but it has been a road and I'm worn out.

2. Just noticed that the last post was my 900th post-whew! Pretty proud of that.

We Love Wednesdays

2011-02-01T22:59:00.002-05:00

For my Gap peeps....only on Wednesday's. Only at Gap retail stores. Not online. Enjoy and I'd love to know if you use this coupon and what you got....I'm so in love with my real straight jeans, I bought them a little bigger so they fit a little boyfriend-y....oh, the comfortable cuteness! For sexy jeans I'm all about some skinny or curvy jeans and believe it or not our skinnies are super stretchy and comfy.

Go forth and shop!

In A Few Days

2011-01-31T22:38:00.002-05:00

I'll have my arms around this sweet girl!

I'll be watching this boy act and sing in his first school play!!!

I'll be rolling on the floor with these monkeys!!!

Seriously. Cannot. Wait.

I am the luckiest auntie and sister, not only do these kids love me but my sisters willingly allow me to love on their little ones in place of having my own to shower all this adoration on. I am so dying to see their faces, hear their voices, play silly games, sing crazy songs and best of all snuggle with each of them!!!!!

LOVE

2011-01-31T22:37:00.000-05:00

Kinda Loving

2011-01-28T23:56:00.001-05:00

Found here.

No Explanation Necessary

2011-01-23T22:42:00.002-05:00

I found this on a blog and copied it with my iPhone....of course now I can't give proper credit....if you know who it belongs to please let me know so I can properly link to their site!!!!

Dreamy

2011-01-23T15:44:00.003-05:00

Watch the full episode. See more Masterpiece.

I am fully addicted to and in love with Downton Abbey. It has trumped all reality t.v. It's straight up Anglophile fare and I can't stop watching it repeatedly on my computer, with Episode Four airing tonight I like it all to be fresh in my mind. Can we discuss the clothes, the homes, the manners and the characters???? It's too delicious for words!!! Want to catch up, go here. Did I mention that if you have an iPhone you can download the free PBS app and watch it there too....because you can and it's pretty great!

Fashionable Friday-Short Edition

2011-01-21T22:51:00.002-05:00

I may or may not have started thinking about what I'd like for Valentine's Day....I love how delicate this is. Found here.

In two weeks I'm heading North to see my nephew in his first school play. My sister said they had four inches today....so now I'm obsessed with warm, cozy boots that I can play in the snow in. Did I mention this boot is named after me? How could I not love them?? Found these here.

I have LOVED and stalked these all winter....I'm in love with how they make a leg look skinny because they are kind of bulky, plus warm and cozy doesn't even begin to describe how comfy my toesies would feel in these lovelies! Plus they are called, "Joan of Arctic".....love a cheeky name!! Found here.

Twitter Tuesday

2011-01-18T00:37:00.004-05:00

It's probably wrong.....but I want to do this so badly.

It's wrong.

Right?

Working

2011-01-17T02:52:00.002-05:00

It's that time of year again....

Final Review time.

Let me tell you how much I don't love this part of my job.

I could write reviews all the live long day for the people who work in my store. Beautiful, glowing reviews of how wonderful everyone is at their job.....but when it comes to talking about me......

Nada.

I've got nothing.

Did I mention it's due tomorrow?

Stressful. (said in sing song voice.)

Because I Signed Up For the Cooper River Bridge Run-Again

2011-01-15T22:47:00.002-05:00

Love that this was half run and half incline workout....feeling proud that I did this despite the fact that I haven't been training at all-but that changes now. I'm for reals!

Finding Fun

2011-01-15T22:32:00.002-05:00

Lindsay and J. getting their Icee on-yum!!!

Living in the South is fun, the weather here can't be beat....in the early Spring, Summer and into late Fall.....but the Winter, it is all about finding fun in a town where the beach is the main attraction.

Last Sunday a couple of girls from work bundled up and braved the cold to go roller skating in at a new rink.....this girl hasn't laced a set of skates since the 70's and let me tell you....I WAS NERVOUS!!! I thought about all the things that could happen, I'd fall, I'd run into someone else and they'd fall, I'd break something (like my arm), I'd rip my pants in a fall and be humiliated.....the list goes on. In the end, I just got the skates on and got out there and did it!!!

IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!! DID I SAY FUN??? I MEAN AWESOME, STUPENDOUS, STUPID, SILLY, SIDE SPLITTING LAUGHTER FUN!!!!

It's official.....I'm the tallest girl in the world!

This was pretty much how my face looked the whole night.....hilarity!!

This Weekend

2011-01-08T00:16:00.001-05:00

Borrowed from here.

I'll be doing this. I'm pretty psyched! Pretty sure I won't be dressed like this though!!

I'm All Kinds of Introspective

2011-01-08T00:07:00.002-05:00

Boom Boom Birthday

2011-01-05T22:05:00.000-05:00

This year. This Birthday. Brought to me by this song, my anthem, my love song, my raised fist....

Wednesdays in January

2011-01-05T00:14:00.002-05:00

Print and take to your local stores on Wednesday's in January.

Love,

Kik

1.1.11

2011-01-01T21:09:00.002-05:00

I LOVE the beach, that is no surprise to anyone who knows me and I will go anytime of year to breathe that salty air and hear the ever consistent waves against the sand....but the one time of year that I am non-negotiable about going to the beach is New Year's Day. I love to welcome the New Year this way, today was no exception.

Ken and I spent some time talking about last year and 2011, what we want to do differently and do better, where we see ourselves headed and just a general "state-of-the-union". We are so blessed, this year, 2011, we celebrate 10 years of being married and 16 years of being a couple....and we don't take a second of that for granted. Marriages today fall apart over the smallest things....we value each other and even though we fight (believe it, I'm a feisty gal) we know how to resolve it too. We are not perfect but we are perfect for each other.

My Handsome Husband....{{swoon}}

Oh yeah, this was the temperature today.....heaven!

Tomorrow is my 41st Birthday.....which I LOVE....I love that I start the new year with not only welcoming the new year but also welcoming a new me....2011 is going to be great but I think I'm going to hang on, it's going to be a wild ride!!!

New Year New Me

2010-12-28T20:32:00.002-05:00

I wish I knew where I got this graphic from....if you do please let me know so I can give proper credit....in the meantime let's get real. Better yet, let me get real.

Here are the facts: I was doing well with the running on the treadmill in between Thanksgiving and up until a week before Christmas....I was consistent and sort of eating better....then the week before Christmas got all crazy town and I was struck with some kind of Bubonic plague and then I lost it. I was too tired, I was too cranky and I was just trying to plow through Christmas....now, I have eaten my way and WEIGHT through Christmas and I am legitimately feeling utterly gross.

It's time to get back on track, but not quite militant yet.....you see it is New Year's Eve in a couple of days and then New Year's Day and then the day after that....MY 41ST BIRTHDAY!!!!! We are going to be eating at Melting Pot and I will not be restrained......but you can bet that the DAY AFTER.....its back on that train. I know how to eat right and work out, I'm ready and plus, I'm signed up for a 10K in a few months....so there is no time to waste!!!

Yesterday was a tough day for me, we were underscheduled at work and the customers were not as understanding as I had hoped, despite my cheerfulness and sweetness.....they could not be cajoled to find a smile and then I had a customer who was ugly, straight up, to my face. At the register. In front of other customers. No one said anything, I tried to appease her....she continued to be ugly and then, when she left I went into my office and had a cry.

After I let myself have a minute I went back out to the floor and got back to it....all night I kept mulling over what "I" could have done differently......but you know what? There was nothing to be done, she came in with that attitude, she lied to me and while I was willing to accept her version and take the hit.....I do not like to be treated rudely and then.....the other customers, standing there watching her berate and belittle me....looked away, did nothing and because I could do nothing but calm her down and take what she was dishing out........I looked like a.....weakling. I hated every minute of that exchange, those kind of moments wound me. Hurt my heart and make me question my career choice.

But today was a new day, I tackled what I could this morning at the store and then went to get my hair done.....I feel prettier and ready for the rest of this week.....come what may, then come December 31st I'm putting 2010 to bed and welcoming 2011 with open arms!!!

It's Christmas Time

2010-12-22T12:24:00.002-05:00

Can you believe it is only three days until Christmas??? I can't. In retail it is what I liken to our version of the Superbowl, it's what we practice for, dream about and envision all year long and then it comes and it's a whirlwind.

A whirlwind of good and notsogood.

This year I have somehow managed to get sick. Like pneumonia-style sick. It's knocking the wind out of my sails and making it hard for me to get in the spirit both at work and at home.

Yes, I should go to the doctor, but somehow they always make me feel sicker than I am, the medicine always makes me feel spacey and you know what....I kind of LIKE to tough it out, makes me feel like my body is doing what it should, instead of relying too much on medicine to do the work. Now, that said, if I'm still feeling as "choke-y"/cough-y congested head hurt-y chest hurt-y....by the end of this week. Then I'm going to the doc. I can't be this sick for that long.

Part two is that my home decorating is sort of pathetic this year, with work being SO intense this year and being sick.....and my sisters, my mom, nana and auntie are all going north for Christmas.......so Ken and I are the only ones who will really see our Christmas decorations-so we made an executive decision to let ourselves up and not do a tree this year. I'll pause for the collective gasp. People, it's just too much and you know what....I'm okay with it...I did decorate, the mantle is beautiful and the foyer is done in all silver mercury glass and glass, our stockings are hung and I have gifts wrapped and all in front of our (unused, we don't burn wood in it, just candles.) fireplace. I have my nativity up and mini trees up, lights outside the house too, so we are not completely Grinch-y.

We are lucky enough to have Ken's family here and we are spending the holidays with them, even our nephew, Anthony, will be here this year (his parents are divorced so he alternates [sort of] the holidays) and we are glad to have that. I'm also glad because Ken's mom goes above and beyond with the cooking so Ken and I just show up with some apps and eat, visit, play with toys, nap....it'll be relaxing and fun and just what I need.

I know lots of bloggers do a Wordless Wednesday post.....I should name this one Wordy Wednesday.

So.....that is the update, no pictures, just me rambling on about what is going on.....I'm hoping for a relaxing Christmas, surrounded by those I love. I've already got (almost) everything I could ever wish for, but you know what I'm using my one wish to Santa for this year??? That Greyson has another year and that they find a cure for SMA.

I'm thankful for my family and friends, I'm thankful for that day/night in Bethlehem that gave us the reason to celebrate Christmas and so thankful for another year to try and get it right, do it better and improve as much as I can.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Festivus....whatever, if you celebrate it I'm wishing you the best one ever!!!

In Love

2010-12-20T21:55:00.001-05:00

Really in love with this....found here. Please someone getting married use this idea and invite me!!!

Praying / Wishing / Hoping

2010-12-17T04:10:00.002-05:00

Wishing I was in New York this holiday visiting with family and this little guy specifically. Greyson has SMA, and is living an amazing life thanks to two incredibly dedicated, special parents.

Greyson has a new baby sister, Miss V and if she is anything like her momma, she is all girl and they better start saving for the shoes!!!

Greyson is having a rough winter, he struggles with pneumonia and tonight....he is on my mind and I am praying like crazy for him. Strength for his parents. Wisdom for the doctors that they will know the right thing to do to help him get well.

Twitter Tuesday On Wednesday

2010-12-15T02:43:00.001-05:00

Fashionable Friday-Cozy Edition

2010-12-09T20:33:00.002-05:00

The mirror is dirty....have to remember to clean that tomorrow morning!! Me in skinny jeans, which I love wearing with my wedge boots.....I wear these for a nine hour shift, meaning I stand for about 8 hours in them, run around the store and climb ladders etc., all comfortably!!!

Truthfully I post these on my Facebook page all the time, so I don't know how many people have seen these who read me here or follow me on FB....whatever the case here are my favorite things I've been sporting in an effort to stay warm and look stylish, not always successful.....but always interesting!

Jack, me and Amanda....we LOVED these hats and if it was cold enough to sport these all the time....I would have bought one-and yet again I cannot contain my smile....too gummy, sorry!

Me, wearing thick, cozy leggings with a sweater dress/tunic....I was kind of self conscious in this outfit because it is a little clingy....but the girls I work with kept raving about it, so I wore it the way it looks here. Truth though: I brought a long sweater to layer over it if I needed more coverage!!

I love this hat too.....so here are the cozy things I am loving right now.....what do YOU wear to stay warm?

Saying Goodbye

2010-12-08T23:47:00.002-05:00

This is Caro.

Well.....I call her Caro.

Caro has worked with me for.....years, one of my longest employees and a dear friend. She attended college here and stayed after she graduated only to discover that there is zero opportunity here in our small beach town. She recently made the difficult decision to move back home and look for a job there.

So a few of us got together to say goodbye and laughing to our/my precious Caro. She'll be a success, mark my words, she'll be amazing!!

J. and Caro.

Antonella, Lindsay and Amanda....my leadership team and the reason I am any good, at all, at my job!

Kik, J. and Caro.

I am so blessed to be surrounded by women who I admire and LOVE working with!!!

Christmas Photo Op

2010-12-05T23:13:00.003-05:00

Today we went to a local store where they have Santa come in and take pictures with the kids....we were with Ken's mom and sister and her son, Anthony, our nephew. It was the perfect storm of bad picture taking combined with screaming kids freaking out over the scary old man in red. We opted out of the cheesy picture with Santa and asked Ken's mom to shoot this picture of us in front of the scary stuffed reindeer and fake snow.....cute, huh?

So there are all these stations for the kids to play with toys and scream at their parents to then buy them said toys after getting all jacked up from seeing Santa...Anthony stood so patiently in line waiting his turn and as he leaned on the elderly Santa's leg for the picture the (12 yr. old) girl took the shot....it was cute because, let's admit it he's a cute kid....but was it the BEST PICTURE EVER??? No. So we were standing near this cute elf and I just took a picture of Anthony standing next to it-BANG- this is the picture Kristy, his mom, my SIL wants for the Christmas card. So this is it...I think it's cuter than the Santa one!

Kristy, Ken's sister and my sister in law with her son Anthony, our nephew.

Since we can't take pictures with our own camera of the Santa....I asked the helper elf to stand in...she happily obliged!!

Anthony waiting in line with Grammy, Ken's mom!

Anthony and his mommy, my SIL, Kristy. Kristy just got engaged last night to her boyfriend- we are so excited to see her happy!!

Anthony and all his cuteness, waiting for his chance with Santa!!!

Because I'm Not Always Selfish

2010-12-03T01:55:00.000-05:00

Me Likey

2010-12-03T01:30:00.002-05:00

I'm NOT getting this.

Its like a kajillion dollars and THAT is not in the budget....but it is not stopping me from obsessing and loving it.

Thanksgiving Day in Pictures (Settle In, It's a Long One)

2010-12-02T23:10:00.007-05:00

These two pics are out of order...Uncle Ken reading to Theron. Every time Uncle Ken came into the house Theron would run to him for a hug. Wrapping his arms around Ken's legs and patting them in the sweetest way. When Ken would pick him up Theron would then lay his head on his chest.....melted my heart.

Uncle Ken and Aldan....Aldan was maybe a little more in love with Auntie Kiki.

My sister, Lauren and her husband, Jon, registered for the Turkey Trot here at the beach...it was VERY early in the morning and I didn't get coffee until after it was over....but somehow I managed to get there and we all watched the race together.

My little man, Caed....such preciousness you cannot imagine. This little boy loves to play, dreams about toys and wakes up ready to play. He is gentle and has the funniest sense of humor.

Sister/Mommy, Lauren running by. 18 months after giving birth to twins that weighed 8 and 7 pounds respectively and went full term with them....I am in awe of her!

Brother in Law, Jon.

Lindsay and Emma also ran the race and we were able to see them come in too!

Lindsay and Emma apres race.

Lauren and Jon, apres race.

On the way back to the house I stopped by a place here where they have these retired airplanes, Caed LOVED them, he was making up all kinds of stories for each of them and was a little concerned when I put him up on this one....

When we got to Mormor's house Lauren had already made an apple pie....working in a bakery throughout college has made her an expert at pie baking....always ridiculously good!!

Auntie Co made MY favorite dessert, a log roll of chocolate wafers sandwiched between layers of fluffy whipped cream....I am not kidding-BEST DESSERT EVER!

A whole apps table and this is what I took a picture of: figs stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in bacon....I like mine super well done so these 4 were specifically mine!!! Yes, please!

After dinner, Theron was standing in front of the t.v and he kept lifting up his shirt....exactly how I felt....all of my clothes were too tight.

Lindsay managed to stop by for Thanksgiving and we got to spend time with her, the boys LURVE her!!

Lauren's last night here and Mormor took us out to eat at a local place that we all love....just LOVED being all together.

Theron.

Caed.

Black Friday

2010-12-01T20:44:00.001-05:00

.....I survived.

Worked 5 a.m till 3 p.m.

By 3 p.m we had made our plan and beat last year's numbers.

Cray Cray.

Thankful

2010-11-25T12:33:00.002-05:00

.....for everything I have, for what will come and for my imperfectly perfect life!!!

Best wishes, yummy food, full bellies to you all!!

Promo City

2010-11-24T01:16:00.003-05:00

Forgive the shamless plug, you all know I work for them so I feel obligated to get you guys the information as soon as I can....enjoy! Please pay attention to the dates!!

Wednesday we are starting promos early.....

....and then Friday, the mother of all discounts-if you don't shop today....I don't know what will get you in stores!!!

Twitter Tuesday

2010-11-23T04:16:00.004-05:00

I'm constantly surprised, pleasantly, by everything I read and glean from Twitter...these quotes inspire me, make me laugh, make me think and sometimes make me angry.....but I love it all!!

This Week

2010-11-23T03:32:00.002-05:00

These cuties are here this week....stay tuned for hilarity and silliness.

This is C. this afternoon at Mormor's (Swedish for grandmother)...playing "Earthquake"....he was the cleanup team taking the wreckage to the dump!!!

By the way...don't be alarmed at the short sleeved, its at least a thousand degrees here, we are having a ridiculous warming trend this week, we'll all be in shorts for Thanksgiving, elastic waist of course!!!

New Shoes

2010-11-23T03:18:00.002-05:00

So even I used my Friends and Family discount this year.....with my discount I ordered two pairs of shoes and they arrived the other day, wrapped like beautiful presents.

The pictures I took were on my iphone...not my best work yet.

First pair, I really love these, they are sky high, make me taller than Ken and feel pretty comfortable, but I'm not sure I'd still feel that way if I wore then for a nine hour shift at the store.....

Second pair, I thought they were incredibly comfortable and wearable so I decided to wear them on a Saturday...for a nine hour shift....what was I thinking? At the end of my day I was limping out of the store....I looked good but halfway through the day I needed a backup pair-I'm still in love with them, just have to make sure I don't try to wear them for nine hours straight!!!

Same one's as above.

For Mrs. Furious and Our Shared Empathy Disorder

2010-11-18T20:47:00.001-05:00

AT&T Has Awful Service But They Still Have Apple So I'll Stay Loyal

2010-11-17T06:49:00.002-05:00

In a million years I would never advertise for this company EXCEPT that this is awesomeness that cannot be denied. I wish stuff like this happened everyday, I wish that we could just break into song and dance at a moments notice and instead of being crazy people would join in.

I am reminded to greet my loved ones every time I see them with this kind of joy....this enthusiasm and most of all....in song!!!

Why are flashmobs the most perfect thing ever? Why do I cry when I see this kind of thing? I'm the only one, right?

Just Ordered

2010-11-12T22:20:00.002-05:00

Just ordered these from Piperlime....but I used my Friends and Family coupon and got 30% off PLUS free shipping!!! And if I don't like one or either pair-free returns!

Ordered these too from Piperlime.....it's a five inch heel with a one inch platform so really it's a four inch heel but at 5'10" already.....add these heels and I'm almost as tall as Ken, who is 6'4"!

Just for the record I have been totally coveting a pair of these short boots, found a pair on JCrew and the price tag was making them a painful purchase-so I'm pretty jacked that I got both of these shoes for LESS than what I would have paid for ONE PAIR at JCrew!!!

We'll see, I'll post pics if they're cute and I end up keeping them!!

Get shopping....Friends and Family is almost over!!!

Give and Get is Here!

2010-11-11T11:52:00.003-05:00

Am in love with this dress-completely obsessed.

Disclaimer: I own this in three "colors", (black, gray and oatmeal.)

This cowl neck is actually a tee shirt weight, nice and light for when the heat is pumping inside-comes in a bajillion colors and is only $19.50!!!

Want this.

Need this skirt, as soon as it comes in I am trying it on and I'll report back on the fit...but for real, a sequin skirt??? If it fits at all I might just have to have it-I love sparkle!

Give and Get is Here!: "Enjoy 30% off from November 11-14 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy plus we'll make a 5% donation to a non-profit."

Here's the deal, the coupon that you can get on the above link is NOT GOOD ONLINE, if you want one you can use at one of our online businesses you need to comment or e mail me ASAP so I can e mail you an invite that will work ONLINE.

I cannot say enough good things about how great our stuff is in stores right now, don't believe me; get to a store, touch how soft our sweaters are, try on our jeans and find a great fit.....that make you feel amazing.....I could go on and on, but really, you just need to go and see for yourself!!!

Cutest, Not Scawry Pumpkin Ever

2010-11-07T01:07:00.001-05:00

I did this little guy all by myself. Ken wanted scary.....I only do "scawry"....we compromised.

Butter/NYC

2010-11-07T00:13:00.002-05:00

While the three (out of four, we missed you Lala) sisters were in NYC we had the luck of getting a reservation at Butter, the restaurant owned by Chef Alex Guarnaschelli....she is on Food Network all the time and from the first time I watched her cook.....well, she made me want to love food.

Butternut Squash soup with popcorn....my family has eaten soup like this most of our lives....we have NEVER seen anyone else do it-until now!!! We are culinary geniuses, well not me, I'm notsomuch a great cook (but I want to be) and I don't really like food.

A seafood stew sent out by the chef that night. We were kind of a big deal there that night because....

Heathey's husband helped Chef with a kitchen situation!!! Heathey's husband designs and build commercial kitchens in NYC....so ridiculously awesome I can't even tell you!!

Baby sister, April, precious girl.

I had the ravioli with fingerling potatoes....so delicious, perfection!

And then Woody Allen showed up, ate in the restaurant and left. That was pretty NY, just chilling in a restaurant and Woody is just a whisper away.

Yup, Woody and Soon-Yi.

But the highlight of the night was really the time with my sisters and being treated like rockstars even though a living legend was in the restaurant!!! I'm the luckiest girl in the world!!!

Blurgh

2010-11-05T20:43:00.002-05:00

You know when you have nothing to say but so much on your mind.

That is how I feel lately.

I'll be back when I've got it together.

Very Scary Hairy Larry

2010-10-29T15:59:00.002-05:00

Here's what happens when C., O. and I play with photo booth.....photos worth of a Halloween post. When I was a girl I LOVED Halloween, I dressed up one year as a gypsy-hands down my fave costume ever!! As the years have passed I have felt as though Halloween has become a weird, slightly evil holiday, children dressed scarily, adults dressed sluttily (not a word, I know)....I'm just over it. But want to see a family that does Halloween dressing well? Check out One Fabulous Mom.....she gets it right every time!

Oh gosh, I love this girl....she is just awesome and so cheeky!!

This is an older pic of C and I....but so funny/silly!!

Love

2010-10-25T20:19:00.002-05:00

Despite the fact that I was a sweaty mess, smelled like a swamp donkey and looked like I hadn't run a brush through my hair for days he still cheered and kissed me at the end, makes it all worth it!!!

Mommy

2010-10-25T20:15:00.002-05:00

My mommy and I at the end of the race. She is so precious to come out and act like I came in first place.....I just love her!!

I also need to give credit to Lindsay, my sweet friend and co worker. She took almost all of the pictures you see here, she is an AMAZING photographer and I am so lucky that she shares this gift with almost all of us who know and love her!!! Thanks Lindsay for sharing, you're the best!!!

Friends

2010-10-25T19:59:00.004-05:00

This is what happened when I saw my mom, Ken and my sweet friends on the side screaming their head's off for me. They came out early on their day off to encourage me....thinking about seeing their sweet faces was the push I need to finish the last bit of the race and it meant the world to me that they came out.

Look at these cute signs they had....I saw those and died!!!

So cute!!!

Sidebar and My First Half Marathon

2010-10-25T19:28:00.003-05:00

(me with crazy hair....)

Well....I did it, my first half....I'll admit that my time 3:09:55 was not at all what I wanted....BUT I am letting myself up. I did not train AT ALL for this race. The week before I tried to get in as many workouts as I could on my treadmill....but no outside runs and no run longer than 3.5 miles at a time. I hadn't been eating right and I gained weight this summer that I hadn't lost by the time this race rolled around.....so lessons learned. I'll also admit that the race started to get kind of boring after mile 6....I was ready to be done and that was frustrating.

One thing that I loved about the race was an idea that a women that I work with gave me.....she said to dedicate each mile to someone, so I did. Each person I dedicated a mile to was someone who inspired me or someone who couldn't run a mile even though they might want to/or have wanted to. I wrote their names on my arm so I'd remember who got each mile.

Wait For It

2010-10-16T21:47:00.002-05:00

Well it was Sister Weekend in NYC and while we were missing our third sister, Lauren, we had to carry on without her and enjoy NY as only we can. Dinner at Butter (DIED and went to Heaven), stayed at the James Hotel, dessert at Pastis, walked the city streets late into the night, crashed and then woke early for pastries in bed. We hit the streets early and walked the whole Meatpacking, Highline, Greenwich Village area, lunch at Peanut Butter and Company (ritual) and tons of pictures to prove it was absolute magic.

Me at the Highline.

The Bookends. Big sister and Baby sister.

Kik and Heathey.

Heathey.

April. Baby sister. Poochina. Whatever we call her, she is precious.

Just loved this.

There is more. Much more. Count on it.

Seriously

2010-10-13T21:35:00.002-05:00

I couldn't do it, or say it, better than she did....go to my sister's blog and read about our trip-she took amazing photos (we call it a magic camera, but really Heathey takes a great photo)....go, please-it was perfection!

Sister Weekend

2010-10-12T22:54:00.002-05:00

Just got back from a whirlwind weekend in NYC with three of my four sisters....I promised I wouldn't blog any pics until my sister, who took all the pics, posts hers....but I couldn't resist one. This was on our way from the ferry from NJ to the West Side of NYC-it was perfection, we just missed our sweet third sister-next year Lauren, next year!!!

Fashionable Friday-Wherein I Want a Tattoo

2010-10-08T07:48:00.002-05:00

(my apologies to the photographer, I don't know where this came from, I lifted it from a blog.)

I LOVE THIS.

I have wanted a tattoo for years....before I met Ken, who HATES the idea of me getting one, so it makes it tricky.....the problem is that, like everyone I know who has a tattoo, my ideas of what I want to put on my body have changed, a little, over the years. I have always wanted some kind of art that represented my sisters and I....and now I love the idea of something that sort of honors my dad and my religious beliefs. I LOVE the hymn "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" and have wanted a SMALL bird/sparrow on my wrist for some time....

Then I was in Frenchtown, NJ and we saw a shopkeeper who had this amazing tattoo on the inside of her wrist....it was small and we (my sister, Heather and I) LOVED IT! We were thinking that we would get four birds for the four sisters.....

But not yet. We are still in discussions....its a big deal, putting ink in my body- I want to make sure it's something I could live with.

Is it fashionable? Or trashy?

Fashionable Friday

2010-10-01T22:58:00.004-05:00

I LOVE college football and I am a huge fan of Notre Dame U football team, no matter what they are my team and I stick by them...although it's hard when we are not winning I proudly wear my colors in support of them on Saturday's when I work at the store.

Other times I support the state team, the team that my friends and coworkers support because they attended that school.

My way just might be more subtle....heehee!

Gee's Bend Quilt Exhibit

2010-10-01T12:50:00.003-05:00

My sweet friend, Amy and Lindsay came with me. Please note the sign that says "Picture taking is forbidden", but I couldn't not share this with you.

I love where I live because of the proximity to the beach and the low cost of living....but there is a serious lack of museums in the area....so.....imagine my surprise when I found out that the Gee's Bend Quilt's were going to be on exhibit here. I read about these quilts some time ago and was amazed, by not only, how colorful they were, but how they were not "perfect" quilts. The women behind these quilts, in a word, REMARKABLE!!! There was video playing of the women as they quilted and they were singing....I could have watched forever.

From the website:

The "Quilts of Gee’s Bend" exhibition has received tremendous international acclaim, beginning at its showing in Houston, then at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the other museums on its twelve-city American tour. Newsweek, National Public Radio’s Talk of the Nation, Art in America, CBS News Sunday Morning, PBS’s NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, the Martha Stewart Living television show, House and Garden, Oprah’s Omagazine, and Country Home magazine are among the hundreds of print and broadcast media organizations that have celebrated the quilts and the history of this unique town. Art critics worldwide have compared the quilts to the works of important artists such as Henri Matisse and Paul Klee. The New York Times called the quilts "some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced." The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is currently preparing a second major museum exhibition and tour of Gee’s Bend quilts, to premiere in 2006.

They used whatever fabric they had, each little piece has a history to it, some had ink on them, other pieces of denim had bleach stains and dirt....fabric from what looked like a baby blanket, loved every piece and it made me look closely at everything!

The color was intense.

(above) This was my favorite.

They even use the selvage edge.....so funny.

This is the education room upstairs that they use with children....wouldn't you want to draw, paint and create here all day???

Daddy

2010-09-29T21:45:00.003-05:00

I dream that you didn't really die. Almost every night.

I wish that you were still here. Every day.

I miss the way you smelled like tobacco. I also hated it because it would steal your life.

I miss the way you grew a beard almost every winter.

Your gold wedding band on your finger was like promise to us that you and mommy would always be in love. Thank you giving us, your four girls, that gift.

I wish you were here because then you wouldn't be missing your grandchildren and how amazing they are. How much they look like you. I promise I'll make sure they always know you were their "pop pop" and you loved them. You loved the promise of children.

I miss the sound of you singing. You had an amazing voice.

I would give almost anything to see you right now. Hold your hand. Hug you tight. I miss saying, "Daddy".

Gap Love

2010-09-24T22:12:00.002-05:00

(me and Joy in a park in San Diego, I never laughed so hard in my life as when we were playing on this balance disk.....my arms and abs ached the rest of my trip.)

Two Things:

1. Jeans at Gap will be 50% off tomorrow between 12p-3p, you will not be greeted with this information, you must say "FLASH" at checkout to get the discount. Such a ridiculously good deal I don't know how anyone could not be shopping for jeans tomorrow.

(me, when I was losing weight and so excited that I looked better in jeans.)

2. Gap Adult sale items will be an additional 25% off tomorrow and Sunday....see I just gave you two great reasons to get shopping!!!

(me, Barbara Cook, VP of Gap and Kenady)

Twitter Tuesday (and a little extra)

2010-09-21T10:52:00.003-05:00

I feel this way sometimes, only because my home feels so cozy to me.

Andy Pettitte is a New York Yankee who is rehabbing with a team in Trenton, NJ.....my sister has admired not only his playing but his off the field morals and values, so when the opportunity to watch him play with this minor league team came up, she jumped at it. The twitter feed above is about the game and the dirty sneaker was because my sister went down and had the opportunity too chat with him and then he graciously signed her sneaker. She was so excited and I can't say I blame her, not too often do sports players live up to what you hope is the truth about them....he did though!

One day I'm going to go to Fashion's Night Out instead of just reading about it on Twitter.

Before and After

2010-09-20T21:34:00.003-05:00

I have worked in retail for over 20 years, for the same company, every once in a while they get an idea in their head to change something in some wild way that makes me scratch my head and shrug my shoulders...but I end up doing it. (a little complaining is involved). This most recent change involves moving the men's product to the back of the store and the women's to the front....a little weird but...ok. So we took down the walls....

This section ended up in the front of the store...

Then there was some painting involved...this is me, I am not gifted at painting....I just took a turn and then handed it over.

We all did...

It was so hot in the store...we were hot and I smelled like a swamp donkey.

The finished results....

This wall is still incomplete, there are more displays to be done and a little touching up.....but it looked amazing and customers were definitely spending a little more...not sure if the moves and paint were the reason-but they were in the buying mood.

Kayak/Labor Day

2010-09-15T21:12:00.005-05:00

Kayaks tied to the roof of our very old Jeep.

Ken and I have two kayaks that we love to take out to a particular beach near where we live. Its not our normal beach because it has an ocean side and an inlet side, while it is possible to take the ocean kayaks to the ocean side, it is tough to paddle while the inlet offers a leisurely "ride".

On the way to the inlet you drive down a sandy road and pass a church perched precariously on the marsh.

We went, on Labor Day weekend with Ken's parents, sister and our nephew, Anthony. There are lots of places I would like to live, places where we would move....but not one is close enough to the beach, the warm sun and the delicious hot sand! On my list of favorite things: digging my feet in the warm sand. Love, love, love!

Ken and Kik. I guess we love a Ray Ban sunglass.

My pretty yellow kayak. Anthony brought an army of cars and trucks to play with in the sand, you can see some of his toys scattered around.

My size 10 feet in the inlet water. I'm 5'10"....that requires a big foot to stand on.

Anthony gives the kayak a test run. Don't worry, Uncle Ken was close by.

(BTW: I had nothing to do with his hat, Uncle Ken and I are Gamecock fans!)

Beachy ride home.

This is an old, historic place on the ocean side of the road. It's a super narrow road with the ocean on one side and the inlet/marsh on the other.

We ended our trip with soft serve from McD's....

Anthony tries his hand at managing the kayak on his own.

Twitter Tuesday

2010-09-14T12:00:00.001-05:00

True story. Not right but true.

Saw this on Twitter and thought it was one of the most brilliant things I've read there. I am reminded of the scene (pardon the misquote) from The American President where the President is talking about how true freedom is allowing others to voice their opinion, one that you would spend a lifetime fighting (I don't remember exactly how it went)...I thought that is one of the truest things I've ever heard.

Want to live by this.

A Few Of My Favorites (in no particular order)

2010-09-13T19:34:00.005-05:00

When I drive into or out of DC on 95 I ride right past this memorial....I choke up whenever I see it.

My nephew (twin) A. Just got his first haircut and such a lovey boy, so sweet and smooshy.....I just want to cuddle with him all day!

T. is go-go-go, a bundle of energy and a talker....but also a love, he's ticklish and so sweet - love being with these twins!

Mr. C was loving watching himself on the video....I love him, precious, silly, sweet boy!

Trip North

2010-09-12T21:58:00.004-05:00

On our way to Philadelphia....just loved the building and the name of this hotel, dreamed of when it had seen better, more glamourous days. Or maybe seedier days.

City Hall.

Loved this city dwelling.

Loved it.

This building had a fire, was abandoned and the beautiful brick facade was bowing out....

Loved it. Obvs.

Tall buildings. Love.

Ate cheesesteaks here....awesome yumminess-don't be on a diet and go here. Just a tip.

C. waiting for his cheesesteak awesomeness.

Ice cream here, right down the block from Sonny's. See below for reaction to this place.

Miss O gives it 5 stars.

Love the building.

Back to the 'burbs.

See you soon Philly!! Love you.

Fashionable Friday

2010-09-10T15:59:00.006-05:00

These aren't necessarily "styled" pictures but I thought it was fun to post how I dress when I go out. In my younger days I would dress in short skirts, tall shoes and a super simple top, now though its a little different....I still keep the top simple, but I vary between a skirt and jeans....and still with the tall shoes-which I think you can see from my height in this picture. It's also no longer about trying to be the most attractive girl in the room, but being the most attractive to Ken.....which he thinks I am.

My niece, the glorious Miss O....already a fashionista. Styled at Gap of course in the new Paris line they have right now...cutest things ever!

I had some trouble today uploading pictures...so there aren't as many as I hoped- more of my trip soon!

Thursday Twitter

2010-09-09T06:43:00.003-05:00

This was a Labor Day tweet...interesting, no?

Feedback is hard to take, coaching is hard to do.....does this kind of tweet/idea soften the blow or dilute your message??? I don't know. I always try to be kind, at work especially.....it's not within my character to hurt people so I am always trying to find ways to help my peeps improve without breaking their spirit-somehow I manage to do alright, most of employees have been with me for years. Help, not hurt....it's a family motto.

Who amongst us hasn't been injured by another??? This tweet really reminded me that I don't have to hang onto the hurt...let it go, FORGVE and move on. I'm still a work in progress on this.

Whoops-y

2010-09-09T06:20:00.002-05:00

Yikes, I'm sorry that I stepped away from blogging for a bit longer than I meant to....back to my trip though....the first order of business is always to get a pedicure, my sister goes to a great place with very sweet girls who work there-always a great experience!! Miss O (on the end in the picture) get a pedicure too and LOVES it

Aden, my college age nephew and I.....we took him back to college for his second year....he's doing an amazing job, works so hard and is such a great guy-I couldn't be more proud of him.

(Sorry I look a mess in the pic, I had just woken up...)

Miss O, full of style and grace.

Uh, this is Heathey's dog, Brooklyn.....have I mentioned my fear of dogs, all dogs? Scared for my life, freeze up, sweaty fear??? No? Well...I am terrified of dogs, but she and I are starting to really like each other, notice my hand on her collar? By the end of the vacation I was rubbing her belly and nuzzling her....but don't be fooled that I let my guard down all the way-this dog is no joke and she is for real in full protection mode almost all of the time.

More pictures later, I'm off to work now!

I Just Tried

2010-09-02T00:01:00.003-05:00

To upload more pictures from this weekend.....somehow messed it up-probably due to exhaustion....so I'm off to catch some sweet slumber-more soon. Promise.

Eat Pray Love

2010-09-01T23:21:00.003-05:00

So Elizabeth Gilbert, the writer of Eat Pray Love, has a shop called Two Buttons that I visited while I was north this past weekend. I found out about it first from a New York Times article, then my brother in law offered to take us over....curiosity got the better of us and we went.

Full of lovely things, I forgot where I was and instead marveled at how she and her husband had brought far flung lands right into my hands.

The entrance was a bit of a let down and I expected it to be full of fame seekers....but it is in such a funny spot....I'm guessing not many people find there way there....which, I think, kept it special.

Twitter Tuesday (on Wednesday)

2010-09-01T23:15:00.003-05:00

In case you don't know Gap has come out with a new line of (not only) black pants.....they are amazing and all over Twitter....I sound like an ad, I know, but maybe this Fashionable Friday I'll do pics of me in each of the pants.....

Gap was on Groupon, we had a "coupon" for $50 that only cost $25....it brought down the website and it was kind of awesome that people were going so crazy for it!!! It made me proud to work for such an iconic brand!!!

And We're Off

2010-08-27T11:25:00.003-05:00

Tonight I'll have my arms around these two + my college age nephew, Aden, who I do not have an age appropriate picture of.....trust me, I can't wait.