tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83970903845771969312024-01-12T16:10:03.684-08:00Slightly SaltySarcasm, Sweat and the SeaKat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.comBlogger267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-57638566125669193912015-04-04T15:22:00.002-07:002015-04-04T15:22:12.628-07:00guiltyGuilt. I finally nailed it down. It is exactly what has been consuming me and "motivating" me for weeks.<br />
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I had a break down Thursday night, as we pregnant women often do, and what I finally heard myself saying was that I'm not good enough and that is what is motivating me to do anything. It's what makes me clean, cook, get dressed, work out, take my kids to the beach and pay the bills. The guilt I feel drives me and it's the most unsatisfying drive I've ever taken. Because once I accomplish a task I've guilted myself through, I'm still worthless. I'm still not good enough and didn't accomplish enough. I've still yelled too much, let the vegetables rot in their drawer in the fridge and I've still laid down for at least an hour every day in the last week.<br />
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Living with guilt as my guide has wrecked me. My self esteem has dropped to a dangerously low level. I'm fragile and guarded. I don't want to interact or talk to friends. I don't even open up to my husband as completely as I used to or as I should. I am stunting myself from any kind of growth and success and blocking my heart from valuable relationships. It's miserable.<br />
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After my cry, I walked out in to the dark to sit on my lanai. The night was bright and my mind was awake after finally pin pointing what had been poisoning my every day. I started sifting through the painful feelings I was crippled by. I found the guilt and then I found the "excuses". I had convinced myself that any of my short comings were excuses for my lack of skills and poor behavior. I'm pregnant with my fourth kid; so what? I'm exhausted a lot more than usual; boo hoo. I don't feel like eating healthy; that's fine, be fat. My feet are so swollen I need to lay down; okay, quitter.<br />
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My self talk was horrifying. I allowed myself NO EXCUSES. The trouble is, I was confusing excuses with answers. Sometimes, our small short comings are actually just answers rather than the excuses of a failing woman. I had to ask myself, in all those times where I was making excuses, was I giving it my best? Was I trying my hardest to complete tasks and keep my life and the lives of my family going? Or was I cashing out early and skipping out on my daily duties and the needs of the ones I love? I sat in the dark on the lanai and felt the most relief I have in maybe a year, I was doing my absolute best. I could finally, comfortably, honestly say it. I was not making any excuses. I was full of answers. Sometimes the answer is, truly, that we are just tired, worn out, done, finished and in desperate need of putting our puffy, doughy feet up.<br />
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And so, where was I going to go with my new found clarity? Straight to the top! Just kidding. Back to bed. But before I fell asleep I remembered my conversation with my oldest from a few weeks ago. After another melt down over a hiccup in his life I asked him, "are you going to freak out, or are you going to fix it?" Of course we talked it through but we both decided that real life is about fixing the problems we are faced with. And side note here, it usually takes a lot longer to fix the problem than it does for a) the problem to occur and b) than it does to just freak out. But even after you're done freaking out you've still got the problem. So stop wasting the energy with the freak out and start off by finding the best fix first.<br />
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I was going to fix it. I was dead set. The first thing I would do was reorder my thoughts and start seeing my excuses as answers to my problems. Sometimes the answer to an equation is seen as negative, like the ones listed above, but they don't have to be. They can just be answers. And even though I had answers to problems like exhaustion, swollen feet and more exhaustion, I had to let that be okay in my brain. I had to let my memories over the last 4 months and maybe even a year and a half (for sure the year and a half) be settled in understanding rather than blame.<br />
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Then I asked, what will I do from here to continue to avoid this pitfall? I will keep answering the problem. I won't stop doing my best and I will congratulate myself every step of the way.<br />
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I know this all seems small. When I had my lanai conversation with myself I felt the light bulb turn on. I felt the peace wash over me. I felt so. much. relief. It may not wash over you now after reading this post like it did me, but hopefully it will remind you to be kind to yourself. To keep doing your best and keep patting yourself on the back for doing it. After all, our best is all we can do. Go put your feet up, lady.Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-75408648672813345622012-12-03T00:29:00.001-08:002012-12-03T00:29:59.133-08:00paleo businessI am so floored by my new diet that I am going to blog about it. At this point my blogging is so scarce and erratic that I probably have zero readers but I don't care. I really feel the need to just ramble about this for awhile. Actually I feel the need to shout from the roof tops but ya know.<br />
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I started exactly a week ago. I bought the book, The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf at a friend's suggestion and read it in a few days. I knew after reading all of the scientific arguments and having my scientific, doctor husband read them and verify their validity, that I was officially in a place where I couldn't NOT try the diet. What a poo sentence but whatever.<br />
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Basically, I was floored. I knew I needed to clean my diet to clean my body to clean my life. And that is exactly what is happening. I feel clean on the inside and not just because I am pooping more regularly than I ever have before. It's like my body is functioning almost completely properly. I have no bloat, no gas, no empty belly hunger where my stomach wants to eat itself. I have no mood swings because my blood sugar is super consistent. I seriously feel like I could take on the world.<br />
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If you aren't familiar with Paleo let me give you an amateur (me being the amateur) rundown. Basically you eat like a Hunter/Gatherer. You consume meats, produce-both fruit and veggies, and nuts. No grains, no dairy, no oats, no corn, no rice, no QUINOA, no beans. These foods are sources of inflammation in your body that can lead to all types of diseases and disorders. Before the agricultural revolution our HG ancestors were on average taller, lived longer, free of cavities, free of auto-immune diseases and were lean, muscular people. Once we started cultivating wild grains for food we lost height, length of life and took on a myriad of different health issues. This is anthropological science not bull. So, the idea is to eat like a HG and feel healthy again by returning our body to a clean, un-inflamed state. If you're curious, read the book. It's actually entertaining!<br />
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Some of the benefits of the diet are surprising. I am SUCH a nice mom when I'm not hungry! Surprise! I can't believe how big of a difference this diet has made on my patience levels and my mood stability. I am normally such a snap-to-anger type of person but this has become like a natural sedative. It's a MIRACLE! I've literally been jonesing for wine, weed or any other "bad" substance for months because I've been so uptight. It's seriously been plaguing me! I'm not being dramatic. We're talking, high school party, let's get wasted, slowly walk by the wine isle, day dream of a cold margarita poolside seriousness. Somehow, this diet has allowed me to look at my kids with only love in my heart and mind. Okay, not only, more like 95% but we were at about like 40% so that's a pretty freaking big deal. I mean, come on, if changing my diet can curb my party-hardy cravings and make me a better mother than shiz, I'm never going back!<br />
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I, with out trying, have lost more weight. In the last day, I've lost 1 1/2 pounds. Solid. Cool. I also notice a difference in my abs. Have you ever heard of the abs diet? I'm beginning to be one of those "carbs are the devil" people. It's scary. But it's also scary to look and feel THIS MUCH BETTER in only a week! I need to take pictures. I can already tell there will be some serious physical changes.<br />
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I wake up with energy. I don't spring out of bed but I don't have to use the heart charger paddles to shock myself out of bed either. I just get up and go. I also don't have puffy under eye bags or trouble taking off my wedding ring which means less water retention.<br />
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There are so many tiny things that are good. So many benefits that I can already feel. It's really incredible that food can be this powerful. We don't treat it like the medicine it actually is. I've posted it before long ago on instagram and pinterest but I'll post it again. "The food you eat can either be the safest and most powerful form of medicine, or the slowest form of poison," Dr. Ann Wigmore.<br />
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Before I close I will be honest and share that there have been a few hang ups. I cook alot. Not really that much more than I used to but there aren't as many quick fixes. I also can't really eat out anywhere that easily. So accessibility and dishes are a pain but whatever. If you felt this good, you'd do more dishes and skip the fast food drive-through too.<br />
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Another bummer was the caffeine withdrawals. Apparently caffeine can produce cortisol in your body which is a bad stress hormone so it's recommended to avoid it. This was bad news considering my daily habit of 1 Rockstar and 2-3 cans of Diet Coke. DAILY. Blurgh. The headache I experienced on Wednesday was up there in the top ranking SOB headaches of my life.<br />
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Next downer is the constant feeling I get when I feed my children that I'm poisoning them. Seriously, it sounds insane but after you read the science and learn about the negative effects caused by inflammation from eating grains, you would totally or at least partially see my point. Another poo sentence. Apparently I'm full of shit today. :)<br />
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The last negative is the social aspect. I have a holiday cookie exchange coming up and Christmas advent activities planned with my kids and several other things that won't be "traditional" for me because of my "crazy" diet. Luckily I'm still hyped up enough that I feel confident I will finish this 30 days without any "cheats". That was alot of "".<br />
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What happens after 30 days? Right now, I honestly feel like I just turned a life altering corner and can never go back but I often eat the words I say, no pun intended. Who knows, maybe I'll end up opening a traditional bakery (something I have literally dreamed about for years) in the next couple of years. I'm bananas. The point is, right now I'm bananas for this diet. I cannot stress enough how amazing I feel and how in control I feel.<br />
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It's liberating to take charge of my body and my health and not get "poisoned" by convenience. I wish that anyone, everyone, just someone would try it with me. What's 30 days right? Everyone I've even slightly, smidgeshly convinced says the same thing, "maybe after the holidays." Ya. Maybe. Or maybe never. It's okay. I have a supportive friend and a supportive brother. That's enough for now.<br />
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Not to call out my husband or anything but I know that he needs to do this diet too. He is complaining EVERY night about tummy upset and gas and saying, "ugh. I don't feel so good, Booty." I feel bad for him but it's also hard to keep feeling sorry for someone who keeps slamming their hand in the door and crying over it like it was a surprise, ya know? I'm mean. I'll keep cooking him and my kids rice, pasta and traditional baked goods to make up for it.<br />
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I'll let you know how the next 3 weeks go because I know you're all dying to continue hearing about paleo. If you have any questions or want recipes or want a supporter in your own paleo adventure just holler.Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-50282994822043539572012-11-19T11:36:00.002-08:002012-11-19T11:50:12.719-08:00small fryLet's be honest. A huge part of why I'm blogging about this is to enter the giveaway for the free iPad mini but another reason is the opportunity it gives me to fess up and be honest about a few things.<br />
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When my high school/acquaintances started <a href="http://www.smallfryblog.com/">Small Fry Blog</a> a few weeks ago I went through some strange emotions. I thought, "man, these girls really want to be famous." I also thought, "man, these girls are cute and classy, wish I was too." I even thought, "look at all the cute things they do with their kids, I feel like a terrible mother." It really was a bad start for me.<br />
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The truth is, I am a jealous person. I always have been and I'll always struggle not to be. So up until about a week ago when one of the Small Fry Blog creators came to Kauai for a visit, I felt all of this judgmental, childish, rotten jealousy. But once I hung out with this girl, this super cute, truly talented girl, I knew I had them (the creators of Small Fry Blog) all wrong.<br />
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Sure, they want to get notoriety and publicity but what talented person doesn't want to be recognized for their talents? It's not vanity or narcissism it's finding joy in sharing your best self with other people. I'm the same way. I LOVE teaching/dancing/performing during Zumba class. It brings me SO much joy I can't even explain it. It also fills me with gratitude that I even get the chance to share my talents in that way.<br />
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If I think about my friends or family and ask myself what I really love about them I often think of their talents. My sister in law the seamstress, my husband the driven surfer, or my Grampa the patient optimist. Part of what we love about other people is what they're good at. I'm thankful for the talents of the people I love or the friends I know and I'm thankful for when talented people display and share what they can do.<br />
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So, after this big long confessional, what is my point exactly? Only that this blog, Small Fry Blog, is full of creative, cute and crafty ideas that will beautify your life and the lives of your children. It's like a tiny, trendy, extremely stylish magic wand that helps you be a funner and cooler mom. I'm <a href="http://www.smallfryblog.com/2012/11/15/ipad-mini-giveaway/">thankful</a> for that magic wand.<br />
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I'm so glad that I've been able to shake off my jealousy and judgment and that I had a chance to mingle with such a talented and inspiring mom. Here's to Small Fry Blog, a fun place to visit when you need a boost in the cool department.<br />
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Now go see <a href="http://www.smallfryblog.com/">it</a> for yourself. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4E4UXFXWW53L9PCyHuU30rYAAfh4qZYKzRFzn6a6PqKhk5NzfXQwM6mQ0kwpwnbByRjpLRhR9mtutadxwJh18oCbDfXH69WIIYKohQwfz2rvhx9Z1Z9HAuoP5vhDSSySbLKlIF-vxObI/s640/blogger-image-1378416019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4E4UXFXWW53L9PCyHuU30rYAAfh4qZYKzRFzn6a6PqKhk5NzfXQwM6mQ0kwpwnbByRjpLRhR9mtutadxwJh18oCbDfXH69WIIYKohQwfz2rvhx9Z1Z9HAuoP5vhDSSySbLKlIF-vxObI/s640/blogger-image-1378416019.jpg" /></a></div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-1959223879760160772012-10-02T15:36:00.001-07:002012-10-02T15:39:22.800-07:00Pre baby, Baby!I'm officially to pre baby weight. I'm super stoked. I still want to lose 5 more because I had gained 5 when I got pregnant with Beck. My recent pound droppage has all been due to cutting out sugary treats, sweets and chocolate. By recent I literally mean exactly 8 days. I lost 2 pounds last week by doing nothing more than giving up chocolate and candy and junk. Here are the results in photos. Hopefully it shows. I've been nervous it won't. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10EWKimnq9VOujIU-q2IiR20ontJ8z96dqF97BmziFAhJAQVdU0QTmn5bCuzdiiZ_A1ZwhUM7lAI3sY4JqlgyBeiq6tKQ20R1EJ_HkhNlf-eryHUB8A636ze7Kbkw-V5ckS_CHH50F7Ng/s640/blogger-image-1105206153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10EWKimnq9VOujIU-q2IiR20ontJ8z96dqF97BmziFAhJAQVdU0QTmn5bCuzdiiZ_A1ZwhUM7lAI3sY4JqlgyBeiq6tKQ20R1EJ_HkhNlf-eryHUB8A636ze7Kbkw-V5ckS_CHH50F7Ng/s640/blogger-image-1105206153.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigODb0lalGma511wFfdE74Vg6CQ4YDXI-rUomjr-JQcqsYl8IczhwqcNE-wpXGa4B1QS-z2SWNntvtG-0kwXT2z2zzM209PjUd5zARHbGnYdziCl8y147Wv9KZtUycJJHsgKm3WYhpcZDB/s640/blogger-image--437629320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigODb0lalGma511wFfdE74Vg6CQ4YDXI-rUomjr-JQcqsYl8IczhwqcNE-wpXGa4B1QS-z2SWNntvtG-0kwXT2z2zzM209PjUd5zARHbGnYdziCl8y147Wv9KZtUycJJHsgKm3WYhpcZDB/s640/blogger-image--437629320.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPAwpqdrymWOxchZNSRVSksRyAZU0uVi9sUVFB-KcUXJ0DB6sBftGMGcu_PF-A7KO_PHFi8Ru8ac7aX0MG8WmWXd2fdIibzPWgUF_A_OBUfLzxtkgp5lApsg60QapGM4vVViiGG1aWbKw/s640/blogger-image-247572420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPAwpqdrymWOxchZNSRVSksRyAZU0uVi9sUVFB-KcUXJ0DB6sBftGMGcu_PF-A7KO_PHFi8Ru8ac7aX0MG8WmWXd2fdIibzPWgUF_A_OBUfLzxtkgp5lApsg60QapGM4vVViiGG1aWbKw/s640/blogger-image-247572420.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7GmiBQyoOLmYz91d1zCphbjXTg2wxZuRVqzXVmOSbfnWQmTVJZWT6_L7r_W7v6gVex-HSp0gL6NRh6ICh8EBh9zlIyQONkRAYuE9sKVzratz2xwPcIoJsqRQCP6T9rW5WlWT_ZzXHATn/s640/blogger-image--1236299700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7GmiBQyoOLmYz91d1zCphbjXTg2wxZuRVqzXVmOSbfnWQmTVJZWT6_L7r_W7v6gVex-HSp0gL6NRh6ICh8EBh9zlIyQONkRAYuE9sKVzratz2xwPcIoJsqRQCP6T9rW5WlWT_ZzXHATn/s640/blogger-image--1236299700.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1dZn6M-gSoCimP5pymGWQeg8a0oC0agc1U2HGHwkZ8j-k4gvnhWDXecKewUawNWujR7XqAb77VQIZbJuob3wW-aZqe4CnYki5CyNMJ7kWxlLeqjmBQK6YttjvjKDM3rfXBs0TNhf_7QX/s640/blogger-image--671428578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1dZn6M-gSoCimP5pymGWQeg8a0oC0agc1U2HGHwkZ8j-k4gvnhWDXecKewUawNWujR7XqAb77VQIZbJuob3wW-aZqe4CnYki5CyNMJ7kWxlLeqjmBQK6YttjvjKDM3rfXBs0TNhf_7QX/s640/blogger-image--671428578.jpg" /></a></div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-64305725468489622192012-08-13T11:27:00.001-07:002012-08-13T11:27:42.506-07:00extra! extra! wheat all about itAs many of you know I've determined I have a gluten sensitivity. It super sucks but I'm happy to know about it. I figured it out after doing a T.E.D. diet with Beck. He was sensitive to wheat during the first 3 or so months so I cut it out. When his tummy got more solid I started back in on it. I quickly realized wheat and my belly are not friends. Here are some of my negative wheat reactions. <br />
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Eczema-flares up SO bad<br />
Stomach cramps<br />
Gas<br />
Bloating<br />
Nausea <br />
Fatigue<br />
Dark bags under eyes<br />
Hemorrhoids-total overshare but totally true! If you've ever had kids you're not as judgey and for that I thank you. <br />
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Is this the end of the world? No. But is it all annoying? Yes. I am at a place where I've decided to treat wheat as a splurge. Whenever I really want that brownie or cinnamon roll or even warm buttery whole wheat toast, I'll go for it knowing it might not leave me feeling my best. Otherwise I'll try to avoid it day to day. <br />
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I'm not a wheat hater. I'm not. In fact, it breaks my heart to know this and was very hard to confess and accept. I've always loved baking and consuming baked goods. Lil tangent here, I don't wanna bake gluten free. Like I said, I'll eat it on occasion but I don't want to revamp all of my recipes to figure out gluten free baking. Just not worth it to me. Sorry. I digress. I've kinda known since Tucson but didn't want to accept it. My eczema was SO BAD there and I basically lived on whole wheat toast. I know it's very dry there but still, even with steroid creams it was horrible! <br />
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I also believe my parents might be gluten sensitive. Both my parents suffer from belly/bowel issues and discomfort. I wish I could get them off the sauce. I mean wheat. It's so hard to do when everything, everywhere is made with gluten! I feel so bad for people with celiac disease. What a pain in the grass. <br />
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So there you have my self diagnosis. How do you handle wheat? Have you ever gone off it as a test run? We'll talk about dairy another day. ;) <br />
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Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-65326410927485208962012-08-02T17:57:00.001-07:002012-08-02T18:09:18.569-07:00coming along swimminglyHere are a few progress pictures from recently. <br />
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The most recent ones are the ones with the orange bottoms and turquoise top. Then go back to last week with the full orange and the week before in the white. Sorry about the nursing pads in those ones. Hehe. Also sorry they're totally out of order. Annnnd yes, that is my baby, who can now roll, laying on the couch behind me completely unsupervised while I take a picture of myself. Mother of the year! <br />
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I'm now down to 130 and super stoked. My muscle definition is starting to peak through and that motivates me so much more than the scale. <br />
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There you have it. Me laying it out there like it ain't no thang when really, I'm super self conscious. :) Oh! And you should feel super duper privileged to get a shot from the back. No matter how thin I get, those love handles never disappear. It's my own personal food storage I guess. I only posted it because my upper back really is looking better. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCqr58ZOLKnd7oy0hKX5WjottAozqDNrucYwZUF4oS_aR7URwF3tcndFP4SWmoisJ1e61ttbcqKw0Nqh_agOtYZxHog_9gW9zM9YnZ8s5USpWpheu8uxVIfM47EB6LAoRyw5cBNIt2MRR/s640/blogger-image-819623623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCqr58ZOLKnd7oy0hKX5WjottAozqDNrucYwZUF4oS_aR7URwF3tcndFP4SWmoisJ1e61ttbcqKw0Nqh_agOtYZxHog_9gW9zM9YnZ8s5USpWpheu8uxVIfM47EB6LAoRyw5cBNIt2MRR/s640/blogger-image-819623623.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMk0zsS9zhugeH-DFAW5GjSOPRVQUziP2Su6hJwQojlCBvUH-V-e_Vz7ziB5kpqnSNMESqvr35tfpt9wE4-Yx7TWXqtOnfR-PTxlh4ZdbC8zdX6sLHIrORunM2OJw49t1l3ZVgWSjtk2x/s640/blogger-image--2047976142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMk0zsS9zhugeH-DFAW5GjSOPRVQUziP2Su6hJwQojlCBvUH-V-e_Vz7ziB5kpqnSNMESqvr35tfpt9wE4-Yx7TWXqtOnfR-PTxlh4ZdbC8zdX6sLHIrORunM2OJw49t1l3ZVgWSjtk2x/s640/blogger-image--2047976142.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uMP4EfyO3_EkKRl7l6xb0c1Edd1GmEY3SC7XLlvWjJ5UoMRovZZzrWzNH30p0yNzuODTey9GJu5QSka4q6stsF0jUtqoJakK3-F5F2JnpUwx0tJ4NZl4_cY05JyCvRbidMUIkpB4l5DX/s640/blogger-image-1511079112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uMP4EfyO3_EkKRl7l6xb0c1Edd1GmEY3SC7XLlvWjJ5UoMRovZZzrWzNH30p0yNzuODTey9GJu5QSka4q6stsF0jUtqoJakK3-F5F2JnpUwx0tJ4NZl4_cY05JyCvRbidMUIkpB4l5DX/s640/blogger-image-1511079112.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_an663DxZAzLWmcm6Eyq1S1ocrv2zcPsIYIudoTj-5o5NkCm7zQawXwgDAGRyf1g8J6DXXhy_sXx0sWMHjaXj4kvdCtJ1bmTilDfRSpiCP1shCaTJ39U1CqxukW5ZJZhU2mjPnTBwvYR/s640/blogger-image-664366960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_an663DxZAzLWmcm6Eyq1S1ocrv2zcPsIYIudoTj-5o5NkCm7zQawXwgDAGRyf1g8J6DXXhy_sXx0sWMHjaXj4kvdCtJ1bmTilDfRSpiCP1shCaTJ39U1CqxukW5ZJZhU2mjPnTBwvYR/s640/blogger-image-664366960.jpg" /></a></div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-87833822653556330992012-06-26T00:45:00.002-07:002012-06-26T12:07:18.006-07:00recipesI just blew my own mind. But we'll get to that later.<br />
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I know this post may end up being a little tragic because I have no pictures of the foods these recipes make but maybe I can add them in later. The truth is, they're all so delicious I never stop eating to take a photo. Ha! Actually it probably has more to do with the fact that my 3 kids allow me approximately 0.2 seconds to eat.<br />
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First off my smoothie. It's simple and delish.<br />
<br />
Mango Banana Smoothie:<br />
1 mango<br />
1 banana (I like apple bananas but they're kinda hard to find on the mainland)<br />
1/4 cup pineapple juice<br />
1/4 cup vanilla soy milk<br />
spinach<br />
2 TBS ground golden flax<br />
ice<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Blend it. Enjoy it. I haven't been adding the flax as often since it is a lil gritty although I should because it has awesome health </span><span style="background-color: white;">benefits</span><span style="background-color: white;">. My good friend Heather also tried it with coconut milk and said it was rockin' which I can totally imagine. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Servings: 2 </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Calories per serving: 120 without flax 150 with it.</span><br />
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<br />
The next three are salads.<br />
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Summer Salad:<br />
1 cucumber-peeled, seeded and diced<br />
1-2 tomatoes (depending on size) diced<br />
1/4 cup or so onion diced pretty fine<br />
drizzle of white balsamic<br />
s&p<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Mix it together, refrigerate it and eat it chilled. I like it at the beach. Super refreshing.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Servings: 2</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Calories per serving: 68</span><br />
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Steak/Chicken Salad:<br />
3-4 cups mixed greens and/or romaine lettuce<br />
4-5 artichoke hearts diced<br />
4-5 sweet mini peppers diced<br />
some onion to taste<br />
1 tomato diced<br />
3-4 strips of grilled tri tip steak-I get the prepackaged and marinated kind from Costco. I grill it pretty rare and save it in the fridge and then slice off and re-grill strips as I need it.<br />
Dressing:<br />
white balsamic<br />
olive oil<br />
s&p<br />
Servings: 1<br />
Calories per serving: 230 (this is with a 2 oz serving of steak)<br />
<br />
Grilled Chicken:<br />
2 chicken breasts pounded flat in a big ziploc<br />
olive oil<br />
white balsamic<br />
3-4 garlic bulbs peeled and smashed<br />
fresh basil roughly chopped (I've subbed dried basil or oregano too, still wonderful)<br />
s&p<br />
Mix the marinade in a bowl and pour into the ziploc with the pounded chicken. Let it marinade at least till the grill gets hot but longer is okay too. Grill it up a 3-4 minutes on each side. It's quick since it's thin.<br />
I don't have the calories for this. Especially since it is marinated and then the marinade is discarded. I usually just fill in grilled chicken which is about 140 calories for 4 oz.<br />
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Strawberry Mixed Greens Salad:<br />
3-4 cups mixed greens<br />
finely diced onion to taste<br />
6-8 strawberries sliced<br />
1/4 pecans roughly chopped<br />
sprinkle of feta or goat cheese (optional but delish)<br />
grilled chicken<br />
honey cilantro lime vinaigrette<br />
Servings: 2<br />
Calories per serving: 140 this is just the salad without the dressing<br />
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Honey Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette:<br />
1/2-3/4 bunch of cilantro<br />
1/3 cup vegetable oil<br />
2 TBS white vinegar<br />
1-2 TBS of fresh lime juice<br />
3-4 bulbs garlic (peeled of course)<br />
1/4 cup of honey<br />
salt to taste<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Blend it up, admire the green color and adjust the tastes as desired. You know, a lil more lime, a lil more garlic, it's up to you really. This dressing is OUT OF CONTROL! </span><br />
Servings: 12<br />
Calories per serving: 108 for roughly 2 TBS of dressing.<br />
<br />
Holy Shiz My Pants Watermelon Tomato Salad:<br />
Sliced ripe watermelon<br />
sliced ripe super sweet tomatoes (if you're not growing your own maybe splurge at a farmers market or on some good heirloom ones from the store)<br />
honey cilantro lime vinaigrette drizzled<br />
I don't know the calories for this either. But you can easily add in the tomato and watermelon by using a search and you know the dressing calories.<br />
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I about just died when I ate this for dinner tonight. I was making all sorts of sounds. I think my husband might have gotten jealous. ;)<br />
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I hope some of these recipes make some of you happy. If you have any questions, shoot.<br />
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<br />Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-67507424911852508712012-06-25T18:18:00.001-07:002012-06-26T11:53:22.966-07:00RewardsSince I'm trying not to act like a dog and reward myself with food I have to find other more appropriate rewards. Things like bikinis! :D <br />
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I'm not ready to wear them yet but I can see that I'm getting closer. It's great that I'm dropping weight but I really need to restore muscle definition. I've started an at home version of the weights class I took twice a week in Tucson at the gym. It's awesome. I'm so happy with it. Plus I'm doing step aerobics again. The resistance does wonders for my butt and legs. <br />
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Hopefully the combo will help me kill it and get bikini ready before the end of the year. I think I can do it in six months for sure. <br />
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These are my new suits. Am I the only person who feels skinnier in a bikini than a one piece/tankini? That being said, I'm still for sure sticking to covering my belly for a good while. I also can't wait till I quit nursing and my boobs shrink back to a less obscene size. :) <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdV8XY3uWor7egh8lndq_IlcAXpRGapwLvdOk6pxgf_nub5Nnl5xDnDKDt2swXbjp2Nrqm2ld7Xf9vEdn4JqFX74mWAipHfvFRJ0XjE4xPWe2xa3ExfN3I4l28DqfHIdZkBurP4an17Wxc/s640/blogger-image-860141286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdV8XY3uWor7egh8lndq_IlcAXpRGapwLvdOk6pxgf_nub5Nnl5xDnDKDt2swXbjp2Nrqm2ld7Xf9vEdn4JqFX74mWAipHfvFRJ0XjE4xPWe2xa3ExfN3I4l28DqfHIdZkBurP4an17Wxc/s640/blogger-image-860141286.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxqiVIqEVPiqAb-xdjvtM7UlLnu7yPjr-FOq9bIzDOaDvXxm9qcfG4hI82X0Iy7N-F6EI38CDObJvRjPC5-F0JAKcNjFdd7H0r-lw-MHO2pKoyHs40-yStW3qPBjo2v_GpgyWzgOcJTsO/s640/blogger-image-1179704144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxqiVIqEVPiqAb-xdjvtM7UlLnu7yPjr-FOq9bIzDOaDvXxm9qcfG4hI82X0Iy7N-F6EI38CDObJvRjPC5-F0JAKcNjFdd7H0r-lw-MHO2pKoyHs40-yStW3qPBjo2v_GpgyWzgOcJTsO/s640/blogger-image-1179704144.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv28xni-Z0uYhp1NWiSLz8JhhvcSaByPAJF-fxbLQgb0msQ8ERKryStdabw9GdZDBdSsiQj-gU2Dtt7ZxmtcrUQFredkEfDCtj0i88xYD-dy2tVpG9fF2kmRKlpQ03vE2mSRcHy966wrl/s640/blogger-image--76490321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv28xni-Z0uYhp1NWiSLz8JhhvcSaByPAJF-fxbLQgb0msQ8ERKryStdabw9GdZDBdSsiQj-gU2Dtt7ZxmtcrUQFredkEfDCtj0i88xYD-dy2tVpG9fF2kmRKlpQ03vE2mSRcHy966wrl/s640/blogger-image--76490321.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAN77qysUhw6ap3-9cf9Fn6k9yotoMgdbUJrT7pnVu33c-WWdzXqY2eMEhqB_Az1PYdUHVzBgyp3X9RYeNJ6PE04WVsrR_R4306AjGCjyG95dhmr8SeicrKMKNccaBuuGuvjuESBsB_EPC/s640/blogger-image--399068194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAN77qysUhw6ap3-9cf9Fn6k9yotoMgdbUJrT7pnVu33c-WWdzXqY2eMEhqB_Az1PYdUHVzBgyp3X9RYeNJ6PE04WVsrR_R4306AjGCjyG95dhmr8SeicrKMKNccaBuuGuvjuESBsB_EPC/s640/blogger-image--399068194.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmAlFo6roOWGBbzd8vAsL_uJddH3Z-OQO_h4XNB92RYEpAw7C_1QBOOjm6NW2A8CJkVYWLnkSfmbetzG7y3j1fNPHIWFyEqke3DBirGXqnDZ0Uz03sb1UP8fX-ZDNj0AjbNVAUtyzPLu0/s640/blogger-image-1167975448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmAlFo6roOWGBbzd8vAsL_uJddH3Z-OQO_h4XNB92RYEpAw7C_1QBOOjm6NW2A8CJkVYWLnkSfmbetzG7y3j1fNPHIWFyEqke3DBirGXqnDZ0Uz03sb1UP8fX-ZDNj0AjbNVAUtyzPLu0/s640/blogger-image-1167975448.jpg" /></a></div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-36866035568366096922012-06-05T01:36:00.001-07:002012-06-05T01:48:34.469-07:00a work in progressI know I fall off the fitness map when I'm pregnant but I think I'm ready to get back into it. This time with some newly learned skills. <br />
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I've been taking pictures of myself for the last 3 weeks to monitor progress. I don't actually see much improvement but clothes are fitting better which is always a good sign. I think I screwed myself by not doing abs almost the whole pregnancy. Boo. <br />
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With Jack I gained 40, Violet, 30 and Beck 40. I started at 125 this pregnancy rather than 135 with the other two so I wasn't as heavy even though I gained the same/more. My goal is to get down to 120. Aim high, right? Or in this case, low. Hehe. I'm currently at 135 and working hard everyday but Sunday to get muscle tone back. I feel good about where I'm at especially since the baby is only 9 weeks old. I was never this quick to lose with the other two. <br />
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A huge factor in my success is figuring out how to diet successfully. I have discovered the power of knowing how much you consume. It's amazing to see how calories can stack up without even realizing it. I'm using the app My Fitness Pal and it's awesome. I LOVE it. Convenient, helpful, easy to use and super motivating. <br />
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Hopefully I can continue to blog my health/fitness/weight loss journey to give everyone an idea of what it takes an average woman and mother to get back to normal. I believe in success for myself and anyone out there who sets their mind to it. <br />
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*I'm using my phone to blog and can't get this post to switch over to my fitness blog. That's okay. It's all the same to me. Hopefully I don't offend anyone with my "outfit" in these photos. :) Also, the photos are in the wrong order. I think they are starting with this week. Hopefully you can tell that just by looking at them. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb_KHR-qyd-QNgETU6jV_1Vq9zd3cXICboP7UWbbc-XleENm37VJbUksohbw-37MAmsRUTdp_eBa9ln_HcEcs3tV90T2_uWsmQsssG6eJwaq1hH7DS-9QNBxzgyTLNn9tyDoPlBIyK8WT/s640/blogger-image--552521082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb_KHR-qyd-QNgETU6jV_1Vq9zd3cXICboP7UWbbc-XleENm37VJbUksohbw-37MAmsRUTdp_eBa9ln_HcEcs3tV90T2_uWsmQsssG6eJwaq1hH7DS-9QNBxzgyTLNn9tyDoPlBIyK8WT/s640/blogger-image--552521082.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jx6OcN5oZRqC9XkTKscsJ4Z_IzlyNJmA7FlYgJyYoeWG6NUP-mzf_V1ULo4DEkFszpghqcJz-SBb8lqrTNezvlhVXzJWCjUu7hMJhXVDegHLEJ_XuebuQ5SwPvSgtyugcPU_zZ2Uhc8H/s640/blogger-image-877838413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jx6OcN5oZRqC9XkTKscsJ4Z_IzlyNJmA7FlYgJyYoeWG6NUP-mzf_V1ULo4DEkFszpghqcJz-SBb8lqrTNezvlhVXzJWCjUu7hMJhXVDegHLEJ_XuebuQ5SwPvSgtyugcPU_zZ2Uhc8H/s640/blogger-image-877838413.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-Qw6VorIP9o0fMl29s2tN1UYnR1o5ygrqb2AtrOmqAG3wuxfOUopCB9pu1fFBMimGYetinjXSH3Lnh5QRDqgrWWDGP1wnbNL60DA6fPlaHRhl-PveNPUKI-vdQc2C487Hm46QuwrmI2W/s640/blogger-image--109122048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-Qw6VorIP9o0fMl29s2tN1UYnR1o5ygrqb2AtrOmqAG3wuxfOUopCB9pu1fFBMimGYetinjXSH3Lnh5QRDqgrWWDGP1wnbNL60DA6fPlaHRhl-PveNPUKI-vdQc2C487Hm46QuwrmI2W/s640/blogger-image--109122048.jpg" /></a></div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-4585029905867522472012-04-10T18:19:00.004-07:002012-04-23T16:23:53.668-07:00a child is born<span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">I'm sure most of you have the basic birth story but I always like reading other bloggers so I thought I'd share mine. </span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">I showed up at 9:00 am to be induced.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Induction via cervical pill started around 11:00 am. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Epidural was administered around 5:00 pm and water manually broken right after.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Pitocin started around 9:00 pm.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Baby Beck was born at 11:47 pm.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Tada! That was it. Pretty uneventful. The most exciting parts were having contractions 1 minute apart and pushing the baby out in 7 minutes. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Also, I thought it was funny when the baby was basically sliding out on his own and the nurses told me that if I "held him" for 20 more minutes and he was born at/after 12:01 am I would get an extra night in the hospital. Looking back on it, I kinda wish I would have at least tried to hold him. My hospital stay this time around was truly fantastic. I was the ONLY patient on the L&D floor the entire 3 days I was there. Talk about spoiled. I even got a popsicle right before I started pushing! </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Beck is doing really well. We've had a couple of rough nights but that is to be expected. I already miss what Michael refers to "the honey moon phase" were they sleep all day and all night. He is showing signs of a sensitive tummy and if he comes down with the same crazy awful colic that Violet did, I may die. Right now I'm just crossing my fingers and eliminating dairy and other pests. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">I find myself wanting to spend all of my time with him. I want to cuddle him alone in my bedroom all day long. I still love my other kids but I find my heart focused on him alot lately. He is so sweet and I love how much he needs me. :) </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Michael is a rock star. He has been staying up with Beck during the "witching hours" so that I can get some sleep. I've had 3 different nights where I got 5 hours of sleep straight!!! I feel like superwoman on those days. Michael has also been so good about taking care of the other two. He takes them to the beach almost every day he can and is always picking up where I left off. He's the perfect team mate in this situation. I know it's a hard adjustment for him but he's really handling it quite well. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">I am doing really good considering the circumstances. I am going through the typical gambit of emotions and post baby symptoms. Things like: extreme irritability, extreme hunger, extreme fatigue, frustration with body, frustration with baby, frustration with husband, frustration with older children, frustration with frustration, happiness, love, depression, hopelessness, longing, regret, anticipation, anxiousness and everything else you can imagine. I've always really liked roller coasters but I feel like this one may kill me.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">I'll post some pics of the baby asap. For now I have to go fetch the tiny muffin because he just woke up....right when I got the other two down for quiet time. Of course. Isn't that the way it always works? </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">I also want to post a quick shout out to the people on this island. I have been overwhelmed with love and kindness and </span>generosity<span style="font-size: 100%;"> by the people in my ward and all of my friends. It is so humbling. I am normally not the kind of person to ask for or accept help but the people here don't give me a choice. :) They just serve and serve and serve and they are so sincere. It's like having a real family away from my family. I love them all so much. I will not forget their kindness. </span></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-85250837283773125132012-03-22T10:55:00.006-07:002012-03-22T11:36:03.899-07:00da nursery<div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span >The crib is my most favorite thing. With Jack I had a pac-n-play till he was 1 1/2 and then I had an IKEA crib and with Violet I had a totally unsafe Craigslist crib that I got for 50$, neither of which I really loved.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mKfr8f9wY0AV-aWYZIPusgxWRFX5gm_EEhfdU_cb9WSL1j6xVLCQH52aUATU83uSCTa-t2AMkauMozUL3NA6nfCyKpz9BEDJy5k01A3-4FuRFR5yThxNP4ef2zoRQnqwDuLcqHU6GhSi/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mKfr8f9wY0AV-aWYZIPusgxWRFX5gm_EEhfdU_cb9WSL1j6xVLCQH52aUATU83uSCTa-t2AMkauMozUL3NA6nfCyKpz9BEDJy5k01A3-4FuRFR5yThxNP4ef2zoRQnqwDuLcqHU6GhSi/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722783306921777602" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><span>The animal guys are super fun. The mounted stuffed elephant was a lil pricey but he's so charming. The other animals are paper print outs that I glued together and hung up. I also have an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ashmae?ref=shop_sugg">ashmae</a> water color coming that I'm silly about.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><span><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rmCA8iOhGPuWgIfGDxC_OxC1YY5xNreVyfS1c3qZHIjhvBbHKSQ27B8rSZF7TqcEHGhuL0uwydvWbQvkyg2nbIid6kjEAchgCqrsIIqJYFDT3kb1QHvNLwynCpbvBUxQHiYVW1xkUR6q/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rmCA8iOhGPuWgIfGDxC_OxC1YY5xNreVyfS1c3qZHIjhvBbHKSQ27B8rSZF7TqcEHGhuL0uwydvWbQvkyg2nbIid6kjEAchgCqrsIIqJYFDT3kb1QHvNLwynCpbvBUxQHiYVW1xkUR6q/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722783299063495186" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEHlQe_Ifo_wAakoGd4IeDxvKg71uEPskhdnO4yazI62hpLHP-tbJfizVrhYboUScBjzeza2oKB4Eos3vFBsWArULMKHeeWE5-mSno0jPk_UlGbqXRIFQaPIqE71d_sg2MMz-Buk2VN2_/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEHlQe_Ifo_wAakoGd4IeDxvKg71uEPskhdnO4yazI62hpLHP-tbJfizVrhYboUScBjzeza2oKB4Eos3vFBsWArULMKHeeWE5-mSno0jPk_UlGbqXRIFQaPIqE71d_sg2MMz-Buk2VN2_/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722783290834934354" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaMLI4l2Y9p1XV3iZ5chzaSZoIIdOrhjyFArV7CWwnnBtgUfAD9rl2IE68UK0fbEpOwORfODi3eVDwuChxf3L8DOIzQGb8pnw3RHOkNiXHkjMrGWVL4Av6pib-QcMD-hoHcHzNLnHGPHl/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaMLI4l2Y9p1XV3iZ5chzaSZoIIdOrhjyFArV7CWwnnBtgUfAD9rl2IE68UK0fbEpOwORfODi3eVDwuChxf3L8DOIzQGb8pnw3RHOkNiXHkjMrGWVL4Av6pib-QcMD-hoHcHzNLnHGPHl/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722783290125433970" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><span> </span><span>Originally I planned a giant cross stitch like this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/93207759/giant-anchor-cross-stitch?ref=sr_gallery_7&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=giant+cross+stitch&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade">one</a> but settled for this ombre sun idea instead. Obviously I'm no artist but I do like how this turned out.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgS_icaTwQCe0aeOi9Quwu1pTP1qHlm3mynwAvhC8YdaC269xvib9b_ohPuSiSO7turjysEqruLyTwHkFWzY3MqdJfLkibFk3xtDMOG5Fu1zQHg5wPlWlzw9FUezudihyphenhyphenJFUj1OA740dU/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgS_icaTwQCe0aeOi9Quwu1pTP1qHlm3mynwAvhC8YdaC269xvib9b_ohPuSiSO7turjysEqruLyTwHkFWzY3MqdJfLkibFk3xtDMOG5Fu1zQHg5wPlWlzw9FUezudihyphenhyphenJFUj1OA740dU/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722782525998408434" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><span>This shelving unit was my brain child. I needed somewhere to store his clothes and this nook was both perfect and a random size. Finding a dresser that fit into this spot and fit into my budget was hopeless. Don't forget there is NOWHERE to shop on this island not even craigslist is helpful. But then pinterest came through for me again and I ordered a bunch of apple crates from joanns.com.</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeJxhTj4NHUR5xne1AchUBNlA_ThEQIZpNgCBOp9VuilLovU-1IrCXwFG6yQeVujtDDtjdRLO82AXRsuFd0JktBTfqVmOSk5Ub6S4bhnIhUJYOnJCZ53NLTI55yc2ZFPZ_zZA-WbnEq7F/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeJxhTj4NHUR5xne1AchUBNlA_ThEQIZpNgCBOp9VuilLovU-1IrCXwFG6yQeVujtDDtjdRLO82AXRsuFd0JktBTfqVmOSk5Ub6S4bhnIhUJYOnJCZ53NLTI55yc2ZFPZ_zZA-WbnEq7F/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722782519836812466" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><span>The Hawaii print was free from a random blogger. I know it's overdone but I still like it so :b. The sherrif and cowboy were painted by my sweet grandmother back in the 1980's. She died last month a week before her 106th birthday. I bet she has been giving this little guy a lot of instruction over the last month.</span> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYBaXHU31EPMc-iKJ90hF0J9dYQAZv6TeXjxTvA2bRygBFYnvMU5SKxnxrwcXw4MRMVjV83AjgXsXLKGcTSTJC3ux_mIC7ik7Nx1qBGW1AShHCg7mK8bs4ct9reu_ShRdsO1b4SzlTr_D/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYBaXHU31EPMc-iKJ90hF0J9dYQAZv6TeXjxTvA2bRygBFYnvMU5SKxnxrwcXw4MRMVjV83AjgXsXLKGcTSTJC3ux_mIC7ik7Nx1qBGW1AShHCg7mK8bs4ct9reu_ShRdsO1b4SzlTr_D/s400/DSC_0016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722782512236810274" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><span>The lamp, table and rug are all from westelm.com and I love them. That citron lamp makes me SO happy. Way happier than any lamp should. The curtain tie backs are supposed to be like neck ties but meh.... Oh and the hedge hog, seriously, to die for. My sis-in-law sent it to Violet for Christmas but she didn't totally love it. She seemed happy to donate it to the new kid. It's not rude for me to be honest about it right?</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTV3Ben_Utf4Ewzt3fnonb0zgqDSj2MZrzQYWgK2o0LjlKPH7vi35S2gGIMoMfZyVZr6wgCk_7jWygPUhNtlrt7kpqW6L7P7IY14HtFmm3rJZycVxK9PYIMk_lKzyNriEpJJV8DGLy8o9x/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTV3Ben_Utf4Ewzt3fnonb0zgqDSj2MZrzQYWgK2o0LjlKPH7vi35S2gGIMoMfZyVZr6wgCk_7jWygPUhNtlrt7kpqW6L7P7IY14HtFmm3rJZycVxK9PYIMk_lKzyNriEpJJV8DGLy8o9x/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722782505448438130" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><span>The quilt is a bunch of scraps from the bedding. My amazing friend showed up at my house one evening like a sewing fairy with her machine and extension chord ready to go. She turned out two crib sheets and inspired me to make the quilt all while I made the skirt. The quilt was very, very poorly made in one day. But I figure poor construction is a requirement when an 8 1/2 month pregnaso lady sits down to quilt in a day.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JtBOIbV-CuezImVXR63g_PUH1hHcH5se5F3piBbKWLZ2XSSHz5XilbIqYkGhtd1es4XAmvLmp6Iwg2KXz7mgb47MAN861eqUEjXByWAJ7cwoSuaKTDilCXM2noNCMDOijdBAiFuE9vVl/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JtBOIbV-CuezImVXR63g_PUH1hHcH5se5F3piBbKWLZ2XSSHz5XilbIqYkGhtd1es4XAmvLmp6Iwg2KXz7mgb47MAN861eqUEjXByWAJ7cwoSuaKTDilCXM2noNCMDOijdBAiFuE9vVl/s400/DSC_0019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722782503539781554" /></a><br /><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span >I worked semi hard to get this nursery done. It's not perfect but it's my first nursery. I'm so excited to have a legit place to call home for this kid, even if he doesn't sleep in it for the first month or two. </span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span >I originally had a 1200$ budget but didn't end up using all of it. Not even 1000$ of it and my crib cost 330$! Pretty impressive, right? That being said, sometimes I wonder if it looks like a 100$ nursery? Haha!</span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span >It's a really small space that I think was actually intended for an extra large closet or something but the size restrictions made it fun and honestly easier. </span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span >I had some great help and some great input and I love seeing it every time I come up the stairs. Now I just need a baby to put in it.</span></div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-32668019222332961452012-02-01T18:40:00.000-08:002012-02-01T18:55:44.661-08:00name that kidAnyone who's had a boy knows that male names are WAY harder than female names. Boy names suck. Here is a brief rundown of what we've been mulling over. Explanations included. <div><br /></div><div>My personal fav:</div><div>Micah Tru Clark</div><div>Michael and I were both reading books and I said, "hey do you like the name Micah?" then he said, "were you just reading over my shoulder?" Turns out both of our books had a character named Micah. Neat. I also like that it's similar to Michael but not.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next fav:</div><div>Andrew Donald Clark </div><div>I like to be able to call him Andy or Drew and Donald is my dear, sweet Grandpa's name. And I'm pretty sure none of my grampa's children, grand children or great grand children bare his name.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next in line:</div><div>Nicholas Stuart Clark</div><div>I don't like the middle name Stuart that much. I know it's Michael's dad's name but I just don't like it. Plus his sister gave her boy the middle name of Stuart a couple of years ago so the favor is paid, ya know?</div><div><br /></div><div>I like but Michael does not:</div><div>Micah Conrad Clark</div><div>Think of it, "yo, what's up Micah Rad, dawg?!" I don't know why Randy Jackson just entered this equation but apparently my kid is gonna be on American Idol someday or something. I also like Conrad as a first name with the shortened version of Rad. I do have to admit that I barely knew a kid in high school on the soccer team named Rad Clark. Still, since I didn't know him well, I don't really care about that correlation. </div><div><br /></div><div>So there you have it. Okay, I lied, there's one more. Michael has a relative, a great, great something or other, named Don Carlos. He wants to combine the Donald and the Don Carlos into Donald Carlos and that would look like this. </div><div><br /></div><div>Andrew Donald Carlos Clark</div><div><br /></div><div>Mhm. I don't think that one requires much commentary. Sigh. </div><div><br /></div><div>Go ahead and vote and express your opinions in the comments. I once laughed in a really good friends face till tears rolled down over the name she had chosen for her kid....till I realized she was serious. I'm not saying that was okay, I'm saying I deserve whatever giant slice of karma you wanna dish after offending her that way. ;)</div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-18700440938672622552012-01-30T14:02:00.000-08:002012-01-30T14:53:34.395-08:00booky wookyI have been reading so much lately. I don't know if it's just because I'm more lazy or because we don't have a laptop or because we don't have cable. Whatever the reason for this new, "more wholesome" form of entertainment, I like it. I'm gonna list the books I've read and probably discuss a couple. There are a few that it is taking guts for me to admit to reading. They really were that bad. But chances are they were only .99 on my kindle or worse, free. Why are the free ones SO bad? And why do I still download them and read them? Sigh. I'm getting away from the point here, so let's begin.<div><br /></div><div><i>The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows</i>: So good. So cute. Loved it. Bought and sent my mom a copy and she felt the same. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Water For Elephants, Sara Gruen</i>: terrible movie, great book.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Great Expectations, Charles Dickens</i>: I really enjoyed Pip and hated Estella and often found myself relating to Miss Havisham. Worst part was about 75% of the way through when I hit a slump in the book and had to force myself to finish it. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen</i>: Great book, only Keira Knightly movie I've ever loved. What is it about her lips and teeth that make me want to claw my eyes out? Why hasn't a director ever nipped that in the bud during filming and said, "We can obviously tell that you are moving your mouth in the most obnoxious and dramatic way when you are acting and it doesn't make you more appealing, it makes me want to strangle you!" Really, why hasn't anyone told her? Yes, this was my first time reading it. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Iron Fey series including mini book novella thingies, Julie Kagawa</i>: Seriously loved it. A series about fairies. If you're judging that's fine, cause chances are you liked Twilight (as I did) and that's a series about Vampires. Not much difference if you ask me. I would recommend this series for sure. Plus I still day dream about Ash. So much hotter than pale, sparkly Edward. ;) </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Smokeless Fire, Samantha Young:</i> Terrible book. Don't read it. It's about Jin, or genies and it was so lame and awful and bad. Some YA novels are worse than Lifetime movies. Free.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Soulkeepers, G.P. Ching</i>: Not bad, not good. Also free.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Entangled, Barbara Ellen Brink</i>: So bad. So very bad. I don't know how or why I finished it. I guess just to get it over with like when you swallow your medicine with your nose plugged? Free.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Nothing to Lose, Saah Consuelo Baeh</i>r: Meh. It was okay but the style of writing bothered me. It was written like a story being read to you rather than a story being told. I can't explain that very well, sorry. Also it took itself too seriously when the ending was a lot like every other fat girl chick lit book out there.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Girlfriend Project, Robin Friedman</i>: Cute. Funny. Predicatable. Free.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Mudbound, Hillary Jordan</i>: Good. Free but good. It lost it's hold on me towards the end but it started out really great.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Desire, Kailin Gow</i>: Terrible. This author pumps out YA fantasy novels faster than I pump out turds. I hated the main character, the style of sloppy, OH SO SLOPPY, writing and the plot. It better have been free or I'll kick myself.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Crossing to Safety, Wallace Stegner</i>: Holy shizoly I loved this book. Rarely has a book about so little wrapped me up like this one. Such a simple tale but so, so, so good. I started reading it not knowing what it was about or where it would go but I didn't care. What an amazing author. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Becoming Odyssa, Jennifer Pharr Davi</i>s: Not bad, not great. A true story about a young college graduate who hikes the Appalachian Trail. I also didn't appreciate the style of writing or the obnoxious, cliche Christian references. That sounds terrible but something about her finding God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit in every rock, tree or river bothered me. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Divergent, Veronica Roth</i>: If you liked the Hunger Games, you'll like this. I'm looking forward to the next book. Let me just note, it's not as good as the Hunger Games but it's still very good. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Hush, Hush series, Becca Fitzpatrick</i>: Really good. The first was way better than the 3rd and I'm not anxiously anticipating the last one but it was a fun series. The lead, Nora, started to really bug me after a while but I liked the steamy love story between her and Patch. This one is a series about fallen angels (insert snort of laughter here) and was cheesey von cheesenstein. Fun though.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Uglies, Scott Westerfield</i>: Meh. It got a lot of hype and I've been hearing about it for a while but I don't like the lead character, Tally, at all. She is fickle and a liar and there is nothing heroic about her. She's kind of a rat if you ask me. Plus the whole "pretty" and "ugly" thing gets redundant. I don't know, I'm not in love. I haven't fully downloaded the next in the series, Pretties, yet, only a sample and it seemed to bug me even more than Uglies did. Definitely not worth the $9.99. Maybe I'll check it out from the library instead?</div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Book Thief, Markus Zusak</i>: Another holy shizoly book for me. I bawled. So good, so sad, so riveting. I absolutely loved the visual imagery. I know I'll read it again. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's most of what I've been reading since sometime after Thanksgiving. If I think of a book I've forgotten to mention, I'll let you know. Sorry there aren't links to all of the books with an official review like some, way more awesome, blog friends provide. I am way too lazy to mess with that. And I want to get back to reading. :) If you have any questions about a book that I wasn't very clear on, feel free to ask and I'll give more details on why I felt the way I did. Also, if you have book recommendations for me, let em rip. I know it seems like all I read is YA novels about supernatural beings but I like just about any book that is a well written, good story. One more question for all of you eReaders out there, how do you afford a heavy reading habit? So many of the books I want to read aren't cheap but so many of the cheap ones are abysmal. Am I missing something very obvious as to how to score free/cheap eBooks? </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-12444893504384331782012-01-09T14:48:00.000-08:002012-01-09T15:28:58.468-08:00i suck at blogging yadda, yadda, yaddaGet ready for a big friggin' update. <div><br /></div><div>It's true that I am currently a terrible blogger. It is also true that the only reason I'm attempting to blog again is because one of my dear friends gave me a bit of a guilt trip. Oh you know who you are! I'm guessing since it worked you don't feel too guilty. :b<div><br /></div><div>Lately I have been pregnant. My back really hurts and I've started going to the Chiropractor for the first time in my life. Not sure if I'm completely sold but it's covered by my insurance and Tylenol sure as heck ain't fixing anything. So....I keep going. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am bummed that this pregnancy is harder than I was expecting it to be. I figured being in really great shape before getting pregnant would help me breeze through this. I was wrong. My "junk" hurts. By "junk" I DO mean my vagina. Sorry to get graphic on you but it plagues me almost daily. I feel like there's a bowling ball on my cervix and my business is getting hammered from the inside out. Totally awesome. And by that, you know I mean totally not awesome. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am a bit more negative than I normally am (can you tell?) and that also bothers me. I've always kinda prided myself on being an optimist. Luckily, I live in what you could basically call heaven. It keeps me from delving into a full on Debbie Downer lifestyle. </div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of lifestyle, I win. I know people get all annoyed with me when I talk about Hawaii and they think I'm rubbing it in. If I didn't mention how awesome it is to be here or how much I loved it wouldn't people think I was ungrateful? You can't win. So I'll go ahead and talk about the awesomeness some more. Every day is pretty stinkin' magical. Michael and I were talking about the luxury of the beach. Other people on the mainland have outdoor activities or pastimes but they are never as consistent as the beach. The park gets rained out, the mountains take a day trip, bikes get flat tires and the mall leaves you broke. The beach is always playable (even when it rains in one spot, there's sun shining on another part of the island) the sand is always washable and it's absolutely free. Heaven. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will go ahead and complain now about one thing. There is NO shopping here. Literally. Unless I want to spend an arm and a leg at a boutique store on a cheap maxi dress or fly somewhere to shop my only options are a very poorly stocked Macy's and online. Online shopping is fun for a while but eventually you crave the physical experience of trying stuff on and spending a day browsing sale racks. The other drawbacks of subsisting mainly on online shopping are shipping charges and the fact that I don't have that instantaneous getaway. One of my go-to getaways on the mainland was spending a couple hours at HomeGoods. You know, on those days you're gonna go stir crazy if you don't just get out of the house, away from the kids for a chunk of time on your own? Yes, those days don't exist. Instead of HomeGoods, I have beach walks. Still good but just, well, different. </div><div><br /></div><div>The kids are thriving. Jack and Violet swim and play outside all the time. They watch Curious George a couple episodes at a time and have a massive play room full of toys, tv and games. Jack is surfing and boogie boarding on his own. He can do dives and flips in the pool and just got a bike for Christmas which he loves. He is still so tender with me and Violet and tells me multiple times a day that he loves me the most of anyone in the whole wide world. </div><div><br /></div><div>Violet is a princess. She gets whatever she wants and sometimes I'm afraid of her power and dominance in our home. No one can resist her charms, not even Jack. She is swimming without floaties under serious supervision and always has a baby and a blankie with her wherever she goes. She sleeps in a big girl bed but sneaks out of her room multiple times a night and often doesn't go to bed till around 10. Sigh. She is smart. Not as smart as Jack but smart. She is way more artistic than he ever was and can color as well as he can. She is beautiful. </div><div><br /></div><div>Michael is super social. On Sunday after church I have to drag HIM out of the building because he is Chatty Kathy! Who woulda thunk? He is surfing a ton, has a dream work schedule that is literally too good to advertise and takes care of me like a princess. On Saturday I invited over a dozen girls last minute for a girls night. He helped me clean up the house, went to buy all the food supplies and kept the kids upstairs and happy all night long. He never complained and told me he was glad I had fun and that I should do that more often. This was just the most recent chivalrous act of love. There have been plenty more like allowing me to sleep in EVERY day he doesn't work, sending me to Oahu to shop regularly, paying for parties, taking me to fancy restaurants almost weekly and even flying family members out for visits. He is seriously too good to be true. And the fact that he's hotter than ever with his surfer body and tan doesn't hurt either. ;)</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I've had alot of people ask me what it's like to have money. Lemme lay it out for you up to this point. It's great. It's actually strange though. Since having money I feel less like spending it than ever before. I'm not sure if it's because of the limited shopping on the island thing or just because once you have it, you don't want to let it go? I don't feel much different in terms of being a changed person. I do feel more comfortable helping people out and picking up the tab. I also feel like buying something at JCrew isn't insane. But still, besides that, I'm just me. Maybe I'll become a total snob after a few years. Who knows? I'll let you know. Or maybe you can let me know. Money definitely makes things easier. It's nice to not have to argue over bills or debit card charges all the time. It's nice to have extra. It's nice to finally, after 8 years of medical school and residency and strife feel like we're gonna be okay. It was a long time coming. Don't get me wrong, we still have bills out the wazoo including giant medical school loan repayment! It's just easier to pay it now. </div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I've divulged too much or been too honest? But hey, that's just me. And I stopped trying to be someone else a long time ago. Hopefully you only rolled your eyes a few times and are still interested in reading what I have to say somewhere down the line. If not, :b on you. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you have any other questions post them in the comments section and I'll answer them. If they are questions about visiting, don't be shy. We still haven't had our fill of visitors. :) </div><div><br /></div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-16304125677807435812011-09-16T12:35:00.000-07:002011-09-16T14:04:05.481-07:00i know you want pictures, i know...<div style="text-align: center;">but I just can't seem to bring myself to take pictures of this whole, big, silly, awesome house. So instead, I took a few of the things I love the most and the teeny tiny things that I do NOT like. There's always gotta be something and I'm sure you'll see why in a second when you start to scroll through.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Things I love:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In both our family room (seen here) and our kitchen leading out to the pool</div><div style="text-align: center;">we have these awesome glass doors that accordion open and create</div><div style="text-align: center;">the perfect indoor/outdoor living space. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(The kids are performing their daily build of a fort around the coffee table.)</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyNR3Jt4ve1517Vz5waH_2FLYs-ISYh4HHD3rwJXjSm3KFosayCT54_JYurcXQMSygKtX-1EfC6ZmNwQkg521Hl4IDbu0kO5p7W6JwP0NmRWyjASpBG8-Dl0YfdnE43_xn_AZByxVMRhF/s1600/IMGP0210.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyNR3Jt4ve1517Vz5waH_2FLYs-ISYh4HHD3rwJXjSm3KFosayCT54_JYurcXQMSygKtX-1EfC6ZmNwQkg521Hl4IDbu0kO5p7W6JwP0NmRWyjASpBG8-Dl0YfdnE43_xn_AZByxVMRhF/s320/IMGP0210.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653055737762290082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This shower is just behind the kitchen and is possibly my most favorite thing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's an indoor/outdoor shower that leads to the pool and is </div><div style="text-align: center;">right across from the garage. If it ever fills up with sand I just </div><div style="text-align: center;">open the door and sweep it right out. Genius! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj486h-XsQz5auHnZaPAGurETkhyxHnFqVAs_crUClQxTWe32W1nJOYL3_YHm4KTbyRWYSwVdfyKK1mwhGr9ENMgGjCjYsB4A_1AZPSGa2v6hCLo04K9ZChFm10PXsTkzF00MzyaUwPpw-N/s1600/IMGP0213.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj486h-XsQz5auHnZaPAGurETkhyxHnFqVAs_crUClQxTWe32W1nJOYL3_YHm4KTbyRWYSwVdfyKK1mwhGr9ENMgGjCjYsB4A_1AZPSGa2v6hCLo04K9ZChFm10PXsTkzF00MzyaUwPpw-N/s320/IMGP0213.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653055736390356066" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This is the view when you walk into our master bedroom.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Clean, I know. :) That big wood "fence" is actually the head board of our bed.</div><div style="text-align: center;">At first I thought it looked kind of oddly placed and intrusive but now</div><div style="text-align: center;">I find it a lot more private and I like being surrounded by all the windows when I'm in bed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaPyZ5lH9nGU9ZvgjRRxIQi14Vta7PkelJFdJNHIaO9Gl5CiVf33_NGbR5VC_677ME2zWCW7eEGyIUeiVTr7hKcyd-pceMyRWtTlWrQCKPRSt8SqnDFSSBLIoUQBNTaLOTcM6OcwNjoYg/s1600/IMGP0215.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaPyZ5lH9nGU9ZvgjRRxIQi14Vta7PkelJFdJNHIaO9Gl5CiVf33_NGbR5VC_677ME2zWCW7eEGyIUeiVTr7hKcyd-pceMyRWtTlWrQCKPRSt8SqnDFSSBLIoUQBNTaLOTcM6OcwNjoYg/s320/IMGP0215.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653055730587333890" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is what it looks like beyond the head board. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the private lanai off the master. </div><div style="text-align: center;">There are actually 4 other rooms with </div><div style="text-align: center;">private lanais not as big as this one. It's neat.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_sVo-3Fg-mcQXvEUXEYIOoBpi34fzBrPwlLI0LtyQVgpgFsei2Bh86Hw7f3A1AaGAgdddXlqJJaotYIXEjmHohP08rcTui3wN_PNOw59NByccqvWG4u2xBh37Xu2TxjOsq_ZtU6XwX6Y/s1600/IMGP0214.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_sVo-3Fg-mcQXvEUXEYIOoBpi34fzBrPwlLI0LtyQVgpgFsei2Bh86Hw7f3A1AaGAgdddXlqJJaotYIXEjmHohP08rcTui3wN_PNOw59NByccqvWG4u2xBh37Xu2TxjOsq_ZtU6XwX6Y/s320/IMGP0214.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653055726409009218" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the master shower. It's a double headed shower</div><div style="text-align: center;"> that once again is very indoor/outdoor.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry for the glare but I'm no photographer, </div><div style="text-align: center;">especially when pregnant and lazy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Beyond those bamboo reeds is a permanent screen. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The wind is always coming through and </div><div style="text-align: center;">there's always a sense of being outside. </div><div style="text-align: center;">LOVE.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMiOsgu3SlAK5UppWiEp8C8fapQW8FfnKgsalR5CERaEKk9ZTE0km489goC9sDyBfoO9SvMV4clsIp0FFLsk_sydu4OeKP23sxRXoLadHTSXDcLTaHIQLF9AFUZHtURmdnywayfCqlBmC/s1600/IMGP0218.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMiOsgu3SlAK5UppWiEp8C8fapQW8FfnKgsalR5CERaEKk9ZTE0km489goC9sDyBfoO9SvMV4clsIp0FFLsk_sydu4OeKP23sxRXoLadHTSXDcLTaHIQLF9AFUZHtURmdnywayfCqlBmC/s320/IMGP0218.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653055721506993538" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Things I do NOT love:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The two pedestal sinks in the master and the tacky bidet right in the middle.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-hiwlKhornVBQ2N3qLYsosN05zMDU1oF6Ke-vXGd1D5_aod0kvSVzRzt1Ndt_dNS53u_Q4wzesmSo9OgUq-5m0xuSv5b8ir6NQmcO5xzySDuZ28V0t4c60jJAeIMKrfXs8p-2nbaywQo/s1600/IMGP0216.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-hiwlKhornVBQ2N3qLYsosN05zMDU1oF6Ke-vXGd1D5_aod0kvSVzRzt1Ndt_dNS53u_Q4wzesmSo9OgUq-5m0xuSv5b8ir6NQmcO5xzySDuZ28V0t4c60jJAeIMKrfXs8p-2nbaywQo/s320/IMGP0216.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653058841598274738" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">The ceiling of the "Sunday room" as named by Jack.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously, the faux sky makes me cringe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7R9-JmIfC03ce2gsE7ehTSJj6ke0l1BIgw5aQipmfeKuzkmG7uEoCgafBZHoDo6XuUKj2U_OjNjo-vfhj06mMJhyRUU6wxmNDOhs67E-Cf3VpF8-iW9VBmp5cK6sEFXdWHvBRp4Pmtk9/s1600/IMGP0212.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7R9-JmIfC03ce2gsE7ehTSJj6ke0l1BIgw5aQipmfeKuzkmG7uEoCgafBZHoDo6XuUKj2U_OjNjo-vfhj06mMJhyRUU6wxmNDOhs67E-Cf3VpF8-iW9VBmp5cK6sEFXdWHvBRp4Pmtk9/s320/IMGP0212.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653058833561672578" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The decor of the "Sunday room."</div><div style="text-align: center;">Maroon and gold and flourishy all over. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The furniture...bless it's tacky little heart.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No that is not a sheet over a table in the corner, </div><div style="text-align: center;">it's a table cloth over one of those </div><div style="text-align: center;">cheap tripod tables from like Anna's Linens.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cause, you know? It's "fancy."</div><div style="text-align: center;"> So sad.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2sQL7QhOIs60vsE6J5_vF6lxhTMHwXtcrAnl0hrrpGNMc1fi6M0sJ1EHRasramIiJSBJ3vcY9Gf1g627Ess9mTla8y7DC7C6wSZZR3QHugBUmhJBwyKBt2cWah_cX93H72ufbJ6YwHq_/s1600/IMGP0211.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2sQL7QhOIs60vsE6J5_vF6lxhTMHwXtcrAnl0hrrpGNMc1fi6M0sJ1EHRasramIiJSBJ3vcY9Gf1g627Ess9mTla8y7DC7C6wSZZR3QHugBUmhJBwyKBt2cWah_cX93H72ufbJ6YwHq_/s320/IMGP0211.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653058826725057202" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">So there you have it. A few pics of the house. There are many, many more things that I just love about this place. The double dishwasher, fridge, W/D is amazing! I also love the giant wooden dining table and all of the extra bedrooms. Plenty of toilets too and storage space which is schwing for when people come...if they ever do. :(</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As for other things that I'm kinda like, meh, it's mostly just furnishings. I think overall the furniture is pretty unfortunate. But seriously, who cares? It's awesome to have places to sit and eat and sleep and not worry about having to have purchased all of it. Someday I'll finally get to furnish/design my own home. Who knows when? But someday. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you liked the virtual tour. Now who's going to come and take an actual tour?! Seriously people, we are kind of shocked that no one has made any definite plans yet. Come visit wiki wiki!</div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-1914220414656134722011-08-27T18:18:00.000-07:002011-08-27T19:00:09.005-07:00a giftWe've come to a very clear realization in the last 3 or so weeks since we've been here, living here is a gift. We knew we had something special the very second Michael landed the position and we were thrilled when we arrived but a few days ago a friend opened our eyes to how very priceless Michael's job and life here really is. <div>
<br /></div><div>The friend is one of Michael's anesthesiologist co-workers. Him and his wife are amazing people and they've really reached out to us and made us feel so welcome. It's been great to have them here and get advice and support from people who know what's up. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Anyway, we went to dinner with them and were discussing the decision process that the group faced back in January when choosing which candidate to offer the job to. It had come down to Michael and another very experienced female anesthesiologist. We felt like extreme under dogs but crossed our fingers, toes, eyes and everything so tight after the interview just hoping on hope that we had something more to offer. It turned out we did and I'll tell you what Joe said. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>He told us that him and his colleagues truly consider this job a gift. We are here on the most beautiful island, with a competitive salary and an unreal work schedule. (I think I've mentioned the actual work schedule break down in the past but Michael doesn't like me to publish it plainly too often in case it gets jinxed somehow. You laugh but I'm serious, that's how righteous it is!) All of them agreed that this job needed to be given not only to a qualified person but to the person most likely to cherish it from every aspect. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Since being here we have been blessed from every angle. The lifestyle, strength of the church and school system are all wonderful. Our kids are in their element and are wet all. day. long. They actually have sand permanently in their scalp that I can't get out! Okay not permanent but pretty well embedded. We kneel down every night and gush with gratitude for what we have. The Lord has blessed us beyond comprehension and although there are moments where I want to scream (ie: the roosters and bugs) I can never shake the feeling of ultimate satisfaction in being here. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I really hope that this post doesn't come across as proud or preachy or arrogant because my true intention was to publicly give thanks and express my joy right now. Life has it's ups and downs but while we're living here I can't see a down that could actually get me <i>down</i>. The second the plane landed I thought, "I'm home," and nothing has changed that thought since. </div>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16410713113172327599noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-8001871935777142302011-08-01T18:50:00.000-07:002011-08-01T19:01:20.546-07:00my name is Kat....<div style="text-align: center;">and I've been a homeless drifter for a month.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My name is Kat and I'll be the first to tell you</div><div style="text-align: center;"> that having mono is kinda like being pregnant,</div><div style="text-align: center;">ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzzz</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My name is Kat and</div><div style="text-align: center;">my gas is suddenly <i>LETHAL</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">and if you want to make me cry throw a cotton ball at my boobs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My name is Kat and my body hair is growing like kudzu. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Pit hair and leg hair and toe hair, OH MY!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My name is Kat and.......WAH!!! :'( I don't wanna get fat!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">My name is Kat and I'm pregnant, yippee! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">(for reals, I'm truly happy about it.) </span></div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-48050913372812344082011-06-04T23:44:00.001-07:002011-06-05T00:10:55.791-07:00four sure!<div style="text-align: center;">This is Jack's 4th Birthday bash at Chuck E Cheese. The pictures are in reverse party order but still cute. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5I8KKIDQEKmd8CH_kzI5fCp7dCV20txhyphenhyphenHe7aVD25zEe42lnakfTBxyFMLwg656Peexa2mRyBT3GVMJcwB7ZNwqY19OlUAkjVkjvUHAQVqj4N0rmlV1z-lKSXkOIERe9KWYy-5nWubWa/s1600/IMGP0077.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5I8KKIDQEKmd8CH_kzI5fCp7dCV20txhyphenhyphenHe7aVD25zEe42lnakfTBxyFMLwg656Peexa2mRyBT3GVMJcwB7ZNwqY19OlUAkjVkjvUHAQVqj4N0rmlV1z-lKSXkOIERe9KWYy-5nWubWa/s320/IMGP0077.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614625447452159586" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A kid can never have too many cars. Seriously, his car stash is to be envied.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvrkoKf0ShtjfQeMVUEFq0ZyaKFf0eLuqxd_Em4Er1EVipYvTUoCr5vX6aQj7Mh-dn58ZEalZlErP0BXZ4Rkfde5fNHyt9hvhkeX79Qzv0AsqhSKpJ7v7OrYLdajftePnk1oi_ifxpX9L/s1600/IMGP0068.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvrkoKf0ShtjfQeMVUEFq0ZyaKFf0eLuqxd_Em4Er1EVipYvTUoCr5vX6aQj7Mh-dn58ZEalZlErP0BXZ4Rkfde5fNHyt9hvhkeX79Qzv0AsqhSKpJ7v7OrYLdajftePnk1oi_ifxpX9L/s320/IMGP0068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614625435943562722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWla7CkAsow-P8vPZsX55QO-ErfObDgYQ3Boynj99r8sh2uSG6qCP6qc_dKLMcVgS-DjD__7gDTvikJDA_aj_RNQHmb3EqkyLMzYNq-6We6OH1VH5ZEcKuFZWRkA0SAE5MknOEQS1Jfie/s1600/IMGP0064.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWla7CkAsow-P8vPZsX55QO-ErfObDgYQ3Boynj99r8sh2uSG6qCP6qc_dKLMcVgS-DjD__7gDTvikJDA_aj_RNQHmb3EqkyLMzYNq-6We6OH1VH5ZEcKuFZWRkA0SAE5MknOEQS1Jfie/s320/IMGP0064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614625432160618066" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">I love Jack's face in this pic. The obligatory "cheese" when all he's thinking about is opening gifts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkTyij9cgsoD-VtID_FvpWGZAhvgs3Z8gmK7jBV92gcEeRJy9eMn1Il_sh3c51-62WM0LYVtofKXmDfO5WEM9C4uKkoDIu0nLMrUNkMNC3PDg2wOJ9zK2uqOGglc00kgvnfhQPdH0ngfr/s1600/IMGP0062.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkTyij9cgsoD-VtID_FvpWGZAhvgs3Z8gmK7jBV92gcEeRJy9eMn1Il_sh3c51-62WM0LYVtofKXmDfO5WEM9C4uKkoDIu0nLMrUNkMNC3PDg2wOJ9zK2uqOGglc00kgvnfhQPdH0ngfr/s320/IMGP0062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614625425105876082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The rainbow cake was so good and SO fun. Every child let out an "ooOOooO" or an "aAHhh" immediately upon slicing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Worth every layer.*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB3rwN8vm2L7_zBtmIJsNZRS4hpEUels7Neov2h4q4ZAo_CH67gp8yZKj9VQ9NblE5JgaV92HIUUZWZ0ncqKdZ04GusLTXf9zHjTTPOvHMvmYfZG5Mzq9InUUHkOgx5Vgf21NywDSIa3c/s1600/IMGP0061.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB3rwN8vm2L7_zBtmIJsNZRS4hpEUels7Neov2h4q4ZAo_CH67gp8yZKj9VQ9NblE5JgaV92HIUUZWZ0ncqKdZ04GusLTXf9zHjTTPOvHMvmYfZG5Mzq9InUUHkOgx5Vgf21NywDSIa3c/s320/IMGP0061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614625414437534370" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You know he was all over that air hockey table. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdPBW8irB6_xYmu1t4LI_NNtuNpLVBG43p-IGER1HkAFNM-LiNYXhy2J9yDeJn6_iIXH6uLNRxZOQ4zSfvtDieoMfKqdXO5JWOeQw5p5ed_zGteJKlYZu9w0FEeTvwUORgKxME5n7g8TG/s1600/IMGP0046.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdPBW8irB6_xYmu1t4LI_NNtuNpLVBG43p-IGER1HkAFNM-LiNYXhy2J9yDeJn6_iIXH6uLNRxZOQ4zSfvtDieoMfKqdXO5JWOeQw5p5ed_zGteJKlYZu9w0FEeTvwUORgKxME5n7g8TG/s320/IMGP0046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614624126744124578" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEu6eEy2YpFNEr2BXm9lOjr4fqz1UdbBWp_TQZKkjiIQIrlOV-GuRNzVMDIHrdTs7XCKuXtp3EYkXwAIBvVIRaEEof0umtZ_Hfh6qvbFHAHkxNA08yiENX2B5TsEJcPNkPGNlYHvrwYVYi/s1600/IMGP0042.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEu6eEy2YpFNEr2BXm9lOjr4fqz1UdbBWp_TQZKkjiIQIrlOV-GuRNzVMDIHrdTs7XCKuXtp3EYkXwAIBvVIRaEEof0umtZ_Hfh6qvbFHAHkxNA08yiENX2B5TsEJcPNkPGNlYHvrwYVYi/s320/IMGP0042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614624125121547522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you know that Chuck E Cheese will allow you to bring in all of your own party stuff? It's SO much better than forking over 10 bucks a kid for rubbery pizza, spongy cake and lame decor.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSvALdbGtHuDDlednrj0yaiSxPDfMk0gqS47jWuFyukJYi98AdaMYLNso0zPN_LBRz2JmODzKtXY7AogG_TYt2wMennsBFc9s9VpWTdxLfESYME-sn4v0I5WSF8QPUPE8HWi66k_Hx-rz/s1600/IMGP0041.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSvALdbGtHuDDlednrj0yaiSxPDfMk0gqS47jWuFyukJYi98AdaMYLNso0zPN_LBRz2JmODzKtXY7AogG_TYt2wMennsBFc9s9VpWTdxLfESYME-sn4v0I5WSF8QPUPE8HWi66k_Hx-rz/s320/IMGP0041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614624120917211810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCCzizS-WUm_N43RUdOULLCLHW9ANMURa4_4_-7abDDnrmlJiUuIRnZux2JQjDgL8UMLiOXJa6b_6waqBO3Sg1p4iXKAKcTzvcznvlttMkIPq0tCiwQsJT5EZfz-wjW9TCTC6u5phvN94/s1600/IMGP0040.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCCzizS-WUm_N43RUdOULLCLHW9ANMURa4_4_-7abDDnrmlJiUuIRnZux2JQjDgL8UMLiOXJa6b_6waqBO3Sg1p4iXKAKcTzvcznvlttMkIPq0tCiwQsJT5EZfz-wjW9TCTC6u5phvN94/s320/IMGP0040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614624113939812770" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXw9C5AfUQ1DAa8xWxFnhWkhSIxBbv-ZU334vEdJS678fdiUJu-e1o9QvBnSzHnVkguyXOyHkN-cJ3dFRE2EjpajVWiwQrXlcqG6vdhY2_FfEsUhGqzdWLrp-IEqIzRc8G10JloBLTZl0c/s1600/IMGP0039.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXw9C5AfUQ1DAa8xWxFnhWkhSIxBbv-ZU334vEdJS678fdiUJu-e1o9QvBnSzHnVkguyXOyHkN-cJ3dFRE2EjpajVWiwQrXlcqG6vdhY2_FfEsUhGqzdWLrp-IEqIzRc8G10JloBLTZl0c/s320/IMGP0039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614624106568397314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was fun for all but especially for these two. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">*For the cake I used 2 boxes of white cake mix and assorted gel food coloring. I "Sandra Lee'd" the sucker as follows. Instead of water in the cake mix I used buttermilk and I also added some vanilla extract. For the frosting I made a double batch of my own basic butter cream frosting and mixed it with a can of fluffy white. I know, I know, store bought canned frosting is the devil but I do have a soft spot for it. It turned out extremely delish if I do say so myself. Try it, you'll like it. And here is the <a href="http://meredith-countitalljoy.blogspot.com/2010/02/rainbow-cake.html">blog</a> with more exact directions. </div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-11172418864470779102011-06-04T23:34:00.000-07:002011-06-04T23:44:24.639-07:00a kid and a camera<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is Jack. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aorzAMEe1QhCBsRElYEUsgskznbVDNX9i7XcMuxkV9DQ3-r-lv1IVBL7396olcYPwBHgnJOK164PkBPuKn2wLyTjNGR4fL3TIjGNanuQgcymJ5Bpcf4nhfwEO9IWWAbIKMmdg9LNREaY/s1600/IMGP1625.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aorzAMEe1QhCBsRElYEUsgskznbVDNX9i7XcMuxkV9DQ3-r-lv1IVBL7396olcYPwBHgnJOK164PkBPuKn2wLyTjNGR4fL3TIjGNanuQgcymJ5Bpcf4nhfwEO9IWWAbIKMmdg9LNREaY/s320/IMGP1625.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614621607802002994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is his first experience with a camera. Enjoy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiZzMjedDuv19MAXuinGzkTOSqaC5b-JX0xDJNST0WTpNzcJYQwTb6b2xIP-EdP_4Ms-tYLXKxLM5g6aZuwp3IHelNY2kddU8_z8gYlyg-U0ODOX7rN14xyJU8msCVaa293wsbzH7lFD2/s1600/IMGP1670.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiZzMjedDuv19MAXuinGzkTOSqaC5b-JX0xDJNST0WTpNzcJYQwTb6b2xIP-EdP_4Ms-tYLXKxLM5g6aZuwp3IHelNY2kddU8_z8gYlyg-U0ODOX7rN14xyJU8msCVaa293wsbzH7lFD2/s320/IMGP1670.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614622143536121474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijs3mi70x8AjqvptuaQ3eSfeg1cu5T625zR5KrxckRJzWL4k_Mn1Paqoi5O8le5RpGsSaq155KFeG9PCJUeg05DLP6xpAoNbx-jE0_cCWTKUkkEVjEnI8qSwcZpssvuRPKymZnxP0fdeSv/s1600/IMGP1663.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijs3mi70x8AjqvptuaQ3eSfeg1cu5T625zR5KrxckRJzWL4k_Mn1Paqoi5O8le5RpGsSaq155KFeG9PCJUeg05DLP6xpAoNbx-jE0_cCWTKUkkEVjEnI8qSwcZpssvuRPKymZnxP0fdeSv/s320/IMGP1663.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614622134725314290" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdYJxTj9aV4qehBUqrqE0mkUexlT2M8wlxP9fuM1FVLHZtNPDf9Qri-ta_ssWmQbQAYZAWcmpiPS9na5UjlX17tyRz77v_prFhHXsYbc9RjPq5rYxXgEOzE1e3teUoCubjVlskcyXNXui/s1600/IMGP1659.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdYJxTj9aV4qehBUqrqE0mkUexlT2M8wlxP9fuM1FVLHZtNPDf9Qri-ta_ssWmQbQAYZAWcmpiPS9na5UjlX17tyRz77v_prFhHXsYbc9RjPq5rYxXgEOzE1e3teUoCubjVlskcyXNXui/s320/IMGP1659.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614622125226041090" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYUP59l65HRvNL_ChLIFaBTwVQlMbhYDatCFcp-_JYyA2pTjG39TIQFvUi15V04Qu-PdYIsspLAMS797hFTfARoWFB4jaEAkcKTt0LrGGm7SIVNmVgk9QbmYt8GQt0OtDgzoKE0IDgiNs/s1600/IMGP1651.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYUP59l65HRvNL_ChLIFaBTwVQlMbhYDatCFcp-_JYyA2pTjG39TIQFvUi15V04Qu-PdYIsspLAMS797hFTfARoWFB4jaEAkcKTt0LrGGm7SIVNmVgk9QbmYt8GQt0OtDgzoKE0IDgiNs/s320/IMGP1651.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614621622306041474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu5CiXi4pXGsRLA8W3EXrylkiZNKoNOuVccJpfFDMxr1ic6sRWmhXRRyM3jVX5cu7pM_kEC6XWQyLbmnNA89AG4YAfxxySyTwsp_WlLaAmmVRdUxZmYqc9X-3DYoUP8Ct8EF89ntuLKKq/s1600/IMGP1644.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu5CiXi4pXGsRLA8W3EXrylkiZNKoNOuVccJpfFDMxr1ic6sRWmhXRRyM3jVX5cu7pM_kEC6XWQyLbmnNA89AG4YAfxxySyTwsp_WlLaAmmVRdUxZmYqc9X-3DYoUP8Ct8EF89ntuLKKq/s320/IMGP1644.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614621618326545698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSAD_-_t5U5l-gBMGmozO_qN6wIrUcapSicM8mORsnHbKkvA9Uei0A6uajZG7HCTU5_OeId-oCTF9R9oKhqE3aMlKXyzNllTiVr77E1IM9BRicw5INszkiQDDHQifSdA-109YVXGudLIV/s1600/IMGP1646.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSAD_-_t5U5l-gBMGmozO_qN6wIrUcapSicM8mORsnHbKkvA9Uei0A6uajZG7HCTU5_OeId-oCTF9R9oKhqE3aMlKXyzNllTiVr77E1IM9BRicw5INszkiQDDHQifSdA-109YVXGudLIV/s320/IMGP1646.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614621615186971250" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPN5JMArTP6k7vrlWAs-SEDYq8-lw2H94-ftm9DVF2_UuY-Y6UJVDLn4gTb8KQ8viYc_QKRobHtZKdamphH_gQCOxraDZ-UxVI5iJa-HHYrOwGbKEccv9on83z1I-CN7jK8MMaQVascAJ/s1600/IMGP1620.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPN5JMArTP6k7vrlWAs-SEDYq8-lw2H94-ftm9DVF2_UuY-Y6UJVDLn4gTb8KQ8viYc_QKRobHtZKdamphH_gQCOxraDZ-UxVI5iJa-HHYrOwGbKEccv9on83z1I-CN7jK8MMaQVascAJ/s320/IMGP1620.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614621600930666194" /></a>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-71486045347978005992011-05-25T19:14:00.000-07:002011-05-26T15:13:40.159-07:00no comment insuranceI know when I post anything related to house and home (unless it is crafty) no one is going to comment. That's okay. It's what's on my mind lately so I'm going to post about it.<br /><br />I am debating couches lately. I am finally ready to get rid of my, according to everyone else, <i>purple</i> couch which I always mistakenly considered <i>brown</i>. It's a piecer and covered in who knows what. My issue is whether or not I want to get a big sectional or just the matching sofa to my current love seat? If I do a large sectional I am crushing on both of these:<div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Z Gallerie </div><div style="text-align: center;">Phoenix 3 piece $1899</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn4vHckjYwMRQrZGvUC674J1l2HqDQgPAJVbeX5wMCZSscMEJEby6E4zx6YZrCBSstq9W8oO0QG1cfOeRUj1HhWRke4Vq744vkrGHg9HjjSeP_eeVcBMI-lNLc0LLI20wCWUucVenhlVJ/s1600/zgallerie+sectional.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn4vHckjYwMRQrZGvUC674J1l2HqDQgPAJVbeX5wMCZSscMEJEby6E4zx6YZrCBSstq9W8oO0QG1cfOeRUj1HhWRke4Vq744vkrGHg9HjjSeP_eeVcBMI-lNLc0LLI20wCWUucVenhlVJ/s320/zgallerie+sectional.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611142110097313010" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ikea</div><div style="text-align: center;">Karlstad $999+$299 slipcover</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzesgXVVFK8PN9Yl_05YpDFHRmmWkTGdSq4FXCvAZfB9AFXFrSh1h1dcRYS2S4jIl6kg9102biAAmHgrItcRmCeHhQf7ijeR2TNd_RacB3rNk8Pcv8adZFrE4qz5GzTX4a5J9jyPI9M_w/s1600/ikea+sectional.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzesgXVVFK8PN9Yl_05YpDFHRmmWkTGdSq4FXCvAZfB9AFXFrSh1h1dcRYS2S4jIl6kg9102biAAmHgrItcRmCeHhQf7ijeR2TNd_RacB3rNk8Pcv8adZFrE4qz5GzTX4a5J9jyPI9M_w/s320/ikea+sectional.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611142108426396626" /></a></div>The good thing about the Ikea sectional is the slip cover. I would probably get the couch in the tan/grey neutral shown above with a white slip cover. I've actually been pleasantly surprised by the resilience of both of my white Ikea slip covers. Machine washable, easy on and off and just so darn convenient. The thing I love about the more expensive, Z Gallerie sectional is the wide aray of colors available and the bottom of the couch hitting the floor. Don't those little wooden Ikea legs look like they could just snap?<br /><br />If I go for the option of adding the matching sofa to my current love seat in the front room, it's a lot cheaper. I have just always wanted a large sectional to fill a room and cozy up on, you know? Here she is:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ikea</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kivik sofa $599+$129 slipcover</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxc1sTSY11oQXsfVUJIzLRG4dRJK3i4JU_YGl0nhIUdPYYVX10DWKL2c3XVJC4a89TCmG6v6o8UNXi2Ic8mKRIhpGL1OsvOXImpfGa2mO5w45TfRP7z3Hh5p9jhqwOCmY5RMTjICuH517y/s1600/ikea+sofa.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxc1sTSY11oQXsfVUJIzLRG4dRJK3i4JU_YGl0nhIUdPYYVX10DWKL2c3XVJC4a89TCmG6v6o8UNXi2Ic8mKRIhpGL1OsvOXImpfGa2mO5w45TfRP7z3Hh5p9jhqwOCmY5RMTjICuH517y/s320/ikea+sofa.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611143560955478834" /></a><br /><br />The one good thing in this very petty (<i>petty</i> not <i>pretty</i>) dilemma is that either way I go, the coffee table I want will work. Check this sucker out.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Z Gallerie</div><div style="text-align: center;">Concentric Coffee Table $299</div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't she lovely?</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSo12d9ZsoT_uOpMXjKPv6_IHK2Iwtsgqgis4ZVqzBOlgC8Y6D0esfaDrktSMKff9Sla_XCTnCeohhNFLgCTo47YOW8j3XPfgCq4pyTOvGVun2QMjlRUJA59-IOSkySG8UAAOyDf5DQ6KD/s1600/zgallerie+coffee+table.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSo12d9ZsoT_uOpMXjKPv6_IHK2Iwtsgqgis4ZVqzBOlgC8Y6D0esfaDrktSMKff9Sla_XCTnCeohhNFLgCTo47YOW8j3XPfgCq4pyTOvGVun2QMjlRUJA59-IOSkySG8UAAOyDf5DQ6KD/s320/zgallerie+coffee+table.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611144483978021538" /></a><br /><br />And lastly I'm in to horse prints lately. Weird? Kinda. But I've seen some beauties, not to be mistaken with <i>Black Beauty</i> he he he, and I can just see them working anywhere. Even, dare I say it without actually seeing it, in a baby girls room above her crib.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Z Gallerie </div><div style="text-align: center;">22 Hands $699.95 (ouch!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">54"x66" (huge!)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-Ododu5OIm05W_X_WMb9Wwx-7bQsFY-n-B8pw_-R84qUg3aaOGrAOgVCTpoh-keOS1_bh-XKsMmH9rDOpXYlfaVUydKUgiU8z2KzbvQmD4K-Qe2NbH4pxHkz3heIdpfLY9IS9QA4Fchn/s1600/zgallerie+horse.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-Ododu5OIm05W_X_WMb9Wwx-7bQsFY-n-B8pw_-R84qUg3aaOGrAOgVCTpoh-keOS1_bh-XKsMmH9rDOpXYlfaVUydKUgiU8z2KzbvQmD4K-Qe2NbH4pxHkz3heIdpfLY9IS9QA4Fchn/s320/zgallerie+horse.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611145816150270098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mary Leslie Studio</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lock and Load $120</div><div style="text-align: center;">21.5"x22.5"</div><div style="text-align: center;">My original fav that I hunted for after seeing it on The Vampire Diaries. Yes, I watch that show. Yes, you're allowed to laugh.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDybOwWWFOBZfAy-BisIrlgKcrbNekvhBzdQsgyrq4lynfsR6hTVtN_gjYC_dtDSF0koSIHjl-u7aNoxZDDYuoBrFNpPalPIlli6thKXIwuTa22zTENL_vv4JX48xnEIBD8GWzMrf82VAm/s1600/horse+painting.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDybOwWWFOBZfAy-BisIrlgKcrbNekvhBzdQsgyrq4lynfsR6hTVtN_gjYC_dtDSF0koSIHjl-u7aNoxZDDYuoBrFNpPalPIlli6thKXIwuTa22zTENL_vv4JX48xnEIBD8GWzMrf82VAm/s320/horse+painting.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611145814267103570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Z Gallerie</div><div style="text-align: center;">Winter Stallion $399</div><div style="text-align: center;">47"x47"</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMZ0LHVfbvtz0_XCiW19z-8XxlRj64nzE4UCaZFpelAtIOjXTaIj3LSXFWvsfuKcN-jjaB10lmMmTvxTI7NSVJqE4GHhm-Rk9AppcZl4eYgjFcA1nnxSM9YChS6yL6eaMwdxYek6Hm0hT/s1600/last+horse.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMZ0LHVfbvtz0_XCiW19z-8XxlRj64nzE4UCaZFpelAtIOjXTaIj3LSXFWvsfuKcN-jjaB10lmMmTvxTI7NSVJqE4GHhm-Rk9AppcZl4eYgjFcA1nnxSM9YChS6yL6eaMwdxYek6Hm0hT/s320/last+horse.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611146739126282178" /></a><br /><br />While some of you may roll your eyes at any and all of this post you have to keep something in mind. If you were about to move to Hawaii, and have that move TOTALLY paid for, to the island where there is basically NO WHERE (confirmed to me by the wife of the other doc in the practice who worked at <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/">WS</a>. She used her discount at <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/">PB</a> before their move and never regretted it.) to shop for furniture, wouldn't you buy the large ticket items you really wanted rather than pay ridiculous shipping costs? Phew, that was a mouth full. But I make a good point don't I? Now, any opinions or just crickets?Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-16570037138048594182011-05-24T16:49:00.001-07:002011-05-24T17:04:29.959-07:00while we're on the subject of WMSince I'm thinking about it, I have a lot of items on my furniture wish list from World Market. Have you noticed that they make similar furniture from places like Anthropologie and Pottery Barn for significantly cheaper? Do you even care? Haha. Just let me finish then you can go on and not bother leaving a comment. ;)<div><br /></div><div>Case in point:</div><div>This chair from Pottery barn for 245$<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHufD6HiXlR3KM5W070ubMKd-EVRQMGxvqTCSncmIeB8HWFQAcCVDU_abhHdWIelhIFHFN8uvSUKrEO_hsIrtaFov8BhnoDmkXGoEebTDp-AS0xsfHKgkYZuhJ2eu7wTRu3tO5NR5h5KLw/s1600/pb+metal+chair.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHufD6HiXlR3KM5W070ubMKd-EVRQMGxvqTCSncmIeB8HWFQAcCVDU_abhHdWIelhIFHFN8uvSUKrEO_hsIrtaFov8BhnoDmkXGoEebTDp-AS0xsfHKgkYZuhJ2eu7wTRu3tO5NR5h5KLw/s320/pb+metal+chair.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610434800348848082" /></a>versus this one from WM for 109$. Personally I like this one much better anyway.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdDDcr2RCMBjJKR4g8AJ2wzytRgbLAf5F1XSCfhSn_mwLQfMbK3xiitFgxu1eRlhS4trM98BsrFIA7FeiIb4yUM2Qna11EcPBXP2PpzcpslDM-eNLuqmsSXXejNAISa1flTnWiVNGnXZd/s1600/metal+wm+chair.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdDDcr2RCMBjJKR4g8AJ2wzytRgbLAf5F1XSCfhSn_mwLQfMbK3xiitFgxu1eRlhS4trM98BsrFIA7FeiIb4yUM2Qna11EcPBXP2PpzcpslDM-eNLuqmsSXXejNAISa1flTnWiVNGnXZd/s320/metal+wm+chair.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610434795178535058" /></a><br /></div><div>Or how about this table at <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=960051&catId=HOME-FURNITURE-TABLES&pushId=HOME-FURNITURE-TABLES&popId=HOME-FURNITURE&navAction=middle&navCount=48&color=004&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=D">Anthropologie</a>? Verses this one at <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11095231">World Market</a>? Hmmm, I'll take el cheapo thank you very much. What was that? 279$ vs. 398$. Silliness.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYbxXP6A_I9ETXH8Bg3eBZd0AiEtfLHwwMgXWZfmADLq2VfWmyEWlDpKk70ZHgMrsiPxKUiiJ1i0KHvzZVxg6EpBqS6LZmAuB2q78Ajl4P_8Y6wna_Pa5I3cK0x8I1rG7RE_BAHG2378I/s1600/wm+table.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYbxXP6A_I9ETXH8Bg3eBZd0AiEtfLHwwMgXWZfmADLq2VfWmyEWlDpKk70ZHgMrsiPxKUiiJ1i0KHvzZVxg6EpBqS6LZmAuB2q78Ajl4P_8Y6wna_Pa5I3cK0x8I1rG7RE_BAHG2378I/s320/wm+table.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610435752241213634" /></a><br />This little list of mine could go on and on. I know I mentioned a coupon below for WM but there is <a href="http://www.retailmenot.com/view/worldmarket.com">another one</a> I'll share. It's 50$ off 200$ and while that is honestly only 25% off, it will make my two metal chairs 85$ each. I like the sound of that.<br /><br />If I haven't sold you on WM yet, skip on over to this blog. They have way more style than I do and maybe they can make you see the beauty of this store better than I can. <a href="http://www.boxwoodclippings.com/">www.boxwoodclippings.com</a>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-34265206622474061022011-05-24T16:42:00.000-07:002011-05-24T16:46:54.481-07:00tiny savings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1m0YaGiIeoXo7jxaYczgjkiaGwc5by0t65E8jveGn7mZAInjxJJL6D2bfi0vI3gCRie_-9hhn38YW2gFGex9qfv7u6Yf7tVSxG9pRi-h2A5XglLm7QfUL0iXTf0dxPMgvVY6YXwCHFBr/s1600/kids+table.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1m0YaGiIeoXo7jxaYczgjkiaGwc5by0t65E8jveGn7mZAInjxJJL6D2bfi0vI3gCRie_-9hhn38YW2gFGex9qfv7u6Yf7tVSxG9pRi-h2A5XglLm7QfUL0iXTf0dxPMgvVY6YXwCHFBr/s320/kids+table.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610432662170472786" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span">I don't know if you've seen this and I'm sure most of you have a kids table but this <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4301210">one</a>, is a steal right now. It's on sale for 59$ but if you are a member of World Market there is a 10$ off 30$ <a href="http://www.retailmenot.com/view/worldmarket.com">coupon</a> out right now. The best part of the table for me was the fact that it was easy to assemble and it's solid wood. That means you can paint it any color you want. If I weren't home alone with the kids all week and super lazy, I would probably have repainted all the tops one color. Since I am lazy, I'm leavin' it and sewing a quicky tablecloth. My kids have been sitting at this table for the last 2 days coloring, painting, stickering, you name it. I am happy, they are happy and my wallet is happy.</span></span>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-70631027796474237682011-04-28T23:07:00.000-07:002011-04-28T23:13:16.365-07:00walk it off buddy, just walk it off<div align="left">I'm good. Just thought I'd update you. No, I didn't successfully melt into the carpet. Or the couch, or the bed, or the kitchen floor. Okay that last one was a total exaggeration. My kitchen floor is waaaaay too nasty to even have a nervous breakdown on. So yeah, I'm okay now and I must say, all of your peppy pep talks were just the trick to<em> pep</em> me back up. Thanks for the love, prayers (oh I felt </div>'em!) and advice. You guys are just tops.Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-39968073685050108072011-04-25T13:11:00.000-07:002011-04-25T13:39:53.664-07:00a royal fitHi. I'm just gonna complain for a while. Okay, here goes. <div><br /></div><div>Ever get that feeling where there is a giant bowling ball on your chest? You know, where the pressure is just so great that you can barely breath and you feel helpless because try as you might you can't lift the ball yourself? That's me. What's sad is that it's my husband too. He is putting on a major regional anesthesia conference for his residency program and no one wants to help. It happens once every 20 years here in Tucson, he is in charge and everyone is trying to get out of doing ANYTHING. It's awesome. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am feeling lost, scared, worried, stressed but most of all TIRED. Even thinking about my to-do list makes me want to crawl under my covers and take a nap. The fatigue settles in and I settle down, unable to do anything. People keep telling me it's okay to rest and relax and take it easy because I'm sick and I need to get well. They say not to worry about the laundry or the toilets or cooking dinner. I don't like doing nothing, I don't. I feel lazy and guilty but I still give in and take their advice hoping that they are right. That I really don't need to take care of any of my responsibilities because I am sick. It works for an hour or two while I'm napping but then I wake up and I feel even worse than I did before. I look at my bomb of a house, stuff my kids with more mac n cheese and realize, I am even deeper in than I was before. It doesn't get better when I sit down and stop and rest, it gets worse. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now I haven't even come to talk about the move. The unknown plans where everything, EVERYTHING down to the flights, the packing, the selling/renting, even the day we are going to leave is unknown. It feels sickening to me. I am good at "rolling with it." I really am. Not as good as Michael but better than the average woman. But this is WAY too much rolling. I can't handle all of the uncertainty anymore. Someone mail me a calender and a price breakdown and an itinerary. I can't do it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday in Relief Society our president taught a lesson and quoted a talk about a kindergartner. The little girl arrived on her first day and was asked to choose her favorite color crayon from a box and right her name. This task would be used as a competency exam. The little girls mother watched her daughter, who could easily write her name and even the names of all her family members, stand there frozen in front of the crayon box. She didn't speak or move or make any effort and was then led to a classroom where the teacher assured her she would learn to write her name. Frustrated by her daughters inability to perform a task that should have been easy, the mother brought up the incident on the car ride home to investigate. The little girl explained to her mother that she couldn't write her name with her favorite color crayon because there was no pink in the box. Our RS president then posed the question, have we ever just stood there when life's box of crayons didn't have any pink? When we are faced with challenges and trials, how do we react? I knew at that moment, and therefore wept until I got up and left early, that I have been standing there staring at a box full of crayons not doing anything because the pink was missing. Rather than choose a different color, I just stare and stare. It's tragic isn't it? My inability to adapt and take care of myself? Why haven't I dropped some of my classes? Why haven't I asked a friend for help watching my kids or cleaning up or packing? Why haven't I stayed home and cleaned as much as I can rather than running away to Target or the mall to escape the mess? Why? Why can't I just deal with it? </div><div><br /></div><div>Mess. That is the key word in this whole moment of self pity. I am a mess, my house is a mess, my brain is a mess, my kids are a mess. Mess. It's painfully true. Yesterday after the egg incident (if you don't know what I'm talking about check my FB page) I just walked back outside and cried. I sat down and thought. I can't do this. I don't know where to start, I don't want to start and I feel so guilty for doing something so incredibly asinine that all I want to do is disappear. Luckily, when Michael got home he was the exact opposite. He laughed and immediately got the broom. He scraped and scrubbed and swept with me till all of the egg was gone. What a blessing. A tender mercy. A wonderful man. But still, here I am on my couch, snotting it out on my blog because I just can't get it together. No, I'm not pregnant, no, I'm not on my period, that was last week. I am just incapable of dealing. Incapable of asking for help. Mess.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you can, pray for me. Pray that I can re find the strength that comes to all mothers in that miraculous moment their babies are born. Pray that I can choose a different color crayon. Pray that I can make me some friggin' lemonade cause right now, I'm seriously suckin' on some sour lemons. Pray that I can clean up this damned mess. </div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8397090384577196931.post-80133083547248581022011-04-22T11:09:00.000-07:002011-04-22T11:25:24.502-07:00and the beat goes onIt's been a while now since I got the mono diagnosis and I have to say that I am feeling a bit buggy it hasn't completely left me alone. It is true though, that I haven't really left my body alone so maybe it's more my fault than I want to take credit for. In fact, I'm positive that is true I just don't like to admit it. The cycle goes like this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Kat feels good-Kat teaches her own classes-Kat still feels good-Kat takes extra classes-Kat still feels okay and finds new music-Kat spends nap time simultaneously making bread and choreographing new songs-Kat feels not so good-Kat keeps going and even subs classes for other sick friends-Kat feels like total <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">shiz</span> and crashes-Kat cries and complains and asks, "why do I feel like total crap?!" all the while knowing the answer. Rinse <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">annnnnnd</span> REPEAT!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Self denial must be a talent and I must be the queen of this trade. I hate not feeling good, I hate knowing why I don't feel good and I hate that it's my own fault. I think I need to take a tip from Violet who takes a tip from me while yelling at her baby dolls to, "SIT DOWN!" But alas, I never was good at taking orders. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On that happy note, things are moving along swimmingly and by that I mean nothing new has happened. We haven't put our house on the market (to sell and lose $20,000 or not to sell and lose $20,000+ in the future?) found a moving company, found a new home in Hawaii or even chosen an exact date to leave. Um yeah, can you say <i>totally on the ball</i>? Ugh. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We did however rock the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pima</span> County Fair two nights in a row and let me tell you, the 60 bucks we spent was worth every penny. Roller coaster rides, bumper car craziness, evening <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ferris</span> wheel city <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">scapes</span> and one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">schwing</span> basketball shot made that adventure one of the best Tucson has ever offered. If I had pictures, I'd upload them. Please still love me even though I don't. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Peace out. </div>Kat Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559661757275796167noreply@blogger.com1