Walk, Walk, Walk...

This past Saturday my friend L and I went to Breckenridge Park to walk in the Alzheimer's Walk. When her grandfather passed away he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's - so we walk in honer of him - our team is called "Friends of Fred".



As always it's a blast, we get there, check in, get our shirts, walk around, get some breakfast, and then start the walk. It's not very long at all only 1.5 miles, so L asked if we could do it twice. I had NO problem with that - it was a nice day, warm but not dying hot, plus the park is nice and shady so it worked out perfect! So we ended up walking 3 miles total. When we got back to the base site it really just looked like we were slow and the last people to get back in.



To make everything even better, we brought her dog, Guido, along with us. L always has funny stories about him when they walk and how he will just stop, lay down and be done - sidewalk, peoples yards, etc... SO to be on the safe side I told her to bring her doggie backpack and I told her I would wear it while we walked, even if Guido decided he was done and wanted in. WELL - only a few people actually commented on it to our faces, who knows how many people said something when we couldn't hear them, but the ones who said something to us thought it was great! Guido did an awesome job walking the 3 miles and did not quit on us once! I'm sure it helped that when they set up water stations for the humans they also had set up bowls for the dogs also, they really thought ahead! ALSO at the base camp they had a little tent for the dogs - they gave away bandannas and a bag with some treats and a poop bag! It was awesome!




After we did our 3 miles and went back to base camp we took some pictures, walked around for a few minutes and then decided that Guido needed to be put in the backpack - tired or not! You knew that was coming, right? There is no was that I carried that thing around all morning and was NOT going to put that dog in the pack (not in a mean way - but a fun and happy way :)! So, we out him in, I put the backpack on and he chilled out. He didn't have any problems being in there. I'm pretty sure he was thinking "Why did I walk all the time when someone would have carried me around all day?"! He was cool with being the backpack while I had it on my back - BUT the thing also rolled!! So, we took it off and rolled him around in it as well. This wasn't on his happy list - he didn't bark or cry or anything but he was moving around a lot when before he was very still and relaxed. Thankfully for Guido we were done for the day and on our way to the car.







As we were leaving we were trying to think of some dog friendly places to we could go too. We ended up at Starbucks for some coffee and breakfast. Guido enjoyed this because I'm sucker for him - he loved the bagel I ended up getting and he also got some ice water to drink as well! So, all in all Guido ended up having a pretty awesome day with us!

After that we went out separate ways - L and Guido went home and I went to the BF's house to take a nap. I ended up sleeping a LOT longer then I wanted to but it felt great to catch up on some sleep. That night the BF and I went out with some friend and THAT is a whole different blog in it's self!

SO - next year we will be walking again. We are always looking for more people to walk with us - it's for a great cause and as you have read it's a very short walk. You don't even have to raise money BUT if you raise $100 then you get a shirt, I always put a high goal and usually only get the $100 but with things the way they are I'm happy with that. L's mom will be walking with us next year as well - it will be a great time and all for a good cause! Think about it and let me know!

Love,
KJ

Fall...

I've been seeing all the blogs that I follow talking about the Fall and how much they are loving the cooler temperatures and everything that comes along with that! I can tell you that I was starting to get jealous. I really do love Fall - the clothes, the smells, the decorating - everything about it. The problem is that I live in South Texas and don't you know that we don't believe in Fall or Winter?! Well, this year I guess the weather got the memo - right on the first day of Fall!!


Keep in mind this is NOT what Texas looks like in the fall, well, at least the part of Texas I live in - BUT when I think of fall this is what I think of and LOVE!

All Summer we have been in a horrible drought, praying for rain, 100+ temperatures for over 70 days in a row - it was horrible! I know I have complained about this a million times in this blog but I never realized how BAD it really was until this Summer. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE hot weather, the swimming, being outside and then going into a cool house/store, I know I'm weird but I'm alright with that. Well, I know I picked one of the hottest places in the country to live but this Summer, like I said before, was above and beyond anything that we could have prepared for. Well, look out because Fall decided that it was going to make an entrance this year!


This is sooo what were were starting/already look like - so dry, cracked ground - it was very, very bad this year


We have had days of rain this week - and now for a couple weeks in a row! That's a HUGE deal when there was NO rain for soooo long! I always make fun of the weather people down here - I love that they tell us a "cold" front is going to come down, especially when it's not even October yet. Usually the "cold" front will put us in the mid 80's, something much, much better then the high 90's - 100's but that's not cold - that's cool! Well, they got it right this week!! For the past 3 days the highs have been in the mid 60's! Can you believe it?? Because I can't - I'm still in shock!! 60 degrees in September, usually we don't hit that until the beginning of November!! All week I have been wearing jeans, long sleeved t-shirts, and even a jacket at work (I still work in the Arctic circle when the boss is around - cold outside or hot, it doesn't matter it's ALWAYS cold in this office). I love that people think that we are going to freeze though. I know that living so far South you have thinner blood due to the fact the Summer's are SO hot - our bodies need to keep cool - so when it hits 60 degrees very, very fast (think at least a 30 degree temp change in a matter of hours)we get very, very cold. BUT I do not think that people need to be out wearing PARKAS with fur on the hoods!! It's not snowing nor do we have any kind of freeze warnings going on. It's just chilly and this is coming from someone who does NOT like the cold at all!


It's so amazing to go from the yucky, dry conditions to now seeing GREEN grass and trees again! LOVE IT

It does all make me wonder though - do you think we will keep our fall like weather and it's time to put away all the tank-tops and shorts or do you think that next week (like the weather man has predicted) we will go back into our 90 degree weather and this was just our long deserved break from the heat?? What do I think? I think the weather man will be right - this is way to soon in the season for us to be so chilly, I think that I'm going to keep my summer clothes out for just a little while longer and hope that I'm wrong. BUT I'm going to take advantage of this great weather and perfect night time snuggling with the windows open with my love. I'm going to soak up all the little kids, birds, animals in general playing outside in the puddles and mud.



So, for those of you who are lucky and have really started Fall and know that your summer is officially over - soak it up because at the rate the years have been passing it will be Summer all over again and we will have wondered where the wonderful Fall had gone to so fast!

Love,
KJ

*These pictures were "borrowed" off the Internet from people that I don't know - I am not claiming them as my own - fyi!

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in.
--------------

I've been really, really bad at taking pictures these days, not sure why. I always have my camera with me but I just haven't gotten around to it. Maybe it's because I've gotten lazy recently, maybe it's something I can't explain, maybe it's just a little bit of both... not sure, but I know that this week I'm going to try very hard to put my thinking cap back on and grab my camera!



Have you ever REALLY looked at God's creations? How amazing each on is? How things can be SO different and there is still SO much out there that we are not even aware of. I love this guy - if you're not sure what he is, it's a Jelly-Fish. It was the coolest thing ever. He was in a very dark bowl and he was lighting up with neon lights - all of God's creation, this was not man made or man messed with! I have to say that even though Jelly-Fish freak me out because they can sting you I am still very, very interested in them. How they have NO bones, just "mush" :). I love how God can make these amazing creatures and they all have a purpose for their being. It is all amazing to me!

I hope you have an amazing Friday and a great weekend! Come back tomorrow for a very rare Saturday post (I'm working on it now ;)!! AND don't forget to join in on Fingerprint Fridays!!

Love,
KJ

Tag - I'm it!

My Bloggy and real life friend, Clare tagged me with a fun quiz. Enjoy!



1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:45 but didn't get out of bed until 7!

2. How do you like your steak? Medium

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? I Love You Man - great movie!

4. What is your favorite TV show? Brothers and Sisters, Grey's, NCIS, and so many, many more - I'm a TV junkie!

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? I'm not 100% sure but some place I can fall again, spring and summer but no winters, does this place even exist?

6. What did you have for breakfast? Water and a Kashi bar

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Italian

8. What foods do you dislike? Black Olives - but I love green ones!

9. Favorite Place to Eat? Panera

10. Favorite dressing? Hidden Valley and Dorthy Lynch, together. <--- I always forget about this mixture until I go home and spend time with Clare and her mom, then I always remember how much I LOVE it!

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? 2000 Altima

12. What are your favorite clothes? Jeans and a hoodie or a long sleeved t-shirt with flips!

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Ireland

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? I really would like to say 1/2 full but sometimes it is 1/2 empty - it depends on the day and my mood

15. Where would you want to retire? Hmm, I'm not sure - but some place great!

16. Favorite time of day? After work, when I can go home, make dinner and just relax with my love

17. Where were you born? Topeka, KS

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? College Football

19. Bird watcher? Not so much

20. Are you a morning person or a night person? I'm more of a morning then night person - but I love the nights when I know I don't have to get up in the morning!

21. Do you have any pets? Yep, Bailey and Tux

22. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Not right now... maybe in the feature

23. What did you want to be when you were little? A teacher, a mom, a doctor - so many times my mind has changed - even to this day

24. What is your best childhood memory? Summer vacations with my dad to Wisconsin to visit his sister and my cousins.

25. Are you a cat or dog person? More of a dog fan but I love my cat also!

26. Are you married? Nope

27. Always wear your seat belt? Yes, and you will never find me without one!

28. Been in a car accident? Yes - way to many to even count anymore

29. Any pet peeves? People who don't pay attention when they drive, it's scare to see a car coming right for you because they just aren't paying attention!

30. Favorite Pizza Topping? Ham and pineapple <--- Clare, we have WAY to much in common, it's like we have known each other for like 20 years or something! :)

31. Favorite Flower? Lillie's

32. Favorite ice cream? Cookies 'n Cream

33. Favorite fast food restaurant? Chick-fil-a or Taco Bell

34. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Zero

35. From whom did you get your last email? Not sure - already deleted everything and read everything that I should have

36. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Target

37. Do anything spontaneous lately? Hmm, nope

38. Like your job? I do, but I'm interested on where it will take me after a few more years

39. Broccoli? Steamed

40. What was your favorite vacation? There have been so many great ones these days - Dallas and Corpus with Alan, the Cruise with Lou Lou, going home for Fiona's 1st birthday!! I can't choose just one, I loved them all

41. Last person you went out to dinner with? Alan

42. What are you listening to right now? NCIS: LA <--- listening to it at work since I missed it last night!

43. What is your favorite color? Pink!

44. How many tattoos do you have? 2

45. Coffee Drinker? Yep, but not everyday

46.What time did you finish this quiz? 9:13 am

I'm supposed to tag people who I want to do this BUT I really don't know anyone besides Clare and Tina in the Bloggy world - SO, my task for you - if you read my blog and I don't know you - leave me a comment and tell me about you and then go back and do this fun little quiz and tag your friends!

Love,
KJ

Not Me, Monday!!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.




I of course am not sitting here, on this wonderful Monday morning... not thinking what I should post in a Not Me! Monday... I ALWAYS know what I should put!

I am of course NOT thinking about how I STILL have not put up the rest of my cruise pictures. I am always on top of everything and never, ever put off anything to the last minute, ever!

This weekend was not good or bad all at the same time. The weekends of course are always filled with great times and sleeping in!

I of course did not celebrate a 1/2 was to St. Patrick's Day event this weekend. I of course did not get referred to being the NEW member a million times, even after being a member of this group for 2 years now. I was not asked if I was three different people's wife (at different times of course) just because I was sitting there having a conversation with a man.

I did not love every single moment of the Hooley (the party, that's what it's called), watching the dancers, eating great food, being with friends, and just being involved with a great organization in general!

Sunday of course was great! I did not get to Church, have something happen (WAY to embarrassing to tell, if it did happen and all), and then WAIT until everyone was IN Church to leave. That way I didn't have to talk to anyone and tell them what WASN'T going on. I was not embarrassed at all!!

I of course I did not get home, have a little break down because life just seemed to not be going my way... CVS of course does everything right, Church was crazy, and my mind was just in overload. BUT you know that didn't happen because even if my mind is in overload I can ALWAYS handle what is going on, no breakdowns for me!! :)

What did you NOT do this week? Want to share with us? Then go and link up to MckMama's blog and let us know!!

Have a great Monday!!
Love,
KJ

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in.
--------------



8 years ago today I was in college, getting out of my first call of the day trying to get to my work on campus job at the LAC. It was closed, I couldn't figure out way. I walked down the hall towards the computer lab to see if anyone knew what was going on. I just happened to look into a class room and I saw the news on. I saw a plane heading towards tower two, but I had no idea what was going on. I had no idea what class was supposed to be going on but I didn't care, no one seemed to care that I had gone into that class room, sat my things down on the floor and watched with the TV. I still wasn't putting two and two together, BUT I knew that something was wrong, that I NEEDED to be there, that I HAD to watch. I saw those buildings collapse, I saw the mass confusion, I saw the panic. The panic wasn't just where those planes crashed but right there, in that classroom. I live in a very, very military oriented city... there is a base right across the street from that University. What if these people picked our city next... it was one of the worse feelings that I have ever, ever lived through, the not knowing what is going to happen next. There was a lot of panic, trying to figure out the day, trying to make everyone safe, in case something did happen to our city.

Other things were going on at the same time to make it even worse for me... my brother lives in Upper state New York, he is a firefighter, I didn't know if they were going to call people in from that far North, because they needed people there, in the city that badly. My dad was driving across the country... from Kansas to New York to Washington State... I couldn't remember what side he started on, it was the end of the trip... was in he NY or was he in Washington. No one would answer phones, no one could figure out where or what my family was doing. I know that I will never feel the same what those people did, that KNEW their loved ones were in that building but I know some of the panic that happened, again, the not knowing. I finally got a hold of my other brother... he found my family, he made me calm, he knows me and how to do that. He told me they were fine and J was not going to The City. He told me to watch the news, for ME to stay safe, to pray for those who didn't know, the damn not knowing again!

BUT in the hurting, the NOT KNOWING something happened. Our government forgot that there were sides, our nation forgot that we didn't like each other... we stopped. We looked at God and we trusted in him. We looked at our leaders, put our faith and trust in them, praying that we will fix this. We came together as one, something I have not seen in my short life. God showed us that we could become one even though a major tragedy. That we could unite, protect our country, forgot that we are all "different". It was something that amazed me... it's hard, still to this day, for me to say that God was there. BUT I know he was, he was with those people, holding their hands.... I still morn for those who lost their lives, who lost loved ones, who lost everything that day. I pray to God that he holds them a little tighter every year on this day. I can't imagine that suffering, year after year.

I also need to say a big thank you with in all the morning to all the military that service this country. They are the ones that stepped up, that fought to make sure that the bad people knew that they got through once, but it will NEVER happen again. That so many more have given their lives or put their live right there in danger to make us safe once again. They are Gods gift to us, to protect us here in the country.



Take a moment today to say thank you to our military for every thing they have done for us. Also, say a little prayer for those who are not with us anymore and for those who will suffer everyday due to loosing their loved ones. I know I will!

Love,
KJ

Vacation Recap... Day 1!

So, I've been slacking. Partly due to catching up to work, partly due to the fact that I'm convinced that I'm dying (not really, but to those who don't know... I have BAD allergies, year round, and since I've seen an allergist on a regular time frame I've been great... that is until the rain *yup, we got some rain, but that is a whole different long side note* and the mold... they together will be the death of me), and finally partly due to the fact I'm just lazy!!


Our awesome cruise ship

Well, now it's time to play catch up and hope that I can remember all the awesome things that happened and that I'm so sad is slowly drifting away to the past! If you remember this post I let you know that I was going to Cozumel, Mexico. I was lucky enough that my friend L invited me along. There were 16 people total that went along for the "ride". L and I, her mom and dad, her aunt and uncle, then some other family members and some family friends. They were an awesome group of people, it was so great to get to know all of them!


Some of the girls on the trip

On Wednesday, L and I left for Galveston... it was a fun little car trip. We stopped at Bucce's, stoped to get some dinner, and managed to miss the crazy traffic in Houston. When we got to Galveston, we met up with some of her family at the hotel, hung out at the pool while drinking a couple beers, then headed up to bed. I soooo did not sleep very well, I was WAY to excited to be leaving. There was WAY to much going on in my head!!

Thursday morning we got up, walked down the road got a great breakfast, then walked back to the hotel to get our things together. We took two cars, one for people, one for bags (the immediate group we were with)... it worked out PERFECT!! After all of that we got into line to get all our things for the ship, got on, and just hung out on the deck while everyone else was getting on. It was nice, drinks were being served along with lunch, people exploring the ship, just relaxing! The ship took off right on time, we said goodbye to Galveston and hit the open seas!


Goodbye Galveston

That night we hung around, seeing what kind of things we had available. We were lucky and had early dinner (at 6 pm... late dinner was at 8:15) so, we went to get dressed for dinner, enjoyed meeting our waiters for the couple of days we would be seeing them, and had a great dinner. My first impression was that it was sooo much better then I thought it was going to be, this impression never left. After dinner we went and changed back into comfy cloths, walked around... found the awesome neon/piano bar, watched a show, and just hung out.


L and I at dinner the frist night


The Pink Elephant in the Neon/Paino Bar


It was a fun and exciting first day on a cruise... that's about the first day in a nut shell... more to come tomorrow :)

Love,
KJ

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in.
***********************************************************************************

I'm a slacker, I know! BUT I plan on getting up the trip details... day by day (aren't you sooo excited) along with pictures of course! Until then, Happy Fingerprint Friday!!
************************************************************************************



God has once again amazed me with the beauty he gives us in this world.
I do not think I have ever, ever seen turquoise water before (except at Six Flags, but that's not real) until this trip to Cozumel, Mexico. It was soooo pretty!! I used to think that the Gulf of Mexico was gross and dirty because all I had seen were the parts in Galveston and Corpus Christi, Texas... it's not dirty because of pollution but because of run off from rivers and streams (another amazing thing by God...). BUT to see this water when we woke up that morning, to walk down the pier next to it was amazing. SO breath taking! I can't wait to see more of what God has put on this Earth for us to enjoy and love...

Happy Fingerprint Friday!!

Love, KJ