My Favorite Pen

The S.K.B. SB-1000 Pen



I found one of these pens in my penholder which I'm sure was probably kidnapped from my mom's house from one of her many pen stashes. It doesn't look like anything spectacular. Just a regular pen. Right? But I LOVE it. About a year ago I lost it. I was devastated. I couldn't remember the brand. Just what it looked like and how much I loved it. I searched and searched. Wal*Mart, Porters, K*Mart, Staples, Office Max... no bueno. No favorite pen.

My friend called me after it had been MIA for a couple weeks and told me she had been cleaning out her car and asked if it was mine. It was! A miracle! I'm surprised she didn't just take it inside to stash with their pens - seriously, it looks like it's nothing special. But, I love it. Blue, super fine point, makes my handwriting look better than it usually does and fits more letters onto a line. It's awesome. Christmas is coming up, so is March 6. And I love colors. Hint, Hint ;)

http://www.skbpens.com/

Pumpkin Carving

It's October! My favorite season deserves a post, huh? :) 

Last night for FHE we carved pumpkins. I started gutting out a pumpkin and saw a kid in my ward standing around watching.  I asked him if he wanted to pick out a design for the one I was working on. He did. It became a VW Bus. Super cool. :)

PS - I'm not sickly. I forgot to put make-up on. Whoops! :o How did that slip my mind?

The license plate has our initials, "J K" :)

Man I like boys... I sure am going to miss them  :-/ ;)

The Good Life

AKA - "Catching Up". In April I took a vacation to visit Heidi and fam in Nebraska. Woot woot! :D

My trip commenced with a countryside scenic tour across the lands of Wyoming and Nebraska. The company was excellent:

(Yeah, that's the Old Testament she's reading. By choice, too. Smart little girl.)

It was a very comfortable, roomy ride.

Or not... given the option though, I'd take less leg space any day for snacks! :D

Once we got to Nebraska, there were lots of fun things to do. Like, watch Allie play soccer

read Talia books (she's so cute!!),

tornado preparation,

and play at the park!

Wayne is a beautiful city and I loved driving around and looking at the beautiful houses and buildings.

Heidi also drove us around and we explored a lot of cool places!

Mmm! I love me some peanut butter!

The technology in Nebraska (or was it Iowa?) is a little stunted. Where I come from we are a spoiled. We only need one button.

Whenever I travel I always find me a man! Unfortunately, they are never real. Maybe that's why they are so agreeable. 

All good things must come to an end. But only in favor of different, good things. Bye Nebraska. Hello, Utah. (My first solo airplane ride. I'm a traveling rock star. I did kind of hope I'd get lost and find myself in Louisiana. No luck though.) 

Thanks Heidi for letting me come stay with you!! Can't wait until I get to come again :D

I Crossed My Last Stich!

For this project at least. Remember when I started these over a year ago...? :) They're all done. If my optimistic thinking is right [ If I cross-stich it, he will come] Mr. Amazing Eternity Manly Man will be coming along any day now. Like, tomorrow. Or yesterday.... Or whenever. Whenever is fine too... :o

(PS - Don't mind the wrinkles. I was too lazy to get out the iron. ;) )

I now will commence on my hunt for fabric and quilting designs! AND!! I'll finally bust out the sewing machine I got for my birthday last year. :D I'm not going to lie, the idea of me actually sewing a quilt intimidates me a little. (Maybe a lot.) How hard can it be? It's all straight lines, right? I think it will be one of those "Bilbo Baggins/Striker" moments for me.

Things usually aren't as hard or as bad as I think they will be. I find that I am capable of a lot more than I think I am, and it really isn't that bad! At all :) Fear, it's one of the greatest tools of the adversary, perhaps even tops the list. Being uncomfortable is where change happens.

Wish me luck!! And quilting tips. :)

Yes, Please :)

Learning to Be Alone

As a LDS single 25 and 1/2 year old, I've spent a lot of time being alone. At times I despise it. I may or may not cry. ;) Yet, when I look back with the added perspective of understanding and the gospel I am very grateful for this time that I have had to become myself. I have always believed that before a woman become a wife or a mother, she needs to become some one.

Looking back on the valleys of my trials perched upon the hills of my time and experience, I see in myself a growth and strength that would not have happened had I been blessed with "Da Man" before now. There's a lot. I blab enough as it is. I won't get into that lengthy list here. I'll just mention one. I've learned to be alone. And like it. :) Maybe a little bit too much at times. :0 ;) "I'm alone, but I ain't lonely". I like being free. Doing what I want, when I want.

It occurred to me that when I do get married, there will be times when we must be alone together.... if that makes sense. I'll be prepared to avoid a taxing adversarial relationship with my spouse. There's a lot going into this thought. About 3 jlog entries. Or more. I lose track. :) Suffice that to be it. And enjoy the following movie clip! :)

Anna Banana

Anna and I in preschool.

Anna's first bus ride!! :D

The Greatest Force on Earth

{It's been brought to my attention twice in the last week that it's been awhile since I've written. Thanks Ma. And Annj. (Hehe, Anndrea's comment: "You still have a blog?"). For you.}

Love.

I'm not talking about the romantical type either. I'm thinking about perfect love. The kind the scriptures refer to as the greatest. It casteth out all fear. It never fails. Ever.

I officially started my para-professional job this week. I met Anna and Katrina (Anna's mother) at their home. I rode with them to school, attended preschool, and rode home with them.

It was an excellent first day for her. She was happy. She made gleeful sounds. It brings a smile to my face to think that she was experiencing something new and felt joy.

Let's visit Katie's life about 4-ish year ago. A couple months before I graduated college I walked past the Clark building on campus. Through the window I watched as a student, most likely an E.C.S.E. major (my major before I switched to art) helped a young child in leg braces with a little walker. I paused for a moment observing the scene before me. As I did, hot tears burned my eyes as I realized that had I not changed my major, that student could have been me. I could be the one making difference in a small child's life. I could be the one to support this small physically challenged child. Yet, I wasn't. I was going to point my camera at people, tell them to smile, then click the shutter.

I walked away from the window full of sorrow. I had given up my opportunity to aid this child and many others. Or so I thought. A couple weeks ago I received a call from the school district. The principal of a local elementary school invited me to assist a girl one-on-one named Anna. Immediately I recognized the opportunity the Lord had given me once again to aid a child with special needs. This blessing brings happiness into my soul.

A little background about Anna. Anna was adopted at birth. She was a healthy, beautiful baby girl. Or so everyone thought. At her two month check-up, her head measured larger than average. A few tests revealed that she had hydrocephalus. A condition of excessive fluid around the brain. More tests dropped an even bigger bomb. Anna didn't have a brain, or rather she had a brain but it had stopped growing and developing.

There are many difficulties for Anna as a result of these issues. She has cerebral palsy. She has a vp shunt. She is small. (Though, don't let her size deceive you. She is very study and quite heavy.) She seizures often. She has acid reflux (as in she throws up daily, multiple times). She's in diapers. She has a slow response, if any. She is fed a very specialized diet, mostly through a g-tube. So much to remember. Including medicines, medical equipment, and medical bills. I have no idea how much her parents pay out of pocket or how much help they get from insurance or the government.

Anna also exhibits many strengths. She is content. She is calm. She is loving. She has very good muscle tone. While the part of her brain that processes information is stunted, her brain stem and cerebellum are healthy. She can see and hear, she just can't process the information she receives.

I won't lie. Thoughts such as, "Why do they work so hard to keep her alive? She's hard to take care of, she's expensive, time and energy consuming, etc. Can she really even understand what is going on?" These questions and more have gone through my mind. She's just one person.

Just one person. Just one person?! She is a daughter. A beloved daughter of God. A beloved daughter of her saintly adoptive parents. She is divine. She has a mission. She is beautiful. She's just different. She's her own mold. And I love her already.

It surprised me when I first felt this definite feeling inside me for Anna. I had only spent one day with her. Yet, already my heart was growing for her. What a tender mercy. He has softened my heart of my doubts as well as my fears so that I can love her without hesitation.

I know that this job will be challenging. Yet love makes it easier. I am excited to work with her and allow her to teach me. I pray that my heart will be open, my spirit responsive, to learn all I can from her. I pray that my mind and actions will be intuitive to give her the best care I possibly can.

Love is not that googly-eyed look I thought it was while growing up on Disney movies. Love is not a feeling or an emotion. Love is an action. A motivator. A power. A force.

Speaking of growing up on Disney movies...a few months ago, I visited a friend and Disney's 'The Sword in the Stone' was playing in the room. There was some dialogue between Merlin and Arthur that piqued my attention. Arthur and Merlin had just had their run in with the enraptured girl squirrels. {Tehe. :)} They are walking away when Merlin comments, "You know lad, that love business is a powerful thing". Arthur then asks, "Greater than gravity?" Merlin's response (love it!):

"Well, yes, boy. In it's way, I'd say, yes, it's the greatest force on earth."

I hear that, Merlin. :)

Rosie and Dr. Deth, D.D.S.

Another Halloween has come and gone. How I love this holiday. Today I will be short on words and long on pictures.

Laura and I attended a Murder Mystery Dinner. These are always fun. We get to dress up AND eat? "What?" * Psych fist bump *

Whoops! Didn't get the guy on the right in the frame. :o :)

I found out I look hot in a lab coat ;)

And that I also need to get some lip liner because have a blurry lip line...

My Halloween costume turned out great. (Thanks J for letting me borrow your coveralls! :) )

I thought everyone would pick up who I was imitating. I was proven wrong 87% of the time. I had plenty of people think I was a carpenter... or a plumber?! Really people? She's an ICON! ;) "Uncultured Swine!" Hehe. (PS - Can you name the movie?)

It just wouldn't be Halloween without Laura and my Pumpkin Pancake Guess the Shape Break Break! 3rd Annual. Although we aren't ready to be in any beauty pageants, at least we were picture appropriate this year :)

One is most definitely secure in herself when she is willing to post pictures of herself in superhero jammies, unkept hair and no make up... then again, I have about 3 readers. Give or take 1. And they've most likely already seen me in a similar fashion numerous times.

Flames

Playing with fire is fun! One of my favorite outdoor activities is cozying up near the fire at night, watching the flames and embers and roasting a 'mallow or two. Last night I had my camera handy at a friend's house. I took a few pictures. I must say I liked how a couple of them turned out! :)

All of these pictures are SOOC. In other words, no editing to the colors or textures. However, I did crop them to my liking.

Cool colors, yeah!? I'm not sure what chemical Stark threw on the fire to color the flames blue, green, purple, yellow, and pink... but it sure was pretty!

We also threw little magnesium shavings in the fire. I loved what it did to the texture of the flames. They also ignited bright white too. So cool :)

I want to get some of these printed on metallic paper... sweetness!

Stark also threw together a little fountain firework for our enjoyment. I missed the first one with my camera. No worries though. He just whipped up another :)

This kid loves having his portrait taken in any situation. Definitely the most atypical behavior of most guys I know.

Max too -

Last week Stark's fire venture was disposing of some polyethylene glycol (anti-freeze ;) ) and used car oil. Stark and his friend, Warren, invited me out to see and participate in their methods of disposal.

Good times :)

So little time...

This is my bed stand.

As you can see, soon I should be in the market to buy a taller lamp so all of the books I am currently reading can fit beneath the lamp shade. I love books. I love reading. I love learning. Regardless of how many books I read, my "To Read" list is always longer than my "Have Read" list.

The other day my boss came in and plopped down a bunch of books on my desk.

I inquired of him, "You want me to read all of these?"

"Readers are leaders, and learners are earners" was his reply. I take that as a yes. Not that I mind. Every time I talk to him he has another book for me. "Oh, Katie! That's a good point you brought up. I have a book for you to read." Haha. Love it.

With that said, I gotta go. Les Miserables is staring at me. I told my self I couldn't start another book until I finished this one. Because, as you have seen, I've got a hundred more titles waiting.

(PS, Les Miserables is amazing. I Highly recommend it. :) )

Grandpa's Record Players

Some of my family showed interest in Grandpa's portrait at the family reunion. Here's an whole album for your enjoyment. If you would like a print, comment or send me an email. :)