2/28/11 Crazy Straws

Don't they just make drinking anything fun? Same with umbrellas. They make my drink seem so fancy.

I am thankful for crazy straws.

kk

2/27/11 Frankie

I really enjoy listening to my tape of Frank Sinatra's greatest hits while driving. I sing very loud. It makes my driving home from rehearsal late at night more enjoyable.

I am thankful for Frank Sinatra.

kk

2/26/11 What a sight

Tonight I got home to water gushing forth from my backyard spigot. Mom and I had wrapped the faucets but it was just spewing out anyway. So I pulled off the wrapping and tried to shut it off more. The more the faucet was closed, the worse the water was. The more I turned the water "on," the less that came out. I couldn't find the shut off lever anywhere in the garage and i didn't want to shut the water off to the house at the curb so I called 911. The fire station is literally 7 blocks from my house so they were there in, like, 2 minutes! They couldn't turn it off either. (I know, I already tried that) They couldn't find the shut off in the garage, despite being able to hear it running. (I know, I looked there too guys) So they crawled under my house and found the switch. Hooray! And luckily, despite having my water shut off, it was only the water to that faucet so I still have water to the house. I can deal with the outside water when the weather warms up, and it isn't on a weekend. Why does that kind of stuff always break on a Friday night? I think appliances and emergency repair maintenance things are in cahoots with the companies that are hired to repair them. Watch it faucet. I've got my eye on you.

Today I am especially thankful that I still have water to my house.

kk

2/25/11 To the Beach! ... Eventually

After work today, Jason, Ethan, and I headed out to Cannon Beach. The pass was snowy and icy and so people were driving incredibly slowly so it took us some time to get there. But when we arrived we walked on the beach, listened to the ocean, ran up and around the dunes, and played hide-and-seek. And there was hardly anyone there. Of course, that was also because it was freezing and by the time we got back to the car my face and hands hurt. I think I started whimpering. But we got to watch some of the sunset on the beach and it was gorgeous. It is something to see with Haystack Rock right there.

Today I am thankful for my time at Cannon Beach and watching the sunset.

kk

2/24/11 Not a lot

There hasn't been much snow this year. A pretty lame showing actually. Lots of cold and rain. But driving today there was the remnants of the snow on the branches of leafless trees. Just a light dusting. But it sure made everything super pretty. The roads were clear and dry so driving was easy but the lawns and trees were still covered. Beautiful.

I am thankful for the beautiful snow we have today.

kk

2/23/11 Joke Gifts

Isn't it great when somebody buys you something as a joke and then it turns out to be one of the best gifts you've ever gotten?

It is so cold in the theatre that I am wearing multiple layers as well as having a blanket covering my lap, and now my Snuggie. Erika bought me one for Christmas last year because I was always so cold. It was super funny and the commercials are so lame, but they are awesome. It helps keep me so warm. And I am so stylish in my Cheetah print. Ha!

I am thankful for my Snuggie.

kk

2/22/11 Salmon

I really like Salmon. It is a delicious fish. I like it cooked and I like it smoked. I like it a lot. Yum.

I am thankful for Salmon.

kk

2/21/11 Borders

While sitting on the floor of the children's books section of borders today I was able to revisit some books I had really enjoyed as a child and read some new ones too. There are some lame books available now that are just cartoons turned into books but there are also so many great books out there. I read a very hilarious story about how humans make bad pets. That was funny. I read some Amelia Bedelia and some Morris the Moose. I should pull out my kid's books and read The Berenstain Bears or Mrs. Piggle Wiggle too. It was a lot of fun to read those books and take a trip down memory lane. They were so fun to read then and, really, they still are.

I am thankful for good children's books.

kk

2/20/11 Careers for Pioneers

Today I visited Lewis and Clark for something called "Careers for Pioneers." It wasn't around when I was in school but I think it is a very good idea. Today, alumni met with current seniors and talked about how to get a job after graduation. People even attended mock interviews. I like being able to go and help out since I can't donate anything financially. I've got time and knowledge so I can do that. I did it in the fall and had a good time and today was good as well. Not as great as the first time but still ok. I think I will have to pick another table next time. There isn't a good category for "sign language interpreter/professional actor"... But I am enjoying being back on campus and being involved. Maybe I should look into the board of alumni. I thought about it in the fall. I would have to check into the time commitment but I think it sounds like fun.

Today I am thankful for Careers for Pioneers.

kk

2/19/11 Tom

Tom Mounsey orders his local organic produce through a company called spud.com. His recent order included a free pair of women's exercise pants from Lucy. You can exchange them for a size that fits you or for anything else in the store of equal or lesser value. The thing is, Lucy only makes women's clothes. So Tom gave them to me. I am wearing them right now. I think the look good, they fit well, and are very comfortable. Thank you Tom. It was such a surprise to get them and I needed a new pair. And I definitely could not have afforded these. And I've always wanted something from Lucy. What a great day. He even gave me the nice cloth tote bag they came in. Tom is awesome.

I am thankful for Tom Mounsey and his generous gift.

kk

2/18/11 Phineas and Ferb

I had never seen Phineas and Ferb before. Ethan, and Jason, both really like it. Now, I am a big fan of cartoons and thoroughly enjoy Spongebob Squarepants. I think the fact that I watched cartoons instead of "real" shows annoyed John. Because I would. He would come home to me watching Saturday morning cartoons. I find a lot of cartoons more entertaining. Maybe it is because I grew up without a television in the house. Maybe I'm stuck in a state of trying to make up for my past. Anyway, Jason and I watched an episode. After Ethan had gone to bed. Do other people do this? It was pretty good. I need to do some more research of course and watch more episodes before I truly make up my mind. But how can you not like a show that has a platypus for a pet? That also happens to be a secret agent? I ask you, how?

I am thankful for cartoons.

kk

2/17/11 Training Video

Today I found out I was cast in a medical training video. Exciting. It would be better if I wasn't playing the role of ASL interpreter but that is ok too.

I am thankful for my recent casting.

kk

2/16/11 Snow

This winter has been lame. I don't even need to go into it. But it was fun to see the snow start falling this morning. It didn't stick and it didn't last. I wish it had. That would have been super fun. It is so fun when we get it because it is pretty rare. I don't want to live in a place where it snows a lot, for several months on end. But I do like at least a showing of it once a year. Today was not quite what I was hoping for but it was fun still the same.

I am thankful for snow.

kk

2/15/11 Finders Keepers

I do a lot of checking, but I am very good at finding money. I have sharp eyes and I look for it. I am the person who will pick up a penny. Growing up I found money at the post office often. Stamp machines, phone booths, newspaper stands. One time I found a 20-dollar bill in a parking lot. For a kid that was a lot of money. Heck, if I found that today I would think that was a lot to find.

I have been finding a lot of change these past few days. Phone booths aren't very popular anymore now that people have cell phones. It seems like I don't see very many newspaper stands either. This severely limits the amount of places I can look for change. But I still look and I am always excited when I find some. Funny.

I am thankful for finding money. With enough change maybe I can buy a gallon of gas...

kk

2/14/11 Fudgy

I am thankful for brownies. They are delicious. But not the cake kind. The dense fudge kind.

kk

2/13/11 Toys R Us

Ryan Osterman was in my honors classes in junior high and high school. I didn't really know him too well. I think maybe he was too cool for me and I was pretty shy. But I did know him, so when I saw him at Toys R Us looking at board games down the aisle from where my mom and I were, I went over and bumped into him. Thus started the beginning of our relationship. Suddenly he noticed me and was interested. Sadly for him, it took awhile for me to become interested but then Ryan became the first person I dated. And it is all traced back to a toy store.

Anyway I was reminded of this memory because I was in a Toys R Us today with Jason and his son Ethan looking for some toys for Ethan. I played with multiple sizes of balls and Ethan rode on some interactive bicycle game thingie, all three of us took a turn on some platform thing with wheels that you kneel on and steer. I don't know what it was called, but it was fun. I really enjoy playing with games in the store. I think I've also played ball with Erika in a Fred Meyer before. Games are fun.

I am thankful for playing with the various games available in toy stores. Whee!

kk

2/12/11 Arts and Crafts

I miss making arts and crafts. I made my valentines today. Shopped for special paper and pulled out my supplies. I opened my box with all my card making supplies and it reminded me how much I enjoy doing artsy things and haven't been able to do them as of late. Always working too much. If anyone knows how I can become independently wealthy so I can just act and then work for fun, let me know. I'd have much more time to do the things I want to. Thank you.

I am thankful for being able to take the time today to make something creative.

kk

2/11/11 Opening Night Galas

I took my mother to the opening night of "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" at A.R.T. tonight. I had recently been to the opening of "Superior Donuts" and they had a super spread of goodies after. Tonight was the same. Fancy cheese and crackers. Fruit. Guinness and wine. I really like when a theatre puts on a great opening night gala. People mingle and talk about the show. People enjoy themselves and enjoy the food and beverages being served. I certainly do. Yum.

I am thankful for great opening night galas.

kk

2/10/11 Chef

I love to bake. This is a fact that has been established. I am not a big fan of cooking. Also previously established. I cook for myself when I have to. I will cook for someone else when it is a special occasion. Funny, I used to cook every night for my ex-husband. I do have to say that I really appreciate it when dinner is made for me. I'm good at breakfast and lunch, but dinners are so hard. I am so lucky to have so many people that enjoy cooking that take care of me and feed me.

I am thankful for having dinner prepared for me.

kk

2/9/11 Fancy Cars

I love my CR-V, and my next car will be another CR-V. But a newer, fancier one. One with heated seats. My mom's Subaru has some. Jason just bought a new car and his has them. They are probably the best invention in a car. I'd take them over a cup holder. They are my new best friend. The other thing that is nice about a heated seat compared with just blasting the heat is that I can have the heated seat on and I feel better but other people aren't taking off their clothes and complaining that my car is like a desert and they are dying of dehydration. I won't be getting a new car for awhile so I have to just work at convincing Jason to drive everywhere...

I am thankful for heated seats.

kk

2/8/11 Vampires

I am currently eating uber healthy. Which means virtually no carbohydrates and very small portions. I eat 6 times a day, every 2-3 hours, but I vacillate between hungry and very hungry. I never feel comfortably full. My stomach doesn't rumble and I don't have hunger pains but I sure would like to eat butter and chocolate and bread and oil with balsamic vinegar and cookies and other delicious things. So while I eat all my lean and green dishes I have found that garlic certainly does make them all taste that much better. I don't feel too bland.

I have always liked garlic. I remember I went to a Halloween party that a friend of mine from college was having many years ago. Maybe six even. John was working at the station so I went by myself. I think I ate an entire bulb of roasted garlic with Gorgonzola cheese on some kind of bread. It was delicious. I couldn't get enough. The next morning John got home and came to say good morning to me as I lay in bed. He got close enough to almost give me a kiss hello and then reeled back telling me how bad I stunk as garlic seeped through my pores. It was pretty funny. Good thing he wasn't there the night before. Mmmmm, garlic.

I am thankful for garlic.

kk

2/7/11 Fun Yet Productive

I am currently in rehearsals for "Lend Me a Tenor" and Lakewood Theatre Company in Lake Oswego. It is such a funny show and we have a great cast of people as well as a super director. What is so great about this show and it's rehearsal process for me is that we joke, we laugh, we have fun and tell funny stories, but we still get work done. We are able to get a lot accomplished while really having a good time. Not all rehearsals are like this and to have a true gem of an experience is rare and very much appreciated.

I am so thankful for the fun I have at rehearsal with this group of folks!

kk

2/6/11 Thank you

My mother worked very hard to instill the concept of thank you notes. The rule was we had to send them to anyone we weren't able to thank in person. We grudgingly sent them out for gifts we received for high school graduation, and to relatives in Chicago when we received Christmas presents. It was always a chore. It took me forever to get my thank you notes out for my wedding gifts. But now, I really like sending them. I like getting them too, but I think they are a thing that is similar to my love for actual paper mail. There is something special about getting a note from someone who takes the time to hand write a card. And now I like being able to send them to people. My sisters and I are very good at sending them. Most people I know are impressed when I send them. I think more people should send them. It should be more common than it is. And everyone should learn how to write one. I have a very simple formula you can follow that I will share at the end of this post.

Today I am sending one to my step-mother for the chairs. My thank you notes have a robot on them. They make me laugh. I like how you can get nice thank you notes for fancy occasions and you can also get them in very fun designs. Options are always good.

If you struggle with writing thank you notes, follow this example:

Dear _____,

Thank you for the _____.

I am going to use it for _____. / I can't wait to _____ with it. / I am excited to finally have one! (Something explaining how your life will change now that you have said gift.)

It was really nice to see you at _____. / I really missed seeing you at _____. / You are so thoughtful to have remembered I always wanted one. (An optional sentence that adds a personal touch.)

Thank you again.

Love,
Your name here

I am thankful for thank you notes.

kk

2/5/11 Checklist

I was so productive today! I am thankful for getting stuff done around the house today. Go me!

kk

2/4/11 Close Call

This morning as I was driving down the road a deer jumped out in front of my car to run across the street. I was looking in my mirror making sure the sleep was out of my eyes when she first jumped out. Luckily I looked down in enough time to see her and hit the breaks. I am so glad that I didn't hit her. She bounded off unharmed, though probably scared. I am glad that there was no injury to the deer, the car, or me.

I am thankful I did not hit the deer that jumped out in front of my car this morning.

kk

2/3/11 Chairs

Today I picked up my chairs from the reupholstery shop. The gentleman did a very nice job on my chairs. The fabric I picked looks very nice and I am happy with the results. My step-mother paid for them to be done and so my fancy new chairs cost me nothing. Another aspect to be thankful for. They were all ripped up and horrible and now they are fancy!

I am thankful for my chairs.

kk

2/2/11 Baby

My cousin Kristina had her second baby. Landon Richard Eseman. He is healthy and extremely cute. A lot of newborns look kind of funny but he looks really good. Everyone is doing well. Mother, father and big sister. Congratulations Kristina and Connelly.

I am thankful for the birth of my healthy second cousin Landon.

kk

2/1/11 Sun!

After way too many days of rain, the sun is out today. What a relief.

I am thankful for the sunshine today.

kk

1/31/11 Coats

I own about a million coats. A love I inherited from my father. I had 3 wool coats and I recently purchased another. But this one is purple and therefore, different. I got it for a screaming good deal and I have received so many compliments on it so I consider it a good buy. It is fun to wear on dark winter days. It helps put a little color in to my life. Especially since I generally wear black all the time.

I am thankful for my purple wool coat.

kk

1/30/11 Bye Bye Love

I love smartfood. When I was in high school I went to Ocean Shores with the youth group from church where the Gardner's introduced us. I had never had it before. But it was so good. I am in a show that opens in March and so I have decided to start a very strict healthy eating regiment. Tomorrow. So that made today "bye bye to delicious food" day. I ate nearly a whole bag of the delicious popcorn. I was saving room for some cookies and mac and cheese. Some pretty good comfort foods. But my milk had spoiled so I used water to make the mac and cheese and it wasn't as good so now I wish I had eaten all the popcorn. :( I will eat you again some day. Hopefully a wiser portion, but a portion nonetheless. Yum.

I am thankful for Smartfood.

kk

1/29/11 Food and Friends

Tonight Jason and I went out to dinner with Eric and Stacie. We went to Henry's in the Pearl. Even though we had to wait a long time for a table, the evening didn't seem long. We had a lot of fun just talking. They are really a great couple. They will be getting married in July and Jason is going to perform their ceremony. Pretty cool. And they are perfect for one another. I am so glad that they found each other. Online date if you can believe it! With the busy schedule I lead, I am glad that I get to take a step out once in awhile and enjoy a good time with friends.

I am thankful for my night out tonight with some really great friends.

kk

1/28/11 Boo Boos

When you were younger, didn't a band-aid make everything better? That and a kiss on an owie. It's like in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" when Zu Zu wants Jimmy Stewart to fix her petals from her flower and says "paste it daddy." My dad tells me that we used to ask him to tape everything. I guess we upgraded with new technology. But there is something about a band-aid that really did make everything feel better. I wonder if people have actually studied this. I should apply for a grant... The best, though, are the designer band-aids. Disney or cartoon characters, fun colors and designs, seem to be more effective in helping kids not feel pain any more. I don't currently have an owie or boo boo but the subject of band-aids came up today and they are pretty neat.

I am thankful for fun band-aids.

kk

1/27/11 Hot Chocolate Cabana

On cold days like today it is so nice to see the "Free Hot Chocolate" sign on the tent set up outside the library on campus. It is such a pick up to be able to stop by for a warm delicious treat.

I am thankful for the Hot Chocolate Cabana on campus!

kk

1/26/11 Dissocia

Tonight I went to an industry preview for the show "Dissocia" at the Third Rail Theatre. The first act is visual and auditory stimulation overload. I was also very tired so I don't think that helped. But Act two is all about showing the stark contrast. The main character, a woman, is mentally ill. The first act shows how her life makes sense to her when she is off her medication. What she sees, what she experiences, what she hears. It is zany and goofy and funny and all well and good until you see the opening scene of Act two with her in a hospital gown in bed. It shows her struggles to come back as she starts to take her medication on a regular basis again. It shows how her relationships with others are strained when she goes off her medication. I don't know how people live their life without medication if they need it but can't afford it, or how they live dependant on pills, or how people around them live with mental illness. Everything about it seems so hard and confusing. On everyone. I don't understand why anybody has to deal with it. It isn't fair. But,

today I am thankful that I am not mentally ill.

kk

1/25/11 Mac Truck

My mother has always wanted to drive a cement truck. I always thought it would be cool to drive a big Mac truck. Not for a job, but just for fun. At least once. I don't know, maybe it is because our family has a farming background, but I always like driving on the freeway and passing a truck with some kind of giant piece of machinery on it. Or a giant piece of a piece of machinery. Some of those things are just so big! I always wonder how they make them and what they are going to be put on. Giant pipeline parts or big scoopers for earth movers. They are all fascinating to me.

I am thankful for giant machinery. (Kind of a strange thing to be thankful for I think.)

kk

1/24/11 Turtle Turtle

I am reading the top 100 banned classic novels. It has been a goal of mine for a long time and so I decided to get with it and start and finish. I will read them all, even if I've read them before. Books I was required to read in junior high or high school were read but I would like to revisit them and perhaps remember a bit more about them. So I've already read The Great Gatsby and Catcher in the Rye. I am currently reading The Grapes of Wrath. At one point a character picks up a turtle to take home to his family to eat. Not that I'm in support of the eating of the turtle, but it reminded me how much I like turtles. I had one once. Only for a short time. They require a lot of cleaning. They are messy and icky if you don't have the proper environment for them. I had never really seen one up close until I got one though. Their faces are much more like that of a snake than the cute cartoons you see on TV. I ended up having to return it since I couldn't take care of it well enough. Erika really likes turtles so I always end up looking at turtle shaped magnets or things when I'm on vacation. Although her current favorite animal is a goat. She cam over tonight to pick up her wedding cake I had stored in my freezer since they had a hankering for cake. She had brought me back a magnet from Mexico and I picked the turtle. They were in my head from the book and so I think it was meant to be. I'd like to go volunteer to help the baby turtles get to the water in South America, or wherever it is. I should look into that.

I am thankful for turtles.

kk

1/23/11 I seem to be on a theme

Today I saw an airplane travel across the sky leaving a hint of a white stream behind it. It reminds to of how fun they are to watch when the sky is a bright blue and you can see the airplane trails across the sky. There is such a beautiful contrast between the blue and white. I'm not sure why but there is something about this that I truly enjoy. I did always want to become a pilot. And I do really enjoy traveling by plane. I like airports. Maybe the whole idea of flying appeals to me enough be be tickled by the trails that are left behind.

Today I am thankful for airplane trails.

kk

1/22/11 Arrivals

Today my younger sister Erika and her husband Scott returned from Puerto Vallarta. That sounds so strange to say. Her husband! I am sure that they enjoyed getting away from work and just relaxing in the sun in Mexico. The weather has been dreary here and I know I would welcome a sunny change! As far as I know there were no real issues with their flights and everything went smoothly and on time.

I am thankful that Erika and Scott arrived home safely today.

kk