3/9/11 Ash Wednesday

Today is the first day of Lent. I look forward to Lent every year. They are the best church services. I have rehearsal tonight so I am not participating in Ash Wednesday. And next week I have a conflict but then I plan on going the following Wednesday nights if I can. My family doesn't give up anything for Lent. I've heard that mostly it is Catholics who do. I started giving things up in High School. I'm not sure why, especially since no one in my family ever had and still hasn't to my knowledge. But I like the idea of giving up something that I enjoy to be thankful that God "gave up" Jesus for me. I also know people who haven't "sacrificed" anything but instead have added something. One person started volunteering at the local soup kitchen to help people less fortunate than themselves. I really like this concept a lot. When you give up something it tends to be an inward focus. It is important to better ourselves as a person. Hopefully we've given up something we shouldn't be having anyway and that can become a habit thereafter. Often people just binge on Easter which isn't quite the point I guess. But, by taking the focus outward and looking at how to help other people, how to better our community, how to build and foster relationships with others seems to be a great way to celebrate.

I am thankful for Lent and the opportunity to better myself and help others.

kk

3/8/11 Fat Tuesday

Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday. Wade, my director, is from the South, and Mardi Gras is something he celebrates more than I ever have. He had beads for us when we arrived at rehearsal and a delicious cake from Beaverton Bakery. I forgot what kind it is now. Sugar cake? Um, that doesn't seem right. Anyway, the tradition is for a plastic baby to be baked into the cake. Whoever finds the baby is the King or Queen for the day. I really wanted to be the Queen. It fits right in with my tiara. Bobby also wanted to find the baby. He told me I could be a princess. Which was still ok with me. When I pulled out my slice, I didn't get the baby so I was sad. What I did get was a chocolate gold coin. When I asked Wade what it meant, he said that was the "baby" Beaverton Bakery uses! Yay me! But Wade said he also put a little plastic baby in there since that was the tradition so I would have to share with whoever found it. I said that was fine. Who should find the baby in their slice of cake but Bobby?! We were both very excited and happy. How funny that the two people who really wanted it, both got it. We did a very good job sharing our role.

I am thankful that I was Queen for the day. Thanks Wade!

kk

3/7/11 Vintage

Today I put on my vintage dress for an audition. There are some vintage clothes that are not good. I'm not sure there is anything from the 60's-80's that is any good. But there are a lot of great things before then! I really like my dress. It has a very nice cut, flattering neckline, good print, well constructed, and I get so many compliments on it. The other great thing is that there isn't going to be anyone else that will be wearing the same thing to a party. Good vintage pieces are truly unique.

I am thankful for good vintage clothing.

kk

3/6/11 The Thrill of Brazil

Today Laura and I went to get pedicures. I am so happy to no longer have naked toes. Now, they are very red! I can't even remember the last time I had a pedicure. It seems to be a costly extravagance that I can't usually justify. But today, Laura and I were gifting each other for a job well done. We have been working very diligently for the last month and a half to eat very healthfully. If we made it to our goal without falling off the wagon we were going to treat each other to a pedicure. It is much easier to be motivated to stay on track when you know that regardless of if you fail, you still have to buy something for the other person. You want to be successful so that you get a treat too! It was fantastic motivation. It was also a great way to spend n evening with a friend: relaxing pedicure followed by some Happy Hour nibbles.

I am thankful for my recent success and the subsequent pedicure I got today!

kk

3/5/11 Safety First

Jason bought me a bluetooth! Now we can talk on the phone while I drive, since I spend most of my time in the car, in a safe way. I can keep my hands at 10 and 2 and drive legally while still being able to talk. This is going to be especially nice after rehearsals so I don't have to wait until I get home to call when it will be even later! Thank you Jason! You are awesome.

I am thankful for my new bluetooth.

kk

3/4/11 Spring!?!

The trees are starting to bud. Even though it is still rainy and cold and icky, there is a sign that better weather and more beautiful nature is on its way!

I am thankful for the trees starting to bud.

kk

3/3/11 Pretty as a Princess

When I was 6 I performed in the Little Miss King County Pageant. I didn't win but I did get to sing in front of people, show them my pretty dress, do a dance routine with the Norwegian flag, tell Miss King County that my favorite subject in school was math, get a goodie bag and flowers, and most importantly I got to wear a tiara. They are the best. It was bejeweled and sparkly and I felt fancy and special wearing it.

McShane got me a tiara for my birthday two years ago. It was awesome. There isn't really anything else that makes you feel like royalty and very special. I may go home and wear mine around the house today as I clean the bathtub...

I am thankful for tiaras.

kk

3/2/11 Words can't describe

I am not sure if I can even say how thankful I am today. I had a meeting with a H.O.P.E. counselor this afternoon. I have applied for a home modification twice. I have been turned down twice. The first time they said it wasn't imminent. Then when I couldn't make the mortgage they said I didn't have sufficient income to pay a modification. It has been a big annoying mess. I talking to a financial counselor this afternoon didn't seem like it was going to help at all. I have a job. A lot of other people are unemployed. I have already cut so much out of my budget, I don't really have a anything else to cut out. I hardly turn my heat on. I had a guest leave one time because they were too cold. That was embarrassing. I do not have cable or Internet. I try not to turn the lights on until absolutely necessary. I reduced my garbage pick up to once a month. I called my auto insurance company and got a better rate. Really working at it people! So I was armed and ready to finally get to speak to a person and plead my case. I managed to take my coat off and tell him my identifying information. I then launched into my explanation and made it about 3 minutes before he interrupted me and said he was sorry to cut me off but that it looked like my modification had been approved earlier today. So no need for a story! I was there for a total of 7 minutes. I was the best meeting he had had all day. For me too! So now I will get the official paperwork in the mail in the next week or two. Then I have a three month temporary modification. If I make all my payments on time it will become permanent. Hooray! Looks like I will get to keep my house after all.

I am very very thankful for the news today about my home modification being approved.

kk

3/1/11 Bella Umbrella

I have decided that the umbrella will be my new accessory. I grew up in the Northwest and therefore never really owned or used an umbrella. Now that I do a lot of walking between classes out and around campus, and then have to stand in front of a class of students, I tend to use an umbrella so I don't look like a drowned rat. I also don't want some boring old umbrella. I heard about Bella Umbrella from my good friend Jennifer Steele. They have a shop up in Ballard where she lives. When I was visiting her last year, was it two now?, we went to look at their beautiful umbrellas. They have them in so many different shapes and sizes, styles and designs! I found several I wanted. I ended up only buying one since they are also very expensive. I got a classy looking black umbrella with some birds and floral designs on it. I was thinking it would be able to go with more outfits and look good in any season. Very chic. I also wanted one that had a white base which now I am really dreaming about as we come into Spring. There isn't anything wrong with matching umbrellas to your outfits is there? I think I shall have to get one more so that I have something fun and bright to help cheer me up on days when it pours, such as it did today.

I am thankful for my Bella Umbrella.

kk