For the record.

No, I'm not related to Shawn Johnson.  :)

Build me up. Buttercup, baby.

Tonight, Joshua Radin's lyrics are making me melt.  They make me think of so many profound and touching things in my life.  Joshua, you tug at my heartstrings.  You make me feel deep down in my soul the love I have for my sweet hubby.  Even when he's not so lovely, he's lovely.  He's real.  The poor man... Monday morning, heading out the door to DC, not a thing could go right.  Toilets clogging, printers not printing, dog poo stepping, emails overflowing, stock market crashing, dry cleaner rushing, wire transfers racing, Garmin forgetting, wifey sleeping, in-laws chatting.  He cracked.  My rock.  My shoulder to weep on.  The strong arms that hold me.  The one who is always strong... inspirationally strong.  Cracked.

Yesterday, I was downright pissed at his antics... But, today I'm thankful I can be there for him.  When life gets in the way, we have each other to pick up the slack.  Baby, when the going gets tough, the wifey gets a supporting.  Isn't that what marriage is all about?

Now, about that island in the sun, lovey... can we go now?  Pretty please, with sugar on top and a cherry?

xoxo,

KTD

One word and one word only.

Thanks to Newlywedisms by Bryn... I couldn't resist playing along... 

Your hair? blunette
Your mother? nurturing
Your father? inspiring
Your favorite thing? hubby
Your dream last night? odd
Your dream/goal? fulfillment
Your favorite drink? frozen bear
The room you're in? living room
Your ex? denver
Your hobby? golf
Your fear? loss
Where do you want to be in 6 years? content
Where were you last night? home
What you're not? loud
Muffins? poppyseed
One of your wish list items? wii-fit
Time? more
Where you grew up? Minnesota
The last thing you did? dinner
Favorite weather? sunshine
What are you wearing? dress
Your favorite book? p.s. i love you
Your TV? large
Your pet? none
Your computer? apple
Your mood? lonely
Missing someone? absolutely
Your car? filthy
Something you're not wearing? rings
Favorite store? many
Love someone? deeply
Your favorite color/shade? pink
Last thing you ate? panera
Your life? just right
Your friends? treasured
What are you thinking right now? vacation
What are you doing at this moment? relaxing
Your summer: fast
Your relationship status: married
What do you do when you can't sleep? read
When is the last time you laughed? dinner
Last time you cried? recently

Your turn.

xoxo, KTD

Hot, cold, hot cold...

So, I'm a tad bit confused.  One day I'm stocking up on sweaters and down coats and the next, I'm ripping out the tank tops and flip flops again.  Winter could be a rather interesting transition for us this year anyways, but I seem to have forgotten how unpredictable Colorado weather is!  (It snowed in August, don't forget!)  It was a balmy 50 degrees last night and I actually dug into my stash of sweaters and threw on a light jacket when I went out.  Such a silly question, but are you supposed to take off your coat while shopping and carry it around?  I was ROASTING!  How can I be from Minnesota, lived in Colorado for four years and completely forgotten how to cope with seasons.  Darn you San Diego!  Apparently you CAN take the Minnesota out of THIS girl!

On another note, the change in seasons has spawned a lovely rejuvenation of my somewhat seasonless closet!  Look at these cute, warm frocks I picked up recently (as I was repeating in my head, "I will not freeze this winter, I will not freeze this winter")... 

             

     

    Juicy Couture (in Chocolate)          Juicy Couture (in Black)            

 

    Via Spigia (in Winter White)

Meanwhile it's 82 degrees out today and it's back to my trusty flip flops.  

I'm happy.

xoxo,

KTD

True story.

Since we moved back to Colorado, we've been going no less than 1.2 million miles a minute. Between work, fun and tee-times we sadly haven't left ourselves with much time to take care of some of the most basic things in life... COOK and CLEAN (Translation: Find maids). That's right folks, it's been take-out or out to eat EVERY night since May 24th. Gross.  We've scoped out some GREAT Colorado restaurants, tasted some decadent desserts and managed to not gain 467 pounds a piece, but still.  Gross.

Well, that all changed this week. We FINALLY found maids in the area (thank heavens. I'm really just bad at cleaning and well Ryan would rather be golfing) AND I actually cooked dinner this week. Not once, but TWICE! AND, get this... I started my cooking-spree on the same night I had a small (hopefully benign) cyst removed and got 3, count 'em THREE stitches! I'm a self-proclaimed wimp... well, and husband-proclaimed wimp also, but that's another post. 

So, the first night of said cooking-spree I made yummy Cheddar and Asparagus Stuffed Chicken and the second night I completely made up my own recipe, we'll call it Pesto Chicken Goodness. It was scrumptious. I was proud.  

I was really excited about cooking extravaganza night #2, because I had personally concocted the recipe AND because I was on a roll of cooking beautiful meals out of our naked pantry. BUT, my sweet, typically unsuspecting husband was suspicious. Just when I was serving up this pretty plated dinner... he gives me this look that shouts, "WHAT DID YOU DO WRONG, WHAT DO YOU WANT, WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS WRONG HERE and HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST?" I gave him a similar look, but mine said, "DON'T YOU DARE CRITICIZE MY COOKING OR IT'S MAC & CHEESE FOR YOU, MISTER." So..... as it turns out, my dear unsuspecting husband thinks there is something behind this cooking spree.  Like I was buttering him up for something.  (Psssshhh, as if I would EVER do that!)  

Truth: There was nothing.  Nothing at all.

Moral of the story: Don't cook for 3 months. Cook two nights in a row and you won't have to do it again for another 3 months. :)

Love to all,

KTD

And now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

So this past month has been cringe-worthy to say the least. Loss is an interesting process that I realized I knew not much about in my adult life.  I've seen friends lose grandparents, my own husband even lost his grandfather last year.  I just didn't know how much it hurts.  How unbelievable it is.  How unreal it feels.  How it hits you at funny moments.  Despite the UNEXPECTED and UNPREPARED loss of my dear Grandmother... life must go on. Even if I'm not really ready for it to. Life IS going on... and I must go with it. What I've learned:

1. You are NEVER, EVER, EVER really ready to lose someone you love
2. You carry the memories in your heart forever (Ooooh how wonderful, but dearly missed are all the memories)
3. I'm not ALWAYS Pollyanna- but there are better, more positive ways to look at loss than others
4. My family is amazing. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy thinking about how we all came together to support one another during such a difficult time. Together our strength is uplifting. We are fortunate.
5. Last, my Hubby is a trooper. Me and my emotions can sometimes come out a little crooked and somewhat sideways. He loves me unconditionally and nurtures my soul. I'm blessed.

So... life is a movin'. My "To Do" List is no longer getting longer, but instead is getting shorter. I've been completely tardy in acknowledging a few Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Thank You's. Please forgive me. Thankfully I've rejoined the ranks of the world again and am no longer dwelling, but instead looking forward to seeing my sweet Mere again someday.

Peace and Love.
KTD