The Secret Life of Bees

I just finished this book by Sue Monk Kidd. I watched the movie a couple months ago and really liked it. I was really excited to read it because the books are usually better. I was not disappointed! I loved the story and I actually loved that I was picturing Queen Latifah as August Boatwright, because she was a perfect choice. Dakota Fanning? She is blond, in the book Lily has dark hair. It wasn't a big deal though.
I was super impressed with Kidd's writing chops. She had a lot of really beautiful descriptions and phrases and there were a few times that I literally said "wow" at her words. My favorite quote is: "Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can't remember who we are or why we're here." (p. 107)
It was a pretty quick read, maybe 5 hours altogether. But worth it. And the movie is really great too. Dare you to check it out.

Get comfortable.

Rather than do eight million posts, I will just do one extra long one that details what has been going on lately.

1. School's Out For Summer! I'm so excited. The last few weeks were action packed with a lot of activities and little work. There was little motivation all around. For the last dance, my friend Jessy and I were going to try and find 80's prom dresses, but it turned into random dresses instead. We found the hot little sequined number for her at DI but I couldn't find anything I liked. On the day before the dance, as I was driving home and wondering what I would do, I remembered that my Grandma has some awesome dresses. So I called her up and headed on over. I am not very tall, but Grandma is shorter. So this dress that comes to below her knee was almost too short for me. So I classed it up with a slip. I think the lace really added to it. That and my tennis shoes with rolled socks. It was fun. I loved dressing up for the dances. And I really love summer.


We also had an end of year/birthday fiesta because my birthday was over Memorial Day weekend. My sisters came and spent the day with me and Mom stopped in on her lunch. We played some games (until we got bored with them) and they made me birthday cards. The person with the funniest and nicest cards won candy bars. I'm such a narcissist, but they really did make me smile. I will have to scan some in and show them off because they're pretty good. And we had a pinata. Because what's a fiesta without a pinata?

2. This is an outing to the park. The kids and I walked down the street with their enormous yet functional stroller and Tracie joined us later. Ellie is so funny, she is always making the cutest little faces and I really love it when she giggles. She's not walking on her own yet, but I think she's getting close.



On the park day, Brayden also discovered that he really likes to climb trees. I can't even believe that the little tiny tree in our backyard is big enough for a climber. He was super proud of himself. And Toria took this picture! Impressive!

3. Tracie graduated! I still can't believe it, she will always be not old enough for anything to me. We went to the Texas Roadhouse before her ceremony at 7.














It's very exciting and she is so excited she doesn't even know what to do with herself. So if anyone knows of anyone hiring for the summer, hook a sister up! She is going to head up to Logan in the fall and I need to start finding other people to come watch tv with me.

4. We painted the stairs and the bedroom to prepare for carpet! I asked some of Tracie's friends to come help in exchange for senior pictures, and it was a lot of fun! My dad and siblings have been so awesome to help me finish the basement and although it is not quite done yet, we are close enough to say that I am looking for a roommate with a move in date of August 1st. It's been an adventure for sure but I'll be really glad when it's done. Pictures of carpet to be posted soon.


5. And finally, Tracie and I took the kids to the zoo with my ward on Saturday. First of all, MAD props to all you mothers out there. I don't know how you guys do it all AND put on make-up. I didn't get the make up done. But then again, sometimes I don't when I'm on my own. Because sometimes I just don't care.
This was so funny. Audrey was going to join them, but if you know anything about the zoo, you know that this elephant "sneezes" and blows air and moisture through its trunk. Audrey was standing in front of it and when it blew, she freaked. She was so scared and refused to even go near it. My cousin's daughter, Ava, did the same thing. We were wishing we had it on camera.


This is Ava and her dad, Brandon. They live in my ward and let me sit with them at church. Ava would NOT look at me when I had my camera out. If you look closely, though, you can see her looking out of the corner of her eye, which is so funny.

I caught her off guard.

This is her little brother, Carter. Who didn't cry when I went into his room tonight instead of his mom. We are making progress. I've only been sitting with them every week for 5 months.
I didn't get a picture of Tor on the carousel.








FYI, the train ride is like two minutes long. What a rip. Too bad kids don't understand that. They love the train, no matter how long it is. I'm sure I did too, once upon a time.

And one last thing: I FOUND A JOB!! I'll be working at Matheson Jr. High in Magna, Granite School District, teaching 8th and 9th language arts. I'm so so so excited!! Peace out, peeps.

It's about time.

Finally a number on the ticker. It's been a rough go. I don't ever want to see those 3 pounds again because they were super lame.

New posts to come!

Don't judge.

So. I'm back on track. Check the ticker-tracker on Saturday morning. There WILL be a number there.

PS I'm 30 now. Wha????

Funniest thing I've seen in a while

Total Eclipse of the Heart: Literal Video Version

Dear Glee.

Jesse's Girl? Really? I never thought I could love you more but guess what? It just happened.

Thank you.

Love,
Kat

Here's the Scoop.

I've been working on this blog post in my mind since March 20. It's been a really long time coming. Basically, it's the same old story. . . . too much ice cream, not so much gym time. In March, I was "in training" in preparation for my California trip with Tracie. I had big plans and goals. The motivating clothes were hanging on the wall. Then I found out that I didn't have a job in the fall. I didn't get depressed, surprisingly, but later that night Tracie and Laura were watching "Biggest Loser" at my house. There was a commercial for the casting call for the next season, I looked it up for the second time (I'd contemplated it briefly before) and saw that BL would be in Salt lake for an open casting call that Saturday (Mar. 20). I thought and thought and thought and then called my parents and asked their opinions and decided that I would go. It was the perfect time, I wouldn't have a class to prepare for during the summer, and I would work out the job stuff when I got home. I prayed about it and felt like it was a good plan. I didn't feel overly confident that I would "get it", but the closer it got to Saturday, the more excited I got.
Saturday came, I was up bright and early, had prepared myself by showering and doing my hair and putting on clean clothes (some were not that prepared) and headed down town. The notification said not to line up before 7, but when I got there, the line was half way around the block, as people had been lining up since 3:30. I found a couple of ladies to stand in line with (the one girl found me and together we invited the other lady) and it made the day go by much quicker. Don't worry, on my way to the end of the line I totally "biphed" it in classic me style, which is in front of many many people, but I shook it off like a pro. 8 hours later, it was finally my turn. I reviewed everything I'd read and psyched myself up to "be myself" and "be heard" and "be prepared" and went in with my group. There were about 12 of us that sat around a table with one of the casting directors. She went around the table three times. She asked each of us our name, age and weight loss goal, our occupation, and our food weakness. Then she thanked us and sent us on our way. To say the least, it was very anti-climactic.
We were told that call-back calls would be made that night, and if we didn't get one, we could still send in a video. I didn't get a call. I wasn't too bummed. I won't lie, I was bummed, but there was no crying. I think I was probably relieved. As tough as I think I am, I don't know if I'm "last chance workout" tough. Ok, maybe, but there would be a lot of crying and after my year of middle school? A good chance of profanity as well.
I remember telling Tracie mid-week as I was preparing that if this BL thing didn't pan out, that she had to promise to keep me to doing it on my own. Well, California came and went. Good times, but the goal-shorts stayed on the shelf. The 6:00 a.m. workouts just didn't happen. And haven't, since before the BL casting. I have made it to the gym a few times in the last two months, but not nearly enough to make a difference.
Well, shoulda-woulda-coulda is over, my friends. If I plan on doing a triathlon, I should probably start working on that. And one of the most effective things about BL is the accountability. They don't just weigh in once a week in their bathrooms. They weigh in once a week in front of the nation. Millions of people are keeping them accountable. That, and $250k. I wish I could do it for the money, but the feelings of self accomplishment and better health will have to do.
This is where you come in. I need to have accountability. So. Starting today, I have posted a ticker here on the blog that will keep track of my goal. I'm taking it in chunks so it feels less overwhelming. Thanks for all the support, because I already know I have great cheerleaders. If anyone wants to take a spinning class or play tennis, let me know!
Phase one starts NOW.