*Update*

I take back my last post. I had one customer call in this afternoon. Wouldnt want them to get transferred to the wrong person because I couldnt do it. Whew, glad I didn't have a drink over lunch.

KG

Craving

So I really want to drink one of these right now.

In case you're unfamiliar with drinks & subsequently, fun, this is a Kahlua & cream drink.  Mine would probably be spiked with a little vodka.  Maybe even a little Pepsi depending on if I felt like a tall glass or a short glass. 

Just kidding, I'd add vodka either way.

PS - Yes, its 3:30 in the afternoon.




PPS - No I don't care & stand my ground that I would like to drink one of these anyway.



PPPS - Try all you want......I dont feel guilty.



Bye.

XOXO,
KG

Sugar High

Please don't tell me I'm the only one who ate 20 cookies this weekend?  I was even consciously thinking about not eating too much, so I think I tricked my mind into thinking that smaller increments were better. Well, THEY'RE NOT.  After consuming one cookie with lunch, sitting down & getting up 5 different times to get a "few" appetizers, & standing over the shrimp platter - I think its safe to say I had my fill.  Let's not get into the after church goodies.  Or those that I brought home for that matter.  I think I shall only consume vegetables for 10 days to rid my body of all that sugar! 

yeah right.  It is a nice thought though. 

This year was an especially great Christmas! I think it helped that I feel extra thankful to be here & know that I have angels everyday.  Who wouldnt be thankful after that?  We celebrated the season by heading back to my hometown on Friday night & participating in an "Ugly Sweater" contest - which basically turns into a "free-for-all-wear-anything-ugly-and-slightly-Christmas-y".

Case in point: my mother, in the photo below.  Does that look like a "sweater" to you?  Didn't think so.

That's my bro's pretty gf Courtney on the left, then my bro, my Momma, ME, & the bf

We are kinda cute, but not neaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrly as ugly/Christmas-y as the others.  A couple actually knitted an entire shirt/skirt & man's vest for the win! I'm never going to attempt that, but I will go in & have a good time with the fellow sweater freaks.

Although it was a bit of a rough morning, we had to head to Grandma's for gifts.  We dressed up realllllllll nice because we were going to Christmas church service after.

I got fancy & put a blazer on. Whoooo.  That's my sis on the left, then the bro, his pretty gf, ME, & the bf again.  Courtney thinks she looks like a midget.  I think she's the cutest little midget I've ever seen.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now just imagine that in card form & coming especially to you in the mail.  That's our cute little fam on Christmas Eve.  Whew, that was a breeze to send out.  I think I'll try that every year.

After church service (in which the bf had trouble reading the hymnals....we'll get into that another time) we ate some soup, probably another cookie -I stopped counting at this point & just let the sugar hit my veins - & headed home to open gifts with just the few of the us.  I got the boyfriend a trip to see his fave hockey team in Chicago.  Thank God we changed into sweats, because looking pretty all day was really taking its toll on me. 

Us - in sweats. Hallelujah!

When I first saw this picture I thought, "ohhh he looks so happy & cute".  Now, 3 days later, I have yet to see him in anything BUT this jersey.  The cute-ness is wearing off.  If you see him, let him know he can take it off now.

XOXO,

KG

Co-Workers

Mine are the best.

THESE are the lovely ladies I get to hang out with everyday.

& not only are they gorgeous (aren't they though?), but they are some the nicest & most genuine women I could ask for in my life.  Surrounding myself with these ladies gives me an instant support group, an ear to listen, & advice from people who have been there before. They are not only co-workers, but real, true friends.  (I mean for real, they brought me soup when I was in my turtle shell, what else can you ask for?).

XOXO,

KG

Some people I wish were here this holiday*

hehehe, how cute are they?

These are my Momma's parents.  She looks just like them!  I remember all the dinners we had around their table & all the time my grandpa would scoop the "gross things" off my plate, so I wouldnt have to finish them.  They were both such caring & sweet individuals & loved each other like crazy until their dying days.  Ahhh, a real life love story!

& here is my Papa's dad on the last Christmas we had with him!

When we were younger & was a rough & tough man, but by the time this was taken I think us grandkids had broken him down alittle.  He loved us & he said it (a big step). Each time I came home he'd always tell me not to forget to invite him to my wedding....& ask when I was getting married.  I'll definitely invite him when the day comes & hopefully he'll be there watching me... Just from a different view =)

Just reflecting on my life this morning & how incredibly blessed I am this holiday season.  I know everyone says that, but really...I really am.

XOXO,

KG





Pathetic

I'm sad to report that the most exciting thing that happened to work today was my favorite pen running out of ink.  & there is no more in the supplies closet. WE SWITCHED BRANDS.  Who does that?  & why do I care so much about this type of pen?  Its sad really. 



But just in case you're weirdly obsessed with doodling like me.....Its a Papermate 1.2M in black.  I highly recommend.

 *Although I wish they were, no Papermate is not paying me for this post*. 

Only about 300,000 more followers to go before that starts happening. Tell your friends yo! I want some free pens!

XOXO,

KG

BIG day(s)

I have a BIG couple of days coming up.  & I can't even tell you about them.  Aaaaaaahhhh, my heart is beating fast & my palms are getting a little sweaty (Ok, not really, but I felt like everyone describes it that way when they are a bit nervous?)  I'll be back in a few days with updated news. Hopefully. Cross your fingers & toes for me.

XOXO,
KG

Feel. The. Burn.

Ok so, if you've been reading, you know that I had a major back surgery about 3 months ago.  & because of that back surgery I haven't been able to do any sort of work outs.  This week, I started to slowly ease back into my fitness routine (with the Ok of my physical therapist) & HOLLLLLLY MOLY MY THIGHS BURN.  I am walking more funny now that I ever did after my surgery.  That's a bit embarassing. 

However, you wouldn't believe the morale boost its given me!  My body (minus my thighs..........just kidding) LOVE the endorphines! Whew! I'm 100% more chipper (& probably more annoying) than usual. YES, Yes, yes.... Soon I shall look like this:

Then I'll die & go to beautiful body heaven.

XOXO,
KG

Moments

Have you ever had one of those moments...a semi-sort-of wake up call?  There have been all sorts of moments throughout my life that I might classify this way, but none as big or realistic is the one I seem to be stuck in now.  I posted awhile ago about a car accident that I had been in.  & about those angels looking out for me that day.  & how lucky I felt to be here & to be blessed with such great, caring, generous people in my life. 

But you know what I didn't tell you?  The other emotions I felt.  The ones I felt weren't worthy of expression.  The ones I thought people would look down upon me for sharing.  I was thankful.  I AM thankful.  But I would be lying if I said there wasn't a few moments where I was mad.  Or angry.  Or wondering why I had to deal with a moment like that?  Hadn't I had enough?  Almost 15 months of depression, doctors, weight gain/loss, & alot of crying.  That's what I was in the middle of... & on top of that I get to lose most of my possessions & gain a few rods in my back?  It just didn't seem fair. 

I even had a moment where I was sad about the photos & ideas I had saved to my phone.  How sad. & how selfish.  I remember thinking that I had so many inspiring quotes, books, & photos saved.  Things that really were a pathway or a landmarker of sorts for the last year and a half of my life.  All gone.  I felt like a shell of a person.  A whole new one in fact.  One who felt incredibly lucky, but didn't know why. 

There have been many things that I've learned throughout my life & that experience particularly.  The most mind boggling thought I've been dealing with lately is how to find a balance of happiness in my personal life & career.  Growing up, I was extremely motivated & in order to enjoy an activity I wanted to be the best.  I thought this meant it would carry to my education & career past high school & I would be climbing the corporate ladder in no time.  Throughout a few of those college years I had moments where I really took time to realize what was important to me.  Did I need to travel to every state in the US? Did I need to marry a worldly man? Did I need to make lots of money? 

No.  Although I can't really say that these thoughts held any bearing on my actions until lately....& even now, I'm struggling.  Do you want to continue with a job that I'm not 100% passionate about everyday?  What do I WANT to do?  I can't answer that question simply & therein lies the problem.  How can I satisfy myself when I'm chasing something I'm not even aware of? 

"What do you like to do?" What could she possibly say?  That she'd like to sit in her garden all afternoon with her Jane Austen novels?  You couldn't make a living from that, could you?..."Well," she paused, "I guess something wonderful.  Something inspiring.  Something that means you're not always looking at the clock, wondering how long it is before you can go home."

That is exactly what I want as well.  I dont know what that something inspiring is yet, but I don't doubt that I will get there.  I take my car accident as a learning experience of sorts.  A chance to start over after over a year of wasted time.  A clean slate.  Now I just have to figure out what to do with it.

XOXO,
KG

PS - Sorry for the diary post.  The thoughts were jumbled in my head & wouldnt get out, so I had to write them down.  If they don't make sense, come back tomorrow.  I'll probably be back to my cynical, sarcastic, giddy, over-the-top pukey lovey self. See you then.

Housewife Fail

So I accidentally washed my feather blanket. NOW WHAT I AM SUPPOSED TO COCOON IN ALL WINTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bikini Babes

Any of you lucky enough to get to stare at this tonight?

No? Oh....well I am.  Bf is cooking wings & getting beer & inviting his man friends over to ogle over babes.  Ah, thank god this event takes place in November or he'd have horribly unrealistic expectations of what swimwear was supposed to look like.  (I say swimwear because he's not lucky enough to get to see this lingerie. Ever probably).  Unfortunately he has to stare at this in a bikini.

Like how I sheild a majority of my mid-section with my arm? Its a move I've perfected.

Oh looky here, Here I am shielding my body with a whole person (PS. That's my momma).

The whole view? Rarely.  With heels? Never.  Full view, with heels, glitter, & sexy lingerie? HA. Never ever ever ever. Ever. Sorry I'm not sorry about it.

XOXO,

KG

P.S. When did I get so old that a new washing machine feels like Christmas morning? I haven't quit gazing at it since it was delivered yesterday....

Santa

Dear Santa,
Would you want to bring me one of these for Christmas?

While I keep wishing that Santa is listening & will bring me a $600 camera, I highly doubt it's going to happen  (meaning I know it's not).  In the meantime, want to see some blurry/grainy pictures from Thanksgiving?  Thought so. 

Those 2 in the middle are the ones that made those 3 other beauties in the photo.

Here I am forcing the bf into a photo with me.  I'm good at that.

I believe I'm semi-choking him.  Maybe he stole my pie? I get violent over that.

In other related news, we decorated a tree yesterday.  [By we, I mean that bf ate pizza on the couch & scanned my tree progress.]  We are currently down 2 gold ornaments [shattered] & have come close to kitty strangulation with the festive beads.  Having second thoughts on this holiday decor thing.

XOXO,

KG 

Bob Ross

Is anyone else as shocked as I am at the quality of this painting?

Yep, I painted it. Go me.

Look at those little happy trees with the happy sky behind it! Maybe next time I'll try a little happy mountain or a little happy moon.

XOXO,

KG

Introducing...

I was going to introduce you to someone today.  But that person can't seem to think of a name for himself.  He suggested, "Big Boss, The Man, Hulk" & various other hyper-manly terms that I refuse to use.  Guess he will remain nameless until he comes up with something more acceptable. 

For now, I shall call him the bf.

You can normally find him on the golf course or at the hockey rink in a Titleist hat & a polo.  In his spare time he gets to hang out with me.  Lucky him.

No, I'm not crazy, but I might be a cat lady.  This is my little love. 

You can find kitter lounging around the house.

Sometimes in the bath tub. 

Yep, I share a house & life with these 2.  Lucky me. 





What happened to me?

This picture melts my heart. I love this boy. Weird.



Tin (wo)Man

Remember that story I promised?  I'm going to try & catch you up on what I've been up to the last few months.  Well from August 24th until now, to be exact. 

In my normal course of travel for work, I was involved in a single car accident.  I was knocked unconsciuos & woke up in a stranger's arms in a car.  The pain in my lower back was inconceivable (meaning I had never felt anything like it).  I was incredibly scared & mostly confused about what was going on & what had happened to me.  After some very hazy minutes I was able to spout out the phone number to my mom's office to a woman nearby.  As time passed on, I just remember being in so much pain.  I didn't know what had happened, but I didn't feel panicked.  Somehow I felt.....safe. 

Eventually I was taken to the hospital & assessed for injuries.  Have any of you been in the Emergency Room of a hospital?  I hope not - This was my first trip too.  I was expecting something similar to movies or Grey's Anatomy or SOMETHING, but it was nothing like it.  I always had thought there would be hustle & bustle & frantic nurses running over to you & staying by your side.  Much to the contrary, I was wheeled in & left alone in the ER - only accompanied during my CAT Scan & MRI.  Since I traveled to TX for work & live in NE, there was no one by my side during those first hours & painful tests.  Still, I felt eerily calm.  I knew I hurt, but I wasn't scared for my life, I wasn't scared of paralyzation, nor did I even consider these things as possibilites. 

From the tests they realized I had a burst fracture on a few of the vertabrae of my back.  The excellent doctors fused 5 of my lower vertabrae together to keep me stable & relieve the pain.  Everything up until the surgery was foggy (complements of the mega pain meds).  Before the surgery my mom & dad were able to join me in the hospital. & they brought along my boyfriend.  Gosh, I was relieved!  Even at 23, something about your parents is just so comforting.  At the time, my boyfriend & I had only been dating two months, so I was shocked/amazed/happy that he was there.

After I came to a little, I was able to find out that a man had seen my crash & saw smoke coming from my car.  He pulled over & ran across the TX Freeway to pull open the door of my car & pull me out.  His girlfriend & her son were also in the car with him.  While the son stopped traffic on the freeway, the man carried me across the freeway to the safety of his car.  My rental car went up in a poof of flames & smoke minutes later.  He had saved my life! 

How can you possibly thank someone who had SAVED YOUR LIFE?  That is such a powerful thing.

Teddy (my angel) & I after my surgery.

I decided that the best way to thank him would be the live my life to the fullest & appreciate everything I've been given.  It sounds SO cliche, but in all those moments in the hospital, I was nothing but thankful.  Extremely & incredibly thankful.  For my family, my friends, my LIFE. 

Karen, Cody, Teddy & I.

Now I could get way more in depth with this post, but I'll leave things short & sweet. I am blessed. I had angels on earth & in heaven that day. I have angels in heaven & earth every single day.  What a lucky girl.

Plus, after the accident I got to wear alot of sweet gear. Dont be jealous yo.

In case you're wondering, that would be a sling for my shoulder, boot for my foot, & a very heavy back brace I referred to affectionately as the "turtle shell".  This is my fam & I celebrating my 24th birthday, a couple weeks after the accident.

Now instead of bones, my back has a couple titanium rods & 8 screws in there.  Think I'll set off the metal detectors at the airport?  Put that on the list of questions to ask the Doc. 

That's a close up.  Ooooooh. Ahhhhhh.  I hope that's what you're doing right now.

The end. I hope that wasn't too mushy for you.

 

XOXO,

KG

Hiatus

Hey all -
Sorry I've been on a mini hiatus lately.  To be honest, I wasn't sure if blogging was something that I could do (or mostly that I had the courage to do), but I saw something today that inspired me.  Just a simple sign that said "She decided to start living the life she imagined".  What have I been doing the last few months?  Definitely not what I imagined my life would be.  Now I'm back & better than ever? Just kidding, I dont know if I'd go that far.  But putting down my daily ramblings makes me feel like I have a bit more of a purpose in this corporate world. 

Also have a pretty sweet story for you guys.  Right now I'm leaving you lingering in suspense. Muahahahaha. 

XOXO,
KG

Box of Crazy

Forrest Gump's life was like a box of chocolates.  I've been told my life is like a comic book.  A big mush of disasterous events piled together that provide comedic entertainment for many of those interacting with me. What can I say? So I lose my phone, get flat tires, & have crazy ex boyfriends.  These things are normal right? Thanks for humoring me.

Rather than looking at it negatively, I tend to look at my life as a mess of something beautiful.  A beautiful disaster.  So here goes. Come along for the ride.

Moving

Is there anything on earth worse than packing your life into a million little boxes & hauling them from one location to another?  Since that's what I've been doing all weekend I can't seem to think of anything worse.  If you come up with anything please let me know.  Until then, I'll be sulking.............& unpacking a box at a time.

Ticket to Anywhere

Whoah.... Who wants to loan me $5000 ASAP? Also, who is responsible for keeping these "Round-the-World" plane tickets a secret?  Whoever you are - Shame on you.  Who knew you could make 16 (COUNT THEM SIXTEEN) stops around the world for ONLY (I talk as if I have this much money) $5000???  I think its a fantastic deal! Someone give me $5000 up front & I'll figure something out for my expenses in between.  I think I could be a good beggar woman (I have plenty of practice not showering)....or hippie. I would even get the sandals.

If Clothes Could Talk...

....You dont want to know what mine would say.  Right now I'm thinking it would go a little something like this:

Pantyhose: Why the hell have you been wearing me day after day in 90 degree Houston heat?  & with a hole the size of a grapefuit in the leg?

Shoes: Heels.  In the aiport.  Need I say more?

Skirt: Please continue wiping your breakfast/lunch/dinner on me.  4 days in a row just wasn't enough.

Ahhhh, there you have it.  The minds of my clothing.  I would tell you what the rest in my suitcase think, but I dont think you want to know.

Cuckoo.

 You want to get to know me?  Welllllllll me too.  I can't promise you that I know everything, but I can promise you I'll let you come along for the ride.

What I do know:
I'm not good at plans....or decisions.
Pedicures are a necessity.
Wine is my favorite. I've never been known to turn down a margarita though.

Life isn't about impressing people.......so quit wasting your time. & Live YOUR day.

Wow, does that sound really cliche? It does. Well I mean it.

And here so it begins...
I'm not a perfect girl - In fact I'm far from it. I'm a lover, a fighter, a dreamer, a pessimist, a hopeless romantic,  all separately but equally so it seems. I don't claim to have myself figured out, but I'm learning & there's a few things I do know:
I want to be a better cook, a beautiful wifey, passionate about my career, a fitness fanatic, and maintain a personal identity which allows me to continue to grow endlessly.
Love is on my list, although we'll have to get to my definition if that later on. For now,  just know I'm me, but maybe a little like you.... & that should be exciting. These are the hilarious, sometimes embarrassing, possibly depressing, but always real, stories of MY life.

Second Thoughts?

Now this could be the peach bellini talking, but I think it's finally time.  I think I’ve finally ran out of every excuse to start my blog.  No name? No problem – These things are adjustable.  As I sit here at a bar, on the road, & out of state – there is nothing holding me back.  No people that “know me”.  No one to judge me.  Besides Mr. Suit & Tie man at the end of the bar – Yes, I’m having another.  Please mind your business & keep your eyes & iPhone to yourself.  In the meantime, welcome all!

Johnny – get me another bellini – this could be the start of a Beautiful Disaster.