Friday's Fave Five

(on a Sunday)
hehehe!

1) Naps
I'm not sure what my deal has been lately. Possibly coming off being so sick and then jumping into a stressful audit for me at work and work load that I feel I'm drowning in but I have been so so tired.
D has been wonderful with letting me nap and trying to work on the tile (which LOOKS amazing...pictures to be posted soon) all while watching the small monster.
Still not sure what my body is experiencing but I can sometimes hardly keep my eyes open.

2)Talking to Little O
He has started to say "lub dub" (Oliver speak for love you). I love coming home to that and I'm so jealous of my sitter for getting to here his ramblings.
I especially love hearing him in another room carrying on full 2 1/2yo conversations.

3) Cheese
I love cheese.
I really do.
I had this black pepper cheese the other day..mmm
and I bought some gouda...mmm
and tomorrow I'm making ricotta after work...mmm
and HEB has the BEST extra sharp cheddar.
Central Market has an amazing black truffle cheese.
I probably get most of my food intake from cheese.

4) Nights like tonight.
It's Oscar night.
I haven't seen one of the movies.
A) I live in the middle of nowhere.
B) I work. A lot.
C) I have a toddler.

I haven't been to a movie in over a year but tonight I'm making mini corn dogs and spinach artichoke dip, grabbing a bottle of wine and a case of beer...oh and the diaper bag...and toy story backpack...and some sippy cups...and jim jams (for O, not me) and headed to our friend Brin and Skyler's home.

There is nothing better.

5) Lucinda Williams
She has new album coming out on March 1.
There are no words for my excitement.
She got me through my divorce, my 17th year of life (dear god), most of College, a road trip out west with the family at 13yo.
She's been my go-to girl musician.
I'm nearly dying with excitement at hearing the total album.
I've pre-ordered the CD and the Album.
I feel very strongly that a TRUE artist creates an album-not a single.
I want to sit and listen to how Lucinda will change my life this time round.

P.S. May 6th...Stubbs...ME...Front Row...

50 Day Challenge

50 Day Challenge
Day 12: A Picture of Something You Love

Libraries.
I love the calm, the smell of old books, the crispness of new books, the soft yellow pages of old books, the general feeling of serenity.
I love people that go to libraries.
I love discovering a new book.
I love taking a stack home and exploring the world held within that book.

Laughter.
I simply love to laugh.
(insert Mary Poppins song here)
I find laughter to be the greatest bond between friends.
I remember being a kid in the middle of the night and Max on the bottom bunk and me on top and we'd get to laughing so hard over absolutely nothing.
I love that laugh Oliver has the first time he saw me brush my hair or the first time he sat in a swing. Full belly 6 month old laughter.

Ocean.
I feel truly free when I'm standing at waters edge.
I am very grateful to live so close to the coast.
The air smells salty and fresh and crisp.
The beach we go to here is literally empty.
It's such a call to a higher power for me and a cause for reflection.
Freedom.
Free Spirit.
D doesn't often talk about his feelings but he once mentioned that he loved the look on my face as I ran through the breaking waves.

Now for something corny.
I love diet cherry limeades without ice from Sonic.
Yes. I do.
(1/2 price from 2-4) Thank you very much.
I just love them.
They make my afternoons in clinic so happy.
and they taste all cherry-ish and cold.
Mmmm...me wants one now.

50 Day Challenge

50 Day Challenge
Day 11: A Picture of Something you Hate the Most

Traffic.
Austin traffic is TERRIBLE.
I rarely have anger at other drivers but I do have anger in general.
Just thinking about how much I hate traffic makes my blood pressure go up.
and up
and up.
I can't even talk about it anymore.
I must go sit a corner and rock back and forth until the scary thoughts stop.

Alarm Clocks.
Who invented alarm clocks?
I shall kill them.
I'm actually not a late sleeper.
If I sleep without an alarm I tend to get up around 8am anyway but I supremely HATE the beeping of an alarm.
It's very very annoying to awake in such a manner.
Makes me feel slave to "the man".

I flipping HATE doing the dishes.
It was my chore as a child.
Oddly enough, it is still my chore.
I'm terrible at it.
and yet it stresses me out terrible to see a stack of dirty dishes.
Every time I walk into my almost brother and sister in-laws and my brother's house I have the urge to clean their dishes.
More than I hate washing dishes, I hate stacks of dirty dishes.
but I still hate washing them.

I hate HIV.
I love HIV because I find it fascinating.
I hate what I've seen it do to people.
I love it for the purpose in life it has given me.
I hate it for the stigma revolving around it.

Now for the big one...
Everyone that knows me even the slightest bit knows that I am beyond horrified of pipes.
HORRIFIED.
DEATHY, AWFULLY, TERRIBLY SCARED.
As in phobia scared.

This one time, as I was working night shift as a CNA in an assisted living community (because working one job and going to College full time isn't enough work as is) I had to go through an emergency preparedness training with the janitors.
They took us down into the HUGE furnace room and showed use where to direct the firefighters in case of an emergency.
He opened these HUGE double doors and there before me were about 12 furnaces at least 9 feet tall with PIPES every where.
I was hyperventilating so badly that all these janitors had no clue what to do.
I couldn't even walk into the room.

There is nothing kept under my sinks.
I don't paint or clean or dust near any pipe.
If something falls behind the dryer or washer it stays there forever.
I won't put my hand near the garbage disposal.
and I won't touch the drain in the tube or the sink.

Clearly I have issues.

No, I don't hate Oliver.
I have leaving that face.
That sweet, precious, "I lub dub you mommy" face.
Someday I will work from home and never ever have to say goodbye.

50 Day Challenge

50 Day Challenge
Day 9: A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with

Hands down: College with Sam, Anthony, and Kevin.
We did everything together.
This was taken in Chicago not long after our return from Africa.
It was so nice to have the gang back together.
One too many Irish Car Bombs were done that night.
Classic Sam pose.
And Tony is cheesin.
haha

We spent many an evening at Nicks (rather than studying).
And yes, the guy to my left is passed out.
This was the night Sam got us thrown out.
nice job.

Oh Jas, my bestie of all besties.
This was my last night ever in Bloomington.
We ate a TON of spicy peanuts.
and her dog drank my breast milk
(from Oliver's bottle)
and she always makes shrimp cocktail for me

The Positive Link ladies.
Especially Robin.
and Amy
and Tammy
and Jill
and Julie
and Jas
We'd laugh until we couldn't stand it.
and we talked a lot about food
and bodily functions.
usually at the same time.

Sam, Sam, Sam.
We had some wild times together.
Beer Fest in Indy.
Sam had a a LOT of beer and a donut hamburger. (yes you heard me)
Then he decided we needed to build a bags game.
I had 911 on stand-by.
See the intensity...
and how jacked up it looks...
hahahaha...
and I helped.

Robin and I "worked" the County Fair Positive Link booth.
Can you tell we're working?
We road every ride 48209850945 times.
I'm pretty sure we peed our pants from laughing so hard on scrambler.
And yes, we were the only adults (and I use that term loosely) on the ride.
I have two words for you:
Polar. Pop.

Anthony.
Tony.
Frat T.
Debaucery.
Borderline alcoholism.
Too many stories to even begin.
All I have to say is that "I am NOT a hippy".
but I do still love ya.
Thanks for nearly killing me on the night before my wedding.
and for going with us on our honeymoon.
and for being the cool member of the Mod Squad.
and for the Tiki Hut.
Good times.

Kevin.
Best man.
Insisted he found human remains in the forest behind his house.
Laughed hysterically at me when I fell into the cadaver tank.
Tried to take me out by hitting me in the face at the movie theater.
Got drunk with me in the movie theater.
Helped me paint the IU bridge at 349840958 degrees below zero.
Member of our Flying Spaghetti Monster Club.
"WE ARE NOT A COUPLE".

50 Day Challenge

50 Day Challenge
Day 9: A Picture of the Person that Has Gotten You Through the Most

How can I NOT start with my family?
They've yelled at me and made me a better person.
Taught me to laugh at myself.
Held me when everything fell apart.
Pampered me.
Humored my whims.
Loved me.
Gave me strength and a TON of laughs.

Dear Diet Coke,
You will probably give me cancer. You will most likely drain my bank account. I hate you but I soooo love you.
You wake me up.
You are bubbly and deliciously fizzy.
You are my secret "pick me up".
I try to avoid you and yet, there you are in that case, cold, evil, addictive propaganda.
Damn you for making me lurve you.

Max

I remember this one very specific night not long after we moved to Austin.
Crazy Jeff had died, Sam was working 57843587 hours a day, I was lonely, new job, didn't know a soul.
Sam and I fought.
I mean fought.
I have no idea what about.
It was the first time that one of us "stormed out".
I went to Starbucks.
It was Dad's poker night. No answer.
Mom was doing goodness knows what. picking her toes. not answering me.
Max answered. 19 yo little brother in college on a Friday night answered.
I sobbed.
and sobbed.
and may have tried to get him to drive to Austin to get me.
but he was the perfect man, the perfect brother.
calm. strength.

This is my Papa.
and my Aunt Cathy.
I love them both.
There is nothing better than knowing that you have family that love you for you.
My Papa cracks me up.
He has allll girls.
And Max.
Can you imagine raising 3 daughters?
And having a wife?
and then having 4 granddaughters?
I think he danced the happy dance when Max was born.
I don't blame him.
But I do love him.
Even if his snoring keeps me awake.

Yes, I'm following my Papa up with my ipod.
Don't judge.
Shush.
I can hear you judging from here.
My Daddy bought me the very first ipod that ever came out.
Because he is just awesome like that.
Since then I've had 5.
Some have died a tragic (in the tubby) death.
Others just got old and needed to go to the big ipod heaven.
I've used my ipod to destress, to crazy kitchen dance, to get through teething nights, to run, in the car for some hard core rocking out, and to discover just how much music can affect your outlook on life.
Thank you Mrs. Ipod.
Me hearts you.

my Momma.

You can not even begin to fathom the amount of shit this woman has put up with from me.
tears.
laughter.
tears.
lies.
giggles.
hysterical laughter.
first heart break.
failed exams.
drama.
love.
and a touch more drama.
dirty diapers.
chicken pox.
more tears.
and more giggles.

High Heels.
Most women hate them.
Not me.
I adore them.
The more odd and creative they look, the more I like them.
They make me feel strong and sexy.
I slip my foot in a heel and I can take on anything.

Little O.
I became an entirely different person on the day he was born.
I grew up more in that instant than the previous 23 years.
He saved me.

Books.
Losing myself in a good story.
Finding myself in character.
Imagining another world.

That has changed my life.
And always will.

My Aunt Cathy and My Mom.
I started going to Lakeside with my cousin, Em, and my Aunt and Uncle a long long time ago.
Use three girls (and O) now go every year.
I could go to the beach.
I could save for Europe.
I could live it up in Vegas.
I could but I don't.
That week is what I look forward to every year.
I'm tearing up just thinking about it.
July is SO close!

On a side note:
My Aunt may live a REALLY long way from me but she has influenced and supported me in ways I cannot even begin to explain.

Ok, so D has only been around for 2 years.
Still.
He has stood by me through the drama of the divorce, night terrors with Oliver, the worst financial hell, the laying of tile, the building of raised garden beds.
He has given me the cold hard truth when I needed to hear it, wrapped me up in his arms when I lost Grammie, bought me red kitchen everything, and loved and spoiled me.
Most of all...he became a Dadda.

Yes, this is us at a non- Oliver party.
Rare, indeed.
And yes, this is us hugging a Gumby.
Don't ask.

Lastly, a bubble bath and wine.

Dear lavender scented, foamy bubble bath and deep peppery Zin,
Thank you for being there when I get home from work.
Thank you for massaging my body and brain.
Thank you for being delicious (the vino not the bath).
Thank you for being my de-stress aid.
Someday I will pay you back.
Much Love,
K

50 Day Challenge

50 Day Challenge
Day 8: A Picture that Makes You Laugh


Yes.
I repeat, yes.
This picture cracks me up.
Every time I see the billboard I nearly have to pull over cause of the stupid giggling.
I can't explain my childishness. (nor do I care to)

D works pretty late and we were just starting to date so on Saturday's before we would meet up Little O and I would have Mommy/O time.
On this Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market and he "sampled" (as in stole) from several vendors.
Sssh! Don't tell. Prison would get the better of him.
In one hand is a cherry tomato he found somewhere.
In the hand feeding that silly face is a roll he also sound somewhere.
Little squirt.

Ah yes, the infamous "Mommy jumps into the peaceful pond in the botanical gardens scene to rescue Woody while small child laughs most evil-ey"...
What I love best is the look on the couples face behind me.
And the fact that it didn't even occur to me not to jump in.
There was no moment of "hmm...should I jump in?"
Oh no, I dove in.

This picture is more tied to the memory of the night makes me laugh.
Sam and I REALLY didn't want to go to the bars buuuuut we were 22 and somehow (haha) got drug out by this guy...Eric.
Eric was drunk by the time we got there.
REALLY drunk.
It was just before we moved to Texas.
Ten seconds after this picture was taken Sam and I were waltzing, I repeat, waltzing down the middle of Kirkwood in Bloomington.
God help us All.

Day Two in Kenya with my host family.
The camera was, by far, the most amazing thing they'd ever seen.
Until I showed them a Disney movie on my laptop.
Yes, I corrupt small children.
The middle son especially took an interest so I let him have a go at it.
The camera, not the laptop (that cost me two arms and selling my soul to Apple)
This is what I got...
I said make a funny face.
HA!

This was my kinda/sorta/not really bachelorette party.
We were playing charades.
I had snorting cocaine.
I work in infectious disease and love the movie Pulp Fiction so I lined up my "cocaine" and broke it up before snorting.
Everyone died laughing and I've never lived it down.

Louisville to watch Uncle Max rock.
BBQ joint.
Pickle picture....
Love that boy.
and that chin.
and those cheeks.
and that huge nose too.

50 Day Challenge

50 Day Challenge
Day 7: A Picture of Your Most Treasured Items

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I'm starting with Mr. Oliver.
Who, on a side note, has started calling himself "Mester Olver" or "Whittle O.J."
(oops...my bad)

So, not to further delay the extreme excitment of yet another picture of the monster that grows much, much too fast...

Vintage.
I have a MASSIVE vintage collection.
I have about 20 wedding dresses in sizes I'll never be able to wear unless I start eating a lot of cookie dough ice cream and cheeseburgers.
I have about 100 vintage dresses that I can wear.
This one is my most favorite.
It cost me 20 bucks which I bargained down to 16.
(insert evil laugh)

My Honda.

I have a definite love/hate relationship with my SUV.
Hate:
gas
stupid payment
stupid stupid life with a car (I'd love to NEVER DRIVE)
On the flip side, I've had this car since 2005.
We've been to college.
5 Tom Petty Concerts
Some massive rain storms
late nights in the Chem lab
South Carolina on the beach
Moved to Austin, TX

Road trips beyond #
a sad and long trip back to Mom and Dad's
and endless amounts of rocking out.

I love my garden and those sunglasses too.
Not a big fan of that shirt though.

Polka Dot Bowls.
I ADORE these bowls.
They are from the Inner Chef in Bloomington.
If you haven't been there, go!
right now.
stop reading and go.

Sam bought them for me on our 2nd Christmas (I think) and I adore them.
There are three and they stack inside each other.
I remember we were wandering around the square (we lived in the Princess Hotel...naturally).
It wasn't a hotel any longer...it was broken up into 3 apartments.
Next to the Bluebird.
I begged to stop in and just look (i.e. I wanted to buy a colored cooking utensil to add to my collection...give me a break they are only 3.99...a decent "college student" splurge) I off handedly remarked about these Christmas-ish polka dotted bowls that were uber out of my price range.
A few months later...
hehehe

It's also a feat that they aren't broken.
I hide them when my Mom visits.
No. really. I do.

That painting in the background.
My Pops painted for my 20th birthday.
It's hung in every place I've lived and it is, hands down, the BEST gift I've ever been given.
It says untitled Mullen 10-11-2003 on the back but I've named it K.
Could be any more me?
No.

This my highly organized garage.

D stacks and restacks my Christmas box, my Easter box, my fall box, my IU box, my next baby box, my Grammie box, my someday wedding box, my Oliver save box(es), my trip to Africa box, my craft box, the camping box, and I could go on and on and on...

What a good man.
Hey, at least I put stuff in organized boxes.

Camera.
Whether it be Pops camera skills (which are madly awesome) or mine (which strive to be Pops level), I treasure a camera.
The camera captures...

• a moment
• a feeling
• an instant
• an emotion
• an expression
• love
• goofy faces
• summer Indiana corn...
  

My computer.
I'm not sure what people did before computers.
It stores my pictures.
All my music.
Pretty much my life in a little electronic book.
The best part is the way it keeps me connected to my family and all my friends.
I also love the Kisi rabbit ears my computer appears to be wearing...

My Home.
I worked so incredibly hard to thrive in Texas after the divorce.
I decided to buy this house even though it needed a lot of work.
I'm glad I did.
I'm incredibly proud of it and all that it can offer my Little O.

Three Forks Ranch...

The first Flowers Little O ever picked for me.
With a little help from D.
I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful, silly, crazy family.

50 Question Challenge

50 Day Challenge
Day 6: A Picture of Someone You'd Want to trade Places with for the Day:

Now let's see here...
No where does it mention that:

• this person must currently be living
• that the said day or trade had to occur in this time period
• that the person has to non-fictional
• that the person must the same gender

Let's begin...

This is Giada (for all you non-up-to-date-cooks).
I don't really like her as a person (obviously I don't even know her) but what I mean is that it's not that I'm interested in her personality or what makes her/her. I want to trade places with her for one day in order to cook up a storm on The Food Network! Ya'll know I'm an actress at heart and I adore cooking.

I 'd want to perform one performance as Mimi in Rent.
Every time I see that show (read:237537496795876985 times) my heart jump, leaps, and sings along. I want to feel that stage high. If you've never felt it then you'll never understand why many actors become addicted to drugs. A stage high just ain't replaceable. I can't imagine feeling a Broadway stage high.
Correction: I have imagined it (read: 503495894 times).

This is Rosario Dawson.
The best Mimi ever.

Elizabeth Glasser.
I would love to understand even a fraction of what she's been through and the life that she has lived and the people she has met and lives she has touched.
She fought.
I mean that women rose up and fought.
She made monster steps in changing and reversing the AIDS stigma.
She raised awareness.
She raised money.
She stood up for herself and for all mothers/children dealing with HIV/AIDS.
She is the epitome of strength.
(and she did it with big hair in the 80's and class in the 90's)

Bob Dylan.
How could you not want to spend a day in the life of this man??
I don't even know where to begin and could never do him justice.
I know there are plenty of people out there that can't stand the sound of his voice but there is more to being brilliant than that.
His life as a whole is simply fascinating (what a terrible word to describe the life of Columbia Recording Artist...Bob Dylan)

Julie Kent.
I've always imaged that her life was such a facade.
When she puts on those pointe shoes and steps out onto that stage there isn't a trace of pain, hard-work, despair, tears, frustration, or resentment on her face or in her movements.
She looks like she floats across the dance floor.
There aren't many people with careers and jobs can make something so incredibly draining look so incredibly effortless.
She once said (and I paraphrase) that when the music begins and that first shoe makes it's first movement she doesn't have control, she just moves.
beautiful...

Anne of Green Gables
Have you been to Prince Edward Island??
Have your read all 8 of the books 94354306758675896749 times??
Have you fallen in love with Anne, Mirilla, Gilbert, Diana, and Matthew??
Then you know not why a day as Anne Shirley would be full of adventure.

King Julian.

I know, I know... the singer of the most annoying song ever created besides maybe "Who Let the Dogs Out and "This is the Song that Never Ends", but he makes me laugh like no other.

Quotes:
If you don't laugh then
a) you haven't seen the movie
b) you don't have the childish sense of humor that I do
c) you are an adult and not a 10 yo

• Shush! We are hiding! Everyone be quiet, including me. Shhh! Who's making that noise?! Oh, it's me again.
• The plan worked! The plan worked! I'm very clever! I'm the one, baby! Come on! Time to robot! I am very clever king. Tok tok tok. I am super genius. I am robot king of the monkey things. Compute, compute.
• After much deep and profound brain things inside my head, I have decided to thank you for bringing peace to our homeland. And to make you feel good, I am offering you this lovely parting gift.
• See you later, crocodile! Maurice, my arm is tired. Wave it for me. Faster, you naughty little monkey!
• If he is a king, then where is his crown? I've got a crown, I've got a very nice one, and it's here on my head. Have I got it on?

Oh, King Julian how I'd love to be you.
But only for a day.
You are very hairy.
and a cartoon.

Fred.
The one.
The only.
Top Hat and Tails.
This man made some of the best movie musicals ever created.
He was a complete perfectionist and control freak.
Something I am totally NOT.
He has danced with a coat rack.
He has danced on the ceiling.
He has danced with firecrackers.
And in black face. (Can you imagine?)
He has danced with Ginger Rogers, Audrey, Gene, etc. etc...
Oh to have lived his life...

Another man I'd like to be...
Groucho.
Just a tad opposite of Fred.
but oh, the wit, the one liners, the brilliant humor of it all.

"Either this man is dead, or my watch has stopped."

"I could dance with you until the cows come home. On second thought I'd rather dance with the cows until you come home."

"I don't have a photograph, but you can have my footprints. They're upstairs in my socks."

I could go on and on and on...

I don't see Andy or Edie all that different from each other in many ways.
I'd have loved to live just one day in her drug, money, fame induced, very messed up head and just another in his artistic, mad, also messed up head.
The crowd they circled with, the parties, the complete disregard of consequence...

One of my favorite places in the whole world is The Warhol Museum
Can you say (honeymoon...hint-hint) ??

Well now that was a very random list if I do say so myself.
I honestly can think of about a 100 more people I'd like to try on for size.
None of them have a Little O though (just me) so I'll stick with Kate.