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October 5th

Today was a rather glorious day.  I ran the usual errands, stopped by to see one of my favorite ladies and came home.  I didn't just come to my house, I came home, with Kaci and we had such a glorious time.  She is a funny little girl.  So much personality.  She told me she wanted to go to the park.  So of course, we went.  It wasn't just an average ride to the park.  We packed up the diaper bag, got the stroller out of the garage and left...on foot.  Yes, on foot.  She climbed into her bright pink stroller, I strapped on the diaper bag and we headed down the sidewalk. 

78 degrees, slight breeze, sunny and calm.  As we walked through the quiet neighborhood we watched the birds fly overhead and lizards run across the desert rocks.  The world was still.  There were no cars, no kids, no one else.  Just me and Kaci.  We walked to the park which sits on a lake.  In the distance there was a guy fishing, but the playground was empty.  We parked the stroller and she leaped out.  We headed toward the lake and all we could hear were the ducks quacking.  We found a bag of chips, crumpled them up and threw them in the water.  The sweet furry little ducks swam over and ate up all the chips.  They continued to quack as we walked out on the dock.  After a few minutes of watching the ducks we headed for the playground and sang wheels on the bus.  Before I knew it, it was 2:45 and time to walk to the school to get Courtney. 

We picked up Courtney and walked home enjoying more of God's beauty and perfect weather.  Courtney started and finished her gingerbread Halloween house. Kaci ate her goldfish and enjoyed her juice box.  And here I sit telling you about my fabulous day.  Thanks for listening.  I hope you enjoyed your day as much as I did.

Until next time....

Oh Happy Day

It is currently 78 degree in Gilbert AZ.  It's beautiful outside.  I can tell it's gonna get hot.  But for now, I am sitting on my patio, drinking my chocolate peanut butter Shakeology, blogging, and watching my crazy dog eat sticks.  I am also waiting for FedEx to arrive with my new phone.  (I know...always a new phone.) 

Courtney is at school and Kaci is at preschool.  She did cry when I left this morning but miss Tammi picked her right up and I know she is okay.  It's time for my wee one to have social interaction with children her own age.  She has really broke through her shell.  I know that preschool is going to be fabulous.

I have been really sick since Friday and today I am starting to feel better.  Two more days of meds and a good night's sleep is in order.  So I am taking this morning for myself.  Relaxing.  I don't pick up Kaci until 12:30pm.  That means I have 2.5 hours to do absolutely nothing.  I feel kind of weak so I am going to rest (and blog).  My dog can see his reflection in the computer screen.  He isn't sure what to think.  He just keeps tilting his head and whining. LOL  Crazy dog. 

Mia Stella is coming along.  I had to rebuild my entire website (twice because the first time I deleted it by accident).  I am making some finishing touches and waiting for my new logo to be finished and then I will be ready to publish it.  I may even do it before the new logo is done. We'll see.  I have started purchasing even more props and I have lowered my pricing (because the economy is awful).  Please please please do not go to SEARS Portrait studio for pictures.  (wink)  I never understood why people $40 and more for pictures from a place like that.  There is no character to the photos and you usually only get one or two posed photos!  Photos are supposed to be silly fun loving memories, not photos of your children and family with their heads tilted like a Labrador.  Speaking of photography, if you are in the Kileen/Ft. Hood area of Texas I know an AWESOME photographer!  Her name is Amanda Lloyd.  Check her out at amandalloydphotography.com

On to fitness.  Have you ordered your copy of P90X2 yet?  You can still preorder right now through your Beachbody Coach.  If you are interested hit me up on KirstenKFitness on Facebook and I will get it all squared away for you.  Beachbody is an awesome company with so much to offer.  The great part is there is no hassle.  You don't have to buy anything or sell anything.  You just have to make a commitment to get fit.  There is so much support.  You can become a club member with me for just $2.99 per week.  That's less than what you probably already spend on Jamba Juice or Starbucks.  You even have the option to sign up for free.  The main difference between free and club member is that when you are a club member you get discounts on all your favorite products. Including Shakeology!  You should come and check it out!

Other than all of the above there isn't too much going on right now.  We are all doing great and loving life.  I hope you are doing the same!!

Until next time...have a happy day!

Verizon. Really? UGH!

UGH.  Yesterday I was so blasted MAD at Verizon.  Their plans are overpriced and their phones are JUNK!!! UGH!  OK, so we were Sprint customers for 10 years and lovingly decided to switch to Verizon because or Sprint bill was so unpredictable.  Well, since I have been with Verizon I have had 6 Blackberry's, 2 Samsung Fascinates, and now I am on my second Droid.  UGH.  I am so sick of having a new phone.  Please can they just give me a phone that works.  Seriously.  So, this last incident my Fascinate took a poop so I called Customer Service.  The guy was really nice and after talking about the history of the phone etc he sent me a Droid Incredible.  I got the phone last Monday and wouldn't ya know the camera doesn't work and I can't talk on it unless I am on my bluetooth or on speaker phone.  That is VERY annoying.  So I called Customer Service again and spoke to a lady that said she would put the order in for a replacement phone.  Yesterday I sat around all day, on my day off waiting for FedEx who by 6:30pm never showed up.  So....yes...I called Customer Service.  I spoke to one guy who was so apologetic and nice, but I wanted a Supervisor.  Long story short, 1 hour and 34 minutes later I am now waiting on an Incredible II to show up.  That phone should be here tomorrow (Friday). 

I mean really Verizon, stop sending people "refurbished" phones.  Send them new out of the box.  Just because they are refurbished doesn't mean they work.  So, he is sending me a brand new Incredible II. Yes, new.  Not refurbished.  At this point I am over Verizon.  I want a phone that works ALL THE TIME!!! I feel like they should be paying ME for using their service. UGH!

That is all...

Chaos

WOW!  Our lives have been in a whirlwind for about the last three weeks!  We have made the move from CA to AZ and let me tell you.... IT IS HOT.  Yes...114 degrees yesterday! So far so good though.  The house is about 95% unpacked and the decorating is getting there.  Two of my favorite people are working on the inside decor.  It's going to be so cute.  And let me tell ya, if you are at all crafty you can totally shop at Goodwill and Antique store and decor your home for less than $300!  I know, sounds crazy right...it's true.  I can't wait to post pictures when it's finished!

Courtney has started the 6th grade and so far it is going well.  She said that the kids don't seem to try as hard on their schoolwork as she does and that kind of upsets her. Courtney is n over-achiever!  I know tht she will do well and she has made a few friends so that's good.

Kaci is starting gymnastics agan today!  She is very excited and even more importantly she is excited about getting her a stamp. LOL  Super cute!

Of course, as usual, I had a million things I wanted to blog about and now I can't remember.  UGH.  So for now, we are off to gym class...

UNTIL NEXT TIME....

A Wonderful and Interesting Weekend plus a Fundraiser

Wow!  It's been a minute since I have blogged.  Almost 2 months!  For starters, we are moving to Phoenix.  I got a promotion at work and that promotion is taking us straight to the dry heat of the desert!  Goodbye LA HELLOOOOO Phoenix.  We are scheduled to be in Phoenix on the 11th of August!  This will be my last week in the office with my LA peeps! :o(  I am looking forward to a new adventure and yet anther chapter...

Bethany has been spending the wekend at our house.   She and Courtney have been having so much fun!  Yesterday we went to Stacked for lunch.  You get to order your food on an iPad!  It's fun and relatively in expensive! $50 for 5 people.  After Stacked with Nana we headed on our adventure to Build-A-Bear.  ALl the kids got a "bear" and an outfit.  Kaci got her very first Build-A-Bear.  She got a puppy named Penny!  It giggles and has a heartbeat!  SO cute!  Court got Smurfette and Bethany got a dog.  From there we headed to Old Navy, the Converse Store, Stride Rite, Starbucks, then finally home.  It was only about 3 hours of shopping but I was EXHAUSTED!! LOL.

Once we got home and got settled the girls decided they wanted Hawaiin BBQ for dinner so that was my next destination.  On my way home from HBBQ I saw some interesting things...A punk rock concert in a parking lot, a man with his son walking down the street with his son scratching his unmentionables, a man smoking weed in his front yard, and a guy being arrested by an undercover cop....Now I know why I don't go out after dark around here.  Yikes!

The girls ended the night with Napolean Dynamite while I ended mine with sleep and King of Queens.

Today I am headed to church.  It's worship weekend at Cottonwood.  I am excited for the 8:45 service!  Should be wonderful.

The Fundraiser...

My bestie Mara is going to set up a fundraiser on http://www.gofundme.com/.  The fundraiser is for her sister Kim, her two small children, and her soon to be husband Jorge.  Jorge is a bridge construction worker.  He got down of the bridge to take his break with his coworker and he was hit by a drunk driver.  He is currently in ICU with 2 broken legs and severe brain damage.  The MRI and CAT scan originally showed zero brain activity, but now there is some glimmer of hope.  He does have reflex brain activity.  He cannot open his eyes or speak.  Yesterday when Kim leaned over to him and kissed him on the nose she said he grabbed her hand and squeezed it.  Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come!!!  I have had everyone I know praying for him and their family.  Once Mara has the link functional please spread the word.  We are trying to raise money for his hospital bills and some everyday bills for them.  They live an hour a way from the hospital and the cost is getting very expensive.  Kim makes that drive every day.  Even if I could have everyone donate just $5 it would really be helpful.  I will keep you posted.  Thank you in advance for your prayers!!!

Until Next Time...

Me and My Mara

I haven't written in what seems like a decade.  Let me first put in a Shout Out to Kori Donahue from Blonde Episodes and she released her first novel via Ebook.  I bought it of course!  It's sahweet! Seriously - grab it and then buy the hard copy when it comes out! <3

On to Mara.  She is the most hysterical person I have ever met (there are others of course).  She is quick witted and when we are together we just banter back and forth and it is omg drop to your knees laughing.  I wish she blogged.  Geeze, really, she barely got Internet at her house for the first time ever like a month ago.  LOL  She is a Forensic Scientist so she could care less about the computer or the Internet.  I tell ya though, when we are together we are a force to be reckoned with.  Be ready if you come across us to be on your knees, one hand on the ground, laughing hysterically until you almost pee.  I told her we should sign up to be comedians and get up on stage and just stare at each other.  We cracked up.  She said that bringing our awesomeness to others should be enough for the show.  We died laughing.  Some of you may not understand this type of humor, but it really is funny.  I have another friend like that.  Her name is Amy.  Oh Amy...you ARE funny!

While Mara was here she had an interview.  I had to take her to gang banger land for it.  Really?  Ugh!  Oh well.  Anyway, we found this restaurant by accident and it was AWESOME!!!! I can't even begin to describe how awesome the food was.  Here is a lil synopsis.  We then headed to the LASD for her interview.  Yup, CSI, that's her.  If you got a floater she's your girl.  She came out of the interview about 30 minutes later (I was waiting in the car, I didn't think I should go into the interview with her - LMAO) and came to the driver's side door and screeched, "I nailed it!!!"  It was clearly a spectacular moment.  We all know how it feels to come out of an interview and just feel awesome.  We both have a great feeling about this job.  And besides, the loved her.  Who wouldn't.  She shines awesomeness. Oh, and back to the interview, we did think it would be funny to go in there and tag team them for the interview.  They could ask her the questions and I could just reiterate how awesome she is.  LOL  We had a theme song the day of the interview.  Guess what it was... ...you sexy thing...HA!  Of course right now I can't think of any more words but it's cool.  Whatever. 

It was a great visit!  I know she was only here like 2 days but we always have sooooo much fun and I am totally looking forward to her getting this job and moving out here!  So much to do...lots of good times.

Until next time!

Ciao!

Oklahoma City

I meant to post this yesterday when I got home.....

One of the worst cases of home-grown terror...Please take time today to remember the victims and their families.

My New Venture...

I haven't posted to this blog in a few before today!  For all my readers please check it out!

Before I go into details please go to the following links...

Mia Stella Photography

Mia Stella Photography Blog


Ciao!

Little Lizzzzard

Imagine this.  You walk on to your back porch to find something strange under the garbage can.  What do you do?  Let me back up about 5 hours.  Earlier this morning I sprayed the yard with the Ortho Max yard spray stuff.  It allegedly kills bugs and stuff.  I sprayed.  It dried.  I went outside to find dead bugs flipped over on their backs.  I washed off the porch (with the bug spray).  Of course I wanted to make sure there was no chance that any of those creepy crawlies were coming on MY porch. 

Move back to present time.  I look under the garbage can by moving it slightly with my toe and out crawls a LIZARD.  I don't mean a little spider eating gecko.  I mean a 7 inch long (or so) gray and white lizard.  I swear it looked like a small alligator.  Of course it took my breath away.  I scared the crap out of me.  I jumped back about 2 feet.  It drug itself behind Kaci's Cozy Coupe and stayed there.  I am pretty sure the yard spray had almost killed it.  I have never seen it before.  I do not have any idea where this thing came from.  I went into panic mode.  For those of you that KNOW me you KNOW I do not do well in these types of situations.  And of course my husband is deployed.  So, I walk over to my neighbors house.  I knock on the door and when he came to the door I said, "I need your help."  I could hear J laughing.  I think she knew where I was going with this.

I proceeded to tell this Marine that I had a creature in my backyard that I wanted him to dispose of.  (chuckle)  He come creeping into the backyard and crouches down and peeks around.  Then we see it.  He turns to me and says, "I'll be right back."  I'm like...okay.  Did you read and process that I said he was a MARINE?  He asks as he is coming up the walk if he can come in.  I am like, of course.  HAHAHAHAHA  He went home to get his BB Gun! The lizard thing is crawling in between the shed and the house.  He shoots it with a BB Gun and tells me not to worry it's dead and it won't be back.  I am so relieved.

WAIT! NO! It's back and it's chillin under my grill! WTH?!?!?  Courtney and her friend come running downstairs to investigate.  HA.  Nea and CK decide that for $10 they will catch the lizard and throw it in the dumpster.  Ok.  I'm down.  I will SO give them $10 because there is no way on the Good Lord's green earth I am going near that thing.  CK gets the rake out of the shed and gives it to Nea.  She gets a garbage bag and puts her arms all the way inside.  They walk over to the lizard, barely lower the rake and it moves it's tail!  They both scream like girls and come high-tailing it into the house.  All of us are cracking up at this point.  They get their bearings and go out for a second attempt.  Nea is practically beating the whowhatsits out of the lizard and CK is CRYING! LOL Laughing and crying.  Nea manages to get the lizard on the end of the rake, out through the back gate and over to the dumpster.  Onlyyyy she drops it before they get to the dumpster.  I peek out the window and they are flipping examining the lizard.  Really?  I hear Nea tell CK to just put her foot on the bag and hold it up so she can scoop it in there.  She does.  It's over.  NOPE!  CK throws the bag and it falls out of the dumpster and the lizard almost falls on her! LMBO!  Anyhow,  the half dead lizard is in its grave...the dumpster.  I am going to have nightmares and the girls are showered and free from lizard cooties.

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

This and That

Every time I sit down to write a blog I totally forget what I am going to write about.  LOL  I have decided that I am going to keep a journal of all of me ideas.  Like right now I am totally drawing a blank.

Trips...where do I want to take a trip?  For now I am staying close to home.  Maybe Phoenix in a couple of months.  At some point I want to go to Tuscany, Ireland...maybe that's it...possibly Rome.  We shall see!

In June I will be headed to So Cal to photograph a wedding with my Nikon D60.  It's a great starter camera for me!  A wedding on the beach.  I am rather excited. My cousin Jordyn is marrying cutie patootie Paige.  It will be my first "professional" photography gig!  I don't plan on going professional but I would like to get good enough to take pictures for military families and maybe enven eventually some family and newborn photos.  We'll see.  After the wedding I will post pictures of my adventure!

I am going to the Vicara Aveda Salon on 9 March with my momma for a high/lowlight and a Brazilian Blowout!  I am stoked.  I can't wait. I will post pics when I am done!

I can't believe how fast Kaci is growing up!  She LOVES Blue's Clues and can't get enough.  I printed her some BC coloring pages.  She loves them.  She is talking up a storm.  AND...she loves to workout! LOL She is always doing crunches and pushups with me.  She's pretty good at squats for a 2 year old.  LOL  I love it.  She is just so stinkin smart!!!

Well, for now I am done.  I am sure throughout the day I will have remembered a hundred other things I wanted to Blog about.

Until Next Time...

Where Will July Take Us?

I wonder where July will take us...I have been dreaming lately...

I actually LOVE this house too...

And this one...


When I dream of the home I want to live in forever so many ideas run through my mind.  I like so many different elements that I am not sure where I would start or how I would pick.  I like the log cabin look, I like modern, I like country, I like Victorian...I just like sooo much! 

And who would love this?  It might be a little too modern for me but you get the idea...I don't want stiff...

I want my home to have some charm.  I do not want a cookie cutter house.  I would live a big wrap around porch with a porch swing in the front.  I don't necessarily want to be in the country, but I really don't want neighbors so close that I can see into their house.  I'd love a backyard...some rock landscape and some grass.  I'd like to have a small garden.  I'd like to live somewhere that has actual seasons.  I would like large mature trees in the back and maybe even an apple tree. All of this near the city....keep dreamin right?  We'll see. 
For the inside I'd love vaulted beamed ceilings; open floor plan; double sinks (granite) in all the bathrooms; a garden tub and separate  marble shower in the master bath with the toilet separate from the sink and shower area (with a door); in the main bath upstairs I would really kind of like it to be a lot like the master bath; I'd like a 3rd full bathroom with just a tub/shower, sink, and water saving toilet; a fireplace in the master bedroom, a fireplace in the great room, a separate family room, a formal dining room, an eat in kitchen, a den, 5 bedrooms, a large master bedroom with a sitting area and a big window so I can sit in the chair and read and 4 other large bedrooms all with walk in closets, a finished basement (man cave), finished 3 car garage, a huge patio with a built in BBQ, a sun room, a pool (maybe); hardwood floors and maybe slate in the bathrooms, as far as paint goes...warm colors-nothing too dark and not start white all through the house...and the kitchen....well, every woman wants their kitchen...and I like different kinds of kitchens...

I have seen classic kitchens and dark kitchens with all the amenities...I am not sure what I would pick when it came down to it.  I like light, natural light, so maybe I should stick with a classic kitchen with stainless steel appliances of course....

See, from all the pictures above I just don't know what I would pick...I want warm and cozy, big with a lot of natural light...oh boy...I am going to have to start putting a binder together of all the things I love.

Until next time...keep dreaming...where will your dreams take you....

Courtney's Big Bash

I remember now that I wanted to tell all of you that Courtney turned 11 on February 12.  The limo picked up the kids (and Nana Marian) promptly at 12:45pm.  At 1:10 or so all the kids piled into the limo (laughing and carrying on) and we headed to Yogurtland.  All the kids got a yogurt and my mom, grandma, Kaci and I sat around and listened to them chat.  They were HYSTERICAL!  Then they headed for a drive to PV and got to Color Me Mine a little before 2.  All the kids did their art (which I have to pick up tomorrow) and then we headed over to Islands for a bite to eat.  After that the limo brought them all back to my house for cake, ice cream, and presents.  The cake was a one tier cake with a 3D art palette on the top with two edible paint brushes. (pictures to come after the move as my camera  cord is packed.)  CK made out like a bandit!!!  The kids had a pillow fight and parents started to arrive.  Three of the little girls spent the night.  They all left around 9am Sunday morning.  It was quite a fun day and I know CK had a blast!  Geesh...what will I do next year?  Maybe a movie theater birthday?  I have no idea.  Nana Marian has big plans for birthday 13!  Shopping in NYC!!! SAHWEET!!!

Gnomeo and Juliet

When Kaci was just a wee baby we took her to the movies a couple times.  Both time she slept through the entire movie.  Not today!  today I took the girls to Islands for lunch and to see Gnomeo and Juliet.  the movie was very cute.  Kaci did pretty good.  the seats in the theater are new and they are awesome!  I think she had the most fun lifting the arm rest up and down.  She did manage to sit and watch ALL the previews and about 40 minutes of the actual movie.  She definitely liked the singing and dancing parts!  She was groovin in her seat.  It ws fun!  Thanks mom for the tickets...we had a great time!

Over the course of the last week I thought of a million things I wanted to blog about and of course right now I cannot remember a single one.  Geesh...

Well, until next time...

Busy Bees

We are so incredibly busy!  My hubbs is here and I am so happy to have him home if only for a wee little bit.  Courtney is getting ready for her Catalina Island trip as well as her birthday.  We are going to meet at the house at 1pm where the limo will pick up the kids and my mom.  I will follow them in my CRV with Kaci.  We are going to Color Me Mine for the first 2 hours.  The kids all get to pick a piece to paint ($25 and under) and they get pizza and pop.  From there the limo will take us to get a treat and then we will head back to our home for cake and presents.  Then she has three little girls spending the night.  EEK!  This year Courtney's cake is in the shape of a guitar (Hannah Montana Style)!  I found this picture online for the cake place.  Obviously, it will say Happy Birthday Courtney...LOL

Her party should be a lot of fun.  I know I am going to be exhausted.  Shortly after her birthday we are moving....again...yup...(sigh)  I will be glad when that part is over and we are all settled.  Let's see, other than that there isn't much going on right now.  Only 3 more classes and Rick is done with school! YAHOO!  I am working and teaching.  Oh, and I am 99% sure Courtney will be home schooled next year.  It's only short term.  We'll see.  Who knows where the AF will take us in the next year and a half.  LOL

That's all for now folks!!!

Until next time...

I am so HAPPY!

I am so incredibly happy...I LOVE and ADORE my husband....and I am glad he is home!


That is all...

A Fabulous 4 Days

My favorite Aunt came to visit me this weekend.  She actually arrived on Thursday.  We had such a great time.  We laughed, listened to music, worked out, ate healthy, got pedi's and just had a great time.  We were also stalked by a 40 pound raccoon! We could not believe how big he was.  I love when she comes to visit but I hate when she leaves.  We are very close.  On the last day...as usual...Kaci is ready to cuddle up and sit with her AT!

New and exciting news.  Courtney gets to go to Catalina Island for three days in February.  Actually, it is the 3 days before her birthday!  Should be a fun and exciting trip! Oh, and how could I forget...the last Hannah Montana is on tonight.  Courtney and I watch that show together.  Courtney said she would be crying at 8:30. LOL

I don't really think I have any other exciting news...at least not for today...

Until next time...Do unto to others as you want done to yourself...even if they aren't deserving...

Wowy Wowy Wow!

C.R.A.Z.Y! We are on the move again.  Yup!  Full circle.  We are moving back to where Rick and I first lived together when we got married.  LOL  I am excited.  I just hate the actual moving part.  Beh!  The good news is all the homes have been renovated.  They are very nice.

I feel like my life is just non-stop right now.  Kaci has been back in day care about 3 weeks now and of course she still cries every single day when I drop her off; breaks my heart!  She is learning non-stop and I think she is going to be actually talking up a storm any time now!  She uses the potty occasionally but I don't push the issue.  She loves bubble baths.  She loves Cheerios.  She loves going to gymnastics at The Little Gym.  She loves art and of course, Blues Clues.

Courtney is doing very well. Such a scholar. She got straight A's on her last report card.  She loves Hannah Montana, Camp Rock 2, and baking.  Yes, I said baking.  She made some fabulous cookies and a gingerbread man this past weekend.  I think I will have her make some cupcakes this weekend and let her take them to school on Monday.

I worked out yesterday morning and boy was I glad I did.  Tonight I will have to work out when I get home.  I am working a lot of hours right now trying to build up some comp time. I am going to eat dinner before I go home so that right when I get home I can work out.  It's a must.  I am loving nutrition.  I want to be healthy and I only want to put good food in my body to fuel it.  However, I have to be honest when I say I could really go for some good Mexican food!  Instead, I will make some tostadas...weight watchers style!

Nothing much really going on.  No big trips planned.  I haven't won the lottery. So....until next time...

LIVE LAUGH LOVE PRAY