Because I never remember to do it on Wednesdays :)

Sweat Pants from Victoria's Secret
I believe that if I could wear these comfy things every day of my life, I would do more cartwheels each day than I currently do...I actually don't do any cartwheels, but I bet I would if I could wear these because that's how happy I am when I'm in them. It's actually 85 degrees now so they're not totally necessary but when it dips down to 82...I'm pullin' those babies out!

They're expensive...when we're talking about pajamas but worth EVERY PENNY.

French Pedicure
I once read that when people are "groomed well" they are happier. Did I really read that or did I just make that up? Either way...I am happier when my toes are pedicured up and french toes make me feel fancy...they make me feel fancy when I'm wearing my sweat pants.

Justin Timberlake and Mila (I don't know her last name)
I think the prospect that these 2 might be a couple right now is so hot. They had so much chemistry in Friends with Benefits. I always love it when hot movie couples get together for real. The Notebook couple...so cute too. Now, I wonder if they would listen to me if I called up my friends David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston? Hmmm.

Black Box
Don't judge. Yeah it's in a box but it's not bad wine. My family and I polish one of these off each time we visit each other. Hmmm, perhaps that's not something to brag about? It's just so easy to drink...pour spout and you can't see the fact that you've had over a bottle, until the next day.

Real Simple Magazine
Super cute, super fast, super simple ideas.

I started Crossfit.

After the first month I had GAINED 2 lbs.

I felt like my Crossfit trainers were so disappointed. I felt like they were wondering why they chose me for this Challenge. I felt like they thought I was secretly eating Big Macs in the closet.

I kept coming back but only reason I kept going is because I knew quitting would give them something else to say about me.


I felt like I was getting stronger. I knew I was...but the scale, my pants, nothing was showing it.

I kept going...being terrified of the next time Derek said, "I know you're not gonna like this, but I have to have you get on the scale again."

This past weekend I went to a Halloween party and some of my friends said, "You look great! Your face is smaller. Your arms are smaller." I swear, comments like these are my crack. Ahh...I just can't get enough.

Today, Lauren said, "You look totally different. I was gonna tell you last week."
Ahh, more crack...and I'm such a baby I almost started crying.

Since I was on such a high I decided to hop on the scale (secretly, without Derek knowing just in case things still sucked).

I WAS DOWN 4 LBS!

I know that 4 Lbs in 2 months in nothing to write home about. But things are finally happening. I'm leaner. I'm smaller. And now it's showing on the scale.

I LOVE EVERYTHING. I love you Crossfit Trainers for believing in me and being patient with me. I love you Crossfit friends I have made who I always look forward to seeing. I love you supportive friends and family. I love the Crossfit workouts for being hard and never letting me get comfortable.


FI-NA-LLY things are happening!

It's been 4 years since I saw my mom for the last time, so I thought I'd post what I read at her funeral a few years ago.

So I’ve been thinking about what I would say at this time for years; you would think I’d have it by now.

I just can’t seem to find a way to get across to this entire congregation that my mom was perfect. She wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the word but she was everything to my brother, to her husband-my dad, and to me.

Then again, if you’re sitting here, you probably know that already because my mom talked about her family incessantly. I would always tell her, “Stop Mom, people are going to hate us.” She would reply, “I don’t care. I know it’s terrible to be that smug about your family but I got the best.”

Well, we thought the same of her too. She was the best so she got the best. The best of almost everything, but not best refrigerator.

A few years ago my parents bought a new refrigerator. It’s stainless steel with a freezer on the bottom. There are all these compartments and drawers and whatnot. It’s beautiful, but I think that if she had it to do over again my mom wouldn’t want the same one. You see, although it was beautiful, it wasn’t magnetic. For my whole life the front of our fridge has been full. There are sayings all over the place.

One of my favorites is a Dear Abby article. It’s all tattered and worn now. It’s been spilled on, taped up, and smudged, but I think it’s how my mom saw life.

Dear Abby: I just read the letter from the 28-year-old grandmother of four who tacked a poster on her door with “rules” to keep visitors away. Well, I’m a 38 year-old mother of six, and I’m amazed that anyone would want that much privacy. We’re newcomers who live in the country, and I’m stuck out her with six kids, two dogs and three cats. I’m so hungry for company, I’m ready to go out on the road and flag down some strangers.

Please print my “poster” in the paper for all to read:

You may smoke inside, outside, on the roof or anywhere you wish; just don’t burn the house down.

If you’re hungry, help yourself to anything you can find. And if you can’t find anything, ask one of the kids. They’ll fix you a peanut butter and brown sugar sandwich.

If you’re here around mealtime, grab a chair and join us.

If you want to stay over-night, bring a sleeping bag and we’ll move some clutter from the corner to make room for you.

Bring your kids; we have so many a few more won’t make a difference.

Tell us your troubles and we’ll tell you ours. One of our kids can play the violin for background music, and we can all cry together.

If you can stand us, we can stand you, so drop in anytime and stay as long as you like. We’re people who like people.

That’s my mom; she loved people. So much that where there weren’t sayings and inspiring articles, there were people.

The front of our fridge was covered in pictures. That was her world. Her students who she still kept in contact with, years after she wasn’t their teacher anymore. Her friends who have done more for her and her family that we ever thought possible. Her aunts and uncles, who she always held in the highest regard, Her in-laws. For some, in-laws are almost a bad word, not for her though—she loved each and every one of them as if they were her blood. Her nieces and nephews and my brother’s and my friends—she treated them like they were her own children-high expectations and a whole lot of love. Her parents and Tom and Sandy, who were everything to her, And, of course, her husband and her kids.

That was it. There wasn’t any jewelry on her fridge. There weren’t material things. In fact, I think she’s wearing the same shirt in 7 of the pictures of the family on the fridge. That was just her way. She would rather buy her students a new pair of shoes, or donate her money to Andre House or buy a plane ticket for a family member to come and visit than spend money on “stuff.”

She loved people. Her relationships were an inch wide and a mile deep because once you were in, you were in. She might yell at you, give you advice, call you on your crap or, even, write you a letter, but it was always, always, always out of love. She expected a lot from the people she loved. She put them on her fridge and in her heart forever, as we will her.

All right Mom, my first and best teacher, you usually edit my papers, but I did this one on my own. I hope you liked it.

I know I have mentioned a time or two that I think dating sucks. I might be the person who hates first dates more than anyone in the world. The awkwardness, the what's-he-thinking, the not feeling like yourself. Hate.

However...when you get past the awkwardness I will admit, the fun begins. Ahhh, butterflies, the is-he-going-to-kiss-me, the how-did-we-start-holding-hands, the getting comfortable with each other. All so good.

And then...if you're a human being who has been out with more than 1 person and/or aren't married, it's the...ummm, what the f*** happened?! The late night talks to your friends, the analyzing to death what may or may not have happened, the wondering what you did wrong, the pep talks that it was him and not you.

Isn't there an easier way? Well, Ladies (and gentlemen if you change the genders below) I have come up with a plan.

An Exit Survey

I think it's brilliant. You don't wanna call anymore Boys? That's fine. Just fill this out and leave it on my porch. Easy for you...no actual contact. Better for me...honest answers. A learning tool...you'll know for next time.

Exit Survey.

Dear Man Who is Thinking About or Has Disappeared From My Life,
Please fill out the following survey as an educational tool for myself. Thank you in advance, as this will give me hundreds of hours of my life back that I may have spent wondering what happened with us.

1. Did I dump you? ____ Yes ____ No
* If yes, this survey is over unless you'd like to leave some comments about how amazing I am below. Thank you for your time.




2. I'm not calling you anymore because (Please check all that apply):
A. You're a Stage 5 Clinger and I'm scared.
B. I can't take you home to Mom.
C. You were slutty too soon.
D. I found out your friends were hotter than you.
E. My dog told me he hated you after you left.
F. I'm emotionally unavailable and you will look back and be super excited this didn't work out.
F. You weren't slutty enough for me.
G. You're way hotter than me and I know you would realize that soon enough.
H. You're crazy*
I. Other (Please list a detailed description below):
_____________________________________________

3. If one of the above things were different I would:
A. Call you again tomorrow because I was actually pretty in to you.
B. Consider calling you again.
C. Not even call you if I had left my wallet at your house.'
D. Still get a restraining order

4. If you were to offer some advice it would be:
A. You're a great person and there's nothing you should change.
B. Don't tell the next guy who your future children will look like on the first date.
C. Mattress Mambo on Date #1 = No call
D. I hope you find some Crazy Pills soon.

5. Please write 5 nice things about me below so I can limit myself to 1 pint instead of 2.
A. ______________________
B. ______________________
C. ______________________
D. ______________________
E. ______________________

Thank you for your time and enjoy your life.

*If you selected this answer, please give more information below since every man on the planet says that after they aren't dating a girl anymore.

Sometimes passing your brother and WORKING HIS ASS at Crossfit 480 is enough to keep you going...and going...and going...and going.

That's right ladies and gentlemen I beat my brother.

The same brother who has always kicked my ass at everything. The same brother who only did swim team for a year but beats me every time I get in the pool. The same brother who beat me to the marriage and family punch...by several years. The same brother who has been told how good looking he was at least 2 million times. The same brother who tells me I need to "toughen up" each time he sees me.

Well Little Brother...I toughened up and I know that slice was a little tough to swallow ;)

I hope you had fun eating my dust Sir.

And THAT is the best testament I have that Crossfit works. There is NO way in hell I could have done that a few months ago.



PS. Tom, please don't train at all in the upcoming months, like I know you will. Just let me carry on, forever, knowing I will always be better at CF than you.

I've been writing for almost a year now and I think it's high time that I say thank you.

THANK YOU BLOG READERS!



I can't believe how many people tell me that they read/like my blog. I don't know why but I certainly appreciate it.

This journey to become exactly who I want to be is quite a journey...one that I'm sure will never be finished, but I sure am glad that you come along with me and read my rants and raves and everything in between.

So...
Thank you to my commenters!
You make blogging SO MUCH FUN for me. I love that there are people read and feel the same way or don't. I love it all. Thank you to all of my commenters.
Special shout outs to my top commenters:
Jamie M...awe, not M now, Jamie L-I love that we have so much in common with our thinking and I love that I feel like I get to stay close to you through typing back and forth.

Justin B-You're amazing and keep me going and believing that the BEST version of me is possible. I can't thank you enough for the constant encouragement.

LeeAnn L-Love that you make me laugh and think and go easier on myself when I want to throw in the towel. CF & Drink Date sooooooon!!

Kelli P-Love reading your comments. Love your constant positive words along my journey. Love you P ;)

Brez-I love you upside down and backwards. Love our PPT, ridiculous conversations, a million laughs...love it all my friend.

Thank you to my random readers!
I'm so glad you're reading. Whether you randomly found this on the CF480 page, through my FB page, or would never in a million years admit that you follow my blog (ha ha, you're caught ;) ) or whatever, I'm so glad you read. I hope you can see yourself in what I write or a least laugh at me and all of my reduculiousness.

Thank you readers who come up and say things!
I can't tell you how much it makes my day see 3 dimensional people commenting on my blog. Yes, even when they don't agree MS ;)

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU! I <3 you!

PS. I should be working on my online class right now...stupid damn online class is going to be the death of me...or very possibly the death of my 4.0 GPA. Say a prayer, blog readers, that this is NOT the case. I'm not sure when it became more important to get A's than C's but the thought of getting a C just might kill me. So...what shall I do about it? Work my ass off to get an A? Nah, I'll go ahead and write a blog. :)

STRIKE 1
This week I missed a day of CF so I did my workout in my classroom.
No, I seriously did. It was a silly sight to see but I made my friend come and watch me workout. PS. Thank you for that HL! Who would ever agree to WATCH someone workout?!? Well, I take that back, I'd watch Ryan Reynolds workout ANY DAY OF THE YEAR. Anyway, thanks HL, I know I'm no Ryan Reynolds and I appreciate your support.
I realized that I didn't work quite as hard as I would have had I been at CF 480. I did my best but I think my best is better there :)

Moving on...

STRIKE 2
I went to the track on Saturday...mind you I've been going to the track every other week for several weeks.

I S-U-C-K-E-D. I started out running and then I got some weird ball (of what I don't know) thing in the outside of my calf and it was shooting pain up and down my leg. It was so bad I couldn't run.
I walked...and as I walked off the track I could tell that Justin was seething. He didn't say anything but I could tell.

So...even though it wasn't really in my original plan I went to the Saturday class at CF...because I couldn't go all day thinking he was mad at me.

STRIKE 3
I got to CF and started jump roping. The other week I could do at least 1 double under. I could do them several times. I COULDN'T DO ANY.
Meanwhile, I was at a new class with new people...1 of which, I swear, was jumping 4 feet off the ground. I think she may have been doing triple unders. I don't think that's actually a thing but she could have done them.

PS. I actually have an idea that I'd like to share with the CF Community. How about we skip DUs and start doing old school jump roping? I can get a student to come in and teach them all the songs, "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground..." No?

I'M OUT
Needless to say, I was irritated at my bad work-out week. I thought I was supposed to be getting better? I was getting better and now I feel like I weigh 600 lbs. My body feels like lead and I'm so weak. Am I in the Twilight Zone? Did I just dream that I was putting my blood, sweat and tears on the gym floor and not actually do it?

I'M BACK IN...BECAUSE WE ALL KNEW I WASN'T GOING TO ADMIT DEFEAT FOR LONG
I chatting with Justin and 2 of my CF buddies and learned the following:
1. Our bodies go through rhythms. We ARE still improving, but some days or weeks are just bad, no matter how hard we try.
2. I just have to keep coming when things get hard like that.
3. Recovery is important but you need to make it active recovery (ie. still moving but lighter and a bit easier)
Deep breath...I'm doing fine. I can do this. A bad few days does not equal a bad Katie :)

Ending on a super positive note...
The day after all of this, I rode my bike TWENTY miles with 2 friends of mine. That's the first time I've ever done that...more on that to come!

**WARNING**This blog is full of strong sentences and curse words...don't say I didn't warn you :)

As it is Breast Cancer Awareness month, my mom's birthday AND my mom's Angelversary (yeah, I think God thought he was real funny with that one) I have lots to say.

Here are some things I believe:
1. I believe there is a cure for cancer.

You do?? Yes, I 100% believe that. That's a bold statement Katie. Yes it is. Why? Several reasons really...

A. Our Nation is full of money hungry people and here's what makes money...keeping people sick. Nobody makes any money if we cure cancer with some cheap vitamin that can be found in many foods and is readily available. I mean we're talking about a multi-billion dollar a year company here. Pay for surgery and chemotherapy and drugs and radiation and on it goes.

B. Last year a girl, a teenager, found a drug that shrunk cancer cells dramatically. She went to DC and won and award for her great Science Fair Project from Obama and then...then what? Where is she now? They won't do any further research, I'm certain. Why? Again, cures don't make money.

C. We are among the smartest nations on Earth. BILLIONS of dollars are raised for cancer research and they're going to tell us with all that money and all those resources they haven't found anything better than shitty chemotherapy?! Get outta here!

2. I believe the FDA is full of the most corrupt assholes on the planet.
"Hi FDA, we made this poison called aspertaine (sp?). It causes cancer, seizures, AND will take the rust off your car. Is it safe to drink?" "Will it make us money?" "Oh yes, TONS." "SOLD!"

And that's JUST that particular poison...how about hormones in food and animals?

3. Making donations to breast cancer, etc. organizations are bogus.
Now, before you slay me and say, "How dare you. My mom had breast cancer. That's very near and dear to me." Please know...I get it. I've been there.

Such a small percentage of our money goes to the actual looking for cures, funding mammograms, etc, etc and most of it goes to MORE and MORE and MORE pink shit.

Now, don't get me wrong. I say this but I kinda like it. I get a little swept up in the pink ribbon stuff too.

In addition to that, I have donated to and done the 3-Day Walk and it was LIFE CHANGING. Tears and walking and shared moments and hope. It was all there, something that can't be explain and has to be felt. I'm sure, sometime, I'll do the walk again. The mottos are good, the camaraderie is good...and I love pink. BUT...the facts remain...and at least we should be in the know.

4. I believe we should treat our bodies as temples.
We can do SO much more for our bodies (and minds and souls) by paying attention to what we put in it and do with it, rather than pills and cutting into it.


And while I'm here...Dear Pharmaceutical Drug Rep,
Yes, you do look very handsome in your suit. Yes, you are quite charming...and yes I do like free pens and notepads. But...you're a dick too. You're here smoosing the front desk ladies at a Doctor's office to chat with the doctor about your new pill for Restless Leg Syndrome. What the fuck is RLS anyway?! Here, let me give you some advice: You have RLS? Move your damn body. Your leg is probably shaking because you sit at a desk all day. MOVE. Done...can I have my medical degree now?

I believe. Thoughts?