I really think that a balanced life is a happy life.


How balanced is your life?
Ummm, NOT balanced at all.
Yeah, mine either.

This is my Balance Wheel...NOT. SO. BALANCED.


You can make yours here.

This is another Balance Test but you have to print it out and actually color it.  I'm going to.  I'm gonna print it and get out my markers and color it and then hang it up to remind myself.

Apparently this is the typical person's wheel:



Are you typical?  Are you balanced?

This is not ok with me...is it ok with you?
What are you going to do about it?  What am I going to do about it?

I leave you with my favorite quote from one of my favorite books...

Permission to be The Princess and The Pea
I got new sheets at Costco.  450 thread count, Egyptian cotton.  THEY SUCK!  They were so scratchy on my delicate princess skin that I'm returning them after attempting to sleep on them 1 night.


Permission to say something bad about Costco
See above.  I'm sorry Costco.  I feel guilty.  I love you but I don't like your sheets.


Permission to Be Late to Work
As in...AFTER the bell rings.  After announcements are over.  After breakfast for the kids is over.  Yeah, that's right...no power last night = no phone alarm this morning = I woke up at 7:13.  No worries.  I mean, it's cool,  it's not like I'm trying to do a good job and become a principal one day so it's cool if I'm late...oh wait.


Permission to Have GAINED 0.5 Lbs During the 1st Week of Our Biggest Loser Competition
Way. To. Go. Katie.


Permission to Be SO Excited When I Sell Products on TPT
Oh yeah!  It e-mails me and says Product Sold.  Current count, $22 made - $60 I paid to have my TPT account.  So, I've made -$38...well on my way, well on my way ;)

I swear to God it's like the world LOVES to play jokes on me.  Sometimes I feel like God gets all the angels together and says, "Watch this.  This is going to be hilar."  Yeah, I'm pretty sure God says hilar.

Katie's Laws:
Good make-up + Cute outfit = I see nobody
Complete Ugliness = I will run into any and everyone


First of all, I don't like wearing make-up or anything other than pajamas on the weekend.  I have to wear make-up, do my hair and wear uncomfy shoes to work every day.  So on the weekends, I feel like I've really been an overachiever if I took a shower, let alone put on make-up.  Hmmm, maybe we can see why you're single Katie.


Today...
I look cute.  Cute weekend outfit (I typed that before I posted the picture above...I was wearing a hoodie.  That's what cute means to me...apparently I don't know what good outfit means judging from the picture above) , I mean as cute as it gets for a rainy day.  Hair is done.  Make-up is on.  Guess who I saw: My friend who is gay and my friend who is a girl who doesn't give a who-ha (My BFF uses that word, I'm testing it out) how I look.

The other day...
My outfit sucked.  It was less than professional and I forgot to put on mascara.  Guess who I saw?  My Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, and my friend who I really like to look cute for because she always looks cute.

This is just one example...and not a very good one Katie.  Just believe me, it happens a lot.

Why is it that these Katie's Laws are a guarantee for me.  I seriously want to just go and stand on the side of the freeway and show my face, just so I don't feel like I wasted my make-up.  Reminds me of Big Daddy..."We wasted the good surprised on YOU!"  That's actually not what you were talking about at all Katie.  Whatever, that movie is hilar.

Sometimes people make fun of my movie tastes.  I may or may not be known as a girl who ONLY watches Rom-Coms...but that's only partly true.

2 of my closest friends called me tonight and said, "We're going to see The Hobbit and wanted to extend the invitation but we already know you won't come."

I really considered it.  Maybe I could try and expand my horizons?  I'm sure I'll get something out of it.

"It's 2 hours and 50 minutes."
"What?!  As in five-zero?  Is there an Intermission during it?"
I told him I'd get back to him.

2 minutes later...

Nope, can't do it.
I don't like elves or things with pointy ears.
I don't like darkness as I saw in a horrible movie I once saw called "Lord of the Rings"
I hate fantasy movies.
So, no I can't do it.



I AM trying to expand my movie genres but quite honestly, why the hell would I want to pay to see bad things?  If I pay to see a movie, I want bright, people gazing into each others eyes, possibly a beach...what's so wrong with that?!?

My Top 5...
1.  Crazy, Stupid, Love
2.  The Notebook
3.  When Harry Met Sally
4.  Anything with Ryan Reynolds
5.  How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Sweet Home Alabama, Friends with Benefits, The Wedding Date, Hitch, The Holiday, My Best Friend's Wedding, He's Just Not that in to You, Notting Hill, Knocked Up, Pretty Woman, What Happens in Vegas...and a few more ;)




However, in an effort to add to my movie watching reportaie (I hate when I use cool words but can't spell them), I did go and see "Flight" with some friends.  It's not a movie I ever would have chosen but it was AMAZEBALLS.  I wanted to see it again right after it.  I want to see it again right now.  This minute.  It was a mix between action/an episode of Intervention/a touchy feely-makes-you-feel-all-warm-inside-movie.

So, maybe I'm going to add a goal to this year...watch more "out of my genre" movies.

Another goal of mine is to convince Johnny Depp to play the leading man in a rom/com.  Come on Johnny!  Just PLAY the ridiculously hot man you are for ONCE in your odd life!

It's a New Year.  I've had days and days of family time and we didn't kill each other so I'm all touchy feely right now...

Big and Loud
I love it.  I love when everyone is together.  At least 30 people but I've known all of them since I was tiny.  I super love our great big family.


Psychic Family Members
There are some people who are so in tune with you and your history that no words are really necessary.  They just know and act accordingly.  Love that.  Love them.

Cute Kids Running Around
It's always loud.  There are always kids under foot.  Pretending they're kitties crawling on the ground.  Playing Zombies.  Crying because they ran into a tree.  "Who got hurt?"

BFFs by my Side at Every Event
Secret conversations with our eyes.  Yeah, just like that.


Making Fun of People
"Uncle Dan is wearing a Speedo.  Why is he wearing a Speedo and cowboy hat?"
"Aunt Suzanne is wearing her toe socks.  Seriously someone needs to steal those and hide them from her."

Everyone Pitching In to Help
If you cook, you should never have to clean.  Other people clean.  All my mom did was look at me and I knew I should get up and start clearing the table and helping with dishes, one of my favorite things she taught me.  NOTHING annoys me more than when people don't help or just expect other people to do things for them.  I believe it's a character flaw.  So, get up and do your part.

In my family we do our part.  EVERYONE helps.  High five.


Famous Food
We all have "our dish."  Well mostly my uncle has his dishes but at our gatherings we can ALWAYS count on Wings and Poppers.  They never last long because the vultures get to them but they're amazing every time.  I'm trying to perfect my own "dish" so they keep inviting me.


Picture Time
It's so annoying.  You're all trying to have conversations and Amy calls everyone together for a "family picture."  And it take freaking FOREVER to take that thing.  "Kids in the front.  No, put the kids on the sides.  No, put the kids near Nana and Papa.  _________, stop kicking your brother.  Boys, stop trying to climb the fence.  SOMEONE take the damn picture. "

And then everyone says, "Amy, tag me in that picture."  And Amy rolls her eyes because we all bitch and moan but we are all glad it happened.

Until next time...Happy freaking 2013!  I'm so happy!

In case ya'll thought you may have blinked and missed it, I'll let you know now.   I did not get married or pregnant in 2012.  We know that from your constant Facebook updates.  Ok, just wanted to be clear.

What did I do in 2012?

Let's first review the goals I set for myself this year which I was reminded of when I looked back here

Goals for 2012...
1. Run 3 5Ks, without walking
                  - Ran 2
2. Go on 1 date...I'm setting the bar low so I can attain this one ;)
                  - Check...actually, 2...what, what, look at me!
3. Drink 1 glass of green tea per day
                  - Um, no...why is the hell did I even write this?!
4. Eat an apple each day
                   - Or this one?  Committing to doing something EVERYday for a year...no, fail.
5. Put at least 100 miles on my bike
                   - Check, check, check


What else did I do in 2012 if I didn't get married or have any kids?

Blogging
I blogged my ass off...literally.  I wrote and you read.  Thank you for reading my rants.  Your comments are my fuel.  I don't know if I really realized how much I like writing until starting this blog.  I actually love it and, if we're being completely honest, I think I'm pretty damn hilar.



Whole 30ed 
I had no idea I had no much will power.  I did at least 4 complete Whole 30s.  I learned exactly what different foods do to my body and I'm so happy knowing more now than I knew then.


Crossfitted
I did things with my body that I didn't know it could do.  I got so strong.  I worked out more in 2012 than I did in 2009-2011 put together.  Go Katie.


Tattoo
I got my very first tattoo!  It's the first line of Desiderata which is a poem that has always been in my house, my mom's favorite.  The whole poem is full of such great advice on life.  A tribute to my mama and a reminder to myself to keep on keepin' on.

Best Shape I've Been in 5 Years
Yes I did it.  I busted my bootay.  I ate great.  I worked out.  It paid off.


New Job
I applied for and got a new job.  I am making mistakes every single day.  I'm learning new things and I'm loving it.  There are a thousand things I could do better...and there are a few that I'm already pretty damn good at-such is life.


Masters Degree...so, so close
I'm so close I can taste it and it tastes like...time!  Lots more time for ME!  No more paper writing.  So, lucky blog readers I'll get to spend more time here, writing about awesome things (like myself <---totally not narcissistic at all) and not lame 30 page research papers.

It's been fun NAU but this time next year I'll have a new little piece of paper that cost me way more than a Kinkos photocopy.

Aunt Katie
Oh yes, I'm still Aunt Katie.  Oh, Katie, we KNOW.  Those are the only pictures you EVER post on Facebook.  Yeah, well, get used to it Kids!  I still have the BEST niece and nephew in the world.


Lily is 2!  Oh my gosh...when did she get so big?  She's a little daredevil that talks all day long.  This is probably my favorite age she has ever been.  Every time I see her she has changed so much and just gets cuter each time if that's possible.

Yesterday as Tom, Danielle and I were talking about tattoos, she said, "I want a Dora tattoo, and Boots tattoo."  Ok, sweet girl, when you're 18 you can get a Dora and Boots tattoo.

And she says, "Watch this Aunt Katie."
I'm watching Lily...I'll be watching forever, promise.


Philip is 4 1/2 (and the 1/2 is apparently a big deal because it means that you're "way older than just 4") and the sweetest boy you'll ever meet.
 Knock, knock on my door.  "Who is it?"
"It's me, Philip!"
"Who is Philip?  I don't think I know anyone by that name?"
"Yes, you do.  It's your favorite nephew."
I open the door and swoop that boy up and say, "How do you know you're my favorite nephew?"
"Because, you tell me that!"
Oh yes, baby...favorite nephew forever and ever.

Goals for 2013:
1.  Go on 4 dates...What?!  <---Who am I!?
2.  Get even healthier than I got in the last year.
3.  Get surgery on my ankle...it's not something I want to do per se but something that needs to be done so this summer.  Ready, set, go.
4.  Get a new bedroom set.
5.  Pay off my medical debt <---Another necessary evil.
6.  Pass my Principal Test
7.  Go to hot yoga at least 36 times in the next 3 months.
8.  Get my ankle healed and back to Crossfit.
9.  Put 300 miles on my bike...I better get moving!
10.  Do at least 20 hikes.
11.  Keep balance and keep moving.


Your turn!  How was 2012?  What's on tap for 2013?  Get it done!!

I haven't posted a blog in over a month.
That doesn't mean I haven't written a blog.
I have written about 7...all still in the Draft folder because sometimes I get a little too honest on here and then I just don't feel like I should post it.

Like, should I tell you that my dad is getting married?
Yep, married again, to a woman who is fantastic.


She's so wonderful to me and our whole family.  She asks about us.  She remembers details.  She welcomes us into her home.  She's great.

And I'm so happy for my dad.  I'm so happy that he's found someone to share the rest of his life with.  I'm so secure in knowing that he has someone to lean on forever.

And somehow his getting remarried makes my mom feel more dead.
Gasp, did she just write that?
She just wrote that.



I knew she wasn't ever coming back.
I know that.
I don't wake up surprised that she's gone anymore.

I rarely accidentally pick up the phone to call her.
It's not nearly as often that I have some slip,
Where I speak of her in the present tense as if I saw her yesterday.

But somehow, now, it feels more real.
She feels more distant to me than ever.
We don't really talk about her anymore.

I'm starting to forget the way her voice sounded.
I can't remember how it felt to hug her,
What she smelled like.

There are ways to make her memories race back like a flood.
Favorite songs hooked to so many deep rooted memories.
Old letters written just the way she talked.
Old stories told just the way I remember them.

Delighted and Distant in Phoenix.
Cheers to a new and beautiful union
Here's to safety, security and a lifetime of love
to my father and a wonderful, wonderful woman


And a reminder to me that Mom is no more "gone" than she was yesterday
or two years ago
or five years ago.

Gone is such a relative term anyone.
She can be as close and I want or need, right?