My Norman staycation

Is it Wednesday already? My days are passing so quickly this week, and since Monday was a federal holiday, I didn't have work. (By the way, I had an article in the Sunday Oklahoman this week. Check it out!)


Since Laura and I were housesitting, we treated the weekend kind of like a vacation. It was so nice, but I am ready to be back in my own little home. 


On Thursday, we went to see Beauty and the Beast and Abigail snapped a few pictures for us. It was so much fun, minus a few gaudy sets.

We just had a blast, even if our seats were at the very top!

Abigail looks a little scared because photos weren't allowed... she thought the usher would catch us!

I can't imagine spending the evening with a better group of friends! We went to the Wedge Pizzeria for dinner first, and then to the show. It was a wonderful evening and the perfect way to start the weekend. 


But the past two days I have been working hard, and am glad to have tomorrow to get settled back in my house. But right now, a precious puppy and a Jimmy Stewart movie are keeping me company. I'm content.  

Weekend reads

Happy Friday! I'm diving into the glorious world of Internet education and I thought I would share.

• "The Challenge in the Past 30 Years" from The 30 Project--Startling stats about the state of our food system. Makes me even more motivated to get started on my own garden. 
• "Should teachers be allowed to hate-blog about their students?" from GOOD--The PR/journalism nerd part of me loves anything associated with 1st amendment controversies, the freedom of speech in particular. Just because you can say something doesn't mean you always should. However, I am sure being a teacher in that sort of environment would be a nightmare... it's just another indication that something is wrong in our society that no one knows how to fix.
• "Spring Trend: How to Wear 70s Glam" from Empowered Traditionalist--Since I have been slightly obsessed with 1970s television lately(the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, the Love Boat and the Dukes of Hazzard mostly), I am very glad to see some of these clothes back in style. Yay for wide-legged jeans!
• "Blood Runs Through the Streets of Bahrain" by Nick Kristof of the New York Times--It's a morbid title, but Kristof is on the ground in Bahrain, an absolute monarchy and a ally of the U.S. that is the newest country to be rocked by protests. Unfortunately the government isn't handling it very well. Read the article for more information, and keep that country in your prayers.
• "How to Master Portion Control for Life" from EpicSelf--I've started to adopt the motto "Everything in moderation" for my food habits. It's not a good idea to restrict yourself from foods, but you still have to exercise restraint. Sometimes I am not good at that, but this blog entry has some great guidelines. 
• "10 Mindful Ways to Use Social Media" from Tricycle--I read this article after having my social media freak-out last week. Boundaries, especially when it comes to the Internet, are good. This article offers very wise words about how to use social media positively.

I'm off to plan my beautiful three-day weekend, and I hope you enjoy yours!

joy-FULL

‎"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY!"

Psalm 126:3

This is exactly how I have been feeling all week. Nothing in my life has changed, but I am just overflowing with the joy of the Lord. That, and the sun is shining, which always puts a smile on my face. 

This week has been so fabulous so far. On Monday, my friend Amber visited for a Bachelor/worship night. I know, I know, it doesn't seem like those two things should go together, but we had a lovely dinner, watched Michelle finally get what she deserved, and then went to Sub60 at Victory Church. Amber's friend from high school is one of the pastors of the group, so we decided to check it out. I really liked it! My biggest problem with Norman is that all the churches are too good! Ha, it makes it hard for me to settle into one family, but I trust the Lord's direction.

Tuesday is my day off, so I spent it doing a new ballet work out DVD (love it, but my legs are oh-so-sore today. In a good way), and then I went to a Norman middle school to mentor for the afternoon. I know most middle schoolers don't elicit this type of reaction from people, but they made me want to have children. Ha. I love mentoring middleschoolers. They are my favorite age, and it would be a dream to be involved in some sort of middle school ministry or nonprofit someday. They just have such a sweet spirit, especially the girls. I love that they still believe that they can do anything. Something about life robs most people of that feeling as they get older.

Also, my sweet soon-to-be sort of sister Cara gave me a cute blog award!

I've never received an award before, but apparently there are rules to these things. Here they are:

1. Link back and thank the fabulous person who bestowed the amazing award on you

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Award 7 other deserving and great bloggers

4. Contact the awarded bloggers to let them know of their award!

So here are my seven things :)

1. I love reading, but I get bored easily, so I always read more than one book at a time. Right now I am reading five books.
2. I have been keeping a consistent journal since I was six years old. I still remember getting my first journal from my cousin Brent and his then-girlfriend (now his wife) Kayla. It was a pink journal that you could glue ribbon and rhinestones on as decoration. I've saved every journal, too, so at any point I can read how silly I was in 3rd grade. It's great.
3. You know how some people never grow out of their love for superheroes? Well, that is how I feel about Nancy Drew. I read all of the ND books as a child (I own well over 100 books to this day), and now I will watch the movies, T.V. shows, or whatever. I even follow a Nancy Drew blog and sometimes I play Nancy Drew computer games. I know, I am a HUGE nerd. But I don't care.
4. I love Oklahoma. Some people think it is a fly-over state, but I think it is full of charm, history and potential. Plus men still wear cowboy boots here, and that is a wonderful thing.
5. I love to travel, and have been to 39 out of 50 states. Not bad for a 22 year old! My goal is to hit all 50 before I die. 
6. I love salty/sour things, like lemons, pickles, Twang, etc.
7. I am obsessed with all things vintage. Clothes, records, movies--I love it. I'm old-fashioned. I came by it honest, though. My grandma partially raised me when my mom was working, so she embedded a lot of that Depression-era virtue into my soul. I wouldn't trade it for anything, even if it does make me a little eccentric. 

Now for the people who get to pass it on:

1. Karissa at Karissa's Kacophony
2. Abigail at Inspired and Amused
3. Bailey at Mustard Ampersand
4. Megan at Hello Cupcake
5. Tiffany at Road to Robles
6. Kayla at For Goodrich(er) or Poorer
7. Kim at Kim Thoughts

There ya have it, folks! Hope you are having a great day! The weekend is happening so soon!

Happy Valentines Day!

--Jesus, John 13:34-35

Hope your day is filled with love, no matter what your relationship status is! This is the first year that I haven't given out cookies or cards to my friends. I actually think I am going to buy stuff on sale tomorrow, and then give it out. Don't judge me, I am just trying to save money :)

However, I did have a wonderful weekend. Spring is in the air, and it makes me just giddy! I spent some quality time with my best friends and am just overflowing with joy today. I hope all of you feel the same way!

Yet another snow day

This time, I am determined to enjoy it. You know, appreciate the snow for what it is. I used to love snow, but last week I got all crazy and decided I hated it. I am trying to reform.

Snow really is beautiful, especially when you are in the country. Driving in the snow in a city is NOT fun. I just have to remember that it isn't the snow's fault.

Yesterday I drove up to Tulsa to have lunch at Elote Cafe with my friend Kayla. Love that girl! And Elote was amazing. Definitely check it out if you are ever in Tulsa.

During our random conversations yesterday, Kayla and I got on the subject of technology. I am a technology fan, for the most part. I have an iPhone, a Kindle, a Mac, and so on. BUT. Lately I am feeling tired of technology. For instance, I walked into Starbucks yesterday and I sat down to wait on my order. Almost everyone in there was glued to their smart phone or their laptop. At that moment, I just had the urge to scream, WAKE UP!

Unfortunately, I contribute to the problem. I can't tell you how many times I have checked my twitter feed instead of talking to someone I was in the same room with. I really appreciate blogs because they create and share information. But when you use blogs to replace flesh-and-blood friends, isn't that kind of crazy? If anything, online social networks should add to personal friendships instead of replacing them. God forbid we ignore the people around us because we have our face glued to a screen.

So now I am making a specific effort to not engage in technology when there are real people that deserve my attention. Also, technology distracts me from bible study, exercise and taking care of my chores around the house. I think it is time to set boundaries so that it doesn't rule my life. If you feel the same way, join me! Think about ways you can be intentional in your use of technology, because like everything, it can be a positive or negative part of your life.

Signing off the Internet now,

Kaylee :)

playing catch up

I love having a schedule, so the snow days have put me in a frenzy. This week I am playing catch up before round two hits tomorrow night. So work is busy today. And tomorrow I am driving up to Tulsa for a restaurant article for the Oklahoman. I had to cancel my massage appointment for it, but it will be worth it because the food is supposed to be great and I get to hang out with some friends from Tulsa. 

This weekend was busy, busy, busy. On Friday Laura, Abigail and I drove to Edmond for Gamma's spring sing lock in. I may have graduated, but I still love spring sing. I can't wait to see it this year! Also, special thanks to Karissa for buying my tickets this weekend. It is going to be awesome.

Oh, and someone tried to recruit me for the paraolympic volleyball team. I can't make this stuff up. If he only knew how horrible I am at volleyball! Just because I am tall does NOT mean I am right for volleyball or basketball.... give me ballet any day :)

Even though the roads were horrible, I drove home on Saturday for the Black and White Ball and the Miss BBHS pageant. Both events were fun. The B&W Ball was a Chamber of Commerce fundraiser, and my mom had extra tickets so Laura and I both went. Then the pageant.... you already know how I feel about pageants. I just love them. It is one of my [many] eccentricities. There were a few of the Bypass youth girls in it, and I just had to see them perform. The top two winners were from Bypass, and they were cousins! How cute is that? Also the reigning Miss BBHS was a cousin/sister to the top two ladies. It was a very cool evening. I think Laura might have been slightly overwhelmed by the Giddens + McDaniel family craziness, but we definitely had a great time. I think I had just been cooped up in the house for too long! I am thankful for a few days off from the cold weather, even if I think it is beautiful.

Now off to drop off my recycling and stock up on some groceries! Stay warm and happy today!

snowsnowsnowsnowsnowsnowsnow

Sorry, but I really couldn't think of a better title.

Laura and I are officially the victims of the 2011 Oklahoma Snowpocalypse. Snow piled up in front of our door and all around our cars so we were snowed in for two days. Thankfully, a guy that works for Mitchell's Jewelry came and shoveled our drive and sidewalks for us, so today we ventured out and had coffee with a new friend at Starbucks.

I am not crazy about being cooped up inside, but we made the best of it! We watched 3 movies (Sweet Home Alabama, The Hannah Montana Movie and Step Up 3), we played lots of Scrabble, Laura cooked chili, I learned some new songs on the guitar and we read some magazines! So it was actually okay.

We also went to Newt and Gina's for dinner last night, which was a nice change of pace. I might have had a break down if we hadn't left the house. And I have to work tomorrow. I am a little nervous about driving but I hope it will be fine by that point. It's time for some of this snow to melt!!

Thanks for making my house warm.

Last weekend a lot of our friends made the trek from Edmond to Norman in order to party with us in the new Norman digs. I didn't take as many pictures as I should have. But I still captured a few of the moments. It was so nice seeing our friend group again. I know Norman isn't that far away, but it still feels far. It was refreshing to see everyone again.

[Sorry it's so blurry.]



Let me clarify: this was a posed picture. Typical of Nathan and Derek, ha.



Could I be blessed with better friends? I think not. It was such a great weekend and it definitely made me thankful for what I have. Love you guys! Thanks for taking time to visit La and me!