Adding a little spunk

My goal of redecorating is to brighten up my house... add a little spunk, if you will. I fell in love with plates and a mirror from Anthropologie. I am trying to not spend all of my money there, but it's hard! What about a plate wall with these fun/bright plates? Or perhaps this fun mirror and picture? AH, the possibilities are endless....

redecorating

I have been living in the same place since I moved to Austin- which was 3 years ago. As much as I love my little shoe box, I feel like I have grown out of it. I looked around at some other places, but didn't fall in love with any of them. I was disappointed at first, but after thinking about it, I have decided this is a good thing. I love the area I am in- I feel safe, it's a quiet neighborhood, I love the family I rent from- all good things. After much debate, I have decided to stay where I am for at least another 6 months, but I want to change it up a little. I am redecorating!! I am still not 100% certain about what I want to do, but I have been looking at different websites and blogs, trying to come up with fun ideas/creative ways to spice things up without breaking the bank. I created a fun little inspiration board type thing: 1) because I was bored 2) because it is fun and 3) why the heck not? Isn't it pretty?!

This weekend comes the fun part- shopping. There is a new home store in Austin that I am going to, along with some of the usual places. I want to find some new curtains, maybe a rug, fun art and new/creative ways to spice up the shoe box. I hope to find some fun items to put on my birthday list... which is just around the corner. Cross your fingers and wish me luck!

books

I love to read. There is nothing better than snuggling up in bed and reading a good book. I have recently finished two great series- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Hunger Games series. I HIGHLY recommend both of them.

At first, I wasn't interested in reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Based on what people were telling me, I didn't think I would like it. However, I became curious after hearing so many people talk about it. I LOVED IT. These 3 books kept me interested the entire time. I think I finished the series in about three weeks. I couldn't put them down! Stieg Larsson does a great job of giving intricate details on the characters, so you really get to know them.

The Hunger Games series was a random pick. I don't think this series was talked about as much as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. At least, if it was, I didn't hear about it. Other than a friend telling me she read it, I knew nothing about the series. After reading the first three chapters, I was hooked. I think I read the first book in 2 days.

Both series are well written. The authors do a great job of keeping you intrigued and wanting to read more. The Hunger Games series is a quick and easy read. You get to know the characters with past memories. I found myself rooting for a few of the characters. All in all, both trilogies are WONDERFUL, and I recommend them both. I can't wait for the movies to come out! Do yourself a favor and order both of them now on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

grief and memories

Over the past 25, almost 26, years, I have been blessed with the chance to know an incredible woman. I am overwhelmed with sadness, and I know things will never be the same. I know she is much better off in Heaven, but I know that our life here on Earth is forever changed. Grief hits me in waves. I am happy one minute, and then the next, I am crying over the silliest thing. I worry about how my family is going to handle the loss over the upcoming months. I worry about sweet Gdad and how he will cope with the loss of his wife of 56 years. I worry about my mom, Aunt and Uncle, because I have no idea how I would function if I lost one of my parents. Mimom was sick for the last 10-12 years of her life, yet it never changed her sweet personality. Even on the day she passed away, she was still sweet spirited and happy when I walked in the room. I will never forget the last words she said to me. I walked in her room, gave her a kiss, and said, "Hi Mimo, its Katie." She opened her eyes, lifted her skinny arm in a cheerleader rah kind of movement, and said, "yea Katie!" It was the best thing she could have said to me. She was not afraid to die, because she knew where she was going.

I love thinking about all of the precious times we had together. We spent summers playing in the mountains in Estes Park, Colorado and at the Lake House on Lake Austin. Mimom would gather the girl cousins and show us how to make mud pies. We would spend hours in the driveway making delicious mud pies. We would take hikes around Bear Lake in Colorado. She would let us stop and climb on every rock along the way. We would spend summer weeks staying at Mimo and Gdad's Woodmont house. They had a huge backyard with a swing, a creek and a bridge. The grandkids would play fun games together...tag, basketball or random silly games that Bill would make up. Mimo and Gdad would either be playing with us or watching us from the huge window inside. I distinctly remember judging the Miss USA pageant. Mimo would get notebooks and pens for each of us. We would sit in front of the TV, write down all the contestant names and states, and then judge each contestant. I remember Mimo always picking the classiest girls and they always seemed to win!

I have always loved introducing my friends to my family. Mimo and Gdad would love on my friends like they were apart of the family. When Mimo moved to the Summit, I tried to visit her as often as I could. I would go sit on her bed and we would just gossip. Nurses were always coming in to say hi to her and see how she was doing. She had a way of attracting people. She would share with me stories about the nurses who took care of her, random family stories and more. She asked me to show her pictures of my friends, and she wanted to know everything about my life. I loved telling her about my work, friends...basically anything I had going on. She would always comment on the cute friends and clothes in the pictures.

Mimo had a strong and lasting faith. She taught me many life lessons, but one will always stick out to me. I couldn't have been more than nine or ten. Gdad was sitting in his chair watching football, Allison and Rebecca were outside on the swing, and Mimo and I were talking in the kitchen. I don't remember what started the conversation, but I will always remember what she said to me. "Katie, when you start dating boys, you have to remember 1 thing. Always date someone who has the same Christian faith as you. If they aren't a Christian, don't date them." I didn't realize at the time how valuable of a lesson it was.

She was always looking out for her family, always wishing the best for them. She put her faith first, and she glowed with Christ's love. Calling her an amazing woman is an understatement. Even though she is with Jesus and starting her new life in Heaven, her sweet and kind spirit will continue to impact us here on Earth.

1.13.2011

It is a time to grieve. A time to heal. A time to celebrate a life. It is a time to remember the numerous things we loved about you. It is a time to come together as a family to celebrate the fact that knowing you made us better people. You taught us so much- how to treat people, how to love others, how to make mud pies, how to judge the Miss USA pageant, how to be classy, how to be a Christian... so many things. The memories and life lessons you gave us are forever apart of us.

Dear Mimo,

I love you. You were the most generous and kind-hearted person I have known. Your amazing sweet Christian spirit touched everyone you met. You have enriched my life, and I am a better person for knowing you. I have looked up to you in more ways then I can say. If I can be half the person you were, I will consider life a success. I know you are with Jesus now and will look down on us everyday. I will miss you.

Love you forever,

Katie Girl

Thanksgiving

Sweet Mimo and Gdad Christmas 2010

Thank you Mimo for the accessories

The original 5

Thanksgiving with Mimo 2008

Mary Elizabeth Burtner

Let me present MARY ELIZABETH BURTNER. (click on her name) It's her 26th birthday today! WOOHOOO! When I started this blog last year, Mary (who helped me name it) joked and said I should blog about her on her birthday. What a great idea! :) Mary and I met the summer before our freshman year at Baylor. She and I went to Crooked Creek (a Young Life camp in Colorado) and she ended up living on the bunk above me. We lived on the same hall in good ole Ruth Collins, lived together 3 years of college and 8 months after college. We have celebrated many birthdays together. I think one of my favorites would have to be our junior year. We threw a party in our duplex and had all of our friends over. After we busted a move to the rockin party mix we made, we dominated the Scruffs karaoke night. I like to make a big deal about other people's birthdays. Last year, I posted her number on my status and told everyone to text her happy birthday. I also love to call her at work and yell into the phone, hoping her coworkers in the cube next to her will hear me. Ah, good times. Good memories.

Let me brag on this girl for a few minutes. Mary is a great friend. She will tell you the truth when you don't look good in an outfit. She will be there when you need someone to vent to. She will pray for you when you are having a bad day. She will watch FRIENDS with you all day on a Saturday. I can't say enough good things about my sweet friend...clearly she is just a solid person. I am very blessed to have such a terrific friend.

Dear Mary, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. I wish we lived in the same city so I could be there to help you celebrate. You are now officially old. :) I am very lucky to have you as my friend. LOVE YOU! -Katelyn

bachelor is back

The Bachelor is back for another "most dramatic season ever." I think I am just one of the many people excited about it. I love judging the girls. It gives me a happiness that is hard to explain to anyone who doesn't watch the show. This bachelor is a joy to look at. HELLLOOOOO Brad! I have been to one of his bars here in Austin, and yes, he was there. Allison and I may or may not have stalked him just a little. YUP, Allison did try to snap a few pictures with her phone. It's fine... we aren't creepy. Check out my friend's blog! Hayley will make you laugh and keep you up to date on all the drama and gossip. It's worth a read...promise.

bowling and the New Year

Before I get to the New Year, let me discuss the BAYLOR BOWL GAME!! Allison, who works for the Texans, hooked us up with a suite for the bowl game. We rounded up most of the Davis clan, the Baroch family, the Lye family and a few friends for the game. While the suite was SWEET, the game was not. We did not play well, but I am still very proud of the season! Sic em Baylor!

Check out the friend Allison brought up. It was so fun to see Andy!

Allison had to work for the first half, but was able to come play with us for some of the second. She called her boss, who was working the camera for the jumbo screen and had him put our suite on camera... yes, we are officially famous now.
One of the main highlights of the bowl game was the mini roomie reunion. Paige and Haley made the trek and joined Mary and me in Houston! The 4 of us went to breakfast, did some shopping and spent the day together. I miss them. SO MUCH. Haley, Mary and I gathered up our man friends and the 6 of us went to dinner and then hit the town! I was on cloud 9 the entire night. Ugh, I love them. I wish we could have a permanent roomie reunion...like go back to college and live together again.
HELLLLLO 2011! Brad and I headed back to Austin for the New Year. A bunch of our friends rented the lake house next to mine for the night. I was skeptical at first, but it ended up being a great idea! The house they rented was HUGE! It slept most everyone, and the extras slept at my house. We dressed up in sassy clothes, ate a ton of food, played in the yard and on the dock, drank some champagne and had a random dance party (which was hilarious). All in all- a very successful evening.

woohooo! April came in town!

the ladies

the men

Christmas

To sum up my Christmas break in 1 word- FAMILY. I spent a full week at home in Houston- the longest I have been there since college. It was very relaxing to be able to go home and not worry about having a lot to do. I got to spend time with Kyle and Rebecca and hear about all of their wedding plans. Dad and I had some quality time together- always a good time. We took the dogs for walks, ate ice cream for breakfast, had spelling lessons and learned how to use Goggle Maps on his phone. Allison wasn't around very much because she had to work, but we got to play a little. I went to Mom's office for lunch one day and was mortified when she announced me to the entire office. Yup- that happened. Mom was determined to get a family picture, so we had a small photo shoot... with the dogs and without the dogs, sitting down and standing up, with Kyle (our new addition) and without Kyle. You're welcome Lisa.

This is our typical family picture.

I spent Christmas afternoon at the Baroch's house. It was so sweet of them to invite me over and to include me in their Christmas traditions. We opened presents and had Christmas dinner. We also got to hang out with Brett and Mandy (Brad's brother and sister-in-law). I had a wonderful time being a part of everything. Brad spent the day after Christmas with my family. We watched football, ate dinner and had some delicious Marble Slab ice cream...yes, I think the ice cream might be one of my favorite things about the day. It was fun to be able to have relaxing family time with both of our families.... something that doesn't happen very often.
Look at these two precious pups. I love them. Meet Bailey and Maggie. We spent some quality time together over the week. Bailey and I went on a road trip to Starbucks, we took walks, laid on the couch, barked... it was magical. Look at how much fun they are having!!
I was spoiled this Christmas with some great gifts. Mom and Dad got me a rockin Michael Kors watch. I got a new puppy calendar for my apartment and a wine rack from Pottery Barn! Brad asked me what I wanted from Santa. I joked and said a pink pony. Well, he got me exactly what I asked for... a pink pony! (True story) Hah he was very excited and emailed Allison and Rebecca to tell them. He also spoiled me with a necklace, my favorite perfume and a scarf.

Meet Pony.