tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61144354412143932852024-03-19T05:51:13.031-07:00Putting the Pieces TogetherKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-14808370266397423492010-10-22T08:33:00.002-07:002010-10-22T08:33:40.308-07:00Back at itWell, I'm back to painting after quite a hiatus. I get so easily preoccupied. Below are two of the latest. The first is a stargazer lily (from a picture my husband took) - it's oil on canvas and about 2' x 3'. The second isn't quite finished (I dread backgrounds), but it is an iris (from a picture I took) - it's oil on canvas and is 4' x 4' (crazy big). I'm really liking both of them, and they were quicker to paint than I usually am. Perhaps I'm becoming a more seasoned painter? One can hope. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWCXKTsQrWdt-6P2TWC7y_Ce9LzaFldqfgZ_TDYjbOuKOeKQqlyRrpFGTZf9H3kDXTJyZg4Do9ndqtfESSrdou6R7DxcDCOgnmTjQEfJN9O5AFhXDUfgKmKZg4tnasOQVTLA3jj44T-bc/s1600/stargazer+lilies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWCXKTsQrWdt-6P2TWC7y_Ce9LzaFldqfgZ_TDYjbOuKOeKQqlyRrpFGTZf9H3kDXTJyZg4Do9ndqtfESSrdou6R7DxcDCOgnmTjQEfJN9O5AFhXDUfgKmKZg4tnasOQVTLA3jj44T-bc/s400/stargazer+lilies.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtXmFJxvfwpisSWZ3z1GVuoSJ31PRNN3hDNNyhLM_yqxXD04ifv4ipXHo7DiONA7hNXgrKDpfM1lH9a_KFNHS3h_Pb_THPPfuS7ZqrXXFSPh2GISMcejCLfoRAlx3DFAxnV6B6nktwnSP/s1600/iris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtXmFJxvfwpisSWZ3z1GVuoSJ31PRNN3hDNNyhLM_yqxXD04ifv4ipXHo7DiONA7hNXgrKDpfM1lH9a_KFNHS3h_Pb_THPPfuS7ZqrXXFSPh2GISMcejCLfoRAlx3DFAxnV6B6nktwnSP/s400/iris.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-66344943843955715962010-10-22T08:33:00.000-07:002010-10-22T08:33:22.282-07:00Back at itWell, I'm back to painting after quite a hiatus. I get so easily preoccupied. Below are two of the latest. The first is a stargazer lily (from a picture my husband took) - it's oil on canvas and about 2' x 3'. The second isn't quite finished (I dread backgrounds), but it is an iris (from a picture I took) - it's oil on canvas and is 4' x 4' (crazy big). I'm really liking both of them, and they were quicker to paint than I usually am. Perhaps I'm becoming a more seasoned painter? One can hope. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWCXKTsQrWdt-6P2TWC7y_Ce9LzaFldqfgZ_TDYjbOuKOeKQqlyRrpFGTZf9H3kDXTJyZg4Do9ndqtfESSrdou6R7DxcDCOgnmTjQEfJN9O5AFhXDUfgKmKZg4tnasOQVTLA3jj44T-bc/s1600/stargazer+lilies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWCXKTsQrWdt-6P2TWC7y_Ce9LzaFldqfgZ_TDYjbOuKOeKQqlyRrpFGTZf9H3kDXTJyZg4Do9ndqtfESSrdou6R7DxcDCOgnmTjQEfJN9O5AFhXDUfgKmKZg4tnasOQVTLA3jj44T-bc/s640/stargazer+lilies.jpg" width="467" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtXmFJxvfwpisSWZ3z1GVuoSJ31PRNN3hDNNyhLM_yqxXD04ifv4ipXHo7DiONA7hNXgrKDpfM1lH9a_KFNHS3h_Pb_THPPfuS7ZqrXXFSPh2GISMcejCLfoRAlx3DFAxnV6B6nktwnSP/s1600/iris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtXmFJxvfwpisSWZ3z1GVuoSJ31PRNN3hDNNyhLM_yqxXD04ifv4ipXHo7DiONA7hNXgrKDpfM1lH9a_KFNHS3h_Pb_THPPfuS7ZqrXXFSPh2GISMcejCLfoRAlx3DFAxnV6B6nktwnSP/s640/iris.jpg" width="467" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-59279131697788994842010-07-01T05:38:00.000-07:002010-07-01T05:38:42.809-07:00Old Things, New StoriesI'm trying to remember to take pictures of paintings before I sell them these days. It's always awkward to go to the people I've sold the painting to and ask them to take a picture of it. I also want to keep a portfolio of them in some way, and I guess this place is as good as any for now, so here's some paintings from a ways back that I just haven't cataloged.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTZa2xikOxHety2H-EDCGIOTLxLC_3pszXY9tMbW-_Wi06D5X0EHxnkJQ083A7l9lo9TfmrLR5NSMKjD6oYRlJoa41aus8hRXLem2FEdFAugYGqS1m4Tjngt9pD7GBZxA-eDfVGsoKs0x/s1600/8521_164186232603_751397603_4159185_3633136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTZa2xikOxHety2H-EDCGIOTLxLC_3pszXY9tMbW-_Wi06D5X0EHxnkJQ083A7l9lo9TfmrLR5NSMKjD6oYRlJoa41aus8hRXLem2FEdFAugYGqS1m4Tjngt9pD7GBZxA-eDfVGsoKs0x/s320/8521_164186232603_751397603_4159185_3633136_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tibetan Monks, oil on canvas, painted during college</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGt1RMWTXHjcmdekHmfa8q21bC9YsSDCVBC7qZCFUmu5tql-4b5VtRVTFwbrLHyLIMbC3FN0N1uNHpQqwYZosK9AsBCd9AoFBCpwwf-vBEIfvmc2JjlS169JVcZFtTSzwnPhwK6qRuRF-/s1600/8521_164186262603_751397603_4159190_7947637_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGt1RMWTXHjcmdekHmfa8q21bC9YsSDCVBC7qZCFUmu5tql-4b5VtRVTFwbrLHyLIMbC3FN0N1uNHpQqwYZosK9AsBCd9AoFBCpwwf-vBEIfvmc2JjlS169JVcZFtTSzwnPhwK6qRuRF-/s320/8521_164186262603_751397603_4159190_7947637_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A painting of my mom and her sisters when they were young, oil on canvas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(my mom is the second from the left--the prettiest one)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3No5cK35Zc4t7TX4d81zrZoWd5MGyZhlT3ZD56hoz3H2MIEsyq72Upnh6Oa1uogtdDiXfm5cUf5gCYMsgAL6BN1OmC4Q6lxemoYI3dvTQ3G5aPi7kFRO8cCWJtTo7K6gFpm33gifnRgKY/s1600/8521_164186297603_751397603_4159195_6523550_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3No5cK35Zc4t7TX4d81zrZoWd5MGyZhlT3ZD56hoz3H2MIEsyq72Upnh6Oa1uogtdDiXfm5cUf5gCYMsgAL6BN1OmC4Q6lxemoYI3dvTQ3G5aPi7kFRO8cCWJtTo7K6gFpm33gifnRgKY/s320/8521_164186297603_751397603_4159195_6523550_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Painting of a young Chinese girls, acrylic on canvas, painted in high school</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(photo credit: Steve Sawatsky)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8PJkVZn91VAkm1EB94KXhzxeR4ksbePDZafEH-BXmxDjoFuZQe5Zeu2uVyJG8JIoK3ShWmsJ582Q3Njh3JbO6-FK4c2hXpNHjLw2lNlIQ98WC9eVcbf3ECvnwCrWxgUK1rEvgaUHUlAC/s1600/8521_164186292603_751397603_4159194_5715990_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8PJkVZn91VAkm1EB94KXhzxeR4ksbePDZafEH-BXmxDjoFuZQe5Zeu2uVyJG8JIoK3ShWmsJ582Q3Njh3JbO6-FK4c2hXpNHjLw2lNlIQ98WC9eVcbf3ECvnwCrWxgUK1rEvgaUHUlAC/s320/8521_164186292603_751397603_4159194_5715990_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Painting of a young Chinese boy, acrylic on canvas, my first portrait painting</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(photo credit: Deb Schultz)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65snMKjB7BM-PxrVbD4-SvcDxB5XYPVekp3Nrw4FcrVJcDXJLzaemzxNjA57tYEOyrm0T1SFmh1dowUYc2kAqxbwuqk9io3K7ZKxSoIGIb5lUXNVg5_uHsCncXE4D2WCQm6bkAHN3F7YJ/s1600/10425_176258777603_751397603_4260694_2566968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65snMKjB7BM-PxrVbD4-SvcDxB5XYPVekp3Nrw4FcrVJcDXJLzaemzxNjA57tYEOyrm0T1SFmh1dowUYc2kAqxbwuqk9io3K7ZKxSoIGIb5lUXNVg5_uHsCncXE4D2WCQm6bkAHN3F7YJ/s320/10425_176258777603_751397603_4260694_2566968_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tibetan children, oil on canvas, painted during college</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(photo credit: Mike Stone)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7v7Bnv1EWB2dOLOPde7JqsouEsEGyzAdqPNvII0VaxQPa-IsvR3dnm-ptG-MSryqIF298lvRqV9gDLFaZaUledzwgHFbCKtZg2sh8-g7MU5e_aV7OM8CIVDh9ToxCGO2pQ_YycjA3PXr/s1600/10425_176557607603_751397603_4263475_464063_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7v7Bnv1EWB2dOLOPde7JqsouEsEGyzAdqPNvII0VaxQPa-IsvR3dnm-ptG-MSryqIF298lvRqV9gDLFaZaUledzwgHFbCKtZg2sh8-g7MU5e_aV7OM8CIVDh9ToxCGO2pQ_YycjA3PXr/s320/10425_176557607603_751397603_4263475_464063_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Water Lily companion piece, oil on canvas, 3'x4'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">New things in my life: Dinner at Hell's Kitchen with great friends from out of town, a garden full of blooming lillies (I'm taking pictures to paint from...), ripening raspberries, and flowering tomatoes. A patio that is half-done and hopefully will be done this weekend, a car that I locked my keys in while it was running (my husband is on his way to help me), and lunch with my brother (today!). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What's new in your life?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-87964652549555239592010-06-02T11:05:00.000-07:002010-06-02T11:06:06.370-07:00Here and ThereI've been busy lately. All good things, but just busy. Luckily, Memorial Day gave me some time to finish a painting that's been waiting for my attention a long time. Enjoy it, along with some other paintings I've forgotten to post:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Kate/IMG_1211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Kate/IMG_1211.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cherry Blossoms, oil on canvas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Kate/Painting003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Kate/Painting003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tree of Life, acrylic & spray paint on canvas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Kate/Painting009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Kate/Painting009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bird of Paradise, oil on canvas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Kate/Painting007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Kate/Painting007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">wall hanging trio, acrylic on raw silk with handmade frames</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Kate/Painting011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Kate/Painting011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tibetan Mountainscape, acrylic on canvas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-69633094974950885592010-05-12T11:03:00.000-07:002010-05-12T11:05:17.247-07:00Get a Move On<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">In August I am walking the 3-day again. Though it's a lot of fun, it's also difficult. Raising that much money is hard. Walking 60 miles and sleeping in a tiny pink tent at night is hard. Drinking a ton of water and not peeing your pants is hard. :) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">I am really excited to be walking with both my mom and my sister this year, but there is just one problem. We haven't even begun training yet! Uh oh! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">I know it may seem silly to train for walking, but it really takes a toll on your feet, and if you get shin splints like me, it's not altogether gentle on your legs either. We train in the shoes we'll be wearing so that we have some semblance of skin left when we're done. The less prepared and less lucky have feet that resemble ground beef when they are done, and I'd like to stay out of that camp.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">As soon as this rainy weather is done, I'll be out there with my brand new, beautiful, fitted tennis. They are amazing, and cute! Maybe I'll show you all a picture once I start walking.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">In other news, my sweet pea Camryn is a year old today! It amazes me that time passes so quickly. Cam is on the cusp of walking and babbles at me when she sees me. I love it. She can't really talk, but she's great at imitating the tonal quality of what you're saying. It's the cutest.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEp8tNRNqqE6YP0lgBTIO13sRWWxoU2nBA0970NigYf9p9FCXosYr68vOOO1_uXPv0DIsV8CSEHbFFi0t6Q-1NQn834jSm4F51Vt6i6JfHj5tLtr5d4z5shi-fOkHPvNjXmBssIsWbjENk/s1600/IMG_1170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEp8tNRNqqE6YP0lgBTIO13sRWWxoU2nBA0970NigYf9p9FCXosYr68vOOO1_uXPv0DIsV8CSEHbFFi0t6Q-1NQn834jSm4F51Vt6i6JfHj5tLtr5d4z5shi-fOkHPvNjXmBssIsWbjENk/s320/IMG_1170.JPG" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">In other, other news, Steph is getting married SO soon. I am so excited for her to start this next chapter in her life. It will be amazing, for sure. Marriage is such a blessing! I can't wait to see her say I do! And to wear my BEAUTIFUL bridesmaid dress! It will be an amazing day. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Hope today is an amazing day for you!</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-88296720188113036112010-04-21T07:58:00.000-07:002010-04-21T07:58:35.582-07:00BossThe job I have now is the first I've had where I'm officially managing people. I was nervous at first (especially about disciplinary issues), but I'm absoluely loving it. It helps that the students I manage are amazing. <br />
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Lately my current student workers have been helping me interview student workers for next year. It's nice to have their opinion, and it helps them learn more about what goes on in an interview and helps them learn to be more professional (win-win-win!). <br />
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Yesterday after a few interviews and some good chats with a couple of my current student workers, I left work feeling good, but a little overwhelmed by the work I didn't have time to do because of sitting in interviews. I came to work this morning a little hesitant to throw myself into a busy day. I went on Facebook to check how many of my student workers had accepted the year end party invite, and that's when I saw that all of them changed their status last night to Katie L. Sawatsky is Boss! I sat there, staring at my computer with a big, dopy grin for a few minutes. <br />
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What a sweet, amazing group of students! I can't even imagine finding another group of employees as great as them.<br />
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What made you smile today?Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-10248675006178333022010-03-31T12:41:00.000-07:002010-03-31T12:41:46.430-07:00Growth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Easter, and Spring in general, always makes me think about growth in the most horticultural sense. I love to see new plants poking through the rough dirt. When I was younger, I would cross-polinate plants and get such a kick out of seeing plants I had bred spring to life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It always amazes me that plants live through our winter. They freeze solid and then, in the spring, a tiny shoot sprouts from certain death. It seems so.....redemptive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pentecostalsofthedesert.org/new-plant.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="http://www.pentecostalsofthedesert.org/new-plant.gif" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A favorite song of mine right now is "Wholly Yours" by David Crowder Band, and I feel like it's perfect for my Spring/Easter frame of mind. Here are the lyrics of the first verse:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"I am full of Earth; You are Heaven's Worth</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am stained with dirt, prone to depravity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You are everything that is bright and clean,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the antonym of me;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You are divinity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But a certain sign of grace is this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the broken earth, flowers come up,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">pushing through the dirt."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It <strong>is</strong> grace! And it's grace from God poured on us that allows us to begin over as well. I find that I need that grace ALL the time, because I screw up ALL the time (after all, I'm human). It's so comforting to me that the God who brings back plants from dead roots every Spring can bring me back from spiritual death. He's the same God that raised His son from the dead on Easter. He is a God of power, renewal, and LIFE. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And He wants us to LIVE IT! Isn't that exciting? Don't you just want to go outside and run around in the sunshine? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Easter everyone!</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-81196291999621957862010-03-19T06:56:00.000-07:002010-03-19T06:56:09.906-07:00Oh Baby!Happy Friday everyone! I hope you enjoy the last day of the workweek! I am celebrating by listening to DC Talk's Free at Last all morning (that's right, it's on a loop!)<br />
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Last week, I had the supreme pleasure of babysitting my sweet niece, Cami. She's just a doll, plus she loves the flash of a camera, so of course I took some pictures. Enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Cami008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Cami008.jpg" vt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What's that you're holding?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Strawberries?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Cami007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Cami007.jpg" vt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">GIVE ME THE STRAWBERRIES!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Cami006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Cami006.jpg" vt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Showing off her teeth for the camera</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't she the sweetest thing? What's your sweetest thing?</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-38703893254059785032010-03-12T10:41:00.000-08:002010-03-12T10:41:41.262-08:00Siblings Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/siblings-sticking-out-toungue-at-each-other.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/siblings-sticking-out-toungue-at-each-other.jpg" vt="true" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love my siblings, even though sometimes we bug each other. Family has that affect.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tonight is Siblings Night, something Jule, Jon and I do once a year. We are going out to Kobe, a Japanese hibachi restaurant, and I'm so excited for steak and shrimp (and good company)! We don't bring significant others, babies, or friends--it's just the three of us. It's so nice to catch up, rehash childhood, and make fun of each other (wouldn't be Siblings Night without some ribbing). </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have come to appreciate my siblings so much over the past few years. Julie is so strong and self-motivated and I admire that immensely. She is a full-time 5th grade teacher and the mother of a little-less-than-one year old. This combination seems incredible to me. Kids all day long, and she likes it! She is organized, but she's also creative. She is the best advice giver (beside my MOm) and is not arrogant even though she's perfect in almost every way. I love her.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My little brother Jon is inspiring too, but in different ways than Jule. Jon is so passionate. His heart is so big and he cares about everyone--the poor, the weak, the hurting. I don't think he's ever met a stranger--he is instantly friends with everyone. Jon is generous too. You can give him money, but it won't stay in his pocket long, because he'll spend it on someone else. He's a mentor, sharing his hard-earned wisdom with the next generation. He's going to be a youth pastor (and a pastor someday, I think). I love him.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't wait to spend the evening with two amazing friends who just happen to be my siblings!</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-15290010410389437292010-03-10T06:16:00.000-08:002010-03-10T06:16:45.599-08:00Best Friend<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Precursor: I am not pregnant. Now you may read on.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last night I was venting to Luke about life when I brought up that in some ways, I'm afraid to have kids because I always thought I'd have that best friend that would have kids at the same time as me and we'd raise them together.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have good friends, but real life has set in. I'm busy. My friends are busy. A lot of my closest friends are far away, or have plans to move far away. I'm afraid of not having the support of that friend who will help me. The one who will tell me I'm a good mom, even on my worst days. The one who will babysit when I just need a nap. The one who I'll give hand-me-downs to, or she'll pass them on to me. The one who will start a mommy group with me when we need social lives. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This morning I remembered that I do have a best friend that will raise my kids with me...and he was the one I was venting to. We're in this life together, kids or no kids. And though I do crave that female support, it's comforting to know my husband is there for me. Sometimes I forget that he'll back me up no matter what. He has known me through the ugly years, the angry years, the good days and the bad, and here's the kicker--he married me! Sometimes I can not belive my good fortune. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love you, sweetheart! You'll always be my best friend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKWfUsYvQoCzJdaaVCZJhuAbPo4Hht-pnjZqjV7D8yHehxOgAnTFd4HHx-hWCgmjtLnpIvNJKsSmJem1V6hMgNwWMz6A1eJn2ySwI3rOm845IIH67gPvx5EtiR3eHfDSnWGd0uJBh7A6O/s1600-h/young.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKWfUsYvQoCzJdaaVCZJhuAbPo4Hht-pnjZqjV7D8yHehxOgAnTFd4HHx-hWCgmjtLnpIvNJKsSmJem1V6hMgNwWMz6A1eJn2ySwI3rOm845IIH67gPvx5EtiR3eHfDSnWGd0uJBh7A6O/s400/young.bmp" vt="true" width="300" /></a></div><div align="center">Luke and I in 2003</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-31628231430195069652010-03-09T08:34:00.000-08:002010-03-09T12:04:52.312-08:00My own Indoor SpringI am so ready for Spring, but I think Minnesota still has a few weeks of snow left. Yeah, that's probably an optimistic view. March came in like a lamb (30 degrees, what???), so it's going out like a lion (I expect a blizzard so bad it covers my car or snows us in or something of that magnitude). There's a reason magnitude and attitude have the same root word of "tude," and winter is that reason . Lots of other "tude" words fit winter too--solitude, fortitude. Yep, the root is "tude." Just trust me, I'm an English major. ;)<br />
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Well, I'm bringing on a Spring of my own. I'm painting Spring. I'm knitting Spring. I'm dressing Spring. No more socks, dagnabbit! I can not deal with socks right now (it's the little things that really get me). So, without futher ado, here is my indoor Spring:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Spring10016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Spring10016.jpg" vt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(oil on hand-stretched canvas)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Spring10060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Spring10060.jpg" vt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(pattern: Haruni. yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/June09118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/June09118.jpg" vt="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(just sold this one! Yay!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">May your real, outdoor Spring come sooner than mine!</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-48915121460998581202010-03-02T13:01:00.000-08:002010-03-02T13:01:02.943-08:00Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look! I think my cats might be friends. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Spring10009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kt="true" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Spring10009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When Violet and Hobbes met, they were not happy with each other. Violet arched her back and hissed. Hobbes ran away, terrified of the tiny white monster we had brought him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Spring10006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kt="true" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/Spring10006.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now they are sharing their space on top of the microwave. I love it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Funny how cats can learn to love their enemies in a matter of months. </div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-82459780716433573642010-02-26T12:15:00.000-08:002010-02-26T12:15:21.571-08:00Why I Hate/Love FacebookOh Facebook! I hate/love thee! <br />
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I hate how you have turned me into a stalker. People who I have not thought of even remotely in years suddenly interest me. I need to know everything about them! Why I care about who they are with or what they do to make money is beyond me, oh powerful Facebook. <br />
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I hate that you make no difference in the world. I am no better for using you. You waste my time and have crept in on my precious lunch hour. You are truly evil.<br />
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I hate how people I never knew well think they are my friends. Perhaps I should be flattered, but I am not. I am disgusted. How can they think I will accept? <br />
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Which brings me to....I love that I can reject friendships with people with whom I am not friends. I get a horrible satisfaction from this. This probably means that I, too, am evil. How you have corrupted me, Facebook.<br />
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I love how you connect me with friends who are far away and make me feel like I know what's going on in their lives. I love pictures of their weddings, babies, and vacations.<br />
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I love how you make managing people at work so easy. It is just so easy to get ahold of students since they are always connected to you. You are a much better communicator than I, Facebook. <br />
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Oh Facebook. I wish you would die, but I would cry at your funeral. Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-11364860717515006792010-02-25T09:45:00.000-08:002010-02-25T09:56:52.084-08:00Art<span style="font-family:georgia;">Today someone told me they really appreciate my artistic talent. Though I appreciate the compliment, it was sort of strange for me. I paint, I knit, I do various other artsy things, but I don't think I consider myself an artist or artistic. Crafty, yes. Artsy, maybe. But artistic seems to give me some type of meaning I don't deserve. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">My dad is fond of saying "If I can do it, it ain't art." But it begs the question--what is art? </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I like to be stingy with what I think is art. I hate when people think everything is art. A string tied around nails in the corner of a room--not art. A haphazzard photo of a friend--not art. Basketballs in a fishtank (Walker, I'm looking at you!)--not art! Just because the general public is confused by it, it doesn't mean it's art. Just becaue you meant it to be art, that doesn't mean it's art! </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Perhaps some of it is that I think there's a fine line between craft and art, and most of the time I think well-meaning "artsy" people fall on the craft side. When I knit something by a pattern, is that art? I really don't think so. When I create something unique, I can see how I begin to approach that line, but I still think there needs to be criteria. A list that you can hold something against and check off the requirements. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I think the line gets even blurrier when you begin to look at "modern art" (my dad refers to this as "crap"). When I paint an abstract painting, I feel almost ashamed of asking a price for it. I feel that I need to explain--um, yeah, basically I put a lot of paint on there and then I smooshed some saran wrap in it, and then I topped it off by painting some blobs that kinda look like flowers, but not really, and then I just flicked some paint at it from across the garage for good measure. I call it "reflections on humanity".... Why does modern art always have pretentious names? Why not just call it "flower blobs on saran wrap." Let's be honest, people. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">But, joking aside, how do we define art? Am I an artist? </span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-52671530172860206382009-09-20T07:14:00.000-07:002009-09-20T07:24:54.051-07:00Out with the Old, In with the New<span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" >Two and a half weeks ago, I checked myself in for surgery. It was a little nerve-racking, knowing that I had pushed to get this surgery but that, in that moment, I didn't especially want to go through with it. I knew eventually I would feel so much better, but I am a total woosy little girl when it comes to pain. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" >The tonsillectomy went well. I remember them giving me some drugs to relax, and then the next thing I remember I was awake, asking for a popsicle. The problem with a tonsillectomy is that it affect an area that you don't even realize you use every second of every day. Eating hurt, drinking hurt, talking hurt, breathing hurt. I had a bad reaction to the pain meds (tossing my cookies, which also hurts), so I discontinued them and made it through with tylenol. Sweet, sweet tylenol. I tried to get ice cream and applesauce down when I could, but sometimes I just couldn't eat anything. I have never had such a strong craving for a burrito in my entire life, and let me tell you, I crave burritos most of the time, so that is saying something. Actually, I kind of want one right now, and it's 9:20 am....</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" >Anyway, week one was pretty awful. I couldn't do anything. I layed around all day and waited for time to pass. Week two started to get better. I could get things down a bit better, even though I couldn't really eat solid food much. And now, into week three, I am feeling great. I have just a sore throat, but I can eat most things, and I'm back up and working, which feels great. I can smell and taste things SO much better, and I'm amazed at how spicy things are! It's wonderful! </span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-family:lucida grande;" >I also started a new job last week. I've only been at North Central University (Go Rams!) for 2 days, but I'm loving it already. My co-workers are seriously amazing, and I can't wait to get to know them better. I'm learning what my job is, and I think I'm in love with it. It's people oriented, it's organized, it's wonderful! It feels so good. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" >I thought Spring brought the best changes, but here it is, Autumn, and it's even more beautiful than Spring. </span></span><br /></span></span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-19894570167955008402009-08-27T07:24:00.000-07:002009-08-27T07:36:53.328-07:00Vigilant<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzoYdl74SmynHaV5noAkvqIce81pH4MuKgQg_KFXKTvn2_9R06h7HxKv0mcZ78RY4SZSFZIBPqBvoh78OhtO4W-iFlqCp7dpmIyokfngy90HPBBTi8-2iQSbT_4UFiyoKS_CmcnuxdPCg/s1600-h/P1000174.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374649511983992146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzoYdl74SmynHaV5noAkvqIce81pH4MuKgQg_KFXKTvn2_9R06h7HxKv0mcZ78RY4SZSFZIBPqBvoh78OhtO4W-iFlqCp7dpmIyokfngy90HPBBTi8-2iQSbT_4UFiyoKS_CmcnuxdPCg/s320/P1000174.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I made it through the walk, and I feel amazing, even though I have blisters and muscles that are still healing. We raised money to help find a cure, and knowing that makes me so proud, and so thankful that my mom got me into this. She is amazing.</div><div> </div><div>Here we are on "Jody's Couch." Jody passed away after a struggle with breast cancer. Jody's husband brings it along to the 3-day and about 3 times a day, it will be sitting along a path. You can stop, rest, hear about Jody, and take pictures. Jody's couch is such an encouragement to keep walking.</div><div> </div><div>Thank you to everyone who donated to me and helped me make it to my goal. Between my mom and I, we raised over $4,600 to help find a cure. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>As most of you know, I've been looking for a job. I have been praying and praying, and feeling very little direction. It has been frustrating to sit and see jobs pass me by--jobs that I could easily do. But, as always, God's plans are so much better than mine. </div><div> </div><div>Yesterday I accepted a position at a small Christian college as the campus visit coordinator. I am THRILLED to start working in this position. I will have amazing coworkers and a very supportive director who is open to me taking ownership and changing anything that will make the college better. I have so many ideas and I'm just excited to get to know everyone. </div><div> </div><div>So often, I want God to work on my timetable, but He is always teaching me that His timing is better. His timing is perfect. Maybe some day I will catch on. Until then, I will be vigilant with prayer. </div><div> </div><div>Thank you all for your prayers, both for the walk and for this job. I am so blessed.</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-64228188630987173942009-08-19T11:44:00.001-07:002009-08-19T11:50:29.095-07:00On a Rainy DayI'm still reeling from an amazing weekend with my college roommates. They are all fabulous women who challenge me, comfort me, and love me unconditionally. And I, them. It makes me so thankful that I went to the college I did, and a little reminiscent of those sweet times. God blessed me so much with them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Meanwhile, the babies back home keep growing up! Here is Eli, almost a year old already! He amazes me.<br /><br />More specifically, his eyes amaze me. <br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371748091915195938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAA2kJZEp7jNw1p9DAP6krIWIw49dFXt3PVC25KUqi7m3nxE9XqsM15E7KzJeZBcePIwrUG7NW-RK7vFiL9BDn-hpLKV113eBvf9pnlKRFAO9p7f_eiwh8YfRdkol-ZYxoe6jID-y_xmV/s200/eli.jpg" border="0" /></p><p> </p><p>It makes me wonder about genetic combinations. I have long said that Luke and I will have hairy ape children because we both have thick hair fully of waves, curl, and cowlicks. But here is Eli, so full of beauty and potential and every last good trait from Christon and Adam (not that there are many bad ones!). It's the sort of thing that makes me hopeful on a rainy day. <br /></p>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-45757117861790617042009-07-10T10:07:00.000-07:002009-07-10T10:14:42.537-07:00Why We Say YesI have two coworkers--let's call them Joe and Ann. Joe and Ann do not get along. Ann is a self-medicating (legal and otherwise) post-gambling addict who tries to do as little as possible while criticizing management for expecting too much from her. Joe is a college student trying to get out of this department ASAP (my sympathies are with him on that one). Joe and Ann have had plenty of arguments in the past when they've worked on projects together because Joe works and Ann does not.<br /><br />Today, Joe was in the mailroom with me, while Ann was who-knows-where avoiding work. Ann gets on the radio, calls Joe, and asks him to do her morning work for her because she is "busy." No explanation needed. Busy has always meant "outside smoking (legal or otherwise)." <br /><br />Joe and I roll our eyes at each other. "Tell her to suck it up and do her job," I say.<br /><br />Joe mimicks Ann's voice, "Joe, could you do my work for me because I'm a worthless human being?"<br /><br />But, here's the thing.<br /><br />Joe says yes. He agrees to do Ann's work, and Ann gets the morning off, though she's being paid more than both Joe and I. <br /><br />Why? Why on this planet (Ann has asked me if we are on the planet...she is not bright) would you agree to do the work of someone who simply wants to smoke longer when you don't even like this person? He's not trying to impress her, or me, since I don't like her either. He had other things to do. If anything, he should want to make more work for her. He had no motivation to do it. I am so confused, and even though it makes no difference in the grand scheme of things, I really want to know why we say yes when we really mean no.Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-63259400891098211272009-06-24T12:42:00.001-07:002009-06-24T13:03:21.336-07:00Finish or Frog<span style="color:#000099;">I am in the process of finishing or frogging all knitting WIP's (works in progress). I need a clean, blank slate to begin some new designs.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">For my non-knitting friends, "frogging" means to undo the project, to rip all the yarn back. It's called frogging because you "rip it rip it rip it." Say this aloud if you're still having trouble figuring out why that's kinda funny. Not really funny, but kinda.</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">My dilemma is that I never frog. Ever. I always finish things, even when I know they won't work, won't fit, but be fugly, crappy, worthless junk that I will give to the thrift store. I just like to finish things. Here are my current WIP's:</span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">1. Luke's Adult Tomten sweater. This one will be finished (eventually) but was put on hold for two reasons: a) I thought it was too small (it's not) and b) I needed another color of yarn, but hadn't ordered any (I remedied that. the yarn is on its way). In last year's Christmas card picture, I had knitted both the sweaters that Luke and I are wearing. I'm hoping I can do the same this year--that would be kind of a fun tradition, right? Or crazy? maybe.</span><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 460px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 338px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/June09095.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>2. Cami's blanket: So, at the time I was making my list of WIP's this was a WIP, but now it's finished (praise the LORD!). This was one of the hardest knits I've ever done because of all the color work. It as the first time I tried intarsia, and I have to say, we hate each other. Intarsia wants to kill me, and frankly, I might let it if I have to have another go with it. It was awful. But this blanket is GORGEOUS (see, Violet thinks so too) and I'm glad I finished it. <br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 531px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 594px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/June09061.jpg" border="0" /></p> 3. Gathered Pullover: I finished this, but barely. It is majorly ill-fitting. I loved knitting it, but I have to say that I hate the finished product. I'm currently looking for someone I know and need a gift for that this will fit. It is too big for me. :( I hate when knits don't fit. Especially when I swatch. (stupid lying swatches. I'm better off not swatching at all). <br /><br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 386px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 565px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/June09066.jpg" border="0" />4. Secret Garden Socks: I designed these and am just finishing up the toe (just kitchener left!). I really like them. The top of them is more "business" looking, but then the instep is all leafy and pretty. You could hide those leaves in a shoe, or wear it with some mary Janes to show off the knitting. I like it. And this yarn is AMAZING! (It's part bamboo). <br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 422px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 657px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/June09087.jpg" border="0" />5. Aflame: I designed these too, and they are actually done now, but when I wrote my list, they were in progress. I LOVE this pattern (sounds kinda egotistical, since I made the pattern), but I just love how they turn out. It's easy to memorize, too, which never hurts. I plan on writing it up soon, but I've been lazy on that front. <br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 446px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 639px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/justcallmewallace/June09078.jpg" border="0" /><br />In the frog pond are: a pair of socks I never liked, but kept knitting for no apparent reason. I have everything about them--the yarn is scratchy, the pattern sucks, the colors are awful. I'm so glad those socks are gone. Also, a child's sweater that I was making in a nasty acrylic. I'm not sure what ever prompted me to use that yarn, but I did, and it was bad. I plan on frogging that sweater as soon as I can find where I hid it (to hide my shame). </p><p>Soon I will be casting on exciting new projects (though in all honesty, I already did cast on another sweater for me and am about a third done...), and using exciting new yarn. Man am I dorky. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-56335594981088231762009-06-15T11:16:00.001-07:002010-03-09T12:04:52.312-08:00Some MoreMore paintings! Yay (except for those who are uninterested....sorry)<br /><br />Water Lily: Not for Sale, but one of my favorites. It's 4' x 5' and hangs in my entryway. Love it. I'm currently working on a companion piece for it. I just love water droplets.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3358/3621446099_5b5aac7824.jpg?v=0"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3358/3621446099_5b5aac7824.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Contemplation--$100. I don't like it, so it's cheap. :)<br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3622252992_327abe0def.jpg?v=0"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3622252992_327abe0def.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Untitled--$150. One of my first tries at flowers, and I think it works pretty well. This is a small painting, maybe 18 x 24? I'd have to measure to be sure. It is on a store-bought canvas, so it's quite a bit shallower than my other canvases, which makes it easier and cheaper for framing, if you are so inclined.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3621433053_20ca47e6f1.jpg?v=0"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3621433053_20ca47e6f1.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Untitled-- Acrylic on canvas. I just love this guy's expression. $150<br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3622253640_b21059f64b.jpg?v=0"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3622253640_b21059f64b.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Untitled--this painting is the same size as the geisha one, and was meant to be a kind of set, but I like them apart as well. I love the texture on this boy's cheeks, and it kind of pains me to ever think of selling him, but alas, I only have so much wall space. $150.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3588/3622252410_f4a92bd5fa.jpg?v=0"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3588/3622252410_f4a92bd5fa.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As you can see, I'm a little heavy on portraits. As soon as I get the pictures of my florals and abstract paintings off my camera and onto the computer, I'll post them too. Thanks for looking!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-28644780367527812872009-06-13T07:12:00.001-07:002010-03-09T12:04:52.312-08:00PaintingI've been asked by a couple people to post pictures of some of my paintings for sale. So, if you're not interested, you might want to skip this one. I'm also posting a few paintings not for sale, just because I like them. :) All paintings, unless otherwise stated, are oil on canvas, stretched myself.<br /><br /><br />First up is "Umbrella." (I named it before that blasted song, okay???) This pictures is a little foggy and I apologize for that. Umbrella is one of my few forays into using brushier strokes and not trying to get it perfect. $150.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3621441489_f62bbc2210.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3621441489_f62bbc2210.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />"The Door" is a painting of a young Tibetan refugee. Up close you can see hints of blue and purple in the door and in her hair. $200<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3622251684_4ef0471329.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3622251684_4ef0471329.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />"Little Boys" is made in 3 pieces, interchangeable. I used grays and purples to cast a gloomy mood, but I still get happy every time I see these cute faces, so I'm not sure the colors worked. :) These cute boys are $200 together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3622256290_2ecdbd9160.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3622256290_2ecdbd9160.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />"Prayer Candles" is made in 4 pieces. I generally put the prayer candle panel below the monks, but this is how my mom hung them, and I kinda like it. I wanted to show the longevity and committment of serving as a monk in Tibet, so each panel is a stage of life as a monk, but through it all are prayer candles, symbolizing their faith. This is a LARGE collection, and required quite a bit of blank wall. I can get measurements if interested. $350.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3622259328_ebf6988f9e.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3622259328_ebf6988f9e.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What? An abstract? Yep, sometimes I do that. This is "Summer Night" (my mom named it because it reminds her of fireflies). It is acrylic on canvas, and has some textured bits to it (the leaves are raised). It comes with that handsome frame, hand-crafted my by father-in-law, Steve. Painting and frame--$150.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3622262118_f1544ebf95.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3622262118_f1544ebf95.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Umm...I guess I can only post this many pictures at a time. I'll be back with more later. :)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-2842274551412899072009-06-03T11:46:00.000-07:002009-06-03T11:51:35.570-07:00Treats from the Garden<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#006600;">Pretty much every day when I get home from work, I take a tour of my garden. Here are some of my favorite sites:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#006600;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#006600;">Grape Hyacinth:</span><br /><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3592345641_4abdb895d6.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3592345641_4abdb895d6.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#006600;">Poppies (I have yellow ones too, but I just didn't get a snapshot yet):</span><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3593140602_aa24931c35.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3593140602_aa24931c35.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#006600;">Magnolia:</span><br /><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/3592356065_5562932602.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/3592356065_5562932602.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#006600;">Tulips (Luke got these for me last year. Sweet boy):</span><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2443/3593188382_fb5c267f3a.jpg?v=0"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2443/3593188382_fb5c267f3a.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a> </div><div><span style="color:#006600;">Hope you enjoyed the tour through my garden.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-77785174838948993192009-06-02T10:33:00.000-07:002009-06-02T10:46:18.203-07:00Threats<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#996633;">One of my coworkers and I have an agreement that when we are frustrated and angry with our coworkers, our lack of opportunity, our bad hair day, etc. we are allowed to threaten the other one. It's really great for burning off some stress and anger. You should all try this, but not around cops. These are some of my favorites so far:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;">"I swear I will throw you through this window if you say one more thing! And it will be a third floor window!"</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;">"If you don't do what I say, I will paper cut you into the 7th ring of Hades with this misadressed letter!" (we sort mail a lot...)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;">"I'm so mad I'm going to throw you down these stairs, pick you up and bandage your cuts, and then throw you down again!!!" </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;">It's pretty entertaining, and helps me not to actually hurt people. Of course, if HR got involved....we'll just not think about that option. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;">Anyways, the bathroom is officially tiled (though not yet grouted), and I LOVE the way it looks. It's like a tiny little spa retreat. When the transformation is complete, I'll post before and afters. I expect lots of comments on my amazing tile work. :) </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;">Doing projects around the house never ceases to remind me of two things: 1) I can accomplish most anything I set my mind to (construction-wise) and 2) I hurt myself a lot. So far, I have gouged my leg with a drill bit, caught my hair in the cement while tiling (yep, tiled it right to the wall, so now there's a bit of me in the house forever), bruised my knee, scraped my knees, and yesterday I put a gash in my back when I stood up from squatting under the drop-in bath. May I say ouch to that forevermore. After a whole house of renovations, I may be crippled. But my house will look sweet. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#996633;">On Thursday I get to babysit my cute, pudgy, amazing nephew, Eli. I look forward to making him giggle with silly faces, and telling him stories before bedtime. He is such a cute boy. How did I get so lucky?</span>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-18685999002508798932009-06-01T11:03:00.001-07:002009-06-01T11:12:26.984-07:00New Growth<span style="color:#009900;">I planted a second round of seeds about a week ago, because I planted the first round much too early and they froze. Today I noticed tiny green spindles poking out from the dirt, slowly turning their leaves up toward the sun.<br /></span><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Some lives are like that too, I think. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Sometimes I feel like the seeds I'm planting in people's lives quickly die, like the words I speak are swiftly washed away by the wind of corporate life. But then I remember that sometimes the soil isn't ready. A second round of planting is in order. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">My cat violet will only eat soft food, so I have to carefully mix in the hard food so that she will accidently eat it with the soft, and again I think, some lives are like that too. If I only speak harsh truth, no one can swallow it. I have to coat it in layers of love and understanding so that the truth goes down easier, almost by accident. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Spring is so alive and beautiful. The flowers are blooming, babies are being born, and lives are starting to green up and flower. From dead bark bursts new branches, and it makes me hopeful. Perhaps the last couple years have not been a waste. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Perhaps nothing is ever a waste. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">I keep reminding myself that Jesus, Mother Teresa, and my mom never climbed the corporate ladder, and they are people that I hope to have just a little in common with. I try to remind myself of what is important so that the branches will grow in the right direction and i will have to do less pruning later on. </span></div><div><span style="color:#009900;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#009900;">And I'm reminded that beauty has so much to do with growth, and so little to do with my eyeshadow. If He takes care of the flowers and the birds, and a tiny deaf kitten, He'll take care of me. </span></div><div></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3579015758_7efe7c39c5.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6114435441214393285.post-87822349702068839502009-05-29T10:08:00.000-07:002009-05-29T10:23:14.748-07:00Babies<div><div><div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><span style="color:#993399;">I have a baby to show you all. She isn't mine, but I love her so much that she might as well be. She was born on the 12th, but I've been too selfish to share her. However, you all deserve to see this sweetie. Here is Camryn Mae Stella (and Julie):</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdB0vkd3ikOd9bIym8URrurVu68MCyTSuRR1Q4kiNjtQSQ2G4559qnb6jw8Ft_yOLRjSnd8Z86NzWn4NSKU8wqTv9MdURcW1scYidPI_nGXdebCMD8E4fYKVHj0Om08JUZ_R0I2VmnMUay/s1600-h/P1000036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341295458008360530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdB0vkd3ikOd9bIym8URrurVu68MCyTSuRR1Q4kiNjtQSQ2G4559qnb6jw8Ft_yOLRjSnd8Z86NzWn4NSKU8wqTv9MdURcW1scYidPI_nGXdebCMD8E4fYKVHj0Om08JUZ_R0I2VmnMUay/s320/P1000036.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1qUEmnW1mwYCk_LfC7oNzFTdIY0BVHEop9Jj1hy2JODf9UNgVJU7PKNwDOdtSnBujRrULXGPUfhTyKLuPYPGpnLJSLkjSwv9Yi0YYbVPW9ycx6_LcGF97YT1xtBCCanqfPzu43RzzQXY/s1600-h/Camryn+043.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1qUEmnW1mwYCk_LfC7oNzFTdIY0BVHEop9Jj1hy2JODf9UNgVJU7PKNwDOdtSnBujRrULXGPUfhTyKLuPYPGpnLJSLkjSwv9Yi0YYbVPW9ycx6_LcGF97YT1xtBCCanqfPzu43RzzQXY/s1600-h/Camryn+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341295453954126434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1qUEmnW1mwYCk_LfC7oNzFTdIY0BVHEop9Jj1hy2JODf9UNgVJU7PKNwDOdtSnBujRrULXGPUfhTyKLuPYPGpnLJSLkjSwv9Yi0YYbVPW9ycx6_LcGF97YT1xtBCCanqfPzu43RzzQXY/s320/Camryn+043.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">Now that you're all entranced by the cuteness, I'll share a little more. Luke and I recently decided to get a friend for our tiger, er....cat, Hobbes. Hobbes is a large cat, about 15 lbs. He is super active and playful, and I just felt that he was bored at home by himself all day. We went to the Humane Society, and there was little Violet, a sweet, tiny little deaf kitty, weighing in at only 6.5 lbs. She is adorable, as you can see. I immediately knew I wanted her for Hobbes' playmate, so we picked her up the next day. She's been with us a week now, and I love her. Hobbes is coming around too, and they have started playing together. Their favorite game is "Where is the cat?" where one hides in a bag and then jumps out at the other one.</span> </div><div> </div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/3576172850_14699f73c7.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3576183752_7888b93c91.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/3575375177_1a39a9e9e3.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/3575372413_e91204dfec.jpg?v=0" border="0" /><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">Tune in soon for pictures of the bathroom remodel. We are in the process of tiling, and let me tell you, it's turning out wonderfully! I love it. More soon (for real).</span><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10544780184633933546noreply@blogger.com2