Catch Up!

Ok, so it's the end of the month and I'm several posts short. March has been a crazy month. Lots of birthday partying which is fun. We bought an investment property which is fun, stressful and anxiety provoking. Unfortunately, the weather has been dreary and that often deters me from taking pictures and blogging. And bruising my tailbone set me back a week. I had a lot of pain and just wanted to sleep until it got better. But I'm back! Enjoy these next few posts!

Barcelona Hair Lounge

Last week, Jeff and I jumped into the world of real estate. Some people buy rental houses, we bought a salon with booth rental. The woman selling it needed health insurance and was going to work for a company. It's a small salon (about 700 sq. feet), quaint and in a really nice part of town. The rent is cheap which helps our overhead and we have stylists who rent booth space. So it's nice because we don't need to babysit and make sure they are working. We just need to collect our rent once a week.
We've done a little work to clean up the salon a little and we're going to paint the red a more neutral color soon. Our goal is to have 3 stylists and a manicurist. We're really excited about this new endeavor.
So I know you're asking, why a salon? Jeff has had two lifetime goals. One was to be a teacher. The second was to own a business. We've been discussing for many years what we could do. And a few months ago another salon was for sale, but we couldn't negotiate a price. This salon was a small investment and some good potential. It's not a huge money maker (we're keeping our jobs), but it's a pretty safe investment. And it's a good way to get our feet wet. I'll keep you updated about the progress we make!

SHOCKERS WIN THE NIT!!

I cannot believe it. The Wichita State Shockers beat Alabama by 9 points tonight to win the NIT tournament. I can't believe how well they played in the post season. And while it's not the NCAA tourney by any means, it's still awesome. I'll be buying my NIT championship tshirt tomorrow.

Kam Plays Soccer

Tonight we headed to the YMCA to watch Kam practice soccer. The evening was nice-65 degrees. The sun was out and he had a great time since we were watching him. L had fun watching him play. In fact, she said it was more fun than playing.

Book Report: Lust, Love and Faking it

First of all, the only reason I read the book was because it's authored by Jenny McCarthy. I really enjoyed reading her books, Belly Laughs and Baby Laughs. This book was definitely funny and more Chelsea Handler-ish. And it's not for the faint at heart. She talks a lot about boys, vibrators and boobs. It was a quick read, but nothing substantial.

Shockers are in the NIT Title Game!!

Go Shockers! You rock!



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Book Report: I am the Messenger

This book is written by Markus Zusak. I've read one of his other books, The Book Thief, and have decided he's a good author, his books are intriguing, but I have no idea why they are considered teen books.

In this book, Ed Kennedy is the main character. He lives in the UK and is "picked" to help others out. In the beginning, he doesn't know why this is happening but continues to fulfill his duty. Sometimes he helps a girl realize her potential, sometimes he's correcting bad behavior.

I'd give it *** out of 5 stars.


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Spring is Here

Now only if Mother Nature could keep the temps up high enough to let the beauties stay.






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Damn Stair

One thing I did this week was fall down the stairs....AGAIN! It is the fourth time I've done this in the 18 months we have lived here. I slid down seven of the hardwood stairs Tuesday night. I thought I came out ok because I was flat on my backside but I bruised my tailbone pretty good. Which is a pain when you sit and stand all day for your job. Even after 4 days, it still hurts some. Oh, and I bruised my arm up as well.

Mark my words: I will hold onto the railing and take my time when walking down the stairs.


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Blog Hiatus

Sorry about the lack of blogging. It's Spring Break this week and we have been having fun goofing off. I'll be back with updates/pictures soon.

-Kathryn

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The Party

Tonight was the "big kid" party. We had pizza and cake. It is a good excuse to get together with our friends. L was a happy girl.


A Barbie Jet!!


She was excited to have cake...


...and blow out the candles.


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L's New Bike

For months, L has been asking for a new bike with training wheels. For her birthday, her wish came true. It wasn't a surprise and she was fine with that.



I love the helmet.



Her first ride.



First tumble. She got back up and went again.



What a happy girl.
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What a Big Day!

First we got L a new bike, then she had another party. Look at the beautiful cake.








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Chuck E. Cheese

L chose her sixth birthday party to be at Chuck E. Cheese. We decided to have it late this afternoon before the place got too crazy. I picked a great time. The kids had fun and we were able to keep an eye on everyone.


L had fun playing the games. She doesn't like skee ball as much as I do.


Chuck E. was around most of the time. L loved it.


She was so excited to get a crown and medal.


The sweet six year old birthday girl.


As part of the package, she got to grab tickets in the ticket blaster. She got 250 tickets worth. Pretty good for 30 seconds.

She got lots of Barbies and dolls. She was wiped out when it was over. She fell asleep within a few minutes of getting in the car.

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Birthday Fun at School

Since L's birthday is over spring break, she got to celebrate it on the last day before break. She got a ribbon from the principal and gotnto hand out some cute cupcakes we made.


They look like chicks, right?


The kids seemed to have enjoyed the treats.


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Book Report: Committed

Several of my friends had read Committed, by Elizabeth Gilbert and thought it was good, so I decided to read it. Ms. Gilbert also wrote Eat, Pray and Love. In Committed, she is together with her boyfriend and on one of their trips out of America, he gets deported and banned. He must marry her to live in America. And she had sworn off getting married again. So the book discusses why people marry and what is great about being married.
Overall, it was an okay book. Nonfiction=boring sometimes. 2 1/2 out of 5 starts.

Reggie's Sitting on the Pot

More on this story later, but this was too cute to pass up on. A month ago, we bought an old toilet. You know, the Victorian turn of the century-looks like a chair, but it has a toilet bowl under the seat? That's the one. So it's been in the foyer for a month and this weekend Reggie discovered it as a good place to seat. That girl never passes up on an opportunity to be in the action.

Melissa's Baby Shower

My good friend, Melissa is having a baby girl in a month. Let me tell you...it was so much fun to look at baby girl clothes. I found cute pjs (with a pink ruffle on the butt) and orange and pink monkey onesies. So adorable! We had a great time at her shower. It was a time to visit and open gifts and no dorky games.

Sidewalk Chalk Fun

It was a beautiful day outside yesterday (unlike today's sleet). L and I decided to draw her, then me, then daddy. A family of chalk. How sweet.

I'm Addicted to this Silly Game

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Making Smoothies

Since I started the Carb Lover's Diet, I've been making smoothies for breakfast. L loves to make her own smoothie. She wants to do it all by herself. And I will admit, it tastes good.



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How to Catch a Leprechaun

L's teacher loves St. Patrick's Day. He asked the kids to make a trap because there is a leprechaun in his room. Last night, L made her trap. It turned out pretty cute.



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L and her Guineas

L loves her boys and they love her. Carrot and Squeekles are six months old now.









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She Tries to be Cute

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Carb Lovers Diet: Week 1

One week down and 7.5 pounds lost! I'm happy with my progress. The diet has been very good. It's easy to fix the meals and it takes my mind off what do I do next. I was faithful to the diet.

Today starts phase 2. I tried to stay at phase one foods, but after burning 500 calories at spin class, I had to eat an extra snack. I was so hungry! But at least I chose something healthy- a TLC bar. I feel like I'm making a good start.


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Book Report: Moon Over Manifest

Our book club selection for March/April is Moon Over Manifest by Claire Vanderpool. She win a Newberry award for this book and she lives in....Wichita! Cool, huh?

The book is good. It's set in 1936, about a little girl who is sent to Manifest because her dad doesn't like the free style living they are living. She goes to live with the preacher/bartender. She finds old notes in her bedroom from WW I time frame. So she spends the summer piecing together the story.

Ms. Vanderpool is a great writer. She captures you into the story, gives twists to the plot all while making you feel at home. The only thing I don't understand. This book was written for 5th graders. And I think there are parts of the book a child might not understand. Four out of five stars.


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Chik-Fil-A Progress

Yes, this makes me happy. We are getting a bona fide Chik-Fil-A (sorry mom). And it's only only a couple miles from our house. They had to demolish an old gas station, but at least it's progress.



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If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

I joined L's class on a field trip Thursday at lunchtime. They went to the Crown Uptown. They dined on hot dogs, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, fries and applesauce. L and M sat next to each other while her mom and I chatted. A long time later, the show started. It was very good. I was impressed two actors could do a great performance. Everything was giant sized for the mouse. The kids loved it!









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My Old Costumes

Thanks to my parents who kept all my old recital costumes and toys, L is having a great time. She loves to dress up and practice for her real recital.





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Dr. Suess' birthday

Today was Dr. Seuss' birthday. I figured the kids would do something but wasn't sure what. My friend, Katie, makes gorgeous bows and headbands, so I got L one to wear. She looks so cute! They had green eggs and ham and made some kind of silky putty thing.





In the car tonight, L was repeating multiple Dr. Seuss books. Jeff says, "What is she saying?". And L responds, "what? They are books we learned today."
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I Did It!

Tonight, Kasey invited us to supper at Jose Peppers, my favorite place to dine. Unfortunately, it's a calorie pitfall for me. Tortilla chips, cheese dip, margaritas...all before dinner. I must eat 2000 calories when I go.

But tonight, I ate ZERO chips and cheese dip, had water and ate grilled fish tacos (minus the shells). And it was really good and I feel good. Not stuffed and all bloated.





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