I'm HOME!

Most of you I'm sure know but I've finally made it back home! : )
Florida has been amazing and St. Petersburg is now home. Things have been quite busy here - between moving across 4 states, packing, unpacking, looking for a new place - I feel like I haven't stopped going for two seconds!

In the end I couldn't be more thrilled to be back home and I'm just taking things one day at a time. As I sit back and reflect on how much has changed in the last 2 months it really puts things into perspective. Never would I have thought I'd be here and truly feeling fabulously happy. (I dont think that's grammatically correct but you get my drift :).... Unfortunately I've lost two very important people this summer and man, can that make you realize how every second counts. I really don't sweat the small stuff much these days and at the end of the day I'm truly so blessed for those in my life and am so lucky to be loved by so many.
So, if your reading this - THANK YOU, I cherish you as a part of my life and know that I'm always here for you as you have been for me.....
until next time :)

which will include pictures of the fabulous halloween costume I'll debut this weekend!
Love to you all
XO
KK

**Work like you don't need the money Love like you have never been hurt Sing like no one is listening Dance, Dance, Dance Like no one is watching... **

July

Well things haven't changed much since my last post so this will be brief! I was fortunate enough to take some time off and go back to FL for some vacation as well as job hunting. It was great to spend time with my family as well as see some great friends down in St. Petersburg. The bad news is I haven't landed a job in Florida yet but the good news is I'm going on interviews so that means companies are hiring and I'm getting in some great practice! (and I already know where I want to live when I get there LOL, somewhat the cart before the horse I know but hey, a girl's got to be prepared!)

Things in Texas are extremely HOT - For the last three weeks I'm pretty sure we've hit triple digit temps every day; and of course we've had little to zero rain - hints the burn ban. All in all I don't have any complaints - I know something will come through in Florida when the time is right; until then its that awful waiting game I must play! However I'm so into Bikram Yoga these days that its really helping me stay calm, cool and collected as well as stay in pretty decent shape (approx 15lbs lighter these days, woo hoo!)

Last but not least I'm absolutely thrilled for two of my very good friends. My college teammate Julie Zitterkopf got engaged to her boyfriend Mike. He proposed while they were horsback riding on the coast of Oregon. Julie is from Nebraska so I see a trip to the midwest in my near future! However, I'm most excited for one of my besties of over 20 years - Ms. Annie Lee Adams - Her and Matt got engaged in Paris! - WOW. They are two of the best people I know and Matt couldn't be more lucky. Annie has the biggest heart, can always make me laugh and has been there for me in some pretty desperate times. I can't wait for this shin-dig in New Orleans! Congrats Julie and Mike and Annie and Matt!--- holy crap does anyone else realize that this puts pressure on me??-- Mr. Right where the heck are you??? LOL just kidding. I know he will come when the time is right!

That's all for now kids. But I'm happy to report I've started The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - the third in the series of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. and its FABULOUS!!

And I've just put up a few pictures from my trip to FL. Happy July ya'll!

Logan, His GF Carrie, and I :)

St. Pete Beach :)
GBHS Reunion in St. Pete
One of the greatests :) - me and Harry

XO

KK

O April, Wait May, Nope.. JUNE! :)

I sit here typing this entry on a Saturday night, sitting on the couch with a bottle of layer cake wine and Cabo(well when I started this its what I was doing :p ). April was extremely challenging but May has led to a clearer head for this gal and hopes of new opportunities and blessings. And now on to June!



Furthermore the journey back to Florida has officially begun!! I'm nervous as hell but then my excitement balances it out. I've begun my job search as well and if anyone has any leads please let me know. I'm looking both at home in Pensacola and in the Tampa/st Pete area...( although I'm thinking more towards Tampa as job opportunities are more and its a great place...) Finally I've realized its OK for me to say "I'd rather be home in Florida than out here in Texas". At somepoint you just have to tune out all the noise and follow your heart - my heart yearns for Florida!



That's a quick wrap of what's been going on for me. Currently getting back home is number one on my list. I'm very excited to say that in 2 wks I'll be taking a week long trip to FL - visiting family and friends all over :) This past weekend for Memorial Day I took a mini vaca to South Padre Island - when I say its at the border, I mean at the border!--guards, guns and all. They don't mess around. It was a great trip, relaxation on the beach and by a pool - just what this girl needed. This weekend coming up I'm excited for my cousin Emily to be graduating High School - WOW, I can't believe it! Congrats Em :) I'm so thrilled she included me on this special event and can't wait to sit through a graduation for 800 kids (can you sense the sarcasm??)

So stay tuned for what's to come!
And I want to leave you with a quick link to a documentary I was able to watch. It may seem a bit much but wow, what an eye-opening experience to see how lucky we are sometimes. Literally I sat sobbing as I watched this - even just reading the article is hard but the patients chronicled in this piece are amazing individuals that really taught me some great things about life. Please read and watch some of the clips if you can. < How to Die in Oregon >

Till next time!
XO
K

MARCH MADNESS

The title of my post sums it UP - not only personally has this been a crazy ridiculous month but just in the overall grand scheme of things nothing has slowed down one bit! This girl has been on the go non-stop it seems like. I kicked off the month with a visit home to the Breeze; always a great time when I'm there and even better this trip as I surprised my brother and sister with my visit; the looks on their faces were priceless and it makes me smile so much to hear "KK I love you so much, I can't believe you're here!". Kiersten had a volleyball tournament and I'm so thrilled to say I think she is going to be quite the volleyball stud! Her team won the tournament and Kiersten is quite the spark plug on the court - full of energy and she goes for everything. Also, I go to see Luke's baseball scrimmage where he seems to be following Logan's steps by playing catcher. He did awesome! Lastly - my stepdad was in a BBQ competition with three friends - check out their grill!! The weekend was capped off with some Mardi Gras fun and I was able to see some dear friends which all in all capped off my weekend to perfection (minus the fact it had to end :( )

Immediately I came into a whirl-wind in Houston as two of my favorite gals from Quinnipiac came to visit Big Texas. Ashley and Kristy came in town and we did it up right - Tons of food, The Rodeo and St. Arnold's...not to mention some fun times at my favorite hookah place Cafe Byblos. I think the girls definitely left with a new perspective on Texas and I hope they come back, it really meant the world to have them come all the way from New Jersey to see little ole' me :) Following their visit the family came to see me for the rodeo. We were packed like sardines in my little apartment but Mom, Ed, Kiersten and Luke

were troopers and had a great time. They had so many "firsts" in Texas and I'm so glad I could be a part of them: Their First NBA Game, their First Rodeo and their First KISS concert.

What a four days we had! They really are the best!:) Lastly, this girl ain't getting any younger! LOL I had found out I needed to have my meniscus repaired for yet a THIRD time and quite possibly my ACL as well. WOW, do ya think I need to take it easy at some point?? At 26 years old I have stage 3 out of 4 early arthritis in my knee...which translates into only getting worse as I get older. Thankfully my Aunt and Uncle took care of me on Friday, March 25th for my orthroscopic procedure and then if my ACL is needed to be replaced good ole' Momma-Dukes will be coming into town for a week :) ---(IT DOES need to be replaced LOL) Hey, she doesn't have a choice - I don't have a boyfriend and I'm not married so I'm all alone on this one and need her! Needless to say between all the entertaining I've been doing, traveling and now dealing with my knee I still have to move to my new apartment at somepoint in time! This girl will be in Houston for at least one more year so we'll see what happens. Although, gas prices are better here than FL so that could be a selling point to stay. I cannot believe we are back up to $3.50/gallon and higher in some places.

I'm so sick of how these foreign countries have so much affect on our lives here but they are so far away; the turmoil in Libya is just sickening and coupling it with the devastation in Japan has just made for a rough couple of weeks around the world. My heart and prayers go out to the people of Japan affected by Mother Nature. Stay Strong!

Lastly the NCAA Final Four is in town starting today and THIS GIRL will be at the finals on Monday night. I'm so excited! those of you that know me know I'm not the biggest basketball fan however when the finals roll around I start to pay attention. What a fun weekend ahead - not only will the games be going on but there are tons of festivities going on downtown and free concerts - Sublime, Panic! At the Disco, Kings of Leon, Roger Craeger, Pat Green and my boyfriend ;) Kenny Chesney!

Any good books out there? I still need to finish the Dragon Tattooo series but I'm always open to suggestions!

XO See ya next time K

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”- Morrie Schwartz

Can't Believe its already February, wait a minute - MARCH!

As my co-worker said the other day we're 1/12 of the way through 2011; yes she's very analytical with a quirky sense of humor! :) but so right at the same time. --actually now that I'm thinking about it - March is HERE!

While January is in the past I remain optimistic February holds something positive for this Florida girl at heart. (as well as the rest of 2011) With that being said an official decision has been made - I'm going to give Houston one last year to knock my socks off and if it doesn't happen then this girl will be back in the Sunshine State hopefully by the Summer of 2012. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for all the blessings, memories and opportunities Houston has given me but at somepoint you've got to call a spade a spade and I'm definitely meant to be back in FL! I've been a fish out of water for too many years now but I've learned so much and grown in many ways...(hopefully not too much in my waist line LOL) but my heart yearns for FLORIDA!

VS.

Over the last month my weekends have been incredibly busy with volleyball season getting in full swing. My 16's team has been doing some awesome stuff on the court and I'm having a blast. Furthermore, I myself recently hit the court for the Texas A&M Men's Valentine's Day Classic. Their Men's team puts on a couple tournaments a year as fundraisers so my team went up to play in Aggie Land (YUCK!!--GEAUX TIGERS!) This ole' gal still has it in her - 13 games and we came in SECOND... ARGH!!-- not a fan of losing but if I say so myself, I played well.

However let's face it - the highlight of February was my trip to LAS VEGAS! - Since I've never been I was in complete and total dorky tourist mode!- a few pics are below but checkout Facebook to get the full effect! A great weekend was spent with some great people but I've already decided I MUST go back. Stay tuned for the planning phase of the next trip. I was very fortunate to tag along with some great people. The volleyball club I coach for took along two teams (18 yr olds) and asked if I wanted to go as well. I roomed with our 18s Coach and his Wife in the Bora Bora Suite - LOL. I had my own bed which was all that mattered. I had a FABULOUS time.

Robyn and I waiting to board the flight after a few cocktails :)

LANDED - the mountains were gorgeous

Bar Shot - self portrait, yes
I am a big dork!




Rob trying to drink the VOLCANO

all by her lonesome ;)

Hotties Ready to take on Vegas

The Sites :)

Just a tid bit - took the advice of many and read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. LOVED IT. and will definitely be finishing the series :)

To wrap things up I'd like to send my well wishes and prayers to the Spencer/Schluter family. YS3 has gone to the waves in the sky... the Lord takes you when he's ready for you - and Yancy got to go doing what he loved. RIP Yancy, you will be greatly missed. Thank you for putting the gulf coast on the map with your amazing talent and giant heart....

See you next month!

and lots will be happening then too!

XO

KK

"Why not learn to enjoy the little things - there are so many of them." ~Author Unknown

Glad to Be Back!

As I mentioned in my post before its been way too long; I'm glad to kick off 2011 Roaring 20's style! New Year's was celebrated in NOLA this year with some great friends! My Best friend Annie came up with or I should say her brother came up with the idea of dressing in a theme to ring in the new year and Roaring 20's it is! The night began with a wonderful meal at Galatoire's dished up by Shannon and Cocktail Bob; then the party continued on Bourbon of course!

Me and the girls - Tiffany, Erin, Annie

Logan and Cocktail Bob - with him never a dry glass at the table :)

Kalyn and Annie - the girl is so gorgeous! XO


The Twins - incredibly glad Logan made the trip over from Miss.

What a GREAT way to ring in 2011 - Special thanks to Miss Ann Lee Adams!

Oddly enough I've already spent most of 2011 out of town because the first weekend after the new year I treked up to Dallas to visit some folks very near and dear to me :) Family friends from my Dad whom we've known for years were in Dallas for the coaches convention and graciously asked me up for a night of fun! However, fortunate or unfortunate for them I was forced to stay an additional night due to the HORRENDOUS weather in Dallas and surrounding areas. (but lucky for me I didn't have to be in the office!!). My days of living in CT had long left me and so the snow and ice conditions that graced Dallas forced me back once I was 35 miles outside the city. But I couldn't have been more thrilled to see my dear friend and love Greg Frey, so I knew there was a reason I was meant to stay an extra night. Words can't express how lucky I am to have Jo Ann Howell Kravitz, Rick Kravitz and Shawn Howe :) FUN TIMES, lots of LAUGHS and I can't wait to do it again. What are we on season 6 of the Rick and JoAnn show?? LOL

Jo Ann and her "son" Shawn


Jo Ann and her "daughter"

If this is any indication of how 2011 will be BRING IT ON!-- I couldn't be more thrilled to be able to spend time with the ones I love.

Lastly, shout out to my LSU Tigers- a great Cotton Bowl Victory, and who better to spend it with than two of my favorite fellow Tiger Fans :)

Me, Danny and Nanny at Big Woodrow's

On a different note, not sure how many of you paid attention to the news the last few weeks but I was absolutely brought to tears over the story of Ted Williams...in case you don't know he's the homeless man from the streets of Columbus, OH; but he used to be a radio announcer and used those talents to WOW the passerbys of the corners he stood on... his kindness and gratitude is amazing...click here. What a great story and it has really made me think twice of the folks I see around Houston on the corner. (unfortunately I think now he's checked himself into rehab :(...

Other than my two great trips lately I don't have much else to report. I'd like to leave you with some of my latest song obsessions ;) And please stay tuned because I'll be going to Vegas in February and I'm sure that will make for one heck of a post! XO

Felt Good on My Lips <----click me!

Maybe

When I'm Not Looking

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. ~Martin Luther King Jr.

Long time no See!

Well, well well... it's nice you see you all again!

Don't ask why on earth I haven't been around because I honestly have no clue; actually I can tell you exactly what it is - pure laziness!

Since my last post was in Oct of 2009 there's an entire year which has come and gone but I won't bore you with the details! Let's just say glad 2010 is over and I'm thrilled to see what 2011 has in store! However you can thank one of my besties Annie Adams for making me pick things back up :) Her recent blog posts on "Try to Keep Up" have inspired me to get back into it and HAVE SOME FUN!!

2010 wrap-up: work was busy, life was crazy but I lived, learned and am a stronger and better gal because of it. I have nothing but high hopes for the next year and can't wait to see what is in store! But I am thrilled to announce last year I became a MOM!-- to my precious Schnauzer-Poodle mix Cabo. He has been an absolute blast and to come home to someone excited to see me can't help but make me smile. We have a great time going to the dog park and driving one another crazy; but I'm happy to say we definitely have this potty training thing down. He will celebrate is 1st birthday on April 30th, 2011.

Other than my son, there's nothing big and major to report. Which I think is actually a really good thing. While I do miss being closer or on the gulf coast Texas is working out quite nicely. Below you'll find some pictures from the 4th qtr of 2010 :)

Here she is MISS AMERICA

HAHA-- Halloween of course!

(Ash my dress as your MOH came in handy LOL)

My Flag Football Team - 7 yrs in a row -
CHAMPIONS!--they are a great group of people, I'm so lucky to have been "recruited" for their team ;)

Dad and his fiance Dawn came to visit me in Big TX - of course we had to get in a round of golf, was great seeing them

Pretty much from Dad's visit to the end of the year things went very quickly

I was very excited to see my family for Christmas and my friends.
Gotta love my fabulous Step Dad, creative Mom and quirky little brother

below, my all time besties - Ash, Liza, Annie and Kiel... you gals have no idea who much you mean to me and I'm ridiculously lucky to have you :) Love

you! --great reunion - friends, fire and WINE!

Also, perhaps just as important as me becoming a Mom I became an Auntie! Ashley welcomed Adrian Silas in April. He's an absolute joy and I can't wait to spend more time with him...

Last but certainly not least - the 3

people that can always make me smile no matter what - Luke,

Logan and Kiers... what would Christmas morning be without Logan playing with one of Luke's stocking-stuffers??

I sincerely hope everyone has had a great 2010 and wish you nothing but the best for 2011. As I close out my first post for the new year I wanted to leave you with some book ideas; and for those of my readers who are in the job market a positive outlook to 2011.... stay tuned, hope to have my next post up by the 15th! XO

Hungry - by Crystal Renn. Great book for any gal to read, she really is amazing!

I hope they serve Beer in Hell - now those of you that are easily offended do not read this! However if you want a great laugh - please do! Its all the things guys do and don't talk about to girls - this guy wrote a book of his shinanigans and made millions!

Lastly, 2011 offers hope in the job market... stay positive, good things are to come!

Job Offers on the Rise
Some big U.S. companies are cranking up recruiting, advertising thousands of openings in a sign of an improving economy.

P.s. my new thing is Bikram Yoga, I'm going on month 2 and absolutely love the challenge of really pushing myself and my body. Please visit my yoga studio's site if your interested in what its all about!-- Bikram Yoga Houston

See Ya'll Soon!