Breaking the Radio Silence

Hey! Here I am!

It's shameful how long it's been since I've posted here. Since early April — yikes!

Well, here's a quick snapshot of what's happened in the last 3.5 months:

• I got a new job. In mid-June, I was recruited away from AutoTrader.com to work for a big public relations agency. (Yes, my degree is in PR, but I actually have a passion for corporate communications and employee engagement, which I will continue to do at this new gig.) I'll miss my peeps at ATC and my responsibilities there, but I'm welcome to this new, exciting opportunity.
  
• Just a month into my new job, I bonded with coworkers over a terribly tragic event. On Friday, July 15, a gunman shot and killed a woman from my building in the parking deck adjacent to my building — then opened fire on a group of girls walking across the street for lunch. Two of my colleagues were shot, one of whom still has a long recovery ahead. It turns out the gunman was a security guard from our building and the shooting occurred on his lunchbreak. We don't yet know if the deceased victim was at the wrong place at the wrong time, or if she was targeted. No matter what, that Friday was a terrible, sad, senseless, disturbing day. I am proud of everyone at my new office. The victims have been strong, positive and encouraging. Everyone else has come together in this tough time to be honest about their fears and expectations: better security, our right to trust security, etc. We're all reminded that life is short and your plotted course can change within the blink of an eye. Give all your friends and family a hug and tell them how much you love them. (News story here: http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/midtown-shooting-victim-was-1018502.html)
• I've been blogging semi-regularly to my other blog, Savvy in the City. Most posts focus on being able to dress well without spending a fortune (Goodwill FTW!), eating, online shopping and things to do around Atlanta.
• Dan and I got a new, sod lawn! I shouldn't put the exclamation point here because as of right now, it's been more of a frustration then a triumph; we found out right as the sod was being laid that we don't have enough water pressure to power the sprinkler system we had installed... so while we wait to have a second water meter installed, my sweet (and did I mention handsome?!?) husband has been manually watering the grass in the wee hours of the morning.
• I've been playing tennis. Tennis is fun — it's one of the few things that gets me off my tail and sweating. AND, in the league I joined, you pick your own schedule. It's called T2 Tennis. T2 is a "flex" league, which means you and your opponent e-mail and discuss a time that works for each of your schedules. No matter what your skill level, there's a T2 league that fits with your play experience/ability. I didn't play so well this season, but I'm enjoying it, and I'm enjoying Dan playing, too. (Ultimate Tennis is a similar deal-io).
• (Nothing I've accomplished lately is earth shattering or exciting, but I can't say that I mind.)
  

Things I'm grateful for today:

Family:




Upcoming weddings (my friend Julia's, and my brother Ben's):


Fresh fruit ripening on the window sill (from the Your Dekalb Farmer's Market, which always puts me in a good mood):


I won't be so long 'til next time... promise! But remember to check Savvy in the City for more regular updates.

Quote of the Week (Atlanta Housewives Style)

Sisters

(At the nail salon, getting pedicures)

Me to my sister: "Hey! We're just like Kim and NeNe [of The Real Housewives of Atlanta]!"

Sister: "Why? Because we don't always get along but we have fun?"

Me: "ummm.... not exactly what I was thinking. I meant because we are out getting pampered on weekday..."

Recapping Christmas in Raleigh

On the twelfth day of Christmas, Raleigh gave to us...

12 Jello Shooters

11 curling rod ringlets

10 place settings (2 parents, 7 kids, 1 husband)

9 ounces of mustache wax

8 inches of snow

7 varieties of dessert (cookies, coconut bars, chocolate pie, pecan pie, danishes, cinnamon rolls and peanut brittle)

6 strands of baubles

5 hours of dancing (Paul's party!)

4 idiots watching a turkey fry

3 new watches (Anna was one of three that received a new watch from Santa)

2 sisters named Katy/Katie (I have a stepsister named Katie!)

And 1 cod fish face!

What a great Christmas holiday! Thank you to my dad and Susan for hosting an awesome Christmas week gathering.

(Hope all your holidays were fabulous as well!)

- Katy

Traveling = Invitation for Murphy's Law

Murphy's law has its way of descending on me when we have well-intentioned plans of traveling — and getting out of town on time.

Here's a little recap of Wednesday afternoon:

• I cannot locate my husband's great aunt's china that we were supposed to bring to Nashville after looking everywhere possible — and spot a leak from under the water heater
• I call husband who tries his best to instruct me on how to inspect the leak, which is frustrating for both of us because I can't really describe what I'm looking at very well and he's not there to see it in person
• Husband walks me through how to turn off the hot water valve and gas line; he texts our tenant to say we won't have hot water for a few days
• I start loading up the truck with my stuff, husband's stuff and the dog — in the rain
• I drive over to husband's office to pick him up with dog in back of truck in hopes of continuing on our way... only to see that our dog pooped in the bed of the truck sometime on the ride over
• I scrape up most of poop using a Kroger plastic bag
• We drive to the closest gas station (2 miles away); husband tries to get dog's poop from in between her toes and under her toenails
• In the mean time, I go to wash my hands and buy a hotdog because I didn't eat lunch
• Husband asks me to wipe the bed of the truck using baby wipes while he continues dealing with dog poop in between dog toes
• I set down hotdog in its packaging on console in truck
• I miss husband putting dog into cab of truck
• After some light scrubbing, I open truck door to sit down and eat my hot dog... only to see hotdog has been eaten by dog
• Husband finds some humor in this while I do not; I toss the hotdog bun in its box at husband and get ketchup on his shirt (I thought the packaging was closed)
• Husband is not amused
• We each apologize
• We get on road to brave traffic to Nashville
• Sister calls and says she is locked out of our house, where she planned to spend the night (whoops... I forgot to leave the key out for her)
• I coach sister through breaking into our house, hang up the phone
• I announce to husband, "why don't we just rear end someone to really put a bang in our travel plans?"

All that being said, we finally made it to the Nashville area and had a great time. With 30-plus of Dan's family members, 8 large dogs, great food, precious kids and karaoke, how could we NOT have a blast?

Pictures:

S.B.

Dear Steve and Cath —

Thank you for treating us to one of our best vacations in a long time.

We...

• Did a little of the "tourist" thing
• Ate (and ate like kings — the food you make at your house is better than any restaurant... and the cheese, oh god, the cheese!)
• Drank (wine and micro-brew tastings were fun outings)
• Pacific coast kayaked... complete with dolphins that swam up around us
• Had our first acupuncture experiences
• Rummaged (successfully) for thrift store treasures
• Lusted over (and later enjoyed) beautiful produce at the Saturday farmer's market
• Admired and bought unique pieces at the Sunday "art walk"
• Took amazing walks on that amazing Pacific coast beach, complete with gorgeous cliffs to one side and surfers to the other
• Enjoyed the cliffside hot tub
• Talked and laughed about life, memories, those loved and lost, favorite fonts (?), books, movies and more
• Got to know each other better (I married into a fab family)

Steve, I definitely can understand how you met Cath and immediately followed her over to the West Coast — what a lady.

Such an amazing trip — and I feel like — a good taste of California. Santa Barbara is beautiful and you have such a wonderful life there. Thank you for having us into your home and entertaining us for four days straight. Somehow you managed to keep the days busy but relaxing and carefree, and I'm already planning our next trip out. :)

Love,

Katy and Dan

The Battle is On

Here's the cute and creative e-flyer my Aunt Vera released this morning to promote her appearance on Throw Down with Bobby Flay.

Tune in!

Aunt Vera: Throwing it Down with Bobby Flay

My Aunt Vera has been very busy lady lately!

Tune in Wednesday night (July 21) to see Very Vera take on Bobby Flay on the Cooking Network's "Throwdown with Bobby Flay."

Vera is contractually obligated to keep mum about the competition's outcome -- but I have a feeling she's going to be the victor in this carrot cake championship.

See details about the episode featuring Vera here.

Vote for My Aunt Vera

My very talented and very spunky Aunt Vera (of Very Vera fame) is auditioning for the Your Own Show contest sponsored by Oprah.

Remember when I worked with her for her Costco Road Show a few months back? Vera has a highly successful mail order cake business out of Augusta, Georgia, and she's on the fast track to even more success with her southern style casseroles and other tasty treats. She's been featured on Oprah's favorite things and graced the pages of Veranda, Southern Living and many others.

If chosen, Vera's show would be about classic cooking, impressing your family and friends with elegance/style and staying fit and active. She's calling her show "The School of Good Taste."

Go give her a little love!

Vote here.

Dear Katy... Love, Mom

The mama and her littles. Back row - L to R: Ben (25), Anna (22), Mom, Me (27), Paul (20). In front: Charlie (8) and Woody (10).

Dear Katy,

You have no idea how many things I have to say —
Because your last time as a high schooler is today.
Soon you’ll be gone far from your mother’s reach
With so many lessons left for life to teach.
From now on you’re on your own and out of site,
So, take heed of each word in this letter I now write…

Work and play hard, but always with a goal in sight.
Compliment and acknowledge others when they are right.
No matter what, black is the color that’s always in fashion.
In life, take up at least one hobby with a true passion.
Remember that forgetting is just as tough as forgiving.
Make life cheaper by doing your own laundry and ironing.
Don’t ever be sorry for who you truly are
And you can survive college without a car!
With old friends, strive to keep in touch.
But when it comes to getting married, don’t be in a rush.
Seek true love, but remember men come and go;
They say “forever;” but their true motives we may not know.
Thank God for all your blessings, several times.
To the people you love most, be especially kind.
Only try to change what you can control.
Follow your heart and don’t forfeit your soul.
If no risk is involved, you’ll never gain.
Live life outwardly and refuse to be plain.
Never turn down an opportunity to learn.
Have self-discipline no matter how hot a temptation may burn.
Learn from your mistakes and allow others to do the same.
Admit that sometimes, you deserve the blame.
Do not let others take advantage of — and walk on — you;
You’ll lose respect for those people, and yourself, too.
People may judge you by how you dress, eat and speak.
Even the juiciest gossip and secrets are most fun to keep.
Be sure to one day have kids and show them your love.
Remember that they are a product from our God up above.
Send nice notes and e-mail greeting cards.
Don’t forget to thank those who helped shape who you are.
Plan for the future, but live for today.
Travel, take bubble baths, and most importantly — pray.
No matter what the situation, don’t steal, cheat or lie.
Give in sometimes when you need to cry.
Don’t be afraid to call friends when you need a crutch.
Do things you enjoy, but never too much.
Consider others’ feelings and opinions.
Learn to live life with certain, minute imperfections.
Think back to how things were as a kid;
Remember all the silly, crazy, fun things that you did.
Above all, remember to yourself be the most true.
And, never forget the words, “I love you.”

I LOVE YOU!
Mom

My mom and I unearthed this over the weekend while we were visiting for Mother's Day. I gave this to my mom on the day I graduated high school, as kind of a thank you and recap for all the things she'd taught me up 'til that time. It's funny to re-read now, as nine years have passed since I graduated high school — and lots has changed since then. I'm married, I graduated college and have a career in a field I love. Not to mention I hope I'm a better write than I was then... My siblings are growing up, too. My mom continues to teach valuable lessons — about life and love — to me and to my five younger siblings. Happy Mother's Day, Mom! 

— Katy