Birdie

In attempt to write more in 2012

2012-01-10T09:07:00.001-06:00

In an attempt to write more blogs in 2012 I have decided that they will be short blurbs.Today is in reference to Mindy Kaling's book that I just finished. It was worth the quick read but found myself skipping over certain parts that seemed to be added in attempt from taking short script and turning it into a book.She did however have some gems that left me laughing out loud on a plane ride and grabbing a pen to underline the quotable section.Here is one such section:"I don't think it should be socially acceptable for people to say they bad with names. No one is bad with names. That is not a real thing. Not knowing people's names is not a neurological condition; it's a choice. You choose to make not learning people's names a priority. It's like saying, 'Hey a disclaimer about me. I'm rude!'"More gems to come soon. Until that time a few pics from my trip.

Make yourself at home sir. Mi plane es su plane.

TPA to BNA

My lil mini-me. Leslie's daughter Kennedy. We are soul sistas!- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:35,000 feet

SHREKED

2012-01-03T16:44:00.002-06:00

My wish was to have time to write each of you an individual note but alas life happened and there are 30 of you so thats just a lot okay...

Words can't describe what an amazing experience these last 2 months have been! You all are some of the most wonderful people personally and professionally. I enjoyed the show every single time I saw it which is saying a lot. :)

You energized me with your spirit, your professionalism, your talent, your laughter, your humility, and of course your fun! You changed the lives of so many kids... which may sound dramatic but we know this to be true. We heard the stories of kids who always wanted to dance on stage or always wanted to meet Skipper. Kids who came back to our show 3, 4, 5 times. Kids who will remember this as the first show they ever went too. Who will have this moment as the moment they knew they wanted to be a performer as I am sure you all have those moments etched in your brains.

I don't know if you could see them but the last show we had ushers, cooks, waiters, and even execs doing dance moves to to our finale! They had come out especially to see our last performance and support all of you! What a testament to the awesomeness of our show!

A big thank you to Shelley, Bridget, and Chris for all of your amazing hard work. They were always so selfless and never actually got to see the show. So hopefully next year we can make those dreams come true.

To the amazing characters who endured all the pain and lack of sight and crazy kids and uncomfortableness. Thank you a million times over for not complaining and giving it your all everyday no matter what.

To our awesome dancers who dealt with sun, heat, a wet stage, quick changes, and kids dashing on the stage at any moment. Thanks for always giving it your all! Thanks for smiling and singing even when you didn't want too.

To Dennis who always goes above and beyond. Coming in early and staying late. Climbing on the roof week after week to refill the snow. Wiping the stage down when it was flooded. Dealing with people who didn't want to sit where they had too. And all of the late calls, sick calls, question calls. We appreciate all you do!!!

Thanks to all of you!

Please keep in touch! Call if you need anything and hope to see you all in 2012!

Much Love,

Katie

MID YEAR GOAL UPDATE

2011-05-31T10:16:00.002-05:00

We are almost halfway through 2011. Crazy but true. So I decided to do a mid-year goal update to keep myself in check.

So here we go...

1. Love better. Needing the daily reminder to love others and myself better.

2. Be the best version of myself possible. Again this is a daily struggle. Yesterday was not so great but today I have the opportunity to be awesome!

3. Grow my business. Been a VERY slow first 5 months but have picked some things up over the next few months that are exciting and challenging! Thanks be to God!

4. Become a member of a church. I have been decent about attending a singular church although I still don't feel a huge connection there it might be time to just take the plunge and commit.

5. Go on some dates! Epic Fail on this one so far. Got asked out last week by a guy in a car next to me at a stop light. I think it was okay to pass on that one. We shall see where this one goes... but trying to be more approachable.

6. Run a half marathon. Definitely still a possibility. One of my other big goals this year that I didn't put on this list was to get in the best shape I can and that is going pretty well so hopefully the running this isn't too far behind.

7. Spend time traveling to Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. This is pretty much all I talk about. You can ask my friends. It is such a huge goal for me. I am trying to figure out how to make it work, how to have money to do it for an extended period of time, what to do while I am there, etc. Any suggestions or ideas would be awesome!!!

8. Step out of my comfort zone on a regular basis. Have been decent at this so far. I sang in a dear friends wedding in March which was hugely out of my comfort zone. But I probably need to keep taking more risks!

9. Go to Mardi Gras! Didn't do this. I was in Chicago for work. But alas maybe next year.

10. Make new friends but keep the old ones. I believe that this is going well! Have some wonderful new friends at the Y, made some other great friends at the beginning of the year, and have some more potential ones. There are definitely days where I feel lonely and wish I had an everyday partner but overall I am a blessed and happy girl!

Thanks for reading! Continuing to think about possibly writing a book about my adventures. Would you read it? I also have a lot of interest in writing about the way different cultures view God and their relationship with Him. I think it would be very interesting as I travel to see how the worldview is different from what we have deemed the norm here in the states. Love your thoughts.

Peace,

Birdie <3

GOALS, LENT, LIFE

2011-03-10T16:55:00.002-06:00

Well as always there is a VERY long absence between blogs. I always think of all these things that I want to blog about but the energy it takes to open up my computer and write it all down seems to be too much at times. Pathetic I know.

I currently even try to stray away from getting on my computer at all except to watch an episode of The Office on HULU. I feel like I am in a place where I am moving away from technology and more towards face to face interaction. I am happier around people, I am happier when I am not stuck on a computer, so therefore I am trying to spend my time away from the internet.

I am writing this in the Teen Center at the Y because it is full of yelling kids and not in a quiet coffee shop that is playing Coldplay over and over. It brings me more happiness to be around the chaos I guess. Things you learn about yourself as you get older.

Speaking of getting older I had a birthday last week and hit the milestone of 31. I handled it much better than I expected. Birthdays are usually a really tough time for me. But my friends made me feel loved, I was able to keep busy, and overall I just felt very blessed all day. So a big thanks to everyone who came to the house last Thursday and made me feel SO very loved and appreciated.

I set some goals at the beginning of the year. They mainly had to do with me embracing the things that bring me joy and make me happy and eliminating the things that don't. As most of you know I have been walking the life of a vagabond for the last 3 years. As Jerry says, I have made a career out of not having a career. I have tried over and over again to find the full time, steady job that might be the perfect fit. And over and over again it is made VERY clear to me that it is not the current direction God has for me. I am not sure why... I cannot see that the end goal to all of this. But I am continuing to be taken care of by Him and am going to remain faithful to what He places in front of me. I feel like there is a greater reason why I am able to live a life that is very free. I am hoping that my goal of spending time in Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia will come to fruition at the end of this year. I have wanted to travel there for so long and really besides money there is just no other reason why I shouldn't do it.

For Lent this year I have decided to give up sugar and laziness. Sugar because I think it messes with my energy and laziness because as Lecrae says "Don't wanna waste my life". I don't know if any of you saw the episode of Secret Millionaire last Sunday but there was a non-profit on there that is almost identical to the one I have dreamed of creating here in Nashville. I am hoping to go visit them and see all the ends and outs. Would be exciting!

Last but not least if you think of it.. please keep my dad in your prayers over the next few days. Would be greatly appreciated. I know this blog has been all over the place. I will try and make them more succinct in the future. Much love.

Birdie

A Valentines Reminder...

2011-02-14T14:47:00.003-06:00

Inspired by the best Valentine's text message I have ever gotten. It says this...

"Today reminds me of the people that taught me how much I am loved by my Father and in turn should love myself that much. Not sure I would be the woman I am today without knowing that and knowing you! I love you so much and my life will be forever changed because of you. Thank you!"

I mean... come on! I was in tears.

That is what this day is about. Loving those who love us and of course loving the One who first loved us.

I love all of you so much and am so thankful for you loving me and for God loving me when I am so undeserving.

Take this day to remind yourself of all the people who love you and whom you love!!! Tell them, show them, LOVE them!

Happy Valentine's Day!

<3 Katie

New Beginnings

2011-01-03T14:32:00.002-06:00

It has been a VERY long December as the song says and there is great reason to believe that maybe this year WILL be better than the last. Been trying to think through my annual goal list for the New Year so...

Here is to the New Year with New Beginnings and some "new" things I have in mind. :-)

1. Love better. Its always on the list and is always something I strive for.

2. Be the best version of myself possible. Thanks to Oprah for this one. I dance to the beat of my own drum. Always have, always will and need to be okay with that everyday.

3. Grow my business. I have been richly blessed the second half of the year with some amazing opportunities and would love to continue to grow in that and get to the point with Birdie Events where I am having to turn work down instead of constantly looking for more.

4. Become a member of a church. I have been floating from church to church for about 4 years without making a commitment because of travel and being lazy. The time has come to commit!

5. Go on some dates! This one petrifies me! Instead of running from anyone who pays me attention I should probably try put myself out there more and seek out more dating opportunities no matter what the outcome.

6. Run a half marathon. This one is pretty ballsy since I have had 2 knee surgeries but I feel fairly confident I can do it. :)

7. Spend time traveling to Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. Another bold one. But if you don't aim high & challenge yourself then you aren't really living, right?

8. Step out of my comfort zone on a regular basis. This one is all about taking risks. Wearing heels even when I know I will be the tallest in the room. Show up to a party even if I only know a few people. Go rock climbing even when I might not be any good at it. You get the point.

9. Go to Mardi Gras! Never been. Roommate is from New Orleans. Make it happen!

10. Make new friends but keep the old ones. I LOVE new people and want to continue to expand the beautiful friends I have in my life.

I remember at the beginning of 2009 I had no idea what I was going to do with my life. I was a mess of confusion. I have learned this last year is that its okay for things to look different and not be what the norm is.

As my friend Jerry says "I have made a career out of doing whatever I want." I guess that is fairly true. I feel blessed in that.

I hope the piece of wisdom I can impart to anyone who is struggling with what their life looks like or doesn't look like yet is to accept the present. We are told our whole lives that life has to look a certain way. Find one career and be that... your job defines you in our culture. Well i think my job is to love people... so let that define me.

We also put pressure on ourselves to be married and have a family by a certain time and without that we feel like failures or incomplete. Well I have a wonderful family of friends. They support me, love me, and care for me just as well as having my own family. I don't feel like I have to get married or have kids to be complete. I would love it if God blessed me with those experiences but I feel like those things don't define me. Loving God and loving people defines me. I say to the single people of the world... there is a reason why you are single so embrace it, love it, and thank God for it. I do.... most days. ;-)

I posted this last year around this time. But in case you are a new friend. Here it is again written by one of the best men who ever lived. Happy New Year everyone!

My prayer for you, and for me, at the beginning of this new year and after a long December, is that we will discover the beautiful grace of God in our lives and throughout God’s creation. Even as we do not understand, as in our sleeping and rising, may God’s grace be among us. And may this gift of God prompt is us a reason to believe that this year will be better than the last.

(Intellectual property of Dan Goodman, Copyright pending)

Life this month...

2010-10-11T10:29:00.005-05:00

I feel very blessed for things to have picked up work wise in October... now if only if I could book a few things in November and December. Fingers crossed!

Here are the rest of the events I am working on this month in case you feel like getting out. :-)

Wednesday, October 13th- Capitol Records Street Party!

http://countrymusicrocksnet.blogspot.com/2010/09/more-details-about-capitol-records.html

Saturday, October 16th- Nashville Ultra Marathon

http://www.nashvilleultra.com/

Sunday, October 24th- Concert at Fontanel featuring Montgomery Gentry, Gretchen Wilson, & John Rich

www.fontanelmansion.com

Should be a fun rest of the month. Some photos from tour in the link below in case you haven't seen them yet. :-)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=52494&id=561668767&l=4ffa68607b

Still trying to take a trip to Gentry's Farm and Arrington Vineyards this month in between everything. Oh and I am moving the last weekend of the month... just into my friend Sara Beth's house in woodbine. It will be a big adjustment... but excited about the new adventure of having a roommate.

Have a great week everyone!

long time coming...

2010-09-23T11:41:00.003-05:00

I wish i had more time to sit down and write really witty and creative things. But alas... I do not. Therefore, you are going to get a very short version of the latest in the life and times of Katie Haskell.

I have been very blessed this fall to work with some amazing people. I am working on 4 large projects currently and then of course holding it down a few hours a week at the East Nasty Y. Shout out to my Y family!

Project #1: I leave for on Sunday... Luke Bryan Farm Tour- lukebryan.com for details. Tell your friends if they are into that kind of thing. :-)

Project #2: Capitol Records Street Party which is in Nashville on Demonbreun, October 13th. Bring me coffee if you come. We will be pulling an all-nighter. And if you have kids you should come because one of the openers is a girl from iCarly.

Project #3: Revolve Tour- revolvetour.com for details. This is my 5th year working with Revolve. I love it! You should love it too! If you have teen girls, know teen girls, are a teen girl, then hit me up and we will make sure you get some tickets!

Project #4: This is still in the works but working with my friend Phil on an awesome eyewear project. Big things ahead!

My goals for the Fall are to remain sane and treat myself to a 2 week trip to NYC in November because I miss all of my friends there and because I need to do some shopping. :-)

Love to you all!!!

what is it that you do again?

2010-08-08T16:29:00.008-05:00

Got back into town yesterday after a week of being in the Dirty D for the Fine Arts Festival! I am back in Nashville for over a month at least at the present but don't hold your breath as I told a friend today I have a feeling that won't actually last. :-)

I am posting some pics from trip to FL and Detroit. I am excited this week to start doing some work for the Revolve Tour (revolvetour.com), hit up the Williamson County Fair, return to the comforting wing of Karen's yoga classes, hit up Yoga Dance with Hubbard, get tan at the rooftop pool, refresh my apt design & layout, and see all my friends multiple times over! Can we have a porch sing-a-long soon... cause that would be FUN! Love to you all.

Birdie

My best friend Matt let me spend a day vegging on his couch watching his ridiculous TV while he was at work. He was kinda my hero & I missed him greatly when I left this time around but if I told him that he would think I was stupid. :-)
My little sis trying on my snuggie. I got her one of her own by the end of the week.

Canada! Shot from our hotel van after being stung by a yellow jacket while in Greektown. This is my life.

The boys being awesome while we wait to see Inception after a delightful meal at Seasons 52!

Best friend Bubba and favorite Bucs employee Chris.
I love driving the bridge to Tampa from Dad's house. This was on our way to a fun filled girls shopping day with Diana and Ruth!
Bub, Scoot, and I went to Cappy's. This was my menu. Totally brillz & our waiter gave us online dating advice which was the icing on the cake. "Here's how its gonna go Kate. We are gonna get cheesy bread, the greek salad lightly tossed, and pizza."

This guy was dancing with us in Detroit.
Dirty D!
What temperature was waiting for me when I got back to Nashville!
She is a little girl after my own heart.
Please turn your attention to Katz in the yellow alien helmet. Classic.
I almost always have people stay at my apt when I am out of town. My friend Stephanie was there this past week and left me this lovely gift.
This was hanging in the window of a Jimmy Johns in the D. I have no follow up.

Summertime and the living is easy...

2010-07-17T13:19:00.004-05:00

I am currently in Orlando, FL working an event at the convention center. Always brings back a lot of memories being here. My sister was a faithful resident of this tourist trap of a town for 8 years. We are staying in her old hotel while we are here... nostalgic to say the least. I am done here tomorrow and then have the pleasure of returning to the place of my birth for a week.. the Burg. Excited to hang with friends and family and soak up some much needed sun.

I am using this week to think and pray through a lot of things. I have been hit with a lot of vision and decisions as of late and I think this week in St. Pete will be good for me to process and pray through a lot of it. Its an exciting and scary time. In the meantime I have been greatly enjoying my summer. I have hung with friends, gone to movies (Despicable Me is my favorite one thus far), eaten a lot of fro yo (Sweet CeCes of course), played volleyball (Fellowship Bible courts), hung at the pool (dwtn Y rooftop pool), and the list goes on. I will continue some fun and fabulousness this week by hanging at the beach, pool, reading, movies, etc.

Summer is my favorite... its the Florida girl in me I guess but I love flip flops, sundresses, hanging at the beach, drinking fruity drinks at the pool, staying up too late, and seeing as many friends and family as possible. Here are some pics from my summer thus far...

My neighbor backed into my car one delightful morning.

Amateur wrestling in East Nasty.

Built a summer fort in my bedroom.

The Jerk in the Belcourt parking lot

Outside of Chattanooga on our drive down to FL

Found shamu floating down International Drive

Love you all!

Birdie

TIRED....

2010-05-27T09:22:00.002-05:00

Things I will never get used to about travel...

Waking up at 3am to be at the airport by 4am to take a 2 1/2 hr flight to Denver to then sit in the Denver airport for 3 hours before taking another 2 1/2 hr flight to San Diego. My eye is twitching I am so tired, i tripped 4 times walking to the gate because I don't think I was actually awake, and I have been snippy with people's lack of airport etiquite (if you have to stop to ask what the expert traveller line is than you are obviously not an expert) I wish I was one of those people that could sleep wherever-much like my travel mate Danielle. I would take a picture of her sleeping and post it but she would absolutely kill me. :-)

I am trying to use my time wisely by catching up on emails, designing a workshop flyer for my mom, and hopefully wearing myself out to the point of possibly getting some sleep on flight #2.

my fort...

2010-05-26T19:01:00.004-05:00

Here are a few pics of the beginnings of my summer fort. I have a few more things to add in but I did this instead of cleaning and packing for my trip to Cali. I leave in 9 hours and haven't done a thing. Typical. :-)

Birdie

my summer...

2010-05-26T13:16:00.006-05:00

I leave tomorrow for the first of many trips this summer. Unfortunately I am starting on a low point by having to be at the airport at 4am only to have a 3 hour layover in Denver before arriving in Sunny San Diego!

So in an effort to be able to see all friends and family over the next 3 months I am listing out planned and almost planned trips... mark your calendars.

May 27-31 San Diego, CA for work

June 19-22 NC for FUN

June 28-July 3 OH for work

July 8-18 FL for FUN and then work

July 20-26 Seattle, WA for work

July 26-29 Seattle and Portland for FUN

August 5-8 Detroit, MI for work

August 12-18 NYC for FUN

Make sure and hit me up if you are around any of these places.

I will also be in town in June working CMA Fest so make sure and come out for that one. My other plan is to sit on porches with friends, buy a sundress, play lots of volleyball if my old lady knees start cooperating, and turn my room into something like this with some help from my friends. :-)

image from this pretty space

image from We Heart It

My friend Laura posted a pic of a fort on her blog and I got insanely inspired to make my room into one... with a grown up twist.

Will post pictures when I have it done. Happy Summer everyone!

~Birdie

give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses...

2010-05-24T08:41:00.002-05:00

Back to back entries I must be going insane. I wanted to personally thank those who have contributed to our flood effort here and will continue to give through the Target cards. We have received cards in from all across the country and I hope to continue on with it for the rest of the year. There are still people here whose houses haven't even been touched yet. There are outlying counties and small towns who volunteer organizations are just now getting too...3 weeks later. So I continue to ask for your prayers and if you are a part of a youth group or a non profit who want to help with the volunteer efforts and are just looking for a way to get connected please hit me back.

My second soap box regarding the flood is in regards to benefits....

If you live in Nashville than you know since the flood all you can hear about are music benefits, art benefits, restaurants donating proceeds if you eat there, etc. It has been wonderful to see the city come together and give so much, but in my humble opinion we are TAPPED OUT. We are the ones who lost homes, pets, jobs, and loved ones. We are the ones who have raised millions already through t-shirt sales and phonathons. We are known as one of the most giving areas in the country, but after everything we have been through, with all the continued work that needs to be done, can't it be someone else's turn to give? I hear Palm Beach has a lot of money. :-)

We have a HUGE concert coming up here that basically has every act that has ever lived in Nashville playing it. I am sure it will be a night to remember but I don't know anyone who has the money to go. We already gave our extra money to flood relief.

My suggestion because a wise boss once told me you can't complain about something unless you have a solution; so my solution is that all of these wonderful artists who live here and tour and travel if they really want to help and I am sure that they do because a lot of their homes were affected too, than they should donate a portion of their tour to flood relief. While they are in other cities they should tell our story and take up a donation. We are all benefitted out here. :-)

image from We Heart It

Happy Monday everyone!

Birdie

For now...

2010-05-23T22:22:00.003-05:00

I think I tend to put too much pressure on myself to make this into an online diary of every little thing in my life...

So in an effort to make this more of a community of ideas, beliefs, and other musings....

Here is what I have for now.

Some really great websites in music, design, photography, and art. Enjoy.

www.sweetspace.tumblr.com

www.fromthebasement.tv

www.weheartit.com

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92071316 (tiny desk concerts)

www.ted.com

www.prettyspace.tumblr.com

This one is dedicated to the name of my blog and company.

Birdie

WE ARE NASHVILLE AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!

2010-05-07T19:04:00.004-05:00

Hello everyone!

Thanks for your continued prayers and support of us in TN! We are Nashville and we are banding together to kick this floods booty! I have had a lot of out of towners ask me what they can do to help that is tangible and can immediately help those in desperate need here. We have come up with Target cards! Easy to mail, easy to get, and easy to use.

We are asking for them in $10 increments so that more people are able to give. My 11yr old sister is donating her birthday money to the cause. So I figure if she can do it than a whole bunch of you can do it. I promise to personally see that these get directly in the hands of people who need them the most. Please spread the word as much as possible...send this link to everyone you know! We need help here and this can allow someone to get a toothbrush or some shampoo. There will be more needs later for them to replace everything they lost in their homes like sheets and pillows and such so we will be continuing this project for a long time. Tell everyone you know through all means necessary... send this link or re-write this to your friends and family using bigger words and proper punctuation. :)

I am going to Target corporate as well to see if they can lend a hand. So if you have any direct connections there hit me back.

So here are the details:

Send Target cards in $10 increments that will go directly in the hands of those affected the most by this tragedy. Email katiehaskell@gmail.com for an address to send the cards too. And please send this info to as many people as you know!!! We are Nashville and we need your help!

Also go to http://nashvilleflood.myshopify.com to buy a shirt that my friend Sus designed...all proceeds go to flood relief!

Love and Peace!

Katie

Nashville Flood

2010-05-05T22:18:00.007-05:00

I wanted to make sure and update everyone as best as possible about our city and the clean up efforts here. I also figured that this might be a good place to exchange any volunteer opportunities.

I was overwhelmed when I returned to Nashville on Sunday, it continued to rain all day. And then on Monday we were able to start seeing some of the devastation here. I think Monday night is when the extent and seriousness of the damage sunk in for most people. The pictures of the Opry, downtown, the Bellevue area, etc really hit home for me. So I signed up online and made phone calls to some organizations I knew were in need of help. @Nashvillest on twitter have been a HUGE help to all of us trying to find ways to help and @nashflood has been a great resource the last few days. We got some friends together and on Tuesday morning we went over to my friend Jordan's house to help her with her flooded first floor. She let us know that there was an elderly woman down the street named Alice that could use some help. So after a bit we all decided to go check on Alice and see where we could help. Alice had 5ft of water in her house at one point. She is 78, lives alone in a house she has lived in for 42 years, and her husband passed away this past year. After finding the keepsake book from her husbands funeral that was dripping with water we all had a hard time keeping it together. She said to me at one point that she didn't have it in her to start over... not without her husband. Thanks to Jordan we have all taken a vested interest in Miss Alice and are planning on going back daily to continue to help as well as continuing to help Jordan.

That afternoon and evening I went to the Disaster Relief Center in Bellevue and worked intake. People would come in who needed more information, help, and to have their house documented. Filled out a lot of forms and listened to a lot of peoples stories. Was very humbling but most people were just glad to be alive.

Today we went to the Salvation Army to help with breakfast prep and distribution and to help make 4000 sandwiches. We got to distribute breakfast at the Emergency Command Center which basically looked like NASA inside (it was pretty cool). And we met my new favorite person in the world-Eloise. She is a regular volunteer at the Salvation Army-she is a retired Great Grandma and is a spitfire to say the least. We talked about facebook and twitter (she was fully aware of both). She taught us some of the words that they use there so that we could fit in like "canteen" which are the trucks they drive that have kitchens on them, "clamshell" which is what they put hot meals in, and "cambros" which usually house coffee but can also be used for mashed potatoes and such. They need help everyday making food and distributing it... it's a lot of fun and its an immediate need. Let me know if you are available.

I am so impressed with the giving spirit of my town and my friends. People who are desperately wanting to help, friends who have gone above and beyond in helping and showing up when I post opportunities. I have to return to working Thursday-Saturday but i have to have $ to live. :) Would love to hear of any other volunteer requests you know of... the best resource is hon.org which is Hands on Nashville. There are volunteer meet-ups and neighborhood canvasing and opportunities with the Red Cross to help in Shelters.

The biggest thing right now is to CONSERVE water. Limit showers, limit flushing, and using store bought water for cooking, cleaning, brushing teeth, etc. Whatever we can do to make sure we don't run out!

If you live outside of Nashville and would like to put together some items to help... hit me back and I will send you a list of needs and where to send them.

Thanks everyone for all you are doing... I hope that my excessive communication online has not been overwhelming just wanted to make sure that everyone had the information they needed. Don't want anyone to not be able to help because they didn't know who needed it. :)

Posted some pics! Love to you all!

JORDAN'S HOUSE

ALICE'S BACKYARD

ALICE'S BIBLE IN THE WINDOWSILL

MAKING LUNCH AT THE SALVATION ARMY TODAY

DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE ON MONDAY AFTERNOON

THE STAGE AT THE GRAND OLD OPRY

I am blessed...

2010-04-27T10:54:00.003-05:00

I have done a poor job of being consistent with my blog but honestly the last 3 weeks or so I have not been in the mood to write anything about myself or anyone else. I have been in the trenches with work and have also been really trying to decipher some things that I feel like the Lord has been trying to teach me. Still working through a lot of it....

I have gotten some new work stuff since last I blogged. I like to think of it as my first client for my new Events company. Through my wonderful friend Zana I got an interview and then got hired by CMA to help with their annual Music Fest in June. It's going to be very challenging but has a lot of potential to be fun and hopefully a catalyst to more work in town. I am going to be handling the ABC Block Party-so if you are coming to Music Fest make sure and come by the tent.

I am heading to Agape in IL on Friday which is the first of the festivals for me this summer...so again say hi if you are there. I am continually questioning where and what I am supposed to be doing. But I feel like until I hear otherwise I need to stay put. I appreciate prayers as I continue to work through some fear, learning how to use my time wisely, and also as I continue to try and find a church community where my gifts and talents can be used.

I am so blessed by supportive friends and family who are my #1 fans! Blessed by the little jobs I pick up that help me get through until I am self sufficient in events. Blessed by a wonderful apartment and a car that works most days. :) Blessed to be alive.

Blessings to you all!

Birdie <3

What i learned today...

2010-04-06T18:35:00.003-05:00

Trust me and do not be afraid for I am your strength and your song. Think of what it means to have me as your strength. I spoke the universe into existence; my power is absolutely unlimited! Human weakness consecrated to me is like a magnet, drawing my power into your neediness. However fear can block the flow of my strength into you. Instead of trying to fight your fears, concentrate on trusting me, when you relate to me in confident trust, there is no limit to how much I can strengthen you.

Remember that I am also your song. I want you to share my Joy, living in conscious awareness of my presence. Rejoice as we journey together toward Heaven; join me in singing my song.

"Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid: for the Lord God is my strength and song. and He has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2

And everyday starts new with a sunrise...

<3 Birdie

Fallen Behind...

2010-04-05T10:36:00.003-05:00

Apologies for lack of consistency in the blogging world.

I am in the midst of continued set up of the old business. i.e. finalizing the name, business cards, business plan, etc. It's a little overwhelming at points and I still am trying to figure out exactly what are have-to's in the process. I am hopeful that more clients will come in the solidification of the idea. In the meantime I will continue to be thankful for the little side jobs that make life possible.

I am also praying through a few other opportunities that would take me in a completely different direction. I usually leave for the summer and am trying to figure out if that is a smart option this year. I would love to spend the summer in NYC but not sure if that is completely selfish and not a smart business move. Ideas and suggestions are welcome as always.

That is a brief update on me. Look for my introduction to two more of my friends this week. It could be you. :)

Peace,

Birdie

And for my dad's sake.... GO DUKE!

COMPANY NAMES

2010-03-24T15:26:00.002-05:00

I have compiled all the company names that have been submitted! I am officially picking it on Friday so need your help in voting on the names. Some of them are meant to be funny. FYI.

Radministration
Flexible Solutions Inc
Den Mother Productions
Eventastic LLC
Nashville Namaste

Little Birdie Events/Management

Giggety

KatieLive

BirdieonStage

StageRight Productions

K.Crew Productions

Kat-E-vents

Katie Hassle Events

The Little Haskells

Haskell Flats

Natural Womanagement

Shoop, Shoop Productions

Lions, Tigers, and Events, Oh My!

Managemeant2b

Hiz Eventz

mmmKay Management

Fruits of the Spirit Mgmt -for Ry :)

Just Sayin Productions

Katie Co.

Wonderland Events

Dream a Little Dream

Daydreamer

NYManageminute

Wise Sagency

That is all of them folks! So just leave a comment with your favorites. Would be a HUGE help!!

<3>

FRIENDS ARE FRIENDS FOREVER VOLUME #1

2010-03-21T15:46:00.006-05:00

I want to stay pretty consistent with my blog but I feel self centered writing a blog about my life everyday. No one really wants to know that much about me... I wouldn't even want too. :) So I have decided that interlaced with blogs about my life and new adventures I will write some on my wonderful friends. I figured I would start with Nashville friends and work my way back to college and than the Burg. It will be at random... not in order of importance in my life or is it???? ;)

So here is Friends are Friends Forever Volume #1...

I have chosen 2 friends for my first friend blog. I met them both at the same place and they have both become two of my best guy friends of all time.

I can feel that you are anxious to meet them... so I will make you wait no longer.

Here are Christopher Scott Osterbind and Gabriel Lopez Lopez! Otherwise known as Scottie Pottie Pants and Gabey!

Scottie-

We met at interlinc in 2005... we shared an office for over 2 years. So needless to say spending 40 hours a week with someone for over 2 years in a very small space you get to know each other pretty well. Scottie and I have a lot in common so we became fast friends. Things we both love...

1. Our momma's: His mom, Miss Faye always sends him packages to the office for every holiday and I mean EVERY holiday. My favorite trinket over the years was the lava lamp night light she sent him. :) I also have gone on family vacay with Miss Faye and company to Nags Head. Memorable to say the least.

2. Gospel Music: We would blast Brooklyn Tab, Mariah Carey Xmas, and Avalon in the office. Sing at the top of our lungs and annoy everyone else within ear shot.

3. Dancing: He is a much better dancer than I but we both love it nonetheless and we both sweat a lot when we get in the zone.

Other fun facts about Scottie- he gets stressed out when driving-we have been on many road trips together, he is NOT a morning person, he listens to WAY FM all the way out to work everyday, he is VERY funny but more under the radar with it, he LOVES fast food but also goes to the Y a lot, he is really tall but doesn't like sports, he loves thrifting and often finds stuff for his friends, he works part time at Urban (which I love), he has one older sibling named Corey, he is an uncle to twins, he is a VERY loyal and loving friend, he is from Richmond, VA, he went to LEE University and sang in the choir there, he is AMAZING at karaoke (esp Love Shack), he gives really great presents, he owns more plaid shirts than anyone I know, and he can bark like a small dog.

Gabe-

We also met at interlinc in 2005. Gabe worked downstairs and so it gave me a break from the computer to visit him and we would chat. We went on quite a few trips together, probably our favorite was to Creation West because we spent a day in Seattle and then went to the movies. Speaking of which here are some things we both love...

1. MOVIES- Gabe is my movie buddy, we have the same horrific taste in films and no one else rents teen dance movies every time like we do.

2. HBV- We live within walking distance to each other and so we both love everything about our neighborhood Hillsboro Village. We go to Fido an insane amount and you can catch me watching ABC Family or American Idol at his casa every week.

3. Hanging out- We rely on each other to go to parties and such... I rarely go to a party without him and vice versa. We are security blankets to each other for potential awkward situations.

Other fun facts about Gabe-he is Mexican but looks more Jewish, he runs marathons (I think he will run his 4th next month), he is a month younger than me and brags about it all the time, he is a great singer but you will rarely hear it, he used to lead worship in college, he spent a semester in Marthas Vineyard, he is the Creative Director at JCrew and is really good at his job, he likes Iced Coffee (blech), he loves pictures (and since I am the opposite its amazing we are so close), he is obsessed with Facebook, he is from El Paso, TX , he went to school in Chicago, he loves Woodchuck much like someone else, he tells dirty jokes like grandpa would, he laughs loudly, and he is one of the bestest friends a girl could ask for.

I love them both dearly and am very blessed to call them both not only friend but brothers really. Here are some more of my fav photos from the last 5 years. :)

lolu boys!

THANKS!!!

2010-03-16T23:12:00.002-05:00

A big thanks to everyone for the support these last few days. I am dedicating next week to a business plan, finalizing a name, & other start up necessities. Again help and input is welcomed. I might ask for help without you offering so be prepared for that as well. :)

A few things of note:

1. My mom is heading up the VA Rally for Children on Friday in Richmond. So if you or anyone you know is near there and would like to support Child Advocacy hit me back and I can send you the info.

2. I have a very talented friend who is playing on Sunday night at Lipstick Lounge. Her name is Heidi and she will blow you away. So you should go to that...

3. Ryan and I are entering a singing contest-the winner gets flown to NYC to sing with the Brooklyn Tabernacle choir. We are trying to think of creative video ideas to get the judges attention. Suggestions?

4. I love Patty Griffin and am sad that the benefit w/ she, Buddy Miller, and Emmylou at the Ryman is sold out. If you or anyone you know has a ticket-hit me back and I will make them a friendship bracelet as a thank you. :)

5. I am loving my job at the Y! I love the people I work with-they are highly entertaining. And I am taking my first pay check to go get my first pair of Fleet Feet shoes-which is beyond exciting!

Happy St. Pattys! Happy Hump Day!

<3>

Katie

Picture of Anna that I used for one of the Rally4Kids fliers! Presh!

New Adventures

2010-03-15T13:13:00.003-05:00

Well I know everyone is waiting with bated breath to hear what is in store for me... (said with extreme sarcasm)

For the last year I have been on this journey of self discovery. Trying to seek out exactly what God has for me and trying to improve upon myself in mind, body, and spirit. The year prior I was in a really bad place, I was over worked, unhealthy in all ways, and had been dealing with depression.

I fled from Nashville to re-group and start on my quest. I spent time with my sister in NC and time with my Dad and family in FL. I returned to Nashville in August with a new zeal but still trying to figure out what it was God wanted me to do. I worked on a tour in the Fall and really enjoyed it and made some wonderful friends but all the while was looking for the next thing. Was I supposed to go back into teaching, was I supposed to work in non profits again, I was thinking stability, full time, something that allowed me to stay put in Nashville and not travel as much.

It has now been 7 months since I have been back here and I have been working on tours, and conferences, and events, and picking up odd jobs at interlinc or helping friends with projects in the mean time. I have had full time job opportunities that I thought might be it but God made it very apparent that they weren't. I am sure that friends and family think I am nuts but every decision thus far has been made crystal clear to me.

I had an epiphany of sorts about 3 weeks ago while in Chicago for work. What if I have missed it all a long? What if God has already revealed to me what He has for me and I was too blind to see it? What if the big thing He has for me is what I have been doing all along? Working for myself, being contracted out for tours and events and conferences. I wondered that if I really dedicated myself to it, started a company of sorts, and actually got the word out, if the jobs would multiply, if God would show favor upon it. I think it has become abundantly clear at this point that I need to pursue this and whether it ends up as a full time thing or a company on the side... I need to take the risk and GO FOR IT!

I have been healthier and happier working for myself. I love the flexibility and the freedom. It fits my personality. I have been a better friend, sister, daughter, and child of God. I have been proud of who I am and while I have struggled with all kinds of things in the process, questioning my abilities and decisions, etc. I can look back on the last year and know that there has been some HUGE growth in me as a person.

So that is the Great Adventure! My sister and I talked this weekend about it and she said she thought naming it would be one of the most important things so here is where you come in. I know I have tons of friends who are good at marketing and such, so... have at it. It will be mainly a live event company that specializes in tour and road management, large local events, and conferences. I think my strengths are in details and dealing with people. And if I have worked with you or for you in the past I might call on you for a reference. :)

Name wise so far I have only thought of the word Dreamweaver (just kind of came to me) might be totally lame. Would love input or job suggestions, etc. Not going to be able to do this without ya'll. I am scared of failure, have been my whole life, but what's life without some risk.

Thanks for being a part of this New Adventure with me!

<3 Katie

30, flirty, and thriving in 2010!

2010-03-07T22:08:00.008-06:00

I just finished celebrating my birthday weekend. It was one for the record books. My actual birthday day was not the greatest but we pushed through that onto more positive things. Two of my very best friends in the whole world came in town this weekend to help me celebrate. Matt aka Bubba has been my bff since we were 15 and Jerry was "my person" here in Nashville when he lived here. I miss them both greatly but am so glad they were here to hang and help me through this weekend. I have some amazing friends who go above and beyond to make sure I feel loved and special. From opening up their home to me to throw a party, to picking up a karaoke machine from a sketchy house, to folding and hanging clothes and sitting through my hair appointment, to putting together a birthday dinner for me. I have friends who make a point to be at every birthday celebration because they know how much it means to me, to ones who fight for me to not be photographed mid dance move because they know it makes me cringe. :) I have friends who know me so well that they give me Peanut Butter as a present or people that I barely know but already love who show up to my party!

Thanks to everyone who made this week possible! Who make my life here wonderful! Who make me feel special everyday! Who have helped me through a really tough year and who are excited for the new adventures I have ahead of me. I love you all more than you know! Updates to come this week of these new adventures. :)

Here are a few pics from the photobooth at the party. :) <3 Katie

MAYBE THIS YEAR WILL BE BETER THAN THE LAST....

2010-01-19T20:59:00.003-06:00

2009 is not high on my list of favorite years....

It was full of life "learning experiences" about career and family and friends and God and life and death. Not all of them bad or negative but all were challenging. A lot of people ask me these days what I am doing? Almost always in regard to work... But my answer still remains the same as it was in April of last year. I don't know. I don't know where this journey is leading, what God has in store ahead. I question my decisions daily. I probably apply for 10 jobs a week not even knowing what area of work to apply in. But He continues to provide through friends and family and contract jobs with tours and conferences. I don't know if what He has next will be a dream job situation... I just stay hopeful that the doors that have been closed for the last year have been closed for a far greater purpose than I could have ever imagined. And that the not knowing doesn't make me any less of a person, it just make me a follower of Christ.

In the meantime I have been allowed precious time with family and friends here in Nashville. I cling daily to these words...

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

I would pray for a world where there is no struggle. Like the ridiculous struggles of the people of Haiti that i can never imagine or the struggles that my family continue to endure financially and with health. Or for all of my friends to be able to truly love who God created them to be. Or for me to never ever live in fear again. But then without strife, without struggle, where is there room for God? Do we forget about Him when all their is left is joy? I don't know....

I pray for love and peace mainly in my life and the life of those around me; which sounds so general. But I don't think that there is a dream job in the world that would make me happy if I didn't feel love and give love and if I didn't claim the peace that surpasses all understanding. I think that we can deal with any of the struggle and strife if there is love and peace involved. I pray that for the people of Haiti- that they would feel love. I pray that for my mother- that she would feel love and give love and find peace in her situation. That dad would feel love and give love and feel peace in a really crummy year. That my sister would feel love and give love and find peace and balance in a work life that allows for little of it. That my friends would feel love from all people and give love and would find peace in who they are and how God created them. Beautiful, wonderful, smart, talented, and perfect. That I myself would be able to accept love and give love and find peace in a frustrating year. Claiming to God's promises of hope and a future to come. I pray that for my friends who have lost loved ones recently that were so very dear to them... But after re-reading a sermon by a beloved professor, mentor, and friend I now realize that what I need to pray for more and what I need to look for more in my life during 2010 is grace.

So with that being said...

Grace, Love, and Peace to you all...

Dr. Goodman passed away last year in January.... his sermon called " A Long December" is below. Thanks to TPH & Barbara Goodman for making this available to all of his students and friends to read daily as a reminder.

A LONG DECEMBER…

I.
A long time ago I had this idea that life and my thinking about God could be pretty neatly categorized into sacred or secular. (Note in the margin: Easily identified *spiritual/sinful, *Christian/non-Christian). God worked in certain places and with certain people, and not with others (to be perfectly frank).
My ideas have changed, thankfully. Now, I see my faith and God’s activity as much more complex things, not easily compartmentalized into sacred and secular. What that means is that some of what bears the title “sacred” isn’t very sacred as all (and sometimes it is downright wrong). And some that comes from the secular side of life is really very spiritual and transforming.
I say all of that to ask your indulgence, for today my words to you owe their genesis to the lyrics of a song from the latest Counting Crows CD—one of those secular bands that, at times, can be very sacred and spiritual. You may know the song I have in mind. It starts with these words (as someone once said, “If I were a braver man, I would sing it; if you were braver, you would ask me to!”): It’s been a long December, and there’s reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last…”
II.
Many of us probably had a long December—between all the gift-buying and neurotic family gatherings and final exams and papers and the flu that we’ve passed around. December, literally, was long.
(Note in margin: metaphorically) And then there are some of us whose whole lives have been long Decembers—long in all the worst ways. Exhausting for all of our labors invested. Burdensome for the weights we have had to bear. Unfulfilled for all of the disappointments endured. Restless for all the turmoil and conflict. Apprehensive, even a little jaded, for things withheld. A long December indeed.
III.
And yet what is spiritual and transforming—what is Godly about the song—is the promise that persists nevertheless: “And there’s reason to believe, maybe this year will be better than the last.” What is this reason? What could possibly exist in our world that could, for those coming through the longest of Decembers, be an adequate reason to believe?
The answer is grace. Grace is that attribute which, through we cannot earn it or deserve it, it persistently is given to us by God. Grace is, Paul says, that thing by which we are saved. It is there for us to take, but not for us to possess. This last idea is important, for grace is not the possession of a few. Grace is not exclusive to the pious or the religious but is the donation of God to all creation. I do not have any more access to the grace that comes from God that any of you do—it is for all of us, all kinds of us. And in no way do I have any means of withholding God’s grace from you.
Is this lofty spiritual idea really what the Counting Crows are singing about? Without question! For Adam Duritz (he’s the songwriter!), grace is the smell of hospitals in winter, it is the way you look across a crowded room and the light seems to attach itself to one girl; grace is the thought that, even in the longest December, he might find forgiveness. For Fredrick Buechner, a writer that many of you are becoming increasingly familiar with, grace is a good sleep and good dreams; the smell of rain is grace; loving somebody is grace. For me, lunch with friends is grace; the voice of my son is grace; music is grace. And for you, something else is grace.
(Note in the margin: EVERYDAY-NESS OF THIS GRACE !!! God has gifted grace all around us. Often in people and places that we must hold onto to keep them from passing from us.)
But all of them, in all our lives, are grace. It is a gift to your life and a gift to mine. It is a gift of God to all creation.
(Note in margin: We must not miss its EVERYDAY-NESS !!!)
IV.
Jesus, so far as I can find, never used the term, “grace,” but it seems to be part of what he means when he talks so frequently about the Kingdom of God. Kingdom comes by surprise, like stumbling over a treasure out in the field or getting paid for a whole day’s work after working only an hour. That sounds like grace! Like grace, Kingdom comes to all kinds of people and in all kinds of places—most of them not religious in the usual sense of the term. Sometimes, Kingdom comes after one of those long Decembers—like when a son has left his family, or when a traveler is robbed and beaten and left for dead.
In one of his parables, where I’m sure Jesus was talking about Kingdom and imagining the gift of grace, Jesus says these words:
“The Kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise all night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow—he does not know how.” (Mk. 4:26-27) **READ TWICE**
This is typical Jesus talk—he tells us something about the Kingdom, but does he tell us anything at all? Is the kingdom—is grace—like the one scattering the seed? Perhaps. Is grace like the seed that is scattered? Maybe. Is grace the sprouting and growing of the seed? Possibly.
Jesus doesn’t tell us. Perhaps, then, WE must decide for ourselves what grace will be like in our lives. So let me offer an admittedly unorthodox reading—this is my choice. If grace is like the one scattering seed, then grace comes through labor and effort, which doesn’t sound exactly right. If grace is like the seed scattered, then we might imagine it runs the risk of being washed away by the rains or fed upon by the birds, both of which would mean that, sometimes, grace never quite makes it to its destination. And if grace is like the sprouting and the growing of the seed, are we to understand that grace = triumph and success. If so, it would appear that such grace is reserved for the future because, as our long Decembers attest, there is much to our lives that looks very little like triumph or success.
There is only one phase left in the saying of Jesus about the Kingdom and the coming of grace. It is the last phase. It says, “He does not know how.” That is grace! Grace that is not earned, that comes without understanding. Grace that is thoroughly present in the world, though not dependent on us to be its caretakers. This is the gift of God, and even in our sleeping and our rising God’s grace is active all around us. (Note in margin: EVERYDAYNESS !)
V.
“It’s been a long December and there’s reason to believe, maybe this year will be better than the last.” The reason to believe this year is the grace of God, which is happening all around you and is waiting for you to discover it. God has filled creation with grace, and this grace has the power to transform our lives and inspire in us faith and belief, even in the longest of Decembers.
My prayer for you, and for me, at the beginning of this new year and after a long December, is that we will discover the beautiful grace of God in our lives and throughout God’s creation. Even as we do not understand, as in our sleeping and rising, may God’s grace be among us. And may this gift of God prompt is us a reason to believe that this year will be better than the last.

**PRAYER**

(Intellectual property of Dan Goodman, Copyright pending)

Report

back in the 'Ville

2009-08-11T15:11:00.002-05:00

I am back in the 'Ville for another day before leaving for work. I struggled the first day here between trying to find my footing and being annoyed by the musicness (new word alert) that embeds the culture here. I have started to breathe again. I am busy with advancing tour dates and am a little anxious about this weekend. I am housesitting for my friend Sara Beth and then I move back into my place September 1st.... CAN'T WAIT!

After a tough day yesterday I enjoyed some downtime with SB and then food, movie, and dancing with my good bud Sanders. I use the word dancing very loosely. I am hoping to use this Fall to re-group. And figure out my next step...I am confident that it will become clear. And in the midst of all of that I plan on having some fun. Here are some of my plans.

1. Wearing tights and cardigans and boots
2. Pumpkin Patch
3. Halloween!!!
4. Apple Cider on the porch
5. TN State Fair
6. Going to movies and concerts
7. Reading books all day and not leaving the house
8. Riding a bike to coffee shops and not sweating
9. Fall trip to NYC
10. HANGING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

If you know of any other fun Fall activities that I am forgetting shoot me a message.

Picture is from my trip to NYC in the Spring. :)

TGIF

2009-08-07T08:38:00.002-05:00

Happy Friday everyone. I will be enjoying my Friday afternoon by hoping in a car and driving to Polk County- L-town to be more specific to hang with an old college roomie. Jessica Francis. She married The Chad a few years ago and he is perfection for her and they together happen to be one of my favorite couples.

Don't know if anyone else watches SYTYCD... but Jeanine won and I couldn't be more thrilled for her!! On a personal note I know some amazing dancers. Young ones that are not only as good but maybe better than some of the kids on SYTYCD and I hope they get the opportunity one day to show their stuff.

Leaving you with a picture that I took in Farmville, NC. Hoped on some persons property for this one... risking you life for the sake of a hobby. Probably not a good idea. :)

Happy weekend everyone! 2 more days in FL.

lists for '09

2009-08-06T08:11:00.003-05:00

Back in April I wrote out the list of things I wanted to accomplish in 2009. Since we only have 5 more months left in this year I wanted to check in on it and see how I was doing...

1. Stay out of the hospital (2008 I was in the hospital more then 5 times) Fingers crossed
2. Pay off all medical debt Being somewhat unemployed since April hasn't helped this :)
3. Be able to play volleyball again (post 2 knee surgeries) Going to try and join an indoor league this Fall. Feeling pretty strong right now
4. Do something I have never done before Nothin yet that I think should count-i feel like it should be really bold
5. Get tatooed (know what I want just need the nerve)- Not yet
6. Visit Jerry in NYC- DONE!
7. Spend a weekend with Leslie, Lila, and Matt in Florida- DONE!
8. Love better...including myself- GETTING THERE
9. Be Happy and stay off meds- done with the 2nd half & workin on the first
10. Sing in public- karaoke doesn't count- Singing at a wedding in December- booyah!

The other list I wanted to do after seeing a friend of mine do one on her blog is a Happy List. Things that make me happy.

HAPPY LIST 2009
1. SUNSHINE!!
2. ART- and let me state that only good Art makes me happy. But really in all forms. Music, photography, theatre, dance, visual art, graphic art, poetry, writing, design, ALL OF IT!
3. Being able to go to sleep at night knowing that there is nothing I have to do the next day. (haven't had one of these since May)
4. Coffee shops- so cliche Nashville, but dangitt they are so great! Sitting in one now. :)
5. Watching one of the students I have worked with, mentored, whatever you want to call it, pass it onto others. Has only happened a few times but man is it rewarding.
6. Making Christmas cookies in the kitchen with mom and Jen
7. Slurpees and lounging with Lila and Leslie
8. Wine, cheese and crackers, trashy mags, and dance movies, with Rach
9. FALL!!!!!! Can't stinking wait- brisk air, football games, tights, leaves, pumpkin patch, so GREAT!
10. Nerdy stuff- reading, sci-fi, computers, movies, and people that will nerd out with me.
One to grow on....
11. AMERICAN IDOL NIGHTS AT GABE'S WITH THE WHOLE CREW!

Can't wait to see everyone else's lists!!!!

Happy Thursday!!

Love and Peace,

Katie

family update

2009-07-30T13:27:00.002-05:00

So the latest is that they are keeping Dad at the clinic until Sunday now to do one of the 3 procedures he needs. They are thinking that he will need to come back up there every few months for more stuff. The doctor said this will be a marathon not a sprint. Not real sure about the terms for everything or the names of the procedures but they should know the extent of everything by end of day tomorrow at the earliest or Tuesday at the latest. I am planning on staying here through next week to help with Shannon, see friends, and hopefully talk to a few people about future jobs.

I have a tour this Fall that I am doing but will still like to eventually have a "regular" job and possibly be closer to here to help out. Plus I miss being close to my FL friends. Realized that alot since I have been here. Nashville has been great for me but I think it brews with competitiveness and insecurity for me as a person. I am always willing to go or do what God calls of me and for some reason I feel like it might be to come back here. Who knows...

I would continue to ask for your prayers for my family. For me to serve them in every way possible. And for me to know the next direction in life. Love to you all.

Katie

back to the Burg

2009-07-24T21:53:00.003-05:00

I am leaving for FL in the morning. I am excited to see family and friends and NOT excited to be in FL in the middle of July. Blech! ;)

I am getting to go to Lila's 30th birthday party with her and Bubba which is such a bonus to my trip. And I get to have dinner with Leslie and her family on Monday night. For those of you who don't know who these people are...they are three of my most precious friends. I have known Leslie and Lila since birth basically. We grew up in church together. Went to 3 different high schools, 3 different colleges, and live in 3 different towns, but there will never a time where I don't consider them to be family. The amount of time and memories with the 2 of them is incomprehensible but most can be summed up in a slurpee and a blockbuster movie. Bubba has been part of the crew since I was 15...he started coming to youth group around then. We have been as close as cucumbers ever since ...we are completely opposite in every way and he never listens to my advice-especially about girls but I love him to death and know he would do anything for me.

I will be spending the bulk of my time with Shannon. Dad and Diana go to Jacksonville on Tuesday and I will have her until they get back- which were not really sure when that is. I am thrilled to get to spend that kind of time with her...I hope I am creative enough to come up with fun things for us to do each day.... and I hope that is a very special time.

Appreciate your continued prayers for the family. Mom sent me a vegetarian cook book in the mail today- which was great. So excited to get to try some of the recipes out. Although I don't think anyone in my family would ever eat any of them. :)

I still don't have phone numbers...so please forgive me if I don't know who you are when you call or text. I have a toy phone right now.

Sidenote: I have been staying with the Farrens in Spring Hill this week and am very thankful to them for housing me. They are in a band called Pocket Full of Rocks and they are currently working on their latest album. All I can say is--its going to be amazing. I am more than excited for them and for you to get to hear it all- i think it will be out the first of next year. Our mutual friend Brian came over for a cookout one night and he played us some of his new stuff as well...its pretty rockin. So check out B. Reith on itunes too- his comes out in September I think. And lastly my bestie Ryan Greenwalt has a new album out on itunes you should probably get too-especially if your into good music. Hehe.

Love to you all. I plan on writing a bit this weekend on what I learned during my stay in Nashville....would love to get opinions on it. Jammin to the new Jordin Sparks....Night!

Katie

been too long....

2009-07-19T09:36:00.004-05:00

-picture in PA at Creation East

Let me start off with deepest apologies for not keeping everyone updated this summer as I should have been. It has been a crazy summer full of highs and lows but learning to find goodness in all things...or at least attempting too.

For a quick update on the state of things professionally. I spent the last few months in Greenville, NC working for my sister. She just opened a brand new Hampton Inn there and so I helped with that and helped her with her dogs and keeping up things at the house. I felt like it was where I was supposed to be. Like I was contributing something...which is huge for me. I have to feel like I am making a contribution in everything I do...big or small. It was a great experience to get to spend time with her--we hadn't lived together since I was 16 so a few years ago. :) Lots of chats on the couch and movies and we both love SYTYCD. We also took a few mini road trips which were fun too. I feel very blessed that she provided me a job and a place to stay when I had none and I hope that I was able to serve her and those around her during that time.

I got back to Nashville a few days ago. I drove in specifically to see Harry Potter with my friends. You might think this is silly but it is tradition. And we always have so much fun in the preparation...although I didn't dress up this year. But without a doubt will make sure I do for the last two. I saw some great costumes I will HAVE to copy. Things have been weird here thus far. It is strange to be back in your home town and have to stay on people's couches even though your house is like right there. For those that don't know I subletted my apt for the summer. So even though I am VERY thankful that worked out it is my safe haven here and its tough not too have it and humbling to sleep on couches for weeks at a time at almost 30- we all need to swallow a big pill of pride sometimes. But I am thrilled that I have such wonderful friends who allow me to crash with them.

I am in process of finding work for the Fall...I have one thing that looks promising tour wise...even though it has been a big battle. I have been fighting against the idea of hopping on tour. Merely for the fact of wanting some normality...but at this point going to feel blessed in any opportunity. The other thing I am working on is graphic design. I had been doing some on the side and did a few marketing pieces for my sister in Greenville. Thought about how I could maybe work on that a little more and do some freelance. So...I am relying on friends for help and word of mouth marketing. :) That means you. Hopefully it can help subsidize in between tour dates. The last little project I have is photography and hairclips. I have been selling some photography and hairclips for awhile now. And am hoping that takes off a little as well. I have an etsy.com site under lilhaskell and am going to work on getting that up to par. I have four photos up in the lobby of the Hampton I took...they are of the local area.

-picture at Hampton Inn in Greenville, NC

I leave here in less then a week to go to FL. As many of your know this has been a very difficult time for my family. My mom still has kidney stones and no health insurance and no job. Which has just been a constant struggle....although as always she has handled everything with class and dignity. I found myself in my car on my way back to TN crying out to God. "Why Lord can you not give her a FREAKING break?" "Why must she continuously go though these things?" Of all people who deserve a miracle and a lottery win its my mom. So I just continue to pray for her... her headspace dealing with all of these trials and for God to provide, which He always does.

On the other side Dad has been having some health issues. Knowing my father he would not like me to put on the internet what is wrong with him. But know that it is serious enough for me to go down there for 2 weeks to take care of Shannon while they meet with doctors. Everything at this point seems treatable but would covet your prayers in this time. For him and his health and for my stepmom and lil sister Shannon. Shannon is only 10 and has had a tough year. So I am hoping to go down there and have some sister FUN time with her.

I think overall I am constantly learning about myself and learning about life. I become more thankful for friendships everyday. More thankful for family everyday. More thankful for what I DO have everyday. I am re-reading Captivating for the 4th time right now. I need the reminder every year or so. :) If you have never read it, I highly recommend it. Especially for the females. I thank you for your prayers and friendship.

Love to you all,

And thanks for the couches....

Katie

NC

2009-06-10T11:56:00.003-05:00

I have been slacking majorly on blogging since I have gotten to NC. Things have been a little crazy here getting the hotel ready for its opening. We were officially declared as open on Monday at 5PM. And got our first guest about 20 minutes later. There are some wonderful hardworking people here and I couldn't be prouder of my sister and the way she runs this place. I have had to swallow pride multiple times here but am doing it all for her.

I am trying to learn daily to embrace myself the way I am. When I was younger that meant such a different thing then it does today. Today it means to know my limitations, my strengths, my hang-ups, my gifts, and to grow and learn in love of myself and God. I have always looked at it as a short coming that I am a nomadic person. That I never have a straight forward answer when someone asks me about a dream job or a dream place to live. I am not great at one particular thing but thrive on many things. If I ignore the creative side of me I am stifled and sad. The things that I have learned about myself is the need to create boundaries...just because I can do something does not mean I should. I think we all have to learn the word "no" and realize that saying it does not make us a bad person but maybe a healthier person.

I continue to beseech your prayers as I try and figure out this road I am on... I am pretty much done here at the end of the month and am not really sure what to do or where to go next. I go through highs and lows of stress about it but ultimately know that as Bob Marley says "Don't worry about a thing. Cause every little thing is gonna be alright" So profound. :)

I haven't had anyone to go see movies with since I have been here and have been majorly slacking on my summer blockbusters. So hit me back and let me know which ones I have to go see and I will suck it up and go see them all by myself. :)

Love to you all.

Go buy a pair of Toms Shoes, support Invisible Children, recycle, smile more, and try and be a joy to every person you come in contact with, it will help you more than it will help them.

Katie

revelations

2009-05-14T17:35:00.003-05:00

I was reading through James this afternoon after realizing how down I was today. I decided to stop and take a moment in the word to hopefully re-capture hope. I have been feeling very attacked as of late.. and attacked by people I know to be believers. Thus making me question my own relationship with God and whether the issues were with me and me alone. It has caused anger, bitterness, and resentment in me. Knowing that I was wronged, knowing that I was hurt, but knowing ultimately I am not the judge. God healed me of any doubt I had that He had it all under control by the following.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."2-3

"Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life." 19-21

"Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." 26-27

I especially like vs. 27 in KJV "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

This is what I believe, this is what has been modeled for me with words written in red, this is the kind of person I desire to become. One who helps those in need without a want for recognition and one who will not compromise on what is TRUE and NOBLE and GOOD.

This is the kind of person I strive to be because this is the kind of person I am supposed to be.

Living life with wreckless abandon... living each moment as He did. I will not apologize for not believing in a god who lives in a box. I believe in God of today, who sees the world we live in and is pleading with us to do something about it...with love. Not condemnation, not judgement, love.

I will now be stepping off my soapbox and getting ready for my going away dinner. Love to you all..

Birdie

next step

2009-05-13T17:21:00.002-05:00

I am leaving Nashville in a few days and going to NC for a few months. I am staying with my sister in Greenville and will help with her hotel opening. There is a ton to do before I leave but it has all come together very quickly which solidified in my mind that it was the next logical step in my journey. As I have shared this with many friends over the last couple of days..the one resounding thing I have said is that I need to get out of here for a bit to re-group, reflect, and re-examine whether this is the place for me.

I am open to leaving here and am kind of craving the adventure of going somewhere new. Meeting new people, living in a new community, learning a new city, starting a new career, it all sounds enticing. I am willing to be patient and wait on the next step. My mom provided me with something very similar when I left St. Pete and went and lived with her for a few months. She deemed it "the waiting room". And before I knew it I was in Nashville.

I will continue to keep everyone posted from NC and will probably leave there sometime in July to head to FL for a bit but it all depends on my next step. I am not on a time table, or at least that is what I keep telling myself. :)

I am sad to be missing out on a few things here in the Vegas...

1. TBCH RUN/WALK 5K- Go volunteer for me!
2. Helping Zana with the CMA Fest
3. Going to No Doubt/Paramore with Camz
4. AMERICAN IDOL FINALE/GLEE PREMIER with the Tues night crew
5. Fido with Ryan
6. Going to the HP Premiere with Ryan in full costume
7. All the other movie times I will miss out on with Gabe, Ry, Em, and Scottie-i need the REGAL points
8. Whit and Sarah's wedding- I really needed that one for my on-going count
9. Hillsong United with Gabe
10. My apt and all my friends

So Long Sweet Summer....

K.I.T., NEVER CHANGE, LOVE YA-MEAN IT

Birdie

glass half full

2009-05-06T15:25:00.003-05:00

After some huge setbacks yesterday I am trying to see this day as glass half full instead of half empty. Started the day by getting some highlights by my friend Audrey...was very therapeutic to chat and always makes the day a little brighter with some highlights. Plus mom hates the brown hair and would like me to get highlights "all over my head". :)

I received some encouraging words from a very dear friend today that I wanted to share as they spoke to me greatly.

Abiding is hard, but that's where you are - waiting and abiding... try to lean into it- it will be your teacher... one of my favorite quotes that I have used over and over in my life the last 20 years is from Oswald Chambers.

"If our hopes are being disappointed just now, it means that they are being purified. There is nothing noble the human mind has ever hoped for or dreamed of that will not be fulfilled. One of the greatest strains in life is the strain of waiting for God. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience. Remain spiritually tenacious."

It has been a difficult few days but minute by minute and hour by hour I am clinging to the truth that God has me where He wants me and will be leading me on the next step of my journey in His time. I was challenged this morning as I went to Audrey's house and went into my old roomie Zana's room there and there strewn about her bed were Bibles, journals, and devotionals galore. I gave her a hard time about it but was silently thinking to myself. My bed never looks like that...

I continue to beseech your prayers and at the same time ask that we would all "do our part". There are all things that each of us could be doing to give back a little to make our world a little bit better. I am going to do some volunteering at the downtown Y here in Nashville because Lord knows I have the time and I want to use this time wisely. Not all of us have money to give but most of us have time. I have been thinking alot about this idea of volunteerism over the weekend and will post some thoughts and ideas in the near future as I continue to flush them out.

Thanks for your encouragement and friendship and may we all see the glass half full.

Birdie.

Dreaming of the beach during this VERY rainy week.

life...

2009-04-30T12:33:00.004-05:00

Afternoon everyone. Today I have dedicated to finding out what I am supposed to do with my life. :) Hoping that some inspiration comes form the Y or from filing out another million applications. Here is where I will fill out those applications... room #3. The all important office. These are all cell phone pics so I am sorry for the bad quality.

Happy Thursday everyone. Meet me at the downtown Y in 20 if you are around. :)

Birdie. <3

doors

2009-04-29T18:14:00.004-05:00

Behind each doorway is an amazing story of someone who had to walk through it first in order to pave the way for the rest of us. My idea is to travel the world finding these doors and the people who have boldly walked through them to bring the humanity to where we are now. Yes there are plenty of very famous and well known activists who have done just that...but there are others who have walked through those doors without the recognition. Those are the stories that I want to tell. Just a thought....

Room #2 from my house. Bathroom...the colors aren't for everyone but they are for me. :)

Happy Humpday everyone!!!

home sweet home...

2009-04-28T11:48:00.003-05:00

I love my apartment and feel very blessed to live where I do and by myself. I recognize the blessing that it is... I also LOVE to decorate my surroundings. I will try and show part of my house each day this week so you get a little more of a glimpse into my world. I think your home should be a reflection of you as a person. I love helping others develop this in their home. Mostly my family and some friends. If you ever want any help or advice let me know... I LOVE helping.

Here is the living room...

Happy Tuesday everyone...my second favorite day of the week!

the climb...

2009-04-27T21:34:00.001-05:00

The title of this blog is a Hannah Montana shout out...unashamedly love that song. She didn't write it so it doesn't matter. :)

I have been in Lynchburg with my mom the last week. Helping her with stuff and of course getting to spend time with her. She lives in a wonderful area of VA called Forrest. It fits her completely living in the mountains and country. She has a little house that is a part of a farm...although not attached to the farm. But there are plenty of cows right by her house. I wish the house was a little better and that she hadn't just lost her job but overall I am very pleased with where God has her at this moment. Teaching classes at CVCC in Lynchburg and running the 123 READ Program for CDR (Child Development Resources). We went and met Jen in NC on her bday. Went to the Gaither's (which mom said was one of the best experiences of her life) and had a make shift bday party for Jen in the hotel room. Sunday when we got back we went over to Richard's farm and I learned to ride the ATV and almost died multiple times riding it with Richard.

I am very up in the air in my life currently. The next step in my journey is completely unknown and as scary as that is it also holds some excitement. I thrive off of the change at times. I was thinking that teaching was the next step but that is looking less likely by the day. I am currently just trying to find something steady for the summer so I have some time to figure out the rest. I have friends who always are questioning why I seem to be in this constant state of flux. I don't know the answer I just know that I do not make decisions alone and rely upon a leading....it has never been easy but God has never steered me wrong. And I have enjoyed every step in this journey!

I had this thought while driving around with mom...maybe God is continuing to take away options at this point in time because there is something that He has always wanted me to do that I am constantly avoiding out of fear. Maybe He wants me to be open and available because He has something else in store. I don't know what the answer is...but I know wherever He leads I go. I also am fully aware that God has spoken through others in my past to get me to the next step. Moving to Nashville was one of those situations. So I beseech your prayers and advice and encouragement. I am hoping to use every bit of time that God gives me wisely...to take FULL advantage of the gifts He has given me and the connections He has given me. Who knows what He has in store but I plan on continuing to post my journey on here.

There may be days when I am at a loss and it is then I will need your help and encouragement the most. I continue to ask for prayers for mom as she has been laid off and is looking for what is next, and for my friend SB's mom who is going through chemo, and two friends who are currently battling shingles.

I am excited to be home and get cracking on what is next. I am going to be working on my etsy shop this week and will post the link later on in the week when I get more things up there. Gotta make that money. :) Also all of my FL friends I am planning a trip there 4th of July weekend!!! So get ready to hang!

Love you all!

Birdie <3

letting go...

2009-04-21T21:33:00.002-05:00

What an amazingly difficult night it was...

After working with iShine Live since its "birth" and basically being involved in the show's every aspect since the beginning I had to walk away tonight and boy was it tough. I know that its time and I know it is what I am supposed to do ...but it sure as heck didn't make it easy. Letting go is never easy...I bolted out of rehearsal as fast as possible because my emotions were taking over...and then I broke in the car and cried like a baby all the way home.

We are an iShine family and I have been the control freak, OCD, organizational crazy person within that for a year and a half. To give it over has been a true test of faithfulness, to give my "kids" (i know your not a kids Camz) away has been beyond difficult. But... God is in control...he has way better plans then I ever could.

Stressful, difficult, tiring, yes it has been all of those things. But I loved the experience, loved the people, and love the ministry and the heart of it. To all the crew past and present I have worked with (Josh, Danny, Mason, Melissa, Nicole, Jon, Kyle) thanks for putting up with me and putting on an amazing and life changing show-YOUR MOM, everyone at MAXX who has been so great (Dave, Travis, Martin, Jay, Tianna) thanks for making Robert's vision come to life, our amazing video team at GI inc (Nate and Proctor) Thanks Proctor for helping me become more nerdy, to the entire BemaShine staff (Troy, Brad, Kevan, Rachel, Brent) I will miss trips to Steamers and Jets Pizza, to Robert- thanks for opportunity and for trusting me with so much and allowing me not only into the iShine family but your family as well- much love to the 3 little ones.

and to all of the artists...
Paige- believe in yourself and the plan that God has for you as much as I do. His timing and path never looks like we thought it would but His plan is way better then we could have ever hoped or imagined...love you and Donna and Gary. Ya'll have truly been a blessing.
Grapejam- It has been an amazing experience to watch what God has done from a video on youtube to where you are today. He knew all along, I am just thankful he allowed me to see it all take place. Love you and Mona, and Morgan, and James. I'll be over for mac n cheese soon.
M6- Love you boys- including Darrick and Doug!!! Play cards and Mafia and make sure to always keep Tony well stocked on his Monster drinks.
Lukeage- I will always be able to beat you up no matter how tall you get. And please never send me a picture of your poop again. Love to you AB, Kenda, Gracie, and Ella...has been a pleasure getting to know all of you!
THE RUBYZ-
Rissa-boo- I love you so much and I know that what God has in store for your future you can't even fathom at this point! Never lose the true spirit that He has placed within you. Which is to be the fun, vivacious, beautiful young woman He created you to be. Please always laugh loud, ask questions, cheer, dance, act, sing, and everything else He has gifted you with- because that makes you Rissaboo. Believe in you as I do. Love ya- BOOTSIE
Lexiloo- What an amazing gift you have for connecting with young people, shining your light to them and living out what God says in Timothy; that you are never too young to change the world for Him! Your gifts lie far beyond even just singing... continue to cling to Him as you do and He will continue to be faithful as to where He leads you. Love you!!!
Killa Camz- "I mean dang girl, its like you don't even wanna be with me anymore" :) Don't even know what to say other then I love you and stop being bossy. :) I kid, I kid. Gurl...I am always here, 100% never going away, and so proud of the woman you have become. There are amazing things in your future little one. And if I ever see Hayley...we will call you.

To the Rubyz mom's- I love each and every one of you and have learned so much from you. Even in the tough times...you helped me grow as a person. Thanks for always treating me like family and I hope that can continue.

This has become more like a yearbook entry but I had to get it all out... there are too many tears on my keyboard so I need to stop. But I WILL always love and support everything iShine and I will tell everyone the same for as long as I can because not only do I believe in it...but I believe that God is a part of it.

Off to sleep...gonna have to get up real early tomorrow to pack because I am too much of a mess to get it done tonight.

Katie

STRENGTHFINDERS 2.0

2009-04-20T20:09:00.002-05:00

I got this book STRENGTHFINDERS 2.0 after my friend Josh suggested it to me. I love taking quizes and finding out more about myself. So...I did the online quiz that comes with the book before even reading the book. I know I am a cheater...here is what I found out and it has been very illuminating. So here are my 5 strengths.....

1. STRATEGIC- People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
2. RELATOR- People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.
3. EMPATHY- People who are especially talented in the Empathy theme can sense the feelings of other people by imagining themselves in others’ lives or others’ situations.
4. ACHIEVER- People who are especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive.
5. DISCIPLINE- People who are especially talented in the Discipline theme enjoy routine and structure. Their world is best described by the order they create.

Would love to hear your strengths...

Happy Monday everyone!!!

Katie

Goals for 2009....

2009-04-16T16:51:00.002-05:00

I don't really do New Years Resolutions anymore because I never follow them. What I have started to do instead is make a list of realistic goals for the year. Here is a list of the 10 goals I made for 2009 and where I am with them.

1. Stay out of the hospital (2008 I was in the hospital more then 5 times)
2. Pay off all medical debt
3. Be able to play volleyball again (post 2 knee surgeries)
4. Do something I have never done before
5. Get tatooed (know what I want just need the nerve)
6. Visit Jerry in NYC- DONE!
7. Spend a weekend with Leslie, Lila, and Matt in Florida
8. Love better...including myself
9. Be Happy and stay off meds
10. Sing in public- karaoke doesn't count

Will keep you posted on how they are all coming along....

Hump Day

2009-04-15T15:21:00.003-05:00

Welcome to hump day everyone. Slept in this morning after a few late nights in a row. I had a wonderful time celebrating Gabe last night. I have been enjoying being able to eat at home everyday but with that comes a lot more dishes. Which is not fun.

Sidenote: Watching Ellen Show today since all the Disney stars are on it. :)

Hoping everyone has a wonderful Wednesday... off to celebrate another friend's birthday... 3rd one of the week.

Photo from the Gorge in George, WA.

Nerdy

2009-04-14T13:25:00.005-05:00

Over the last year or so I have gotten more "nerdy" and I say that in the most wonderful way possible. I have learned alot more about video and computers and other "nerdy" things. And would love to learn more about photoshop and LogicXpress and iMovie and Keynote...and using every ounce of the technology I have at my fingertips to the utmost!

I spent this morning with my friend Proctor working on some video for iShine...including a gameshow piece that is going to be amazing. I was sitting there wishing that editing came easy to me or that I could write HTML...I don't even really know what that means. :)

But its a slow process...nerdom that is. Some of us are born with it and some of us have to strive to be more nerdy everyday.

Kevan sent me this video over the weekend that is from the iShine KNECT show...love it.
You should probably set your TIVO to TBN every Saturday morning so you never miss an episode.

Getting ready to go see Mr. Farren at a showcase at Curb Cafe and then off to celebrate Gabey's bday. Have a great day everyone!!

A New Day Has Come...

2009-04-13T23:18:00.004-05:00

Never hurts to start off your blog with a Celine Dion lyric.

A lot of things have changed in my life over the last few weeks. So much so that I don't even know where to start. But as a part of this new direction. My goal is to post a little something everyday as an update on my life for friends and family.

A few things I have really enjoyed over the last few days. The youtube sensation Susan Boyle's performance on Britain's Got Talent...i cried. Hanging out with the Camz and Paige on Friday. The video that GrapeJam made for me. Being able to cook at home alot more. Watching old movies. Trying to get my etsy shop really up and running...still in progress. The Hannah Montana Movie. And music... really liking BOA "Hypnotic Dancefloor" and old school singer Louis Prima.

Here is to Spring!!

3 months...

2009-03-12T23:13:00.003-05:00

Realized it had been WAY too long since I had updated my blog. Not that anyone reads this regularly. But there is isn't alot to update everyone on.

But I am hoping after this weekend to have much more promising news....

In the meantime I am learning to take everyday as it comes...breathing in and breathing out in each moment.

Love to all.

favorite things

2008-12-14T17:35:00.002-06:00

I am hopefully on vacation this week...God willing. And therefore am very hopeful to catch everyone up on my year since I have been a horrible blogger this Fall. But here are a few of my favorite things of the moment that will suffice until I am sitting at my favorite coffee shop next week with nothing to do but decompress from my year.

I am loving Xmas music right now. But alternative stuff. I have my old standby's like Mariah and The Preacher's Wife but have really gotten into some other ones as well. Made a big playlist from albums like 10 out of Tenn and Snow Angels from Over the Rhine. I also found Snow Patrol, Feist, and others on iTunes.

I am enjoying Xmas movies like Elf, National Lampoons, The Holiday, and Love Actually.

I love Apple Cider..one of my personal holiday fav drinks. As we used to say at the Bux...it is Xmas in a cup.

I am loving my CLEAN house. Doesn't happen very often so I am thoroughly enjoying it.

I am loving Edamame and baked potatoes with ranch...random I know.

Cinnamon apple spice candles and Febreeze are also on my list right now.

My new pilates DVD and wearing leggings as pants. Don't know if it looks cool but it sure as heck is comfortable.

I have also been rocking hats almost everyday because I need to get my hair did...its a good cover for now.

I can't wait to hang with friends I haven't seen in awhile, catch up on some reading, play my guitar, write some music, sleep in, hang at coffee shops for hours, and really enjoy my holiday.

Love to all of you...share some of your favorites right now as well.

Katie

spoke to soon

2008-10-28T22:58:00.002-05:00

Well...I spoke too soon. Off to Indy tomorrow for work. Wouldn't be a week in my life if I didn't spend most of it out of town. I am staying with the Slifer's in Cincy tomorrow night and then all day Thursday in Indianapolis doing promotion for the iShine Live event in November.

Back on Thursday night though and so stinkin pumped about Halloween. Haven't quite figured out the costume yet but we are working on it. Planning on party hopping with a few friends on Friday night and then going to a housewarming party on Saturday night. And of course hoping to squeeze in some relaxation, a massage, cleaning of the house, hiking, etc.

Off to try and get some sleep.

Peace.

this is what I do...this is where I am

2008-10-26T19:04:00.003-05:00

For some reason over the last few months I have been unable to actually for a post on the old blog. I don't know if it has been laziness, or lack of time, or not wanting to share. No matter what the answer is...I apologize for my lack of communication.

One of the biggest questions I get is...what do you do? Well before I get into where I am and what I do let me back up a bit and start where I left off a few months ago.

I spent my summer on a tour bus going from one music festival to the next doing promotional work for the Revolve Tour. It was the trip of a lifetime. Not only because of the places and people along the way but because of the "family" I traveled with. There were 4 of us on the bus for the bulk of the trip but really if we were honest there were 5....and the 5th was in the form of Ronnie Dale Rotroff. Anyone who tours for a living can tell you that your tour bus driver is always a character, they always have the best stories, and usually smoke like chimneys. RD (as we referred to him) was not only all three of these but all three to the max. He became the dad and we were the kids. I would sit in the front of the bus next to him early in the morning to watch the country pass us by and listen to his amazing stories of touring with Janet Jackson (he took her to Walmart for the first time in her life), Jay Z (he has a barn full of Hennesey and Kristal from him), and of course his time as a musician himself (he is in the Country Music Hall of Fame- twice). I am thankful for all the new friendships I formed and experiences I had because of these weeks on the bus. I especially have a new found love in Rachel-she has been one of the biggest blessings I have had in a really long time. She has been there for me through thick and thin (including 2 trips to the hospital post tour). I am so glad God has placed such an amazing new sister in my life. There aren't many girls you can spend a summer with on a tour bus and come out of it even better friends.

Jump forward now to today. I have been working with this company for about a year now called Advocate Entertainment. When I first came on I was hired to plan Women's Events for writer Stormie Omartian. I loved working with the Omartian's and all the people involved and am thankful for the friendships that were formed from my brief time working with all of them. They treated me like gold and I in turn worked my butt off for them. :) We switched over from working with that to focusing all our attention on something else iShine Live. It is an event for 8-14 year olds and we set out on a journey for 8 months planning and dreaming about this event. It all finally came to fruition at our Nashville show 3 weeks ago. It was one of the most wonderful experiences to see it all come together after so many months of planning.

I have been in charge of helping with the production, planning, and product. Making sure that everything looks good, sounds good, etc. I have enjoyed every ounce of the production of it not necessarily all the management aspects but all the production. I loved hiring the crew-who are some of the most wonderful and fun people. Working with and learning from everyone at the production company- Maxx Touring (I HIGHLY recommend them) And then working with all the artists on the tour. It has consumed my life for the last months.

Unfortunately as we have been planning this our country has slipped into this recession which has affected the touring business tremendously. Because of different circumstances alot has changed over the last week. From the tour dates to the staff in our office. It has been one of the toughest work weeks of my life. I am not sure what the future will hold for me but I know that I believe in what we are doing -there is a need that we are trying to fill.

So where I am is in Nashville still (although this is the first weekend I have been in town and not working for almost 3 months) and what I do is try and put together tours.

As far as personal stuff...that will have to wait until the next blog. Baby steps. :)

Love to you all. I am in town for a few weeks and would love to catch up with any and all of you reading this.

Katie

survey

2008-09-28T22:06:00.002-05:00

This is all I could muster up...

YOU CAN ONLY USE TWO WORDS!!!!!

Where is your cell phone?
beside me

Your significant other?
huh

Your hair?
freshly washed

Your brother?
none

Your sister?
plural...great

Your favorite thing?
sleeping

Your dream last night?
didn't sleep

Your favorite beverage?
water

Your dream/goal?
love/peave

Your ex?
all married

Your fear?
failure

Where do you want to be in 10 years?
happy loved

Where were you yesterday?
baltimore

What you’re not?
meat eater

Muffins?
poppyseed

One of your wish list items?
european vacation

Where you grew up?
the burg

The last thing you did?
HP

What are you wearing?
pj's

Your TV?
old

Your pets?
none

Your computer?
Macbook Pro

Your life?
blessed

Your mood?
sleepy

Missing someone?
kinda sorta

Your car?
toyota corolla

Something you’re not wearing?
shoes

Favorite Place?
portland

Your summer?
THE BEST

Love someone?
many people

Your favorite color?
changes

Last time you laughed?
with sister

Last time you cried?
can't remember

Who will repost this?
no one

stranded in Montana

2008-07-22T15:14:00.002-05:00

So here I am in Bozeman, MT stranded with the rest of the crew. Our bus broke down this morning on our way to Missoula, MT. So our bus is 150 miles back the other way now and we are in between where we should be and where the bus is. We are hoping that it will be back here late tonight and that we will be able to leave real early tomorrow morning and go to Creation West which is now 600 miles away. Needless to say we will not be arriving there as early as we had planned. But thus is life. You can say a prayer for our bus driver Ronnie Dale and for our bus.

A big answer to prayer is that my sister was going to be stuck in Seattle but it has worked out for her to hitch a ride with the interlinc kids to Creation so she will actually get there even before me. :)

We got to camp at Yellowstone the other night which was really cool. Beautiful area and Montana in general is beautiful. Have been taking alot of pics which I will throw up on my photo site and on facebook.

I hope everyone is doing well. Pray for our time at Creation West and that Jen will have a wonderful time while she is there.

Mom is also moving this week so keep that in your prayers as well...very stressful for her...and a whole lot to do.

Love to you all.

Give me a shout and let me know how things are with you.

Blessings,

Katie

SONSHINE

2008-07-18T22:54:00.003-05:00

We have been in MN since Sunday and are now in Wilmar, MN hanging out with girls and getting beat up by the sun. It has been hotter then hot and very draining. Long days and lots of standing and walking. We have met alot of girls and there have been a ton of people here. In the pics you can see what 15k people looks like at a show. Tonight Toby Mac is playing and Crowder was before him...so needless to say its nuts. And loud...no sleeping until after midnight when all the bands are done. :)

We are leaving Sunday morning and are heading to Yellowstone to camp. Our amazing bus driver Ronnie Dale is my new BFF. He has years of stories. He has played bass at the Opry and with Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson and a bunch of other people. When I get bus sick I sent in the front with him and he tells me about the good ole days. He always grills out for us and makes me a veggie burger and corn...even added on some squash and pineapple.

We have had alot of fun. We all get along really well...and any differences we usually can knock out pretty fast. Just like a family.

My sister comes out to Washington next week...which I am so looking forward too. Should be alot of fun and REALLY hot. It is in the desert and all. I will try and be better about updating but wireless is sketchy and I usually use every free moment I have for work.

Love to you all.

Katie

Lifest Day #3

2008-07-11T08:51:00.003-05:00

Still in WI and learning how to talk as one as well. People here are VERY nice. This might be the "new" south. We have been in and out of a bad storm. They had to stop music last night from about 5PM till 8PM because of weather which meant that all the shows went until REAL late. And then it has rained all night and is supposed to go until about 11am this morning. Which gives me time to find a shower and workout. Not in that order.

My partner in crime on the bus Rachel had to leave suddenly Wednesday night because her grandma died unexpectedly. Keep her family in your prayers and her trip back to us. She is flying into Minneapolis on Monday. But that leaves me and the boys. So we are working hard, hanging out with girls and their parents, and getting our fingernails painted alot, and learning how to make friendship bracelets.

Some of my good friends get in today to play shows so I am thrilled to get to hang with them. We had a few we got to hang with yesterday as well. My bud Aaron who is playing drums for Everlife was here and then the guys from Eleventyseven came over and got their nails painted as well. Fun times. This pic is of Nate and Sean getting their nails done. You can see the rest of the pics I took at www.revolvetour.com/bustour

Will post again soon.

Katie

WISCONSIN

2008-07-09T07:31:00.002-05:00

Well... its early and I am on night two of under 6 hours but I think my body might adjust or I will get really sick from the lack of sleep. We are driving to Wisconsin today from Chicago to start festival numero uno...LIFEST! The interlinc kids already got there yesterday and I can't wait to hang with Mere and Mark! It will be interesting as always to see how our cell phone and internet reception is...you never really know at these places.

Yesterday we were in downtown Chicago which is always beautiful. I love the architecture and big city feel. Everytime I am here I think that Oprah is going to walk out of one of stores on Michigan Ave. It hasn't happened yet.

Met our bus driver this morning, Ronnie Dale...I think we will be great friends.

Rachel and I nested last night. We cleaned out the bus top to bottom including the fridges and kitchen cabinets. We felt 100 times better after doing it and I am thrilled that she is just as much of a clean freak on the bus as me.

The bus is pretty great...the two couches in the front lounge are wonderfully soft and cushy and when we are get to the festival we can pop out the side which adds about 3 extra feet. The kitchen has two fridges and a microwave. The front lounge has a huge flatscreen with an XBOX and surround sound. The bunks are condo style which means they have TONS of room for you to sit up in. And then you have the shower and bathroom which is near the back. Both really nice for a bus. The back lounge is small but also has a TV and XBOX and then a table and couches. Pretty much the nicest bus I have been on besides the Jonas boys when they had U2's old bus. :)

Should be an extra long day today of travel, setting up, and then we open up our "all access" area tonight at 5PM. Finally got batteries for my camera so pictures will start tomorrow hopefully. Love to all.

Katie

Bus Tour Summer 2008

2008-07-08T08:49:00.002-05:00

Well...to say that it has been awhile is a HUGE understatement. But as a promise to friends and family I will be updating everyone about my 5 week trip on here. Hopefully with lots of pictures and lots of fun stories.

For those that don't know I am working for the Revolve Tour for the next 5 weeks doing promotion at summer music festivals across the country to promote their Fall events. Revolve is an event for teen girls and is the same tour I went out on this past Fall as well. You can check out their website for pics of the bus we are staying on.

We flew into Chicago yesterday and after a very uncomfortable ride we drove an hour to our hotel and tried to find food. Rachel and I hadn't eaten since breakfast and it was close to 5PM. Needless to say...we were dying of hunger.

Sidenote...on the bus with me is my friend Rachel, friend Sean, and our new friend Nathan. None of us knew Nathan prior to meeting him yesterday but he brought full episodes of Arrested Development and The Office so I think we will be just fine. :)

We have staff training today and are getting the bus ready because we leave tomorrow for our first festival. I am also working my job at Advocate while I am out on the road so prayers for strength and extra hours in the day would be appreciated. As everyone else is still sleeping and I have been up for 2 hours working. :)

I hope to have some pics up of all of us soon. Love to all from Chicago.

Katie

April in a nutshell...

2008-04-18T21:57:00.002-05:00

Alot has happened in the last few weeks and I just haven't gotten around to blogging it out. First and foremost one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world came to visit and it was pure bliss. Jer Bear was here in the flesh and we had a perfect weekend of hanging out. Whether it was at favorite restaurants, shopping, or watching "First Wives Club" it was just like old times even though it had been 8 months. We even did a dinner with some friends that was great because I got to see some of my favorite people all at once over Chinese food and sinful desserts at whole foods. Sidenote: I think its hilarious that we went to Whole Foods for dessert. You could tell how much fun we were having there by the crabby lady who came over and asked us to keep it down. It's a dadgum grocery store lady...not a library!!!

Also...last weekend I went to Houston for my first Stormie Omartian Women's Conference. It was one of the most stressful weekends of my life...but oh so rewarding. I enjoyed hanging with all the ladies there, meeting some wonderful people, and getting to know the artists better. Who were wonderful. We all laughed alot! The Omartian's took us to Pappadeux's after Saturday and I might have a new favorite restaurant. So delicious. They had banana pudding that was too die for. So...big shout outs to my new friends Debi and Roz. And to Amanda for sharing a room with me...bless her heart I had to get up way earlier then she did.

And now we are approaching GMA week...oh the joy. Lots of shaking of hands, lots of kissing of babies. I kid. Should not be as hard as it has been in past. Hopefully a little more low key for me this year.

And the best news of all...I am taking a 3 day vacation! First one in over a year! LONG OVERDUE! My friend Sara Beth and I are taking a songwriting weekend to a cabin on the edge of the Cherokee National Forest. I am not taking my computer or my blackberry. Only my guitar and some food and clothes of course. :) I am so stinkin excited I can hardly stand it. I can't wait to see what comes out of 3 days in the forest. Hopefully it will be a reawakening of creativity. Can't wait to tell you about it.

My friend Jared is on a show called CAN YOU DUET! Its on CMT Friday nights. It premiered this past week. Although I think they re-run it a bunch each week. Keep your eye out for him. It is done by the producers of American Idol..and yes I still love Jason Castro. But David Cook will win and I might choke Archuletta if he sings one more ballad. Ugh.

Forever Your Girl (thank you Paula),

Katie

reasons why i love nashville...

2008-04-08T22:28:00.002-05:00

Reasons why I love Nashville....

Besides the Sunday battles in the park of course...which I think we should all have a picnic in Elmington Park one Sunday afternoon and hide swords under our blankets and then all of a sudden do a surprise attack. My friend Ryan took it a step further and said we should build a catapult and really give it to them. But alas I digress.

I ran over to Harris Teeter tonight, which is just a few blocks away to pick up some Peanut Butter. Can't live without it. And only in Nashville would I run into Robert Plant. He was there with his daughter picking up some groceries. For those of you that are unfamiliar with Robert Plant you need to check the album him and Allison Krauss just put out. Brilliant. "Gone, Gone, Gone" is a favorite and "Killing the Blues" you will recognize from those commercials. They are also going on tour together so you might want to look that one up as well.

I remember the first time I ever saw someone famous when I first moved here. I was dying to see a celebrity and finally I was in Publix and Trisha Yearwood was walking down the bread aisle. After that it has been a flood of people. But you have to learn to look for them or they will blend right in. Here are a few...

Ran into Vince Gill last week at a job fair (i don't think he needed one) and my mom was severely jealous. When some of my family were up here last Fall we ran into Scott Hamilton at a pumpkin patch and Alan Jackson at lunch...all in the same day. When I worked at Starbucks it was a plethora of country and christian artists. (Brad Paisley and his wife who I will always know as the girl from Father of the Bride, Kenny Chesney, and the one guy married to Nicole Kidman, etc) But some of my fav randoms were Johnny Knoxville and Juliette Lewis. Ben Folds is always around town as well. But my friend Ryan spent an afternoon with John Corbett sipping coffee at Fido and I will hate him forever because of it. Leave your star sighting stories. It will probably jog my memory of others.

Say a prayer for our weekend in Houston. Would be awesome if tons of people showed up out of the blue but if that doesn't happen I just pray that everyone involved will still feel like it was a success. Check out the updated website. www.stormieomartianlive.com

:) Love to all.

Katie

EPIC BATTLE

2008-04-06T16:10:00.005-05:00

Today is the first official Spring day we have had here in Nashville. Sunny and warm outside. It been wonderful and most of the entire city is outside enjoying the weather. There is a great park next to my house with fields and courts but I don't think people would believe me if I told them what happened there every Sunday afternoon. So since they were out in full force today I decided to try and take some pictures so that the proof would be in the pudding. Every Sunday from about lunch until dusk they battle it out, good versus evil. I think good always prevails.

Nostalgia

2008-03-18T18:02:00.002-05:00

I spent the weekend in Cleveland, TN working to try and get some attention on the women's conferences I am working on...

www.stormieomartianlive.com (shameless plug)

And also got a chance to spend sometime with Meredith. For those who read two blogs ago about the reason I feel like God brought me here...Meredith was the young woman I was referring too. She is 21 now and in her Freshmen year at school. So I went and stayed with her at Lee University. Beautiful campus. But I felt like I was stepping back into a strange dream. I stayed in her dorm room with her roommate Becca and even ate at the cafeteria. We watched movies in the common room and stayed up late eating popcorn and chocolate. It was just like good old Baxter Dorm circa 1998. Scary to think how long ago I was in school. But I sure did try and fit in as much as possible so as to not have comments overheard like "who's the old lady?". It was great to spend time with her and see her life there, meet her friends, etc. I am so proud of her and look up to her so much.

I was able to ride with my friend Sean and in keeping with the nostalgic theme we jammed out on the way home to all my old favorite hip hop. I test people by playing songs off my iPod from the 90's. If they know which song it is within a few seconds we are good. If they know the words then we are great. If they have seen them in concert then we will pull to the nearest mall to get the BEST FRIEND necklace.

I loved hip hop and R&B in middle school and high school. On a classic road trip I will pull everything out from PM Dawn to Salt N Peppa (so i can wow them with my rapping skills). I loved SWV, TLC, and every letter in between. I loved trying to sing as much like the recording as possible. I am a great mimic- maybe i should go to Vegas and make some money off that talent. Would love to hear some other old school stuff you listened to...will help me in my quest for great music off of iTunes. So share away...

I am off to Houston tomorrow for more work and back on Saturday. The knee is better everyday...I try to workout 4-5 days a week now which is helping it get stronger and helping me feel better after sitting on my bum for the last 3 months.

Happy Easter everyone...and not the easter with the bunny and the chocolate. I am still trying to figure out a good place to go to church on Easter...suggestions are welcomed.

I ask God to help me see the needs and then fill them.

Can't wait for my night of cleaning, packing, and American Idol!

Love to you all,

Katie

HELP END WORLD HUNGER

2008-03-17T11:37:00.005-05:00

So there is this wonderful website that donates rice to the UN to help end world hunger. All you have to do is impress them with your vocab skills. Please stop by there in your free time and help out. Its free for you and will help you test your skills.

http://www.freerice.com

Also....happy St. Patty's Day! Don't drink and drive.

Stories from my weekend as a college student to follow soon.

Love to all.

Katie

2008-03-06T08:41:00.002-06:00

We are starting with some trivial stuff this morning because trivial is so much easier. I can talk about how much I still love American Idol all these years later. And I remember when I first watched it in the Georgia house with Kindra and Jess and we thought Justin Guarini was the cutest. Or I can tell you how I really like that new Miley Cyrus song on the radio but feel like I am way too old to think it is cool. Or I can tell you how sometimes nothing brings me more joy then a Publix Sub and a trashy magazine. Or that I googled by birthday the other day at my friend Adam's suggestion and was enthralled with reading everything that had ever happened on that day. Or that I am pumped for the Duke/UNC game on Saturday and for Day Light Savings time. Or that last night I switched for reading The New Earth to reading a teen fiction novel because it required less thought. But what I really should say is...

I tell people all the time that God brought me here to Nashville...and the follow up from them is...oh to work in music? To which I reply no. I had no thoughts about coming here to work in the music industry or to be a musician. I moved here because God called me to work with a youth group at a church plant. And even when I got here and started working with that group I questioned it thinking that they don't need my help. But then I met a 16 year old girl who changed my world here. And immediately I knew she was the reason why God brought me here. She is 21 now and I still know she is the reason why I have been here. I needed her and she needed me and God knew that way before either of us did. But for once in my life I was willing to see the need and try to fill it and it has been the most amazing relationship ever.

I think that embracing where God has me everyday and concentrating on others instead of myself are the two pivitol things for me this year. Doing all I can to use my gifts to help others and allowing God to put those people in my path. As we look for purpose in our lives...I think this is it. Not what do I do with my life? But how can I help others in my life? Whether its on a large scale like my friend Zana who has devoted herself to South Africa not because she thinks its cool but because God has called her to give of herself there and it is not easy. Or on a small scale like my friend Travis who gave me a hug yesterday at a very needed time because he sensed he could make my world a little better by giving of himself. As I challenge myself...I challenge everyone else to see the needs and then provide for them.

I ask God that He would help take the focus off myself everyday so that I can see what He has for me.

28 and feeling great!

2008-03-04T13:00:00.003-06:00

Well...yesterday I clocked another year on the old meter. Up to 28 now, although I don't feel 28 and Lord knows I don't look 28 :) It was a normal day of work but really was a pretty good birthday overall.

I usually get a lot more bent out of shape about my birthday but was pretty low key about all of it...which helps cut back on the stress. The thing about birthdays is that everyone just wants to feel loved and appreciated on their special day. Which is why I think it can be such an emotional day. If you expect too much then you will of course be disappointed and feel unloved. But if you go in with low expectations then anything that happens is a pleasant surprise. I had VERY low expectations for yesterday. I had not even thought about it very much. Everything was very last minute since the last two months all my energy has been spent on the dumb knee and so I had just decided to get together with some friends for dinner not expecting very many people to show.

My first surprise was coming home to change and opening my door to find this...

My friend Sara Beth had hung up string all across my apartment and then 28 cards strung on the string. Each card had a reason why I should be celebrated on my 28th birthday. One of the coolest things anyone has ever done for me. And really anyone who knows me...knows that the thought goes WAY farther then materialism. For instance if a guy was trying to impress me something with thought counts alot more then having someone spend alot of money. So it meant a ton that she actually got me enough to know that. My friend Emily is the other one that is great at stuff like that...and she got me this super cute clutch that is just totally me.

I was just floored that almost all of the people I love dearly were able to make it to dinner. Which just meant the world. And then everyone else called, or emailed, or texted, or sent me a facebook message. It was just great. I was able to go to sleep last night feeling VERY loved so thanks so everyone for cards and messages and thoughts yesterday. And to Robert and the girls, Trav and Elise, SB, Em, Dave, Alan, Jenny, Scottie, Danielle, Jeff and Mary, Dusen, and Ryan. Thanks for taking the time to spend time with me on my special day. I feel very blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. Thanks for buying my dinner Pottie and thanks for the ice cream Ry.

Here's hoping that 28 really is great, a life changing year, where I take the focus off of myself and concentrate on others.

Thanks everyone.

Katie

BLOSSOM

2008-02-27T17:04:00.002-06:00

In my opinionation the sun is gonna surely shine. Where has she been all my life?

tidbits

2008-02-26T12:31:00.002-06:00

Something you might need to youtube. Janet Jackson was on GMA this morning doing her new song but then she took it old school and did "Thats the Way Love Goes" which happens to be one of my all time favorite songs of hers. She let the audience sing most of it because lets be honest...she is no Whitney. But for nostalgia reasons it was great.

It's freezing outside (37 to be exact)...probably dropped 15 degrees since I left my house this morning and it is supposed to snow tomorrow. Does anyone else feel like this has been the never ending winter? Alas...I need SPRING.

God reminded me of my New Years Resolution this morning when I was on my way to work. To be happy with where He has me everyday. I have failed miserably at that but am going to try everyday to get better at contentment. And I needed the reminder today more then ever.

There are two young girls in my life who need your prayers. One of them is Nicki and she is 13 and lives in AZ. And the other is my little Magpie (Maggie) who is 12 and lives in TN. They are both wonderful, vivacious girls who are having major health issues and need prayer.

And lastly... news flash Hannah Montana (miley cyrus) will be filming her new movie here in Middle TN starting in June I believe. Oh the excitement!

Happy Tuesday everyone.

Katie

no words

2008-02-25T23:20:00.003-06:00

I can't put into words what has been happening over the last week or so... Which is why I have been unable to put a post up on here. But I am processing and trying to figure it all out.

In the meantime...

I am walking much better these days and still have pain and stiffness but am getting around much better.

I was thrilled about the big win for Once last night at the Oscars.

My neighbor made the finals of a new country singing show...I hope they need to interview me.

The worst time of year is quickly approaching.

There is a reason why I should never try and dye my own hair.

I never go to bed on time when I need too but always go to bed early when I don't need too.

I saw a very attractive boy at church last night and proceeded to stare at him for the next hour...probably not a very good idea.

I have an amazing friend that spoke into my life greatly last week and I hope I can remember every word she said... should have written it down.

I am tired of trying to find a church I like.

I love American Idol...always have...always will.

Haskell..OUT!

weekend

2008-02-10T23:42:00.000-06:00

Well it has been an interesting weekend to say the least. Filled with lots of time in my bed and on my couch (which also happens to be a bed), watching lots of movies, sleeping alot, and trying to recover not only from surgery but a stupid cold. As I get ready to head back to work tomorrow I am feeling a little better and the knee is hanging in there. I can limp on it, dont have too much mobility, and it is a little sore, but all things are typical. After seeing the doc this Wednesday I am hoping to be on my way to full recovery and back in action soon.

Thanks to all of my friends for hanging out and bringing me food and movies. Sorry if I haven't called you back...I have been trying to recover...I will get to it soon. Thanks for the well wishes.

So I took my first trip outside of the apt by myself on Saturday to get some groceries to make a cake for my friend Ryan's bday. I was hobbling around and wondering why people were staring at me even more then normal. As I got back to my house and was getting out of my car I looked down and saw that my leg was still covered in iodine and dried blood. I had taken a shower earlier for the first time but obviously hadn't gotten everything. What a terd. Hope I didn't scare any small children.

On another note I watched the Grammy's tonight and talked to Jerry almost the entire time through iChat...I wish he was closer. No one better to watch the Grammy's with. I was a little scared by some of the people on stage and their outfits and performances. Jerry and I decided there should be an age limit. No one over 70 should perform. And two quotes from the night...Jerry referred to Aretha Franklin having two toddlers as boobs. And Amy Winehouse giving a shout out to her husband in jail during her acceptance speech...classy. Highlight was Vince Gill calling out Kanye. I LOVED it. Performances...I loved Herbie Hancock, Andrea Boccelli, Alicia Keys (John Mayer), and a few more. Fergie was a hot mess, and Feist looked scared out of her mind, Kid Rock and the old lady were AWFUL.

But what I wouldn't give to be on there myself someday.

Only a few more weeks until the Oscars.

Have a good week everyone.

at home...

2008-02-06T17:18:00.000-06:00

Surgery was successful, I am home, and taking drugs. :) They did a partial removal instead of a repair. So less recovery. Pretty much the 3 days of complete rest and then back at the doctor next wednesday. Thanks for the prayers. Come hangout if you want too. Just call first...so I can make sure I am awake. Peace friends.

Katie

Surgery tomorrow

2008-02-05T12:27:00.000-06:00

Well...tomorrow is the big day. And I would be a liar if I told you I wasn't nervous. I don't think its necessarily the operation but more of the aftermath. Not knowing what the outcome is going to be is probably the hardest thing. Will I be good after a week or so or will it be months. Being proud and independent and controlling...the not knowing and the potential for incapacitation is hard. But God is faithful.

Thanks in advance for all the people who are helping me through this over the next few days. Couldn't do it without you. Also I am a little sick right now as well...but I guess it is a good time for it. Already going to be miserable from the surgery might as well add sickness in there. :)

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9-10

Surgery is Scheduled

2008-01-30T17:48:00.001-06:00

So surgery is officially scheduled for a week from today. 8AM at Baptist (outpatient). Have to be there at 6AM- gross. SB is taking me and picking me up and staying with me most of the night. I appreciate everyone asking if they can help. I could use someone with me most of the weekend so if you have some time free to come by and watch movies and make sure I take my pills then that would be awesome. I live in the Hillsboro/West End area for those that don't know. Thanks in advance.

I am currently praying for strength for women in general. That we would see ourselves the way God does, believe in ourselves the way that God does, and realize that the things we think are weaknesses are actually strengths.

:) Katie

Blessed

2008-01-29T09:30:00.002-06:00

So on my way into work this morning they were playing DC Talk "What If I Stumble". A classic song that took me back to High school driving to youth group in my Mitsubishi Mirage. I had the Jesus Freak Live CD and wore that thing out. Up here in the Christian music world everyone knows that the Jesus Freak tour was the largest tour ever in Christian Music and the thought of DC Talk ever reuniting and doing one last tour makes promoters drool and fans tear up. I just remember it as some of the first Christian music I ever liked on my own that wasn't given to me as a track to sing in Big Church.

I got to go to a free concert at the Basement last night with Ryan and some of his friends...and of course ran into Christie and Gabe and Jordan and a few of the guys from the short lived reality show "Nashville". You can watch it online at fox.com and realize why it never made it. Anywho...it was Katie Herzig and Matthew Perryman Jones and some other guy. If you haven't heard their music go check them out on iTunes. Great songwriters...and were alot of fun to watch. I was sitting there thinking to myself why would I ever think of moving. This wouldn't happen anywhere else. Which is the same thought I had that morning.

Yesterday morning I had a meeting at the Omartian's office which is in the basement of their house...a house which reminds me alot of my Aunt Gloria's who lives next to Babyface-to give you an idea of the size. Anywho...I was walking (hobling) around the studio/office passing my all the records on the wall and awards and magazine covers and was thinking this would never happen anywhere else. I am so blessed to be here. I was particularly amazed that Michael had worked on Tevin Campbell's album which was a favorite back in the day. "Round and Round" was one of his hits in like 1990.

I sent an update on the knee to a few...but the whole thing is just miraculous. People amaze me. The Weed's who of course own and run interlinc. Went to bat BIG TIME for me to get my cobra reinstated. Really just some of the best people around. And of course they didn't take the credit for it. And I have other people like that in my life. Allan who is my hero and basically has allowed for me to have a life here in Nashville. He has given me job opportunity after job opportunity and provided in friendship and mentorship beyond anything I could ask for. Every person I talk to says "Allan Hardin told me about you". Its such a blessing. And Carl and Carlene who have taken me in on more then one occasion and continue to provide friendship and family here. Continuing to push me to follow my dreams and encourage me where I am at. Again...truly blessed. I have gotten emails from volleyball parents and coaches who pray for me and send me devotionals. I have friends who take out my trash and get me groceries and clean my bathroom and call me out on tour to let me know I am missed. Blessed.

I am hoping to get all the insurance stuff processed this week so I can get my surgery scheduled ASAP. They won't know what they are going to do until they get in there. But it will either be a repair or a removal. The repair has longer recovery but the removal will cause early arthritis. Will keep you posted as always. Also the other miraculous thing is I have been asked to come on full time at the Advocate job and hopefully within the next week or so as the insurance stuff gets cleared up we can make that happen. It includes full benefits by the way. I told you...blessed.

Its hard to believe all that has happened in just a month..what a crazy year so far. But I started this year with a resolution...to be ok with where God has me everyday. I was talking to SB about that last week and she posted this...which I have adopted now and read everyday because I think it is perfect for where God has me. Enjoy.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Things I am enjoying right now:
1. Music- the new Leeland album
2. TV- American Gladiators- can anyone say Assault?
3. Movies- really enjoyed 27 Dresses
4. Books- The Alchemist

Be blessed.

Katie

Do you sleep?

2008-01-23T01:13:00.000-06:00

I have had trouble sleeping the last few weeks. Might be knee related, probably more like me related. I stay up most likely because then I don't have to deal with the next day as soon. Its an attempt at hiding from adulthood. Do you ever wish that you would wake up and everything would go away? I think that is why we read books, watch TV, go to movies and plays, listen to music. Its a form of escapism. I have a pile on my counter of people to call, bills to pay, adulthood to face. I ignore it most days.

Speaking of adulthood. I have a big day on Friday...I will be going to the orthopedist. Dr. Lamm. Hopefully this will be where I find out about surgery. I need to know. That is all there is to it. This is beyond annoying and really inconvenient. I am of course praying for the no surgery. I did get some good news today...I got accepted for the COBRA as long as I can pay the last 4 months I missed at once. Almost $1100 and for someone that just lost 4 jobs because of the stupid knee to begin with that is alot of money. So I ask for your prayers for that as well but if God brought the opportunity for insurance when it looked very bleak thanks to Mr. Lawrence then He will provide in every other way.

I get sick of talking about my knee or broken leg as ignorant people call it. As my friend SB says it is a drama free story and nobody likes a drama free story. So I have started to come up with more drama filled ideas. Like...I was saving children from a burning house in Africa. You know things that pull on the heart strings.

I did take a trip to Cali this weekend and swallowed a large pill of pride as I was pushed around in a wheelchair. But had an amazing time with the Rach, Kara, and Mandy. Fabulously fun girls who made me laugh and laughed at my dumb attempts at humor and made me forget that I have one leg currently. It was good to get away even for a day. We did have quite the interesting trip... too much to even start to explain.

To steal from SB here are some of my favorite things right now:

1. Friends
2. Watching TV online (Gossip Girl, Pushing Daisies, and Samantha Who)
3. The movie "Camp" forgot how much I love it
4. Not talking about my knee
5. The guys at work...because they make me laugh
6. Reading up on tweens for work (i used to know JB but now they are on Ellen and I can't relate)
7. Psalms (its the reading for right now)
8. Sermons online
9. Staying up late and worrying about everything
10. EMBRACING ALL THE GOOD.

Peace and get some sleep.

Katie

Slowing Down

2008-01-12T12:05:00.000-06:00

Well, don't ever let me be the one who says I know better then God, because it would be a complete and total lie. As much as He does things in ways that are difficult for us it still serves a greater purpose. About a week ago I injured my knee coaching volleyball after probably aggravating it the day before with a run. The first reaction I had was "not now" I can't handle this right now. I was leaving the next day for a work trip and had work lined up for days without a day off and just couldn't afford it. But again God has a different plan. I went to the ER that night and found out what I already knew which was that it was a traumatic knee injury. I had to cancel my trip and figure out what I was going to do because the other curve ball was...I didn't have health insurance. I had the option of picking up COBRA before but couldn't afford it quite yet and was waiting to get the jobs in order before I picked it up. And of course I had missed the 60 day window for it.

So thus I set out on making phone call after phone call trying to find some options. I finally called this place I had seen behind Baptist Hospital called Faith Family Medical Clinic. They are a medical facility who work on providing care for people with a job but no health insurance. It was right up my alley. They have been a blessing. Finding me an MRI in 2 days that cost me $250. Which is insane for an MRI. And now are setting me up with an orthopedist next week to discuss my surgery options.

I have found out post MRI that I have torn my lateral and medial meniscus. So since this is new territory for me I will have to see what he suggests. Surgery will still cost me some money but I know that like before the Lord will continue to provide.

I have had to leave coaching officially, and of course can't travel, or nanny. So have alot more free time then I have grown used too. I am trying to figure out what is best for that time now that the stresses of the injury are over. I am going to work on guitar and writing, catch up on some reading, and continue to read through the Psalms while sitting here the next few weeks. Maybe that is what God intended.

Thanks for your prayers, thanks to friends who are getting me groceries, and cleaning my house, and taking down my Xmas decorations. It has been a blessing. Pray for a speedy recovery and that God would continue to work out the details. Thanks everyone.

Blessings to you all,

Katie

embracing life and the new year

2007-12-29T18:55:00.000-06:00

I think I can safely say that 2007 hasn't been the best year of my life. But definitely not the worst. Life has been continually plagued with questions and doubts which thus far can sum up my 20's as a whole. What should I be doing with my life? Am I doing what God wants me too? Should I be here or should I move? Did I really hear God or was that just pretend. Its constant and I have found no end to any of it. I never feel complacent or comfortable which I guess could be an ok thing.

I currently am questioning where I am in life. Here in Nashville. The last few months have been some of the hardest I have had here. Feelings of uncertainty, lonliness, questioning. I started this journey a few months ago...so excited for something new and different. So excited about where God was going to take me. But in everything....I have lost all of that newness...all of that excitement. And have felt like I have taken steps back instead of steps forward. I continue to not know where God wants me...what He wants me to do. I question my life everyday. Lost without stability in friendships or in life. So of course what do you do? You seek after the only thing that has brought you stability. Asking for help...direction?? Anything?? I have prayed for stable relationships here, prayed for direction in my jobs, in music. If anything the Lord has blessed me here with amazing mentors and "family".

I spent Xmas with Carl and Carlene and Emily and her family and Mere and her family. And found myself feeling very blessed by such people who would invite me into their home on a very special day. But I still came home to an empty house that felt lacking. I wonder if this is all a part of this age and stage in life. Where you just never feel quite right. Constantly trying to improve on yourself and your situation.

But I spent time reading Jeremiah last night and writing in my journal and praying and felt better after and woke up feeling a little better. But as I sit here at Fido...I still feel lacking.

I am hoping that the New Year will bring more answers and less questions. More time with people and less time alone. More time singing and less time talking about it. More time saving and less time spending. More time being thankful and less time being ungrateful.

I promise that the next blog will be more about the good things in life...but at least tonight...I needed to be vulnerable, honest, and open. So there it is...me. Can't really apologize for it...can you?

Blessings in the New Year to all of you,

Katie

BACK IN THE FLA!

2007-12-20T09:50:00.000-06:00

Well...I am back in FL. Flew in late last night. Poor dad had to pick me up after midnight. But here I am and can I just say I forgot how sunny it was here. I walked out the door this morning and could barely open my eyes. It made me miss it for a little bit. And of course driving over the bridge last night made me miss it as well. For those who are unfamiliar with the Tampa Bay area. When you fly into Tampa you are on one side of the bay and in order to get to Clearwater you have to go to the other side. Thus having to cross one of the three bridges. We take the Howard Franklin and it is for the locals a pain usually. But when you haven't been here in forever...crossing the bridge is a beautiful thing. Seeing all the water...

Anyway. Here for a few days. Looking forward to seeing old friends and being around family. And giving gifts. I love giving gifts. :) Just wish I was really rich so I could give really awesome ones.

Take care everyone as you travel during the holidays. Be patient...you know there will be traffic, you know there will be delays. Its part of the beauty of Christmas. I think that we have really turned it into exactly what God was hoping we would when he sent His Son to earth. That is sarcasm btw. :)

Blessings,

Katie

Tomb of the Unknown Solider

2007-12-11T10:27:00.000-06:00

First off...changed the profile picture. Thought it was more fitting to my life. Its a shot from my computer while I was sitting in one of many hotel rooms. I have decided that at the end of this year within the next few weeks I am going to make a list of everywhere I have been this year and also a list of all the concerts I have been too.

I went to a good one last night at the Rutledge...it was my old friend Jon Ralston and a band called the Modern Skirts who I guess everyone has heard of except me. But if you haven't they were great. Check em out if you get a chance and of course Jon has always been great and even played an old song from when he was in a band called Legends of Rodeo. Made my night.

An update on me:
I have been working alot the last 2 weeks and somehow am still as poor as a church mouse. Who knows how that works out... but hopefully not for long. I have stalled on the music because of busyness and not feeling creative. But have been in a good place emotionally. Spritually I feel like I need to have my butt kicked...not because I am not praying and not going to church but because I am not delving into the Word like I should. Pouring myself into it like I should. Meditating on it. Which I think if I did would then allow me to feel more creative in the other areas of my life.

I did have a wonderful weekend with 2 wonderful girls who came to visit from Dallas. We did the typical tourist stuff but had a blast and I greatly enjoyed their company.

I am getting ready to leave next week for Florida to visit and couldn't be more excited to see my friends and family and especially Leslie's little baby...Kennedy.

An update on mom:
She has been offered 3 night classes to teach this coming semester in Lynchburg so that is another big answer to prayer...so if we can just get her a little more money and some health benefits we will be ready to rock. Thanks for your continued prayers.

This blog is dedicated to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or the people in my life who have meant so much and done so much but maybe I haven't vocalized it. So thank you all...for encouragement, prayers, laughter, free meals, everything.

I will be here in Nashville during Christmas so if you are going to be here let me know.

Blessings,

Katie

more updates and thoughts on life

2007-12-05T10:50:00.000-06:00

Well...here we are hump day again.

Sitting in panera enjoying their free wifi. Gotta love it.

There is a new panera on West End for all of you Nashvegas kids..just FYI.

Well this past weekend concluded Revolve for 2007 which means I am home for 18 days straight until I leave for FL for the holidays. It is pure bliss to be able to have a home base for a little bit. It has been a crazy week so far between all the millions of jobs I have currently...but have been able to slow down a bit today. I am blessed to have these job opportunities and so I am happy with the busy part of it.

I have also been very blessed by friends again. And have been in a really good place the last week. My new friend Danielle and I drove to and from Atlanta this weekend and had some really good chats. I so appreciate people who are open and vulnerable and love to talk about life and Jesus and also can be fun and silly. My friend Jason and I went and saw Fred Claus on Sunday night...I don't suggest it at all. Save your money. But we still had fun especially at Cracker Barrell...I have never seen a more dedicated person to beating that tee game. And then Scottie and I went to Kelly Clarkson on Monday night at the Ryman. She kicked butt and sang a few Patty Griffin songs which made me extra happy. And being around Scottie is like being around family. He is such a good soul.

As my friends I ask that you would continue to push me to follow my dreams...sometimes we all need a kick in the butt and I do on a regular basis. Also I continue to ask for your prayers for mom. She has an interview today at a college in Lynchburg.

thankful

2007-11-28T09:09:00.000-06:00

Well...who would have thunk it? But it was a really good day yesterday. And like I have said in previous posts I don't really like to harp on bad things because who wants to read that stuff...so here is some good stuff.

I have a possible wonderful job opportunity..two fold really. I am going to work at this little retail place in Green Hills...should be something different and fun I think. And then there is another part time opportunity in the works as well which I will keep you posted about. I have the last Revolve Tour date for 2007 this weekend and I am happy. Plus I will be back by Saturday night so won't be totally out of the loop of life here. I have also been able to have some really good friend time with the people in my life that know me, understand me, build me up, etc. I had a phone call from my friend Ryan on Sunday night at the most perfect time. When I needed a friend the most. I got to spend time with Kat and ran into Em and hungout with the Watkins boys and learned some more guitar stuff, and hungout with the Arnolds and learn more guitar stuff, and actually had friends ask to hangout with me...which in case you didn't know is the way to my heart. Being pursued makes me feel like people really want to be my friend instead of me feeling like I am always trying to get people to be around me. Its all in my head I am aware but it is nice to come back in town and have people want to be around you instead of tell you that you are away too much and so they have moved on and replaced you. Which is so ridiculous.

So I am thankful to God for the people around me. Who love me, and tell me I can do this music thing, and provide ways for me to make money in the meantime, and help me with guitar, and make me laugh, and call me when I am desperate need of someone.

I am blessed...please pray for tomorrow. I will tell you why another time. :)

And mom might have some good news headed her way as well...so keep on praying.

Back in town on Saturday night...call me. :)

Katie

I wish it were sunny so I would be sunny...

2007-11-25T11:36:00.000-06:00

I try to write blogs when I am in a happy state...or at least optimistic. So that it doesn't come off as woe is me...feel bad for me...blah, blah, blah. It reads a little pathetic. And I think that really there are some things I should be thankful for in my life. It being right after Thanksgiving and all. And so I think that before I give a quick update of life, love, and other mysteries I should write out what I am thankful for...

Thanks...
1. For God loving me
2. For Family
3. For a place to call home
4. For friends that encourage me to follow my dreams
5. For mentors who keep me grounded
6. For job opportunities that will pay my bills
7. For God blessing me with talents and brains
8. For a computer and a car that works most of the time
9. For health for me and those around me
10. For creativity and love...because they get me through

So as you can see there are many things that get me through...many blessings in my life that I am sooo thankful to God for. But there are some times that you get so frustrated with life. It not working out the way you thought it would, hoped it would, dreamed it would, prayed it would. Those are the days like today where you fight. You fight for every good thought, every smiile, every positive thing. You fight for it...because you refuse to let it all get you down. You refuse to be a victim.

I am trying to fight...fight to remind myself everyday that I know that the Lord spoke to me that day and asked me to trust Him and trust Him I will. That He said over and over again in His word "Do not be afraid" and so I won't. That He promised that He will never give us anything we cannot handle but when we do feel overwhelmed he will provide a way for us to stand up underneath it.

So I will continue to fight everyday...reminding myself of who I am , who God created me to be, that I am loved and cared for and that the plans He has before me are more than I could of ever hoped or imagined. I will fight for my family and my friends, and for myself.

I continue to ask for your prayer for me and my mom. As she got another round of discouraging news about the job situation. But took it in stride which is all you can ask at this stage.

Trust and obey for there is not other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey....

Amen.

Updates

2007-11-09T23:00:00.000-06:00

As I sit in Memphis on yes another layover…I am thankful. I just got off the phone with my mom and she has been offered a part time position with a childcare facility in Lynchburg that she has been working at a few hours a week already. It is in a homeless shelter and is a very different situation but the biggest blessing about this opportunity is that they will provide benefits. It would start on December 1st and they still need full approval from the board but it looks promising. She is still continuing her contract job and if she could pick up one or two more contract jobs she would be good to go. But this is a HUGE answer to prayer (especially the benefits part) and so I feel like praising God for what He has provided is needed.

God continues to work and no it’s not in our timing and no it doesn’t look the way we thought it would. But He is the one in charge and the one in control. And trusting that He always knows best for us and the people we love is a concept we probably never fully fathom.

As for me I still am in what I am calling the “waiting room”. I am reading a Sue Monk Kidd book right now (that I left on the plane the other day) that talks about a period in her life when she was waiting on the Lord but she struggled with feeling like she wasn’t doing what God wanted because she wasn’t really doing anything. But what she realized was that God was keeping her in this “cocoon” stage and if she were to leave early her wings would not be full-grown. And that the “waiting” was the most important thing she could be doing for God. Because she was learning and growing into the person He needed her to be. I feel like that is where I am. In the cocoon… waiting. And yes I am scared and not at peace about it any of the time if I am honest with. Because I can’t see how it is going to work out. But I pray daily that I will be able to trust and have the faith that is talked about in Hebrews.

Tangibly I am currently trying to figure out what to do for December and January money wise since the Revolve Tour is on hiatus during that time. So I would beseech your prayers on that.

But I know that there are two things in my life I have always loved the most…music and working with students. And I feel like those are two areas where God has gifted me. And I am trying to be better about intentional prayers and specific prayers and dreaming big and actually thinking that those dreams could actually happen. Instead of just saying help…which is how I have been throwing my arms up as of late; out of laziness and a lack of knowing what to say…what to ask for, what to dream.

But as much as I am tired and worn out because of the constant travel…I feel good about where I am and more importantly the steps I am taking in my life to try and be the best possible version of myself not because God will only use that version but because I want to give Him and everyone else the best possible version of me.

Some of the things I am working through have to do with this HUGE transition period I am in currently. New job, new place to live, new town, new schedule, new church, new friends…there are different things all around me and it has affected me more then I ever thought it would. When I am free during the week my friends are working and when they are free I am out of town.

As I have said before…when you travel a lot you still expect everyone to be so excited each time you come home with signs and streamers. But they are going about their lives as normal and are busy and really didn’t notice that you were gone or that you are back and they get used to you not being around so they just assume that you aren’t there and stop inviting you to things and they think you wouldn’t want to do anything anyway. Sounds like a vicious cycle in a selfish life. But that is how it feels…so being ok with loneliness and being by myself, and reassuring myself that I do have friends and family that love me dearly is a constant struggle. That my happiness does not rise and set on them is another tough one. We were built for relationships and when you spend the main part of your life in airports and on planes and in hotels. Your relationships are with the people next to you on the plane, the cab drivers, shuttle drivers, flight attendants, Hudson News counter people, the millions of baristas at Starbucks all across the country, the people you meet standing in the millions lines like checking in at the hotel, going through security, boarding the planes, etc. Those are the people you see everyday…the people you share your life with but who don’t really know you…not like the people you so desperately miss at home. The people who know all of you and like you even if you recline your seat right into their lap, don’t take your shoes and belt off in .2 seconds, or if you fell asleep on their shoulder leaving behind a puddle of drool.

Love to you all...thanks for being people I can drool on. Mall of America here I come.

Grace and Peace be with you…

Katie

BEYOND TIRED

2007-10-19T21:16:00.000-05:00

I have been seriously slacking on my blog posts. As usual...

I am beyond tired right now. Tired of travel, tired of being away, tired of waking up at 4AM and then working 18 hour days. I feel like I haven't had a real break...a time of renewal. I am just always going...and at the end of the day sometimes I am not even sure what I have accomplished. You know those kind of days?

I have next weekend off...my first weekend off in 7 weeks but a aprt of me thinks that it will fly by and I won't even realize where it went. It will just be a big blur of activity and really my dream would be to stay in my apartment all weekend and watch movies. Maybe that would last for a night before I got really lonely...lets be honest.

4 more conferences and then I am done until the New Year. Praise Jesus!

But I do love my weekend family...all of the friends I have made here...all the girls and youth leaders and moms I get to meet each week and hear about their lives and just hangout with them. I am truly blessed. I will write more about what is going on with my life when I get back. And when I have had more then 3 hours of sleep.

Until then...

His strength is perfect

2007-09-24T11:25:00.001-05:00

You know its hard sometimes to understand why things happen the way they do? Why some people's lives seem easy and blessed? Why maybe yours or the people around you have lives full of nothing but hardship and challenge. These are a part of those questions that are never answered, never understood, but oh so frustrating.

On late Thursday night my sister called me to tell me that our mom had been asked to leave her job. My mouth dropped and really kind of thought I had heard her wrong. Mom had just started the job on Monday, it was only 4 days later. All Jen knew was that they didn't think it was going to be a good fit and so they asked her to leave and she took the last train home to Lynchburg. All I could think of were a few choice words. I had thought that all of our prayers these last few months had been answered. I thought we were finally done with all of this...the silver lining.

My heart sank, I fought back tears, and then anger sat in. Why does this continue to happen to my mother...the most wonderful person in the world. It is just not fair. I really didn't know what to do other then to kind of avoid it because everytime I thought about it I wanted to throw up. So luckily I was leaving for Dallas the next morning to go on a work trip. I maintained a busy schedule there and tried to not think about it but this is what kept coming up in my heart.

God must have really not wanted mom not to be in DC...He sure did make that very apparent. Here is truth but oh so hard to really understand. His ways are better then ours, He does know what is best for us more then we do for ourselves or the people around us. That is such a hard concept for someone like me who thinks I always know best. And I have to swallow a big pill of Pride everytime I am wrong.

I am still frustrated, still angry, still scared, for my mom. But this is what I do know. I pray that He will put her where He does want her and in the meantime provide her with strength and the financial means to make it until then. And more then anything that He will wrap His arms around her and provide her with the LOVE that only He can give.

Because God's love never fails. I thought of a hymn this morning during prayer that provided me with comfort. Of course the CeCe Winans version is what went through my head since mom loves her most.

"His strength is perfect when our strength is gone. He'll carry us when we can't carry on. Raised in His power the weak become strong. His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect."

Amen...so be it.

MOM GETS A JOB!

2007-09-13T15:01:00.000-05:00

Mom has officially accepted the position in DC and starts on Monday! Total answer to prayer. She has not found a place to live yet but feels confident that will come soon. Thanks for your prayers.

STAGES

2007-09-06T15:36:00.000-05:00

I know that I have been slacking on the whole blogging thing as of late. I guess like most things in my life it goes in stages.

Here are some of the stages I have come to recognize in myself. Food stages....sometimes I will eat the same thing everyday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Yogurt with granola for breakfast, tuna for lunch, smoothie for dinner...that is usually the way that stage goes. Or I will go through a stage where all I want to eat are donuts and ice cream. Not my best stage. Sometimes I go through stages where I don't want to eat anything at all and the very thought or smell of food repulses me.

I also have emotional stages (post meds)...sometimes I do really well and want to be alone, independent, and am fine with who I am and what the world has in store for me. And then there are times when the loneliness overwhelms me...where all I can think of is how I have no friends and no one that loves me (which I know is not true). I will pine for people to hangout with me and then as soon as they return my call I will want to be alone. During some emotional stages I look at people around me and will want what they have companionship, love, babies...whatever it is that I feel like is missing from my life.

Another stage I go through are stages of fitness. Sometimes I will workout everyday practically between the gym, running, and playing volleyball...and then there are those times when you couldn't pay me to get out of bed to go get some exercise.

There are stages where I am feeling really creative and all I will want to do is play the guitar and write music. I will constantly be journaling and thinking of ideas and feeling really good about everything musically. And then there are times when I won't sing, write, or practice the guitar because the fear of failure stifles me.

There are also stages of travel, which I was talking about with my friend Ryan. I travel quite a bit as most of you know and the next 7 weekends I am on the road. I love it...love airports and meeting new people and being in new places and being away in general. Being away means you don't have to deal with your life here. But when you finally do get back in town you now have to balance wanting to be around your friends but also dealing with the fact that their world does not stop and start for you. Ryan and I were both gone alot this summer and we have found that now we are back people are so used to us not being around that they don't invite as much, I think they assume that we won't be able to be there. And we assume that things will just pick up where they left off.

Lastly is the God stage. We as Christians all refer to this stage as peaks and valleys. I don't think that is the best way of looking at it. I feel like that we go through different stages with God depending on our needs. I am not saying that is right or wrong but that is what is honest in my life. Let me expound...there could be a really crazy and hard time in my life and then I need God to take control and tell me everything will be ok. There are times when I am so angry and frustrated with God that I just want to yell and swear and shake my fist. There are times when I feel so alone and unloved that I need God to be so near to me and hold me in His arms and comfort me and tell me that He loves me. There are times when I am feeling rebellious and want to get away from God and hide and hope He doesn’t see me and fulfill every sinful pleasure within me…at these times I need Him to leave me alone and not fill me with guilt. Good or bad, right or wrong, I don’t know…but that is the truth within me.

Stages are a part of life and right now I am in a whole new one. One that consists of trying to live out one’s dreams, trying to fulfill a part of what you think God has created you to be. It is exciting and scary! But I think part of it is that when you open yourself up and trust then things seem to fall in place. Not always how and when you think they should but they do. For instance… I am so busy right now between volleyball, nannying, interlinc, the Revolve Tour, and music that I don’t have time to breathe…but I am doing all aspects of what I love. And since I stopped worrying about how it was going to look things started coming available. The most random and wonderful things. So I thank you for your prayers and for your support. I am planning on having a commissioning service at the end of September to kind of update everyone and have a time of prayer. So I will keep you posted of when and where that is. Love to you all.

Sidenote: Please continue to keep mom in your prayers. She has not “officially” accepted the job in DC because she hasn’t found a place to live yet. So she is back up there again next week trying to find something affordable that she loves. Thanks again. ☺

Interview for Mom

2007-08-21T17:07:00.000-05:00

Just got off the phone with mom and she has taken an interview tomorrow in Washington DC for a brand new center that is still run through Bright Horizon's. They want her to possibly come and open this new center that will be under the Securities and Trade Commision. Please pray for her travel up there tomorrow morning as she will be taking the Metro into the city and for her interview of course. We Haskell's love to pray that God would open the doors that need to be opened and close the ones that need to be closed. Obviously this door has been opened for her now we just need to ask that Lord to close any that need to be closed and to make it apparent to Mom if this is where He wants her to be or not. Thanks in advance for your prayers.

Katie

Global Warming

2007-08-15T09:42:00.000-05:00

For those that have a hard time believing that global warming is for real you need to come to TN right now. We have had over 100 degree days for the past few weeks. 103 yesterday and is supposed to be 105 today. It hasn't been that bad for me personally since I spend the bulk of my day indoors. But there have been over 20 deaths here blamed for the heat because of course not everyone has AC. Also I have had to step it up and water the plants twice a day because I am so paranoid that they will all die in this heat. I can already tell that the ferns on the front porch have taken the brunt of it. Poor things.

On a cooler note...starbucks and icees make the world a better place. As much as I try and live without them because sugar and caffeine are so bad for you I can never quite stay away. My friend Kindra and I talked over the weekend about how we both needed to stay away from the pick me ups. And we both have crumbled time and time again this week. They really do make it a little easier to get up in the morning or get over that 3PM hump. Dadgum you starbucks and your tasty beverages.

I am officially signing my lease on Friday and will be a resident of the lovely area of Green Hills/Hillsboro Village in Nashville. And no one is more excited about this then my friend Jared since we will now be neighbors and I think he has visions of me cooking and doing his laundry for him which we all know I don't even do those things for myself. I plan on stealing his cable.

We had a going away party for Meredith last night at Shogun, which is a great restaurant for parties by the way. It was a blast and she is just my heart. And I am so proud of the woman she is and so excited to see the woman she becomes at school. She is going to rock Lee University...I don't think they are ready.

Two more work days and then I will be back at the pool.

This one is for mom...

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are acheiving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Happy Hump Day!

Katie

Sun and Icee's

2007-08-10T15:19:00.000-05:00

It was 104 degrees here yesterday. And to be honest I didn't really notice. Today it is about 99. Call me crazy but I have enjoyed it. (there is only like 30% humidity and in FL we are used to WAY worse) I went outside about 2PM today and ate my tuna fish sandwich while sitting directly in the sun. It was absolutely delightful.

I have been enjoying summer days at the office by going down to the Shell station (one of the only places within 15 minutes) and getting an icee. The machine has been broken on and off all summer. But has been holding on like a champ this week. They only have large cups left so I made the sacrifice the last two days and got a big one.

So there I was sitting on a swivel chair in the parking lot at work, eating a tuna fish sandwich and drinking an icee. Happy as a clam. And then all of the happiness went away when I had to come back inside and sit in front of the computer and type up activity reports.

But I am clinging to the fact that my butt will be sitting at the pool all day tomorrow, drinking icee's, and knocking kids over so I can have my turn going down the waterslide. Oh the joys of finally having a Saturday off with nothing to do. I can't stinking wait!!

Sidenote: Say a prayer that I don't kill Carlene's plants or I will have to find a new place to live. :) Happy Weekend!

katie

thoughts and updates

2007-08-09T15:03:00.000-05:00

Well...

This will be my post-interlinc way of keeping in touch I guess.

The current updates are that I am pursuing a few options for ways to make money and praying hard everyday that something will work out above and beyond anything I could have hoped or imagined.

I am living with wonderful friends Carl and Carlene Robinson who have been gracious enough to allow me to bunk in their Garage Apt for a few weeks and I am watering their plants while they are out of town and crossing my fingers that none of them die because of my lack of a green thumb.

The biggest piece of news is that I am have finally decided to pursue my first love of music. I think I have been scared and aprehensive to do that in the past because of a lack of confidence and a fear of failure. But I am trusting that the biggest failure would be to never try. I have missed leading worship and singing on a regular basis and being involved in students and other people's lives through all of that. I crave those relationships and have learned so much through alot of travel this summer how much I love interacting with students and listening to them and giving lots of high fives and pounds and peace signs.

My friend Bennie and his mom and dad and their church family in Hartsville have been so encouraging and supportive of me. Giving me a platform and a place to sing and feel comfortable anytime I want. I have had so many friends here offer me meals, places to stay, encouraging words, wonderful advice, and prayers of course. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.

On another note my mother is still without a job and we all are trying to be faithful in trusting that God is in control and will provide for her. I continue to ask for your prayers for her. And that a miracle would come her way soon. I wrote Oprah an email today so maybe that might help. :)

But more than anything I praise the Lord for the amazing people He has placed in my life over the years. I have been so lucky to have the most amazing friends, mentors, teachers, coaches, and family. Who support and love me even though I am highly unlovable most of the time. So thank you. Love to you all.

Katie

lets see...

2007-08-08T17:15:00.000-05:00

So we are trying this out and seeing how it goes. Testing...testing...one...two. More to come soon. Just need a chance to think it all through.