Decorating Tips...

We sold our couches this afternoon thanks to Craigslist....yes there are some positive things that can come of that site. A couple from 45 miles south of Louisville came up this evening and bought my old couches. One woman's trash is another woman's treasure. I have to admit I nearly shed a tear as they pulled away. Those couches had been with me since I moved out of my parents' house in 2000 and they belonged to my parents for years before that. I called Kristen as soon as the people left and she asked me if I cried. (She does know me well.) It did feel like it was losing one more little piece of "home." I was surprised that I felt that way because I have been talking about how hideous I think they are for years. Emotions are funny with their timing.

So...onto the new couches. I pretty much know what I want but I thought I would throw out the opportunity to get some advice. below is a picture of my living room with the old couches and then with the empty holes left. I'm thinking beige/neutral with red accent pillows to bring out the red accents all around our living room and kitchen, but what do you think???????

Weekend

Friday: Jonathon and I made a date out of seeing the new Terminator movie followed by dinner at Dairy Queen. I always have a blast hanging out with Jonathon. He's quiet most of the time when he's around but you would never guess how funny he is. He's so witty and he makes me giggle non-stop. :)

Saturday: Jonathon and I CLEANED. All my laundry is caught up, the kitchen is scrubbed down, and I organized some important papers. We had a bird camping out in the grill again this spring so Jonathon evicted them. I'm not sure how he did it. I didn't want to know. :( We have to get a grill cover to keep the birds out next year.

We also celebrated our friend Michelle's 30th birthday. Tons of fun! We went to Rocky's for dinner then spent some time on 4th Street. We decided to take pics on the river.

Jonathon and I... (I am in serious need of a haircut!)

Heather and Craig... Lookin' cool...

Michelle and Russell...Her dress was super cute!

The ladies....

I don't know why I didn't get a shot of Lindsey and Tim???? Or Jeremy????


Sunday: We were poised and ready for church but then we got the call from my sister that our friend Sarah needed help moving. She's pregnant and has lost two babies already and Kristen was worried if she didn't have enough help she would overdo it. We took the truck over and helped get them moved. Their new house is beautiful!! I wish I had taken my camera. Jonathon and I added a few of their design aspects to our "wish list" of a house.

We got home in time for Jonathon to start packing up for his ride back to London, Ky for the week. Our friend Travis stopped by for a visit and invited us to a Riverbats game. Jonathon couldn't go but I went on and had a great time. It was fun to get a chance to hang out with his wife Megan. I haven't known her very long but I really like her. :)

Today was supposed to be the Annual Karen Hooser Golf Classic but is was raining so we postponed it. There's still going to be a cookout this afternoon with some indoor game playing but we'll have to wait to find out who the 2009 winner is this year.

What a full weekend!

To-do List....

The "to-do list" is the answer to may prayers. I made a huge one today and I've marked everything except two things off of it already. It's only 4:15!!! I can start working on tomorrow's list of things to do now. This makes me think it's all possible......Thank you God for organization skills!!!

Three Weeks

There are three weeks left of school and three weeks until I leave for my big trip. The stress of everything is hitting me tonight. There are bazillion things that I need to get accomplished in the next 21 days. Will I be able to get it all done?????

Slow down...take deep breaths....and take one day at a time. If you see me on the edge over the next three weeks, remind me of those three steps!!

AAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

The To-Do List:
-Organize the Relay for Life team for JJ and get everything ready to go for the big event that will take place a week after I leave. This includes holding two fund raising events in the next two weeks and getting all of our donated funds turned in....oh and pick up the team t-shirts.
-Finish up the final assignments with the kiddos then get through or organize: Field Day, 5th Grade Summer Olympics, a Talent Show, and a Graduation Ceremony.
-Make a video for our 5th graders
-Clean and organize my classroom.
-Clean and organize my house.
-Purchase all my travel items.
-Pack for Africa....keeping everything I need to donate/use for 6 weeks within two 50lb. suit cases. It's not easy.
-Get around to some friends and family before I leave.
-Watch Chris and Kristen get remarried and take them to dinner.
-Celebrate my friend Michelle's 30th!
-Got to Lexington with Jonathon for a little reunion.
-Ummm....I think that's it.....I'm sure there's one or five things I'm forgetting about it.

My head is spinning......I heading to bed so I can start EVERYTHING tomorrow....

Happy Mother's Day

I've decided that as long as I'm a blogger I will share one of my favorite memories about my mom on Mother's Day.....

Mom LOVED to entertain with food. She was an excellent cook and I so wish I had paid more attention to her culinary skills when I was younger. She had a side business of catering weddings and anniversary parties. It was a family thing and we all loved it. She would give Kristen and I a cut of the profits from each wedding and it paid pretty well. It was always her dream to have a full-time catering business. We were looking into grants for women business owners for a while but as her health failed it was put on the back burner. I loved those times in the kitchen with her. We all had our departments to take care of. I was the sandwich maker....how can you mess up sandwiches, right?!

The night before I graduated from IU I had a dream about her. She had passed away the summer before my last year there but in my dream it was the day of my graduation party and my mom was there. We were all in the kitchen doing our catering duties and preparing for the guests to arrive. In my dream I knew my mom was not alive anymore but didn't understand why nobody else was freaking out about it. My dream ended with us sitting on the couch, watching TV before our guests arrived. On the TV was a commercial for funeral caskets. My thoughts were "Oh, that's not as pretty as the casket we had for Mom." I instantly looked at her and she said, "Karen, don't think about sad things. Just enjoy our time together." It was like God gave me the gift of that dream. Everything about the graduation party in my dream went like it would have if she had been there. I got to experience it anyway.

I miss those times in the kitchen with her and I will cherish those memories forever. Everytime I entertain for showers or small get togethers at my house I try to arrange little plates of food and I always think, "My momma taught me how to throw a party!"

Busy Saturday

Jonathon and I slept in this morning. It was so very nice! He didn't get home until late last night so we decided to have "date afternoon" by going to see the new X-Men movie at noon today. He spent the rest of the afternoon and evening fixing a few small things with our "new to us" car. He wanted to check a bunch of little things so he felt comfortable having me drive it around. He offered for me to take his truck and he would drive the older car, but I like smaller vehicles. I would be so nervous driving that truck around.

Jonathon stayed home to take care of some business and I went on to our Music for Malawi concert. We had a low turnout but honestly, it was so much fun hearing the worship music that it doesn't matter. I think we will break even on the event so I'm just glad the thirty or so people who came out had a great time. I also got to do some brainstorming with a few people about some opportunities to think about. Hmmm.....

Overall it was a great Saturday. Now it's time to put the pjs on and relax....

If you don't have plans...

think about coming to our Malawi mission fund worship concert. The info is listed above. We will have pizza/nachos/popcorn on sale for dinner/snacking.. The concert is free and the concessions/love offerings will go to benefit the mission trip I'm going on to Africa this summer.

I know it's a busy time but if you find yourself in Charlestown tonight....come by. For those who are worried about not being able to give....I mostly want this to be a fun night for worship and wholesome fun. Just stop by to hear a couple songs if you like. :)

The band covers a lot of music like Third Day and Casting Crowns...