Remember

Stiemy and I just exchanged a couple of emails and a quick phone call. My email subject was "Remember". I was sending him details that I was reminding him to take care of. When he called he thought at first glance of "Remember" that I was referring to "remember one year ago today."


One year ago today, our lives changed forever. He interviewed for a job that would offer him a completely new career and send our family in a totally new and different direction. He got it and made the call to me that said "are you ready to move?" I still get that I-want-to-throw-up feeling when I think back to it. Now, 12 months later we have made the jump to another part of the state and in some ways our old life seems so long ago. There is so much that I do miss about our old live, mostly my friends...well, only that (and maybe Target)!

"Dear Lord, thank you for presenting Stiemy with the opportunity

and the courage to go for it. You closed so many doors and windows on our

journey to that point. We knew when that door flew open, it is where You wanted us.

Please continue to guide us in the direction that You want us to go. Amen"

So today, I am now "remembering- one year ago" and I'm a more than a little sentimental!

A Comparison

It seems that on a daily basis, my girls tell me "Mama, we are going to do everything you ask us to, use our manners and be so good from now on!" How long does it last about as long as it takes for one of them to take stickers away from the other!



As I listened to this solemn promise again during Spring Break it hit me! Is this really any different than our daily promise to God? "Dear Lord, help me to do all you want me to do and keep me from evil. Please forgive me of all my many sins and help me to be more like Him."



Daily He forgive us and daily we mess up again. Again, I am reminded how similar God's love is to my love for my girls.



Dear God, thank you for forgiving us daily. Please grant me with the same patience and forgiveness.

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

Three weeks ago on a trip to Las Vegas for work, I needed new reading material. So, I shopped around (in the ATL) and read different book reviews to find the perfect new read. I stumbled across The Postmistress and I had not heard of it or the author. What grabbed me was this on the cover:

“I’m telling everyone I know to read this book.”-Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help.

Kathryn Stockett wrote possibly one of my favorite books of all times. I totally fell in love with all the characters and still wish I could find a Minnie to come live with me in Mississippi. So, after reading Kathryn Stockett recommended it, I was sold on the overpriced book in the ATL bookstore!

Honestly, I pushed my way through it and none of the characters really grabbed me (like Minnie). MSKS gave me the book The Sanctuary of Outcasts and I was really eager to get started on it. Finally last night I read the last pages of The Postmistress. While Stiemy tried to ask me questions about what I was reading (don’t you love when someone is trying to talk to you and you are trying to finish a book?) Of course, by the title he was convinced (or maybe just irritating me) I was reading some trashy love story about a “mistress”. I tried to explain to him the setting was during WWII (World War 2 not Weight Watchers) and the postmistress is the lady that ran the small post office. He was not convinced, men!

There were several different key characters in the story. A doctor and his wife, a female war correspondent (that’s what we call them today), a paranoid man worried the Germans were going to invade America and The Postmistress. Of course, in the end all these characters evolved and came into each other’s life. Although, this was strictly fiction there were parts that were true and historic. Several of Edward Murrow’s radio broadcasts were quoted, the Jews were under horrible scrutiny and being forced to leave their homes.

I believe one of the key points to Sarah Blake’s story was that while all these horrible actions are going on in other parts of the world (outside of the US) Americans are oblivious for the most part. We continue to go to the movies, work, church, Starbucks and the mall. Spring Break trips and summer vacations and what the kids will wear for Easter in 2 weeks are on everyone’s mind
Yes, I realize how shallow and self-centered the last few lines were and I’m as guilty about these actions as my other fellow Americans. What I hope to learn as I store this book on a shelf, is to never forget the nightmare so many others in this world are experiencing. To remember that God loves them as much as He loves me and that I’m thankful to live in America. Today, I’m praying extra hard that our government doesn’t take these freedoms away from us during this administration.

Will I recommend this book to others? The verdict is still out on that one.

Funniest Book, Ever!

I'm not sure who to thank for this recommendation, MK for suggesting Jen Lancaster to MSKS or MSKS for loaning me all her books! "Such a Pretty Fat" is hands down the funniest book that I have ever read (and it's true)! There were so many favorite parts and I wouldn't want to spoil the plot. Ok, plot may be a loose term for ending for this book.

There were nights that Stiemy would climb in the bed and I would just be laughing so hard and I wanted to share every bit of it with him. He got tickled just watching me laugh. In one chapter Jen refuses to weigh herself and decides instead to photo herself without clothes. When she downloads the photos on the computer she wonders when Jabba The Hut (sp?) moved in with her. Maybe it hit too close to home for me!

I saw so much of myself in Jen (and I can't say that is a total compliment). I do think that if I were to ever write a book and I would love to one day, my writing style would be similar to Jen's (again, not a compliment). Her writing style exhausts me quite frankly, so I have a new appreciation for all 5 of you fans and those that are kind enough to listen to my never-ending stories!

Last winter I joined the Edward Cullen cult and read the Twilight series. I found myself in such a slump afterwards. Thank goodness the slump is over (I still have a crush on Edward...even mentioned him to Stiemy this morning in church). Thanks again ladies for sharing Jen with me. What's next? Pass it on!

An Oops...Moment

Have you ever noticed when you walk in the church you immediately are a little more careful about the words that come out of your mouth? I know the reason is that it is God's House and we are to respect and honor him. Pretty much like being mindful of things you may say in front of your parents (no matter what your age may be). Truth be told God can hear us everywhere but when we are in His House we are naturally more reverent, I hope!

All this I have stated to really set myself up for an oops moment! Sunday I was working the nursery pod, as I have for several years. I enjoy seeing the kiddies (and families) grow while visiting with friends and meeting new people. Anyway, yesterday the rush hit and an old friend of Stiemy's walked up. The conversation that followed went something like this:

Friend: "Hey, I saw Stiemy yesterday"
Me: "Oh great, at the Wildlife Extravaganze"
Friend: "Uh, no....."
Me: "Oh at Hooters or Bass Pro Shop"
Friend: "Uh, no..."
Me: "Oh, of course not...he wasn't there either"
Friend: "At the Grocery Store"
Me: "Perfect sense, that is exactly where he was"

Oh, man did I just totally say all of that? Funny was it was in front of a friend that lost it with laughter and not so funny, in front of a complete stranger. Classy and impressive in God's House, right? Way to go KK! Just telling the truth and see where it got ya!

Hope you don't have any oops...moments this week!

Hurt Feelings & Another Birthday for America

I knew the day was coming when I just wouldn't have an answer for the Princess. It has been a rough little week for the 6 year old. It took 6 years for a member of my McCarty Rabbit Hutch to lose an ear and less time than that for my Parlevelous OPI (purple) nail polish to shatter all over the bathroom floor. Then came Wednesday and I heard "they don't like me and they like each other better." OH NO, she is only 6! Her sweet little feelings were so hurt and she did not understand why a 7 year old and 4 year old didn't come right back when they said they would. This immediately brought her to tears and a protruding bottom lip with the thought, "they like playing with each other more than they do me." I knew this day would come and I just didn't have the answer to make it ok. All I could say was, "That is so not true. I know your feelings are hurt, but you have known the 7 year old much longer than the 4 year old has and you have been at summer camp all day playing while they have been at home bored." Nothing seemed to make this scenario acceptable, so finally I changed the subject and told her I would beat her at Mario Cart on Wii. Drama diverted!


This weekend marks another birthday for our amazing country. During my time of travel for work, I have learned how precious it is to live in the United States of America. We are allowed to fly our flags whenever we want, vote in every election and listen, read and worship exactly like we want. Also, as I have grown up (never ending process) I have a very small idea of what a sacrifice it is for so many of our men and women in the armed services to protect our freedom. Over the last several months, I have found a blog through a blog from someone I worked with for a small amount of time 10 years ago. I have heard her name off and on through the years through mutual friends and now am an avid reader of the blog they have for their family. Her husband is currently serving time away from his 3 children, wife, family and law practice. This week he blogged about attending a service for one of their fallen soldiers and that he will never forget the sight for as long as he lives.


Thank you to our veterans and real life heroes that are currently protecting our country and keeping our freedom as our founding fathers meant it to be!

Happy 4th of July and Happy Birthday America!

KK's Summertime Favorites

Oprah has her favorite things, so why can’t I? Well, I guess I can but does anyone care? Will the companies send me hundreds of free samples to pass out to my friends, doubt it. Here it goes anyway:

“KK’s Top 5 Summer Favorites”

1. A Pedicure. What southern belle does not want her feet looking pretty in her peep toes? Of course, I’m sure sitting in white fluffy robe, sipping some bubbly while someone rubs on your toes and feet is ideal. However, for $25 you can find clean places here to massage, scrub and paint. The end result with both a little time for yourself and pretty feet.

2. Hobo Lauren Clutch.
Over a year ago, I became obsessed with wanting a pale pink hobo lauren clutch with the teal paisley interior. I stalked ebay to find the best deal for weeks and finally found a bargain I could not refuse. I have not had buyer’s remorse at all over this purchase that I am definitely still getting my money’s worth!

3. Amy Head Eyes & Lips. At least 5 years ago, I was introduced to Amy Head Cosmetics. A couple of times I have swayed to Bobbi Brown products, but always return to Amy Head. Once or twice a year, I book my complimentary appointment and go in for new eyes and lips! Honestly, I can never quite get it to look like they do, but I still love the colors.


4. The FitFlops. What a great gimmick-shoes that help tone your buttocks and legs! I am not a huge shoe shopper. I like shoes and I think they can really tie an outfit together, but I don’t like to wear them and I am extremely guilty of finding my favs and wearing nothing else. I went for years thinking my Birkenstocks were THE most comfortable shoes ever, next Merrill’s followed by my CROC flip flops. This summer I heard of Fit Flops from a friend, then saw Oprah listed them as one of her favorites and I was off to spend that economic stimulus check. The Fit Flops are THE MOST comfortable shoes I have ever worn! Am I toned because of all the wear? Nope, but I would buy them without that added benefit.

5. Trefethan Double T Wine.
Last summer the hubby and I went on a wonderful trip to San Fran and Wine Country with our good friends the Nations. We did the nighttime tour of Alcatraz (very cool), private wine tour (best way to not get a DUI), rented the convertible and drove to Big Sur (wonderful). One of the wineries that a friend scheduled for us was Trefethan Family Vineyards. There we tasted Double T and it became my favorite and I can find it here in Mississippi so it was meant to be.

Let me know what your summertime favorites are. In the meantime, you can find me with Double T in one hand, my Hobo in the other wearing my Fit Flops with my pretty toes and Amy Head lips!

Happy Father's Day-BIG DADDY

This weekend is Father’s Day and while my husband is an amazing hands on father, I would like to give a shout out to my very own Daddy! If you have ever met him, he probably made an impression on you that you won’t easily forget. As an adult with children of my own, it is fascinating to watch different characteristics of your children reflect their parents. I am no different than many other children and am an interesting combination of both my parents. My height…my Daddy. My healthy teeth…my Daddy, my frankness (let me tell you what I think attitude)… my Daddy.

So, I wanted to make a list of memories I have of him and with him. It started out as 10, than 20, than I was going to do one for every year I have known him and it just kept going. By the way, I am not 42…I just had to stop it somewhere! I don’t expect all 3 of my readers to read the entire list and that is fine. It isn’t so much for you as it is for me and My Daddy!

1. Taking me to the circus in Memphis. I was asked to ride on a float and play a musical instrument and afterwards when I went to find Daddy he had moved seats.PANIC!
2.He took me to my first movie, "The Jungle Book"
3.Weekends at Island 66
4.His treading water in the deep end at the country club and bribing me with Baskin Robbins if I jumped off the “high” dive.
5.The phone call many years ago on Valentine’s Day that we hung up he said we were moving to a new house (the house I had my wedding reception in)
6.His crazy tv commercials, bikini clad girls in minks, jumping out of airplanes “but Daddy you forgot your parachute”
7.Finally agreeing that I could get my ears pierced (summer before 6th grade), but he wasn’t paying to have holes put in my ears (Papa-his dad-gave me the $20 bucks to do it).
8.Chaperoning on my 6th grade field trip to Hunstville, AL for Space Camp. All the boys wanted to ride with him.
9.Dancing with him at my 6th grade dance (wish I had a copy of that picture to share)
10.Agreeing to go frog giggin with him and the roads were so muddy and slippery that we had to turn around
11.Teaching me how to water ski.
12.Disneyworld and the trip that Hart ruined because he was no fun to be around! Hahaha…really just threw that one in for little brother’s benefit!
13.The look he had on his face when BJ, our old black lab died.
14.The time he found a brown La Baron convertible and insisted it was the perfect car for me and would paint it any color I want it (I refused to drive a doodoo brown boxcar)…to say he was disappointed in my behavior would be an understatement. Which led to #15
15.The time he was scared to come home from work because he had told Mama and me that the Black Buick Regal I had been driving for a week was going back to the dealership, because he could find a better deal. He sat under a tree outside until I went and climbed up in his lap. Oh yeah...I got the car.
16.Spring Break when he took the family to Memphis for several days and insisted we all go see “Dancing with the Wolves”. All of us were dreading it because it was such a long movie, we loved it!
17. Chaperoning the mission trip to Mexico with my church youth group and T. Kay.
18.Parachuting in Mexico and when he said have fun “dumplin” the guy asked me if that was my name (for real?)
19.The dinner at the Ranchero when he and Mama wanted to make sure I didn’t drink too much on the senior cruise because it would really ruin my trip (the sun, alcohol, don’t mix). They said that since I was underage they knew my drinking experience could not have been too much (they weren’t too off). However, my little brother was another story.
20.Conversations about Nova Scotia duck tolling dogs over Thanksgiving lunch for several years, until he finally brought Mattie home to us!
21. He called every boy I ever talked to a “Momar” which meant something foul in some other language (I think that came from Lewis Grizzard).
22.Dancing with him at Lead Out (Lee Academy’s version of Prom for the Seniors)
23.The pride he felt when I returned from a weekend at MSU my Junior year and vowed to never go to that cow school with those stupid cow bells!
24.The horror that his daughter was going to be a MSU Bulldog and the relief that she had finally made a decision the spring she graduated.
25.The incredible bragging rights that he “never signed one check to send money to ‘that’ school”
26.Traveling to Starkville and sitting in the truck sleeping the entire football game, only to spend a few minutes with us on homecoming weekend.
27.In 1996, taking me to Oxford for a Ole Miss vs. MSU basketball game. Ole Miss won and they were obnoxious. He thought it was great. I thought it was great we ended up in the Final Four that season.
28.One November 26th, when one of the dogs had gotten away and he was so distracted by the disappearance that he forgot what day that was (Mama’s birthday)
29.Asking him when Brian asks if he can marry me not to tell Mama. I wanted to be the one to tell her we were engaged.
Daddy: “What’s the boy waiting on”
KM: “I think until he can afford me”
Daddy: “Baby, he is never going to be able to afford you.”
30.The bottle of Dom Perignon he bought and saved down the street so Mama wouldn’t know Brian had proposed
31.A last minute trip to the Egg Bowl in 1998 as father and daughter, the wedding was just a month away. (MSU won)
32.Watching “Father of the Bride” with Steve Martin the week of my wedding.
33.Dancing with him at my wedding reception in the beautiful backyard tent.
34.The surprise 30 year wedding anniversary dinner at Madidi for Mama
35.When I tried to tell him we had an addition to the family, he asked if we got another dog? No. Cat? No. Gerbil? No, it’s a baby. “A What?”
36.The look in his eye and the sounds of his voice, when he told me how special it was that I named my little girl, Anna Hartley. He had no idea that I had wanted that name since I was a little girl (Mama, kept that one a secret)!
37.When Hartley V was born and spent so much time in Philly, Daddy and I seem to develop a deeper bond. We were the only ones left here in MS that really understood what the other felt. We were scared and sad we weren’t with the rest of our family.
38.The way that he says “Big Daddy” and signs his emails in all caps BIG DADDY
39.Cigars.
40.Driving through downtown Clarksdale to count the out of town license plates.
41.The fun trips to the beach with all of us.
42.The bottles of wine when we all get together.

Happy Father’s Day, Daddy. I love you and can’t wait to continue adding to the list for many years to come!

Quiet Time...how?

So for the second time this week (it is only Tuesday) our alarm has gone off earlier and I have actually put my feet on the floor and gotten up. Did you know it is still dark outside at 6 a.m.? I am notorious for being late for work and getting up before 6:30 a.m. seems to be a struggle. However, I decided Sunday night that if I ever wanted to have that "quiet time" I need to beat the rest of the family up. Yesterday, I sat showered iand wrapped in my robe with a cup of coffee and had my quite time with God. It was so peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable. Wow, what a great start for a Monday.

Now day 2...the alarm went off and for once I heard it before Brian (praise God). So up I went, I peaked in the kitchen and setting the timer on the coffee pot worked...so far so good. Out of the shower and wrapped in my robe, guess who I ran in to...Stiemy. So I'm not alone that is ok. I climbed over the folded clothes (thanks hubby) and around the toys on the floor and settled in with my coffee and a devotion for the day. Guess who walks around the corner...the princess. I suggest she go get in my bed (did I mention it is still dark outside) and off she goes. 2 mintues later she reappears and wants to stay with me. She climbs on the opposite end of the couch and asks why are we up so early today? Good question little one...why did you get up? I let her know this is my quiet time and that we will talk later. She lays back down and out walks the hubby again..."I was thinkin...today when you...." I just looked at him and kindly asked "Can we do this in 10 minutes?" He obliged and walked away.

So, my whole point or question to this is...How do I get quiet time in the mornings. Am I going to have to get up at 5 a.m. and if I do is everyone else going to follow? Now, I got the time in this morning and amazingly enough was in the office at 8 a.m. Now if you don't believe in miracles you should now because... me.... early..... to work? Not normal! Here is to Mom's that find that early morning quiet time!

Random thoughts about friends & prayers

There have been so many songs written over the years about friends. The first one that came into my head this morning on my commute in to the office was Michael W. Smith’s “Friends”:

“Friends are friends forever if the Lord’s the Lord of them. And a friend cannot say never and the welcome will not end”

Now the one that pops into my head is “I’ve God Friends in Low Places”. Man can my mind go in a million and one different directions. Guess that is just like any conversation someone has with me, it is all over the place.

The reason for the ushy gush so early? Good question. My heart is full of prayers right now for some very special people. First, my nephew Hartley is heavy on my heart. As I type he is preparing for open heart surgery. He is 18 months old and is receiving a new heart valve this morning at CHOP.

My sister-in-law Carmen (married to Brian’s brother) has just found out in the last week that her father has cancer that is already in Stage 4. They are still unclear which path they will take medically, but cancer is just crap in my opinion.

Also, my sweet friend Leigh is working hard to take care of her father who is hospitalized after a horrific car accident before Christmas. Thankfully, he is going to be ok but the weeks that have passed have been draining for her physically and emotionally. She and her family and the other families involved need our prayers.

I often wonder what I would do without my Heavenly Father and without my friends. Thank the Lord that my parents taught me how to love and trust God, value my friends and to be quite frank…how to pick’em! I have some of the absolute best friends that anyone could ask for in the whole wide world.

We have friends that we talk to daily, friends that we talk to weekly and friends that we may not even see yearly. It never ceases to amaze me that after long periods of time of not talking or seeing some friends that you pick right back up where you left off. Those friendships are treasures. One of these type friends of mine, Molly, sent this great devotion to me today about things we should try to do as mothers so our children will see God through us. It was great and I will save it for another day to share. In the meantime, here is something that the devotion said that also struck a chord with me.

“When times of crisis, conflict or confusion arise, I will hit my knees before I hit the phone knowing that by my example my children will discover that although friends are important, God alone is the one who holds the solution to life's every problem.”

This hit the nail on the head. God alone holds the solution to life’s problems. Lord, my prayer to you right at this moment is that as our family goes in to kiss Hartley’s forehead one more time that they will feel the comfort of Our Healer wrapping His arms around him. He is not only in the doctors hands today, but always in God’s!

If I was in Philly, I would be wiggling his toes for fear of spreading unwanted germs. Maybe you can feel the wiggle now, V! It use to make one of my most amazing friends smile.