The Proof!

"I'm glad that we got a picture to prove that we can still have fun even with a table full of toddlers! Who noticed them? Not me. I was having too much fun talking and laughing!"

---Tara Cooper

I couldn't have said it better myself! Thanks again Ladies, for yet another, great lunch out with the Girls!

I'm Sorry...But I Love These Two.

I've found my new favorite song of the week and it's one that is great to work out to as well!
It's by T.I. and Justin Timberlake and the name of it is "Dead and Gone". I've only heard the edited version so I'm not sure if it throws out any F bombs but I LOVE IT! :)

Katie + Desmond

Warm and Sunny Anyone???

Even though I was planning on a girls weekend down to participate in this, I needed to go down with Thomas to Arizona so that I could get some answers to a few of my "questions".

We came down a hill and this was what I saw. It literally brought tears to my eyes thinking about the Summer time. I could feel my skin just aching for the sun so that it could become tan once again (from the real sun...not the purchased sun)! :)

We went and saw the movie "Yes Man" and I will admit that I laughed pretty hard. It's a typical Jim Carey movie so if you love him, which I do, then you'll like it. Anyway, I couldn't pass up this perfect "cactus photo shot"!

While we were there, we stayed with TC, who is one of Thomas's friends from High School. TC has the cutest family ever and they were so nice to deal with us for a few days. Thanks TC!!!

Since Thomas's family has been everywhere in this world, she knows some of the best places to go out to eat. Even though I almost missed my plane because of it, she took me to Oregano's for lunch.....

...and it had THE BEST pizzookie that I've ever eaten! SERIOUSLY! I would just go there to eat that alone! Remember...I choose restaurant's based on the desert alone! hehehe

Now I've Been Called Out...

I just want to say that I'M SORRY to those of you who were offended by my last post. I've gone in and made some changes so that it does not offend any of you further. My comments were directed ONLY to those 2 women. Again I am sorry to those who I offended and hope that you will not think less of me. I was still angry when I wrote the post and once again, my impulsive behaviors have gotten me into trouble! In no way was I writing about anyone else besides those 2 women and I guess that I should have been more conscious and aware.....

"You're Lucky That I Didn't Key Your Damn Car!"

OK. This is a warning. This is going to be one of my "bitching" posts about not just the ignorant things that people do, but about the completely asinine ways that people act!

I have not "hung out" with my friend Fionna in a long time. We talk on the phone or I'll talk to her while she is coloring my hair but other than that, it's been years since we've really done anything. It finally worked out and we made a plan to go see the new "Benjamen Button" movie on Friday (which was great) so I picked her up and we headed down to Thanksgiving Point. I've bitched about this theatre before, but they only have 3 Handicap stalls for the theatres. Now let me remind you that I could care less about having to walk or wheel a long way to an entrance but it's just hard to find a spot that allows me to open my car doors wide enough to get my chair all taken apart and put away.

Anyway, there was not a spot available so we just found another one that would work and on our way we went in to see the movie. We watched it (and it was great!) and we headed out to our car. Now here is where it gets good! There is a lined off section that is not a parking spot because it is right where the ramp is from the road to the sidewalk. There was a car parked there which blocked the ramp. Now this has happened once before when I was with my sister and we complained only to find out that the car had belonged to the manager who was just "quickly" running in which in turn found us with a whole stack of free tickets! :) Not so much this time....

Luckily, I was able to maneuver my way down but still had the right side of my wheels on a hill of ice (and I kept spinning out which always pisses me off) and the left side was scraping the cars front bumper. I was IRATE! I could not believe the irony that this was all happening the FIRST time that I'd been with Fionna in forever and SHE is the BEST person to be with in these type of situations because she is just as confrontational as I am.

At that exact moment I hear the "bep bep" alarm go off, the lights go on, and the car unlock. Five feet away are the owners of this car. I told myself to "Just walk away. Just walk away" and Fionna is telling me to "get right back there and say something. NOW Katie!!" (I've been trying to work on staying calm and keeping my temper under control so I was trying so hard to just get to my car without FREAKING OUT!)

But sorry. I could not help myself. I turned around and went right over to the 2 women.

"Excuse me. I realize that you have a permit and I realize that you may have a medical condition that allows you to park here but you're not even in a spot. You've blocked the ramp and luckily I'm able to still find a way down but not all may be able to do so. Could you please not do that again, obey the rules that come with being able to park here, and just be more conscious about where you park?"

The women just sneered at me for a moment and then the driver snidely said "Yeah. I'm really sorry" in a tone that clearly informed me that she was not! The fire erupted in my blood which forced me to come back with a...

"Are you really going to be a bitch about this? I calmly and politely came over here to ask you to just be conscious about it because it's extremely rude and selfish and you are going to be a bitch to me? I can be a bitch too and you're lucky that I didn't key your damn car because that was my first thought! Out of all of the people in this theatre and out of all of the people who are taking advantage of the handicap parking, I'm probably the only one who is legitimately "handicapped" and yet I'm OK to park far away and walk. Why could you not be polite when you are clearly in the wrong and when I'm just asking you to be conscious. You are not even parked in a stall." (during this she tried to shut the door and I weaseled my way in so that she could not)

I was done. There was nothing more to say so I turned to go back to my car. (I'm sorry but I'm a swearer when I'm angry so NO...I did not edit my language for her! It makes me feel like I've gotten my point across. Immature I know but it's harsh and then you really know and understand just how angry I am! Just because you have a permit does not give you the right to be RUDE, INSENSITIVE, and SELFISH)

I was livid. I was fired up. How can people be so Lazy? Selfish? Clueless? Mean? Ignorant by choice? Oh it just makes me irate!!!! But the best part was that I was with Fionna who was just loving it! "Well Fionna...this is what you get when you hang out with me!"

But not really because things like that don't always happen. Just once every 6 months but I could not believe what a creature that this woman was. Honestly...I was polite and calm until I got the "biotch vibe" but then? Look out. Are you really ready for this?

On our drive home, we were laughing so hard! How hilarious was that?!? How fun was that to just GO OFF on someone and especially when I had EVERY right to do so!

I guess it's somewhat true...You never know what you're in for when you hang out with me!

hehehe ooooops!?!

The St.George Shock and Surprise...

Clear back in November, the Program Director for the St George Marathon called and had some questions that they wanted to ask me so we had about a 20 minute chat. I just assumed that they wanted to have some knowledge about those who had won. No big deal.

Then my friend Nicole sent me this text..."Hey I just got the St George Marathon results book. I'll bring it to lunch. Great article. Way to go! You're a SuperStar now!!!"...

Huh??? What article??? I ran out to my my box and found that my mail-man had brought me this...
First of all. I know that I look like such the seriously concentrating nimrod here. Classic! Now when I say that it was intense...you'll believe it! But still. I wish that they could have gotten a hot one of me :( hehehe or at least one without the "puffy face"....

Second. I had NO IDEA that they were going to do a full on article. Really. But I will admit that I'm excited that they did it and that I feel very proud. It was a huge accomplishment and it's nice to be recognized like that. I'm not being conceited about it at all but I am very proud of myself! It makes me even more motivated to participate in as many races as I can.

Last. It's fun to go back and see/read some of the things that you say when you are asked certain questions. For me, when I feel like I'm not "on the spot", I answer questions more honestly and say exactly how it is. So read up because this article definitely is a "Katie" one!

ps. that is going to be my new slogan..."the ability within my disability" (thanks tara...hehehe)

Amen.

Way funny but I will admit that last night I did shed some tears for the ex-President Bush. No matter what mistakes that he made, you still have to feel bad for the guy and we have to remember the good things that he did...not just all of the bad. I am sure that this change has been hard for him too no matter how ecstatic that the country may be. I'm so glad that they did a "Welcome Home" party for him in TX because I think he needs a few "feel goods" right now :(

But still. This is good :)

PARTY Time!!!

WOW!!! How can you be 6? I can not believe it and to think of how close we came to not having you be a part of our family! You are here for a reason and I know that you've got an important job to do. You keep me laughing. You keep me going. You keep me dreaming and imagining. You keep me remembering. You keep me wanting to be an example for you and Carter. You bring me joy. You never cease to amaze me with the things that come out of your mouth...with the creative things that are in your head. You're a blessing in so many ways but never forget that I love you. Never forget how beautiful you are. Never forget that you are here, in this life, at a specific time, for a reason. Be ready and be prepared for the great adventures that lie ahead. I will always support you 100%. I will always be your Mom. I will always be your best-friend and I will always love you more than you can even imagine! Have a great day and enjoy being 6!

Need We Say MORE???

Next Wednesday night.

The Season Premier of "LOST".....

Let the countdown begin....NOW!

A Night Out...

See. This is what my daughter really looks like when she is trying to use it to her advantage...(she was trying to earn brownie points with me and with the babysitter before we left!)
There is this new restaurant/ice cream shop that just opened right around the corner that is also owned by a friend of ours. We heard that the food was really good and that the ambiance was even better so we had to go and give some support. Too funny that the name of it is "Spanky's"...

I always get a hard time about the way that I "tilt" my head whenever I am taking a picture. I don't mean to. It just happens. It has always been that way. This is my "straightest head" pose and it was definately a concious effort! :) Sorry. I like the "tilt"...

...my sis in law Ashlee (who is pregnant by the way...CONGRATS! it's their first) & my sis Jenny...

Ok drumroll!...There is a funny story behind these pictures. I am having the cement worked on in the back where the ramp is and it was drying so we needed to go in and out through the front door. As I was being wheeled backwards up the steps and through the front door, my boot started to come off my foot. I knew what was happening...not a big deal but right at that moment Jenny, who was ahead of me, noticed what had happened and yelled in pure panic at the top of her lungs. I knew why she was screaming but I was laughing too hard to de-freak her out! She was 110% sure that my ankle and foot had been broken in half!

I'm sorry but way too funny. I was laughing so, so hard and she was FREAKING OUT!!! We couldn't even say one word to calm her down. It was all perfect timing and a perfect ending to "one of those" nights!

The Park City Ice Arena

Because of my dealings with The National Ability Center, I found out about a tournament that they were holding up at the Park City Ice Arena for The Utah Sled Hockey team. I thought that it would be a fun activity for the kids to see so we headed up...

It was really interesting to watch. The way that they block and play defense is similar to that of Wheelchair Basketball. You would think that I would be a Hockey fan having grown up in Canada but NOPE. Not at all. I'm glad that we went and that the kids were able to see it but I'm not a fan. Sorry....

I had to put this picture in because look at my sister Jenny and her flighty obnoxious photo poses when she was a child...(notice the camera that was constantly at my side!?!)

...and then look at my daughter! It kills me! She thinks that she is so funny...and it is but come on. Really? Every picture? Too "I don't know what" but something! :)

Some Of Our January So Far....

Growing up, our family was big into "game nights" but as we got older, the tradition slowly faded away. Why I don't know seeing how competitive our family is. So we were all surprised when the boys brought out the "Bop It" game idea at Christmas. It got even more old school after that! Two of our favorite strategic games were "Risk" and "Crokinole" so we decided to pull those out as well. We've had a few family game nights since and boy do they get CLASSIC! There have been some pretty tense games that include "the pout in the corner", "the slamming of the fist down on the table","the alliance", "the trying to manipulate the numbers to win", etc.etc. Like I said...CLASSIC and hilariously awkward at times.....
You can't expect Carter to let the neighbors ride by without conniving a way to get on as well...

He had so much fun...

Kindra and Carter had this "PLAN" to build a snow fort. But this was not to be just any snow fort. It was going to be an IGLOO snow fort. Poor Michael got suckered in to coming down to help them. I tried to warn them that it was not cold enough to build an igloo but there was no stopping them :)

Yes. This is Michael attacking the fort with shovels full of snow...

This is as good as they got but thankfully they were still happy...

Remember "The Secret Garden"? If not. Look here, here, and here....

Carter was bound and determined that he was going to use this small hill as his snowboarding "practice hill". It was so funny watching him as I sat in the car. Not so funny when it took me 20 minutes to get out of the driveway that had never been plowed or shoveled. Yeah you know I had my phone in hand, 10 seconds away from dialing AAA Road Services to come and get me out! :) I'm serious!

Oh yeah. Notice that Kindra is nowhere to be found? Uh huh. She was sitting beside me in the WARM car. She was so over it!

Now to the massive hill at Evergreen Park

Carter begged Kindra to take a run with him and she finally gave in...

Kindra got stuck riding the crap sled so it was no surprise when after she "almost hit the tree", she gave up, and came back to the WARM car...

See that big group of "big kids" and see my Carter. They were trying to tell him that he was not big enough to sled there and that they were not going to let him go down. Well...he did anyway and then made his way back to the car and then burst into tears. I was furious! Those are the times when I get pissed that I need a wheelchair to get around because I would have gone right over there and yelled! I know. I know. It's bound to happen but as a parent you never really WANT it to happen. I was so proud of Carter though that he completely ignored their obnoxiousness and just did it anyway. We had to have a talk about WHO it is that can really tell you what to do or what not to do. We had to talk about being smart about who it is that you listen to and about not easily giving in when people tell you to give up or that you can't do it. Still. It broke my heart to see him so upset. Then we talked about being kind, friendly, loving, honest...you know...all of those things that "bullies" are obviously ignoring or that they are not learning! BOOOOOOO to them :)

I swear that if a perfect stranger looked in to the activities that Carter chooses to do, they would report me and accuse me of breaking the child labor laws!

Carter wanted to go out and shovel the walk. When he was gone longer than 10 minutes, I looked outside and this is what I found....Carter slowly breaking and chipping away the ice. Are you serious? Where did he come from???

I love this kid! :) Just as much as I love my Kindra who sits in the WARM car with me! :)