I'm Still Here...

Don’t worry, I haven’t abandoned the blog again… I’ve just had a very busy (for lack of a better term) schedule this summer. Everything from puppy getting bit by a snake, my mom’s birthday celebration, off and on studying for my state property manager license exam, doggie seizure meds, to joining weight watchers. Needless to say, it’s been a little crazy. So in true Katee fashion, I have put together a random mini recap to get things up to speed and back on track. Here goes!


The Pups


I must say, we have become all too familiar with the Vet’s office these past two months. The first incident was Halsey getting bit by a snake in the backyard which led us to our first experience at the Emergency animal clinic. Thankfully we got him there in time for there to be no major complications, just a very expensive bill and a crazy hair cut for the little guy (which is still growing back). Then our latest experience with Jackson (my child) which turned out to be a potential case of canine epilepsy. I swear these boys are determined to give us gray hair and empty wallets, but I suppose they are worth it.

Backyard Overhaul


One of our biggest accomplishments this summer was cleaning up the backyard. It was quite a feat, but we did it with the help of Scott’s mom and good friend, Chris (who came down for a golf tourney). Between the 4 of us, we were able to tackle 2 years worth of piled leaves, construct a compost pile, start a little veggie garden, and plant some beautiful flowers under the Oak tree. It’s like a whole new backyard!



Before




After



Compost



mini garden



Flowers!

Happy Bday to My Mommy


Last month I had the privilege of hosting my mom’s birthday party here in Charleston. I even got to surprise her with one of her oldest and dearest friends that was able to join us for the bday dinner. It was a short visit but we enjoyed every minute together.

The Test


After months of procrastination, I finally applied with the SC Real Estate Commission to take my State Exam! I have been approved and am now waiting to find out/decide when im going to take THE TEST… dun dun dun.

Weight Watchers




After my first month of going to the gym, I made a big decision to also invest in my diet by joining Weight Watchers. I must say that after 1 full month and 9lbs down, it’s been totally worth the money. It allows me to still eat like a normal person yet lose weight on a consistent and HEALTHY basis. It has completely opened my eyes to how simple it is to make better choices and made me so much more aware of what I put in my body. I seriously recommend the program to anyone wanting to lose more than just a few pounds, it is truly life changing and it works!



WW Friendly Pizza!



Reading back though this, it doesn’t seem like that much going on. But it sure has felt like it! It does remind me that I have a lot to be thankful for. The pups seem to be back to normal, my health (and self esteem) is improving, and I’m embracing the new “hats” of gardener, student, special needs dog mom, health nut, and hostess. Overall, it has been a very good summer and I can’t wait to see what the tail end has in store for us!

I'm shrinking!

Just a quick weight loss update:


Thanks to my new gym, I have officially lost 3lbs!
So… not that great, HOWEVER I have also lost…

3 inches from my waist

1 inch off my arms

2 inches from my abs

.5 from my thighs

.5 from my calves

And lost 1% body fat

Not bad for my first month of working out!

And for the record, Zumba really DOES work!

Mail is gold

I wanted to share this post because I think we all forget how truly important it is to support our troops. This past Friday marked the 1 year anniversary of the death of my dear friend Adam Puckett. It was such a reminder as to why our soldiers need our constant encouragement, while in battle as well as at home. With that said, I have been inspired to take action by sending care packages to my friend Kevin’s battalion (currently in Afghanistan). Care packages, as simple as they seem, mean the world to our troops. As Kevin says, “Mail is gold”. Whether it’s a box of magazines, socks, pictures, or candy, these items make all the difference in the world and remind our soldiers that we CARE.


I encourage anyone who reads this to consider sending one of these tokens of appreciation. Even if you don’t personally know who receives it, you’re making a difference and bringing a smile from home to a far away soldier.

Here is the information to get you started!

The recommended box to use is the Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Box from USPS. More information and details can be found HERE
 
Recommended items to send

Personal Care Items
Baby Wipes
Socks
Chapstick/Blistex
Foot Powder
Batteries (AAA, AA, C)
Eye Drops
Tissues (pocket size)
Vaseline
Gift Items
Bibles (pocket size)
Puzzle Books
New Magazines
Travel Games
Paperback Books
Playing Cards
Candy
Hard Candy
Lifesavers
Gum
Snack Items
(pocket-sized snacks)
Crackers
Sunflower Seeds
Cookies
Trail Mix
Beef Jerky
Slim Jims
Snack Bars - any type Pop Tarts
Cards
*Buy a box of cards and write a short personal note of thanks to our troops
*Write personal letters to be included in our packages
*Make handmade cards.


After picking out your items and making sure they fit, it is recommended that you complete the final steps at the post office to make sure everything is packed and addressed according to the guidelines. Keep in mind that all boxes going overseas to our military will need a customs form. These forms can be picked up at the USPS or ordered online at their website. They are free. You can usually find a postal clerk that will be able to help you fill the form out properly if you have any questions.


If you would like to join me in sending care packages to Kevin’s Battalion, please contact me via email for the full address and a Marine’s name. I assure you that your gift will be greatly appreciated and make a difference in a soldier's life.

Lexington People Click Here for information on getting involved with Military Missions  

To Read Adam’s Story, click HERE

A Delicious Weekend

Tiffany’s Bachelorette weekend was a complete success! We wined, dined, beached, toured, and danced our little hearts out. Out of all of the festivities I must say that the incredible FOOD was one of the highlights of the whole weekend. Since I had never been to any of the restaurants before, it was quite a treat to try out some new places. It’s no surprise that the meals were amazing, they all have outstanding reviews. So I was more than pleased that they all lived up their reputations. So next time you’re in the downtown Charleston area, I strongly encourage you to check these places out!



Our first stop was lunch at 82 Queen located on Queen St. The outdoor setting was absolutely beautiful and quite comfortable despite the 95 degree heat and humidity. I am usually not a BLT fan, but their spin on the classic sandwich sounded too delicious to resist. Not only did it come with a million slices of bacon, the "T" consisted of fried green tomatoes. SO SO good.

We stayed with the lowcountry cuisine theme for our dinner venue, the famous Hominy Grill (located on Rutledge Ave). They offer everything from collared greens to pancakes, purloo, and more.The Bride-to-be was especially pleased with their award winning shrimp & grits.

Our big celebratory dinner was held the next night at High Cotton on East Bay St. The ambiance and overall feel of the place was completely simple and classic with their hardwood floors and crisp white table clothes. I have to admit this one of of my favorite meals of the entire weekend (rib eye steak with bearnaise sauce and fried okra on the side). I once again went for bacon and fried green tomatoes, this time served on a wedge of lettuce.

We finished our weekend with a fabulous brunch at Poogan's Porch on Queen St. Attempting to be healthy, I went with a light quiche (which was very tasty). But after seeing the other plates at the table, I had some serious food envy of the southern fried breakfast classics.

One of the best parts of all of this indulgent eating, was that it was also affordable. Each meal averaged around $30 and was worth every penny. So needless to say, after an amazing weekend with such lovely ladies, I am a little fatter, with still a few bucks to spare in my wallet!

Visual Update

Don’t worry, I haven’t abandoned the blog (again). I’ve just been a little busy lately. So with getting back on track, I’ve put together a little update using pictures instead of longwinded boring stories. Be forewarned, it’s extremely random… but then again, so is my life.

  

Memorial day weekend consisted of friends, rum, grilling, and fun. I even got to go sailing for the first time. I chose this picture in particular because it makes me look productive and like I actually did something to contribute.



Almost a year later, I FINALLY finished my Mom’s belt!





I decided to get creative one night and ended up making an entire bacon themed dinner. It’s a definite winner with the dudes, fyi. The chicken is stuffed with spinach, chopped bacon, and cheese. The asparagus was sautéed in the same pan as the bacon and some of the extra “juices” from the pan were added to the potatoes. Not the most heart-healthy meal, but will surely appease any craving for baconish comfort food.



I was fortunate enough to be able to go back to KY for my cousin's wedding the weekend after Memorial Day. The fact that I was actually able to get some great pictures of my family is a MAJOR accomplishment. We’ve never been big on family photos so needless to say these pics are rare and make me very very happy.



My Dad (left) and Uncle Charlie





After getting back to Charleston, I decided to do something totally wild and crazy… I joined a gym.  I have to admit that I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy working out! And since I do not have any pictures in me in my workout gitup, I have posted a lovely picture of my weight loss inspiration, the actress Sara Rue.  
You go girl.

My sweet baby boy’s 3^rd birthday!



And speaking of the pups, little Halsey is almost 13 weeks old! He is tipping the scales at just about 20lbs and continues to keep growing like a little weed. I swear there are days when I think he is literally growing bigger by the minute.  He’s also about 95% potty trained and responding well to his name, simple commands, and his new crate. Our next step is getting him use to more BATHS. 2 dogs + sandy backyard = messy house and a clogged vacuum cleaner.





Back to food, I recently discovered a fabulous little restaurant on King St. in downtown Charleston. It’s called Sermet’s and is located right in the middle of the shopping action. The menu is diverse, affordable, healthy, and delicious. Next time you are in the area, I would recommend you plan your lunch break from shopping at this little establishment.



Finally back up to speed, I must share one of my all time favorite pictures of my 2 best friends from home, Tiffany (the bride-to-be in the hot shoes) and Anna (with the crazy face). This picture was taken back in November of 2009 which was sadly the last time that the 3 of us had a true girl’s night out together. However, this Friday that will quickly change. All of the girls will be coming to town for Tiff’s bachelorette party and I couldn’t be more excited. So in honor of Tiff’s big weekend, I thought I would share a little laugh and hope that this weekend brings just as many fond memories, hilarious stories, and incriminating pictures.

Sticking To The Plan

I've recently found some great motivational tips for weight loss on the  Everyday Health website. Their articles are very realistic and relateable to everyday temptations and challenges. I figured they would be worth sharing, whether you're looking to drop weight or just make healthier choices during bikini season.

5 Tips for Sticking to Your Diet at a Social Event

1. Never Arrive Hungry

*always have a light and healthy snack before hand to help keep you from over-eating

2. Be Polite, but Firm, when Turning Down Food

*Don't be afraid to say NO

3. Avoid Temptation

*Don't set yourself up for failure with something too good to resist

4. Invite a Healthy Diet Date

*It's always easier when you have someone to hold you accountable

5. Manage your Overall Calendar

*One slip-up won't hurt your whole week of being good

To read the full article, click here

Good Luck & Enjoy!

Happy Anniversary, Charleston!

I can’t believe how quickly the time goes by. Exactly 1 year ago today, I moved 550 miles away from home to a city I had only visited once before, Charleston SC. At this exact time, I was white-knuckling the steering wheel of my Honda attempting to keep up with our caravan and the flow of traffic on I-75 south towards Knoxville. I had my darling best friend Kim in the passenger seat and my beloved puppy dog Jackson in the back. This only lasted for about an hour… my nerves were already completely shot and the sight of watching the trailer of our furniture in front of us was causing me to replay my own imaginary version of Final Destination. Needless to say I didn’t do much driving that day, but the overall move to Charleston was a success but very bittersweet. I had left behind everything that felt like home. My comfort zone, free meals at mom and dad’s, and the greatest friends anyone could ever ask for. But looking back, I can honestly say that it has been one of the greatest challenges and most rewarding experiences of my life. Throughout this year, I’ve learned how to embrace being alone, realized what it’s like to be flat broke, and experienced relationships come full circle. I have learned a tremendous amount about myself and grown as a person, daughter, friend, professional, and Christian. More so than I ever did in the years I spent playing it safe back at home.

But in addition to the personal growth and maturing, I learned a few other things too…

Each day is a gift

It’s OK to have a dog as your best friend

How to budget for gas money

A 1 hour commute really stinks when you’re hungover and don’t have your dad to drive you to work.

I can apply lotion and/or sunscreen to my entire back all my myself

Life is short

I am VERY allergic to Oak trees

Cereal makes for a really good dinner

Fleas are very difficult to get rid of

I’m horrible at packing

It’s best to slowly break people in when they haven’t heard me sing before

The interstate isn’t THAT scary

Yuengling is a poor girl’s best friend

I ask A LOT of questions

Getting a tan is my favorite free weekend activity

The dollar store is the greatest thing on earth

People CAN change

Sometimes the Lord likes to surprise us when we least expect it and need it the most

So here’s to the past year, which has been such an amazing journey all in itself. I could not have done it without those comforts from home who made it possible to sit right beside me, even from 550 miles away. I can only hope and pray that this coming year will be just as exciting! (Just with less moving, fleas, funerals and break ups, and more money, healthier living, cheaper gas, and of course more visits :)

Happy Anniversary, Charleston!