I've always marched to my own beat...and that's putting it mildly...
But what you may not know is that I sometimes make up my own language. Like last week when Ryan asked me to mail the water bill for the fifth time.
"I need to order more checks." Translation: "I can't find my checkbook."
Between the brushes, punch cards for lunch places, makeup cases, Starburst wrappers, Happy Meal toys, and the myriad of other paraphernalia in my pocketbook, finding that lousy checkbook is as likely as a short line at the DMV. As a result I've ordered so many checks in my life that surely my Wells Fargo rep must think I write checks for everything...
"Hi, girls, to whom do I make this out?"
I also have a habit of making matter-of-fact statements on any topic. If it makes sense to me, it has to be true, right?
Mama: "You know, there's a rain deficit in Columbia."
Me: "That's because there are so many hills. The water runs down them and goes away."
Something tells me this book will be in my stocking this year.
And sometimes life plays tricks on us. Like the other day when I turned a corner while driving and thought I was the either sudden victim of a BB gun or a large hail storm had come out of nowhere.
The resounding cacophony was actually a bag of cough drops I'd bought a week ago and thought I lost. They had evidently been hiding in the back seat, and my two wheeled turn sent all 70 cough drops flying toward the door and window...
Last weekend was bittersweet. On Saturday I and many loved ones said goodbye to dear, sweet Jenny Ketner. She was a beloved mother, sister, wife, teacher, neighbor, friend, and the list goes on. I was honored to be asked to be a part of her funeral service. I wouldn't have missed it, and I know that Mrs. Ketner would have been happy to know how much her family is loved and supported. Our church went above and beyond with a wonderful homemade lunch before the service, and it was wonderful to see everyone, despite the circumstances.
Not only was Mrs. Ketner my art teacher and church leader, but she also had the misfortune opportunity to be my next door neighbor for several years. I therefore have many Mrs. Ketner stories that I recalled in a tribute during the service:
Mrs. Ketner always had command of her classroom:
Rule #1: No talking with hands, eyes, or eyebrows. Yes, folks, one day I talked with my eyebrows across the room and got in trouble. It looked something like this.
After taking a humiliating seat in the corner of room for the remainder of that class, I never did it again. No one disobeyed in art!
Mrs. Ketner was protective:
One day during a mild storm in Dillon...
I decided to take Jay outside and play. And not just outside, but on the roof of our house, which was accessible from the upstairs guest room. (My mother said we were allowed to play "in" the house, and in my mind the roof was still part of the house, so we were technically still in it...) There I go again rationalizing. Poor Jay was politely forced to tag along on this one of my many hair brained schemes. As my mother laid in bed with a stomach virus and my Dad most likely attending a church meeting, Jay and I were frolicking on the rooftop, completing ignoring the TV/radio weather warnings. That was when Mrs. Jenny Ketner came driving around the circle in her van.
"QUICK, JAY- DUCK!!! Maybe she'll think we're really big birds!" But Mrs. Ketner didn't miss anything. Ring ring goes the phone at the Carlson home. "Ann, I don't know how to tell you this, but there are trees blowing down outside, and Katharine and Jay are on the roof with beach umbrellas..."
Official protective gear for all hazardous weather.
This made for a not so happy Ann Carlson, but were it not for sweet Mrs. Ketner, Jay and I may have blown away that day, never to be seen again.
Mrs. Ketner was welcoming and wanted everyone to feel included:
One summer night in the 90s Lucy and her mother came over as I was packing my overnight bag in anticipation of our sleepover. As we were walking out the door a very young Jay came in the room dragging his suitcase.
"Jay, just where do you think you're going?" the big sister in me snapped.
"I'm going to spend the night with Lucy, too."
Without missing a beat, Mrs. Ketner said to my Mom, "Ann, let him come."
Honestly, how could you say no to this little face?
So the four of us walked over to Lucy's where Jay, Lucy, and I played until 12:00 midnight when Jay decided he was now homesick. Sweet Mrs. Ketner got out of her bed without complaining and walked Jay back to our house. "We were so glad to have him. He is welcome back anytime."
What a kind, wonderful, loyal, dedicated lady who will be missed by so many but whose Christian legacy will live on! God bless you, Mrs. Jenny, and your sweet family who I love so dearly!
That evening I was thrilled to spend time with Meagan and Dustin (and get in a squeeze with Noah).
One of life's greatest joys comes in the form of an Outback buzzer letting you know your table is ready.
Last Sunday afternoon I got to see many of my DCS friends at Christina's baby shower. We can hardly wait to meet Baby Remmy!
I can't get over how fast this year is flying. HOW is it already March? The winter season can seem depressing after Christmas, but luckily the Oscars are one of the season's highlights. I was so glad to have some fabulous friends over for this auspicious occasion.
How hilarious is Ryan photo-bombing our picture?
Of course we primarily enjoyed the fashion. Here are some fashion high (and low) lights from the 2013 Oscars showcase:
Jennifer Lawrence was on several best dressed lists, but before I could see the pattern up close all I could think of was Kleinfeld's...
You look phenomenal, Halle. I can distinctly hear Michael Jackson's "They Don't Really Care About Us" marching army.
For the record, I LOVE this dress. Color and all, but it did remind me of something...
Somebody is very angry...
Charlize looked amazing. Straight from the fondant bakery.
OBSESSED!!! Amy Adams wore one of my favorite gowns of the night by far.
Straight from "unda da sea" it's Jennifer Hudson.
Spotted from an air craft 800 miles above sea level is Jane Fonda.
May you look forward to the next week in Fashion and Faith. And always remember, folks, if you fall off a horse on stage while accepting your Oscar, it's best to get back up again.
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