So long...

So,I know I've said it before, but this is it.

I'm wrapping up KT's Sassy Blog.

Other than random-ness, so much of this blog has been about my marriage.

Which is almost over, and is really a new beginning for all of us.

Which means there is a new chapter in my life to share, for anyone who wants to come along for the ride.

And a new blog.

(Because I'm not really giving up blogging, again, I'm just starting the new chapter!)

And if you follow, and be patient, I will link to all of the awesome blogs I follow and share things that amuse me, or things I'm thinking about.

And hope for the same support, friendship and amazingness I've been fortunate to receive from so many people over the years. I can not even tell you how many times people have been kind enough to tell me they read anything I write, let alone enjoy it. It means the world to me.

If you do come visit me at my new place, and have followed me here, you will appreciate my new blog

How Katie Got Her Groove Back

Because honestly, I am so looking forward to what happens from here on out!

Ciao for now-

Still Sassy Katie

http://katiesgroove.blogspot.com/

Weekend wrap up...

My weekends don't always contain too much excitement, but this one was an exception to the rule...

Friday night- All about the Wii. Tessa, her friend Jennifer, Caroline and myself played Just Dance and had a BALL.

Saturday... Saturday gets a little more descriptive. For the last few weeks my garbage disposal had been broken. Not too big of a deal, just pick up the new disposal and call the best repair man ever, Mike D'angelo. Sure Katie, I'll be over Saturday, just pick up the new disposal and have it ready.

So... a matter of minutes into Mike's visit he says "Katie, do you know what this is?" Sure I do! It is the wrought iron top to my paper towel dispenser. It has been missing for, oh say a few weeks.

HOW THE HECK DID THAT EVEN GET IN THERE?

Well, after that, I gave Caroline a shower after which she wrapped a round brush around her hair over and over, which led to my having to cut a portion of the hair out.

But after all that, I got to get on the road and head home for the night to Indiana to meet up with old friends. Our friend Steve was in the US, and lives in Shanghai currently so it was VERY nice to see him.

Sunday was nice and low key. Just the way I like it...

Now bring on the new week!

And as always, if you need a good contractor in the Columbus area call Mike D'angelo.

614-313-7181

When your life's Garmin isn't working...

I was talking to a friend recently and we were lamenting the fact that neither one of us feels like we should pay annually to update our Garmin's. It seems like we paid so much for them, and neither one of us wants to continue to pay the cost.

Sometimes, life feels like that.

Before Garmin how did things get done? Before Mapquest? You figured it out or asked someone else right? Maybe even read a map? (Which, I still don't know how to do, but I've made it this far...)

Well, in yet another installment of "This old house" I called a contractor to help me remove the old grab bar from my shower and get rid of the rust which ran down from under the grab bar.

$1,500 was the quote.

Single mom says what?

No.Freaking.Way.

#1- Not in the budget

#2- What part of me appears to be stupid?

#3- I can do this. Um, I've seen commercials for CLR! Myself!

Ever since I got the phone call with the estimate on Friday I was stressed out about this. $1,500. That is A LOT of money. For one tub renovation? And not even a great one? No way. But at the same time, every day I dread getting into a shower with rust build up running down it. And this is a company I have used before and charged me MUCH LESS for the same work. So I was pretty shocked to get that quote. Had I been anticipating anything close to that I would have never wasted their time...

No. By Sunday after much brewing (albeit in a rusty shower) I was pretty fed up. And while I'm not quite ready to call myself "Katie the shower repair lady" I did make a trip to Home Depot and purchased my own CLR, clear caulk and appliance repair touch up paint. And some lawn bags. I spent under $20.00 and fixed my own problem.

Which leads me to feeling like Caroline, Tessa and myself deserve a Wii.

Which I never ever would have believed was SO FUN before Saturday night...

Which is another story all in it's own. For another time.

Why Talbot's can be hot too...

Really. Here is the pre-conceived idea of what I am up against, as are many of us (I know I was not the only person born in 1971) who

1) Do not want to look like idiots

2) Honestly know that we've still got it, we just don't feel the need to advertise it

3) Revert back to #1

Now, I'm not saying all twin-sets need to come from Talbots. Target and Old Navy sell perfectly cute twin-sets too. A cute twin-set, or even a cardigan and t-shirt are cute, and can be hot in their own way. As far as I'm concerned, the look comes down to how you feel about yourself on the inside, not how much skin you are showing on the outside. If I can show enough of my personality and attitude to feel hot on my own does it really matter if I'm wearing a twin-set? Really. Have you ever seen me in a twin-set and peep toe pumps? I have. I feel pretty confident.

So, to the person who referred to me as a Stepford wife, and girls they perceive to be "like" me, let me clearly state this:

Do not under-estimate girls in twin-sets. You never know what lies beneath the twin-set, either inside or out. Also, you never know about our "twins", nor should you attempt to guess. It just makes you look like:

#1) An idiot (See my own #1, the person I do not want to be)

#2) A person who spends more time and frustration thinking about "girls like us" than we are spending thinking about you.

#3) See #1

Lastly, I am about to be an ex-wife. Please do not refer to me as a Stepford wife. Unless you have a role for me making whatever Nicole Kidman made.

Things I am have and have not been...

I have been loved, I have fallen out of love, and had love taken away.
I have been blond, brunette, and a few versions of red, not always intentionally.
I have been skinny, over-weight and everything in between. All within a year!
I have been an over-achiever, and have fallen short of my own goals and expectations.
I have succeeded, I have failed.
Long hair, short hair, curly hair and straight. Some days, frizzy.
Girly-girl, tomboy.
Frugal, fool hardy.
Honest and dishonest.
Well intentioned yet hurtful.
I have been right, I have been wrong. I have been stubborn, I have given in.
Ball cap wearer to fancy Derby hats. On the rare occasion a snow cap.
A traveller, a home-body.
Since 1992, one thing has remained consistent. My love for my sweet daughter Tessa, who as of Saturday night is a high school graduate. Congratulations to my girl. Enjoy all of the challenges and fun times ahead of you.

Full metal... purse?

So. You know how sometimes life is a little hectic and MAYBE your purse has turned into an area that is quite possibly bad news.
As in:
Hell if I know what's in there. I've just been tossing stuff in there for weeks and not bothered to look around. I know there are no children (of mine) in there, because I have seen both of mine in the last 24 hours and I have to admit that while I do know there was food in there I did remove it the other day. (String cheese. Sorry)
So. You know, the wouldn't sell you such a big handbag if they didn't want you to UTILIZE all of that space. Right? And I'm SORRY if maybe I don't keep my bag very organized.
Well. I got to the courthouse last night (I'd say it was a long story, but it's not and not worth going over) and forgot that you have to go through a metal detector, as does your purse. WTF.
In the list of things I was mentally prepared for THAT was not one of them. You know how sometimes you have your own secret areas of shame? My bag is one of mine. (As is my car. But anyone who knows me knows that.)
This is no joke, but I was at a party once and won a door prize for having the most random contents in my bag. If you need it, there is a good chance I have it.
So. Back to the issue at hand(bag). My bag. It goes through the metal detector and gets stopped and they show the contents to me on the screen and ask me what's in there? Hell if I know. What ISN'T in there? They asked me if I had mace. No. They asked me what it was. Possibly a hair product? I wasn't being a smart alec, just honest. Really. You people think I know what is in that bag? All I know is it must have looked REALLY bad on the screen because they sure weren't about to stick their hands in there and start rooting around.
After all that, of course I HAD to know what the freak they saw on the screen that caused such concern, yet not enough to reach in and check.
1) $14 in LOOSE CHANGE! I'm rich!
2) A drawer pull from a cabinet I bought at World Market. Awesome store, hated the hardware.
3) Spare parts for my eyelash curler. Shu Uemura rocks. For those of you who are lovely you know what I mean.
4) A spoon. Mine? Brian's? Guess I need to figure that out.
5) Jewelry. But not the good stuff. No. My two Wendy Brandes necklaces are safe and sound.
6) Lot's of random other stuff.
Anyway. I'm offically changing bags. To something smaller. Geesh.

What's a newly single girl to do?

Besides LOVE IT!
So, let me give you a run down of my first real Friday night alone (Brian's first "real" weekend being in "charge.")
What I'm so happy and thankful about is that people are not "pushing" me to do things. My friends have been very respectful of the fact that right now, I value my privacy and quiet time. I really just want to be with my girls, and get the new house to the point where it feels like home for us.
So. Back to Friday night. I was feeling a little excited and was planning on having a friend come over for a bit. Until I got home and discovered Quincy had FLEAS. And not a few. More like QUITE A FEW. Again, this is what I get for buying a house with three dogs, a cat and an overgrown never been weeded yard that resembled Wild Freaking Kingdom out there.
Fleas. Do you KNOW how hard I have worked on cleaning the new house? Having the hardwood floors re-done? Replacing ruined carpet? Taking money out of my retirement account to furnish it?
So. Back to Friday night. By 9 p.m. I am naked (whatever, freaks) in my bathroom giving my dog a flea bath. Did you even know how expensive flea shampoo is? I was so upset I bathed the poor guy twice in addition to having made an appointment for the morning for a flea bath at the vet.
By 9:30 I am in bed reading. No TV. Quietly.
I swear, I woke up smiling, fleas and all.

Question of the day...

If you have a sign in front of your business that states parking is limited to five minutes doesn't that imply that you can get your customers in and out in five minutes?

So... here she is...

The replacement for the Volvo. I actually got her a few months ago, but have had so many things going on and so much of my life has been up in the air that I neglected to mention her.

I swore, I absolutely (and literally some days) swore that I would drive the Volvo to the bitter end. Well, let me tell you. It was bitterly cold, the Volvo had no heat and I was driving with two pair of gloves and rubber boots to stay warm. I snapped at that point. I pulled the Volvo up in front of the house, called Brian and said "I'm done."

Enter the best car salesman in THE WORLD, Melvin Giles at Germain Lexus of Easton. I called Melvin and let him know that I did not have the patience to look at a bunch of cars, did not want to listen to the sales talk and only wanted to see one car which I had found on their website. And let me tell you, when we got there, Melvin had the car waiting at the curb. I fell in love instantly. All of the practice we had done with Caroline in the car chanting "Melvin, we are not buying a car tonight" went straight out the window when Caroline saw the car and said "That car is sweet. We're buying it." Well, buy it we did. Brian refers to it as part of my severance package.

I call her "Black Beauty"

Pardon the dust...

Well, I made the blog private for a few weeks while I got a few things in my life settled. Such as:

1) Moving

2) Ending my marriage

So many people have been very kind in emailing me or contacting me via facebook to check on me and it has been much appreciated. For those of you who have expressed concern, I promise you I am fine. In my own words, I summed it up to myself like this- I never realized how unhappy I was until I was finally close to happiness. The fact is that Brian and I discussed ending our marriage for years. And while I know there is a curiosity that people have when a marriage ends the simple fact for us is that being married to each other just wasn't working.

Later this week when I find my camera cord I will post some pictures of the new house. It is everything I could have hoped for. It has a porch which is something I have wanted for years! Caroline, Tessa and myself will be fine. Except for the fact that Tessa is leaving. This is her last week of school.

So along with all of these changes in my life comes a slightly altered cast of characters in my blog and my life. My dog Quincy will now be taking over for Brian as the role of the man in my life and remember all of the stories about my Volvo? Well, the Volvo is gone! With no husband and no Volvo to blog about whatever will I do???

Tune in tomorrow and I will share the details on the Volvo's replacement and fate...

Till then,

Sassy (and now single) KT

Moving sale....

OK, not a sale. Moving freebies. The following books are 48 hours away from a one way trip to anyone who wants them or to Half Price Books. And as goofy as it sounds, I'd prefer for them to go to people in my own little blogging world versus complete strangers.

So, if anyone would like for me to mail them any of the following books, send me an email with your information and on Monday your book will be at the post office. Any books left go to Half Price Books.

The Wife's Tale by Lori Lansens

blame by michelle huneven (I loved this book)

Poor Little Bitch Girl by Jackie Collins

Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg

Big Girl by Danielle Steel

falling apart in one piece by stacy morrison

Sizzle by Julie Garwood

Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt

The Hole We're In by Gabrielle Zevin

Never Tell Our Business To Strangers by Jennifer Mascia (Loved it)

Love in Mid Air by Kim Wright

rush home road by Lori Lansens

Perfection by Julie Metz (Loved this one too!)

Towelhead by Alicia Erian- (Awesome read!)

House Rules by Jodi Piccoult

Normally I would link all of the books to Barnes and Noble so people could read a synopsis, but I don't know how to do that on our new computer!

It's hump day. Again...

Before I talk about last weekend, let me address hump day and a fond memory.

I referred to Wednesday as "hump day" once and my dear, darling friend Jordan had never heard of "hump day" and I think she thought I was being naughty. Well, once again it is hump day and I swear, I'm just catching up from the weekend.

So.... here's the weekend wrap up and really, I'm not even embellishing. Not a bit.

Friday, the day before Tessa's senior prom: Tessa had driver's ed and had not even had a chance to try on her prom dress as we had to have it shipped to our house and she had been at driver's ed every night during the week. As soon as the dress got here, I took it straight to the dry cleaners to be pressed for pick up. Which leads us to...

Saturday morning. 11:15 a.m. I get home from the dry cleaners with Tessa's dress, still in the plastic dry cleaner bag, her boutonniere for her date and a few other items that she needed. Tessa takes the dress to her room and within seconds I hear a panicked "mom." I'm not kidding you, the poor kid was about to bawl. The tag hanging from the dress said size 6. The label sewn into the dress said size 14. We ordered a size 2. She tried the dress on, and it was HANGING off of her. It was a size 14, not a six like the tag said, not a 2 like we ordered. Her date was coming at 5:00, she had a hair appointment at 1:00, and I don't know how to sew, let alone re-build an entire prom dress.

I have no idea what special powers of calm took over me, but I said to Tessa and Caroline "Get your shoes on." Poor, poor Tessa kept saying "What am I going to do mom?" I knew if I let Tessa panic the day would be ruined.

In my life I will never know how we pulled it off, but we drove a half an hour across town, purchased a prom dress that fit (with a few safety pins) a half an hour home, got gas (when we pulled into the gas station the tank said 0 miles to go) and got Tessa to her hair appointment on time at 1:00 with a few minutes to spare. Caroline was a complete trooper about racing around with us and getting in and out of the store in a matter of minutes. Tessa, God love her kept it together for me and we were laughing by the end of it.

She could not have looked more beautiful.

Sunday was Cake Boss and date night for Caroline and I. Tessa was invited, but apparently has a cooler life than hanging out at Cake Boss appearances. (Tessa, if you are lucky maybe I will leave you the cake plate he signed for us. ) The icing on the cake if you will was when Caroline and I left the parking garage after the Cake Boss appearance and the automated meter at the exit spit out $21.00 in quarters in change for the $20.00 bill I put in for the parking fee. I gave the money to Tessa. She'll need it for college.

*And I'd like to thank Macy's for the not-in-any-way-shape-or-form good experience of getting a dress for Tessa's prom. They really, really seemed to (not) care when I took the dress into the store and showed it to them with the tags and label reading two different sizes which were not even close to one another. Thanks. And to the following people, with true sincerity, Thank you for making Tessa's prom awesome.

*Chapel Hill florist in Grandview- The boutonniere was GORGEOUS. Tessa was thrilled. Thank you.

*Barbie at Nurtur- You could not have done a better job of making Tessa's hair look exactly how she hoped it would. Again, Thank you.

Finally. We meet.

Last year, I blogged about my not so secret crush on Buddy, the Cake Boss. Man, I just adore that guy, as does Caroline.

A few weeks ago I found out from my friend Sara that he is coming to Columbus. Tonight. TONIGHT. I called my friend Ryan, the best ticket broker EVER to get tickets. And since Ryan doesn't do anything unless it is in top-notch style, he got us FRONT ROW seats.

Ugh. It is only a matter of hours until Caroline and I are in our own little happy zone... Or as Caroline said "I am freaking out Mom."

More good-byes...

I'm sure I'm not alone in this, but dividing up friendships during a break up is hard. In any relationship I have ever been in I have had the chance to meet fabulous people and have been lucky enough to maintain some of those friendships over the years. My relationship with Brian has been no different. Through Brian I have had the chance to meet some AMAZING people, and consider myself lucky to have done so. And with me, any person who is as kind to my kids as they are to me is TOP NOTCH in my book.

In the case of Brian's friend Scott and his wife Sara I could not say enough kind things. From early on in our relationship Scott, Sara and their family have been nothing but great to us. Those kindnesses will never be forgotten. For anyone who has followed my blog, one of Scott's early starring roles in my life was when he was willing to come dressed as the stork for a baby shower I hosted. Not many friends would have driven a half hour across town to do that for someone, and when Barack Obama spoke at Tessa's school, Sara drove to come get Caroline for me so I could be there with Tessa at the event. Both Scott and Sara's parents have always been kind to our family, as well as having hosted us on vacations. Again, their true kindness will always be remembered. And in the case of Scott's amazingly funny step-father Chuck, one of the best story tellers of all time will always be remembered. A gift for making a good story even better is always appreciated!

Well, in addition to my moving, Scott and Sara are moving. For their family, this is a new opportunity and I am excited for them. And while both of our families may be changing in certain ways, I feel confident that our friendships will not.

Thank you Scott and Sara for your friendship, and to your families as well.

And if this friendship comes down to taking custody of anyone, I get Chuck.

What about Bob?

Well, I have to say our neighbor Bob loves our little family. I'm guessing not nearly as much as we love him, but love is love, right? When it comes to great next door neighbors I swear we hit the jackpot. Athanasia on one side, Bob on the other. I'm guessing Bob is 90 now, and still likes to clean out our gutters and repair things he notices need done. He always stops to talk to Caroline and loves to pet Quincy through the fence. Whenever we have him over for dinner he is a fabulous dinner guest, and just a true pleasure to know. So. The question is which one of us tells Bob that Caroline and I are moving and Tessa is leaving for college? The funny thing is that neither Brian nor myself wants to tell him. I offered to write a letter or email him. I have a feeling that is tacky and not appropriate. Ugh. Saying goodbye is WAY worse than packing.

Some things can't be bubble wrapped...

As I was packing tonight I looked out my window and saw my dear friend and next door neighbors house and had to close my blinds. I can not pack and look at her house at the same time. This is a woman who has been on vacations with me, babysat for me and someone I see every day. I have known her through two of her three pregnancies and can smell her cooking dinner from my house at the end of each day. She watched Caroline for me from the time Caroline was six weeks old, and had it not been for her I could have never left Caroline with anyone else and gone back to work. She is my friend, my neighbor and she has been a lifesaver and inspiration to me on many occasions. I realized as I looked at my packing boxes that I am only packing up my physical belongings. My memories are in my heart, and it does not matter where I live.

My future Hoosier...

After much debate (on both the part of mother AND daughter) the decision has been made.

Tessa is headed in the direction of Indiana greatness. I can honestly say that the other morning when Tessa sent me a text message telling me she had made her decision I was stunned. I could not imagine that she had gone to bed, been driven to school and then made up her mind. I was wrong.

When I asked her what prompted her to decide, she told me that she woke up and felt confident that this was the right choice.

My heart broke a little, but I'm excited for her. So much for my secret dream of her staying at home and going to school online from our living room or something where I could see her every day.

If I knew how to make a heart on a keyboard I could tell her I heart her.

Congrats my future Hoosier. Welcome to the legacy of great people who have chosen the state of Indiana. And while I know I lost my cool on a few of the college visits I wouldn't trade them for anything. Thank you for letting your old mom and little sister tag along for the ride.

*My favorite Hoosiers, not ranked in any order of priority or school affiliation

David Letterman, Bobby Knight, John Mellencamp, Kimberly, Sara and myself. Just for fun I found an old post from 2007 with my IU banner in the background. I've offered Tessa the banner as a peace offering for crying a little when she told me she was really leaving me.

Seven year itch...

Sometimes, I don't think we use all of our lifes best lessons when entering into a marriage. Or possibly any relationship. Why are we kinder, more polite, use better manners with strangers and co-workers? Why do we worry more about what people see on the walls outside of our homes or in our yards than what is happening inside? Why do we forget to focus on that person or the ideal that we spent so much time on in the beginning? If relationships are for grown-ups, how come sometimes when we are in one we forget to act like it?
Today is my seven year anniversary. We got married during Lent, therefore we were not allowed to have flowers in the church. We also had to get married on a Friday night and be able to be out before Stations of the Cross. We were so excited to get married that we did not let these things deter us from our common goal of marriage and hopefully starting a family. As I stood in church today surrounded by the flowers and the message of new beginnings I reflected on the day seven years ago where I was joined in hand and by heart to the person I felt was my new beginning.
Seven years. I could have run for office as well as re-election at this point. Unfortunately, I'm not being re-elected. Like a politician I am determined to smile and make the most of it. Shake hands, kiss my babies. (Even though they are not babies anymore, they will always be mine.) I won't be retired to the sunny state of California or even my home state of Indiana. But I'm OK with that. This is my life and I will make the most of it.

Suddenly...

I'm going to borrow one of Caroline's favorite words, "suddenly."
It kind of goes like this:
"Mom, I was standing there and suddenly the marker wrote on me."
or...
"I suddenly was playing with my DS in bed."
Well, I've realized a few things suddenly myself.
Suddenly, I am a dog lover. Man do I love Quincy.
Suddenly, I do not like feeling railroaded and I won't feel that way any more.
Suddenly, I will not be put down by someone else who is feeling frustrated.
Suddenly, I wake up each day and make a conscious choice to be happy versus unhappy.
Suddenly, I am a size 4!
Suddenly, I realized that this week is a time of rebirth and reflecting. I like this week.

I'd like to thank the following sponsors...

Man, have I had a much needed good couple of days. I'd like to run down the list of peeps who made it happen and give them a special "shout out"

After weeks of walking around with a magazine photo of what I want my hair to look like I finally went for it. Not sure why I debated (ok, procrastinated) when I knew I was in good (outstanding) hands at Ha!r in Grandview. If you live in the Columbus area, you have got to check out the salon. What a talented, top-notch team. Thank you Jose Espitia for making me pretty!

Z Cucina. I don't think I will ever be able to adequately describe how much I enjoy eating there. I love to go on Friday before it gets busy. I can take Caroline for $5 and get a great meal for myself as well. Blue Crab Ravioli. 'Nuff said.

Cantina Laredo. Holy Smokes. Upscale Mexican at Polaris. Sunday Brunch, $10.00. INCLUDES a free mimosa or Bloody Maria (Nope, not a Bloody Mary, this one's made with tequila!) THE best salsa I've ever had in a restaurant (they even sent me home with a container) and more food than I knew what to do with. (OK, that part might be a lie.)

Toss in there a little meltdown at Banana Republic, a pet expo with Caroline and some surprise time with friends and you've got all the makings of a great weekend!

And last but not least. It was my one week anniversary with Quincy. I heart that little nugget.