My name is Kellie...

Wow. Can I say how much I do not like Christmas shopping? Yes, ladies and gentlemen. I said it. There IS a kind of shopping I don't like. I realized tonight that I am a great shopper.... When it comes to buying for myself. But turn me loose in a store searching for a gift for someone else and I'm stuck.

I have tried so hard this year to get my presents bought early. And I have attempted many times to fulfill that goal. But each time, I return home with many bags full of items for only myself. I'm running out of time! Only one week until Christmas. Ahh! Not to mention that I am running out of closet space for all of it. I think they have meetings for people like me.

My name is Kellie... I'm a shopaholic. Help.

P.S. If anyone has great ideas of what to buy my dad for Christmas let me know, he's tough to shop for!!!

"I can do all things..."

I've decided that I have my deepest thoughts on Sundays. I usually hide away in my room relaxing, and occasionally reading or writing in my journal. Not that I plan it, there are things that I should probably be doing instead (like cleaning my room... ha ha). Today was an especially good day for reflecting, so I wanted to share some of the things I've found amid my reading.

God hath not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through.
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way.
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.

This is by far my favorite poem/thought/etc. I have read it so many times, I have it memorized and whenever I am having a hard time it comes to my mind. I was reminded of this as I read a quote by Bishop H. David Burton "As with most everything we are called upon to do in life, it is vital that we move forward. When we do our best, seeking both human and divine guidance and trusting in our loving Heavenly Father, He will bless the outcome."

Well, that is my thought for the day, take it or leave it. I hope that it can help someone the way it has helped in my life. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" - Philippians 4:13

Santa!!! I know him...

Bittersweet Farewell to Summer

Well, here it is.... The end of Summer. *sigh* And while I didn't have near as much fun as I would have liked,(work takes up all my play time) it wasn't a complete bust either. I love those warm summer nights and soaking up the sunshine during the day. This summer was my soul-searching adventure and I think I did a pretty good job of accomplishing my goal. I learned to be more self-sufficient and I learned to not rely on others for my happiness. So all in all it was a success. :)

Even though I mourn the loss of summer, I am super excited for Fall and all that comes with it! Besides the cooler days and the leaves changing, hoodie season and corn mazes, I love love LOVE Halloween... Last week, I was walking through the seasonal aisles at the store and had to resist the urge to buy costumes. Wednesdays at work are called "Dress-up Wednesdays". I wonder what kind of dress up is included? I'll have to look into that....

So, farewell summer... It's time for me to move on. You can find me in a haunted house. :)

Fiesta!

Last week as you may know, was Cinco de Mayo. And since I will use any excuse to celebrate(a.k.a. Par-tay), me and some friends had a FIESTA! This has become a tradition the past couple of years. This year, we went to El Matador for dinner. Here are some of the pictures we took... Ole! :)

The whole crew.

Dr. Kellie

When I'm bored, I shop. When I'm sad, I shop. When I'm happy, I shop. (I could continue on with almost every emotion.) It's a little something I call "Shopping Therapy", and it works like a charm every time. I admit that it's not the most economical option, and it really doesn't help with my saving plan. But this is what I did last night. :) I initially went to buy some new cleats for my softball league that I'm playing in... Which I did. While I was out I decided that I needed some new cute shoes and maybe some shirts too. Why not? Anyways, it has made my outlook on the week so much better! Tuesday was a great day... And tomorrow, I will be wearing my new shoes and a new shirt to work.

So, your advice from Dr. Kellie... Take 2 shoes, and call me next time you go shopping. :)

I don't know who I am... Or what I stand for. :)

I'm not entirely sure where this sudden urge to blog came from. I haven't blogged in months. As you can see I am the epitome of a "bad blogger". (So much so, that I couldn't remember my password.) I also can't believe I feel guilty about it. :)

Earlier today, I was asked what my favorite quote is... Given some time to think about it, I narrowed it down to one that I've always considered among my many favorites. It is a quote by Dallin H. Oakes:

"It is not enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it. In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to BECOME something."

So it got me thinking and I spent a lot of time wondering what I am becoming. I can admit that I am far from perfect and my spiritual life could use a lot of work. But I think this applies to every aspect of life. At least this is where my train of thought led me... I'm sure everyone has heard the saying "Remember who you are and what you stand for". I know I heard that almost daily from my dad when I was growing up. And I always shrugged it off with a pity laugh and a roll of my eyes, but there is definite truth to it. While I don't intend for this to be a "woe is me" session, I have had a few humbling experiences the past couple of months that have brought my spirits down. And it started me thinking about why I stand for the things I do.

Hopefully this doesn't sound too depressing, but I think I am having an identity crisis. :) Dramatic right? It's just, I am not completely happy with where my life is right now and I think it's time I do something about it, time I "become something" if you will. I look around at all the people that are off on exciting adventures this summer, to be free spirited and live on the beach or move to a new city/country and so on. As much as I would love to join them, my job would not allow that, and I am not prepared for such a change that would include quitting my good, stable job. So I am going to make some smaller changes instead, I won't go in to details, because this is more of a personal challenge to myself. I just wanted to have this documented for my own well-being. I am going to find out who I truly am, and I'm going to find things that make me blissfully happy. That is MY adventure for Summer 2009! Stay tuned for updates....