Shoe Fever!

I'm desperate to go fall shoe shopping. I keep getting emails from DSW and they are just luring me in. Ben and I are supposed to go to the lake this weekend (gotta get one last tan before the weather turns) but if not I'm hitting up the DSW. These are some of my favorites I found online.

I love heels. I know they damage my feet, and I'll regret wearing them so much once I'm older but I just can't give them up quite yet. I've cut back and wear flats from time to time, but really heels just look so much better. And I think they make your pants appear to fit better as well. So, with that said, these are a few of my favorites that I found at DSW's website.

I really do like these, and while they would be ideal for fall I really need to find something that can take me into winter as well. I'm not so sure a peep-toe bootie fits the billThese guys? They are awesome. The ruffles are cute and would add some visual interest to an everyday plain-jane outfit. Not in purple though, I would go for black or brown.

These are great, but that heel might be a little bit too high. Would I look too streetwalker in a 5" heel? Probably so. But the flower and peep-toe are adorable.

Like I said earlier, I'm trying to wear flats more often but its just tough. I'm short so the height boost is necessary and I have such high arches that some of my heels are just as comfortable as my flats. Anyway. I am on the lookout for one or two pairs of smart shoes and I think these just might be winners.

I think the little flower is what drew me to these in the first place, although I really like the color as well. These don't look like the comfortable type of flats though.

(not sure how to take that 'featured in commercial' part off) The good thing about these is that they are stretchy in the back, that is key to a comfortable flat. I also like the ruffles on the front -- just a little visual interest but not too over the top. I think I'm going to definitely buy these bad boys. I just need to decide what color I want.

OCD? Probably so.

I have this big problem with my grocery store. And I'm not sure what to do about it.

I've lately been going to the grocery on Monday afternoons after I get off work, and typically there are not many people in the store when I go. Because there are not too many people in the store, there is rarely a wait at the cash register which is a good thing. But a few months ago, I started noticing that the manager was always standing in front of the line of registers every time I checked out and he occasionally would come over and help customers unload their carts onto the little conveyor belt thingy.

I do realize they are doing this in an effort to please their customers, but I simply do not like or want their help. I really like for my groceries to be bagged a certain way: produce with produce, meat with meat, dairy with dairy, cleaning products with cleaning products, etc. I think that is fairly reasonable, no? I've found that if I lay my groceries onto the conveyor MYSELF everything is usually bagged the way I like. If somoene helps me,well, inevitably I get home to find my bag of chips crushed because it was bagged with heavy potatoes, or I'll find meat in the same bag as my produce (some of which I eat raw). Its just gross, right? Not to mention its so much easier for me to unload if things are bagged properly.

This wasn't a big issue until the last two months or so. I could get away with no-help from the manager about 66% of the time so I just growled to myself the few times that he did beeline over to help me. Now, the manager AND the assistant manager stand at the front so there is no hope of scooting through without their help. I've tried every possible thing : not making eye contact, rushing to the first register before I pass them by, telling them "you really don't have to do this". Nothing works!!!!

Here's the thing. These are nice people, and I go to this store every single week. I don't want to be rude and I also don't really want to let them catch onto the fact that I'm a little bit crazy*. What should I do? How can I explain that I really don't want their help without explaining my rationale**.


*I know I just stated this publicly on my blog, so why should I have trouble telling someone at Kroger the same thing but if you read my blog, you already know I'm a little nuts. The Kroger people don't.





**which is totally valid and all, its just maybe a little over the top

How big is too big?

So, not so much comment love on the last post, huh? I actually thought the story was funny but maybe it was one of those you had to be there type things. Oh well.

For the last several years, I have really loved big sunglasses. HUGE ones. Obnoxiously so, in most cases. Its just the trend, and I've embraced it. However, I do have an abnormally small head so it usually makes my sunnies seem even bigger than they actually are. I've bought a few new pairs recently, and I want some feedback.

Are these too big? As always, please be honest. You're not going to offend me and I'll probably wear them regardless of what yall say.

This first pair, I have had for quite a while. Actually I think the longest I've ever kept a pair of sunglasses -- over a year for sure. Maybe two. Anyway, that isn't the point. The point is that I've had these for a long time but I still wonder if they're slightly too big?


These may not be too big, but I'm just not really sure how I feel about the aviator look on me. Also, are aviators even in style anymore?


I decided to smile for all of you in this last picture! These are my newest pair. And I think these are the worst of the bunch. How silly do I actually look? I sent a similar picture of me wearing them to my mom and her response was a polite "maybe they are okay for the beach, but I'm not so sure about them for just wearing around". i.e. "THROW. THEM. AWAY. NOW, KATIE!"


Oh and just for the record, I wasn't driving in these pictures .... just sitting in my car. But I came up with the idea while I was driving so once I got back to my office, I took them in the parking lot. (So that explains the seat belt)

Also, I know my face is shiny. I need some powder.

I'm fairly certain that I just drank a cup full of spit, but it sure was tasty

I've been hearing for weeks now from different people how Sonic makes these fantastic pina coloda slushies. Evidently they are all the rage, so after I woke up from my Sunday afternoon nap, I was thirsty and groggy and trying to procrastinate doing my chores so I decided I'd make the trek to the Sonic closest to my house to get one of these famed slushies.

I drove all the way up there, and got in the drive thru line. It was very busy there and there were several cars both in front of and behind me. When it was my turn to order, I very confidently asked for the pina coloda slush and the guy taking my order responded:

"We don't have the pina coloda here"

I was devastated. And also a bit flustered ... there were cars behind me so I couldn't exactly hem and haw and take my time making a decision. So I asked the flavors and the man rattled them off to me. He mentioned that they had both PINEAPPLE and COCONUT slushies, but I was so flustered that I just wasn't thinking right so I just said "I'll have a strawberry one, thanks".

I was immediately dejected about it. Didn't even want the stupid strawberry one but I figured I probably didn't need the extra calories anyway. Then as I was waiting for my inferior slushie, I started thinking ... why can't they just mix coconut and pineapple for me? (Didn't think of that when I was ordering ... I know, stupid) So when the guy brought my drink out to me, I figured I'd just ask and see what he said.

Me: "Hey, I have a question ... the guy taking my order told me that yall didn't have pina coloda slushies, but can't you just mix pineapple and coconut"

Sonic Guy: "Yeah, I don't see why we couldn't do that"

Me: "Ummmmm ... is there any way I can get one of those instead of this one" (You'll never get anything you don't ask for)

Sonic Guy: "Yeah, did you want that in addition to the strawberry one?"

Me: "No, I really didn't even want strawberry, I just want the pina coloda, but I understand if you can't do that"

Sonic Guy: "Ah, I'll hook you up ... you just keep that strawberry one and I'll go make you the one you want"

AWESOME! (Special thanks to that nice, nice man)

So, he brought me the new slushie, I gave him a nice tip, and was on my way. I had to swing by Target to grab a few things so I took my delicious drink inside with me. I found the stuff I needed, and proceeded to the checkout counter. I set my stuff on the counter, and put my drink up on the little ledge while I got my wallet out.

I think you know where this is going.

I hadn't even pulled out my wallet, when I heard "BAM" ... my precious slushie had fallen to the ground. And spilled everywhere.

Karma, I guess.

(It was soooooo good though. I'll definitely be having one of those again in the near future.)

PETA Wouldn't Approve!

I was at my parent's house on Saturday afternoon getting ready to go to a bbq at my aunt and uncle's house. I still have a jewelry box at their house full of things I had when I was a child. Mostly its stuff I don't wear or wouldn't wear but still wanted to keep, so I just never really bothered to move it to my house. I like to go through this stuff from time to time because my tastes change and occasionally I'll find something I feel like putting into the jewelry rotation for a while!

I found this small, ivory elephant charm that I had bought in Hawaii a LOOOONG time ago. I think it is so pretty, so I decided to wear it. I didn't have a gold chain to put it on (sold all my gold at Ca$h 4 Gold .... kidding) so I went to ask my mom for one. This sent her digging into her jewelry box and she found 3 more ivory elephant charms but hers were a little larger than mine. Two of them had never been worn, and she figured they were something she'd bought in Hawaii with the intention of gifting them to someone so she just gave one of them to me! I wore it that night and the next day and intend to be wearing this little guy more frequently for a while.

Sorry for the blurry image ... it was the best picture I could capture

I don't really think the charm is politically correct, but I don't really care much about being PC. Its pretty and I want to wear and enjoy it! (And I think it was purchased before poaching became such a heated issue)

The Power of Negative Thinking

I am not an optimist. If you know me, you know that well. I have always preferred to expect the negative and be happy if things work out to the contrary. I think I started taking this approach to life in middle school when I was trying out for the 9th grade cheerleading squad. I worked my butt off every single day and told all of my friends that there was no way on earth I would make the team. Then I did. While I was cheering my way through high school, I would constantly say "oh we won't win this game" and many times we would. When I told people that I had applied to Georgia Tech for college I made sure to qualify it with "but I'm sure I won't get accepted". Of course I did. Then once I was in college, I would go to class, pay attention, take notes, study and do all of the right things that most college students did not. Regardless, I would come out of every test stating that I had failed. Very rarely did I actually fail.

*** OOOPS! I didn't mean to hit publish just yet. If you're on reader ignore this and make sure you read the completed version ***


So you get the picture, right? I'm a Negative Nelly. A pessimist. Debbie Downer. Whatever you want to call me, you're probably correct. My friends and family will tell you that I take this to the extreme, and I will admit that there is some truth to this. However, my negative attitude has served me pretty well thus far and I have no plans to change it.


Now that you have that background, I'll get to the point of this post. Sometimes positive thinking just PISSES ME OFF. Like really, makes me madder than hell. While I am happy to admit that I am usually overly negative, there are times when I am not exaggerating. There are times when I need people to not be so damn positive. Because you know what I think when someone is positive all the time? I think they are liars. I think they are sheltered. I think they are clueless.


So, all you positive thinkers out there .... take a lesson from a pessimist. Sometimes things aren't all that great and it is okay to admit to that. Occasionally you need to complain and prepare for the worst. It can serve you well.


Hope I didn't offend anyone out there, but I'm sure I did!

Dancin' Shoes

Are these boots not fabulous? I just love them! I don't think this picture quite does them justice, but they really are a good purchase. Not that I can take credit for finding them, because I saw Carrie wearing a pair and HAD to have them. I sent her back to the store where she bought them to find a pair for me. And not that I'm counting, but that is the second time this year I have copied a pair of shoes she was wearing.

What do you think I paid for those boots? I'll give you a hint and say that they were on major sale.

I show you the shoes, so that I can tell you about the inspiration they gave me when I was driving home from work yesterday. I normally talk to my mom or sister while I'm driving, but since
has arrived, neither of them are very available to me anymore. (No offense to sweet Ellie, of course. I have already asked my parents to temporarily adopt a sister for me while Kimmie is busy).

But I digress. Back to the point. Since I couldn't find anyone who was willing to talk to me on the phone, I had to resort to listening to music and thinking. This is a dangerous combination. One of my current favorite songs is "Forever" by Chris Brown (I think). When that came on, I immediately started dancing. And then it hit me ... I'm going to make up a dance routine to this song.

I'll let yall know how it turns out. Maybe if it is any good I'll even post it on the blog. But don't count on that happening because I'm the world's worst dancer.

I'm thinking that
a) it was a terrible idea
b) i probably shouldn't post this because now you all know what a dork I am

Halloween 2008

Friday night was a very spooky one for the Longmires. Crick hosted a party for all our friends and lots of people came in from out of town for the occasion! Even Crick made sure to get himself voted off Survivor so he could be back for his own party!


He went to great effort to decorate his house for his guests.

We may all be pushing 30, but that doesn't mean that we're too old to dress up. I think Halloween is even better as an adult that it was as a kid. Each year, there is a big party for Halloween and we all work very hard to make sure we have great costumes. (Or in my case, my mom works hard to make sure my costume is good!)

He Kexin joined us at the party. (Although, since she is only 8 years old she was unable to partake in adult beverages)

Slash showed up to have a drink. He also found time to show off his guitar skills ...

Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil were there. (Apparently he is now out of jail)


Sarah Palin (and baby Trig) took a pause from the campaign trail to visit us.

Hannah Montana was there with her dad, Billy Ray. (I was too worried that his mullet would break the lens on my camera, so he is not pictured)

Not sure who this clown is, or why he was at our party. I think he got seperated from his tour group ....
Father Edwards and one of his school girls came to the party.


There was even a ninja there!

And also a scout

Even little Ellie dressed up. (But she wasn't at our party)

And her momma copied my costume


But someone ....


was way too cool to get into costume. Sucks to be him!

Hope everyone had a spooktacular Halloween!



Scroll all the way down the page to find the link to my picasa site with more pics!


Disclaimer: My blog is not private. It is also not very popular. (I only get about 30 visitors a day and most of them are friends, family and acquaintances.) However, if you are uncomfortable with your name or image being on my site just let me know and I'll be happy to remove it!

A Few Things

I've got a lot of random thoughts that I would like to blog about tonight. Mostly, I've realized that this blog has become "life with Katie" and not so much "life with the Longmires". I'll really try to do a better job about blogging about Longmire life and not just life in my bubble. So, now lets get down to business.

1) Ben has his Halloween costume all schemed out. He has really put a lot of thought into it (as he always does) and done lots of research on how to best convey the person he is dressing as. Now you need to understand something -- when Ben gets mind set on a costume he goes to all lengths to get the essential pieces. (Usually about 3 days prior to Halloween, but that is neither here nor there). So anyways. He finds a wig and a few other accesories that he needs from some girl on Craigslist. All week, he has been planning to meet up with this girl to pay her and get his accessories. So he talks to her this afternoon and they decide to meet tonight.

The girl sets up the meeting spot at a bar (Ben is a man, so he doesn't see through this scheme). Ben arrives at the bar at the planned time and this girl shows up with her friend! So Ben is a nice guy (and loves meeting and talking to people) so he is polite and stays to talk to them for a few minutes. He then left and met me at Mellow Mushroom for dinner. About 10 minutes after he sits down, he gets the following text message from this girl:
" Hey Ben, my friend was wondering if you're single?"

Of course he tells me about this text. I laughed. He of course responded to the girl and told her that he was married. I think she felt like a jerk because she responds with the following:
"Oh I'm so sorry!! I apologize for the text, have fun with the costume"

And I laughed of course. I'm not the jealous type. And I also happen to trust my husband (if I didn't, I couldn't have married him). But this is funny. And I think its good -- I think it is nice for him to be flattered from time to time by someone other than his wife.

2) I need some help in settling an argument. Twice recently I have bought a cupcake for Ben. (From Sweet Pockets, when I was there to buy some for myself). So then I came home and told Ben that one of the cupcakes was for him. I then ate my cupcakes. Both times, my cupcakes are gone after a day and his is still in the box. What is a cupcake lover with no self-discipline to do?
Of course I ate his.

And here is the hell of it, HE GETS ONTO ME ABOUT EATING HIS FOOD!!!!

So this begs the question : If I buy him a cupcake and he doesn't eat it within a 24 hour period, isn't it rightfully mine?

3) To the jerk who got out of his car 2 whole seconds before Ben and I tonight, rushed to the elevator, and didn't hold it for us: YOU ARE A HUGE GARY. And you're rude. Have some common courtsey dude -- if someone is walking right behind you and you know they are headed for the elevator, HOLD the damn elevator for 2 seconds and be polite to your neighbor. To put it in Ben's words "thanks for sucking"!

Accidentally in Love

I just found these on the Urban Outfitters website and I think I am in love!!

These shoes are so Kelly Ripa, so that is probably the reason that I love them so much. However, I'm not really sure how to wear them. I'm assuming they are meant to be a fall shoe to be worn while the daytime weather is still warm. So that pretty much means that I can only wear them in September and October. After that, I guess I would have to wait until next fall? I know it is acceptable to wear peep toes year round, but somehow I don't think these shoes would work for winter.

What do yall think? I need your honest opinions. Really-- I swear it won't hurt my feelings because I haven't bought them yet.

Celebrity Gossip

I used to LOVE celebrity gossip. I mean L-O-V-E. It started out innocently enough with me buying the occasional copy of Us Weekly in the grocery store. Then, I went so far as to actually get a subscription to Us Weekly (my parents were never prouder). Then I discovered Perez Hilton. When I say that I checked his site religiously, I absolutley mean that. Literally, I could not go one single day without reading his site.

Eventually, I found some other good gossip sites that sorta fulfilled my gossip needs that Perez didn't. Perez was great for the latest trash story on whoever the big celebrity was at the time. Truly, he had some real breaking stories because he would say things that other websites and/or publications were unwilling to say. He went out on a limb. He would say mean things about people and draw funny things on their faces or write mean captions. Then there was Pop Sugar which was great for up to the minute news and always had lots of pictures. That site was especially good at Suri Cruise sightings and pictures. Then Us Weekly cannibalized its magazine sales by developing a website. There were other sites that I quite enjoyed but those were the major players.

Over the last year or so, however, I have for some reason laid off my incessant celebrity gossip checking. Is it that these sites are just not reporting interesting news? Do I not care about the particular celebrites covered? (Who honestly cares about any Lohan, Amy Winehouse, Pete Doherty, Britney Spears, Lauren Conrad, Audrina Partridge, etc etc?) Or is it that I have just simply (gasp) outgrown celebrity gossip?

Please tell me that it is just me ..... don't say this is happening because I'm getting old!!!

A Difficult Life

So, I had the following conversation with a friend of mine this morning. In an effort to protect her identity, I will call her "Candy". (I'm sure she will love that)

Candy: I realized something last night

me: what?

Candy: This time of year (fall) REALLY stresses me out.
I mean, first you have the fact that all of our weekends are spent out of town at football games or other such things.
Then, the biggest thing is Fall TV.
here are so many shows to watch and so little time.
My DVR list is so long and I never have time to catch up!
I don't even have time to read all of my magazines waiting on my kitchen counter Katie!

me: i know. i was thinking along those same lines yesterday b/c we're going to be gone all weekend and i can't catch up on my tv
well you can read the magazines on the road

Candy: I can't believe there are people in Africa worried about where they will find their next piece of bread or drink of water when there is real stuff to worry about like Fall TV and magazines.

me: ha!! i know .. and what we will wear to biggie's wedding, rehearsal dinner., etc

Candy: YES!

me: and do we have enough yellow stuff to wear for tech games?

Candy: I think I need to take a sick day

me: maybe you should!

Candy: And I have zero time to do my nails
FML

Now, you may read this and think "how shallow ... we have serious problems facing this country -- national security, education, terrible economy, increasing crime, etc." And you would be correct. But the point is that life gets increasingly difficult as we age, and I personally think it is important to find an outlet. My outlet is TV. Maybe a better outlet would be exercise, or reading, charity work, or something educational. But for me, TV it is. Don't you dare judge me!!



*** Side note: Candy and I had this conversation in jest. If you know her at all, you'll be able to figure out who Candy really is and you also know that she was only kidding. Kindof

PANTHER -- does this count as gossiping about my friends?