Kristen Blog

I like to consider myself a nice person, but (and I realize some of you have probably known me since grade school and before, and I really DO feel like I need to apologize for a few things…but as far as I can see, my window of opportunity has passed.  So, if it’s you, and I haven’t gotten around to verbalizing my regrets, just know they are here in my heart…at the very bottom.) even I have to admit some mean tendencies. Like the absolute thrill I get from watching certain others make a fool of themselves.  (Sorry Matt, tickle tickle tickle!)  Or the instant aggressiveness I feel in response to aggressive males (not to mention my delusions of grandeur regarding my physical prowess).  Matt says it’s just that I’m competitive, not delusional…and don’t you think that’s sweet of him to pour all that sugar on me?  Awwww!  💕  In the name of love...He knows I do love sugar. But…to be real, I seriously mentally campaigned (and I don't know if that's the right ...

Hi, it's me.  It's Kristen - the (wo) man, the myth the "enigma"???  I'll take that as a compliment and move on.   But can you PLEASE hold on a minute while I just "tap out".  It's a new thing.  I don't have time to explain.  (FFR, look up "jiu jitsu.")  I don't have time for much of anything, actually, right now; which is why... Wait, no.  Nevermind!! I DON'T tap out!! I take that back. I can't tap out.   Why???  Because I can NEVER TAP OUT, AS LONG AS I HAVE BREATH, and that is just who I am. Unfortunately, somewhere along the line circa February 15, 1978, I got the idea that (my equivalent of) tapping out is a sign of weakness and that weakness (and, subsequently, any sign of backing down) is my mortal enemy.   A seven nation ARMY couldn't hold me back... You could stand me up at the gates of...(not gonna push it that far)...I WON'T BACK DOWN.  (Like EVER.) I have a question.  Do you think tenacity is more of a na...

Birds are my new bestie.  This guy danced with me, spoke to me...and as I was walking to the door, he actually told me "Bye."  💕💕💕 Well, guys...it's a keep the curtains closed kind of weekend.  So sad for such a sunny disposition as my own, don’t you think?  It's a beautiful weekend, and I would LOVE to enjoy it. I don't mean to be un-neighborly, I promise.  I guess I've just spent all the sunshine within me, and I'm going to need some SERIOUS SPACE to refill.  I'm sorry, Mr. Rogers.  I tried.  I just don't seem to have the capacity to be very neighborly today.  I’ll be back, when the day is… Oh, I don’t know.  Maybe I won’t be back at all!  Boo! In case you are jealous, the grass is definitely NOT greener over here in Kristenville today.  In case you already noticed, my grass is actually dying from my personal neglect, and I seem to have run out of spray paint.  I can’t even keep up a façade right now.  So...let's...

PSYCH!!  Just when we thought I was done...I found more pictures.   Can we go back and start over?  I mean, I would love to go back to the Grand Canyon for SOOOOO many reasons; but I would also like to start over with the whole trip-blog, because...I'm still finding pictures I missed.  One thing you should definitely know about me is that I don't always have my head on straight.  (Shocker, I know.) Unfiltered.  I promise.  It's just naturally beautiful.   At (most) times, you may find me completely disorganized, probably with my head in the clouds (or my nose in a book).  While my physical body may be present in the room...cognitively, I might very well be in a galaxy far, far away from my current reality.  (It's a fine line between fact and fiction.  Fortunately, I have (mostly) learned to tell the difference between the two.) Another thing you should know is that I love taking pictures of dead trees.  It's just a little quirk...

Leaving Colorado was tough, and not just because we carried with us an unmentionable stowaway we'll just call "Walter."  We were also sad to be leaving a wonderful, beloved place.  As with all of our vacations, we had our ups and downs in Colorado.  I find (no matter how hard I focus on mindfulness and gratitude in the moment) I never tend to fully enjoy a vacation as much during the travels as I do in retrospect and reflection.  (Hence the blog...Is it just me???).  I make an effort to appreciate the now and focus on the positive later.  Sometimes I even put aside the camera to force my focus.  (I'm glad I didn't do that this 👆 day!!) With age comes wisdom. We were a little nervous about the next and longest leg of our road trip.   We've never travelled through this part of the country. We did have that Yellowstone /Glacier National Park tour to remember that there are still parts of this country that remain VERY under populated.  There is ...