About Me

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I'm a bit silly & I like to make people laugh. People tell me I'm rather loud but I am usually quiet until I get to know you. I love life, I live life to the fullest & treat others as I would like to be treated.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Garden's Galore!!!

So, I totally planted a garden this year & I'm so super stoked & cannot even wait to reap what I sewed & make fresh salsa, stewed tomatoes, pickles & just eat fresh!! Now for those who know where I live they know I lack a yard & growing a traditional in the ground garden is not possible. But, this summer my in laws will be spending time in Massachusetts with my husband's Nana. She is not doing well at all & has many trying times ahead of her. Please keep her in your prayers. Well, seeing as the in-laws will be gone I get to use their soil & plant this here garden =)


We have 12 tomato plants, 6 green belle peppers, 8 cucumber mounds, 5 butternut squash, zuchinni, and a couple rows of carrots. Did I meantion how excited I am about this????

This is one of those topsy turvy upside down tomatoe planter things that hangs on our garage. We have never had any luck growing patio tomatoes in containers so we figured...let's give it a whirl. I am happy to report Ken had the 1st ripe tomater on his burger last night....so it works...knock on wood!!
Below is a series of pictures of our flower gardens. The lilacs & iris' & lilies are not in bloom yet.














These are the front side gardens









Now remember how I said we lack a yard? Yeah, well I'm stubborn & am bent on having a garden at home even though we have the one at my in-laws.


We have spinich....


and a gourmet lettuce blend


and leaf lettuce....

and a good pot of dill growing for those pickles I mentioned before.


oh, and we have to have catnip for the kitties...


It's almost June and that is when our local Farmer's Market begins & folks that has me so immensly stokeled I can't even stand it!!! Woot woot!!!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Ken & Kenzie have a Birthday!!

On May 24th two Woodbury's had a birthday.....

I'll do McKenzie 1st cuz she's the youngest...she's our 3rd oldest pup & turned a whoppan 8yrs old. And yup, she was born on Kensters 24th birthday .....


which makes Ken a whoppan 32yrs old!!!!



We were camping up at Ken's family's camp for the special day. We rescued McKenzie from a home that totally neglected her and she's been nothing but awesome! I do encourage anyone who is in the market for a pup to rescue one from a shelter or a neglected home. They are the most loyalist lil fluffy friends you'll ever have!! And the hubbykins is pretty swell too!! But you can't adopt him. =)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

What I Cannot Change

Oh boy oh boy!! Have I ever got oodles to talk about!!! My blogcation was pretty fab & in the coming days & most likely weeks I'll fill you in on the ups & downs that went on. But tonight I want to share what I believe to be one of the best songs I have heard yet. The words are profound & touch every aspect in my life & I am certain it will touch you in some way as well.

Ok, so background on the song...cuz we all know I just don't get to the point & always have something to say. I first heard this song in the semi as we were driving down the road. I had been having a real yucky feeling day from my Meniere's & was a pretty frumpy frog. This song came at the precise moment I needed it. I can go days and weeks that I will feel dandy as all beans & then will have a week long unjazzy dizzy time. It's times like that when I realize my life is not 'normal'...not like it ever was. But gol darnit...I miss the old me sometimes...but, I cannot change that.

I had put the song in the back of my mind....until Saturday when Ken & I were looking for a book for his Mom for Mother's Day & we ran across Leann Rimes Book titled "What I Cannot Change." Ken immediately told me I NEEDED to purchase it for myself no matter what the cost.

And here's it is folks..."What I Cannot Change" by Leann Rimes check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZhNQDab7Jg

I know what makes me comfortable
And I know what makes me tick
And when I need to get my way
I know how to pour it on thick
Cream and sugar in my coffee
Right away when I awake I face the day and pray to God
I won’t make the same mistakes
All the rest is out of my hands
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can
Yeah I don’t know my father
Or my mother well enough
It seems like every time we talk
We can’t get past the little stuff
The pain is self-inflicting,
I know it’s not good for my health
But it’s easier to please the world
Than it is to please myself
All the rest is out of my hands
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can
Right now I can’t care about how everyone else really feels
I have enough hurt of my own to heal
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can


Now, I know I think a lot...probably more than most, but this song makes me want to become a better version of me. I have so much to learn, things that need forgivness, things I need to let go of & things I need to accept and love. I'd like to think Leann Rimes had some hunch that a girl by the name of Kathy in Upper Michigan needed a song to get through some stuff & she wrote this one for me....but I am certain after you read the words and listen to the song you will definately think the same about yourself. And in true Kathy style I leave you with a quote:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Blog-cation

As the title says & as you may have noticed, I've decided to take a 'blog-cation'. I know I haven't been giving the good ole blog my all & posting what I feel less than par posts is not what I find good. I need to do some dream chasing & soul searching & do that in a non public way. I may pop in & zap in an entry on a whim if the fancy strikes. If not I'll be busy as usual traveling with my hubby, going on crocheting safaris & exploring all the fun forms of creativity that drive Ken batty!! =) I will also be checking in with my favorite bloggy friends Until we meet again...in the words of Harry Truman..."and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night! ...

I'll leave you with some of my favorite quotes:

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.William Arthur Ward

The
power of imagination makes us infinite.John Muir

I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure--which is:Try to please everybody.Herbert Bayard Swope

Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.Henry David Thoreau

If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise.

Uniformity is boring

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.


Thursday, April 9, 2009

Hippity Hoppity!!!

Happy almost Easter!!! Meet lil miss bunny basket!!! I saw a picture of a basket with a bunny face on the front...and came up with this:

It was so fun to use my brain & come up with a design & even funner when I gave it to the lil girl I made it for!!!

Here's wishing you a hip hoppan Easter!!!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

They're Shutting Detroit Down

Don't read this if you get offended easilly.

The other night I watched the Country Music Awards with my hubbykins. One song stuck out like no other. John Rich's song titled "They're Shutting Detroit Down" Talk about an amazing song with lyrics that completly encompass my feelings. I come from a hard working family. My Dad was a hard working Mill worker, raised 10 kids....and did it honest!!! Nobody bailed him out... There are many songs that have the capability of getting to me...but this one definately takes the cake!! Kudos for John for expressing himself with his talent!!! Jeepers!! Does this song ever fire me up. http://www.cmt.com/videos/john-rich-country/367274/shuttin-detroit-down.jhtml??


And here are the words:

My daddy taught me in this country everyones the same You work hard for your dollar and you never pass the blameWhen it dont go your wayNow I see all these big shots whining on my evening newsAbout how their losing billions and its up to me and youTo come running to the rescueWell, pardon me if I dont shed a tearThere selling make believe and we dont buy that hereBecause in the real world their shuttin Detroit downWhile the boss man takes his bonus paid jets on out of townDCs bailing out them bankers as the farmers auction groundYeah, while there living up on Wall Street in that New York City townHere in the real world their shuttin Detroit downHere in the real world their shuttin Detroit downWell that old mans been working in that plant most all his lifeNow his pension plans been cut in half and he cant afford to dieAnd its a crying shame, cus he aint the one to Blame When I looked down to see his calloused hands Well let me tell you friend it gets me fightin madCause in the real world their shuttin Detroit downWhile the boss man takes his bonus paid jets on out of townDCs bailing out them bankers as the farmers auction groundYeah, while there living up on Wall Street in that New York City townHere in the real world their shuttin Detroit downYeah while there living up on Wall Street in that New York City townHere in the real world their shuttin Detroit downHere in the real world their shuttin Detroit downIn the real world their shuttin Detroit downTheir shuttin Detroit down[Thanks to 2 step, Olivia Messier for lyrics]

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Logie's Boston Red Sox Sweater!!!

I'm just so excited for the start of baseball season!!! What better way to hit it off with but with a lil crocheted Boston Red Sox sweater & a crocheted Ball cap Bosox style!!!!




Ohhh, and by the way...this lil set will be shipped to New York!! Yup...land of the Yankees!!! By the way.....Miss Kathy is NOT a fan of the Yanks....
The lil recipient of this sweater is named Logan...and he's gonna be one cool dude sporting Bosox...did I mention lil Logey's Dad is a Yanks fan???? Yeah...it should be interesting.

But did I also mention...Logey's Mom is a Bosox fan.....equally fun!!! When Logan was born I broke down & made him a Yanks set...but hopefully he grew out of that by now & has had enough time for his lil (almost) 10 month old self to come to the land of Fenway!!!
Ahhhhh the 11th of April cannot come fast enough!!! Go BOSOX!!!!!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Arizona Claire

Here's our lil Joker Arizona Claire....today is her 2nd birthday =)

By no means was another dog in our plans...we had enough with the 4 we had...but seriously...look at lil lil muffin of snuggle luv!!!
It seem like she was just this small....
Now let me tell you the amazing story of lil Zoney Bologna also knows as Zoner Boners, Zoney Groanyand Zoney...Ken came home from the store & said they had cute pups there...so I said "see ya later" and he warned me not to take another da$% dog home!! Well...you'd think he'd of learned by now...1st don't even mention a pup needing a home & 2...NEVER ever tell me No, don't that I can't...because I will prove you wrong & DO IT!!!! I had no idea what kind of dog I was going to go get....just that they were cute pups...and well, all pups are cute if you ask me!!! Well we got home & Ken fell in love with her. My original name for her was Kora...but Ken & I also had the name Arizona picked out....Why Arizona for an Alaskan Husky do you wonder....

In 2006 Ken & I had celebrated our 10th anniversary. We had a big party at the hall where we actually got married. Anyways, our good friend & fellow trucker Bill, dubbed "Arizona Bill" came to the party to celebrate with us. Bill was an amazing, caring, full of P&V, funny, compassionate man. Always willing to help & just a good guy. Sadly a couple months after our anniversary party we got the news that Airzona Bill had died in his semi from a heart attack....it was a very sad day...the man meant so much to both of us.

So, Ken was dead set on naming the new lil fluffer nutter Arizona. I must also mention...Arizona Bill raised dogs....Husky's to be precise!! Now what a kwinkidink eh!! Now, most people don't give their pets middles names...well we do!!! For years Ken's nana has asked why one wasn't named after her. We have others that have middle names of loved ones. LOL Anytoots, we decided Claire (Nana's name) & I assure you...Nana loves it! LOL It's an honor to have such an amazing dog. She, along with our other 4 have completely filled our hearts. I know...I sound like a wakadoodle!!! Ok...off to the kitchen to bake a cake for the birthday girl...KIDDING!!!! They got rice krispie treats earlier =)

Friday, March 27, 2009

Aspire To Inspire!!!

Most people know that I’m a thinker…I often over-process & am what most would call a daydreamer. I think of what my destiny in life is supposed to be quite often. Recently I told Ken that I know I am not doing what I am supposed to be doing & I know I am not where I am meant to be.

We had another good friend pass away a couple weeks ago & times such as an end of a life really make me think even more-so as to what I am doing with my life and if I am indeed fulfilling it in every way possible. I can tell you this…I have no regrets, I live life to the fullest, laugh often, and take every single opportunity of adventure I am capable of. Being ‘comfortable’ for too long suppresses my sense of adventure & stifles my being. I do believe that one needs to take risks & not ‘settle’ into complete routines. Life is not a written out in a planner. Now, sometimes that part can even be hard for me. I’m spontaneous, yes but I am a total list maker & make lists of the lists of what needs to be done, what I want to get done, lists of the lists that I need to pack, appointments…just lists. I have lists of topics I want to write about, lists of projects that I want to make & lists of what I need to have to fulfil those projects. So you get the jist….I do try to have ‘focus’ and ‘order’ in my life…and I can tell you this…it rarely works out because life happens!! I often wonder who sticks to their lists in life & pass special opportunities in life by because they are so bound to these lists…

I guess what I’m saying &trying to implement more-so in my life is to not fret over what doesn’t go right & make the best out of it. I like to think I already do this. Now, I can also say it’s never been my dream to be a trucker’s wife & spend hours, days, and months on the road. It just never even crossed my mind that I’d be living the life I am now…let alone having it be the biggest blessing. Honestly, within a 3rd period we traveled to all of the 48 continental United States and many Providences in Canada. We have walked on the Great Salt Lake, stepped in Buffalo dung, been amongst the homeless in the south, driven in Vegas, LA, Miami, Boston & everywhere in between. Just recently we saw our last big city being NYC. It was a high but at the same time it’s like, it’s over…but not really. We haven’t even scratched the surface yet!!! Sure, the places we’ve been, the people we’ve met, the places we’ve made our mark…they are there, we have the pictures, the videos & our memories of this journey. And what a journey it’s been!!! I never ever thought I’d stray from my dreams & my plans in life & have this whole trucking thing be the dream I never knew I had.

Now, like I said earlier…I know this is not what I was meant to do in life and I know I have so much more to give to the World. I feel better when I know I am giving it my all & doing my very best to make a difference.

So, when I told Ken this he actually listened…like really listened. He knows I want to write, and to live out West. I cannot even express in words how strong my desire for both of these things are. But while we are following his dream of driving truck I am putting my hopes & dreams on the back burner. His job is more stable & makes more sense. But I seriously want to write, travel, climb mountains, watch sunsets on the horizon, experience every little thing life has to offer. I want to aspire to inspire people. I’m not sure how or what I’d do to do that. But I often notice how un-inspired people are and I’d like to somehow be able to show people how to get inspired, live their dreams & to not miss a single opportunity. Even if the opportunity that is put before you is not something that you’d ever think you’d do…you should do it!!! It may just be the dream you never knew you had…like me with trucking!!!

So, seeing I am talking about how you should always live your dream I figure I should eat my own words & do what I need to do to get where I want to be!! Are you where you want to be in life? Are you taking chances, taking risks?

I was recently contacted by an author in NY that wanted to take excerpts from a story I wrote about my Mom and implement them in a book he wants to write. At 1st I was like, WOW!! That’s neato. But it didn’t take long until I realized that this man wanted to take MY story of MY life and make $ off of me helping his create a storyline. I am pretty open once you know me but it’s my life, I’m the one who had to live through it and by no means can I or will I give my life to someone else to write about. I have cut down on my postings a lot lately and have received messages as to why. Well this is a big reason…that and I feel as though I am writing to an invisible audience at times.

So…this is what I’m going to do…I’m going to write…a book. This time for real. I hope that by putting myself out there I will perhaps touch one life. Make even one person be inspired, to follow their dreams, to treasure life even through the bad times. One thing I can honestly attest to is that life is often unfair, and sad, and the challenges are great, we all have hurdles in life we must get over to become the best person we can be. It’s like a river I guess you could say…turbulent and wild in places & every so often you reach a calm. It’s up to us to keep paddling!! When my time is coming to an end I want to know I took all my chances, didn’t leave a stone unturned, left my mark …no matter how small it may be. Shouldn’t we all be doing this?


Below is a song that inspires me in so many ways....


I Was Here - Lady Antebellum

I WAS HERE By Lady Antebellum

You will notice me
I'll be leavin' my mark, like initials carved in an old oak tree
you wait and see
maybe I'll write like Twain wrote
maybe I'll paint like Van Gough,
cure the common cold
i don't know but I'm ready to start cuz i know in my heart

I wanna do something that matters
say something different
something that sets the whole world on it's ear
i wanna do somethin better, with the time i've been given
and i wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life
and leave nothin less that something that says i was here

I will prove you wrong
if you think im all talk, your in for a shock
cuz this streams too strong, and before too long
maybe i'll compose symphonies
maybe i'll fight for world peace
cuz i know it's my destiny to leave more that a trace of myself in this
place

I wanna do something that matters
say something different
something that sets the whole world on it's ear
i wanna do somethin better, with the time i've been given
and i wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life
and leave nothin less that something that says i was here

And i know that i, i will do more than just pass through this life
i'll leave nothin less that somethin that says i was here, i was here, i
was here, i was here

Wanna do somethin that matters
somethin that says i was here
wanna do somethin that matters
somethin that says i was here, i was here

Monday, March 23, 2009

Thirteen Years Later



My how time flys by!! Today is our 13th Wedding Anniversary!! Sadly he is on the road & won't be home until late tonight so it's been rather frumpy froggish around here. But on the upside....WOW!!! 13 YEARS!!!!
I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this man!! He's my best friend, my partner in crime, my lover, my comedian, and he just flippen rocks!!!
In March of 1994 I met my Ken. I was down by the beach sitting in my car with my lil brother contemplating life. I had just gotten out of a not too swell relationship with a ral wank of a guy. The beach was just one of the few places I could go to think & try to regain my old self back after wank butt destroyed my happiness, my self worth, esteem. Put it this way... I was a mess!
A pickup truck beeped it's airhorn at me & the passenger was waving...now who in the heck could it be!! This was an OLD OLD Chevy stepside pickup painted primer gray...and it had bullet holes in it!! It pulled along side of my car & it was my friend Scott who was in the passenger seat & some other guy was the driver. I knew Scott through my wank of a bf only because wank & I would stand in the hall before class & Scott had a broken foot & he'd sneak up on us.
Anyways...Scot & myself talked a bit & he asked how I was & all that jazz. He went on & on about if I'd ever date anybody...to which I said NO!! I needed a long break from dating. Well this persisted & I said "fine!~ if the guy likes Davey Allison I'll give him a shot" Little did I know but the driver of the truck was wearing a Davey Allison ball cap!! Now, keep in mind, back in 94 NASCAR racing was not as popular as it is now a days. So with that Scott introduced me to Ken & we decided to go for a ride in my car & I showed them how my good ole' 4 door Buick century could smoke it's wheels!! OH gawd! I was a nerd!! Oh, I should also mention...I was wearing purple sweatpants & a Charlotte Hornets t-shirt! Yeah, not what most people would like to meet their future husband in!! Oh, and I had no makeup on & a mouth full of metal!! Yup...very HOT!!!! NOT!!! So after our ride I took them back to the creepy bullet hole truck.

Ken & my friendship kept on through the months. It was mostly a 'hello, how are you' type thing in the halls. I started dating a good friend of mine & went to my Senior prom with Pat. A couple days after Prom we broke up. We were just meant to be friends. Well with Scott knowing I was 'available' again he put the pressure on & I jokingly said "sure, I'll go with Woodbury" Well Scott marched right into Ken's math class & asked him if he'd date Pepin & Ken apparently said yes because Scott met up with me as I was walking to my class & informed me I was now dating Ken!!! YIKES!!! I barely knew Ken & we were dating?? what the!!!!!


It took us 2 weeks of 'dating' before we actually went on a date!! It was Ken's 17th birthday dinner at Crispignas with his whole entire family where our 1st date occurred!! Ok, most couples do something on their own before they are introduced to the family...yeah, not us...we never do things how they 'are usually done' The date went well & I silenced Ken's dad when he asked how many siblings I have....I have to count on my fingers & toes how many I have. NOOOO I did not take my shoes off but I did have to count on my fingers.


That summer I broke up with Ken a couple times. He was entirely too good to be true. Judging from my previous relationships this whole happy time doesn't last long & before you know it you are being controlled & all that other un-fancy stuff. During this 'break-up' we still hung out every day...but we said we were not dating...which is soo silly!!! Of course we were still dating!!! LOL


Now, not that anybody needs to know this...but I must say, it took us 9 months to kiss more than a peck & we did not participate in sex. I found out that Ken was in this for real. He was not just another guy wanting sex & all that other crap. We spent months & months building our relationship. One of complete honesty, trust & love. I can't even tell you how important this was. Because when times get rough we always have our friendship & that base of trust we built before we jumped in the bed so to speak.


In March of 95 we rented our 1st apartment. And on August 5th we found out we were expecting a lil baby!! We were so excited!!! We knew what we were doing when we did it...even though we were not married. I know that does not sit well with everyone & is not recommended at all. Well, the pregnancy failed & on August 23rd, 2 days before my 20th birthday, we lost "Angel" due to an ectopic pregnancy. It was a lot to digest & deal with & I am so thankful for that foundation Ken & I built.

In December of 95 we needed to get out of town & we moved to Green Bay, WI. My ex was up to his wankish behavior again & his buddies would try to run over Ken as he walked in school. The harassment was out of this galaxy & we thought a move would be the best thing. So, Ken dropped out of school &away we went. I know, not advisable to drop out. I always said I'd never date a drop-out...

During our stay in Green Bay we decided we'd move up our July 20th wedding to March 23rd, 1996. We always do things on a whim so to us totally uprooting our wedding plans & allotting a month before our wedding day was not even thought of as being odd. I told ya we don't do things by the book!!

Our wedding day came. We rented the VFW Hall, a place my parents frequented. It was not my 'dream' wedding but all that mattered was that I was marrying my best friend. Man, he's fantastic!! The hall was packed with friends & family & Scott, the same guy who got ken & I together was our best man. We were both minors at the time. I was 20 & Ken was 18 so we weren't drinking. Plus I still had a fair share of tummy issues from after my surgery going on so I sipped juice =)


The years have had it's ups & downs...we bought our 1st home in 96, lost our baby "Alex" on August 31, 1997, we've dealt with knowing we will never bear children as we had always hoped, jobs were had, jobs were lost, we lost our home & everything, lived in a camper for 3 years, we've traveled by semi to the 48 continental United States & many Providences in Canada, watched many a sunset, even stood on the Great Salt Lake & watch the sun set on the horizon, we've hiked, and biked & roller bladed to do out laundry, we've adopted 5 dogs & numerous cats, friends & family have died, we celebrated our 10yr wedding anniversary by renting the same hall we were married in & threw one heck of a funtastical party!!! The ones closest to us were there & made the day so special. We've gone from having nothing & bought another home, we still continue to truck all over the place in our semi, we've had 3 adoptions go bad & we are still madly deeply in love.
I can't even sum into words what my husband means to me. Just the word Ken brings a smile to my face. He's shy around most people but I can assure you he's the biggest asshat I know & has me bustin a gut on a daily basis! He knows how to hold me when I am sad & knows when I need to be put in my place & check my attitude. Yup...I admit it, I've got an attitude and am not always a walk in the park. He takes care of me when I am sick, inspires me to believe in my dreams, and myself & makes me want to be the very best I can be. He has calmed me down so much. He's the ying to my yang so to speak. He is the part of me that was missing...even before I knew something was missing. Here's to many more ultra fantabulastic years with my most amazing man! My we live to be 150 & still be the same madly in love kids we have always been & continue to be!!!!