"SHUT THE CUP UP" by TIN CAN MAN PRODUCTIONS

my son Dylan and his friends have a production company.

this is their most recent video..

so so funny!! I was laughing so hard!!

click here: Shut The Cup Up

listener discretion advisory: if you're uncomfortable with 'bad' language (the f word, etc)... maybe this isn't the video for your listening ears..... :-) xx

Psssst... FLUEVOG SUMMER SALE STARTS TOMORROW!!!

Ok... hear me on this one!

NOW is the time to buy Fluevogs!!

Big sale!!!

Starts tomorrow (Friday).

Go to our website. www.fluevog.com

Click here: JOHN FLUEVOG SHOES and read up on the details; find the store closest to you; and/or order on line.

ENJOY your beautiful new Fluevogs!!

Let me know if you have any questions.

I want to hear what shoes you bought!

Yipeeeeee!

NO MORE FACEBOOK FOR LITTLE OL' ME

Been thinking about getting off Facebook for the past couple of months.

And two weeks ago I decided, yes indeed.

So I gave my FB peeps a ten day countdown and yesterday I pulled the plug.

Wondered if I'd have withdrawals or change my mind at the last minute... nope, not at all.

Neato burrito.

Cool beans.

It feels right.

I like it.

"why karen?"

I don't know. Just felt like it. The urge kept growing in me.

And besides, I'm kinda that way by nature.

I get all addicted to something and then when I'm done, I'm done.

Ya... kinda like Forrest Gump... running!!

He ran and ran... and then decided he was done.

Yep.. that's me!! heh heh..

So I will try better to keep this blog current with random life.

If you have a blog, send it my way.

If you want to stay in touch you can reach me at:

karenpadgett [at] hotmail [dot] com

Forrest Gump (narrating): I had run for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours.

(he stops and turns around)
Young Man Running: Quiet, quiet! He's gonna say something!
Forrest Gump: (pause) I'm pretty tired... I think I'll go home now.

Forrest Gump (narrating): And just like that, my runnin' days was over. So, I went home to Alabama.

my family 2009

here's a recent picture of jesse, madison, dylan and me...
i love my family so much xx ...

HIghlights of my trip to Scotland

[1] SCOTLAND:

Was in Scotland for a week.

Had a great time!

I so love that country!!!

It was hot and sunny ALL WEEK!!

Can you believe it??

Fantastic!!

Played golf.. 3 times... yahooo!

Got off the plane on Monday & played a round at Braids Hill in Edinburgh with my buddy Colin Hewitt (IfLooksCouldKill) & Craig Forsythe (Cantle)... and umm.. I totally sucked!! haha

But.. who's complaining... I was playing golf in Scotland!!

[2] CANTLE

Drove up to the highlands.

So so fun to hang with Jim and his team at Cantle.

Great laughs.

Great conversations.

Had a blast on the outdoor adventure programme.

Loads of fun with the group.

Always good meeting new people when there's a carefree vibe & easy connection.

I'm not sure who's heard of Jim McNeish??

He runs a leadership training centre for businesses.

He's taught me lots over the years.

Brilliant mind that dude.

They are having another outdoor weekend in August. YOU SHOULD SERIOUSLY GO!!! My vote is yes yes, two thumbs up, pinky pinky two finger, horns...... !

You will love it!

(I posted two pics of me and Jim below. The one where I'm laughing still makes me laugh!! Jim was trying to tell jokes... none of them were funny... so he kept thinking of more jokes... hmm... guess u had to be there... I was busting laughing. I love that pic.)

Here's his website... www.cantle.net

Cantle is gorgeous... and that's an understatement.

Located in the town of Killin in the highlands.

I journaled lots while I was there.

Me & my introspective deep thoughts... :-)

I came home sparkly thankful.

Refreshed.

Loving life... even more.

Loving the people I love... even more.

Enjoyed simplicity.

Scotland outdoors.

Fun.

Aside from playing golf...

Canoe trip... beautiful country. Loads of fun.

Hiked Ben Lawers.

(Above cloud line. Amazing to watch the sun break through and clear out the clouds... and you stand there overlooking gorgeous mountains, valleys, lochs, etc.)

I learned to shoot a rifle!!!

(Umm.. that was kinda funky since I'm quite passive.

And besides... me and a gun... there's a scarey site!!

Quick.. run away!!!)

I learned how to fly-fish.

(HILARIOUS!

I suck!

I kept catching my hat...

AND the daffodils behind me.

I pulled up a bunch of daffodils from trying to fly my line.

And the line would be all twisty and plop down like 5 feet in front of me...

We're talking a 20 foot line...

going 5 feet...

uhh... I think I have potential????...)

Big ol' bon fire in Jim's woods.

(He's a bit of a pyro that McNeish! haha

Fire.

Single malt..

HAPPY times.....!!!)

And also... dbl treat to be there for Jim's bday.

And yes... yes I did sport him a pair of Fluevogs.

Jetstream Hadleys, black.

Check them out!

Umm.. what else..

The rest is more personal.

Stuff I keep in me heart of hearts.

Learned tons.

Look forward to seeing it flow in the rhythm of my life... at work, with the fam, with friends, etc. etc.

(this is a pic of me and jesse talking on Skype EVERY DAY! I love Skype...)

[3] FLUEVOG:

Some of my personal thoughts...

There's some great tools I'm looking forward to implementing at Fluevog with the teams.

Always a good reminder that to work well and succeed, better to not compromise the authenticity of who you are.

I will achieve far more from an honest place.

Amazing how many people, fear of what people will think, will mask themselves thinking this is how you succeed. Nope.

At Fluevog I have very specific goals. When I look at objectives and set out to achieve them, I'm actually becoming vulnerable to the goal. How I reach those goals begins from a place of authenticity. To achieve anything, whether great or small, requires believing, risk, commitment and vulnerability. If I succeed I celebrate. If I fail I learn.

My desire... is to reach those goals and exceed them... and I have plenty of resources within me to accomplish my objectives. But more so is the satisfaction that as a team, when we pull our resources together, we become greater than the goal.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my job? Great people I work with. Loads of fun. My Fluevog anniversary is on April 28th....

[4] GOLF

And on to more important matters... GOLF!

Golf season is here.

Yes I'm sparkly about that!!!

Played 5 games so far.

Hoping to get way more ADDICTED and get as much golf in as I can this season!!!!

Let me know if you want to play. I will say YES!!

WHAT NOT TO SAY TO A BORDER OFFICIAL??

Jesse and I went to Bellingham last night to watch North Carolina play Gonzaga with our buddies Matt, Carla and Anna.

Gonzaga is a Washington team.  

It's important for you to know this...  because.... 

Normally Jesse drives... I tend to have 'foot IN mouth' disease at borders!!   But this time I drive.  So we drive up to the border.  

The Washington border...

OFFICER:   Where are you going?

KAREN:  Bellingham

OFFICER:  How long will you be there?

KAREN:  Til about 11.

OFFICER:  What will you be doing?

KAREN:  Hanging with friends.

(pause)

KAREN:  Umm... we're gonna watch Tarheels... beat Gonzaga!!... 

(I am now biting my finger, wide-eyed, with a look of "Yes.. yes I did just say that to a WASHINGTON border official.")

(I then get all smug...)

KAREN:  Ya.  That's right.  There... I said it.  We're gonna beat Gonzaga!...

(And now I try to act all cute...)

OFFICER:  Is that so?  

(he leans back and shouts into the office)

OFFICER:  Refuse!  REFUSE ENTRY!  I repeat..REFUSE ENTRY!

Eek!

(He grins..)

OFFICER:  Go Bulldogs!

Jesse and I were laughing... I love it when the border guards are playful.   So fun!!

jesse and karen's big holiday

this is us in Greece.

we were there for three weeks.   just got back!

(as you can see by our sweet tans!)

we had so much fun!!

site seeing.

beaches.

dinners.

dancing.

unforgettable.

so romantic.

sigh...   wait.

this is wrong.

so wrong.

i can't keep playing these games of lies.

ok ok..   you caught me.

we're in our living room.

it's raining outside.

and we're bored.

note to self... never say pet peeve again..

so.. jesse puts a plate of spaghetti in the microwave... without seran wrap!  ...spaghetti sauce splattering...  grr.

dylan put a bowl of ranch dressing in the sink, without rinsing it out... over-night... grr.

so i say..

karen:  "you guys!  seriously...that is my pete peeve.  cover your food in the microwave and rinse out your bowls in the sink... grr... that is such a pet peeve of mine.  seriously.  stop it."

uhh.. definitely the wrong thing to say!

let's see now... it's been 24 hours since i said that...

and...

guess how many times i've heard them say "seriously.  that is such a pet peeve of mine.  seriously."  .........????!!!    a bajillion trillion million..!

and now supposedly... they have all these so-called pet peeves.

when i drop a spoon

when i hum

when i cough

when i laugh at their stupid jokes

when i eat my food

when i drink water

when i...

etc

etc

etc

etc

ask me if i wish i never said 'pet peeve'.... 

note to self... "karen never ever never say pet peeve never ever again"

my theme and commitment for 2009

long hair bad habit...

ok...

so...

umm..

I'm not used to having long hair.

Well... it's long for me.

It's a bit below my ears now.

I've had very short platinum for 4 years.

My hair stylist is changing things up.

Melanie said it's time to move on.

She's already turned it from platinum to golden blonde.

I've been going to Melanie since i started at Fluevog.  

Burke & Hair.  Water Street. Vancouver.  

Check out her salon. 

Love it! 

http://www.burkeandhair.com

It's pretty tough to get there... I walk down a hallway.  Go up an elevator to 5th floor.  Can life get any harder....?

And then poor me...  Have to enjoy the ocean/mountain view while she pampers me....

Life is rough...

She said by April my hair will have the coiff that she sees.  Takes awhile to grow it out.  I'm in that awkward style stage.  A bit annoying.  

I was just in San Francisco and my peeps didn't like it. 

No more annie lennox.  

They said i look too normal.  haha

My friend Abbie said I look like i've gone midwest america!!  LOL

Ask me if i want to chop it all off?  yes yes yes!

But i like Melanie.  

And she's got a plan.  

She showed me a pic of where she's going with my hair.  And..  well...  to be honest...  if she can get my hair to look like the pic... wow!  I will love it!  

So i wait patiently for my hair to grow grow grow.

BUT....

umm..  in the meantime... 

I have started a very bad habit!!  eeek!

Like I said, I'm not used to long-ish hair.

Jesse pointed out to me...  in  a mocking, smug, "i'm laughing at you" sorta way... 

When i start reading something, or if i'm watching a movie... I start playing with my hair.

And I stretch it out as high as it will go.

Or I'll move all my hair to the left side of my head.

Or I'll pull my hair so the bangs and sides are all slicked back.. not in a I just dove into the pool.. more like when you wear a baseball cap and the hair makes that wavey shape.

But i don't know I'm doing it! grr.

So this morning he says with a smirky grin on his face..

J:     what you doing?

K:     ok.. what? why?... i'm reading.  why?

J:     love what you're doing to your hair.....

ugg.. i did it again!

lyrically challenged disorder... eek!...

it's 10pm.  

i pick up dylan and his girlfriend jessica.  

(who, by the way, is awesome! luv her!)

all of a sudden there's a lull and the car gets quiet. 

and i belt out... loudly...  "PSEU PSEU PSEUDIO-O-O!!!"

(the radio's NOT on...)

Dylan:  mom.

Karen:  sorry.

(i think i scared them....)

Dylan:  what was that about.

Karen:  i can't help it.  it was in there and it had to come out.

Dylan:  you have issues.

ok yes.  yes i do that a lot.  eek.  honestly, i can't help it.  it's unpredictable.  and i just belt out these one liners from songs.

*****

here's the problem...

songs forever live in my brain.

all day long there is some tune playing in my head.

Problem #1:  When i hear a song i love to sing along.  

(that rhymed but i didn't mean for it to)

Problem #2:  I am TERRIBLE with lyrics.

No matter how much i love a song, i never remember the lyrics.

Problem #3:  I'm the one line wonder.

It seems that... for some reason... i only ever know one line.

Problem #4:  I make up the rest as i go.

Because..

i really really really want to sing along.  

So the only way i can do that is if i just go for it and whatever comes out of my mouth will just have to do.

The biggest problem of all #5:  I'm really ok with this.

You'd think i'd be embarrassed to sing songs knowing i'm probably singing it wrong... but it doesn't stop me!  doh!

STORY:

Jesse and I are at our favourite date spot.  City Central Microbrewery (as I've said before, they make really yummy IPA.  and it's a sports pub so we can chill out at the end of a work day, catch up on life, and watch a game)

We're all chilled watching Celtics.  People sitting all around us.  And a song comes on the speakers.

And next thing you know.  i shout out "I know this song!"

I begin to sing:

"i am the eye in the sky.

maker of fools.

i can read your mind.

i am killing it cool.

feeling it good.

i can be so blind.

i never wanna know anymore to know that

i can read your mind. da da da

i can read your mind.  la la la

i can read your mind.

humm humm humm"

(see what I mean???  ugg!!.. as I sit here typing, singing the song in my head, these are the lyrics I hear!!  honest!)

Jesse:  That's not how it goes!!

The table beside us:  That's not how it goes!!

Next thing we're all singing the song!!!!

The table beside me.  "I hate that song."

Karen:  "ya well... you knew the lyrics.  obviously you don't hate it that much."

Table:  "why aren't they playing Metallica or Black Sabbath.

Karen:  (calling out to the manager)  Eugene!!  C'mon!  Some Black Sabbath! 

Mackenzie (another manager):  That's enough out of you Karen!  Behave yourself!

(I'm laughing.  being playful.)

Karen:  Eugene!  AC/DC!  C'mon!

(btw, i only had one beer, with a meal.  so.. no everybody, I am not looped.. haha)

I then shout out...

Karen:  Meatballs!!

Table:  You mean Meatloaf!!!

And we bust out laughing.

*****

CONCLUSION:  "Karen I-Can't-Sing-The-Right-Lyrics Padgett"...  being lyrically challenged has its perks. 

Perk #1.  I get people to sing along  (ok.. yes they sing to shut me up because I'm ruining the song..  but still.. they do join in!)

Perk #2.  My lyrically challenged disorder helps me make friends!!!  haha

What a pic!! Early morning Cypress Mountain...

just wanted to show you something absolutely BREATHTAKING!

there are three ski mountains that surround Vancouver:  Grouse, Cypress, Seymour.  They all look out over the city.  

One of the blogs I read is www.endeavorsnowboards.com

Check out the picture they posted.

We've been getting a lot of fog lately.

It's Cypress Mountain, early morning (6am), overlooking Vancouver.

unbelievable... 

i've been staring at this pic for the past two days...!!

luv it...

dinner with the fam

went to The Keg with jesse, madison & dylan.

so fun.

ate yummy food and socialized nearly 4 hours.  priceless.

i love my family.

good laughs. 

great conversations.

at one point madi & dyl discussed world history.  in depth.  big discussion.  passionate.  i loved it...

i can honestly say that my kids are my friends.  we share everything about life with each other.  everything on the table.  transparent.  authentic.  real.  honest.  fun.  funny.  playful.  

more and more i realize how fortunate i am. i luv living life with them.  imperfections and all.  it is what it is.

family is imperfect beauty.

random foot walking...

this guy walked passed me.

his footsteps were SO LOUD!

like...wow.

AND FAST!!

impressive...

i had to stop in amazement.

look at him go!

how does he do that??

i'd try to impersonate but i think my ankles would shatter....

my dad is a fast walker...but not a loud one.

he said it's because he was in the army.

and ok ya... heels make a lot of noise.

but you can't walk super fast in heels.

but this dude... wow.

so i think i'm onto something...

i'm wondering now..

maybe he's one of the X-Men... 

like... maybe he's got super power walking... that causes earthquakes when bad guys are trying to run away.

i think i found an X-Men guy...

FLUEVOG big winter sale is on!

heya... for all you folks who love Fluevog's.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!!!

Go on line and check out the shoes.

Sale is on.  (this sale only happens twice a year)

Up to 60% off!!   Yahooo!!

Some fun info for you:

1.  here is the link to all our store locations.  stop in and meet my amazing Fluevog peeps... and try on as many shoes as you want!  woot!!

FLUEVOG STORES

2.  order on line... no matter what part of the world you're from.  here is our website link:

SHOP ON LINE

for my first time Fluevoger friends... both in North America & International... you have up to 14 days after receiving your shoes to make sure they are your sole-mate.  call the stores, email them, ask them as many questions as you want... they are experts and can answer all your questions.  Get the shoes that match your sole!  yipeeee!

3.  if you're on a budget... then use our layaway plan.

it's approximately $40 down and you have six months to pay off your beauties.  Six months!  Do shoe companies really do that??  John Fluevog does!  That means during the sale you can even afford to buy more than one pair and it won't hurt your pocket book.  

I love this time of year.  It's like a Fluevog reunion.

Get in on the action!

You will love your Fluevogs!!!

They are so much fun to wear!

and don't be surprised if you start collecting them.  it's art on your feet!  my favourite favourite thing a customer once said to me... "These aren't shoes.  These are Fluevogs."

yes yes yes!

i love that!

sparkly christmas cheer

xx sparkly christmas cheer 

from my fam to yours xx

LIFE IS A PARADOX... a fun story and a sad story within 48 hours

These last 7 days would definitely fit the category of a paradox.

Two very different stories took place within 48 hours of each other.

THE FUN STORY:

While I was in LA, I met Jay Leno.  How fun!  

Anthony from the LA Fluevog store said "Hey Karen if you want to see Jay Leno go outside.  He's filming across from our store."

And yep, there he was.  

Karen:  "grab the camera!  I want a picture of Leno."

Anthony gets the camera and I'm outside leaning against our store, watching Leno interview people.  His assistant walked over and asked if we worked at Fluevog and then asked if we would be willing to be interviewed.

Gulp...

So I dove in.  "Sure. why not!"

BIG MISTAKE!

Had major foot IN mouth disease.  Definitely a KAREN MOMENT!  uggg.. 

I even had to sing a christmas carol... horribly bad!! haha

While Leno remained outside, we held our staff meeting.  And every so often I'd look out the window, pull my scarf to hide my face and remember stuff I said...

The interview lasted only 2 minutes... they are the longest two minutes of haunting memory ever!!!!

Anthony was sure they'd keep me in their final cut... he said they always leave the 'dorky' parts in for the show....  gee thanks.  haha

So here I am for the next 4 nights... cringing at the thought that millions of people would be watching...  but... phewf phewf phewf... turns out... I didn't make the final cut.  They showed the Jay Walking segment on Tuesday night and I wasn't on it.  You have NO IDEA how relieved I am!!

Anyhooooo... here are some pics.   IT WAS FANTASTIC TO MEET JAY LENO!  

THE SAD STORY:

So meeting Leno was on Thursday night, December 4th, 2008.

36 hours later....  Saturday morning, December 6th around 9:00am...I was at LAX getting ready to fly back to Vancouver.  I received a phone call from one of our sales clerks at the Seattle store.

Our dear friend and Seattle colleague, Shawn Milasich, was rushed to ICU in critical condition.  (he had some on going health problems).  Throughout the day I stayed in close contact with the Seattle team.  And at 9pm saturday evening, i received a phone call from Leah, the assistant manager, weeping on the phone... Shawn had passed on.

I was in a public place when I received the final call.  I was in complete shock.  This can't be!

No one saw this coming.  Such sad news...

There's been much grieving taking place within the Fluevog community.  

Shawn was dearly loved by so many.

This Saturday the family is having a memorial service at 1pm at Gaffney's Funeral Home in Tacoma.  And after the memorial, the Fluevog community will be having a remembrance time at the Seattle store.

We are putting up a Christmas tree in the Seattle store in memory of Shawn.  If you would like to come by the store and bring a small ornament with you....we'd love that.  A symbol... as we celebrate a man we all love and respect and will greatly miss.

It's been a hard and sad few days.  I drove down to Seattle on Monday to spend time with the team; listen to their stories and their hearts; and to just be with them as they process and grieve the loss of their close friend.

Let me tell you some amazing qualities of Shawn that I so dearly valued.

SHAWN MILASICH

1.  Shawn is witty.  So funny.  He could make me laugh; he made us all laugh.  He'd come out with this one liners and catch us all by surprise.  Straight faced, with a twinkle in his eye.

2.  Shawn is so loving.  I remember doing an exercise with the Seattle team when I met them for the first time.  And on Shawn's sheet, his page had Love, Loving, Caring mentioned several times.  Yes.  Of course it did.  That is so Shawn... loving and caring.

3.  Shawn loved community.  He would mention often that Fluevog was his family.  

4.  Shawn is a servant.  He would serve so so much.  All the time!  The team would have to force him to take lunch breaks, to sit down, to slow down... he was always quick to help, to give.  Shawn had high standards in his work ethics.  And he was one of our top sales clerks in the entire company.

5.  Shawn is kind and warm.  I always felt so accepted and welcomed.  He wanted people to feel comfortable and at home.  

6.  Shawn is a story teller.  What a hoot!  He had such great stories!  He was a fantastic conversationalist.  A great listener.  Engaging.  

7.  Shawn was classy.  He always looked great.  And he had SO MANY fluevogs!!  Probably over 100...

8.  Shawn was real.  It was amazing to watch the Seattle team work together.  They were so transparent with each other.  They loved each other both in words and action.  Shawn was very committed to his team.  And they had a loving, honest relationship together.

9.  Shawn was amazing with people.  The Fluevog customers LOVED him.  He treated them royally.  He received fan mail regularly.  Each person he served felt so valuable and well taken care of.  Of course they did.. because that is so Shawn.

10.  Shawn Milasich.  a/k/a Mo.  .....the friendly giant.  A friend to many.

WE WILL MISS YOU SHAWN....

(SHAWN AND LEAH)

another kp moment... the Christmas Tree... doh!

This weekend is my last chilled weekend before I start my travels again.  So I'm thinking it's prob the best day to get the xmas tree.

But.. the whole fam is busy.  So I ask them if i should just go get it myself.  set it up.  and then we can all decorate it together.  After all, if we only have a few hours together, it'll be way more fun to decorate.

everyone likes this idea.

STEP ONE:  getting the tree

the house is now empty.

i take off to get the tree.

and i'm trying to decide which one to pick.

they're all wrapped in string.

the clerk was so nice. ... and patient with me...  i have the guy cut open the string so i could take a peak.  But then i felt bad that i kept having him cut open the string on the trees, so i finally pick one.

the guy gets me a trolley.

he takes it to the counter.

he tries to wrap the tree for me in netting but has to get two other people to help him.

one of the clerk's yells out "is this your tree?  it's huge!"

I'm not quite clueing in...

The clerk rolls the tree back onto the trolley.  Rolls it?

I'm still not clueing in...

I pull the trolley to check out.

I pay for the tree.

I ask another clerk to help me get it to my car.

The clerk pushes the trolley to my car and proceeds to load up the car.

Clerk:  Do you have any bungee cords?

Karen:  No.  

Clerk:  Hmm... it's pretty big.  Your trunk lid won't stay down.  The tree is sticking out quite a bit.

I'm still not clueing in...

Stranger:  Here you go.  I've got a bungee cord you can use.

Karen:  Oh no no.  You don't have to do that.  We'll use string.

Stranger:  No really.  Take it.  I've got hundreds of these.

Karen:  Well thank you.  that's very kind of you.

The clerk bungees the trunk lid and off I go.

I pull the car into the garage backwards.  I get out.  Grab the tree stand and set it in the living room where we all decided the Christmas tree would look best.

And now.... the tree.

Umm...  never clued in how big it was... 

Until now...

And I'm alone...

STEP TWO: getting the tree out of the trunk of the car.

This was not easy.

Umm... very heavy.

Very very heavy.

Like... out of breath heavy.

I try to pull it out.  It won't budge.

Try a second time.  It won't budge.

I walk into the house and psyche myself up...come back and start yanking on the tree.

Yank. yank. yank. yannnnnk.

yanking... yank some more.

Nothing. 

Not moving.

Breathe. Stop for a sec.

Repeat yanking procedure.

Breathe.  Stop for a sec.

Yank one last time.  Lost my balance.

But.. good news... it's now 2/3 out of the car.

Hooray!

Now i proceed to drag it out of the trunk.

And I do so successfully.

It's now laying on the the steps that go into our house.

Breathe.  Stop for a sec.

I start laughing.  Oh lordy lordy...what have I got myself into??

I take a break to call my buddies matt and carla and have a good laugh about how pathetic I look!!!

I'm so glad no one was filming me...

STEP THREE:  getting the tree into the living room.

I now drag the tree into the living room.

Oh no!  I forgot!

I have to put that tree into the tree stand!!!

What the... there's no flippin' way!!!

Ok.. right... no prob... because... I am now determined to get this $%& tree into the tree stand!!

Remember in the Grinch that Stole Christmas when the dog Max is trying to help carry the big bags of presents that are 100 times his size... and he's awkwardly staggering back to the sled?  Umm yes.... that is me picking up this tree!!!  

I'm wabbling all over the place; the tree is attacking me; i'm covered in needles - the floor is covered in needles and i'm suffocating under this big ass tree!

I finally drop it into the tree stand; hang on to it for dear life so it doesn't topple over... i bend down without letting go of the branches and leanthe tree on my lower back; and i start tightening the bolts to secure it in place.

I'm totally out of breath.

and now...  my tree is on a 45 degree angle, stuck in this tree stand.  Totally crooked.

But i don't care.  it's in the tree stand.  it's not falling over.  I am leaving it.  just like that.  

and victory is mine..

STEP FOUR:  my family

I cut off all the netting and watch this thing open up.  Wow!  It was gynormous!!  Like... the biggest tree we've ever bought. 

Of course the one time I get a tree by myself I pick the biggest tree ever.  Typical kp moment.

Madi comes home and walks into the living room, sees the tree standing up all crooked.  She immediately bursts out laughing. 

And we both bust out laughing.  Except...she laughed a little longer than I did.  umm... I stopped half way through...   

(she's so grounded)

Then later Dylan comes home ... "wow. that is a big tree.  Is that the biggest tree we've ever had?  Will we have enough ornaments for it?"

(oh shut up Dylan)

So there you have it... my Christmas tree kp moment...

LAST BLOG POST....???????? ugggg.....I'm confused..!

Ok... so ... I meant it when I said I was done blogging.  And i've been drafting a 'final' blog post to close out... 

But a friend of mine said "why aren't you going to blog anymore?"

And I quickly replied "Because it's boring.  I'm bored with what I write."

she says "Then change what you write about."

Hmm...  So do I keep blogging then???

Because I do feel done.  I guess I feel done with "how" i blog.  And the pressure to "have" to blog.  It doesn't feel carefree anymore.... which takes the fun out of it.

I get bored writing about my own life.  Boring.  zzzzzzz...  when I post it feels like I'm saying "wa wa wa wa"...like the school teacher on Charlie Brown.  

FEEDBACK PLEASE?

So here is the dealio... I need feedback.  pleeeez...

you can either email me at karenpadgett@hotmail.com or on Facebook or post a comment on my blog or txt me.  Whatever.  If I don't hear from anyone then I'll know it's time to close out.

Yes you can call this a diva self-referenced moment.  I am known to have a few of those.  But humour me... and let me know if I should keep blogging.  Cuz... I'm bored with it.

I'm a feedback chick.  I like feedback.  Even if I don't know you.  That's what I like about Facebook.  You can banter and be completely random, spontaneous, say nonsense, say hi, or throw out a serious thought, etc etc etc.  I like that.  Its carefree.  And everyone is so uniquely different.  Love it!

I'm stuck in a blog rut.  Sigh.

IF I DO KEEP BLOGGING, HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS:

1.  FAUX PAS 

Maybe if I just stick to "faux pas" stories... stories that make me roll my eyes or shake my head or make me turn bright red.  (Umm... that rhymed).

I admit it.  I have these quirky awkward "Foot IN Mouth Dork Moments"... like yesterday me, Dyl and Madi went to Ikea.  Did I have dork moments?  Yes.  yes i did.  6 of them!  My kids counted... SIX!  

Maybe keeping things not so serious.  The ability to laugh at oneself.

2.  PEOPLE

Or maybe I could write about the fascinating people that cross my path randomly.  

Like the Muslim taxi driver in Chicago who told me all about his prayer life and how he prays and why he prays and the point system, etc etc.  

Or the elderly golfer who stopped to eat a sandwich at the 4th T, so we had to wait for her to finish her sandwich...  until she at last let us go on ahead of her.  She was so cute!!  

Or my two little whistler buddies who took me on a big imaginary adventure in the swimming pool, one clinging to my neck for life while the other pretends to be a shark.  

Or my groovy man - married to a bad ass rowdy hotrodder who doesn't know what the word "appropriate" means.. haha.  

Maybe I could start storytelling about my fascination and infatuation with humanity.  I get inspired by people.  I love people.  They are magical.

3.  DEEP THOUGHTS - not super cool on this topic.

Sometimes I write a fractal of my deep thoughts... but I find it's a bit too vulnerable.  I'm a journal writer.  I have a box of old journals... When I say box... I mean a BIG HEAVY DUTY RUBBERMAID 60lb BOX!  

But... i don't know how to quite translate that on line.  Deep thoughts are intimate and I don't know if I want to share that with the cyber world.  I try to once in awhile.  But... I think my deep thoughts are more for my times of solitude or for intimate friends where there's trust.  I super respect people who can write so vulnerably..  publicly.  Kudos to you xx  Very real and raw.  Impressive.  I admire you for it. xx

4.  EVERYDAY LIFE OF KAREN PADGETT

Boring.... zzzzzz... bored with it.  bored of saying "i went here."  "I did this."  "I watched this movie."  "I ate this food."  "I heard this song."  zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz  

I think Facebook is better for that stuff.

5.  SPORTS

I could fill my blog with NBA, Golf and Riding.  But... nah.  Again, I've got facebook for that.  

By the way my tag on facebook is Karen Thrall Padgett.  You won't find me under Karen Padgett or Karen Thrall.

Okeeee... what to do.  what to do.  To blog or not to blog... sigh.. predicament.

I'm on holidays until the 23rd.  So these are the sorts of things i think about when there's nothing else to think about.............

BOS, NYC, CHIC, CELTICS, ELECTIONS & NO MORE BLOGGING...

I'm in New York City as I write this.  On a 12 day business trip.  

BOSTON - NEW YORK - CHICAGO.

Spending time with the Fluevog teams in each city.  The trip has been fantastic so far.  The teams are super great!!!  They are the best!!

(commercial break:  but gotta say... missing Jesse and the kids really badly!!...  Uggg..   4 more days...)

BOSTON:  

While in Boston I treated myself to a Celtics game.  Loved watching them play live!!!!  Very fun.  Didn't have a camera.  Boohoo.  But here is a picture of my ticket.  haha

NEW YORK CITY:

Can see the Empire State Building from my hotel room.  How fun!  Hotel upgraded me to "preferred guest"... Nice!  Stayed on third floor from the top.  Great nyc view!  Sweet.  I've been fortunate to be integrated into the SoHo community; off the beaten path from tourism.  Getting true cultural flavour of new yorkers.  Breath of fresh air.

CHICAGO:  

Today I'm off to Chicago for my final four days.  Look forward to being with the Fluevog posse there too!

All the teams are so much fun! 

ELECTIONS:

Today is elections in US.  I love it that I'm here during this important historical event!!  I will be joining the festivities in Chicago tonight.  

BLOGGING:

And... today marks the end of karen jean thrall padgett blogging.    Yep.  I'm done blogging. 

I'll be writing my last post soon.  A closing blog post.  As I was typing I realized I need a bit of time to write my thoughts out properly.

So one more farewell blog post on its way to my fellow blog readers... then I say bye bye.

And besides, if you want to stay in touch, there's facebook!  I like it better.  Add me if you want.

Thanks to all of you for staying in touch.  I was pleasantly surprised at how many people visited my blog.  Wow!  Thank you so much...  I feel dah luv!! xx

jesse and my new date spot

I've been riding the sky train a lot more regularly; twice a week.  The more I take it the more I like it.  Chill time.  Listen to my tunes.  It drops me off right in Gastown, with only a 5 minute walk to my work.  

A month ago Jesse was running a bit behind schedule so I told him I'd find a place to hang out while waiting for him.  As I'm talking to him I look out past the parking lot and see this big neon sign on a towering building.  

"umm... Jesse!... I think there's a microbrewery across 

from the parking lot!!  I'll go check it out."

Sure enough... it is!

Central City Brewing Company in Surrey.  Won 'best beer' in BC.

Jesse shows up and we have such a great time!  It's gotta great vibe.  Big open space; and cozy.  Sports screens playing all over.  And we instantly have fab rapport with the staff.

It's now become our date spot.  We meet there once a week.  And I love it!! 

He parks the car, I get off the skytrain, we meet at the City Central microbrewery.  We hang out for a couple of hours, catch up on our day, chill and have great laughs.  It is my favourite part of the week!  

The pub atmosphere is so comfortable for us.  Laid back.  Good company.  Random conversations.  Fun.  Playful.  Relaxed.

I'm a fan of local brewmasters in the Northwest.  It's an art to make beer.  And I'm all for the organic natural process.  Most often I only buy from local micros.  And as you all know if you read my blog, my all time fave is yes indeed, the IPA.  Yummmmy.

Wine Connoisseur sounds so impressive.  But what about us beer people?  How about beer specialist.  Beer expert.  Beer chef.  Beer arbiter.  Beerologist.  Beer guru.  umm... I can't believe I said  'beer people'.... wow i did not write that... uhh, I just glanced back and ... yes... yes i did.  (i'm rolling my eyes at myself) .. haha

Anyhoooo... so Jes and I have found our new place.  

This week when we showed up, the manager walks over to the screens closest to us and says, "I know what you want to watch."  and quickly changes the channel to the sports we like.  Well well,  how very coolest of Eugene.  

Can you imagine what a fab place this will be once NBA starts??? Sweeeet.

Speaking of NBA... 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28th... Celtics kick off the season against Cavs.

Can't wait to watch it!  I put it in my calendar over a month ago. Counting down the days.  Pining!!  I'm pathetic.  (and you think i'm joking...but i'm not.. it has been in my calendar since September...)  

NOBODY BUG ME ON THE 28th.  NBA season officially begins... woooooot!!  FINALLY!  Flip..!

And pssst... I'm in boston next week... I'm seriously thinking of buying tix to the Celtics/Bulls game.  Been looking on line.  Yip.  That will be my Halloween treat to myself.  Ooooo, hope it works for me to go.  It is looking very likely!  Yipeeee.  

Now if only the snow would start dumping on Mt Seymour... 

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Finally saw it last night.

Funnnnnny!

Funny

Funny

Funny!

One of my faves.

Laughed so hard!

WHISTLER & MADISON

It's been a great week.  A couple of skookum hi-lites...

[1]  WHISTLER

Was in Whistler last weekend taking care of my faaaave little buds, Jadyn and Caleb.  What a hoot.  Always have a blast with those lads.  Chad & Stace went to Vegas to photograph a wedding and the little dudes stayed behind and we played, played, played and played and played and played!

Stace & Chad are groovy jetsetter photographer pros.  So fun to see their popularity increasing in big ways.  This past year they've been flown to Fiji, Florida, Vegas, etc. etc..  a small photography studio in Whistler with a growing global impact... how fantastic!!!  Check out their work... emotional.  real.  chemistry.  art. 

CLICK HERE:  photography by Anastasia Chomlack

And here's a fun video I did with the boys... we have these little 'buddy' moments.  Have a look...haha..  luv it!!

[2]  MADISON

I've been having the most amazing chats and good times with Madi lately. Wow. She is an inspiration to me. I want to write pages about her. But some things are meant to live only in the heart.

Not only is she an incredible daughter, she is an incredible friend.

I love it that my children are moving more and more into friendship. The parenting side is coming to an end, and now I get to be more of a mom-friend, a trusted confidente, a cheerleader, and a seer of the fabulousness of who they are. They are committed and passionate about their futures and I'm super stoked for both of them.

I get to listen to my kids dream, think out loud, make their own decisions, try new things, take risks, make mistakes, cry, laugh, share their honest and very real struggles, listen to their stories, cheer them on, and celebrate their successes.  Always believing, never doubting that great things await them in their today and in their tomorrow.

The light has come on in my daughter.  Madison has hit a groove. A bright future is opening up. She is in a season of favour. Her dreams are starting to come true. She is awake. And I am very proud of her. Very very proud of her.  I love listening to her stories and adventures!  Yipeeee!

I couldn't have wished for a better unfolding of her destiny than what is taking place right now. I'm sooooo happy for you Madi!!! xxxxx

karen... cat power???

The Fluevog Montreal store sent me this picture.  Funnnnny!!!

faux pas with my kids... a/k/a Brick Tamland Moments...

Ok... so... did a couple of "karen moments" yesterday... 

My kids always say I remind them of Brick Tamland from Anchorman or Glenn from Talledaga Nights. 

STORY #1:

I normally txt msg Madison; and rarely call her cel - unless it's important, etc.  Most of the time we just do small txt msg chats throughout the day.  Which we both luv to do. 

K:  (calling Madi)  ring ring

K:  (thinking:  "If she doesn't pick up I'll leave a msg on her cel")  ring ring

M:  Hi.  Hey, what's up.

K:  Hiiiiiiiiiiii...

M:  Hi.. 

K:  You at your acting class?

M:  Ya.  What's going on..

K:  Has the class started?

M:  Mom... I'm right in the middle of a rehearsal.  I can't talk.  What's up... everything ok?

K:  Oh.

K:  Well...

K:  .......(pause)...

K:  I ummm... I was just calling 

M:  Ya...

K:  Calling to.. umm... well... to give you a.... a compliment...

M:  You were calling to give me a compliment...

K:  Ummmm... ya..

M:  Ok...

K:  ... (pause)...

K:  Should I call back?

M:  Mom... umm.  well... they're waiting for me.

K:  Ok.. soooo.. I'll give you your compliment later...

M:  Uhh... sure... 

K:  Well ok then.  So ... we'll chat later.

M:  Mom.. ok.. gotta go..

K:  Ok then.  Yes.  Yes you do.  Ok bye.

I got off the phone and busted out laughing, shaking my head.  I sounded like such a nerd.  hahaha.   ...Yep, pulled a Brick Tamland... hee hee

STORY #2

Me and Dyl are chilling at our laptops at the table last night.  Sit with our headsets, chat randomly, swap music or youtube clips.  And the rest of the time don't say a word.  And we both luv it!  It's so our nature.  Me and Dyl can hang out and hardly say two words to each other and at the end of the night we'll both say "that was fun"... and we mean it. 

Anyhoooo... sooooo... 

K:  (listening to music on my headset)

D:  (listening to music on his headset)

D:  (dylan starts to be playful, doing these dance moves and singing like a rockstar)

K:  (karen laughs, it was very funny, and looks back at her computer.)

K:  (karen starts singing without looking at dylan)

D:  Mom...

D:  What are you doing...

K:  What do you mean?

D:  You're copying me.  You're trying to sing like me.

K:  No I'm not!

D:  Mom, stop copying me.  

K:  I wasn't copying you.  I was just singing.

D:  No mom.  Admit it, you were copying me.  You always copy me.  

K:  .......... (pause)..........

K:  Ok.

K:  Yes.

K:  Yes it's true.  I was copying you.

D:  Mom......stop it.  

K:  I can't help it.

D:  Ok wow...

hahahaha....!

That is not the first time he's told me that.  I don't know what it is about Dylan but I always want to copy him.  Madison and Jesse make fun of me for it.

One time Jesse was wanting to buy an agenda and we were at Office Depot.  It was taking longer than expected.  Dylan says "c'mon dad.  hurry.  i'm so bored.  this place is going to kill me."  And then he drops to the floor right in the middle of the store aisle.

And I say... "ya.  it's going to kill us."  and I drop down right beside him.

Dylan quickly jumps up.. "mom, what are you doing??? no.  no you can't copy me.  and you can't play dead in a store.  you're an adult."

We all start busting laughing.  Like... crying-laughing.  It was so so funny.  And I'm so spontaneous about it that I don't realize I'm copying him til it's too late!!! I have this terrible habit of copying Dylan and forgetting my age!!