In Memory of Keri- A Request for Support

Keri Denise Brown Still

Keri's daughter, Kellyn

If you have noticed on the right side of my blog here for the past month, I have had information about the Charlotte Walk to Defeat ALS on May 31. I got involved in this walk and with this organization in the most random way.
I get the Winston-Salem Journal in electronic format every day, and a few months ago, I clicked on a banner entitled "Help Keri". This linked to a website that told the story of Keri Denise Brown Still and her fight with ALS. She was pregnant when she was diagnosed, and she fought so hard to see as much of her daughter's life as possible. Keri lost her battle with ALS, and although I had never met her or her family, I was so touched by this story. First, I didn't know that ALS struck people so young, and I didn't know how terribly quick it takes the lives of those diagnosed. Secondly, I just admired Keri's spirit, before and after her diagnosis, and the deep friendships that were apparent through those that supported her. And finally, the love of her family was so special, and the loss to them, so evident.
So, I am walking in Keri's memory, and so that her little girl, Kellyn, can hopefully grow up and know a world without ALS. If you can donate, or would like to join the walk, please click here. Every dollar helps me reach my goal.

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Wii had so much fun!

I traveled to the exotic land of Trinity, NC to visit my friend Cassandra tonight. Her brother Jimmy and his wife Melissa (whom we call Lucy), and their son IV (pronounced iv--and whom I instinctively call Ivlet) all joined us. I had been on the lookout for a Wii for them, and my local Gamestop store got a shipment in on Friday, I got one for them and delivered it. I think all of the adults were *almost* as excited as IV was.
We played the Wii Sports game that came with it, and it was so much fun, and it was amazing to watch the 6 year old pretty much kick all of our butts, and catch on and adapt so quickly. The Wii in itself is amazing, I can pretty much guarantee I would never be interested in playing any other game system, but this one is addictive, and so much fun. I love the way it is entertaining for a whole family--and any age level.
IV is such a cutie, and so entertaining just being himself. He is so animated and funny, and a bundle of energy. Cassandra has told me so many IV stories, and I loved getting to finally meet him, he is such a little character! I missed Cassandra's son, Spencer, tonight, I will have to come back when both he and IV are there!
As I mentioned in another blog entry, I lived with Cassandra and her family for a while in high school, and Jimmy was just a little older than IV is now at that time. It is hard to believe that Jimmy is now a father! But he is, and it was fun to watch him with IV and Lucy.
After we played all the Wii games we could handle, we headed upstairs to the other game system to try Sing Star--which judges your singing skills as you sing a duet with a partner into microphones hooked into the system. It was a riot. The words to the songs come up on the screen- similar to karaoke, and little IV can't read, but did not want to be left out. So after listening to us sing a song once, he would insist on giving it a shot. He sang a Cheap Trick song, and then Born to be Wild with Me, my sides and head hurt from laughing.

All in all, a really fun night with friends that are more like family.

-Kim >^..^<

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Tag, I'm It

I was tagged on my friend Cassandra's blog. It was actually fun thinking through all these questions.

Four jobs I have had in my life: (I have to laugh, I have had so many weird jobs!)
1. Marketing Manager/ Director
2. Sales Representitive for a school yearbook company
3. Nanny
4. Car rental airport shuttle driver (livin' the dream)


Four movies I've watched more than once:
1. Silence of the Lambs
2. The Devil Wears Prada
3. Infamous
4. Little Miss Sunshine

T.V. Shows that I watch: (ok, before you ask, YES, I do know there are new TV shows out there. I just rarely watch primetime)
1. Frasier (I can watch the episodes over and over, I am on my way to owning all the seasons!)
2. Oprah
3. Dateline NBC
4. The Tudors- I JUST discovered this and got hooked!

Four places I have been:
1. Paris, France
2. Vancouver, Canada
3. Ixtapa, Mexico
4. London, England

Four People who e-mail me (regularly):
1. Cassandra
2. Kim L.
3. Lisa
4. Mom

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Strawberries
2. Tomatoes
3. Goat cheese
4. Avocados

Four Places I would like to visit:
1. Australia
2. Ireland
3. Greece
4. Vermont in the Fall ( I have ALWAYS wanted to do this--and every Fall something happens and I can't make it happen).

Things I am looking forward to in the coming year:
1. Taking French classes
2. (Hopefully) taking a trip to Paris
3. Spending time with friends
4. Road trips

Ok, four people I tag:
None of my friends have blogs--but a few of them should! So, I can't tag anyone, but I think I will forward this via email to Kim L., Judith, Lisa, and Meredith. (these are also my friends that I think should be blogging! Meredith's, in particular, would be hilarious!!)

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Makes Me Wander

This week I was in California--first for a conference in San Francisco for eMarketing, and then I drove to San Jose to my company's office there. I always get nostalgic when I am there, thinking about the times I lived there. It is a beautiful time of year now, a little chilly in San Francisco, but the city is just gorgeous.
While I was in San Jose, I went to a little store I always go to that carries a lot of Paris items. It is the sweetest little store, and I always find something I have to have.
After I visited there, I wandered around to another little street I haven't visited before. There were a few little jewelry stores and nick nack places. I was basically window shopping when I came across this:

I just cracked up. I HAD to go immediately in the store and buy this. I could just see that tagline sitting on my desk. So I go through the door, making a beeline for this magnet set, I saw exactly where it was. There were a few other funny things on the wall next to it. I noticed that the sales women were being very quiet and looking at me a little funny. I noticed some weird bra hanging next to the magnet set. Then, I turned around and realized I was in a ....well....a naughty store. I mean, a really naughty store. The lingerie in there made Frederick's of Hollywood look like Brooks Brothers.

I am no prude, but it was just so funny that I had totally missed what I was walking into. But, I still walked up to the counter and made my purchase. I walked out and cracked up.

-Kim >^..^<

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"Real" Beauty?

I love all of the Dove ads, and their campaign for real beauty-and their fight for the self esteem of our young girls. They took a risk-- a huge one initially, and it has paid off for them. These ads are healthier for young girls (and women, for that matter) to see vs. the stick figures we normally see hawking everything from clothing to cold cream.

The ad shown was persented at a conference I attended in a session on viral marketing. This Dove ad was shown purely on the internet, and made the rounds, and made an impact. This is such a great ad, and so true these days. You can't trust most of the images you see in magazines, billboards and the like, and so many young girls base their body image on those images.

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New Wheels

As my friends all know, I have been driving a Honda Element for a little over a year now (I got it used)--and it has been the first car of mine that I have ever looooved. The one I had was the lower end (LX), and I decided to upgrade and get a new one, an EX, (in the photo).

I love it! The Elements make me question why anyone EVER put carpet in cars in the first place. The interior of the Element is all water-proof--you can pretty much hose out the entire thing, but the seats are still cool looking and comfy. Also, the back seats flip up and fold completely to the side so you can transport a LOT of stuff in the back of it. Plus, I get about the same gas mileage as my Civic did (I always drove Civics before).

This one is an EX, so the next time I go somewhere with my friend Cassandra, I won't have to listen to her bitch that there are no armrests on the front seats, (OK, that was annoying), that I didn't have keyless entry, and that there was no vanity mirror on the passenger side. (yeah, it was a LONG weekend with her to Atlanta-LOL). All those things (and some other cool stuff) are standard with the EX.

Anyway, it's always exciting getting a new car.

-Kim >^..^<

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