State Of The Union (Or Starnes Family)

So much to cover.

First, we have an address. In California. In a San Diego suburb. Feels good, peeps. And, it's darling. Cul-de-sac lot, no neighbors behind us due to us being on a hill, large lot and tons of outdoor living. And, a gazebo. 10 minutes from the coast. Super cute.

As for our last few days here in the Midwest, we've been enjoying our faves.

Stonewall Pizza. Haunted restaurant and good food? We're totally there.

I went to grab dinner recently and enjoyed a glass of wine, sans children and husband, and took in the scenery. I love this wacky restaurant.



Jack's a pirate. On most days......otherwise, he's Jack. Ask him first before calling him a "pirate".

Remember the parking lot "incidents"?

Well, the school took extra precautions after the Starnes family plowed through and taped up all the free-standing obstacles. I want Blake to write "Blake wuz here" on the tape before we go.

Here's the remains of his crash. So sad.

Here's a shot of daily life around the Starnes casa due to the need to pack and load inconveniently compromising parenthood.

Here we have the kitchen....representing the current life form here. Boxes and essentials.

Lovely Blake is being all manly and tidying up. That's hot.

On Wednesday, a man pulled into the neighborhood driving this truck, ripped off a major tree limb of one of the lovelies near us, got out and said, "I don't give a s&*t about that tree. Trees are city issues."

OK, then. Thanks for the truck. See you early next week.

Empty:

Starting to fill.....long ways to go. And, for the record, we have minimal moving/packing experience. From Dallas to Denver and then Denver to KC, Blake's company moved us. I couldn't pack a thing. It was blissful. This is stressful.

Here's our movers. The Delts.

Who are the Delts? The two guys pictured on the left who live across the street. We named them the Delts after several months living here......watching their fun parties....not unlike Animal House......a glimpse of our lives pre-children.

We've spent the past several months getting to know them and they're a ton of fun. And, loaded with talents......see picture below.

Here they are at a recent Chiefs game. Good old Midwestern fun.

We love the Delts and will love them even more on Sunday when they're helping Blake load the big furniture. Otherwise, we're handling everything.

I finished up work at Children's Orchard this week. I LOVED this job. Not part of my career path, but I absolutely enjoyed getting to know the fine folks who own and work here.

Amie and Anne, the buyers.

Rob, possibly one of the funniest people living on the planet, although he'll argue with you if you suggest such.

Judy, Rob's wife, Gabbe and Demi. Lots more that I wasn't able to photograph, but here is where I have spent the last 10 months in my spare time. Good people.

Since we're leaving Kansas soon, we finally made it to the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm. A popular place to eat and rest during the westward expansion.

We walked the grounds since it was a slow day on the farm (not the usual interactive set up). Found the garden.......saw the lovely sunflowers (a Kansas icon) and then later found out that they were not planted there.......squash, beans, and other veggies were......but the sunflowers snuck in. Love that.



This was the main house on the farm and was built in 1865. Downstairs housed the kitchen and dining area, where most people came to eat while moving west.

This sign = awesome. Saw it while visiting the horses and other livestock.

The horses were busy, though.

And, then this goat tried to steal the show while I was "picturing" the sheep.

Back inside the museum......love this quote:

"In 1857, when Dr. Barton was staking his claim, he was so impressed by the beauty of the land and wildflowers, he asked his Shawnee Indian guide, David Dougherty, "What was their word for beautiful?" "O-la-the", he responded.

Olathe is our neighboring town and also where Carter goes to school.

I tell Lainey to sit and this is what she does. Always ornery.

After visiting Mahaffie, we went to the mall to tour the American Girl store. Stopped at our new fave, Crazy 8 and also at the Jayhawks store. Not going to see any of these out west. Wonder what California team Carter will fall in love with there?

And, here we are. It was a lot of fun. Very similar to the Dallas store. I had to explain to an older gentleman what the "doll's hair salon" was. He didn't understand why grown women had dolls in salon chairs and were cutting their hair. Would it grow back? "No, you get to buy another doll after it's cut," I told him. "Brilliant". He got it.

Jack's thoughts on the store? "Dee only cool fing in here is that train track."

Can you see it?

It's 7:11pm and one kid is already in bed. The other two will follow shortly. I've reverted back to "survival mode", learned from our relocation 1.5 years ago. 7pm bedtimes = sanity savers.

Carter's last day of school is tomorrow. He'll take a week off to move with us and get acclimated before we start him in California. He's earned it.

Back soon with more scoop on the move. Hope all is well with you!

And, She Does It Again

While sorting through our lives' possessions pre-packing, we came across all sorts of memorabilia. Some random things:

1. The file we created when we planned our wedding from Austin, via the internet, to Half Moon Bay, California. Today, this seems totally plausible. 10+ years ago? Not nearly as much. But, we're bad asses, so we made it happen.

2. The box from Carter's birth.....hospital papers, tiny newborn cap, name tag on his bassinet. Sweet memories.

3. Books from our heritage.....written by Blake's mom's side of the family and my father's side. Treasures.

And, in between all of these precious finds, we found piles and piles of sweet gestures from Caroline. Too many to list here.......but her thoughtfulness over the years was all right there in front of our eyes and it was overwhelming. My "Motherhood Journal" caught my immediate attention and the letter she wrote to me prior to Carter's birth will forever bring me to tears.

Yall already know Caroline's a huge part of our lives. No explanation needed there.

But, she hit me with something last night that touched my heart like never before.

Her note on Facebook to me:

For Casey and Blake. I found these lyrics in some of Ban's things. On the note, it said she used to sing the song with Bud to their mother. Listen and read the lyrics. It makes me smile when I think of you two and your journey ahead.

(***"Ban" is my grandmother who died just before Jack was born and "Bud" is her brother.)

And, she linked this song:



Glen Daly, 1919.

The lyrics:

With someone like you, a pal good and true
I'd like to leave it all behind, and go and find
A place that's known to God alone
...Just a spot to call our own

We'll find perfect peace, where joys never cease
Out there beneath the kindly sky
We'll build a sweet little nest, somewhere out in the West
And let the rest of the world go by

So, we're off to build our nest soon enough. Listen to the song if you have the time. Pure sweetness.

Thanks, Carowine.

Mega Scoop + Book Club Book

Not a whole lot about the move.....just daily life here in Kansas.

First, I saw this movie on Saturday night. Watch the trailer. I insist.


Warren P. Cheswick (as he was called in Ed, one of the best TV shows ever), who is really named Justin Long and Drew Barrymore are as cute as can be. They reminded me of Blake and me at the beginning of our relationship......just after he visited me in Baton Rouge.....about 12 years ago.

The story is awesome. The obvious plot......how to make a long distance relationship work.....was done well. They have fantastic chemistry and I hope they get married one day. (Yes, I think about these things.) One warning, though.....the dialogue is downright raunchy at times. Like Sex and the City raunchy. Not my kind of talk, but I got over it. Go see this movie. Or, you will be dead to me.

Moving on.....

Sass's sister, Katie, came over one evening with her sweet husband to buy a few of our items for sale. We had to take a picture of her and Meow Meow.

And, Carter. They all adore Katie.

No, she's not pregnant, but Katie bought our pack-n-play and papasan, which totally delights me to know that they'll be using some of our baby gear one day. Blake gave a demo. I still don't know how to set this piece up. I know. 3 kids. It's Blake's job! Hush.

Katie showed Lainey how to wrap up her babies. It was a quick, but fun, evening.

Carter and Jack have been scooting through the neighborhood like mad men. Mad men with helmets, of course.

I took the little ones over to Jillian's house recently for a play date. I'm thrilled to pass on our favorite Halloween costume EVER, the Babystyle octopus. Seriously. Could she be cuter?

Here is Lainey in it in '08. Love how the legs are everywhere.

And, here she is that year throwing a tantrum. I seem to have a lot of pictures of her laying in this position screaming her little bratty head off. Nice.

Back to Jillian's.......lunch time! They all had to sit on the same side of the table.

I love these girls. And, their mama even more. I am so sad to leave Jillian. I know we'll be life long friends, but it's hard to say goodbye.

Her girls......Ainsley.

Brynn.

Baby Brooke.

Chub-a-lub baby girl.

Sass came over one evening recently and carried our precious rocking chair back home with her. Another one of my first babies.....that I babysat as a kid.....now taking my gear for their own babies one day. Makes me happy. Sass said she's "keeping it in the family." Love her.

Of course, she stayed for wine. And, we chatted up a storm as we always do.

And, laughed. And, laughed. That's what we do.

I love my KC girls!

We put the Thule case on the truckster in preparation for the big move. Nothing says, "Pull me over" like some dancing bears, right? (A Grateful Dead icon for those of you who don't know.)

And, finally, we had a picnic outside tonight and then took a walk at Ernie Miller Nature Center. Good thing my dainty little daughter doesn't mind spilled Frosty.

Lovely Kansas. Such a beautiful place to live. I've heard people describe Kansas City as "a hidden gem" or a "well kept secret". I must concur.





Lots of fun finding little treasures like this in the woods.



We talked and talked about what could have been chomping on this horse apple. Lainey concluded it was "Monster Bear" (from Little Bear).

This odd little set up looked like something out of the Blair Witch Project. Of course, I told the kids all about it. No one will be sleeping in this house tonight.

I don't know.

Race time!

Goodnight Kansas sunset.

Off to pack up our bedroom and start on our bathroom. Things are going well. We're almost there!

Oh, yeah. One more thing. The Book Club. A few people have said they like this one and I do believe it will be out in movie form soon, too. With Coco's True-Love-4-Eva in it as the main character. Here is a link to the book on Amazon, "used" starting around $1.50.



Read this one. Promise you'll love it. I did so much that I'm going to read it again!

Vet Visit

Of course, Lainey had to come, too. And, bring Meow Meow and her latest love, Yainey Kitty. Nothing like a narcissistic 2 year old, huh?

We were going in to take Batman for his rabies shot and to stock up on Frontline. I told her this and she replied, "But, my kitties bery sick. Dey need to see a doctor."

OK.

Here we are waiting. Batman is gobbling like a turkey, as he does when he gets nervous. Lainey tries to soothe him. Notice her "cat carrier" on the floor.

Lainey shows Batman he's famous and made the cover of Cat Fancy, but it didn't help.

Our 3 patients eagerly await the doctor.

The vet and assistant were wonderful to all 3 felines........real and imaginary......and humored Lainey with check ups and weigh ins. Amazing.


Batman left disgruntled. Lainey left feeling more proud than ever of her mothering skills. Jack was just anxious to get out of there, thinking someone was going to "shoot" him, too.

Not a whole lot else going on here in the Starnes casa. I'm working all weekend.......2 of my last 4 shifts at my darling store. I'm so sad to leave my co-workers and friends there. And, the money! Kidding. I make $8 an hour. Still better than nothing!

Blake will be on kid duty and it looks like it will be a long weekend spent outside. The weather is gorgeous right now......windows open......fall creeping in.......it's lovely. Last chance for the pool, too, as ours closes on Labor Day. Do pools close in California? We have so much to learn.

What are yall up to this weekend?

Giveaway - A Custom Piece of Artwork

Something you may not know about me.....I have an uber talented cousin. Actually, he's Blake's cousin, but mine by marriage.

His name is Lance and he's growing two of his businesses in preparation for their 3rd child, Emily Kate, arriving in September!

To spread the word about his work, I'm hosting a giveaway. One lucky reader will receive the piece of his or her choice. (A value ranging between $250-$500, depending on what you choose!)

His two websites:

Painted Christ

Lance Brown Art

Lance is offering a painting from his Christ collection or a custom painting of your choice. Simply email him a photograph and he will paint it. (This excludes portraits)


You can see this one in his collection......but I thought I'd show it here, too. This is Blake and Carter, at the age of 2, on our first vacation to California. Lance surprised us with this piece years ago and I've treasured it ever since. We love original art. To have a custom made original? Priceless.



So, how to enter.......

1. Visit either or both of Lance's websites and leave me a comment letting me know your favorite piece of art.


2. Let me know you follow my blog for another entry.


3. Re-post this giveaway for an additional 3 entries!

Lance is currently taking custom orders and would love to paint your photographs. Start thinking about the holidays ahead and get your orders in quick! It's a gift your recipient will cherish for life.

***Giveaway will end at midnight on Wednesday, September 8th. I'll draw the winner randomly and make the announcement shortly after!