Adventures of Special K

Feeling Better Already

2011-02-12T13:39:00.003-05:00

After an awful day of being sick yesterday, I'm taking it easy again today and enjoying a few small delights

1. painting my nails RED in honor of lovers day on 2/14

2. homemade french toast with vanilla and cinnamon.

3. yummy cup of coffee...okay, 2 cups...so far

4. reading 'How Yoga Works' by Geshe Michael Roach & Christie McNally

5. finally get to see my honey play some hockey tonight! His games are always so late normally. Looking forward to bundling up in a hoodie and having a hot tea while I cheer him on.

What are you enjoying today?

photo credit: http://katrinalynninspired.blogspot.com/

Happy Tuesday!

2010-09-14T09:11:00.003-04:00

My beautiful, amazing, fabulous best friend and soul sister, Lindsay, sent this to me and I can't stop reading it over and over with a huge smile in my heart and on my face. I think it is a beautiful reminder of the important things in life. I'm posting it up in my cube, on the fridge and probably will tattoo it to the inside of my hand for a daily reminder (i kid...) I hope you enjoy this as much as I did/do/will. Happy Tuesday! Namaste

BEing

2010-09-12T21:42:00.005-04:00

So, I'm taking a moment of reflection. I often find myself thinking of the next "thing" to do in life...place to live, race to try, apartment to live in, having a family, etc. When I do this, I force myself back to the present and remind myself of how blessed I am at this very moment. Instead of aspiring to "do" the next thing in life, lets all think about just "being" where we are and know it is perfect. Afterall, we are "human beings" not "human doings" Take a deep breath and just BE where you are in life. Goodnight lovelies! photo credit: beliefnet

Positivity

2010-09-08T09:31:00.003-04:00

Good Morning friends! Do you ever have those days or in my case weeks where you have to peel yourself out of bed and go through your day giving yourself a constant pep-talk just to stay positive? This week at work is proving to be overwhelming with no end in sight. I really just wish my job was cuddling with my honey. I'm really good at that! But, I digress. I'm keeping my chin up and reminding myself of these wise words from Eleanor Roosevelt. What is the saying, mantra, quote that keeps you positive in times of stress?

I'm BACK!

2010-08-28T17:21:00.006-04:00

Lately I've been like Haley's Comet in my blogging. But I'm BACK! I've been so inspired by the many blogs that I follow such as A Cup of Jo and Naturally Nina that I've decided to jump back on the blogger wagon. It's been a while so I'll try and catch you up quick. My honey and I made the move to NYC in December and are SO enjoying exploring the little shops and street fairs. My absolute favorite of all are these yummy cupcakes and this iced coffee. Yummo! What are your favorite treats or hidden gems?

Sadly, I've traded the sweet sound of crickets at night in CT for sirens and trash cans. Which leads me to the next phase in my quest to find inner peace and quiet. Yoga Teacher Training School in January here. September start date would have been ideal but I've decided to wait until everyone goes into hibernation for the winter and I'm longing for a daily practice of Surya Namaskar A & B to heat up my inner body.

I'm so excited about the upcoming journey to deepen my practice, meet new yoga friends and share my passion for health and balanced living with others. Have you ever taken the plunge into a new passion? How did you feel (nervous, anxious, excited?) I want to hear from you.

Thank you for joining me on my adventure.

(photo credit: Kari Herer)

i heart Sanuk

2009-05-15T15:29:00.004-04:00

If you know me, you know i love flip-flops. Anything with a flip and a flop will steal my heart every time! I don't like shoes at all... they are too conforming.

As summer approaches, i realized that my flip flop inventory was low, so I went online to my favorite flip flop vendor, Sanuk, and purchased 2 pairs for everyday wear...black and brown...size 11 (WHOA! yeah, I know, I'm Sasquach) for a reasonable $16 each + shipping. I anxiously awaited the arrival of my package, tracking it everyday like a mother with a webcam on her baby's daycare. Finally, the day arrived and oh, what a day it was! I was swamped at work and up to my eyeballs in project fire drills which put a huge damper on my usually optimistic attitude. When I returned from lunch the package was sitting on my desk like a present under the Christmas tree just begging to be ripped open and set free. I immediately kicked off the old, worn out flip flops and slipped on the new pair of brown. I felt like Cinderella....but then my fantasy-land clock struck midnight...and the sandals started to feel like i had on two slippers of sweaty silly putty strapped to my feet. My heart was broken.

I emailed the company since there was no phone number available to find out what could be done and if I was doomed to wear silly putty shoes for the entire Summer. I was pleasantly surprised when I got an immediate response from the VP of Sales directly (see below) and my new sandals are already on their way to me, no strings attached and no questions asked. So, I want to pass it on that if you are in need of some great flip-flops this Summer season and are looking for something stylish, comfortable and very reasonably priced. Then, check out www.sanuk.com to order a pair or 10 today. I heart Sanuk!

(no, Phill, I did NOT say Tanuk Tanuk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bAN7Ts0xBo)

On 5/14/09 4:15 PM, "John Gothard" wrote:
Kresta,

I was forwarded your email and wanted to respond personally.

After reading your email, all I can say is that we take great pride in EVERYTHING we make. We definitely do not make products that you are only allowed to wear a short time; Sanuks are built to last! But every now and then we get someone in the factory who had some bad chili at lunch and then came back to work that afternoon and he produced your Sanuks. We do not want you to feel that you have a “lemon”.

If your pair of Sanuks do not standing the test of normal use, then we will get you a new pair! We want you happy or happier than the day you bought your Sanuks!

Please email me back the following;

1. A pic of the damage to your Sanuks (low resolution please).
2. Your name
3. The Production number; only on Sidewalk Surfers/Hybrid’s (under the top); not on the sandals
4. A US shipping address (FedEx or UPS)
5. A replacement model, color and size.
6. No need to send a copy of your receipt; we will take care of you!

We love what we do and want you to be the happiest customer on earth.

Smile… Pass it on…

John Gothard
VP of Sales
Sanuk, USA
Email: John.gothard@cctraders.com
Phone: 949 794-8850, x2331

Peanut Vest

2009-05-15T15:17:00.005-04:00

As I've noted before, my baby sister, Charann, is baking a little peanut Vest in her tummy due in August. I just got pictures of him and wanted to share with you all! He's even got his Texas Tech Red Raider Guns Up in one of them! Woo hoo! No making fun of the sad face on his belly....or that fact that his belly looks like a canadian South Park character. Ha ha ha ha!

And being the proud aunt that I am, i had to also post this adorable picture of my niece, Nikayla, who's graduating and entering 1st grade next year! Oh, how the time flies by!

How is my driving?

2009-05-13T16:17:00.002-04:00

Have you ever seen those stickers on the back of cars with a phone number to call? I was driving behind one today and wondered how many calls they actually get? Are they all angry tailgaters calling to gripe or do people ever call to compliment how wonderful someone was actually driving? I'm tempted to put one on my car with my phone number just to see what happens. Especially since most of these smaller town Connecticut residents probably don't appreciate my big city, aggressive driving habits. Hmmmm, i wonder.....

Oh, how time flies...

2009-05-10T19:55:00.003-04:00

I've decided to get back on and start posting again. A few updates since the last post: Mikey made it safely back home from Iraq (Thanks be to God!) Charann has a wonderful little boy baking away in her tummy and will make his debut in August. Billy is overseas serving our country. Please pray daily for his safety and safe return home soon. Other than that, it's business as usual.

I'm enjoying the fact that the New England winter is FINALLY over and spring has sprung! I can't get enough of the outdoors and beautiful sunshine. Oh, how thankful am I for warm spring days and blooming flowers and the color green that I see everywhere. I'm in awe of how fast mother nature works!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there. Unfortunately I couldn't be with mine today, or my sisters who are wonderful mothers as well, but they know I am there in spirit. I have to say sorry to all of you because I got the best mother there is. I know, i know, it isn't fair, but that's life. My mother raised 5 wonderful kids and is an ongoing inspiration to me. Her strength, faith, compassion and love are just a few of the characteristics that I admire most about her. I love you , Mom.

Family Matters.....

2008-10-21T16:38:00.000-04:00

So, I moved up here April 2007 and along the way have met a new family of friends, but can't forget the huge family I have still in Texas.

First there is Mom and Dad....my heros. They had 5 of us Hodges kids. Yes, we like to say they were definitely "practicing Catholics" ha ha ha!

First in line is Julie and her husband, Billy and their 2 boys Noah (9) and Luke (3). Billy is about to head off overseas to serve our country as an Army soldier. Pray for his quick and safe return!

I'm next in the lineup and I have a wonderful boyfriend Phill who somehow understands my crazy randomness (how did I ever get so lucky?)

Albert (on the far right) is next and is married to Carly and they have an awesome boxer pup named Maddie

Charann and Mikey are the last and twins, though they look or act NOTHING alike. Charann is married to Michael and they have Nikayla. They also have a baby angel, Lane Michael Vest, who is watching down from Heaven.

Mikey is currently serving overseas in Iraq and is married to Winona (but we just call her Nonie) Hopefully he'll be home soon and they can start making babies so I'll have more nieces and nephews to spoil!
So, that's the whole family......so far. We're a crazy bunch...of FUN!