Don’t call me busy (please)

I know my url is busybenz, and some might say I’m a very busy girl. But, I like to think I lead a full life versus a busy life.

I must credit this subtle change in thinking and speaking to a family friend, Pastor Jack’s wife Beve.

“Oh Beve,” I said last Easter. “How do you do it all? You’re so busy.”

“I like to think I live a very full life,” she responded. “I think to say ‘I’m busy’ misleads people to think I don’t have time for them.”

I know I didn’t capture that verbatim, but nevertheless, the sentiment really stuck with me.

Yes. I like to pack a lot into a day. Perhaps too much. Between waking up at 5 to hit the gym or run, preparing lunches for T and me, working eight hours, meeting up with my mom for Zumba or another quick workout in the evening, and insisting on cooking dinner every night…not much time is left in the day to relax, read, craft, work on my hobbies, respond to personal correspondence, etc. etc. etc. Those are the things I love, and I yearn for the weekends when I can carve out time to unwind. 

Sometimes I know I’m too rigid. I like my routine, and I have a hard time busting myself out of it. It keeps me organized and sane. We don’t spend much money on the weekdays because I buy the groceries on the weekend. I don’t have to think about what we’re having for dinner because of my weekly meal plan. And, mind you, we’re in the midst of winter and the height of Tax Season. Summer is a different story. We’d rather be outside than inside, even on week nights, and barbecues trump any kind of meal-planned dinner. (So maybe I'm just describing "Hibernation Kate" here?)

And now, I’m rambling. The point of this post is about to get lost. I think what it needs now is a great big…

BUT.

But I hope I don’t appear…sound…come off as…too concerned with these things to help a friend, enjoy a spontaneous happy hour, or take a one-hour phone call from a long-distance companion. This is what matters in life. Moments and memories.

One time my friend Em said to me, “In ten years, are you going to remember all those work emails you’re trying to answer or…”

I can’t even remember now what it was I was worrying about. Whatever it was certainly outweighed all those work emails. I'm not even at that job anymore. And, I work with words, people. No one has ever died from a copy emergency (at least not that I'm aware of). 

I started writing this post days ago, and I am just now picking up where I left off. I'm not sure if I have anything else to add. Mainly, I wanted to hammer home the sentiment that I am thankful for my FULL life..my filled-to-the-brim life...not my busy life. Despite how I'm always blazing at one million miles per hour, I do have time. 

There's always time for the events, phone calls, coffee talks, spontaneous reasons for cakes needing to be baked at 11 p.m., and other worthwhile memories. Everything else will be forgotten.

Thank you, oh six blog readers, for indulging me in my stream of consciousness. 

So much to celebrate

After New Year's comes and goes, and reality sets in that there just isn't a Spring Break for adults, the winter months and accompanying dreary weather can make a Portland girl glum.

But, February rolls around, a little glimmer of sunshine with all its celebratory occasions. 

We traveled down to Albany to deliver some birthday cheer to Taylor's mom in early February, and Taylor's birthday rolled around later that week.

Just by happenstance, the Fly-Fishing Film Tour hit Portland the night of Taylor's birthday. Following a 24-hour business trip to Denver and heading into work straight off the plane, chowing down on some eastside Mexican food and hustling in to the Bagdad Theater for a cold beer and his favorite annual event proved to be just what this birthday boy wanted. That, and an uninterrupted day of inspired fishing at the coast the next day--a birthday gift to himself.

This is NOT a picture-perfect pie. I'm actually pretty embarrassed by its looks, but Taylor was pretty surprised as I've never made a pie for him on my own. When he came home and saw it on the kitchen counter he thought at first it was from my mom, but he said the lattice just wasn't her style. Ha! I whipped it up super fast and didn't even wait for the store-bought dough (don't tell my mom!) to defrost. Talk about lazy!

Not to be outdone, Valentine's Day quickly approached. It's always a favorite day of mine--mostly because of vivid childhood Valentine memories. I love all holidays, but this love-filled day reminds me of lipstick hearts on the bathroom mirrors, pink milk in our cereal, special gifts on the breakfast table, and heart-shaped sandwiches in our red and pink-themed lunches. It was my mom's favorite holiday, long before it became oh-so commercialized.

I wanted to make this year extra special, so I decided to make Valentines for all of our neighbors, my co-workers, and Taylor's work. I tried to plan ahead and make some cookie dough and a batch of blondies in the nights leading up to V-Day, but in true Kate fashion, I was scrambling at the eleventh hour on Valentine's Eve. I think they turned out OK...not half as nice as anything my sisters would craft, but pretty all right for my semi-homemade craftiness. And, we even had a couple of notes from our neighbors later that day. Just trying to be a part of my new life and work communities, you know?

As for us, Taylor and me aren't huge fans of the forced romanticism of the holiday, but he did surprise me with a lovely bouquet, a bottle of vino, and my favorite--a sweet greeting card. We went to Whole Foods for a fiesta dinner and a long stroll around the store. We came home for some Thursday night hoops action, and I fell asleep reading before 10. Super romantic, I know. Just perfect for us, actually.

I'm not sure what the second half of February will bring, but I'm sure it'll be full of quick adventures, hearty wintertime meals, and delightful glimpses of spring. Happy belated Heart Day, friends.

Under construction...

I'm working on a new template for my blog, so please stay tuned.

And now, we're off to celebrate--today is Taylor's birthday!!!

The Lagreids' last hurrah

Twenty-thirteen most definitely is The Year of the Baby. 

We are so blessed to have some very close and wonderful friends expecting their first bundles of joy this year. Emily and her husband Greg will be kicking off the trend in less than 30 days when their little lady is set to make her grand entrance into the world. I'm crossing my fingers she comes on my birthday, but I know she'll come when she's good and ready.

This past weekend, Em and Greg had plans to hit the Oregon Coast for one last getaway, and they were so nice to invite us for Saturday night. To say we were thrilled about this invitation is a huge understatement. We haven't seen the Lagreids since they came down and told us we were going to be friend auntie and uncle, so we literally counted the days all week long.

Taylor had to work Saturday morning, so we headed down late-afternoon, just in time to catch the most beautiful sunset. It did not seem like February Saturday--the weather was just spectacular. We enjoyed lots of time with Luca (AKA Dogger, AKA Digger, AKA Tank), a supreme steak dinner, a few cocktails, several duets, some dominoes, and lots of lounge time and catching up with our dear friends. Taylor and Greg hit the links Sunday morning, while Emily and I walked into town for coffee and a little trolling the shops. We caught up on everything and everyone, read through a stack of magazines, and enjoyed many-a-walk on the beach. 

I must also mention 2013 marks Em's and my 10-year friend anniversary. Neither of us can believe it has been that long since we were neighbors in the dorms. And, yes, we love recounting all our old dorm stories to the guys. If only I had some dining hall biscuits, hashbrowns, and honey butter to gift to this pregnant lady! 

We have no doubt the Lagreids will be more than fantastic parents. We're saying lots of prayers for Emily's last month of pregnancy and anxiously waiting to get that call that their daughter has arrived. 

Thanks for your hospitality and friendship, E and G. We love you! 

Cheers to that baby on the way!

Luca getting work done.

Just throwing this out there...three months from today we'll be Mr. and Mrs.!

Reunited, and it feels so good.

Someone's a little excited about those steaks!

T-bones for everyone!

A fancy feast...ha ha haaa.

My favorite part of the evening...

The cute beachfront casa. Goodbye Manzanita! Hope to see you soon!