Dear Caroline,
I read on a celebrity gossip website that Audrina Partridge(from the Hills) had dinner at Baja Fresh last night. Do you know what this means? She must have seen our pics on facebook and wondered if she could get a free burrito too. I bet she didn't order the nacho chicken like we did. She probably ordered something with veggies only. Whatev Audrina.
Love,
KBroome

Our washing machine broke last night. Isn't that just the pits? Combine that with a broken car and its double pits. I would say that I am waiting on a third something to break, but I have had a new phone three times in a weeks span this past week, so I'll let that count. Oh, but I almost forgot, Andy had a car accident on the way to work Tuesday.
But.
Do you know what?
We're all ok.
Last night I was being emotional and I told Andy he was insensitive to my tears. His reaction to me crying is always frustration or laughing. So, he said "Do you want me to cry with you? Ok. I'll cry with you. Boohoo I can't wash my clothes because my washers broken and I guess we will just be known as the stinky family. Oh boo hoo, my cars broken and people are going to think were rednecks with the hood open under the car port and tools everywhere."
So I laughed and he didn't ever really cry.
Which in all of this proves that Andy does not take my tears seriously.
Really though, I am thankful for a second car, friends and family who will lend a washer, Andy's safe driving, a job, Andy's job, our house, our friends, our family.. I really can't complain.
One day till Friday. Happy Thursday Friends!

Dear Hubs,
Thank you for letting me cheat last night. I thoroughly enjoyed that Pecan Pralines and Cream. Betsy enjoyed it too. We are two lucky girls.
Love,love

Photo by: Irene Suchoki

Did I tell you guys what I received in the mail the other day?
I didn't.
Let me tell you.
After a run(my toe was never broken, just "jammed" says Andy) I checked the mail. I found a brown package tucked neatly in our mailbox. Addressed to me, I was very curious as to what it could be. I had not ordered anything and I don't have friends that would send me a gift rather than just bringing it over.
I opened it to find a converse shoe box taped shut.
A bomb in a shoebox? Who would want to bomb me? Oh heck, I'll take my chances. I ripped it open.
There in the shoe box laid a crafted yellow star medal thingy. Hmm. Upon further investigation, I found that it was an award.
I won an award?!
Yes. This is a true story.
Remember forever ago I ran in that 5K in Douglasville? "Run to the star" is what they called it. Well, after the race, Andy and I left to get breakfast. We never returned so I never got my ... dumdumdumdum(sounds like trumpets) 2nd place award!
Now the award was given to me as 2nd place in my age group. 20-29 year old age group. How many people were in that age group? Who knows and who cares. I don't care if there were 3.. which there probably were:)

I don't really feel like re- capping the weekend, but Andy and I looked at each other Saturday night and said "Well, at least this is something to blog about."
I can't really tell you about the funeral, except that Billy would have been pleased to see all of the people there who will miss him. He would have smiled watching my sweet cousins read the bible verse that related to who he was. He would have loved their tears.

After the funeral and dinner at Grandma's, we had to come back to get Betsy. Long story short, it was unexpected. We were on our way, pretty chatty, and thirsty when all of a sudden my car made this loud snap/pop(umm, breaking) noise. Andy pulled over and said, your engine just died. Eww. Long day even longer now.
Ok, but after calling Russ and letting him listen on the phone to the motor, he determined it was a belt(phew!). Not, the engine(because that could be REALLY awful).
SO.
We sat on the road, with my insurance company for a good 45 minutes only to be told they could not find a wrecker service that was open or had any trucks available.
So Russ being the best friend we could evvverrr ask for, got Adrianne in tow and headed to get us.
Goodbye Land Rover. Goodbye first car I ever payed every penny for. Hope no one steals you or impounds you. Or searches you for all of my priceless treasures and old wheat thin boxes.
By now, Andy had planned to come back the next morning and tow the car back himself.
Just before we thought all hope was lost...
A wrecker pulls up. Flashing lights, highlighting his mullet like a disco scene in that John Travolta disco/dance movie.
He offers his service for cheaper than normal because he's heading the same way anyway. Andy says "yes."
I cringe. I know I should look at this as a God send right? But I do not, do not want to ride with a stranger. That's the other thing, insurance covers rental car places, but there are NONE open on a late Saturday evening.
So, off we go with Dwight, the wrecker, who assures us he believes in God.
And.
We make it home. Safe and sound.
So,
Dear Dwight,
I love that your name is Dwight because I could not have imagined a more perfect name given the scenario we met you in. Your mullet gave me a fright at first because it seemed like the beginnings to a horror movie, but I learned in the end, which I should have learned earlier in the evening, "Judge not lest ye be judged." I will pray for your sweet children and your wife whom you didn't want to go home to. This made me sad. Thanks for the ride and the chat.
Love,
KBroome and the Hubs

Andy and I woke Sunday morning with a feeling of gratefulness. The Lord sent help when we needed it most. We will always remember Dwight:)

When I was born, my father's father had already passed away. He passed a year after my mom and dad got married. I never knew him, just heard stories about him.
My grandmother re-married when I was eight years old. She re- married to a lovely man whom we grandchildren referred to as Papa Billy.
Papa Billy, the only person who could poke serious fun at grandma and get away with it. Through their early marriage, they traveled all over the place together. They visited different countries, tended to their amazing backyard garden, and enjoyed daily meals together, always on pretty china and a set table.
Papa Billy, taxied us grandchildren around, picking some up from school, taking some to practice's of whatever kind, and watching us play at the country club pool. Papa Billy, a faithful attendant of St. Luke, and you could always find him on the left end of a middle row at church. If the rest of the family was not there, or you didn't see someone you knew, Papa Billy always offered up conversation. Always one to put people at ease, Papa Billy was a peacemaker. He did not enjoy controversy or argument. He loved with all of his heart and in all of his ways this was evident.
Papa Billy had been sick quite some time now. He passed away last night.
I was thinking as I got ready this morning, before I had heard that he was already gone, my main prayer was that the Lord would would just wrap Billy in all the love He possibly could. I am confidant now, that is exactly what He was already doing.
We will miss him dearly.

Los Angeles.
I am not the best summarizer. See, is that even the right word? Just the idea of summarizing is pressure. I am a free flowin thinker. Most of what I write spills out. I have begun to summarize my trip for two days now and have failed. So. Whether this sounds good or not, I am going to tell you all about it.
Caroline picked me up from the airport in true Caroline fashion. I found her jumping up and down and slinging her body everywhere with excitement. People must have thought I was a movie star. We got on the 101 or 405, not sure the highways name, and headed to her home. I changed into a dress(because it was warm!)and headed to Starbucks to get a free Americano(a healthy coffee drink) from Caroline's friend Phillip.


Skipping on.
Caroline gave me a tour of "The Hills" which is not actually where the girls from the t.v. show live. What?! I know, I know. I was disappointed too.

Friday night we had dinner at Caroline's favorite, Aroma Cafe. They had wonderful panini's and an assortment of fresh pies. We then met up with some of her actress friends at Bella. Following we went to Geisha House(Where a scene from Knocked Up was filmed?)




(Geisha House)

Bella. Geisha house. Just typing the names makes me feel cool.
Moving on.
Saturday, after sleeping in, we left the house around noon. Saturday was filled with Baja Fresh burritos, the Sprint store(my phone broke), Rodeo Drive, Hollywood, a far away vision of the Hollywood sign, Milkshakes from Mel's Diner, the Walk of Fame, Gramans Theatre, Johnny Dep look- a-like(Caroline's new crush), j-walking, a disappointing trip to "Out of the Closet," Caroline's scene practice, and more sleep...


(Rodeo)


The Hollywood sign is somewhere in this picture..





J-walking. Kind of scary in LA. People do not slow down, but street lights and cross walks are like milessssss apart.
Back to Johnny Dep. People dress up as characters in front of the walk of fame soliciting themselves for pictures to earn a buck or two. Caroline was perturbed by this one character(Johnny Dep) and insisted on asking him why he was texting on his phone and not taking pictures. Because he didn't feel like it, so he said. But. He did feel like chatting it up with Caroline. And. Smooching her hand. I have a picture for evidence.

Moving on.
Sunday. Caroline had to work in Malibu. Oooh, doesn't that sound cool? I was left to my own with her car and a bag full of magazines and a beach towel. What to do?
I began to feel a little sorry for myself. I was lonely and scared of the mountain like roads and traffic. I pulled myself up(by the bootstraps, duh) and walked to the beach. Only to find my cell phone didn't have service and I began to create "missing Kirbey" stories and decided to do something else.
I ended up getting lunch, taking it to a more populated, cell phone serviced part of the beach. I proceeded to nap, read, and enjoy a warm beach on a January day. Following,I jabbed my toe on a rock(and it still hurts) and saw the movie Doubt. A movie in Malibu is $15 and before it starts you watch Botox commercials.
I picked Caroline up for work and we fixed noodles and parmesan cheese and headed to her church. Mosaic. Her church service on Sunday nights is held in a downtown Hollywood theatre. The service was great. I wish we had a Mosaic here.
We finished up the night at Aroma where Caroline had blueberry pie, Phillip had carrot cake, and I had gelato from down the block. Caroline and Phillip got into a chat with a producer(just typing that makes me feel cool) who Caroline had auditioned in front of the week before. The producer spoke of names like J. Timberlake and such. Hmm. Very cool.
And so, that is all.
Aside from all the places we saw and things we did, the best part was catching up with sweet Caroline. We talked about the past and our present. Discussed things dear to our hearts. We never see each other, but our years of growing up together and all the time/tears/family/friends/general life we've shared are really the foundation of who we are today.
Oh, and Caroline. I know you hate all of the grammatical errors in this post. Don't cringe ok? I just don't have time to be grammatically correct.

I am home from Los Angeles. I had a wonderful time. I am also wonderfully tired. But. Since I jabbed my toe on the trip, I can't run today. So when I get home, maybe I will have time to post pictures and tell you all about it.
In the meanwhile. Nie blogged and it was simply amazing. She has the best spirit after all she has been through. To read her first two entries since the accident, click here.

K.Broome is on sabbatical until Monday. Pray for my safe trip! I will be back Monday with many pictures and stories from LA:)

The New Food Lion

Oh my friends! The new Food Lion opened yesterday. I think its the best grocery store this town has seen. You can always count on Publix to be clean and carrying a variety of brands, but the new Food Lion has brought a whole new picture of what a grocery store should be.
My top two reasons for shopping there:
1. Lydia (everyone's favorite hairstylist) shops there with her husband.
2. They have simulated hard wood floors from the bakery back to the meat department.

Also, the actually look of the store is like a country market. It is so fresh and inviting.
I asked Andy on a date there tonight. You know, we might share an apple fritter or two.

Dear Women,
I am only 23 and have only been married for 8 months. So. It may astound you that I have one vital piece of information for you when it comes to that man in your life. He is not a mind reader. He doesn't even try to read minds. Does this make you feel better? No. Certainly not. It doesn't me either.



Love,
K.Broome

This Post dedicated to Phil

This post is for you Phil. Why? Because you don't like recipe post, but this is one I feel the male species could relate too. Try them with Brittney tonight.
OH. And. This is not the amazing post that I promised yesterday. That post is postponed till tomorrow.

So here ya go. Andy's mama makes them this way and they are so dang good.
SO dang good.

Ingredients:
1 package Velveeta (not the low-fat kind, its nachos for crying out loud)
1 half package of pepper jack cheese
1 package cream cheese
1 can rotel tomatoes
1 can cream of mushroom soup(In nachos you say? Yes, get over the hang up. You can't even taste it)
1 pound of ground beef


Dice the cheeses. Put all ingredients in a pot. Melt on low heat. Stir. Stir some more. Continue to stir until all ingredients are melted.
Eat.
Thank me for sharing.

Dear Pedigo,
Orange splats are fine. Just no bruises. Got it?

KBroome

I'm blond again. I just couldn't take it anymore. It helped too that Andy nearly pushed me out the door with his card to see Lydia Saturday. He likes his blond too.
This mess of hair got a makeover and in perfect timing. I leave for Los Angeles Friday. I could not possibly be more excited. I am going to visit my best friend from High School, Caroline.
We are grown- ups now and flying out there all by my lonesome is giving me slight anxiety. Mainly, the flight. I have flown many places in my lifetime but never by myself. My legs get stiff when I think about it. It doesn't help too, that my favorite blogger(see below post) was in a plane crash and will be blogging for the first time since August on Friday. Actually, maybe it will help.
Caroline has instructed me to listen to my I-pod(which I do not have one- Gasp!) and read my bible. I think I will opt for the Bible and a small glass of wine. Small. Just to calm the nerves.
She also told me to make a list of things I wanted to do and see. Aside from packing appropriate clothes for whatever we do, I have only thought about spending time with her. I have missed this friend for a good while now.
I will miss my hubs too. He is so dern sweet for sending me off for the weekend. He gets a fun time too though. Don't start feeling sorry for him. He is playing paintball with his macho friends all weekend at the lake. He got his new paintball gun and has been shooting at things every night since it came on Thursday.
Little stinker.
There are orange splats across the street and in the back yard. I have even found his little camouflage balls filled with orange on my runs around the neighborhood.
Speaking of running. While I have not signed up for another race yet, I have increased my mileage. I ran seven miles Friday after work. My legs were oh-so-tired when I got home, but it was well worth it. Running is the one thing in my adult life where I can really push myself to the limit. I don't know what the limit is, but I am getting there, I can feel it.
That and snuggling. I can push myself to snuggle the hubs ALL day long. Until he says, your nose under mine makes it hard to breath, or I can't move Kirbey, or your hair is all in my face etc. etc. Too much snuggliness breeds claustrophobia..
So. Anyway. Your welcome for the brief on my life.
I have a marvelous post for tomorrow so check back.
I love you all.

(I got this for LA. The purple shirt and black skirt. Do you think LC would approve? I fell asleep last night imagining a conversation with her about skinny jeans and ballet flats. In my almost dream I wrote my blog address on a napkin and sneakily passed it to her. She was obliged. You know, famous people need blogs to read on their blackberry with jet setting and all..)

Nie is back

Stephanie Nielson will begin blogging again on January 16th. I for one will be waiting with bated breath for this is something I had hoped would come to fruition since last August. If you do not know the story, go here or here.
If you have not seen her blog, go here.

KBroome's getting a face lift soon ya heard? Though the Thanksgiving to Christmas backgrounds were festive and all, its time I found something more permanent. Something so permanent and magnificent I might have to pay someone to do it.
Serious as this may be.
Carry on with your day.

Braving the Storm

Remember all of those times I blogged about my intense fear of storms?
Well friends, yesterday was a hall mark. Sort of.
The wind was a pounding on the windows all day at the office yesterday and I had the clever plan to run when I got home. I convinced myself that the wind would be no match for me. It was just the right temperature and the wind if anything would keep me cool.
So, I hurried home from work to start my run before it got dark. Up our road I went happy as a lark. I kept thinking to myself, that this would be a good day for a tornado with the warm temperature, swift clouds, and wind. I reached the destination in my run where I turn around and come home. Running downhill, the wind was against me and my hat kept flying of my head. I could barely hear anything but the wind roaring in my ears. I was somewhat irritated, somewhat empowered. "Oh wind, ye cannot blow me down or carry me off where art though wish!"
I was almost home, almost, about an eighth of a mile left when I saw my Romeo. Slowing down in his white truck, I wondered why he was coming to find me. It was still plenty light enough outside. He rolled down his window and said "Get in my little butterfly for a storms a comin!" Ok, it was more like, " There's a tornado watch, so you might want to get in."
That I did.
But. Here's the pivotal point of this story.
I wasn't really scared. I was cool about it you know? Tornado watch? Big deal yo.
Now, I can't say that once home and the wind was shaking the roof and hollerin at our door that I wasn't a tid bit frightened. I was. However, my fear of storms is dwindling.
Aren't you proud?

Last night as we were getting all snuggled in to bed, Andy asked me to tickle his back. Without thinking, it flew out of my mouth, "I always tickle your back. When do you ever mine? And, I always tickle yours longer and you only do it for like a second." So he said, "Nuh uh that's not true, never mind don't worry about it." To which I replied, "Whatever, roll over and I'll tickle your back." Well then he wouldn't roll over, being stubborn and all. We then got to talking and laughing and he finally flipped over and said, "OK, now you can tickle my back." I replied with an eye roll and muttering, but I did tickle his back.
And. This made me think.
If he were not here, who's back would I tickle? If something were to happen to this annoying, adorable husband of mine, how lonesome would I be not to have his freckled back to tickle?
When Andy and I met with my cousin Scott for marriage counseling, he told us (and I will paraphrase what I remember) "Don't get so bugged about the little things. There will be things the other does that drives you crazy, but when they're gone, you will most definitely miss it."
I think this is so true. Maybe I shouldn't go about life thinking this way, but it always makes me feel better. The best way I can sum it up is this: If something were to happen to me, Andy would surely miss my insistent snuggling almost every week night. He would truly wish he was squished on the couch while watching TV. He would never look at the other sofa and wonder why couldn't I just sit elsewhere. Likewise, I would miss his "tickle my back" pleas and cleaning up after his messes in the kitchen. I might even miss his snoring.
Might.
This thought, though not passing, comes at a wierd time today. I was really (excuse my french) Pissed with the hubs today. Super pissed. So pissed that look here I am using the word pissed. The self- righteous KBroome is coming out and I want to use another word than pissed, but that would not be a clear depiction of my feelings.
So anyway. I felt like I had more to say about it all, but it could get deep, or sad. Thinking about life without my hubs is like thinking about a hotdog without ketchup. It just doesn't make sense.

New Years re-cap coming soon, but for now.. Andy in glasses.
Pretty stinkin cute.