The Perfect Gift Theory

I don't ‘do’ New Year's resolutions. Granted, there may be a couple of goals in mind that I'd like to try to accomplish during the New Year but they are usually failed attempts come end of January.

However, IF I had a written list of resolutions, one of those goals would be to break out of my norm and purchase gifts (i.e., birthday, Christmas, etc.) throughout the year rather than the usual rush the day before said ‘gift day’.

Before I go any further, let me preface that I love to give ‘the perfect gift’. To me, the perfect gift is one I’m truly excited to give and one that I believe the recipient will be equally excited to receive. It can be something that I’ve put a lot of time and thought into or something someone has specifically asked for and may have thought they would never receive. It’s also one that’s wrapped nicely and not in a gift bag with tissue paper I bought at Target en route. (I know not all gifts have to be ‘things’ but for the sake of this blog, it will be today.)

Now that I’ve explained my ‘perfect gift theory’, I must admit to keeping a running list (I can imagine Kelli and Emily giggling) of gift ideas for people I typically buy for. Side note: If you don’t already know, you’ll quickly discover I make lists for EVERYTHING! However, my gift ideas may not always fall into the perfect gift category, yet they are ones I can fall back on in case I’m lacking in the perfect gift idea department. Thus, the point of this blog…

On a recent trip to Michigan, my step-dad, Stuart, saw a news article about former president Jimmy Carter having a book-signing at the local Books-a-Million on an evening he was going to be out of town. After mentioning he would go if he were in town, I immediately think…gift! So, off I go to the bookstore on my lunch hour today to pick up the book for tomorrow night’s book-signing. (FYI…his birthday isn’t until October!). One perfect gift complete…many more to go!

Now if I can just remember where I hide it for the next 9 months!

Band-aids: The New Headache Remedy

On a recent trip to Michigan, I had a chance to visit with my eighty-something year old godmother, Dot. Of all the things she remembers in the few times we saw each other was during a visit she made to Birmingham when I was around 4 years old or so. She recalled me complaining of a headache and asking for a Band-aid which I then slapped on my forehead and wore the remainder of the day.

Who knew Band-aids could cure headaches?

Bring on the Brides!

courtesy of flickr

Wynfrey Hotel Bridal Show


Jan 4: Wynfrey Bridal Show for JLP. Another reminder I'm not married. At least there are free wedding cake samples!


Jan 5: Revisiting Special K diet post-holidays. Okay, and post-bridal shows.


Married male friend sends me a "single male friend suggestion" via Facebook. Have yet to add him. And I sat at home Friday night because......?


Jan 6: Torturous dental visit (physically and personally). Physically: a year past due. Personally: "No, Doctor, I'm not dating ____ anymore."


Dinner with mom. Her favorite current topic? My need to get involved in some "singles groups" or find people with "similar interests". She even asked for the first time if I would consider online dating? In her defense, she doesn't know about my most recent dates...an attempt on my part to avoid the dreaded "20 questions".


Jan 7: First car wreck ever! Totally my fault.


Jan 8: Suffering from mild whiplash but go to Billy's nonetheless for the BCS game. Not going to meet anyone sitting at home, right?


Run into recent ex-date (male friend, insert label of choice) and declare ourselves "friends". Nice gesture considering we have many friends in the same social circles.


Meet friend of previously mentioned long-term ex-boyfriend. Dicussion of ex ensues. How did he get brought up anyway? Must come up with new subjects of conversation!

Jan 9: Catch wind of fellow photographer discovering I'm not married and is interested in asking me out. Do I really want to go there?

Jan 10: My OCD, according to Emily & Kelli, was kicking in so I was in major house cleaning mode. Possible nervous energy for that evening's first blind date in years? No, I just love a clean house!


Blind date = nice guy, early cosmic bowling followed by dinner at a southern grille restaurant, home by 11:00pm, entertaining evening. Note to self: southern grills aren't known for their pasta dishes.


Jan 11: Southern Bridal Show. More cake!

Happy New Year!

Cheers to a new year! Successful NYE party at the Davis's: party favors, Amstel Light, card games, Rock Band, midnight, NY kisses, champagne toast, emotional episode by yours truly, Taboo, guys cheating at Taboo, my and Emily's determination to watch the sun rise while wrapped up in blankets around the fire pit, close to freezing temps, succumbing to sleep around 4:00am. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Me!

My name is Kiersten (‘Kier’ is pronounced like ‘deer’). My parents got my name from a TV Guide (circa 1975). Buddy Ebsen’s (Jed Clampett, Beverly Hillbillies) real life daughter’s name was Kiersten (just a bit of trivia). My parent’s liked the name, not the show. Kiersten must have been difficult for people to say, hence the nickname, Keri. I answer to either. However, I do secretly wish ‘Keri’ was spelled ‘Carrie’, but Kiersten/Carrie makes no sense…

I am an operations manager/sales associate for a small financial investment group and a “hobbyist photographer” turned part-time wedding/portrait photographer. I wouldn’t call myself a professional photographer but more of an "advanced amateur".

I'm a soon-to-be thirty-three year old...2 1/2 weeks and counting. Here's to a happier year than the last!

2008 was a year of both disappointment and joy. Sadly, a special 5 1/2 year romantic relationship ended. Happily, was the birth of my youngest nephew, Isaac, and the purchase of my first home. Thus, the inspiration for this blog - to chronicle the significant (and a few non-significant) events in my life or to simply "talk" about anything on my mind at any given moment. However, I was never one to keep a diary or journal so we'll see how this goes.

Lastly, I'm a single girl that "belongs" to a very sweet and VERY social 20+lb, blue-point Ragdoll cat named Sebastian, and an elusive seal-point Himalayan, Isabelle (aka LuLu). In addition to my cats, I'm very close to my family and friends, all of which I'm sure will make an appearance at some point throughout this blog.

I've named my blog "The Back Porch" because some of the most memorable heartfelt, thought-provoking, light-shedding, life changing, quiet reflective, silliest, laugh until you cry (and cry until you laugh) thoughts and conversations I've had have often taken place on a back porch. Anything goes...such will be this blog.

Now entering the world of blogging...