tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50554695881702991662024-03-13T10:28:49.691-07:00The Austin LuskeysFormerly The Santa Monica LuskeysKimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-60271469260454258932012-07-25T19:35:00.004-07:002012-07-26T08:55:02.751-07:00Echo HillIt had been 13 years since I'd been to Echo Hill Ranch. Thirteen years since I spent my summers in an un-air-conditioned bunkhouse, filled with girls I'd known my entire life, deep in the Texas hill country. And when I set foot back on the ranch for the 60th anniversary reunion weekend, I was instantly transported back to the way I felt when I was 15 - who I was and who I still am. The smell and the energy and the heat and the magic are all the same - stuck in time in the most beautiful and authentic way. And I felt that pressure in my heart creep into my throat and I knew I didn't stand a chance surviving the weekend without acknowledging the completely majestic and overpowering effect that is Echo Hill. That's right, folks, I made it about 30 seconds back on the ranch before the tears started flowing.<br />
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I think I was just overwhelmed with it all. That I was back in the place w<span style="background-color: white;">here my problems and my waistline were once both much smaller than they are now. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Where strength was your counselor lifting a trash can full of bug juice onto the bed of a truck and masculinity was a wrangler galloping around flag lowering before Hoe Down. When 3:30 pm meant siesta and an eastward facing screened window was the only thing you needed. Where beauty was seen in the campfire soot under your nails and leaders sang every word to the silliest of songs. Where I was my truest self - my <i>best</i> self - and if you could capture the scent of cedar and sunscreen and bubble gum all laced together with the faint memory of cigar smoke you would hold onto it forever. A place where four weeks is enough time to become lifelong friends and find yourself and fall in love. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Where you can count every star and hear every bug and feel every change in the wind. Where you heart is its most open and your mind its most free. Where everyone wins and you always leave a place cleaner than you found it.</span><br />
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I used to sing for my bunk in the pavilion. They would make requests and I would perform!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AkTJIhGoLFM/UBCp0cvwJPI/AAAAAAAAA-g/VZTRK8cgnfw/s1600/IMG_4073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AkTJIhGoLFM/UBCp0cvwJPI/AAAAAAAAA-g/VZTRK8cgnfw/s640/IMG_4073.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ooooh, if these wagon wheels could talk... </div>
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"Kimmy Harberg"<br />
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At free swim with one of my oldest, dearest friends.</div>
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The Echo Hill symbol in white rocks.</div>
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My people.</div>
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And every night we would sing this song before passing the squeeze around our bunk friendship circles:<br />
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"Green trees around us, blue skies above</div>
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Friends all around us in a world filled with love.</div>
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Taps sounding softly, hearts beating true</div>
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As we all say, "Goodnight to you!"</div>
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Day is done gone the sun </div>
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From the lakes, from the hills, from the skies.</div>
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All is well safely rest.</div>
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G-d is nigh."</div>
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GREEN TREES,Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-87640577517436763612012-07-17T10:35:00.000-07:002012-07-17T10:35:01.735-07:00Markley Goes to the Dentist!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxrAHydRIrWe_J4Z9yIJVI1wX22OtLtYQb0-1IYtvKla6MMk2R_wyRVq_zFDm9wImNpu3gGnMHHIGWuxkD7rA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-42575270671704782072012-07-12T12:03:00.000-07:002012-07-12T13:47:15.499-07:00I'm in love......with <i>Instagram</i>!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">My friend Elizabeth introduced me to the addictive little app and now all I can think about is X-Pro, Hefe or Kelvin?! </span>Here is what's new in our life (according to <i>Instagram</i>):<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mwt71Vzrptg/T_8AGLdBLtI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/-BB6ymJpLGc/s1600/B+M.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mwt71Vzrptg/T_8AGLdBLtI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/-BB6ymJpLGc/s640/B+M.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Well, these two aren't new, but every time I look over at them </i></div>
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<i>I fall in little more in love with both.</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGL0agPLuG8/T_8AGtCJ2RI/AAAAAAAAA9g/6eiYUPvWH7I/s1600/COCKTAIL.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGL0agPLuG8/T_8AGtCJ2RI/AAAAAAAAA9g/6eiYUPvWH7I/s640/COCKTAIL.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Doesn't this cocktail look dreamy and delicious?! </i></div>
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<i>It was. "The Reunited" at <a href="http://swiftsattic.com/">Swift's Attic</a>.</i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l486LpWGA2g/T_8AIIn78KI/AAAAAAAAA9o/2psdpv2t9bw/s1600/LASR+FLOWERS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l486LpWGA2g/T_8AIIn78KI/AAAAAAAAA9o/2psdpv2t9bw/s640/LASR+FLOWERS.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Wildflowers at <a href="http://www.lakeaustin.com/">Lake Austin Spa & Resort</a>: my happy place.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAzcfLiY_zw/T_8AJLX6rVI/AAAAAAAAA9w/jr_U_CYuO8Y/s1600/LASR+LIBRARY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAzcfLiY_zw/T_8AJLX6rVI/AAAAAAAAA9w/jr_U_CYuO8Y/s640/LASR+LIBRARY.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>I want this room. In my house. </i></div>
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<i>Too bad <a href="http://www.lakeaustin.com/">Lake Austin Spa & Resort</a> already has it...</i></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P4ZZHyZ8uHU/T_8AJkY61mI/AAAAAAAAA94/UuadTl6X4bY/s1600/MARKLEY.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P4ZZHyZ8uHU/T_8AJkY61mI/AAAAAAAAA94/UuadTl6X4bY/s640/MARKLEY.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>This face. I honestly love this dog so much I can't even explain it in words.</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5Zm9Kr_SuQ/T_8AKGO1HnI/AAAAAAAAA-A/JbY_IPc6N2M/s1600/PCS+CAKE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5Zm9Kr_SuQ/T_8AKGO1HnI/AAAAAAAAA-A/JbY_IPc6N2M/s640/PCS+CAKE.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Oh, this? It's a classic yellow cake </i><i style="background-color: white;">layered </i><i style="background-color: white;">and </i><i style="background-color: white;">i</i><i style="background-color: white;">ced </i><i style="background-color: white;">with Pearl's Caramel Sauce. </i></div>
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<i style="background-color: white;">This is how you say I love you.</i></div>
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That's it for now. Maybe <i>Instagram</i> will inspire me to blog more! I hope so, because I actually have missed it. And I actually figured out how to make my pictures bigger on each post so now you can actually see what I've been talking about this whole time!Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-83235707037839197962012-07-12T09:21:00.001-07:002012-07-12T13:01:08.191-07:00Oh, The Places We've Been!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2WZiLqgn72s/T9d31yWDkDI/AAAAAAAAA9M/i3q-q2jXtQc/s1600/Map+Prints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2WZiLqgn72s/T9d31yWDkDI/AAAAAAAAA9M/i3q-q2jXtQc/s640/Map+Prints.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Our maps: matted, framed and hung on the wall!</i><br />
<i>(Click on picture to enlarge.)</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hooray! We<i> finally</i> have some art on our walls! Our newest art installation features five custom maps each representing a state in which we have lived during our ten years (and counting) of blissful togetherness. These prints proudly hang in our dining room on the longest wall of our house. This wall is visible from the moment you step into our home so we knew whatever made the cut had to be fabulous! We started discussing the idea of maps - possibly vintage, sepia style or black and white - from the start </span>because we do feel so lucky and are so proud of having had the opportunity to have lived in so many wonderful places. <span style="font-family: inherit;">We wanted them to be unified in some way and illustrate the story of our relationship.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In my search for the perfect prints, I happened upon Preston's etsy shop, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/inkofme">Ink of Me</a>, and immediately fell in love with his creativity and use of bright colors (and his clever businessman move of showcasing each print in an already matted and framed proof allowing his potential customers to easily picture his pieces in their respective homes). <i>Genius</i>. I was instantly drawn to his wedding/anniversary <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/98550481/wedding-or-anniversary-typography-poster">typography poster</a> that featured two names within the state of Texas and a celebratory date and location below. This got me thinking about our own map quest and I knew I was headed in the right direction. <i>What if instead of our names inside of the state, he could somehow capture the state of our relationship in each state! </i>I sent him a message describing my idea and within the hour we were writing back and forth brainstorming together - a true artists' collaboration! Preston was so patient and accommodating. He would respond to my last minute changes at all hours of the day and night and even waited to receive a swatch I sent to him of our chair fabric so we could color match the images before printing. This is what our final order looked like:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">First State Shape: Michigan </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Words: Where We Met</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Below: Ann Arbor, Summer 2002</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Graphic: Block "M" over Ann Arbor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Second State Shape: New York</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Words: Fell In Love</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Below: New York, Spring 2004</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Graphic: Heart over Manhattan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Third State Shape: Illinois</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Words: Got Engaged</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Below: Chicago, Fall 2007</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Graphic: Engagement ring over Chicago</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fourth State Shape: California</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Words: Started Our Life Together</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Below: Santa Monica, Spring 2008</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Graphic: Tandem bike over Santa Monica</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fifth State Shape: Texas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Words: Lived Happily Ever After</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Below: Austin, Winter 2011</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Graphic: House over Austin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And I can't leave out Brian's favorite part of the project. He obviously loves the prints and how they help tell our love story on the walls of our first home, but we all know his <i>true</i> passion... the price!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5 Custom Prints 8X10... $100 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5 Upgrades to 16X20... $50 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5 Black Wood Frames... $100 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5 Custom Cut Matts... $55 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Total...$305</span></div>
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A wall of custom, personalized art shipped, matted, framed and hung for $305?! </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What is your favorite piece of art that you own?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(More pictures coming soon!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i>Disclaimer: The above are my genuine feelings. Neither Preston nor Ink of Me offered any sort of discount or free product in exchange for my glowing review. I honestly loved working with him and hope to order more of his creative art for our home soon. </i></span></div>
</div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-9355535761385723262012-03-29T14:12:00.012-07:002012-04-02T13:02:28.578-07:00Hey Jealousy<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oGu_vTMK_HA/T3oCkX9u5oI/AAAAAAAAA9E/8-p0xAjyB9w/s1600/jealousy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 239px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726892700086494850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oGu_vTMK_HA/T3oCkX9u5oI/AAAAAAAAA9E/8-p0xAjyB9w/s320/jealousy.jpg" /></a>I saw a video (which, for the life of me, I cannot find anywhere or I'd repost it for you to watch) about a year ago and I've been trying to heed its advice ever since. The basic gist of its message is to listen to your jealousy and allow it to direct you toward what you really want. If you are jealous of someone's success, maybe what your jealousy is telling you is that you really want that type of success for yourself. If its their style or family or job that leave you with those irritatingly irrational feelings of insecurity, fear and anxiety, maybe those are the things you want most in your life? </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><div><div>I recently discovered <a href="http://taza-and-husband.blogspot.com/">the rockstar diaries</a>, yes I'm obviously a little late to the party since the author already has over 14,000 subscribed readers, and I am so stinkin' jealous of this girl! Her eccentric style, her grace (she went to Julliard for dance for Pete's sake), her perfect little family, her blog with its thousands of readers. Mid-sentence of my lamenting over everything this stranger had that I did not, Brian cut me off, looked at me like I was crazy and said, "You have great style, we have an awesome little family, you have a blog and if you put the effort into it, you could have that readership, too." Okay, while I don't think buying all of your clothes from the Ann Taylor sale rack constitutes <em>great style</em>, I appreciated his attempt to motivate and redirect my obvious jealousy toward this woman I have never met.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>When I think about the difference between a success blog and one that goes unread or a booming business and one that never gets off the ground, there is one common denomonator in the success stories. The successful ones just did it. Despite the inevitable self doubt, obstacles and growing pains - the person who reached their goal did so because they simply started, kept going and got there. They just did it.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>So, instead of stalking the blogs I aspire to be like, I'll write more in my own. Instead of coveting another's style, I'll revisit my full closet and remind myself that I luckily want for nothing and have more than I need. And when that ache for the perfect family creeps into my heart, I'll look at my husband and puppy - both of whom I love more than I can put into words - and be thankful for the family we are building in our own time. And when that pesky little wave of jealousy washes over me, I'll memind myself to count my own blessings instead of someone else's. </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-10423499414771530692012-02-26T20:04:00.003-08:002012-02-26T20:54:45.256-08:00The Oscars<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8MvZCV8ijk/T0sMjV4JWoI/AAAAAAAAA84/NE-qg8FLqVo/s1600/academy-awards.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8MvZCV8ijk/T0sMjV4JWoI/AAAAAAAAA84/NE-qg8FLqVo/s320/academy-awards.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713674353557199490" /></a><br />I get a little teary-eyed when I watch the Oscars because for so long that was my dream: to be in the movies, to make my living as an actor, to win an Academy Award. For so long I lived my life<i> knowing</i> it would happen for me, not preparing a backup plan or allowing doubt to creep into my mind. And here I sit in my living room in Austin, Texas watching the Oscars however many hundreds of miles away, knowing that chapter has closed, and admittedly there is still a part of me that wants it. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't imagined myself walking the red carpet, being interviewed on Oprah and accepting my first Academy Award. But alas, Oprah is no longer on the air, I no long live in Los Angeles and sometimes dreams evolve into other dreams. <div><br /></div><div>Will I be a famous actress? No. But will I always yearn for something special to fulfill me both artistically and spiritually? Will I continue to look for a creative outlet that might also be a potentially lucrative career? Will I forever be grateful for my time I spent pursuing my dream because in essence that <i>is</i> the dream itself? <i>Absofreakinlutely</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>"Stay hungry, stay foolish." - Steve Jobs</div></div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-61012648167682482362012-01-23T19:27:00.000-08:002012-07-12T13:05:30.707-07:00Mirror, Mirror on the Wall<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_zEUmWFfkk/Tx4l7ls-C7I/AAAAAAAAA6c/XN5FX_k28FY/s1600/23784704251544633_j9K9WkOO_c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701035883960863666" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_zEUmWFfkk/Tx4l7ls-C7I/AAAAAAAAA6c/XN5FX_k28FY/s1600/23784704251544633_j9K9WkOO_c.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></div>
Many of you have asked to see pictures of our new home, so instead of giving a picture tour, I've decided to show off the house, one project at a time. The above picture is my <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/23784704251544633/">pinspiration</a> for our entry wall...<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701043292528615634" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vSp2h2vDJ_w/Tx4sq0xKoNI/AAAAAAAAA7w/6XX8Nvn3yBU/s640/2011-08-30_11-17-59_513.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="360" /></span>No offense to the lovely folks that owned our humble abode before us, but the above picture shows how the entry wall was staged before we took ownership. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;">The first thing we did was paint the living room and the entry wall is part of our living room. I knew I wanted to somehow incorporate a large, framed mirror on the wall so I taped out the approximate size I wanted on the wall with painters tape to help visualize.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;">We purchased a 3'X6' mirror from <a href="http://www.texasmirrorsanddoors.com/web281/">Texas Mirror and Doors</a> and they delivered and installed the next day. To achieve the vertical mount, the installation specialist used an "L" bracket so that when we built the frame around the mirror we could place the frame directly next to the mirror.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;">We purchased four pieces of framing from Home Depot and borrowed my dear friend Kati's husband (and his power tools) for assistance in precision cutting. We used finishing nails and a nail punch to secure the frame around the mirror.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;">Brian always paints or installs the top half of whatever project we are attempting and I complete the bottom. Luckily, he's 6'3" and I don't mind sitting on the floor!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;">Above is what the mirror with its frame looked like before we caulked the corners. Since we cut the corners by hand, we needed to use calk to fill in the gaps.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701041991570845890" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2PiuLjUjOTw/Tx4rfGUqcMI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/dDtxwRLvZpw/s640/2012-01-12_18-44-14_951.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;">Markley inspecting my work as I cleaned up some of the caulk. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;">Such a good little helper! </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701042301426826914" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WNoTj0oCXgE/Tx4rxIoFfqI/AAAAAAAAA7k/rP6Le2T5i2U/s640/2012-01-12_22-53-16_31.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="360" /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">We taped the mirror and wall to paint the frame black. To be honest, I would have liked the frame to be wider, but we had to account for the outlet just outside the lower right corner of the frame. And the inspiration picture was for just that - <i>inspiration</i>.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline;">Above is what the mirror looked like with our custom table in front of it. The base is an old sewing table that was in my Grandma's house and we had <a href="http://www.texasmirrorsanddoors.com/web281/">TM&D</a> custom cut a piece of glass to be the table top.</span></div>
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The finished product - styled with two design books, </div>
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a bowl for keys and fresh flowers!</div>
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Now, scroll back up and look at my inspiration. Pretty close, right?! </div>
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</div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-87330115247408459322011-12-31T10:12:00.000-08:002012-01-23T18:12:46.694-08:00Reflections & ResolutionsForgive the cliche post title, but don't you find yourself sounding overly colloquial and nostalgic around the holidays? Saying things like "Thank you 2011, can't wait to see what 2012 will bring!" and "Top that, 2012!" and "Alas, another year has come and gone!" and "Auld lang syne!"<div><br /></div><div>Obviously, I'm a fan of personifying just about anything, but the ever popular challenging of the year to come to beat the closing year might be my all time favorite. So what is it about this time of year that allows us to reflect and pledge changes for the year to come. Because, theoretically, it's just another day. We could always start a new lifestyle, a new outlook, a new project or dream at any time, any day. The New Year symbolizes this magical restart button that we all, literally, countdown to and with the stroke of midnight we all get a clean slate. </div><div><br /></div><div>So what am I looking forward to the most in 2012? Well, I'm so glad you asked! I guess it wouldn't be fair to look forward without looking back so here goes, my<i><b> 2011/2012 Reflections & Resolutions</b></i>:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>2011 Highlights</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Became Aunt Kim & Uncle Brian</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Second) Honeymooned in Hawaii</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Re-became Texans & moved to Austin</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Adopted our sweet Markley girl</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Celebrated Brian's 30th in Vegas</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Celebrated 1 Year of Blogging</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Celebrated 3 Years of Wedded Bliss</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Bought our first house</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Stood in 3 of my best friends' weddings</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">What I'm working on for 2012 is a little less bulleted of a list. I want to appreciate everything good so that more good can come and join in the fun. I want to breathe and relax and be present. I want to remember to choose the healthier option. I want to continue to try new restaurants and make new recipes. I want to invest in my friendships, old and new.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I want this year to be awesome in every way possible.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-5077345560026711002011-11-27T19:21:00.001-08:002012-07-12T13:31:47.475-07:00Thankful.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uNacMdZPjkc/TvdamTTOiLI/AAAAAAAAA54/szTTNeD7nFM/s1600/holiday%2Bcard2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="562" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690116268268357810" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uNacMdZPjkc/TvdamTTOiLI/AAAAAAAAA54/szTTNeD7nFM/s640/holiday%2Bcard2.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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Oh, wow, where to begin... First, a public reminder of why I blog in the first place. (This reminder is more for me than it is for you.) I started our blog to capture this time in our life. I wanted it to be a he said/she said documentation of our time as newlyweds. And if you've been reading along on our journey you've probably noticed that our blog has been more of a one sided, <i>she</i> said version of our story and we're not so <i>newly</i> wed anymore. Alas, our mission remains true - journal, remember, appreciate, reflect. This blog is for me to figure out my thoughts and log our adventures big and small. Sometimes you might wonder why I shared a story or didn't share another or shared way too many details on one and not enough of another. I guess it's the classic case of why the good guys always win - because they are the ones who write the history books!</div>
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So let's play catch up. Since my last real update, we bought a house, celebrated our third wedding anniversary, went to Little Rock to learn my family's recipes, moved into said house, celebrated our ninth year as a couple, started a new job, changed jobs, stood in two of my best friends' weddings, and celebrated Thanksgiving at the Ranch for the first time as husband and wife. As I remind myself of the importance of remembering the details of the above events, I will do my best to go back and fill in the blanks. And to not fall farther behind, I'll start with Thanksgiving.</div>
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This year my parents and siblings, Grandma and in-laws, Grandma-in-law, Aunt and Uncle, cousins and In-Laws-in-law (what do you call the parents of your aunt who is married to your Dad's brother?!) were all at the Ranch. Ah, the Ranch, that's another blog post in itself. In true cheese ball tradition, we all went around the table and said what we were most thankful for from the past year. And in true crybaby fashion, I completely lost it at the Thanksgiving lupper table. Oh yeah, the Harbergs do Thanksgiving at 2:00pm Central Time. I was only the 6th person to share (out of a possible 17) and all I got out was, "I have so much to be thankful for..." Now, I'm a cryer, but sometimes things hit me and I just can't stop. I mean, I had to excuse myself from the Thanksgiving table before everyone had had a chance to share. Classic. My sweet husband covered for me and as he squeezed my hand under the table said, "I'm thankful for my emotional and sensitive wife and for everyone being together this year for Thanksgiving." </div>
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So what would I have said if more than 8 words passed my lips before the emotion of the past year reached my throat and ended all communication for the subsequent several hours? I hope it would have sounded something like this:</div>
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"I have so much to the be thankful for: I am thankful for our move to Austin - our beautiful new home and amazingly sweet new friends. I am thankful we both have jobs we enjoy that allow us to meet smart and inspiring people and live our dream life in the best city in Texas. I am thankful for our families who continue to amaze us with their support of us as individuals and a as a couple. I am thankful for my loving husband and our rambunctious almost-one-year-old puppy, Markley, with both of whom I am clinically obsessed. I am thankful for everything we have experienced as a family and everything that is to come in this next year. I am thankful to be aware of my experiences and know in the moment how lucky I am to be living the life I am living. I have so much to be thankful for and I am <i>truly</i> thankful."</div>
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<br /></div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-66925814793538385152011-09-28T11:14:00.000-07:002011-09-28T12:09:37.839-07:00L'Shana Tova<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PJggoMFjOQ0/ToNwzvzcwmI/AAAAAAAAA5w/00oiHA0vcK8/s1600/Tree%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PJggoMFjOQ0/ToNwzvzcwmI/AAAAAAAAA5w/00oiHA0vcK8/s320/Tree%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657489591215374946" /></a>I was once told the significance of holidays was to acknowledge that an entire year had passed. And for some reason I can't type that sentence without getting a little teary-eyed. When I think of the past year, be it the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_calendar">Hebrew calendar</a> or the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregorian_calendar">Gregorian calendar</a>, I am overwhelmed by the fact that nothing in my life is the same. <div><br /></div><div>This time last year, I had recently been promoted from freelance assistant, to full time, <i>self titled</i>, operations manager. Brian had been moved to another team within his company and given a different, more prestigious title (both of which, we would later realize, were pivotal in our move to Austin). We were a few months away from becoming <i>Aunt</i> Kim and <i>Uncle</i> Brian and were overall enjoying life as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DINKY">D.I.N.K</a>.s in our one-bedroom, Santa Monica apartment. A month later we would begin discussions of moving away from California and what that would mean for us both professionally and for our family. A month later Brian would interview for his current job and receive an offer we couldn't refuse. We would then take a <a href="http://thesantamonicaluskeys.blogspot.com/2011/02/our-hawaiian-newlifemoon_08.html">celebratory trip to Hawaii</a> and <a href="http://thesantamonicaluskeys.blogspot.com/2011/02/home-sweet-home.html">move to Austin</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the subsequent six months we would <a href="http://thesantamonicaluskeys.blogspot.com/2011/02/our-newest-addition.html">buy a second car</a>, <a href="http://thesantamonicaluskeys.blogspot.com/2011/03/markley-luskey.html">adopt a puppy</a>, celebrate Brian's 30th birthday, reach our third year of marriage and buy our first home. We would experience joy, loss, triumph, frustration, and through it all - <i>love</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Which brings me to today, Erev Rosh Hashana, the start of my new year, and all I feel is thankful. Thankful for the changes that have brought me to today, thankful to my family who have never wavered in their support, thankful to my husband for leading me down this next chapter of our lives and for remaining the one true constant in my life for the past nine years. </div><div><br /></div><div>May this year be our best yet and may all your dreams come true, too.</div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-78859976439849118522011-09-08T10:04:00.000-07:002011-09-08T10:17:26.139-07:00Dear Fall,<div>Please get here as soon as you can. According to the <a href="http://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-seasons">Old Farmer's Almanac</a>, you are set to make your appearance on September 23, and that's totally cool if you can't rearrange your schedule, but if you could get here a tick earlier this year, that would be great. Summer's been such a bitch lately. Honestly, who does she think she is?! Look at what her dry temperament has done to my poor, sweet Texas. I'm so over her...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZBxfY5LX0g/Tmj2IpIdtcI/AAAAAAAAA5g/KaTgqaADus4/s1600/332166_10150304943568903_675013902_7886328_752151927_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZBxfY5LX0g/Tmj2IpIdtcI/AAAAAAAAA5g/KaTgqaADus4/s320/332166_10150304943568903_675013902_7886328_752151927_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650036360877028802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 120px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFsJ1MFJpu4/Tmj2IVo76KI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/0TS-UHcmy38/s1600/296590_10150293933224010_547099009_8212925_219289240_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFsJ1MFJpu4/Tmj2IVo76KI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/0TS-UHcmy38/s320/296590_10150293933224010_547099009_8212925_219289240_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650036355644516514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone is so excited for you to get here! Even the stores are having sales in anticipation of your arrival. Damn, girl, you got it goin' on. Let me know if you need anything! </div><div><div><br /></div><div>Tootles,</div></div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-55436028651650720572011-07-14T13:12:00.000-07:002011-07-14T17:06:32.895-07:00Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g34D-kG-CBs/Th-EfkAetVI/AAAAAAAAA4M/iOWQXu0A3G8/s1600/305396.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 162px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g34D-kG-CBs/Th-EfkAetVI/AAAAAAAAA4M/iOWQXu0A3G8/s320/305396.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629363737012909394" /></a><div>About a week ago, during lunch with a dear friend, we got on the topic of <i>sabotage</i>. No, not the early '90's smash hit by the Beastie Boys, but rather the unfortunate human condition of deliberately weakening another entity. The specific type of sabotage we were lamenting was the age old woman's woe of eating a buttery grilled panini sandwich minutes after an intense hour-long workout with an overpriced physical trainer. <i>Why do we do it?</i> Is it because we honestly believe we can consume more (and worse) calories after a sweat-session due to the fact/hope that our bodies will continue to burn said calories long after? Is it because we somehow, subconsciously think we - dare I say - don't <i>deserve</i> to enjoy the fruits of our labor? Long after our conversation transitioned and we said our goodbyes, I was still thinking of my own personal sabotage and what I might be subconsciously telling myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then early this week, Brian and I had dinner with a <i>different</i> friend and we got to talking about... brace yourself... <i>mediums</i>. He confessed to not only seeking guidance from a medium, but also having some clairvoyant tendencies himself. He explained that the first step in being able to really hear your spirit guides (stay with me) is to quiet your own voices that swirl around your mind. Is it a coincidence that these two conversations happened within a week of each other during a time in my life where I spend my days trying to concoct a grand plan of what I'll be when I grow up? Those who believe in this sort of stuff would say <i>no</i>. So, if I were to quiet my own "voices" (a) how would I do that and (b) what would they have been saying? What might I be telling myself that I am not even aware I'm saying?! Do I subconsciously think I don't deserve success? Obviously, the conscious me thinks I deserve the world and more, but is there a voice, <i>my voice</i>, telling me otherwise? </div><div><br /></div><div>Instead of trying to crack the code of what my subconscious voices are doing to my psyche behind my back, I decided on a more proactive approach. I have come up with three, short sentences that I'll repeat to myself whenever I find my mind racing. With all due respect to my conscious voice, I'll only say that my three part mantra sounds something like this: "I deserve _____, I deserve _____, and I am worthy of _____." It is my hope that in repeating my newly coined canticle, I will convince myself that I do in fact deserve and am worthy of the things I want most in life. </div><div><br /></div><div>And while I wait for this theory to take hold, I did what any normal, well-adjusted girl would do. I hopped on yelp to find a medium in Austin! I am still awaiting a response from one intermediary so that I can schedule my first session. But for now I'll watch <i>Eat.Pray.Love.</i> and marvel at the timing of our Netflix hiatus ending and this movie being next on our queue.</div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-68056444753545999812011-07-07T13:44:00.000-07:002011-07-07T19:10:14.596-07:00Markley's Medical Maladies<div style="text-align: left;">So our sweet puppy, Markley - who, <i>yes</i>, is now a whopping 40 pounds at 6 months of age even though they told us she would be 30 pounds full grown - has finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel as far as her health is concerned. And no, I don't mean <i>that light</i>, I mean the good light where she came back to the healthy side. For about a month she was touch and go, in and out of the hospital, on and off IV fluids, antibiotics, steroids and probiotics. (All fancy terms for no one could figure out what the heck was wrong with the poor girl so they kept <strike>throwing money at the problem</strike> trying new treatments until she was better.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll spare you the gruesome details of her ailments - among other things she was suffering from "anorexia" (I nearly jumped across the examination table when I saw the vet scribble that horrendous accusation on her measly little notepad), diarrhea (ie: <i>liquid</i> stool), complete loss of interest in playtime and severe dehydration. She wasn't herself, she felt awful and I couldn't do anything to help her... it was the worst. Luckily, my girl bounced back with the help of one night in the hospital, several subcutaneous fluid injections and an impressive list of take-home pills, powders and liquids. Throughout the whole traumatic ordeal (still figuring out if it was more stressful for <i>me</i> or her) Markley never lost her ability to create some ever-so-hilarious and emotion-inducing pictures. What can I say, she was born to be a star!</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnlkSwjXRHo/ThYbknNYHPI/AAAAAAAAA28/KqMUP3tFEkY/s1600/Markley%2Bcar%2Bfloor.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 181px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnlkSwjXRHo/ThYbknNYHPI/AAAAAAAAA28/KqMUP3tFEkY/s320/Markley%2Bcar%2Bfloor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626715100260343026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I. LOVE. THIS. FACE.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ioysuo6MiOU/ThYbjFK_G7I/AAAAAAAAA2s/Q3bXB2w5VRo/s1600/Markley%2Bbuckled%2B.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 181px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ioysuo6MiOU/ThYbjFK_G7I/AAAAAAAAA2s/Q3bXB2w5VRo/s320/Markley%2Bbuckled%2B.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626715073943641010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">All buckled in and ready to go back to the vet!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OVMmXsn9xEs/ThZb6oGiwqI/AAAAAAAAA3U/7hMTNPXQenA/s1600/Markley%2Bcone.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OVMmXsn9xEs/ThZb6oGiwqI/AAAAAAAAA3U/7hMTNPXQenA/s320/Markley%2Bcone.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626785847201415842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; ">So she wouldn't take her IV out in the hospital...</div><div style="text-align: center; ">Poor, sweet Markley.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0OyX8CbTcA/ThYbi_DWC5I/AAAAAAAAA2k/686B_jRhIHA/s1600/Markley%2Bbone.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0OyX8CbTcA/ThYbi_DWC5I/AAAAAAAAA2k/686B_jRhIHA/s320/Markley%2Bbone.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626715072300977042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Paws. All I see is paws in this picture.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0fQpbTWIUc/ThYbirMJGYI/AAAAAAAAA2c/YdYPLzpx9zs/s1600/Markley%2Balmost.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0fQpbTWIUc/ThYbirMJGYI/AAAAAAAAA2c/YdYPLzpx9zs/s320/Markley%2Balmost.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626715066969168258" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">Just... can't... take... one... more... step...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5-ikIctMA8/ThZb72o8tlI/AAAAAAAAA30/io3IJpHnXZo/s1600/Markley%2Bleash.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5-ikIctMA8/ThZb72o8tlI/AAAAAAAAA30/io3IJpHnXZo/s320/Markley%2Bleash.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626785868283688530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a>Coming inside from going potty. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Passing out before I could get the leash off.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqA3-ixCknw/ThZb7XrNsxI/AAAAAAAAA3k/j3rx42KIGPI/s1600/Markley%2Bcrate.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqA3-ixCknw/ThZb7XrNsxI/AAAAAAAAA3k/j3rx42KIGPI/s320/Markley%2Bcrate.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626785859971691282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 320px; " /></a>Spilling out of her crate...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-neaBpmnZha8/ThZesHg114I/AAAAAAAAA4E/bru_7rWgky4/s1600/Markley%2Bsleeping%2Bon%2Bcouch.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-neaBpmnZha8/ThZesHg114I/AAAAAAAAA4E/bru_7rWgky4/s320/Markley%2Bsleeping%2Bon%2Bcouch.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626788896470062978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a>She honestly sleeps like this.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0pn6gFbfTM/ThZer3nq2gI/AAAAAAAAA38/TAq_5EoOCXk/s1600/Markley%2Bsexy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0pn6gFbfTM/ThZer3nq2gI/AAAAAAAAA38/TAq_5EoOCXk/s320/Markley%2Bsexy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626788892203735554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">See!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0pn6gFbfTM/ThZer3nq2gI/AAAAAAAAA38/TAq_5EoOCXk/s1600/Markley%2Bsexy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M1WZB-AnFm4/ThZb6_2Yf5I/AAAAAAAAA3c/y7DzsI3NrbU/s1600/Markley%2Bcoy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M1WZB-AnFm4/ThZb6_2Yf5I/AAAAAAAAA3c/y7DzsI3NrbU/s320/Markley%2Bcoy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626785853576085394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Being coy in the car on the way to Houston.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UJb49WoSQSM/ThZb7mJ373I/AAAAAAAAA3s/2Kcp5JKr0C8/s320/Markley%2Bdigging.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626785863858384754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Feeling much better. Digging with her best gal, Penny!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So what was wrong with her, you might ask? Oh, we still don't know. All we know is that we changed her food to Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and she's a new dog! Hmm... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>15 lb bag of Science Diet Sensitive Stomach... $25</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Markley's Medical Bills (pre-pet insurance*)... $2000.00</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0fQpbTWIUc/ThYbirMJGYI/AAAAAAAAA2c/YdYPLzpx9zs/s1600/Markley%2Balmost.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0fQpbTWIUc/ThYbirMJGYI/AAAAAAAAA2c/YdYPLzpx9zs/s1600/Markley%2Balmost.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0fQpbTWIUc/ThYbirMJGYI/AAAAAAAAA2c/YdYPLzpx9zs/s1600/Markley%2Balmost.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0fQpbTWIUc/ThYbirMJGYI/AAAAAAAAA2c/YdYPLzpx9zs/s1600/Markley%2Balmost.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>And next we have a game called <i><b>Creepy or Cool?! </b></i> First question: I have 4 of Markley's baby teeth on bedside table. <i>Creepy or Cool?</i> You decide!</div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>*If you have a pet, get pet insurance. If you think your pet won't get sick, you're wrong. That is all!</div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-11521665655912450482011-06-19T18:06:00.001-07:002011-06-19T18:16:02.186-07:00Blogoversary<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1arqMBI8Lw/Tf6d-VUWbpI/AAAAAAAAA2U/lpZ7Kjfz_R0/s1600/Ruby_cake19.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1arqMBI8Lw/Tf6d-VUWbpI/AAAAAAAAA2U/lpZ7Kjfz_R0/s320/Ruby_cake19.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620103079204908690" /></a><br />Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?! My sincerest apologies for being MIA for - dare I say - over a <i>month</i>! I have so much to fill you in on and in true Kimberly fashion I find it only necessary and appropriate to list what I plan to write about in the coming days:<div><br /></div><div>1. Brian's 30th Birthday Weekend in Vegas</div><div>2. Brian's Surprise Party (Oh, yes, I'm good.)</div><div>3. Markley's Health (Don't worry, she's okay... <i>now</i>.)</div><div>4. Leah's Baby Naming</div><div>5. Life in Austin (including house and job hunting)</div><div>6. Launching my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BABYBOARDS?ref=pr_shop">Esty</a> store!</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, that's just a little sneak peak of things to come! I do hope you'll stop by over the next week or so while I frantically try to catch you up on life for the Austin Luskeys.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and this weekend marked one year of blogging. Happy 1st Blogoversary to us!</div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-70082996303632304242011-05-24T15:11:00.000-07:002011-05-24T17:47:53.733-07:00Thank you!!<div>Thank you for supporting me during my <a href="http://thesantamonicaluskeys.blogspot.com/2011/05/baby-boards-is-back-in-business-limited.html">BABY BOARDS GIVEAWAY</a>! Only one week left to take advantage of this awesome deal! Check out some of the BABY BOARDS* in the works this month:</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMqXF7w2PD4/TdwuGmFFpNI/AAAAAAAAA2I/MTAZ_ibr3Eo/s1600/IMG_3325.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMqXF7w2PD4/TdwuGmFFpNI/AAAAAAAAA2I/MTAZ_ibr3Eo/s320/IMG_3325.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610409926632776914" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZHlrE1HP1o/TdwuFeessBI/AAAAAAAAA1w/E-JYgLx5d-I/s1600/IMG_3322.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZHlrE1HP1o/TdwuFeessBI/AAAAAAAAA1w/E-JYgLx5d-I/s320/IMG_3322.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610409907412840466" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eElMTksUPIM/TdwuF6-8NYI/AAAAAAAAA14/L8UoTMsx5xM/s320/IMG_3323.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610409915064268162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DUPn0ByEgo/TdwuEHiztXI/AAAAAAAAA1o/JmFiRZzms9A/s1600/IMG_3321.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DUPn0ByEgo/TdwuEHiztXI/AAAAAAAAA1o/JmFiRZzms9A/s320/IMG_3321.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610409884076193138" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-outifQvc8bE/TdwuGZbEShI/AAAAAAAAA2A/kIGQYOV0D3s/s1600/IMG_3324.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-outifQvc8bE/TdwuGZbEShI/AAAAAAAAA2A/kIGQYOV0D3s/s320/IMG_3324.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610409923235301906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZHlrE1HP1o/TdwuFeessBI/AAAAAAAAA1w/E-JYgLx5d-I/s1600/IMG_3322.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZHlrE1HP1o/TdwuFeessBI/AAAAAAAAA1w/E-JYgLx5d-I/s1600/IMG_3322.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZHlrE1HP1o/TdwuFeessBI/AAAAAAAAA1w/E-JYgLx5d-I/s1600/IMG_3322.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></u></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DUPn0ByEgo/TdwuEHiztXI/AAAAAAAAA1o/JmFiRZzms9A/s1600/IMG_3321.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>*Each BABY BOARD comes with #'s 1-12 to velcro onto that little white square you see pictured.<br /></div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-49370421712223927742011-05-18T13:48:00.000-07:002011-05-18T18:46:45.179-07:00She thinks I'm wonderful.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_sqDtLaf3k/TdQw4VH4Z3I/AAAAAAAAA1M/eTg_gcy8wW4/s1600/shot_1302059908102.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_sqDtLaf3k/TdQw4VH4Z3I/AAAAAAAAA1M/eTg_gcy8wW4/s320/shot_1302059908102.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608161180284118898" /></a><br /><div>There is nothing like watching a dog watch you. Markley is so precocious and investigative yet, so credulous and uncomplicated. Everything is new and everything is great. This morning, while Markley watched me get ready from her favorite off-limits* carpet locale, I thought to myself, <i>she thinks I'm wonderful</i>. She sat, poised and ready as if I might ask her to curl the back of my hair or help me decide which t-shirt to wear. She watched me open each cabinet and slide each drawer closed, eagerly waiting to see which product was next to be unveiled. Like a flower girl watching a bride, I saw her memorizing my movements. She could have chewed her bone or chased her tail (two of her favorite pastimes) but she didn't. She wanted to be with me. There is nothing like loving a dog who loves you in return. She thinks I'm wonderful. And I think she's pretty great, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>*That's right, folks, Markley's also extremely rebellious and although she's been told over one million times that her presence has not been requested in either of the carpeted bedrooms, she is just so darn cute I sometimes cave and allow her to defy me.</div><div><br /></div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-59198851481641254902011-05-12T07:01:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:26:40.813-07:00This baby...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jxkkwwFR1_E/TcvnpbB6ICI/AAAAAAAAA1E/EvEVwifHqWg/s1600/Brian%2BBaby%2BPicture.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jxkkwwFR1_E/TcvnpbB6ICI/AAAAAAAAA1E/EvEVwifHqWg/s320/Brian%2BBaby%2BPicture.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605828860009127970" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This baby was born on May 14, 1981.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This baby would grow up to be highly educated </div><div style="text-align: center;">with a vast array of interests, skills, and passions.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This baby would prove to be the most loyal</div><div style="text-align: center;">friend, brother and son.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This baby would one day marry</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <strike>the most beautiful girl in all the land</strike> a nice, Jewish girl from Texas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This baby would have one request when celebrating his 30th birthday:</div><div style="text-align: center;">to go to Vegas, baby.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday, Baby.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Your wish is my command!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you.</div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-14232813381988862032011-05-04T13:43:00.000-07:002011-05-04T14:17:48.285-07:00Let Them Eat (Crab) Cakes!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ouLV9Ek4BdA/TcG7UgNTxtI/AAAAAAAAA08/KMCxliiacSQ/s1600/2011-05-04_12-45-11_323.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ouLV9Ek4BdA/TcG7UgNTxtI/AAAAAAAAA08/KMCxliiacSQ/s320/2011-05-04_12-45-11_323.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602965372343142098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b>Crab Cakes!</b></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Half of the Austin Luskeys has a strong commitment to a healthy lifestyle. The other half <strike>prefers creamy, sugary, indulgence</strike> is working on it. To aid in the fight against temptation, Brian purchased a subscription to </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/">Clean Eating Magazine</a></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and although I've only made one recipe from said magazine, I'm already hooked!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For your cooking/eating pleasure...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Crab Cakes</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">: </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1lb crabmeat, drained and picked for shells </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1tb Dijon mustard </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 4tb whole-wheat panko bread crumbs </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 2tb chopped fresh parsley </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 4 scallions (white and some green parts) thinly sliced </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Zest </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1/2 lemon </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1.5 tsp salt-free chili or cajun seasoning (like ms. dash extra spicy seasoning blend) </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1tsp smoked paprika </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1/8tsp sea salt </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1lg egg </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1lg egg white </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1/4c whole wheat flour </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> fresh ground pepper to taste </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 2tb safflower oil, divided </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Lemon wedges for serving, optional </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Instructions</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">: </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In l</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">arge bowl combine crabmeat, dijon, panko, parsley, scallions, lemon zest, chili season, paprika, salt, egg and egg white. Gently fold mixture with rubber spatula to blend to form patties, firmly pack crab mixture into a 1/4c measuring cup. Invert crab into your palm and press into the shape of a disk, about 1 inch thick. Transfer to a plate and repeat. A</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">dd 1tb of oil to large, heavy skillet and heat on medium. Add half crab cakes to cook until golden brown, 4-5 minutes per side.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yields</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">: 10 crab cakes</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Optional Salsa</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">: </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1c honeydew diced </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1c strawberries diced </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1/2sm red onion diced </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1 jalapeno pepper seeded and diced </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 3tb chopped parsley </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1.5tb fresh lemon juice </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> pinch sea salt </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Mix all salsa ingredients. Can be made upto 4 hours ahead. Serve at room temp. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You're welcome,</span></span></div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-90642375160156376292011-05-03T13:22:00.000-07:002011-05-04T16:04:00.092-07:00BABY BOARDS IS BACK IN BUSINESS + A limited time GIVEAWAY!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnxSv4iPm9g/TcBk8orDxdI/AAAAAAAAA00/ZgPaWMFwdGU/s1600/Recently%2BUpdated.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GnxSv4iPm9g/TcBk8orDxdI/AAAAAAAAA00/ZgPaWMFwdGU/s320/Recently%2BUpdated.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602588929321846226" /></a>"BABY BOARDS by Kimberly" is a home business I started a little over a year ago for three simple reasons: <div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>1. I love crafts. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>2. I love babies.</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>3. I love being the boss.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also love how Facebook ads tell me where I should be in my life. Four years ago, I noticed the left column of my <strike>homepage</strike> profile had begun to fill with ads for diamond rings and romantic restaurants. A few months later we officially took our relationship to the next level by <strike>changing our relationship status</strike> getting engaged and all of the sudden my sidebar ads changed to bridal bootcamp, floral design discount, and party supply rentals. Another relationship status upgrade later and lo and behold - puppy training classes, home decor, maternity wear. Another telltale sign of the times- <i>profile pictures</i>. We've all seen the profile progression - silly/girls night out, romantic date night/first trip together, beaming smiles and an upturned left hand showing off the bling, kissing while cutting the cake, first family portrait as a threesome (you, spouse, puppy). We all know what comes next... babies! And although I'm fine simply <i>looking</i> at other people's babies for the time being, I did notice a void that no Facebook ad was offering to fill.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I kept seeing young mamas posting pictures of their adorable babies with pathetic (no offense), handwritten, monthly birthday signs and thought, "<i>Someone needs to make cuter signs for these babies!</i>" And then I asked myself, "<i>Why don't I just do it? I'm crafty! I like babies</i>." I hightailed it to Michael's, made four prototypes, emailed a few mamas and asked if they would take pictures of their babies with the BABY BOARDS, ran to the post office, waited <strike>by my computer, constantly refreshing my email inbox</strike> <i>patiently</i> for the pictures and the rest is history!</div><div><br /></div><div>So here's the scoop - BABY BOARDS is <i>back</i> after a brief hiatus while it's CEO moved across the country and now I need your help! For the month of May <b>ALL BABY BOARDS will be FREE!! </b>(Plus the cost of shipping = $5. Limit one per person.) All you have to do is follow these <b>three easy steps</b>:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. <b>Follow</b> our blog!</div><div>2. <b>"Like"</b> the BABY BOARDS by Kimberly fan page!</div><div>3. <b>Leave a comment</b> on this post saying you've completed the task!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Call me vain, but I like knowing people are reading and enjoying this little online diary of mine. So if you like what you read - follow me! The fan page on Facebook also proves to be entertaining. While you're there, check out the adorable pictures sent in by BABY BOARD fans. (That's not a requirement to get a discounted BABY BOARD, but trust me, you'll want to.) It's hilarious to see the tiniest babies propped up looking so small next to their personalized BABY BOARD and so awesome to watch them grow month after month. </div><div><br /></div><div>May is going to be a great month full of taking chances! Who knows... I might even fill out the application for that secret job I mentioned while complaining about my <a href="http://thesantamonicaluskeys.blogspot.com/2011/04/impatience-is-my-virtue.html">impatience</a>. Either way, I'm excited to see the opportunities this giveaway brings! </div><div><br /></div><div>Lovely doing business with you,</div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-78396456037570691292011-04-30T15:17:00.000-07:002011-04-30T15:29:51.151-07:00Lizard Love<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8yunjjTScU/TbyKg-u7C5I/AAAAAAAAA0s/-ODCPEEU6No/s1600/lizard%2Blove.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 172px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8yunjjTScU/TbyKg-u7C5I/AAAAAAAAA0s/-ODCPEEU6No/s320/lizard%2Blove.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601504335742307218" /></a>Today has been such a great day so far! We enjoyed a simple breakfast of <a href="http://theuppercrustbakery.com/">Upper Crust Bakery</a>'s famous cinnamon rolls, (as well as a decaf, skim latte for me and a small drip coffee for Brian), we fell in love with an amazing house in the adorable, central-Austin neighborhood of Rosedale and while walking Markley saw the above two lizards in love. <div><br /></div><div>Aah, Austin, how we love you so!</div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-60468184144972738862011-04-28T13:38:00.000-07:002011-04-28T14:33:37.469-07:00House Hunter-Gatherer<div>Since moving back to Texas two short months ago, the Austin Luskeys have been hunting for the perfect house to call our own! It's true, our wish lists differ, I will most certainly base my decision 100% on an <i>emotional</i> feeling I get while standing in the center of the home and Brian, rest assured, will be focused on one thing - <i>budget</i>. To be fair, we both want a nice, safe neighborhood (with great schools to utilize in the future) three bedrooms, two baths and preferably an open kitchen/dining/living room floor plan. I wouldn't <i>mind</i> a fabulously remodeled kitchen, crown moldings, formal dining room, a relaxing oasis master suite and pristine landscaping - you know, the charm of a vintage house with the class of a brand new one! I mean, to quote South Pacific's hysterically insightful <i>Happy Talk,</i> "If you don't have a dream, how you gunna have a dream come true?!"</div><div><br /></div><div>During our hunt, I've been gathering design inspiration and might I say - if all goes according to plan we'll have the most gorgeous house on the block in no time! But first, we have to find a house. <i>Details</i>. Below are two pictures from which I'd love to <strike>copy</strike> draw inspiration.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMTN-tWk4uE/TbnSaiifEoI/AAAAAAAAA0c/Hju6R1er4lI/s320/candice%2BOlson%2B-%2Bkitchen%2B-%2B3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600738965001802370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I may or may not have seen a house today </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>that </i><i>already had black granite counters... :)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_RjswCnkiU/TbnSaoS7w2I/AAAAAAAAA0k/R6zS2Y8vbS4/s1600/LAUNDRY%2BROOM.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_RjswCnkiU/TbnSaoS7w2I/AAAAAAAAA0k/R6zS2Y8vbS4/s320/LAUNDRY%2BROOM.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600738966547186530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If you have to do laundry, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>it might as well be in a room this fun!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Every listing we see, we get warmer and warmer. With each house we learn a little bit more about what we need on move-in day and which upgrades can wait. Of course, we'd love to win the lottery and flip a house into a design shrine masterpiece, but there is also something really special about creating a home, one layer at a time, and doing it as a family.<div><br /></div><div>ps. We actually <i>did</i> apply for the show <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters/show/index.html"><i>House Hunters</i></a> and, after emailing back and forth with one of their producers, have a phone interview set up for next week! Wish us luck!!</div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-10814459408639106612011-04-21T15:15:00.000-07:002011-04-21T15:46:46.995-07:00Impatience is My Virtue<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93muB5VKSH4/TbCsKVrchwI/AAAAAAAAA0U/OUcEePrqvFk/s1600/1950housewife.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93muB5VKSH4/TbCsKVrchwI/AAAAAAAAA0U/OUcEePrqvFk/s320/1950housewife.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598163630439565058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 222px; " /></a>I grew up in a family overflowing with strong women. My Grandma was raising four children by the time she was 24 years old and my Mom was already onto her <i>second</i> successful career by the time my siblings and I were in elementary school. Seeing such examples of women who worked full time (both in the workforce and in the home) <i>and</i> had loving marriages <i>and</i> a home cooked, gourmet meal on the table every night by 6:30pm sent a clear message to me from an early age: having it all is the norm.<div><br /></div><div>I often wonder if I had been warned - <i>life isn't as easy as it looks </i>- would I have listened? And if I had listened, would I have assumed that old adage didn't apply to me? I admittedly have a tendency to decide I want something and then wonder why - <i>since I so obviously want it</i> - did it not fall into my lap <i>yesterday.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>When we decided to move to Austin, I was encouraged time and time again, "take your time figuring out what it is you want to do." I clearly misinterpreted this advice. For some reason, I heard "sit back, relax, and wait for your next career to fall into you lap as you sit in your apartment watching <i>Real Housewives</i> reruns." What I should have heard, and now understand, is, "try something. If that doesn't end up being a perfect match, try something else!" I had this <i>aha!</i> moment when I came across a job listing for which I thought I might be a good fit. Immediately I thought of the cons - <i>it would be a long commute, I've never done anything in that field before, I'm not sure I want to completely leave the acting/casting/artistic world and have a traditional "nine to five" - </i>the list continues. But then I remember the reasons I was drawn to the listing in the first place - <i>I would learn a lot, my skills and strengths would be put to good use, I would be an advocate for a cause that touches my heart, I could have a work/life balance </i>- the list continues.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then it hit me. <i>This</i> is what people mean when they say, "take your time." I could fill out the application (a novel concept, I know) meet with the potential employer and talk about the opportunity, see if the job would even be a good fit. <i>Then</i> if it doesn't seem to be all I thought it could, I would just <i>take my time</i> and find something else.</div><div><br /></div><div>This revelation, I am fully aware, isn't the most impressive discovery, but definitely feels like a weight has been lifted. I'm just glad I came to my senses after only a few months in Austin - not a few <i>years</i>.</div><div><br /></div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-79464063889549060812011-04-11T15:27:00.000-07:002011-04-11T18:21:25.243-07:00Doo unto others...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u7VUa6vW5Eg/TaOAXxqJTtI/AAAAAAAAA0M/tDN-tSkDdSI/s1600/poop%2Bin%2Bhall.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 120px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u7VUa6vW5Eg/TaOAXxqJTtI/AAAAAAAAA0M/tDN-tSkDdSI/s320/poop%2Bin%2Bhall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594456308079742674" /></a>One of the benefits to living in our apartment building is its proximity to a fabulous dog park. One of the negatives is living near people who are not responsible enough to care for themselves, let alone another living being. The Austin Luskeys are constantly rolling our eyes at the broken beer glass in the landscape (where we are trying to potty train our puppy), gagging on the smells in the concrete stairwell from selfish neighbors who lazily allow their pets to defecate before making it outside and fearing for our lives when the jacked up Chevy Tahoes come blazing around the narrow, blind corners of our disproportionately small parking garage.<div><br /></div><div>The above picture is a note I wrote and placed between one of my rude neighbor's dog's excrements. Classy, I know.<div><br /></div><div>The note reads:<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">PLEASE DON'T BE </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>SELFISH AND RUDE!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG - THAT IS YOUR </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>RESPONSIBILITY</b> AS A PET OWNER.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">THIS IS NOT A FILTHY DORM OR FRAT HOUSE.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>RESPECT</b> THE PEOPLE WHO SHARE THIS STAIRWELL WITH YOU.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-YOUR NEIGHBORS</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, I took it upon myself to write a note on behalf of my fellow, rule-following residents. The moral of the story is, if you own a pet and live in an apartment building, walk your pet in a neighborhood, enjoy walking (without your pet) in a clean, odor-free stairwell... oh...sheesh, basically <i>if you live on earth and ever come in contact with other humans</i> - BE RESPONSIBLE AND RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS AROUND YOU! That's all.</div></div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-49657771177645093812011-04-05T12:35:00.000-07:002011-04-05T17:58:39.727-07:00Austin Livin'<div style="text-align: center; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjziFQtxRL8/TZellZNjyPI/AAAAAAAAAzA/yBCipXfekd8/s1600/Austin%2BART.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjziFQtxRL8/TZellZNjyPI/AAAAAAAAAzA/yBCipXfekd8/s320/Austin%2BART.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591119524245260530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px; " /></a></div>This weekend was a food, friends and art filled weekend for the Austin Luskeys and we must say, we are getting the hang of this Austin livin' thing! Saturday was the <a href="http://www.artallianceaustin.org/art_city_austin.html">Art City Austin</a> festival as well as <a href="http://allianceaustinactorsfair.eventbrite.com/">The Alliance Austin Actors Fair</a> which were both fun and informative. I went to the actors fair to attempt to establish some casting contacts here in Austin and so far so great! I have a lunch meeting scheduled for Friday to discuss how I can get more involved in the Austin casting/acting communities. The art festival was a great way to spend some time outdoors and interact with the nation's most talented artists. Brian and I had a great time pretending we had a mile-high pile of cash we needed to spend on art and deciding which pieces we wanted to take home. The good thing is, we are both drawn to the same styles of art and appreciate photographs, paintings and sculptures with a sense of humor and whimsy. <div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0LKM2cKKuvo/TZngt3H3AKI/AAAAAAAAAzY/BpSOkwJV5xU/s320/2011-04-02_13-24-54_290.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591747490852831394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>The entrance to the Art City Austin festival.</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>(Look closely on the lefthand side and you'll see an</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Austinite </i><i>wearing a sombrero and riding a unicycle!)</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><br /></i></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jDclqCn0fwg/TZnguIkvAQI/AAAAAAAAAzg/4dN0kBlNj_g/s1600/2011-04-02_13-26-56_131.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jDclqCn0fwg/TZnguIkvAQI/AAAAAAAAAzg/4dN0kBlNj_g/s320/2011-04-02_13-26-56_131.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591747495537344770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Close-up of a multi layered, metal photograph</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>of Austin's </i><i>famous South Congress Street!</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left; ">We also tried an awesome, new restaurant called <a href="http://www.eastsidecafeaustin.com/">Eastside Cafe</a>. Get a load of our romantic, date night cuisine:</div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBmX8YrWaMs/TZtsfmyhjXI/AAAAAAAAAzo/Y81JrUd5B9k/s320/2011-04-02_20-10-18_610.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592182652554808690" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><b>Plate #1:</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Panko & Pecan Encrusted Chicken with Jalapeno Cream Gravy, </i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Mashed Potatoes & Field Greens </i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><b>Plate #2:</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Four Jumbo Fried Shrimp </i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>with Crispy Fries and </i><i>Apple Pecan Slaw</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><b>Side Dish:</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Miso Ginger Acorn Squash</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">And this is how Markley spent her weekend while her parents were out exploring...</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dnuSaYl6R_0/TZngtiF6qXI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/AjOVGf4Wd94/s1600/2011-04-01_15-17-19_709.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dnuSaYl6R_0/TZngtiF6qXI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/AjOVGf4Wd94/s320/2011-04-01_15-17-19_709.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591747485207538034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Watching television... in the coffee table...</i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><br /></i></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dBqpWq1goO4/TZngtUjm1NI/AAAAAAAAAzI/TlKYJmProXI/s1600/2011-03-29_10-48-36_392.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dBqpWq1goO4/TZngtUjm1NI/AAAAAAAAAzI/TlKYJmProXI/s320/2011-03-29_10-48-36_392.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591747481573971154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>Snuggling with her favorite toy!</i></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left; ">Ps. Today marks Day #16 in my 30 Day Challenge - more than half way there! I'll admit, I've failed on the "blog every day" goal, but I've succeeded on the much more personal and important goals of taking time for myself and reflecting on what I really want and <i>need</i> out of this next chapter in my life. I think giving myself a moment to breathe without the pressure to hurry up and decide has been the greatest gift of all. It's also given me the extra patience I need as we are now on Day #2 of Markley's biggest challenge yet... <i>crate training</i>!</div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5055469588170299166.post-51867022886976694322011-03-29T12:11:00.000-07:002011-03-29T12:47:00.126-07:00Better Late Than Never!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j8KxC_JnIMI/TZIvW_Uzg_I/AAAAAAAAAy4/ApjdqAT3H6Q/s1600/KB0200.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j8KxC_JnIMI/TZIvW_Uzg_I/AAAAAAAAAy4/ApjdqAT3H6Q/s320/KB0200.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589582159522530290" /></a>The Austin Luskeys spent this past weekend at Fox Creek Ranch, our family's vacation home near Richards, TX. This was Markley's first time at the Ranch and off leash - I think it's safe to say she's a country dog at heart. She loved digging and chasing her doggie-aunt, Tootsie, and going on our morning walks. I mean, who wouldn't want to walk a mile and then be carried by her Mama the remaining <i>three</i> miles. Let's just say I got the best workout of the bunch - carrying an 8.2 pound hot water bottle on a dirt road in Texas ain't easy!<div><br /></div><div>The best part of the weekend, aside from celebrating Jamie's 24th birthday, spending quality time with my grandmothers, brother, aunt, cousin and parents and sleeping in while others watched our baby, was <b>finally</b> getting the CD of our wedding weekend pictures! That's right, folks, the Austin Luskeys have been married for a whopping 32 months and are just <i>now</i> in possession of the professional pictures taken at our rehearsal dinner and wedding. I am so excited to finally make a rehearsal dinner album and print/display pictures from our <strike>skinniest days</strike> wedding weekend. Until now, the only evidence of our marriage was our Ketubah and a larger-than-life, bridal portrait of yours truly that my parents insisted on delivering during their first visit to Austin. </div><div><br /></div><div>No, the above picture was not taking over the weekend at the Ranch. It was captured on August 30, 2008 during the cocktail hour of our rehearsal dinner, the evening before we became Mr. and Mrs. Brian Daniel Luskey. I'll be sure to post favorites as I re-live the moments sorting through all 5,000 images. </div><div><br /></div><div>And to those who are interested, I did keep up my 30 Day Challenge at the Ranch - minus the blogging, forgive me, the Ranch is sans internet. Today is Day #9 and am still as motivated as I was last Monday. This morning, I took Markley on a long walk (even though it was drizzling), had lunch with my cousin, Emily, at an adorable build-your-own salad bar and am now off to run some errands while my sleepy puppy naps away the afternoon. I think the 30 Day Challenge is even working on <strike>the monster</strike> Markley!</div>Kimberly Luskeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060941010011861696noreply@blogger.com0