You had to be there...

Today, I had a moment... You had to be there.

My cute Pa-Pa, Ron Gholson

In case you didn't know, I'm Mormon born and raised.

Today I went to church.

For those of you who know me well, you know this was a feat in and of itself, but this Sunday, I was even ON TIME... well, pretty much.

Also, in case you didn't know, I come from a some-what musical family. (My grandfather, pictured here on his music television show 'Country Style', performed with Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Tom Anderson, and even Elvis Presley, but could never read music.)

When headed to church, I try restricting my iPod to that of only reverent music to get me 'amped'. No Jay-Z or Lady Gaga as I walk into chapel. Today I felt I needed a little extra strength to get me there, so I chose my dad's very own well written song (about my beloved, above mentioned, Pa-Pa), "The Curtain" (performed by none other than one of my hometown besties, Bryce McCormick - ladies and gentleman, he's performed at the Grammy's. He's talented to say the least.) I think Pa-Pa's spirit set the tone for the rest of my morning!

I needed him because I sometimes feel inadequate (totally put upon by myself), that ALL other Mormons have a strong testimony of what they believe and why and can articulate it on the spot. This isn't necessarily true, it's just what I feel when I'm being hard on myself.

I admire my Mormon friends' beliefs and their conviction, I'm just not as fully understanding in the doctrine as they are. Again, only something I can work on.

Today however, there was a special musical number of a very familiar song performed by a fellow member in my congregation. I've heard this song since I was 3yrs old, but it will never be the same after today. Even in Italian, this performance of 'Love One Another' moved me beyond words. It was, as they would say on Glee, a mash-up between 'Love One Another' and 'Where There is Love'. At verse two there was a line that read, "Where there is love, there too is God." I was having one of those profound moments that even in that second, you're aware you will remember for the rest of your life. I may struggle with my technical beliefs religiously, but I do have a testimony of love! I believe in love. I also believe in music (maybe because I love it?) and its power.

Thank you Pa-Pa for instilling in me an appreciation for music. Ginger Costa-Jackson's (of the Metropolitan Opera might I add) voice is a true gift from god - there's just no other way to explain it - and I hope she knows it! When service was over, I tearfully thanked her and left for Diddy's. My brain AND HEART just couldn't handle anything more and even if I'd stayed, no other meeting could have topped what had just happened to me. I wish you all could've been there to experience her talent and share in this moment with me!

Let me break it down for you, I had an Oprah "Ah-Ha" moment during her performance and on my walk over to Diddy's went into what Opie would call the "ugly cry."

To rebound from my emotional morning, I went on a shopping spree at Urban Outfitters and then bought my new favorite lipstick: Nars, Scarlet Empress. Good, GOOD Sunday!

P.S. Click on Dad's song, "The Curtain", to hear it...

Amen,

~Kare*

You got the right stuff...

I grew up in a house where there were rarely less than 12 kids... My mom did childcare out of our home to add to the income since on top of working full time, my dad was a full time student. A majority of the kids my mom kept happened to be girls and lucky for me 3 of those girls in particular were my same age. Only months apart, we were potty trained together, learned to tie our shoes together, had chicken pox together, played dress up and rode bikes together.

We got Whitney (Whit-Hog or Whitney Paige) at 18mths, Sara (Sara Ann Kyle - yes sometimes we use her full name) at 21mths, and Tricia (Trish) at 3.5yrs old and we were only seperated by middle school districts once some of us started staying home alone. Regardless of the time that passes and our life&personality differences, we are bonded for life and they are the sisters I never had.

One thing we continue to bond over even now is our love for the 1990's and all of our memories from that decade. The early 90's were the start of me loving anything deeply for the first time - including these girls and not excluding Devon Sawa, The New Kids on the Block, Zack Morris, LAGear, the Judds, and jelly shoes.

As much as I loved NKOTB - (Here's me and my concert themed cake at my [maybe] 6th Bday?)

my WhitHog STILL LOVES them!!! Her obsession? Donnie. The 'Bad Boy'.

Ever since I moved to New York, Whit's had this feeling I'd meet him and hopefully mention her... Well her intuition was correct because when my beloved broadway producer patients got my parents and I producers' house seats to 'Jersey Boys', who sat in front of us? Bad boy and tough guy, Donnie Wahlberg.

I mentioned Whit, he said to tell her "Hi."

I was/am as obsessed with Mark Paul Gosselaar as Whit is w/Donnie. It was no coincidence to me that he and his wife filed for divorce approx 1wk after I met him outside the theatre after seeing him (and 'Weeds' star, Justin Kirk) in "The Understudy" on broadway.

Let's hear it for childhood dreams come true!!!

xoxo - Legs Gosselaar*

A real life conversation between Diddz and I -

*

Me: "Diddz, did I tell you I did pilates yesterday?..."

Paula: "Ugh. Yes. You did. You tell me EVERYTHING you do EVERYDAY! 'Tonight I made cookies, do you know I had to turn off the radiator because it got so hot while I was watching Jersey Shore in my heels, then I showered...' (more mocking continued)"

Me: (embarrassed) "What are you going to do when we get old? You know I will be worse."

Paula: "I dont know. Hopefully I'll be deaf."

*

Rude.

-Legs*

Cappuccinos and Macaroons

Today after work, I had Cole meet me (and Yari - my FAVE!!!) for a quick (and FREE) check up because he's got an irritating tooth issue (...yeah, those are technical terms).

Afterwards we stayed close by to grab lunch and a cappuccino at a small italian cafe on 5th Ave.

Earl was highly impressed with the foam design in his cappuccino...

So he ordered another just to see the 'Lion King' version. This is his 'Mufasa' face...

After we parted, I FINALLY went to Macaroon Cafe! I've been dying to try their macaroon-y creations and desperately trying to convince guests to go, but it's a hard sell when I've never been myself. Finally treating myself, I chose flavors: Dark Chocolate, Coconut Chocolate, Creme Brulee & Pumpkin... (and sampled 'Honey Lavender').

My fave? Def Dark Chocolate.

Partly because I LOVE dark chocolate and partly because it was painted with gold glittery sugar!

Who doesn't love sparkles?!

**Thank you to my little Yari-Nugget and her fabulous little fingers and beautiful dentistry!**

Namaste

Today was supposed to be my first attempt at Bikram Yoga (or yoga at all) with Bikram Yoga connoisseur, close friend of 23 years, and international male super model, Coleman 'Earl' Wingo. For those of you who don't know, Bikram Yoga is just regular yoga... in a 105degree temperature controlled studio. To prepare for this venture, Yelz and I went shopping for the proper yoga attire a few weeks ago. Listen, I may die while trying to do 26 unfamiliar postures in a 105degree studio, but I am determined to look like a pro! Today, thanks to the snowglobe happening outside of our windows here in NYC, I got out of it... and out of seeing Cole in a speedo (true story). Feeling motivated - maybe from MTV's "I Used to be Fat"- I put in my Denise Austin's 'Power Yoga Plus' DVD, put on my highest high heels (because all the most fashionable fashionistas wear heels when doing yoga, RIGHT?), and got out my new mat. I was only seconds past 'Sun Salutation' before my heels ripped the mat ever so slightly. Barefoot, yet still motivated, I continued with the yoga and more enjoyable to me, the pilates. Success afterall.

~Kare*

Bye-bye, baby. Baby, goodbye.

Today my dad sold his 1968 'Racing Green' Stingray Corvette. Now I know that this is just a materialistic item and that in the big game of life, means nothing. On the other hand, I LOVE his corvettes and the joy they bring him (and me, and the dog), and the memories we've had in them, and where he was in life when he got them, and what they represent.

Maybe I lit a little. Or maybe a lot.

Which is really REALLY stupid because he still has his baby blue 1970 Stingray... That he'll never EVER sell! EVER! Right Dad? RIGHT?! Love you. Mean it. And love YOU, 'Green Hornet'. May your new owners be good to you and love you as much as we do.

(Merry 70degree Christmas 2008)

(Remember when Pops and this car made their film debut in the 48HFP "Instrument of Choice"? No? More on that some other time...)

The Big Cry Baby,

~Legs*

An Ode to Perkes...

and the rest of my weekend.

Michael James Perkes always points out when I create a Facebook album without a photo of his money-maker in it and since my latest album is Perkes-less, I'll blog about him and his sad departure from the big city instead.

A change in positions at work takes Perkes to the Alamo state to live it up in "The Big D". The ladies in Dallas, Texas better be prepared to get swept off their feet.

I met Mikey J on a last minute trip with mutual friends to Atlantic City in August of 2008. Since then, we've celebrated 3 christmas's, 2 birthdays each, been in 1 wedding together, and he's baked approximately 57 whole cheesecakes (from scratch) for me to devoir. Without a doubt, he makes for the BEST friend you could ever ask for.

I'm thankful for Mike because:

• He lets me join the '6pack' for lunch even though I'm a girl.
• He leaves work "early" (9PM) during busy season to rent a zip-car, get lost in the financial district for 2hours, then move my new 500lb tile dinner table and chairs into my apt on the UES, and go BACK to work.
• Did I mention he makes cheesecake? From scratch? Often? And shares?
• He all too often treats me to dinner and amazing conversation.
• He ALWAYS makes sure I get home safely no matter the means of transportation, time of day, or night.
• He gives me a 'father's blessing' when I'm in the midst of a meltdown and my Dad is no where near New York City. Then he doesn't tell anyone I cried. A lot.
• He never walks away from a roulette table down.
• He gives good advice, is non-judgemental, and always sets a good example by doing what he knows is right. No matter what.
• He lets me shop during our QT together including the NYC Christmas Fair, Anthropology, and vintage jewelry shopping at Pippin (my fave).
• He takes me to the Chelsea market for brownies at Fat Witch Bakery where the unwrapped brownies are half off after 5:30PM.
• And maybe he sometimes gets choked up at girly chick-flicks.

To celebrate (? - celebrate seems a strong word... more like mourn) Mike's departure, there was a goodbye dinner for him at 4food in midtown on Friday night. Although I took no pictures to prove it, there was an IMMENSE turnout of Perkes-lovers come to see him off. No one seemed to want to leave even after 3 hours of eating and talking (I'm not surprised - we're a like minded bunch, those who love Perkes). We were all so excited to see each other and happy to catch up, but couldn't it have been on different terms?!

Cheers to Mike! Thanks for leaving your mark on my NYC experience and beyond! See you in Dallas buddy - if I don't see you in VA first! Love ya!

In other weekend news, Cole and I went to Goodwill in Harlem - probably our favorite Saturday morning activity. Then we started 'Sunday Funday' early on Saturday afternoon and didn't leave (other than for coffee the next morning) until Sunday night. Needless to say, the boys had more than their fair share of us!

~Kare*

My brain just exploded.

Tonight was a big night for Me-Maw...

While my Nanny has had the internet since the dawn of its time and can email you a photo quicker than you can say kazaam, my Me-Maw was a late bloomer in the realm of the world wide web.

She recently bought herself a dell laptop on QVC and had a modem and router installed in her home; which displeased her in both the look and the amount of boxes being installed.

Over Christmas break, we took a few hours to have a little tutorial: "Intro to the Internet", taught by none other than myself (that was maybe her first mistake).

The things I chose to school her in:

Email.

Shopping her fave catalogs.

Buying plane tickets to NYC.

Skype.

Checking the weather (I thought this would FOR SURE tickle her fancy - she LOVES the weather channel!)

Online Banking

She had the same response to all of these examples - "Well, no, I would NEVER do that!"

Re: Shopping - I could just call the number.

Re: Weather - I have the channel.

Re: Flights - You'd buy them.

We shared an outburst of laughter and I heard - "What the hell did I get this for?"

We finally gathered ourselves and while wiping her tears (we were REALLY tickled)

she says, "Now show me again how to google people's addresses and look at their houses from the street. I LOVE that!"

Oh boy, I love her!

Tonight however was a totally different story! My cousin Pamela set Me-Maw up with a Facebook account. That's right.

Now that she has graced 'the book of faces' [as I like to call it] with her own page, Me-Maw is sure to nip at the heels of Betty White in hosting SNL... it's only a matter of time.

While successfully skyping with me here in NY for her first time, Me-Maw got a call on her cell phone. Shortly after, she took a call on her house phone. While I waited patiently, I took her picture and then 'Tango Video Called' my parents from my cell phone so that they could see both her success and popularity.

Then... my brain exploded.

~Legs.

You can tell A LOT about a girl by what's in her cart [or her arms].

Every time I get to Target I say to myself, "Leave the cart, your intentions here are humble and modest."

20minutes later (sometimes less), my arms are SPILLING with odd and ends that I'll most likely return once I've arrived home and the reality of space (Hello! NYC apt!), budget (just because one thing is cheap doesn't mean I should buy a million things), or my sizing (sometimes I'm confused) sets in and I'm kicking myself for believing that I had the self control to stick to a solitary mission.

Lesson learned: When it's an option, you ALWAYS need a cart.

(Even if it means you'll barely make it home from East Harlem WITHOUT hailing a cab AND you will most likely return everything the next day - Hi. I'm Karrie. And I'm a habitual returner.)

Has my chronic case of buyer's remorse been cured? Or is Lulu just the most convincing false - rationalizer that ever existed? (second only to Ali and Crys - but more on that some other time...) Usually Yelz is there to reign me in, but yesterday, only by the grace of god could I have walked out of there empty handed.

To passerby's judging my purchases, I'm sure I looked as if I were in the midst of a major nervous breakdown.

In actuality, I was in the midst of a typical Monday night. (Or any night at that):

~One GIGANTIC bag of PB M&M's (the size that ziplocs if you needed a visual)

~4 (yes count them, 4) bags/batches of Duncan Hines Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

~One new pair of platform clogs (as pic'd, for a whopping $20 - who could've said no?)

~The Notebook on DVD

~Sixteen Candles on DVD

~Mascara

~A curling iron

The only thing missing? A box of tampons. But don't worry, I got those, and those alone, at Costco during last week's trip up to East Harlem. Reminder: Costco doesn't supply you with bags. If you have plans of buying a 96count box of tampons to then walk home with, take the subway with, or get on the bus with, take a source of containment with you even if you're friends make fun of you for it later...

Needless to say, I've never had less remorse about such mundane splurges. Am I healed? Unlikely.

Tonight's PJs&H brought to you by Target's Mossimo Supply Co. (who'd'a thunk?!?)

Dear cheap platform clogs, you've made my week. Yours truly, Legs.

Sunday Funday...

just stepped its game up.

On Sundays Diddz and I (and sometimes Cole) head over to Kent, Adam, and Connor's to watch our routine Sunday Night HBO shows and Mad Men. When our seasons end, we head over to watch football, awards shows, and whatever else they can talk us into watching.

This past Sunday the boys made us Chicken Noodle Soup.

Yep.

This is Connor.

Multitasking.

Stirring and mooning.

Feel free to click here for a slightly less censored version.

Two weeks ago, this happened...

Some Sundays are low key...

Some are even MORE low key...

(Rustin is one of my most favorite people. We both do teeth.)

Oh boy.

I can't wait to see what next week's shenanigans hold.

~Kare

Warning: Inclement Weather

Girls + Slush = Hunters

So I probably shouldn't tell the intimate and racy details of our social lives, but last night - a SATURDAY night - we (Yelz, Diddz, and I), all twenty-something, smart, sophisticated, and talented girls, stayed in... in our PJ's and heels no less - to keep warm and cozy and avoid all the mud, muck, and the slush of last week's snow fall; which by the way, makes for a beautiful view of Central Park, but not such a fun walk from point A to point B. Maybe we had Shake Shack for my third time this week (their second - the first being when we all gathered to watch The Bachelor on Monday night). I'm telling you, it's tough to live the glamorous life of Carrie Bradshaw and the Gossip Girls!

(PJs&H)

(My view of CP from my operatory in the new practice)

XOXO - Legs*

And hence began my love for...

Jimmy Stewart.

and

Jimmy Stewart again.

Yes, in fact I'm fairly certain we would've married had I been born in a different decade.

"Here's lookin' at you, kid."

~Mrs. Karrie Stewart*

Better late than never?

(Lulu recently visited Universal Studios' Wizarding World of Harry Potter. See the photo documentary of her trip here and read about it here and here.)

So I'm about a million years behind everyone else in the modern world, but my most favorite thing about reading Harry Potter is... Dreaming I'm a wizard. Often.

(I'm up to Book 3 - The Prisoner of Azkaban)

Yelz doesnt think she'll get as immediately hooked to HP as she did to Twilight. My argument to her:

Wizards can fly, do all kinds of magic, and have cloaks of invisibility.

Vampires are cold and forever stuck in time.

Let's be honest, with the options weighed, who DOESNT want to be a wizard?

~Kare*

Let me introduce you to my family...

I have two AMAZING parents!

(Proof!)

And I'm very grateful!

My Dad thinks he's 15 and still shoots hoops almost every morning with his best friend, "Spots". He is a fantastic songwriter and is sometimes confused with Alec Baldwin in public (true story or rather, STORIES). He loves Diet Pepsi a little more than what may be considered "healthy" and has maybe, or maybe not, had to take what he terms a "rescue mission" to New York to save his pathetic daughter from one or more meltdowns. But more on that later... oh the things you'll do as parents.

The Kern (my Mom) is an up and coming jewelry designer who enjoys shopping, jewelry (careful, it's hereditary), chick flicks, jewelry, and a good cry (for future reference, we call this "litting"). She starts or ends every story with, "I just lit...", then cant finishing the phrase "lit into balling" because of holding back tears. Totally normal and totally the most precious thing about her.

Together they've conquered their own little world - their latest adventure was an over night road trip which kept them up for nearly 24hrs straight (see? 15.).

Now that they're empty nesters, their only babies are a 1970 Stingray Corvette in baby blue and a fluffy little mutt-nugget called Gringo (and many other silly & ridiculous names, but mostly known by me as Bubba). I have a brother named Kyle. Kyle has a dog named Barley. They're obsessed with each other. The end....

Christmas 2010

Until Toya (aka Murt). Rightly, renamed KaToya. She fits so snuggly into my family that sometimes we forget she isn't and even though we don't see or talk to each other nearly enough, she's still my little Toy-Toy! She sings like an *ANGEL* and is the most nonjudgemental person I know! Her gospel group is called 'Blessed and Chosen'.

Turns out I CAN read and write.

While deciding whether or not to start my blog, I googled “reasons for blogs” and was immediately bombarded with “Top 10 Reasons” for their existence. Most of these lists included becoming a better writer and having the opportunity to teach others something valuable or of importance. Let me start by assuring you that you will learn nothing of substantial meaning by reading this blog and will encounter thousands of spelling errors along the way.

My main goal in blogging is to chronicle my experiences here in NYC (the good, the bad, and the ugly) for my selfish, memory-fading, future self and her possible chil’rens. For the past week, I’ve been jotting down topics, titles, and entry ideas and frankly, I'm impressed with how much I’ve come up with. I feel all this pressure to include ALL the good stuff in this first post, however, I look at this initial entry like a first date; if I spill it all now, we’ll have nothing to talk about on round two. Don’t call me, I’ll call you.

~Kare*