Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Blog challenge day 24: A letter to your parents

Dear dad,

it has been your drive and determination that has helped me to persevere in times where I have been challenged and faced what I thought was insurmountable hardship. You have always worked hard, and even though there were times where I did wish you had been at home more instead of at the office, I have learned what it means to have a solid work ethic built on integrity and keeping your goals in sight to accomplish them. Thank you for being a dad who provided for us and made sure that we had a place to come home to at the end of the day.
Thank you for allowing me to get a dog, even though deep down I knew it wasn't your favorite thing to say yes to at the time. You can't blame me for knowing just the right time to ask, right after major surgery while you were still doped up on morphine and couldn't have cared less whether we had an animal in the house or not.
Thank you for taking me out on ice cream dates, for being willing to take the time to be a coach for my rec. league basketball teams, and for teaching me responsibility by making me pay for my own car and insurance while still in high school.
Even though I know it made you terribly sad to see me move away and begin a life of my own, I am glad that we have been able to stay in touch and I have constantly looked forward to being able to come home for the holidays to spend time with you. There were some times that were difficult, and I know that we have not always known the best way to communicate. Through the years though, I have learned many positive things from you as my dad, and know that God has blessed me with a caring, loving and dedicated father. I look forward to the conversations we will continue to have as adults and the events we will be able to share together as each of us gets older and more wise in our relationship as father and daughter.

Love you dad,
me

Dear mom,

It is said in the bible that God will not give us more than we can handle, and I know by many of the trials you have been through that God has made you a strong woman to be able to endure the things He has allowed you to experience. You are a mom who has taught me to never give up, even when you think the worst has come and there is no hope. I have learned how to be confident as a woman and how to have a spiritual life that is my own and is based on faith and God's truth because of the things you have taught me while growing up. I am still learning today from you, and I know that there will be many more things for you to teach me even as I get older and some day start a family of my own.
Thank you for always supporting me, no matter what my choices were, and for being a person who has been there through some of my toughest battles I have had to face.
Thank you for being willing to do whatever needed to be done to make sure your daughter accepted herself and thought she was beautiful, no matter how many trips to the dermatologist it took. Something was bound to work sometime. Thank you for encouraging me to sing, even though for a long time I didn't want to have a voice. That little extra push gave me what I needed to know that God had given me a gift and wanted me to use it for his glory.
I know that there are times where it is difficult to be able to catch up, sometimes time slips away and life gets busy. But just know that I think of you often and miss my mom just as much today as I did when I was little and you had to go to work and I just wanted you to stay at home and spend more time with me. As Chas and I eventually start to build a family of our own, we are excited to know that we have family, parents, and a mom like you who will support us and be there for us and will spoil our babies as much as you did me when I was little.

Love you mom,
me

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Gotta have it

Blog challenge day 23: Something you crave a lot

A couple of months ago, Smith's had a really good deal on mangoes. I recently had also read something online about how to pick a ripe mango, so I thought this would be the perfect time to try out my fruit picking skills and purchase one.
That was probably the best idea I have had in a long time.
I love mango. I could eat it every day.
And now, whenever I go to Smith's, I check the fruit section to see if they have mangoes on sale. They are especially delicious in a black bean, quinoa, and mango salad that I also happen to like.

Monday, March 28, 2011

In my own way

Blog challenge day 22: what makes you different from everyone else

Hmmm, let's see.....

I have an older brother named Travis who first inspired me to get into music

I have a husband named Chas, who is by far one of the best guitar players I have ever met and known personally (and that's not just a biased opinion)

I ended back up in the state that I was originally born in, after living in another for almost 12 years

I grew up with a beagle named Pepper who ate pretty much anything she could get her paws on (yes, including other pet poop) and survived all of it, even the 1 pound bag of m&m's she devoured one Christmas

I come from a family of J's and K's: my cousins are Justin, Jerry, Kristy, Karly, Kylea, Kara, Jonathan, Jordan; my aunt and uncles are Jeff, John, Karleen and Karen; and then me, :)

I met my best friend named Amy in choir during my 9th grade year and have been best friends with her ever since. That's 15 years for anyone wondering how long that has been.

I tend to remember the most random details about stories and events that happen in my daily life.

God made me the way I am and like no one else He has ever made before. And that same holds true for everyone else, we are all uniquely different in wonderful and awesome ways.




Sunday, March 27, 2011

Picture this

Blog challenge day 21: A picture of something that makes you happy


This is the beach on Hilton Head island, South Carolina. This makes me happy because a. it's a warm sandy beach, b. it's a sunny place, and c. it's where Chas proposed on June 29, 2009 and we started the process of bringing our lives together for life.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

You had me at a note

Blog challenge day 20: Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future (this may be modified)


Well let's see....I am glad I don't have to think much about this one. :)

I already married the person that I wanted to spend my future with, so I get to check this one off and head to bed. But, I also want to say that I am so thankful for the way Chas compliments me and my own personality, and how I can see the ways that I compliment him in a positive way too. We create music together, which I think has a special bond all of it's own, especially since it is the thing that initially brought the two of us together in the first place. Even if we have nothing else, we will still have each other and we will still share the love of music together. And no one can take that away from us.
We enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking and camping, and I am thankful for those similarities. But I also am glad that we both are able to have our own outlets that allow us to just be who we are, and accept each other for what we like as individuals. We can come home at the end of the day after spending time apart and know that we will be coming home to each other and sharing what we did that day with each other.
And lastly, I am thankful that Chas is the type of man who verbalizes his feelings for me, who expresses how much he loves me, when he misses me during random moments of the day, and lets me know that he enjoys spending time with me, even if that time is just sitting on the couch doing nothing but being together.
And that's only some of the reasons why I see myself being with Chas for the rest of my life :)

What's in a name

p.s.: I am totally pretending that it is 11:59pm Friday night.

Blog challenge 19: Nicknames you have, why you have them

I think my first ever nickname was started by my grandpa when I was still a little girl, and he has never stopped calling me this since. Instead of adding the "b" to my name, it was omitted and thus came the nickname Kimmer.

In high school a couple of my choir and basketball friends started calling me Kimbo...that one I haven't really been called since I moved to Utah.

When I first met my friend Brittainy after moving to Utah and working at the Target Portrait Studio, she started calling me Kimberloo....that one has seemed to stick and she still calls me that once in a while.

Lastly, since being married, Chas has more often been calling me Tootie.....I don't think I even have to explain that one, and out of embarrassment, really don't want to :)

Friday, March 25, 2011

I have a dream

Yesterday ended up being a little bit more busy than I expected, so, I didn't get to blog last night before I finally went to bed.

Here I am, a day late again, but you will get two posts today for your reading pleasure. I know, yay!

Blog challenge day 18: Plans/dreams/goals you have

I will start with a goal because this one was relatively easy for me to come up with.
I would eventually like to go back and get a Ph.D, preferably in some sort of family therapy or childhood development setting, and probably not in the state of Utah. It has been a goal of mine ever since I started college, and I definitely think it is something that God wants me to pursue. When though, that part I don't know yet.
Another goal that somewhat daunts my mind as I think about it is running a full marathon. I have completed 2 half-marathons so far, and I know what my body feels like after 13.1 miles. I can't imagine at this point pushing my body to do twice that amount of work without wanting to fall over and pass out. But, it is still a goal that I would like to achieve...maybe in the next 5 years. It's going to take me a while to work up to that one.

Plans: Chas and I have plans to grow a garden this year. There is a little box in our backyard that we are pretty sure at one point in time was built for a garden. It is overrun with weeds right now and definitely needs a lot of love and work. That's where we come in. We both have been talking about it the past couple of weeks and decided it was an activity that would be a good experience for us to do together. We got some great starting tips and have some family friends that have gardened for a long time so I am sure with their help we will be successful.

Chas and I have also starting talking about tackling our debt and using Dave Ramsey's debt snowball to start getting rid of some of the debt we have both accrued over the past couple of years. We have somewhat started this process since being married and so far have eliminated 2 small debts. Our plan is to eventually be debt free so we can start focusing on saving for other things.

Dreams: When I found out I had celiac, I also found out that in order to have a safe eating environment, I would have to cook a lot more. In doing that, I starting thinking a lot about how amazing it would be to open my own gluten free restaurant and bakery. I am sure there are states out there that have already started this trend, when Chas and I were in Tennessee for Christmas his mom took us to a 1/2 gluten free deli and bakery. Half of the deli was gluten free and half was non gluten free foods. But how cool would it be to have a completely gluten free setting for people with celiac and gluten sensitivity to be able to come to and feel safe knowing there is no concern of cross contamination. At one point in time I told myself that if I could create 20 flavors for gluten free cupcakes, I would open a bakery. I obviously have a long ways to go for that, as my baking and creating skills have been put on hold the past year or so since planning a wedding and getting married. But, that's definitely a dream of mine, to own a gluten free restaurant.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

I'll be you

Blog challenge day 17:Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

So...I thought about this one a little bit, it's kind of a big decision to make.
I came to the conclusion that if I was going to switch lives with anyone, honestly, it would be with my husband.
That probably sounds weird, at first. I would still be living in the same house, sleeping in the same bed, visiting the same places we visit. I know what you're thinking.

But, here's the why.
I have often wondered what it would be like to have to live with, well, me. And there is no other person on this earth that knows what that is like better than my husband. He is there in my good moments, and there for my worst moments. I think it would be really good insight for me to see how things are from his point of view when he is dealing with all the aspects of me. Plus, it would also be nice for me to see how he thinks about things, because let's be honest, boy brains can be 1.hard to pick sometimes, and 2.a bit on the weird side at times. I am not saying Chas is weird by ANY means (ok, sometimes when he randomly says things and makes up pretend voices to fill his time in the car since his radio doesn't work), I am just saying I think it would really help me, us, if I were put in his life and could see his aspect for a while.

So, that's who I want to be, and why :)

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

I'm so vain

Blog challenge day 16: Another picture of yourself.

Ok, you asked for it.



Showin off my mad singing skills, yeah.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Girl put your records on

Blog challenge day 15: Put your ipod on shuffle: first ten songs that play

1. Paul Wright- Sunrise to Sunset

2. Corinne Bailey Rae- Put Your Records On (Not kidding you, I named this blog before I hit shuffle on my iPod, and this just happen to come up)

3. Jeremy Riddle- God Moves in a Mysterious Way

4. Just a Vapor backing (played by Ben Smith)- Still Love You

5. Azusa Pacific University Choir and Orchestra- Crown You With Praise (Gotta love the worship practice songs, lol)

6. Matt Redman- Never Let Go

7. Hillsong United- Freedom is Here (One of my current personal favorites)

8. Starfield- I Will Go

9. Casting Crowns- Until the Whole World Hears

10. Mute Math- Noticed (also a current personal favorite)

And there you have it. I will say that right now the majority of the songs on my iPod are either workout or worship songs. So, it makes sense that I got the nice variety that I did. Ha.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

We are family

Blog challenge day 14: A picture of you and you family



It's a good thing that Chas and I got married recently so that I have all these awesome photos for these picture blog challenge. Otherwise, I honestly don't think that I would have any pictures around my house to use, I am pretty sure my parents have all the old pictures of us as family.

Starting from left to right: My older and biological brother, Travis. He was an usher for our wedding. My mom, Rhonda, and her husband Jeff. My dad, Ron, and his wife Karen. Then my step-brother Michael, he was also an usher for the wedding. That's my immediate family that were at the wedding, we have lots more relatives but I will just leave it at this for now :)

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Dear friend

Blog challenge day 13: A letter to someone who has hurt you recently

"Dear Friend, what's on your mind
You don’t laugh the way you used to
But I've noticed how you cry

Dear friend, I feel so helpless
I see you sit in silence
As you face new pain each day
I feel there’s nothing I can do

I know you don’t feel pretty
Even though you are
But it wasn’t your beauty
That found room in my heart

Dear friend, you are so precious Dear Friend

Dear friend, I'm here for you
I know that you don’t talk too much
But we can share this day anew
Dear Friend, please don’t feel like you're alone
There is someone who is praying
Praying for your peace of mind
Hoping joy is what you'll find

I know you don’t feel weak
Even though you are
But it wasn’t your strength
That found room in my heart
Dear friend, you are so precious, Dear Friend"

These are the words of a song written by Stacie Orrico, a girl who started very young as a Christian artist and has an amazingly beautiful voice. I thought of this song a couple of years ago when going through a tough trial with a very close friend. Though the hurt was minimal on my side, I still wanted to share how I felt at the time when our friendship was coming to an end. I still love my friend from the bottom of my heart and would happily be their friend even today. I love you, just like I loved you back then.

If you have never heard this song before, you should listen to it here

Friday, March 18, 2011

In the know

Blog challenge for day 12 is: Tell how you found out about blogs and why you made one

Hang on, I have to rack my brain for a minute to think that far back. I think I started officially blogging about 5 or 6 years ago.
I am pretty sure that I started blogging after my friend Claire (then Cain, now Teter) keyed me in to a blog that she started. She was in college at NYU at the time and was also doing some writing on the side. I found it super intriguing and also thought it was a great way to keep in contact and up to date with others who I didn't talk to or get to see on a regular basis. So, I decided to start one of my own.
And that's my blog story for today :)

Thursday, March 17, 2011

I've got friends

Blog challenge for day 11: (finally on time!) Another picture of you and your friends



This was taken 3 Valentine's Days ago. Blaire, the lovely lady with the pretty curly hair, had a party at her house. The other blonde beauty is my friend Kristin M. And someone decided to stick their head in the picture, I honestly cannot remember her name.

A day behind

So this whole trying to blog when I get home and have dinner and try to catch up with Chas after he gets home from work thing isn't really working out very well. Ha.

So, here I am, posting for day 10 on the morning of day 11. Let's see if I can even remember most of the songs I listen to without my iPod here with me :)

Blog challenge day 10:Songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad

Happy: Pretty much anything that has an upbeat tempo that I can picture myself listening to while riding around in my car on a sunny day with my windows down
Paul Wright- Rock the show
Ray Lamontagne- Trouble
Mutemath- Reset
Chris Brown- Forever

Sad:
Nora Jones- Feelin the same way
Sufjan Stevens- Casimir Puliaski Day
Barlow Girl- Here's my Life
Brooke Fraser- Scarlet
Mae- Giving it Away

Bored- I don't really have a specific type of music for this, because honestly I haven't felt bored in a reeeeeally long time


Hyped:
Daft Punk- Around the World
Barlow Girl- No One Like You
Hillsong United- Freedom is Here
Rhianna- Disturbia, Please Don't Stop the Music

Mad-:
Mutemath- Break the Same
Mae- This Time is the Last Time

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Stand proud!

Blog challenge day 9: Something you're proud of in the past few days

After everything that the Japanese people have been through over the weekend, enduring a major earthquake and devastating tsunami, I am proud of the response of so many to offer aid, supplies, food, blankets, shelter and just overall help to their country. With a country in such a state of tragedy, it is heartwarming to see people reaching out to offer assistance in a time of such need. It offers hope to sometimes doubting hearts that there are people in a world that often seems so full of evil, greed, power hungry leaders, and ongoing turmoil between countries willing to sacrifice for the needs of others. I am proud of the people who have offered to lend any type of helping hand they can to Japan.

Technical difficulties

So, again, I am a day behind on the blog challenge. I came home last night after teaching a class and was getting ready to post, and realized quickly that our internet wasn't working. By the time Chas got home and made the easiest fix in the world to turn it back on (that's why he's my husband), I was too tired and it was too late to post.
But, I'm not giving up on you day 8! I will do one this morning for yesterday's blog challenge, and one tonight for day 9.

For now, blog challenge 8: Write what your short term goals are for this month and why

Woo a list!:
1. Start teaching something new
I am happy to say that I just barely started doing this last weekend, so I am glad to know that I am actually reaching the small goals I set for myself. A girl at church expressed interest in learning more about singing, so I have started small vocal lessons with her on the weeks that I lead worship in Bountiful. We had our first lesson on Saturday and it was all kinds of fun!

2. Make coffee at home more, buy out less
This is mostly an effort to save a little bit of cash, due to the comparison of coffee made at home versus coffee bought at the SB or other local drive-thru.

3. Start preparing for the upcoming Ogden Marathon, well, the 5K portion of it anyway
I signed up for this last October, 2 weeks after the marathon registration opened and was disappointed to find out that the 1/2 was already full. But, I still want to work on my running, so signing up for the 5k was the next best thing. My ultimate goal is to train for the 1/2 in hopes that maaaaybe someone won't be able to make it and I can sneak their spot :)

4. Start a food journal and keep it for 30 days
This is something I have done before but was not good at keeping up on it. I want to be able to really track what I am putting in my body and seeing if I can consume just a little bit less calories each day. Yes, even if that means skipping out on Sweet Cake on the weekends.

Well, that's it for now, I think I will go write up what I had for breakfast :)

Sunday, March 13, 2011

six and seven make two...

Ok, so, Saturday was an incredibly busy day, and I didn't end up getting to post, so I am putting days 6 and 7 of the blog challenge together today.

Blog challenge for day 6 is to post your favorite superhero. Well, I have to go with Yvonne on this one, I don't really have one. If I were to pick any superhero, even though technically he isn't a real superhero, I would pick Mario. Super Mario that is. He defeats evil dragons and always saves the princess. That's my kind of guy :)

Blog challenge for day 7 is to pick someone/or something that has had the greatest impact on you.
Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of one of the person who has had the greatest impact on me, because her impact occured almost 20 years ago. My mom probably has a picture of her somewhere, but for now I will just have to tell you why I picked her.

When I was nine years old, I attended my first Vacation Bible School at Sunrise Baptist Church in South Hill, Washington. I attended a class with a teacher by the name of Danielle Mahnkin. That lady was the person who explained who Jesus was to me in such a way that I understood the meaning of his death and why it was such a sacrifice for my life personally. It was at that time I became a believer, and was then baptized as a Christian. Had it not been for her heart for kids and teaching them about the way to Life, who knows when or even if I would have ended up a believer today. I am sure I would have, with other influences in my life inclduing from family members (mom, brother, etc), but obviously the path to get there would have been much different.
I am grateful for people like Danielle who use their gifts to teach others, for she had one of the greatest impacts on my life at that point. I remember her because for years after that she and my mom were friends and we visited with her family and kids frequently until I moved away. Both she and her husband Skip are amazing people and have such great, kind hearts for others. A great example to those who are learning about what it means to follow a life for Christ.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Day 5: Here and there

Blog challenge for day 5 is to post a picture of somewhere I have been.
I choose.....this one!





This is the secluded beach that Chas and I got to see while in Jamaica for our honeymoon. The crazy thing is that we weren't even supposed to go to Jamaica, but because of a "storm" (aka hurricane) that hit St. Martin, our cruise got diverted back up and our captain was lucky to find a spot open at the port of Montego Bay. This was probably one of two of the nicest days we had while on the cruise, which made for a perfect beach day!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Day 4: get rid of it!

Day 4 of the blog challenge is: a habit that I wish I didn't have


This may come as a surprise to those of you who know that I am somewhat of a perfectionist and pretty organized (but remember, I am a pocket organizer :)

I leave my clothes on the bathroom floor after getting ready in the morning, sometimes for days.
I know, so horrible, ha ha. There definitely could be worse things.

But now you know one of my bad habits.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Day 3: That's what friends are for


Blog challenge #3 is to post a picture of your friends. I have to say, these 5 ladies are probably the bestest of friends a bride could ever have on her wedding day. And, on every other day of life.

Why do I say 5, you ask?
Because there is also a woman behind the camera taking this picture that is most definitely included in this bundle of woman greatness.

Amy Pepper on the left, my best friend since 9th grade and Matron of Honor in our wedding

Claire Teter (aka: CCT) whom I have known for about 8 years now, and oddly enough, is married to a man I once dated. Not ironic, just God doing his thing.

Elizabeth Ross: Work friend from the good ol' DWS. I have to say we may have cried more times than laughed during the first part of our friendship, but the laughing has been more abundant lately and I like that

Brittainy Harris: One of my first and still best friends in Utah when I moved back here in 2000 to go to Weber State. She technically was my boss of sorts, but never acted like she was above me. She even made a pretty decent roommate for a while (due to the fact she was hardly ever there :)

And Melissa Oholendt, the woman behind the beauty that was captured in so many details on our wedding day. Her work is just a glimpse of the wonderful woman that she is on the inside.

God truly blessed me with wonderful friends.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Day 2: The blog name

A couple of years ago I decided to change my blog name.
Maybe it was during a time that I realized that I should be living my life more for others and not so much being concerned with what I wanted.
Sure, we all have things that we want in life, for our own lives.

But, sometimes I need that reminder that it's not always about me, or ever, even.

It's a challenge to myself, and those who care to follow the random thoughts of what I blog about, to live your life as if you were living it fully for Christ, loving and serving others the way Jesus did when he was here on this earth. God sent His son as an example for us to follow as they way we are to treat others.

It's not, in any way shape or form, a sounding board for me to say, "hey, look what I am doing," most of the time I don't write about the things I feel God has lead me to do to serve others and not myself. It's just a place I go to free my thoughts and expose some of those things to those who care to read them.

So, my friends, that's the meaning behind "Live not for yourself".

Monday, March 7, 2011

Day one: 15 random nothings about me



Day one of the blogging challenge, so exciting! Ok, here we go....

1. I was born in Utah, not Washington (hey, some people really didn't know)
2. I love making my own homemade soup (like the tasty one I just made tonight, yeah!)
3. Being sick is the absolute worst feeling for me...I am one of those people who wait as long as I possibly can to get sick, hoping that if I wait long enough the urge to be sick with magically disappear (it doesn't work)
4. I am allergic to Hazelnut
5. I lay in bed on my right side until I am almost asleep, and then I turn on my left side and pull the covers up around my face and then fall asleep.
6. Once when I was little my mom said that she was having to "go around Robin Hood's barn" to find somewhere we were going....and I asked her where Robin Hood's barn was
7. I never considered myself to be a solo singer, more of a back up. In fact, the first time I was ever supposed to sing a solo for contest I was so nervous I puked. And I didn't sing for the solo/ensemble contest
8. My absolute worst pet peeve is when people smack their food.
9. Purple is not my favorite color. Honestly, I don't think I even have one. I just like what looks good together.
10. Someday, (not anytime in the near future though, just getting that out) I would love to have a daughter and name her ______ (yeah right, like I am going to give out my awesome name idea)
11. I think I have some of the most talented, wise and Godly friends a woman could ever have. They cook, they write, they take pictures, they take care of people....I am set for life!!!!
12. I almost never finish the last 10 or so pages of a book I am reading, I have done this for SO long and I really have no idea why.
13. I secretly watch the trainers at the gym so that I can get good ideas for better workouts
14. White chocolate is and always has been my favorite flavor in coffee
15. I am what some people might call a "pocket organizer"...I have little pockets in my life that I like to keep organized...other things, eh, who cares.

Day one complete!

I like challenges

Fun challenges, that is.
I am totally in for completing this challenge, after being inspired by my friend Yvonne on her blog, thanks friend.
Feel free to play along too, if you want to. :)

The 30 day challenge: I probably should have started this on the 1st of the month, but hey, who says challenges have to start on any particular day. More coming on my first post later tonight!

1. A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
2. The meaning behind your blog name
3. A picture of you and your friends
4. A habit that you wish you didn't have
5. A picture of somehwere you've been
6. Favorite super hero and why
7. A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
8. Short term goals for this month and why
9. Something you're proud of in the past few days
10. Songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad
11. Another picture of you and your friends
12. How you found out about blogs and why you made one
13. A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
14. A picture of you and your family
15. Put your ipod on shuffle: first ten songs that play
16. Another picture of yourself
17. Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
18. Plans/dreams/goals you have
19. Nicknames you have; why you have them
20. Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future (this may be modified)
21. A picture of something that makes you happy
22. What makes you different from everyone else
23. Something you crave a lot
24. A letter to your parents
25. What I would find in your bag
26. What you think about your friends
27. Why you are doing this 30 day (post) challenge
28. A picture of you last year and now, how you have changed since then
29. In the past month, what have you learned
30. Who are you?

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Not normally a fan

I grew up mostly in Seattle, so I had not really been a fan of bluegrass music.... until I was introduced to some pretty amazing groups that my husband listens to. I guess growing up where grunge originated you get used to liking the alternative style that started in the land of the Emerald City. Not to mention all those boy bands that pretty much every girl loved growing up. (come on, you know you like at LEAST one of them). But then, someone comes along who expands your knowledge of great music and makes you step out of your listening comfort zone and you experience something awesome.

Example: The Punch Brothers
Their lead singer and mandolin player is probably one of the most famous bluegrass mandolin players in the world. No really. Any musical ability that I think I have, got dwindled down to nothing on Saturday night after listening to this guy's mad skills. Chris Thile played with the band Nicklecreek for about 15 years, and won an Emmy 2002. That's freaking impressive to me. Now he plays with the group Punch Brothers, who came to play at Peery's Egyptian Theater on Saturday night. They are jaw dropping good.
Thanks to my southern husband, I am now a fan of bluegrass music. Well, some of it anyway :)