A Media Fast

UPDATE (25 Nov 08):

I have No Doubt, Ingrid Michaelson, A Fine Frenzy, Brooke Fraser, and Styx in my CD player...didn't want y'all to think I'm close to being translated or something! Just wanted to share some thoughts on some simple changes I've been trying out....

ORIGINAL (21 Nov 08):
So I didn't voluntarily give up TV, movies, and radio, but I am grateful for the change that it's been for me. Back in May when Michael was preparing to put in his mission papers, the Stake President asked that he start living like a missionary - no TV or radio, only G-rated movies, limited internet, and other things....

Since I spent a majority of my time with him over the past 6 months, I haven't been listening to the radio, I only watch 1 or 2 tv shows each night (JEOPARDY and Dancing with the Stars tend to be the favs) and the only movies I saw in the theater were Wall-E and the Emma Smith movie. On Tuesday, I went with Dad and the monkeys to see Dark Knight. DISTURBING! Oh my goodness! Other people told me they didn't like it either for the violence and it's "dark" feeling, but I have to admit that it really pushed me to reconsider my "media fast." I've been turning off the TV more and trying to listen to uplifting music (but I do need some Styx to rock out every now and then!). I didn't think that it made that much of a difference, but now that I realize that I haven't had that static in my life, I recognize an increased measure of the Spirit and I'm able to recognize promptings far more often than before. Neat!

I was just reading some articles getting ready for my talk in Stake Conference and I found this neat quote from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin in a conference talk...

"Parents must know what their children are watching on television and must protect them from its evil influence. They should set a proper example by watching only those programs that are uplifting and worthwhile and opposing those that are corrupt and degrading. Many people decry television shows that portray sin and evil as being normal and acceptable, and even preferable to righteous living. However, viewers set the standards for television broadcasting. The networks and stations broadcast the types of programs that most of the people want to see. Mr. Frank Stanton, CBS president emeritus, told a Brigham Young University audience that network television standards will continue to decline because they are based onsociety's standards. He said, 'Standards come from the audience; the audience determines the programming and program content.' Further, he said, 'I believe there will be more infractions with respect to [immorality] and violence and it will get a lot worse before it gets better because of the changing standards of our society.' "

When was this said?

1989

when "The Cosby Show" and "Golden Girls" were the top shows

not "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy"

I'm just saying...

So I'm coming around on the whole photoshop thing...

Recently when looking at a couple of different pictures I thought - I really just like the original better. Then, I went all crazy and started messing with some photoshop express business and had some fun. I started with some pictures I took of Jill, Michael's little sister who happens to be one of the Drum Majors of the Hebron Marching Band. Now keep it straight - all of these pictures haven't been altered, but some have. Can you tell which ones have? And how? That's the trick! Have fun!

I've lost the will to blog....

Yes, and I've only been at such a little time....Of course, I've lost the will to do most things. I do enjoy crafting it up these days though. I made a recipe box and a beautiful picture frame for "The Living Christ" for my new beautiful bedroom. Maybe one day I'll buy a camera and take pictures and post what I made, but for now, that whole lackofmotivation thing kinda gets in the way.

I thoroughly enjoyed my long weekend off work so much so that I asked my mom - do you think I could be a stay-at-home sister? Really? I could only dream!


In writing this post, I realized I hadn't yet shared the joy of my new door. Yes that's right folks - I have a door (and a bedroom to go along with it!). I'm super excited to have my own space with the luxury of a DOOR! Can you believe it? Last week, while at work, Dad sent me a text playing a fun game which we often do of "guess where I'm at." I guessed work, but actually he was laying my bed, which instantly struck me as odd because my bed has been buried since before they left to take Logan to the MTC (See the Family Blog for more info on that). He cleared it up when he sent me a poor quality cell phone picture of a magnificent site - my bed cleaned off and in a new location! Yay! For those unaware of the past 3 years of my life - I have been the migrant in the house. When I first came home after graduation, I slept on the couch. Back from NOLA and FEMA work, I shared with Logan - interesting to say the least. Then it was off to the laundry room - which was great for the personal space, except that there was no door from the kitchen and a door leading from the garage that my little brothers and their friends never managed to knock on before entering. Now finally, I am back to living like a full citizen! To say that I'm excited is perhaps the understatement of the year. I am thrilled! I love my comfy bed and pretty curtains and most of all - the door. Wonder of wonders! Thanks Dad! I'm glad you had the day off and that you spent it creating the place that I never want to leave. Hmmmm maybe this is the root of the lost will....I will have to investigate. Or maybe I should just buy a laptop so that I can blog from the comfort of my cave....

I love fried almost as much as I love free....

And that's why I had to go to the Texas State Fair!!!! What an adventure in fried foods and fun! There's fried everything - including Pralines, Corny Dogs, Funnel Cakes, Grilled Cheese, S'mores, Oreos, Snickers, Banana Split, Chololate-Covered Strawberry Waffle Balls, Pineapple Ice Cream, Espresso, Chocolate Truffle, Bacon (Chicken Fried to be exact!) and Jelly Belly Beans! And that's not even a complete list, just what I could remember!!! MaryAnn had to have a fried s'more. Michael had funnel cake. I enjoyed the greatness of Fried Pralines with Bluebell Ice Cream and Chocolate syrup on top. Oh the joy of fried! We also went for the traditional turkey leg (which Michael and Emilee shared) and I had some sausage - y'all know how much I love smoked sausage!

Of course there was more to the fair than the food - a car show, a light show, a blonde ditz show (Jessica Simpson performed - "I gotta pee y'all!"), and pig racing. We rode the Texas Star - the giant Ferris Wheel - and just had a grand time with a C4 Krewe - MaryAnn, Emilee, Alicia, Ben, Robert, Angelar, Chris, Suzanne, Michael, and myself.

Enjoy the pics....

Eight things in six topics...

So Erin tagged me...how can I resist this fun little interview...

8 Favorite TV shows:

1. LOST
2. Dancing with the Stars
3. Jeopardy
4. What Not to Wear
5. So You Think You Can Dance
6. The Colbert Report
7. The Office
8. Heroes

8 Things I did Yesterday:

1. Went to work
2. Went to 3 DSW Stores on the way home
3. Called 5 DSW Stores
4. A wonderful evening with the Stake President, his wife, and the fam
5. Saw my brother set apart as a Missionary - Yay Elder Sorensen!
6. Went to Penney's with B & G and thoroughly enjoyed their budding styles
7. Watched some Dancing with the Stars & Jeopardy - see above!!
8. Slept in the recliner while Elder Sorensen kept asking me how to copy pictures to the computer, where the family names to do baptims at Winter Quarters Temple were, can I take a picture with you, and my favorite - have you seen the Ipod?

8 Things I look forward to:

1. October 2010
2. the weekend - every week
3. My weight loss goal acheived
4. A Master's degree
5. Debt paid off
6. Home ownership
7. A Piano Studio
8. Mardi Gras - Erin, save that vacation time!!!!

8 Favorite Restaurants:

1. Semolina's - Crawfish Alfredo - yes please!!!
2. Deanie's - New Orleans Seafood - hello?
3. Maggiano's - especially if I can see Katileigh Nell Burger!!!
4. Prairie House - mmmm Sausage!
5. Rockfish Grill - the closest thing to #2 in DFW
6. Dodie's - a great pleace to visit when I'm feeling a trip to NOLA coming on, but don't have the cash!
7. Bennigan's - the home of the Monte Cristo
8. Applebee's - the home of the Shrimp and Spinach Salad!

8 Things on my Wish List:

1. A new back
2. A job closer to home
3. Elders Sorensen and Starks to be great missionaries!
4. Tax breaks all around!!!
5. Price of oil per barrell - $50!
6. A fun time at the State Fair on Friday
7. Jill to do great on Saturday at Regionals
8. move back to NOLA

8 People I tag:

1. Mom
2. Kati B.
3. April H.
4. Christy D.
5. Amee S.
6. Kerrie C.
7. Suzanne L.
8. YOU!

(If you have been tagged, post your answers to these six categories of 8, then tag 8 more people.)

Service is a life-saver....Literally!

Yesterday at the Sorensen house was an interesting one to say the least -

I left work a few minutes late and realized that I needed to stop and get gas. While getting off the highway, my brother calls. The conversation went something like this:

Me: "Hello?"

Burke: "Hi Kaycee."

Me: "What's up? Did you need something?"

Burke: "Mom wants to know what time you'll be home."

Me: "In about an hour or so...I have to get gas and traffic is pretty bad."

Burke: "Ok, she says can you please hurry because she needs your help. We forgot we're feeding the missionaries today and Brigham pooped on the wall."

Me: "I'll hurry...wait did you say on the wall?"

Burke: "Yeah, he pooped and then played. See you soon."

So, with that in mind, I hurried to fill up, but there were these 2 teenage girls who came up to the guy pumping gas next to me. They asked if he had any money because they ran out of gas and had to get home to Cleburne (We were in Hurst). He said he didn't have any cash, but he would give them all the change in his ashtray. They gladly took it and headed over to their car. I watched and stood there and thought about how much I hate to just give money to people, but then remembered my running out of gas experience and tried to think of what I could do. They never asked me, so did they really need it? Well, I decided to go use my card and let them pump $5 worth of gas. When I offered, they were immediately thankful and keep thanking me the whole time the gas was a-pumpin. When I realized they were in an old Jeep, I knew $5 wouldn't get them very far, so I said $10. Yes, I should have been on the road to help clean-up the poop portrait, but it felt like I should help the girls out.

So, after they were done getting gas, I left and got back on the road. I got to Grapevine near DFW and the traffic was completely stopped. I took one of my secret back-ways and while passing the line of traffic, I saw that the highway was shut down with 2 fire engines and a couple of ambulances. The thought instantly came to my mind, if I hadn't spent the 5 or 10 extra minutes to help the girls, I would have been right there. Wow! Sometimes the Spirit is so awesome. I was so grateful for the prayers of my brothers who always ask Heavenly Father to help me be safe and have a good day at work. I definitely saw that prayer answered yesterday.

By the time I got home, the poop portrait was gone, dinner was ready to be put on the table, and the kids were playing happily in the backyard. My mom never ceases to amaze me! Yes, she has had a busy and rough time lately with everything she has to do, but how she does it, I don't know!

My dad is pretty awesome too! The day before my birthday, we were headed to Pancho's for a "Quantity not Quality: Mexican Feast and I stopped to pick up Mom and the Boys. We were waiting for a while, so I went in to see what was up and Mom was scurrying around the kitchen. Apparently the burner on the stove had started sparking and caught fire and put a hole in the pot. The stove would not turn off, and we couldn't unplug it, so I pulled the element out and we went on our merry way. Well, it was the largest burner, so it's been tricky to cook since then. Yesterday, my dad fixed the stove. He bought a new element and switched the wires so we can use the stove again. He's pretty handy and definitely a hard worker! Even after a full day of work (12 hours as a nurse!), he came home and installed a toilet seat, fixed the stove, and much more on the "honey do" list. It's another way that I amazed! He rocks!

I on the other hand feel like a dork. I only slept 1 hour the night before last and last night still didn't sleep over 6 hours or so. I feel like I am dragging constantly and I am not getting much done. I think I need to go be creative like Pres. Uchtdorf said at the General Relief Society Broadcast on Saturday....

Ahoy....me name be Kaycee....

Ahoy, me swashbucklers and wenches....today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day. If ye aren't using the talk of a pirate, ye are riling the Krewe and asking to walk the plank.....Arrrrr...

My pirate name is:

Red Grace Flint

Passion is a big part of your life, which makes sense for a pirate. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Sorry I haven`t updated th' blog in a while. `Tis been a wee crazy around here wi' voyage calls an' temple appointments an' open house plannin' an' such. Nay only be me laddie leavin' on a voyage on Octobree 22, but so be me boyfriend - Michael. He reports on th' 29th tho an' he`s nay goin' t' India, but t' Portland, OR. Needless t' say, plenty o' stuff t' do! Enjoy th' swashbuckler talk....an' be havin' some fun! My aft be messed up some more. I had another MRI done last tides an' I sailed' aft t' th' spinal surgeon t' get th' results. Th' disc t'ain't lookin' so great an' th' vertebrae be showin' some signs o' injury as well. I be goin' t' start steroid injections an' get some o' th' scar tissue clisted ou'. Hopefully, 't will hold me o'er fer a while. Disc replacement be loomin'....

And now for some pirate humor....

Q: How do pirates know that they’re pirates?
A: They think; therefore they arrrr.

Q: How much was the pirate charged to get his ear pierced?
A: Buccaneer

Some great links about this special day:

Even Google got in on the Pirate Fun!

The origins on TLAPD....Dave Berry is awesome!!

There's even a TLAPD song too....

Normal translation:

Hello guys and gals....today is National Talk Like a Pirate Day. If you aren't talking like a pirate, you might upset my family and they'll hurt you.....So......

Sorry I haven't updated the blog in a while. It's been a little crazy around here with mission calls and temple appointments and open house planning and such. Not only is my brother leaving on a mission on October 22, but so is my boyfriend - Michael. He reports on the 29th though and he's not going to India, but to Portland, OR. Needless to say, plenty of stuff to do!

My back is messed up some more. I had another MRI done last week and I went back to the spinal surgeon to get the results. The disc isn't looking so great and the vertebrae are showing some signs of injury as well. I'm going to start steroid injections and get some of the scar tissue cleaned out. Hopefully, it will hold me over for a while. Disc replacement is looming....