The "Lust" List...

Aahh, spring in the Nation's Capital.

The sun is shining, the temperatures are pleasant, and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Which can only mean one thing.... It's time for Kathie's Spring 'Lust List'...

Lilly Pulitzer 2009

This year I want everything bright, feminine and cheery! So, Lilly Pulitzer, for me, are must-haves. Her designs embody everything that is happy and colorful. I have a few pieces already, but one can never have too much pink and green.

My 'Lilly' store in Old Town Alexandria just closed it's doors ((boo-hoo!!)) - darn this economy!! No more sneaking big pink bags through the back door, so honey won't see. Now, I'll have to order on line and have them delivered to my office (not good because we ride to work together).

Let's not forget J. Crew - they never disappoint when it comes to preppy, bright and most of all comfortable attire.

If you're like me you probably have several nice white button down shirts, or maybe a nice tee. Just pair it with this little skirt with some sandals for a day of shopping, or if you want to dress it up a bit for those hot summer nights, just slip on a pair of strappy sandals, and a piece of funky jewelry - maybe some wooden bangles.

Speaking of jewelry - which I think you all know this girl well enough now to know it's one of my favorite things, especially unique signature pieces, such as this bracelet below...

and the big chunky necklace like the one above dresses up even the simplest tee-shirt.

Shoes are very important on the Lust List....

Stephen Bonnano

J. Crew

Sandals, preppy flip-flops, sneakers (for bike riding and walking),

and belts!!

I love ribbon belts!! They go great with jeans, shorts and skirts and they come in every color of the rainbow.

So, there you have it. My complete lust list.

What's on yours?

I'm still losing weight. As a result, I'm beginning to wear things I couldn't wear last summer. For instance this dress that I bought at Brooks Brothers a few years ago...

with these these shoes..

(Prada)

Uh, sidenote: If my husband ever asks, I found these at 'Target'. ((wink)). Just a joke, of course. I don't promote lying. (I know you know that, but Mama will be here in a few days and I don't want to hear her lecture...)

Anyway, I slipped into my sneakers to go for a brisk walk at lunch. I walk a block and I slightly tripped - not a bad trip, mind you. I looked around and no one even noticed. Good. That could have been really embarrasing.

I walk another block and I trip and come THISCLOSE to falling - I got so close to the ground that I was able to catch myself before I hit the pavement.

By this time the above dress had ridden up my thighs, and I am sure the Washington DC tourists walking behind me caught a glimpse of my non-designer granny panties.

Trust me - my butt is NOT a National Treasure.

I wish I could tell you that the reason I tripped was because the sidewalks looked like this....

But no, it pretty much looks like this:

As smooth as a baby's behind. So, no excuse. I'm just clumsy. Or just a reminder from God. Keep going, you'll understand in a minute.

I picked myself back up, smoothed my dress, paused, and did a curtsey. I've learned to recover well from mis-haps in my life. I've had lots of practice. I started early. At 14 to be exact.

I was a baton twirler in high school.

Oh, my goodness I just thought I was the cutest thing there ever was in that sparkly little red number I wore. (Isn't pride one of the 7 deadliest sins - or would this fall under vanity?)

So, it's the half time show - the band starts to play - I start to strut and twirl- and plop! I fall flat on my behind. Did I mention that it had rained all day and the field was muddy?

That brought me down a few notches! Of course, the fans of the opposing team thought it was hilarious. Heck - even the fans of the HOME team thought it was funny. I have hundreds of people on both sides of the football field laughing at me as I sat stunned, black as night from all the fresh mud.

I performed the rest of the routine with black, mascara-stained tears streaming down my face.

I look back on that night and absolutely cringe. No, not because I fell. But because I cried.

If that happened now - shucks, who am I kidding - It still happens - but if I could go back and do that night over again, I'd stand up, curtsey to both sides of the stadium and laugh right along with 'em.

That day I learned a very, very valuable lesson in life. I didn't know it, but Mama's prayer for me was that regardless of what happened in my life - good or bad - that I'd always keep my focus on Jesus, and never become so overly-confident in my successes that I thought I was too good for others.

This afternoon when I brushed myself off and finished my curtsey, I knew that God was still answering the prayer of a young mother from 40 something odd years ago.

For regardless of how many books I sell, how many speaking engagements I have, how many wonderful, glorious things may be in my future, I know all too well that the foot, er...hand of God is always there ready to keep me in my proper place.

My Good Luck Streak Continues...

In my quest to turn over a new leaf and be a better, (read: cheerier) wife, I decided to bake a homemade deepdish chicken potpie that I saw on Old Centennial Farmhouse's blog.

I followed the recipe to a tee! It smelled delicious! And this time it wasn't one of my ugly pie crusts. No sirree, this one looked good enough to eat. I was so proud of myself. I opened the oven door, and clinging to my Grandma Drexie's vintage pot holders, grasped the pie ever so gently bringing, veerryy carefully out of the oven, and - and ....

SPLAT!!!!!

Yep. It broke completely in two and plopped on the oven door. (No, I do not make these things up. See for yourself. Here's the other half.)

Okay, Kathie, repeat after me, "I will not cry, I will not cry".

No problem, I thought, trying to keep my cool. I'll just scoop this up in a separate bowl, and serve the rest. It will still be good. Jay will never know the difference. When he gets home he'll just think that William ate most of it.

Speaking of William, he comes into the kitchen to see what all the banging clanging is about. He takes one look and asks (in disgust), "What is that supposed to be?"

"Chicken Pot Pie - homemade Chicken Pot Pie," I smiled proudly, thinking of the hour of love I put into creating this fine, albeit half-wasted meal.

"I hate Chicken Pot Pie," he said, expressionless.

"Hmm," I thought. "WWJD? What would June do?"

I stood there for a minute, still trying not to cry - or cuss - when it hit me. No, not the oven door. The realization of knowing exactly what June would do. She'd ask for a re-take, someone from the prop department would bring her a new pie and they'd live happily ever after until next week's episode.

I'm not June, even though my life does read like a sit-com. I do not have a 'take-two', nor do I have a prop department, so, bursting into laughter I reached down and scooped up what I'd dropped and gave it to someone who really appreciates me. My sweet Sally Bear.

So what? I'm not June Cleaver, Martha Stewart, or Paula Deen, for that matter! I can accept that.

But what really gets me is that when I took the "Which Andy Griffith Show Character are You?" I'm not even Aunt Bee!

I'm Otis! Yes, Otis!!

((sigh)) ((hiccup!))

I Wanna Be a Cowgirl!

A cowgirl gets up in the morning,

decides what

she

wants to do,

and does it!

Marie Lords 1861

Fine! Then I wanna be a cowgirl.

Recently, someone told me if you don't like your life, then change it...Well, consider yer'self forewarned, my little cowpokes.

THIS GIRL IS GETTIN' READY 'TO CHANGE IT UP.'

"How?" you ask. Well, I haven't gotten that far yet. But I do have a couple of irons in the fire.

Just stay tuned. You never know what will happen in the glamorous, glorious life of Kathie.

Violet and I are both sporting new spring haircuts. Yes, I know. I said I wasn't going to cut my hair until the end of the summer. I was letting it grow out, blah, blah.

One thing you need to know about me is I'm very honest. I don't even like to tell an itty-bitty lie.

But never, ever believe me when I say I'm letting my hair grow out.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

Thanks to everyone who commented on yesterday's post. Honey said this morning, "Oh my goodness, that was the most depressing post in the world."

Well, gee! Sometimes a girl's gotta vent, huh? If he'd just let me move out in the country and he commuted in every day, then I'd have no need for a depressing blog.

I could see the wheels turning in that handsome head as he contemplated a 2-hour commute into work each and every day.

From the look on his face I am sure there will be no more critical comments of my blogging.

Today was one of those days. I literally looked at the calendar and had it figured out that in 4 years, 3 months, 5 days and 12 hours, I will be free to leave this city.

I have never wanted this to be an "I hate Washington" blog. "Hillbilly Debutante" was invented as a creative outlet, as a way to have a good time, let loose and mostly just make fun of myself.

But I also want to clear up a misconception. I haven't lived on the farm/ranch in over 20 years. I am also a fairly educated person and I speak perfect English (so don't let the 'hillbilly talk' fool ya!) This isn't my first experience with city life. I've lived in several cities across the country and overseas.

In that 20 years, I have lived an exciting, blissful, happy life surrounded by tons of friends and people who love me.

Except here.

I have always been able to adjust to the culture and get along famously wherever I have lived.

Except here.

I'm not great-looking, don't play a musical instrument, don't sing, dance or paint. I have no athletic ability (does equestrienne count?), can't stick to a diet. I'm a bad driver, a bad cook. I can bake a good pie, but the crust always turns out ugly, which cancels it out.

But the one thing I've always had is exceptional people and speaking skills. People have always liked me and I have always liked people. I have never, ever left a place without making a friend.

My number one goal in life has always been to be 'nice.' Sounds hokie, doesn't it? I know, but it's true. One of my best qualities is that I don't have one mean bone in my body. I've always been able to engage people as well as entertain them with crazy stories and one-liners.

Except here.

I love to be the cheerleader, the encourager, the one you know you can depend on when you have a wild and wacky dream in life and no one believes you can really pull it off - I'm the one at the end of the finish line with open arms waiting for you! I LOVE to love people and I LOVE to be loved, and I've always been so fortunate to have that in my life.

Except here. Here that gift is null and void. I have no purpose in this place. No one needs anything from me. At work, the store, the streets, I can greet someone with a friendly smile and 'hello, how are you?', and they're faces are blank. I've even had people try to pick a fight with me over a smile. Sad, but true.

Your blogs make me happy. I love reading about what all of you are doing, what you have planned. I laugh with you. I pray for you and with you. I cry with you. You all offer something unique. Most of all what I love is feeling that no matter where you all are located, you're just a 'mouse click' away and I can 'visit' anytime I want.

I would love to hear some of your ideas if you've ever been in my position and feel that you've been 'misplaced and forgotten.' How did you deal with it? How did you get over it? Did you have to move? Thanks for 'listening' and I'm eagerly waiting to hear your comments.

I've Had Enough of Bad News Headlines.....

I feel like this guy. Don't you? It seems like every time you turn on the radio, television or open the newspaper it's nothing but dark and dismal stories.

Come on, now. There has got to be something good goin' on out there. Isn't there?

Please let me know all the wonderful things going on in your life. Nothing is too big or too small.

I can't wait to hear all about it. Don't keep me waiting!

Good Morning, Americans....this is Paul Harvey

The year was 1989 and I was a mid-day personality at a radio station just outside Kansas City. Paul Harvey, of course was one of our main attractions. He could take the most mundane stories and make them so very interesting.

On his birthday, I called ABC and asked to speak to him. The operator politely said, "One moment." Of course I expected to get his secretary or an answering machine.

In a few seconds, much to my surprise that distinguished, familiar voice came on the line.

"Paul Harvey here."

You could hear his gentle laughter in the background as a co-worker and myself sang what I am sure was many, many annoying renditions of "Happy Birthday". He asked us our names and what station we were calling from. I don't even remember what was said. All I recall is being in awe of that booming, unaffected voice, possibly realizing for the first time that what you heard was what you got.

No pretense.

His voice in normal, every day conversation was the same iconic voice you heard during his broadcasts.

Paul and his wife, Angel

The content of his broadcasts, and his particular style of speaking always took me back to a kinder, gentler, time, reminiscent of the 50's. I will especially miss his signature signoff....

"and now you know the rrrrrest of the story."

Speaking of 1950's. If you're hunkerin' for a good read. Click to the top of my screen to the right where is says' "50's gal." She has dedicated her year to living life as if it were 1955. I am not just talking about the way she dresses. I'm talking about ALL aspects of her life. It's very interesting and very entertaining. Take a look!