DAY 1: A New Blogging Challenge and The Story of My Life....

I know...I know...I've been absent from the blogging world. But sometimes it's just hard to find something to write about. Although I do write down random thoughts in notebooks and journals all over my house, there are sometimes things that I just consider private and too personal to share. That was until I stumbled upon a 31 day blogging challenge. You all are so lucky, that you will get to read, live, and maybe even stand in awe of the story of my life told through 31 witty, candid, gritty, raw (ok...I'm just being melodramatic). The first challenge is to tell the story of my life in 250 words....so here it goes....

I was born in Paducah, KY on Thanksgiving Day 1980….make the Woodling family a complete family of 4.  I spent the first decade of my life making memories that included birthday parties at the skating rink, family nights on the rivers, and fun at MaMaw’s and Papaw’s. From there my family set off to Northern Kentucky where I would spend the next 3 years coming of age and being a student at TurkeyFoot Middle school. Northern Kentucky is still the keeper of memories for me like sunsets on the river, ice cream with my friend Elizabeth, and baseball games with the family. As high school started so did my new life in the suburbs of the Big Easy-the hardest transition of my life. But during those 4 years I found out who I really was and made a few friends along the way. Then it was time to gain independence and set off to college at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Those 4 years came and went with memories, friends, and nights that turned into mornings that I will cherish in my heart of hearts forever. In the years that have come and gone since my graduation in May 2003, I have earned a Master’s Degree in Education and have 10 years as a special education teacher under my belt. I have grown and changed in so many ways since that Thanksgiving Day 1980….and I can’t wait to find out where the next stop on my journey will be.

After 25 Years....You Still Make Me Squeal....

There are certain things that just get better with time. Things like wine, good friends, laughter, and our decision making skills. Also, for myself and many other young professional women....New Kids on the Block are also on that list. In 2008, a girlhood dream of mine came true and the 5 (sexy) boys from Boston got back together. Since they have reunited...I have seen them 4 times. There are some things that simply are just money well spent.

This past weekend, my dear friend Magen and I went to see "The Package Tour" (which I say should have been the '12 Packages' Tour). Boyz II Men, 98 Degress...NKOTB. Never in my life have I seen so much sexy wrapped on one stage packed into 3 and a half hours. Although our seats weren't as close as they were at the last concert (you know...the one where Mr. Donnie Wahlberg himself noticed, pointed out, and gave a pelvic thrust to my sign) it was just as much fun.

Boyz II Men took the stage first. For just a moment, I felt like I had gone back in time to my days at Turkey Foot Middle School (yes....that was the name of my middle school). They sang all the greats...Bended Knee...I'll Make Love to You...Motown Philly....just to name a few. It's funny how after all these years you never let go of the lyrics or how they made you feel at one point in time.

Next up was 98 Degrees. Now, I really don't know much about them. They pretty much came to the popularity of the American Girls' eyes when I was stuck somewhere between looking at Bop Magazine and figuring out my lot in life. But I did know a few of their tunes and Nick Lachey is easy on even the weakest of eyes. 

 Then after a brief intermission, they Heavens opened and the boys from Boston transcended. As usual, they were fantastic. They played all of the classics...Please Don't Go Girl...The Right Stuff...Step By Step...I'll Be Lovin' You Forever....Hangin' Tough. It was all that I could have ever asked for and more. After 25 years, they still make me feel the same. -

Although my big sister, Kellie, did not make this show, I know that she was there in spirit. I even felt a little sense of guilt when Joey Joe himself jumped into our section during Tonight. We may have pulled out each other's hair over some Tiger Beat posters, but these boys have helped to bring us closer together during our coming of age years.

Sorry Sister

But as usual, I wouldn't have traded my night for the world. For those of you who don't know, NKOTB has a song called Tonight...that starts something like "Remember when we said girl please don't go and how we'd be loving you forever....". Yes, I remember. And I also remember how it made me feel....young, energetic, free, and without a care in the world. Thank you Donnie, Joe, Jordan, Danny, and Jon for helping keep the girlhood spirit in me alive and well!

16 Year Old Me....

For whatever reason the other day, I came to the realization that I am now twice as old as I was at 16. That as of this moment, 16 was the mark of half of my life. I began to think back at how I was at 16 and what my hopes, fears, and dreams are. The unexpectedness that the next 16 years would have for me and how irrational fears would be subsided and the realities of life would set in.

With that being said, I thought to myself, if it were possible to somehow transcend the hands of time and send a Back II the Future style letter to the 16 year old me, what would I say?  And this is what I would want me to know.

Dear Katie,
     High school, learning to drive, and staying fashionable are not the tragedies that you think they are.  Over the next 16 years you will come to find out that the real worries in this life are things that will blindside you on an idle afternoon.  Things like saying good-bye to someone you love rather it be through death or twists of faith, getting a midnight phone call to let you know someone tried to hurt your loved one, but they are now OK, coming to the realization that nothing lasts forever, that friends come and go,  and being an eyewitness to just how debilitating sickness and disease can be. These things will all challenge your faith in humanity, but will bring you closer to the ones who truly love you and to those who you truly love. 
     People will piss you off. Friends will talk about you behind your back, boys won't call you when they say they will, and others will take your kindness for weakness. But all that is small stuff. Don't sweat that. In the long run, you will learn that taking the high road benefits those who piss you off just as much as it benefits you.
     There will be good times too. You will fall in and out of love and have the time of your life along the way. You will graduate from college and find your passion as a special education teacher and continue to chase your dreams as an advocate for children with special needs. You will earn a graduate degree and decide that you want your path to be in making a change in the world in education. Your sister will give you the most epic birthday present ever and take you to Vegas to see Dave. You will even come full circle when you watch the Cats cut down the nets for Number 8 in the Big Easy. 
     Some days you will laugh. Some days you will cry. Some days you will laugh through the tears and others you will cry from all the laughter. There will be good days, bad days, and days that are even worse. But remember this. Take it all one day at a time. It won't change the path.
Love, 
Me, you, us

Riding on the City of New Orleans

Recently, I had to take a trip I didn't want to make, but one that I always new was inevitable to come one day. I made the 600 mile drive to my hometown of Paducah, KY to say good-bye to my PaPaw who left this world after making footprints all over it for the past 89 years. He made footprints running up and down Old  Mayfield Road....he made history when he left his footprints on the shores of the Pacific fighting in the Battle of Tarawa....he also made footprints as a daddy, husband, friend, and "World's Greatest Papaw". 

Papaw in the Gilbert Islands in 1943

Serving in the United States Navy Acorn Unit #17 during the island hopping campaign

What is amazing, is that we always think we have heard all the stories (and Papaw was full of them). The stories of growing up, living through the depression, WWII, what life used to be like, and when those who are now the grown ups were once cool themselves. However, while I was with my family to celebrate his life, I found out a story about Paw that I never knew.....which has now become a story that I will never forget. 

Best Friends

It was no secret to anyone that Papaw didn't like music. When he got in the car he turned the ignition on and the radio off. However, there was one song that was always special in his heart....one that is now special in mine. In 1947 when he and Mamaw were young, crazy, and in love, they hopped a train to Mississippi to tie the knot. A trip that would solidify the future for their 3 kids, 7 grandkids, and a future generation that has yet to come. Fast forward to the 70s when my uncle was heavy into folk music and was playing the now classic rock hit, City of New Orleans. On this occasion, rather than telling him to turn the music off, he asked to hear it again. Because it reminded him of the train he and Mamaw took from Carbondale, IL all the way to Mississippi.....the train called The City of New Orleans. 

I've listened to that song a lot lately. I can't help but wonder what The City of New Orleans may have been like that day in 1947. What MaMaw and Papaw talked about and as they looked out the windows on their ride through the heartland. And as far as I'm concerned, they just punched their tickets for an eternal ride on The City of New Orleans. 

Just Married in 1947

I miss him so much already, because we loved each other so much and made so many memories together. Memories like ice cream on the river, walks in the park, and drinking black coffee with a pipe (his blew smoke....mine bubbles). In his own words "I'll see ya on the boat".

Cheers to 32 Years of Traveling Around the Sun....

32 years ago today was Thanksgiving Day 1980. I don't remember any details about that day, but I do know that it was a cold day in Paducah, KY, Jimmy Carter was the Commander in Chief, and the world was still in awe of finding out who shot J.R. My parents, who may have been looking forward to a festive meal with friends and family, were relieved to finally meet their baby, whom they had been told would enter the world sometime around Halloween (true story).

This past trip around the sun has been a great one. I got to kick one off my bucket list and watch my Cats cut down the nets, made a career change, and made memories with friends who are like family and family who are like friends. Here's to the next trip around the sun!

I think that the best thing about these 32 trips around the sun are the souvenirs that I got along the journey. The privileged that I was given to live in many places and learn that there are many walks of life that keep this world turning. The opportunities that I have been given to travel and experience different people and cultures. The education that I have earned and the career that I have built and the children I have met along the way that have taught me more than I can teach them. I am also grateful for the people who have come in my life and stayed as well as those who came into my life and left...they all served their purpose and made all these trips around the sun interesting.

So cheers to another year of traveling around the sun. Here's to the good, the bad, and the ugly. Without it, things would have just been boring.

Happy Birthday Mamaw!

Today marks the day of what would have been my Mamaw's 87th birthday. It was on this day, that many years ago that she made her arrival in Clarksville, TN. it was her arrival that paved the way for me. It was the beginning of her journey through adventures with her sisters, chasing dreams, falling in love, raising a family, and becoming a MaMaw. Her feet left this world with her, but her footprints are in my heart forever.

MaMaw in the middle with her brother Bubba and sister Lucille

There are so many things that I wish that I could tell her. Things like that sometimes on Sundays around 3 in the afternoon, I wish that I could pick up the phone and talk to her like we always did on Sundays around 3. I wish that she knew that I have a new teaching job this year and I could tell her about how much I love it. I want to tell her that sometimes when mom and I are watching a trashy reality show simultaneously and texting about how awful some people are, that we always mention how MaMaw would have gotten a laugh out of it too. I wish that I could tell her that I've tried really hard to make white gravy the way she told me how, but I realize that it's hard to imitate perfection. Most of all, I hope she knows how grateful I am that she came into this world 87 years ago and that every time I see a rainbow, I think of her and know, that some how, she is thinking of me too.

V is for Voting...

I waited on purpose to make this entry. Today is a special day for so many Americans. It is the day where we exercise our right to go to the polls and make the choices that we feel are in our own best interest. I will refrain from getting political, but I hope that every American made the trip to the voting booth today. It is crucial to make your voice heard. There is never an issue that "doesn't apply to you". Even though it may not have a direct effect, the indirect one will always be there. 

I guess I've always been a nerd. I remember being fascinated by politics as an early child. There is just something about it that I have always loved. Happy Election Day everyone!