Will the Real PK Please Stand Up?

Just when I thought my nickname was special and unique to me alone, my girlfriend returns from her honeymoon in Sun Valley with this picture. To make matters even worse, I'm not even that great of a skier!

The only perk is perhaps they offer discounts to those with the name "PK", which is great, since I love to ski so much!

Regretfully,
The Artist Formerly Known as PK

Happy National Pink Day!

Happy National Pink Day! Did you even know such a holiday existed?

Since we celebrate all these weird holidays at work, I'm actually bringing in these pink cupcakes for all of my co-workers to snack on. (This is what happens when caffeine enters my bloodstream after 7 p.m. - I become a baking fool!)

If you want to see some pretty pink projects from Paper Crafts latest special issue Card Creations, Volume 7, head on over to our Paper Crafts Connection blog today. We're also giving away some yummy pink product, so be sure to leave a comment to be entered into the drawing.

And be sure to tell us what you think of our pink outfits. We even got our designer Matt to don this flirty color! He must know my cousin who goes around saying, "Pink is pimp!" Of course, this is what you would expect of an 11-year-old. I guess Matt is just a highly-evolved man of the 21st century!

Here's to pink cupcakes!
PK

Happy Father's Day!

(Click on image to enlarge)

Dad was slightly annoyed he was left out of my There's No Place Like Home - Part 1 post. That's what you get when you're taking all of the photos, dude!

And since I can't spend today with him (I'm really going to miss that German chocolate cake!), here's a collage of my favorite photos of dear ol' dad. Bet you didn't know he was Indiana Jones!

Hope you enjoy your day, Dad!

Love,
PK and Lexus

Beef Cuts and Gravy

Although Lexus didn't get her fantasy day bed for her birthday, she did get to blow out a candle in her favorite can of dog food - Beef Cuts in Gravy!

She's usually afraid of fire, but the luring aroma of artificial beef soaking in imitation gravy was just too good to pass up. I think we singed a few whiskers, but she needed a trim anyway. Rafiki likes a clean shaven woman!

Lexus, as a belated birthday gift, I promise to take you to the "spa" (aka Petsmart) this weekend for a lavender-oatmeal bath and a bag of Greenies!

PK

Lexus' Birthday Wish

Lex-Pup's 49th birthday is tomorrow!

She was leafing through one of my interior design magazines and absolutely fell in love with this sunny day bed. She said she's waited almost 50 years to have a bed like this one. A place where her and Rafiki can lounge in the sun, sip pina coladas and flip through more interior design magazines!

Can anyone make her dream come true?

I sent this request out to my family and this is how they responded:

Ryan: "Lex-Pup obviously does not know we are in a recession."

Bonnie: "Collin is sooooo in! You know how much he loves that dog!"

Brooks: "Lex needs to learn to be happy with an old blanket and a crate. Send her up North and her Northern cousins will get her in check."

Debbie: "I will drink some water out of the toilet and lick clean McCall in her honor."

Collin: "You've gone off the deep end if you think I care about what that rat wants for its birthday."

Collin, Lexus apologized for that time she kissed you with tongue. She just couldn't help herself!

Happy birthday, Lex!
PK

There's No Place Like Home - Part 2

During my recent trip home to Texas, I just had to capture on film the "larger than life" attitude that most of its 20+ million residents exude on a daily basis.

Here's a few of my favorite quotes about The Lone Star State:

"I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here just as soon as I could." ~Texas bumper sticker

"Texas is neither southern nor western. Texas is Texas." ~Senator William Blakley

"If a man’s from Texas, he’ll tell you. If he’s not, why embarrass him by asking?" ~U.S. journalist John Gunther

And here's some pictures that really do sum up the phrase "everything's bigger here."

How's this for a Texas greeting? Not quite sure if she's advertising food or something else, but she sure is friendly!

Texans take their alma maters, football, and their big cars very seriously. Case in point.

Texans also take their food very seriously. And we don't mince words. This here is the "Big Ass Burger", as it appeared on the menu. My uncle ordered it and made no apologies for finishing it. If your appetite isn't quite as big, they do offer the "Half Ass Burger".

While I was home, we visited Bubba's Chicken Restaurant for some good ol' Southern grub. Everyone is served biscuits, buttered corn, green beans and mashed potatoes. You then get to pick your entree. We all ordered the sinful fried chicken and chicken fried steak. We were joined by Bubba himself, who is a permanent fixture at many of the larger tables. My cousin Carter cozied up to him and even shared a root beer float with this old timer.

I think Bubba wrote this sign that hung above our table.

And after all of our good eats, we retired to my mom's house to celebrate Laurie's birthday (again!) with a homemade cake and Blue Bell ice cream - a staple in every Texan's freezer. We couldn't find a number seven candle, so we had to improvise with seven single candles.

With so much good food resting in our bellies, it wasn't long before Laurie and her pup Charlie snuggled up for a late afternoon nap.

This is the Texas I know and love!

PK

There's No Place Like Home - Part 1

Last weekend I flew home to The Lone Star State for my youngest sister's 27th birthday. My middle sister used her sales rep connections and got us a dinner reservation at the new restaurant 560 by Wolfgang Puck. Housed inside the 560 foot-tall Reunion Tower, the restaurant offers 360-degree views of downtown Dallas as the dining room actually revolves!

View of Reunion Tower from the street.

View of downtown Dallas from our table.

I had my own little "reunion" as I snapped this picture of the Dallas skyline. I worked in the tallest building you see here for three years. My work commute is much different now!

Cute picture of me and the middle sister, Holly. Prior to dinner that night, we were ladies of leisure as we lunched, shopped and got matching mani's and pedi's.

Sexy picture of the mama. I'm pretty sure you'll find this on Match.com!

With our bellies full of non-seafood (560 specializes in sushi...a big no-no for ALL of the Smith girls!), we posed outside while good ol' dad brought the car around.

A vertical view of Reunion Tower at dusk. During the holidays, the lights randomly blink like they're set to Christmas carols!

Yes, these are Christian Louboutin's pumps. Sadly, not mine. The middle sister let the birthday girl wear them for our evening out on the town. When she kicked them off that night, I just had to squeeze my size 9 foot into these 8 1/2 beauties. Ssh! Don't tell Holly! (And just in case you're wondering, they're the most uncomfortable shoes I've ever worn! Beauty is pain, people!)

Laurie, I hope you enjoyed your high society birthday!

Love,
PK

P.S. Part 2 is much more my speed. Stay tuned!

88 Years Young!

There are so many things I love about my Grandma Norma. I love that she greets each day by reading a selection from The Daily Word and then warms up her lovely sopranic voice by singing scales. I can still hear her say, "Your voice is a muscle. If you don't use it, you lose it."

It's that same voice and determination that carried her through World War II as a USO performer to the many stages she's since stood on. One poignant memory was seeing her don her WWII uniform in 1992, 50 years after she first wore it, to sing a duet with my Mom in a production of South Pacific. Seeing the two of them perform and then clasp hands as they took their final bow was truly amazing.

And she continues to amaze us all even though she recently lost her beloved partner of 47 years.

So on this day, her 88th birthday, I'd like to honor a lady who has sprinkled her special brand of grandmotherly love and opened my eyes to all the wonderful things life has to offer. And Grandma, just in case you missed today's Daily Word, I pulled it for you:

Divine Order - May 19, 2009

All is in divine order. I know this truth; I live this truth today and every day. Divine order is established in my life. The spirit of God is working in and through me to guide my ways and light my path. All my circumstances and experiences are brought into a harmonious balance.

I put God first as I go within for guidance. Therefore, my decisions are made with confidence and faith. In the silence of prayer, I clear my mind and refresh my spirits so that my thinking is constructive and illumined. I remain open at all times to receive what God is offering me.

The indwelling spirit of God is both my motivation and my inspiration, encouraging me to look for and expect good. I meet every experience with this expectation and with the understanding that all is in divine order.

"You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways."--Job 22:28

Happy birthday to someone whose light will always shine!

Love,

PK

No Business Like Show Business!

So I'm super excited about the upcoming release of Matthew McConaughey's new movie Ghost of Girlfriends Past! As many of you know, I have been a die hard fan of this SMA (Sexiest Man Alive) since he first graced the cover of Vanity Fair way back in 1996.

But you may not know that Matthew and I starred in our own little movie called The Web Site Planner back in 2001. Since it was a parody of that other movie he did with JLo, it went straight to video, but what do I care! I made a movie with Matthew freakin' McConaughey!

So it seems the movie business runs in the family. Steven Spielberg recently saw my dad on a plane and approached him about doing the fifth installment of Indiana Jones. (I guess Harrison bowed out due to arthritis.) Anyway, here's the cover of an upcoming Entertainment Weekly featuring my Dad as Indiana Jones! It's going to be the biggest blockbuster of the summer!

Who says dreams don't come true in America?

See you at the movies!
PK

Roses are Red, Violets are Aqua

My good friend Jeana announced on Feb. 12 that her and her sweetie Mark were getting married on May 30. The sneaky devil figured she would be expecting a Valentine's Day proposal, so he jumped the gun a couple days early and proposed when she would least expect it - a Thursday night!

The Happy Couple: Jeana and Mark

This past weekend Jeana and I helped our mutual friend Ann celebrate the big 30. When talk turned to Jeana's upcoming bridal shower, I immediately said, "I can design the invitations!" You can imagine my surprise when Jeana said, "And the shower is two weeks from today." Gulp.

But to tell you the truth, I thrive on pressure and there's nothing like a deadline to kick my butt into maximum creative mode. So I came home that very night and whipped up this gatefold invitation in Jeana's wedding colors - red and aqua.

This is why I love stamping! Just ink up your stamp and you can mass produce anything!

And here's the inside. I found the text online and thought it was perfect for a lingerie shower.

In case you can't read the first few lines, it says, "Toasters, blenders, and vases are grand gifts indeed, but let's give the bride-to-be something she'll really need!" Isn't that cute?

Now all I have to do is get a final headcount so I know how many of these lovely invites I get to make, address and drop in the mail by Wednesday (okay, maybe Thursday, but most definitely by Friday). Perhaps I should have started with that little bit of information, huh? Oh, well. As my uncle would say, "It's all for the cause." And this cause is well worth it.

Here's to Coke ('cause I'm gonna need it!),
PK

Cruella Deville

My cousin Ryan was recently out to dinner with his three-year-old daughter McCall. While they were waiting for their food to arrive, Ryan and McCall were practicing her letters on the menu. They got to the letter "K" and Ryan said, "Okay, now what word has the letter "K" in it?"

Without missing a beat, McCall said, "PK!"

When Ryan called to tell me this last night, I immediately let out a big "Ah, that's so sweet! I can't believe she remembers me."

But before I could let this little bit of news go to my head, Ryan said, "Wait there's more..."

Apparently McCall followed up this declaration with, "I want to talk to PK. She took my puppy!"

Aha! The moment of truth. I remembered for being a puppy snatcher. Hopefully McCall hasn't seen that classic Disney movie starring a crazy woman named Cruella Deville. I can just see Ryan's next dinner date with McCall...

"McCall, what word starts with the letter "C"?

"PK?"

McCall and Lexus in happier times. October, 2008.

The Stowaway

stow⋅a⋅way 
noun: a person who hides aboard a ship or airplane in order to obtain free transportation or elude pursuers.

Up until now, my sister's dog Charlie hasn't shown a whole a lot of clever ingenuity - which is most definitely a trait of the Italian Greyhound breed. We just assumed he was more the lover, not the fighter type. In fact, my dad likes to say my Iggy Lexus is the smart and mean one and Charlie is the dumb and sweet one. That characterization rang true until Charlie did something very mischievous this past weekend...

Laurie was packing up her car for a little road trip. She was only going to be gone one day, but that one day was clearly too long for Charlie, who is quite attached to his new mommy. As Laurie finished packing the car, she went back in the house to say goodbye. She called for him several times but he never came to her - which is very unCharlie. She went back outside and called his name some more, but there was still no sign of Charlie. She was just about to really panic when she noticed two little eyes peering out from the TRUNK of her car!

Our clever Charlie had climbed in on his own accord and made himself a little bed amidst all the bags and clutter. He was apparently going along for the ride, no matter what his momma said!

And since Laurie is the budding photographer (she was actually on her way to a photo shoot), she whipped out her camera and snapped these priceless images!

Welcome to the party, Charlie! We were wondering when you were going to show up!

PK

P.S. Lexus says now that you've shown some backbone and outsmarted the humans, you can be her boyfriend.

Spring Has Sprung!

I love springtime. I always have. I love how every living thing seems to perk up and open its eyes simultaneously. Not to mention, springtime also signals that warmer weather is on its way. So even if we're not pulling out the flip-flops just yet, you know it's only a matter of time.

All last week on the Paper Crafts Connection blog, we were promoting our latest special issue Stamp It! Cards. Lots of fun, lots of free giveaways. Since last Friday marked the first day of spring, I had everyone leave a comment telling me their favorite spring-inspired quote.

Here's a few of my favorites:

"Spring makes me feel all flowery inside." ~Alyssa, age 5

"A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." ~Maya Angelou

"The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring." ~Bern Williams

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." ~Hal Borland

“Close your eyes and do not peek, and I’ll rub spring across your cheek. Smooth as satin, soft and sleek, close your eyes and do not peek.” ~Eileen Fisher

And here's a few of my favorite springtime photos:

Holly and I at the Dallas Arboretum, March 2006.

Posing in front of my favorite flower, the yellow rose of Texas, Washington, D.C, 2006

My cousin's daughter McCall sitting in a field of Texas bluebonnets, April 2007

Celebrating my girlfriends' birthdays last spring (From left: me, Ann, Jeana and Andrea). Since Ann and Andrea share the same birthday (April 12), we all went to dinner to celebrate. Don't we look all spring-y in our pastel outfits?

Here's to lovely spring!
PK

Look Who's 30, Flirty and Fabulous!

Happy birthday to our little St. Patty's baby who doesn't look a day over 28...well, maybe 29!

For each petal on the shamrock.
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.

Hope you've enjoyed your walk down memory lane!
Love, PK

Best Birthday Card Ever!

My sister Laurie has always had fun with her Hallmark greeting cards. I think she inherits this gift from my Dad. He's been known to stock up on discounted cards and then send them out on random occasions like half birthdays, June 25 (the other Christmas) and the ever exciting Tuesday.

So when my sister's card arrived this week, I couldn't wait to open up the envelope. Would it congratulate me on my recent adoption of a third world baby or pat me on my back for my successful completion of menopause. (I kid you not, we've covered both of these in the past!)

Luckily, she actually got the occasion right this time - my birthday. And while I appreciate the sweet and sappy cards from my Mom and Grandma, there's nothing like getting a card that makes you laugh so hard you almost wet yourself. I'll let you be the judge...

Inside: "Wishing you a great big happy birthday."

Maybe it isn't P.I.M.P. (Pee-in-my-pants) funny, but it sure struck a cord with me. Perhaps it's because I envision myself saying this one day. Considering I just went through menopause, it will be here before you know it!

Thanks for the belly laugh, Lou!
PK

Happy 75th Birthday, Grandma!

Gwen Buehler Smith - 75 Years Young

Four children + 11 grandchildren + 1 great-grandchild = A Lifetime of Priceless Memories

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Love, PK

Someday My Prince Will Come

Aunt Laurie called PK today to say she was adopting a handsome puppy named Dreamer. Since the news came on Valentine's Day, Lexus let out a sigh and said,

"Fairy tales really do come true."

Happy Cupid Day!

PK

Are You Having Diva Day?

Today I had the opportunity to be on the online crafting show Diva Craft Lounge. Hosted by Danielle Forsgren and Rayme Royale, the show literally has a global reach as they now broadcast in 95 countries.

With so many exciting things going on at Paper Crafts, we had no trouble filling the time - in fact I think we went over. We talked about the magazine's new blog Paper Crafts Connection and our new special issue Stamp It! Cards.

If you're interested in hearing me gab (and have 20 minutes to spare!), click here. If not, no hard feelings. Although if you're related to me, it's your duty to listen and tell me if I talked too fast, sounded nervous, nasally or Southern.

Have a Diva Day!
PK

Karma

With all my recent car troubles (see bulleted list below), this little story brought a smile to my face. Now if only this karma could find my insurance rep, who so quickly (and gleefully!) denied my windshield claim.

"The goal of all inanimate objects is to resist man and ultimately defeat him." ~Russell Baker

PK's Car Woes (as of Jan. 4, 2009):

• replaced front bumper (due to accident involving black ice)
• replaced driver's side rear hubcap (unknown cause)
• when leaned down to examine new hubcap, I noticed a undiagnosed crack in rear bumper ($#%@!)
• oh, and the tire man said I had no tread on my front two tires (even though I bought said crappy tires less than a year ago)
• replaced rear bumper (due to accident involving black ice)
• when I picked up car from body shop (second time in two weeks), I noticed a foot-long crack in windshield that wasn't there when I dropped it off (due to "invisible rock chip" - at least that's what the insurance man is calling it)
• replaced front tires (did I mention my old tires were less than a year old?)
• still need to replace windshield (this will be my third windshield in 2 1/2 years)

"A woman and a man are involved in a car accident on a snowy, cold morning; it's a bad one. Both of their cars are totally demolished, but amazingly neither of them are hurt. God works in mysterious ways.

After they crawl out of their cars, the man is yelling about women drivers.

The woman says, 'So, you're a man. That's interesting. I'm a woman. Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left, but we're unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should be friends and live in peace for the rest of our days.'

Flattered, the man replies, 'Oh yes, I agree completely, this must be a sign from God! But you're still at fault...women shouldn't be allowed to drive.'

The woman continues, 'And look at this, here's another miracle. My car is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune.'

She hands the bottle to the man. The man nods his head in agreement, opens it and drinks half the bottle and then hands it back to the woman. The woman takes the bottle, puts the cap back on and hands it back to the man.

The man asks, 'Aren't you having any?'

The woman replies, 'No. I think I'll just wait for the police...'"

Isn't karma a funny thing?
PK

Selling with the Stars

I've been a fan of ABC's Dancing with the Stars since the very first season. I love how they can turn uncoordinated, washed-up stars into overnight dancing sensations with a little bit of training and a very good make-up and wardrobe department. And the spray tanning doesn't hurt either.

So you can imagine my total surprise when my own uncoordinated sister Holly (sorry, babe) announced to the family that she too was going to be on this hit reality show. Excuse, moi? How does a pharmaceutical rep from Dallas get on THE Dancing with the Stars? This girl has always been lucky (her birthday is on St. Patrick's Day), but c'mon!

Holly has always had a thing for fancy gowns!

Turns out, we were all mistaken. It wasn't Dancing with the Stars she was going to be on. It's Selling with the Stars. It's a new dance show sweeping the pharmaceutical industry. It's where attractive and toned reps battle it out to see which product performs the best under pressure. Holly just sent me a demo video to preview. I guess their pitching the networks next week. Can you imagine my little sis tango-ing her way to the top. In the world of pharmaceuticals, nothing is impossible!

Enjoy the show!
PK



P.S. In all seriousness, Holly spent last week in Las Vegas at her company's annual sales conference. They thought it would be fun to put this little video together to motivate everyone to sell. When it came to picking their star, Holly, who has some acting under her belt, was the obvious choice. They even flew her up to New York for the shoot. Like I said, nothing is impossible in the world of pharmaceuticals!