* tap tap *

Is this thing on?

* tap tap *

It's just me, checking in again, albeit way late ...

It's cold in McKinney, there's ice on my car, my garage is full, my storage unit is full, my daughter sold her car and she's driving Rick's now.  He's carless and hating it.  We spent the evening at WalMart last night (whee) and I came home with a new trash can.  Again, whee.  We're headed to a basketball game tonight and I'm looking forward to eating the peanuts.  I'm carb-free now ... so I'm hoping I can have the peanuts. 

Liz has a new job at a book publishing firm and she's just been promoted to a publicist.  Ted Danson's ex-wife is one of her clients and that seems to be all she can talk about ... Casey Danson this and Casey Danson that ...

And I'm in the process of buying a new car.  My lease is up in April and I want to have another car all ready to go.  Like now.  I can't seem to stay off of car-buying websites.  Jeep. 

Low carb, SUV, Cirque D'Soleil, Sunroof ... those are the only words in my vocabulary anymore.

Maybe summer.  That word figures in there pretty often, too.

Jeep.

playing wright

What's that, Kris?  You're finally playing right?

Nope. Nope. Nope.

I am, however, about to play with a scriptwriter.  Yup, I am.  Sitting here in the same place that ol' Chris Jacobs sat, doing some research about ol' David Lancey and then, trudging forward with a ...

... a play.  You heard me wright.  A PLAY.

There's this lady ... who liked my Jody Dean story (remember when I got married on KLUV radio?) (she's a bit behind the times ...) and somehow thought that I'd be a good candidate contestant SUBJECT for a one-woman show for a play.  After I quit laughing, I told her about the rest of my life.

She then watched "Long Lost Family" and decided that I'd still be a good subject.  I was still laughing.  Then I showed her "Long Lost Family: What Happened Next."  I almost lost her there.

Seriously, she liked that one the best.  She's a nut.

So, here we are ... sitting in the same place that ol' Chris Jacobs sat when he PRETENDED to figure out that my true last name wasn't Bowen but Bowman (okay, that lie still bothers me) and we are going forward with this "one woman show" about my life.

There's only one problem.

I don't want to be that woman.  I don't want to act.  I'm so DONE with acting.  You might even say that I'm over acting.  Literally.  I do OVERACT.  Either way, I don't want to be her.  Is Julia Roberts available?

And then there's only one problem.  (That's two, if you're counting.)

The wrighter of plays isn't here.  I'm either being stood up ... or I'm being stood up.  Or maybe she's just late.  Maybe she wrote herself a better play.  I know I would've.

Sigh.

I'm gonna have to write my own play now.  And star in it.  And produce and dance and sing ...  And we all know that ain't gonna happen.  I can't find my tap shoes anywhere ...

;)

in case you were wondering ...

 ... and I understand if you weren't, but this is the house where Janette (my new mom) was held captive in for nigh on one year.  It was rented to her captor (with bogus money, I'm sure) and in the captor's eyes, they lived as husband and wife.  Her little son lived there, too.

The captor (Lancey) only left her side once.  And the moment he drove his beautiful aqua blue '57 Belaire Chevrolet down that driveway and off the property, she took off with her son in tow and their little suitcase and all the pocket money she could find on Lancey's dresser top.

Here's a photo of the driveway that she watched him drive down.

You think she was scared?  I'll bet I've never known fear like that.  Ever.  Oh wait, I was a part of her at that time.  Still.

And below is the home that she ran to, begging the gentleman inside to drive her to the bus station.  Which he did.

And, the rest is history.

Until, that is, little Krissy gets a hold of the story and researches it to death.  Yep, there's more.

But you'll have to wait for the book to come out.  And no, I'm not writing it.  I'm not good enough to put my pen to this one.

;)

.

So ...

So we got the flood in the garage cleaned up.
A few weeks later, we got the flood in the kitchen cleaned up.
A few days later, we got the flood under the sink cleaned up.

And now, I'm busy cleaning up the flood of damage that my little show caused.  Who knew?

Let's see.  My new mom saw a photo of her kidnapper.  My new mom began to have flashbacks.  Nice.  My new half-sister isn't happy about everyone calling her dad a monster.  She also isn't happy that I agreed with everyone.  Never mind that I also said he seemed nice.

My new 'not sister' found out that she isn't a sister and that her dad isn't her dad.  And her real sister isn't her sister, either.

I found out that I look awful on TV.  And I have horrible taste in clothes.

My daughter and husband made it on TV this time.  They looked funny.  I didn't though.

I found out that I get very nervous seeing myself on TV.  I also don't want to anymore.  I'm also lying.  I'm dying to continue this story.

I found out that there's a book being written about all of this.  And a movie is supposed to come from this.  Should I hold my breath?

And finally, the producer of Long Lost Family told me there's no more to come.

I decked her.


.

ROLL 'EM!

We are two days away from a new chapter in my life.  Well, I already know the outcome.  It's all good.  I am excited, though.  All of the peeps that came to my original viewing party (and supported me through that torture!) are all coming back to our house on Sunday night to view this debacle mushpot fabulous show again.   And I am happy about that.  Even a flood in my house couldn't completely dampen my spirits.

Pun unintended.

But, there's still some melancholy here.   It's coming to an end.  I can't imagine that there's anymore to show.  I can't imagine there's any more story to tell.  I DON'T WANT THIS TO END!!!

Sigh.  Sigh.....

And yet .... the ol' book is now free to go!  And written it is.  A writer has been furiously writing away and waiting and waiting till we were all free to roll.  And rolling we are.  Good grief are we rolling.

ROLL 'EM!

The girl with issues is ready to roll!

;)

Julie, Julie, July, Do you love me?

July has been interesting.  To say the least.

Here's a rundown of my life of late ...

Another shoot date for Long Last Family was confirmed today.  I will need to be in LA on August 2nd and 3rd to meet my new sister.  New?  Well, my sister.  Apparently the only sister I have on 'dear ol' dad's' side of the family.  Am I excited?  Yep.  To shoot, to film.  To meet my sister?  Eh.

Do you think she looks like me?

She (sis) is the one on the right.  No one thinks she looks like me.  I, however, think we could be twins.  But what do I know ... I see zero resemblance in my biological mother and myself.

That's my mom on the left.  That's me in the center.  See?  No resemblance.  

Thank you.

So what else did July bring to me?

A new car for Rick

A new car for me

A new tenant upstairs in our guest bedroom

A new tenant upstairs in Elizabeth's bedroom

A cat in the guest bedroom

A cat in Elizabeth's bedroom.

The cat in the guest room now owns this entire house.  Just ask him.

200 more cracks in our house here.

A hole in our roof.

A leak in the master bedroom below the hole in the roof.

Leaky window seals just outside of Elizabeth's windows

... leading to 

A hole in the roof of our closet in our guest bedroom.

We have a very holy house.

Midnight is still with us.

But Midnight has a few problems.

Midnight makes a few messes in our house.  Guess who 

   cleans them up?

I was invited to be a 'ghost writer' on a book on

... adoption.  

I need to GET STARTED on my portion of said book.

I CAN'T GET STARTED on the book!!

I worked part time at our local theater.

I hated working part time at our local theater.

And the biggest moment of my July?  

I.  Hung.  Up.  All.  Of.  My.  Clothes.

You don't know how pretty my closet looks now.

You don't know how crowded my closet is now.

You don't know how many dumb, ugly clothes I own.

You don't know how many dumb, ugly clothes I'm 

... planning on getting rid of.

NONE!!

And so, my closet remains stuffed, pretty, and full of

... dumb, ugly clothes.

Sigh.

Heading out of town tomorrow ... just me.

Heading out of town tomorrow ... if I can convince

   Rick to stay home.  Wish me luck.

And then, I head to CA to shoot. film.

Although, if it doesn't go well, I may want to be shot.

AND ... THEN I TAKE A TRAIN TRIP!!!

Elizabeth and I are taking a train from LA to Dallas!!!

I watch too much I Love Lucy.

Pretty much how I'll look on the train ... 

when I figure out that it's a 2 day trip and it isn't a five-star hotel.

.

more money news

We bit the bullet and decided to ask for help.  I certainly don't like doing it ... but it IS for Rick.  Rick needs all the help he can get right now without any of the worry.

So ... here goes.

Support Team Rick - Go Fund Me 

This is how my little tribute/plea starts:

Meet Rick Kahle ~  one of the strongest men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing...

I'm not proud to be asking for help... but it's bound to help more than this!

Although, just for the record, I'm am pretty proud of this...

.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire???

Me!  Me!  Pick MEEEE!!!!

All of my financial troubles are over.  I got a ROYALTY check for my book!!  I didn't know anyone cared.  I didn't know anyone would still buy it.  But SOMEONE did!!!  Wheeee!

I'm rich!!

Hang on Rick!  You get to stay in rehab after all!!!!!

For about a minute anyway ...

.

Arrivederci, Roma

Hoo dawg, that striped background was annoying.  How do you like the bright yellow one?  Too bright?

Weigh in and I'll see if I need to change it again.  Sometimes I get a bit restless and change things up ... about 100 times before I settle on something.  Remind me not to settle on those bright stripes again.

By the way ...

SCHOOL'S OUT!   Not for me but for all the little kiddos.  It won't be SUMMER for me until June 17th but you know what?  I am just fine with that.  The kiddos are gone and the place will be quiet for a change.  Well, here's hoping.

And you know what?  I have several projects planned for my summer vacation.  I'm planning to clean up all of my flash drives, I plan to clean out my closet and I plan to organize and put ALL of my THOUSANDS of photographs into photo albums.  That last one?  My first priority.  Pray that I actually get it done.  I have six weeks.  GO!

And with all that said, there's one more thing that I'm going to admit now.  There's a book on the horizon.  I swore I'd never write another one especially since I was so unhappy with the first one.  But a lot of the problems with the first one were the fault of the publisher.  There's a new publisher on the horizon, too.  And ... on your mark, get set, GO!  Again.  Details to follow.

In the meantime, may the words of Alice Cooper ring out loud and clear ....

         SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

when God speaks ...

... I should listen.  But instead I put my fingers in my ears and run off crying like a baby.  Yep, I do.

Tonight, in the midst of some harsh money troubles, I decided to transfer my last $500 from my Paypal account to my personal bank account.  The money in my Paypal account is money that I've accumulated from my sales on eBay and various garage sales and my book sales.  I had proudly accumulated $500 there and didn't even touch it for my latest vacation.

Soooo, it was available for me to refill my checking account after a few missteps that Rick made while I was away.

I whipped out my little "square" and pushed it into my phone and swiped my Paypal card and VOILA!  $500 immediately transferred ... straight to my church.  I kid you not.

Lesson learned.  Make sure you are logged out of your church's account first.

So, uh, when God speaks ... you give.

Before I proceed ...

So... before I share photos and such, I thought I'd show you what our "call sheet" looked like.  Well, the 'show outline' or whatever the professionals actually call it.  Oh there it is... FINAL TIMELINE.  That's it.  Not that it matters.

Where:

CBS Radio Tower, 4131 North Central Expressway (US 75), southwest corner of Central and Fitzhugh, Dallas, 10th Floor

When:

Albertson's - 7am (decorate Control Room, cake and refreshments to the 10th Floor Conference Room)

John Baldwin - 7:10

Harpist Laurel McConkey - 7:15 (set up and ready in Control Room by 7:30)

Blue Bell Ice Cream - 7:30 (10th Floor Conference Room)

Kate Weiser - 7:30 (10th Floor Conference Room)

All other guests and participants please arrive NO LATER than 7:30.

Guests:

Rick & Kris Kahle (couple, 2)

Elizabeth Kahle (daughter of the couple, 1)

Paul & Linda Allen (sister of the groom, 2)

John Baldwin (minister, 1)

Tim Koltzak (photographer, 2)

Laurel McConkey (harpist)

Nancy Davis (Blue Bell Ice Cream, 3)

Kate Weiser (Kate Weiser Chocolates)

Carol Roberts (Albertson's, 3)

Fiona Pestell

CBS-11 News (1-2)

RUNDOWN

7:05 - Rebekah's College of Hollywood Knowledge

7:08 - Traffic & Break

7:25 - Rebekah's College of Hollywood Knowledge (with John Baldwin)

7:30 - Harpist begins playing

7:35 - Interview harpist

7:38 - Traffic & Break

7:45 - Red Carpet Rebekah (lobby)

7:50 - Interview Albertson's & Blue Bell representatives

7:55 - Break

8:00 - Groom, minister, Jody, David in studio. Harpist begins processional. CBS Market President Brian Purdy enters with bride. Vows renewed

8:04 - Interview couple, champagne toast

8:08 - Traffic & Break

8:15 - Tribute to the Couple, Toast, First Dance

8:25 - Recap, Conclude

Whee!  Getting this was fun!  I loved seeing all the goings-on in the control booth.  Control Room?  Studio.  We'll go with that.  It sounds better!

~ K

.

allie's army

My heart has been touched again, by a beautiful young lady who has lupus ... the dreaded LUPUS. 

I met Allie Brown a few years ago and was so taken with her.  She's an absolute delight.

And now I'm volunteering my time to help this young lady out with a gala/fundraiser in August to help her parents raise the money to fund her medical bills.  If you feel so inclined to donate, please do.  If not, please pray for Allie.  That's actually just as good.

Please read her story:

2011

So just what did I learn in 2011?  I've had a whole week to reflect on that thought.   Not that I spent the entire week wondering... 'cuz I did have to play with my new Christmas CD player, you know.  And I had to try on my new slippers.  And wear them around... to break them in.

Okay, okay.  The thought did cross my mind many times during the week.  But I just didn't have all the answers.  Now I do.

In 2011, I learned about Celiac Sprue aka Celiac Disease.  Elizabeth was diagnosed with this illness in May and we all have a good handle on it now.  Never mind that little episode in October that sent me flying to Tucson in an awful big hurry.  I learned that Celiac Sprue has been the cause of a lot of discomfort for my poor child.  I learned that even a speck of gluten consumed by her can send her to bed for days, aching.  I also learned that if my child eats at Taco Bell ever again, we can expect to see an awful lot of vomit come out of said child.  And I learned that only Stanley Steemer is brave enough to tackle cleaning it up off the floor and walls.

In 2011, I learned to cook a completely gluten free Thanksgiving meal that my child raved about.  I was pretty darn proud of it myself.  I learned that I am capable of helping my little baby girl have a decent meal on one of my favorite holidays.  I also learned that goat's butter and almond milk taste pretty decent, too.  Gluten free bread, however, does not.

2011 brought me a trip to California for my dear cousin Amy's wedding.  On 11-11-11.  I have learned that if one plans a wedding on a beach, in California, on 11-11-11, one had better have a back up plan in case it rains.  Even though it never rains in Southern California.  'Cept on your wedding day.

2011 taught me that my cousin Courtney is very talented.  She is touring the world with a Broadway bound show entitled "Bring It On - The Musical."  I was fortunate enough to see that show in LA on 11-12-11.  It was still raining.  I'll also be seeing the show on 2-14-12 in Dallas.  It better not be raining then.  But it probably will be.  Just 'cuz.

2011 saw me not only write, but publish, my long dreamed of book of Rick's journey out of Lupus.  It suddenly was no longer just talk, it became a tangible book.  One that Rick has been very good at marketing for me.

2011 saw Rick finish a project, too.  One that he's worked on since 1997, nearly 15 years ago.  Rick was shorted his military pension back then, never knowing that there was ever anything out there for him... and once he discovered this, he began battling all of the red tape to get his due benefit.  2011 was the year that Rick learned just who to contact, where that person was and just how to do it.  We visited the VA in Dallas, Texas and finally got the ball rolling.  It almost doesn't even matter that we've been after this golden ring for 14 1/2 years.  Almost doesn't matter, anyway.

I've learned, in 2011, that life is fragile.  And no matter how hard you pray, God really does know better about when He is going to call someone home.  And we have to accept it.  And realize that perhaps God just has a better plan for our lives and for the lives of our dear friends.  And as fragile as a life can be... I learned that one man's love for his child can keep him enduring an awful lot of chemotherapy. 

I learned that having five free days off of work due to a terrible ice storm is fun.  Driving on the ice to get to the only grocery store in town that's open because you didn't stock your pantry is not. 

I learned that I can give up caffeine and not have a headache.  I had always thought that it was a given that I would suffer tragically.  Not ture.  I gave it up and I was fine the very next day. 

I also learned that there aren't very many good substitutes for diet coke.  I then learned to carry a lot of coins in my car for regular stops at Sonic because they DO have a substitute for diet coke.  Diet Cherry Limeade.  However, I learned that there are no Sonics in California and if you go there for a wedding... you'd better have found something else to drink. And I did.  I found diet coke.  I will have to learn in 2012 how to give up diet coke again.

And finally, I learned what it feels like to live in Rick's body.  He walks around in constant pain, suffering from Scoliosis and awaiting some back surgery.  I forget that he's in constant pain and I scold him when the dishes aren't done, etc.  I have now learned that I am a big baby when I simply cough and throw my back out... and have to have help with the simple tasks of life.  I learned that Rick does not treat me the way that I treat him.  I've got a lot to learn in 2012.

2011 was a very good year for the Kahles if you exclude the few health issues we encountered.  It was a year of firsts and a year of bests.  I directed my very first play... a local dinner theatre production of a Christmas play that I helped to write.  It was also the first time that Rick and I were empty-nesters.  And it was the best year yet for accomplishments.  There was a book written, there will soon be some military compensation for Rick and there was a trip to Capitol Hill in Washington DC to speak to Congress and a few Senators.  And to meet up with an old roommate of mine that works in the Pentagon.  Yes, it has been our best year yet.  It just has.

And now, ladies and gentlemen... may I present to you 2012.  May she top 2011 in a big way.  And if not, may she at least match it!

Love,
Kris
.

It had been a little while...

... so I thought I'd check on things.  By things, I mean my book.  By check on, I mean't I wanted to see if it was still for sale in a few places.  It was and I found it in a most auspicious place.

Would you believe Japan?

Honest Injun!

Look!


1. Biography/Autobiography - BookWebPro 洋書検索


- [ Translate this page ]

High Top Tennies, Rick Kahle and a Whole Lotta' Prayer (PAP) -US- Kahle, Kris Kellar 2011/05 (Iuniverse Inc) ISBN:9781462017706 US$11.95 ...

bookwebpro.kinokuniya.co.jp/booksea.cgi?W-RTM=170... - Cached

I especially like that little jibberish bit up there at the top.
 
But hey... I'm now an international writer, I guess.  I mean ... sure!  I am!  I am!  Uh, just don't look for the book in any other country but Japan.
 
I wonder how strait jacket translates... kimono?  Yeah, that's it.  I had Rick placed into a kimono one night.

I'm sure he's never forgiven me, either.
.

Here's something I've tried not to talk too much about lately...

... but I couldn't help myself today.

I googled my book.  I googled me. 

Google laughed.  Googled had never heard of me and, in fact, tried to correct my spelling.  I hate Google.

NO, I DID NOT MEAN   'kris keller kahle'.    Jeesh.

And just to show Google... I googled again.  

Google still had the last laugh.  Look what Google threw my way this time...

So, I went ahead and ordered the book in Swahili.  Why not?  Might make for a very interesting story!
.

Is it me?

... or is there a typo on this hat?  A really, really bad typo?

Seriously... even I can see that?  Even if I can't see the two that I left in my book.

:)

Toot Toot!

I am not one to toot my own horn.  Never have been, never will be.  But I am going to share a review with you that really touched my heart.  More than you'll know...

I wanted to tell you that I am on the edge of my seat as I read... I've fallen off the darn thing 3 times now...  but I am so engrossed.  Its very uplifting.  Good job, Kris.

That was from Lynn Gies in Fresno.  I love Lynn. 

And uplifting works for me!  That's music to my ears.

.

I got my first review last night...

It was not great.  It was not bad.  It was so so.

But even 'so so' made me feel good.  I have been so, so... (see... 'so so' fits) so... shall we say 'confused' over the book that 'so so' is good.  Yeah, that's confusing, too.

What I've been feeling is sad.  Sad that my book came out looking so much different than I had expected.  When I saw the final product, I felt it needed chapters.  It didn't seem formatted right.  It seemed to run together.

The person who gave me the review convinced me that it didn't need chapters and it was formatted correctly. 

However, he told me to tell people that it reads like a blog.  Not a manuscript.

Okay... consider it done.

MY BOOK IS WRITTEN LIKE A BLOG.  

Gee, I wonder how it got into that format?
.

Let's see...

... it's Tuesday, I think.  Hard to tell when you're deep into your summer.  DEEP into your summer.  Doesn't matter that I've only been off work for two days.  It's feels like more.  Like at least three or four.

And since I've been off, I've had a lot of time to reflect on life. 

And I've come up with some really, really important stuff.  Okay, so I stole it.  But it's still important.

First... I wear my glasses more now.  I've had them since I was 19 but I've only just figured out that I can't see very well.

Second... I've discovered that I don't really like exercising.  Actually I've known that since before I was 19 but I've just voiced it for the first time.  Or second.  Or five-hundredth.

I've just discovered there are two typos in my book.  I think I'll hold a contest to see who can find them.  I don't think anyone's read the book yet, though.  Or at least no one has said anything to me.

Maybe they all hate it. 

Maybe no one bought it and just told me they did.  That's the kind of friends I have.  Thoughtful.  Always sparing my feelings.

Here's the stolen stuff...  just 'cause.

1. I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.

2. Shopping tip: You can get shoes for a buck at bowling alleys.


3. Every day I beat my own previous record for number of consecutive days I've stayed alive.

4. No one ever says, 'It's only a game!' when their team is winning.

5. Ever notice that people who spend money on beer, cigarettes and lottery tickets, are always complaining about being broke and not feeling well?

6. Why is it that most nudists are people you don't want to see naked?

That's enough for now.  That last one about did me in...

Happy Tuesday!  It is Tuesday, isn't it?
.

So...

... after being told that the book would be here yesterday... and after I placed yet another not-so-nice phone call to the publisher... I came home today and found NOTHING on my front porch.  I was very sad.  I SO wanted to have this book in my hand before I continued on the journey of advertising it to death.

And since folks were beginning to tell me that they had ordered the book... I was feeling left out.  Everyone was getting their book... BUT ME!  How rude is that?

And I stood in our front hallway watching Liz leave for work, wishing upon wishing that I hadn't told anyone that it was out yet.

Suddenly Liz reopened the front door and came back inside.  With a package in her hand.  Know what she said?  "I can't believe you didn't see this on the front porch."

I must've stepped right over it.  I was so focused on getting inside to where my book might be that I walked right over that stupid package lying on the ground, in my way.  Yeah, that's what must've happened.

AND...

I slowly opened the box and I slowly took out the book.  I savored every moment.  I wanted to remember the feeling.

And I will, but not for the reasons you think.

I will remember this always BECAUSE IT LOOKS WEIRD!!!!!!  It isn't the size I expected, the color I expected, the type size I expected nor did I get the reaction I expected from Rick.  Nope, sure didn't.

He said, "Where's the word LUPUS on the cover?"

"Rick, it's not about Lupus."

"Well, what's it about?"

"Rick Kahle.  And his struggles while he recovered from a Lupus attack."

"Why?  I thought it was about Lupus!"

"Rick, it's about prayer.  And about your journey back in 1997."

"But I told everyone it's about Lupus."

"READ THE BOOK, RICK!  You may be surprised."

"I don't want to.  I thought it was about Lupus."

Hmmmm, you'd think that his NAME on the COVER OF THE BOOK would've tipped him off that it was HIS STORY!  You'd think he'd have been HAPPY!!!!!  Jeesh.

So, Rick is boycotting the book.  And I'm boycotting Rick.

It might've been better if Liz had just left the package on the front porch.  It might've been better if I'd just stepped on that package there.

And as I sit here typing, I can see Rick in the kitchen, walking by where the book lay... and I can see him peeking at it.

He's a tough audience.  But I think I can win him over.  Once he sees some of the pictures of himself in the book.

:)