Day 383: Exit 383

According to my calcalations, October 18, 2010, is day 383 of my life back in Knoxville. Exit 383 is my interstate exit, when I am coming from West Knoxville and Farragut, back to "slightly less west west Knoxville, a.k.a. the heart of Bearden, where we live now.

Day ???: Lunch Club and...

It is Wednesday. So, it is almost time for lunch with Alex, Julia, Michele, and Brittany. I have been working on Kids Crossing all morning and will be at the chuch until late tonight. So, this is a perfect mid-day diversion.

Note: This photo includes lunch club member Alex, as well as another favorite wedding attendant - Meredith!! Happy Birthday Meredith - you are an amazing friend and I can't imagine my life without you! I have learn so much from you and leaned on you in so many ways! Bagels, Duty-disciple-delight, ATL, homemade journals, and so much more!

Here's to the Lunch Club and to Meredith!!

Day ???: Tweeting @KatieLFitch

I am back to tweating away, follow me @KatieLFitch.
Here's my bio. All about me in 160 character. What do you think? Does that sum me up?

In love with Ktown. Serving 2nd Pres families. Passionate about Christ. Dedicated to service and social change. Newlywed to my best friend. -Katie Landon Fitch

Day 274: Saying goodbye

Recently, I have said "Hello" to driving a new-to-me car. I love that it's pretty, it's a jeep, and it has heated seats. It is great and I am so thankful!
But, I've still driven The Civic from time to time. Yes, "The Civic." Note the caps. This car is a part of me. Since the fall of 2000 and Shenice's wedding and Knoxville rush hour with Valerie combined to bring about the end of my high school car, I have been driving a silver honda civic. Now, with 188,000 miles on it, and thanks to Craigslist and my selling-savy fiance, I am saying good bye to the car today. In honor of this historic moment in my life, here are the top 9 most memorable moments I have had with this dependable friend.

9. Saturdays. 6:05am meet at exit 290. 6:07am pile 5 girls into the small car. 6:35am arrive at Furman. Run 2-18 miles. Pile back in the car. Drive to Spartanburg. Find rap music on the radio. listen to Bess and Loring break it down with their bad selves.
8. Folly Beach with the windows down with my brothers.
7. A Honda Accord. A Honda Civic. A Honda CRV. All at home at 701 Dupree Drive.
6. Having campus safety call me to move my car while it was parked in front of Dexter residence hall while I was a student at Converse...and again while I was a staff member.
5. February, 2009. Zaxby's to Carolina Country Club. The longest drive of my life.
4. Driving though the Dorman Center parking lot with the windows down, as some of my fav middle schoolers attempted to "row" my car with their arms.
3. Winter Break, 2001. Me, Renee, Casey and the quest for Canadian hockey.
2. Miss Lexi, then age 7, hollering from the backseat, "I love this car! I can use these things to make the windows go up or down anytime I want!"
(Clearly, the girl had never experienced non-power/non-child locked windows.)
1. Approximately 100 drives through the Smoky Mountains. Whenever possible singing "Wide Open Spaces" by the Dixie Chicks at the top of my lungs

Day 254: Remedy Coffee

The "remedy" for a long busy week? Coffee and conversation with a great friend, Alex, at a cozy, comfortable location.

Located in the old City, Remedy has direct trade coffee, a conversation loft, a great interior look, and a community space that is used for everything from book swaps to church services to private events. Their mission is to be "A place for coffee and conversation. A place to meet new friends and gather with old friends. A place to sit and relax. A place to be."

A perfect "Third Space"



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Day 204: Panera in Turkey Creek

As my time with Rice Bowls comes to a close and as we look forward to moving to the Bearden area, this is one of my final (or perhaps the final) mornings I will sit at Panera in Turkey Creek. Sure, it is a chain. Sure I had many a Panera trip while in SC. But, every Tuesday and Thursday morning, as I needed to get to work before the Provision Office opened, Panera has been there for me with sweet hazelnut coffee, cinnamon crunch bagels, or an egg and cheese sandwich. Delight.

Here are a few of things I have learned sitting here...
* Gossip hurts. Especially church gossip. As I have overheard a groups talking, I have felt their hurt and the hurt they afflict on each other as nit bit bulletins or church staff or even the person right across the table.
* No matter how many times you visit, a chain with 40 tables will never treat you with the same sense of being a regular as a local shop like Broadway Bagels with 15 tables and Mary and Janet's smiling faces of ownership behind the counter. Maybe it's a big town/small town thing. But it's okay. Things just change.
* Sometimes, as I type on the computer, I think how little I have in common with orphanage partners or Rice Bowls staff in other countries. Then, I am reminded that we have so, so much in common - as passion to love the Lord and a heart for others. That perspective on the world is so, so unifying.
* All I have to do is what I am called to do. Not the biggest thing, the most imporatn thing, or even the thing that others want. What is most imporant is the life, people, places, and all the Lord has called me to.
* If you see someone you know, say hello. Especially if it is Leslie and she is picking up 30 dozen bagels and taking them all out to her car like a parade of bread.
Praying big matters.
* If a man with an accent keeps trying to buy your car every time you see him...pick up your laptop and move to the other side of the restaurant.
* Giving out your business card is always a good idea.
* Everyone, everyone, everyone you see is made in the image of God. If I remember that (thank you Bret Allen) is will radically change the way I look at the world, treat people, and relate to the Lord.

So, I am sure I'll be back from time to time. But here's to being a regular at Panera in Turkey Creek! It's been grand!

Photo Credit

Friday Morning Quote

“Behind every successful woman...is a substantial amount of coffee.”― Stephanie Piro

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Day 147: A new journal

It's been a week of bridesmaid-dress-ordering, church-meeting, dinner-party-planning, volunteering, serious-bonding, kaarmls.com-viewing, and even ceremonial-burning. (The details of the final item will remain confidential to protect the innocent.) The details of life have created such a feeling "in between" right now. I am loving the ride...must of the time. All that thinking and praying for peace leads me to a lot of writing. Writing that is prayerful, quiet, and personal.
I finished a journal Wednesday. The one I started the day after Brad and I got engaged. I love the thought of fresh pages. Praying where this next set of pages will lead me.

Day 125: Fort Sanders

I didn't visit every single gym in East Tennessee...just the vast majority. In the end, it's no surprise that Fort Sanders was the best. It was also the best value, with no contract. I joined this weekend and am looking forward to getting into a routine with body pump, body flow, yoga, extensive hours, and lots of friendly faces.

Photo Credit

75: Best Bagels in Town

...yep, they sure are. And I officially into a routine and finally think I am a "regular" at my new favorite bagel shop.

Anna, Alex, Stac, Emily, Amanda, Leah, Allison...please visit.