tracy kase

Caption, please.

trace kase — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:42:26 +0000

I was scrolling through pictures on my phone the other day and came across this one…

And although I know I only have like 10 readers, let’s have some fun… caption, please…

A little update.

trace kase — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:46:20 +0000

Blogging just hasn’t happened for me lately. I haven’t felt like I have anything to talk about. We’re at the point in this whole transition where my days are full of Oak Leaf stuff, but trying to get that off my plate a little at a time, as well as Brooklyn Church stuff. It’s a busy season, and sometimes I believe this will be the toughest part of this whole process. While I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to save money and spend more time with family by living with my mom, it’s hard too. It’s hard to feel settled.

But things are good. Life will get more interesting in a couple months. Right now, I’m just trying to keep from drowning in all I have going on. And I’m trying not to lose my mind with all my jaw issues I still have going on. Ahhh.

If you’re keeping up with this whole journey, I promise that I’ll update the world when things get a little more exciting. If you’re praying for us, thank you. We appreciate it so much… keep them coming!

Everything Egg Drop

trace kase — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:58:14 +0000

For the last two years I’ve been the Event Coordinator for the Egg Drop at Oak Leaf Church. I love this event, and have learned a lot in the process of planning it for the last couple years. Each year, the event gets a little easier, cheaper and reaches more people. Last year, we had about 7,000 people in attendance, and this year we’re planning for more than 8,000 people. The Egg Drop has become a huge community event for Cartersville.

I’ve put together all the details required for executing this event, as well as included the graphics and documents I use when planning. I really think that if you’re planning to do this event, this resource will be invaluable to you. In the past, I’ve had phone conversations with people, but it’s impossible to include all the details in a 30 to 45 minute conversation. Everything Egg Drop covers it all.

So, if you’re thinking about doing the Egg Drop, I’d encourage you to get this resource. And if you have any questions along the way, I’d be happy to help in any way I can.

busy, busy.

trace kase — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:42:53 +0000

there is no better way to describe my life right now. seriously, i’ve never been so busy. right now, as i type this out, i’m sitting at a desk that is covered in papers, books, cards, paper, and more paper. this week has been productive, but i still feel out of sorts. so, i apologize for the lack of postings… i hope to feel caught up very soon.

in the meantime, i read this the other day and was so encouraged:

Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
it won’t be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me!
That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
trade the creation just for you.

-Isaiah 43:1-4, The Message

E-vites for Your Events

trace kase — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:43:03 +0000

Every once in awhile we will create an e-vite to send to people to invite them to an event. It always seems to work well, and people tend to respond quickly. Last year, for the Egg Drop Volunteer Meeting I created an e-vite and sent it out to all the volunteers. About once a year, we’ll create an e-vite for our quarterly Leadership Summit, and send it to all the volunteers- just a different way to invite them to the event.

I’m sure there are a thousand different websites you can use to create these things, but I use punchbowl.com. They have lots of different designs to choose from and you can customize them for your event.

Uploading contacts is easy, and the inviting process is simple. It sends those who don’t respond reminders, and sends an event reminder a couple days before the event if you’d like them to. You can easily keep up with the invite list and see how many people to expect for your event.

Here’s a screen shot of the latest e-vite I sent out.

So, if you’re looking for a new way to invite people to an event, try this. Like I said earlier, we have four Leadership Summits each year, so once a year we’ll use this option. The other summits we may mail an invite, or just spread the word through regular email or our volunteer huddles on Sunday mornings.

Packin’ up the apartment.

trace kase — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 16:12:56 +0000

We move out of our apartment and into my mom’s house in a week. ONE WEEK. I’m feeling the pressure.

In between right now and next Saturday here are my goals:

1. Have everything that is to be sold in a yard sale boxed up and moved to Michael and Jennie’s house. We’re going to have two big yard sales in the spring.

2. Have everything that is going to NYC that we don’t need between now and June boxed up and labeled. This would include bedding, towels, kitchen stuff, etc. All stuff that my mom has, so we won’t need to use ours.

3. Get rid of our couch (Lee and Makaila are getting it!), some book shelves, a recliner, and some other small furniture pieces. We have a couple bookshelves we’re getting rid of, so if you need one, let me know and I’ll send you a picture and a price!

4. Get this apartment as clean as possible to avoid any extra charges when we move. Fun, fun.

I’m sure the list could be way longer, but these are priority. I am not super woman, so I am going to do what I can this week, but try to not feel like I have to get it all done, because that’s just not possible. There will be things I can get done once we’re living at my mom’s.

Today, I’m conquering the master bedroom. And probably the living room.

In other news, the emotions of this whole process are starting to hit me. I absolutely love our apartment, and I love living so close to work…. so it’s hard to leave this place. And looking at the calendar, June is going to be here so soon, and there is so much packed into the next few months I’m already stressed. I’m so excited, but it’s a lot to take in, and it’s all coming so fast. So, if ya think about it… I’d appreciate your prayers so much!

Alright, back to packing. I’ll update you all on our trip to NYC soon!

A Trip to NYC

trace kase — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:20:02 +0000

Brian and I are heading to New York on Saturday to visit the city for a few days. We’re going with two of our best friends, Matt and Bekah and we are so excited! So, it’ll be a trip to learn more about the area we’re moving to, but also a little vacay time for Matt and Bek!

Here’s what we’ll be doing while we’re there:

1. We’ll spend a good bit of time walking around Brooklyn. We’re going to walk around three or four specific neighborhoods, look at some apartments, visit a church and just explore and meet people as we go. And Matt and Bekah will be able to get a glimpse of where we’ll be living… which is important to Brian and me!

2. We’ll spend time doing the typical touristy stuff. This is only Brian’s second visit to NYC, and we’re’ going to be there with two of our best friends! So, we’ll see Times Square, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, shop on 5th Avenue, and find Serendipity and get some Frozen Hot Chocolate! I’m sure a trip to Little Italy will be a must as well! Oh, and I’m determined to find the Waffle Truck!!

3. We’re going to meet up with a couple people we know living in New York. We just want to learn more about living in the city, so we have some friends up there we plan to hang out with.

4. We’ll be FREEZING a majority of the time! One of the biggest reasons I wanted to take this trip was so that I could experience winter in NYC before we actually live there. I think this will be one of the hardest parts for me in this whole transition. I’ve lived in Georgia my whole life… this Snowpocalypse 2011 junk has been crazy for me!

5. We’ll learn more about getting around the city on the Subway. Every time I’ve been to New York I’ve relied on other people to get me from one place to another. This time, it’s all us! So, I’ve got a handy dandy Subway app on my iPhone and we’ll be figuring it all out on our own.

6. We’ll (hopefully) go see Regis and Kelly LIVE! This is seriously something I’ve always wanted to do, and Bekah loves the show just as much as me, so we’re going to try to go! We have three weekdays, so I’m hoping it happens!

I can’t wait to be in New York again. This is the stuff that makes all this stuff real! Looking at apartments is going to be crazy! I’ll give you guys a trip recap when we get back.

The Locked Jaw Debacle.

trace kase — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 02:28:58 +0000

So, over three weeks ago I woke up on a Saturday morning with a locked jaw. I couldn’t even open it a full inch, and it’s been that way since. Until this morning… when I woke up and could open my mouth!!

I went to four doctors- a primary care physician (worst experience of my life, by the way), oral surgeon (only option he would give me was surgery and I wanted to avoid that) and two dentists (first one sent me to the second one)- in this process, and finally my last appointment gave me some hope. I have several mouth pieces being made now, and there will be a process for me to get my jaw issues fixed. In the meantime, when I left the dentist last Thursday, they gave me this disposable aqualizer mouth piece thing that just has a strip that goes over my upper front teeth and has two bubbles of water-filled plastic that rests between my teeth. I’ve been wearing that every night and it really seems to be helping!

The whole point of these mouth pieces is to prevent me from clenching my jaw and grinding my teeth in my sleep. They will also help my mouth to get back in place- my bite is off and it will get the alignment straightened out. Just like a disc can slip out of place in your back, a disc is out of place in my jaw.

Honestly, having a locked jaw has probably been the most frustrating thing I’ve experienced in my entire life. There were times when I was just frustrated to tears. I knew the whole time that this was a temporary thing and would eventually be fixed, but there were just times when it made me so mad and upset! It was also draining- my energy has been gone and I hate that so much. I’m thankful that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even through today, it’s started to lock up again, but I’m hopeful that this process of mouth pieces will eventually fully fix it.

Lots of people have been praying for me and encouraging me and I’m so thankful for that! You guys are awesome.

Celebrating Three Years!

trace kase — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:42:41 +0000

Hard to believe it’s already been three years! Happy anniversary, babe!

Flashback: Email Chain Surveys!

trace kase — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 03:59:03 +0000

Remember those survey forwards you used to get a long time ago? I got one recently, so I thought I’d fill it out and put it on my blog. Haha- fun times! Enjoy

1. What color are your socks right now? gray

2. What are you listening to right now ? Boy Meets World on the TV

3. What was the last thing you ate? chocolate and vanilla pudding

4. Can you drive a stick shift? noooope

5. Last person you spoke to on the phone? hmm…some people we ordered stuff from at church. haha… at work.

6. Do you like the person who sent this to you? yes!! BEST mother-in-law ever!

7. How old are you today? 24… almost a quarter of a century!

8. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? FOOTBALL!

9. What is your favorite drink? hmm….i’d have to go with 2% milk.

10. Have you ever dyed your hair? Nope-virgin hair

11. Favorite food? spaghetti!!

12. What is the last movie you watched? Wall Street

13. Favorite day of the year? My birthday? haha… i love birthdays!!

14. How do you vent? Talk to Bek and Amanda! Or I scream into a pillow!

15. What was your favorite toy as a child? i had a baby doll i carried around by its leg… hope that’s not an indicator of my parenting abilities…

16. What is your favorite season? Fall!

17. Cherries or Blueberries? Maraschino cherries!!

18. Do you want friends to e-mail you back? if I email someone I’d like an email back

19. Who is the most likely to respond? I’m breaking the rules and putting this on my blog, so I am expecting zero responses

20. Who is least likely to respond? everyone!

21. Living situation? living with my amazing husband and cutie patootie dog in an apartment for a few more weeks… then we’re moving in with mi madre until we move to New York!

22. When was the last time you cried? probably yesterday… or the day before. i cry almost daily… little known fact about me!

23. What is on the floor of your closet right now? shoes… and nothing else b/c it’s CLEAN!

24. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? not sending this…

25. What did you do last night? read my blog post from last night to find out!

26. What are you most afraid of? hmm…losing people close to me

27. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? cheese, for sure!

28. Favorite dog breed? i looove my yorkie.

29. Favorite day of the week? Sunday b/c I get to go to Oak Leaf Church!

30. How many provinces/states have you lived in? 1…soon to be 2!

31. Diamonds or pearls? hmm…. i love both?

32. What is your favorite flower? i’m not big on flowers… probably daisies..

33. Favorite color: green

34. Silver or gold? silver

35 Favorite singer? i have no idea… i like Carrie Underwood a lot.