Happy New Year

As I thought about the great moments of 2010, I had a bit of a personal epiphany. My most treasured moments were not career victories, politics, or cleaning the house. They were in having fun, in being in the moment, and in sharing special moments with family and friends. Sometimes, it was in the simple joy of discovering a new (low calorie) treat like Kool-Aid's Fun Fizz. Other times, it was watching Tom and his friends play ball and chatting with great friends. Then, of course, there was that big moment this year... standing at the Tacoma Dome as my daughter and her 627 friends tossed their mortar boards (and some beach balls) as graduates of South Kitsap High School.

I want more of those moments. So, this year, I have decided that my 2011 resolution should be simple and intentional. This year, I will be making a greater effort to have more fun. This year, I will be intentional to savor more of life and the blessings I enjoy!

2011 Resolution...
More Fun!

Stephanie Simpson - SKHS Class of 2010

Congratulations to Stephanie and the Class of 2010!















I am so proud!

On June 10th, it was my high honor to present my oldest child, Stephanie, with her high school diploma. It was a high honor. But the highest honor and privilege of my life was wrapped up in the 18 years that preceded that day. It has been in being her mom.

Supporting Law Enforcement

To show support for our law enforcement community, I have put up this blue Christmas light. It is my small way of saying thank you to the men and women in blue that serve and protect us every day and to their families who love them.

To the families of Lakewood Police Officers Sgt. Mark Renninger, Officer Ronald Owens, Officer Tina Griswold, and Officer Greg Richards, I extend sincere condolences, thoughts, and prayers.

Having read about each of these officers, they were exceptional in their duties, committed to their families, and actively engaged in their communities. Their absence leaves unrepairable holes in the fabrics of their families and our neighborhoods. May we always remember their valor in how they lived amongst us.

September 11th...

Words cannot adequately express. I can only say, I remember...

"Lose-It" --My 300 Day Project

About a month ago I had a minor health scare. Ended up in urgent care, where, amongst other things, they weighed me and took my blood pressure. That was scary! The weight was now affecting my health and there wasn't room for excuses anymore. I want to live to hike and bike the world with my kids and grandkids (who aren't born yet).

Over the next few days, I researched different approaches to losing 80 pounds. Of course, being me, I went to the internet for suggestions and advice. Beware! There is LOTS of advice on the internet! After information overload and a few of the best suggestions mulling in my brain, I decided that what would work for me was something very simple to which I could seriously commit for a year.

So, as of July 29th, I began my "300 Day Project" project with only one rule... "2000 calories per day." That is it!

The 2000 calories was calculated using a few different calorie calculators on the internet. I double and triple checked the numbers and then made the commitment. Each month I'll adjust it downward slightly and expect to attend my daughter's high school graduation 80 pounds lighter, eating about 1750 calories a day.

I track the calories on a spectacular free iPhone app called "Lose-It". It does the math for me on the calories eaten and the calories burned if I get in some exercise. The app's database of grocery and restaurant foods also lets me plan my food choices ahead of time. Heck, I've even had a Big-Mac this month (no fries... not enough calories left in the day for fries).

I've learned a few things too. A bag of fresh snap peas has one-third the calories of a Snicker's candy bar, but takes three times longer to eat. Bananas and balsamic vinegar is an awesome snack. Oh, and 100 calorie snack packages (which I used to make fun of) make it easy to enjoy a snack and keep the portions in check.

So far, I'm eight pounds lighter, feeling better (the headaches are gone), and most importantly, I'm sticking to it!

Thoughts about Ted Kennedy...

I cannot discount Ted Kennedy’s influence and effort on behalf of the American people however much I may have disagreed with him politically. He fought the good fight for the things he believed in and for that I respect him.

Yet, I cannot grasp how the citizens of Massachusetts could have continued to elect a man who was so unwilling to be accountable for Chappaquidick and his above-the-law attitude. Strange how they would trust him with the policy influence on a nation and yet excuse his circumvention of the law.

In watching an NBC Video about Kennedy, I see a man who led an amazingly bold life of public service which was also so regularly riddled with personal and family tragedy. And yet, I wonder... what level of effort, what measure of acts of good will and service, make up for a life. Then again... in my heart of hearts I know that such a question is God’s to answer… not mine.

So, while Ted Kennedy would never have gotten my vote, I appreciate his contribution to this great nation. I wish his family peace and wish him well as he reconnects with those who went before he did.

As an aside... I had the opportunity to hear him speak at a conference I attended a couple of years ago. It was just a couple of months before it was announced that he had a malignant brain tumor. I was struck by how short he was. I suppose that we see figures like Ted Kennedy as "larger than life" and expect them to physically dominate a room. He did not. But I was impressed by his passion.


Regards,
Kathryn Simpson

Endorsing Naomi Polen

I am endorsing Naomi Polen for Position #3 on the South Kitsap School Board. Naomi has been serving in this position since April of 2008, when the Board voted unanimously to appoint her to fill the vacancy when Chuck Mayhew resigned.

Naomi has been active and involved in our community for 16 years. She and her husband own a construction business in our community. Three of her children have graduated from South Kitsap High School and a fourth child is a student in the district. She is a fiscal conservative, thoughtful in her approach to issues, and has exceptional integrity.

Naomi asks just about as many questions as I do. She does her homework and works to understand the issues before she makes a decision. She listens well to parents, staff, and community stakeholders. She respects differing opinions and works towards win-win without compromising core values. While a strong team player, Naomi is not shy to present reasoned and intelligent positions when she disagrees.

Naomi Polen is the best candidate for South Kitsap School Board, Position #3.


Of course, I will work professionally with any of the candidates that are elected to serve on the South Kitsap School Board. I give my endorsement to Naomi Polen because we share a positive and common vision for the direction and importance of K-12 education in our South Kitsap community.



Regarding Chris Lemke... I stand by what I said when the school board had the opportunity to appoint a replacement for Chuck Mayhew and Chris applied to be appointed back to the seat he decided not to run for at the last election... "As much as I appreciate Chris's former service on the board, I have some serious reservations...we have places on the board we have told the public we want to go. I am afraid Chris doesn't share that vision".

Regarding Gail Porter... She seems like a very nice person. However, she has only lived in South Kitsap for about a year and while she lived in Director District #3 at the time of filing, she told me that she was moving to a new home that is in another director district within the month. I asked the Kitsap County Auditor's office about this and they confirmed that she can still run for election, but she would only be able to serve for two years of the four year term since she has moved out of the Director District. My opinion is that if a candidate finds that they are unable to fulfill the terms of the office (in this case, a four year term) before the election, they have a responsibility to the voters to withdraw. There are two candidates in this race that can fulfil the full term of the office.

To see a video of the candidates when they were interviewed by the Kitsap Sun Editorial Board, please click here.

Regards,
Kathryn Simpson