A Little Georgia Snow Makes The World Go 'Round

My MISSING Daughter

As I sit here with a heavy heart, the one thing that helps me the most is my network of friends. For those of you who do not follow my blog on Facebook, but here on the original blog, it is time I let you know what has been happening in my life - in hopes that you will pass this on to your blog network and help spread the word.

My daughter Kaylyn, who is 16, has now been missing for 21 days. Three whole weeks without a single word from her. She was not abducted, but ran away in the middle of the night. I have copied my original post with all the details below.

As for this blog, I have pre-written weeks of posts that have been, and will continue to be, automatically posted here. The Simple Life Series, Recipes, Book Reviews and other posts will continue. For those on facebook, the ones posted here automatically post on my facebook (and Twitter) as well. Thank you for all your support with my blog, website and catering business. All three help keep me busy in this terribly emotional time. Without my friends and business, I know I would be reduced to staying in bed all day. Your comments, whether here or on facebook, really do encourage me.

Once again, please pass on my daughter’s photo and the information below. Every little bit helps and I know the blog (and facebook) network is massive. I update daily on facebook and will keep my blog network posted as well.

Your friend in need, Kendal

Posted on Facebook January 8, 2009:


"First I wanted to thank EVERYONE who has contacted me. It DOES HELP to know there are people out there who genuienly care. Every day is struggle to remain calm and be strong for my other daughters and husband. I still get up everyday, get Grace off to school, keep the house up, run errands, cook dinner and on and on. Your words help me to do so.

As for any news, we have none. I wanted to put the entire story out there today so that those of you who I haven't been able to email back, will know what's going on and can keep an eye out for her.

Kaylyn is my middle daughter, age 16. With her long flowing red hair, she is hard to miss if you see her. She is very petite - about 5 feet, 100lbs.

The week prior to Christmas holidays, she and her boyfriend got into some trouble at school. After giving her the "you can't see the boyfriend" speech, she became hostile enough that I had to admit her to a stablization center for several days (she is bi-polar and requires this when her medicine does not calm her down.) The night after she was released home, she and her boyfriend ran off in the middle of the night. We have not had a single word from either of them. She left wearing a Cass High Blue softball hoodie, tennis shoes, one pink and gray backpack and at least $100. Neither have their cell phones, a driver's license or car. She has no ID at all.

We do have friends in law enforcement who are looking for her. They have checked the boyfriend's family to see if they have heard anything, as well as other friends and family. All phone records are being followed up on as well. We do have someone watching our cabin in Rockmart, but feel she is too smart to go there. There have been reports that they are in Kentucky, but there are no leads as to where in KY.

I'm attaching a photo of her. If you see her, please contact the Bartow County Sheriff's Office 770-382-5050. You can be anynomous - I just want to know she is safe and okay. You can also contact me through facebook day or night.

Thanks again for all your prayers. "

In addition to the above re-post, I want to add that, after three weeks without her medicine, I know that her body is weaning itself off and her emotional state is probably more unstable than usual. She has had previous attempts to harm herself. If you see her, please do not attempt to talk to her, but contact the authorities. Kaylyn is super smart and even under these circumstances, may be hard to reason with. My main concern is that she is safe.

I have a MISSING flyer that will not attach itself here or on facebook. I can email or fax you a copy if you desire.

Thanks again,

Why Worry Wednesday? Eat From Your Pantry Challenge

Back in November, I put my coupon saving shopping on hold in order to clean out my pantry and freezer. A couple of weeks later, I was still going. It's now been 6 WEEKS and I still have not shopped for more than a handful of perishables - even over the holidays! Aren't you proud of me? I have had to pass on TONS of coupons and I am more than ready to start using the new ones I've collected in my great new organizer, but after reading MamaFish's Challenge and taking stock of my pantry and freezer, I think I can go at least a couple of more weeks before we start eating plain pasta and oatmeal. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, take a minute to read my previous blog and then read Money Saving Moms Challenge. If you are short on time, the basics can be found in Step One of my Simple Life Series.

Wednesdays in the Simple Life Series are for YOUR CLUTTER (and yes, it multiplies in my home too). I will let you know what I am doing to make simple changes in my own home to clear out my clutter. I hope you follow along and try some of these steps yourself. Please let me know how you are coming along by leaving comments at the bottom of each post. Tell me what works, what doesn’t, if you are bored – whatever – we are learning and growing together.

Give It Up! Monthly Challenge and Book Review

Book Review – Give It Up! By Mary Carlomagno

I actually read this book about two years ago but thought it would be the perfect book to review for the New Year! You know, with all those “resolutions” you are pretending you’ll uphold…why not do what Mary did for an entire year read. Each month she vowed to give up one thing in her life, just for that particular month. She chronicles the month with all it’s painful (and sometimes enlightening) glory. From alcohol (which she went back to consuming) to newspapers (which helped her move onto reading books) to cell phones (in which she really struggled) – it’s all there.

This book inspired me to think about what I could give up to make me “live better with less.”

You would think, as I sit here in pain after a night of over-indulging while celebrating the New Year, my first choice would be alcohol ( Mary’s was) but actually, with the holiday shopping behind me and in conjunction with my current “Purge the Pantry” assignment, I think January is the perfect month to give up shopping. I’ll let you know how it goes at the end of the month.


What do you think you could give up for the entire month of January to “live better with less?”

To help you get started, here is Mary’s list from Give It Up! – My Year of Learning to Live Better with less:


January – Alcohol

February – Shopping

March – Elevators

April – Newspapers

May – Cell Phones

June – Dining Out

July – Television
August – Taxis

September – Coffee

October – Cursing

November – Chocolate

December - Multitasking

I was not compensated in any manner for this book review. I purchased this book for my own pleasure. Please read my Review Disclaimer.

Book Review - The Talented Mr. Ripley

I love to read about the arrogant, wild, free-spirited writers and authors of the past. Although I had heard (but not seen) of the movie, The Talented Mr. Ripley, I had not heard of the original book's author Patricia Highsmith until browsing B& N for new books to read. Ms. Highsmith's biography caught my eye and defiantly caught my attention - she was just the type of Fitzgerald-era character (Mr. Gatsby, anyone?)I love to read about. I decided I had better read one or two of her books before I tackled her biography and naturally chose The Talented Mr. Ripley, simply because it was familiar to me. I did try to track down a copy of the movie but the library did not have it. Instead I found the book, which turns out to be a trilogy about Mr. Tom Ripley.

Let me tell you, if you like suspense – there is none better than this title. My stomach was literally in knots from page 100 on. I stayed up until 2am to finish the first book and had to take a sleeping pill to calm myself down from the suspense of it all! I couldn’t wait to post about this book, even as I am reading on through the second book now. Who knows what Ms. Highsmith’s biography will bring after I complete the Ripley stories – I cannot wait!
Here’s a short summary of the first of the Ripley stories – The Talented Mr. Ripley.

The story begins with Tom, a non-descript character who dabbles in small time forgery crimes for fun. He find himself being tailed by a gentleman, who turns out not to be a detective, but the distraught father of one of Tom’s friends. The father tells Tom that his son has run off to Europe and will not return home, even with his mother in failing health. Sensing an opportunity, Tom worms his way into an expense paid trip to Europe to bring the son, Dickie, home.

Dreaming of a new life abroad, Tom quickly becomes friends with Dickie and his lady friend, Marge. They spend the summer together, making plans to winter traveling Europe. The friendship seems queer to Marge and she convinces Dickie to severe the friendship. The men take one final trip together and Tom sees his bright future slipping away. In a fit, he kills Dickie and assumes his identity. Dodging Marge and moving to Paris, Tom totally transforms himself in to Dickie, even forging his bank cheque and living off the dead boy’s money.

In a fluke, a mutual friend finds Tom at “Dickie’s” Paris apartment. Quickly figuring out that something is amiss; the friend starts to question Tom. Tom kills the friend and dumps the body, making the murder look like a robbery. This begins a suspenseful cat and mouse game between Tom and the police. Tom is only one small step ahead at any given moment and is eventually confronted.

I won’t spoil anymore for you, as it’s obvious he gets away this time for there would not be two more Ripley books if he didn’t. I guarantee you will be on you toes and holding your breath the entire way. Just remember to breathe every now and then!

Enjoy, The Talented Mr. Ripley as I am off for a long night of reading, Ripley Under Ground!