I'm up visiting my sister up in Seattle right now.
I brought my computer with me so I could work during the day while she's gone and so Josh Downs and I could Skype.
This morning while we were Skyping, I told him about the cute new shirt I bought last night with Jill, my best friend. (We've been best friends for almost 29 years now you know.) He asked me to show it to him, but I said I couldn't because I had left it out in my car. He told me he'd wait while I ran outside to get it so I threw on my sister's slippers and ran outside (still in my pajamas) to grab the shirt.
As I ran back towards the front door in the rain, I could hear my sister's earlier warning ring in my ear, "Don't be stupid and lock yourself out of the house while I'm at work Karen."
And sure enough, I was locked out.
No cell phone and no shoes. Just me, my car keys, my pajamas and my fancy new shirt in a Macy's bag.
I quickly remembered that my sister hides a key in her backyard but as I stood on my tip toes, straining over the top of the fence to unlatch it from the inside, I realized that it was padlocked and that I was going to have to traverse the six foot fence.
Then I realized that Josh was probably getting worried about me so I ran to the front window, where I could see my computer and hollered, "Josh, I'm locked out of the house but I think I have a plan!"
So I pulled my car up next to the fence and made several embarrassingly unsuccessful attempts at climbing on top of the wet, slick hood of my car with nothing but the non-existant traction of my sister's slippers to aide me before finally making it over the fence only to stick my hand inside several cob-webby, rocky crevices looking for the spare key. Then I fumbled with my muddy fingers to unlock the back door and I ran back inside, straight to my computer where Josh Downs sat, waiting patiently to see my new shirt.
After showing him my new shirt and laughing about getting locked out, we talked for awhile longer and then I told him about my favorite new song (You should click on this link to play it and then turn it up really loud and then come right back...I'll wait.) that I had been listening to over and over again all morning because it reminds me of him. He told me to play it for him so I played it as loud as the volume on my computer speakers could go while Josh Downs (blurred from a bad connection and with an O.S.U Beavers banner that I sent to him growing out of the top of his head) pretended to sing it to me all the way from Afghanistan.
And if you're reading this Josh Downs...Every time I close my eyes, I think of you. (Paradise.)
This one is my new fave. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVq8nEHCKd4&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Posted by: Lorraine M. | October 21, 2011 at 10:58 AM
saw a headline that all troops will be home by the end of the year... if its true... ain't that good news!!! love your blog!! God Bless you and your family!! smooch!!
Posted by: karlalala | October 21, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Karen, you had me laughing out loud at this story! I could so see myself doing something like that. :-)
Posted by: Melanie | October 21, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Ha Ha....now I want to hear this same story from Josh Downs...LOL.
You crack me up and make my eyes water all in the same post!
Thank you so much for keeping it real! Now tell you sister to hide that hide a key in a new location!
Stacey
Posted by: Stacey H | October 21, 2011 at 12:13 PM
Had to laugh at the visual of you outside trying to climb the fence :)
How blessed are we to have the technology to be able to communicate overseas like this? I can't imagine what it would have been like years ago with a loved one in the military having to wait for letters...
Posted by: amanda | October 21, 2011 at 12:20 PM
Oh goodness this had me laughing and feeling panic at the same time!! I think you need a key of your own!! Great song....I love ColdPlay!
Posted by: Debbie | October 21, 2011 at 12:40 PM
This post made me cry. Be safe Josh! Praying for you and your family everyday! Thank you for the sacrifice you are making so I can sit safely in my office working..er, reading your beautiful wife's blog!
Hugs and prayers!
Posted by: Sierra | October 21, 2011 at 12:49 PM
you crack me up!
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1306989176 | October 21, 2011 at 02:18 PM
I bought that song the other day. Love it. I think you must have McGuyver in you.
Posted by: RobynS | October 21, 2011 at 02:43 PM
Omgoodnes! What an adventure! Glad you made it back in safe and sound!
Posted by: Kelli | October 21, 2011 at 03:47 PM
<3 coldplay:) and soooo something i'd do;)
Posted by: mandy friend | October 21, 2011 at 06:03 PM
Amazing...what a story. I gasped out loud when I read that you were indeed locked out! ,I adore the skype photo with your picture in the screen, somehow seeing you together made me feel like you two were together! Dang how can you look SO cute after going through all that in the rain.
Posted by: janel | October 21, 2011 at 09:54 PM
You have me laughing out loud! Are you going to the OSU vs. WSU game this weekend??? I was supposed to be there but I have sick kiddos. :(
Posted by: Lacey | October 21, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Karen,
I have been reading your blog for years, literally, and have NEvER left a comment. But today I just want to say how sad but happy at the same time that your posts make me. I feel like you're my friend and I've never even met you and I love your blog. I can't wait to hear about another skyping adventure with Josh.
Posted by: stephanie | October 22, 2011 at 12:26 AM
This email is hysterical and heartbreaking all at be same time. I don't even know you guys and I want to know when Josh is coming home already...
Posted by: Dawn S | October 22, 2011 at 04:01 AM
Love this post and all it's honesty, humor and for you just being you and sharing with us all. It's just such a "karen" story and that's what I love about it. Glad you were able to get to him and not leave him worried. I guess breaking the glass and having to pay for it would have been the worse thing.
Hope your weekend is great, and if there are no kiddo's in this weekend, good for you:) You deserve a break!!
Posted by: Patricia | October 22, 2011 at 05:33 AM
O.My.Goodness. Thank you for sharing this with us! You must have been so stressed out! But it makes a funny story. You are awesome, Karen, and Josh too! And I love Coldplay!
Posted by: Jennifer S | October 22, 2011 at 05:44 AM
If I didn't 'know' you thru your posts and blog, I would think this was a comedy scene from a tv show.....maybe Modern Family.....
Your posts always evoke emotion for me. Thank you .....especially for the funny everyday day posts.
Julie
Posted by: julee0613@yahoo.com | October 22, 2011 at 03:44 PM
Hahahha thats really funny! Sounds like something I would do. Actually it makes me feel better about all the things I do! I can just imagine your sisters reaction. Your relationship with Josh is just too cute. And I totally want to see "the" shirt now!
Posted by: Melinda~ | October 23, 2011 at 07:34 AM
OH Karen Russell you make me laugh and cry all at once.....
Love you'
Laura
Posted by: laura | October 23, 2011 at 03:31 PM
Hmmm...you travel to Seattle to visit famiy...you should teach a workshop here! That would be so great!
Posted by: Lisa | October 23, 2011 at 08:04 PM
Oh, my gosh.....you poor thing.
Posted by: Janie La Pierre | November 01, 2011 at 10:17 PM