thanksgiving day at the track

Thanksgiving Day at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans is a family tradition for many. In the past it was always opening day; changed a few years ago to move up a few weeks. I experienced my first ever horse race at the Fair Grounds with friends on Thanksgiving...it will now be my new holiday tradition. What an exciting atmosphere! I had a race form prior to going and chose two horses to bet on: Race 2 - Cowgirl Knockout and Race 5 - Rock N Roll Gal.
Cowgirl Knockout came in dead last. Rock N Roll Gal was scratched from the race.
Typical Jen Keen luck...LOL
Still was an amazing time. I can't wait for Thanksgiving 2010...

Facebook bringing friends back

So glad I have reconnected with friends of old via facebook! Blake, I heart you...
xoxoxo
JK

halloween weekend

halloween was a saturday but costumes for friday and saturday are appropriate right? oh and i wonder if i can wear the tutu to the firearms store tomorrow when i go to do their photo shoot? LOL wouldn't that be nice...

Pink Ribbon Gala

State Book Festival...my FAVORITE event of the year! Oh and it's a block from my house :)

Tailgate - Baton Rouge girl style...

blooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooog

Happy Birthday Lara!

Surprise party seemed to be a surprise. Was a good time :)

I had a fabulous weekend

I seem to somehow keep the social/ work calendar completely packed (no surprise to anyone who reads this regularly or knows me in the least). This weekend I didn't have too much "planned" but somehow was able to pack it with some really great times.
Friday, while driving from one of my stores back downtown to my office, a co-worker called and asked to do an early happy hour. The weather was beautiful and a patio happy hour sounded wonderful. Since I live downtown near the bustling BR bar scene and needed to run home to change out of logo wear, he agreed to pick me up. With plans to have drinks at a bar with an upstairs balcony and meet up with some friends, we arrive to find their doors locked. It seems that particular bar's happy hour begins at 5 when they open (we skipped out a bit early on Friday). Quickly find a bar with a street-level patio a block away is open and ready to serve us cold beverages. With friends we enjoyed the drinks and live music for a while before heading to Tsunami for a terrace cocktail and a view of the sunset over the Mississippi. Lovely afternoon!
Saturday morning I walked to the farmer's market with green bean. I didn't make any purchases since only planned on restocking figs and my usual vendor was out and went on to tell me it will be a while before he has figs again (Whole canned figs remind me ofmy grandmother's house as a child; I don't have them often but like to have them around for an occasional treat). Following the market, I took my bike and books to a downtown coffee shop to read then over to a bench on the lawn of the state capitol to enjoy some sunshine. I noticed the capitol looked open for tours and decided to lock up my bike and take a quick elevator ride to the top. Living and working downtown, I sometimes take for granted all of the amazing things right outside of my door! I don't think I have been to the top of the capitol since I was a kid on a school field trip (shameful).


Each state and year it became a state is represented with a step leading up to our capitol.


Saturday afternoon saw an outdoor lunch with Lara and Green Bean on the patio at Bravo! (in case you didn't get the memo: weather in the 70's, sunshine, girlfriends, patio dining & pinot grigio = perfect!!!).

My beloved LSU tigers were set to play UNC at 5:30 Saturday afternoon so I met up with Nat, K-Fed and others at the Bulldog to watch the game (patio again). Drinks and company were great but Tiger basketball not-so-much. I guess if we had to lose, UNC was the team to lose to. I did manage to lose a bet to my boy BFF (huge UNC fan) so will be sporting the baby blues every time UNC plays for a year!!!
Sunday I woke up early, drank coffee on my balcony, made muffins, had "Jen time", met my parents for church and quickly home to change for a BBQ at boss' house. His family is in town visiting so he invited a few of us over to meet them. Functions with work people can sometime be a total drag but this was a great afternoon and I am very glad I went. Dan and I arrived at 1:30 and didn't leave until after 11:00!!!


(Guys trying to rescue the last ball!)
Returning to work on Monday was not pleasant to say the least. I am grateful to have had such a nice weekend and hope the rest of spring is this nice.

Friday Night with the Green Bean

Night Out with Silly Boys

(a.k.a. Boyd and Rhodes)
Tsunami is the BEST place in BR to watch a sunset

Bulldog Happy Hour....

....with Cousin Will and my adopted lil sis Lauren D! Love you and welcome back to BR my love

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

a few pics from the BR St. Patrick's Day festivities in the style of Ivar's, Chelsea's and Duvic's...oh and Happy's too!

Me and my step-dad...Chelsea's (yep...parents attended for a while..)

Happy Birthday Green Bean

We celebrated for a week, I think. Anyway official bday dinner was at Chelsea's on her actual bday followed by drinks at a much too crowded Bulldog on pint night then wrap-up cocktails at Duvic's. I think she enjoyed her bday and the company of friends.

Life's Difficult Moments

The thought of maybe losing a friend to a new opportunity and a new city saddens me; however we must want the best things in life for our friends or what kind of friends would we really be?!? Good luck with today's decision; you know you have my support, all 100.01% of it ;) Love you girl!

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. i'll always be with you.” Christopher Robin to Pooh

Recap of the Recent

Work has been over the top top say the least; but whatever! I have made a few public appearances of late.

A night out to the T.O.L. for "Funny T Shirt" party (apparently the second of new monthly themed events Lisa will be hosting); a birthday party at jump n jive for cousin will's daughter; a going away party for a dear friend, Collin (moving to Birmingham) also was the Physics of Meaning show at Red Star; 2/3 of a movie with PB (Benjamin Button we had to leave the theater because some stupid ass tried to smoke a cigarette!!!); Spanish Moon to see the Annuals and Jessica Lea Mayfield with PB (although I think my laundry delay caused us to miss the act he really wanted to see); Chelsea's for dinner with Heidi, Hillary and Natalie

Another Facebook List...

ONLY, and I mean ONLY ONE(1) word Share

Type ONLY ONE word answers!!!

It's harder than you think!! Here is what you are supposed to do...and please don't spoil the fun...
copy and paste into your own note, type in your answers and tag a bunch of people - including me.

Where is your cell phone......................table
Your hair.........................................long
Your father......................................miss
Your favorite thing.............................bike
Your dream last night..........................work :(
Your favorite drink.............................water
Your dream/goal................................success
The room you are in...........................den
Your fear........................................snakes
Where do you want to be in 6 years........50 stores
Muffins..........................................banana nut
One of your wish list items....................car
Where you grew up...........................BR
The last thing you did.........................apple
What are you wearing........................sundress
Your TV..........................................POS
Your pets.......................................none :(
Your computer.................................Dell
Your life.........................................busy
Your mood......................................awesome
Missing someone..............................yes
Your car........................................POS
Favorite store.................................Banana Republic
Your summer...................................fun!
Your favorite color............................pink
When is the last time you laughed..........today
Last time you cried............................yesterday
Three people who email me..................kelly, leslie, natalie
Three of my favorite foods..................tuna, melon, beans
Three places I would rather be right now: DC, beach, Italy
Three people I think will respond:..........natalie, holly, kat creech
Write a comment: Namaste..."the light in me honors the light in you"

Going around Facebook so will share here too...

25 Randomw things THING going around FB....
I somehow could not paste intructions but I think they were as follows....
Tag the person who tagged you and do the same???
LOL
1. My sister is my favorite person; I miss her.
2. I have a crazy "to-do" list system. Actually, it is the Jessica Simon-Mann system!!!
3. I don't eat anything off of a bone or out of a shell...yuk!
4. I really appreciate a great book...classic but will always be my favorite...To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus Finch reminds me of one of my grandfathers.
5. I am TERRIFIED of snakes. I can't even look at them in a book or magazine...oh, they creep me out.
6. I feel so honored that friends have asked me to stand in their weddings and that I am a Godmother...what a compliment and privilege.
7. I love the sound of a child laughing; it is so genuine and beautiful.
8. I appreciate every friendship I have had or do have and all that it has offered.
9. I miss my dad and think of him daily.
10. I love pickled beets; there are some in my fridge now. My friend Matt thinks that is quite strange..."Keen! You have beets. Who eats beets?"
11. I REALLY want to learn how to knit....Ok, girlzzzz we been talkin' about it for a bit now...time to start!!!
12. I am THE BEST jukebox player...EVER....he he.
13. I have the same birthday as Willie Nelson and he was my first concert at age six on our birthday because I loved the song "Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys"...go figure?!?
14. I really don't like to discuss politics! I mean, really!!!!! Just because I was a Poli Sci major does not mean I want to talk to you about politics everytime we see each other; especially after cocktails...this part of the note is devoted to one person ;)
15. I heart Thriller and anything M.J.!
16. I love family functions/ holiday gatherings...especially that Erik got my mom to play beer pong on Easter. We have a good time.
17. There are no previous relationships that I regret; I feel as though I learned a bit more about myself as a result of each of them ending.
18. I am a big fan of a hand-written letter or note; the beauty has been lost in our current tech age and it is so sad. An email or text message can't compare.
19. I have met many celebrities via work and by far the coolest and most likely to make the list of people I would hang with is Billy Joel; man was he laid back and so "whatever" about life and cool to work with. He rode shotgun in a passenger van while his band followed in a limo! Kid Rock can kiss my ass...and his Coors Light
20. I have a super crush on Timothy Hutton and it all began with the movie Beautiful Girls.
21. I love sports! Someone in a house full of females had to be friends with my dad, right?!?
22. A rainy Sunday is the best!
23. I have a pink beach cruiser bike with a whate basket and a bell that says "I heart My Bike"
24. I love Sharpies..Write Out Loud!
25. I respect my mother; she is an amazing woman.


Comments on note thus far -

Holley Vaughn at 8:46am February 1
Jennifer Keen you are the bestest!!
1) feel ya
4) TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD is my favoriate too!!! If I ever pop out a girl, Scout is most def in the running for names.
5) yup. For me, it's a biblical thing. snakes=satan. cased closed.
14) got it :-)
15) Thriller is so awesome it literally has the ability to rehabiliate criminals.
22) indeed.
Marc M Tittlebaum at 10:04am February 1
Timothy Hutton lived in my neighborhood while filming Everybody's All American. Debra Winger, his wife at the time, lived there too. When did you find time to do this!?
Steven Esteb at 1:38pm February 1
To Kill A Mockingbird. My favorite book and movie. I did name my daughter Scout.
Jessica Simon Mann at 3:18pm February 1
Awww, Jen, I'm so touched that you still use my organizing system. The cute notebook is the key! I love your list!!
Jennifer Keen at 4:35pm February 1
HV - Politics comment not meant for you; love you!
MT - Notice the time...12:54 AM, which was about a half hour after I got home from work last night.
SE & HV - Love the name Scout! Amy Bonds stole Atticus for me (Connor's middle name). Se - G Peck is amazing as Atticus, love the movie too.
JM - You're right, cute notebook is the key. Right now mine is boring and plain...maybe that is why things are quite right..he he. I miss you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Rachael Root Allen at 4:34pm February 1
#10 - I'm with ya on the beets..LOVE EM!
Jennifer Keen at 5:12pm February 1
RA - We MUST get together and catch up! SOON! Beets rule :)
Tanya Supple Dupuy at 7:43pm February 1
I watched To Kill A Mockingbird for the FIRST TIME during the Christmas holidays! Loved it. I liked Atticus but I really liked Scout. There are so many classic movies I have yet to see.
Amanda Tarleton Graves at 7:58pm February 1
Great list Jennifer! Sorry we didn't get to know each other in high school!
Jennifer Keen at 8:01pm February 1
Thanks, me too
Katherine Elliott Creech at 8:58pm February 1
I want to learn how to knit, too. It seems very soothing. Good job Jen!
Kelly LaBorde Barnes at 4:19pm February 2
Let's start a knit club! That would be cool as long as alcohol is involved too!! I would like to learn how to knit!!
Katherine Elliott Creech at 7:18pm February 2
Good idea Kelly! We can learn to knit while slightly lit. HA HA HA
But I really do like that idea...
Jennifer Keen at 9:54pm February 2
knit/ cocktail club sounds perfect

Life

Just finishing up work for the day, well not finished but mentally can't do anymore and have nothing to blog other than I REALLY miss my friends and family :( I feel so disconnected...I love all of you and miss you terribly. Hope to see you soon too!

Cousin Will's Beginner Bar Shift

Brief but VERY entertaining... he he

Busy Bee

Work has been insane. Three store managers short, a first time visit from company president and a new store opening on tuesday. I feel as though i haven't had time to come up for air and there is no end in sight to the busy schedule as Super Bowl and Valentine's day approach which are two of the three busiest days of the year for us. Yikes! I just had one but already feel like I need another vacation. :(

I left the bed...

to attend Lisa's "Swingin" 34th birthday party! The Swinger/ 70's themed event was quite a success. Very impressed by the outfits and hairstyles. Kind of bumbed now I didn't shop for a special outfit for this one :(

What happened to JK?

I don't think I have spent this much time at home, much less in bed, in quite some time. It hasn't been such a good thing; I have spent way too much time getting reconnected via internets. At one point yesterday, I had a gmail and facebook chat going, was twittering with Aquarius, texting and emailing from new iphone and replying to email on computer...all while downloading a ton of music on itunes! Wow, complete information overload. I am not exactly sure which part of it is most disturbing, but I do know it is high time for JK to get OUT OF THE BED!!! Natalie's FB status this morning...lol..."Natalie thinks that Jennifer Keen's cold has resulted in her becoming a fan of way too many things overnight." Ok, point taken...I'm getting out to go to the office, maybe face the world for a bit (if I can break away from the computer that is). Ha! Pic is of my comfy new home, confined to bed...all of the essentials are there :)

She writes a letter. Single-spaced. Breathless. No pauses. Just lets it run together and rush like the bottom of the waterfall. She rides her bike to his house. Takes the long way but pedals fast. And then she slides those liquid words under his door. Into the chaos of his heart.
- Persistance of Yellow

thursday night out

attended a wine and cheese tasting at the LSU Museum of Art sponsored by Whole Foods, a stop in at Happy's Irish Pub for drinks and jukebox domination then settled at Roux House to see a band that was pretty good even though outdoor sign advertised Cam Pyle (my fav) and it wasn't him

Day in Bed

After going out for a bit last night, which I seriously considered cancelling, I woke up 10 steps behind with the illness. Couldn't talk, head throbbing, and a cough that wouldn't quit. I didn't go to work, not the best time to miss and have spent the day in and out of a sleepy fog and haze. Nyquil/ Theraflu are pretty potent for me. Even after waking from the med-induced sleep, I don't feel "awake". I drove over to Natalie's to pick something up and as I sit here about four hours later I swear I do not remember driving there or back home. I guess that is the reason for the "do not operate heavy machinery" warning???

for PB

Thank you for the kind words and very lovely letter...

My sister cracks me up!

Not sure who of the blog readers may be familiar with facebook or the workings of but my sister has been on facebook for quite some time and sent this message to me tonight...

"no lol, you are a shining star! i just learned how to im, take pictures from face book and send them to email, and how to write on a wall!!! on a roll over here"

ABOUT TIME SHE FIGURES IT OUT! Welcome to 2009 K Keen!!!

Aquarius...like me on Twitter, lol!

Oh and I had din din with Dan, GB and Nat at Chelsea's...Grilled Cheese and Tomato Basil Soup...hit the spot, yum.

iPhone finally!

After a way long wait, finally work purchased an iPhone for me :) However it did take a server switch for the office which was not compatible with only one phone of hundreds of Arkel phones...my poor blackjack! So here is the first mobile blog by way of Wine Loft bar downtown where I stopped to say hello to Ms. Fay since I haven't seen her in forever! Christmas Eve in fact..

The Bulldog Baton Rouge

Some traditions should not be simulated/ duplicated...The Bulldog, New Orleans. The NEW Baton Rouge version hopefully is just experiencing the "Baton Rouge is starved for a new venue" woes. I created a FB group so that a few friends could meet up and check out the scene together. I did invite a long list of people which I guess implied that I was either hosting a private party at the Bulldog or that I had accepted a job there since I received countless messages/ wall posts asking if that were the case. I was also asked what would be the scheduled entertainment for the evening. Thank goodness Nat was prepared with a dog/ cat sketch book and Mad-libs (sp?) in her bag!!! First visit with Matt B was quite nice and relaxing. However, the next two visits (once with Kristen and Shane and once a FB organized function which I will apparently never live down) were both crowded, frat-like nights of waiting to long to be served/ closed out (Murphy's style circa 1993). Although both of the last two visits were on big football nights.The first was the night of the Texas Bowl Game and the second was Saturday a double-header NFL playoff night! The large TVs and tons-o-types of beer I guess make it an attractive place to watch such events. Somehow the early arrivers (Nat, K Fed, Lisa, Liz, Jay etc.) managed to score the comfy seating area in front of the main big screen TV! Area had a large leather sofa and four leather chairs all centered around a huge coffee table. Some in the group decided The Happy Note may be a better alternative for the evening. I hadn't been to the Happy Note in a while; nothing has changed, however. Still strong drinks, still smoke-filled and still same group of peeps; good times though!

I am glad this weekend will see Lisa's swinger/ '70's themed birthday party at the TOL :)

Art Benefit

Lollapalooza last night. Good times and even better running into Chris, who taught me tennis bac in the gap...pissed the picture is blurry though.

For Rhodes

This is photo evidence of the much talked about bacon infused vodka at Parasol's. I really didn't believe Nat when she told me about it, but I got to see it with my own eyes. How absolutely disgusting is that???

more NOLA

More photos from last weekend in New Orleans. Saturday we had a late lunch at Sun Ray Cafe in Metarie then on to St. Joe's for their famous blueberry mojitos for 4PM! We headed to Flannigan's in The Quarter to see CC (she was bartending)in a down pour. More rain then I had seen in a while. Parking and walking in the rain was quite fun too. I love a bar with good tunes AND board games. Others played Jenga, I stayed out of that. I did play Connect Four with Shane and won because the bottom fell out on his turn. I guess it was a win by default. There were also random pop culture trivia questions shouted out by CC to win free drinks. We again made it to the 24 hour Lamplighter Lounge for late night. Sunday met up with K-Fed and Nat Rat at Parasol's for lunch then headed home. Shane and Kristen stayed two nights with me, so my KK visit could be extended :)

I Heart NOLA

A trip to NOLA, finally! Long time a comin'. Hopped in the car with Nat Rat and made our journey down. Arrived about 4 and was hoping for a few hours of R & R at my sister's but apparently she had alternate plans for us which involved immediately jumping in the car and heading to a bar. First on the agenda was Parkview Tavern with Gordon, then on to Winston's to watch Alabama game. Nat and K-Fed joined. Jim eventually met up with us as well. After watching the ass kicking that was the Bama game, we headed over to Lou & Bob's. I was given multiple warnings about Lou & Bob's and what not to expect of the joint. It exceeded all non-expectations I had. Wow! What a dump!!! For those who can relate, think The Time Out Lounge x 10 on the trashy scale. There was however a pretty jamming jukebox in which I made regular deposits so I could control the tunage. About 2AM it was decided we would check out another locale, the Lamplighter Lounge. More cocktails and a battle with a metal head over the control of the jukebox. I saw the sun come up and rounded out the evening/ morning with a trip to Dot's Diner. With at least another 24 hours left in the sister visit, it is very clear why my trips to NOLA are rare...I can't keep up with these crazy kids!

New Year's Eve

Red Star Fun

LOL...

Received this email from Dan.


Remember the day I had to save you from the Cops! Keep it up Keen…

High School Christmas party at Natalie's. There is a pic of me and Nat on her camera. Hopefully she will forward it to me so I can post with the others. IT WAS SSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD TO SEE AMY BONDS!!!!!!!(See first picture)

projects cont.

pics of the paintings i just finished...posted for nat!

Home Improvement Projects

I have a rather long list of things that need to be done at my place. All of it has been put off due to work schedule and general procrastination on my part. I know I am not the "handiest" of people; but yesterday was reminded exactly how awful I am with hammer, drill, anything tool-like. Grrrr, I left some things undone after reaching my frustration threshold. My dad would be soooo disappointed in my inabilities around the house.

Christmas Day

Christmas Eve Open House

And yet another Christmas Party

This is always a fun one though. I got to catch up with a lot of people I haven't seen in a while; some probably 12 or 15 years. I had a little too much fun as today's errands and preparation for our Holiday Open House are quite painful. The thought of picking up last minute odds and ends at my mother's request, getting dressed, and entertaining is making me want to barf right now! Oh and Southern Belle sandwiches...wtf? My parents ordered some catering trays from them that had to be picked up by noon. I was sent on said errand. Only to pull up and see a line of people out the door who apparently had the same idea!!! I have experienced Tony's Seafood on a holiday pick-up day and will never do that again. Will have to add Southern Belle to that list. Ladies (unattractive ones) standing behind a counter barking...
"NAME???"
"PICK-UP TIME?" - Oh shit, parents didn't forward that detail. Apparently they arrange all of the orders in stacks by pick-up time. Not knowing my pick-up time forced her to look through 15 stacks of paper. Why there were so many stacks, I don't understand. It was 11:15 and they were closing at noon.
Blah Blah Blah. Are the holidays over yet? I am being a grinch and it is unforunate as Christams Eve at my mom's is my favorite day of the year. So, time to snap out of it. Happy Holidays to all (if any) blog readers! Aquarius, I wish I was in Hawaii right now with a fancy umbrella drink and an ipod tuning out the world...OH AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAT RAT! Love you and see you in a few hours at the paaaaaty ;)

Sia

Pick me up in your arms
Carry me away from harm
You're never gonna put me down
I know you're just one good man
You'll tire before we see land
You're never gonna put me down

Oh I've been running all my life
I ran away, I ran away from good
Yeah I've been waiting all my life
You're not a day you're not day too soon

Honey I will stitch you
Darling I will fit you in my heart
Darling I will meet you
Darling I will keep you in my heart

You'll risk all this for just a kiss
I promise I will not resist
Promise they won't track us down
And when we reach the good place
Let's be sure to leave no trace
Promise they won't track us down

Now I've been running all my life
I ran away, I ran away from good
Yeah, I've been waiting all my life
You're not a day, you're not a day too soon

Darling I will keep you
Darling I will meet you in my heart
Honey I will fit you
Darling I will stitch you in my heart

I've been running all my life
I ran away, I ran away from good
Yeah I've been waiting all my life
You're not a day, you're not a day too soon

Oh Darling I will meet you
Darling I will keep you in my heart
Darling I will fit you
Darling I will stitch you in my heart

Darling I will meet you
Darling I will keep you in my heart
Darling I will fit you
Darling I will stitch you in my heart