I am coming up the rear on this….but as the old adage says, “better late than never.”
Last time January served as the month to come clean out of the closet. I am talking about you. The one who thinks one way intimacy is okey dokey. Well I am hear to tell you I don’t fart in the wind. If I am going to take the time to spill my guts, exploit my family, and bestow the wisdom of 31 glorious years…then you…dear, silent, but sweet reader….need to out yourself. Schumutzie over at MilkMoney came up with the Great Mo-Fo Delurk and today is the day. Check out my gniffty button. RED…I love!
Now I could call you out city by city, url by url from my handy dandy stats machine….but I won’t reduce this down to 7th grade. You just have no idea that I know, that you know, that I know, that YOU regularly lurk on my blog. Oh there are girls at my church that think they are so sneaky….but I know. I am like the great Oz.
Now as I give my speech about commenting I am as guilty as you. My bloglines are full of blogs I read and never once have made a peep on. So shame on me (slaps hands) For you 50 or so regular commenter’s…..you are amazing. What would I do without you? You are the reason why I keep on keeping on.
So ladies and gents….pony up, many up, grow a pair…whatever you call it. I will make it very easy on you. You don’t have to be witty in the least. Just answer one of these questions….if you could only clothes shop at one place for the rest of your lives….where would it be? If you had to eat at the same restaurant for dinner every night…..what restaurant and what is your favorite dish? Secret vacation you are dying to take if money were no object?
Okay…I have faith in you. You can do it. Baby steps to freedom, baby steps.
I am the FIRST commenter? Weird…..
I would LOVE to go travel across Canada with my little family, take all the time we wanted, stop wherever we want, do whatever we want AND stay in nice hotels with HOT showers and room service! That would be just great!
I’m not de-lurking, but just letting you know I read and I LOVE your blog, your pictures are THE BEST on the web! Love ‘em! Keep it up!
Love your blog, your pictures. That Chloe is such a cutie.
I absolutely love Il Fornaio restaurant in Coronado, CA. Their Cappellacci di Zucca is to die for.
You know I don’t lurk but I’ll leave the commenty love just the same.
If money were no object, I would take my family (husband and 3 kids) on a month long vacation around Europe.
*standing and waving* I am addicted to your blog Kelli! I love hearing your witty tales, seeing Chloe’s precious pictures, and I can’t wait to see and hear all about Porty. Congratulations!!!!
I just started reading a few weeks ago(from Amanda)….so I haven’t been lurking long! I love pictures! Oy those questions are hard. I think I’d shop at JCrew or Banana (online) - mostly because they have tall stuff!
Ok, as soon as I hit submit, I noticed I spelled your name wrong KellY! Sorry, it won’t happen again!
I’m no lurker!
When we go out for dinner our clutch appie is calamari.
xoxoxoxo
clothes–j.crew
food–bravo, pasta pomodoro
vacation–month in italy, spent a summer there in college and i’m dying to take mike back and show him everywhere i spent time!
hi!
H&M. Nuff said
been around for a while, envious over your awesome photo skillz!
Ok, Ok, I am a total lurker.
Now that I have a little one I would love to own a 2nd home in Hawaii. I think a beach vacation with little kids is practically perfect. Endless amounts of cheap entertainment, exercise, memories. And money is no object, right? Then our beach house is right on the beach but never suffers and kind of destruction from a storm and is impervious to the salt water air. I think that would be perfect. (Delusional, party of one?)
BTW, your pictures continue to amaze me. As I prepare to pony up an insane amount of $ for family pics, I am even more jealous of all the fantastic shots you have. I may have to take a photography course…
Thanks for your blog. It is a pleasure to read.
Darcie
what the H-E-double-hockey-sticks??? i thought you were referring to people ‘outing’ themselves in a different way, if you know what i’m sayin’… it all started with like the first 4 sentences.
Fav place to eat: Fisherman’s Grotto, Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey CA - calamari appetizer, crab cakes or salmon dinner
AND… i want to go to Ireland.
up the rear?!? dear lord! if i had to shop at one place, it’d probably be abercrombie, just cuz their stuff fits really well. if i had to eat at one place every night, it’d probably be cheddar’s and i’d eat their grilled chicken sandwich, yum! if i could go anywhere on vacation right now, i’d go lay on the beach in thailand for a month straight!
Dream vacation…Egypt, hands down. I’ve been obsessed with it ever since I was teeny tiny and heard the Bible stories in Sunday school…
And just ONE store? I don’t know if I could recycle all my clothes for the rest of my life, but I’m tempted to go with either MAC or Sephora…you heard about my cosmetic addiction…and yes, if I’m ever in Virginia we’ll play.
Since you won’t really know the restaurants and clothing shops in our country, let’s just say it will have to be a restaurant that sells divine foods, junk food included but that would offer veggies on the side lol
I’ve made some comments! Being in Australia, you’ll all have to set Australia as your dream place to visit in order to visit the shop I like, but its Colorado - most of my clothes come from there. And as for restaurant, it’s Kaiser Stub’n, in Terrey Hills, in the north of Sydney, where I like lots of things on the menu. Being an Austrian-German restaurant, I am obviously not vegetarian - they don’t do no meat!
Hmmm. Holiday…I think San Francisco because we have all sorts of family tales attached to that city and I have never been there. Closer to home maybe Melbourne. I think if I had to pick a restaurant I would pick Coco’s in South Perth on the river. Clothing -1 shop - you gotta be kidding Kellie! Loved those wedding pics yesterday - I hear ya with the cheese.
Hey woman
I have started to comment about 100 times… usually in relation to The Office haha (the first episode was a solid start yes??) I somehow landed on your blog through Dan’s facebook I think? Anyways I’ve loved lurking after the life of my favorite youth group leader everrrr! Congrats on Porty!!! Although there may be a slight complication… I think a sparkly thing will be showing up on my finger before too long… and I’m pretty much planning on your photog skills for the wedding next summer! I’m not really sure how the new little one will fit into my plans for you…. hahaha kidding kidding of course. If nothing else I would love to have you guys do my portraits 
Chloe is abso-freakin-lutely precious and I always look forward to picture time… thanks for kicking my tail to come out of the commenting closet 
Macaroni Grill alfredo…. yum.
Clothes- I would have to say the Gap. Plain, simple but cute:)
old navy and/or target.
texas roadhouse::filet::medium well::salad with italian::steamed veggies::beer
australia!
The pleaser that I am, I will do as you ask….admit I’m a lurker and make myself known!
I’m an advid fan of your blog. I’ve never been into reading blogs except to check on the health status of my nephew through my sister-in-law’s blog so when I stumbled upon your’s, by way of searching for a party hat picture on google, weird, I know…I was hooked. Chloe is absolutely adorable and congratulations on Porty baby. I’m sure he/she will be such a blessing. Kind of weird but I thought you were pregnant before you posted. I guess I’ve got great prego-radar! 
Thanks for sharing your life in a transparent, humorous way. It’s very refreshing. And you have such a great talent! Thanks for sharing that, too!
Only 1 store: Probably either TJ Maxx or Ross Dress for Less - because it’s always an adventure, great prices and never cookie-cutter stuff (especially their dresses)! (And Home Goods- but I couldn’t give up shopping for clothes!!)
If there was one place I could go it would have to be Italy. I have always wanted to go there
I’m so for people outing their stalker selves! I can’t tell you how many people (mostly up here, but a few of my own family members!!) will tell me in person, “oh, I love reading your blog” SOOOO, why don’t you comment and stop letting me do all the work of blogging for your own personal enjoyment and not give me any feed back? deep breath..it’s nice to get that out in the open.
Def. Target and Old Navy. Could never pick a rest, love to many! ALthough I do often miss the Southern Fried and the Feta Chicken Salads from Shakers and the Sierra Turkey sandwich from Panera.. okay, now I need to go cry and mourn the loss of all the things that I loved. Thanks, Kel!
Part of me wants to do a De-Lurking, but then the other part of me - is TERRIFIED to find out who really is reading.
I know i have readers. I know who some of them are that might not comment. But others, I don’t, and I’m really not sure that I want to…I’m kind of content to just let them keep checking out the blog if it entertains them, and pretending there’s an invisible internet wall between us…no biggie.
kinda like the iron curtain. Ok that was a bad example. But yeah.
So hey, look at your lurkers you’ve outed! good job. I just can’t bring myself to do it yet (I missed the day anyway, darn! :))
And I don’t lurk but I’ll answer a question:
Vacation - my own private (luxury) hut on the water in Malaysia.
one of my co-workers showed me where she’s going in a few months and ok, money is no object for her, but STILL. paradise!!!!
that’s a part of the world I can’t even imagine. So I’d need to see it.
I am a happily admitted stalker of you and your website(s). You, of course, know this, as you’ve accepted said status and allowed me to continue in my obsession.
I am a total foodie, so choosing one place is so dang tough. But this summer I had an honest-to-God emotional experience at La Bastide in Grasse, France. It was so hyped up I assumed it would be a total let down but truth be told: I cried during the meal. I kid you not. I. Cried. I talk about the meal constantly … I even have what I ate typed into my blackberry so that I would never forget. Is that sad or what? No, really.
So, in concert with that obsession, clearly my dream vacation would be an extension of last summer. I’d stay in the South of France forever. FOREVER. And if money were no object, that would mean I’d EAT at La Bastide every day for the rest of my life. OMG, I think I just started crying again ….
Hi Kelly, I have been a lurker for a while, read all your archives and love to see your pics. Chloe is too adorable. Thanks for sharing your life with us. Oh, and congrats on the baby.
Oh I’m so flighty I could never pick just ONE clothing store or restaurant… but vacation? Europe. All of it. I’m so jealous, Hubz gets to do 10 days all over Europe soon. wwwaaahahahah!! And all I get is a bottle of vino fromm each country. Uh hello? TAKE ME!
So should I have not even commented?
But I’m no lurker.
Blonde? check.
Placenta brain? check.
ok. i’m not a surprise. your nj hooka reads regularly.
but, i’ll play along. one vacation i’d LOVE to take if money were no obstacle? santorini, greece. i always thought it was gorgeous. but, after sisterhood of the traveling pants and an episode of giada in paradise, i am SOLD. take me off the wrack and place me on hold for pick up….i am so taken with that place. me. gorgeous pool overlooking the mountainside of greece? yes, please.
I’m guilty of being a lurker. You are so funny and I love the pics of Chloe. She is so presh! Congrats on Porty!
On to the assignment…a very long stay at Hawaii would be so great. It would have to be in my own private, secluded house right on the beach with lots of pampering.
FYI. Target has some “Office” flair in their dollar bins at the entrance.
i am a regular. but you already knew that.
Torrid. I didn’t even have to think about that one.
Meriwethers, but I haven’t been there in a long time so I don’t know what my favorite thing is.
Antarctica, or the Costa Rican rainforest.
I’m so not a lurker and I feel lucky to have been “following” your life (uhh creepy much?) for a loong time.. since long before you got prego with Chloe, in fact! Anyhow, I love ya and my favourite store for all time would have to be Old Navy. If only there was one less than four hours away….
One place to shop forvever: Probably Old Navy-not my fav place but a place where I could get all I need.
Place to eat every night. Cheesecake Factory- Lemon Chicken Piccata-YUM and Cheesecake.
Place to Vacation- A trip around the world- Egypt, Europe, China, South America, Russia, etc. My grandparents did one and were gone for 9 months. They had a blast.
Okay I guess I’ll grow a pair.
Food, it would have to be vietnamese food. I hardly consider it a meal without fish sauce and peppers
vacation, I really want to go to columbia.
If money were not object, J. Crew.
I love your blog!
I do leave comments every now and then. I love Ann Taylor Loft. I could eat at The Olive Garden every night. Breadsticks, salad and soup! I’ve been lucky enough to of traveled to most of my dreamiest places, except for Australia and New Zealand. (Once the kiddies get old enough to come with us!)
Lucky Jeans — they make my a*s look FANTASTIC!!!
Wow! Look how many lurkers you have. I think I’ve out-ed myself before, but just in case, I’ll do it again.
You’re actually cousins with my old High School friend, Stephen Hallgren. I figured this out when I saw a picture of Chloe on HIS Flickr page and then it linked to YOUR flickr page and I thought to myself, “My goodness, is it ever a small world!”
Anyway, I am having trouble committing to one restaurant or one clothing store. Committment makes me nervous. But I think maybe I’d eat forever at this wonderful Tapas restaurant in GR called San Chez. I’d have the guava pesto salmon and one of the veggie tapas, too.
I only lurk randomly and I realize I’m a day late but what the heck…
“Secret vacation you are dying to take if money were no object?”
I’d love to take my husband to Disney World for over 2 weeks. I went for a week as a young tot and I’d love to experience it again with my husband (who has never been) before either of us kicks the bucket. *lol* I don’t care if he’s 95 and his dentures come flying out on one of the roller coasters, we’re going!
i’m not a lurker either, but i think i can be a mo-fo, so i’ll comment.
i already buy all my clothes at old navy. hooray for 3 dollar t-shirts!
Hey Kelly—I think I’ve commented before—and I KNOW I’ve sent emails that haven’t been returned!! For shame Kelly Lee!!! I love your blog and your adorable Chloe. I have some of my friends around here hooked as well! Congrats on baby Porty. I can’t wait to see more belly pictures. I had my second in May–I hope you got the announcement. Anyway–hope this clears up any of your mystery stalkers!! How creepy!
well kelly, i am getting off my mo’ fo’ and commenting, although i’ve commented before.
umm….i don’t know what restaurant, what store or even where to go on vacation…(i think europe), but just wanna tell you your blog makes me laugh like none other. VERY funny stuff, i tell you.
looking forward to more great stories and pics of chloe and porty.
my favorite story is the shower story… i’m laughing again just thinking about it. ahhahhhh!hah!
Hello!
A GAP girl here… and a serious lurker!
Love reading your blog… and your daughter is adorable. I have a 3yr old son, and one on the way (I think we’re pretty close… I’m 8wks along).
Well, I’ll just come out and say it. Your blog is my most favorite read on the internet, hands down. I check not once, but a few times a day, hoping to see new pics and witty writing. Thanks for the chuckles and entertainment in an otherwise looooong day at work!
Clothes- JCrew
Restaurant- Kincaid’s, where I get the Chicken Dijon with garlicky smashed potatoes, Maytag Bleu cheese salad and a piece of cheesecake. It’s across the Bay, on the water, so you get a great view of all the planes coming into SFO.
Vacation- I would love to go to Israel and Greece.
Been reading your blog for a while… LOVE IT. You always encourage me and make me laugh… and since I’m also in Virginia totally wish I was getting married again so you could take some awesome photos for me!! You guys rock!
Would love to take a vacation MANY places, but the one that ranks first: ISRAEL, with an extension to Petra… Kay Arthur takes a Bible study/trip there every year and I’m dying to go with her one year!!!
Thanks for giving me a reason to stop lurking and jump in on the fun!
Ok…I’m coming clean! I am a stalker! Is there some recovery program for this? I will no longer stalk in silence! Kelly, I’m so happy for you and your growing little family! I just love getting to have a peek into your life through your blog!
I’m not a lurker, but you know I’m a stalker!
I was thinking about you today because I have no idea what to do for Lily’s birthday and I know you are going to do something amazing for Chloe and I’ll be the lame mom. ALTHOUGH, I did start a crafty project for her room (where not a single thing hangs on the walls since being painted). I’ll send you pics once it’s done. It involves frames from IKEA, fabric and a hot glue gun, can you freaking believe it? Me neither.
Ok, ok I will totally delurk, one cause of guilt :)…and two, cause I love your photography and one day when I am rich and get married I will totally fly you out to some tropical place and pay you to take photos. You both are very, very talneted!!!
Jude.
if you could only clothes shop at one place for the rest of your lives….where would it be? I would have to say..Old Navy on this one!
If you had to eat at the same restaurant for dinner every night…..what restaurant and what is your favorite dish? I ADORE The Olive Garden and love the Zuppa Tocana Soup!
Secret vacation you are dying to take if money were no object? That would be…ANYWHERE! We have NO money as I stay at home with my children and have not taken ANY vacation since our first anniversary…So at this point I would GO ANYWHERE!
I just found my way here about two weeks ago and have enjoyed your writing and your photography equally. We hope to split North America in half and take two trips in consecutive summers in an RV, with all of our kids, to go see a baseball game in EVERY major league stadium. Totally dorky but our dream vacation.
Hello!
I am a lurker, and rare commenter, but I’m working on it. I love your blog, your sense of humour and your beautiful pictures. I almost commented a little while ago when you found out you were pregnant — my kids are 18 mos apart, and our youngest was a complete surprise. 100% So I related to that post a bit!
If I could go anywhere, I’d go on a Mediterranean cruise for starts, and to answer the other questions, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to get out more!
Do you guys have Mexx in the States? Because if I were skinny and rich I would buy the place out! It’s so classy and nice and I want everything I touch in that store.
Look, you’re so PAPular!
Annnnnnnd, I can’t help but notice it’s been a while since you commented on my blog, you big dirty mofo. Get to it!
Hmmm, clothes shopping for me is hard because my legs are so stinkin’ long. So, thank the Lord I don’t have to stick to just one place!! Food… I LOVE Abuelos (don’t check my spelling please!!) it’s a really nice Mexican joint that has the most bestest Guacamole!!!!!!! Love your blog Kelly!!!
Trip would be to Europe with my family, last time I did that I was 21 and single. Clothes….um, Old Navy I guess. Not a big clothing person. Restaurant, not sure. I love Greek and Mexican.
LOOOOVE your pictures. Your photography website is gorgeous. You and your husband are very talented!
Hi Kelly! I feel like I know you, but it’s so strange that I never met you. I am long time friends with Joe, but I haven’t talked to him or seen him in a quite a while now… possibly since my wedding last August. how sad. Anyway, I got pregnant not too long after you did and he told me that I should start reading you blog. So… I did. And man oh man, you have made me laugh and cry and definitely envy your photography ability. I don’t know why it has taken me this long to comment. Maybe because I had nothing to offer, as my blog has been a sorry excuse of a blog in the past year or so, but here I am… finally coming out as a closet Kelly Portnoy blog reader.
I hope you’re happy! sheesh
Anyway… to answer one of your questions… since I miss Yamazato’s in Lynchburg SO much… I’ll go with that restaurant. And I’d get the chicken with extra zuccini and yumyum sauce! mmmm
whew! I’m done. For real. Tell Ryan that I said hi!
I have to say, I wasn’t so sure about this post either - up the rear, mo-fos, coming out….ok where is she going??
Anyway, deep breath. It’s all good. “My heart soars with the eagle’s nest.”
Patrick and I were just talking about how much we are looking forward to taking our kids to Ireland someday. We got engaged there and can’t wait to show them the spot where Daddy asked Mommy to marry him. And I’d probably shop at the Gap forever if I had the money and if my wide post baby hips go away. Cute and classic.
In black and white, of course!
I would shop at Banana Republic
I would eat at Tommy Bahamas
I would tour Israel, Egypt, Greece for 2 or 3 months and learn more about the steps of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, the 12 tribes of both of those, Jesus, Paul, etc., etc.
You know I love you and Chloe and comment all the time.
…in my personal shopper’s showroom. hey - i’d only be shopping in One place :0)
Clothes: New York & Company stores.
Restaurant: I don’t remember the name but it is a small restaurant in downtown Madrid, Spain where they serve comfort food. God knows how much I miss that food.
Secret vacation: New York City
Been lurking for a while. Not even sure how I came across your blog. Not a real big blog reader but have to admit that I am quite entertained by yours.
Love looking at your pics and wish I was talented enough and took the time to do the same. I unfortunately am guilty of taking pics and letting them sit on disc forever. Oh well, maybe someday.
BTW - Congrats on the baby. Really wanted to comment but so many others had expressed my thoughts. Mine son and daughter are 19 months apart. I was mortified when I found out!!!! I didn’t even tell my husband for two weeks because I was so in shock. Anyway, all is good now. Ages 3 and almost 2 - much easier and good playmates.
Restaurant - The Red Bar - Grayton Beach, Florida
Store - Target (How lame but has pretty much everything needed for the whole family!)
Been lurking a while…I read your blog because it’s the most positive and fun one I have in my Favorites. Sometimes I think you are probably far too nice for me in real life (as in you’d think I am a gossipy, cynical heathen), and most of the other blogs I read are of the sarcastic, infertile, or cancer-affected lot. But your blog just…makes me happy. Yay! I always finish a blog-reading session with yours, in case I am saddened or discouraged by something in one of the others. You’re so funny and weird (in the best way, of course) and happy! And your daughter’s adorable, and your marriage seems so blessed, and blah blah blah, I’m gushing! I think I’m outing myself as a secret optimist! Damn.
Favorite stores: Target, Old Navy, Sephora!
Favorite restaurant: Saltgrass? Sweetgrass? Some steakhouse chain I visited in Texas (I live in OR). Chicken fried steak to die for! Of course, put gravy on cardboard and I will eat it.
Secret vacation spot: Some charming, tiny Southern town where I’d have a hound dog and everyone would treat me like they’d known me forever and the closest farmer’s never-married, quiet, strapping son would harbor a secret crush on me. For a month.
You’ve found me out, Kelly! Loooove your blog and make Wes look at it often. Congrats on the baby from both of us!
Oh…definitely a cruise…hmmm…to Europe…yeah…that’s it.
LMAO! Yes, I am one of you lurkers! heheh.. I dunno I guess I have been reading your journal and lovein’ all your photos for (I would guess) about 3 months now. I cant swear to it but I think I came across a link to your photos in Flickr! Anyways - I have bookmarked your blog and have a happy time reading about Chloe (adorable) and the new one. I totaly am so jeaouls of your photos - geesh! they are amzing. Yeah, when I grow up I wanna be a photographer also!
Last week when I *caught up* on your journal I had just found out you were having another baby.. Yay you. (I have 2 that are 22 months apart - It works out great).
OK.. SO - where would I shop? Kohl’s
Where would I eat? Red Lobster
what would I eat? shrimp.. and type - cooked any way.. I love shrimp!
Vacation? Jamaca.
Oh and incase you wanna know. I am Shari.. I live in Indiana. I am a mom of 3 ( 27 - 25 & 22). But I am old enough to be your momma! haha.. My grand baby Hannah lives with me. So if you do visit my Flickr stream.. that blue eyed little one is - Hannah!
alright, i’m out. i found you awhile back through dan’s site. i worked with dan and ryan at the daily grind back in the day…i still remember ryan telling your love story, so cute! and your kid is frickin adorable now. good job with the procreation bit!
i feel like a creeper, mustache and all.
that might make me dan.
tell ryan i say hi!
cheers.
This is a great idea except I am scared to try it because it might confirm that truly not one person visits my site..that’s how many comments I get…but I don’t blame them because I rarely comment either…*sigh*
Okay question to answer…I would take a vacation around the world and explore every place, village, and people I could think of …eat rare foods, and most of all make a collection of peoples life stories that I have talked with…love peoples stories..anyways that is my secret vacation trip that i want and it would have to be a year long…sweeeet!
I’ve only been reading for a few days, I know this is an old post, but I felt compelled to respond!
I just married my sweetheart on Nov. 3rd, so exactly one month ago!
Now, I have baby fever. I’ve always loved kids, but now that we’re hitched, I’m craving a child!! We’re going to wait though, we really have NO money or time at the moment. I found your blog by searching for young crafters on google and yours just happend to be up there. I’m now hooked!
As for your questions:
Clothes shopping? I’m a big girl, so I’m reduced to only a few shops, but Lane Bryant is by far the best… let’s hope money is no object in this scenario or else I’d be bankrupt..or naked…
I’m a chef by trade, so I’m kind of picky about where I would eat..but while in France training, the hotel where I worked was amazing! Chateau de Masillon is a castle that has been turned into this beautiful hotel and the menu changes daily. I’d eat anything from that kitchen.
Vacation? I’d tie the husband up and FORCE him to go to the Philippines to meet his mothers family. I think it would be an amazing experience for us both..and a real eye opener as well.
Thanks for putting out such funny, heartfelt and just plain entertaining blogs. They really help me wind down. Have a wonderful day!!