tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10644129530071214922024-02-21T03:38:10.224-08:00Keek & HollzCaitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-75072858120427889832011-08-09T19:31:00.000-07:002011-08-09T20:13:51.184-07:00Have to, Want to, Should do...WILL do."Every vice has it's excuse ready." ~Publilius Syrus
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<br />I don't know who this Publilius guy is, but they sure are right. And I hate to admit it, but I'm not just a terrible procrastinator, I make excuses for not doing the things I should. Well, I do the things I have to do, I do things I want to do....but sometimes, I don't do a lot of of those "should do" things. Like fully clean and organize my room. Like have a consistent workout and nutrition plan. Like pursue acting, or go back to school, or figure out what it really is I want for myself and out of life. Like writing on this blog! In come the all powerful excuses..."I don't have time to work out." "It's hard to eat healthy when I'm driving in my car all day and not in an office." "I will write when I have something to write about." "I'll get my desk organized on my next day off." - Then that next day off comes and something ALWAYS comes up. Mind you, the majority of the time it's one of those "want-to-do's" which I could absolutely not do. But again I say, I'm a terrible procrastinator...my brain fully welcomes distractions. Classic dog sees squirrel type situation.
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<br />Then the other side of my brain is terribly driven and likes to cross things off the to-do list, likes making goals, having a clean room, all that good stuff I make excuses for not doing. This part of my brain hates that first part I just talked about. Sometimes I think I'm just a big walking contradiction, and that's why I never feel like I get anything done. On one hand, I've got a list of a gazillion things to do, and the other I just keep saying I'll do it later, when it really needs to get done. One of my favorite sayings is "if you wait until the last minute to do something, it only takes a minute to do." That's not going to fly forever. I know it's easier to get away with all these making excuses and half-assing my way through most things now because it's just me. I don't have kids, I don't even have an animal to give up any of my time to right now...so all this time is just for me. To do not just some of, but ALL of the have-to's, want-to's and even all of the should-do's.
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<br />So my good brain side says I am setting a few small goals. I know myself, and if I set up a bunch of huge goals just because I am on a roll and ready for change, I end up failing at them all.
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<br />Step one: Caitlyn and I are doing any sort of activity for this whole month. While I may have failed 2 of the days (not making an excuse for why, and saying I will do better from here on out), yesterday I joined the gym and have an excellent personal trainer (and great roommate) willing and ready to be help me anytime...I will do it.
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<br />Step two: Writing. This has actually helped me even now realize that if I tell myself I can do something, I can sit for 20 minutes and write a blog about doing more things I have been making excuses about for so long, then I SHOULD be making these goals, and making it a priority to cross things off of the never ending lists. So my goal for writing is, whether it's on here and Caitlyn and I have topics to talk about, or if it's for 15 minutes right before I fall asleep...I will do it.
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<br />Step three: Organization. This one might take a little longer - but it has to start somewhere. Everyday I will designate at least 15 minutes to putting clothes away, or going through papers, taking things out of my car....that 15 minutes a day turns in to almost 2 hours a week of getting things done...I will do it.
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-58100254541395251652011-08-09T17:55:00.000-07:002011-08-09T18:18:35.524-07:00Time is TreasureIt is always sad to lose someone. Even more so when you have things you wished you could have said or done with that someone and suddenly they are just no longer there.
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<br />Ellen asked me a long time ago if I knew how to iron. I said, "Well, I think so...I kind of just put the clothes out and iron them, no real plan of action."
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<br />She proceeded to tell me that there is a specific way to iron, that her mother-in-law taught her how to do so and that she would love to show me. I told her I would love that and we should plan a time for me to come over with some of Oliver's clothes.
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<br />Time went by, we continued our weekly dinners with Oliver's parents, and saw them often, but never quite planned that ironing lesson. I always thought to myself, "we'll figure it out, we'll find a time."
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<br />Ellen began to get sicker and as she began to get even more weak, I remember thinking, maybe I could set up an iron in the hang-out room where Ellen was in her bed. She might not be able to show me, but if I were right there she could guide and direct me.
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<br />It seems simple, an ironing lesson. Ironing is ironing, you get the wrinkles out, you're good, right? But it was more than that. It meant something that my mother-in-law-to-be wanted to pass something on to me that her mother-in-law passed to her. It was just really a moment to share. And I wanted that moment. And as time went on and her sickness quickly began to completely take over, I lost my chance. I lost my chance to spend the time and make the memory. Like I said, it seems simple, but it tears me up inside that I missed out on that moment. I was lucky enough to marry into the most amazing family, have the most amazing in-laws. Even if I technically only had a mother-in-law for three days.
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<br />I miss Ellen everyday. I'm not really sure I will ever forgive myself for letting that moment pass. I am extremely blessed that I got the chance to say everything I could ever want to say to her, to thank her for her son, for making him who he is, for loving him the way she had his whole life, for teaching him how to love and for welcoming me with open arms into their family. The most amazing woman, the pride of the family, the elegant matriarch. I learned a lot from my mother-in-law and I am thankful for that. This lesson, instead of teaching me how to iron, has taught me to treasure all moments and never take time for granted because you are not always guaranteed to have it.
<br />Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-44876527366674075282011-07-31T11:58:00.000-07:002011-07-31T12:09:11.332-07:0031 DaysSo, it seems to me that whenever I give myself a challenge, I seem to get more accomplished. Kind of like making short-term goals instead of big, long-term ones. For example, when I started boot camp this year, I signed up for one month and told myself that I would do this boot camp for the whole month, no excuses, no skipping out, and I did it. The whole month of January I woke up at 5:00 a.m., went to boot camp for an hour, went to the gym to shower and then continued on with my regular workday. I didn't miss one day and it felt really good to keep that promise to myself. I also give something (usually multiple somethings) up every year during Lent. I have never, not once "cheated" during Lent. If I say I will not eat fast food or order out for a month, I wont do it (even when it isn't the Lenten season.)<br /><br />What I am getting at is my next challenge. Tomorrow begins a new month and my challenge, however small it may seem to others, is to do some type of physical activity everyday for 31 days. When I do things like this, it isn't just for the month, it is to jump start a healthy way of living, so that next month, I will be used to the everyday activity, know what I am capable of and be able to continue.<br /><br />And since I decided to blog about it and this is a dual blog...Hollee and I will be doing this together. Whatever it may be; a walk around the block, a trip to the gym, swimming at the beach or pool, a bike ride...anything. Everyday. All month long. We will both be doing it (we tend to do better when we do things together, even from a distance.) We will also be taking suggestions of what type of activity to do so we don't get burnt out. So, keep the ideas coming! (Or really, just START them coming...no one ever responds to our blogs, we really do want suggestions!!)<br /><br />We'll be blogging about our progress; how things are going, what types of activities we are doing, how we feel, etc. So, there you go. 31 days. Starting tomorrow. Wish us luck!Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-53188067179607921732011-07-29T12:26:00.000-07:002011-07-29T13:35:54.825-07:00For the Bug and the Monster<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBgIWciVpEEt5ldx6H4PA2XfUaI4aclLGQzYuQpCHqun2L9uTtsjVN5lCbllwmJMpVL9rOEGhuJDXaDg8i1q9Ws4mIKor1GRoaSbQH0JFHY0tr7KSbknb6T_ZIctj4EwLhOmTfHUebEM/s1600/Summer+2010+198.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBgIWciVpEEt5ldx6H4PA2XfUaI4aclLGQzYuQpCHqun2L9uTtsjVN5lCbllwmJMpVL9rOEGhuJDXaDg8i1q9Ws4mIKor1GRoaSbQH0JFHY0tr7KSbknb6T_ZIctj4EwLhOmTfHUebEM/s320/Summer+2010+198.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634875166402903058" /></a><br /><br />Sometimes throughout the year, I sit back and think, "what was I doing at this time last year?" I daydream and compare where I am in life, things I was doing then compared to things I am doing now, that sort of thing. A few weeks ago, I was reminiscing about last summer. This time last summer I was playing mommy to my amazing niece and nephew. All summer I told myself I was going to write them a letter at the end of our time together and tell them all the things they did, places we went together, adventures we had, adorable things they did or said. Daily, I would think to myself "oh, there's something I'll put in the letter" after Freddie smiled for the camera or Ainsley said something ridiculously funny (which is definitely not rare:) But as the summer came to a close, I had written nothing. Shocker. So, this year as I am thinking back, I have decided to write that letter. Things are not as fresh in my mind but it is a summer I will never forget. So here it goes:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXliZkdnQ028EQWL0cZx1XBtBF4IG2pF1zSmxuEE9q_KZCT2n7XA3RXiwmjWmqJ4aRxDaZlGa7xHw1-TbTy4eyfGM_b5PJKB-vfpB9KjYqr8b6voi50PHyd1CNhwkaaAIRVS2mDGzbjB8/s1600/Summer+2010+353.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXliZkdnQ028EQWL0cZx1XBtBF4IG2pF1zSmxuEE9q_KZCT2n7XA3RXiwmjWmqJ4aRxDaZlGa7xHw1-TbTy4eyfGM_b5PJKB-vfpB9KjYqr8b6voi50PHyd1CNhwkaaAIRVS2mDGzbjB8/s320/Summer+2010+353.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634870581837035538" /></a><br />Dear Ainsley and Freddie, <br /><br />Last summer Daddy stayed with Nanny and Poppa during the week so he could work at his new job and while Mommy was still working in Richmond, I was the one to get to take care of you! Since I am a teacher and have summers off, I was lucky enough to spend the whole summer with you two!<br /><br />Bug, you were not even three yet, because I came to stay with you guys in June, but you were the most amazing, chatty, witty almost-three-year-old I have ever known. And Fredders, you were just a wee three month old baby boy. The chubbiest, cutest, most amazing little baby boy I have ever had the pleasure to meet. <br /><br />We settled into a routine where I woke up right before Mommy had to leave for work, most days you were awake, Bug, and Freddie was either still sleeping or laying in his swing. For a little while, you were very sad to see Mommy go. It broke my heart (and Mommy's) to see you cry when she left, but you were fine less than 5 minutes after she was out of the driveway. Then, I would make you breakfast and sometimes even set up your chair in the living room so we could watch something fun while we ate our breakfast. Otherwise, we would sit at the table together and eat our breakfast of cereal, waffles, or the chocolate cream of wheat stuff that you loved. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVHqPP-ICfgGjxnLCWBAPXkCWcN6ajuBU7KyO_hyphenhyphen7e9FfGlo-3EKvK4F36NWOuDwsyNzuxj736UXJNGB-JqQ2AXDxH2Tw1xjhYT94Q4x7GZjwJWcBxdpKaMPjLrba5ipJh45JbRmRSUQ/s1600/Summer+2010+266.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVHqPP-ICfgGjxnLCWBAPXkCWcN6ajuBU7KyO_hyphenhyphen7e9FfGlo-3EKvK4F36NWOuDwsyNzuxj736UXJNGB-JqQ2AXDxH2Tw1xjhYT94Q4x7GZjwJWcBxdpKaMPjLrba5ipJh45JbRmRSUQ/s320/Summer+2010+266.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634871052520072178" /></a><br /><br />You were such a good helper with Freddie, always wanting to follow me up when we had to do a diaper change, or hold his bottle when I was feeding him. Freddie, you kept us on schedule. I had to make sure you had everything you needed when you needed it. You had bad reflux so you took Mylanta (Ainsley, you used to ask me in the morning if Freddie had taken "your lanta" yet because when you asked what I was giving him, I said "Mylanta." It made me giggle every time.) I even had an app on my phone that tracked when you took your medicine, when you ate, when you were changed, when you slept, when you woke up, everything. You had your bottle every three hours and you took your longer naps in the morning. So every morning we would lounge until around 10:30 when I would start to get Ainsley ready before you woke up around 11:00 and we all went out together. <br /><br />Some days we went grocery shopping, sometimes to Target, we played soccer in the front yard, blew bubbles in the backyard and always went to a park somewhere. There was the park with the fountain where we threw some goldfish to the geese, then there was your favorite park with the castle! Now, that was a cool playground. You went on the see-saw, the swings, the tire swing, and we played princess games in the castle where you would tell me stories about how I was in the dungeon and the princes Brinkley and Gatsby would come save me from the "Mean Teen." <br /><br />Bug, your imagination is like nothing I've ever seen. You can play make-believe for hours and never get tired, you can tell stories with the most creative action sequences I've ever heard. You also did love your movies. As much as we played outside, we watched movies. One of your favorites last summer was All Dogs Go To Heaven (although I am sure it is hard to believe there was anything before Tangled.) The credits would roll and you would instantly look at me and say "again?" Sometimes I said yes:)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLjyDCobLmau984nUKDqJqI_sFWKs69HH7oqqG4iIsr2fMhwCR4_JgCUC_0h5oqhpIa_nNN7yStA1IyPRyRBBVfw_9ZZNXt21xO-NMH00bNBwRG_zpu8AnMxxPIVHZIvuBeqG-M7ZGzM/s1600/Summer+2010+194.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLjyDCobLmau984nUKDqJqI_sFWKs69HH7oqqG4iIsr2fMhwCR4_JgCUC_0h5oqhpIa_nNN7yStA1IyPRyRBBVfw_9ZZNXt21xO-NMH00bNBwRG_zpu8AnMxxPIVHZIvuBeqG-M7ZGzM/s320/Summer+2010+194.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634874007800285026" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPeSigln2g3As7LHD4XdksiXCwjYSKzePjzuPNnLdqhiVlsr5lfgEnH19KYJ0LDqVDNa74nttNCWt3SCaMKSbHu8y5YXFCkgzF55h44qAysKBJGYy7zpD1-SNnS520WJPx9R7Xa22Ze4/s1600/Summer+2010+195.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPeSigln2g3As7LHD4XdksiXCwjYSKzePjzuPNnLdqhiVlsr5lfgEnH19KYJ0LDqVDNa74nttNCWt3SCaMKSbHu8y5YXFCkgzF55h44qAysKBJGYy7zpD1-SNnS520WJPx9R7Xa22Ze4/s320/Summer+2010+195.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634874824621459154" /></a><br />We went to the pool with Margie one day and you had such a blast! Freddie kinda just chilled then passed out, but we had fun!<br />We had a little blow up pool on the deck and we'd play for hours in there too. You had hundreds of toys in there and I would sing you a song "I see a tiger, tiger, tiger, I see a tiger in the pool!" and you would search for the tiger and bring it to me. That game never got old! Then, after your birthday party you had a lot more toys and even a new play sink for outside. You always wanted to crawl in the sink, I even gave you a bath in there once, ha. Crazy Auntie Keek:) Or was it Crazy Ainsley? It was your idea!<br /><br />One big thing we accomplished together that summer was potty training!! Mommy and Daddy had been working with you for a bit before Freddie came along, but once he was born you regressed a little (totally normal when a new baby is in the house and Mommy and Daddy are super busy.) So I thought it was the perfect time for you to try again. You did such a great job!! You got a prize every time and soon enough you were fully trained and I was so proud of you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjk0r46XHipFx9w5zOaOXTHkpZwelfstbgXQNysYpLvdlVhdDsW9zALo7TDSEx55bqkO9TR4uWV6gAq0flCAmO3Jt7E9LfOvyL8FOXSqgWHbTjOawhlrNNI-N-dCX-nD0bsBhGVn6yzI/s1600/Summer+2010+177.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjk0r46XHipFx9w5zOaOXTHkpZwelfstbgXQNysYpLvdlVhdDsW9zALo7TDSEx55bqkO9TR4uWV6gAq0flCAmO3Jt7E9LfOvyL8FOXSqgWHbTjOawhlrNNI-N-dCX-nD0bsBhGVn6yzI/s320/Summer+2010+177.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634871947994724626" /></a><br /><br />Fredders, the things about that time that I will never forget are swaddling you up and rocking you to sleep. It was one of my favorite things to do, even when my back ached from holding your chubby little self and swaying back and forth. You fought sleep like you were in a boxing ring and nap time was your toughest competitor. Your little eyes would flutter and flutter and you would try so hard to keep them open. Until finally, they would stay closed, your breathing would slow, you would get a bit heavier and ultimately lose out on that fight. I loved how warm and snuggly you were and how you would instantly stop squirming and fussing when you were swaddled. Swaddling is my favorite thing. You looked so snuggled up and comfy and I would just pat, pat, pat your little baby back until you succumbed to sleep. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9mWYXNiOlkuXD1ovkpkQ7xtrTPkxqqaASk0yfFRY1z2PNWMSULWOKzI5jiYCm2QPODQzKZhTRM4M5CPY8xKoL2XUc_0Wd0W9lhBJaq5XRZ23NHbheHgwuFeq6un1PHoRkK6K569bxrQ/s1600/Summer+2010+291.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9mWYXNiOlkuXD1ovkpkQ7xtrTPkxqqaASk0yfFRY1z2PNWMSULWOKzI5jiYCm2QPODQzKZhTRM4M5CPY8xKoL2XUc_0Wd0W9lhBJaq5XRZ23NHbheHgwuFeq6un1PHoRkK6K569bxrQ/s320/Summer+2010+291.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634872435249003346" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMmZQwd3EljU_MefmkeUlD16Yj-wIy_h9LbMmffMUg-Dgf7mjrZJhZfVeZSH6cQh7U25ROw9aws_4lNJHPEJlpMTiouwr_WG1f_OMI7afBY7EHDNCVTYhEflfHIXspmn-KrPsJJTScpI/s1600/Summer+2010+294.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMmZQwd3EljU_MefmkeUlD16Yj-wIy_h9LbMmffMUg-Dgf7mjrZJhZfVeZSH6cQh7U25ROw9aws_4lNJHPEJlpMTiouwr_WG1f_OMI7afBY7EHDNCVTYhEflfHIXspmn-KrPsJJTScpI/s320/Summer+2010+294.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634875359032911250" /></a><br /><br />We all took a trip to Longwood one day too. Ainsley, you got to play in the Brock Commons fountains while Freddie watched from his stroller. We visited all the Longwood sites while I told you stories about how Mommy, Daddy and Keek went to school there. I showed you the Founding Four clock in front of the library and asked you which you liked better, "Delta Zeta or Zeta Tau Alpha" you said "Delta yayda" I asked one more time just to be sure and got the same response. Maybe I didn't tell you about the CROWN part of ZTA...I think that'd be a big seller these days for my little princess:)<br /><br />All in all we had an amazing summer together, I wish I had written down some of your quotes, Bug, because you are one hilarious little lady. Fredders, you didn't say much so no regrets there:) I was sad to leave you guys, every time I say goodbye to you both I leave a little piece of myself with you. You are the first niece and nephew I ever had and I love you both with all my heart and soul. I am the luckiest aunt to have gotten to spend that precious time with you, and now you have some account of it also:)<br /><br />Love, <br />Auntie KeekCaitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-72141623950495242742011-04-27T15:07:00.001-07:002011-04-27T15:34:35.069-07:00Is the lack of stress, stressful??So, with less than three weeks until the wedding, I am feeling very excited, not so stressed, just excited. I mean, there are little things I guess I am stressing about, like how I need to print three different sets of things and I don't have Word on my computer and all the templates online are for Word only...that's stressing me out a little, but not enough to freak or anything. I'll figure it out. That's pretty much been my attitude through everything, "I'll figure it out." I try not to sweat the small stuff. I want to marry Oliver, be with him forever...does the other stuff really matter? In the grand scheme, not really. Of course I want a beautiful, fun, awesome wedding, but so many of the little details people fuss over just aren't worth fretting over for me. <br /><br />Anyhow, so while during the day I am not thinking I feel very stressed, evidently my body is reacting at night. I haven't really been sleeping well. So perhaps all the things on the "to-do" list are floating around in my subconscious and coming out at night, thus disallowing this bride her beauty sleep. Everyday after school I have things planned to get done. Whether it's wedding errands I need to run or wedding things I need to do at home. But today after school I decided to go get a pedicure and relax a little, try to maybe stave off some of the stress that everyone keeps telling me will inevitably ensue. (seriously, every bride, married woman, past bridesmaid, everyone has been warning me to de-stress and prepare for anxiety during the weeks before the wedding.) But here we are, a few weeks before the wedding and I am pretty okay. What's stressing me out is people telling me I am gonna be stressed!<br /><br />I have never really been great at total relaxation. When I get a massage (which is my all time number one favorite thing to do) I sometimes even then have to remind myself to stop thinking about the outside world, the things I have to do, and just be in the moment with the spa music playing, scented oils and wonderful tension-relieving hands for the next 60 minutes. But today just made me laugh a little. There was a special at the nail place to have a free chair massage or free eyebrow waxing. I don't do nail salon waxing, so I opted for the chair massage. <br /><br />Here's a little bit of what went through my head during the time I should have been relaxing:<br /><br />"Hmm, she just put lotion on her hands, that's gonna make my hair oily when she does the neck massage part, Ah, who cares, I need to wash it anyway. I need to buy a round brush, I left mine in Fairfax. Maybe I could go to Marshall's after this and see if they have one. I need shoes, I'll look for shoes there. Ugh, stop thinking about this, relax, just feel this massage and relax. If I go to Marshall's I could probably also look for flip flops and not just rehearsal dinner shoes. I wish I had worn flip flops today, now I might mess up my pedicure when I put my flats back on. Or maybe they will let me walk out in these silly little shoes. Or I could wear these down to Marshall's, buy flip flops and wear them home. Oh boy, she's pulling my arms now. This tiny little Asian is probably thinking, 'dang, this girl is meaty' with her tiny little arms massaging my big old chubby upper arm. Seriously Caitlyn? Just relax. Deep breaths, calming, picture yourself on the beach on the honeymoon. Maybe I should call and make a reservation for a private dinner on the beach. The resort offers that, that'd be a nice surprise for Oliver. A romantic, candle-lit dinner on the beach. Perfect. Wonder if I'll be able to make it to the OBX this summer. I hope so. Stop thinking! RELAX!!" Ding. times up, massage over. Well, it felt good at least...Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-67534068779049293712011-04-02T18:32:00.000-07:002011-04-02T19:02:33.941-07:00The OneSo...your whole life you look for "the one," right? Well, most people feel that way I think. Whether your "one" is a best friend, a spouse, a city, a home, when it comes to choosing paths in life, you choose "the one" that is best for you. And only you know what that is. <br /><br />I have found that in the process of wedding planning, there are a lot of "the ones." First, I met my Oliver, he is definitely The One. The one I thought didn't exist, the one who's personality, life and love surprises me everyday. As a young girl, high school maybe, I was always a sucker for love. Always thinking, "could he be The One?" People just kind of know what that statement means, but it's never really followed by an explanation. The one who what? Well, then it was the one I would spend the rest of my life with, the one who would love me for me no matter what. I definitely didn't find that in high school, no matter how much I wanted that truth to be mine. Not many people do probably find that "one" in high school. That's all about learning who you are, how you respond to others, how to just BE in a relationship. Anyhow, I am getting off track. So, I continued to live life, still searching, whether actively or just by being, for my One. I began to think it wouldn't happen, woe is me, 20 years old and haven't found someone to marry. Ugh. Granted, that thought only crossed my mind every once in a while, I was very busy enjoying my time in college:) <br /><br />So, I moved to CT, met this boy, he asked me if I'd like to go out with him, we had our first date and BAM! Found it! <br /><br />Now months into the wedding planning process I have found that there are plenty of very important things in life that need the significance of being called "the one." I remember when I went with my brother (Cameron) to look for his now wife's engagement ring. He knew everything; cut, color, clarity...what's the other c? I don't even know. But he did. So we searched, we looked at diamond after diamond then finally found it. The One. It was beautiful and I don't know what set it out from the rest, but we just knew, that was it. We were finished searching. It seemed to shine brighter and sparkle more than any that we had to compare it to. The smile on his face was enough to understand that he had found it, just like he had found her. His "one." <br /><br />Over the past few months I have gotten that warm, happy feeling of finding something perfect more than a few times. We chose Oliver's parents church to be married in. Without ever having been there, I agreed to it. Then, once I went to see the church, meet the pastor, I knew it was The One. The exact right place for us to get married. I shopped for a wedding gown, tried on about seven and found The One at the first store we went to. The pastry chef turned the page of the sample book, I saw the beautiful cake and knew it was The One. We looked for wedding bands, tried some on, each found The One we loved the most. Even something like the flower girl dress. After searching for months, not ever finding quite the right fit, I open an email from mom "Houston, I think we found the dress!" and knew right away, it was The One. The church, the dress, the cake, the invitations, the flowers, the rings...all such broad categories, yet under each umbrella we found The One that was perfect for us.<br /><br />I only started thinking about this because we have finally made a decision about our honeymoon. We haven't even gone yet, but I know it is going to be amazing. It is the perfect place that I thought only existed in my mind. After hearing the travel agent describe it and briefly glancing at the resort online, I knew. Now, after my extensive research on not only the resort, but the entire island, I am absolutely sure it is The One.<br /><br />So in a search for the perfect "something" there is always the one that sets itself apart from the others. You may never figure out what it is that sets it apart, but it just is different. It is The One. And when you really think about it, it's not very difficult to explain. There's a reason we choose what we choose because we are who we are. Everything in life leads us to where we are supposed to be. Even something as simple as a travel agent saying, "have you guys thought about Anguilla?"Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-88802053638919704352011-03-22T16:30:00.000-07:002011-03-22T17:09:26.288-07:00A Sad Time for This Boot CamperSo...it's been over a month since I've written. I've been busy planning a wedding:) I have been going to boot camp faithfully since my last post (up until the past week, which you will see as this post continues) and I have felt great! At my dress fitting last weekend, they re-measured me and I am six inches smaller than my original measurements! SUPER exciting. But now let me get into the sadness. About 2 weeks ago my lower back started bothering me. I sometimes get lower back pain, and it usually is pretty painful for a few days then dissipates until I no longer feel it. While doing dead lifts (holding a weight in each hand, slowly bending at the waist until the weights touch the ground, then coming back up) I felt a sharp pain back there. I tried to push through it, I finished out the workout then at the end my instructor stretched me out because I mentioned how it hurt. That was on a Thursday. That night was Oliver's St. Baldrick's fundraiser and I was out pretty late (all the while with the pain in my lower back) so after going to sleep after midnight and the pain in the back, I decided to take a day off from boot camp on Friday. The rest helped and my lower back started to feel better. Emphasis on the LOWER back. Saturday the middle of my back started hurting, then by Sunday evening it hurt to take a deep breath. I thought maybe I sat wrong in the hour+ car ride to Hartford...but nothing made it feel better. Sitting, standing, laying down, stretching, it HURT. I went to work on Monday (no boot camp that morning) and was in a whole lot of pain. It really hurt when I took a deep breath and my job isn't the greatest for staying upright (the kids tables come to my knees so I am always either bending down or sitting in a tiny little chair with my knees above my hips.) It was an odd pain though, constant pain, extremely uncomfortable and right in the middle of my back. When I get back pain, it's the lower back, not like this. My co-workers began to worry, one thought that maybe I was overcompensating from last week's lower back pain and kinda screwed the rest of my back and she said I should go to a chiropractor, one said it might be a respiratory infection since it hurt whenever I would breathe (which, um..is all the time!) but my mom was visiting and I didn't want to spend her last day in the doctor's office. The pain got kind of worse throughout the day, so that and my mom convinced me to call the doctor. So mommy came to the doctor with me while I was taking tiny short breaths so it wouldn't hurt (which really only lead to me having to take a deep deep breath every so often and cry out in pain) and after my doctor felt my back, pressed in a bunch of places, asked a bunch of questions, he told me I was having pretty bad muscle spasms. He gave me a prescription for muscle relaxers and some Vicodin so I could sleep (did I mention the pain kept me up all night Sunday?) I asked him if I could still go to boot camp. He looked a little shocked and said absolutely not, stay away from boot camp for at least a week. I almost cried. This is the first time in my life that I have really stuck with an exercise program and liked it. Granted, it's really only been a few months, but that is a few months longer than I've ever done it before! Before leaving, I asked my doctor if a massage might help. He said definitely, so I asked if he could write me a prescription to Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. Evidently they don't do that.<br />So I emailed the instructor and told her my diagnosis and how upset I was. She told me to rest, get better and she'll see me next week. I did end up getting a massage (no help from the doctor!) and the masseuse told me it felt like she was <br />"working on a rock." Those were her exact words. She said she didn't need to ask why, because I had told her about boot camp and the wedding, so she said it was a combination of the intense work out and stress, but she seemed very concerned with how tight everything was. She suggested that I come back for a 90 minute sports massage. I suggest that it doesn't cost $150. I know it will help, but that's a lot of money and when I get a massage it's usually a very big treat and it's for a nice relaxing time, I don't want to be told I have to have one for medical reasons! <br />Anyhow, that was last week. Over the weekend, I went to VA for Freddie's first birthday. My cousin, Garrett, is a personal trainer and I asked him what he thought about all this. He felt my back and said it felt like a bowling ball. He started naming some things I shouldn't do...all of which are the exercises we do daily at boot camp. My friend, Laura, who I have mentioned before (also a personal trainer) told me she thought I should stay away from boot camp for at least the rest of the month. The muscle relaxers are helping, I haven't had to take the Vicodin to sleep for about 6 days, and I am feeling better. Every once in a while I feel a twinge of the pain that I had before, but nothing like it was. <br />Today, I went back to my doctor because (surprise!) I have a sinus infection. While there, I asked him what he thought about all this. I told him how I was feeling, how the muscle relaxers helped and I stopped taking them on Sunday to see if I could feel better on my own, and I have. He said that boot camp is an intense work out and that I should not continue to do it. I told him I lost 6 inches and that I am getting married in 2 months. He said I can continue to lose weight and inches, just by doing less intense exercises, such as the bike, treadmill, or swimming. He said that the constant twisting, bending, lifting and jumping are not good for my back. I asked if I could still use free weights and he said yes, just make sure not to bend. So, there are three professionals advising that I quit boot camp. And I was afraid of failure, ha. Guess I am being forced to fail this time:( It doesn't feel much different. But even when I think of going back and trying to modify the exercises, I think about the things we do and EVERYthing would need to be modified. No squats, reverse crunches, lunges, twists, dead lifts, squat thrusts, mountain climbers, straight leg sit ups, V-sits...I could go on and on. It wouldn't be modifying, it would be a completely different work out...which is exactly what I am being told to do. A different work out. So now, I am going to email my instructor, tell her the news and hope that I can get my ass out of bed and to the treadmill at the gym EVERY morning until my wedding. Any help/words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-75007579600034921122011-02-17T13:56:00.000-08:002011-02-17T14:18:09.963-08:00Beginning....AgainSo my last week of boot camp was in January, and I think I mentioned before that I missed the last 3 days. Wednesday I missed because of some reasons I'd rather not discuss, Thursday was a snow day and when I woke up Friday morning, it was still icy and I just couldn't bring myself to go. I was not too happy with myself, but I almost made it the entire month. I emailed the instructor to tell her how much I appreciated her help getting healthy, and to let her know why I kind of disappeared. I also mentioned in the email that I was going to try very hard on my own to work out consistently and that I would love to do another month right before the wedding. She knew that I'm getting married, because there were 3 other brides in the boot camp and one more just got engaged a few weeks ago so everyone kept yelling "WD! WD!" for "wedding dress" whenever we got tired during a workout. It's a nice little group to work out with:) So, anyhow, she emailed me back, said they loved having me and that she would love to offer me another deal. She said she would charge me for one month but that I can join boot camp from now until the wedding day. One stipulation; I have to write a testimonial for her website for future on-the-fence boot campers. Um, done! Me? Write? Of course! So here I am, signed up again. I did hesitate, but really, how could I pass this up? The chance to get super healthy and into great shape? It's like having a personal trainer just in a group setting. But I hesitated, because I think my frame of mind when I first signed up was that, "hey, one month? I can do one month of waking up at 5 am." But now it's almost 3 months...can I do that? 3 months of waking up at 5 am, going to the gym to shower, working all day...I don't know, I am usually one to give up when things get hard. I don't like that about myself, but it just seems to be what happens. I fear failure, so I give up before I can fail...but isn't that just failing in itself? Yes, it is. So, I signed up. Missed day one. Ugh. Was supposed to be this morning. I got all my stuff ready, set the alarm, filled my water bottle, had my clothes set out. When the alarm went of at 5, I rolled over and saw Oliver in bed (which was super exciting because I hadn't seen him since I left for VA because he was working until midnight last night) and couldn't bring myself to get out of my warm comfy bed with my two warm snuggle buddies (Tiger was curled up with us too.) Plus, I didn't have school today because it's our Winter Break and I knew I could sleep in forever if I wanted to. And I wanted to. Dumb...should have gone to boot camp. Instructor emailed me and said "Caitlyn, where are you?? Get in here!" So, I emailed back and promised to be there tomorrow. So, tomorrow...we begin again.Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-36902558802354251962011-02-03T14:24:00.000-08:002011-02-03T14:38:11.935-08:00100 Days TodayDay one went well, and for those of you waiting on the edge of your seat...what Oliver chose for me to give up for the hundred days is......fast food. However, I don't really ever eat fast food, like McDonald's and those sorts of places...it is very few and far between that I will go through a drive-thru. But there's this place, Norwalk Pizza and Pasta...and I am, well, to put it bluntly- obsessed. I love everything on their menu. Now, I don't really think it's that fair that this is what he chose, because he specifically said I had to give up "fast food...like, Norwalk Pizza and Pasta." The reason I don't think it's fair is because I do get healthy food from there! (yeah, I'm whining) It's right down the street, within walking distance, and they have salads and paninos and best of all, they have my all time favorite Slim Down pizza. It is DElicious. Made with thin whole wheat crust, no sugar added sauce, skim mozzarella, and I add roasted peppers and onions (to get some veggies:) and when I was doing weight watchers it equaled out to be 4 or 5 points for 2 slices, when a slice of regular pizza is 5 by itself. Anyhow, I do often order the amazing garlic knots, sometimes chicken tenders or wings, so I get it. So no "fast food" for me...including Subway. Ugh. 100 days of no Norwalk Pizza and Pasta? I can pretty much guarantee they will miss my business...yeah, they know me there.<br />This will not be easy. I added soda to his things to give up too, because he does love a good regular pepsi. <br />On the gym front, we both went today, which makes one more time to get to 3 for me and 2 for him. Maybe I'll go to a class this weekend to change it up a bit.Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-75674542428859635912011-02-02T12:24:00.000-08:002011-02-03T14:19:11.017-08:00100 Day ChallengeSo, tomorrow will be exactly 100 days until our wedding. After my month of boot camp, the first week of February began well enough. Went to the gym after work Monday, did some cardio and began Operation: Hot Arms (as deemed by one of my best friends, and THE best personal trainer I have ever known, Miss Laura DeSimone.) However, here we are on Wednesday and the sheet of ice on the roads has deterred me from going out. Okay, fine, Oliver and I went out to lunch (but he drove, cause the Keekmobile in the ice is a disaster waiting to happen.) At this lunch, we decided on the 100 Day Challenge. I was doing pretty well on an all natural diet (once again, suggested by Laura-really if you live in the Northern VA area and are looking to get healthy, look her up) consisting of all kinds of proteins, veggies and fruit. It made me feel better inside and out. I fell off that wagon when that one little part of the month came (sorry) and I caved to the sweet then salty cravings. But it's okay, I will get back. So, today at lunch Oliver and I decided to make a pact and really work on encouraging each other to be healthy. We want to start our marriage off as a healthy couple and to continue to be healthy for our children. We haven't always been the best for each other in the past ("just one more trip to get ice cream?" "okay, but this is the last time.") So, today we had barbecue, sweet potato fries...and cupcakes from Crumbs Bakery (seriously the BEST cupcakes EVER) before we begin our journey into healthy health. <br />100 days until our wedding, we each choose something for ourselves to give up entirely for 100 days, then we each choose something for the other to give up. I chose candy bars for him (it's just easy for him to stop at a gas station or convenience store while he's at work to grab a snack) and he is still trying to figure out what he will choose for me. We also go to separate gyms, which kinda sucks, but we are starting out with at least 3 days a week at the gym, then hopefully working up to 5, which I know I can do because of my month of boot camp! <br />So, wish us luck! I'll blog some more and let my followers (mom and dad;) know how it's going!Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-11696258785480155922011-01-18T02:49:00.000-08:002011-01-18T03:08:36.564-08:00The Best of IntentionsYesterday and last night all I was hearing on the news was how bad the weather was going to be today. Checked my go-to weather website (noaa.gov)and saw the Winter Weather Advisory: Hazardous Weather Outlook. So I assumed we would have a delay this morning. Yet, I still packed all my things so I would be ready to go in the morning. I am a firm believer that if you plan for a snow day, it wont happen. Always did my homework and such because I knew if I didn't and planned on not having to go to school, the snow or ice would miraculously just not show up. I digress. <br />So, my body woke me up at 4 am to check the district website. No little yellow square. Alarm woke me up at 5 am, checked again, no little yellow square. I checked the weather, maybe it didn't happen? Nope, noaa told me it was happening. Snow, icy rain, etc. But no cancellation or delay. Hmm maybe it's not that bad in Greenwich. So I get up, get ready and check just ONE more time to be sure. Still no little yellow square telling me there's a delay or cancellation. So I leave the house to head to boot camp. About 2 inches of that icy type snow on the ground and on my car. I cleaned off my car by using my coat sleeve, did't feel like doing the whole deal. Got in, drove off. Even checked my brakes by slamming on them in the driveway to be sure if things got super slippery my car wouldn't fail me. I do that sometimes. It left a skid mark but did a good job. The roads were not good. Slippery and not really plowed or salted. I trudged on, got on the highway and proceeded to go about 30 mph on 95. As I was reaching for my chapstick in my purse, I noticed it was vibrating. Oliver was calling. I answered. "Hey babe, Greenwich schools are closed, turn around and come home." WHAT?! I JUST checked! I believe I called the decision makers Mo's (like moron) and continued to have an inner battle of whether or not I should miss boot camp. Oliver is all about me and boot camp, so if he says I should come home, I feel like he's probably right. But I still wasn't sure. I thought I'd go and see how the roads were in Stamford, see if maybe I could park at the top of the boot camp driveway because they are notorious for not plowing or salting. But Oliver seemed adamant that I should make sure I was safe. So, I got off an exit in Darien and turned around to get back on 95 North. Both of which were semi-treacherous. I think I made the right decision, but I still hate to miss boot camp if it wasn't cancelled. I am gonna try really hard to make myself go to the gym today once the roads are better.Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-58695877661003096932011-01-17T05:44:00.001-08:002011-01-17T06:05:04.402-08:00Week ThreeGooood morning week three! So, today is a holiday, no work. But, as my boot camp instructor said on Friday, "It might be a national holiday, but it's not a boot camp holiday." So, all weekend I have been preparing myself to get up and go even if I don't have to continue my day by going to the gym to shower, going to work, etc. I woke up at 4:57. Then for three minutes I guess I was half asleep, then freaked out when my alarm went off at 5. Hate that half-between-sleep part of waking up. I knew I was awake and didn't have to get up for three more minutes so I just stayed where I was and waited for the alarm to go off. Then when it did I jumped like I didn't know it was coming. Silly Keek. So I got up, got dressed (with my new arch support socks!) got in the car and off I went. Of course I called Oliver to whine and complain about not wanting to go, he told me that wasn't a good attitude and I argued that it didn't matter what kind of attitude I had, I was in the car on the way there, so what does it matter if I don't wanna go? I was going! But then, right after we got off the phone, who else but my girl Kelly Clarkson came on the radio! I blasted it and called him back to tell him that "now I am ready and wanna go!!!!" so he put the radio on the same station in his patrol car and we listened together for a minute:) Kelly always knows when I need her. So I was pumped and ready to go. Unfortunately today was super hard. There were only 10 of us there (normally 20-25) and it seemed like she was punishing us for the others not being there. We started with jumping jacks (which I hate...not necessarily the motion, but just the fact that my chest region isn't what you might call small and jumping up and down is just annoying) then went on to suicides, right away, THAT was the warm up. We did a ladder, so five of us did 1 suicide while the other half did jumping jacks, then we switched, then did 2 suicides, jumping jacks, 3 suicides, jumping jacks, then back down; 2 suicides, jacks, 1, jacks. UGH! I mean that was even difficult to TYPE, just think about actually doing it! After that we did some ab series and leg stuff on the ground, some wall sits, whatever whatever. At one point she told us to switch something and I guess I must have had an evil evil face on because she was like "whoa Caitlyn, don't look at me like that! You look like you want to kill me." Ha, I guess maybe I did at that point! But I didn't mean to look at her like that:)<br />Anyhow, I made it through another day. Then I drove home, got my new camera and went to the beach to take some sunrise pics. It was so fun using the super zoom lens and switching things up to take some pretty cool pics. <br />It's supposed to ice tomorrow morning, and if so that means no boot camp. And that really throws me off. Especially because I will be babysitting tomorrow and wont even be able to go to the gym after work instead of boot camp work out. I just need boot camp to happen 5 times a week the way it's supposed to.Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-27174215074888537002011-01-10T12:19:00.000-08:002011-01-10T12:35:43.839-08:00Week TwoWelcome to week two of boooootcampppp! Not sure why I had so much energy at 5:00 this morning, but I did and I guess I shouldn't question it! Not that I was excited to be up that early, or to be going to push my body to it's limits, but I just was...awake I guess. I called Oliver on the way to boot camp (he's on the overnight tour, which means he works til 8 a.m. so of course he is up and probably the only other person I know that is awake) and said "gooooood morning!!!!!" He seemed pretty stoked that I was excited and not calling this time to ask him to just tell me I can do it, I can make it one more day, etc. <div>It wasn't that bad today. My soreness has almost disappeared and I asked our stand-in instructor (regular one is off running a half marathon somewhere in Florida) if I was over the super soreness part of this boot camp deal. He said probably not. Awesome. However, one of the other women in the class said the SUPER soreness is over, but I will still be sore. That's fine with me, I don't mind being sore from a workout, but the way I was last week? NO thank you! It took me until Saturday to be able to go up and down the stairs and in and out of my car without cringing in pain. I want my body to get used to this and crave it like it usually craves chocolate and potato chips. I even wanted to go to yoga at my gym this weekend, but...I slept through it. Guess that's what happens when I am up at 5 all week. (except that I did wake up at 4:56 a.m. on Saturday...but then went back to bed around 9 and missed the 11:00 yoga class..oops) So I got on our ancient stationary bike that serves mostly as a coat rack, peddled for a little while then did some stretching and wall squats with my exercise ball. I probably did all of the above in about 20 minutes, so don't be impressed. I am kind of wishing that this boot camp didn't cost so much regularly (without my LivingSocial deal) so that I could continue for longer than a month. Even though I am hoping it will make me WANT to be more active, I know that I am better at knowing I HAVE to be somewhere and that there are people there that can hold me accountable. When this is over, I think I will want to go to the gym, but I know myself and I honestly don't know if I actually will go....</div>Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-79254820291511879152011-01-05T12:05:00.000-08:002011-01-05T12:21:53.201-08:00Still Standing...Standing, yes...any other type of movement? Not so much. Today was day three of the new routine. Day three of waking up at 5, boot camping til 6:45, then working. I also nanny on Tuesdays. If you can call it that! My favorite Greenwich family consisting of three little girls, whom I have known since the youngest (now almost 3) was in mommy's belly. I adore these girls, their parents and spending time with them. So, every Tuesday I pick the older two up from school, go home to the little one and hang out with them until after dinnertime. Anyhow, point is, yesterday was my first boot camp AND babysitting Tuesday. Which made for a rough Wednesday 5 a.m. I was exhausted at work and ready to pass out around 2:00. It's now 3:30 and I think that means pajama time. <div>However, I will admit my legs are a TINY bit less sore, but that's not saying much. I am such a baby. At boot camp today we did suicides, which is like the pacer test you do in gym class where there are six lines a few feet apart and you have to run back and forth to each one, bend down and touch it, then run back to the start point (i.e. run, touch line one, run back to start, run touch line two, run back to start, etc.) We also did more squats, some mountain climbers, jumping jacks, yadda yadda. Needless to say, today was day three of bootcamp, but day one of Caitlyn needing to use her inhaler. Ugh. I have exercise induced asthma and I rarely need my inhaler. I don't like taking it because it makes me shake, so mostly I just talk myself down from asthma attacks when working out, or just not work out at all! ha...Anyhow, it takes a lot for me to need it. Usually when running or swimming. The second round of suicides were what did it to me this time. But there I was, floundering through sprints, wall sits and push ups. Point being I was there. And I will continue to be there. Until this session is over. Which on the website currently says "January 3-TBA" Awesome. </div>Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-46193164930534550472011-01-03T13:49:00.000-08:002011-01-03T14:18:07.084-08:00Boot CampSo, here we are another however many ridiculous months since either of us posted. This blog is an outlet, so here's me letting out some things. About a month or so ago there was an ad on LivingSocial (if you don't use it, get started now!!) for Fairfield County Adventure Boot Camp. As I always do before purchasing a LivingSocial deal, I went to the website, researched it and decided it was a fantastic opportunity. One month of unlimited boot camp (normally almost $300) I got for about $80. It is a women-only exercise program that during spring and summer months, is outside, pilates on the beach, jogging on trails, etc. That part intrigued me, however, I joined when it is winter so we are inside. Anyhow, it was very enticing, for all ages, weights and physical fitness. No two days the same, all sorts of workouts, all you need to bring is 5lb weights, a workout mat and yourself. (I had everything on that list.) I signed up for the January session at the end of November because I thought starting in the new year would jump start me back into my workout routine (which I pretty much fell out of MONTHS ago.) This was also even before we moved our wedding date up 5 months! So thank goodness I signed up! The session is five days a week for one hour beginning at 5:45 a.m. Crazy? YES! I don't have to get up for work until 7 a.m. Now, I will be waking up at 5ish and going to do crazy things to my body. Yeah, yeah I know it's healthy and I am excited about the health benefits. But after day one this morning, I am soooo sore already. Usually I don't get sore until the day after working out, but today...SUPER sore. To the point where I arrived at work and had to walk up the stairs from the parking lot and could barely make it up the 12 steps. My legs were shaking during the workout and continued to feel like jelly for a while, until the soreness set in and my muscles became tight. Not sure how I am gonna make it tomorrow! Also, let me mention the fact that there is no shower facility at this boot camp, so I could either drive the 10 miles back north on 95 to get ready for work at home, or drive the 2 miles to my gym in the same town to shower. So I chose the latter. However, this morning I forgot a towel. Had to dry off with a sweatshirt I had in my gym bag (it was clean, don't worry.) Then I sat in the sauna to dry off completely. Ugh. Needless to say, towel will be the first thing I pack tonight. I'll keep you updated with how this whole thing goes. The goal is to get somewhat back into shape with these 5-day 5 a.m. workouts so that when my boot camp is finished, I will WANT to go to the gym after work (or maybe even before depending on how this whole early-morning thing goes.) So, here's to hoping my plan works! (and I don't become cripple in the mean time.)Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-30754856430861572942010-11-10T15:16:00.000-08:002010-11-10T15:36:20.385-08:00The Proposal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi612ypIyBt6xbBl-MRtf8RJmdtghHYnKglOCmW5LBtN3NKe0SKiU1BlgEICFDlmJs9dMRqHgkZ6yIBO6eW1ULYq-XRhSl8F02uVhzJmVMyaTWkDISFcKp8C0kSJToqeSeZovJbnwH_4Mw/s1600/Fall+2010+131.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi612ypIyBt6xbBl-MRtf8RJmdtghHYnKglOCmW5LBtN3NKe0SKiU1BlgEICFDlmJs9dMRqHgkZ6yIBO6eW1ULYq-XRhSl8F02uVhzJmVMyaTWkDISFcKp8C0kSJToqeSeZovJbnwH_4Mw/s320/Fall+2010+131.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538064390577399874" /></a><br /><br />So there was really never any question who my Maid of Honor would be...and the lucky winner is Miss Hollee E. Higbea. Or really, the lucky winner is me:) Hollee is the greatest, most wonderful best friend any girl could ask for and the absolute epitome of what a Maid of Honor should be for me; someone who knows me almost better than I know myself at times. Someone who can tell me "that dress is NOT for you" without making me feel bad about myself. Someone who understands when I might cry over what may seem like a silly wedding detail to anyone else. Someone who can tell what I need over the phone just by the way I say "hey." Someone who will take any stress away from me a year prior to, or the day of my wedding. Someone who my fiancé adores. This Maid of Honor is a best friend on steroids (in a good way!) <br />I know that no matter the time of night, no matter what she is doing, where she is, who she is with...Hollee is there for me. I know I will need her to help me plan, help me stay sane, help remind me to have fun with the planning, and most of all just be standing right next to me when I make a lifelong commitment to my other best friend. The day of our wedding, these words will be spoken:<br />Oliver- "I do."<br />Caitlyn- "I do."<br />Hollee- " and I do too." <br /><br />Thanks for saying yes to my proposal:)Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-6186465326491386262010-11-10T14:10:00.000-08:002010-11-10T14:46:38.179-08:00Last Published Sept. 19th.... UNacceptableUgh, we are terrible. Last post was seriously almost 2 months ago. Hollee and I have seen each other a total of three times since then and have not posted a thing. Not that we need to see each other to write about our lives...So, anyhow, tonight you get two posts. This one, as a general catch up on life, and the next one that will be so great you wont know what to do with yourself.<br />So, let's make this post about my job. I LOVE my job. I guess I kind of always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but now that I actually am, I couldn't be happier with my choice of career. I do know that I would still love to write screenplays or children's books or novels, or somehow be involved in the media field...but I am happy doing what I am doing and I can still write on the side because teaching allows time for that. (sometimes;) <br />I went into college as a Pre-Veterinary Med major. That's right, Pre-Vet Medicine. After finding out that Longwood only offered a two-year pre-med program and then I would have to transfer somewhere to do the Vet thing, (and taking into account that I am extremely lazy) I switched to Communication Studies. Best choice ever. (Not only cause that was one of the reasons Hollee and I met, but because Comm is the best department at LU:) Even though I was at one of the top teaching schools in Virginia...if I knew I wanted to be a teacher, what the heck was I doing in Comm? Who knows? I just knew I liked "communicating" and it was the closest thing to media and public relations that Longwood had to offer. There was actually a shirt we got Freshman year that said something about putting the true meaning into talking during class. That was extremely fitting considering the fact that all through my younger school years "talking in class" was the biggest (and usually only;) complaint I got on my report cards. So anyhow, I had the best four years of my life as a Comm Major, graduated, got a job in the media field working for Ascent Media as an Encode Operator...basically I watched TV (Biography Channel, A&E, History Channel) for 40 hours a week and got paid lots of money. While the money was great, the job...not so fulfilling. I am a people person, and sitting in front of three monitors all day wasn't really for me. So, I decided to leave Ascent when an amazing opportunity arose for me. I moved to Italy for three months and lived with a family to be their Au Pair. Before I left the states, I applied to grad school for Elementary Education. I took the entrance exam (the first Praxis) like 3 days before I left and found out while in Italy that I was accepted to Sacred Heart University to get my Master's in Elementary Ed. So began my journey into the education field. <br />If I were to explain everything that has happened since I graduated from grad school, that would be a whole series of blogs on it's own (ridiculous CT job market for teachers, terrible principals, getting screwed by a school district, the list goes on.)<br />But today, I teach Pre-K to the greatest 4 and 5 year olds in the world. I love going to work everyday, planning what to do with them, seeing how excited they get when they get something right. Whether it is zipping up their coat on their own, writing their name or making some sort of connection to a story we read, the look on their faces is priceless and their excitement is contagious. I have twelve little sponges that soak up everything I say or do and I love it.Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-29409184346465072712010-09-19T10:41:00.001-07:002010-09-19T13:43:14.445-07:00Living Life Shouldn't Get in the Way<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTU1mBBz0xBQ9dYIJeG15tS58oHr8FRtziHJjqpoN0uAZ-l46q8zBKMJkC3UybIKIv2erKwh2ryyF0B4XHieXdRAXqUOQTh3BbfPJXs5oW9ic1Moa32BaPYwf9bDTOUJyH3A2Hauu-R4/s1600/dragon+coaster.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTU1mBBz0xBQ9dYIJeG15tS58oHr8FRtziHJjqpoN0uAZ-l46q8zBKMJkC3UybIKIv2erKwh2ryyF0B4XHieXdRAXqUOQTh3BbfPJXs5oW9ic1Moa32BaPYwf9bDTOUJyH3A2Hauu-R4/s320/dragon+coaster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518691152757837442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkOa-1NMvUAsJiPZvZ9BNmvjMrtkqzDZf9si4MzbZF3RgmKh9cmoYW3q_CzY8r8jTAcxIBjuFaw4GyIkW3C_JnhznXMA9VZzY2XDJVLCj-Rkol2oANIWTW1dhtivGhVAY2ZSe6TGvxCo/s1600/ap+skype.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkOa-1NMvUAsJiPZvZ9BNmvjMrtkqzDZf9si4MzbZF3RgmKh9cmoYW3q_CzY8r8jTAcxIBjuFaw4GyIkW3C_JnhznXMA9VZzY2XDJVLCj-Rkol2oANIWTW1dhtivGhVAY2ZSe6TGvxCo/s320/ap+skype.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518691149037864034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDjtBLqOi3ix8KvsRrKnfGOhbndlq0sGKl3YKgyxEjbhNaXHGHNZ-OegWC8jV7Aj9jybxCfL7zuTKCBvGgFZoxgJUnxUx-s1YykSoHR4BHm6TwghH5-n2sFvd65YbxOuk-C_BNLXLtBs/s1600/double+shot.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDjtBLqOi3ix8KvsRrKnfGOhbndlq0sGKl3YKgyxEjbhNaXHGHNZ-OegWC8jV7Aj9jybxCfL7zuTKCBvGgFZoxgJUnxUx-s1YykSoHR4BHm6TwghH5-n2sFvd65YbxOuk-C_BNLXLtBs/s320/double+shot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518691145433684066" /></a><br /><br />So...it's been almost a full month since we've blogged! No excuse really...however, I will give some excuses anyway:) Hollee just moved to a new place and began her new job. I have been getting acclimated to my new job as well; getting the classroom ready, meeting my new colleagues and then school actually began, so things have been crazy. Oh! I also got engaged:):):) Big news! More on that to come on a nice little wedding website though:)<br /><br />We said we'd tell you all about Hollee's trip up here, and it just seems like it was so long ago now. We had an awesome time, hung out with Oliver (who showed the ring to her some time while I was in the shower or something!!) and went out her first night here. We had a lot of fun, skype partied with A.P., met some Danish boys at a bar, had some of my friends from up here come out and meet us. The next day we went to the beach and relaxed most of the afternoon, came home and watched TV and took a little nap before heading out to Rye Playland in Rye, NY. My dad grew up in Rye and used to ride his bike there with his friends all the time when he was little. It's an amusement park on the coast on the LI Sound that was founded in the 1920's. It is fairly small, but SO great. Very cool rides, neat atmosphere, fun games and only about 20 minutes away! The Dragon Coaster is one of very few wooden roller coasters still in operation in the U.S. We went on that 2 or 3 times, and went on a ride that really felt like you were flying, it was so cool! And the park wasn't so packed on a Thursday night that we could keep going back on rides one after the other without much waiting in line. We went on the ride where you stick to the wall, some gnome water adventure where you ride a log through a bunch of tunnels, and a carousel where you are actually "riding and racing" the horse. We went on the Double Shot (one of those that shoots you up in the air and you fall with negative G-force!!) about a hundred times. It was hilarious. All in all, we had a great night, running around to different rides like little kids. We even went on a haunted house ride (which is geared toward probably 10 year olds). I wish someone had video footage of us in there. You ride in one of those slow roller coaster cars and weave your way through a dark haunted house with flashing lights, screams, fake skeletons, etc. If you know me at all...you know I was screaming the whole time. I closed my eyes so tight, had tears coming down my face from screaming and laughing so hard. It wasn't actually scary, but I just don't do well in that type of situation. It was hilarious, I must admit. Even I was laughing at my reactions. But when someone screams, how do you not scream back? I don't know. The very last minute of the ride there's a loud BANG and you look like you're going straight into the wall. The "wall" opens up and it's a door to the outside, where people can stand and watch your reaction while you think you are screeching headfirst into a wall. Needless to say, the man waiting for his children to come off the ride got a kick out of two 25/26 year old girls coming out screaming. So, Playland was great, it was a nice KeekandHollz adventure. Then, the next day, Hollee had to leave:( <br />It was so wonderful having my best friend up here to visit. I sometimes wish that we could just shrink New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland...then VA would be SO MUCH closer to CT!! <br />Ah well, guess that's what BoltBus, Amtrak and JetBlue are for!Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-66744931279652306632010-08-30T14:06:00.000-07:002010-08-30T14:46:33.294-07:00Dual BlogHollee and I planned on writing a dual blog while she was here in CT for a visit...clearly we were way too busy being us to allow that to happen, and here we are, 2 weeks later (see: procrastination blog.) We thought it would be neat to keep a timeline of what each of us were doing at certain times throughout the day on her travel day. Hollee took the BoltBus from DC to NYC (super cheap means of travel if anyone want's to come visit me!) then she took Metro North from Grand Central to me in Southern CT. So, here are our timelines:)<br />Oddly (not really odd at all) enough, the first thing on both of our notes was the following- CAITLYN: woke up at 1:00, 3:00 & 6:00am. HOLLEE: all night toss and turn, not great sleep.<br />HOLLEE: (during the following hours, I-Caitlyn-was still sleeping:)<br />6:00 am - wake up and call colie to make sure she's coming to get me. She tells me its raining. *note to self - vera bradley is not waterproof.<br />6:45 am finally get on metro, sit the opposite way...<span style="font-style:italic;">(Hollee gets sick sitting backwards)</span>at the same time realizing I don't have my tickets.<br />7:30/45 get a bagel, that makes the day a little better.<br />8:00 am CAITLYN: awake eating breakfast and watching Sabrina the Teenaged Witch on ABC Family (shocker)<br />8:26 am CAITLYN: I call Hollee, she doesn't answer.<br />8:30 am HOLLEE: boarding BoltBus<br />9:00 am CAITLYN: watching Regis and Kelly<br />9:00 am HOLLEE: listening to the most annoying foreign people as my computer desperately tries to load netflix on the bus' "wifi"<br />Oh, and now we're sitting in traffic.<br />10:00 am CAITLYN: (while Hollee sits and rides the bus...I do some errands and prepare for her arrival) waiting at the DMV to get CT license plates. The guy in front of me in line is wearing a Dewey Beach t-shirt...as though it wasn't bad enough being at the DMV, this guy reminds me of the Green Team and Anna's awesome bachelorette party, and how I would rather be anywhere than here.<br />10:45 Surprised at how quick this process went, I am the new owner of CT license plates (NOT Keekmobile plates, depressing...another blog would be needed on that topic)<br />11:00 Home from DMV, doing laundry<br />12:00 HOLLEE: on the phone with Keek, BoltBus got pulled over on the Jersey Turnpike. ha.<br />12:15 HOLLEE: realizing John mellencamp and usher pandora stations are both amazing<br />12:24 CAITLYN: gchatting with Hollee and AP, Full House is on in the background...realizing I watch a lot of ABC Family<br />12:54 BOTH via phone: Hollee tells me she sees Jesus wearing his business casch (you tell us how to spell the abbreviation for casual) walking down the streets of Manhattan.<br />1:00 HOLLEE: got off the bus, 7th Ave is running the wrong way of what Keek said. Got in a cab, had to hide my eyes because I thought he was gonna hit someone.<br />1:00 CAITLYN: shower<br />1:15 HOLLEE: Arrive at Grand Central, navigate my way through, get my tickets, get to my train on time.<br />1:23 BOTH via phone: chatting away making sure Hollee gets through Grand Central, buys the right ticket, finds the track, etc...talked to her all the way up til she got on the train then lost cell service<br />2:10 CAITLYN: call Hollee to see if she wants a smoothie, thought we'd try a new McDonalds one 'cause the commercials are just so great...go to the McDonalds off the highway, they don't sell smoothies, go to the McDonalds on the way to the train station, longest drive thru line EVER, park and get out, go inside, shorter line, dumber people. Order our smoothies, they are out of the kind I like, forced to order two strawberry banana (which I just do NOT like) then they take forever to make it (all this while I know Hollee's train got in already) finally pick up the stupid smoothies, back in car, straight to station.<br />2:20 BOTH via REAL LIFE!!!!: Hollee gets into Stamford, we talk til I arrive "I see you!!!!" hang up phones, put luggage in car, HUGGGG!!! try our smoothies, not big fans.<br /><br />Phew, there we go! We will write another blog soon about all the adventures we had! Maybe even including a video of a certain lady getting iced upon arrival!<br />Best friends are GREAT.<br />The End.Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-43125193233863467442010-08-15T10:40:00.000-07:002010-09-19T13:51:10.603-07:00Puppies!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b4d909b3127ccec8ec2092c55300000010O08AaOXDVq4ZtQe3nww/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 400px;" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b4d909b3127ccec8ec2092c55300000010O08AaOXDVq4ZtQe3nww/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b4df32b3127cced74ef565e9b300000010O18AaOXDVq4ZtQe3nww/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D1/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 550px; height: 400px;" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b4df32b3127cced74ef565e9b300000010O18AaOXDVq4ZtQe3nww/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D1/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Well, if you know me at all, you know I have a slight obsession with dogs. Mostly all animals, but I just love puppies. (And in referring to them as "puppies," I do not mean young dogs, I call all dogs puppies, whether they are 6 months or 6 years old.) I just love them so much. I have always loved dogs, my family had dogs around from the moment I was born. First we had Sandalwood, a dark red golden retriever who was my oldest brother's first dog and who was still around when I was born. Sandalwood liked to dig...and run...so when my family moved and our yard wasn't big enough for his liking, Sandalwood dug himself a little hole under the fence and ran away often. Because of this, we brought him to a farm where he had plenty of room to run and roam and play with other dogs. (Side Note: it was a for real farm, not a "farm" where parents tell their children their dog had to be taken.) Then, in the late 80's we got Maggie, another purebred golden who I always considered my best friend. Maggie and I grew up together, we went on adventures together, I even used to sit with her and try to teach her how to use sign language. (I have a vivid memory of sitting on the floor teaching her letters.) I also told her when we grew up that we would travel the world together. When she was about 8, actually exactly 8, she started having seizures. The vets couldn't explain it, but they gave her some medicine and she started to appear better. Almost exactly a month after her first seizure, she passed away in the middle of the night. I had set up a vigil that night, with a candle and ceramic angels my Nanny made me. She was hiding in my parents bathroom and they told us all to leave her alone. While they were downstairs and thought I was sleeping, I snuck into their bathroom and laid down with Maggie on the floor, rubbing her head with a damp wash cloth. The next morning, my mom came into my room and sat on my bed to tell me that Maggie died in the middle of the night. It was heart wrenching. For months, I slept with her collar wrapped around my bedpost and I would shake it just to hear the tags clink together like they did when she would come prancing into a room. I remember vowing to myself at the vets office when she was sick that I would become a veterinarian and always figure out what was wrong and how to fix it so that no one ever had to feel like I did during that time. I was so mad at them for not knowing what was wrong, for telling us that the medicine they gave her probably just masked whatever the true problem was. <br />I actually went into college as a pre-veterinary med major...(clearly, switched to Comm. because of my affinity for laziness.) I worked at a vet's office during college breaks, and even a few years ago when I was looking into going to grad school, it was between teaching and veterinary medicine. That's probably one thing I will always regret, not having the drive to become a veterinarian.<br />Anyhow, after Maggie, when I was about 13, we got a little fluffball golden retriever in Madison, VA. We named this light golden butterball, Madison. She was so cute it was hard to look at her for too long. Madison was the epitome of perfection. As she grew, she learned to bring in the newspaper, bring my dad his slippers, flip treats off her nose and into her mouth, and many other adorable tricks. She would bring my dad one slipper when he would get home from work, go back upstairs, get the other and bring it down to him. She then began to do this without us asking and if my dad wasn't home from work every night when he was supposed to be, she would start bringing them down so they'd be ready when he got home. Adorable. She was my little honeybear and I loved her to pieces. <br /><br />My mom always said she wanted a lap dog to snuggle with. Not something she ever said she HAD to have, just in the future, one day, maybe she would want something small for herself. So, when I went to college my Freshman year, my dad and I had this grand plan to get her a little something to have for herself. (Even though Madison was so great and really was a Mama's girl.) So my father and I started looking for cocker spaniels, because my mom always thought the blonde ones look like mini-goldens. My older brother found out about this and flipped out. He had to stand his ground and never allow a "small, yippee" dog in our house. Now, yes we were and always have been a big-dog family, but a cocker spaniel is far from a yippee dog. But Cameron (who lived in Connecticut, mind you) put his foot down, did some research and found a litter of chocolate lab puppies near my parents home in Northern VA. I was home for Christmas break and my dad and I went to pick one out. Bailey pretty much picked ME out though. All the other puppies were running all over the place playing with each other and Bailey scooted right up to me, jumped in my lap and stole my heart with her little gorilla face and baby grunts. So, we claimed that little one as ours and headed home with a plan for a Christmas arrival for the newest member of our family. I took a picture of her while we were there and we put it in one of my pretend puppy beds from when I was little. We put the bed under the Christmas tree with a note that said something like "Hi I'm ______, your new puppy!" We let my mom pick her name. I pretty much thought of Bailey because at the time I was semi-obsessed with Redskins cornerback, Champ Bailey, so I suggested that. My mom said she was not naming her puppy after a football player, but she does love Bailey's Irish Cream, so there we were:) <br />Sadly, we were not entirely prepared for the wrath that is a Labrador Retriever puppy. Madison's perfect life until that point, with her favorite bone shaped pillow, her collection of tennis balls and all her plush toys, was turned into mayhem. At first Madison was kind of like, "what is this thing trying to chase my tail?" But they did become the best of friends. Bailey was somewhat of a terror those first few years, leading my mother to question why we would give her such a "gift" when she had the perfect Madison to love already. We blamed Cameron on any wrong-doing Bailey proved to serve, because I am sure my choice of a cute little cocker spaniel would not have caused nearly as much destruction as Bailey did. (eating boxes of food-including ingestion of the box, whole loaves of bread, terrorizing the house, thrashing through trash cans) But we love Bailey nonetheless, and she is now an 8 year old princess:) Also, Bailey at a whopping 80 lbs, truly believes she belongs on your lap. So, guess mom got her lap dog after all!<br />It still hurts to think about when Madison had to be put down, but just to be fair in this blog, giving each animal their story, Madison had a mass the size of a lemon in her heart and there was nothing they could do. I had never had to put a dog to sleep before, Maggie died on her own and at age 8, Madison started swelling, became very lethargic and we had no choice but to let her go. We held onto her until the very last minute and the night before we found out we had to put her down, I spent a long time on the floor with her just petting, snuggling and telling her how perfect she was and how much I loved my Honeybear.<br />The purpose of this blog is not to make anybody sad, as I am sure it will, because even as I write it I am missing Madison, but I just thought after looking at petfinder for almost an hour, that maybe my love for puppies should be blogged about! Bailey is still around and wonderful, the snuggliest pup in the world and she still wiggles and jumps up and down when I walk through the door to my parents house. She is, in every sense of the word, like my little sister:) <br />Now all I need is a pup of my own. Luckily, Oliver shares this love obsession for dogs and when we have a bigger house we will have as many as we can fit. Ideally, I would like to own a ranch, rescue all sorts of puppies and live amongst the greatest animals life has to offer. I'll let you know how that dream pans out.Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-60836348226442522222010-08-11T19:26:00.000-07:002010-08-11T19:50:35.688-07:00This Post Brought to you By SkypeDear Blog Followers, <br />Hollee and I have decided that skyping is the greatest thing life has to offer best friends who live 300 miles apart. Not only does it allow us to see each other on a frequent basis, BUT it allows us to slack on whatever we should be doing in life...and have a couple beers/alcoholic beverages "together." This started with a different kind of beverage. In college, Hollee and I used to have coffee on the porch every morning before watching Regis and Kelly (and sometimes going to class). Now, we have coffee on the skype instead. This turned into skype partying, which we have discovered is awesome. As I compose this blog, Hollee is "here" with me. We are co-writing this one via Skype. <br />We don't really have anything to say, Hollee should be packing for the big move in with my bff's from high school. (Side note: this makes me super happy, my best friends from high school, aka M7, are so so great and mean the world to me, and the fact that my best friend from college/life, not only gets along with, but LOVES them, makes me so happy.) So that's what she should be doing and I should be cleaning my apartment for her arrival. Instead, we are hangin' out on Skype, texting, calling and gchatting our friends (aka AP and Jessica.) <br />So, 02:22, is the running skype ticker time. It is what it is...Hollee just snorted laughing so hard...she doesn't know I wrote that part. She can only see me writing this, but doesn't know what I am typing. Haa....okay, goodnight.Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-17529005247711794742010-08-10T16:15:00.000-07:002010-08-10T17:04:10.085-07:00ramblings of a bored "tv watcher"Clearly Keek wasn't lying when she said that the whole "procrastination" label fits us both. Here I am, two days later finally putting my two cents into this blog. The good news is, now we are both authors so you faithful readers (and we hope there are at least a few of those out there) will now know who is talking about what.<br /><br />While Keek talks of stars having great meanings and other intellectual ponderings...I thought I'd just talk about new exciting things happening for me right now. That's about all the imagination I can muster on the downward slope of my two-job-tuesday. Speaking of jobs - that's one new thing going on for me. I got a new job!!! I've been with Discovery for 4 years now...same position/less than desirable night and weekend schedule for a little under 3 years and was getting rapidly restless/bored/any other non-fun adjective you can think of, but was doing what I do best and slacking on actively seeking a new job. A few weeks ago a friend of mine told me about a position with T-Mobile and sent me all the info. *side note - I'm obsessed with cell phones, and I have been a T-Mobile customer for about 8 years* Needless to say for many reasons I was excited about this position and the opportunity to pursue a very different career path then the one I was currently (and unhappily) on. The position is a Sales Development Representative...basically I'll be traveling to all the stores that sell T-Mobile but aren't corporate stores (Best Buy, Costco, Walmart, etc) to make sure the employees are trained, offering promotions, the managers are meeting their sales goals, and providing regular reports for the stores in my area. Stuff like that. I'm definitely excited, but I'm also scared, nervous, anxious, and sort of sad to leave Discovery. Not so much the position, but the people - and the company. Discovery was my first job out of college, so it's all I've ever really known. But, time to take a leap and try something new.<br /><br />I'm also moving this month...which I am very excited about! Funnily enough, the girls I'm moving in with are Caitlyn's best friends from high school. AND Laura has a dog! I'm so so soooo excited about that. Although I'm going to terribly miss Nicole and her kitty Roxy...they won't be too far away.<br /><br />The MOST exciting thing, I have to say, is that next Wednesday I will be on the Bolt Bus headed north to visit Keek! I'm super nervous to arrive in NYC and have to cab it to Grand Central and catch a train...but apparently this is a very liberating experience, so I welcome the challenge.<br /><br />I guess that's it for me tonight...it's my lunchtime. And yes, if the middle of my workday falls in the evening, I still consider it a lunch break, not dinner break.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-37889289527605970182010-08-08T15:29:00.000-07:002010-08-08T15:57:56.765-07:00The Name of the Game is Procrastination...and I'm the MVPSo, while still getting used to this co-blogging, I think I will see how it goes to use this as a creative outlet on my own as well. Because really the reason we're doing it together is to keep each other writing, have someone hold us accountable. <br />The title of this post definitely encompasses both Hollee and myself. The reason for this post, and the title are because this trait of mine was brought to my attention last night. <br />Every once in a while...or really, more often than not, something comes into my brain and I wish I had something to write on. Having an iPhone helps, I have recently been just typing these ideas into notes...but anyhow...I am a writer, I just am. I love writing, I love getting the craziness out of my brain and putting it down on paper. I also have a large fear of failure...which leads to the wonder that is my brain, not being put onto paper because of an "it probably wont be as good as I think" attitude. For example, I have had an idea for a children/pre-teen novel for years now. It popped into my head once and I haven't been able to get it out. It's all in there, a series even...I have dreams about it, I have written different parts of it, I think about it all the time. I have even had professors request for me to be placed in advanced writing classes, told me this is "what I should do" with my life, but the passion for writing loses out to the fear of failure. But I think that's not even the right thing to call it...I think what I am truly afraid of is success. There is a long history there, but being great and successful got me into trouble in my past and I think it made me guarded. So there's me, psycho analyzing myself. <br />So, last night Oliver and I were at his parents house out on their patio. They live in a really nice, open wooded area with not much around. This sets the scene for some beautiful night sky observances. Last night was particularly beautiful, there were so many stars out and the sky was so clear, you could just see them all up there. I started thinking...what if every star in the sky represented a couple who had fallen in love? That even if you have never been in love, you could look up at the night sky and still have hope that it is bound to happen for you, because looking at the number of stars in the sky, you see the abundance of love there is in the world.<br />It was just a thought, and it sent my mind into a tailspin...stars can mean whatever you want them to mean, right? You get to choose what you believe and what you believe in, so why not make it something magical? Love can be compared to stars because you can't see love, but you know it is there, during the day you cannot see the stars but you know they are up there, etc. So I said something like that out loud, about the stars representing love, and Oliver just said, "Wow." Like, he was blown away by me (side note, find someone who loves you like crazy and find a way to keep them around forever:) But then I started thinking, as I always do, "this just sounds like it makes sense, someone has to have said this before. I am sure there is some great writer or philosopher who has attributed the amount of stars in the sky to the amount of love in the world. Nothing new here, Caitlyn, no need to write it down, it's already out there." And that is when Oliver said something about the reason I don't write is because I procrastinate and that he has heard me say things and talk about my book for the past four years that he has known me, and all I have done is procrastinate writing it. So, again, welcome to this blog.Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-8733178436807981072010-08-06T19:32:00.000-07:002010-08-06T19:34:11.564-07:00a firmer foundationSo I guess this will be the Hollz edition of Keek and Hollz life. (I also don’t know why we’ve always said Keek first, but it does sound more aesthetically pleasing so I’m okay with that.) So here goes. NOTE: I haven’t read Keek’s version so it’ll be interesting to see the similarities/differences in our stories. Guaranteed mine has more holes. <br />Eight years ago this month…I began an incredible -in every sense of that word- journey known as college. I went to a New Student Leadership Conference, where I had met a few people already, and also knew a couple girls from high school that would be going to Longwood too. I didn’t, however, know my roommate or any of the people living on my same hall. That hall being the 4th floor (no elevator, mind you) of South Ruffner…one of the oldest buildings at the school – which I just remembered had been recently renovated all EXCEPT our floor. So move-in day I meet Katherine. We instantly hit it off, and she told me about a friend of hers from high school who was in a fraternity that was having a party that night. Duh, of course we were going. I don’t remember if we had some sort of hall meeting with our RA *crazy RA, I might add* to meet everyone, but if we did…that’s when I would have really first met Caitlyn. But what I DO remember of our first meeting was sure to be a sign of the greatness and fun that was to become US. We were both at that same party that evening…and when we saw each other – pure excitement. (enter the first keek and hollz pic ever that only keek has a copy of). The end of that evening and almost getting in trouble with our RA on the FIRST night of college was the beginning of our beginning. <br />Freshman year might have been a little rough for me…there were a group of girls (Caitlyn included) that considered themselves the “fab five”…even though WE always hung out (and I would have been the 6th). One girl purposely left me out because, well, I don’t know why but I don’t care. All the other girls apart from this one didn’t really see it that way and we got along just fine. I wouldn’t say I was the closest to Keek at this point, but we definitely had a good friendship connection. Fast forward to sophomore year, a group of 6 of us from freshman year *mean girl NOT included – so ha!* decided to live together in a triple suite. 3 rooms, 1 bathroom type deal. The first semester all the girls except me decided to rush (aka join a sorority). 3 of them went to the same sorority, 1 went to another, and Keek didn’t get a bid from the one she wanted…so she was stuck with me That may have been the turning point for us from close friends with all the girls to Keek and Hollz best friends. Literally…from that point on we were inseparable. We were both Comm majors, so we had all the same classes – even professors that I still keep in touch with ask about my other half when we talk. Spring of 2004 came and brought great things for Keek…she got a bid and became a member of Zeta. I did rush that semester, and it sucked for awhile – but her pledge sisters are sort of my pledge sisters too ;-) <br />Then comes junior year…more of the same classes (we now even have the same minor to have even MORE classes together), and I decided to rush one more time. (knowing that I would only take a bid from Zeta, because well, where else would I wanna be?) That semester was really rough because it was the first time Keek and I didn’t live at least down the hall from each other, and since I was pledging and she was already in…it sometimes made it difficult to get to hang out. haha I actually can think of more than one occasion where we didn’t really let that stop us…So once I was initiated and Keek OFFICIALLY became my sister, it brought a profound meaning to a saying in zeta “to give a firmer foundation to those friendships founded on college companionship”. That statement couldn’t be more true to two individuals ever, I don’t think. <br />This is getting realllllly long…but senior year was just as great. We lived together again, this time off campus and still having all the same classes and working in the public relations office together. Summer after graduation we may not have talked for like 3 weeks and it sucked and I don’t want to talk about it and nothing before or since has ever happened or is going to happen like that. End of that story. <br />At the same time I got a job and moved up to Northern Va (where Keek grew up and was living up to this point), she decided to make the move north herself, to Connecticut. I didn’t realize it’s 300 miles away or that it’s been 4 years since then…maybe because that’s just how strong our bond is. No matter the distance, no matter the circumstance, we’re always beside each other.Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1064412953007121492.post-32840258587480282422010-08-06T03:55:00.000-07:002010-08-06T04:41:58.219-07:00The Story of Us-Keek's VersionSo, I thought it'd be cool to start off with having two separate posts of how we met and became best friends, "the story of us." While the accounts are bound to be extremely similar, I am sure each of us remember different details.<br />August of 2002, my mom and dad drive me the three hours to Longwood University and help move me into the 4th floor of South Ruffner. After a tear-filled goodbye, I begin to get settled on my own and meet the girls on my hall. The first evening there, my RA called a meeting for all of us in the common room at the end of the hallway. This is where Hollee Elizabeth Higbea and I were formally introduced. The RA went on to tell us about the rules of the dorm (dry dorm, no drinking, no alcohol in the building, and do NOT come home drunk.) I had a friend from high school who was in a fraternity at Longwood so I went out with him that night. This is where our stories will differ...I'm not sure how we both ended up at the Alpha Sig house across from the church, but we did. Here is where we took the first Keek & Hollz pic, and maybe one of the greatest. We hung out there, had the best first night of college ever, then we returned to the dorm, already breaking a rule, you can guess which one. I proceeded to get "locked" out of my room and had a fit of getting into it...when the RA came out in the hallway and Hollee ducked into her room to continue laughing at me in hiding.<br />Freshman year went on and we hung out in a big group of girls, we went out all the time, hung out with different sororities and frats/soccer players, had breakfast, lunch and dinner in dhall together, and had pretty much all our Comm. Studies classes together. That year it was just a coincidence we had classes together...from then on, we made sure of it. While we hung out all the time Freshman year and became fairly close, our actual best friend status didn't arise until Sophomore year. We lived in a 6 person suite in Frazer with a bunch of our close friends from our hall in S. Ruffner. I had broken my ankle almost right before we came back to school and I was in a cast with a "no toe touches the ground" policy for 3 months. While our other friends were helpful, Hollee took the reigns of my crippled life and took care of me like only a best friend could. She pushed my wheelchair, got my tray in dhall and rode on the golf cart to class with me. Putting vodka in our orange juice bottles and heading to Art History class at 9 am, our friendship-and maybe our drinks;)- grew stronger everyday. We pulled all nighters to finish projects and papers, we cheered on our suitemates at LipSync when they all pledged sororities and we didn't. We hung out with our three best friends, Pam, Ange and Katie and we had a BLAST that year. Then came our sorority recruitment together...when I was given a bid from Zeta and Hollee was not. It was devastating and I knew how she felt. But, being who she is, Hollee was SO excited for me and was my biggest support system during my pledge period. Even though we couldn't spend that much time together when I was pledging, I don't have any memory of being less close or missing each other. Not to mention the fact that we had pretty much all our classes together AND we worked in Public Relations together too.<br />Junior year we planned to live together in Cunningham, we were so so excited and had pretty much planned out our whole year...until that summer when I got a call saying I had to live on the Zeta Hall. Now, while this was something I definitely wanted to do, I just wasn't ready yet. My best friend wasn't a Zeta and that meant we couldn't live together...that was not okay with me. After much turmoil, our living arrangements were changed and things worked out okay. I loved living with my pledge sister and the experience of living on the hall is like nothing you could imagine. And Hollee got lucky with a random roommate transfer, Megan, who she became very close with. Then, in the Fall of 2004, Hollee got a bid from Zeta!!! It was the most nerve wracking recruitment I was ever involved with, but it ended the best way possible, me getting to share that sisterhood with my best best friend. Shirting Hollee at walk is one of my all time favorite memories. So, Hollee became a baby bunny and I supported her as she did for me when I was pledging. As if we couldn't have gotten any closer, I finally got to share the Zeta secrets with the other half of my life. Plus, Hollee moved onto the hall second semester! So really we only had one semester of college when we were across campus from each other. We finished out junior year enjoying the greatness that is Zeta Tau Alpha. <br />Senior year...ah, one of the best. We lived in Stanley Park, 803B. We had two other roommates, but our rooms were connected. I don't really know how to explain our friendship, other than that it just works. We get each other on every level possible. It is odd to think that we spent 18 years without being in each others lives, because it feels like she's been there all along. Sometimes we know what the other is thinking or feeling before we know it ourselves. And even from 300 miles away, we make each other laugh, we know how to interpret a text message just by the way it's written, we are there through hard times and put the phrase "always just a phone call away" to good use. <br />There is so much more I could tell you about Hollee, about us...but that's what this blog is for, right? Right. So enjoy having a little insight into the life that is Keek & Hollz.Caitlynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07112460980983968760noreply@blogger.com0