Oh How I've Missed This

I can't believe how long it has been since I've been on here and how much my life has changed in that time. I still love reading other people's blogs and I finally feel like I can get back into blogging about my own little corner of life. It was a great outlet for me and the connection I felt to others bloggers was something special. So here I am! I'm back!

Where to start...?

In June 2011 I got engaged!

It was so beautiful. Dave put so much thought and planning into it. He made it such a magical and unforgettable day. We took a weekend trip to Santa Barbara, CA and I could tell something was up. He was acting weird and kept insisting that we be on time. He was driving and wouldn't tell me where exactly we were heading. As we cruised up the coast I saw so many amazing estates overlooking the ocean. Suddenly we pull into the entrance of one of the gorgeous mansions. I really knew something special was going on at that point. We started walking up through the entrance and there are some stables and horses. "Surprise! We are going horseback riding on the beach!" he says. Ok so that was the big surprise- so I started to relax about the proposal. We had an amazing time and saw dolphins swimming in the ocean. Half way through the trip we get off to stretch our legs and Dave starts walking down the beach. Before I knew it he was down on one knee with a beautiful diamond ring in his hands. I was so happy, I cried. I knew this was the man I wanted to share my life with and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. We stayed in an amazing bed and breakfast in Santa Barbara for the weekend and I felt like I was living a fairy tale come true. 

And so begins the adventure of a lifetime. We are in it together for the rest of our lives! Ours is not a conventional love story as you will see but it works for us. Our life together is not always easy but I can't imagine anyone else I would want to share it with. He is my best friend and my hearts desire. There is much more to catch up on but those are stories for another day. 

xoxo~ Katie 

A New Year, A Fresh Start

I can't believe how fast time flies- whether you're having fun or not! It has been far too long since I have been in bloggy land and I think I am finally ready to get back to it. Twenty ten was in some ways a great year, but in a lot of ways it was a very difficult one for me. My grandpa died this year and left a huge whole in my family and in my heart. My boyfriend moved to start a new job and I almost moved with him. I got a job offer that I really wanted so I ended up staying in AZ. The long distance relationship along with the stresses of a new job really took its toll on me at the end of 2010. I had some wonderful memories from 2010 that helped me get through the difficult times. I got really close to my family and started to build a better, stronger relationship especially with my brother. I also felt that some of my friendships got stronger and it feels so comforting to know that I have real friends who care about me. My relationship with Dave was tested and it made us both realize just how much we love each other. I traveled and explored a lot of new places with Dave and my family, especially in nor cal. I love my love and I really can't complain but there are a lot of things I hope to work on and improve in 2011!

To kick off my new start at blogging I am joining in on the 11 in 2011 over at Teaching In Heels... better late than never I always say! ( :



Here are the topics:
Day 1: New Years Resolutions
Day 2: Favorite Holiday Memory
Day 3: Favorite Work-Out Tips
Day 4: Best Leftover Recipe
Day 5: Places You Hope to go this Year
Day 6: Best Organization Tricks
Day 7: Favorite Memory of 2010
Day 8: Favorite Healthy Snacks
Day 9: Favorite Things to Do on a Cold Winter Day
Day 10: Favorite Girls Night Out Events
Day 11: What are you Looking Forward to in 2011

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~NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS:

1. Read More, Watch TV Less:

I love TV and definitely won't be giving it up anytime soon, but I need to stop wasting time watching shows I don't really even like or stuff I have already seen. I plan to delete some shows from my DVR list. I also got a new phone this year that has a Kindle app on it that I love so I can have my book with me at all times. I will start out with reading a minimum of at least two books a month and will post my reviews on here to share what I think are good reads!

2. Eat Healthy, Get Moving:

I have a gym membership that I hardly ever use and in 2011 I vow to change that! I LOVE the classes at my gym and I am going to start taking advantage of that this year. I will take at least one class a week, and work out at least three times a week. I also want to buy a bike this year and start biking with my friends. I'm honestly not really sure where to start on the whole eating healthy thing, but I am going to eat more fresh fruits and veggies and stop skipping meals!

3. Keep My Life Clutter Free:

I really want to clean out my closet and craft area and get rid of some stuff so I can get to the stuff I actually want to use. Its really hard for me to let go of stuff, but I know I will be happier when there is less clutter. This also means not buying stuff that I don't need. Ugg- this will be hard.

4. Keep Track Of My Finances:

I would love to set up some system that allows me to track my spending and start creating (and sticking to) a budget. I am not really sure how I will go about this but I really want to put more money in savings and pay more on my student loans.

5. Make The Special People In My Life Feel Special:

I am definitely guilty of having grand intentions and then never following through. I need to work on doing small things for the people I love and not worrying about not doing enough or having unrealistic goals. I want to cherish the people that I love and make sure I nurture my relationships.

6. Get In Touch With My Spiritual Side:

I am not going to try to read the Bible in a year- I have failed that goal many times. Instead I would like to try to go to church more or even listen to the many great sermons online. I would like to pray more and trust God more.

7. Get Creative:

I am so happy when I get to craft or create something. I have so many wonderful supplies that I just have not had the opportunity to use. I want to set aside an hour at least once a week that I will get a little glue on my hands and glitter in my hair!

8. Get Domesticated:

I love to cook but I just have not done it very much. I want to commit to making at least one new recipe a month. I feel like I can handle that right?

9. Keep Educational Fires Alive

Of course I have to do my Continuing Education Credits every year, but I also want to read more on my own about the new things happening in my field as well as going to a live CE event if I can.

10. Be A Better Blogger:

I have truly missed the outlet that is this blog. Its therapeutic for me to reflect on the blessings and happy memories in my life and vent (occasionally) on the not so great parts of life. I love getting the encouraging and sweet comments from people and I love reading other peoples blogs and seeing life from their eyes. I will make an effort to stick with it this year as well as comment more on other people's blogs. I know how much I love it so I'm sure other people would too.

11. Count My Blessings EVERYDAY!!!!

I have myriad things in my life to be thankful for but some days I feel like all I want to do is complain. I need to remind myself everyday that I am blessed to live the life that I do and that the hard things make me stronger and better. I will thank God everyday for all that he has given me.

Smile, Smile, Smile

I don't know if its my love of TJ Thyne on Bones, my love of pictures, or what, but I love this!

What's Black, White & Red All Over?

A zebra with a sunburn? A newspaper? Nope! Its the lovely bridal shower that I threw for my best friend. This was several weeks ago and I think it turned out better than I imagined! It was my first time hosting a party like this and I could never have pulled it off with the help of my awesome mom.

I am the maid of honor in my best friend's up coming nuptuals and one of my responsibilities was throwing her a great shower! Her one big request was red velvet cupcakes... Ask and you shall recieve! I think these turned out so great- they almost look professional! The cake crumbs on top really give them that bakery feel, but they are 100% home made! That AWESOME cake stand belongs to one of my mom's friends. I am in love with it and now keep my eye peeled for cupcake stands every where I go, haha. We also did a chocolate fondue station. It was actually very easy to do. I used my Little Dipper Crockpot to melt milk chocolate chips and then put strawberries, bananas, and large marshmellows on bamboo skewers. It was a big hit! The mother of the bride brought two chocolate chip cheesecakes to round out the awesome dessert table. I decorated simply with a dozen red roses and two red candles, and had everything on a black table cloth with a white cloth napkin in the middle. On the other side of the kitchen I made some signs instructing guests to leave Courtney some words of wisdom in a little book that I made for her. The party favors were ring pops (the perfect wedding shower candy if you ask me) and a nail polish. I put a dot of the nail polish on the bags to let the guests choose their own color- and that was a big hit too! I decorated the bages with paper hearts and paper flowers with jewel accents and used red tissue paper. For the drink station I had several bottles of wine chilled on ice, a group of carefully stacked plastic wine glasses. I also used some decorative tissue paper cut into heart shapes for decor along the back wall of the kitchen.I also got these cute outfits for the bottles at the dollar store! Aren't they adorable? I also served soda and raspberry lemonade from my big glass drink jar. I got this at a yard sale for $3- what a bargin! I wish I had gotten a better picture of it but it really looked so beautiful with the ice and fresh lemon slices in it! For lunch we served a ton of snack food, like chips and dip, and cheese and crackers. I love the way the grapes add a punch of color to the cheese and cracker tray.
We also served croissants with chicken salad and turkey pinwheel sandwiches that we got at CostCo.
After everyone got something to eat we started the games and presents. All in all I think it turned out to be a great party and I think my bestie was very happy with it! ( :
I hope all the details inspire you for your next party! I got so many great ideas online! If you want to use any of my pictures just let me know and/or link back to me! Thanks for stopping by!

California Dreaming

Hi lovelies! I just wanted to share a little update on what I've been up to the past month or so. Last time I was on here I was letting you all know that I *might* be moving to California with my boyfriend. Well, we did! I packed my boxes along with his and we loaded up a small UHaul that we pulled behind Dave's truck and a Pod that would be delivered to us later. We found a great condo and Dave started his new job. I love the area that we are living in up there! I really think we will have fun exploring the area together.

I flew back to stay with my family for a few weeks and take care of some loose ends with my work stuff. I was planning to stay for a few weeks, then take a road trip with my mom and dad back up to Sacramento. It would take care of me getting my car up there and allow them to see where we are living. We had it all planned but then my grandfather got sick and we put those plans on hold. Things are starting to get settled again so I think we will do our trip up there at the end of September. I think Dave is really lonely without me, but he understands. I am also hosting a bridal shower for my best friend, so I am glad I could be here to get that planned. I am so happy to be her maid of honor, but it really is a lot of responsibility!

Things have just been a little crazy around here lately, but I am so glad to be getting back into the swing of things and back to blogging! To kick things off right I am going to do a thirty day blogging challenge that I have seen around, so stay tuned! ( :

Thank You

My grandpa's service was yesterday. It was a difficult day, but I am so glad so many people came to honor his life. I also want to thank all of you for your kind words. I am hoping to get back to my normal routine soon, and check out all my favorite blogs!

~Katie

A Hole In My Heart

It feels like it has been so long since I have been on here. I have had a difficult month, and have not felt up to talking about it until now. I still feel the sting of tears in my eyes as I think about the loss my family and I have had. I lost my grandfather this month. He was one of the most special people in my life. He was a World War II veteran, a loving and kind husband, a wonderful father, and the only grandfather I ever knew. He has been there for every special event in my life and has cheered me on every step of the way. He was married to my grandmother for 64 years and it was the most amazing love story I have ever seen. My family and I have been there to support my grandma but I know her heart is forever broken. They were truly best friends. I feel so blessed to have him as a grandpa, and I know he has made my life better and richer in a million ways, big and small. I feel at peace knowing he is in a better place, but I will never stop missing him.