Monday, September 15, 2008

F.E.E.T.











Here is a sample from my "Feet" collection.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Flashback Friday

Water Polo Team
2001

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Life at 25

So this birthday, the big 25, brought about some serious introspection. What have I accomplished? What have a learned from my past? How comfortable am I with myself? As I was pondering my life thus far a hairy smelly grumpy little gremlin kept forcing its way into my brain and shouting things like, "Why aren't you done with school yet!?" and "Why didn't you stick to your exercise plan!?"
Well, I found myself dwelling on all the things I haven't done, have done poorly, or have just failed at and found myself in a mini-meltdown. PMS didn't help either. So tonight, amidst talk of state and local government, (I just couldn't focus in class tonight!) I finished my list of accomplishments and experiences and when I was done I let out a big sigh and felt a lot better.

25
(not in any particular order.....well except for the first one : )
  1. Married a wonderful, hilarious, caring, creative, compassionate human being.
  2. Learned how to crochet.
  3. Can list all 50 states, alphabetically, with their capitals.
  4. Decided on a college major.
  5. Recycle everyday.
  6. Realized the importance of having an open, teachable mind.
  7. Learned how to read.
  8. Jumped over waves in the Atlantic ocean.
  9. Developed a deep appreciation and love for family.
  10. Can drive a stick shift.
  11. Sat in Independence Hall.
  12. Discovered the importance of spirituality and religion in my life.
  13. Bought a condo.
  14. Snorkeled next to sea turtles.
  15. Planted a tree.
  16. Continually recognizing my strengths and limitations.
  17. Created my own line of cards: Cateye Collection.
  18. Graduated from high school.
  19. Can find the North star.
  20. Became a vegetarian.
  21. Developed some critical thinking skills.
  22. Traveled to Australia.
  23. Donated to hungry families for the past 5 years.
  24. Try to make conscious consumer decisions.
  25. Adopted two adorable feline children.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

One Quarter of A Century












First I want to say thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday--it really made my day! I woke up to Nate making me a tasty birthday breakfast, complete with our birthday place mat, plate, sign, and gold silverware (thanks grandma Naylor!). Then I had to work until 4pm and then had class until 9pm. After class Nate and I met up at Market Street Grill because instead of birthday cake I wanted one of their amazing creme brulee desserts--it was delicious, of course, and our server even put a little candle in mine!


I got home and Nate had all sorts of little presents for me to open (you gotta love his wrapping job) including a massage gift certificate, peppermint body wash, and all sorts of goodies he knows I like.


I was baffled by a large present on the table and when I opened it I was so excited! Let me explain:

I love listening to talk radio when I'm just hanging around the house. This is the radio I have been using for several years now (I can't even remember where it came from--D.I. I think)


This little fella, even with it's sharp broken antennae, has been a great little radio... Then I got this bad boy...

Sleek, slim, and oh so up-to-date it fits right under the cupboard and even has a clock! I think I heard the little black radio let out a defeated sigh. Anyway, I wanted to say thanks to my wonderful husband for much appreciated upgrade.

Since Nate had really wanted to take me out to dinner (I know, I'm spoiled--you only turn 25 once right?) and we couldn't go Friday (Lindsey's wedding) we planned on going out Saturday night. I knew it was going to be packed and envisioned us having to wait for hours, but Nate said he had a reservation. I thought that was odd since I knew they only offered reservations to parties of 8 or more but thought maybe he pulled some birthday strings. When we got there and the hostess led us back to our table I was shocked to see a bunch of my friends yell surprise! Of course I started crying!








Haley and Kyle


Amy, Levi and Taylor Ernest

Addison, Rebecca and Brad Dowdle



Adam, Elsa, and Nicole Paul


Ashley and Julia Miller

It was so fun to see everyone and enjoy some good food while catching up on each other's lives. When we finished eating our server brought me a bouquet of flowers from Nate. What a great birthday! I am so grateful for all the wonderful people in my life, especially for Nate and all the effort and love he put into making this such a special day for me.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Lindsey & Justin's Wedding


It was the perfect day for a wedding!






Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Calder!

























Saturday, September 6, 2008

Flashback Friday

Go Wildcats!
JV Cheer Squad
Danielle, Aimee, Annie, Brooke, Haley, Heidi
Stephanie, Melanie, Megan,
Jess, Tahnie, Tillery

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Echo Lake










We went to Echo Lake last weekend with the Tews. It was a little chilly but we had fun eating, talking, and playing on the wave runners. Once again, I can barely walk from doing so many 360s on the wake board. No really though, I did try to do a tiny jump over the wake but I crashed. My sister-in-law Jenna got some video of me on her camera so I will try to get that from her.
Nate and I finally forked out the dough and got some camp chairs. Mine is a recliner! It was so nice to be chillin' in my reclining camp chair listening to the water splash up on the shore. It made me miss the beach!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

This could be a problem...

So one of my classes this semester is Family Economic Issues (a required class for Social Work majors). It's an online class, so tonight I was looking over the chapter outline (ordered my book from amazon and it hasn't come yet--boo) and I started to feel a little light headed, then a little afraid, then panic set in. I thought that the statistics class I took last semester was going to be the last time I had to do any Math besides trying to find out if buying skinny cow ice cream or creamies is a better deal ---little did I know that when I looked at the practice homework for this class it is all things like this:

Use the information below to answer the next three questions. For convenience, this information will be repeated again for each related question: The price of Cheerios is $4.00 per pound, the price of Raisin Bran is $2.20 per pound, and the price of Corn Flakes is $2.50 per pound. Convert these nominal prices to relative prices using Corn Flakes as the base. The relative price of Raisin Bran is _________

a. less than 0.60
b. between 0.60 and 0.70
c. between 0.71 and 0.80
d. more than 0.80

I don't know exactly what happens but about 1/3 of the way through the above problem my brain just turns off. It reads the words but really it is off hiding in a corner hoping that some smart person will answer the question for it. I admire people who enjoy math. I unfortunately am not one of them. I can add, subtract, multiply, divide--what more do they want from me!!????

What I am trying to say is that I will pay someone to take this class for me. No really, I'm serious.

P.S. Hey Winnie, Put a sock in it.