TINSEL AND TAP SHOES

i agree.

2012-01-31T19:00:00.002-06:00

sun.shine.

2012-01-30T17:29:00.003-06:00

yesterday was one of those amazing days in which you have not a worry in the world or a care for your hair. i was lucky enough to not have any plans for the day and simply went where the wind took me.

and thankfully, it lead me right where i needed to be- outside. sounds simple enough. like that place a few steps beyond my front door. but unfortunately, i realized that it has been MONTHS since i have really taken the time to enjoy mother nature and feel the wind in my hair, the sun on my face. and it was AMAZING.

i've been feeling this crazy, overwhelming, life-crisis situation going on inside of me for the past few weeks. nothing out of the ordinary for a 26 year-old girl who's entire facebook wall is filled with wedding pics, engagement pics, proposal stories, sonogram pics, status updates on all things wedding and baby. just typing that out makes me want to vom : ) you know, THOSE type of things... and feeling like i am behind. when i KNOW in my heart i am not and as my mother reminds me, we all have our own timeline in life and i cannot compare my life and journey to anyone else's. ok. done with that vent session.

back to why yesterday was so perfect. i got to sit outside, write in my journal, and enjoy life in those still, quiet moments. my soul was so content. my heart happy. i was living my day and my life, just how i wanted it. i joked that i am really some tree-hugging, hippie nature girl with a bird soul that is meant to live in a tree somewhere. because THAT is when i am most alive, me, refreshed, and happy. when i am outside.

thankful for the beauty of yesterday. for girlfriends. for laughs. for the reminder that each day is a new day and all will simply be, OK.

home. decor.

2012-01-17T11:47:00.010-06:00

it's an understatement to say that i live, breath, eat, dream....all things home decor. i fantasize about the home i will one day own and decorate to my heart's desire. even for the apartment that I currently live in with my roommate Christy, i am constantly on the prowl for just one more pillow, or frame, or lamp. (LOVE lamps.)

with a trip to IKEA this past Saturday, I was on the hunt for a large piece of art for above the TV. well, i found something!
DALLAS to be exact. a giant, beautiful shot of downtown Dallas is now decorating that big wall above the TV.

AND i found two lamps. at $9.99 each, i couldn't resist. so, i put together the lamps and hung the art and wa-laa!

the living room is now complete. (i think : )

2012. welcome back.

2012-01-15T20:17:00.005-06:00

today I sat at a local coffee shop and wrote in my journal. something i have failed to do for FAR to long.

while detailing my day today to Geno in one of our, er MY, overly detailed phone conversations, he then suggested that I start blogging again. so, here i go....

twenty-twelve. I have this really awesome feeling that this is going to be a crazy-great year. nothing stands out in particular. oh wait, did i mention that 2012 is the year Geno McNeil MOVES TO DALLAS! for real. for permanent. not just for the summer. in 2009, the year we met, 2012 felt like light-years away. and now,only a few months stand between he and I and his move southward to the great state of Texas. oh yes, that could be why i think 2012 will be a crazy-great year : )

aside from that, my lovely Cor Jesu/St. Louis friend, Sarah, has recently moved to Dallas as well! one by one I am wrangling my closest friends to this great state. it truly is so wonderful to have close friends, especially from home, within a 10 minute drive. good for those rainy day afternoons to watch movies and chat, as well as to run to Target with on a Wednesday night. SO happy and excited Sarah has chosen to move to Dallas and for a dear friend to make lots more memories with.

2012. thanks for welcoming me back dear blog of mine. thanks for waiting patiently for the day i would return, and blab and blab and blab on and on about the most random of adventures and thoughts and feelings. i think i have already settled back in nicely : )

xoxo.
caitlin

a fresh start.

2010-08-30T09:47:00.002-05:00

i have never been more thankful for a fresh start. a new beginning. another time to step up to the starting line, and move forward in the journey of life.

last monday, i received just that. the first day of a new school year, the first day of the second year of geno and myself dating apart, and the first day of a new me.

and funny thing is, just the day before, was an ending day. a good-bye day. a sort of sad day. it was the last day of summer, the last day of one of the best summer's of my life, the day my sweet guy drove back to kansas. i felt how i felt, fully and completely, and thanked God for the many amazing memories, blessings, and people He has placed in my life.

i went to bed, and woke up...to a new day.

i felt ready. alive. like "this next year i am going to kick ass in this game called life!!!" pardon my french. but that's how i felt : ) i felt energized for the week ahead. balanced. and calm. calm in a comforted by God sense, calm in a there is no need to worry and stress sense. and BOY, did it feel good!

last week God provided me with a great deal of busyness, wonderful friend moments, good phone calls, yoga class and long walks, a lot of energy, a new favorite spot, and peace in my soul. for each of these things i am VERY grateful. i have learned not to expect anything, to appreciate the little things, and to let go. it's funny how for this worry-wart, over thinking, detail orientated, thousand of question asking girl....that when i stop asking questions. listen. and let go. i can see things just as i think i am meant to be seeing them.

here's to another week! in which i will continue to be still, and listen for the Lord's whisper.

.to a beautiful day.

cha-cha-changes....

2010-08-04T19:37:00.002-05:00

great song. and it seems rather appropriate for the direction i THINK my life may be headed. not in any BIG ways, per se. more like small little changes that i am seeking out/doing/pursuing.

1) i cut SEVEN inches off my hair today! not any new crazy hair-do, but it's amazing how much lighter i felt when those inches hit the floor!! i just needed a change. something new. it's hair. it grows. and it felt quite liberating to just go in there and chop-it-OFF!!! a small change. but an exciting and big one in terms of just DOING it!

2) this weekend i literally brought a third of my entire wardrobe and spread it out onto my back patio, (that's what has to happen when you live in a teensy house and need a space larger than 5x5) I made a give-away/garage sale/donate pile. that's all one pile- don't be confused. hey, i had to start somewhere! and a "keep it because even though you haven't worn it since high-school there may be that ONE theme party or day when it is absolutely necessary to bring out the camo capri pants." oh lord, did i just admit that i own those??? I haven't EVER (pinkie promise) worn them, but for some strange reason i can not rationalize throwing them out. hmmmm...ok, i sound like a crazy! might have to go move those to the give-away pile.

again, this isn't a huge, life-improving change...but it's something i have yet to do in the almost three years since i've called dallas home, and it just feels GOOD to de-clutter. and clean out the closets. and hopefully give them to someone who needs them a lot more than i do. and hey, let's be honest, it will make some space for something....dare i say....new. : )

3) have you heard of Groupon? Well, I bought my first groupon the other day. it's for a month of yoga at a studio near my home. I LOVE yoga. and just feel soooo much better when i am practicing it. however, with my crazy schedule it gets hard to add to my everyday life and is also quite expensive at most places in dallas. so when i saw this awesome deal, i hit "buy buy buy" right away! I am waiting to go until i know i have a month of time in which my days are a littttttle more predictable (aka- September sounds good : ) i am very much looking forward to trying a new studio, new teachers, as well as adding some ommmmmmmm back into my daily life. a small change, or rather addition, to my life- but i think it will be really quite rewarding!

so those are just a few of the small changes in the life of me. nothing big. nothing major. but just the perfect amount of spicing up and pizazz that we often forget to add to our daily lives! and for me, these little things are what keep me going, keep life interesting, and best of all...help me continue to grow as an individual.

.to a beautiful life.

my life through the lens.

2010-07-27T19:36:00.029-05:00

i love taking pictures. i love looking at photographs. i love capturing a moment in time and being able to hold on to it forever. i love the nostalgia and memories that a certain photo can stir up. just thought i'd share with you a few photographs from my summer....

a good conversation. listening. learning.

2010-07-24T13:40:00.003-05:00

for as much as i love words, and writing, and can sure as heck blab with the best of those chatty-kathy's out there.....i much prefer to listen.

this week i have been blessed with some really great conversations. i have learned not to take a deep, meaningful, full of thinking and asking and understanding....but most importantly, LISTENING, conversation - for granted.

i've talked with anna about family and dreams and the daily episodes that come with babysitting and working with children. we laughed and cried a little, we smiled when we knew EXACTLY what the other person was thinking without even having to finish the sentence. we understood one another and let a few open and honest conversations become the glue to our friendship that i know will last a long time.

i've talked with sweet little kiddos about legos, and fast cars, about how yeast helps to make bread rise and how belly-flops REALLY do hurt your belly. i've listened to them sing songs on the radio about love and life events they have yet experience, but with passion and strong-lungs, they belt out those words like tina turner.

i've listened to rachel talk about her pediatrics rotation in medical school and how she witnessed the birth of a 23 week old baby. i immediately thought of how thankful i am for my health and can only pray that a few years down the road when i have children, they are healthy little rascals as well.

i've talked with geno about this summer and the great memories we've had. about past life events that have deeply shaped who we are today, yet know without a doubt they are all a part of god's plan for our lives. we've laughed and made fun of each other. we talked about what-ifs and the future - yet i can't help but just stop and remember to live in THIS moment, the present, and take in each second that we have together, as well as each second i spend with another person.

i've learned that special moments, simple moments, often come when you least expect it....and for those moments, especially this week, i am thankful.

hope you are having a wonderful weekend! i know i am : ) and when it gets a little hectic or stressful or busy, remember to just stop and listen. you never know what you may hear. and if nothing else, that quiet moment could be exactly what you need.

.to a beautiful life.

EAT.PRAY.LOVE.

2010-07-22T15:21:00.019-05:00

hello blog world! it's me again. i would attempt to "look back" and try my very best to capture what the past four-or-so months have held...but then i get really overwhelmed when trying to remember every single 'what i ate for breakfast/lunch/dinner' detail, so i decided against it, and will instead just look forward! (i know what you're thinking...."thank the LORD she spared us the details!! - you're welcome : )

therefore, after watching previews for this movie.....i thought it would be most appropriate to start blogging again (did i mention that i have been computer-less for the past 6 months?!? really makes blogging difficult. i do apologize. but now i'm back in business....so i hope you're ready to read my crazy, often impulsive, silly, somewhat deep thoughts. wow- that sounds intense. i promise to keep it light.ish.)

anywho....back to the movie i can't wait to see. i DO know for certain that the past four months have involved a LOT of eating (more than i'd like to admit but mmmmm so good), many prayers sent upward, and a whole lotta love <3 three of my favorite things, which is why i am super excited to see the movie!

more of those details that i mentioned i would refrain from sharing will probably be shared in the next few posts....but until then....i will leave you with this quote that perfectly captures the thoughts swirling around in my head....

"I want to go someplace where i can MARVEL at something....."

smile : )

2010-03-29T11:21:00.007-05:00

one of my favorite new songs. "smile" by uncle kracker. anything involving a smile...seems to really connect with me : )

this song makes me want to fast forward to summer, grilling on the patio, laying out, with that carefree sort of summer attitude....

until then....send the world your smile!

TGIF.

2010-03-26T16:59:00.002-05:00

love these letters. never quite knew what they stood for when i was younger, but BOY do i understand (and very much appreciate!) them now.

thank GOODNESS it's FRIDAY....ya'll : )

have a happy weekend!

.xoxo.

do you ever have those days.......

2010-03-23T10:45:00.003-05:00

in which you think "what the heck am i doing with my life, there are too many things i have on my mind, i wish people would just be nice all the time, my laundry is piling up, and i think it may rain two fridays from now (i don't do rain on fridays.)" well- that's been my week. and rain on friday is ok, in fact, it will help create the perfect environment for me to curl up on my couch with my box of reduced-fat cheez-its and watch all my shows from the week. bring on the rain!

not complaining. simply letting out a little steam. er, fire?

so to combat these before mentioned feelings, i ran for the first time in oh....about 5 months. it felt great! brought back lots of memories of hitting the pavement last summer. let's see, what else did i do? i have also tried on a bridesmaid dress, helped an elderly lady driving an escalade (that gets a WTF?!?) remove the 200 pound trashcan that she was dragging from the front grill of her car, fed, changed, and put to sleep a baby I barely know (don't ask...please), driven through a monsoon with faulty windshield wipers which led me to pull over in the Jack in the Box parking lot to wait for the storm to pass only to sit there for 45 minutes, order some curly fries, and head back home....and that's just the beginning of my week on top of the normal teach classes at the studio and day school sort of events. i just grew a gray hair typing all this : )

sometimes I feel like superwoman. all in a days work. no big deal at all. or so i tell myself. cheers!

a shoe-worthy cause

2010-01-27T17:37:00.004-06:00

TOMS. i love them. i got them on sunday and have proudly worn them every day since.

best christmas present ever from my awesome boyfriend. SO comfy. not to expensive. relatively stylish. and the BEST part....when you buy a pair, you are really purchasing two!

Their website says.....

ONE FOR ONE

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about.

buy some. give some. i promise your feet will thank you (as will someone millions of miles away who is maybe getting a pair of shoes for the first time. pretty amazing if you ask me!)

http://www.tomsshoes.com/default.asp

my first pair......of many : )

aRt. ArT. i WanT yOu

2010-01-26T10:38:00.011-06:00

good morning! i saw this a couple of days ago and it made me smile in appreciation of art. art is now my life. it fills my days. inspires me. teaches me. helps me to teach. fulfills me.

so in honor of this wonderful gift.....art, art, i want you....

amen to that.

2010-01-23T20:07:00.006-06:00

i have had this wonderful sense of peace, and calm, and gratitude the past few days, especially today.

in this great big, beautiful world of ours....i am so small. so much is going on around us, as well as within each of us. we all have our own struggles and challenges, and during these times i find the simplest of phrases often help to keep things in perspective.

my grandma gave me something many years ago with the following quote on it, that for some odd reason i've memorized and kept in my "save for a rainy day" brain file. it goes:

Yesterday is gone,

tomorrow may never come.

But always there is today.

And today is an ever-present opportunity

to make ourselves and those around us

truly happy.

so simple. yet, so true.

thankful for this day. this life. and everything that makes it so great.

p.s. my fortune cookie just told me this...

Amen to that : )

hello blog. it's me. hydrated and ready for what's in store

2010-01-21T19:20:00.014-06:00

yes yes. i haven't been the, shall i say, BEST, blogger. lately. er, actually...in a while. and you know what - instead of reprimanding myself (which i'm not really sure what sort of punishment that would entail....) i am going to simply just accept it. i blog when i feel like blogging. and i live in between. this blog is more or less for me to get my silly, rambling, sometimes serious thoughts out of my head and onto paper. and i like to think that if i'm to busy to actually sit in front of my computer (and let me tell you with an iphone, SITTING in front of my computer or giving my computer any attention at all now-a-days is a rare occurrence. what did i do before this technological genius?!? THANK YOU Jo Ellen! You truly are tecnho savvy : ) and Frankmas is the best holiday idea ever : )

so yes, i believe if i am too busy to sit down and turn the computer on, and pull up the Internet, and write a post...then i must be doing some whole-heck-of-a-lotta good livin! yep. that's exactly what i've been doing.

more on those juicy details later. (not really juicy at all. just seeing what sort of responses i'd get for saying that....)

so in honor 0f 2010...i am going to start with a good dose of honesty. i admit. i am a water snob. so much so that i know which restaurants, fast food chains, bottles, taps, rivers, and oceans have the best water. i LOVE drinking water. however, not just any water will do.

favorite bottled water : FIJI.
i truly believe there is something BETTER about it. i mean, it's FIJIAN water. that just sounds purer and more sophisticated. gosh i sound rediculous. but a bottle of fiji at the frugal price of $5.00 a pop will be sure to hydrate my each and every pore. at least that's what i tell myself.

favorite water to-go: Starbucks.
Is it wrong to like the water at starbucks better than the oh so caffeinated product that keeps many people in this world awake and going? well i do. and i'll tell you why. i even have a valid reason for this one. it's TRIPLE, yes, TRIPLE filtered. ask any starbucks barista and they will tell you that in fact their water is sought out, refilled, and enjoyed by many a customer. myself included. "i'd like an iced tall, soy, white chocolate mocha, no whip, and a VENTI ICED WATER. please?" that is my order. and with not only one, but two drinks in hand, my day just got a little better.

favorite water presentation at a restaurant: this way.
that my friend, is this water lovers idea of perfection. this picture doesn't do it justice, so let me explain. just enough ice cubes. a red straw with the paper left on the top (i'm not a freak of a germ phobe, but the paper-left-on-the-straw touch is always an appreciated one.) add a nice yellow lemon slice to top it off and i am good to go! i also have this theory that lemon water somehow promotes weight loss, but it could just be that tricky thing called...WATER. weight. darn. : )

so yes, i'm a water snob. there's good water. gross water. aka - the water that comes out of my kitchen faucet. and water that fits somewhere in-between. good ol' H.2.O.

you are one of earth's most beloved resources. and you are certainly one of mine.

what's your light style?

2009-12-10T18:38:00.013-06:00

i love christmas lights. a huge fan of those big bright bulbs strung all over the house and tree and heck every shrub too, while you're at it. but i have to wonder WHAT in the heck some people are thinking when they envision just the way they will decorate their home for the holidays. to me, it's sort of like when you get dressed in the morning...what will i wear today to represent myself and walk out into the world for everyone to see? except in this case, you'd be wearing it for about a month. point in case - choose wisely. so i thought i'd drive around my neighborhood and share with you exhibit A-E of the many different "ways" per se to show your personal light style.

the ever so simple, hanging icicle lights. the basic cardigan sweater if you will, with some bidazzle beads or sequins for a little extra flare. but come on, at least buy a second package for that other lonely side of the house.

orrrrrrrrrrr.....kick it up a notch with an awesome, GINORMOUS blow-up santa. it's as tall as the house. perfect.

my personal favorite. classic white lights strung along the gutter, with a simple, beautiful, similarly clad christmas tree shining through the front window. love it.

never quite understood the giant blow up balls (gerbil ball style) with santa spinning around or snow falling on the dry snowman. cute? maybe. just never got this one : )

and now for the prize-winning, best in show, very creative and the Lord only knows how long it took to put up...exhibit E. icicle lights. santa and his flying reindeer ready to touch down on the front lawn. trees, sidewalks, and bushes all aglow. an enlarged photo in the front window. this would be classified as a mix between a tacky christmas sweater, and your best sunday outfit. hard to imagine? well, this is it : )

happy holidays! what's your light style?

a beautiful disaster

2009-12-09T15:10:00.013-06:00

i love analogies. especially when they sort of just appear right smack in front of my face without even having to come up with them myself. i.e. the state of my classroom when i walked in this morning perfectly reflects how i feel about the current state of my life in general. a little messy (paint splattered all over the place from the cabinets falling off the wall), a lotta colorful (i mean, it's an art room), seemingly no sense of order, but it makes sense to me, and the need for a little rearranging and organization. if you just look, sometimes out of a mini disaster comes something beautiful. in this case, peace of mind that all is always ok : )

btw....it feels good to be back in this blogger world. and i've added it to my list to not sneak away for so long : )

.to a beautiful life.

dAnCiNg tHrOuGh LiFe

2009-10-19T09:34:00.008-05:00

thanks to a beautiful start to the morning, and the sweet sound of the wicked soundtrack echoing through my home....I really am dancing through life...

There is nothing better than a beautiful, crisp, fall, morning, blue skies, the warm sunshine streaming through the windows...nothing better to start my day off just right!

After two months of literally wondering if I needed to build an ark, I am SO thankful for the sunshine and happy weather.

Just wanted to share that for the moment. And also write to say, that I am so incredibly blessed and thankful for everyone in my life, for the many wonderful places I get to "work", for my family and silly siblings who make me laugh (mom and dad, you do too : ) and especially for the little things that add spice to each day, which make life so special!

to a beautiful day and dancing through life!

i'm sorry i can't go out tonight....

2009-10-12T19:51:00.008-05:00

So I think I should inform ya'll of my new neighbors! Yes, neighbors. with an "s". they are a family of four. they are all IDENTICAL. kids look just like they're mother in fact. really unusual sleeping patters, they tend to be extra rambunctious at night, when I am trying to sleep, and/or thinking of possssssssibly going out to do something (a rare event. but sometimes I do go out at night : )

Well, let me share a little secret. These "neighbors" of mine. Not so much the average bear. Er, well, they are actually raccoons. YES...RACCOONS! FOUR of them. Four annoying, creepy, climbing, omnivorous, did I say annoying, raccoons!

Every night for the past month or so, without fail, they quietly prowl (or at least I swear they are out to get me) across my patio, climb up the gate, onto the overhead deck, sometimes up onto the roof, maybe even into the attic (or my poor neighbor's chimney and into her living room - talk about a PAN-IC attack!), or who knows where really. But the point is, that they are beginning to get a little to close for comfort.

The people who work next door leave out cans of cat food for the ten or so feral cats that also make their home in the near vicinity of my living quarters. (i dispise cats. WHERE am I living? A frickin zoo : ) NO. DALLAS. hellllllo raccoons, please leave me alone and go find your dinner somewhere else!

So at first I just saw one raccoon, and then one lovely, memorable night, my friend Mandy was over, and the motion sensor light when on. She commented, "Oh wow, look at that cat climb." Oh no no friend, I had to calmly inform her that that was not a cat.

BUT WAIT?!?! Even I was a bit startled at what I continued to see. Not one, but two....and three...and oh there's another...four! Yes a mother and her three babies had just finished their meal and were descending back down the fence and across my patio two feet on the other side of my glass door. Needless to say, we were SCREAMING, total girl style!

And that was just the beginning. The past couple times I have had friends over, I have to stop them before they leave, to do raccoon reconnaissance. No lie, I get out my heavy duty flashlight, scan the premises, and if I see one, I bang on the glass and yell at them. Classy. But hey, a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do to protect her friends! And then I hope and pray, as they SPRINT out with all of their belongings, that a furry friend doesn't pounce on top of their head or chase them down the street.

So, in case you're reading this and you ask for my presence after, oh sunset, and I am a little hesitant to say yes, please don't take it personally.

I mean...I'm really sorry...but I MIGHT just have to stay in for the night. It's not you. It's the raccoons.

: )

the power of words. actions. love.

2009-09-30T20:28:00.012-05:00

I finished a book today. And although I'd like to pretend that this is a normal, no-big-deal feat, well, it really is just that. A feat.

I am the girl who wrote 15-page papers in college on a book or assignment that I barely read the first three pages of, or, at best, the cliff notes. I wish I could say that reading was one of my hobbies (although I am consciously working on adding it to my top 10 list of favorite things to do) but I have this problem, well, let's not call it a problem, that sounds a little to negative, it's more of...I have this "personality trait" where I like answers right away. (Patience is a virtue right? : ) I need to know the ending before "Once upon a time," and really just want to know that everyone lived and ended up happily ever after....

Probably why movies and I have some issues too. But the first step to any problem is admitting that you have one, so I guess I'm on my way to possibly becoming the next speed-reading-marathon-movie-watching girl. we'll see : )

So back to the book I finished today. It's called "The Geography of Love." It is a memoir, written in very much the same style and tone as the way in which I imagine myself as a writer to be (like novel, published book writer...not this sort of...you know what I mean.) It made me smile, cry (multiple times), view the power of unconditional love in a way I have yet to experience, feel gratitude and appreciation for those I love most in a deeper way, and ultimately helped me realize just how precious our time here on earth really is.

I won't go into more detail about the book itself...but I do want to write a little more about the concept of not taking for granted the people who are in our lives. It is often those people who know our every quirk, weakness, strength, eye color, the way we brush our teeth, those who have raised us, grown up with us in the same household, those whom we have chosen to love for a moment in time, or for forever, our best friends, children, family, spouses, co-workers...

THOSE are the people who we hold closest to our hearts, but often treat the worst. I ask myself, "Why is this?" Myself included, I think if we all woke up every day and decided to treat everyone with the same love, respect, kindness, warmth, genuine spirit and honesty, I think the world would smile, and we would all be a little happier.

Unconditional love. That is what we are meant to show and express to those special few who make up our human life force.

Love offered without any condition of reciprocation or merit. No quid pro quo, the presence of genuine love defined by nothing more than value. -The Geography of Love

Maybe this is again just one of those Caitlin wishful thinking perfect world scenarios...But I have to believe, that if through good times and bad, through ups and downs, through frustrations and celebrations, through growth and growing up, if we always acted out of love, we would look back with less regret, fuller hearts, deeper bonds, and a strong understanding of those very two words. unconditional love.

Hard? Definitely. Something to work towards? It certainly can't hurt. : )

.to a beautiful life.

and these are a few of my favorite things...

2009-09-28T11:37:00.023-05:00

happy monday! i hope this day finds you happy, stress free, and appreciating the simple things in life.

the weather here in TX is PER-FECT! not a cloud in this big blue sky, a cool breeze mixed with the warm sun. I am such a nature lover...I think I was meant to be an animal. (in case you were wondering, I'd definitely be a bird. So I could look over the rest of the world below (i.e the picture above), fly wherever the wind took me, and be sure to get in lots of beach/ocean time while diving for fish in every lake, river, body of water I flew across. But I would try not to poop on any cars. That always puts a damper on my day : )

So, yes! I hope this day, in this moment, you are able to reflect on all the good things that are going on in your life, and FULFILLING (rather than filling) your deepest desires and heart.

I thought I'd share a few of my favorite things...a few of the websites that I like to check on daily (and some that I remember to look at every once in a while)...as well as just a few of my other random, favorite things.

I love a great day!...and this simple website...www.greatday.com....is perfect for a little start-your-day motivational thought, or a mid-day pick me up. Whether the message is serious or a little more light-hearted, I enjoy reading whatever it may be, and often find that is it JUST the thing I needed to hear. (or read). Check it out!

To satisfy the inner designer/interior decorator/martha stewart that resides within me and would love to come out (thankfully, they are patiently waiting for the funds to do so) this website rocks the creative side of my brain. www.designspongeonline.com Always good for home decor ideas as well as out-of-the box gift ideas!

Ok, so I am little ashamed to add this to the list. But I have a very strong affinity for shopping (shoes in particular) and the lay-out, friendly employees, shoe department alone, and return policy (it's ridiculous. literally I think you can return anything, at any time. crazy!) of this place just makes me want to shop til I drop! www.nordstroms.com

And one more fun one...dad, I know you'll especially love this one : ) www.opi.com After discovering the beautiful (and much cheaper than getting acrylics put on) accessory of painting my nails...I love covering my pretty little nails with the newest colors, (click on the TRY IT ON box on the right of the screen...love it) and even changing them every few days to match my outfit. Hey, it's the little things in life : )

Like I always say, to a beautiful life. Breath in the fresh air and enjoy your day!

sushi guac and carrot cake

2009-09-25T21:57:00.020-05:00

yes. that is in fact the dinner I am currently eating. please don't ask : )

but if you're thinking "that sounds disgusting," it's ok...my friend amelia just gave me those exact words. personally, it tasted great.

on the eve of the start of a whole new year of life (I realized I like the beginning of things MUCH better than the end of things. I mean, who doesn't? i.e. the midnight of the start of a birthday is WAY more meaningful than the midnight of the end of your special day)....ok ok ok

anywho....I find it fitting to recap this crazy, beautiful, random, maybe the biggest year of my life thus far....these 365 past days...so here we go...

This exact day last year...this very moment in fact...I was at the D Fall Fashion show event at One Arts Plaza on the 20-somethingth floor, sipping champagne and living the fast-paced, exciting, magazine girl sort of life. Two months later, I packed up my cube, and drove home jobless. Little did I know what this thing called life had in store for me.

Thanksgiving and Christmas allowed me to spend lots of time at home with my family, watch my sweet little Krueger girls here in Dallas, and send my resume out to any...well, really just ANYONE, and hope and pray that someone would respond.

January came and went...I spent many a days at Starbucks attempting to feel "cool" with all the other Starbucks regulars, when really I was trying to dodge the creepers and drinking way to much coffee : )

A little trip home to St. Louis in February gave me some words, encouragement, and just the motivation I needed to return to Dallas, and get scrappy. Which meant, drive around Dallas, knock on doors (or rather walk in and introduce myself) to whichever storefronts struck my fancy (unfortunately i am one to judge a book by it's cover. terrible i know.) but in this case...the two places i emailed turned out to be SUCCESS and SUCCESS...and i went from having no job, to three.

To be honest, I can't even tell you who or why or what made me walk into A Little Artsy or email the special events company. well, actually i do know who. because it can't be explained any other way. God. He lead me right into that special place, and not only did I get a job, I made an incredible friend, get to spend time with her precious family, and then got another job. When something is meant to be, it is so very clear to see.

So that brings us to March (quite the "star friend" adventure to Mexico with my bestest friend...oh how i love the ocean), April and May...nannying and lots of teaching the kiddos how to draw fishies and peacocks, while I snuck in some J-Lo wedding planner action (read past entry for complete breakdown of this night. words do not even begin to describe...yes, just read)

May...a quick trip home to celebrate my sister's high school graduation and heading off to college (so proud of you sis!), and the month I met someone very special. Basketball is his game, and geno is his name. He's the oldest of nine, and I think he's fine. (ok...good-looking. handsome. yes, those sound much better and way more sophisticated. but hey, they didn't rhyme : )

June, July, and August...hot hot and hot. Good ol' Texas summer in full force. Basically all I remember is sweating a lot, and yep, sweating a lot.

This summer was one of the best summers of my life. For lots of reasons, but it was one of those "seasons" if you will, in my life, when everything just fit. Each day flowed to the next, with the right amount of curiosity as to what each new day would hold and a perfect pinch of stability and comfort.

After searching for something a little more "permanent," a very clear, in your face reason to stay in Dallas, Casey (A Little Artsy owner and sweet sweet friend) called me one random Friday and said..."I know this is crazy and so out there, but would you want to teach?"

I think I laughed and/or choked on my Starbucks...TEACH?!? ME?!?

Well, again, shows how much control we have over own lives. I am now Ms. Baker. In fact, this is so unfamiliar to me, when the kids say "Hi Miss Baker" or "Good Morning Miss Baker" in the halls, I walk right past them. Who is Miss Baker? oh wait. that's me.

But it has been such a gift to be able to teach these kids art and help them release all their creativity into a beautiful masterpiece.

A vacation here, a surprise there, lots of visitors to my BNB (Bed and Breakfast...synonym for my home : ) and many "firsts."

This year has been really incredible. I look back to a year ago and the same bright-eyed 22, soon to be 23, year old girl, is not nearly the person she is today. So much growth, and discovery, and new experiences, and the realization, that even when life throws you lemons, with a little hard work and determination, lemonade is really quite easy to make. I've learned to let love in, and show love to people, strangers, and myself in a new and fulfilling way. I've learned more of who I am as a person, where I want to go, and what I want in life. I know that I can do it. I did do it. I am doing it.

Yep. That's been me wrapped up in the past 365 days of living life. A nice little smorgasbord of days and moments that in retrospect, leave me with lots of smiles and wonderful memories.

: ) p.s. if you're reading this, thank you. You are a true blessing in my life.

p.p.s. i think a party is going on in my stomach.

p.p.p.s. (what do all the p p p's even stand for? idk. so p.p.p.s. 24...here we come!!!!)

.to a beautiful life.

my sister is hilarious. almost as funny as ellen

2009-09-08T17:53:00.011-05:00

i would like to introduce to you, a very special person in my life. my sister. my hilarious-soon-to-be-19-year-old sister.

i have never known a sillier, more carefree, happy-go-lucky, doesn't give a care in the world about what anyone thinks of her (however, she often tells me to stop acting silly when we are in wal mart. hmmm...i think there's something wrong with that, but oh well.) no matter what...even in the most serious, or light-hearted of times, even miles apart, from her dorm room in Mobile, Alabama. my sister can make me laugh.

and to me, laughing is the ONE thing a day i absolutely CANNOT live without. literally. i live and love to laugh. laughing so hard until your stomach hurts. laughing alone in your house (oh wait...or am i just describing my latest laugh scenario?) laughter. i love it.

so for those of you know don't know...i love ellen too. i tivo her show every day, and enjoy curling up on my couch after a long day, laughing so hard i can't breath at her sumo like people sprinting full speed ahead just to grab a pineapple...and watch them roll over and over without either of them successfully grabbing it. or watching dennis quaid "order" coffee from starbucks...with the help of ellen...in a very interesting fashion. (i love it so much i'm sharing the clip. please watch)

AND, i also love my sister. today she took the time to take a video of her dorm room (probably just showing off her cool new mac. whatever, i like my toshiba) with play-by-play of every square inch of it (and herself). she then sent me a message with the minute-by-minute breakdown of her weekend trip to New Orleans (note: she didn't know, nor did she understand WHY it is called NOLA. i'll let her figure that one out : ) and i was literally CRYING in laughter with myself.

point being. laughing. laughter. laughs. some of the best things that people can share. no matter what mood you are in, or what sort of crappy day you've had...having someone (or the TV) around to make you laugh is one of the best gifts you could be given. or give. thanks sis. i love you!

so sit back, laugh, and then laugh some more!

a lucky girl i am

2009-09-07T19:43:00.006-05:00

you know...i am one lucky girl. it may sound a little selfish, but my life is filled with so many incredible blessings - i literally don't know what i did to deserve them. and after watching a few sappy movies (or really just the endings...you know, the most emotional part) and reading a sad novel, and having to say good-bye to people i love, i realize how important it is to NEVER take these people, places, or things for granted.

i feel like sometimes i sit upon my happy-high-horse (great mental picture. wait, actually that would be nice. in the middle of nowhere...a beach maybe...on a horse...around sunset...SEE i'm getting carried away already : )

so back to my analogous high-horse....i've been told once or twice that i am quite a happy person. and i would agree...on most days : ) but i think it stems from the fact that i realize that everything, every day, every person, is a blessing. and in times of being selfish and complaining and ungrateful, if i step back, i quickly come to my senses and remember that these things are put into my life for a reason, and as a great gift, to be cherished and appreciated.

not an easy task. but let's take ONE day for example. every day, from sun-up to sun-down, there are thousands of things that fill my life for which i should be grateful. i am healthy, and able to wake up each day in my beautiful, humble abode (ok..i may complain about the cats...but really...well, ok i can't deny it, i'd really be thankful for the absence of the cats...but it could be worse...say, for example...raccoons? oh wait- have those too!) and i get to be around children and teach them. TEACH them. what an amazing gift. and i get to go outside whenever i feel like it and enjoy the sunshine. and meet friends for dinner and enjoy a delicious meal. and talk to my family and friends who make me smile. and LISTEN and LOVE and LEARN on a daily basis. THOSE are the simple, incredible, wonderful things that make life go round. and for that...i am eternally grateful. because of those things, i am one lucky girl.

words strung together

2009-08-24T18:58:00.004-05:00

happy monday! this is a big week. not that every other week isn't a big week, but this is a bigger week. My sister (and every other 18 year old) starts college! I will have my first week as a teacher, teaching art to actual kids in a CLASSROOM! And I am also going to teach a few middle-aged women how to paint. on canvas. as in they intend to go home and hang it over the mantel. let me remind you...i've never painted a THING in my entire life, much less taught an "adult" anything. i maybe painted something back in 8th grade...and if i remember correctly i believe it was some sort of "abstract" art. heck, everything i've ever done has been abstract. but it should be a really wonderful week of "firsts!" I'm super excited for new beginnings and all that is in store. (don't worry case...i have full confidence in my abilities to teach...i just have to write out my mini worries : )

that's a great segue in fact. writing. my release. i write to get these silly, random, hot, cold, zillions of ideas, out of my head, and onto paper. or into the cyber world (that's actually sort of scary when you think about it. ANYONE could be reading what i write. crazy.) so before this blog, i captured everything i would write in my journal. those pages have been filled since i was in 2nd grade. clearly, i started this deep thinking situation at a very young age. anywho- i also would sometimes type out these "poem-esque" thoughts in a word document, whenever i didn't feel like using a pen i guess???

i was just going through my old documents on my laptop...and came across these words strung together, and figured i'd add it to the blog menu. not really sure what spurred these thoughts. i actually forgot i wrote this, but I'm glad i found and re-read it. here tis...

"In the midst of confusion...lies order.
In the midst of darkness, somewhere there lies light.
Before peace, comes disorder.
Before the end, lies the beginning.
Before understanding, comes confusion.
At each moment in time, someone or something, is somewhere along the journey of reaching each of these concepts. Life is one big circle, one continuous realm of ups and downs. But it is what we decide to choose to do within each of our circles that ultimately brings about order, creates light, peace, and understanding, and unites the beginning with the end."

funny how i wrote, just this last entry, about life...and searching for things, and looking for answers, and going places. i guess i've thought about this once before. it really is one big circle : )

life: a work in progess

2009-08-20T23:28:00.010-05:00

hi. i'm back. just for a quick little thought. life. such an amazing sequence of days, hours, people, moments, experiences, letters, lessons, numbers, questions (sometime answers), laughs, cries, opportunities, sunrises, and sunsets. and each day, well- maybe not EACH day, but most days, whether we know it or not, we are trying to figure something out. how to do this better, or make that easier, or love deeper, or understand why, or fix this, or be a better person. it's constant. and sometimes yes, a little overwhelming, but we are given SO SO much, that i think that it is our duty to make the best out of everything we are given. in order to build incredible and amazing relationships. and dig deep inside and take a look at ourselves, in order to be our very best self. and to love deeply with an open heart. and to live a life that sets an example through one's actions that you have taken responsibility and ownership of the precious moments and people you have been given, and do everything you can to learn from these things, grow because of these things, and understand their true purpose in this thing we call life: a work in progress.

sleepy girl. hope your day was filled with lots of sunshine. oh how i miss the cool(er) st. louis days of fall. oh wait, it's still august : ) yey for fridays....cheers!

right where i'm meant to be

2009-08-19T20:52:00.009-05:00

hola! so in true random caitlin fashion, this little update is going to be a bit all over the place. like a grab-bag of likes, loves, jobs, discoveries, passions, concerts, family and friends...if you will.

where to begin? similarly to how i read magazines (weird tidbit about myself- i'll admit) let's start from the back and work towards the front. in other words, we'll begin with this weekend...

10:30 A.M. last Thursday, while sitting on my couch, checking my email, watching the Today show, the most random of thoughts somehow made its way to the front of my brain. hard task for that little idea.

"what if i FLY home this weekend???? as in TOMORROW?? and maybe SURPRISE my family??? and buy tickets to the edwin mccain concert? and just SHOW UP?"

yes. that was the thought. and it only cost me a few HUNDRED dollars...my mother making a scene in the middle of the restaurant, and a few minor spaz moments trying to think EVERY detail through just to make sure the surprise went off without a hitch. and it did!

point in case- do something random, totally unplanned, crazy, out of this world sort of thing every once in a while. my family was so happy to see me, edwin played the best i've ever seen him play (out of all SIX times i've seen him-yes, i'm obsessed), and i got to see my Boston and St. Louie loves. you never know what the outcome will be, but you have to first do it to find out : )

oh- i forgot to mention, or maybe my brain is trying to not focus on this fact....i also flew home because it was my little sister's LAST weekend at home before she heads off to college. sweet home alabama here she comes! (Lord please keep my family and the entire car filled with sheets, pillows, room decor, socks, clothes, hangers, a fridge, and small TV all safe as they drive south. thank you.) my little sister is about to begin the next chapter of her life, and i am so excited to see where life leads her. in the meantime, i need to google just what exactly a "badger" is. i mean, i know the horned frog is not that popular of a mascot species, but the badger...yes, googleing that now : ) love you tandis reigh. oh and if you get hungry...eat some pasta no con broccoli!

p.s. the pic is just the three of us this weekend at home. or really four. if you count beckham. sibling love. priceless.

hmmmmm.....it's past 9. oh my, actually past 10. ok- i can do this. i can write at this late of an hour. (yes, i know. this is late for me.) OH! it's official. i (re)signed the contract, turned in my W4, and made my door sign - I. am. a teacher. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Two signs hang on my door welcoming the children to "ART: Miss Baker." now THAT will make a 23 year old girl feel old. being called by my last name all day? this will take some getting used to.

i can already tell how wonderful and positive this teaching experience will be. the day school is an incredible place, with loving people, a true sense of discipleship and faith that is felt the minute you walk into the building, and a whole set of blessings that have yet to be discovered. all i can say for SURE right now is, i am right where i am meant to be. and that feeling is one of the most comforting feelings i think anyone can feel. from losing my job, to RANDOMLY walking into A Little Artsy one February day, to an interview and job offer all in the same day at the day school, and now i have an entire classroom to myself?!? life. i love it. when it's meant to be, it's meant to be.

sorry, but that's all my cheez-it feeding fingers can type right now. part three will be coming soon. promise. until then, do something crazy. feel like flying to cali (or costa rica) next week? do it. (or maybe just drive to austin-that's a little more practical : )

all my love and happiness.

a very special summer (part one)

2009-08-11T08:43:00.003-05:00

well, i guess you could say that i have somewhat failed at "blogging" successfully....but you know what....that just means that i can write for days now....and have nearly enough blog material to fill an entire almanac.

so.....here we go friends!

first of all....in THREE days, I have my first meeting at the day school, in which I will be orientated on all things artsy, grade school, and child-like...(do they have a school uniform guideline for teachers? i sure do hope so) I am so incredibly excited to be diving, headfirst, into this next adventure in my life, with only a pair of floaties in the form of art books, paint brushes, hours of time spent with kids, and the mantra " i cannot control everything and everyone in this room, i cannot control everything and everyone in this room." I have come to this conclusion after teaching art all summer long, and quickly finding out that 15, five to nine year olds have a way of helping you realize that no matter how much you plan for a class or their art to go one way, sometimes you just have to let go, let flow, and let them help you discover something that wasn't necessarily on the "lesson plan." (don't worry though....if I will be teaching your child art- I won't let them eat paper and glue...I do have SOME control. : )

let's see what else....weddings!!! how could i forget?! I feel as if I have a ginormous checklist, with each of my girlfriends' name on it, and one-by-one, am checking them off to new last names and newlywed bliss.

I had the honor to be in two of my beautiful friends' weddings, and both of them were absolutely wonderful. SO much planning and thinking (and money!) goes into this one day, and I can't even imagine how perfect every bride wants it to be. But if there is one thing I have learned through osmosis on weddings, it's that once the day comes, you just have to let it unfold. (is there a theme I'm beginning to see here...hmmmmmmm : )

"I do" and dancing and eating and bouquets, something blue, and lots and lots of l.o.v.e. A wedding really is an incredibly special day....and I have loved to be able to witness such a BIG moment in my friends' lives. Cheers to enjoying the beautiful roller coaster of life together...with ups, downs, twists, turns, loops, and laughs!

What else, what else......(recapping two months is a LOT harder to do than you'd think...i mean, that's nearly 60 days, which is 1,440 hours, or 86,400 minutes, or.....ok- I'll stop. basically- it's a long time : )

Well, true to life, I am being summoned to the patio to dig my hands in some hot pink playdoh with little miss birthday t-shirt wearing, Jourdan and so-super-excited-to-start-school-i-can-hardly-control-myself, Ryan! Man, sometimes, or really quite often these days, I have these moments when I am covered in paint, or building snowmen (yes, in the middle of 105 degree Texas summers, kids, and myself included, do remember the good ol' snowmen : ) and I think "THIS is my life?" and I can't help but smile, feel nothing but gratitude and thanks, and then roll up my sleeves and hope to create my very own masterpiece.

More to follow. "I"m commmmmmmmmming girls!" : )

.to a beautiful life.

dOn't wOrRy, bE hApPy

2009-06-12T10:45:00.007-05:00

Zac Brown Band

More CMT Music

More CMT Music Videos

do you ever just have that feeling when you are happy, just for the sake of being, happy??? (i truly believe that being happy is a choice, and well, choosing to be happy just makes life better. at least, it does mine)

i sure hope your answer is YES, and if not- then go do what makes you happiest RIGHT now! teachers orders (ooooh la la, i can actually say that now with some authority and half-way seriousness : )

This week has been a lot less crazy busy than last week....which I am very thankful for; I don't know if I could handle more late-night swamp painting or wedding reception debacles (although I apparently passed the test for assuming JLO responsibility and making sure everyone had a great time. i even told the valet when they could go home, helped David pick up the generator for the band, and confidently calmed down the owner of the venue when he asked why there were still guests inside at such a late hour. no worries pal, i'll have them out in ten. and i did.)

I think I'll recap some of the little things that have made this week so great, so full of life, made me oh so happy. Think about yours, write them down, tell a friend, smile just because, laugh a little too hard, soak up some sun, and rock out to your favorite song (so maybe i just suggested to you some of my favorite things, but i promise- they'll brighten your day. even for just a moment!)

i lOvE....

1. the word amazing
2. meeting new people
3. listening to stories and sharing in another person's life
4. buying tickets to concerts and listening to their music all week long
5. writing.
6. painting funky fishes and flowers
7. mapquest
8. realizing that your past is preparing you for your future
9. best friends
10. mascara
11. fresh flowers
12. love in my heart, peace in my soul
13. edwin
14. sitting outside on summer nights
15. reading a magazine back to front
16. hugs (and kisses too)
17. old t-shirts
18. country songs about your chicken fried, cold beer on a Friday night, and a pair of jeans that fit JUST right

and the list could go on and on...

dream big, do what you love, open your heart to the world, and see what fills it <3

happy weekend!

me? a teacher? why not!

2009-06-10T18:26:00.013-05:00

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. ~Pablo Picasso

Pablo says it all.

And this quote couldn't more perfectly capture the connection between children and art and me - at this moment in my life - any better.

Today, I signed the contract that entitles me to my very own classroom, my first smock (how's THAT for a uniform), the joy of children, and a new title: miss caitlin.

This isn't a joke (for those of you who know know me....I can see why you could think i'm joking) but yes, I, in fact, can check off "impact the little childrens of the world by becoming an art teacher" on my life's list of things to do (ok, so I just added it to the list yesterday. i like to check things off of lists, OK!) and boy is this one very RANDOM, UNEXPECTED, EXCITING, WONDERFUL thing to add to my list.

Through the incredible chain of events in life, of one person, place, and thing leading to another....I called, interviewed, prayed, talked it out, and accepted the position of being the one and only (scary) art teacher at a day school about five miles away. Do I have any teaching experience? NO. (i write. and advertise. and publicly relate.) Where did I student teach? Well, um, I didn't. And what is your teaching style? Gosh, let's see....finger painting, does that count?!

You get the picture. And so do I. This funny, ironic story totally proves that even though you THINK you may like or dislike something or have this path planned for yourself, if you step back, and let life unfold as it's supposed to, then the farthest thing from your imagination can walk right up in front of your face, greet you with a brief hello, and welcome you into its' home (or school, in this case.) But I couldn't be more thrilled to be surrounded by the sweet, simple, innocence of children this coming school year (oh and it's only 2 days a week...so I will still have plenty of entertaining stories from the other 400 areas of my life), to learn and grow as a person, and to help both them, and myself, remain an artist as we grow up.

From nannying, to teaching summer art camp classes at A Little Artsy (see pictures below), to now being responsible for a few hundred kids weekly art experience...the progression of children entering into my life, I think (i KNOW) has definitely crescendoed into something that has yet to reveal it's true purpose and fulfillment in my life. I can only imagine what is in store : )

Another random day in the life of caitlin. with blessings beyond belief and my power flickering on and off...this is one happy girl.

Hmmmm...."Cats. Kids. Construction paper."...I think I'll have quite the material to write a few more chapters with this new occupation of mine: )

what i'll do for money. it makes me smile : )

2009-06-02T10:16:00.006-05:00

let me begin, by of course clarifying that this post is P.G. I mean, I sometimes could be considered crazy for "jobbing" the way I do, but don't worry- I haven't taken to the streets yet. (100% sarcasm there.)

believe you me, there is NEVER a dull moment in my life. i really am convinced that the randomness that makes up the 24 hours in my each and every day is in fact providing the PERFECT, hilarious, sometimes insane material for which to cover the pages of something along the lines of "Eat. Pray. Love." and entertain the likes of readers who well, enjoyed "Eat. Pray. Love." (and I think I'll call it "Cats. Kids. Construction paper." sounds catchy right?

WHY do I always say "yes!" and it's not even like "oh, sure, OK," it's a "YES" of complete enthusiasm and eagerness. If only I had a crystal ball. the yes factor as I like to call it, is the single most reason why I find myself surrounded by...you guessed it - kids, cats, and construction paper.

Before I go into extreme Caitlin detail (i use words to paint pictures, i can't help it)...please know that I am SO thankful for each of these opportunities, jobs, experiences. i love every second of them. They are keeping me afloat, around (Dallas), and well, alive. OK- not really alive, but alive in the sense of keeping me going and providing me with emotional and financial stability. But when you are lying in bed at 1 AM thinking about what you just did for the past 10 hours and can't help but laugh, out loud, to yourself, you know there is reason to write and share.

The inspiration for this post lies in these two simple ingredients. construction paper. and scissors. do you think future employers would find this newly discovered "skill" one that sets me apart from the rest? I even promise to use the kindergarten safety scissors so as to not bring on a workers comp situation here.

I was up until midnight, and back up at 7 AM this morning, to meticulously cut out over 130 purple, green, and yellow construction papered crocodiles and possums. That was after we finished the pelicans, turtles, (made from the pattern of an igloo- hey, you have to work with what you have in a vacation bible school time crunch) and raccoons. I thought my fingers were going to fall off.

To back up a bit, I have added another job to my plate. A local event planning company called me up and asked if I could help them out this week. What do you know....I said "YES!" Therefore, this week, I will be helping to decorate Louisiana Bayou style for Vacation Bible School at a local church, help set up for "Wiggin out with Ellen's" 40th surprise birthday party (it's a wig party. should be memorable.), and to finish off my duties for the week, I will be, and I quote "in charge" of a wedding on Saturday night. I have already popped in THE WEDDING PLANNER and am taking note from Ms. Lopez on how to properly make sure the FOB is on time, there aren't any video taping obstructions (we ARE in texas. i.e. BIG hair.), and that the DJ breaks at the right time to allow for cake cutting. I swear, my friends don't even flinch when I tell them my latest and greatest. It's more like..."what are you doing NOW, caitlin?"

And that brings us back to 11 AM (now) and I have already watched my two adorable little munchkins, rode rocket ships at the park, got rained on, bribed them with a "special cookie treat" from Celebrity, got even more soaked, and watched Hanna Montana. This afternoon holds teaching art classes in which I will educate the little artsies of the world (www.alittleartsy.com) on Van Gogh and Picasso, and release my inner ar-tist (said with a classic French accent : )

I can only pray dear God that I don't have any run-ins with cats (I don't know if my tired brain can handle these creatures today), or a terrible wig experience at the party tonight. But of course, I welcome them with open arms.

All in the name of money. I mean, love for life. (really, it is the latter.)

smiles and sunshine. off to go dodge puddles on this rainy day. on second thought, maybe i should run through a few.

nothing is a coincidence

2009-05-31T21:24:00.012-05:00

well my friends, wedding season is in full bloom. 27 dresses....here I come. (I really think I may need a Katherine Heigl-esque closet for these beauties.)

Bachelorette party on Thursday night, wedding on Saturday, bridal shower today...and this is JUST the beginning. my bank account and brain are going to run out of funds and gift ideas.

But in the name of love, wonderful friends, their BIG day, and the creation of very original wedding reception bowed bouquets (because taping them on a plate is clearly way to easy)....I willingly accept my BM(bridesmaid) and MOH(maid of honor) duties and am blessed to be a part of each of their lives.

The pastor at my beautiful, ex-roommate, Amanda's wedding yesterday said something that created one of those light bolt, (bulb?) wow that was really deep stuff moments in my head...or if you're oprah- her favorite three lettered phrase ....an "AHA" moment.

He was explaining how NOTHING in life is a coincidence. It wasn't a coincidence that Amanda and her now husband Chris first met six years ago,and then five years later their lives kept crossing paths through multiple areas in their lives, and it wasn't a coincidence that they fell in love the way they did, and that their lives are now joined together forever for a lifetime of non-coincidental moments and memories (whew....i don't even know if that all made sense to me : )

Basically- the idea was this...when things happen, in your every day simple life- a conversation, meeting a new friend, choosing where to go to college or live or who to love- if you believe in your heart that God's plan is bigger than your own, then NOTHING is a coincidence.

I realize and respect that not everyone may agree with this, but for me- it's completely true. I know without a doubt in my mind that my life is not a matter of random shenanigans and dates and running errands and planning showers and parties. Rather, it is exactly as it is meant to be. In this moment, this day, these 23 years of my life. Nothing is a coincidence. There are WAY to many stories to back this up...but I'll refrain from blabbing on with more Starbucks meetings and random jobs (who works at a film festival when they literally can't think of anything other than films that their brain can't comprehend better. Sister Act is my favorite movie. and i didn't understand why in the heck the dog that my aunt and uncle adopted, why his name was captain jack sparrow...where in the world did someone come up with that. enough said.)

At this juncture in my life, I am realizing and believing more than ever that on days when you don't know what tomorrow will hold, or when people are doubting you, or when you have to make a decision between two radically different things, that you have to simply believe in yourself, your abilities, your talents, and your purpose in life. nothing is a coincidence. everything and everyone has it's reason for being in your life, and it's up to us to use them for the betterment of the world and one another, and to build, not break, stronger relationships with everyone in our circle of friends and family.

side note: tomorrow is June 1st. where did May go? and my TCU Frogs are headed to Austin for the super-regional. College World Series anyone? Hope so!!!

.to a beautiful life.

down on the county line...

2009-05-26T13:31:00.014-05:00

home. it seems like the more time i spend away from this place, the more i miss it. in fact - i miss it a lot.

there is something so comforting about coming back to this place, this city, these people.....and it all being so familiar, so the same. the same as when i left it five years ago. the same as when i come back every christmas and summer. some things really do never change- and for a girl who embraces change (maybe a little too much)....i love that about my st.louis life.

i watched the cards sweep the cubs, the sister graduate, four new pairs of shoes have been purchased (nordstroms is my weakness), paul blart:mall cop has been watched more times than i'd like to admit, i was pulled over (without fail this happens EVERY time i come home-if i can hang with texas drivers, i think i should be able to make a right turn without having a nice little chat with officer wagner), i've walked the hills of labadie, ATV'd on gravel roads, and wished best friends off to arizona.

home. the simple, countryish, laid-back life that reminds me why i enjoy spending time here, with the people i love most.

and so now i pack up, and fly back to good ol' texas. with big city lights, southern drawls, extreme heat, and cowboy boots in every color and shape. i love this place too, but i'm going to have to agree with dorothy on this one...because there's no place like home.

.to a beautiful life.

everything deep and serious can be learned from high school musical 1, 2, or 3?!? (just look at those outfits!)

2009-05-16T20:41:00.013-05:00

"I've got to move on and be who I am
I just don't belong here
I hope you understand
We might find a place in this world someday
But at least for now
I gotta go my own way..."

As I sit here with Vanessa and Zac (Hugdens and Efron that is) singing in the background, I can't help but smile at the lessons they are so diligently trying to teach the little ones who watch, listen, adore with every ounce of their four to eight year-old-selves.

But um, would this be the time to share that I too have possibly, maybe, downloaded a few HS Musical tracks myself? yes, I admit- I even know all the words. (just to a COUPLE songs though. promise.)

In all seriousness, I think there are so many amazing life-lessons that you learn so early on in life, and are so wonderful to reflect back on. say, in your twenties when life is chaotic, crazy, and gets seemingly more complicated by the second.

for instance....1) always look both ways when crossing the street. and when riding your bike, running with your ipod, and walking the dog.

I was in a zone last night- running as fast as my little heart could pump along, in order to get home, and not get drenched by the looming black clouds. with some ridiculously loud rock song encouraging me along step by step, I just kept going, looking forward, not paying attention to the stop signs that appeared at each four-way intersection. i mean, those are for CARS right? well, let's just say that it was a two-way stop, and if only i would have remembered to "look both ways before crossing the street" then i wouldn't have nearly had my own hit-and-run (pardon the pun) episode. needless to say, i did slow down, and the car stopped just a few feet to my left. thank goodness i was wearing my neon pink running shorts and nightlight head gear.

2) never talk to strangers.

I am beginning to think that my oh so loving parents forgot to mention this to me early on in life. or ever.

Have you had those oh so awkward, yet incredibly entertaining, stranger on stranger moments? the kind where you know someone is staring at you, maybe you should say hi, oh geez i just looked up at the same time he was looking at me.... and... again. ok "don't look up, don't do it," shoot- i did it. ok it's time to leave. darn it, i'll have to walk past stranger #2 in order to exit and possibly run into stranger #1 from last week. shoot. he's approaching me. don't look up....."oh HI. yes. yes. nice to meet you too. Oh I'm Caitlin. nope. yes. good to meet you too. (i think I said that already-well, who cares, he said it twice too). sorry, I'm flying home that day....." and the ending is well, the possibilities are endless i imagine.

note to self- never talk to strangers. unless they are wearing a habit (clearly a nun.) in a uniform. (uniforms are always a good stranger to stranger communication gauge.) or the person sitting next to you in the airplane (you might as well tell your life story to the stranger in the seat two inches from you and of whom you will more than likely never speak to again. i mean, why not?) basically- never talk to strangers. (i'm obviously kidding, but sometimes, this is a good rule of thumb.)

3) when all else fails, turn on a movie, put on your PJ's, eat your ice cream before your pizza, and just dance.

It's obvious I am beginning to take this "seeing life through the eyes of a child" thing a little to far. Don't worry, I still stress out like an adult, have to pay bills, and clean my own house. But on days that are filled with more kid time than adult or alone time, this mindset is just going to happen. The sort of thought process where we must say "PJ's" and not pah-jam-ahs, or where we must have two scoops of ice cream in a cone with four squeezes of chocolate in between. all the while hurry hurry hurrying so as not to miss a beat of Vanessa and Zac's stellar performance.

And I wonder why they call me the best nanny ever? Hmmmm.....

Maybe because, I too, believe that dessert can be enjoyed before dinner, that PJ's are the best outfit ever, that high school musical and all it's adolescent attempts to describe being in love really can be the best way to spend a Friday night. : )

Headed home to the STL for ten days to spend some good quality time with the fam. So looking forward to resuming my big-sister-oldest-daughter-second-mom role. (i'm beginning to see a pattern here. i am WAY to young for this.) but i love it.

smiles and sunshine and sweet sweet summertime.

time flies....when life is living

2009-05-09T10:33:00.007-05:00

A year ago today, approximately five hours from now, I walked across the stage, shook a few important people's hands, received my diploma, and officially completed my college career.

Oh what I would do to go back....just for even a day : )

But just one day. Because the other 364 days of this past year- I KNOW....they were exactly as they were meant to be, I was exactly where I was meant to be. The beautiful insanity of life was doing it's thang...just as it was meant to be.

I never for a second would have imagined that I would have started my first "real-world" job, been laid-off a few months later, fallen in love with the ideas and thoughts of little kids, decorated my little bungalow with my own sense of chic and contemporary style, traveled to Mexico, met a few celebrities, been invited to LA from a few strange men (don't worry-I'm not going)...had every technological appliance I own break, survived three flat tires, had a beautiful conversation with a homeless man, watched my little sister decide which college she's headed to in August, laugh, cry, love, forgive, and best of all....smile. a lot. What a year it's been.

If I could have gone back and planned my last year of livin' since moving from Fort Worth to Dallas, since shifting from an oh so knowledgeable senior, to bottom of the totem pole employee, from someone who thought they knew where they were headed in life, to know not even knowing the greatness that is in store from tomorrow....gosh- what a boring year that would have been.

I've learned a lot....and have realized more than ever, that just when you think you have a plan- the stars, fate, your faith, your left foot, whatever it is that you let guide you- it comes in, rocks your world, shakes things up, and leads you right in the direction that you least expected. and you know what....it's often filled with such amazing moments, stories, and lessons- that you can't help but see clearly now "the rain is gooooone" (sorry- tangent) that when days go by, and time is flying, then that is when you are truly living life. just as you're meant to be living it.

to a beautiful life.

the simple things.

2009-04-21T15:03:00.009-05:00

"The sun, the moon, the stars
The beating of two hearts
How I love the simple things
The simple things just are..."

oh the simple things. simple pleasures. simple life. i think everything really is just better when it's...simple.

Every day there are nearly hundreds of things that make me smile, laugh, ponder, appreciate, dance to, stare at, or just enjoy, and often, they are so darn SIMPLE. I wonder if I stop and notice them all.....

When I go home to Missouri to my middle of nowhere, neighborless, on top of the hill, after the chicken farm, even with the horizon, beautiful home....it always gives me this "simple life" sort of feeling. That one where you aren't checking your email 887 times a day, or stressing over this and that and who and what and where, or whether or not I brushed my teeth after each meal (ok-slight exaggeration). But more like that take in the scenery, slower paced, worry free, more laid-back, soak up the sun, sort of simple life.

Hope you've had a wonderful Earth day and were/are able to enjoy the many beautiful, simple things that our Earth gives us.

cheers to the simple life.

what i love about ME. (no. YOU.)

2009-04-19T12:54:00.005-05:00

All my female friends and readers out there, I know you have seen and probably skimmed over this short and simple "self-lovin" blurb in Marie Claire. As for you guys out there, basically it's a 15-or-so word quote from eight to 10 women who all live in the magazine's pick city, and they share their "I used to hate my bumpy nose, but when I realized that it's the same as my mother and grandmothers, now I wouldn't trade it for the world," or "I don't leave the house without mascara and lip gloss- it makes me feel ready to take on the day," type of sentiments. Some are sillier than others, but to each individual person, they hold a lot of meaning and worth and are qualities that they have come to LOVE, find beautiful, and embrace.

And that is the reason for this entry. In this fast-paced, incredibly critical of one's self, and botox foreheaded world we live in, I think it's important for each of us to take a moment to stop and think about what we really LOVE about ourselves. What makes you you. What no one else can claim as their own. And then write it down and share it with the world. Hey - why not? : )

So I want you to do that. Even if you don't want to share it with me on here, I want you to think about the most random or obvious, silly or serious, little or big, thing that you LOVE LOVE LOVE about yourself. I think you may be amazed at how once you define this unique and wonderful thing about yourself, you will start to recognize some positive feelings and random life moments that will be continual reminders of why not only YOU love your ears, double-jointed thumb, toes, positive outlook on life, or the way you get slightly addicted or emotional to TV shows (I didn't say it had to be positive), but that the world loves it too.

As for me....what do I love about me? My blue eyes, my recently discovered curly hair, my relationship with God, and my freckles that keep popping up in new places.

Weird. Random. Silly. Serious. I want to hear it all.

To a beautiful life. and all of the things we love about ourselves.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show....

2009-04-16T16:32:00.011-05:00

"C as in Cat, B as in Bee, X as in X-Ray, Q as in Quail, J as in Jam, I as in Igloo..."

This is what I have been doing with my life the past three weeks, and boy do I have some MEGA catch up writing to do. (I hope that made you smile. No lie...B as in BEE?)

But let's back up first. Since my last post a month ago (I sincerely apologize my beloved readers), I have come back tanned, employed, and celebrity-sited...OUT!

Mexico was PERFECT! It further supported the fact that I must live near the ocean...soon, and that I have officially caught the travel bug (perfect tag line there, Travel Channel.) I can't wait to start exploring all of the beautiful places that this world has to show me.

I (along with Ry and her parents) did nothing but sit by the pool, ocean, pool, ocean, and literally FRIED my poor, little, un-tanned, wintered self to a burnt crisp. That's ok though....I am now reaping the benefits. We didn't leave our lovely resort, taught some English to sweet little Gerardo (he had one MONTH to learn or he lost his job), and got in a man-made cage with a hammerhead shark. Not really sure what I was thinking...but no worries, I am still alive and in the process of holding the shark and attempting to smile for a picture, we donated a dollar to the "save a shark/give my money away to the kind Mexican boy shark-handler" and went on with our day : )

My computer is still unfunctionable...it has even taken away my iTunes. NOT OK. And my IPOD broke while on vacation - double trouble. But it's all right...thanks to this 5-week job I am jobbing at, in due time I will replace these sweet little gadgets.

And that is the perfect segue to entertain you with my newest little job. (Not to be confused with my morning nannying, or afternoon PR writing, or teaching art classes on the weekends...) no- this newest full-time, short-time, job is for the USA Film Festival. I hold the title of guest coordinator and am responsible for booking all of the airfare/hotel/drivers/transportation/hosts etc, etc, for each of the guests coming in for their perspective films.

We just released the schedule a couple of night's ago...here's a brief blogger recap.

http://www.kera.org/blogs/culture/2009/04/14/usa-film-festival-announces-lineup/

So yep- that's been my story the past few weeks. For all those who know me and my love/hate relationship with movies...please tell me how ironic this job is??? Good thing I'm only booking the actors and not having to repeat lines back to them : ) The hours are long and late. Literally, 10 to 11 hour days, no breaks, and I leave around 9:30PM. But I am definitely getting to know those American Airlines reps and we are sure coming up with some funky words to represent each letter of the alphabet. Note to self- "F as in PHONE"....does not work.

What else, what else? Oh! The "celebrity-siting" part. So I am at lunch a couple of weeks ago at The Porch (delish) with my friend Ashley, and mid-bite, she stops and says "That's Laura Bush. And Jenna Bush." And it was! Her and her whole Bush crew were walking out of the restaurant. Minus Georgey. Darn. Apparently it's Mrs. Bush's favorite spot in Dallas (NO Mr. Waitor, I did NOT pick up the newest copy of D Magazine to have previously known that.) So that was pretty exciting.....now I just have to find George shopping at Central Market and I can claim to have "hung out" with the entire Bush family. ha. ha.

And then Sunday night, thanks to my super posh and cool Cali girls (known as LP and SMM)...we hung out with Shaq and the Phoenix Suns. Steve Nash shook my hand. Definitely a fun night. Pictures will be shown as soon as I can upload them.

Ray Liotta, Thomas Haden Church, Juanita Moore, Emmet Walsh, Brian Cox, Paul Williams- we're on a first name basis as well. (kidding kidding) But I will be meeting them here in a few weeks and can't wait to do so, because that will mean everyone arrived safely, my job is done, and I can (praying that I stay awake) sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

There's me in the past month. I'm sure I'm leaving some tid-bit out, but the ticket lady just thanked me for holding, so I better get back to work (again. kidding.)

I can't wait for summer, and to see what it holds. Oh this crazy, uncertain, wonderful, random, beautiful time of life. How I love it. Wishing you a happy day and rest of your week.

smiles, sunshine, and love to all.

lions and tigers and bears! Oh, my!

2009-03-16T15:28:00.012-05:00

What did we do before we had COMPUTERS, the INTERNET, iTUNES, all of this crazy, amazing, way-to-smart-for-me technology???

so for all of you dedicated blog readers of mine (or am I the only person who keeps increasing the number for the "profile viewed" section? darn it) ...my beloved laptop has been infiltrated by the computer nerds. or rather, it has a bug. a bad bug. a virus in fact. multiple. and they have completely ruined my laptop. sad. I feel as if I've lost my left arm.

therefore, I haven't been able to write this past week, nor will I be able to write for the next couple of weeks as I am headed south to soak up the sun (did I mention that I love love love the beach and ocean. oh yes- I do!) and as soon as I return my very best Bostonian, Sarah, and my favorite Nelly (not THE Nelly, but close) are flying down to visit me. Busy woman I am!

But no worries, I will be writing down every silly, random, funny, funnier, hopefully nothing too tragic, sort of memory down- and will retell all when I return. Actually, more realistically, when I get a new computer, or cave and let the Geek Squad try their genius at it. (Note: do they really have to look like the Men in Black with those uniforms? just asking.)

That's my update. The weather today is just beautiful. Last week's rain made the grass that fresh, perfect color of green, and the birds are chirping outside the window as I listen to some "One Love" by Bob. time for you to turn on pandora? I think so.

enough about me.

enjoy your next few weeks. send me some stories. share me some smiles. sing a silly song. (the letter of the day: "S" : )

oh and I was sort of kidding with the whole feeling like my left arm fell off comment. It's actually kind of nice to not be attached to this thing. My eyes are thanking me, my fingers aren't increasing their chances of getting carpal tunnel, and my facebook status said the same thing for about four days. and I am ok with that. try it. you might enjoy the break.

Mexico....here I come. I hope we get along : )

.to a beautiful life.

we finish, to begin.

2009-03-09T19:59:00.010-05:00

I overheard someone say this simple, yet profound statement the other day, and it literally stopped me in my tracks (or should I say... gave me something to ponder before ordering my regular Starbucks drink : )

we finish. to begin.

In the past few months, I have realized more than ever, that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. cliche, yes. but oh so true. If I wasn't one of the 40 or so people at D to be laid-off, then I wouldn't have grown, changed, laughed, and cried for the incredible reasons and experiences that have filled my each and every day since then.

I would never have thought that I would be nannying for two of the most precious and loving children I know. I wouldn't have been able to fly home for the weekend to take care of my little brother and spend extra quality time with my family. I wouldn't have been able to wake up at 9:00 AM (yes...that's late for me) or go for a run in the middle of the day. I wouldn't be able to drive to Fort Worth to visit with friends and enjoy a long, deep conversation. I could go on forever and ever with all of the little things that have not only FILLED my life, but FULFILLED my life. and for that, I am forever grateful for finish lines. to know that I finished one thing, in order to start something else, meet new people, challenge myself even more, and begin the next chapter of my own storybook of life.

each of us struggle with something for one reason or another, and the state of our economy is not making it any easier. but I think that these four words offer so much hope and comfort. I know they did for me, and I hope they do for you too.

we finish, to begin.

cheers to new beginnings, to each new day, to a fresh start.

.to a beautiful life.

there's too many sunsets I haven't seen...

2009-03-04T20:48:00.010-06:00

Not only is that my favorite line from one of my favorite songs "Many the Miles," but it also speaks right to my soul and paints the most perfect picture of my favorite place on earth - the beach.

This is just a week of firsts. Today, I mailed off my application for my very first U.S. passport. For a girl who LOVES to travel, I have yet to step outside the lines of this beautiful U.S. of A. But on a prayer and some extra speediness from the U.S. Postal Service, my passport book will come back to me in 14 days, and 24 hours later I will be headed to Mexico. To the beach. To the ocean. To see a few more sunsets and live a few days where my heart is happiest and there isn't a worry in my mind.

On a much more serious note, I came across this most incredible poem yesterday while reading another blogger's blog. I read the first few lines and I sort of just paused to let it all soak in. And I thought carefully about each word. And WOW! Heavy stuff. But if you have the time, it's definitely worth taking a few moments to read the entire piece.

"It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.
It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love,
for your dream, for the adventure of being alive....

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair,
weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children....

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments."

-The Invitation

I love it more and more every time I read it. So incredibly powerful, and true. What would the world be like if we all really lived, and thought, and got to know others in this way?

"there 's too many sunsets I haven't seen." there are too many sunsets we ALL haven't seen. and there are too many days to be lived with what REALLY matters in this world on the forefront of our minds.

.to a beautiful life.

$50.96 plus tax

2009-03-03T22:41:00.006-06:00

No, that's not the total of my grocery bill or guilty purchase at Anthropologie.....it is in fact, the cost of my very own, self-designed....business cards. And yes, I feel special now. And very official. why does a 2 x 3.5 piece of paper all of a sudden make you feel like you are someone important? (maybe because now I can enter myself into one of those "business card" drawings by placing my glossy little card into a big glass bowl at the checkout of Chipotle or Potbelly's. to win what....a free MONTH of Chipotle? Now THAT's special : )

Anywho, yes, today was the day that I finally sat down and designed some business cards for myself. Being the very indecisive person that I am...I created four different options. And all four are currently being printed and will be picked up at 8:00 tomorrow morning. I don't have a favorite, they are all a little different (although, I may possibly like the crayon one more than the flower one?)

If you're lucky enough to engage in a rather awkward moment with me, you know - meet, greet, move hand to the pant or coat pocket if you're a male, or the Coach, $200.00, purple, leather official business card holder that is buried at the bottom of your purse if you're a female, to "grab your business card" and exchange it with me....then maybe you'll be able to see one of them. Just. One. (if you haven't watched Anjelah Johnson's Nail Salon skit on YouTube....you need to watch it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsWrY77o77o You'll be laughing out loud and will definitely pay more attention the next time you get a mani/pedi. Or eyebrow wax for you men out there.)

That was the highlight of my day. Business cards. In my currently "unemployed" world.....I have begun to realize that it is time to get my name, my story, my writing, ME, out there. Uncomfortable, hard, so not fun, and a bit scary? Yes, yes, yes. And yes. However, VERY necessary if I want anyone to believe in my abilities and know my name. as well be able to contact me years from now when they need a writer, nanny, errand runner, advertising/marketing specialist, event planner, dental receptionist, or all of the above.

So tomorrow, at 8 AM, I will be the proud owner, keeper, and giver-outer of my personalized Caitlin Baker business cards. And you better believe that I hope to be meeting, greeting and selling myself to the world, all the while handing them out - one by one. All for $50.96, plus tax.

There better be a good return on investment on this puppies. Oh and if you really do want one of your own, just mail me a self-addressed-stamped envelope.

Kidding.

Promise.

what a beautiful day. to a beautiful life.

send the world a smile

2009-03-02T20:30:00.005-06:00

Happy Monday!

So many thoughts running through my head. The weekend provides a myriad of blogging topics to write about, but today, something kept happening. I kept smiling. I kept seeing strangers smiling. I turned on the radio and Robin Thicke was singing to me about smiling. Therefore, let's chat smiles.

Literally, as I drove down the road, the song lyrics, "Why do people smile when no one's smiling?" echoed into my ears as I watched a man, walking by himself quickly down the sidewalk, wear the biggest smile I have ever seen, which then made me smile. And this morning, I was at home, watching the Today show, and I started laughing. alone. out loud. cracking up. I felt half crazy, half so carefree and happy that I wanted to keep smiling ALL DAY LONG. And I don't know if it was the beautiful weather (45 degrees is my perfect temperature. remember...I'm not from Texas friends), or the fact that I got to see some of my favorite people, but today was just a day full of smiles.

There is something so very genuine and simple and beautiful about the smile. I love that a true smiling champion wears the proud badge of "smile wrinkles" in their cheeks, that a smile is almost always 100% contagious, and that it is the smile that is often the doorway into a person's world.

Have you smiled today? Hopefully, a million times over.

And who knows, maybe because you smiled today at that person behind you in the Target line or next to you at the gas pump, then they smiled back, and the smile chain gets started.

Send the world a smile. Even if it's written in sand. You never know who's looking : )

taking chances

2009-02-28T00:07:00.009-06:00

"What do you say to taking chances? What to say to jumping off the edge? Never knowing if there's solid ground below, or a hand to hold, or hell to pay, what do you say?" ~ Celine Dion

Well, before this weekend, I said "I like to play it safe, and be in control, and have my plan." However, after taking a short trip home, and thinking about how I was really feeling about following the "social norm," I am now ready to jump off the edge, and hopefully dive into a beautiful ocean below. I am ready to take some chances.

First of all, I need a job. And before this weekend, I was only focusing on the one-way track plan of the dreaded 9 to 5. (I may be too young to say that, being that my whole 9 to 5 career lasted for a whole seven months, however, that was more than enough time to know that I'd rather eat raw fish eggs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner than sit at a cube for eight hours a day.)With that being said- why would I put all of my focus and attention in finding a job in that one basket?

Therefore, I am now opening up the door to any and all other jobs, careers, part-time, independently owned and operated organizations, etc, etc. Basically- I have no idea what the future holds, or where I will find a job. But I do know that I am no longer afraid to veer off from the "socially accepted" norm of graduating from college, and working up the corporate ladder. Yes, that is wonderful and very fulfilling for many close friends and family members, maybe even you. But if you ever stare out the window and watch the cars drive by, or envy the table sitting next to you leisurely laughing and slowly eating their meal, while you feel guilty stepping out of the office for an hour to grab lunch and have to talk business the entire time, then maybe you, too, should think for a minute, and actually imagine what it would be like to take a chance, pursue what you are really passionate about, and follow the road less traveled.

"What do you say to taking chances? What do you say to jumping off the edge?"

Think about it for a moment.

Who knows - maybe we'll even end up in the same boat, in the Caribbean, and a whole lot happier. And if not, at the very least you'll know you took a risk, took some chances, and without a doubt, are a better person because of the journey along the way.

.to a beautiful life.

a new perspective

2009-02-26T10:33:00.000-06:00

There is something so refreshing and rejuvenating about looking at life from a different angle. Even from just a few feet to the left, or from above, or from behind a new pair of Walgreens aviator sunglasses. It seems so simple, yet, we often get comfortable with what is, what was, how we have habitually looked at the world in the past. But take for a moment, how you feel after traveling to a new city or country? After walking down a different part of the trail? After reading a magazine from back to front, instead of front to back (or is it only me that likes things backwards?) There is a certain firework of feelings that is ignited from deep inside of you, excites you, breaths life into your bones. The newness, the things you are experiencing for the first time, the air around you that is being breathed in for the first time and awakening your lungs. But we don't have to travel to Aruba (although I wouldn't turn down an offer to go), or climb to the top of Mount Everest in order to view life from a new perspective.

A friend of mine once gave me quite the compliment, all the while helping me to learn a little more about myself. While discussing the fact that I have never traveled outside of the United States, she said "But you live each day like you are on vacation. You don't need to fly hundreds of miles to appreciate the home and life you have here, now." I sat there quite befuddled...and simply said "thank you," while continuing to think about our conversation as I drove home.

Did I really do that? Do I live that way? I imagine that this, my daily conscience outlook on life, was such a part of me, that I didn't see anything special or different about it (not that there is anything special or different about it.) The point here is this- choose to make small changes, on a daily basis, in your life, to view life from a new perspective. You have no idea what a gift it is, that you could be giving yourself, your spirit, and the beautiful life you are meant to be living.

a blank slate

2008-04-11T23:14:00.000-05:00

Each of us are basically a blank slate. From the day we were born, until the day we die, we are - a blank, white, clean canvas. From the moment you say "hello" to someone, you get to pick which brush strokes and colors and paints and drawings you are going to use to paint a picture of yourself. We meet each new person, each new situation, each new challenge, without any pre-conceived opinions or notions (well, for the most part.) As humans, we are making the conscience decision to either paint a beautiful masterpiece, a swirl of muddy brown finger paints (although a good finger painting is indeed a work of art : ) - or something in-between. As I said before, from "hello," from the start of each new day - the painting begins. And it is up to us to live and act and think and dream in such a way that not only paints a beautiful portrait of ourselves, but also is something that the eyes and hearts of those who are viewing this not-to-long-ago blank slate, as something they want to hold onto forever, cherish, appreciate, and can respect the hard work and character that has gone into creating it. It is up to us to decide- what colors will we use, which brush strokes will we paint, and what portrait will we be proud to hang on the mantel? (ok- really, the refrigerator). Today's blank slate is hung up to dry. What will tomorrow's look like?