Oh my word!

My parents will be here in approximately 24 hours!!!! I am stinkin' extactic! I can not wait to see them and hug them! And, I am looking very forward to having my things, including my so-called fabulous Tempur-pedic bed that, according to Veeves, I will never want to get out of! I purchased the bed in January and it has been in storage since it was delivered almost 9 months ago. I hope that it is okay! I feel confident that it will be glorious!

The hope is that mom and dad will arrive safely on Thursday evening and we can start unpacking my things with the help of Brian and Adam (his roommate). That way, I can have a couple of big strong men helping instead of just one big strong man (my dad) and myself and mom... that could be rough! :)

Friday will be continued unpacking and organization all day, I would imagine.
Saturday might be a fun road trip to IKEA in Tempe/Phoenix (about 2 hours north of Tucson) and Sunday should be a day of fun driving up to Mount Lemmon... and a whole heck of a lot cooler.

Those are the plans... we'll see how they work out! Pray for my parents; that they will have a safe trip with no problems coming their way! I am so appreciative, as all of my siblings would agree, of how much they continue to sacrifice for each of their children no matter how old are (apparently) 'adult-ish' we are suppose to be!

I love those guys... and if you know them... I'm sure you do to!
Thanks JB & VICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gaining a few but loving what I do....

So, Starbucks is such a fun company to work for! I enjoy the people, enjoy the conversation, even enjoy the work... the downfall is that I love the food and I love the coffee!!! Needless to say, a few extra pounds have found their way to my beautiful figure! :)

My parents will be here on THURSDAY!!!! I can not wait to see them, and hug them, and let them hug me! I miss my family and my home so much but look forward to the beginning of settling in Tucson for a while. I think the apartment will be a great adjustment for me... being able to start work at KFLR radio a week from today will also help a bit as well!

I'm glad Lyndsey got to see Sweeney Todd, I'm glad Veeves is beginning the exciting journey of ones' last months of college, I'm glad Philip is loving his work and that Bagel enjoyed the few extra pounds she has gained over the past week at Day Spa Katy! I'm also glad that my parents will actually begin to see what money in their accounts looks like in just a few short months... way to go Veevies for dragging that out!! :)

I LOVE MY FAMILY! ...INCLUDING MY FABULOUS AUNT AND COUSINS WHO READ AND RESPOND... I MISS YOU TOO!

not a whole lot...

So, there really isn't a lot going on! My parents are driving all over the place and will be with me in Tucson next week! I can't wait to see them and am so thankful that they are going to drive my things out to Tucson!!

I am moving into my new apartment on Thursday and then will be beginning my job in September 5th! I will miss Starbucks and Ann Taylor but am looking forward to a steady schedule and a steady pay check!

I have been able to talk with mom, dad, lyndsey, philip, and valerie over the past week and that was been great!

Brian's condo is looking good and will continue to get better as he starts to buy furniture, get cable, buy groceries, etc. He is so excited though! He is in Mexico with some guy friends this weekend for a bachelor party!

Not much is going on! I'll keep you posted! If anyone wants to help me move, I surely won't stop you!!!!
:)

oh, las vegas...

So, I actually went to Las Vegas, Nevada this weekend. Crazy... I know! This was a trip that has been planned for a while now but nothing that I really talked about. Brian's mom lives in Vegas and is leaving for a month-long trip to Ireland so we had to make the seven hour hike (which was lots of fun compared to the 14 trip from Dallas to Tucson a few months back) to pick up the dog that Brian will be taking care of while she is out of the country. The whole trip worked out perfectly however because Brian's little sister, Sydne, was in town with her friend and one of Brian's frat buddies was in town with his fiancee and family, so we were able to see a bunch of people in a short period of time and have a blast at it!
Brian seems to be more of a frequent visitor to LV than I do so he showed me around, went down on the strip, which isn't far at all from where Sara (Brian's mom) lives and spent all day Saturday at the MGM Grand where Pete and Nina were staying or walking around to meet up with Sara, Sydne and Liz.

The trip was great! It was nice to get away from Tucson and be in a big city for a little while! I definitely miss big city life! Gambling-wise, I broke even, Sydne was up $150 and Brian won $700 last night! $700!!! It was so crazy but so exciting!!!!

Last night, Pete, Nina, Brian and I went to go see Ka, one of the Cirque de Soleil shows, at the MGM Grand. It was amazing! I can't believe their set design and lighting! It was phenomenal. These people are so flexible, agile and talented! It was a fabulous show and if you ever have the opportunity to see it, GO!!

I am tired and that is all I have for now! Have a wonderful Monday!

my legs hurt now

So, after standing for hours a day for days on end, my legs are tired... my knees hurt... and I think I did something funky to my right hip joint... i have no idea how... I just know it hurts!!
I also am beginning to notice a heck of a lot of spider veins on my legs and they are not attractive...

I am deeply enjoying life at Starbucks and all the people that work there! Yesterday was my last day at Ann Taylor. I will miss the women that I worked with but I will not miss the late nights after long and early morning hours!!

Other than that, there is not a lot going on. I am looking forward to moving into my apartment but love living with the Kelley's! Brian and I are doing well... we both are working a whole lot right now and are not able to see each other daily... probably a good thing for us! I guess we are used to the distance so one day of not seeing each other isn't all that uncommon.

That's all I got...

Make sure you read to the very end!!!!

So, yesterday was a fiasco to say the least. Oh... I must start off by saying,
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, LYNDSEY!!! YOU'RE ALMOST AN ADULT NOW!

My phone broke Sunday evening and I was not able to call my older sister who just turned 27 on August 8, 2006!! So, everyone now, if you haven't already, wish the girl a happy b-day!!!

I did get my phone back in commission yesterday afternoon after a very very very busy day at Starbucks. Someone was rude to me, well not so much rude to me as much as mean toward me. A co-worker to a customer said loudly that she hated the south and hated the word 'ya'll' right after I had just used it in a sentence talking to that same customer. It was just hurtful... oh well. Life goes on and there was no need to pick a fight.

After work at Starbucks I went racing around town trying to get my phone fixed. Of course the first store I went to couldn't get it working and the store they sent me to couldn't do the same. The third Cingular was busy but very helpful and the two people that helped me, Jim & Danielle, did a wonderful job and went out of their way to fix my problem at no cost to me. The only issue was that somewhere in the mix, my SIM card got completely deleted which means that I no longer have your phone number. So, if you wouldn't mind, please call me and allow me to save it or email it to me again. Thank you!!

With all the drama that had occurred for most of the day, I felt confident that the rest wouldn't be much better but I decided I was going to try to look at the positives and just life be life. Stuff happens... Any way, then I headed on to the headhunter interview I had scheduled for 2pm. When I walked in I was asked to fill out a bunch of paperwork, similar to what I had done at the other Temp Agency I work with. I was told to watch to videos about sexual harassment and hazardous chemicals and then ushered to meet with one of the employees of Manpower, Inc.

We talked for two hours going over my interests, what I was looking for, etc. At the end he began describing the temp, temp to hire, and permanent positions that they normally filled. We shook hands at the end and I explained one more time (because I already had said this twice before since I had first walked in the building) that I am only looking for permanent work with benefits and salaried positions. I explained that I am already working with a temp agency and don't need any more assistance in that realm. He gave me a puzzled look and said, "Oh, you're not looking for temp... we have another department that focuses on the headhunting. I guess I can give the woman in charge of that department your resume and then she will look over it and call you. I thought you were just looking for temp or temp to hire..." I know that this doesn't sound like much as you read but after working with them for two hours, explaining my desires to different people multiple times and initially setting up an interview to meet with a headhunter at 2pm on Wednesday... I don't see how there could have been any confusion at all.

So, needless to say, leaving Manpower, Inc. after 4pm was not the most encouraging beginning to an end of my day. I decided to call Brian and vent for a few minutes and then would return phone calls I missed over the last three days of life with no phone.

I first called the director of HR with Family Life Radio who had called and left multiple messages over the last few days. We have been playing phone tag over the past two weeks so it was quite a shock when she actually answered the phone. I think we were both quite surprised! After a few moments of chit chat she OFFERED ME THE POSITION OF PRODUCTION SPECIALIST at Family Life Communications! I HAVE A REAL JOB MY FRIENDS, that is correct!!! I will begin hopefully at the end of August. I will be salaried and get benefits!!! I will have my own office! It's like I'm becoming a real grown up! I am so excited and can not wait to get started! I will see the relationships I have made at Ann Taylor and Starbucks but am so thankful to not be working two jobs with crazy hours any more!!!

I want to thank you for your diligent prayers and support during the last two months that I have been in Tucson. By September 1st I should be moving into my own apartment and beginning a permanent job! I am thankful to be in a position where I can stay in my field of interest and gain the diversity of working on both local TV and radio!

Again, thank you for everything! I miss you all dearly!
<3 C

my feet hurt

I have been working approximately 12 hour days with both jobs combined. My feet and back hurt. All minor issues, I guess. Hopefully, more job opportunities will be coming my way and I won't have to worry about two part time jobs!
The moral of the story:
*Brian and I are doing well
*I love living with Eric & Jenny Kelley! What a blessing they are to me!
*I miss my friends and family
*My phone broke so I wasn't able to say, "HAPPY B-DAY LYNDSEY!!!!!!!!!!"

Here are a couple of pictures taking this past weekend at Gavin's (Brian's cousin) house.
Enjoy...

We have a very humorous relationship. Brian's step brother noticed that our relationship is a lot like an awkward junior high relationship! We try so hard to act like we don't like each other in public that it is completely noticeable that we have a crush on each other! How cute is that!

Hope you are having a happy day! Keep me posted on your life!
<3 Catherine

cabbage... that's all I have to say!

Tim understands the title... and that's all that matters! :)

Life is going slowly at the moment. It is hot outside. I worked out hard yesterday and am not really feeling like making it out to the gym today. I already finished my shift at Starbucks this morning. My day was done by 10:45 am... it began at 4:30 am. I don't work again until tomorrow evening at Ann Taylor. I am still waiting to hear back from the radio station. They called last week and said they are working on an offer for me and that they would call me back on Monday... it's Wednesday.

I did find an apartment! I finished the paper work today and will turn it in tomorrow! I am so thankful for Eric & Jenni Kelley and family for allowing me to stay with them for the next month until I am in the apartment! They are such a blessing to me and an encouragement when I am able to spend time with them!

I still like Brian a whole lot!! I know he is excited for me to have found a place... almost as excited as he is about his condo. They should be starting the painting and roofing work soon if they haven't done so already!

I can't wait for Veeves to be home!

Why spell check is evil...

I spent a fair amount of time on Sunday writing a detailed blog over all the comings and goings of the last few days. As I clicked the spell check button, the screen flashed and then opened up with a blank 'create post' page. I clicked on the back arrow and nothing came up. So, needless to say, spell check is evil!

I have already worked a shift at Starbucks this morning and need to begin getting ready for Ann Taylor this evening! House sitting for Curt went very well this past week and I am very thankful for Eric & Jenni Kelley (and girls) that are allowing me to stay at their house until I find a place to move into! Eric, Jenni and their three daughters (18 months to 5 years old) moved to Tucson from College Station the same day I moved here! We have mutual friends, David & Shelley Parks, who put us in contact.
They are a very sweet family and I appreciate their hospitality and kindness!

Brian and I are doing well and he is still being oh-so-patient with my roller coaster emotions.
One of our couple friends, Roger & Christina, are moving back to the northeast this Sunday so we are going to try to hang out with them tonight. There will also be a big going away party at Gavin's house this Friday!

Veeves should be coming home soon. I know she will miss the UK but she has to finish college! I am so thankful I am done!!!

It has been raining so much the past week or so. All of the streets are not designed to handle flooding so a lot of streets are closed/blocked and a couple of the overpasses are being patrolled by the police as people are walking close to the edge of the water to take pictures of rivers and lakes they didn't know existed! I think it is pretty funny that people are going this crazy over water, but hey, we all get excited about different things!

Well, the apartment that I thought was going to work out fell through this weekend. I am hoping another one I have checked out twice will work out! It is in walking distance from Starbucks and just a few miles from Ann Taylor.

I'll keep you posted on everything!
Blessings to you...

Maybe I like wearing 'heals' instead of 'heels'... how do you know!! :)

I don't know if any of you read and then reread my posts later but I just wanted to let those of you who do know that it is my mother that catches all of my spelling/grammatical errors and has me change them. Since this has become a near daily occurrence, I have just given her my info so she can get on and change the errors! So, thank you mom! And, I am sure that everyone else is thanking you as well for being able to read my life stories a little easier! Thank you!

So, I am now staying quite busy (praise the Lord) with my two jobs and working 6 days a week. Today was my first opening shift (4:30am) at Starbucks. It sounds awful, I know, but when you are working, all of the lights are on and you are having to function because you still don't really know what you are doing... it works out just fine. After I got off of work today at 8:30am (I am still in training) I worked out at Golds gym (because Brian will ask me later if I did go and he always gives me a hard time if I don't... he's paying for it... I guess I have to respect that), and now I am at the coffee shop with FREE WI-FI so I can write to all of you!!

I am still networking and looking for a career but am enjoying what I have on my plate at this point in time.
I have been able to talk to Lyndsey & Valerie a bunch over the last few days and have really enjoyed all of the laughs and serious discussions! I love having my sisters... who would have thought years ago that would ever have come from any of our mouths! (I really like my brother too... he just doesn't call me often!!)

My ACU friend, Daniel Carlson, came into Tucson yesterday from LA to spend some of his vacation time with his ole' friend and my new friend, Clay Utley. They are going to be driving around the AZ, maybe Sedona, maybe the Grand Canyon, they'll figure it out once they're on the road... boys! Either way, Brian and I met him for dinner last night! I haven't seen him since Cody & Chez's wedding so it was wonderful to give him a hug, catch up and have he and Brian meet for the first time!

I LOVE MY ACU FRIENDS!!! And I miss everyone so much!

That's all I got for now. I am house sitting Brian's uncle's house again this week... they have a pool... that is a nice convenience during the heat waves.

I can't think of anything else to keep you posted on at this point in time.

Oh... congratulations Mel Knox for your engagement! Dan told me last night... I am so happy for ya'll!

Okay... now, that's really all I got!
Ciao

For the mom...

Mom and I spoke today and she was updating me on the fact that Lyndsey, Catherine AND Valerie have not updated their blogs in the last couple of days and she has nothing more to read! So, here's to you mom!

Life is Tucson is good. I now have two jobs that have begun! Today was day #1 at Starbucks and for the next couple of weeks it seems like there will be a lot of training (which is a good thing) and learning. Everyone at the Starbucks I work at is very nice and sarcastic. Lyndsey, thank you for any useless trivia you have to share... I always appreciate feeling like I know a little bit more coming into any situation.

Ann Taylor is still going wonderfully. My feet are slowly acclimating to standing in heels for hours at a time. I think that the two jobs will balance just fine for now until another job makes it's way into my lap.

I have now narrowed down my living situation to two apartments. I am still debating but will hopefully make my decision within the next week or so. There are pros and cons to both of course.

Brian's dad and step mom are in town this week. They brought Brian his boat (he wants to go sailing this weekend) and Connie (Brian's step mom) is helping move her son into his new home with two of his friends. They will be attending the U of A in the fall. We had a family dinner last night with Connie & David, Connie's mom, Curt (Connie's brother & Brian's boss), Curt's wife and two kids, Connie's son, Kyle, his girlfriend, Dana, and one of his roommates, Steve. We had a great time laughing and picking on everyone at some point in time during the dinner.

I am house sitting Curt's house this week while he and the family head to San Diego for a nice little vacation.

I visited Gateway Christian church yesterday. I really enjoyed the people and the worship. They are still in search of a preacher and I can't say that I was the biggest fan of the style of the man that spoke... but all in all, it is the best all around experience I have had thus far. Hopefully, Brian and I will be able to attend together next week. I think that he will really enjoy the worship time! They also expressed the desire for help with the junior/high school groups which I would love to get plugged into at whatever church I decide to attend.
Either way, good experience and the people that I was able to meet were so friendly!!!!

That's all I got for now! I hope you enjoy the update!
<3 C

Thanks dad!

Thanks to me wonderful dad I finally have a links table on the left side of my page and have a cluster map so I can see where everyone is looking at my page! I would think that I should be able to figure that stuff out on my own but I never could... but DAD ALWAYS CAN!!!! THANK YOU & WAY TO GO!!!

Work is going well! I start at Starbucks on Monday and AT is wonderful! I am really enjoying the job, learning alot and like the people I work with! I am still apt/house searching but I feel like I am starting to narrow down all of the possibilities!

Ready Val's blog... she just got back from Portugal and had such a wonderful time! I'm so excited about all the wonderful experiences all of us Goode kids are getting to have! How fun is young people life! I like it! :)

I did get my first AT paycheck today! It isn't much at all and it will take a while to get used to the small # on the right hand side of the check... but at least it is money in my account!!

I miss you...

Everything is goode....

:)
All in all, things are going a lot better these days! Curt asked Brian if I would like to house sit his house next week so I am now able to have free housing for at least one more week! I much appreciative of this!!!!

Today has been my first day off in a week since I started Ann Taylor! I have spent the day finishing up letters that have needed to get into the mail over the past week and apartment searching. I have found a couple of good possibilities, it would just be so much more helpful if I could find a roommate.

Brian is out of town in Cali for the week on business and I am enjoying time to focus on jobs, apt hunting and working out on my own schedule. Of course, I do miss him dearly and am looking forward to him getting back toward the end of the week! It has been so wonderful to actually get to have him in the same city and go out with him... on real dates!!!!

I did get another job at Starbucks, so I now have two jobs to keep me busy at least 40 hours out of the week! These jobs are so much fun and I am getting the opportunity to meet a lot of very neat people.

It is still very hot. Every day I walk out side sweat starts dripping from my pores. Hopefully through this I will appreciate the winter months so much more!

I miss you dearly! Let me know what's going on with you!!!!

<3


Oh... and Dad... I still can't figure out how to do the LINKS thing on the template page. I tried to figure it out from your email but it is still not working! HELP ME PLEASE!! :)

Day #2 of Employment

I had so much fun working at Ann Taylor today!! I am so glad I have a job and get to interact with people all day long! It's pretty fun to dress people as well! A sweet mom and her daughter came in to find the mom and outfit for her Golden Anniversary!! I got to dress her and (in a non-snobbish manner) she looked good!! The managers are very friendly and then other women that work there that I have met so far are also very nice! I think it will be a good start to great things here in Tucson!

I got to talk to Philip and Lyndsey yesterday for a while and catch up! That was great to hear all the juicy gossip of both of their lives! Congrats again Phil to the job!! But don't you worry people, some day even the Goode kids with college degrees might get a steady job... :)

I have been receiving phone calls and emails for some of my favorite friends over the last few days and I appreciate it so much! It is always amazing how the Lord blesses you with special notes, messages, smiles, hugs, phone calls, etc. right in the nick of time!

I work for the next 4 days at Ann Taylor and have a little bit of temp work squeezed in tomorrow morning before my AT shift! I am so thankful to be staying busy and actually making a little bit of money!!

Brian is planning a work trip out of town starting on Monday for the whole week. So, I am trying to spend as much time as possible with him before he leaves... I don't know how excited he is about this but he will deal with it, dang it!! :)

LOVE YOU!

Life as a Temp...

I can't say it's the most exciting thing ever, but as Lyndsey understands whole-heartedly, it's a pay check and I'll take it!! Today I am working in the main office of the shopping center where I just got a part time job. Sort of odd to be here but not in Ann Taylor... Tomorrow through Saturday I will be at Ann Taylor working! I am so excited to have consistent days of work. Hopefully, I can continue to increase my hours and find another full time job as well!

To change topics, for all of you who don't know, DTR stands for "Define The Relationship". I know it can be confusing to some... Please, always feel free to ask!

So, Lyndsey got a good job! And today, PHILIP got a full time job! So, that only means that in no time, I should be getting a job!!!!

My temp boss has been very encouraging of my transition. I am very appreciative of people who don't really know me, or completely understand my situation and yet are very positive of the outcomes that are to come!

That's all I've got for now!

LYLAFB

I<3 Ann Taylor

Today was my first day of work as a part time sales associate at Ann Taylor! I am very excited about the possibilities here and am very thankful to finally have a job and be getting out every once and a while. Now, this job is only part time so I am continuing to look for something else but I am hoping that I will be able to balance both because I think AT will just be fun!

I went walking last night, I haven't done this since I left my sweet Brittany back in Dallas, and it was very hard! Hot and hard!!!!! I am going to go this evening... but I am trying to kill some time so it isn't so sweltering hot! Believe it or not, 5:30pm in Tucson still means it is at least 105 degrees out side.

Brian and I have been having more DTR talks trying to figure out what we both want, expectations, etc. Some days are encouraging while others make us both question what in the world we got ourselves into.

I will be working for the temp agency tomorrow all day and then will be back at Ann Taylor on Thursday, Friday and Saturday! I am looking forward to staying busy and actually getting some money coming in!

Brian is going to play his guitar at some bar tomorrow with a friend of his! I'm so excited for him! He's fabulous and he just looks so cute when he plays! :)

Well, that's all I got...

Not a lot to share

Sunday was two firsts... the first time to ever be in Phoenix and not just the awful airport AND the first time I have ever gone to IKEA. Brian really wanted me to go and have the full experience. We had a good time. We also saw Pirates of the Caribbean II... not as good as the first but still slightly enjoyable. I start my first day of work at Ann Taylor tomorrow. I am so thankful to be doing something eventful but am still ready to have a steady full time gig. I was very upset today and was rude to Brian... that poor kid... he deserves many jewels on his crown for getting to deal with me.
I'm going to look at apartments today... check out what is around.

That is really all that is going on in my world at this point and time. I wished it were more exciting.

TTYL

Dear Veeves,

Veeves,
I forgot to tell you that I saw Jason Mraz in concert on July 4th. Just thought you would be interested in knowing!

Love you,
Cather

It's Friday!!

So, today is about as eventful as much of the other days I have experienced in Tucson. I spoke with the temp agency this morning and let them know I would be available next Monday and Wednesday... they didn't have any work for me today.
I will wait by my phone today and see if I hear back from Canyon Ranch. The woman I interviewed with had said she will try to get back with people today after the last interview but will for sure (I've heard that before) get back with everyone by next week. So... we will have to wait and see on that!!

In other news, I have been able to speak with Tim, Kyle Lindsey and Brittany over the last 2 days!!! It is always wonderful getting to talk with old friends for long whiles! I miss everyone so much and always love to stay up on the gossip that is life else where!! :)

Well, I've got some thank you cards I need to write, so I must go!
Ciao

Oh... and today is the official second one year anniversary of Brian and I dating! How exciting is that!! Just thought everyone would want to know!