No mother!!!

Not a bike ride like a road bike.... a bike ride like on his motorcycle. You crazy lady!! :)
I wished I was in that good of shape... but if you don't remember, my road bike was stolen at the apartment in Dallas and I have not bought another since then.

A lovely Sunday

So, the weather over the last few days has been quiet lovely. It has been a little warmer then I expected for the end of October but Sunday was fairly overcast and cooler.

On Saturday, Brian, Adam and I went to a Haloween party (when I get the pictures from Brian's camera I will add them) at one of Gavin's friends homes. It was pretty fun! I was rudolph the red nosed reindeer!!!! I definitely think I was the cutest person there!!!! :)

On Sunday, Brian and I went on a motorcycle ride to Vail, AZ (about 25 miles outside of Tucson). It is so open out there and it is neat to see the development that Brian and his team at work are working on.
We rode all the way to Colossal Cave Mountain Park and walked around on a couple of trails and checked out the 'colossal cave'. Neither of us brought our camera's so I don't have any pictures of this... but trust me... it very pretty!!!! We petted the animals at the petting zoo and looked at all the horse's that you can ride (for a fee, of course).

Then we made our way back and stopped at Barnes & Noble (mom, your membership has expired by the way...) :) Brian bought me the book, 'Body for Life for Women'. I thing it will be pretty interesting. I'll let you know what I learn.

Brian and I are going to visit a church on Sunday night called Second Mile.

That's all I've got for now.
TTYL

this past weekend

This past weekend was pretty eventful. Brian's mom (Sara), Uncle Tom (Sara's oldest brother), Aunt (Liz), cousin (Catherine) and husband (Michael) all came into town. Tom & Liz are Gavin's parents...

On Saturday evening, we went over to Gavin's to cook out and play cards. It was so much fun getting to spend time with everyone.

Sara left on Sunday evening and we picked up Adam (Brian's roommate) at the airport at the same time. He had gone to Vegas for the weekend to play with some friends.

Then it was back to work on Monday. Having the Come before Winter video finished has opened up some free time to get to all piles of things I have lying around my house. Last night I was able to catch up on all my ironing. On Friday and Saturday I completed all of my laundry that had been piling up for over two weeks. And this evening will be full of going through bills, mail, etc.

At least the apartment if fairly clean so come visit!!!!!!

A quick update

I think I've been spending more time on mom's blog than my own. But alas...
A whole lot of not much has been going on for me. Work is work, Tucson is Tucson...
Brian's dad and step-mom were in town last weekend and now Brian's mom, aunt, uncle, cousin and husband (Gavin's parents, sister, and brother in law) are all in town.

I will work at Starbucks tomorrow morning and then spend the rest of the day probably hanging out with his family.

I think Lyndsey, Valerie and I are going to celebrate the coming of the New Year in none other than NYC itself!!! I'm pretty excited about that!

I miss you all so much! Please keep me posted on what is going on in your world. I am really looking forward to coming back home in mid-November. If you are going to be in town, please give me a call so we can play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UW vs. UA

So, here are some pictures of us at the Univ. of Washington v. the Univ. of Arizona game and tailgate before. We went to our seats right before the game and were escorted out of our section within 4 minutes of arriving. Since Brian and Adam went to U-Dubb the 5 of us that attended were all in purple. When your seats are in the "Red Zone" (college student section/the cheapest tickets to purchase) it isn't smart to be wearing the other teams colors. Security saw us and took us to other seats on the other side of the stadium to make sure we wouldn't be injured in any way. U Dubb won by the way!!!! :)
Cat & Brian at the game
The seats were packed...
at the tail gate... cat, brian and dave (co-worker), and the little face in the back is one of Brian's bosses...
Dave (co-worker of Brian) and Bill (one of Brian's boss')
Brian trying to be too cool for a pix
the game... our new seats were very close!!

Mary's wedding

I am so thankful I was able to come home last weekend for Mary and Jerry's wedding! I had so much fun spending time with Mary and her family, as well as all of my childhood friends! It is such an honor to still have such dear friends that have known you, and their parents have known you as well, since you around 5 years old!!

Catherine and Mary at the rehearsal dinner... same Chinese restaurant we went to for Mary's 18th b-day...
The gorgeous cake...
Mary & Jerry cutting the cake...
Toast....
First dance as husband and wife...
Bridesmaids: Susan, Alyssa, Tran, Diana and Catherine (I've known her the longest!!!) :)Me, Mary & Mom
Tara (and baby), Me, and Langston
Leslie J. (soon to be Farmer), Susan, Me, and Gef (Farmer)
Rachel Nelson (soon to be Price) and Me ... I'm the maid of honor in her wedding next month!!!
Patti Tipps, me and Mom
Susan Harding & Me
Tierni (Washam) Driesner & Katie (Mayor) Zell
Top: Leslie J., Rachel N., & Susan Harding
Bottom: Amy L., Me, Deanna S.

I LOVE MY GIRLFRIENDS!!!!

Don't be jealous or anything...

So, I am still not overly comfortable with life in Tucson, but when I look out my window and see this... it reminds me how glorious and creative our Lord is and allows me to remind myself that challenges and getting out of your comfort zone are sometimes a good thing...
This picture was taken right outside my kitchen window just a few days ago! :)

WOW.. almost a month!

Well, I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to respond. Life has been a little chaotic recently. Between two jobs, a new town (still feels that way at least), beginning an intensive bible study, Jerry & Mary's wedding in Dallas last weekend, and a Come before Winter video with over 16 hours worth of raw footage to sift through... so no excuses...

I haven't even been able to take the time and look at everyone else's blogs to stay updated on their lives.
Here is a quick update on mine:
Work is still fine and Brian and I are doing well. Through all of the stresses listed at the beginning of this page, we have had some tense moments, but I think that is normal when you want to see each other but one person is too busy for the other. I'm sorry Brian!

Mary's wedding was beautiful! She looked amazing and the mix of cultures combined in her ceremonies, that is right my friends... 2 ceremonies, was so neat to see. She and Jerry both are Chinese and both have a lot of family that still lives over seas. They had a traditional Chinese ceremony and then a wedding ceremony and reception that we are more accustomed to in the States.

It was so good to see all of my friends... watching the Office with Tim, Grey's Anatomy with Madeline and Rene, Chiptole with Brittany and then all of my high school friends at the wedding and most of my church friends on Sunday! It was a quick but wonderful 4 days. I ALSO GOT TO DRIVE DAD'S TRUCK!! Let me just tell you something my friends, there is something special about flying into the DFW airport, going to El Fenix for a fabulous bowl of Tortilla soup, and then heading home to set down your things hop in a F150 extended cab pick-up truck and drive towards downtown Dallas in rush hour traffic. I can't express the joy I was feeling to be sitting in traffic on a HIGHWAY... they haven't figured out those are yet. And though people may drive a little quickly on the highways and byways of Dallas, I would take that any day over an elderly person who should not be driving, going approximately 7 miles under the speed limit on a two lane road.... oh, the blessings of living in a retirement community.

I will be posting pictures later once I am at home and have my computer!

COME VISIT!

Life at the FLC

Work is going very well. I am staying quite busy learning the ins and outs of a new job. In reality, all I really do is edit at this point in time of my life. I am editing all day at work and then I go home and edit away on a video I'm working on.

Brian and I are doing well! Since we work right next to each other I get to see him a fair amount. This morning, he picked me up and we went to Starbucks before work! That was fun! And we are going to work out together afterward!

I don't know of any exciting plans this weekend. I am working at Starubucks tomorrow morning. I will then probably go home and edit the rest of the day... maybe a little bit of laundry at Brian's house...

I miss you and I can't wait to be home in just a few short weeks!!!!!! I miss TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO COWBOYS!

So, I'm really hoping for a big win this evening so I can talk a lot of "smack" tomorrow at work! Since most everyone in the nation seems to hate the Cowboys... I feel like those of us not in TX need to represent as much as we can!

I have been busy learning away at work and enjoying getting to develop relationships there. I went to lunch on Friday with a sweet woman named Kim. She has only been with FLC since March... so we enjoy being a couple of the newbies together!

I have been working on the Come before Winter video all weekend and am hoping to be done by Tuesday. I was originally thinking it would be done today (Sunday) but I had some hard drive troubles kick in last night so I had to go out today and buy an external hard drive. Now, I am having to wait the hours that it takes to move info from the computer's hard drive to the external one... I'm now done to "about 3 hours" as it says on the little screen.

Not much else too exciting is happening. My focus has been starting new job, getting situated at apartment, finish video's... so that is exactly what I have been doing!

My parents sent me a package last week. It is apparently in one of the lockers outside of the office at my apartment complex. A key chain was left in my mail box some time this past week (I didn't know what it was from) but it had no key on it. So... apparently, the package I have been waiting for has been sitting in a locker for a week now, toasting in the sun, and I can't get to it because I, nor the apartment management, have a key.

I was told today by management they will ask the mail person tomorrow and leave me a message letting me know what to do.

The Update

I am in my new apartment!! I am so excited to be here and all moved in... thanks to the wonderful Goode parents!!! Mom and Dad made great timing on Thursday after spending the night in Abilene and enjoying a lovely breakfast with Veeves! As soon as they arrived we started unloading all that we could and by the time we got to the super heavy things Brian and Adam had arrived!! Thursday evening was spent over sweat, organization, smiles and lots of pizza! Brian and Adam left after some heavy lifting and M, D, & I stayed to organize things before the big day of unpacking on Friday!

I did have to work at Starbucks on Friday morning from 4:30 am until 10 but mom and dad came in for some free coffee (tea for dad) and an apple fritter to share... you know we Goode's don't mess around when it comes to sugar! After I got off work we unpacked and organized all day long! Brian, Adam, Mom, Dad and I went to a nice Mexican restaurant for dinner and then off to bed!

Saturday was fun road trip to IKEA!!! The 5 of us loaded into the 'burb and made our way out to Phoenix!
Dad driving the over-loaded 'burb... something he has mastered, cross-country, over the years!
Adam, Catherine & Brian in front of the full-stocked 'burb! Most of that stuff is Brian and Adam's... I just want you to know!
Here it is! You know that my dad is a master packer!

After we returned, Dad spent the evening putting together my new kitchen table and new entertainment center and mom and I went to run more errands!

On Sunday after church at Palo Verde c of c, we all went to the top of Mt. Lemmon! After last weekends festivities at the peak of Pikes Peak in Colorado... Brian and I tried to give mom and dad the same sort of experience... just not as cold!
Brian and I at church.... that's mom's bible at the bottom right of the picture!

We had a nice drive (thank you Brian for driving)
(this is not him driving on Sunday... but you get the idea...)

Views from the road...
At the top...

Mom and Dad left early morning on Monday after I went to work at Starbucks for the holiday.
They had a quick trip back and were able to stop and see Valerie on the way back home as well!
I am so thankful to have had all of their help and support through this whole endeavor.

The new job is going well and the new apartment is going great! It is still not complete but it is coming together. All of the problems I have had thus far with the apartment have been all fixed!! I finally have a garbage disposal working... who would have ever thought that could excite someone so much!
My new bed is FABULOUS!! I love it though I don't think I have as much difficulty leaving the bed each morning as Veeves does! Everyone needs to come visit me now!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ...without sounding too desperate! :)
Here are a couple of pictures I took at work today! They are views from different windows in our building!





This is my office door!
This is my office!
The view from my window... that's right... a motel! Man life is wonderful!!! :)

...but at least I already have a plant... it's fake... go figure...

I miss you! Life is good, thank you Lord for always continuing to provide and teach me in ways I could never imagine!

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...