Time for my Yearly Update!

As much as I wish I could blog more... I don't. And probably never will. I do my little snip- its here and there to update but overall its more of a once a year thing :)

Fish and Fins Swimming School
WOW Where do I even begin with this..
--I opened a website (www.fishandfinsswimmingschool.com-- check it!)
-- Taught over 650 lessons this summer--WOWZA
-- Worked roughly 12 hours a day... everyday
-- Fell in love with what I do.. even more than I did before. HOW DOES THAT EVEN HAPPEN!?
-- Met some amazing parents and kids
-- Saw my sweet babies (except they are growing up... Each year they get older and older. This really needs to stop)
I absolutely LOVE what I do and I cannot wait to see where my future is in this.

Graduate School
--Back in school. UGH but loving it just the same :)
-- Trying to stay on top of what I have to do.. HA!
--Still working on that friends thing... I really am a homebody and love to be a recluse... I really need to get over that haha
-- I have about 2 years left.... Hopefully it goes by super fast but super slow at the same time :)

My Fur Babies
As you know we had a sweet baby join our little family. Emma Jane was found on the side of the road and brought into our family. She is such a sweet spirit. Poor baby has been through so much in her 8 months on earth but she is quite loved and makes it known :) Pixie is adjusting well. She loves her but can tolerate her in small doses. Pixie and Emma keep me busy for sure!

SEWING!

I bought a sewing and embroidery machine! WOO HOO! I feel like an old lady haha but I LOVE creating something that other people can really benefit from. I have made some baby blankets, burp cloths, wash cloths, etc. I am loving it and hoping to expand into it more. I cannot wait to see what I will be able to with it!

Well.. Like always it is short and sweet. 

XOXO

Katie

HeyHeyHey

Katie here....
Busy like always. GRADUATE school began in August, I moved back to Oklahoma, I got 4 jobs (no surprise there) and began my life back in Oklahoma.

I am LOVING it here. My apartment is pretty dang cute (Thanks Mommy and Daddy!) Pixie has moved with me as well and that has been an adjustment but we are both doing well with it.

As always I will break down a few things I have been doing...


1. Summer 2013- IT WAS AN AMAZING SUMMER!!!! I had my amazing students who I have fallen in love with. I miss their smiles, their hugs and kisses, their splashes and even their screams and cries. The parents I encountered were amazing and so supportive of what I do and what I plan to do with my life. My dream is to open up my swim school in an indoor pool so I can teach year round. Oh I hope that dream will come true!

2. Started Graduate School- Oh what a crazy time. I have been reading about 250 pages a week, writing papers, having anxiety break downs, the usual. haha! But seriously, I have learned SO much the past few weeks in graduate school and I cannot wait to see where I go with this career. My sweet boyfriend has to deal with my crazy outbursts and tears but I cannot thank him enough for the big hugs he gives me when I need it and the encouragement he provides. My parents have been amazing with helping me. My dad always sends me encouarging texts and my mom edits papers, deals with my anxiety and always answers my calls at 2am when I am freaking out over a project.

3. I got several jobs- 
A & B. Research Assistant for 2 different professors. The first one is doing a study on Marriage and Relationship Education the second is doing a study on Grandparents raising Grandchildren. Both of these are so interesting. It is amazing what I have learned from doing these studies and I am looking forward to continuing on with this over my graduate school career.
C. Preschool Teacher- oh yes, teaching 4 year olds Monday- Thursday has been quite exciting. I have fallen in love with my kiddos- they are seriously the cutest things in the world! (besides my swimmers of course) I get things ready each day, clean up their areas, give hugs when tears are flowing, and anything else the Preschool Directors need me to do. It is an amazing job!
D. Working with my sweet Matt just like I have the last few years. He has a place in my heart that nobody can take <3

4. Making Friends!- As many know I do not make friends easily (I may be talkative but I am quite picky on who I call friends) But I have met amazing women here who I am so blessed to call my friends. They have made the transition back to Edmond/ Oklahoma much easier.

5. Raising my sweet Pixie- Pixie has been raised by her grandparents for the past 5 years and I have finally gained custody back :) (haha!) My parents were sad to give her back to me but since my apartment finally allowed dogs I was able to bring her with me! YAY!!! She is so dang cute I can't get over it. We both have transitioned well. She is attached to me 24/7 and if I am at school or work she just chills at the house watching Animal Planet, taking naps, howling, and barking at the UPS guys who drop off packages. We have our system of how we go about our day and what we do. She has also been going to training at Petsmart and she is doing so well. She has learned some new tricks :)
I am so glad she is with me. Thanks mom and dad for letting me have her back! She misses her Kissy and Big Bear though!!


I shall update everyone soon! It may not be until Christmas break though :)

Katie
XOXO

The question:

I came across this quote the other day and I wanted to share it:

"The question: How does a girl who jumps into a rabbit hole, plummeting into chaos, come out unchanged? The answer: She doesn't"

My life the past 6 months has been like plummeting into chaos. I am definitely not the same person I was in December.
I did post some highlights in a previous post but things just seem to keep on rolling.
My business is taking off like crazy (good but keeps me on my toes) I am planning a trip with my best friend, started grad school, my job at the hospital... just so much going on. I love it though. It keeps me focused on the important things.
My sweet Pixie is super attached to me. Its like she knows we are moving in August. Her life will change as well. She loves my parents so so much and loves being around them.

As much as I am on the go, I need to take a step back, enjoy my summer, and rest.
Lets just hope I can remember to do that more often. I finally have a day off tomorrow (well technically today) and I plan on spending it at the river reading and studying and laying out..... ok ok so not a full day off but I do have to do homework :)

I just began my swim blog. I am so excited about it! I hope it helps my business grow and has me building connections. I hope I can continue to make changes in these kids lives that I am teaching. It is a passion of mine and I really hope I influence one kid just to make the most of everyday and to always smile.
www.fishandfinsswimming.blogspot.com

I should probably head to bed now.... I have a big day of rest tomorrow :)

Ta ta for now....

Katie Green, CTRS ( I just had to!!)

Camp!

Last summer I was a camp counselor at Camp Carter and I get to go again this year!!! Camp was so much fun... slip and slides, treasure hunts, swimming, ga- ga ball, a week of amazingness! My campers were amazing and I cannot believe it is finally time to go back!!! My week will be pretty crazy with lessons, camp, and my job in Dallas. Long days but so worth it!!

Until next time...

Katie

Just Keep Swimming...

Oh what a week.... wait tomorrow is Thursday? Not the weekend?

These past 3 days have been insane. Literally insane. I wake up, go for a run, come back and get in my suit, and teach till about 4:00 then hop in my car and drive to Dallas to go to my other job at Scottish Rite Hospital- Summer All Stars. Don't get me wrong I LOVE my jobs. I have the best jobs in the world... but 14 hour days in the hot sun are tiring!!

Yes Grandmama I am wearing my sunscreen and reapplying it every 60 minutes :)

I am loving seeing the progress in my kiddos!!! A couple of my 4 year olds could not even float on monday and today they are swimming across the shallow end!!! I am so happy for their progress!


Each night I come home and read a little bit for my Graduate class then answer emails for scheduling lessons.
It keeps me busy for sure!!! Just keep swimming just keep swimming...

I am excited for my next day out in the water!

Happy Swimming everyone!

Crazy Beautiful Life

Lots to update on. It has been about a year and a half since my last update. Lots can change in a year... let alone a year and a half.

Here are the large highlights:

• I got accepted to Grad School! I am attending the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond Oklahoma. I am living by myself in a cute one bedroom apartment and I have been getting lots of cute things to make it "home" I am really looking forward to moving and starting my life there. I have several friends who live there already so it will be nice to be around them more. I am beginning my first class June 3! (thats tomorrow!) It is an online class so I will not be in Edmond yet but I will have 3 hours under my belt before August. I am also enrolled in 11 hours for Grad school. Probably overloading myself once again but thats how I always do :)

• I chopped my hair off!!!! Well ok, not totally! I did take 5.5 inches off and donate to Wigs for kids. I had to make a change in my life. A new start! Plus I needed my hair healthy again!! Since I am in the water so much I thought it would be a good change. Here is the before and after!!!
  
  
    
• I graduated from OSU! I walked across that stage on May 4, 2013. I DID IT! It was 5 years but it was the best 5 years of my life. It was also the hardest 5 years of my life. I went through lots of ups and downs but walking across that stage to get the empty diploma case (don't worry it will be mailed to me in about 6- 8 weeks haha) was a fabulous feeling :)
  
  
  
• My degree is Therapeutic Recreation basically means nothing unless I pass my certification exam. I have to be certified by the National Council Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). So if I pass my exam I will be a CTRS- Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. The exam is only offered 3 times a year and it is an extremely hard test. My mom helped me study and she was a trooper. Seriously.... a trooper. With my freak outs of worrying about not passing  and my high anxiety I am surprised she didn't murder me!! She is such a good mama- may be a crazy mama but shes the best :) The good news is I passed!!!!!  My mom was the first person I called. She was amazing... Praying the entire 3 hours I was in there. The moment I called her was probably better than walking across the stage at graduation. All my hard work paid off. 5 years of studying for my degree then my 3 weeks of studying for my certification exam (after NCTRC processes all my paperwork and internship placement) I will be--------wait for it......------- Katelyn Elizabeth Green, CTRS (but not until I get my certification paper!)  and Oklahoma State University Graduate :)    Thank you so much Mom and Dad for putting up with my insane freak outs, crying fits, random outbursts and mean streak and Madeline appearances :) Without your support I could not have done anything or accomplished what I have. I am thankful for all you do and I love you both so so much

• My senior Internship began on January 7. I moved from the small town of Stillwater, Oklahoma to the large city of Dallas, Texas. Mind you I am from Fort Worth so I was basically moving home :) I got to live with my awesome and amazing Aunt and Uncle. They were simply amazing. Providing me with a roof over my head and food in my belly. My aunt always joked and asked if I actually lived there cause I was always so busy and at work or the gym. But I am so grateful for them for providing a wonderful place for me to live :)
• My internship was at the wonderful hospital for Children called Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Seeing kids in different struggles made me see how blessed I truly am. I was able to look at life in a totally different way. I may have my bad days, my EXTREMELY bad days, my good days and my iffy days but everyday I wake up I am able to put my feet on the floor walk in the other room and hug my parents, and go to work doing what I love. Not everybody can do that and I take it for granted. 
•  I was extremely blessed to have another amazing supervisor. Albert taught me more than just Therapeutic Recreation... He taught me life lessons, ways to handle different things, how to have a positive outlook on each thing that happens and he did more for me than he realizes. I am extremely grateful for all that he has done. He wrote this short passage that I taped into my planner- and everyone knows that I look at my planner about 24 times a day so I figured that was the best place to put it. 

                                    Be Positive
Each morning you wake up you have two choices.

You can choose to be in a good mood or... you can choose to be in a bad mood,.

I choose to be in a good mood.

Each time something bad happens, you can choose to be a victim or... you can choose to learn from it. 

I choose to learn from it.

Every time someone comes complaining, you can choose to accept their complaining or... you can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life

Albert Estes

Albert, I am blessed to have you in my life. I learned so much from you and you impacted my life in so many ways. Thank you for teaching me to look at the positive side of life and to enjoy each moment.

• I am doing my summer swim lessons again! I am already booked for a couple weeks so I will be spending about 8 hours a day in the water teaching kids of all ages how to swim! This year we redid our back yard. For about the last 6 weeks our entire back yard has been torn up and completely demolished. Concrete was jack hammered out,  a tanning ledge was added to the pool to change the shape and add a place for us to lay down in the water :), new drains were put  in, a new waterfall, new coping, and a new texture at the bottom. We are on the last stretch of the remodel... they are finishing the deck and then the backyard will be complete! I am so excited to spend the summer floating on a raft and soaking up the sun with a margarita in hand :) I will just close my eyes and imagine I am at the beach!

• Bikram Yoga- Yoga done in 105 degree heat. You sweat out toxins in your body, go beyond your flexibility, learn things about yourself that you had no idea you could do. It is a 90 minute class and it is seriously the best thing I have ever done. I bought a 10 class card for mom and I for mothers day. We go together and my mom is seriously a rockstar!! She can still do the splits at 29 years of age!! ;) With  my anxiety it is extremely helpful. You have to focus on breathing. JUST BREATHING. You do each pose twice. It doesn't matter if you do each pose all you have to do is breathe. I learn something new every single time I go there If you ever want to test yourself mentally and physically... try bikram yoga! You wont regret it!

• Last but not least I have another job! While I was interning at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children I was working for free for 15 weeks. It was hard but totally worth it. well I am now an employee!!!!! Only a temporary position for 8 weeks but it is still exciting! I am overseeing the adaptive sports program for patients of the hospital. It is called Summer All Stars and they provide 3 different sports taught by professional in the field. Monday night is Basketball, Tuesday night is Golf, and Wednesday night is Tennis. It is amazing to see every kid who has a disability feel like a "normal" (as normal can be) child. They are learning how to play the sport that they love or want to pursue. They are able to participate without ridicule of other kids and are learning to be good team players. It is an amazing program and an amazing hospital. If you ever have a chance to volunteer for this hospital I guarantee it would be worth it!

I believe that is all the big news that has happened to me in the last 6 months. It is extremely overwhelming but what part of my life isn't overwhelming? I am looking forward to a crazy amazing summer with my best friends, Catherine and Riley, and my parents and my friends here in Fort Worth before I move back to Oklahoma. 

Make the most out of everyday. Look for the beauty in the smallest things and never take anything for granted. Stay positive even when things get rough and remember that you have a purpose in this crazy world. Be kind to one another.

Until my next blog-- which wont be another year and a half away :)

Katie

Busy Busy Bee!!

Lots of things going here in Stillwater. I have met with my advisor about enrolling for my... FINAL SEMESTER!! I only have to have 4 hours to graduate. 4!! I think I will take one extra class so I can get a jump on my masters... That will put me at a whopping 7 hours for next semester. I think I will try to get another job because I will only have class on monday wednesday and friday. So why not get a little extra cash and work :)

I have been meeting mom in Ardmore the past couple weekends. I also went home to run in the cowtown race. I have been doing great on my training. I am so excited for my race... 8 weeks left!!

Time to head to work, the gym, then homework!

XOXO
Katie

Graduate...School?

I am overwhelming myself so much by all this talk about Graduate school. I am either going to OSU or UNT. I will apply to a few others just in case but I have so much to think about. Where I will live, GA position or not, close to home or far away again, roommate situation, money, out of state or instate... It is just O.V.E.R.W.H.E.L.M.I.N.G.
Hopefully I will get answers soon about the GRE test, different positions I could have, etc. I told myself that not going to grad school was not an option. I HAD to do it. NO questions, ifs, ands, or buts about it! I have had to call mom and dad numerous times freaking out trying to get everything sorted out and basically having them calm me down. Everybody should know that I get really worked up about stuff haha

Just wanted to send everybody a quick update on my crazy hectic life :)
XOXO
Kate

HUGE NEWS!

Hello everybody!
I hope everybody is doing good on this beautiful friday afternoon... I know I am! I have offically gotten word about my internship and ITS FINALIZED!!! I will be a Therapeutic Recreation Intern at Cook Childrens Hospital in Fort Worth, TX. I will be working in the behavorial unit and I cannot wait!! What really makes it special is because there are only 3 Rec Therapists in the DFW area. I am SOO blessed to be able to have this opportunity.
I have known about this since Thanksgiving but I didnt want to say anything until the contract got finalized. Working in the Mental Health side of Recreation Theapy will be different then what I have normally been doing... I have mostly been doing Rehab. This will help me step outside of my comfort zone for sure!

When I had my interview I was so nervous! (I even arrived 45 minutes early!!) I met with him and he was pretty blown away by my resume already (not to toot my own horn ;)) and then he showed me around the Behavorial Unit and then at the end of the tour he offered me the internship! I did everything I could do to keep my composure.. calmly shake his hand.... calmy walk out of the hospital ( I didnt want them to think they just let a mental patient out onto the streets) and the immedialty got into my car called my mom (naturally!) and scremed at the top of my lungs! I could not believe it! It was a great moment for sure!! Internships in my field are hard to come by because there are not that many in Texas and in Oklahoma it is difficult because all TR majors want to stay in OK so they fill up quick.
I also wanted to come home for my internships to help save money and live at home. I am sooo excited I got to be in Fort Worth AND have a fabulous internship! I am sooo excited!


It will be a great 10 weeks working at Cook Childrens. I cannot wait to tell everyone my experience and how it goes.

XOXO
Katelyn

Don't you worry your pretty little mind people throw rocks at things that shine..

These past two weeks have included:
Bookstores, staying up late, going to bed early, sleeping in, waking up early, reading a tons of chapters, attending class, walking across campus multiple times, going to the union a humpteen billion times, a quiz, working a ton, cooking a lot, and cleaning my room. Plus a ton more other things but That kind of sums it up. It has been a crazy two weeks for me for sure! I am so blessed to get encouraging notes from my mom and sweet texts from my dad. My brother also chips in a few silly texts too :) I am having to remind myself that I just have to keep my chin up and I can do anything I set my mind to. I am really trying to keep up to date with all my reading and stuff this semester. So far so good!  Lets hope I can keep it up though!

This weekend I am going home to go to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. I am SO excited to go! I never miss a Rodeo! :) It always makes me miss competing in the Rodeos.
Tonight Kristin and I are watching CSI and it is keeping me on my toes!! I love this show! This is about the only time I ever get peace to just sit and relax haha I love that best friends can keep such a close bond even over 350 miles away!
I will update about the rodeo when I return but right now its time to get back to my show! :)

Until next time,
XOXO
Kate

Sweet dreams are made of these...

Good Morning!
Yesterday started a new semester! It was pretty busy for only having 3 classes. I had to go get books, then go back and get books cause I didn't get them when I got my first set of books, so on and so forth. It doesn't make any sense.... I have 4 classes... and about 7 books! cha-ching cha-ching cha-ching! (Thanks Mom and Dad!!) I am so grateful I am able to get an education. I really appreciate it when I am swiping the credit card for those books! Looking back on the last 3 1/2 years at OSU absolutely amaze me. I have grown so much from all of my experiences I have encountered.
I am trying to see the beauty in everything and remind myself how blessed I am. This morning the little boy I take care of made his breakfast all by hisself! That is a HUGE step for him!! All I had to do was pour his milk! It amazes me how far he has come in the past 6 months. I am so grateful to be apart of his growing process. Its little things like making my meals all by myself and being able to do my own laundry. It truly changes my perspective on things!

This week has been good in my training. I only had about 20 minutes to run on Monday so I decided to go for a quick run instead no run at all. My knee and lungs didnt give me much trouble at all! I am very thankful for my inhaler and knee brace! I am not going to let a silly knee problem or lungs aching get in the way! (although I will rest if they start to hurt again!)

Today I only had work from 7-9 this morning and then class at 10:30. I may go on a short run in the Colvin cause its a little chilly outside. Then its time to hit the books! I have a few reading assignments due wednesday. Then its back to work around 4 until his mom comes home. I did not get much sleep last night. I went to bed around 11:30 then woke up at 3:00 and could not fall back asleep until about 5! I was wide awake! I finally fell asleep around 5 or 5:30 then had to wake up at 6:30 for work. I may have to sneak a nap into todays schedule for a bit :)

Its time to head to class! I will post in my other blog later :)

ta ta for now! XOXO
Katelyn Elizabeth

BACK TO SCHOOL ALREADY?!?!

Hello all!
This Christmas break has gone WAY to fast!! For a quick sum up... The first week was filled with DOCTOR DOCTOR DOCTOR and more DOCTOR appointments!!! I had one for my stomach, one for my knee, Dentist, a quick surgery (nothing huge), along with a ultasound of my stomach. Gosh... Did I mention that first week of "break" was filled with doctor appointments?!
Well after that "HELL" week Christmas came!!!! Well... There was one day were we sat under the tree and opened presents but it did not seem like Christmas!!! It went by WAY too fast!!!! It was a fun day filled with laughter and Joy :)
The day after Christmas my dad and I packed up and headed to the Ranch! We had a blast!! It was a great time. After about 3 days there we came home and packed up again and went the Shreveport, LA to do a little gambling... and some time relaxing :) Us girls had facials, Pedicures, Manicures and massages! The boys only got a massage... Spoiled?? NAH!
We came back home on the 2nd and were able to get some stuff accomplished around the house. Then I had company come into town for 3 days. It was the little boy I take care of, his mom, and brother. They are like my family in Stillwater. I LOVED having them. It was nice to take them around and let them see my Hometown! I love this family so much it means so much to me that they were able to come visit and see where I am from. They left yesterday and then I was off to ANOTHER doctor visit. It was sports rehab for my knee and IT band problem. I will update more on that in the next blog.
All in all it has been a FABULOUS trip home. I loved spending time with family and loved ones. SO much that I decided to stay till sunday! Tomorrow I will head back to OK... not willing!! I will be kicking and screaming the whole way!! But I have to go... :(
Off to write another blog about my half marathon progress! I may just start another blog to have healthy meals, and stuff on there and have this as just my personal blog... hmmm thoughts anyone?!

Ta ta for now!
XOXO
Katelyn Elizabeth

Pro at Procrastinating....

I am in the mood to clean....that must mean it is FINALS week!
Yesterday after work I did 3 loads of laundry, changed my sheets (even though I changed them about 3 days ago), Cleaned mirrors, unclogged my sink drain, and tons of other things. I have also been spending a lot of time on Pineterst....
I think I might be a pro at procrastination.
I have 4 finals this week.

Monday- 8:30 Abnormal Psych

Wednesday- 2:00 Physical Disabilities

Thursday- 10:00 Stats and 11:30 Physiology

I am SO ready for this semester to be over!!

Well I should probably stop procrastinating and get to studying...  oh wait... I need to deep clean my carpet! :)
KK

Am I insane?!

GENTLE AND LADYMEN!!!! I have one special announcement!! I have officially signed up for... wait for it... DRUM ROLL PLEASEEEEE.....

MY FIRST HALF MARATHON 

(cue echo... MARATHON MARATHON marathon....) 

People have asked if I am insane... the answer is... I do not think so. I have always wanted to do something bigger than running my 5ks that I run. Something to challenge myself and get me healthy. I will be running 13.1 miles (goal is to run 13.1 miles straight NO stopping). The race is April 29! I have 21 weeks to train. All training logs have been for 12 weeks so I think I am ahead of the game :)

I havent been able to start training yet since I got Bronchitis last week. Once my lungs recover and I am able to breathe without my chest hurting then I am good to go! I am hoping to start on Monday Dec 12. I will be able to be home and train with my mom while I am home for break. It will be great to get running on a daily basis and get in a routine. Over break I am going to make a recipe book to get dinners going. I am also going to try more smoothies and shakes. I am very excited!The race is in honor of the OKC Bombing. It is called the OKC Memorial Marathon. It will be great to be apart of something bigger than myself and get healthy while doing it! http://okcmarathon.com/

I can't wait to get the 13.1 sticker and put in on my car! 

Hopefully one day I can run a full marathon so I can add 26.2 on there! Gotta start small though! As my daddy says... 

"You have to eat an elephant one bite at a time"

So until then I am focusing on 13.1 miles and taking it one mile at a time :)

AND... to add to the craziness of running 13.1 miles...

I am going to compete in something called the Warrior Dash! It is April 21 in Roanoke, Texas.  The Warrior Dash is 3.3 miles and you compete in obstacles along the way. You go through waist deep water, go under a web of rope while crawling through mud, and tons of others. I am so exited about it. It will be a blast to compete in! Since I am already training for the Half I might as well add a little fun into the mix :)

http://www.warriordash.com/register2012_north_texas.php

Any age can compete in it! I think it will be an absolute blast!!!

I am so excited to start all of these life changing events! April will be a great and busy month! (Can't forget Nascar on April 14!!) 

I appreciate all of the encouragement everyone has already given me. I cant wait to start to fully train on a daily basis so I can race to that finish line! I will keep everybody updated here on my blog along the way. :)

The little runner,

Katelyn Elizabeth 

Daddy Daughter Date... Concert and Gambling!

These past 2 months have been insane. Absolutely insane. Finals are next week and I am ready for a break. I was able to go on a daddy daughter date to Thackerville, OK and see a concert with my daddy! I had an absolute BLAST!! I love spending time with him. We sat next to this cute couple who had two daughters and the wife kept raving at what a wonderful daddy he was for attending a concert with his daughter. At one point she leaned over to me and asked if he knew any of the songs. I responded back with " No. I don't think he does. He just came to the concert because I wanted to go. He might know a couple but that's it." She just looked at me and smiled. My dad is my best friend. I love doing things with him. I love our daddy daughter dates! They make great memories!!

Waiting for Josh Abbott to start!

Josh Abbott!!

After seeing Josh Abbott and Eric Church Daddy and I went to test our luck at the slot machines (Since the concert was at Winstar Casino) Dad gave me $20.00 and said go for it! haha We had a great time just trying our luck. We stayed out till about 1:00am and then I called it a night. I was exhausted! The next morning dad and I packed up and headed our separate ways until I come home for Christmas. It was a night I will never forget and memories with my daddy that will last a lifetime!

Here are a couple of my favorite songs from Josh Abbott and Eric Church. I totally advise anyone who loves country music to listen to them! 

Josh Abbott- She's Like Texas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yapf2QvFHfw

Josh Abbott- Oh Tonight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTlQzKOOkeU

Eric Church- Homeboy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx-dUsh6OT8&ob=av2e

Eric Church- Carolina

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyNdDkspQQo

Enjoy!

KK

Friendship... Something to think about.

I find it amazing how friends come and go. No matter how hard you want a friendship to work or last a lifetime it is up to each party to contribute to the friendship. To me my friends are family and family is my life.
Even if we were close at one point and don't talk everyday if they call me in the middle of the night needing help no matter what I will be there.
There are only a few special ones that I know would do the same for me.
To me friendship is the family you choose. You have to choose to be around positive people to make your life, and thoughts positive as well. If you surround yourself with negativity and hateful people then you will not be able to see the beauty in simple things. Surrounding yourself with the people who make you smile, feel happy, and just down right thankful for their support and friendship is so important.
Getting older and surrounding myself with different types of people I have been able to step back and look at all the friendships I have. Seeing who is there for me no matter what, or seeing who is only there for me when it is convenient for them. It really makes me aware of the type of friend I want to be.

There are a couple quotes that I have heard over the last few weeks that made me think even more about friendship...

" Don't tell your problems to anyone...Just think 20% don't care, 79% glad you have them, 1% will try all they can to help you" 

"A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down." 

- Arnold H. Glasow

"An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind." - Buddha

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."

To all my true friends who have been there for me at ridiculous hours of the night or just taking a call... Thank you. Your friendship means more to me than you will ever know. 

Love,

Katelyn Elizabeth

Love Hurts

I wonder why I fall so hard. Some say because I have such a big heart. But I wonder... if I have a such a big heart why that gives guys permission to hurt it even more. I am ready to find someone who isn't a liar. who isn't a cheater. who isn't abusive. who isn't just plain awful. I want someone who will put up with my goofy car dancing, my off key singing, share my dreams, inspire me, challenge me, and be my other half. I am ready for true love... if it even exists. I just don't want to be tricked again and have my heart hurt.
I hope one day I can find that. Until then... I will always remember what my roommate, Lauren, always told me.. "I am a strong confident woman of God."

Happy Birthday Granmary

Today is my Granmary's Birthday. Usually I would call her around noon on October 20 but today I could not do that. My Granmary is up in heaven with Granarrel. I lost her last December and even 10 months later it still doesnt seem real that she is gone. I miss her so much. Every time I eat Cheese toast, 4 bowls, ice cream and cookie dough I always think of her. We had small traditions that I don't go a day without thinking about. This will be the first year I have not carved pumpkins with her, I wont be able to put her Christmas lights up on her porch this year, and I wont put the Angel I got her on top of her tree, and I can't watch our favorite shows together anymore. My life would not be the same without her. I have learned so much from her and she was such a beautiful person.
When I was little I would call her before school and ask her to make me waffles. She would watch me across the street and greet me at the door and the house would smell of delicious waffles and syrup. Even after school I would call her up and she would watch me across and I would go into my craft room and bring out the paints and paper and put it on the kitchen floor and paint a masterpiece (as good a 5 year old could paint) She is also the one who got me hooked on all the crime shows. We would sit and watch hours and hours of Diagnosis Murder, CSI, & Matlock. Spending time with her was like escaping reality. I would be there for hours and not even realize it.
There are so many memories I have with her and so glad she was in my life. I might miss her everyday but I have the memories to hold on to.
I miss you Granmary!!!

Eatin 4 bowls and Salsa... Obviously a favorite! :)

I loved walking across her porch. She would hold my hand and help me balance 

Granarrel and Granmary :) This was about 2 years before Granarrel died. He was still in the kitchen and not in a hospital bed. That is how I remember him best. 

Granarrel and Granmary when they got married. This was in the paper :)

She was always smiling :)

                                                      I loved giving Granarrel kisses!!

Google confuses me!... plus tests...

My password keeps changing on Google for some reason so I can never write posts because I keep having to go in and change it each time. So frustrating! Any way I have had a CRAZY 2 weeks. I have 4 tests this week and so far 3 down. Also got a grade on my STATS test and it was a... DRUM ROLL PLEASEEEEE... 94!!!! I am super excited! I thought I would barely pass Stats and now I have an A!

Modern Family and CSI started back up tonight. I have this tradition of watchin CSI with my really good friend Kristin. We watch from two separate states and we chat throughout the whole thing. We have done it for years and I can't imagine not doing it!

I need more time to blog later and hopefully I wont have to change my password next time!

off to CSI and dreamland!
Katelyn Elizabeth

My life is one big splatter painting

When I have bad days or just frustrating days I like to pull out my canvas, paint brushes, and easel and just paint. I love the peace it gives me and how I can look at a plain white canvas and create something amazing. It just does something to me that helps me relax and refocus. I always joke and say that some of my best creations come when I am frustrated or angry haha! My mom always makes fun of me cause I can spend so much money at Hobby Lobby. Walking in there is just amazing! I love it!! 

Here are a few of my paintings :)

I will put more up when I keep finishing them :)

Painting just helps me relax and get everything back to normal.

I already went to work this morning and was back before 9am... I want to go to back to bed SOOO bad but I have a ton of laundry to do :( Off to clean and get ready for the day! and maybe paint a little :)

OH! Also, it is GAME DAY!!! OSU is playing Arizona tonight. I can't wait to go! Sammy and I went to get me a game day shirt... GO POKES!!! (thanks Mom! <3) 

Off to cheer on my boys and clean my apartment! 

GO POKES!

katelyn elizabeth