Silly Face!

This is my first week entering the weekly iHeartFaces contest! This week is to post a silly, crazy and fun photo!

My photo is from the Bronco's game last season. It was LITERALLY the coldest day of winter in Denver last year but it was a big game. It was against the Bills and if the Broncos won they would have gone to the play offs. Well, maybe the cold froze the Broncos because they certainly didn't win. The cold made us do some crazy things and this photo accurately describes how I felt!



If you want to see more stop by iHeartFaces for more silly entries!

Fix-It-Friday

Fix it Friday time again! This week was a sweet little boy picking flowers. I decided to do a selective color edit. Here it is!


Make sure to stop by I *heart* Faces to see more!

My First Fix-it Friday

This is my first time trying out fix it Friday on I heart faces! Click on the logo above to find out more! The idea of FIF is to take the origonal picture and "fix it" to make it look different.

Here is my take on this week's picture!
I think it looks like an old picture that is almost fairy-like! Comments are welcome!
Thanks for looking!

Skeeters and Smores

I will update from the happenings of late soon I promise! For now, enjoy this week's installment from the mind of Mama Kat! I chose prompt #4 ~ List 5 things you like to do while camping!

Seeing as how I am so lucky to have a friend who's parents own property in the mountains, I get my fair share of camping in every summer... I love it!!

1~ I love to just look at the mountains, the flowers, the scenery... everything!

Indian Mountain

Clear Lake

Sunset from the campsite

View from Indian Mountain

Aspens in the Fall

2~ Fishing!! I caught my first trout last year! He was kinda small so we threw him back, but I still caught him!!

It's not the size that matters...

Fishing and relaxing

3~ Animals! I love to look at and try to find all the animals. While camping I've seen antelope, elk, ground squirrels, and a huge porcupine. Unfortunately I haven't had a lot of luck photographing them...but I try!

Fox tracks!

See those spots, they're antelope!

4~ Drink. I know it seems contradicting but drinking and camping go hand and hand. Relax, have a few drinks and toast some marshmallows. Then, pass out and start again the next day.

Ahhh... Watching the sunset with an ice cold drink

We always have a wide assortment of options

5~ Hike and climb. I love the mountains and trees and getting to the top is always the best!

See that big rock in the distance, not only are we hiking to it, we are climbing it!

I just came down from the rock. We ate our lunch on top of the bigger flat part of the rock. It was awesome!

Hiking Indian Mountain

What's your favorite part of camping? The fires? The smores? The skeeters!? See you next time!

Lite summer reading....

It's that time again, and since I'm on "summer break" and feeling lazy, I decided to do the easiest, yet funniest, Mama Kat writing prompt...

Incredibly short books...

1- Medications with No Side Effects
2- Exciting places to visit in Wyoming that aren't Yellowstone National Park
3- Buddhist Monks with Bad Attitudes
4- Commercials that Never Get Annoying
5- Fried things that are Good For You

Dear Celebrities...

Please stop dying!

Thanks, Kitty

Dear Ed McMahon,
I saw a taping of Star Search in the early 90's and it was really awesome to see such a cool show live! You were so much fun. Now you really are among the stars.

Dear Farrah Fawcett,
Thanks for being an inspiration to everyone who knew you. You were so strong until the very end. Now you are a REAL angel.


Dear Michael Jackson,
No one will EVER come close to the legend that you are. You wrote your own music, you sang your own songs, you danced moves that you created. I think your amazingness will never be surpassed. Thanks for always being the true King of Pop.

Dear Billy Mays,
I can't believe that your giant voice will be silenced forever. I have loved your infomercials for a long time and you will always be remembered.

A truely sad day...

I don't care what you think about his personal life.... the world will truly be less bright for his passing.

RIP MICHAEL JACKSON
THE TRUE KING OF POP

Aug 29, 1958-June 25, 2009

HELP!

Here is my help wanted ad... prompted by Mama Kat... you sly girl you!

HELP WANTED!
Looking for a single attractive man with a brain.

Requirements:
Must be able to laugh at himself
Be close with his family (in the heart sense, not distance sense)
Have a good sense of humor
Loves animals
Loves the outdoors
Is adventurous and spontaneous
Handsome
Strong
Is, under no circumstances, a Yankee's fan!
Can cook
Loves to travel

Preferable but not required:
No children
Prefers cats over dogs
Has a college degree
Steady income of a generous nature
DO NOT apply if you are married, divorced, have a girlfriend, have more baggage than AAA, looking for a "no strings attached" deal, or if you have ever gone to or considered going to any type of Treky conference.

I reserve the right to change, contradict or void any of the statements above. I also have the right to place conditions on certain requirements. In other words... I have the final say!

Please include your name, number, number of your therapist, and location and I'll get back to you...

... Upon a Star...

Mama Kat blog prompt time! I choose #5 If you had 5000 dollars to give away or donate to a charity...explain what you would do with it and why.


If I had $5000 to give to a charity of my choice it would be the Make-a-Wish Foundation. There are few things more beautiful than giving to children. If a child is sick with a terminal illness is chosen to be a "Wish Kid" they can pick almost anything as a wish and Make-a-Wish will make it happen. There are some kids that just want a fun fishing trip, a lot want to go to Disney, some want to meet a famous person they admire. Whatever it is, they get it. I don't think it needs fancy words or a big explanation, it's the one charity I admire over all the others.

Please help by volunteering your time or business services. OR you can always just donate to your local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Help a child with a terminal illness have one wish come true!

Your turn!

Amy McMean tagged everyone for this survey, and since I don't have anything exciting to post tonight, I'll do this!

8 things I'm hyped up about
1. Going to the mountains!
2. A whole day without rain (or hail... or tornadoes)
3. My first night hosting trivia by myself (Thursday!)
4. Being a student again
5. Seeing my grandparents in 2 weeks
6. The pool in my complex opening up
7. The new Harry Potter movie next month!!
8. Getting back to the gym

8 things I did yesterday
1. Went out to dinner at Imperial Chinese (best Chinese in Denver)
2. Met my new roommates
3. Drank some Red Stripe beer
4. Made a cake (Chocolate Rootbeer cake with Vanilla Icing)
5. Fed the squirrel that hangs out on my balcony
6. Edited some pictures
7. Watched Mean Girls
8. Petted cats!

8 things I wish I could do
1. Find a part time job that is in my (new) field and pays well
2. Lose 50 pounds
3. Travel to any place I want in the time it takes me to think about it
4. Afford to buy groceries
5. Fit into the really cute summer dress I have from 3 summers ago... that I've never worn.
6. Go to Chicago to see my sister and my nieces and nephews
7. Be on a COOL reality tv show
8. Have a Cat!

8 shows I watch
1. Good Eats
2. LOST
3. Project runway
4. Top Chef
5. Unwrapped
6. Food Network Challenge
7. Grey's Anatomy
8. House

8 favorite fruits
1. Strawberries
2. Pears
3. Watermelon
4. Cherries
5. Kiwi
6. Bananas
7. Peaches
8. Grapes

8 places I would like to travel
1. Australia
2. Vegas
3. Spain
4. Panama
5. Hawaii
6. Austria
7. Alaska
8. Japan

8 places I've lived
1. York, PA
2. Waco, TX
3. Millersville, PA
4. Hershey, PA
5. Beverly, MA
6. Hawaii
7. Boulder, CO
8. Westminster, Co

8 people I'm tagging
1. Everyone who reads this!

A new start!

First week of school down! I was totally overwhelmed this week as I started cramming medical terminology in my brain as fast as I could! We had an instructor change mid week because our first instructor hadn't ever taught the class before and apparently she wasn't up to standards because by Wednesday we had a new instructor. We didn't have class today because every spring they throw a big cookout called Spring Fling Day so there are no classes but there IS free food!! I stopped by for a little while, but seeing as how I've only been in school for 4 days, I don't really know anyone yet!

This week also brought another exciting adventure! The guy who emcees the trivia that I go to on Thursday nights had to give up the gig to attend to some other commitments and guess who got the spot... ME! I've already trained with the company and I was just waiting for a spot to open up. Since I already know how everything runs there I was the perfect choice, if I do say so myself! SO if you are in the Northern Denver metro area on Thursday nights stop by the Old Chicago on Grant St. in Thornton at 8pm!

Oh! Jeopardy is on... I have to go!

Dear Me...

It's time for the weekly Mama Kat writing prompt blog! Yay!! I have chosen #4... Write a letter.
See, that SEEMS easy enough but it's also broad enough of a prompt to give me quite a challenge of narrowing it down. I've decided to write a letter to myself 10 years ago. If I only knew then what I know now...

Dear 17 year-old Kitty,
You don't know me, but you will, don't worry. I'm writing to give you a few tips and tricks. This may seem like cheating at life, but take it from me, you'll appreciate this.

~Your parents aren't nearly as terrible as they seem. Keep this in mind over the next 5 years. They are going to go through a lot problems but it's not your fault and they both still love you. It will all turn out ok!
~Don't sweat chemistry class. You'll never use it... I swear!
~Although the sorority life will seem really appealing, save the money and just go to the parties. Those bitches is CRAZY.
~When Amy pukes in your dad's Benz at the beach don't take her upstairs and clean her up... let her sleep in the car covered in vomit ... that'll teach her!
~Take the time in college to join all the clubs you want. You will meet some really cool people.
~In your Medieval Language and Literature class your professor will tell you it's ok to miss the actual day of the final if you do an alternate paper. Get it in writing because she will FAIL YOU!
~Even though you really LOVE the Beatle... it will leave you stranded and cost way too much in repairs so get something a little more sensible.
~There will come a point when when one night at The Hop when 2 guys will buy you and Amy a drink. Amy will suggest that you both go talk to them because they were nice enough to buy you a drink. Smack her in the face and drag her out by her hair... nothing good will come from that scenario.
~Heartbreak will come to you. Take it in stride and believe that on the other side you will be stronger and better for it. It's ok to cry... but get it out and move on.
~You are beautiful and smart and important and loved and funny and a million other wonderful things!! Don't doubt that you are anything less than amazing!
~Don't be scared of taking challenges stepping outside your comfort zone. Some of your best choices will be made spur of the moment and without completely thinking through it.
~Finally, trust your instincts about people. 9 times out of 10 your gut will be right and you will ignore the feeling so long that you'll almost forget how to trust it again... but you will.

I hope this helps, though it may seem weird now, it will make sense over the next 10 years. Keep your nose clean and have fun! When life seems overwhelming know that your future is still evolving, but so far, so good.

With LOVE,
Kitty (age 27)

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

You can call me flower if you want to....

Yesterday I spent a lovely few hours at the Denver Botanic Gardens. I had been planning my trip there based on weather and it was simply beautiful yesterday! I took over 250 pictures but here are some highlights.





















I hope you enjoy!

It's the thought that counts

The writing prompt from Mama Kat that I choose this week is...

#3 Describe a memorable gift. Why was it so important to you?

I love music and when the iPod came out (2001) I wanted one SO bad! Thing is... as a techy nerd, I wanted the biggest and bestest one... but they were pretty expensive when they first came out (I think $400+). I asked for an iPod for every birthday and Christmas that came... then my sister, who rightfully felt sorry for me and my lack of iPod bought me the iPod Shuffle for a gift when I graduated college. (2005) I loved it, and certainly appreciated it, but it just didn't take the want of a real big iPod away.

So I continued to ask for one for every birthday and Christmas (and everything in between). My mom said I would never use it. It's all I asked for every time a holiday rolls around! This was not a passing fancy!! She also used the excuse that it was too expensive, but at $250 for the model that I wanted it wasn't too expensive anymore to be my one and only Christmas present!

Tradition states that my parents and I travel to Chicago to my sister's house for Thanksgiving and that I go home to PA for Christmas. While in Chicago for Thanksgiving 2007 my mom, sister and I went shopping on the infamous black Friday. My mom bought a VERY expensive purse that she wanted because her birthday is right around the same time of Thanksgiving and my dad said she could pick her own purse. (Apparently he didn't want to buy the wrong one!) I was pretty appalled by how much the purse was but whatever she wanted.

This mall had an Apple Store and, of course, I had to go in, crowds and all. While I was in the store I got a sale flier which I promptly put into my mother's hand when I came out. I showed her the one I wanted and told her it was even on sale and it's all I wanted for Christmas... yet again. She looked at the price and said it was still too much to which I reminded her of her purse that she just bought. She didn't really appreciate that comment....

When we got back to my sister's house my mom showed my dad the purse she bought and he looked at the price tag... whoa... My dad hit the ceiling... As my mom sulked and my dad fumed I thought this to be the perfect time to chime in with "Yeah, she buys a purse that's (insert very expensive price here) and she won't even buy me an iPod for Christmas that's only $250!"

I don't know which one of my smart ass comments drove the point home, but needless to say I got my iPod for Christmas that year. I love it and use it ALL the time. I don't know if my mom was going to buy it for me that year or not... but that was one gift that will always be memorable. :)

I love you mom!!!

Check out other writing prompt posts at Mama Kat's!

OH EM GEE!!

This is MY video on "My Roommate is a Dick"!!! Now the world knows the truth about part of the hell I live in.... ahhhh.....

Click here for my post.

Check out the rest of the site too. If you've ever had a shitty roommate you will sympathize.

Easy as 123...

It's been 123 days since I was laid off from the OS. During this time I've briefly worked for the US Census Bureau but other than that I've been pretty much without any source of income. I've applied for more jobs than I can count in more industries that I ever thought existed. Nothing took. Out of the many many interviews I've had 90% left me hanging with no follow up, 3% decided that they actually aren't going to hire anyone at this time, and the other 7% said that I suck... well, they said thanks but they are choosing a different candidate... same thing. Quite discouraging if you think about it. So I realized I needed to do something different. Something was telling me that I needed to approach this differently.

So I'm going back to school.

I've enrolled and been accepted at Heritage College as an X-Ray Technician and Medical Assistant student. I'll have my Associate's Degree in 15 months and be certified in both disciplines. I'm VERY excited!! Everyone has been very supportive and happy with my decision. I start in a week from tomorrow!! It happened really fast but I'm really confidant in my choice and there are certainly jobs out there in this field unlike most others.

This is going to completely change my life. It's a weird thought actually, and very grounding in a good way. For the past 123 days I haven't known where I would be next week let alone next year. Now, I KNOW for the next 15 months I will be going to school and studying and learning and getting ready for my career! I KNOW that M-F I will have class from 8:30am-12:30pm. It's nice to KNOW something for once...

So right now, the title of my blog... not so accurate... in a good way!

Come with me!

Here is a photo journey of my parents' visit to lovely Colorado...

Day One- Friday

Parents arrived to this awesome sign that yours truely made :)
I put a little welcome package in their hotel room.
Beers at Wyncoop Brewery
Dinner at Blues on Blake


Day Two- Saturday

Quick visit to the Stanley Hotel

Rocky Mountain National Park

First Lookout stopMom with the Elks

Bear Lake


Breaking the law by feeding the wildlife

Day Three- Sunday

Stop at the Capitol Building to prove that they were "officially" one mile high!
Off to Red Rocks

Time for free beer at Coor's in Golden


Fresh Brew tasting
Fresh Coor's Light coming off the line... mmmmm....
Tasting Room... even Mom drank some beer!
Downtown for lunch!
Biggest Onion Rings EVER!Dinner at Sushi Den

Day Four- Monday

Bolder Boulder!!
Me and Dad in our custom shirts
Our Pace group



This is the stadium that we ran into for the finish...
Can you see us running in?
Recovery!
After a nap, shower and lunch, we went to the Butterfly Pavillion

Day Five- Tuesday

No pictures yet, waiting for Dad to send them to me... But we went to Celestrial Seasonings (tea factory) and Hammond's Candy factory. It was a good time. After lunch I dropped them off at the airport and went home to take a nap :) So that's what I've been up to! Not dead! Promise!