Monday Randoms

1. I had to go to the dentist this morning. Yuck. But I happened to be way out in Burke and did some fun shopping at stores that Arlington doesn't have. Secret: I like the Hallmark store.

2. I found this post-it note while I was deep cleaning my room today.

I am dying to know what I was going to write for the 3rd bullet. Because the first two are awesome.

3. We've had a couple rumbles of thunder today. It's a good thing I have my dog to protect me. This is what she does:

4. Do you ever have secret smiles? I do. It's just to myself and it's usually the result of someone else's kindness. Yesterday it was while listening to Joy's voicemail that started with the phrase, "Hello dear friend..." :)

It's raining outside and I cleaned my room for 2 hours today. I think it's nap time.

Dela-where?

Dela- what? I went to Delaware!!

Dela-why? To visit Leah and John!

Also to try Crab Fries for the first time. (They were GREAT!)

We had drinks called "Aquamosas". They were very sweet and very green.

Dela- who? Leah and I met at Chop Point Camp in Maine and we have ridiculous amounts of fun together. John is her lucky (and awesome) husband.

Dela-when? Sunday. Up and back in the same day. Next time I'll try to finagle it so I can stay overnight-- even to just have more time with them!

Love laughing with old friends who only live 2 hours away now!!!

Spa Night

Last Friday, a few of us had a "chill night". Kate, Alli and I decided to hang out, watch a movie, put on some mud masks and just be together.

I like how ghosty it makes me look.

Alli did the Biore quick one, but Kate and I wanted to use the mask that would stay on for awhile.

Both masks and the general girliness made William make this face:

Even a tiny dog put some on to rejuvenate her nose skin.

I also painted my nails a fun summer color. The awesome purply pink was from my now 2 week old pedicure!

Ahhhhh relaxing. Turns out, I needed it because the rest of the weekend was crazy.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up

The other day I walked into my bedroom and saw this.

My book was closed when I left the room. And nobody will ever believe me.

**Note! My mom and I were looking at this picture (norfolk-arlington blog sharing) and I noticed that it's not even open to the page with my bookmark-- clearly indicating that she has started Pride and Prejudice and Zombies on her own

Soundtrack of Summer 2010

Song #1- "Wild Young Hearts" by The Noisettes

This is really my summer anthem this year. I get really excited when I hear the line, "I'm not what I was last summer... not who I was in the spring...". Man, damn these wild young hearts.

Song #2- "She Moves In Her Own Way" by The Kooks

This is another fun little band that Lou told me about. I really like this song because it's an excellent reminder for girls to be themselves and not try to fit someone else's mold. Move in your own way!

And of course, the show that will still always make me sing out loud at all times... especially in the car.

This one I love because it's a little bit mean :)....

Happy Summer, everyone. Hope you are finding things to listen to and smile.

Summer Brain

Here's my horoscope today:

July 09, 2010

1. Virgo (8/23-9/22)

   'Think twice, speak once' should be your motto for the day, and it should serve you well when it comes to personal matters. Actually, it's not such a bad habit to get into at work, either! Your mind is moving at a quicker pace than usual, so if you blurt out what you're thinking instantly, it is likely to backfire in a big way. Just make sure you have your mental editor working overtime before speaking face to face.
   
   
   
   
   This is so true. And it's a good reminder for me to watch what I say. I have slowly been watching myself develop Summer Brain. I am not sure why it says that my brain is working overtime, though, I do beg to differ with that.
   
   
   Summer brain (adj.): Forgetful, confused, double-booking plans, leaving eggs boiling on the stove for too long, answering stupidly while watching Jeopardy Kids Week (eg: the big earthquake was in Haiti, not Thailand. Thanks, summer brain), slow-moving, slow-processing, running too slowly to even fall asleep at appropriate times.
   
   
   
   
   It's hard work to have no job in the summer.

Really Can't Sleep

I am realizing that I will need to get more exercise so that I will actually be able to sleep this summer. It's amazing to me how quickly I have changed sleeping habits. I don't actually like nocturnal summer Caitie, though, because my dog sleeps and I'm awake. Thank goodness that Netflix instant play saves me from bad late night tv.

Since I'm wide awake, I decided to brainstorm a wish list for myself. I have given myself 3 years in which I'll acquire these things, in no particular order.

1. I would like a new memory foam mattress topper. I kind of like this one: mattress topper

2. I would like a new tv for my room. Nothing crazy extravagant. Costco has pretty good deals on hdtvs, though. I'm anticipating spending $250 or so dollars on something nice.

3. I would like a raincoat. I don't actually own one. I envision something like this:

or

4. I would like a tent. I think this one will probably be the first thing I buy. There is a camping trip planned for the beginning of August with Joy and Kevin and friends, and Pheebs and I will need a place to rest our heads. So, I'm looking into tents. So far, I really like these two:

The big debate is this: (because they are the same price- $59.99!) One is a well-known brand (the orange one is a Coleman) but the blue one isn't a name brand. However, the blue one is tall enough that I will be able to stand up in it. So, do I go for height or name brand? Both reviews were good. This debate will continue until I get paid in August.

I'm on a budget, people, that's why it's called a Wish List.

..... time to stop counting tents and start counting sheep.

Old Friends bring New Discoveries

Tonight as I was trying to do low key activities in order to fall asleep (failing miserably, I might add), I was perusing Bep Lindsey's blog. I never knew she had one and it chronicles the events of her wonderfully charming life (part Virginia, mostly Maine). Bep is one of my favorite people in the world-- she and I were camp counselors together at Chop Point in Maine. She fell in love with and married a boy named Chad that I was friends with when we were CAMPERS at that camp in Maine. They now have two beautiful children and a peaceful, happy life in Maine. I was reading her blog and getting happier and happier. I love when life works out for people I care about. :)

One of Bep's posts was a link to a fun site that tells you what your name means.

Here's Caitlin:

You Are Original and Innovative

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. Fascinatingly accurate.... good and bad! Thanks, Bep!

I CAN QUIT JOY ANYTIME I WANT!

It's not an addiction. It's a friendship.

I was lucky enough to be able to spend the last few days with my best friend (since we were 13, though we met when we were 12 in Mr. Shaw's english class). Joy is her name. And Joy is her name. Joy.

When we get together, I usually learn something. In this trip, I learned a lot of somethings.

1. I learned how to use Google Reader to organize the blogs I read and it lets me know when there are new posts! I also learned lots of cool new blogs to follow. (And I'm still hoping for more suggestions from anyone!)

2. I learned that Kevin can control the sound system in his house through pandora on his new cell phone. (It's FANCY, and it even has a kickstand. That's probably not the technical term, but it sure has one).

3. I learned that two girls can go to the WV neighborhood pool with a mountain view and accidentally on purpose stay for 3 hours and 3 adult swims.

4. I learned where to put the corn cob holder in a formal place setting (learned = I decided).

(but you have to criss cross the corn stabbers. Again, probably not the technical term)

5. I learned that computers can be hooked up to big screen tvs and girls can lose hours looking at real estate in Maine, dreaming of running a Bed & Breakfast there one day...

6. I learned that black dogs love to fly down steps, missing the last couple in order to soar through the air, landing on soft carpet.

7. I learned that "the more, the merrier" is a true statement out at Joy's. Catherine came on Thursday and was definitely part of the reason I didn't go home-- it was too much fun to be around them!! And Kevin tolerated/loved all the bias in his house. :)

8. I learned that Joy loves to cook and is GREAT at it, but Kevin will happily come in as the "closer" for meals. He finished off cooking some quesadillas for us and turned our pasta dish into baked amazing! A lot of love goes into food at that house.

9. I learned that Joy and I can giggle on a mattress on the floor just like old school middle/high school sleepovers.

10. I learned that when pop-y jazz is on the house sound system, I will not be able to control my body and will dance/kick/move around until Joy says to me, "Who are you?! Bill Cosby!?!"

11. I learned that little black dogs will spend an entire weekend trying to get completely underneath larger redbone coonhounds. And sometimes she will succeed and fit perfectly. And sometimes the redbone coonhound has enough:

Yes, Joy, this is going on the blog. And even though I just couldn't seem to leave your house, I can quit you anytime I want.

But here's the thing... I don't want to.

:) Summerrrrr is greatttttttt...

My Golden Retriever

She lets me be lazy, what can I say? It's summertime...