Friday, October 16, 2009
Something about today
I'm reflective.
My day started nicely, spent extra time curling my hair only for the big fluffy curls to fall out by 9am :-( stubborn straight hair.
Worked a bit, then met a friend for lunch
Our Excellent Weekend
Friday: Work a haunted house for Cait's professional design group, AIGA, with Rick and Anita.
Saturday: Cheer the Boilers on to victory in Lafayette, visit with the Gepharts (spa time for the girls)
Sunday: Visit the pumpkin patch with the Gepharts to pick some jack-o-lanterns-to-be and apples, carve said pumpkins and head home.
Monday: Work and Todd's first band concert as a Director. It went really well!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Rain, I'mma let you finish, but....
...Hurricane Katrina was one of the worst storms ever.
How rude of you to attempt to ruin my day with too much sogginess.
Please don't wash out any roads, ok?! I want to get home tonight to watch Pam marry Jim after all this time!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Weekend in Review
Cait's Stupidest Moments
1. "Losing" my phone at the football game, only to discover that dumping my bag out to find it had not been a thorough search. It was located in my bag on Sunday night- over 30 hours after misplacing it. Dumb.
2. Dutifully locking the car door as my family exited. Upon closing the last door on the car, I remarked, "Why is the car still running?" The driver had taken his key off the key ring, got out of the quiet running car and left it on. 45 mins later, the lock smith got us in and we were greeted by a thoroughly air conditioned car.
3. I mistook Monday for Tuesday and didn't bring any clothing for the personal training assesment after work. Slightly dirty t-shirt and workout pants will have to do :-(
Cait's Best Moments
1. Teaching the high school color guards for IU's Band Day and having my name announced in Memorial Stadium.
2. Spending time with my mom and brothers for Family Weekend!!!
3. Attending the Cancer Sucks party with Andrea, Ben and Todd and running into Amanda!! That was a great shin dig for a great cause!
It's Monday- Clean slate,
Cait
1. "Losing" my phone at the football game, only to discover that dumping my bag out to find it had not been a thorough search. It was located in my bag on Sunday night- over 30 hours after misplacing it. Dumb.
2. Dutifully locking the car door as my family exited. Upon closing the last door on the car, I remarked, "Why is the car still running?" The driver had taken his key off the key ring, got out of the quiet running car and left it on. 45 mins later, the lock smith got us in and we were greeted by a thoroughly air conditioned car.
3. I mistook Monday for Tuesday and didn't bring any clothing for the personal training assesment after work. Slightly dirty t-shirt and workout pants will have to do :-(
Cait's Best Moments
1. Teaching the high school color guards for IU's Band Day and having my name announced in Memorial Stadium.
2. Spending time with my mom and brothers for Family Weekend!!!
3. Attending the Cancer Sucks party with Andrea, Ben and Todd and running into Amanda!! That was a great shin dig for a great cause!
It's Monday- Clean slate,
Cait
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Life and Commuting
We're into the daily grind and it's going ok so far!
Todd loves his school and his students, and the new wheels. I'm staying super busy in prep for the student returning to the University campus. Early mornings and later nights to pull off the rebranding of the dining program!
Last week was a long week of driving but for a good cause. Friday and Saturday revolved around trips to Lafayette to mourn and celebrate the life of a dear friend, Carolyn Gephart. Moving services but a large void exists where her spirit was here on Earth. She is with her Lord now, rejoicing in Him.
Looking forward to seeing family in a few weeks and taking care of our apartment as schedules eliminate free time.
More soon!
Cait
Todd loves his school and his students, and the new wheels. I'm staying super busy in prep for the student returning to the University campus. Early mornings and later nights to pull off the rebranding of the dining program!
Last week was a long week of driving but for a good cause. Friday and Saturday revolved around trips to Lafayette to mourn and celebrate the life of a dear friend, Carolyn Gephart. Moving services but a large void exists where her spirit was here on Earth. She is with her Lord now, rejoicing in Him.
Looking forward to seeing family in a few weeks and taking care of our apartment as schedules eliminate free time.
More soon!
Cait
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Veni Vidi Jeepie
We came.
We test drove.
We clunkered.
After 4 years driving a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Eddie Bauer Edition that was purchased from a family friend with 60K on it, we said our goodbyes to it yesterday. "Jeepie", as it was lovingly named by the children in the family who owned it before us, was hardly a clunker.
It ran great, had comfy seats, rocked out with the best of the sound systems of the late '90s and was a really distinguished shade of metallic maroon/eggplant. But it's age and mpg rating (15 city/20 highway) justified the move to a new vehicle as we commute more and tow less. The hiccup of uncertain time for dealerships between the initial $1 Bil being released for CARS and its replenishing funds from the government was still present as we negotiated. To our relief, the news media is chattering today about how the prospect of a new $2 Bil pledge to the program will likely occur. If the Cash for Clunkers program had not been available, we would have happily driven Jeepie many more miles. It's a major factor in our decision to swap out.
As Jeepie was Todd's car, the 2010 Mazda 3 manual car that we purchased is now his new baby. As an homage to Jeepie, I've nicknamed his new car, Majide. It blends "Jeepie" a stupidly close cognate of Jeep (ok, kids named it that) with sounds from the word Mazda that happens to be the name of the American gameshow-within-a-gameshow that mimics games played in Japan and kidnaps its players. We enjoy the show as a light diversion and I think the name fits. When you turn the car on, the LED display where the clock usually appears shows "Hello". In essence- Hi Majide, the phrase that the goofy host exits with, including the flash of a hand sign that looks like a peace sign with a thumb included, turned upside down.
Love it.
Memoirs from Cait:
I surprisingly mourned Jeepie's departure more than I could have imagined. Maybe it was the suddenness of the hand off. We decided to drive some vehicles after finding out I was let off work early due to power outages from a storm, never realizing we might buy that night. Personification of inanimate objects is a horrible byproduct of my Disney upbringing and my sensitive soul. I used to care which stuffed animals slept on the floor when I was a child and swapped them out the next night so they all felt loved. (GAG factor = 10.) As horribly stinky and environmentally irresponsible as Jeepie was, I pictured the mechanics loading her works up with water and sand and running her till the engine seized. A kind of car euthanasia. Thanks, lot worker who told me that. It deeply disturbed and saddened me to the point of crying on the ride home. Visions of spray painted letters spelling out "clunker" on her beautiful hood tore at me. Don't even get me to the point of where they'll destroy her.
Maybe the movie A.I. and the scenes of the Flesh Fair were the biggest influence in this horrifically traumatizing experience. If only we'd traded her in instead of having to clunk her. She was an awesome car. Sigh, sniffle.
Getting over it will take a few.... days. The Mazda 3 is a blast to drive, it's way better for commuting and saves more gas. Plus, Todd looks good behind the wheel. Excited for our first road trip in it, probably to a Purdue football game this fall.
Hi, Majide!
Cait
It ran great, had comfy seats, rocked out with the best of the sound systems of the late '90s and was a really distinguished shade of metallic maroon/eggplant. But it's age and mpg rating (15 city/20 highway) justified the move to a new vehicle as we commute more and tow less. The hiccup of uncertain time for dealerships between the initial $1 Bil being released for CARS and its replenishing funds from the government was still present as we negotiated. To our relief, the news media is chattering today about how the prospect of a new $2 Bil pledge to the program will likely occur. If the Cash for Clunkers program had not been available, we would have happily driven Jeepie many more miles. It's a major factor in our decision to swap out.
As Jeepie was Todd's car, the 2010 Mazda 3 manual car that we purchased is now his new baby. As an homage to Jeepie, I've nicknamed his new car, Majide. It blends "Jeepie" a stupidly close cognate of Jeep (ok, kids named it that) with sounds from the word Mazda that happens to be the name of the American gameshow-within-a-gameshow that mimics games played in Japan and kidnaps its players. We enjoy the show as a light diversion and I think the name fits. When you turn the car on, the LED display where the clock usually appears shows "Hello". In essence- Hi Majide, the phrase that the goofy host exits with, including the flash of a hand sign that looks like a peace sign with a thumb included, turned upside down.
Love it.
Memoirs from Cait:
I surprisingly mourned Jeepie's departure more than I could have imagined. Maybe it was the suddenness of the hand off. We decided to drive some vehicles after finding out I was let off work early due to power outages from a storm, never realizing we might buy that night. Personification of inanimate objects is a horrible byproduct of my Disney upbringing and my sensitive soul. I used to care which stuffed animals slept on the floor when I was a child and swapped them out the next night so they all felt loved. (GAG factor = 10.) As horribly stinky and environmentally irresponsible as Jeepie was, I pictured the mechanics loading her works up with water and sand and running her till the engine seized. A kind of car euthanasia. Thanks, lot worker who told me that. It deeply disturbed and saddened me to the point of crying on the ride home. Visions of spray painted letters spelling out "clunker" on her beautiful hood tore at me. Don't even get me to the point of where they'll destroy her.
Maybe the movie A.I. and the scenes of the Flesh Fair were the biggest influence in this horrifically traumatizing experience. If only we'd traded her in instead of having to clunk her. She was an awesome car. Sigh, sniffle.
Getting over it will take a few.... days. The Mazda 3 is a blast to drive, it's way better for commuting and saves more gas. Plus, Todd looks good behind the wheel. Excited for our first road trip in it, probably to a Purdue football game this fall.
Hi, Majide!
Cait
Friday, July 10, 2009
Happy July, Happy One Year
We were lucky to see family last weekend for the 4th. Some fun pics going public soon on Flickr. For now, enjoy these darling shots!
Lauren and Melissa hold the slingshot while Luke loads up a water balloon and takes aim. Background L to R, Rachel behind Anson, Angela, Josh and on the far right, Todd. - Cait
The Kennedy Sisters snapping pics of the cousins - Cait
Rachel and Hannah (1.5 yrs) - Cait
Hannah playing with the water balloon timer exploding ball. Surprise! - Cait
Taco Dip before the car ride and 20+ family members got to it! - Cait
We've celebrated a lot lately and the weekend that our friends Jenny and Andrew became Mr. & Mrs., we celebrated our one year anniversary.
It's been a year?! What the heck?!
We're doing great, love our new apartment and are excited as fall approaches. Todd's new job is going to be a wonderful opportunity.
Much love to our friends and family. Please update us when you move so we may stay in touch!
In the mean time, watch for new photos soon.
Happy One Year to us!
CM
Lauren and Melissa hold the slingshot while Luke loads up a water balloon and takes aim. Background L to R, Rachel behind Anson, Angela, Josh and on the far right, Todd. - Cait
The Kennedy Sisters snapping pics of the cousins - Cait
Rachel and Hannah (1.5 yrs) - Cait
Hannah playing with the water balloon timer exploding ball. Surprise! - Cait
Taco Dip before the car ride and 20+ family members got to it! - Cait
We've celebrated a lot lately and the weekend that our friends Jenny and Andrew became Mr. & Mrs., we celebrated our one year anniversary.
It's been a year?! What the heck?!
We're doing great, love our new apartment and are excited as fall approaches. Todd's new job is going to be a wonderful opportunity.
Much love to our friends and family. Please update us when you move so we may stay in touch!
In the mean time, watch for new photos soon.
Happy One Year to us!
CM
Monday, June 1, 2009
Movin' and a Shakin'
Hello from Bloomington and Indianapolis, IN!
We've had a great month of May and can't wait to share it with you. Todd and I have been moving into our new apartment in Indy gradually. Check out painting and in-progress pics here! Our friends Megan, Mike and Natalie were a huge help in getting the paint on the walls!
Here is Todd with our REALLY long counter top/bar area: 112" !!!
CN hosts a huge even called American Pie. Much like any variety show it's got a lot to offer, but these kids ans staff really pulled out all the stops and put on a great show about the history of Rock and Roll through music.
Todd directed the CN Jazz bands for their Evening of Jazz. It was a great night of lively music and learning. Plus they had some killer desserts!
Then we mustered through the Purdue Alumni Band performance at the Indy 500 in honor of the Purdue Band's 90 years of participation in the spectacle. Sore joints but lots of fun!
We attended our friend Stacy's Wedding this past weekend in Auburn, Indiana. It was held at the really cool facility of the World War II Victory Museum. Stacy and her new husband, Bob, are too cute together! Cait and Stacy were in the same pledge class in 2001 for the Reamer Club.
More adventures soon!
Cait and Todd
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
B-E-A-U-TIFUL
Hello friends! Greetings Family!
It's been a wonderful spring so far. Far better than Fall and Winter!
Todd conducted a Folk Song Suite with his students at Columbus North. The school has been great as a partner in education, Mr. Stultz and Mr. Burton are amazing mentors!
See more pictures of the April 23rd concert here!
See my trip to the Bloomington Farmers Market on April 25th.
We did the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure a few weekends back! Pics to be posted shortly.
See Todd's Feb 27th Dodgeball game with his band kids!
A few pics from Easter.
Basic highlights of our spring break trip to Sioux Falls, SD.
And fun in the kitchen in early March.
Busy as bees, more to tell soon!
Love,
Cait and Todd
It's been a wonderful spring so far. Far better than Fall and Winter!
Todd conducted a Folk Song Suite with his students at Columbus North. The school has been great as a partner in education, Mr. Stultz and Mr. Burton are amazing mentors!
See more pictures of the April 23rd concert here!
See my trip to the Bloomington Farmers Market on April 25th.
We did the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure a few weekends back! Pics to be posted shortly.
See Todd's Feb 27th Dodgeball game with his band kids!
A few pics from Easter.
Basic highlights of our spring break trip to Sioux Falls, SD.
And fun in the kitchen in early March.
Busy as bees, more to tell soon!
Love,
Cait and Todd
Friday, April 17, 2009
I won!!
Free Chipotle for the office. Well, the marketing department.
Instant hero :-)
Thanks, Chipotle! And thanks printing department for equipping me with free lunch raffle tickets others call business cards!
Cait
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Extra, Extra!
(note, something has gone funky with the code for the site and I'm working on it!-CM)
Hi all! There's plenty of fun news in our world and we couldn't wait to share it!
NEW BABIES!!
Aiden Healy, born 12/31/08 to Todd's cousins Angela + Josh Healy, live near Chicago.
Lucas Derenski, born 2/16/09 to Cait's cousins Suzanne + Mike Derenski, living in St. Louis area.
WORK
Against all economic odds, Cait was offered a position at Indiana University as a Graphic Design Specialist in the Residential Services and Programs department. She accepted it late last week and Todd is thrilled for her. She starts on March 2nd and has no idea what she'll use to decorate her office as most of her knicknacks are Purdue memorabilia. While she loves Indy, she really looks forward to gaining 16+ hours back of her life that she spent commuting weekly.
Todd is having a great time student teaching at Columbus North High School. He's had great success with students he is teaching privately and loves the program. He conducts their high school basketball pep band and will be involved in their school musical this year. He did luck out with 4 consecutive snow days, producing a 6 day vacation and a 1 day work week. Graduation is so close we can smell it (and it smells like spring and freedom!)
Cait has been elbow deep in fabulous freelance design with wedding and marketing clients. Todd has sacrificed the kitchen table for use as Cait's desk until we move into a bigger place. Bless him. She will launch her business' website in early March. The focus will be accessible, personal, wedding and baby related design of invitations, formal stationery, announcements, etc. She has several brides currently on board, including her girls Sarah and Carrie! Cait loves helping others create what they're looking for while educating them on how not to get taken advantage of by the industry. If you know of someone who might be interested in any type of design work for hire, pass them along to my website after March 2nd, there's nothing there now. Friend and Fam discount and a chance to be featured on the site as an example of a successful client! Or they can email me at cm.holdthecheese@gmail.com
FAMILY
*Chrissy, Cait's sister, got into Dental School!! She's headed to Arizona this summer to attend Midwestern University's campus with the dental school (there IS a campus in Illinois, hence the school's name.) We're super excited for her!
*Max, Cait's brother, got into Indiana University and will attend beginning this Fall! We are thrilled to welcome him to southern Indiana and can't wait to help him move!
*Lauren, Todd's sister, is doing great at Ball State University in her first year. She's studying Nursing!
*We can't wait to head to Chicago this weekend to see Max and Sam, Cait's brothers, in the annual GBS V-Show! A true family legacy :-) It should be a quick turn around weekend but well worth it! Bonus visit with Cait's aunt and uncle!
*Our family friend, Carolyn, who has been battling cancer has had great reports come back and is doing super! We continue to pray for her and her family and will be walking in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (with the AIGA Indy Team) on April 18th to honor her and other friends who have had cancer. You can make a donation here or join our team if you'd like! Our joint goal is $300.
We're planning our summers and trying to make it to the 8 weddings we're invited to. Hooray for love, egad for airlines and the economy.
That's it for now. Glad we have so much good news to share- it's been long coming. Take care and let us know what you're up to!
Cait and Todd
Hi all! There's plenty of fun news in our world and we couldn't wait to share it!
NEW BABIES!!
Aiden Healy, born 12/31/08 to Todd's cousins Angela + Josh Healy, live near Chicago.
Lucas Derenski, born 2/16/09 to Cait's cousins Suzanne + Mike Derenski, living in St. Louis area.
WORK
Against all economic odds, Cait was offered a position at Indiana University as a Graphic Design Specialist in the Residential Services and Programs department. She accepted it late last week and Todd is thrilled for her. She starts on March 2nd and has no idea what she'll use to decorate her office as most of her knicknacks are Purdue memorabilia. While she loves Indy, she really looks forward to gaining 16+ hours back of her life that she spent commuting weekly.
Todd is having a great time student teaching at Columbus North High School. He's had great success with students he is teaching privately and loves the program. He conducts their high school basketball pep band and will be involved in their school musical this year. He did luck out with 4 consecutive snow days, producing a 6 day vacation and a 1 day work week. Graduation is so close we can smell it (and it smells like spring and freedom!)
Cait has been elbow deep in fabulous freelance design with wedding and marketing clients. Todd has sacrificed the kitchen table for use as Cait's desk until we move into a bigger place. Bless him. She will launch her business' website in early March. The focus will be accessible, personal, wedding and baby related design of invitations, formal stationery, announcements, etc. She has several brides currently on board, including her girls Sarah and Carrie! Cait loves helping others create what they're looking for while educating them on how not to get taken advantage of by the industry. If you know of someone who might be interested in any type of design work for hire, pass them along to my website after March 2nd, there's nothing there now. Friend and Fam discount and a chance to be featured on the site as an example of a successful client! Or they can email me at cm.holdthecheese@gmail.com
FAMILY
*Chrissy, Cait's sister, got into Dental School!! She's headed to Arizona this summer to attend Midwestern University's campus with the dental school (there IS a campus in Illinois, hence the school's name.) We're super excited for her!
*Max, Cait's brother, got into Indiana University and will attend beginning this Fall! We are thrilled to welcome him to southern Indiana and can't wait to help him move!
*Lauren, Todd's sister, is doing great at Ball State University in her first year. She's studying Nursing!
*We can't wait to head to Chicago this weekend to see Max and Sam, Cait's brothers, in the annual GBS V-Show! A true family legacy :-) It should be a quick turn around weekend but well worth it! Bonus visit with Cait's aunt and uncle!
*Our family friend, Carolyn, who has been battling cancer has had great reports come back and is doing super! We continue to pray for her and her family and will be walking in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (with the AIGA Indy Team) on April 18th to honor her and other friends who have had cancer. You can make a donation here or join our team if you'd like! Our joint goal is $300.
We're planning our summers and trying to make it to the 8 weddings we're invited to. Hooray for love, egad for airlines and the economy.
That's it for now. Glad we have so much good news to share- it's been long coming. Take care and let us know what you're up to!
Cait and Todd
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy New Year!
We celebrated New Years in style with bubbly and Cait's parents.
Thank you Carson Daily for counting down the seconds for us.
INCLUDING a leap second this year... what the heck is that!
We enjoyed our thawed out wedding cake topper (7 months prematurely but the baker didn't wrap it in a seal for it to stay good(?) for a year plus it was taking up 1/4 of Cait's parents' freezer- much needed space with two teenage boys at home!) 
The cake tasted pretty good for coming out of a deep freeze and looked nice too. It's been a great, challenging and exciting 5 months so far, almost 6...
We're excited for all that 2009 will bring and are thankful for the amazing family and friends that we have. 2008 was a great year to get married. This year we'd like jobs, to stay healthy and to see more of those people we hold dear! Oh and Todd would like to survive driving 2 hours round trip for student teaching daily... off to his first day at Columbus North!
:-)
Love,
Cait and Todd
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