The Difference!

Needing someone just isn't my style.  I truly hate depending on anyone for anything.  Unfortunately for me I threw myself into a situation that consequently made me dependent on everyone & everything!  My family, my friends, public transportation, roommates, my feet, my job, my boyfriend, my cell phone, my..well, you get the point.  Now that  I (only with my family's help) have pulled myself out of that terrible situation, I needed time to find myself.  What did I really want?  Who am I?  Where am I heading in my life?  Who are my real friends?  Am I happy? 

I took the leap about a month ago and went on a "soul" searching journey.  I have landed (previous to my leap) the best job I could hope for at this point in my life.  I work with amazing people who appreciate me and my work ethics!  I enjoy all the responsibility that they allow me to take on.  I have ended a few friendships that seemed to be bringing me down and not uplifting me to where I want to be.  Shawn & I split for the time being.  I couldn't ask for a better friend right now.  He gets that I need this time to figure out what I want and who I am.  I dove back into working out.  I go to Zumba 1-3 times a week and the gym on my off days.  I've lost 12lbs so far.  **Go Me, Go Me!**  I am starting to find the Happy Cait again!  I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  And although I am lonely at times and wish somethings could have worked out better, I am in a much better place already!

So, the difference is that I don't need anyone or anything.  Instead, I WANT them!  I realize now what type of people I want in my life.  I realize the type of things I want to surround myself with.  Have I figured out all the answers to my questions?  Of course not, but I'm well on my way to finding the answers.  And to top off all this progress I'm making internally, I'm going to Florida next month to spend time with some of the best friends I could ever ask for!  I can't wait! 

I wanted to post this for all of my family and friends that have been worried or concerned with me the past few months.  I also want to thank you for never giving up on me.  For letting me grow up on my own schedule and for encouraging me to keep at it!  For telling me not to constantly beat myself up about my past.  You know who you are and I love you so much!  Will keep you posted on my progress.  xoxo

Elevator Crash

We have the SLOWEST elevators at work!  Our building is only 3 floors and I swear it takes 2-3 minutes to get to each floor.  Everytime I take the elevator I think, how long is it going to take this time.  Or if the elevator was to fall to the ground and crash it wouldn't even hurt b/c they go so slow!

Well, I had a dream about elevators last night.  And the one big one crashed to the ground and ppl were injured.  And I had to keep riding up the 2nd elevator to help ppl down to the ground level and get them out of the building.  I am convinced that that dream had to do with the emotions I've been feeling lately.  I am up and down about a certain "thing" in my life and it's to the point where I'm starting to break down emotionally more than once a day!  It's frustrating and maybe I just need to let this "thing" go and stop beating myself up about every little thing that happens.  IDK-just some thoughts I wanted to get off my chest.  BUT after that dream I'm so taking the stairs today, NOT the elevator!  ha

My almost Fatal Target Experience

I think you are only able to understand the extint of my bad luck & off the wall experiences unless you are an ODOM!  lol. 

This week has been one of those weeks where I wish I had never gotten out of bed on Monday!  On Tuesday I was so excited for the Hills finale and decided I needed some Target popcorn.  Have you ever had their popcorn?? Oh man it's so salty and amazing!  haha.  Anyway, I called Leslie on my way into Target and while talking to her, ran into EVERY SINGLE end cap in the store!!  I was so embarrassed, so I let Leslie go.  Walked past the rugs and a Target price sign almost fell on my head!  I realized at this point that the Target Gods didn't want me in their store that day.  So as I am walking towards the popcorn stand I quickly realize that there isn't any...NO popcorn.  I was devistated (ok, that's an over statement!). 

I got home to watch the Hills and quickly realized that the finale wouldn't be on until 11pm my time and that was just much too late for me.  So I went to bed...Fabulous Tuesday eh?  :)  lol

Kidney & Throat Infection

OMG-I hate being sick more than anything.  But I especially hate being sick with 2 different things at the SAME time!  I am miserable and soooo ready for my antibiotic's to kick these infections' outta my body!

I'm not only mad that I got sick BUT I totally broke my year and a half streak of NOT missing a single day of work!  :(  Oh well....stuff happens right?

Chimichangas you say?

Oh yes, I so went there in my kitchen about a week after Cinco.  IDKW (I don't know why) but Shawn & I crave Mexican food about 80% of the time!  I found a super simple recipe for chicken chimichanga's that I just had to try.  I like the recipe b/c you can play with the heat of it...make is super spicy or not spicy at all.  Next time I make them I doubt I'd make so much green sauce and I'll take the temperature up a notch. 

Here is the recipe, let me know how much ya like it! 

Chicken Chimichanga's with Green Sauce

Ingredients:

2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 (4oz) cans diced green chile's (if you like the heat get the HOT ones or if you are a wimp and don't like the heat get MILD)
2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 8oz cream cheese (soften to room temp.)
1/2 pkg. of taco seasoning
8 medium sized flour tortillas
1/2 cup EVOO (extra virgin olive oil....I watch Rachel Ray too much!  ha ha)
8oz bag of sharp cheddar cheese
1lb. chicken shredded (I used left over store bought rotisserie chicken which made my life easy, but I'm sure any other type of chicken would work just as fine!)
1 jalapeno de-seeded & chopped (optional)
1 8oz sour cream (optional)

Time to Cook!

Pour cream of chicken soup, green chilies, & lime juice into blender.  Puree ingredients.  Pour into sauce pan & heat over medium to low heat.  <-----This is your green sauce to be poured over your Chimichangas

Stir (in a large bowl) cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, jalapeno & taco seasoning until well blended.  Fold in shredded chicken.  Evenly divide into tortillas.  Fold up tortillas like burritos, seem down to keep everything intact.

Heat veggie oil over med.-high heat in skillet.  Fry (4 at a time) until golden brown.

Once chimichangas are plated, pour green sauce on top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese and DEVOUR!  :)

Jota Jota Ja Ja Happy [belated] Cinco De Mayo

I know this post is belated but oh well...

I think I may have made a new tradition for Cinco De Mayo.  I met Shawn on May 1st 2009 and on May 5th I invited him and his friend Travis over for some home made enchilada pie.  This year (very last minute) I decided to invite a few friends over for a Cinco De Mayo get together.  Again, I made enchilada pie but stepped it up a bit and made home made chips...an all time fav. of mine.  :)  My food, along with some other munchies, was a great success! 

**Let's pretend that one chippy didn't get a little TOO crisp....  lol**

May Birthday Post!

Happy Birthday to:

Jordan & Ember!  :)  I hope you both have a wonderful birthday and a great year!  LOVE YOU BOTH!

1 Year Ago....

I met Shawn Jolley.  The sweetest, most patient, kindest man I'd ever met (next to my Dad of course).  Actually, Shawn has so many of the qualities and characteristics of Dad it's kinda scary!! 

Anyway-On May 1st 2009 I met Shawn & his friends at a local hang out my girlfriends & I used to go to.  We all seemed to click right away.  Shawn & I got together the next day, and the next, and the next.  :)  We have almost been inseperable!  lol.  We dated for a few weeks before making it official on May 30th that we were boyfriend and girlfriend.  :) 

I am so happy I met him!  I am so happy that he has stuck by myside through all the tough times I've had over the past year.  I don't know what I'd do without him. 

Love you Shawn!

Crazy Weekend

I have to say that I tend to get really homesick for Florida & all my FL friends on the weekends.  I miss just going out to lunch with a girl friend.  Or going to the beach a reading a book.  Utah's landscape just doesn't offer the things I want...the ocean, sand, hot sunny weather, and crazy amounts of outdoor shopping and activites. 

I started to get really down on Friday and it continued over to saturday.  I kept telling Shawn "I'M GOING STIR CRAZY!"  And without a car, I can't just get up and go visit my mom & dad whenever I want to.  :(

BUT, Shawn's friends...who have became my friends...saved the day on Saturday night.  :)  Travis, Dom, Nick, and Rodney all came over to hang out.  After a few hours of much needed fun for me, we decided to go to Oscars (a local pool hall & club).  OHHHH MY GOODNESS!  I had so much fun!  Shawn, Rodney, & I all had a dance off.  lol.  Needless to say it was a blast and much needed break from my homesickness... 

I can't even start to explain to you how lucky I am to have an amazing boyfriend who has awesome friends.  And thank god for Tamina...she is my P.I.C. for life.  :)

MOVIE REVIEW

Date Night
*****  Hands down, funniest movie I have seen in a LONG time!  Steve Carrel & Tina Fey are HILARIOUS together!  :)  Besides all of the humor the message in the movie is adorable.  GO SEE IT!