For Peely...

Because I have officially lived in my apartment for over a year I figure I should probably update with new pics.  LOL.  It's definately my little home now.  I absolutely love my apartment.  I still have some big items I'd love to buy once I hit the lottery such as a new couch and bed.  For now though, my apartment is perfect and I'm happy to come home each night.  :)

Sorry, no pics of my bedroom yet as it was a MESS when I took these other pics. Please note the AWESOME T.V. I got for xmas (Thanks mom & dad)!!  <3 <3

Long Overdue

Well, considering I don't have internet at my home anymore it's been difficult for me to find time and an internet connection to blog... But here it goes.

I feel like I've lost myself, yet again, in another relationship. I don't know why I devote so much time on a relationship just to completely lose myself while serving someone else. Yep, you've guessed it. Shawn & I broke up about 3 weeks ago and it hasn't been easy. I realized that I had to let him go, that I wasn't the right one for him nor was he the right one for me. It sucks...I thought he was the one. But in reality I was being selfish by holding onto him and holding onto a relationship that probably ended a long time ago. I miss him so much. I mean in the 1 1/2 we were together he became my best friend. I hope that eventually we can be the best of friends again, but right now it's too hard for me.

Although, I would really like to find the "one", I am going to focus on me and learn to love myself again. This won't be easy as I am easily distracted with work and friends, but it's something I have to do. :)

We go BOOO OOO OOO OOO OOO GRRR

Please check out my co workers and I breakin' it down Halloween style! lol

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/QS3JaLNnotA57egd

Cumpleaños Feliz Octubre

Happy Birthday to half of my family!  Hope you all have a great day & year!  

<3 <3 <3

October 1st: Mom, I hope you have a wonderful year!  Love you sooo much!


October 2nd: Carlie Jessop...14?, Really?.  Stop growing up...no seriously, just stop it!  :)  I hope you had a wonderful birthday.  I love you mucho mucho!


October 5th: Diana Fiore, I hope you have a fun birthday tomorrow sweetie!  I miss you so much!  Tell your mom to let me steal you for a week!  And tell her to take lots and lots of pictures at your dance classes.  <3


October 8th: Shawn Jolley, happy happy birthday old man!  hahaha.  I hope your last year in your 20's is fabulous and that you get everything you want for your birthday.  MUAH


October 10th: Joe Jessop, I am so glad you are celebrating this year as a coach!  It was long awaited but well deserved!  Happy bday!


October 13th: A-Mack, hey vanilla chocolate!  Hope you have fun in Cancun and that your bday is fun! 


October 27th: Tarin Odom, you are so stinking cute!  I hope you have so much fun on your birthday!  :)


October 28th: Kris Jessop, I just want to steal you!  You are so adorable!  I cannot believe you will be 5 years old...stop growing up!  :)  Love you so much!  Hope you have a wonderful birthday!


Love always,

Caitlin 
AKA 
Aunt CC,
Your best friend
Your girlfriend
Your daughter
Your sister-in-law

Fall is Here

Wow, all I can say is where the heck has this year gone!  I cannot believe how fast the years keep flying by, this year especially!  I never thought I would say...well I never thought I would say a lot of things in my life time, but I REALLY never thought I'd say I am excited for the weather change.  We've had a unusually long summer this year in Utah thanks to Mother Nature's awesomeness!  Now I'm just working on getting her to keep the snow away this year!  ;)

Fall has become one of my favorite times of year.  Leaves change. Sweaters and pants are pulled out of storage. Homes smell of pies, cocoa, cookies and spices. Doors are left open for cool breezes. Electricity bills go down. Tons of Odom birthdays. Halloween and Thanksgiving. My frizzy hair becomes manageable.  You get the picture...  I just want to give thanks for all the wonderful people in my life. All of the material things I am blessed to have. And to have such great parents!!

A Wonderful Thing Happened on October 1st, 1948

The best mother in the whole world was born!!!  

Dorothy Ellen Matthews Odom

Happy Birthday Mom!  Thank you for everything you do, for all the unconditional love you give, for all the tears you've helped dry, and for setting such a great example!  You are truly amazing and talented.  I am proud to say that "I am becoming my Mother" and can only hope to one day be the kind of woman you are.  I hope this year brings you nothing but joy and happiness.

Love always & forever,

Caity

BELATED: August & September Birthday Shout out!

I'm sorry this is coming out so late, but I didn't want anyone to feel left out of my awesome birthday blogs...lol

August 23rd: Christina Fiore- Happy Birthday to my oldest niece!!  Hope you had a great one!


September 7th: Julie Odom- Happy Birthday Jules!  :)


September 14th: Caitlin Carmichael- Happy Birthday bestie.  I am glad I got to visit you this past week.  Love you!


September 27th: Ed Fiore- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  Hope you had a great day and that this year brings you lots of happiness.  

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! 

Hippity Hoppity...Easter's on its way

Actually it's already passed.  But it was such a good one I just had to blog about it! 

To start off the Easter festivities I decided to buy massive amounts of candy.  Because massive amounts of candy is totally on my diet.  Anway-Shawn's sister Bree had a birthday back in March but all of our schedules were too busy to get together for her actual bday.  So instead, Shawn's mom, Diana, had us all over for dinner the evening before easter.  It was delish!  Diana made home made mashed potatoes, stuffing, a HUGE turkey lurkey, corn, and rolls.  I really wanted to stuff my face with like 3rd's but I kept my manners in check!  lol

Then Easter Sunday morning I decided I needed to clean my house from top to bottom.  IDK why I decided to do that but I did and it took me a few hours.  After working up a sweat I got ready to head over to Mom & Dad's for Easter Sunday dinner.  I haven't been out there to see them in over a month!!, so I was very excited to get going. 

Mom made ham, funneral potatoes, salad, steamed asparagus, and rolls.  OH MY, I didn't mind my manners at Mom & Dad's!  I am pretty sure I had 4th's!  ;)  Once we were all stuffed, we all (Mom, Dad, Shawn, Jordan, Julie, & the kiddos's) layed around the house trying to let the food settle.  I brought over the game Catch Phrase (my ALL time fav game).  Mom & dad had never played before so I figured it'd be fun.  We had SOO much fun playing guys against girls that we ended up playing round after round after round (about 2 hours!).  I also brought desert...ice cream cupcakes from cold stone.  Yummy! 

Needless to say, I had a great Easter weekend with Shawn's fam and my fam. 

Not NOBODY, Not NOHOW! ~Cowardly Lion

If you didn't get the title of my blog then you are not a die hard Wizard of Oz fan!  :)  

So I have been in love or obsessed (you chose) since I was a little kid with the Wizard of Oz.  My mom & dad had a VHS copy that they recorded from T.V. and I remember watching that movie over and over and over again.  In school I took film analysis and we had to analyze this movie.  I was a little scared b/c I thought it might ruin the fantasy I had built up around this movie that one day I could live Somewhere over the Rainbow.  [What?  Just because I am 25 years old doesn't mean I can't still pretend!!  All you boring people that stopped pretending once it wasn't cool anymore should be ashamed of yourselves!!!!  ;)]  Anyway, back to my story...Picking apart the Wizard of Oz and all it's cast only gave me a bigger appreciation for the movie.  I couldn't believe how mean Judy Garland was treated.  And all the other crazy stuff that happend on and off the screen!  Once I moved out onto my own I realized I needed my own copy of the Wizard of Oz...so I bought it...on VHS. 

That's been about 8 years ago and my VHS player is long gone to VHS player heaven. I needed to upgrade to DVD, and I finally did it...last week I bought Wizard of Oz on DVD!!!!  OHHHHH man I was so excited.  Even though I saw Shawn secretly rolling his eyes at me, I kinda jumped in the air and squeeled with excitment.  (It takes a VERY patient man to be my boyfriend!)  Anyway-I knew Shawn didn't really want to watch the movie so when he had plans to go out with his friends to a concert I decided to stay home and watch the movie AND drink out of the Wizard of Oz mug Shawn got me for Christmas.  OMG-it was just as awesome as I remembered!  I am sooo going to be that pushy Aunt that makes all of my nieces and nephews watch that movie!  REGARDLESS OF AGE...Jansen.... lol

So overall my Wizard of Oz on DVD experience has been a great one! Except for the part about me having this song stuck in my head NON STOP for the past week!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Dorothy: It really was no miracle. What happened was just this...
Dorothy: [singing] The wind began to switch / The house, to pitch / And suddenly the hinges started to unhitch / Just then the Witch / To satisfy an itch / Went flying on her broomstick, thumbing for a hitch!

Munchkin: And, oh, what happened then was rich!
Munchkins: [singing] The house began to pitch / The kitchen took a slich / It landed on the Wicked Witch in the middle of a ditch / Which was not a happy situation for the Wicked Witch!

The underlined bolded part of the song is the main line that finds it's way back into my head and the words seem to spill out of my mouth over and over.  I hope they find their way stuck into your head as well.  :)  LOVE YA'LL

APRIL BIRITHDAY

April 24th-WILL!  I hope you have a wonderful birthday!  I love you and miss you so much!