Busy busy...

So July is a busy month! Lots of birthdays plus Sam and I have the anniversary of our first date :). It's go go go!  But before I start on July's happenings I need to share one more June thing. Sam and I took a day trip up to see the Shenandoah Caverns and it was so awesome!  It was exciting!  I have never been to any before even though there are quite a few in VA to see.  The formations are just so crazy.  We had a great time.  As you will see in the pictures I'll post along with this blog :)


Ok now July.  Lets see its the 14th now which means my Mom's birthday is tomorrow!  Last weekend was Sam's mom and youngest brothers birthdays.  We went to his folks for a cookout.  It was a lot of fun.  They had crabs...yum!  Whenever I eat them it takes me back to summers at the river when I was a kid.  Anywho we had a really nice time with everyone!  July 4th was kept pretty low key.  It was stormy that night so we didn't get to see any fireworks.  We didn't go to a cook out or anything either.  We did visit my folks though.  My mom was just getting back from vacation so that's why thye weren't having a party or anything.  But it was still a enjoyable 4th!


Coming up later this month we have Sam's birthday, my cousin's and Sam's oldest brothers!  I'm not sure what we will be doing for them all though.  We shall see! 


Ok well thats all for now! 

Catch up!

Well I'm not keeping up with this thing like I wanted to but I've just been busy and I haven't had time and there's so much else going on. Ok ok those are just my lame excuses. Anyway I'm here now and ready to post! So about the past month or so...here's a small recap.

Sam and I went on vacation the end of May. We went to Orlando, FL to see Disney World! We stayed at the Omni and it was really nice. My favorite part about it was the lazy river! We used that the first night there. The next day we went to the Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. So 2 out of the 4 parks Disney has. But it was enough! We had a free one day pass so I think we got our monies worth. Ha. We wanted to go to Universal but figure it gives us a reason to go back since we skipped it this time. We were just worn out from the one day at the Disney parks. Being old and all. So we decided to move on.

We headed back to South Carolina. We had stayed in Columbia on the way down at a bed and breakfast that use to be a bakery warehouse so that was really cool. The package we did got us champagne and chocolate covered strawberries plus dinner at the local cafe. It was great! However we decided to stay a couple nights in Beaufort on the way back home. We LOVED it there. So relaxing and just the cutest town. We stayed in a awesome little bed and breakfast there as well. We could walk to everything. And the was a state park close by that had a nice beach! I wish we could have stayed longer but I'm sure we will go back sometime. It was the perfect end to a wonderful vacation!

Let's see what else has been going on.

There was a big weekend thing for Sam's aunt and uncle (the first weekend in June) who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. I got to meet a lot of his family! Which is really big! At the party there was even a special guest....Elvis! Lol.

Oh yea...at work Kelly had free tickets to the Josh Groban concert so Sam and I went. I didn't know what to expect and I don't think Sam was too familiar with him but the concert was pretty awesome! He's really good. I've always been a fan so it was cool to see him in concert and for free! Heck yes.

We had fathers day the other weekend. It worked out nice. On Saturday we were with Sam's family and then spent Sunday with mine.

Whew...ok I think that's enough for now. Playing catch up a little. I'll try to keep up a little better. I still have more to add to this but I'll just make add it to my next one!

I really

Need to blog something new!!

Flying Squirrels!!!

Last night I went to the Flying Squirrels game with Amy and her folks.  It was a great time!  The season opener and the Squirrels won!  I even bought me a new shirt to represent.  It was a very exciting game.  Before the game we went to Carters Pig Pen for dinner.  They have the best BBQ!  Oh yea and at the game they also had some animals out front.  They had the cutest goats and even a little pony.  They also had some bunnies and a skinny pig (which we learned is a hairless guinea pig) and boy was that thing a sight to be seen!  Check out a few pictures below :)

Sam left yesterday for GA and won't be back until Sunday.  I already miss him!  He said the place they are staying at is really nice though.  He is away for a company thing.  He even gets to go rafting!  So I imagine he will have a good time.  Wish my company did that kind of stuff.  We don't even have a company picnic or anything.  Ha!  Anyway he also says we will have to go there to stay sometime.  He said I would love it!

This weekend I'm going to try and stay busy so I don't miss Sam that much.  Tomorrow my mom is going with me to Carytown to get the pups tested for heart worms and get there meds.  Then we might hit up some yard sales or something.  That night I'll be hanging out with Becca for a girls night!  It should be fun.  We haven't hung out in a while.  Michelle might try to come too.  Sunday I'm going to try and get my stuff straight at Grandmas.  I've been buying plastic containers to pack my stuff in rather than boxes.  It will be much better organized that way I think.  Especially stuff that will be in boxes for a while it will protect it better too.

 

The gym!

The weekend is just around the corner.  As usual I'm ready for it!  This past one I found out Johnny Davis (a guy who worked for Woodfin but retired about a year or so ago) passed away.  He had been in the hospital for a while but I was hoping he would pull through.  He was one of my favorite Woodfin people.  He was just a great person and reminded me of my grandpa.  My heart beaks for his family.  The funeral was yesterday and I went as did many other Woodfin employees.  It was a nice service and I made it through with minimal crying.

Sam left for NY early yesterday morning.  He should be home today and I hope it's sooner than later!  I miss him!

I finally got the doggies groomed this past weekend too.  They smell and look so pretty!!  I wish I could afford to do it more often but it really adds up!  They were nervous when I dropped them off.  Poor Lula was shaking.  But  when I picked them up the progress report they gave me said they behaved just fine while they were there!  Ha!

Sam and I went to the gym together on Saturday and I was surprised at myself for doing 20 mins on the elliptical machine without stopping!  Go me!  I thought for sure I would give up at 10 mins!  We also did some weights.  It felt good to work out.  I miss it!  I need to start going more often since I do have 2 memberships to 2 gyms!  Haha!  On Sunday I went to Missy's for a pampered chef party and only ordered one thing since really I don't need anything.  It was fun though!

Ok this next little paragraph is just venting so if you rather not read my little hissy fit then skip it...lol.

I can't stand it when people are so ungrateful!  People put themselves in situations and then not only complain and cry about it but are unappreciative to those who help them out!  They take advantage of good people and it really makes me sick.  It's so aggravating!  Grrrr!!
I think that's it for now.  That wasn't too bad :)

Sold!!!

It's already Friday again.  Yay.  It's been quite the week.  A long and exhausting one.  Last Friday Sam surprised me with an iPad 2!  I was very excited.  He told me he was going to be late because he needed to have the oil changed in his car and that they had found a nail in one of his tires.  But really he was waiting in line to get me the iPad I'm using to type this blog!  He is so sweet!  I couldn't believe it when he gave it to me.  It really is the coolest thing. And I haven't even figured out all I can do with it yet.  It takes picture and video.  I can play piano and drums on it, games, and watch my Netflix too!  Right now I don't have Internet unless I'm around a wifi hotspot but I'm thinking it may be worth it to get a plan with Verizon for it.  The one he got me is 3G capable too.  I want to make sure I use it to its fullest potential thats for sure.  

Monday when I came into work I found out that gmail and chat had been blocked.  And a letter went out telling everyone that Internet use is a no no at work.  We have had similar ones before.  My feelings are if my work isn't suffering and I'm getting my job done then why does it hurt to chat or surf the web.  I understand I'm here to do a job we all are but we are here 40hrs a week and a little break here and there shouldn't be the end of the world.  I guess some abuse it.  Ugh sometimes I feel like I'm back in high school with teachers breathing down my neck or a child with my parents.  Telling me what I can and can't wear.  What I can and can't do.  Who I should and shouldn't talk to.  Even what I should and shouldn't post on Facebook!  It gets old and it's annoying.  But hey I need my job so I better comply.  That doesn't mean I can't complain about it though!

Anyway I guess that's what started my week off bad.    

It got better because I sold my refrigerator for some cold hard cash!!  I went by Grandmas Monday to clean it out.  Then took her out to dinner at Primas.  It was nice and she seemed to enjoy my company because she didn't want me to leave when I dropped her back at the house.  She always does that to me!  She had company all this week though.  My sis checks on her and then I was back there with mom and dad on Wednesday to meet the people who bought the fridge.  It was sad to see it go because my folks gave it to me.  I split the money with them though!

On Thursday night I had dinner with the girls at a buffet place over on Laburnum.  It was ok but I probably wouldn't go back there again.  I just don't enjoy them like I use to because I don't like to stuff my self on that stuff.  Blah.  It was nice seeing everyone of course!  And we had a good time as usual.

Sam and I haven't had dinner together at all this week for multiple reasons.  Either him working late or my plans.  I've missed him!  But we get to have tonight for us.  Yay!  This weekend we don't have much planned.  Sunday I have a pampered chef party at Missy's house but besides that I plan to chill out and relax!  The weather is going to be nice so I want to enjoy it!

My favorites :)

Just wanted to share a few of my favorite LOL cats!  Teehee!  Love it!  They are sooo cute!

Insert Catchy title here....

Lets see....the weekend held all sorts of fun (sense sarcasm)!  Saturday morning I went to a "friends" house to pickup a few things of mine.  My refrigerator and kitchen cart that I was letting them borrow until I found out yet again I was being lied to by someone I trusted.  After finding that out I sent a short and sweet text to this person letting them know I had in fact sold the items and needed them emptied out and ready by the weekend.  That was a lie but I figured that was better than causing a fight that I really didn't feel like dealing with and more on her level anyway.  (Let it be known that the refrigerator was a second one being used in the garage so its not like I was taking their only one.)  However that text (and it really wasn't mean at all) caused this person to lash out at me and hurl insults not only about me but my boyfriend as well.  I couldn't believe the way she was reacting and held back for the first day of her childish texts.  The next day when they continued I finally let her know the real reason behind me wanting my things back on such short notice.  She told me over and over how friends don't treat each other like this so I simply asked her to think about what she did to breech our friendship.  Her response was she had no idea and would love for me to tell her.  I ignored it.  The next text was her saying exactly what it was.  But instead of apologizing she had an excuse of course.  The thing that made me the most angry is the fact that she had not only been talking to my ex husband (and then lying to me about it) but that she had talked to him about MY BOYFRIEND!  The things she told my ex really sent me over the edge since she actually doesn't even know Sam.  I told her that and also let her know that she would never get to know him either.  Again she insulted me saying I was acting like a 14 year old.  To which I thought but did not text...that was way better than what she was acting like.  I just ignored the next few texts until she got the hint.  But before she finally left me alone she threw in threats to call Garrick and let him know the stuff was there, told me how she wasn't happy with me or my decisions lately, that they (her and her husband) thought Sam and I didn't make a good couple and the reasoning was because he seemed like a "5 start hotel kinda guy" and I was more of "a camping girl."  I wasn't sure how to take that.  Was she saying I wasn't good enough for Sam or calling him a snob?  Another text confirmed it was the latter.  Either way I was livid.  Like I said they don't even know him!  As a matter of fact he likes camping just as much as I do!  They have hung out with Sam a max of 3 or 4 times and lets not forget that we as a couple are still pretty new.  We are still getting to know each other and of course until he gets to know them its going to be awkward.  I'm guessing she was expecting us to be exactly the same as when Garrick and I were together?  I don't know.  I'm not sure what she wants from me.  To be with someone else just like Garrick?  Give me a break!  We all see how that worked out.  There is no comparing the two of them.  Sam is a funny, intelligent, sweet, generous, responsible man where as Garrick is a lying, selfish, irresponsible, sorry excuse for a man.  And that is me being nice!  Whew.  Even typing all this is exhausting!  And its the short version!  That's really all that needs to be said about it besides the obvious that I have now cut this person out of my life.  Life is too short for that kind of crap.  I need people in my life that love and support me and that can be happy for me that I'm happy!  I have learned over the years myself that sometimes you just need to keep your mouth shut and realize that if your friend is happy than that's all that matters.  Its their life and as long as they aren't in a situation where they are being abused mentally or physically or harmed in any way then for God's sake let them be! 


"Learn to accept it or let it go!" 


So Saturday was spent like I said before getting my refrigerator and kitchen cart back.  That evening however we watched The Social Network.  It wasn't a bad movie I guess but I probably won't watch it again.  Sunday we got up and headed to Fredericksburg to help Sam's sister move some stuff.  It wasn't bad at all plus we got to visit with his family some and that was nice.  We stopped by Bass Pro shops to walk around and to also eat at the Fish Company restaurant.  It was yummy as usual!  After that we went by another Red Box to exchange The Social Network for Winter's Bone.  I was even more disappointed in that movie.  Haha!  The best movies these days seem to be cartoons.  I absolutely loved Toy Story 3 when we watched it!  I think the next one we might get will be How to train you Dragon.  I've heard good stuff about it. 


Ok I think I have gone on and on enough in this blog.  So I'll go ahead and tie it up :)

Things I'm tired of (in no particular order)

1. People LYING to me
2. How negative and ungrateful people are
3. Charlie Sheen
4. Hearing about all these damn protests
5. The crazy changes in the weather
6. My split end frizzy hair
7. Drama
8. Gas prices
9. Getting headaches
10. My wardrobe
11. Tupperware parties
12. Being pasty!  I want a tan!
13. Feeling like I can't be selfish once in a while.  Even though really its just about doing whats feels right for me.
14. That song by Keith Urban "I want to put you in a song"
15. Stupid reality TV....or TV in general sometimes!

Yea I think that's enough complaining for now.  I might come back and add more as the day goes on.  Ha!

Peace!

The weekend was pretty nice!  Except Sam had to go to New Jersey Saturday.  I was going to go but it was a kind of short notice so I couldn't figure out what to do with the dogs.  He left around 5:30am and got back that night at 11:30pm.  It was a long day for him but he seemed determined to be home.  I was happy that he did get back :)  While he was gone I spent time over at my Grandma's with my sister and my mom.  We cleaned up the garage for her and I got a few more things to take over to Sam's as well.  Since part of the ceiling had fallen in and her trash had got torn up by some nocturnal animal(s) it was quite the mess!  We were sweeping and shoveling and breaking up pieces of drywall.  At one point I felt like I was in an episode of hoarders!  Luckily she doesn't keep the house (or garage) like that and it was only because she couldn't clean it up herself that it had got to that point.  It didn't take long for the 3 of us to have that garage in tip top shape.  We also found what looked like the bedding of one of the same animals that tore up her trash.  It had collected a shirt of my Grandmas and dish rags.  As well as some trash and a bra and pair of underwear that had been mine!  My mom was like "Katie why are these out here?"  Lol.  I have no idea how they got there!  My Grandmas washer and dryer are outside in the garage but I didn't think I ever left clothes out there over night!  Guess I was wrong.  I was like what kind of sick perverted animal steals bra's and underwear?!  Haha!  After finishing up at my Grandmas I went back to Sam's to change and then headed over to Kelly's for her 31/Gold Party.  I stayed there for a bit and traded in some gold of mine and my moms.  We both came out with over $100 for it.  I was quite happy with that.  I didn't think I would get that much for what I had so I was definitely surprised.  My wedding band and a cross necklace I had bought specifically for the wedding was included in that and it was nice to be rid of it!  I figure I'll use the money toward a new cross necklace that isn't a constant reminder of the biggest mistake of my life.  Ha!


On Sunday Sam and I went out in search of a new necklace for me.  I found one I liked but it wasn't real gold or anything.  Sam went ahead and bought it for me along with a Peace sign bracelet.  I'm posting pictures of them both so take a look!  He told me he will get me that one so I can still keep looking for a fancier one and use my money towards it :)  He is so sweet!  Other than our little shopping trip we didn't do too much of anything.  Hung around the house and caught up on some TV.  Then later that night we watched the Oscars.  I didn't stay up for all of it though I was too sleepy!


Over all I had a nice weekend :)  


Here are the pictures!  Ignore my huge forehead....lol.

The Jefferson

Last night we went to The Jefferson for dinner.  It was a nice surprise!  One of Sam's brothers took us.  It was the two of us and then Robby and John.  It was a good time!  Never short of laughter around those guys that's for sure.  I tried a few foods I've never had before like pork belly in a butternut squash puree and creme brulee!  I've lived in Richmond my entire life and never once have gone there so it was quite the experience.  Robby had only been once before and that was for brunch with he highly recommends.  I was telling Kelly about it and she said it was awesome as well.  Sam and I will definitely be checking it out soon!  I also learned about the alligators that use to be around there (see photos and description below).  So much history in that place too.  I forget Richmond does have a lot to offer its just rare I ever take advantage of it.  That needs to change though!  

I'm so glad the weekend is here!  Yay for it being Friday.  The only thing planned this weekend is a 31/Gold Party open house at Kelly's on Saturday.  So I will be doing that but besides that who knows.  I also want to get the doggies groomed!  How exciting!  Ha! 

      

Grandma

I went by to see my Grandma yesterday after work and to pick up a few more things from her house.  Mostly my scrap-booking stuff, pictures, and what not.  I love going through all my old pictures!  I'm working on getting my scanner up again so I can upload them to facebook.  I have friends waiting on me.  I guess I'm not the only one who loves old pictures :)  I felt down and moody yesterday and a little today too.  I can't put my finger on why.  I'm hoping its just the normal girly stuff.  But looking back at those pictures at least made me smile and laugh. 

Speaking of my Grandma it seems like her memory and health are not getting better.  My mom took her to the doctor and she couldn't tell him the year (she guessed 2008 or 2009) and also when he questioned her about "that terrorist act back in 2001" she didn't know anything of it.  When he asked what it was called she said "Well what you just said that those terrorists attacked us." He was looking for her to mention 911 of course.  I think my family and I will start alternating the days we go by and check on her.  It will eventually get to the point she can't stay there alone.  She can barely keep up with the cleaning and all right now.  I notice she is normally in the same clothes and often they seem to be dirty.  She also keeps letting those damn cats in that continue to piss on everything.  It didn't smell as bad as it has in the past but still very noticeable.  I sometimes think maybe I should move back in with her but that might cost me my sanity.  Which I kinda need these days.  I love her dearly and just hope she can live alone until....well....I don't want to say it.  She would never want to leave that house and would fight us tooth and nail I'm sure.  If it came down to it I would probably sacrifice my sanity to make sure she didn't have to leave.  I would hate seeing her in a home just as much as she would hate being there. 

I worry about my mom as well.  Grandma seems to give her the hardest time.  Always fighting her when she is trying to help.  Luckily Grandma usually gives in before my mom does.  But either way it takes a toll on my mom.  I guess we will know sooner than later about what will need to be done though.  Its so strange to talk about my Grandma like she is a child.  Kind of scary even.  Even scarier that eventually my parents and even I could be in that same situation.  Getting old is the pits!  I guess I have to live by the saying...If you aren't getting older than your dead.  That makes me feel better...kinda.

Boring....

It seems every time I come here to write something I have nothing to say.  Blog block maybe?  Or perhaps its always that I have the same thing on my mind.  The divorce.  I can't remember the last time that wasn't what took up the majority of my thoughts.  Even though I am living this other life and have been for a while I can't really live it.  I'm still attached to a life I'm desperately trying to shake.  I'm still being weighed down by the past.  I can't imagine what it will feel like to finally be free of that!  Its so irritating to have that just out of reach and at this point all I can do is wait.  And remind him to sign the papers.  Which I do.  On a daily (sometimes more) basis!  I wait for the day when I can think clearly and don't have this hanging over my head.  I'm tired of it and so I know everyone else is tired of hearing about it!   

Karma

Karma is a word meaning the result of a person's actions as well as the actions themselves. It is a term about the cycle of cause and effect. According to the theory of Karma, what happens to a person, happens because they caused it with their actions.

Karma is about all that a person has done, is doing and will do. Karma is not about punishment or reward. It makes a person responsible for their own life, and how they treat other people.

I have to say that I believe this stuff about Karma.  I'm getting to see first hand it happen to someone.  People really need to be aware that it's not always just about them and that when you put out negativity, hostility, and (for lack of a better word) evil that is indeed what you will get back.  What goes around comes around.  I'm not going to stand on a soap box and preach about being the perfect person because God knows I have my faults and there have been some big ones.  But I also know that I have never intentionally tried to hurt someone.  I have never thought about what I can gain from another persons hurt.  I would never want to see another person suffer because of something I have done knowing that would be the outcome.  Some people are just selfish and until they realize that's not the way to live this life they will continue to self destruct. 

Hmm....

It seems that all I can think of to blog are things that happened over last summer and over the holidays!  Perhaps I'll go back a ways and post a few things about what I had been up to.  Like the time I spent on the water to Halloween to my birthday and Christmas!  I don't have much to blog about right now.  Except the paperwork is in progress for my divorce!  Yay!  Should be moving along smoothly from here on out.  I can't wait to officially be Katie Bowles again!  :)

Blog numero uno!!!

Well here I am in 2011.  The last year was a rollercoaster of ups and downs but everything turned out how it should have...for the most part.  I deleted all my old blogs on here because most were about things I rather not be reminded of.  So I'm starting fresh.  New blogs!  And I will try my best to keep it updated.  I don't even know where to start so this is just a starter blog.  Get me back into things.  So lets hope I find many things to post about :)