Could it be....Awkward and Awesome Thursday?

A tripod, a timer and a squishy couch to jump on. There was no little Yorkie harmed in the process of taking this photo.

Awkward:

- We had a burst of warm weather over the past few weeks and now it's back to feeling like Antarctica in these parts. I was driving down the street and saw a car parked close to the road in a driveway with the front driver's door swung open. To my surprise and yes I was very surprised... there was an older man with only a speedo on. To make matters worse and quite disturbing his left leg was up on the dashboard so needless to say I saw a little more than I could ever imagine... 

- Leaning in to kiss Peanut's forehead, I laugh and we end of french kissing... Perhaps this should be under awesome? Haha...

- Charlie and I hit up the golfing range, it was great. I love just hitting balls and having no pressure on a specific spot they need to end up. The best was swinging and missing a single ball 5x in a row.. I looked like a pro...

- Not so much awkward but I visited my lovely cousin and her almost 2 year old daughter last week. She's calls me "Uncle Katie"... I love it, but then I question myself.. do I lookalikeaman? :)

- Seeing someone out that I'm sure I know or met before.. I went through my entire life or so it seemed and there is still no connection. I feel like a lunatic bothering the girl trying to figure out how I know her. I used to never forget a face but perhaps.. I'm losing my mind?

Awesome:

- Getting to see three of my best friends all at once tomorrow. Stacey, Lauren and Michelle. They are all such wonderful, genuine women. We spent every Friday night throughout our 4 years in High School together along with so many other occasions. I've known them all since I was just a little girl. The 4 of us have not been together in 10 years, so it's a bit of a reunion. You better believe there are going to be pictures!

- I booked a last minute trip out to Illinois to see some of my favorite and fabulous relatives who I haven't seen in so long. I'm so excited. It's going to be a great week away from CT and to be surrounded by all of them. 

- I spent this past week with bits and pieces of spring cleaning. Moved the entire living and bedroom around. Everything has more sunlight and I picked a few odds and ends to give things the finishing touch. I can't believe we've been in the house for 2 1/2 years and there's still things I never did to decorate. Time sure flies..

- Did I mention we're going on our first cruise ever? Well, yes we are! In May. I'm so stoked and my bff is getting married in Barbados. It's going to be one sweet trip. 

- I began exercising a week ago, daily, religiously. It's going great, I feel great. The problem is I have so much energy now that I can't sit still. Any tips?

It's called growing up. ♥

"The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect, he becomes and adolescent; the day he forgives them, he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself, he becomes wise."

I absolutely love this quote. I've been spending the last few weeks trying to collect myself, mainly my thoughts. There have been so many changes in my life going back to last year and I feel like I finally have time. I finally have time to sit with just myself, to listen to music, to write, to take pictures, to feel free and actually think about how I got here. I have time to think about my decisions that I make each day. I'm taking more time before I say things, before I do things so that I don't step into moments of regret.

There have been people that have hurt me and I have hurt. I use to dwell on those things everyday, feeling this guilt inside that never goes away. I finally have come to peace with all of that. I finally found time to allow myself to move on from those that have hurt me. In the process I can say that I have grown up. I'm living each day and trying to consume myself with actions that are only positive as I've tried to advise others to do. I'm taking better care of myself by exercising and staying active constantly. I'm being more open minded and trying new things. I'm welcoming new people into my life and I'm embracing change.

We have this one life, at least so I believe. This one life to be me, Katie. Last year, there was a day I spent in the dark. I laid up at night crying into my pillow until I finally fell asleep. I woke up and looked in the mirror at my swollen eyes. I was pitiful. I thought to myself, "If this was my last day on earth, and someone was to ask me if I was happy with all that I accomplished in life, where I am.. would I be able to answer honestly that I'm happy and I've done almost all that I wished to do?".... My answer that day was no. From that point on I began to make decisions for me to be happy, only me. Not worrying about the judgement of other people. That's when I left my job of 5 years and pursued my Photography. Along the way I've made additional changes, all to better myself. 

I sit here typing and finding myself asking the same question. "Would I be happy if today was my last day?"... I would be, my answer is yes. Sure, there is still a lot I'd like to do in life, but I have accomplished so much this past year, reconnected with people in my life I never thought I would. Seen my closest friends have children. I'm extremely lucky. So very lucky. ♥

There's a point in our life where we have to find the time to figure things out. To not let time take control of us and we go with it, yet we take control of time. We stop feeling sorry for ourselves and start enjoying everything that life has to offer. If you can't see it then you must find it. Find out what makes you happy and keep at it. Be with those that make you smile, share the same morals as you, that you can laugh with and depend on. Get a pet, perhaps a cute little yorkie (like Peanut!), start at that bucket list. If you don't have one, now is the time to create one, because each day is so delicate. 

Golfing Around..

Saturday Charlie and I went to a driving range and hit some golf balls. He's good and I'm dreadful but I'm learning. I'd love to be a great golfer and be able to hang with the big boys on a golf course. Maybe someday. 

Everyone Enjoys 'A Hot Mess'

Especially when his name is Peanut. 

So he has his little yard we made for him if your remember. I felt something was missing. It was a bit boring, so I decided today on my journey to nowhere that I would find a bird feeder. He already is so interested in it that he spent almost a half hour digging up all the dirt around it. Leaving him looking like... A Hot Mess!

You'll notice our cat Nevan above on the deck. Our cats are indoor babies; however, our back screen door does not close all the way. When Nevan is feeling like the Hulk, he tends to push it open and run out on the deck. We got him though. Sneaky little devil...

A Simple Day With No Words.

 
 

A Lovely Spring Day.

What a beautiful day.

So peaceful.

Very pleasant.

The air was extremely warm.

With a very light breeze.

The sun snuck through the windows and trees.

Just saying hello.

I walked my backyard to be with my thoughts.

I stumbled upon some flowers.

I said goodbye to someone who passed on.

A lovely soul who touched everyone's life.

A role model.

A lovely woman.

Being with my thoughts.

I just hope that I could be as inspirational as she was. ♥

Happy St. Patty's Day to You!

Hello to everyone and I hope you're all enjoying this beautiful day! Sending you positive thoughts and much love. It's a fabulous day for anyone Irish and loves green because it's wherever you go. I am both! ♥

A Face In A Crowd..

Did you ever experience a moment.. where you see a familiar face in a crowd? Then you can't get to them? I had that today, except for the fact I was driving. 

It was a face of someone I knew long ago who in just a moment had  changed my life. It was a teacher, a plain ole' teacher that I had in Middle School. Same thing every day, I walked into class and grabbed my seat which was closest to the door. I was always the last one out though as I would gather my belongings. He was so sweet and reminded me of my dad. He always stood by the door and would greet everyone and then say goodbye as we each left. 

It wasn't until December 11th during that school year, in which he changed my life. It was the day after my grandmother had passed away after her battle with cancer. My parents wanted us to go back to school the following day with the hopes it would keep our minds busy while they made all of her arrangements. I just couldn't cope. I walked into this teacher's classroom and sat in my seat. I remember losing focus and I had to shake my head a few times. 

As all the other students one by one began walking into class he brushed through them and put his hand on my desk. He said, "Katie, may I speak with you?" He brought me outside in the hall to the team room which was directly next to his. From there he told me to sit down and so I did. He sat against the table and said, "Are you okay, Katie?".. From there he went on to tell me that he read in the newspaper that my grandmother had died. He told me a story about when he lost both his grandparents. I suddenly in that moment felt okay. I felt like I could get through this, that my entire family could. I felt and was confident that one day I could look back on that moment in time and find peace. Here I am today living proof of that. 

So today while driving I came to a complete stop. Diagonally to my left was another car stopped. The window was down and I could see so clearly. "I know that man." When it finally it hit me that it was my teacher it was too late and he had driven onward. I wanted to turn my car around, I wanted to honk my horn and make him stop. I began to cry in my car because I could do nothing. I wanted to get out and give him a hug and thank him for helping me during what was one of the toughest moments in my life. I wanted him to know that he played such a huge role in my life in which he probably never knew. 

That one face in a crowd changed my life. Perhaps someday I'll get the opportunity. But right now I'm just happy to say that one day we will be at peace with those moments in life that we felt were hopeless and we would never get through. We will, you will, I did. ♥

Just a little patio!

I'm loving this weather up in New England over the past handful of days. I cleaned off our deck and put all of the patio furniture together. Honestly, it was mostly all there so I just had to tidy it all up. Then we cooked out last night and had a good friend of ours join us. It was nice, Peanut rolling around on the swing and breathing in the fresh air. It was nice to turn the heat off for once and open the windows. I feel so rejuvenated from this weather. ♥

Singing with my Sister ♥

If you didn't get the chance my lovely sister, Kelly and I have decided that every Sunday at our family dinner and prior to watching 'The Walking Dead' we are going to record a new song. We used to do this as kids and always felt great after entertaining our parents. Here goes our newest one!

If you missed the one I posted last week you can watch it here :)

Two of my favorite things.

Sunshine & Pictures

Today was lovely. I took photos for a client at a beautiful park in Hartford. Charlie and Peanut came along, so once I finished we enjoyed the afternoon together. Peanut had a blast running around, smelling, and giving kisses to other dogs. He's completely tired now. ♥

Just a little melody.

As children my sister and I would always sing and put on shows for my parents. Kelly (my sister) is quite the talent. She can play almost every instrument there is. Along with that she can hear a melody just once or twice and be able to play it. She's truly amazing. Last night at my parents we decided to make a little video. It's nothing special, but we enjoyed ourselves and entertaining the rest of our family. ♥