My time in Dallas is nearing its end, after 9 years I am finally heading back to the Northwest. I am so excited to what my future holds, it is a new chapter in my life. As much as I am looking forward to all the new adventures, there is a part of me that is sad to be saying goodbye to Dallas and more importantly the relationships I have formed over the past 9 years.
I have found myself reflecting on these relationships and all that they mean to me. I am not always the best at letting people know what they mean to me. This is my attempt at that. A few of you even read my blog, so this post is for you.
Well lets start at the beginning…
Carlee-Before I even moved down to Dallas, Carlee offered me a place to stay. Over the past 7 years I lived with her on and off in various places around dallas. So many great memories with her. She is a constant to me, always there and always honest even when I don’t want to hear it. Whether it be racing home from the TIME office or racing to get dressed we have had our fun.
Marce-I actually think I lived with Marce the longest and man am I thankful for all those years. Marce and I first bonded back in 1998 when we shared a hotel for 3 days. However it was over dinner at the cheesecake factory in 2001 that to me sealed our friendship forever. Whether it was Sunday afternoon naps or guilty pleasure TV we clicked and got each other. Even though it has been a few years, I still miss those times.
If I am talking about roommates, I have to mention the other two that often spent time at all these places Matt and Aaron-and all I have to say about that is listening to an entire convesation on how to cheat the government out of a penny at Jack in the Box.
Scott and Kirsty Bean plus kids-Well for the first few years this is where my holidays were spent. I mean I spent easter with them one year and Kirsty and I made a feast. Actually who am I kidding anytime I got together with Kirsty and her family it was a feast. They embraced me and welcomed me into their crazy life from the very first day. In fact they encouraged me to visit a church with them and I have been there ever since. They moved to London a few years ago and I miss them like crazy.
Chris and Leslie Linebarger plus Callie, Sadie and Grace-This friendship to me was made over time. It took awhile to work my way into their lives and now they are just sort of stuck with me. They let me live with them during a rough few months of my life always showing me kindness. Over time I found myself spending more and more time at their house. I remember early on I was always scared to go to their place without any of the above mentioned people and now I am totally comfortable on any given day. When the Beans moved to England, Chris and Leslie allowed me to spend the holidays with them. I am so thankful for that. I feel like I have known their girls forever and now Callie is even in the youth group I help lead. It is crazy, and I am going to seriously miss my wed. nights with this family plus the lemon chicken casserole.

Okay that is enough for today ..the rest of dallas will have to wait….

So many of you have been asking for details of the big day last week. Sorry it has taken me a few days to get around to writing it, but I have been busy!!
It all started about two weeks ago when Chris informed me on saturday Sept 28th we would be going to dinner that night. (This was all to throw me off). Meanwhile, I thought I was going to dinner with the Shakes on Thursday night.
Imagine my surprise on Thursday night when I opened the door to find Chris instead of the Shakes. He was standing there with a dozen roses and all dressed up in a suit. I was so excited and happy to see him. We then proceeded to drive to Las Colinas and the Omni Mandolay Hotel. Waiting for us there was a gondola, you know like the ones in Venice. We had dinner on the gondola on the water, it was so romantic.
About an hour into the ride, our gondolier (?????) started talking about trash and litering in the lake. He then proceeded to ask me to grab a empty bottle out of the water. I did and put it on the ground. Chris suggested that I might want to open the bottle. Only then did I look at the bottle and see that there was a note inside. I proceeded to open it and inside was a note that read Caity, will you marry me?
I looked over he was down on bended knee with a ring. I of course said yes!!! It was the best day ever.
Sorry it isnt written better….love to all

So like many retail companies in recent week my company also layed off 1400 people last week in an effort to reduce costs for 2009. As the news began leaking over the last two weeks about my company, I couldn’t help but read the various articles that were being written about the company. Along with the articles I made the mistake of reading the comments.
I understand that there are many people in this world and even in my life that find the products in my store expensive and not practical. I disagree, I believe quality items like my cookware will last a lifetime. I also firmly believe that my store brings families and friends closer together by creating meals that are cooked at home. I respect these peoples opinions after all everyone has the right to speak their mind.
However, I draw the line at random people bashing my place of work for having to lay off associates and saying they will never shop with our company again as some comments suggest.
I firmly stand behind my company and believe with all my heart that they did not want to lay off anybody. We are a family, I spend 40+ hrs a week within the walls of my store and my co workers see more of me than anybody else in my life. My little store was lucky we did not lose anybody, but not every store was lucky and people were let go. Last week was a tough emotional week for my company and several other companies in todays economy, and I wish people would realize that it is rude to write mean comments.
I mean I don’t like coffee and have even had horrible service the few times I have been in a starbucks, but you know what I feel for the 6,700 employees that will lose their jobs in this fiscal year because of the economy.
Well that is my little rant and I know the whopping five readers of my blog would never write mean comments about my work on random news articles, I guess I felt the need to just vent

So I keep getting tagged in notes on facebook about 25 random facts. Being that I haven’t posted a blog in awhile, I thought it was a perfect excuse to kill two birds with one stone.
So here I go…

1. I have seen every episode of Beverly Hills 90210 and I am not ashamed to say that. I grew up with that show, from junior high through college.
2. I have owned over the last 4 years 3 espresso machines and 2 coffee machines, and yet I don’t drink coffee ever.
3 I am afraid to make chocolate chip cookies.
4. I am really really good at singing christmas carols.
5. If I am going to be home for longer than an hour, I will always put on my PJ’s
6. I am far better had completing 5 tasks at once, rather than just one.
7. I was introduced to Sonic rt.44 diet cokes by andrea and I can not imagine my life without them.
8. Despite what people may think, my favorite movies are actually war movies
9. I hate flying
10. When I am angry and frustrated, I tend to take a bath. Who knows why
11. I am jealous of people extended families, I never really got the chance to know mine.
12. I do things just because that is the way they have always been done. For example, I grew up having spinich casserole at Thanksgiving and Christmas and never ate it. However as soon as I began cooking my own thanksgiving I made it just because that is what is done. I didnt try it until 3 years ago and man I was missing something good all these years.
13. I learned to cook because in college I wanted to spend my monday nights with 15 cute guys, so I cooked dinner for their house every monday night with 2 friends.
14. I read really really fast.
15. The only book I have never finished was American Pyscho.
16. I spent 2 years hating my best friend because I thought she was immature, then I got to know her.
17. I want to own a lake house some day
18. I know how to knit, cross stitch and sew. My mom taught me.
19. I think my sugar cookies are the best, and I have never ever tried one that I thought was better. (Yes I realize that sounds stuck up)
20. I have really high arches
21. My hip is double jointed.
22. I once drank gasoline when I was a child.
23. I used to take photographs, but have no photographs of the last 8 years of my life. I only have my memories.
24. I really really want to be a runner, but can never make myself actually run
25. I could take or leave music, it doesnt affect me.

Every year during the holiday season, I get a bunch of letters from my friends letting me know how wonderful there life is with their kids, and pictures to go along with it. While I do actually enjoy getting these, I find it somewhat odd that you only seem to start sending out christmas letters when you have a family of your own. I mean come on, who doesn’t want to hear all about one person for an entire letter? So I decided that in honor of me and my fellow now few single friends, I would write a christmas letter all about me. Okay I am just going to write in on my blog, but still I did it. Here it goes……

Hello friends,
Well 2008 is almost done and another holiday season is upon us. I usually disapear during this time of year, but dont worry I am alive, barely! If you are wondering where I am come on down the Dallas Galleria and walk into Williams-Sonoma. Be careful you might have to fight your way through the crowds waiting for free hot chocolate, but somewhere you can find me running around with a black apron on(that means I am somewhat important). I will stop for a moment to say Hi, and then it is back to helping people spend lots of money on gifts no one really needs. For the most part I do love my job, but not the other day, it is hard to pull an open to close during holiday, I mean extended hours, temp associates, and my mall does not have a sonic, which is a must if you have to work all day. Dont worry only 2 more weeks until Christmas is over, then it is on to inventory, I will be back around in Feb. I promise I havent died, come bring me lunch just to make sure.
My kids are doing well keeping me on my toes. My kids, your wondering? Well I still am working with the youth at Trinity, so they are my kids. This year I am helping with the junior high. I led the wed night bible study for count them 18 girls and 3 boys. Do you know what 18 Junior High girls sound like? Crazy, I am sort of thinking of having a sleepover with them but not sure if I am ready for it, we will see. I am getting closer to being ready to retire from youth volunteer work, but then again who knows. I will probably be a youth leader until I am 60. Wonder if then they will listen to what I have to say.
I didn’t go to many exciting places this year, well I went to the dominican republic so I guess that is exciting. I have been there many times though. However I did go home for a full 9 days this fall, I think my parents were most excited about that one. Maybe in 2009 I will take a more exciting trip, who knows.
Outside of work and youth, I spend most of my time either watching TV, and or playing games. Yep I am cool….
Well it is time to say Happy Holidays because it is off to the scary place known as the Galleria during holiday time. I hope all is well with your families.
love , caity

A few months ago I was not looking forward to turning 30th. Somehow it seemed like the worst thing that could possibly happen to me. Boy was I wrong for many reasons, so far 30 is turning out to be a pretty darn good year and I am only 4 months into it.
First, I had not one, not two but three rather amazing birthday parties. For a girl who thought she was not going to have any type of party, three was awesome. The first was a suprise party thrown by the kids at the church. I was totally shocked when I showed up for a leaders meeting and found a household of current and former youth plus parents. It was great, they wrote down memories of me which I still have. I am so thankful for Trinity and everyone that has become a part of my life there. The second party was with all my other Dallas friends. Leslie and Lauri threw it and it was full of food and fun. Leslie and Lauri even out did themselves by dressing up in a prom dress and a clown suit. The people at this party have been a part of my life longer than I have even lived in Dallas. They are my family down here. I love all of them. The last party was back home in Spokane with my family and friends. My sister and my parents threw an amazing party on the top of the roof in downtown Spokane and I am still in awe of the type of party my sister can throw. I spent the evening with old friends going all the way back to High School, it was great. My sister says I need to move back to Spokane so we can start a catering company, called ABC for Andy, Barb (my mom) and Caity. It seems like a good idea to me. So thank you to all of you who made my transition from my 20’s to 30’s great.
Work is going well for me also. After last years crazy holiday season, this year is going nice and smoothly for the most part. We are in tough economic times, and it is finally starting to show but WS is staying strong. I guess people still need to buy turkey brine. I love my job, and as much as I have no life during November and December, I truly enjoy the craziness that is Holiday.
Overall, I feel much more secure in who I am this year. I always used to worry what people thought of me, and who my friends were. I used to hate to stay in on any given night because in my mind it meant that my friends did not like me. Now I find myself looking forward to nights in and I am totally okay not spending every free moment with my friends (even though I love them). I like who I am.
And of course, I cant forget about Chris. So for my faithful few readers who still check my blog, yes I am dating someone and I sure do like him. I think it is pretty great to reconnect with someone from college. Sometimes I sit back and think wow life sure has changed for me the past 4 months, but you know what I am excited for what the next 8 months have in store for me.

It’s is a lovely day here in Dallas. The smell of Pumpkin cookies with brown butter icing is wonderful. I just put the zuchinni bread in the oven, and the sugar cookies are ready for decorating. Oh how I love fall. Not only do I love fall, I love spending part of my day in the kitchen baking. It makes me happy.
The storm of my work has arrived sooner than I thought or wanted. This week is holiday meetings, corp. jet tour and a floor set. Did I mention I am only working 4 days this week, 2 of which I am not even in the store.
Oh course, I got nothing accomplished last week and have put it off until this week. Oh well, I don’t regret it. I am happy.

That is how my life feels right now, calm. Yet I know it is only because Holiday begins for me in 3 weeks. You read right, holiday begins in 3 weeks. Well tech. I have the GM/ASM holiday meeting next tuesday and wednesday. I am presenting this year, that is a big move up. ASM’s don’t get to present but I do. So my topic is January and preparing inventory, rather boring but I am determined to make it fun. I am scared though, my District Manager asked me to make all the snacks for the meeting. You may laugh but I work in an environment where food is harshly judged. My mind is constantly thinking of what to make. So far I have pumpkin muffins, and maybe blueberry, sugar cookies shaped as pineapples, pumpkin cookies with burnt butter icing, rice krispie treats (okay those are for andrea) maybe choc, chip cookies and some sort of bars. Any other suggestions?
My last vacation for the year is coming up. I am going home for 10 days. Not sure what I will be doing there really. I haven’t been home for more than 4 days at any given time in 3 years. My family is throwing me a party the night I get back. Andy is putting it all together for me, so the food will be yummy. Any of my spokane friends who read this are more than welcome to come. I am also going to the WSU Homecoming football game with my old college roommate. I haven’t been to a game since 2000. Too bad WSU football isn’t so great this year.
Life is good, I am still waiting for all the exciting things to happen that happen in my 30s (or so I hear). I have really really good friends who amaze me and words are not enough to say thanks for being my friend.
Fall is here, and I love the change. Fall makes me happy, the cooler weather and the crisp air. Soon fall will be winter and you know what that means, the nutcracker. I missed going last year, but I am determined to go this year. Anyone want to go with me? It’s in dec at Bass Hall in Ft. Worth.
Much love

There is so much going through my head right now and I wish I could write it all down, maybe soon.
Anyways my District Manager asked me to do all the baking for our GM/ASM Holiday Meeting the last week of september. This is a big deal and I am thrilled to be doing it. However it is stressful, these people are all bakers/cooks. Okay almost all, but still they will spend two days evaluating my food and how it tastes and looks.
Any ideas on what to make? The only thing I know is that I am making Sugar Cookies in the shape of Pineapples (our symbol) I need to make enough food for two days worth of meeting snacks..help please

According to my dad he doesn’t want anything for his birthday, although secretly there is probably a long list of things he wants for the kitchen, the yard, camping or his shop. I figure I would honor him via my blog for all 5 readers of it.
Tomorrow (August 20) is my dads 61st birthday. Last year we celebrated with a giant party in my familys amazing backyard, this year I am sure it will be a quiet one. If I guess correctly dinner will consist of steak or a prime rib, some yummy veggies and for desset chocolate cake with white icing. I will be making him a belated huckleberry cheesecake when I go home in September.
My dad is one of my all time favorite men in my life. He is a constent always there always loving. We have always had a unique bond my dad and I. I believe that is goes back to my first year on this earth. My mom had a job she really liked and my dad didn’t like his so much, so he stayed home with me. I was daddy’s little girl from that moment on. I have lots of great memories of my dad just to name a few:
my first baseball game was at yankee stadium with my dad.
Summers spent camping on the Oregon Coast and Priest Lake
The 1998 Rose Bowl between Washington State and Mich.
The bed I sleep in every night, he made it all by hand and it has no nails in it at all.
Freshman, Sophmore and Junior years Dad’s weekends at WSU.
The songs he sang to me as a little girl when I couldn’t fall asleep.
My first car that he bought for me, a 1971 electric blue VW bug
The 3,000 mile drive from Spokane to Dallas to move me here 7 years ago.
The family vacation to Italy lots of good memories.
Those are just a few I could go on and on. But all I want to say is Dad, Happy Birthday! I am so proud to be your daughter and I love you!