Just a Redhead...

Holidays

2012-12-28T01:36:39Z

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!! Here's to a better year with the coming of 2013!! I wish you each all the love, joy, and laughter you deserve - today and always.

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

Growl

2012-10-17T01:29:07Z

I hate LJ on my phone sometimes! :-)

That is all. :-)

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.

sbcaitlin @ 2011-05-23T10:11:00

2011-05-23T17:11:34Z

I want my grandma back. I want to hear her laugh and see her smile. I want to bend down to get something and have her pinch me to get me to laugh with her. I want to talk to her. I want to share my son with her. Damn this sucks.

Grandma

2011-02-02T18:19:11Z

I haven't posted here in a long time... A lot has been happening... I'm having a really hard time processing a lot of it... And I figured maybe writing out some of my emotions might help a little...

My Grandma is dying. And for most people that's a "duh" statement - we're all dying. But she's dying of stage IV lung cancer that has metastasized. Its in her bones, her lungs, her lung cavities, her scalp... Two weeks ago when the official diagnosis came in she was hopeful that treatment would have her back on her feet before the summer, and she told her oncologist that he needed to get her well fast because she had white water rafting to do this summer. (Yes, my Grandma white water rafts - that's her spirit and her youthfulness and her love, its a good representation of her for those of you who haven't met her.)

A week ago she was slated to start chemo. Insurance was moving slowly. They pushed her start date back by a week. But HooHoo remained positive and was talking about all the things she's going to do in 2011.

Monday night she was rushed to the hospital for uncontrollable pain - they put her on morphine. Yesterday they did an MRI to see if that would determine what is causing her so much discomfort. Last night when I talked to my mom they were waiting on the doctor to come in and talk to them. I didn't hear anything else last night. My plan was to go visit this morning (and then the car broke down for the second time in less than a week) - so I called my mom to see if I should let Grandma know I wouldn't be down this morning. As soon as she answered the phone I could tell she'd been crying. I asked what was going on and my mom said, "I don't have the strength to tell you right now. I just can't do it." I told her not to try at that point, and she said she was composing an e-mail to let us all know what was going on. I did ask if it was worse than anticipated and she confirmed it was. I changed the subject when I heard her voice crack and just kept telling her how much I love her.

I called the hospital to let Grandma know I wouldn't be by today because I knew she was expecting to see me. Amy answered. Her voice was soft so I could tell something was up. Grandma was just laying down for a nap and didn't feel up to talking on the phone right now. I asked Amy to let her know that my car was broken but I'd figure out a way to see her tomorrow. Amy said she'd call me and let me know what's going on.

So I'm waiting. For an e-mail, a phone call, something... I hate knowing something serious is going on and not knowing WHAT.

UPDATE: News is not good. The MRI shows that the cancer has overtaken her spine and that's why her pain has become so severe. She is terminal. At this point we're looking at getting her comfortable. Her "fight" is disappearing because of all the pain. They're trying some new things today to decrease the pain, but only time will tell. Damn.

Its a weird spot to be in... Carrying a child, the future of my family, while losing people I love so much. We lost Phil's Grandfather a few months back and now HooHoo is struggling. Its just very confusing.

I know my family. I know we'll pull through this as a team. I know we're going to be okay. We've got a lot of love and a lot to live for! But my heart aches for each and every one of us because I know Grandma's pain is eating away at us. We'll get through together! We always do.

News

2010-08-11T16:22:24Z

So I haven't posted in a while around here... Sorry! :-) I'm going to try to be better about that... But really, I make no guarantees.

We found out about a month ago that we're expecting! So I'm off to being a mommy! I'm very, very excited! A little nervous. A lot nauseous. And quite anxious. But really, its an amazing feeling and we couldn't be happier. :-D Estimated due date (so far) is March 13 - which would be cool because my Great-Grandmother's birthday was March 12th and I adore her and its close to St. Patty's Day (one of my favorites) so that would also be cool. But regardless of when baby comes, we're excited!

Work starts again on Monday. I'm feeling conflicted about this. But I'll get over that.

Hope everyone is well!

For My New Friends (and Old Ones!)

2009-11-30T06:05:21Z

Since so many things have been happening in our lives, I figured I'd jump in and do one of these things and fill everyone in on the excitement of my life....

NAME: Caitlin

AGE: 26

LOCATION: Just south of Yosemite National Park, CA

OCCUPATION: K-8 Special Education Teacher - Emotionally Disturbed

PARTNER: My amazingly loving husband, Phil

KIDS: Don't tease me... I say now, family says wait one more year, gotta see what doctor says in a few weeks...

BROTHERS/SISTERS: Amy, Nicholas, Sarah (Sister-in-Law), Brenda (Sister-in-Law) and Mike (Brother-in-Law-in-Law), Jessica, and Judd (Brother-in-Law soon, we hope!)

PARENTS: My Mom is amazing!!!

PETS: Oberon, King of Whatever He Wishes to be King Of! Titania, Queen Grumpy Butt and Occasional Pissy Missy but Pretty Mama Girl too! And Puck, Dopey Lassie-Impersonator and Alarm Clock Kitty!

LIST THE 3-5 BIGGEST THINGS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE:

1. I had gastric bypass surgery (weight loss surgery) on July 31, 2009. Since then (well, as of November 23) I am 95pounds lighter. Its been a journey and a struggle - sometimes it seems to easy and other times its been terribly trying and frustrating. We spent our first anniversary in the hospital attached to all sorts of machines - but things appear to be fixed up right finally and I'm doing well!

2. I want babies! However, I have to speak to my doctor first (see Big Thing #1) to see if I am able to begin trying to conceive. We'll wait if its medically necessary - but I've wanted babies for years and am really beginning to have a hard time being logical about the whole thing.

3. My family is the most amazing group of people I have ever met! Despite all our ups and downs, we stick together and support one another like you wouldn't believe. A lot of shit has happened to many of us in the last 12-15months - but we keep on fighting and leaning on each other and we're getting through it all!

4. My holiday shopping will be finished as of tomorrow! Probably there will be a few small things left to pick up after tomorrow, but for the first time in my LIFE the shopping will be done more than 2days in advance (my previous record). I'm finally getting a grasp on this "being an adult" thing - sometimes it isn't so bad. :-D

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR CLOSEST FRIENDS?
Phil, Amy, Nicholas, Jessica, Sarah, Brenda, Danielle, Josh

Holidays

2009-11-14T22:18:12Z

I am feeling ahead of the game (or at least, ahead of the usual Caitlin-at-the-holidays game) for the first time this year... Shopping is done for my Mother in Law, Sister in Law, co-workers (times 4), my Mom, and my Husband (Christmas AND birthday!!!). Ideas are set for ALL grandparents (with probable inclusion of parents and aunts and uncles) and Father in Law (must let MiL buy first part of it before we go further on that one). Left to drum up ideas for are nieces, nephews, and children of cousins (ages 2months - boy, 3 - boy and girl, 4 - boy and girl, 5 - girl, 6 - boy, and 12 - boy --- ANY IDEAS?!?!?!) and my Brother in Law - will also need presents for two of my siblings once we draw names, but I don't know which siblings Phil and I have this year... Strange as it is, the kids are who I'm most concerned with at this point in time... Usually I have great ideas for each of them by the time it comes to shop for them, but this year I'm just feeling stuck on what would be a great gift to suit them each - and I am the super auntie so they've gotta be good!

I tried to convince Phil that we should buy some ornaments while the pickings are good, but he's of the mentality that we need to wait until after Thanksgiving... So I'll just go shopping that weekend! :-D

How's everyone else doing this year?

Halloween Party

2009-10-25T02:55:40Z

My family is amazing! We're having a Halloween party right now... Complete with jack o'lantern carving and cookie decorating... The kids are wild (and I'm only partially talking about the under 12 crowd). Its a hit! I'll update more when the party concludes. Too fun!

An Auntie Moment

2009-07-27T22:32:20Z

So I love my nieces and nephews to pieces... I am often terribly amused by them but don't brag about them here as often as I probably should... So I am going to take a moment. :-D

Schuyler:
- Will start the 7th grade this year.
- Has played, and excelled at, All-Stars for every sport that he plays (soccer, football, and baseball for sure).
- Text messages his auntie with silly pre-teen forwards that he's sending off to all his cell-phone carrying buddies as well.
- Still jumps up on me with his legs wrapped around my waist whenever he sees me, even if his friends are all standing right there.
- Is totally gorgeous!

Riley:
- Is the sassiest little thing ever!
- Loves to play pretend and get out of trouble by blaming things on the "baby sisters" (10-12 imaginary sisters she has - yes they have names!).
- Broke her arm this summer when her friend (a BOY!) fell onto her forearm. Originally she picked a pink cast for this break... But for the second cast she showed up with a bright orange cast on because "Its for Aunt Kiki" - what a way to make an auntie feel loved!
- Likes to have her fingers and toes "rockstar"ed at the nail salon.
- Will start kindergarten this year!

Ruth:
- Has the sweetest lisp when she talks.
- Will wrestle anyone and anything, despite being the tiniest three year old I know.
- Tells stories and has ideas that are just wonderful!
- Wants to be in pageants and even has the walk and pose down. :-D
- Tells me that orange can't be my favorite color because "pink is for girls and blue is for boys and that's all".

Alden:
- Is definitely the most sensitive boy we've got!
- Is very protective of his sister, unless he's the one holding her down.
- Loves to play and laugh.
- Spells his name "A...Alden!"

I love these kiddos! :-D

Stormy Night

2009-03-22T04:05:41Z

I love storms! Rain so heavy that it drowns out all other sound in the room. Lightening that cracks across the room. And thunder that shakes the house. Awesome!

I need to live somewhere where this is common-place and not such a rare occurrence. Any suggestions? And tornado/hurricane prone suggestions will automatically be denied. :-D

AmGen Bike Race

2009-02-19T00:19:59Z

So bike racing is really not my thing... But I figure they don't come through my sleepy little town everyday, so I should at least go. It was awesome! Our little "main drag" had people lining both sides of the road (quite a turn out given that we're notorious in this town for not showing up for special functions), people were chatting with others they didn't know beforehand, and everyone was enjoying themselves. I got video of the first three riders through and then of the group following them. I guess there was a big accident right before they got into town and then a small mishap right after they'd gotten past where I was able to see. We were right at the base of their longest climb, I can't imagine doing it on a bicycle - its tough in a car! I've got some great video footage, I'll try to post it later.

All in all, I'm glad I went!

Random Amusment for Me

2009-02-18T00:18:48Z

1) When was your wedding day? Friday, October 31, 2008

2) What day of the week was it? Friday!

3) Did you get married in a church? We did not. We got married in my Grandma's backyard.

4) How many in your wedding party? 15 not including us. :-)

5) How many guests were invited to your wedding? 140 invited and 90ish showed. :-)

6) How long did you wait to tie the knot after the proposal? 15months, although it was planned in more like 5months. :-)

7) Did you register for gifts? If yes, where? Of course! Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Pottery Barn...

8) Who did you hire as your photographer & videographer? An amazing woman named Michele, who if anyone needs pictures done, let me know because she is just that fun to work with!

9) Did you have a DJ or a band? My husband's brother-in-law, cousin, and Best Man all DJed throughout the night.

10) Did your father walk you down the aisle? No he did not.

11) What color were the bridesmaid dresses & groomsmen vests? Girls in black dresses, little girls in orange dresses, boys in yellow vests and ties.

12) Who was your Maid Of Honor? Amy and Jessica

13) Did you have a bridal shower? When all was said and done, three showers - couples', "stock the pantry", and work.

14) What type of limo did you get? No need for one. We were the one-stop wedding shop!

15) Where did you go for your Bachelorette/Bachelor Party? He and the boys drank and BBQ'd here. I didn't have one.

16) What type of wedding gown/tux did you two wear? Mine was a white halter dress with pickup skirt and he wore a traditional tux.

17) How was the weather? Cloudy, rain predicted (but it held off until after the party ended)

18) Where did you go on your Honeymoon? We're taking a 13night cruise from Florida to England!

19) What was your favorite part of your wedding day? I loved the entire day! It was amazing (even the bad things that came to pass). But the best part was becoming Phil's wife!

20) How long have you been married? 3 1/2months or 109days. :-) We're newlyweds - so sue me.

Ugh...

2009-01-31T03:31:53Z

So likely 7 teachers are being laid off from my school and the neighboring one (those of you in the area know which schools I mean)... These are my friends, my peers, and people who are damn good at what they do. And within 10days they are likely to be getting their "please finish out the year then don't come back again" notices. It sucks royally! The entire 5th grade teaching staff will be gone by next year and class sizes are likely to rise to 40-45 students per class. And we expect this to HELP California's suffering educational status?! Bullshit.

For the time being my job is safe because IDEA is pretty strict about requirements of staff and student numbers and such... But if it comes down to it, I am second lowest woman on the totempole in this area... Damn. I like my job too much to not be there.

It breaks my heart to see and be a part of all of this. Kids deserve so much better than this! These teachers deserve better than this! Our future as a country NEEDS better than this! But there's not a damn thing I can do other than brainstorm with all the others at a meeting Monday for ways to cut back in other areas and keep jobs, pray hard, and be there when the tears arrive (as I've already been witness to twice).

Ugh.

Beautiful Photography

2009-01-20T00:34:47Z

Here's a photographer whose style I really admire! I long to take such heartfelt images!

Ian Grant
distinctphoto.com

New Words...

2009-01-09T19:02:55Z

These came from Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire...
fecklessness (n): worthlessness due to being feeble and ineffectual
feckless (adj): 1. ineffective; incompetent; futile; 2. having no sense of responsibility; indifferent; lazy; 3. lacking purpose or vitality; feeble or ineffective; 4. careless and irresponsible

maudlin (adj): tearfully or weakly emotional; foolishly sentimental

petulantly (adv): in a petulant manner
petulant (adj): 1. moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, esp. over some trifling annoyance; 2. unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered; peevish; 3. contemptuous in speech or behavior

citron (n): 1. a pale-yellow fruit resembling the lemon but larger and with thicker rind, borne by a small tree or large bush, Citrus medica, allied to the lemon and lime; 2. the tree itself; 3. the rind of the fruit, candied and preserved; 4. a grayish-green yellow color

kermis (n): 1. (in the Low Countries) a local, annual outdoor fair or festival; 2. a similar entertainment, usually for charitable purposes

flagrante delicto (n): in the very act of committing the offense

sententious (adj): 1. abounding in pithy aphorisms or maxims; 2. given to excessive moralizing; self-righteous; 3. given to or using pithy sayings or maxims; 4. of the nature of a maxim; pithy
maxim (n): 1. an expression of a general truth or principle, esp. an aphoristic or sententious one; 2. a principle or rule of conduct
pithy (adj): brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning; terse; forcible

caterwauling (v): 1. to utter long wailing cries, as cats in rutting time; 2. to utter a similar sound; howl or screech; 3. to quarrel like cats; (n) 4. the cry of a cat in rutting time; 5. any similar sound

lassitude (n): 1. weariness of body or mind from strain, oppressive climate, etc.; lack of energy; listlessness; languor; 2. a condition of indolent indifference

prurient (adj): 1. having, inclined to have, or characterized by lascivious or lustful thoughts, desires, etc.; 2. causing lasciviousness or lust; 3. having a restless desire or longing

jeremiads (n): a literary work or speech expressing a bitter lament or a righteous prophecy of doom

firkin (n): 1. a British unit of capacity usually equal to a quarter of a barrel; 2. a small wooden vessel or tub for butter, lard, etc.

reprobate (n): 1. a depraved, unprincipled, or wicked person; 2. a person rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation; (adj) 3. morally depraved; unprincipled; bad; 4. rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation; (v) 5. to disapprove, condemn, or censure; 6. (of God) to reject (a person), as for sin; exclude from the number of the elect or from salvation

bucolic (adj): 1. of or pertaining to shepherds; pastoral; 2. of, pertaining to, or suggesting an idyllic rural life; (n) 3. a pastoral poem; 4. Archaic. a farmer; shepherd; rustic

deigned (v): to think it appropriate to one's dignity; condescend

succor (n): 1. help; relief; aid; assistance; 2. a person or thing that gives help, relief, aid, etc.; (v) 3. to help or relieve

**Definitions came from www.dictionary.com for ease of posting to my LiveJournal :-D**

Just for Fun

2009-01-07T03:05:54Z

1. Name:
2. Birthday:
3. Where do you live:
4: What are you studying/What are you working as:
5. What makes you happy:
6. What are you listening to now/have listened to last:
7. What is particularly good/bad about my LJ:
8. An interesting fact about you:
9. Are you in love/have a crush at the moment:
10. Favorite place to be:
11. Favorite lyric:
12. Best time of the year:
13. Weirdest food you like:

RECOMMEND
1. A film:
2. A book:
3. A song:
4: A band:

PLUS
1. One thing you like about me:
2. Two things you like about yourself:
3. Put this in your lj so I can tell you what I think of you?

Snow!

2008-12-15T05:04:29Z

I love living in the mountains. Watching snow fall all evening long just puts a smile on your face! Its beginning to pile up - weather says possibly 4inches tonight - and I'm crossing my fingers it keeps that up so I can have a three day weekend!

Phil and I went out and played in it. So much fun! My husband kept throwing snowballs at me - namely hitting me in the face (luck for him fresh snow packs loosely!). His hands got cold so he was swinging them around and then "plink" - his wedding ring flew off his finger and landed on the gravel driveway. I ran to get a flashlight while he stood still so we knew where to look. I found it - luck for him!

Time to go watch more snow. :-)

P.S. Who will be in the mountains this holiday season? And which dates? I want to get as many of us together as possible. I miss you guys!!!!

Wedding Recap

2008-11-18T03:36:30Z

So we did it! Our Halloween wedding went off with a bang! Everything turned out beautifully. The weather threatened rain in the days leading up to the wedding, so (for sanity's sake) we had tents put up just in case - it didn't rain after 8a on our day though. I'll put some images under the cut - along with the photographer's website with all the proofs - for anyone who wants to see. And if you're a Fresno area bride, e-mail me if you'd like some vendor recommendations!

This was just after I came out of the house to see him for the first time... He got tears in his eyes - but didn't cry... (He saved that for his vows... Shhh! Don't tell him I told!)

The bride - looking bridal.

One of my favorite pictures of the two of us... He's so handsome!

The general look of the ladies... We all had pickup skirts - David's Bridal for me and the ladies and my mom made the little girls' dresses (she finished them at 11am the morning of the wedding - yay Mom!)

The flower wreaths unfortunately didn't last too long - but they looked cute while they lasted!

Princess dresses are made for spinning! Trust me, I ended up spinning all over the place with my nieces. Too cute!
My flowers - beyond perfect (but heavy!).

My sisters with their flowers (complete with name tags still)... :-)

Corsages for the moms and grandmas... Perfect for the women in my family.

Centerpieces... You may remember my post days before the wedding in panic because I didn't know what to do due to a flower ordering mishap... Luckily I'm a quick thinker... And between suggestions here and looking around our property, I came up with these - manzanita branches spray painted gold in our vases with glass beads in orange (my favorite color)... Really, more regal and impressive than my original idea - everyone adored them!

The table look... Came out well, I think!

Close up of the mask favors... Which lead to pictures like this one!!!

My little sister and (hopefully soon to be) brother-in-law - he loved that mask! Everyone got pictures of him with it. :-)

The cake - delicious! White cake with peanut butter moouse, white cake with cream cheese filling, and white cake with peanut butter moouse again and buttercream frosting only because I despise fondant!

The day wore her out...

Its contagious! It caught her brother too!

One of the Best Men got caught by it too... :-)

Proofs are viewable at - be warned, there are more than 500 of them:
www.michelemichaelsphotography.com/proofs/herechski1
www.michelemichaelsphotography.com/proofs/herechski2

All in all, a better day than I had anticipated. Our only hiccup was my father and his wife walking out on the reception just after dinner began - I only cried briefly then I put on my partying shoes and lived it up without them! Other than that bit of family drama, it was great! :-D

Andrew, it was wonderful to see you. Your hugs still rock! We'll get together soon... For all of you who were there in spirit, I felt you there! Thank you for wishing us well and thinking of us. And thanks for letting me take a journey back through my day. :-)

Too Long

2008-06-15T23:21:04Z

So its been too long since I've updated around here... (Same goes for most of you too! *hint, hint*

Finished my first year working with the county... Love my kids to pieces!!! I am super excited that even though they're "moving" up to the next class next year, the two classes have actually been combined so I'll still have them with me! This is exciting, because I'm attached... And all of them will actually be with us for another two years, so this next year I'll have them working as an IA and next year (if the county will do it), the classes will split again and I'll get them as their TEACHER! (This is currently speculation... But based off our enrollment, I believe its likely.) Its a tough job... Some days are really draining... But its so good to see them succeed and grow!

And for the summer, I'm working summer school (4 days a week for 5 hours a day) in the PRESCHOOL!!! These have got to be the cutest kids in the world (next to my nieces and nephews of course)... They smile and laugh and are just a joy to be around. Two are in wheelchairs, although one can be out and use a walker under complete supervision... Three are entirely or mostly non-verbal... One has Downs Syndrome... And I am more excited to have these kids for the summer than I am about just about anything else right now...! I'll keep you posted!

Wedding planning is kicking my rear... I have so many wonderful ideas but everyone else doesn't seem to agree that they're as wonderful as I think they are... And then people say "its your wedding, do what you want" and in the same breath tell me "but I don't think x, y, or z is a good idea"... So I'm feeling a bit cornered... It'll all work out and be beautiful, I know it will! Its just a lot of uncertainty right now (AND I HATE THAT!)...

So there ya have it... What's everyone else up to? Carrie, what's going on for next year? KC, how's the summer starting off? (I might be up that way in a week or so, I'll call.) Joey, whatcha up to? Anyone else still reading LJ - and if you are, update so I know how life is treating you?!

Wahoo!

2008-05-13T22:54:58Z

I'm getting married!

Please......

2008-03-01T02:03:41Z

To any of you reading this, please pray and/or send your happiest thoughts to a very little girl who is just beginning a very large battle! My friends' baby is 4months old (today) and they've found a tumor on the base of her spine. The tumor is cancerous and has spread to her abdomen. The doctor's feel they can remove the entire tumor, and that if she can get through radiation and make it to 10months they will consider her free. But right now, she needs all the love and happy thoughts she can get!

Thank you.

Christmas Cards

2007-12-21T23:00:10Z

Thank you Liz!!! That was such a cool surprise to find in my mailbox this afternoon. Definitely what I needed after dealing with my kids at school all day today. (I have never seen so much sugar consumed in my LIFE.) But thanks again, Liz! You truly rock.

New News

2007-08-05T00:04:33Z

I start school on Monday!!!! :-D I'm going to be getting my single subject credential through National University. I'm gonna do everything online so that I didn't have to find a job that would work around my schooling - instead I will do school around my job schedule. Plus, it means less trips down the hill and back - and that is ALWAYS a good thing! I'm also going to be getting my Masters in Education while I'm at it. I figure its easiest to just go through both while I've got the motivation to. :-) So here I go again... Hehehe.

Also, I got a job. :-) I'm going to be working for Clovis Unified at their Campus Club program. Its almost exactly what I was doing before at my old job - just for the school district this time. I think its a great opportunity, something I'm familiar with, and a good "foot in the door" should I want to work for CUSD in the future at all. And the CC Director was my 2nd grade teacher... I haven't run into her yet, but I'm looking forward to when I do! (Though I know its going to make her feel old... I was in her class in 1990-1991 - so 17years ago. That makes ME feel old..... Hehehe....)

So there ya have it with me.

Jessie

2007-05-16T03:46:15Z

Happy birthday, Jessie! (Though I know you don't read this anymore...) Just want to send my wishes to you on your day.

Happy Birthday Arin!

2007-05-10T13:36:10Z

Happy birthday to you! I hope you have a wonderful one! E-mail me.