Red Bull and Cupcake Batter

5,000 Questions: Part I

2011-09-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

1. Who are you?
I'm Caitlin! I'm twenty-four-and-a-half, 4'11 3/4" tall, and happily married for seventeen months.

2. What are the 3 most important things everyone should know about you?
-I love to write, and I'm always putting stories together in my head.
-I adore my sweet husband, even when he drives me a little nuts, and I can't wait to start a family with him.
-When I love something, I get super passionate about it.

3. When you aren't filling out 5,000 question surveys like this one what are you doing?
I work three jobs- bridal alterations, seventh grade study hall teacher, and first grade aftercare teacher. I also love writing, so I'm usually doing that!

4. List your classes in school from the ones you like the most to the ones you like the least (or if you are out of school, think of the classes you did like and didn't like at the time).
I always loved the artsier classes- creative writing, art, English, theater. My least favorites were math and science, but worst of all was statistics class in my senior year of high school.

5. What is your biggest goal for this year?
I really want to get my book edited and submitted to an agent! I'd also like to complete NaNoWriMo. I've never managed to finish it...

6. Where do you want to be in 5 years?
In five years I'll be 29. I want to be living in a house, with at least one child, maybe with baby #2 on the way, and have a nice strong start to my writing career.

7. What stage of life are you in right now?
This can best be described as my "quarter-life crisis."

8. Are you more child-like or childish?
Child-like, I think. Because when I am childish (and we all are at some point or another) I can usually acknowledge it.

9. What is the last thing you said out loud?
"No, no, no," to my cat, Hiccup, who likes to nibble on people.

10. What song comes closest to how you feel about your life right now?
"Little Lion Man" by Mumford and Sons

11. Have you ever taken martial arts classes?
I haven't, but P did for a while.

12. Does your life tend to get better or worse or does it just stay the same?
It tends to fluctuate.

13. Does time really heal all wounds?
I think it does. It at least makes it a dull ache instead of a sharp sting.

14. How do you handle a rainy day?
I hide inside my house, unless I have to go outside, in which case I complain.

15. Which is worse...losing your luggage or having to sort out tangled holiday lights?
Losing your luggage! Tangled holiday lights are much easier and cheaper to replace...

16. How is your relationship with your parents?
Pretty good. Definitely better than when I was a kid.

Will you miss them when they are gone?
Definitely.

17. Do you tend to be aware of what is going on around you?
I try, but sometimes I just daydream away.

18. What is the truest thing that you know?
That nothing is in black and white. Everything is in shades of gray.

19. What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was little, I wanted to be a ballerina princess. Or an actress.

20. Have you ever been given a second chance?
Nope.

21. Are you more of a giver or a taker?
A giver.

22. Do you make your decisions with an open heart/mind?
I try to. I try to temper my natural emotional leanings with logic.

23. What is the most physically painful thing that has ever happened to you?
Probably having shingles and mono in the same year.

24. What is the most emotionally painful thing that has ever happened to you?
Geez. Probably...college. Just...all of college.

25. Who have you hugged today?
My husband and my kitten.

26. Who has done something today to show they care about you?
My husband tucked me in and kissed me goodbye before he left for work. And he also left a Blu-ray copy of X-Men: First Class on the coffee table!

27. Do you have a lot to learn?
Doesn't everybody?

28. If you could learn how to do three things just by wishing and not by working what would they be?
-How to be a successful working author
-How to be a stunningly brilliant actress
-How to a perfect parent

29. Which do you remember the longest: what other people say, what other people do or how other people make you feel?
A little of all three, but especially how people make me feel.

30. What are the key ingredients to having a good relationship?
Communication, honesty, cuddles, and being best friends as well as being in love.

31. What 3 things do you want to do before you die?
-Have babies
-Become the American JK Rowling
-Have a house and no financial worries

32. What three things would you want to die to avoid doing?
-Getting divorced
-Having a major health issue
-Losing a child or never having a child

33. Is there a cause you believe in more than any other cause?
It depends on what you mean by "cause."

34. What does each decade make you think of:
The 19..
20's: Flappers, Singing in the Rain, The Great Gatsby

30's: the Great Depression

40's: WWII, Molly McEntire, swing dancing

50's: full-skirted dresses, retro cookbooks and recipes, Tomorrowland

60's: Twiggy, trapeze dresses, go go boots

70's: That 70s Show!

80's: My Little Pony, fluorescent colors, scrunchies, sparkly eyeshadow

90's: elementary school, The Babysitters Club, overalls, American Girl dolls and magazines

2000's: baby cropped tees, butterfly hair clips, high school, cargo pants

2010's: college, the wedding, hipster awesomeness

35. Which decade do you feel the most special connection to and why?
I always thought I would do well in the 1950s or the Edwardian age.

36. What is your favorite oldie/classic rock song?
Probably "Livin' On a Prayer." Not only is Bon Jovi awesome, but the song premiered on the day I was born!

37. What country do you live in and who is the leader of that country?
USA- President Barack Obama

If you could say any sentence to the current leader of your country what would it be?
You should be Frozone for Halloween, sir.

38. What's your favorite TV channel to watch in the middle of the night?
We don't have cable, but I like to watch TV series on Netflix...right now it's Ghost Whisperer and That 70s Show.

39. What Disney villain are you the most like and why?
Probably Yzma. Because Yzma is hilarious.

40. Have you ever been a girl scout/boy scout?
Nope, but I was in Pioneer Club at church from 2nd to 6th grade.

41. If you were traveling to another continent would you rather fly or take a boat?
Ooh! Fly! I love flying. But I wouldn't mind going on a cruise.

42. Why is the sky blue during the day and black at night?
Because blue makes the sun seem prettier, and black makes the stars shine brighter.

43. What does your name mean?
Caitlin Elizabeth means "pure, virginal beauty consecrated to God."

44. Would you rather explore the deeps of the ocean or outer space?
The depths of the ocean!

45. Word association
What is the first word that comes to mind when you see the word:

Air: airbender

Meat: grilling

Different: isn't ugly

Pink: awesome singer

Deserve: dessert

White: elephants

Elvis: swingy hips

Magic: the color of

Heart: and soul

Clash: at Demonhead

Pulp: orange juice

46. If you could meet any person in the world who is dead who would you want it to be?
Mary Martin

47. What if you could meet anyone who is alive?
I wouldn't mind meeting Chris Colfer. Not at all.

48. Is there a movie that you love so much you could watch it everyday?
I could watch The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe all day long. And I do when I'm sick.

49. You are going to be stuck alone in an elevator for a week. What do you bring to do?
My laptop, my iPod, and a stack of books.

50. Have you ever saved someone's life or had your life saved?
Only metaphorically speaking.

51. Make up a definition for the following silly words...

Fruitgoogle: An internet search engine that helps you find the right fruit for you.

Ambytime: That time right after you wake up from a late afternoon nap and you're still really hazy.

Asscactus: When your butt falls asleep.

52. What was the last thing you made with your own hands?
A blue and red floral paperbag waist skirt.

53. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Probably my beloved Samantha doll.

54. How many TV’s are in your house?
Two- one in the living room, and one in P's video game corner.

55. What is your favorite thing to do outside?
Play on swingsets and go on picnics.

56. How do you feel when you see a rainbow?
Jolly!

57. Have you ever dreamt a dream that came true?
Maybe?

58. Have you ever been to a psychic/tarot reader?
Nope.

59. What is your idea of paradise?
Being happy and knowing the feeling won't go away.

60. Do you believe in god and if so what is he/she/it like?
Yes, but I don't have a concrete vision.

61. Do you believe in Hell?
Yes.

62. What one thing have you done that most people haven't?
Meh. I don't know.

63. What is the kindest thing you have ever done?
How can I answer this without sounding arrogant?!

64. Are you a patient person?
I am more patient than I used to be.

65. What holiday should exist but doesn't?
National Pajama Day.

66. What holiday shouldn't exist but does?
I dunno, President's Day is sort of useless.

67. What's the best joke you ever heard?
Two muffins are sitting in an oven. One muffin says "Man, it's hot in here." The other one says "OMG A TALKING MUFFIN!"

68. Where is the most fun place you have EVER been?
Probably Cardiff, Wales, or the day trip we took to Chattanooga.

69. Is your hair natural or dyed?
Dyed.

70. Do you have any deep dark secrets or are you pretty much up front?
I'm fairly up front, but there are some things I prefer to keep to myself.

71. What is under your bed right now?
Nothing! Our bed is a box spring on the floor.

72. If you were in the Land of Oz would you want to live there or go home?
Go home. I wouldn't mind visiting, though.

73. If you drive do you frequently speed?
Only if I'm running late to work.

74. What is the world's best song to dance to?
"Shake It" by Metro Station

75. What song was on the last time you danced with someone?
Oh, geez. I can't even remember. P and I danced to "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas at our wedding, though.

76. Do you prefer Disney or Warner Brothers?
Disney!

77. What is the first animal you would run to see if you went to the zoo?
The okapi!

78. Would you consider yourself to be romantic?
I think I am.

79. If the earth stopped rotating would we all fly off?
More like float.

80. What is the one thing that you love to do so much that you would make sacrifices to be able to do it?
Become the American J.K. Rowling!

81. If you (and everyone) had to lose one right or freedom, but you could pick which one everyone had to lose, what would you pick?
I am rather confused by this question...

82. If you had to choose would you live on the equator or at the North Pole?
The Equator, I think!

83. Would you rather give up listening to music or watching television?
Listening to music.

84. What do you think makes someone a hero?
Not realizing that what they've done is heroic.

85. What cartoon would you like to be a character in?
Avatar: The Last Airbender!

86. Name one thing that turns your stomach:
People who chew with their mouth open.

87. What was the last thing you paid for?
A number 1 combo at Chik-Fil-A.

88. Are you a coupon clipper?
I do it recreationally.

89. Get anything good in the mail recently?
A pair of pants and a pair of shoes from Charlotte Russe!

90. Which would you rather take as a gym class...dancing, sailing, karate, or
bowling?
Definitely dancing.

91. In Star Trek people 'beam' back and forth between different places. What this means is they stand in a little tube and their molecules are deconstructed and sent to another tube somewhere else where they are reassembled. Only problem is when the molecules are deconstructed the person is dead. When they are put back together it is only a clone that has all the dead person's memories. So...
Is the person who gets beamed the same person on both ends?
...yes?

92. What insects are you afraid of?
SPIDERS OH GOD SPIDERS.

93. If you could print any phrase on a T-shirt, what would it say?
well-behaved girls rarely make history

94. What's the most eccentric thing you have ever worn?
Probably the little petticoat I wear under my dresses sometimes.

95. If you could pick one food that you could eat all you wanted but it would have no effect on how much you weigh, what food would it be?
PASTA. OH GOD PASTA.

96. What are your parents interested in?
My dad likes building airplane models, and my mother likes reading.

97. Have you ever caught an insect and kept it as a pet?
EW LOL NOPE.
Have you ever caught and tamed a wild animal?
No.

98. What is more helpful to you, wishes or plans?
Plans.

99. When do you feel your life energy the strongest?
Midday, I think.

100. You are spending the night alone in the woods and may bring only 3 items with you. What do you bring?
A sleeping bag, a flashlight, and a sleeping pill so I can get through the night.

101 in 1,001

2011-09-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

#1: Reach 155 pounds (reward: new pedometer)

#2: Reach overweight BMI (reward: gym bag and water bottle)

#3: Reach 150 pounds (reward: new workout shoes)

#4: Reach 145 pounds (reward: new workout headphones)

#5: Reach 140 pounds (reward: new workout wardrobe)

#6: Reach 135 pounds (reward: new underwear)

#7: Reach 130 pounds (reward: new Modcloth dress)

#8: Reach healthy BMI (reward: haircut/manicure/pedicure)

#9: Reach 125 pounds (reward: new Anthropologie dress)

#10: Reach 120 pounds (reward: new bikini)

#11: Reach goal weight of 115 pounds (reward: tattoo)

#12: Complete 200 Crunches challenge (reward: shop at Sephora)

#13: Complete 200 Squats challenge (reward: new hair accessories)

#14: Complete 30-Day Shred (reward: new perfume)

#15: Complete Couch to 5k (reward: Seychelles or Jeffrey Campbells shoes)

#16: Complete P90X (reward: iPad)

#17: Complete a 5K (reward: Urban Outfitters dress)

#18: Complete a 10K (reward: Modcloth outfit)

#19: Complete a half marathon (reward: Anthropologie outfit)

#20: Complete a teeth-whitening kit

#21: Go thirty days without drinking soda

#22: Go thirty days without eating fast food

#23: Log into Sparkpeople for thirty days straight

#24: Make a household binder

#25: Pay off credit card

#26: Save $100 a week

#27: Find a new full-time job or quit completely

#28: Have a baby

#29: Buy a house

#30: Perform publicly again

#31: Read 100 books

#32: Read through the Bible

#33: Watch 100 movies

#34: Watch every Disney animated classic in order

#35: See ten movies in theaters

#36: Go to three museums

#37: Go to the zoo

#38: Go to a professional sporting event

#39: Go to three concerts

#40: Go to Disney World

#41: Go to a non-Disney theme park

#42: Go play putt putt

#43: Go on a honeymoon

#44: Go to an aquarium

#45: Go to a spa

#46: Go to five plays

#47: Go to a sit down restaurant 20 times

#48: Go camping

#49: Go for a bike ride

#50: Go roller skating or ice skating

#51: Go to a yoga, pilates, or ballet class

#52: Go to a farmer's market

#53: Go stargazing

#54: Go to the ballet

#55: Go swimming

#56: Go on a hike

#57: Go to a gourmet cupcake shop

#58: Go berry, apple, or pumpkin picking

#59: Go to a carnival or a state fair

#60: Go on a road trip

#61: Go to a drive in movie

#62: Go to a book signing

#63: Go dancing

#64: Go to the symphony

#65: Go on twenty dates with Patrick

#66: Host a major holiday at home

#67: Have a tea party

#68: Have a picnic

#69: Have a 1950s dinner party

#70: Plan a five year anniversary party/vow renewal

#71: Have a big twenty-fifth birthday party

#72: Throw a surprise party for Patrick

#73: Scan and organize family photos

#74: Make 100 new recipes

#75: Regain fluency in French by studying on Live Mocha

#76: Learn to read harmony lines while playing the piano

#77: Start a garden

#78: Make jam

#79: Try ten new cake recipes

#80: Post 1,000 blog entries

#81: Attend at least ten writer's group meetings

#82: Buy a book once a month

#83: Finish a new book (reward: a new pair of Steve Madden shoes)

#84: Complete NaNoWriMo (reward: a new Forever21 dress)

#85: Self-publish something (reward: outfit from Forever21)

#86: Finish editing Beatrice and the Cat (reward: Pushing Daisies DVDs)

#87: Write Beatrice and the Greenfinch carnival (reward: little black dress)

#88: Get a literary agent (reward: dinner with friends)

#89: Get Beatrice published (reward: Betsey Johnson dress)

#90: Dress up for Halloween

#91: Finish 100 sewing projects

#92: Blog outfits every day for 30 days

#93: Get a new camera

#94: Take trash-the-dress pictures in my wedding dresses

#95: Journal daily

#96: Open an Etsy shop

#97: Sell something on Etsy

#98: Complete 365 photo challenge

#99: Complete the 5,000 question challnge

#100: Complete the 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind

#101: Fill 1,001 sheets of paper with creative things

Tuesday's Ten: have I mentioned I like dresses?

2011-07-26T17:59:00.000-07:00

So...I like dresses.

Like, it's an addiction. Almost but not quite. I love dresses. I love twirly skirts. I love clever detailing. I love how the bodice hugs my torso while the skirt smooths over my thighs. I love the air conditioning swirling around my legs in the summer and adding leggings or tights in the winter

I love dresses.

I didn't even realize I loved dresses till college. They just made it so much easier to be comfy but still cute. Plus, between crossing across campus, running around in rehearsals, and building all sorts of things in practicum, I needed to wear things that made it easy to move around.

Now I work at a bridal shop and a private school, and I still wear dresses all the time! And now I can sew, which means I can sew all the dresses my little heart desires. (And believe me, that's a lot.)

I like to plan out my projects in advance, but sometimes I change my mind at the last minute. So instead of announcing that these are ten projects that I'm definitely going to do, here are ten projects that I'd really like to do.

#1: Simplicity 2246 in black gingham

I am a total, complete, ridiculous sucker for a good shirtwaist dress. I don't even know why. I just think they're adorable. And I stumbled across this adorable shirtwaist dress from the Shabby Apple that was black gingham with a red sash and fell in love. My plan is to sew it using the bodice and skirt of view C but the sleeves of view A, and have it done by Sunday for P's birthday party. Will I have it done? Who knows...

#2: Butterick 5315 in red, white, blue, and black print

Have I mentioned I love shirtwaist dresses?

Seriously, though. I have an adorable 3-yard cut of this letter-print cotton and I think it would be perfect for this dress. Plus, both of these shirtwaist dresses will be appropriate for both of my jobs, which is important.

#3: Vogue 1102 in blue

I have lusted after this pattern for ages, especially since it bears a close resemblance to one of my favorite discontinued Modcloth dresses, the Don't Call Me Baby Doll dress. I will probably make it up in black too, but I have a wedding to go to in October and thought that making it in a rich pretty blue would be lovely!

#4: Simplicity 2220 in black

Have I mentioned that I'm also a sucker for a good circle skirt?

I actually don't own any wrap dress, even though every magazine/blog/show featuring Stacy and Clinton says that "curvy women need a wrap dress!" I just have never found any that I like. I feel that they make me too busty (when I don't need help in that department) and the prints are too boring and old ladyish. So maybe a trendy-styled wrap dress in black will change my mind.

#5: Vintage McCall's 5852 in black

I had an awful, awful, awful bridal shower (that deserves a post of its own!), so to make up for it, I'm having a housewarming party! P and I moved into our townhouse in April, and it seems like high time to have some sort of party for it. And I also thought it would fabulous to pretty much make it into the bridal shower I wished I'd had! I really wanted a retro housewife-themed party with a red and aqua color scheme, so that's what I'm going to do. And of course, I'll need a new dress.

All right, so it's only five and not ten, but I'm new at this, right? And you're probably tired of looking at dresses. Plus, I don't want to get overzealous and list like 30 projects I want to try, only to not make any of them! These at least have a good chance of getting completed...

Mixtape Monday: "Don't Stop Believin'"

2011-07-25T15:39:00.000-07:00

I figured that I should begin Mixtape Monday with a bang!

I love Glee. Huge Glee fan over here. Like seriously.

And I don't get tired of this song. I keep waffling back and forth between this version or the Regionals version...usually I chose the Regionals version because my precious Kurt has a solo.

But this one also features Kurt bein' all adorable and stuff, so it works.

I've always been the kid that never seemed to catch a lucky break, so it's nice to watch this show and hope that maybe one day something would go right for me.

Sunday Scrapbook: the one with the husband

2011-07-24T20:03:00.000-07:00

So...I'm married!

I got all the way through middle school and high school without the barest hint of a boyfriend. No crushes, no flings, no nothing. I went with a guy to junior-senior and homecoming, and he took me on a "date" (there was no handholding, no goodnight kiss, no...date-ness).

No kiss.

I met a sweet goofball named Patrick during my senior year of high school (which is a story all by itself). We ended up going to the same college, and we started flirting. (Well, I was flirting, he was the epitome of Captain Oblivious.) By the time the first semester ended, I was definitely crushing hard...and about to leave for a semester-long internship in Disney World.

I didn't tell him I liked him, and instead just shyly asked if we could exchange cell phone numbers. He eagerly agreed, and we ended up calling and texting and chatting online regularly.

On March 13, 2006, he told me he liked me...and that was that.

We were engaged by April of 2007 and married on March 13, 2010. (Ah, see, see? Aren't we painfully cute.)

And here are some gratuitous pictures while I wait for my hubster to come home from a guys' night playing Dungeons and Dragons.

(And in case you were wondering, yes, he did give me permission to tease him about that.)

2011-07-24T16:25:00.000-07:00

Why, hello there!

My name is Caitlin. And I decided to write a blog!

(I felt I needed to introduce myself, although I don't think this is adequate.)

(Related: I am lazy.)