to blog or not to blog?

I'm getting dangerously close to my 100th post.  Maybe I should do something that will attract more readers...like a giveaway?  I would, but most of my stuff is packed.  Sorry, dudes.

OoOoOooo...maybe a 100 things you thought you knew about Catie.

Nice.

Expect that.

And I'll hopefully be revealing a new blog name/header!

YAY!

PS of the Week

Sorry dudes, it's a little late!  I'm a little late getting home from a BUSY weekend, so you'll have to live!  I love this secret, because it's SO true for me!

Highlights from a great Memorial Day weekend:

Closed on the house on Friday morning, went straight from closing to work on it.

Unfortunately the realtor's "handyman" was still fixing the plumbing, and doing a poor job of it.

Cleaned out the garage while he fixed that for SIX hours!

Painted on Saturday, got the yellow carpet room painted a lovely color of grey (pictures to come later...)

Painted on Sunday, got the other two bedrooms painted a pretty tan that Kyle called "chocolate milk."  Boy is obsessed with chocolate.

Left late Sunday to go to Kyle's.

Woke up early this morning to work on things around his house.

Drove home and arrived about an hour ago.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY, EVERYONE!!

bloggy makeover

SOOOO....I've been thinking. And I think I want to change the name of my blog. I mean, I LIKE c-squared. It's something I came up with in college when I was working on "branding" myself for internships. But, even though I'm not making any announcements here, I'm going to go ahead and assume that my last name will not be Carpenter forever. 

If you don't know the story, it's not all that awesome or anything, I just happen to have parents that like alliteration and named me Catie Carpenter...hence, c-squared. I changed my little link thingy to say CtotheC because some people were reading my blog that I didn't like reading my blog. So, it's time for a change, I'd say. 

SOOO...I know not that many people read my blog, (but that's cool, I can see who my true friends are now...) but I thought I'd bounce a few names off of you all, so here goes. 

Drumroll please! 

Backwards and in High Heels - umm...because I love shoes. And can do things in them. I don't know, I just like this one. 

Starving Designer - because I'm poor. And an interior designer. Yeah, that ones sucks, doesn't it? Plus, I don't want to bring home work with me, like, ever. 

Creatively Catie - this is what I wanted to name a blog if I ever could sell stuff on one. I wanted to do some necklaces, but that fell through. Then I was going to do cards, and THAT is falling through. Maybe I'll just use it for my regular blog name. 

Catie and Co. - I tend to blog about other people, so this is kind of cute... 

Anyways, just bouncing it off of you guys, comment with your favs!  I think I'm partial to the Backward and in High Heels one at the moment..;

Monday, Monday, MONDAY!!

Dontcha just love it when Al does that on the Today Show?!? Yeah...I know, I'm a dork. I've come to terms with it. You should, too.

ANYWAY, I was so pumped for tonight, and not just because Jon and Kate Plus 8 was on. Because I've recently gotten into some totally awesome money saving and couponing blogs (I'll list the really awesome ones in a blog roll soon) and tonight was my trip to the store.

First of all, I should tell you, I'm really into coupons. I always have been. It's my mom's fault, I remember her doing it when I was a kid and I loved to help her cut them out. Not sure why...I just remember that. That and our awesome pink dining room chairs. Gotta love the 80s.

So, thanks to THIS post by Stretching a Buck and sneeking a peek at my boyfriend's mom's ads, I saved a TON of money at Target. Granted, I didn't get quite as good of deals because every Target has different sales (and I made the mistake of taking Kyle) and because Kyle will be here all week so I bought more than normal, but I got some good ones still. Here's some highlights...

Nabisco 100 Calorie Pack (I got the Oreos...yum!)
FREE after two coupons!

Ritz Crackers (and Kyle's favorite cracker)
FREE after two coupons!

Playtex Tampons (TMI? Oh well...)
2 pkgs for $14 and I got a $5 gift card back

AND...MY FAVE...

Bertolli Frozen Dinners
4 pkgs for $6 each
2 coupons, one for $1.50, the other for $1.00
Got a $5 gift card back
FINAL PRICE - $5.37ish and I have the new gift card

Total Bill - $97.86

Savings $26.97 ($12.50 in coupons, the rest in sales)
And I walked away with $10 in gift cards for next time!

Once I'm settled into my new house, my next goal is to subscribe to the newpaper and get all the inserts again. I signed up for Red Plum today, but the paper has even more. It's totally worth it.

I just might take up a second job....

...so I can buy myself one of these! In red, of course. With a lovely matching dishwasher and stove! Check it out for yourself here.

Totally Awkward Tuesday

I stumbled upon this post idea a couple of times and I love it! (And really, the most exciting thing that's happened today was buying a new planner...so....yeah...)

Here goes, my first T.A.T. ever...

As some of you know, I ran track and cross country in high school. I was pretty serious about it and my parents put me in summer track and I trained with a guy at Wesley (a hospital in Wichita) that was really awesome. He actually was in the Olympic Trails for the marathon, that kind of caliber of runner.

ANYWAY...my freshman year of high school a few of us were invited to try out to be a part of an AAU Nationals team called the Brocaw Blazers, coached by this really strange guy who thought he was a voodoo doctor or something.

But that's neither here nor there.

The point is, my BFF and my ex-boyfriend and a few other people from my high school team ended up making the team and being able to travel to Nationals in Tennessee. We traveled by bus (there were like 150 people on this team, mind you...so we had three bus loads of kids aged 5-18...crazy stuff).

So, my mom packed me all up with stuff and sent me off to run in a measly little 4K race. Easy peasy.

Or so I thought.

I came down with a cold. A really NASTY cold, it was actually allergies, but built itself into a cold. And remember that voodoo doctor thing? This is where it comes into play.

My coach didn't believe in medicine.

So I had to sneakily take DayQuil so he didn't know I was sick.

Did you know DayQuil and running don't mix? Yeah, me neither.

I made it a quarter mile into the race and PASSED OUT. I awoke to my coaches dad pulling me off the course so I didn't get trampled by the other girls. He was like 80. But he was way nicer than my stupid coach.

And, for some reason, my parents let me go back the next year...

We've only scratched the surface that is the awkwardness of Catie...tune in next week!

Awesome VS Not Awesome

Having pets that want to love all over you...awesome.

Having pets that are covered in ticks AND want to love all over you...not awesome.

Buying a house...awesome.

Filling out paperwork/insurance/inspections/the list goes on to buy said house...not awesome.

Having a free carpet cleaning in my apartment...awesome.

Living in an apartment...not awesome.

Have brilliant idea to make and sell cards on Etsy...awesome.

Not having any time to make said cards and sell them on Esty...not awesome.

Finishing a project up on a Friday in time to leave work early and make it to BF's house for dinnertime...awesome.

Coming back into work on Monday to find POed project manager's and more work to be done...not awesome.

Sitting next to a really annoying guy at work...not awesome.

Finding out that he's DONE with his contract at the end of the month and therefore NO LONGER AN EMPLOYEE OF GLA...TOTALLY FREAKING AWESOME!!

Sorry guys, I'm tired and a loser survey is all you are going to get tonight... :)

1. First thing you wash in the shower? Hair

2. What color is your favorite hoodie? Hmm...red I guess. Don't really have a favorite.

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Always and forever.

4. Do you plan outfits? Guilty.

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? My arm hurts from twelve and a half straight hours of CADDing today. Actually, it was Revit...is that still CADDing? Who knows...or cares. I'm tired and ready for bed, that's fo shiz.

6. Whats the closest thing to you that is red? The Ace shirt I'm wearing...HUGE surprise, huh? :)

7. What was the last dream you remember having? I hardly ever remember them. It was a long time ago, that's for sure.

8. Did you meet anybody new today? Yes, that's my favorite part about my job!

9. What are you craving right now? Nothing, I feel icky.

10. Do you floss? When I remember to. I'm a lot better now than I used to be.

11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? Farts...sorry, but true.

12. Are you emotional? Lately I have been, but I've been really stressed with work and the apartment and stuff. It will go away soon, PROJECT DUE TOMORROW!! YAY!!

13. Have you ever counted to 1,000? More than likely.

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? I HATE biting cold stuff. Sensitive teeth.

15. Do you like your hair? Yeah, but I need to get some blond put in for summer, the auburn gets too hot in the sun!! It's true though!

16. Do you like yourself? Well that's a stupid question, of course I like myself.

17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? Probably...just to have a few good laughs.

18. What are you listening to right now? My dog snoring, traffic going by my parents house and the clicking of the keyboard.

19. Are your parents strict? Not at all.

20. Would you go sky diving? Been there, done that! Would totally do it again.

21. Do you like cottage cheese? MmMmM! Yeah, but I have to be in the mood. I have to be in the mood for all food though.

22. Have you ever met a celebrity? I know Landon from the Real World (and the Duel II) from when I was on the KSU Waterski Team. I also met a lot of famous waterskiers when I was at Nationals. That's probably it. I'm a nerd, I know.

23. Do you rent movies often? I heart Netflix.

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in? My jewelry, a VS bag and other various things on the kitchen counter.

25. How many countries have you visited? One, Mexico. So deprived.

26. Have you made a prank phone call? Yeah, my best friend growing up, Lindsey, and I did that stuff all the time. Back before caller id!

27. Ever been on a train? Silver Dollar City, Kyle's and I's vacation to Colorado last fall, and Eureka Springs. I like trains, they are very soothing.

28. Brown or white eggs? Whatever's at the farmer's market!!

29.Do you have a cell-phone? Do people not have cell phones? My 95-year-old grandfather has a cell phone and works it just fine. Get with the program people.

30. Do you use chap stick? All the time. Burts Bees is the best. Oh, and the silk one from Blistex.

31. Do you own a gun? Not yet, but I will once I get my concealed carry. WATCH OUT EVERYONE, A LIBERAL WITH GUN!! Whoulda thunk it? :)

32. Can you use chop sticks? Heck yes, my uncle taught me forever ago. And I am a huge fan of sushi!!

33. Who are you going to be with tonight? Well my parents went to bed already...so....Nelson and Moe. What a sad life I lead...

34. Are you too forgiving? Depends on the circumstance, but usually yes.

35. Ever been in love? Still am!!

36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow? He'll be at work. Making me some monies!! :)

37. Ever have cream puffs? Yeah, not a fan.

38. Last time you cried? This morning. Long story, but my cat came back home. At 4 am.

39. What was the last question you asked? "Are you going to bed?"

40. Favorite time of the year? The Fall.

41. Do you have any tattoos? None yet, but I have plans for two.

42. Are you sarcastic? Me?? Noooooooo.....

43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? Yup, crazy stuff right there...

44. Ever walked into a wall? HAHA!! All the time. I have absolutely no coordination. Those twelve years of gymnastics didn't really pay off, did it mom?

45. Favorite color? Red.

46. Have you ever slapped someone? Matt Hurst. He knows what he did. You could hear it clear across the football field, too. Ooops! My bad.

47. Is your hair curly? Yuppers.

48. What was the last CD you bought? Back to Tulsa by Ragweed. *swoon*

49. Do looks matter? Obviously, just look at my hunk! Just kidding, no not really.

50. Could you ever forgive a cheater? I did four times and all it got me was a fifth girl...yeowch. Won't do that again.

51. Is your phone bill sky high? I don't know, I don't pay it, my sugar daddy of a boyfriend does. :) LOVE YOU BABE!

52. Do you like your life right now? Liking it and approaching loving it. Just a few more steps and I'm set for a while...

53. Do you sleep with the TV on? Sometimes.

54. Can you handle the truth? I'd rather have the truth than find out later it's a lie.

55. Do you have good vision? It's okay.

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? No.

57. How often do you talk on the phone? A lot, reps call me all the friggin' time at work, lately it's been the insurance lady about the house and then Kyle and I usually talk around half an hour to and hour a night.

58. The last person you held hands with? Kyle.

59. What are you wearing? Ace shirt, Wichita North softball pants (don't ask...) that I cut into capris, and VS bra and underwear as usual.

60.What is your favorite animal? Penguins.

61. Where was your default picture taken? Hmm...didn't realize it would mention Facebook. But it was at the Sand Dunes near La Veta, Colorado.

62. Can you hula hoop? Yes.

63. Do you have a job? Yes. For now anyway.

64. What was the most recent thing you bought? A house!!

65. Have you ever crawled through a window? Yeah, I used to lock myself out of my apartment a lot in college. I is smart. :)

Take this quiz and use it to your liking!!

HOLY POOP!!

In case you don't follow me on Twitter and Facebook...

(And really, why aren't you?  Go and add me right now.  Because I'm that cool.  You back?  Okay, good.) 

...apparently, I just bought a house!

They accepted my offer, which was way under county appraisal.  I totally expected them to come back with a counter, but I guess I hit the mark!

Okay...I'm going to post some pictures up...I KNOW that the finishes are fugly.  DUH, I'm an interior designer.  I know how to decorate my own home (but don't ask me to do yours, I really, really hate that.  I'm a COMMERCIAL interior designer.  My firm doesn't do residential.  But I'd be glad to get you the number of some of my friends...)  

So, I was willing to have to do some work.  Actually, I was ready to do a lot of work.  Because of my price range, I thought I'd have some trouble finding a place that was livable.  As in can be inhabited...

Well, this can actually be lived in .  Right away even!  Which is a nice touch in case you forgot about this.  It might be ugly, but hey, it's a roof over my head and I don't have to pay big bucks to get it looking good like some of the other houses I looked at.

For those of you that are current/former/visitor of Wichita, it's in the College Hill(ish) area.  Technically on the wrong side of Hillside for College Hill, but it's still in the school district.

Front of house and garage.  I can't believe they painted the brick.  I could kill them.  I'll be power washing that right off and asap.  Good thing I know that one lady that owns a hardware store...  Don't you LOVE my huge tree in my backyard?  I won't be able to grow grass because it literally is 6 foot in diameter and covers the WHOLE YARD and most of the neighbors!

The living room area looking into the dining room.  The entryway and foyer are to the left in this picture.  My favorite thing is the front door and they didn't take pictures of it!  Dang it.  it's a 4 foot wide door with glass panes.  GORGEOUS!  And never painted!!

Other side of the living room with the original doorbell.  (Not original to the house...it was built in 1925.  But the first doorbell that was in it I'm sure.)  I love that they just refinished the wood floors.  SCORE!

They put in new kitchen cabinets, but there are no appliances (do I hear energy star calling my name?!?)  And they put it in a little room, I think I'm going to move all of this and buy some more cabinets and put it in the room adjacent to this one.  Too small of a kitchen for me.

Here's where the fugly finishes start...apparently there was a scratch and dent sale on bathroom tile....does ANY of this match?  No.  But at least they made a pattern, I'll give them that one...

Master bedroom with BABY BLUE carpet.  It's brand new carpet, all the carpet is new.  And it's baby blue.  Totally awesome wallpaper with baby blue and pink flowers on it.  I can hear the ripping now...

Second bedroom with the awesome faux finish they put in it.  And yellow carpet.  As in banana yellow carpet.  *shiver*

Did someone say PINK!  I really hope the owner doesn't read this blog, but seriously, PINK CARPET!?!?!  Yuck.  And another display of awesome faux finishing...I think I'm going to make this into my sewing room and do a pink and brown color palette so the carpet actually kind of goes...with something...

That's all folks!  I'll keep you updated with the after pictures, we are hoping to close on the 18th so only TWO WEEKS to pack and move.  HURRAH!!!  

Goodbye Cedarbrooke, HELLLLLOOOOO College Hill!

Oh, and wish Kyle luck, he's got a phone interview with a company in Hesston and it's for a good job!  GASP!  In THIS economy!?!  Some dudes have all the luck.  Or great college degrees...you know...whatever.  And, I think he's just as excited about this house as I am, so I know he's ready to live in it as soon as possible!

UPDATE!

I PUT AN OFFER ON A HOUSE!!!

MORE UPDATES TO COME SOON!