So many things to love and so much gratitude to give...
Facebook Posts
I mean, really, so many people took time to type out great Happy Birthday messages and I loved reading every single one.



Being Called Beautiful
Yep.  You already know I'm that vain.  I don't know why I appreciate being called beautiful more than anything else.  My mother is shaking her head somewhere in Heaven right now, "Kathryn Ann, that is NOT the daughter I raised!"  What?!  Who doesn't like being called beautiful?!


Non-Working Lunches
We didn't even have our computers out!  We just sat and chatting and enjoyed the most delicious home-cooked meal AND dessert that I didn't feel the least bit guilty about eating because it was my birthday.  Did you feel guilty for the Tropical Sno you ate the other day...it wasn't your birthday that day. 


High/Low
"Katie!!!," they collectively yell when I force them to play High/Low but I know they secretly love it just like I do and all my work friends fully appeased my need to play.  Because we knew you wouldn't shut up if we didn't. 



Thoughtful Gifts
The girls bought me so much great stuff but I was SO excited that they remembered how much I wanted to try a french press.  I'm so excited.  A friend is coming in town this weekend so french press coffee will be served!  I'll wait for the #coffeefail post on Facebook. 

And...I got a HYDROFLASK!  The ice stays as ice ALL. DAY.  LONG.  Yes, even in Arizona.


Flowers
I got 3 bouquets of flowers!  So, so beautiful and so thoughtful!



Dinner with Old Friends
It feels like we have known each other forever, we pretty much have.  It's just easy.  No niceties, just normal.  I love that they made it happen.


Unexpected Texts
I got a text from an old friend.  Short.  Simple.  Unexpected.


Video Messages From My Family
They all sang to me and now I have that video to keep so I can see those cute faces anytime I want.  Win.


Old Pictures
My friend sent me tons of old pictures of us from college...we were such babies!  I loved taking a walk down memory lane every few hours.  I had the best college experience and best friends anywhere...and with a little bit of luck, I even got a degree.

Cool pleather pants

A Text an Hour
Are you ready for this?  My brother sent me the most detailed, sincere text every hour.  I literally had tears in my eyes every hour.  Almost every single conversation I have with Tom involves him telling me why I'm wrong about something but on Monday, he was Mr. Sensitive and I loved every minute of it.  Until next year Little Brother.


A little insight into my blog...finding each of these pictures takes a really long time and after the first few, I don't want to find anymore but I feel bad for the other little paragraphs, like they will get their feelings hurt if they don't get a picture, so I keep going.  You're such an odd duck KC. 

Yesterday was so great.  Today, I'm just fucking 35.

Ladies, is there anything better than a strategically placed tattoo?

Somewhere on the back or arm or...well, that's about all I can do.  But really, how hot is that?  It adds at least two points to an, otherwise, 6 or 7, add in a bit of cologne and a well maintained beard...he's a 10.  10.


I'm down with the ink but, for me, it needs to be:
Well thought out
Well placed
Good work 

In order words, my expectation is that a man's tattoos are everything that mine are NOT.
What?  Katie! You have tattoos? 
Yes, 2 of them.
I got my first tattoo at 30.  I waited a LONG time to really decide and get the perfect tattoo.

I knew exactly what I wanted written, the first line of Desiderata.  It's such a sentimental poem to me so I knew it wouldn't be some fleeting or trendy thing.  I pinned the placement I wanted on Pinterest-the instep of my foot-my left foot.

I was ready.

Here's a few tips...

DO research the skin you're about to tattoo.  Unbeknownst to me, that skin is "the worst skin you can possibly tattoo-thin and the tattoo doesn't stay."

DON'T get your first (or any actually) tattoos from a guy who learned to tattoo in prison.
You did that?!
I did that.

DO leave the shop immediately if you're getting bad vibes.
I second guessed myself because I just thought I wasn't hardcore enough and needed to toughen up in there.  While that may be true, I'm pretty sure if a virgin skinned lady walks in and asked you to tattoo in a stupid place, it's your obligation to warn her.



DO follow all of the directions to the letter for after-care.   Hot yoga wasn't on the list and neither was wearing flip-flops.

4/7 of the words rubbed completely away.
You're shitting me!?
I've never actually understood that term, but no I am not shitting you.

DON'T go back and let them "go deeper."
They certainly went deeper and although I was a rockstar sitting in that chair (I really was), it resulted in the entire tattoo blowing out.

And now one of my most frequently asked questions is, "What does your foot say." To which I reply, "It says I'm a shitty tattoo," and then they look at me sideways as if to say, "Did you really put that on your foot?" to which I say to their glance, "No, it was supposed to say Go Placidly Amid the Noise and Haste."

My options...
Laser it off-OUCH.  My friend is hard core and did that and her leg had blisters all over it.  I can't.
Cover it up-Hmmm, what do you think would blend in best with black blob?
Leave it-That's probably what I'll do.  Cool.

My story is starting out a little scary

If you want me to go with you to get your next tattoo, I obviously am awesome at it...and that's just my first tattoo.

Haphazard strikes again!

To be continued...

I think my passion may be getting in the way of my life...er, career...and life

Perhaps, every person who knows me would describe me as passionate.  I'm beginning to think it's my biggest blessing and biggest curse.

I was talking to a friend this morning and upset about a few things, saying, "I think I need to be more even keel about things, just kinda there," and she said, "Maybe you do but your passion is one of my favorite things about you.  Do you remember that kid in your class who just complied with everything you said all the time?  Me either.  Those aren't the kids we remember."


Blessing
The people who are drawn to me are because everything about me is real.
I write exactly the way I talk, which is exactly the way I feel.
I get super close with people because I give those relationships everything I've got.

I think that's what made me a good teacher-I loved each of those kids like they were my own and I MADE them learn by any means necessary <---- that kinda makes me sound like I was torturing them in my room, but I assure you, most days you wouldn't find any medieval torture devices in my room <---- I just goggled those words to find a specific one to mention that you'd know too and a) I didn't find any b) it was gross and made my eyes and heart hurt c) don't Google that.

Sidenote: I hate saying "a good teacher" because I think it sounds like I'm bragging which I'm not trying to do, but just like I can tell you about all the things I super suck at, I know what I'm good at as well.  I think we all know where our strengths lie.

I am really good at dealing with tough kids because I can have those tough conversations.

There's a girl at our school who constantly bullies other kids, constantly.  I didn't know her that well but one day I was sitting with her and said, "Hey, I hear you've been pretty mean to other kids and here's the only thing I know.  I know, for a fact, that every kid I have ever seen who bullies other kids does not like themselves.  There is something they are so insecure about, within themselves, that they have to be mean to other people.  It makes me wonder because you are a beautiful girl.  I hear you understand things so quickly and I have seen you be so nice to other kids."  She said, with tears in her eyes, "I'm not beautiful.  I'm ugly..." and the conversation continued and she talks to me all the time now.  I don't know if her bullying stopped but it was a good talk.  However,  I really didn't know this girl and I probably should have stayed right on the surface with her, but I didn't.  I hit that behavior head on.


Curse
I feel like as you move higher and higher in leadership, you need to be more political.  I'm not.  You're kidding, Katie.  Honestly, I don't really want to become more political.

I really work hard to be uber professional all the time, and I think I have grown in that area, but sometimes I just say what's on my mind.

My face always tells what I'm thinking.

Nothing just "rolls off my back."  I get so excited or upset based on what people say.


I think my passion can get me in trouble at work.  The people who I have seen, who never get in "trouble" (I don't actually get in big trouble just minor conversations) are the ones who are even keel all the time.



Questions 
So, here are my questions and I am truly curious about your answers:

I envy people who have a great poker face...but not enough to change who I am because I have spent 35 years perfecting me...but I am always trying to improve myself too so where does that leave me?

Can you, simultaneously, be professional and passionate and political?

Can you be a good leader if you're not political?

Can I become more political without losing who I am?

Is political correctness the opposite end of the spectrum from passion?

Is there a stopping point for me, career-wise?  As in, "Katie, you can be super passionate but you're never going to move "up the ladder that way."


Feel free to put your answers on Facebook or, anonymously, as comments.

My week in review...from last Sunday to this Sunday


Work Outs: 2, 1 of which was a ralk (run, jog, walk) my self-appointed "Life Coach" told me to do

Eating: I logged most of my food, except dinner sometimes.  Why do I just quit logging after I get home?!

Non-Scale Victories: The cottage cheese that was trying to form above my knees is gone.  Get the !@#$ out of here cottage cheese!

High:  I logged my food.

Low(s): 

• I ate out 2 times:  1 salad from Whole Foods (not good on the wallet but still healthy) and 1 trip to In and Out (yep, that happened).  
• I drank out 5 DAYS: Dutch Bros Medium Coffee with cream and 1/2 scoop of vanilla.  I mean, it's not a Carmel Machiatto which is what I would have every day if I wouldn't get diabetes. 
• Up 1 lb

Goals: 

• 120 oz of water per day 

• Coffee at home every day except Friday.  So far I have made it 1/1 day.  
• Food Prep

Guess what, I ALREADY DID THIS!

Egg Muffins: My go to favorite breakfast meal
Spring Stir Fry:  I'd give it 3/4 stars and 1 #katiecookedagain (see reason below) from Pinterest and this recipe from Skinny Taste.

Southwest Spaghetti Squash from this past blog: 4/4 stars and 1 #katiecookedagain (see reason below)

So, there I was...making the two dishes above simultaneously.  I opened the 3 cans I needed: black beans, corn, and chicken broth.  I pick up the "corn" to drain it into the sink and it just keep draining.  "That's weird," I thought, "Do you think they forgot to put the corn in here?  I have never had that happen."  No, they didn't forget the corn in the CHICKEN BROTH.  #katiecookedagain

What are you doing to be healthy this week?  Here's to us!

I'm writing this blog for three reasons...
1.  Tom says, on a regular basis, "You know what your blog needs?  More stories about me." #realmature
2.  It's National Siblings Day
3.  I'm so bad at so many areas of my life but in sibling relationships, I excel-we excel. Here are some lessons I have learned along the way.

10 Things I Know for Sure...

10.  Laugh
My brother has an incredible ability to make every situation funny.

His very best friend, Hank, died last weekend and he's so sad.  He misses his boy so much and as I talked to him on the phone, through his tears, he says, "We're getting Hank cremated and we're going to sprinkle him at the beach.  How embarrassing.  We're so white that we are getting our dog cremated and taking a trip to sprinkle his ashes."

9.  Make Friends
Watching him talk to people still amazes me.

Tom makes new friends everywhere he goes.  He's genuinely interested in everyone, makes conversations and people love him.  It's impressive.

Some people are good at making quick friends but not that great at keep those around for a long time.  My brother still has such close relationships with his friends that, even though he's not on social media (except when he hijacks mine), at least seven of his closest guys called or text him on the day Hank died-speaks volumes of those relationships.


8.  Talk
We talk about everything...everything.

Scared you're never going to get married?  Let's talk about it.
You're too fat?  Let's talk about it (and then he takes on the job as my Life Coach and makes me go for a run)
You want a new job?  Let's talk about it.
You're pissed at me?  Let's talk about it.
Your story is boring?  Let him know ;)

We are real-ALL. THE. TIME.

7.  Fight
Fight it out.  Figure it out.  Move on.  I have lots of other blogs like this but at the end of the day, we learned to "put it all out there," from our Mom.

Sometimes I think I fight the most with the people I trust the most to be there.  I have been wrong about this in the past but with Tom, it's always true.  I know that he is, probably subconsciously, this way with me.  He knows that no matter what he says or how shitty he is, I will be there-always.

6.  Have Fun
I don't know anyone who can make a trip to the grocery store or gas station as fun as my brother.  He invents games like impromptu volleyball in the middle of the asile, "Here's $3, go and buy something for me that I will love (in the Dollar Store)," and once he posted an ad that I was selling a goal on Craig's List (remember that one ;) ).

Tom Cartier is the happiest person I know and can have fun anywhere.  He never takes anything too seriously.  I think we could all use a little more of that.


5.  Speak Silently
Your childhood shapes who you are.  Next to me in the back seat, sharing the 20 piece of chicken nuggets and McDonald Land Cookies because Mom said, "It's a waste of money to buy the Happy Meal," was my brother.  We drew pretend lines to divide the back seat in half and learned how to fight silently so Dad didn't "pull that car over."

And now... so many years later, some of our best conversations are silent-a secret language that we can perfected.

4.  Show Up
Show up to Skype with the kids when:
- Get new earrings
- Lose their dogs
- Take a big test
- Have a hard homework question
- Need to read a book
- Their aunt just needs to see their faces
Show up for Grandma and Grandpa's funerals.
Show up for big birthdays.
Show up for baby showers.
Make the phone calls.
Send the texts.
Show up.

I always show up for him and he always shows up for me-for our family.  Every single time.  If we have to rearrange schedules to make it happen, we make it happen.


3.  Laugh...again
It's that important.  My loudest laughs come from conversations with my brother.  He's my kind of funny.

2.  Speak in Tongues
It's that part of a relationship, with anyone, the best?  Where 85% of your conversation is in those inside jokes-the things you only say to each other and usually don't even realize you're saying because it's just so much a part of that relationship.

- Rotten fruit - Clear your history - Aside from the number of people in the Niagra Falls area, have you ever been laid by anyone around here? - Hi Dolphin - Your team - Hashtag Disneyfit - Max, calm down - What you're doing is socially unacceptable - Keepin it gangsta - Call Kevin - Vienna sausages - Losers quote-try again tomorrow - awkward family photos - unintentional porn - get on my team! - Tropical Sno - Eddies - "Did you just try and punch me?" - In 1814, we took a little trip... - Di-nee-land - 1/2 D.

1.  Support for Life
Life can get hard and get lonely sometimes.  It's nice to know that, no matter what, I will ALWAYS have someone in my corner-even if I do have to remind him to get on my team sometimes.

To my first friend and first enemy, Happy Siblings Day!

You, my brother, are my favorite human; the funniest person I know and the best dad I have ever seen.   

That's 'Journey to the Healthiest Version of Me Update #1"

I told you I'd, at least, write on Sunday.  So, here I am.

Neat things that have happened in the last 4 minutes...
1.  I let Scout out to go potty in my tank and underoos.  
I attached him to his leash and opened the door just enough for her to get out, hoping she'd just quickly squat and come back in.  Well, obviously that didn't happen because this is MY life.  A lovely man coming back from the pool glanced over...and saw me...in my underoos.  I smiled as if I wasn't embarrassed, as if I was just wearing bathing suit bottoms.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.


2.  I spilled mozzarella cheese juice on the floor and on my foot. 
Yeah, it's as gross as it sounds.

3.  Scout peed in the spare bedroom. 
My dog is 4 years old.  I'm not really sure how she still has "accidents."  Also, I know it sounds appealing.  Come on over and stay.  I promise it will smell like Simple Green and not pee.  Mmmm.


Here's my "Healthy Katie" Update.

Highs:
1.  I logged all my food into My Fitness Pal.







2.  I hiked 3 times
3.  I lost 2.5 lbs



Lows:
1.  I bought this lemon cake...and ate it in 1/3 increments.  That wasn't very mature.

 2.  I didn't drink my 120 oz of water each day.
3.  One day I bought 20 oz of Diet Coke...and drank it.  It gave me a raging headache.


Goals for this Week:
1.  Drink 120 oz of water each day.


2.  Don't eat anything that didn't come out of my kitchen...did you hear me friends and family?  Don't tempt me by asking to me to go out for any meals.  I gotta each what's in my kitchen.
3.  Stay under my calories every day

What are your goals this week?  Have a fantastic and healthy week!  Here's to us!