scenes from the summer...

We do many things that either never get photographed (because contrary to how it appears, I don't take photos everytime I do something with friends or Bryan) and some things just don't deserve their own blog post. Below are some of my "lost photos from summer."

We took Cali to eat with us in Birkdale Village... a lot!

Spent afternoons at the lake

Shucked some corn

Popped a bottle that a friend gave us as a wedding gift... it's wine from the winery we got engaged at in Sonoma - Bartholomew Park

Doggy playdates

and fur-mama playdates

Warm clean sheets = snuggle time

 I had this for breakfast!

I baked diet coke brownies

football started

Although today is the last day of summer, it's still warm in the only 2 states I really care about, NC and CA, therefore I'm not ready to embrace fall quite yet... My pumpkin spiced latte will just have to wait! In the meantime, margarita anyone?!

randomness for the day

I just realized that 'every time' is two words. If you knew my major in college, you would find this revelation just as pathetic as I do.

Just like Orange County isn't a town, neither is Lake Norman, but it's where we say we live. Not sure why Bryan and I always end up in areas like this. Kinda coincidental? Maybe fate??

I still need to change my last name to Bryan's...

My mom has always told me that men peak in the looks department at age 30 and that peak lasts a good 20 years. Have you seen Bryan lately? He turned 30 5 months ago and has never looked better!

I'm so over buying clothes. Home decor is all the rage in my world these days! Welcome to adulthood Kate, it's about time we meet.

With that being said, I just counted... I've purchased 9 sundresses in the past week. Oy. 

Best thing about living in a hotel -- Your bed is always made and you always have fresh towels!

The neighborhood we moved into bares the same name of the county I was born in. Talk about full circle.

If you've ever ordered a Cadillac in a bar, you're my kinda gal! If you don't know what it is... well..... shame on you.

I need to know how to make a heart in my coffee. If I learn this trick, I will be a hit in an office one day!

Why oh why do my hair and nails grow so damn fast? I know I'm not that healthy!

I have a large red birthmark plastered on my right wrist. If I ever go missing. That's how I'll be identified.

We acquired a roommate. She's been at our house since late April and will probably be with us through a good portion of the summer.

the meaning behind my blog title

cali and the iPad

On Christmas night we gave Cali a little extra present - a doggy friend on my parents iPad... Now she always does this to the tv, but she's never been this close to the dog. Check out how hilarious her reaction was!

youtube funnies

Dying laughing doesn't even begin to explain what I do when I listen these 10-15 second clips of this guy teaching foreigners how to speak English. I cry... tears of laughter... every. damn. time! Especially because there are people out there who are trying to learn English and really listen to these!!

If you didn't just pee yourself the slightest bit, especially when listen to the 'Prada' or 'Guinness' pronunciation, then we could never be friends.

reviews and recommendations

I've been using several products, appliances and grocery store items that are worthy of me sharing. Most are amazing, but there is one that I'm on the fence with...

Clarisonic

$119.00

Back in October I ordered the Clarisonic Mia. I had only heard wonderful things about this product. After receiving mine I saw immediate results. I felt that my skin appeared tighter, my pores smaller and my make up seemed to apply smoother. I rotate between Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Scrub and Philosophy On a Clear Day cleanser. The initial change that I saw in my skin didn't last very long... maybe 2 weeks. I have now been using the Clarisonic for 3 months - although I am still unhappy with its immediate results, I definitely feel like it cleans dirt and make up out from my pores better than any other product I've used. I use my Clarosonic daily, in the shower, because I believe I will see long term affects in reducing fine lines. If you are looking for immediate results this might not be the product for you. But if you are looking for long term results throughout the aging process, give it a shot!

Cupcake Pinot Noir

$7.99

I am not generally a fan of wines with catchy names like Middle Sister or Fat Bastard, so when I saw Cupcake wine I was initially skeptical, but since purchasing my 1st bottle I have never looked back! Not surprisingly, Cupcake Vineyards in located on the central coast of California, just inland from Carmel - many great wines comes from this region. I have tried the majority of their reds and white, and I must say the Pinot Noir belongs in a category of its own - for the price, you can't find better! It pairs wonderfully with the mushroom flat bread listed below.

Wild Mushroom & Black Truffle Flatbread

$4.69

My parents got Bryan and I hooked on this decadent flat bread from Trader Joes. If you prefer simple foods, this is not for you. But if you enjoy a taste bud party in your mouth, run out and purchase this affordable flat bread and tell your husband you're making "pizza" for dinner!

Magic Bullet

$49.99

I have wanted a Magic Bullet blender for some time and on Christmas morning Bryan made sure I had one to open. I make protein shakes and smoothies daily. This product has been one of the best additions to not only my kitchen, but to my life. The two most important aspects of this blender are that it is compact for storage purposes and the clean up time is literally 10 seconds. I cannot tell you how nice it is to not have to scrub out the inside of a large blender and it's blade. With the Magic Bullet you only need to clean the blade by hand, the blender portion of it is actually the glass you drink out of, so that just goes in the dish washer. I am obsessed with this product and highly recommend it if you make individual smoothies, shakes or puree's.

Suddenly Pasta Salad

$2.55

I discovered Betty Crockers Suddenly Pasta Salad in Classic this past spring and make it every chance I get. It is easy to make and tastes homemade. Suddenly Salad is the perfect side dish to chicken, mixed with vegetables or made to accompany a summer BBQ. The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, but I use olive oil and it tastes delishes! This is not stated in the recipe, but I have found that when making this item, refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving or else it tastes extremely salty. The refrigeration blends the flavors and minimizes the salty taste. You can't beat the price!

he didn't stop until they shot him

We left our hotel in Norman, OK at around 10:15am last Wednesday morning. Not even 15 minutes later, as we're cruising south on I-35, Bryan says "there are 2 cop cars coming up behind me." I make sure he wasn't speeding, which he wasn't. Then out of my side mirror I see these police cars make a sharp right to go down the wrong way of the freeway entrance.

Needless to say we were confused.

About 30 seconds later I look to my left and see a truck driving on the other side of I-35 going the wrong direction!

This truck was driving next to us, driving south, just like us. But it was in the fast lane on the northbound side of the highway.

Bryan and I were freaking out! I quickly started praying. Praying that no one gets killed. He was in the fast lane!

Next thing you know, this truck cuts across the lanes and continues driving south (on the northbound side), but is in the shoulder now. Thank God he's out of the traffic lanes, but what if someones changing a flat tire, or a big rig is broken down... what if?

I keep praying. Hard.

We lost sight of the truck he was going so fast.

Next thing you know, police car after police car start zooming by in the lane right next to us (police cars in fast lane, us in slow lane). Police cars after police SUV's after undercover vehicles. They were traveling at extremely high speeds, attempting to catch up with this truck.

It was beyond wild!

Bryan and I started discussing what in Gods name was going on --- Was this guy high or drunk? Did he just rob a convenience store or gas station? How long had he been on the road like this? What the hell was going on?!

I was still praying.

About 20 police cars and 15 minutes went by. We were nervous. Did he exit off the highway? Were we going to see a large crash up ahead?

Lo and behold, we drove by the end result of the high speed chase and below is an article I found at KXII.com and pictures I was able to snap...

***

Wrong-way chase down I-35 ends with fugitive's capture in Murray Co.

MURRAY COUNTY, OK - A man who escaped custody in Louisiana led Oklahoma troopers on a high speed chase down Interstate 35 and didn't stop until they shot him.

Posted: 5:55 PM Oct 26, 2011
Reporter: Amanda Brown

MURRAY COUNTY, OK - A man who escaped custody in Louisiana led Oklahoma troopers on a high speed chase down Interstate 35 and didn't stop until they shot him.

OHP Troopers say the chase started Wednesday morning when they tried to pull Brian Soileau over on an outstanding warrant, but he took off. When Soileau moved into the northbound lanes and into oncoming traffic, troopers were authorized to use deadly force, and they did.

Authorities detained Brian Soileau near Davis late Wednesday morning. OHP says he took off around 11 o'clock Wednesday morning, driving 95 miles per hour south down I-35. When he crossed into the northbound lanes in Garvin County, Soileau put troopers, civilian drivers, and everyone who stood in his way in serious danger.

"It's a miracle. Just a there's no other way to put it, just absolutely the grace of God that kept this man from killing somebody or multiple people today because he showed absolutely no regard for the safety of anybody else out here on the interstate," OHP Trooper Betsy Randolph said U.S. Marshals say they spotted Soileau at a Lowe's Home Improvement store in Norman. The escaped inmate from Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, was facing a life sentence for aggravated burglary there, and was also wanted for a bank robbery in Texas that happened Tuesday.

After a 30 minute pursuit, OHP troopers shot Soileau, and he crashed the stolen pickup he was driving. U.S. Marshal Michael Parks says the cooperation of OHP was vital to catching the escaped inmate.

"With these other agencies that make it possible for us to do what we do, because without the help of the troopers who knows how this would of went, but with their efforts and the help they gave us it was a good thing that it turned out as well as it did where no one got hurt," Marshal Parks said.

Soileau was flown to the OU Trauma Center in Oklahoma City with a gunshot wound to the stomach. No word on his condition tonight.

***

This high speed chase was way worse than we could have ever imagined!

A fugitive

2 states away from where he escaped

With a gun on him

Who fired shots

And was shot by police

Undercover vehicles and cop cars speeding by us faster than I've ever seen any car drive on a regular highway in my life!

This is the end of the chase... off the bank of the highway, where the shots were fired and where the fugitive was shot

You can see the fugitives truck here, but it's hard to point it out. It's pretty hidden in the brush, but is a gold pick up truck behind the police car on the left in the foreground.

The beginning of stopped traffic on the other side

Growing up in southern CA, high speed chases were fairly common. Most of us Californian's laugh off high speed chases as they're kind of a dime a dozen. But no joke, this shit is scary and so dangerous!

People often ask Bryan and I "What's the craziest thing you've ever seen on the road or in your travels?" We'd never had a good answer until now!

Glad no one was hurt... outside of the fugitive.........

screw blog hoppin'. turns out i'm dream hoppin'

Apparently I'm creepin' into peoples dreams lately!

I got this e-mail from Katie last week:

You were in my dream last night. Creepy, no? But you were!! We were traveling of some sort and having a blast ! Ok love ya let me know! :)

Then, on the very same day, I got this e-mail from April:

Kate - don't think I am weird, promise?!?!?? Okay so I dreamt the other night that I met you and Sweet Bef. I swear I am not a stalker! Just excited for our get together I guess. :) am I straaaaaange?!?? Tell it to me straight. HA!

Two days go by, I hop on Twitter and see that Beth has been dreaming about me too. She text me and explained this hilarious dream of hers:

We were in Vegas for I think my birthday and my presents were all stuff from Toys R Us - stuffed animals, a doll house and black baby dolls. All the toys were unopened and I didn't know who got me what. We had to try to sneak into this guys VIP party.

Have I crept into your dreams yet?

Because apparently I'm dream hoppin'!

And if I haven't been in yours, I'm on my way..... See ya tonight!

***

Oh, and because it's Halloween I thought I would confess that it's not my favorite holiday. I don't hate it, but I don't care about it. At all. Bryan can't stand it. Bryan and I have been on the road working and away from our friends for every Halloween that we've known each other. We have never celebrated or dressed up. Fine by us. I'd die if I married someone who loved Halloween... he would too! I swear, we were made for each other!!

randomness for the day

Remember this post?

I'm bringing it back!

First off: Osama Bin Laden is dead! News broke in the 10 o'clock hour last night as Bryan and I were laying in bed. I was mesmerized by the coverage, but after the weekend I had just had in the Hilton Head area working at the Beaufort Air Show, I couldn't stay awake to hear President Obama speak. I tried to stay up for as long as I could, but my eyes weren't cooperating. Watching the continuing news coverage this morning and seeing the Times Square footage brought many tears to my eyes. Good tears. Bad tears. Sad tears. Happy tears. Angry tears. Hopeful tears. Being that I spent my weekend on a base and around every branch of the miltary, I can't help but wonder how they all feel about this news. Many emotions, I'm sure. Proud should be one of them. Lord knows I'm so proud of our armed forces, the Navy Seals and our CIA. I'm so honored to be an American and I'd give anything to be in NYC on 9/11/11!

***

After reading through the Pottery Barn catalog and marking the pages of things I want, I added up the number and my wish list grand total is $5,000. Eff me!

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Cali doesn't sleep through the night. She wakes up between 2:00am and 5:00am and needs to be let out to go potty. Thank God we're on the 1st floor and we have grass out our back patio, but we've been doing this for a year now and it's getting OLD. Any advice for getting her to hold her bladder until morning? Other than that, she's the best little girl ever!

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I have 17 bathing suits. I counted. And I really want a new one for this summer! Why can't I think logically when it comes to shopping?! I think it's a "girl" thing...

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I get paid $400-$500/day for these events I worked last month and this month. If I could only make that consistenly for 12 months I'd be able to buy all of that Pottery Barn stuff I want without batting an eyelash! Too bad these events aren't consistent though...

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Why oh why do I bite my nails so bad that I have to wear fake nails?!! It's 1 habit I just can't break!

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I love event planning and marketing. Event marketing to be specific.

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I can't imagine loving a child more than I love my dog.

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Spring is my favorite season. Always has been. Easter's my favorite holiday. Always has been. There's something about the mimosa's, candy, brunch and pastels that scream "Kate!" But I despise the allergies that come with this time of year. Super sucky!

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Last spring I went to an allergist. My allergies were worse than they had ever been and I attributed it to moving to the south. I was right. I have always been allergic to pollen, hay, cats, dust, feathers, etc. And although I had seen an allergist years back, this allergist in NC confirmed that I am highly allergic to southern grass. Southern grass and cats are what I reacted to the most. My little welts were gigantic compared to some of the others. Southern grass? I live in the south now. This is great...

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I need to go to the denist. I don't mind the denist at all and don't understand why so many people hate going. But then again, I've never had braces or a root canal or cavaties really, so I guess I've never had any reason to fear the dentist. I also don't mind going to the gyno. I mean, it's their job. They've seen worse. I'm sure of that just by sitting in the waiting room!

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I pay just under $300/month for health insurance. I hate writing that check! It'll be so nice to have a "regular" job one day with company benefits again. My last company benefits rocked (even though I know some are awful)!

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I refuse to have an HMO. Never have. Never will.

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I never talk politics, but I'm a proud Republican. A moderate Republican. I'm more conservative financially and more liberal socially. I'm all for gay marriage and gay rights. I'm torn with a woman's right to choose. I want lower taxes. I can't stand Michael Moore. I don't think Al Gore is a God and I think it's a joke he won the Nobel Peace Prize. After what he's done to the state of California, I'm embarrassed to admit that I voted Arnold Schwarzenegger into office. I'm for capital punishment. Bryan and I think firing squads are the best form of capital punishment. Gross, huh? And I believe that we're all American and patriotic, regardless of our political party. I love to vote and take pride in my vote, but I don't vote in every election if I don't understand the specifics. For many reasons, I am not for health care reform, although I must admit that after writing a $600 check every 2 months for my insurance, national healthcare does peek my interest. I'm curious, how do all you lovely Canadian's like your country's national healthcare?

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If blogging were a religion, I'd be one outstanding follower!

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I never buy holiday decor before the holiday. I always buy it after when it's all on sale. I don't really believe in paying full price for anything except make-up!

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I'm a lefty and hold my pen super weird. Everyone who see's me write comments on it. Even the Customs guard in Cabo commented on how I held my pen. Sometimes I want to give the finger, but I always smile and laugh instead. In my head I'm giving the finger...

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When I decide to take Bryan's last name as mine (because I haven't yet), I will have "a" "i" "l" "y" in that exact order in my first and last name! Won't that look funny?! But right now every airport check-in person, TSA agent and Customs agent feels the need to laugh and make fun of my current first, middle and last name on my airline tickets/drivers license/passport, so maybe the change won't be so bad, LOL!!

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Hasta manana!