And so it begins...

Well, to go with my new job, I decided that I can't possibly move any more. So, I decided rather than move into an apartment and then have to move all my stuff into a house, I should just buy a house now. So I flew out to Clarksville TN (flew to Nashville and then drove to Clarksville) and looked at some houses. Yes, in true Katie style, I found one I love and made an offer...long story short, I am now the proud owner of a lovely 3BR/2BA 1250 sq. ft. brand spankin' new house! Yikes! As if thats not bad enough, I also decided its time for a new car. So,I bought a brand spankin' new car too! Yes, this now means I will be working for the rest of my life. I will be the wal-mart greeter at age 90 putting smiley face stickers on kids and trying to chase down people who set the alarm off (well....chase is too stong a word...shuffle might be more appropriate..I will be 90 you know!).

Below are some pics. Enjoy! I will try to post more! P.S. I'll be home (QC)the weekend of the airshow and then will drive to my new post. Also, mom drove the route to Clarksville, and its 8 hours 30 mintues (including one food break!). I do have 2 spare bedrooms for guests!! (hint hint)

Front


Back
Movie (push play button)

Walk in Master Closet

Kitchen-eat in side

bay window

The Big Move....Part 2

Well, its almost official (waiting on the paperwork to come through). I have a new place to work. Yes, its time for me to pack up my things (yet again) and head to another wonderful place to live. I am getting a little closer to home. Some place where everyone is related....no...not arkansas. I'm moving to Ft. Campbell. For those non military people its in KY, well, I should say half of it is in KY, the other part is in TN. Its a wierd place to work. Right on the border. Gotta love it. Confusion....with the government...nawwwww. So I have to pack up and move shortly before 26 June. So, all my time now is devoted to getting ready to move. I am headed out for a short trip to house hunt in the next few weeks, and then its time to move. This time I am going to fly back home, driving that long distance again would just not be good for me! So, I am leaving the land of almost no snow and headed for a little colder place with a little more snow, but not nearly Iowa's snow. I am actually very excited. I am looking at trying to buy a house, since this is where I will be until I decide to move (which I am not fond of). I want to stay there for a while and set up roots. To become a part of the community and to make new friends. Don't worry, its like the Girl Scout song says.."make new friends but keep the old...one is silver and the other gold". I'm not saying which is which, but I am sure you can guess! well, I miss all of you. I will try to stop by the QC the weekend of the airshow, so let me know any one will be in town, I want to try see some of you that weekend. Take care, keep in touch and see ya soon!

In the meantime.....

Ok, so while all the "baby stuff" was going on, I was on a business trip to Florida. I know you are all feeling so bad for me right now, right? Just remember it was to Ft. Lauderdale during spring break. yeah, not as much fun now that I am "old". Anyway, I decided to meet another co-worker of mine down there a few days early and see the sights of Florida. I got the chance to visit my grandparents. That was a great thing. I haven't been to their house since their 50th Anniversary (about 14 years ago). That time Cathy had gone with me. Remember that one, Cath? Anyway, I got the chance to see them and the house again. It was fun. We left there and headed for Kennedy Space Center. I was fortunate enough to get tickets to the Shuttle Launch (STS-123) at the Space center. We were right on the grounds. The launch was very late at night (or early in the morning). We got there around 830pm and the launch was at 223am. Yikes, it was a long night. Below are some videos I took of the launch. Enjoy!

By the time we got back to the hotel it was after 5am and check out was at 12pm. What a night. Then it was time to head to the conference. Not much I can say about it. The weather was nice. Well, hope everyone is doing good. take care!

Katie

Katie the Brat is now Katie the Aunt!!

Hello! Well, its official...I'm an aunt. Here is the picture to prove it!

Well, all I can say is I am happy and over the moon. He has his mom's nose, his father's face... and his aunts sense of timing. He was born right on his due date (thanks to his mom's pushing!)...just barely! Right on schedule! he he. Weighing in at a strong 9 lbs 3 oz., and 21" long. Tristan Gabriel James and mom are doing well! I will be home just in time for Easter to meet my new nephew! I just cant wait (and I've been told he cant either! Just had to share the good news. I will post more later! Take care!

Hello! I hope you all are doing well. In preparation for a class I have to attend, I had to create a Biography. I though you might enjoy it, as some of you are in it. It was nice seeing you, for those I didn't get to see, I will be back in March and hope to see the rest of you. Have a great new year. Be good, stay safe, and have fun!-Katie

A tribute to my friends

Due to the fact that on my most recent trip back home, I did not get a chance to see all my friends (and was scolded for this! Thanks for calling me on it Angie! he he) Here is a tribute to some of them (sorry if you weren't in there, but I had to use what pictures I had on my computer.) Rest assured, if you are reading my blog, you are definatly my friend! (send me your picture and I will add it to this if you want) Happy holidays to everyone!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1437766130

Where did December go??

Hello again! Well, I'm still trying to get back in the swing of things. Where did December go? I swear it went by fast. I cant wait to come home. I only have a few days this week and then its time to head home! One thing....if you want to see me, you have to turn off the snow faucet! That is ridiculous! I am not coming home if its 15 degrees and snowing. No way! Its been in the 30's-40's here and that's cold enough. I have now adapted to the Washington way of life. I started talking with a girl in one of my classes. I asked if she had lived here her whole life; she had. I said "well, I guess you like it here, right?" She quickly replied "no, its too cold here, I want to live in California". I then explained that this is warm to me, and proceeded to tell her all about the lovely weather you all have been experiencing. She agreed that Washington weather was better than Iowa's right now. lol. I will agree too!

So, I am finishing up the last of the holiday shopping. You know, this year I have done all my shopping on line. There are many reasons why I like this. First of all, its easy. Go home and turn on your computer and search. No wandering around the aisles trying to find what you are looking for. Or getting out of your warm car to trek in to the store, only to find out that they don't have what you are looking for, and trek back in the blizzard to get into your (now cold) car. Shopping in my PJ's is great!

Second, no traffic. I only have to fight traffic to get home so I can shop. No driving around stalking a person to find out where the parked so you can take their place when ther pull out. Waiting while they put all the packages away, get their kids in the car, buckle them up (good job), get themselves in the car, turn it on, get back out and dust off the newly accumulated snow, get back in , adjust the seat, take off the gloves, yell at the kids, put it in reverse (your hopes get up now), put on the makeup, slowly and carefully back out, then watch as another car comes up from around the corner and whips in to the space you had been waiting for. Yeah, I really don't miss that at all either.

Thirdly, no long checkout lines. I don't have to wait for the 12 people in front of me to debate with the cashier that their item was on sale and they now it wasn't that price. Nope, online shopping is the way to go. Just click and order, then in a few days the present magically appears on your doorstep! All I have to do is wrap (I'm too cheap to pay for gift wrapping online) and its good to go! If you are really good you can even find lots of free shipping places (or coupons). Plus, the stores I usually buy from, allow returns in the stores so no return shipping fees. Gotta love it!

Ok, so I am off my soapbox and ready to share joy! Take care! Have a great holiday, lets get together while I'm back! Toodles!