caitlin mackenzie

I love life.

caitlinmackenzie — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:00:22 +0000

Sometimes you just have to say it. Even though you didn’t feel it yesterday, and the future doesn’t seem to reflect that feeling, sometimes you just say it. It’s what keeps the smile on your face, what keeps you moving forward, and its what you can look back on when you realize you don’t want to say it anymore.

Ya, this happened since we last talked. He plays them ALL the time.

I’m especially feeling it today, though. When I realize all the hours I am normally doing homework are spent on repeat movie viewings of Bridesmaids, numerous knitting projects, event planning, baking, bible studies, house cleaning, and sleeping, I just can’t complain. In fact, I have to smirk.

Hip Hip Hoorahhhh

caitlinmackenzie — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:31:53 +0000

How excited is everyone for my trip to San Francisco this weekend? Honeymoon at the St. Francis part 2? Oh ya! Romantic dinner at the candle-lit La Scala’s? Heck yes.

Got my new “tribal print” blouson on, my summer sandals, and my flirty curls. Wedding ring cleaned, Better Homes & Gardens in my travel bag, clean kitchen sink–I think I’m pretty much ready. Guess what I’ve caught myself doing 3 times already today–organizing for fun! And I had to stop…

…because…

…who does that? And why am I doing that when I need to prepare for a weekend in the city? Its because

I LOVE IT

i just love organizing. You can hold that against me if you want. And you can call me a hypocrite if you want. Truth is, I love organizing, simplifying, and cleaning in many forms. You just simply haven’t gotten to KNOW that part of me since I’ve been in school for the past 21 YEARS OF MY LIFE! I’m not exaggerating, 21 years.

Get ready, friends, you’re about to meet a whole new Caitlin – someone who is fun, inspiring, creative, and available.

Decorating & DIY

caitlinmackenzie — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:00:47 +0000

I am completely addicted to this blog my friend Tamryn showed me. YoungHouseLove. This adorable couple regularly journal about their renovating, decorating, DIY magic, and life madness. They are trendy, budget-conscious, and simplistically-minded. I am officially addicted. They probably update the blog once a day, but I check it 8 times a day. When I find the front page article is sooooo “this morning”, I search through their archives. I’m inspired to:

Reupholster these chairs…

Paint this table…

Hang some curtains…

And develop SOME kind of personality for our pathetic white-washed bedroom…

(Before you even think about commenting on the messy room, consider the last time both you and your spouse were in grad school full time. Right, that’s what I thought.)

On the other hand, I have been finding these beautiful pictures for inspiration lately. (Well, I suppose that’s not really the other hand). I can’t decide what I want to do with our bedroom. I have heard time and time again that I need to make our bedroom like a beautiful relaxing escape, but its successfully become the most boring room in the house (See picture above). Five more papers, then graduation. I should go.

It’s official. I desperately need a new camera/phone. (This is my iPhone 3g).

What I do here when I need something to do

caitlinmackenzie — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 02:49:24 +0000

Rarely does my life demand that I fill empty time. However, I have recently begun to think about my original reason for bringing life to this blog, and that was to inform those friends and family of what goes on in my life. Whether you live far away, or whether you live nearby but Western Seminary has robbed you of our friendship, hopefully this blog helps fill you in on my life, my wonderings, and presents you with the opportunity to embark on my journey. The reason I say this is because much of my time is required to be in front of a computer, and due to boredom, I frequently have time to moderate my cyber life. Don’t be afraid of the word cyber, it’s really a fine word.

Every few months, I come upon some solid gold pictures in Reid’s cell phone. See, when I have the option, I take pictures with Reid’s phone, an iPhone4, because the camera is far superior to my 3G. But, I don’t believe he ever uploads his photos, so they sit around on his phone until I discover them and send them to myself. Here is my recent discovery, a dinner out in Puerto Vallarta over the holidays with the Volk side of the family.

Sorry for the poor quality, I think I failed at transferring this file.

A favorite lately: cooking. I’m not even sure its the process, just the fact that within one day, I can create something so fabulous that multiple people can enjoy. My friend Julie and I (Mom, you remember Julie, who went wedding dress shopping with us) decided to conquer donuts. Ok, we didn’t necessarily conquer them. In fact, it was the donuts that conquered us. We didn’t have a candy thermometer so keeping the oil the correct temperature was a total fail. That failure resulted in 8 beautiful donuts with thick dough in the middle, and dark brown (just about burnt) donut holes. Blech.

After this realization (about 80% of the way through our dough), we worked harder on adjusting the temperature of our oil, and were able to produce a large handful of cinnamon and sugar donut holes. Observe.

Fairly Scrumptious

Hanging out with Julie is always a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and fairly intimidating in the kitchen considering she is going to cooking school, or whatever you call it. I must say I was only moderately satisfied with our first efforts at donut creation.

Well, I must get back to my class. It appears we are talking about something important. Although, I am supposed to be working on my paper thats due today. Bah.

So proud

caitlinmackenzie — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 22:12:45 +0000

Although I only get busier, I continue to add knitting projects to my to-do’s. Once I finished this project, I didn’t regret any part of the decision. This headband was a Christmas present for a friend. Although, I didn’t finish it until March. Enjoy.

Which Way Home?

caitlinmackenzie — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 05:20:43 +0000

I’m currently watching the documentary, “Which Way Home”, and I am incredibly moved and aggravated by the topic of immigration. I am enraged by all people who claim the rights to America and who would go so far as to deport the “other”, the stranger, the neighbor. I fail to see how these “political” decisions line up with Jesus’ model or teachings. I fail to see how this expresses love towards others. I fail to see why I deserve a job over any of the young boys on this film who leave their entire family to go to America to find work.

Somebody help me understand?

These Days

caitlinmackenzie — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 04:02:53 +0000

I talk and talk and talk everywhere I go despite the busyness of all that is going on around me, and yet when I have a spare moment at the end of my day to sit down and write a little, I am blank. Tabula Rasa.

- I’m sorry, this is not actually a spare moment, I’m in Theology class right now -

Oh boy, would I love to skip back to Christmas Break when I really understood what it meant to “plan your day”. What is it about my brain that cannot focus when it’s ready to participate with my fingers on the keyboard? When I come home after a day of counseling, I have a million thoughts I spit up on Reid. What is it about this moment? The professor’s babbling about something I believe could be stated in 15 minutes instead of 3 hours? Maybe. The uncomfortable chair and my stomach cramps? Maybe. The obnoxiously loud clicking from the lady next to me who types like a monster? I’m sure that’s part of it. (Now that I am more observant of my surroundings, I just had a fantastic spotting of a young man meticulously biting apart a Taco Bell…bean burrito? He probably ordered it WITH onions. Gross.)

Safari

caitlinmackenzie — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:16:27 +0000

Ignore my bias, because its irrelevant. This was the cutest baby shower theme ever. All I do lately is plan baby showers…uh, and wedding showers. Of course, school, my counseling practicum site, and my full time job are still happening…I just mean all I do lately that I thoroughly enjoy.

My friend Betty is preparing for her first baby girl, and we helped her celebrate. Congratulations, B&B.

Invitations from TinyPrints (www.tinyprints.com)

SUCH a happy grandmother-to-be

Crafting Party!

caitlinmackenzie — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 04:50:31 +0000

On the menu for Wednesday night: Bath Fizzies! Wish us luck… we’ve never done this before!

It’s an infestation.

caitlinmackenzie — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 05:23:37 +0000

I have no words except: disgusting.

Ants have infested our house.