The Facts of Catherine

Welcome to my little corner of the blog world. If you've never been here allow me to introduce myself and a few facts about me.

Fact: I am a vegetarian and have been for about 21 years.

Fact: I am from a family of seven children, and I am the third oldest. (no, I'm not Catholic or Mormon)

Fact: I do not like picking out the first of anything from the grocery, I will grab the item behind it, never the first.

Fact: My husband was actually my elementary/middle/high school crush.

Fact: I get anxious if I am awake on a work night, I call them school nights because I am a teacher, passed double digits; ie ten o'clock is late!

Fact: Scary movies are my favorite, I don't like romantic comedies or girly movies.

Fact: I believe that the color turquoise is magical. It was also my grandmother's favorite color.

Fact: My hair is crazy curly and I've always hated it, but now that it's really long I don't mind wearing it natural.

Fact: I wear a gazillion bracelets on my left arm and never take them off.

Fact: I have three frups. I call dogs frups. One is a maltese named Bella Bell, the second one is a morkie named Birdie Bell, and the third is a lab named Daisy Mae.

Christmas 2012

Being able to FaceTime with my niece, Riley is one of my most favorite things about 2012. The way that she lights up when she sees me could melt even the iciest of hearts. Even though it's doubtful that she will remember our chats which consist mainly of me just making funny faces and speaking in a language only recognizable by Riley I still treasure these moments. I spent most of this week entertaining both of my nieces so my heart is content. I was sick the week before, I mean laryngitis, bronchitis, diagnosed with walking pneumonia sick, and was worried I wouldn't get the quality time I desperately wanted with little Anna and precious Riley; but God is so good all of the time and helped heal me right on Christmas Eve, just in time for church. Wonderful how He works that way. 

We did send out a Christmas card, it didn't include any of the above photos, so the best way to share these is on this blog and my instagram of course! (follow me @hohodryden)

My beautiful sisters, both older and one younger. 

One last FaceTime capture with Riley, well a picture of Riley, but I did talk to her, Claire was just showing me her school picture and I thought it was adorable.

My wish tonight is that you had a magical Christmas and are preparing for a blessed New Year.

10 day YOU challenge: day 8-fears

day eight.

eight fears in no particular order.

1) i am afraid of complete darkness

2) i have a fear of losing control

3) i constantly fear that my dog bella is going to drop dead

4) i fear i will never get back into shape or control my weight

5) i have a fear of infinity

6) i am afraid of loved ones dying

7) i'm afraid to touch the floor without socks or shoes on

8) i'm afraid that i am not making a difference on this world

10 day YOU challenge: day 2-nine loves

day two equals nine loves. again, in no particular order.

1) my husband
2) my family
3) chance by chanel
4) forever21's love contemporary line
5) fall weather
6) old things with a history
7) watching a child skip
8) friday nights
9) bella bell & daisy mae

welcome to our nest: 8/10/2011

so here it is, our nest. it's not clutter-free, it's not finished, but it's home. here is the progress i have completed thus far.

master



one of the craiglist stools



entry way

guest bedroom #1 (my closet)

bathroom 1

hi! i had to change the mirror, and i found this one at school for FREE

love these built-ins

guest bedroom #2

other craigslist stool

my clothes...

master bath

i am for sure collecting my life

so, what do you think?

*bella bell wanted to be in almost every photo, she's a photo diva!*

getting to know me from a-z

eclectially e is hosting a link-up today. it's a get to know me from a-z! i am excited to take part in this link-up as she is such an amazing blogger and inspiring person!

a-age: let's just say late twenties :)

b-bedtime: early, always by ten

c-college: texas state university

d-dogs: daisy mae (yellow lab) bella bell (teacup maltese)

e-everday necessity: kisses from my sweet bella bell & husband

f-from: dallas, texas

g-gold or silver: rose gold

h-holiday: halloween

i-ice cream: cookies n' cream

j-job title: computer teacher

k-kareoke go to song: girls just wanna have fun!

l-live: boerne, texas

m-movie: home alone

n-night or morning person?: morning

o-outside lover?: yes! our new front porch is my favorite hang out spot

p-pet peeve: being late & not turning off lights!

q-quirk: i snore

r-restaurant: sushi zushi

s-sports: i swam competitively throughout my life. i also participated in chamber soccer and was always a cross-country runner.

t-team: dallas mavericks (basketball) cowboys (football)

u-urban or rural areas?: rural, always, rural

v-vacation: anything by the water

w-weather: i prefer rain, cool air, &  i love the fall weather

x-xtra special fact about me: i am one of seven children

y-yogurt toppings: coconut flakes, strawberries, chocolate chips, vanilla granola

z-zoo animal: tigers


go link up and participate!

a week's review: 8/1/2011-8/7/2011

this week i felt overwhelmed. my plate felt full and i was unable to dig deep within myself to find a solution to the situation. with the help of fellow blogger eclectically e i found motivation to unpack on box per day. below are the empty boxes ready for recycling pick-up!

i saw this diy cheap project and had to try it. the beads are actually a much prettier blue, and i found everything at the dollar tree.

i posted about my classroom needs and financial woes. blake printed out a zillion coupons for me and brought them home to me with these supplies. my heart is full and humbled by the outpouring of help that others have offered.

bella went to her check-up and we found out that she does not need anymore surgeries and she is on the road to recovery.

headboard is almost complete, this picture does not show the birds i added to the ends of the garland.

today will be spent going through boxes, painting, and preparing for the up and coming week.

happy happy birthday to my sweet mother-in-law, kathy.

i hope everyone gives thanks to Him and has a relaxing day.

for those who have already helped out so much and for everyone praying for us:

bella bell update

warning: some photos might be too graphic

we had our final check-up yesterday and i am delighted to report that miss. bella bell doesn't need anymore surgeries. yes, her eye is a little wonky but the doctor says with due time it will slowly come down.

i think she looks beautiful. i am happy she is alive, peppy, and full of life. she acts like nothing happened and that nothing is wrong with her. i can report that she is still a feisty little one playing with her big sister daisy mae.

i was told that the above picture was offensive. it really pissed me off. this is what MY dog looks like, she is a survivor, and i love her. i refuse to not feature or show photos of her.

everyone knows its hot as a hell and down in the hill country we are under a heat advisory until 10p.m. tonight. i did unpack a box today, yay me, thanks eclectically e for the motivation.

here's a photo i took for your viewing pleasure:

it's our headboard! excuse the mess but like i said, i am working on organizing this beautiful home.

a week's review: 7/24/2011-7/30/2011

on wednesday my cute neighbor & her grandson brought me this present:

cinnamon bread

it was delicious.

here is the recipe:



Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons margarine

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9x5 inch loaf pan.

1. Measure flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, salt, buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla into large mixing bowl. Beat 3 minutes. Pour into prepared loaf pan. Smooth top.
2. Combine 2 tablespoons white sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and butter, mixing until crumbly. Sprinkle topping over smoothed batter. Using knife, cut in a light swirling motion to give a marbled effect.
3. Bake for about 50 minutes. Test with toothpick. When inserted it should come out clean. Remove bread from pan to rack to cool.

then on thursday my package from krista at the girls mom etsy shop arrived:

i ordered this adorable pillow and a fabric garland to hang on the old shutters above our bed. the package reminded me of something my grandmother dicey would have mailed me. that alone made me happy for the purchase and the time krista put into wrapping the items up.

my precious frup bella bell got her stitches out and now her eye looks like this.

graphic, yes, my apologies if you have a weak stomach.

she is such a trooper. her attitude has not changed one bit, she is still running around, being hyper and happy. we (blake & i) are so thankful for her to have survived this.

we are praying that the swelling will go down soon and the eye won't be stuck up in the corner like that.

finally, my sister gave birth to my parents first grandchild and my first niece.

such a doll. mommy & baby are now home, resting and adjusting comfortably.

mr. dryden got the chandelier up on the front porch :)

working on his car (yes, we are a cadillac family)

today blake  is building a white fence out front for the dogs, it's finally raining here, hallelujah, and i am spending my saturday watching reruns of ghost whisperer and hoping to have an evening bike ride with the frups and the hubs.

how are you spending your saturday?