The most exciting news of my life

My bestie best and her husband are moving home to Indiana to LIVE! Words cannot fully explain my excitement over this fact. I have squeeled and smiled and cried many times since finding out and all I can say is that I am SO EXCITED!

Amy and Jeff are probably my favorite couple. Jeff is just awesome and has always been super nice to me.  Amy is just simply one of the greatest friends anyone could ask for!She understands me and I have just as much fun going out and about with her as I do sitting in her dad's living room watching HGTV all night. She is wonderful and funny and understanding. She's always been there for me and while we may not talk to eachother every day or even every week, we've always been there for one another. We tell eachother when we have exciting news or when we need a shoulder to cry on. She has shown me what true friendship is and that even when everyone else let's you down and walks away there will always be at least one person who feels the same way you do.

I can't wait for Amy and Jeff to be in Fort Wayne!

An ode to the future Mrs. Poole

Tomorrow at noon, my bestie Amy Doll Marie Benkenstein will marry JSP in Nauvoo, Illinois! I could not be happier or more excited for the two of them. They are perfect for each other!

I remember way back when last summer when I visited Amy out in Idaho and she kept talking about this really awesome guy named Jeff. She really liked him but wasn't so sure if he liked her back. Upon finally meeting the infamous Jeff I assured Amy that I thought Jeff really did like her and that she should stop worrying her pretty little head. A couple of weeks after I had left for Indiana I got a text from Amy that her and Jeff were finally together! After many texts and conversation and many months Amy finally came home and had some big news to tell me. One night after some adventures around Fort Wayne I was driving her home when she broke the news that her and Jeff wanted to get married...in July...and I was one of the first people to know. It took everything in me not to shout my excitement for my bestie from the rooftops, and I kept my lips sealed for another couple of months until one night in May I finally got this on my phone...

Now another couple of months have gone by and Amy and Jeff are in Nauvoo prepping for their wedding tomorrow. It's kind of weird having someone I've been so close with get married, but I couldn't think of a better guy for her.

Even though she's getting married and will be living far away from the Midwest Amy will always and forever be one of my nearest and dearest friends. She is not only and incredible friend, but an incredible human being. Her undying faith and morals are something I will always admire. She has been there for me throughout nearly every important milestone of my high school and college years. She doesn't judge and is always compassionate. I love her very much and she will make a wonderful wife and mother...some day.

Happy Wedding Day Jeff and Amy!!!! I really hope it's the "best eternity ever!"

A bit of a favor please

My bestie Amy Marie wants to start a new photo series on daydreaming. As a little bit of field research before she starts the project she has come up with a few questions she would like people to answer. If you could take a minute or so to help her out that would be great!

{daydreams}

Where do you daydream?
What do you daydream about?
When I say "daydream" what do you think about?
Do you know of any songs/books/poems/websites that are daydreamy that I could use for inspiration?
Any other thoughts of daydreams?

Also, check out her photo blog, she is an amazing photographer!

Dear...

Dear hair,
I know I put you through the ringer with some questionable cuts and interesting lengths, not to mention how much I dye you. But, could you please please please grow any faster?! I really want nice, pretty, long hair by summer and you are currently frustrating me with your slowness and uneveness.

Dear Indiana weather,
You're really getting on my nerves. Usually I love your winter snow and cold temperatures, but this is ridiculous. At least give us a peak of the sun for more than just half a day??? I know that the current forecast is calling for sun, but you've tricked me before. Please don't let me down.

Dear Amy Marie,
It makes me sad that you've been home for 2 months and it seems like we barely hang out! We need to change that before you leave me! We have to many crafts to make and cupcakes to bake and things to buy!

Dear nails,
I'm sorry I ripped off the pretty acrylics, but I just can't afford to get you done this week and you've already gone too long without a touch up. I promise when I get home I'll buff you out and put some polish on to help you feel pretty again.

Dear school,
I'm going to start being more dilligent about you. I'm capable of getting all A's and I'm going to show it.

Dear future,
Please stop messing with my head. You're making me worry too much and question too many things. I'll figure out where I'm going next year soon. I'll decide if I want to change my major soon. Just stop giving me anxiety please and thank you.

Dear St. Joe Place Apartment,
You suck.

Dear Joseph,
I love you and I hate fighting. Oh, and we need more pictures of us please and thank you.

Dear nutella,
You are delicious and I could eat you all day everyday. You make my mouth water and my taste buds tingle!

Dear clase de español,
I refuse to let you win. I WILL defeat you and come out passing with flying colors. Just because you have a million different verb tenses and my professor speaks a mile a minute doesn't mean I won't get the hang of it.

Dear hair pt. 2,
When I let you go au naturale I expect you to curl nicely. What is this frizzed out craziness you're giving me today?!

Dear craftiness,
Where art thou?! I keep having all this motivation to find things to make and create, but when it comes down to it I really have no idea what to do. I need some motivation and inspiration asap!

Dear Pint & Sice,
Thank you for being the most delicious pizza and perfect for little date nights with boyfriend and lunches with Mere. Also, I haven't been to you in far too long. I think it's time for some pizza!

Dear coffee,
Thanks for making all kinds of jittery today.

Dear people who think you can pick and choose when you want to be "real" friends,
You can't.

Dear budget,
You're killing me. Do you know how bad I want to irresponsibly spend my money?! But, I suppose rent, groceries, insurance, and my car payment are more important than new shoes.

Dear weekend,
I wish you would hurry up! I also wish I could have one where I didn't have a thing to do, but no such luck.

Dear homemade pizza,
It was a valiant effort.

Get Crafty!

Lately I've really been bitten by the craft bug for some reason, probably because Amy and I decided to do crafts while she's home more so than go out and spend ridiculous amounts of money like we did last winter. The only problem is that I've never really been a crafty person and have no real talent in making things and thinking of ideas. However, over the weekend Amy sent me a couple of links to some crafts sites so we could get inspiration and I fell in love with How About Orange... a super cute blog devoted to design and crafting. The majority of the projects and ideas on there are fairly easy to make so even novices like myself can at least feel like we have a chance at making something half way decent.

Some of my favorites so far include...

paper heart garland

fabric wall decals.

felt flowers.

magazine page coasters.

fabric covered thumbtacks

and

magazine bows.

Now I'm super excited to start making things!!!!!! (I'm so glad we're finding ideas now Amy! Now we don't have to wander around Hobby Lobby with no idea what we're doing ever again hahaha.)

A Few Things

1. Amy Marie comes home today! I am so excited to have my bestie back on Indiana soil and only 15 minutes away from me! I anticipate lots of sleep overs, random drives, trip or two to Chicago, excessive spending, boy creeping, trying to make new friends (again ha), cheap pizza, music in all forms, etc... If it isn't apparent, I have missed having her home quite a bit!

2. Christmas is THIS WEEK! This is my absolute favorite holiday, not only because of giving and recieving gifts (come on we all love that) but because of everthing that comes with it: winter begins, pretty snow falls, sweaters come out, Christmas lights are everywhere, hot chocolate is a must, Christmas cookies and peppermint ice cream are constants, friends and family come together. I just love it all.

3. I may have just found a keeper in my boyfriend. Just saying. :)

4. I'm beginning the application proceses to transfer out of IPFW next fall. So far I'm applying to IU, IUPUI, and Ball State, and am considering applying to more schools. I'm really excited about it, but nervous at the same time.

5. I'm loving life!

Let the countdowns begin!

4 days until Meredith Grace (should be) comes home!

5 days until Chicago!

7 days until Amy Marie comes home!

10 days until Christmas Eve/Christmas!

17 days until New Years Eve/2010!

O hai

This is my bestie Amy Doll Marie Benkenstein. You may know her. She's pretty awesome and kind of a really good friend and sort of neat. Rexburg has had her for the past sevenish months and I think it's time for her to come home so we can go on random drives to different towns, and miss our favorite bands, and take trips to Chicago, and get Circle K slushies, and spend too much money at the mall, and have sleepovers, and "haha lose!" to our hearts content. Good thing she comes home in about 38 days (depending on how you count them). You could say I'm pretty excited about it, I've kind of sort of missed her a lot.

Dear Idaho,

Is it weird that I miss you immensely even though I spent a mere 9 days experiencing you? I miss mountain air and summer breezes, crossing the street without looking, and that really bizarre hail storm. I miss Amy and Katherine and Christina and Jeff and Aaron and Harper and Leah and Zack and Brady and Kari and Makana and Tori and Tom and everyone else who was so nice to me and who I became fast friends with. I miss those sparkly pink Hannah Montana nails I got, walking everywhere, getting Horked, and D.I. I miss trips to Idaho Falls, staying up extremely late, listening to records, and getting rained on almost everyday. I miss spending so much time with my best friend, walking all over BYU-I's campus, and eating the best cupcakes every single day (no joke). I miss Malad with Aaron and Amy, thinking we were stranded forever, the best pizza in the world, chickens in backyards, parks with the prettiest mountain views, and Aaron making us cry and then buying us ice cream. I miss the late night drive to SLC, listening to The Ataris, and having a mini sleepover. I miss all of that plus soooo much more. I want to go back so bad! Good thing I plan on visiting again once summer rolls around. Until then I will keep missing you.

Love, Katie

Dear Amy Marie Benkenstein

We miss you and love you!!!
Love, your adoring babysit-ee Gavin and your bff Katie

Dear Rexburg, Idaho;

I miss you terribly. Even though I was only there a week I got to spend immense amounts of time with my bff and meet some truly awesome people I hope to see again soon! I really miss everyone.
















Love always, Katie.

Dear Amy Marie

I'm going to miss you so much, I already do. I love you and I can't wait to come to Idaho. You're an amazing person and friend. I hope summer 2k9 is what dreams are made of and that you fine a boy just like Macbeth! Indiana will miss you greatly.

Love, Katie.

Today = a much better day!
Things can only go up.
I know sometimes things seem a lot harder than they really are but that's life.
Only I can change what I want to see change even if it takes a ton of patience and time as much as that drives me nuts.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AMY MARIE!!!!!!!!!
(well, in about 40 minutes.:))

You can what?!

I can't find the motivation to sit down and really blog lately.
I have so many different things I want to say but I lose focus real fast.
I've been super ADD lately with everything.

Maybe a quick rundown would be good???
-My Mondays have become what I like to call "Mormon Monday's". I love them so much. I go with Amy to FHE and then to Applebee's for half price apps. So good! I love going to FHE so much. Everyone's nice for the most part and I just feel like I can be myself. The missionaries are cool, Elder Stevenson is my favorite. Last night Lindsay gave me a peek-a-pooh, it's cute. I'm now prepared to fit in if I ever go to Rexburg to visit Amy.
-I have no love interest at the moment. It's both extremely nice and very frustrating all at once. I still miss him so much.
-I have become extremely skilled in the are of skipping my classes. I do it at least once a week with no remorse. I know this is bad and I know I could be getting even better grades if I went to every class. Amy warned me that once I started skipping classes I wouldn't be able to stop. She was right. My goal for the second half of this semester is to go to class every day and to devote at least an hour per night to school work. I want to get all A's and B's.
-My eyes are killing me at the moment. I ordered contacts over a month ago and they just came in today. This is due to the fact that the receptionists at Optical One tend to be a bit slow. For instance I ordered my contacts in February and to last me until they came in they gave me a pair of sample contacts. Well my contacts never came in so I called last week to chack on them and they said I was supposed to come back in for a follow up eye exam since it was a new prescription, except it wasnt.

Last night me and Amy went to the mall with the original mission of getting her new jeans and we ended up spending $50+ and $80+ respectively. Amy bought a pair of jeans,a top,earrings,a vest,white shoes,and other things I can't remember right now. My purchases included a pair of sunglasses,earrings,a sweater,a hoodie,and the same white shoes that Amy bought. After our spur of the moment shopping spree we went to Chipotle. It was absolutely delicious. I love that place.

Today in Women's Studies a lady from Planned Parenthood came in and talked to us about sti's and sex. I now know more about the sex lives and scares of some of the women in there than I ever had any desire to know.

I had coffee with Amanda Quintrel tonight. It was the first time I'd seen her since Augustish. I missed her so much. It was great to just catch up and hang out after so long.

I should really study.

Where's the little canary in skinny jeans?!

Tonight Amy and I decided to go to Anderson in hopes of seeing Rodeo Ruby Love rather than Columbus to see Bishop Allen since we are procrastinators and also have work in the morning.
We missed Rodeo Ruby Love, which was very disappointing.
The other bands we saw that were there pretty much sucked.
One was a super Christian band, that would have been alright had it not been for a 15 minute sermon about how Jesus loves me.
The other was a bad love child of Aqualung and Ben Folds.
However, the night was not a loss.
We had many grand adventures scoping out Anderson,getting lost in Anderson,finding out that Anderson has far too many one way streets,not asking for directions in Anderson,etc...
We also ate at White Castle for the very first time!
While it was not as amazing as we had envisioned it, it was something we could say we did that we hadn't before, just ask the girl in the bright yellow sweats that asked us if we had been there.
So, in the end, the night ended up being quite interesting and enjoyable.

Fact:Do not procrastinate when wanting to go to shows that are far distances from you.
Fact:Do not panic in a strange city with lots of ridiclous one way streets and the ghetto at every corner.
Fact:I love times lie this when it's more about the trip and adventure and who you're with than what you actually did.