My First Birthday Away from Home

It's been so long since I've gotten to really sit down and update my blog, I apologize! There are so many things I want to write about! I'll start this one with my birthday, which was almost exactly one month ago...

I think I'm always a little home sick, but the week leading up to my birthday this year was hard. I knew I wasn't going to be able to make it home and it made me sad to think I wouldn't be with my mom & brothers & sister to celebrate. My mom always makes a Birthday cake of our choice and a Birthday dinner of our choice. I usually always choose German Chocolate (my fav!) and I usually always go home with a WHOLE cake b/c no one in my family likes German Cholcolate. Hehe, it's all part of my plan...more cake for me. Just kidding!!

So needless to say, this year's Birthday brought a lot of tears, but Joe and his family made it a very special day. First off, I started the day waking up at 4:20am. I had to be at work at 5:00, but I didn't mind b/c I was scheduled until 12:15. I came home on my lunch break to find a little surprise:

On the counter, were Hershey kisses laid out to spell "LOVE YOU"
with my favorite bottle of wine.

a cute Fire Truck Birthday Balloon :)

new running shoes!!!
^much needed


and best of all... a coupon book, Joe MADE me!

It included 6 different "coupons"

I love the "use sparingly"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After I got home from work, of which I got to leave an hour early, I received a card from my mom and package from Quentin & Melissa. I think it's always so much fun to get mail... mail besides bills and junk mail. My package wasn't the normal cardboard box, but instead a cute decorative country style printed box that said "Live, Laugh, Love" on it (of which now holds all of our DVDs)...well this box was wrapped and wrapped with packing tape. I don't think I have ever worked so hard to open a gift! And to my surprise as I pulled off the 50 pieces of tape, it didn't damage the cute box one bit. Inside I found a cool vintage-looking lamp that I (and Joe) love. The base looks like a vintage coffee can. I had the perfect spot for it!

Also, inside the box was this really cool 1970s VINTAGE scrabble sentence game that I have never ever seen before! (Joe & I love Scrabble!) To play this version, you shake all the cubes out onto the table and try and make sentences, intersecting the sentences. Each player gets a turn, the more words you have in a sentence the higher the point...the more sentences you create the more points you end up with. It's actually pretty hard, but lots of fun!

I love the red leather bag it came with!

It screams vintage!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the evening we went over to Joe's Mom & Dad's for dinner & cake. It was nice that Kelli, Shane & the kids and Jeff & Aiden could join us. The plan was for Joe & I to go downtown afterward and enjoy a drink and maybe some dancing...something we haven't done in a really long time, but unfortunately I fell asleep somewhere between 9-9:30!!! -Hey! I got up at 4:30am. So, needless to say we didn't make it downtown, but it ended up being a great day!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning we went to this really neat cafe called Cafe Maron, close to downtown Spokane...Eclectic atmosphere & very yummy breakfast!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you to everyone for sharing my Birthday with me. Whether you sent a card, a quick text, a sweet email or simply just gave me a call, it meant the world. Thank you for all the wonderful, thoughtful gifts! I can't wait to use some of my gift certificates and "coupons" :)

Well, if I would have posted this a day earlier my Birthday post would have stopped there. However, I must mention as my family picked me up from the airport late last night, they had a cupcake & candle awaiting for me on a plate and they sang me Happy Birthday.

My Birthday is complete.

Road Trip: Moving from OH to WA

It seems like forever since we made the trip, but in reality it was only 5 weeks ago. Joe flew to Ohio on Christmas Eve and 1 1/2 days later we got on the road. As I said before, we packed my trailblazer to the brim! And, although it was a project getting something out of it, it was nice to have the cooler Corey bought me for Christmas and all the food my mom gave us, including a plate full of cookies!

We had pretty decent weather, except for the snowstorm we ran into when we left (up until Columbus) and again in Idaho. The trip took us a total of 2 1/2 days... we drove through Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois during the night. Iowa was the next state, and that seemed like it took all day to drive through! Very boring! Highlights include: windmills, the World's Largest Truckstop, and more windmills. Once we got into South Dakota, the plan was to stop at Mt. Rushmore and drive through the Badlands. Well, I didn't realize (until we got a brochure) that Mt. Rushmore closes after Christmas. (I just looked up when Mt. Rushmore reopens and it says it is open 7 days a week all year round except for Dec. 25th.... Bummer! I guess we could have gone!! I must have read the brochure wrong! It would have been nice to see in the winter.) We did however, get to drive through the Badlands. There wasn't much to see, but it was just nice to get off the highway for awhile. When you're in a car that long, the smallest things will excite you... deer frolicing in the wild, a Porky Pine hanging out on a tree branch...

After South Dakota we drove through part of Wyoming and then Montana. Montana is by far my favorite state to drive through. It is so beautiful! You'll see a couple great Mountain pictures I took through the windsheild. Once we got into Idaho we hit a couple snow storms driving through the mountain passes, but we made it through. Once you cross over the Idaho/Washington boarder, Spokane is only 15-20 minutes away.

So here I am, living in Spokane, Washington. 2200 miles away from the fam. Although it might be awhile, I can't wait to make a trip home. I recently got a job at Starbucks. I'm only working 20 hours a week right now, but I get benefits...if anything it will be a nice 2nd job. I get a free bag of coffee once a week and the great thing about it is I'm saving money by walking to work (it's only a 3 minute walk), but it's funny how walking to work and not relying on a car gives you such a pleasure. New York here I come! just kidding :) So Starbucks is good so far...minus smelling like a coffee bean when I get off work! My plan is to get something part time or even full time at one of the golf clubs in the area, working in the golf shop.

Other than that, nothing else is new... I committed to a 1/2 marathon (13 miles!!!) in May. Not sure what I was thinking, but Joe's sister asked me to do it with her & her friends. I haven't ran in a LoNG time, but it will be good for me...I need to start working out again. I've been trying to go antique shopping on my days off. I really love this cute little shop called the Vintage Rabbit here in town. I've found some cute buys. I traveled to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho yesterday...it was a perfect day...45 degrees, sunny, cute little shops, beautiful scenery...the only thing that was missing was Joe :)

I've including a slide show of our Road Trip. There aren't many pictures, but I hope you enjoy!

Things are just now starting to settle down

It has been such a long time since I have posted, I am so sorry! My life has been very hectic the last 4 weeks (and not to mention, we don't have Internet at the apartment yet)...

First off, I just want to say I had an amazing Christmas with my family. My only complaint is it went by too quick! Christmas came and it seemed like right after I was busy trying to get the car packed with all my things. I honestly felt like I should have been on the show "Hoarders". I packed every inch of my Trailblazer. And when I say every inch I mean EVERY inch!! Seats down, boxes ontop of boxes, cornhole boards (one of Joe's Christmas gifts), suitcases, a cooler, and plants. Yes, I took my plants, only 7 of 9 though :) Neadless to say, it was a very cloastrophobic trip. We couldn't even see out our back window. Thank you to my sister Felicia for taking Carter, one of our Betta fish. And thank you to my Aunt Bernice for taking Trixy, the other one. I can't believe I planned on taking them across the country!

The week before Christmas, I was on the go go go...trying to say goodbye to all my dear friends and family. It was a very sad time and nothing could have prepared myself for saying goodbye to my mom and brothers & sister. It brings tears in my eyes just thinking about it. I knew it was going to be hard, but it was by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life. It broke my heart to see my mom cry (it doesn't happen very often). I cried all the way to Columbus (3 hours away from home)...it didn't help that Felicia & Corey burned me a Road Trip mix that included a bunch of sad songs. (But I love it and listen to it everytime I'm in my car!)

I miss all of you more than you know! Wow...I'm sitting at a coffee shop right now getting all teary eyed! I don't even know if I can type out what I want to say right now without tears rolling down my face.

Mom, I miss hanging out with you and going antique shopping. I miss seeing your face. I wish I could call you more often, but with your schedule of working midnights I never know when your sleeping or up. You'll always say it doesn't matter, but with all the hours you work I hate calling you and waking you up. (I joke around that my mom needs a Twitter...all she would ever have to say is "Sleeping" or "Awake", lol) I miss you mom, and hopefully one day you can come out here to visit!

Corey, I miss you!!! I don't think I'm going to be able to watch Greys without you...maybe we can buy this season when it comes out on DVD and have a Greys Season 6 marthon. I miss your hugs and cuddling with you on the couch and you always keeping me warm. I'm sorry I couldn't be there when you were sick, it really did hurt me. But, I'm glad you're doing better!! I love you.

Felicia, thank you for always being there for me and always answering my phone calls. I miss your bubbly personality. Your always giggling, talking, laughing...when I'm having a bad day, just thinking of you makes me happy! You have been bugging me to update my blog the minute I left Ohio...sorry it has taken me a month! I know you are happy and I no longer worry about you, because I know Carl takes good care of you :) xoxo

Ryan, Happy Belated Birthday!!! Once again, I missed it, third year in a row. But know I was thinking about you all day. I think about you a lot, know that...it's just so hard to get a hold of you!!! Call me sometime. Love you.

Quentin & Melissa, I know we don't talk very often, but I love you both. You are such a wonderful couple and always so much fun to be around. I really wish one day you guys will decide to skip the cruise and make your way to Washington one day. Quentin, you would love the outdoors here and Melissa...well we have a pool at our place :)

Hopefully soon I will update with some pictures of our road trip, but until then...

xoxo

Merry Christmas!

All I want for Christmas is......

As most of you know, I haven't seen Joe in four months. So you can only imagine how excited I am to pick up Joe from the airport Christmas evening!!! I hope hope hope his flight doesn't get delayed due to the weather.

One of my favorite things during the holiday is to admire all the presents under the tree. I know that sounds kind of materialistic, but that's not what I mean...my mom always wraps our gifts with such thought and the presents always look so beautiful. She'll attach a little ornament that resembles each of us and then wrap the gift in coordinating paper. For example, all my gifts have a "country" theme to them. My older brother, Quentin, his theme is a "hunting" and Corey's is Penguins.
So since Joe hasn't gotten to enjoy his gifts under the tree, I thought I would give him a little peek....

To: Joe
Love always, Tabitha

Have a Merry Christmas!!!

Evan Taylor Shaw

It was so nice to meet up with my dear friend Evan. I met Evan, oh two years go? ...working at Barrington. For the past two summers she has been Barrington's receptionist, but come fall she goes to school down in Florida. Evan is probably one of the funniest people I know and if I ever needed to escape the proshop for awhile, she was the first person I would go visit. Always making me laugh! We always have great conversation and I love that Evan loves VINTAGE! ...from wearing her Grandmothers jewelry to clothing/scarves she finds at thrift stores, Evan is always sporting fabulous one-of-a-kinds. Sadly, we never got to go antiquing together.

We had dinner at Cafe Toscano, a little elegant Italian restaurant in Aurora. It was my first time there and I must say the parmesan & herb olive oil that comes with warm ciabatta bread is to die for! Afterwards, we decided to head on over to James Place (a comfy little wine bar), for one more drink. Evan introduced me to Bailey's on the Rocks...what a great winter/Christmas time drink!

Evan & Mark (Assistant Golf Professional @ Barrington)

___________________________________________________

Finally, I would like to include the album I made for Evan over the summer. She came to me and asked if I would make her an album of her & her boyfriend. She bought all the supplies, provided me with pictures, and helped me with the layout. I had so much fun making it! I just remember there being Evan & Casey pictures all over my apartment for a couple of weeks! :)

Scrapbook made for Evan:

Surprise Going Away Party 12/13/09

I love the fact that my sister told me that she is addicted to my blog and that she constantly checks it for new posts. :) That is how I felt with Kelli's blog. (and still do) So, I apologize I haven't wrote in awhile, but things have been a little hectic around here, with Christmas coming up and saying final goodbyes...not to mention I've felt a little under the weather the past couple of days.

Last Sunday, my family threw me a SURPRISE going away party. It was funny b/c my mom asked me if I could do her a favor and get off work an hour early. She told me she was having a Candle Lite party and she needed six people to attend. The favor seemed simple enough so I said ok. I left work an hour early and came home to a house full people...my mom, Quentin & Melissa, Ryan & Jessica, Felicia & Carl, Corey, Aunt Maryanne, Aunt Joyce & Uncle Chuck, Aunt Bernice, cousins Kim, Trixy, Theresa, Angela, Ashley, Alison & Monica...Thank you all for coming and for all the thoughtful going away gifts! It meant SO much to me to be able to see everyone before I leave, since I think this might be the first year no one is having a family Christmas get-together. Thank you to my brothers, sister, and sister-n-law for planning the whole thing...setting a date, sending out invites, sneaking through my phone to get friends numbers, and keeping it a secret from me (AND JOE) for a very long time. I think it's so funny no one told Joe, because they know how horrible he is at keeping a secret. Thank you mom for cooking dinner for everyone and baking two cakes. The German Chocolate cake (my favorite!) was delicious.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of my extended family, but I got some really great ones of my brothers & sister:

A true friend reaches for you hand, but touches your heart.

Michelle is one of my dearest friends and I'm so happy we were able to spend a little girls night out the other night, just the two of us. We don't see each other very often and it was so nice to catch up. I had so much fun! She surprised me with a future wedding date!!! I am so so happy for her & George! The wedding isn't until next summer, but she asked if I would go dress shopping with her before I move. So, to start the evening off we decided to try a few dresses on. All I have to say, is Michelle made it look so easy to find the perfect dress! She looked STUNNING in the very first one she tried on.
I'm going to miss Michelle dearly when I move. She is such a positive, upbeat person, that is always full of joy. She is a fabulous listener, great encourager and always so sincere and honest. And you think I'm creative? Michelle is amazing! ...she inspires me. You don't find friends like Michelle everyday and I am so thankful she is a part of my life. She truely is a blessing.

2008 Road Trip

As I sit here and think about getting on the road in a few weeks to trek across the country, it reminds me of the Amazing experience I had when Joe & I drove from WA to OH in June of '08. Before I met Joe, I had never been any further west than Indiana! So you can only imagine how excited I was to see Mountains (with snow on them!) and lots and lots of Pine Trees! We drove through 10 states in a little over 3 1/2 days. Our route included Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, and the Badlands! I saw live Black Bears, a Grizzly, Elk, Pronghorns, Bison, a baby fox, and we even spotted an Osprey nest. It was so amazing to see all these animals in their own element. In the wild and not a zoo. We couldn't have asked for better weather: sunny skies, breathtaking sunsets, and no rain.

I can only pray that we have such luck when we make the reverse trip at the end of the month. The plan is to get on the road either the 27th or 28th. I'm hoping for no snow storms. We've been discussing a different route this time to try and avoid South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. As Joe would say, "Next stop? ...Who knows."

691 Broadway Ave.

It has been exactly one month today since I have moved out of my little 2 bedroom apartment in Bedford, Ohio. It is hard to believe I lived there for almost 4 years! I have so many sweet memories there. As all of you know, I am moving to Spokane, Washington after Christmas to be with my boyfriend Joe. We have not seen each other since the end of August and I am so anxious to pick him up from the airport Christmas day. What a Christmas gift!

For the past month I have been staying at my mom's. I love that I'm getting to spend so much time with her and my brothers before I leave, but I definitely miss having a space of my own. I miss my craft room! (especially now since I make a lot of my Christmas gifts) I moved out of my apartment the end of October so that I could ship my things to Washington early and save a little money on rent before I leave. This is my first BIG move and the first time having to hire a moving company. It was quite nerve wrecking at first... finding the perfect moving company -one that is honest and wasn't going to rip me off, determining how many boxes I would fill (it went from 30 to 75!), collecting boxes for what seemed like months, packing for what seemed like weeks, trying to help Joe find an apartment while I was here in Ohio, and this list goes on and on. I talked to a lot of moving companies and gathered many many quotes. Joe & I ended up going with USA Express Moving. They seemed so nice and honest and unlike other companies they don't charge you based on square footage or pounds, they charge you based on the Inventory you give them. So as long as you don't forget to tell them anything, the price they quote you is the final price. The price doesn't go up if you are over weight or over square footage and for a first time mover that was very comforting.

Hook, Line, SINKER! They told me my things would arrive to Spokane in 7-10 days... it is now ONE MONTH and my things are still not there!! They are finally being delivered tomorrow Dec. 1st! I have had such a run around with this company. I do not recommend them to anyone! We have caught them in lies, they would never give us straight answers to as where my things were, and conveniently they started to have problems with the transmission. And not to mention, poor Joe has been living in an unfurnished apartment all month.

Here are some pictures of my old apartment. It had a lot of character! Old drop ceilings, dingy 70s carpet in the hallway, and the smell of a funeral home when you first walked into the building (I lived above a floral shop), but I loved it! It was so quaint and comfy. I'm going to miss decorating my tree this year and being able to look out my window and see Bedford courtyard decorated with beautiful Christmas lights. It was always so festive and occasionally I would even hear the Christmas music they would play. Tis the season!

I wasn't lying about the carpet! ...Vintage in a bad way!

Living Room/Dining Room

I miss my comfy couch!

The veiw of Downtown Bedford from my apartment. You can't see the couryard in this picture, (it's where the tree is), but it is so beautiful during Christmas time. I would love looking out my window at night to see it all lit up.

Morning of the Move 10/30/09

All packed up!

My brother Corey & I waiting for the Movers to arrive. He was my support!