Turning 27

So, yesterday I turned the big 27 and to celebrate that and my Bulldogs beating Kentucky on my birthday, I am writing this blog in Maroon and White. As far as birthdays go, yesterday was probably the best birthday I have had since I turned 22. I wish I could remember all of that birthday but it involved a lot of tequila and my college roomates and friends. I just know it was good because I have pictures to help me piece it together. Anyway, back to this birthday... I knew it was going to be a little difficult because it was the first birthday I have had since my Mamaw passed. I was also very excited that my mom was able to come up and spend it with me. The morning started off at 7:07am (I always set my alarm to end in a 7, I dont know why I have just always done it and I am superstitous), Daniel and I got up and dressed to go run in the Color Me Rad 5k here in Knoxville. If you have not been, trust me you are missing out!!! We ran it with my friend Candace and it was seriously the most fun I have had in a long time. It was my first 5k but it was surprisingly easy. I think because we were having to much fun to realize we were actually running. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

I also received a ton of presents for my birthday. The most meaningful was a card that my mom gave me with 100.00 inside. The reason this is so meaningful is because when they were in my Mamaws saftey deposit box they found the 100.00 with my name on it from my Mamaw. My Mamaw has given me 100.00 for my birthday since I can remember so it was extra special that even though she is not here she found one last way to celebrate my birthday. Needless to say, that 100.00 will never be spent. I also recieved a new sheet set from my mom. I know most people don't get excited about that but I freaking love bed stuff! Next, I opened Hoots gift which was a custom made #17 Mississippi State jersey with my nickname on the back and a pair of Mississippi State pajama pants. I knew from earlier conversation that I was going to be surprised when I opened Daniels gift after opening Hoots and I didnt know why until I opened his first gift to me which was also, a custom made #17 Mississippi State jersey with Christy on the back. They had both ordered me the exact same thing from the exact same website without ever speaking and neither new about the others gift until the night before my birthday when Hoot showed Daniel what she had gotten me. I thnk they both got a really good laugh out of it. I guess the two people who I thought knew me best actually do know me best!

What are the chances? At least Bucky and I can match during the games now! GO DAWGS!

 

 

 

 Daniel also bought me a diamond horseshoe necklace that I have been asking for forever, Mississippi State leg warmers and earrings and a super warm night shirt that will be getting put to good use very soon. He also gave me a very special gift which was taking me to Young Williams Animal Shelter and letting me pick a dog to pay the adoption fee for so that it would be guaranteed a home. This made me so happy seeing has rescuing and helping dogs is my passion. I of course chose a 1.5 year old Pitbull named Blaze who has been at the shelter since June. There was something about his sweet eyes and old spirit that caught my eye. He was also one of a few dogs ready for a home whose adoption fee had not yet been paid. I can't wait to find out who adopts him because I know they are going to have a best friend for life.
After the shelter we went to Brix because I was craving pizza but wanted some that was relatively healthy. I split a whole wheat veggie pizza with my mom and could barely eat 2 pieces. I am loving that since I have been on Advocare I am not able to eat as much as before! I also treated myself to FroYoz which is probably my favorite place ever and I have not had it in 2 months. It definetly did not disappoint. We came home and finished watching the second half of the state game and just napped and had a lazy day the rest of the day! I didnt do much but it was an amazing day with amazing people! If yesterday was any indication of how my 27th year will go then I will most definitely NOT be disappointed!

Our cheerleaders!

My Angel

August 18, 2012 at 2:52 pm my life changed forever. I said goodbye to my hero, my best friend, my Mamaw. My Mamaw died 3 weeks to the day from being admitted to the hospital. She lived less than 3 weeks from being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She went peacefully, surrounded by family and friends with my brother Alex and I holding each of her hands. God needed an Angel and on that rainy Saturday afternoon and he got his Angel, he took MY ANGEL from this earth.

Anyone who knew my Mamaw and I knew the bond that we shared. We were extremly close and ever since I can remember I have always been compared to her by everyone who knows us. I am often called Cat Jr or Lil Cat. I not only look a lot like her but I also share her passion for life, her quick temper and the uncanny ability to speak before I think. I am a spitfire and strong willed just like she was and honestly nothing makes me prouder than being compared to someone who was so admired and loved by everyone who met her.

My Mamaw pretty much raised me. I even managed to get kicked out of daycare when I was four so that  I could stay with her while my parents worked (see I told you strongwilled). When my Papaw died my Mamaw pretty much lived with my family and I. Many times she was the first face I saw when I woke up in the morning, when I got off the bus from school and because when my Mamaw did stay with us she stayed in my room, she was many times the last face I saw when I went to bed at night. Growing up she was my greatest confidant. We would lay in bed at night and I would just talk to her about whatever came into my head. She knew my hopes, my dreams, my secrets and my fears. She never judged me and she never told anyone anything I asked her not too. Even after I moved on to college all the way up to the week before she went into the hospital I would still call her almost daily to just talk to her. I always looked forward to going back home just to sit with her on her front porch early in the mornings before anyone else was awake and just talk with her about whatever came to our minds.

My Mamaw supported me in everything I did. She was always there to cheer me on or give me a swift kick in the butt when I needed it. She never once in 26 years let me down or made me feel like I was not worthy. Many times my Mamaw was the reason I kept my head high and kept pushing forward. If it had not been for her and her love and guidance I would not be who I am today. I could never in a million years repay her for everything she has done for me. She will always be the most beautiful soul I have ever known and there will never be a day that passes that I dont think of her and smile. I cannot wait until I name my own daughter after her someday (Heidi Catherine Wilder) or Heidi Cat as she will be called will know all about the amazing woman she was named after, my Mamaw, MY ANGEL.

My mamaw was there as I took my first breaths in this world and I was there holding her hand as she took her last breath and left this world. Life really does come full circle and I am blessed that for 26 years I got to call the woman who touched the lives of so many Mamaw.

LIFE

Whew... Life has been CRAZY!! Just when we thought life was going to slow down it went charging full speed ahead! Daniel and I have officially been together for 2 years now on July 7th and married for 3 months. It has been an amazing thus far. In fact, if I had known marriage was going to be so fun I would have done it a lot sooner! So, anyway here is a little update on life the past few months.

1. I got a new position, well not new, it's more like I added another full time positon on top of my already full time postion. I work for non profit, they will save money anyway they can. Over worked and Under paid has taken on a whole new meaning in my life. I guess you could say I am a case manager, therapist, nurse, lactation consultant, birthing coach, chaffeaur and baby daddy all rolled in to one! Yep, I'm busy but it is NEVER dull and my weeks fly by like you would not believe.

2. HOUSE HUNTING SUCKS! Seriously, Daniel and I have been looking for a house for a few months now and we have the worst luck ever. I guess it does not help that we are pretty picky. I mean honestly a house with more than 5 acres, fenced and a barn within 20 miles of Knoxville and less than half a million is not to much to ask for. Sure we have had several options but everytime we find something we like someone else rips it right out from under us. Properties that have been on the market for over a year with no interest suddenly get bought right up as soon as we show interest. On the bright side, our landlord is letting us rent our current house on a month to month basis so that takes off a lot of stress considering out lease is up next month...

3. My retainer broke. Okay thats not that important but it is a permanent retainer thats been on my teeth since 7th grade and last night half of it decided to break. It was sad.

4. ROCK CLIMBING- Daniel and I finally got back on the rock. We had not been climbing since Daniel proposed to me, which by the way, can never be topped as my favorite climbing trip. Daniel looked like he had been climbing everyday since, I however looked like an out of shape chimpanzee. I could not let the boys beat me however, so I survived.

5. Betty freaking Crocker- I have to mention that I have been getting my groove on in the kitchen thanks to pinterest and my good friend Jennifer Morgan! I'm not to shabby either. No one has died from my cooking and our house has not burned down. See told you I was not too shabby. I cannot wait to have bigger kitchen though because I have a whole ton of kitchen gadgets and supplies from our wedding that I cant use because I have no room.

6. Daniels busines is a booming which is awesome! He has said all along this was going to be a good year and I think thus far it is surpassing his expectations! Thank God because we all know I am not the bread winner of the family.

Well, I guess that's really about all right now. I know I have more but I will wait!  In the mean time it is time to go to the orthodontist to get this retainer glued back into place.

My Best Friends Wedding

One of my best friends from childhood Madeleine Clark (now Vantine) got married on April 28th in Manchester, New Hampshire and there was no way I was going to miss it. Not only was Madeleine my side kick and partner in crime growing up but she also stood beside me on my wedding day. She was the one who looked like a 2012 version of Audrey Hepburn.
  Well, Daniel and I had known about her wedding for a pretty long time but between the hassel of our own wedding and just being the procrasinators that we are we did not buy plane tickets until the week of her wedding and we did not book our hotel until the day before the wedding in the airport in Washington D.C. We like to keep things interesting and our "Wilder" adventures wild. Needless to say this weekend was jam packed with complete and utter randomness.
  For starters, I got to meet a life long friend in person. Yes, you read correctly, Tiffany Green and I have been friends since we were 13 and we had never met in person until April 27th. You see, I grew up in Mississippi and Tiffany grew up and still lives in Connecticut, so when she found out we would be driving through on our way from NYC to New Hampshire she decided we should meet for dinner. Daniel thought I was crazy when I told him this story but lucky for me Daniel is into crazy and thought the whole idea sounded awesome. So, we met Tiffany and her boyfriend at Tai Too an amazing Vegetarian Tai restaurant right on Yales campus. When we arrived Tiffany and I hugged like we hadnt seen each other 13 years and then she was the ultimate tour guide and showed us all around Yale. I have never felt so smart in my life. After the tour we had dinner and needless to say that was an adventure in itself because the menu didnt have pictures and we were not sure what we were ordering. Needless to say the food was amazing and we spent a couple hours just laughing and talking. Any person who did not know any better would have thought Tiffany and I had grown up side by side. It was an amazing time and I cannot wait to do it again!
  After dinner, Daniel and I still had about a four hour drive to our hotel. We sang at the top of our lungs for about and hour of it and then I passed out. Unfortunately for him, this is very common for me on long drives. We finally arrived at our hotel at midnight and crashed. The next day, we shopped our little hearts out in Manchester and then met up with my life long friend and neighbor Ashley (she was the pregnant photographer at our wedding) and her  mom Sharon. We all had lunch together and Ashley gave us the CD of our wedding pictures. Daniel and I left lunch estatic to get back to the room and look at our wedding pictures. Daniel had a surprise in those pictures and I was excited to see his reaction to them. I had taken "sexy" pictures for him and he definetly loves them. Anywho we won't get into THAT adventure on this blog....
That afternoon was Madeleines wedding and boy was it beautiful. Madeleine is the most beautiful person I have ever met both inside and outside and her wedding was a reflection of that. I laughed. I cried and I thanked God for giving me such an amazing friend. At the reception we ate amazing food, got the cutest wedding favors (which airport security made us throw away, shame on you!) and met some of Madeleines amazing family and friends. As we left the reception that night I broke down and cried like a baby. Previous to our wedding I had not seen Madeleine in 6 years and I had gotten to see her twice this year alone. I cried because I am not sure when I will see her again and because when you see someone again that you have spent so long missing you realize just how important they are to your life and how much you love and care for them. The beautiful thing about my friendship with Madeleine however is that it can be 6 days or 6 years we still catch up right where we left off without ever missing a beat.
  Sunday morning we woke up to start our long trek from New Hampshire back to New York. We arrived at the airport and I found out we were going to be riding in a Prop plane. I have flewn a 100 times in my life and up until this point I had been lucky enough to miss out on the hell. It was loud. It was bumpy. It was tiny. It was terrifying. I think I almost broke Daniels hands while he was SLEEPING!!! I hope I never have to go through that again. It is safe to say I Thank God many times over when my feet finally hit the ground.
  Daniel and I have been in 10 airports on 10 planes in one month. We have traveled to more places in one month of marriage together than most people get to do in a lifetime.  I am thankful however that we have a little break until the next airport though. However, there are no breaks until the next adventure!

First Stop on Wilder Road: Dancing

Most people who know us know that if it had not been for dance Daniel and I would have never met and the fact that we did meet dancing is truly wild in and of itself.  I am an athlete and outdoors girl by nature. If it involves a ball, bat, horses, a field an arena, a court or running than you can sign me up. However, under that rough and tough tomboy exterior has always been a classy lady who loves to dress up and dance around just like any girl does. Growing up in small town Mississippi I never had the opportunity to really get involved in a good dance studio and I had so many other things I was involved in that dancing never really was an option for me. However, I am not one to ever give up on my dreams so I knew, somewhere, somehow, someday I was going to dance.

            Now, on to Daniel, I have often ask him where his love for dance evolved and he says it comes from watching old movies with his mom and wanting to be like the men in those movies. I honestly think he just wanted to jump at any chance he could get to dance with a pretty girl (but that’s just my theory). Like I, he never really had the opportunity to start dancing until he was older. He did get a head start on me though and got involved with ballroom dancing in college. I have never really found out exactly how he got started dancing in college but I suspect it had something to do with another woman… tsk tsk..

            Anyway, as fate would have it, in September of 2009 I started researching dance studios in Knoxville. I wanted something new to try and decided that now was a good a time as any to start working on that dancing dream. I stumbled upon some advertisement for a really cheap private lesson and told two of my friends about it. Lucky for me my birthday was coming up and so they decided to surprise me with a lesson for my birthday. I was immediately hooked about 10 minutes into the lesson when I realized that dancing was hard and I wasn’t good at it (I love a challenge). Well, to make a long story short, out of every studio in Knoxville and out of every teacher in Knoxville Daniel and I found our way into a family business. My teacher was his teachers’ son. It took several months for Daniel and I to ever meet and once we did we were inseparable.

            I did not start dancing to make new friends and I sure did not start dancing to meet guys. What girl in her right mind would say, “Hey, I want to meet men, maybe I should start ballroom dancing,” anyway??? I sure as hell never in a million years thought that I would meet my husband at a dance studio. However, not only did I meet my husband there I also found a passion that I had to keep hidden and suppressed for so long. Dancing is the first adventure that Daniel and I experienced together and as I sit here thinking about it, someday, it may be one of our last. I can imagine that even when we can no longer climb mountains or travel the world together someday, that we will still be able to dance. It may not be as graceful or quick but it will still be us, together, swaying to Frank.

Officially a Wilder!

It is hard to believe Daniel and I are going to be married a month this weekend! Time has went by so quickly since the wedding and I have to be the first to say that I LOVE BEING MARRIED! First off, it saves a lot of gas. Daniel and I did not live together before we were married so we spent a lot of time driving to each other. Second, my bank account got substantially bigger. I am a social worker for a non profit organization, that is pretty much equal to being an aspiring actor in LA (we are all poor). Third, I have a house with a backyard! Apartment life was equal to torture for me. The next step is buying a farm soon and I cannot wait!
There are plenty of other benefits to married life but I won't bore you with the details.

Our Wedding was the most amazing day of my life. I can honestly say it was perfect. Okay, Daniel might have stumbled through his vows but I can't blame him for that. I mean I did look pretty amazing so I am sure he was distracted ;) If there is any advice I can give for anyone planning a wedding it is to not sweat the small stuff or the big stuff and your wedding day goes by faster than you can ever imagine so cherish every moment. I wish I had trusted this advice when it was given to me. To everyone who celebrated our day with us, Thank You!  I will post another blog soon about our incredibly awesome two week getaway to Europe soon. Stay tuned because now I can really start talking about adventures on the the "Wilder" side of life!

Showered With Blessings

The past two weeks have been quite eventful for Daniel and I. Wedding time is drawing near and that means it has been shower time! I do not think we have ever felt so love and blessed in our lives as we have the past to weekends.

Our first shower was put on by Daniels mom Becky, his sister in law Megan and the ladies of First United Methodist Church of Jefferson City. We walked in to a beautiful shower decorated in our wedding colors. The food was delicious. The veggie pinwheels were such a hit that my bridesmaid Jena stood up while we were eated and made an announcement that we needed to know who made them because we wanted the recipe. The cupcakes were also delicious and homemade by Becky. Megan surprised me with a game of 12 questions about Daniel. Little did I know over New Years her and Daniels brother Luke asked Daniel to answer 12 different questions and they videotaped it. At the shower I was put on the spot and asked these questions, after I answered each one they would play what Daniel had answered. I got 10 out of 12 right so I did not do half bad. They also decided to play a video they had taken of me singing Mississippi girl by Faith Hill on our way to Myrtle Beach  and this got a good laugh from everyone. I was informed many times after not to quit my day job. We recieved pretty much everything we could ask for and more at this shower. The gifts were overflowing and all of the ladies made me feel right I home. I cannot thank everyone enough for their kindness, love and wise words for our upcoming marriage.

Our second shower was held in Mississippi by my family. It was held at St Paul Independent Methodist Church and it boy did it come a shower at my shower! It rained so hard we had to push my aunts vehicle out of the mud in the pouring rain after the shower because it got stuck. It just would not have been a Mississippi wedding without a little mud. At this shower it was time to repay Daniel for the question game and this time he was put on the spot. I think he got 8 out 12 correct. I guess somebody needs to listen a little better. They also divided everybody up into three groups, gave them toilet paper and each group had to dress one person as a bride. The three brides were my best friend Sally, a bridesmaid in my wedding. A family friend Kayla and.... my brother Alex. When Daniel and I came back in the room to judge the best toilet paper bride there stood my brother in his toilet paper gown with real toilet paper boobs! Of course he naturally became the winner. I even think he may have a future in drag. It was nice seeing family and friends I have not seen in a while and being showered with even more blessings. 

I cannot believe how fast time is going by and how quickly all of this will be over. I am cherishing every moment because I know I will never get it back. I am also blessed to know I am surrounded by so many people who love and care for Daniel and I. To our friends and family thank you so much for all of your sacrifices and love.

Mountains and Moonshine

This past weekend Daniel surprised me with a Gatlinburg getaway. We have both been so busy with work and wedding planning that we have not actually had any time alone together. Throughout the almost two years Daniel and I have been together he has been one to randomly surprise me with weekend getaways and random roadtrips. Whether it was leaving at midnight to drive to North Carolina and campout on a mountain top or packing my bags for me, picking me up at midnight and driving all night while I slept only to wake me up just in time for a morning sunrise on the beach in South Carolina. He may not like to admit it but he is definitely a romantic.

This trip was not as spontaneous as ones in the past, between the two dogs and work schedules we have to plan things a little more now. Nevertheless, Daniel still managed to surprise me with a great room with a huge hot tub and cute little view.

We left Saturday morning with no specific plan in mind except to drive the long way through the mountains to get there. We both love nature and outdoors so taking the quick way via interstate was not an option. On our way we stopped at a cute little local store in Townsend (my request) because they sell the best amish peanut butter. I am telling you this stuff is more than worth the drive. While we were there we also picked up some apple moonshine jelly. It was on sale and taste like heaven so we could not resist. Besides, who does not love a great pb&j! Once we arrived in Gatlinburg we checked in to our room and then decided to hit the strip and just do whatever our little hearts desired. We ate lunch at a sporty little bar and grill called Blaines. If you are ever in a hurry but want a decent meal this is the place for you! We were in and out in about 30 minutes give or take. I had a scrumptious buffalo shrimp salad. The sauce was so good dressing was not even needed and Daniel had a yummy Taco Salad. I know it was yummy because I might have tried more than 2 bites. Afterward we went in little shops. It started to drizzle and get cold so we stopped in a trendy little coffee shop and got two coffees. I highly recommend this place as well. I am not sure if it is because the coffee is so good or because it kept me warm. We looked around shops more and just enjoyed simply being together. I think it is what we both needed. That evening we went to a pub and had amazing drinks at an amazing price. The Tennessee/Connecticut basketball game was playing and of course all of the men were pulling for Tennessee. I had to be different so I cheered for Connecticut. I left before the game was over and found out later the Vols had upset the Huskies.. Dammit! I have to admit watching Mississippi State beat Vandy by one point while relaxing in a hot tub was most definitely one of the highlights of my weekend. That night we also went Moonshine tasting and Wine tasting at the Moonshine distillery. Let me tell you, you have not experienced the backwoods of Tennessee until you have had some Apple Pie Moonshine and homemade Peach Wine. You also don't feel the same walking out as you did walking in after four shots of moonshine and 3 shots of wine. Needless to say, we have apple pie moonshine and peach wine in our supply of adult beverages at home now.

We woke up early on Sunday to get an early start back home so we could get to our kids. We decided to drive out through the park to once again take in the breathtaking view of the mountains. Instead we got to take in the breathtaking view of the fog, miss our turn and end up in North Carolina. The good news is that when we turned around to drive back in to Gatlinburg the fog had lifted and we did get to enjoy the mountains while holding hands and singing at the top of our lungs.


It is so nice living so close to such a lovely getaway spot. It is also amazing having a fiance who is as spontaneous as I am. I never know what he will have up his sleeve next. I am also looking forward to our next trip together in 2 months!! Backpacking Europe on our Honeymoon!! (That is unless he has something else up his sleeve between now and then...)

First 12 of 2012

It is hard to believe we are already 12 days in to 2012! So far I have managed to have a flat tire, watch Daniel change the tire ( which was kind of hot I'll admit), drop my phone and shatter the screen, dislocate my shoulder... again and take off part of my big toenail dancing. The way this year has started out I am not even sure I should get on a plane in March. Speaking of March, we are officially in full wedding mode! My dress came in this week, I orderd my garter and the napkins and Daniel is making the final touches on the invitations. We also recieved our first wedding gifts in the mail, an Amazon gift card and a KITCHENAID MIXER!! I know right how freaking awesome is that? Oh and my childhood best friend called to tell me she has booked her flight for the wedding! I have not seen her in four years so I think I am almost as excited about seeing her as I am getting married. I would have gotten married sooner had I known I would get to see long lost friends.  I am excited about the upcoming months and all of the joy, excitement and amazing opportunities that are ahead.

Wow, I never knew 12 days could feel like months...

2011- Lessons Learned

As 2011 came to and end and 2012 began I found myself reflecting on what a rollercoaster year 2011 had been. It seemed as if every single month brought along with it different lessons, emotions, endings and new beginnings.  Looking back I really feel as if 2011 was "My Year." By that I mean it was my year to find out just how strong I really am. It was my year to learn lessons many people do not learn in a lifetime.

I learned that listening to your heart is the quickest way to happiness. I learned that true love can pass any test even when others say it is impossible. I learned that forgiveness no matter how hard, will always bring you peace. I learned that sometimes the people you never expected make the best confidants.  I learned things happen in their own time and in their own way and just because things do not happen the way I think that they should does not mean it is wrong. It means that is how it was supposed to happen to me and that is perfect. Most importantly, I learned that I am strong, really strong and that even when we have been kicked down, walked over and spit on we should still always look for the good in people. We should forgive them, find out about them and help them, because at the end of the day all we ever really have is one another.

As i reflect over all the lessons I learned in 2011 I have to let out a big sigh of relief, as much as I appreciate 2011 for the lessons it taught me, for the amazing fiance it gave me and for the wonderful new friends and family it brought in to my life I thank God that it is OVER!!! I am looking foward to 2012 and all of the wonderful events and surprises it has in store.... WEDDING, EUROPE, NEW HOME and whatever else it wants to throw at me. Bring it 2012 because after 2011 I CAN TAKE ANYTHING!!