4 Weeks and Counting

I had a count down until Summer going.

There is nothing worse than realizing that you're one week off on your count down and you actually have 4 weeks left, and not just 3.

I'm so ready to be out of school. I need another spring break, bad. People say "don't wish away your life!" Well, I wouldn't mind if the next 4 weeks just flew by. I really wouldn't. I currently don't have a life as it is.

I'm going to go insane.

There are projects I want to try and the weather is too nice to be cooped up inside all day. It's like torture. I just want to be spending my days with the people I actually care for, which, frankly, doesn't include 99% of the people I'm forced to see ever day.

I want to get out and get my camera going. I want to be biking every morning. I want to be able to stay up late one night if I'm working on something and be able to sleep in an hour or two extra. I want to wake up and make coffee and breakfast, and shower when I feel like it. I want a summer job, so I can do the fun summer things teenagers often do without having to smuggle money off my parents. I want to eat ice cream and drink frapppuccinos. I want to swim. And tan. And live off iced tea and lemonade.

So ready for Summer.

Mother's Day

This day goes out to all those moms out there. Moms, Grandmas, Aunts, Step Moms, Mothers in Law, Honorary Moms, any woman who had ever loved a child in the way that only a mother can. Your kisses have healing powers. Your food always tastes better. You find everything that’s lost. Your hugs are the warmest. Your smile is the brightest. This day is for you. Thank you.

The Begining of my Graphic Arts Career

Things are finally starting to fall in place. I was recently entered in a MITES, Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society, competition for graphics at our school, and not only did I win 1st place in the category that my project was entered, but I won first overall. Out of every project. There were 350+ projects entered.

I like to think that it's kind of a big deal.

This is only the regional competition. My project will now go to the state level, and then hopefully national. It's exciting stuff.

I've found something that I'm good at, that I enjoy, and that is a practical career. There are so many doors opened with graphic design, it's insane.

And so that's what I plan on going into.

Kate Troxell - Graphic Designer

And photographer, of course.

I'm excited for my future. I feel like I actually have a shot of making it big and being someone now.

And I'm only 17.

Life is looking up.

Prom Number One

Last weekend was Shepherd's Prom. I went with my friend, Becca, as her date. The night started around 5:30 at my house, when, after spending practically all day getting ready, our parents got pictures of us together, and us apart, and us with our moms, and us with our dads. And grandparents. And siblings. And friends...

You get the point.

Lots of pictures.

After picture mania, which included a trip to the rail road tracks, we went back to my house to fix our dresses (god bless the person that invented bobby pins) and a quick make up polish before heading out to our Ruby Tuesday's reservation for two.

Once there, I saw three different parties of Shepherd folk, and of course we awkwardly stalked them from across our booth. And then said hi.

Then came the actual prom. We got there early, got a great parking spot, and we were one of the first people to be video taped walking up the steps. Holding hands, naturally.

Four hours of dancing later, and everyone was a hot mess. Lots of singing and dancing and flailing of arms and whipping of hair.

My best friend John, and his date Payge, won Prom Prince and Princess, which was exciting. We got video taped dancing, and I made a complete fool of myself, I'm sure. I couldn't do much with a dress on. I definitely don't dance like a lady.

After prom, we went to the school lock in at Morey Courts for After Prom, and stayed there until 3 am. Volleyball, inflatables, lots of food, euchre, and whiplash sums up After Prom pretty well.

Home by 4am and I washed up, debated on pulling an all-nighter, and then fell asleep. Up by 9 to go to church,  but not without 2 cups of coffee and some green tea.

Overall, it was a fantastic prom.

I really can't wait for prom with the boyfriend now. Prom Number Two. May 19th. I'll be sure to blog.

And now, here are just a few of the many pictures we took.

Prom Date

Bam Bam

We're incredibly cheesy

It keeps getting better

See what I mean?

Always Dancing

Four Thumbs Up

42 is a magic number

My dad turned 42 yesterday. I would have posted yesterday had I been home at all, but I wasn't. So, happy belated birthday Dad.

I think it's awesome that my dad is 42. 42 is the answer to life, the universe, and everything. No big deal.

Tonight is his birthday dinner. Enchiladas and Oreo pie. Heaven much?

My dad is pretty awesome. He's hardworking, supportive, smart, funny, and best of all, he loves his family, me included. We share the same sense of humor, something my mom and I don't. We both love coffee. We both love writing. We're both laid back and pretty chill. I'm a daddy's girl, to say the least.

And I love my dad. He never yells. He's rarely angry. He's my biggest fan.

He's pretty awesome, to say the least. But I might be biased. I am related to the guy, after all.

Happy Birthday Dad.

A Match Made in Heaven

We've all heard of apples and peanut butter.

And celery and peanut butter.

But not many of us have been blessed with knowing the wonders of carrots and peanut butter.

Yes, you read that right.

Carrots + Peanut Butter = Match Made In Heaven

For those of you who have tried this, you'll know just how amazing this combination is. For those of you who haven't, you're probably staring at your screen with a face somewhat like this.

0_o

Now, I know you're skeptical, as was I. But, I promise you won't be disappointed. It's a combination of tastes that cannot be imagined, it must be experienced.

So, my challenge to you this weekend is to grab you're lonely jar of peanut butter and introduce it to your equally lonely bag of carrots, and watch the magic happen.

Prom?

As I blogged a few Saturdays ago, I went to a Celtic dance with my dad and my boyfriend (see post here). After dropping Caleb off, we got home around 11:30pm, and my dad left right away to go play another gig in St. Louis. My brothers were in bed and my mom and sister weren't home, so I did what any girl would do at 11:30 after a long night of dancing - I took a bath.

After my bath, and seeing the no one was up, I really didn't feel like putting clothes on, and just wrapped a towel around myself. In the meantime, I got on Facebook. Caleb has been texting me this whole time, too.

"r u going 2 bed?" (this is honestly how he texts.)
"Not yet, im getting my pajamas on." (and this is how I text.)

 I wasn't actually getting my pajamas on. I'm still chilling in my towel checking my news feed.

 5 minutes later:

"U going 2 bed yet?"
"Ya, soon."

 Still on Facebook.

 "o my god!!! go look at the sky!!! right now!!!!!!"

Caleb is a fan of stargazing, and seeing as it was a pleasantly warm night, I figured he saw a shooting star or northern lights or something. So just to make him happy, I get up, still in my towel, and walk out onto the porch. I look up, and see no northern lights, but when I look back down, there's Caleb, standing in the driveway.

I freak.

"What are you doing here?! I'm in a towel!" I wrap it tighter around myself.
"I, I came to ask you a question."
"You're going to ask me to prom, aren't you?"
"Ya, I was."
"Can I go put clothes on?"
"Ya, that'd be good." He laughs.

So I run back into the house and grab some shorts and a t-shirt (which happened to one I stole from him), and walk back outside, my heart beating way too fast.

"Sorry for scaring you."
"Oh, no, it's fine, you just startled me." I'm smiling big now, walking towards him. I meet him the the driveway, and he takes me in his arms and looks me in the eye.

"Kate, will you go to prom with me?"
"I'd love to."

And of course I kissed the guy.

So that's how I was asked to prom. In a towel. At midnight.

Romantic.



Later I found out that he kept asking when I was going to bed so he could throw rocks at my window, but I was taking too long. He also drove on the grass, instead of the gravel driveway, because he knew I would hear the car. He's so cute.

Prom is May 19th.

I can't wait.