Golden Girls Rock

President Barack Obama addresses ASU graduates

2009-05-31T00:42:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama addresses ASU graduates

If you want to see me on TV I'm about three minutes into Obama's speech. You'll see me wave frantically and tell my mom "hi" like five times!

I couldn't stop there

2009-05-30T23:07:00.000-07:00

All of the pictures Stacy took were so adorable I had to post them all. Sorry it went out of order. Maybe Stacy wants to be my wedding photographer!!!

AT LAST--CATHERINE PHELPS (ROMERO)

2009-05-30T22:08:00.000-07:00

As if my week could get any more exciting my boyfriend of 4 years proposed after graduation. Unfortunately because it was such a shock we didn't get very good pictures of the actual moment, but my friend Stacy was kind enough to make us re-enact the whole thing so we could capture it on film. So here's how it happened:

Courtney invited all of my family and friends that attended graduation to IHOP afterwards and offered to pay for all of my family! I, of course, freaked out about the money that would cost and tried to stop him all night, but he wouldn't listen (our group shot at IHOP pre-engagement is in my last post). Then Courtney gets up to pay the bill and moves the chair out of the way. My aunt and stepmom noticed him pulling something that resembled a jewlery box out of his pocket. I, being completely oblivioius, went on with whatever discussion I was having at the time. All of a sudden he says to the crowd (the ten of us sitting at the table) that before we all leave for the night he wants to say something. He gets down on one knee beside me, and I honest to goodness have no idea what he is doing. I looked around and saw that everyone was freaking out, screaming "wait-don't do it, yet!", and crying. I'm in such shock I can't even understand what is happening or why everyone is yelling. I then looked at him and said "You can't joke around about this. You can't pretend to get on one knee!" When he began to speak to me he pulled the ring box out of his pocket and opened. All I could do was put my head in my hands and sob! Truth be told I didn't hear a word he said AND I forgot to answer him. Thank goodness my mother was behind shaking me to death yelling in my ear to tell him yes! After the initial shock wore off, I was able to answer him "Yes! Yes! Of course yes!" We then ushered the group outside b/c Courtney thought security was going to be called and he was a little nervous :)

The pictures with me in the brown shirt are the actual night of the proposal and the pictures with the red shirt are the re-enactment. BTW-the actual words he spoke were "I love you! And if you'll have me you'll make me the happiest man on earth." I made him tell me again so I could write them down.

Catherine Romero, MSW!!!!

2009-05-30T20:46:00.001-07:00

FINALLY--after three years of travel, blood, sweat, and tears my mission is accomplished. I HAVE MY MASTER'S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK!!! There were many times where I didn't think I would make it, but thanks to my friends, family, and Courtney I made it!! I was so glad to see my family travel all the way from Texas and Courtney from Florida to join me in this momentous occassion.

Oh-BAMA!!!

2009-05-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

There are so many things I need to blog, but this will be the first and if you can imagine not even the most important!!! What a ride I've been on the last four weeks!!!! One of my dreams came true a few weeks ago when I found out that President Obama was speaking at my Commencement ceremony for ASU. He agreed to do so as a favor to our past Governor, Janet Napolitano. We went through hot lightrail rides, long tortous lines, and hours in the sun just to see our beloved president (at least I think so), but it was all worth it. I even made it on TV with my new short hair cut.

My new addiction

2009-03-14T20:42:00.000-07:00

I was totally addicted to American Idol the first season and almost had a heart attack during the finals so I stopped watching. I am now hooked again b/c I live with Elaine during the week and she is totally addicted! AND I CAN'T BELIEVE I'VE BEEN MISSING IT!!! I've already picked my top 5 and the obvious winner (obvious b/c I consulted with my good friend Lisa and she too thinks he's the winner). Here is my top 5 prediction (in order):

5. Matt (4th from the left-bottom row)

4. Lil Rounds (3rd from the left-bottom row)

3. Danny (5th from the left-top row)

2. Allison (3rd from the left-top row--BTW she's 16!!!)

1. Adam (1st from the left on the top row)

Christmas 2008

2008-12-28T16:12:00.000-08:00

I had the great joy of spending Christmas with my sister and her two kids. Christmas Eve we went to our cousins party. Santa came and there were toys for every single child!!! It was absolutely fantastic!

Oh...did I mention there was Rock Band! It's not a party without Rock Band.

Then my sister and I drove around to see the lights...really we just went to Quail Ridge where that National Lampoon Christmas Vacation house is (you know the house with 2000 lights!!). It's our favorite, and every year we want to send them a thank-you card, but don't. Then it was one last minute stop at Walgreens which is where half the town was at 10:00 PM Christmas Eve!!! The boys fell asleep in the car which was nice b/c then there was no convincing them that Santa wouldn't come unless they were asleep. Micki and I baked 6 dozen cookies, wrapped dozens of presents, and watched Family Stone (a new favorite holiday movie). We had a great time!!

It's that time again!

2008-12-28T16:02:00.000-08:00

Ten years ago when I started moving around (shortly after EAC graduation) I joked that I should have invested in a U-Haul. Every time I move I think about that idea. We're going on move number 35 in 10 years!!! That's a lot of U-Haul!! I'm moving back to Thactcher in a week to live with family. Who knows how long I'll be there or where the journey will take me next time. One day I'll settle down long enough to plant roots or a garden.

How well do you know me?

2008-12-04T18:35:00.001-08:00

I know this post has a lot of empty space, but I couldn't fix it. Below is the link to a quiz I created about myself. It's pretty funny-if I do say so myself! Be brave and take a moment to see how well you know me. Good Luck!!!

http://www.quizyourfriends.com/take-quiz.php?id=0812042109439460&a=1&



		Halloween
		Thanksgiving
		Christmas
		Independence Day

Mind over matters

2008-11-10T20:54:00.000-08:00

What does a 30 year old single woman blog about? Her niece and nephews, her boyfriend, her boring life in Tucson, politics, or OPRAH!! So at some point I'll probably blog about all of the above and then some, but today it's Oprah. In this month's magazine (which I have received religiously for 5+ years) I read an article that I thought was enlightening. It was a brief mention about how recent research shows that meditating five days a week for 20-minute sessions can help us feel less angry, anxious, and depressed while also helping us stay calm in "grueling academic testing situations!" Here are there tips for A 3-Minute Dose of Mindfulness:

1. In a quiet room, stand, sit upright, or lie on cushioned surface.

2. Close your eyes and, for a minute or so, notice what's happening in your body. Do you feel heaviness? Register any movements you might be making.

3. Breathe slowly and deeply for another minute. As you exhale, remember that you're not trying to change or do anything. Don't worry about the various thoughts drifting through your mind.

4. Listen to the sounds around you. Rather than trying to identify each one, just listen. Notice the silences between each sound. Again, take notice of how your body feels, and then slowly open your eyes.

I don't have much privacy at work so I'll try this in the bathroom and see how it works. Feel free to do the same.

YES WE CAN!!

2008-11-05T20:20:00.000-08:00

I think my blog is the safest place for me to vent my thoughts and feelings during this great historical time in our country. Apparently I am too loud on the phone when I talk about how I feel, and I'm fairly sure eveyone I know is tried of me talking about how I feel. So...I will write my thoughts and feelings here knowing that no one really reads this as I have not updated in two years, and I don't think people even know I have a blog anymore.

I am overcome with emotion on this day where "a new dawn of American leadership is at hand!" I am inspired, celebratory, and thankful for the blessed leadership that this country will benefit from. I am so grateful that the Lord has blessed us with the great people that this nation has needed to make it the most powerful and revered nation on Earth--not just our president elect, but all those that came before him to make this day possible. My hope and belief in this great nation is restored. I know that Obama--the man--is not what will turn this country around, but he is the leader that we need to steer us in the right direction. Under his leadership and guidance great things will come to pass and I am anxiously waiting!!!

V is for victory

2006-11-27T22:03:00.000-08:00

C took me to the Veteran's Memorial Park at night. It was so peaceful and beautiful. This is a memorial, and all along the border are sayings about what victory means. The "V" is for victory, not veteran!

Fun Times in Florida

2006-11-27T21:55:00.000-08:00

After five months apart, I finally got to spend a week with Courtney! It was absolutely perfect! We went to this restaurant named McGuires, which is kind of a tourist attraction. If you notice in the picture above, C and I are standing in front of a dollar that we've signed. The whole restaurant is covered on the ceiling with dollar bills that people from all over have signed. There are over 500,000 dollars on the ceiling. My last day there we went to the beach and had C niece take pictures of us. This was my favorite!

Picture Problem Solved

2006-11-27T21:51:00.000-08:00

Remember how I gave my laptop to my uncle, and now I can't load any pictures onto my blogsite? Well, I finally figured out how. All I have to do is purchase a CD of my pictures from Walgreens, and then I can load them onto any computer. I'm such a genius!

Welcome Hollie and Brianna

2006-11-12T12:24:00.000-08:00

Hollie and Brianna got here early Saturday morning. They plan on staying until the first of the year. D, Kaleb, and Bri are learning how to get along. There have been many adorable moments! D and Bri have taken up country dancing, and Kaleb has become quite comfortable wearing Bri's pajamas. It's going to be so great to have us all together, even if it's a short time.

Thank a Vet

2006-11-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY!!!

Love and miss you, Uncle Willie!

Mark your calendars

2006-10-25T20:29:00.000-07:00

I've never been much on politics, but this year (probably b/c of my policy class), I've become more political. I realize that if more of Americans excercised their right to vote the world honestly would be a better place. So many times we think it doesn't matter what I do, things are never going to change, BUT YOU'RE WRONG! Please, on Nov 7, 2006, go to your local voting booth and make your voice heard. Proposition 203 may be one of the most important props to ever come up on the ballot. Research shows that the most effective program to help children, teens, and young adults lead more productive lives is early intervention. Prop 203 will use millions of dollars, collected from tobacco tax, to fund early intervention programs in all of the counties in Arizona. It has made a committment to use 90% of these funds for the programs! Lots of times the cost of running a program is more than the money they actually put into the program. If you want to learn more, go to yesonprop203.org, and HAPPY VOTING!!!!

God Bless the USA

2006-10-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

My uncle Willie left for Iraq today. It was a very emotional send off. When I was 12 or 13 he fought in Desert Storm, but I was so young that I had no idea what was really going on. I've grown up a little since then, and I realize how important this really is. I had a wonderful opportunity to talk to him for a few minutes alone to get a better understanding of what he'll do over there. It sounds crazy, but I feel "better" knowing some of what his life will be like. I guess in my own way, just saying the word Iraq to him made it less painful for me. It was like the big elephant in the room that no one wants to look at, let alone talk about. When I said, "What are you going to do in Iraq?" and he told me, I could breathe a little. I was also able to give him a card that told him how much I loved him, and how he truly is my hero. He'll return next October, God willing.

Which brings me to my second point: I gave him my laptop so he can have access to e-mail. He's going to buy me a new one, but not for a while. My work laptop is limited in it's capabilities like dowloading and stuff, so my blog site might just be comments and pictures off the internet for now.

Mid-Term Crisis

2006-10-15T13:06:00.000-07:00

So we all know that I went back to school this year. I'll be there for three years!! Today, I feel like I have no idea how I'll do this. This week is mid-terms, and I'm learning the hard way how to manage my time. It seems like I set time aside to study, but without fail something comes up. School has never been hard for me, but I'm really starting to re-consider. I may not do well this semester so I'm starting early to prepare myself to not have a nervous breakdown. I may or may not let you know how I do on the mid-terms depending on well or not well I do.

Growing Up Too Fast

2006-10-08T00:57:00.000-07:00

Since starting school, I feel like Ionly get to see my nephews once a week. This is hard b/c I'm use to seeing them four or five times a week. They change and grow so much. Damien already knows how to defend his brother against bullies by kicking them in the throat! The bully was my two year old niece, but a bully is a bully. And Kaleb, does this new thing where he'll close his eyes when you're talking to him so you know he's not listening. He's only two!! If he's not his mother, I don't know who is. It's amazing how different him and Damien are, but I love them just the same. This picture is from lunch we had this week. Kaleb was cranky even though he looks like an angel.

One Eyed Cyclopse

2006-09-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

Just because I don't think my sister, Hollie, will ever look at this blog site, I'm going to do this! Two years ago (I'm behind in my blogging OK) we had a surprise b-day party for her. Every pic we took of her had one "lazy eye." She kept blaming it on me or the camera. I literally took 23 pics that night, and every single one of them had her trademark "lazy eye"!!! It still makes me laugh. She even tried to hold them open! Notice we tried different angels as well.

Where my sistahs at?

2006-09-30T16:48:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to get my sisters to do this blog site with me, but to no avail. They'd rather have my space accounts, which I think is stupid. I don't want to know about all of their friends and friends of friends. I could care less if I'm connected to the world. With me working in Tucson five days a week all I really want to know is how my sisters and their kids are doing. Is that too much to ask?

My Super Man!

2006-07-04T19:32:00.000-07:00

Courtney went back to Florida on June 14, 2006. I thought the good-bye was going to be hard, but thanks to me, it was fairly easy. I was making Courtney late by taking a bunch of pictures....and so our good-bye was short and to the point! Remember?

D's graduation

2006-07-04T19:27:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that Damien has graduated from pre-school. It was an emotional day for me and his mom. Neither one of us are usually criers, but that day, we were a mess! He'll be in Kindergarten next year....I'm sure his mom will be crying on that day, too :)

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

2006-07-04T18:57:00.000-07:00

We miss you Hollie!!! We went to Stadium Club while Courtney's friend was here from Florida....and had a blast!

Trip to San Antonio

2006-07-04T18:50:00.000-07:00

When Jerry met Courtney! Who doesn't love Jerry!

2006-05-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

I'm still learning so there's not a lot of comments. Here's me and my family this past year. When I become a pro like Jill, it will be more up to date.

2006-05-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

Hola amigos and familia!

Let's see if I really keep this up. It sounds like a great idea, and an awesome way for people to keep up with me. I'm excited about the potential!