My blog has moved....

Check it out at .....http://cassieshorttphotography.wordpress.com/

Admin Dinner at Cajun Queen

Since I recently told you that I'm only a block from work, I decided to include some pictures of my delightful co-workers. I have two bosses at Sherpa, Robin is the administrative team manager and Greg is the marketing manager. I help out the administrative team occassionally by answering phones and filling in as receptionist when the other admins are either on vacation or out sick.

From Left to Right: Stephanie, Kaitlin, and  Me
Back row: Erica

My 1:00 lunch buddies.... I miss you Kait and Joy

Robin is in the middle in gray suit.. She's one of my bosses.

From left to right: Stephanie, Kaitlin, me, and my boss Greg

Top 10 Workout Songs

I recently created my all time favorite workout mix. I decided to share it with you in case you're feeling discouraged by your workouts. I kid you not, this playlist gets me excited to jump on the eliptical or run the "booty loop" in Charlotte.

Critical note: The songs are in a specific order- do not change them. In their current order, I believe the songs give you the appropriate boost right when you want to give up. But don't take my word for it, try it out for yourself.

My Top 10 Workout Songs:

1. Black Eyed Peas- I Gotta Feeling
2. Adam Lambert- Whataya Want from Me
3. Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg- California Gurls
4. John Mayer- Say
5. Ke$ha- Your Love is My Drug
6. Rihanna- Don't Stop the Music
7. Black Eyed Peas- Pump It
8. Mute Math- Spotlight
9. John Mayer featuring Taylor Swift- Half of My Heart
10. Miley Cyrus- Can't Wait to See Me Again

Now that you have seen the list,  you may be thinking I hate those songs. Trust me, there is nothing like a good booty shakin' song to perk up your workout.

Good luck and remember, I'm expecting feedback.

Pink Petals in Pinehurst

Andy and I went to Pinehurst to visit my grandparents, aunts, and cousins in late April. My cousin Zelda found this tree with these beautiful pink petals beneath it that made it look like fresh pink snow. It was honestly one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Obviously this is where we chose for our family photo op.

My dad and his sisters Kattrin and Patty

My parents

My cousins Wyatt and Zelda. Yes, they are 10+ years younger and Zelda is already about 4 inches taller than me and it's only a matter of time before Wyatt passes me.

My hubby Andy and our baby Chip.

Zelda laying in the pink snow.

New apartment.....

Andy and I moved to our new apartment in the beginning of April and these pictures were taken shortly after. I've added a few details you can't see in the pics, so I guess you'll just have to visit and see them for yourself.
Before we moved in we painted three accent walls- light gray in the kitchen, sage green in the bedroom, and pale blue in the bathroom.

Our apartment is about 690 square feet but it works for the two of us and Chip. Our couch folds out to make a bed for our overnight guests and allows us to recline while watching TV. We got it from IKEA and it's easily our favorite piece of furniture.

Our neighborhood is called South End....there are lots of art galleries and restaurants within walking distance. We take the light rail to Bobcats game or any other time we want to go uptown. I also walk on the same sidewalk to get to my office about 2 blocks away. The YMCA (our 6 story gym) we belong to is another 2 minutes away and directly down the block from my office.  My favorite class since joining is Helen's pilates class on Wednesdays...I hate missing it. She has the cutest personality and kicks your butt at the same time.

Entryway/Kitchen

Our new couch =)

Charlotte's Light Rail (Lynx)

Uptown.

Writer's Block...

Hello fellow bloggers....it's me, Cass...your long forgotten blog roller. As you may have realized, after everything that's happened this year I seem to have writer's block. I am a pretty private person so I haven't felt comfortable discussing all of the emotions I've been trekking through.

I've decided to try a photo blog instead. I will take you through the past months with a photo or photos and include commentary so you can tag along with me and my memories.

I hope you will enjoy the shift in focus and will stay tuned for all to come.

Philippians 4:7

My last post was written in January and as most of you know a lot has changed in the past few months. I've started a new job, moved to a new apartment, and experienced a tragedy in my new family.

My husband Andy is the oldest of three brothers. I first met Daniel (youngest brother) my freshman year of college in 2006. Back then he was a punk skateboarder who wore skinny jeans. He was extremely tall for 13 and apparently coming out of a short chubby stage. I saw other pictures around the Shortt home in Richmond and couldn't believe pictures from just 6 months ago could be the same child before me.

Daniel immediately welcomed me into the family, even when others were a little hesistant at the new stranger in their home. Even at such a young age he had this amazing gift as a storyteller and comic. I always looked forward to visiting Andy's family because I knew time with Daniel was guaranteed to be entertaining.

The family's move to Charlotte allowed Daniel to make a huge impact on the Union Co. community in only three years. During his time here, he was involved with band, ice hockey, volunteer fire department, soccer, football, sheriff's explorers, church youth band, and Young Life. Daniel also spent most of his free time helping people with construction or any other sort of task that needed an extra hand. He grew up from the gangly skateboarder to a true Southern boy with a suped-up white pickup and Carharts. Daniel had a servant's heart and always accepted everyone for who they were.

Daniel passed away on April 3, 2010, just four days shy of his 17th birthday. My mother-in-law Kathy wants us to continue to celebrate his birthday each year in his remembrance. This year we (Mike, Kathy, Matt, Andy, and I) bought a balloon to release at his gravesite and each signed it. Ten minutes after we released it and were driving down the road, there was a tiny rainbow poking through a small cloud in the sky. It hadn't rained that day and it was a very small rainbow - the kind you only notice if you were really looking. I believe Daniel wanted us to know he was safe in God's arms and had received his birthday balloon.

I am so blessed to call the Shortt family my own. Never in a million years would I have thought something so tragic would touch this wonderful family. Daniel lived everyday as if it were his last and I'm sure he left his temporary home with no regrets.

At this point, I wake up each day and pray for God's strength and mercy as He watches over us in this time of mourning. I will remember Daniel for the brave, fun-loving, and kind-hearted guy that he was and honor him by taking things a little less seriously to have some fun.

Below are some pictures of Daniel with the family:

Daniel, though our time with you was too short, it was an honor to have known you. You will be in our hearts and minds forever. I can't wait to hear your stories again when I join you in heaven. We love you always.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ  Jesus.