"Katharine, so help me if my car is decorated then you're driving it to work today."
This is the only time in Ryan's life that he has overestimated me. I actually hadn't decorated his car for Valentine's Day, but I suppose he was suspicious after I filled his car with Birthday balloons two years in a row.
I resisted the urge to write things such as "Honk for Snuggly Bear," "Happy Valentine's Day from Oscar the Grouch", etc on his vehicle. Had it not been 30 degrees that morning it may be a different story...
This year marked our 13th Valentine's Day. The night before I ran in Bi-Lo to pick out a few last minute things for Ryan. Balloons are a cheerful addition to any occasion, so I spent several minutes debating over which balloon to buy and also searched for the least expensive ones.
I found the them, alright:
Somehow "Fuel Perks" and "Sale" aren't exactly the message I was going for.
I settled on this ballon, because it looked nothing like the others and broke the mold. Sound familiar?
While we did go out to eat that night, saw Safe Haven without too much complaining from Ryan, and had a delicious dinner, we also had a non traditional gift exchange.
Did they mean for my chicken to look like a heart??
For MONTHS I have been
In Psychology we call this negative reinforcement- the removal of something unwanted (in this case, me asking about the lighting for the 500th time).
We battled back and forth about it, each of us debating from our point of view.
"It will be safer."
"But it costs money."
"So does food, but we have to eat, don't we?"
"No, just- no. That's a terrible argument."
FINALLY I made the best proclamation ever: "God said we have to."
"Huh???"
"Yep, sure did. Genesis 1:3... Let there be light."
The disciples have arrived to begin the holy work.
We are thrilled with the finished product. I love the lights, and Ryan loves not hearing about it...until my next fix, of course.
Speaking of love and happiness, we went to a wonderful engagement party for Brittany Watson and Kirk Page a couple of weekends ago.
Just when Ryan thought he'd be able to leave without taking a picture...
I've been inundated at work with anesthesia inducing workshops and meetings. I bet my life that sleeping gas is being pumped in the presentation room. I would look at the clock in utter agony for the 50th time, only to realize that a few seconds had passed since I last checked it (with a shred of hope that it was time to leave).
There were all kinds of important people conducting our meeting with laptops, Blackberrys, iPads, business man briefcases, and then there was my bag and its eclectic contents.
Really??? Who finds amphibianic footwear and spongebob fruit roll ups in their work bag?
Next up, we'll discuss our quarterly expectations relating to frog socks.
During many of our sales meetings the information discussed is as meaningful as nutrition facts on a water bottle...
WHY???
But our trip became worth it later in the day when Jeannie and I had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.
I always avoided that place in college, because I hate cheesecake. Had it been named "The Funfetti Factory" I most likely would have tried it. However, it was DELICIOUS.
Working and conducting business requires focus and attention to detail. I can't for the life of me understand why businesses don't do simple things such as change the bulbs on their signs. For months the furniture store beside our gym boasts: "OOMS TO GO." One time in Florence I passed the "International House of P."
It's amazing how one missing letter can make such a difference.
Speaking of details, I was washing my hands in my parents' powder room the other day and found a half eaten HOT DOG on the shelf. "MAMAAAAAA!!!! What is the meaning of this?"
After initially blaming my innocent father we realized that one of the workmen left it. In hindsight, it was hilarious. It was sitting beside several other decorations on the shelf as if it belonged there. Who knew that my mother suddenly found something artistic about half eaten frankfurters?
This past Friday I was thrilled to be a part of FBC's "Night to Remember" dinner- a fundraiser for Camp Pinehill. Jeff Johnson also spoke, and he was hilarious!
I tend to get long winded (shocker), so to keep myself on task I centered my Camp Pinehill memory speech around a few key words.
Selections from Katharine's Camp Pinehill dictionary:
- Patience- what I taught the counselors while disturbing the entire cabin during "lights out"
- Fear- what I experienced while warned sternly to get out of the bed exactly at 7:30 to go to the prayer garden -an ungodly hour for a 10 year old. Couldn't I pray just as easily at 10:00 am?
- Thoughtfulness- the trait of my best friend's mother who mailed her a huge box of sugary treats during every camp trip, which we quickly finished, much to the dismay of our counselors
- Toilet Paper- what I and several friends decided to dress up in one night in our bathroom. Our excuse? The Bible says "do not worry about the clothes you will wear..."
- I also recalled my first time leading someone to the Lord. It was an incredible experience and something that is so contagious you desire to do it over and over again. After all, it's what we're called to do.
The next day my mother (the librarian turned meteorologist) announced that it was supposed to snow. Chances of snow in Dillon are usually as likely as Kim Kardashian wearing a windsuit to a fashion show, but nonetheless I was excited for the possibility.
Among the Versace and Louis Vuitton wear, this ensemble didn't make the cut.
...But my wishes were confirmed when it began to SNOW that afternoon. I was STOKED!!! Anna and I had made dinner plans that night, and little did we know that our Hibachi food would come with a side of snowflakes. It was the sweetest treat ever!
During our drive home the sky looked like that screen saver with flying stars. HUGE flakes of snow were coming at us!
Clearly Sandy is after the sugar rolls.
We later decided to take a little field trip outside to make our mark in the snow.
Sundays in Dillon are some of my most cherished days. Aside from church, this particular Sunday included a wedding reception at Shuler's for Lyndsey (Daniels) Martin with all of the gang.
My USC neighbor!
Recreating the traditional linking of the arms- HA!
I LIVE for occasions such as these with non stop chatter, laughter, and other madness.
Poor, frightened Noah.
Congratulaions, Lyndsey!
In other news, I've been fighting some sort of infection for over a week now- ugh. I've had a huge swollen lymph node on my neck and - after receiving a funeral coupon from the Web MD symptom checker site- finally broke down and went to the doctor on Valentine's Day.
This doctor is always on time, but that particular day I waited an excruciating hour and a half, despite few other patients in the waiting room. What could the staff possibly be doing back there???
I finally had to leave without being seen, and my expectations were completely shot.
It's sort of like seeing a bowl of the cheesiest Cheetos EVER across the room and running over to find dried baby carrots.
It's an imposter, I say!
One of my latest- and undoubtedly most important ventures- is picking up a book again that I admittedly bought months ago. It's called "Learn the Bible in 24 Hours." In order for me to be a well armed Christian with the full armor of God I must be prepared for all situations. It's something I feel convicted about, because sometimes I find certain passages and chapters difficult to comprehend. Each day some of the most mundane things are witnessing opportunities.
Long line in a store? Strike up a conversation. Small talk with a customer before a meeting? Find a way to incorporate your faith in a tactful and non threatening way. Many ladies spend hours each month in a chair having their hair done. What a perfect opportunity to share the gospel with their stylist.
Take advantage of these situations, beacuse no matter how small, that may be one person's chance to hear the message of Salvation.
