CAT-lanta

What a month.  I've been busier than a one armed surgeon!

We recently celebrated Uncle David's 54th Birthday at Nanny & Papa's.

Happy Birthday, Uncle David!!!

Staying true to character, I requested a cake corner.  This piece was a win win, because it not only had more icing but ALSO a huge sugary flower on top.  

In other big, world news, I beat Jay in a recent Mario Kart marathon.  He has been dominating this game lately, so I had to take this picture as proof.  (Would you put it past me to play anything but Baby Peach?)

The next Saturday morning I was happily making waffles in the kitchen when my mother began a serious conversation with me about vegetables which mysteriously segued into her telling me that my beloved cat, Alley, had died.

I was so, so sad and went back to bed and just cried.  What's worse is that I found out she had been put to sleep THREE MONTHS prior, and my mom didn't want to tell me, because I had a lot of other things going on at the time.  You see, one of my mom's best friends kept Alley when we were having some housework done while I was in college, and several factors (such as my allergies) led to Alley staying there permanently.   As happy as I can be, I can also be just as extremely sad when things like this happen.  That was not a good morning.

Here is one of the last pictures I have of Alley and me (from about two years ago) when my mom and I were visiting her. 

I loved that cat so much. : (  I'd had her since the third grade, and a piece of my childhood left when she died.

Our family has only had one other cat, my beloved Snowball.  In second grade I begged my parents for a cat.  After months of attempts, including notes all over the house, poems about cats, and other obnoxiously unsubtle hints, my parents finally gave in.

Snowball was less than a year old when she was tragically run over.  My mom was so careful backing the car out to go run some errands, but Snowball ran behind her at the last second.  Snowball died in my arms when I was 8 years old.  I missed school because of it.  That was a terribly, terribly sad day for me, and if it was possible my Mom was probably more upset, because she felt so guilty for something she would have never, ever chosen to happen.

We got Alley a few weeks after Snowball died.  They, along with my hamster, Buddy (from college) will forever remain in my heart.

The same morning I found out about Alley's passing, Jay was pet-sitting for the Lewises and was actually headed over there to feed their cats breakfast.  It's strange how the Lord works, because seeing those kittens really brightened my day. 

Jay Carlson, master chef to the kitties.

I can't believe it's not bacon!

No thanks, really.  I don't care for any.  You go right ahead.

And on a brighter note, that afternoon was Dawson's 6th Birthday party!

I salute you, Anna. : )

Little Noah!  One day he'll appreciate it when I hold him!  Oh, and the infamous sunglasses I'm wearing?  I left them at Shirley Coleman's that night...no surprise. I told you I leave them everywhere.

Dawson's fishing cake.  We particularly got a laugh out of the elephant dung rocks scattered around the pond.

Would you believe that I actually had this SAME cake when I was in 6th grade?  I was a tomboy then and wanted a cake that noted it.  Now I'd have one with glitter and sparkles.

Divas in training.

And them, too : )

Baby, I'm a star!

Love this.

Food: guaranteeing attendance at Birthday parties for centuries.

Make a wish!  Dawson's wish probably involves soccer balls and blue fruit drinks.

Last week I spent three days in Atlanta for a conference.  I drove by myself, made it to my hotel very late Monday evening, and was exhausted.  You can only sing along to so many songs on the radio before sleep is imminent.

My room.

It's always nice to have a change of scenery and spend a few days in a place where they fold your tissues into roses.  The detail queen in me appreciated this.

The awkward trolley.  Those who have traveled with me know this: there is absolutely no rhyme or reason to my packing.  Non related items are shoved in bags, sacks, pockets, etc.  I always experience grief with the trolleys.  They're supposed to be for convenience, but I find the opposite to be true.  First off, I always get the squeaky one, they get heavy very quickly, and who decided that it was a good idea to have them steer in only one direction?!?

We made it.  I only knocked about six walls on the way in and took out a maid.

I thought this sprinkler warning sign was quite interesting.  In fact, they should have invented these about 13 years ago.  Let me explain...

In December of 1999 (ninth grade) our class went to Myrtle Beach for the Beta Club convention.  Here Jamie and I are on the bus.

It's kind of hard to see, but here Joy and I are trying on hats in the mall.

I digress.  Anyway, one of our classmates was steaming pants in his hotel room and put the hanger on the sprinkler head, causing a major flood and promptly sealing the fate of no more JV Martin sponsored Beta Club trips.  It was absolute chaos.

Ok- so back to Atlanta.  Contrary to popular belief I was actually there for a workshop.  We won't go into the fact that the hosting office had no wireless capability, and my computer wouldn't connect to the internet all week.  Would it be too much to ask for communication with my customers while I'm attending a work related training?  Apparently so.

Anyway, I found the class to be very interactive and actually enjoyed it.  I've had to sit through countless meetings throughout my life that made me want to poke my right eye out with the nearest fork, but fortunately, this one was not that way.  The instructor wasn't two minutes into his introductory speech when I accidentally hit the "Siri" button on my phone:

"I'm not quite sure what you said, can you repeat that?"

Really, Siri??  That incident was followed by a prompt reminder to turn off our cell phones.  But the kicker is that mine WAS muted; Siri just thinks she's boss.

You wanna piece of me???

While everyone else was thinking about the classwork, my mind was wandering here:

So as soon as our instructor said, "Goodbye, see you tomorr....."  I was out of the door and on the way to the mall.

Oh, Heavenly Heavens!!!

It really was awesome.

I decided that I would let myself have just one prize that day.  I smelled this Prada perfume in a magazine months ago and wanted it ever since.  My obsession with this scent was heightened as I discovered that it was sold out everywhere and was going on ebay for more than it was actually worth.  

After months of searching I found it in Nordstrom in Atlanta!  This isn't K-Mart, honey; I was sure that they'd have it in GA, and I was right!  I mean, really, could you think of a more appropriate perfume for me than "Candy???"

The next morning I was drying my hair in my room when I saw smoke.  How nice of the staff; I didn't recollect ordering a hot, steamy breakfast.  And then I realized...it was the outlet.  Why does disaster follow me everywhere I go?  Needless to say, I didn't use that outlet again for the rest of the trip and prayed every day that I wouldn't return to an electrical fire.

On the last morning of the workshop I was greeted by a dead bird outside of the hotel.  Sad, perhaps morbidly hilarious, or creepy?  Not really sure.  But ironically this bird depicts how I feel on many a work day.

That evening I met up with Aunt Polly at Lenox Square for a PHENOMENAL dinner at Prime.  Best (and probably last) $32 steak I've ever eaten!  I was so thrilled to see and spent time with Aunt Polly.  I've always reminded my mom so much of her. : )

When the waiter brought our checks he enclosed this fashion advertisement.  I asked him where he got that picture of me- HA!!!  He said that the picture didn't do me justice.  Smart guy; I left a nice tip.

This past weekend my mom helped with a shower for Joy's sister, Heather.  I love their family so much, and they have always done so much for me.  Mama volunteered to do the fruit cutting.  Thank you to a random guy onYouTube for explaining to us how to operate the Pampered Chef pineapple slicer.  My following the guy's instructions resulted in a much less coordinated version of fruit mutilation.

Next up was the cantaloupe.  Suffice it to say that I do not have a career in making "melon balls."  Octagons or trapezoids maybe, but not perfectly round melon balls.  Fortunately, I don't think anyone noticed.

Looks like a hippopotamus just had his teeth extracted.

Saturday was Heather's shower!  I had been looking forward to this day since I first found out that Heather was going to be a mom.

I can hardly WAIT to meet little Audrey!  

So- most important of all- what has God taught me lately?  Well, I'll say that a dear friend and I were emailing each other recently and talking about fulfilling God's work- whatever and wherever that may be.  Even if you are not satisfied where you are, there is a reason you're there.  There is "Kingdom work" to be done in the most mundane things- from yard work- to our jobs and interactions with other people.  Jamie Arnette preached a message one time and said something that I'll never forget.  Whatever you do is an "act of worship."  If you have that mindset, I think (or at least hope) you'll do things differently.

Attending your child's little league game and the coach did something you didn't like?  May your actions reflect an act of worship.

Going to the gym?  Act of worship; taking care of your body (and skipping the Krispy Kreme treat on the way home)...or at least sometimes.

Having a terrible day at work and in a bad mood?  Jesus is providing your job.  Show Him in all that you do.  (Boy, that last one can be tough).

I know that God has an amazing plan for my life, and I pray that He will reveal that to me.  Sooner rather than later, please?  If you would add me to your prayers this evening I would appreciate it more than you know.  Pray that God will use me to further His kingdom and show me His will.

You rock,