Wordless Wednesday

Took this last night. It's the view of Buckhead of my apartment. Nice and all, but I would rather be looking out at the ocean. Shortly after I took this picture, I had one of the worst nights of my life. Woke up this morning after a few hours of sleep to find out that the outcome was better than I had expected (even though is still pretty much sucks). I am so hurt and sad. And I'm afraid that things will never be the same.

But maybe that's not such a bad thing.

DON'T LET UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS "THROW" YOU

That's what the fortune in my fortune cookie said today. Easier said than done, I thought. So far, for these first 3 months of 2010, it seems that life is most definitely throwing a few curve balls at me and my family.

In January, we had to say an unexpected good-bye to our pitbull Samson who had to be put down after discovering he had cancer which was spreading throughout his body. We miss him so much. Some may say he was just a dog, but to us - he was a cherished member of our family.

February brought about the most unexpected event which shook the very core of our foundation when my mom was diagnosed with cancer. She has b-cell lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She began chemo 2 weeks ago and is feeling well enough, but is starting to loose her hair. We went wig shopping last Saturday. I am so thankful she seems to have a good prognosis, but the c-word is still so very scary.

Yesterday, I received the unexpected news that when my lease is up in May, I have to move out of my apartment so that is can be renovated. Which means I have 2 months to find a new place to live. Or figure out if I am going to stay on at my current job or find something closer to my hometown so I can help my mom out when she needs me. There is a position open near the airport that would be ideal for me. I could move into an apartment close to my family and commute pretty easily. But leaving my job - especially my kids whom I have come to absolutely love - would be no easy task. Plus, I can't be sure they could match my current salary. Oh, and there is the small fact that they haven't even contacted me saying they received my application. *sigh* Honestly, a big part of me feels like I need to stay here and see my class through until they move into preschool in the fall of next year. If that is what needs to be done, then I have some apartment shopping to do.

So these things on top of a problem with one of my brothers which has caused a lot of heartache and stress during the most difficult times has equaled quite a series of unfortunate and unexpected events in my life and the lives of those I love.

There have been plenty of happy times in between. My niece Aubrey turned 6 years old and is starting to loose some of her baby teeth which she is thrilled about. My niece Ashton turned 14, the same age I was when I got to meet her for the very first time. I've reconnected with a lot of my extended family - on my mom's side - through face*book, including cousins, aunts and uncles. My parents have a new puppy named Sassy who seems to be the perfect addition to the family after the loss of Samson and Spike (last year). And my family is planning a big Cocoa Beach / Disney trip at the end of the year to CELEBRATE LIFE!

I don't know what other unexpected situations will be thrown at me next, but I pray that God will guide me through all of this and help me to make the right choices for my future.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. "
- Jeremiah 29:11

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas...

I have to admit that I'm getting a little homesick this Holiday season. However, I am still 100% sure this is where I am suppose to be right now. I am very grateful that in the midst of the recession I was able to better myself. But I am also grateful that I didn't have to move very far away to do that.

I loved decorating my place this year. It definitely makes it feel more like home! Of course, it also helps having my yorkie Cassie with me! And I don't think I mentioned it here but I got another kitten who I named Luna. She is quite a little stinker, but she keeps me very entertained to say the least!

Last month, I took my 3 oldest nieces out for another one of our girl days. We had so much fun! I so look forward to spending time with those girls. They are so funny, sweet and beautiful (inside and out)! Sidney (9) even gave up going to see the new Jim Carrey Christmas Carol movie on IMAX with her church group to have our girl day! We went to the mall where we shopped around and had lunch. The highlight was seeing Santa Claus having lunch a few tables away. Ashton (13) went right up to him and he asked her if she had been a good girl this year.....haha. Of course, we had to hit up Barnes and Noble where we gathered up as many Bog and Tiger Beat (or whatever it is they read nowadays) magazines as we could and sipped on some lattes/mochas/hot chocolates while we decided that Sidney and I are Team Jacob while Lindsey and Ashton are Team Edward. Later, We met up with my sister-in-law and some of her friends to see New Moon afterwords (not a fan of the Twilight books but I do like the movies....crazy, I know.) Afterwords, Lindsey (13) and Sidney gave up going out to eat with their friends to hang out some more with Ash and me. I am one lucky aunt!














Last week, Tori came to visit me and we had way too much fun. She sent me a message on facebook recently saying how sometimes we are the only ones who think each other is funny. That is so, so true. One of the many reasons she has been my best friend for 20+ years.

Note to self: Holiday Nog is gross.

Definitely having myself a Merry Little Christmas this year!

Pumpkin Patch

So it's been a month since my last post. Life is still pretty crazy here in ATL but I am definitely getting the hang of things. I was able to take a quick trip up to the Smokey's with my best friend which came right at a time when I needed it the most! We were actually driving out of Atlanta the day after the flood which put most of our city (including the street I live off of, but thankfully not my apartment complex) under water. When I got back home I adopted a kitten. She was found in the flooded backyard of one of my old coworkers' brother. I wanted to keep the trend of naming all of my pets from now on after characters in books. So I named her Luna (from the HP series). She is CRAZY but she keeps me entertained and has a very sweet side, too.

Last weekend I went with my mom, sister-in-law and 3 of my nieces to the Pumpkin Patch down the road from my parents house. We had a great day! I love the Fall!

Goodbye Boo

My sweet little kitten died yesterday from coxitia (sp). I was at the emergency vet with him until almost 4AM on Friday night/Saturday morning after I noticed how lethargic he had became Friday evening. They did all the could for him. I was so hopeful that he would pull through. Last night, while I babysit for my youngest 2 nieces, I heard his cry out from his bed. I went to him and picked him up and held him. He began gasping for breath. A few moments later I realized he had taken his final breath. It was so sad. I have had pets pass away before, but never as a baby. His little body stayed warm for quite awhile after he died. We held him and kissed him. My dad buried him this morning. I'm gonna miss that sweet little baby boy so much!

Life in the A-Town

So I am slowly adjusting to life in the ATL. Actually, I think I'm adjusting better than I thought I would. I still get homesick from time to time, but usually only when I'm back at home. It hits me how much my life has changed and I start to miss the way things use to be. When I come back to my apartment and my job, I remember how proud of myself I am and how much of a good change this move was for me.

My BFF Tori came to stay with me for Labor Day and we had SO MUCH FUN. There is never a limit of things to do when you live in the city. I loved being able to drive downtown to the Georgia Tech Barnes & Noble. I could spend HOURS there! We drove all over Buckhead, too, and I'm really getting the hang of the crazy traffic around here.

This weekend I got a baby kitten! He is about 5 weeks old and he is a Main Coon. I named him Boo Radley. He and his sister were found without their mommy. Tori has his sister, Sheerah. Tori's mom took both of them to the vet today. My little Boo has an Upper Respiratory Infection. Thankfully, he got the medicine he needs and hopefully he will be better in no time. He is so tiny! He's not even on food yet - just drinking kitten formula from a bottle. I just love him to pieces (so does my Yorkie Cassie) and am so glad I have this little man in my life!

Peace Up, A-Town Down~