A Muse

Last week I went to a painting place called Sips 'n Strokes and painted this painting. It's supposed to be Almond Branch by Van Gogh, but as you can see, I took some artistic liberties and made it more "Kara" than Van Gogh. I LOVED it! I had forgotten how inspired I am when I paint - how much focus and creativity I have. The thoughts that race through my mind daily and the stress that pulses in my body are quieted and it's just me and the paint. I'm so inspired that I'll likely sign up for more, likely even an acrylic painting class, and even do some painting on my own at my house. So glad to have found a passion of mine again!

Gobble Goodness

I'm so excited! I just signed up to volunteer on Thanksgiving morning for the "Gobble Jog" 5k and 10k race benefiting MUST Ministries. http://gobblejog.org/ I've been meaning to give some of my time back, and now that work has settled down a bit (for now), I think MUST Ministries will be a perfect opportunity. The Christian-based organization does some really fantastic things for the community and beyond. I'll be signing in race day registrants, and I'm REALLY looking forward to it. Hopefully this opportunity will be first of many that I can help MUST Ministries with!!

Possibilitarian

My mom sent this to me today for Columbus Day, and I really took it to heart. Not sure where she got it from, so I can't reference it unfortunately, but wanted to keep it on my blog to refer back to from time to time.

Open to See

"'Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities - always see them, for they're always there.' -Norman Vincent Peale

Today is the day acknowledged as the one on which Christopher Columbus set foot in the Americas. When Columbus's three ships arrived in the Bahamas, a fascinating phenomenon occurred: While his ships were anchored at a distance offshore, because the vessels were not in the natives' known reality, the people did not see them for quite a while. One day a shaman, whose mind was open to realities beyond the obvious, saw the ships; and when he told his people about them, they saw them for the first time.

There are realities available to you that you do not see because you are unfamiliar with them or do not believe they are there. You might search a room for your car keys and not find them because you believe you left them someplace else. You may pass over the spot several times and overlook the keys even though they are in plain sight. When you call a family member over to help you find them, the other person sees them instantly. That person found them because he or she did not expect them to not be there.

Reality is not limited in any way, except in your expectations and beliefs. If you sense that there may be more to life than the world you are seeing, the first step is to open your mind to the possibility that there be more. The second step is to quit arguing for why things are the way they are, or resisting or complaining about what is. 'What is' is highly subjective, greater than your familiar world, and available if you are open to seeing and claiming it.

There may be ships offshore that can deliver the good you have been seeking.

How might you be sustaining an unwanted reality by focusing on it?
How might you experience a more satisfying reality by being open to it?

I lift up my eyes to see what is available to me, and I claim it now."

Double Rainbows for Allye

Almost 1am and once again tonight, I'm having trouble falling asleep. I go through phases when this happens. Not exactly sure what triggers it, but perhaps it has something to do with the millions of thoughts bouncing around my head like a pinball machine. As it turned out, it ended up being a tough day.

On my way home tonight, I was blessed with the magnificent sight of a double rainbow. It was so vibrant and awe-inspiring that I immediately said a prayer thanking God for the wonderful gift of such beauty. Little did I know that it would be a sign of what was before me this evening. It would end up being the Rainbow Bridge masterfully laid out to cross my sweet cat, Allye, home to her forever resting place.

When I got home from work and went to feed Darby and Allye, I noticed Allye was really lethargic and unresponsive. I picked her up and put her next to her food that normally she is insane about, and she jumped back down and laid down again. I knew something was wrong. She had been sick for about a year now, so I've been expecting this day to come, but it never makes it any easier. I picked her up and saw such a vacant stare, that I knew tonight was the night that I had to make the difficult decision that I had been dreading. They say that animals will let you know when it's time, and tonight was a testament to that. I ended up calling my parents (who by the way were very attached to her after she lived with them while I was in college) to let them know that I thought I needed to take her to the vet. Not wanting me to go through it alone, they offered to come over to pick me up and support me through the decision to put her down. I can't thank them enough. As independent as I am, I'm sure that I would not have been able to do it by myself. Sometimes you need someone by your side.

She's at peace now, and although tears stream down my face at her loss, I, too, have a sense of peace that she is no longer suffering, no longer sick, and no longer struggling in her old age. She was a great cat that essentially watched me grow up over the past 17 years. She met her fair share of men that I dated, while doing homework, she slept on her fair share of high school and college books, and she kept me great company after I moved into my first home all alone. She will forever hold a special place in my heart.

The Lord couldn't have created a more beautiful Rainbow for her to cross over on. Even in hindsight tonight, I continue to be thankful for His gift.

Stolen Time

This was the weekend that my niece, Vivienne (Vivi), was supposed to be born. Her due date was September 23rd. However, the Lord blessed our family with this sweet little girl four weeks early on August 27th instead. Essentially, we got a month of extra time with my precious niece, and I've been in heaven holding, kissing, hugging, and loving on her! We like to think that she came early because she didn't want to miss the season opener Alabama game, ha! Whatever the reason, welcome to the world my sweet little angel. I LOVE being your aunt and look forward to many, many years of loving you.

Chattanooga Choke

So the score, for those keeping score, is eHarmony 2; Kara 0. I went out on my second eHarmony date last Saturday and this is my story...
Wesley and I were connected on eHarmony last Tuesday. We spent Tuesday night going through the marathon "communication process" and finally got to free-style email around 11pm. We had really great email chemistry, so I gave him my number. He called me the next night and we talked for a few hours. The next day, we texted on and off all day, and then we talked for several more hours Thursday night. He was already becoming a little smothering, but it was during that conversation that I suggested that we meet that weekend because I really didn't want to spend any more time talking on the phone with someone that I may not connect with in person. He lives in Knoxville, and I'm in Atlanta, so I suggested we meet in Chattanooga - about a 1.5 hr drive for each of us. He agreed. And Saturday, I went to the salon and had my hair cut and highlighted. I went to the nail place for a manicure and pedicure. I looked hot. I felt great. I was on my way to Chattanooga.

Arriving in Chattanooga, I found out that there was some sort of festival going on, and we couldn't meet up where we had planned. After some driving around, texting with one another, and a phone call, we finally met up at a Suntrust bank parking lot. Upon his arrival, I found out why he was not open mouth smiling in any of his pictures on eHarmony. His teeth were terrible - not only were they jacked up more than I-75 at 14th Street but they were a strange yellow color. Ugh. Strike 1. He went in for a hug and held me longer than I was comfortable with when I first hug a stranger. And I can't be sure, but I think he tried to go in for a kiss. Didn't.Happen. In the parking lot we're trying to figure out a plan and I mentioned that I didn't want to leave my car there. I suggested that we both drive back into the city and pay the $5 event parking fee and then figure out where to go for dinner. He then proceeded to tell me that he couldn't pay for parking because he was mugged on the way down. WTH? Apparently he was held up by knife point, gave away all of his cash (they didn't want his credit or debit card?!), and he didn't bother to file a police report. Whatever. Strike 2. I suggested that he just get more cash out because we were, afterall, in a bank parking lot. Instead, he suggested that he leave his truck there and that we just take my car back into the city. Strike 3, and we haven't even been together 10 minutes at this point. I was already ready to go home. I end up driving him around Chattanooga as we try to find somewhere to eat dinner, and I finally got fed up and paid the $5 event parking just to get the show on the road. We ate at a local tavern, and when the bill came, I coyly asked "so what's my damage" (my standard first date line, fully anticipating that my date wouldn't take me up on it). He said, "probably around $15". Foul ball. I turned over my debit card, signed the receipt, and ducked into the ladies room to text my sister and friends about how miserable this date was.

After dinner, we got back into my car and I drove him back to his. At his car, he asked if I wanted to go for an ice cream that was just across the street. I really didn't want to go, but wasn't sure how to get out of it so soon. We had only been together for about 45 minutes at this point, and we both came a long way, so I just sucked it up. We tried to leave both of our cars in the bank parking lot, but they threatened to tow our cars if we left them. So, he suggested that we park around the back of the ice cream place. We both climbed into our respective vehicles and drove around and around in circles searching for a parking space. It was at this point that I was tempted to leave him and get back on the highway headed back south. On second thought, I didn't want karma to catch up with me, so i found a parking spot and met him at the ice cream shop. I paid for my ice cream, of course. We sat near the front entrance window and watched people walk by. He asked me how I thought the date was going. I think he was into it! I, on the other hand, was far from it. Fighting the urge to blurt out, "Not Good!", I was able to respond with "ummm, it's ok". He seemed surprise, and then he got kind of mad. I told him that I needed to get back home, and he walked me to my car. I gave him a half-hearted hug, and I thankfully, was on my back home. He texted me when he got home to say he was home and enjoyed spending time with me. I texted him back that I was home. And I didn't hear from him for 2 days, so I figured he got the hint.

Until today. I got a text from him tonight that said, "So I am guessing that you didn't feel any chemistry." Roger that. Unfortunately, I had a miserable day at work, and was feeling a bit fiesty, so I fired a text back that said, "Not so much. Not a fan of men that lie and I have a hard time believing your "mugging" story. Best of luck with your relationship search." Well that made him mad. He texted me back with, "You think that was a lie? Sadly no, a man came up and asked me for some money to get his family home, when I refused he pulled a knife. I handed him the money I had. I thought you meant me lying about your hair looking good. Good luck in your search." I typed the following text back, but luckily my sister called just as I was about to hit send and talked me out of it: "Congratulations on being my newest answer to the what's your worst date ever question. I should have left the date before ice cream as I contemplated." She persuaded me not to stoop to his level. Still wish I sent that text.

And the bad date collection of stories continues.

Wine So I Don't Whine

Had a really bad day at work. Oh, who am I kidding. I've had a really bad past three months at work. Ever since I got my "promotion", which is really just a lateral move, same pay, more direct reports, and more responsibility. Not sure where the "promotion" is, but I've been told that that's what it is. One day I'll go into details about all of the drama and misery that is "work" these days. But not tonight. No, not tonight. Mostly because although I'm not a big drinker, I have had a whole bottle of wine tonight. And typing isn't as easy as it usually is. And yes, perhaps I'm drunk. And I've had to use the backspace key several, several times as I try to type this short paragraph. So a full on gab session about how much I hate my boss and her boss is out of the question, at least tonight. But I feel good right here, right now, regardless of the stress ball that is my current life. Cheers!