Nephew's Christening

We attended my newest nephew's Christening Saturday. It was a wonderful ceremony followed by a family reception. Of the pictures I took, this one is my favorite.

Congratulations to the family.

Furkids visit

My kids and I made it back out to the Furkids shelter yesterday. We didn't stay much more than an hour, but I did get some pictures of our 'favorites' of the day. The first group is from the kitten room (of course). A requirement for both of my kids is to visit here (they made this a req.).

This is Tevin. A loud purring kitten. He'll make a great lap cat (and he's playful too) My kids were surprised to see little Laura still here. She was here last time we visited as well. She was happy to curl up on my chest in my arms and be loved. But she's still a playful kitten too. I wasn't as surprised to still see Curious George there. He's very affectionate and followed us around the room.

The next three are from the adult rooms. The first is Kamin. A very vocal little girl. Her tongue stayed out while she purred loudly. I'd call her "agressively affectionate". She seeks you out and demands you pet her. The next guy is "Fang". Look at the teeth, you'll see where he gets his name. Quite content to let you come to him to pet him and remain where he is while you do. Last (but not least) is Bananas. Very playful boy, loved being petted. My kids had a lot of fun with the ribbon on a stick with him.

As always, they have lots of cats up for adoption. Every color, shape, size and age.

FAIL

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World of Wheels

Since both Jennette and the Wreck were at the World of Wheels over the weekend, I thought I'd share a couple of other things that were there. MY favorite was the James Bond Lotus..

Though I have to admit that these two cars were very lovely..

And while the girls and I went Saturday specifically to see "Sam".. (watching ALL of the girls in line get excited about this one was worth the line for me..)

Others came to see Chip Foose from Overhaulin'

And while I don't have a picture of him, yet even more came on Sunday to see Billy the Exterminator. What was fun to watch were the kids that were dressed up like he is on the show. They were very excited to get to meet him as well.

Ramblin' Wreck..

The difference is.. They make it look good..

Worth the Wait

Parking at the World Congress Center - $8
Entry Fee to World of Wheels - $36
Photos that can be signed - $10
2.5 hour wait in line
Faces of the two girls when they finally got to meet Jennette McCurdy - Priceless

Hockey Game

My family and I went out last weekend to watch the Gwinnett Gladiators play. My daughter had cleaned out 2 garbage bags full of stuffed animals from her stash to be given away or sold or whatever. The Gladiators were having a Teddy Bear toss for charity, so we sorted back through and pulled out the bears in the best condition and took them with us to the game. The Gladiators scored within the first 3 minutes of the game and then the teddy bears started flying. The rink was fairly covered before they started gathering them up into piles. They drove 5 cars out onto the ice to load them up (one was a pick-up) all were stuffed to the gills.

I think my husband had more fun watching some of the cars with their rear wheels turning on the ice without moving, than the toss itself. We did enjoy the game though.

Unfortunately the Gladiators lost in the sudden death over time.

The birds!

I actually filled my bird feeders a day or so before the snow and ice hit. When I finally noticed a few birds visiting, I went and got a couple of scoops of seed and tossed it out. It didn't take long for it to be discovered by the birds..

Review: A Lady in Waiting

A Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner

I found this a wonderful read. It tells the story of two Janes. The first is a modern day Jane who's marriage is on the rocks. It explores what went wrong, what she feels and what she feels she needs to do to 'make it right'. During her exploration of self and marriage she finds a ring with her name engraved on it. It makes for a seque or a story-within-a-story to tell of Lady Jane Grey.

Personally, I preferred the historical side of the story more than the modern side. I like alternate possibilities for historical figures. The modern story was fair in that what Jane was going through could (and probably does) exist. Though, I'm not sure I care for the way she worked out her solution to the problem.

In general a good read. I have to agree with at least one other reviewer, though, in that it's not one for my keeper shelves.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Review: Unto the Hills

Unto the Hills A Daily Devotional by Billy Graham

I received this book for free from Book Sneeze and in exchange I provide my opinion here.

I have been working to expand my library to include some supportive reading as well. I'd selected this as a daily devotional hoping that it would help me either make it through the day or to give me an added 'push'. As it was, I was sorely disappointed. I can't say my family was ever really followers of Billy Graham, though I do remember hearing him at various points in my life. I'd hoped that I would be more inspired or supported by the book. Instead, I felt chastised. Chastised simply for being me, for not being 'pure', for being human.

The book is broken down into 365 days, with each day having a theme. Each theme is supported by a passage from the Bible and is meant to teach a lesson. I have full faith in learning and learning to support your faith. However, in many of the days in the book, Billy Graham comes back to the issue of divorce. A subject that is sore for many people, both Christian and otherwise. He also points out the fact, constantly, that as we are human we are sinners. He comes back to us being unclean constantly, with little hope of redemption.

Billy Graham also points out that God has both love and hate (good and evil, light and dark). But he also states that the dark/evil is Satan. The way it's stated seems (to me) to indicate that God & Satan are the same, just opposites. I'm not sure I care for the God in this book.

Any way, I didn't find this book to be a helpful or supportive read as I'd hoped. I can't recommend it, though I certainly won't say it was 'bad'. My interpretations will vary from others and I leave it to you to form your own opinion of the book.

Have a good Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

I'm sure there are many events going on today in honor of MLK day, including a service projects around town. In the meantime, whatever you do, remember what he worked for and what he stood for.

American Girl Kanani Giveaway

For those with daughters (like mine) that love American Girl, the blog "Coffee with the Mrs." is hosting a give away. Check it out here..

Happy Birthday to Me!

So what am I doing today for my birthday? I was going to be working, actually. For the first time since the start of this school year, I was actually going to a brick & mortar school. Ice on the roads and Gwinnett County Schools closed, though, so that's not the plan any longer..

What will I actually do to celebrate? I was hosting a Dove Chocolate Tasting party at my home. Yum! However, due to the condition of the streets, it's being rescheduled. I also got the family tickets to go out with Gwinnett 4H to the Gwinnett Gladiators game tomorrow night. Hopefully, the roads should be fair by then.

Ah well.. maybe next year I can actually do something on my birthday.

Snow fight

It started off with trying to clear the trampoline of ice and snow..

it quickly became a snow ball fight.. unfortunately for my daughter, her aim is as bad as mine is. My son quickly managed to win the brief war.

Playing on the Ice

View of our house after the snow/ice..

After it snowed Sunday night, it iced over. So instead of making snowmen and such, my kids went over to a friend's house in the neighborhood. His folks had gotten him a small 'disc' to sled with. They used yet another neighbor's driveway and skimmed the ice.

They only went down the slope a few times, before they decided that a)the slushy water at the bottom was too cold and b)the bouncing on the ice hurt their tushies. So they stopped. But they did have fun goofing off outside with their friend.

Cat in a box

There's something about watching a cat discover a 'new' box.. they just have to get in and sit and watch the world go by from "their" box.

Walk Path in Lilburn

For those that aren't aware of it, there's a very nice Greenway walk in Lilburn. The middle of the walk (and easiest place to park) is in downtown Lilburn. From there you can walk one way toward Killian Hill and the other way toward Rockbridge. My husband and I recently took the kids out there to get some exercise. I snapped a few pictures along the way as the scenery is lovely to look at.

Kitty Furballs, anyone?

Since I've been very slack this week with posting, I thought I'd make this post a PSA (well, semiPSA anyway). My kids are always on the look out for new and interesting service projects. I came across this one kind of round-about, but my kids loved it and can't wait to go back. We spent a while Thursday afternoon with Furkids.org at their shelter socializing kitties.

They spent time in several different rooms getting to meet lots of really cute cats. We each had our favorites in each room, I think.. though as always, the kitten room was the biggest hit with my kids. There was one kitten, Morgan (see my son's photo above), an orange tabby, that was determined to lay by one of us to get petted. He made the rounds as whomever he was visiting stopped petting him. My daughter loved a cute little silver/grey tabby named Laura (kitten in daughter's lap above is Ramona, I think), seems she'll be a lap kitten though she'll play while she's there.

Now for the PSA of it all, there are LOTS of sweet kitties that need homes there. Just about every color combination available or even preferred hair length. Here are a few who's pictures at least came out recognisable. Hard to get a picture of a cat that wants your attention, not for you to take pictures.

You can find info on these and other cats on their web site: http://www.furkids.org

Fireworks To Blame For Dead Birds? - Atlanta News Story - WGCL Atlanta

Fireworks To Blame For Dead Birds? - Atlanta News Story - WGCL Atlanta

It's things like this that point out that there are things in our world that are just not right. Very scary. Follow it with the fish in the river, and you have to wonder what happened?

Theories run rampant after Arkansas birds fall

Not a good start to the New Year.

Win a Mr. T Ultra HD Flip Video Camera

Win a Mr. T Ultra HD Flip Video Camera from Gold Promise — on the Simply Being Mommy blog

One Momma Saving Money: Samantha: An American Girl Holiday DVD review and giveaway

One Momma Saving Money: Samantha: An American Girl Holiday DVD review and giveaway For those with daughters in to American Girl (as mine is). A chance to win a very cute DVD over at a great site.

Happy New Year!