Independence, new gadgets and ex-girlfriends

...DANG IT!! :)

So, I changed the head light in my car today that has been out for weeks and weeks. Well... I guess I really didn't do it but I watched the guy from Checker Auto parts do it and he walked me through what to do next time!!!! In moments like these you appreciate so much being close to your daddy who can fix everything... thanks Dad... I miss you!!

My car stereo/CD player/tape deck stopped working yesterday... I knew this was going to happen fairly soon... yet I still wasn't ready for it to no longer be working. And, course, through these situations you realize how dependent you are on whatever object is no longer working; whether it be a cell phone, cd player, ipod, car, etc. I went to Best Buy yesterday afternoon and ended up getting a new CD player put in my car that I can play my iPod straight out of! It's a pretty neat deal... nothing at all fancy... but still fun!!

While I was waiting through 4 hours of it being installed I walked a cross the street to the mall. Did a little browsing. Then Brian met me up there after he was done working for some Starbucks and browsing (again) until the car was finished. We went into Z Gallerie (once of the most fabulous stores in the word)!! We ran into Gavin's (Brian's cousin that lives in Tucson) ex-girlfriend whom I haven't seen in months and months... while they dated Beth and I hung out a bit. We chatted for a while, caught up, exchanged cell phone numbers again, the whole bit... then went on our marry way.
We went back to Best Buy to wait just a little while longer for the car when we ran into none other than Meredith... Dave's ex-fiancee/girlfriend/whatever you want to to call her. I was able to catch up with her for a little bit and then immediately walked off to call Brian and tell him who I just ran into.
Going from feeling like I don't know anyone to running into random people all right in a row... oh, and this follows running into Dave on Friday night (literally) 5 minutes after he ditched Brian and I because of a "head ache" at the local Blockbuster... hummmmm....

Brian has been working his tail off this weekend showing homes and working on the rezone. Thank the Lord that we will have an answer as of November 20th... and Lord willing that the county will show us favor. This whole situation has been quite interesting to say the least. It was been a wonderful way to get to know neighbors and introduce ourselves. However, it has also been very heartbreaking to see how immature grown ups can act SO rudely. I would never have imagined been treated the way some neighbors have treated us and hearing things said about us that I just can't fathom adults saying about other adults whom they don't know nor have made any effort to meet. These are the times when Brian and I are so thankful to know the Lord and to have the peace that know matter how this all turns out the Lord has plans for us... though they are not at all what we can envision right now.

Of course, I will keep all up to date on the happenings of it all!!

Blessings,
C

new news

So, Lyndsey and Kathy will not be able to come. Lyndz called me today and let me know that within approximately 90 seconds of calling one job to turn them down because she was coming to visit her Tucson sister she received another call getting a fabulous job offer for the month of November and potentially beyond. So, I'm bummed out that she isn't going to be able to come within the next couple of weeks (and I was selfishly looking forward to going to San Diego to play with Sandy and Nate for a day too) but I know that she will diligently try to figure out the next time to have Lyndsey and Catherine play time!!!

Of course, I'll keep you posted!

what's been going on lately

I have had a pretty good week. Brian and I continue to work diligently on the rezoning of the property I am living on. It has been taking up most of our "free time" every day and will until the hearing happens with the county on November 20th. Please pray that the neighbors will be receptive to what we are wanting to do. Pray that the county will see that what we are trying to make happen on this property is a good idea and the best, most sensible plan for these 2.2 acres. Pray for Brian, as he has invested so much financially and emotionally, that he will continue to feel encouraged by what he is presenting.

Last Thursday, Brian and I went to our friend Dave's house to cook out and watch The Office. We just spent a lot of time laughing and getting to enjoy Dave's new (beautiful) home!!

On Saturday afternoon after a couple of hours of walking up and down our neighborhood talking with neighbors about our project we went up to the U of A and hung out with a bunch of Brian's co-workers at a tailgate. We had so much fun getting to relax, people watch and get some good food! After all the wives and kids left for the game, Brian, myself and 5 other of Brian's buddies played Texas Hold 'em and watched the game on TV. I had so much fun!! What a blessing to have friends (even if they are Brian's co-workers and older with kids to spend time with)!

Tonight, Brian and I will be going over to Eric and Jenny Kelley's house for burgers and bonding! Eric and Jenny (and there four children) is the family that I lived with when I first moved to Tucson a year ago. We have tried to stay in contact with each other when we can. I am excited to have more fellowship time with friends!!

Yeah!!
So... rumor has it that big sis Lyndsey and new roomie Kathy will be heading to Tucson, AZ within the next month!!!!!!!!! I hope that all will work out!! How much fun to have play time with family in Tucson... only if I could convince my parents to come too!!

I have GAS!!!!

The gas guy and plumbers have been working diligently all week and we finally have hot water again!!!

So, this weekend is ACU's Homecoming. I can't believe this is the third year in a row I haven't been able to go to. I have either been working or out of town each time it's rolled around.

It is amazing how quickly time flys. I have already been out of college for 3 1/2 years... and am still struggling with the idea of "grown up".

HILLLLL-arious!!!!

I miss the Texas State Fair a whole lot! Brian is also from TX and has experienced all that is the State Fair of TX and yet he doesn't appreciate the joy that comes from the Texas Star, a corny dog, a funnel cake and whatever you can imagine fired full of goodness! :)
Mom and Dad got to go. Valerie and Mom got to go. And I just got to listen...

So, I was just reading through Lyndsey Goode's blog. and if you haven't read this yet and you are from Texas... trust me... this is HILLLL-arious!!
http://www.lgoode.blogspot.com/

No hot water for Catherine & Megan

For the last week we have been taking cold showers. We both have tried to have a positive attitude about this but it definitely gets hard at times. Brian (our land lord and my boyfriend) has been working tirelessly to get this resolved as quickly as possible.

He spent his Sunday afternoon digging up dirt from the gas meter toward to house in search for the pipes that could be who knows how many feet under ground. He actually was able to find them pretty quickly. He got the gas guys out today to fix up the piping. Now we are just waiting on someone to verify that everything is working properly and then we should be back up and running.

Please pray (seriously) that this is the last of many problems we have encountered since the purchase of this house. Brian, which in turn means Catherine, has been very stressed out due to this WHOLE situation. It sometimes (a lot actually) is hard to have a smile and show grace when frustrating things continue to occur that cause a lot of inconvience and even more money!

Hopefully I will be letting you know soon and very soon that I HAVE GAS!!!!!!

Love,
Cath

Thoughts running through my head...

First of all, I can not believe it is October and temps are still hitting the high 90's pushing 100 degrees. This is amazing to me!!
I am listening to The Polar Express so I can feel like Fall is in the air! :) I love Christmas music!! And Fall!!!

I am going walking with my friend Cassie!! I wished I had more availability to go walking with people so I would actually go... I never can talk myself into doing it on my own. I just got off the phone with Cassie and she told me I had to wear sunscreen. My response to her was, "Yes mother". I think she is younger than me... and if she isn't... she isn't much older... but have no fear mother... people everywhere are trying to take care of me for you!!

And on that note... a co-worker came into my office today letting me know that a pair of pants I wore last week were inappropriate. I will not mention why over the blog and if you are really that interested you can call me to ask. Moral of the story... I need to start walking so I can then start jogging so I then can start losing all the weight I have gained over the last year so the clothes I own will actually fit and look appropriate on!

I have been thinking a lot recently about my most recent trip with Come before Winter. I am so thankful to be the age I am and be able to be actively involved in such an amazing ministry! I work with a team of phenomenal women and the women that attendthe renewal every time are stinkin' amazing!!!

As I reflect back on my week in St. Petersburg, Russia I am reminded of how blessed we are in America. There are a lot of problems we are faced with daily. We feel that at moments in time life can't get any worse. We believe that most everything should cater to us in some way, shape or form and yet... we live in a society that a lot of people from a lot of different countries would love to be a part of.
We fail to remember how lucky we are to go to the schools we go to, the universities we are able to take student loans out for so we are able to attend, how easy it is to rent or own a property to live in, or being raised openly in a Christian home and not being persecuted for it.

A majority of the women we worked with in Russia were born and raised in or around Russia. Most of their families were not Christians and just the mere act of learning about Christ,trusting in Him and professing their faith has opened the door to persecution, abandonment, family members taken them to court to make them legally disowned; and yet them come with a smile and a genuine interest of desiring to know Christ more today than they did yesterday.

I think of Christians I know; I think of myself. Would I be able to handle that? Would I be able to stand up for something so strongly knowing that my family might shut the front door in my face? I have no idea....

A blessing of getting to travel to other countries and interact with a local people continually reminds me of the blessings that I daily have and that the struggles that I face will come to pass... as they always have before.

I can't get the words Suzanne shared with me one evening after a talk she had with 'Natasha'. "How do I raise a Christian baby," Natasha asked Suzanne. It never occurred to me that these 'baby Christians'; these women who have only known Christ for maybe 5 years... or less... wouldn't know how to raise children in a Christian home. How could they? They've never seen what that looks like? It makes we weep thinking about it... for sorrow in the true pain and concern that these young Christian mothers feel... and yet for joy in the excitement that is to come.

The day I returned from St. Petersburg I had a short lay-over in Dallas. Mom, Dad and Veeves met me at the airport for hugs and a little bit of chatting! I told them about my above thoughts and asked if they even knew who the first Christians in our family were. Neither of them had an immediate response. What a blessing my life has been to be raised in a family who through thick and thin have loved deeply and relied heavily on the Lord to carry us through... and that from generations and generations back this has been instilled in us...

...and how awesome will to be for these families in and around Russia to grow from generation to generation knowing that "Natasha" was the great great great great great great great... grandmother who first learned about Christ and shared her faith with her family.

How exciting!

That is what I walked away with that week. There are so many other snap shots and blessings that occurred that week... but that image... that thought is the one I will carry with me for many many years... and I hope that I can raise Christian children who desire to learn and follow the faith that the many generations before me paved!

The Kitty

The kitty has found a new home. Friday evening Brian and I drove to Rita Ranch... about 45 minutes south of where I live and took kitty to her new home with Cliff and Malinda Moquin. Cliff is one of my co-workers. They have two older cats and thought she would be a great addition to the family! She seemed very happy playing and exploring. Their two cats were not as welcoming but they will lighten up over time... I hope! :) Here are some pictures from the car ride over to Cliff's house. Hasn't she gotten so big? Oh... and she did live Brian and I a "going away" present in the car right before we got to the house... needless to say, the car needs to have the windows down constantly for a day or two.

St. Petersburg, Russia, Part One

What a blessing this trip was!! It always amazes me how a group of women from the states goes to another country to host a renewal for women involved in missions and we return renewed ourselves!!

Here are some pictures to enjoy... I will get to all the details when I have some extra time. All I can tell you is it was AMAZING!!!!!


The Czar's winter palace, now where The Hermitage is, on the square where Bloody Sunday occured


walking up the stairs of The Hermitage


The square where Bloody Sunday occured; looking at the Military Headquarters and barracks


The Church of the Blood


A side view of The Church of the Blood with a view of the canal


Peterhoff front entrance


part of the gardens


In the courtyard of the Stables where we stayed at Peterhoff


Jayne, Suzanne, Kelliann, Georgia, Catherine, Jamie, Shelly at the Gulf of Finland


on the grounds at Peterhoff where Peter the Great lived


The church of Peter and Paul


The stable grounds where we stayed


The stable grounds where we stayed


Fall was gorgeous!!!!!!! The trees where so huge and the leaves were beautiful!!!


The chapel at Peterhoff

Back from Russia

Hi friends! I wanted to let you know I have made it back to Tucson safely from St. Petersburg, Russia. This trip was such a blessing in so many ways. I will post about it and include pictures later on this week. I just wanted to let you know I am back, safe, already back to work and will update you soon and very soon!!

Love,
Catherine


PS: Here is a sneak peak of what is to come...

This is a picture of The Church of the Blood.

On my way to Russia...

In about 3 and a half hours I will be boarding a plane and heading to St. Petersburg, Russia. Myself and 13 other women from around TX will be hosting a renewal for 38 of the most wonderful women in Eastern Europe. We will be spending a week offering these women time of prayer, praise, solitude and silence and help encourage them through the week. This is my fourth trip with Come before Winter. What an honor it is for me to spend a week with the most amazing women in the world; getting to focus on the love that Jesus has given all of us and the joys we have to spend together in the Lord's presense.

Please be praying for all of us and the travels that will be occuring over the next 48 hours.

Blessings!

more of Charlie, Pouncer, Trinity or whatever you decide to name her... kitten

Here are some more pictures of the precious playful kitten. I never can get good pictures of the little stinker because she can't stay still. She seems to be gaining more energy and joy by the minute. It's so exciting to watch!

But first enjoy the beautiful sunset over the mountains from our back yard...

the kitten

Please let me first preface by allowing you to know that Brian nor I have had any attentions of getting a pet any time soon. Now, for the rest of the story...

On Wednesday afternoon I received a phone call from Brian. He was out looking at some property that he was selling before the final deal went through which was expected to happen on Friday. It is a great piece of property but the stuff that was on it was disgusting. There were two run down trailers that I would assume squattered had been living in for a while. Both homes that broken windows, boarded up window frames, over-grown grass, etc. I would assume you have seen pictures of impoverished areas or visited some yourself... just use your imagination from there. Brian let me know that he just found a stray kitten and didn't know what to do. There where three dead kittens along the wall and this kitten was hiding in a cement block by the door frame; covered in dirt, fleas and severely malnourished. I told him to get it, I would meet him somewhere and take it to a vet. When he got back from his car with a hand full of Kleenex to pick the kitten up; he couldn't find it anywhere. I told him I would meet up with him after he got off work and we could go looking for her. As soon as we walked through the door frame (the door had been removed) she stumbled right out and walked right up to me. Brian scooped her up and put her in the only type of box we could find to transport her... a weather-worn 12-pack Budweiser box with a hole in the side for her to poke her head out of. Brian and I went to Pets mart, bought some food, cat milk and shampoo to try to clean her and then went back to her house to see if she would eat anything and allow us to clean her off.

I took her to the vet the next day. They said she was probably 2 1/2 weeks old and that if we could have waited one more day to look for her she probably would have been dead. She was covered in fleas... we gave her front line and they have all since died; they gave me a gentle shampoo to wash her after 48 hours of the Front line being administered... she is super soft and fluffy now; an antibiotic to kill a yucky eye grossness (I don't know what it is)... she gets that every 24 hours; an amoxicilin for a parasite she had from her living conditions... she gets that every 12 hours; and last but not least; nutritional food to help her get some fat and muscle in her since she had absolutely none... that happens every 2 hours!!!

It has been so neat to watch her get a little stronger every time I check on her. She started purring yesterday and today she meowed for the first time!! I was like a proud parent with your child saying their very first word. She even went poo poo today!! :) I know this sounds silly but she had not gone since I had taken her to the vet on Thursday afternoon and I was nervous something else could be wrong. Her pupils have continued to fill out and she is getting more and more playful!!

At this point and time we have no plans on keeping her. She is so precious and needy right now but I don't know if I am ready for this sort of responsibility, emotionally and financially, yet.

I took some pictures today. Brian has some pictures of her from the first night we got her but he is in Seattle right now so I can't share them with you at this point and time... so please enjoy the ones I took of her today!

Blessings!!!

PS: Brian has named her Charlie, I won't name her unless we are going to keep her and mom has named her either Trailer Park Pouncer and call her/him Pouncer for short. Or we can name her Trinity cause she was one of three kittens. Or we can name her Lucky.

Enjoy the precious little creature... and I am sorry many are blurry but the little booger won't stay still for a photo opp...
















**the flash made her eyes two different colors... they are a really pretty blue/green in person**

PRAISE THE LORD! PRAISE THE LORD!!

Let His people rejoice!!! THE TOILET HAS BEEN FIXED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I called a plumber on Tuesday afternoon. I then called Brian to let him know I felt that he was just too busy with work to also have to worry about fixing a toilet... the plumber had it fixed in less than 30 minutes (and updated our other toilet hardware; just because he is nice and I think felt sorry for me). So, after almost one month of living at the new house I FINALLY have a toilet I can use in the middle of the night without bothering Megan! YEAH!!!!

In other news, our two trash cans that we keep in our car port which is in the back of the house and covered have disappeared. Megan took the trash out from the kitchen on Sunday night and put the bag of trash into the cans outside... we haven't seen them since. It is just sort of odd. Who in the world would steal trash cans... on top of the fact that who is coming onto our property and taking things that are not theirs. We hope and pray that neighbors aren't trying to bully us with this zoning project Brian is working on. We are trying hard not to jump to conclusions but at the same instance something is not right.

Brian got a job promotion last week! We are very excited for these new opportunities. He is still working on land deals but is now also getting to sale houses!!!!!!! YEAH!!! So, yesterday he went to look at a piece of property that turned out to be very run down and sort of nerve-racking being there. While walking the property, the came across some bad smells and then found two dead kittens. A little kitten popped it's head out of a brick where it was hiding. Being the compassionate person he is... he didn't want to leave the kitten there to share in the ultimate fate of it's siblings. He called me, we went out there after he got off of work, found the kitten and took it to his condo. We went and bought some food, shampoo and cat milk. It was dirty, malnurished, flea infested and had some bad cuts behind its ears from scratching. Brian gave it a bath and made a little bed for it in the guest bathroom. I am going to take it to a vet today and see what needs to happen. Brian and I really don't want the responsibility of a pet right now but we don't want it to be euthonized(spl?) if it doesn't need to be.

I'll post some pictures when I can.

Well, that's what has been going on in my world lately!!

LOVE!!!!

Grand Canyon fun time!!

Labor Day weekend was so much fun!! Veeves flew into Tucson and we went camping at the Grand Canyon. I'm not going to type much and I want to let the pictures do most of the talking... however my blog is being goofy right now and won't let me download any... so I will to that soon and very soon! I promise!! LOVE!!!