by Amy | Feb 14, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Living
As a kid I liked cats. They were cute and cuddly. My dad was {is} a dog person and our dog at the time {Chip} was not a kid person. If we had a dog that acted more like Chance from “Homeward Bound” I’d probably have been partial to dogs.
But Chip wasn’t Chance. He never saved me from a muddy well. Instead he growled every time I tried to touch him and gave me rope burn around my ankles from winding me up in his leash. {I still have the scars to prove it.}
I’m getting off topic. Back to cats. I liked cats. I wasn’t obsessed, but soon people started getting me cat things. Book ends, stuffed animals, books, you name it. Then suddenly when relatives were wondering what Amy would like for a gift they just looked around my room…got the idea I was totally into cats…and added another item to the collection. {This tends to happen with some things…like light houses, John Deere paraphernalia, and angels…I call it contagious collecting.}
I don’t know when it happened–maybe after I took down my cat posters {that I chose from the book fair at school}–maybe after having three barn cats of my own all die within a year of my ownership {to this day I call that the cat-curse}–but the whole cat thing settled down. Chip mellowed out once I was about 14 and I liked dogs again. After my experiences with cats getting hit on the road or dying of weird causes I decided dogs were more durable.
And I stayed a dog person for a long while.
Which is why it’s so strange that I’m now head over heels for this cat that I’ve named Panda. You know her. She’s made appearances here on the blog before. And if you have been reading a while you remember her antics from Shreveport. {If you didn’t read those…not sweat, just follow the links below.}
To refresh your memory, there was the day I took her to the vet and she pooped right in the front seat of the car. The time she peed in Derek’s dad’s lap…or maybe the time she pooped in her car carrier then laid in it and needed a bath. She really hates the car. And her hatred comes out in the form of poop. {But sometimes pee.}
When I got home the other day I noticed that Panda’s left eye looked funny. Her pupil was dilated and didn’t react to light. The next day her iris looked red and irritated. Worried that the cat curse was upon me again I called the vet. He saw us today. He rocks.
Panda was great on the 6 minute trip to the vet. She was a gem while she got her yearly vaccines and allowed the doctor to prod at her little eyeball. Then, 30 minutes later I got in the car to head for home. No sooner than I’d shut my door and “Killing Kennedy” on audio book had cued up…I smelled it.
“Oh please let that be a fart.” This was my deepest hope. Let’s be honest…nothing in the world smells worse than cat poop. Nothing. Oh, wait…except cat poop embedded in cat fur that you have to touch with your hands.
Once we got home I hauled the carrier up to the bathroom where I discovered things were as I suspected. I had a poopy Panda on my hands. Not to mention an angry Panda once the bathing experience started. I got wet. She got wet and mad. The bathroom got wet and smelly. Just another day in paradise.
Is there a morale to this story? No, not really. Other than to marvel at how funny out love for our pets can be. I’ve cleaned up poop and given a cat a bath more times than I’d like to count over the last year…all for a cat that was a beggar-stray 18 months ago. For the next two weeks I’ll pin her down {probably get scratched} and put eye drops in her cat eyes twice a day. How do they do that? How can they be so darn loveable without even trying?
I may never figure it out. And if I do I hope it doesn’t require another round of cat carrier poo patrol.
Amy
by Amy | Feb 14, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of Living
Here is a throw back post from my move to Minot…enjoy!
Well. I’m here! Panda and I made it safe and sound. However, it was one crazy journey. Here is an overview of what our last day in Shreveport/first hours in Minot looked like.
Monday June 11
9:30 a.m.
Movers came and loaded all the furniture and boxes onto the truck. Leaving Panda and me in an empty house.
7:00 p.m.
I decided to take Panda with me to Megan’s house to spend the night since she was scheduled to see the vet at 9 a.m. the next morning.
7:05 p.m.
We aren’t even out of the neighborhood. Panda has pooped in her carrier.
7:07 p.m.
Panda lays in her poop.
7:30 p.m.
We arrive at Megan’s. I dry heave because the cat poop smells so bad. Panda gets a bath and it really mad about that.
8:30 p.m.
An ice cream sundae eases the moving day jitters and cat-poop-stomach-churning.
Tuesday June 12
12:30 a.m.
Exhausted, I turn in for the night.
3:24 a.m.
Panda has been walking on me all night and I’ve barely slept. I hear thunder and see a flash of lightning. Could we finally be getting some rain? Doubt it…it hasn’t rained in months.
4:40 a.m.
Dozed off once or twice…only to be woken by a loud clap of thunder and the sound of rain slapping at the windows.
4:41 a.m.
I remember I left the windows down on the car.
4:45 a.m.
Windows are up and I am soaked.
7:45 a.m.
Alarm goes off.
9:00 a.m.
At the vet. Panda gets a clean bill of health and medicine to make her sleepy on the plane.
4:00 p.m.
Bank account is closed, donations dropped off, good byes said, bags packed, and headed to the airport. Panda is groggy.
4:45 p.m.
I have to take Panda kitty out of her carrier to pass through security. She hates the sounds and it terrified. She panics and scratches my arms and chest and rips my shirt. Thanks TSA.
6:22 p.m.
We arrive in Memphis. Just enough time to walk to our next gate and board straight away.
6:50 p.m.
En route to Minneapolis. Doing some word jumbles, reading Radical and chatting with the coolest seat buddy I’ve ever had.
8:03 p.m.
I ask a Delta desk attendant where the USO is. It’s too far to get to before my next flight. She apologizes and gives me three free drink tickets for my next flight.
10:10 p.m.
I’m in the last row of the airplane. The last one to get drinks and snacks. I order a roman Coke with one of my drink tickets. The flight attendant says I get double snacks because I had to wait to be last served. Two packets of peanuts and two packages of cookies. Score.
10:56 p.m.
The plane is descending and Panda’s drugs are wearing off. She starts meowing a bit and struggling to get out of the carrier.
11:15 p.m.
Derek meets us at baggage.
11:37 p.m.
We arrive at the Select Inn {our home until we close on the house}. Panda is super happy.
One long day. I don’t recommend traveling with a cat unless you really have to.
I’m excited that things have slowed down a bit. I’ll show you photos of the house tomorrow!!
Amy
by Amy | Feb 14, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Adventure, The Art of Living
Here’s a throw back post about the first time I took Panda cat to the vet…
Yesterday I had one of those moments that makes me think, “Only in my life…”
Let me elaborate. Hopefully if your day isn’t shaping up, this will help.
Yesterday I told you that Panda cat had her first vet appointment. Well, I’ll start by telling you she hates the car. I felt like some kind of monster while I drove the 15 minutes to the clinic. Poor Panda was in the back seat meowing her head off in the cat carrier. I looked back at her at a red light only to see her poor little paws sticking through the wholes in the side begging to be let out. (more…)
by Amy | Feb 12, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Living
I’m back home in Minot now. I’ll be totally honest with you. My trip was very trying. I got some news that blindsided me. I was at a conference that was spiritually challenging. I know I’ve grown because of it…but all that spiritual growth can leave a girl exhausted.
So I was completely thrilled to be home. Completely thrilled to see Derek.
He knew I’d had a hard time of it while I was gone. Now, a good husband would have flowers for his tired, bent-out-of-shape wife. A great husband knows his wife. A great husband knows what lifts his girl’s spirit.
Derek is a great husband.
When we got home I flipped on the dining room light to find something much better than flowers. Sitting in the middle of the table {where a vase of flowers would normally go} was a bright red box of Girl Scout Cookies. I turned around, beaming. Then Derek said:
“I thought you’d like that better than flowers.”
He was so right. Which leads me to my title question: Who’s Your Valentine?
Valentine’s Day is two days away. You don’t need to plan anything extravagant or spend a bunch of money to have a meaningful holiday. The key is knowing who your Valentine is. Know them. Really know them. I know you do. This isn’t a day about flowers and candy and cards. It’s about love. It’s about remembering why you love. Whether that’s your BFF, your boyfriend, spouse, kids, whatever. Remember why you love them. Show them you notice the little things that make them tick…and make them unique.
Isolate something they adore and bring it center stage. For me…it’s cookies {anything sweet, really}. For others it’s flowers. For others it’s board games, or athletics, or great food, or wine. The point is…know your Valentine. And on Thursday, make a gesture that shows off your very own quirky love.
by Amy | Feb 8, 2013 | Blog
So here’s the thing. As I said yesterday, I’m in Shreveport right now. I tend to forget a thing or two when I travel, but usually that’s okay because whoever I’m visiting can usually hook me up. Well, on this trip I forgot my computer charger.
I love Apple. I love my MacBook Pro. What I don’t love is the fact that my spiffy new retina display computer has a different charger than any other MacBook out there.
Long story short…My laptop is dead. Now, that wouldn’t bee too crazy a crisis if I was a responsible blogger. However, if you read regularly, you know I’m not really that responsible. Or very hard core…so I don’t write my posts in advance. I pretty much roll day by day. Each evening I write to you. One of my goals this year is to get on a blogging schedule, but that just hasn’t happened yet.
What I’m saying is I’m going MIA. Okay, I won’t really be missing. I’ll be in Dallas, TX at a women’s outreach training conference. {Pinky swear, I’ll fill you in on that when I’m back in Minot next week.} While I’m there I won’t have the convenience of a borrowed computer, so I’ll just be going sans blogging. I will be updating the Facebook page. So check over there…you know how I get when I meet new people and interact with strangers.
One word: Awkward. One more word: Embarrassing.
That’s usually how encounters with new friends go. Seriously, think back to when we met. That’s what I’m talking about.
I’ll miss you dearly. I’m stoked to sit down and write to you all the amazing things that God is doing.
Until I come back here are some things to keep you busy. {#5, Cake Wrecks…figure out what that means, I dare you.}
1. Watch the Invisible Driver Prank if you haven’t already.
2. Watch some “Bad Lip Reading” videos. I recommend Twilight, Hunger Games and NFL.
3. Play Candy Crush Saga. So addictive. So awesome.
4. Get lost over at Copy Cat Crafts.
5. Crack up at professional cakes gone wrong at Cake Wrecks.
I’ll be back Sunday. See you then.
Amy
by Amy | Feb 6, 2013 | Blog, The Art of Adventure
Yesterday I took a trip. It’s been planned since Christmas, no whims here. But boy does it feel good to be down in Shreveport, LA! Let me tell you all something. Practically Canada is cold! It sneaked up on me gradually, so I guess I didn’t notice just how cold it is up there this time of year. Then I got off a plan in S’Port on February 5 and stepped into 68 degree sunshine. Holy cow, it felt nice.
The last thing Derek and I did before I left town {early Tuesday morning} was attend our weekly curling night. It’s been a while since I told you about our introduction to curling…the great north sport. So I thought I’d take a little time to fill you in on what’s happening.
Curling is so fun. We absolutely love it. Derek and I are now official members of the Minot curling club. We play each week with a father and son duo who are pretty much curling masters. They’ve both played competitively, and Kyson {a senior in high school} has been to junior nationals and competed on the Junior Olympic team. Pretty legit, right?
Here are the things I’ve learned about curling in the last two months of playing:
1. The place where curling takes place is called a “Curling House.” Not a rink. {That was a weird moment.}
2. There are four people on each team. Team members throw two rocks each, the rocks closet to the center of a bullseye {called the House} score points.
3. A curling game consists of six “ends.” An end is each player throwing their rocks.
4. Before a game starts players shake hands and wish each other luck. Players may simply say “Curling,” to one another. Which is short for saying, “Good curling.” That was really confusing at first too.
5. The curling house is cold. A crisp 25 degrees on the ice.
6. The Minot club has a lodge-like clubhouse on the second floor. It’s cozy up there. There are some tables…and coolers of beer. Fridges of beer. Beer on tap. And beer in another cooler. Oh…and a few sodas on tap too. But I’ve quickly learned that curling and beer go hand in hand. We played in a tournament last weekend. When we arrived at 9:30 to begin most of the other players had already settled in to breakfast {doughnuts and beer.} Another player explained the allure of curlers to beer to me this way: “You’ve got to take advantage. It’s the only sport will keep a beer ice cold while you play.”
7. Maybe this last item is the most important thing I’ve learned about curling. Do NOT sit on the toilet in the curling house. Like I said, there is a lodge upstairs. It’s fully heated and there is a bathroom there. On Monday I used the bathroom on the unheated main floor. Let me ask you this. Have you ever sat on a block of ice with your drawers down? Because that’s about what it felt like. Lesson learned. Won’t happen again.
Welcome to my world. The land of icy toilets and refrigerator sports.
I’m glad to be in the south again. But to be honest the weather has nothing to do with it. I’m here with my bestie and that the most important thing. {Seeing blooming flowers is a nice bonus though!}
Amy
by Amy | Feb 4, 2013 | Blog, The Art of the Moment
Last Sunday I had the fun privilege of photographing maternity portraits for a dear friend of mine…who just so happens to be the cutest little pregnant gal I’ve ever known. Remember when you were a kid and you put a ball or a balloon under your shirt and pretended to be pregnant? Yeah, she pretty much looks like that. Just so precious. Without further ado, please say hello to Tiffany, Kyle and Wiley.
Since the weather warmed up to positive 20 degrees {F} we even took a few shots outside.
I told Tiffany to bring along anything she wanted featured in the photos with her. To my wonderful surprise she and Kyle showed up with Wiley in tow. He is so cute and spunky. Adding him to the mix in these portrait was so fun. I’m pretty sure I laughed until I cried at some of his antics. Oh, and let me be clear…I didn’t tell the dog to get on Kyle’s shoulders. They told me that’s just where he likes to sit. What a ham!
Thanks guys! I had a great time. Can’t wait to meet that sweet baby girl!
Amy
PS–Love this session? Check out the full gallery at the Amy Allender facebook page. And while you’re there…you should like it, so you don’t miss a thing!
by Amy | Feb 2, 2013 | Blog, Prayer, The Art of Faith
We think of prayer as a safe place. Am I right? I know I am. It’s tranquil, peaceful, reflective. Prayer makes us feel like we are actively doing something when the world give us situations that are straight up out of control. And we are. Prayer makes a difference. I’ve never been more serious about anything than I am about prayer. It’s so legit.
Think about it. Prayer allows us to speak our thoughts and concerns, joys and praises to the One who created everything we’ve ever known. Or will ever know in our lifetime or eternity. Pretty crazy thought. He created the universe…which we have yet to find an end to…yet He allows us to speak to Him. There are mortals who have accomplished much less that wouldn’t let me chat their ear off about my anxious heart. It just blows my mind.
But if you read the title of today’s post you may be wondering what I mean by “dangerous prayers.” Isn’t prayer a safe haven? When we are filled with the Holy Spirit and in contact with our Savior what can be dangerous? Please let me elaborate. The danger of prayer is that it is, without a doubt, real. God hears the prayers of His followers and He answers.
And that my lovelies is the danger. He. Will. Answer. Dangerous prayer are the prayers that change your life. They require you to do something, to commit, to be active, to work.
When we go to God in earnest, sincerely seeking Him, seeking His will, He is more than willing to answer us loud and clear. Not to say that the answer will always come in bolts of lightning and messages in the stars…but when we seek Him out {without clouding our hearts with our own agendas} we will get answers.
Which leads me to dangerous prayers. Are you really ready to hear what the Almighty has to say? There are many dangerous prayers we can pray. Maybe someday I’ll write about them again. However, for tonight, I’ll focus on one. Maybe the most dangerous prayer of all:
God, I’m here. I want to do your work. Can you use me? How can I use my life to bring you the most glory possible?
A prayer like this is only dangerous if you mean it. If you really are willing. If you really are ready.
The danger is the answer. Are you ready to accept the answer? The answer could be anything. Literally anything. God has used His people in some wild ways. They’ve gone far from home. They’ve died. They’ve run in to trouble. They have lived in poverty. They have sacrificed comfort.
Again, I tell you prayer is real. And God knows when you are serious. A dangerous prayer like that could change your life. It will change your life.
About two years ago I discovered the meaning of life in its most simplistic form. Although I’ve been a follower of Christ for more than 10 years it wasn’t until then that I really got it. The meaning of life is this: using our existence to glorify God. Giving our lives fully to Him to accomplish His purposes. Simple as that. Difficult as that. For us humans this is a difficult way to live. Accepting that our lives are not created for our own happiness is confusing. It is so tempting to be comfortable and make a beautiful life here for 9o years or so.
But I’ve got a secret…our souls are created to be never ending. When our 90 years is up we’ve still got an eternity to live through…in comparison our time on Earth–in these bodies, with these things around us –will seem like the blink of the eye.
Dangerous prayers are scary. We have no idea what will come of them. But they are vital. When we pray a dangerous prayer we accept the meaning of life, the meaning of our existence. We accept that we owe our lives to the one who gave His to save us. It’s scary, but oh-so-worth it.
God rejoices in these prayers and answers them in profound ways. He loves a child who is brave enough to earnestly pray a dangerous prayer. He loves a follower who is courageous enough to be used. He adores a follower humble enough to say, “I could never have done this. This is God’s work.” When we ask God how He can use us…He will take matters into His hands and use us to accomplish works that could never be done on our own.
That way when people see our work they will be forced to recognize that God is true, He is glorious. Others will understand that the LORD we follow is the one true God. And that’s just how He likes it.
Six months ago I prayed a dangerous prayer. God answered. He answered in a way that I never saw coming. He had something in mind. A way that my tiny life in Practically Canada could bring Him glory. The answer was scary. It took me nearly half a year to come to terms with it. But I’ve never felt better. Braver. More certain. More protected. More in love with my God, my Savior.
This is my challenge. Quiet your agenda. Set aside the hope you have for yourself. And embrace the honor of serving the God of heaven and earth. Pray boldly. Pray dangerously.
Your soul will never be safer.
Amy
PS…more on my dangerous prayer next week. And thanks to all of you who know my prayer and have been supporting me in this new adventure. I love you deeply my family in Christ.
