This post is for Audrey

(Drey)

So, Audrey practically begged me for a blog post. Well, maybe not begged, but scolded. Whatevsies. (Audrey-ism) Audrey and I became friends post-Katrina. Kurt and I had been married for 2 weeks when Katrina hit NOLA. I had just moved to Jackson and was starting a new job and a new life and was trying to adjust to everything. I didn't know many people, but Kurt interned with a ministry similar to RUF at Millsaps College and I, of course, went with him to every meeting. Upon my first visit to Millsaps Christian Fellowship, I met Audrey. I assumed she had been a Millsaps student all along, but she and her boyfriend had actually just transferred for one semester from Tulane in New Orleans to Millsaps in Jackson because of Katrina. In that way, I am so thankful for Katrina because Audrey was a savior for me that semester. Neither of us had any girlfriends in Jackson, and we became instant friends. I begged her to stay at Millsaps and finish her college career, but she and her boyfriend (now-husband) Doug returned to New Orleans (who can blame them?). We saw each other as often as we could after they moved back, and she even asked me to be in her wedding about a year-and-a-half ago. It was the most fun and lovely wedding I've ever attended/been in. Love this girl.

I have been thinking of writing a blog dedicated to Audrey anyway, so here goes.

Topic #1: Dresses

I have been wearing dresses a lot lately. None of my pants from last year fit right now (although I've lost 7 lbs...yay!), but I'm working on it. When I found myself shopping for pants, I got bummed out about having to buy two sizes bigger than what I used to get, so I decided to wear dresses because they are more forgiving. Audrey owns no pants. (Her only pair of jeans recently died a shameful death.) She wears dresses everyday. And she always looks cute. Dresses make me feel more stylish than pants anyway, so I think I might continue with my trend. Audrey is my dress-wearing inspiration. My uniform for fall and winter is a dress, tights, and boots. So simple, yet so fun!

Speaking of transitioning from summer to fall, Audrey got out her fall clothes and put up her summer clothes on the first official calendar day of fall. She does that no matter where she lives. However, she is currently living in Boston, so she kind of had to get out the warm clothes on time this year.

Last night my grandmother told me that it was going to get cool outside on Friday, and then she said this: "You need to put up all of those flimsy things you were wearing this summer." Flimsy? Wow. Thanks, Grandmom. I guess she meant my flowy, cotton summer dresses...? Whatevsies, Grandmom. I am making the seasonal clothing exchange today, so she'll be proud.

Topic #2: Tennis

Audge said she wanted to hear about tennis. I started playing tennis again in the spring, and it has been wonderful. It is a great outlet for me, and it is practically the only thing I'm decent at athletically. At first I lost all my matches, but I wasn't going to let that make me quit again this time, and it paid off. I got on a semi-winning streak (winning 4 matches in a row), but I am back on the losing streak, having lost my last 3 matches. Oh well. However, one of my teams is going to the state championship in November in Jackson, so I'm looking forward to my first State experience! Hope my nerves don't get the best of me and that I enjoy myself. I have met lots of new people through playing tennis, and it is very fun and laid back (despite my competitive nature). People bring beer to every match, and some people even drink while they play. Ha! I prefer to stay hydrated with water during the match, but I don't mind a celebratory (or consolation) brewski after a match.

Topic #3: Weeds

Have you seen the show Weeds? It comes on Showtime. We don't get it on TV at our house, but a coworker recommended it to me, and I decided to investigate it. Thankfully, it was on our instant viewing on Netflix. It can be raunchy (you've been warned), but I have enjoyed catching up on the seasons. I guess I have to wait until the current season ends and comes on Netflix so I can watch it.

Topic #4: Family

I always told myself I'd never start a blog with, "Sorry I've been MIA lately." I blog when I can, and that's that. However, I have terribly missed blogging lately, and Kurt and I have both had family issues that have kept us busy. Kurt's mom got diagnosed a few months back with breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy, and right after her surgery (or during...we don't know), she had a stroke. She is currently cancer-free, but the stroke caused her to lose her left field of vision. That means she can see out of both eyes to the front and to the right, but she can't see to the left out of either eye. She has adjusted well to it so far, except for not being able to drive. That has been a real setback for her because she's such a go-getter and a doer. She is going to the neuro-ophthalmologist next month in Birmingham to see what her options are for repairing her vision. She is a special lady to me, so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Also, about a month ago my grandmother had emergency surgery for a perforated gastric ulcer in her stomach. Bless her heart, she's been through difficult physical problems her whole adult life. She is at home healing and taking care of my grandfather, and he her. That's the short version (ha..family drama), but please keep her in your thoughts, too.

Topic #5: Winnie Claire

Winnie Claire is doing well. Right now she is trying to get between my computer and me. Apparently I'm not showing her enough attention. We recently stopped feeding her people food because it kept making her sick. Not that we gave her a lot -- just a bite here and there. But that is no more. However, it doesn't keep her from begging while we eat and salivating on our legs whenever food is around. Poor thing.

She also got an eye infection recently, and we had to put ointment in her eyes everyday for 2 weeks. Poor punkin. She loves to snuggle with Kurt and me, and we love her very much.

She is now looking out the window and whining, so I better tend to her. (Can you tell I have the day off?)