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Useless Fact for the day:
The diameter of the wheel on the Wheel of Fortune is 8'6".
Hello friends, family and fellow countrymen! I hope that everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend. It's a four day weekend, we're in Italy, and we're sitting at home wondering what to do! Now, we're not as hopeless as it sounds. We were planning on going somewhere and exploring Italy a little bit, but William had to go on a surprise TDY to Germany a couple of weeks ago and that changed his standby schedule. He has to be on standby this week instead of two weeks ago. So, instead of going to Florence, we get to hang out in our basement and update our web site. I know that you are all happy that we stayed home today so that I could enter this riviting tale of my life! I'm sure that you are all on the edges of your seats even now, wondering how this is going to end. Is it going to be predictable, or is there going to be a surprise ending? I can see your minds churning. :-)
We did have our little service today, but only one other couple showed up because everyone else (a whopping 4 people) was going somewhere over the weekend. It's funny when we talk about our plans and people mention places like the French riviera for their weekend destination. I'm used to people going places like Pierre, SD for a change of scenary. Certainly not France. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to it! Anyway, our meeting went pretty well. William was able to share the message of salvation with the other couple that was there today and we both thought that was pretty exciting. We hope that you will be praying with us for ministry opportunities here in Ghedi.
Well, I'll leave you with one final announcement.
I'M PREGNANT!
Okay, I hope you're still reading and not calling my mom or something! I'm not really pregnant, but I promised you a surpirse ending and I didn't want to renege on my promise to you!
September 03, 2002
Useless Fact for the day:
Madcap comedian Lucille Ball was kicked out fo drama school in New York City when she was 15 because she was too quiet and shy.
Well, I found out today that whoever coined the phrase "be careful what you wish for" was right! The last time I wrote I talked about being bored and needing a little excitment in my life. I certainly got what I asked for, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. I was on my way to work today when I got in a little bit of a fender bender. Okay, that's not quite the right wording for it. I got into quite an accident. I was coming up behind a truck that was moving fairly slowly and I had an opening to pass, so I tried to do exactly that. Unfortunatelly, he decided to turn at about the same time. You can imagine what happened next. I tried to slow down and to turn out of his way, but I was coming pretty quickly and I wasn't able to move out of the way in time. Boy, I sure stopped quickly after I ran into him though! :-) I don't think I've ever been through anything as scary as seeing myself run into a truck and not being able to do a thing about it. It's not a good feeling at all!
So, actually running into another vehicle was the scarriest thing I've ever done. A close second though is waiting for the Italian police to show up when you are waiting with about 15 other Italians who don't speak any English. Thankfully I was close enough to the base though that after only about 5 to 10 minutes an American friend passed by me and promised to go to the base and tell the appropriate people about the accident, as well as get my husband for me. I have never been so happy to see another American in my life. I know that Kristen was the Lord's answer to my prayers. After a few more minutes another vehicle passed and inside was a lady from the base who spoke Italian so she got out and stayed with me until our interpreter arrived. She was such a blessing. It was so scary being there and not being able to communicate, so I am so thankful that she arrived when she did to help out. She was an emotional life saver! :-)
I know that the Lord was with me today. Being in an accident is awful, period. However, it could have been so much worse. When I ran into the gentleman's truck, I directly hit his gas tank. That is actually about the only thing that I damaged on his truck. There was a trail of gasoline from the actual point of impact to the place where we ended up (several feet away) but there was no sort of fire problem, so that was a good thing! :-) Also, I was smart enough to wear my seatbelt. Boy, if I didn't believe in seatbelts before today, I certainly do now. We are quite certain that if I hadn't been wearing my seatbelt today, I wouldn't be writing to you tonight because I would be in the hospital, or worse. Thank the Lord for seat belts and the Lord's protection! :-) Instead of the hospital, I am just nursing a headache and some aches and pains. That I can handle! :-)
Anyway, I will end this by saying that I have learned several lessons today. I just wish that I was a quicker study. Then maybe I wouldn't have to learn my lessons in such an extreme manner! :-)
September 04, 2002
Useless Fact for the day:
It is illegal to plow a field in North Carolina with an Elephant.
Today's entry is going to have to be short and sweet because I'm not feeling up to par yet. Think I can actually make this short? Only time will tell!
Okay, just in case you all didn't already know this, I have the number one, best husband in the world. He is so sweet. My husband had every reason to be upset with me yesterday. I ran into someone, totalled the car, made our insurance premiums go up and added the extra expense and headache of trying to purchase a new vehicle. However, he has been nothing but kind, caring and compassionate. He made me a wonderful bath last night (with rose petals and everything) and even cooked supper. He makes sure that I take my pain medicine at the right times so that I don't feel any worse than I have to and he won't let me do a thing around the house today except be still, even though my house needs cleaned and my lawn needs mowed. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful man by my side.
A quick progress report. I am feeling very sore and a little nauseous today, but I'm not feeling any sort of pains that would indicate that anything is wrong with me that I just couldn't feel yesterday. So, that means that before too long I'll be back to my old self, only maybe a little smarter! :-) I'm going to work tomorrow and as long as nobody expects me to lift a tv for them, I think it should go just fine. So, hopefully I will have this accident out of my system soon and you all won't have to hear (or read) me go on and on about it anymore.
Evcryone take care, drive carefully and wear your seatbelt! :-)
September 05, 2002
Useless Fact for the day:
In 1875, the director of the US Patent Office resigned, advised that his department should close, and claimed that there was nothing left to invent.
Wow, I'm glad that the rest of the world didn't listen to that gentleman or I wouldn't be able to relax and watch a movie on my TV with my new DVD player while eating my microwave popcorn. What would I do on the weekends for fun! :-)
Well, if you have checked out our picture page today you have already seen what our car looks like now, after the accident. I must tell you that it doesn't seem nearly as bad when I look at it in the pictures as it does when I look at it in person. Maybe it's because I can actually touch it here and feel what poor Bertha went through. Yup, she wasn't very happy with me that day. She's still a little sad now because she is sitting in the parking lot instead of being driven around town. I think she'll be content though once she gets to know all of the other junked out cars around her. I think she's still a little shy! :-) I haven't told her that we are replacing her yet. I don't think she's going to take it very well. I need to come up with some original way to gently bring up the subject. If ya'll have any ideas of how to let her down gently, please let me know. I don't want to hurt her feelings you know! :-)
So, I'm wondering how long I can milk this accident thing. How long do you think I can get my husband to do the dishes for me without him getting suspicious? Think 2 months is pushing it? Okay, I think 2 days is even pushing it. It sure is a nice thought though isn't it? Just think, me sitting on the sofa with my feet up, drinking a cappaccino and watching my favorite TV show with my husband in the background grumbling about the food that dried on the stove while we were eating supper. Sure sounds like a great plan to me!
Okay, well I think that I had better go now before my imagination gets the best of me and I have my husband cleaning the house and doing the laundry and......
September 07, 2002
Useless Fact for the day:
The length of an origianl slinky laid out flat is 87 feet.
Today has been a typical day I guess. I ate too much junk food and not enough fruit. I drank too much soda and not enough water. I watched too much TV and didn't read enough. You know, the normal routine! I did find out something quite interesting though. Italian potatoes go bad very quicly. William had the unfortunate pleasure (is that an oxymoron or is it just not possible?) of finding that out first hand. I won't gross you all out by going into the details, but I can tell you that it's not something you ever want to experience. Please don't let this story keep you from visiting us in Italy though. I promise you that rotten food is not a regular occurance in our home! Unless you count Blue Cheese dressing in that total! :-)
I just got off the phone with my wonderful, talented, beautiful, funny, smart, witty, compassionate, amazing sister! I just have to check in every now and then to make sure that life is going on without us there you know! Apparently she wasn't even aware that we had left. I guess someone forgot to tell her! J/J :-) Life is kind of funny sometimes. Before Andrea and I got married (we had a double wedding ceremony) we were inseparable. We had seriously never done anything major without the other one. The longest that I remember ever being away from each other was for a week when I went to summer camp one summer and she stayed at home. We were born together, we went to the same schools, church groups and trips, we went to the same college, moved away from home together and we got married together. We even shared the womb! Now that's what I call close. Then all of a sudden, bam, she has a baby and I move half way across the world. Now we have to email each other to tell the other about important things like baby's first steps and car accidents. I never would have imagined that we would be separated like this, but I am glad that God knows best and that He doesn't need my opinion on how to orchestrate my life. I certainly miss my "baby" sister, but I can rest easy and enjoy the experiences that are before me because I know that even though it may not have been my plan, it is God's plan and so it's "all good". :-) Okay, that probably didn't make sense to anyone did it? I think I was writing it to remind myself. So, as long as it makes sense to my twisted mind, I guess it's o-b-k-b! :-)
September 10, 2002
Useless Fact for the day:
Every person has a unique tongue print, just like fingerprints.
Well, we have our very own car again. Isn't that just so exciting? :-) Unfortunately, it's not the 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible that I asked for for Christmas. It is a convertible though and it does get me from point A to point B a lot faster than my two short little legs can take me! I guess that's all I really need. We will put up a couple of pictures of our "not so new", new car soon so that you don't have to use your imagination to figure out what we're driven!
Okay, William and I have been watching Marriage Enrichment videos on Tuesdays. So far it's been great and we've really enjoyed them. However, now they are starting to get a little difficult. It's like the guy actually wants me to put time and energy into mantaining a good relationship with my spouse. What's up with that?! Isn't it just supposed to be easy? You know, fun and games and sunshine all the time? :-) Today we learned to use emotional word pictures to manipulate our spouses into understanding how we feel. I know, sounds great right? I agree, but it's not as easy as it sounds. I think it will take lots of practice for me to get really good at manipulating William, but I think I'm up to the challenge! :-) Actually, in all seriousness, William and I are really enjoying the videos and we are learning a lot.
Well, chat with y'all later!
September 13, 2002
Useless Fact for the day:
An armadillo crosses a river by holding its breath and walking across the bottom.
Wow, it is so easy to get behind on this whole journaling thing. Somehow I convince myself that I'm too busy to write anything so I don't. Actually, it's usually that I don't have anything interesting to say, but don't worry, I'm done wishing for a more eventful life. We all know what happens when I ask for that! For those of you that don't know, go to our pictures page and look at our old car. That may jog your memory a little bit! :-)
Today was a good day at work, but I do have one small problem. I keep proving to my boss that I am a natural blond. I need to quit giving him ammunition to use against me. Howevcr, it seems my day just isn't complete without doing at least one or two stupid things while I'm at work. Now, two stupid things may not sound too bad until you remember that I only work 3 hours a day! Two incredibly dense things in 3 hours is pushing it I think! :-) I just tell Ron (my manager) that I am just trying to make him feel smarter and more important. After all, if I didn't do stupid things then I wouldn't need a manager now would I? :-)
Okay, I have BIG news. I, Amy Lee Catts, actually cooked a roast today. It was my first time! Just think, two weeks ago I made brownies from scratch (no box involved) and today I made a roast. Wow, I'm even amazing myself! This just isn't like me. Who knows, by the time we go back to the States I may be cooking every meal without the help of a box! I could start my own 12 step program. "How to give up The Box." I could really help people! :-)
Okay, I'm getting a little too goofy so I had probably better go for now. In case you wonder how I know that I am getting too goofy, I will tell you my fail proof test. I look at what I have written and if it is so odd or off the wall that the only person who would understand is my mama, then I know that I'm getting too goofy! :-)
September 15, 2002
Useless Fact for the day:
Every 60 seconds, your blood makes a complete trip through your body.
Okay, I don't have too much to say today, but I have to write because I can't let my husband's journal entries out number mine by too much. That just wouldn't be a good thing. I would probably never live it down! :-)
I went to a bridal shower for a girl on base today. It was a lot of fun. The funniest part about the party though was that I kept winning all of the games. I'm not really sure how that happened. Trust me, that is not the norm! It was kind of a weird feeling. I've decided that I don't like winning. It makes me very uncomfortable. I've just gotton used to loosing in cards, board games, etc... so that whole winning thing just kind of gets to me. I don't think I can let that happen again. :-)
Well, I just wanted to take a second to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my amazing brother, Troy. I love you Troy and I hope that you are having a great birthday! Even though I can't be there to give you a big, huge, gigantic, colassal hug, I'm still thinking about and praying for you! You're the bestest big brother EVER! :-)
Well folks, ciao for tonight! :-)
September 21, 2002
Useless Fact for the day:
Industrialist Henry Ford believed he was a reincarnated Civil War soldier who had died at Gettysburg.
Wow, its been so long since I've written in my journal that I think I forgot how! Bad Amy, very, very bad! :-)
We haven't done anything too exciting recently. We just go to work, eat, write email and go to sleep. However, we are doing that in Italy so even the boring stuff should be exciting right?
William and I went to a going away party for a lady that he works with tonight. Actually, the party was for her and her husband. They are both in the military. It was a lot of fun. There was a large turn out so that always makes it more fun. My husband even won a few points tonight. He bought me a rose from some guy who was going through the restaurant selling them. I thought it was sweet. Pretty much anytime you go out there is someone selling flowers, and usually we ignore them, but tonight William didn't ignore him. I wouldn't want Will to buy me flowers everytime, but it was a nice surprise tonight! I married such a wonderful man. I really am thankful for my husband. I feel very blessed to have him in my life!
If you think about us tonight, you can pray for Will. He is in charge of the message for our Sunday morning worship tomorrow. He is prepared, but I think he is maybe just a little bit nervous. Who wouldn't be I suppose? All I've got to say is that it's a good thing I don't have to do it. Public speaking and I don't get along at all. My thoughts lose something when I try to convey them to others. I have this annoying habit of having some great epiphany, but when I try to tell someone else what I'm thinking, it doesn't make any sense. I think that's why Will and I get along so well. He can somehow filter through what I actually say and get what I mean out of it. (what I say is generally never what I mean!) Then he is able to take what I really meant to say and explain it, comprehensibly, to others. So, if what you read in my journal entries makes no sense to you, now you know why. It's because William doesn't go through my entries and rewrite them so that they make sense. That's an idea though. Maybe I should talk to him about that!! ;-)
Well, I suppose I've blabbed long enough. Have a great night folks! :-)
September 22, 2002
Useless Fact for the day:
The Boston Nation, a newspaper published during the mid 19th century, had pages 7 feet long and 5 feet wide. It required two people to hold it.
My house is way too quiet tonight. My husband has been on standby this week and he got a call about an hour ago saying that the equipment he works with was struck by lightning. That means that it is going to be a very long night for him. He was so excited to get that call. :-) Yeah, sure, sad for him, but the real sad story here is mine. Sure, he has to work outside all night in the rain, probably freeze, and not get any sleep, but (long dramatic pause) how am I supposed to sleep if Will's not there for me to put my foot on while I'm sleeping? It's just not the same. I think I'm definitely getting the short end of the stick here! J/J :-) Okay, maybe not. Sounded good for a second though huh? You were even there with me for a minute weren't you? I even had myself believeing it for a second! :-)
I watched a good movie tonight. It is called Hometown Legend. It is not a christian movie necessarily, but it is made by christians and it has some good values in it. It's actually produced or directed or something by Jerry Jenkins, the co-author of the Left Behind series. Anyway, just thought I'd give you my recommendation. If you are so inclined to check it our for yourself, I figure it's probably pretty easy to get a hold of. If we can rent it here in Ghedi, Italy, you can rent it anywhere! :-)
Well, I suppose that I will go and attempt to get some sleep now, even if I have to cross my foot over my own ankle. Gee, I'm not sure how I'll ever make it through the night! Poor Amy! J/J :-)
September 23, 2002
Useless Fact for the day:
In Albania, nodding your head means "no" and shaking your head means "yes".
Today has been an interesting mix of good and bad experiences. I'll start with the not so great moments. I had to clean my house today. Now, that's not all bad because I enjoy the results, but I don't care for the actual work too much. I'm sure I'm not alone in that though. The other thing that happened involved a car that is sitting in front of our house. I've never driven it before but I needed to drive it today so that I could go and check on our friends house and make sure that the power was still on over there. Anyway, I unlocked the door to be on my way and the alarm starts blaring. That startled me because I didn't even know it had an alarm. So, I'm standing there like an idiot trying to figure out how to turn the thing off. I'm sure that everyone in the neighborhood was ready to come out and shoot the stupid thing because it was so loud. Well, being the incredibly brilliant girl that I am, I couldn't figure out how to turn it off. So, I finally went inside to call my husband. He knew exactly how to shut it off so it wasn't much longer before I got it shut off. Sure would have been nice if we had had that conversation before I tried to drive the car huh? :-) The whole alarm thing set the tone for my whole journey across town. When I got in the car to take off I found out that the car seat just barely went up far enough for me to even reach the foot pedals (not something I'm proud of) so I was uncomfortable with that and they I tried to take off and I killed it and did the whole stuttering thing in second gear. It was emabarrassing. It also took me forever to figure out how to get the windshield wipers to work. It was just a bad driving day for me I guess. I was very happy to get my little journey over with.
Well, now for the good stuff. I talked to my sister today (that in itself is a good thing!) and she said that her stepson asked Jesus into his heart yesterday. That is such exciting news. My husband even cried when he found out because he was so happy. That was the really big thing of the day. My other good thing is a product of my husbands sweetness. He knows that I love to read, but there isn't a very good selection of Christian authors here at Ghedi. So, he surprised me and bought me two books and they came in the mail today. I was so excited. They are both written by my favorite authors too. I have been lookng so forward to reading them. In fact, I think I'll go and get a start on them now. You all have a good night! :-)
Ciao!