Our Guests

We have had some guests for the last month. We found little momma and little girl about a month ago in the pool room of our apartment complex. The baby was only about 2 weeks old when we brought them home. They were both dehydrated and starving. Little momma must not have left her baby to seek food and water and so she was not able to feed the baby very much. I brought them home because I thought they were only going to stay for a little while. I am such a softy when it comes to animals. I wish I could have a safe farm where I could rescue animals. But I have a 3 bedroom apartment.

Anyway, I was under the impression that a neighbor was going to take the cats to a no-kill shelter a few weeks ago. A month has passed and they are still staying with us. Unfortunately little momma does not want to get along with all of the other cats. I am trying to find a home for both of them and it is so hard. Many people think cats are kind of a disposable pet. When they get inconvenient then they can just be released and put outside. There are so many animals at shelters that some are having to turn people away. Rutherford county has so many animals that they almost euthanize immediately because they can not find homes for all of the animals.

I have spent the better part of this morning trying to find a no-kill shelter that has available space. So far no luck. It is really tearing me up. I know they can't stay here even though I would love them to, maybe if they got along. But even then the money situation and having 5 cats in such a small apartment is not really helping them. Sometimes I really get angry at the world, at the people that are so insensitive and uncaring about animals.

Final Conference Happenings

Wednesday Recap:

After the uncomfortable luncheon speech we went out for a night out on the town. We met in the lobby of The Peabody. This hotel is so nice and has so much history that I could go on and on. But I won't - if your interested go to http://www.peabodymemphis.com/about_us/history.cfm

Anyway, we met in the lobby and then went out to eat at Rendezvous - a Memphis historic restaurant. Another place that has a lot of history. http://www.hogsfly.com/TheRestaurant.php or http://www.slate.com/id/2118542/entry/2118541/ I wasn't thrilled with the ribs or the food but you mileage may vary.

Then it was on to Friday's for dessert and some interesting conversation. ... It's amazing what you learn about people once they've had a couple of beers and their tongues become loose.

Then of course it was snooze time.

Thursday Recap:

More conference. Part of the conference are social events that the judges can sign up for. They could go off on their own, go golfing or to the Memphis Zoo. A staff member had to go to the zoo with them to get the tickets, lunch and make sure they get on the bus. (Cause you know we can't have judges running around all willy nilly). I got assigned to the zoo because I didn't want to lose 4 hours of pay because they got the afternoon off. So to the zoo I went.

After the zoo we went up to the hospitality suite to drop off some extra lunches and I finally got to see Elvis. Two of them to be exact. They were on their way to Graceland for the tour.

For dinner we went to Denny's. I love their clam chowder and we don't have a Denny's in Nashville. Did they have clam chowder? Of course not.

After that I was so worn out I went back to my room, called my family and then crashed.

Friday Recap:

Last day of conference. (Yeah!) If I had to stay another day I think I would have totally lost my mind. A week away from home after 3 days away from home at another conference was quite enough for me. Last day was uneventful, drive back was uneventful. Just the way I like to end a conference. Coming home and seeing my family, my cats and my wonderful comfy bed. I love my bed. I really think I could write poems about my wonderful, soft comfy bed.

Well that was my week in Memphis. Pics coming soon. As soon as I go to bed and then sleep late.

Conference Happenings 2

Wednesday was an interesting day. We had a speaker at the luncheon. His name is Peter Irons. Mr. Irons is considered an American political activist, civil rights attorney, legal scholar, and professor of political science. He was asked by one of the judges to come and speak. I found him to be very intelligent, well spoken and knowledgeable. However, and this is my opinion, I also found him to be a tiny bit evil. Now this is only based on me listening to his speech at lunch. What research I did online has him as being very well educated and highly recognized. However, I have to say my first thought was evil. Not just misled but promoting evil. I would like to do further research and I am thinking about going to the library to read one of his books to see whether or not I was just overreacting. His topics and books seem to be highly thought of and usually have to do with court cases dealing with the separation of church and state.

His speech too was regarding the separation of church and state. He mentioned that he was a card carrying member of the ACLU and mentioned several of his books. One of which is "God on Trial: Dispatches from America's Religious Battlefields". His main goal in my opinion was to have the judges remember that church and state need to be separate and this was the goal of the "framing forefathers". He mentioned that actually non-Christians are the ones that are in the majority and Christians tend to try and make things go there way without the consideration of other groups. He also mentioned that history proves this. Which in certain past events have been the truth - witch hunts and the inquisition come to mind. He does bring in both sides and tries to make statements that show that he is not choosing a side and yet I clearly felt that he was very against religion and more so Christianity. If I hadn't had to stay because of work I would have walked out.

After the lunch I really had him in my mind for the rest of the afternoon. I couldn't even make any comments because the people around me kept saying how highly he was thought of as a speaker. To my shame I wanted to say something and I didn't. I work with and for some people that are very anti-religion. So I said nothing.

Later that afternoon I got a close up with him as he picked up his speaking fee and gathered around the registration desk to have a mini-conversation with a few judges who think his way. I really felt this presence of him working for the devil and just doing the ground work. Smooth intelligent talker that is pretending to be fair to both sides and is yet promoting an underlying evil.

Again, if you have read his books or have heard him speak and you like other people think that he is wonderful, I say I'm sorry but I respectfully disagree. And since this is my blog and I am allowed to express my opinion, I thought I would.

Conference Happenings

I have to say conferences are hard when it comes to the socialization part. First I'm not the greatest person when it comes to conversation. Especially if I don't know you very well. I'm good if I have known you for awhile but I just get very self conscious and nervous around new people. Second I don't drink. It's a personal choice and kind of a long story. Third I don't know much about football, college or professional or apparently all things that are hip, cool or trendy.

So with those 3 things I'm a social misfit when it comes to conferences and the hospitality suite. I also don't fit in very well with my co-workers because they all are into football, all things trendy and all things alcoholic. Basically I feel like an Amish girl that just got dropped off at a fraternity/sorority during rush week.

Conferences are one of my biggest tests as a Christian. I'm a social non-alcoholic non-trendy outcast. But I'm saved. So I'm good.

On the Road Again

Well I'm on the road again. Actually I'm in a hotel room, but you get the idea. This time we are in Memphis. The home of the blues, Elvis, corrupt politicians and Beale Street. Not necessarily in that order.

Our conference is at The Peabody, home of the infamous ducks. I am staying next door at the DoubleTree. Why? Because it is WAY cheaper.

Tonight we are walking to Beale Street to have dinner. If I had enough guts I would take my camera - but I don't want it stolen or anything to happen to it. Ok, ok. Truth is I don't want to act like a tourist around my co-workers.

So here I go out on the town in Memphis. If I'm not blogging tomorrow send a search party. :-)