Author / Bethe

by Bethe

In sickness and in health…

I knew when I married Mr. Right that our vows included “in sickness and in health.” Mr. Right got to live his end of the bargain right off, when his brand-new wife was sick for four months straight. Even when I almost puked on him on our first date as a married couple, he stayed calm and cool and was a perfect picture of the supportive husband.

This week it has been my turn.
I love getting the chance to dote on my man, to take care of him when he’s feeling puny. But Sunday was a real test of my ability to be a good wife when he told me, all of a sudden, “I feel like I may throw up, can you get me a trash can?”
Not sure I was quite as calm and cool as he was in that same situation. Here’s how I reacted:

I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off, grabbing the first trash can I saw (and dumping all of its contents on our bedroom floor), then deciding I should add a trash bag liner just-in-case, then deciding that trash can wasn’t big enough so I ran across the house to grab another trash can, then added a trash bag liner. Then I had to pick up all the trash I had dumped on the floor. Then I paced around and fretted over what I would do when I heard him puke, since I have a notoriously weak stomach and even though I’ve worked at a hospital for EIGHT YEARS I can’t handle blood or vomit (those who can’t nurse… advertise). I kept telling myself that a good wife wouldn’t let something like this get to her. That real love involves staying in the room while your husband gets sick. But I secretly prayed that the good Lord would save me from this one instance so that I could be both a good wife and a non-nauseous one.

And all the while, of course, worrying about my poor sick husband who obviously felt horrible.
Thankfully, the trash can was unnecessary. Hallelujah! (for his sake, of course)
Praying that my Mr. Right’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad sinus infection is on the mend soon. In the meantime I’m doing my best to keep him hydrated, doped up, and loved.
by Bethe

Living the dream… I mean, adventure

This week we’ve had a lock out and a break in. We have laid in the pool, eaten Indian food, stayed up late watching reality TV… and called 911. My husband had to jump a spiked fence and we watched one of the most moving movies of my life. And I found a new way to live my passion.

First things first. Our rent house got robbed. It stunk. All they got was a bunch of copper wiring, but they did considerable damage to our air conditioner (outside and inside) and made a nice little mess that I’ll have to clean up. But thankfully they didn’t scratch my newly painted cabinets during all their debauchery and lowliness. Small wins, right?
The worst part was that it took the Fort Worth Police Department four hours to respond to our 911 call. FOUR HOURS. And since our AC was damaged and the house has no furniture, we had to sit in lawn chairs on the front porch in our work clothes, getting eaten by mosquitos and sweating in the humidity as we waited… and waited… and waited. It was a lot like camping, minus the camp fire, tent, or the soothing sound of crickets chirping. Apparently Wednesday nights are hopping nights for the Fort Worth police. We made our initial 911 call at 7:30 (right after the most lovely date with Mr. Right at our favorite Indian food restaurant) and the police finally rolled up at 11:15 p.m. On a work night. Lovely.
Crazy thing is, I feel total peace about this house. It’s been on the market for two weeks and has already had a break-in, and yet I know deep in my soul that God is in control. He has proven in the past that he can take care of us and that he cares about the smallest details (I mean, he brought me the man of my dreams by way of Colorado and Oklahoma and somehow convinced him that he should drive 45 minutes to join a church he didn’t have any connection with). I know he will prove faithful, and so we continue to thank the Lord for protecting our house from serious damage, for keeping us away during the break-in, and I know that when His time is right, that cute little house will sell.
Speaking of break-ins, my nextdoor neighbor at our OTHER house had their front door kicked in last week… while they were home. My sister also had her door kicked in about a month ago. Yikes. Good thing I have that intricate security system with the lasers like they have at the casinos in the Oceans 11 movies. One foul trigger and BAAAAM!
Back to our week…
We house sat for my parents this week, which meant we took full advantage of that wonderful pool in their backyard and the many cable channels on our TV that we’re too thrifty to pay for. Being removed from our regular surroundings and without any house work to do felt like a mini retreat with Mr. Right, and we had such a wonderful time together. I feel like my batteries are recharged.
There was the one little snafu while house sitting where Mr. Right got locked out while taking the dogs out to use the bathroom at 6:00 a.m. during a rain storm, while I blissfully slept on the other side of the house. After ten minutes of pounding on the back door, he had to jump their 6-foot, wrought-iron fence (with spikes) and come around to bang on the front door until I (finally) heard him and let him in. Poor guy, he married a VERY sound sleeper.
I have a new favorite TV show – Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition. I love watching the one-year transformations… it’s so much more gratifying than waiting an entire season of The Biggest Loser. It has replaced The Bachelorette as my very favorite reality show (this season is oh so boring).
And, we watched Hotel Rwanda. I’m now ready to move to Africa and adopt an orphan (or two). That was the most disturbing and moving movie I have ever seen, and it’s just another way that my heart continues to spur for people living in far away places. I have to admit I had to cover my eyes on more than one occasion. You should watch it.
Speaking of people in far-away places, Mr. Right and I are getting ESL certified next month, and we plan to start teaching in the fall, most likely through our church or at a location that’s brimming with internationals (we have our eye on one). I’ve had a heart for women’s ministry for many years, and after retiring from teaching my beloved ladies’ class at church when I got married, I’ve been praying that God would provide a new ministry for me that I could be as passionate about, while still supporting my husband in the class that he works with. I think I have found my answer, and I’m so excited! We sat in on a class last week, and my heart leapt with joy as I saw women from all different cultures sitting together, gaining practical skills that will help them thrive in their new home, but also being exposed to the gospel that has the ability to transform their lives.
I’m just giddy.
As for Project 115… the good news is that my pants continue to get looser by the week. The bad news is that I had to take a week off because our house sitting put me 30 minutes from work (instead of 5) and nowhere near my gym, so those 5:30 a.m. workouts were out. But I’ve still been watching my calories and I plan to pick up where I left off on Monday. Promise.
We have something really fun planned for this weekend. I’ll give details next week.
by Bethe

Share the Wealth

Don’t you just love discovering new things? I thought I’d share some of my favorite discoveries in the blog world… lately.
Meet Kendi. She’s fashionable every single day. I, on the other hand, pride myself on being fashionable at least once or twice a week. Less now that none of my clothes fit, but soon, my friend, I’m going to have a closet full of clothes that haven’t fit in a few months and I’m going to LOVE it.
Do you love office supplies, newly sharpened pencils, and anything they sell at the Container Store? Then you’ll love IHeartOrganizing. I’ve gotten some great ideas on there, including designing some cute labels for otherwise ordinary baskets and canisters.
My husband will tell you I’m a bit frugal. I think I magically inherited it when we got married, but I’ve always had a bit of a “cheap” streak in me. I guess that’s what happens when you grow up with a $2 a week allowance… in high school. It just hurts me to waste money on things… thus, I love Copy Cat Chic, which gives you knock-off versions of pricier furniture, rugs, and lighting. Every time someone asks me if my bedroom furniture is from Pottery Barn (it’s actually 20-year-old hand-me-down kid furniture from a neighbor that I refinished), my chest puffs up just a little.
Crazy Mom Quilts. Since I’m an amateur quilter (emphasis on amateur… and slow), I love seeing all of her ideas. Even though I’ll never be good enough to tackle half of them, I’ve already found one of hers that will be the inspiration for my next quilt – mine will be a fun gray and yellow number that will probably be a gift for someone in 2013. I told you I’m slow.
The Lettered Cottage. This blog is just pretty. And happy.
I’d love to hear some of you favorite blogs – just let me know in the comments section. Soon I’ll post some of my favorite friends’ blogs… I am learning all about motherhood thanks to the documented adventures of other girls my age. And laughing with them.
PS–Project 115 Update: I did the P90X cardio AND ab videos this morning before work. And then I promptly collapsed in the floor of my living room, which is where I was when my husband got home from the gym. Man, that was hard. But now that I’m up and moving, I’m fine. Tomorrow I’m going to be brave and try the spin class that has been intimidating me for, oh, about five years. And… I’m down four pounds! Eleven more to go… we decided last night to get a bit stricter with our diet. So no Chick-fil-a for me for a good long while. It’s worth it… right?
by Bethe

Oh, true love



You know you’re married when you have this conversation…

“Honey, come over here and let me hug you before I go get sick.”
Ahh, yes, the romance is still alive.
Mr. Right loves to tease me with little surprises – he’ll send me text messages throughout the day to tell me he has some surprise or other waiting for me when I get home. He loves to tantalize me and make me guess, never revealing any hints or clues, because he knows it drives me absolutely crazy.
I love it.
Yesterday was no different – I got a text late in the afternoon letting me know I’d be coming home to a surprise. It was just about the same time, as I was sitting at my desk, that I started to feel a bit puny. I was worried that the sickness I have battled all year was coming back, much to my dismay, since I’ve been so healthy for six whole weeks and was finally feeling confident that my new meds can be a long-term solution. But there was no mistaking that the feverish, achey, crummy feeling was returning, and it didn’t look good.
And then it got worse, as I walked to my car in the 100-degree heat. And worse as I ran to the grocery store to get our healthy-diet essentials. And as I checked out… I knew it was about to get ugly.
So now you can picture the scene – I come home, and my sweet husband has hand-picked the most gorgeous sunflowers, and sitting next to it is another one of his amazing love letters. I was almost in tears, it was so kind. Except I knew I was about to lose my lunch.
Welcome to marriage, and all the realities it brings. Thankfully I think I just ate something bad, and don’t think I’m coming down with that stupid sickness again. And once I had gathered myself again, I was able to thank my sweet husband for his thoughtfulness, and then ask him to make me some oatmeal so I could eat something while laying on the couch.
That’s true love.
I’ll tell you what else is true love. Waking up at 3:45 a.m. on a Saturday to go watch your husband run a triathlon. That’s a full four hours earlier than I normally wake up on Saturdays. But I did it because I love him and because I really like that his favorite hobby also keeps him healthy, and because I don’t mind a good excuse to see him wear spandex head-to-toe.
Mr. Right did GREAT at his race, and I was brimming with pride for my triathlon-competing man. I also LOVED the people watching that goes with any sort of race – they bring out all kinds of characters. I can happily say that running in a triathlon will NEVER make my bucket list because (1) I don’t like to get my hair wet, (2) I haven’t worn all spandex since I retired from cheerleading, and I am happy to leave those fashion-days in the past, and (3) it takes me a really long time to get ready, so rushing around in the “transition area” to switch from the swim to the bike, or the bike to the run, just seems stressful and unnecessary.
And so I will be content to go watch my man compete instead, while I sit in my lawn chair and sip my morning coffee.
PS–I have to confess that I have missed my first two workouts of the week. The first, because I was exhausted from the weekend (not only did we have the triathlon, but then we drove straight to Oklahoma for a whirlwind trip to visit family, and then drove back home at 5:30 Sunday morning). The second, because I was still a bit nauseous from last night. I cross my heart and hope to ice cream that I WILL get up tomorrow at 5:30 for some P90x cardio. There, now I feel better.
PPS–I know what you’re thinking… I’m not pregnant. I feel I have to throw that out there anytime I mention feeling under the weather.
by Bethe

Free Download

Update: If you have found my meal planner through another blog – welcome! I hope you’ll check out my other printables in my Etsy shop – Texas Lovely.

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I saw a great meal-planning guide on Pinterest, and decided to make one that better suited my needs. And, like everything else in life, grocery shopping is more fun if you get to carry a cute list. I chose to break it into just a few easy categories, since we buy almost everything fresh – no frozen or heavily processed foods for us if we can at all help it. Except, of course, for those wonderful boxed muffin and waffle mixes that I’ll admit to you I adore, but if you tell anybody I’ll swear I make them from scratch!

And because I like you, I’m offering it as a free download to my sweet blog friends. Just click on the link and then choose the “download” option. Feel free to spread the love by linking to it on your blog if you like it. And if you do download it, please leave me some love in the comment section, just so I know your’e out there.
by Bethe

My A.D.D. version of updates

1. I’m still going strong on Project 115. I did the P90X legs workout and the Ab Ripper X this morning. I feel thoroughly ripped, and may not be able to walk well tomorrow, but I’m certain that my legs will someday look like hers.
2. One week into Project 115 and I’ve gained two pounds. I’m hoping beyond hope that it’s muscle, because I’m already noticing some new definition. So, 13 pounds to go. Crud.
3. I have a new favorite restaurant – Zoe’s Kitchen. Their spinach wraps are to-die-for. No kidding. I may or may not have been there three times in the last 10 days.
4. If you’re not on Pinterest, you’re missing out. It’s like Facebook for creative girls. Please join so I have more pretty pictures to peruse over. My list of crafts I want to conquer is ever-growing… can’t wait to tackle a few.
5. After introducing my husband to Pinterest, he told me that this is the “dude version.”
6. Speaking of husbands, my sweet husband brought me a Sonic drink today at work. I’m so in love.
by Bethe

Project 115 – Week 2

It’s the beginning of Week 2 and we’re still going strong on Operation 115 (or, as my husband likes to call it, Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightening). I worked a full day on the house on Saturday (and finished! hallelujah!), and I’m hoping that all the cleaning I did burned some calories. Surely.

Today Mr. Right and I forced each other to get up for the official kick-off of Week 2 workouts. This morning I did 45 minutes of P90X yoga, and then 250 crunches. Note to self – next time pull out the yoga mat… my Pottery Barn rug wasn’t made for the reverse runner’s pose.
I’m taking Tuesday morning off because I’m playing in an early morning golf tournament, but I figure six hours of golf should count for the daily workout. Wednesday I have a very early morning meeting, so I’m taking that as an off-day. I promise you, my faithful blog buddies, that I’ll be back up at the hiney-crack-of-dawn on Thursday and Friday for a leg workout and then more cardio. You have my promise.
As for the weigh-in… I’m a little scared to get on the scale, but I’ll get the nerve up sometime this week.
Observations:
1. I hope I get used to waking up at 5:30 a.m., because I am so exhausted by the time evening comes. Friday night I had a big date with Mr. Right, and I ended up zonked out 9:30. They say you get used to it.
2. I already feel better about myself – the guilt of not working out is almost as bad as the 15 new pounds sitting on my rear. I already feel stronger and feel like I’m carrying myself with more confidence. #WIN!
3. I’m drinking a ton of water, but to make it more interesting I squeeze a few drops of lemon juice into it. It makes it a lot more fun, if you can ever describe water as fun.
4. If anybody could see me working out, including my husband, I’d be mortified. P90X doesn’t have the most flattering moves. Just try looking cool doing a “crazy jumping jack” or “steam engine.” Yeah, not possible. But worth it.
by Bethe

Because I can be horribly uncreative with my prayer time, I like to step back and pray through scripture. It takes me away from the “I want, I need, please give me” pattern that I tend to fall into, and helps me focus on scripture, on

Praying through Romans 12:9-18

Let love be without hypocrisy.

Lord, help me to love people purely and unselfishly, without self-centeredness. Help me to love people without thinking about what they do or don’t do for me. Help me to love others the way you have first loved me – not based on merit, but simply because that’s what you called me to do. Because they’re loved by you, so I should show them that same love.

Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Lord, help me to stay sensitive to the things I should avoid. Help me to run from sin and to crave what is good. Help me not to compromise.

Give preference to one another in honor

Help me to put others first, instead of myself. Help me to remember that the world doesn’t revolve around me.

Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.

Lord, sometimes I get tired. Or burned out. Please renew my spirit and my desire to serve you and your people. Help me to stay focused, and excited, and passionate about telling others about you, and what you have done for me. Please show me new ways that I can serve you. Please find me a place.

Rejoicing in hope

Oh Lord, I know that no matter how difficult life becomes, you are King, you are in charge, and you are coming back. I can’t wait for the day I get to see you face to face… oh how I long for that moment. May I continue to remember the hope I have even on my darkest days. Please make my hope contagious.

Persevering in tribulation

Lord, I’m a huge wimp. Please make me strong under pressure. I know I can do all things through you, who gives me strength. Help me to live like that is true.

Devoted to prayer

Thank you for the mighty honor I have in coming to you, anytime I want, in prayer. May I never take it for granted. Just as I want you to strengthen me in other areas, I ask that you strengthen my prayer life. May I pray in a way that brings you more honor, more glory. Grant me the faith to pray without ceasing.

Contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality

Open my eyes to the needs of those around me. Give me a generous spirit. Help me to remember that everything I have belongs to you, including my home, and my checkbook. Help me to be unselfish with my resources.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Lord, this is so hard for me. Just as you have given me forgiveness that I did not deserve, I know I owe that to others. But especially in the moment, it’s so hard for me to bless someone who is persecuting me. And the persecution I suffer is so much smaller than what Christians around the world face in your name. Lord, please help me in this – I cannot do it except through you. Soften my heart – replace my heart of stone with a heart of flesh.

Rejoice with those who rejoice

Lord, may I not be jealous. Help me to be genuinely happy for others who receive your blessings.

Weep with those who weep

Lord, grant me sensitivity and the right words to say to people as they mourn. I ask that you use me as your tool to bring peace to folks who desperately need it.

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

On most days, I want the world to revolve around me. Help me to shed the self-importance and judgment and to see people for who they are – someone who is loved by you, regardless of what they look like, or act like, where they live or what they do. Help me to treat everybody the same. Help me to humble – a scary request, but one that I obviously need.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.

Help me to be quick to forgive.

Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

Help me to make decisions that glorify you and don’t make others stumble. I know others are watching me, and I ask that you help protect me from making decisions that could adversely affect someone else. Help me to crave what is good.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Lord, help me to leave peaceably with others. Help me to guard my tongue and my actions so that I don’t cause trouble. Help me to give others the benefit of the doubt when they make mistakes, since that’s what I want from others for myself. Help me to remember that the stakes are high and that my pride is not worth disappointing you.

by Bethe

Praying through Romans

Because I can be horribly uncreative with my prayer time, I like to step back and pray through scripture. It takes me away from the “I want, I need, please give me” pattern that I tend to fall into, and helps me really focus on scripture, on praising God for his character, and praying something that I know He agrees with. The scripture says if we ask anything according to His will, He hears it (1 John 5:14-15). Since the scripture explicitly tells me what His will is for my life, I know He will hear this.

So here’s how I’m praying through Romans 12:9-18:

Let love be without hypocrisy.

Lord, help me to love people purely and unselfishly, without self-centeredness. Help me to love people without thinking about what they do or don’t do for me. Help me to love others the way you have first loved me – not based on merit, but simply because that’s what you called me to do. Because they’re loved by you, so I should show them that same love.


Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Lord, help me to stay sensitive to the things I should avoid. Help me to run from sin and to crave what is good. Help me not to compromise.

Give preference to one another in honor

Help me to put others first, instead of myself. Help me to remember that the world doesn’t revolve around me.

Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.

Lord, sometimes I get tired. Or burned out. Please renew my spirit and my desire to serve you and your people. Help me to stay focused, and excited, and passionate about telling others about you, and what you have done for me. Please show me new ways that I can serve you. Please find me a place.

Rejoicing in hope

Oh Lord, I know that no matter how difficult life becomes, you are King, you are in charge, and you are coming back. I can’t wait for the day I get to see you face to face… oh how I long for that moment. May I continue to remember the hope I have even on my darkest days. Please make my hope contagious.

Persevering in tribulation

Lord, I’m a huge wimp. Please make me strong under pressure. I know I can do all things through you, who gives me strength. Help me to live like that is true.

Devoted to prayer

Thank you for the mighty honor I have in coming to you, anytime I want, in prayer. May I never take it for granted. Just as I want you to strengthen me in other areas, I ask that you strengthen my prayer life. May I pray in a way that brings you more honor, more glory. Grant me the faith to pray without ceasing. I want to hear from you. I want our time together to be rich.

Contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality

Open my eyes to the needs of those around me. Give me a generous spirit. Help me to remember that everything I have belongs to you, including my home, and my checkbook. Help me to be unselfish with my resources.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Lord, this is so hard for me. Just as you have given me forgiveness that I did not deserve, I know I owe that to others. But especially in the moment, it’s so hard for me to bless someone who is persecuting me. And the persecution I suffer is so much smaller than what Christians around the world face in your name. Lord, please help me in this – I cannot do it except through you. Soften my heart – replace my heart of stone with a heart of flesh.

Rejoice with those who rejoice

Lord, may I not be jealous. Help me to be genuinely happy for others who receive your blessings.

Weep with those who weep

Lord, grant me sensitivity and the right words to say to people as they mourn. I ask that you use me as your tool to bring peace to folks who desperately need it.

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

On most days, I want the world to revolve around me. Help me to shed the self-importance and judgment and to see people for who they are – someone who is loved by you, regardless of what they look like, or act like, where they live or what they do. Help me to treat everybody the same. Help me to be humble – a scary request, but one that I obviously need.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.

Help me to be quick to forgive, and quicker to ask for forgiveness.

Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

Help me to make decisions that glorify you and don’t make others stumble. I know others are watching me, and I ask that you help protect me from making decisions that could adversely affect someone else. Help me to crave what is good.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Lord, help me to leave peaceably with others. Help me to guard my tongue and my actions so that I don’t cause trouble. Help me to give others the benefit of the doubt when they make mistakes, since that’s what I want from others for myself. Help me to remember that the stakes are high and that my pride is not worth disappointing you.



Don’t you just love Romans? And now you know why it’s one of my favorites.

by Bethe

Done

Day 22… We finished the house!

Well, finished is a relative term. But it means that I don’t have any more all-day work days. I need to go lay down a few shelf liners below the sinks, and we need to change out some bathtub faucets… just little things that really aren’t a huge deal.
We’re done. I’m so excited I don’t even know what to do. Please join me in praying that it sells quickly, and that God will be glorified, even in the selling of our home.