Author / Bethe

by Bethe

Survey because I’m sick.

I’m feeling under the weather today, and have spent most of my afternoon in bed (I would have spent this morning in bed too, but I was scheduled to get my hair highlighted, and well, some things can’t wait, no matter HOW bad I might feel).

I’ve read 200 pages of my book, paid my bills, even addressed invitations for a shower I’m throwing in three weeks, and I’m still bored. So, I’m filling out another one of those silly surveys. We’ll see how it goes.

1. It’s 2AM on the weekend, and you are not home. You are more than likely:

I’m always home by 2 a.m. If I’m not, something must be terribly wrong. Call the police!

2. What’s the last thing you spent more than $100 on?

I spent $125 at Target yesterday on groceries and Christmas decorations they had on clearance. I got red placemats for $1.50 each (yea!) and about a dozen ornaments for about $1 each. I love post-Christmas bargains!

3. What do your bank checks look like?

I buy the cheapest versions my bank offers–I have tried the cute ones before, but I don’t really care about impressing my electric company, water company, etc. by cutesie checks.

4. Where did the shirt you are currently wearing come from?

I’m wearing my Cowtown Marathon t-shirt. I’m on their Board of Directors so I have a lot of free shirts. This version is last year’s brown shirt–it’s one of my favorites, very retro.

5. Name something that is on your Christmas wish list..

I haven’t started my list for next year. I mean, I still have 362 days to work on that.

6. What color is your toothbrush?

I would have to get up to check that, so I’m going to guess white. But I could be wrong.

7. Name something you collect?

I collect newspaper and magazine clippings that mention me or the hospital that I do public relations for. In my four years at work there I have filled about 10 large notebooks. Don’t worry, I keep those at the office, they’re not cluttering up my house.

8. Last restaurant you ate at?

I got Chick-fil-a with a friend a few days ago. And last night we ordered Papa John’s Pizza for a game night I hosted at my house.

9. Last person you bought a Birthday card for?

Must have been for my sister, whose birthday was in December. Happy Birthday Lindsay.

10. What is your worst bad habit?

Who me? Bad habits?

11. Name a magazine you subscribe to?

TIME and US Weekly. I have been wanting to subscribe to Rachel Ray’s magazine, but I can’t seem to fork over the $15 for the subscription.

12. Your favorite pizza toppings?

I like as many vegetables as possible. Even a little pineapple.

13. Who’s number were you looking up the last time you used a phone book?

Phone book? What is that? I haven’t used one of those in years. It’s called G-O-O-G-L-E.

14. I chose to skip this question… don’t you wish you knew what it was?

15. Name the last thing you cooked.

Yesterday I baked heart-shaped cupcakes and made a tomato basil dip for my game night party. I love to host parties of any kind, large or small.

16. Name something you wouldn’t want to buy used?

Shoes. Feet gross me out.

17. Which shoe do you put on first?

I’m too busy thinking about important things like world peace to remember which shoe I put on first. I’m just lucky if I pick two that match.

18. What is the last thing you remember losing?

Besides my sanity? I can’t find my digital camera–I’m hoping I left it at work.

19. What is the ugliest piece of furniture in your house?

I used to absolutely hate my bedroom furniture (it was a hand-me-down from a neighbor), until my sister and I refinished it and bought new hardware for it. Now it’s actually cute–somebody recently asked me if I bought it at Pottery Barn!

20. Last thing you bought and ended up returning?

I have a bunch of extra Christmas lights in the back of my car that I should return to Loews, but haven’t had time to yet.

21. What perfume/cologne do you wear?

Either Ralph Lauren’s Romance or an assortment of perfumes that I purchased in the South of France, right outside of Monaco (doesn’t that sound hip to say you bought something in the South of France? Did I mention I ran into the guy who plays “McSteamy” on Grey’s Anatomy while I was there?)

22. Your favorite board game?

Trivial Pursuit

24. Where did your vehicle come from?

Snowflake has been in my family for a loooong time. Like 9 years. I just got her this summer, after I sold my convertible. I won’t be getting another car until I finish grad school. No need for an unnecessary payment!

25. If a movie was made about your life what would the theme song be?

I’m a big fan of Ingrid Michaelson at the moment, so maybe one of her songs.

26. You’re sad, who can cheer you up easily?

My parents and sisters can always cheer me up. The last time I was really upset, my dad showed up at my house with new rocking chairs for my front porch. What a sweet guy.

27. What was the color of the bridesmaid dresses of the last wedding you went to?

Hmmm… I don’t remember. It was Amy’s wedding, but I don’t remember. I do remember that the bride’s dress was white (duh).

28. What house cleaning chore do you hate to do the most?

I don’t mind any of the inside chores. I don’t like to mow, and I really don’t like to edge the grass. But, I do it because otherwise I would probably get a big fine from the city, and it does make my house look better.

29. What is your favorite way to eat chicken?

I really love the teriyaki chicken burger from Red Robin. It’s very unhealthy and not my normal style, but for some reason I love LOVE it.

30. It is your birthday. You hope the cake is?

I like anything as long as the icing is whipped. Which reminds me, I’m hungry for those heart-shaped cupcakes I made yesterday…
by Bethe

Another Christmas

Another year, another Christmas. This one was really nice. We didn’t do a whole lot, but after a crazy-busy year, it was a relief to enjoy some peaceful family time without much stress or commitments.

Tonight we’re lighting a fire and firing up the new Wii video game. I hope you and your family also enjoyed a very MerryChristmas. I’m enjoying a few days off of work, where I’m going to get to play with some friends and catch up on my sleep!

by Bethe

Sometimes I bake.

I decorated Christmas cookies tonight. Again. Actually, for the third time this month. I have decorated dozens of cookies–some were beautiful, some were strange, others just messy. I’ve done this three times, with three different sets of friends. Each time the same thing happened. We had so much fun that we got silly and messy and laughed and had a grand time.

I think I love it because it reminds me of when I was a little girl, and I looked forward to making cookies with my mom. There’s something comforting about cooking with loved ones in your kitchen. I’m so thankful that I got to do that this year with some of the people closest to me.

Enough being sentimental. I need to get to bed, because tomorrow is the LAST day I will work in 2006! Yipee!

by Bethe

Some information about me.

We probably don’t know each other very well yet. Maybe this will help. I took it from one of those cheesy MySpace surveys.

Q. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
A. Hands down, Chick-fil-A. I order the #3 with a diet coke.

Q. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
A. Blue Mesa or Reata (only on special occasions).

Q. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
A. Spaghetti with meatballs. Cinnamon sticks from Double Dave’s pizza. Slice & bake reeses pieces & chocolate chip cookies, right out of the oven. Sonic strawbery milkshakes.

Q. What is your wallpaper on your computer?
A. A photo I took at the San Diego Zoo

Q. What is the last heavy item you lifted?
A. I’m always moving heavy boxes of brochures or newsletters up at work. One time I carried my entire dresser all the way from my bedroom to my garage so I could refinish it. I was too impatient to wait for someone to come over and help me. It’s amazing what you can do when you’re stubborn and determined.

Q. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
A. Almost. When I was a teenager I slid into a girl’s knee trying to beat the tag in softball. I hit my head and got a concussion–I couldn’t remember where I was or what position I played. But, I stayed in the game!

Q. What color looks good on you?
A. Yellow, black, pink (no reds or oranges with these freckles!)

Q. Have you ever saved someone’s life?
A. Sort of. I had a friend who had an allergic reaction to some fire ant bites, and he broke out in hives and his throat started to close. He called me because I live nearby, and I took him to the E.R. Later I found out that I should have called an ambulance. Luckily he lived, and luckily, I work at a hospital.

Q. What are you scared of?
A. I am afraid of plugging in my Christmas lights when it’s raining. All of my neighbors do, but I still think combining electricity and water is a bad, bad idea.

Q: How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
A: Probably around 6. I have to wear pantihose and close-toed shoes every day at work, so during the summer, as soon as I get home, the nice shoes come off and the flip flops come on.

Q: Last time you had a run-in with the cops
A. I got a ticket in the mail from one of those red light cameras last month. I was ready to fight it until I logged in and watched the video of me running it. (please note–I turned right on red… I didn’t blow through an intersection or anything like that) It cost me $75.

Q: What is something silly that you love?
A: I absolutely love stationary. I love picking out the perfect birthday card for somebody, or beautiful thank-you notes. I also love the smell of old books–for some reason that smell is comforting to me.

Q: What’s your favorite show? And what are you watching now?
A: My favorite show is The Office. I laugh out loud every time I watch it. I think it’s the best show since Seinfeld.

Q: What can you not wait to do?
A: Give everyone their Christmas gifts.

by Bethe

Sometimes forgiveness is hard.

Matthew 6:14-15:
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

I sold my convertible to a really nice couple back in October. I got a bad vibe from the husband, but the wife was so nice (and so happy to get my convertible) that I pushed those thoughts aside. Besides, I had been trying to sell that car for three months, and was tired of paying insurance on two cars, plus paying for ads in the newspaper. It’s ironic that I work in advertising, and yet, I couldn’t figure out a way to get rid of that car.

They paid me in cash… all but $100. It’s a long story, but I took a check for the last $100 (against my better judgment… a little voice kept telling me to say no, but I was desperate to get rid of that car). When I went to deposit that check, the husband had put a “stop payment” on the check. So I’m out $100, and worse yet, I feel like I was taken advantage of.

I called and talked to him, and he promised to send me a new check. That was on Nov. 21, so it has been a month, and still no check. I called him 2-3 more times, and then my dad called him, and still no answer. I’m so angry about that silly $100! It’s not about the money, it’s about the principle. I feel duped, and I hate that.

So how am I supposed to forgive this man? This man, who obviously doesn’t deserve my forgiveness? This man, who probably knew all along he could take advantage of me and I wouldn’t have any options for response? This man, who made me feel stupid?

Surely Jesus didn’t mean that I have to forgive EVERYBODY. I mean, some people just don’t deserve it. I think I’m justified in being angry, maybe even hating this man who basically stole money from me. He’s wrong. I’m right. He deserves to be punished. And definitely NOT forgiven.

Oh wait… my Jesus forgave the very people who crucified him on the cross (Luke 23:34). So why would I think that I’m an exception?

by Bethe

Starting.

Starting a new book conjures up many emotions for me. I haven’t been able to read for pleasure very much because of grad school. I have read plenty, but lately it’s only been books about advertising theories or consumer behavior. Nothing that I would classify as pleasurable.

But now that I’m on “vacation” (at least, from school… although not yet from work) I have time to read. I have a stack of books next to my bed that I’ve been looking forward to devouring as soon as I have a free minute. The first one is Fortune’s Rocks by Anita Shreve. I loved another one of her books, The Pilot’s Wife, which is a gripping tale about a woman who discovers her husband’s secret life after his untimely death. I highly recommend it.

Starting a book is a big commitment. It will require much of my attention over the next few days. It will be one of my dearest friends, an escape from my reality, but also something requiring time and energy from me. Once I start it, if it’s as good as critics say it is, I won’t be able to put it down. It’s both exciting and daunting.

And now it’s time to begin… page one…

by Bethe

Sometimes Life Stinks

Sometimes I start to think that I’m cool, sophisticated, have my act together.

And then I drop my cell phone in the toilet.

I did this Saturday night. My beautiful pink razor phone. I’m no techno-geek, but I did love that pink phone. I had only owned it for a few months, and I had finally figured out all the bells and whistles. Plus, I could always spot the pink right away in that big purse I carry.

But alas, the pink phone wasn’t meant to be. And I’m the only goober who didn’t realize you’re supposed to buy the insurance with your phone. I mean, who really buys insurance? Apparently everybody but me.

by Bethe

Survived.

Saturday night was our church Christmas party, and I think we had about 75 people packed into my little house. It was a wonderful night! This is the whole reason I wanted to have my own house, so that I could use it to bless other people. And somehow, by the grace of God, there wasn’t a single spill, stain, or spot on anything. Now that’s a miracle!

My next party will be a wedding shower for a good friend in January. I ordered the invitations tonight–I can’t wait!

by Bethe

Time to party

Tomorrow I’m hosting my church Christmas party at my house. I can’t wait. I’ve been looking forward to this all month. My Christmas lights are up (and working… hopefully), my house is fully decorated, and I have dozens of freshly decorated Christmas cookies waiting to be served.

I was planning to get my piano tuned so we could do a Christmas carol sing-along, but I got busy, and someone told me that might be cheesy. I love it when they do that in movies–when they sing around a piano, usually wearing turtle necks and drinking cocoa and smiling knowingly at each other.

I really should go to bed. It’s 1:00 a.m. and I have to get up in six hours to hear one of our doctors get interviewed on a local radio show. I really wish he could have been on around 10, because tomorrow would have been a good day to sleep in.

by Bethe

Like a tree planted by the water

This has been a strange and stressful week. I find this encouraging.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
Whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends its roots by the stream…
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.
–Jeremiah 17:7-8

I want to be like the tree, strategically placed, with deep roots, who can weather a temporary storm. I want to be strong enough to survive a year-long drought without losing my spirit and my joy.