Category / life

by Bethe

A good day

It’s amazing how the little things can change the course of your day. It makes me so happy to wake up to the aroma of fresh coffee percolating, waiting for me to enjoy the first cup. And then a second. Maybe with a little touch of milk.

I really should set up my coffee maker the night before, so that every morning I can wake up to this little piece of happiness. But I get too busy sometimes. It seems that I get preoccupied doing things that don’t matter, and neglect to take care of things that do. Even something as small as preparing my coffee.

So in honor of my coffee (I’m even trying a new flavor tomorrow… French Vanilla instead of my typical Hazlenut), I’ve made a list of silly things that make me really happy.

  • Watering my flowers in the morning.
  • The smell of books.
  • When my dog cuddles up next to me while watching TV.
  • Pay day.
  • A fire in my fireplace.
  • The smell of barbecue.
  • A day with no appointments.
  • Pedicures with girlfriends.
  • Dinner with girlfriends.
  • Sunday afternoon naps.
  • Saturday afternoon naps are good too.
  • March… when the media starts covering spring training.
  • Baseball games.
  • Taking my dog for walks around the lake in my neighborhood.
  • Knitting.
  • The way I feel after I run. Or lift weights.
  • Getting a strawberry milkshake on my way home from working out.
  • Hot tea.
  • Donuts. Kolaches.
  • Warm chocolate chip cookies, straight from the oven.
  • Knowing that a new episode of my favorite TV show is waiting for me on my Tivo. And I get to skip the commercials.
  • A warm day after a string of cold, rainy ones.

I’m off to bed. My coffee will be brewing in just a few hours.

by Bethe

My first love remembered

Tonight I ran into Hobby Lobby to pick up a little girl’s birthday present (what do you get a 9-year-old?). I had forgotten just how wonderful Hobby Lobby is. Everywhere I turn are cute decorations, most at 50% off, all calling my name. I don’t know why I never go there anymore.

Oh wait, now I do. As I paid for my two candle sticks, my cute shelf decoration that says “smile,” some candles and my gift, I remember why I never shop there. Because if I don’t go, I won’t be tempted to spend my money!

Oh… and I got a really cool art set. Hopefully she will like it. Or at least not think it’s stupid.

by Bethe

The News

For the past few days I have been working with Deborah Ferguson, morning anchor for NBC 5 News, on stories to promote the Cowtown Marathon (coming February 23… dust off those old running shoes!). Even though I work with the media on a daily basis, it’s always fun to share a few phone calls with someone I watch every morning on TV as I debate whether or not I really want to get out of bed and face my day.

Stay tuned… you may be hearing about a lady who’s running the Ultra Marathon to raise money for her friend who had a double-lung transplant. Or maybe the team of 13 ladies who are running the Half Marathon who had never run before in their lives, and who have all lost at least 50 pounds training for their 13-mile race. Or maybe the heartwarming story of a dad and his disabled daugther who will be running their first marathon together.

Sometimes my job is really fun!

by Bethe

Junior High

Today I spoke to a class of 8th graders about the importance of going to college. The basic message was, if you go to college, you will never have any problems and you’ll be fabulously rich, and if you don’t go to college, then you’ll be homeless and miserable. And never have any dates. I threw that part in for good measure. And then I ended up on some tangent about how important it is to be an independent woman who doesn’t need a man to build a house. I have probably screwed those poor kids up!

I didn’t mention that I know some fantastic people who didn’t go to college, and some people with advanced degrees who don’t have a penny to their name. I didn’t want to confuse them. But I did tell them how fun college can be, and how they’ll never regret it if they go. Maybe they got something out of it. Or maybe they were just relieved that their history quiz was postponed for a day because of my visit.

by Bethe

Storms

It rained on my way home from work today. It was a cold, nasty rain, the light kind that dances around and eludes your umbrella, getting you wet no matter how hard you try to avoid it. And of course, ruining what was a good hair day.

Yesterday in Sunday School I taught about weathering storms. Life is so crummy sometimes. Many of my loved ones are going through some pretty rough (and weird) situations, and it’s a reminder to me that you’ve got to prepare for the storm in advance. Once it hits, sometimes it’s tough to tell right from left, up from down. During the storm, sometimes all you can do is hunker down and try to survive. The preparation is what helps you get through it.

So here’s some of the verses on storms that we looked at. They’re good to look at now, when things are going great. When the sun is shining. Stick them in your back pocket, because you never know when you might need it.

John 16:32-33
“But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Romans 5:3-5
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Romans 8:18
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Genesis 15:1
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

Also, for those of you who may not be aware, here are some great websites for studying your Bible. I use them a lot when preparing my lessons:
www.biblegateway.com
www.sermoncentral.com
www.crosswalk.com

by Bethe

Insomnia Insights

I cuddled up under my electric blanket this afternoon and took a 3-hour nap–the best possible way to spend a cold Sunday afternoon. Then, tonight I had two Diet Cokes during my long (and enjoyable!) dinner with my good friend Melissa. So now it’s 11:30 and I should be asleep, but instead I’m wide awake, knowing that it could be a long time before the sleep that I so badly want finally comes.

Which explains the multiple posts. What else am I supposed to do with this extra time–study?
————
So I was reading my TIME Magazine today, and there’s a special on “The Science of Romance.” Now, I’m no science buff, but this was a topic I couldn’t resist. The article said that smell is one of the best ways to find a mate. That subconsciously, we can tell from a man’s scent if he would make a good partner and father to future children.

Only one problem. I’m allergic to everything. My nose is always stuffy. So where does that leave me?
————
I saw 27 Dresses yesterday with my sister. It’s really cute. I highly recommend it if you like chick flicks. Except, Katherine Heigl looks terrible as a brunette, and they had her wear terrible clothes. Not to mention those awful bridesmaid dresses. It brought back memories to my own bridesmaid mistake.

Right after college I was in my roommate Kim’s wedding. I was a size 0 and the smallest bridesmaid dress size they had was a 6, so ordered it without bothering to try it on. The dress came in right before the wedding, and by the time I finally got around to trying on the dress, it was too late to return it. That size 6 was so small that I couldn’t zip it up! Nobody had bothered to tell me that bridesmaid dresses run small! I had to run to a seamstress and they had to cut material off of the bottom of the dress and sew it into the waistline so that I could button it. Nothing could be done with the top, so my small size 0 frame was spilling out of the top of that dress. I couldn’t breathe throughout the entire ceremony or reception. If I had eaten anything, the top of my dress would have probably exploded and fake diamonds and buttons would have broken out the windows or put peoples’ eyes out. It wasn’t my best moment.
——————-
Still not sleepy. But now I’m hungry. I’m going to go grab a snack, grab my TIME and try to work on those ZZZs.

by Bethe

Boys shouldn’t line dance

I went dancing for my roommate’s birthday (Happy Birthday friend!) at a country & western place in town this weekend. I love to 2-step because it doesn’t require any rhythm, which is something that I have in short supply. I’m a terrible dancer. I’m okay with that. But I can 2-step with the best of them, because it requires something I’m good at… practice. And brains. And sophistication (okay, now I’m just full of bologna). You should stop me.

I can country dance, but I can’t line dance. That also requires rhythm. And, it’s really funny to watch strangers create super-sexy dance moves out of something as simple as a line dance. What’s even funnier is to watch guys try to create super-sexy dance moves to impress the ladies while line dancing. It’s not pretty. In fact, it’s ugly. Very ugly.

Boys just shouldn’t line dance. Trust me on this one. You look stupid. Really. I should know.

by Bethe

Too busy for resolutions

I had good intentions to write down my new year’s resolutions, but I haven’t gotten around to it just yet. I got into such a lazy mode while I was on vacation, that going back to work and the routine that goes with it was tough. Next week I go back to grad school, which means even less free time. So basically, I don’t have time to make any major life changes. Here’s what I have so far:

1. Get organized.
I did this a little. I just cleaned out my 2007 files to make way for 2008. Having a cute red patent leather storage box helps motivate me to be more organized. I have a thing for storage supplies, office supplies, school supplies… and in 2008, it’s all goign to work for me! (hopefully) I also organized a lot of my stuff at work–since I work in marketing, my office is dripping with brochures, newsletters, etc. from the past 10 years. It’s a bit overwhelming, so I’m trying to take control. Oh, and I want to keep my shoes in the shoe holder, and not on the floor of my closet.

2. Keep plugging away at school.
So far, I’ve taken three classes out of 12. That’s 25 percent (and all A’s so far!). If I take three classes this year (spring, summer, fall) I’ll be half-way done with my master’s degree this Christmas. Which means I’ll have a chance at finishing by age 30. I never thought I’d still be in school at 30, but then again, I never really thought I’d be 30. So I might as well give it a try!

3. Try not to overcommit my schedule.
This means not scheduling something every night of the week. Actually stopping and reading a book for fun, or watching tv. I can’t do everything. I have to remind myself of that. Constantly. It’s one of my weaknesses.

4. Have a plan for studying the Bible.
I’m currently doing the Beth Moore Jesus study. Before I finish, I need to pick something else. Not just stick with my favorite books of the Bible, but branch out to those books that take a lot more work. I’d also like to memorize 75 Bible verses. I’ve been hovering around 50 for the past couple of years, it’s time to up the ante a little more. I think I can do it.

5. Work out a little more.
I used to run three miles at a time, take weight-lifting classes (even salsa). Lately I’ve been too busy. I need to get back in fighting form. I’m not worried about weight, but I’d like to work on those muscles! Besides, I just got some cute new running shoes that need breaking in.

Okay, that’s enough resolving for now. It’s back to organizing those files while I watch another Law & Order SVU episode. I love that show.

by Bethe

2007 In Review

I tend to get sentimental about New Year’s. I’m the type that writes out her New Year’s resolutions, thinks long and hard about the year that has just past, and looks at a new year as an open book, a clean slate (an ice cream sundae without any toppings!).

Soon I’ll post my resolutions (along with a look back at my last few years’ resolutions to see how I did). I’m not quite ready for that yet (I’ve been too busy taking down Christmas decorations). So in the meantime, here’s a look back at my 2007.

Where did you begin 2007?
I went to a Stars game, and then over to a friend’s house for a party.

Were you in school (anytime this year)?
Yes, I took two grad school classes. School’s a lot tougher when you’re working full time! (and paying for it yourself!) However, I still have all A’s!

Did you have any encounters with the police?
I got a ticket from one of those red light cameras. I think it’s unconstitutional.

Where did you go on vacation?
I took a two-week trip to Europe (visited Florence, Venice, Rome, Nice, Monaco, Cannes, and Paris) and then a short weekend trip to Washington DC to visit some college girlfriends.

What did you purchase that was over $500?
I made the biggest purchase of my life… a house! I also bought a washer, dryer, oven/stove and refridgerator (gulp). You could probably include two semesters of private college tuition as well. What a year!

Did you know anybody who got married?
I went to 5 weddings: Hailey & Jason, Amy & Keith, Kristin & Phil, Emily & (I forgot his name?), Brad & Jenn… am I forgetting anybody else?

Did you move anywhere?
Yes… into my brand-new house!

What sporting events did you attend?
Tons of Rangers games (probably 20), a Cowboys game, several Stars games, a Mavs game, a Dallas Desperados game, and lot’s of volleyball and soccer games. Oh, and I played on a softball team.

Where do you live now?
Texas

Describe your birthday:
My closest friends and family took me out to dinner at my favorite restaurant… Blue Mesa. It was a really nice night.

What’s something you learned about yourself?
I learned a lot about what I want, what I’m capable of, and how to take care of a house (and yard!).

Any new additions to your family?
I got a new roommate, Michelle.

What was your best month?
The whole year was nice.

Made new friends?
Yes! We got several new girls in my Sunday School class that have fit right in.

Favorite Night out?
A few nights ago my family sat around the dinner table and told funny stories about my mom. It was a really cool memory. Our catch phrase… “Get over it!”

What do you want to change in 2008?
Not a whole lot, I kind of want to coast…

Overall, how would you rate this year?
9.999

What would you change about 2007?
I would have been nice to have had less homework. I felt like a lot of my free time was drained from writing papers. And I didn’t get to knit or scrapbook much–those things are relaxing to me!

Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Work. It was pretty demanding at certain times this year, but I still really love my job.

Have any life changes in 2007?
I became a homeowner! I’m so proud to be able to say that I bought (actually built) a house without a husband. It’s kind of liberating! I’m very thankful that my parents let me live at home and save extra money while it was being built–without them, it wouldn’t have been possible.

Change your hairstyle?
I’ve had the same hairstyle for 10 years… although this week I came “this close” to cutting bangs. But I came to my senses and realized it would make me look 12.

Have any car accidents?
Thankfully, no.

Buy a new car?
Sort of… I bought an old car that used to belong to my parents and sister. It was more reliable than my convertible, and now I won’t have to buy a new car while I’m paying for grad school.

Get a new job?
Nope

Do you have a New Year’s resolution?
I’ll fill you in on those soon… I’m still working on them.

Do anything embarrassing?
This morning I was taking down my Christmas lights from outside, and realized I needed some storage bins from Target. I ran over there, and hadn’t bothered to shower or put on make-up (or even brush my teeth). It was probably the ugliest I’ve ever been… people were turning and staring at me because I looked so bad. All I could do was laugh.

Buy anything new from eBay?
No, but I developed a new love for Amazon, and I bought all of my Christmas gifts online. Only one never arrived.

What was your favorite purchase?
Besides my house… I finally bought a new leather love seat to match my couch. It only took me 4 years to buy it. It only took me 24 hours to commit to building this house, but I think about furniture purchases for years. Go figure.

Did you get sick this year?
I was pretty healthy, until this week.

Start a new hobby?
Gardening. Some of my plants have even lived.

Are you happy to see 2007 go?
Sure… because I have high expectations for 2008!

Drink Starbucks in 2007?
Yes, but my true love is Bon Journo, a little coffee shop nearby.

What are you wishing for in 2008?
A year that’s drama-free!

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!