Category / random

by Bethe

Isn’t this how life goes?

I was getting my hair done tonight after work, and ran into a guy from high school that I haven’t seen in nine years. Now, I’ll never admit to not being a true blonde (I am!) but I was getting some highlights, and when I first noticed him my head was full of foil. Not exactly my best look. Then, they washed it out, and put on the deep conditioning treatment. Which is a bunch of gloop all over my hair, and then they wrap my head in plastic (kind of like a see-through shower cap, only dorkier) and I sit under a large dryer for 30 minutes. And let me tell you, I look H-O-T with a plastic bag full of gloop on my head.

Well, high school friend finally noticed me (even though I was trying hard not to be noticed) and came over to say hello. It was great to see him, I think we went to Elementary School together (again, it’s been awhile, I forget) and we got to catch up on mutual friends, what we’ve done with the past nine years of our lives, etc. It was fun to catch up, but my vain side couldn’t help but think about how ridiculous I must have looked. Whenever I see an old friend from high school, I always think, “That person looks so great!” or “That person has really let himself go.” So you can imagine my horror at the thought of him going back to our mutual friends and saying “I saw Bethe… and she looked… well, kind of strange. Maybe she looks better with hair.”

Oh well.

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

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 and 140,000 miles. I just got her this summer, after I sold my convertible. I won’t be getting another car until I finish grad school. Besides, Snowflake and I are getting along quite well, as long as she promises not to break down.

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?
I’m sure the bride remembers, but I sure don’t.

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

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.