Because I Can.

Just enjoy the cuteness. That's all.

ps: Look at those legs crossed. Little Miss Priss, I love you.

Until January 13...

...I will be working.

I so wish this had said, "I will be on vacation."

I've neglected this damn blog for weeks now. Why not explain? And leave it be. I don't like feeling guilty.

The semester is coming to a close, but I have so much work remaining for commissioning/ordination/probationary paperwork. So much. I've got some preaching dates in the coming days, too.

I leave you with these fun pictures to get you through. These are good. Real good. My friends played with the sculpting ball while I cooked for them. Best entertainment as I worked from the kitchen. Loved every second. I got some good friends. And they know how to bring the laughs.

Advent blessings. Happy holidays. Merry Christmas. And the hope of a peaceful New Year.

BEAT

ps: Best part, my last semester starts January 11. There will be no break. And the work just keeps coming. But I will be back. Just don't hold your breath.

Photo Friday: VDS Sustainability Dinner

Vanderbilt Divinity School

Sustainability Dinner

Nashville, TN

Fall 2009

An early Thanksgiving dinner with local turkeys, sweet potatoes, kale, cheeses, eggs, and the list goes on! It was lovely and oh-so yummy. The vegan chickpea gravy would be my favorite. Along with the gingerbread cake. I am part of such a wonderful community who cares about people and the earth. Thanks be to a Creator who blesses us with abundant love, fellowship, and food. Amen? Amen.

Now it is just time to pass it on...

BEAT

Photo Friday

The Dad

Athens, GA

August 2007

This captures what my daddy looks like 70% of the day. On the phone telling people how it is. Just to clarify, the smile is not normally that pronounced.

Love him,

BEAT

Music of the Moment

David Gray

"Fugitive"

On repeat.

BEAT

ps: David Gray is the best for writing. You know, because I am starting to use my words again.

Living With?

Here are my top five things I can't live without at the current moment. Maybe live without is a little strong. How about make life bearable? Easier?

1. Trader Joe's Gingerbread Coffee:

Who needs Starbucks? Yummy, favorable, and bold.

The pick me up. THE pick me up.

2: Origins Oil Controlling Lotion:

A modern miracle? I say yes.

With stress comes not-so-perfect skin.

This stops the dreadful shine. Worth the price.

3. Super Sticky Post-Its:

For the simple pleasure of checking

things off the endless to-do lists.

I enjoy the larger versions.

Good for meetings, notes, and doodles.

Stick on sticky ones.

4. Old Navy Twist Neck T-Shirt:

I have five. I have five in four colors.

Dress them up. Dress them down.

This is my go to clothing item of the semester.

5. Excedrin Migraine:

I blame it on the computer screen I stare at too often.

Plus, they carry a little extra punch with the

added caffeine in all Excedrin products.

Bonus? Why yes!

Share and share alike. What gets you through the day?

BEAT

Photo Friday: Espana

Spain

January 2005

Where I would love to be...right...now.

BEAT

Use Your Words

One of my favorite blogs, Girl's Gone Child, uses the phrase "use your words" for her comments section. The first time I noticed this little phrase instead of the usual "comments" tag at the end of a post, I pondered. That's right, I pondered. I took a moment and thought it over. What an invitation! What a nice little phrase to request another's thoughts on your thoughts.

A few posts back I referenced my current struggle with words. Not only do I not want to use my words, I don't want to think about the words that I could (and should) use. This love -(mostly) hate relationship with words has stretched into all facets of my life. From class assignments to church work, I am tired.

I registered for my last semester of classes last week. I wish it was more bitter-sweet. I do. I wish I was one of those people who lamented the end of a student lifestyle. I no longer find fulfillment in the classroom. Daily I'm surrounded by some of the greatest minds in the academy. I know this. I sit, listen, and learn in awe of their intellect.

I will make it through this period of love - (mostly) hate relationship with words. I have to if I want to pass my classes and get paid from work. Even if it takes locking myself in a small room with no distractions. This process usually includes turning off the wireless on my computer.

The words are there. (God, I hope they are.) I need to get past my own unwillingness and selfish. And realize I am in a time and place that is fleeting and to which (most likely) I will never return.

I'm (re)relearning to use my words. I hope you are using your words. And if you have any, leave some for me. I like the distraction. You know, when I allow myself to turn the wireless back on.

Turning it off,

BEAT

Photo Friday

Church folks with funny glasses. And yes, that would be my father.

BEAT

Why I want a puppy?

How can I not want a puppy? Look at this cuteness. This is the the Brother's oldest puppy, Girl. Girl is the sweetest and most sincere puppy. Just to clarify, the Mom did this to Girl. Girl did not fuss. She spent a whole hour in this outfit. What a sport! I am a blessed Aunt to have the lovely Girl in my life. We do love this puppy.

I want a puppy. Badly.

BEAT

Photo Friday

The Brother

Nashville, TN

October 2009

So creepy. Maybe I should have saved this for next week's Halloween edition?

BEAT

More than 30 seconds?

My brother recently commented that it only takes 30 seconds to read my blog. Have I been lacking substance? Too many pictures? (What? I like pictures.)

Maybe I am tired of words. Yes, I know I am a talker. (Go ahead. Laugh.) I write constantly. I think continually. And I talk. Constantly and continually. Put those things together and I arrive at disliking words.

I want to share those thoughts. I don't do all this thinking for nothing. Maybe you didn't come here to hear about God. Well, find another blog. I'm going to talk about God because I think about God about...80% of the day. Let's all remember, I am getting a degree about the Divine. Getting kinda tired of reading about my friends? That is about 7% of my thinking. The other 13% is consumed with family, future, and food. (I like food. I really like good food.) The future thoughts are starting to take up more and more time as graduation and the hopes of commissioning loom nearer and closer.

Maybe Photo Friday will be joined by Thursday Thought? Or Soapbox Sunday? These thoughts will consume me if I don't get them on paper...err screen. I am tired of words, but the words are not tired of me. This is the tension that I struggle with when blogging. I have substance. And I want my words to be worth more than 30 seconds.

Working on it.

BEAT

ps: These pictures are some highlights of my birthday dinner. Oh the laughter. And the trash talking. Plus the lovely kissing and hugging...and grabbing?

Embarrassing Lane

...I mean Memory Lane.

As I celebrate my day of birth, my mother thought it would be a good idea to embarrass myself. Wait, I mean spread the cuteness that was BEAT in her younger years. So enjoy.

Here are some jewels from the past. Most of these are near Halloween. Many of my birthdays parties had a Halloween theme.

Let the embarrassment...I mean fun...begin.

Happy birthday to me!

BEAT

ps: Picture Set 2 features my brother and I fulfilling our dreams of being professional wrestlers. Picture Set 4 does have me sitting on the toilet and in isolation (or Time-Out). And Picture Set 5 best displays the early signs of my shamelessness.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

And this my friends, summarizes the weekend.

Isn't she cute?

BEAT

Convincing?

The family is coming for a visit. The big game is this weekend! Go Dawgs! Beat Vandy!

Let's clarify. The whole family. All three of my immediate family members are descending upon Nashville. This has not happened since Thanksgiving 2007.

I made reservations for a nice restaurant and sent the info to the Mom. My birthday is coming soon. Real soon. And I like to take advantage of those who have more money than myself. Not just more money, but I like to share good food with those I love. And did I mention my birthday is coming up? Of course I am going to pick a yummy place for the annual "Birthday Dinner."

In response to my email, the Mom sent the below picture to express her joy and elation. She

really, truly thought this picture would get me excited. This is her convincing evidence?

Dearest Mommy, you need to work harder.

I am scared and nervous now. I am so very

glad I just got a new bottle of Excedrin Migraine.

All my love, Your Favorite Daughter

ps: I am excited. This picture gave me a slight moment of pause. Bring on the fun, food, and family.

pps: I will update y'all once they leave. Promise.

Real and Presentable

The REAL Us:

The PRESENTABLE Us:

What a weekend. What a good weekend. What a good, good weekend.

BEAT

Photo Friday: Bestie Edition, Part 2

BEAT and Megs of Red Cottage Life

Nashville, TN

October 2007

Megs is here for her annual visit! And this one is going to be the best...and last...in Nashville.

Here's to laughing, eating, and watching Lifetime.

BEAT

Early...

...birthday gift. Thanks mom and dad.

I more than love it.

BEAT

ps: The Vintage Pearl rocks!

Sizzling

I am not on drugs. Well, I am on prescription drugs. My brain feels like it is sizzling. I've had a sinus related headache for three days. It is past the point of a headache. I've had a low grade fever. I think we are into migraine territory.

This is my brain. (Hold up egg.) And this is my brain during seasonal changes. (Crack egg in the pan.) Sizzle. Sizzle.

Another night of going to bed early.

BEAT

For Georgia: A Prayer for the Waters

I dream in prayers. I dream about prayers. And I dream about writing prayers. I can see the words floating before my eyes. The words flow around me. Swirling. They craft themselves into sentences. I see hands reach out. My hands grasp the words. Hold tight. And then rearrange them. Perfecting. Creating holy, sacred texts. Spirit inspired clauses.

Creator God, You parted the waters from the land. And then you let the rains come. They came and covered the lands. The people were hopeless. They waited. And we wait. The sun is starting to peak from behind the dense clouds. The waters consumed the land. The rains consumed our homes. They waited. And we wait. The warmth of restoration is no longer beyond sight. We listen for the flicker of a dove's wings in the stillness of each day. They waited. And we wait. May the branch of peace be ever near. Though the rains were consuming, we know You were with us. Draw us close, to you and one another. Be ever present. They waited. And we wait for the rainbow. In the renewing calmness of Jesus the Christ's Spirit. Amen.

I dream in prayers. I dream about prayers. And I dream about writing prayers. When I do, I sleep well. It sounds restless. Tiring. Exhausting. There is a peace. My sleep is full of peace.

I hope those dreams come more often.

BEAT

What I'm Not

I have a habit of saying what I'm not...

I can tell you what I'm not. I'm not a scholar. I'm not skinny. I'm not terribly peppy. I can continue. Don't make me.

Looking back over some posts, I think it is easier to identify the areas in which I lack. Not even areas where I need to grow, but parts of my personality and abilities that are less.

So much for positive thinking?

Sure. Process of elimination. But that could be a long process.

It's not about boasting. Or carrying on. At some point I gotta claim it. Right?

I want to know who I am. And what I can do. When I do know, I should be able to say it.

It may be easier to say what I'm not. I think I need to work on saying what I am.

What I am,

BEAT

Photo Friday

Megs and Laura Loo

Chapel Hill, NC

Fall 2006

Because the leaves are a-changing. And crisp mornings are soon to be.

BEAT

Tell Me About Your People

Who? These people?

I've got this person, too.

And let's not forget about these folks.

I kinda like these people, too.

I got lots of people.

I have some new duties this year at my internship. I will be making pastoral visits and calls. This mostly involves older adults and the homebound. Yesterday I visited three different assisted and nursing care living centers. I even gave a homily at a communion service. Is it strange that I feel more...comfortable? Energetic? Joyous? When I am with the older folks. Not because they are old(er), but because they get it. Life is for living. And for sharing. Smiling. Laughing. Honesty. They tell it like it is. I appreciate that. I really, really do.

My last visit was with one feisty lady. Walking in her apartment, I thought I was meeting the Godmother. She was sitting at the end of the room, surrounded by photos and plants. She was sitting high in her chair. She waved me over. Told me to sit. (And I did.) I was with another minister, but the Godmother focused on me. Looking me up and down through her good eye, we carried on a casual conversation. About 15 minutes into the visit the Godmother abruptly says, "Tell me about your people." My response, "My family?" The Godmother huffs and says, "Yes. Your family. What is your background? Their trade?"

My people? My background? Their trade? The Godmother is a unique blend of Southern Belle and elitist socialite. I loved it. I love her. After answering her questions, she looked me up and down again through the good eye. She declared, "I'm going to pray for you."

That's my job. I'm the one supposed to pray. I'm the one supposed to listen. It was a nice turn of events. I got to talk about my people. People I love and adore. And I was blessed with a sincere prayer.

I've got good people.

BEAT