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

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.

Photo Friday

The Dad, BEAT, and the Mom

Nashville, TN

October 2007

UGA beat Vandy! Go dawgs! And the parents made me hold up a hometown newspaper. This picture was later featured in said hometown newspaper. I have proud, supportive parents. This picture fully captures the personalities and essence of the parents. Do you see where I get the grumpy? Can you sense the joy for life? The nose? The height? The matching color scheme? I have inherited so much from both of them.

How cute are my parents? Lovely. Lucky. And blessed. I can't get over it.

Go dawgs! Beat Vandy.

BEAT

ps: UGA doesn't play Vandy for a couple weeks. I am just preparing.

Photo Friday

BEAT and The Mom

Athens, GA

Summer 2009

Good to be back!

BEAT

House Warming Gift

My parents gave me a "door security bar" as my house warming gift two years ago. Let's be honest (mom and dad stop reading and pick up a sentence or two down), I used it the first few weeks. I did. Then I got out of habit. No longer part of my nightly routine. A situation recently happened that made me feel not so safe in my own space. Don't freak out. No one broke in. There was not a murder. I had a hostile confrontation with a maintenance worker in my apartment. We'll just say he thinks it is wrong for women to be pastors, speak in church, or even work outside the home. The "conversation" included some other fine exchanges about the bible and tree huggers.

Uneasy. That has been my mood the last few days.

I reported the actions and behavior of the man. I found out later that my complaint resulted in him being terminated from his job. Once again, I'll be honest. This made me feel guilty. This economy sucks, and now I've caused another person to be a statistic. I know, I know. His own words and deeds caused his unemployment, but I can't help feeling (a little) responsible.

Still uneasy.

I will get past the thoughts and memories on replay of him in my home (my private space) talking down to me and gesturing aggressively. I will. So, I am thankful for the kick-in bar. Provides a little extra measure of safety as I...get back to normal?

Thanks mom and dad for one awesome house warming gift. If you have friends that live alone, I highly recommend it. Only $35. And it provides some peace of mind.

Uneasy, but on the mend. Promise.

BEAT

ps: This post has inspired a new label, "crazy people." I'm meeting more and more these days.

b-e-a-utiful?

This is me in a charcoal mask.

I willingly put a charcoal mask on my face. Something about making my pores smaller. I do have big pores. Let's hope for the best. 

I love when mommy comes to town. Spoiled! But Origins made it easy. Everything is 25% off. Mom got Ginger body spray. I got a charcoal mask and oil control facial lotion.  I am a sweater. No, I am not a knitted wool shirt. I sweat. Lots.  In the summer. I am a sweater, hence the pore minimizer and oil reducing lotion. 

Thanks, mommy. Enjoy the perfume. I am trying to be as b-e-a-utiful as you. So natural. I guess those genes skipped over me. 

Unclogging those pores,

BEAT

Going back to find...

My sanity?

So close to freedom. Another semester put to bed. When I get in this space, that space of being so damn close you no longer have the energy to type that last paragraph, I have this song on rotation in my mind. But I am not going to Georgia. Georgia is coming to me. Not the whole state, but probably my favorite person who lives in that state. That would be the Mom. Yes, the woman who birthed me. And one of the best friends I have. She is coming to hold my hand, help me clean my apartment (right, Moms?), spoil me, love me, laugh, eat, sleep, walk in the sunshine, probably shop, pedicures are on the check list, and just be. But not until Wednesday. So, I just let this song play on repeat. 

Focus to finish,

BEAT

Photo Friday

Center, GA

March 2009

My mom served as the lovely photog. Nevertheless, I credit myself because I bought her the amazing camera. 

I was not actually in Georgia for Blizzard 09. I love these pictures. Rascal is the cutest cat ever. Even if she hates me when I come home becaue I take the attention away from her. And yes, I am responsible for the break in her tail (can't see in this picture). Long time ago. Total accident. We both went to therapy for the event. 

Spring forward, 

BEAT

Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mommy!

Today is your day. 

Do whatever the hell you want. 

Really.

Joy upon joy,

BEAT

Product Placement

I am in love with Etsy. (See mom, I am in love with something.) Best place to find fun, hand crafted, creative gifts. That would be gifts for yourself and others. I like the "yourself" angle. 

These are my latest purchases. I heart this knit hat with curly cue accent. (The curly cue terminology is from the product description, not my own invention.) And I think the flower print laptop sleeve is amazing. Amazing. It has orange fleece lining. Even if I am cold, my computer will be warm. 

My new favorite past time is emailing my mother with favorite finds. I give her options and then ask for her which she likes. She puts a damper on things by asking the question, "Why? Why do you need this?" But mom! Of course I need the owl print messenger bag in bright yellow. Right? Right. (I didn't really order the above, but I thought about it.)

The best part of the Etsy website is the 15 second update. Just look! Three quarters down the homepage. New product listings are updated every 15 seconds. Best way to waste time in a long class. Wait. I mean best way to spend free time in between classes. Right? Right. 

Enjoy. It will suck you in. I can't stop searching for things. Tell me about your favorite finds. We can compare notes. 

Search upon search,

BEAT

ocd...

Don't judge. I just like to be organized. And I must really love hangers. And shoes. Notice the color coding. Bless me. My mom taught me right?  Yeah. I'll blame it on her. 

Clothes upon clothes...and shoes,

BEAT

Top Five of the Year

The girls and I did the top five things, people, events, and such we are most grateful for this year. I suggest you do the same. Write it down. Share it. Let people know what has made you grateful, especially as you prepare for a new year. These are hard times. Let's be honest. We all need a little hope and joy! These are times to remember. It could be about luck. (Because I am lucky!) It could be about thankfulness. (Praise God!) It could simply be about counting your blessings. (Which I hope are more than just five.)

Here are my TOP FIVE...

1. England. What a wonderful trip. I felt like an adult on a great adventure.  I love to travel.  Thanks Megs and JM! Thanks for being my wonderful traveling buddies. 
2. Vanderbilt and Nashville. I finally feel like myself in this cool town. I have met great people, made better friends, and am preparing for the future. Most of all, I am lucky to attend such a wonderful school. 
3. My mom. I dearly love my father and brother. I am blessed to have a humorous family, but my mom keeps us going. I ask her every single time I am home, "How do you put up with us three?"  The Mom is a saint, but she just doesn't know it...
4. The United Methodist Church. I am so very excited about my future. And I am even more happy to be part of a church that challenges political leaders to think more inclusively, welcomes all God's people, and ordains women. 
5. You, you, you, you, you, you, you, and you. (Count it up! It's eight. Plus me equals nine. This goes out to the Nine.) And I mean it! Thanks for being my sounding board, advice givers, and best friends. Talk about true blessings. 

See, friends. I am lucky. I am blessed. And most of all, I am thankful.  This is one great grateful list. I hope you can count them up--beyond 5, 10, or 125. Write it down. Share it. Take time to remember.

Grateful upon grateful,

BEAT

Photo Friday comes early...

VTT and BEAT

Nashville, TN

Dedicated to the mom because she took good (and I mean good) care of me this last weekend.

Soon upon soon,

BEAT Bear