Coincidence? I think not.

For the record, today's Daily Bible Verse (on my sidebar-thanks Bible Gateway!) is definitely my favorite verse(s) in the entire Bible. (Romans 8:35-39) Yes, my Abba knows exactly what I need.

~B
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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. Romans 8:35-39

A Footnote...

As a footnote to my previous post, I'd like to note that I do not think that all Wal-Mart employees are mindless. In fact, I am generally very appreciative of them in that I do not know how they are able to work in such chaotic conditions with some very demanding customers and not lose their cool. Anyway, I just wanted to clarify that I have the utmost respect for Wal-Mart employees, I just happened to have very little patience with that particular lady that night. Believe me, I'm well aware that all jobs and workers are important in order for our gigantic world to turn smoothly so thanks to those who make my little piece of it turn!

1 Year Old

Unbeknownst to me, my blog officially celebrated it's 1 year anniversary yesterday. Sooo...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. BLOG!

I honestly can't believe it's been a year since I wrote my 1st blog but when I read back over it just now, it's amazing how different my life is.

Last year at this time, I wrote about how I was going to take my life by the proverbial horns and live it. I still feel that way today but find myself with a companion to take the ride with me.

I'm still passionate about all the things I was passionate about then but a few have been added to the mix.

I still have big dreams and I think they may have expanded some.

A year ago, I was reeling from a bad breakup that I thought would be the end of love for me for quite a while. Today, I'm engaged to my soulmate.

Last January, I thought I was going to make my mark in the big town of Paris, Texas. I've done what I could and am now moving on to another place that needs a little of my 'class & sass'.

I still love life, adore my family and friends, and long to help all the hurting people of this world. And over the past year, I've touched some of those people here in Tiny Town, TX and now find myself moving on to help more people in more places.

I've seen extreme highs and lows spiritually but have never lost ground. I may have taken a few steps back but I can honestly say that I am much farther in my walk with Jesus than I was last year. And I feel myself gaining ground every day.

So, happy birthday, Mr. Blog! And thanks to all of you readers Mom & Dad for continuing to read & keep up with me and my little, minute life. Here's wishing 2008 bon voyage and welcoming 2009 with its new beginning!

Blessings,
B

*****Edited to add:
Apparently, I also reached 1,000 visitors sometime in the last 24 hours. That's quite a bit of traffic for this small town girl! Thanks Mom & Dad for checking my blog from so many countries so many times so I could reach such a big number!

At this exact moment...

I hate the evils of technology. E-mail, twitter, text, instant message, blogs... ALL OF IT! Why, oh why, am I so full of hate? Only because when using any of the above listed means of communication, the tone or inflection of anything written is questionable. And that small detail is causing some serious trouble in my life right now.

Don't worry. I'll get over my strong feelings soon but let me offer a small word of advice-CALL. If there is any question that what you are trying to say may be received differently than it is intended, just call whomever you're communicating with. You'll save yourself a LOT of trouble & apologizing. And you might even stay out of the doghouse.



Blessings,
B
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

GOTV

GET. OUT. THE. VOTE.

Before I begin the recounting of my anecdotal weekend, I thought I'd spread a little election season cheer and share the story of my second experience exercising my right as a resident of the U.S. to vote.

It hit me sometime in the middle of last week as I prepared for the coming days that I needed to make sure that I had everything in order for the upcoming election and the traveling that I will do for the holidays. So I checked my voter registration card and everything appeared to be ok until I turned it over and read the following:

"If you registered to vote by mail and this is your first time to vote in a Federal Election in Texas, you must present a form of identification. Please check www.suchandsuch.com to verify acceptable forms of identification."

So naturally I freak out and head to my local DL office to get my very 1st Texas Drivers' License. The problem(s) with this?

1. My current drivers' license from NC is expired so I have to take both the written and driving tests. (Seriously??? I'M 25!!! And have had no accidents or tickets EVER!)
2. The lady doing the driving tests was out until 2 and they don't schedule driving tests beyond 3:00pm. How ridiculous is that?!?!?!?

So I spent the better part of my lunch hour applying for my license and still didn't have it when I left. For the rest of the day and evening, I was worrying about 2 things.

1. What if the poll workers ask to see my driver's license?
2. What if the line is miles long and have to wait for hours to vote?

Well, let me calm your nerves now. Neither happened.

Hurriedly, I drove out to my polling location on my lunch break as I had seen on the morning news that there were lines HOURS long on the East coast. I figured if the line was too long now, I'd just come back after work when I had unlimited time. But, as I pulled into the parking lot of the church that my precinct was assigned to, much to my surprise, there were all of 3 cars in the parking lot. I then proceeded to enter the church into a small room (the size of my living room & kitchen) set up with a few tables, cardboard voting partitions, and numerous little old ladies. And I basically just walked right up to the check in table since there was NOBODY in line. As I checked in, the precious elderly lady who verified my name/address said to me, "You just look so put together with your blouse and your bracelet and your bag. You look so together."

And just when I thought all poll workers were stuffy and only concerned with politics. Luckily they're just 'poll' workers and not 'pole' workers. Ha!

So I cast my PAPER vote (ah, the joys of living in the country) and inserted it into the machine and left. Voting is so different here-I had a long wait in the 2004 election in Cleveland and I voted electronically so the whole paper thing was new to me. Rural Farm Town, Texas is quite a step back from Cleveland, Tennessee. But I'll take it for now.

This whole story may seem pointless to many of you but I write it to note that even though I've lived in Small Town, Texas for over a year now, I still haven't lost my 'big(ger) city' thinking. It takes lots of adjustment for this country living.

Blessings y'all,
(yeah, I'm city but not that city)

Bethany :)

P.S. I Was Right

The last piece of pumpkin bread is being eaten as I type...

AUTUMN

The 1st cold front of the season is moving through & I'm SO excited! Highs in the 60's for the next couple of days. And I baked my first loaf of pumpkin bread last night! It will be gone by the weekend. :) I love everything about Autumn-the leaves, the weather, the symbols (pumpkins, hay, apples, cornucopias)-EVERYTHING!

Happy harvest everyone!

Blessings,
B
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Just A Thought...

Is it abnormal that the thought of running away and starting a new life somewhere completely different excites me to no end???

100 Things You May Or May Not Know About Me

And now for something a little more uplifting...

As if you didn't learn enough about me during TI30, here I am with this. It is a common practice in 'blogland' for writers to list 100 pieces of informationi about themselves to commemorate their 100th post. Well, I'm hitting that milestone and you're the lucky readers that get to learn more than you ever wanted to know about yours truly, moi.

So, ready or not, here we go...

1. Do not talk to me before I've had my shower in the morning. It won't be pretty.
2. I keep my toothbrush wrapped in a tissue to keep the other "bathroom germs" off it.
3. In order to keep other "bathroom germs" to a minimum, I only flush the toilet if the lid is down.
4. I have a discolored tooth due to a small indentation that was in said tooth. I had it filled my senior year of high school and the dentist matched the filler with my tooth color at the time. Let's just say, they're a lot whiter now. :)
5. I mix a minimum of 2 cereals together when I eat it-Great Value Toasted Oats (cheap-o Cheerios) & Just Bunches (of the famed Honey Bunches of Oats).
6. Growing up, my family always had 2 kinds of tea (sweet & unsweet) & 2 kinds of milk (skim & 1%) in our fridge.
7. I've kissed 7 guys in my lifetime.
8. I've only seriously dated 5 of said guys.
9. I once dated a guy I never kissed.
9. I have a certain routine that I follow in the shower (shampoo, condition, loofah, rinse conditioner, shave-on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, & Sundays, wash face).
10. I have a certain routine that I follow in many venues of life that I will save you from having to read here.
11. I make 'To Do' lists almost every day.
12. Most things on those lists get carried over from day to day until I get a burst of energy and cross off a bunch of things in one day.
13. I have 25+ folders into which I organize my e-mails.
14. I (think) I graduated 9th (academically) out of 234 in my high school class.
15. I graduated cum laude from college.
16. I'm lucky God allowed me to borrow Jesus' brain on test days when I didn't/forgot to study. #s 14 & 15 were definite God moments.
17. I've been called to serve in ministry alongside my husband, who will be in full-time ministry.
18. I have a peace plant named Bradley (after the county in TN I used to live in) who I've only almost killed once. Those things are invincible.
19. I've been working pretty much continuously since the time I was 14-doctor's office, 3 real estate offices, music library at college, daycare, day camp, tutoring, teaching Spanish, nannying, accounting for construction company, university, and insurance office.
20. My very 1st car was a white, 1990 Geo Prism that I shared with my dad. My mom totaled it and that's when I got my Saturn.
21. My biggest fear when I first got my drivers' license was that I wouldn't be able to talk & drive at the same time. Ha! How wrong/naive I was. At present, I've been known to eat, talk on the phone, apply makeup, adjust the music and drive at the same time. :) I've got good insurance.
22. I love spring & autumn. The changing of seasons invigorates me. I love that 1st warm spring evening or that 1st cool autumn evening.
23. My favorite color is pink.
24. In my lifetime, I have broken an arm, a leg and a toe. Two of those injuries involved roller skates.
25. I've also stepped on a rusty nail and had to be on crutches for a few days.
26. I cried like a baby during the final episode of 90210.
27. I cried like a baby during the season premiere of the final season of ER-Pratt died. Seriously.
28. A little piece of my heart died when 7th Heaven went off the air. Thank God for re-runs.
29. I want to work in an environment like the one on "The Office". Some days, I think I already do. I mainly want to work there so I can participate in Office Olympics.
30. My 2nd car was a burgundy 1997 Saturn SL2. I loved that little car. It saw me through a lot-NC, TN & into TX. I retired her at 143,000 miles and bought my silver 2004 Honda CRV.
31. I am addicted to organization. Nothing satisfies me more than putting events on a calendar. :)
32. I was a vegetarian for about 7 years. During the first part, I was lacto-ovo (only dairy products) and the latter part, I ate chicken.
33. My mother blames my weight on the fact that I ate potatoes all the time during my veggie years.
34. I blame my weight on lack of portion control, lack of exercise, love of sweets and big bones.
35. I am slightly addicted to FOX News.
36. My mother also says I am a glutton when it comes to shoes & purses. I agree.
37. I took four years of French & four years of Spanish in high school.
38. I double minored in college in Religion and Spanish.
39. College for me = 5 years, 5 schools, 5 majors
40. My parents almost did a Jericho march when I graduated. (If you don't know what a Jericho march is, refer to Joshua 7.)
41. I don't really have a favorite flower. I love roses, lilies, tulips, and many, many more.
42. I talk to my Mom and/or Dad almost daily.
43. I fall hard for musicians-especially keyboardists.
44. I sing-probably considered a semi-high-church/semi-contemporary musician.
45. I wish I'd been blessed with 1/2 the piano talent of my father. He's amazing!
46. I wear a size 10 shoe.
47. I'm not telling my clothing size.
48. A famous saying between me and my mom is "What are mothers for?". I only hope I can say it to my daughter as much as she's said it to me.
49. My parents really are my heroes. I adore them beyond words.
50. My brothers are the comic relief in my life. Family dinners are the BEST at my house.
51. Sunday lunches after church are some of my favories memories of my childhood.
52. My dad was a twin. Since that gene is said to skip a generation, it is now my turn to have twins. : \
53. I find the greatest satisfaction in helping people.
54. Getting dirty in any form is not exactly my idea of a good time. Muddin'??? Playin' in the rain??? NO.
55. Yes, I'm one of those people who spend entirely too much money at Wal-Mart.
56. MySpace and I have a love/hate relationship-some days I think it's a great networking tool, others I think it's a tool of the devil. But you can still look me up at myspace.com/bbap1.
57. My dream car used to be a baby pink Cadillac Escalade with pink fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview. :)
58. I prefer sentimental & heartfelt over latest trend ANY day.
59. My dream job used to be the minister of music in my home church-I would just take over my dad's position after he retired.
60. I depend on other people in my life to keep me up to date on the latest music. I'm usually still listening to hits from 6 months to a year ago.
61. Confrontation causes me to hyperventilate. Really.
62. I love other people's beautiful children. Having my own? I'm not so sure yet.
63. During high school, I had a slight addiction to Pepsi. I've overcome it but sometimes I just have a craving for an ice-cold Pepsi. (Have you noticed that all of my addictions are "slight"?)
64. Things I have collected in the past: sunflowers, Winnie-the-Pooh, hippopotamuses/hippopotami/whatever the plural is. Yes, you read that right.
65. I was raised Southern Baptist (since my dad is an associate/music pastor) but am now a "tongue-talker" aka Pentecostal-Church of God. And no, Maidenites, I haven't taken "Tongue Talking 101" or "Snake Handling 101". Yet.
66. I have an abnormal fear of something happening to people close to me. When I was a kid, I would lay awake in my bed listening for the garage door to close so that I'd know everyone was safe at home. Now that I've moved away, I get a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach when anyone from my family calls me in the middle of the day. I just know that they're calling to give me awful news. So far...nothing.
67. I have never been to Disneyworld or Disneyland. Yes, I'm deprived.
68. To beat that, when I broke my leg in 5th grade, my parents told me that they had to use the money they were planning to use to take us to Disneyworld, to pay for my injury.
69. I have an abnormal fear of stopping under overpasses or on bridges while driving.
70. Yes, I do indeed enjoy Hip Hop Abs w/Shawn T & Tae Bo w/Billy.
71. Yes, it is funny to watch me do either. But it is funnier to watch me do pilates. :)
72. I love giving gifts. It's def my top love language. Unfortunately, my bank account accurately portrays this truth.
73. I am absolutely terrible at keeping up with friends via telephone. Ask any of the ones I have from my past-I need a support group.
74. A lady named Yami in NC used to give me pedicures and let me practice my Spanish at the same time. I miss those pedis!
75. While I love praise and worship music, there will always be a special place in my heart reserved for hymns. And my heart dances a little jig every time a contemporary Christian artist 'covers' a hymn.
76. I'm a closet granny-house-shoe wearer. You know, the ones that look like ballet slippers and have ribbons on the toe.
77. I possess a fondness for Mexican food, Italian food, and the occasional greasy bacon cheeseburger.
78. My palm treo phone is my LIFE. It has over 500 contact #s in it. Don't ask me why, it just does. I surprise myself with whose numbers I have.
79. I am NOT an animal person. When I was little, I killed every hamster, goldfish (2 I remember named Cletus & Willis), and bird I ever had. My brother and I even used to put our hamsters in those clear exercise balls and roll them down the stairs. Then we'd roll them up to the sliding glass door where our cat liked to sit. Yes, we were cruel. I realize that now.
80. I used to have a recurring nightmare in which a witch-like lady chased me and kept running after me making her fingers into a one inch square saying that if she caught me, she would cut me up into pieces that small.
81. My other recurring nightmare involved a tsunami on the beach. To this day, I am terrified by huge waves. And we won't even mention the movie The Day After Tomorrow.
82. I hate tuna.
83. My favorite fruit is the pomegranate. I love almost every fruit-minus raisins and prunes.
84. Pillsbury pumpkin bread mix is one of my absolute faves!
85. My fave cereal of the moment (which I sometimes eat for dinner) is Just Bunches by Post.
86. I still own and know how to use my VCR. And I still record shows on it because I'm too cheap to upgrade my cable and get DVR.
87. I've been out of the country once, to Brazil in 1998 when I was 14 on a mission trip with Brio magazine.
88. Screaming babies in public make me never want to have kids. Ever.
89. My all-time favorite restaurant is Zaxby's. I can't believe it didn't come up before now. Wow.
90. My two brothers and I were all born during church related events. I was born on the same day that my older brother was a ring bearer in a wedding and also on the day before the church homecoming. My older brother was born during the middle of revival. My little brother was born during VBS. (Mom, if that's not right, tell me.)
91. As a teenager, I got left at my best friend's house numerous times after church since she lived next door to the church. My mom would think I was with my dad and my dad would think I was with my mom.
92. If you don't like my driving, blame it on the fact that I thought I was cool as I practiced in the church parking lot in that 1990 Geo Prism. Would you believe that little car could do some pretty sweet donuts? :)
93. I have never seen the movie Titanic.
94. My blonde hair is from a bottle but it was very blonde-almost white-when I was very young.
95. Men's cologne is one of my favorite scents. If I could wear it and not be considered a freak, I totally would.
96. I consider myself to have a classic sense of style.
97. I used to dream of being a contemporary Christian musician. Or at least one of the few female bass guitar players.
98. Originally, I wanted a 5-carat, platinum ring from my future husband. My father talked me down to 3. I'm not sure how much lower I'm willing to go but I think with the right man, I'll gladly accept a Cracker Jack box ring.
99. Seeing leaves change their colors reminds me that my God is a master artist.
100. Every day I am reminded of how blessed I truly am. I serve a big God who is concerned with my smallest needs and is faithful to me even though I don't deserve it. I am surrounded by family and friends who love, support and encourage me through all my crazy antics and phases of life. I have never been in absolute need. I have shelter over my head, clothes on my back, food in my tummy and love in my heart. I owe all that I am and all that I have to the God of the universe, the Master of the sea, the Lover of my soul.

Blessings,
B
Psalm 139 1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. 19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

INSERT

I apologize now for the varying text sizes & fonts. I'm not sure how to fix it as I've tried all I can but please keep reading. I'll try to keep working on it. Thanks!

Good Intentions

I had the best of intentions when I started my TI30 entry for today about 2 hours ago.

(***MOM READ THIS LINE: It's not going to happen.***)

***ALL OTHER READERS: But it ain't gonna happen. ***

I'm leaving at 5 to get some gas and head to Grandma's and then I'll be there through Sunday night-with NO internet access. It's like visiting a different century. So get ready for another Weekend Update (see, the SNL thing would have SO worked out) come Monday. Can't wait to see the folks and they're actually having a good trip so I believe God ordained all this. Well, He ordains all things but I think this is in his Perfect Will, not the Permissive one.

Anyway, you all be blessed this weekend and take time to be thankful-even in the small things.

Blessings,
B

Insert

Hi all!

I'm working on my post(s) to cover the weekend but thought I'd insert a welcome to my re-designed page. It's different but I absolutely LOVE it! I don't know why I waited so long to change things up but I'm so glad I have finally gotten with it. Hope you enjoy the new look-let me know what you think. I happen to really love the diamond accents on either side of the posting background. *Surprise!* Ha! ;)

Anyway, welcome to the new look. Those of you that know me, know how much I love change-from my hair cut & color to the arrangement of furniture in my house. So you can expect the same for my blog. YAY for options!

Ok, back to work. I promise the updates are coming. Soon. (I've been under the weather a bit so I have a little more free time to write.)

Blessings for your Tuesday!
~B

I Know, I Know

I actually need to write something of substance. But it's not gonna happen for a few days. I'm leaving in just a few to head to Arlington to see Z, I mean, test out a new bed and then tomorrow he's bringing it (provided I like it) up here and we're spending the weekend together we're gonna hang out this weekend (edited for my mother's fragile heart).

But don't worry, the promised and long awaited posts are coming. Just more slowly than I thought.

It's days like these that I love my life...

Blessings for a restoring weekend,
Bethany
The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I'm noticing

that my posts are getting more and more spread out. Blame that on Z. It's his fault that I can't sleep and don't want to do anything but talk to him. See, at 2:09am I can't sleep for thinking of him. This is not good. I never thought I could grow to care for someone as quickly as I have for him-it all seems too good to be true. But in the time I've spent with him (however limited it has been), he has been nothing but exactly who he appears to be-a kind gentleman who puts others before himself and loves God more than anything. Part of me is still in shock about him finding me and the other part of me is so tormented by the irrationality of it all that I can't take it in. As I told him today, God often has to move outside the box for me. If this had happened any other way, I would have probably been able to rationalize it enough to where it would seem that I made it happen and therefore this relationship would be just the same as every other one I've had. And we all know how those have ended. The beauty is that God works in our lives just as we need Him to and when He does, we can't deny that it's Him. I am in complete and utter awe of how good He is to have brought Z to me. Feelings of unworthiness flood my heart and I am inadequately able to express my gratitude.

In spite of my being lovestruck, I am being fairly productive as far as checking my e-mail 43,792 times to see if he's e-mailed me back getting church things in order and taking time to take care of me. Well, kind of.

I'm not sleeping much and it's not just because of talking to him all night. Apparently, my once oh-so-comfortable, donated-by-a-former-roomie twin bed has decided that it is high time for her to get revenge on me for all those nights of me sleeping like a baby while she bears the weight of the world me every minute. So now, every morning when I wake up (and multiple times throughout the night), I am made aware of just how uncomfortable she is because my back is aching, I'm just as tired as when I went to bed and some mornings, I am barely able to walk due to the pain that shoots around my back down my legs. Yes, my friends Mom & Dad, the time has come to get a new bed.

I suppose normal people who have lived life for far longer than I and have much more life experience than I do would be excited about the prospect of finally being able to fall blissfully into dreamland without any thought or care in the world. But honestly, the whole process scares me to death. I can only imagine walking into the local MFO (Mattress Factory Outlet)and the salesman posing the plethora of questions that will be asked while trying to find that perfect set of mattresses??? What kind of sleeper am I? Do I sleep on my back, my side, or my stomach? Do I prefer pillowtop or regular? Does pattern really matter (or can I sleep just as well on gardenia flowers as circus polka dots)? How firm is too firm? Do I have a brand preference?



All these thoughts torment me into being so scared to go through with it. I mean, what if I make a wrong decision and have to end up sleeping even more uncomfortably than I was before all because I didn't know the difference between coil tensions? Ugh, these thoughts detest me. Getting a peaceful night's sleep shouldn't be this difficult!

But alas, until I go on the search for the holy grail of mattresses, I will continue to be miserable every moment of my day from the stabbing pain in my back...

(Don't worry, there's more to come. I hit vacation Friday evening-I'm traveling to NC w/Ash-so the blogging should pick back up! Just say a little prayer for us as you roll over early on Saturday morning as we fly out of DFW for Ash's first flight ever. I'm thinking of getting her a prize if she's good on the plane! Ha...)

The Non-Diet Diet

It appears I am unknowingly on a diet and yesterday was the day for me to be made aware of this fact by 3 different people. I'm not complaining but what do you say when people ask if you're on a diet and you're really not.

Here's how it went down:

Nancy, the sweetest Hispanic lady I've ever met who goes to church with us some: I was going to ask you earlier, are you on a diet?
Me: Not hardly. I'm just on the "I-don't-have-time-to-eat" diet.
Nancy: Well, you look like you've lost some weight.
Me: I guess you could say I went on the "VBS diet" 'cause I promise you that doing VBS is a guaranteed weight loss trick. You don't have time to eat but you're running around like crazy so the weight has to come off.
Shannon, my pastor's wife: Yes, you do look like you've lost some weight.
Nancy: Doesn't she though? Even since the last time I saw you. (which has been several weeks)
Me: Thank you-I've definitely got more to go.

All of this occurred after my office manager/boss asked me how much weight I've lost total and I, of course, have to respond with "I have no idea" since the last time I weighed was in early May when I went to the doctor for bronchitis. At that time I had lost about 20 lbs. and I've come down quite a bit since then so if I had to guess, I'd say I've lost a total of about 30 lbs. Anyway, it does feel good to have people notice and I have to admit that during an online chat last night as I was sharing pictures during our conversation, I wouldn't share any from before May of this year because of how terrible I looked. I couldn't believe the difference in my appearance and am so ashamed that I walked around like that for so long. I'm not skinny by any means but I'm working on getting healthier (regardless of the fact that while sitting in the McDonald's drive-thru last night I told my mom I was glad to be getting "real food").

I obviously have a food problem-I am addicted to it. Or at least I used to be. I would gorge myself on foods I love, acting like it was the last time I'd ever get to eat them-every time. So I've had to come to terms with that, realizing that since I do have such a love of food and I'm an emotional eater, the odds are against me ever being skinny. So that's not what I'm trying to do. Yes, that is a side effect of my plan but all I want to do is be healthier. And since I've been trying to do better and bring my weight down, I've noticed that I'll say to myself on the way to eat out, "Now Bethany, this is not the last time that you'll ever get to eat at (insert name of restaurant)." I know that sounds crazy but it really has made a difference. I find that I don't overeat near as often and I make healthier choices when eating out-unless I'm just craving something fried and greasy. I still have problems eating better at home. For a while I was doing well-salads for lunch and maybe even dinner. But since I haven't had even 5 minutes for a grocery run, I've been dishing up pb & j for lunch (until my bread molded and now it's just pb on whole wheat saltines) and perhaps a bowl of cereal around 10pm for dinner. You don't have to tell me, I know I'm not on the healthy eater train but at least I'm not gaining weight. And peanut butter is that good y'all! It's my favorite condiment :)

Add to all of this that none, I repeat, NONE of my clothes fit me right without having to pin, tape, or perform minor alterations on. I'm starting to see that just a little attention spent on myself is worth a great deal. I told my mom last night that every pair of pants and every skirt I own can be removed without unzipping or unbuttoning anything (which led to a near disaster on a recent date as the skirt I was wearing that is now probably 2 sizes too big had ridden half-way down my right hip exposing undergarments and causing utter humiliation which, thank God, said boy didn't see since it was dark). I can only imagine how much I'd lose if I were back to exercising semi-regularly-which I haven't done in over a month. And I miss it...

All this to say that I was proud this morning when I put on a pair of pants that definitely need a belt and discovered that said belt which used to barely buckle on the last notch has now been tightened to the 5th notch. Go me!

A Kodak Moment

So the long awaited moment has come. No, not the end of VBS (although we all did a Jericho march at the end of it). Not even the beginning of my trip to NC (which I can't wait for-10 days!!!). No folks, it's the posting of pictures-all 2 of them. So enjoy!

*Here are those baby birds that took up residence in the rafters of my porch. They are flying now but still call this little nest home. It's been a beautiful thing to watch this life cycle come full circle. (But I will be tearing down the nest after they're gone b/c I'm sick of walking through the poop to get into my house.)

*Here's the blasphemy that my poor car is subjected to-a TX license plate. No more pretty planes w/First In Flight written across them. Sad day!

And thus ends the visual sampling of my world for tonight. I've got lots more to post but more to take too. And the VBS roundup is coming too! Happy hump day!

A Shout Out

This blog is dedicated to some AMAZING people in my life who I feel deserve a little appreciation (that could never be sufficient repayment for all they do).

To Ash:
What a wonderful friend you have become! Who would have thought that 2 guys (though losers) could bring about such a fabulous friendship??? You have become one of my dearest amigas and I am so thankful for who you are (& that you put up w/me and my antics). I am blessed and privileged to call you my friend-my whole move to TX is worth it b/c of your friendship. Our personalities balance each other out and I can't imagine living in Paris without knowing you're just down the road. You are so precious to me and I am certain that God has blessings immeasurable for you in the future. You deserve only the best and as you are a mighty woman of God, I know He will bestow that on you! I love you as a sister and appreciate you more than you will ever know! And I can't wait for Madea nights... (:

To Mark:
I never would have guessed that I would meet such a kind, gentle and giving soul in Paris. Thank you for being so open, honest & encouraging with me and for building up my faith in myself. You have become a good friend who I look forward to getting to know better. Your dedication and commitment to our church after only a few weeks is incredible and God has greater things in store for you than you ever thought possible! I'm excited to share this part of the journey with you. Thanks for all you do and for being you!




I have some unbelievable people in my life and don't tell them that enough. These two worked for hours last night helping me get VBS stuff ready and I could not do it (or life at this point) without them. They are key ingredients in the mixture of my life and I am so grateful that God allowed our paths to come together for this season of my life. Maybe I should start a tradition-Fab Friend Friday??? We'll see-I'll prob'ly forget by next week. Anyway, here's to Ash & Mark-some amazing people that I give serious props to!

It has happened...

Today, while I was browsing the Yellow Pages online, the unthinkable & totally unexpected happened. I was searching for a restaurant in TN (where I moved from) and as I typed the state abbreviation, my fingers automatically typed TX!!! I never thought I would adjust to being in the second "T" state on the drop-down list but apparently I have. I guess I am officially a Texan-especially now that my car has been branded. :( All that's left is for me to get branded (i.e. change my driver's license) which I'm holding out on as long as I possibly can...

Yes...

I redesigned the site already. After some feedback from my readers mom, I've reformatted things to be more pretty & pleasing. Is this better???

Mirror, Mirror

Allow me to rant for a minute... What's that you say? All I ever seem to do is rant??? Well, ok. That is may be a partial lie.

I've been pretty frustrated lately in the "men" department. Not just b/c my last one turned out to be such a lemon but b/c of the ones that are currently present in my life. With the exception of family members & my pastor, I've pretty much written men off. I don't have many expectations any more and I surely don't have any hope of finding Mr. Right any time soon. (See this post.)

Now, fortunately I get God's sense of humor sometimes. Which is why I went on a date with the guy I lovingly refer to as Richard the Redneck. Now I met Richard online through MySpace thanks to my ex's aunt (AWKWARD) who told him about me. Why she thought I was still so heartbroken over her nephew that I needed to be fixed up with anyone is beyond me but she did. So prior to even knowing this guy's name, he already knows what kind of car I drive, where I live and lots of other details about myself. Thank God I lock my doors at night or he might know what I eat for dinner every night. Anyway, feeling guilty about this guy and wanting to meet new friends, I told Richard I'd go to dinner with him. And we did. And it was fine. He's very shy and quiet so I talked A LOT about NOTHING. But it was fine. And honestly, Richard treated me better than any guy I've dated in while (minus the whole not-opening-the-door-for-me & not-bringing-me-anything-not-even-flowers deal). He was kind and I can tell he's a very gentle guy. He is my age, which is a plus, as I think we all know how wonderfully both older & younger men work out for me. *insert sarcasm* But I digress, Richard is a nice guy and as I said, very kind but in all honesty, I'm just simply not attracted to him. I think it's more that I'm attracted to the thought of him and not him. Needless to say, I would love to hang out-I like meeting new people and having different kids of friends-but I don't think he's interested in being friends. In fact, I know that. How do I know that? Take this conversation (that I'm having to paraphrase b/c the phone it was saved on died last week) for instance:

Me: Can I ask you a ?
Richard the Redneck: Sure
Me: Why is it we can have such great conversations via text but when we're in person, you're so quiet? Do I talk that much or do I scare you or something?
RtR: lol No. It's just that I have to be comfortable and warm up to somebody before I talk much. And if it we did talk, I'd want to talk about a relationship.
Me: What do you mean "talk about a relationship"?
RtR: I mean that when you and I talk, I'd wanna talk about being a couple.
Me: Oh. Well, can't we just talk as friends?
RtR: Of course we can. But promise me one thing.
Me: What's that?
RtR: That when you're ready to settle down, if I'm still single, you'll give me a holler.

Now, do you think the boy gets the picture that I just want to be friends? I'm thinking NO. And so the ever-impending chase of Bethany continues. (And although it is a bit strange, it does make me feel good about myself in a weird, "random strangers are in love w/me" kind of way. I guess everybody wants to feel wanted-regardless of how fescennine the situation may be.)

Ok, I have seriously digressed. The title of this post is "Mirror, Mirror" and was inspired by an encounter of sorts from Wednesday. The question I posed to the girls in my office as I filled in for the receptionist during lunch yesterday was this: What female human being on the planet earth told any male that a 6 inch long, pointy goatee is attractive? There's a guy at church that has one-such a nice guy and loads of laughs but his goatee totally throws me. And poor RtR-he would be pretty decent looking if he'd shave his. Don't get me wrong-I don't have a problem w/facial hair but I am a firm believer that a man can have clean cut facial hair and not the hairy bush or wooly handlebars so many of them have. Needless to say, I would love to give each man I know (that currently has facial hair) a lesson in personal hygiene which includes a 2-part series on the importance of grooming facial any hair on their body. I don't know many women that are attracted to such monstrosities and so I believe it would serve them well to heed my advice. Although, there has to be a reason they grow such vulgarities and I'm curious as to that reason. What is there about a snow-cone cup growing out of your chin that is so appealing? I don't get it. Can anyone enlighten me???

I suppose it would be a bit controlling of me to tell a man how to cut his hair (be it facial or otherwise). Besides, I'm a bit fearful of any man telling me what to do-I have that independent streak y'all. So, for now I'll just keep searching for a clean-cut, goatee laden lad-if there are any out there.