Feeling Nostalgic

My little sister turned 18 today,

and it has me all nostalgic.

I can't believe she is graduating this year from high school,

And I am graduating from college a semester after.

Tori is looking at colleges,

going through "senoritis",

taking senior photos.

It just seems like yesterday that was me.

Isn't she pretty?

I am so proud of my sister.

She is an outstanding runner,

a loyal friend,

a generous giver,

a lover of kids,

a little OCD, 

infectiously enthusiastic and upbeat,

a vicious hugger,

and

the best Dairy Queen ice cream cone maker in the business.

Happy Birthday, sis.

I love you!

-Beth

My Roommate is so Sweet

The lovely, Connally,

roommate of one and a half years,

featured me on her blog this week.

I heart her.

She is also the reason I even have a blog.

Check her out!

It's so great to have such a sweet friend!

-Beth

I Heart Cats

So growing up I had a cat named Georgianne.

Not to be too sentimental but she passed about 2 years ago.

Periodically, I get cat fever.

Last night, I watched Homeward Bound 

with the lovely Hannah Elizabeth and Connally at The Fremont House.

Now, thanks to Sassy, I have entered cat fever season again.

So here are some of my favorite felines:

Thanks for the iPhone pic Tbill

My cat, Georgianne, she was such a curious thing.

Kudos to here

The always lovable, Sassy.

Katie, my beau's little sis's kitty cat. We both adore her. :)

Weheartit

Georgianne had a brother named Leo. This is not him, but it reminded me of him.

Weheartit

Oh, the Aristocats...

Kudos to Connally

Pippie, the neighbor's cat, who I have missed dearly during these cold winter months.

Weheartit

Who doesn't love Puss in Boots or Antonio Banderas?

Weheartit

I just love this picture! Cats in Coffee mugs! How can I say no?!

Weheartit

This represents my future Tonkinese kitten who will probably be named Esther, Essie for short.

-Beth

Here is my favorite clip from the movie. Notice the 12 second mark...

Deliver Me

I like to plan.

Actually, I obsessively plan every detail of my life.

I have a to-do list with easy things that I can

check off just to check off.

When my plans fail,

I quickly fashion an altenative.

I usually become attached to that alternative,

even if the orginal plan reopens.

Sometimes God likes to force me

to ask Him.

A couple of weeks ago this happened.

I made the pluge to study abroad in Ecuador,

and the trip was full.

I was devastated,

but I did not even let me mind fully comprehend it

because I was already fashioning the alternative.

The next day, a spot opened.

All of a sudden, I didn't know what to do.

Crazy, right?

If your plans get turned upside down twice,

they are right side up,

but it still makes you dizzy.

The night I broke down.

Listening to Bethany Dillon's sweet voice

I melted before the Lord.

I cried,

I prayed,

I knelt in front of my Christmas tree.

I finally decided that going to Ecuador was

in fact both my plan and God's plan.

Sometimes God wants us to reexamine a decision with Him.

My stomach is still in knots.

It is scary to live somewhere unknown for 4 weeks.

It will be an adventure,

but it will not be easy.

Making decisions can be messy.

Sometimes we need God to deliver us from our prideful plans.

-Beth

5 Graceful Discoveries

This week has spun me round and around.

The first day of classes was on Monday,

and everything was much more chaotic than usual.

But through all the chaos, 

I made 5 Graceful Discoveries:

#1: This great shelf for The Fremont House's craft room. 

(Yes, we have a room devoted to crafts as poor 20somethings.) 

#2: I like being a part of Mallory's crafty projects as well.

She turned this jumper into a laptop case!

#3: A Christmas tree can become a beautiful altar if needed.

#4: I am falling in love with a favorite artist again.

Bethany Dillon's voice is so beautiful.

#5: Sometimes I need deliverance from my prideful plans

because life like to turn you upside down and then right side up again.

Hope your week is lovely!

-Beth

The Gaga Project

So here is the video my friends and I made over break. Disclaimer: This is a silly and sassy video. Enjoy!



If you want to see the extend edition, go here.

-Beth

5 Things Grace Enjoys Doing...

#1: Eating cereal in usual places thanks to great roommates that bring me cereal to eat at work, and great roommates that don't care that the other roommate accidentally brought her cereal instead of mine.

#2: Reading a classic book for fun! 

#3: Spending the whole afternoon watching friends with my lovely roommates (in my pj's).

#4: Making epic Lady Gaga videos with High School friends from back home. (Maybe, I will share it later.) 

#5: Writing about coffee with my new blog series on my other blog! 

I am just trying to enjoy my last week of freedom before Spring semester starts again!

-Beth

GLEE Moment: Some Santana Lovin'

Okay, I am going to have to ask you to let me "Gleek" out for just a moment.


First off, as you know, Quinn and Dianna Agron are my favorite. Recently, another GLEE character has been catching my attention: Santana. She is just so ridiculously terrible I can't help but love her. Her witty one liners tear the other characters down faster than a wrecking ball to a building. She is ruthless.

Naya Rivera

My personal favorite in regards to Rachel Berry: "Please,she's like a cat in heat. She talked about him yesterday and practically sprayed the choir room." Maybe, I like her because she is so mean to Rachel it is laughable. 


Then I heard her sing, and the deal was sealed. I am currently addicted to her cover of "Valerie". Gorgeous.


So recently, I have also been obsessing over a possible Santana number. If Ryan Murphy puts this song in, you all have to promise to say I called it. Or maybe my idea will travel through the microfibers of the Internet to Murphy who knows?


Santana singing Rihanna's "Only Girl". Epic. I know.


Especially, since you know that next coming episodes will have to have a scene with her seducing the flying solo, Finn. It would be magical.


I mean, we already know she can work the red hair. :)

Well, I guess I will have to wait until February to know if my prediction is true. Thank you for allowing me to share my current obsession.


Hope you had a happy holiday season!


-Beth





Two photos from: here and here.