neglect

Wow, it's been a while since my last post...and then that was just a bunch of pics! no updates on my life. no random rants. no bizarre-o observations. just silence. it's been a challenging season of life. nothing dramatic. i just feel as if i were being nibbled to death by minnows. feeling over-extended and under appreciated at times. lots of deep thoughts. many decisions that need to be made NOW and a few that are looming ever nearer.[*] i will share decisions as they become final and hopefully, there will be new options on the horizon. in the mean time, i'll try to do a little better about dropping a line from time to time.

i am excited about the upcoming thanksgiving break!! believe me, we ALL need it! i firmly believe that these school holidays are not so much for the students as they are for the teachers...because we may very well do permanent damage if we were forced to go without!! ;) erica, grayson, and i will be embarking on a little roadtrip to visit some of the extended family. looking forward to that!!

...and then there is that little matter of my BIRTHDAY coming up in just 6 short days!! but i'll save that post for when i have a little more energy...i am getting old, ya know, and the bedtime just keeps getting earlier and earlier!

well...i think that does it for my i must write something post. i plan to do better!! ...so see ya next month! haha!!

*edited

Fun in a Pumpkin Patch

We did the whole pumpkin patch photo shoot with Grayson a couple of weeks ago. Lots of fun...lots of pictures...a few that turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself.









There are a few more that I wanted to post, but Blogger is being fussy, so we'll try it again later...

I don't even know what to title this!

I turned on the tv this evening so that I could listen to something while I was putting my groceries away, and the channel happened to be on abc, so I caught the first hour of the season premiere of The Bachelor. I would not typically watch, but it's kinda like a train wreck. As much as I wanted, I just couldn't look away! This year the gimmick seems is that the guy is actually a prince and the whole shin-dig is happening in Rome. All I have to say is: What in the world?! These people cannot be real! Those girls have to be the most obnoxious group of people I've ever seen...and I've been around a group of people or two in my day! The guy is cute and seems normal enough...as normal as one can be who would try to find love in a group of stategically placed Barbies! I watched the initial introductions and I can't figure out why he'd be interested in 90% of them! And if THAT is how one must act in order to snag herself a man?!...well, bring on the cats and the tacky teacher sweaters because I am OUT! It was all quite interesting...I wonder who the lucky Barbie will be?!

Who the heck is Chester Bennington?!

the blog, she is a changin'

i am completely bored with all of the blogger.com templates...but i'm also completely html illiterate! so this is as good as it gets for the moment. bonus points for identifying the quote! (i realize that it's a piece of cake for some of you.) feel free to impart any html wisdom you might have lying around!

Oh Willie!

Willie Nelson and four others were arrested in St. Martin parish earlier today on misdemeanor drug charges. Police seized marijuana and mushrooms. Nice...

I don't get it

Perhaps it's because I was an English ed. major and as such, was subjected to a wide range of literary genres, but I've always had an appreciation for styles and techniques that I may not personally enjoy. With a few notable exceptions, (The Grapes of Wrath and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn topping that list) I like--or I should say that I can appreciate--most everything I read. That tends to extend into my movie-viewing as well. I love solid writing and a well-developed plot, but I feel like I am intelligent and educated enough to enjoy other cinematic aspects as well...clever camera angles, quality editing, good lighting...even a quirky storyline. But I am afraid that my appreciation seems to have found its limits. I recently watched The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and I must admit...I don't get it! I don't understand under what circumstances this movie might be considered entertaining! I will say that there were a few humorous moments, but overall, it was not an overwhelming success in my book. I have even searched my beloved imdb.com in search of message boarding that might shine some light on this movie, but alas, I still don't have a clue as to it's appeal. Now, I know some people LOVE this film and one such person has recently tried to explain its appeal...but to no avail. I believe that I will continue to 'not get' this film, no matter what the explanation. I hate it when I can't figure something out!

I love Hanna Elise!!

I just wanted to make sure she knew that!

Now...here are a bunch of pics of her and some other fine people I know!

can't you tell I'm getting SO much done on my day off?!

this is a little slide show of some of my pics from the summer...isn't it fun?!

wasn't it only yesterday?

Andre Agassi retired from professional tennis yesterday after losing in the third round of the US Open. He played professionally for 21 years. If you knew me very well when I was in high school, you'd know why I care. I became a little obsessed with Agassi while studying a unit on tennis in PE my sophomore year. Of course, he was not the sedate, 30-something you see here now...no, he had hair any 80's metal band guy would envy and an attitude to go with it! He was--in his day--the bad boy of tennis...and I loved to watch him play! I checked tv guide every week and recorded any televised match I could find. I am not normally given to extravagant expressions of affection, but I was willing to suffer a little embarrassment in my dedication to this particular athlete. I'm sure I still have dog-eared magazine pics floating around somewhere in my high school memorabilia. I never bought one of those crazy Nike tennis shirts that he wore at the time...but I definitely considered it! I was a dedicated fan, to say the least. I followed him religiously for a few years, and then kinda lost interest in the whole tennis scene, but Agassi has always had a place in my heart. Even now, when I ran across a Agassi v. somebody match, I'd pause to watch for a moment--sorta like checking in on an old friend. I felt it only right and proper that I acknowledge his retirement. He had a long and varied career and I suffered through it with him for a few short years. Funny, it doesn't seem all that long ago!

My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine...nothing?!

Pluto's been DEMOTED! You can check it out here.

*tap, tap*..."is this thing working?"

Apparently, my powers of mind control are on the fritz these days! UGH!!! Why won't people do what I want them to do! I'm gonna leave that vague and cryptic. Maybe it's YOU I'm talking about! That's right, YOU!!! So why don't you just stop right now and think, "hmmmm...what might Beth be wanting me to do???" You just keep thinking until you come up with something--nice of course!--and then you DO IT! ;) In the meantime, I'll keep working on it on my end. Who knows, maybe it will happen?! That's all I got for tonight, folks! Peace y'all!

done with reality...tv, that is

WHAT is the deal with all of these America's "something" type shows that seemed to multiply like rabbits over the summer??? I don't watch tv for a couple of months and I come back to all of these performance shows: America's got Talent, Rockstar SuperNova, So you think you can dance?, America's Next Top Model, etc. Not to mention the shows coming out this fall ranging from Celebrity Duets to another installment in the endless run of American Idol I'm sure. And then we have shows like Amazing Race, Fear Factor, and Survivor. I'm sure I'm leaving plenty out. When will it ever end? Why are these shows so popular? I don't understand the fascination. Feel free to explain.

one can only hope...

As I drove through the booming metropolis of Lafayette this afternoon, I marveled at all of the new construction around town. It's amazing how much things can change in the matter of a few months. Apparently, we have people with lots of money (or debt--my theory) who are just aching to move into high-end apartments, condos, and planned communities as well as spend oodles of money in cutsy little boutiques and expensive restaurants. I even hear we're supposed to get some sort of organic/whole food's-esque market. With all of this development, a small hope began to grow--more of a dream, really. I dream of a day Lafayette is home to a Panera Bread restaurant!! I've had the opportunity to dine at Panera Bread on a few occasions, but I fell in love with and promptly became obsessed with the place while in South Carolina this summer. Sadly, I have perused the site and their is nary a PB in sight! The closest in Houston--and while I love it, four hours IS a little far for lunch! So, my hope is that some ambitious local entrepreneur finds the same delight and seeks to open his or her OWN Panera Bread! I don't have the money or desire to do it myself, but I would surely be a dedicated customer!!

Home

i am.

Home from camp.
Home from the family visit in Missouri.
Home.

it's nice to be still for a moment.


...oh yeah, teacher days start tomorrow! uuuggggghhhhh!!!!

the ways God speaks...

I had to run an errand this morning and as I was driving back, flipping through the amazing selection radio stations in the greater Greenville area, I came upon a song that reminded me of the hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness. I'm not sure if the song was a version of the hymn, or if it just shared a similar melody, but as I listened, I began to think about the words of that hymn. I think I often forget to just rest in His faithfulness. I'm so focused on what I am trying to do or what I want to happen...I forget to just trust...trust and obey, for there's no other way...;) well, i'll skip the "hymn sing" for now, but I thought I'd post the lyrics. I hope it can be just as great a reminder for you as it has been for me today.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

our BIG night out

At the end of our coodinator's visit, we always go out to a 'staff appreciation dinner.' This year, we went to The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. It was AMAZING!! It's so fun to see us all so dressed up...although i'm still undecided as to whether we should actually be seen in public! A group of 35 people is always a spectacle, but make that 35 fuge staffers, and you've got a whole new level of ridiculousness!

me and my date! dave and I were sitting across from meredith cromer and brian and she told me that brian was her date, so since i was sitting between a wall and dave, dave was my date! i think my date was the cutest, but shhhhhh! don't tell any of the others! ;)

me with ashley and kim, aka "mindy and wendy" in our am show


stephanie, tuba, cromer, and brian

mike, me, andy, and meredith

chase, acting like he owns the place! ;)

a lil' dance party errupted in the lobby as we were gathering to leave. you just can't take these people out in public!! and NO, we were not drinking! we come by this fun the good, ole' fashioned way! we create it ourselves!!

i only put this picture in because i know deanna will see it eventually and will absolutely LOVE it! ;)

ok, i've tried to add more pictures, but blogger isn't letting me. so this will have to do it for now and i'll post some more soon!

Get THIS!

Josh Groban wants ME to add HIM on my MySpace friends list! I just got the email this morning. In case you're in doubt, here is the text of said mass-generated email:

Hi beth,Josh Groban would like to be added to your MySpace friends list.By accepting Josh Groban as your friend, you will be able to send Josh Groban personal messages, view Josh Groban's photos and journals, and you will be able to interact with each other's friends and network!

I just thought it was kinda funny! ;) Of course I'll add him (or whichever publicity intern is managing his MySpace account)!! I mean, why wouldn't I?! It's Josh! Oh, maybe I could get free tickets seeing that we're "friends" and all. Ha!!

In other news, I actually took some pictures recently and I'll be posting those as soon as I don't have a million other things to do. (or when I just need the break from the million other things!) And look for a new blog design coming soon, I hope! My suitemate and dear friend Amy Haywood is not only a fabulous videographer, but is also a html savvy web page designer as well and she's supposed to help me create a new template for my blog! :) Let's hope we just don't get too busy in the days ahead. ttfn! I'm off to save the world one excel spreadsheet at a time!!

My random thoughts on hammocks, husbands, and a trip to Lake Nelson

This was a great weekend! After camp on Saturday, most of our staff went to Mooresville, NC, to stay at the home of our own Christie Craig. Said home being conveniently located on lovely Lake Nelson in North Carolina (which I'm liking more and more every time I visit, folks!) It was beautiful and Christie's parents are most gracious hosts!! Within minutes of our arrival, people were relaxing with chilled drinks (Cokes, people...not THOSE drinks!!) , roaming the Craig's beautiful home, checking out the dock, and vying for the great hammock that was hanging gracefully between two trees. (I'll discuss the hammock in more detail in just a moment.) We were soon served hamburgers with all the fixins and had a grand ole' time just being together in a relaxed, home-y environment. During some casual tv viewing, it was discovered that I gave a decent back-rub (I'm being modest here folks, the praise was overflowing but I don't like to brag!! ;) and had many customers, but eventually it was time to hit the sack.

The next morning brought more incredible food, this time in the form of Panera bread bagels and freshly ground coffee, which was followed by more dock-lounging, card-playing, lake-boating, and general loafing. I really wish I'd brought a book! (I brought many books to camp and haven't cracked a one yet! I'm a little busy these days.) I left just before a very bountiful lunch was about to be served. Those Craigs...they know how to do it up right!

I wasn't able to stay for lunch because I needed to get over to Ridgecrest Conference Center to pick up my dear friend Emory. Emory went to camp at Ridgecrest last week with her church's senior high group and was supposed to return to Nashville on Saturday, but one of the middle-school chaperones backed out and she was needed to fill in. The middle school group is coming to North Greenville this week, so instead of driving home only to drive back again, she stayed at Ridgecrest and I brought her over to North Greenville. We had a wonderful late lunch at My Father's Pizza and coffee at the Dripolator in Black Mountain, NC, and then came back to North Greenville where we did a little laundry, had a little dinner, and spent a whole lot of time just catching up! We've both had pretty eventful summers, it seems--or maybe we're both just really long-winded--so there was indeed alot of talking, folks! But we're all caught up now and winding down for a long summer's nap...I don't know why but I'm feeling very narrative at the moment!

Anyway, that was my weekend. Full of fun and relaxation. Only three more weeks of camp left! It's winding down and that makes me a little sad...

As I leave you, I feel it necessary to talk just a moment on the subject of hammocks. I have always been a fan of the hammock. I don't know why, but they fascinate me. Perhaps it's the potential danger of sitting incorrectly and therefore causing acute embarrassment and potential bodily harm to one's self? Maybe it's all those slap-stick comedy routines involving unfortunate hammock incidents? I'm not sure, but I've always been fascinating by this lounging ensemble. Well, the fine folks who raised Christie to be such a wonderful woman also had the incredible foresight to invest in one said hammock! I must say that it was much appreciated by all who chose to swing in it's delicate embrace, myself being one such person. Alright, I'll quit with the Austenian dialogue. I loved the hammock! So much so, that I managed to take a lovely nap in it Saturday afternoon...well, lovely except for brief moments of fear when I opened my eyes to find Sarah Edwards standing over me with an evil glint in her eye and then later when she felt it necessary to take somewhat unflattering pictures of me sleeping in said contraption! I did get made fun of a little for monopolizing the hammock, but it didn't bother me one bit! It was a great nap!!

I have now decided that I need a hammock. I like them too much to allow this enjoyment to elude me. But in order to have a hammock, it is necessary to have two trees...and in order to have two trees with which to hang such a hammock, I need to NOT be living in an apartment...and to have two such trees would mean that I'd need to be living in a house with a yard...and having such a yard would mean one of two things: 1. I need a better job so that I could afford to hire someone to take care of said yard or, 2. I need a husband who can do the yard work (ok, I'd help!)...and bonus! HE could hang the hammock!!) So in summary, I have decided that I want a hammock and a husband to hang it...or a better-paying job! ;)

I managed to not charge my camera batteries, so I have no pics from the weekend but lots of other people took pics, so I'll try to nab those and play them off as my own a little later! ;)

Missin' my boys!

This was a picture of David and Grayson's first time to "meet" (well, not literally in that moment--but the first visit amongst cousins.) David saw Grayson within a few hours of his birth, but they were heading back to Missouri and didn't get to stick around for all the NICU fun back in December! Kyle, Katie and David came in early May for a visit and the boys hit it off just fine.

I believe I may get to go with Erica and Damon to visit our Missouri folk at the end of the summer and I must say I'm kinda excited about that...and just thinking about them makes me miss them all so much! This going to camp gig is much different now! Erica says Grayson has changed so much since I left and I believe it. He would change so much in a day or two when I was there...I can't imagine what almost 10 weeks will bring! He's sitting up now and I can hear all of the fun new sounds he's making when Erica and I talk. He has yet to make many of those sounds when Erica holds the phone up to his face! She says his eyes just get big and then he tries to eat the phone!

I'm also excited to visit with David! He's a fun kid...and I can't believe he's old enough to be a kid! He has quite a Thomas the Train collection now, and I'm looking forward to some introductions! [I've been giving him Thomas the Train trains since he was born and Katie says he has a different voice and personality for each of them.]

And of course I'm missing Kyle and Katie and Erica and Damon...but they don't change quite as much! I am having a great time in South Carolina but I must admit I'm missing the fam just a little!

In unrelated news, this past week was our Christmas week and we capped it all off with a tent camping trip and rafting on the Nantahala in North Carolina. It was my first tent camping experience and I will say that it was kinda fun! I can't imagine tent camping in South Louisiana would be quite as enjoyable, but in the mountains of North Carolina, it was a great experience. We were on the grounds of Ridgecrest conference center and spent a little of Saturday afternoon in Black Mountain which is such a cute town! And then the river was absolutely breath-taking! It was like canoeing on the Ouiska Chitto, but about a million times better! This whole area is just so beautiful! I'm thinking I could live over here. Just a thought...no plans as yet!

Alright, I'm rambling like a fool so I'll end this now. I know I've done a horrible job of posting this summer. I do actually work, ya know!! I took a few pictures this weekend and I know some of the others took rafting pics so I'll try to nab some of those for all of my avid readers! ...hmph, yeah all those avid readers that as yet have NOT taken my very subtle hints about care packages!!! Well, except you Patty Marx--I KNOW you love me!!! :) Thanks for the cookies and the letter, Patty! It was great to hear from you! And yes, I know that the care package jokes are getting old...it's just that I so love to make them! :) I'll stop now...would have stopped sooner had I actually gotten some, but oh well! ;)