Me, Kicking A and Taking Names

So stinkin close to putting in my resignation yesterday. This has been a heck of a week at work. 7:30am-9:00pm days does not make for a rested or happy Beth especially when she gets to work another hour or two when she gets home. Today will be another one of those days. However, tomorrow...

3:15pm out the door.

Rest of the evening... nothing.

Promising not to make plans and going to enjoy being lazy.

This morning, I am putting on some "kick A" music because that is what I aim to do today. "I will kick A and take names. I will kick A and take names. I will kick A and take names."

Donald Miller

Donald Miller's blog is one of my favorites. Not familiar? Check out the video below and then check out his blog.

Are you living a great story with your life? from Donald Miller on Vimeo.

Book Club and American Tiramisu

On Friday night, it was my turn to host our book club meeting. Normally, we eat dinner, talk about the book, and the play Nertz. This night was no exception. We are currently reading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingslover which is one of my favorites. The girls brought salad, bread, and wine (Blackberry Merlot...delish!). I fixed lasagna and American Tiramisu.

This is the second time I have made American Tiramisu and I love it. Quick dessert that looks like it took some time. It also can be made the night before saving you time to frantically clean your house before guests come. Why American? Because there is no cinnamon or ladyfingers involved.

American Tiramisu
1 thawed pound cake (I use Sara Lee.)
2/3 cup of brewed coffee (Save a little from what you make in the morning.)
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup chocolate syrup (I use a little more for the drizzle on top.)
1 package of cream cheese
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 of a hazelnut chocolate bar (I use Ritter's.)

Slice pound cake and place in the bottom of a 9x13 dish. (You could also use a trifle bowl.) Pour coffee over cake. In a mixing bowl, beat sugar, chocolate syrup, and cream cheese until smooth. Add whipping cream. Beat until fluffy. Spread the mixture over the cake. Drizzle chocolate over the top. Chop up chocolate bar and scatter on top. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.

The evening was a success if I do say so myself. I guess that had something to do with me winning Nertz for the first time ever. (Honestly, it was the first time I even had a score that wasn't in the negative!)

Looking forward to April's book club already.

I linked up at

Valentine's Day (part 2)

So I know you have been patiently waiting on the edge of your seat to see what J gave me for Valentine's Day (ha.)...

Meet Baxter.

Baxter is a Betta who spends his days hanging out in a hand-me-down fish cave in a big Mason jar.

I love this little fish.

I love that J took me to Petsmart to pick out Bax.

It makes me happy thinking about it.

(sorry, the picture is way blurry. still have not mastered the whole glass reflection photography thing.)

Twas' the night before...

Twas' the night before Christmas...

Okay, it's not the night before Christmas, but it feels a little like it because tomorrow is a big day.

In the morning, I will be dressing up as a book character. We are having a reading parade to celebrate Read Across America week. It is my favorite event at our school. Beyond precious!

I will be undergoing my final radiation treatment. While I am beyond nervous, I am so pleased to know that I am not going to have to go through this treatment again. We will have a party or I will have a new rack. Something will be celebrated when I after my scan in a few weeks.

I am having my book club over tomorrow night. I adore these girls. We eat, we "mention" the book we read, and we play cards. Did I mention we laugh because that is what we do most!

I am so stinkin' excited about my Friday, but Lord knows I will be in my bed all day on Saturday. ;)

Please, please, please say prayers, send good vibes, cross your fingers, or just wish me luck with the prognosis. I am still saying my sun-still prayer.

A Little Late...

Happy (belated) Birthday to my Nana!

I wish everyone had the pleasure of knowing my grandmother.

She is strong in her faith -always supporting my grandfather the preacher, praying for others, and sharing Scripture.

She is a constant student - taking classes still at Lipscomb, and always sharing something she found or read.

She is an adventurer - traveling with someone or trying something new.

She is a woman that has helped me stay on the right path because I could have turned out much worse.

Thank you Nana for your influence and devotion. I hope you can celebrate many more birthdays!

(I would be amiss if I did not also say Happy Birthday to my dear Aunt Sue as well! )

He's Still Working On Me

On Saturday, I had lunch with a friend who mentioned a childhood song that had become her mantra.

"He's still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient he must be
Cause he's still working on me."

This song has popped into my head at least a dozen time since our lunch. Interesting at how this applies at age 5 and 27 and I imagine will still ring true at age 80.

Thanks ER for sharing!