Sic'em Bears!

 “Will you not, as a loyal student of dear old Baylor, lay aside for a few days the usual cares of life, come back to your alma mater, renew former associations and friendships, and catch that Baylor spirit again?”

Samuel Palmer Brooks, Baylor University President 1902-1931

 

As I mentioned last week, I was able to attend the Baylor Homecoming game this weekend thanks to my friend Amy and her generous parents. They have season tickets to the Baylor games and were unable to attend, so that shared their tickets with us! It was great game as Baylor won 71-7!

I met up with Amy in Dallas Friday evening for a little pre-homecoming dinner and shopping. On my way to her place I was driving through my old neighborhood thinking, “I miss Dallas so much I can hardly stand it. I’m definitely moving back here.” Just as the names of local school districts were scrolling through my head, this happened. . . . Total shut down. . . TRAFFIC. . .Ugh!

And just like that, I thought. . . “Never mind, I’m totally over it.” I guess I really am an East Texas girl now!

                                                                Fun Shops at North Park!

Saturday we hit the road to Waco getting there early enough to stop by the bookstore for some Baylor gear and walk around campus for bit to admire it’s beauty. Baylor is a lovely campus and it always looks good in the Fall with the gold mums! 
 

 

The game was great fun. Our seats were just under the press box on the 50 yard line – Great seats! Of course, it’s always fun when your team is winning and Baylor did not disappoint! And to top it off, it was absolutely perfect football weather.

We drove back to Dallas after the game, but not before stopping at the Czech Stop and Little Czech Bakery for some Kolaches! They had pumpkin kolaches – Y’all know how I love pumpkin! 

We slept in a little bit Sunday morning to recover from the late night. Before I left Dallas we had brunch at Buzz Brews and quirky little joint in Deep Ellum. We shared the Amigos Eggs with chorizo and an order of Crepes with strawberry and Nutella – Devine! 

I stopped off in Forney on my way home to deliver Baylor T-shirts and Czech stop goodies to the Kirkendoll crew. Beau was wearing is Baylor shirt in honor of the Bear’s homecoming win! He was mainly curious as to how they won without ninjas on their team, ha.

 

I got back to Tyler Sunday afternoon and even had time to meet some friends for coffee. It was a busy weekend, but so much fun. Thanks Amy for being a great hostess and thanks again Sadler Rents for the awesome tickets! Sic’em Bears!

This weekend I'm headed back to Big-D to attend a little Halloween Party hosted by the Tillman Sisters!  Also, Amy and I have a fun Fall trip in the works.  I'll share details about that soon.  I love a good road trip! 

Have a great weekend!

Finger nails, Friends, Family and a Fun Weekend Plan.

I thought I'd take a minute to update my blog. I guess it's been a while. 

A couple of weekend's ago I was up getting ready to go meet the family in Palestine for a late lunch.  Palestine is almost right in the middle for all of us and sometimes the whole family will meet up on a Saturday just for fun. 

I was in the shower, shaving my legs, when I had a little trouble.  Somehow, I shaved over my fingernails - Yikes.  My nails have always been thin, but they were really thin seeing as I had just pealed off a gel manicure the night before - and they were wet.  So when my razor hit them, they came right off. 

As some of you know I take blood thinners for a clotting disorder, so my bathroom looked like a crime scene.  Luckily, I have great friends. Christy and Amanda rushed over to assist. I called to tell the family that I wouldn't be able to meet them and because they are so awesome, they decided to meet up at my place in Tyler!

Steffi actually ended up spending Saturday night with me and helping me get some chores done since my fingers were so sore.  She unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, did some laundry, changed the sheets on my bed and helped me do a few other things to get settled for the week. Thanks Sis!

 

10/5/13                                 10/17/13

It was pretty painful the first few days but the sensitivity finally wore off.  As you can tell from this picture, my nails are much better now.  Hopefully I'll be able to get a manicure in another week or so. 

This weekend I'm headed to Waco with Amy!  It's Baylor Homecoming.  I haven't been to homecoming in a few years so this should be fun. Amy's parents have season tickets and game them to us for the homecoming game - How Nice! Thanks Sadler Rents.  I'm really looking forward to it.

Check back next week for a homecoming blog update. 

Have a great weekend and enjoy the Fall weather!

Fall Fun!

I'm so glad it's starting to cool down a little bit.  I know it's still hot, but it's way better then it was in August! 

I missed school today to make my final post-op appointment with my sinus surgeon.  I'm glad to be done with all of that.  I don't have to see him again unless I have trouble, which I don't anticipate. 


I finished in time to stop by Beau's school and take him lunch.  He was surprised to see me!  I always love an opportunity to see him when I can. 

After all the Dallas fun I headed home to prepare for my annual Fall Dinner Party.  I think it went well.

On the menu:
Baked Onion/Parmesan Dip with crackers
Chicken and sausage gumbo with rice, Dad's recipe
Buttermilk pie, Mom's recipe and Gingerbread/Pumpkin trifle

We had a great time just hanging out and catching up with each other.  We also made time for some games!  Balderdash was great fun! 

 The group picture is always a little tricky!

School is going great, just really busy. I'm hoping to make it to Dallas some Saturday soon to watch Beau play soccer.  There may be a Fall trip in the making too, seeing as I have the whole we off for Thanksgiving this year! 

Happy Fall Y'all.

Kindred Spirits!

 

12 years ago today I was on a Singles retreat in Oklahoma at Falls Creek with FBC Dallas.  I knew a few people on the trip, but I didn’t really know anyone that well seeing as I was kind of new to Dallas and the church.  That weekend changed my life forever.  I got to know some pretty amazing people who are still my best friends to this day.  So every year on or around September 15^th, we celebrate.  We call it Founder’s Day, they date we all found each other.  I went to Dallas yesterday to meet up with the gang!  We ate at Blue Mesa and hung out for a while after.  It's always good to be back in Dallas and even better to be with these friends. 

I think it's pretty special that we take time every year to acknowledge our friendship and what we mean to each other. 

We coined our little group The Fly Girls, mainly because a dragon fly was the only semi-cool design Steffi’s old school monogram machine would do.  Through the years, some guys have joined the group. 

 

 

We’ve been through a lot and done a lot together over the years:  Church retreats, singles groups,  love, marriage, divorce, loss, children, breakups, crafting, painting. . . lots of painting, decorating, scrapbooking, moving, new jobs, graduate school, crazy dogs, momma drama, serious illness, online dating, blind dates, fix ups, weddings, bridesmaid dresses, bad haircuts and weird colors, showers, shopping, road trips, Halloween parties and oh so much more. 



I know for sure I couldn’t have made it through the past decade if it were not for these incredible friends! Happy Founders Day Y’all! I love Christa, Cheryl, Amy, Steffi, Tad and Nick!  You Rock. 

Show Us Your Life!

So I’m linking up with Kelly’s Korner today for her SUYL series.  Today she is featuring Single, 30-something bloggers! 

I’m always excited about an opportunity to connect with other 30-something singletons out there.  I’ll be honest and say that I’m not the best blogger.  I often go over a month without updating , but I try. 

Here’s a little about me and my blog:

Hello, I’m Betsy!  Nice to meet you.  I’m 37, Single, never married, no children and I have a blog.  See, I officially qualify for this week’s SUYL link up!

I love the Lord Jesus with all my heart and try daily to live for Him.  I’m human, so I mess up, a lot.  But, I am forgiven.  He has blessed my life far beyond what I deserve.  I have an amazing Christian family that loves and supports me.  Like Kelly, from Kelly’s Korner, I’m an Arkansas Preacher’s Kid.  I was actually born in Louisiana but spend my childhood in Arkansas.  We moved to Texas as I started Jr. High, so I consider myself a Texas girl now! 

I graduated from Baylor University in 1999 with a degree in Communication – Sic’em Bears! 

I lived in Dallas for 12 years and taught high school speech in the burbs.  During the Dallas years I also earned a Masters Degree in Counseling.  I moved to Tyler Texas in 2011 to take school counseling job.  It’s been a great experience and I love my job.  I’ve also recently earned my principal’s certification and I think I’m done with graduate school – forever!  Yay!

I love all things vintage, so I’m quite at home rummaging through a flea market or antique shop.  I like to find old things and re purpose them to fit my life now.  I also enjoy all types of crafts.  Michael’s and Hobby Lobby are dear to my heart. 

 Party Wine Glass DIY Project
 

Dollhouse re-purposed storage shelf

One of my favorite past times is cooking and entertaining.  It’s so fun to make dinner and have friends over for board games or cards.  I really should do it more often.

Travel is truly a passion.  I adore Southern Coastal cities like Savannah Georgia, Charleston South Carolina and New Orleans Louisiana.  I’ve also been to New Mexico and Colorado several times.  New York City is great in the Spring and Summer, but I’ve always wanted to visit in the Fall. . . maybe someday.  I’ve been lots of fun places in the US, but hope to get a stamp on my passport someday soon. 

Pagosa Springs CO

 

Savannah GA

I have a fabulous group of friends both in Dallas and in Tyler.  I know for sure that the Lord himself placed this awesome people in my life and I’m forever grateful.



Friends!

I grew up Southern Baptist but have been attending a Bible Church in Tyler.  I’m active in a Life Group and enjoy church activities. 

I’m so glad you stopped by to read my little blog.  Who knows, God may use Kelly’s Korner and my little blog to connect me to a wonderful new friend!  Hey, I’m game.  Feel free to comment here or email me (baylorbetsy76@gmail.com).  I’m looking forward to searching through the link up listings and meeting some of you. 

God bless and have a great weekend. 

Birthday Blues and Bliss!

Birthday Blues.

I recently turned 37.

I've noticed a few shallow wrinkles on my forehead and between my eyes for the past few years.  Today I made the mistake of lowering the visor in my car to check my make up in the vanity mirror.  Vain - What I saw was my punishment for being vain.  There I was at a red light in downtown Tyler with natural light pouring in the sunroof and the vanity mirror just inches from my face. The fine lines weren't fine at all.  They seemed deeper than ever.  I guess I've reached the age where I will avoid looking at my skin up close in natural light.  Don't get me started on my 10 times magnifying mirror that I use to tweeze my eye brows.  It's evil. 

This weekend I plan to visit the cosmetic counter and pick up my first real wrinkle cream.  It  guess it was bound to happen. 


Birthday Bliss.

On the up side.  My birthday was made sweeter by great friends and family. My parents made the trip to Tyler fro the weekend before my birthday.  Steffi and Tad joined us that evening for dinner at the Potpourri House!  I spent the rest of the weekend with friends and resting up for the start of school. 

I had dinner with the Tyler friends on my actual birthday! Good times. 

Last weekend I met up with Steffi and Amy in Canton for a little girl time.  You can't beat Dairy Palace!

I was blessed with some great birthday goodies including: wall art, a cute bear paw necklace, colorful gel pens, a cute scarf, a Baylor shirt, heavy duty chevron magnets, Brighton ear rings, an antique coffee grinder, cute monogrammed chevron tote bag, monogrammed oilcloth trash bag for my car, spending cash , a new cell phone and several great meals! 

 

You'll notice several of my birthday gifts have a chevron pattern.  I know it's trendy right now, but I'm a huge fan the chevron pattern!

Note:  Steffi made and monogrammed the tote bag and the car trash bag. I have a very talented sister! 

Wrinkles and all - I'm a very lucky girl! 

School is off to a great start.  But as always, the first few weeks of every school year really wear me out.  I'm planning of doing a lot of nothing this holiday weekend. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Summer's End

I can't believe summer is pretty much gone.  I'm of course referring to my holiday, not the actually season.  August is still to come and I know it's going to be hot. Summer 2013 was truly eventful.  I took a couple of long road trips and several day trips too.  In all I traveled over 6000 miles in  8 states and was gone from home 25 days. It was all so much fun, but it's good to be home.

Colorado with the family was great fun.  If you follow me on Facebook you probably saw most of the pictures already.  Here's a link to my Facebook!  It was our first Family Vacation with Beau and it was lots of fun.

I had sinus surgery last week.  It wasn't fun, but also not too bad. I was glad  Mom came to help.  I'm blessed with good Rents!  I snapped this selfie in the post op room after waking up.  I know it's kind of scary, but hey, I'm trying to be real on this blog so here it goes. Not to worry. . . .I'm finally feeling more like myself.  A week makes a huge difference. 

This is my last week of summer and I don't have any plans other than to stay home and rest.  I start my new job in Brownsboro next week and I'm looking forward to it.  It's hard to believe this is my 15th year in education.  Wow, I'm getting old - Yikes. 

One thing I have always loved about academia is there is always a fresh start.  Each new year and get a chance to start fresh and kind of have your own little new beginning.  I'm excited to see what God has in store for me this school year in a new town and new school with new students and new co-workers! 

 

Low Country Fun!

Vacation is still going great.  I don't care how many times I visit Savannah and Charleston, I always enjoy my stay. 

You may have seen on Facebook that we got to meet Cheryl Day, owner of Back In The Day Bakery!  I've been a fan of hers for years.  We ate lunch there and then returned for sweet treats on our way out of town today.  The "Old Fashioned" vanilla cupcakes  and Lavender cookies are wonderful.

Later we returned to Art Bash for another painting party.  Amy and I just happened upon the Art Bash studio last summer and discovered the owner is a fellow Texan.  We contacted her again this year and she was kind enough to schedule a Savannah Scene for Thursday night's class so we would have a great Savannah souvenir to take home. 

We stopped in a Flea Market that we passed.  It's called  - Two Women and a Warehouse.  They had some pretty fun things.  My favorites were this Retro turquoise phone and the beautiful Jadeite! 

We took some time to walk through some of the squares and see some of my favorite Savannah homes.  Most of all I'm glad I got a chance to spend some time with Dana again.  I'm so glad we planned to be in Savannah at the same time! 

We left Savannah this morning and headed to Charleston.  Over the years I've heard a lot about Boone Hall, a near by plantation.  We decided to check it out this trip.  I have to be honest and say that I really wasn't that impressed.  The grounds and gardens were beautiful and would be lovely in a cooler season.  The house however was built in 1936.  It's the third home to have stood on the that spot. We only got to see 4 rooms and seeing as the house isn't that old, there wasn't a lot of historic information shared. The most interesting thing I learned was that the TV movie "North and South" was filmed on the plantation.

We made it into downtown Charleston for a late lunch and shopping on Market Street. Once this cooled off this evening we ventured out of the hotel to explore the historic district a bit more.  We leave for Texas in the morning.  It's been a great vacation. 

 

 

Savannah/Charleston 2013 was a huge success.  Now on to Family Vacation in Colorado!