Betsy got a dog tent for her birthday. Actually we don't know when her b-day is. You know those mutts are like orphan annies. We're carrying her to the beach this weekend and thought we would get something for her to lay in out of the sun. Of course there is such thing as a beach umbrella, but she isn't a fan of sand and wind.

This is buddy- buddy the advertising dog.
Oh kidding, just kidding.

She's super enthused, can't you tell?

Last night we put her bed in it in our room for her to get acclimated. She wasn't having it. Not one bit. We heard her pacing around the room looking for another spot to sleep.
Andy told her she was just like her mama.
I say she's just like her daddy.
Picky.
Picky.
Picky.

Saturday morning Me and Mr. Broome helped Jenny move from her apartment in Atlanta. We met the in-laws and Jenny and family friend Keith for breakfast before. As we're sitting there all kinds of chatty- Dawn(my MIL) ask me if I had gotten my new sunglasses yet and I'm all "how did you know about those?" Then Keith asked me about push mowing along with Mike and honestly I don't remember what all they poked fun at me about, but all of a sudden it hit me.
They read my blog.
Oh my I couldn't be more excited. You know, when I find out I have more readers I make sure to enter them into post more often.
So lucky you guys right?

Moving on.
Betsy got a tent to take to the beach for labor day. A doggie tent. So stay tuned tomorrow for that.
You got that? Stay tuned!

If you think this picture editing is emo, raise your little hand.

Too bad, this week its all I've got.
Tomorrow is Friday, and then its almost labor day weekend!

Canon Rebel play

New header. Its getting serious around here.

Mr. Broome cuts the grass at my office. Its just a way of making some extra money and it takes no time at all. Sunday, Mr. Broome told me I could tag along with him because I was dying to spend the day with him. Yes, dying. So I followed him to Russ and A's house where he and Russ worked on their new fence. I then followed him to the office. I asked him what was I to do while he did yard work. He said "Well, you can sit there and wait or you can help me." I, not being a woman to sit and wait nor a woman to take more time than needed volunteered myself. I wasn't about to touch his weed eater and blowing leaves feels as aimless of a task as sweeping them.
Lawn mowing it was.
So with the little red push mower I was off and quite proud of myself. I didn't have to ask once how to turn it on and it was pretty much self- propelling.
And then Mr. Broome said "Pea, you take the check and buy some of those sunglasses you've been wanting."
That I did.
I told him I will take on this task more often. I'll even cut our own yard and that's a lot of grass. However, the new lawn mower for our house looks more like a transformer.
Pictures to come of my ride on the new lawnmower....
Andy, this means we need to set up the self- timer and go for a whirl. Ah haha I get to laughing just thinking about this...

weekend

Friends came for dinner. We snoogled. I had a pomegranate tangerine margarita(it was deeelicious!)I learned to push mow grass. I made Andy proud push mowing, truck cleaning, and in general being more manly Sunday. Did I just write that? Yes I did.


Mr. Broome cleans up so nicely and did you notice his hair(or lack of)? What a cutie.

Betsy's awkward sit.



I didn't take many pictures this weekend hence Russ's awkward face.


B and Phil:)

Grant, oh my what a cute kid. I asked him what he wanted from my prize boxes and he said "Um, I already have one of these and these and these." Haha

I sure do miss living with girls

Betsy got her teeth brushed this week.

Needless to say she didn't enjoy it.

Cass and A came for a visit. Betsy was so glad to see her long lost room mates/aunts. I had the best three hours catching up with you girls, lets do it again soon, please!

Betsy love loves A. When I lived with all girls I would come home from work every day to find Betsy on Amanda's bed. All day that's where she stayed.

A is glowing in case it wasn't obvious already. She's got a little baby in her belly. I couldn't be more excited.

This week also included an evening walk with a sorority sister, friend, and also a local ctowner:) Melinda. I had the best time and I think we can call each other exercise partners now.

Poladroid yourself.
Me and Mr. Broome - one of our first few dates to see the singing moose.
Sheez that was back in 06. Time flies when you're married to a ginger.

Worry and frustration have been overpowering my ability to genuinely feel happy the past week or so. I could blame it on hormones but that's just that. Blaming it.
My mother in law pointed me in the direction of James. You know, James in the bible.
I headed to bed last night as Mr. Broome was and we ended up reading together. I read aloud as always and struck a verse that made my heart well up in my throat.

"If you don't know what you are doing, pray to the Father, He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options wide open."

And then I cried. I've been so easy to tear up lately you would think Andy would be used to it, but he still looked so confused. I guess I have spontaneously teared up so much that he doesn't know to expect it.
All I could think is that I do not ask the Lord for much because I have a hard time believing He will do anything short of miraculous for me. I have no idea why I have this approach to God because He has always been the great provider and my blessings are endless.
So I've been thinking about it. The Lord wants to help me, but He wants to be my only option for help.
And that makes sense.
It is the only thing that makes sense.

On my husbands butt

Saturday we went to the lake for some fun with my sister- in- law Jenny and her beau. We had a lovely time, but Mr. Broome found himself injured Sunday morning.
I was heading to the back of the boat to hop in the water when I heard a loud thud and splash. Mr. Broome slipped off the boat and hit his tail bone, or coxix, on the edge before hitting the water. Somehow in the process he scraped the knee that he had surgery on and the toe that a horse stepped on years ago. Both places that cause him pain.
Bless his heart, but can you not help but laugh a little?
What a clumsy fella.

Only sort of joking.
So anyway, Sunday morning he wakes up all whiny because his hiney hurts and let me tell ya, it was a little red.
So after sitting on a donut for most of the morning and reclining around the house, he was ready to get moving. He really wanted to go to home depot.
Off we went looking for replacement air filters.
And though he is walking awkwardly(because he really does hurt!)-
I do the unthinkable.
I slap his butt hard, like I would any Sunday while walking through Home Depot right?
Ah, I couldn't stop giggling, I thought I was so funny.
And then I realize as he is staring at me with red face and squint eyes..
I slapped his broken butt.
That Mr. Broome, poor dear, I hear those things take a long time to heal.

How about a new tradition. We pick on Andy on Friday? I say "we" because I know plenty of you will like this idea.
So here he is. Our own little playboy. Does he think he's the next Michael Jordan for Fruit of the Loom?

This picture was taken in Chattanooga a couple of years ago. I remember thinking it was so so funny. Mr. Broome is a jokester sometimes, but I think this was one of the first times I really noticed that he could be really funny.

Happy Friday all:)

I told Mr. Broome today that someone should pay me to run.
I know I'm no Olympic athlete, but I love it. I work hard when I do it, harder than I do anything else, and I would never never complain about my job.
So if you're interested in paying me to run for you, see my "Why I would like to work for you(this company) above."

The first half marathon I am running is in 7 weeks. 7 weeks! I get stiff just thinking about it.
I like running around town and on back roads in our neighborhood, but throw me in a group of people and I get stiff.
My legs tighten and i find it hard to take deep breaths.
Nervous as I may be on the day of, I know how great it feels to finish a race.
So each week I will update you people on training.
I'm no chic runner, although she is my favorite, but maybe I can give some insight to beginning runners or people interested in getting started.
Here is where I started my training. Good old Hal Higdon. You can pick a training plan on his web site for a 5k, 10k, half, or full marathon. He gives plans that differ from beginners to pros so you're sure to find yourself a plan that works for you.

Last week Betsy found these. So sad. She fluffed one of them around with her paw(and jaws). It survived, just got a little wet and ruffled. The rest were all nuzzled together.
We came home the next day to find only one. Its sweet mama was trying to figure out a way to lift it off the ground.

Amy is our house guest for a couple of nights this week.
Everyone say "hello" to Amy.
"Hello Amy"

The clouds yesterday were overwhelming.

And we couldn't help but enjoy them.

Tagged

8's
There are rules.
so here they are:
mention the person who tagged you,
complete the lists of 8's,
and tag eight of your wonderful bloggy friends! (if you have that many)

8 things I look forward to:
~Getting home to my husband every day
~Learning to sew (well)
~Having babies
~Future vacations with Mr. Broome
~My first half marathon
~Cape San Blas in a few weekends
~Fall(football, Halloween, pumpkins, cool weather running)
~October camping trip

8 things I did yesterday:
~Took my first sewing class
~Googled a lot of stuff
~Ate wings with Andy and Amy
~Played hostess to my bf Eemy
~Made a peanut butter, banana smoothie
~Shopped at the Classy Cricket (60percent off sale- whoohoo!)
~Snuggled Mr. Broome
~Learned what a bobbin and footer are
8 things I wish I could do:
~Remember how blessed I am every single day, not just every other day
~Sew clothes(I am finally on the path to learning)
~Give my life more to my savior, let go of my need to control
~Buy Mr. Broome a boat, a big one
~Meet Stephanie Nielson(in reference to the "I read NieNie button on the left of this page)
~Get paid for blogging(Ha! I spend enough time doing it right?)
~Vacation in Italy
~Sail the ocean seas with Mr. Broome and our family in our own boat
8 shows I watch:
~Real Housewives(oops)
~Project Runway
~Batchelorette
~Jail TV(Only bc its my line of work..)
~Good Morning America
~Dateline NBC
~ I can't really think of many more

8 bloggers I tag:
Amy
Melinda
Amanda
LAH
I don't know who else would do it, but here you go friends.

An old friend once wrote a quote for me on a piece of hot pink note paper. It read: "A positive attitude is a catalyst. A spark that creates extraordinary results."
Its funny that this friend gave this to me because I never feel like she knew me as well as she could have, but this quote has been something I've looked back at for years. I still have it actually, in our office at home. It is such a true statement and I find that sometimes the only thing a person can do in a bad situation is have a positive attitude. I believe this because at one point in my life, I truly understood that the glass was always half full and I could change my circumstances with my attitude.
I haven't felt like this lately. Complaining on the Internet really isn't my thing but I am just happy to say this little piece of paper with a big purposeful quote has served as a good reminder.
An even better reminder for you too is this: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Col 3:23
Right now with jobs being scarce for so many, it serves as a loving reminder from the Lord that even if we are unhappy with our jobs( or whatever may be getting you down) that its not the boss we're working for, or our co- workers who may drive us nuts, it is the Lord.
The two go hand in hand. Working for the Lord who's blessings never end really should make us positive people who create extraordinary results.

My dad used to have a friend named Charlie.
I don't remember his last name, but he was always "just" Charlie.
Charlie looked like a character off of Charlie Brown. I never knew if Charlie had a home which I was able to surmise because he never had a car.
No car. No home?
A five year old logic.
And five is the youngest age I remember Charlie and the last time I saw him I was probably 13.
Charlie was a wondering man and I can't really tell you why, but I can explain why I thought so.
Charlie walked every where and he worked at Rainbow Food in Columbus. He was quite and kind, a simple man with few words. My dad worked out of town when I was five and I remember a tornado came through town. My mom had us in a safe place, waiting for the storm to pass. Through the wind and rain we heard a knock at the door.
Mama was scared to open it, being alone, but thought maybe it was a neighbor checking on us.
It was Charlie. Charlie with no car walked to our house to check on us. So you see, Charlie was also a strange man. When I say he checked on us, I mean that he walked to our home coming from who knows where in tornado weather.
Oh that Charlie.
And he was there for awkward stages in my life.
I was eight years old, playing in my room, stuffing my pink and purple leotard with socks for fake nanners when I heard a knock at the door. Without thinking, I ran out of my room, sock nanners and all, screaming "It's Charlie, I'll get it!"
I opened the door and received an awkward smile from Charlie and giggles from my parents. I'll always remember this because they snapped a picture for future embarrassment.
Oh Charlie.
I never really knew how my dad became friends with him, if he had a home, or what he did with his life.
That Charlie was a strange man.

Caught up

Whats wrong with this picture? I bet her face can tell the story. Guilty mutt.

Mr. B and Betsy on Friday night snoogle pallet.
And on that note.
It just doesn't seem like the weekend if we sleep in our own bed. We're pretty weird, I know, but hear me out. Building a pallet on the weekends is like going to a sleepover on Friday and Saturday night. Except with your mate.

This is Mr. B's picture of a summer evening study session. This which I might be doing a lot more of than tending my blog.
Oh blog, I love this blog.
I adore people who read it too.
Yes, you.