I'm On It!

Today's Beautiful Thing is being on top of things. I've been baking one layer of wedding cake a night and I'm right on track. It feels good.

Nature

Today's Beautiful Thing is getting back to nature. We spent the night at my aunt and uncle's Beautiful mountain home. While we were there, we saw many varieties of birds, squirrels and even a coyote! My aunt even has a wild bird she named Peanut, who comes when she calls him to eat peanuts out of her hand. We'd hoped to see some deer or a bear (there's been recent bear sitings) but there weren't any around while we were there. Next time.

The Puppers

Toda's Beautiful Things are my puppies. Lulu's knee is getting stronger every day. She and Ace have been playing very well together lately. :)

Fruity Goodness

Today's Beautiful Thing is 2 scoops of rainbow sherbet (raspberry, orange & pineapple) in a tall glass with pineapple juice and 7 UP poured over it. AKA "shower punch". At least, in my family, these are usually the ingredients in our punch bowl (which is only used at showers) for wedding and baby showers. A lovely cool drink on hot summer nights.

Weekend Plans

Today's Beautiful Thing is having something to look forward to. Hubby and I are driving to my aunt & uncle's house in the mountains Saturday afternoon and spending the night. We exchanged e-mails this afternoon regarding things we'd like to do and eat. It was nice to know they're looking forward to it as much as we are. (Pictured: the four of us the last time we visited. We had so much fun they told us the next time we should spend the night. And so we are!)

Baked With Love

Today's Beautiful Thing is homemade baked goods. Tonight I baked the top layer of my cousin's wedding cake. Yup! We're on round two now. Two weddings (and two cakes) 10 weeks apart. :) The house smells heavenly.

Nightsong

Today's Beautiful Thing is the sound of birds singing while I sleep. In the past few months we have had new birds in the area. They start singing around 9 PM and continue into the wee hours. Their beautiful nightsong is music to my ears.

(Note: Cute bird pic by Mac Mcrae Illustration. Go here)

Getting Involved

Today's Beautiful Thing is Community. On Saturday, a neighbor passed out flyers for a meeting at her house tonight. Someone from the city, the transit authority, and the police station were there to speak and answer questions. For being last minute, 32 households were represented. Getting involved is a Beautiful thing to do.

George Carlin

Today's Beautiful Thing is George Carlin. Thank you for making me laugh for so many years. Thank you for speaking the truth. I will miss you. Rest in peace.

Cool

Today's Beautiful Thing is air conditioning. We're having a heatwave here in So CA and air conditioning is an absolute lifesaver--both in my house and my car. I feel so bad for people who don't have it. We are very lucky.

Inspiration

Today's Beautiful Thing is inspiration. I had an idea for my cousin's wedding cake, but I hadn't seen it done before. Surf the net long enough and you'll find anything, right? I finally found a photo of ribbons attached with decorative pins (created by this talented decorator) which is what I plan to do for Kristin--provided she likes the idea, of course. She asked for ribbon. I was just looking for a simple way to jazz it up.

Shared Laughter

Today's Beautiful Thing is watching a couple of sit coms with the hubby. I've already mentioned my love of the silly Canadian show Corner Gas. I tune in every night at 9. Becker reruns are on at 9:30. I love the snark. Hubby and I watched both shows together and laughed a lot.

Carnations

Today's Beautiful Thing is a sweet little flower, the carnation. I bought a couple of bunches--large yellow and small, variegated peach--for a party almost three weeks ago. The big yellow ones lasted about 10 days, and I've been slowly thinning out the leftover peach ones from the vase on my kitchen table. Yes. I STILL have some! For the small price of $10, I got enough to fill 4 vases. When she commented on how pretty they were, I sent my mother in law home with half of them and kept the rest for myself. I've really enjoyed their sunny little faces all this time. I think I'll buy some more next time I go to the store, just because.

E-Mail

Today's Beautiful Thing is an e-mail from my dad. I only see him about every five years, and we don't e-mail often either. He told me he felt bad about it, and he wanted me to know he's always felt close to me and loves me just as much as my half-siblings, which was a Beautiful Thing to say. I love you too, Dad.

Equal Rights

Today's Beautiful Thing is the CA supreme court's decision to give all people, gay or straight, the right to marry. I hope other states will follow suit. Pictured: The first couple to marry in San Francisco, Phyllis Lyon (L) and Del Martin (R) Phyllis & Del have been together for 55 years--a Beautiful Thing indeed! Congratulations ladies. May you share many more years of happiness.

Fatherhood

Today's Beautiful Thing is fatherhood. I grew up without my dad in my life, but I've met many wonderful fathers including my father-in-law: the best dad ever. Today I wish my father a very Happy Father's Day. I'm glad he was there for my half-sisters. I had the best mom in the world, so I didn't miss out on much. Happy Father's Day also to Mike, Ed, Alex, Bob, Barry, Mike, Terry, Brett, Rob, Jeff, and all the other dads out there. Being a good dad is a great thing. (Pictured: my Grandpa Tony holding my Aunt Toni, with my Aunt Ann (L) and my mom (R) in the background.)

Technology

Today's Beautiful Thing is modern technology. My cousin, Kristin, graduated with a BS in Nursing today. I wasn't able to attend, but I watched her receive her diploma online. It was so cool! The camera was so close, it was like I was standing right next to her. I probably had a better view than her parents and grandparents in the stands. Congratulations sweetie! (pictured: Kristin (L) with her little sister Staci.)

Tim Russert

Today's Beautiful Thing is Tim Russert. I simply refuse to believe that he's gone. He brought countless hours of enjoyment and information into our home every week between his own show, Meet the Press, and his position and NBC's bureau chief. He lived his too-short life in a Beautiful way, and my prayers are with his wife and family tonight. God Bless you, Mr. Russert.

Concern

Today's Beautiful Thing is friends that care. I had so many people ask me how Lulu was doing today. It really warms my heart how much people care about her. Thanks to all of you who have been praying and sending white light. It means a lot to us.

Lulu

Today's beautiful Thing is our sweet Lulu. She had surgery on her knee today and, even though she was groggy and in pain, she was so happy to see me when I picked her up at the vet after her surgery. I love her so much.

Pretty Nails

Today's Beautiful Thing is pretty nails. It's a simple indulgence that makes me happy. (While I prefer red painted nails, I went with a hot pink French manicure this time since the hubby likes it. Those are not my nails in the pic. Mine are longer.)

New Possibilities

Today's Beautiful Thing is turning bad news into good news! Long story short, the bus company that was providing cheap transpo (to a conference a bunch of us are attending) is no longer doing the route we need. But I found another way for us to get there that will only cost an additional $36. We are so relieved. Yay!

Evesdropping

Today's beautiful Thing is overhearing funny conversation. Hubby and I went to see Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay today (gross teenage boy humor, but still v funny) and I overheard a movie theater "expert" and a friend:

Friend: (Holding X-large bag of popcorn) "Do you want butter on it?"

Expert: "Do you think I got a butt this big by eating my popcorn without butter? Of course I do!"

Friend: (Laughing) "Ok." (Asks and receives the butter, takes popcorn, and starts to follow Expert)

Expert: "No. Not like that. THIS is what you do." (Takes a food tray/box, dumps as much popcorn in it as the box will hold, and hands it back to her friend.) "Now go ask for a refill."

OMG! This lady was both funny and clever. I so wanted to be her friend. I hope your Sunday was fun too. :)

Kristin

Today's Beautiful Thing is my cousin Kristin. I had a really great time at her wedding shower this afternoon. I can't believe she's not only getting married next month, but getting her BA in nursing next week! It seems like only yestrday she was born. Congratulations Kristin!

What a Guy!

Today's Beautiful Thing is my thoughtful hubby. When I got home from work, he told me he was going to take me to a store that sells these jeans I really like. He saw the jeans in an ad and called to find out how late the store was open. That was a Beautiful thing to do.

Kissy Face

Today's Beautiful Thing is my little French Bulldog. Ace is very loving today. Kisses, kisses, kisses. :)

Good Shopping

Today's Beautiful Thing is buying the perfect gifts. My mom & I put our $ together so we could get something special for my cousin's bridal shower. With Mom's 20% off coupon (go Mom!) we were able to get 4 place settings of her everyday dishes as well as a fancy set of salt & pepper grinders. What a pretty table she'll have! :)

Dr. C

Today's Beautiful Thing is our brand new vet. It turns out what Lulu has is much more serious than a torn ACL--my poor baby! Dr. C came highly recommended by my friend K and we've been meaning to visit him for some time. We took Lulu (and her x-rays) for a second opinion today. It turns out, he happens to specialize in the kind of surgery she needs. Not only that, he's straightforward, honest, and caring, just like my friend K said he was. Oh, happy day! We found our new vet and he's definitely worth the drive!

Pick Up

Today's Beautiful Thing is the 24 hour emergency vet. Lulu tore her ACL this weekend and we are fortunate to have an ER nearby. Today they let me pick up copies of her x-rays to take to another vet for a second opinion. Great service and nice people make Lulu (and me) smile.

Grace

Today's Beautiful Thing is my cousin Grace. She is going through a very difficult time right now and we are all praying for her. I love you, Grace. I know all will be well. xoxo (Pictured: Mom, Lisa (Grace's Daughter), Grace & me in June 2007)