Family Time

Today's Beautiful Thing is a family party. We celebrated my hubby's birthday with his parents, aunt, brother & sister and their spouses and kids and my mom too. It was a nice night.

Helpful Hubby

Today's Beautiful Thing is my wonderful husband. When I got home from a 10 hour workday, he wasn't home. 10 minutes later, he showed up with dinner. I just love my man.

On the Radio

Today's Beautiful Thing is getting off work early and listening to the Randi Rhodes radio show. She's on from Noon to 3:00 PM now, so I only get to hear her on rare occasions. I miss her political passion.

Friends

Today's Beautiful Thing is a simple conversation with friends. Life can be busy and stressful and it's nice to have a few special people I can really to talk to.

Birthday Boy

Today's Beautiful Thing is my husband Abner. On this night, the 43rd anniversary of his birth, I celebrate him. He is the most Beautiful Thing in my life. Love you, hon.

Kisses

Today's Beautiful Thing is little French Bulldog kisses. Ace is especially affectionate tonight. :)

Soup in Every Pot

Today's Beautiful Thing is cooking a great big pot of pasta e fagioli soup! This weekend was cool and drizzly (Saturday) and soup sounded good. I spent the evening chopping, simmering, and stirring, which I really enjoy. It was too late to eat it by the time I was done, but we will be enjoying it this week for dinner. Yay!

Bonus Beautiful Thing: The house smells like garlic, basil, and other savory things. Mmmm, mmm, mmmmmm!

Rise & Shine

Today's Beautiful Thing is getting up early and getting things done. I wanted to have the weekend off, but I had to go to work for a few hours. To solve the problem I worked 6:00 to 10:00 AM. While I may not have enjoyed the alarm clock waking me at 5:00, I did enjoy 4 hours of productive work in my quiet office.

Family Business

Today's Beautiful Thing is a local family business--a Thai restaurant. Their food is wonderful, the little restaurant is cozy, and the family is warm and friendly to us every time. I love supporting small family businesses in my community like theirs. :)

Playful

Today's Beautiful Thing is seeing Ace getting more playful. He's been in his crate all day for 2 weeks, so his back must finally be feeling better. Yay!
(Pictured: Lulu & Ace playing with an empty plastic pudding cup. One of their favorite "toys.")

Knowledge

Today's Beautiful Thing is registering for the Spring semester. I wanted a particular accounting class--a combo online/in person class--that was only offered one time this semester. I'm happy to report that I got one of the last 5 available seats when I logged in to register tonight. Yippee!
(I posted the book cover because it makes me laugh. I hear it's actually a good book for teen girls. I just think it's funny since I always thought math sucked and now I do math at the day job!)

TBT's 2nd Anniversary: Hope & Change

Today's Beautiful Thing is embracing change with a hopeful heart. Two years ago, we made the difficult decision to put Atticus to sleep. It was the right thing to do (he was in pain and dying of cancer) but it didn't make it any easier. Two years later, I look back on my life, the positive changes I made by creating this blog in his honor, and I know I am a better person for it.

Atticus, I love you and miss you very much. Thank you for the gifts you gave us. Thank you for helping me to see something Beautiful in every single day. Rest in peace, my Beautiful boy.

Bonus Beautiful Thing: Two years later, on this very day, Barack Obama was sworn in as our 44th President of the United States. I'm not usually good with change, but I'm going all out tonight! In honor of our new president, I changed font the color scheme of the blog (it's now an annual tradition!) and I'm looking ahead to the next year of my life, of this blog, and of my country with hopeful optimism.

Countdown to a New Day!

Today's Beautiful Thing is the last full day of the Bush presidency. Barack Obama will be sworn in as our 44th president in less than 14 hours. And not a minute too soon! Yessss!

Movie Night

Today's Beautiful Thing is renting a couple of good movies. We watched Pineapple Express & Swing Vote tonight and enjoyed both of them quite-a-lot. :)

Riding the Rails

Today's Beautiful Thing is Barack Obama's historic Whistle Stop Tour. It's been very exciting to watch the train make it's way from Philly to DC. I just can't believe he'll be sworn in so soon. Pinch me!

Reprieve

Today's Beautiful Thing is a happy surprise. It was supposed to be C's last day at work, but they asked her to stay a few weeks longer. M took us out to lunch anyway. It was fun. :)
(Cute accountant pic courtesy of THIS website.)

Sweet Girl

Today's Beautiful Thing is Lulu, our sweet Bully girl. She's been following me around a lot today, giving me kisses every chance she gets, and biting my nose with love. (That's her own little thing.) I just adore my sweet girl.

Girl Scout Goodness

Today's Beautiful Thing is Dryer's Grand Light with Samoa cookies. This flavor is seriously yummy. :)

Learning

Today's Beautiful Thing is learning a new routine. Ace has been crate-bound for the last 6 days, trying to rest & heal. Abner figured out that the best (most painless) way to pick Ace up (he's not supposed to walk around) is when he's laying down. Ace has figured this out too! Now, when it's time for Abner to pick Ace up, he lays down. He's a smart little guy. Hopefully he'll be all better and out of the crate next week. Cross your fingers for us.

Orangey Goodness

Today's Beautiful Thing is a fresh orange from our tree. The little dwarf orange tree is loaded down with huge, grapefruit-sized fruit right now. They are juicy and delicious and taste like sunshine. Yum!

Laziness

Today's Beautiful Thing is having one of those days where you don't do a whole lot of anything. I did fill up my gas tank and buy groceries, but that's it! :)

Christmas Dinner

Today's Beautiful Thing is celebrating Christmas with my mom. Really. We were both a little behind this year. Actually, last year. We had a good time. :)

Pleasant Surprise

Today's Beautiful Thing is having something turn out much better than I thought it would. Hooray!

Acey

Today's Beautiful Thing is out sweet little Ace. We had to take him to the ER early this morning. He has a herniated disk and is in a lot of pain. He's such a special little guy and we are taking care of him so he'll feel better soon. We love you little Acey-man.

Soul Mates

Today's Beautiful Thing is young love that lasts forever. I watched an interview with Patrick Swayze and Lisa Nieimi tonight and I was touched (as I always am) with their devotion to each other. Don't give up the fight.

Reading

Today's Beautiful Thing is reading. I've been so busy the last couple of months, I haven't read as much as I usually do. Thanks to the book club (it was my turn to mod this week) and a couple of thoughtful work friends giving me the first two Stephanie Meyer books, I've been fitting a little more reading into my busy schedule.

Design on Cafe Press.

My Computer

Today's Beautiful Thing is my laptop. My very own laptop, that is. It's been in the shop all weekend and I am very happy to get it back tonight--even if it does look like I'll have to take it back on Wed. Ugh.

Twilight

Today's Beautiful Thing is Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series. I'm halfway throuogh book 3 and I'm enjoying it very much. YA books are such fun.

Design on Cafe Press.

Massage

Today's Beautiful Thing is Jan my massage therapist. After 30 minutes on her massage table, I am a very happy (and relaxed) camper. :)

Gift Cards

Today's Beautiful Thing is using gift cards. The hubby and I enjoyed lunch out at the Olive Garden. Thank you Kari & Rob! :)
(Pictured: Kari sitting behind our other cousin Kristin.)

A Good Movie

Today's Beautiful Thing is Slumdog Millionaire. We went to the movies tonight and caught the late show. It was awesome. Go see it!