"We need a man" -Beth "Yeah, to light our fire." -Rachel

Gosh we're funny. Really we are. That quote I put in the subject line made me laugh until I cried. Need a little background? I thought so. We have been in our new apartment since Tuesday evening. We love it, it's completely trashed because we have a lot of crap, but it's home! Somehow, someone (ehem...me) gave the gas company the wrong apartment number. We didn't figure this out until late Wednesday afternoon and, because the local gas company is all about teaching people lessons they said that since it was my fault (don't worry they "researched" it. Went to the calls from the day before and listened to my phone call to make sure it really was my fault) they wouldn't come out until the next day. Yes, I learned my lesson oh large, very rich gas company. And yes, you can have my measly $15 because I put you out in such a horrible way. Okay, so back on track. Thursday comes around, we're supposed to get a notice on our door saying it has been turned on but of course there is no such notice. I called the gas company and they said our gas was turned on. Unfortunately our management company is only open until 5 so, another day no hot water. Is anyone keeping track of how many days it has been since we had HOT showers? It's 3. Here we are, it's Friday. Rachel calls our management company and big shock, they don't answer!!! She left a voicemail asking to have our pilot light turned on. We're not allowed to do it ourselves, you see. We get home on Friday (after 5 of course) and still no hot water. Management company never came, awesome! Rachel and I pretty much resigned ourselves to a weekend of cold showers at this point. Saturday morning, enter cold shower #5. I can't take it anymore. This is where the above quote comes in. We didn't dare light the pilot on our own because of that whole open flame near gas thing. Not especially appealing to us. We needed a man. And, of course, Rach gave me the laugh I needed with her "Yeah, to light our fire" comment. Ahh man I love my roommate! And yes, I love my other roommate too, because she isn't afraid to call the emergency maintenance line for our Management company at 10:30 at night so that we could have hot showers on Sunday. That's right...HOT showers!!

Do you feel this story was too long and drawn out? Welp, too bad for you. I'm the one that took 5 cold showers this week...

Best day ever!!

I'm sitting in my new apartment blogging BECAUSE I HAVE INTERNET! haha Ahh, I'm glad I didn't have to get to the panic stage. As much as I would like to say I don't need the internet I kind of do...a lot. How else would I blog and check facebook every 5 minutes? Okay so I'm not that bad but close.

Along with getting my internet working I also decided to go to the Boyz II Men concert tomorrow night!!! Wahoooo!! I didn't think I would go because I couldn't find anyone super excited about it like I was. My sweet roommate said she would go with me but we never really discussed it again so I kind of gave up even though Monday night I was looking to see if tickets were still available. It's general admission seating in an outdoor theater so tickets aren't hard to get which is incredibly exciting. So several of my friends and I are now going tomorrow night! I really can't wait!!! Here is a photo of the boyz for you.
And one last reason this is the best day ever, I'm so excited to have my roommate back! Sure we only lived next door to each other for the last few months but it is so much fun having a roommate, especially one I get along with so well! We ran errands for 4 hours tonight (it was supposed to be like half an hour but I kept remembering things I had to do, so lame.) and we had so much fun! Then I made a cake (Aunt Debby's Cold Oven Pound Cake YUM!) for a birthday at work tomorrow and Rach and I watched a movie while it cooked. I love having a roommate! Yay!

If you read that paragraph and thought "huh, that's weird she didn't mention unpacking" Wonder no more, I didn't unpack, not a single thing and I don't plan to until Saturday. So there.

Home Sweet Home!

Well, I've moved into my super ghetto fab new apartment and in the 8 hours I spent there (six of which were spent sleeping) I'm in love! :) I'm sure there will be issues here and there but I really do like it a lot. It's ghetto, it's falling apart, which we're hoping to have taken care of, but it's home. I am posting this from my old apartment because as of right now I haven't figured out a solution to needing a wireless card for my desktop BUT, I'm in the process. I had to give the world some "before" pictures of my new place though.

Lets start with the most important, my bedroom. It's huge and I'm in love with it. The furniture is falling apart and ugly but I really don't care :) This is half of my room (and you think to yourself "This is the size of that hole she lived in during the summer and it's only half of her room?!" I think the same thing...)

And the other half of my room! I forgot to take a picture but the other wall that isn't shown has a bedside table among other piles of my junk which just shows that the room is quite wide as well. There is also a really nice shelf on the wall that I forgot to take a picture of, but I will don't worry.

The kitchen, completely trashed but eh, that's life! :) This was like an hour after we moved in, what's to be expected?
One half of the living room.

And the other half! I love the fireplace and built in bookshelves! I don't know if the fireplace works but I have hiii-iigh hopes!Welcome to my home! I hope you enjoyed the tour. :)

"Who is this person and what did you do with Beth?"

That there subject is almost an exact quote (i took my last name out) said by Brian as we talked on the phone this evening. I was quite excited by that response to the stories I told him about the last few days and I agree. Who is this person and WHAT did I do with Beth?!

I've gone a little crazy lately. A few days ago I was all sorts of grown up and had a really really good open conversation with a friend about some things that were causing a strain on our friendship. A conversation of that kind would, in the past, leave me crying in a bathroom because I was having an anxiety attack but not this time. It helps that I was having the conversation with a really good friend that I feel I can be quite honest with but it also showed me that I'm growing up a little bit.

Fast forward two days and you'll find me at the door of an apartment in my new apartment complex waiting to go to church. I haven't moved in yet, but yesterday when I went to find out where my new ward meets I met someone kind enough to let me tag along with her to church so that she could show me where it was. Most times in my life things like this cause me great anxiety but today I felt at peace. I went to church, was introduced to a few people, introduced myself to a few people and then went to Sacrament meeting. As I sat there singing hymns (it was a musical Sacrament meeting) I felt completely at peace and felt so strongly that I was exactly where I am supposed to be right now. I don't know what is to come, I don't think that my life is going to be perfect after I move but I do feel like I am where I am supposed to be. I feel ready for change and saw that even more as I went off to Sunday School by myself, sat with someone I met in Sacrament meeting and then went to Relief Society where I introduced myself to a few more people. After church I stood in the hall and met my Bishop along with a few others and left feeling confident. I am proud of myself. This step was a long time coming. I know that it all is because I prayed about where I should be for the next stage in my life and that this was the answer.

I want so badly to just take control of my life. I don't want to feel like everything is spinning out of control anymore. I have much hope for this next stage and I know that it will be what I make it. There will be difficult times, low times, moments of insecurity or fear but there will also be new adventures with new people and a better attitude. So bring on the change because with change comes new opportunities!

This photo is of some amazing cloud cover Rachel Brian & I saw as we sat outside late one night a few weeks ago. As I was taking the picture Brian said that that cloud cover felt like a promise or a sign to him that good things were coming. (correct me if I'm wrong about that...it was along those lines I believe) When I think of the things that have happened over the last couple of weeks, and not only in my life, I would have to say I agree.

Fun twist on the oh so boring survey...

I stole this from Amber. It just looked like too much fun to pass up.



1. Beth Dow's Fieldwork Exhibition Opens Friday, November 2, 2007, 2. Jelly Sandwich Heart (Blood Sugar Low?), 3. yet another tree, 4. D70_20060409_181600_DSC_0017, 5. joey, 6. water droplets in the shower - o.k. bokeh, 7. An Irish Sunset, 8. White Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake with Creme Fraiche, 9. Waiting on the world to change, 10. Father and boy at Lisboa, 11. hello Cape Town, 12. boardwalk nights

The questions:

1. What is your first name? Beth

2. What is your favorite food? Bread!

3. What is your favorite color? There are several, best description is MD in the fall especially the red leaves.

4. What high school did you go to? LR

5. Who is your celebrity crush? PACEY!! Or Joshua Jackson for you non Dawson's Creek fans...

6. Favorite drink? Water

7. Dream vacation? Ireland

8. Favorite dessert? Strawberry Shortcake

9. What you want to be when you grow up? I just want to make a difference in people's lives.

10. What do you love most in life? All of the small moments that make life special.

11. One Word to describe you? Loyal

12. Your blog name or handle or whatever? My Little Corner of the World...

To make your own:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

b. Using only the first page, pick an image.

c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

d. When finished, save to your computer to upload to your post.

Today joy is...

*Going to the temple with friends
*Leaving feeling a little lighter, happier & a little more wise then before.
*Heavenly moments that warm my soul.
*Good one on one time making goodbye easier to say
*Hugs and lots of them
*Learning new things
*Beautiful music that helps me to cry joyful tears when tears need to fall.
*Being reminded of my worth in many different ways.
*Watching clips of the Prophet of the Lord, President Thomas S Monson, bear testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and feeling my heart soar.

Perhaps I will elaborate soon. I had a fabulous evening filled with many things I needed and many lessons learned. Here's to finding joy in the little things and finding ways to improve myself.

Go figure...

Why is it that I always get super involved in a ward right before I leave it? Such a pattern for me. That's where I sit right now, so sad to leave but ready for a new adventure. I'm ready to move into my new apartment with two fabulous roommates, a fireplace, a nice big washer & dryer and insanely cheap rent. I am, however, not ready to leave these people that have become close to my heart. I think this ward will be harder to leave then my Raintree ward because I know that my relationships here aren't AS strong, therefore I won't be seeing these people a lot, if at all and so it's hard to see it all end. The change will be good though. Life is about progressing and I feel like this will be a great move.


Several of my favorite ward friends are also moving but some are moving much further away and for a much longer time and that is less okay with me.

I have two friends that I have blogged about before but who deserve to be mentioned again. They are wonderful guys, so happy, so loving, so respectful and always hilarious. Their testimonies shine through their countenances and their actions and I have become a much better person since I met them.

One of those fabulous brothers has been the very best friend I have found in this ward and I am so sad to see him leave, but so happy for him to go have new adventures! You know who you are my friend, and I appreciate you. I won't forget our long talks, your ability to ask just the right question, the many tears you have let me cry, but number one I will not forget the lessons you have taught me. I have a greater understanding of my worth because of the way you treated me and because you taught me that I always deserve better. You don't let me underestimate myself, you are patient and have truly lifted me up and helped me to become better. If anyone knows the meaning of true friendship it is you.

Now that I'm done being a a blubbering little girl I will go, but sometimes these things need to be said. :)

Just some ramble...

After a conversation with my Visiting Teacher recently I have been thinking about a song that I should maybe think about more, at least parts of the lyrics. The first time I heard this song I was probably 16 & I was sitting in the congregation at a Why I Believe fireside. If you can't tell by the details, this song really touched me. I guarantee that the fact that my best friend & her sister who I thought (and still think) are two of the strongest women I know were singing it helped to make the memory so vivid. I needed that song then & although it's a little cheesy & it's a Michael McLean song, I need that song now too. I listened to it for the first time in years today and was touched by the reminders. It's simple, but I'm going to post the lyrics in case someone else needs the reminder as much as I did. (And stay tuned, there is more beneath the lyrics)

Gentle

Like a gentle wind can blow the clouds from the sky,
Like a gentle touch can ease the pain of goodbye,
Like a gentle smile embraces empty souls in lonely places,
We should be more gentle with ourselves.

Like the friend who gently builds us up when we're down,
Like a gentle kiss can turn our world all around,
We've been hurt by others often,
We've forgiven and forgotten,
We should be more gentle with ourselves.

Life can be hard but
we need not be so hard
on ourselves,
If we will see

Like the Shepherd leads his flock with gentle commands.
With his gentle voice that only hearts understand.
One thing we can know for certain, He has borne the awful burdens
so we can be more gentle with ourselves.

One thing that I know for certain:
He will bear my every burden,
So I can be gentle with myself.


Now, I know I've talked about this a little bit before but I have to say that I really am learning that no matter how stressful life gets, no matter how much heartache I am feeling, no matter what is going on in my life, the moment I see this little guy running at me with his arms raised for me to pick him up I am filled with complete joy. I LOVE the days that I get to have lunch with my big sister & my nephew. They really do get me through my week. I hope you know that Sare! I love you guys. Here is a video of the cuteness. I know it looks a little boring at the beginning but stay tuned there is a big (adorable) ending! (At least for the Mom Mom's, Sassy's, & G-Gran's out there...)