A Blog Award and Five Question Friday!

My good friend Katie over at Words by Katie presented me with a blog award. Thanks friend!!

The rules for this award are pretty unique. I have to list five things about myself. However, only ONE of the facts will be completely true. The other four might have a little bit of truth in them, but are ultimately incorrect. Think you can guess which one is real? :)

1. The first major league baseball game I attended was between the Rangers and the Orioles.

2. When I was in junior high, my family hosted an exchange student.

3. When I get married, I want to leave the reception in a DeLorean.

4. I didn't learn to swim until I was 10.

5. My favorite clothing store is Old Navy.

Leave your answer in the comments below (or tweet/email them to me!)

I'm supposed to pass this award along to other blogs, so I'm going to cheat (again) and pass it along to all of you!! Let me know if you participate, I'd love to see your facts!! :)

It's another Friday that I'm very happy to see! For more Five Question Friday answers, go check out Mama M. at My Little Life!

1. Can you drive a stick shift?
Now, if the question was "can you drive a stick shift WELL" the answer would be NO. A big NO. HECK NO. I can give you a list of people who have tried to teach me to drive a stick shift and they will laugh at you for asking. Now, if I was stranded in the middle of nowhere and the only way to get home was a stick shift, I would eventually get home. I can't guarantee the clutch would still be in good condition though. Once I get going, I'm okay. It's the whole getting going and starting/stopping thing that I can get down. My own personal hell is being stuck in a stick shift vehicle on a hill. **shuddering**

2. What are two foods you just can't eat?

Only TWO? You know me, I'm picky, but if I had to pick two, I would say guacamole (gag) and pasta salad. Now, I LOVE pasta. HOT COOKED pasta. The whole cold pasta thing doesn't fly with me! Blek!

3. Do you buy Girl Scout Cookies? What is your favorite kind?

I really hope I don't lose friends/followers by saying this, but here I go: I don't like Girl Scout Cookies. Now, to be fair, I don't really like many cookies (except my mom's homemade peanut butter cookies). So no, I don't buy any. No, I don't even like Thin Mints (is now a good time to mention I don't like chocolate and mint mixed together)?

4. How do you pamper yourself?

I usually go get a pedicure (the super-duper kind, where they use hot rocks and wrap your legs in hot towels. It's blissful! I even get little flowers painted on my toes!) :)

5. What is your nickname and how did you get it?

I actually did a post last year on my nicknames. Go here for that. In addition to those names, I'm also called Sniffles and Soul Sista! :)

Go make a new friend at For the Love of Blogs!

Have a great weekend lovelies!!

XOXO!!!

Thursday 13- Favorite Verses

Thanks to everyone for the emails/tweets asking how I'm doing- sorry I've been slacking on my blog this week. I could complain and give you all the gory details of my week, but I won't. For my Thursday 13, I wanted to share some of my favorite scriptures. I should really focus more on the Word instead of complaining so much (hey- I'm human, what can I say?) If you have any favorites scriptures, please feel free to leave them in the comments or email them to me!! XOXO sweet friends for being there for me!

 

 

 

 

 

Three guesses what I'm having for lunch today for my Thirsty Thursday!! :)

Head over to For the Love of Blogs and link up for Thirsty Thursday!!

Do You Believe in Miracles?

Sorry for another short post today. I promise to try and post more later this week, it's been kind of crazy around here. Today is the 31st anniversary of the game that coined the phrase, "Do you believe in miracles?". On Feb. 22, 1980, the Team USA hockey team defeated the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics. If you don't know the story, go here for all the details. Laugh at me if you must, but I still get chills watching this video.

Yes, the Disney movie Miracle is based on this story!! :) I do find it fitting that I'm going to a hockey game tonight on the anniversary of this event. Go Stars, by the way! :)

XOXO sweet friends!

Quick note...

I'm short on time today, but I did want to post an update real quick. I have to say that I'm very proud of myself for getting my apartment cleaned this weekend. I was able to get rid of three bags of clothes to donate to Mission Arlington. I didn't organize my hall closet, BUT I did organize the closet in my bedroom (we'll see how long this lasts). This will shock many of my friends who have seen the disastrous state that my closet is usually in! Picture proof below!

Blouses, shirts and skirts that I can wear to work (we have to dress semi-fancy at my job)

T-shirts (yes, my baseball shirts are all grouped together). :) Also in the picture, a random teddy bear and stuffed penguin.

Belts, slacks and "non work" blouses. We aren't allowed to wear sleeveless or spaghetti strap blouses to work.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I promise to post more tomorrow! If you were lucky enough to have the day off work/school today, I hope you are enjoying it! I guess I can't complain about having to work today, I mean, I've had five free days off work this past month thanks to ice/snow. Also the commute to work wasn't too bad today with so many people able to stay home.

Happy Monday friends!

XOXO!

Friday, you have never looked more beautiful!

Can I just say I'm SO READY for this weekend? What. A. Week. Good grief!

For more 5 Question Friday responses, go here.

1. Have you worn the same outfit more than one day in a row?

Yes, but there is a story behind it. One time in college I went to visit some friends of mine (they went to school about an hour from me). I figured I would drive back home later that night, so I didn't bother to pack an overnight bag. The party we went to lasted longer than I had planned, and before we knew it, it was way too late for me to make an hour drive home. So, I had to sleep in my clothes and then wear them home the next day. 

2. If you had to choose a LARGE city to live in, which would it be? 

Dallas (seeing that I already live here). :)

3. Fly or drive with kids on vacation?
I don't have kids, so I can't answer this. I personally have a fear of flying (I've flown maybe 5 times in my entire life). I'm getting better though. I'm working up the courage to fly to Europe. Oh, and Hawaii!! :)

4.What is your idea of "spring cleaning"?
How funny that this is a question today. Even though it's not "technically" spring, it will feel like it this weekend, so I'm planning on cleaning my apartment (a little "pre-spring" cleaning). I usually go through my clothes and give away stuff I haven't worn. My rule is if I haven't worn it in the past year, I'm not going to wear it again. I donate it to Mission Arlington. I might try and tackle my hall closet (it's a disaster area). If you never hear from me again, it means I got lost in the mess! EEK!

5. What is the best book you've ever read?
Oh wow. I don't think I could pick just one. I read such a wide variety of books (non fiction, fiction, etc). To be on the safe side, I'm going to say the Bible!!: ) Although To Kill A Mockingbird is probably my favorite fiction book!

Go visit For The Love of Blogs and make a new friend (or two) today!! :)

I hope everyone has a great weekend! After I finish cleaning, I plan on watching the Star Wars trilogy (the old one). I've been wanting the DVDs for a while, I just have never bought them. Someone gave me the complete DVD set yesterday! Wahoo! Yes, I'm a Star Wars nerd (but just on the old ones. I didn't really like the news ones too much).

Greatest Star Wars scene! :)

Of course, this now makes the kiss between Luke and Leia REALLY creepy...

May the force be with you sweet friends!!

XOXO!!

Thankful Thursday

I received a sweet message on Twitter from my friend Veronica saying she was thankful for my kind spirit, sharing my love of baseball with her and putting a smile on her face. That is just what I needed to start the day! Thanks friend!! :)

It inspired me to list things I am thankful for (after my venting post yesterday). I need to stay positive in order to get through the rest of this week (just one more day)!! For more Thursday Thirteen posts, go here.

1. I am thankful that Jesus loves me. I'm glad someone does. He is definitely the only one who loves me all the time! Believe it or not, there are times when I'm NOT lovable (I know, I know, you are shocked at this!!) :)

2. I am thankful for my family. I hear/read stories about people who don't talk to their family or haven't spoken to family in years. I'm blessed to have a big, crazy, loving family. I talk to someone from my family every week. In fact, if I don't call my mother at least once a week, I get a phone call from her asking what was so important that I couldn't call my mother! :)

3. I am thankful that baseball season is just 43 days away (you might have noticed I put a countdown at the top of my blog for Rangers Opening Day!) :) I ordered a 10 pack of  Rangers games last week, and got Opening Day free! Wahoo! Pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training yesterday, the rest of the team reports this weekend! :)

A view from the section I'll be sitting in on Opening Day (thank you Rangerfan.com for the seat view.)

4. I am thankful for my friends. All of you. Whether we hang out in person, or if we met through the blogging or Twitter world, I value all of your friendships!! XOXO!! 

5. I am thankful that the windows in my office don't open (if you follow me on Twitter, you'll understand why I'm saying that!)

6. I am thankful for modern technology such as digital cameras, smart phones and Facebook that allow my niece Ali to share pictures of my adorable great-nephews at any time! 

 

Aunt Rachel's sweet boys!

7. I am thankful that my sweet friend Pam called and offered to bring me lunch (I'm not able to take a lunch break today since I'm the only one in my department). Yum...Whataburger! XOXO Pam!!

8. I am thankful for funny forwards. I received one today that made me laugh. Here are a few pictures from it.

9. I am thankful for VH1 Classic (how many VH1 channels are there now? I just discovered this one.) They were running the best of the I Love the 80s series the other day. Something about that show sucks me in. I can't stop watching. Probably because with the exception of the early 80s, I remember everything they talk about! Oh, and last night VH1C was airing Dazed and Confused. Cult classic. I went to high school with one of the main stars of that movie!

10. I am thankful for Half Price Books. I LOVE to read. I love that I can spend $20 at Half Price Books and come away with like 10 books.  

11. I am thankful that my flex day is tomorrow (so I only work 3.5 hours) and I have a beautiful weekend to look forward to!

12. I am thankful that the husband of my BFF Mandy was sweet enough to take me out to dinner on Valentine's Day. He was in town for a few days and offered to take me out to dinner Monday night. Yes, my BFF was aware and gave us her blessings to go to dinner! :) No Lifetime movie plot here!

Hello beautiful. Quite possibly my favorite meal!

13. I am thankful that I am able to stream music online. Last.fm is quite possibly my favorite music site!

Happy Thursday friends!! Please check out For the Love of Blogs and the Thirsty Thursday blog hop!! I'll be enjoying a large Dr Pepper from Whataburger as my drink today! :)

Wednesday Ramblings

If you follow me on Twitter, you might have noticed I wasn't having the best day yesterday. It was just one of those days at work. Don't get me wrong. I like my job, I work for a great company (and it's 1000 times better than the "evil place" that is AHFC, where I used to work), but yesterday was not one of my better days. Do you mind if I vent for just a few minutes? Really, you don't?? Aw, thanks! :)

First of all, I have to vent about meetings. We have entirely TOO MANY meetings around here. The meeting I had yesterday morning could probably have gotten terrorists to confess and turn themselves in. I was ready to start confessing stuff just to get out of it. Think about the ways they torture prisoners of war to get them to talk- this meeting would have had them spilling country secrets left and right. Oh no, I'm very serious! 

So, that meeting ended not long before lunch. After lunch, I had two more meetings to go to. The first one wasn't that bad, but the second one was pointless. We didn't get anything accomplished in the hour (plus) we were in there. So, I basically spent half of my day in meetings and was greeted with 49 emails in my inbox when I finally got back to my desk- at 4:00. I leave at 5:00.

I've mentioned over the past few weeks that my office was closed due to "inclement weather" in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Because the office was closed for 5 days over a span of two weeks, we are behind on a lot of our projects. My job is to basically keep everyone "on their toes" and make sure projects get completed on time. I keep track of where each job is, who has it, when it's due, who needs to see it, etc. Think of me as a hall monitor, or the kid the teacher leaves in charge of the class when she leaves the room- basically, I tattle when people are late on their projects (yes, I am paid to tattle. My siblings can't believe it either!) :) Because we were closed so much, pretty much all of our projects are running late. So, when people complain that they are working on 10 projects and are overwhelmed, I remind them that I have 996 projects that I'm keeping up with and am responsible for (that's not an exaggeration, I just ran a report and that is how many projects we have right now). That usually shuts them up. Since everyone is behind on their work, they are a little "antsy" these days (that was the nicest word I could say on my family friendly blog). They feel that their project "is the most important" so I should help them first (and honestly 7 out of 10 times it's something they could have done themselves, they just don't want to because they are lazy- but that is a venting for another day). I try and remind them that I have 20 other people saying their project is "the most important" so they need to get in line. It gets ugly. People get ugly. I've really tried to have the upbeat, positive, "Pollyanna" attitude (you know, the kind of nice that is almost sickening), but yesterday I had it. No more Miss Nice Gal. I lost it. It got so bad I needed a Chick Fil-A chocolate milkshake (I don't think I'll ever be able to stick to my no fast food diet). I also needed a hug. One of my sweet friends on Twitter sent me a virtual hug, so that was nice! :)

Okay, I'm done for now! Thanks for letting me vent. I was just finishing up my venting for the day when I got a message from my sweet friend Bobbi over at DAT's so Cute. She has given me two awards. You are so awesome girl!! :)

The rules are to thank the person who gave you the award, share 7 facts about yourself and then pass the award on to other deserving blogs.

Again, THANK YOU Bobbi!! You made my day! I love your blog posts and tweeting with you! You are a sweet friend!! :) FYI friends, go check out her blog here!!

I think I've told y'all everything about myself. Let me see if I can think of anything new.....

1. I really don't like it when people say "wow, you are really tall for a girl." I'm 5'8, I don't consider that "unusually tall". I also don't like being told that I'm "too tall" to wear heels. I like my heels. Yes, some of them make me almost 6 feet tall, but oh well, deal with it! :)

2. The only time I usually eat soup is when I'm sick, and I'm very picky about what soup I eat (yes, yes, I'm a picky eater, I'm sorry!) :) I don't like really thick soups, I'm happy with a cup of Ramen!

3. My hair is naturally curly, but I usually straighten it. I know, all of you with straight hair are going to say you would kill to have curly hair. No you wouldn't. You would straighten it too! :)

4. I cannot stand the game Monopoly. It's a long story, but it goes back to my childhood when I was forced to play it for hours on end. To this day, I refuse to play it.

5. I have giddy moments when famous people reply to me on Twitter (or retweet me).

6. I am on Twitter entirely too much!! BUT, feel free to follow me!! Go here.

7. When I was little I used to entertain myself by making faces in the mirror. I may or may not still do that. :)

 

Getting ready for Girls Night Out last weekend. I took a few pictures of me making faces. :) I'm such a nerd!

All of the blogs I follow are deserving of both of these awards, but I promised I would actually pick blogs out this time to award, so here I go! Click on the name to visit their blog- tell them I sent ya!! :)

Brown Eyed Girl's Ramblings

Words by Katie

Freckles and Fudge

Cranberry Morning

Scenic Glory 

Travel Babbles 

Musings

Laugh Until Your Cheeks Hurt

Ashley...plus three 

Happily Ever After

May Angel Star

A Day in the Life of a Hockey Wife

 

We are halfway through the week beautiful friends! Have a good day!

XOXO!!

Winner!

So my sweet friend Lindsay over at Scenic Glory had a contest last week to name her new camera. Out of all the entries submitted, she choose my suggestion of Penelope! **insert cheering here**

She designed a new blog button for me and has it on her sponsorship wall for the next month. That way all of her lovely readers will have a link to come check out my random ramblings over here!! Thanks Lindsay! Y'all should go check out her blog here. She is awesome- and she does the best blog designs ever! I can't wait to see all the pictures she is going to take with her new camera, Penelope! :)

My ad button on her page

It's been a long day so I'm keeping this post short today.

XOXO sweet friends!!

Baseball loves

In case you are new to my blog, I'm am obsessed infatuated passionate a fan of baseball. I thought in honor of today, I would list a few of my past and current baseball loves. Let the record show that I love baseball for the sport that it is, I can't help that good looking guys decide to play it! ;)

Steve Avery: 

Yes, he is the Avery behind the Averyfan in my Twitter account and my blog address. Go back  in time with me to the early 1990s. Before MLB network and online streaming of sports (yes kids, I remember life BEFORE the internet), you watched whatever baseball was on TV. Since I didn't grow up in Dallas, the only baseball that was on all the time was the Braves on TBS and the Cubs on WGN. I started watching Braves games (honestly because TBS was the first channel I came across). There was a young pitcher named Steve Avery. He quickly became one of my favorite players. I know, he didn't live up to the potential he had when he was young, but hey, everyone needs a fan. I may, or may not, have 103 Steve Avery cards in my baseball card collection. ;)

Steve at the Braves alumni game last year-if he plays again this year, I'm so taking a road trip!

Chipper Jones:

I heard an interview with Chipper not too long ago and he was talking about how he's been playing professional baseball for almost 20 years. I felt old because I remember him being a rookie. Again, following the Braves introduced me to Larry Wayne Jones, Jr, or, Chipper, as he is lovingly called. I can't explain my attraction to him, but he gave Steve Avery some competition as my favorite Braves player! :)

C.J. Wilson:

It's no secret that I have an on-again-off-again crush on Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson (right now it's on). I think he is absolutely adorable in this picture! :)

 

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Salty): 

Last year was a great year for the Texas Rangers. Sadly in the middle of the season we traded one of a fan favorites (at least among some of my female friends). We miss you Salty! He will be back Opening Day when the Rangers face the Red Sox (speaking of which, got my Opening Day ticket last week- wahoo!) :) **happy dance**

 

Jeff Francoeur (Frenchy):
Being a Braves fan, I knew Frenchy when he was in Atlanta. The Rangers traded for him mid-season last year. We loved him, he was great (and despite me not being a fan of guys with facial hair, he pulled it off quite nicely). Sadly, we didn't keep him, he went to the Royals. I'm smelling a road trip to Kansas City this summer to see him play! :) I know he's not in a baseball uniform here, but he looks sharp in this picture! :)

Ian Kinsler: 

I know some guys who will even admit crushing on Ian (names will not be used to protect the guilty innocent). :)

Ian holding my hand last year when he was playing in a game in Frisco. Okay, he was handing me back my pen, but it looks like he's holding my hand! :)

Joe Mauer: 

As a Rangers fan, I feel guilty having a Twins player on here, but Joe is a hottie!! :) Leave Minnesota Joe, come to Texas....

 

I love this commercial of him! ;)

Josh Hamilton:

I love Josh for the Godly man that he is, but he is a cutie too!! :) My mom loves him as well!

 

Tommy Hunter:
Another Rangers pitcher- he is absolutely adorable. And he is such a goofball!! :)

Dirk Hayhurst:

I discovered Dirk through his book The Bullpen Gospels (which is awesome- even if you don't like baseball, I think you will enjoy this book). It's his adventures through the minor leagues. I follow him on Twitter- he is great!! If you want to follow him on Twitter as well, go here. He used to be with the Blue Jays, but is now with the Tampa Bay Rays. Tweet with him and discover the greatness of The Garfoose!

Hope everyone has a great day!

XOXO!

Hello Friday!

Thanks to all the ice days we've had the past two weeks, my department at work is behind on A LOT of our projects. This being said, I have to work all day today (normally I work half days on Fridays). I don't see a lot of sympathy coming from anyone out there!! :)

Over at For The Love of Blogs, they are co-hosting Joyful Moments today. We were asked to post a picture(s) that brings us joy and to blog about it!

These two pictures bring me joy because I LOVE being an aunt (or in this case, a great-aunt). My niece posted these pictures of her sons, "C" and "E", on Facebook. Just seeing their precious faces brings me joy and makes my day 1000 times better!! I can't wait to see them again, hopefully that will be soon!! They are my sweet chunky monkeys! :)

C showing off his teeth

E wearing his Aggie jacket (I have a feeling it was a gift from his Meme!)

If you would like to participate in 5 Question Friday, click the icon below!

1. Would you rather be on ABC's Extreme Home Makeover or TLC's What Not To Wear?

I think I would go with What Not To Wear (seeing that I don't own a house). I'm pretty sure Clint and Stacy would rip apart what I currently wear, but at least I would get new clothes out of the deal. Side note: I usually make it about 10 minutes into Extreme Home Makeover before I start crying (I honestly think that is the purpose of the show- see how fast you can make the viewers start crying). 

Clint and Stacy from What Not To Wear

2. Do you have any tattoos?

Here is a picture of the tattoo I got in college (please see caption below the picture).

Before my mom freaks out and calls threatening my life, this is NOT real. My friend painted it on me one time (we got bored). I have a fear of needles, I could never get a tattoo!

3. Do you tell your kids about things you did growing up?

Well, when I have kids, I'll tell them some things. ;) I'm sure at some point I will say, "when I was your age, I didn't have the internet/cell phones/flying cars..." (I'm convinced one day we will have flying cars!!) ;)

Back to the Future 2 was set in 2015. They have 4 years to get flying cars up and running, or in this case,  flying! :)

4. If the traffic signal turns yellow, do you stop or speed up?
It depends. If there is a red light camera at the stoplight, I make every attempt to stop! ;)

5. What's your preference: chocolate or chips?

What about chocolate chips? ;) I guess it all depends, I like both chips and chocolate. I'm picky about my chocolate though (hey, I'm picky about the rest of my food, chocolate shouldn't be an exception). I'm not a fan of dark chocolate (I know, I know, I'm just weird). I love milk chocolate though. As I've mentioned before, I'm not a fan of cakes or pies, BUT I have a weakness for candy. I love Snickers and Milky Ways. And M&Ms! :) Oh, and regarding chips, my parents introduced me to these vegetable chips. They are REALLY good by the way!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! We are finally getting back to "Texas friendly" temperatures this weekend!! Thank goodness!

XOXO!!