Blog Challenge 2012- Days 7, 8, 9 & 10

I keep putting these off, sorry y'all. Here we go, catch up time. 

Day 7: What is your dream job, and why?

I'm not even sure I have a dream job anymore. I went to college to be a journalist (which I was, for a while). I love to write. I wish I could be a writer, but I'm not sure I have the dedication in me.

Day 8: What are 5 passions you have?

Seriously, who thought of these questions?? Anyways, I could go all serious with this question but I think I'll be silly, I'm not in a serious mood today.

1. Sports (I know, you are shocked)

2. Classic movies (Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart)

3. Chick Fil-A (I could eat it every day, no really, I could).

4. Dr Pepper (I'm a Pepper!)
5. Blue Bell ice cream (it's SO GOOD). 

Day 9: List 10 people who have influenced you and how.

I'm just going to say my family (there are more than 10 people in that, but I'm too lazy to type individual names). I am so fortunate to be a part of a loving, supportive, God-fearing family. No matter what is going on in my life, I have someone to turn to, laugh with, cry with, or pray with.

Day 10: Describe your most embarrassing moment.

I guess mine would have to be the time in college when I got a concussion and cracked my tailbone, all in the same move (oh yes, I'm that talented). My college friends never seem to get tired of this story. A little background: I went to a small Christian college and the rules of the dorms were that members of the opposite sex were not allowed past the lobby. Now, every so often, the dorms would have "An Open Dorm". Guys could come visit the girls in their dorm rooms, and vice versa. Visitors had to sign in with a picture ID in the lobby (no, I'm not kidding). And, our doors had to be left open. Oh, I'm very serious. This is a key part to my story.

One night during an Open Dorm, my roommate and I had about 8 or 9 friends hanging out in our room. Important side note: Our dorm doors were what I call "fire doors", so we had to use a chair to prop it open. We had a chair in the middle of the doorway to keep it from closing. At some point during the evening, our R.A. said we had to have an emergency meeting in the hallway. My roommate left the room first while I told our friends to stay put, we would be right back. My roommate yelled at me to grab a pen because we had to fill out forms, so, in my attempt to hurry and get out to the hall, I thought, I'm just going to jump over the chair. Yeah, I jumped a little too high, hitting my head on the doorframe. On the way back down, I hit the chair, which slid out from under me, causing me to land straight on my butt on the floor. Everyone laughed at first, because I suppose it looked a little funny. Then, they realized I wasn't moving. My boyfriend ran over to check on me, and according to him, some "un-Rachel like" words came out of my mouth. (Sorry mom!) THAT is when he realized something was very wrong.

At first they were more worried about me having a concussion since I hit my head pretty hard. So, my roommate and boyfriend drove me to the E.R. After a CAT Scan and an X-ray, they realized I not only had a concussion, but a cracked tailbone as well. For anyone who has had a cracked tailbone, you know there is NOTHING that can be done. Except heavy duty pain killers and a donut pillow to sit on (we aren't going to talk about that stupid pillow though).

So, that night my poor roommate had to wake me up every two hours and ask me three questions. The doctor said if I hesitated at any question, I had to come back in. Needless to say, on a small campus such as mine, word got out what had happened. The vice president of the school even called to check on me. I'm still a legend to this day in that dorm. I hear whenever there is an open dorm, that story comes up. Beautiful. That is just how I wanted to be remembered!

Hope everyone has had a great weekend! I hope to post my pictures from the Tim McGraw/Kenny Chesney concert some point this week!!

XOXO!

Blog Challenge 2012- Day 6 & WILW

Day 6: What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?

Okay, I really don't like today's challenge. It's too sad, so I'll keep this short. I guess the hardest thing I've experienced is the passing of my brother-in-law, Jack. He and I were really close. In April of 1999 he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He passed away that September at the age of 38. I dedicated a blog post to him a few years ago, go here to read it. I can't retype it, I'll start crying (no really, I will).

My brother-in-law Jack "sweeping me off my feet" at his wedding in 1988 (I was a junior bridesmaid).

Okay, I can't leave today's post all sad like this, so I'm going to give you a edition of What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm loving...

These awesome gifts that my friends gave me!

My friend Laura made this box for me (she painted it in Rangers colors and put a Texas "T" on top.) She also got me some Rangers earrings. It's funny, I almost bought this exact pair at a game a few weeks ago but I decided to wait. I'm glad I did! :) 

I posted about this yesterday, but again, here is the Rangers cap Julie (pictured next to me), Laura, and Monica got me. I love it!

My friend Chris went to the Rangers game against the Astros in Houston a few weeks ago. The giveaway that night was a Nolan Ryan bobblehead (for those non baseball fans- Nolan played for the Astros before going to the Rangers). Chris was sweet enough to give me the one he got. Weehoo!

My friend Paul lives in Atlanta and mailed me this Braves program that has an article about Chipper Jones (my second baseball crush).

I'm loving...

The latest pictures of my great-nephews C and E. Their faces make any bad day I'm having so much better!!

I'm loving...

That only in Texas can a traffic jam be caused by cows on the highway.

I'm loving...

This picture of my best friend's little girl Miss E. She's wearing the Josh Hamilton shirt that Aunt Rachel got her for her birthday. I think I have created another Rangers fan (well, I'm going to do everything in my power to turn her into one). :)

I'm loving...

Funny stuff on Pinterest (shameless plug, follow me on Pinterest here.)

FYI, this is why I don't jog! ;)

Have a great day y'all!!
XOXO!

Blog Challenge 2012- Day 5

Day 5: What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now.

1. Jesus. I can't lie and say that my life is perfect and that I have everything I've ever wanted, but ya know what, at the end of the day, Jesus loves me, and that is all that matters! :)

2. My friends. I mention them a lot, don't I? :) I really appreciated all of them checking in on me while my mom was in the hospital. Thanks to everyone on Twitter and Facebook for your well wishes. Your prayers meant so much to me!!

Me with my baseball home girls at a Frisco Roughrider game on Friday night (Rangers minor league team). I'm wearing the new cap they got me for my birthday!

3. Baseball*

Dr Pepper Ballpark (where the Roughriders play). We sat on the lawn just past the outfield wall (gate?), they were actually cool seats! And only $7!

4. My trip to Memphis in September. Some friends and I are going to visit Graceland (finally!) I'm excited, I've always wanted to go! :)

I promise to take pictures of any Elvis sightings! :)

5. Netflix. Okay, maybe it's not really in the top five things that make me happy, but I honestly couldn't think of anything else at the moment. I have seriously become a Netflix junkie over the past week. I had to wait 2.5 hours at the DMV yesterday to renew my driver's license and was so thankful I had a Netflix app on my phone. I may shamefully admit a few TV shows that I have started watching on Netflix, but that's a post for another day!

 

*I am happy it's baseball season, but I am NOT happy with how the Rangers have been playing lately. I can't even talk about it. No really, I can't. As much as I *heart* Craig Gentry (he's an outfielder) when he comes in to PITCH during the game, you know it's has gotten bad. I wonder if Nolan Ryan could still pitch? At this point, I'm pretty sure my 3 year old nephew C could have pitched better than Scott Feldman. There, I said it. I'm not hitting the panic button YET, but I'm hovering over it.

It seemed shameful to mention Gentry and not post a picture. ;)

Hope y'all have a great day!

XOXO!

Blog Challenge 2012- Day 4

Day 4: List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

1. Always keep God and your faith as the number one priority in your life.

2. No matter what any guy tells you, you are worth waiting for. Don't ever think otherwise. You will be glad you did.

3. Always be yourself- don't try to be someone different to impress anyone. Not everyone is going to like you, but that is okay. Your friends like you for you and that is all that matters.

4. Tell your family and friends that you love them- everyday. 

5. When someone asks you to watch the movie Meet the Feebles- run away screaming.

6. Never let a guy come between you and a friend.

7. Heartbreaks hurt at the time, but the pain does go away.

8. One day you will understand that your parents were right.

9. Never stop writing, no matter what.

10. Life might not turn out how you thought, but you will be happy.

XOXO!

Blog Challenge 2012- Day 2 & 3

It's sad that after one day of the blog challenge I'm already behind. My weekend got away from me. Yesterday my mom had to go into the hospital so I was dealing with that all afternoon. They thought she had a stroke but they aren't sure- they are still running tests. They knew she was getting better yesterday when she was worried about the Rangers game. Prayers and good thoughts are so appreciated!! Xoxo.

Day 2: Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.

Okay, I have no clue HOW they became fears but here are three of them.

1. Fear of spiders

2. Fear of snakes

3. Fear of flying-I do fly occasionally, but I'm usually a nervous wreck leading up to the flight, and sometimes during take-offs, and landings. Although I'm getting better.

Day 3: Describe your relationship with your parents.

I have a wonderful relationship with my parents- I talked to them at least once a week over the phone. It's one reason why being away from my mom while she is in the hospital is so hard (they live about 2.5 hours away from Dallas). If my mom gets cleared by the doctors, my folks are supposed to come to visit next weekend, so I'm hoping she gets well soon! Click here to read a post I did about my folks last year.

Me and my folks at a Rangers game last year

I'm hoping to catch up later today with the Day 4 challenge. 

XOXO!

Blog Challenge 2012- Day 1

In hopes of trying to post something every day, I've decided to participate in another blog challenge. Hopefully this will motivate me if I have a topic to write about! :)

Day 1: List 20 random facts about yourself.

Okay, I've done this a lot of times, but I know I have some new followers, so I apologize for the ones that are repeats. :) I tried to think of some new ones.

1. I would love to play a dead body on CSI or some other crime show. I can't act, but I figure a dead body wouldn't have to worry about speaking lines.

2. I didn't attend my first major league baseball game until I was 17 years old (I grew up in Austin). My youth pastor took me to Houston to see a game between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves. Steve Avery was pitching that day. I actually had a sign that said "I skipped school to see Steve Avery." :)

3. I don't like milk. Now, I like chocolate milk and I put milk on my cereal, but I don't like the taste of regular milk.

4. When I was a teenager, I signed a True Love Waits commitment card.

5. I loathe the game of Monopoly. It goes back to when I was a kid and had to play it for hours on end. I can't stand it now. Please don't ask me to play, I won't do it.

6. My hair is naturally curly, but I usually straighten it.

7. I didn't learn to ride a bike until I was 11 years old.

8. I have 20 nieces and nephews. I am also the great-aunt to four adorable great-nephews (and another great-nephew or great-niece is on their way this fall).

9. I don't like Starbucks. Granted, I don't like coffee, but I don't really care for any of Starbucks drinks. I have issues spending that much money on a beverage.

10. I hate it when people say "wow, you are really tall." I'm 5'8, I don't consider that "really tall". And yes, I like wearing high heels, so deal with it. :)

11. Not counting the time when I was a baby, I didn't fly in a plane until I was 21.

12. When I was in high school, I dislocated my knee playing soccer. 

13. I don't eat pie or cake. 

14. I'm a wannabe tornado chaser.

15. When I was 10 years old, I sang on stage with Christian recording artist Sandi Patty. Please note I didn't say I sang WELL. :)

16. My favorite dwarf from Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs is Dopey. This might explain my whole "ear obsession" (I have friends who know what I'm talking about).

17. I was assistant editor of my college newspaper.

18. My favorite actor is Dick Van Dyke and in the past year I have seen him act, sing, and dance live and in person. Not too many people get to say that about their favorite actor! :)

19. I was the only child in my family who was able to attend elementary, middle school, and high school all in the same town. My other siblings were moved around a lot when they were younger.

20. I have a bad case of stage fright. The thought of speaking to a crowd of people by myself makes me sick to my stomach.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

XOXO!!