Thankful Thursday

For the last few years, I've talked about getting back into my "blogging groove". I'm not going to lie, I've missed it. The motivation was seriously lacking though (hello laziness). It's felt good to have people tell me that they miss my posts, so I am going to try my hardest to update this as regularly as possible, and not just when I travel, like I have the last couple of years. Although I will still recap my travel adventures, don't you worry.

I thought today I would start the new year off with a Thankful Thursday post. Some of you only keep up with me through this blog, so you might have missed a few of the things that have happened over the last few weeks months years.

I'm thankful...

...that I was able to attend the Winter Classic hockey game on New Year's Day. Shout-out to my friend Monica 2.0 for the ticket. (I have two good friends named Monica so I call them 1.0 and 2.0. I met 1.0 first, hence why she is 1.0. I love that pretty much everyone who knows both of them now uses the 1.0 and 2.0 nicknames as well). :) The Winter Classic was a once in a lifetime experience to not only attend an OUTDOOR professional hockey game, but an outdoor hockey game IN TEXAS. The weather gods were good to us. It was cold (well, cold for Texas-low 50s), overcast, and not rainy. The atmosphere at the game was amazing. There were over 85,000 fans there. The NHL grossly underestimated how many fans would show up to a hockey game in Texas, so I'm not going to lie-how they handled the crowd lacked a lot (blame the NHL, not Dallas, the NHL hosted the whole event). BUT that doesn't take away from the wonderful experience. Even though the lines were long and we stood for a long time NOT moving because there were so many people, it wasn't too unbearable (I can say that now that I'm at home sitting down). Even the fans from Nashville were nice, I didn't see or hear any ugly trash talking- everyone was there to experience a great hockey game. And it was fantastic. Mainly because the Stars won, but even if they hadn't, it still would be a day to remember.

Monica 2.0, Monica 1.0, and me

A fun day with my hockey homegirls (and Tim, with the photobomb). 

See what I mean about the crowds

The second largest crowd in Winter Classic history

The Stars came back to win the game 4-2.

...that I was able to spend a week with my family during the holidays. I rarely get to spend a whole week at my folks house, so that was nice. I was spoiled because I was the only one staying at their house, so I got them all to myself. It was nice just to relax and be able to sit and talk or watch movies with them. Also I got to meet my new great-niece (grand-niece? I still don't know the proper term). She's the daughter of my nephew James. They were in Texas visiting, so I finally got to meet Baby J (she was born in November).

L: Me in 1990 holding my nephew James-rocking a NKOTB shirt. R: Me at Christmas holding his daughter, rocking a NKOTB shirt. :) What's funny is that they were the same ages when these photos were taken (just about a month old). James was an 11 pound baby, his daughter was just over 6 pounds. :)

My nephew James today- he's a little taller now. :)

Christmas with my folks

My great-nephew C- he's a big fan of Snapchat (so is his brother).

My great-nephew E, he's a mess. Lol. 

C, E, and K all came over to my folks early Christmas morning

My sister Martha and I thought it was a good idea to go to Hobby Lobby two days before Christmas. Lol. We were so tempted to buy 66% off Christmas decorations, but thankfully we got out of there before causing too much damage to our checking accounts. 

My great-niece K- we thought we would try out a new look

My niece Alice, the mother of C, E, and K. We always tell people we are like sisters since we are only six years apart.

...that I'm trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle by participating in races. I completed my first 5K in December 2017. Then in 2018 I finished two 5Ks. This year I ran (okay, mainly walked/jogged) seven 5Ks and one 10K. I didn't break any records by any means, but this newly discovered passion for races has surprised a lot of people, including me. Lol. I used to think people who did these races were crazy. Guess I'm crazy. I signed up for my first half-marathon (that's 13.1 miles, for those not familiar with races). It's going to be in March in San Antonio- I'm very excited/nervous about it.

...that I have fully recovered from my shoulder surgery. As you might remember, in January 2018 I had that horrible accident where I burned my leg (if you want that recap, you can click here.) I had hoped to get through 2019 without any accidents or hospital visits. Unfortunately, I had to have shoulder surgery Feb. 1 for a torn tendon and to remove some cysts caused by bursitis. The surgery went well-it was my first surgery, so I was super nervous because I had to be put under anesthesia, but I had no complications (and I didn't propose to my orthopedic surgeon or call him Dr. McHottie. Lol.) I was on bed rest for two weeks and had to do physical therapy for five months, but I visited my doctor last month, and I'm completely healed. He's very pleased with the range of motion in my shoulder and that the pain is gone. So, if the Rangers need me in the bullpen, I'm good to go! : )

With Dr. Ghattas before my surgery in February

You lose all sense of modesty when you have to call one of your homegirls to come over and help you take off your shirt so you can shower. Lol. Nothing like not having the use of one arm to make you feel totally helpless.

These were my awesome physical therapists at ATI. They based my pain level from a 1 to a "I want to punch you in the face". (because I possibly said that a lot when I first started going). Lol.

Last month when I got the all clear from my doctor!

Thank you to the faithful who keep up with me, I appreciate y'all! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and I hope your 2020 is amazing and the best ever! Much love!

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Thursday

I'm loving...

That I'm trying to improve on my 5K time. After participating in my first 5K last year, I've decided to actually train for my next one. Last time I did it "cold turkey". I downloaded an app called Couch to 5K and I really enjoy it. 

I'm loving...

That I got to see my BFF Mandy last weekend while I was in Austin. We are going on 30 years of friendship this year!

I'm loving...

That two non-beer drinkers made a 45 minutes drive to a beer brewery just to support one of our favorite actors. Mandy and I love the show Supernatural and one of the stars (Jensen Ackles) just opened a brewery last week. We decided to show his business some support and went out there on Saturday. It's an awesome place (even if you are a non-drinker)- it's in Dripping Springs (just outside of Austin) and it is beautiful out there. They have a lot of seating (inside and outside) and there is a food truck available. They have a gated playground for kids and have a lot of areas for people to bring their dogs (on a leash, of course). We went out there on Saturday afternoon, and I really didn't expect Jensen to be there, but after sitting down for a few minutes, he walked by us. We didn't say anything the first time he walked by, but the second time he walked by, I stopped him and told him how much we enjoyed the atmosphere and that the place looked great. He stopped and chatted with us and expressed his appreciation that we were there checking it out. And he agreed to take a photo (Mandy's daughter was super excited to meet "Dean"). This was much cheaper than the time Mandy and I paid to get a photo with him at a Supernatural convention. Lol.

They also serve non-alcoholic drinks

I'm loving...

That I got to hang out with old friends this past weekend. My friend Thomas turned 40 and I went to his birthday party (I've known him since college). Another college friend Kris was there, it was great catching up with them and reminiscing on old memories. I also got to meet up with my friend Justin while I was in town, we went to high school together and hadn't seen each other in 20 plus years. 

I'm loving...

That I got to stay with my "summer mom" while I was in Austin. During the summer of 1998 I lived with this wonderful lady and her family. She has been calling me her "summer daughter" for 20 years now. :)

I'm loving...

That I got to visit the church I grew up in, I hadn't been by in about 13 years. This church will always be very dear to me. Sadly there aren't many members left from my time there, but there was one lady who remembered me. She kept saying "I can't believe you are little Rachel." :) I attended that church from age 5 to age 18.

Ms. Pat

I'm loving...

That I got to hear author Mike Cox speak on his book Legends & Lore of the Texas Capitol. Mandy and I went to hear him speak on Sunday (last thing I did before I left Austin). I can't wait to read the book- I'm a history nerd (especially Texas history) so I look forward to it.

I'm loving...

The cold weather. HA. Just kidding. Going to work when temperatures are in the single digits is not for me. I live in Texas for a reason (well, many reasons, but not having to deal with freezing temperatures in a main one). Lol.

I'm loving...

That I got to have lunch with my amazing friend Devin. You should just be jealous (even if you don't know him). :)

I'm loving...

That I got to attend a farewell dinner for my (now former) manager. When I interviewed at my place of employment ten years ago, she was the second person I interviewed with and she has been nothing but 1000% supportive of my career from the beginning. She retired last week and is going to sail the Caribbean with her husband. I'm going to miss my daily chats with her (and the never-ending supply of chocolate candy in her office). Lol.

What are YOU loving today??

XOXO!

What I'm Loving...Thursday!

I've been meaning to update my blog the past few weeks and each week something prevents me from posting (AKA my insanely busy schedule). I finally made time today to get a post up. I really wanted to post yesterday for What I'm Loving Wednesday but was (SURPRISE) too busy, so I give you, What I'm Loving...Thursday! :)

I'm loving...

That I had a great Thanksgiving with my family. We had a small crowd- only fifteen on Thanksgiving Day (that's small for my family), but I enjoyed spending time with everyone who could make it. 

My nephew Jonathan came in from Missouri and surprised us all! I hadn't see him in years! :)

My brother's adorable dog Scamp joined us for Thanksgiving (well, he had to stay outside because someone in my family- AKA my mother, doesn't allow animals in the house). I spent lots of time outside cuddling him!

I made my Bubba recreate (sorta) this photo from the early 80s. He nixed wearing the short shorts and high socks. Lol.

I'm loving...

That I ran (ahem..jogged/walked) my first 5K and didn't die!! It was on my 40 by 40 list, so that's something I can cross off! :) I actually had a lot of fun with my friends Jude and Christine (and my new friend Cathy). I might even do another one!

I liked this one because it was at night and I didn't have to get up at 5am to go run

I don't know if I've mentioned it or not, but Steve Avery (yes, THAT STEVE AVERY, the Avery behind the name Averyfan) is my friend on Facebook. He actually sent me a friend request, I did not stalk him (we have a mutual friend so he felt I was safe to "friend" on Facebook). He's very nice (I knew he would be). Anyway, my Facebook post before the 5K was that if I died, someone ask Steve Avery to give the eulogy at my funeral. I didn't tag him, but he saw my post and commented. :) I told him I survived but he could still say nice things about me. :)

I'm loving...

That I got to see my bestie Brandy TWICE last week. We go months without seeing each other but we went to the Fort Worth symphony last Thursday and then I went to her son's birthday party on Sunday. Weehoo!

I'm loving...

That I was invited to this cutie's 4th birthday party. I don't give up my Sunday afternoons and drive an hour for just anyone, but when I do, it's for him! :)

As always, thanks to his parents for giving me permission to use his photo on my blog

I'm loving...

That I went to my first Stars game of the season just before Thanksgiving. My nephew Danny came into down to go with me (he's three years younger than me and the person who got me interested in hockey). I ran into a few friends at the game. And the Stars won! :) Go Stars go!

Always good running into my friend Matt, he's a season ticket holder for the Stars.

My baby nephew (he hates when I call him that). Lol

 I'm loving...

My Christmas decorations at Casa de Rachel. I got a new tree this year (I gave my old one to my niece Lydia). The decorations make me happy! :) 

As my long time followers know, I'm a Nativity scene snob. Baby Jesus and the wise men are on separate sides of the room in my house. The wise men actually didn't show up until Jesus was about two. Technically baby Jesus shouldn't be in the manger until Christmas Day, but I bought my Nativity set at the Dollar Store, so baby Jesus is attached to the manger. Lol.

I'm loving...

Spending time with friends. My schedule is so busy lately but my friends and I have managed to work in time to see each other!

I saw A Christmas Story at the Alamo Drafthouse with my friend Monica last weekend. We got props! It was a lot of fun seeing it on the big screen!

I saw the movie The Man Who Invented Christmas this past week with my friends Ryan and Mel. It was a great movie- I highly recommend it!

My friend Allan (top left) and I have known each other since kindergarten. I went to his place for a party just before Thanksgiving and made some new friends! :) A fun time was had by all!

What are you loving??

XOXO!