The Final Official It's OK Thursday....

It's OK...

...that I'm sad this is the last It's OK Thursday linkup with Neely and Amber. Never fear, I'm sure I will do other It's OK posts in the future, there just won't be a linkup to go with it.

...that I'm kinda worthless at work today. Hey, it's my birthday, I don't feel like working. :) Unless my boss is reading this, then I'm nothing but business professional right now. :)

Sadly I was awake at 5:47am today. That is the exact time I was born.

Birthday celebrations at work

...that I had a milkshake at 10am. One of my sweet friends at work brought me one when she came in this morning (I couldn't be rude and let it melt). Again, it's my birthday, I can do what I want. :).

I know, I know, I had a Dr Pepper AND milkshake that early in the day. 

...that anything pertaining to my nephews C and E makes me smile. My sister texted me this the other day.

...that I'm looking forward to a four day weekend (I'm off work tomorrow- holla!) 

...that I feel very loved today (I have had a rough week so I needed to feel loved). So many people have sent me birthday wishes via Facebook, Twitter, email, and texting. I love you guys! :)

...that I love this picture my nephew James put on Instagram today!

...that it took me so long to meet my Twitter friend Janie. She is so sweet!

...that receiving the giveaway Nolan Ryan bobblehead at the Rangers game the other night made up for them losing game. At least the rain had stopped by game time. 

The one on the left is the giveaway from the other night. The one on the right is a bobblehead my friend Chris got me last year in Houston (on their Nolan Ryan bobblehead night). 

...that I'm sad that the Year of Nolan Ryan is behind me. For you none baseball fans, his jersey number was 34. Not sure who this is the year of, a lot of players have worn jersey number 35: Phil Niekro (Braves). Frank Thomas (White Sox). John Wetteland (Rangers). I'll have to decide. 

A final picture of me at age 34 (that I took yesterday at work). Where does the time go?

...that I'm looking forward to the Texas Women Bloggers June Photo-A-Day challenge! Stay tuned!

What's OK with you??

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

It's time to catch up on What I'm Loving Wednesday! Trying to give more of a recap of what I've been up to the past month!

I'm loving...

Shopping with friends. Last month my friend Laura and I spent the afternoon doing our part to help out the economy by shopping at Kohl's. I look at it this way: Kohl's killed a tree in order to print me a 30% off coupon. I don't want that tree's death to be in vain, so I went shopping (yes, I'm a shopaholic, I'm full of excuses). :)

Having fun trying on hats! I tried to get Laura to buy this one but she said no.

My cowgirl look!

I'm loving...

Meeting more of my Twitter friends! So far this summer I've been able to meet up with a handful of my Twitter peeps, it's been great!

 

I'm loving...

Pedicures. I got a MUCH NEEDED pedicure last weekend. I know some people don't like pictures of feet (you know who you are), so just don't look. :)

I'm pretty sure the lady painting my toenails was making fun of my toes. She kept talking to her friend and holding up my foot while laughing. Or maybe I'm self-conscious. :)

My Ranger blue toenails! :)

I'm loving...

That today 7-11 is giving away free Slurpees (in honor of it being 7/11). I'm so going to stop by and get one on my way home!

The free Slurpees aren't THIS big, but still, any size Slurpee is better than none! :)

I'm loving...

Going to Rangers games with my friends. During my "blogging sabbatical" I did nothing but work and watch baseball (I'm sure you are shocked). I love being able to go to games with my "baseball homies". :) Something about going to a baseball game just makes my day so much better (especially when they win). In fact, the past 13 Rangers games I've been at this season, they have won. I think they need me there! :)

My friend Leah and I representing an old school duo! :) Yes, my purse is shaped like a baseball (are you surprised?)

Me and my friend Beks. This is the first time in our 8-year friendship her hair has been shorter than mine! She just got it cut so she could donate it! :) It looks great!

Aren't we just adorable?

They play this song after a Rangers win at the Ballpark- I LOVE hearing it! :)

I'm loving...

Late birthday presents. My friend Beks gave me this awesome bracelet the other day. I LOVE IT!!

I'm loving...

That I had a relaxing day off for the 4th of July. I did nothing but hang around my pool and watch TV. I was able to see the local fireworks from my front steps, so I didn't even have to leave my apartment complex all day. It was nice!

Blinding people with my pale legs

I'm sexy and I know it...

The picture isn't that great, but it was a good view of the fireworks. I even played patriotic music during the show on my Pandora iPhone app. :)

I'm loving...

That I have been cooking more. I've become a big fan of cooking steaks on my George Foreman grill. I recently found this steak seasoning- it's awesome (of course, you can probably guess the main reason I bought it- but it's really good. Hey, I TRUST anything that is endorsed by Nolan Ryan!) :)

I also buy Nolan Ryan steaks- they sell them at Kroger. Again, I trust Nolan. :)

Sorry for the long post, just trying to get a little more caught up. Hope everyone is having a great 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!

Five Question Friday

1. Groceries are high right now, what is the easiest way you have found to cut back?

I've gone to the "generic" brands for many items. The Kroger brand spaghetti sauce is JUST as good as Ragú (and it's at least $2 cheaper). Same with cereal (although Corn Pops were on sale last week and were actually cheaper than the generic brand. I keep my eye out for sales). I WON'T give up my Jif peanut butter though, I can't handle the imitation brands. I splurge for that! :)

2. What are the top 3 things on your bucket list?

I don't think my bucket list is in any particular order, but here are three things on it. 

1. Going to all of the MLB ballparks and stadiums in North America.

2. Sitting next to Nolan Ryan (in the owner's box) at a Rangers game (I don't see this ever happening, but it's on my list!) BTW, if I EVER get that opportunity, I'm taking my Bubba with me, so don't even ask. Sorry, but he introduced me to baseball, he gets to go! :)

3. Visiting at least some part of Europe.

All the MLB Ballparks. Photo courtesy Baseballpilgrimages.com

3. Would you rather give up the AC or heater?

I live in Texas- I'm going with giving up the heater. We use the AC probably 300 days out of the year (there are rare occasions where we don't have to use either the AC or heater). I use the heater MAYBE 14-20 days (not necessarily in a row) during the winter. I can "layer up" if I get too cold! :)

This was last summer. One day the high only reached 90 and it was like a cold front!

4. What is your favorite cocktail?

I don't drink cocktails, so I'll go with the movie Cocktail as my favorite! :)

Ah, 1988- when Tom Cruise was young, not crazy, and taller than me! ;)

5. What was your first job and how old were you?

Not counting the babysitting jobs I had starting at age 11, I guess it was when I was 14. I was an assistant at a church's childcare center. I was basically a childcare worker, but since I was under 16, I had to be an "assistant" (not sure if there was really a difference except in the title and the pay). When I was 16, I became an official childcare worker (and got a $1.50 raise from the $4.25/hr I was making- yeah, that was minimum wage in 1994). I worked during the summers and on Friday nights (except during football season- I was a band nerd- I had to be at the games).

Have a great weekend everyone!
XOXO!

It's Just Another Manic Monday...

What...a....day. I was all pumped after my relaxing weekend of doing nothing but watching movies and TV and man, did my Monday start off crazy. Is it a full moon or something? My work day has been insane!! I'm thinking if anyone else bothers me today, I should just pull a "Nolan Ryan" on them. For those not familiar with baseball, please go here to view the video (MLB won't let me embed it here). Trust me, it's worth it. If you are having a bad day, it might make you feel better!

 

Nolan had the right idea of what to do if someone messes with you!

Speaking of Nolan (yes, we are on a first name basis, he calls me Rachel...well, if he knew me he would call me Rachel), today is his birthday! HAPPY 64th BIRTHDAY NOLAN!! Even if you aren't a Rangers fan (and if you aren't, you really should reconsider), you have to love Nolan Ryan. He's just awesome. I could list all his achievements and stats, but since most of you aren't as into obsessed passionate about baseball as I am, you can just go here if you want to see them. :)

 

The birthday boy!

Like I mentioned earlier, I spent all weekend watching movies/TV. Hey, we all deserve a "me" weekend every now and then. I needed some "down" time. In fact, # 90 on my 101 in 1001 list was to spend a day in bed. And I pretty much did that on Saturday (with the exception of going out to get food at one point). So, that is one more item on my list I can mark off. Wahoo! 

I finally saw The Proposal on Friday (yes, I'm WAY behind in my movie watching) and just have this to say about it: "Hello Ryan Reynolds!" ;) I'm thinking my life would probably be complete if I could get C.J. Wilson and Ryan Reynolds to fight over me. ;) Um...oh sorry, moving on...

So, I decided to start another blog this weekend. Part of my 101 in 1001 is to write reviews on books that I read. And since I just joined the Book Lovers Group on For The Love of Blogs, I thought it might be easier to put my reviews on a separate blog (just so it's a little more organized). I decided to also include movie reviews as well. I'll only update that blog for reviews, my regular ramblings will still be found here, so don't think I'm giving up this blog!! :)

If you are interested in my opinions of books/movies, please check out Reviews by Rachel here (I'm still working on it so excuse the mess- it still looks a little cluttered). I actually wrote my first review the other day. I FINALLY saw the movie Inception. What did I think of it? Click here to find out. FYI, I didn't post any spoilers in the review! :)

Hope everyone has a great week. I knew that bragging out the 75 degree weather this weekend was a bad idea. There is ice, sleet, snow and wind chills near zero in the forecast this week in Dallas. EEK!!

XOXO!