What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I had this post ready to publish, and before it did, I found out about the passing of Mary Tyler Moore. I'm still going to do my What I'm Loving Wednesday post, but I had to say something in memory of her. She was an amazing actress. I know a lot of people love her for her role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but my favorite role of hers will always be Laura Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show. RIP Mary. Thanks for the laughs!

I'm loving...

That I got to hang out with my Austin peeps this weekend! I always love hanging out with my besties Mandy and Zach while I'm in town. They both had birthdays recently so I was able to celebrate with them. I also got to see my friend Kirk. We went to high school together and hadn't seen each other in about six years.

The original BFF Mandy!

Me and Zachary

Me and Kirk

I'm loving...

That I crossed another presidential library off my list when I went to the LBJ Library in Austin. Well, technically I had been there before, but it was back when I was in elementary school, and I honestly didn't remember anything. It was much better as an adult.

Obligatory picture by the presidential library sign

A selfie with the president

LBJ was known for being a "close talker"

Replica of LBJ's Oval Office

A letter to LBJ from Billy Graham

These were on display next to each other in the library (it was in a room that had things that were popular during LBJ's time as president). These are two of my favorite things. :)

I'm loving...

That I got a box (or two) of these while in Austin. They are on sale for a limited time ONLY at HEB grocery stores. Unfortunately there are no HEBs in Dallas, so I made a stop at one while I was in Austin.

The latest edition for my sports room. I have a box of Wheaties from when the Spurs won the NBA Championship back in 2003

I'm loving...

That I get to be an honorary aunt to Mandy's two kids. I had so much fun with them this weekend. They make my heart smile! 

I'm loving...

That on Sunday I will be leaving on a seven day cruise to the Caribbeans! I've never been on a cruise before- I'm SUPER excited. It's also the first time I will get to use my passport.

I'm loving...

This smoothie drink. Sometimes I'm too lazy busy to make a smoothie from scratch before work. These are awesome- you just add juice, shake, and it's ready to drink. I was skeptical when I first saw them, but I really like them!

I'm loving...

That my taxes are filed! I love TurboTax, it's so easy to use and it didn't take me long at all.

What are YOU loving today?

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Sorry for missing last week, work has been crazy busy. I clocked 31 hours of OVERTIME last week. This is my 11th straight day to be at work, I'm just glad I remembered it was Wednesday!

I'm loving...

That despite my insane schedule the past few weeks, I've been able to find a few spare moments to see some friends! Seeing friends and getting hugs has helped me stay sane during this crazy time at work. Lol.

 

I'm loving...

That I was able to make the Rangers game last Saturday night to see Michael Young inducted into the Rangers Hall of Fame (I got off work by mid-afternoon that day). Even though I should have stayed home to rest on my one night off, nothing was going to keep me from being there! And I also got to see some friends. And I got hugs. Yes, I love hugs. :)

I'm loving...

That I got this in the mail this week. It's no secret I'm a Spurs fan (much to the dismay of my Dallas Mavericks friends). Or maybe it is a secret, it seems people are shocked when they find out. Lol. I do like the Mavericks too, but Spurs are number one in my heart. I was raised in Austin by parents who are both from San Antonio, so naturally I was raised as a Spurs fan. I think a lot of people forget I'm not originally from Dallas. :) Anyway, Tim Duncan retired last month and the San Antonio newspaper had these items available for sale on their website, so of course I had to purchase them. Yes, I HAD to, there was no other option. :)

Yes, my hair was once very blonde. I seem to get a shocked reaction anytime I post an old picture. Lol.

I'm loving...

This set of gel pens my friend bought me. Yes, I'm a nerd. I like to have my day planner color coordinated if I can (yes, day planner, I can't get used to using the calendar in my phone, I like seeing everything I have to do written out). :) It's the little things in life that make me happy. :)

I'm loving...

Bobbleheads (again people, it's the little things in life that make me happy). I got the Franchise Four bobblehead on Saturday night at the Michael Young Hall of Fame game. My sweet friend Eric got me the green dot bobblehead on Sunday afternoon. I had to work all day Sunday and couldn't go to the Rangers game, so he sat 50 feet from the sun (his words) at the game to get me the green dot. Yes, I have a bobblehead obsession- I'm well aware of it. 

I'm loving...

That I'm TRYING to eat healthier (despite the three pictures posted above of me eating at fast food places). Lol. I keep fruits and veggies in my freezer to put in my morning smoothies. I also buy a lot of frozen veggies to cook for supper. Roasted broccoli and roasted cauliflower are two of my favorite sides! I also love me some corn on the cob.

In all honesty, there are two pints of Blue Bell ice cream in the door of my freezer, but hey, baby steps. 

I LOVE these ziplock bags. My smoothies usually call for a half a cup or cup of various fruits or veggies. I put them in these bags, that way I know how much is in each one. It eliminates me having to measure the fruits/veggies out each morning. I also put ice in some of them (some of my smoothies require a cup of ice). It takes me less than 3 minutes to make a smoothie this way. 

I'm loving...

When I see a rainbow. It's a reminder to me of God's promise to us. I love when I see one during an, "Are you there God, it's me, Rachel" moment. It just makes me feel that my life isn't as out of control as I think it is.

I'm loving...

That in two weeks, I'll be in Chicago visiting my lovely friend Harrie! We have lots of fun stuff planned, including a Cubs game (I will finally cross Wrigley Field off my baseball list!) Yes, I'll do a Chicago blog post recap (but you know my track record, it will probably take me two months to get it posted). Speaking of which, I hope to wrap up my last road trip recap soon. My goal is to have a road trip post up tomorrow. We will see how that goes! :)

Last time I saw Harrie was two years ago when I was in Chicago for about five hours. She came over to the White Sox part of town and met me for dinner after I went to a White Sox game. :) 

What are YOU loving today?

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Wednesday...

In an attempt to blog more than once a month (I know, it's been a long time since I've done that), I decided to go back to my "What I'm Loving Wednesday" posts. I want to try and focus on happy things these days. :)

I'm loving...

That I finally spent some time working on a craft project. Last Friday night I opted to stay home and have a little "me" time, so I figured it was the perfect time to work on a fall wreath idea I found on Pinterest (the idea is courtesy of this blogger here). Her directions are super easy to follow. The only thing I did differently was cut the burlap strips eight inches long instead of six. The materials were super cheap (courtesy of Michael's and their wonderful coupons). It took me about three hours to complete, but that was because I was catching up on some DVR watching, and I stopped to eat dinner. If I had been working distraction free, that time would have been cut in half.

I opted not to use the red burlap in this wreath. I'll save it for another one.

I found these flowers I had bought for another project, so I just tied them on to give it a little decoration 

I'm loving...

That I got to see this guy play in a T-ball game last weekend (and that I got TWO hugs from him). Look out Steve Avery, I think I have a new favorite baseball player. :)

This is C, the son of one of my best friends

I'm loving...

That I got to hang out with this awesome group of friends last weekend. We went to college together, many moons ago. I hadn't seen some of them in a long time!

No, we aren't being photo-bombed. We know that guy! ;)

I'm loving...

The State Fair of Texas. A few friends and I went yesterday afternoon (it's only $5 on Tuesdays if you bring a Dr Pepper can to the front gate, so we took off work to go). It was a lot of fun, but exhausting. I'm still tired today from walking around all day (and from getting home late). So worth it though!

My yearly pictures with Big Tex

Fun at the Fair

Some of the Texas Sports Legends exhibit

My Mavs friends won't like this picture, but I'm sorry, we've been over this- I was raised a Spurs fan (my folks are from San Antonio). I actually don't know why I even bother defending myself, it's my blog. Lol. :) 

Some of the animals at the petting zoo. I will not confirm or deny that I starting humming the Aggie War Hymn as I walked by the Longhorn (my sister went to Texas A&M). I also will not confirm or deny that I told the chicken it looked delicious. I possibly had Chick Fil-A before arriving at the Fair

I'm loving...

That I got to see my nephew and his family last weekend. They moved to Hawaii almost three years ago and I hadn't seen them since then. Their kiddos are getting so big!

My nephew Greg and his lovely wife Jennifer (yes, he is older than me)

My great-nephews B and G

Thanks for reading (well, looking at my pictures). Happy halfway through the work week!!

XOXO!!

Rachel's 12 Days of Christmas

I'm sure everyone has heard the popular Christmas song, 'The 12 Days of Christmas". For more on the history of the song, click here. Now, no disrespect to the author of this, but I'm not sure how I would feel about receiving any of the items listed: drummers, pipers swans, geese, hens and a partridge. Although the pear tree I could handle, I like pears. :) So, I thought that I needed to write "Rachel's 12 Days of Christmas". Since I haven't met my "true love", I'm replacing that with "Santa" for now. 

On the first day of Rachel's Christmas, Santa gave to me: a number one starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers pitching rotation. 

Oh yes, I'm so ready for the 2011 season (102 day until Opening Day, not that I'm counting). We lost out on resigning Cliff Lee (my only saving grace is that he didn't go to the Yankees- he went back to Philadelphia- he likes the National League better than the American League.) And now Zack Greinke (another good pitcher we had interest in) has gone to Milwaukee. As much as I **heart** my sweet C.J., he's not a number 1 starting pitcher, yet (well, except in my mind of course). **sigh** Speaking of C.J., the Rangers need to resign him to a long term contract before he becomes a free agent next year. ARE YOU LISTENING RANGERS??

 

Sweet C.J. Again, I'm not a stalker, I'm just a fan! :)

On the second day of Rachel's Christmas, Santa gave to me: Two tickets to the Super Bowl.

The Super Bowl is being held at Jonestown this year (aka Cowboys Stadium). I live about 20 minutes from there. I would LOVE to go (just to say I've been to the Super Bowl). I've been working hard trying to find connections for free tickets. If you know of any available, please let me know! :) If you have an extra ticket and need someone to go with you, I will take care of parking!! :)

On the third day of Rachel's Christmas, Santa gave to me: Three backstage passes to see Rascal Flatts.

I love Rascal Flatts. Click here for pictures of me at their concert last year! I've seen them in concert five times- they are awesome. Even if country music makes you start twitching and causes hives to break out on your arms, I think you would like them and should give them a chance. Click here for their website to hear some of their songs.

 

Rascal Flatts. I **heart** Joe Don (far left).

On the fourth day of Rachel's Christmas, Santa gave to me: Four sets of Rangers season tickets.

Baseball is more fun when you are with friends- if I had four season tickets, I could take three friends with me to the games. See, I'm a giver, I look out for others! :)

 

Me and Rangers co-owner, Chuck Greenberg. Maybe he can get me season tickets?

On the fifth day of Rachel's Christmas, Santa gave to me: FIVE SPURS CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS.

Yes, I live in Dallas, BUT I didn't grow up here (I've only lived here about six and a half years). My parents are from San Antonio, therefore, the Spurs were the basketball team of choice for my family while I was growing up. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike the Mavericks, I do cheer for them. If the Spurs can't make it to the Finals, I cheer for the Mavs. The Spurs have won the NBA Championship in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007. I would love to get that fifth one this year!! :)

 

Me wearing my Tim Duncan jersey (a gift from my friend Martha a few years ago).

On the sixth day of Rachel's Christmas, Santa gave to me: Six Chick Fil-A milkshakes.
I've said it before, I'll say it again. Chick Fil-A milkshakes are manna from heaven!

 

Me enjoying a much needed Chick Fil-A milkshake!

On the seventh day of Rachel's Christmas, Santa gave to me: Seven seasons of NCIS on DVD. 

My new addiction. I tried for years not to go to the dark side and watch it (seeing that I'm already addicted to the CSI series), but I finally caved and got hooked (like I knew I would). My favorite character is McGee (are you really surprised that I like the nerdy guy? Yeah, I'm not either!) :)

On the eighth day of Rachel's Christmas, Santa gave to me: Eight pints of Blue Bell ice cream.

For those who have never experienced Blue Bell ice cream, I am so sorry. You need to visit one of the shaded states below that sell Blue Bell! :)

On the ninth day of Rachel's Christmas, Santa gave to me: Nine new outfits from Kohl's. 

I love Kohl's. I would say about 85% percent of the clothes in my closet came from Kohl's.

On the tenth day of Rachel's Christmas, Santa gave to me: Ten vacation days from work.

I figured if I had ten days off work, I could really take a good vacation. I could knock out a lot of baseball ballparks on my list! For those of you who don't know, I'm trying to see all the MLB ballparks in North America.

On the eleventh day of Rachel's Christmas, Santa gave to me:  Eleven new books by Allison Brennan and Roxanne St. Claire.

I've mentioned them before, but I'll mention them again. These are two of my favorite authors. If you are a fellow book worm, I recommend checking out Allison's website here and Roxanne's website here. They both have new books coming out soon. I'm counting down the days!! :)

On the twelfth day of Rachel's Christmas, Santa gave to me: A Twelve pack of Dr Pepper.

I'm a Pepper, he's a Pepper, she's a Pepper, we're a Pepper, wouldn't you like to be a Pepper too?

So, what would YOU like for your 12 Days of Christmas?