10 Day Blog Challenge- Day 1

I thought maybe I needed some motivation to blog every day, so I came up with this 10 Day Blog Challenge (it's not as intimidating as a 30 Day Challenge). Lately I just haven't wanted to blog at all, so I'm hoping this helps. I'm in a "Blogging Funk". I kind of took ideas from other challenges that I saw online to make this one. Feel free to take the challenge as well if you want!

Day 1: 10 things about yourself (which seems to be the first one in every blog challenge out there). Well, here I go (I really tried to think of new things this time).

1. Even though I'm very talkative and a "dictionary description" of what an extrovert should be, there are times where I just want to be by myself and not be social at all.

2. I sometimes hide my problems just so I don't have to bother other people with them. I would much rather help someone else with their problems than talk about my own.

3. When I visit new places, I try and find a historical location or museum to check out while I'm there (I'm a nerd).

4. Even though I can be spontaneous, I usually like making plans in advance, especially when it comes to traveling. :)

5. Even though I like to joke about "The Wrath of Rachel" on social media, deep down I am way more patient than I probably let on. :) VERY FEW people have ever seen me really angry (it's probably for the best). :) I have a dark side, but it's "enjoyable". :)

6. If I have a bad day, a pint of Blue Bell ice cream and reruns of The Dick Van Dyke Show will improve my mood at least 99% of the time.

7. Even though I love sports, action movies, and despise anything written or produced by Nicholas Sparks, there are times I like being girly and will watch AN OCCASIONAL chick flick (there is a list of chick flicks I will watch). But I still don't like Nicholas Sparks (okay, with the exception of Safe Haven, because it wasn't your typical Nicholas Sparks mushy crap movie). Even saying that, I will usually pick watching a sporting event over a chick flick, even when I'm having a girly moment. :) I'll just get a mani/pedi while watching the game. :)

8. When I love, I love hard.

9. I will probably die next to a pile of books I intended to read. There never seems to be enough time in my life to just sit and read anymore. 

10. There are certain people who can make me smile just by texting me.

Okay, there you go, ten things about me! Hope you are all doing well! 

XOXO!

Blog Challenge Day 29 AND my 101 in 1001 Final Update

Blog Challenge Day 29: Share 10 interesting facts about yourself.

I really don't think I'm all that interesting, but here ya go. I know, some of these are repeats (but if you are new to my blog, then these will be new facts for you).

1. I don't like my food touching. Honestly, I'm getting a little better about it. But still, if my green bean juice starts to run into my mashed potatoes or meat, I have issues. At Thanksgiving we get the plastic plates with dividers just for me.

This is my favorite kind of plate. Each food has its own place. No need for anything to touch.

2. I was the only child in my family (out of six) to attend elementary school, middle school, and high school in the same town. When my siblings were younger, my family moved around a lot. I lived in Austin from age five to eighteen. 

3. I don't like Starbucks. Granted, I don't like any kind of coffee, but I don't really care for any drinks from there.

4. I want to play a dead body on CSI (or any crime show for that matter). I can't act, but I think I could pull off playing a dead body. I think it would be cool to be on set of a TV show for a day, just to see what's it's like! I was an extra in a movie once, and it was a lot of fun! FYI, the movie hasn't been released yet, BUT if it ever is, I'll let y'all know the name. I was an extra in a scene for a baseball game, a parade, and town hall meeting.

5. I'm in the process of trying to write a novel. I've been in the process for many years now, I can't decide what I want to happen. If I ever finish it, I'll let y'all know.

6. I don't eat cake or pie. I know, I know, people always give me a weird look when I say that. I guess I COULD eat it, I just don't. It's not my thing.

True story.

7. I am a wannabe tornado chaser. Whenever there is a tornado warning, my friends are always texting me to make sure I'm at home and not out chasing it. I would never chase it on my own, but I would love to tag along with a professional tornado chaser. Tornadoes have always fascinated me. I know, I know, they can do a lot of damage, I wish tornadoes only touched down in empty fields and never hurt anyone. But still, I can't get over my fascination of them.

8. I'm a chocolate milk snob. I don't like regular milk, I'll only drink chocolate milk. And it has to be made with Nestle's Quik, I'm sorry, Nesquik, powder (no syrup). And don't even try giving me an imitation brand, I won't drink it.

I'm serious about my Nesquik.

 9. My hair is naturally curly (well, really wavy), but 95% of the time, I straighten it.

10. I despise the game of Monopoly. I don't really care for board games in general (having A.D.D. makes it hard to focus), but Monopoly is one I refuse to play, don't even ask me.

It's hard to believe it, but it's been 1001 days since I started my 101 in 1001 day challenge. I failed so miserably at it! Well, I got a lot of it done, but not everything. As promised, I'm donating $1 to the Special Olympics for everything I didn't complete. In the next week or so, I'll make up another 101 in 1001 that I'll try and complete. I did start on some of them, but didn't totally complete it, so I guess that is considered a "fail". For those who are new, here was my list.

In Progress

Completed

Unattainable/Failed

Places to Go, Things to See. 
1. Travel outside of the United States
2. Visit at least 7 of the 13 places in Texas I’ve never been (click here for that list) (2/7)

3. Visit Cooperstown (Baseball Hall of Fame)
4. Attend games at 5 MLB ballparks I’ve never been to before (1/5)
5. Go to Rangers spring training game (see here for recap)
6. Go to a George Strait concert
7. Visit Graceland
8. Visit Hollywood
9. Take a road trip with a friend
10. Visit 6 museums in DFW that I’ve never been to before (6/6)
11. Visit a National Park that I’ve never been to before
12. Go snorkeling

13. Go to a Spurs game in San Antonio

14. Travel to a state I’ve never visited 

-I didn't make it out of the United States THIS time, but hopefully in the next 1001 days, I will. I'll have to start planning a trip.
-I made it to seven places on my list of places to go in Texas.
-Still didn't make it to Cooperstown. Soon, I'm telling you, soon.
-I only made it to one new MLB ballpark in the last three years, that's upsetting. It's gonna take me FOREVER to see all of the ballparks and stadiums at this rate.
-I missed the George Strait concert. I hope he makes it to Dallas next year on his farewell tour. 
-Still haven't made it out to California, I'm hoping to make a trip out there next summer, Hollywood will be on my list!
-I only made it to ONE National Park in the past three years, and it was one I had visited as a kid. I really need to travel more.
-Still didn't go snorkeling. :(
-Sadly the one time I was in San Antonio during basketball season, the Spurs were on the road (I'm sorry Mavs friends, my folks are from San Antonio, three guesses which team I grew up cheering for).
Total cost: $9 

Home is Where the Heart Is. 
15. Organize hall closet (so I can actually see a floor).
16. Vacuum my living room and bedroom once a week for three months (3/3)
17. Go through my closet once a year and donate clothes to Mission Arlington (3/3)

18. Complete scrapbook for elementary school.
19. Clean out storage unit
20. Catalog all my baseball cards into an Excel spreadsheet
21. Complete scrapbook for college

22. Complete scrapbook for junior high/high school
23. Organize photo albums
24. Organize my sports/craft room

-I started cataloging all my baseball cards, I'm about 1/8 of the way through. Have I mentioned I have a lot of cards?
-I didn't even touch my scrapbook for junior high, high school, or college. It took me long enough to finish the one from elementary school!
-My photos are still in a giant box. I'm gonna have to take like a week off work and just organize those bad boys. 
Total cost: $4 

Money, Money, Money. 
25. Create a budget
26. Pay off credit cards

27. Organize all bills and financial docs
28. Carpool to work 2 times a week for 3 months (3/3)
29. Buy nothing but groceries for one month (meaning no shopping sprees)
30. Spend less than $50 a month eating out, twice (2/2)
31. Stick to a budget for 6 months (6/6)

-FINALLY! A category I completed everything in. Weehoo!!
Total cost: $0

It’s Not Personal—It’s Just Business. 
32. Clean off my desk an average of once a month (32/33)

33. Volunteer to work at the company Career Conference
34. Actually take a lunch break away from my desk twice a month (66/66)
35. Volunteer to work at the company Leadership Conference
36. Volunteer to work on the company's Habitat for Humanity team
37. Volunteer at the annual Seminars
38. Keep the plant on my desk alive (I tend to kill even plastic plants)
39. Check out job postings in other department, preferably the public relations department
40. Organize file cabinet
41. Keep work email inbox down to no more than 10 unread emails a day (I get over 100 daily)
42. File away old jobs at least once a month

-Yeah, my plant made it almost a year before it met its demise. Told y'all I'm not good with plants.

Total cost: $1

No Pain, No Gain. 
43. Finish Jillian's 30 Day Shred (I've started it three times already)
44. Eat no fast food for a week, 5 times (5/5)  
45. Do 100 sit-ups 4 times a week for 6 consecutive weeks (0/6)
46. Drink no Dr Pepper for a week, 4 times (4/4)
47. Go for a walk 20 times (20/20)

48. Work out three times a week for 10 consecutive weeks
49. Cook at home every night for a week, 7 times (7/7)
50. Eat at 10 restaurants in Dallas/Fort Worth I’ve never been to before (10/10)
51. Learn to cook 10 new meals (that don’t include the microwave) (10/10)
52. No sweets for a week, twice (2/2) (not including sugarless gum)
53. Attend one “dance” workout class at my friend’s gym
54. Take dancing lessons

-Yeah, the whole 100 sit-ups so didn't happen at least once, let's be honest.
-I probably worked out a total of 10 weeks, just not consecutively (okay, I worked out more than that over the past three years, but there were weeks I took off, either from being sick, too busy, or just lazy.) I didn't get 10 weeks in a row. :(
-Now that I live closer to my friend, I MIGHT go to one of these workout dance classes of hers. I'm still hesitant about it.
-Okay, there is a place near me that offers dance lessons on Friday nights. I WILL go one of these days, probably after baseball season when my life settles down some.
Total cost: $4 

A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste. 
55. Read at least two new books per month (24/66)

56. Make one of #55 Jane Eyre (been trying to read it since 1994!) 
57. Read the Bible in chronological order (completed in 2011) 
58. No computer (non-work related) for five consecutive days (5/5) 
59. Have a quiet time every day for 3 months (0/3) 
60. Create 3 new projects that aren’t scrapbooking related (3/3) 
61. Spend the day at the Dallas Art Museum, listening to the audio for the permanent exhibits 
62. No video, computer or iPhone games for seven consecutive days (7/7) 
63. Complete three group Bible Study courses (1/3) 
64. Watch 25 new-to-me movies from the AFI top 100 list (10th Anniversary Edition) (1/25) 
65. Read 15 books I haven’t read already off of the 50 Banned Books list (0/15) 
66. No TV for 3 consecutive days 
67. Keep a prayer journal for two months 
68. Attend a symphony 
69. Attend 7 musicals/plays (7/7) 
70. Write and post a book review on at least half of the books read from the Banned Books list

-I'm so ashamed I didn't read more. I'm seriously going to make it a point to read at least a book a week next year. I love to read, I hate that I've put other things ahead of that!
-I tried Jane Eyre yet again. ONE of these days I'll finish it.
-I suck, a quiet time is something I should do EVERY day. I'm ashamed I couldn't even have one three months in a row.
-I still need to go to the Dallas Museum of Art and just take my time walking around. It seems when I go, I'm with friends, and we are on a time schedule. 
-I only completed one Bible study course. Again, I suck. :(
-I can't seem to watch "top quality" movies, I watch crap "B" movies on Netflix. I will make it through this list. If I have to force myself to spend a weekend or two doing it!
-Again, with my love of reading you would think I would have read at least ONE book on this list. I'm so ashamed.
-Again, I'm ashamed to admit I didn't keep up with my prayer journal. Something else I need to work on.
-I made it to an opera, but not a symphony. Maybe I'll find one at Christmas to go to, I love hearing Christmas music!
-Yeah, I think I wrote ONE book review, and it wasn't even a book from the banned book list. Good grief. I failed so bad in this category! 
Total cost: $10

Do Unto Others… 
71. Make a donation to a different charity twice a year (6/6)

72. Send 10 snail mail letters to friends/family (not including holidays or birthdays) (10/10)
73. Donate items to Mission Arlington once a year (3/3)
74. Make a sack lunch to give to a homeless person
75. Leave an anonymous “thinking of you card” on a co-worker’s desk
76. Call someone who I don’t see on a regular basis
77. Mail a friend an unexpected gift (non birthday or Christmas related)
78. Host a “girls night out” at least 5 times (5/5)
79. Give a generous tip for a job well done (either at a restaurant, hair salon or nail salon)
80. Take a friend out for a nice dinner (non birthday related)
81. Sign up to be an organ donor- completed Jan 3, 2011
82. Finally cut hair and donate to Pink Heart Funds (or an organization like it) completed July 16, 2011
83. Have lunch/dinner with relatives that live in Dallas (I rarely see them)

-I did give a bottle of water to a homeless man I saw one day who was on the street corner, but I don't think that counts, so I'll count this one as a fail.

Total cost: $1

Just for Me. 

84. Start practicing the piano again
85. Treat myself to a Chick-Fil-A milkshake once a month (33/33)

86. Go to a day spa
87. Get a pedicure
88. Get a manicure
89. Buy a new outfit
90. Spend a day relaxing in bed completed 1/29/11
91. Go a week without complaining in traffic
92. Set aside at least one night a month as “me” time
93. Make decision about joining FBC (First Baptist Church)
94. Make a decision about buying a Nook or Kindle
95. Be in bed before 10pm every night for a week 

96. Watch a sunrise
97. Watch a sunset
98. Buy myself a steak dinner at least twice (2/2)

-Kinda sad, I'm all about me, had no problem completing this category. 
Total cost: $0

I’ve Loved These Days. 
99. Blog about met goals at least an average of once a month (15/33)

100. Create new 101 in 1001 days
101. Donate $1 to Special Olympics Texas for all items not accomplished 

-I was TERRIBLE about blogging on my list (some of you probably didn't even know about it). I WILL be better next time!!
Total cost: $1

In the next month I'll be making my $30 donation to the Special Olympics. Again, I'll make my new 101 in 1001 next week.

Hope y'all have a fantastic day!

XOXO! 

A New Blog Challenge!

Okay, I meant to start this yesterday, but got so wrapped up in my Mobile Monday and Elite Eight picks that I forgot. I went looking online for some Blog Challenge ideas (because honestly there are some days where I WANT to blog, I just don't know WHAT to blog about- yes, even I have times where I don't know what to talk about- go figure). I found a few lists, so I combined some of the questions from all of them to make my own challenge. Feel free to steal this idea if you would like (and leave me a link in the comments below so I can check out your blog!)

Day 1: Post a picture of yourself with 10 facts

I've done these "facts about  me" before, but I know I have new followers, so to some long time readers, you might already know these! And of course, my long-time friends will know ALL of these! :)

1. I don't eat cake or pie. I mean, I CAN eat them, I just usually don't. It's definitely not because I'm a health nut (because I'm not- must we rehash about my Chick Fil-A milkshake and Blue Bell ice cream obsession)? Even when I was little I didn't eat cake or cupcakes at birthday parties. I'm just odd. :)

2. I'm a wannabe amateur tornado chaser. Okay, so I haven't really chased one, yet. But I keep saying I want to. Whenever there is a tornado warning in the area, I have more than one person call or message me telling me NOT to go out chasing it (I guess my little Mazda is not storm chasing appropriate). I watch all the tornado chasing specials on cable. I had a fan girl moment when meteorologist and storm chaser Reed Timmer not only replied to me but started following me on Twitter. I know, I'm a nerd. I keep hoping he'll ask me to join him on a chase one day, so far, I've received no invite. But a girl can dream...

3. I'm a chocolate milk snob. Now, I don't like plain milk, I have to drink chocolate milk. This started when I was a kid (yes, even as an adult I've tried plain milk and I don't like it- ick). BUT, I have to use NesQuik powder chocolate mix. I don't like the syrup (and don't even think about giving me an imitation brand or Ovaltine). I also have to mix my own, I don't like it "pre-made". See, I told you I was weird!

4. I was 11 years old before I learned to ride a bike. No lie. And we won't mention how many years it's been SINCE I've ridden a bike.

5. I want to play a dead body on one of my crime shows (CSI, Criminal Minds, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, etc). I can't really act, but I figured not much acting is needed to just lie there.

6. I was a pep squad officer in 8th grade (it's kinda like a cheerleader, except we didn't cheer in front of the crowds at the football games, we were in the stands). Long story how I ended up one. I had a friend who wanted to try out and didn't want to go alone, so I went with her. I ended up getting selected (even though I had NEVER been in pep squad before). Go figure!

Don't judge. No really, don't judge. Don't I look "peppy"? Forgive my hair, it hadn't recovered from the 80s.

7. I don't like Starbucks. To be fair, I don't like any form of coffee, but I don't really care for any drinks at Starbucks. If I want hot chocolate, I'm not paying $4 for one.

8. I despise the game of Monopoly. It goes back to when I was a kid and was forced to play it for HOURS on end. To this day, I refuse to play it. Also with my A.D.D. I would only be able to play about 20 minutes before I'd get distracted or something.

9. I hate when people say "you are really tall for a girl". I'm 5'8, I don't think that's REALLY tall. Now, if I was 6'8, then yes, you could say I was really tall.

10. I was a sports editor for two years at a weekly newspaper. I miss writing, I always thought I would eventually go back to it. Maybe one day I will, I'm still young, right?? :)

Day 2: What are your nicknames and how did you get them?

1. Rach: kinda obvious how I got this one, it's just my a shorten version of Rachel.

2. Ray-Ray: my cousin's kids started calling me this when they were little; I have a friend whose kids call me this now too!

3. Angel: my momma calls me her "little angel". Although with the Rangers rival being the evil empire that is now known as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, I've told her she has to call me her "little Ranger" now. Yes, we take baseball VERY seriously! :)

4. Precious: my sister Martha calls me this (because it's true). :)

5. Dumpling: my daddy calls me this. :) He got it from the Blondie comic strip, they referred to their kid as "Baby Dumpling".

6. Averyfan: Since this is my Twitter handle, a lot of people call me this. And my friend Laura likes to refer to me as Averyfan when she's talking to our friend Chance. BTW, people from Twitter also call me Avery because they think that is my first name.

7. Wonderwoman: I got this when I was working for the newspaper. I not only covered sports, but I covered local town meetings and news beats. One of the city councilmen said I was like Wonderwoman because I did so much (there were many issues of our paper where I wrote the majority of the articles).

8. Sniffles: A friend of mine gave me this nickname in college because the first semester it seemed I was sick so much with allergies or a cold.

9. Boog: My sister Mary has always called me this. For the record, ONLY MY SISTER MARY can call me this. Don't even try! :)

10. Pinky: My friend James calls me this (again, only he can use it). When we worked together, he referred to us as Pinky and The Brain. To this day, we still call each other that! :)

Pinky: "Gee Brain, what do you want to do tonight?" The Brain: "The same thing we do every night Pinky- try and take over the world!"

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 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!!

30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 1

While reading old posts on my friend Neely's blog, A Complete Waste of Makeup, I saw that a while back she did a blog challenge. SO, I thought, in an attempt to blog EVERY DAY in the month of August, I would do this blog challenge (you know, for those days when I have writer's block and can't think of anything to write). 

Oh, real quick, since I'm talking about Neely, you HAVE to check out the contest she is having. She is giving away a year subscription to BirchBox. BirchBox sends you samples each month of different beauty products, such as makeup, perfume, hand creams, and hair products. For more info on BirchBox, click here.

 

Click here for the details on Neely's contest. Tell her I sent ya! :)

Okay, so, on to the 30 Day Blog Challenge. 

Day 1: Introduce with a recent picture and 15 interesting facts

Well, since I stole got the idea from Neely,  I'm posting a picture of us from the Brad Paisley concert this past Saturday night (we were able to meet up and say hi). **side note: I will be recapping the Brad Paisley concert as soon as I upload all the pictures from my camera.**

Me and Neely

Interesting facts about me (I know, some of these have been posted before on my blog, but I have new followers, so these will be new to them!)

1. I'm the aunt to 20 nieces and nephews and 4 great-nephews. I'm what you call a "bonus baby" so my five siblings are somewhat older than me. Because of this, I have nieces and nephews close to my age, and some of them are married with kids. Yes, I'm a great-aunt! I post a lot of pictures of my great-nephews C and E!

2. I don't like Starbuck's. Now, to be fair, I don't like any kind of coffee (iced or hot). I also don't really care for espressos. I know they have other beverages, but I can't bring myself to pay $4 for a drink. Call me cheap (go on, I dare you). If I want hot chocolate, I'll pay $1.50 for a 12 pack of Swiss Miss (or I'll ask my Twitter mom, #MamaT, for some of her homemade hot chocolate mix!) :) And if I want iced tea, I'll either make my own or get some at Chick Fil-A or McAlister's.

3. I want to play a dead body on CSI (or any other crime show I watch). I can't act, but I'm sure not a lot of acting ability is needed to play a dead body. And if Greg from CSI could be the one examining me, that would be even better! ;) #LeggoMyGreggo

4. I don't like milk. Now, I can drink chocolate milk but I don't like plain milk. Side note. I'm a chocolate milk snob. I only drink the kind made with NesQuik powder, I can't handle the "pre-made" stuff. Blek.

5. I am on Twitter entirely too much. As of right now, I have tweeted 18,844 times. What is really sad is that I've only been "seriously" tweeting for just over a year. I might need professional help. FYI, if you are on Twitter, follow me here. Warning: I tweet a lot about sports (mainly Rangers baseball).

6. I am hesitant to give up my real books for an electronic reader. I understand that having a Nook/Kindle/eReader is great and I totally see the benefits of having one, BUT there is something about the feel and smell of an actual book that I just don't want to give up.

7. I have many celebrity crushes (most of them baseball players). Right now my biggest baseball crush is Craig Gentry of the Rangers. #TeamGentry

8. There are times I feel that I'm an 80 year old trapped in a 25-year old body. Okay, so I'm not 25, but can you at least lie to me and tell me I look like I'm 25? Think about it: I cross stitch. My favorite actor is Dick Van Dyke. I love Turner Classic Movies. I watch The Waltons reruns (I may or may not have seasons 1-5 on DVD). I would rather watch a Jimmy Stewart, Audrey Hepburn or Cary Grant movie over most new releases any day.

9. I love peanut butter. And I mean I really love it. I put it on my pancakes (my whole family does this, I didn't realize until I was older that wasn't "normal"). I have also been known to eat peanut butter out of the jar. 

10. I cannot stand the game Monopoly. It goes back to my childhood when I was forced to play the game for hours on end. To this day I won't play it. Don't even ask me.

11. I have naturally curly hair, but I straighten it. Don't tell me if you had curly hair you would leave it curly. No you wouldn't, you would straighten it too.

12. I'm a really picky eater. No, I mean REALLY picky. I don't like seafood. I don't like really spicy food. I only eat soup when I'm sick. I don't eat cake or pie. Now, it's not that I don't like cake or pie, I just don't eat it. I also don't like my food touching. Yeah, I'm weird. But I can't handle it when juice from the green beans runs into the mashed potatoes or bread.

13. When I was 17 years old, I signed a True Love Waits commitment card.

14. I am on a mission to see every MLB ballpark in North America. I have a ways to go. I've only seen the Ballpark in Arlington, Minute Maid Park, old Yankee Stadium and Turner Field in Atlanta. Road trip anyone?

15. I want to be an amateur tornado chaser. No really, I do. If I had been better in Math and Science, I would have studied meteorology. But alas, my strong subjects were English and History. 

Hope everyone has a good day! Happy Monday!!

XOXO!

The ABC's of Me

Sorry I haven't been updating my blog lately, it makes me sad how neglected it looks. :( Things have just been really busy around here. HOPEFULLY it will slow down soon and I can get back on track. THANK YOU to everyone who has said they have missed me updating my page- I feel so loved!! :)

I saw this idea on Scenic Glory and it seemed like fun, so I decided to link up and try it!! :)

The ABC's of Me!

Age: 32 

Bed size: Double (and yet Mordecai* still manages to steal the covers) ;)

Chore you hate: Dusting or doing the dishes

Dogs: I don't have one now, but I want one! I like pugs! :)

Essential start of your day: Dr Pepper

Favorite color: Blue (kind of a darker blue- like the Texas Rangers jerseys)

Gold or silver: Silver

Height: 5'8

Instruments I play (or have played): Piano and clarinet (yes, I was a band nerd)

Job title: Creative Project Manager

Kids: none yet

Live: Texas

Mom's name: Georgeanne

Nickname(s): Rach, Ray-ray

Overnight hospital stay: None so far. When I had my wreck a few years ago they didn't make me stay overnight, I was released after a few hours

Pet Peeves: People who put down others all the time (bullies)

Quote from movie: "I'm a Texas woman, which means I don't need the help of a man to keep things running." -The Rookie

Right or left handed: Right

Siblings: I have 5- three brothers and two sisters!

Time you wake up: On work days, I wake up at 6am.

Underwear: Yes I wear it, and that is all I'm saying! :)

Vegetables you dislike: Okra, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower

What makes you run late: My own laziness, or traffic

X-ray: Plenty. When I cracked my tailbone in college, after both of my wrecks and oh, do teeth count?

Yummy food you make: HA HA HA, like I cook! I do make a mean 5-minute rice though, I'm just saying- move over Rachael Ray!! ;)

Zoo animal: Either the monkeys or the penguins. Both are my favorite! :)

Hope you all have a great day!! XOXO!!

*for those who don't know, Mordecai is my teddy bear! ;)

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!!

Back When I Was Younger...

So, my sweet friend Shalyn over at Laugh Until Your Cheeks Hurt tagged her friends in the following post. The rules are to list 7 facts about you from when you were younger. So, I had to participate!! :) For long time readers, some of this might be a repeat. But the pictures are priceless, you will love them!

1. I am what you call a "bonus baby" (please refrain from using any other phrases. I prefer bonus baby).  :) Because of this, my siblings are, well, somewhat older than me (this is why I have nieces/nephews close to my age. And how I'm a 32 year old "great-aunt"). Here is an early sibling picture.

 

If you never hear from me again, it's because my siblings killed me for posting this. But hey, it means they read my blog! :) I love the "70s tint" to this picture!

 

This siblings picture was taken at Thanksgiving last year.

2. I was bald until I was 2 years old. My brother likes to joke that I was four or five, but I remind him that at least I have hair now (oh yeah, I throw the bald jokes back to him!) :)

 

Bald is beautiful.

3. When I finally got hair, it was platinum blonde (or as I call it, "Village of the Damned" blonde). Oh no, it really was! Here is proof.

 

Rocking out in my Strawberry Shortcake dress. I loved this dress. And look at my pretty nails!

4. Until age 5, I had a cat named Elvira, named after the Oak Ridge Boys' song "Elvira". She was a mean son of a gun (although she was sweet with me, but I think she only liked me). We lived out in the country when I was little and dogs would walk on the other side of the road to avoid our house. You could see them looking over their shoulder to make sure Elvira wasn't after them. Our favorite story of Elvira involves my aunt's poodle, Pierre. One time my aunt and uncle were visiting and Pierre walked up the front steps with a "swagger" that he was king of the castle. Elvira didn't like that and jumped down from where she was "perched" and on to the middle of Pierre's back. My aunt freaked out while my uncle laughed saying Pierre had it coming to him. When we moved to the city, we had to leave Elvira behind. Not to be mean, but she was a country cat, not a city cat. Also, one: my dad didn't want pets inside the house and two: Elvira wouldn't have stayed inside the house. She liked to roam free!

 

Me and Elvira.

 

5. I loved to sing into a curling iron and dance around my room (okay, so things haven't changed much since I was younger). ;)

 

American Idol: 1982. Good lord, what am I wearing? Look at that belly!

6. I obviously had no sense of style- with clothes or hair! Although back then I thought I was "hot stuff". ;)

 

Could my shorts be any higher?

 

WHAT? Perms were "cool" back then. Right, right?? I loved that perm. We won't even talk about what I'm wearing (I may, or may not, have had other outfits similar to it). BUT, I matched my Keds to whatever I was wearing! ;) Hot stuff!

 

Don't laugh- I loved this dress. I would still wear it. Okay, maybe not! :)

7. In 8th grade a friend convinced me to try out for Pep Squad officer. I didn't want to because I had never been in the Pep Squad (I was a band nerd), but I went along so she didn't have to try out by herself. Somehow I was picked (to this day I don't understand why). We had to make our own outfits and there was only one store that sold the right color fabric. It was a madhouse getting it. But when we finally got it, my sweet Aunt Beth made it for me!

 

Oh yes, I'm still wearing Keds, even then!

Okay friends, I'm tagging you! If you want to participate, I would love to see your answers so let me know!!

If you haven't already, PLEASE go check out my lovely friends at For The Love of Blogs.

Have a great day, we are almost to Friday!!

XOXO!

Blog Award

 

My sweet friend Shalyn gave me a blogging award! Thanks girl! :)

The conditions:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about this award.

Thank you so much to Shalyn over at Laugh Until Your Cheeks Hurt. She is awesome (and not just because she also likes toe socks). She is adorable- go check out her blog. Tell her hi, make a new friend! :)

7 Things About Myself. For some of my long time readers, a few of these might be repeats (I'm forgetting what I've listed before!) ;)

1. I love chocolate milk. I don't like the "pre-made" stuff. I prefer to make my own. And it has to be made with Nestle Quik Chocolate Powder (I'm sorry, it's NesQuik now. It will always be Nestle Quik to me). My parents decided to try another brand one time when I was younger. My mom told my dad I only liked Nestle Quik. He said I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I took one sip and was like, "What is this? This is not Nestle Quik!" I'm sorry, I'm a chocolate milk snob like that.

 

Old school Nestle Quik

2. Breakfast At Tiffany's is probably my favorite Audrey Hepburn movie. It's hard to pick a favorite Audrey movie since I love them all, but Breakfast At Tiffany's is the one I've seen the most!

 

Me having "breakfast" at Tiffany's when I went to New York City in 2007.

3. I'm a YouTube junkie. I spend entirely too much time on that website! I might need an intervention..

4. I would like to play a dead body on CSI (or any of the other crime shows I watch). I'm not an actress, but I feel I could lie there and not move. Oh I'm very serious about this! Someone make this happen! :)

5. I love peanut butter. I put peanut butter on my pancakes and I've been known to enjoy an afternoon snack of carrots dipped in peanut butter. Don't knock it until you try it! :)

6. I don't like pie or cake. It's not a health thing- I'm just not a fan of it. My co-workers always give me a hard time about it whenever we have cake for someone's birthday or anniversary. I've always been like that, even when I was little. You can ask my mother.

7. I dislocated my knee while playing soccer in high school. To this day I still have issues with my knee. It acts up a lot when it gets cold or rainy. I can predict rain the day before. I'm better than a meteorologist! :)

 

Freshman year, 1993-We've already discussed my awful bangs, no reason to bring it up again...

I'm supposed to pass this along to 15 FABULOUS bloggers, but I'm running out of time (it's later than I thought). I'm going to do a cop out and say to check out the lovelies under "sweet bloggin' friends" and "favorite blogs". They are all deserving of this award. If I follow you, PLEASE post this award on your page. You are all wonderful! Love and hugs to you all!! :)

I hope everyone had a great weekend! We had some snow in Dallas yesterday and we had ice this morning. I am late leaving for work because traffic was so bad due to icy roads (I have a 30 mile commute to work, I didn't want to risk it). I'm about to get ready to go out and brave it. Supposedly the roads are a little better. We shall see. If I skid on any ice, I'm turning around and coming back home!

Happy Monday beautiful people!!