Book Reviews 2017: Finding Gobi

**All reviews on Randomness With Rachel are done on a five-star rating system. The reviews are solely my opinion and no one else's. Randomness With Rachel does not receive any incentives or compensations for reviews.**

Finding Gobi by Dion Leonard

I have been following Dion and Gobi's story online since the beginning, so I knew how the story would turn out but I still felt all the emotions while reading Dion's very detailed adventures of finding Gobi, losing Gobi, then finding her again. 

I enjoyed getting to know Dion a little better. I enjoyed hearing his stories of when he was younger. He had to overcome a lot throughout his life. I also loved hearing more about his relationship with his wife. I'm glad she is willing to share Dion with another female. :) Gobi found a great family for her fur-ever home!

Even if you aren't a dog lover, I think you would appreciate this story of determination and love (from both Gobi and Dion). 

I highly recommend keeping up with Dion and Gobi- you can follow their Facebook page here. 

Book summary:

I finished this book on August 20, so it goes towards my 40 by 40 challenge.

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm loving...

My short weekend trip to Atlanta last weekend. I was literally there only 36 hours, but my friends and I did SO MUCH. I'll post a full recap later this week (hopefully). Here is a small sneak peek of some of our adventures.

My sweet friend Paul lives in Atlanta and picked us up at the airport on Friday and drove us around all day. It was so good to see him again! And I'm glad we finally saw a baseball game together!

Why yes, I did wear a Dr Pepper shirt when I toured the Coca-Cola museum (I had to make sure they knew where my soda allegiance stood). :)

We went to the location of the very first Chick Fil-A. It was like walking on holy ground. And I found out that Chick Fil-A opened on May 23, 1946. May 23 is my birthday. MY LOVE OF CHICK FIL-A WAS MEANT TO BE!

As you saw above, we went to a Braves game. If you've been following my blog for a while, you know I grew up watching Braves baseball on TBS, because I couldn't get Rangers games in Austin. So yes, the Braves are my favorite NL team (the Rangers will always be my number one favorite overall though). :) My buddy Paul was able to personally introduce me to Ryan Klesko. He was on the 1995 World Series championship Braves team. He's in the top five of my favorite Braves players of all time. Sadly my number one favorite (that would be Steve Avery, for all of you reading my blog for the first time) wasn't able to make it to Atlanta for the alumni weekend, but that's okay, I'm confident I will get my photo with him one day. It's on my bucket list, it has to happen. :)

I'm loving...

That I'm spending the week with this cutie while her mom is out of town. I've been taking photos of her on my new phone. She loves to model. :) She also loves to wake Aunt Rachel up at 5 a.m. I'm not loving that as much. Lol.

I'm loving...

That I'm FINALLY reading Gone With The Wind (I was inspired after visiting the home of Margaret Mitchell while in Atlanta). It's 959 pages, so we will see how long this takes me. I'm on page 60, so 899 pages to go. Lol. Yes, I will write a review once I'm done.

I feel it's appropriate to use the bookmark I bought at the Margaret Mitchell house while reading Gone With the Wind. :)

I'm loving...

The power of social media. I noticed a spelling mistake at the Hard Rock Cafe in Atlanta, so I pointed it out to them (I think I was polite about it). When your best friend has been a fan of Bon Jovi pretty much as long as you've known her, you know how the band members (and former band members) spell their name. :)

What are YOU loving today?

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm Loving...

That I got to dog-sit a few weekends ago. Holly is such a sweet girl, she has to put up with Aunt Rachel taking so many pictures of her. Lol.

I'm Loving...

That I get to hang out with friends at the Ballpark. It hasn't been the best season for the Rangers, but we have fun regardless of the outcome of the game.

Former Rangers great Will Clark

I'm Loving...

That my almost 83 year-old father always stands for the American flag during a parade. My grandfather served in the US Coast Guard during WWII. 

I'm Loving...

That a friend gave me this sweet card last week. Life has been kinda crazy lately so these were the best words I could hear.

I'm Loving...

That I can never seem to leave Half Price Books without a book (or two...or five...okay six).

What are YOU loving today?

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I've been so caught up in recapping my cruise that it's been a while since I've posted something "non vacation" related.

To those who also do What I'm Loving Wednesday posts, I will continue to do the link up for the people who want to participate! I hope to get back to my weekly WILW link ups!

I'm loving...

That I got to attend my niece's birthday celebration last month. She and I are close in age, so we've been more like sisters our whole lives. We went to Painting With a Twist. I don't think I missed my calling to be an artist, but it was a lot of fun!

My lovely niece!

I'm loving...

That I've been able to hang out with some of my amazing friends over the past few weeks.

I'm loving...

The Valentine my friends Misti and Larry got me- they know me so well! :)

I'm loving...

That I was able to watch my neighbor's dog Holly last weekend while she was out of town. I'm super sad that they are moving soon, I will miss them. :(

Holly got me a gift certificate for a manicure as a Valentine's Day gift!

I'm loving...

That I got to meet comedian Jason Earls last week. He's hilarious. You can check him out here.

I'm loving...

That I got to see my bestie Brandy last week. I don't sit two hours in rush hour traffic for just anyone, but when I do, it's to hang out with her!

I'm loving...

That I was able to see Theatre Arlington's production of School of Rock on Sunday- it was amazing! If you are in the area, there are performances this weekend and next weekend. Click here for more info. My friend's son just happens to have the lead in it- he was fantastic!

The star's proud momma is in front there! :)

I'm loving...

That I've already read seven books in my reading challenge. Hopefully I can actually finish the challenge this year, I have failed the past two years. Oh shameless plug, follow me on GoodReads here.

What are YOU loving??

XOXO!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm loving...

That I was able to go to the Cowboys game on Sunday (even though they lost). The ticket was a late birthday gift from my bestie Zach (we usually celebrate my birthday in September at a Cowboys game). :) I've been a Cowboys fan for so long that a loss doesn't even hurt anymore, I'm kind of numb to the pain. Lol.

The bestie- he has put up with me for 24 years

The Cowboys gave out American flags

Obligatory selfie at the Cowboys game

A view from our seats

I'm loving...

That I attended the opening of the exhibit, The Nature of Things: Daphne Prairie, at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas over in Fort Worth. I was able to meet the artist Deborah Paris as well as the gentleman who owns the land in Daphne's Prairie, BF Hicks. The paintings were beautiful. Mr. Hicks even gave me a book that has photos of all the paintings (and the artist signed it for me). 

The artist, Deborah Paris 

Me and Zach with BF Hicks (Mr. Hicks is a good friend of Zach's family)

This was one of my favorite paintings from the exhibit

I'm loving...

That I had a much needed night out with friends on Saturday night. I've had a rough few weeks and it was nice to be out with friends who love me no matter what and who make me laugh. A great time was had by all.

I'm loving...

That I've been dog-sitting for my neighbor's sweet dog the past week. Miss Holly and I have had fun, but I think she's ready for her momma to be back tonight. 

I'm loving...

When I'm able to have dinner with friends I haven't seen in a while. My friend Julie and I have both been busy all summer and finally had dinner together on Friday night!

What are YOU loving today??