It's Ok!

It's OK...

...that I only updated my blog once last week (and so far just once this week). I've already posted more in seven weeks than I did ALL of last year.

...that the Renegades didn't win their season opener, I still had a blast at my first XFL game. I had field access before the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Fans seem super excited about the new league. :)

...that I needed a night out on Tuesday and went to the Stars game with some friends. Thanks to Uballn for the AMAZING tickets. Side note-if you are into pickup basketball, check out their app here. They are awesome!

...that I stopped in the middle of my run last weekend for this photo op (it's a giant baseball glove, why would I NOT stop?) :)

...that I'm less than five visits away from achieving Red Status for ANOTHER year on my Chick Fil-A app.

...that I will legit weep the whole time I'm there if I'm able to score a ticket to see Julie Andrews when she is in Dallas in June. Fingers crossed that I can get one!

What's OK with you today?

XOXO!

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!

Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day!

Last week I was honored to once again join Norma's Cafe on their Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day tour. If you remember, I was asked to go last year and had a blast (see that post here). Basically, we rode around on a bus and stopped at different places to eat chicken fried steak all day. ALL DAY. Yes, all day. Have I said all day yet? Lol.

If you are a regular visitor of my blog, you know I LOVE Norma's Cafe. If you live in the DFW area (or come to visit), you must check out one of their five locations. This year proceeds from Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day at Norma's Cafe benefited the Dallas Stars Foundation (click here for more info on them). 

Our day started early at the Norma's location in Frisco where we had our first chicken fried steak of the day along with other yummy breakfast entrees. After last year I learned to pace myself early, so I only had one piece of bacon and some eggs along with my chicken fried steak. From there we headed just down the road and made a stop at Dr Pepper Arena, which is the practice location of our hockey team, the Dallas Stars. We were given a private behind the scenes tour by former Stars great Bob Bassen. Although the arena is open to the public to watch the team practice on the ice, not just anyone gets to see the locker room, workout room, and video room. There was a member of the Dallas Stars Foundation on the tour and he said in the eight years he's worked for them, he's only been back there twice. It was very cool!

We got to see their entertainment room, which has a ping pong table- it was folded up against the wall when we were there. There is also a kitchen area where a private chef cooks for the team and there is a long table for the team to enjoy a meal together. They have a theater room where they can watch film from previous games (we were told depending on how well the game went, that yelling can be heard while they are watching game tapes). Lol. We also go to see the training room.

It was so cool to be able to go into the locker room. We were told that the locker room in the American Airlines Center (where the team plays their games) is about the same size as the one at the practice arena. FYI- it's not that big. We were able to see where they store their equipment, and yes, I had permission to pick up a hockey stick, I didn't break any rules. :) Also, it is bad luck to step on the star logo on the floor. There were several so we were all walking around like it was hot lava. Lol.

In the workout room

Bob Bassen- super nice guy!

We made three stops along the tour for chicken fried steak: Cartwright's Ranch House in Denton, Bono's Chophouse and Saloon in Decatur, and Ranchman's in Ponder. 

Everyone has been asking for my reviews of the tour, so here you go. Not counting Norma's, the best chicken fried steak of the day was at Cartwright's. Hands down. It was so good. And I really liked the atmosphere there. It's located right across from the Denton County Courthouse. The square around the courthouse seems to have some nice shops, I should go back and check them out! Bono's Chophouse had the best sides, including homemade cream corn which was AMAZING. They have something called Armadillo Toes which is jalapenos stuffed with cheddar cheese and wrapped in bacon (they had me at wrapped in bacon). Delicious (and I'm not usually a fan of jalapenos). They also had the best bread pudding I have ever tasted. I was sad we only had a little sample of it. Ranchman's served us chicken fried steak tenders (which honestly was nice since it was towards the end of the day and I'm not sure I could have handled another whole chicken fried steak). Their tenders were very good. They also had cobbler, which I didn't try, but everyone else said it was great. I would recommend trying out any of those locations if you are nearby. Our day ended back at Norma's where they sent us home with chicken fried steak sliders (our FIFTH meal of the day). I didn't eat it that night though. I didn't eat anything until late in the day on Friday because I was so full. Lol.

My chicken fried steak meals. Top (l-r) Bono's, Norma's. Bottom (l-r) Cartwright's, Norma's, Ranchman's (this is not my plate though, I only managed to eat two tenders). Lol.

Ranchman's in Ponder is next door to the Ponder State Bank, which according to local legend, was once held up by Bonnie and Clyde. They tried to get into the safe by coming through the back of the vault. They got in but were unable to open the safe. There was a man named Bill who was inside renovating the bank. We just wanted pictures outside but he opened the door and said we could come and take a look inside if we wanted to. He was so nice. Evidently he was on an episode of American Pickers recently. He is working to restore the bank to how it looked when Bonnie and Clyde were there. Everything there is original (some of it has been in storage for many years). He even let us going inside the vault to see the safe. They are going to open it up as a tourist attraction at some point. I would like to go back once they are done to see it again.

Just like last year, I had so much fun on the tour. It's nice to meet new people and go new places. I had never been to Decatur or Ponder before, despite not living too far from them. It's also fun to try new places to eat. I'm so thankful for my friends at Norma's for inviting me along! 

Bill and Ed crack me up!

My tour group!

Along with dinner, Norma's sent us all home with a goodies bag. I also won a wireless waterproof speaker and free pie for three months as part of the bus tour raffle. :) 

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!!

I'm loving...

When I get to hang out with a friend on her birthday. My beautiful and wonderful friend Beks' birthday was yesterday and she had a birthday celebration at the Dallas Stars hockey game. The Stars won 3-2 (that was their gift to her.) Beks and I have been friends since 2004. We met when a mutual friend introduced us and said "You two like baseball, you should become friends." And we did. Lol. Love this chick!

I enjoyed hanging out with her and some other friends at the game last night. I love watching sports but it's so much more fun when you are spending time with friends while watching the game. We also had all you could eat food. I will not confirm or deny that I had nachos, hot dogs, popcorn, and more Dr Pepper than one person should consume in a two hour span. I regret nothing.

A picture with the birthday girl!!

My friend Misti and I asked her teenage daughter if this was how the cool kids posed. Evidently it's not cool when we do it.

I'm loving...

That I got to see Bon Jovi in concert last week. My friend Monica and I got last minute tickets. They were behind the stage but they were actually pretty good seats. We were like four rows back. It was my first time seeing them, it was an amazing concert! 

Concerts are for meeting new friends- our new friend Adam!

I was bummed Bon Jovi wasn't selling magnets (I collect them), so I bought some collector pins and put magnets on the back. Boom. I kinda feel like a genius. Lol.

I'm loving...

That I got to meet author Bret Baier (again). Last Saturday he was signing copies of his newest book Three Days in January at the flagship Half Price Books in Dallas. My friends Misti and Larry just happened to be near there and when I mentioned he was signing, they joined me. He's super nice and remembered me from the last time he did a book signing in Dallas. I got a copy of his book signed for my dad too. 

The book he signed for my dad. No, I didn't tell him to put that. :)

I'm loving...

My new doormat. A friend got me a gift card for Rally House Texas for Christmas and I finally used it last week.

I'm loving...

That it is March- mainly because I like the picture for March on my Supernatural calendar. Stop judging me. (Happy birthday Jensen).

I'm loving...

That my friend let me borrow her Garmin Vivofit (she got a new one, so I took her old one). I've been debating what kind I want to get (Vivofit, Fitbit etc). This one monitors how many steps I've taken, how many miles I've walked, and how much I've slept. Last night I went to bed late because of the Stars game, so I got less than 6 hours of sleep. This is actually not too uncommon for me.

What are YOU loving today?

XOXO!