Hello Friday! Looking good!

Once again I've been slacking on my blog- so sorry. It has just been one of "those" weeks. I seriously thought about going postal a few times. Like I said on Twitter earlier this week: "I didn't major in elementary education. Why am I working with a bunch of 1st graders?" I won't bore you with all the details, but I'm SO GLAD it's Friday. It's my flex day, so I was off work at 11:30. I am currently enjoying an NCIS marathon on USA. Yes, I know, I'm so addicted. Moving on...

It's been a while since I've participated in Five Question Friday, so here you go!

1. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

We usually open them Christmas morning. I think there were a few times when I was younger I could open one gift on Christmas Eve. If Christmas fell on a Sunday, I was allowed to open one gift before church- the rest had to be opened after church.

2. What is your favorite Christmas cookie (or candy)?

I'll have to go with candy canes.

3. What's the worse Christmas gift you have ever received?

Oh wow, I can't think of one off the top of my head. I know when I was younger I would always get socks at Christmas. Since I was a kid, of course I thought that was the worst gift ever. Right now, I actually need new socks, I could use a few pairs. I LOVE toe socks. :)

4.  Christmas song you love?
I can't pick just one. I had planned on doing a post about my favorite Christmas songs, I guess I can do that today. I'll post them below!! :)

5. How many trees do you put up?

You mean in my house? Just one. Here is a picture of my tree this year!

I can't pick just one Christmas song so here are a few of my favorite! You would be here all day reading if I listed them all! 

White Christmas- Bing Crosby

I know this one has been recorded MANY times, but my favorite version is the one sung by the great Bing Crosby. A little Christmas trivia: The song "White Christmas" made its debut in the 1942 classic Holiday Inn. The movie White Christmas was made years later. :)

O Holy Night

One of my favorite Christmas hymns! I LOVE Josh Groban's version of it. I am absolutely in love with his voice (I know, that sounds weird, but you know what I mean). He has a great voice.

Mary Did You Know?

I may, or may not, cry sometimes listening to this song. I wonder at times if Mary realized who her son would grow up to be. To her, he was her baby boy.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas by Johnny Mathis

No Place Like Home for the Holidays by Perry Como

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams

You know, the line, "there'll be scary ghost stories" has always puzzled me in this song.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee

To see a list of some of my favorite "funny" Christmas songs, check out my post from last December here.

Have a great weekend!!
:)

A Date Which Will Live in Infamy...

69 years later, we still remember. God bless our troops, God bless our veterans, and God bless America.

I'm back!

Sorry friends for the unexpected absence, I've been sick since last week, but I'm back in the land of the living now (gotta love the flu and cold season!) THANKFULLY I didn't have the flu, just a bad cold that turned into a sinus infection. I'm going to take up stock in Kleenex, I've gone through so many boxes over the past few days. Ug!

Anyways, moving on. First, I've added a new tab to my blog. Part of my 101 in 1001 challenge included watching movies from the AFI Top 100 movies list and reading books off the banned book list. I've added those lists here. I marked the ones that I had already seen/read. I will update that page each time I see one of the movies or read one of the books.

So, I meant to post these last week, but since I was feeling so bad, I didn't get a chance to. These are pictures of my family at Thanksgiving! We had a total of 32 people there. And we were still missing 4 (two sister in laws and two nephews were not there). Again, this is just my immediate family! :) Thanks for letting me share these!

 

My great-nephew "E" with my mom (he calls her "Gigi")

 

Me and my nephew James. I used to be taller than him!

 

Me and my nephew Jake. Yes, he too was once shorter than me.

 

My Bubba with our mom (the love of the Rangers runs in our family!) : )

My brother Mark with his kids (and a few of their significant others)

 

My nephew-in-law Ray can catch a football AND hold on to his son ("C") at the same time.

 

My lovely niece-in-law Jennifer and her son "B"

  

My beautiful niece Alice reading a book to her son "C".

 

Action shot of me eating. Yes, that is ketchup on my plate, I wasn't kidding about it!

 

Me with my siblings.

 

 

 

Lots of football watching. The look of pain on my face is most likely from the Cowboys game.

 

Me with my nephew Jonathan. They are all pretty much taller than me now!

 

Me with my niece Naomi and her future hubby Bryson (he survived our crazy Thanksgiving crowd. Welcome to the family Bryson!) :)

 

My dad with my great-nephew "G". I think he was standing on my dad's foot.

Me with my nephew Greg- he's about 2 years older than me

 

"G" with Aunt Rachel

 

My beautiful nieces Katie and Stephanie

"E" and Aunt Rachel picking out a Christmas tree. It looks like we are praying over this one.

 

 "E" and Aunt Rachel found a tree just his size. I love this picture!

 

"C" liked smelling each tree.

 

I love this picture of "E" and my mom!

101 in 1001

I've taken this idea from Words by Katie. From now on, this list will remain here until it's completed (or click on the tab labeled "101 in 1001"). Feel free to check back often to see how I'm doing on my list!

THE MISSION: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days (roughly 2 years, 9 months).

THE CRITERIA: The tasks must be specific (no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (represent some amount of effort on your part).

Date of Beginning: November 30, 2010

Date of Completion: August 29, 2013

 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) (0/7)

3. Visit Cooperstown (Baseball Hall of Fame)
4. Attend games at 5 MLB ballparks I’ve never been to before (0/5)
5. Go to Rangers spring training game
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 (0/6)
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

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 (0/3)
17. Go through my closet once a year and donate clothes to Mission Arlington (0/3)
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

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 (0/3)
29. Buy nothing but groceries for one month (meaning no shopping sprees)
30. Spend less than $50 a month eating out, twice (0/2)
31. Stick to a budget for 6 months (0/6)

It’s Not Personal—It’s Just Business. 

32. Clean off my desk once a month (0/33)
33. Volunteer to work at the company Career Conference
34. Actually take a lunch break away from my desk twice a month (0/66)
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

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 (0/5)
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 (0/4)
47. Go for a walk 20 times (0/20)
48. Work out in company gym three times a week for 10 consecutive weeks
49. Cook at home every night for a week, 7 times (0/7)
50. Eat at 10 restaurants in Dallas I’ve never been to before (0/10)
51. Learn to cook 10 new meals (that don’t include the microwave) (0/10)
52. No sweets for a week, twice (0/2) (not including sugarless gum)
53. Attend one “dance” workout class at my friend’s gym
54. Take dancing lessons

A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste. 

55. Read two new books per month (1/33)
56. Make one of #55 Jane Eyre (been trying to read it since 1994!)
57. Read the Bible in chronological order
58. No computer (non-work related) for five consecutive days (0/5)

59. Have a quiet time every day for 3 months (0/3)
60. Create 3 new projects that aren’t scrapbooking related (0/3)

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 (0/7)
63. Complete three group Bible Study courses (0/3)
64. Watch 25 new-to-me movies from the AFI top 100 list (10th Anniversary Edition) (0/25)
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 (0/3)
67. Keep a prayer journal for two months
68. Attend a symphony
69. Attend 7 musicals at Fair Park (0/7)
70. Write and post a book review on at least half of the books read from the Banned Books list

Do Unto Others… 

71. Make a donation to a different charity twice a year (0/6)

72. Send 10 snail mail letters to friends/family (not including holidays or birthdays) (0/10)
73. Donate items to Mission Arlington once a year (0/3)
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 (0/5)
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
82. Finally cut hair and donate to Locks of Love (or an organization like it)
83. Have lunch/dinner with relatives that live in Dallas (I rarely see them)

Just for Me. 

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

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
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 (0/2)

I’ve Loved These Days. 

99. Blog about met goals at least once a month (0/33)
100. Create new 101 in 1001 days
101. Donate $1 to C.J. Wilson’s Childrens charity for all items not accomplished 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm going to my folks after work so I won't be able to update my blog much this weekend. I wanted to say that I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful for SO many things, including all of you wonderful readers and new friends. If you are traveling, I pray for a safe trip to and from your locations. Have a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends and have a great weekend!!

:)
Rach

A Round of Ginger Ale for Everyone!

I know, I promised I was done with baseball talk for a while, but this is big. Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton just won the American League Most Valuable Player award for 2010!

My longtime readers already know a little bit about Josh (I may, or may not, have mentioned him a few 100 times before now), so instead of retyping it all again, I'll just provide links for you to read up on him. For a little background info on Josh, click here. He wrote an autobiography a few years ago called Beyond Belief, where he talked about his drug addiction, being kicked out of baseball, and how his family and faith helped him get back on track. Go here and here for a few reviews of the book. Even if you are not a baseball fan, I highly recommend this book. I can't say enough about it! :)

I really admire Josh. I heard him speak a few weeks ago at First Baptist Dallas. He has an amazing testimony. One of the things I really like about him is that he never misses an opportunity to witness and share the love of Christ with his audience. It doesn't matter if he's being interviewed on national TV by ESPN, TBS or Fox Sports, or if it's just one of the local guys from a Dallas station, ALL the glory goes to God, and that is the first thing he will say. I love it!

Oh, in regards to the Ginger Ale comment in the title. After the Rangers won the first round of the playoffs (the ALDS), his teammates showered him with Ginger Ale. Due to his past history with drugs and alcohol, Josh avoids any contact with alcohol. The team knew he wouldn't participate in the traditional champagne shower, so they had a special Ginger Ale shower just for him. Check out my post here for that story. They did the same thing when they won the ALCS and advanced to the World Series.

 

The Ginger Ale shower!

Congrats again Josh!! We are so proud of everything you have accomplished, on, and off, the field. God bless! 129 days until Opening Day. Not that I'm counting! :)

 

This was taken at Fanfest 2009. This was moments before Josh shook my hand (and I turned into a giddy 15 year old girl).

 

Fanfest 2009. Me talking to Josh as he was signing my copy of his book.

 

He includes a scripture with every autograph he signs.

Josh's I Am Second video. For more on I Am Second, go here.

  

Confessions of a Former NKOTB fan

Now, I'm not a fan of award shows. Movies, TV or music- I just don't watch them. One- because they usually bore me and two- I usually just don't care. Last night the American Music Awards were on, but I was busy watching shows on my DVR (yes, the NCIS addiction continues. USA had another marathon on Friday and I was watching that). Anyways, I read on Twitter this morning that New Kids on the Block and The Backstreet Boys performed on stage last night at the AMA's. Okay, I'll admit it- back in the day, I was a HUGE NKOTB fan. No really, I was a HUGE fan. I had the T-shirts, posters, nightshirt, magazines, books, buttons (remember those really big buttons, yeah, I had those). I think I even had a NKOTB hair bow (I'd rather not get into the hair bow phase of my life though). I even watched that really bad Saturday morning NKOTB cartoon. I know, can you say, "obsessed"?

This is me at age 12 with my niece Alice and nephew James. Like my NKOTB shirt? :)

 

These aren't my buttons (seeing that I sold them in a garage sale many years ago), but this is similar to my collection.

Anyways, I went to YouTube this morning to see if I could find video of this performance (and of course,  it has been uploaded MANY times). I wasn't necessarily a big BSB fan. I mean, I listened to them, but it was nothing like the NKOTB era of my life.

I have to admit, NKOTB looked a little rusty up there trying to dance last night. It made me feel old! But, for the most part, it took me back to 1989, and I was 11 years old again. All that was missing was my side pony-tail and Keds.

So, for all you former NKOTB fans (or current NKOTB fans), I thought I would share a few videos of how I remember them (including their bad hairstyles and clothes). I totally forgot about Joey's hat! I hope this causes you to have NKOTB songs stuck in your head for the rest of the day (seeing that I now have them stuck in mine!) ;)

Five Question Friday!

I'm so glad it's Friday! It's been one heck of a week! It's my flex day so I'm off work at 11:30 today. Wahoo!! 

1. What Christmas song do you loathe?
Wow, "loathe" is such a strong word. This is going to sound bad, but I'm not "fond" of The Little Drummer Boy song. (I can't say I "loathe" it though). Just something about it annoys me.

2. Do you and your significant other cuddle at night or sleep on opposite sides of the bed?
This doesn't really apply to me seeing that I only share my bed with Mordecai (my teddy bear). I will say that he hogs the covers. When I wake up, they are always on his side. That cheeky bear!! :)

3. Have you ever had surgery?

Does having my wisdom teeth cut out count? I had those taken out about 10 years ago. You know how most people are put "under" when their wisdom teeth are taken out? Yeah, I was WIDE AWAKE. Not fun my friends, not fun at all. 

4. When do you typically have your holiday shopping done?

By Christmas for sure! :) It all depends. I would say I actually have over 50% of my Christmas shopping for this year done right now. Of course I'm not buying all that much this year, so that is one of the reasons! :)

5. If money were not an issue (and you HAD to pick something), what would your ultimate luxury item be?

Wow, I'm not sure. I REALLY want a new TV (preferably a big flat screen). I just can't bring myself to buy it though. It's just too much money for a TV. Maybe one day I'll cave.

Thursday 13- Thanksgiving Style!

First of all, a birthday shout out to my favorite lefty on the Texas Rangers, C.J. Wilson. Welcome to the 30 and over club C.J.!! :)

 

 

For my Thursday 13 this week (no, it won't be baseball related, I promise), I thought I would list 13 Thanksgiving Day/weekend traditions in my family.

1. We watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on TV. Although the past few years my dad is usually complaining that we see more of the hosts and "special guests" than the actual parade (which I totally agree with). Are you listening network television?? Show the parade, not the stupid hosts. I want to see the floats and balloons! SHOW ME SNOOPY! SHOW ME MICKEY MOUSE! SHOW ME KERMIT THE FROG! SHOW ME SANTA! Oh, sorry. Needless to say, we spend a lot of time going back and forth between channels trying to find the best one to watch. Last year I believe CBS did the best job of showing the actual parade.

2. Along with the gravy, dressing, turkey, ham, cranberry sauce and other "normal" Thanksgiving meal items, there is always a bottle of ketchup passed around the table. (Or in my family's case, the room. There are too many of us to fit around one table.) Oh, I'm very serious about the ketchup. I don't know how that got started. I know I don't like gravy and when I was little the only way I would eat the turkey is if I had ketchup (have I mentioned I'm a picky eater?) I know that some of my nieces and nephews have picked up on my ketchup tradition. I'm such a good influence! :)

 

The picture is two years old, but that is me with ketchup on my plate at Thanksgiving. My nephew Peter is in the background (I believe he is another ketchup fan).

3. You get one cup and your name is written on it. Since I have such a big family, we are big fans of plastic cups and paper plates at Thanksgiving (see above picture). It means less dishes for the clean up crew (which I'm on since I don't cook). All cups have a name written on it at the beginning of the meal. That is your cup for the day. Don't lose it. 

4. We line up to eat by age, from oldest to youngest.  Again, with such a big family, you have to have some order (also, most people want to get to the food before my teenage nephews have their shot). It's best to beat my nephew Jacob (age 15) to the rolls, he ate about 8 last year!

5. There will be a group of us in front of a TV watching the Cowboys game that afternoon. Even though this year the Cowboys are not doing so well (at Thanksgiving their record will either be 2-8 or 3-7). But trust me, there will be a group watching the game.

 

Me with my brother and a few of my nephews watching football last Thanksgiving.

6. My mother will demand copies of all the pictures that are taken. And now that they have a video camera, she'll demand that my dad video tape it. If you don't like pictures, it's best you don't spend the holidays with my family. There are 36 people in my immediate family and LOTS of cameras. That's NOT counting any aunts/uncles/cousins, etc. Oh, I'm very serious. The tally right now is: 5 siblings, 4 in-laws, 20 nieces and nephews and 4 great-nephews (plus me and my folks). Now you know what I'm not married. What guy in his right mind would want to marry into that crazy circus? (but I love my big, crazy family!!) :) 

7.  A football game will be played outside between my nephews (and a brave niece or two). It doesn't matter if it's sunny and 85 degrees or rainy and 40 degrees, they will be outside playing. I throw like a girl so I just take pictures from the sidelines. I only play European football (that is soccer to all you non sports savvy folks!) ;)

 

Some of my nephews playing football last year at Thanksgiving.

8. We go around and tell each other what we are thankful for (yes, it's very "Walton's Mountain-ish". What can I say? My family is one commercial break away from being a Hallmark movie). If there is a video camera, that is the one thing that you know will be recorded. The best one from many years ago (that we still talk about today), is when one of my nieces said she was thankful her feet weren't naked.  But since she has a Texas accent it sounded like "I'm thankful my feet rn't nek-id". She was maybe 3 or 4 when she said that. She's 21 now. Oh yes, we still tease her about that one! ;)

9. The Texas Longhorn/Texas A&M Aggie football game will be watched. My oldest sister Martha went to Texas A&M. I think it's the only football game she watches all year (I got most of the "sports watching gene" in the family for the girls). After the game, the annual "bragging phone call" between my sister and our nephew Peter takes place. For some reason Peter is a big Longhorns fan (not sure why, his parents didn't go there). If Texas wins, he calls and brags to my sister. If the Aggies manage a win, Martha will call and brag to Peter. 

10. The Christmas decorating begins. Before the food has time to settle in our stomachs, my mother will start talking about how we need to get the Christmas decorations out. Last year my parents got their Christmas tree Thanksgiving weekend so I could help decorate it. The past few years they weren't able to get it until the first part of December. 

11. The Christmas music playing begins. Either Thanksgiving night or the next day, my mother has my father's blessings to start playing her Christmas music.

12. My sister Martha and I watch It's A Wonderful Life together at some point during the weekend. We always watch it for the first time of the "holiday season" with each other. Yes, we can quote it word for word. If the Texas weather cooperates and it's actually "cold" outside (cold to us Texans is anything below 60 degrees), we'll drink hot chocolate while watching it! If our sister Mary is still at our parents' house, she will watch it with us (Martha lives next door to our folks).

 

Me and my sisters last year at the holidays. They put me on the bottom step so they look taller! :) Oh yes, even a whole step lower, I'm still almost as tall as Mary!

 

13. My mother will start taking a head count of who will be there for Christmas. Usually Thanksgiving is the holiday where we all try and get together. For Christmas we are more scattered about. I think it's funny that my mom always ask me if I will be there for Christmas. I'm like, where else would I go? I really hope my future husband is understanding of my mother and her need for me to be around her at the holidays! :)

Martha vs Maxine

If you know me, you know that I'm not the world's best cook. Okay, I'm not much of a cook at all. If it doesn't go in the microwave, or you can't just boil water and toss it in, I don't even bother trying to make it. What can I say, I took wood shop in junior high instead of home economics (author's note: a friend and I took wood shop because we realized we would be the only girls in a class full of boys. Our plan worked. Wood shop class is where I met my 8th grade boyfriend!) ;) Uh-hem, moving on...

Anyways, I got this in an email the other day and it made me laugh really hard. With Thanksgiving coming up next week I thought I would share some words of wisdom from both Martha Stewart and Maxine. I LOVE Maxine!! :) She is my kind of cook!!

Martha's Way:

Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.

Maxine's Way:

Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake! You are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it, anyways!

Martha's Way:

To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.

Maxine's Way:

Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix, keep it in the pantry for up to a year.

Martha's Way:

When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.

Maxine's Way:

Go to the bakery! They'll even decorate it for you!

Martha's Way:

If you accidentally oversalt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant fix-me-up.

Maxine's Way:

If you oversalt a dish while you are cooking that's too bad. Please recite with me the real woman's motto: "I made it and you will eat it and I don't care how bad it taste."

Martha's Way:

Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting it in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

Maxine's Way:

Celery? Never heard of it!

Martha's Way:

Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.

Maxine's Way:

The Mrs. Smith frozen pie crust directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust so I don't.

Martha's Way:

Cure for a headache: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

Maxine's Way:

Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink! ALL your pains will go away!

Martha's Way:

If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.

Maxine's Way:

 

Go ask that very cute neighbor if he can open it for you.

Martha's Way:

Don't throw out leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

Maxine's Way:

 

LEFTOVER WINE?? HELLO??