It's OK Thursday!

It's OK...

...to discuss with friends on Twitter the hotness of Mark Paul Gosselaar.

#TeamZackMorris

 ...to kind of like the new Timeline layout of Facebook (even though the constant Facebook "upgrades" are super annoying). I like that I can go back and look at old status updates from a few years ago.

...to wonder how much mucus one person can have in their head. I have seriously gone through a box of Kleenex in the past 24 hours. Where does this all come from? Good grief!

...to think I look super cute in the new hat my nephew Danny got me for Christmas.

...to be living off the restaurant/fast food gift cards I got for Christmas because I'm too tired sick lazy to go grocery shopping.

...to wonder if I'm the only person who remember the show Danger Bay. It was a Canadian show but they aired it on the Disney Channel back in the 80's.

...that I have blown my nose twice since typing the above comment about mucus.

What's OK with you today?

XOXO!

Catching up and What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!! Mine was good, despite being sick. I promise to upload pictures of my Christmas adventures soon. I keep forgetting to bring my memory card with me. 

I got sick last Wednesday evening with a sore throat. I spent a few days drinking TheraFlu and that seemed to help my throat some, but starting Sunday afternoon (yes, on Christmas), it got worse. My sore throat was so bad Monday morning that I had to leave my parents house a little earlier than I had planned so I could get back to Dallas to find a doctor who was actually open. My doctor's office was closed, so I had to go to a Care Now clinic. Nothing against Care Now, they are a respectable place, it's just that my insurance has a higher co-pay there. :/ BUT, one of the good things about them is that if there is a long wait, they will take your number and you can go home and they will call you when they are ready to see you. I'm glad they did. I went to the office to sign in about 1:45 and didn't get a call until after 4:00 to come back. At least I was able to wait at home and not in a stuffy waiting room.

The verdict was that I probably had a cold last week and it turned into a sinus infection. I had to get a steroid shot (as I've mentioned before, I'm not a fan of needles, so that was no fun) and I am also on antibiotics and cough medicine. I still don't feel great (in fact, today is a little worse than yesterday), but alas, I'm making do. I'm even at work. I figured I would be miserable if I stayed home, might as well be miserable at work and get paid for it. :) Thankfully it's a slow week here at my office (a lot of people are out). I may or may not have Sudoku puzzles at my desk to keep me entertained. 

Okay, enough of my health problems. Let's move on to What I'm Loving Wednesday!! :)

I'm loving...

That it's already Wednesday. Having Monday off work means this is a short week (and I also have next Monday off work, so it will be two short weeks in a row!) **happy dance**

I'm loving...

That pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in 52 days. Oh yes, I'm already ready for baseball season (when am I NOT?)! If you look at my side bar, you will notice I added a widget with a countdown (just because I know you are all excited like me!) ;)

I'm loving...

That my nephew Danny is coming to visit me for New Year's. We are going to a Stars game on New Year's Eve with some of my friends. Danny is actually the one who got me interested in hockey way back when. For those who need a cheat sheet for my huge family, Danny is my nephew who is three years younger than me.

Me and my nephew Danny at a Texas A&M baseball game this spring

I'm loving...

Ricola cough drops. They don't leave that "medicine flavor" taste in your mouth like other brands. Since I'm battling a cough (and it seems my sore throat has returned YET again), I've been popping these bad boys today.

I'm loving...

These Audrey Hepburn items I found on Amazon.com while I've been here bored out of my mind busy at work. Yes, they have been added to my wishlist. If anyone feels the need to buy me a present, here are some ideas! ;) hehehe...

Hope everyone is having a good week!!

XOXO!!

Tuesday Tunes- Christmas style

I think I did this last year (or the year before last), but I wanted to share some of my favorite Christmas songs for Tuesday Tunes!

White Christmas by Bing Crosby (the Bing Crosby version is my favorite, and in my opinion, the best one!) :) Christmas trivia: The song "White Christmas: is of course in the 1954 film White Christmas (starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye), but it was first heard in the 1942 movie Holiday Inn (with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire). 

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




No Place Like Home for the Holidays by Perry Como





Baby, It's Cold Outside by Dean Martin




Rocking Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee




Twist of the Magi (I Did It All For You) by Rascal Flatts and SHeDaisy




Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Judy Garland




Honorable mentions:

You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch (The Grinch Who Stole Christmas)





Christmas Time is Here (Charlie Brown Christmas song)




I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas by Gayla Peevey

Twas the Week Before Christmas...

I just have to say that my A.D.D. is in full swing today, I don't want to work at all. Remember as a kid that feeling you got right before you went on Christmas break? Remember when it was called Christmas break? Yeah, that is me today. I don't want to do anything. But (in case my boss is reading this), I AM working on the reports that are due today (well, right now I'm on my lunch break updating my blog, but you know what I mean). I AM rocking out to Christmas music at my desk though, sporting my cute Santa hat. See, this is me right now:

I have no clue why I have that expression on my face.

Despite it being a Monday when I'm usually in my "Monday funk", I'm excited because it's almost Christmas and because I'm going to visit my folks this week. I can't concentrate (except on my reports for work, of course).

This past weekend I had a great time with friends. Friday night my buddy Aaron and I drove around looking at Christmas lights (it's become a yearly tradition). We stopped at Chili's first for dinner, where I had this:

My Christmas present from Aaron!! Yummy, thank you Jesus for cows! Oh, and thank you Aaron for paying!

We saw A LOT of beautiful houses and decorations. I refrained from rearranging manger scenes that had the wise men next to baby Jesus. You all know how I feel about that! I should have taken pictures of the houses (but I didn't think about it until after the fact). BUT, I did take a picture of my lovely balcony decorations. You can "ooh" and "ahh" now:

Saturday I went over to the BFF's house to watch Christmas movies. We watched It's A Wonderful Life (her husband's favorite Christmas movie- one reason I approved of him!) and A Jeff Dunham Christmas Special. I also got to see my sweet god-dogs.

 

They love their Aunt Rachel. Picture stolen from BFF's Facebook page.

Sunday a group of my friends and I went to Six Flags Over Texas to celebrate my friends Brandon and Lyn's birthdays (which are today- HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU TWO CRAZY KIDS!) :) Since I still haven't been cleared by my chiropractor, I'm prohibited from going on roller coasters (so sad). BUT, I did ride the Merry-Go-Round. No, the horses didn't jump off, and no Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke were not there singing. Bummer.

I do love the Merry-Go-Round.

The lights were really pretty, Holiday in the Park at Six Flags is always a lot of fun! It was a bit on the cold side though. This is where my mother is going to yell at me because I wasn't wearing a hat out in the cold.

Lovely ladies at Six Flags

I plan on updating again this week, but in case something happens and I don't get a chance, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!

XOXO!!

It's OK Thursday...

It's OK...

...to have slacked off on updating my blog the past few months weeks days.

...to feel bad for Tim Tebow because the media keeps complaining he's not "worthy" of the attention he's getting when THEY are the ones giving it to him.

 

 

This pic of Tim is for my friend Katie. ;)

...to have totally predicted the ending to the finale of Psych last night (no spoilers, I promise).

...that I'm not a huge fan of the movie Christmas Vacation. 

...to be on season 3 of my 21 Jump Street DVDs. **insert Johnny Depp sigh here**

...to NOT be impressed with the trailer for the movie 21 Jump Street that comes out next year. It looks more like a comedy and has nothing to do with the TV show. I'm not even sure it's "Red Box rental" worthy.

...to be counting down the days until I go see my family for Christmas.

...that I'm super excited to be having lunch with my friend Katie tomorrow!

Have a wonderful day friends!

XOXO!

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Sorry I've been absent this past week. It's a busy time of year! I did want to take the time today to wish a VERY HAPPY birthday to my favorite actor of all time, Dick Van Dyke, who is 86 years young today!! For your viewing pleasure, I thought I would post some classic Dick Van Dyke clips!! :) Enjoy!!

The Dick Van Dyke Show:

 

Mary Poppins:

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang:

 

Bye Bye Birdie:

Diagnosis Murder:

A few months ago I read Mr. Van Dyke's autobiography. Even if you aren't a huge fan, I think you will enjoy it. I laughed, I cried, I thought it was well written!

Hope everyone is doing well!! XOXO!!

20 Years Later, We Still Remember...

I grew up in Austin and was 13 when the lives of these four teenagers were taken on December 6, 1991. One of them was a classmate's sister. It's hard to believe that today marks the 20th anniversary of their deaths. If you aren't familiar with who they are, you can read about it here (I'd rather not go into the details on my blog). I just wanted to take time to remember them today.

In loving memory of Amy Ayers, Sarah Harbison, Jennifer Harbison and Eliza Thomas. Forever in our hearts. We will not forget.

Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge: Day 5 and 6

Day 5: The ideal outfit for Christmas/NYE festivities 

I'm not sure I would wear this dress ON Christmas Day (it's not really "church appropriate"), BUT, I would totally wear it to a Christmas party! :)

Source: modcloth.com via Rachel on Pinterest

This year on New Year's Eve I will be at the Dallas Stars hockey game with some friends, so I will probably be wearing something like this. Well, minus those boots. I more of a tennis shoes kind of girl when it comes to attending sporting events, but the rest of the outfit looks comfy (and warm) for a hockey game! :)

Source: polyvore.com via Catrina on Pinterest

Day 6: Holiday Dessert/Treat Recipe

Okay, if you have been following my blog for any amount of time, you know that I don't cook or bake. I really don't have any recipes, but here are some cute ideas I found on Pinterest! :)

Click here for the recipe:

Source: bakedperfection.com via Heather on Pinterest

Click here for the recipe:

Source: blogs.glam.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Click here for the recipe:

Source: creativeholidaygiftideas.blogspot.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

XOXO!!

Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge: Day 3 and Day 4/ It's OK Thursday

Sorry, it got crazy yesterday so I missed Day 3 of the Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge. Never fear, I'll make up for it today. 

Day 3: Holiday Decor

Well, since I have a small apartment my holiday decor is limited.

My beautiful tree!

I also have tinsel around my fire place and some decorations on my coffee table. I have my nativity set on my coffee table (with the wise men on the opposite end of the table). Since they weren't there when Jesus was born, I don't like nativity scenes with the wise men around the manger. Call me a nativity scene snob if you must! :) For those who don't know, the wise men didn't arrive until Jesus was about two.

Day 4: Favorite Holiday Movies/TV specials

I have so many. I'm gonna steal borrow Neely's idea and post pictures from Pinterest of some of them! :)

Source: imdb.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: imdb.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: imdb.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: torrentbutler.eu via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: imdb.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: imdb.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: imdb.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: cinemagraphe.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: shop.tcm.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Told you I had a lot!! :) And yes, I watch all of these every year! 

I know I've given you a lot in one post already today, but I didn't want to miss out on It's OK Thursday!!

It's OK..

...that I don't like the movie Elf because I can't stand Will Ferrell.

...to be insanely excited that I only paid $8 for the COMPLETE SERIES of 21 Jump Street (thanks to a great deal and coupon at Half Price Books).

I may or may not have watched disk 1 already- helllooo Johnny Depp!

...to try and convince myself that chocolate covered cherries are good for me.

...to be rocking out to Christmas music (via Pandora) at my desk while at work.

...that the chiropractor said I possibly have 6 more months of treatment ahead of me. :(

...that my sister now knows her birthday present because I had to call to see if she already had it.

...to buy Christmas cards at the Dollar Store. At Target they wanted $9 for a box of 12 cards. NINE DOLLARS! Insanity!

Have a great day y'all!! XOXO!!

Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge: Day 2

Day 2: Favorite Holiday Tradition New or Old

Family: When I was little my family and I would go see the Austin Trail of Lights and the Zilker Park Christmas tree (I grew up in Austin). 

Zilker Tree with the Austin skyline in the background

View from inside the Zilker Tree. I used to look up, spin and get really dizzy! Ah, memories! :)

I would say over the past 10 years or so my family has a tradition of singing Christmas songs on Christmas Eve (my sister plays the piano while we sing). Or, I should say, I attempt to sing. My sisters got all the musical talent, by the time I came along, nothing was left! :)

Friends: There are some of us that drive around and look at Christmas lights every year. We've been doing that the past five years or so. One year we couldn't find Christmas music, so we listened to Michael Jackson while looking at Christmas lights. Nothing gets you in the Christmas spirit like hearing Thriller! ;) I have another group of friends I met at church when I first moved to Dallas in 2004 and we have a "Ladies Christmas Get Together" every year. 

I'm hoping this year to start some more traditions with some new friends!!

Happy Tuesday y'all!!

XOXO!

Fabulous HOLIDAY Blog Challenge: Day 1

Day 1: Favorite Gift Received EVER

I've been debating on what gift I wanted to write about, it's hard choosing just one. At first I wanted to post about the Astronaut Barbie I received when I was like 6 or 7 (there is a really funny side story about the time my dad found Ken's head in Astronaut Barbie's space helmet-just the head, no body), BUT, I think that was a birthday present. I'll have to tell that story another time!

So, it's a toss up between the Heart Family dolls and my Snoopy and Belle dolls (did you know that Snoopy had a sister? Her name is Belle). 

I LOVED the Heart family. It had a mom, dad and a little boy and a little girl. And they always dressed up really fancy. There was some lipstick type stuff you could put on the mom's mouth and it would leave a "kiss" mark.

I got the Heart Family one Christmas when I was 7 or 8 (dressed in their red Christmas outfits) along with the playground and "casual" clothes set. I love how the casual clothes are still really fancy.

I think the same Christmas I also got a Snoopy and Belle set. It had the two dolls, a few sets of clothes and this plastic carrying case that opened up into their house. You could change out the backgrounds depending if they were in their bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, backyard, etc. It also had a closet to hang the clothes in (along with little hangers).

I have no clue what happened to my Snoopy and Belle dolls, but I wish I still had them. I just saw online someone is selling them for almost $300.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Mine was wonderful! I always enjoy spending time with my family. Oh yes, I'm going to share pictures! :) We had a small group this year- there were only 25 of us! But, the 23 pound turkey and 13 pound ham did not make it past Thursday. :) Since Thursday was a nice day, we were able to eat the main course outside (we saved the pies and dessert to eat inside while watching football). We usually eat our Thanksgiving meal about 1:00 or so (we are a Thanksgiving lunch family). Author's note: The majority of the Thanksgiving day pictures were taken by my beautiful niece Stephanie, who is a professional photographer (well, she wouldn't claim to be, but I think she is one!) :) 


Note to family: click on the pictures for a bigger view of it. :)

Me and my siblings waiting on lunch!

Table one

Table two

We line up to eat by age (I think my dad does this so he can go first). :)

Me and my brother Steve eating. Yes, that is ketchup on my plate (did you think I was lying?) :)

The football watching crowd in my sister's living room.

My dad had a "no electronic devices" rule for Thanksgiving Day, but E and C were exceptions to it. Here E is showing Aunt Rachel how to play a painting game on his Meme's old iPhone. C is in the background on Meme's iPad.

My folks with their six children.

The kids with mom.

The kids with dad.

Me with five of my nieces (I have seven, two of them weren't able to be there this year).

My great-nephew G loved my iPhone camera (this was taken Friday, after the ban of electronic devices was lifted!) :)

Aunt Rachel with G and B (and a dinosaur).

Making silly faces.

E and Aunt Rachel looking at Christmas trees on Saturday. Pic stolen from my niece Alice's Facebook page

E hugging Aunt Rachel. Pic stolen from my niece Alice's Facebook page

Picking out a tree for Gigi and Pawpaw (my folks). Pic stolen from my niece Alice's Facebook page

C and E helping Meme with the tree. Pic stolen from my niece Alice's Facebook page

C was excited that they were giving out cookies to anyone who bought a tree. Pic stolen from my niece Alice's Facebook page

Hope everyone has a good week!!

XOXO!