Because I'm Happy (Well, I'm Getting There)...

I could go into the "gory" details about why I haven't been blogging over the past few months, but I wanted to keep this post happy and upbeat (because that is what I'm trying to get my life back to- happy). Yeah, I know it's vague, and that could worry some people, but I'm fine, I promise (well, I'm on my way to getting back there at least). 

So, here are things that make me happy...

Spending time with friends:

Even though they have had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad season, I still love my Texas Rangers. And my new iPhone case makes me happy (okay, I got it a few months ago, but haven't posted since I bought it):

Going to the Cowboys season opener, despite their terrible performance. Looks like it's another season of defending Romo whenever he has a bad game. Some things never change:

Chick Fil-A (like I said, some things never change):

These pictures:

Me with Eric Nadel. He's the radio broadcaster for my Texas Rangers. An hour after we took this picture he saw me again and said "hi Rachel". I hear he remembers everyone he meets. I think that is really neat.

Rangers pitcher Colby Lewis. I honestly don't think he wanted to take pictures, but he was really nice and said he would take one with me. I'm more of a picture person than autograph person (if you haven't noticed).

Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels (JD). He was super nice. I was unable to get any inside Rangers information though (sorry y'all).

One of my all-time favorite Texas Rangers- Michael Young. He retired this past year. I was personally introduced to him by a good friend who knows him (so I wasn't just some random fan asking for a picture). I told him we miss him. He said he appreciated that. Wonder if there is a job with the Rangers in his future?

Former Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco. He was super nice. When we finally took the picture, he apologized to me for the wait (he had been talking to other people when I first walked up. I waited until they were done before I asked him for a picture- I didn't want to interrupt). I was like, you are nice enough to take a picture, I do not mind at all. :) Again, really nice guy.  Another player in Dallas that we miss! I told him that. And that he needed to tweet more. :)

Thanks for all the messages/tweets while I've been away, I'm glad to know I was missed. I'm sorry if I didn't have time to reply to each one individually. Your thoughts/prayers mean a lot to me!

Hope to get back into a blogging groove at some point. Still working out some things, but I do love you all!!

XOXO!

Thought I would post some selfies, just so y'all know I'm okay. (Sorry Matt, I know you hate when people take selfies). ;)

101 in 1001 Update (A VERY LONG UPDATE)

I know, I don't update for weeks and now I'm going to bombard you with a long post. But hey, it's my blog, I can do what I want. :) Also, who knows when I'll update again, I have to get you caught up! And I'm REALLY bad about updating my progress on my 101 in 1001 list. As always, you can keep up with my progress here.

101 in 1001 Update

4. Attend games at five MLB ballparks I've never been to before

I can FINALLY add one to this goal. Last month I went to Comiskey Park, excuse me, US Cellular Field- home of the Chicago White Sox. When we got to Chicago, it was pouring down rain, I was so afraid the game would get rained out. Of course, after buying a $5 White Sox rain poncho, the rain stopped (it was worth it to have a rain-free game though). But I felt like a traitor wearing a White Sox poncho. That brings my grand total of MLB ballparks to six: Ballpark in Arlington (Rangers) Minute Maid Park (Astros), Turner Field (Braves), old Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park (Red Sox), and now US Cellular Field (White Sox).

Thanks to my buddy Brian for getting us amazing seats just 10 rows from the field

6. Attend a George Strait concert.

After talking about it for nine years, the BFF and I FINALLY saw George Strait in concert. Not just any concert, it was the last concert of his Farewell Tour at Cowboys Stadium (excuse me, AT&T Stadium).

Giddy BFFs!

The King himself

"Oh the last goodbye's the hardest one to say...

...This is where the cowboy rides away." 

9. Visit five states I've never been to before 

I am able to add three more states to this list after I went to visit friends in Indiana last month (we made side trips to Michigan and Illinois while I was there). Since I went to Iowa earlier this year, I just have to visit one more state and I'll be done with this part of my challenge! 

Visiting The University of Notre Dame

Was able to visit my friend Christie and her kids, Mini M and T, while I was in Indiana!

Me and Christie at Lake Michigan. And yes, when we crossed over the Michigan state line, I did announce we were in the home state of the great Steve Avery. :)

While in Illinois, I was able to meet up with my lovely friend Harrie, who lives in Chicago. She was brave and wore her Cubs gear over to the White Sox part of town!

15. Take a trip to the beach. 

Since I didn't specify if it meant ocean beach or lake beach, I'm gonna count my trip to Lake Michigan as a beach trip. The water was FREEZING, so I opted to lie on the beach and read. :) I did stick my feet in at one point.

Yes, I know, I'm pale

18. Vacuum apartment weekly for a month.
I've actually done this for two months! Yeah, go me. :)

29. Pay off personal loan.

HOLLA! Tomorrow I make my final payment on my personal loan. That leaves me with only a credit card, my student loans, and my car loan. Then I will be debt free (again- holla). 

42. Volunteer at the annual company seminar
I've already done that. In fact, it starts this week. Boom.

49. Learn to cook 10 new meals

I can finally add one to the list. Well, it's not necessarily a complete meal, but I tried a recipe for roasted broccoli and I REALLY enjoyed it (click here for the recipe). NOTE: I did NOT use garlic on mine, mainly because I didn't have any. But I did use the olive oil and pepper and it turned out really good. I just recently became a fan of broccoli, I didn't eat it growing up.

50. Try out 10 restaurants that I've never been to before 

I was able to add two more to this list, making the total 5. I am only counting restaurants in the DFW area, not the ones I go to on vacation.

March 15- Old Texas Brewing Company in Burleson

This place is awesome. Next time I'm in Mexico, I mean, Burleson, I want to go again. :)

Hanging out with my favorite Burlesonian...or is it Burlesonite? Anyways, hanging out with my bestie Chance at Old Texas Brewing Company. Yes, we are very silly. And he just LOVES when I make him take pictures. :)

June 6- Esperanza's Mexican Cafe and Bakery in Fort Worth

From the outside, this place looks like a little hole in the wall, but the food was really good. It's off Main Street in Fort Worth (like you are heading towards the Stockyards). I went there when some friends of mine were in town visiting. 

56. Go on 20 walks
Okay, so I've only gone on one, but hey, it's a start!

57. Read at least two new books a month

I'm so far behind on my weekly book challenge (six books behind to be exact), BUT, I've read 21 books so far this year, so that is averaging more than two a month, so for this challenge, I'm doing great! :)

One of the books I read was Special Heart by Bret Baier. I met him at a book signing at SMU back in June. He's a super nice guy, and it was a great book. I highly recommend it!

59. Complete three group Bible Study courses

My Bible study and I completed one about Ruth and Esther earlier this year. Some gals in my group didn't care for it, but I personally liked it.

63. Attend a symphony

Back in April, the BFF and I went to see Radio Days: A Salute to the Troops presented by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. It was amazing. I really enjoyed it. It had a lot of "big band" music, which I enjoy.

I didn't get a picture of us at the symphony, but here is one of us at a sports bar dinner afterward.

67. Spend a day at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

Okay, so I didn't spend a WHOLE day, but I did spend the whole afternoon with some friends- we went to the see the Indiana Jones exhibit. It was A-MAZ-ING.

Actual costume worn by Harrison Ford in the movie. Queue Rachel freaking out.

My museum peeps!

81. Treat a friend to a nice dinner (non birthday related)

I wasn't sure if I should count this one because I owed him a dinner after losing a bet, but I'm going to (I hope you are happy Brian). :) When I was in Indiana, I took my friend Brian out for a nice steak dinner. Stupid Cardinals. Or in this case, stupid Braves couldn't beat the stupid Cardinals. I'm never making a bet with this guy ever again. You think I would have learned after the first time I lost a bet to him (we don't talk about the first bet I lost. Let's just say it happened in 2011. That should say it all). 

84. Treat myself to a manicure

I may have done this one more than once. :)

85. Treat myself to a pedicure

As I'm sure you can tell, I had to force myself to complete this task. :)

87. Set aside one night a month for "me time"

I've actually been a homebody lately, I probably have had more "me time" than "social time". 

88. Watch a sunrise

I'm not a morning person, but when I flew to Indiana, my flight left at the crack of dawn, so I got to watch the sunrise from the plane (that was cool).

89. Watch a sunset

On July 3 some friends and I went to my office to watch a fireworks show (we had a better view, and we weren't outside being eaten alive by mosquitoes). We got there early and were able to see a beautiful sunset from the office windows.

90. Treat myself to a Chick Fil-A milkshake once a month

Did you really doubt I would be able to do this? Lol.

Hope you are doing well!! Thanks for taking the time to read my very long post!

XOXO!!

Blog Challenge Day 10- One Confession

Day 10: One confession

There was a time last year where I almost deleted my blog all together. I had absolutely no motivation, and I felt more obligated to blog instead of blogging for fun (which is why I started blogging in the first place). After taking some time away from blogging (I took time off instead of just deleting it all together), I decided to keep it. There is no rule that says you have to blog every day, every week, or every month. Instead of forcing myself to blog, I just write when I have time or feel like it. As you can tell, I'm not always motivated to blog, so there are days/weeks/months between posts. Another confession is that I'm TERRIBLE at commenting on other people's blog posts. If I have time, I'll read them, but I won't comment. How horrible is that? I'll work on being better at that!

XOXO!

Blog Challenge Day 9-Two Recent Pictures

Day 9: Two recent pictures

Supporting my Rangers, through thick and thin, through wins and losses (although lately it's been more losses than wins). :(

Supporting my second favorite soccer team in the World Cup, Team Brasil!

I know, my 10 day blog challenge is taking like two months. Life. It happens. Blogging takes a backseat. It's all good though!

XOXO!!

Blog Challenge Day 8- Things I Want To Say to 3 People

Sorry for the delay in my blog challenge, life has gotten in the way of blogging again!!

Day 8: Three things you want to say to three different people right now

(Yeah, these are going to be vague because I never know who might stumble across my blog- the internet is a crazy place, anyone could see this. Lol.)

Letter One:

I'm not going to let what happened between us affect my future dating relationships. I am a stronger person emotionally because of you, and I'm also smarter. I know what stupid mistakes not to make in the future, and how not to be manipulated again, and for that, I thank you. I hope you have also learned from your mistakes and that you don't make them again. Congratulations and best wishes to you in life.

Letter Two:

I'm sure you feel I should start this letter with an apology, but honestly, I don't feel I have anything to apologize for. I don't feel that anything I said was intentionally wrong or hurtful- I believe I said it out of concern and love, and at the time, you misunderstood it. I'm not saying it was your fault, please don't think that. I just feel at that time you didn't want to hear what some of your friends had to say, and instead of just accepting it gracefully (whether you agreed or not), you pushed us away. I'm sorry that happened. I'm sorry you felt we were horrible, judgmental people, but just know it was out of love that we had those concerns, we were not judging at all. I wish you all the happiness in the world in your new life, you deserve it. I'm sorry not all of us will be there to celebrate your happiness, but I'm glad you finally have the happiness that you've always wanted. 

Letter Three:

I'm not sure what we have going on between us. Honestly, I don't know what I want it to be. But, I hope we figure this thing out soon, don't you?

XOXO!!

Blog Challenge Day 7- Guilty Pleasures

Day 7: Four guilty pleasures.

1. Binge watching TV shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Most of these are shows I never watched when they were originally on. I'll shamefully admit I'm currently watching Party of Five on Amazon Prime. I never religiously watched that show when it was on back in the 90s, but I would catch an episode here and there. Oh, there is so much drama on it- but it's laughable. But at least once an episode I want to tell Bailey to "man up". Sheesh, he whined so much! 

2. Singing when I'm by myself. For anyone who has heard me sing, you know this is not a pretty thing. This is why I take advantage of it when no one is around. :)

3. Taking a weekend to myself and doing absolutely nothing. I love making plans to have no plans. I have no problem ignoring phone calls or texts so I can sit around and watch TV or read a book.

4. Eating ice cream out of the carton. Hey- I live by myself. Why dirty up a bowl?

XOXO!

Blog Challenge Day 6- Turn Offs

Day 6: Five turn offs. I meant this as five turn offs when it comes to dating a guy (although some could apply to friendships as well).

1. Smoking. Now, I'm not judging people who smoke, and I don't mind if my friends smoke, but when it comes to dating a guy, I prefer a non-smoker. 

2. Bullying. I don't want to be with a guy who is constantly putting others down. This applies to my friendships as well. No one has time for a bully.

3. Unreliable. Now, last minute things come up and plans have to be broken, but if a guy is constantly canceling plans or not being somewhere when he says he will, that is a major turn off. I'll assume he's not really interested and just move on.

4. Negativity. Bad days are going to happen, and I don't mind if someone vents or complains about them, but when everything out of his mouth is negative, or he has to put a negative spin on EVERYTHING, yeah, it's not going to work.

5. Laziness. I don't think I even have to put a description down for this one, do I?

XOXO!

Blog Challenge Day 5- Ways to Win My Heart

Day 5: Six ways to win your heart. There are probably a lot more things I could list, but then I would look picky. ;) And I'm going to skip the obvious stuff like "love Jesus" and "don't bother me while I'm watching the game". ;)

1. Pray with me. I know that sounds cheesy to some, but seriously, a guy who will lead a prayer, even if it's just before a meal, that's a big deal to me. And when I say prayer, I mean, something from his heart, not your typical "God is great, God is good, thank you for our food" prayer (although that one works when I'm really hungry!) 

2. Learn to love my big, loud, crazy, family. I'll admit, they can be overwhelming at times (especially to those who come from small families), but they grow on you. And my mom will bake you cookies. And pies.

3. Laugh at my jokes. Hey- I'm a funny person, I need a guy to appreciate the comedian that I am (or that I think I am). ;)

4. Know what to do when I have a bad day. It's pretty simple- I need Blue Bell ice cream and reruns of The Dick Van Dyke Show. That will help make it better. Or take me shopping, new shoes help too. :)

5. Don't judge me when I binge watch TV shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Just pass the popcorn, or find another TV. :)

6. Don't try to constantly "fix" what is wrong. Sometimes just holding me and letting me cry is all the therapy I need. I don't need advice or lectures. I just need a hug (and possibly ice cream). To be on the safe side, always have ice cream nearby, it will never hurt. :)

XOXO!!

Blog Challenge Day 4- Favorite Posts From My Blog

Day 4: Seven favorite posts from your blog. Here are seven of my favorite posts from the past four and half years of my blogging experience. Click on the title to read the whole blog post.

1. New Years. New Beginnings. New Adventures -this was one of my most read and most shared blog post. 

2. My Battle -This was the blog post I had the most difficulty writing.

3. What I've Learned in 2013 

4. My Name is Rachel, And I Am Single -this was my second most shared blog post

5. Difficult Letters to Write

6. Are You There God? It's Me, Rachel!

7. Blog Challenge Day 16- Pet Peeves

Thanks for reading (or re-reading) my old posts today! :)

XOXO!