Happy Texas Independence Day!

Hey friends! Sorry for being absent all week! I got sick Sunday late afternoon/early evening and have been in bed all week since then. I'm feeling a little bit better today (I can't say that I'm feeling fabulous by any means, but I did manage to get out of bed and make my way to work). Hope to be back to 110% soon! :)

I promise to get caught up on all my blog reading soon. I wasn't online much this past weekend, and since I was sick all week, I haven't even been in front of a computer until this morning. For all my new followers, I promise to stop by your blogs soon!! I'm looking forward to getting caught up on everyone's blogs! I miss reading your posts! :)

If you know me, you know I'm a history nerd (so please forgive me for my history-filled post today). And if you are from Texas, you SHOULD know that today is Texas Independence Day. I mean, in 7th grade we had to take a Texas History course in school (any other states make you take a state history class? I'm just wondering). I'm not complaining, it was my favorite class! :)

For those of you not familiar with Texas history, today is the celebration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence.With this document, settlers in Mexican Texas officially broke from Mexico, creating the Republic of Texas. For more on that (and to read the declaration), you can go here. I actually have seen the Texas Declaration of Independence in person. A few years ago I was in San Antonio for a convention and the original declaration was on display at the Alamo. :)

I thought I would share some facts about Texas for your reading pleasure!

Nickname: The Lone Star State

Origin of name: From the Indian word meaning "friends".

State flower: bluebonnet

Me and my friend Brandy stopped to have our picture taken in the bluebonnets going to Opening Day in 2009

State bird: mockingbird

State tree: pecan

State song: "Texas, Our Texas" (no, it's NOT "Deep in the Heart of Texas") ;)

Random facts stolen borrowed from the internet:  (many thanks to this website here)

- El Paso, TX is closer to Los Angeles, CA on the Pacific Coast than it is to Port Arthur on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Port Arthur, TX is closer to Jacksonville, FL than it is to El Paso.

- The only place in the world where they make Dr Pepper according to the original formula is in Dublin, TX. Dr Pepper was invented in Waco, TX in 1885. There is NO period after Dr in Dr Pepper.

- Texas was an independent nation from 1836-1845.

- Texas is the only state to have flags of 6 different nations fly over it: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States and United States. This is where the theme park SIX FLAGS gets its name! :)

Me and my nephew James riding The Runaway Mine Train roller coaster at Six Flags over Texas a few years ago.

-Austin, TX is considered the "live music capital of the world". 

-The first word spoken from the moon on July 20, 1969 was "Houston".  

- Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth is the world's largest country-western honky-tonk and includes a 4800 square foot rodeo arena. I have been there many times- they have great concerts! :)

-The first suspension bridge in the United States was the Waco Bridge. It was built in 1870 and is still used today as a pedestrian crossing of the Brazos River.

-The world's first rodeo was held in Pecos, TX on July 4, 1883.

Me and some friends hanging out at the Mesquite Rodeo a few years ago.

For a list of famous people from Texas, you can go here. (Sorry, I'm too lazy to retype my favorites!) :)

I realized I could go on and on, but I'll spare you! :)

Before I close my post today, I have to wish Jon Bon Jovi a very happy 49th birthday. In honor of Jon, I'll leave you with some Bon Jovi videos. BTW, my BFF Mandy should love my post today. It has Texas history and Bon Jovi- two of her favorite things!! Love you friend!! :) See you, Andrew and Effie in a few weeks!

Funny Sportscenter commercial with Bon Jovi:

Thanks to all my Twitter friends for sending me get well wishes and "we miss you" tweets this week. I feel so loved! XOXO!!