What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm loving...

That 21 years after saying, "I'm going to meet Dean Cain one day", I FINALLY met Dean Cain last Friday night. 16-year-old Rachel would be so proud of me. I attended the Dallas Comic Con last weekend (yes, the main reason I bought tickets to the event was to meet him). It was everything I wanted and more. He was super nice (how could Superman be anything BUT super nice). He talked to each fan for a few minutes at both the photo session and the autograph table. He made it seem like you were his main focus the whole time he was talking to you. He didn't seemed rushed or annoyed. When we got to the photo session he introduced himself and asked my name. He also said he loved my "blingy" Superman shirt. And he gave me a hug. You all know how much I love hugs. :) I feel the need to have a Lois and Clark marathon now (yes, I own all four seasons on DVD). 

Thanks to my friend, and fellow Lois and Clark enthusiast, B for tagging along to Comic Con with me! 

Getting our souvenir photos signed (I probably wasn't suppose to take pictures at the autograph table, but I'm a rebel)

We went back to "the Con" on Saturday and attended Dean's Q&A session. After it was over, instead of rushing off like most of the guests did, he stuck around and talked to fans, took photos, and gave out more hugs, for at least 15 minutes. You could tell the Comic Con officials were wanting to rush him off, but he made time for everyone there. Again, SUPER nice. And yes, I have photo proof of Dean Cain hugging me. :)

I'm loving...
That I survived my first Comic Con. I'll be honest, I had never been before and didn't really know much about it. It was interesting, to say the least, but I had a lot of fun. I met a few other celebrities, saw some interesting costumes, and even made some new friends while waiting in line for celebrity photos! :)

Honestly, I've only seen one episode of the TV show Firefly, but I went with B to get a picture with Alan Tudyk anyways. I know I've seen other shows/movies that he has been in. He was nice as well. 

As a fan of The X-Files and Supernatural, I was very excited to meet Mitch Pileggi. He now lives in Dallas and mentioned how he liked the shorter commute to this Comic Con. He just had to jump on the tollway.

It was an honor to meet Barbara Eden and Bill Daily from I Dream of Jeannie. I remember as a kid spending my afternoons watching reruns of that show and Bewitched on TV. Mr. Daily is 87 and was hilarious. When I shook his hand he looked at me and was like, "well, hello there". It seems he was very much like his character Roger. :)

It was good to run into some friends (and to meet new friends) while at Comic Con. There were so many awesome costumes. I didn't recognize all of them. I did recognized two who were dressed up as Dean and Sam from Supernatural (bottom right). 

While waiting to get our picture taken with Dean, we met this adorable young man and his parents. I said something about wanting to be Lois Lane and he told me that he would be my Superman. SO CUTE! We also saw them the next day at Dean's Q&A. They are now new friends of ours! Oh, and I asked his parents permission to use his picture on my blog. :)

I'm loving...

My sweet Kindergarten graduates! I'm sad that I missed it, but I'm so proud of them! 

Aunt Rachel's sweet E and K!

I'm loving...

Rangers baseball. It was nice to finally get above .500 for the first time since last June. I had fun at the games I attended last week with some friends. I actually got to see a winning game on Saturday!!

I'm loving...
That the SUN is actually shining here in Dallas again. We had about three weeks of rain (some of it severe).

What are YOU loving today?

XOXO!!

**disclaimer: Like always, if you want to use any pictures from my blog, please ask my permission first. Thanks!** :)

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

EEK! I so slacked off on my blog over the past week. I'm so sorry about that! 

It's time once again to link up with Jodi and I for What I'm Loving Wednesday! Please link up below and join in on the fun! :) Be sure to leave a comment on another blog that has linked up. You never know what new blog you might find to follow (or what new friend you might make!) :) Also be sure to link your post back to mine or Jodi's blog so others can join in next time! :) Feel free to use this button code below!

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I'm loving...

That this link up seems to gain new followers each week! I'm excited about it! :) Please spread the word to your friends. I loved all the posts that I read last week! :)

I'm loving...

These pictures of my sweet munchkins, my great-nephews C and E, and my great-niece K. These pics were posted on Facebook over the weekend and it made me miss them! I need a visit from them soon. It's been a rough few weeks, I need hugs! :)

Pictures courtesy of my beautiful niece, Katie

I'm loving...

That Dean Cain will be at this year's Dallas Comic Con. I have never attended a Comic Con event before, but I might embrace my inner nerd and go for a chance to meet Superman himself. :) **insert teenage Rachel sighing here**

I see a Lois and Clark marathon in my near future. I possibly have all four seasons on DVD.

I'm loving...

That I'm starting to plan my trip to Chicago for this summer. I can't wait! :)

I'm loving...
That former Braves pitcher Mark Wohlers tweeted this picture of him and former teammate Steve Avery. In case you are new to my blog (with this link up, there is a good chance of that) Steve Avery is the Avery behind my social media handle, Averyfan. Shameless plug, follow me on Twitter here and Instagram here. It's a long story (I'll save it for another day), but I've been an "Averyfan" since the early 90s. :) **insert teenage Rachel sighing again**

Steve is on the left, Mark is on the right. Photo stolen borrowed courtesy of Mark Wohlers Twitter

I also love that Mark replied to my tweet about it. Lol.

I'm loving...

The text conversations between me and my best friend while her students are taking a test. :)

I'm loving...

That I might actually be making progress on my story (novel, whatever you want to call it). No details yet, I'll let you know when I'm ready to share. :)

I'm loving...

This pin from Pinterest. I'm the worst at over-thinking things- even little things that most people wouldn't give a second thought to. If you know me well, you probably are nodding your head right now in agreement with me. I'm really trying to be better about it. Honest!

We are halfway through the week! Please link up below! We would love to read your What I'm Loving Wednesday posts! Again, don't forget to comment on a new blog. :) XOXO!

My So-Called Life...

It's hard to believe that this time next week it will be NOVEMBER. Seriously, where did 2013 go? It seems like only yesterday I was moving and excited about getting settled into my new apartment. The saying about time speeding up as you get older is true (I don't like it, I really wish time would slow down some).

Anyways, I'm sure it's no surprise to any of you that I've been staying busy. I had actually taken a few days off work this week to just stay home and relax, and I ended up getting sick late Sunday night, so I pretty much stayed in bed for two days with a migraine headache. Well, I guess that is ONE way to get me to slow down, but it wasn't quite the time off I was wanting.

October has been a crazy busy month. Sadly it did NOT include Rangers playoff baseball like I had hoped, but I had other things to keep me busy. I went to two weddings for some dear friends of mine. My friend Forrest and I have known each other for over twenty years, and my friend Jonathan and I have been friends since college. Not sure what these people were thinking planning their weddings during college football season. ;) No comment if I checked my Sportscenter app for scores during the weddings. :) It was cool that at both weddings I ran into friends I hadn't seen in years. It was fun times! Congrats to both couples! :)

I missed the State Fair of Texas last year so I made sure to make a trip out there this year. I went on a beautiful day, it was sunny and in the high 60s (maybe low 70s). I also went on a weekday, so it wasn't as crowded. I wanted to get out there to see the new Big Tex. Some of you might remember Big Tex burned last year (it was a sad, sad day).

The new Big Tex. He just wasn't the same.

They had a Big Tex memorial set up (no lie, people could actually leave a note for Big Tex). It was kind of cool to see the history of Big Tex. He started out as this creepy looking Santa. The only thing that survived the fire was his belt buckle. They had one of the original heads and hats in there too. There was also a video on the making of the new Big Tex. 

As you can tell, I got a little emotional at the memorial site. (For those who don't know me, I'm totally kidding.) ;)

I didn't take as many pictures as I usually do, but I did get some in the arts and craft arena. That is where they have the butter sculpture. Every year they have something sculpted out of butter. Yeah, I don't know why, but it's a big deal.

Butter sculpture is in the top right corner. They used over two tons of butter to make it. I personally wanted to steal the Rangers wreath (top left). I bet that idea came from Pinterest!

The Superman 75th Anniversary Costume Tour made a stop at our state fair. It featured Superman costumes worn during various Superman movies and TV shows. We got there right as they were packing it up, but the guy was nice enough to bring the photo of Dean Cain back out to the Lois and Clark exhibit As you know, I loved that show, and Dean Cain.

 

My friend B is another Lois and Clark fan (when he calls me, it's the Lois and Clark theme song. Yes, I'm a nerd). He had to keep me from taking the Dean Cain photo. And the suit. :)

We stayed until 10:00, which was the first time that I can remember staying at the fair until closing. The light show they had set up was really pretty, sadly my cell phone camera doesn't do it justice, but it was still cool. Even though we didn't ride the Texas Star (Ferris wheel) this year, I did snap a few pictures of it.

This past weekend my friend Mel and I made the drive to Ennis (about 40 miles south of Dallas) for a Dukes of Hazzard Cast Reunion (don't judge). It was a two day event, but we only made the Sunday portion of it. Sadly the guy who played Bo Duke was only there on Saturday, so we missed out on meeting him. BUT, it will happen one day, mark my word (Bo was my favorite). We met Tom Wopat in 2007 (Luke Duke), but we got another picture with him anyways. We also met Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke). She was super sweet. She kept telling me she liked my Cowboys shirt. She made small talk with everyone and didn't seem to rush people away. They said the day before the reunion closed at 5, but she stayed until 7 so that everyone in line could get an autograph and picture. We also met Rick Hurst, who played Cletus. He was funny. Mel and I were just gonna do a picture with him together, but he insisted on taking individual ones too. We didn't get our picture with him, but Sonny Shroyer, who played Enos, talked to us for a brief moment. And we got to see James Best (Rosco P. Coltrane). It cost $50 to get a picture with him, so we passed. I tried to snap a picture of him but he was looking down. And, we got to sit behind the wheel of the General Lee (well, one of them). It was a fun day.

Top left is Enos and bottom middle is Roscoe, who is looking down.

I have one more big event this month- the Jason Aldean concert tomorrow night! I'm so excited, it feels like we got the tickets forever ago. It should be a lot of fun. Yes, I'll post pictures (with the way I'm updating my blog, it will probably be NEXT year before I recap it). ;) I'll leave you today with a little Jason Aldean. HAPPY FRIDAY!! XOXO!

Blog Challenge Day 7- Favorite Superhero

Day 7: Who is your favorite superhero?

I honestly didn't have a favorite superhero growing up. I mean, I watched The Incredible Hulk on Saturday mornings, but is the Hulk considered a "superhero"? I mean, I know he's in the The Avengers and all. I wasn't sure if he was "classified" as a superhero or not. I'm not that nerdy saavy on my superhero knowledge. :) Does anyone know?

Don't make me angry...you wouldn't like me when I'm angry.

I guess I became a Superman fan in the 90's thanks to Lois and Clark. Every Sunday night I would speed drive like crazy drive at the legal speed limit to be sure I was home by 7 pm to watch this show.

Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher

I didn't really watch Smallville past the first few seasons (but I appreciated Tom Welling VERY much). I did really enjoy the latest Superman movie Man of Steel. And I'm pretty sure Henry Cavill surpassed Dean Cain as my favorite Superman (sorry Dean, you had a good 20 year run at it). 

Henry Cavill from Man of Steel

When I was working for the newspaper, I got the nickname of "Wonder Woman" because I did so much (I covered all the local sports, city council meetings, school board meetings, and often had to take pictures around town at certain events.) The Justice of the Peace (who I had to interview for numerous articles) told me I was Wonder Woman for doing so much. The nickname stuck. :)

Wonder Woman... Wonder Rachel. I'll answer to both. :)

XOXO!!

My Wonderful Weekend!

I meant to post pictures yesterday of my weekend adventures, but alas, I never got around to it. I got home, cooked dinner, and got wrapped up in the original Superman movie (the one with Christopher Reeve). It has to have been almost 20 years since I've seen that movie. As much as I **heart** Dean Cain (who played Superman in the TV show Lois and Clark), I'll have to admit that Christopher Reeve was/is the best Superman.

Christopher Reeve (l) and Dean Cain (r)

Back to my weekend recap. I had a great weekend hanging out with my niece Alice. We haven't had a "girls weekend" in years, it was a lot of fun. We went to the Rangers game on Friday night and saw an awesome game. The Rangers beat the Angels 1-0. I think it was only the 9th time in Rangers history they had won 1-0 at The Ballpark (it was either the 5th or 9th time, I've read conflicting stats in different articles). C.J. Wilson pitched a great game- probably his best game all season in my opinion. I think he was trying to impress new Rangers pitcher Cliff Lee! : ) It was a sell-out crowd, it was almost like Opening Day. I didn't get our tickets until Friday, so the only thing available was the nose bleed section. But, like I usually do, we were able to sneak down closer in the 4th inning.

Saturday my niece twisted my arm and we went shopping at Kohl's (and when I say she twisted my arm, I mean she said, "hey, let's go to Kohl's, and I said, um, okay!" I **heart** Kohl's. After our shopping adventures we got ready for the Rascal Flatts concert. It was awesome! Five of my friends went with us (my friend Aaron was the lone guy- he didn't seem to mind too much).We had a blast! Chris Young, Kellie Pickler and John Rich opened for them. In between acts, we were "entertained" by three "less than sober" guys in front of us (they were there with their wives). Thankfully they weren't obnoxious drunks. Although at one point the wife of one of them scolded him for being too loud. It was kinda funny.

Anyways, like I said, Rascal Flatts was wonderful. This was the fifth time I've seen them in concert and they didn't disappoint. They sang a lot of their old songs, and a new one that is going to be on an upcoming album. LOVE THEM!!

Here are some pictures of my adventures this weekend!! Sorry there are so many! Hope you enjoy!!

:)

A view from our seats that we got at the box office.

Me and my niece Alice.

 

I love this Chick Fil-A sign at the Ballpark!

A view from the seats we moved to in the 4th. ;)

 

Ran into my friends Bill and Annette- it was wonderful to see them! They were in town and called to see if I happened to be at the Ballpark (they know I go to a lot of games). :)

Final score 1-0 Rangers!

 

The fireworks show after the game was set to music from musicals. I loved it!

 

Me and my group of friends at the Rascal Flatts concert (and some random lady in the first row who wouldn't move. I like how the kid behind us is smiling for the picture).

Taking lots of pictures before the concert started.

 

After almost two hours of opening acts, Rascal Flatts takes the stage!

Joe Don Rooney, lead guitarist. I **heart** him. ;)

For their encore, they sang their hit, "Summer Nights"

Until next time...