What I'm Loving!

I'm not gonna lie- the last month I just wasn't motivated to do a What I'm Loving Wednesday post. There was so much negative stuff going on in my life that I just didn't feel up to it. I have to say that the past two weeks have made up for those negative times. I have just felt so happy. And this is a real happy. Not my "I'm going to put on a happy face for the world because it's expected of me." (Yes I do that more than you know). I ended up having a WONDERFUL birthday month (yes, I celebrate it all month long). It's now called the month of "Maychel". I've spent time with friends, I've seen some of my family, and I GOT TO MEET MY FAVORITE ACTOR OF ALL TIME (yes I will be talking about it on and off for the rest of my life. Lol.)

I'm Loving...

My friends. Man, they know how to help a girl celebrate the last year of her 30s in style. 

I had a birthday dinner two weeks ago at Norma's Cafe (BIG SHOUT OUT to Bill and Roger at Norma's for making this possible). They went ABOVE AND BEYOND. If you live in Dallas and haven't gone to Norma's yet- go check them out. I had a great number of friends show up to help me celebrate ME. :) Great food, wonderful friends- a fun time was had by all! :)

Does your favorite restaurant buy you special balloons for your birthday? Didn't think so. :)

My friends are awesome!

Presents and a slightly inappropriate birthday card (I actually got that same card from two different friends). My dinner was so wild they called the Dallas Police Department (okay, not really, but they were nice enough to pose for a photo with me). :)

My friend Nicole got me flowers for my birthday. It made me feel special, I rarely gets flowers at work. They made my desk a little more cheery after the rough day we had at the office a few weeks ago.

On my actual birthday my friend Katie and I went to the New Kids on the Block concert. When I was 11 years old, all I wanted for my birthday was for them to sing to me ON my birthday. 28 years later, it happened. I will not confirm or deny that I was somewhat giddy about that. Boyz II Men and Paula Abdul opened for them- it was a flashback to my childhood. I loved it!

I promise that is Boyz II Men and Paula Abdul. I was taking pictures on my phone- I keep forgetting I have a nice camera now to take pictures with and I forgot to bring it. Fail. Lol

When they sang their song Happy Birthday, I am 97.4% sure it was just for me (forget anyone else there celebrating a birthday). Lol

I had a birthday lunch with my friend Becky. We see each other at work all the time and say "hey, we need to have lunch." We FINALLY went! Lol. So much fun! 

I know I went on and on (and on and on) about meeting Dick Van Dyke last weekend, but I also got a chance to meet actor Anthony Michael Hall. He was so nice. He talked a good while with everyone who met him at his booth.

I saw Circus 1903 with my friend Mel at Dallas Summer Musicals (okay, this wasn't technically FOR my birthday, but it helped wrap up my birthday week). It was a great show, I highly recommend it!

We were excited to have floor seats for the show, normally we have "sitting next to Jesus" seats in the balcony. :)

I got to hang out with some of my favorite baseball peeps at a Rangers game on Monday night (that was actually for my friend Eric's birthday). But it wrapped up my two weeks of celebrating with friends. Monday was OU cap night at the Ballpark. Three guesses who is not an OU fan. Lol. I also got to see my friend Felicia (we got our yearly baseball picture together). AND, after like eight years of signing up for it, I WON the Designated Driver of the Game prize. I ended up with an authentic Rangers jersey. Oh, and the Rangers WON!! (It's been a rough season, we haven't been able to say it too much). What a great ending to my birthday celebrations. :)

Traditional birthday kiss from my friend Beks. Lol.

I'm Loving...

My church. I know I've said this before, but having this church family has helped me through some rough times the past few years. I'm super sad my pastor is retiring, but I look forward to our new pastor and all the great things my church will do in the future. 

I love Pastor Sam and his wife Belinda!

I'm Loving...

That I was able to make it to my niece Ashlyn's high school graduation. I had to work that day and her graduation was a two hour drive from Dallas. Despite traffic, I still made it and was able to see her walk across the stage. I'm so proud of her! And she's going to attend college at my alma mater! :)

I'm Loving...

That I was able to see my friend Richard (even if it was only for like 15 minutes) for the first time in 12 years. He picked me up at the airport in Phoenix on Saturday (he just happened to be in town). It was great to see him, next time we will definitely hang out longer!

I'm Loving...

That Dick Van Dyke's wife commented on my blog post. I posted the link on Instagram and tagged her and she responded. It made my day!!

What are YOU loving today??

XOXO!!!

Thankful Thursday

It's been a rough week for several reasons, I felt I needed this post as a reminder to always try and find a reason to be thankful.

I'm thankful...

For the opportunity to say goodbye. On Monday I had to say goodbye to a woman who was my "adopted grandmother" for over 25 years. I just happened to be in Austin when I got the news she didn't have much time left (she lived in Austin). I was able to go by and let her know how much I loved her. Although she couldn't talk, she did open her eyes when I started talking to her. She passed away just a few hours after I took this picture. Love you Meem. I'm glad you are no longer in pain. I promise to take care of the family for you. 

I'm thankful...

That my Pop (my "adopted grandpa") is so strong. Before I left their house on Monday, I asked for a picture with him. He said only if I smiled. Despite the fact we were going through a lot of sadness, I love this picture. He looks so happy.

I'm thankful...

For my job. It's been a rough week at my office-we saw a lot of changes in my department, but I'm glad to have a job and for my coworkers. And I enjoy the time we get to have away from the office.

I'm thankful...

For my BFF Mandy. I was dealing with some upsetting news while I was in Austin and she was there for support and to give hugs. It was just what I needed.

I'm thankful...

That I got to see some other dear friends while I was in Austin. I traveled to Austin on Sunday to see a concert with my bestie Zach. I was able to see a few other people in the short time I was in town. Austin friends: next time I visit I promise to be there longer so I can see more of y'all.

Thank you Zach for the ticket to see Brian Wilson. I had so much fun!

I'm thankful...

That I got to spend a few days with this cutie last week. My neighbor (who hasn't moved yet- YAY) was out of town so I got to Holly-sit. 

I'm thankful...

For those of you out there who read my blog (whether I know you or not). Thank you. Thank you for taking time to read whatever I post, whether it's something silly, serious, or just random. So much love to y'all.

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!!

I'm loving...

When I get to hang out with a friend on her birthday. My beautiful and wonderful friend Beks' birthday was yesterday and she had a birthday celebration at the Dallas Stars hockey game. The Stars won 3-2 (that was their gift to her.) Beks and I have been friends since 2004. We met when a mutual friend introduced us and said "You two like baseball, you should become friends." And we did. Lol. Love this chick!

I enjoyed hanging out with her and some other friends at the game last night. I love watching sports but it's so much more fun when you are spending time with friends while watching the game. We also had all you could eat food. I will not confirm or deny that I had nachos, hot dogs, popcorn, and more Dr Pepper than one person should consume in a two hour span. I regret nothing.

A picture with the birthday girl!!

My friend Misti and I asked her teenage daughter if this was how the cool kids posed. Evidently it's not cool when we do it.

I'm loving...

That I got to see Bon Jovi in concert last week. My friend Monica and I got last minute tickets. They were behind the stage but they were actually pretty good seats. We were like four rows back. It was my first time seeing them, it was an amazing concert! 

Concerts are for meeting new friends- our new friend Adam!

I was bummed Bon Jovi wasn't selling magnets (I collect them), so I bought some collector pins and put magnets on the back. Boom. I kinda feel like a genius. Lol.

I'm loving...

That I got to meet author Bret Baier (again). Last Saturday he was signing copies of his newest book Three Days in January at the flagship Half Price Books in Dallas. My friends Misti and Larry just happened to be near there and when I mentioned he was signing, they joined me. He's super nice and remembered me from the last time he did a book signing in Dallas. I got a copy of his book signed for my dad too. 

The book he signed for my dad. No, I didn't tell him to put that. :)

I'm loving...

My new doormat. A friend got me a gift card for Rally House Texas for Christmas and I finally used it last week.

I'm loving...

That it is March- mainly because I like the picture for March on my Supernatural calendar. Stop judging me. (Happy birthday Jensen).

I'm loving...

That my friend let me borrow her Garmin Vivofit (she got a new one, so I took her old one). I've been debating what kind I want to get (Vivofit, Fitbit etc). This one monitors how many steps I've taken, how many miles I've walked, and how much I've slept. Last night I went to bed late because of the Stars game, so I got less than 6 hours of sleep. This is actually not too uncommon for me.

What are YOU loving today?

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Just letting you know it's late as I'm typing this post, so my apologies for any grammatical errors! :)

I'm hoping here in the next few months to start advertising for this link up again to hopefully get it to grow. I know we have a few people who have been busy during the summer months and haven't had time to link up! You are welcome back anytime!! :)

I'm loving...

That I FINALLY got to see Garth Brooks in concert last Thursday night. He was AMAZING!! My friend Monica and I had bought seats in the nosebleed section (we didn't care, we were going to be there). About an hour before the concert started, we were able to obtain FLOOR SEATS (long story). So needless to say, it was AWESOME! It still would have been a good concert even if we had sat in our original seats, but it was only the second time in my life I had floor seats to a concert, and I loved it! Before the concert we got to meet Hawkeye from Dallas country radio station KSCS (he's my favorite radio DJ). He has actually written a book called The Travis Club. I highly recommend it! Trisha Yearwood (Garth's wife) was also at the concert and came out to sing a few of her songs. It made me miss 90s country music- it was so good!!

Me and Hawkeye

View from our floor seats

Waiting on Garth

Garth put on an amazing show! This was his first of SEVEN concerts in Dallas. He performed Thursday, two on Friday, two on Saturday, Sunday, and then last night

Trisha Yearwood!

I'm loving...

That I got to check out the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. My friend Zach was in town last weekend and he wanted to check out this museum. I had never been (I used to drive through downtown Dallas on my way home from work and watched it being built). It was really interesting. It had a lot of stuff for kids, so next time my little nephews are in town, I'm going to take them. It also has stuff for the big kids. :)

Me and Zach at the Perot

They had an area about weather. You could pick the weather forecast and be a "weather person" complete with the green screen and teleprompter. We were like kids seeing ourselves on TV. Lol

These rock had a greenish glow to them, so I came to the obvious conclusion that it was kryptonite. From the look the Perot Museum employee gave me when I asked him to confirm that, I'm guessing I'm correct. He didn't answer me. He's probably sworn to secrecy.  

I'm loving...

Going to baseball games with my friends. I love baseball anyways, but going with friends makes the game even better! Especially when the game doesn't turn out as well as you wanted it to!

Some of my sweet friends!

Zach bought these seats as a late birthday present for me (my birthday is in May- we celebrate in September. That's how we roll). ;) We were 11 rows from the field!

So glad I got to see my friend Ethan on Sunday. I hadn't seen him in over a year! :)

I'm loving...

Art museums. Zach and I went to the Kimbell in Fort Worth while he was in town. I will not confirm or deny that these paintings had a NO PHOTOGRAPHY logo next to them. In my opinion, Van Gogh and Monet would have wanted people to "accidentally" take a picture of them while pretending to text. 

I'm loving...

Kolaches from The Czech Stop in West, Texas (the town of West, not geographically west Texas). The town of West is near Waco. It's a must stop if you are traveling on I-35. Zach stopped on his way to Dallas and got cinnamon rolls (for him) and kolaches (for me). I'm not sure if I was more excited to see him or the kolaches. Lol.

What are you loving today?