Liebster Award

So the ever so sweet Jen over at Crown Me in Glitter nominated me for the Liebster award a few weeks ago! I LOVE her, she is absolutely hilarious and always has something GREAT to say :). The award is for new bloggers that have less than 200 followers to help get more readers. I wasn't sure what we used for the 200 so if one of your sites had less than 200 I picked you :)

Here are the rules for the Liebster Award:

Thank the Blogger that nominated you in your post and link back to their site

Answer 11 questions from the Blogger that nominated you

Tell your readers 11 random facts about you

Nominate 11 Bloggers for the Liebster Awards

Ask your nominees to answer 11 questions

Questions for my nominees:

What is your favorite ice cream? Blue Bell Cookie Dough Ice Cream (if you haven't had Blue Bell you are missing out!!!!)

What is your drink of choice at Starbucks? Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte

If you could be any candy, what would you be and why? Pink Starburst because it is my favorite

Who is your favorite Friends character!? (Please don’t tell me you don’t watch Friends!) Rachel she is so level headed (at times) and is funny without even trying to be. 

Favorite childhood memory? All of the late night coon hunting trips I went on with my grandpa, I LOVE those memories. 

If you could only keep 5 material items for the rest of your life, what would they be? Geeez this is hard!!!! 1. My phone, 2. My car, 3. My TSU ring, 4. My diploma, and 5. My bed :)

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to!? Probably 2009, I wouldn't have either back surgery and I would finish school on time. 

Are you usually late, on time, or early? If you are 15 mins early you are on time, always early. 

Summer or winter? Well I live in Texas so for most of the year it is summer, I'm not sure I know what a true winter is like. 

What is your favorite thing to shop for? Running clothes!!!

What is your favorite thing about blogging? The friends you meet and the reminder that others are going through similar things just like you are. 

11 Random Facts:

1. I am the baby of the family.
2. I broke my arm when I was 5.
3. I also had my tonsils taken out at 5 and got the chicken pox.
4. I drove the same car for 10 years (just recently got a new one)
5. I can touch my tongue to my nose.
6. I have 2 tattoos.
7. My favorite movie is Varsity Blues.
8. I am addicted to Netflix and have almost finished Grey's Anatomy.
9. It took me almost 10 years to finish college.
10. I have never been on a plane.
11. I have never been out of the country.

My 11 Nominees are:

1. Livin' n Learning By Amy- she is one of my very good friends and I love how she is always so honest about her struggles and success! 
2. Laura Darling- HILARIOUS she is always so funny and will always give you a good laugh.
3. ALG, Uninterrupted- Her boys are hilarious, she is always so real and raw, and she is such an inspiration for working towards her goals.
4. A Southern Twenty-Five- I recently stumbled across her blog and I am in LOVE! 
5. Loving Life Moore- I have enjoyed watching her little one grow up and also her posts are not sugar coated at all!
6. Honey + Biscuits- this new mama is full of SASS and has great advice. 
7. This is Not Nutcrackin'- I love her crafty, organized side and need more of that in my life :).
8. Pleas[e] and Carrots- I have loved following all of her wedding planning and all of her "so what's" are just perfect!
9. Fallon Thompson- Literally everything I have ever wanted to say and can't find the words, THIS girl can!!!
10. Lowcountry Mama- any gal that loves Hobby Lobby is a gal I can relate to.
11. Countdowns and Cupcakes-she too has a little black dog, of course she would be a fave!!!

My 11 questions:

1. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?
2. If you could have a conversation with anyone past or present who would it be?
3. Celeb crush is???
4. What is your favorite way to unwind after a stressful day?
5. Favorite clothing store?
6. What is one thing you love about blogging?
7. What is one thing you dislike about blogging?
8. Any big goals for 2016?
9. What was the last book you read?
10. What is your favorite book?
11. If you could relive any moment in your life, what moment would it be?

27 things

Saturday I will turn 28 (HOLY MOLY!!!). And even though I thought like would be totally different, I can't complain. I have a pretty great life and I know that even though it doesn't always feel like it, I am totally, exactly, perfectly right where God needs me to be. So I thought I would share 27 things I would tell my younger self:

1. No matter what, always work hard. It isn't always fun to be the only one busting a$$, but I PROMISE you it will ALWAYS be worth it.
2. Listen to your  mom, she knows waaaay more than you think. And even if all the other moms are cool and best friends with their daughters you'll be thankful she wasn't. 
3. Spend more time with your grandparents, one day they won't be as youthful as they once were. 
4. No matter how hard Dad is on you, there is a reason.
5. That high school crap that is running your life in 10 years won't matter one bit.
6. You'll lose friends and it's okay that you do.
7.  When you go to college you'll meet AMAZING friends and 10 years later you will still be friends with them!
8. Tarleton is going to be scary and hard, but just keep going! 
9. That boy that you meet and fall madly, deeply in love with won't be there 7 years later, but the lessons you will learn from loving him will last forever. And you will lose touch, but a part of you will always love him.
10. Back surgery BOTH of them will suck, you will want to give up more times than not, you will never get feeling back in your leg, you will still drag your foot every once in awhile, but YOU WILL RUN A HALF MARATHON!!!!!
11. You and your sister will fight all the time, but she loves you and always has your back. 
12. Your nephew will be the best thing that will ever happen to you, he will drive you bonkers, but life with him is much more interesting.
13. When you go back to Tarleton, you'll want to quit, A LOT. Then you'll find a major you love and find a new family. 
14. The moment you walk across that stage will be the most accomplished and proud you will ever feel. And the hugs from your family will be the best hug you have ever gotten. 
15. You will love that black dog more than life itself. 
16. You will struggle a lot, way more than you think you should. 
17. You will get your heart broken and you will become a little bitter, but you won't let it run your life. 
18. Working 2 jobs is hard, exhausting, and not a lot of fun, but you will survive it.
19. You'll lose someone that was influential in your college career you won't exactly be sure how to take it or how to feel about it. You will find yourself wanting to talk to her and tell her about exciting things, you'll get angry because she's gone, but what she taught you will always be with you.
20. Living in the "big city" will be a huge change, but embrace it!!!
21. When you are in a crappy mood RUN. It will make you feel better.
22. Wine and liquor will get the best of you more than once.   
23. You will be good "friends" with your parents and it will scare you how much you are more like dad than mom at times.
24. Turning 28 will scare the living crap out of you.
25. There is always joy in the journey even at the darkest times.
26. You will survive everything life throws at you, it won't feel like it at the time, but you will come out on the other side stronger maybe a little bruised, but stronger none the less.
27. It's okay to not be okay. 

You might be from Texas....

The Houston Rodeo is upon us and it is literally my favorite time of year! I love going to the rodeo, mostly because a lot of the participants are from my hometown or I went to college with.

I graduated from Tarleton State in Stephenville, TX if you don't know anything about the area, well Stephenville is THE Cowboy Capital of the World! And let me just say it is not unusal to have 4-5 members of the Rodeo Team in your classes. If you are lucky enough one will be in your group meaning that most Thursday-Sunday's will be unavailable to work on group projects with you.

I was lucky enough to have this happen to me, the first day of my marketing class my very first semester back this tall, lanky, team roper sat right beside me (this was before I knew this class would include groups). We ended up in a group together, our first assignment was get to know your group so we had to create a power point together about fun facts about all of us along with pictures. This is when I finally understood that this kid wasn't just some team roper. He was good and I mean WAY good!

We were super close!

We became friends that semester and after that didn't have another class together. Fast forward to March of 2013, I was at Rodeo Houston and I texted him asking when I was going to be watching him here. His response was hopefully in 2 years. Last year he won Houston and made his first appearance in the NFR.

Last night my friend invited me to go with her to the rodeo to see The Band Perry (if you haven't seen them, stop what you are doing RIGHT now and go buy tickets for their show, they WILL NOT disappoint.), I wasn't sure if I would know anyone that was up, but there is always a few from Stephenville, the surrounding area, or went to Tarleton. As the team ropers rode past to head to the boxes, I saw an all too familiar face. It was Shay! As he was making his way back to the other end of the area, I almost yelled at him, but decided against it.

The Band Perry

It is beyond surreal that just a few years ago he was sitting with me in a college class learning about marketing. It is even more surreal that he was roping exactly where he said he would be 3 years later. I am so very proud of him and all of his successes! He is a wonderful guy and an exceptional cowboy! If you are ever at a rodeo and he is signing autographs don't pass him up!

I may be going a little Fan Girl Crazy right now...

Party Animals.....Kind of....

Saturday started out pretty great, I cleaned my apartment and settled in to watch Grey's before I had to go to my part time job at 4. My friend Steph called and asked if I'd wanna get my toes done so I quickly got ready and headed to meet her.

On the way, the part time job called and asked if  I could come in early so at 2:30 I headed to work. While at work Candace asked if I wanted to go to Galveston which is about 30-45 mins away. Of course I said yes, because I knew we were going to Murphy's which means pizza and Long Island Iced Teas and really who can say no to that?!?!?! If you are ever in Galveston I HIGHLY suggest you stop by!

We stayed out until 3AM.......PARTY ANIMALS....kind of, we were both trying to be like the cool kids and hang out however we were fading quick!

I think that sometimes I miss the little things about being single, I enjoy being able to go and do things without having to check and see if a significant other has other plans. I've been making memories with my friends which has been so much fun. Finding myself is quite the journey and I am enjoying it more than I thought I would :).

Getting Uncomfortable

I have recently started reading "Beautiful Uncertainty" by Mandy Hale, I have read her other 2 books and let me just say this fabulous lady just does NOT disappoint. And book 3 is no different. Even if you aren't single I HIGHLY recommend all 3 of her books, they are great advice on life in general. Thanks to my good blogging turned real life friend Amy for surprising me with the book!

In her newest book Mandy (like how we are on first name basis in my world :p) talks about a message that God laid on her heart to "get uncomfortable". As I was reading this chapter of the book I had this feeling like God led me to this book for this particular chapter. Now I am not finished with the book so I'm sure this will not be the first chapter I feel this way about.

I am notorious for staying in my messy  apartment, on my couch, cuddled with my Burke, binge watching something on Netflix, and most times a bottle or 2 of wine is included in this. I like "my world", I like being comfortable in what I know, and most times this leads me to be a spectator in my life.

Last Friday one of my co-workers turned 30, he invited me for drinks with his wife and some friends, I wanted to go but then again I didn't want to go. And suddenly I remembered getting uncomfortable, so I went, I had a great time with lots of laughs and met new people.

A few weeks ago I was talking to my therapist about how I don't like going to church alone. Let me follow that up by saying I do most everything alone, I've gone to the movies alone, out to eat alone, shopping alone so doing things alone isn't that big of a deal to me. However, for some reason that I can't figure out sitting in a huge church by myself on a pew bothers me. I am clearly not alone, but you get my point. She told me how she went to church for years by herself and prayed that her husband would start coming and sure enough last Sunday he was sitting beside her. So Sunday morning, I went alone and I sat on a pew with another young woman who was alone and I went to Sunday School alone.

To say that I was uncomfortable is an understatement. I was in a small room with about 10 other people that I had never met, alone. I am so glad I went, glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and did something I was DREADING doing! I have noticed that I'm saying "yes" to more things and even though I may not WANT to do them right away I end up having a great time.

I challenge you to "get uncomfortable", to try something new or experience something that you never thought you would do. Even if you are scared it's way more fun to be the leading role in your life than the supporting actress sitting on the couch!!

HAPPY FRIDAY, FRIENDS!!!

2 weeks

It has been 2 full weeks since I have had a soda. For me that is a BIG deal!!! I didn't give up all caffeine because lets be honesty nobody wants that to happen. I really did everyone a favor by not giving that up!

The first few days were very very hard. I would've committed a crime for a Dr. Pepper, as the days have gone on I still want one but I think at this point its more because I can't have one. The first few days I was drinking water like crazy I know I had 96 oz about 5 days in a row.

I drink tea, margaritas, lemonade, and water of course. You don't realize how much you are addicted to something until you cut it out. I am also fully aware that I could have one on Sunday's, however I know if I allow myself to have one I will not get back on the wagon.

It really comes down to will power for me which is something I have never really been good at. I will say that I am finding water is almost starting to taste good to me now SHOCKINGLY!!!!! Something else I do is I have a 24 oz tumbler and drinking out of that is a lot easier than doing bottled water because saying I only need to drink 3 a day is a lot less scary than saying the acutal ounces I need to drink in a day.

The working out thing has faded out. I was doing really well and then I was at my part time job every evening after my full time job 4 nights in a row and then all day Saturday and Sunday so working out was the LAST thing I wanted to do. Things have slowed down a lot since then so I'm hoping to get back with it. I'm also thinking of joining a gym so that I can lift weights again. I just have to buckle down, stick to it, and get shit done!!!!

And yes this will totally be me at the end of Lent........

No judging either!!!!!

...you almost did....

I won't lie, you came very close and at times I thought you had. The weak moments outweighed the strong time and time again. Tears came and went followed by memories of the good that was there for however short of a time it was there.

Missing you comes in waves there is no doubt about that, most days I don't miss you at all, other days it takes all I have not to call you. And maybe I don't miss you, maybe I miss the person you pretended to be.

You see we all wear masks at some point in time, masks that hide the ugly truth maybe the masks we wear are really the people that we want to be. For whatever reason we can't be that person without the mask. I don't blame it all on you, there are always two sides to every story.

You met a girl that was dealing with so much in her life and you were the first good thing in a long time. I never understood how I got so lucky and I thanked God every day for putting you in my life. My mask came off too and I tried so hard to put the pieces back together.

I like always fought and I fought hard to fix us, but we just couldn't be fixed. I have learned in life that you can't fight for a relationship that only one of you wants and you can't love someone enough for the both of you.

I made plans for us, I had all these cool things I wanted us to do and experience and now you are doing them with someone else. I don't understand and I never will because I'm not supposed to.

I thought you had and I'm sure you think you did and you almost did but.......you didn't break me!

You taught me that not everything that glitters is gold, that no matter how "perfect" someone appears to be that isn't the real person, and you taught me that I'm okay and I'm going to continue to be okay.

Feet on the Floor

If I have learned anything about my fitness journey is that it is hard to start, it is hard to start over, and it is hard to put my feet on the floor at 4:45AM when my bed is warm and comfy. I have recently started over (side eye) with the Piyo and half marathon training schedule that I talked about here.

I have also been working my part time job every night this week which puts me home about 9 every night. My body doesn't handle working out that late, I'm then hyped up and can't sleep. So the past few mornings I have gotten up early to get my work outs in. I have also been running on a dreadmill treadmill and for me that is harder than running on the road.

I have given up sodas for lent (what was I thinking?!?!?!?) so today is only day 3, so far it has gone okay. I have drank 96 oz of water 2 days in a row and I can honestly say I'm tired of peeing.

The absolute hardest part for me is putting my feet on the floor, once I do that I'm okay. It is a struggle that I have fought every day this week. Unfortunately I lost that struggle today and didn't get up and that's okay because tonight when I get home I will work out. I don't have to be up super early in the morning so I will be able to unwind for a little longer tonight then I have this week.

Excuses are EVERYWHERE for me, and every day I have a choice to put my feet on the floor and take control or lay in bed and continue to toss and turn from what was a sleepless night. I can choose to go home after my part time job and eat a bowl of cereal instead of grabbing something from fast food. I can choose to feel good about myself for working out and being active or I can binge watch Netflix and complain about none of my clothes fitting. I won't/don't always win these choices and that is okay, because every day is a new day a chance to try it again.

I have also learned that hardly eating isn't what I need, or eating things with no substance to them. Meaning I'm not full for long, I need to go grocery shopping and I just haven't had the time so I'm using up what I have to eat. Being hungry makes me choose not good things (like this candy bowl staring at me on my desk). Everyone is different and only you can know what is best for you and your body, just because something worked for someone doesn't mean it will work for everyone.

With that being said don't give up! Keep going on days when you don't want to keep going that is when you have to dig deep and put your feet on the floor!!