Hodgepodge

1. March is known as the windy month. Which of the following phrases best fits your March so far...'throw caution to the wind', 'three sheets to the wind', 'run like the wind', or 'see which way the wind blows'? Pretty much “ see which way the wind blows”. March was a month spent mostly sick which is never planned. Also the dang winds added much difficulty to my breathing. My summer months are more Run like the Wind because I’m constantly on the go! 

2. Your favorite green food:Your favorite dish made with your favorite green food? My favorite green food is fried okra (its green under the batter), green beans, and lettuce- Salads with either ranch or blue cheese dressing to hide the green. I’m not a fan of vegetables. At all. 

3. Ever been locked out of your home-car-office-anywhere? Do tell! Why yes I have but not by my doing. My husband has locked our garage so when we close the door- theres this button that locks it from the inside. He’s done this 3 times and 2 times I’ve been stuck with him for hours while we break into the garage. I have banned him from EVER using that button again! 

4. Yoda, Kermit, Shrek, The Wicked Witch of the West, Oscar the Grouch, The Grinch, or Mike Wasowski (Monsters Inc.)...of the green characters listed, which one's your favorite and why? I didn’t realize how many green characters I love but most all of my friends know I’m OBSESSED with The Grinch!!! Have you seen my Grinch table every Christmas that I post? But WICKED is my most favorite musical and I love Elphaba! She’s a kick-ass green girl. And who doesn’t love sweet Kermit? 

5. "The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive."~Joe Batten Do you agree? Why or why not? I do agree! People look to their leaders as a guide and Hope feeds into Trust and Loyalty.

 6. Share a favorite song with an emotion in it's title. First song that came to mind was “ I second that emotion “ by Smokey Robinson. I have so many that have actions but not necessarily emotions like “ I alone” by Live, Learning to Walk again 0 Foo Fighters. I could spend an hour just on this topic. 

7. What's a road trip you'd like to take? Well, I’m taking one this weekend to Round Top and Warrenton , TX for the greatest antique show on earth! I’m so excited I have been wiggling in my seat all week. I am blessed to have one of my most amazing bloggers who I look up to more than anything. She’s mentored me and given such great advice when I first started my blog. I also knew one day I wanted to be a junker and its her specialty. I reached out to her and asked if I could be an intern for her during the show and learn the ups and downs , and the howzits and whozits of setting up at a junk show. By the Grace of God, she agreed and said Come on! I’m heading down this Friday and returning back home on Monday. I WILL be sharing pics and stories when I get back so stay tuned. I’ve never been to this show and its been on my list for many years now. 

8. Insert your own random thought here : I’m approaching my birthday in a few months and I don’t know whats come over me but I’ve been reflecting A LOT on my life. Life is short and we have to grab the bull by the horns yall! Do something that makes you happy every day.

Just chillin'

How is it already Monday y'all? I feel like this weekend flew by. We actually had a laid back weekend again which is always nice. We invited some friends a few months ago to come over and play Cards against Humanity but I had to cancel because it was the second round of my sickiness. We rescheduled for Friday and wouldn't you know, as my friends were in their way over, Todd came home sick and went to Carenow.  Poor guy had a sinus infection like me. He got antibiotic and a shot and came home and went to bed while I still hosted our small party . I made tacos and for dessert  I made cinnamon roll waffles. We still had fun playing the game but I wish my honey could have joined us. He said he laughed when he heard me laughing so hard I snorted. 

 On Saturday , Todd already felt tons better. We stayed on couch most of the day and then we took Jax to a dog park that's super close to home. He had so much fun and ran his little legs off. He didn't know what to think at first and he stayed next to my ankles but after watching the other dogs run around , one finally came up to us and then he joined in. I didn't have my phone with me and neither did Todd. We were so engaged and excited for Jax. Hahaha! 

Later that evening i had a hankering for pot roast and I've been wanting to take Todd to one of my favorite restaurants in Dallas that I grew up going to in my old neighborhood. It's called Celebrations and it's in this old house that was converted into a restaurant. They use local farmers produce and serve their sides family style . They have home cooked meals and it's so delish. You choose 3 veggies from their list and you can have as many refills. You can also have 2nds on most entrees unless it's a special. I got my pot roast and it did not disappoint. Todd got shrimp and grits that was outstanding but it was a special so he didn't get seconds. We topped off with homemade peach cobbler and ice cream. So yummy! 

Roast beast ( Grinch reference), garlic mashed potatoes and fried okra. 

Todd shrimp and cheese grits with bacon  poblano relish . Yes please! 

Tonight we have to take Jax to the vet and leave him overnight for his surgery tomorrow. He's getting snipped and microchipped. I love this picture of him laying on his back next to Todd just hanging out.  I'm so sad to be without him tonight. Fun thing though is that all his brothers are scheduled for theirs tomorrow so it's like a little family reunion for him. The foster mom who had the litter works for a vet and scheduled them all together.  Say a little doggie prayer that all goes smoothly and our furry baby comes home tomorrow with next to no pain at all. 

I can't wait to tell you what I have planned for this weekend!! Maybe tomorrow.....

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Thursday marks the first day of spring...to celebrate would you rather plant a garden or go for a walk in the woods? Would either of those activities be possible on Thursday where you live? I would rather take walk in the woods. My neighborhood does have some great walking trails with woods all around. Now I just need to get the strength and oxygen to do so! 

 2. When did someone last spring something on you? (or when did you last spring something on someone?) My little brother and family made a quick appearance in Texas and “sprung” on me a chance to have lunch with them on their way back home this past Monday. It was awesome to see them even if for a quick lunch hour. I in return told them (sprung) that we would be moving in May to a rent house. YAY!

My brother Jeremy , sisnlaw Sarah and nieces Maci and Brynna

 3. We often think of spring as a time for new beginnings. What's something you'd like to start doing this spring? I have a project I’m trying to get off the ground that I haven’t mentioned to Y’all yet. I guess now is the best time than any- I’ll spring on you that I want to get a TAX ID and have my own little junkin booth. Yep that’s what my goal is here pretty soon. More details on this later!

 4. Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre? When did you last sit there, and what were you watching? I like to sit around second to third row from the very top smack in the center. Last movie I saw in theater was American Hustle. Oh and did I mention that I fell down going UP the stairs. I’m so smooth is crazy. 

 5. When you meet someone for the very first time, what do you want them to think about you? That I am genuine and friendly. 

  6. March is frozen food month (yes, really!). Besides ice cream (gotta make you think a little) what's your most often purchased frozen food item? LOL- I just bought staples last night from store on way home: milk, eggs, butter, and frozen pizza. We eat a lot of them sadly. 

 7. What's something you avoid? I really am trying to avoid sick people and children. My poor husband taught church daycare without me last Sunday because I couldn’t breathe and now he’s home sick with a cold. Little kiddos really are germ magnets! 

  8. Insert your own random thought here : I think I’m feeling better today. Maybe the meds are kicking in. Of course now there is crazy winds with smoke and dust coming in from the Panhandle and Oklahoma and Kansas. The news mentioned it would be hard for allergy sufferers.

Sick of being sick but not keeping me down

Happy Tuesday y'all! I mentioned yesterday that my health was crappy over the weekend but it's actually been for much longer. I went to a Care now the weekend before last ( Saturday) and I was told I had severe sinus infection. Got a shot and a zpac antibiotic and was on my merry way. Then on Wednesday of last week I started having difficulty breathing. I've had this happen before a few times in last 2 years but I just ride it out and usually it's better in 2 days. I've never had asthma ever until recently.  By last Friday, i couldn't breathe any better so I went back to care now. They took chest X-ray and checked for pneumonia and my heart, they took blood and checked for Mono. They gave me a prescription for 2 inhalers and said to give a few days for it to get in system. I felt a small improvement the next day and Todd and I had great day in a cute historic town called McKinney. More about that later.  Anyway, we got a small cold front and crazy winds late Saturday night. I could barely breathe on Sunday and I was so light headed. I'm literally gasping for air and I've had a few panic attacks because I can't catch my breath. Todd took me back to Care Now and they have me a breathing treatment on a nebulizer. I have another rx for antibiotic and they gave me a prescription for Singulair. She suspects Bronchitis related asthma.  The dr is hoping that the singulair will be my saving drug once it's in my system.  Tomorrow will be a week that I've not been able to breathe normally and it sucks! I've been going to bed every night by 9 because I'm physically  exhausted. My back and shoulders hurt from trying to breathe big gulps.  I have a very very small glimpse of what my Dad lived through before his lung transplant. 

So it's been Joy to the World everyday lately and my energy level is zero. You guys I'm such a baby because I really truly have always been very healthy and never got sick but I feel I've been sick for the last 3 months.  And y'all know I'm a corporate trainer and I've been having to teach classes most of the day. My last class yesterday was 90 minutes and I was wheezing and gasping by the end. Luckily I only have to train 2 classes today so I have some time to not talk and use more oxygen! 

Now on to a happier note, here are some pics from a fun few hours on Saturday. 

We went junkin and grabbed a few fun things that I have plans for in the future. 

This amazing wood wine rack was 600$ On sale for half so we left it behind but dang I loved it. 

Don't laugh but YES I bought another birdcage. It's an obsession and I loved the shape . Todd even gave me his blessing and it was only 15$. 

I bought these 2 cute yellow pillows both for 5$. I loved the metal holder with hooks and I'm going to spray paint it and hang coffee mugs on it. 

I love old building walls on brick .

I also bought an old lampshade frame .  These were all the rage so to speak because all the stores were selling them and they were kinda high. I paid 12$ which I thought was fair. 

How cool is this old carnival silly mirror? I also like the Ronald McDonald head above. 

So despite my health issues , I still managed to have a fun day squeezed in. 

Are y'all recuperating from any crazy St Patricks Day festivities last night? 

See y'all later! 

I was featured last Friday~

Good morning Y'all! I've had a really crappy weekend health wise and I have busy day today at work so I have to make this short. I'll tell you more about mmy weekend tomorrow. 

 I sponsored Chelsee's blog this month over at Southern Beauty Guide . She featured me on Friday and its such a sweet post. I especially loved that she included a picture of Jax. LOL. 

 If you wouldnt mind, go check a new blog if you've never met Chelsee before and see how sweet she is. Here's the link from Friday : HERE 

 Hope your day is a good one and Happy St Patrick's Day!! Are you wearing your green?

My thrift shop visit

Happy late Thursday afternoon y'all!  I've been so slammed at work every day and now I finally have a conference call I can listen to and blog on phone at same time.   I love love love going to thrift stores and lucky for me there is one near my office and near my home.  

I came across some really good stuff yesterday during lunch hour and some interesting items that I'm sure someone will love and pay for but not me.  I did buy a few things and I left paying under 20$. I think I did great but you can be the judge tomorrow. I don't have pics if what I DID buy only what I didn't. 

So here we go.....

This easy bake oven even looks modern to the one I had in the 70's. 

Big huge wagon table that I'm assuming a glass top broke because there was no cover. You'd have to have thick drink ware to wedge in between the spokes. lol 

I loved this vintage 3 tier table. They were asking 75$ Which is pretty fair actually . 

Gorgeous Art Deco hutch/wardrobe 

Good ol cheesy Indian princess clock

Fun shiny dangly lamp 

I kinda liked the wine pics but frames were in bad shape. 

Van Gogh ears should brighten up any room 

Owls are so popular right now and this needlepoint owl started the rage in the 60's. 

OR you can just have the dark painted version of the owl. 

I bought a step stool, a small wooden table, some cute large picture frames and  a curtain/ table cloth. I will show you tomorrow after I take some pictures. 

I want to repaint everything! 

See ya 

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

1. Do you have an interest in learning about your family's heritage? Why or why not? If you know a little bit about your roots, share an interesting piece of trivia or a fun fact about someone who goes way back on your family tree. I find all that very interesting but have not done any research on my own. My moms side of the family through my grandfather is Choctaw Indian. My grandfather on my Dad’s side was full blooded German. I don’t know of many fun facts except my paternal grandmother once rode elephants in the local town circus. 

 2. Branch Rickey, the baseball exec credited with signing Jackie Robinson, is quoted as saying- "Luck is the residue of design." Agree or disagree? Why? I certainly feel that there are those much luckier than others. I knew this one person that received large checks every month for mineral rights that belonged to his Dad and he didn’t have to work. He was a very lazy ,unproductive person and I wondered why someone couldn’t have that luck that needed it. I have a friend that has won THOUSANDS of dollars from playing the lottery. I on other hand won a 2 dollar scratch off and then lost the stupid card! I am very blessed which I feel is also very lucky. I have both of my parents, I have both grandmothers, I have a career that I love, I have a wonderful husband and puppy, and I own a Harley. I consider myself very lucky indeed!

 3. In the town where you currently reside, what's your favorite green space? My favorite GREEN space although its brown and crispy due to our drought is at my Dad’s ranch. I love all the acreage around the house and watching the horses run by. 

 4. Who is your favorite comedian? I love comedy and have several of my favorites. I love Lucille Ball, Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart (thanks to my sister-in-law who made me watch a video), Jimmy Fallon, too many

 5. March is National Nutrition Month, and almost everyone needs to improve their diet in some way. What about you? How can you improve your nutrition on a daily basis? Will you try? How could I improve? Good grief we don’t have enough time in the day. I need to eat better , stop eating fast food for breakfast and lunch, I need to move more like exercise, drink more water, quit snacking at my desk……

. 6. Which of these green expressions have you 'experienced' in recent weeks -green with envy, green thumb, green around the gills, or give the green light? Explain. I have been green with envy on seeing many of my friends go on vacation this week for Spring Break with their kids, I have been green around the gills all last week and finally broke down last Saturday and went to a Care Now. A steroid shot and zpac RX later and I’m on road to recovery. AND I think we may have a green light on finding a rental house to move into very soon. Fingers crossed! 

  7. Where is one place you don't mind waiting? Sprinkles cupcakes line. There is ALWAYS a line and its so worth it! 

  8. Insert your own random thought here. I’ve had the blahs for a while and had tons of stuff to blog about but just didn’t have the energy to do it lately. I contribute it to my severe sinus infection so I hope I get motivated here pretty quickly.

Have a great day y'all!!! 

Friday Five

Raise your hands in the air like you just don't care! Or if you're like Jax , raise your paws. It's  Friday and I'm soooo excited.  

My dad is now in the hospital but it's nothing way too serious or scary thank goodness!  He had a painful blood clot in his arm so they admitted him to put on IV and treat it slowly. He also has a bit of cold virus so they're monitoring that too. Dads in the best hospital in Dallas and I saw him last night after work. 

My mom woke up to this in her front yard. This is why she loves living in Montana sometimes. Sweet momma moose just hanging out. 

We have stupid neighbors in our apartment complex who for the second time, threw over their balcony a pot of greasy green beans and bacon.  Sooo do they not have a trash can or disposal like the rest of us?  Jax and other dogs have been going crazy around those spots and have eaten the beans before we could get to them.  We don't feed Jax people food and he was thinking that greasy beans and bacon was pretty dang  tasty. Yesterday Todd staged this funny picture of Jax with a can if green beans and texted it to me. Jax looks so serious with the can. lol 

We are checking out a rent house tonight in a neighborhood near my office and I'm very excited. I hope it's cute in person .

Lastly, I woke up again with another stupid aggravating no time for that sore throat.  I refuse to get sick y'all!  

Hope everyone has a great weekend and  stay safe and warm. 

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

Linking up again this week with From this Side of the Pond. 

 1. The expression 'mad as a March hare' originated with a fictional character who is distracted and frantic. When were you last 'mad as a March hare' and what was it that made you that way? I would have to say week before last. My mom got rushed to the hospital where she lives in Montana and was in ICU. I totally freaked out and paced the floor for 2 days. Montana is so far away and I was just about to jump in my truck and drive there. Luckily, she started improving and was released soon after and she’s feeling much better now. 

 2. Mardi Gras this year falls on Tuesday, March 4th. Have you ever been to Mardi Gras, and if so what did you think? If not, do you have any interest in going? Purple, green, and gold are the colors of Mardi Gras. Which one is most prevalent in your wardrobe? How about in your home? I actually have been to Mardi Gras (twice). The first time I was on dance team in college and we were invited to dance in one of their big parades. It was so fun!! I think I have more gold in my wardrobe then green or purple. 

  3. Are you old fashioned? It depends on the situation. Most of the time I think I’m pretty old-fashioned when it comes to manners and stuff like that. No hats at the dinner table, say yes maam / no sir when talking to elders, hold doors for others. BUT I also ride a Harley, have tattoos, lived with my husband before we married, etc.

  4. Do you carefully plan your vacations, or do you prefer the days to be more spontaneous? Both. If its going to take airline tickets or long hotel stays, we have to plan within our budget. However, we can take spontaneous trips to Galveston or to Oklahoma and visit my brother and family, jump on Harley and go on loooooong day ride.

  5. March is National Sauce Month...what's your favorite sauce, and what do you most often top with this sauce? Oh I am a sauce girl! I love Alfredo sauce, I love mustard based BBQ sauce, I love spaghetti sauce. I have to say that hot sauce is my favorite with as much as I eat Mexican food.

  6. What's something that easily brings a tear to your eye? Homeless animals. I adopted my sweet baby Jax from a rescue group and I follow them on facebook. I swear I tear up once a day when I see sweet animals that need homes and have been found in poor condition. 

  7. If you could own any sports team, which one would it be and why? Dallas Cowboys!!!! I love my boys but dang I just feel that they will never be stars again while Jerry Jones owns them. He makes me so mad how he’s ruined what used to be a wonderful team. I will still always be a fan though.

  8. Insert your own random thought here. I spoke to my cousin/best friend this morning Lauren on my way to work and it was great way to start my day. I say I love you to my closest friends all the time. Its important!

Y'all have a great day everyone! 

Drunk Texas , Pink Pistol and oh yeah the Oscars

PSooooo, it's Monday and I can't complain because I got to work today from home in my pajamas.  Why was I home all day you ask? Because we flippin got another ice storm and rain yesterday and the temps dropped way below freezing. It's so crazy because it was literally 80 degrees in Saturday and I wore shorts and flip flops. I can't make this up peeps! 

Say what you want but it's inpossible to drive on ice and my city is nothing but bridges. My cute little red pickup truck is allergic to sliding on roads so I kept my happy butt at home. It's a blessing to be able to do that and who knows how long it will last once my huge merger happens. 

Saturday was a great day and Todd and I took Jax out to the country to visit my grandma. I try to visit once a month and take her to lunch and grocery shopping and get her out of the house for the day. 

We had lunch at one of our fave diners up the road from Nanny in little town called Lindale.  It's getting more popular because a gal named Miranda Lambert happens to be from there.  She had this cute old store on the corner that she sold  her wines and also tshirts and band stuff in it. I don't think business did as well as she hoped but she kept it open. In the meantime she opened a store in Oklahoma called the Pink Pistol.  Its done real well and so then she turned her Lindale store into the Pink Pistol.  I wanted to check it out.  It is so much more fun and colorful and she had tons of fun stuff. Miranda is a huge animal fan and does lots of fundraisers for dogs, etc.  I bought a tshirt where some proceeds went towards her animal cause.  She also had a small section that was all stuff from Junk Gypsy was so cool!  There was a skirt I wanted really really bad but I couldn't spend 109.00$.

Maybe one day.  I took a few pics of the store and a few of my fave things. 

That Indian head skirt was the one I wanted.  Nanny and Todd were very patient and waited for me outside while I checked out every corner. 

On our way home we stopped by and took the kids out for quick bite to eat. We grabbed some burritos and went to a park so Jax could walk around. Poor baby got bad car sick coming and going to Nannys and it makes me sad. I hope he grows out of it.  Jax loved hanging with my stepdaughter Ali.

I just have to say that this years Oscars was one of my favorites! I love Ellen and thought she did a great job as the host. She was so funny and only she could crash twitter with a group selfie. 

My man Matthew won and thanked God and his family very sincerely.  Lupita gave an amazing speech and looked gorgeous in her blue dress. 

Jared gave an emotional speech and dedicated his win to his mother who was also there with him along with his brother. 

Jared is a rock star in a band called Thirty seconds to Mars when he's not acting. He's crazy talented and I love that he won.  

Pink sang Somewhere over the Rainbow and killed it. She is incredible and looked beautiful! Bette Midler sand her song Wind beneath my wings after they did the memorial and she looked fantastic and sounded fantastic too.  All in all , it really was an entertaining evening and I enjoyed watching it more than I ever have in the past. Did you watch it? What did you think? 

I hope you guys are staying warm and be safe out there!