Cattle Drive

Of all the times I have been to the Ft Worth Stockyards, I have never been there at 11:00 or 4:00. Those are the times they have the cattle drive. Sunday we stuck around to watch. My grandma really enjoyed this, and I am glad I finally got a chance to see it myself.

Texas Longhorns

While at the Ft Worth Stockyards, we saw the Longhorns. My mom and grandma couldn't believe just how large they were!

Roping at the Ft Worth Stockyards

Wanting my mom and grandma to see Texas stuff while they were in town, I figured one of the best places to go would be the Ft Worth Stockyards. While there, music played, and a man showed the tourists (us) how to "rope". These were not real ropes, but we had fun trying them out. The man explained it was all in the wrist.

Historical Courthouse

While at the JFK Memorial Saturday, we also saw the Dallas Old Red Courthouse. My mom seemed particularly interested in the historical aspects of the courthouse, so while we were out letterboxing that same afternoon, I drove her past our courthouse. She enjoyed looking at all the architectural features-particularly since my oldest son had just done a video report on it and she had some background knowledge already.

Letterboxing With My Mom

While my mom was in town, she wanted to find all of the letterboxes that I had planted if she had time. Thankfully we had a few hours on Saturday afternoon to do just that. I also had a few letters on atlasquest recently that made me feel like I needed to do some box maintenance.  Two of my boxes were missing, I am guessing due to these thunderstorms we have been having, and so I had to retire them. That was disappointing, but we had an enjoyable time "hunting tupperware".

The Wheelers Have Landed

SPOILER ALERT:

Saturday afternoon I did some box maintenance. I really enjoyed looking through the logbooks to see the different finders. The Wheelers Have Landed had such a unique stamp that I wanted to share it.

Sharing Central Market

On Saturday we also took my mom and grandma to Central Market to see all the specialty foods we regularly enjoy. I think they enjoyed the change of pace!

Texadelphia

After our busy morning exploring downtown Dallas, we decided to head to North Dallas for lunch. We decided on Texadelphia, home to some amazing Philly Cheesesteaks. I think my mom and grandma enjoyed getting to try some new restaurants while they were visiting.

Native American Dance

One of our stops today was to the Dallas Farmers Market to enjoy the fresh fruits and vegetables.  We enjoyed the Native American's performing on our way out.

JFK and Old Red

Since my mom and grandma were in town for my hubby's graduation, I figured we should take them out to see things they can only see in Texas.  We decided one important stop would be to see the grassy knoll where JFK was shot.

We took the tour around that area, and I asked both of them their memories from that day back in the 60's.  My grandma had just got back to work from a break, when someone had informed her.  My mom was in school and they had placed a radio up to the loud speaker in the office so everyone could hear what was being said on the news.  After touring that area, we saw the Centograph, and toured the Visitor's Center in the old courthouse.

I'm glad I got to share this memory with them!

Graduation Party

Yesterday morning, my mom, grandma and I spent getting ready for my hubby's graduation party. They did most of the food prep-chopping veggies and fruit, making dip, and preparing meatballs. I had found a neat idea on pinterest a while back, and I got busy making that recipe. It was cupcakes topped with a Reese's cup and Girardelli chocolate to look like a graduation cap. They turned out really cute!

Commencement!

It has finally arrived!  My hubby is officially a graduate!  I am so proud of him and all his hard work!

Here he is right after receiving his diploma and walking the stage:

And the program...

 It's finally over!

 Ooops!  Where's the diploma?  Are we sure he graduated?

Playing Scrabble

My mom and grandma are in town for my hubbys graduation.  We all enjoyed a game of scrabble this afternoon.

Wordless Wednesday: Administrative Assistants Day!

Dinner Choices

After a long day at work, we grabbed dinner at Texas Road House. I normally avoid the bottomless peanuts and rolls. But not last night. Nope. I filled up on those hot from the oven yeast rolls. And at the time I didn't care. I will make today a better day.

Financial Security

Three years ago in the midst of major life changes, and struggling financially, we dreamt of financial security.  I happened to read a Dave Ramsey book at that time, and while we didn't look at the book as a step-by-step plan for our lives, we realized it had some great principles that we could easily apply to our finances.  This weekend has been a milestone for us-we are now debt free, and I assure you the feeling of weight has been lifted, and it is amazing!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

I am loving the spring weather we have been having-rain included!  My flowers have been enjoying the rain, too.  I changed my scrolling desktop pictures to include a bunch of flowers, but I just couldn't negelct one of the rain pictures that I found when I googled "April showers bring May flowers".  I am really enjoying all spring has to offer!

Watering an Artificial Plant

Yes, it can be done. Leave it to me to do it. It was time to get some cleaning done today so I took my artificial plant outside to spray it down with the waterhose.  It sure beats dusting!

Breakfast for Dinner

Last night we faced the same question we always do: what's for dinner? It was Friday night so I didn't really want to go out, as that tends to be a busy restaurant night. But on the other hand, nothing to be cooked at home sounded that great.

And then we had a great idea: French toast.  And what goes better with French toast than bacon, ham, and sausage, and some hash browns?  We haven't have breakfast for dinner in a long time, but it sure hit the spot!

In N Out

In N Out Burgers came to Texas about a year ago. It was a really big deal. All the California residents who were moving to north Texas after the recession kept after the business to bring their burgers to the east. When I saw all the hype, I figured we should try it out. We did. It was okay-just typical fast food, though. Nothing to write home about.

I had only been the one time, and so we decided to go again today. I was thinking to myself that, despite not being too impressed last time, today would be different. I'm sorry to say it was still just okay. Don't get me wrong-it wasn't bad. I don't have anything negative to say about In N Out. I just don't get what the big deal is. I don't get what makes it the "best" for so many people.

Would I go back? Yes. Would I hurry back? No. Would I tell all my friends what a great place it is? No. But I did get to enjoy a meal with my hubby, so that's all that matters.

A Great End to a Run

Remember that Spring Run I went on back at the end of March?  I was proud of myself for completing that run, and thought that maybe, just maybe this was the start of me running again.  You know what happened?  I got busy.  And I have not only not gone for another run, I completely stopped exercising altogether.  Not even on my Gazelle.  For three whole weeks.  Not only that, I didn't have time to log my food in my daily journal, either, so I quit doing that, too.

But despite all that, I stayed on my diet.  I made sure my breakfasts and lunches were all under 300 calories each, and dinners I was a little more lenient, but I made sure not to go overboard.  Still losing weight, just slowly.  I need to get organized and be better about logging my foods.  And I need to start exercising again.  Since it is my day off, I decided there was no better day to start my exercise again than today.  I expected it to be incredibly difficult, but thankfully it wasn't!  And the very best part of my run-the last 2 minutes, it started to sprinkle.  I love it when it rains when I run-for some reason it invigorates me.  I think I can get into this whole running thing again.  Here's to a fresh start!

Tires

Car maintenance is probably one of my least favorite chores.  I guess mostly because I can't do it myself, so that means I have to take it in.  And for some reason, I seem to keep getting low tires.  Last month it was a nail in the tire that needed a repair.  This morning at work, my boss came in and mentioned to me that he noticed my front driver's side tire was low.  ("Are you kidding me? Again?" was what was going through my head, and I planned on taking it in tomorrow.)  Then about an hour later a co-worker came in and told me the same thing.  After my boss got back from his lunch break, he told me that it looked even lower.  At this point I was guessing I needed to actually put some air in it before my commute home, rather than waiting to have Discount Tire look at it.  I told him thanks for letting me know, but then he offered to take in to Discount Tire for me to have them air it up.  Wow!  Sure!

He called shortly after he left to let me know that they had found yet another nail, and asked if it was okay to have them patch it.  I have got to figure out where I keep picking up nails!  And, on a side note, what a great boss for helping me out!

Wordless Wednesday: New Kitchen Decor

Ranch Dip with a Secret Healthy Ingredient

While perusing pinterest recently, I came across a simple idea-to make ranch dip healthier, mix your ranch packet with non-fat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.  I pinned the idea and figured I would come back to it.  So the other day as I was picking up a few items at the grocery store, I happened to notice ranch packets and I remembered my pin, so I grabbed it.  A few days later when I was ready to make the dip, I went back to the store to get my yogurt.  Yes, I realize that it probably seems silly to most people-why didn't I pick up both ingredients at the same time?  Who knows?  I do things at random.

Anyhow, it came together just as simply as regular ranch dip-just mix the 2 ingredients together.  The boys tried it with chips and had no clue I switched out the main ingredient.  And, no, I still haven't told them.  Hmmm...I wonder if they read this blog? My hubby said it would probably suit veggies better than chips-and realisticially that makes sense-if you're trying to eat healthier you should be reaching for veggies over chips anyhow.

Realistically would I make this again?  Yes, probably.  The main thing that would stop me?  I don't normally make dip anyhow, so it is an out-of-the-ordinary thing for me to make.  But if I was in the mood for dip, yes, I would do it again.

Clean Stables=Unfulfilled Lives

My hubby has a blog-I don't really mention it often because he doesn't blog nearly as often as me-which, to be completely honest-I probably do a little too much.  Oh, well.  As I've stated before, this blog is more for me than it is anything else.  But, I digress.

My hubby's blog is acoustically speaking.  He posted about a week ago, and what he had to say has just stuck with me.  Maybe it just struck a chord because of how busy I/we have been lately.  Maybe it made me feel a little better about my dirty house.  I want you to read the blog yourself, so I intentionally am not copying and pasting what he had to say, but I just can't resist the "Ctrl C" and "Ctrl V" for this one final statement: Don't fear change! Let God lead you as you take right risks and seize the life He created just for you!

Goodbyes

Today at church, Jordan spoke about what his future holds.  He and his family are moving to Oregon in a couple weeks to plant a church. He told about a series of events that had occurred which show how God is paving a way for this new endeavor.  After church there was a potluck to wish them the best.  We are praying God continues to open doors for them.

Bad News

Several months back, my computer was attacked by 27 viruses. My hubby got rid of them, but the computer has never been the same since. Now it has another virus, and this time it is even more aggressive.  It currently will not load Google, Blogger, Facebook, or Pinterest; along with doing some other random, crazy stuff. Thankfully, I have a tablet and have been using it in place of my laptop.

That is, until Thursday. That evening I had lots of stuff on the table in front of me-tablet included.  While shifting everything in front of me, I push ed the tablet off the edge of the table, and it came crashing down to the floor. And that was the unfortunate end of my tablet.

So until my hubby has another chance to work on my laptop, and I have time to replace my tablet, I am limited to just my phone.  I am remembering what life was like pre-electronics!

Spring Flowers!

After my long weekend of work, I came home to a beautiful sight! My hubby picked up some flowers and spent the day weeding our flower bed and planting these pretty flowers.  He also picked up a hanging plant, and some other potted flowers. Our house is ready for spring now!

Leaders Breakaway

Like I mentioned yesterday, I worked this weekend at a Leaders Breakaway.  It has been a great weekend full of training, and with fun games, and relationship building.  I think the ladies that attended had a great time.  In one of the sessions, the speaker, Mary Smith said, "Unless you stretch yourself beyond what you already know and can do, you will never grow." That really stuck with me all day, and is pushing me to never stop and just be content with where I'm at. It was a great weekend, but I am exhausted now! It was a lot of work, but so worth it!

Registration

My first event for my new job is tonight! It is a Leaders Breakaway for those working with girls at their churches. I am working the registration table right now (which is actually a little slow at the moment, hence the time to update my blog), and after everyone arrives I will assist with the store, and perhaps some other stuff, too.  Tomorrow I will sit through some trainings, and run slideshows.  I am in my element!

Job Transition

My job transition has been happening this week! It has been a crazy week-training my replacement, being trained in my new job, plus planning for an event this weekend!  (And with all that going on, you may begin to understand why I haven't had a chance to blog this week!) Lots of paperwork, and it has been a little overwhelming, but I am so excited and ready to be planning events again!

Wildflowers

I have really been enjoying the wild flowers over the past few weeks! I think the preferred wild flower of most people is probably the bluebonnet, but my favorite is the orange flower. Up close it looks red, but from a distance it appears orange. I think it is called Indian Paintbrush.  So pretty! As I was driving by some fields today, I just had to stop and take a picture.

Jamie Grace

After hearing her live at the Revolve Tour, I purchased Jamie Grace's cd. Love it! If you haven't heard her music, make a point to-you won't be disappointed!

Easter Sunday

Happy Easter! We celebrated our risen Savior at church this morning. We had 150 international students visiting to see how we celebrate Easter in America.  To top it off, our choir sounded better than I have ever heard them! I hope you all have had a blessed day!

Dallas Zoo

Some friends came to town for the day, so we enjoyed a day with them at the Dallas Zoo.