Why don't you Pray about it?

A good friend of mine posted a quote on Facebook yesterday that stopped me in my tracks.

Source: spiritualinspiration.tumblr.com via Kati on Pinterest

Wow.  I was so convicted when I saw this! 

Let me preface this by saying that I love my family more than anything--blood is thicker than water.  And I am VERY protective of my family.  Even when we rarely fight, we always make up and love each other more than we did before.

But, something recently happened in my family that has really affected me.  (It doesn't even involve me directly.  But it's hurt someone I love so much that I've taken my stance and have drawn a line in the sand...and it's a FIRM, clear line, like the gold line in front of the Alamo that William B. Travis drew.)  This issue bothers me to no end and I just can't seem to get past it.  First, I was completely shocked--utterly shocked, then I was disgusted, then I was really sad, and now, I'm just hurt and angry.  It is insane how much the selfish actions of 1 person has hurt me.  I know, I know, forgive and move on, but I just can't get past this.

My girlfriends have spent hours talking about this with me and giving me advice on how to handle the situation, and for that, I'm extremely grateful.  But when I saw this quote, I realized I hadn't prayed about the issue as much as I probably should have.  To be honest, I bet if I had prayed about this enough, I'd probably be over it by now.  (Wishful thinking...)

So, thanks "C. Jojola" for sharing this quote with everyone--I really needed to be reminded that I can't handle things on my own.  (This is very hard for a TYPE A personality to admit.) 

So, it's back to the good Lord I go:

"Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done."        Philippians 4:6

Who Doesn't Love a Little GaGa

Have you heard about Barney's New York "Gaga's Workshop"?  Barney's has worked closely with Lady Gaga to design a range of exclusive, speical edition items which will be available for a limited time only at their "Gaga Workshop".  The workshop opens in 6 days, and for each of the 12 days leading up to the opening, Barney's has released (and will continue to release) a special "Gaga" product.

It's official, I'm "GaGa" for this "Diamond Teacup"!  But, at $65, I'll have to add it to my Christmas List and hope that Santa brings it! 

This teacup, with a "diamond" inside, honors the interview in which Gaga dropped a diamond-like rock into her cup and pulled it from her lips when she polished off her drink.

 I mean really, isn't it fabulous!  And what a conversation starter!  And technically, isn't it a piece of art?!  And since I want to begin to collect art, I need it!

Santa, (or anyone else who loves me and wants me to be happy), if you'd like to purchase this for me, just click right here!

Birthday Celebration

So, a few weeks ago, we celebrated my mom's 50th birthday!  I'd say it was quite a success! 

First, we ran a 5k at my elementary school.  Here we are waiting to receive our medals!  The hubs won 2nd place and I won 3rd place!

Then, all the siblings and I raced home to start preparing for brunch.  We had 50 helium balloons (one for each year of Mom's life) floating around the table!  I also made huge pink pompoms and hung them over the buffet!  My mom LOVED the decor when she walked in!

     

I also made little pompoms to act as napkin rings.  It was a painful process making all of them, but they looked great!



Speaking of painful processes--apparently I couldn't stop tourchouring!  I made these 2 poster boards with pictures of my mom over the years in the shape of her age- 50!  In order to get all of those pictures, I had to sneak over to my mom's house and practically steal all of the family photo albums.  Then, after sorting through the thousands of pictures and picking out the best ones, I went to Kinkos on my lunch break to copy them and then cut them to size.  I'm actually really glad I took the time to do this--my mom loved these boards more than anything.

 

Of couse, after brunch, we had cupcakes from the Cupcakery! 

Then, we watched as Mom opened our presents.  Paul and I got her the black Frye riding boots she'd been wanting for ever!  Best. Gift. Ever!

Later that evening, we'd made dinner reservations at Mom's favorite restaurant, Hatties!  Originally, I told her we couldn't get in--they were full.  So, she was soooooooooooo excited when we pulled up!  We all splurged and got martinis with the appetizers.  (My favorite martini at Hatties is the Sweet Iced Tea one.) 

Then, to close the evening, we went to the Belmont and enjoyed the fantastic view of downtown Dallas.  It was a long day, but it was sooooooo worth it. 

I'm glad 50 only comes around once!

Around My 'Hood - Cheers

So, remember watching episodes of "Cheers" and thinking "Man, when I get older, I hope there's a bar I can go to where everybody knows my name?"  Well, my friends, I am now proud to say that I've found that bar.  And no, it's not because I am at the bar a lot.  Everyone knows my name because it's in my 'hood---the 'hood I grew up in--so naturally, everyone I grew up frequents it. 

Friends, let me introduce you to Goodfriend Beer Garden and Burger House. 

Source: sidedish.dmagazine.com via Amelia on Pinterest

When I was growing up, this was a bar called the "Texas Trap".  There were no windows, and I'd always see bikers in the parking lot.  Boy what some windows can do for a place!

I find the name fitting because the hubs and I love to meet our good friends up there.  It's local, it's laid back, and it's not pretentious.  At. All.  Come as you are!  Last Sunday, we biked up there (for exercise, duh) and sat all sweaty on their great patio.  It was awesome.  As one of my friends put it, "@ Goodfriend.  Who needs Uptown?"  My thoughts exactly! 

Last night, we made the mistake of going up to Goodfriend just to say hello to one of our favorite couples, and ended up staying way to late.  It was worth it though.

Also, I ran into several friends that I hadn't seen in ages (some that I've grown up with since Kindergaten), so it was great to catch up with them as well.

I highly recommend visiting Goodfriend soon!  It's a great escape from city life!  Sit at the great Horse-shoe shaped bar, try the current beer on tap, and enjoy the company! 

Source: sidedish.dmagazine.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Also, get to know the bartenders!  They are from the area too!

So, if you look close enough, the guy sitting behind Dax's (bartender) right shoulder is kind of a big deal here in Dallas.  That is Tim Rogers, editor for D Magazine. 

Try it out and let me know what you think!  You never know who you'll run into up there.

Struggling with an Injury

So, if you actually *know* me, and I've talked to you in the past 6 months, you've probably hear me talk about not being able to run because my left knee starts hurting at about a mile in.  Sparking any memories of this coming out of my mouth??

My love of running began back when I was a Senior in high school.  On my lunch breaks, I'd go run a mile.  I remember how proud of myself I was once I was able to run 2 miles!  My love of running continued and by my Junior year, I'd run 6 miles 6 days a week, and 8 miles on the other day.....just because.  To be completely honest, while I liked running, I liked the way running made my legs looked more. 

My brother and I before a race. 

About to go for a final run in Sweden
--Junior year of college

Since graduating from college, I will admit that my running has fallen off.  I still loved to go run the lake on Saturday mornings (9 miles), but I wouldn't force myself to go run every day.  I was falling out of love with running.  This made me sad, but I was okay with it. 

When my husband and I bought our house close to the lake, I was so excited to really pick up my running again!  I'd run all over the neighborhood with my Springer Spaniel!  (No kidding, she would smile the whole time.)  One day back in early May, the hubs and I went for a run, just to the lake (probably 3 miles there and back) but once we got to the lake, it was so beautiful, we decided to just continue running around it.  That day, we ran 12 miles---it felt good.  It felt so good, in fact, that I went back to the lake that Wednesday after work to run another 9.  About mile 8, something happened, and I had a horrible pain on the outside of my left leg.  My Springer and I limped back to the car. 

Ever since then, I've not been able to run more than a mile without my leg hurting.  It was quite depressing.  I got angry.  "I'd just fallen back in love with running and now I am dealing with an injury!  No fair!" 

Well, after staying off of it for 6 months, I decided to run in the neighborhood Elementary's 5k.  (I am, afterall, really competitive, and I wanted to run with my husband so bad--and take home a medal!)  So, I ran it.  Fast.  And of course, about mile 1, my leg started to hurt.  But I couldn't stop; little kids were passing me and I didn't want them to think I was a quitter.  So, I kept on and finished (came in 2nd in my age group by the way), but I couldn't walk after that.  I had a horrible pain and I realized I'd done something bad...real bad.

Immediately, I made an appointment with an Orthopedic Surgeon, and met with him yesterday.  I was preparing myself for the whole "Ma'am, you are never going to be able to run again.  You will only be able to swim for exercise."  But, then, a glimmer of hope came when he told me what was going on.

I am suffering from IT Band Syndrome. 

The IT band runs from the hip to the knee.

I won't go into the nitty-gritty--go here for more info on it--but apparently, a lot of women my age suffer from it. 

I start physical therapy next week for it and I hope and pray that it heals fast.  I'm ready to get back out to the trails.  Please say a little prayer for me as well! 

I just texted my best friend and told her that as soon as I recover from this, I am running a marathon (with the proper trainning of course).

Dear legs and IT band, I promise to not take you for granted ever again.  Just please, please get better. 

I'm attached to my Iphone....

Saw this today an laughed!  I am especially partial to #8!

Shoe Exchange

The other day while in the kitchen, my husband and I had the following conversation:

Hubs: Do you want a new pair of Manolo Blahniks?

Me: Yes!

Thoughts running through my head:  Uh-Oh, what did he do now...Why is he being so generous...Did he go gambling again?....Which pair of Manolo's do I want?...Instead of Manolo's, can I get Louboutins?....  

My thoughts were interrupted when he said, "Well, I'll let you get a pair if you let me buy a pistol and a silver lab."

Me: We already have 2 dogs, the next thing you get that has a heartbeat will be a child.

The hubs then went on to explain that he'd seen a silver lab earlier in the day and how they are very rare (something about a recessive gene...).  I'd never heard of a silver lab, so of course, I googled them and here are a few of my favorite silver labs:

After I was done oo-ing and ahh-ing over these precious pups, I made my way to the Barney's New York website and picked out my favorite shoes of the moment......

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

On second thought, maybe I will let my husband get a silver lab after all..................