35 Birthdays

Birthdays, birthdays.  Another year older and wiser.  I turned 35 this year and I can’t believe it.  The saying: “the days are long but the years are short” is sooooooooo true.  Lately though, I have found that the days are short too.  I look up and it’s nighttime and then look up again and another week/month/year has passed.  I guess the less intentional you are with your life and time, the faster it goes by.  Isn’t there a verse in the Bible about when choosing to live a righteous life, your years are extended?  I guess I need to be more intentional-actually I know I do.  I get lost in my computer some (most) days and I feel like I lost a whole day of my life-well I did lose a whole day.

Anyway, my birthday was on the 30^th and I turned 35.  I have always subscribed to the theory, “if you don’t like where you are, move.  You’re not a tree”.  About 5 years ago I did that and my life was going great, I had a good paying job, lived in a nice area of town, I was paying down debt quickly, lost a ton of weight, had a ton of friends, was always busy, etc.  I went into a deep depression for a few years and I am just now getting out of it.  I still believe in the ‘move’ theory, but I feel stuck.  Stuck. Stuck. Stuck. 

I didn’t set out for this to be a negative post about my life, but birthday’s do that to you as you reflect on another year that has gone by. 

The night of my birthday my friend took me to Sub Zero IceCream (bucket list!!) where they make the ice cream in front of you using liquid nitrogen.  It was so cool and I had wanted to try it as soon as I heard about it.  They actually have a smokey nitrogen thing going on when they make it!!!

I chose the (non-plant based) regular cream with cherries, peanut butter cups, marshmallows, and a waffle cone.  It was really good.  I almost got the birthday cake one, but I decided to make my own flavor.

Afterwards we walked across the street for a cocktail atBarBazzar in Webster.  I LOVED this place!!!  It was a mixture of bakery and deli plus a few mixed drinks including champagne and beer. 

I spy chocolate covered bacon!

I got the hibiscus cocktail and my friend Tracie got a latte.  Funny story, she went inside to get cinnamon and sugar but it was semi-dark…she got black pepper instead!  Haha.  It was funny. 

I made a wish on my cocktail about my goals and dreams for my life this year and beyond.   We stayed there until the place closed just talking and catching up. Tracie is one of my closest friends these days.  ‘Twas a good night indeed.  

Driving Jacks 10th Anniversary

10 years ago, at 10 PM on January 25th, a group of SFASU students were anxiously awaiting a phone call.  Everything was set up and ready to go, a phone number, member shirts, a Dodge Magnum, fliers, a birthday cake, balloons and even a few people who had been waiting on this day for years.

Driving Jacks first night of operations were a go and all we  needed was a phone call.  We knew there was a need for Driving Jacks at SFASU (any college campus really) but we were still nervous that no one would call.  We set up a "just in case" person to call in but we never had to utilize that person because we got our first call not long after we "opened".  Apparently someone had been itching to be the first rider of Driving Jacks and went down in history.

I still can't believe it had been 10 YEARS!  That is so crazy to me.  I think it's more crazy that I have been out of school for 10 years more than DJ has been operating that long-I always knew it would be great once it started.

The Road Trip with Kali Claire

My parents needed someone to watch Kali while they were going out of town but I had plans all day.  In the AM I had to volunteer for my Rodeo committee, Special Children's and in the evening I was planning on driving to Nacogdoches for the 10th anniversary party.  I said, "I can watch her if she can go to Nacogdoches with me" thinking they would say no, but nope, they said yes!  

Every time I have gone on a 'trip' Kali asks me if she can come too.  I always feel so bad saying no to that little face!  She was so excited to go on a trip and stay in a hotel. My mom even bought her a new little suitcase to bring with her.

We left the house about 2 pm and only made a few stops (chicken nuggets-Kali, Starbucks-me, restroom-both of us) and made it to Nac around 5 pm.  We checked into our hotel room that I had reserved by the phone.  Let me tell you, I will  NEVER stay at Days Inn in Nacogdoches again (see below for story).

Hector got to Nac shortly after we did and we headed to the park with Kali while waiting for Clarissa and Josh to get there.  We also had to pick up the cake at Brookshire Brothers before dinner.

This child loves balance beams.  Remember the railroad tracks from the Polar Express, same thing-she loved this!

Speaking of the cake.  Do you notice anything different here?  The bakery did a great job but ummm...it's supposed to be 10 years, not 90.  Same difference, right?  Haha.  They did do an amazing job on the logo though!!

We made it to the party and it was super fun.  The news was there to do a story on the 10th anniversary and interviewed me.  I will not be posting it on my blog, but you can google it if you want on the Lufkin/Nac news channel.  I look awful and said "amazing" too many times.  Ugh, I always say stupid things in interviews!  I told my sister that if someone makes me into a meme for saying 'amazing' a million times, I will cry!  I tried to get Hector or someone else to take my place, but no one else did and they wanted to interview me since I was the President on the first night.

Kali Claire and Connor helping blow out the candles.

After the event we all went walking around the campus.  Kali decided that she wants to be Lumberjack and posed with Surfin' Steve. #axeemJacks

So, one quick story about Days Inn in Nacogdoches.  DO NOT book a room there.  There were bugs and the place was was not kept up.  That's not my biggest issue (though that is a huge issue).

At 2:30 am we were woken up by people shouting outside our window.  They were in a fight about something and I heard them say something about a gun.  I called 9-1-1 because I wasn't sure if it was a robbery or what was happening.  Someone kept saying "let me in" and "give me the money".  I wanted to leave right then but if it was a robbery and I opened the door to leave, he could have gotten me and Kali too.  I can't just drive away quickly without putting her in her car seat, plus she was sleeping and wouldn't be too much help getting away.  So we just stayed put and I was praying that we wouldn't get shot.

The Nacogdoches Police Department responded very quickly and diffused the situation.  I didn't hear what happened but in my brief glimpses outside I believe I saw someone being taken to jail.  There was a taxi cab outside and my best guess as to what happened was someone didn't pay their taxi bill and the driver was upset and trying to collect his money.  I don't know (I didn't want to go outside and ask just in case the friend of the guy that went to jail wanted to get revenge).

Anyway, the next morning we met back up with my friends at a local restaurant for breakfast/lunch before heading out.

Kali's 3rd Birthday

My niece, Kali Claire, turned 3 on Friday!  I will be out of town next weekend during her birthday party so I decided to take her somewhere for her birthday instead of giving her a gift.  That child has a ton of stuff and doesn’t really need more toys, so I like to create experiences.  I personally would rather have experiences for my birthday, so hopefully likes them too. She is only three so she might not even remember, but that’s ok.

I think we have a leftie!!!!!!!!! #jointheclub

I decided to make her a Princess for a day and do some Princess type activities with her. There is a place in the Woodland’s called Sweet and Sassy that is for girls to get beautiful .  I got Kali the birthday package which included a manicure, pedicure, hair up-do, keepsake photo and a cat walk.  We also added on a make your own lip gloss station too. 

We got there a bit early because Kali tends to want to observe for a little while before jumping into an activity, especially if it is busy.  That day there was hardly anyone in the shop, so she was excited from the get-go.  We had about a 30 minute wait (which is forever in 3 year old time) so we looked at all the stuffed animals. All. Of. Them. 

Then we walked the catwalk because, why not?  I think this is one of my favorite pictures of the day. :)

When it was time for Kali to go, she was able to pick a nail color.  She chose pink of course because that is her favorite color.

Then it was time for her feet to soak in the tub.  I love how relaxed her face is in the picture.  Too cute.  They put some lotion on your hands and then put them in oven mitts (with a plastic baggie) while they work on your feet.  She was also very excited about getting a toe ring.

 

I think we have created a monster!  I have a feeling she will be asking to go back here instead of  us just painting her nails from now on.

Next it was time for nails! 

Then hair and a tiara with glitter!  When Kali really likes something she crosses her arms and has a little smile, so I knew she really liked how she look with her tiara.

I think her hair turned out so cute with a flower look.

Next was the lip gloss making station, which really was just the employee putting things in a container and Kali stirring it.  I was kind of disappointed in that, but I guess since she is three she couldn’t do much.  I just figured she would have more of a hands on experience.

After we left, Kali promptly fell asleep in the car.  I was going to stop at my sister’s work to show her off, but when Kali falls asleep we don’t dare wake her! :)  haha.

I forgot to mention my grandmother (Kali’s GG) came with us.  She likes to get out of the house and do things with us, so I figured it would be fun for her to join us.

In Honor Of My 34th Birthday 34 Things You May Or May Not Know About Me

1. I collected troll dolls when I was younger

2.        My next BIG goal is to buy a house and land with cash!

3.       I want to tour Ireland on my next overseas vacation (next year hopefully)

4.       I had a blanket when I was little (umm, ok until after college) named Baboose.

5.       If flip-flops were considered year-round appropriate footwear, I would wear them every day and at every occasion.

6.       I have broken my left arm twice and within a year of each other.

7.       I never make my bed, it’s a waste of time.

8.       My 2^nd favorite wild animal is penguins…they are so graceful in the water!  I love going to a museum and just watching them for hours…but it smells in there.

9.       Chore I hate the most-laundry!  I would rather buy new clothes than do laundry.  True story.

10.   My dream car-a huge RV to travel North America in!  I would need to save $$ first though or have a job that I can take anywhere.

11.   I have an obsession with words that sound the same but are spelled and mean different things (homophone).  I want to make a huge list one day and I even mentally add it to that future list when I figure out another one.  (ex. Witch/which, so/sew, dear/deer, roll/role, week/weak, etc.)

12.   My middle name is Diann and I’m not 100% sure how to spell it.  I usually spell it line Diann but it could be Diane, I have no idea!  No one questions it on official forms and I don’t know where my birth certificate is.

13.   Two of my sister’s middle names rhyme with mine.  Laura’s is Deann and Bridgette’s is Leann, again, I don’t know the spelling of theirs either!

14.   I have about 10 craft projects I have started recently that I need to finish.  There is an entire craft tub under my bed of supplies of started projects.

15.   If I could live anywhere I would live close to a water source. I love the sound of water running or waves hitting the shore.  I would love to just sit outside each morning and eat breakfast and have my quiet time in nature before starting the day.

16.   My goal is to start a business where I can work from home all day and create my own schedule. BUT I will need to figure out how to keep myself accountable to actually work during that time!

17.   If I had a million dollars the first thing I would buy is a house with land.  I would love to have a family retreat!

18.   Favorite Quote:  “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Mary Oliver.

19.   If I could start any business it would be a weight loss or health retreat on land!  I would offer yoga and workout classes, long hikes, trainers, healthy food, massages, self-esteem classes, how to grocery shop and look at labels, etc.  It wouldn’t be overly expensive like some retreats; just an average price for “normal” people with normal incomes can come learn something to better themselves.

20.   My biggest pet peeve is flaky people.  Do what you say you are going to do.

21.   I am afraid of losing weight and then gaining it back again.  I had to run a marathon to lose 50 lbs and I am scared of having to do that again.  What if I meet someone while I am skinnier but then gain it all back? 

22.   My house/apartment/room is always messy but I hate it when other people’s houses are messy and I just want to clean up all day.   I don’t care if mine is messy but I will (secretly) judge you if yours is and mentally clean it if I can’t physically clean it. LOL.

23.   My favorite color rotates between purple and pink.  My school color is purple (in my favorite shade!) but I didn’t go there because of that.

24.   I am very excited about going to Harry Potter land in December after my cruise!

25.   I love dirty martini’s with extra olive juice.  My favorite vodka in them is Tito’s.

26.   However, I am not a big drinker so when I go out I usually get a club soda with grenadine.  People think it’s a cocktail and no one questions how.

27.   I helped start a designated driver program in college that has given over 28,000 rides to date.

28.   I am a middle child and sometimes act like Jan Brady. :)

29.   My favorites flower used to be tulips but now I am leaning more toward peonies.

30.   My all-time favorite movie is Troop Beverly Hills but a very close 2^nd is Iron Jawed Angels that is based on the woman’s suffrage movement.

31.   I love shopping at thrift stores!  There is nothing better than getting a designer item for $5.

32.   Strawberry is my favorite flavored anything!  Cherry is  a close 2^nd.  Banana and grape are a no-go zone.

33.   My favorite class in college was astronomy.  I love gazing at the stars all night.

34.   My dream job would be to travel around the world, writing about the bucket list items I do, the interesting people I meet and the scenery I see.

Jabba's 1 year Angel Birthday

Today marks one year that my dear baby boy went to Heaven to hang out with Jesus.  I am a little sad (OK, a lot!) but I know that he is having fun, eating a lot of catnip treats (without calories!), and hanging out on clouds.  It’s not fair to be sad when Angel birthdays are a good thing for those that get them, only us on Earth are sad.  I can celebrate with him in spirit though.

I am planning on going to my sister’s house on Sunday (Jabba is buried there) and bring cupcakes (for me and my nephews) and catnip treats for him and my sister’s cats.  Who doesn’t love a good party or a good cupcake?! 

I have been sad all year about him and other things that have happened to me but it is time for me to step out and be all that God created me to be.  I can’t live a small life anymore, I am destined for greatness.  I can choose to live in the past, future or my present.  I am going to live in the future.  Today I will release what has happened over the last few years and press on.  I think God knew that I would need some time to process what all has happened over the past few years (that hasn’t all made it to this blog) and has been preparing and clearing a path for me.

So, this weekend in honor of Jabba’s 1^st Angel birthday, will YOU please join me in stepping out of your comfort zone and being the person God wants you to be?  When you take control of your life and be who you are destined to be, God will bring you to places you never thought possible.  I’m excited for the journey!  You have no right to live small when you are meant for more.

 I can’t wait for Jabba to greet me at those gates (along with Jesus, my grandfather and many others I have and will lose before I get there) and jump in my arms to celebrate me living my life to the fullest.  We only get ONE life on this Earth.  Do you want to be sad and mope about what has happened to you or would you rather leap abundantly into your future that God created before you were born?  The choice is yours to make.

Happy Angel Birthday, Jabba!!! See you in Heaven.

Happy 2nd Birthday Kali!

My niece, Kali Claire, turns two today!!!  I love you sweet (bratty) girl!  I am so glad that God brought you into our life a year ago when you moved here.  I am very honored to be your Aunt Steffie.

I buy a lot of her clothes (I can't help it, the clothes are so cute!) and the other day she was wearing a cute flamingo outfit that I bought (duh!).  I said "Oh, Kali Claire, who is your stylist?  That flamingo outfit is really cute." and she said "Steffie".   LOL.

Princess

Sitting on her princess thrown

Wearing the dress I bought her in Cozumel

Cool shades.

Movie night

This is her "I can't party until I'm 21??" face :)

Birthday Stops

For my 33^rd birthday, I just spent the day with myself. Haha.  I got my hair blown out, went resale shop shopping (I love resale shops!), got a calorie free (ha!) cupcake, and stopped at Buck-ee’s.

I had an early morning appointment at Dry Bar in River Oaks to get my hair blown out.  I have always wanted to go (Bucket List item!!!) and decided to treat myself for my birthday.  Everyone always says that they are addicting, but I honestly wasn’t that impressed.  It’s just like when you go to the hair salon to get your hair cut and they style it for you at the end.  Is it worth $50?

The Dry Bar location was very nice though.  It was decorated with whites, grays and yellows.  Even the hair styling tools were yellow.  They thought of all the details.

They bring you to the back to wash your hair.  This was the main part where I did not like it.  Usually I love getting my hair washed by other people, but this girl was digging into my scalp with her nails!  It really hurt.  She asked me about the water temperature, but didn’t ask about the pressure of her nails.  I am not a delicate flower, I can usually take pain ok, but man. 

After they wash your hair, they lead you back to the front chairs to choose what style you wantyou’re your hair.  You choose from a menu of about 8 choices.  I couldn’t decide between Mai tai (beachy waves) or Cosmo (curly) but luckily there is a combo of both!   If I go again (not to the same person) I would choose the ‘big hair’ option called Southern Comfort. 

While doing your hair, you can get a free mimosa! 

 

Finished hair!

After I finished getting my hair done, I went shopping at a few favorite resale stores.  I love shopping at resale stores, you can get great deals.  I even found some deals that I can sell online for a big profit. Score!

I went to one of my favorite cupcake places afterwards, Rise Cupcakes in Friendswood, TX.  Calories do not count on your birthday!  Ha!  My favorite cupcake there is Strawberry Fields, it is delicious.

My last stop was Buckee’s for an icee and saltwater taffy (I’m telling you, calories don’t count!).  I would have stayed out later to meet a friend for dinner, but the impending storm and flooding was making its way to the area, so I just decided to head home.

I'm Feelin' 33

I have been thinking what to write for my 33rd birthday and I am honestly stumped.  I don't know what I am going to do today, but it will probably be boring. LOL.  I have honestly had the Taylor Swift song 22 in my head for a few days now, but it doesn't fit with my 33 theme.

When I was younger I used to make a HUGE DEAL about my birthday.  Cakes, balloons, countdown clock updates for all my friends and family, etc., now I haven't said anything unless someone mentions it to me.  They always said that birthdays are not as big of a deal once you get older, and I didn't believe them.  Now, I have to admit they proved me wrong.

I have heard it said that your 30's are supposed to be the best years.  You are over the awkwardness of your teens, out of the party stage of your 20's (hopefully), and now you are supposed to be making something of yourself.  Honestly, for me, my 30's have sucked.  31 and 32 were not the best years.  I keep waiting for it to "get better" but it hasn't.  Well, I guess my life could be worse and I should thank God for my blessings, but I have been trying to get back on track for almost two years now.  I need to go out and do something out of my comfort zone to make my life, MY LIFE.  I shouldn't live for other people or care about what they think or what I should do/have right now.

Enough of my pity party, here's to 33!  I gotta go make that wish....

Clarissa's 30th Birthday

One of my best friends, Clarissa, lives in Dallas and was turning 30 a few weeks ago.  Dallas is about 4 1/2 hours away from where I live and it is really far!  Clarissa had asked if I wanted to come up there and party for her 30th birthday, but I couldn't go.  I had actually made plans to go to a fish fry (what? who am I?) and didn't really want to make the long drive.  I was sad, but I send her some cookies to make up for it! Don't worry, I bought them, I didn't make them.

Yummy chocolate covered Oreo's!

Hector had called to see if I was going and I told him that I wasn't because I didn't want to drive that far and put that many miles on my car.  He said he would drive if I went with him and we could surprise her.  I thought it would be fun to surprise her, so I said yes!  I had to hurry and get dressed and packed before we left.  I don't know why I bother to be anywhere on time when it comes to Hector though, because he is NEVER on time.  EVER.  He picked me up over an hour late.  SMH.


Anyway, we were on the road and talking about stuff.   He was annoying and I wanted to strangle him by the time we made it to Dallas (in just 4 short hours).  I love Hector, he is one of my best friends, but man a 4 hour road trip with him is taxing. LOL.

We made it to Dallas and found a parking spot.  There was some sort of military ball that day and people were dressed up in evening attire. I was so jealous of their outfits!!  I need to find me a military man so I can recreate prom. :)

Leddy, Clarissa, Me and Laura. Could my hair BE any taller?!

We walked into The Library Bar and found them at a table.  Clarissa was so surprised and excited that we were there.  I am so glad that I was able to go.  Clarissa has always been there and will always do anything she can to help you.  We have been best friends since 2007 when she and I were planning Amber's baby shower together.  Man, times have changed! :)

After we got done at The Library, we went to Pete's Dueling Piano Bar and spent the rest of the night.

I think this is one of my all time favorite pictures!

Hector and I drove back the next morning after we had a late lunch with Clarissa and some other Driving Jacks alum friends of ours.  It was a fun weekend and I am very glad I was able to celebrate with Clarissa for her 30 birthday!

Kali's First Birthday

My niece, Kali, turned one a few weeks ago.  My sister lives in Wyoming, but came down for the birthday party that my parents threw for Kali.  Here are some cute pics of the birthday girl! :)

The party was princess themed (of course), and they went all out in the decorations.

Cole decided that he wanted to forego using a fork and just bite into the cake.  Weird (but super cute) kid!

Kali is very prim and proper.  She keeps her right hand in a fist and uses her left hand to do everything.  Maybe she will be left handed!!

Presents!  She was very excited to get presents.

The Last Hours of 31

I will be 32 in a few hours.  Yep, 32.  I was trying to recall my past birthdays, and I can't remember them all. #memorylosscomeswitholdage

16th birthday-My sister, Laura, graduated high school.  I remember being stuck in traffic on the way to the ceremony and my mom being upset that she might miss Laura graduating.  She didn't of course because our last name starts with an 'S' and there is no way that traffic could have been that long.  At her graduation party, my birthday cake was an afterthought. LOL.

18th birthday-My high school graduation and graduation/birthday party.  I was wearing brown polka dots (I have the pics somewhere).  That night I went to buy cigarettes and lottery tickets, just because I could. I didn't smoke, so the pack of cigarettes was useless. A few weeks later I got a tattoo.  Yes, I have a tattoo.

19th birthday-I was living in Philadelphia and I got three birthday cakes.  Yes, 3!  My aunt gave me one, my work gave me one, and my friend gave me one.  It was a delicious day.

21st birthday-Coushatta Casino!  My first 'official' drink was a Goldschlager shot and it was awful! It burned going down.  I don't think I won any money on that trip either.

22nd-27th birthdays-I don't remember!  Not because I did anything 'bad', but because I am old! LOL.

28th birthday-Waaaaaaaay too many margaritas at El Palenque.  Great friends and great margritas!  I remember going back to my dad's house (I didn't drive) with my friends and we sat by the pool. I also had a birthday cake with a flamingo on it that my friend Clarissa made me.

29th birthday-My first official running 5K!  My friends Krista, Ginger, Tyler, Debbie, Erika, and Oscar all came out to run it with me or cheer me on.  Afterwards, we went to eat dessert at the House of Pie.

30th birthday-80's theme party!!!!

31st birthday-lunch at work and then dinner with my dad and stepmom.

Tonight, I went to dinner with a friend at Happy Fatz in the Heights. They have the best fruit infused water there.  Tonight's water selection was apples and strawberries.  So good!  Go check them out!

So, to sum it up. I have memory loss and I have good friends to help me celebrate my birthday!

31 was a very hard year for me.  I have had lots of self doubt and depression this year, due to many things that I don't want to talk about here.  I will say that I have learned a lot this year and I hope that I learned whatever it was that God wanted me to learn so I can move past all of this. 

Here's to 32! Cheers!

31st Birthday Pictures

Last Thursday was my 31st birthday and it was very nice.  My work took me to lunch and gave me balloons, my Dad and Pie sent me an Edible Arrangement, my friend Tracie took me to Sprinkles cupcakes, Starbucks gave me a free drink, and I got so many calls/texts/FB posts for friends and family.  I felt loved. :)

As a Starbucks Gold Card member I got a free Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce latte (venti) with an extra shot of espresso for my birthday!!  Whoo hoo.  I normally get a grande latte, but they upgrade it for free when it's your birthday!!!

 Sprinkles Strawberry cupcake with my friend Tracie.  Did you know that Sprinkles has a secret menu that if you guess what flavor it is, you can order that cupcake?  Shhhh.....

Birthday cake from work!  They took me out to a very yummy Italian/pizza place and I got cake at the end of the meal.  Calories do not count on your birthday of course!

My Dad and Pie sent me this cool edible arrangement with chocolate covered strawberries and pineapples.  It was so good!!!  I shared it with people at work and took the rest to the river last weekend.  

Then this weekend we headed to the Frio River to enjoy some R&R for the weekend.  I had a blast hanging out with my sister and nephew.