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I am on my way back to New York City in nineteen days. I had originally planned to blog once a day from November 1st through the 22nd, but the weekend got away from me. 

Did you catch that I am going BACK?!? Yes, I have been there before and I remember every moment I spent, every inch I covered, every smell I breathed & every person I encountered like I was there and hour ago. NO JOKE.

I have always said that I want to live in Manhattan for about a year to soak it all in - see the shows - experience the food - meet the people. 

The last (and first) time I met New York was April of 2011, five months before 9/11. I know the city will be different, but I cannot wait to see, hear, and smell. 

That trip was as a chaperone for a bunch of high school choir kids. It was fun, but everything was planned for us and we just had to do what they told us. 

This time, I am going along with one of my best friends and her family. We are going to have a blast! 

Oh, and did I mention we will be there the week of Thanksgiving?!? To see the THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE!!??!!

Something else, I am going to meet an awesome music teacher named Katie Traxler who teaches at PS 51 just a few blocks from Times Square. I am a huge fan of her blog and she is an amazing teacher. We have never met or actually spoken except through e-mail, but we are going to meet up while I am there. How cool is that?? 

Thanks for reading my rambling. I am so very excited (as if you could not tell) and will be very sad when the trip is over. I wish Tommy and Savannah could go with me. Savannah is quite upset that I am not taking her, but I promised her I would someday. 

Fourty Has Arrived!

I began today with some new yard art courtesy of my mom, sister & sis in laws.

Then I went to IFly Dallas for some indoor skydiving. Best thrill so far! 

For the afternoon, I spent time with family and friends enjoying pictures, cupcakes & laughter. 

Then I took a nap! 

Flashback

Huge props to my siblings for being good sports. We took these pictures on the last day that we would all be in our thirties & I can't imagine anyone else I would rather have spent these moments with.

Love you two so much & can't wait to have our "Last day to all be in our fourties" party in ten years. (LOL)

Big Rig

I have never seen a limo this big before. Looked just like a semi!!

Symphony to my eyes?

I had the distinct privelege of touring the Meyerson Symphony Center today along with all of the elementary music teachers from Mesquite ISD. 

Ms. Margret Wosynski gave us the most enjoyable tour. (She even allowed us to sing in the balcony, which apperently is not allowed unless you are a performer.) 

We were able to see dressing rooms, the green room as well as learning interesting facts about the hall. (The organ has over 4000 pipes.)

I Like My Corn Sweet But..........

I had lunch today with Mindy & Danyale. They introduced me to a new ice cream shop in Balch Springs where I sampled some interesting flavors. 

*Sweet- Corn- yuck! *Queso-  yuck!  

*Pine Nut- yum!  *Pecan- yum!

I ordered a scoop of pine nut & a scoop of pecan together & that was yummy!

Jedi are you?

We found Rachel's kids light sabers, so what else was there to do? Have my first light saber sword fight! 

Eye saw the sign

My sister and Lecia joined me at the Zodiac restaurant on the 6th floor of the Neiman Marcus Flagship store in downtown Dallas. 

My main goal was to enjoy their famous popovers with strawberry jam butter. They were wonderful. 

Along with lunch, I was able to taste their famous tangerine orange soufflé, which was different, but good. 

After lunch, we walked up the street to the Joule Hotel and admired the giant eyeball, which is an actual art piece. 

Big Deal

I've been absent for a couple of days so......I caught up with some new adventures today!

(At the request of my friend Katie McMurren, who is apperently living vicariously through my blog, I will give a running dialog of my day)

My sister in law, Jen and I took our kids & my niece, Skylar, on a tour of Downtown Dallas.

Our first goal was to find some of the B & G letters scattered through out the city.

Stop number two: Klyde Warren Park

They climbed the tree house, ropes, built with foam shapes and had lunch from the food trucks.

Stop three: Thanksgiving Square

This was quite a learning experience and focuses on finding a deep inner path to giving thanks.

This exhibit must be done in person to understand the full impact of it's purpose. 

Snail Mail

Taking time this evening to teach Savannah the proper way to address thank you notes. With each one, she becomes more confident and pleased with her progress. Sometimes, the smallest moments etch the largest memories on my heart. 

Golden Nuggets of Goodness

Today I tried a new flavor combination of popcorn called "Denver".  A delicious combination of white cheddar and caramel.

Nailed it!

Savannah wanted a beach themed birthday party, so of course, I hit Pinterest.

She decided on the Teddy Graham beach cupcakes. 

Target provided the cupcakes with icing that looked like water. 

I painted swimsuits on the bears, added graham cracker sand, umbrellas, and other accessories for the bears. 

It's Never Too Late

For the first time in my life, I bought this awesome drink on the soil of Texas.

 Ale 8 is a drink manufactured in my dad's hometown of Winchester, Ky. 

The name means "A Late One" which is actually printed on the top if the label.

Popcorn Papa in Rockwall sells the bottles (the best way to drink it, by the way). 

More Than Meets the Eye

I'm posting two new things today since I missed yesterday. I caught up with Optimus Prime and snagged a photo op. 

Later, I came across something I wish I had not seen. Bleghhh!!

The Force is With Me

Tommy has GUYs game night every week. I'm usually hanging out with the girls or around the house. 

Tonight, for the first time, I played the game with him AND I enjoyed it! (Didn't hurt that I won!!!!)

Summer Lovin'

Savannah and I treated my parents to one if our favorite new spots. View your receipt from Neveria Y Fruteria La Regia on Davis in Mesquite. 

Best Sno Cones & Blue Bell ice cream around. I love to get the Knock Out!

Tonight was about trying something new. 

Elotes and their pina colada. AMAZING!!

Movie Time

Having a quiet night at home with Tommy & Savannah watching Rio 2 for the first time.

Pucker Up Peaches!

The Super Peach Ring slush at Sonic made me pucker up my lips, crinkle my nose and shake my head.... With. Every. Sip!

Rocky Mountain Chili

Today I tried an ancho-chili truffle at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

I'm not a fan of of spicy, but is actually liked the combination with the chocolate. 

Messy/Trippy

Yes, those two words do describe me to a T! (Mother, Molly, Rachel, Dannah & anyone else thinking along those lines.) HOWEVER, I am talking about the hamburger I had for lunch. In order to get grilled mushrooms and onions you had to ask for a messy, trippy burger.

Where can you get such a burger? Right in Mesquite at Scrumbscious burgers and pie shakes.

I have actually had a burger from there, but had not actually visited the restaurant itself. 

Mom and Dad took this adventure with me and we enjoyed the ride. 

I Interrupt this Blog.....

With a first from Parker Gregory Hobbs:

Groovy Little Chocolate Angle

I attended the July meeting of my first book club, appropriately named "A Groovy Little Book Club" at the Chocolate Angel. This was my first experience at this tea room and I enjoyed this place. 

Thank you Leslie Reynolds for moderating our group. You are doing a great job! 

Cupcake Crawl

We (Rachel, Dona, Lecia & myself) took a whirl wind trip around Downtown Dallas to find the best tasting cupcake. 

Fluellen's-Banana Pudding

Original Cupcakery-Carrot Cake (thank you Mr. Nelson for the conversation & picture!!)

Trailercakes-Red Velvet

Sprinkles- Red Velvet Ice Cream

(We didn't make it to Gigi's. I can attest that their cupcakes have the most icing.)

They were all delicious & amazing. 

Oh, and a delicious burger from Twisted Root. (Another first for me!!)

Freeze Frame

For the very first time ever, I have a brand spankin' new refrigerator. We bought our last one used for $100 when we moved into our house fifteen years ago. 

I love her!!! Isn't she gorgeous?!?

Candy Crush

I decided to have a taste test. The contenders were chocolates, sour candy and even a tamerind chili flavored hard candy. 

You can see my favorite and least favorite here. 

Indian Food ( • not feather)

Tried Indian food for the first time today. I wasn't sure if the spices would be too much for me, but ther seemed to be a good balance of choices. 

The goat dish & naam (type of bread) were two of my favorites. 

Thank you Mark & Lecia for taking this journey with us today! 

Cotton Candy!

This just made the top of my favorites list. 

Cotton Candy Slush

Let Me take a Selfie

Mama D and I took a selfie together for the first time. I love my grandmother and thank God for the special times we share. 

Surf's Up

Check out my Facebook page for my video!! 

I can't even think of any words to describe this one.

Country Drive

I drove Tommy through a back way from Forney to Rockwall for the first time. After having dinner at Alfredo's, which was also a first and very yummy, I showed him how to get to Rockwall from there. 

You might be saying to yourself, that's a no brainer, but if you know my Tommy, he doesn't make things  very complicated these days and doesn't travel too far off the beaten path. 

Shake it up

Today I did not do anything spontaneous or "brand new". Sunday are meant as a day of rest, right?

However, I did try a different flavor of shake at Sonic I have never tasted--- Chocolate Hazelnut Cream.

Not too bad. The hazelnut was too strong at first, but I got used to the taste. 

HyPnoTIze Me!!

Today is actually a two for one of things I've never done:

First-

HypNotic Donuts on Garland Road might just be the best donuts EVER!! The line was out the door, but only took about fifteen minutes to get to the front. Definitely worth the wait!!!

Then- I took a spin on an inverted sit-n-spin in Downtown Dallas. Very fun.

(My partners in crime today......The lovely Jen & Shana)

Talk Nerdy to Me

We went to our first Nerd Prom tonight hosted by our church. So much fun!

Mellow Yummo!

We tried the new Mellow Mushroom in Rockwall that place is delish! I recommend garlic cheese bread to start and the Mellowterranian pizza. 

My favorite part of their decor was the HUGE 1974 hanging on the wall upstairs representing the year the restaurant was founded and of course, when yours truly was born.

Riding Along

I've never driven a U-Haul until NOW!! Thanks, Chris, for letting me take the truck for a spin.

Jen & Rachel- you are awesome for sharing the moment with me. 

40 Days.......40 Quests

Forty days from today, I will turn forty years old. Each I will do something I've never done before!

Today, I visited the prayer chapel on Beltline Road. 

Ode to a Glue Gun

Any savvy crafter knows that owning a glue gun is one of the most important tools in their bag of tricks. Last night, I lost my dear friend, the Thermogrip C600. The experience was heartbreaking, Seriously!! The gun literally disintegrated before my eyes.

Plastic started flying off the top and the gun split in two!

You have it understand that I have had this gun for at least 10 years. I remember being so proud because I had a top of the line, semi-cordless glue gun complete with a stand. 

I am sure there are better, more advanced models by now, but this one served my purpose just fine. However, I admit that I am looking forward to shopping for a new one. 

So, if you don't have a glue gun in your drawer of essentials, by one today. 

Busy Days

I realize it has been quite awhile since I posted. I have been busy. 

We had an incredible Easter weekend. Our church service was amazing. Then, spending the afternoon with our families was so much fun! These kids all love each other and have so much fun together.

Savannah ended up getting strep & missed a day of STAAR testing. She did not feel good at all. Thank goodness for antibiotics to make her feel better. 

0.0

This is so me.......

Right now I have no desire to do any kind of exercise whatsoever. I have used every excuse to not workout or eat right.

I think this must be what they call a rut. The older I get, the closer my "ruts" seem to be. 

How can I pull myself up from this pit? Prayer. Read my bible. I'll be honest, I don't feel like it. 

So, because God loves me, I will do those things anyway knowing the He can change me inside and out.