Birthday Boy

Still talking about the weekend,
We finally arrived back home and enjoyed dinner with my parents.  Chuy’s birthday is Tuesday and my family was so kind in celebrating his birthday with him while he was in town.  They made his favorite, a lemon cake.  Word to the wise: if you want something to be a surprise, do not tell my dad.  They made the cake Saturday, but we were going to celebrate on Sunday.  But as soon as Chuy walked in my dad said “Did you see your cake?” so much for surprise. 

As soon as Chuy knew there was a cake in the room he couldn’t keep his eyes off it!  He even asked my dad if we had another refrigerator which my dad replied “No” so Chuy suggested we eat the cake now because it probably won’t fit back in the fridge. 
So we ate the cake Saturday….

As the family is singing happy birthday and Chuy is ready to blow out his candles, the cameras are ready.  I step in and ask my sister to take a picture of Chuy and I with his first birthday cake at the our house.  To which my mother grabs me and pulls me out of the picture saying “It’s not your birthday!  Don’t steal the spot light Rachel!” and she makes Chuy blow out his candles while her nails dig into my skin keeping me from him as I scream “I’m going to be his wife!” and she replies “Not yet!!”  oh my, only my family, only my family….  Chuy thought it was hilarious but he did really want a picture of the two of us celebrating his birthday.  Next year I’ll be sure not to sit by my mother ;)

Following the HUGE dinner we shared, salmon, saffron rice, strawberry spinach and feta salad, lemon cake with lemon simple syrup and berry compote…we all fittingly passed out on the couches.  It was a snore-fest with Chuy, my dad and me.  I didn’t wake up and move to my bed until 11pm.  That's when you know life is good.

Living Life to the Fullest with a loving and fun family.
-Rachel

Dog-gon week

What a freakin week! This week has gone to the dogs.
First the dog days of summer are definitely here with temperatures in the high 90's.  Then the neighbors pitbull escapes! The rumor has it he was going for my 2 year old nephew but the boy's chihuahua got in the way and it was attacked by the pitbull, instead of the boy.

The farmer got a stomach virus with a headache and he was throwing up for 3 days straight. He was sick as a dog.
And finally my puppies got their summer haircut. I love that they love me unconditionally because that haircut is embarrassing! I can't even post pictures, it's sad.

But we are going to Dallas this weekend for Memorial day/dance recital/graduation parties and no hair cut or sickness us going to stop us!

And then there were none

My Brussels Griffon, Ranger, was neutered last week.  He is so hyper and humps everything, I really thought this was going to change that.  I heard about a FREE neutering via Twitter a while back and I called to see if Ranger would qualify.  Unfortunately they had filled up their quota for small male dogs.  However, they did offer a $20 neuter service through their PALS program.  I was quoted $200+ from my vet.  When I was in San Antonio I got my other dog neutered for around $30 because they based the cost on your income, and I was a waitress, so I was poor.  I'm not so poor anymore, but I'm still stingy so I wanted a good alternative.  

We ended up at the TCAP they have inexpensive vaccines and everything!  They are located in Fort Worth, Burleson and Denton (where Ranger and I went) but they also have mobile vaccines that you probably see around the DFW metroplex.  We are really fortunate to have these opportunities so close by.  Out in west Texas, where I've been spending alot of my time, there aren't as many resources like this.


Poor Ranger was drugged up when we left the clinic, which was nice on the 1 hour car ride home.  When we got home, he was so confused by the cone on his head he got stuck facing a wall and couldn't figure out where to go.  Poor thing!


He was also a little aggressive while still on the medication, which I wasn't aware was going to happen.  (If I had read my post-Op instructions I would have found this out).  I did noticed I treated him like a baby more than he needed.  I thought he couldn't reach the food in his bowl so I hand fed him, but I missed a piece on the floor and he was able to reach that!  I also carried him up the stairs, but the next day he ran right up like nothing had happened.  A nice life lesson for me when it comes to the next living thing I take care of.  Whatever and when ever that is!  

Rise Up

"Surround yourself with people who fill your gaps. Let them do the stuff they’re better at so you can do the stuff you’re better at."

I read this quote in a blog and it reminded me of my life goal to "keep company with those you admire"

After moving to Dallas, being near my family and my dear friends I still feel like something is missing.  And it's not a boyfriend.  There's a piece of my life that should be full and it's not (again, it's not my "love tank" lol).  I have a job, a dog, a healthy lifestyle but --- it's on the tip of my tongue and I can not figure out what it is!!! 
Option a) volunteering. In college I was in a community service fraternity and a religious group that had service as a core element.  It was a part of my everyday life.  I'm ashamed to say, now it's just a part of my past
Option b) dancing.  I haven't been out dancing in FOREVER and I keep finding myself tapping my foot and swaying my shoulders when a good tune is in the air.  I love the teamwork that goes into a dance number!  Not to mention the adrenaline and endorphines that keep you wanting more!
Or Option c)  my independence.  In the past 6 mths I went from living in a 1 bedroom home with me and my dog to living in a 4 bedroom home with me, my dog, 4 family members, and 2 cats.  In a household that eats together, plays together and stays together, it's difficult to find time for myself.
So while I try to gain back my independence and pursue a passion of volunteering while dancing to my heart's content.....I will keep company with those who are happily independent, driven to volunteer and those who make GREAT dancing partners!  And (getting back to the quote) if I find that I'm no good at either of those things, I'll be sure to surround myself with people who are!

Any takers?

-Rachel
Living life to the fullest, surround by people I admire

Where did the time go?

I can't believe it's already June!  This year has FLOWN by!  I didn't blog much in May because I could barely sit still!  I was up in Dallas for family graduations, my sister's dance recital and a wedding. 

My friend Ally, Bride, Groom and Me!

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         When I was finally back in San Antonio I was focused on work.  June 4th and 5th I worked the 7 am breakfast until the 7 pm reception. To recover from my 24 hour working weekend I took a trip to Corpus Christi and went fishing in Port Aransas on the 10th and 11th. I didn't think I was a fan of fishing. Why sit around all day for the possibility of catching something (you don't know what, but something). As you can tell, I only participate when I know the end result is a sure thing. This is why I'm hesitant to gamble or play the stock market. This may also be why I am single and not on the career path I prepared for in college.

          The fishing trip was nice if you disregard the sea-sickness and the friendship that tragically ended. The 2 story fishing boat was air-borne at least 3 times and the rocky waters went on for an hour and a half! I didn't eat breakfast, so the only thing that came up was the champagne from the night before. Yea- eww!!
          And as for the friendship: I’ve come to realize as flattering as it is for someone to want to spend all their time with you, it can be draining and unhealthy. My mental, physical and emotional health were being sacrificed for the satisfaction of having someone who will "always be there".
         Always be there for what?
         Always be there for who?
The only person who needs to "always be there" for me is me. I don't say that in a selfish way, I say that because I'm not always there for me. I depend and let other people be there for me so that I don't hold all the responsibility. The person on this trip was always there for me but they would take a part of me with them, leaving me empty, drained, and lacking in self satisfaction and even self love (why love yourself when someone else can?)
          After the trip and after I guess "finding myself" in the Gulf of Mexico, I came back to San Antonio and finally felt at peace in my house. I had never really considered it "home" but after being on an island of awkwardness for three days, by Sunday I was able to relax in the comfort of the home I've created for myself. Which if I might add is FABULOUS!
         As I'm re-connecting with friends in town I'm choosing to only let in positive and healthy people. To only share my time (note: not give my time, but share it) with people who will make me a better person and friend. People who love me and I freely love in return.

Because really, at the end of the day, all you need is love.

-Rachel