Crash

Every night on my drive home from work, before I get onto the highway (35 for you locals) I take a peek and see what traffic is like. Being that I typically work until 6:30, it isn't too bad. Unfortunately last night... it was bumper to bumper for as far as the eye could see. My first thought? "Dang it, there is a wreck and it's going to cause me to sit here all evening when I could be home with my lovies."

Turns out I was right. There was a wreck... on the OPPOSITE side of the highway. So why was the North bound side of the highway at a stand still? The answer: Because the wreck was so bad that the fire department had to use both sides of the highway to get to the injured people. As I drove past the wreck I couldn't help but see at least 6 cars that were involved crushed to pieces. Some just had the bumper pushed in, others were missing the entire back half.

I saw a man just sitting in the driver's seat with his head back, waiting for the whole thing to end. Another woman whose brand-spankin' new car had done a complete 90 degree turn into the concrete wall dividing the North and South lanes sitting in her seat talking to an officer balling her eyes out. Another woman behind her, laying on a stretcher with her neck stabilized. And then at least 3 more cars behind them... all involved.

My heart immediately sank and I felt tears well up in my eyes. Right then I said a prayer and asked God that he take care of every single person involved. The next thought I had was that I was the biggest B alive. How could I complain about getting home later than usual while these people aren't getting to go home now at all. So there I sat comfortably in my car, thanking Him that I was on my way home to my loved ones while these people were being hauled off to the hospital.

I quickly then reminded myself that driving is a privilege that we all take for granted and think we are the best at. I don't care who you are, how well you think you can drive, one small mistake and you could be crushed to pieces. I will be the first to admit that when I find out there is a wreck up ahead I curse the thought of it.

In February of 2011, I got in a wreck (my first and only). I was going 70 mph on the same highway and while I had enough time to slow down enough to where I didn't get hurt, I was still going fast enough for my car to be considered totalled and the air bags to deploy. If you have never been in a wreck, know that it is one of the scariest things to have to deal with. I was balling my eyes out and was so shaken up I wasn't sleeping well for a week. Thoughts of it just kept running through my head and kept me tossing and turning wondering "what if I would have been paying better attention?"

The whole point of this post is to just remind us all that car accidents are called accidents for a reason. Nobody wants to get in one, nobody means to get in one, and nobody wants to be stuck behind one. Just remember the next time you're waiting in traffic due to one, say a little prayer for the people involved rather than curse them. I know that's what I'll be doing.

Never Don't Give Up

"When you think about giving up, remember why you started."

There are times when we all get into ruts. Well, I can't speak for us all... but I'm pretty positive we all do at some point or another. Today I'm talking blogging ruts. I've seen many blogs where people are "taking a break" or just don't have anything to say that day so they just pull something out of their tookus. It's no secret that I have done this on way more than one occasion.

When I first started blogging well over a year ago I actually had a completely different name (Living With Grace). I'm not sure why I changed the name because now thinking back I really really love it! I think my issue was that I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about. I wanted to write about food and healthy living and style and beauty and well, just everything under the sun. So, I changed my name to Fat Girl at Heart. That was a bust... I totally realized that I did not want my entire blog to be devoted to food and healthy living. Believe me, I was beyond frustrated and finally after struggling with figuring out my blogging identity, I just threw in the towel. Nobody read my blog anyway (supportive family and select friends only).

After taking a pretty long break from not blogging at all... I noticed I really was missing it. I don't think my life is more significant than any other, but there is something about sharing personal things with the world... I mean let's be real, everyone likes to talk about themselves.

Finally after hopping back on the blog-train and finally figuring out who I was and what I wanted to write about (for the most part), I started this ol' thing and really got back in to the swing of things, and it felt good. A few months later, low and behold, I once again got really frustrated. I felt like I was writing for nobody. I mean don't get me wrong... having a "popular" (or whatever you want to call it) was and is still not my main goal. But there is something about seeing my stats jump from 12 to 100 over night, and something about reading comments from people I don't even know saying how wonderful they think I am. It just feels good to have positive support and reinforcement from people that aren't obligated to give it to me!

Basically, the whole point of this post is to say that if you love something enough, don't give up. What you're looking for will find a way to get to you, as long as you stay on the right path and have a positive outlook. No, not everyone is going to like me and my blog. That's ok... there are a billion other people out there that will. Just when you think nobody gives a rat's ass, you get 2 comments back to back with the most kind words. Yes, that happened to me just last night! It honestly was one of the greatest feelings and I went to sleep beaming!

With all of that being said, thank you thank you thank you! to everyone that has ever read any of my posts, left comments, sent me emails, or supported me in any way possible. You are the ones that give people the courage and will to keep going, whether you know it or not!

Thanks, friends!

PS have you guys seen this picture? It makes me laugh at how not only did the person getting the tattoo not notice, but the artist didn't either. Never give up, but definitely DON'T get this tattoo! Haha

That Had to Hurt

Ok, I know I deemed Fridays to be "Foodie Friday", but so far it's really not working out, haha oops! I promise as soon as I can get my crap together, the recipe posts will keep coming. For now, I will just continue to load you all with excuses such as:

"I had planned to make dinner on Wednesday night but wasn't feeling well and didn't feel like cooking so we ordered a pizza."

OR

"I was going to make dinner Thursday night but Raymond had a softball game and we didn't get home until after 10pm."

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Like I said, last night we had a softball game and let me tell ya, it sure was one heck of a game. Apparently the team they played were their "arch nemesis" so it was a big deal. Unfortunately our team came out of the gates SUCKING (sorry, guys), and were down 12-5 with 6 minutes left in the game. Somewhere, some how, The Baggs pulled 8 runs out of their you-know-whats and came back with the W! It was actually really awesome and fun to be cheering them on. I am so glad they won because the other team were a bunch of trash-talkers and they are absolutely not 12 runs worthy!

To top of the awesome win, we had a blow out on the way home. Luckily R can change a tire like a champ and we were back on the road in no time (seriously, not even 10 minutes)! I thank the Lord I have a man that is capable of changing a tire... something I believe every man should know how to do.

SOMEBODY thinks he is still small enough to sit on the console!

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All of this softball talk has me reminiscing about 5 years ago when Raymond and I first started dating. I want to say we had been dating for a month (?) when he took me to one of his softball games. Everything was going smoothly, and I'm sure he was trying to play his best to impress me. My first thoughts were that he was really really good and I was definitely impressed!

Raymond was playing short stop and a guy from the other team was up to bat. As soon as he hit the ball Raymond caught it (of course), but he needed to get the ball to 1st base to get out another guy. As soon as he threw it, I heard SMACK! and then a "Ohhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!" from both teams, and all spectators. The ball hit the guy smack dab in the center of his upper back. Holy cow did that have to hurt! R felt like a complete jerk, to say the least and I'm sure he was completely embarrassed. What a way to break in a new girlfriend, huh?

Surely enough, his throwing tactics didn't scare me away and now almost 5 years later I'm catching his balls... (softballs, that is)!

Love you, poo!

Now What?

If you read along regularly (thank you, so so much!), then you know that I am on a journey to finding my faith. Before I could write about my struggles, doubts, and questions, it took me a long time to find the correct words. Heck, I was sharing some of my deepest thoughts with you all... that's scary! Of course, after I hit publish and there was no turning back, the weight of world had been lifted from my shoulders. Then when the texts, messages, comments, tweets, etc. came rolling in, I felt like a new person. Your sweet and thoughtful words brought me to tears (of happiness of course).

Well, now that it has been a few weeks since I wrote that post, I have kind of felt like I am at a stand still. I put so much effort and thought into "how am I going to word this so that I can tell everyone how I feel?" I spent so much time wondering what the best way was to say every thing so that I wouldn't feel judged or looked at like I was crazy. Now that all of the time I would have spent worrying is free, I'm not sure where to go from there. How do I further my journey to finding what I'm looking for?

I don't feel like I am (or if I will ever be) ready to go to church. Is there something I should be reading? How does one learn about their faith without being born into a family with an already solidified religion? I want to find what I am searching for without losing who I am in the process. I don't want anything to be forced upon me, but to just come naturally. Maybe there is nothing I should be doing at all, other than simply just believing. So until I find what I am looking for, I'll just continue on with what I am doing... and that's praying.

I would love to hear any about any struggles/journies any of you have ever faced or are facing now. Inspiration can be found in anyone's story so I am all ears. With that, I will leave you with a song that is one of my favorites right now...

Random Recap

My weekend was completely random and almost completely boring thanks to being unable to move around too much...

Raymond went out Sunday morning to pick up breakfast and brought back tacos... and an extra one just for Guero. I cannot get over how spoiled rotten he is!


Big head, Sitting on daddy's lap, Nap time


Being forced to sit still and move with caution really makes me realize how much just walking to the car can do for a person. I Cannot wait to heal and get back to our usual weekend water volleyball games and working out. I'm weighing the options of canceling my gym membership. I really want to get into running (seriously) again and I don't feel like I can do it on a treadmill. I want to invest in some DVDs such as Brazilian butt lift and some yoga videos.


Taking care of mama while daddy works


I ended up making a sprinkle cake for our friends' going away party the other week. It actually turned out pretty cute but my crappy cell phone picture just doesn't do it justice. I will say that the entire thing got wolfed down before the other gourmet cake that was there. Homemade for the win!

Here in Austin there are a few bridges that are known for housing bats. A lot of people will go stand on/under the bridges and wait for them to fly out. There are so so many bats all at once and it really is a pretty neat thing to see.We went to dinner with some friends on Friday evening where we sat outside on the patio. The restaurant is close to one of the bridges (old McNeil and I35 for you locals) and we just so happened to catch all of the bats. I just wanted a picture and wasn't expecting anything good because it was on my cell phone, but I ended up with this really amazing picture of R throwing up the Horns.

Obviously I've been having to take pictures with my cell phone and it's because my digital just blows these days, and am in the market for a new one. I don't want anything big and fancy but something that will still take quality pictures without breaking the bank. I would love any recommendations!

Saturday night I was actually able to get out of the house again for a few hours and it was to wish my BFF a happy birthday. She's an old lady now (29) so I had to make sure I could be at her party in support of her last year as a 20-something. Happy birthday again, Val! Love you, ya old hag! ;)

PS My aunt is having foot surgery today, so any prayers and well wishes sent her way would be greatly appreciated!

Road to Recovery

Hello and happy Friday!

I just have to thank everyone that sent me tweets, facebook messages, emails, phone calls, and text messages with well wishes and prayers. They all meant the world to me knowing that there were people out there thinking about me! Thank you all so, so much. :)

My plan was to have another Foodie Friday Recipe post for you guys, but I haven't had a chance to make anything worth sharing. Let's be honest, I haven't been able to make anything at all. My breakfast this morning consisted of Pringles and Snickers Ice Cream. Don't worry... I'm not complaining one bit about it.

Backing up to Wednesday (surgery day), I was up and headed to Temple for a check in time of 10am. After settling in to the waiting room, about 30 minutes went by before we were called up to my pre-surgery room where I would be getting my robe, IV, and things of that sort. We started with a surgery time of 11:30am but didn't actually go until 2:15pm. Yep, you read that right... I was laying in a hospital bed with a creepy IV in my hand and compression gear on my legs, for almost 4 hours waiting, and dreading the moment I would actually have to be separated from my momma and wheeled away to never wake up again. Dramatic much? Maybe just a little.

We passed the time just talking, watching TV (very hard to focus), taking pictures, and me having to pee about 4 times. Whatever they were pumping into me mixed with my nerves and I was a peeing machine. I almost failed to mention that the waiting process left me starving. I had to fast the night before so by the time I was out of surgery, it had been over 20 hours since I had anything to eat.



This looks like a pocket, but it's not. It's a boob hole.

 

After finally saying goodbye to my mom, I was wheeled away into the operating room where I really started to get nervous. Luckily, the nurses and doctors were incredible and kept me talking enough to keep my mind off of what was going on around me. It also helped that the doctor gave me a quick dose of meds straight into my IV and made me feel immediately drunk. Before I knew it... I was out. I don't remember falling asleep at all, just waking up telling the guy that I had a really good dream and I was sad because I couldn't remember it. I really would love to hear what some people have to say right before/after surgery. Some of the stuff has got to be hysterical thanks to the drugs.

So with all of that being said, my surgery went flawlessly, and I am extremely pleased. I wouldn't mind taking another awesome nap like that again... without the surgery part of it, haha!

Now I am home and recovering. Moving slowly, in a bit of pain, but I can handle it. Besides, I have pain pills to help me out. The worst part about the recovery is my throat/jaw/neck are in awful awful pain from the tubes that kept me breathing. Yuk!

I also keep finding monitoring pads on me. So far I have found 3, and I'm thinking I finally got them all!

I feel like a horrible mama to my baby right now. He just lays in my spot on my pillow and stares at me wondering what the heck is wrong with his mama. I can't wait to be back to normal so I can run him ragged!

And something gross for you guys? I cannot wait to shower! I have to wait 48 hours so 5pm today cannot get here fast enough! I'll leave you all with that, you're welcome. ;)

What was I Thinking?

Well folks, while you're reading this I'm probably off in dream land and under the knife. As long as I dont die, posts will appear at the regularly scheduled time!

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A few weeks ago I was being a lazy butt watching TV and saw a clip having to do something with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. I remember being head over heals in love with Freddie Prinze when I was younger and while seeing him flash onto my television, all I could think was "What was I thinking???" Seriously... he really is not as dreamy as I remember!

This in turn lead me to thinking about all of the other guys that I had huge crushes on growing up, but now cannot, for the life of me, figure out why. I've decided to keep real life people out of this post for the .02% chance that any of them ever read my blog... so we will stick with the celebs!

I don't think any of these guys are ugly by any means... they are just totally not my type these days.



Freddie Prinze Jr.

I was totally in love with Freddie when he made the movie 'Down To You' with Julia Styles. Man oh man was he just the dreamiest of dream boats, or what? This above picture is actually the screen shot of what I saw on TV a few weeks ago. I just cannot get over whatever look this is that he is trying to pull off... smart/bookworm/quiet/idontcare look? Not feelin' it, buddy.

Josh Hartnett

I fell madly in love with Josh in the movie 'Pearl Harbor' . I won't deny... still watching that movie makes me love him but any other time, all I want to do is wax his dang uni-brow!


Ben Affleck

Same goes for Ben in 'Pearl Harbor'. Can't get enough of him but any other time, that butt chin just aint gonna fly.

Justin Timberlake

Ok, don't even get me started on this one! This picture makes me die laughing every time I see it. Salmon turtle neck and a bleached perm? HA.


Mel Gibson

Oh, Mel. What the heck happened to you? Why did you have go all crazy nutzo on us? At least we still have "Braveheart' to remember you by.

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I would absolutely love to hear about the guys that used to have a place in your hearts!