my week in photos. // 1

Hi!  Remember me?

I'm that girl from this blog who got a new job and has been SUPER busy.  This in turn has caused me to neglect my blog this month.  I am currently working to get a new schedule down. Promise.
Because of the aforementioned busyness, I am presenting you with my week in photos in what I believe will become a normal thing around here. 

Well, I am currently waiting for my new glasses to come in.  I figured that a selfie with my old trusties would be fitting.  They've been good to me, but they are so scratched up now that it's surprising that they are even helping my vision at all at this point. 

 Miss Mattison insisted on practically every toy and stuffed animal she owns to be in her bed for a super awesome slumber party last weekend. By the way, everyone of them has a name.  Every. One.  

The move to my new office was grand.  I'm getting everything all set up.  Of course, no desk of mine is complete without Wonder Woman.  

Of course, my other Funko POP! friends are slowly joining the party.  The Force is very strong in this office.

I absolutely LOVE riding around with the mister is his big ol' truck.  I don't even know what we were doing...or where we were going here.  Isn't that sad?  
I'm getting old.

Well folks, I'm off to enjoy my weekend!  I'll be doing the music thang in Denison this weekend. Anyone else have big plans? 

Enjoy!

8-bits of awesome.

Each week I talk about 8 things that I find to be awesome.  Whether it be geek news, things to be added to my ever-growing wishlist, funny pics or some rad new music...you'll find it weekly here at The Shiny Happy in my

And here we go:

• Can you truly pass up seeing The Boss cover Lorde!?  No.  No, you can't.  Springsteen's cover of "Royals" is pretty sweet.
• Ever wonder which superhero you resembled the most?  For me, yes...everyday.  I thought I was Wonder Woman.  Apparently, I'm Captain America.  I can live with that.  Which Superhero Are You?
• My friend introduced me to MOG this weekend.  Anyone else using this?  I might be hooked.  Especially since I haven't gotten on the Spotify wagon yet.  Which is better?
• I seriously died laughing when I saw this.  This is so me...sorry.  Pin for the win!
• I have been obsessing over this watch for too long.  Ugh.  It must be mine...soon!  I just have to win a little from the lottery first...
• I have big plans to go to  my very first Dallas Comic Con in May.  I can't stop thinking about it.  Anyone else going to be there?
• I have a new love in the form of an Etsy shop.  Everyone should check out House of Darkly.  So many wants!!!  Especially the 8-bit Geek necklace!!
• It's Pi Day!  Pi Day!  3.14 Pi Day!

Alright! And that's a wrap on this week's 8-bits! What things are bringing the awesome to your life this week? Let me know by sharing your links in the comments. I can always use more awesome.

thankful.

I know that many people have taken to Facebook to participate in the 30 Days of Thankfulness, but I didn't.  I never have.  I am, however, incredibly thankful...everyday.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I would discuss the things for which I am truly thankful.

1.  The Amazing Mister.

I've never loved anyone more...

Soon I will share the story of the mister with you.  Soon.  Until then, just know that this man is seriously amazing.  I'm thankful for every day that I get to spend by his side.  He is my most favorite thing ever in the history of favorite things.  I could go on and on about how much I love him...but I'll spare you.

2.   Miss Mattison.
 

Unintentional matchy-matchy.

Thanks to the mister, I am also the "bonus mom" to Miss Mattison Dawn.  This kiddo is awesome.  I'm such a proud mommy & super fan.  You've just got to love a kid that will back you up with the "Oh, oh, ohs" while you're in the car singing Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" at the top of your lungs.  Yes, she's that awesome.

3.  The Parents.

1.  Step-dad, RD    2. Mom    3.  Dad & Laura

I have the blessing of four parents in my life.  All different in their own way, but all amazingly supportive & loving.  I have turned out to be (IMHO) a well-adjusted adult, thanks to them.  I don't know what I would have become had it not been for each of them being a part of my life & loving me.

4.  The Siblings.

My siblings: (clockwise) Chad & Shannon, Cody & Leann, Matt, James & Laci, Shawn & Amanda)

My in-laws:  Ronny & Debbie and Ben & Gina.

Having a slew of brothers and sisters is pretty great.  Especially if you have mine!  You might not, but I count my in-laws as true siblings.  Maybe yours are lame, but mine are awesome.  With that being said, I have 7 brothers (Cody, Chad & Matt and in-laws Shawn, James, Ronny & Ben)  and 6 sisters (Laci & Amanda and in-laws Leann, Shannon, Gina and Debbie)...and I'm thankful for each one of them.    

5.  Being the Awesome Aunt.

The whole crew (l to r): Lucus, Caden, Taytem, Bralyn, Jake, Jazmine, Jonah, Colton, Aaron, Kathryn, Lexy, Gianna, Keith, Hadlee, Kristen, Amanda, Paul, Blake and Tuff.

I absolutely LOVE being an aunt.  I first became an aunt to Aaron at 13.  Now, 20 years later, I am the aunt to 18 (11 nephews & 7 neices).  Aaron, Kathryn, Keith, Kristen, Lexy, Tuff, Jake, Caden, Luke, Colton, Bralyn, Jonah, Tatym, Jazmine, Gianna, Amanda, Paul, & Blake...with one on the way!  AND, I'm a great aunt to little Miss Hadlee!

6.  The Rest of the Gene Pool.

Just a few of my faves:  Granny & Papaw, cousin Angie, Uncle Mike & Carlie, Cousins - Andrew, Nathan, Carleigh & Micah, and Mamaw.

I absolutely love my family.  Every single, crazy one of them.  I'm so thankful that we're such a loving group.  I'm fortunate that I actually look forward to my time with them.  

7.  Super Awesome Friends. 
I've said it before, I'll say it again.  I honestly have some of best friends in the universe.  Of course, I've already filled you all in about that when I wrote about Friendships for Thirty-somethings.  I just couldn't leave them out.  They make my life so much better.
 
8.  Coffee. 

This may seem silly to you, but you just don't understand.  Coffee makes me a better person.  YOU should be thankful for coffee.  It makes me human in the mornings.  Most people are alive today because I had my coffee.

9.  My handy, dandy iPhone.

Again.  Completely valid.  I've been an iPhone user since the 3G first came out.  I'm invested, people.  If you know me, you know that my iPhone is attached to me. Love me, love my iPhone.

10. Music.

Studio work in Tulsa for Rita Fulmer's album.

My outlet.  I'm thankful that my Mom has encouraged my love for music.  She may have resisted the drums for several years, but thankfully she finally gave in when I was 15.  I love music.







What are you thankful for this year?  Let me know in the comments & most of all, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

five senses friday #7.

Five Senses Friday is were I reflect on the last week through the senses.  My week has been pretty calm, for the most part.  It seemed like it took FOREVER for today to finally arrive.  Still, there was plenty of action.  So, here we go!

Tasting::

The mister's AMAZING smothered pork chops and homemade bread.  He's the best! Chips and salsa on date night last night.  That man knows what I like.

Feeling:: 

Ready to find our new home and get moved in.  Excited about the houses we've seen (and we still have one more tonight).  Cold mornings of 20-30 degree weather while taking Jax outside.

  

The results of my last Color Run.

Beyond pumped to be headed to my second Color Run in Dallas on Saturday with my mom and a couple of friends.  Anticipation of my very first Loot Crate that will be shipped next week!  I can't wait!!!

Seeing:: 

A few gorgeous houses that I could be happy living in for the rest of my life. Dog hair.  Everywhere.  The movie "Road House" for the first time...at the request of the mister.  Of course, you can't go wrong with a little Swayze.  Am I right!?

Hearing::

 

The awesome voice of my friend, Rita Fulmer, as she sang and I played the cajon at her mom's wedding.  She is amazing.  I recently sang backgrounds and played drums on her latest album.  I play/sing with that girl every chance I get.

Smelling::

(febreze.com)

A nice-smelling man when I came home last night...all dressed for a surprise date night.  Yum!  Mexican food for dinner.  Apple Spice & Delight Febreze to combat the "Jax" smell.

What were some of your experiences this week?  Feel free to play along in the comments, find me online or post your own blog!

sunday social - week 2.

Wahoo!  I'm rockin' this week's Sunday Social!  Check it out & get linked up!

1. What is currently on your wish list?  This depends on whether we're talking necessity or pure want.  I'm in need of some new clothes...and we're looking to buy a house. I also need a fancy schmancy iPad sleeve. Definitely practical wish list material.  Pure want?  This Yamaha DGX640W Digital Piano.

So I can get back to playing/writing. I've been a slacker lately with no access to a piano.  My guitar is currently out of commission and you can't exactly write and sing from a drum kit. 

2. Share a new iPhone, droid, iPad app that you have recently discovered that we all need.  I don't think I've discovered much of anything lately.  I pretty much stick to my usuals...and CastleVille every now and then.

3. What is a new fall TV show that you have added to your DVR?  Nothing new really.  We currently DVR Sons of Anarchy and Survivor.

4. Share your social media links so we can follow you. (Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, etc) Tell us which is your favorite and why.  You can find me on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  I seriously love them all, but Twitter reigns supreme.

5. What is a TV show, movie, or song that you could watch or listen to over and over and never get tired of?  TV show - Friday Night Lights, New Girl, Friends, Sons of Anarchy & The Big Bang Theory.  Movie - Bridesmaids, Iron Man, Tombstone, Hunger Games.  The songs change to much.  No way I could just pick a few....

Come link up with us and get Sunday Social! Meet new friends, comment on new blogs…it's fun!

Until next time...

five senses friday #2.

Five Senses Friday is were I reflect on the last week through the senses.  This week has been quite the whirlwind.  Whew!  I am so happy that Friday is finally here!  
Here are some things from my world lately.  

Tasting::

 

A dirty chai from my favorite barist-o -- my nephew, Aaron.

Awesome cups of coffee in my Wonder Woman mug and too much Diet Coke.  I did so well for a while by just sticking to water, tea & coffee.  Now, the Diet Coke beast is back.  No bueno.  I'm also missing my Dirty Chai from CJ's in Denison...

Feeling::

from House of Hepworths

Slightly stressed from work.  Excited about one of my favorite weekends of the year -- Texas/OU weekend!  Hook'em Horns!!  I'm a bit intense about my Longhorns.  Disappointed that I won't be at the State Fair on game day tomorrow.  Hopeful that something magical happens and we pull off a win. (We're not looking so hot this season). Anticipation for the cool, fall weather!  Texas needs to cool off!  In love with the mister.  He's truly amazing.

Seeing::

Jax and his cute little face!  Ugh.  Through puppy training frustrations, he can still make me melt with that mug of his.  Punk.  
The mister and I also watched "The Purge."  I thought the concept was pretty cool.  He wanted to see more of the concept carried out beyond the walls of the home.  Either way, we both liked it.

Hearing::

"Best Day of My Life" by American Authors.  This is my "convince myself that this day won't kill me" song.  While I may start off listening to it in the mornings with a scowl on my face, it eventually grows on me.

 

Also, my father-in-law serenading the mister and I with his new guitar when we pulled into his driveway.  

Drive-in Acoustic Serenade courtesy of THE Tommy Henry.

Smelling:: 

Ahh.  The smell of deer corn and diesel fuel while setting traps.  (Yes, we're true Texans).  Fresh, cool air while driving through the pasture.  The first day that I needed a hoodie.  Unfortunately, also the last day.  C'mon FALL! 

 

What were some of your experiences this week?  Feel free to play along in the comments, find me online or post your own blog!