the birthday is coming.

That's right, folks.  I'm about to be another year older.  I'll be 34....and April 6th is the big day.
Personally, I celebrate all month.  I've done it for years now.  All of April are belong to me.  I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing this year to celebrate.  
I'm a fan of birthday parties. What can I say?  I like attention.  My 30th birthday was an 80's Bash since I was born in 1980.  

My 32nd birthday was my first birthday back in Texas...so a Texas Rangers theme was appropriate.  PLUS, I'm a super fan.   I love me some Rangers! 

Number 33 was spent at my very first 5K -- The Color Run.  Seriously, best birthday ever!  We had so much fun!

Now we're here to the big 34.  What to do?  While I've been thinking of activities...we can't neglect the thought of the infamous wishlist.  You know I have one.  Everyone does.
Here's what has made the birthday wishlist so far:

1. Batman Funko POP! Vinyl
2. iMac Desktop Computer
3. Happiness Junky tee
4. Mantis Orchid Women's Bike
5. Totally Rad tee
6. Rainbow Unicorn Mug from Lenny Mud
7. Star Wars Saga DVD set
8. Womens Sanuk Bedouin Sky Bootie
9. Wonder Woman Retractable ID Badge Holder

 

Any celebration suggestions?  Let me know in the comments.  Any and all birthday cards will be accepted with leaps and squees. :)

 

Later, folks.

 

 

 

ho ho ho.

On Saturday, I participated in my third 5K - The First Annual Ho Ho Ho Run in Tyler.  My good friend, K, tagged along with me.  Well...she drove.  Either way, downtown Tyler was filled with more Santas than I had ever seen! 

We picked up our suits at 7:30am and went to McDonald's to change.  First realization?  The suits were super cheap.  My hand went through the crotch before I even got it on my body.  Luckily, I was prepared with other articles of clothing...or it could have gotten pretty interesting (and even colder).  K experienced the same problem and even gained another hole from the seat belt on the ride downtown.  Once more Santas arrived, you could see that we weren't the only lucky ones to experience wardrobe malfunctions.  Nice...
You also gotta love the whole adult one-size-fits all plan.  Yeah, that always work out well.  I'm on my journey to being that "one-size"...that's why I'm at this 5K!  Sheesh!  Thankfully, it fit.  Of course, I was a rebel and chose to be Batman Santa.  It was necessary.  The people needed a hero!

After plenty of photo opportunities, we were lining up.  K was bright enough to bring gloves.  I, however, did not.  I'm not really sure that I actually even own gloves.  I'm a Texan for goodness sake!  One man made it a point to share force his hand warmers into my frozen paws.  He was very adamant about this...to the point that K and I took a nice, little stroll to put some distance in between us.  Ok, sir!  I'll take them!   
Aside from our poorly constructed Santa suits, we had a blast.  5K number 3 is in the books.  My 35 Before 35 goal (#12) is coming along nicely! The wind and rain could not stop Batman Santa!  Or maybe it was "Batmanta"....

thanksgiving recap.

Greetings from the month of December, folks!  Can you believe it's here?  

Tis the season to throat punch someone be jolly!  Am I right!?

I'm finally rested from the awesome Thanksgiving festivities of last week.  This is how my holiday went down: 

• The mister and I drove an hour and a half to my mom's house on Wednesday night for the annual Pre-Thanksgiving Friendsgiving.  Just a bunch of good food (can someone say jalapeno burgers?) and good ol' boys. 
• Thursday morning consisted of pj's all day, cuddles with the mister during our annual James Bond-a-thon, and cooking with mom.
• Thursday afternoon, we left to go to my grandparents house to meet up with the whole fam.  Did that include skeet shooting?  Yes.  Yes, it did.  Was I good blogger who took awesome pics?  No.  No, I was not.  If I was, you would have sweet shots of yours truly crushing all 3 of my skeets.  Oh yeah!  But alas, I failed.
• I drove my grandfather's golf cart out to shoot...but it died.  I may of had to walk back and just leave it out in the woods.  Yep.  I'm awesome.
• Food, food, food and photo ops with the fam!  Enjoy....

I seriously love my nephew.  He is beyond amazing!

The mister & I with some of my favorite cousins, Nathan & Carleigh.

Couldn't miss getting a shot with my favorite lady.  Love my momma!

Go ahead & tell me how awesome my little nephew is.  This is golden.

I was not a trooper this year.  I did not get up early and shop.  No sir, no ma'am.  The mister and I slept in like the lazy brilliant people we are.  That afternoon, we braved Wal-Mart, but only the Lawn & Garden center for some Christmas decor.  Since this is our first Christmas together, we had to buy everything!  FUN!  Luckily, we were out in a flash and home to decorate.  The tree is up, folks!  I'm pretty proud.

Notice the pickle?  Oh yeah.  Necessity.

And look who celebrated his first Thanksgiving.  Don'tcha just love that little mug?

 

 

Did you and your family do anything extra exciting?  Let me know by leaving a comment.


Happy Thanksgiving to you guys.  Hope your holiday was as rad as mine.  Now on to the Christmas festivities!

the soup.

The Soup includes a mixture of all the lovely things that made me *squee* this week! It’s got my favorite geek news, social media posts, and anything other delicious thing that makes me happy. 
So, awaaay we go! 

• Geek Newsy Things:  Thor’s Jaimie Alexander Fans The Flames Of Rumorville By Talking About Warner Bros. Superhero Films & Wonder Woman at The Mary Sue and "Star Wars: Episode VII" Gets An Official Release Date at Nerd Approved. 
• Favorite Facebook/Instragram Post:  I'm thankful that my friend, Sophia, sent me a virtual Starbucks red cup cheers from California.  I can't say that I was thankful for her song choice -- "Friday" by Rebecca Black.  Ugh, earworm.

• 

  
  
• Favorite Tweet: "Shout out to @theradwagon!  One of the few RL people that can handle me on twitter." -- @jayosy (My friend, Joss, in California)  <--- She's pretty awesome by the way, which deserves a follow in my opinion.
• Favorite Pin:

  

  (imglove.com)

• Favorite Song: "Miss Jackson" by Panic! At The Disco
• Favorite Blog Post:  "The Littlest Turtle" at Daddy's Little Prop.  So. Much. Cute.
• Something I Learned:  One of the most popular marching songs for the Russian Military is the Spongebob Squarepants theme song.
• Wants of the Week: 
  
  LOVE this GameBoy Coffee Mug from This Is Why I'm Broke.  I think that seeing the "Game Over" at the end would make me even more distraught about having no coffee.
•  
  
  My, oh my!  So much want for this Michael Kors bag.  Ugh.  Give me your money!
  

  

  Seriously!  The cold weather is here and I live with Mr. Polar Bear.  I would rock one of these Star Wars Onesies in a heartbeat!
  
  

  

  
  As a proud girl with a gun, I love these target posters!  These are even better than the zombie targets that have been around.  I might need to order some and go warm up my Glock! 
  
  What are some things that made you squee this week?  Hit me up or share in the comments.
  
  
  
  

amber's army of awesome.

When I worked for a newspaper while living in California, my friend Dan made me the coolest thing for my desk.  

A stand-up paper doll of Mr. T. 

He looked just like this. (nickdye.com)

This was the most awesome thing that I had ever seen.  And it was mine!
It was then that I began crafting and creating what I affectionately called, my "Army of Awesome."  They are the defenders of the desk.  The warriors of the work station.  Everyone should have one.  

Just think, if you could form an army with any fictional character, person or animal, who would defend your world....er, desk?  It doesn't matter whether they have super strength or are primarily armed with a sharp tongue.  You can choose anyone you want.  That's the beauty.

For inspiration, I present to you:

Amber's Army of Awesome Top 20

1.  Chuck Norris.

(davemhuffman.com)

How anyone can have an army without recruiting THE Chuck Norris, is beyond me.  He's invincible.  True story, bro.

2.  Han Solo.

(darth.wikia.com)

 Why?  He always shoots first.

3.  Wonder Woman.

(wonder-woman.wikia.com)

In a world of ordinary mortals, she is a Wonder Woman...with her indestructible, golden lasso of truth! 

4.  Katniss Everdeen.

(bookriot.com)

She's tough.  She's smart. She's brave.  She hunts AND she's a pretty mean archer.

5.  Bruce Lee.

(fanpop.com)

The man brought martial arts to mainstream western cinema.  Not good enough?  Four words:  The. One. Inch. Punch.

6.  Nacho Libre.

(facesoflions.net)

What he lacks in skill, he makes up with heart and determination.
 
7.  Batman.

(batman.wikia.com)

 He is 1/3 of my "Holy Trinity of Superheroes."  I'll have to expand on that at another time.

8.  Iron Man.

(comicmix.com)

 Another member of the "Holy Trinity of Superheroes."  I have to admit that a lot of my obsession comes from Robert Downey, Jr.'s portrayal of Tony Stark.  Yum!  Plus, he can shoot fireballs out of his hand...so there's that.

9.  Megan (Bridesmaids)

(visualhollywood.com)

 I believe that Megan would take a bullet for me.  I just know she would.

10. Louise Belcher.

(bobsburgers.shoutwiki.com)

 Louise is adventurous, sarcastic & spunky.  Her words alone are weapons.

11.  Rebel Wilson

(blog.zap2it.com)

I'm honestly not sure why, but I feel like she would beat the junk out of anyone that messed with her. 

12.  R2-D2.

(theoldrobots.com)

You always need a good support team.  He's mine.  I love him.


13.  Yoda

(collider.com)

 One of the most renowned and powerful Jedi Masters in galactic history.  Enough said.

14.  Hit Girl 
 

(protagonist.wikia.com)

A young but effective vigilante.  Hardened.  Sarcastic.  Well-versed in blades & guns.
   
15.  Mr. T
 

(disney.wikia.com)

A "no excuses" straight-shooter equipped with mad wrestling skills and the look of intimidation.  Plus, he rocks a Mohawk.

16. John McClane

(playmakeronline.com)

A wisecracking, no-nonsense New York cop with an itchy trigger finger and a never-say-die maverick spirit…who resembles my husband.

17. Percy Jackson

(conkwright.clarkschools.net)

A half-blood with the powers and might of the Greek gods behind him?  Couldn't hurt.

18. Optimus Prime

(transformers.wikia.com)

A brave & powerful leader with a strong sense of justice and righteousness. That, and he's  a truck.

19. Beatrix Kiddo

(killbill.wikia.com)

Kung Fu master/killing machine equipped with the “Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique.”  Boom.

20. Tony Montana 

(empireonline.com)

Hey, everybody needs a "bad guy."

So, who would make up YOUR "Army of Awesome?"  Any changes I should make?  Leave me a comment or post your own blog and let me know!  

I'm always looking for more recruits...