8-bits of awesome.

Along with the new update (and with the brilliant help from my design guru, Andy), I am starting a new weekly post.  May I present: 

 

Each week I'll 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.  How will I narrow it down to eight!? 

That's a jolly good question.

 

Let's see how this goes.  Here's this week's 8-bits:

 

• I do not tell people that I'm a runner.  You know why?  Because I'm not.  I'm more of a trotter.  But frankly, these Wonder Woman running sleeves would give me superhuman speed.  Truth.

• I think this is my favorite pin this week.  I am adopting this traveling philosophy.  Thankfully the mister is understanding of my wanderlust and encourages my trips.  He however...not so much.  Not really a wander-ish bone in that man's body due to a disliking of long road trips and plane rides.

• I am seriously living in OCD heaven thanks to Jennifer over at My Purpley Life.  I love getting inspiration for my planner from her Filofax posts.  The obsession is real, folks.

• Everybody has bad days.  But, not everyone has this magical list of steps to get you through a rough day.

• Oh, people.  I love me some Robert Downey, Jr.  (Tony Stark, anyone?)  But couple RDJ and a swoon-worthy singing voice!?  As if I didn't already love him enough...

• If you haven't already discovered the International Geek Girl Pen Pals Club, your life is not yet complete.  I'm a fan...

• This cartoon about love really hit me in the feels.  It's pretty much the condensed story of Amber...  (That story is coming soon.)

•  Wanna know what song won't leave my stinkin' brain this week!?  "I Sold My Bed, But Not My Stereo" by Capital Cities.  It's so catchy.  You know it makes you want to take a much needed dance break...

Alright!  And that concludes our very first 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.

 

 

this year i...

Yeah....I've been slacking.  I've been holding off on some posts until after the launch of The Shiny Happy, but there has been some delay.  Then I just got in a funk of doing other things.  But, I'm back!!!  This post is a little late, but hey....it's still January! :)

Kaylah over at The Dainty Squid has an annual post that she has done called, "This Year I..."  Once I read it, I was motivated to create my own post to document the things I've done this year.  Big & small.  So thanks to her, I present my 2013 list.

This year I...

-started off the New Year as a newlywed in a new city with a new job.

-enjoyed the "I Love You Because..." board from my little sis.

 -bought new furniture with the mister.

-loved finding all the mister's random love notes.

-was thrilled to become Matti's "bonus mom."

-recorded an album with my good friend, Rita.

-enjoyed my fair share of coffee.

-rocked at being the super rad family that we are.

-participated in my very first 5K on my 33rd birthday.

-took my mom to her very first Rangers game.

-made sure to get plenty of pool time in at Mom's.

Matti & her friend, Taelor.

-got the most awesome running shoes from the mister.

-went kayaking in Broken Bow.

-took a road trip to Houston with my mom.

Starbucks.  Everyday.

-took Mattison to the Tyler Zoo.

-went bowfishing on the Red River.

-consistently found stuff like this on my phone after leaving it alone for just a second.

-added the cutest 4-legged furbaby to our family -- Jackson Kane "Jax"

- got myself involved with the local Relay For Life committee again as the Promotional Chair.

 

 

-participated in my second 5K/second Color Run in Dallas.

- marked my third 5K with the Ho Ho Ho Run in Tyler.

-made new friends in my new city.

-celebrated my first and happiest Christmas with the love of my life.

I hope your 2013 was a happy one...and I wish you and yours an even happier New Year!

color runnin'.

I don't call myself a runner.  I am not a runner.  Does that mean I don't enjoy a good 5K!?  No, it does not!  
I AM an aspiring runner.  One day I will run and not want to die.  See #27 on my 35 Before 35.

This weekend, I took off to Dallas with my mom and two of my friends for some 5K fun!
Of course, who has the energy to run the next day if they don't partake in some amazing Mongolian food the night before? hehe.

I was the Mongolian food veteran.  YUM!

 We got back to the hotel early since we were planning on taking the DART rail to Fair Park...and that meant getting up at 5am!  That's OK though, we were geeked!

Game faces....activated!

Starbucks is always a good way to live.

The DART ride was successful and gave us time to enjoy our coffee from Starbucks.  Oh, how I love Starbucks.
We arrived at the starting line early and had time to roam around and take some pics.  Aaaaaand...I got to meet the Runicorn!!  The Color Run's unicorn mascot.  Life. Made.

White girls CAN jump.  #proof

Life. Made.  I want a unicorn.

Let's do this!

Nothing says super rad like sporting my "Happy" neck tattoo.

This was my second Color Run and it was just as much fun as the first!  We didn't let the whole "5K" aspect stop us from mid-run photo ops...

Me & the mom.  She's awesome.

It seemed like we sailed through this run faster than last time.  Before we knew it, we were at the finish line enjoying the amazing Color Run after party. 

Notice that I was the only one to MAKE her own shirt?  Oh yeah.  I'm SUPER RAD!

My before & after shot.

The posse...before & after.

Of course...

After the after party fun, this was the result.

Post after party photo op. Headed to the DART station to call it a day.

 The next Color Run in Dallas will be April 12th.  Who's gonna join me?