Welcome Back Baby!!

Happy Easter everyone! I hope you are having a blessed day no matter how you are celebrating. What a beautiful day we are having in North Texas.

Today is the most wonderful day of the year! It is Christmas morning for baseball fans! It is the day I have been awaiting since one sad Friday night last October. Today is the day baseball returns.

Today is the day the umpire shouts "Play Ball!" and 162 glorious games of baseball plus the excitement of possibilities, endless possibilities lay in front of us! Today everyone has a chance to go to the World Series. Today everyone is undefeated for the only time all year. Today hot dogs taste a little better, beer is a little colder, popcorn is a little fresher, and every grown up becomes an excited little kid again!


Preparing for Opening Week begins early for me. Basically as soon as I come across a sale on Rangers merchandise! Oh, and people give me gifts like jewelry to help a girl swag in style!




Swag is requires! Lots of swag! Now to be honest the tank I am wearing will not be worn to the ballpark without something over it. It is a little too revealing for me to be seen in public but it is perfect for cuddling on the couch and watching Opening night at home.




This is actually what it says on the front and the back had a Rangers T and PINK because, of course, it is from Victoria's Secret. I love this tank so much I may have two of them.




I actually went looking for Rangers cupcake designs last night. Last year for Opening Night I baked some pretty amazing cupcakes for my special friends and apparently some of the gang want an encore. Who am I to refuse my public? I won't be going this fancy. That's a little too much for my skills with frosting and I don't do fondant. I will whip up something special for 2013 next weekend and I have an idea for a super party at some point this season. I have to use all those tailgate recipes I pinned somehow, after all.

Alright kids, I am still feeling a little icky so I am going to take a nap and when I wake up it will be time to open presents....I mean Play Ball!

Go Rangers!


Simply,
Laura
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Weekend Randoms: Baseball, Life, Love & Easter!

Thursday night I decided I was going to give up all social media for 24 hours on Good Friday and to be honest, except for working on my new blog header on Blogger (I love it!) and creating a Facebook page for Simply Me the way I see it, I managed to stay off everything else. I know, I am shocked too! No Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Blogging, Instagram, Timehop, LinkedIn, not even Meet-Up. I really felt left out! I was forced to keep everything to myself or text my friends. Apparently I was texting Chance stuff he saw on Twitter 2-3 days ago. I am so lost! Crazy!




The great part about Friday is that I survived one pretty awful week. I was under the weather and under a lot of pressure. There is irony in the last thing I handled Friday afternoon. I had a situation involving a bike rider who's name is the same as someone I kind of had a personal relationship with in the past and who is a bike rider. The name is not really common so that was odd enough but in a week of near misses on costly blunders this one could have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Thankfully, I got it handled in under 40 minutes and put that baby to bed as I was running out the door.




We are officially 1 day from Easter and Opening Day! It is a double holiday! Jesus and Major League Baseball return on the same day and this makes me, simply happy!




Add to that a very real possibility this weekend will include a lot of time on my favorite bike and it is looking golden! (Obviously I wrote this before the flood last night! Boo to no trails east of Ft.Worth!) Plus I start my 30 Day Bike Challenge on Monday. Rain or shine!




By the way, I spoke with my uncle Thursday night and he is doing very well. He is finally home and while he will be off work for a time with that head injury he is upbeat! I thank every one of my friends and all of the perfect strangers who prayed for him.




I absolutely believe this is true for me and everyone who has ever felt they lost something or someone they really thought they wanted. Someone who just seemed to get you. Someone told me recently your soulmate isn't the one perfect person for you it is the one person you end up with who turns into the perfect person for you. I love this because for a long time I thought maybe my soulmate was killed in a tragic piano accident or maybe he screwed up and let me get away. Turns out I was wrong. My soulmate is not someone who I lost. My soulmate is someone who will never get lost, never go away, never abandon me. God has a plan and at some point I just decided to give in to His plan, be happy, and trust God. If He wants me to be with a guy trapped under a piano he will raise him. If He wants me to be with someone who tossed me aside, He will toss me right back. If He wants me to be with someone else, He will let me run into someone else on a bike at Northshore, Horseshoe, Erwin, RCP, LBH or River Legacy. Something like that.
Be happy people! Life is a joyous adventure and a gift! Live the present and as always




I am! Lent is over and my antibiotics are done! I get to drink and tweet again (lookout!!) plus watch baseball ride my bike and love! Life is amazing!
Simply,
Laura
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Enjoy the Ride!

Simply,
Laura

It's Ok Thursday

Time to link up with Amber and Neely

It's Ok:


* I can't wait for Lent to end Saturday!

* My last dose of antibiotics is tomorrow and that makes me so happy! They are tearing up my tummy and making me miserable which isn't the point. Plus they make me sleepy but I can't sleep.

*This week has been terrible. Work has been bad, I have been sick, my uncle is still not out of the woods, and I am missing my bike and my friends.

* I am really wanting to go to Blissdom. All the blogs I follow have been really positive and since I spend about 10 minutes a day reading Twitter (that ends Saturday too!) I haven't really seen anything negative. My only concern is that I tend to be shy unless I have a friend or two around. I become my normal, crazy self when that happens. I'm awkward at small talk but after 10 minutes we are BFF's and all is good.




* The moon is still confused by daylight savings time.

*I don't understand how I can say things over and over and send emails about things over and over and people look at me like I have never said that.




*This is what I am living for right now!





* 3 more sleeps! Rangers!

Ok, time to start the day! Have a great Thursday!  Enjoy the Ride!

Simply,
Laura
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Blog Hopping; Wild Card/ What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Linking up with Samantha, Rebekah, and Marquis




Linking up today with Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday.

I'm Loving:

*God
He has a way of making me calm when I am worried and I am a worrier! Yesterday I got a message that my uncle was being rushed to the ER in Indianapolis after hitting his head in a fall. There was bleeding on the brain and they weren't sure if there would be brain surgery. Meanwhile, I am in Dallas 900 miles away and I am panicked. The only family I have left in Indiana is my Dad's and if you followed me for a time, y'all know how important my Dad was to me. (My Mom is too, don't get me wrong.)
Thankfully, my cousins sent me a message that the neurologist did not think brain surgery was needed and they were keeping him for observation.

*My Facebook and Twitter families who reached out to pray and comfort me while I was freaking out. I am blessed to have so many awesome friends who have been there for me all year and who are just a little over protective at times. (it is sweet that they offer to beat people up for me, really...but I am fully capable of handling myself.)

*My Mom who was also praying for her brother-in-law. Even though she has remarried, they consider her family and she considers them family.



*#4 (or #3 if you are reading this after 1:05 central time)


The number of days until It's Baseball Time in Texas! I am so ready!

*Hummus Chips




I kind of stumbled upon these and I LOVE them! I am going to look for them and take them to all my games at Rangers Ballpark this summer because they are not high in calories and I love that they are made from Chick-peas!



*Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner




I bought this Shampoo and Conditioner looking for something to give my hair strength because, as I am always dieting my hair becomes kind of brittle and breaks. I also have super fine hair.




Seriously, my hair is so shiny! I really love this stuff! It highlights & strengthens the fiery red. Hello! (That's the real color which shows up differently in different light).



*My crockpot


I'm thinking of using my crockpot to actually cook healthier meals. Crazy! I know!!



*My furkids:


My sweet girls who have been by my side for days while I was sick!
*my Twitterless Lent which I did break Tuesday because I needed to ask for prayers for my uncle, is almost over. Now I can drive everyone crazy and not just Chance, Khrystal and Rachel who have been good sports about keeping me entertained without Twitter.



*These shoes:




Ok, I would never wear these Christian Louboutin's but I know just the girl who would and when I sent them to her via text I could hear her squeal! They aren't me, but they are awesome!


*George Clooney/Jesus/God?




This photo off Facebook. Did you know that George Clooney was the spitting image of Jesus? I had no clue. Good job putting one over on me! You don't suppose George Clooney actually, nah....?

*The 30 day bike challenge I start on April 1! I am a lot nervous but all I have to do is ride daily. (I have never done more than 4 days straight). I can iron out time to ride even if the weather is bad on pavement. I am committed to this and I am super excited! I really want to get super fit. I have a goal that I hope to reach by next winter to compete. Yes it is crazy but so am I! If you want to accept the challenge you can sign up here: 30 Days of Biking Challenge
Just click on Pledge and fill out the form.  That's it! Oh, and ride!

*The Voice:
Wow is this season awesome! I always have loved Blake-Adam, Adam-Blake but Usher and Shakira are completely awesome! Love it! So much fun!

*That it has been one year since I wrote this Blog: Boys are Stupid and Girls are Crazy
This is one of my most visited and one of my personal favorite blogs.

*Bloglovin': You can follow me here: Simply Me the way I see it




What are you loving this week?
Hit me up and let me know!



----Enjoy the ride!


Simply,
Laura
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Texas Rangers Tuesday plus We made Bicycle Magazine!

I don't have a lot to say. Saturday's  blog about Josh Hamilton pretty much said what I had to say about him but....I have seen several interviews from Ivan Rodriguez and one of the things that struck me was a comment he made about how great the fans of the Rangers are and how one of the smartest moves he made was getting his contract worked out in 1997 so he could stay a Ranger.
You see what struck me about these comments is how much Pudge loves the Ranger fans. Michael Young has shown the same character and respect for Ranger fans. Both of them are loved even though they played part of their careers with other clubs. Both of these players are and will always be two of the three most beloved players in Texas Rangers history. The third player? A pitcher named Ryan.
Players have a choice when they leave a club for whatever reason and most players take the high road when it comes to fans. Most players realize that the fans are ultimately the ones who pay them. Most players recognize that things like jersey sales and memorabilia are and will mean money for them today and in the future. Most players realize to alienate a segment of fans who were not only respectful to them but who embraced them is just stupid. It's too bad that great talent and blessings are not always given along with intelligence. Maybe God makes some people smart and other people incredibly talented so we are more equal. In the end, players like Pudge, Face and Nolan will remain loved well beyond their careers or time with the Rangers because of the mutual love and respect they showed the fans.




So this is kind if cool. Remember a couple weekends ago I went to Rowlett Creek preserve for a Wheel Women ride and picnic? Well, we made Bicycle Magazine's blog! I'm pretty excited about this. I mean here I am an middle-aged , pudgy woman trying desperately to learn a sport I love for the first time in my life and my picture (above) is in a bike magazine blog! The photos are amazing and it is very favorable to DFW's biking community which makes me super happy!
Ok, I have been under the weather so time to call this the blog. Happy Tuesday! Enjoy the ride!
Simply,
Laura
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Cheesy Pickup Lines Monday Shots Blog

By the end of every Monday I feel like I was struck by a bus and I could use a shot or three so I decided to take some early in preparation. So let's talk, ladies.




I have this on-line free account with a dating site that I set up 3 or 4 years ago. I never check it and until very recently I had totally forgotten it. Something happened in the past 15 days. For no reason I understand I started getting a ton of emails telling me my profile has been viewed or I had messages. I ignored them and deleted the emails until Sunday morning.
I was sent yet another message that someone had viewed my profile so I thought, I am going to go in there and deactivate that account because I am not looking at this stuff. I was shocked when I saw that I had over 40 messages in less than a month. So curious, I started reading them and laughter ensued. Lots of it. So much so that I immediately sent Chance copies of some (because I knew he was still up at almost 2am). His response "LMAO, guys are dumb". This is why I love this guy! If you don't have a guy best friend you should!! Everyone needs a Chance. You can't have mine though because I already share him with enough women. :-)
Alright without anymore blah-blah from me let's get to it!












































I can't believe any man actually uses these things successfully. I give credit to the guys who simply said "hi, I think you're cute and would like to chat." Short, simple, to the point.
Here is my problem with half of these sites...I set an account up and when I want to deactivate it, I can never figure out how. It shouldn't be hard. There should be a delete account button. Anyway, I changed my relationship status to in one and I won't be getting messages now.
I will miss the humor but if you want to date me, you will have to find me. It's not hard. I'm either at Rangers Ballpark or the bike trails.
Okay, your turn! What's the cheesiest pick-up line you have been told and did it work?
Simply,
Laura
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Why we should cheer Josh Hamilton in Arlington

There are about 5 years and $125 million reasons why Texas Rangers fans should cheer Josh Hamilton when he comes back to Arlington to play for the second most hated team in Texas Rangers fandom. (Sorry Angels, you may be our biggest rival but we hate the Yankees more.). If, however, your favorite team not being saddled with the stupid-money contract isn't enough how about these:

*Josh Hamilton played his heart out for this club for 4 1/2 of his 5 years here. Yes, I realize his "eye sight" problems got the best of him just when the Rangers needed him most last year but the Rangers knew who Josh Hamilton was when they traded for him. Speaking of that:

*Josh Hamilton clearly became a distraction at the end of his time in Texas. The movie deal, eye problems, and odd Jesus talk became a little tired. I say odd because the Rangers have other players who are Christians and I can't think of a time when David Murphy or Craig Gentry gave an interview saying God told them to stop wearing high socks or listening to Maroon 5 if they want to get their swing back. I am a fairly faithful person but God just has never taken away anything to get me to do something. I don't know maybe Josh is Job or maybe he is confused but he can be confused somewhere else now.

*When push comes to shove Josh Hamilton was a big reason why this team went to back to back World Series. Don't get me wrong, he didn't carry them. Let's not forget however that he almost hit the World Series winning home run in 2011. Let's not forget that he was almost our hero.

*For everything he did at the end of last season to frustrate Rangers fans and yes he did frustrate me at the end too. (I may have been among those who boo'd him after his final at-bat in Texas and I am not proud of that.) Don't forget his amazing spring. Don't forget the many walk-offs. Don't forget there are people in Texas who have free floors and new kitchen countertops because of Josh. Never forget how many half-price pizzas Josh gave us over the last 5 years.

*The Josh Hamilton off field antics are no longer Ranger fans problem. Thank you for the Body Shot pictures Josh and thanks for making me giggle every time I go into the bathroom at Sherlocks now. Feel free to take the show to LA. They probably love your brand of crazy. You and Adam Levine can compare body art!

*Katie Hamilton single handedly kept the hair bleach business booming for the last 5 years. God Bless your over dyed head Katie!

*We all enjoyed those Ginger Ale celebrations courtesy of Josh and CJ.

If all of that isn't enough to make you cheer for Josh Hamilton or at the very least, not boo him, how about this:

*Josh Hamilton thinks we are ignorant football fans who aren't smart enough to know what he did for us.

*Josh Hamilton wants us to Boo to prove to the entire world how stupid we really are.

*Josh Hamilton has spent his entire spring training talking AT Rangers fans to make sure we all know how stupid he thinks we really are because he wants us to boo. Why does he want us to boo? Because Josh is trying to prove to himself that he made the right decision going to LA.

Hear me Rangers nation. If you really want to send Josh Hamilton a message do NOT boo, cheer! Cheer him because he left us. Cheer him for the 5 years he gave us. Cheer him because he wants you to boo and prove him right. Cheer him because it is the right thing to do.

When I see Josh Hamilton on Opening Day, I will be cheering him for all of those reasons and because in the end, I AM a real baseball fan and I love the Texas Rangers.


Simply,
Laura
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

What would I have Tweeted? Blog Update

I may not keep my alcohol free Lent but I have done pretty well on not tweeting. Ok, yes I checked my timeline about once a day. Yes, I did tweet my blogs through Blogger. Yes, I did tweet links from my Timehop and a few other apps that have Twitter access. No, my friend, I didn't tweet more than everyone who didn't give up Twitter for lent. (Yes, I saw your comment smarty pants!) So, has my Twitterless lent been successful? Kind of. Yes, it is back on my phone.



I know you are out there laughing at me! I even know who some of you are. Oh shush! It's my Lent and I make the rules. Here is the thing, I gave up Twitter because I needed time to figure things out and guess what? It worked. I am super happy, everything is awesome, and nobody can rain on my cray parade!

So I was thinking, "What would I have tweeted the last five weeks if I had been on Twitter?" Well, I know the suspense is killing you so here goes:

*Oh my GOD Rangers...what are you doing? Nolan!! No!!!!!

*Josh Hamilton nobody cares. Really just please shut up.

*Please stop raining! I want to ride!

*Y'all I am at a club and some woman is showing off her baby's pictures. At a club!

*OMG now baby mama's friend is crying at the club looking at the baby pictures!

*I'm in hell!

*I'm taking a wine glass painting class tonight with Trish!! So excited! Baseball glasses!!!

* I love my bike! This is the most fun anyone can have ever! At least fully dressed! ;-) :-0

*Nolan and JD please kiss and make up so we can beat the crap out of the Angels!

*My gosh why can't you people stop being fish?

*I don't know why anyone even bothers to unmask Twitter Catfish. It's just twitter y'all! Relax!

*I don't know how but I know Jerry Jones and Tony Romo are responsible for the JD-Nolan break-up.

*When did Kindergarten become Twitter?

*We need rules that on days when it is going to be nice, I have work off to ride!!!

*Yes! Let's spring forward & never fall back again. #MyBikeIsBACK

*Oh, just shut UP Josh Hamilton

*I see Holland and his woman broke up again on Twitter. Really? Grown Ups keep it private!

*Really Josh, we boo'd you because you quit so stop crying.

*Silver Linings Playbook: What Cowboy fan in their right MIND would ever bet on them in December?

*USA USA USA!

*I like what I see from Derek Holland! Hopefully he is focused on baseball now!

*I love baseball!

*Happy Dance I got my Rangers tickets! Opening Day here I come again!

*I have the most awesome friends! No really! Y'all should be jelly!

*Lucky Girl!! I'm a lucky girl!!!


*How the heck do you buy a house and not tell your daughter?really???

*Oh look everyone, Josh Hamilton is crying about being boo'd again!

*Are the Mavs still playing?

*If football players are worried about getting hurt they should play BASEBALL!

*OMG Benedict you are leaving us? #SadCatholicFace

*I got new bling

*Are the Stars still playing?

*Rangers countdown! Opening day in______Days!!

*It's beautiful outside #GoGetYaSome!

*Y'all I got mad skills!

*That moment when you get to your door & see a package from MLB.Com & don't know what's in it! #Facepalm

*The new pope is funny! #iStillMissBenedict

*Is it wrong that I think of the popes in music? #BennyAndTheJets vs #FrankieSayRelax

*I wish these trees would stop pulling out in front of me. #Ouch

*It's baseball season!

*OMG it's cold!!! Who ordered this cold weather?

*I totally love Downton Abbey

*I can't wait until I read Baseball tweets and NO Duck Dynasty tweets! #IJS

*Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle.

*I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like.

*Please shut up Josh Hamilton. I am so sick of hearing you whine about fans booing you. You QUIT on this team. You QUIT on these fans!

*snakes! DORBA is talking snakes. Please don't tell me to bunny hop them! #HateSnakes

*The Rangers walk off last night made me smile when I woke up from my drug induced haze. Beating the Angels rocks.

*Anytime I have to ride through a creek I worry about snakes....please stop!

*OMG this hot guy bracketology is Tough!! Jeez! I really SHOULD drink! Chance is up against Mark Harmon #WhatsAgirlToDo?

*I like talking about the Rangers winning the World Series like it is a fact and not a crazy dream like it used to be..when not if!

*Nothing on earth feels better than the wind in your face and dirt under your tires! #MTB

*No drunk tweets y'all! Sorry but I gave up drunk for Lent. #iSuckAtThatToo

*Note to self, never give up alcohol for lent. #NextYearGiveUpLent

*Odd compliment of the day: you'd make a really good drug addict. What??

*Riding cures stress and depression! I have both. Had....#Winning

That about covers it, I think.
Do you miss me yet? Have you even noticed I was gone? Tweet at ya later Tweethearts!

Enjoy the ride!


Simply,
Laura
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Fitness Friday: Take back your POWER! (Plus WE BEAT THE ANGELS!)

First my apologies to Rachel.  I promised my brackets today and I was trying to finish them last night but this is a huge undertaking and not something I can take lightly so, they will be finished next week however, I have a peview below....kind of.   The brackets are chosen but the seeding is incomplete. 

___________________________________________________________________________________

HEAR WHAT OPRAH WINFREY HAD TO
SAY ABOUT MEN :

If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away. If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay. Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you ...from heartache.

Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant to be. Slower is better. Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy. If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't "be friends". A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend.

Don't settle. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is. Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better. The only person you can control in a relationship is you. Avoid men who have a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently? Always have your own set of friends separate from his. Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If something bothers you, speak up. Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later.

You cannot change a man's behavior. Change comes from within. Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are. Even if he has has more education or in a better job. Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less.

Never let a man define who you are. Never borrow someone else's man. If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you. A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you. All men are NOT dogs.

You should not be the one doing all the bending... Compromise is two way street. You need time to heal between relationships. There is nothing cute about baggage... Deal with your issues before pursuing a new
relationship. You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you. A relationship consists of two WHOLE
individuals. Look for someone complimentary...
not supplementary.

Dating is fun... Even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right. Make him miss you sometimes... When a man always know where you are, and you're always readily available to him ~ he takes it for granted. Never move into his mother's house. Never co-sign for a man. Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need. Keep him in your radar but get to know others.

Scared of being alone is what makes a lot of women stay in relationships that are abusive or hurtful: Dr. Phil says... You should know that: You're the best thing that could ever happen to anyone and if a man mistreats you, he'll miss out on a good thing. If he was attracted to you in the 1st place, just know that he's not the only one. They're all watching you, so you have a lot of choices. Make the right one. Ladies take care of your own hearts...

__________________________________________________________________________________

Fitness Friday

I said yesterday that something clicked last week and I realized that I am responsible for my own happiness.  This week I have been sort of in beast mode where my physical and mental fitness is concerned.  I have worked out all week in some form or another to the point that I am sore.  Not from falling off the bike.  The bruises actually don't bother me.  I am sore from the weight training I have done this week.  So sore that I had to take muscle relaxers and pain killers last night that may or may not have knocked me out before the Rangers walk off win.  I also may have awakened at 1am and saw the score on my phone and smiled.  Beating the Angels is good, even in spring training.  I don't care about CJ Wilson anymore.  I am over him leaving.  I am sick of listening to Josh Hamilton talk.  He left so why do we keep asking him why?  Who cares?  I don't care about Katie Hamilton and what she thinks about rings either.  They are gone, goodbye!  Oh, but I digress!


Mentally I have been working hard on myself. I love what Oprah says because she hits the nail on the head.  Women have a habit of accepting men who aren't trying and aren't giving 100%.  I don't give 50%  or 75% of myself in relationships, I give 200% of myself so asking for less than 100% back is just not acceptible.  

I completely agree with almost everything she says.  I have said before I don't agree with marrying someone for the sake of the child however taking responsibility is huge and any man who has kids that he doesn't care about is not a man that I could ever consider seriously.  I also don't abandon my friends so if I cared about the man enough to be involved with him, I won't give up the friendship because we can't be together.  Maybe I can see who he really is inside and I know that no matter what a jerk he can be, he is truly good and needs to know if he needs a friend, I am there.

I think the biggest part about this is that we, as women, do not value ourselves enough.  We are willing to accept situations that we wouldn't let our best friend even consider.  I know for me the fear is, "What if he is my last chance?  What if nobody else will ever want me?"  I want to have  baby but I get older every day.  I worry that when I do meet the one (assuming that I don't already know him) that it will be too late.  I have come to the realization that no matter what, I will have my child.  I will find a way to have a child because that is what matters to me.  What I won't do is have that child with someone who doesn't want to be with me.  What I won't do is force a relationship on a man that doesn't want me as part of the package. 

Women need to take back their power and their self-respect.  We are not defined by the roles we play but by the people who love us and who we love.  Don't waste your love on someone who doesn't want you and isn't worth it.  Your heart has it's own mind and it is hard to change it  but never accept less because you deserve more.

I read somewhere that women have a habit of trying to make a relationship work and men look at the relationship and think, if this doesn't work there are 100 other women out there it could work with.  We need to value ourselves more.  Men also need to value us more. We are complete, loving, caring, fabulous, strong, funny, beautiful creatures who have unique skills, talents, and passions and a good man will see us for who we are and run to us not away from us.  I have made excuses for men: 'He is afraid', 'He cares about me but doesn't want to', 'He needs time to figure out what he wants'.    In making those excuse I was devaluing myself.  I was saying to myself  'it is ok to wait for him to realize how awesome I am and what a loss it would be if we weren't together".  Well, guess what?  It is a loss.  It is very sad.   It also isn't my fault and in the end, it isn't really me who lost.  I still get to be with me.  He doesn't. 

Oh, and I am funny, awesome, loving, strong, beautiful, silly, and I have the biggest heart of anyone you will ever meet.  Yes, I am cray.  I am also finding my beast mode on the bike and in the gym again and anyone who misses out on being with me for any reason just flat out lost. 




Happy Friday Loves!!!
Enjoy the Ride!!!!
Simply,
Laura
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

It's Ok Thursday

Linking up for It's Ok Thursday with Amber and Neely so let's see what's Ok today!


*It's ok that I checked my windows and doors last night after watching Criminal Minds. The episode which talked a lot about social media may have hit a little too close to home.



*It's ok that I can't believe it is only Thursday! I feel like I have had a week of Monday and I am so ready to spend some QT on the back of my bike for a long, long ride.

So speaking of.....


*it's ok that I have bruises I didn't know I had. The ones on my arms and elbows I knew about but the huge one on my leg shocked me. I don't know how I did it but I have fallen so many times in the last week I'm not surprised. I am really glad I haven't put my clipless system on the bike yet. I think I would be dead or something!

*It's ok that one of my co-workers saw me Wednesday and gasped saying "If you go to the grocery store with all those bruises people are going to send you to a battered women's shelter."  I laughed and told her I was going to get a shirt that says:
Nobody hits me,
I hit trees.
I <3 my BIKE!
*it's ok that I was just so exhausted Wednesday night that I made myself not workout. I felt terrible about it but I also knew I wanted to ride a lot this weekend and if I am going to complete a Th-M stretch I am going to have to listen when I am exhausted! Sucks but I guess I am human.

*it's ok that I have eaten this for lunch two days in a row:



Well, I haven't eaten all of that because that would be crazy but I have been on a Veggie and Hummus kick lately and I am really ok with that.


*it's ok that I promised a friend I would do my own special "March Madness" bracket Friday. I'm not going to tell you what but let's just say it's hot and has nothing to do with college hoops.

*it's ok to be happy. Really, truly happy. I don't know what happened but something just clicked and I realized that I have the power and that is very liberating.

*It's ok to be a little bit selfish for a change. It's time to say "I choose me".

*it's ok that friends say "so...you dating anybody new yet?" Um, I don't know. Am I?

*It's ok that I saw a picture of Garth Brooks (who I love) with George Strait (who I also love) and thought "who's the old chubby guy who looks like Garth Brooks?" I guess we are all older and maybe a little chubbier, Garth. Well, George isn't but I am not sure he is human.

That's it! Next time we chat it will be FRIDAY!!

Enjoy the ride!

Simply,
Laura
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Blog Hop Party! WIL, Bloglovin', and OHP Wednesday!

It's a linkup party today. There are so many awesome Blog Hops on Wednesday and I hate to miss out mostly because I follow all of these amazing blogs on Bloglovin' now and clearly Wednesday is the 'it' day of the week so I am linking up with a few....but there are others and I may join them later.






Linking up with Jamie at This Kind of Love for What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I love my friend Rachel!  She knows me so well!

She made me buy this "Watch Out! This girl is CRAY" shirt and I think it is probably accurate!

She sent me this text this morning after I texted her that Ian Somerhaulder's vehicle had been broken into.  She said the robbers were messing with the wrong people.  Being on my bad side is a very, very terrible place.  Stay away and let me work it out and you MAY survive it.  That's the key!




I love that Rachel is now talking about my bike Skye like she is a person.   We have this running joke that I fall when I am riding just to get the attention of all the hot mountain bikers on the trail.  I fall because I am either not paying attention or trying something I have never tried and learning.  That's the way it goes but any cute, single mountain biker who feels the need to check on me is more than welcome.  (I only want the attention of the married/engaged/taken ones if I am passed out and need 911).

I love pumpernickel bread and I was so excited to see these Pump Pretzels at Trader Joe's!!!



I totally love painting glass.  It started with these wine glasses above and has progressed to everything below.







                        This Mountain Bike Glass is my favorite and just a hint, my next tattoo will look similar.



This vase made it to my office finally.   I had to remember to bake it.  It looks so cute on my Rangers shelf and I am prepared for all the flowers I will be getting from that hot guy in waiting.  *Something like that!



Follow me on Bloglovin' cause all the cool kids are doing it!

Seriously, I don't know how I wasn't on blogloving before.  I love this place. There are a bunch of blogs on Mountain Biking and even one that is about biking in Dallas.  This is the best place to find new and interesting blogs to follow. I follow my friends there but also Vegetarian blogs and Cooking stuff and fashion and fitness and it is just so awesome!  (Am I gushing?)

While you are at it follow some of the great ladies of Bloglovin' if you don't already
Samantha , Rebekah and Marquis


Linking up with Michelle at the Vintage Apple for Oh, how Pinteresting




If you missed my weekly lament, I gave up alcohol for lent (Also gave up Twitter (mostly) but that I can live without). Can't wait for Good Friday and a drink....well Holy Saturday and a drink.






                                                  I have a naughty sense of humor sometimes.....










Okay that's the story and I am sticking too it!  Happy Hump Day!



Simply,
Laura
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone