Trip Around the Sun-Chapter 23

Hello Dolls!

I hope that you are all having a wonderful week thus far. For me, it’s pretty much impossible to catch me without a smile. Not only is this a 4 day week for me, it’s also Trevor and I’s 5 year anniversary and my birthday party weekend. (Actually birthday next Tuesday).

I will say though...I am having the absolute hardest time finding a new dress for this weekend and I live in the 4th largest city in America...WTH is wrong with me? If you have any suggestions on where to look, excluding the Galleria, and Memorial City mall, I am all ears.

Last year I wrote a blog about the past year and with my actual birthday exactly a week away, I found it fitting to do the same again. You can see last year’s blog here. I found it extremely interesting and entertaining to reflect back on the previous year. Some things have changed, and others, not one bit. One thing that did change is my job. I left the the job that I started my post grad career in for something more fitting for me. So far it’s been great, and definitely a learning experience. I hope that I continue to advance here and gain valuable experience that I will use in my career.

I moved out of the tiny 1 bedroom, 1 study, 1 bathroom (it shouldn’t have counted at a 2/3 bathroom for how small it was) apartment and moved into a house! A house with a yard, garage, guest bedroom and all that jazz! I wouldn’t take back the time I spent in my first place I paid for all on my own but I would NEVER go back. J

Made new friends and also decided I didn’t need some old friends in my life anymore. You only live once and life is too short to have people around who aren’t honest with you or spend their time talking behind your back. I left high school 6 years ago anyways. More importantly though, is that my real friends haven't changed a bit and no matter how far apart we are/how often we actually get to see each other, nothing changes. :) I love all you girls like sisters (You know who you are).

With that little recap of my past year, here are some photos of some of my favorite moments. I do want to thank you all for taking time out of your day to read my blog. Whether it’s your first time or your 30^th time, I appreciate it so much.

 August 2011-This was Trevor and I celebrating our anniversary last year at Vic and Anthony's Steakhouse. A year later we are getting ready to do it all over again. :)

July 2012-3rd Annual River Trip! 3 days worth of sun, fun, lots of a few drinks, and some of the best friends a girl could ever find.

 October 2011- Superman and Superwoman. :) We had an awesome time celebrating with some great friends. Even if I did get attacked my Snow White...

 November 2011- As sad, upset, and angry as I was that we lost this game, the t.u. vs Aggie game this year was some of the best tailgating of the year. I am very excited for the upcoming season!

 February 2012- LESSE BON TEMP ROULER! Mardi Gras Galveston was once again an absolute blast! Even with the 30 degree weather and biting wind, we still had an incredible night out.

 March 2012- This little guy was running from rising water in SETX, had no home, and no one wanted him. We couldn't bare the thought of him getting put down so Trevor and I met my Mom halfway between Houston and Bridge City to bring him to a shelter in Houston. Yeahhhhh, about that...5 months later he is now part of our family. He has grown from a scared, tired, sad looking stray to a loving, playful, calm puppy that everyone wants to take home with them.

 (Picture on top is the day he was found, the picture on the bottom is present day.)

  

 

June 2012- Jimmy Buffett Concert at the Woodlands Pavilion. Seriously one of the best concerts I have ever been to. It was awesome spending the day with my Dad listening to the music I grew up jamming out to with him.

 June 2012- NEW HOUSE! Left the apartment life for the house life and never looked back. Love.

 October 2011- Myself, Katie, and Marina decided (literally an hour before) that we were taking a road trip to Austin. Hands down one of the most fun nights of the year. From meeting fellow Aggies in Longhorn Land, Marina becoming a bar tender, Katie getting me free pizza, and the delicious hot chocolate that may or may not ended up on the bed, it was a night to remember.

December 2011/January 2012-New Year's Eve Celebrations! What a fun group we had! One of the best NYE celebrations to date.



December 2011-This Christmas was wonderful. Being home for an entire week and spending time with family was perfect. I truly am blessed with an amazing family back home and also a wonderful man who loves my family just as much as I do.

 August 2011- WOW, I can't believe this was already a year ago. This shot is about half the group from my birthday last year in front of the hummer limo my amazing, awesome, super friend Reeves rented for me. One of the best birthdays ever. I can't wait to try and top it this year!

I'm taking a paragraph from last years blog because it's just too good not to share again with the birthday only a week away...As a huge Jimmy Buffet stalker fan I live my life inspired by many of his songs. This one in particular I always end up listening to a lot when August rolls around each year. I think it's a great message and an awesome song. If you have never heard this song, I encourage you to take a few minutes and listen to it. It's called "Trip Around the Sun"-By Jimmy Buffett featuring Martina McBride. There is a particular line that says "Only time will tell if it was time well spent" and that is kind of how I want to live my life, no regrets, not worrying about everything, because eventually time will tell you if your decision was good or not. You can't predict the future so you might as well enjoy the ride.

As I close on Chapter 23, I am beyond excited what Chapter 24 is going to bring! I like even numbers so I've got a good feeling 24 is going to bring me good luck. Who knows what this year will throw my way, but with God's blessings and my friends, family, fur-babies, and amazing boyfriend by my side, I know it's going to be a good year.

Until next time dolls, have a great day.

Friday Favorites

It's Friday, which equals Friday Favorites time with Carlie at The Duplechin Daily

WHAT I'M LOVING!!!

Aggie Football Season Tickets are in!!!

Wednesday when Trevor went to check the mail he walked in and said we got a very expensive package today. Knowing we paid our first born quite a bit for these tickets I knew what it had to be. Did you know that the "average" sports fan will spend $90,000 on their favorite sports team throughout their entire lifetime? (That is insane, but totally believable.) This is our 3rd season as season ticket holders, and I cannot wait to get back to tailgating and the sea of maroon and white which is Kyle Field on gameday. Another exciting part of this upcoming season is our tailgate is being sponsored by Saint Arnold's Brewery ! If you are on campus and near the lot H, look for "Dat Crew Tailgate". Thanks and Gig'Em!

Flowers just because.

After making the 13 mile/38 minute drive home yesterday I walked in the house to find these sitting on the counter. I feel very blessed to have such a thoughtful boyfriend who doesn't need a reason to spoil me. He's amazing. :)

Sonic Fridays.

Yes, every Friday morning I treat myself to a Route 44 beverage from Sonic. It's delicious and it makes my Friday morning happy. You should try it sometime.

Upcoming Festivities

This up coming week marks my favorite week of the year. (Tied only with Christmas/New Years Week) Next week is not only Trevor and I's anniversary (5 years!) but it's also the day yours truly was born. With most of our Houston friends RSVPing "yes", combined with the 9 house guests Trevor and I will have in our house, plus few more additional "out of towners", it's going to be a blasty-blast and I CANNOT WAIT!

I guess I'm not your typical 23 about to be 24 year old. I actually LOVE birthdays! I love celebrating them! I don't understand why most people just don't get excited for their birthdays after college but most people don't. In any case, I am totally okay being the minority in this situation. My friend Ashley was telling me that she gets excited for my birthday because I get so excited! I have had several people tell me that can't wait for my party. That truly makes my heart happy. If people get excited enough to come hang out, have a great night out, and just have fun then I think my over excitement about my birthday is great. :) It never fails that my birthday celebrations end up being a great time and that is only because I am blessed to have a great group of friends and family that go along with my crazy birthday antics. So thanks y'all. :)

(Past Birthday Celebrations.)

2010 Birthday Celebrations (about half the group)

2010 Birthday Celebrations (all the girls)

2010 Birthday Celebrations-Dancing Fools

2011 Birthday Celebrations- About half the group in front of the Hummer Limo. (Thanks Reeves :)

2011 Birthday Celebrations-Dancing with my girls

2011 Birthday Celebrations-My lovely girls. :)

And last but not least, another fun weekend!

Tonight while the men do what they do best around this time of year (Fantasy Football) the girls are going to do what we do best, drink wine. :) Then tomorrow I have a hair appointment, followed by our dear friend Brandt's Birthday Celebration. It's going to be a great weekend with the people that substitute as our family most of the time.


Lastly, I just want share a little something.This morning when I was saying my morning prayer I got choked up...I just feel so blessed and lucky to have such an amazing life and incredible people in it. I am thankful for the health of my family and friends. I am thankful for the stand out man in my life that I get to call my boyfriend, and so much more... I know that the only reason my life is as good as it is, is because of GOD. Today I feel very blessed and I hope you all do to.

Have a great weekend dolls!

Check out the new catchy train song if you haven't yet. :)

-Danni

Friday Favorites

It's time for another round of linking up with Carlie at The Duplechin Daily for Friday Favorites. :)

Who is excited for the weekend...THIS GIRL! Work has been shockingly slow this week, making the days crawl by. I enjoy being busy at work much more than slow because the end of the day shows up a lot quicker.

My BFF/Housewife/Soul-Sister is coming in town the weekend with her "main squeeze" and will be our first real guests at the house!  Also our good friend JC, (who has recently moved to North Dakota for work) will also be in town. :)

We have spent the past two evenings working from the moment we got home to get the house COMPLETELY organized, unpacked, and decorated. We have everyone room decorated except ...lol...our own room. We would rather have the rest of the house nice and pretty for guests. Plus I want new stuff for the master bedroom and home decor is pricey!!! There is something about having your first house guest and actually having a guest bedroom that makes you feel grown up. :)

Saturday we are all attending our friends Heather & Heather's "Mad Hatter" Bridal Shower.

Click here to find out the story on the invitations

The theme comes from the classic tale of "Alice in Wonderland". It is a cute and fun theme for a party. Everyone is supposed to wear hats, however, convincing Trevor to wear one has proved to be a difficult task, hah.

August is 1 of my favorite months of the year. (Tied with December) Not only is my birthday on the 28th but as of the 25th, Trevor and I will have been dating for 5 years. The honest truth is I couldn't be happier. I didn't think you could continue falling in love with someone year after year, but I stand corrected.

August also marks the start to the always busy fall season. How busy you ask? Well as of the weekend of August 18th, Trevor and I have something going on every weekend from that point until October 27th! (except one, we have one free weekend, ha). Between birthdays, wedding festivities, Aggie Football, and work, it's going to be a CRAZY couple on months. I wouldn't change it for the world. :)

So it begins, the end of summer to fall countdowns... I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend and has some fun. After this long week, we all deserve it. Cheers dolls!

Days until our good friend Brandt's backyard bash birthday party-15

Days until Trevor and I's 5 year Anniversary-22

Days until my Birthday Party & Actual Birthday-22/25

Days until Labor Day get-a-way Trip-28

Days until the first FIGHTIN TEXAS AGGIE FOOTBALL GAME-36

Days Until Heather's Bachelorette Party-63

Days Until the Johnson Wedding- 70

Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Fightin' Texas Aggie Football

I know I am incredibly behind in blogging and for that my apologies. But hey it’s FRIDAY! Whoop to that!

My birthday was perfect. I seriously have the most amazing group of family and friends. I feel very lucky to have such a large group of wonderful friends that came out and celebrated with me. Thank you to everyone who came to dinner and/or to Shot Bar. Thank you to "anonymous friend" for renting the hummer limo. It wouldn't have been the same without ANY of you! I promise to do a birthday recap post once I get the pictures uploaded on to my computer. There are seriously like 112 pictures and some of them are NOT, I repeat NOT facebook/cyber world friendly, meaning I do not want to see these pictures in 10 years when I am an "established" adult. But seriously best, most amazing birthday yet.

Trevor and I's anniversary was equally as perfect. For our 4 year anniversary, Trevor took us to Vick and Anthony's Steakhouse in downtown. (OMG SO GOOD!) He also surprised me with flowers and Dancing Lessons for an entire month. Dancing lessons you say? Ballroom, Dancing with the Stars type of stuff, and I am BEYOND excited. I have been dying to learn how to do all those dances since I started watching the ABC hit. After these lessons, we will be ready to tear up the dance floor for all the weddings we have coming up to. ;) Serious stuff Ahead- God has given me the thing I have always prayed for with Trevor Davis. The past 4 years I have spent with that guy have been the best 4 years of my life, seriously. I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect man for me. He is my best friend, partner in crime, love of my life and no one can make me smile like he does. Thank you Trevor Davis for putting up with my dramatic-long-drawn-out stories, being patience when I won’t pick somewhere to eat and say no to anything your suggesting, having only child syndrome some days loving me with all your heart. I will always return the favor. Cheers to 4 years and endless amount of years to come.



Okay now it's time to get a real with some of you people. Blogs are supposed to be a place for honesty and truth, the good stuff and the bad stuff...so here we go. Yes, I just celebrated 4 years with an amazing man, yes; we had a romantic night out, NO! WE ARE NOT ENGAGED!@!$!#$%#$^%$@!$&%. If one more idiot person asks me that very unintelligent question, I may quite possibly drop kick you in your head that holds that undersized brain of yours. Look people, it doesn't matter nor is it none of your business if we are engaged. AND YOU WOULD HAVE HEARD ABOUT IT (If your imporatant in my life or we are friends on facebook). I do not need your life coaching nor do I need you to bother Trevor about it. We are big kids and are very happy. We will get engaged when we damn well want too. There is no law anywhere that says after X (X being 4 years in this case) amount of time together that you have to start planning a wedding. I would hands down bet on our relationship over some MARRIED couples I know. People need to remember that every relationship is different. Yes some people meet and after a month get married and stay married for 50 years (unlikely but it can happen). There are also people who date for 10 years before they get married and still live happily ever after. However, a lot of people don't. Just a little fact...

• 41% of first marriages in the U.S. end in divorce
• 60% of second marriages in the U.S. end in divorce
• 73% of third marriages in the U.S. end in divorce

So back off people. We plan on getting it right the first time. I am happy. He is happy. WE ARE HAPPY TOGETHER. And besides, good things come to those who wait. :)

In other news, I can barely contain my excitement for Sunday because FIGHTIN' TEXAS AGGIE FOOTBALL IS BACK!!!!! A-WHOOP!!!!! I cannot wait to be back in my beloved Aggieland, tailgating for hours, hollering till my voice is gone (Which, I might add, will be done in pre-game this week because I have this God awful cold that makes me sound like an 75 year old smoker) and watching the Ags get the "W". Being back in Aggieland for football games for me is like going home. I spent 4 incredible years of my life there and going back just makes me remember all the great times. BONUS, when I go back, I get to make more memories with a lot of the same people. It's an amazing thing to get to tailgate and SIT DOWN in our alumni seats with the same people you use to stand in the BLAZING HOT SUN the entire game with years back. So cheers to Fightin' Texas Aggie Football! (Press Play on the first one)

 Robert Earl Keen-"Fightin' Texas Aggie"

  

Thanks and Gig'em!

Have a great Labor Day weekend dolls and wear your maroon on Sunday!

Trip Around the Sun

Hello dolls,

I hope y'alls week is going well so far! This is an EXTREMELY busy week for me. On top of getting everything ready for this weekend, celebrating 4 years with my kick ass boyfriend and cleaning my annoyingly dirty slightly messy apartment, I have some MAJOR primping to do on yours truly before I can be seen as The Birthday Girl. 3 hour hair appointment, I am coming your way!

For those of you that don't know I am turning the BIG 2-3 next Sunday and will be celebrating with about 37 people this Saturday night with dinner, dancing and drinks. I feel so blessed/slightly paranoid that I have so many wonderful friends that want to come out and celebrate with me

I am one of those people that thinks every birthday is a really big deal. I feel like it's your own personal "New Years". It's your day and a good reason to celebrate the past year. Over the past few weeks I began to reflect back on the past crazy, eventul, dog tired after starting a real job, high on life year. I started a new life in Houston last July and began my new job/current job on August 30th of 2010. It wasn't exactly what I imagined doing when sitting in business/sports management classes at A&M, but I have a great boss and it pays the bills. My new position that I have recently taken with the Texans has become a huge step towards my dream job and I hope that with hard work that dream will come true with the next trip around the sun. To be continued...

I have made some great new friends and learned a lot about myself. I feel like I have grown up a lot in the past 12 months. People tell you that you grow so much during those college years but that first year out is a BIG learning experience, especially if you are living on your own. Even though things got tough sometimes I wouldn't a single second of it.

When I was looking through pictures from the past year the ones below (In no particular order) are a few that stood out in my mind. I'd like to look at this as a reflection on the past year and looking forward to another great one!

August 2010- Oddly enough the first one happend nearly a year ago. This picture is from my birthday last year. It was a great start to my new life in Houston and I will always remember dancing the night away with some of my best friends.

September 2010- A big part of this past year was the new friends I made in Houston. One of those new friends was my name twin Danielle. I met Danielle through a mutual friend nearly a year ago and it seems when I think of my first few months in  Houston, I always think of her. I see many good times in the future with this girl.

October 2010- Got to go back to College Station Aggieland and hang out with  some of my best friends for Halloween weekend. Spent Friday and Saturday night on North Gate and we BTHO tech. It was a perfect weekend.

December 2010-OKAY! BEFORE YOU ALL START HATIN', yes this is a picture of Kobe Bryant. And yes I think is amazing, and YES I nearly had a panic attack the entire first quarter when I got to go see him play last December with my anonymous best guy friend (see stars in my sky tab).  It was seriously one of the best nights of the year.

March 2010-I love going to concerts, but I don't go to too many because I can't see paying 50 plus dollars for a ticket to see someone  play unless I REALLY like them. So when I heard Keith Urban was coming to the 2011 Houston Livestock and Rodeo Show I jumped all  over  that, and BONUS-the tickets where only 30 dollars a pop and we were in the bottom bowl. 

November 2010-What an incredibly fun night. Spent it out in Bellville with the "Family". Couldn't have had a better time. And as you can see from the "Beer Pyramid" (Sorry Egyptians for comparing your wonder of the world to this example of ridiculousness) that we went back to College that night, in our minds at least. Have no fear though, no Aggies were harmed during this away game weekend.

August 2010- A good friend informed me this week, exactly one year ago, we brought this little piece of heaven on Earth home. She  stole my heart during the first 5 minutes of the ride home, even though she cried the first 45 minutes. 

Clearly she did not just steal my heart...
:)

Getting Chanel was probably the best part about this year. Even though we had our fair share of puppy frustrations, I wouldn't trade her for anything is this world. I love her so much and I had no idea how much joy such a unique looking Aussie would bring to my life. 

December 2010-This was my first Christmas tree on my own! I know what your thinking...umm what is up with the white, blue, purple theme? Well I just wanted to do something different and  I am really glad I did. It was my little piece of Christmas in my little apartment. 

  

March 2011- Mardi Gras=National Holiday in my book. My Cajun background is responsible for this thought. I got the wonderful privilege of going to Mardi Gras in Galveston with Trev and 3 other great friends. This picture was actually taken BEFORE we even got down to the big party. Clearly we came prepared. It was a great memory and I am pretty sure we are going back for more next year.



March 2010- March was a busy month for us! Fast Forward to the weekend after Mardi Gras and we are in Austin celebrating Ashley's bachelorette party. Made some memories and some new friends. Can't beat that.



July 2010-The picture above contains many of my absolute favorite people on the planet. 4th of July weekend we made a trip to Schiltterbaun Galveston. The park was great, the rides were even better and the company was the best.



If you know me AT ALL, you know I cannot stand don't particularly care for children at this point in my life. Well one of my best friends, Jessica,  found out back in April that she was having a baby. The night of this particular picture, her and JB made the announcement they were having a baby girl, Makenzie Lynn. I genuinely was incredibly happy for her and JB and I truly cannot wait to see their beautiful baby girl when she makes her grand entrance in December.

Valentine's Day 2011. Trevor took me on a weekend trip to Galveston. This picture is from dinner Friday night. From watching the sunrise Saturday morning to strolling the strand all day Saturday, it was a very sweet and romantic weekend that I will never forget.

June 2011- Not only was this my first vacation that I paid for on my own (Spring Break in college does not count kids) but it was a cruise to Belize, Honduras, and Cozumel. It was so much fun and the people I went with made it even better. Couldn't have asked for a better summer vacation. If I could live on a cruise ship, I totally would.



So there is my random flash back of great times from Chapter 22 of my life. I am slightly nervous to start 23 because I don't particularly like odd numbers (strange, I know) but hopefully all will be fine. As a huge Jimmy Buffet stalker fan I live my life inspired by many of his songs. This one in particular I always end up listening to a lot when August rolls around each year. I think it's a great message and an awesome song. It's called "Trip Around the Sun"-By Jimmy Buffett featuring Martina McBride. There is a particular line that says "Only time will tell if it was time well spent" and that is kind of how I want to live my life, no regrets, not worrying about everything, because eventually time will tell you if your decesion was good or not. You can't predict the future so you might as well enjoy the ride. 

Until next time,

have a great hump-day dolls.

Random Friday Fun

Okay guys, BE WARNED. This is an extremely random blog and I have no specific direction.

Let me just say this has been a hell on earth less than pleasing work week for me. Thank the GOOD LORD above for Trevor and my friends that make me forget about the stresses of work. So I gather up my strength this morning and head into work bright and early at 6:15 today...I get to work... and this is the inside temperature of my office...

Like, ARE YOU SERIOUS! I was so cold I couldn't hardly type a full e-mail on my computer without my hands shivering. I could seriously kill my next door office mate for being such a dim witted idiot who has no care for other's comfort. I turned that BIATCH down immediately and opened all the doors so  my boss wouldn't come to work to find his employee had turned into an ice sculpture.

HOWEVER... it is Friday. :) So that means time to let go of bitter feelings about work.

With the weekend coming up and also the month of August, which is always a busy and fun month for me, I have several things I am looking forward to.

1-Jessica & JB's baby gender revelation party on Saturday! What is a baby gender revelation party you ask? Well, they found out on Thursday was the gender of that precious little baby is and they didn't tell anyone (anyone coming to the party at least) except for our friend Marina who is hosting the party. Marina is going to bake cake balls and color the inside of the cake balls either blue or pink and all at once after games and bets have been made we will all bite into them at the same time to reveal if baby Bennett will be a girl or boy. Very exciting stuff. And our group will pretty much run with any excuse to have a party. :)

2-We are going to be floating the river in two weeks. Me and Trev pretty much look at river trips like Christmas in July (or August in this case). It has to be one of the funnest things you can do in the Texas summer.

3-FINALLY getting a queen size bed. I have been sleeping in the same full size bed since junior high and I am beyond ready for a bigger bed. It is going to be tough to part with it though, it's so comfy. Chanel however is not a very sharing bed partner so the queen bed will be a great upgrade for everyone.

4-On August 25, Trevor and I will be celebrating 4 years of dating. I don't want to blog too much about this now because I will more than likely make a whole post about it when the actual date draws near but I am very excited. I feel very blessed to have spent the past 4 years with such an extraordinary guy.

5-ANNNNDDD last but CERTAINLY not least, August 28th an angel was born is my birthday and with it falling on a Sunday this year, we are having the party on Saturday the 27th. I am a big birthday person so I absolutely love celebrating them. I am constantly amazed by my wonderful group of friends that never fail to make the current birthday better than all the rest. WOO!

So I am a huge music person. I can honestly say music gets my mood back up during the 45 minute drive home from work. Seriously. If I didn't have music to rock out to on the way home my road rage would be significantly higher (like Houston needs that) and I would be a real peach to be with after work. Here is some "Yay it's Friday and I am happy" songs. I added a link below the videos because I didn't know if they were showing up or not.

The tide is high

YES! It's totally from the Lizzie McGuire movie and yes I know Blondie sang it first but I seriously loved Lizzie McGuire and I loved the way she sang this song. The video is so cute too. :)

Super Base

Love this song. Saw her in concert,, love it even more. Barbz!

Crazy Girl

I think this song is just so cute and I have loved Eli Young Band since 2006. "CRAAAAZZZYYY GIRL, don't you know that I love you" :)

5 O'clock somewhere

Okay this just seems extremely appropriate. It's Friday and everyone is dying for 5 o'clock (4 o'clock for me). And if you know me, you know that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE  Jimmy Buffett.

The way you make me feel

Okay, so this video may have came out before I was born, HOWEVER, I believe you can't go wrong with Michael and if this song doesn't make you want to dance then you should see a Doctor.

P.S. to Friday Playlist- If I hear the songs, "If I die young", "S&M", or "Rolling in the deep" anytime in the next 48 hours I will kick a small child.

I hope you all have an AMAZING weekend spent with the ones you love.

Happy Friday Dolls!