Living, Loving, Laughing.....

Sundays In My City: Fort Worth, Texas

Angelia Sims — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:48:32 +0000

I am lucky enough to live in the great state of Texas located in the North Central area known as Dallas/Fort Worth. Whether you like, the East, or the West. There are magnificent sights to be seen in my city.

Lucky for me, I am an explorer.

I love finding new places.

I love capturing old favorites too.

Hopefully, you will enjoy the city through my eyes as much as I do.

Here is a favorite I took this weekend……

Downtown Fort Worth.

Isn’t she a beaut?

Travel to other places at Unknown Mami’s

Filed under: Angelia's Photography Tagged: laughing, life, living, loving, photography, photos, pics, pictures, postaweek2012

Friday Fragments

Angelia Sims — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:35:02 +0000

I got in the elevator. The doors closed. I stood there staring at the buttons, because – for the life of me – I could not remember which floor my car was on. That wouldn’t have been sooo bad, except it was the second time in the same day I did that. ::face palm::

Also the same day? I sent my husband a text that stated – I have ADD. It’s really bad and I can’t concentrate. I asked him what the cure was….his answer? Coffee and Chocolate. Ho boy!

Today marks the fifth day of driving Sydney to high school since the car accident that left her car-less. She was only almost late one time. It’s great for me. I feel like she is a freshman again. And that is exactly why it’s bad for her……during her Senior year. Seriously…yikes!

My second 5K race of the year is Saturday. I am doing it with (mostly) the same peeps that participated in the last one. We have become a true “team” (yay! team!). I expect all of us to beat our time by just a little bit. I am a brutal coach. PICK UP THOSE FEET!!

I went to my first Zumba class Wednesday night. I had NO idea what to expect. If I would get the steps, or just look like a bumbling two-left-feet-kind-of-gal. It wasn’t as bad as I thought. I did bumble. I almost lost my footing more than once, but in the end, I did get the steps down. Annndddd??? I made it through the entire class without dying. Plus, I could walk the next day. Yes, I will be going back. Turns out, I LOVE to dance.

I can’t believe next week is February. Someone…PLEASE…stop the clock. And just FYI, I always want to misspell February. Always.

Did I tell you my sweet husband bought me a brand new MAC? I looves it. We got a second desk in the office and now I have my very own MAC AND desk. I am the luckiest chic alive. The only bad thing? I haven’t moved my photoshop actions over. I really wish I didn’t love those actions so much.

I did not win tickets to Australia at the last airline event I attended. But now I am on quest to GET to Australia at some point in my life. It is even higher on the list now than Italy. I must GO someday. It is my destiny. I mean I did name my daughter SYDNEY.

Speaking of event, I got some FANTASTIC photographs of the 747 jumbo Qantas jet that flies from DFW to Sydney. I will post those later. I tried to be a stow-away. I totally did.

Me, Sydney bear, Mo, and Sal.

I only have a grip on the lovely Sydney Bear, because I am hoping he will take me back to Australia with him. It’s not like I have gun to his back. PLEASE TAKE ME WITH YOU!! It was a back-up plan (sorta). He is a cute bear!

Plan "A"

Plan “A” was to hide out in here, and hope no one noticed I was in the crew quarters bunk.

Unfortunately, the flight attendant found us. She said she was just making sure we were okay up there. Yah, riiiight.

So, I am still here….in North Central Texas. At least, it has been a nice winter. We got a good dose of rain and the temps have been in the 50-70′s. Can’t beat that.

Have a most fabulous weekend!!

Filed under: Wee Wee Wee all the way home! Tagged: friday fragments, laughing, life, living, loving, photos, pics, pictures, postaweek2012, Random, thoughts, travel

Wordy Wordless Wednesday

Angelia Sims — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:26:58 +0000

One of my oldest blogging buddies Suzicate posted about a loose tooth when she was a child. It is such a cute story. I was the youngest of four and remember the threat of PLIERS to yank a tooth out too. Eeek!

It, also, reminded me that my youngest step-daughter lost her tooth over Christmas break. Her first tooth (of course I took pictures).

I must admit in my sappy old age, I shed a little tear. This marks the end of her babyhood as she grows BIG girl teeth. Waaah!

She is our last one, the last first tooth, the last gummy grin. Oh, I will enjoy these moments.

Bri's First Tooth Loss

One day a chubby two-year………..the next a toothless five-year-old in kindergarten.

Five and growing up too fast.

The thing about that first missing tooth…….. It’s just the cutest thing ever.

Join other Wordy Wordless Wednesdays here.

Filed under: In the lives of children Tagged: children, cute story, FAMILY, laughing, life, living, loving, photos, pics, pictures, step daughter, tooth loss

Half Marathon Training for the Beginner

Angelia Sims — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:34:45 +0000

This is a walk/run training program.

I typed up my training plan for my running buddy and I thought……why not post it here? Maybe, I can get some “virtual” support. Maybe there are a few of you out there that think……NO WAY could I do something like this.

That is when I step in and say YES, YOU CAN! If I can, you can.

A month ago, I weighed over 200lbs and started exercising for the first time in four years (at least regular exercise).

I am now under 200lbs and I can finally feel my stomach muscles again. I can run three minutes without stopping and recover in a minute walking. I am not even having to push myself too hard (not saying it’s easy).

I’m slightly ahead of this training plan, but I am still going to start at the beginning.

The numbers represent run/walk time. So, week one is running 2 mins and walking 1 minute until you complete the mileage.

As you can see, the progression covers 12 weeks to gradually build you up to a half-marathon. I do NOT run fast. It is slow and steady (so I don’t get winded).

You will know your pace when you start, it’s the one where you can talk (or sing) without dying (sorta).

Can I encourage you? Do you need a plan?

This week starts week 1….

Jan. 23-29
Week 1-

Jan 30-Feb 5
Week 2-

Feb.6-12
Week 3-

Feb. 13-19
Week 4-

Feb. 20-26
Week 5-

Cowtown 10K

Feb. 27-Mar. 4
Week 6 -

Mar 5-11
Week 7 -

Mar. 12-18
Week 8 -

Mar. 19-25
Week 9 -

Mar. 26-Apr. 1
Week 10 -

April 2-8
Week 11 -

April 9-15
Week 12-

Big D HALF MARATHON

I’m ready. I’ve set my goal (without fear).

What about you?

Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement.
Brian Tracy, Eat that Frog

Filed under: Life is what you make it. Tagged: exercise, goals, half marathon, laughing, life, living, loving, photos, pics, pictures, postaweek2012, running, training

A Hiccup in Time

Angelia Sims — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:56:52 +0000

Be wise in the use of time. The question in life is not how much time do we have. The question is what shall we do with it.

- Anna Robertson Brown, author

I blogged 78 days in a row (80 days if you count my private blog).

My longest streak ever.

I am not a pre-blogger or scheduler. When I post, it is from the heart, and right then. Most times, I don’t even know what is going to come out until I sit down. I typically call it….writing on the fly.

And I love it. I love that I’m not a planner, but a doer.

But you can’t plan for sick.

After seeing an allergist for the first time, I got confirmation that the consistent hives (big ugly, mean, red itchy things) were from my Grave’s Disease (a hyperthyroid disorder). And I have seasonal allergies with a very sensitive nose. He put me back on antihistamines (which I hate – Zyrtec you make me a zombie), but they work. I, also, had a sinus infection.

Instead of blogging, I slept.

I healed.

And I adjusted to new medicines.

The good news is my hives are MUCH, much better. And my sinus infection is almost cleared up.

Another thing I have kept up with is my half-marathon training. I am still walking/running every week. The mileage will start to increase next month, but I can tell that my legs are getting more conditioned and will do just fine.

I have missed blogging. I will probably try to beat my 78-day record in the near future (starting February?). To all you daily bloggers (and planners), I tip my hat to you. It is not easy.

I took photos at the last event I attended. I hope to do a blog about the food served there. O.M.G. Soooo good!

This event was unbelievable. It was held at the Cowboys Stadium by Emirates Air. The MC was Daryl Johnston (aka, Moose). We had cocktails in one of the clubs, and then dinner on a linen-cloaked table right on the 40-yard line.

Wow! Does not seem to do it all justice. No expense was spared. They were promoting their new non-stop service from Dallas/Fort Worth to Dubai.

They used THOUSANDS of roses lining every entryway and every table. They also gave away free tickets. A co-worker of mine won two coach class airline tickets to Dubai. I hate her. Kidding….

Another major event that happened during my bloggy break.

My daughter was in another car accident. And again, it was NOT her fault. As she was stopping at a yellow light (rather than running it – we have red-light cameras all over) the guy behind her WAS running through yellow. He nailed her from behind at a pretty good clip.

The whole rear-end of the car is smashed. Front pieces on the dashboard FLEW off. The back trunk is buckled.

I’m really glad she didn’t see it coming. I think if she did, she would have tensed up, and been a lot more sore.

But still…..

Poor kid. This is her third accident (not her fault) in an eighteen-month time period.

The worst part of this whole thing? The car will probably be totaled. I was rear-ended in 2010 – same car. It took MONTHS for it to be fixed. It wasn’t paid off then. It is now.

Even if they did fix it….how safe is it? It’s getting harder and harder for it to withstand impact. I have never seen a dash pop off like that.

Sydney has to say good-bye to a car she loved (and I loved). It breaks my heart. She faces the consequences of not having a car anymore, because someone was not paying attention.

I am praying it will all work out somehow, someway and we can get her another car.

So thankful, she is not injured, and it wasn’t bad enough to have the airbag deploy.

Why can’t we keep our kids in a bubble????

A big, safe protective bubble that saves them from idiots. Sigh.

Hope everyone in the bloggy world is doing well.

This afternoon, I get to head to a Qantas Air function at the DFW airport. We get to board a 747 the one that will be flying DFW to Australia non-stop. Can you believe that? I am definitely carrying my camera to this one too.

Some days, it’s pretty awesome being a travel agent (and photographer).

Happy Sunday!

Filed under: Mon Dieu! and all that stuff. Tagged: blogging, children, daryl johnston, emirates air, laughing, life, living, loving, photos, pics, pictures, postaweek2012, seasonal allergies