#71. Spend an Evening Out of Town, #73. New Restaurant, & #74. Piano Bar

Sometimes you just need to get away to somewhere 'fancy' for the night. And why not go to Branson. After all, it's fancy there. 

Andrew, Shelley, John and I decided we needed to get out of town for the evening. We started with Branson Landing. After walking around for a bit, we decided to go to Texas Land and Cattle for dinner. I had never been there. It was really good. 

And we had to stay and watch part of the water show. So pretty. 

After that, we went to Ernie Biggs Piano Bar. I had never been to a dueling piano bar. It was cool to see them play. I love watching people play.

Afterwards, we were hungry again, so we went to Denny's. So good!

#70. First Snow Selfie

The first snow of the season! It was beautiful! 

#59. Do Good. Support Charity.

Support Charity. 

Breast Cancer has affected my family in a huge way. Both my mom and aunt have had breast cancer. Thankfully, they are both cancer free. 

Because of that, I was happy to find out that we were raising money for Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks (BCFO). I was happy to support such a great cause!

Candis and I manning the table to start the focus night. 

Selfie rocking my BCFO shirt! 

#52. Do Something Out of My Comfort Zoneo

My comfort zone is simple. I am not one to just go up and talk to strangers or be the outgoing one. 

My boss at work thinks differently. So she asked if I would help run a table to represent Houlihans at the Doula Foundation Fundraiser event. I said yes. 

It was a blast. Not only did we run out of food because people loved us, but we got to hang out with some of the local celebrities (newscasters for the local station). 

And it wasn't that bad. Granted, because I could talk about Houlihans, it gave me an in, so that helped. 

#44. Visit My Mom for Her Birthday

I am not sure if it is because of my dad's passing or if it is because of the growth I have experienced this year, but I miss my family. 

This year, my mom's birthday was on a Sunday. So I decided to drive down and spend the day with her. Normally, if it were a Sunday, I wouldn't miss church, especially at the beginning of the year or miss the opportunity to hang out with my friends. But... 

I feel like we have gotten closer. And you never know how long you have the ones you love. So you have to cherish them. It made her day. I had fun! And we took a picture! :)

#43. Dinner Party & #136. Try a New Recipe

Dinner Party

Try a New Recipe

Wanna know the best thing about my friends? We have ideas and we follow through with them. After we went to the shooting range a few weeks ago, we went to Cracker Barrel. After eating comfort food, we decided to have our own comfort food night. 

This was the result:

Roast, mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes, bacon wrapped asparagus, crescent rolls, salad, chocolate pie, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter chocolate bars, and more. Delicious! 

The new recipe I tried for roast....

Rub roast with ground sage and salt, place in crockpot. 

Mix McCormick roast seasoning packet with 2 cups red wine. 

Pour in crock pot with roast. 

Cover roast with more red wine until covered. 

Cook on low for 4-6 hours. (depending on size)

Seriously delicious! And the wine mixture makes a great gravy. 

#30. Go Shooting

Go Shootin'

Another Sunday afternoon at the shooting range. So much fun. And I actually hit the paper this time. 

#41. Go Mountain Biking

Go mountain biking. 

To be honest, this one wasn't originally on my list at all. But it was something new that I never thought I would do, so I added it after the fact. 

We went to Two Rivers Bike Park in Highlandville, Missouri. It was not what I was expecting at all. It was so hard. Not only had I not been on a bike in about 15 years, but the terrane was rough. 

I made it about a mile in to it and ended up falling down. My lungs did not like it at all. So after the mile  mark, I turned around and went back. But I am proud of myself for trying. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. The 'old' Angela would not have even attempted it. Especially knowing that I was not only going to be around the guy I liked, but meeting his friends for the first time too. But I tried. It wasn't a fail. It was a I need to practice and I'll try again. 

#88. Give My 5 Minute Story

5 Minute Story



The 5 minute story is something my church started a few years ago. Someone from the community gets up and shares something that God is doing in their life.

For years, when someone asked if I would share, I said no. I wasn't ready. I hate public speaking. I have nothing to share. The excuses went on and on.

A few weeks ago, on a whim, I volunteered myself to give my story. After I sent the message, I thought I was crazy. After stressing over it for a few weeks, I narrowed down what I wanted to say. Sort of.

The week leading up to the Sunday when I was supposed to share, I wrestled with two different things to share about. Faithfulness. Strength. Faithfulness. Strength. I went back and forth.

When I woke up on Sunday, I decided strength. I would share about my dad and my tattoo. God's strength.

Then throughout worship, I kept coming back to faithfulness and community. So at the last minute, I changed it.

When I went up on stage I was shaking. I thanked the community for standing behind me for so many years. They had become like a family and I loved them. I then shared how God is faithful for bringing that community to my life when I needed them most. When I needed a family, they were there.

When I begun, I had mentioned that I was debating between two different things to talk about and somehow volunteered myself to do it again.

So looks like I'll be doing it again. :)

#51. Go to a Bonfire

Go to a Bonfire.


Our annual bonfire.

Usually, I am not a big fan of the bonfire, if I am completely honest. I spent the first 8 years of bonfires running around like crazy the day of and all through the night. Restocking hotdogs, making hot chocolate, etc. This year was different. While I helped, it was more low key. I am also in a different place in my life. My attitude has changed. And I am learning my limits.

So yay for bonfires. Can't wait until next year. :)

#116. Go To A Corn Maze

Go to a Corn Maze.

I hate being scared, but I have always wanted to go to a corn maze. In years past, I would make an excuse for not going when my friends were going because I didn't want to be scared. And I didn't know what to expect. 

Not this year. This year is about taking chances. So as a leadership team outing for church, we went to the Verona Corn Maize. It was so much fun. I would totally do it again! 

The Group: (L-R) John, Andrew, Shelley, Stephanie, Dan and me

The ticket, which also lets you see the map of the maze

   

#186. Celebrate My 29th Birthday

Celebrate my 29th birthday!


I am one lucky girls to have such great friends! We celebrated my birthday at Houlihans. It was a great night full of laughter and cheer.

Me, Christy, and Stephanie

John and I

Shelley, Matt, and Andrew

The amazing cappuccino cake at Houlihans

#119. Get a Pedicure

Get a Pedicure.


July 26, 2014

Today, I was lucky enough to spend some quality time with one of my closest friends, Bri. She has been a close friend over the years and I love her dearly.

She lives in Ohio so she was unable to make it down for my dad's funeral. She wanted to take me for a pedicure instead of getting me flowers since they would die.

When we finished our pedicures, I noticed a candy bowl on the table. The strawberry candy was the candy that my dad would get me growing up. It was something small, but it meant so much.

Love this lady.

#31. Get a Tattoo

#31. Get a Tattoo

This time last year, if you were to tell me that I would have a tattoo right now, I would have told you you were crazy. I told myself if I ever got a tattoo it would have a significant meaning. I didn't want just any tattoo. And there was nothing I could think of that I wanted on my body for the rest of my life. Until this year....

To say that I have grown in the past 12 months would be an understatement. It has been a rough (for lack of a better term) year emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. A year that has challenged me to keep pushing forward when I thought there was no way I could continue. Little by little, I became stronger. Life kept throwing things at me. So much so that at one point I remember laughing because I had no other options. It became comical how worse things could get. But I kept going. One day at a time, I kept going. There were days I had to force myself to get out of bed, but I did. But I look back at this past year and realize that I can do it. I have the strength to do it. 

Why the word strength? Why not? :)  Just kidding. There was a lot of thinking and processing that went into this tattoo. The word strength has been my word for this year. I amaze myself that I was able to make it through this past year. I had this strength I didn't know I had. I AM stronger than I think. Physically. Mentally. Spiritually. Emotionally. I am continuing to get stronger every day. 

Why my wrist? I placed it on my right wrist for several reasons. First, I wear a watch on my left. Second, it is a reminder for me that I am stronger than I think. I've made it this far. There will be hard days ahead, but I can handle it as long as I take one day at a time. 

#strength 

Shout out to Steve at Hearts of Fire Tattoo for doing such a great job!