Miss Raquel's Ramblings - 6

I apologize profusely that I didn’t post this sometime last week.  I got swamped – and had other posts to do, etc.  So...the last half of this ramblings post is actually current.  As in, happened-today-so-it’s-very-current. ;)  Enjoy!

Current Mood: FABULOUS!

Last Song Played: All This Time (Britt Nicole)

Pinterest Update: 55 boards, 3,523 pins, 997 likes, 233 followers

This last Sunday was my birthday.  The day before, I had a group of friends over to celebrate.  I had originally invited about 25 people (knowing, of course, that not all of them would make it), and had about  10 came.  7 of them were guys, 2 girls (not including Noah and me).  I wish more gals had made it, but honestly, my guy friends are pretty cool;)  I was so happy with the turnout:)

We played Apples to Apples and Saladbowl.  Talked, laughed, ate food and cake.  A couple friends had to leave early, but the rest stayed till well after dark.  We took a long walk in the rain…we’re a pretty crazy group altogether.  I’m glad we live in the country. :/ haha When we got back from the walk, two other families left, but we had four friends spend the night – Forrest, Elisa, Caleb and Daniel.  We all hung out in Noah’s room, just laying around talking and laughing till a little past 2AM.  Caleb was the first to wish me a happy birthday ON my birthday (past midnight;)

The next morning (we all got up at around 8:30 or 9AM), Mama made pancakes for all of us.  We didn’t end up going to church but we watched a conference DVD of R.C. Sproul for our ‘Sunday service’.  THEN…somebody had the crazy, legit idea of making a batch of cookie dough.  No, not to bake into cookies.  Just to eat. 

So we did. :)

And we all sat and watched one of my favorite Westerns, ‘Crossfire Trail’.  Even Dad and Mama joined our teenage group:)  Our living room was pretty full, but we squished together and just had a blast.  Oh!  Including a running commentary of jokes from certain people…you know who you are;)

They all abandoned me at around 4:00PM.  Seriously, I was so depressed, I felt like crying.  ‘Post-Party Blues’, I called it.  So I crawled into bed and snuggled under my new blanket…until Mama came into my room and told me that Dad and she wanted to take me out to dinner:)  So we went to a super yummy Mexican restaurant that our family really likes – Ix Tapa.  I had a Lobster Chimichanga and got a free dessert because it was my birthday!:)  It was this delicious cheesecake, with caramel topping and there was a layer of chocolate just above the crust and…oh gosh, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. :/

And then we came home…a friend called me before I went to bed…and I stayed up kinda late (on Pinterest;).  It was a lovely day…truly, wonderful.  And I was SO blessed by all my sweet, amazing friends coming to make my day so special.

Oh!  And since someone suggest me doing a run-up of the gifts I received for my birthday.  So here ya are! ;)

Gift from a blog reader - $25 iTunes gift card

Gift from a blog reader – pretty purple and green ribbon hair barrette

Kirsten – Gold dangly heart earrings, pomegranate lotion, Gussy Sews bag

Sam – spiral-bound journal, Key West breeze candle (blue)

Elisa – cozy, fuzzy, warm blue blanket, Poppy Blossom and Cardamon scented candle (lavender)

Forrest – beautiful jewelry box with my name engraved on it (and a horse too!), lovely pink bracelet with a heart, engraved with an ‘R’ on one side and cowboy boots on the other (I’m wearing it as I write this:)

Jenna – new halter and lead rope (for Knight AND me, I guess;) – oh and if I hadn’t mentioned it before, I’m doing a red-theme for Knight’s tack.  So the gift Jenna got me is red:)

A few of my other friends said that my birthday gifts would be a little late;)  So far, the gifts I have gotten have been amazing! <3  Oh and Caleb said that his hugs were my gifts from him:) 

Anyway, I had a fabulous weekend.  Being surrounded by family and friends who I love, doing things I enjoy, being blessed with some fabulous gifts…God truly made this year my best birthday – so far;)

Oh!  And there’s one more gift!

You know my AMAZING friend, Miwaza??  She sent me one of her ‘Team Miwaza’ shirts for my birthday!  I love it!! (pic coming soon)

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So…I haven’t told any of you this (well, maybe a couple of you know from an e-mail or something), but…I didn’t really feel a necessity to tell you all, but now I feel like I should.

Noah and I got in a car accident a couple weeks ago.  I was on my way to Ellen’s house for my Japanese lesson/girl-hang-out weekend.  We were at a red light.  The third car going straight.  When the light turned green, the two cars in front of us went first and then…as we started forward, a woman came from the left driving at around 50-55mph. The impact was quick and shocking.  Thankfully, Noah kept control of the wheel.  All I was able to do was gasp as I saw the front of our car being thrown through the air, and the car that had hit us, spinning out of control.  Noah put his arm around me right away and was saying ‘everything’s okay, everything’s okay’.  I guess I was a little freaked out…and he noticed.  As soon as the honking was all over and people were stopping to let us continue, Noah pulled over.  We had a few other people stop too (as witnesses).  But the most important thing is that we are both safe.  If she had hit any closer, she would’ve pounded into Noah’s door…and he would’ve been seriously injured.  As it is, we both escaped without any serious injuries.  We both went to the chiropractor and got adjusted.  I had some tense muscles in my lower back (the Doctor said it was caused from the seat belt) and my jaws were a little tight from clenching.  But… ::sighs::  The LORD was merciful.  And protected us from anything else serious.  Praise the LORD!

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My Mama has been wanting to read The Hunger Games.  And since she likes me reading to her…I have been;)  We’re on Chapter 14, as of today.  She told me that she’s not going to give me her full opinion of it, until she finishes the whole series.  But I doubt that.  I already know that she likes it;)  The way she asks me to read to her – even at 11 at night.  Or when I walk into a room and she’s reading it and is smiling.  Uhhh…does that sound like someone who likes it? ;) 

Oh and I thought of some reasons that show if you’re a THG fan or not…

(and just for the record…these are all 100% real-in-Raquel’s-life :P)

You know you love The Hunger Games when…

Your friend does your makeup ‘Capitol’ style when you go see the movie…

You’re kneading bread dough and think of Peeta.

You see a construction truck called ‘Gale’s Construction’ and…kinda freak out.  (This was actually my Mama…)

Your friend gives you the Mockingjay pin and tells you that you are a ‘true mockingjay’…and you squeal.

You see a cave and automatically think of ‘the cave scene’ in THG (the book, not the movie).

You see a pair of high-heeled, bright purple shoes and immediately think to yourself: ‘Effie would so totally wear those.’

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I gave Knight a bath today!!!  I was so thrilled that I had accomplished something so…hard. :P haha  Seriously, he hates water.  It took me an hour before I was able to get his full body wet.  And then I soaped him up…got all the dirt out of his mane and tail…rinsed him off…dried him…braided his mane and tail…and got the remainder of water that was on him, on me;)  Horse/girl love. <3

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Oh!  I have a couple other gifts to add to my list that I received for my bday!  My dear friend, Charlotte, gave me an adorable black and white apron!!  SO CUTE!

sorry, not the best pic...taken at night, on my iPad

Daniel gave me a mockingjay pin, a $20 gift card to Target, and a birthday letter that said:

“ ‘Remember, girl on fire, I’m still betting on you…’

To a true mockingjay.  Happy birthday, Raquel!  And may the odds be EVER in your favorite this year!”

Legit, right?

Oh!  And with his $20 gift card, I bought:

-         A pair of purplish pink flip-flops

-         Britt Nicole’s newest CD ‘Gold’ (review coming soon!!!)

-         Some Reese’s chocolate

-         Some new e.l.f. makeup/eyeshadow

-         And some candy for my little siblings:)

And my aunt and uncle, and my Mama’s parents, gave me happy birthday cards with some $$ in them. ;)  Can’t go wrong with that!

Oh and…while Noah and I were out doing errands, I bought some new sunglasses (which I’ve been NEEDING) at Ross. (And yes, we took that ^ pic while out and about;)

AND…

These legit earrings.  Too cool for school, right?

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So…yup!!  I think that just about wraps up this Ramblings post!  Sorry!  I feel like it’s a bit over-due :P

Keep an eye out for a few reviews!  Two movies and a CD!  Super excited about doing all three.

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Question For Readers:

When is your birthday? :)