Helllooooo

I'm back in the good ol'  U.S.A.

I have soooo many things to tell you about my little Costa Rica vacation.

First of all.

BEST.TRIP.EVER. Hands down, if you have never been, you must go...I mean, apparently the Real Housewives of OC went(I haven't watched that episode yet, so don't tell me) so you know it must be the it place.

I got back in late last night due to some major plane issues...which is a whole entire post in itself...so I won't have recaps for a few days....but to tide you over here are just a few highlights from the trip of a lifetime.

*Running through the airport with ten minutes to catch a flight*

*Upgrade to first class*

*Class IV rapids*

*raft flipping over*

*ziplining through the jungle*

*Tarzan swing over the jungle*

*Swim up bar parties*

*Making new friends

*Waterfall swimming*

*Hiking through the jungle*

*Major sunburn on my ass*

*Lizard ran up leg at breakfast*

*Horses don't speak spanish*

*Para-sailing*

*Private beach*

*Monkeys outside our hotel patio*

*slight fiasco of my plane on the way back.*

Here a few pics...











I need a vacation just to recover from this one.

Adios.

Guest blogger Jodie@Ramblings of a fabulous brunette

Today we have one of my favorite fellow Okie bloggers....Miss Jodie, I absolutely love this girl. She has the biggest heart, she was one of my very first followers in fact, we started our blogs about the same time...and since then we have become great friends. 

Love this girl and y'all will too....here she is...the fabulous brunette herself...

Since Lyndse is in Costa Rica enjoying the sun, she asked me to guest post!! What an honor!! She is a true treasure to have as a friend!!

I love You Tube for so many reasons! One of the reasons, music videos!! Did any of y'all use to watch TRL with Carson Daly? I remember I would race home and watch it. I would tape my favorite videos on my VCR so I could watch them later. Let me you introduce you to my all-time favorite music videos!!

Faith Hill ft. Tim McGraw- Like We Never Loved at all 

There is such chemistry between them! They are amazing together, especially in their music.

If they ever get divorced, I'll give up on love. J/K!!!

My question, which did she pick?? 

Reba- Somebody

I love how Reba is the match maker in the video, when she is around and gives you that look you will find your soul mate.
And for all us single girls, you never know that guy could be right around the corner waiting for you to drop eggs on him.

Rihanna ft. Justin Timberlake- Rehab

This has to be my favorite music video of Justin. He is so darn sexy in this video! It would have been better if he just took of his shirt!! I actually have this on my iPhone and play it sometimes. (Yes, you can laugh)

Kesha- Blow

Hello, unicorns!! I love how crazy it is, and James Van Der Beek. 

98 Degrees- I do (Cherish you)

This song will be at my wedding! I love the ending of this video, makes me laugh out loud every time I watch it.


I would love to know what your favorite music video of it!

Guest blogging, Tiffany @Figuring out the plot

I've talked about today's guest blogger a time or two or five hundred...but that's just because Miss Football is one of my in real life bffs and she is super awesome. She is the reason I started this whole blogging thing in the first place...anyway, y'all will love her. In fact, after you read this post you will know so much about football...if you hadn't already. She is the reason why I know that there really isn't a yellow line on the field.

Take it away, Tiff.

Hey y'all! I'm Tiffany from Figuring Out The Plot, better known on this blog as Miss Football. I'm super excited to guest blog for Lyndse today! She's one of my real life bffs, and we are currently laying on a beach somewhere in Costa Rica drinking out of glasses with little umbrellas. Be jealous.

 Anyway, when Lyndse asked me to guest blog, I decided to do something that goes right along with my Miss Football blog name......College Football 101. That's right ladies, today I'm going to give y'all a few pointers about the game in case you're not a huge fan. Not only am I an Oklahoma State alum who bleeds orange, I'm also college football obsessed. So, here we go. Don't worry, I won't make it too complicated. Just good enough to where you can impress people at a tailgate or watching from home on Saturday afternoon.

OSU Homecoming 2011

Offense, Defense and Special Teams. This is one probably everyone knows, but there are basically three parts to a team. Offense (when your team has the ball and is trying to score), Defense (when your team does not have the ball and wants to stop them from scoring) and Special Teams (when either team is kicking off or punting the ball). It's important to know which is on the field for your team so that you can use the discussion points below.

Positions. So there are 11 players on the field for each team on any given play. Here are the key positions for you to know in my book.

For offense:

1. Quarterback (Most everyone knows this. He is the guy who gets the ball on 99% of the plays and either throws it to a receiver or hands off to a running back. Think Tom Brady, Tim Tebow, Brandon Weeden ladies.).

Me with OSU's new starting QB, Wes Lundt

2. Running back (This is the guy who lines up usually behind the quarterback--alled in the back field--and is handed the ball to run it up the field. Think Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Adrian Peterson.).

3. Wide Receiver (this is the usually tall, fast guy who lines up on the ends of the line and runs downfield to catch the ball. We're talking Justin Blackmon, Dez Bryant, Randy Moss.).

For Defense:

1. Linebackers (This is my favorite position in football. These are the guys--usually three of them--that line up just behind the line on defense. They are big, strong and fast. This would be like Brian Urlacher or Shawn Lewis).

2. Safeties (These are the really fast, usually smaller guys who play against your receivers when they run downfield. They quite often are the guys that get the interceptions in a game.)

3. Defensive Line (These are the big ol' huge guys who line up against the offensive line for every snap. Check out the size of one of OSU's below.)

Yes, it's a wig. :)

First downs. If you are going to understand anything about football, this should probably be it. See, every team has four downs to move the ball 10 yards. Once the ball moves 10 yards, then you get four more downs. So, let's say that it's first and ten from the twenty (this means that it is first down with ten yards to go and the ball is on the 20 yard line) and the team gets five yards. The next time, it is second down and five (meaning five yards to go) from the 25. This means that first downs are always a good thing! Most schools have some sort of cheer or hand motion or something when their team gets a first down. At OSU, the announcer says, "Gain good for a Cowboy first down and ten!" and we all wave our arms and point in the direction of the end zone.

Sacks and interceptions. These are the two most exciting defensive terms. A sack is where the defense tackles the quarterback in the backfield befor he gets rid of the ball. The crowd will go nuts when this happens. An interception will get the crowd going even more nuts---because that means that the other team's quarterback threw the ball, but your team caught it. And just like that, you go from defense to offense.

The Heisman. Every year, the Heisman trophy is awarded to the best college football player in the nation. It is a trophy that is pretty recognizable, here is me doing the Heisman pose.

Anyway, last year, it went to Robert Griffin, III, the quarterback from Baylor. Right decision if you ask me. A bit of trivia--only one guy has ever won the Heisman twice, Archie Griffin from Ohio State. The first sophomore to win the Heisman was Tim Tebow who played at Florida. Oklahoma State's only Heisman was back in 1988 when Barry Sanders won the award.

Cheering. There are a few things that you can always yell at a game and fit right in. If your team is on offense: "Let's move the ball" or "Let's move the chains (means get a first down)" or "Take care of the ball" or "Smart passes." If your team is on defense: "Get tough, defense" or "Let's get a stop" or "Break his legs" (not that I advocate for violence, but it is football here).

Announcers. Two important things to know here. First off, Jesse Palmer--halftime anchor on ESPN--smokin' hot. Girls, trust me, you don't want to miss halftime. Second, everyone hates Kirk Herbstreit on College Game Day. Unless you are from Ohio State. But it's a safe bet anywhere else in the country that you can say, "I hate that damn Kirk Herbstreit" and everyone else will nod in agreement.

Must-see Experiences.  I thought I'd share my top three football experiences with you guys today.  (1) Rushing the field.  (2)  Watching your team win a BCS bowl in OT.  (3)  Game day at Notre Dame.  If you ever get a chance to do any of these three...do it.  You won't regret it!

On the field after the Bedlam victory!

Hopefully this will be a good start and you can be ready for football season in the fall.  Hope you all have a great week!  Oh, and Go Pokes!

Guest blogger Sami @Sami's Shenanigans

Hey dolls....today I have sweet sweet Sami guest blogging. Y'all will love her. She is a fellow graduate of the best college ever, Oklahoma State University...GO POKES!! She is adorable, her dog Lilly is adorable and her blog is adorable.

Without further adieu, I give you miss Sami.

Hello fellow lovers of Lyndse ;)

That's pretty catchy right?

I am so happy Lyndse asked my guest post for her..

I mean she could have asked me to go on her fabulous Vaca with her, but I guess I understand!

Allow me to introduce myself..

I'm Sami and I blog over at Sami's Shenanigans.

I'm obsessed with my sweet Lily girl,

sparkly things,

and Gavin DeGraw.

When I discovered Lyndse's blog.. she had me at Oklahoma State.

Unfortunately we attended the greatest university in the country at different times,

which is too bad because I'm sure we would have been fast friends!

Last week Lyndse posted an adorable post about things that make me happy,

and today I'm going to share my list with you.

Things that make Sami happy:

- Cuddles with Lily

- Freshly baked Chocolate Chip Cookies

- Blogging

- Skinny Iced Caramel Macciatos

- Live music

- Trying something on and it fitting like a glove

- Getting packages in the mail

- Movies with Reese Witherspoon in them

- Happy Hour with my girlfriends

- Cowboy Football

- Orange and Black :)

- Fashion Magazines

- Clean sheets

- Rollercoasters

- My Mom

- Writing about Fashion

- Cooking new recipes and having them taste good

- Vampire Diaries

- Going to the Movie Theater

- Laying out by the pool

- Blue Moon with an Orange wedge

I could go on and on but I'll leave you with just a few!

What makes you guys happy?
Feel free to stop by my blog and leave me a comment letting me know :)

I hope Lyndse is having a blast soaking it up in the sun..
I couldn't be more jealous!
Thanks so much for having me girl :)

Vacation

Good Morning....

I'm officially on VACATION and on my way to COSTA RICA.

I have some fabulous posts lined up this week starting tomorrow...but for today I am posting over at my in real life BFF's blog,Tiff@ Figuring out the Plot, who by the way is also on her way to COSTA RICA!!!!

I'm blogging about fishing.

You probably don't want to miss it.

Hasta Luego loves!

Hellloooo

Helllloooo my loves!

I hope you all had a fab weekend and that you got out there to enjoy the sunshine...we tried to take full advantage of the sun this weekend...and tried to soak it up in hopes of me getting a base tan so I won't completely turn into a lobster while on vacation.

Which by the way is TOMORROW.

That is right...I have to wake up before the ass-crack of dawn and get my happy sleep deprived self to the airport...I'm thinking four in the morning requires lots and lots of coffee or a mimosa.

Who came up with the phrase, "ass-crack of dawn"...that's kinda weird, no?

I'm actually quite proud of myself and my packing abilities this trip...I should have taken a picture to prove to you. Normally I just kinda throw things into the suitcase which is so not very organized...however, I channeled my bff Amy, who is like organization queen, and I have out done myself. I made a list, checked everything off, rolled things so they would fit better...I even strategically places me beach hat and fedora to where they fit perfectly.

This week I have some great blogs lined up for you by some wonderful people...y'all will love them : )

Let's see what else is going on....oh, we went fishing...per usual. We finally caught a fish bigger than our hand...here's proof.

My momma...love her : )

I, of course, only caught little fish...which frankly made me angry. 

I thought fishing was supposed to be relaxing.

I've got my DVR all set to record a weeks worth of shows...because Lord knows I can't miss a second of my TV shows.

Ok loves....hope y'all have a wonderful day and week...and I will be thinking about ya while I am sipping those drinks with the umbrella's in them while tanning on the beach.

Friday's letters

T.G.I.F.

I've decided to link up again with my new favorite, Friday's Letters....

Dear Sonic- thank you for making my afternoons sweeter with your happy hour and cheery limeades...except for that one time you didn't change out the sprite and the carbonation was gone...that was disgusting and I do not thank you for that. Dear Goldies-Thank you letting me come over and raid the pickle bar and not judging me when I request pickles and ranch and crackers. Dear season finale of Grey's Anatomy- Really, Lexie Grey...why?? Dear Margaritas- I think I may just have one or two this weekend. Dear Bella-Please stop being OCD and scratching all your hair off...your going to look like a possum soon. Dear neighbor that drives the loud redneck lifted truck-You are loud and annoying and your truck is multiple colors and takes up half the road, you drive me nuts. Dear bloggy friends-Have a wonderful weekend.

Happy Thursday

Hey y'all....it's Thursday which means it's almost Friday which makes me oh so very happy!!

Just five more sleeps until I am here...

Miss Football even gave us a theme song, "One way ticket"

I have all my essentials ready to go

Vacation by blondeoklahomagirl featuring a straw hat

What makes me happy

Things that make me happy...

When my hair does a perfect poof

My family

Sonic Cherry Limeades 

My friends

Real Housewives of Orange County

Fruity Pebbles

Watermelon

Chocolate covered strawberries

Sitting on front porch swings

Fishing

Red dirt music

My sweet sweet doggies

Guiliana and Bill and the fact they are having a baby

Clean fresh linens

Oklahoma State

Cowboys in squared toed Anderson Bean boots

George Strait

Bobby Flay(he's the George Strait of cooking)

working out

Singing at the top of my lungs

Windows rolled down on a beautiful summer day

Summer

Sno-cones

Outdoor concerts

Big Sunglasses

Duck Dynasty

A pair of jeans that fits just right

Kola's

Dolphins

Leaving for vacation one week from today...that makes me VERY happy.

Randoms

A couple of random things for your morning....

Based on my ability to win at Wii golf and after kicking some major a$$ at miniature golf yesterday against the baby brother and mom...I am fairly certain I would become a pro-golfer in no time.

Mind you, I've never actually played real golf...but I'm sure I would rock at that.

If anything, I can totally drive the golf cart.

How cute is baby brother...even with his mustache. 

It's mustache May or something like that...I personally don't understand it. In my opinion there is only one man in this world that looks good with a stache...Tom Selleck.

Costa Rica is calling my name....one week and one day to be exact.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't the least bit excited about this and that I have already laid out the majority of my clothes and styled outfits.

While watching Mob Wives last night, I saw that there is going to be a Mob Wives Chicago...I am so excited about this.

Speaking of wives...WTF is wrong with Teresa Guidice. I used to like her, but girl has gone bat shit crazy.

Who's excited to watch Emily tonight as the new Bachelorette?? Love her and I have a feeling this will be an interesting season.

That's enough randomness for the day.

Dear...

Helllloooo Firday.

Today I'm linking up with Ashley for Friday's letters. It's such a cute idea and everyone is doing it...so I decided to jump on the band wagon.

Dear Friday...thank goodness you are here. I've waited all week for you, let's make this day a good one, k? Dear Payday...just like I've waited for Friday...you always make me and my bank account very happy. Dear bills....you suck!! Dear Costa Rica....I will be gracing you with my presence in just over a week..I know you are just as excited to see me as I am you. Dear stupid Celsius temperatures in CR....I about freaked out on you yesterday when I was checking the forecast and it said 30 degrees...thank goodness I realized it was in the wrong format and that the weather there is a perfect 90 degrees...you almost ruined my whole packing situation.  Dear mom...you are the best mom ever and I love you to the moon and back. Thanks for always being there for me and for baby brother...you are kind, smart, beautiful, loving, generous and just overall awesome. I hope you have the best Mother's day....Love you!! Dear Bella...your hair looks great, I was worried for you but it turned out quite nice. Phew.

Dear lovely followers...y'all are great...hope y'all have a wonderful weekend and to all the momma's out there, Happy Mother's Day.

This morning

It's been an interesting morning.

When I finally roll out of bed in the morning, I stumble to the bathroom until I put in my contacts and am able to see where I am going. This morning I stumble into the bathroom go to turn on that shower and I see it.

This huge blurry black thing that keeps moving in my shower. I have slight freak out moment and then realize it's time to be a big girl and take care of this, because no one else will.

I did what any logical girl would do and turned the shower on in hopes to drown the thing.

The whole time I was taking a shower I was constantly looking at the drain praying that spider would not come back up.

So much for a relaxing shower this AM.

It was such a beautiful morning on the way to work today, so I had the windows rolled down, sunroof open...plus I had to take Bella to get her hair did at the doggie spa, and she loves it when the windows are rolled down.

It's the least I can do before she has to go and get clipped  and groomed.

Windows rolled down=a giant bird like flying bug in my car.

I about had a heart attack trying to get this huge ass bug out of my car...Bella freaks out and tries to bite the damn thing. 

In the meantime a bunny runs across the road and I swerve to miss the bunny..Bella goes off the seat and into the floor. Big gigantic bird like bug finally decides to fly out the window.

Oh did I mentioned that poor sweet Bella has a problem.

She's OCD and will gnaw and gnaw at her skin until her tail looks like a possum tail.

Not kidding, I should take a picture but I don't' want y'all to think I'm a bad doggie mom.

My groomer just looked at her and gave her the ol' "Bless her little heart"

I told them to leave a lot of hair at the top...gotta balance it out somehow.

Fingers crossed my dog doesn't come out of the groomers looking like this.

Pinteresting

Just a few of my favorite pins....

Umm...yes, please.

So, my friend originally pinned this and wrote "Lyndse" as her caption...I admit..I agree with it, it is me on most days.

Pomegranate Lime Margarita

Key lime anything is my favorite

Happy Pinning and Happy Wednesday!!

A little randomness

Happy Tuesday...today is brought to you by

Random thoughts from Lyndse

It really frustrates me so much when cars CLEARLY have their turn signal on and are slowing down like they are going to turn...so, therefore you decided that it's safe enough for you to turn out onto the road.

WRONG.

The #$%@#% little car decides they are not turning and floors it and almost hits you.

Cars that have stuffed animals lined up in their back window like it's a parade of characters...I do not understand the reasoning behind this.

A couple of times I have seen the same three ducks hang out together at the lake. I know this because there are two white ducks and one that is different colors. They are always together...and they are mean.  Mean little ducks. Always attacking the other ducks.

It hit me...that saying, "Birds of a feather...really do flock together."

Of all the shows I DVR, Duck Dynasty is my favorite. I mean, I pretty much supported that company with all these duck calls I bought for my brother. 

My favorite is Uncle Sy.

I wanted ice cream last night, but I didn't want the calories and I didn't want to drive to Braums.

So, I opted for my favorite brewski...Michelob ultra lime. It only has 95 calories...but if you have one, you might as well have two...so in the long run, I probably would have been better off with the Ice Cream.

I have a nutrition/dietetics degree...I know these things.

If I could own a baby hippo...I would.

I find the below quote to be true. 

"I want John Cusack holding a boombox outside my window. I wanna ride off on a lawnmower with Patrick Dempsey. I want Jake from Sixteen Candles waiting outside the church for me. I want Judd Nelson thrusting his fist into the air because he knows he got me. Just once I want my life to be like an 80's movie, preferably one with a really awesome musical number for no apparent reason"

Why did 80's movies have to set my expectations so high...because real life hookers don't meet Richard Gere and fall in love and go shopping on Rodeo drive...it just doesn't happen.

and there you have it...just a few random thoughts.

Fishing

Hello loves.

Hope your weekend was wonderful. Mine was well...eventful. 

I've decided that my new hobby should be fishing.

This girl loves to fish. 

Oklahoma country girl at heart, I guess.

While googling how to catch bigger fish.....I may love to fish but my love hasn't really gotten me anything bigger than a baby fish.

Put it this way, if I had to depend on my fishing skills to feed myself...I would probably starve to death...not for lack of catching fish...just for lack of size.

Anyway back to what I found while googling...they have a women's fishing tournament. 

I've contemplated very hard about this and thought about two things...

1. I for sure need to enter this, as soon as I learn how to catch big fish.

2. Women's fishing tournaments probably happen at the same time as a men's fishing  tournaments...therefore I could meet a potential husband.

Just saying.

Well, while trying to up my fishing game this weekend two things happened.

I got my first sunburn of the summer and it's not even summer.

I'm a white, white, white girl...therefore, I am now lobster red.

and I learned to not wear flipflops while fishing. Oh and my mom is not useful in situations where I fall and can't get up.

I guess that makes three things I learned.

Let me explain.

I decided to walk to the edge of the lake and wash my hands off...instead I slid down the rock butt first straight into the lake...I tried to get back up said rock but it was so slippery that I fell again..not only once but twice...all while my mom is laughing hysterically. My pole went one way and I went the other.

A few scrapes and bruises and sunburn later...I have decided to re-think these fishing tournaments.

I've learned, in my twenties....

I did an age post the other day about 30 things you should know before your 30...only to realize that, "Hey...I'm still in my twenties...be it, late twenties...but still twenties, dammit."

So, I then decided I need to honor my twenties with a post.

I've heard from all over that people say "You grow in your twenties", "You learn and figure out who you are, what you want to be, who it is you want to be with."

It's basically a lot of you's.

and yes, I can attest to all of the above being true.

Now, mind you...I still have 3 years left in my twenties...and I know for a FACT that I will learn even more about life and who I am by the time I turn 30...but I thought I would go ahead and write a couple things that I have learned thus far as a twentysomething gal.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think the best part of my twenties...the part where you are about to graduate college and have all these plans made with your best friend... that those plans would not happen. Never did I think that at 22 I would hear that my best friend,who was 23, had cancer. Never did I think I would spend the next 18 months watching this beautiful, young, vibrant girl fight for her life only to lose her battle with a disease that is beyond our control.

That was the first time ever in my life I have watched someone fight so hard with all they had. She showed me what real true strength and faith and love was. To this day, she is the reason I give 100% in volunteering for Relay For Life. Little did I know that later in my twenties, that moment, the moment she told me she had cancer, would so strongly shape the person I would grow to be. 

I have learned that it's OK to not follow that boy. I have learned that you have to go with not only what your heart tells you, but that little thing called a brain. Not listen to what other people are telling you should or should not do, saying things like, "he was right for me and that I should stop being so picky." I learned that it's perfectly OK to stick to what it IS that I know in MY heart is right.

That was the first moment of my twenties that I knew I couldn't change myself and who I am for some boy.

That one day, the man I am meant to marry will come along and love me for who I am and not expect me to change. Now, that man...who will love me for me...I will move anywhere and whenever for him.

(as long as it's no where cold...I just don't like the cold)

In a heartbeat.

I know that now.

That laughter really does solve everything in the world. Whether it be a night out with my closet girlfriends having the time of our lives...or looking back at old photos of times shared with those who are no longer with us. Laughing through good times and bad is what life is about.

Laughter soothes the soul.

I've learned to not date guys I meet at biker rallies.

Or to date motor-cross guys...or just said motor-cross guy in particular.

That red dirt music is good for the heart, mind, body and soul.

That a guy who loves Jesus, his momma, OSU and knows how to two-step...is my kind of guy.

That little brothers grow up and go off to college and start their own journey at discovering who they are and the man they are meant to be...but when they come home to see their sister...they are still the same little boy that always melted my heart. That it's ok to let him grow up and to make mistakes...because you once made the same mistakes at his age...but he'll learn from them...that's what your twenties are for.

I learned in my twenties that friendship really can carry you through anything. That it's work. Just like any relationship, all the friends have to work at it to stay in touch. I've learned that no matter what life brings us, we always come together. 

Friendship...that's the best medicine.

I've learned to love wine.

I'm more of a mature drinker now that I am older.

Tequila doesn't quite go down as easily as it did when I was 21 or 26.

That you might not always get your dream job right away....but it's the notsogood jobs that will lead you to your dream job, or to your new friends, or to your husband...I have learned you might not like where you are at that time...but you are there for a reason. Whatever it may be.

I've learned God has a plan for you.

To trust and  to have faith

I've learned in my 20s...that when life gets tough...because it does, when your heart gets broken...because it will, that when things don't always go your way...because it won't....that it's just the way it is.

It's not always perfect or pretty or wrapped in a bow

But it's your life and you are only in your 20s one time...so you should embrace it for all it's worth and enjoy the ride.