ATX

To celebrate the end of radiation and most of my cancer treatments, Henderson and I headed to Austin this weekend!

What we did: eat, drink, shop, drink, brunch.

What we didn't do: laundry, go to Walmart, set an alarm.

If that isn't a good weekend, I don't know what is.

I left work at noon on Friday, stopped by the house and picked up a few things, and headed to the clinic to pick up Henderson.  We didn't get to leave as early as we wanted but we set out towards Austin about 4:00.  FYI: traffic on a Friday getting to Austin is cray.

Selfie sitting in traffic

We got to the hotel about 7:30 and had reservations at Perla's at 9.   

My sweet date!

A SoCo Fizz (Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka, Agave, Lime, Sparkling) - delish!!

Such a delicious meal!  Henderson had the tuna and I had the redfish.  The best part of this meal was the lobster cheese grits!  

After dinner we walked down to another bar for some drinks.  We Uber'd back to the hotel around 1 am.  Who are we?!

Saturday morning we headed to South Congress Cafe for brunch.  Y'all.  I know I say I love brunch a lot.  But I love brunch.  And these blueberry pancakes were my jam.  Along with the mimosa.  Henderson had a Denver Omelet.  They had these delicious little muffins too.  I could go on and on.  But if you're in Austin hit this place up.  

After eating and drinking we walked down South Congress and saw this on the side of a building.  Obvi, it's my new profile picture.

Of course, I made Henderson go in Kendra Scott's flagship store!  Had to buy some new earrings even if there's a store within walking distance of my office.

So we went in this cute store called The Gypsy Wagon.  I wanted everything they have, including the glasses below (they had some beer pilsners too with this graphic) but wow, was this place pricy!  $20 for a glass?!  No thank you.  I did buy the cutest koozie and I found out they have a store on Knox Henderson.  Might be my new guilty pleasure!

More South Congress

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What I'm always telling Henderson!

This candy shop was awesome!  Good thing I don't have a sweet tooth!

Next on the agenda was Rainey Street, basically a street of bars in old houses.  This is the point where Henderson and I discussed the top 3 differences in Austin and Starkville.  1. Drink prices.  2.  Drink prices.  3.  Drink prices.  

Container Bar, Art of Tacos, and Bungalow were all great!  Loved Rainey Street!  Also, is cornhole like the official sport of Austin?!  We couldn't get over how every bar seemed to have cornhole.  And students lazily enjoying a Saturday drinking $12 drinks.  Oh, to be a college student again.  

Next up was UT's campus!  Nice campus; but I'll never like that orange color.  

For dinner Saturday night, we went with a recommendation from one of my coworkers, who coincidentally happened to be at the same restaurant on Saturday night.  

Y'all.  The food at this place.  Also, Sangria Margarita.  I die. 

Sunday morning we headed to Magnolia Cafe South for breakfast.  So different from South Congress Cafe.  I don't think Magnola Cafe has changed anything in their restaurant in years.  Seriously, the booth was so uncomfortable.  But the food was great!  Definitely diner type feel and food!  Loved it!!

And of course, I couldn't go to our state's capitol with my husband without visiting the Capitol.  

Representing the six national flags that have flown over Texas.  Hence the name for Six Flags theme park.

Cool, old hinges!

#selfiestick

So, quick story (it's not like this is my longest blog post in the history of blogging or anything) but obviously you have to go through security to get into the capitol.  I didn't take off my bracelets so they set the metal detector off.  The security guard that had to wand me said, "I love your hair cut!  So cute!"  I almost cried tears of joy!  I told him that his compliment meant so much to me as I was trying to let my hair grow out after chemo.  I wanted my picture made with him but they don't allow pictures of security.  :(  In case you couldn't tell or are blind, I got my hair cut last Saturday.  Now all of my hair is the same length and this cut will allow it to grow in at the same rate.  This was by far the hardest hair cut to get.  After I left the salon, I cried for 20 minutes straight, then went to the liquor store!  I know that it looks better than the strings of hair, but I hate it.  All of my friends and coworkers say it's cute, but I sometimes feel like they have to.  And they know the back story.  This guy didn't know anything about me.  It just means that much more!

Our final excursion this weekend was to stop at Buc-ee's in Temple.  I was looking forward to this stop all weekend!!  We got some BBQ sandwiches and homemade chips for lunch.  I loved perusing the gift shop area and picking out a couple gifts for upcoming birthdays.  If you've never been to a Buc-ee's you're missing out.  

Yes, I took a picture at a gas station.  

It was less than 48 hours but this weekend getaway was just what we needed.  We're in a state of celebration these days.  What a great state to be in.

Celebrating!

Wednesday, April 1 was my last radiation treatment!!  Originally, this was supposed to be my last day but because of the weather, my last planned treatment got pushed back to April 8.  I went in Monday to see the doctor and for them to prepare me for my "boost" (your last five treatments which are pinpointed to the area closest to your scar) and they said that it looked like my body was responding so well that I could skip the last five! (Read: my skin is so red and fried that I don't have to continue with treatments!)  I asked Dr. Cheek, "Are you sure?"  Then said, "Well, you're the doctor!"  I am upset that I didn't get a picture with him or his nurses since it was pretty rushed and I wasn't prepared for it to be my last week.

It's funny how radiation has become such a habit; my mind keeps thinking I have to get up early to go!  I am so fortunate that during my treatments I was able to meet someone close to my age who also has a mutation.  Everyone's experience is so different but it's still comforting to be in this with someone who has an inkling of what you're going through.  Such a God-thing that during every step of this journey (chemo, surgery, and now radiation) God has placed another young woman there with me to mentor me/pray for/vent with.

I feel like this is the season of life is all about celebrating and I don't see it ending anytime soon!  I had a happy hour last week for finishing up a project at work, this week my coworkers had a happy hour to celebrate me being done with radiation, and next week is another happy hour!  Which leads me to my new favorite quote:

Work happy hour

Celebrating with Erin and Tim

Henderson and I are going to Austin in a few weekends to celebrate and we're planning our Costa Rica vacation that we had to cancel last year when I got diagnosed!  Seriously feels like celebrate is my middle name these days.  And I'm good with that.  I do have so much to celebrate!!

Life is so good these days.

Trip to Mississippi

A few weekends ago, I flew to Mississippi to surprise Cheyenne who was receiving a saddle for all of her hard work during this last barrel racing season!

I flew out of DFW early Saturday morning.  I have a new accessory with me in the form of a compression sleeve.  Of course I had to have a cute one!  Henderson wanted me to get one that looks like you have tattoos on your arms...

Daddy picked me up and we headed to Culinary Cowboy for lunch.  Of course, I had to take photos of photos.  Yes, those are large pictures of me and Cheyenne and our various animals.  They're considered decor.

Delicious salad!

with Mimi and Daddy

After I got to Eupora (and Cheyenne calmed down) we started getting ready for everyone to come over!  Of course I had to bring out the selfie stick!  

Educating Mawmaw and Aunt Betty on the selfie stick.

Aunt Janet made some cute cupcakes!

Another surprise - Mama went and picked up Cheyenne's prize saddle so everyone could see it!

Getting ready for the selfie!

Preston and Charlcy were sick so they couldn't come.  But never fear, I had to visit!

.Charlcy has been showing him my picture and reminding him of my name!  Sweetest thing ever, "Bailey, come play with me!"

Found this picture of my grandmother and had to take a picture of a picture!

Sunday, I headed to Brandon to Whitney's house to meet sweet Peyton!  Isn't he so precious?!  She looks great!  I loved seeing Whitney's house again and getting to visit with her and Lauren for a couple of hours.

Lauren and Caroline

Selfie time!

Love these sweet girls!

I hadn't seen Brian on this trip yet so I made him pick me up from Whitney's, buy me Sonic Happy Hour and take me to the airport!  It was less than 30 minutes but still great!

This trip was a whirlwind.  But I do believe I got to see most everyone which is awesome!  I was home before 6 pm on Sunday.  I loved visiting my sweet family but it was good to be back home in Texas!