HOW TO NOT GET HIT ON AT A BAR

So I'm going to share this with you. Let's hope you find as much humor in it as I do. For those of you who know me, I went to school at Texas Tech. Austin was not a place that had a positive image in my head. Guns up…yeah whatever. I now know that God was protecting me from Austin when I was 18 and deciding which college to attend. He knew that if I went to Austin, I would of failed out of college and never left. Austin is by far the best city in Texas. My brother left for NYC today so my mom, him and I all went on a road trip for our final farewell. Since I work the night shift my drinking has cut down quite a bit, some would call me a light weight. Our night started at this bar with a fun band playing live music. The main singer was quite interactive with his crowd so even though we knew none of the songs I couldn't help but enjoy it. There was even a time when he gave everyone red spoons to throw. However, mine ended up on my nose which I was quite proud of. We took a pedicab to the next place and if you haven't taken one of those I highly suggest it. We lucked out and ours had an iPod plus an awesome driver. As she blasted Taylor Swifts new song Shake It Off, we danced through the streets of Austin collecting other pedicabs. By the time we arrived we had about five of them dancing uncontrollably. Next, at our new destination I demanded everyone did Irish car bombs with me since those are my favorite. TARABLE IDEA! Thank you car bomb for sending me over the edge. Goodbye Tara. We then found a jukebox for some Michael Jackson and Blackstreet. Suddenly, there they were the TARABLE dance moves took over my body. At this point my only priority was dancing. While at the bar I vaguely remember holding my drink high as can be over my head and the next thing I know it was gone. Like a magician had magically made it disappear. Confused, I managed to keep dancing until I realized some guy was yelling at me. It was a bouncer, he had a broom in his hands but because of the music and my mental state all I heard was mumbling. My brother runs to my rescue and says, "Do not yell at her. Tara why are you standing in a puddle with glass?" I then realize it was my drink. Had I really just dropped it? Kenneth then says, "Oh my God was that YOUR drink?" Ashamed and not wanting to admit it, I nodded and had officially been cut off for the night.  Now the best part would be what happens next. Above me on the ceiling there were neon inflatable inner tubes. LIGHTBULLLLB! I was tired of being pushed around like a bumper car,  so I snatched one and placed it around my waist. It was perfect!!! No one could get close to me because I had a huge inflatable tube around my waist. I could dance and not a single person could dance on me. It was like I created a personal bubble. Additionally, if someone was too close for my liking, I would just bump them out of my way. Many others caught on and soon the dance floor looked like a giant pool party. The inner tube was taken away from me shortly after, but what a fabulous trend. So girls or guys if you don't want a bunch of randos dancing all on ya, take your floaties to the bar!

XOXO, Tara 

#HarryDateThisNurse

Planning...

Something you will learn that I am absolutely, 100% TARABLE at. I was such an odd kid, I loved to go school supplies shopping. Each year I felt the need to invest in a planner, since I was such a busy middle schooler…not. And each year my mother and I would get in arguments on why this year would be different and that I would actually use it. The last planner I bought was in my last year of nursing school, I get home start to write out all my assignments because I was going to be "organized" and guess what….it was the wrong YEAR!! Oops!

However, I must say if the event that requires planning is really significant to me, I somehow turn into this OCD, detailed oriented superwoman and dedicate an abundance of time to plan for it. The event recently was not a wedding. Nope not engaged, nor even close. This event was THE ONE DIRECTION CONCERT. Now before you start passing judgement and quit reading. I am going to take a moment to defend myself. I am only 25-years-old and Harry Styles is 20. Five years, that does not qualify me as a cougar by any means. I would rather proclaim myself as a puma. Harry Styles is definitely my one guilty pleasure, let's face it we all have them and he happens to be mine. People who know me tend to learn that I normally will always find something wrong with someone, but with him I simply can't.

Besides the fact that he is internationally famous and may never know that I exist. 

Anyways…

The concert was at AT&T stadium on August 24th, 2014. I bought tickets that were 9 rows back for my niece Kate and me. I knew that if I was going to get Harry to notice me I had to be close regardless the blow my bank account took. So not only were we 15 ft away, but I made a sign that I was hoping would catch his eye. "Simple but effective!" as Harry would say.

We started the day waking up to my alarm clock playing One Direction music. Jumping out of bed like it was my wedding day I dashed downstairs with the biggest smile on my face. I wanted the day to go perfect so I scheduled Kate and me an appointment at The Dry Bar. I had never been before and I must say their service was impeccable. Kate and I both got our hair done around 3 then headed home to get our makeup and outfits on. Once we parked and walked into the stadium I got chills. The place was enormous. Girls everywhere (and some guys) sharing the same love for this band as me. We found the sign that said FLOOR SEATING and made our way down. In order to get to our seats, we had various checkpoints that we had to present our tickets in order to continue to get closer to the stage. We reached the last lady and she pointed us in the right direction. I couldn't believe how close we were. I could literally see Harry's facial expressions.

Now that I was positioned and ready I needed him to get to see the sign. Being 5'9'', in 4 inch heels, and surrounded by teenagers I must say I stuck out like a sore thumb, perfect for Harry to spot me. The band made their way out singing their first song Midnight Memories and there he was. He made his way to the stage at this point he was not singing. I could see his eyes going back and forth reading the words of my sign. I saw his face flush red and filled with a smile followed by a laugh. HE SAW IT! More songs go by and he makes his way back towards us. I stick the sign up directly in front of him knowing there is no way he can't see it. Just like that BAM! While signing Live While We're Young, Harry Styles pointed directly at me.

IT HAPPENED HARRY SAW ME! 

He did make his way over a few more times to our side of the stage throughout the night. Repeatedly, I held up the sign and received more smiles/glances from Harry. The night couldn't of gone better.

Now, I know that you may doubt me and thats fine. I really don't care. I did capture this on video and have several eye witnesses that will vouch for me. 

So here it comes: me turning into the OCD, detailed oriented superwoman. This plan involves me going to the Tulsa One Direction concert, yes another one. Sitting on the floor again with the same sign, however, this is where I need your help. I would like suggestions on what to put on the other side of the sign. Something that is clever to get me backstage to meet him. If you have any ideas please let me know!!! :) I would really appreciate it. 

XOXO, Tara

LIFE IS A GAMBLE

Taking chances is terrifying. You get the queasy feeling knowing you just put yourself out on the line. Hoping the chance is worth it. Take roulette for example, you're placing a bet on what you HOPE is the winning number. My winning number is 24. I was at Winstar gambling for my Dad's birthday and I found myself hypnotized by the sound of chips being placed on the red and black table. Surprisingly, I ended up winning a total of $480.00 and it was because of taking a chance. There you are holding chips, placing on a number that you hope by some odd fate it hits. However, those split seconds of deciding which number is worthy of choice, you experience a wave of emotions. Nerves, doubt, faith, and pure fear. Until you hear the dealer say, "WINNER 24 black!"

Now the chances of hitting your number are slim and when it does happen it is well worth it. You not only win, but win big. So, if you're at a point in your life where you're trying to decide if you should take a chance or not, maybe this message is what you've been waiting for. I hope it encourages you to act. You are going to be nervous of course, mostly about failure. Most definitely you will doubt your choice. No doubt faith will be the hardest thing to have. Lastly, you're going to be fearful. But you know what? It's okay. That's right, IT IS OKAY! But what if you take this chance, bet on yourself, and win big!!! Whether it be moving to a new place, starting a new career, or even taking a chance on love. I can promise you this, enduring all these emotions is well worth the pay out because it's going to get you exactly where you belong.

XOXO, Tara

WORK IT GIRL

I am thrilled beyond thrilled actually. I've always grown up around sports and have been an athlete my whole life. In fact, I still remember having a t-shirt as a kid that said, "Forget the doll, give me the ball." My mother made me throw it away eventually. Back then I was considered a tomboy. It wasn't normal for a girl to be good at sports or play the majority of time with boys at recess. That was me, and still is me. I LOVE SPORTS. Now though, it excites me that the "athletic" body type is becoming a social norm. Girls everywhere now have muscles and aren't toothpick thin. Girls are doing cross-fit, yoga, running, sand volleyball, basketball, weight lifting- it's everywhere and they are rocking it. The tomboy is now getting just as many likes as the skinny model and it's about damn time!!! There is nothing more satisfying than wearing workout clothes, running shoes, and my hair in a pony tail. Nightly, I find

myself putting in headphones, blasting my music, and completely losing myself as I run. So work it girls, keep it up and don't give up, because the tomboy isn't so TARABLE after all. 

XOXO, Tara 

THE LOVE OF MY LIFE.

So it's true, I am head over heels in love. To a point where I'm the vulnerable one. The unconditional love I show for them on social media can never be reciprocated, and that's only because she has furry paws! Her name is Patti, a 1 year old black lab that I rescued from a lab rescue. And, if you're planning on following me on this journey, you better get use to the term "love of my life". The other night I got off work and strolled into the house, exhausted and eyes barely open. I hear a thump, thump, thump. There she is her tail bouncing off the floor so hard that her booty is shaking uncontrollably. Beyonce aint got nothing on Patti Cake. :) I can't help but forget everything that happened the night before and surrender to the love of my life, Patti. Now let's fill you in on five funny facts about Patti.

1. She only plays with rubber chickens and has 10+ of them. 

2. She is scared of everythinggggg, one of her nicknames is "Scaredy Pat".

3. She is famous at Sonic. (like mother like daughter)

4. But sorry guys she's taken, she has a boyfriend named Beau who is a 1 year old boxer. 

5. SHE LOVES TO HAVE HER FEET RUBBED, SHE ALWAYS WANTS A PATTI-CURE. 

So as she realizes that her mother is finally home from work, she slowly rolls on her back puts her back feet in the air and the picture says it all. Now I'm not biased on rescuing or buying from breeders, but I am biased on dog lovers. My Papo always said, "Don't trust people who don't love dogs." Couldn't of said it better myself!!! 

XOXO, Tara