the year in review.

Friends. 2010 is quickly taking it's bow. Final curtain call. Wow. What an incredible, crazy, awesome, scary year. Here's my year in review:

10 - (or more) orders I've placed on Amazon.com in 2010. I think I have a problem.

9 - number of days I got to spend with my family for Christmas this year

8 - number of mornings I actually got up and made it to Boot Camp. In August. Thanks humidity... you're for the birds.

7 - number of times I cried when my 14-year old, Maggie, died.

6 - the AM hour I was standing on South Congress with my Aunt and Uncle to cheer my cousin, Blair, in his first half marathon!

5 - number of goals I set here and actually kept.

4 - total number of times I dealt with moving boxes this year.

3 - number of trips I went on this year! New York to celebrate ringing in 2010 with some of my best friends. St. Lucia with family and friends to play and witness my cousin getting married! Denver on a much needed girls trip with my best friend!

2 - number of Bucket List items I've crossed off this year :: concert at Red Rocks and seeing the Eagles play live.

1 - undeserved, humble, blessed, convicted, amazed servant of God that can't wait to grow more in love with Him and live out each day for His glory!

Happy 2011!

the long awaited post...

i thank you for your patience. now... the pictures of the house. you're welcome.

the home sweet home.

when you walk in the front door

and... the kitchen to the right

looking back at the front door

one side of the kitchen

the fridge used to be where the microwave is... and that picture window wasn't there either :)

the other side of the kitchen

took the doors off the cabinets, new counter tops, painted the cabinets

dining room

laundry room

living room from the dining room

french doors... instead of the sliding glass doors

l.o.v.e. this.

added the bookshelves. l.o.v.e. this too.

hallway.

bathroom

my room

other side of my room

the roommate room. aka i need to find a place to put this stuff room.

the guest bedroom. aka the music fan room.

see. more music.

the blank slate of a back yard. can't wait for this spring!

hello. random speaking.

Last week I had a few "oh wow, I'm random" moments. I'm sure some of you are thinking, "what's new"... but I had to write these moments down to share...

Signatures

I have an odd fascination with signing my name. Like. I love to sign my name. Seriously. It's weird. I like comparing one signature with the previous one. In my head, I say "sorry" to the poor chap that will be receiving the work Christmas card/2011 Calendar with my "ugly" signature. I mean, it will be hanging in his/her office for ALL of 2011.

"Dear Banker, I'm sorry that you didn't get the best signature out of me. No offense to you or anything. But, be sure to visit Banker Tom in Smalltown, Tx to see what the real deal looks like. Sincerely, < insert an even better signature of Sarah > (you're welcome)"

No, seriously... I thought about doing that. Or I thought about signing all of the cards "Decker"... seeing as how most of the time, even at work, my first name is irrelevant. I had the quick thought of me just dropping my first name all together and going all Madonna-esque on y'all. Alas, I dropped that notion, but not after some internal debate.

Ok, moving on now...

Cold Feet

Haha... not the cold feet that you're probably thinking of. I mean, HELLO... I guarantee by the time I get to the alter I'll be skipping like a little 5 year old instead of pulling a runaway bride move. I digress. Cold Feet. I hate it when my feet are hot. Hate it. But more than anything, I hate it when my feet are hot at night. I'm constantly moving my feet from side to side throughout the night to find the cool spots in the sheets. This is where I feel sad for people that never sleep with top sheets... because they miss out on this goodness. Or maybe I'm the only person alive that knows about this secret. If so. You're welcome.

Two Fans

I'm pretty sure I've shared this with most of you. And for those of you that know me really well and have slept in the same room with me since college will know that I sleep with not one, but TWO fans. Ceiling fan and a tornado-type fan blowing right beside my bed. Two fans. 365 nights a year. It doesn't matter if it's freezing outside. Heck, it doesn't matter if the heat is out. Two fans. Two fans. Two fans.

Dear Future Husband, get ready. Love always, Decker... err I mean, Sarah

 

PreMature Stall Opener

Ok, this one may be TMI for a few... but whatever. I'm proud to say I'm a premature stall opener. When I'm in a pubilc bathroom, I often find myself opening the stall door before my pants are fully in tact. I mean, they are pulled up... but I'm probably in mid-button phase. Sorry if that makes you feel awkward Ms. Random Lady in the Bathroom. I just gotta get out of that stall!

You're Welcome.

Aka my new phrase. I've been saying it a lot here lately... and almost never after someone says "thank you". For instance:

In response to a possible prank that may or may not be played when I go home for Christmas...

"Our signature just needs to be a sign that says, 'You're Welcome.'"

Someone's day has gotten better after they spent some time with you and they may or may not be referring to that time? - You're welcome.

You're hometown football team wins State for the first time ever? - You're welcome.

Tell people they need to sign up on Skype and when they do? - You're welcome.

Ok, maybe not as funny written out. But it's funny in my head. And for that, and all of the other completely useless information stated above... you're welcome.

the we lessons.

I just realized that it's been a long while since I blogged. I think the most exciting/stressful/humbling thing that has been going on is that of buying and moving into my new home. Now, before I get going... I don't have my pictures to show you. I'll save that for another time. I'm in deep Sarah mode, so I apologize that deep Sarah is who you are about to get. Brace yourselves...

When I bought this house, I tried to have a plan of "attack". I had ordered appliances, settled on a contractor (who was INCREDIBLE, by the by) and started working on painting myself. I prayed for this house... I prayed what it would be to me AND to everyone that stepped foot into it. I was ready to make this house a home. I'm not going to bore you with crazy stories of having appliances on "hold" or about how I have memorized the extensions for the people I need to talk to at 1-800-BEST-BUY or how many trips I've made to Lowe's in the last month... but I do want to talk about the hardest thing I've had to learn... the we lessons.

Through the course of time between signing the dotted line and well... now, when asked about the house, I would often respond in the plural form. For example, "we're cutting a hole in the wall.", "we'll go over and paint tonight.", "it'll be so exciting once we're all moved in." Now please note, this became rather embarrassing... because, I, in fact, am not a we. I had to laugh it off a few more times than I care to admit.

At any rate, these are the 3 we things I have prayed through, figured out and learned from...

Simply stated, I am ready to be a "we". I had some incredibly lonely moments over the past month. Literally, carrying these burdens by myself. I prayed that I would let go, that I could lay all of my frustrations and worries at the Lord's feet. And, to be honest, I prayed for God to show me what I was missing... because I still had this huge stress that wasn't letting up. And, I prayed more consistently for a husband than I have in a very long time. I asked God to prepare my heart and the heart of some man that would be able to walk through this life with one another. To share the burden... even if it is still me having to take off of work or call the electrician or get a little fierce with a manager. I didn't necessarily need someone to take care of me... I just really desired to have someone to share the burden... and whenever I was struggling, to point me back to Jesus... to encourage and challenge me to love the people that, in that moment, were very hard to love. I wanted a partner. I still want a partner.  

"even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." - John 14:17

I knew I wasn't alone. I knew that God was walking me through this the whole thing... even though I didn't physically have someone beside me. But then it dawned on me... maybe a deeper layer of this "we" thing I keep on word-vomiting is because I am apart of a we... Now there's a eureka moment, Decker... come.on.  I've been praying for a home for a long time... praying to have a place that brings God glory. He has provided in more ways that I have ever imagined. He has provided the way. HE makes me a we. I realized that I am part of this we. And I'm the one that had to go through these inconveniences so that He could be glorified and use this home the way He wants it used! "So, God, you're saying I didn't do this all on my own? I shouldn't get caught up on not having someone in this physically with me, because You are always there and seeing me through this?" -  "Yes, dodo brain, I.got.this." Ok, so maybe God doesn't call me a dodo brain, and calls me "My beloved" instead... but it was the gut-punch I needed to tame this woe-is-me state I've been dwelling in.
  

"The Lord your God is in your midst..." - Zephaniah 3:17

 

So the last we lesson has really come into play over the last few weeks. I've handed out 4 keys to friends, they have their own alarm codes and they know they have to let Layla out when they come over. They know how the TV works, that they can add whatever they want to the Netflix and Hulu accounts. They have volunteered to have get-togethers at the house and then call me to let me know. They've met the neighbors. They know they've always got a home away from home. God has shown me that there is no I, my, me or mine in this... this is truly a we. In less than a month, He has not only given me a home, but given others a home too. It's what I've been praying for... and He's answered it so clearly and abundantly. I'm just excited to see what else He has in store!

welp...

This small town girl has signed the dotted line and is now a HOMEOWNER!! Never thought I'd actually be doing this. I've dreamed about having a home of my own for SO long!


All thanks and praise to God for literally providing every single step of the way! He's in control of all of this and I'm just the blessed girl that gets to experience it.


So, with all of that said... if you're ever in Austin... stop by!!



 

this just in...

I'm a planner. I love to plan. I have calendars... yes, plural. I love making weekend plans, vacation plans, dinner plans. I mean, I am pretty much the self-appointed birthday committee chairperson for most of my friend's birthday parties. Don't get me wrong, I love being spontaneous... but that's all when I don't have a plan. I mean, I'll make a plan for the weekend to do nothing, and then fill it with all kinds of spontaneous fun things. But, at least I planned on doing nothing...

Here's the deal, I don't like it when my plans fall through. I'm buying a house. I've set up the utilities, gas, internet, alarm... even getting my address change. I like to be prepared as much as possible. I have the contractor lined up to literally start on the house as soon as I get the keys. I've picked out the paint, hardwood floors, stove, fridge, washer, dryer, countertops... heck, even my sink. I did all of this, even preparing for closing to happen a day later or so. Well. This just in. Closing... yeah... let's add like 10 days to that. For real? 10 days? 

This is NOT necessarily the time I was hoping to be spontaneous. Really.

I found out the possibility of closing a "few" days later on Friday right before I left work. My instant reaction was frustration. I kept saying to myself, "This is NOT a big deal!" But, I was fighting the planner inside of me... already thinking of how I would have to call each place to delay set up and how this just pushes back every little plan made along the way. And, that it effects more than just me. My parents, aunt, Beth, my friend that was going to move me on Veteran's Day. All of them are going to have to re-think and re-schedule their weekends or if they will be able to come at all. But, as soon as I came out of the only-child-syndrome, I started praying. After all, I want HIS plan over my own. If that means I don't close on time, then it is for God's glory. If that means that I don't close at all, then it is for God's glory. If it means that my contractor falls through and I move in as-is, then it is for God's glory. I have faith in God's plan for me... and that includes this house that I have dreamed big dreams about. I only want it if He wills it for me. It's His money, His loan. 

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. - Proverbs 19:21

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Please know I'm not trying to be dramatic. This is just really a fight over control in my heart. If I had it my way, I would totally be in control. (And everything would be right on schedule, by the way.) So, this is just a struggle that I'm putting out there before the world. I have to pray my way through it... and totally remember the unbelievable provision He's given me along the way. I mean, seriously. Heaven sent. Even today, in the midst of my unwelcomed news that closing will be for sure delayed, I got the news that I am locked in at this incredible interest rate... that will for sure save me $$ over time! Why can't I just be hyped over that? Control, planner Sarah needs to bounce. I think I need the spontaneous, fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants Sarah a lot more... especially in this situation! And now that I'm starting to sound bipolar, I'm going to stop writing...

peace out, glutten.

In the midst of buying a home, a crazy work schedule, friends coming into town, ACL Festival (whoop!), et al... I decided I was gonna go gluten free in October. I don't really have a valid reason... more of just wanting to see if changing my eating habits will help me have more energy.

Day 3 Status? I'm holding up. :) No bread, pasta, chick-fil-a, saltines with my chili... woah.is.me. However, I will say that the past 2 mornings, I've actually woken up when my alarm went off. Coincidence? Maybe. Who knows...

There you have it. So long to those things I really love. At least until I go home at the end of the month and maybe... just maybe... have some Leon's Nutbread waiting for me. (hint hint to the parentals!)

Oh yes, as an update about the Laser Hair Removal. I did 3 treatments... and I think I'm back to shaving everyday. Arg. I think they want you to do 5 or 6, but I just didn't have it in me to drop another chunk of change. Alas, no hair was great while it lasted...

lowe's is about to be my new friend.

So, there's a reason why I haven't blogged as of late. Have I been traveling for work? Yep. Have I been busy with other things outside of work? Sure. But, I've been intentionally holding out on you guys... cause I can be mischievous like that sometimes.

Well... the big news?

I'M BUYING A HOUSE!

There... I said it. And it feels good :)

Now, most of you are probably thinking, "Didn't she just move?" Yes... I did. I'm ridiculous and never seem to do things in the most logical way. However, I fell in love with this house, it was the right price and after LOTS of prayer... I felt like it was what God was leading me to do.

So, as of right now, I'll be closing at the end of October. However, I may close earlier once all the stuff with my bank gets straight. Oh.my. 

It won't be as easy as moving in... why? Well, I'm a Decker. But, more than that, I'm my mother's daughter. We gotta make things our own. When we nest, we like to nest in something that we LOVE. That's just how we roll. So... I've signed on with a contractor (whom I have lovingly deemed as my "dad in Austin") that will start on a little ren-o-vation as soon as I close. I've promised him that I will be his dream customer and have everything picked out and ordered before I close.

Don't worry that the fall is the busiest season at work. And, that I have things planned almost every weekend of October. But, by goodness gracious, I WILL be having a Crimah party come December.

Without further ado... here's the future homestead...

Please be praying for this home... that it is a home to everyone who enters it! That God's light can shine through these walls and that it is a place for Him to do a work in me and everyone who walks through the door!

I'm particularly praying Ephesians 3:20 over the house:

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, 

according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church 

and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. 

mountains.

I had the incredible blessing of going to Colorado with my best friend, Beth, last weekend. It was our first trip since college... it was much needed for us, but also for our souls.

This is why...

When I think of Colorado, I literally take a deep breath. And do this...

I love this state. I love the mountains. I love being there. Ever since I was young, we would take trips up to Colorado at all times of the year... and each time I left, I felt like I was going to miss out on something. I love this place.

Beth and I both came to the conclusion that a pipe-dream is for both of us to have a mountain home. Really, I can seriously see myself splitting my time between the Texas Hill Country and the Rocky Mountains. I'm pretty sure that would make my dreams come true.

Why do I love the mountains? I love the breeze, the temperature, the nature. But, mostly, I love that I feel closer to God when I'm there. I pray all the time... I take in His majesty. I find myself worshiping a LOT more throughout the day. I'm definitely more grateful. I feel like I'm the best form of me.

But, at the heart of it all, I love Texas. I'm a Texas girl through and through. And, as exciting as it is to think of living in Colorado year-round, I know I would miss my Texas. I would miss being close to family. I would miss Austin... and East Texas... and College Station... and every person I love in between. I would miss my church. I would miss it all.

Sometimes the grass isn't always so green on the other side. I gotta keep that in mind. Especially when I'm starting to fertilize the grassy field I'm standing in!

But... oh the Colorado. I'm definitely going to be spending more time there.

the feeling or the know :: part deux

To make a really long story as short as I can, I'm starting to look for a house. I've been wanting to buy my own place for as long as I can remember. Beth claims that even in college, I would talk about buying a house. I love homes of all kinds. I love saving ideas for my future home. I will love making a house a home.

I recently, totally on a whim, decided to get pre-qualified for a home loan. Little did I know that about 2 weeks later I would randomly decide to answer a casting call for HGTV's "My First Place"...

Now, before you all either roll your eyes or get hyped with excitement... I'm NOT going to be on TV. The casting director and I became fast friends (met her this past weekend in Denver!)... and she was sure I'd be chosen. However, HGTV was satisfied with the number of stories they had received and stopped the call, quite abruptly. My casting director wasn't even able to submit my video. Bummer.

However, through the whole process of going through the interviews for this show, I just kept on praying that I was doing the right thing. That I wasn't buying a house to just be on TV, or to get a free room makeover at the end of the show... I wanted to do it because it was the right time, because it was God giving me the thumbs up. But, after all was said and done, and the show was completely out of the mix... I still had the feel or the know that I am really ready to have a place of my own... and that this is where God is leading me.

I was supposed to go look for the first time yesterday afternoon, but a dead car battery deterred me from doing so. It took everything in me, in my moment of frustration, to not think that "this was a sign". But, I am ready. I feel like God has brought me to a place where now is the time. Now, my now may not be God's now... but never-the-less, I feel like I'm supposed to start this journey.

It petrifies me that I'm considering doing this. I constantly doubt myself... my feeling or know... but I feel like I'm supposed to trust that. To trust that it's from God. It's a huge struggle to have to do a heart-check like every 30 minutes when I think about it. When it comes to this... I definitely have "the fear of the Lord". :)

So that's that. A few months ago, I told some of my close friends, "it feels like something BIG's about to happen... I don't know what it is... but I think it's going to be BIG." I guess it's a wait and see thing now!!

Would appreciate any prayers as I'm still discerning God's plan in all of this... I don't want to be swayed with my own desires over His calling.

the feeling or the know :: part 1

Molly recently told me that I am really good at relying on my instincts. I took it as a compliment, but it got me to thinking. I really do rely on how things make me feel. As I've grown in my faith, I definitely pray about things before making a decision... but often I rely on my heart for the feel or the know. Like, if I ask God to give me wisdom on making a decision... if my heart doesn't change or seem to be deterred even just a little... I trust that I'm making the right move.

Some of the best things in my life have happened via the feel or the know. For instance, when it comes to my closest friends, I can remember just knowing that they would be in my life forever. When Beth and I had only hung out a few times prior to me going on a trip to Europe with my mom... I came back and asked her,  

"Is it weird that I missed you? I think we're supposed to be best friends..." 

Thankfully, she agreed :) The night I met a guy that I would end up dating for a long time, I wrote in my journal:  

"He may not be around forever, but I  know he'll be around for a while." 

When I moved to Austin the first time, when I moved to Dallas, when I moved back to Austin. I just knew... I just knew it was what I needed to do. When Linda and I decided to live together... I knew it would be the best thing for me. When I interviewed for my job at IBAT, before I was offered the job or told how much the pay would be or when I would need to start, I told my now-bosses,  

"I don't know if you want to offer me this job or not, but just know that if you do, I will take it."

I make decisions quickly... and I jump in with both feet. It's my nature to give 110% to the things in life I feel like I should do... the things I'm supposed to do. Whether serving in ministry, relationships, jobs, cities, buying a car or computer, heck... even buying a prom dress... I commit and commit quickly. I'm what some would call passionate.

To be honest, this passionate reality scares me. It scares me that my heart seems so easily swayed... so quick to decide. It scares me that I will somehow lose everything I've learned as soon as I meet the next guy. It scares me that I will dive into something and then struggle from it consuming me. It scares me to be passionate.

But, at the same time, I trust the passionate Sarah. I trust that it's God leading my heart. I trust that He's made me this way... even though I don't quite understand it. Looking back over the last 29 years, I don't think that having the feeling or the know has led me too far astray. In fact, I think the times where I go most off of course is when I try to push back the feeling or the know. I've learned the hard way to trust the feeling when I need to walk away... when I need to doubt... when I need to question... when I need to fight.

In part 2 of this post, I'll fill you in on the latest struggle to be passionate. Probably all of this will make better sense... :)

pulling a fast one...

Well... for some of you, I'm pulling a fast one on you! I always like to mix it up from time to time, so with much anticipation... I give you... the new, refreshed blog title and look!

When I originally named my blog "My Cup Runneth Over"... I truly meant it. I was and am overwhelmingly blessed by the love of Christ that surrounds me. But, like I posted in Apt 731, I feel like God is starting to make some big changes in my life. Some of which I know what they are, and a whole lot more that I have no clue what's to come! So... I thought a blog title change... a little refresher was appropriate.

My absolute favorite song ever is Don't Stop Believin' by Journey. I know, it's kind of cliche' now, but I have really always loved this song... you can ask my Momma! The first line of the song is, as most of you know,

"Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world. She took a midnight train going anywhere..."

Well, I am certainly not living in a lonely world. And I didn't take a train anywhere, except for the time my mom and I rode the train to Dallas when I was 7. But, by the grace of God, I am a small town girl that landed in Austin, Texas. Gosh, I love this city... it's become part of who I am. I love being able to say that I live here, I love seeing how God is changing this city, I love being apart of that change, I love the music, the culture, the laid-back-ness, the unique things you can only find, do or see in Austin. I love that there is something that is always new to try, but that it's the heart of history of this great State.

But more than any of that, I fully, with all of my heart, trust this journey that God has me on. I know it's for His glory and His purpose... and I'm just blessed to have been chosen to be apart of it. So... I guess you could say that I "don't stop believin'" in this journey called life. As far as my posts go, nothing is changing... you'll still get some Jesus, the random funny story, the "what's going on" in my life and probably a few more food postings. It's all from this small town girl perspective... living in this great big world... all the while never ceasing to believe... Hope y'all are as hyped as I am!

blind.

Often, I pray for God to give me eyes to see and ears to hear... to break my heart for what breaks His. And, almost every single time I pray these things, I'm convicted by something I chose to spend my time reading, listening to, saying, watching or thinking. Always. So, I pray for it more... But, it wasn't until recently, that in the midst of praying these things, that I felt led to be thankful for the gifts to see, hear, speak, feel... and let's face it, taste, because I love food.

At any rate, yesterday I was on the plane coming back from a day-long meeting in Dallas. I was tired... I was ready to be home. I snagged a seat on the front row of seats in between two older men. Not really in the mood to talk, I figured that this was the safest bet. But then, that conviction of the Holy Spirit kicked in, and I at least thought I should make a little small talk... because I don't think Jesus would have ever just sat on a plane and not engaged in some meaningful conversation.

I started chatting with the man on my right, and quickly learned that he is 100% legally blind. He had beautiful, sky-colored eyes and a heart-warming smile. He loved his job of traveling all over Texas, sharing with different companies this incredible product that turns our print media into media for the blind. As he was talking, I was sitting there thinking, "no computer? no internet? no TV? no iPhone? no driving?!" It never really occurred to me that the blind really don't have all of those modern-day gadgets and conveniences that all of us don't even think twice about. But then, the good ol' Holy Spirit started tugging at my heart... again.

The truth is that I am blessed. I can see the beauty, wonder and greatness of God's creation. My sight is something I truly take for granted. I know that the Lord has provided incredible things for those without sight... I know that this man, and any other human with a beating heart, is created in God's image. I hope that all of you know I wasn't sitting there thinking, "Oh poor little blind man..." I was merely just reflecting on those precious gifts that I take for granted every single day. I was whole-heartedly convicted about the things I waste my sight on... facebook, stupid tv shows or stupid movies. I couldn't help but be sick at the thought that I chose these things often over reading my Bible, reading books or taking in God's creation... or anything that stirs my heart into loving Jesus more. I waste my sight.

Now, I'm not going to swear off TV or anything like that... but in those times where I know that I should be doing something else and my flesh just wants to sit on the couch and do nothing... well, I don't want to waste my sight anymore. I want to grow, learn and pray. I want to fall deeply and intimately in love with Jesus. I am a wasteful person... and I think I've finally had a little wake-up call. 

As I was leaving the airport yesterday, I thanked God for Steve. For using him in my life... and I just pray that Steve felt the love of Jesus through our conversation. We didn't talk about Jesus at all... but I just hope he felt His presence the way I did. :)  My heart has been stirred in a way that was desperately needed.

No-10

No-10.

That is the name of this little guy.

Why is he named No-10? Because of this...

My family has a very short history of naming our furniture. Well, my dad and I name our cars... but we have one piece of furniture in our house that has a name. It's a dresser, and his name is Fred. Why Fred? Because when Dad was sanding it down after we bought it, he found that somebody (let's face it, it was a kid) had carved his name into the dressed. When Dad stained it, FRED was loud and clear. So, it's never been a "go look in the dresser" conversation for the Deckers... it's a "go look in Fred". 


So, when I decided to do a little re-vamping to my bedside table, you can only imagine my excitement when I found out he, too, had a name. Errr number... whatever. Without further ado, here is the process of giving No-10 a little love...

The new room is close to being complete... as soon as it is, you'll be seeing how No-10, green edition, is fitting in perfectly!
 

yummmm

Tacos al Pastor and Mexican Coke. Those are the only words you need to know when you go to this restaurant. Trust.me.


Takoba is a new place that just opened up the first week of July in East Austin. It's on East 7th street. They have their own, huge parking lot... a rare find in Austin, Texas! It's labeled as interior mexican food, but if you are scared of that label, don't be scared of Takoba. In the words of my little friend, Hailey Bloss, this food is "SOOOOOO GOOD." Seriously, Linda and I have gone there 3 weeks in a row... yes, they've only been open for 3 weeks. I think we're about to make some really good friends with the wait staff!


So yes. Takoba. You should check it out. I don't think you will leave disappointed!