look for me on the big screen!

"Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life." ~Buddha

I have had a few weeks of what I like to call "LA livin". Since I moved in a little over three weeks ago I have done my fair share of sightseeing and exploring Los Angeles. I've walked the "stars" on Hollywood, driven through Beverly Hills, walked the beach from Santa Monica to Venice, and survived a minor earthquake. When I say minor I mean that I didn't even know about it until people were talking about it at work the next day. But...I did survive. God has big plans for me I guess!
I am living in the North Hollywood Arts District aka "NoHo". My apartments are Living At NoHo...I sure hope no hoes live there. HA. love that joke. Anywho. The apartments are nice with a gym, rooftop pool, and underground parking (a big plus here). And I get to live there for free. The apartment isn't far from work but I've decided to take the rail to work since its just about two blocks from my apt. and a block from work. The train only takes about 15 minutes from stop to stop and it's a buck 50 per trip. Not bad considering it would probably take me at least 45 minutes to drive to work. With that being said, I disagree with everyone who says LA has bad traffic. The freeways are bad at times but in general the traffic moves quickly and I don't mind it one bit. It does help that when I am in sit still traffic I've got tall palm trees and rolling hills to gaze at. The area around my apt. has recently been revamped. I live in the LA Art Institute neighborhood and the Emmy building is my backyard so there are some pretty funky people around all the time. Lots of young people though and some fun, nice restaurants within walking distance.
Last weekend I went to see Cirque Du Soleil Iris (A Journey Through The World Of Cinema) at the famous Kodak Theatre. The theatre was pretty cool, but not near as glamorous as I had expected. They say that the Oscars will still be there and the show will take a month hiatus. The show was another spectacular Cirque show. It was my third Cirque show and I've never been disappointed! The bendy Asians and the muscular, near naked Russians are always enthralling.  
Working four nights a week has taken up more of my time than I would like, but I have been trying to fit in as much as I can. Tomorrow afternoon I am headed to see Chelsea Lately in Santa Monica. I might even head to the beach afterwards to catch a few rays and do some fun people watching. Wednesday I am going to see The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Look for me in the audience of those shows; I will let you know when they air! Thursday night I am going to see The Band of Heathens at a quiet, small venue in Hollywood. This is the third concert I've been to there since I moved here, I think I love it. I first saw Ben Rector with some girls then I went to Needtobreathe stag. Both were great shows! I still can't believe that I went to the show alone, but it ended but being a great time. Needtobreathe is one of my all time favorite bands so it was totally worth the strange looks.
Hopefully I will find some more awesome things to fill my time here in LA. I signed on for 5 months so I am here until January 8th...come visit me and join in on the fun!

LIVE LIFE

mi humble abode de Los Angeles

"I think that when you invite people to your home, you invite them to yourself." ~ Oprah Winfrey

i guess I should say this...mi humble abode de north hollywood.

yep, that's right.

I live in HOLLYWOOD.

North Hollywood Arts District to be exact.

Here are some photos of my aptartment. You've got to book a ticket out here to see the neighborhood and the Hollywood sign. Just do it!

LOVE LIFE

are you there blog world? it's me, Haley.

"You must give up the life you planned in order to have the life that is waiting for you." ~ Joseph Campbell

Where to begin. I guess I could begin with where we ended but...no. I don't think I want to live all that again so I'm just not gonna go back that far. I do apologize, but if you knew you would thank me. Promise!


So. Hello!
Since we visited last I have made some major moves.
I just looked back to my last post, MAN it's been awhile.
Austin: I left at the end of June. Packed myself and my apartment into my little sedan all by myself after work one night and left the next morning. Dropped off my keys and that was that. Crazy. It went by so fast. I had a great time getting to visit with Karen again and exploring all that Austin had to offer.
Seaside: Two days later I was resting my head on the white beaches of Seaside, FL.  It was a wonderful vaca of course. Lots of sun, some lovely beach drinks prepared by only the best (my father), and lots of family time.

Camp Mitchell: Soon after the beach I became a kid again at camp. I spent a week on Petit Jean Mt. in Arkansas as a camp nurse. I always leave Camp Mitchell feeling SO refreshed. The work part was fun but the best part was simply being on the mountain and feeling needed. I truly feel so close to God when I am there. His power takes me by surprise every time. It is always such an emotional journey for me. It's the best feeling in the world. I hate leaving knowing that "life" will take over and that feeling will go away. I hate it. And...it did, life took over.

Arkansas: Yet again I find myself telling you that I spent the next month sitting at my parents house. What I did during this time I can't really recall. Time seemed to fly by and sit still all at the same time. The first weekend was a lovely one with Emily, Mary Evelyn, and Lauren who traveled a bit north for a weekend retreat. We had a blast catching up, eating, drinking, relaxing, and getting in some lake time. I also spent some of the month doing nothing but eating and sleeping. I did some things for Casie's wedding in October. I attempted to start and finish my college t-shirt quilt. I failed. I didn't blog. I felt sorry for myself because I couldn't get another travel job lined up. I thought I had one lined up for Houston and that feel through. I skyped with old friends. I tried to learn how to cook. I will say that I did not fail at that! I made some Christmas gifts. I did not run. I am still not running. Yea...that all sounds about right. Cool, huh?

Los Angeles: Next thing I knew I was in my car headed to LA. I set up the assignment at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and a week later I was on the road. Dad and I made a little trip out of the 1600 mile drive. We drove from Arkansas, through Oklahoma, into New Mexico in one day even with a detour to Santa Fe. We had a nice afternoon and night walking around downtown, people watching, enjoying the cooler weather, and eating yummy Mexican food. The next day we made the drive through New Mexico, Arizona, and California into LA (complete desert!!). In just two days we had driven half of the country and we felt great. We moved into my apt. that night and spent the rest of the weekend exploring my new home.

And here I am. I am working on the pediatric transplant unit at CHLA. It's funny because I told myself that I would never work on a transplant unit again after DC. I guess this is just a little friendly reminder that I do not control my future...as much as I wish I did. The hospital is amazing. We are in a new (one month old) building right on Sunset Blvd. The facility is great, the people are awesome, and the patients are pretty simple. A good gig I would say. Oh and the weather has been great. Warm but no 100 degree days with high humidity. I guess it's a good thing I did not end up in Houston.

I will let you all go for now. I guess I did end up telling you all of my life that you have missed since my last post. Sorry.?!

I will try to blog again soon about LA, my apt., life.

oh life!

but for now,

LIVE the LIFE

you have been given

this is HUGE!

‎"When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself." ~Wayne Dyer


Ok ya'll. Here it goes. 
Tonight I did something HUGE, GRAND! It was one of those "can you believe it?" moments. Something so totally unbelievable that even I can not believe it. So...here it is.

This evening, after work, I went to a restaurant. To have dinner and a drink. ALONE!

Why is this such a big deal?

If you know me you know why this is such a big deal.

I have a phobia of people eating alone. I guess I could say had. But really I can't. While I did go to dinner alone tonight, I have to admit that it wasn't too bad, I still fear seeing someone eating alone. 

Anywho...I did it. I did it because I wanted to celebrate my trip to Austin. A successful adventure! I also thought that after all I've done (moving far away, moving back, moving to a new city, living alone, starting a new job) I should make the final step. I finally feel that I am an independent woman! I can live alone, work with strangers and do a fine job, and go to a restaurant to have dinner alone! the end. 

It's also easy to sit alone in a restaurant knowing that in just 2 days I will be with best friends in Fort Worth. And in 3 days I will be on the beach with family! amen!

LOVE LIFE and be independent!

the day is good?

"If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been." ~ Robert Brault

I would say that the day is GREAT when it starts with this sweet little note...

"I'm proud of you. You are the strongest young woman I know with the sweetest heart!"

LOVE YOU, 

mom

boy...I am so very blessed.

LOVE LIFE & those in it!

2/12 and feeling guilty

"Better to get up late & be wide awake than to get up early & be asleep all day." ~Anonymous


Yep. Week 2 is done. 
Only 10 more to go!
Here is a look at this past weeks progress. Here is also why I am feeling guilty.


Distance- 11.5
Time- 2 hours & 51 minutes
Weight loss- 1.5 pounds 
Yes, you are right! That means I am one pound away from the 4 week goal weight. woop!


Well. Here it is. I started out the week great. Doing my runs, staying strong, feeling great. Then I fell back into the real world and realized I had to work. You know, make money, make a living. Blah, blah, blah. If you know me you know that I would LOVE it if I never had to work again. My dream life is to travel. Anywhere, everywhere. Any day, everyday. But...that ain't gonna happen. Nope. Not right now at least. 
So... I started my week of work on Friday knowing that I had three 7-7 shifts ahead of me. yuck. Work was fine and Friday was my "rest" day so all was good. Saturday came along, I worked and skipped my "cross training" session of 30 minutes. While I shouldn't have done this I can explain my reasoning. I worked 12 hours, on my feet for 12 hours...enough right? Then Sunday arrived. I was scheduled to run 4 miles. Ha...that didn't happen. I told myself that it was ok, that I could do it on Monday when I didn't have to work. Some guilt, but I was alright with my decision. Well. I didn't do the 4 miles Monday either. Instead I slept until 12 and went shopping. It was nice, but no running involved. Thus the guilt. ohwell. Today was a great day. I did my 3.5 mile run, relaxed by the pool, and chatted/skyped with many great friends. 


So...long story short. I messed up, I am back on track, and I am feeling swell. the end!


I hope that you are all doing wonderfully and wish you all a happy rest of the week!


LOVE LIFE

1/12 and still goin'

"You are fully responsible for everything you are, everything you have and everything you become." ~ Brian Tracy


Welp...week one is done!! 
Are you proud? I am. 
Here is a run down of how training has been for my first week. 


Distance- 15 miles
Time- 3 hours & 10 minutes
Weight loss- 1.5 pounds


Last week was an "ok" week of running. I didn't feel bad, but my muscles were sore and running the longer runs wasn't the easiest thing I have ever done. But my runs yesterday and today were much better. I am calling them "easy" runs because I felt good the whole time, took no breaks, and felt like I could have just kept running. That's a good sign right?


Did I do anything in the past week besides run? 
Well yes, thanks for asking!


I was able to go to Hamilton Pool with Karen and some new friends Lindsay and Katherine. We had a great time relaxing in the natural water and people watching. Austin is SUCH a wonderful place to people watch or as I like to say, people judge!
Some of us headed out to Lake Austin Saturday for some fun in the sun which was great fun as well. 
And I went to Barton Springs! The place was great but I didn't stay long since it was 104 outside and the water was too, too cold to get in!
Aaaaand I went to the last Union Park 6th street Tuesday night BINGO! 


Boy, that sounds like a busy week. It's definitely been fun. I hadn't been to any of these places until this past week and I am glad I got the opportunity to see them since I leave two weeks from tomorrow. WOW. Can't believe it. So fast. I am finally feeling like I can make my way around Austin without Google Maps and now it's time to go. That's alright though. I am really looking forward to a fun, fun, fun July!

Hamilton Pool

LOVE LIFE!

the Proof is Motivation

"To achieve happiness, we should make certain that we are never without an important goal." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

My inspiration for this post came when I saw this photo...

Why?

Two reasons.

1. In this picture I am learning to sail and checking another item off my bucket list. Read Learning to Live for more details about the experience. Seeing this picture motivated me to continue checking things off my bucket list because if not now then when, right? So...I've started training for a half marathon! Silly, I know. I am not the greatest runner and have terrible knees and hips from many years of dancing, but I figure if 80 year olds can make it happen then so can I. I am using a 12 week training schedule that I found online and will probably tweek it a little bit. I am hoping to run the race come September or October, but I haven't decided what race I will actually run as I don't know where I will be living then. I intend to do a weekly post with my running progress so keep your eyes peeled for that! Hopefully announcing this to the "public" will keep me motivated and push me to the end! Any words of encouragement or advice are welcomed...bring it on! 
2. When I saw this picture I thought...oh good god! While I don't think that I am an overweight girl, I look yucky. There were some other pictures which will not be discussed that confirmed my reaction too. So...seeing this photo and watching two episodes of Extreme Makeover:Weightloss Edition have motivated me to take control and lose those lbs that I have been complaining about since...well...since college I guess. (too much partying...definitely wouldn't have changed that though!) I am making a weight loss schedule that coincides with my training schedule.  I have decided that I will weight in every Tuesday and make goals for the weight loss per the running goals. Todays weight is 142 pounds. I can't believe that I am announcing this to the "public" but I know that unless I share I will not change. Extreme Makeover is really motivating me these days I guess! Per my marathon training I will be running 5 miles in 4 weeks and my goal weight for that day is going to be 138 pounds. Week 8 I should be running 8 miles and weigh in at 132 pounds. Week 12 I should me running 13.1 miles (ha...scary) and weigh in at 127 pounds. If I can do this then I think I will be at a healthy weight and in the best shape of my 25 years! Again...any words of encouragement or advice are welcomed! Bring it on!! 

LIVE a healthy LIFE!

mi humble abode de Austin

"Live simply, so that others may simply live." ~ Gandhi

Love & Live Life

Learning to Live

"There are no regrets in life, just lessons." ~ Jennifer Aniston


I usually don't get "serious" with this blog due to the fact that I really don't know who reads this and what they might do with the words I type, but today is different my friends. 
Why?
Lately, I have been waking up with a heavy heart. There's lots going on in my life that is causing this and I am hoping that I am finally ready to let this off my heart, move forward, and stay positive. Because, as Jason Mraz put it, "we're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time. Let go and enjoy." 


Let's let go.


This past weekend I had a great time with some new friends exploring new places. No complaining there. I went out to Inks Lake with Karen, Charlotte (from Houston), and Kristin (from Dallas). We headed out to meet Max (Karen's bf) and some of his friends for the day and night. We made it out about 2, met the boys at the house, & started the party! We had a great time swimming with snakes, drinking some beers, and playing some lairs dice. Oh and we almost sank the boat...legit, really scary! Oh AND I learned to sail. It was awesome & I got to cross another item off my bucket list! A new friend Davis and I went out on a small sail boat and I learned how to "jib" and "come about." It took us a while to work out all the kinks and we tipped overboard once, but soon we were smooth sailing and had a great time. You wouldn't know it by all the bruises I've got, but I would totally do it again. 


After a late night with lots of games and little sleep we made our way back to Austin. Karen had rented a party bus for Max's birthday for the afternoon so we had to get back early. About 35 of us got together for a ride out to Salt Lick BBQ. The bus ride was way fun and Salt Lick was a great experience. Overall, the weekend was pretty great. I can say this now looking back on it, but Sunday night as I was leaving the party I couldn't help but feel like such a Debbie Downer. I think I was completely exhausted and thinking about some things, but suddenly I caught myself shedding tears at the bar and knew immediately that I had to get the hay out of there. 


So I did. I headed home and cried the whole time. What a dud, right?


Who knows why. I mean I can think of lots of reasons why. But why? I am totally living the life right now...I shouldn't be complaining or whining about my life. No way. But still...there are things. Everyone has their issues and here are some of mine as of late. 

• I am living alone and definitely have lonely times. I have never felt lonely before. Sometimes it's awesome, but most definitely lonely.
• I am finally (and when I saw finally I mean FINALLY) ready to start a real relationship and share all these fun, wonderful experiences with someone who wants to share them with me. This makes me feel so very vulnerable and terrible at the same time. It's really hard to want this and know that what you want just isn't going to work out how you wished it would. 
• I like to have a good time. I like to enjoy adult beverages & go to bars & dance & enjoy fun times with new and old friends. I love this, but HATE being judged for it. It's hard to be around new people, in a new city, and feel like you are being judged on every move you make. Because let's be honest...as much as I would like to say that I do not care what others think I know that I would just be lying to myself. 
• I love the traveling that I am doing, but can't help but beat myself up for not just moving to where my best friends are and spending all my time with those I love and those I know love me too. 
• My family spends a lot of time together. A lot of time that I am missing out on. Pro's vs. Con's right? You can't have the best of both worlds...its just not possible. 

Well...enough is enough. I am a happy person with a happy life. I've got friends that love me and friends I love. I've got a large loving fabulous family and am blessed beyond this world. God is answering most of my prayers (I'm still waiting for a few) and truly don't think I would change anything in my life. So...I am going to be happy because "most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be" (Abraham Lincoln) and gosh darn it...I am gonna be HAPPY!! Heck, I am happy. I just need someone to slap me in the face and wake me up!

Love Life

Makin' Moves

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." ~Saint Augustine


It's May 24th. I moved to Austin almost two months ago. I can not believe it. I will be leaving Austin in one month...I can not believe it. 


I am trying to fit in all I can and am still getting adjusted to living alone. You might not believe this when you read it, but yesterday I went to see two, yes two, movies alone. And this past week I went to the grocery store. I bought raw chicken and made myself real, legit food. I would say I am adjusting well. Well...well enough (I am glad that only I had to eat the food)!


So what am I going to do next!? 
Good question. 
I am going to VACATION!! duh.


My awesome job allows me to take a month off between each assignment so obviously I will be taking advantage of this. First I am going to move out of my apt. in Austin and back home to the parents house!


My first week off I am headed to Seaside with the family!!! I am SO excited. If you know me you know that Seaside is my favorite place on earth so no doubt that it's going to be a wonderful week. 

I am currently trying to find a way to stay for another week. I will make that happen...just wait for more details. 


I am also checking something else off my "bucket list" by working as a camp nurse during my time off. As a child I went to a summer camp in Arkansas for years. So...I will be a camp nurse at Camp Mitchell the third week of July. I am really looking forward to this. I know it will be hot, hot, hot but sooo worth it! 


Soon after camp it will be time to move and start another assignment somewhere in the US of A. I still don't know where I will be going but I am making moves in the right direction to find out. Just today I sent out my applications for my Arkansas and California nursing licenses! After two different sets of fingerprints, passport photos, pages of applications, and transcript requests I am on my way to continuing the travel nursing gig! 


Here is to something new, more fun, and of course traveling!!!


LOVE & LIVE your LIFE!

real life > blog life

"The best feeling in the world is realizing that you're perfectly happy without the thing you thought you needed." ~Unknown

Well...it's been too long. A little over a month to be exact. 

Why? 

I think it's because I have been living in the real world rather than the blog/internet world. And it has been WONDERFUL!!

I have reached the halfway mark of my time in Austin which is crazyness.  I have been trying to make the most of this great city and all it has to offer while also traveling a bit 

(whose surprised?)!

Lets see...

My friend Karen and I went out to Town Lake for a little bit of stand-up paddle boarding. The day we went out the weather was so great so we paddled up to downtown and back. We also got to see a bit of filming for something. We weren't sure what they were filming but if you see two girls creeping in the back of a shot on paddle boards its probably us. 

Enjoy our hot bods. 

Later that week Karen and I went out to her family's lake house on Lake Travis. Wasn't this an adventure! Austin is currently in a drought= just pure sadness for the lakes. After making our way to the house we discovered that the water was so low that we couldn't even make it out on our rafts. Instead we drove a little way down the lake, blew up our rafts, and floated in the middle of the lake next to the docks. While it was a bit white trash we enjoyed our first lake day of the year, hopefully the rain picks up and we can take the boat out for more legit fun. We also went to Oasis for dinner which was so fun! We caught a great sunset too!! 

Oh...MY BEST FRIENDS GOT MARRIED!! Emily and Luke now share the same last name...Wittenbraker! Their wedding was SO much fun. I danced the night away and loved seeing my two best friends so so so happy together!! (side note-seeing them so happy in love makes me want to fall in love. can someone make that happen? preferably before all my married friends start having kids. great!)

This past weekend I went to San Antonio to visit Ellen! Her husband Blake was out of town so we were hyped about a girls weekend and my first San Antonio experience. After a night of catching up on Friday we had some beauty sleep and made the most of Saturday. We spent the morning with a cup of coffee, some more catching up, and a neighborhood walk with their dog Bean. The weather was absolutely perfect so we went to the Jan Jose Mission and the Alamo.  We had a great time and learned some stuff too! Later we enjoyed a nice beverage on the Riverwalk and dinner out. The weekend was a huge success and I loved San Antonio!!

While driving from SA to Austin I had a little phone convo with Mary Evelyn who convinced me to drive straight through to Fort Worth since I had a few more days off work!! Great decision! I got to visit with friends and help Emily unpack wedding gifts 

and set up their home! 

So there...sounds wonderful huh!? It has been. I am living it up and loving the adventure!

Oh...living alone. I have to admit that until about two weeks ago I hated it. I was too lonely and bored. No longer. I don't know why but over the past two weeks I've realized that its nice being able to do as I please whenever I please. I have also been utilizing skype. I love it!! Send me your skype name and we can face-time!! I no longer have to drink alone as I am not technically alone if you are on the other side of the computer...right?

LOVE your LIFE!!!

Delightful Dell

"When you're a nurse you know that every day you will touch a life or a life will touch yours."  ~Author Unknown

The Healing Courtyard

                            

Well...it looks like I've come a long way in these few short months since I left Georgetown, huh. These pictures (none of which are my own. thank you google) are of Dell Children's Hospital where I am currently on assignment. How awesome is this place! It is by far the nicest hospital I have ever been to/worked in. I must admit. After my first day of orientation in the hospital all I could think about was when I could tell my recruiter that I wanted to extend my assignment. Who know's if I will but it sure will be hard to leave this sweet place! 

I am an acute care float RN which means that I am on a different unit each day based on need. I won't lie, this is a little nerve racking because each day means new people, new patients, and new surroundings. Nevertheless; the patients are awesome, the support staff is stellar, and my fellow colleagues are helpful, sweet, and very grateful. I love the South!

Dell hospital opened it's doors in 2007 and is the first hospital in the world to achieve LEED Platinum Certification. Learn more about the hospital and take a virtual tour here- http://www.dellchildrens.net/ . 
I will gladly accept the jealous phone calls from all my Georgetown ladies! 


LIVE & LOVE LIFE...it's too short not to

  

Home is Here

"It is better to be alone than in bad company." ~George Washington

Austin Skyline

Shalom! I am saying hello to you because I feel like I've been gone for ages. So...here is an update that hopefully doesn't bore you too bad!

I've been here in Austin for two weeks now & feel like I've already done SO much!

Long update: Mom & I left a chilly 48° Hot Springs early in the AM and after many miles and lots traffic we arrived at my new apt. in a hot 93° Austin. Boy, what a change! After a quick meeting with my leasing office I picked up my keys and we were all moved in within only a few hours. Moved in enough to shop, eat, & explore for the rest of the weekend. We had the best time eating at some of Austin's finest and of course finding the nearest shopping mall! 

After Mom left I settled into the apartment and prepared for a week of work. As a traveler I only had 2.5 days of "paperwork" orientation and two days of unit orientation and then it was all me. All on my own. To care for 3-5 patients. With illnesses that I could possibly know nothing about. Scary? Nah. But really, I am working through it and enjoying the work. Here's to nothing!

Besides working I have had some time to fit in some real fun! I've already had my fair share of some yummy meals and awesome lake front happy hours. I have also fallen in love with running Town Lake! Town Lake/ Lady Bird Lake runs through Austin and has a trail on both the North and South sides. There are always TONS of people running, walking,  &/or lounging on the trail. The best part is that there are pianos placed at random spots on the trail...so cool. There are always people relaxing and playing some funky tunes which makes for a great cool down after a hot run.

A few of my days have also been spent sunning by the apartment pool. My apartment is nice and cozy and the complex is great! http://www.thecottagesaustin.com/ We've got a great pool and gym which I've been utilizing lots until two days ago when... I GOT CABLE  & INTERNET!!! I never realized how many hours were in a day until I lived alone without tv or internet. Seriously ya'll. It's crazy how much you can get done when you aren't wasting time lounging on the couch watching foolish shows or surfing the web (which is exactly what I am currently doing).

 Short & sweet update: Move out of my parents house once...again.  Move cities. Live alone for the first time ever. Start a new job.


LOVE LIFE     

Life of Leisure

"I finally figured out that the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it."             ~ Rita Mae Brown


Well...my two months of freedom are coming to an end this week and it's a bitter sweet feeling. I have had SO much fun living the non-working life. I've traveled a ton, visited friends, spent much needed time with my parents and family, and learned some new things about myself. I always said that I would get bored not working, I was lying to myself. I have had the best time living this life and would be thrilled if I could keep it up for longer. Unfortunately, the funds are running low and the sick kids need me (at least that's what I am telling myself so I feel motivated to get back into the "real world"). 

Here is a preview of how I spent my 8 weeks of freedom...

Fayetteville, Arkansas to celebrate my 25th birthday, Valentine's Day, and Ben's 27th birthday. Oh. And to pick up my 'new' car (not new, but new to me!).

Capturing Dad in my 'new' car.
Lexus GS 300.

Houston, Texas for the wedding of Lauren and Bryan Athon!

Lauren & Bryan Athon's Pre-wedding Cocktail Party 

Lauren's Wedding Party 

Melissa & I

Nashville, Tennesse to visit my friend John and a new city!

At the Jack Daniels Distillery.
Liz, me, Chaz, & John with Jack himself. 

Fort Worth, Texas for a week to care for 

the girls I nannied junior and senior year of college. 

We visited my house at TCU for junior & senior year.
Still looks the same.

Hattie Belle (age 5) riding the horse at the Science & History Museum in FW.

White River Cabin in Cotter, Arkansas for 'spring break' 

and Dad's 59th birthday!

First cast in years. 23 inch rainbow trout!!

Learning to fly fish with Dad.

Beautiful White River sunsets

Austin, Texas for Emily's Bachelorette Party on Lake Travis!

Our Lake Travis 'home'

Some of Emily's goodies!

A sweet Texas sunset!!

Does this look and sound like heaven or what!? I have been living THE life and loving every minute of it. After nearly 5,000 miles on the 'new' car, lots of special times with family & friends, and tons of new memories that i'll cherish forever it's time to pack up and move to Austin. Come visit me and we will find more sweet Texas sunsets!

LOVE LIFE!