Engagement...Less that Engaging

I have noticed since being engaged that most of my conversations are becoming pretty surface-ie. As soon as I see people now the first thing they ask is "how is wedding planning going" followed by do you have a dress, where are you registered, have you decided on bridesmaid dresses etc. I have recently begun to feel very disconnected from what really matters. Last night I was able to catch up with my old roomie Ashley (Abide) Jeter....and her sweet baby (which is in her belly but she was there too!). While we did talk about wedding stuff we also talked about real stuff. What is going on in our lives. It was so nice to talk about what really matters with such a great friend, listener, and supporter. I am so stinking excited to see her become a mom and the many blessings God has in store for her for her future! I am also pretty pumped about her moving to Mt. Pleasant! Score for east cooper peeps for sure.

My whole new thing...finishing a thing!

I am always loving to try new things...not just trying them but becoming semi-good at them. Baking, pottery, tennis, being glutten free. It is fun for a while. I will go out and get some fun kitchen gadgets, a new cute workout outfit, read as much on the internet as possible to become an "expert". But then it fades. The golf clubs in the garage take up space and remind me that often times i am not the best at following through with things. That is one of my biggest flaws I think...not sticking with something. Is it that I haven't found "my thing" or is it soemthing else? A few years ago I began training for a half marathon. And I did it but the last 6 weeks or so my desire to train started to fizzle. I would get bored and lonely on long runs. I was doing it just to be able to say I finished something. The race was pretty anti climactic. My ipod died about 3 miles in, the sun was blazing down on me, my hips were so tight every step was painful. As I crossed the finish I thought thank GOD it is over! I am not going to run EVER AGAIN! I of course started running again but have still never felt that runners high. My pace has yet to improve. So why in the world would I want to train for another 1/2 marathon?! I registered for the Savannah half marathon today. November 3rd, 2012 I am going to finish strong. "... run with patience the race that is set before us ..." Heb. 12:1-3

you are what you eat...and drink?

Dear Claire: Thank you for encouraging me to think more about what I am putting into my body. Your blog is truely an inspiration, even if I did 25% of your posts I think I would be alot happier and healthier. I could probably save a few cows, reduce my carbon footprint, SAVE THE WORLD? First it was meat...I am meatless (other than the occational slice of cheese pizza, and of course fish tacos!) this is week 3 of being meat free. I have found some pretty amazing treats suce as the Dean and Deluca Capresse Sandwich, pretty much anything at Mosaic (in the shops by Liquid Highway mt. p), and Amy's refried beans to name a few. I have felt better since not eating meat. I lost 3 pounds too which was a plus while trying on wedding dresses ;) There are those days though that I dream about Giles taking me to Oak Steakhouse. I would order a medium steak with grilled asparagus and mashed potatoes. Hopefully I would enjoy it and not feel horribly guilty? Then it was coke...is there a movie like forks over knives to motivate me to give it up? I found this article which only marginally motivates me: I would like for you to give me your top 5 substitutes as until then I will continue to have osteoporosis.

Engagement and insecurity

So let me first start out by saying some of this post comes from a little bit of hurt feelings that I received today. A girl dreams of getting engaged, well I think most do. And it really is an amazing feeling. It is a commitment towards marriage and acceptance and love etc... But then once you get engaged at least when I did your life becomes a display. How did he propose, ring Picts on Facebook (which I refuse to do), when are you getting married, where are you getting married. And for me that is when it began. Now this is coming from someone that always has lots of opinions and am more than happy to share them, but seriously I would hope that I was never as mean and judgmental as some people have been to me recently...at the same time I guess what goes around comes around. Ouch! Someone told me the day they got engaged they reserved the venue because they couldn't imagine how anyone would want to have it somewhere else. Then they asked me where my wedding was, followed by "oh it's not downtown...I have never heard of that place???". Seriously?? Other comments include...oh you know it could rain if you do an outdoor wedding right? Wow no I had totally not thought of that thanks for bringing that to my attention. I told a friend we were using similar flowers at the rehearsal dinner as the wedding...that way we could reuse and save money. Response: "that will ruin the reveal of your wedding colors on your wedding day". All I can say to them is no offense but I cannot remember a single persons rehearsal dinner flowers except for 1, and it wasn't the person that said it. I am just venting now. The point is I am sorry if I ever made anyone feel that way! Despite loving to cut up and acting silly sometimes I really don't like to feel like my life is on display. It makes me feel really self conscious and insecure. It also makes me try to be more sensitive about the things I say to other people. I am sure at some point I have said something that has made someone feel the same way I feel, and that hurts my heart! The truth is at the end of the day the only thing that people will know you for is your character, how well you love, honesty, integrity, and the kind of friend you are. That is why in the next 10 months I am going to be more careful of what I say, try to be less judgmental and more loving, less opinionated and more accepting. I will be planning an event that lasts 8 hours, while the "life display" continues I hope that people see a soft, sweet, compassionate person, that will hopefully be an impression for years to come. Long after the memories of may 11, 2013 fade.

heavy on the veggie...

So a friend of mine has started a blog: http://heavyontheveggie.com/ And I have to admit at first I thought it was a little out there, but of course I was a little curious too. So last weekend I watched the movie Forks over Knives. While I scrutinized a lot of the movie I also was a little more intrigued. I watched a few more netflix movies on how America was unhealthy, fat and hurting the planet. I went to work that night and contemplated getting the $5 baja fresh nachos (2020 calories and 101 grams of fat which I had actually never ordered because I figured they were horrible for you so I looked up the nutrition facts for a little more motivation)... but they are $5.00? I just got this nagging feeling inside of me that there could be some changes to improve my quality of life and well being. So I continued researching and reading about this whole meatless monday and going local concept. And thought I mean really why not try it what do I have to lose. So I proceeded to get tons of recipes and even got a whole vegan shopping list and meal plan going. Now let me just say that one book tells you to detox your kitchen, however I didn't do this. I have 2 fridges so I just put all of the bad stuff in the garage fridge and made the inside fridge the "good fridge". I figured over the summer I could use the bad stuff when my nephews come over or when I have out of town guests coming that want a hamburger. After all I do have alot of meat buy one get one that I couldn't just throw out. And who knows how long this whole new thing is going to last? I went to a local farmers market store (the vegetable bin) and Whole foods and I even stopped in at Trader Joes (how so many people are obsessed with that place is beyond me). Came home and was already feeling healthier and happier and I haven't even started eating right? So 4 day update: I actually do feel better. I have found that some of my favorite restaurants have vegan and vegetarian options. I decided to be vegan at home...vegetarian when eating out. I mean I am just trying to be realistic with all of this for starters who knows how long this will last? I think some of it maybe mind over matter. walking into the house with a huge bowl of fresh local fruit just makes me feel like I have helped my body and my planet. I saw Ellen talk about how she is vegan and she feels much less anxious now that she is not eating meat. I thought it was kind of insightful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeSA2j4oiDA So those are my thoughts for the day. Hopefully maybe this has inspired some of you :)

6 month update

1. I got a job working at the MUSC Children's hospital...working on the pediatric cardiology floor. I am honored to work there especially since the program recently got nationally recognized! 2. Giles and I got engaged!!! We also set a date. May 11th, 2013. After we set a date I kindof went through an engagement slump. It was still a year off which just seemed like forever. It is going to work out well for us though as almost everytwhere was booked, Giles' business partner is going to be ovrsees on a military assignement, and now I can have a SPRING Wedding! I never really thought I would get as into it as I have. I get so excited now looking at bright flowers and lace dresses and the like. I never really thought I was so much of a girly girl but the other day I went into Lily Pulitzer and wanted almost everything in the place. I have also gotten really into paper. Invitations and stationary...I could spend a day going around to all of the different paper shops in town and then have a cup of yogurt for dinner and be perfectly content! 3. I haven't blogged in forever mainly because I haven't had time. I know that that is a lame excuse as so many of you other bloggers have jobs and kids etc. I think that the other reason I havent blogged in a while is because when I really dug deep and thought about it I began to feel convicted about blogging. I mean I know that sounds stupid but what was really the point of me blogging? Once I really started to think about I became really convicted. I mean really blogging made me feel good. When I would sign on and see that 200 had read a post of mine I became prideful...wow I am such a good writer and so interesting that people want so bad to read what I have to say. I wasn't really contributing anything to their life, society etc. I just felt like it was a big brass show of me blowing my own horn. That being said I think that my blog may change a little bit. I am hopefully going to come up with alot more meaningful things to say and share so that this will be a forum for encouragement to those of you that are still out there reading this :) Until my next profound thought that is it for now :)

don't keep checking the mail...

I haven't been able to get it together (yet again this year) and put together any Christmas cheer...and by that I mean a Christmas card! I have been busy finishing up school, studying for the boards looking for a job etc. I fully intend to get my life together by next year.

I read a blog about people taking you off their mailing list if they don't get a card from you, PLEASE DON'T. I really do love getting all of them (which sounds really selfish). Maybe I could send out some 4th of July cards surely I can get a cute picture, choose a card, and get something out in 6 months. But then what picture would I use for the 2012 Christmas card...because we all know finding 2pictures is impossible! Especially when you have a verticle picture but want a horizontal card etc.

Yes I realize many of you probably pick out the card, color cordinate your outfits to the font, and get a professional portrait done. I don't think I will ever get it together enough to pull that off...but just know your effort doesn't go unnoticed!

So basically I am sorry! I hope that this doesn't spoil your holiday or take away from the joy of getting the mail this time of year. Look on the brightside Facebook has a whole new layout and you can just look at my timeline for the past 4 years instead.

goals for 2012

Get a job

Be a better friend

Loose 6 pounds

AND get a new fridge...this one if by chance Lowes wants to send it to me for free:



http://www.lowes.com/SearchCatalog?identifier=Dual&storeId=10151&N=4294857963+5003720+4294765678&Ne=121&langId=-1&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&catalogId=10051

officially a nurse

Finally I graduated December 3rd, 2011. It was a Looooong road to get to this place. Over the past month or so I have been overwhelmed by thanksgiving for friends and family that have been such a huge support in this journey.

The day of graduation I felt a huge sense of accomplishment and also a huge sense of relief. I still have go get a job and pass the boards but the weight of daily assignments and projects and tests has been lifted.

I think I look rejuvenated?


Giles on the other hand got a horrible virus the afternoon of graduation and was therefore my first patient...hence why he looks not so hot.




Now it is time to get back to the books as I take the boards Thursday and lets just admit I have been a total slacker for the past week.

sorry?

I know I promise to post and then don't. Please forgive me I have been a little busy. Not that I haven't had about a milion thoughts to share I just never seem to have the time to do it. OR I am afraid to start because I know I have no self control and will get sucked in for hours. I am working on some updates and in the mean time please accept my apology.

PS I did just join pintrest so I haven't been a complete slacker?

More time for me...

So after a long summer pause I find myself in a frantic race to the finish of school. Going from semi-relaxed to semi-nervous brackdown only took about 3 weeks. Today I decided to live it up and get a pedicure...


MORE TIME FOR ME!

Thats the name of the color and it really looks nothing like the picture. It is like a salmony purple color, and fabulous!

I also read a book while getting a pedicure. I really enjoy reading but since school started have done no leisure reading...until today.



I am only about 30 pages in but I have already been enjoying it! I love books about life as a southern woman, and I especially love reading while getting a pedicure...with annie on my lap of course.

Kitchen Addition:

An idea I stole from a few design blogs with "rainbow cookbook" shelves...I have more cookbooks somewhere but am still rearranging after our summer house guests:



And my birthday reward for myself...or to celebrate graduation...or getting a job!:

My "new dining room"

This time last year I had just put my house on the realestate market. Starting school was not free, and I had hopes to get the equity out of my house in order to pay for it. Against Dave Ramsey's advise I took out student loans. Against the schools advise I worked while in school. The past year has flown by and I cannot believe that Graduation is almost here!

So my house didn't sell, which I am actually very glad it didn't. I love my house even more eachday and cannot imagine the heartache I would have had selling and moving. Leaving the memories of parties, and roomates, and now the Branch boys, and dogs, and cooking.

The love I felt for my house though was definately not being reflected in the decor. It was the same cream white in all but 1 room, pictures were still not hung, and my style was definately not showing. The majority of my furniture was free so I am not complaining in the least about it not reflecting my style especially since many of the pieces came from professionally decorated model homes (benefit of my dad being a realestate developer) or were family pieces given to me...and many have sentimental value.

if you are still with me here are some photos to reflect my point:


note the bare wall
Now for the "After" :

More Bitter than Sweet

Today marks the end of summer...
I have had the past 3 weeks off (almost)from school! I have still been working 3 shifts a week but I got a taste of working 3 : 12 hour shifts and it was sweet. On the other days that I had off I did nothing, went to the beach, almost completed my todo list, caught up with friends etc. The first week back at school has already taken its toll on me with exhaustion and a severe sinus cold. I have confidence though that my 3 weeks off charged my batteries enough to make it through one more semesterand that I will pass the boards, get a job after graduation, and once again have the sweet life of only working 3 days a week.

Why today did I feel such an emptiness after the summer? Deep breath and try not to cry (afterall you are sitting in lecture!).

Today Giles and his sister in law, Carrie, flew to Loisianna to get her stuff to move into her new house. So why does that make me sad. Well as most of you know Carrie and her two precious boys have been living with Giles and I this summer, making my townhouse a home.


This is a classic photo of Tyler!


Brotherly Love!

Yes it was a small place that was busting at the seams all summer, afternoon naps were rarely had, I watched wonderpets about 1000 times (if you don't know what I am talking about consider yourself lucky), had art work all over the walls, toys all over the floor, and the dishwasher and or washer/dryer were always running. Wouldn't I be celebrating peace and quite??

I dropped Carrie and Giles off at the airport (at 5 am!) for their long journey in the u-haul when I got home it was sooo quite! With 3 hours to fill before class I went for a run, changed the sheets on the beds, cleaned the bathroom, and then sat in the muteness. Then I decided I would go ahead and go to school 45 minutes early what else was I going to do?

So in class I have been looking at new throw pillows, a new coffee table, and e-readers. Unfortunately I don't think that any of these things things can take away the huge void that I feel trying to think about what I am going to do to fill the time, memories and love that I have felt over the summer.

Rainy weekend

now that the fear of a huge hurricane hitting Charleston bas been reduced I am thinking now of an awesome rainy weekend

Then I started craving chili...then I started wondering will Charleston ever get a crate and barrel so I could buy these bowls, have them today, and not pay for shipping?

Butt Camp

I'm not afraid of swim suit season, and that is because sadly I rarely make it out to the beach during the summer because of work and school obligations. When I do go it is most of the time with my bestest and closest friends. Since most of them have seen me naked at some point in our friendship (through living together, trips, and well to put it bluntly I'm not that modest) I figure me in a swim suit is probably easier on the eyes!

What does scare me is Fall. That day sometime between Sept. 1st and Oct. 31st when it gets cold enough to break out last years jeans...WILL THEY FIT? Especially being back in school I appreciate it more because... I am too broke to go buy new jeans and therefore have to pray my jeans can make it through til graduation. Then maybe I can get a new pair once I start a job! Maybe even buy a pair of James Jeans like these:



So my plan to do this is to actually train for the Race for The Cure in October:

http://running.about.com/od/racetraining/a/intermediate5K.htm

So the training started today. I did my 3 Interval 400 meter runs (I did this last week too but this is the beginning of the 8 week training plan) and I did all 3 in less than 2 minuites...therfore an 8min mile pace...if I could sustain the same pace for more than 1 consecutive lap...which I have hopes to do but don't see that becomeing my reality...but it did feel pretty good lapping a few people at the track this morning!

Maybe I can finish the race at my goal time and also fit into my jeans!

Break up & Make up

The Breakup:
I have been going to the same hair stylist since I graduated college, over 5 years ago! She has been there with me through lifes ups and downs and the chaos of my mid twenties. Last time I went to her I told her I was ready to spice it up...more highlights a fun cut... my hair was her canvas. Her response, "your not ready for that". Shouldn't I be the one deciding this?! It is my head and I have to look at it all the time! So after another boring highlight and haircut (which by the way continued to get more expensive with every visit) I came home sad and same old girl next door. After several months of being plan jane I made the switch. I was refered by some nurses to this girl, downtown, all of the nurses that go there have the cutest hair! I know this sounds silly but as I was driving to the new salon I passed the old salon and felt a little guilty. It really did feel like a breakup! If I run into my old hairdresser on the street she will know that I cheated on her with someone else. OH the stresses of being a girl.

So I love my new stylest Nicole. When I walked in and saw her I knew she was the one! I sat down and she asked me what I was wanting to which I replied, "I want my hair to look just like yours!" She really is that fabulous too. While she was doing my hair we talked about low maintenance styling options like how to make my hair wavy without having to blow dry and therefore damage my hair. She did suggest two products one I got at Sally's for 1.79 and the other from Ulta 3.99. This girl really knows how to help you make the most of your hair without maxing out your credit card! I attempted it today for the first time and I think that after a few tries it will look very beach babe, but actually the first attempt looks pretty good.

The Make-up:
Special thanks to Welles Bricker for my newest obsession:

http://www.youtube.com/emilynoel83

In my lack of tom boyness theme I have enjoyed watching lots of her videos. I went to CVS and ULTA and got a few of the things she recomended and have really liked all of them.

Though I don't think I will ever have a "collection" of makeup it is fun to get ideas on how to spice up my routine...since after all it has been the same since I first started wearing makeup.

Who knows maybe next time you see me you will mistake me for Kim Kardashian...I think I am a long way from this...though I did get a Cover Girl smokey eye shadow palate!

so pretty!

So I was looking to order some flowers for a friend of mine and was trying to get some inspiration. I really know nothing about flowers but thought that maybe if I looked over the web I would find some inspiration. First place that I called the lady was so rude and was obviously frustrated with my lack of knowledge. Then I called Stems where Lulie (Martin) Wallace had her gorgeous art show, but they didn't answer and I need the immediate gradification of ordering something at that very moment. And the I called Out of Hand!

The lady was so nice and said that she could make something gorgeous with my budget. She asked me what the event was for, and what colors I was looking for. I referenced their blog and one of the photos and she said it could be done and reassured me they had some gorgeous blues and purples in the shop!



I cannot wait to go pick them up tomorrow, I hope they are as pretty as I am excited!

Race for the Cure

Please support me and this great cause that will benefit all of us girls (and the men too)!

http://lowcountry.info-komen.org/site/TR/Events?px=10464209&pg=personal&fr_id=2260&s_subsrc=bfgetwordout&s_src=boundlessfundraising

Read on to see why this means so much to me...or you can skip that and just go straight to the website and donate! Or you can go to the website and sign up to run October 15th, 2011, Daniel Island, SC.




Many of you may not know this because it was a personal experience that wasn't so light and funny and therefore didn't really make it to the blog but here it is... also I am going into a few details only because since this experience several people have contacted me about their breast lumps and so maybe it will help someone else??

Again...Read on to see why this means so much to me...or you can skip that and just go straight to the website and donate!

April 2011 I found a hard lump in my right breast. It was about the size of a peanut and very sore (which is probably because I became obsessed with it and kept feeling it). I contacted my OBGYN to get a clinical breast exam, ok lets be honest I called my OBGYN hysterical and demanded to be seen that week!
When I went to the exam she attempted to aspirate the lump and got nothing out, she said since it was very symmetrical that she didn't worry as much about it but that since it was not fluid filled I should go to a specialist to confirm it was not cancer. CANCER! You have got to be kidding me I am 28 and healthy and this can't be happening. I waited 2 long weeks to be seen by the specialist all the while ending the semester which included final exams...I was stressed to say the least!
So the day of the exam I am confident that it is nothing and my dad and I make our way over to the doctor. We pull into the parking lot and I see the sign...



I look up and see the pink ribbon in the sign and realize it is going to be a long day. So they do an ultrasound, which by the way they told me that that is better for younger women because our breasts are more muscular vs mammograms for older women because they are more fatty. The doctor came in to discuss our options...watchfully wait to see if it grows or take a core biopsy.

Core biopsy the way it was explained to me "oh we put a small probe into your breast and take a small sample of tissue out and you are numbed before and really feel no pain just pressure, and you can get your results back by the end of the week!" That option sounded good to me I could get results back with little discomfort and have piece of mind and get good results and move on with my life. I am still glad I did it but lets be honest it hurt like a biotch!


and this is not my breast, I love my readers and am not that modest but sorry google images will have to do!

And did I mention to take this "small sample" they take 3 and it is literally a gun that makes this loud shooting noise to chew its way through your tissue? It feels like you are getting punched in the chest and the swelling and bruising for about the week after looked like it too.

So if you are still reading and not totally grossed out by now the conclusion of the story is : Yes I have a tumor in my breast, no it is not cancer, and I have to follow up at the beginning of the year with another ultra sound as long as it isn't getting bigger (which it isn't!). I will most likely have to get it removed in the future and alot of that again is weather it grows over time, we shall see. In the mean time I still feel the lump, I have a scar where they took the sample, and I am reminded everyday how close I was to cancer (and yes I am at greater risk now for getting it in the future).

All of that being said I would love for you to support the cause that will raise money to continue to fight for womens tatas everywhere! Donate $ or run it with me I would love to have your support.

Yummy!

In an attempt to save money and eat healthy I have been looking for some new inspirational food blogs (you know like one for real people that can't spend all day cooking, no offense pioneer woman).

I just found this site it looks awesome! I definately want to find a delicious meal off of this site...

http://www.ourbestbites.com/

And I still cannot figure out how to directly like to things...sorry hopefully yall can be old school and copy and paste?!