fabulous friday is here again

1. When I was a kid I wanted to be a chef, own my own doggie day care center {no joke, my heart was set on it for a few years} but ultimately a mom when I grew up.

2. As an adult, my dream job would be being a loving wife & mom.

3. When I was younger I wanted to be just like my grade school teachers, Miss Pfeiffer and Mrs Bailey. They were my role models.

4. The childhood Halloween costume that I remember most was when I was Princess Jasmine, but much to my dismay my mom made me wear a turtle-neck shirt under it because it was cold. Really mom? How cold could it have been in California? I liked princesses but not the normal girly ones like Cinderella, Aurora or Snow White. I liked the more spunky/rebellious ones like Pocahontas, Ariel, and Jasmine.

5. My favorite childhood toy was baby Susie. She had blonde spiky hair {do to me always putting it up in piggy-tails} I took her every where I went. I also loved legos, and still do have my vast collection in storage.

6. The time I got into the biggest amount of trouble when I was a kid was when I "borrowed" my mom's make-up, hid in in my bathroom, and lied about it.

7. I get daily inspiration from fellow bloggers, nature, magazines, Pinterest


If you'd like to join in on the fun, hop on over to Lauren's blog and fill in your own blanks.

12 by 2012

It seems that I have gotten myself into a inspiration/crafting rut as of late, and this looks like my one-way ticket right on out of it. The amazing Danni from Hello, Friend has come up with the idea to have 12 ambitious goals done by 2012. I saw this first posted on a friend's blog {Amanda} and knew it was for me. So come along and join with me, this sounds like the perfect adventure to finish out the year and get us all feeling better about our aspirations.

Here is my list of 12 by 2012:

 updated: 10-27-11

bold = finished

italicized = a work in progress

{1} scrapbook the 2-inch pile of pictures that are currently sitting on my deck {started on 10.27.11}
 

{2} complete at least 2 projects from my new favorite book: "One-Yard Wonders" by Rebecca Yaker & Patricia Hoskins

{3} create some festive holiday cards
 

{4} save up money for the future, now that I have a steady job
 

{5} spend more quality time with my sisters {went out to eat with my older sis on 11.4.11 and had a shopping trip with my younger sis on 11.5.11}
 

{6} plan our trip to California {started making phone calls on 11.6.11 and I found some flights, all that's left to do is book them and plan out the details, booked the flights on 11.28.11}
 

{7} get back into my regular gym schedule {started back up on 11.2.11 and have continued till now}

 

{8} get my etsy shop up and running again {I've been on "vacation" for far too long}

{9} change up my hair stye {on 11.18.11}

 

{10} make a few of my Christmas gifts this year {bought some supplies for them but haven't completed them yet}
 

{11} buy a pair of dressy boots, I've been looking for months with no such luck {accomplished on 11.5.11, pictures will be coming soon}

 

{12} spend a little more time enjoying the pleasures in life {took day to relax and pamper myself on 11.4.11, seen here in this blog post}

I will also be taking pictures of each goal in progress and do a few blogs along the way to update on what's been going on. This way I will really be held accountable for these aspirations and more inspired to complete them!

a new light

It feels like my life has refocused in the past few months since I started my internship at the clinic and gotten my new job. As though I'm looking through the lens of a different camera.

When someone tells me that they aren't feeling very good I automatically start asking them questions like "How long have you had your cough? Do you have a fever or chills to go along with it?" or "Where is the pain localized? Is it warm to the touch, swollen, or a different color than normal?"

It's getting a little ridiculous some days, like last week, when a dear friend informed me that she needed her asthma inhaler quite frequently I instantly started to tell her the benefits of using a spacier {you get x5-10 more medication into your lungs} see there I go again. I just can't help it because most of the patients I tell that to have no idea.

I pretty much watch only medical shows now. Ones like Grey's, House, Private Practice, {my newest addiction, thanks to my mom, who got me hooked on yet another med show} Hart of Dixie. They are totally not accurate but I don't care. I watch them for the moments when I can say "I know what that is" or "They are totally doing that procedure wrong." or the moments when a patient is showing signs of cystic fibrosis or an aortic dissection and I guess it before the doctors do. What can I say, I'm obsessed.

I can't even imagine how I would be if I went on to become a physician's assistant or a doctor. I try to not bring it home with me but when I get to assist in a lumbar puncture or assist while a doctor stitches up a guys face I can't help but bring that home to tell my family {without violating HIPAA of course}.

I see things in a new light. I medical light. When I see an ambulance drive by my mind instantly starts racing with things like: what type of medical issue are they racing to, or which hospital are they running through red lights to get to, or how bad are the patients injuries. Is there blood every where or are the injuries internal. I know it probably sounds nerdy {and morbid} but those are the things that run through my head where before it was more like: I hope they are ok!

a very fall-ish friday

1.  Nothing says fall like taking a walk/drive among the changing leaves.

2.  My favorite autumn tradition is apple picking.

3.  My favorite fall treat is anything pumpkin. I am obsessed with pumpkin breads, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin bars, pumpkin pie {I think you get the picture.

4.  Fall makes me think of getting cozy on the couch because I am a totally sissy when it comes to cold weather and at the beginning of winter I am more of a wimp than ever.

5.  Autumn free form work association, go: scarves, apple cider, leaves, boots, tea, red, orange, yellow, pine cones, pumpkins, brown, cinnamon, crisp apples....

6.  My go-to outfit in the fall is a skirt with leggings, boots, and a scarf.

7.  My favorite fall holiday is {Halloween or Thanksgiving} is Thanksgiving. There really is no comparison for me. Don't get me wrong, I love Halloween, but to me there's nothing better than spending the whole day watching the parade, spending time with family, cooking, drinking and eating all day, and giving thanks for all the blessings that have been graciously given to us.

sick supplies

When you are running around and keeping busy with life as usual, taking a day off seems like a pretty good thing. Taking a day off to sit on the couch, eat soup, and watch movies doesn't seem too bad, pretty good infact, even if you had to be sick to get onto that couch for the day,

This is how I had felt for the past few weeks when a few people around me were sick with colds. I thought if only I had an excuse to take a break, and this week I got what I was asking for, I got that dreaded cold but with none of the "benefits". No lying on the couch and sleeping all day, no watching my favorite shows on tv, no diet of saltines and soup. No there is no such thing with a 8-5 job, the days of just staying home from school are long gone. The real world is here to kick me when I'm down again.

When I get a cold it always starts off with the painful and dry sore throat and eventually moves to the head/sinus congestion and finally the cough and chest congestion. This is how it goes for me at least, so according to my "sickness schedule" I still have a day or 2 to finish out my first cold of the season. Gotta love the fresh batch of fall colds.

Even though I couldn't spend my days on the couch and eat nothing but soup and juice I still made a run to the store to get "sicky supplies" and stocked my drawers at work for the winter months ahead. Have you gotten sick yet? If so, you have my truest condolences.

so thankful it's friday

You can find my linkup with the lovely Lauren here.

1.  Something popular that I can't stand/just don't "get" is buying extremely expensive trendy clothes just for their labels. People are just crazy for fashion.

2. Something unpopular that I secretly love is taking a time out and spending a little time by myself. Life is so busy, but a little quality time to relax and calm down after a crazy week will always recharge my batteries. In fact, that's what today is about.

3.  When I've had a bad day I come home, change in to a comfy pair of sweats, take off my make-up, and either snuggle up with a blanket and a favorite TV show or hop on my computer to blog.

4.  I prefer sweet drinks to anything bitter any day.

5.  Something that makes me nervous is driving on twisty roads that are really steep. Those ones where on one side of the road the hill practically goes straight up and on the other side is a 10,000 feet drop to your death. {a little dramatic this morning or what?}

6.  Something worth fighting for is love. Whether it's between friends, relatives, or your significant other. I would do anything for those I love.

7.  When people think of me, I hope they think that I am a caring, fun person who is very optimistic and loves life. I hope they see mow much I love my Savior and how much I love them.

fall splendor

It's memories like these that stick with you.
It's photographs like these that you look back on years later and remember how much fun life can be.

It's friends like these that make life more colorful.
It's days like these that warm your heart.

It's smiles like these that keep the laughter rolling.
It's adventures like these that add life to an ordinary day.

It's moments like these that live on with the simple click of a button.
It's times like these that we will never forget.

a few of my faves

I always thought that the twin cities had much more to offer than the more well known places ever since I started dating B, I have learned first hand that that is true.

These are just a few of my favorite places so far from the past few months:

- the expansive Canterbury horse racing track

- the streets of the Minnesota state fair {biggest fair I've ever been to}

- the many bays that lake Minnetonka has to offer
- Brit's Pub with lawn bowling on the roof
- the one-square-mile city of Excelsior, a unique blend of old and new with it's antique shops, a theater, restaurants, a B&B inn, one of our favorite coffee places: Dunn Bros Coffee
- the breathtaking Minnehaha waterfalls

Our latest adventure took place a few weekends ago when we explored the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. This expansive land features: "more than 1,000 acres of magnificent gardens, model landscapes, and natural areas-from woodlands and wetlands to prairie-with extensive collections of northern-hardy plants."{quote taken right from their website because I couldn't have said it any better}. I couldn't help but share a few of my favorite pictures from that amazing September day.

what I am lovin in september

It's a few days late but here are a few either old or new things I've gotten to try this month and fallin in love with.

Essie Nail Polish in Big Splender
This is a perfect color for the season and right on with the trends for fall. It's a pretty raspberry dark pink, too bad I can't wear nail polish to work.
photo source: here

Cinnamon Toast Crunch
I don't think I could pick a favorite cereal, but this is definitely on my top list. There's nothing better then a nice big bowl of this amazing cereal while watching the sun rise and light up the sky.
photo source: here

Bath & Body Works Candle in Leaves
Fall is full of delightful scents, and you wanna know my new favorite? You guessed it, the Leaves candle by B&B. It may smell good in the jar, but it's even better when the scent fills up your house with ingredients like: toasted cinnamon, golden nectar, mulled cider, freshly harvested berries.
photo source: here

Cortland Apples
Never thought that I'd like any apple better then honey crisp, but one of my girlfriends led me to the discovery of Cortlands which are crisp and tart at a apple orchard we visited on Friday. I've made applesauce, apple crisp, apple cider, what else can I make with all these apples?
photo source: my photo

Maurices Dark Brown Moccasins
A few years ago when these became popular I vowed that I would never buy them. Not really sure why, but I was convinced they weren't for me. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I found them at Maurices and I changed my mind once I felt jsut how comfortable they really are.
photo source: here

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
I know I've said this many times before, but it really doesn't get any better than this. If you are fans like me, give the new Salted Carmel Mocha a try, you will never be the same!
photo source: here

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Soft Plum
Another amazing product by Marbelline strikes my favorite list. It's the perfect fall plum color.
photo source: here

The O.C.
It's so Brian's fault for this one. He got me hooked and now I cant' give it up. It just brings back so many good memories. And I got season 1 & 2 for 1/2 the normal price and they shipped them straight to my house.
photo source: here

Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat
There's a reason why I've never put a top nail polish coat on here before: they weren't ever any good until I discovered this one. I tend to paint my nails and then realize that there are about 10 things on my 'to-do list' so this is perfect for me. It dries your existing paint and makes it nice and shinny, seriously Sally Hansen how do you do it?
photo source: here