A Life Well Lived Vol. 2

Volume 2

(to see the how this idea originated, read the first volume here)

I consider my life well-lived because I have lived well. I have become more conscientious of my eating habits. I don't eat meat, and all of my groceries are organic. I eat well. I buy expensive groceries. Food is what nourishes my body; I want the best of the best. And I think I've set a habit that I will hopefully pass on to my future family! 

The same shake I blogged about in September. I drink these about 3 times per week.

A typical weekday dinner. Tofu cooked in coconut oil with garlic, mixed with broccoli. I also had fresh fruit and whole grain toast with organic jam and vegan butter. Breakfast for Dinner!

Teddy has made my life well lived. I am sure a baby HUMAN will surpass my love for my pet; but until then, it's all I know. Teddy and I have lived together for 4 1/2 years. 3 1/2 years of that have been just the 2 of us. He is my roommate, buddy, baby, and pure bliss! Walking him, cuddling with him, and just looking and photographing him, have brought me JOY and taught me unconditional LOVE.

His gentle eyes begging me not to leave him at 6:00 AM. My heart aches every time I say bye to him, just filled with guilt!

Teddy LOVES getting those ducks! He feels like such a big shot.

The ducks beat Teddy to the water every time. 

We take time to smell the flowers.

My life has been well-lived because I drove to Dallas in the middle of the day with my worn and originally-from-consignment- Manolo Blahnik stilettos. THE MAN HIMSELF autographed both pair, and I was THE LAST AUTOGRAPH of the day. I begged and pleaded to get that spot with the lady working the line. "Nope, we can't take anymore. It's over." She said. "Pleeeeease? Please? Seriously, please? I am a nurse! I was in surgery! But this is my DREAM! PLEASE just let me in. What can I do to convince you to let me in?" The lady gruntled, "Ugh, fine. Don't tell anybody..." 

These have been mounted on my wall ever since. Hey thanks, lady!

 

My life has been well lived because I took a risk when I graduated high school, and it paid off. I had a great boyfriend who treated me like a princess (for the first time), I had friends I grew up with, and I had family that meant the world to me. I really wanted to go to OU despite the fact I'd go alone, not knowing anybody. My boyfriend and I knew we would break up when I moved to Norman, and we did. Shortly thereafter, we thought we'd TRY the long-distance thing, so we wouldn't look back and wonder "if"... I received a BSN in May 2009 and my boyfriend came up to celebrate with me. I achieved my dream of going to OU while maintaing my relationship with George despite the distance. I have since moved home, closer to George, family, and friends. The I-35 North/South highway has probably been travelled about 150 times between the two of us...

I-35 North

I-35 South

Graduation Day
May, 2009

My life has been well-lived because I got into an ideal field of nursing-plastic surgery. My first year out of school I was at a cosmetic surgery practice. I worked there for a year, and am now at a plastic surgery practice. Plastic surgery includes reconstructive surgeries (breast cancer, birth defects, etc.). I work Monday-Friday, and my nights and weekends are free. The latest surgery has been fat transfer with enriched-cells. This is a fascinating procedure, and I'm proud to be utilizing my degree.

Reagent to extract the enriched cells from the fat

--Looking forward to adding one more thing to the next list of "Life Well Lived." Leaving tomorrow afternoon, and will be disconnected until Tuesday. Looking forward to taking amazing pictures, and making timeless memories.

March 2011: Favorite Things

Tom's Hygiene Products.

(All ingredients are NATURALLY sourced,

items can be purchased at KROGER,

better for the PLANET and better for my BODY)

Click on this LINK to see where all the natural ingredients come from. Smells good, too!

Click HERE to see how this company puts THOUGHT behind their packaging.

No BURN, still FRESH, check out the INGREDIENTS!

SkinCeuticals.

I have had problems with my skin breaking out since I was about 14. In high school, I was on ACCUTANE, the most powerful (and very dangerous!) prescription on the market. I've tried ProActiv, Nature's Cure, Obagi, and countless other options. KNOCK ON WOOD, but I think this "SkinCeuticals .5% Retinol Cream"  might actaully work! I get awful break outs around my mouth where I wear a mask in the OR 40 hours/week. As of now, I do not have one active zit. I'm going to keep using it for a full month, and I'll keep yall posted! Also this picture has the hydrating gel (when I use creams for acne, my skin gets SO dry it's flaky and awful!) and lip hydrating cream. I really like all 3 of these products, and they are all available at my work.

Aspen Bay Candles. Again.

Aspen Bay is the maker of Anthropologie's AMAZING "Volcano" (blue jar, amazing scent, never met somebody who didn't fall in love at first sniff!). This scent is great, too, but I should've bought the big jar to fill the room. Pricey, but I sure enjoy it!!!! I used AMAZON and purchased with credit card reward points!!!

New Clock.

Got this at Antique Garden, looks SO much better than my photo collage (I think!).

Vintage Photos, Finally Matted and Framed. 

I've wanted to mat and frame these above my sink for months and finally got around to it. The first pic is my maternal grandmother hanging out the side of a car. The second is doing dishes (hence why it is above my sink), and the last photo captures both of my mom's parents. These people are all deceased now, and I think this is a respectful, artistic, loving expression that I am thrilled to look at while I clean my every dish.

Clever Little Magnet.

Funny magnet from my mom. Loves it.

Vintage Apron That Converts To A Bonnet. WHAT? Yes.

HOKAY, SO....here's a beautiful vintage apron. I literally bought it off my waitress' body at the Pink Elephant in Norman, OK. Her great grandmother (never completed high school) has a dream of being a fashion designer, and designs and makes aprons that convert into bonnets! The colors (which you can't see too well on this Hipstamatic pic) match my kitchen perfectly, and I love the dainty details.

That's right! Part apron, part bonnet, all original, and one of a kind. No link, yet, to purchase, but if this chick's great grandma makes a business out of these innovations, I really ought to get a percent commission. Ha!

Record Player.

So happy George brought his record player to my apartment! It looks great in here, and I'm excited to repair the needle so we can listen to vinyl together. HELLO, ROMANCE!!!!

Butterfly Wine Caddy.

The sweet Art Party (art gallery) owner, Liz, thought of me when she got this wine caddy with butterflies. I couldn't afford it at the time I saw it and fell in love, and she gave it to me last week as a thoughtful gift. My last "favorite things" post included this Tisdale Pinot Noir wine, and it still goes down the hatch on a near daily basis. VINO!!!!

Camera. Canon EOS 30D.

OBSESSED with my new camera!!!! Thank you, Jim Wall, for hookin' it UP! Takin' pics like a mad woman these days!!!! Click here to see my recent photo shoot with Amy Donaldson.

My Man, Manolo.

(Drivin' me Manoloco!!!)

kudos on that clever phrase to my Uncle Face

Have lusted for 4 years. Found at CONSIGNMENT SHOP in my size and didn't think twice. ALL MINE!!! Seriously, shop this place, the deals are amazing and you will fall in LOVE!