Decorating Inspirations

I can't stand looking at my bland, boring walls! I just didn't want to decorate until I figured out if I was staying for longer than 6 months...but, I just don't think I can take it anymore! It is time...and here are just a couple of inspiration rooms I've compiled over the last couple of months:

Home Sweet Home

Tyler has been a good move for me.

My soul needed to be refreshed and this is just the place for it! I've had so many good experiences since moving here: a) I've met the man I've always dreamed of (I know I sound like a little school-girl, but it is true), b) I've been able to recalibrate what I truly find important and be inspired by the people I'm around in an environment that is conducive to growth, c) I'm learning more about myself and about my "big picture".

Sometimes, it is just the little joys in life that make a difference like walking "Kitty", my fluffy four-legged friend, at the gorgeous park near my home a couple times a week and just relaxing. This is also the same park I surprised Trev with sidewalk graffiti (only chalk of course) telling him how much he means to me:

Tyler has also been such a friendly place. I've met most of my neighbors and had the chance to sit outside on breezy nights and talk for hours. I've also been able to find the strength in myself to take a leap of faith and learn to live on my own. Luckily, I've had it much easier than most would imagine. I'm truly blessed!

Re-Cap

These past two weeks have been great/busy/crazy/fun. The new job is keeping me on my toes; however, I feel better about this job than I did at the previous one. I'm happier, and even though I'm still learning and not yet comfortable, I am so excited about the possibilities. I'm lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with people who are excited about their jobs and who are very talented and intelligent. I'm also lucky enough to work in an area where people are so warm and welcoming. I miss the comforts of home and have yet to unpack all of my boxes (shame on me); but, I feel like I'm spreading my wings a bit more. I still visit my sister in Houston a lot and this weekend will actually be my first weekend to stay in town. It is a much needed weekend considering I will not be able to socialize in my new surroundings if I'm never in them. I've been trying to find a volunteer organization to join to potentially meet new people with similar interests and to do something good. I looooove animals (obviously, right?! haha) so I really wanted to find an animal rights organization but I'm just not finding much.

In the past couple of weeks I've also had the opportunity to take pictures with my new camera for a friend's wedding. I've only had time to edit a few and here is what I've come up with.

She truly was a glowing bride!

Shadowy profile

Her gorgeous new niece! Isn't she just a doll?!

What a week!

What a chaotic week this has been! Wrapping up at the old job to get packed up and ready to move for the new one was anything but organized and easy. First, I obviously procrastinated the packing bit; however, since I have such a lovely family they were happy (or at least didn't complain too much) to help. On Friday as I got ready for bed, ready to get rollin' on the big move day, I began to have pain in my ear. As a child I was riddled with awful ear aches and underwent multiple surgeries to correct the problem. And if you know me, you know what horrible hearing I have now and that I blame it on this. So, from 9-12 that night the pain grew until it was completely unbearable. I have such a high pain tolerance, that it worried me tremendously. I woke my dad up and told him I would go to the mediclinic down the road. Being the amazing dad he is, he wouldn't let me go alone. We drove to the mediclinc, and of course it had to close 10 minutes before we got there, landing me in the E.R. After waiting what seemed to be a really long time, I finally saw the doc and he said it was a really bad ear infection and later that night my ear drum ruptured.

So, my Saturday did not go as planned. We put off moving for a day so I could get my new dilemma under control. Sunday rolls around and I'm ready to go; although, I was still without a voice and hearing on my left side. We got my stuff settled in my new off-white, peachy-pink apartment (another surprise), and as the night came I prepared myself for my first day on the job. I woke up Monday morning and my boss decided to let me miss the first surgery because of my chaotic weekend and we met up later that afternoon to visit some of the local hospitals and discuss the job.

And it was today that put the cherry on the cake! I woke up excited about my first "case" (I'm a orthopedic surgical sales rep, so I go into surgeries and instruct the surgeons on how to use our equipment). My mentor and I walk into the OR and as I'm watching the surgery I notice that my ear is still giving me problems. I had been dizzy for a while, which is very common for inner ear infections and even worse for a ruptured ear drum. Then all of a sudden I black out!!!! Worse than that, I PASS OUT ON THE SURGEON PERFORMING THE SURGERY AND ON THE PATIENT!!!! Now, let me tell you...this is the worst thing that could possibly happen in my first case. When I came to, all I could think was "Oh, God!"...I was humiliated and lying down on the OR floor on your first real day on the job is not a way to start! They were all very nice about it and helped me out. They were just concerned if I was hurt and trying to shake it off so they could get back to business. My new boss was probably thinking "I just hired someone who can't take the heat in the kitchen". So, tomorrow I really have to shine. I'm going to be praying hard tonight that I can catch a break and that all will run smooth for the rest of the week!

I just try to remember to find the humor in my humility!

Procrastination

Procrastination could be considered a bad thing...however, I don't feel bad about it! Not at all! Because, honestly, who wants to pack?! No one, that's who! Ugh...it is Monday and I'm moving on Friday and have packed nada! Lovely...

On a brighter note...cute animals can always make me smile so here it is:

cuteness provided by CuteOverload!

Changes

There will be some major changes in my life in the next two weeks! I've just become settled in Houston, living in a comfy house with my sister and our two dogs. I have a very secure job with opportunities for advancement. I have friends that I love to be around and I've got a long list of things I've wanted to do since I moved here last June; however, it is all about to change. I've been offered (and accepted) what could be a "dream job" with an amazing potential for a big pay off. Here's the catch, I have to pack up and move to Tyler, TX. Not only leaving my comfort zone, but also a secure job, and my family/friends after just getting settled. I just don't want to live too cautiously and miss an opportunity that could be once in a lifetime. Because I've got the most amazing family and a boat load of great friends, I've had the support I need to make this reality. It still seems so surreal. I've never lived alone and that scares me. And I know it sounds silly, but I'm going to have to work really long hours on some days. That means I would be leaving my more poor little dog alone. There's so many things that make this scary and a huge risk, but sometimes the biggest rewards are from the biggest risks. I know I'm a hard worker and that I am very ambitious. I also just have to rely on my faith to pull me through the hard times. I know there will be days that I will just want to crumble but I'm strong enough to perservere.

But, on the bright side...I get to decorate my very own place!!! I've always either lived with my sister or roommates who have brought there tastes and decor and finally it is my turn! My sister and I have similar tastes but I'm a little more experimental and bold.

So, here is to new starts and praying for the best.

Houston

Thank goodness I found this blog posting about Houston. I'm a newbie to Houston, so this guide is oh so helpful! I'm so excited to check out all these great spots, especially Moxie!

photo credit