Hey all,
Since I just moved back to Austin, I haven't been doing much lately. However, once in awhile, when I'm low on funds, and am looking for something to do, I look up free events on austin360.com, or do512.com. 
Now, maybe you might not be in Austin, so try searching 'free museum days', 'free things to do (enter city here)', or even 'free events in (city)'.
You can find so much to do that way. I've been to museums, movies, and Broadway shows, all for free! And if you live in a larger city, you can find A LOT of events. So go out and explore the great world around you.

Happy hunting! :)

Austin Zoo

Did you know Austin has a zoo?! Most people don't. Austin Zoo and Sanctuary is small, but a really great place to go if you don't want to go all the way to Dallas or Houston.  The roosters, peacocks, turkeys, and some other birds get to roam around inside the zoo's fenced in area.  I was told by Toni, one of the zoo employees, that all of the animals are rescued from homes, and other locations where they're not taken care of.  She told us that some of the newest lions (not yet on display) are just getting used to their home, and in their previous location, they never knew what it was to step on grass.  Thanks to the Austin Zoo, all of these animals are much happier.  She even told me that one of the roosters, was named Highstepper, for the way he walked.  I thought was such a fitting name, after I saw him walk.  He walked like he was practicing for a chorus line!  Haha.  My favorite was the humungous turtle. I swear, I wanted to take him home with me, or pet him, both of which wouldn't have been such great ideas.  But he was so very adorable!

If you're looking for a zoo, that's close to Austin, come check out this place! As Toni said, every time you walk in that door, you support the animals, and everyone can agree that this reason alone is reason enough.

 10807 Rawhide Trail  Austin, TX 78736 

 (512) 288-149

 

 

Ewwww! Turtle toe nails!

The goats saw me with food in hand a mile away.

The goose who tried to eat my phone. He must not like photos.

ToyJoy

If you've never been to Austin, Texas, then you've never been to ToyJoy, one of the coolest toy stores I've ever seen.  I know what you're thinking, and it's NOT it's not that kind of toy store. It's a children's toy store!  This place has some of the coolest toys I've ever seen, and definitely has something for everyone. Toy banks, stuffed animals, paper dolls, clock clacks, and so many other super cool toys.  Click clacks (remember those?) and so many other super cool toys. Rubber balls, plastic animals and A LOT of Hello Kitty items. They even have toys for babies and old music box!  So if you're ever in town, you should definitely check out this amazing store. You won't be disappointing! 

ToyJoy

2900 Guadalupe Street

Austin, TX  78705

Wimberley, Texas

This past weekend, I visited Wimberley, Texas. I was expecting it to be a cool small town, but what I wasn't expecting how nice everyone everyone would be!  Everyone says hello when you walk in.  What a welcoming feeling!

I started out at Wimberley's visitor center, but it was closed, so I decided to have lunch at Arby's.  After that, I parked and it wasn't until I got out of the car, that I realized just how fun this was going to be.

 I went to almost all of the stores in Wimberley.  Chick-a-dee, The Flying Pig, and Wall Street to Western are just a couple of stores you can find there.  I even took a break at Ino'z to take some photos of Cypress Creek, and listen to a bluegrass (or beatgrass band, as Ino'z calls it) named Lonesome G. Listening to that band, that's when I knew I was in Heaven.

With my batteries recharged, I kept exploring and found two of my new favorite stores, Magnolia Pearl and Vintage Girl, Inc.  If you know anything about me, you know I LOVE anything shabby chic, and these two stores had me head over heels in love.  Magnolia Pearl has beautiful pieces, both vintage and shabby chic.  Vintage Girl, Inc., has everything from beautiful clothing to inspiring wall art to interesting books to stunning jewelry.  I can now say I have two great new places to shop for shabby chic finds.

After going to just about every store, I decided to drive through the town one last time.  It was then that I remembered that the visitor center was open, so I decided to stop in, luckily with five minutes before they closed.  I met a man there (who's name I forget--sadly, I'm horrible with names) and his mother, who were happy to welcome me even it was just before closing time.  The woman wore a hat and a long-sleeved rhinestoned Texas button-down shirt.  She was both beautiful and adorable at the same time.  Her son was so charming, telling me that I was very pretty.  Talk about Southern Gentleman!  After talking to them for several minutes,  it was time to leave Wimberley.  It's a great small town, perfect for a day trip if you don't want to travel too far from Austin.

If you'd like more info, check out www.wimberley.org. You won't be disappointed with this beautiful, quaint town.  I know I'm going to be back. :)

I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could

Well, it's official. I've decided to move back. Chicago's cost of living is making me exhausted. I'll never get a nice sized apartment if I continue to live here.
So with that said, I am ready to announce (enter dramatic pause here)........
I'M MOVING BACK TO TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wish me luck, everybody! :)

Dear everyone:
I am having a change of heart, as far as my career goes. I think I might be facing burnout. For those of you that don't know, I am a certified nursing assistant. I no longer feel like I have enough patience or compassion to do this job anymore. I've been a nurse aide for four years, and there are a lot of times when I just don't feel appreciated. With that said, I've decided to begin to figure out what it is I actually want to do. While I'm trying to figure that out, I have decided that I'll use this blog for all things creative. I scrapbook, so I'll use it to show off some of the projects I make. But more importantly, I have decided to use this blog for writing and photography. I love photography, so I'll be uploading a couple photos every week, if not one per day. I think this is one great way to keep my motivation up.

Happy creativity!

Kristy

Best Valentine's Day Ever

This morning, when I woke up, I had no idea it was Valentine's Day---until they said it on the radio, on the way to work. I thought to myself ” Oh yeah, I forgot!” and posted this on Facebook: Happy Valentine's Day. If you love no one else today, and everyday, love God and love yourself. ♥
All day, I kept thinking about how it was Tuesday, but it felt like a Monday, because I had a three day weekend, which made today feel like my Monday. You see this morning,  I was almost late for work, and on the way there a lady rear ended me. Not badly, but she slid into me. At first I was so angry. But after we pulled off to the side, and she apologized profusely, I was the one who felt bad telling her it was okay, because I needed a new bumper, anyway. ”We're in Chicago. Everyone needs a new bumper!” She said. Haha. I told her I was just mad because I was late. She was too. Typical Monday---i mean Tuesday.

So after finally finding my location, I apologized to my patient for being late. She told me it was okay, and after her appointment, we went shopping at Marshall's. This lady was amazing at bargain hunting! A man with huge Valentine's balloons and roses came in to shop. How LUCKY his partner was to get such a great surprise!!!

Next, was Mariano's, a, local grocery store. You'd think they were giving away flowers and chocolate covered strawberries, with how busy they were. It was nice for me to be an innocent bystander to all the chaos for once. Haha! I even told my patient how glad I was to not have to pay an arm and a leg for roses. Haha!

Later, I dropped her off at her building, which was from the 1920's. The back staircase was added onto the building and the original exterior of the building was where her back door was, only inside the building! And the building faced the corner, unlike any other building I've ever seen that's that old. So beautiful!!!

My last stop was Barnes and Noble, to kill some time before my 8pm shift. Right as I walked in, there was a table of books about love. They were all so nice. I looked over all of them, and chose the best I've on the table: Awful First Dates by Sarah Z. Wexler. It was good, in a guilty pleasure way. It makes you feel good that you're not the only one who goes on crappy first dates, and happy that your crappy date wasn't that bad.
The whole day, I realized was pretty good! Granted it did feel like a Monday, and act like one, too. But this Valentine's Day, I can honestly say that I wasn't sad to be single! Instead, I was grateful to feel whole without being in a relationship. Every person who's single hates Valentine's Day, but today for once, I felt like loving myself was enough. That's a great feeling! I hope every year feels this great! :) And Happy Valentine's Day!

Creative Scrappers

Here is my layout for Creative Scrappers. It's Sketch #194! Here's the link if you'd like to participate: http://creativescrappers.blogspot.com/2012/02/sketch-194.html

Love Joy Paper challenge

I made this this this morning, and finished it yesterday.  It's for Amanda's February challenge! Check it out and play. :) Here's the link if you want to play along.
http://www.lovejoypaper.com/2012/01/february-challenge.html

Gigantic Purge from Okanogangirl!

Love Joy Paper Giveaway!http://www.lovejoypaper.com/2012/02/purge-giveaway.html
So Amanda is having this amazing give away, because she decided to purge a lot of her scrapbook stuff that she went through it. There is A LOT of stuff. Be sure to enter before Thursday, February 9th, 2012.

Frosted Designs Challenge

Frosted Designs blog is having a challenge: Use ribbon or twine in a layout or project. Here's mine!