Goodbye 2010!

Wow, this week has really flown by. I start my new job next week! And with that said, this year comes to an end.

I was checking out the chickens in that front yard.

Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet
Cami: Ann Taylor
Pants: Banana Republic
Shoes: Me Too
Watch: Carriage via Wal-Mart
Earrings: Gifted

The hubs and I might head out to Cheer Up Charlie's New Year's Eve Celebration tomorrow night. 10 bands, free food, and free drinks! I hope to meet up with my cousin and niece, if they happen to go. What are your plans for ringing in the new year?

*These photos were taken by my friend J.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I think I've had the best Christmas ever! I got a Facebook friend request last night from someone that I never thought would find me. I had no idea she even knew who I was or what my name was. Long story short she is my niece. I haven't seen her since she was very young. I have thought about her often, but wasn't sure how to get in contact with her. I'm so glad she found me. We have been talking since last night. Best Christmas ever!!

It was actually cold outside today. Yes, I still have hands.

Sweater: Banana Republic
Tank: American Eagle (you can see it in the first photo)
Skirt: Tucker for Target
Tights: Banana Republic Outlet
Socks: Banana Republic Outlet
Boots: Chocolat Blu via a NY boutique
Earrings: Banana Republic

You all have to know that when I was in college I had a couple of guys that would not leave me alone causing me to try to hide for many years. It was great when I got married and I changed my name and my mom moved in with us (leaving my hometown and all old ties). I never had any bills in my name and I was able to virtually disappear, but the sad part was that I lost contact with lots of people. This past summer I started my Facebook account with only my married name. I found some of my very best friends that I had lost contact with. It has been wonderful! I was very apprehensive when I started this blog, but I just took the plunge. I didn't want to be a captive in my own life anymore.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Day!!!

The Spirit of Giving

I've spent several hours over the last few weeks volunteering for Thundering Paws. The hubs and I did Santa Paws at Pet Smart a couple of weeks ago. The hubs did a good job as Santa, while I was the photographer.

Sorry this is so fuzzy. It's a scan of the photo that I had printed out.
The actual photo is really cute!

Today, we spent some time wrapping gifts at Barnes & Noble. There were a lot of last minute shoppers today.

Shirt: Thundering Paws Animal Sanctuary
Jeans: Bullhead via St. Vincent's Thrift Store
Hoodie: Banana Republic
Shoes: Bonnibel via UrbanOg.com

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

A Day of Rest!

I've just been spending the last couple of days relaxing and enjoying the fact that I don't have to do anything. I spent the afternoon yesterday playing with the animals over at Thundering Paws Animal Sanctuary. About a month ago, the hubs and I trapped the last cat, Fargo, at the feral colony we were feeding. The area where he was living was being fenced off and we didn't have any way to access his feeding area. After Thanksgiving, Fargo was updated on his shots and tested for FIV. Sadly, he is positive for FIV, but I got the best news in the world Friday. He has been accepted to Best Friends Animal Society in Utah! I'm so excited for him! There isn't an opening currently for him, but until there is he will stay at Thundering Paws. So for now, the plan is to help Fargo to be more accepting of other humans until he heads up to Utah. He mostly liked the hubs, but sometimes I would get to pet him too. The hubs and I spent a couple of hours yesterday playing with and petting all the kitties and the bunnies. I had so much fun!

Here's the photo of my nape piercing that I promised.

I've had these shoes forever.

Tank: Mossimo via Target (years ago)
Vest: Banana Republic
Shorts: Charlotte Russe (they used to be pants)
Socks: Target
Shoes: White Mountain via Wal-Mart (many years ago)
Bracelet: Abercrombie and Fitch (years ago)
Earrings: Gifted

I thought I would take this opportunity to share the photo of my nape piercing as promised. I've had it now for about 5 months. It wasn't too planned out. I saw it in a movie and thought it looked cool. The next day at work I mentioned it to a friend and she said, "Sure I can do that. I'll make it look really cute." A week and a half later she pierced it. Let me just say she is a professional piercer and she did it at the studio where she worked part time. 

Have a good week all!

More Good News!!

A couple of posts back I said I had more good news to come. Well, here it is! I got the job I interviewed for! I will still be working at the health department, but just in a different area. I hate having to leave my current job; however, with this promotion I will be in charge. I am the new team lead for the Newborn DNA Analysis team! I start my new job with the start of the new year. The Newborn DNA Analysis team performs tests for newborns to determine if they have certain disorders. After many years working in the tuberculosis lab, it is time for me to move on and up. I have gone as high as I possibly could in my current area. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for tuberculosis, but I am looking forward to leading this new team.

Here's what I wore yesterday...

The bee was on my back in this photo.
I got stung on my thumb when I straightened my shirt.

I think I had the bee on me here, too.

These booties were in my box of shoes that I got last week.

Shirt: Banana Republic
Shorts: Banana Republic Outlet
Tights: Forever 21
Shoes: Qupid via UrbanOG.com
Watch: Carriage via Wal-Mart (years ago)
Earrings: Gifted

I took the day off yesterday to have one last day to study for the GRE. I went out take photos with the hubs and got stung by a bee! I think I got special bee powers from that sting. I did better on my practice test than I ever had. The hubs offered to find another bee this morning, so I could have a boost of bee power. I just glared at him and he changed his mind.

Also in my bag of good news, I took my test today. I have spent the last 8 weeks studying so very hard. I haven't gotten my official results, but I did get my preliminary results. I am so excited! From my first practice test, I improved 330 points! All that studying really paid off, so thank you all for putting up with my lack of posts during this time. Now that it is over, I can get back to regular blog posts!

Stylish Blogger Award!

This week has been a good week. I have a couple of pieces of good news to share with you all, but I can only share one with you today. After a long day at work, I was excited to find out that I've been awarded the Stylish Blogger Award from the very lovely Cee from Coco and Vera. If you haven't read her blog, please check it out. She has such great style! I really want to raid her closet. :)

The rules of the award:

1. Thank the person who gave you this award. (THANK YOU, CEE!!!)

2. Share seven facts about yourself.

3. Pay it forward to seven bloggers you adore and contact them to let them know they've been chosen.

Seven things you probably don't know about Sable and Sage:

1. I'm a microbiologist working for my state's health department. I currently work in the tuberculosis laboratory which is a biosafety level 3. Pretty cool, huh? (Well, I am a science nerd.)

2. I was on the dance team in high school. I'll share photos one day.

3. I had my nape pierced about 5 months ago. I'll share photos of that too.

4. I'm married to a poet. No, he doesn't write me poems.

5. I have two cats: Lindsey and Jackie. Both are rescue kitties.

6. I can change the alternator on my car.

7. I once ran 8 miles in one day. I was helping a friend train for an ultra marathon (50 miles).

Stylish blogs I visit:

1. Orchid Grey

2. The Brunette's Closet

3. Future Lint

4. Adored Austin

5. Night Lights

6. Cut and Sew

7. Second Skin

Double Dose

I had an interview yesterday! I think I did well, so now I just have to wait for them to decide and get back to me. I forgot to grab my camera as I ran out of the house yesterday, so I didn't get photos. I wanted you all to see how professional I can look. I got a lot of compliments from my co-workers, but I think it was because they hardly ever see me in anything other than jeans. I will let you all know as soon as possible if I got the job.

I promise I didn't have all the wrinkles when I went in for the interview.

Suit: Banana Republic
Shirt: Banana Republic
Shoes: Aerosoles Outlet
Rings: Gifted
Earrings: Handmade by me

I had the time this morning, so I threw on my interview outfit and had the hubs snap a few photos.

Here's what I wore today.

I love these shoes!

Shirt: Charlotte Russe
Sweater: H&M (last year)
Jeans: Bullhead via St. Vincent's Thrift Store
Shoes: Qupid via Urban Original
Earrings: Handmade by me

My test is one week away! I took the day off to study, so I didn't really wear these shoes on my trek up to the library. I just got these shoes a couple of days ago and I just wanted to share them. There are lots of hills on the walk to the library, so I wore flats.

Just another week and I will return to posting more regularly. I will also have a new photographer and a new place for photos. When I leave for work at 6:00am it's dark outside and when I get home from work at 6ish in the evening it's dark outside. So, I am going to try to figure out when and where I can take photos.

Stressing, It's Not All It's Cracked Up To Be

I've been overly stressed for the last three days. I think I'm about to crack. With my test coming up in two weeks, I have been non-stop studying as you all may already know. Surprisingly, I got a phone call for an interview in another lab. To make matters worse, I really don't have time to fully prepare for this interview. I'm even more stressed now! I hope I don't crack before Wednesday or before my test.

I spent the morning taking a practice test and I have slowly increased my score 100 points. I spent the afternoon at the library taking another practice test. While I was there, I saw Texas State University celebrity, Shannon Gaga! Then I had to refocus and concentrate on the verbal test I was taking.

Shirt: Banana Republic
Jeans: Paper Denim & Cloth via St. Vincent (thrift shop, Austin)
Shoes: Mossimo via Target (years ago)
Watch: Carriage via Wal-Mart (years ago)
Earrings: Gifted

Today was a very warm day, especially since it was freezing just a couple of days ago. So, I decided to wear something that would be cool to start, but would be warm enough later when it got cold. I can't believe I thrifted these jeans for only $12!