Flashback Friday

The date is Thursday, February 26th. The time is 10:00 pm. I'm trying desperately to catch up on all my blog reading because although I love to read the witty posts from all my blogging buddies it's been a busy week and I've neglected my google reader for nearly 5 solid days.

I glance down at the clock and remind myself that I've stayed up late every night this week and that I really REALLY need to go to bed at a decent hour.

But before I know it it's 11:00 and I'm still up. 11:15 and I'm still up. 11:30 and I'm still up.

I finally drag myself into bed knowing that morning it going to come way too early.


There are no rules about exactly HOW far back I have to flashback, so this counts.....right? Right?

Flickr Gems

Loved this picture from today's flickr browsing.

Be sure to read the notes. It makes the picture even better!

My new Rebel has a lot of work ahead of it if it's going to take pictures this cool!

You know you're getting old when.....

Yesterday I kissed goodbye to my 20's. It was a good decade. I accomplished much. I graduated from college, served a mission, got married, bought my first home, had my first writing job, and gave birth to 3 children.

And yet, there is a part of me that thought that I'd be somewhere different by age 30. I'm not sure what, really. I guess I thought I would've made my mark on the world by now.

Just the same, it was a good birthday.

My husband surprised me with a new Canon Rebel XSI. Here is the first picture I took with it.



Pretty exciting, I know. You are all awed and amazed by my hidden photography prowess.

Adam spent the day saying "Mom, when are we going to wrap the rest of your presents?" I kept asking him what other presents, to which he would respond, "I can't tell you or it won't be a surprise." I don't think he understands that his birthday gifts come from the dollar store so I can give a lot of things to open for not a lot of money. Whereas my single was more expensive than all his birthday presents from all his birthdays thus far combined, so it was okay that I only got one gift. Even this morning the first thing he said when he crawled into bed with me for his morning snuggle (before running off to watch Curious George) was "Mom, we forgot to wrap the rest of your presents last night."

The evening turned into a slight comedy of errors. My sweet husband planned dinner and a movie but turns out the movie (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) was longer than either of us anticipated and the restaurants were all closed at 10:00 when the movie let out. But, not wanting my birthday to end yet we found ourselves at at a 24 hour Ihop at 11:00 at night where we were seated next behind a loud speaking slut. (sorry, that's the only word I can think of for her, and that's being generous) At one point I nearly asked if we could be moved but her date finally had had enough, too and said he was done sitting with her and so she left just before our food arrived. (And there was much rejoicing throughout the restaurant!)

And so I conclude my birthday post with a list of all the ways I know I'm officially old now.

1-All I wanted for my birthday was my house scrubbed from top to bottom. (wow! living life on the wild side)

2-My husband was home for the day and I was dying to spend the time running all my errands without the kids

3-It was a glorious gift to get a 45 minute nap in the afternoon

4-I chose to spend my birthday with just my husband and kids, no big party required or even desired

5-I willingly passed up birthday cake because I didn't want it to go straight to my hips. (okay, I had french fries and pancakes loaded with butter....so I didn't totally deprive myself)

6-I stayed out until midnight and am paying for it today

7-When going out with my date I wore tennis shoes instead of my 2 inch heeled black boots

8-I spent most the night snuggling, not my husband, but my croupy baby who couldn't sleep because he couldn't breath.

9-And I didn't mind

10-I could only come up with a list of 9

My husband reminds me that 30 is the new 20. So, here's to My Next 30 Years!

I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years

Hey my next thirty years I’m gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I’ve done
Maybe now I’ve conquered all my adolescent fears
And I’ll do it better in my next thirty years

My next thirty years I’m gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I’m doing here
In my next thirty years

Oh my next thirty years, I’m gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I’ll remember my next thirty years

My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years
In my next thirty years

~Phil Vassar

Name that Movie Monday: Updated

I am going to be really surprised if anybody actually knows today's quote because prior to Saturday I wouldn't have known it. We just rented this on Saturday and even though I usually try to do movies I think others will know I just thought this line was so funny. So I'm using it.

Why don't I like you?

Because you think I'm an a$$hole. And I'm not really. I'm just British and, well, you're not.

Check back later for the answer. Or if somebody knows it then super kudos to you!!!!

Your movie code: S39XKT

And, if you haven't seen the above movie you can use your free code to rent it, because I totally got it at Redbox myself. So I know it's there. :)


UPDATE: So it took me longer to get back here to give you the answer than I thought it would. Went out shopping with my mom this afternoon (looking for dresses for my sister's wedding) and got home late. Of course if I had an iphone I could've updated it at Dress Barn....but such is life.

Okay, enough excuses. The movie is Bottle Shock.

Mama needs a good idea for a post!

Megan had this over on her blog and since I'm a little lacking in the totally brilliant idea department lately I thought I'd do it as well.

Go to google, type in your name and then "needs" (i.e "Nicole Needs") and write down the first 10 hits.

Here's my list.

Nicole needs a boob job

(My husband's response: there are a shortage of perfect breasts in the world, would be a pity to damage yours)

Nicole needs no food when she can shop 'till she drops

(well, I do like to shop)

Nicole needs a drummer

(um, and a guitarist, and a vocalist....)

Nicole needs a new computer!

(true story baby!)

Tiny Nicole needs a big meal.

(I don't know about tiny, but I could go for a big meal!)

Nicole needs photoshop.

(and some lessons on how to use it!)

Nicole needs to live in the Now

(unless it means giving up Flashback Friday)

Nicole needs some good vibes

(that, too. so, if you've got some to spare send them my way)

Nicole needs a reality show

(um, no!!!!)

Nicole needs an urban love nest

(what exactly does that even mean?)

Nicole needs to lay off the botox

(Don't be fooled, I was just having moles removed)

Nicole needs a cheeseburger

(that does sound really good right about now)

Nicole needs help

(oh, so much help. A nanny, a maid, and a shrink, just to name a few)

Nicole needs a reality check

(perhaps)

Okay, that was more than 10. So sue me. It's my blog, I can cheap if I want to!

Flashback Friday

I was so excited last week to write about President's Day that I totally forgot that it was also Valentine's Day. And I've got a really fun Valentine's Memory.

When I was a sophomore in High School I somehow managed to convince a bunch of the boys I knew to write me secret admirer letters. I don't pretend to remember what my motivation was. Nor do I understand why so many of them actually complied with my request. Apparently I was quite convincing. Or maybe they were just all afraid of what I'd do to them if they didn't. I'm really not sure. And yes, I have kept them all for these many years.

So, for your reading pleasure today, some belated Valentines sentiments.

Name that Movie Monday

Being a holiday and all I thought I'd make today's movie easy to guess by giving you not just one quote but 4 quotes from the same movie! Well, actually it has nothing to do with being nice or feeling generous. It has everything to do with loving this movie and being indecisive about which quote to use. So, I'm using them all!

No, it's not schizophrenia it's just a voice in my head. I mean the voice isn't telling me to do anything. It's telling me what I've already done. Accurately. and with a better vocabulary.

Harold: 10 seconds ago you said you wouldn't help me.
Professor: It's been a very revealing 10 seconds, Harold.

Meeting an insurance agent the day your policy runs out is coincidence. Getting a letter from the emperor saying that he's visiting is plot. Having your apartment eaten by a wrecking ball is something else entirely.

Harold: Who in their right mind if they had a choice between living and pancakes chooses pancakes?
Professor: If you pause to think I believe you would realize that answer is inextricably contingent upon the type of life being led and of course the quality of the pancakes.

And for your President's Day viewing pleasure, here is your code for a free movie at Redbox (should you happen to be lucky enough to live in a Redbox market)

M7DM23

Remember, the code is valid today only until Midnight.

Happy guessing!

Dear Alicia

Dear Alicia,

I do not know you, but will you PLEASE stop giving out my phone number to all your creditors. I am tired of my phone ringing off the hook with phone calls for you. I am tired of phone calls for you waking up my napping baby. I am tired of phone calls at 6:00 am waking me. I'm tired of trying to explain to people who barely speak English that I am not Alicia, that I don't know an Alicia, that this has been my phone number for over 5 years now and in that time my name has never been Alicia. I'm sorry you can't pay your bills. Really, I am. I know economic times are tough. But there are better ways of dealing with this situation then giving out a false phone number. Grow up already, would you?

I appreciate your help in this matter.

Sincerely,
Nicole

Back in the saddle again

I finally posted on my other blog. My 100th post, no less. Since it's been SO long I figured that nobody actually checks it anymore, so this is my shameless plug for you to go check it out now. Hopefully it's worth your time.

Flashback Friday

President's Day is just around the corner. And President's Day 2002 was another one of those memorable days in my courtship with Mike. So, please excuse the cheesiness. It is what it is.

During this time I was working for the Host Broadcaster for the 2002 Winter Olympics which basically means I was working 10 hours a day 7 days a week. During this time I had also been sort of seeing Mike off and on. Nothing too serious. But he had President's Day off and was trying to convince me to call in sick so that we could spend it together.

If I recall correctly getting the day off involved a little white lie, because NOBODY got time off during the Olympics. And I hate to rationalize what I did by saying the ends justify the means....but it did get me one step closer to the man who would eventually be the father of my children, so I have a hard time feeling too terrible about it.

So, I got the day off and we decided to head downtown to see some of the Olympic sites. Being a holiday and having half the world in our state it was crowded, to say the least. It took forever to find parking. And the venue we decided on visiting first had a 2 hour wait just to get inside. 2 hours! But the crowds worked out to my advantage I must say. As we were maneuvering our way through the throngs of people I made my move: I reached out and grabbed his arm and said "Don't lose me!" As if that's the only reason I wanted to hold him!

We stood in line for 2 hours for the chance to push a bobsled. But I held my arm in his the whole time, so the wait didn't seem nearly as long. At the bobsled "event" visitors got a chance to compete in a heat of 12 for the fastest pushoff time. The top in the heat got Pins (which if you were around for the Olympics you know that pin collecting and trading was a big deal) you got a Gold, Silver, or Bronze pin for placing.

So, I told him I was very competitive and that if we didn't take home the gold we couldn't be friends anymore. I guess he felt there was a lot at stake because bless his heart he pushed hard and fast! So fast in fact that he couldn't stop and stepped over the stop line, thus disqualifying us. Too bad, too because we were last in the heat and the current winners time was 2.88. We came in at 2.76. Good enough for the Gold! Dang that red line. Oh well. To prove I wasn't going to hold it against him I let him hold my hand the rest of the night. Wasn't that nice of me?

The highlight of the day would have to be when we were over at Washington Square. over in the little mountain man area they had like a mock ghost town facade and bales of hay and there was some country music playing. We were the only ones there and he spontaneously started leading me in a country swing. For all my years of dance training I'm embarrassed to say I did a horrible job. I was laughing to hard. But it sort of felt like a scene in a movie and so of course I loved it!

We also hopped on Trax and went to get a look at the Olympic Torch. It was actually really cool! The flame against the dark night surrounded by all the nation's flags. It could've actually been quite romantic, but I kept making dumb jokes because I'm a dork like that.

A week or so after President's Day Mike had an assignment in his English class. I can't remember the exact assignment but he was struggling with it, not knowing what to write. So I told him I'd do the assignment, too. Give him some inspiration. This is what I wrote:

What was once well-tended grass has been reduced to mush by the slightly warmer weather which has melted the snow coupled with the recent increase in foot traffic. Each step I take across the now muddy terrain makes a slight sucking noise. My feet are cold as I stand on the not-quite-frozen ground. But my hands are warm, especially the one he’s holding, which comes complete with the “this is the first time he’s held my hand and I really like it” butterflies in my stomach. I look over at him and then up at the flickering orange flame against the dark night sky, and I wonder if there is any possible way to capture the magic of this moment in a bottle.

“Pretty amazing, isn’t it?”

His words startle me back into reality. “Huh?”

“I was just thinking about how surreal it feels to be standing here. It somehow makes the world seem like a smaller place.”

“I know exactly what you mean.” He’s absolutely right. It still boggles my minds to think that important people from all over the world are gathered right here in my own backyard. The scene before my eyes has been broadcast into the home of millions all across the world. My heart swells with pride to see Old Glory waving in slight breeze of the night, next to the flags of 78 other nations.

“Where’s Romania’s flag?” I ask, knowing that Romania holds a special place within his heart. He points to a flag with three vertical stripes. “There, the one that’s blue, yellow, and red.”

I glance over at it and then up at the dancing flame once again. I wonder what stories it would tell if it could talk. It came from half way around the world to get here, carried by thousands of different people, all heroes in their own right. And now I’m looking at it. Just watching the flame makes me want to be just a little better.

Just then a thought pops into my mind “I wonder what they’re going to do with the torch when this is all over.”

“Probably sell it on e-bay,” he laughs.

“I think they should leave it right where it is. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also represents everything good in the world. Peace, heroism, patriotism, achievement, and friendship.”

He glances over at me, smiles, and gives my hand a slight squeeze. A warm comfort floods over me and I somehow know that my life will never be the same because of this moment. As I look at him his gaze returns once again to the blaze lighting up the night sky.

My eyes wander over to another part of the stadium. Large orange letters spell out the words “light the fire within.” Standing here next to him with cold feet, looking at the fire burning for the entire world to see, I think I understand those words for the very first time.

What do you say to that?

I saw this clip over at Amber's. For those of you who don't know her she is the Crazy Bloggin' Canuck. I laughed so hard I just had to repost it. Enjoy!

Problem-Solution

Do you ever find that there are just too many brilliant, witty, creative, bloggers on the intranets and just not enough hours in the day to read them all? Try as I might I can't make it through them all. I want to, really I do. But bums need whiping and dishes need washing and floors need scrubbing and Candy Land needs playing and babies need snuggling and, well, you get the point.

But I have found a solution. This has got to be one of my new favorite blogs! It's Blogtations. It's all the best writing from the web all in one convenient location. Never again trudge through paragraphs and paragraphs of sub-standard writing to find the one true gem worth reading. Every thing on this page is worth reading!

I especially like the Mouse Over Blogtations. (Right hand side.) That's some funny stuff, I tell ya!

So why are you wasting your time reading this....there are much better things to be reading. So get over there. Now. Really. Go. Get out of here. There is nothing left here. I'm done. Are you still here? Hello? Hey, where did everybody go?

Another first

I've noticed a trend among bloggers. They give away free stuff in order to get more people to visit their blog. And then they encourage you to post about the give away on your own blog, thereby reaching even more readers. And they entice you to mention their blog on your blog by promising you another free entry in their drawing for free stuff. And I've never fallen for it. Nope, not me. You can't entice me with free stuff.

But, you see, my amazing, talented, creative, crafty cousin has started Magnet Monday and gives away all sorts of fun things that stick to your fridge and I'm so inspired by her plus I really just like her a whole lot so I would totally post a link to her giveaway on my blog and she doesn't even have to promise me an extra entry in her give away. I'd do it for free!!!

So if you like Magnets, or if you like Twilight (she's a huge fan, and even though I'm not we're still friends) or if you just like me go check her out. Or, if you don't like me, don't hold it against her and go check her blog out anyway. You'll be glad you did.

A message to all my blogging buddies

When I first started blogging I would occasionally stumble upon a post where somebody would go on and on about how life was busy and they were sorry they hadn't blogging in a while and they would be back soon and on and on with the apologizing and rationalizing and frankly I was usually a tad annoyed by it. I guess because I never looked at my own blogging as something I HAD to do so I never felt the need to apologize to anybody if I didn't do it. I didn't feel accountable to the blogging world. And I never wanted blogging to feel like something with a deadline or else it would cease to be enjoyable. And since I didn't expect myself to blog daily I didn't expect others to blog daily, either. So I couldn't figure out why people where apologizing for not blogging.

So it's with great humility that I post a "sorry for not blogging" post of my own. Although it's actually more of a sorry for not stopping by your blog recently post. Because currently I have 210 unread posts in my google reader. That's right 210. And I know how I feel when I write what I consider a witty post and get no comments/feedback. So I didn't want all you, my blogging buddies to think that I had stopped enjoying your blogs. I actually still really enjoy them. And I am slowly working my way through all my unread posts. It just may take me awhile. And I may not be able to make comments on every post until I get all caught up again. And I feel really bad about that which is strange for me because when I started blogging I lurked on people's blogs all the time never leaving comments! But now I feel emotionally connected to so many of you and feel like I'm the long lost friend who hasn't called in awhile!

So-don't give up on me. I will return. I just need to get back into the swing of things.

I also have one more quick thing to mention since I'm all in the apologizing mode. When I first ventured into actually commenting on blogs I was SO impressed when I would get a personal email back from the blog author. And so I tried to do the same for those who would leave comments for me. So I went along for quite some time hitting the reply button on the email notifying me of a new comment. I'm now much chagrinned to admit that it's only been recently that I noticed that half the time the email address I'm replying to is noreply-comment@blogger.com So to all of you who thought I was unfriendly or stuck up because I never responded I want to say I'm sorry. I actually sent out bunches and bunches of emails!!!! Sigh.

And now I'm starting to annoy even myself with the pathetic groveling so I'm going to go back to reading the 210 posts in my reader before it becomes 211.

Talk to you soon! (I hope!)

Name that Movie Monday

"You're everything I never knew I always wanted."

Do you know it? Give it a guess.

Here is your movie code: 25CH63

Now I'm off. I haven't even showered yet and the laundry is piling up!

Flashback Friday

This is an entry straight out of my journal. 9-22-96. I was a Senior in high school. (and now you know how old I am) I typed it exactly how it appears in my journal. Bad formatting, bad spelling, bad grammar. Just keeping it real folks.

Man, I just got the strangest phone call!!!!! I picked up the phone and the girl on the other end said to me "Do you know a boy named Donald Gore." Yes I said. See, he was in my seminary class last year. He was a sophomore then, which means that he's a year younger than I am. he seems a lot more than just a year younger, though. I mean not that I look all that mature or anything, I still look like I'm 10! But he hasn't hit puberty yet, I guess he's a late bloomer. Anyway, she said "Well, I'm his sister, and he really likes you a lot, but he's just really shy." I didn't know what to say!!! What do you say??? Thanks? I mean it was just awkward, ya know. So she said, "are you still there?" "Yes, I just don't know quite what to say. I'm very flattered." "Do you want to talk to him?" I was thinking NO, but she put him on the phone anyway. So then he said Hi, and did the small talk thing for a minute, then asked, "Are you doing anything on the 28th?" Well, I am. That's the weekend that Peggy, my friend from Ricks, is coming to stay with me! So I told him that. I felt bad that he had gotten up the nerve to ask me then I couldn't go, where ever it was he wanted to go do, but to tell you the truth I'd rather be with Peggy. But it was just weird. Another kid I know was there, too. And Donald told me, "David's here. He's laughing at me." I said "He's just jealous because you're talking on the phone to a cute girl and he's not." Then I felt really stupid for saying that!!!!!! Oh well.

The little sophmores in my seminary class always fall in love with me because I guess they aren't used to girls being nice to them, I don't know. I guess they think a handshake in seminary and an occasional "hi" in the hall at school constitute love.

Wow, I so don't remember being that vain. This coming from the girl with glasses, braces, zits, and a training bra! Okay, now that I'm totally embarrassed that I shared this with you all I'm going to do my best to pretend that High School never really happened. Which, by the way, is one of the oh so many reasons I refuse to go on Facebook. I don't need people from high school tracking me down and reminding me that those years where not, in fact, all just a bad dream.

Name that Movie Monday

Today's is practically a give away, especially once I give you this helpful hint: I always watch this movie EVERY YEAR on this exact day.

"Watch out for that first step. It's a doozy!"

One of my all time favorites! So many good lines it was hard to choose just one. So, to add a little spin to today's movie fun instead of simply guessing the movie, tell me YOUR favorite quote from the movie!

Sadly, no code yet today. Redbox is having issues and nobody has been sent the code yet. (I read all about it on insdieredbox.com so I know it's not just me.) So, if the code comes later I'll update my post.

Looking forward to your favorite lines!

UPDATE: Finally got today's movie code. Ready? Here you go: D9P24G

And, for all you who have said you have never seen this movie it is your homework to see it this week and report back. It is a CLASSIC!!! One of my favorites ever. Go see it now!!! That is not a request. :)