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