tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64374267892950862752024-02-08T00:14:25.930-06:00Nicki's DreamWhy would anyone quit a perfectly good job?Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-89503729488415264832008-12-10T10:20:00.003-06:002008-12-10T10:23:19.439-06:00Funny BoneI can't remember the last time I cried because I hurt myself, but today it happened. (I wonder if I'm catching <em>being</em> a baby from hanging out with a baby?) I smacked my elbow SO HARD on the hall closet door this morning, I started crying. I couldn't believe it. The Husband was laughing, and I just wanted to smack him. It was NOT funny. But then I started laughing uncontrollably. It still hurts and I'm pretty sure there's probably permanent nerve damage.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-30757967466138403692008-12-09T11:33:00.003-06:002008-12-09T11:38:52.681-06:00My Top 6Things I don't like when The Husband is out of town, in no particular order:<br /><ol><li>The Killer coming to get me.</li><li>Shoveling the snow.</li><li>Taking The Boy TO and FROM school.</li><li>Sleeping alone.</li><li>Him NOT calling after it was HIS IDEA to call to check in while he's away. I've always said to call when you arrive, and to call when you leave. HE SAID he'd call to check in because he knows I worry, and its just smart to check in. </li><li>Watching the news because I think they'll say he's dead at the bottom of the lake. Because he didn't call.</li></ol><p>He finally just called. He's fine. He forgot. Oh yeah, I forgot not to give him an ear full. Good news: Got his limit! FISH FRY AT MY HOUSE!</p><p>NLJ</p>Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-31935254183915396632008-12-02T09:38:00.002-06:002008-12-02T09:42:15.770-06:00I Heart GravyI cleaned out the fridge yesterday of all the left over Thanksgiving food. Well, after I finished off my sworn enemy - stuffing. I tossed the turkey, the cranberries, the potatoes, the bread, the sweet potatoes, the beans, but I'm clinging to the gravy. I took it out of the fridge, put it on the counter, and there is stayed. I just can't bring myself to get rid of it. Its the most yummy, luscious, flavorful gravy in the universe. What if I need it? What if I suddenly need gravy on my spaghetti tonight? Or on my egg in the morning? Or on my salad at lunch? It could happen. I think I'll just pour it in a glass and drink it. <br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-34083212251072367922008-11-21T13:07:00.003-06:002008-11-21T13:10:31.924-06:00I'm Bubblin'So where are we at? Do you guys like all the Christmas stuff making its appearance so early, even before Halloween? Or are you like me and loving it and reveling in it? I have a "Holiday Spice" candle burning away today, smelling up the house all yummy...like I'm baking or something. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">KOOL</span> 108 is playing non-stop Christmas music. Yesterday I conquered 75% of my shopping list. I'm all a bubble with the spirit of the season.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NLJ</span>Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-28607648788356314772008-11-10T08:14:00.004-06:002008-11-10T08:20:13.082-06:00There's Just No Time For ItWhy is it when I really don't have time to have a lot of meetings, (ie: this week because we're heading out on vacation on Thursday), I'm completely booked all week. The last few weeks, let's just say, I've been "not booked". But turns out, I (by that I mean one of the designers I work for) landed a big job and looks like I'm booked through the end of the year. I'm mean, Heaven forbid I don't get that pedicure before we head off to warmer weather. Priorities people!<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-66984348195918860622008-11-07T10:40:00.002-06:002008-11-07T10:44:15.313-06:00Let It GoYou know you have control issues, or you're really anal when coloring with your two year old, and it makes you crazy when he colors pictures out of order in the book. Or when he starts his scribbling on the picture of the sea horse that you just finished coloring oh so perfectly. I just take a deep breath, and say let it go, let it go, and try not to raise a freak like yourself.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-79049869161954194872008-11-06T14:32:00.004-06:002008-11-06T14:55:34.934-06:00For The Good Of AllIs it bad that I spent a good part of the morning training my two year old how to wear headphones? I ran around pretending to be all jazzed out about the new portable DVD player I bought for him for our airplane trip next week. I made it sound all cool and special and awesome as possible. He finally dug it, and watched a whole movie. I was feeling guilty about it, so we did a mini art project afterwards. There's something weird about it, but I do it for you my fellow airline passengers. I'll pop that horsie racing movie in, and we won't hear from him again until we land. Bliss.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-16135745248051479572008-11-05T12:02:00.000-06:002008-11-05T12:03:56.980-06:00I Guess I Don't Need New EarringsI have this pair of earring that I wear every single day of my life. You know the ones, those little silver hoops that my daddy gave me a few years ago. Well, the other night I was going to bed and taking off my jewelry and notice one earring missing. Whenever this happens, I get a knot in my tummy. I remember having them earlier in the night while sitting on the sofa, and hadn't done much since then, so that's where I looked. It wasn't there. I ignored the stomach pains and didn't look for the earring again until the next day. I thought, hmmm, the only time I really left the couch was when I put The Boy to bed, so I thought maybe its in his room. Thinking maybe it fell off as I put him in his crib...as I leaned over...maybe.....THERE IT WAS! Its a Christmas miracle.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-76600814106455625942008-11-04T10:50:00.004-06:002008-11-04T11:00:25.383-06:00Be a Part Of ItI feel like going to the bar today. If I was childless, I would spend the day at the bar watching all the results come in. There's just something about the camaraderie you feel when you're with a bunch of people, whether you're watching election results or the Twins winning a ball game. Everyone cheers at the same time, you make friends with the guys at the table next you, and you over tip the bartender because you're in a good mood and he snuck ya a free drink or two. I guess in this case you need to make sure other people voted the same way you did, but I imagine there's at least ONE person in that bar that feels the same way you do. Today's a big deal. History will be made either way. Get out there and enjoy it. Say you were there. Make a new friend or two. Have a story to tell your grand kids.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-84442608069622646642008-11-03T14:03:00.005-06:002008-11-03T14:11:20.868-06:00Pumpkin TurmoilOK kids, need your help again. This year was the first year I carved my own pumpkin. Yes, I've done it before, like with my mom and stuff. But now I have one, and I own it, and I'm in charge of it, and I don't know what to do with it. Do you just throw it in the garbage? Should I put it in a bag? Can I throw it in the mini-forest in my backyard and let the squirrels, bunnies, and occasional deer have a little treat? Should I cut it up and serve it for dinner? What?<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-73361071925433260412008-10-29T08:24:00.003-05:002008-10-29T08:39:56.111-05:00Trying To Be Super MomI made Halloween cookies for The Boy's school. I was just going to whip them up quick and then get on with the rest of my day. You see, since I'm a mom now, I pride myself on always having the ingredients on hand to make cookies at the drop of a hat. You just never know when a cookie emergency might arise. Well, seems I didn't have cream cheese for these fancy things. And then I didn't have Cream of Tartar (what is that, tartar sauce?) for the icing. So I was off to the grocery store. I also picked up black food coloring, but didn't find orange. Nor did I find black or orange sugar. What? Its Halloween! Stock up people! <br /><br />Now its noon, and I fully read the recipe. I see that the dough needs to sit in the fridge for at least 3 hours before using. Fine. Then I make the icing and color one batch orange and one batch black. The orange is a pale, "sunset" color. Not the dark pumpkin color I wanted. Fine. And the black is to be mixed into chocolate frosting, not the beautiful white royal icing I made. So I ended up with dark grey. Fine. <br /><br />Now its 4:30. I finally got the cookies baked (some darker than others,) and decorated (some better than others), and then proceeded to smear the decorations while packing them in the box. The point is, long story longer, it took ALL DAY and they still didn't turn out at perfectly as I wanted. The good new is, I made them for kids ranging in age of 3 months - 3 1/2 years. They're just going to shove them in their mouth, not care that some are burned, that the black cat's eyes have run together, and that I smeared the windows on the haunted house.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-39876671033841926532008-10-21T15:51:00.004-05:002008-10-21T15:52:52.119-05:00Learning a New SportI just learned that in hockey, when there's an injured player, they don't tell you the exact injury. They only say whether or not its an upper body injury or a lower body injury. I thought that was interesting and I thought you might like to know. Or not. <br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-10397550208860841682008-10-17T08:00:00.002-05:002008-10-17T08:27:47.817-05:00Just When You Think You Have Them Figured OutThe weirdest thing happened yesterday. I let The Boy forgo nap time because he's kind of nasty when its nap time these days, and I figure if he's sitting quietly, watching a movie, at least he's resting. Then I noticed some of the other kids in the neighborhood were outside playing, and I thought it would be fun for him. So, they played for over and hour before everybody went inside. When we came in the house, I asked Henry if he wanted to have quiet time on the sofa, and he said he wanted his own bed. "Can I have my own bed? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pleeeeease</span>?" Um, OK. So I took him upstairs and asked him if he wanted to nap in his own bed, and he said yes. And then he did, and then all was right with the world.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NLJ</span>Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-54347063665849881092008-10-16T08:50:00.003-05:002008-10-16T08:55:50.337-05:00Can YOU Help ME?Advice please! I've been trying to step my wardrobe up a bit, just a bit. I'm trying to find casual clothes that aren't too casual, yet aren't too "worky" because I don't like work clothes anymore. Anyway, during the summer I was able to get away with a navy pair and white pair of Keds, along with a few sandals here and there. So now its getting to be winter and I want some new shoes...bad. I thought I'd head on over to the shoe store but I realized I haven't a clue what I want or even what all you fashionistas are wearing these days. Can you help me with a few ideas? Somethings that are cute with jeans, and not too high in the heal. I've decided to forgo the heals anymore. The old dogs just can't handle much anymore. Thank you in advance.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-22242374994285900522008-10-15T09:07:00.004-05:002008-10-15T09:15:28.343-05:00Rooster TailI've never noticed it before, in all my 36 years, but I have a major, weird, and newly obnoxious cowlick on the back of my head. I got my hair cut two weeks ago, and I was telling my stylist how I would like her to cut my hair to give me a bit more body at the crown. It always goes flat right there, and I figured it had something to do with the 600 lbs of hair I have. But she informed me I have an "oddly" low cowlick on the back of my head. Apparently from what she told me, (BTW - thanks for something else to be self conscious about) most people's "swirl" is at the crown, and mine is on the back of my head. But, she said, she could make short layers so there would be a bit more body back there and not suck to my head. So now, like never before, my hair sticks up like a goofy, seven years old boy's hair right when he wakes up and goes to school without showering and his backpack is half hanging off with his shoes untied. <br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-2081458818099957142008-10-09T15:52:00.003-05:002008-10-09T15:55:14.407-05:00Busy Busy BusyI have been slow with work the last few days, no biggie. I've been cleaning the house, running errands I've been putting off, cooking, and dealing with this cold. So of course today when I need to go shopping, do laundry, take care of The Boy, and pack for our trip this weekend...all of my crazy designers have checked in and need something. So today has turned into the mad dash day. When it rains it pours. Feast or famine. All of it.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-39600630947096596362008-10-08T09:24:00.002-05:002008-10-08T09:39:24.858-05:00Hock A LoogieHow does a person go to bed at 1o o'clock at night, feeling just fine, and perfectly healthy. Then midnight rolls around and she's awoken with a sore throat, headache, and chest filled with MUCUS?! I can believe how fast it can move in. So today doing a steady dose of Musinex, a.k.a. Miracle Drug.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-20227904965819586142008-10-07T08:44:00.000-05:002008-10-07T08:45:46.792-05:00Puts Hair On Your ChestYesterday was the first day I wore socks since April. Not gym socks, but dressy socks. Well, they're not dressy, they're just black. I guess they're not even really black because they're faded, but WHATEVER. It always feels weird on my feet to wear socks and jeans after so long. The Husband put jeans on for the first time this weekend and he couldn't stop talking about how crazy and comfy it was. Personally I like to wear shorts as long into the season as I can. Especially on crispy, cool fall days. It gets my blood pumpin' and makes me feel ALIVE!<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-63086834558347200952008-10-06T10:10:00.002-05:002008-10-06T10:16:29.949-05:00Completely DelusionalThere is nothing cuter than the little 5 year old boy who lives next door when he's running to the bus stop in the mornings. This morning he's running down the street with his stocking hat on, coat unzipped and half off flopping all over. He runs for a bit, then get distracted by the man hole, oh, what is that a leaf? A leaf! Amazing! I look over at his house and his back pack is still sitting in his driveway. I have a minor panic attack that he's forgetting it, but here comes his big brother. He picked it up to help the little guy out. It just warms my heart, but at the same time I'm so thankful The Boy will never grow up to be that big and leave me. Whew!<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-9698279356396213342008-10-03T15:22:00.002-05:002008-10-03T15:26:43.117-05:00Don't Judge MeI just got done watching a movie with The Boy. It was called <a href="http://racingstripesmovie.warnerbros.com/home.html">Racing Stripes</a>. It was one of those movies with real animals but they all talked. Even a couple of flies talked. The voices were pretty respectable including Dustin Hoffman as the pony, Whoopie as the goat, and Jeff Foxworthy as the rooster. Pretty typical horse racing movie...zebra wants to be a race horse...everyone doubts him....he works hard....he wins the "big race" and gets the little philly. Then the strangest thing happened. The 36 year old in the room is bawling.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-42491453000425979282008-10-02T09:27:00.000-05:002008-10-02T09:28:20.457-05:00True ArtI would probably be fired from my former job if they ever heard me say this: I am OK with the fact that the centerpiece on my coffee table is The Boy's firetruck. Its true. That's just where I am right now. I was cleaning the house the other day, and picking up the majority of toys and books and trying to organize everything to make it look somewhat like adults live here too. I got to the table and there's the firetruck. Its always on the table because he likes to kneel up to it and put his hand in it to pretend to drive it, and he talks to himself about what he's doing, and its so flippin' cute you just wanna eat him. So yeah, maybe its not some great <em>object de arte</em>, but it makes me smile whenever I see it.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-44861420210921197462008-10-01T09:50:00.003-05:002008-10-01T09:54:37.816-05:00There's Always Next YearI'm a little depressed. I say "little" only because last night I was <em>really</em> depressed. I feel the same way every year when baseball is over. Maybe a little more this year because we were SO close to going to the post season, and missed it by one run. The season goes on for 162 games, and for us this year it was 163. But then it ends. It just stops, and its over, and it feels so abrupt. Its strange. I keep trying to remember how I dealt with it last year, or the year before that. Life goes on, the sun comes up, the economy slides, and we all look forward to February when pitchers and catchers report to spring training.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-26975654459429088132008-09-30T08:57:00.006-05:002008-09-30T09:22:17.480-05:00Suggestion From a Non-wine SnobThese days I would consider myself more of a wine drinker, than my sorted past of beer drinking. That being said, I am not capable of wine snobbery. I don't have the palette for it. But the other night, my dear friend brought over a bottle of wine that I wanted to tell you about. Its called Line 39 Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon. Here's what the <a href="https://www.finewinehouse.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=21779">label</a> looks like so you can also enjoy its yumminess. Like I said, I don't really know the difference between "oaky" undertones and a "fruity" presence, but I know I don't like sweet wine. This cab has the best flavor, like nothing I've tasted before, and I kid you not, it leaves you with the most wonderful "vanilla" flavor at the end of your sip. Its like candy....but not sweet. See...I can't describe it, but you must, must, must buy a bottle and see what I mean. Its borderline life changing.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-83542132672542259312008-09-29T13:48:00.002-05:002008-09-29T13:53:02.811-05:00Lazy Days of FallAs much as I really hate fall, I mean I do, I just really hate it, I can't wait to stop mowing and stop watering the plants. OK, who am I kidding...my plants are D.E.D. - dead. Its embarrassing really. My plants on the front of the house have completely kicked the bucket, but the ones behind the house are good....except for the cucumbers. We're SO over cucumbers, tomatoes, and grape tomatoes around here. I guess I'll run over to the farmer's market and grab some mums for the front yard and call it a day. Just wait until April rolls around and I'm going to be itching for cucumber salad like a crazy person.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6437426789295086275.post-54007103494856046282008-09-26T09:50:00.004-05:002008-09-26T09:54:00.379-05:00Gag Me With a SpoonI don't know what exciting things have happened to you today, but I got barfed on. Yep, first thing on an above average Friday, I wake up and BAM! Barf. The Boy and I were hanging out in bed watching the Today Show, per usual. He grabs his sippy cup of milk and SLAMMED it. Ten seconds later there's curdled milk all over me and Blankie. TGIF like no other.<br /><br />NLJNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292115418983647964noreply@blogger.com3