Vacation Time

It is only a few weeks away, this wonderful cruise of mine. I am so excited and I can hardly wait. Mallory and I made cute beach bags, two a piece, a couple a swim suit cover ups, and a dress or two. I want to pack so bad! I can't, it is still too far away but I am just so excited to be off on an adventure.

Life is crazy and hectic and I feel like I am always running but it is a good life. I picked up a few more Spanish students and I enjoy teaching them so much more than I would have ever thought. 

If life is about enjoying the journey, I think I am doing a decent job of it right about now.

The Bits and Pieces of the Week

I have my first real three day weekend in a while. It feels kinda crazy to think that I have three whole days off. Considering I have worked 6-7 days a week for the last month and half it is good thing. I have found myself with a lot less patience and desire to be helpful in my life when I have no free time and the amount of stress that I have had lately.

I have been doing pretty good lately and have enjoyed the chance to have some fun this week. I enjoyed Eclipse at t pre-screening earlier in the week. Yes, I am one of those girls. I did not wear Twilight paraphernalia, scream for Edward (although, I did scream for Jacob when he kissed Bella and louder when Bella decked him!) or am I obsessed with it. But, I do enjoy a little bit happiness and drama when it comes around in a form that really can't affect my life, haha!

I am off to Ikea this weekend and I am looking forward to that. Who doesn't?

The relief of writing what I want to and not what I feel bound to say and not is so liberating! That little bit of stress relief has been a wonderful thing.

3 For The Price Of 1

I have had a hectic and crazy weekend. That seems to be the theme of my life lately, crazy and hectic. Not that I mind too much, I just wonder where all my time goes then I make a list of what I have done the last few days and I am more amazed at what was done than wondering about where my time went. That is what it is is like to be an adult I suppose.

I scored this weekend on some amazing shoe finds. Amazing. These amazing yellow gems are my favorite because, well, we all know that I have now and always loved yellow. These just screamed at me, "Buy me! Take me home! You know you want me!" And I just couldn't resist. So I added them to my collection and I am happy.

I also added a new pair of gym shoes for a steal! A good brand and pair of shoes at clearance prices with coupons...you can't go wrong. I also managed to pick up a cute pair of summer shoes too. Apparently I was on a shoe buying kick this weekend. All totaled up though it cost me less than $50, so I think it is ok. The gym shoes should have set me back that much and I got two more pairs out of it.

This week is going to be crazy and I am really going to be running around a lot. I will try to keep things updated though. I am going through some more interview processes this week and some pretty interesting changes otherwise. I have so much in the air! If it weren't for my iPhone I wouldn't keep up with anything anymore. Heaven forbid I lose that thing.

Only 4 more days till the mini vacation begins and I get to just take some time away though. I can hardly wait!

Oh Boy

I did my taxes today. Always and interesting thing in my opinion. Good news is, I get a nice return. Never mind that I already spent it on the cruise or that it has places to go...but I am getting a nice return.

I made a wonderful grammatical error today...that made me feel like the idiot I'm not. I turned to a child, after looking and talking to her mother and said, "Who is her?"

Seriously, who does that?

Me.

We all laughed about it, but what was I thinking?

Stinky Face

Carrie and I share a birthday, same year and everything. It is always fun to watch her with her three completely adorable kids. Emily is the youngest and she is such a cutie. Unless she is not happy with you. If you say no, take something away or just plain doesn't like what is happening, she will give you her stinky face. It just kills me!

Oh Emily...one day these pictures may haunt you.

Oh, Wow

I can hardly believe that it is almost Friday. It was a super fast week with a bunch of slow days. Does that make sense to anyone but me?

I did manage to do some crazy and entertaining things in the last week or so. I headed to Denver this week and it was warmer in Denver than it was back home! Crazy. We were walking around without coats and enjoying the wonderful clean air that Denver has. If there is a draw back to living in Utah, it is the air quality. Yikes. The drive there was pretty awesome. Started out nice and calm and about the time we hit the Wyoming state line the fog and snow hit. It went from about 36 (at 6am) to 0 degrees in a matter of a few minutes. There was two inches of ice caked onto my antenna. It was crazy. By the time we hot Rock Springs it had cleared out but still, it was crazy for a while there. The rest of the drive was great. The flight home was nice too. I slept most of it though, I was just wiped out.

Speaking of being wiped out, that is what I have been lately. No cold or anything, just wiped out. Not fun.

On Wednesday morning I was working and had about 13 kids and was waiting for the other two teachers to come. One of my regulars and totally sweet little girls came up to me with tears in her eyes and wanted me to hold her. I did, wondering what was going on. Then the burps started and I had the presence of mind to turn her off my shoulder and toward the floor right before she threw up. She was upset and not feeling well and the other kids were all curious. So I had to comfort the one and occupy the others on the other side of the room. Once I got them settled for a split second I opened up the door and made frantic hand gestures to the front desk guy. He came running and looked scared out of his pants as I asked him to just sit with the kids while I went and got the mom. I ran down the stairs and into class and back up the stairs with the mom trailing behind. I got my kids calm again and started the cleaning up process. Have I mentioned I hate cleaning up puke? I do. But it was that or kids crawling in it or trying to pick up and put in their mouths. Babies don't have any sense of grossness. About the time I got everything cleaned up, kids settled and the sick one out the door (mom didn't know she was sick, by the way. She was happy and didn't seem sick when she got there) the other teachers showed up. Needless to say it took half an hour for the adrenaline to wear off.

I spent one afternoon making yummy cookies that I should have taken pictures of, but I was too busy enjoying them to take pictures. I kind of love making cookies. The best part? Leaving all but a few at someone else's house. No cookies to much at home. Too bad I caved at the store and bought some this week. Oh well. One a day wont hurt me too bad. At least that is what I tell myself.

Ouch!

I fell down the stairs on Friday night, while holding a baby. Bummer. Luckily the baby is fine, not a problem at all for him, I on the other hand, have had a harder time with it. Big bruises, swelling and burning pain plagued me today. I can't really get comfortable so I have been a little annoyed.

It did give me a chance to take a day to do little things. I watched some movies and went to work in the morning. It worked out great.

Sometimes I wonder about myself.

Masks

This week my girls and I made Masks. It was so much fun and they loved it. Livy got very elaborate with her and Kiki wanted hers to be basic. I thought they were both very cute.

Such beautiful butterflies and how cute are those Elephants?

Milo enjoyed just getting to play. He is always so happy playful with me. He is getting so good at his sign language. Whenever I leave he signs "bye, bye Car" and makes the car sound of vroom, vroom. It is so cute.

I couldn't love these kids more, and yet, I do everyday. I am just so happy that I love my job.

Christmas Party

A few weeks back we had a work Christmas Party up in Park City. It was a lot of fun got some good bowling in even! The food was good and so was the company. I work with Alta and Jen and they decided to show off for the video camera. It was a blast and what a great little keepsake of the night.

A Day in the Life

I have been so busy in the last week or two that I haven't had time to update! Here is what I did today...

Off to work bright and early and enjoyed a morning of some interesting discussions with kids. Apparently Santa is bringing me shoes and diamonds and lots of money. Haha! I wish he was bringing that.

Today I apparently made plans to have lunch with two people...opps! I couldn't be in two places at once so I had lunch with Liz at 12:30 at Chili's and enjoyed our weekly session of venting and giggles. It was a blast, as always. Then at 2pm I met Logan at Patricia's. We chatted and enjoyed our monthly gab session. I am so lucky that he has such an amazing wife that let's him still hang out with me. Needless to say I was really full. I ate with Liz, nibbled a salad with Logan and brought it home to eat for dinner.

Then a run to the dollar store to pick up thank you cards for those who participated in the Angel Tree we did at work and a few bits and pieces for tomorrows Christmas festivities.

I ran home to change, feed the cats, check the mail, vacuum the house and mop the kitchen/dining rooms.

Off to a training session, where I got my butt kicked. I wonder why I do it sometimes, because I hate feeling like I am absolutely done and exhausted. My muscles don't work by the end and I push like crazy just to finish sometimes. I work hard and I always am glad I did it, but man does it hurt some days.

Then off to cover a shift for someone.

I came home to eat a wonderful dinner of cereal. I finished up the last of the Christmas projects for tomorrow and decided I had to update. Ah, a day in the life of me! I am grateful for the chance to have a few down days coming, not just for the joy of Christmas, but for the chance to just nap and not have to go and do anything!

Enjoy the last days before Christmas.

Ah, Isn't it Funny?

I am amazed today. I checked my friend Liv's blog and she got this comment that just made me laugh! I laughed because it was oddly similar, yet different, to a comment I recently received. Go check it out on her blog to see what the fuss is all about.

I, like many others, believe that my blog is my little piece of Internet real estate that I get to write and share what I want. My ability to share good and bad times and bits and pieces is completely mine and I am happy with that. People who try to sensor what you say and post on your blog are not worth the time. You have that all amazing power to do something, not read it. If you don't like what is being said or talked about, don't read it. Don't feel the need to go crazy and complain about someone else's feelings and thoughts. Everyone is different and there is nothing wrong with me or anyone else voicing those opinions.

On a lighter note, we got a ton of snow today. A ton. Roads were icy and scary this morning and into the afternoon. The plows have been going but they haven't kept up with the load. I spent many an hour today shoveling driveways and sidewalks.

And my bit-o-Christmas today was coloring Christmas pictures at work and watching with a bunch of 5 year olds The Santa Claus 3. Christmas through the eyes of children is amazing.

Laughing

Kids make me smile. I love this one in particular. Kade, while he can be a bit of menace, makes me smile every time I see him. Every time. I love his laugh in the video, I could hardly keep from laughing. They did this for about 10 minutes before they moved on. I was happy to get a little bit to keep with me.

My Crafty Girls

Kiki and Livy love nothing more than doing crafts. All kinds and the more variety the better. So I have pulled from my creative stores, which are full of fun things, to please these cute little girls(hair clips are on the agenda for next week).

While I can't take credit for this idea, Emily first showed off this idea and I adapted it for kids. We used some bright summer colored cloth napkins and made perfect kids sized aprons. These little budding crafters were in heaven!

Livy decided on yellow with a bright pink tulle fringe coming out from under the fold that made the napkin the right length. See, finished edges and some style! A creamy/pink ribbon to tie it up with and an added pink silk cord got added as well. Some buttons made the bottom in the shape of a pink flower and then we embroidered her initials in the corner and she had an apron perfect for all her future crafting adventures.

Kiki on the other hand went with fancy red satin napkin that was all the fancy and beautiful things that she could ever want! Her tie was a red satin ribbon with pearls in various sizes hot glued around the waist. While that may not be the most comfortable idea, she is willing to suffer for fashion! haha! An organza ribbon decorates the folded over portion of this perfectly beautiful apron fit for a four-year-old fashionista.

Kiki couldn't wait to model this for anyone who would look! She wanted to walk around to the neighbors house to share it. I love this cutie pie!

And mixed in with these two adorable little diva's is me. I have been working hard lately, lots of hours at all four jobs (why do I have four jobs? I have no idea. I wish I knew how I got them!) and at the gym. I made it back to my 15 minute mile, which isn't that fast or anything, but coming off my stress fracture in march is a big accomplishment. I am building leg muscles (which have always been my best muscles) and can easily do 100 pound presses and am almost up to five minute wall sits. I can do more sit ups than I think is possible and am surprised that I can push out a pretty decent number of push ups too. My hair gets curlier and curlier by the day, which while is kinda nice is also a pain, how do I deal with curly hair? Thanks to my dad for that delayed gift I suppose.

All in all my life is hectic, crazy, full and wonderful. Except for that dratted accounting class. Not cool. But I have pushed myself through the first 4 chapters in two weeks so I am almost half way through the class so that I can be done with it and just concentrate on my research. Much more fun anyway.

Have a great weekend and enjoy your family and friends.

Love It

The things I love:

* Rainy Days- I love the jolt of humidity (since we have so little) for just a day or two and then back to the blessed dryness.

* New challenges- I love when you first make a choice, decision or have a project given to you and you have to figure out how to get to your desired end result. I love that initial jumble of ideas and thoughts and making plans. I love making plans.

* E-books- I love them. I love having one at my fingertips at any moment without having to add the bulk of a sometimes un-needed book, since I only like to read long ones apparently. I love that I can whip out a favorite quickly and enjoy it.

* Un-expected Hugs- mostly from kids, because lets face it an unexpected hug from some random strange guy is not really as appealing as it is scary. But I love little arms that wrap around and the moments of happiness that come. There is nothing like it.

* Spoiling nieces and nephews- I freely admit I don't get to do it as much as I would like, since I don't have many close to me, but you just ask my sister Robin and she will tell you I have stuff for Caius every time I see him. In fact, I have a bag full of stuff for Caius and the new baby that is months away. It will be like Christmas morning the next time I see them. If I had more nieces and nephews around I would spoil them as much. I spoil the other kids in my life just as much.

* Personal Training with Zach- I wish you guys could spend one session with Zach. I wish you could see the things he has me do! I wish you could see what a change in my muscles has happened in the last few months with the guidance of Zach. He is big and scary looking but can't raise his voice to save his life! It is great to push to the point of dripping sweat and muscles giving out and him pushing just that much further and you realizing you just barely had it in you. And the next time, do almost twice as much as the time before, and smiling through the pain. Nothing better.

* New deodorant- Not something you think of, but I hate to buy I just complain to myself that if I didn't stink I wouldn't need it and what a load of pumpernickel it is to spend $7-$8 dollars on the stuff. So new means I don't have to buy it for a while and that makes me happy.

* Notes from Old Friends- there is nothing like notes from people you knew best when you weren't your best self, not always your worst, but not as refined as you like to think you are now. That they like you enough to keep in contact or recontact and have things to say makes me smile. Not to mention the little things about them you remember and the memories that we associate with them. Always the obscure, but fun nonetheless.

* Free Bagel Day- I love bagels, I do. I always have. I do not buy bagels. I do not need the temptation because I would make bagel pizzas, bagel bites, sandwiches and all sorts of other bagel concoctions with them around. So I look forward to the once a month free bagel day at work. I get to indulge in one of my favorite things (and I do love cream cheese too...all kinds!) for free without having to fight the urge to have buy them I just think to myself, "its almost free bagel day!"

* Freshly colored hair- it doesn't matter the color, the method, it just matters that for at least a week I can look in the mirror and not see grey.

* Fall- it is almost here. I already have the decorations ready to put up, the apple cider ordered, planning thanksgiving dinner, Halloween parties, corn mazes and a bon-fire or two. I am pouring over new sweater purchases and allowing myself the chance to glance at the new coat selections. I am excited to try a couple of new soup recipes I have found this summer in the most yummy bread bowls. There is nothing better.

* Lunch with my friends/family- my friends are my family. Since I have a lack of family around, my best friends are family. I am so lucky to get to share lunch with my dear friend Liz regularly and of course Logan. It makes me pretty happy to know that a chance to spend some great quality time with them for an hour or so comes so regularly. I get to enjoy lunch with Logan today and Liz on Friday (maybe Thursday). I am pretty stinkin' blessed.

Blast From My Past

Circa 1997.

I would like to draw your attention to the insanely long hair that I sported. Why? I don't know. I feel bad that that is how so many people remember me! I like to think my hair choices have been better since then.

Now that I basked in the glow of my senior year and the awesome fun that was disneyland with Show choir, I will take my leave and head back to work. I always bite off more than I can chew. Oh and don't forget school starts monday...ugh.

Decision

Ok, so I have a big decision to make. When I say big, I mean big.

I have been following and loving this company for a while now and have been intrested in being a part of it (http://myshoeshoppe.com/). Today I got the offer to be a part of it. So exciting!

I just have to decide if my enthusiam for it is just because it sounds fun, or if I am really going to love it. I really do love it, I am not going to lie. I am a great saleswoman and who doesn't love shoes?

It is just one more opportunity that has presented it's self. How blessed I am to have so many opportunities!

Let's Go!

I am ready to go. I have checked in, done laundry and packed, made a few playlists for the iPod, cleaned out my car, picked up the last few things I needed at the store and finnished work for the day. I am ready now. Now I just have to patiently wait for the carpet cleaners to finish, do my dishes (blah), head to an 8pm meeting and go to bed! I am ready to be in bed now. I have not been getting enough sleep, 4-5 hours a night lately, and I am ready to pop that Ambien and be out.

Is is 5:15am yet? Cause I am ready to go!

Almost Time

Well guys, it is almost time. That is right...vacation is calling my name. Can you hear it? *Nichole....Nichole....*

And as we know the week before is full of eagerness, packing and sickness. Yeah, the sickness kills me. I got food poisoning on monday and spend monday night and tuesday with my best friend, the toilet. I puked and puked. When I was in high school I used to sleep next to the wall that shared the wall of the bathroom that my Dad used in the morning. My alarm clock was his puking in the mornings. It brought back flash-backs to those days and suddenlyI felt like my dad.

I ran around wednesday and thursday trying to catch up only to find myself coughing, sneezing, sore throat and runny nose were hot on my trail on friday. So as I load up on dayquil, I am hoping that it all gets out of my system by tuesday night.

Oh, and work this week was crazy! I had some woman accuse me (and another co-worker) of pulling her kids around the room and such. Well, video speaks for its self lady. Obviously we didn't and the video proved it. Moral of the story, if you don't have real proof, don't claim you do.

Went to the drive-in last night with some friends...so much fun! I was so happy that we got to get out and laugh. It was super fun.

Ok, enough of my week. I have pictures and I will post some soon. Maybe even get a few vacation ones this week too, haha!

Angry Much?

Hormones make me angry. It is a fact. I could not figure out why I was so mad the last week or two and I could not figure out why getting a text from a friend that I texted first should make me so mad. So yeah, I do not recommend using hormones if you don't have to. Although, besides that annoying side affect, it is 100% worth it. You don't want the gross details, but after a week of heavy medication, I am relishing the idea of being able to get close to normal soon.

I started a new job in the last few weeks as well (that adds up to three jobs people). I really enjoy it. It takes a few more hours out of my week, but I don't mind. I really like the family I work for and it has been such an easy transition.

Last week I was working with my trainer Zach and we were doing reverse push-ups. Yeah, those kill me. The first time I did them a while back I did two and that was all I could do without a break. This time? 12. Yeah, not going to lie, I rock.

I am also planning a few vacations, New York, Cali and OR/WA. Excited about the idea and the chance to go play.

Oh and this week I am spending a day at the water park and a day at Lagoon. I am pretty sure I will have some pictures to share this week.

Haha

So today we were hungry at work at he gym. So at 10am we got online and ordered pizza. Yeah. So we had it snuck into the gym and enjoyed some pizza. At 10:30 in the morning. It was funny. I love my co-workers and the fun we have some days.

I have been a little out of it lately, but I have a doctors appointment later this week. It should tell me if it is as serious as we think. One way or the other it will be fine.

I'll post more later about the last week or so and some great pictures and video.