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5 Years

This picture popped into my timehop yesterday. Yesterday was January 24, 2018. 5 years ago I took this picture. I started to do a before and now shot, but didn’t get around to it… but this picture is interesting to me. Why? I mean it’s just a selfie and looks a little blurry (by the background I was in my driveway)… but the reason it is so intriguing to me is that 5 years ago…

5 years ago was January 24, 2013. I was in a different point/time in my life. By the look of it, I almost want to guess I’m either wearing a black jacket or a black sweatshirt. I think I’m going with a black jacket. In that case, it would have been a Pea Coat. I love those. I don’t wear one these days. They don’t really go with my style these days which consists of jeans, t-shirt, and boots. I mean they would dress that look up a bit, but…. that one may not fit anyway.

It looks like morning time so that means I was on my way to work. 5 years ago I actually had an 8-5 job. Not for much longer as I lost that job in April 2013. Some days I see that loss as a blessing in disguise and other days I feel like that was the worst thing that could have happened to me ever.

At that time I had been looking for a new job. I wasn’t happy with where I was and was searching for a different job. I really wanted a career but at that point, a job was what I was searching for. Thinking of Job interviews you get asked a question a lot… Where do you see yourself in 5 years. I have always thought that was a loaded question and an extremely difficult one to answer. (more…)

2018 Will be the Year of Nicole

Dressed for doing chores outside in the cold.

If I claim it will be the year of Nicole, will that make it so?

I like the show The Middle. I feel like I can relate to Sue Sue Heck. If you’ve never watched the show, yes, that is her name, Sue Sue Heck. Sadly, she’s also kind of a nerd/dork. I hate to say that because like I said, I relate to her. But truth be told, I’m probably a nerd/dork too.

Every year, usually school year but still, Sue claims it to be the Year of Sue. Of course, sadly, this is the last season. I’m mad about that. She’s also potentially getting with the guy but they are still keeping him at arm’s length from her so I’m upset about that too. GRRRRRR! (more…)

Tuesday Things

Hey guys, Happy New Year! I saw this post on Facebook this morning and giggled…

The hashtag made me giggle even more. It’s no secret around here, I’m not a fan of January. I’m sorry. And maybe I giggled so much because that picture summed it up… although it’s off a page for women after 50. I’m not 50 yet. I think (don’t quote me) I’m 34. I may or may not be. Most days I’m not sure how old I am but I can tell you my birthday, does that count? (more…)

Top 10 Posts of 2017

I can’t believe we’re on the last day of the year. Just the other day I was playing around with Google Analytics and I found just the thing I was looking for. I’m pretty sure I started doing the Happy Dance! I know I yelled giddily (word??) and my husband looked at me like I had lost my mind. I get excited when I figure things out I guess. So when I got it figured out I was so happy.

Anyway here are the top 10 posts from 2017. I was a little surprised at the ones that made the list.

Top 10 Posts of 2017

  1. The 2017 Totality Solar Eclipse, Were you there?
  2. Quick Update on Last Week
  3. 7 Marriage Advice Tips
  4. Raising Money for Christmas {Last Three Months of the Year}
  5. In Light of Recent Events
  6. Thoughts….
  7. Hallmark Thanksgiving Dinner
  8. Black Friday
  9. Chiefs Preseason versus 49ers
  10. I Decorated Early and I’m Okay with That

Happy New Year!

Top 10 Food Posts 2017

Here we are at the end of the year. I thought it might be fun to take a look back at this past year and find the top 10 Food recipes. And since I did the research, I’m sharing with you too because that’s how I roll!

  1. Buncha Crunch Oatmeal Cookies
  2. Gus’s Mac and Cheeseburger
  3. Lunchroom Lady Brownies
  4. Eat like a Gilmore: Luke’s Meatloaf
  5. How to Can Tomatoes
  6. Cupcake Diaries
  7. Root Beer Float Cupcakes
  8. Sugar Cookie Challenge
  9. Checkerboard Cake
  10. Milk and Cookies Cupcakes

I just want to say thank you for sticking around. 2017 was an interesting year, not only for me but for a lot of people. I hear that 2018 is just around the corner and it brings a whole new clean slate chapter to write the best you possible. We’ll see. Bring on 2018!

Apple Pie Cupcakes

I bet you thought I forgot, didn’t you? Well, truth be told, I didn’t forget but I did. The end of November snuck up on me like BAM! I’m here. It’s over. Neener neener neener. What the heck. I went to Orlando, I met a book deadline, Thanksgiving, and then WHAM! It was over. It was more so, I didn’t forget but I just ran out of time. (more…)

Hallmark Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving table

I saw a friend posted on Facebook yesterday (I think it was) a question asking if everyone had that perfect, Hallmark Thanksgiving Dinner. Then she asked what about those who had no one. I am paraphrasing. I guess I never really thought about it truthfully. We have Thanksgiving whether it’s my extended family or just my close family, either way, we celebrate it. In 2011, hubby and I made our first Thanksgiving meal. Prior to that we just attended Thanksgiving at family’s house.

I always had a goal to make a turkey. In 2012 we made our first Bacon Wrapped turkey. Yum! I think having a turkey is the only “traditional thing” we do. We play with sides. We play with turkey recipes. We’re not traditionalists. I remember one year at my aunt’s house she said we were having a “grown-up” Thanksgiving meal. It was good, but the only traditional part was having a turkey. I wish I was into taking pictures that Thanksgiving (as I am now) so I had a memory of what we actually had… I remember steamed green beans, roasted potato chunks, and that’s about my recollection of that menu.

But… do we have that Hallmark Thanksgiving Dinner? Good question. Here’s what Thanksgiving looks like at our house, give or take….

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Black Friday

Sitting pondering life drinking a cup of coffee

Guys, I’ve never been a “Black Friday Shopper.” Not in the sense of Black Friday shopping anyway. I’ve never stood in line hours or even the night before to get into a store. I’ve never been in a fighting match over the last hot item, etc. Truthfully, the reason is… I’m lazy. I like my sleep. The older I get, the easier it is to get up early, but I just flat out love my sleep.

Now don’t get me wrong, I usually do venture out on Black Friday, but my morning doesn’t start until closer to at least 7 am. And that time is pushing it. That might be my roll out of bedtime…

But these days I listen to the ads on tv and they talk about getting Black Friday prices NOW. Now happens to be 2 weeks or more before Thanksgiving. So It makes me wonder, are they going to do something special for Black Friday? Or are the days of true Black Friday shopping over?

I know people who are in the stores on Thursday night when they open. Roaming, looking for just that perfect deal… In fact, someday I may be one of them if need be to get my kid just what she wants. Truthfully I hope I’m not that person. Again… I like my sleep.

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The Keurig and a Wednesday Night

View of the coffee cup and the floor

I’m newer to the coffee scene. In fact, it isn’t my go-to drink, but I do like it sometimes. When hubby and I were first married, we got a coffee pot. One that made 12 cups. And he’s in the same boat on the coffee drinking as I am. So at that point in time, when we first started drinking it, we’d make a 12-cup pot for 1 cup that we split between the two of us. It was sad really.

Then we finally got a Keurig. That was the best thing for us. After that, we went on a mission to find our favorite type of coffee. We’d buy variety packs, etc. Okay, so now moving to current days….

Keurig 2.0

Since that first Keurig, we now have a Keurig 2.0. Not because we wore the other one out, but we got the 2.0 given to us. Technically, we now have 2, but just use the one. Anyway… This new one cracks me up. I swear it is the “nicest.” It tells me to “Add water Please.” Please. People can’t even say please but here’s my Keurig being nice. I giggle every morning I use it when I see the politeness of the machine.

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