tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85217037162175178522024-03-13T10:50:34.202-07:00Blissful LifeNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comBlogger369125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-10153788709284958992013-08-20T17:59:00.000-07:002013-08-20T18:23:54.339-07:00Gratitude.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dt9IzkHGLIw/UhQVCBpCBDI/AAAAAAAADn8/Oie-CPwOhXc/s1600/IMG_4945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dt9IzkHGLIw/UhQVCBpCBDI/AAAAAAAADn8/Oie-CPwOhXc/s640/IMG_4945.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lately I've been grateful for the following....<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Weekend trips away from this heat...2 hour drive and the temps drop 30 degrees.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Harrison being back in school and loving it. {Last year was a constant battle and he cried every day at drop off}.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Davis' speech improving every day. I love hearing his sweet little voice.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My "free" time at the end of the day when kids are asleep. It's S A C R E D.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Amazon Prime. It seriously makes me life 30% easier.</span></li>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-36196998003806128512013-08-18T15:26:00.005-07:002013-08-18T15:26:45.047-07:00Coming back...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8CXvSQiFDX4/UhFJoaZMjlI/AAAAAAAADnc/G2FnOe33YGU/s1600/LADNER-76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8CXvSQiFDX4/UhFJoaZMjlI/AAAAAAAADnc/G2FnOe33YGU/s400/LADNER-76.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Family picture taken September 2012</span></i></div>
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Ummm....in case anyone is still around...I'm coming back to blogging. A lot has happened in the past two years and this just wasn't a priority for me to keep up with. However, a nagging pull kept leaning me back here to express, write and share my life happenings for history's sake. Last summer we lost <b>ALL</b> our pictures from our computer due to our hard drive breaking. I'm still shocked and confused by the whole thing, but I was comforted to know there were pictures here that I could refer to of my first born's initial 2 years of life. God forbid, anything like that should happen again, I want to have a place with memories and pictures for my family.<br />
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Now with two boys in my life, days are a little crazier, but a lot more fun too. Davis joined our family on October 28, 2011, after I was on 3 months of bed rest with <i>very </i>low amniotic fluid. You would think that would've been a great time to blog, but I was just trying to get through each day without freaking out...plus I had a lot of tv to watch. <br />
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Harrison is fastly approaching 5 and Davis is coming up on 2. Memories are unfolding every day around here and I want to remember every minute of the good, bad and the ugly.<br />
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Happy to be here again.<br />
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-92195176033926643842011-06-07T22:51:00.001-07:002011-06-07T22:53:04.855-07:00Here's to Repeats.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2GqqR8St5k/Te8L2kw4_6I/AAAAAAAADmI/SY7sn2FMPz4/s1600/_MG_4721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T2GqqR8St5k/Te8L2kw4_6I/AAAAAAAADmI/SY7sn2FMPz4/s400/_MG_4721.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We found out today that we are having another boy! Harrison is beyond excited for a little brother and I'm warming up to the idea of having 2 boys running around this house. What I've always loved about brothers is the sense of humor that can develop between them, as well as the fascination of watching them become totally different people. I've watched Harrison become who he is and now I'm excited to see who this new little guy is going to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are feeling so grateful that all is well and we are adding a new soul to our family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> ♥</span></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-56321209781037805312011-05-17T17:30:00.007-07:002011-05-17T17:34:58.078-07:00Blue Skies Again...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dh4w21Qp4ik/TdMNKfZd4DI/AAAAAAAADl8/802rXf6bPjk/s1600/cute-feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dh4w21Qp4ik/TdMNKfZd4DI/AAAAAAAADl8/802rXf6bPjk/s400/cute-feet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Blue skies have returned in my life, and I'm ecstatic to report that we will be having another baby in the Fall. It's been a long road to get here and, after 2 miscarriages last year, I was sad and broken. I longed to have another pregnancy, and would ache inside every time another friend would announce that they were pregnant. I kept trusting a Higher Power and knew that it would happen when it was right...I do believe this wholeheartedly now. The timing of all this makes so much more sense for my family then had it happened earlier. I'm so lucky to have so many loving friends supporting me during this time, after many doctors appointments, procedures and tests they kept me hopeful and strong. I'm so grateful.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have had several ultrasounds and have been able to see this amazing little person forming from week to week. Unfortunately when my Dr. tried to look for the gender last week, there were some crossed legs in the way. We have about 3 more weeks until we can find out...and I'm dying to know! I feel exactly the same as I did with Harrison so we'll see....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-88736826495630362162011-02-14T14:54:00.000-07:002011-02-14T14:54:33.030-07:00True Love...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kArMtLcIJeo/TVmatNphFNI/AAAAAAAADlc/OqiCPVtSV_o/s1600/IMG_46912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kArMtLcIJeo/TVmatNphFNI/AAAAAAAADlc/OqiCPVtSV_o/s400/IMG_46912.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've never known love like that of being a mother. Having a 2 year old is all consuming and I'm just realizing it's been about a month since I've been on this blog {or most others for that matter}. The days all seem to run together like watercolors on paper, and I catch my breath and realize a month has passed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All I know this Valentine's Day is that God blessed me with the most amazing, funny, colorful child...who I secretly love is strong willed and slightly challenging. It means he'll be somebody important someday. He owns my heart and today out of the blue he told me, "Mom, you have beautiful hair"....I melted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He is obsessed with being a cowboy right now, so yesterday he ran around the backyard acting crazy. These are the best memories...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Valentine's Day</div><div align="center"></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-74683464655532619432011-01-17T00:00:00.011-07:002011-01-17T09:33:44.535-07:00Gratitude.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TTNEp8m4g4I/AAAAAAAADkE/MBj8wgpWB2g/s1600/IMG_4677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TTNEp8m4g4I/AAAAAAAADkE/MBj8wgpWB2g/s200/IMG_4677.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TTNI-3kjVPI/AAAAAAAADlA/IO4eu67-vTQ/s1600/IMG_4679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TTNI-3kjVPI/AAAAAAAADlA/IO4eu67-vTQ/s200/IMG_4679.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TTNIRbHbdaI/AAAAAAAADkw/dsMshjumjJs/s1600/IMG_4678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TTNIRbHbdaI/AAAAAAAADkw/dsMshjumjJs/s200/IMG_4678.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TTNE6cs1KKI/AAAAAAAADkQ/zVOzUBYwwbA/s1600/IMG_4680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TTNE6cs1KKI/AAAAAAAADkQ/zVOzUBYwwbA/s200/IMG_4680.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here is what I'm feeling happy about lately...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A few days of 75 degree weather so we can be outside playing in the grass.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Having my 2 year old son tell me that I look beautiful {does he really have to grow up and leave someday?}</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Good friends to share this journey of life with...close by and far away.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Trader Joes</span></a>. I love this store <em>so</em> much for <em>so</em> many reasons.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A holiday today that allows my husband to be home from work with us. </li>
</ul><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-70041299835119566712011-01-03T00:00:00.000-07:002011-01-03T00:00:20.189-07:00New Year.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TSFy1OjigvI/AAAAAAAADj0/dhAyhGtZRrI/s1600/BLOG-175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TSFy1OjigvI/AAAAAAAADj0/dhAyhGtZRrI/s400/BLOG-175.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I'm not really sad at all to say goodbye to 2010. It was filled with ups and downs, a lot of looking inside and pushing myself to grow as a person. It was hard, but probably a time in my life when God was preparing me for other things. I have high hopes for 2011...here are just a few things on my list.<br />
<ul><li>Read more books.</li>
<li>Go out with friends more often.</li>
<li>Simplify my life {clear out clutter and not add more}.</li>
<li>Grow my family.</li>
<li>Make exercise a top priority.</li>
<li>Eat to feed my body nutrition, not junk it up with sugar.</li>
<li>Turn off the TV and listen to music.</li>
<li>Wear all my "good" clothes and get rid of everything else.</li>
<li>Do charity work.</li>
<li>Get more sleep.</li>
<li>Meditate.</li>
<li>Be happy with small accomplishments.</li>
<li>Love myself more.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;">Happy brand new 2011.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Image found <a href="http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2010/12/happy-new-year-3/">here</a>.</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-23275454369594380712010-12-19T11:58:00.032-07:002010-12-19T16:00:15.301-07:00My Glass is Full...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TQXD_yfZCeI/AAAAAAAADjo/pLpt6f4UBRU/s1600/DSC02501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TQXD_yfZCeI/AAAAAAAADjo/pLpt6f4UBRU/s400/DSC02501.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">my amazing birthday cake on a vintage plate....i ate the whole thing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My birthday was a week ago. The days leading up to my birthday had me in a awkward state. In my infinite wisdom of 31 (4 years ago), I made all these goals to be accomplished by the time I was 35 (present). Since I'm not fluent in French, I don't have a gaggle of kids and I'm not the weight I was at 29...I got depressed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then the actual day came, and I was reminded how truly lucky I am. This year has tested my faith a little, and I've had to breathe and remind myself that I'm exactly where I am supposed to be. I'm sick of beating myself up because I'm not everything I wish I was, but instead want to spend the next year focusing on everything <em>I am</em>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I still have hopes for what 35 brings, but accept my wonderful life for what it currently is: raising a two year old, maintaining a marriage, trying to be healthy, trying to be authentic and managing a home. I'm a blessed girl and sometimes I forget to sit back and enjoy what is right in front of me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's to a wonderful 35.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-73434196860289290962010-11-24T22:34:00.005-07:002010-11-24T22:38:36.750-07:00Gratitude.<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TO3058GUCjI/AAAAAAAADjk/sl93BeMBrfA/s1600/flower-pumpkin_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TO3058GUCjI/AAAAAAAADjk/sl93BeMBrfA/s400/flower-pumpkin_300.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">In the spirit of Thanksgiving, here is what I'm currently grateful for....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1. Christmas music playing on <a href="http://www.kez999.com/main.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">99.9</span></a> already. There is singing on every car ride and Harrison <em>loves</em> it!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2. Having so many wonderful friends with boys the same age as my own....it's like a little football team.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3. A husband who still opens the car door for me.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">4. Having a<a href="http://www.people.com/people/package/gallery/0,,20395222_20437204,00.html"> <span style="color: #cc0000;">royal wedding</span></a> to obsess over.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">5. The clarity and courage to see things for what they are, and trust the process of this amazing ride called life.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Happy Thanksgiving.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-10334159342410391482010-11-22T14:41:00.000-07:002010-11-22T14:41:28.890-07:00The Spades.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TOriGYC2geI/AAAAAAAADjI/xAYpz7FPGls/s1600/11_4_10_AndyKateSpadeE44754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TOriGYC2geI/AAAAAAAADjI/xAYpz7FPGls/s400/11_4_10_AndyKateSpadeE44754.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I just stumbled upon these photographs of Andy and Kate Spade's home recently. I've been obsessed with her from a young age, and when I worked at the store, I had the <em>extreme </em>pleasure of meeting her a couple of times. They are the coolest, nicest, most stylish people you can ever imagine meeting. These photos just confirm how laid back and hip they really are.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TOrivq5LVxI/AAAAAAAADjU/LK0bxca7yNI/s1600/11_4_10_AndyKateSpadeE44760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TOrivq5LVxI/AAAAAAAADjU/LK0bxca7yNI/s400/11_4_10_AndyKateSpadeE44760.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TOri0mh6-oI/AAAAAAAADjY/Tmef8BSm_i0/s1600/11_4_10_AndyKateSpadeE44772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TOri0mh6-oI/AAAAAAAADjY/Tmef8BSm_i0/s400/11_4_10_AndyKateSpadeE44772.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TOri6rB5rsI/AAAAAAAADjc/pNLMaSLSs5Q/s1600/11_4_10_AndyKateSpadeE44796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TOri6rB5rsI/AAAAAAAADjc/pNLMaSLSs5Q/s400/11_4_10_AndyKateSpadeE44796.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TOrjDW7cBQI/AAAAAAAADjg/GQQS_uSWFjo/s1600/11_4_10_AndyKateSpadeE44807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TOrjDW7cBQI/AAAAAAAADjg/GQQS_uSWFjo/s400/11_4_10_AndyKateSpadeE44807.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Go <a href="http://theselby.com/11_4_10_AndyKateSpade/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">here</span> </a>to see the rest.... </div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-77343802279423804982010-11-09T14:26:00.001-07:002010-11-09T14:26:24.562-07:00Catching Up...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TNm52U89McI/AAAAAAAADjE/7bsMVKxTopE/s1600/17_moistDevilsFood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TNm52U89McI/AAAAAAAADjE/7bsMVKxTopE/s400/17_moistDevilsFood.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>image from paul ferney's cake </em></span><a href="http://paulferney.bigcartel.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;"><em>collection</em></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>. I'm obsessed.</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This blog is a little bit like my long distance friendships. I think about them all the time and have so much to say, but finding the time to actually sit down and chat is difficult. So, we'll just have to do what <a href="http://www.thehappyrosenbaums.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Marissa</span></a> and I do and cover it all in segments. </div><br />
Right now I'm in the throes of planning Harrison's birthday party. He will be 2 years old and it's so much fun to see him get excited about having a party. Of course I've bitten off more than I can chew (as usual) and am feeling a little stressed. Hopefully by the time he's 5, I'll have learned to just grab a cake from costco and call it a party.<br />
<br />
In other news, I've sworn off sweets (mostly) and did a 2 1/2 week detox which granted me a 10 pound weight loss. I'm so happy and feel great. I still have little bites now and then, but my cravings are totally under control.<br />
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It officially feels like Fall here, and this morning I had to wear a sweatshirt. Yippeee!Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-6659035613392751382010-10-04T00:12:00.001-07:002010-10-05T00:15:25.423-07:00Seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TKrOiYrEg7I/AAAAAAAADjA/tvSKrDvUbuE/s1600/Pumpkins-Red-Table-GTL1006-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TKrOiYrEg7I/AAAAAAAADjA/tvSKrDvUbuE/s400/Pumpkins-Red-Table-GTL1006-de.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It rained today. I told myself that I wasn't going to write again until it cooled down because I had nothing positive to say. The heat and sunshine were making me feel the way your mouth feels after a trip to the dentist. Your tongue is dry and numb and you can't wait for all the necessary sensations to come flooding back. That's how I have felt lately. It hasn't looked pretty, so I've been quite.<br />
<br />
Today I stood in my backyard with an umbrella and watched rain water all my plants and I inhaled the smell of wet pavement and a cleansed soul. Plus, I also saw a whole barrel of white pumpkins at Trader Joes today...my insides started to tingle. I'm already excited for the first day I can wear my Virginia Johnson <a href="http://www.virginiajohnson.com/shop.list.php5?sku=-SH&type=category"><span style="color: #cc0000;">shawl</span></a> around my neck for warmth (maybe November?), but for now....<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Happy October. I couldn't be happier you are here.</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-21559114296078153372010-09-06T23:58:00.003-07:002010-09-07T00:02:05.099-07:00Is Summer Over?<div style="text-align: left;">How did it get to be September 7th? Does this mean that Fall is around the corner and Summer is tip toeing out of the picture? I'm craving crisp air and a slight breeze. I have confidence that September will deliver...even if it's 9:00 at night {I'm a night owl anyway}.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyway, this video makes me happy. Sometimes I love my cute little sidekick, and other times, I miss solitude and <em>quiet</em>.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/k7X7sZzSXYs?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/k7X7sZzSXYs?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-15757745942562029732010-08-16T23:56:00.005-07:002010-08-17T00:09:47.335-07:00Healthy Deodorant.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TGostKpMQ5I/AAAAAAAADik/yU3paJizMg0/s1600/P237120_hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TGostKpMQ5I/AAAAAAAADik/yU3paJizMg0/s320/P237120_hero.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is my new favorite thing. I live in Phoenix, Arizona where right now it's about 106 degrees {give or take} during the day with around 40-50% humidity. Clearly it's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferno_(Dante)"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Dante's Inferno</span></a>. Luckily I found this incredible all natural deodorant by<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><a href="http://www.lavanila.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Lavanila</span></a>. It comes in a few different vanilla scents, but I've been using the plain vanilla {kind of smells like a clean baby} and am loving it! It really is amazing and I love that I don't have to think twice about what's inside. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can only be purchased on the website or <a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P237120&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=5850"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Sephora</span></a>. It's a little pricey for deodorant, but totally worth it... I have a nose like a bloodhound and become crazy over unpleasant smells.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-23130254532499192862010-08-09T13:46:00.000-07:002010-08-09T13:46:07.301-07:00Ending My Sabbatical.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TGBhOUBPe2I/AAAAAAAADiM/8tO2WHhh5zY/s1600/IMG00023-20100803-1701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TGBhOUBPe2I/AAAAAAAADiM/8tO2WHhh5zY/s400/IMG00023-20100803-1701.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TGBnbHpK5lI/AAAAAAAADic/fG0c0p89odM/s1600/IMG953090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TGBnbHpK5lI/AAAAAAAADic/fG0c0p89odM/s400/IMG953090.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm back from my spontaneous sabbatical where I gave myself time to regroup and recharge. I've been feeling quite down the past few months, and just had enough in me to care for the important things. I've been sad and very reflective lately. I truly do trust God's plan, but faith is never without doubt and worry. I've been blindsided a few times now, and the ground is feeling quite shaky. However, I march on believing...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Luckily, God gave me a gem of a first born to get me through the heartache. Harrison is so full of personality, fun and character that he keeps me on my toes and full of smiles. He is not without his challenges, but I'm so grateful he is mine, and know his strong personality will show up as something incredible someday. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We just returned from an amazing vacation in Laguna Beach where my soul was refreshed by the ocean air and change of scenery. It's a little unfair to come home to Phoenix in August, but I'll make the best of it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TGBnYJ0w6WI/AAAAAAAADiU/GO6m6QOO4_s/s1600/IMG953042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TGBnYJ0w6WI/AAAAAAAADiU/GO6m6QOO4_s/s400/IMG953042.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-47987800192411161362010-06-15T22:54:00.003-07:002010-06-15T23:00:34.469-07:00In the Trenches and Dreaming of Picnic Baskets...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TBe_rc0U85I/AAAAAAAADhs/gXZzCAzxIwk/s1600/pKSLCI1-7509277v275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/TBe_rc0U85I/AAAAAAAADhs/gXZzCAzxIwk/s320/pKSLCI1-7509277v275.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The past few weeks have consisted of a sick baby, a sick me, broken television, broken refrigerator, mom and dad <em>both </em>out of town, a husband obsessed with fantasy baseball and endless hours of thomas the train playing on the dvd player. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes I see a bicycle picnic basket like <a href="http://www.katespade.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4082401&cp=2130331.2135389"><span style="color: #cc0000;">this</span></a> one, and I dream of living in a big urban city and getting away from it all. I'd fill my basket with <a href="https://secure.cnchost.com/duckanddecanter.com/index.htm"><span style="color: #cc0000;">duck and decanter</span></a> type sandwiches, gourmet chips and perfectly cold diet coke. I'd peddle to a nearby park, sit under a big tree and read magazines till my heart's content.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't get me wrong...my little one owns my heart, but a little peace and quiet is attractive. Some days while I'm running around "in the trenches", as I like to call it, I get a glimpse of who I was before I became a mother and I miss that creative, funny, carefree girl. I know she'll be back one day and until then...I'll eat sandwiches with my miniature sidekick and treasure the days with him...quiet or not.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>If anyone really wants this bicycle basket, it and many other goodies, are at kate spade's <a href="http://www.katespade.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2130331"><span style="color: #cc0000;">sample sale</span></a></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-8027490950628524222010-05-28T00:00:00.000-07:002010-05-27T23:26:59.716-07:00Gratitude.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S_9RnlgPDnI/AAAAAAAADhk/D8rEg4c958A/s1600/727391582_3f2ee4b8dc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S_9RnlgPDnI/AAAAAAAADhk/D8rEg4c958A/s400/727391582_3f2ee4b8dc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Oh...what a week it's been. J. has been out of town which means I've been a one man show with a crazy 18 month old. It's been tantrum after tantrum, he threw a toy at our television {it's broke}, and today he froze all the registers at Safeway by hitting every button imaginable on the credit card machine. It's time to be grateful....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1. The way Harrison's eyelashes look in the bath...clumped together and beautiful.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2. A husband who is involved and gives me a daily break {I've really noticed in his absence}.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3. Sex and the City 2</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">4. School is out...which means I have more friends to play with this summer.</div>5. The swing that hangs from a tree in our backyard. It's one of the only things that endlessly entertains Harrison.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">My husband is home....happy weekend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-90081585929896366712010-05-24T13:39:00.001-07:002010-05-24T13:40:36.812-07:00Time to Write...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S_rf7gA5OlI/AAAAAAAADhc/tuDnnV8i_-A/s1600/quote211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S_rf7gA5OlI/AAAAAAAADhc/tuDnnV8i_-A/s320/quote211.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I haven't been here for a while...<br />
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Mothers Day was lovely and I felt blessed from head to toe. Then life handed me an unexpected curve ball and since then I've been processing, healing and looking ahead. Too often I forget that I have much less control than I realize. I try to plan, orchestrate and dictate how things will be. Then a Higher Power steps in and reminds me that it's really not up to me at all.<br />
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I was pregnant...and now I'm not. I didn't see it coming and was sad and confused. I was so grateful that it happened early and that I already have Harrison. I'm trusting the process and know there was a reason unbeknownst to me. Now I'm finding the positive and opening myself up for the divine plan and not my own. God brought me amazing Harrison and I know His plan will amaze me again...Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-85166716965722865992010-05-09T00:00:00.001-07:002010-09-07T00:06:38.262-07:00My Version of Motherhood.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S-ZJj5f17dI/AAAAAAAADhU/hHaPgceVMYY/s1600/IMG00074-20100422-1053+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S-ZJj5f17dI/AAAAAAAADhU/hHaPgceVMYY/s400/IMG00074-20100422-1053+copy.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></em></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Happiness in the backseat with sunglasses and sippy cup.</em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God has blessed me with the most happy, jovial, outgoing, fun and energetic first child. It's no surprise, really. I often need the lesson that he is here to teach me. He made me a mother and I never take this job for granted. I'm honored every day to be his side kick, and thank God every night that I get to be Harrison's mom. </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think every mother out there has her own style of raising her children. It's interesting to see how my friends do things differently than I would, and what their styles teach me. For me motherhood means....</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Caring less about a messy house and more about a happy child {I wish I could be better about cleaning up...but I'm just not}.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Affection, affection, affection.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Figuring out what makes them tick and nurturing their strengths.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Modeling behavior that I want them to emulate someday.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Letting them know that, above all else, they are the greatest miracle of my life.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Constant "I love yous" and "I'm proud of yous" go a long way....every child wants their parent's approval.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Taking comfort in knowing that "</span><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=you+reap+what+you+sow"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">you reap what you sow</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">" and that one day all this hard work will come back to you in the form of a loving, good, happy adult.</span></li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here is a little clip of a typical afternoon moment. The best laugh in the world happening over dropping a little wooden pig on the ground while standing on a step stool...</span></div><div align="center"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxwTBl802wwvyHRW8FIhcI3ARQ6xBjx6896N4cQTIb-u4ZnCs0_xUMMSrxkUFWVXRCmML1FKcRfYHxwssVdnQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><br />
<div align="center">Happy Mothers Day.</div><br />
<div align="center"></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-17859469608386554552010-05-01T10:32:00.000-07:002010-05-01T10:32:25.296-07:00May Day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S9xjti1zAuI/AAAAAAAADhM/K68IH5m2stw/s1600/2672358906_b6ceecde46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S9xjti1zAuI/AAAAAAAADhM/K68IH5m2stw/s400/2672358906_b6ceecde46.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today is the first day of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day"><span style="color: #cc0000;">May</span></a> and we have a few more days of lovely weather before it's gone. I'm going to spend the day going to a <a href="http://www.arizonafarmersmarkets.com/pageScottsdaleOldtown/ScottsdaleOTsat.htm"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Farmer's Market</span></a><span style="color: #cc0000;">,</span> picking out some jewelry I won last weekend, eating sandwiches, pushing my little one in a swing, working outside on projects and riding my bike.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy May Day.</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-89075624813332228772010-04-27T23:27:00.004-07:002010-04-27T23:31:35.305-07:00Project Number One.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S9fRy_audwI/AAAAAAAADhI/Oktz77L9bqk/s1600/Adorinack+chairs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S9fRy_audwI/AAAAAAAADhI/Oktz77L9bqk/s400/Adorinack+chairs.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Last week I took on the task of transforming a pair of unfinished wood kid's adirondack chairs. It was for a fundraiser of a <a href="http://www.ncpgaz.org/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">group</span></a> I belong to and the event was Saturday night. I decided to make them gender neutral, but fun enough to be interesting. I was so nervous and stressed over every little detail. They ended up being a big hit and went home for the maximum bid {$200}! I was pleased as punch...<br />
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This week I'm working on the little table and chairs for Harrison...pictures to follow.<br />
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<em>Note: If you don't live in Arizona but have been hearing the newsworthy buzz of a law passed Friday. Please know that I'm embarrassed and share the view of mayor Phil Gordon as read <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/23/AR2010042304469.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">here</span></a>.</em>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-71888025841773234352010-04-22T00:35:00.007-07:002010-04-22T00:52:40.386-07:00Saving the earth...and other projects.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S8_398Z3hCI/AAAAAAAADgg/GpIJR9ztLeo/s1600/3465575493_50c12fd5db.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S8_398Z3hCI/AAAAAAAADgg/GpIJR9ztLeo/s400/3465575493_50c12fd5db.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Today is <a href="http://www.earthday.org/earthday2010"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Earth Day</span></a> and I'm going to do my part to help make this a better place for my son and his friends to live. I always recycle, turn off running water, nurture our 80 year old citrus trees and always plant something new for today's purpose. The earth is such a beautiful place to exist...we can all do a little something extra to show it our love.<br />
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I've been a busy little bee this week refinishing and painting furniture. I'm <em>finally</em> transforming a little table set that I bought for Harrison a month ago. I'm also painting some kid's <span style="color: #cc0000;">a</span><a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/adirondack-chairs-1/?pkey=doutdoor-furniture"><span style="color: #cc0000;">dirondack</span></a> chairs for a fundraiser I'm attending on Saturday. I've been in heaven hanging out in the garage painting, while in a creative zone... listening to my own thoughts, as well as the sounds of the neighborhood {barking dogs, bus doors opening and closing, runners, kids on bikes}. Pictures will appear as soon as I'm finished.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy the Earth today...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><em>photo from </em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/osvaldo_zoom/3465575493/"><em>flickr</em></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-80606890196865714022010-04-14T00:15:00.006-07:002010-04-14T00:22:35.339-07:00Spending Time...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S8Vq7QSAU5I/AAAAAAAADgY/mq1vXceXVVQ/s1600/downtown-chic4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S8Vq7QSAU5I/AAAAAAAADgY/mq1vXceXVVQ/s400/downtown-chic4.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I've been a little out of touch lately. In my defense, I've been spending my free time playing outside, attempting to organize my house, laundry, walking by the local movie set, flipping through magazines, pushing Harrison in the swing & eating popsicles. Spring in Arizona is nothing short of sublime...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Unfortunately, the past few days we've had to start the air conditioning and turn all the fans on...it's getting warmer and warmer. Which means very soon, playing outside will be merely a dream and we'll all suffer from cabin fever. I'm getting anxiety just thinking about it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Luckily, I can be entertained by a <a href="http://nicoleladner.blogspot.com/2009/09/sixxis-now-seven.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">show</span></a> I've been talking about since last September. <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/9-by-design"><span style="color: #cc0000;">9 By Design</span></a> premiered last night and it was everything I hoped it be...and more. I'm amazed at these talented and beautiful people with seven happy kids running around. I will be <em>glued </em>to my TV every Tuesday night from here on out. They are so hip and stylish, I can hardly stand it.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-58947160222048309252010-04-01T00:08:00.009-07:002010-04-01T00:15:53.867-07:00April.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S7RERwkWFEI/AAAAAAAADgQ/c2YmyLALYkg/s1600/4036587818_808fece881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S7RERwkWFEI/AAAAAAAADgQ/c2YmyLALYkg/s400/4036587818_808fece881.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div> Oh...what a few weeks it's been around here. Last week was one of the most exhausting, challenging weeks I remember having in a long time. I now have a child who <em>screams</em> and cries {full on tantrums} when he doesn't get what he wants, something is taken away from him, or I just can't understand him. It's INSANE and there was a day last week that I thought might put me over the edge. I'm trying to hold my ground as the one in control, but I have found myself tossing a toy into the shopping cart just so I could finish my trip in peace. What happened to that sweet baby that cooed and cuddled?<br />
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In other news, our little neighborhood has turned Hollywood! Will Ferrell is shooting a movie two streets away called, <a href="http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b149271_everything_must_go_will_ferrell.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Everything Must Go</span></a>. There are cars lining the streets, a crane holding the camera while they shoot scenes and security everywhere. Today Harrison and I walked over there, and Will Ferrell was being brought to the set right in front of us. They'll be filming here for another 6 weeks for any friends that want to come and see the action.<br />
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Today is the beginning of April and that means the last month or so of playing outside, evening walks at 5:00 and play dates at the park. I'm going to try and soak up every minute of it...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Happy April.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8521703716217517852.post-41915566051649164442010-03-22T00:24:00.005-07:002010-03-22T00:27:23.261-07:00Cartwheels.<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S6cY13KkJ8I/AAAAAAAADgI/BHkzqz6kGoE/s1600-h/4078231229_4ac9a248ce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-d46c4ir4Ro/S6cY13KkJ8I/AAAAAAAADgI/BHkzqz6kGoE/s400/4078231229_4ac9a248ce.jpg" vt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
<div></div></div>In an effort to amuse my son last night, I did a cartwheel in the backyard before dinner. I excitedly kicked off my flip flops, walked into the grass and began with both hands on the cool ground. He squealed with laughter and I felt so happy and free....until I landed and the pain radiating through my leg told me that I wasn't 12 years old anymore.<br />
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It got me thinking of how much I miss being 12 years old. Unfortunately when I was young, I couldn't wait to be where I am now...older. It so sad to think of all the time I wasted, wishing to be an adult. The wonderful thing about having children is that you get to relive what you didn't appreciate the first time around. Luckily I have the perfect kid to bring out the fun in me.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Here's to a wonderful week of practicing cartwheels....</div><br />
<blockquote></blockquote>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07325857975183760001noreply@blogger.com