Happy Halloween!

Hello, Truman....

Meet the newest addition to the family...Truman.

Is It Just Me.....

Or is it uber creepy to see a 60 year old man buying a Playboy magazine?

At the airport.

At 6am.

Ewh.

Happy Birthday - To Me!

This past weekend I left my 20's behind and headed into the unknown (and sometimes dreaded) 30's.

As you might have guessed, I am not the type of woman who gets depressed because their life isn't what they had envisioned it being when they hit the big 3-oh. I'll admit, when I was much, much younger I had thought that I would marry around age 27 and probably begin a family when I was around 30. However, as the old adage goes "Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans". Those words have never been more true!

Instead of getting married, I flew the coop and headed west for one of the biggest adventures of my life. There was an abundance of travel, laughter, tears, friends made and relationships lost along the way but through it all I realize that I am simply evolving into a better version of myself. And I like it!

A dear friend of mine and I were at church when the pastor was talking about two different types of people: those who love the journey and those who just want to get to the destination. When he said that we looked at each other and laughed knowing that we were the textbook examples of each. She was the destination type and I was the journey. I sincerely doubt that surprises anyone who knows me. Some of my best friends say that I am the true definition of a "free spirit".

I've managed to cram a lot of crap into the past 30 years and I can't wait to see what is yet to come. I'm living life, enjoying the journey and loving every minute of it.

After all, 30 is the new 20....right?!

'You're Like A Disney Princess...'

A friend of mine told me the other day "You're like a Disney princess, all the wild animals want to be near you!" My response? "If they want to clean, cook and sew they are welcome. Otherwise, they can keep on moving!"

It's been several years since I have lived in the country. It's great to be back however, I am having my fair share of battles with the many animals on the property. First up, I've got the deer. A whole herd of them. I'm convinced that they are out to get me.
They have uprooted the potted flowers in front of my house so many times that I've give up. All flowers are now quarantined to my deck which is well out of reach for the deer. Did I mention that one plant is missing completely? Oh yeah - all that is left is the soil and pot that it was planted in. Don't even get me started on the garden. I have frogs that hop into my garage. Coyotes howling. Moles, gophers and bunnies - who are also fond of the potted flowers. Ducks, geese, hummingbirds, butterflies, robins, woodpeckers, grosbeaks, butterflies and of course, orioles. Get this, the orioles actually knock on my patio door with their beaks and wake me up in the morning. What is the deal?! I did have a great photo of an oriole but blogger is being fussy and I can't upload it. Guess you'll just have to use your imagination.

I really am convinced that I live in the midst of a national geographic film.

July 6.

The one year mark has come and gone but I still miss him like crazy. Here is one of my favorite photos:
What I wouldn't give just to hear him laugh one more time....

Summer of Nicole

A few weeks ago I came to the realization that I have no stress. I used to say that the people who claimed they didn't have any stress were liars. Surely they were in denial because nobody is stress free! Well my friends, I'm in uncharted territory because I've become the person who is stress-less. Unbelievable, right?

Today I went out in my kayak. Since the weather has been so goofy this year I've only gotten to go a handful of times but today was the best. The sun was shining bright, it was 80 degrees and breezy - just the perfect day.
I paddled around for a little over two hours. Only deciding to throw in the towel when the wind picked up and a kid on a jet ski started hauling ass on the lake. Sometimes I wonder how easy I am to see on the water (even though my kayak is bright red) and I didn't want to chance it. When I got off the water I had that great summer time feeling - your skin is moist with sunscreen and starting to freckle. Your hair is wild from the wind and the breeze from the car window feels incredible. It is finally summer and I love it.

The Space Between Awe & Fear

Mother nature is amazing. I was up most of last night watching a fantastic storm take over the serene landscape that is my home. One of the best things about living in rural America is getting to witness first hand how breath taking a summer storm can be. You have no distractions of city lights, car horns, police sirens or helicopters flying overhead. I've always enjoyed a good rain, thunderstorm or lightning show. I am always in awe.

Then a tornado watch is announced. Immediately my awe turns into a healthy respect for the growing storm. It's almost fear. The temperatures have risen 10 degrees, even though it is well after dark. The winds howl and blow at a steady 30 mph - gusts are up to 50. It's only after I walk outside that I realize the rain is coming down sideways. I suddenly have visions of me in a sleeping bag curled up on the basement floor.

Fast forward 24 hours and it's now still. The winds have all but disappeared and the chorus of toads, crickets (and God knows what else) is singing into the night. I love it.

What are you listening to?

About 5 years ago, I won a sales contest and the prize was an Ipod. It sat in a box, unopened, for a good month until my friend Jason spotted it. He asked why it was unopened and my response was "I don't have the time to set it up". So, over the course of the next hour, he sat in my office and hooked me up. Little did I know that I would be so addicted to the dumb thing.

So...in honor of my Ipod (and my very eclectic mix of music) I give you the Ipod meme:

Basic Info:

Total Length:
~5824 songs, 147.6 days, 21.71GB

First & Last Songs (sorted by title):
~`a Quai - Amelie Soundtrack
~ 99 In The Shade - Bon Jovi

Shortest & Longest Songs:
~Funny How I'm Losing You - Ryan Adams (:01)
~Sleep Don't Weep - Damien Rice (21:54)

First & Last Albums (by title):
~ About A Boy - Badly Drawn Boy
~ 9 - Damien Rice

First & Last Artist:
~ a-Ha
~ 50 Cent

Top 5 Most Played Songs:
~ Good Life - Kanye West
~ Wall to Wall - Chris Brown
~ Kiss Kiss - Chris Brown
~ Candyman - Christina Aguilera
~F**k Me Pumps - Amy Winehouse

Search for the following words. How many songs show up?
~Sex: 27
~Death: 62
~Love: 428
~You: 782
~Home: 70
~Boy: 161
~Girl: 90

First 5 songs that come up on Party Shuffle:
~ A Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash
~ Aqua De Beber - Sophie Milman
~ Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress - The Hollies
~ Winding Road - Bonnie Somerville
~Cherry, Cherry - Neil Diamond


Now for the questions:

The Rules:
1. Put your music player on shuffle
2. Press forward for each question
3. Use the song title as the answer to your question
4. NO CHEATING

Q: What does the next year have in store for you?
A: Frontin’ by Jamie Cullum
~Don’t hate the playa – hate the game!

Q: What does your love life look like next year?
A: Excuse Me If I Break My Own Heart Tonight by Whiskeytown
~oh my...that's not how it's supposed to go!

Q: What do you say when life gets hard?
A: Too Much Fun by Starflyer 59

Q: Song that reminds you of the good times?
A: Square One by Coldplay

~I kind of wore myself out on Coldplay and hardly listen to them anymore.

Q: What do you think of when you get up in the morning?
A: Butterfly by Donavon Frankenreiter

Q: What song will you dance to at your wedding?
A: Pennies from Heaven by Dean Martin & The Rat Pack

Q: Song that reminds you of your first kiss?
A: Charborg by Pinback
~The lyrics start out decent enough but then it turns into a microphone check – ending with ‘these monitors suck’. Amazing…

Q: Your favorite saying?
A: Shoot Out the Lights by The Prix
~Could work….

Q: Favorite place?
A:. 9 Crimes by Damien Rice
~I saw him at The Greek Theater in LA and it was the best show I saw in '07.

Q: Most missed memory?
A: Closer I Am To Fine by the Indigo Girls
~This song actually brings back a lot of memories…it came off a mix CD that was made for me.

Q: What song describes your best friend?
A: Dark Horse by Amanda Marshall
~Such a great artist – what ever happened to her!?

Q: What song describes your ex?
A: Be True to Your School by The Beach Boys
~“So be true to your school – just like you would to your girl now” Hmmm…..interesting.

Q: Where would you go on your first date?
A: Ticket To Ride by The Beatles

~If the Beatles are involved in the date, I don't care where we are going.

Q: Drug of choice?

A: Broken by Jack Johnson

~Off of the Curious George Soundtrack - a nice CD to listen to when you want to chill out.

Q: What song best describes you?
A: Working Too Hard by Lyle Lovett
~I still can't believe he was married to Julia Roberts.

Q: What is the thing you like doing most?
A: River, Sea, Ocean by About A Boy
~Considering my enthusiasm for water activities – this is pretty accurate.

Q: What song best describes the president?
A: Honey Honey by Feist
~Uh…don’t think so.

Q: Where will you be in ten years?
A: Twilight by Electric Light Orchestra
~The most random stuff pops up!

Q: Your love life right now?
A: There Goes by Alan Jackson
~The lyrics would indicate that someone has a crush on me….

Q: What is your state of mind at the moment?
A: Slang by Def Leppard
~One of my least favorite Def Leppard songs - in fact, I think I will delete it.

Q: How will you die?
A: Everything I Do by Whiskeytown
~Oh Ryan Adams – you’re such a heartbreaker.

Now it's your turn. What are you listening to?

You've Got To Be Kidding Me

After two days of a scratchy throat I decided to take a closer look. So, I walked into my bathroom, opened wide, and aimed my book light (in lieu of a flashlight) into the back of my mouth. The image staring back at me in the mirror looked remarkably like this:

Ew. I have strep throat.

Funny part is that I had excellent insurance coverage until my job ended on Monday. Three. Days. Ago. Are you kidding me?!

Why is it that you never need insurance until you don't have it?

Let It Snow....

I think that I am the only person in Minnesota who isn't sick of winter.

Maybe it's because I've successfully managed to avoid the really cold weather (we're talking 45 below zero, folks) by being in CA or AZ. Maybe it's because I like watching the big fat snow flakes fall to the ground while drinking hot coffee. Maybe it's because I spent the last couple of years in a constant state of summer bliss. Or...it could be that I can be a full grown adult and still enjoy playing in the snow.

Last night I bundled up in all my snow gear and headed outside for some good clean fun. Here's my snowman (albeit he looks like he's doing the 'Pepsi wave'):

And my snow angel:
The funniest part is that my brother came outside and goes "Are you bored or something?"

I might be staring down the barrel of 30 but dang it, I can still play in the snow like a little kid!

In Retrospect....

It might not have been such a good idea for me to watch the movie Vacancy before going out on the road for a week. 5 nights. 5 hotels. And 1 girl with way too active of an imagination.

Even before watching the movie I was a little wigged out by older mom and pop type of hotels. Maybe I'm paranoid but you just never know what is going on at these places!

The worst hotel I've stayed at was in TN where there was the cleaning guy stopped to cup his hands up to the window (to block the glare) and stared into my hotel room. Creepy! Not to mention - the gum on the wall, the missing light bulbs, mold in the shower, the bugs - need I go on? Ewh....

An Excuse...

I realize that I've been absent for awhile and now it's time for me to give you the excuse as to why....are you ready?

A sucky internet connection + A computer crash that required a new hard drive.

Technically that is two excuses but I'm going to stick with it. A lot of stuff (some good and some bad) has been going on since my last post. I'll do my best to fill you in soon. I've not forgotten about this wee little blog - I've just been busy....

A Numbers Game

In the past 9 days I have done the following:

• Taken 6 flights
• Been to 5 states &
• 6 different airports
• Replaced 1 suitcase
• Stayed in 6 different hotels
• Attended 1 Halloween Party
• Saw 1 girl attempt to flee on foot from the cops (she was caught)

And in the past 24 hours:

• Had 3 rental cars (all in one city)
• 1 flat tire & a 75 minute wait for a tow truck
• Drove 250 miles
• Sat at a dead stop on the interstate for 45 minutes at 8.30pm

I'm sure that more will come to me but for now it's 1.27 am and I must go to bed.

Now I'm 39...

Who could have imagined that you can tell how old your brain is by playing rock, paper, scissors? This is the most addictive game ever:

As of this morning, my brain is a whopping 39 years old. Looks like I've got a bit of work ahead of me!

No, You're Just Having Fun

The following is a conversation that I had last night at GameStop.....



Clerk: Do you have a photo ID?
Me: I can't find my license - use this old one from TN
Clerk: And your phone number?
Me: 714.555.5555
Clerk: Isn't that a California number?
Me: Yes
Clerk: (laughing)
Me: Whats so funny?
Clerk: You are in Scottsdale, Arizona buying a video game with a TN drivers license and a CA phone number. It's just funny....
Me: Yeah, that makes me sound like a scam artist, doesn't it?
Clerk: No, it just means that you're having fun!

The Price Is.....what!?!

Every once in a while something happens that makes you go "what"?!

Well, today I had on the Price is Right in the background while I was working. A friend of mine had gone to see the show and I was scanning the crowd to see if I could spot'em. I didn't but I did get to witness a couple of pretty odd things. My first 'huh?' moment came with the announcement of this prize: a brand new desktop computer paired with a one year supply of Gold Bond lotion. What!? Gross.
The second "you've got to be kidding me" moment came during the showcase showdown. After viewing the first showcase, the lady passed it onto the young man standing next to her. I don't even know what the showcase was (I wasn't really paying attention) but I heard something about a rug and a motorcycle. All of the sudden I hear this young man say "$250,000". WHAT?! That got my attention. I look over at the TV just in time to see the "what the hell" look on Bob's face and then he goes "Are you sure about that? Maybe you should think about this for a second." Oh. My. Gosh. Hilarious. The guy then proceeds to lower his bid to $60,000 (which was still way too high). The program goes on to show the second showcase and when it comes time for the lady to bid she does the most classic thing ever - she bids $1 and wins the whole shebang. It was priceless.

Gumball Alley

Every town you go to has something unique. The city of San Luis Obispo, CA has a little something called 'Gumball Alley' and it looks like this:

This has to be one of the more interesting (yet disgusting) things that I've ever seen.

Ohhh....the intimidation

If we are in a casino and you can't find me this is the first place you should look:

On my last trip to Vegas I overcame the intimidation of the Craps table. After about an hour of pure observation, I pulled a crisp $100 bill out of my wallet and found the cheapest table around. Let me just say, the words 'win big / lose big' have never been so true!

I started out doing so well and was up around $45. Great, right? Well...all of the sudden I started feeling confident and began to throw out chips like it wasn't real money. At one point I looked down and saw that I had around $70 worth of chips on the table and then I freaked out. Unfortunately, the shooter rolled the "number we don't say" and I lost all of it. Ouch! After that healthy dose of reality, I decided to cut my losses and walk away with $55 in hand.

Fast forward to last week...I was in Reno for work and decided to find a cheap Craps table to try my luck again. When I came across a $1 table I nearly passed out. Considering that the tables in Vegas all had a $10 minimum, this was childs play! I spent a good portion of the night getting more comfortable with the game and the best part is that it didn't cost me a fortune.

I love you, baby.

Those were the last words that my father said to me.

It was exactly one month ago that he passed away. Needless to say, it's been a pretty bad day.