everything nicole

Cold Weather Makes Me Want to Bake

I'm thinking of baking up some Maple-Bacon Cupcakes.  I think it sounds absolutely perfect, but I'm also one of those who loves a good Elvis Sandwich.  What do you think?  xoxo

Swim Home, Little Fishies, Swim Home

The management here at everythingnicole.com is saddened* to announce that while Nicole was on vacation, the fish swam their little hearts into heaven.   We are sure that the fish have paid the ultimate price for Nicole's vacationing lifestyle and we are investigating animal cruelty action.  They are survived by a very lonely cat, Bonnie and two little girls who have yet to notice that they are missing.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local pet shelter in the name of (wait, because they were so unloved they had no names & were expected to die MONTHS ago).  xoxo

*Really, though I am kinda sad that they died.  I thought it would be fun to throw a birthday party for two fish that lived longer than ever thought possible while living in a martini pitcher. 

One Fish, Two Fish, Cat Fish

A friend gave us two goldfish at the Halloween carnival in October.  When I rolled my eyes at the thought of caring for another animal when my two rugrats and a cat are enough, Renee promised me that they weren't long for this world and would probably be dead within the week.  Counting on this GracieGirl and I decided not to name them. 
They spend their days in a little glass vase and have become part of our morning routine of coffee, sippies of milk, cat food, then fish food (notice the order - coffee first, must. have. coffee.)  Every once in a while Grace or I will comment I can't believe they're still alive!  I've thought about getting them a real fish tank with a filter and everything, but I keep waiting for them to take the long trip down the toiletbowl and don't want to waste my money.  I change their water when it starts to look icky, and last night when I had friends over I was a little embarrassed that it needed changing.  And wow, it must be pretty dry out, their water is getting low fast.  This morning I noticed again how low the water had gotten, I really need to get a humidifier. 
A few minutes ago I heard Gracie yelling, "No Kitty, No!"  Which really isn't something out of the ordinary, she likes to direct everyone.  I slowly (I'd just started the first cup of coffee) made my way into the kitchen to find out what was wrong.
"The kitty is drinking the fish water!" I knew it wouldn't be long before the cat discovered the fish.  I think that since she was having a hard time catching them, she decided to make things a little easier by drinking down the water.  Didn't you know?  My cat's a genius.  xoxo

It's Begining to Look A Lot Like Christmas

It looks like Christmas threw up all over my house, and the cat is trying to take after the cat from Christmas Vacation.  xoxo

Still Giving Thanks

I made everyone fill out "I am thankful for. . ." cards on Thanksgiving.  While they were anonymous, it was fun to try and figure out who wrote what.  And while cliche, it's nice that many people were thankful for family. 
We are thankful for. . .

• baby girls
• a wonderful family
• the fact that I am not on fire (Randy did not write this one, but good nonetheless, I suppose)
• the two beautiful & healthy children that God blessed me with! (my mom)
• great wife, terrific daughter in laws, terrific sons, wonderful granddaughters = family (my father in law, so sweet!)
• everything
• a loving husband, beautiful, sweet granddaughters
• T.P. (probably my favorite)
• my family
• I am thankful, therefore I am
• the people I love!
• my family & friends & a million other things
• a loving family - you're the best!
• my family and the amazing people in it
• my family first & then my job
• Grace (she wrote this one herself)
• Grace, mom (as well as this one)
• Grace, Dad (and this one)

What are you adding to the list?  xoxo

Brilliance in Marketing

Um, yeah.  In case you didn't know that 36 was 50% more than 24.  xoxo

Who?

I just saw one of the Olly Girls (not sure which one) at a local restaurant.  I was afraid to point her out to my friends, because I'm kinda ashamed to have recognized her.  In my defense I recognized her from The Soup, not whatever reality show she's on.  And so I'm telling you, way less embarrassing.  xoxo

The Great Banksy

This is a great story.  Have you heard of Banksy?  It kinda makes me want to go out and do some graffiti of my own.  I could put some kind of mommy-blogger spin on it, like painting a "Call your mother" sign next to all the pay phones in the area.  What would you graffiti? 

xoxo

The Cat Came Back

Remember the cat?  We gave her back shortly after we got her because she bit GracieGirl a few times.  Gracie started asking if we could have BonnieBoo's teeth removed.  My friend, Sarah (whom we got the cat from & then gave her back to) is moving.  So we are going to try the whole cat thing again.  I figure almost a year has got by, the cat is no longer a kitten, and Gracie has matured greatly.  Randy is less than thrilled.  He equated this relationship to an abusive husband and the wife who keeps taking him back.  "But she loves us & we love her!" Gracie and I plead.  xoxo

After Easter Sugar Buzz

Sugar-Free Peeps are nasty, but surprisingly Chocolate Skittles are fantastic.  Now you know.  xoxo