Friday, May 24, 2013

The Ugly Side of Me


Today is an exercise in humility. I think the above picture is a good start. Not the most flattering. Plus it's a good illustration of what life is really like when parenting tween-agers.

The Every Day In May prompt: list your 3 worst traits...On your blog. You know, for all the world to see, friend and foe alike. I can just see the people who dislike me nudging their friends whispering "See I told you!"

For someone who struggles with opening up about normal chatty stuff, I am going way outside my comfort zone. I must admit the more I do, the easier it gets. I keep putting myself in a position to be judged and I'm getting to the point where I say "To Hell With It". I think this birthday creeping up next week is giving me attitude. I'm feeling old-er. I'm losing my glossy finish.

Back on topic... here is the dirt...on me.

My biggest character flaw is my cautious approach to life, to people. I am cautious to a fault. It works for me because I don't make hasty decisions I regret. Which also means I can't make spontaneous decisions either.  I keep everyone out of trouble. But I'm also the wet blanket. I make friends slowly. I'm a great acquaintance or friend but rarely the BFF. This is a trait I have tried to work on. I really dislike this about myself.

#2 I have high expectations. I hold myself to a high standard. I hold others to a pretty high standard. It's a lot of pressure for everyone involved. I don't expect anything I'm not willing to give. No double standards. And I am super supportive when everyone is trying their best. But when someone wants to take the easy way out, I'm the first to call them out. Bad bad quality. I will say when it comes to my kids I think am realistic in my 'high expectations'. Nobody is stressed usually. Thank you Ms. Davis for setting me straight all those years ago. I have mellowed out tremendously. 

My third worst trait is my memory. My brain was designed to hold on to all kinds of things. You can probably guess where this is going. My poor husband. Anyone really. Arguing is pointless. I've got a mental log of everything you've ever done, said, or thought about for the past 30 years. And I will bring it up.

There you have it. I'm not perfect. I have flaws. I'm not proud of them. But I have the best of intentions...mostly...except when I argue. Then I usually just want to make the most valid argument.


Nicole

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Cheers!

I couldn't help myself from doing a quick Oh How Pinteresting post. They are one of my faves.
The closer the weekend gets, the more excited I am. 
It's a holiday weekend. The weather is phenomenal. And I'm craving a sweet alcoholic drink. 
Oh and it's my birthday Monday. Small detail, of course.

Back to the idea of a celebratory drink. Here is my list...




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I think watermelon could be the winning flavor!
Nicole
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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

I Love Me Day

There has been a lot of blog love shared here lately. I've told you the bloggers I could imagine as real life friends. I've shared my absolute faves. I could go on and on about all the blogs I love and why. But...

Aint Nobody Got Time For That!

Today I get to love on me. And because that is totally awkward, I'm defaulting to the Everyday In May challenge.  The prompt is favorite posts from your blog. Here they are:


Today Deployment Sucks
A post from the trenches of our most recent deployment. The emotion in the midst of deployment is pretty untouchable when it comes to military life. I'm so glad it's over for now.

We Are Not Rednecks
We Are Not Rednecks... Really!
Tales from my crazy mixed up family. Um..yeah...we're rednecks!

The Story Of A Fluke
The direct link for my most popular Pinterest pin. I'll just call it The Outfit.

This Is Cancer
An emotional post about our lives over the past two months. So glad it's over!

Things That Make Me Go Whoa!
A sneak peek of my crazy side.
















Nicole

Monday, May 20, 2013

Charlie Has A Friend


Charlie meet Arty.
Arty meet Charlie.

Nothing else to say.
Just wanted to share this picture with you.
Nicole
Facebook // Twitter // Bloglovin // 
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Sunday, May 19, 2013

My Favorite Blog

The blog world is a strange world. It only takes a matter of minutes to get sucked in. Whether you read one or 100, you probably understand what I mean. Somehow, someway, you start to feel a connection with certain bloggers. Their lives become an interest to you. Daily reading is a must. It all borders very closely to obsessive and creepy. Yet, it's completely acceptable in the blog world. I say ride this wave as long as we can until we're all get arrested or have restraining orders against us! Ok, no one wants that to happen. We will just stick to calling it Bloggy Love. Here are mine!

My number one favorite is the first blog I started reading. I stumbled across Erin's blog, Sunny Side Up, as I researched ideas for organizing my home. Erin is a master organizing. It didn't take long for me to get pulled into her life. I appreciate her honesty and candor. I love the energy she puts into her home, her marriage, and raising her children. I found myself strangely encouraged to be a better person from reading her blog. She has such an energy and enthusiasm for life. It's endearing.
Another thing I love is despite her popularity, Erin has always kept it about blog writing.

I am confident Erin's blog speaks for itself. Go have a look!

Sunny Side Up

A close second is this military spouse blog...

Website

I'm not sure how long I've been reading Kara's blog, Ramblings Of A Marine Wife, but I was hooked instantly.
After spending three years in Japan, I miss all it's wonderful quirky things.
This blog is full of pictures of Kara's adventures in Okinawa.
If you want to know what life in Japan is like for military families, Kara is spot on.
You go girl!


Nicole