Thursday, December 31, 2015

Goodbye 2015. Hello 2016.


It's almost here. In 12 hours we will have 366 days ahead of us to change the world! Ok, maybe not, change the world but do what we want. I always love the mystery of a new year. It's so unpredictable and exciting.

2015 wasn't so terrible. It was one of those years of practical living. We were happy and healthy and predictable in our life. I think sometimes life has to be that way. 

2016 is going to be one of those years where things happen. I can feel it, plus I got a sneak peek ;) The new year will be good, it is always good (Romans 8:28).

Enjoy your night...whether out and about or cozy inside! Be safe. And see you on the flip side.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Merry Christmas 2015

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year. Holidays. Seasons. Winter. Happy Everything in December to you. I'm not sure what this hashtag 2015 best nine is all about but I'm trending with it! 


It has been a fabulous week of celebrating. We awaited the holiday by playing board games, viewing decorative lights, and gathering with friends. We made cookies, ate cookies, and exchanged presents with others! We finally wrapped the holiday up with a nice little bow by visiting nearby family. It has been bittersweet to end this Christmas here in California.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Along The Way

Driving to Iowa always seems like a great idea…before the 54 hours of cumulative driving to and from. I'm still undecided on my preferred method of travel. Although, 5 plane tickets which equates to a small fortune is sort of out of the question when we are talking about going home. I'd much rather save my pennies driving and spend the airfare on some place a little more exotic.



The one thing I do love about a road trip is the scenery. There are some pretty funky places around the United States. Among my favorite this trip were the cement dinosaurs. As my kids like to say, it's a little 'derpy'. But I figure every kid needs a picture with a cement dinosaur. I know you road trippin' kids of the 70s and 80s have at least one!





Lots of new adventures in our home state. Iowa football game, ATV rides, clay pigeon shooting, and farm animal harassing to name several. Good ol' fun in the  Midwest.

Nicole

Friday, November 27, 2015

Road Trip Thanksgiving Edition



And we're off! This year we are celebrating Thanksgiving with our family. Road tripping from California to Iowa and back again. Hope you all have a blessed holiday!

Thursday, November 12, 2015

That One Time We Thought We Would See Ellen

About a year ago, I made a list of 101 goals/experiences I wanted to be more intentional about. It's your typical 'so-many-things-in-so-many-days' list. Little goals and experiences I've always thought about doing but never make a reality. 

I have slowly been checking things off my list. I celebrated my random act of kindness birthday and met my reading goal. I've sent birthday cards to every family member...on time! And gave up alcohol and caffeine at separate monthly intervals. Still not sure why I felt that was necessary?!? But I made it through. 



Yesterday I was so excited to make The Ellen Show my next completed goal. My friend H, always a good sport for my ideas, accompanied me to Burbank at the crack of dawn (aka pre-traffic). My hopes were high and by the time we pulled in the Warner Brothers Gate 3 at 8:30am, I got smacked with reality. There was an enormous line of people, some who had camped out in sleeping bags. The Ellen people weren't due to arrive until 9.



We waited until the show handlers told us there was no chance of us getting anywhere near the studio. Then we did our walk of shame or sheer disappointment.  We had hoped from reading on the internet that we could at least get into the Riff Raff room and be guaranteed tickets for a different day. Nope, Ellen Show tickets are just too hard to come by. The only way we were getting in was with tickets requested online. 

I've been trying for over a year to request tickets but no luck yet. The process is crazy. You can only request once every few months because of the way they contact you and post show dates. The odds are reduced even more because of the thousands of people you are competing against for limited number of shows posted. Vegas odds may be better ;) This goal might take me 1001 days! Good thing it's a fun goal!!


(My only memorabilia ;)

Nicole