A Dane Cookie Moment.

Usually I don't get bothered by what people say to me on the phone while at work... Most of the time I find it quite amusing when they lash out at me or get upset over things I have no control over... But today for some reason this woman just rubbed me the wrong way.... It reminded me allot of skit where Dane Cook talks about ordering a club sandwich from a restaurant and getting cut off by the waitress in mid sentence.

So I have taken the time to post the link below. Watch if you like, but I do warn you the footage is not great and it does have fowl language...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndwHeU75zhQ

So here is my "Dane Cook" moment.....

" Good Afternoon Forestry Fire and State Lands, this is Nicole how can I help you?"..... " Yes this is ____ From _________ and I am trying to send you guys a check but I need to make sure I have the correct address..... There is a long pause. So I immediately begin to say "Ok it's ______ West _____ _____ Suite ____ " and get RUDELY INTERRUPTED by her saying "Why don't you just tell me if I DON'T have the right address!!!!" And then she proceeded to repeat the exact same address that I just said to her ...

Like Dane was... I was completely taken back... I was actually quite pissed. I didn't know what to say... I felt like my thought process had been ripped out of my head. I wanted to yell at her. And say "Excuse me BEAST... if you would have quit being such a hag and opened your ears and wouldn't have RUDELY INTERRUPTED ME.....You would have noticed that I stated the EXACT same address as you... BEFORRRRE you even opened your mouth!!!! Open your ears and not your mouth!"



But during these hard times and economic struggle.. I refrained and decided that having my job was more important that getting my ego back.....

Maybe it was just the way she said it.. It was so rude and it made me not like her. LOL .. Now if I ever meet her I am going to judge her base on our first encounter which I hate doing. But ya know, I believe in first impressions and I strongly believe in treating people (especially in a work environment) with total respect. Because that is how I want to be treated... She totally threw that out the door. maybe she had a bad day.. Or maybe she just has bad communications skills... Either way I hope she doesn't talk like that to everyone she is in contact with!


Thanks for letting me vent... Hope you all enjoy your day! :)

My mamma!

I can't believe how quickly time has flown by... I am almost 22 and my mom will be 48 in 2 days! Can you believe it?! Any ways... in your honor, once again I will be making a list of things that I love about you.... There are 22 because your baby will be 22 this year :)


1. That I get my emotional nature from you.

2. Watching the Hills together :)

3. Latching onto your leg as you'd get ready in the morning.

4. When you would wake up extremely early in the morning to go to work so you could make sure you picked me up from daycare around 2-3... I don't remember what times they were... But I remember sitting next to the fence with the watch on my wrist and knowing what time you should be there by because you showed me. And I know you worried on the days you were late because you knew I was panicking.

5. When Amber and I would get in really bad fights that you couldn't handle and you would leave for a while... But you would always come back with a treat for us.

6. When I broke up with Zack and had a nervous break down in your arms. I felt closer to you after that day.

7. Going to movies with you Jill and all the kids. I always loved those nights.

8. When you ask what we want for dinner when it's only 7:00 in the morning :)

9. How big of an animal lover you are.

10. Watching Lifetime together on Sunday mornings.

11. How much you love dad.

12. That I have green eyes like you.

13. That you were always there for us no matter how mean we were to you.

14. How much you love Jaxon.. It almost spills out of you when he is around.

15. Your laugh when you think something is really funny.

16. Your German Chocolate cake.

17. How good you are to Cacey and his girls. And how fast you got over the age difference because you could see I was truly happy.... It feels nice to have a boyfriend that you guys actually like. And it makes me excited to have them as a part of our family.

18. You let me be myself and love me unconditionally.

19. You always put others first.

20. That you treat the dogs like humans.

21. That the Dr. told you not to have another baby after Amber because there was a good chance something would go wrong but you had me anyways.

22. How important our family is to you.


Mom you truly are the greatest mom there is. And if I were to name off all the reasons why I say that, my list would be endless. You have been one of my biggest support systems in life.. And even in the times that I was angry at the world.. You were there for me. I feel so blessed to have such a positive role model to look up to. You has so many wonderful traits that I hope to take on when I have kids. Because if I could even be half the mom you are, I know my kids will turn out to be great. Anyone that knows you will tell you that you have one of the biggest hearts. I have seen prime examples of that all throughout my life.... Even when our family was struggling, you were always trying to figure out what could be done to help others. The fact that you are always putting others before dad and yourself is just one of the many things I love about you. You are one of the most unselfish people I know. You are constantly making sure Amber and I are happy and ok in life... You are the glue that holds our family together. And I know it doesn't always show but I am so glad you are my mom.. It feels good to have a mother that cares about our families well being as much as you do.

Thank you for always being here for me. Thank you for guiding me though life but allowing me to make my own choices. I know that I have strayed onto my own path and done things that you don't agree with... But I know I am a good person. And I know that best qualities in me are those I have gained from you and dad. I am happy with who I am. And I happy happy knowing that I have the best parents anyone could ask for.

I love you mamma! Happy Birthday!

Love always,
Colie-

Therapy for the soul

If you know me well you will know that I take more pictures than probably anyone else you know... And I often get made fun of for this.. Because I will admit it... I take ALLOT! But to me, it is therapy for the soul. I take a picture not to put away in a scrap book. But because I want to remember how I felt in that moment... I try to capture the perfection in what I see.... I take multiple pictures of the same thing because you can see beauty in things from angles that you wouldn't notice just by looking at it straight on. I notice details in things that others wouldn't even think twice to look at. And if something "speaks to me" I freeze that moment in time.....

I take pictures of things that I want to remember. Things that most people say "they have seen it, but don't have the proof. Just the photograph in their memory" Or the things that others didn't think to notice ... I capture those moments because I want to be able to tell people my stories and give them examples of how great that moment or the person in it affected my life...Because in all honesty, there is a story behind every photo. There is an emotion that goes with it... Whether it be the laughter that I share with a loved one, a random object or person that I see on the side of the road, or a beautiful landscape or thunderstorm... My pictures are a part of me. They are made up of my emotions, and the moments in my life that make me who I am.

Now maybe I sound crazy.. or like my head is in the clouds. And in all honesty... yeah it is... I am a dreamer. I live in my own world and I think on levels that are much deeper than most people... But it makes me feel good to feel so much emotion. It makes me feel good to have such small details in this world impact my life in such a big way whether it be good or bad. Because my emotions and the way I see things and how they make me feel is what makes me, me.

Now I have a challenge... And no I don't want you to go out and start snapping pictures left and right of everything you see (unless of course you want to :) ). But I do challenge you to be more observant of the world seen through your eyes. Pay attention to the gardens and the colors that are peaking out of it.. Pay attention to the sky and the golds and oranges that are brushed through it as the sun sets... Or study the profile of someone that you are in contact with on a daily basis and see if you can pick something out about them that you never noticed before. Notice how those things affect you, and what they make you feel... We can pass something 100times until one day we notice the tiniest detail that changes our outlook of something from then on.. Or at least change our mindset for the day....There is so much beauty in the world and in the people around us...But we hardly stop to notice.... But I think it's time to "stop and smell the roses"

I believe that by making it a point to pick out the good in things, it makes us better people and eventually it will become a habit... Would that really be such a bad thing?

I put purple eye shadow on today and it made me happy... So now I have decided that I am going to do a post that is a little different... I have decided to make a list of 10 things that make me smile on a daily basis!


The reasons I smile everyday

1. The smell of coffee


2. Flowers... and the thought of planting them!


3. Laughing


4. Kisses from Cacey


5. Seeing my nephew's picture everyday at work... Or holding him <3


6. chocolate


7. Listening to 97.1 ZHT in the morning.. Their morning show always makes my day start out great!


8. Hannah's Blog


9. Working for somewhere to help save, preserve and replenish forests and land throughout the state.


10. Read my daily horoscopes for my Chinese and zodiac sign.




So now I challenge you to remind yourself of 10 things that make you smile.... And also to do something just a little different than you do on every other day... Whether it be to wear purple eye shadow, change your hair style up, where a funky shirt, buy something small just because it make you smile, or swing on the swing set at the park.. It doesn't matter what it is.. Just do something to make your heart smile. I promise life will seem much sweeter once you do!

I would love to hear your lists.. But if you prefer not to share, I understand.

I hope you all have a wonderful day and enjoy the feeling of the sun on your face!

Love,
Nicki

Meet Tank :) He is the new addition to my lil' family... A.K.A. Cacey and his girls.. But Ariah told my parents that he pretty much belongs to the 4 of us.. I think it's cute! So yes, I do claim him too!



Tank is 2 yrs old. He belonged to Cacey's cousin who breeds bulldogs. He can't produce babies... He hit his you know what on a cement wall when he was a puppy and has had problems ever since... Anywho... Cacey was going to buy a pup from Mandy when the litter gets here in a couple months... But when she said she needed to get rid of Tank he figured it was a good opportunity.. Tank is house trained and he knows allot of commands. he is a good dog and he is sooo loving! I really enjoy having him around and I can't wait for summer to come so we can play outside with him for longer than 20 minutes at a time :)



Man it's been a busy month... Lots going on! But it's been good for the most part..... Cacey found a renter to move in the basement so the first couple weekends in February were taken up by trying to get the basement in order... cleaning it our and getting things organized to put a kitchen in downstairs....

Dad's birthday was on the 13th and we had a surprise 50th birthday for him at La Cocina with a bunch of family and some of his longtime friends...It was really allot of fun!

Valentines day was low key.. I got to spend it with Cacey and we went to his grandmas house to see her because it was her birthday. And then we just cooked dinner at his house and watched some movies.

Other than housework, family time, and a new dog.. Not much has been going on. I do have a horrible case of spring fever though! Cacey and I got the girls out in the back yard the other day raking leaves and pruning bushes! Gosh it felt good to get out there! I love yard work! I don' care what it is, but it just makes me happy. I told Cacey I can't wait for spring to come so I can plant flowers. I love weeding and planting flowers. It's rewarding to see a beautfiul yard and to know that I took part in it! The girls are even excited to get their hands dirty with me! Hopefully it warms up sooner than later!




I popped my rib out of place the other day so I have been trying to get that kink fixed... The chiropractor told me that I can't work out for a week! It sucks because now that it's not an option... I really really wanna go ! LOL Maybe just some speed walking?! :)

We will have to see what is in store ..... I hope you all have a wonderful week and weekend! Stay warm and keep smiling!!!!!

Bitty!

Happy Birthday Bitty!!!! I can't believe we are so old?!!!! :) It's crazy to me to think that we have been around each other for so long... And even through our falling outs.. We have managed to make some great memories that I am sure we will still talk about when we are 80! So in honor of you on your birthday I have taken the time to jot down some of the things that I will always remember .. and things that I am truly grateful for! :)

1. It’s a given…The wonderful candy sales where your mom lost money and we gained because we undersold everything! LOL
2. Dusk til Dawn.. I will never forget the year my allergies were out of control and I got that horrible bloody nose and my make up was running like crazy so I looked like I got punched in the face right before we drove into the lot!
3. The time you called Zack after we broke up and told him how big of a piece of crap he was for cheating on me.
4. Building a fort next to the Bluffdale house.
5. Locking me in the basement and telling me that the kid who murdered his step mom and sister next door was going to get me.
6. Making me watch the Changeling… I still hate looking in bathtubs late at night because of you…. Oh and I am still afraid of the dark.
7. Seeing the picture fly off your bedroom wall and hit the closet.. Yes Sheila J your house really IS haunted.
8. Doing cart wheels on the lawn at night in the Taylorsville house.
9. Listening to ICP on the way to a football game.. Your mom was horrified lol.
10. Hanging out with you the summer before I went to high school In some ways I wish I would have decided to go to Grantsville with you, but in other ways I am glad I didn’t.
11. The famous Cabbage patch moment lol… If you would have given me the doll back like I asked.. I wouldn’t have squirted you in the ears! And it would have saved me a beating from my parents!
12. The airport… enough said lol
13. Going to Kid Depo (AKA hell) with you. I don’t know what I would have done if I had to experience that alone. LOL
14. When we got the comb stuck in my bangs right before the Fun Dome… I looked like an idiot when I had to chop them off to get the comb out!
15. Trying Sushi with you for my first time! Cacey and I still owe you!
16. Singing songs to our moms on Mothers Day. Or harmonizing together when we’d sit in the hot tub LOL
17. Trick or Treating with you all those years.. It didn’t matter if it was in Grantsville or Salt Lake; we always had a great time!
18. Having heart to hearts…. We never really did until we were out of high school. But they are still some of the best conversations and I will remember them forever.
19. Going to bond fires in the old cattle yard with all the football players.
20. The day trip to Wendover.
21. Playing in the irrigation water at the Duplex.
22. Getting baby sat at grandma’s making flower arrangement and pushing each other around on the tricycle and in the wheelchair lol. I just talked about that with her the other day and she said she was always so embarrassed that someone would see us and recognize us as her grandchildren.

There are so many great memories Brit! I could make a list for days. But I guess the main point of this list was to show you how blessed I feel to have someone in my life for as long as you have been. We were inseparable when we were little. And though there have been some bad times… There have been so many good. Thank you for always being my protector, and my best buddy. Thank you for always sticking up for me and being on my side no matter what. You have been there for me through the roughest times in life and that is something that I am truly grateful for. I miss seeing you as much as I did when we were little. And when we have kids I hope they can be as close and you and I have been all these years.… We always talked about that…

I hope you have a great day. And I hope you know that no matter how distant we become I will always love you and cherish the memories that we have.

Happy Birthday!

Love always,
Your baby cousy

#1 dad

On the 13th of this month, my dad turns 50! :) And since I won't be able to make my list on his birthday, I figured I would post it a little early.... So here we go...

50 things about my dad that I love!

1. 1. I love the way my dad laughs at his own jokes. I do the same thing! But it’s different because my dad has a contagious laugh that will make you laugh no matter what.
2. The fact that he loves my nephew more than anything. His eyes light up even if he hears his name.
3. The fact that he never let his arthritis get the best of him when it came to me and my sister… I still remember playing kick ball for a daddy’s daughter date when I was little.. And my dad fell. I instantly started crying because I knew he was in pain. But he just got right back up and assured me that he was ok even though I knew he wasn’t.
4. His work ethic. My dad is one of the hardest workers I know. It doesn’t matter if it is at his job or around the house, he takes pride in what he does and makes sure he does the best that can be done.
5. His willingness to help anyone without anything in return.
6. His personality. My dad is one of the goofiest/funniest people you will ever meet. He can make anyone smile.
7. When rocks out with Sheila to KISS.
8. How he says he is the “baby whisperer” and shows me how he used to put my sister and me to sleep.
9. He is magic.. Or at least I thought he was as a kid because he could drive the truck without the key in the ignition.
10. When we were moving from out West Jordan house and he assured me that it would be ok. I would make new friends, and I could take my bike with me.
11. He is the perfect candidate of a wonderful husband. He does it all.. dishes, laundry, cooks, cleans, yard work, house work…. He always tells my sister and me that we can’t compare other guys to him because most guys are not like him … And it is so true! My mom just lucked out I guess!
12. The smell of his white truck. It smelled like life savers and sheet rock. I love that smell still to this day.
13. How he always has Neccos in his jacket pocket in church so we can eat them in sacrament meeting
14. How mellow he is. It takes him allot to get upset.
15. That he makes every vacation more memorable than most. He takes everything in. And I love that because I feel like I get that from him
16. That we look nothing alike. But I did get his feet
17. He was always willing to help me with all of my big projects throughout school. Even if it meant proofing my papers 11 o’clock at night.
18. When he lost his job and was out of work for a year, he still did side jobs every day of the week so he could provide for our family as much as possible! He made sure we had what we wanted, not just what we needed.
19. And I will always remember cooking dinner with him that year. LOL We ate beef every night.. More casseroles than one can imagine.. But he never complained…. That was one of my most memorable years of my life. That was the first year that I truly felt close to my family.
20. Going to work with him when I was little. I always thought it was so fun to go see his co workers and color with them.
21. Him doing my hair when my mom was in the hospital. And yes he did a good job.
22. When I used to “fake” sick in elementary and he would come and get me.
23. Watching home movies as a family. He lives in the memories and likes to go into depth about what he was filming.
24. Sunday morning breakfast. I have always loved waking up to the smell of his cooking.
25. When he use to make me perro. I don’t know what, but it always tasted better when he would make it for me.
26. That he is a jack of all trades. I honestly don’t think there is anything that he can’t do.
27. When he drove me to my ex boyfriends house at 1 in the morning just to make sure he was safe…No ordinary dad would have done that for a boy they despised!
28. Teaching me to drive a stick shift ! I was horrible and I will be the first to admit it!
29. He has always been proud of my sister and me in everything we have done.
30. How he makes fun of me for watching lifetime!
31. His mush! He really does make the best mush in the world!
32. Even when he doesn’t agree with something that I choose to do, he keeps quiet and still shows support.
33. His love for the church. He has always accepted every calling with open arms.
34. The fact that he lets me learn from my own mistakes but never says I told you so.
35. How much he loves my mom. It’s nice to have parents that are still together and in love after 27 years.
36. Driving back from Arizona with him and Chelsea. J He never complained once. And he even let us play the “honk your horn” game with truckers! LOL He has fun and he knows it!
37. The fact that he likes to hunt but doesn’t anymore because he is married to a “tree hugger” … I think that is cute
38. He lets Chloe ride on the lawn mower with him. But she is going to have a rude awakening when she is replaced by Jaxon!
39. The fact that even when he has a stressful day at work, he never takes it out on the family.
40. How he treats Cacey and his girls. I was so afraid to tell my parents about Cacey because of our age difference. And honestly at first they were not that happy. . But they took things better than I thought they would. And now they actually like him more than anyone else that I have ever dated! And my dad is always joking with Cacey and the girls and giving them a hard time which is nice because he couldn't really do that with my ex's. My family loves having them over to the house. And I love being able to have everyone I love together so often.
41. Dancing with him at my sisters wedding. Even though it wasn’t “my day” he still took the time to make me feel important too.
42. Letting me find myself on my own terms.
43. The fact that he truly doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him. It makes me smile because I think more people need to be like him in that sense.
44. People watching with him. I love to hear the comments he makes. They always make me laugh.
45. He is always honest.
46. Seeing tears in his eyes as we walked through the Draper Temple. That was life changing for me. I gained a stronger testimony that day.
47. How he never rushes to get off the phone with my family. It doesn’t matter what he is doing when we call, he always makes time to talk to us.
48. Being forced to listen to Neil Diamond in the car was always a funny but brutal experience.
49. When he shows Jaxon things around the house and yard. I can’t wait to have kids that he can do that with.
50. He is always trying to point out the good in everything. Even when it's hard to see.


My dad is the most amazing father I could have asked for. He is someone that I admire most in my life. I was always a mommy’s girl when I was little. But as the years pass, I grow to understand and love my dad on a completely different level. He is more than just a parental figure. He is my friend, role model, and one of my heroes. I have always been difficult to deal with in ways. I have always respected my parents in the sense that I never snuck out or anything like that. But I have always had a mind of my own way and did my own thing… But he has always loved me and accepted me as I am. He has always been there when I needed someone to fall back on. Never saying I told you so, but always making sure that I was ok. He has always put our family first and that is something that I love most about him. Even during the hard times, when we didn’t have allot of money and he made sure we had more than necessity's. His strength, knowledge, love, and, understanding are the things that make him such a great father. I truly feel blessed to have a father like him to look up to. Life hasn't always been easy, but I know that I have made it through what I have because of the support system that I have at home.

Thank you for always setting such a great example of what a family is all about. Thank you for always loving me unconditionally and never turning your back on me. I couldn't have asked to be brought in to a family that is filled with so much love. I hope one day to set the same examples to kids of my own.

Love you always,
Nicki (kiddo, punky brewster, and the newest one "dumb" :))