Dripping Water and Calling Cats

Dripping water because tonight is about the third hard freeze in a row, so you have to drip your faucets so the pipes don't bust... and calling cats because, for some reason, at night, my cats tend to wander the house yowling and calling out like they are alone in a giant, dark, scary cave somewhere.  Those were the sounds I was hearing at the start of this blog.

 <-- not my cat but you gotta admit, that's cute...

So today was January 2, 2018.  We had the day off as a paid holiday... with the option of working all or part of the day and essentially being paid double.  Sweet deal, I had planned to partake but my body said NOPE.. and my body is not the kind of lady you argue with.  Nope means nope... that generic cold medicine I talked about the other day really hangs onto me.

Around noon, I walked to French Truck Coffee on Government and spent some time reading a book on my Kindle.  Some books, you have to just hang in there for the first few chapters until you are inextricably snagged, fascinated, and devouring.  This book is called Behind Her Eyes:  A Suspenseful Psychological Thriller.  This chick (Louise) meets and ends up kissing a man at a party.  Turns out, he is married and she feels... a mixture of guilt and lingering intrigue.  Said man ends up being her new boss at her job.  Awkward!  THEN she meets her boss's WIFE; (Adele) - a beautiful, captivating, mysterious woman (when I read about her in the book, I see her as a type of Audrey Hepburn).  I don't think the wife knows about the kiss  Louise is seriously not interested in anything further with this married man who kissed someone who is not his wife, not to mention her boss.  So the two women run into each other on the street - literally collide - and end up having coffee and tending the seedlings of a possible new friendship.  With an agreement, Adele's request, that the husband/boss not be told of their meeting and hanging out.

Then it is revealed that, somehow, Adele has arranged this meeting up with Louise on PURPOSE!  But it doesn't say why, and it does sound like Adele has some kind of plan behind all of this... plus a thousand more details branching out in every direction... and it was at this point that the aforementioned snagging took place.  

So, at first, I was moderately unimpressed with this book.  However, as I kept reading, it grew more and more complex, entangled and fascinating and now I am snagged.  The author is Sarah Pinborough.  I have no idea what's going to happen and am still only learning the backstory in bits and pieces, but I highly recommend it to anyone who, well, knows how to read.  Haha... but seriously.  Awesome book.

I'm trying to wind down in effort to, hopefully, fall asleep at a decent time.  So I thought we could do a little window shopping together.  What do you say?  Come on, it will be fun.  I have learned of these two new websites over the holiday shopping season and I really enjoy their emails.  Mostly I just browse, but it's fun, anyway.

I get emails once or twice a day from Brad's Deals - sometimes they have pretty amazing deals, too!  I have tamed my shopping urges my asking myself one main question:  "Do I NEED this?"  The answer is usually no, and I move on.  I just like browsing, seeing different things and getting new ideas.

Here is what Brad offered up in his the most recent email I read from him:

Yankee Candle: $1 Fragrance Sale ...Never heard of a $1 Yankee Candle and this looks more like a hanging car air freshener... didn't even click on this... moving on!

Lands' End: Up to 60% Off Winter Sale Do not need... don't even really want... next...  LOL

Custom Ornaments $9 Shipped in 600 Styles Ehh... don't see myself buying ornaments anytime soon... though the family in the car and also the reindeer family are cute!

L.L. Bean: Extra 25% Off Sale Can't see myself in this sweater.  Plus I don't need anymore clothes right now.  (Just sharing my thoughts) 😊

10pc Mystery Jewelry Box $13 Shipped I did click on this one.  I like pretty, shiny things plus Lena's birthday is coming up.  In the end, though, I had to consider my budget and decided spending $13 on this, at this moment, would not be wise.  Moving on!

Balance Ball Training Set $43 Shipped I would LOVE to have a balance ball!  Would I use it?  Not often enough to justify spending $43 on it.  Hehe...

Fitbit Alta HR + Extra Band $120 Shipped Got a Fitbit already, paid less than this price AND I like it better than the one in the picture.  Next!

Free Country: Up to 55% Off + 25% Off THIS is a cute jacket.  But I really don't need another jacket.  Plus I don't like things that cinch in at the waist like that.  I'm not built like that, no matter how skinny I get, and it just feels awkward.  Cute, though, for someone else!

Converse: Extra 25% Off Sale Very cute, do not need.  Have to pass on this as well.

Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones $200 Shipped Lena got me some SWEET, CORDLESS headphones for Christmas.  I love them so much, way cooler than these, and FARRRR less expensive.  NEXT!!

ThinkGeek Calendars from $7 Okay... no.....  LOL

Kohl's: Up to 60% Off + 15% Off Shoes Cute, do not need; I actually ordered a pair sort of like this recently and have yet to wear them for their debut!  Cool though.

Belk: Up to 80% Off End of Season Sale Like very much; honestly do not need.  OH well.  LOL

Macy's: Up to 75% Off Area Rugs Um... no.  Two words:  PET HAIR.  hahaha  No way!

Samsung 55" 4K HDR Smart TV $550 Shipped Do not want or need.  Though that is a decent price if I were looking.

14 CAO Holiday-Series Cigars $40 Shipped Not my thing.  Haha...

Michael Kors Watches from $85! My Fitbit is my watch.  That's pretty, though!

50% + 20% + 15% Off Holiday Storage Don't need.  Great idea, though!

2 Women's Winter Accessories $16 Shipped Cute, and a great deal!  But I don't need any more of that stuff.  I am replete in winter wear.

Up to 50% Off Holiday Decor Naaah...

Tervis: 25% Off Select Tumblers The other day I rearranged the tumblers we already have that we don't use... sooo...

Energizer Wireless Charger $10 Shipped Don't need...

Up to 50% Off Hoka One One Running Shoes I DID click on this because I AM potentially interested in new running shoes, and these look cool-- but they are SOOO EXPENSIVE... their "up to 50% off" is more than I spend on shoes.  Geez, come on!  *sigh*  I will keep looking.  This is not a desperate, need-right-now situation....

2 Parrot Jumping Night Mini Drones $50 This is something I would love as a cool gift, but not something I would spend $50 on.  Besides, I ordered a drone on a good sale I found and am awaiting its very cool arrival.  😎

NuDown Inflatable Insulation Jacket $165 Okay... INFLATABLE???  Seriously?  No really... SERIOUSLY??  hahahaha...

And finally, the last two, "do not need" and "do not need, either."  Look:                                                                         

4pc Travel Gear Spinner Set $99 Shipped
Bionaire 1,500W Console Heater $69

See, wasn't that fun?  Okay, kind of fun.  I was going to show stuff from the other site I look at sometimes but I am worn out.  Treasure the suspense, hee hee

Now I shall lie down and continue reading the building intrigue between Louise and Adele.  Then I shall sleep.

Unless I have to get up and pee all night because of the drip... drip... trickle... sounds from down the hall.  Hahaha  Oh well.  It'll all be okay.

Good night!

xo

Nicole

Here Comes 2018

Hello.  I have walked from my house to Garden District Coffee.  About a 30 minute walk but it felt good.  Lena was concerned because it's colder than usual outside but honestly I took my coat off not even halfway here.  I'm a quick walker... therefore, warmth happens... and I was almost sweaty by the time I got here.  Haha

See, here I am...

So.  For the new year, I have a few specific goals:

1.  Keep reading the Bible consistently like I have been.

2.  Pay down my credit cards.  I'm not in a hole or anything; I just want to lower what I owe.  I have specific goals but they are personal.  You're welcome.  LOL

3.  WHEN I want to buy something (bigger than gas and groceries)... I want to make myself WAIT 24 hours before I do so.

4.  I want to save money like crazy.  Like, put it in my savings account and do not touch it.

I think those are good goals.  Get my life under control in more ways.  Also to keep losing weight.  I met my 15 pounds goal a few weeks ago and relaxed my restrictions for the holidays.  Tomorrow morning I will weigh myself and see what damage was done (hopefully not too much) and set a new goal from there, probably around 15 more pounds.  I have an idea what I'd like to weigh.  It's a weight I held years ago and of course thought I was fat... but, hindsight... heh... My goal now is to be the fat I was in around 2003.  hahaha

Seriously though... I gained a LOT of weight for awhile.  All in all, I weigh about 30 pound less now than I did at the height of it all.

Gotta commit to CrossFit again, too.  It is a financial investment, but I have to consider it worthwhile.  Number one, I know me, and I know I am FAR less likely to work out consistently if I try to do it alone.  Number two, sure, there are cheaper gym memberships, but I feel a PART of Geaux CrossFit; it's friends, it's a little family, it's encouragement and consistency.  I could pay a cheap monthly rate at Planet Fitness but that brings us right back to point number one; I would be going it on my own and, with no program to follow or group to work out with, I don't have much confidence that I would be consistent.  Just trying to be real.

I love Geaux CrossFit.  I love the coaches: Johnny and Amber and Patrick and El and that other guy... (sorry, other guy... I forget your name)... I love my friends Zevi and Ros and Dani  and Nick and Mandy and Mathilda and John and Jennifer... and all the people whose faces I know but whose names I can't remember... and the two Claires... I love that I am one of the three Nicoles... I love being coached, taught, corrected and encouraged.  So for all that, it's worth the money.  Hands down.

So, there you have it.  I think I'm going to walk home now.  I'm pretty tired from all the cold medicine I've been taking.  Actually I'm out.  Maybe go by a store first and get some more cold medicine.  I am quite partial to any generic green capsules whose effects mimic those of NyQuil.  I hate a runny nose and I love sleeping, so those needs and desires are both met by said medication.

Happy New Year, everybody.  I'm going to watch Dallas New Years on TV tonight and remember how I loved living there, and how I now long to live in Denver.  (Denver is part of the drive behind my goal of saving gobs of money.)

Auld Lang Syne, y'all!  Be good and use Uber if you go out!!  2017 has been a good one.

xo,
Nicole

I Hold These Truths to Make Sense to at Least Myself...

I am swimming in a warm, welcoming pool of curiosity.  A strong sense is currently inhabiting my soul, a sense that there is more out there; more to be learned - and deeper depths to be reached than I have before considered.



I believe in Jehovah; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  Three separate yet ONE.  Currently, though, I am more and more interested in knowing GOD without the dangling baggage of RELIGION.

Kind of like with politics; I don't completely agree with the platform of any major party, so I name myself an Independent.  Along the same line of thought, I don't completely adhere to the beliefs and practices of any standard church or denomination.  I want to know GOD.

This evening I have done a little reading on the Unitarian Universalist church... an organization which, in the past, I have scoffed at and never considered legitimate.  I'm not making any declarations or commitments here; just saying, I would like to learn about this group and possibly visit one of their gatherings just to see how it makes me feel.



Part of me would like to piece together a compilation of ONLY the words that came out of the mouth of Jesus Christ while He lived on earth in a human body.  Once, a man I really respected (and still do respect) said to me that he loved the Bible but often disagreed with some things the Apostle Paul had said in his writings.  At the time, I was inwardly mortified!  You didn't just come out and say you DISAGREED with this or that part of the Bible!  Time has passed, though, and I am finding myself more open to his point of view.

The flood of 2016 stole from me one of my favorite books; The Gospel of Inclusion by Bishop Carlton Pearson.  Recently, I have purchased another copy and have started over at the beginning, working my way through this thought- and question-provoking work.  Reading this book makes me hungry to learn more and curious to uncover what parts of knowing GOD I might have previously blocked out under my desire to do things right in the eyes of church leaders.  Wow.  I feel like I've been crouched next to a fence, squinting to see through one little peep-hole... when I can just STAND UP and look OVER the fence... to see... who knows what??  I find that thought breathtaking.



Because God is not limited to the Bible.  God is not limited to any denomination or religion or any institution created by humans.  This evening, I have been reading Bishop Carlton's thoughts on the concept of GOD WITHOUT RELIGION.  And I am truly intrigued.

I need to go to sleep soon... just wanted to share a few thoughts.  I hope you all had a great time celebrating Christmas.  My nephews were given guns that shoot out little foam balls about the size of Cheetos Balls so my sister's house transitioned into a battlefield of fun and hilarity and many there were involved in combat at some point in the afternoon and evening of Christmas Day.  I love my family and am hugely grateful for them.

Work tomorrow; gotta go earn the pet food.  hehe  Night, all!!

It is MORNING

I woke up earlier from one of the sickest, most terrifying... "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad..."  dreams I have had in recent history.  My stomach still feels a little... burned... and knotted up.

At first, I was going to blog the dream but I thought better of that; the things in that dream are not things I want to share with the world wide web.

A few more ideas came and went, then I decided to just put it aside, at least for now, and read the Bible, as is my morning practice.

Currently, my reading is in the Book of Psalms, and I decided to read until I found an answer or an antidote to the creepy way I was/am still... feeling.

I read with fervor, if one can read with fervor... anyway, it took me a chapter or two but I finally found my answer.  The verse is familiar to me and I knew when I saw it that its words were, especially today, from God to me.

Psalm 30:5 - "Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning."

And, my friends, it is MORNING.  The night is over, and things played out in my dreams at night need not be dragged into the day.  Now it is morning, a new beginning, a fresh start.

And CHRISTMAS morning at that!  Merry Christmas!

I recently listened to an audio book entitled, "The Shack."  Words cannot adequately describe how profoundly the content of this book has affected me.  My feeling of closeness to God  has multiplied, for starters.  This book is also a movie and I implore anyone who likes to feel better... to consume this book in whatever medium most appeals to you.

I'm going to go now and enjoy this crisp, cold Christmas morning.

I will write more soon, about good things and about my goals for the coming new year.

Love to you all.

Nicole

Oh, Life

I don't know what's up with me lately.  I mean, I have a few ideas... I think what I'm trying to say is, I don't LIKE what's up with me lately.

Depression.  Anxiety.  And all the other words that fall under those two categories.

I feel like I have to scramble to get up the hill, then perpetually continue to scramble or else I start to slide back down.

That's about it for now.

I tell you, though, I just got through reading Job.  The ending is awesome.  Now I have started going through Psalms for the second time in my life.  I wish I could absorb Psalms into my system because, just in the first four chapters I've read this evening, there is so much truth and richness.

See... I still know where Hope lies.  I enjoy reading the Bible.  I just don't enjoy much else lately.  Haha

Laterz