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Saturday, February 7, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
My new car!!
After weeks of searching, I found the car I wanted. My goal was to spend as little as possible and get the most bang for my buck. Not unreasonable, right? Well, I ended up finding a great car at Lasco Ford, in Fenton, MI...which is about 70 miles northeast of Jackson. Thank you Angie for chauffeuring me around BFE to find a car! I hate buying cars, but Jamin Blitchock made it painless, somewhat. :) No really, he was straight forward and to the point, no bullshit with this guy. And not too bad to look at, which is a bonus for me, LOL.
Anyway, I'm getting off track here...
So, I get my "new" car home last Wednesday. I ended up with a 2000 Ford Taurus, with only 89,000 miles. It was perfect, very clean, well taken care of...it reminded me of my Grandma's old car, seriously. I was so excited to find a nice car and to have wheels again! And this is going to be the perfect car to drive to Florida, very comfy!
Friday morning, I'm walking down the stairs at Koleen's house...just brushed my teeth and ready to start my day. Mike and Koleen were looking out the window with a strange look on their faces. "You might want to look at your car...its smashed." I was told. I immediately thought they were just messing with me, because what better way to freak me out than to tell me my new car was crushed outside? I wish they were kidding...
To my surprise, this is what I saw out the window:
So, Happy Friday, right?! It kind of was though. Where my car was parked, the person that hit it had to have pulled in and out of Koleen and Tim's shared driveway, since I was parked perpendicular to the driveway. Unfortunately the guy that hit it just left and didn't knock on the door...because he ended up getting a ticket for a hit and run, bummer!
Thankfully I have good insurance that covers a rental car. So, I've been driving around a 2009 Dodge Caliber with satellite radio...not too shabby! :) And the guys at Tripp's, along with the insurance adjustor have been very helpful. Payment was issued today to get the car repaired, so hopefully I'll have it back soon!
Anyway, I'm getting off track here...
So, I get my "new" car home last Wednesday. I ended up with a 2000 Ford Taurus, with only 89,000 miles. It was perfect, very clean, well taken care of...it reminded me of my Grandma's old car, seriously. I was so excited to find a nice car and to have wheels again! And this is going to be the perfect car to drive to Florida, very comfy!
Friday morning, I'm walking down the stairs at Koleen's house...just brushed my teeth and ready to start my day. Mike and Koleen were looking out the window with a strange look on their faces. "You might want to look at your car...its smashed." I was told. I immediately thought they were just messing with me, because what better way to freak me out than to tell me my new car was crushed outside? I wish they were kidding...
To my surprise, this is what I saw out the window:
So, Happy Friday, right?! It kind of was though. Where my car was parked, the person that hit it had to have pulled in and out of Koleen and Tim's shared driveway, since I was parked perpendicular to the driveway. Unfortunately the guy that hit it just left and didn't knock on the door...because he ended up getting a ticket for a hit and run, bummer!
Thankfully I have good insurance that covers a rental car. So, I've been driving around a 2009 Dodge Caliber with satellite radio...not too shabby! :) And the guys at Tripp's, along with the insurance adjustor have been very helpful. Payment was issued today to get the car repaired, so hopefully I'll have it back soon!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Building, Learning, Coughing
I've been reading the latest page turner, "PHP and MySQL Web Development"...hold your enthusiasm. :) Ok, so it may not be as fun to read as the Twilight series, but there's some good stuff in there...I'm sure. Really, I've only just started the book, and it reminds me of reading a foreign language that is slightly similar to English. I'm picking up about every 3rd word and trying to make sense of it.
But last night, after downloading several helpful tools on my laptop, I began creating a website! Its still on my laptop (localhost) and not online yet. I'll let you know when I get it online, trust me! But I'm so excited to start a project like this!! Especially after not really grasping what I was reading!
If you don't know, Koleen's husband Mike does web development with Commerce Guys. And he's helping get familiar with Drupal. I feel so lucky to know a couple of "geeks" to help me along this journey. Koleen's ex-brother-in-law Rob has also been more than helpful, encouraging me via facebook. And, though I've decided to skip this March's DrupalCon in D.C. due to circumstances beyond my control...I hope to go to the next one. :)
That's about it for now...except the coughing part. Hopefully that goes away soon! Gotta love Michigan winters! :) I'll let y'all know when I get this web development thing figured out & have something to show you!
Cheers,
Nickie
But last night, after downloading several helpful tools on my laptop, I began creating a website! Its still on my laptop (localhost) and not online yet. I'll let you know when I get it online, trust me! But I'm so excited to start a project like this!! Especially after not really grasping what I was reading!
If you don't know, Koleen's husband Mike does web development with Commerce Guys. And he's helping get familiar with Drupal. I feel so lucky to know a couple of "geeks" to help me along this journey. Koleen's ex-brother-in-law Rob has also been more than helpful, encouraging me via facebook. And, though I've decided to skip this March's DrupalCon in D.C. due to circumstances beyond my control...I hope to go to the next one. :)
That's about it for now...except the coughing part. Hopefully that goes away soon! Gotta love Michigan winters! :) I'll let y'all know when I get this web development thing figured out & have something to show you!
Cheers,
Nickie
Friday, January 9, 2009
blah biddy blah, blah, blah...
I know there are things going on that I should blog about...but they aren't coming to me right now. So, maybe I'll just babble a bit. :)
The holidays were fun. It was nice to spend some QT with the fam and loved ones! :) Got to spend Christmas morning at the O'Connor house, then to my sister Becci's, then off to my dad's...ending with a viewing of The Spirit. (Save your money and rent the DVD if you haven't seen it on the big screen yet.) I rang in the New Year at Ron and Chloe's house...playing Canasta and Catch Phrase. Good times!
Still figuring out what I want to be when I grow up. Maybe I'll just avoid growing up all together...there, problem solved. ha ha!
Being a basement dweller is fun... especially when the household is passing around the flu! Ahhh, the adventures with children are endless. :) It is fun to spend several days in pajamas...kind of a bonding time, if you will. But I had it easy...I don't envy Koleen with a vomiting baby you try to aim towards the sink...especially when he passes the sickness on to her!
So, the start of a New Year. What will this one bring? I'm hoping it will bring me an apartment in Ann Arbor...along with multiple income streams! Yay, that sounds like a plan! Then...a winter condo in Florida. Is it ever too early to be a "snow bird". :)
So, cheers to 2009! And blah, blah, blah. :)
Friday, January 2, 2009
Okay, so I joined Twitter today...but I'm still wondering what it is all about. How do I link my Twitter stuff to my Facebook and my Blog?
Help a technologically challenged friend, would ya? :)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Your opinion is requested...yes - YOU!
So, I just finally finished the final book from the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn. I am happy about the ending...I would have written it the exact same way, though there were some interesting twists and turns along the way. But, all in all, I'm happy. I have to admit, I was concerned. After not reading any novels for so long, I was afraid that I would be disappointed after investing so much of myself in those four big books. ;)
So, hopefully I'm not insane, as there have been many other "Prince Charmings" in books for centuries...but it makes me want to find my own Edward-type man for myself. But really, this blog is about me, not him. ;)
So, after reading about some fictional girl's dreams coming true for a couple of weeks, its time to get my butt in gear to put my own dreams to life...
Right now, I'm at a cross-roads in my life that I never expected. Some in my same situation may be depressed about how they left a decent career, for what??...a healthy unemployment check and a temporary stay in a friend's basement?? I'm unrealistically optimistic though. I am here in this place in my life for a reason. I have been blessed with a friend like Koleen, and her family, who have been so welcoming. The one thing I am having a hard time with is the fact that since I closed the last chapter in my life, there are soooo many options for me now. So many indeed, that I am having a hard time choosing my path. How should I start the next chapter in my life? Christine & Chris were kind enough to offer me a room to stay with them temporarily when I was considering living in Florida. But really, my options are limitless. Unfortunately, I need to find a job, or some other way of producing income...though I did just get a 20 week extension on my unemployment (Thank God!)...
But, if you were in my situation, or similar...what would you do?? Would you hop in your car and move to Florida with another friend?...would you go to California in search of fortune and fame?...or would you actually use that stupid degree you just earned and sit in a cubicle for the next 30 years, would that be enough??
I feel in my heart that I am destined for greatness...there are so many things I could do. I love being close to my family...but will I live this life to my full potential sitting behind some desk? I am almost 30, no kids, with only a 8 year-old golden retriever in tow...nothing is tieing me down, nothing to hold me back...I was comfortable here...but for how long?? Am I destined to be a nomad? I could pick up my music again, or be a talent scout for a record label...I could hob knob with the stars in Hollywood...I could brush up on my artistic skills and become the next Kat Von-D (or whatever)...
I may not know where I want to go, but I have an idea that I don't want the "normal things" out of life.... what would you do??
So, hopefully I'm not insane, as there have been many other "Prince Charmings" in books for centuries...but it makes me want to find my own Edward-type man for myself. But really, this blog is about me, not him. ;)
So, after reading about some fictional girl's dreams coming true for a couple of weeks, its time to get my butt in gear to put my own dreams to life...
Right now, I'm at a cross-roads in my life that I never expected. Some in my same situation may be depressed about how they left a decent career, for what??...a healthy unemployment check and a temporary stay in a friend's basement?? I'm unrealistically optimistic though. I am here in this place in my life for a reason. I have been blessed with a friend like Koleen, and her family, who have been so welcoming. The one thing I am having a hard time with is the fact that since I closed the last chapter in my life, there are soooo many options for me now. So many indeed, that I am having a hard time choosing my path. How should I start the next chapter in my life? Christine & Chris were kind enough to offer me a room to stay with them temporarily when I was considering living in Florida. But really, my options are limitless. Unfortunately, I need to find a job, or some other way of producing income...though I did just get a 20 week extension on my unemployment (Thank God!)...
But, if you were in my situation, or similar...what would you do?? Would you hop in your car and move to Florida with another friend?...would you go to California in search of fortune and fame?...or would you actually use that stupid degree you just earned and sit in a cubicle for the next 30 years, would that be enough??
I feel in my heart that I am destined for greatness...there are so many things I could do. I love being close to my family...but will I live this life to my full potential sitting behind some desk? I am almost 30, no kids, with only a 8 year-old golden retriever in tow...nothing is tieing me down, nothing to hold me back...I was comfortable here...but for how long?? Am I destined to be a nomad? I could pick up my music again, or be a talent scout for a record label...I could hob knob with the stars in Hollywood...I could brush up on my artistic skills and become the next Kat Von-D (or whatever)...
I may not know where I want to go, but I have an idea that I don't want the "normal things" out of life.... what would you do??
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Oh My Goodness!
Has it really been almost a month since I last blogged?! Shame on me!
I guess life has been busy this past month. Between moving and job searching and such... I am officially living with Koleen for the time being. That keeps me busy. I'm used to living in a boring household, without the schedule of kids/school stuff keeping me going throughout the day. I have to admit, it is fun. I am getting hooked on TV shows I thought I'd never watch...I get to help with parties...and hopefully this week, we can make it through a couple whole workouts at the Y without Gabriel getting mad at us! :)
So, in September I finished up my last class for my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, majoring in Human Resource Management. I have been searching for a job religiously for about a month now. Unfortunately I have only had one promising interview, and the day after it they started a hiring freeze until the first of 2009! :( Bummer. Oh well, I still have unemployment left, so I'm not starving and I can pay bills. :) It also makes it easier to search out jobs that I would actually love, instead of being forced to get a job that I hated for the money. So, the search continues...wish me luck! ;) And, if you know of any openings in your HR department, let me know. I'm searching a 100 mile radius of Jackson, I don't mind the commute. :)
That's pretty much the jist of it. I am going to attempt to work on my crafty stuff as well. Koleen is trying to teach me to crochet, since I bombed my knitting lessons! :) Not to mention all of my UFOs (unfinished objects) in my quilting boxes. Maybe I'll actually get some time to make some Christmas presents. :)
Bye for now,
Nickie
I guess life has been busy this past month. Between moving and job searching and such... I am officially living with Koleen for the time being. That keeps me busy. I'm used to living in a boring household, without the schedule of kids/school stuff keeping me going throughout the day. I have to admit, it is fun. I am getting hooked on TV shows I thought I'd never watch...I get to help with parties...and hopefully this week, we can make it through a couple whole workouts at the Y without Gabriel getting mad at us! :)
So, in September I finished up my last class for my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, majoring in Human Resource Management. I have been searching for a job religiously for about a month now. Unfortunately I have only had one promising interview, and the day after it they started a hiring freeze until the first of 2009! :( Bummer. Oh well, I still have unemployment left, so I'm not starving and I can pay bills. :) It also makes it easier to search out jobs that I would actually love, instead of being forced to get a job that I hated for the money. So, the search continues...wish me luck! ;) And, if you know of any openings in your HR department, let me know. I'm searching a 100 mile radius of Jackson, I don't mind the commute. :)
That's pretty much the jist of it. I am going to attempt to work on my crafty stuff as well. Koleen is trying to teach me to crochet, since I bombed my knitting lessons! :) Not to mention all of my UFOs (unfinished objects) in my quilting boxes. Maybe I'll actually get some time to make some Christmas presents. :)
Bye for now,
Nickie
Monday, October 27, 2008
Check these guys out!
Gotta love the fall, right? These little box elder bugs have made themselves right at home in my backyard!
2008 Renaissance Festival
So, better late than never, right?
The weekend of 9/6/08, Koleen, Mia, and I headed to Holly, MI for the Renaissance Festival. Mia was so excited, she got to get her Halloween costume early so she could wear it there. First, she wanted to be a witch, but after Koleen and I convinced her that a witch would be hung or burned at the stake at the Renn Fest, she went with the Renaissance Princess costume. :)
She did enjoy the attention from people and random passers-by bowing at "Her Heiness". It was great fun!
This is a picture of "Her Heiness" waiting for her Starbucks in Target. :)
Mia got to meet this fancy Fairy Princess lady.
And of course, Koleen and I enjoyed our favorite belly dancing ladies. We got there kind of late in the day, so we didn't get to follow them from stage to stage, but we did enjoy our 1 performance. "lla..lla..lla..lla..lla..lla..lla" :)
The weekend just also happened to be themed "Wine, Romance, & Song", so we got to enjoy a bit of wine tasting too. And of course, the much anticipated turkey legs!
Good times had by all!
She did enjoy the attention from people and random passers-by bowing at "Her Heiness". It was great fun!
This is a picture of "Her Heiness" waiting for her Starbucks in Target. :)
Mia got to meet this fancy Fairy Princess lady. 
And of course, Koleen and I enjoyed our favorite belly dancing ladies. We got there kind of late in the day, so we didn't get to follow them from stage to stage, but we did enjoy our 1 performance. "lla..lla..lla..lla..lla..lla..lla" :)
The weekend just also happened to be themed "Wine, Romance, & Song", so we got to enjoy a bit of wine tasting too. And of course, the much anticipated turkey legs!
Good times had by all!
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