i want to know

how was your thanksgiving?

i hope everyone had a blessed thanksgiving.
our holiday was wonderful and full of blessings; getting to visit all of our family is always such a joy.
i got to cook lots and eat good food. it was lovely.
my visit was cut short to my family as i unfortunately had to work, but i did get to spend several hours with them. on Sunday, we had a beautiful Evergreen Service at church introducing the Christmas season.
i left so full of the Lord and excited to get out my decorations.
i hope your holiday was perfect.

one more tiny thing; i have made more changes to this blog in the past six months than ever. i have had this blog for going on three years and until recent, only blogged for family and close friends. i have been searching for the perfect name and style - and have played around with several ideas. so, i apologize for the random changes. hang with me; i'll get it perfect.

how was your thanksgiving?

finally, perfection.

after months of contemplation, the new name is perfect and holds so much special meaning to myself and the husband. im working on putting its beautiful explanation in words. it's also what we've been seeking and is in anticipation for several lovely future endeavors.

enjoy the new look.

morning of smiles

we had our fall pictures made earlier today. i couldn't have asked for more perfect weather.

i got off work a little early last night to frantically find something to wear for our shoot.

three hours at the mall, i left flustered and empty handed.

last minute, i ended up at my favorite store, in which i should've started at to begin with.

old navy - i heart that store way too much.

as for today, i had a perfect hair day.

my outfit was perfect.

my husband looked great.

and he even had my weekend scruffies (read here).

it was so much fun. our photographer was awesome.

it was just a wonderfully-perfect-awesomeful morning.

the last set of professional pics we had made were our wedding pictures, which were in 2001.

it was back in the time when all pictures were so posed, you looked like statues and the poster child for the definition of uncomfortable.

eh, i suppose i am a decade late coming in with the "cool" pictures.

just give me about twelve more days and i can finally share.

this will be a happy day.

hope your having beautiful, fall weather today.

the sun will come out, tomorrow

thanks to another rainy day here in East Tennessee, i have enjoyed much couch time.

and with all these rainy days,

i am feeling so crafty.

thanks goes to the many lovely blogs, which have inspired me.

i have decided on my super crafty project.

i went to our local craft store and purchased what i need to begin, last night.

however; for now - its top-secret though, as it's for someone super special, for Christmas.

i am taking pictures of every step. and cannot wait to share with you.

today, is veteran's day.

so many local events to support our veterans.

this makes me happy and warms my heart.

im thankful for our freedom. & all done to ensure our continued freedom.

& special prayers today, for families with loved ones that are currently overseas.

take a moment today to show your appreciation.

one more little silly thing....

i got a lovely anonymous comment about my grammar.

everything about this blog is random, including my punctuation and capitalization.

enjoy the reads, pictures, etc.

thats what its here for.

while i was away

do you watch Ellen?

i love her.

she is beautiful. i love her style.

and she makes me laugh, like "milk out the nose" kind of laugh.

in case she come's across this, thanks Ellen.

being with out my laptop for several, several weeks - made me realize that -

i can not live w/o it.

that is true. ok, maybe that is kind of sad, actually.

but - i am so happy to have it back and am spending time

catching up with everyone.

as i write, we are only 2 weeks shy of Thanksgiving. I cannot wrap my mind around this.

where did this year go? it just doesn't seem possible.

i shall pull out the 'ole new years resolutions list (here and here), && hurry up with what i haven't yet done. am i really the only one who hold's true to these silly resolutions?

i now leave you with a special presentation from my peeps to you.

- here's to getting you in the holiday spirit.

i see the light at the end of the tunnel

my laptop will be back in a few days.
yes i have been lost without it. and yes i have seriously missed all my wonderful reads.
i look forward to seeing what everyone has been up too since ive been away and how the SITScation went. yes, its been that long since i had my dear computer.

leaving with happy thoughts;
i got to spend four days with my parents.
we're getting professional fall photo's outdoors this saturday.
i have dinner with a lovely friend friday night.
i got to see a lovely friend yesterday.
& after today, im off for three more days.

as for a silly random thought,
do you smile when you try on sunglasses?
i caught myself doing this on Tuesday.
and realized i think i always do it.

their journey, their love.

i wanted to share a happy anniversary to my parents today -

who are celebrating their 33rd wedding anniversary.

they began as elementary school sweethearts with a growing love all the way through highschool. my dad left for the navy and upon his return; they reconnected and now have shared 33 wonderful years together.

my parents are amazing. at thirty, i am still their little girl. they love me unconditionally and are always by myside. they are so strong. so honorable. im so thankful for their love. their devotion to me, my brother and our families. to their church. to their community.

i am the blessed one.

thank you mom and dad.

happy anniversary ♥

a quick hello

hi, friends & family.
just saying hi.
this is my long week at work and with the laptop in the shop, dragging myself to the desktop in the back of the house, is major work, after two and three, 12-hour shifts.
i miss reading and talking to everyone.

stopping by briefly

i can't believe i let a few days pass without stopping by.

shame on me!

in my defense, i had a busy week of work, with another stressful one, right around the corner.

as yucky as i have felt about work lately. i can say that i have changed my attitude to have

more of a happier outlook, and my last two weeks haven't been unbearable. my search is still

on to make the change back to my former career, but i will have more happier days until that

happens.

im happy to report alot less headaches.

my mom always has the best advice.

i lived a little

.....yesterday.

i stepped out of the box.

i ate sushi.

yes.....

i.ate.sushi.

[crunchy tuna roll - yes. spicy tuna roll - yes. crab roll - no.]

this was a big deal.

&& then there was the crayfish.

nuh. uh.

i also tried

edamame

& loved them.

[as a recommendation from a sweet blog friend]

this was fun stuff.

who can mind the rain

when it leaves behind rainbows

[afternoon thunderstorm, october 9]

sunshine and cranberries

so, i got the perfect day of sunshine yesterday and got to wear my new shades. breifly. i was excited. its rained so much lately. apparantly i like the simple things in life. sunshine and new shades. it perked up my afternoon. o, and to perk up my week....i found that the grocery stores still have sierra mist cranberry free. im stocked! i thought it only to be a holiday drink, coming out before Thanksgiving, ending the week of Christmas. i hope it stays. i love, love, love it.

my school doesnt start until Thursday, March 5th. i think. the hospital website confirms the date. i will find out for sure this wednesday when i go in. but i am kind of bummed. i was thinking it would be next week or the week after. im not looking forward to waiting 2 months. but at the same time, it will give me something to look forward to.


im almost done with the first book in the twilight saga. im not a reader. ive simply read only a handful of books, since i graduated high school, going on twelve years ago. but i cant put this book down. aaah. edward cullen. <3

kind of all over the place

so lately ive discovered that inmaturity is very annoying. is this part of turning 30? im fine with it. just working on how to deal with it and not be grumpy in the process. also other peoples drama, what i used to love to hear about....nothing like a juicy story, right? not so much anymore. it annoys me also. yes, nosey nikki doesnt want to be quite so nosey anymore. im still finding this new part of myself and how to successfully cope.

i got some kick ass sunglasses today on major clearance at TJ Max. im anxiously awaiting now for a day of sunshine so i can wear them. my most favorite pair ever, ever...was lost before i went to kentucky this fall. but i think i like these even better.

i went shopping for scrubs today. super cute. as equally excited as i am to start school & my new career, im just as excited to wear scrubs. be it may that im a dork, but they are cute. we went to a uniform place in town. i found the cutest blood pressure and stethoscope combo set online the other day. i continue studying for the first exam. i cant believe how much i forgot since i graduated. but its slowly coming back. i still have a few weeks. im thankful i have such a brilliant husband. he knows everything. he really helped me alot. so thank you sweet, brilliant hubby.