Palm Trees and Sunshine

SO FREAKIN READY!!!!!

2009-02-24T18:05:00.005-05:00

I am going to Park City, Utah next weekend to visit Brieanna and go snowboarding! I am going out with my good friend Mary and her co-worker. I am staying with Brieanna and my friend found a cute condo to rent right down the street. I cannot wait, I am sooooooooooooo ready :)

DAY TWO!!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-18T22:42:00.001-05:00

Sadie enjoys destroying her toys...unlike cute Murphy who wants to sleep with his. :)

DAY ONE!

2009-02-18T22:40:00.000-05:00

Erin's thoughtful Valentine's Day Gifts!

2009-02-16T17:38:00.008-05:00

I have a wonderful sister that sent out V-day gifts for everyone, including my little animals!!! They love their new toys! Thanks Erin :) PLAY VIDEO BELOW!!!!!

Sorry, the picture is a lot darker than on my actual camera.

Oh and I got Jelly Belly's, a grow your own strawberry plant, and a sweet card. Thank you Erin <3

Nicole and her animals...

2009-01-24T10:05:00.003-05:00

Meet my new addition to the family!!! Ok, I am so kidding. My good friend Michelle came over one night and brought Abby (her tiny 11 year old yorkie). This is a very rare picture as you can see...and kind of funny. All these animals do not get along. Abby is terrified of big ol' Sadie. Sadie would not hurt her, but she wants to play! Toby did not mind Abby, but I think Abby was afraid of Toby too. So, I am not too sure what happened, but they all appeared on the couch together and I was able to grab my camera and take a picture without ONE of them moving...AMAZING. So, I thought I would share with everyone!!!

I STOLE DAD'S BIKE AND ROAD TO FLORIDA!!!!

2009-01-10T21:22:00.002-05:00

Since Scott came to visit me for my birthday...I thought I would suprise him with an early Christmas present. I took him to the Harley Davidson Dealership and we rented the Cross Bones and spent all day riding around. We met up with Erin and Moose to grab lunch. It was a nice day and I think Scott really enjoyed his suprise!

Everybody JUMP JUMP!!!!!

2008-12-04T19:27:00.002-05:00

This is what happens when you have a camera and three crazy girls!

20 Things You May Not Know About Me

2008-11-23T21:24:00.000-05:00

1. In second grade I peed in my pants in class because I was too afraid to go to the bathroom. I thought I would get stuck on the toilet when the fire alarm went off and be left behind in a burning building (what second grader thinks like that?)

2. I memorized the entire Lion King sound track (from the movie, not the play). I also secretly cried when I first saw it in the movie theatre when Simba's dad dies.

3. I use to study books on animals like it was no one's business. My goal was to know everything about every animal (sometimes I wish I were still that ambitious).

4. My friend's older brother snuck us into Jerry Mcquire when we were younger and not allowed in an R rated movie.

5. I have to rub my feet together before I get into bed to make sure I do not bring in any dirt or particles.

6. I cannot sit still. I feel like I always need to be doing something! If I am not, then it bothers me. The only time I really sit down is when I read and take time to watch some TV.

7. I enjoy smoking cigars once in a while.

8. My friend in middle school took me to CVS and stole a tube of lipstick and wanted me to steal something. I told her no! I would feel so awful.

9. I am extremely sensitive. I know you all know this, but I think I have realized just how much I am lately. I tend to take things personally...even if I should not. It is hard not to though.

10. I am obsessed with apple sauce. I buy the little individual cups and eat them everyday. I actually had two today.

11. I wake up about 20 mins before I have to go to work. It is very convenient I live down the road, sometimes too convenient.

12. I was Kyle Noddins g/f in elementary school and broke up with him because he said he loved me. I also dated Gabriel Pacheco in middle school and broke up with him because he started swearing...

13. I am a heart breaker.

14. I still do not know what I want to be when I grow up...

15. Since moving around I have become very good at blending in well with people! It has actually become very easy for me to make friends.

16. I would like to have a motorcycle one day.

17. When we lived in Farmington, CT my mom helped me start up a "nature club". I am not too sure how long it lasted, but I recruited my friends.

18. Grocery shopping stresses me out.

19. Sadie and I are taking agility classes, so she can learn to jump through hoops.

20. I like Florida a lot, but I miss NC and I hope to live next to all the family one day so our kids can play together and we can have big family dinners!!!

Messin With Sasquatch:Cold one

2008-10-27T19:28:00.001-04:00

INSIDE MY VUE!!!!

2008-10-17T21:33:00.010-04:00

MY NEW SATURN VUE!!!!!

2008-10-17T12:47:00.006-04:00

Do not worry... there will be more!!!! :)

I'm lame...

2008-10-06T21:30:00.002-04:00

These are some of my girl friends Cara and Courtney. They are a few years younger than I am, but they are fun! Courtney and I took Sadie and her dog to the doggie beach a couple weekends ago. It was nice. We stopped and had lunch and I had this fabulous fruit salad (see above). That is all for now.

SADIE AND FRIENDS!!

2008-06-17T22:03:00.008-04:00

I had to share these pics with everyone! A nice man at the park was taking pictures of Sadie playing with all the Basenjis (that is the name of all the little dogs in the pics). He got my e-mail address so he could send me these!!!!! I know, I am obsessed with my dog! But I love her. Plus these pictures are FUN. ENJOY!!!!!

VIDEO TO SHARE!!!!

2008-06-10T18:37:00.002-04:00

My new favorite song. These guys are fun!!! They are called Vampire Weekend.

So listen while you read my new post (I know I have been very bad). I've been busy here in sunny Florida. Work has been steady...not too much going on there right now. I have been doing a lot of fun stuff on the weekends. This weekend I am going to the beach with some of my friends. My friend Chandler knows a guy who owns a condo, so we get to stay there for free until Saturday morning. Then at 2pm on Sat. my boss is having a b-day party for his 3 year old daughter (I have met his sons but not his daughter). So I plan on stopping by to say hello and hang out for a bit. It should be fun and I get to finally meet David's new girlfriend.

I am doing a small adventure race at the end of July with Allen and some other friends. I need to practice since I have exercised all of 5 times since I have been down here. I did run a mile and a half last week with Allen, so that was good :) You run the entire race... but there are obstacles, lots of hills and you have to run through some water. I have always wanted to do a race and this should be a nice first race (I think it is like 3 1/2 or 4 miles total).

So...lots going on. I promise I will post more. I am off to meet some friends for dinner!!!!

Brieanna's Visit

2008-05-27T19:14:00.005-04:00

When Brieanna came down we were able to hang out with my friend Allen one night. He took us to Channel Side in down town Tampa. Then we went to this cool pub called Kelly's downtown. We hung out for a long time talking and playing those video bar games "find the difference in the pictures". That kept use entertained for a while. Afterwards we grabbed a bite of pizza to eat and headed home. Brieanna had to leave the next day and I had work in the morning. For all of those who do not know Allen is my friend from the photography class that I took at USF. He is from Tampa and owns his own hockey pro-shop. He is a super nice guy and just fun to hang out with!!! I have been spending a lot of time with him and his super awesome friends! Everyone is great and they feel the same way about me :)

It has been a while...

2008-05-27T18:58:00.005-04:00

Where to begin...

My good friend Brieanna came down to visit the weekend after the whole family got back from Las Vegas. This was also the big weekend of my friends Barn Yard Bash party!! So, Brieanna got into town around 11pm Sat night and came straight to the party. She was ready to go wearing her cowgirl outfit. This party was held at my friend's sisters house. She turned her garage into a barn with hay and everything. There was food, drinks, beer pong and line dance lessons. It was a lot of fun...even Chandler (my friend) parents and grandparent showed up. So it was all clean fun!! Maybe a lil drunk, but clean. I am glad Brieanna was able to meet and hang out with my friends. Even Moose came too! He had a lot fun too! Here are some pics!

Pooch-A-Palooza

2008-04-22T17:17:00.003-04:00

Mike and I at Pooch-A-Palooza with our dogs. Mike has a shitzu/chi wa wa mix, her name is Zoe. She is a year old and it was her first time at a dog event. She was a little shy, but behaved. She is a cutie and warmed up to big ol' Sadie after a while.

BORED...

2008-04-18T22:10:00.002-04:00

I AM IN FOR THE NIGHT. NOT MUCH IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW. I AM GETTING UP EARLY TO GO TO POOCH-A-PALOOZA WITH MY FRIEND MIKE. IT SHOULD BE FUN. THERE WILL BE DOG EVENTS, BOOTHS, ETC. IF WE GET THERE EARLY ENOUGH WE GET FREE DOGGY GOODIES!!!! LOL. SO EXCITING, I KNOW.

LATER I AM HEADED TO MY FRIEND ALLEN'S. I MET HIM IN MY PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS. HE IS A REALLY NICE GUY. HE IS HAVING A WHOLE BUNCH OF HIS FRIENDS OVER AND INVITED ME! THAT MEANS I GET TO MEET MORE TAMPA PEOPLE!!!

SUNDAY I MAY HEAD TO THE BEACH WITH SOME FRIENDS. OR I MAY GO WITH UNCLE GREG AND JEFF TO ST. PETE FOR AN ART SHOW. THEN LATER ME AND MOOSE ARE GOING TO SEE THAT NEW MOVIE ...SOMETHING SARAH MARSHALL.

JACKSONVILLE, FL VISIT WITH JIM

2008-04-15T21:18:00.007-04:00

Erin's Visit April 2008

2008-04-08T21:24:00.008-04:00

BIG CAT RESCUE :o)

2008-04-06T00:24:00.003-04:00

Erin, Uncle Greg, Jeff and myself went to the Big Cat Rescue here in Tampa, FL (only like 10 minutes from me!!!!). These are some of my favorite pics...I have about 50! We took a tour which lasted about 1hr and 30mins. It was very interesting and we got to see many different species of big cats. I was in heaven, hehe. They have over 130 cats. Many are retired circus cats or cats that people tried to raise as pets. It costs over 1 million dollars to run and all the money is collected through donations, money from tours and from the gift shop. It costs $25 for the tour...maybe I will make it a bi-monthly thing and that will be my way to donate. I am going to sponsor a TIGER!!!! I already bought the packet. We want to all go back sometime for the feeding tour. Anyways, as you can see I really enjoyed it and so did everyone else. It was much cooler than I thought it was going to be.

ERIN IS COMING THIS WEEKEND!!!!

2008-04-03T21:45:00.003-04:00

(ABOVE, SADIE AND I IN THE OCEAN...I MADE HER A WATER DOG!! SCOTT AND I HAD SUCH A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!)

ERIN IS COMING TOMORROW NIGHT/MORNING (12AM...THAT'S RIGHT). WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN. HOPEFULLY THE WEATHER STAYS NICE SO WE CAN GO TO THE BEACH.

SUNDAY NIGHT IS THE CONCERT WE BOTH HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO!!!! SECRET LIVES IN YBOR CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) IT SHOULD BE A GREAT SHOW. ANYWAYS, I WILL KEEP EVERYONE UPDATED THIS WEEKEND.

SADIE AND I RUNNING AT THE BEACH!!!!! :)

2008-04-01T22:09:00.003-04:00

I thought I would share this pic with everyone. Scott took it and we think it is pretty funny. :)

Sadie's new doggie couch

2008-03-22T20:59:00.004-04:00

I am using this as a tactic to get Sadie off the couch. It is going to take a while, but she seems to really like it. Mom you should be so proud. (Do not worry Ryan and Whitney, she still uses her pink bed too!!!!) I just bought a flight for Vegas everyone. I am off to bed. I am going to church in the morning with Grandma and Grandpa. Then I have training with Sadie @ 2pm at PetSmart for an hour. Then I am bringing over desert and ambrosia to Uncle Greg and Jeff's for Easter dinner @ 3pm.

My new haircut and color

2008-03-19T20:55:00.002-04:00

Today I decided to get my hair cut shorter and colored a nice chocolate brown. My hair dresser did an awesome job!!!!! Anyways I love it and wanted to share with everyone (and show mom). Off to clean up a lil bit before I go to bed. Later :)

PHOTO'S FOR CLASS - DOWNTOWN YBOR CITY, TAMPA FL

2008-03-18T22:49:00.007-04:00

New Friends

2008-03-09T16:59:00.005-04:00

Mike, Rachel, Ashley and Chandler
Mike, Me and Chandler

This Friday I went to see The Jersey Boys with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Greg and Jeff, Barbara and Lori and Aunt Judy and her husband. The play was very good. I knew all the songs, but did not realize The Four Seasons (which is this groups name) sang them all. Then afterwards we all went to the Village Inn and got ice cream and pie. It was yummy.

Saturday I ran around and got stuff done. I went over to Chandler's house later that night and hung out with everyone. We played beer pong, ate pizza and stood around the fire because it was cold, brrrr.

Today Grandpa and Grandma brought Aunt Judy over to see my place. They are still here. We are watching Jungle 2 Jungle with Tim Allen. Then we are going to go to Red Lobster hopefully for some dinner!!!!!

And mom it is not a terrible picture :)

2008-03-05T21:05:00.000-05:00

GASPARILLA NIGHT PARADE

2008-02-26T22:19:00.007-05:00

After Party singing Karaokee
Making Faces
Getting Ready to Leave
Parking in Ybor City near the Parade

ROCK BAND IS AWESOME!!!!!

2008-02-26T22:04:00.006-05:00

I am sooooooooooooo excited!! Now that I have friends in Tampa I get to hang out and do fun stuff :) This past Saturday (the 23rd) mom, dad, me, grandpa, grandma, uncle dave and aunt kathy got dinner at the Crab Shack...which was a half way point from Tampa to Fort Myers where uncle dave and aunt kathy live. My dinner tasted like old people...but that is besides the point.

On my way home MY friend Mike called. They were going to be playing Rock Band on XBOX and needed a lead singer (that would be me!!!). Mom and dad were tired so I did not feel bad leaving them at my apt. I headed over to Mike's place around 9pm or so. Some other friends were already there hanging out. My friend is all about this game. He just bought all the new stuff for it. There are two guitars, drum set and mic. The game actually has really good songs on it. Anyways the game measures your pitch (for singing) and if you can hit the right notes on the guitars, etc. You get scored at the end...and if you suck you get booed off stage! I got like 99% etc, I rocked!!!! It was so much fun. Chandler is the one on drums and Mike is on the guitar. You can see the other Mike in the background outside. Another girl Courtney was there too. She is really nice...that was the second time I hung out with her.

NC here I come!

2008-02-26T21:58:00.004-05:00

So...mom and I dropped off Sadie at my friends Helen & Rich's place. They are going to take care of her for me while I am gone (they are my dog park friends). They have a nice town home with a fenced in yard, so Sadie can run around. She was not even sad that I was going because she was having so much fun with the other Sadie. I am sure going to miss her :) But I am excited to get a vacation and visit Scott!

Its been a while...

2008-02-17T19:47:00.003-05:00

Sorry ya'll...it has been a while since I last posted. Not much has been going on. My bosses were in town pretty much all last week, so work was busy. I had my second photography class last week. So far it is going well. My teacher is a professional photographer and really knows what he is talking about. There is a good mix of people in my class and they all seem pretty cool so far. I've been taking a lot of pictures and have to bring in some to class next Tuesday, so hopefully I get some descent ones...it has been a while.

Mom and dad are coming into town this week!!!! It will be nice to have them in town (Erin maybe we can go to the aquarium when they are here and I can take those pics) Then I get to drive back with mom to NC to visit Scott. I am very excited and cannot wait :) I miss him ooohh sooooo very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you Scott :o* kisses.

Here are the Sadie's from this Sat morning.

Downtown Tampa

2008-02-04T17:34:00.001-05:00

Scott and I went to downtown Tampa Saturday night. We went to this neat outdoor mall type thing with restaurants and bars, etc called Channelside. There is a big night life there, so it was nice to get down there with Scott since I have never been. We got there around 8:3opm and were interested in bowling at this place called Splitsville. They have 12 lanes, two bars and it is also a restaurant. It is more of an upscale bowling type place. It was a lot of fun though and I almost beat Scott in the second game.

Also Saturday morning the Sadie's played for 2 hours at the dog park. It was nice to get out and enjoy the beautiful sunny weather! My friend Helen and I work really close to one another and will probably try to get lunch together soon. We also plan on getting together again with our dogs because they have so much fun with each other!

2008-02-01T23:20:00.000-05:00

Scott's coming in tonight...his flight was suppose to get here around 10pm. However, it was delayed twice because of weather in Chicago (thanks Erin, hehe). So, I get to go pick him up at 12:15am!!
Tomorrow morning we are meeting with a friend I made in doggie training class. Her name is Helen and her boyfriend Rich. They are probably in their late 20's or early 30's...not too sure and I did not think it was appropriate to ask. We are meeting at the dog park with our Sadie's. Yes, we both have puppies named Sadie. They get a long great, so this will be nice.

I really do not have anything exciting to post tonight. Hopefully I will have some good stuff from this weekend. Until then...

Above pic- Sadie and I at graduation!!!!
Sadie and Sadie playing

I survived Gasparilla 2008

2008-01-30T17:57:00.001-05:00

2008-01-25T18:28:00.002-05:00

I took Sadie to the dog park after work today. She laid down for me just so I could snap this beautiful picture of her! They have a pet photo contest at Bissell.com for their special pet vacuum. I am going to send a pic of her to enter (that is why I asked you mom if you could send me that pic of her).

Gasparilla 2007

2008-01-24T21:05:00.001-05:00

HERE IS A VIDEO. ENJOY!

PIRATE TIME!!!!

2008-01-24T20:44:00.000-05:00

One of the biggest festivals going on right now in Tampa, FL is the Gasparilla Pirate Fest...yes you heard correct"PIRATE FEST". I am supposedly going this weekend (we will see). It is suppose to be a lot of fun. They have a water invasion in the morning were thousands of boats flood the Hillsborough Bay, including the pirate ship of Joe Gaspar and his buccaneers (whoever he is...).
Then they have lots of rides, food, drinks, live bands, and drunk people (hehe). It started last weekend with a "kids" festival, which = no alcohol. Then they have the festival this weekend for big people...and then they have something next weekend which is suppose to be like the "mardi gra" of Florida. However, I heard to stay away from that because it is in Ybor City (which is sketchy) and lots of crazy stuff goes on.
So that is my adventure for this weekend. Marc and his friend may be coming down to join in the fun. He also has a friend from the area, so I will probably go with them. I am sure I will blog about it on Sunday.
Here is a video to enjoy.

Nicole's Pics

2008-01-22T21:21:00.001-05:00

A life taken too soon

2008-01-22T20:12:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe that Heath Ledger is dead! Erin sent me a text message on my phone and I thought she was kidding. Not that I follow celebrities...but this is sad because he was such a good actor (gorgeous too) and only 28 years old.
It seemed he was just getting started in becoming a well known and respected actor. Who knows what problems he had that would lead to a drug overdose. I just wish this was not true. May he be happier where he is now.
Ok, enough about that.

p.s. I liked him best in "10 Things I hate about You" and "A Knight's Tale"

p.s.s. WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW :)

All Around Me

2008-01-22T20:04:00.001-05:00

MY FAVORITE BAND RIGHT NOW!!!! CHECK THIS VIDEO OUT. THIS BAND IS CALLED FLYLEAF. ERIN AND I FIRST HEARD OF THEM A WHILE BACK...BEFORE THEIR SONG "I'M SO SICK" WAS ON THE RADIO. THIS WAS THE FIRST FEMALE LEAD SINGER THAT I HEARD WHO SCREAMED IN HER SONGS! PRETTY SWEET STUFF! ENJOY :) (ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO SCREAMING IN THIS SONG)

2008-01-21T19:52:00.000-05:00

Thanks everybody for being supportive on the tattoo idea (do you hear the sarcasm?) :)

Possible Tattoo Ideas

2008-01-20T17:38:00.000-05:00

Damask...a word used to describe this type of style/pattern. Thanks to my interior design sister, she was able to tell me what it was called. All I asked her was "what is that design called...like on my bed spread?" I think they are beautiful and simple. What do you think?

Speaking of photography

2008-01-20T15:42:00.000-05:00

I have an obsession with taking pictures. I think it stems from the idea that I can capture a single moment in time and it will last forever. Nothing can change it. Sometimes I wish certain times in my life I can just keep the same and live in that moment forever. But, as we are all not immortal...this does not happen. So the closest thing I have to it is photography. Maybe one day I can be known as a famous photographer and my pictures will matter :) We will see, this is just how I am feeling right now. I have big dreams that I do not do anything about (but hopefully this class will start something...)
I took this picture when I was in Germany.

Photography

2008-01-20T15:28:00.000-05:00

So, I just signed up for a continuing education class at the University of South Florida. Introduction to Photography. I think if I could go back I would have got my degree in the arts. I really enjoy taking pictures, so I am very excited. I am also excited because I am hoping to meet some cool people and make friends! This is one of the challenges I face living here by myself and not being in school. I do not get to see people my age every day and it is not easy being a single female and meeting decent people.

It sucks having moved from a place where I had a boyfriend who I saw every day and had friends just two steps out of my apartment door. However, this is a challenge I have been facing my whole life with moving around a lot. And I know I can get through it...it just seems to be a lot harder at this point in my life.

I said when I moved here I needed to get involved. I was on the right track when I first got here...but I fell off! So now I am trying again and will hopefully stick with it.

P.S. making friends is expensive.

NICOLE'S SOON TO BE NEW CAR

2008-01-19T22:42:00.001-05:00

Oh and this will be my new car come Fall 2008. Me and G-pop's already have it figured out. Next week we are going to the dealership and ordering 2! I want to be one of the first in the area to have one...and it will happen! Isn't she a beauty.

2008-01-19T21:46:00.001-05:00

Pictures from places around the Tampa area. The first two pictures were taken at Honey Moon Island Beach. They have a beach there just for dogs! The second two are from Clearwater Beach. If you look at the last pic you can see that they were setting up for a wedding.

Crab Legs = Heaven

2008-01-19T21:29:00.000-05:00

Today I went to dinner at Red Lobster with my grandparents. I was craving crab legs...so I ate an entire 1.5 lbs of crab legs all by myself and oooh was it wonderous. I do not think I said one word to grandma or grandpa and maybe took 2 sips of my diet coke. I was in the zone! Once I started it was just me and the crab legs. All the people around me disappeared and everything was quiet. I think I may have had some meat in my hair and all over my shirt (haha j/k) but I was happy!

2008-01-19T21:22:00.001-05:00

MEET MY CHILDREN

2008-01-19T21:05:00.001-05:00

Meet my children. Sadie(the dog) and Toby(the cat). As you can see they have a loving relationship. Sadie is the newest addition to the family. I adopted her from the Tampa Bay Humane Society back in November (after only being in Tampa for a little over a month). It was love at first sight! I had looked around at several humane society's for a dog. I was not too sure what I was looking for. All I knew was that I wanted an older dog that was medium size. Once I saw Sadie I knew she was the one I was looking for.
I always thought I wanted a small dog (like a minature poodle...love you Max!). However once I moved down here I wanted a dog that I could take to the beach, throw a frisbee to, take on a run or walk, etc. I love these two and they keep me very busy!