Here I go...

I just entered one of my posts for Scribbit's July Write-Away Contest. It was this one about my role in life. Not sure why I'm suddenly nervous but I am. I guess I haven't had someone judging my writing since....ever. Grading in high school (and a little in college), but that is different from judging.

Nicole who?

So here it is how good is your memory, how far back can you go, or how funny is your memory, what crazy things have we done together, or hey do you even remember me? All good questions. Come on play along. I know that there are some doosies out there. Who will bring it?

1. As a comment on this post, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

He beat me to it! (Good Thing!!!!)

Come on girls, you know that we all have thought about it in some form...... Those RMs (Returned Missionaries for those outside of the LDS world), there is just something about them... They are HOT! maybe not now that we are *cough, cough* older, but at one point in time we were all sitting in Sacrament waiting to see what the new missionary in the ward would look like.


(Un)fortunately someone took it one step further. Putting those hunks of meat on a calendar for all those girls to enjoy! Too bad now he has to pay the price. I guess I do understand the Church's side, not exactly what an RM should be focusing on, taking off your shirt to show the world your righteous abs and pecs. Probably not such a righteous thing to do. But, dang, I'm interested in seeing the calender, is that wrong?

Free stuff for everyone!

Today if you haven't noticed is 7-11 and in honor of today 7-11 is giving away free 7.11oz Slurpees! Thanks Tiburon for enlightening me!

Where's My Rabbit 'Cause I Got A Hat Trick Goin' On!

Apparently I know how to play soccer! Who knew? At least that's what my Three goals said last night. *Otherwise known as a Hat Trick* I had a hat trick going for me last night! Does anyone know how cool it is to be able to see that?!? Oh, and for the record, my hubby missed my game again last night, too bad for him. He would have seen his wife out there tearing it up! It was the best ending to my awesome day. Oh, one thing I learned while playing last night, I suck at defense! I'm all about the offense. I'm working on my D but for now I know where my strengths lie. And I would like to be honest. I have no idea how I scored three goals last night. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I guess it's all about trying to move into the open area and placement and all of those things you hear all the time when you grow up playing sports... Oh the other one I was really trying to work on was looking up and trying to see where the open pass was, that and trying to be in the open spot for the pass. It was an absolutely amazing night!!!!!

We actually were giving the other team a run for there money last night, at least for the first half of the game and then we did pretty well the second. but for being the, uh, how do I put this nicely, the crappiest team in our division, we did really well last night. If we would have had a few more of our players there it might have been a whole different game.

And to the poor lady who shin I think will never be the same after the kick I put on it last night, I really am sorry! I didn't mean to do it! I felt really bad, but you have to keep playing right? AND that's why we wear shin guards..... If it had been the ball I had gotten, it would have been a pretty impressive shot on goal... I had some great power there and full extension going for me, it would have been a hot one! (But really I do feel bad for that bruise she might be waking up with)

I can't wait for my game next week! I think both of my legs would have to be broken to keep me off the field, but I'd still be there!

Toot! Toot!

Yes this is me tooting my own horn ! Check out this picture!

So on the right we have my shop's Superintendent and there on the left looking amazingly trim if I do say so my self(which I just did) is ME! And right there in the middle, the little piece of paper, happens to be an award! Since you can't read it let me tell you what it says:

"In recognition of your outstanding service and support for
Public Works Shops in the performance Construction Coordinator. Your
communication skills and knowledge has resulted in favorable reviews from customers and co-workers. Thanks for a job well done!"

Yes, they put the exclamation point at the end not me. And it is signed by my Superintendent. And it might have come with a monetary award as well.... :)

Yea for me. Toot Toot! I had to share my fun morning with the world I felt it worthy.

Who needs a HERO? Anyone?

So Erin over at Plum Pear Apple Designs is starting up her new bussines with a bang! She makes capes for kids. and they are AMAZING! I love all the colors, and I know that I have tied a blanket or towel around Ty's neck more than a few times! She is celebrating her Grand Opening by giving away a cape, but entries need to be in by the 15 of July so hurry! Who wouldn't want one for their little dreamer!

Can I Survive?

Maybe, just maybe I might need some help on this whole survival thing, you know day to day stuff, just making through the day seems pretty challenging lately. Fortunately, Devri has a handy surviaval kit that she is giving away. So pop on over and sign yourself up. I'm always up for a little competion, so the more of you that sign up, the better I'll feel when I win! :)

P.S. ~ It's her first give away, lets make it interesting for her.....

Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday which means I get to share with all of you the things that I'm thankful for today.

1~ Soccer. I have an indoor soccer game today! I was so bummed last week when we had a buy. This week I get to go, run my tush off (hopefully it helps at least), and get sweaty! I might even score again this week.

2~ Soccer. While I'm at my soccer game my hubby will be home cleaning the house. His Grandmother is coming into town for a day and his parents are bringing her to our place for dinner on Friday. So the mad dash to get out house spotless begins. (And I get to skip out to go play! SHHH don't tell Ben!) Another side note-- Ben will get the house spotless, he's a better cleaner than I am. But I do toilets.

3~ Sunshine! I am a sun worshiper. We have had an amazing couple of weeks. All sunshiny and happy. I'm feeling slightly bronzed, as much as I can for working full time. My garden is flourishing. And, my kids can play outside and drive all the local animals crazy instead of me!

I need a BROWNIE!!!!

I reall need a brownie. Right now. I KNOW that if I just had a nice warm, moist, slightly fudgy, chocolate brownie that everything would instantly get better. INSTANTLY!!!!! Yes, it's been that kind of couple of days!


And maybe a big, no, HUGE cup of, so cold it's almost frozen, Milk.


(hint, hint honey.....)

UUUGGGHHH!! Jean Shopping!

What is with shopping for jeans?!? Every time I do I just get so frustrated. I went to Macy's yesterday, I had a 20$ off coupon and a gift card on top of that, I was planning on buying jeans. Everything under 60 bucks had "stretch" on the tag. I just want a pair of real denim jeans with a straight leg and a decent cut. (one that doesn't make you tush look saggy) Don't get me wrong, stretch jeans are nice when you're going out with your husband or the girls and you're trying to vamp it up a little, but when I'm going to work I don't want the men, wait, BOYS, I work with seeing every curve from my hips to my knees!!!! I just don't think it's right. It is so annoying that no matter what store you go to, everything has the word stretch right there on the label. I figured sure, I'll give it a try. I grabbed a few different pairs and went to go try them on. Ben sat out in the waiting area and I came out and showed each pair to him. He thought they all looked good, and he was right, for the first time in many years I was HAPPY with the way all of the jeans looked on me. But not for work.

I had been working a pretty labor intensive job. I have a tool bag that probably weighs 40-50 pounds, depending on who has "borrowed" tools. I was jumping in manholes, getting dirty, moving around batteries, which contain acid, and getting it on my clothes occasionally. I would get into grease, paint, and grime in general. All of this would show on my jeans. I go through quite a few pairs, but I also didn't see the point in buying brand new jeans to just do more damage. So, I had holey jeans, really holey. And I would wear them all the time.

Now I am in a slightly more "white collar" position. I still go out to the manholes, I'm still around the dirt and grime except now I mostly watch other people do the work. Don't get the wrong idea, I still jump in and work because sometimes it's so annoying watching some one doing something the wrong way..... But, now there really isn't a need for me to be ready to destroy my clothing on any given day, it's just not expected any more. Even before I had this temporary (hopefully permanent) position, every time my Superintendent would see my holey jeans he would make some kind of comment. Now, I can see him checking. And if it happens to be one of those days where I don't have any good jeans clean and I wear one with holes in it, he will see them and say something. He's not trying to be mean, and I don't think that he's trying to make a point. One time I said to him that he always says that and he said "I've said it before?" So I really don't think he says it to be mean, he just voices what he observes.

Still, it's that horrid time again, time to go shopping for jeans. Maybe I'm just too critical. And my husband hates shopping. I guess I just need someone to come with. Any volunteers ??? :) I'll even buy lunch...

Awesome giveaway!

It's that time of month again, Suzanne is giving away one of her amazing totes! I am now the proud owner of her Purple Posies Tote! I LOVE IT! I take it everywhere! Work, the mall, softball games, the park, EVERYWHERE! If you jump on over to her blog you can you can enter to win her July creation, Subtly Patriotic. If you give her a shout out on your blog you get entered twice! It's something no one should pass up. I entered, even though I just one, I couldn't resist. If you're not the lucky one this month, she is now selling her totes. If you ask me they're a steal! The quality and love that goes into each one shows. I'm buying a second one, I just haven't decided which one yet......

Hurry on over before the the 7th that's when the winner will be announced! Entries are taken until Midnight Sunday the 6th of July!!

Happy Fourth of July!

I love the Fourth. Fireworks, blowing stuff up, and fire. Yes, I am a pyromaniac! I come across this trait honestly, whether it was learned or inherited I don't know, but I do know that I get it from my mom. Thank you Mom! I love fire!

My husband is a truly patriotic guy. He loves our National Anthem. He has taught the kids the Country's Bird as well as the names of the President and Vice President. He insists on respect while the National Anthem is played, even from a five year old. We both work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, now know as Naval Base Kitasp. Every day at eight o'clock they play the national anthem. If you are outside of a building you are expected to stop and wait for the playing to be done, whether you are walking, working, driving, in a hurry, or going home. You stand, you wait, it's what's done. I see some people running to get inside buildings when revelry is played. I can't picture my husband doing this. When it's his turn to say prayer you can be sure he will thank our Heavenly Father for our freedom, and also ask for a blessing on all of the troops who are currently serving for our country, that they will be protected and come home safely.

I love that Ben has such a love for this country of ours and what it stands for. I find it inspiring, hopefully some of you will as well. Next time you have an opportunity to be somewhere the Anthem is played, the flag is honored, or even just seeing some of our country's service men, remember what went in to making this Land of the Free free. Remember the people who sacrificed all to get us where we are today and the people who continue to sacrifice. Not just the soldiers, but their families, and the people who support our military in their everyday lives at work as well.

Ben has traveled to the Middle East for work and relayed the following story to me:

He was in an airport in Dubai and there was a husband and wife. The wife was clearly distraught, He couldn't understand what she was saying but she had a cell phone in her hand and was pleading with her husband. He was berating her putting his hand in her face to block her comments and physically push her away from him. Ben was affected very strongly seeing this. He was told very pointedly before his trip that he was not to interfere in the lives of the local people. He could not stand seeing a man treat a woman this way. It made him angry. It hurt him to see that. When he came come and told me about it you could see and hear the effect it had on him.

We are truly blessed to live in a country where our daughters are able to attend school, speak their minds, and choose their own destiny. We are blessed to not have to worry about who will want to take over our town or village next. We are blessed that we don't have to be submissive and controlled by our husbands or be punished by the laws of the land. We are blessed that we can move anywhere around the country we see fit or necessary. We are blessed that our children don't have to be exposed to armed men patrolling the streets. We are blessed that we don't need to live in fear on a daily basis. We are blessed that every individual, whether that person is male or female, child adolescent, or adult, has rights that are inherited and protected. We are blessed that we live in a country that allows us to choose what schools our children will attend, how many children we want to have, what profession we would like to pursue, and where we would like to live.

We are blessed.

Happy Anniversary!!!

I LOVE YOU BENJAMIN SCOTT!!!!!!!

Today is the eighth anniversary of our wedding. I've been married to my Best Friend for eight whole years today! And Best Friend in this case takes on a whole new meaning than the other best friends, sorry girls.

This Best Friend puts up with me. And when I say puts up with me I mean ALL of me! The times I'm hormonal and cranky. The times I'm crying and weepy. My messiness, my laziness, my cooking experiments, and my "great ideas". He puts up with me hiding in the tub for extended periods of time. He puts up with me spending our hard earned money like it will expire if it isn't spent now. He watches chick flicks with me and doesn't tease me too much for crying, which I always do.

He loves me. Even with all of my flaws. I have learned this lesson more so this year than any other. I have pushed the envelope so far across the desk it landed on the floor. He picked it up, gave me a hug and told me that he loved me. I didn't realize that someone could love me as much as he does. I'm not his child, he didn't have to love me, but he chose to. He has this amazing, unconditional love for me. I'm not perfect and he embraces that and accepts it. He brings out the better sides of me. He makes want to be a better person. He makes me want to be worthy of the person I know he already is and the person I KNOW he will become.

I love you Benjamin Scott. I'm so glad that you haven't given up on me over these past few years. I know I haven't made it easy for you, but I'm working on that. I can't wait to spend Eternity with you! I'm looking forward to all of the rest of our adventures together. I know that together we can make everything amazing!!!!!!!!!

Bloomin' Tuesday

Well, since I forgot my latest and greatest pics at home, here are some shots I got on our last family vacation in Florida. Most of these blooms are courtesty of the amazing gardeners at Disney World and Universal Studios. You'll get a few today but the rest I have to save for winter when nothing is blossoming here in Washington....

Enjoy!

Visit Ms. Jean for more flowers from all over!