This might be what I want to do. For real.

Jodi nudged me in this direction and I had thought of it before, but had never fully considered how much I would probably LOVE IT.

I'm talking about Head Start. Becoming a Head Start teacher.

Here's the logic: It's with the age group I love, the population I am passionate about serving, and I really love to teach. One, two, three, just like that. I think it would be SO MUCH FUN.

Hm. Hmmmm, hmmmm, hmmmmm. I like this possibility.

Oh Dear. Another Christmas Empire Catastrophe

Adam is dying.

He needs to make it til Christmas, but will he?

I am giving him the attention and care that I thought he needed, but will it be enough? WHY IS HE DYING SO QUICKLY?

Dang

I was sleeping peacefully last night and then semi-woke up because my face itched. When I went to scratch it, I didn't realize that my entire arm was asleep.

I hit myself in the face so hard I woke myself up completely. And there was a red mark on my cheek. Because I hit myself. In the face.

Redonk.

Creating the Christmas Empire Phase 5: Present Wrapping

I have many presents to wrap. Here is a sampling of the wrapping I have done:

Ricky thinks that it is his duty as my cat to help me wrap presents by trying to bite/claw at the wrapping paper and ribbon as I wrap. It is exceptionally annoying.

There are more funny stories about that but I can't blog about them because they are about presents and some of the present receivers are blog-readers. So you'll have to wait for those stories.

Phase 4B Window Update: I am avoiding the window.

Christmas Empire Issues

Okay, so Phase 4A really ruffled my feathers. I have had a hard time recovering from the Window Decorating Disaster. I kept trying to start Phase 4B, but I think I was so discouraged by the outcome of 4A that I was too depressed to try again.

So the window stands. It looks stupid.

And to make matters worse, my apartment neighbors on either side of me have BOTH put up their OWN Christmas windows. And of course, they are beautiful. Stupid beautiful window decorators.

I need to just move on to Phase 5. I have been stuck with this 4B problem for too long! It's time to overcome the obstacles! Spread my wings and fly!

Another option instead of trying to get a job

There was a poster outside for a lost dog and it was sad. But only for a second, because then I was like

MAYBE I could find that lost animal and get the reward! It was like for $250!

And WHAT if I just started finding lost animals and collecting rewards and lived off that? People are always losing their pets.

Good idea, Nicole, good idea.

New Career: Toy Shopper

I am very excited about the Community Toy Store.

I requested this year to be the official shopper when money donations came in. I was granted my request. I wish that I was a Toy Shopper ALL YEAR LONG.

Here are some toys I like:

• Cabbage Patch Dolls
• Fisher Price Little People
• Brio Trains
• Playmobil people
• My Little Pony
• All toys in the world

(except Bratz dolls)

If you've never clicked on anything on your life, CLICK ON THIS.

Creating the Christmas Empire Phase 4A: The Window

I decided to decorate our front window.

It was much harder than I had anticipated.

First of all, my window cling "Believe" is much smaller compared to my window than it looked in the store. So it couldn't go across the middle because the window pane is all thick and it would look chopped in half. So I had to put it on one side. But then it looks lopsided.

And if THAT wasn't stressful enough, when I put up the lights I made them droopy - thinking that it'd be Christmas Empire-y - and it just made it look DUMB-O.

I don't like it so far.

More work needs to be done on this window. That is why this is just Phase 4A.

I don't know why...

but I've been having super bizarre dreams lately.

For example, I dreamed the other day that I was a teenage mouse living in a WW2 internment camp. We were trying to steal food by switching nametags. I don't know how that worked, but it made sense in the dream.

And last night, I dreamed that I had accidentally brushed my teeth with Chuck Diesel's toothbrush and I was SO GROSSED OUT. I almost lost my mind.

Creating the Christmas Empire Phase 3: The Tree

Rachel and I decided to get our tree today. This is the first time I have purchased a live tree on my own. THE FIRST TIME!

It's like this tree is my first born. I'm going to name him Adam.

So we went to purchase Adam tonight at a special farm where it is rumored that they pass out full-size candy canes (instead of the puny ones that you normally get at tree farms.) But this special farm was closed.

So we went to another special farm called Haggen and we found Adam.

Then we decorated Adam and made him beautiful. Here he is beautiful:

To finish off the evening of Christmas Empire Enjoyment, we put Ricky in a Santa hat.

Creating the Christmas Empire Phase 2: Advent Calendars

Today, with a gift card I got from Baron and Cristina to Trader Joe's, I bought Rachel and I both 99 cent advent calendars.

Phase 2: Advent Calendars COMPLETE

We hung them on the wall on either sides of my grandmother's wall hanging. This is Rachel's first Advent Calendar.

Excellent.

Creating the Christmas Empire: Phase 1

So I got out my Christmas decorations bin last night to see what I had to work with in converting my home into a Christmas Empire.

I started with the piano. Threw on some fake piney rope things and put Santa Bird right in the middle. Lookin good. That piano is ready for me to play some Christmas tunes on it.

Next, I hung up several wall decorations. One is photoed below:

This is a quilted wall-hanging that my Grandma made for me. THANK YOU GRANDMA. It is the highest quality of all the Christmas decorations I own. I hung it right above our couch. It is currently the centerpiece of the Christmas Empire.

Rachel and I were going to go get a tree today, but it is rainy and windy and disgusting outside so we decided not to. Instead, we are sitting in our Snuggies in our budding Christmas Empire.

I think I will head to the Christmas piano and play some songs for Rachel.

I like Ricky well enough, but why couldn't I have gotten this kitten?

My New Purpose

Instead of looking for a job, I have decided to devote myself completely to the task of turning my and Rachel's home into a Christmas Empire.

I will need to gather decorations, do some deep cleaning, and maybe paint the walls green and red. And put up Christmas lights. Bake Christmas things. Watch Christmas movies. Sing Rachel Christmas songs every night before she goes to bed.

Ricky will have to be dressed up, obviously. Should he be an elf or a reindeer?

I should've taken some Christmas decorations from my mom's house, she has like 2 million. Dang, why did I just think of this now?

I guess I could get some of my own. Yes, that's what I will do. I will purchase some quality Christmas decorations. Not that I don't own any already. I do own some. We had a Tacky Christmas party 3 years ago and I have all the decorations from that. So those will go up on the walls.

But I'll need more...

Mickey Snow Globe

My mama and I are shopping. We are early birds today. We got up at 4.

We are like the only people at the mall with cheerful faces and no die-hard agenda. We just think it's fun to come every year. Oh, and sometimes they hand out free things to the earliest shoppers and today I got a free snow globe! So excited!

A little fireplace and some sleepy dogs

I am sitting by the fireplace with two dogs and a cat sleeping around me.

I am pretty happy.

Road Jail

So I missed my exit on the way home to Puyallup because I took I-5 all the way down instead of going my usual way. And also, because I was on the phone having a very intense conversation because I am a very intense person.

Anyway, I didn't realize I'd missed the exit until I was talking on the phone with my mom and she asked me where I was. She said, "You missed your exit, I think. Call your dad, he'll know."

Anyway, I called my dad but got a busy signal. Then I was panicking. I couldn't type in my destination to Carmen because I was driving. So, in my panic, I took the first exit I saw.

It just happened to be the Fort Lewis Exit. And that exit just happens to be like ROAD JAIL, aka the exit becomes a lane that takes you DIRECTLY to the place where they check you for your military ID. No pulling off to the side, no going to the other side of the street because it was like a fenced in road. I do not have a military ID and I don't want to go to Fort Lewis. But I had no choice.

So I pulled up to the station place.

"Um, hello. I do not want to come to Fort Lewis. I just wanted to turn around but I was trapped on the fenced road."

"Just a turn-around?"

"Um, yes please."

"TURN AROUND! JERRY WE GOT A TURN AROUND HERE!"

::5 different uniformed men run over to my car::

"Can we please have your license, ma'am?"

I get out my license. Are they arresting me? I feel like they are going to arrest me.

"Jerry'll have you turn around right up there. He will then return your license. Pull forward! Go! Jerry! Go!"

So I pulled up a little ways and Jerry STOPPED TRAFFIC so I could cross over and make a U-turn. He then returned my driver's license.

I was very startled by the entire experience. Stupid road jail.

That was even better than I could have imagined

The show seriously only could have been better if I was part of the Top Ten myself. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun.

At one point, I was having so much fun, I burst into tears. There wasn't anything sad happening, I was just SO HAPPY.

The dancing was outrageous. OUTRAGEOUS. It made me miss dancing. I think part of my bursting into irrational tears was because I wanted to be dancing myself.

I might sign up for a dance class. Why not? They have adult classes. I'm an adult. Then maybe I will audition for SYTYCD and be in the Top Ten.

Also, at the show, Brandon was the silliest. It was the last show on the tour and Brandon kept crashing everybody's dances. He didn't do that normally, just tonight. It was the funniest. Like he ran in during the middle of the Romeo and Juliet dance and pushed Melissa aside and made Ade dance with him. And he was wearing bright pink pants. And we all laughed and laughed and laughed.

Also, every moment was my favorite moment. They were so good, they were so, so good. Better than they were during the season. Way better. And Caitlyn was there. Caitlyn! And Philip! They are #11 and #12! It was not just the top 10, it was the top 12! WHAT A SPECIAL TREAT. ::wild glowing-heart eyes::

Pictures to follow. Ashley took all the pictures. I'm glad I didn't bring my camera because I couldn't have taken any pictures because I was in a Happiness-Coma, but she took very nice ones.

It was the best day of my life.

I am having so much fun I can't believe it

It is intermission. There are 700 people in line for the bathroom. Maybe more. I am waiting in line.

THIS IS THE BEST SHOW IN THE WORLD.

I love my life.

OMGOMGOMG

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG

I might die.

ONE HOUR. ONE HOUR.

In ONE hour I will see all my friends from Season 5. They will probably see me.

Excitement Level: 56

Why didn't I make a sign that says 'Dance by me Jason'? How will he know how much I love him?

1.5 HOURS TO GO

We are eating at Azteca Mexican Restaurant. Also, I realized that I'd been counting down to 7:00 not 7:30. The show starts at 7:30.

I had a cup of tortilla soup for dinner. Shoulda got a bowl. It was delicious.

I am excited to see these things tonight: Kayla and Kupono doing the addiction dance, Janine and Jason in the one Travis Wall choreographed, the boom boom pow group dance, brandon's solo, Brandon and Janette's disco and also their cha-cha. Oh, and Janine's solo. I hope they do all of those routines. Oh, and the Calle Ocho group routine.

Oh my gosh I'm so excited.

Excitement Level: 37

2 HOURS TO GO

We are still at the alderwood mall. I bought a Christmas present for Chuck Diesel. I acciedentally let my brain go into Christmas Mode and forgot about SYTYCD Mode. I need to get back in the right mindset.

Excitement Level: 14

3 HOURS TO GO

We are at Nordstroms. I bought a shirt. I love it. But not as much as I love SYTYCD.

Also, Nordstroms has too many mannequins.

Excitement level: 15

4 hours to go...

1.8 miles away from our first destination: alderwood mall. Excitement rising.

Five hours left

In the car! Leaving! SYTYCD!!! O MY G!! Excitement level: 11 (scale 1 - 10)

Six hours left

I took a shower and got shampoo in my eye. Had a coffee. Excitement level: 10 (scale 1 - 10)

Hour-by-hour updates

Today is the day. SYTYCD Day. It is a day I have been yearning for for years. And here it is.

To help all of you poor souls who do not get to see the Season 5 Show today, I will be providing hourly updates on th happenings via phone blogging.

Right now I am at Walgreens.

Nicole's Friday Activities

Here is what was on my calendar:

Friday, November 20th: [no entries]

Nothing. I had nothing planned. So, today, I have done a combination of lounging, Facebooking, relaxing, laughing at my cat, going to Starbucks, and looking at things online.

I also slept in. However, I don't really like sleeping in anymore because it gets dark SO EARLY and I feel like there is no daylight left when I sleep in.

Additionally: I AM GOING TO THE SYTYCD TOUR TOMORROW.

Oh, HI JIM FAY

Today I went to a Love and Logic Conference in Shoreline. IT WAS AWESOME. It was awesome mostly because Jim Fay HIMSELF was teaching it. Sure, 75% of you probably have no idea who he is BUT I DO.

He's only like Mr. Love and Logic. Like the inventor of it. For me, it was like I was surprised because a CELEBRITY was at what I thought would be just a mediocre conference.

Oh, no, Jim Fay himself, there, teaching. Here is a high-quality photograph:

So that's microscopic Jim Fay with the white hair in the middle. And the lady who's head is right in front me of is Totally Crazy Lady.

Totally Crazy Lady was the only not-great thing about my day with Jim Fay. TCL seemed to think that the conference was actually a conversation between herself and Jim Fay, and constantly responded when he asked rhetorical questions. Super loud. Inappropriate. I was worried Jim Fay would look up and think it was US that was being socially inappropriate. It wasn't. It was TCL.

But besides that, the day was AWESOME. Thanks, Jason T and Amy McMur, my new friend. Our day was both lovely and logical. Nice.

A Pizza Box and Me

.... almost blew away to the Land of Oz walking into my house.

I was holding a pizza box and the wind caught us just right and WHOOSH. I stumbled backwards.

I could have DIED. I could have fallen backwards, hit my head on a

pumpkin, and passed out.

I am lucky to be alive. I will not take anything for granted anymore. My life flashed before my eyes in that wind gust.

I appreciate this Snuggie I am sitting in. You know who can't appreciate Snuggies? Dead people. People who die from big wind gusts.

So luckily, world, I lived. The pizza and I both survived, fully in tact.

G-mas and G-pas

I have a lot of grandparents. I am very lucky. That's the advantage to having young parents - you get grandparents longer. I believe I have a total of.... 7 living grandparents. And I get Christmas presents from all of them (except my mom's biological father, who I actually just met a few years ago and I don't actually know. I counted him in my total of 7 but he should really only be like a .5 because I don't think he knows my name.)

Also, I love my grandparents.

Also, when I was little my Grandma Margaret - I never called her Grandma Margaret, I just called her Grandma, but I have indicated her name here so you will know which Grandma I am talking about - my Grandma Margaret told me,

"Sometimes your grandfather snores so loud I have to make him go sleep out on the davenport."

Well, who even uses the word 'davenport'? I thought a davenport was a porch, and I thought my grandma was super mean to make him sleep on the porch just because he snored.

I thought this was true, I'm serious, until I was like 13. I was very relieved when I learned that 'davenport' meant 'couch' and not 'cold, windy porch.'

Ricky weighs 19 pounds

He's a little large compared to other cats, I'm told.

In other news, Blanket Pants. I like to wear blanket pants. If it was socially appropriate to wear blanket pants in public, I would do it.

Soooooo

Sometimes I want to blog and then I open up my blog page, but I can't remember what I wanted to write about. And occasionally, I then look thoughtfully around the room, trying to remember. Perhaps this went on for 2, or 3, or 90 seconds.

And in the midst of my innocent thinking...."WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" I turn and find Rachel Handysnacks (who you can imagine looking an awful lot like the Evil Stepmother from Cinderella) laughing at me.

"Uhh, I was THINKING."

::laughter from the Evil Stepmother::

So apparently, I need to NOTIFY Rachel before I start thinking or else she will make fun of me. Can't a girl just think about what she wants to blog and not be ridiculed?

Rachel, I will forgive you as soon as you do something weird so I can make fun of you back.

I am pretty good at being unemployed

I can really occupy my time. I am super-entertained by simple things. For example, imagining Ricky in a pair of pants. It's very funny. I could imagine that for like 2 hours.

Yes. Yes, this is appropriate

I HAVE WON AN AWARD. Ashley L.T., noted blogger and nationally-acclaimed blog award presenter, has nominated my blog as the best blog she has ever seen in her life, far outweighing her own blogging efforts.

I HUMBLY ACCEPT THIS AWARD AND ALL OF THE ESTEEM AND GRANDIOSITY THAT COME WITH IT.

The blog AWARD comes with a one-word quiz/survery thing that you're supposed to copy and paste (and answer) and then you're supposed to nominate others for the award and pass it on.

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Your hair? Fluffity
3. Your mother? MomDot
4. Your father? Two
5. Your favorite food? CoolRanchDoritos
6. Your dream last night? Hopping
7. Your favorite drink? Juice
8. Your dream/goal? Hugs
9. What room are you in? Living
10. Your hobby? Winning
11. Your fear? Needles
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? NFL
13. Where were you last night? BiggestLoser
14. Something you aren't? SociallyAppropriate
15. Muffins? Meh.
16. Wish list item? Loveseat
17. Where did you grow up? P-Town
18. Last thing you did? Babysat
19. What are you wearing? RayofHopeTShirt
20. Your TV? Rachel's
21. Your pets? RMVBR
22. Your friends? Tall
23. Your life? Schmoodlie
24. Your mood? Sizzling
25. Missing someone? Mybrothers
26. Vehicle? SpeedyWheels
27. Something you're not wearing? 3-DGlasses
28. Your favorite store? Toys'R'Us
29. Your favorite color? Cerulean
30. When was the last time you laughed? BabysittingIsaac
31. Last time you cried? Saturday
32. Your best friend? IGotALottaBestFriends
33. One place that I go over and over? Facebook
34. One person who emails me regularly? BaronMiller
35. Favorite place to eat? Grandma's

So there it was. I am a champion.

A Sad Time

Hello, bloggy friends. I have been made aware that some of you (the crazier sorts) have been noticing and/or harrassing my family members about the fact that I have not been blogging lately.

Well, the truth is now being revealed. I did not blog for the past month because it was a Sad Time for this blogger.

I quit my job.

I quit my job at Rebound because it was no longer a healthy place for me to work. And it was very sad. I had to make the decision, and it was the right decision, but it was still very sad.

Here are some of the sad things that happened:

• One of the moms cried.
• One of the moms wrote me a card that started with "Thank you for being part of my family."
• One of the little boys said, "Why do you have to leave? You are the best at Flying Colors."
• One little boy, who has never hugged me in his life, gave me the saddest, most unexpected hug.

Here are some funny things that happened:

• When I announced it to the kids, many of them shouted, "NOOOOOOO!" like they were being attacked. It was a little dramatic.
• The kids had hilarious suggestions for what to do - they asked for a signed picture of me. Like a head shot. I am sad to say I didn't get around to signing photos. Another kid asked if I would "write them letters at least once a month." Like I was leaving the country.
• One little boy wrote me a goodbye card and on the front of it drew a gravestone with the words "RIP NICOLE."
• Quite a few of the kids brought me goodbye presents, aka crap from their houses. I received a pencil cushion, a jingle-bell bracelet, 5 fake ice cubes, a handful of weeds, and a small velvet pouch.

So, it was a sad few weeks for me, but I'm glad to say that I'm back in business. And I'm even gladder to say that with all my newfound free time, I will be able to blog even more often. So for all you nicoleissointeresting blog fanatics, I'm back!

Edited my Halloween Post

Dear friends and family,

Thanks to all you brilliant minds out there, I have edited the previous post and I hope it is more accurate. Please double-check for me.

Sincerely,

Nicole Raden
Halloween Enthusiast

Halloween Costumes from My Life

6 weeks old: Elephant

Ages 1,2, & 3: Pumpkin

Ages 4 & 5: Princess

Age 6: Cowgirl

Age 7: Hawaiian Hula Dancer

Age 8: Japanese woman

Age 9: Betty Rubble (from the Flintstones, my brothers as Barney and Bam-Bam)

Age 10: Seahawks Cheerleader

Age 11: Rag Doll

Age 12: Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz

Age 13: Clown

Age 14: Snow White

Age 15 - 19: Nothing that I can recall

Age 20: Fairy

Age 21: Fanta Girl

Age 22: Louse (a single lice)

Age 23: Carolyn Hann's Middle School Best Friend, Tiffany (punk)

Age 24: Rachel Handy, Roller Dancer

Age 25: TBA . . . .

Special Quote

FC Child, age 7, chonic liar: "Where did you get your skirt?

Me: "I think I got it at Old Navy."

FC Child: "Oh. I got a skirt at New Navy."

Thank You, Morgan

Morgan reminded me that I left out an important additional fainting out experience.

Sophomore year of college I woke up in the middle of the night with the flu. Puked in a punch bowl next to my bed. Filled the bowl entirely. I mean all the way to the top. So I HAD to get up and dump it out in the bathroom.

Unfortunately, I fainted while carrying the bowl. Of barf. And spilled the bowl of barf all over the floor in the hallway. And all over myself.

Thank Jesus for my roommate Becca Barber. She woke up and took care of everything. Because she is a saint. She carried me into the bathroom, WASHED THE FLOOR, changed my pajamas, got me medicine, and put me to bed. She then stayed awake and washed the rugs from the hallway and made sure that there was no barf left in between the boards of the super-old hardwood floor.

She actually deserves a trophy for doing all of that.

That may have been the worst possible moment to faint. Well, maybe tied with in the middle of a benefit at the Nightlight.

Other Times I Have Fainted

1) In fifth grade, I passed out when I jabbed a pencil into my hand.

2) I laid in the sun on Mothers Day circa 1998 and when I came inside, I sat on a bar stool to eat dinner. Then I passed out and fell off the bar stool onto the ground.

3) I passed out in the hallway of my dorm room 3 times in one night while I was trying to make my way to the bathroom. (KJW, do you remember that? When I came back into the room I made you take care of me.)

4) I fainted when I had a mole removed freshman year of college.

5) I fainted when I was with my friend Melissa in high school and she was getting her belly button pierced. The piercer man said I was the first person to pass out who was NOT getting something pierced.

6) I pass out every time I get a shot. or have blood drawn This encompasses probably 15-20 times.

7) I fainted right before I had my wisdom teeth removed. When I woke up, I thought they were hanging me from the ceiling and I screamed.

8) I fainted in junior high when I had food poisoning at my friend Halli's house. Also, when I fainted I was in the bathroom and I hit my head on the wall AND the toilet.

9) I passed out the other day at the Nightlight after I got a massage. (See previous post.)


Hm. I knew I've passed out a lot, but it just seems like more than I thought after typing that all out. Maybe I should start wearing a helmet.

Or maybe I could wear Ricky around my shoulders like a protective neck-wrap and his fat belly would protect my head from falls.

All good ideas.

So I Fainted at the Nightlight...

Yesterday there was a benefit at a bar called the Nightlight. It was a benefit for DVSAS. Very cool.

The benefit was organized as a "Beauty Bar" which meant that 10 different salons/masseuses/places like that things were there and giving 1 free service to anyone who paid the $10 donation cover fee.

Fun, fun, fun. Right? Wrong. Keep reading.

Carolyn, Jodi, and I all chose which service we wanted. I chose massage. We made our appointments for 10:15 and then went to get a drink. I had one Lemon Drop. Not even a shaker, just about 6 oz of a Lemon Drop.

Then it was time for our appointments. Lalala, I am paired with this masseuse named Amber and she was really good. It was the type of massage in a chair with a face-holder. Very nice.

I was all relaxed and happy, and then I suddenly started to feel weird. My hands got all clammy and I felt heavy. Then I lifted my head and said something to the effect of, "Uhmhmm, I don't feel good."

Blackness. Gone. Fainted. Fell right out of the chair. Onto the floor. In the middle of like 300 people.

I woke up right away and they helped move me to a less crowded area. I wanted to keep laying down. A man came who used to be an EMT and he asked me 20 million questions. Luckily, Carolyn was there and could let the people know that no, I did not have alcohol poisoning, I had only had one drink.

The EMT man asked the masseuse if she had been massaging my neck right before I fainted, which she had been. Apparently there is a "vagus nerve" in necks and if it is pressed on and someone has vasovagal syncope, it can cause fainting. Alcohol and stress could contribute to the likelihood of a fainting episode.

I went home and cried because I was so embarrassed. I also have felt pretty sick ever since that happened, like I usually do after I faint.

I have been fainting and nearly fainting more often lately.... Luckily I'm going to the doctor on Thursday.

I think I have vasovagal syncope.

Sometimes I Think I Might Just Put His Tail-less Butt Out on the Street

Last night, I was sleeping, zzz-zzz-zzz, just dreaming nice dreams. And then, I burst into wakefulness when I received an unpleasant SPLASH IN THE FACE.

Ricky the Cat had knocked over a cup of water ONTO MY FACE in the middle of the night.

I was mad. I'm talking mad.

Take a Chill Pill, World

It's like when take a break from blogging, you all don't know what to do with your online time. My complaint department has been overwhelmed with angry readers, wanting more, MORE, MORE!

"More blog entries!" you cry, "Please write more! We live and breathe your blog entries and we are all dying off without our daily supply!"

"Relax, you freaks," I reply calmly. "I was just watching SYTYCD and cleaning my house. I'm back now."

In other news, Ricky the cat misses Rachel Handysnacks and is super annoying about it. He stares at me all the time. ALL THE TIME.

Rachel, come back from Philadelphia. Philly is silly.

Yes......... I think I even did this one when I was in like 8th grade.....

DO YOU SNORE?: No. Okay, maybe sometimes. Only when I am sick.


LOVER OR A FIGHTER?: Christina Aguilera's FIGHTER, obviously.


WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR?: Needles. Losing Snowy. Having a never-ending stomach ache.


AS A KID, WERE YOU A LEGO BUILDER?: Only at my Grandma Jobe's house because she had 50 million legoes and it was impossible not to play with them.


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF "REALITY TV"?: It is awesome if it is in the form of The Biggest Loser, SYTYCD, or SuperNanny. I also think that it is awesome if it is my mom and dad on Trading Spaces. I think it is very, very dumb if it is in the form of "Tila Tequila's Chance at Love" or whatever it's called.


DO YOU CHEW ON YOUR STRAWS?: No.


WERE YOU A CUTE BABY?: Of course. I need to find a picture so you can all ogle over it.


HOW IS THE SINGLE LIFE FOR YOU?: Why is this survey assuming I am single? It was not listed under "Surveys forLoser Singles." I could have a boyfriend. That being said, my single life is PHENOMENAL. Obviously.


DO YOU SING IN THE SHOWER?: I do not shower silently ever.


HAVE YOU EVER BUNGEE JUMPED?: One time I did this thing in Las Vegas where I was all strapped into this harness thing and they raised me and my brother and Tyler Zaichkin very, very high in the air and dropped us and we screamed. That is similar to bungee jumping.


ANY SECRET TALENTS?: If I told you what they were, they wouldn't be secret.


WHAT'S YOUR IDEAL VACATION SPOT?: Disneyland. Or DisneyWorld.


HAVE YOU EATEN SUSHI?: Yes. Kelly made me eat it before. I didn't love it, but I could eat it again.


CAN YOU SING THE ALPHABET BACKWARDS?: Yes. When I forgot my clarinet everyday for a whole week in junior high, I was so bored during Band Class that I taught myself to say the alphabet backwards.

WHAT ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO?: Amoxicillan.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SAID, "I LOVE YOU": 2 hours ago when Kyle Facebook chatted me something mean. That is how I respond when he says inappropriate things.

IS SANTA CLAUS REAL?: Absolutely. If I stopped believing in Santa, I wouldn't get a Santa gift every year.


ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?: Yes.


WHAT ARE YOU ADDICTED TO?: Buying books. Cool Ranch Doritos. SYTYCD. Farmville.


CRUNCHY OR CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER?: Crunchy.


HAVE YOU EVER RIDDEN IN AN AMBULANCE?: No. I always almost die and no one calls the ambulance.


HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BRUSHED YOUR TEETH TODAY?: Once.


WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?: Last week when I was driving home from Puyallup, after driving home from Montana. Do you even know why I cried? Because I am a dork. I was crying because I had so much fun with my family and I was overwhelmed by how much I love them and how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family.


DO YOU LIKE YOUR LIFE?: Yes. Very much.


DO YOU PLAY ANY INSTRUMENTS?: Yes, half way on the following instruments: Piano, violin, clarinet, spoons. I own a guitar but Ron refuses to teach me.


IS A DOG A MAN'S BEST FRIEND?: No. Obese, tail-less cats are a man's best friend.


WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?: Ravioli with pesto and cherry tomatos.


And there you have it, friends. A survey of Nicole, straight out of the years when surveys were cool.

Today I was Interviewed

I like being interviewed. I just like when people ask me questions. Sometimes when I'm grumpy I have Carolyn ask me questions.

Maybe you think that's weird. So what? YOU'RE WEIRD. I'm just more open about my weirdness.

I was interviewed for Rebound for a promo video. I said some awesome stuff. I bet people will write $100,000 checks after they hear me talk about FC.

Oh, you know what I always secretly liked? Those stupid surveys that people sent around in high school that asked like 200 questions. Everyone hated them but I liked it when I got it.

I'll see if I can find one and then I'll post it for all of you to scour over.

The Real Footage of the Oprah Dance Party

I wish I was the girl in the front that was dancing by herself at the beginning. THIS IS THE MOST AWESOME.

I have a new best friend. Her name is Eloise Miller.

Here we are.

And there she is - 2 hours old. She kept sticking her tongue out at me. It was a funny joke between the two of us.

I want a dog

And Then Rachel and I Got Up And Danced

I was flipping through the channels and I stumbled upon THIS. (Note: This is just a personal video from some person, not the actual footage from the television.) (Also note: You can't understand how surprised Rachel and I were.) (Third note: the real footage is SO AWESOME.)

It's time

I am starting to accept that it's autumn. Mostly this is because there is the pumpkin spice latte.

Also, only 4 months until Christmas! I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for Bellingham, and therefore the first day of school for Flying Colors Afterschool Care.

It was long.

But we survived.

I am too tired to give details so I will give a picture of some dogs in costumes:

A Terrible Occurance

Something terrible occurred in our home. I could not find a picture online that accurately represented what happened to me and Rachel this evening. So I had to draw one myself. Here it is:

A spider monster crawled into our living room.

Not a Single Person

I had a dream last night that I performed in the Ray of Hope Talent show and NO ONE CLAPPED.

I was super embarrassed when I woke up. Also, I was mad at Rachel because she was the one who suggested that I do the solo.

Oh, the best TV Show ever.

Learning and Living

Here are some facts, followed by a conclusion:

1. Yesterday was Rachel's first day of school. She is at this very moment working on her school work.
2. I am jealous of her school work.
3. Lately, I have been going to the library and checking out books on subjects like "behavior management" and "common syndromes in children" and "how to energize your employees."

Conclusion: I want to go back to school.

Where should I go?

Another Visual Treat for You

GUESS WHO IS GOING TO THE SYTYCD SHOW ON NOVEMBER 21ST!

ME.

Update

Two things are all you need to know about my life right now:

1) I have been very busy with camp and FC and all the working that I do.

2) They started selling MY FAVORITE GRANOLA BARS IN THE WORLD again at Fred Meyer. Unfortunately, they can only be purchased in a multi-pack of 10 granola bars, only 2 of which are my favorite kind. So I have to buy these big packs just to get 2 of my favorites.

Favorite Granola Bar: "Food Club" Chewy Apple Berry

It is an off-brand generic that has no web site (I just checked) so I can't provide a picture. However, it is the most delicious granola bar ever made. They used to sell them in boxes of just 10 Apple Berries (glorious day!) but then they stopped inexplicably a few years ago. Until today when I was at Fred Meyer and I saw the Multi-Packs.

If anyone would like to arrange a 80%-20% payment agreement for these granola bars with me, that would be great. You pay 80% and get the rest of the bars, and I pay my 20 percent for my 2 bars.

Actually, it should be more like 85-15, because it was my smart idea.

Let me know if you're interested.

A Special Flying Colors Story

Once upon a time there was a little Ray of Hope camper named Justin. Justin started coming to camp 2 summers ago when he was 7. He and his 3 siblings had recently been removed from an abusive home and moved in with their aunt.


Justin also participates in Flying Colors (which is the program that I help run) which is held after camp is over every day from 3 - 5:30. When his aunt enrolled the kids in the program a few years ago, she pulled me aside and explained to me about Justin's extreme academic and school anxiety. He had some undiagnosed learning challenges that have kept him behind in school and he had developed a pervasive fear of failure.





The first year we had him in Flying Colors, he refused to even enter the "classroom" area because it reminded him of school. He would get sweaty and jittery. We worked with him and he was able to complete some assignments sitting in the hallway, but never really joined the class.





This year, Justin was doing better emotionally and so he progressed to being able to at least sit in with the class. He was very anxious about doing any school work but we paired him with a volunteer to help him one-on-one and that seemed to help.





Each kid had to set a goal for their multiplication "timings" (where they get 5 minutes to complete a page of 100 multiplication problems). Unfortunately, even though Justin is entering the 4th grade in the fall, he didn't know any of his multiplication tables. His volunteer partner and his teacher and him all worked together to decide that his goal would be to learn his 2's.





At the beginning of the summer, Justin couldn't even complete 1/2 of the worksheet with 50% accuracy. Daily he would get discouraged, and daily we would point out where he had improved, how he was working so hard and that we were proud of him. Slowly, he began to improve.





On Monday, Justin anxiously came up to his teacher and said, "I'll never finish the whole page. There's too many." She told him, "I bet you'll do better than you think you will. Just go a tiny bit faster than you did yesterday, and see what happens."





Justin's volunteer partner sat across from him and gave him a last minute encouragement before the timer began.





At 4 minutes, 38 seconds, Justin's hand shot in the air because he had finished his entire page. His volunteer buddy and him pumped their fists in the air and celebrated. When the timer went off, Justin ran to his sister and said, "I did it! I finished the page! And it was 2's!" They hugged and I rushed and got my camera and took his picture with his completed worksheet.





I've never seen a child so proud of himself. The whole class celebrated with him.





When Miss Alyssa corrected his work, she verified that he had completed the page with 100% accuracy. He was the first kid at Flying Colors to reach his goal this year.

"I'm not held back by what I can't do. I'm held back by what I think I can't do." - Jim Fay

The Bug Bite

I got the ultimate bug bite this weekend. Actually, it was a normal bug bite that swelled into the ultimate bug bite. On my forehead. The above picture is my bug bite and a special sneaky Zach in the background.

By the end of the evening, it had swelled into a tumor-like bubble that stretched from my temple to my eyebrow.

Just thought I'd share this with you.

Raindrops keep falling on my head

My ceiling is leaking!

Leaking!

That only happens in children's story books. But it is happening to me. I woke up to a mysterious drip, drip, drip DRIP DRIP DRIP sound and it took me at least 30 seconds to figure out what it was.

It was my ceiling.

What I Did When I Won the Lottery Yesterday

Just kidding. I didn't win the lottery. But that would be cool if I did.

In other news, I watched Meet the Robinsons the other day and I thought it was very adorable. I give it 5 stars.

Raspberry Rescue

Today I rescued 3 lbs of raspberries.

I went to Boxx Berry Farms with Carolyn and Rachel and we intended on just getting blueberries. Other people had told us that the raspberries were "piddling out" and they were probably "gone" by now.

But then the Boxx Berry Farm-ers asked us if we wanted to pick raspberries or blueberries, indicating that there were some raspberries left. Since they are my favorite, we went to the raspberry bushes, not expecting much.

Well, there were MILLIONS OF RASPBERRIES! And they were so beautiful! And they wanted to be picked!

What if no one ever came to pick those berries? And then they just died because no one picked them? And they never fulfilled their Raspberry Destiny?

Luckily, we picked them. Saved them.

Me and the baby I stole

Her name is Loa and I have stolen her from her parents. They don't know yet. Don't tell them.

I saw a dog on a floaty boat on the lake. He was silly.

A Day in Nicole's Flip Flops

SUMMER WEEKDAYS

7:30 Wake up

8:00 Workout with Cristina in her garage. We are doing P90X (as mentioned in an earlier post). It is insane.

9:00 End workout, drive home, eat breakfast, shower, put on flip flops

10:00 On Tuesdays, I have a staff meeting for RCC. Cameron and Ron both bring their babies, so I mostly just play with the babies and try to ignore Baron. On the other days, I either run errands or do RCC work during this morning time.

12:00 I eat lunch.

1:30 I head to Flying Colors and set up for the day. I really like my job.

3:00 The crazy children arrive. I greet them on the bus and shuffle them into the right classes.

3:01 - 5:30 Attend to kids that need to be attened to at Flying Colors.

5:30 - 6:00 Debrief day with staff and clean up, lock up site.

Evenings: On Wednesdays, I have BSB (Bible Study with my friends). On Thursdays, there is Ray of Hope/Flying Colors Staff Dinner. Also, there is SYTYCD on both of those days.

In my spare time, I like to read, wear skirts, eat Doritos, play fetch with my cat, and pester my family.

The Complaint Department

The Complaint Department here at the Nicoleissointeresting Blog Site has received it's first compliant.

Complainer: Margaret M. Johnson (aka Grandma)

Complaint: Nicole has not been updating about what's going on in her life.

Outcome: A few blog entries to follow will resolve this issue. Possible titles include A Day in Nicole's Flip Flops, Weird People Nicole Sees Every Day, The Ridiculous Things Kids Do at Nicole's Workplace, and What Nicole Did When She Won the Lottery Yesterday.

Uncle John Teaches Me About Socks

I read humorous trivia books at night before I fall asleep because they are light and fun. Uncle John's Bathroom Readers are some of my favorites.

Well, last night I learned that 95% of people put on their left sock first. I have never thought about this before. But I put on my right sock first! I am in the 5% minority.

I am going to observe the putting on of socks today and test their stats.

Stephen Colbert, will you be my friend?

I think Stephen Colbert is funny. I would like him to come to my house and make me and my friends laugh.

My favorite websites

Graph Jam:

Cuteoverload:

Awkward Family Photos:

Failblog:

A Writhing of my Insides

Today, at Flying Colors, I was OVERCOME with stomach pain. Here is an accurate photograph of me during that time:

I have deduced the experience to "food poisoning" and I blame BGO. I feel better now after ridding my body of most of what was inside it.

Stupid BGO.

HP fans and phones

Just in case you don't also read Lynn's blog, I am providing this link for your reading pleasure.

A Short Story by Nicole Raden

Once upon a yesterday I was driving to Ray of Hope summer camp to visit my friends. Ray of Hope summer camp is being held at Nooksack Elementary School. I did not know my way there but I got directions. To find my way home, I thought I would reverse the directions. Easy peasy.

Well, I got lost.

Five times.

I was mad. Irate, even. Some might say I was fuming. I was so incrediby mad that after work that day, I went to Costco and bought a GPS!

And now I will never be lost again.

The End.

Tiny Bun.... Oh My Gosh, I Want One...

HP Town

Is where I am living right now. We have rented all the movies and are watching them in succession.

Is Harry Potter actually cool? Or is he sup nerdy and we all just think it's cool because we're nerds, too?

Undecided.

Learning

I learned last night from one of my books that 4% of people never laugh at work.

It didn't say, but I wonder - Where do you think they work?

Giant worm

Today I saw* a giant worm. Giant. GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS SIZE GIANT. I'm serious.

*I'd like it to be known that when I typed this out, I accidently typed the word 'saw' backwards, so it said 'was.' I almost published "Today I was a giant worm." That would have been funny.

phrases

My friends and I are trying to implement a new alternative to swearing. Inspired by my roommate Rachel, we have come up with the following exclamation:

"What the Rach?"

Please feel free to use this as often as you would like.

For real.

For real Rachel made Ricky a facebook page. You can find him under Ricky Martin VanBuren Raden (note VanBuren is one word).

Also...

last week Sharon (my boss) went into the Rebound office and saw a full grown man squatting outside the back door.

Pooping.

This is outside the back door of our office. In public. Pants around the ankles.

Sharon went around front.

Shake Shake, Shake Shake, A-Shake It

Today I saw a special man when I was behind Rebound.

He was wearing white-washed jeans and a GECKO blue and yellow t-shirt. He was walking by himself a little ways away from me with his arms awkwardly out to his side.

And then he shimmied. Full-on shimmied. Bent over forward and everything.

Special man.

A Day in the Life

Ricky's Daily Schedule

7:30 - Begin stalking in Nicole and Rachel's bedroom. Stare until one of them opens their eyes.

7:45 - Begin "meowing" routine. (Resembles quacking noises.)

7:48 - Weave in front of Nicole's feet while she tries to go down the stairs.

7:50 - Breakfast. Stop "meowing."

7:51 - After one bite of food, run into the living room while Nicole puts on her shoes and get in her way.

7:52 - Continue to breakfast area. Bat water bowl around and splash it on the ground. Nap.

9:10 - Hear Nicole's car back from workout, sprint to greet her at the door. Meow and stand on your hind legs until she picks you up.

9:15 - Sit in the bathroom while Nicole takes her shower. Try to jump in between the shower curtain and liner. Follow her around.

9:50 - Run to the door to see Nicole off again.

9:52-6:30pm - Secretly eat high-calorie foods and nap.

6:30 - Race to the door to meet Nicole or Rachel. Start meow/quacking until they feed you dinner.

Evening Activities: Play with Arby's toy. Lay inappropriately spread-eagle on my back.

11:00 - Follow girls to bed. Poop in litter box while they're brushing ther teeth.

12:00 - 5:00am - Sleep on Rachel's pillow. Claw affectionately at Rachel's scalp.

Getting Started

Ray of Hope slash Flying Colors training starts tomorrow. Camp starts next Wednesday. It's my FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR.

Check it out.

What has happened in the past 8 days:

1. Flying Colors has ended (for a week)



2. I began a new workout regime called P90X

1. I ate a veggie wrap



2. I was crabby



3. I watched SYTYCD and realized that I have a heterosexual crush on Cat Deeley

Curd

I dropped a single curd whilst eating my cottage cheese this evening. It landed exactly where my left foot was going to step.

It felt like I squished a teeny slug.

It was not enjoyable.

A Request

My mother has requested my skills and abilities in functioning as the Decorations Coordinator for my brother Ryan's graduation party.

I HAVE TONS OF IDEAS.

1. Live rams (His high school mascot is a ram.)
2. Writing his name on the ceiling with blue tape
3. A bubble machine
4. Inviting his favorite celebrities (Shawn Johnson, Abraham Lincoln, the cast from Space Jam)
5. Shaving his name into our pet's fur

Plus more.

Do you know what is stupid?

Four-packs of toilet paper. There's no reason to only buy FOUR ROLLS at a time.

Do you know what you're going to need for the rest of your life? Toilet paper. You should buy the maximum number of rolls possible. Otherwise you'll just be buying toilet paper all the time.

That's just a belief I have I wanted to share.

Some Things In My Room

A poster Krizzly made me, with pictures of me and Rebound kids

A desk

My FRIENDS DVDs

A fancy alarm clock

A life-size cut out of PeeWee Hermen

A Snowy Bear

A cup

My vitamin C tablets

Eleven journals

Which one of the above items is a LIE?

Up

Saw UP today. I cried like a little baby. I cried like my mom cried during Bolt. Like Carolyn cried during Junior.

(That's the movie where Arnold Schwartzenegger gives birth. Carolyn is way nerdier than me.)

Spider

Ricky has been chasing the same spider for three hours.

Also, this spider is now on the ceiling. How can spiders crawl upside down on my ceiling? Do they have sticky feet? Is this spider getting spider-foot-goo all over the place?

I'm not sure I like that.

I saw a cat named Freddie today

He was black and fluffy and he loved me. Why do animals poop and pee and barf and everything? I would have a lot more animals if they didn't do those things. Here are some animals I would adopt if they had no bodily fluids that impacted my life:

And maybe if I had a bigger apartment.