It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The Christmas Season can officially begin; though for many retailers and stores around the country, that happened back in June (Notice the date this picture was taken)

Christmas in June?
(Added June 25 ·  · Comment)

The turkey and stuffing has been eaten and eaten and eaten. Football games have been aplenty. Black Friday shopping was more than I bargained for. The colors of the trees have turned to shades of oranges, reds, and yellows (although, I suppose here in Texas, it's still a work in progress). Yes, Thanksgiving has come and Thanksgiving has passed. Now I can really get into the Christmas spirit. You can't go wrong with Thanksgiving; for the obvious reasons above. However, there is something(s) about the Christmas season that, in my eyes, makes it the most wonderful time of the year. 

Without further ado, here are my Top 10 reasons why I am looking forward to this 

MOST WONDERFUL time of the year.

10. Decorations 

Face it. Nothing can beat the loaded window displays, the ribbons and garlands around every lamp post, the glittering lights of various colors and doilies and nativity scenes and christmas trees decorated to the brim with ornaments.

9. Music

Carols - traditional or not. The music can lift your spirits on a down day, and who doesn't love belting out "O Holy Night" (bad as it may be, but seriously, who can sing it like Josh Groban anyways). 

8. Lights

What is it about the soft glow of Christmas lights that makes me feel all warm and cozy inside? 

7. Baking

As if I need another excuse to put on my apron and getting my baking on. Fudge. Cookies. Bread. Toffee. Yule Logs. Brownies. Welcome to the Land of Sweets!

6. The Smells 

Fresh Christmas trees. Cinnamon and spices. Bread and cookies baking in the oven. Do I need to keep going? You get the picture. 

5. Giving Gifts

Shopping this time of year can be chaotic....no, make that shopping IS chaotic. Despite the mass of people, the lines, the waiting, and more people....it's a lot of fun trying to find the perfect gift for whomever I'm shopping for; and then the feeling you get when you see the look of joy on their face after they have opened their gift. Priceless!

4. Spending time with Family

With all the hustle and bustle that comes with the Christmas season, making time to spend time with those near and dear to your heart should not be forgotten. Whether it's a night by the fire sipping hot chocolate, making Holiday treats in the kitchen, or watching a Christmas classic on TV, nothing beats doing those activities when I get to do it with my family. To quote Burton Hills,  "The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." 

3. New York City

This year is particularly exciting and NYC is even more a reason why I am looking forward to this season. Why? Though family is near and far, Christmas will bring us together in New York City this year...we have Caitlin to thank for that (See earlier post). Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Light and decorations in Times Square. Snow in Central Park. The Radio City Rockettes. I got a feeling that it's going to be spectacular! 

2. Worldwide Celebration and Traditions

Unlike Thanksgiving, or Independence Day, Christmas is celebrated throughout the world. Whether in France, or New Zealand, or Africa, Ukraine, Mexico, or Japan - millions of people gather together with friends and family to celebrate this special time of the year. Though the language, the food, and traditions may differ, the reason for the season can bring us all together to celebrate what the season is truly about. 

And that brings me to reason one....

1. Christ, the Savior of the World 

Decorations are up, people are madly shopping for gifts, the Grinch can rear its ugly face, and the man in the red suit is more talked about than the person for whom we celebrate this joyous holiday. Though it's fun to bake, decorate, blast out those Christmas tunes, and shop for that perfect gift, this season is the time to stop and reflect on why we really celebrate this time of year. It is not the gifts, the trees, the decorations, or the food that make this a season full of wonder. It is when we remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, that the Christmas season becomes truly special. It is no coincidence that Christmas is the time of the year when people are the most loving, the most giving, the most kind, and the most grateful. In the true spirit of CHRISTmas - in between the Christmas parties, gift exchanges, present shopping, and decorating - let us find ways to lift up those around us and celebrate our Savior’s birth by being followers of Christ in word and deed. Yes, it truly is the MOST WONDERFUL time of the year. 

A Dream Comes True

A few months late, but I would be amiss if I didn't make mention about how proud I am of my little sister, Caitlin. She has been through triumphs and achieved numerous accolades - it was evident since the moment she first stepped on the stage that amazing things were in store. She has been through tragedies, none of which deterred or weakened her soul and spirit. Quite the opposite in that it made her more resilient, stronger, and more determined to achieve her goals and dreams.

One in particular came to fruition this past summer. Take a look for yourself. 

Moments after the big announcement...

Yep, my little sister is a ROCKETTE. 

And not just any Rockette, but a New York Radio City Rockette!! I'm quite ecstatic (probably because of the fact that I get to spend Christmas in New York this year - hey,  who wouldn't be?). As happy and uber excited (yes, I did just say that), I am even more proud of her for what she has accomplished. Caitlin, you ROCK!!

And if you aren't able to make it up to NYC this year, here is a snip-it of her performance. I've been told that this number is even more spectacular live...which goes without saying that I am in for a real treat come December 24th!!

Coming Soon...

Two months have come.

Two months have passed.

But have no fear.

New Posts

To a blog near you.

Stay tuned....

Welcome September...

and 

that 

can 

only

mean 

one 

thing

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL

If the upcoming season is anything like last...

then the next 4 months are going to be 

mind blowing

in your face tackling

are you kidding me catching

ankle breaking moves

off the chain touchdown playmaking

FOOTBALL

ARE YOU READY????

Another thing that makes me :)

A different kind of post

DISCLAIMER:

The following post is not a typical post that I tend to blog about. 

I am not one who is going to make finding my husband my lifelong quest, 

nor go on a year long mission to find the 1, 

and certainly not do this.

But this was 

something worth blogging about...

because it made me smile...

and it involved sneakers....

With that said...

In NO way am I trying to imply anything...

and no, I am not in any hurry to actually do the "m" word, 

or freaking out about finding someone, 

blah, blah, blah...

ok there's my rant on dating. 

Done. 

Finished. 

Over.

Browsing thru my new favorite "literature" 

(ok, so it's really more about the pics - seriously though - it's ALL about the pictures)

And stumbled upon this picture.

So it inspired me to write a little letter. 

Here goes....

Dear Future Husband,

Wherever you are and whenever it's right

Don't fret about how or if it's under the stars at night.

If you were to pull out a pair of sneaks like this,

There is no doubt the night will end with a kiss

Because after the words "will you marry me" you say,

My answer will most definitely be yay.

Love,

Nikki

Sneaker Heaven

I'm a bit of a shoe fanatic. Clarification. Make that a sneaker fanatic. Some may call them tennis shoes. Or if you are a 13 year old, I think the "politically correct" term is kicks. 

So I was browsing through the magazine section at B & N and I came upon a magazine which was literally made for me...

Yes, that is correct. 

An entire magazine dedicated to the beloved sneaker.

As I was looking through various archives and links to this bodaciously rad site, I came upon this webpage.

First, I'm not exactly sure I would pay quite that much for a pair of custom made kicks. Maybe that doesn't make me quite the fanatic I thought I was...and then my fears were confirmed when I scrolled down and saw this picture:

and read this text....

dedicated showroom and 500. 

Yes, as in 500 pairs of sneakers. 

Say what? It makes my collection of sneakers look pretty small.

I guess I have a little work to do in terms of catching up to this guy....

In the words of the little engine that could....

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can"

its Been a Long time Comin'

You may have noticed that my blog has undergone some changes; 

{uh make that a lot, a lot of changes}

Of course, I guess this statement depends largely on how often you view the blog. 

So, if this is your first time, then to you I say  welcome. 

If you are a regular, then to you I saw  welcome back.

Enjoy the new look.

~ Live. Laugh. Love ~ 

A Letter

Dear Blog:

I apologize for neglecting you over the past few months. You see, one day I got home from work and sitting on my couch were two men dressed in black suits. Turns out they were from the CIA. Recruiting they said. I laughed. BIG mistake because the next thing I knew I'm in a foreign country wearing a black suit. Yes the very same suit those "CIA agents" had on, in the dead of summer. Why must it be wool? I am not sure why but people kept referring to me as Agent 99. One of life's mysteries I guess.

But back to why my blogging entries have been more absent than present. During my time in many foreign lands, I had suspected something was amiss. My instincts proved correct and my life as Agent 99 must disappear forever - or someone was going to do that for me. So of course I did what anyone else fearing for their life would do. Pack a bag and head to India to hike the Himalayas. Really, who would find me out there? Maybe Bear Grylls (Seriously though. You can never count out a person who finds enjoyment in eating nasty bugs and meat from dead carcasses!). What was supposed to be a few days in the mountains turned out to be more. Like 3 weeks. I was just trying to throw off those crazy Russians in the first place. Maybe it was the bright orange shirt I was wearing. Or that awesome signal fire I made but I was eventually found. Thankfully it wasn't the Russians. My good buddies, the "CIA agents" just happened to be the ones to rescue me. I quickly learned this was no accident. I was informed immediately that I must go into protective custody. You see, during my time as Agent 99 I stumbled upon some documents that were evidently not supposed to be seen. The person who was supposed to shred that material apparently didn't get the memo.

Well, lucky for me I did and you know what that luck got me? Me holed up for one too many days in a house with pink and green walls in the middle of Podunk, Wisconsin. And since no one could know my whereabouts, any electronics were a no no. So, what I thought was only going to be a few days between blog posts (because I was going to blog that very same day those two "CIA agents" showed up at my place) turned out to be quite a few more. Ok, more than just a few. I began to tally the days of no blogging because what else is there to do in Podunk, WI? Days turned to weeks. Weeks turned into months. I thought for sure I was setting records by my 3rd and 4th months. Just when I thought my name would be etched into history, a knock came to my door letting my know I was free to go. Turns out what I saw wasn't such a big deal after all. Knowing I would be in the Guinness Book of World Records eased my anger for the ordeal I had just been through. I was fairly confident about my world record setting days of being blog free, but that confidence was quickly replaced with shock and I might add a little embarrassment. I was only short of the record by a few hundred million days. Oh well. Maybe next time.

So with all that has happened, I suppose I can't use that as an excuse because I've been busy in the past and had time to blog. At least about something. And currently I can't even use being busy as an excuse. Because I'm not. I am actually anything but busy. Maybe I am going through writers block and have nothing to say. Or it could be that I am suffering from topic withdrawal. I mean really. The life of a missing protective custody world record breaking CIA agent can't be that interesting. Of course when life is interesting and at its busiest, those are the times to blog. However regardless of life being not busy or life being not presently interesting there is always something to blog about. So my dearest blog. It is I who will commence from this day forth to do my best. To always make sure that days and weeks and months don't pass on by without a post from yours truly. I promise I will make it worth your while!

Live. Laugh. Love.

Nikki

Recognise I'M BACK

so, you've been wondering where i've been?

maybe what i've been up to? or not?

how bout i let you guess?

i've been...

a. in protective hiding because i'm a witness in a high profile trial

b. recruited by the cia. therefore do not have an identity.

just call me agent 99.

c. went on a backpacking adventure in the himalayas...sorta got lost (oops)

d. trying to set the world record for consecutive days without blogging

I am...

******************************************************

i was recently informed that i am not doing my blog correctly.

i believe the exact words were:

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so for the two people who follow this blog,

a post a day will keep the doctor away?

wait, wait...that's an apple.

nevermind.

a post a day will, um, is not the way to go.

unless you don't have anything else to do.

but i do.

so no posts two days in a row.

i'd rather not keep hearing this:

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[ok, so what's the next lesson in blogology, CC?]

so, if you happen to read this today -

check back

NOT tomorrow.

that i can promise you.

no new post.

anything after that.

not going to say.

that's what makes life exciting.

it'll be the game -

"guess when coach posts a new post"

~ Peace Out ~

2 for 2

well, well.

what have we here?

yep, that's right.

better make sure you are sitting down.

don't want you to pass out.

from shock, that is.

this is my 2nd post in 2 days!

holla!

are you really that surprised?

gotta give me more credit than that.

i couldn't build up the hype.

and then have a let down.

that'd be 2 thumbs down.

yes, yes, i know.

it has been a very long time.

october 18th to be exact.

eh, 5 months.

could be worse.

you know - like 6 months.

or even 6 years.

hey, it's not as long.

the last hiatus
i went on.

besides.

got no more excuses now.

[gosh, dern it]

ok, don't get too excited.

after all,

how exciting is the life of a coach?

Guess who...

after a little hiatus,

i'm BACK!

coaching done.

over.

finished.

can i get a yippee? YIPPEE!

[at least until next year].

sigh, sigh.

therefore,

i have a wee bit more time.

let's see.

could it be possible.

two posts in two days?

check back.

tomorrow.