Showing posts sorted by relevance for query kole. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query kole. Sort by date Show all posts

Friday, August 8, 2008

Kole's Pearls of Wisdom

Kole is one of the smartest persons I know. She is also one of the best listeners I know, and she gives the best advice.



So, I've decided to dedicate one day a week to Kole's Pearls of Wisdom. You will become a better person for checking these out. I promise.

Today's nugget, overheard last night.

"Nicole, A and B just go together." ~Kole

KEY:
A = Assholes
B = Bitches

Ain't that the truth?

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

100 things for my 100th post

This was actually easier to write than the first '100 things about me' on my old blog. Um, enjoy?

1- My favorite comedians are Mitch Hedberg (RIP), Ricky Gervais and Steve Hofstetter.

2- In the last four months I have lost 27 lbs and gone from a size 10 to a size 4.

3- I am running in a 5k this weekend.

4- I have a friend who constantly asks me when I will find him a classy girl.

5- My favorite beer is Blue Moon.

6- Though I’ve never been super keen on having a wedding, if I do have one I know who I would ask to be my bridesmaids.

7- Apparently I forgot to cash my 2006 tax refund and the IRS actually contacted me to reissue the check about a month ago. It was a great surprise bonus!

8- I have my Master’s degree in Media & Cultural Studies from the University of Sussex in England.

9- I lived in Brighton, England for 14 months.

10- I hated tomatoes for 27 years but have recently begun to like them.

11- No such luck with olives.

12- My current restaurant favorite is La Parilla’s Enchiladas de Cerdo (pork enchiladas).

13- My best friend, Kari, lives in Lyon, France with her husband, Jonathan. I miss her terribly. If you haven’t visited her blog you totally should.

14- Having nieces - Ava and Nola - has made me really want children for the first time in my life.

15- My favorite coffee flavor is German Chocolate Cake from Barnie’s Coffee & Tea Company. Thanks to Kole’s parents for the introduction!

16- Last weekend I made Roasted Chicken with Goat Cheese-Macadamia Nut Crust and Sun dried tomato and basil couscous with toasted macadamia nuts and balsamic vinegar (I highly recommend this one!).

17- Autumn is my favorite season for many, many reasons, including sweater weather, changing leaves, s’mores on an open fire and Kole’s seasonal decorations.

18- Kole and I both have a ridiculous love affair with coats/jackets.

19- I am a very optimistic person.

20- But I still can’t believe I will ever get married.

21- I bought a pink iPod almost two months ago, and I still haven’t used it.

22- I still haven’t seen Juno.

23- I’m going to Scottsdale, Arizona in 2.5 weeks.

24- It will be my first college football game and tailgate.

25- I am a Steelers fan.

26- I have only been truly hung-over once in my life.

27- I quit drinking milk four months ago and while I miss it, I feel much better physically.

28- But then again, I also quit drinking sodas four months ago, so maybe it’s the combination of the two.

29- I’m afraid I won’t finish the half-marathon that I have been training months for.

30- I average going to comedy clubs about twice a month.

31- I really enjoy knitting, but I have only completed one project since learning how to do it eight months ago.

32- I volunteer teach adults English once a week. And I love it.

33- It took me four years to learn how to roll my R’s for Spanish. I learned how to roll my R’s by saying ‘pot of tea’ as fast as I could over and over in front of the mirror. I felt like a dumbass, but it totally worked.

34- My astrological sign is Pisces, but it doesn’t mean a thing to me.

35- I never thought I would want a cat until now. After living with Kole and her two kitties for almost a year, I can’t imagine not having one. But I won’t get one because my dad and older sis are allergic and I’d much rather have them around.

36- My first boyfriend’s name was Stephen. We were 12 when we ‘went out’. When I was 22, I became friends with Stephen’s older brother and it wasn’t until I was 25 that I realized Stephen was his brother. Small world.

37- I love playing board games, especially Scrabble, Payday, Scattergories and Monopoly.

38- I’m fairly good at playing Texas hold ‘em, which is funny because I have been told I have the most expressive, easily readable face.

39- My favorite perfume is Exotic Coconut from Bath and Body Works. I’m sad because I don’t believe they make the Eau de Toilette version anymore and I wear it nearly every day.

40- I really wish I could draw well.

41- I watch Food Network way too much and want to eat my way through Italy or Spain.

42- I chew gum too much.

43- I smoked my first cigarette when I was 14.

44- I don’t smoke now and I think it is a very gross habit.

45- I am extremely affectionate with people I care about. I get it from my very loving family.

46- I cannot imagine not saying/hearing ‘I love you’ to/from my immediate family every time I talk to them or see them.

47- When I was five, my older sister convinced me that Icy Hot was toothpaste and after I used it, I told my dad that my mouth felt funny. Once he figured out why I used the Icy Hot for toothpaste, Steph got in very big trouble.

48- This is the same sister who told my parents that I said the word ‘crap’ when I was about seven because she wanted to see how much trouble I would get into. I didn’t even know what the word was back then and yes, I got into big trouble. Thanks, Steph, and Dad, are you reading this?

49- I love being surprised.

50- My favorite flowers are tulips.

51- I have a long list of TV shows that I would like to watch but don’t think I’ll ever get around to seeing. I’d rather read.

52- I don’t really like texting, though it seems to be many of my friends’ preferred method of communication.

53- I’m a heavy sleeper except when I have to be somewhere early in the morning, and then I will wake up at the drop of a pin.

54- I get so excited about events/people that I can’t sleep. This happens a lot.

55- When I yell and cheer by myself in the stands at sports' games I don’t feel foolish in the slightest.

56- I wish I had known my grandma and grandpa on my dad’s side better. They both passed away a few years ago and I think about them a lot.

57- When I was growing up, I wanted to be a nurse, a lawyer and the first female president of the United States. Not particularly in that order.

58- Instead I work in public relations.

59- My boss is one of my best friends.

60- My favorite drink is now a vodka tonic on the rocks with lime.

61- I love the sound of a rustling newspaper.

62- I really enjoy doing crossword puzzles.

63- And coloring. (Yes, at the age of 27. It’s very relaxing. You should try it.)

64- I think TV programs on eating disorders help perpetuate the problem. And I say this from the perspective of a recovering anorexic.

65- But strangely, I love buffets, and will choose Golden Corral for special occasions.

66- I love grocery shopping and will spend hours in natural food stores like Whole Foods Market.

67- I have fallen in love with wine.

68- I miss living in England but I will never move back.

69- I love musicals!

70- My favorite musical is Wicked.

71- I think Hal’s is the best steak restaurant in Atlanta.

72- My favorite piece of meat is a filet, medium rare.

73- I think bison burgers taste better than cow burgers.

74- One of my biggest food weaknesses is Cold Stone Creamery’s Peanut Butter Cup Perfection with added brownie.

75- I would like to be cremated when I pass away.

76- The closest I’ve been to a television celebrity is having Ben Savage (of ‘Boy Meets World’ fame) sit in front of me at Disney World.

77- I really want a baby grand piano and that is at the top of my ‘to-buy’ list should I ever become rich.

78- I eat oatmeal almost every day for breakfast.

79- I go to IHOP or other breakfast restaurant almost every weekend.

80- I think I make really great coffee but I’m sure many people would disagree.

81- I really want to go bungee jumping and sky diving but am afraid I never will.

82- I don’t like having my picture taken, but don’t want to miss out on having the memories ‘immortalized’.

83- I am a bad liar except when I absolutely have to be one. And don’t ask when I have to be one.

84- I cry very easily at movies. It can be ridiculous.

85- I think peanut butter and corn syrup sandwiches are amazing.

86- Even though I haven’t worn a watch in more than a year, I still look down at my wrist when I want to know the time.

87- One of my ultimate goals in life is to write and have a book published. And it will most likely be science fiction.

88- If I have a daughter, I would like to name her Lillian Grace. Lillian was the name of my dear aunt who passed away recently.

89- I really enjoy going to concerts, but I would rather sit than stand with the crowd.

90- I used to collect teddy bears, and my possible children will inherit a huge collection.

91- I named all my stuffed animals after the people who gave them to me and I still remember every single name.

92- I have been in a grand total of three car accidents; two of which I was the driver and none of which were my fault. Well, unless you blame my car hydroplaning on me.

93- I would drink coffee all day if there weren’t caffeine-related consequences.

94- I’ve had the same car since I was a senior in high school. And her name is Bessie.

95- I wash my hands incessantly and it’s typically the first thing I do when I go to a restaurant.

96- I usually sleep on my back.

97- I don’t usually move once I have fallen asleep, and I have been told that I am dead quiet.

98- I started ‘going grey’ when I was 17. My head’s version of going grey is curly, white hair. Yeesh.

99- I am not a violent person, but when I was 17 and went to see Titanic with my high school sweetheart, I punched him hard for laughing during the drowning scene. Because if I hadn’t, every girl in the theatre would have done it for me afterwards.

100- I’ve only driven a stick-shift a couple of times about eight years ago and since then I have told myself to practice driving one again in case of an emergency. It still hasn’t happened.

OK. Now I am completely sick of me.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Martinis & IMAX

Well, one of the items on my 109 in 2009 list is to have a girls' night out. I've actually enjoyed a couple now, but I finally have one with photographic evidence.

Last Friday, I went with a bunch of girls to the Fernbank Museum for Martinis & IMAX.


The dinosaur backgdrop at Martinis & IMAX.

It was a BLAST! I highly recommend going. Afterwards, a couple of us went to Amy's house for a glass of wine and a Matthew McConaughey flick.

Here are a few photos from Fernbank.


Bridget, Raegan, me and a lot of hair!


Me and Jamie Leigh.


The best roomie in the world (a.k.a. Kole) and me.


Raegan and me.


Kole looking sassy!


Kole, Jill and Robin.


Me, Ashley and Amy.


Amy looking sophisticated. It was Martinis & IMAX after all.


It was Bridget's birthday!


Ashley looking lovely.


The first photo of the evening. Eh, who said they had to be in order.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

If you like piña coladas...

There is never a dull moment when Kole and I hang out. Never. Well, unless you count the couple of times she and I have dozed off watching films. But not last night. No!

Last night we enjoyed a stimulating evening of watching trash TV while Kole enjoyed a special treat.

Piña colada granola with vanilla yogurt and Bud Light with Lime anyone?



I can't begin to tell you how happy this photo makes me. Or how much we laughed last night. And I don't think I can ever tell Kole how much moments with her - like last night - mean to me. Seriously, girl friends like her are the greatest.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

2009 looks bright

When 2008 came to a close, I had big plans of wrapping everything I have done this year in a nice, neat package. But as anyone who knows me can attest, I suck at wrapping. So, instead, I will just summarize my 108 in 2008 list.

In 2008, I attempted to do 108 new things, or things I just haven’t done in a really long time. Let's see how I did.

1- Learn to knit (Thank you, Sherrie!)(1/09/08)



2- Hang something on my bedroom wall - a photo, a candle holder, some art, a calendar - something!

It was a calendar. Maybe I need to set my sights higher this year - like a photo frame.

3- Volunteer for a worthy cause


This had to be in addition to English School, because I began volunteering there in 2007. So, during December, I helped out at Clark's Christmas Kids with Clark Howard (from AM 750 WSB). You can see more photos from the event in this post.

4- Sing karaoke


(Me and one of my best friends, Bryan) I did this while playing Rock Band - it counts, right?

5- See a play or ballet performance


Cam took me to see A Christmas Carol at The New American Shakespeare Tavern on Peachtree Street. The show was wonderful! I also had food there for the first time and it was very tasty (and reasonably priced!).

10- Go to an opera I saw a live feed from the New York Metropolitan Opera of La Fille du Régiment. It was wonderful.

11- Try a new game


Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 on Wii - hilariously fun! - and Rock Band!

13- Run a half marathon (10/25/08)


I couldn't believe how accomplished I felt after finishing. And how painful a stress fracture can be.

17- Have a taco night


Cam and I made The Food Network's Turkey Tacos Picadillo one night at his place. They were very spicy and delicious. And see that guacamole? That is one of Cam's specialties. You'll have to ask him for the recipe. And just for fun, here is a photo of Cam (with his cousin, Brandon, in the foreground) fixing the infamous guac.


Handsome and he likes to cook. Or as he puts it, he likes to eat.

18- Read the entire Harry Potter series

I bawled reading the last couple of books. I didn't want it to end. I think the Twilight series might make my 2009 list...

19- Visit a state I have never been to, and not just a drive-through.


I went to Arizona for the first time in my life on a mini-vacation in September.


It is incredibly beautiful, I had a wonderful time and want to go back for another visit. You can read about the entire trip here.

23- Throw a party


I helped plan the annual Christmas party thrown by a political group I am heavily involved in.

25- Go on a trip with my sisters


I went to Florida with my beautiful sisters (L-Steph, R- Barb) to visit some family. You can read about the entire trip here.

26- Take a dance lesson

Kole and I took a very special dance class. If you want more details, you'll have to ask me personally. Or Kole.

32- Go to a concert (7/12/08)


Me and Abbs hanging out while watching 7 Sharp 9 in July. They were great!

36- Create a scrapbook

As Cam pointed out, I have referred to this blog as my online scrapbook.

41- Read Son of a Witch: A Novel by Gregory Maguire

I didn't enjoy this book at all. Boo.

46- Read Middlesex: A Novel by Jeffrey Eugenides

I recommend reading Middlesex. It was very interesting and kept me engaged until the very end.

49- Read The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

This is one of my new favorite books. I hear the movie is pretty good, too.

50- Read Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

I LOVED the play when I saw it in London, the book, however, SUCKED.

52- Watch the movie Juno (10/02/08)

Over-hyped, but good.

55- Watch Stardust

I really enjoyed this film, but I'm a huge fantasy & science fiction fan.

56- Re-watch the entire British version of The Office, including the two Christmas specials

And I'd do it again in a heartbeat. You think Pam and Jim are cute in the American version, just wait until you see Dawn and Tim in the UK version. *sigh*

57- Try a new restaurant in Marietta

It was Wild Wing Cafe - VERY tasty wings!

58- Try a new restaurant in Atlanta

Cam took me to La Tavola Trattoria Restaurant in Atlanta. It was absolutely wonderful. I wish we had taken photos!

60- Run three miles without stopping

Please see half-marathon information above, and I ran a lot of miles while training for that half-marathon. :)

64- Have a facial

And it made me melt.

66- Participate in a Texas hold ‘em tournament

I didn't win, but it sure was fun!

68- Go to a comedy club(April 13, 2008)


My friend, Travis, being, erm, friendly with the comedian, Nick Guerra (who I highly recommend seeing, if you get the chance).

I LOVE live comedy and frequent the local clubs. I highly recommend you visit The Funny Farm and The Punchline to see great comedy in Atlanta.

70- Go to the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern

Please see #5 above.

73- Try a new haircut


Do you remember this post?

I decided on long layers, with side-sweep bangs:


Me showing my hair to Coach Bill Curry.

79- Buy a new dress & 80- And matching shoes

I did, but I don't actually have a photo with me in the outfit. New Year's resolution: Take more photos.

83- Eat breakfast for dinner

This actually happens all the time. In fact, we had breakfast for dinner with Cam's family last night that consisted of country ham, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, biscuits and grits. Man, now I'm hungry!

85- Try a new fru-fru drink [a.k.a. fruity alcoholic beverage]


I had lots of new fru-fru drinks this year, including a peach martini (YUM!) on New Year's Eve, but I don't take a photo of any of them. Though I did have a new drink the night the above photo was taken. And I just wanted to post it again.

87- Have a girls’ night


I have one pretty much every Wednesday.

90- Help someone find a job

I helped a couple of my friends unsuccessfully try to find jobs. Maybe this year they will be successful in finding them!

91- Watch home movies with my family


For some reason, my sister loves to show off the angel above. I've seen her a number of times on the TV at my parents' house.

92- Cook with my mom

We made French toast together - yum!

96- Pay off my student loans (3/14/08)


The idea of debt scares me, so I was so happy to pay this off before it went into payments.

100- Be at the hospital when Steph’s baby is born


Ava Gabrielle stole my heart the moment I touched her.

101- Be at the hospital when Barb’s baby is born


Nola Ashlyn is my sweet little angel. I couldn't love my nieces more if I tried.

102- Make a key lime pie


Key lime pie is my absolute favorite dessert. And this was the EASIEST recipe to make. And honestly, not to toot my own horn, but it was the best damn key lime pie I've ever had. I like to think that Cam agreed.

Groceries needed:
9-inch graham cracker pie crust (Deep-dish if you can find it)
Four eggs (you will just use the yolks)
2 (14-ounce) cans condensed milk
1 cup of key lime juice (you could probably use regular lime juice, but the key lime is what made the flavor for me! We found ours at the local Harry's Farmers Market)
Sour cream
Powdered sugar
One lime for zesting (optional)

Directions
Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees F. Combine the condensed milk, key lime juice and egg yolks. Whisk until well blended and place the filling in the pie shell. We had so much mixture left over that we put them in tiny bunt cakes (please see photo above) and sampled them later that night after cooking the little bunts with the big pie and then chilling the little bunts for a short time - yummy sampler!) Bake for 30-35 minutes and then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Once chilled, combine about a cup of sour cream to three+ tablespoons powdered sugar (do it to your taste) and use to dollop on the top. Some people spread the topping over the whole thing before serving, but I like to give people the option, though I personally love the sour cream/powdered sugar mixture. Cuts the tartness of the pie. Then sprinkle lime zest as a garnish on top of the sour cream and serve chilled.

What I won't post is the video that Cam took unbeknownst to me while I whisked the key lime pie mixture. Let's just say I look like a hula dancer from behind.

107- Try a different dish at my favorite restaurants (at Murphy’s Deli, La Parilla and Outback)

Well, two out of three isn't bad. Cam, you want to go to Outback this year?

108- Finish a knitting project


My friend, Sherrie, holding the dishcloth I knitted for her.

And it is usually during these 'wrap-ups' that people talk about how thankful they are for everything in their life. And I'm not going to break that tradition. Because I am incredibly thankful.

I'm thankful for my sisters, their husbands and my incredible nieces.

A Christmas photo we had done for our parents.

I'm thankful for my parents.


At Steph's wedding rehearsal.

I'm thankful for my friends.


Some friends on New Year's Eve.

So many things happened in 2008 that weren't on the to-do list. Well, at least they weren't on my list. Items like having two nieces and falling in love. But those are the best things in my life. And I'm so glad I can add them to my life list.


Ringing in the New Year. Properly.

Happy New Year, everyone. May be it filled with as much love and hope as I feel at the moment. Which is a lot.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Kole's Weekly Pearl of Wisdom

"If you're battling between the person that you know you are and the person they want you to be, then of course you'll be exhausted. That's a 24-7 battle." ~Kole giving me my daily pep talk Wednesday morning

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Love & Hate Tuesday

As inspired by Zandria.

Love: My boyfriend, Cam. I love Cam for many reasons, but one thing I especially love is his thoughtfulness. This past Saturday was my 'Champagne Birthday' and he made it incredibly special by planning the whole day. It began with some incredible presents (I'll have to 'show' y'all later), a lunch with my family and then a huge party at his house, where he did all the cleaning, cooking, set-up, etc.

Hate: Uncertainty. With economic times the way they are and with no end in sight (hi, no optimism about this today!), my financial situation is very stressful. While money isn't everything, the inadequacy I feel right now because of my lack of funds, and my inability to create any, is a burden I feel buried under.

Love: Lindt Lindor Truffles Stracciatella. Kole received some of these for her birthday in January and I couldn't get over how good they were.

Hate: Brussel sprouts. Seriously. Why would anyone eat them?!

Love: Living with one of my best friends and loving every minute of it. Everyone needs a Kole.

Hate: When people make fun of other people. While I have been guilty of this myself, it actually makes me feel sick when I listen to other people mock individuals. And some times what we hate the most, are things we hate about ourselves.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Randomly...

So, we think Ava is going to be an avid sports fan. Here she is watching a baseball game with my dad, where, ironically, Dad was watching the Braves while wearing a Yankees shirt. Hmm...



We threw Barb a baby shower on Sunday and I didn't take a single photo. What is wrong with me? Barb is due on August 16 and my mama thinks my second niece is going to make an early appearance. I think she will be late. Wanna put some money on it, mom?

Meaghan came to visit on Saturday and it was so great to see her after a number of years. She is 4.5 months pregnant and has never looked more beautiful. While she was here we went maternity clothes shopping. It was fun! I actually started dishing out my opinion to other pregnant ladies trying on cute outfits while Meaghan was in the fitting room. I hope they didn't mind.

Kole and I played Mario Kart on Wii Friday night. I didn't realize you had to turn the remote to make the car move. I kept pushing the arrow buttons and wondering why my car was stuck against the wall. Unmoving. Yes, I am a genius. But once I figured it out, it was a lot of fun!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

What makes you happy?

So far today, it has been:

1 - Getting my lazy bum out of bed early to work out at the gym.

2 - Giggling with Kole on the phone.

3 - Looking forward to English School tonight.

4 - Coffee!

5 - The Silversun Pickups and their song, Well Thought Out Twinkles.

What is making you happy today?

Friday, June 20, 2008

Friday Hodge Podge - with visuals!

1 - Oh my goodness. You have to buy a Ped Egg! No. Seriously.



I know it looks like a cheese grater for your foot, but it totally works wonders! I first read about it on Sarah's Sensibly Sassy blog HERE, and then at knit night my friend Laurie showed me how fabulous her feet looked after using one. So, I bought mine at Walgreens last night for $9.99 and I think it is the best $10 I have spent in ages (one really good bottle of pinot grigio aside).

2 - I have a great boss. We all know this. And guess what great boss did this week. He surprised me with a bag of my favorite candy. Just because. And because I am not eating anything sugary during the week (besides a Cold Stone Creamery ice cream that I had to have on a night out with Kole - ahem), I have stared longingly at the bag every 15 minutes or so for the past two days. I find it helps me build willpower!



3 - My friend Michelle's daughter, Kailyn, is a ballerina. And she is gorgeous. Well, so is her mother, so it makes perfect sense. They came to visit the other week and I spent a few minutes taking photos of her. Isn't she beautiful?



Have a great weekend, y'all.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Guilty Pleasures Part I

1 - Blogging

2 - Reading other blogs

3 - Cranking up Leona Lewis's Bleeding Love EVERY TIME it comes on in the car

4 - Cheese!!

5 - Watching trash TV with Kole

6 - Coffee with creamer

7 - Peanut butter M&Ms

8 - Pedicures

9 - Buying a new top just because

10 - Watching David Cook sing Billie Jean over and over again.



What are some of your 'guilty' pleasures?

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Wednesdays are the most depressing day of the week

Wednesdays are the most depressing day of the week. Well, according to University of Sydney scientists.

You can read the full article about why Wednesday is the most depressing day of the week by clicking here.

Supposedly many people think that Monday should be the worst day of the week, but it's funny because I don't mind Mondays so much, but Kole and I agree that Tuesday is actually the most depressing day of the week. By Wednesdays, like today, I am quite happy to think that the week is half over.

Oh, and methinks that Ava has something she wants to say about this.



And you can't tell me this isn't one of (if not THE) cutest baby picture you have ever seen. Hopefully, it will help you make it through the 'most depressing day of the week'.

Happy Hump Day!

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

When meowing just isn't enough

We're not sure, but we think Sassy wanted Kole's attention.



Ya' think?