Gratitude Tuesday

There is so much that I could babble on about today but at this moment I feel in my heart that it is important to focus on what I am grateful for today.

Today I am incredibly grateful for viewing an amazing sunrise, albeit in my office, but amazing nonetheless!

Today I am deeply grateful for the deep well of power that I have inside me.

Today I am grateful for an incredible mentor and guide who has helped me through some pretty tough growing pains today.

Today I am grateful for the wonderful work I am blessed to do with some of the most incredible people around.

Today I am grateful for being flooded with love from some surprising places.

Today I am grateful for the peaceful feeling that has perched itself firmly in my heart and my head!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about Nicole!

This has been all over Facebook but I am not really sure that I want to put it on there. So I am doing it here so that you can learn something new or confirm something you thought or get a good laugh! :-) Either way I have put together some 25 things for your enjoyment.

25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about Nicole!

1. My sisters are my best friends and my best friends are my sisters!

2. I once thought I was broken but it turned out that what gets broken (my heart, spirit and soul) grows back stronger and more powerful than ever imagined!

3. Speaking of broken...I have broken my right arm twice. The first time (age 7) I fell off of a swing and did not want my cousin to fall so I braced us both and fractured my shoulder. The second time (age 10) I flew off a bike that hit gravel and broke both bones just above my wrist.

4. I have experienced and survived floods, tornadoes, earthquakes (1994 Northridge is the biggest), fires, Los Angeles Riots (1992). I mark my college years: Riots, fires, floods, earthquake, car crash...Makes for a fun conversation!

5. I never buy the first book or magazine on the shelf, I will always pull from the back. I love books and love to read!

6. I moved to California the morning after I graduated high school. It was exciting and scary all at once. Still one of the best decisions of my life! I had the most incredible send off at the airport with the people who love me!

7. I am incredibly loyal, loving and romantic. Like serious fairy tale romantic! I am also very protective of those I love and care about.

8. I am a work-a-holic and I hide behind my work. (it's just easier right now.)

9. I got engaged and married and bought my first car all in the same year (1998). The only one I still have is the car! Damn fine car! ;-)

10. I will write and publish a novel, play and/or screen play. Trust me I have enough material! Who wouldn't laugh at "Your Mother" or fear the "Alpaca with an Uzi?" Let alone all the other stories I have lived and imagined!

11. I have done mean things that I am not proud of.

12. I believe in karma and universal energy.

13. I can be shy and insecure and quiet and introverted. AND I have spoken in front of hundreds of people and can be heard in an auditorium without a microphone, if needed!

14. I believe in miracles. I believe in the magic of mistletoe. I believe in things that can not be seen. I believe that there is a plan and purpose for my life. I BELIEVE!

15. I want to get married on a beach under the moon light with no shoes and flowers in my hair.

16. I love having my head rub as I fall asleep. I miss having a good night and good morning kiss!

17. I cry at sad songs and sappy movies and sad commercials. I cry easily and I am okay with that.

18. I love pickles and peanut butter. I think it started when I was conceived...I have been told my mom ate them together. I have received peanut butter as a Christmas gift more than once! I had it shipped to me when I was in college because I could not get my favorite brand in Los Angeles. I always have it in the house! I always have pickles in the fridge. I seem to always buy them when I go to the store. I love, love, love pickles! I love, love, love peanut butter and can eat it straight from the jar with a spoon or a finger!

19. I want everyone to like me and think I am smart & good at what I do. Yet I can be competitive and neurotic.

20. I love to dance and sing but don't do either particularly well. I love to dance with a fabulous partner. I have taken ballroom, swing and line dancing. Not to mention in another lifetime (high school, I was a cheerleader). I am looking for a great partner...any takers?

21. I miss my incredible wine collection and being able to buy good and cheap wine at any store I pop into on my way home from work.

22. I don't like dating. But hope to find an amazing partner to walk beside me for the rest of this life.

23. I love my hair. I spent years hating it and trying to get it to be something different. It never took to being straightened. I finally realized it is what it is and I love it. I color it because it has been getting whiter and grayer over the last 20 years. I believe I have hair like my Gramma and when she passed she was all white...so some day that will be me and I will love it just at much.

24. I love to cook and bake. I once won a cake decorating contest when I was a kid. I love the randomness of throwing stuff together in cooking and enjoy the preciseness of baking. If I could I would own a coffee/book/art shop and bake goodies and cook yummy soups all day long.

25. I drove from West Los Angeles to Pittsburgh in 4 days. I did it alone. I did it without getting a speeding ticket. I cried about 90% of the way as I left behind the life I had built to move on to a new one I was about to create. I stopped the first night because the darkness of Arizona scared me. I stopped the next night because I drove 15 hours and was exhausted. I stopped the last night in Effingham, Illinois because of the name. It was funny! I snuck my cat into hotels that did not allow animals. I looked the other way as guilty truck drivers were worried about a girl seeing them eat ice cream for breakfast. I was relieved when I hit my home state of Ohio. Finally, I am starting to really enjoy the life I have in Pittsburgh and have no regrets!