Nic, The Gardener

I'm officially a gardener! Ok, well, maybe not. But look at those beautiful flowers! So, I thought this would be soooo simple. How hard could it be to rake out the flower beds, but new mulch down and plant new flowers? Uhhh, now I totally understand why people hire gardeners. lol My entire body hurt for about 4 days afterwards. I could barely even walk! Thank goodness my little sister helped me out. If it weren't for her only half of the flower bed would have been complete. So there it is. My first gardening job. (Maybe my last!!) haha

Wordless Wednesday

To my Grandmother

I've just gotten off the telephone with my Grandmother who lives in Dallas. We have a special connection, she's like my second Mother. I call her about 2-3 times a week to catch up and let her know I'm thinking about her. She won't touch a computer so I have to fall back on the old fashioned tele-communications. lol

I learned how to cook from her. I remember when I was a little girl I would play with the pots and pans in her kitchen. She'd let me roll out the tortillas (even though I never got them round). Whenever I'd help her make dinner, she's always proudly tell everyone at the table "Nicolasa made dinner tonight". My Grandparents gave me that name when I was younger.. Nicolasa. It stuck and I love it even more since they called me that.

When I was younger they would take me to the VFW with them for parties. During this time I learned how to fold the American flag and joined the Juniors (an organization in the VFW for youngsters). I accompanied them quite often. This leads me to a funny recollection. I was BIG into wrestling back then... you remember the Von Erich's right? (ok, ok, make fun, but hey- I grew up with 4 Uncles!!) So I had a choice to go to Austin for the weekend with my Grandparents or go to a wrestling match. So I chose to go to the wrestling match!!! I don't really remember the match, but for some odd reason I remember my Grandmother giving me the decision. lol I also remember when she used to help me fix my hair and put it in pony tails. Awwww those were the days!

Funny the things you remember from your childhood. I love you Mema!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

I know it's supposed to be wordless, but isn't he so cute! My nephew all dressed up as our ring bearer.

In Loving Memory

Wordless Wednesday

Thursday Thirteen

13 things about yours truly:

1. I HAVE to vacuum, well, actually, clean the house at least every other day

2. I hate clutter, so I'm always putting stuff in cabinets then later we cant find them. hehe

3. I tend to say "DER" a lot - I know, it's annoying lol

4. I roll my eyes alot (sorry, I can't help it)

5. I have a brother and sister who are twins

6. I come from a Mexican/American family but am the only one apart from my Grandparents who speaks Spanish fluently. (immediate family)

7. I was married right out of high school (it didn't last)

8. I am obsessed with animals. If we could afford it I'd get a ranch with tons of them!

9. I care if people like me or not. Like- really care. I wish I didn't.

10. I was friends with my hubby for 7 years before we "hooked up".

11. I love to cook and would love to be a Chef.

12. When I was 5 I got stung in the eye by a bee. So now I'm petrified of them. (Long story)

13. I love all kinds of music. I will listen to absolutely anything. :)

Wordless Wednesday

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Venice - I know, it's late

We almost didn't make it. We had to leave the house at 4:15am to catch a 7am plane. Well, Dumbass (aka - ME!) set the alarm, but forgot to turn it on. So at 4:20 by some miracle Patrick wakes us up and we jump out of bed to pack the car. 15 minutes later we were on the road. Let me just say, that was the fastest I've E-V-E-R gotten ready in my lifetime. Anyway, We had such a great time! Three nights in Venice.... the weather was sunny and warm. I don't think I've ever walked (or sweated) so much in my life. We rode a gondola (even after thoughtful consideration- it was expensive!!!) and loved it! Went to the Rialto market and browsed all the goodies vendors were selling. I loved the architecture and swarms of people. The food was, let's say, different, but I always cleaned my plate. Mr. "Picky" had a tough time though. LOL All in all it was a fab 1st anniversay. So I guess each year we'll have to top this one..... need to start playing the lottery, and QUICK! HEHE

Hot Pants

So I've decided to try out the "Hot Pants" DVD workout. It's a dance work out and is lots of fun. I actually did the entire 45 minutes of it last night. So today I can barely walk and my entire body is in pain. Im going to try it again today to loosen my body up so I can WALK IN VENICE. LOL That would really suck if I was hurting on our vacation. Anyway- I'll give updates on how this dvd works. I've heard nothing but good things about it. Cross your fingers!!

Bridges of Madison County

Ok- I just watched this movie for the 2nd time. I knew it had its sad parts, but I watched it anyway! So I just had a really good cry. Can someone explain to me why us women do this to ourselves? LOL

Isn't he Lovely

I received my first random gift yesterday from Patrick. I can't believe he remembered I wanted this perfume! awww bless him. He just racked up loads of brownie points!

I found Heaven

Everyone knows I love to clean. I found the PERFECT website for cleaning supplies!!! Actually a lady gave me her catalogue and I feel in love (and ordered about £50 worth of stuff of course) hehe

http://www.kleeneze.co.uk/

R.I.P. *Joaquin Reyna* (Papa)

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of my Grandfather's death. I grew up in my Grandparents house, so I was very close to him. I miss his witty sense of humor and his funny remarks. He was the smart cookie of the family. Everyone would go to him for advice or to fix stuff (he could fix anything) I think he liked that- it made him feel important, which he was.

He was the first person I've ever lost close to me. He had lung cancer which ended up moving into his brain. It was very hard to see him deteriorate like he did. I felt so helpless and wanted to comfort him, but there was nothing I could.

He's in a better place now, peaceful. He was 78 when he passed. My Grandmother looks to the bright side and says he lived a long eventful life. Good to know! :)

I miss you Papa and love you lots!

August 16, 1928 - July 25, 2005

Triskaidekaphobia

This is "The fear of Friday the 13th". I'm not superstitious, but I thought this article was interesting.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0212_040212_friday13.html

(Can you tell I'm bored?)

I need to get in a good mood

I don't want to sound like a whiny baby, but man do I miss everyone back home. I can't get out of this mood. Everyone tells me what a great opportunity we have to be here. I think it's a good opportunity too (especially with the traveling), but nothing replaces family and friends. I feel like I'm missing out on my nephews and nieces growing up. Will the little ones even know who their Auntie Nic & Uncle Patrick are when we come home next year? I'm missing out on our puppy growing up and our grouchy cat with his moody ways. We just bought a house before we moved over here and we can't even decorate and enjoy it. whine, whine, whine... get over it nicole!! LOL

I think my main problem is that when we lived in Dallas I was on the run all the time. So I went from a busy bee to having absolutely nothing to do. I'm trying to keep myself busy with my new cooking blog, cleaning the house and online shopping. hehe It's amazing what shopping will do to your attitude. :)

If you are reading this, please know I miss you and it would be great to hear from you!!!

Love,
Nic

Missing my Hubby

Patrick is in Dublin Ireland for a week with work. Since we are literally together 24/7, at first I thought kewl, I'll be able to veg for a few days and will have some me time. Well, today is the first day he's been gone, a little over 12 hours and I miss him!!!! I guess I can say, I'm addicted to my hubby. LOL :)

I have a new cooking blog!

Hey everyone! I'm excited to announce I've created a blog with dishes I've made. Feel free to drop by and add ideas or your thoughts. :)

http://nicinthekitchen.blogspot.com

It's Getting Scary Over here

For all of you who've been asking.... we are ok. Thanks for asking, but please don't worry :) It is getting scary though. Here is another suspicious act the police have found.

http://www.orange.co.uk/news/topstories/4434.htm?linkfrom=hp4&link=ticker_pos_1_link_2&article=index

It's CHILLY in June???

Ok- I knew the weather would be different than Texas, but come on! We have lows of 45 and highs of 60 for the past week (and next week to come!) Oh well, I guess it's better than 110 back home! hehe Oh and I'm sick of the rain!!! lol

Venice here we come!

We booked our 1st anniversary trip to Venice Italy today!!! I am so super excited!!! yay! We will stay at this hotel while we are there http://www.hotelcaformenta.it/it/galleria.htm. We have a room with a canal view. Little more expensive, but well worth the view (I hope).

Like they say in Italy... Ciao!!! xoxo

It's Thursday Already

I've been on an emotional roller coaster this past week. My Grandma's health is not so great and I'm so far away, I can't even help to take care of her. I am super homesick, but am so happy to be here with Patrick. I love getting emails or talking on the phone with friends and family. It's weird because when I lived back home I hated talking on the phone. Weird what distance does to you.

I haven't really commented on how I like it here in Cambridge. The countryside is so beautiful and we absolutely love the ability to travel Europe at a moment's notice. I love the fact that there are more holidays here. Like Good Friday... back home I would have had to work on the Friday (maybe get off a little early), and work on that Monday. Not here!!! Friday and Monday are both bank holidays so we get a long 4 day holiday! That was nice. On the other hand, it would be nice to have shops that stay open after 8pm and have a real mexican restaurant nearby. There is one in town, but it's a joke. Onion rings and potato wedges is what they consider Mexican food here. It's actually pretty entertaining to read the menu. LOL Let's see... what else is different. Oh- they dont have screens on the windows to catch the mosquitos. They dont even SELL them here! There is no air condition in the housing. I really dont think it's needed anyway, except for the summer months, but for warm blooded peeps like Pat & myself, it would be nice to sleep in 65 degrees. ;) I thought I was going to be uncomfortable because of it, but it actually hasnt been bad. Patrick says it hasnt gotten as hot as last year (let's hope it doesnt). They have this thing here called "allotments". People have sheds and gardens off site of their actual house. So when they want to go to their garden or shed, they get to hop in their car to get to it. There is just not enough room here.

I really miss our home in Lewisville. We just found out that the owners of the house we are leasing won't allow us to have pets. So, we will be petless until we get back to the States. :( Also found out that Odin will go through Chemo for about $1000. Not too shabby.

Our dog

We found out last week that our dog has cancer. Canine transmissible venereal tumors is what the cancer is called. He got it from 'breeding' with another dog before he was neutered. Thank goodness he doesn't seem be in any pain. He is only 2 years old and has a full life ahead of him so we are going to pay the money for his chemotherapy. A few people have told us, 'just put him to sleep, he's only a dog'. I tried to give the peeps who said that the benefit of the doubt. Well, they don't really like animals, or they dont own an animal. But I still think animals should have a chance at life just as much as we do. I don't see how people can be so mean to animals!! They are so lovable!! Look at that face!! That's 60 pounds of unconditional love sitting on that couch!!!

Far Away

As most of you know, I'm living in England until August 2008. I have only been here since April but it seems like years. Don't get me wrong, we appreciate the opportunity we have to be here, but we really miss home (especially me). About a month 1/2 ago reality hit me.... Im far away from my friends and family. It's only me and my lovely hubby. I dont mind being here alone with Patrick, but there is something about knowing your friends are down the road and are available for a drink if you wanted. I also came to realize how precious and valuable my fam and friends truly are to me. Distance really does make the heart fonder. I've had many days of depression lately, with non-stop rainy weather and the 6 hour wait for people to start waking up to make phone calls to the states. I know eventually I will get used to it, but right now it's kind of hard, especially for someone who was always on the go. Patrick tries to make me feel better- awww, bless him. He's used to this kind of life, far away from loved ones. Im just a spoiled brat! hehe Whew! I feel better! Man- this blog stuff really does work! haha