Volunteering for Thanksgiving

Okay, so the lesson for yesterday was, things might not turn out exactly as you planned, but make the best of it! Per our family tradition, Donte, Nerissa, and I headed out to D.C. last night to make food for the homeless along with my good friend, Kendria. We were late (thanks, Donte), so we got there an hour and a half after the event started, but we weren't too bummed because it was supposed to last an hour longer.

To our dismay, they were packing up when we arrived.

Nerissa's eyes welled up with tears, and I got that guilty parent feeling, but I consoled her and told her that sometimes things don't work out, and we have to make the best of it. So we resolved to find another volunteer activity soon, and dined on some Mexican food! :)

There are lessons in everything, right?!?!

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Monday Morning Mantra - 11/24

Morning guys!

Here is your Monday Morning Mantra:

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." -- Helen Keller

Be daring and adventurous this week. That's what life is all about!

Nicole

The Soaps Are Dying? Say It Ain't So!

Today I saw a Yahoo! blog claiming that soap operas are dying, and I sighed. But the photo of my beloved "Days of Our Lives" couple John and Marlena, made my heart sink. I haven't watched an episode of "Days of Our Lives" in ages, but it's ongoing presence has always been kind of comforting to me.

My mother, my sister, and I shared a common knowledge of the show, having watched it at different points in our lives. We all knew the families and the back stories of the major couples, John and Marlena being one of them. We enjoyed the bizarre story lines (such as Marlena being possessed by the devil and John being the priest who performed her exorcism). It's just been one of those ongoing things between the women in our family - another thread weaving through our relationship.

But it seems that soaps are dying away, and I wonder what their replacement will be. I can't even keep up with the shows on TV now - "One Tree Hill," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Ugly Betty"? Just not the same.

So here's to you "Day's of Our Lives." It was fun. Sniffle, sniffle.

Nicole

Balancing Worklife & Parenting

I'm finally settled back in from my trip to San Fran and L.A., and I thought I'd share with you some of the things I covered in my session during the Summit. I facilitated a learning group on balancing work life and parenting. I'm sure many of you can relate. :)

While I allowed the ladies to swap ideas, I also gave them three tips that I share with many groups on how to breathe life into your relationships with your children:

The Power of Praise - Have you ever noticed how good you feel when someone praises you? It lifts your spirits, and it makes you want to come back for more! Sometimes we're too critical of our children, and that can have the opposite effect.

Happy Hello's - I used to pick my daughter up from daycare with a cell phone glued to my ear. I realized that this was the wrong way to greet her. I now have a rule that I end calls before heading inside to pick her up, and I always try to have a smile on my face.

Take Inventory - My mom is a really talented painter. Sometimes she gets down on herself if she feels she hasn't shown her work in enough galleries. I often remind her of all the things she's accomplished, including raising two healthy, accomplished daughters. As moms, we don't step back and look at the big picture enough. We are helping to mold and create loving, kind human beings. That's quite a feat!

I'm learning that these simple acts can do wonders for any relationship. I see the effects they have with my little Riss every day.

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 11/17

I'm back from San Fran, and I'm ready to start the week! Here's a quote that should carry you over the next few days. Success depends on you!

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing." -- Abraham Lincoln

Have a great week, guys!

Nicole

Grateful in San Fran

I arrived safely in San Francisco this afternoon (technically this evening, my time) for the Women in Leadership Summit. It's a bit foggy, damp, and chilly - not what I expected - but I've enjoyed the Starbucks and Whole Foods run we made and our good friend, Erica, is preparing a yummy pork loin dinner.

During the flight, I read an article in Real Simple Magazine about keeping a "grateful diary." Every day you write down what you're thankful for and supposedly you'll see the effects - improved self-esteem, better relationships, gaining perspective on your life. This made absolute sense to me. When I say my prayers at night, I feel better after thanking God for all of the things He has done for me throughout the day. So I'm toying with the idea of doing that in this blog each week.

Starting today.

I"m thankful for arriving safely in San Fran. Thank God!

I'm thankful for our new President!

I'm thankful for my good friend, Kendria, who is always so supportive of my work and everything in my life. She has traveled with me to San Fran, and I really think she'd travel to the ends of the earth!

I'm thankful for my daughter, Nerissa (who I'm missing terribly).

I'm thankful for having a business that allows me to write, travel, and meet new people.

I'm thankful for the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Starbucks. :)

I feel better already!

Nicole

Good Housekeeping Giveaways!

Anyone subscribe to Good Housekeeping? My mom got me a subscription (I'm usually a Glamour girl), and I wasn't excited about it at first, but I love it now! I guess I've quickly settled into married life in which I'm as excited about stain removers or a new recipe as I am about a cute pair of shoes. Unbelievable.

Anyways, they always have great giveaways. Right now you can win anything from the complete Flinstone's DVD set (seriously!) to a complete kitchen remodel. Check it out!

Nicole

A Historic Moment

Last night, I did something I've never done before. I went to a rally for a presidential candidate. As soon as I got the invitation (an email from the Obama campaign), I sent it to friends and asked who was interested in going. There was little hesitation. All of us are excited about this race - excited about the potential for change.

I arrived at my friend Kendria's house at 4:45 pm (late!), and we hopped in her husband's truck. The five of us - Kendria, her husband, her brother-in-law, myself, and Nerissa (she was almost as excited as I was!) - headed down to Manassas, Va. What was supposed to be a one-hour ride turned into a three-hour ride, which included a potty-break and a run-through McDonald's for dinner. The traffic was so bad that we had to park on the sidewalk of the main road and walk almost two miles to the fairgrounds. Once we arrived, we stood in a sea of people that seemed to stretch farther than the eye could see on all sides. They announced that we were 80,000 strong. Unbelievable. It felt like a historic moment. It felt like the moments my dad describes in the 60's. It felt like we were a part of something much bigger than ourselves.

We waited another hour for Senator Obama to arrive. Various people made speeches, they played music, etc. Just when my impatience was getting the best of me, he arrived, and it was almost like a rock star walked onto the stage. The crowd exploded in cheers. Nerissa and I joined in the chant, "YES WE CAN!" It was really an awesome moment. His speech was stellar, as always.

Even though I didn't get home until 2:30 AM, and my legs were sore and feet were cold, I was thankful that I'd gone and that I'd given Nerissa a memory she'll never forget. We will be able to tell her children and my grandchildren that we were there together. Inspiring to say the least.

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 11/3

Good morning everyone!

I thought it would be fitting to kick off this week with a quote from Michelle Obama - a woman whom I deeply admire. This week don't let fear hinder you from doing great things. It's often the one thing that holds you back.

"You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen. We just weren’t raised that way." - Michelle Obama

Have a fearless week!

Nicole

PS - I'm off to the Obama rally in Manassas tonight! Woo-hoo!

Back from New Mexico and Fall Fun!

I'm back from New Mexico and I agree with Dorothy, "There's no place like home!" It felt so good to be back in Maryland with my fam. Traveling is great - seeing new places, meeting new people - but I love being home in my comfy socks and bombarded by Nerissa's hugs. :)

Before I left, I'd planned to show you guys some pictures of the family and I at a fall petting zoo last weekend. I didn't get around to it so I'm sharing them with you now. As you can see, we had a ball!

Make sure that you get out and enjoy the fall season. Warm apple cider, pumpkin patches, and apple picking are sure-fire ways to warm your soul!

Love,

Nicole