Thankful Today

This week has been a busy one - lots of new projects, Donte's birthday, an interview in Richmond, Va., etc., etc.! So I thought this was the perfect time to stop, take a deep breath, and give thanks.

I'm thankful for my husband, Donte, who just turned the ripe ol' age of 27 (I've robbed the cradle!).

I'm thankful for the nice man at Mr. Tire who gave me a discount on my tires this past weekend.

I'm thankful for the roof over my head and food in my fridge during a time when so many people are struggling financially.

I'm thankful for my daughter's "A" on her math test this week! (Go Riss!)

I'm thankful that just when one door closes, God opens another.

Have a great weekend. Remember to take stock of all the things you can be thankful for in life. It feels good. I promise.

Nicole

Monday Afternoon Mantra- 12/8

Hello all,

I'm a bit late with this week's mantra, but better late than never! :)

"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." -- Jim Ryun

Have a great week, and make working towards your dreams a habit!

Nicole

What Women Care About

Curious about what matters most to women right now? The YWCA just released a study that tells us all about it. Generation Y (women aged 18 to 29) feels that civil rights and racial discrimination should be at the top of the new administration's list of priorities along with the financial crisis.

As a Generation Y-er, I agree. :)

Check out the study.

Nicole

Monday Morning Mantra - 12/1

Morning!

Can you believe it's already December? Time for the holidays, one of my favorite times of the year! Here's a quote to keep you focused on what's most important this week:

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." -- Albert Schweitzer
So go forth in pursuit of happiness this week!

Nicole

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