♫ Word Vomit

I'm frustrated with the complexity of life sometimes. I get so wrapped up in my stress, tension, and to-do list, that I forget how easy it is in a moment, to simplify life long enough to enjoy it.

It's been a few weeks since a Random Monday blog, mostly for lack of time. Writing one at this point would just be ridiculous. It'd be 10 miles long, and 3 miles deep!

Instead, I need to just write. Did you ever do those exercises in English, where you weren't allowed to stop your pen from moving for an allotted amount of time? It works like a vacuum on cobwebs...and even makes this fun *shwoop!* noise! ...Well, not so much, but it works.

Please don't feel like you have to read through this mess, or even comment. Strike that. I want you to comment, in the same form. Write everything in your head, for five minutes straight. Under 'anonymous'. Get it all out. I'm listening, and will be praying for every commenter! <3

Annnnnnnnnd go:

We make life too complicated. I love the sound of crunchy leaves. I love my dogs, but I hate the puppy phase. She eats everything. I love my girls, but age four is painful. I love working, but I miss my family. I am tired of the single mom song. I love my God, and I love that He doesn't take roll call. I am afraid to fly, but am trying anyway. I LOVE both of my jobs. I'm overwhelmed with things to be grateful for. I am blessed to have a hellova support team. I love the smell of clean sheets, but not pillowcases. I want all pillowcases to smell like him. My camera and inspiration has been revived. I wish every summer was an Indian one. I have amazing friends. I'm not afraid to be 27, and am actually quite excited for this year. I love my curtains. It's ok that I only see one friend at a time. I will never stop loving ChickFilA. I adore reading. I am journaling again, in an old fashioned kind, pen and paper, the kind my girls will be able to hold and smell someday. I hate that glasses have gone from an accessory to a requirement. I hate short fuses. I hate long nights. I love making up. My bookshelf is my new favorite accessory to the living room, especially when perfectly dusted and topped with a good smelling candle. I wish people wouldn't be afraid of change. I hate laziness. I am not a felon, I am a divorcee...quite different. I am too forgiving. My daughter has my teeth, yay? My other daughter firmly believes that the decorated pumpkin in her room is giving her bad dreams, and that praying and dream catchers save her when they're not too tired. I wonder sometimes, if some people will ever leave denial, and find happiness. I worry even more often, that those same people will put themselves in the ground before realizing that change isnt a bad as they think. I'm hard to love, easy to trust, and fun to watch. I firmly believe in fairies. And wishes. And love. And forever. I find that passion, when squandered, does more harm than good. I'm tired of feeling like a thorn in her side. I miss the "her" that I remember so fondly. I hate being spiteful. I wish he'd get the appreciation he deserves. I have a newfound love for orange. It's impossible to make everybody happy, but it doesn't hurt to try. I live for experience and memories, not matieral items. I want fondue. I love, love, love everything about every kind of lily. Love is never-ending. Kindness is contagious. Naps aren't just for kids.

16 minutes.

Your turn! I'll even make the *shwoop* noise for you!

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday: 9-13-10

I'm sorry I'm blogging fail. I've been training my replacement at my job, which is a far better excuse than Sazaran's excuse...I promise. Actually, I have no idea what her excuse is. But mine wins anyway. ;)

*I officially want a polka dot dress, and red high heels. Like this, only with more red in the heel area.



*I'm in love with my life, and that's ok. That doesn't mean that everything is perfect, that just means that I really am succeeding in looking past life's imperfections.

*I've caught the dancing bug. This weekend? I'm begging that boy to take me out and swing me around a dance floor.

*Do you ever look around yourself, and say "mannnn, my friends are AWESOME."? Because I do.

*I'm realizing I'm a little bit of a control freak. And I'm ok with that.

*I've decided I'm going to be put as much effort in to people's lives that they put in to mine. So, here's me telling you boldly and plainly...This friendship or relationship is only as good as BOTH people involved, step it up.

*I've gone from "Mannnnnn, the summer is almost over, boooohissss" to "OhMahGah it's almost CORNMAZE season!" Who's in?!

*Compromise means "meeting halfway". This can be a very literal definition...not just figurative.

*I'm wearing a hair flower today, and hanging out with the girl that inspired it. Pictures might have to take place to prove this madness.

*Every single girl goes through this phase where she finds herself completely unworthy of love. It's our own little way of putting up walls to protect ourselves. Yes men, your girl is normal in her insecurities.

*I love my blondes. But everything in me wants to be brunette again, with a purple streak. Or maybe an entire head of bright red. For my hairs' sake, I need to invest in wigs.

*I'm in search of a little black dress, girls. Where is your favorite place to shop for such things? Skater-girl-looking, just below the knee, and absolutely fabulous...must all be in the description.

*"A true friend advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably."

*I am in desperate need of a pedicure. For serious.

*People keep asking me, "Why, with everything else going on in your life, did you get a puppy?!"...coincidentally, I'm also questioning my own sanity. BUT, I refuse to be home alone ever without a dog, and since the other dog goes everywhere with the man, I have to have something to trust with my sanity. Seeeeee?

*The first thing I read before I started my day...and cried. Because it's just...perfect.

If suddenly and without warning you had absolutely nothing to worry about, do you know what the world would begin to look like?

Un-huh, exactly the same as it does right now.

Alright, if suddenly you had absolutely nothing to be afraid of, do you know what you'd begin to look like right now?

Yeah, cool as ever.

OK, OK. If suddenly you had absolutely no expectations to live up to and no one to disappoint, do you know how free you'd suddenly be?

Yeah, same, same.

Get it? The only thing that would really change is your thoughts.

And you don't need circumstances or other people to help you with that, do you?

I say it's time to blow the lid off this popsicle stand.

- The Universe

*Dear song, thank you for saying exactly what I can't. (Thank you, Prairieeeee!)



Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ The Gaga Movement

I got in to quite the discussion about Lady Gaga with a close friend of mine today. Enough interesting points were made that I thought I'd blog them.

LOVE her wardrobe, love her edge, love her voice. I love that she’s an individual and absolutely proud of it.

I think she's got what it takes to grab the public by the ears and make them pay attention, in a good way. She's got a unique sound, a good beat, and she's an original.

That being said, I hate that she’s public about her drug use, hate that she’s obscene as often as possible, hate that she flaunts her naked self on her videos, and hate that she’s not realizing the impression that she could have on a younger generation.

I’ll refuse to let my girls watch her. And it terrifies me that the younger teenage generation are falling in love with her and trying to be more like her.

The girl has talent, but it's meant for a mature audience.

Confession: I loved her music when her album came out. My girls know Poker Face by heart. I would steal her wardrobe and her great danes in an instant. The second I watched Telephone, (If you click that link, it will take you to the video. And be cautioned, there is some explicit material that is not safe for work, or eyes under the age of 18.)

...I stopped listening to her music. Honestly, I think it has gone downhill since her first album. I've realized that if I am going to follow my own rule, and try to live in a manner that I want my daughters to live...I've got to stop watching and listening to things that I'm going to prohibit in my home.

Love Gaga? I'm not going to judge you, because I secretly still do. But ask yourself next time you listen to her, or anything,...if you had a daughter, would you want her following in those steps?

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday 4-19-10

We aren't forgetting about our blog. Actually, we're just showing off our slacking abilities this month. Aren't you proud?!

Random Monday!

*I can't wait for summertime. Which, thanks to a friendly reminder, is officially the theme of this blog.

*List of things on my summer to-do list:

-margarita's
-concerts
-a fantastic get away with my daddy
-a vacation with Brandon, something we're making a tradition. OMG GUYS MY FIRST TRADITION!
-ride in a big red truck, thanks to the power of bribery. ;)
-Horses. Somehow, some way, horses will come back in to my life this summer.
-the epic battle of yay kindergarten or nay kindergarten
-the best looking Nomz yet. True story, I'm gonna look amazing by summer.
-high hopes for at least one random road trip with a certain soul charger.


*Notice Sazaran's absence? She hates you.

*Not really. She's actually slaving at being amazing at something, something that you should all fan immediately: Sarah Michal

*It really bugs me when people gossip. Officially. Like, it's ok to talk to your close friends about random things about other people, but to talk to somebody else's friends about them? Not so much. People find out that way, and people get hurt that way.

*It bugs me that at the age of 26, I still have no clue what I want to do with myself. In a way, I hope I never completely figure it out.

*I'm working on trying not to focus on the doom, gloom, and negative things that are trying to rain right now, and refocusing on the people that matter most, the relationships that are actually healthy, and the friends that are true. I am surrounded by the most amazing group of friends, mama's, family, guy, and blog readers that a girl could ever ask for...something that will make even the worst storm; survivable.

*I do love pizza. All the time. It's totally my kryptonite.

*A funny song, that we all sing sometimes. Admit it:



A few of my favorite lyrics from it:

I haven't been to church since I don't remember when
Things were going great til they fell apart again
So I listened to the preacher as he told me what to do
He said you can't go hatin' others who have done wrong to you
Sometimes we get angry but we must not condemn
Let the good Lord do his job, you just pray for them

I pray your brakes go out runnin' down a hill
I pray a flower pot falls from a window sill
And knocks you in the head like I'd like to
I pray your birthday comes and nobody calls
I pray you're flyin' high when your engine stalls
I pray all your dreams never come true
Just know wherever you are, honey, I pray for you

***fine print: I wouldn't actually wish any of this on anybody for REAL.

*On that note...



Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday 4-5-10

Holy Crap Monday is almost over! Anybody else miss most of it due to its speed of light-ness?

Random Monday really are my favorites. It's like a cleanse. Not always easy to write, read, or understand, but you feel better afterward, right?

*Friday night, I had all these plans to be a lazy bum. And then I got motivated to shoe shop (thank you, bad influence sister), then I got a text from a girl who can cook better than most crock pots for dinner, so we coupled dinner and BBQ'd. And? I rode in a tractor for the first time since last fall. I think. BBQ Season = Busy Season.

*Speaking of shopping! I found a monokini this weekend! I've been searching literally far and wide for one. I've tried on a few, all lacking in purpose due to the amount of skin they show off. This one though? Ahhhhhmazing. Plus? It gives me shape AND hides the stretch marks. I'm so excited to wear it! (Phoenix, baby!) Look at it! Lust. And you can find it here, in case you want to match: Monokini. I should have known I'd find perfection in a skater store.



*It made me really, really sad to see bum's on Easter. It's going to be a dangerous thing, me living closer to a big city. I'm going to want to invite them all in. Sigh. While out on a hot date with my hot guy to the cheesecake factory, I happened to come across one brave enough to ask for a laptop. I suppose with standards like that, spare change would be better than nothing!

*My insanely shoe obsessed sister has a blog. If you're similarly shoe obsessed, you should read it. Especially on Wednesdays. Or mostly on Wednesdays, because that's when she blogs for the most part. What can we say? She's passionate about Wednesday's. Or shoes. Click here: Frolicking Frenzy. How can one resist such an adorable title, right?

*Life is like a stack of Jenga Blocks. That's all I'm going to say for now. More to come. ;)

*Things I always have in my desk: deodorant, tea, cookies, orange clorox wipes. Ah the life of a cubicle girl.

*I snapped some adorable pictures this weekend that I promise to post soon. One of which, happens to be my oldest Easter Egg Hunting in the lovely Wyoming wind. Can you imagine a 4 year old in an adult sized pea coat, a Vikings beanie, and a dress holding a basket and walking sideways? That's my Easter in a nutshell. Only throw in amazing food and a great family, with a side dish of spoiled-nomz-gravy.

*I am blessed with the coolest girl friends around. I'm not really sure how I got lucky enough to literally be surrounded by an army of them, but I am. Tonight? Over-the-shoulder-bolder-holder shopping, (see blog and laugh your boobs off: Over the Shoulder Bolder Holder ), the rest of the week? Epic lunch dates, jogging partners, and quite possibly mall walking. We live loudly.

*How was your Easter? What was your favorite thing about your day?

*If you could fly to the moon, would you?

*Song with amazing lyrics:



Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday: 3-22-10

Oddly enough, I am having a heckova time waiting to write this blog today. I have so many random things that MUST GET OUT before my day can move along any further. Random Monday’s are my favorite!

*I’m seriously debating finding a way to ride a horse this week. I miss it something fierce. My mom getting a new pretty horse isn’t helping matters either, and regardless of a saddle being involved or not, me and my skater shoes are paying a visit to the smell of him.

*The more I’m in this smallish Wyoming town (town omitted to protect my privacy, please don’t post where I live in the comments), the more I don’t want to be anymore. It’s like Spring Fever, but change-flavored.

*It makes me sad, in a way, to see all the malls emptying out. All the stores going dark. And then I realize all the strip malls are booming…with their doors facing the sunshine, and their sidewalks begging you to enjoy the courtyards as well as the shopping. It’s a good change people.

*Obama’s health care plan. I can tell you that a blog is coming. Because Sazaran is fairly political, and because I think we need to open some eyes on it, and because I’m not completely for sure what the big deal is. Research to come. What I DO know, is that a lot of the posts I’m seeing on Facebook and Twitter are about Mister Obama himself, who hasn’t even signed off on the health plan yet last I heard. Please people, just because I think it’s possible he will be the antichrists secretary (haha) someday, doesn’t mean that every choice he makes is going to put us in hell. Try to remain optimistic and do your research before assuming the worst.

*Anxiety is an odd form of beast. Some days you’re on top of the world, other times you feel like hiding from it. Try to remember the first feeling when you feel the second coming on. Hi self? Pay attention to your own brilliance.

*I’m reminded constantly how lucky I am to have the guy that I do. Constantly. They don’t make’m like that anymore. Willing to try anything once, willing to go anywhere to appease me, and willing to cook dinner and help with dishes? ”If you can make a girl smile, you can make her do anything. Ah Marilyn, you’re so right. And he can. Did I mention we’ve been together over a year and still have that spark? They don’t make’m like this anymore.



And, for the record, joining Facebook was alllllll his idea.

*I read in Cosmo last week that coffee, if drank before you have something to eat in the morning, dries out your skin. It was a serious aaahhh ha! moment. IF you drink coffee, eat a small breakfast first…or it will eat your skin. Lesson learned.

Pictures, Quote, Song…all reminders of my week:

The two adorable faces on the right are mine, the one on the left might be someday. I’m debating stealing her for good.



"Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine."

Admit it, you wanna sing along!



*I’m stealing a Question of the Day idea from a brilliant girl on Facebook (Hiiiii Nikki!), and every time I do a Random Monday post, I’m asking you a question. I expect an answer people.

Question: Do you ever bite your toenails?


Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday 3-15-10

Everybody wants to feel like an original...be one.

*I can’t wait for The Bounty Hunter to come out. Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston in a movie together?! Holy eye candy batman.

*Things have to get bad every now and then, so you can appreciate when they’re good. Otherwise, we take the good for granted.

*I love that it feels like Spring outside. It’ll snow again, thank you Wyoming, but baby animals are starting to come out, and green is starting to come up. That’s the light at the end of the tunnel for REAL.

*I told a few people that I’m going to be a Denver Bronco’s fan this year. Don’t worry, I still hate the team as a whole. But the quarterback they recruited today? Should be required to play in this at all times:



Don’t worry daddy, as I’ve already told you, I look better in purple surrounded by the best fans in the world. But mannnnnn



*I spent the day Saturday smelling horses, playing pictures, and eating BBQ with my mamma. It’s been toooo long since we had one of those days. I should probably mention that the BBQ we had, happened to have cheese in it. And I’m going back Friday for more.

*I've spent the last week deleting fan pages I never actually visit or that don't really apply to me, and friends that I haven't talked to in years...off my Facebook. No offense people, but I never look at your profile anyway.

*I have a heckova time writing without music. I’m not so sure that I’m inspired to write because of the sound, but it’s a must. Today, this is what’s given me the beat to my words:

Steve Earle - Copperhead Road



It also happens to be my favorite song to dance to when we go out.

*If you’ve never seen Food Inc? Watch it. Every single one of you should know exactly where your food is coming from. It doesn’t push any odd beliefs on you, it just gives you an inside view of exactly what happens to your food before you buy it.

*Reason 937 to love my guy: He’s a farmer. Thus: We’ll be the last to starve, and we’ll always have homegrown meat, and he constantly smells like Outside. Plus, he drives this:



For real though, watch the movie…and appreciate the people that get the food to your table. We take it for granted all too easily.

*Quote of the day: “We must be our own before we can be another's. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson”
Always be yourself. At the end of the day, you’re all you’ve got

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Hope Now

Ever notice how when it rains, it pours?
How when you're already at the bottom, somebody decides to throw a little dirt on top of you to make it feel worse?
How people wait until you are at your lowest, weakest point...to interfere, gossip, or judge?

Life has a funny way of testing our faith. Even if you don't have faith in God, you have faith in something. Faith in love, faith in hope, faith in family, faith in the future. Something that gives you reason to keep stepping.

And it's all too easy to lose faith in what keeps you going, when the world breaks you.

Hope Now by Addison Road



If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm Yours

I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

When my life is like a storm
Rising waters all I want is the shore
You say I'll be ok and
Make it through the rain
You are my shelter from the storm

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

I am not my own
I've been carried by you all my life

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free
(Repeat 2x)

You've become my hearts desire
I will sing Your praises higher
Cause Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫Random Monday 3-8-10

You know that feeling when you open all the windows for the first time in the Spring to let fresh air fly through your house after a long winter? I did that this weekend. And my mind is jealous. So...I'm going to let things flow today. It's awfully stuffy in here...

*Spring Cleaning is my favorite season. There really is something about cleaning at the end of winter that shakes my soul loose. Like...it hibernates all winter and waits for the smell of bleach, fresh curtains out of the laundry, and fresh air in the home to shake itself loose again. I blogged on Spring a year ago. Check it out! It's probably one of my all time favorites, and one of our highest read blogs: Learning to Dance in the Rain...or Kiss

*Keeping things private, and living a lie are two completely different things. Live truthfully, don't be afraid to admit when you're wrong or that you're imperfect, and move on. Pretending everything is perfect only fools you...not the people looking in.

*I changed my hair. Hi, I know we've already covered this. The point is, I'm still craving change. Not good people, not good. Dear life: Prepare yourself. You know how we work...and you know you're going to flip yourself upside down for no good reason at all.

*I'm going to attempt to count calories for the first time in my life. I'm just curious how much I actually inhale. Anybody that's eaten with me knows I don't eat, I inhale.

*You know how gold and silver look really pretty wrapped around each other? I'm silver, he's gold...and the combination really is something I never would have thought could meld so well. Women cannot complain about men anymore until they start getting better taste in them. ~Bill Maher <---so much truth.



Of course this pretty little piece is from Tiffany's, but I want something very similar to it someday. Just for the fact that it describes him and I so well. So different, and somehow perfectly compatible.

*Alice in Wonderland rocked. Especially when viewed as desert, after a fantastic meal with the best couple I know. I thought it was most excellent, especially considering the amount of material they squeezed in to less than two hours. Visually? So rich my stomach still hurts. ;)

*It's amazing, that once you get past my hard core attitude and tough girl shell, I'm made of mush, and gush, and sprinkled with girl. This last year has done nothing but prove that. And? And? Having girl friends ain't so bad after all.






"Some believe in destiny, Some believe in fate, I believe that happiness is something you create."

I miss home.



Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday 2-22-10

*I’m not sure why but I’ve got that terrible ”It’s just another Manic Monday…wish it was Sunnnnday song stuck in my head. Not that I’m fighting it, I do with it were still Sunday.

*I got to help a friend move this weekend, which was absolutely exhilarating. I love moving people, watching them start a new place from the very beginning. Like, I got to see the house empty, then box filled, and I’ll get to see it complete. Plus? Free exercise.

*In my opinion? Don't pass up any opportunity put in front of you. If it DOES work, God wanted you to have it. If it doesn't work, God said no. < -- does not apply to sky diving.

*I had an amazing weekend, I think you should know. Why: When my mom rolls out the table for breakfast, she means it. My guy pretty much rocks. My friends make me realize how blessed I am to have them. And it was a shopping, movie, food fest extravaganza, with an ending with just me, my guy, and a cute puppy face in front of the fire.

*I’ve said it everywhere I can say it except here: GO SEE THE BOOK OF ELI. Caution: It’s rated R for a reason, and has some pretty bloody scenes..but its recipe includes: a powerful message, filled with good acting, and baked at 350 degrees for approximately two hours bringing you to a perfect ending.

*If you only joined Twitter to follow one person, read all their updates, and that’s it? #youredoingitwrong.

*Please read my co-blogger’s, who looks fantastic in green by the way, Random Monday blog, to see what all I’m up to tomorrow night, and on October 10th. Tuesday!

*Relationships are hard. If they were easy, they’d just be called “sex”.

*Music Time! If we’re friends on Facebook, you’ve seen the posts. I’ve probably emailed it to you, if we’re in email contact. If I haven’t, watch it NOW. This video was originally done by a bunch of celebrities, and was redone recently by a group in Colorado (the third singer, is my soon-to-be-famous friend Isaac). WATCH IT PEOPLE.



*Quote: "Just because breasts are sometimes used in a sexual way, does not mean that the simple act of feeding a baby with them is gross or disgusting. Your mouth can also be used in a sexual way, but you still flap it freely in public."

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday-1/25/10

Yes, I know it’s not Monday. Or the 25th. But it feels like it. I took a four day weekend, and this Wednesday, is my Monday.

*I keep reminding myself that I can learn from others poor choices, rather than being spiteful towards them.

*Someday, when my girls are like 7 (please don’t remind me that the age of 7 is not far away.), I’m making them be Girl Scouts, just for my cookie needs. Om nom nom nom. <- - see that? All the Samoya’s just disappeared.

*I gave the blog a makeover this morning, like it? I do. The snow is still there because I have no idea where Sarah hid her brilliance, but it’s mostly invisible, and we’re actually just trying to give you a blog-inducing coma.

*I love the Vikings. It’s in my blood, to love the Minnesota Vikings. I’ve been raised around the hollering at every game, the ridiculous outfits to mark us as huge fans, example below (my dad, little brother, cousin, and uncle). I have heard the football talk around the dinner table. I’ve been to one game at the metrodome and will never, ever forget it. Admittedly, I just really got in to football this year. Even more of a confession, I blame it on Brandon. And not because he’s a fanatic, or forces me to listen to sports radio, but because he actually gets me involved. He teaches me the little things by dragging me through Madden on the Xbox and demonstrating HOW to make Football happen... making me choose my own plays, players, etc. Now that I’ve got technique down, the game is actually quite fascinating. Also? The Vikings game this weekend? Had me in a rage. If you can’t handle a little of overtime ref’s? Choose a different career.



*My friends have me in a fierce mind battle between going near-black dark, or auburn. Because, again, I’m craving a hair change. Thoughts?

*Funny how once the self destruct button is pushed in a person’s brain, they have a strange inability to turn it off. And they are the only ones that have control over that button, so stop trying to unpush it for them, mmmkay?

*My W2 landed on my desk while I played “On Vacation” and I’m completely stoked to get my taxes done this year.

*Age has no bearing on manners. If you’re 28, or 41, or 68 or whatever…saying “Thank You” is a nice gesture, and staying away from certain subjects is appropriate. Just sayin’. I know some words are trendy, like “like” for example, “Thank You”, isn’t one of those trendy things.

*Very few people have the guts to cross me pre-coffee. Kudos to the cube-mate across the way. High fives, even. AFTER MY COFFEE

*Three blogs I want you to check out when you’re feeling blog-needy:

Reese blogged about tricky, tricky restaurants, and how to eat healthier at them: Finding Reese

A friend’s, friend has an interesting eye for photography: Lately Hardly

My sister just started her own blog. Give her some love, and check out her dailyish health tips! She’ll ruin things like sweet tea FOREVER. Frolicking Frenzy

*Quote: “Expectation that’s not followed by action is not expectation… it’s just hoping; and hoping has never achieved very much.”

*Song (amazing lyrics):

Lady Antebellum: Ready to Love Again



*My girls get to play mastics tonight. I can’t wait.



Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday-1/18/10

It’s that time again. That time of the week that comes around every single week. That whole Monday…thing. I hate Mondays. Honestly though? I really look forward to writing my random Monday ramblings.

It’s gonna be a fast one today, I think.

*Monday, for some reason, is always the time that I start new goals. This week, I am going to work out four times, on my living room floor, and begin my quest to find my abs again. They’re under there somewhere, I just know it.

*I had a fantastic weekend, I think you should know. If I were a toddler, it would have been hog heaven, whatever that means. We played dinner with our favorite couple, shopping for Tootie, sleepover with the Michelle/Lily combo, while Brandon and I played Lacrosse with his fabulous family (by played, I mean watched others play…). Then breakfast with our other favorite couple, then a birthday party with the best kind of friends, and we played ”Let’s get rid of bunnies and get fish instead!”, which happens to be a stellar game!

*When my toddlers turn 20-ish? They’re getting chained to their beds until they’re 30. End of story.

*Pudding flavored yogurt, is a-maz-ing.

*Rock <- - - Me - - ->Hard Place. In a lot of ways. And I’m getting really good at it. In fact, I might just plant flowers right here in my spot and watch things grow all on their own. Good plan, self.

*My toddlers are pills. Literally. Two little results of failed pills. Recipe for awesomely cute kids must include some form of birth control, I’ve decided.

*More on birth control things: Did you know that Passions Party’s make belts for condoms? Dudes, I am so, so, so very sorry. OUCH.

*Green tea is my new daily routine. Not instead of coffee, as long as it happens every day, I’m happy. Especially the Yogi kind with magical aftertastes. It helps reduce radicals, the free kind of radicals even.

*Cellulite is gross.

*I will never fully understand all those weird fighting clubs that are all over TV now, but Eric Bischoff rocks in person, and John Cena is sooooo very much attractive. I mean LOOK at this dude:



*What’s a blog without a song, quote, and picture?



Two of my favorite girls, and me, this summer, with foliage.

Song:

WOW, Lady A. Keep rockin' it.



Quote:

Read Sarah's blog from today to get a whole pile of awesome words: Love

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Orianthi-According to You

I need a place to put this song. The blog is officially getting it.



Orianthi-According to You

I'm stupid
I'm useless
I can't do anything right

According to you
I'm difficult
Hard to please
Forever changing my mind
I'm a mess in a dress
Can't show up on time
Even if it would save my life
According to you
According to you

But according to him
I'm beautiful, incredible
He can't get me out of his head
According to him
I'm funny,irresistible
Everything he ever wanted
Everything is opposite
I don't feel like stopping it
So baby tell me what I got to lose
He's into me for everything I'm not
According to you

According to you
I'm boring
I'm moody
You can't take me any place

According to you
I suck at telling jokes cause I always give it away
I'm the girl with the worst attention span
You're the boy who puts up with it
According to you
According to you

But according to him
I'm beautiful,incredible
He can't get me out of his head

According to him
I'm funny, irresistible
Everything he ever wanted
Everything is opposite
I don't feel like stopping it
So baby tell me what I got to lose
He's into me for everything I'm not
According to you

I need to feel appreciated
like I'm not hated
Oh, no
Why can't you see me through his eyes?
It's too bad you're making me dizz-ay

According to me
you're stupid
you're useless
you can't do anything right

But according to him
I'm beautiful, incredible
He can't get me out of his head

According to him
I'm funny, irresistible
Everything he ever wanted
Everything is opposite
I don't feel like stopping it
Baby tell me what I got to lose
He's into me for everything I'm not
According to you [you, you]
According to you [you, you]

According to you
I'm stupid
I'm useless
I can't do anything right




Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ It's been a year of MUSIC.

A compilation of 2009's top music songs and videos, in one song. It pretty much rocks.



Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday: 12/21/09

~It’s been a few weeks since I did one of these. We’ve been so busy with other blogs! I mean, did you notice the amount of blogs Sazaran posted for you this week?! Plus, she totally caught on to my Random Monday idea and played in that sandbox today. Check it out. It’s a good one…all musical and stuff.

~I will be completely honest, Christmas is stressing me out this year. Bad. Financially, I’m worse off right now, well the last year really, then I ever have been. It’s been a trick trying to budget for three, on one income. I’ve been blessed to have such a great support system that are working their tails off to make sure my girls get to experience Christmas to its fullest. You know who you are. And you will understand when Christmas is slim pickin’s this year. I think everybody is feeling the crunch, which makes me feel both a little better, and really heavy hearted. I don’t understand why we don’t all just get born, and then get a million dollars for being born. Seriously, they should pay us to come in to this world…and then teach us how to manage it.

~Lady Antebellum has a new song out…which makes me want to skip like a school girl with cute pig-tails. Take a listen!



~I hate watching my friends go through things with their friends that are out of my control. Because not only is it completely out of my control, but I can’t even say much without feeling like I’m crossing a line. I mean nothing is as it seems, so it’s not my place to try and squeeze my puzzle piece in to their jigsaw, you know? My piece just wont fit.

~I miss my best friend.

~Wednesday is going to be epic. My girls are playing gymnastics, and every last Wednesday anybody who wants to can come and watch…and the audience planning on coming is quite the mix. We’ll call it a collision of realities.

~I am probably most impatient with ungratefulness over everything else. It drives me crazy when people spend money like they’ve got deep pockets, but hold on to it and control it when it comes to giving. Or when people are given things, and they assume they deserved or earned it, rather than being thankful. Money is a necessary evil, but it isn’t everything. And it pisses me off.

~There is no better sound than my girls laughter. None. I haven’t traveled the world and seen the Seven Wonders, but I really think a child’s laugh is like the Eighth Wonder that hasn’t been completely discovered yet.

~I’m playing White Elephant tonight, which should not be confused with White Santa. But is, really easily.

~I love peanut brittle, and the smell of Christmas. The season of Christmas, the fact that love seems to wrap its big ol’ arms around everybody in one room, regardless of past or present circumstances, and makes it feel like home.

~“God places some very loving people in our lives to not replace the gap, but to help fill it. I'm beginning to accept and learn that sometimes God allows us to have (or not have) certain relationships for a season and if they at some point in time begin to fade, it doesn't make it less important or forgotten--it stays as a beautiful memory and allows our hearts to be more open and forgiving towards others. know that you and your girls are so surrounded by God's blessings and love! Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Sometimes, I feel a tinge of guilt for the choice I made to walk away. More for the girls’ sake than mine. The "broken family" image. And then I realize how much better off we really are, just the way we are.

It’s songs like this one that bring on the guilt though…and then I realize that just because the song says it’s true, doesn’t mean that life says it’s true. Like…just because this country singer with oddly long locks feels this way, doesn’t mean somebody else does. Guilt, you have no place here, be gone. I’m so blessed to have stellar friends to point this out. Thank you Jess, your words carried the strength of an army this week.



~I’ve almost completely replaced coffee and cream, with green tea and honey. And it’s making my insides soooo happy. Plus? Cheyenne sucks for coffee. It helps.

~I’ve finished a difficult Christmas letter that I can mail without fear to every single person in my address book. Plus anybody else that wants one (FB me). This is huge, people. Do you have any idea how hard it is to tell people that dislike you, but love your kids, what we've been up to...just to make sure they still have a place in my girls' lives?

~Wanna know what else is huge? Me No Habla Farmer. AT all. But I totally drove a loader last weekend. A yellow one. And pushed a semi, and parked it. This is big.

~There is no other place like the back of a horse. And I miss it so much.

~I’ve rambled, and will leave you with this:

I’m not sure if I will blog again this week or not. So in case I don’t, please make sure you read through our December blogs-there really are some gems. Whether or not you have time for that, please, PLEASE have a very Merry Christmas…and remember that presents aren’t everything-it’s the love that they are wrapped in…and that’s really the only wrapping paper you can save forever, AND pass on at the same time. Is there any greater gift?! God bless, and Merry Christmas.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

Le Divorce

It’s odd how often divorce is brought up, discussed, argued over, etc. It’s a really sad thing that all too many people are going through. It’s all too common, and it’s heart wrenching. We had a ghost blog come in this week on it, and thought we’d add our own twist to it by giving it a few different perspectives. We ask that you participate by commenting, but as always-and especially this time-for a healthy, non-judgmental discussion. Those that feel the need to come down on our writers, our authors, or our comment-ers will be deleted. We appreciate you opening up your heart and mind to this blog, and love you for taking the time to read it and think hard about some of the things said. It took a lot of guts to put this stuff out there!

Nomz:

It’s been over a year since I left. According to my therapist, I’ve been mentally gone for about two and a half. That’s right…I have a therapist, and I highly recommend therapy to every person going through anything life-altering. I have an amazing support system-full of friends and family that both agree and disagree with my choice-and a therapist. An outsiders view with no emotional attachment, lending a shoulder and handing out expert advice.

Divorce sucks. It’s not easy. It’s heartbreaking. Even if you know with all your heart that you are not supposed to be there…you have to make that choice to break up a family. Whether you have kids or not, you’re walking away from your entire lifestyle. Your ex’s family. Your family has to let go of your ex (even in a healthy divorce, relationships with opposite families are completely shaken). People will judge you. Cast you out. Give you advice that’s not welcome. Make you feel unloved. Some people will encourage you to make the choice for you. As much as you want support, you don’t want to talk about it. As much as you love your support system, you wish you were left alone. It’s the most emotionally shaking experience you’ll ever go through, one that follows you forever, and changes every relationship going forward. It’s the definition of “baggage”.

You’ve got remember though…divorce doesn’t separate you from Christ’s love. You’ve got to remember that finding your happiness, finding your true self…is more valuable than any other persons opinion. You’ve got to follow your heart, and trust that you’re making the right call. You’ve got to stand strong when you feel like crumbling. It’s amazing how many new opportunities came my way when I chose to walk. Things really worked themselves out, almost as a sign that I did the right thing. In fact, I'm confident I made the right choice...if for no other reason than to realize that I'm happier now then I ever was there. I also think you have to go through something bad-to appreciate when things are great. I've found somebody amazing, and am so happy that I'm not taking that for granted.

The statistics are scary. Divorce isn’t “right”, in my opinion…but sometimes, when you’re young and naïve, you make choices you shouldn’t. And you have a right to change your mind. One door closes to another door opened. As long as you love yourself, it doesn’t really matter what everybody else thinks.

People ask “how do you make that choice? How do you walk away?” Or…”overnight you went from happy to divorced.”…let me tell you, from an outsiders view, it may seem like relationships break overnight. It takes time to fall in love with a person, and it takes time to fall OUT of love with a person. It’s not ever overnight. And it hurts like hell. God can heal broken relationships, God can heal you-should you choose to walk.

"My Song" when I made that choice...I listened to it over, and over, and over....



You can read most of what I learned here: Letter to Me. Follow your heart…your “inside voice”. It’s the only thing that won’t lie to you.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

Sazaran:

I was going to write a whole, heartfelt blog about getting through divorce without feeling like Hell is your destination... that was a little too serious for me. I shall save it for a different time. Right now, I will introduce you to some awesomely therapeutic breakup songs that will rock your face off, get a little aggression out and make you feel better about the breakup. It's cheaper and more efficient than a shrink, right?!

#1. All American Rejects- Gives You Hell (we all have to admit it, the best line is "truth be told, I miss you and truth be told... I'M LYIN'")

#2. P!nk- So What. Yeah, try not to sing along with this song and feel like the strongest.woman.ever. I dare ya.

#3. Kelly Clarkson- Already Gone (Bimbo Jones Remix). I'd like to change one line in this song: "You could have loved me better."

Take these songs with a glass of Arbor Mist and if you don't feel better by the morning give me a call.....

Ghost Blogger:

The Dreaded ‘D’ word...or should we say, the beginning of new ‘L’ (Life)?

This blog is about DIVORCE. That darn ‘D’ word is almost as bad as the ‘F’ word...people don’t like to say it, talk about it or do it.

This blog may be a bit too much for some of you to read, but please read it anyway. Read it for yourself, read it for your friends, read it for your parents or your children. You may not agree with the content of this blog, but that is ‘ok’...you are entitled to your own opinion. This is about ME and sharing my past divorce experience.

I myself have been through a divorce. My husband and I were more like roommates or good friends after many, many years of marriage. We loved each other still, but were not IN love with each other and hadn’t been for several years. We married at a very young age, then grew up and grew apart. We continued to attend church every Sunday morning together. We also attended family dinners, weddings, funerals or what have you, together. We put on such a ‘happy’ front for everyone, that none of our friends knew that we were truly unhappy.

The thought of divorce was extremely scary. We would need to divide and separate all assets. We would lose all our couple friendships (or those couples would need to decide whose side to take). Our families would be distraught because they still would want to invite both of us to dinner. Our church family would be shaken...’oh my, who cheated on whom’, of course assuming the worst because that is how the rumor mill goes.

Fast forward. The first year after our divorce was an emotional time for all, our families adjusting to our split, even though we were still ‘friends’. Our church connections accepting us sitting separately at church services. Our close couple friends understanding that they could still be friends with both of us and if not, they were truly not our friends in the first place.
Fast forward again. Even though after that many years of being married, we had finally divorced...we are BOTH now in new and wonderful loving Christian relationships. We are both MUCH happier in our new lives, with our new (and old) friends, and our Church community still loves us both, more than ever. Why? Because we are NO longer ‘faking it’ for the outside world. We are now in loving and productive Christian lives.

God does not like divorce, at all. But, also, God will not judge us alone, on this one major event in our lives. God wants us to be truly happy. I know God loved me before my divorce and I know God is happy with me now and loves me unconditionally.
Take that chance, take the hardest step you’ve ever taken, hurt a little, hurt a lot, rock the boat...but...be sincerely happy and joyful for the rest of your life...

-Ghost Blogger

♫ Look! Karma gave me White Santa & Carhartt!

What would a Monday be without a Random Monday blog??

~Since I’m posting two blogs today, and Sarah and I worked our little blogging tush’s off this month, we’re setting a record in November for the number of blog posts. Are we driving you crazy yet???

~Finds it pretty awesome that the girls closest to me right now? Have pretty awesome guys…be them new or old…I am surrounded by good people, that have good things happening to them. *wishes she could say more*

~I believe more and more in Karma. What goes around, comes around. You don’t do things for people to get something in return, and if you do it with a pure heart and with good intentions, life will pay you back for it-I know it.

~I LOVE payday. Look what I got today! (birfday money is awesome) It’s so soft it practically purrrrrrs when you cuddle with it, plus it makes me wanna dress like a cozy country girl all winter. Anybody got a cabin I can borrow?



~I am a firm believer that whoever came up with “White Santa” parties, had a seriously awesome sense of humor. I hope I meet that person in Heaven.

~No matter how angry I am at somebody, when I know they’re out driving, or out drinking, or pretty much anywhere but near me…I still worry. Maybe it’s a mom thing. I lose sleep over you people.

~I have a secret, and it’s DYING TO GET OUT.

~We got our first “couples gift” this weekend. Somebody is giving “us” a TV. Actually it’s his rockstar of a grandma. And the TV is huge. And pretty. And plasma. And I totally get to control it Friday thru Sunday, unless football is on: we agreed.

~Nobody has cute sneezes. Nobody. Not even babies. Or kids. Or puppies. It’s gross. I don’t know what God was thinking when he decided to make that mechanism, but it makes my OCD twitch. It’s the only itch in the whole body that you can’t scratch without blowing spit all over the place. Why?!?!?

~What would random Monday be without a song?

Listen Carefully, single parents.



~And a quote, duh!

There are two types of people in this world: those that sit back and let it happen and those that reach out and make it happen

And a picture of the week:

My Leyna-Bug, on Aunt Linda’s porch, in her parade get-up.



Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Random Monday: Happy Hippies and Trampolines

How is it Tuesday already?!

My apologies, for completely skipping Random Monday. Hopefully, you can deal with the randomness a day late. Try to keep up. ;)

~Some things aren’t as they seem. Neither are people. Appearances are just the icing…and sometimes, icing is very misleading to what’s underneath. Get the full story before you assume what you’re going to bite off is what you’re expecting.

~IT Help Desk folks are lifesavers. But, God bless them anyway, are royal pains in the behind a lot of the time. While I completely appreciate their courage in touching every computer in the building, their intense skillz, and their brain power…the attitude seems to be contagious, and something that every single business experiences. Maybe it’s the higher intelligence level? Also? Rebooting three times doesn’t fix anything, I promise.

~I am excited about this Christmas more than past Christmas’s. I’m not sure if it’s the new additions in my life (friends, family, guys, etc.), or the lack of crap in my life…but this one is gonna rock. Plus, my girls are old enough for the first time to really get in to it!

~I don’t understand Twilight. It was pointed out though, that I’m not allowed to cast judgments until it has been given a fair trial…so I’m starting the first book next week. I’m hoping to find the magic, but I’m not optimistic. It’s just too trendy for me.

~I’m realizing that bad attitudes are contagious. If we all understood the power we have inside, the world would be in a lot of trouble. And either hostile, or hippy. I’ve never seen a hostile hippy, honestly. Only happy ones.

~I went to my very first Denver Bronco’s game this week with a fabulous family friend couple (we’ll call them fffc). Such a blast of a time! It wasn’t my first NFL game though, and it made me really happy that I’m a Minnesota Vikings fan. *wink* I do know, now, what it feels like to be inside of a blue and orange pop can. It’s echo-y, and loud, and full of flavor!

~ I tried on a trampoline today. Actually, it was a shirt made out of trampoline. Note: if a shirt says: 62% rayon and 38% nylon, don’t buy it, unless you want to jump on it.

~ I met an Australian this week, from Australia, and he shook my fingers instead of my hand. It was like a curtsey built in to a hand shake. Is that normal? Anybody wanna go there with me and find out?

~I’ve been busy this week, working on Sierra Trading Post Black Friday. If you love me, or black Friday, or Sierra Trading Post, you’ll click here, and leave a comment: Free Black Friday

~I can’t figure out why people have such a complexity about getting old. Speaking of getting old, listen to this song, because no Random Monday or Tuesday is complete without a song, right?!

I Wanna Grow Old With You by Westlife



~Life puts you in awkward situations to test your integrity. In my opinion, anyway.

~Quote time! It’s time to forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, and laugh uncontrollably.

Yours Truly,
Nomz

PS. Picture of the week (sorry Facebook friends, I know, you get to stare at it every day.)

Rocks My Face Off

Very rarely does one album, by one artist, capture me wholly. Yet, I listen to every song on Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway album and I can relate to every song. Now, before you roll your eyes and dismiss me as a sappy-eyed, lovesick pre-teen *wink* take a look at the little black book I keep with my other ghosts.

I'm talking all relationships with this album. Not just boys.

Breakaway speaks of a dream. But, the feeling of being to small to achieve that dream. So, the answer is to escape. Go to a different town, a different country and reinvent yourself. And, where you're not known, you don't have to deal with people's limitations set upon you. I want to do this, practically, every day of my life.

Since U Been Gone is the joyous proclamation that life is really good when that downer finally takes their final bow and ducks from center stage. And it rubs that feeling in quite nicely, I think. Take a deep breath, no more egg shells to walk on.

Behind These Hazel Eyes laments a mistake made in thinking "you are the one". Or even putting ones self in the position to be dependent on another and then realizing that that was a total mistake, but I won't let you know that. It's a blatant rebellion against most love songs that whimper and slobber all over themselves.

Because of You is a "letter" from a girl-turned-woman about how a past person (Boyfriend? Parent?) has hurt her so deeply, she can no longer live her life with a free roaming spirit. She is cautious- timid, almost- and most definitely afraid. I've been there.

Gone: I've once heard of insanity as dong the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Now *this* could be about a boy. Or of a friend who constantly takes and takes but doesn't give. Expecting an unconditional, un-mutual friendship. At any rate, to continue with said relationship doesn't effect anything. I do relate to this one when it comes to the relationship I have with my dad. He is loving, dedicated to me, and totally stuck in his ways. Regardless of whether or not I want his ways. Thus, time and again, I've had to just leave. Get away from his influence and realize that my world doesn't revolve around him.

I absolutely adore singing along to Addicted. It's the very description of the highs of a first love... that goes sour. I've never been addicted to drugs, but I know {to an imaginary extent} how it would feel- if it's anything remotely kin to this song or the feeling I get when I think of past hits-from-humanity that I would seek out.

If ever a song could explain my emotions, my life, my heart right now, it would be Where Is Your Heart? Maybe I'm a little high maintenance and perhaps I expect too much. But, really, is it too much to ask for a man to has dedicated his life and his heart to me to show that he gave it freely? Everyone wants to feel loved. And every woman dreams of the man that will prove his love (Edward Cullen, anyone???)- so why can't a man realize that?! Okay, enough about that.

Walk Away might, just might be the "pee or get off the pot" sequel to Where Is Your Heart? I don't pay much attention to the rest of the song (maybe because I'm rocking out too hard) but when it comes to the bridge, I love to shout it out, giving my hair brush and reflection in the mirror one crazy show:

♫I want a man by my side
Not a boy who runs and hides
Are you gonna fight for me?
Die for me?
Live and breathe for me?
Do you care for me?
Cause if you don't then just leave!♫

You Found Me strikes me as a song that can be a big melodic sigh of relief. Finally, after searching for fulfillment, it comes in the form of... God. I believe that He is the only one that can fill the void of which these songs refer to.

I Hate Myself For Losing You is many a woman (or man's?) taboo song. You're not supposed to think of the "one that got away". But, it happens. I'm just being real here, it's life. The key is to not leave the one you're committed to for the memories of the past. It's not fair to anyone. But, at least you have a song to relate to?

Remember when you were 18 and it seemed like no one was ever gonna find you extra special or steal your breath away (or more importantly, you steal their breath away)? Hear Me is the song in every virgin's heart. Not reserved for virgins, mind you. But, their voice is the loudest. I was in that choir for a loooong time.

And, saving the bestest for lastest is Beautiful Disaster. I'd love to dedicate this to a certain past person. But, for the sake of my face and my pride, I won't. Just know that every word in this song reminds me of a time when I thought this is for sure and then it wasn't. Vague? Maybe, but it doesn't have to be written on the wall. Cause I know you'd like to dedicate it to a person like that, too.

*wink*
~Sazaran

♫ Guitar Tapping=Deep Breath on Life

Guitar tapping, is my new oooozfra-ba music. Im telling you, it is absolutely impossible to stay angry, upset, or frustrated when you listen to it. I should be more specific. Thanks to the massive amount of information my {coolest} boss {ever} has, he showed me that a lot of metal bands actually do it. So that kind of tapping, might actually inhance the above moods.

I highly recommend listening to Erik Mongrain. He puts an entire different twist on the guitar. Listen to the one below, and then I want you to go to youtube and check him out. It’s the most amazing sound!

Amazing Guitarist
Uploaded by Wolverine

Yours Truly,
Nomz