Massage or As My Daughter Used to Say, "Smadge".

Ohhhhhh, I must tell you guys about my massage experiences.  As a child, then adult - I must say the adult ones got a lot better until they didn't.

As a child, my first experience with a massage was with my Mother.  I tend to call her Mom or Mother, but always a capitol M because - well, if you have read my blog or are currently new, she is not a nice person.  As a matter of fact, I haven't had any contact with her in 10+ years, and although it was extremely difficult to make that decision, it was a SMART one!!  And if you or someone you know has a relationship like I did with a parent, sometimes people are just too toxic to have any connection to.  You cut your losses, even if it is a parent, and you are a better person because of it

She took me to one of those "fat" spas with her.  I was 20 by then, but weighed maybe 89 lbs.  I was a super picky eater back in the day.  For dinner I remember they had these tiny portions on the plate, and nothing I really even wanted to eat except for maybe a sprig or two that looked like lettuce.  I asked her to take me to McDonalds; I always got the same thing - Happy Meal Cheeseburger plain with Hi-C orange.  Always.  Imgain Bryan's excitement when we first started dating and he took me to a place called The Macaroni Grill.  I liked you could color on the "tablecloths".  As you can probably tell, I was a very naive 20-year-old when Bryan met me.  I even had a Little Mermaid comforter set - I called it the "Mermaid test" and Bryan passed!!  My aunt did a good job protecting me when I went to live with her at age 11.  At that age all the way until 14 or 15, I was still going outside to ride bikes and play with the younger kids on my street.  Imagine my horror when I got my period and had to wear a pad trying to ride a bike.  It felt like my vagina was going numb.  And when I started having to wear a bra!!  No longer was I able to play football and X-Men etc. without a bra on.  I am rambling......

Any who, Bryan ordered calamari as an appetizer.  I tried one because he said he was "trying to broaden my horizons" and that sounded thoughtful lol.  I told him it tasted like a rubber band and I said no mas.  For my dinner, I ordered a grilled cheese.  Back to the resort, went to bed hungry that night but wasn't nothing new to me.  I remember we had two separate beds, and she watched a bunch of movies.  Pedicure time came, my Mom knew I had athlete's foot on I think my left foot.  I was so embarrassed of it - the first time Bryan and I showered together; I wore my socks!!!  Thank God I was hot right!?!?  LOL So it is pedicure time, we are sitting next to each other, and I mention to my lady that I couldn't imagine having to work on people's feet all day.  My mom laughs or maybe hoots more like it meanly, says the girl with something wrong with her foot.  Then comes time for spa time and massage time.  My Mother tells me that I need to take all of my clothes, ALLLLLL, and put on the robe.  We go to the spa/hot tub, Some folks no robe, no nothing.  I just sat on the side with my feet in the hot tub clutching my robe for dear life.  Massage time!  You guessed it, robe off.  Naked.  I wanted to die.  I think I blocked everything else out other than we left early Thank You Baby Jesus!!!!

After that, as an adult I was terrified of getting a massage.  Tried to get one with Claire when we went to Disney as a family.  Just my luck, I had shaved prior to going and after one day, it looked like I had gonorrhea from my ankles to right below my knees.  They refused to work or even touch my legs; they put a towel over them lol.  I didn't want Claire to feel like I did, so I told her she did not have to take all of her clothes off if she didn't want to.  Of course, my girl was like have at it lady!!!!!!!!!  Lol.

Part 2 - Tomorrow......

Boys & Girls

 Ok, like I was saying.  If you used to read my old posts and maybe you are just reading now....  I was very lady-like, I never ever "tooted" around men.  Ever!!!  And for the longest time, when I lived with some boyfriends, we never used the restroom for # 2 when one of us was home!!!   Ever.  My first boyfriend/fiancé, I lived with him and his family for at least a year or more.  I surely didn't hold it in that long - but I don't remember ever pooping when he was home.  

One of my boyfriends and I moved in together later on in life.  I would literally go to the grocery store by our house if he was home and I had to poop.  But that I blame on a previous boyfriend.  I told him I was going to take a shower, which I was but I locked the door because I also had to poop.  I had just gotten into the shower when I hear him say "Don't ever tell me you shit don't stink" and died laughing.  I was mortified.  He had picked the lock and was very proud of himself.

Bryan never farted around me, and when he did, I got mad.  Why?  Because girls don't fart!  LOL That's what I like to say.  We have settled into an old married couple now.  I still do not want to talk about your bowel movements, nasty.  But, usually when he does fart he will let me know prior.  And you would be proud of me.  I also do it around him when I can't hold it, and I will say I have to toot.  He says toot away!  And if it is loud, he will say that isn't a toot, that's a fart.  Men!!!!

I Missed This!

 Good morning, World!!

I hope everyone is having a Terrific Tuesday!  I miss blogging, I really do.  I just didn't have the time to stick with it then.  I used to work A LOT - But Momma brought home the bacon.  Especially after Bryan became physically disabled and had a heart attack! I lost my job last September, what a mess that was.  I won't go into it now but will eventually.  I got unemployment for a bit, did DoorDash, family helped, friends helped - I ended up getting my life insurance license.  Now I left college for a reason, I do not like studying.  I am a horrible test taker.  It took me 3 times, but I did it finally!  The company I signed up with seemed perfect.  It was all via Zoom, "you make your own hours" but no - they tried to kill me as far as I am concerned.  Working Mon-Sun from 8 am, sometimes getting a 3-hour lunch break but rarely, and then from 3 pm until whenever they felt like you were done.  Some nights I would get maybe 3-4 hours of sleep, and I am one of those people that need 9 plus or I get sick.  Just like I did.  During that time, I had another company, Primerica/Next Level Group reach out to me asking if I would be interested in working for them.  I didn't give it too much thought because I was miserable, tired, sick, and I had tried to talk to 3 different managers, and it was clear to me they either had no clue what their trainers were doing or chose to ignore my concerns.  Mine was hell-bent on changing me.  Yet, all the others I had trained with said how amazing I was.  She even wanted me to change my pitch in my voice by speaking through my stomach or some crap.  Guys, I literally won awards for my customer service "voice".  I am also a "people person" or can be lol, so I like to make relationships with my coworkers.  My trainer said that no one cares what you had for breakfast Nicole.  Excuse me for being friendly.  I am working with these folks for 10 plus hours a day, I would like to get to know them!!  And to make matters worse, she was a health guru so would often make comments about my vaping, this, or that.  Last I checked, I didn't sign up for a health coach.  

With the new company, it has been going well.  I DO get to choose my own schedule, work from home except for Saturdays we go in at 9 am.  And let me tell you, that is tuff sometimes.  I work 11 am to 4 pm or later if I choose to or need to for an appointment.  I ADORE waking up around 9:30-10 am and start my day after working at companies for so long where I got up at 4 am or 6 am.  You guys, I am gonna tell you a secret tho.  Selling Insurance is HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yes, after 3 months I started getting people on board or buying a policy - now a platform I use refuses to "verify" me as a business which sux.  I do love doing this, but maybe it should be part-time instead of full.  Honestly, I don't have any other options at the moment so God, I am here - and I am listening.

PS.  Don't forget to comment, follow, etc.  I still have plenty of Mommy Times - But now we are moving into GIGI status, Perimenopause (is this happening or not, and WTF is the deal with the black hairs and some so white I can't see them but they hurt like hell to pull them!?!??!), Exploring more into Tarot Cards, and still the same ole' family humor.

Speaking of that, If you have read some of my ooolllldddd posts - Oh wait - let me just make a new post!!  Lol.

XOXO ~ Nicole

 As the world turns........

I'm just kidding but it sounded funny.  I started this blog in 2007 - Claire and Taylor are now 26 and 24.  Claire lives in Kansas much to my dismay with her finance Kevin.  She is currently pregnant with our first Grandbaby!!!!  And it is a BOY!!!  We are super excited, wish she lived here, but I will be driving there in December when the baby is due.  I am excited and terrified all at the same time.  I will be driving on my own, in December to Kansas City KS!  Why you ask?

Well, Taylor developed mental health issues in his later teen years.  He will live with us for the rest of his life.  We can get into that another time.  Bryan of course will have to stay home with him which is fine.  I just have to remember that I am one bad-ass bitch and used to drive to Houston to ATL or the other way around all the time.  Also, College Station to San Antonio and Galveston.  Yes, I was a lot younger then, but I refuse to fly.  For one, I suffer from BAD anxiety and haven't been on a plane since 2018 and that was only by "force" lol!!!!  I also take Zoloft and the idea of not being able to "get off the plane" terrifies me so - CAR it is!!  It says 11 hours and, in my mind, that doesn't sound bad at all.  Now, don't go sounding like the hubby Bryan - No!  Are you crazy?  Etc??  Also, have you guys seen the prices for flights??  And she is due in December!!

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I think that will do it for today!  I know I have readers out there so don't be shy!  Say hello!  Ask me questions.  I'm an "open book" as they say.  ;)

Sunday night I made the chicken cacciatore recipe.  Can I just say hands down this is my favorite thing I have ever made.  I had to do a lot of new things I was not familiar with like browning the chicken in extra virgin olive in a screaming hot pan.  I only got popped by it once right above my eye, I whimpered and thought F this but I kept at it.  Simmering the sauce with wine was another new trick.  It's a good thing I don't drink wine or we would have had to skip that step cause Momma would have helped herself.  Glug glug.

As I am finishing the chicken nestled in the sauce (with red bell peppers, onion, and mushrooms) in the oven, I realize that is all I have made.  No sides.  Is chicken cacciatore supposed to be served with something in particular?  So I pop on trusty Google and it suggested you serve it over a pasta like fettuccine or angel hair.  Perfect!  I had some in the pantry but as I was grabbing it Claire came into the kitchen and when I explained to her what the pasta was for, she asked if we could have white rice instead.  I'm all but Google said.....  But then she made a good point how all of the sauce would be soaking into the white rice and I thought you know, that might a be a good idea after all! 

*****This is not recent, but wanted to post it because it seemed like a hidden gem.***

Just a Trim, You'll Look Gorgeous....

Claire took intro to cosmetology last year as a sophomore in high school.  She loves doing her makeup and having her hair fancified so we thought maybe that might be something she would like to do as a "career".  She ended up not liking it which is fine but because she took the class I thought she would be helpful with my fro.  I hate my hair - it is thick, curly, and can eat a brush in a heartbeat. 

I like to keep my hair short but still long enough to put in a bun close to the back of my neck.  She did it for me the first time when it was about waist length and I was sick of it.  She cut it up to my shoulders and it was perfect.  That was the last time it has been cut and it was getting long again.  So last night I asked her if she would cut it for me again and she agreed.

Fast forward to me hopping out of the shower and my hair was not looking happy.  Looked more like she cut it with a weed whacker.  As she was fixing it I mentioned something about how she was holding the scissors. 

Claire:  Well she never really showed us how to hold them properly.

Me:  What?  How is she going to teach ya'll how to cut hair and not show you guys how to use the scissors?

Claire:  We actually never even held scissors or cut hair.

Me:  Wwwhhhaaaat?  Well, what the hell DID she teach you?

Claire:  How to braid.

Me:  But you are a terrible braider.

Claire:  I know.

*Sheesh, I need my money back.  On a positive note though hubby just told me he really liked my hair.  He said it reminded him of how I had it when we first met and then smiled.  Awwww.*

Magic Meatloaf Monday

Monday I made the meatloaf with Claire's help.  I really did appreciate her coming in when she did because I don't like to get my hands dirty while cooking.  I know that sounds crazy and Bryan will be the first to tell me you can't excel at cooking when you don't want to touch the meat, mix, or whatever.  I will do it if I have to but I don't like it.

So Claire walked into the kitchen just as I had finished adding all of the dry and wet ingredients to the hamburger meat which meant it was time to mush it all together.  Technical term right?  She starts mixing and mentions how cold and gross it feels.  Little happy dance for me right there since it isn't my hands in there.  I watched and gave tips to make sure everything was incorporated well.  Once that was done I told her to plop it out onto the oiled pan and shape it like a football.

Claire:  A football??

Me:  Yea. Or like a turd....

Claire:  Oooohhh ok.

So as she is molding, pushing, squeezing she turns to me and says, "This looks like Jason's face on Friday the 13th."

I couldn't stop laughing.



The meatloaf turned out good I think.  I really like the sauce you pour over it which consists of ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and then I add some honey because my fam is a fan of sweet.  It is a great addition to counteract with the large hunk of meat.  Last night I made homemade beef stroganoff.  I was disappointed but Bryan and the kids both loved it.