look Mommy, lights!

Dec 7

Posted by Nicole in Holidays, my home, out & about, pictures | 1 Comment

Christmas time is among us!  I love this time of year.  For the first time EVER, I have decided to put lights up around my house.  I actually chose to put them just in the windows.  I have icicle lights above my front door, but I need to buy an extra set.  I also need to get an extension chord.  My landlord has already told me that the kids around the neighborhood love it.  My next door neighbor’s daughter told me she’s always hoping I have the lights on.  I only have them on when I’m home – and awake.  My Christmas tree just celebrated its third year with me in this house!

Today was the fifth Sunday in a row I went out to the Louisiana Renaissance Festival.  Blondie does the Ordo Procintus fighting.  He does two shows a day.  Since he’s the highest ranking in the group I have the most fun watching his fights.  I also have a biased opinion!  I got my hair braided today.  It will last two to four days, so I am anxious to wear it to work.  I can’t wait to buy my own corset, but I am going to go it on the Internet and for a fraction of what I would pay at any of the festivals.  I am going to be taking the most amount of pictures next Saturday and Sunday, so I will be sure to post them on here.

I am also posting these posts at nicolisode.com – please change any links.

bye bye, kitties

Nov 19

Posted by Nicole in just blogging, pets, pictures | 1 Comment

Marley, the all white cat I adopted a year ago has been missing for over five months now.  When I moved into my place I was told that cats have a way of disappearing around here.  When I adopted Marley I learned that she was a stray before I adopted her (at eight months old).  Captain has been missing for over a month.  I am torn apart about this.  I’ve had Captain since he was seven weeks old.  He’s been with me to Houston, to my Mom’s house, and now with me in my current home for over two years.  Every time I open the door to my house I expect him to be at my heels trying to either get in or get out.  It took me about three weeks to be able to pick up the food and water bowls.  I called all the humane societies and rescues around here.  I’m printing up flyers to put out just in case.  When I talked to my landlord she told me there are larger wild cats (bobcats, etc.) around here that could be killing the domesticated cats.  Blondie seems to think I’m going to adopt again or conveniently find a kitten.  I doubt it.  But, I do have a second room I’m doing nothing with!

My next door neighbor told me to not give up hope.  I think it is safe to say I’ve given up hope.  My landlord called me the day before yesterday and said she saw two cats that look like Marley and Captain running around the heart of town.  We have a pretty bad stray cat problem in the heart of the small town I live in.  I wouldn’t be surprised if someone took them and dropped them off in town.  I’m going to drive by the building she told me they were around.  It is worth a shot.  Maybe I haven’t really given up complete hope…

I’ll miss you buddy.

Love me some Gregory House

Oct 14

Posted by Nicole in Uncategorized | No Comments

I rarely make it to Tuesday without watching the newest House MD. Is anyone else a huge fan of this show?

I love to lay on my loveseat and watch DVR. It may be the reason I stay up so late. That, and Farmville on Facebook.

panels and windows and rods, oh my!

Sep 17

Posted by Nicole in just blogging, my home, pictures | No Comments

I bought the new domain (nicolisode.com), so update your links whenever you feel like it.  I will make a redirect the first few months I get the domain running.  I rarely have downtime to myself where I can work on it lately, but I will get it done!

For the past three months I have been on the quest for panels for my windows.  I wanted something thick.  As in, I don’t want to feel any heat or cold weather, and I also don’t want to see any sunlight coming through those bitches while I’m trying to watch TV in my living room.  Glare is not my friend!  When I moved in to my place the blinds that the previous renters had bought were still up on the windows.  I did not mind that a couple windows were “fitted” with blinds  that would fall every time I pulled them up or down.  I did however, mind that any time it was hot outside the heat coming in through the windows was just too much.  JCPenny is always having some sort of sale and I was able to get panels and rods for the three windows in my living room for under $400.  I was willing to make the investment.

still feeling 18…except that lower back pain

Jul 30

Posted by Nicole in dvds, movies, books, & tv shows, just blogging, pets, pictures | 2 Comments

WHAT?  WAIT!  I’m not really 25 am I?  Oh.  Okay then.

As of July 22 I am officially in my mid twenties.  Ten years ago I would have never believed you if you’d told me I’d be living where I live and live the life I lead.  Things certainly did not go as planned and I’ve had some bumps along the way, but it was all worth it.  I came out of all this to be a self sufficient adult who pays her taxes and her bills.

I’m not even going to lie, I’m proud of myself for not having any kids.  I know so many single mothers.  I know so many married women who are still single mothers.  No thank you.  I did not work this hard to get where I’m at to move back in with my Mom and ask her to help me take care of my accidental baby.  Keyword being “my”.  I’m all for stepping up to the plate & being a parent.  Much respect.  I just know I take birth control every month so there is not another accidental birth in Southern Louisiana.  I don’t know if I will end up like my parents in the way that they waited until they were 30 and 31 to have me, or if I’ll even have kids at all.  My boyfriend feels the same way.  I’m just fortunate to meet someone else my age who doesn’t want kids even in his early thirties.  There are so many things I still want to do and accomplish.  I guess I will cross the bridge when I get to it.

I didn’t want a big celebration for my Quarter Century, so I invited my best friend, her boyfriend, our girlfriend Joey, my boyfriend of course, and all of our friends!  A friend of mine’s band was playing that night so it worked out.  We celebrated my birthday (pics @ Flickr) at the bar I hang out at…or used to frequent.  I’m still doing the not drinking thing.  Hence, the two bottles of energy drink you see in my picture with Candace above.  I had another Amp as well after that picture.  It has been a month and a half for me now.  I am still counting the days.  I never thought I could do this.  I never had the mind set to do this.  People laugh at a bartender who doesn’t drink, but I can honestly say I’m better off without it.  Some people can handle it.  I’m one of those who can’t.  That’s the Irish in me.

I’ve been working 6 days a week in order to get some things done around the house.  I just spent a couple hundred dollars at JC Penny on curtain rods and panels.  And that was just for two windows!  That doesn’t even count the other wide as all hell window I have in the living room as well.  There are three windows in there.  I still have to buy panels and rods for that.  I will post picture on my next post of what the two windows that are done look like.  I’m still waiting for a second rod because they did not have the size in Penny’s.  Figures.  They are thermal, lined, and certainly help with keeping out light and holding in the temperature.  And that is me just going off of one window that is done!

I couldn’t take my closet looking as it did (see top left), so I took several hours out of my Saturday and dedicated it to making it not be so messy.  I sorted my massive amounts of extra clothes into three categories: Trash, Donation, and Sell.  There is a hand me down store somewhere around New Orleans that will buy my name brand clothes from me.  I have a lot of American Eagle stuff.  I also have a lot of stuff from Rue 21 (think Forever 21) that I am going to donate to the local Goodwill.  I had two full trash bags of crap to just throw away.  Stuff I had ruined one drunken night and shoved into my closet.  I found shirts I couldn’t fit into if I wanted to, and skirts I probably attempted to wear once.  Captain decided he wanted to lend a hand.  I drove to Wal Mart and got this and this storage container, which conveniently fitted everything I needed to put away and still leave some space left over.  I’m so glad I did this for a number of reasons.  I have more room in my closet now, and I know I’m helping out by donating my clothes, many of which are still in great condition.  And they all smell awesome.

I’ll have a water, please

Jul 15

Posted by Nicole in Friday Five, dvds, movies, books, & tv shows, just blogging | 3 Comments

I get questions from time to time about what the sparkley in sparkley.net came from.  The name sparkley came from my love of glitter.  When I was sixteen years old.  That was nine years ago.  It is time for a change.  I am going to get in touch with my host and let him know about the name change.  I will switch it over sometime very soon.  I’ve been decided on the name for about a year now.  I am at a point in my life where I know a change is needed.  I have grown so much as a person, and my life just isn’t what it used to be.  I’m not going out every weekend.  I’m not getting wasted all the time.  I’ve been with my boyfriend for a year now.  I don’t feel as if sparkley.net in any way reflects who I am anymore.

Anyone reading any good books?  I can still say I have never seen a Twilight movie or read the book.  I would certainly read the books before I saw the movies.  I finished The Gunslinger a few days ago.  It took me longer than normal to read it.  I am still getting used to Stephen King’s writing, but I am enjoying it all the while.  I am also reading The Kindly Ones by Neil Gaiman, which may also be the reason behind my slow reading of The Gunslinger.  I’m going to continue to read Gaiman’s Sandman series while reading Stephen King’s The Darktower series.  I have the library getting me The Drawing of the Three.

As I stated above, I’m not getting wasted all the time.  I actually quit drinking one month ago.  I’m the type of drinker where two beers turns into eight very quickly.  Not only was it making a sickening dent in my bank account, but it was causing me to start arguments with Blondie.  I was feeling like crap all the time.  I was irritable.  I wasn’t sleeping well.  There was an incident coincidentally a month ago that really kicked this into gear.  I went to Biloxi, Mississippi and had way to much to drink from the time I got on the beach til the time I arrived at my house at four o’clock in the morning with work at 5pm that evening.  I slept all day.  I threw up several times.  I took nothing for it because I wanted to feel bad.  I never wanted to feel that bad again.  I obviously have proved that I can’t control my drinking when I drink.  So I quit.  Cold turkey.  It is exactly what I did with cigarettes.  Although I only smoked for two and a half years.  I’ve been drinking regularly since I was twenty.  I feel wonderful now.  Things with Blondie haven’t been better.  I’m sleeping better than I have in years.  And a good night’s sleep – is worth all of it.

The Friday Five from last week was interesting, so I’m posting it late as I always do.
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Sunscreen? Check!

Jul 5

Posted by Nicole in Holidays, just blogging, love, family, & friends, pictures | 3 Comments

I really needed to put a new layout up so I did. I really like it. I will twirk it around a little bit this week. I uploaded it right before I have to go to work.

Boooo! That was me loudly booing the massive attack of hot weather that has been hovering down over the Southern United States.  It is so hot here.  At some point this weekend it was 95 degrees outside, yet it “felt” like 105.  The humidity just makes it worse.  I could kick myself in the ass for buying a car with leather seats.  Eh, it was inexpensive.  I bought one of those sun blocker things for my windshield, but it is just a tad too small so it doesn’t cover the space I would like, but it does help.

My summer has been absolutely amazing. I’ve been making it a point to take more pictures. Blondie and I went to Fontainebleau State Park for lunch and to walk around. We ate shrimp po boys in the gazebo over Lake Ponchartrain (see above picture). We also walked one of the nature trails. I wanted to pick blackberries, but I was too late and they had all dried up and died. We went tubing a few weeks back. Just the two of us. It wasn’t the best trip ever. We can both agree on that. We kept catching up with large groups of people listening to music and drinking a lot of beer. There was a mass gathering of rednecks on the river that day. We had somewhat of a floating picnic and lots of Gatorade. Blondie got very red. I tanned for a month prior to tubing, so I just baked for 4 1/2 hours. By the end of the trip we were both ready to get off that river. We went tubing almost a year ago, which was when we first started seeing each other. I figured it would be cool to celebrate one amazing year together by doing what we started out doing. I won’t lie though – last year was more fun. We were both drunk.

I can’t believe I’m going to be 25 years old on July 22! I don’t feel like I’m in my mid twenties at all. My car insurance is going to go down a bit, which I am happy about. My brother turned 22 last month. Time goes by way too fast.

I’ve been making the effort to be out in the sun at least once a week. I couldn’t take being so pale. Plus, I didn’t get a bathing suit that cost over $80 (got it last summer) so it could hang up in my closet. I got an adorable and inexpensive bikini from Victoria’s Secret, but the top is a tad too small. The middle parts go too close to my nipples. I feel like I’m popping out of the damned thing every time I move. I know my tatas got bigger, but I didn’t think it was that much. I guess I should have gotten a medium top instead of a small.

My roommate of almost two years moved out last weekend. My new one moved in several days after that. He is also a guy. I refuse to live with another female. The new roommate is my age. He has a girlfriend. Granted, his brother and his girlfriend are over constantly. They don’t sleep over and they aren’t loud. I don’t care if he has people over. As long as they clean up after themselves, let me have my sleep, and don’t sleep on the couch I’m great. We aren’t eighteen anymore. I don’t want drunk people sleeping in my living room. It is my house. I should be able to have that rule. He’s a great guy though, and so far I really like his friends. They’re all nerds like me.

You have my word that I will be posting more. I have an update I’d like to write about me not drinking alcohol anymore. It has made such a positive difference in my life.

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July!

from the top of the pole I watch her go down

Apr 19

Posted by Nicole in Friday Five, New Orleans, love, family, & friends, out & about, pictures | 2 Comments

This past weekend was a non-stop alcohol fueled party and I am so happy to spend my Sunday sober. Friday night Blondie and I went to New Orleans to visit with my Mom and her sister. French Quarter Fest was going on, but I’m not a big fan of New Orleans crowds anymore so we went to the strip club my cousin Brian works at. Blondie had never been to a decent strip club before so I was happy to be the one to show him how nice it is to watch good looking strippers. He’s not much of a drinker, but we each had our fair share of Ketel One and Grey Goose (he only drinks Ketel). We stayed a bit longer than I expected, but my Mom let us sleep at her house so we didn’t need to drive back across the Causeway to get home.

Saturday night Blondie’s roommate’s band played at our local hangout. He got headbutted while in the mosh pit. The outcome was a busted right upper lip and a black right eye. I considered it an interesting way for him to spend his last weekend night of Spring Break. I always have a blast when The GR hosts Metal shows. All of our friends showed up. It was the first time we had all been together since our BBQ at the State Park in February. Below are a couple pictures from the weekend, but you can always go to my Flickr to see the rest.

my twin!
My Mom and I
DSC01008
Heather and I

It may be Sunday, but I’m notorious for posting the Friday Five late anyway.

What is your favorite food from each food group?

1. Bread (Grain) Group:
I prefer whole weat all the way. I always have. Honey wheat isn’t bad either, but I’d rather the whole wheat.

2. Meat (Protein) Group:
STEAK! Unless you’re vegetarian who doesn’t like steak? I get mine cooked medium. Preferably with potatoes.

3. Vegetable Group:
Corn and green beans

4. Fruit Group:
Watermelon has always been my favorite fruit. It may make me pee like a mad woman but it is SO worth it.

5. Sugars, Fats and Oils:
It is the time of year for snowball stands to be open again. I allow myself one snowball a week. I don’t drink sodas, eat much candy, or splurge on fast food. I am a big fan of Taco Bell though. I had some last night. That will be my fast food for the month.

If I knew then what I know now

Apr 1

Posted by Nicole in Friday Five, just blogging | 3 Comments

Just when things were getting better for me I made the biggest mistake. I never bring my wallet into stores with me because I’m always afraid I will leave it or someone would scoop it out of my buggy. Well, yesterday I went to Winn Dixie and brought in my wallet because I had printed out coupons I wanted to use. When I was finished putting my groceries in my backseat of my car I put the buggy in the place it was supposed to go, drove off, and thought nothing of it. I’m guessing I left my wallet in the top fold out part of the buggy because I haven’t seen it since. I called the store and no one has turned it in. I have also searched through my house and car. It is gone.

Earlier today I called Chase and canceled my card.  They are sending me a new one.  I’m going to the DMV at some point this week to get duplicates made of my license and ID card.  I carry both because I never bring my license in with me anywhere.  I always bring my ID with me.  The only other thing I had in there was my Paypal debit card and that is canceled as well. Even though I am not a religious person I still stand by the fact that I slapped Jesus in a previous life.

I just stumbled on The Friday Five from last week about our high school years.  Although I am over the things that happened I still feel very strongly about the way I was treated in high school. Although my experiences helped make me into the semi-crazy person I am today I would like to think going through what I did made me stronger in some way. The questions were too good for me to pass up.

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Is that money in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?

Mar 25

Posted by Nicole in dvds, movies, books, & tv shows, love, family, & friends | 3 Comments

I actually went and got my library card. My name was still in their database from the late 90′s, so I just changed the address and paid three dollars for my new card.  It scans and everything.  Gotta love technology!  I took a break from James Patterson and decided to read The Stand by Stephen King after it was recommended to me.  I’m about halfway through it by now.  I really like how each chapter is the story being told from a different point of view.  The books I read are usually from first person point of view. After this I’ll go back to the Women’s Murder Club series.  Although The Dark Tower series is said to be pretty interesting as well. Has anyone else read them? What did you think?

Man oh man. Did I get a deal from Charter last night! My current bill is around $178 a month for 5mg net, all the movie channels including HD, On Demand, and one DVR box downstairs in the living room. It is beginning to My roommate is always downstairs and while the TV is a 40-something inch it is not a HDTV. It is also not in my bedroom. Even if I record a show downstairs I can’t watch it when I want all the time. The girl I talked to with Charter (who was also named Nicole) was super helpful and immediately told me she could not only lower what I was paying per month but she could get me more per month.  It is some current deal on Charter, so call them if this sounds good for you.  I went from having 5mg Internet to having 15mg (it was fast in the first place).  I have a Moxi box downstairs with DVR and a normal Motorola cable box up here in my room.  I’m getting two upgrded DVR boxes for both rooms now.  I have a 37″ HD TV in my room, so I’d like to make use of the HD channels we get.  Normal cable looks like crap on my TV.  I am so excited to be getting DVR in my room.  Now I can record Heroes, House, Big Love, Lost, and all the other shows I’m addicted to. Time to head out to Best Buy and buy a HDMI cable.

I also got good news in the mail today.  My electricity bill was $30 less than it has been.  Heat always makes my bill over $100.  Not anymore!  I love this time of year.

I’ve really been trying to save money. I just ended my first six months with Geico and my bill is over twenty dollars lower. The breathalizer has been out of my car for almost a month, so that releaves me of at least one monthly neusance. It is nice being able to go grocery shopping. I try not to get too stressed out with money. Maybe it is also my inability to just sit still and do one thing all day. I enjoy being outside. Or maybe I just enjoy being out of my house. Once it gets night time I am ready to lock myself in my room. It is odd how that works.

Luckily Blondie keeps me occupied. We have a lot of fun when we do things together. I’m looking forward to going to the Insectarium in New Orleans when we both have an entire day and night off. The State Park here has a nature & hiking trail, a beach (I wouldn’t go in the water), camping sites, and convenient shade when it is dreadfully hot. We walked the nature trail and had a picnic in the gazebo on Lake Ponchartrain several days ago. I’m wanting to give this elaborate explanation of how I felt, but it was disgustingly “cute” to say the least. I probably looked like a girl going to her high school prom to the other people in the park. I kept looking up at him and smiling. Then again, he’s had that effect on me for a while now.