Just NB

Every few weeks I log onto Google Analytics and see just who is reading my blog. I think I know most of the readers from Canada, US, and Australia... but the readers from Exeter, Paris, Johannesburg, and Moscow?!? Don’t know you guys, but I think it's super cool that you read my blog and you don’t even know me. I feel like some kind of celebrity or something!!! (Just kidding…) I get the odd email comment or question...and what I wonder sometimes is...why I don't get emails/comments asking me about...THE OBVIOUS!?!? Like…I’m a SINGLE girl living in a world made up of about…95% of guys. No one has ever asked me about my romantic life. This kind of surprises me?! Or…is it because I’m such a big mouth that you all already know about it? Either I've told you or I'm so obvious in my writing that it's just a well known fact? If so, then it would come as no surprise that *gasp* I dated someone here. OMG!!! The important details: We were friends, we had a connection...

I'm having a happy/sad day. Sad because I had to say a tearful goodbye... but happy because I'm excited for my best friend's future and adventures. I don't have any siblings... but I think of her as my adopted sister (and have been called so a few times in the ER room? :D) and I love her and her family. Today, along with her hubby and kids, she moved to Europe. We have been friends for over eight years (isn't that crazy, WF?!?!!!!) . We've had ups and downs and experienced more laughter and silliness than I could have ever thought possible... I can't imagine my life withouth her.... Or her family... ...I loved her youngest daughter before we met.... ...and her oldest daughter holds a big chunk of my heart.... ....and I guess it's worth noting her hubby is pretty great too! I'll miss them so much and I wish them nothing but the absolute best....See you in November , girls!!

It's nearly 03h00 Edmonton time...but those are the effects of the jet-lag I guess. What an eventful little trip! In Paris, the airport was evacuated because there was a suspicious package. I was a bit confused as to what was going on and asked a flight attendant a question, and he got very stern with me, so I yelled at him in French. Maybe not the nicest thing to do, but I was later impressed that I could get mad at someone in French. And he was being such a jerk! Anyway, a few minutes later, the bomb squad came in and blew up the package (made a super loud noise!!!), and we could go back in. Then, while I was getting a manicure, I saw Ricky Martin! I felt like such a dork because it was killing me not to go and get a picture with him. He even made eye contact with me. Geez! There was an earthquake while I was in Toronto , and then when I went to get off the plane in Edmonton, I guess there was some kind of (unknown) "incident" because we were not allowed off until...

Remember this house fire ? Well...their house is all fixed up now....basically good as new. They had a welcome back party. I was hoping for a costume party...but they wanted a pig roast. Who has a pig ROAST as a welcome back party from a house fire ? Isn't that tempting fate just a *little* bit?! :) Oh, well... I made the best of it... Now...where was this firefighter a few months ago!?! And yes...those boots are HOT!! I sure know how to make an entrance... WELCOME BACK home Friends!!! but...for some reason... they wouldn't let me cook ?... It was still a great party. There was drinking...(thanks to one of the best mix-o-logists ever!) ...and of course dancing...with the best dancers EVER!!! ...which led to to the party ending rather late (or early?) and me feeling less than stellar the next day... But all in all, everyone had an awesome time and it was another great party!!

.... ...didn't go to market .... He went to the BBQ pit... ...And then.... ...into my belly... ...Another great weekend was had by all... I'm off to Canada later tomorrow....and it makes me wonder...how it is possible that I am going to miss this freaking crazy place!?!

I was house/dog-sitting last weekend so I decided to invite a few friends/colleagues over for supper. Four were invites - two accepted...was ready to have a nice night. Anyway, a pasta/bread/wine night sounded nice. I didn't want anything complicated since I haven't cooked since Australia . I just have to say....I've had people over for supper many times....I'm no Martha Stewart ...but I know my way around a kitchen. Or...so I thought... It was a bit umm.... interesting shopping for the pasta sauce ingredients since the grocery store has extremely limited goods. On hindsight...perhaps I should have just bought a bottled sauce...or a can of spaghetti-os and heated them up in the microwave? The night started off nice...it was nice being in a house instead of the camp room... I started to make the sauce. First step, brown the meat. (Thankfully, I ran into an acquaintance in the grocery store....and he confirmed the ground zebu I bought was okay... I'm always skeptical...

I'm always super behind on sending cards...so here's one way to make sure it gets to everyone on time.... so I'm putting it on my blog.... Happy Father's Day my father and the father figures in my life!! Have a great day Dad , Grandpa , Uncle Kevin , and Uncle Jimmy ! I love you and miss you all very much!! Love Nicole xoxo

I had a great another great Sunday! Somehow, I invited myself to go golfing with a group that goes every week. Beautiful Drive: Drive thru breakfast: Always remember to stretch before golfing!! We had to choose a caddy. I picked two - one for my clubs and one for my purse. (Yes the little one that carried my purse got extra money for the...teasing that he will likely ensue...) I know...I'm rocking this hat. I forgot a hat, so I bought one at a stand along the way. I think it's made from dried banana leaves or something? My purse caddy and his friends All together now... Does it look like....I may have had a few cocktails on the course? Nah... Here I am drinking plain fruit juice (and sweating my face off!)!! Poser shots: Angry golfer shots. We were fighting about who won the game... Obviously it was me!! Okay...mayyyyybe there were a few cocktails on the course... Next stop - lunch at a beach restaurant! I didn't go swimming....but it was tempting!! We had fresh chicken f...