Blog
confessions: cuteness overload
Observe with caution: the following photos might make you smile, laugh and/or be insanely jealous of my adorable dog. It's understandable. She's pretty darn cute. I hope this brings a little joy to you today. This dog, who believes with her whole heart that she is a...
thankful thursdays: week two
Last week, I started the first of 52 weeks of "thankful thursdays," inspired by Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts. I strongly, strongly challenge you to do the same. In two weeks of writing down my gifts each day, I've noticed a distinct change in my own heart. I...
confessions: 5 lessons learned from my {relatively} unsuccessful blog
In my journey towards traditional publication (getting my novel published by a royalty-paying publishing house), building my personal platform has been a priority. In 2009, I created my blog, website, Twitter account and started taking my writing career "seriously."...
my finish year list for 2013
As we all should, I routinely check in on my goals from the last year before/while making my list of items to "finish" in the next year. {Jon Acuff introduced me to the idea of a finish list, which I found works far better than generic "goals." So check it out.} In...
My “Word” for 2013
A year ago, my "word" was Discipline. And in 2012, I believe I stepped up my level of self discipline, though there certainly were some ups and downs. I learned it might take 30 days to start a new habit, but only one day to break it. I learned all the discipline in...
confessions {& resolution}: addicted to volunteering
Hello, my name is Nicole. I'm a volunteer-aholic. (you say: Hi, Nicole...) Over the course of my career both as a social media coordinator and event/newsletter coordinator, I've amassed a certain set of skills... (Cue the Taken music here.) Skills that mean I'm...
thankful thursdays: week one
In Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, she chronicles how a friend challenged her to write down one thousand "gifts" she saw in her everyday life. This transformed into a blog with thousands of followings and a whole host of people who do "thankful...
what is the purpose of “confessions?”
A day that began with a makeover from Mary Kay, a gallon of hairspray, my horse coming down with the flu and then learning I misspelled my own last name on a pageant application would end with the experience that altered the course of my life. On November 7th, 2003, I...
confessions: 2013 isn’t what I expected (so far)
January 1st began full of promise and hope—it was a beautiful day here in the Pacific Northwest. Sunshine anytime between October and April is considered a small miracle. I'd mapped out my goals for the year, re-launched this blog and even managed to tidy up the...
confessions: here we go
Yes, it's tacky to start something on January 1st, just because it is the beginning of a new year. Every new day is an opportunity and every new day is just as good of an excuse. Alas, this worked out best for my personal calendar and vacation schedules. So call me...