Suddenly *Not So* Single Journey

No more stress thanks to NoMa…

Friday, August 19th, 2011

Maybe because I lead such an eventful life, I truly treasure the moments where I get to unwind and relax.  Ah, the pamper me time.  Nothing beats that.

I used to feel guilty when I took those moments.  I would second guess whether or not I deserved them.  Yeah.  I’m over that.  Believe me.  I earn my moments.

Even S thinks so.

How many women can plan a wedding in four weeks?  Not many.  Oh, but I can.  I’ve done it twice now.  Last time I was less involved.  Last time I was less interested.  Now…I’m all over it.  The wedding wear I ordered for myself and Jennie has arrived.  It looks good.  S has decided upon his wedding wear.  It’s gloriously non-traditional.  It’s a good look for us.

So, here we are.  Three weeks from departing for the wedding.  And I’m still sitting all easy breezy.  I’m psyched.

And it’s all those little pamper me moments that will help.  I have big massage dreams in the weeks before the wedding.  Apparently I carry my tension in my shoulders.  And neck.  And back.  Of course, if you saw the size of my butt, you’d imagine I carried it there.  Not really.

So, Juice in the City is making my day with this new deal they are offering.  It’s a choice between two packages at NoMa, working with Jennifer.  She will either give you a 90 minute massage, the style of your choice, enhanced with aromatherapy oils,  or a full body mudwrap with some other fantastically wonderful treatments.

On the one hand, I love massages.  And my very very very favorite…the hot stone…is one of the available options.  90 minutes with hot stones and aromatherapy…bliss!  I probably would be so boneless that I couldn’t even make it to the car to drive away.  I’d probably need to bring a designated driver.

Or, I could make my skin feel smooth and soft as the day I was born.  I do have a wedding night to consider.  And this mudwrap comes with a shoulder to toe exfoliating treatment.  The mud itself is a healing and detoxifying mud.  There are foot treatments and a cool marble facial massage.  And my hands would be dipped in parafin.

Wow.  I can’t go wrong with whichever option I choose.  Still, I’ll be considerate of S.  I want to be all soft and snuggly for him.  Aren’t lovebirds sickening?

Three weeks and it will be over.  And Juice in the City will help me feel special before the big day.

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How should I put this? I’m a retainer…

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Summer is the worst.  I’m just puffy all the time.  My ankles threaten to become  cankles.  My fingers spill over my rings.  I just feel it all over my body.

It makes me miserable.  Okay, maybe miserable is too strong a word.  It definitely makes me highly uncomfortable.  How’s that?  At least it’s accurate.

And I have a really special weekend coming up.  In case you’ve somehow missed it…we’re getting married next month.  I’ll be in pictures.  I’ll be in wedding wear.  I’ll be in a bathing suit.  *gulp*

As you can imagine, I want to look pretty.  I really do.  I mean how many more times do you think that I’ll get married.  I’m not Elizabeth Taylor.

So, there are a few options.  I can cut back my salt intake.  Already done.  I never salt anything…ever.  I can increase my fluids.  Again…done.  It’s summer.  I’m drinking all the time.  I even drink tea which is supposed to be a natural diuretic.  I exercise.  I sweat.  Still, not satisfied with the results.

Where does that leave me?

Oh, ecstatic with the deal that I found through Juice in the City.  I am getting all kinds of pampering opportunities through them.  And as an almost wife and always mother, believe me, I earn them.  Oh, and as a wife and mother…shoot…as a woman, you have earned them, too.

Here’s why I’m so excited about the most recent deal…it’s a massage and cupping from Calming Energy.  What is cupping, you may wonder?  Well, it’s a method of detoxing the body and eliminating excess fluids.  And when coupled with a massage, it sounds pretty stinkin’ perfect to me.  Yes, there are even three choices of 90 minute massage and cupping packages:

• a 90 minutes hot stone massage with foot scrub and hot towel/cold facial massage
• a 90 minute hot stone with cupping massage and facial cupping
• 90 minute contouring/weight reduction body wrap and facial cupping massage

Oh, but all I heard was that I could be wedding ready and gorgeous.  Maybe I wouldn’t go that far, but I could be the best me possible.  And that will be more than enough.  I couldn’t do it without these amazing Juice in the City deals.

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Leave your worries behind…

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

That’s the beauty of taking a few moments out of the day for some pamper me time.  Everyone needs it.  Men take their time in their man caves.  They stop for a beer with the guys.  My man naps.  And his naps are as replenishing as the fountain of youth.  Love it!

Bottom line is that I’m learning.  Every day.  And what I thought I knew and what is actually true are often times so far apart.

Take, for example, my stance on spending money on me.  I like it, but I don’t do it often and when I do…I feel guilty.  I can think of so many other places that the money should be going.

Then S and I went and had our hair cut last night.  He was so cute talking to Lu, Lonnie’s mom, as she cut my hair.

S: I need to buy Nicki more clothes.  She never spends money on herself.

Lu: Aw, that’s so sweet!

I tried to dispute it, but I couldn’t.  He was right.  The last time I bought clothes…he picked them out and paid for them.  Luckily, he has great taste.  The dresses he bought me are my very favorites.  I have about worn them to death.

He likes me to look pretty.  And he knows that I’m frugal with my spending.  So, he doesn’t worry when I mention I might like to get my fingers or toes painted.  He really doesn’t mind when I find amazing deals like this one.

Juice in the City is offering a deal that I’m going to definitely want to get.  And I’m going to encourage Carrie to join in.  We love our pedicures!

My Bella Spa and My Nail Spa are offering a $25 deluxe mani/pedi.  Sure, I can give myself a mani/pedi.  I’ve done it lots of times.  At the same time, the results are nothing like when I have it done professionally.  They last longer.  They look better.  And I feel like a new woman.

I don’t take the time to massage my hands and feet.  Most women don’t.  And we’re even luckier if our men will do it for us.  My man will.  If I ask.  He works way harder than I do, so I don’t.  I do massage him, however.

That’s why every once in a while, it is nice to do something for ourselves.  It’s nice to have someone else do the pampering.  It’s worth every penny, especially when I only would need half the pennies I normally would.

See you at the spa.

Posted in Recommendations | 3 Comments »

Gimme a Cupcake!

Monday, August 8th, 2011

Every once in a while, I like to treat myself.  Okay, I like to treat myself a lot.

These treats come in many forms.  It could come in the form of a pedicure, or a massage, or…more often than not…food.  Yes, nothing says I love me like a nice treat.

I’m not always naughty.  Sometimes the treat is sushi.  Ah, but right now, I’m thinking I need to sweeten life up.  I need to give it a little extra kick.  And I’m thinking that kick should come in the form of…cupcakes.

Here’s the thing about cupcakes…they are totally portable.  They come in neat individual servings.  That alone should make them virtually guilt free.  And when purchased in larger quantities…say…by the dozen…you can even share them.  If you’re the type.  Me, I can be a bit food selfish.

Huh.  Maybe if I shared more, my thighs would slim down.  Of course if I ate less and exercised more there’s a distinct possibility that could happen, too.  Now where was I?  Oh…cupcakes.

Sometimes Juice in the City makes it really hard for me to be good.  And I mean REALLY HARD.  Take today, for example.

The newest deal is $10 for a dozen cupcakes from Gimme a Cupcake.  Now, if you’re like me, you’re thinking these must be pretty special cupcakes.  Oh, and you are right!  Tuesday through Saturday, truly special and delectable cupcakes are make from scratch on site.  There are 6-8 different offerings per day with a set cupcake menu of six and a couple of surprises.

I was already surprised.  There’s a new cupcake that promises to be the new breakfast food with maple buttercream frosting and turkey bacon sprinkles.  I can justify cupcakes for breakfast with the milk and eggs alone, throw in bacon and maple and it’s on!

What I  noticed about the menu is that there are no boring ordinary cupcakes.  The cupcakes often have fillings and toppings and extraordinary frostings…oh my! There’s a Talkin’ Boston cupcake that is their version of the Boston Cream Pie.  Umm yummm!  There’s My BFF, a white cupcake filled with strawberry filling, topped with butter cream and more strawberry filling.  Talk about an aptly named cupcake.

I’m guessing that for me, this will be love at first bite.  I can’t wait to use this Juice in the City Deal.  For those of you that don’t live in the Charlotte area, Juice in the City is constantly expanding markets.  Be patient.  You could have one very soon.

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Now for some quality family time…

Friday, August 5th, 2011

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks.  We went from one and a half functional baths to one functional bath…now two!  And with all the remodeling and plumbers and tilers and people and mess, I’ve been about spent.  When it comes to meals these days, I just want a moment to breathe.

It’s all about convenience while I catch up and get back to my routines that were so interrupted.  It will happen.  In some ways, it already has.  I’ve been working out, which is a start.  And I’ve been eating healthier…even when I don’t cook.  And I’ve been getting things done around the house…sort of.

This weekend we know that we have to run off to Charleston to batten down the boat before Tropical Storm Emily hits.  I’m looking forward to it…even though it means packing and driving, unpacking and working, packing up, hauling off, driving and unpacking and loads of laundry when I get home.  Yes, it will be a brisk trip and a brisk workout trying to get the boat covered by tarps, working around the still broken mast, and securing the newly created opening so we can actually sell this at some point.  Some day.

To say that I don’t want to waste a minute in the kitchen would be a gross understatement.  That’s why I love working with Juice in the City.  There’s a new deal that is running through the weekend.  I’m super excited about it.  Of course, that’s because food is my downfall.  And some foods are more of a downfall than others.

Like pizza.  Oh, but keep in mind, I tend to be a food snob.  So, Stoney’s definitely fits the bill.  It’s a wood fired pizza joint.  Not only do they serve pizzas from fresh homemade dough, they also use local cheeses and some really fancy cheeses imported from Italy.  They also use only high quality meats and locally grown vegetables…organic!  For those who are trying to avoid pizza, their menu also has panninis, wraps, salads and the like.  Something for everyone!   And guess what?  For us, it will be just like eating at home.  The booths have their own cable televisions.  We’re sure to be entertained.

Most importantly…I don’t have to cook.  And it won’t hurt the bank account.  For $15, we get $30 worth of food.  How great is that?

With the energy I save from having to cook and clean up, I’ll more than be able to accomplish all the things I need to over the next few days.  Yay!

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Preparations and puppy training…

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

Bishop turns two today!  It went by so fast.  I swear they grow up and we start to suffer from puppy amnesia.  So, as I prepared my happiness post for tomorrow, I was reading all of the Bishop Tales.

There was one thing I soon discovered.  That puppy really put me through it.  I had forgotten that I was his favorite chew toy.  I somehow failed to remember that he used to gnaw on furniture.  I even had failed to remember all the mischief that he managed to get into.

See, that’s what happens when they finally get reared and morph into well-behaved dogs.  Honestly, when I look back at it.  I think we lucked out.  S had trained enough dogs that he didn’t need to hire a trainer.  He just had to train me first.  I really lucked out.  Without his guidance, I wouldn’t have known what to do.

And I think that happens a lot.  People get dogs and aren’t quite sure how to raise them or encounter a dog with a temperament different from what they are used to.  Sometimes just trying out a new breed can create challenges.  I’d only had toy poodles before our Great Dane.  They were opposite ends of the spectrum.  Believe me.

In a situation like that, dog obedience training can save a family, alleviate the stress and strain, and often keep the dog with the family.  This is where The Dog Knowledge comes in.  They provide a one hour comprehensive behavior and obedience consultation and assessment with a certified trainer/canine behaviorist.  And so often, the concern is what good will one hour do?  I’ll never remember everything.  Well, you don’t have to.  They will send a written copy to your email.

The best part is that once the negative behavior is corrected, you can start enjoying your dog again.  Bishop no longer exhibits those behaviors that made me crazy.  He has stopped letting himself into people’s homes to graze on anything left on the counter.  He has stopped eating our food the minute it is left unattended.  He rarely destroys anything.

Pick up this Juice in the City deal to love your pup again.  The Dog Knowledge can make it happen.  Who knows?  We might not get this lucky again.  I have my heart set on another Dane.  We’re preparing.

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Portable Solar Battery Charger: The sun lights up my life…and my computer and cell phone…

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

Harnessing the sun to power technology.

It wasn’t so long ago that I was busily researching ways to make living on a sailboat possible.  There was so much to like about the prospect.  We love the water.  And having the sailboat is like having a little cottage on the water.  We liked the idea of low living expenses.  We could rent the slip we were in for $250/month.  That included electric and wi-fi.  There were washers and dryers that were coin operated and available for use at the marina.

Life could have been just about perfect.  Of course, there was some concern about what would happen when we at sea.  The beauty of the sailboat was that it was totally portable….mostly.  And we figured that we could spend weeks at a time down in The Keys when the weather was inclement here.

In order to sustain ourselves on the trip, however, there were things that we would need.  So we considered our options for food.  And we bought a grill to cook the food.  It would load on the side of the boat very nicely.  We had an icebox to keep things cool.  I even had a plan to sustain us financially.  I would write.  I would freelance.  I would put my computer to work for me.  It was a good plan.  After all, we did have outlets on the boat.  And we did have batter chargers.

Oh, but the battery charger had nothing to do with the outlets.  It charged something else entirely.  That’s when we started considering ways we could harness the elements for good.  And solar power was discussed and explored.  Did you know that there are portable solar battery chargers that can charge cell phones?  Yup, if you can get reception, there’s a solar powered charger to make it ready.  And did you know that there are portable solar battery chargers for computers?  I would be lost without my laptop.  Oh, but give me the solar powered charger and I can write and write to my heart’s content.  And then when I’m in range of wi-fi, I’ll be loaded and ready to go.

Goal Zero is a company that has thought of everything the outdoorsy need to stay plugging in while roughing it, to enjoy the wilderness safely, and to unwind without being unwired.  If I ever get that boat back from repair, I’m definitely looking into having them hook me up.  I love my technology.

I am participating in a blog campaign from Bucks2Blog. I was compensated, however, the views and opinions are my own.

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Something for the horse lovers…

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

When I was growing up in the Adirondacks, we had friends we would visit every summer that had horses.  I soon decided horses were the greatest thing and that these people had the life.  We’d spend the day lazing around and swimming in their pool.  And in the evenings, we’d feed the horses, saddle them up, and go for a ride.  It didn’t take long for me to decide that I wanted a horse.

Now, I have to love the way my mother did things.  It wasn’t ever that she said I couldn’t have a horse; instead it was that she let me figure out the logistics of it until I reasoned that it simply wasn’t possible.  Horses eat a lot.  They need a barn, and a fenced in pasture, and loads of stuff that I never anticipated.

And so I fed my horse love in other ways.  I would travel and gravitate toward excursions where I could go horse back riding.  I’ve ridden horses in the mountains in Colorado.  (I didn’t think my backside was ever going to recover.)  And I’ve ridden horses in the mountains in Fontana, NC.  It was only the other day that I discovered I didn’t have to go far to feed my passion without wasting tons of money on gas, food, and lodging.

Right here in Charlotte, we can go to the Latta Equestrian Center and enjoy a 45 minute ride through the nature trails.  And because Juice in the City is hosting this deal, it’s currently half price.  For $25 two people can enjoy this experience together.

You know what I’m thinking, right?  How much cooler than dinner and a movie would an afternoon horseback ride be?  This could totally recharge our stale dating habits.  This could be a fun way to spend an afternoon with the kids.  Or maybe the next time Jennie comes to visit, we could do that instead of shopping or spa visits.  Well, you get the idea.

So if you love horses and want all the fun without all the fuss, take advantage of the Juice in the City Latta Equestrian Center deal.  Take a horseback ride on a guided trail.  Relax, release, enjoy…

Posted in Recommendations | 4 Comments »

Happiness is holding on to memories…

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

There is little as precious or fleeting in this world as time.  And when it comes to savoring every moment and capturing it for posterity…well, I could do better.  And I have made some valiant efforts.  I haul the camera out more and take pictures.  I record our life for posterity online.  (Yeah, they really appreciate that…)  And I even dragged the family to Sears to capture our first family portrait last Christmas.  I’ve looked better.

What I have discovered is that when it comes to pictures, that’s something better left to the professionals.  And while I’m the first person that will encourage saving wherever possible, pictures are not one of the areas of life that should skimped on.  Ah, but there is still a lovely way to save if you live in the Charlotte area.  (And if you don’t, you should see if there are similar deals in your neighborhood.)

Juice in the City is offering an amazing deal through Holden Memories Photography.  The cost of the session, which includes two people and a ten image photo CD in one of three lovely outdoor locations, is a mere $30.  What could be better or more perfect?  I’ve always wanted a professional photo shoot outdoors.  Always I’ve had my pictures take in a stuffy studio.

I’m actually considering doing it myself, since I really should update my pictures that are on my profiles all over the net.  And I’m thinking that I could use a really great picture for my book covers.  And, fingers crossed, it would be great practice for the wedding pictures.  Yes, there is going to be a wedding.  No, there is still no date.  We’re going to be spontaneous when we have time and money.

The best part of this deal is that for those with a larger family, additional family members can be added for $10 per person, paid at the time of the session.  So, really, you could have the entire family captured professionally in a great out of doors location for the low low price of $30.  And with a photo CD, you aren’t stuck picking out a package of pictures that you will never use.  Instead, you can go to any number of places to select precisely which pictures you need for your frames and print them out instantly.

So visit Juice in the City and take advantage of this great deal.  It’s a small price to pay for memories that will be saved for posterity.

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