Fundraising

Guys!  I've got the fundraising bug!  Me, Nicole Marshall, who spent thirteen years dragging around a wagon full of Girl Scout Cookies and whining about it is now totally pumped about online giving!  My boss is already envious of my sweet friends and relatives who have given to my 2011 COTS Walk page.  The fundraising stakes were raised even higher today when I found out that the staff who raises the most money will win a SIGNED PHOTO OF JAMES TAYLOR!  You might say, "Ha! James Taylor! That is so 1975 and you weren't even a thought back then!"  But I will say, "Friend, puh-leeze, James Taylor defined my childhood!"  (Thank you, Mom!)

If you are reading this blog, chances are you have already given, but if not, here is the link:

Nicole's 2011 COTS Walk Fundraising Page

Help me beat homelessness and earn an autographed photo of James Taylor!

In other news, my life feels pretty great right now.  It started with a [more] laid back day at work with some mood lighting, (so over those fluorescents!)  Next, I found out that my cousin Tom, (you know, the pirate hunter,) is being stationed in CONNECTICUT meaning that he will be less than five hours away from me AND will be my geographically closest cousin come fall AND I hope he and his bride-to-be, Sarah have lots of BABIES for me to visit!  Now, I am just imagining all of the soon-to-be beautiful times in store: Kirby, (blonde haired boy cousin, often attacked by eagles, mumbler,) and his wife Abby will be coming to visit in FOUR SHORT DAYS annnnd I have lined up a cousin date for next week in which I am taking the day off from work and do not have to go to CPR class!  (Don't worry, I'll be at CPR class on Thursday in case you are in need of my medical assistance after that.)

I should also let you know that I have a phobia of blood and veins and thus first aid / CPR and so consider this my most altruistic act ever that I am willing to become certified, (it might also be required in my job description...)  Hopefully I do not faint!

Later, gators!

Smelly Dogs & Beautiful Afternoons

Dear Friends,

FANTASTIC day at Red Rocks with Mike, Sabrina and Tim.  It was also preceded by my first carbohydrate in seven days: a "Vermonter" on a multigrain & honey bagel from Bagel Market, (so good!!!)  Not cheating, just a small indulgence.

It's hard to believe that I've lived in Vermont for six years and haven't been to so many of these great places that Sabrina always seems to find first!  Included in the list are The Village Cup in Jericho, downtown Richmond for an Irish New Year and Camel's Hump, (ok, maybe that was not our favorite, but we have a GREAT view of it from our backyard now!)

The walk was great.  I love seeing the lake in its half-frozen form.  Ayla was almost great off her leash, but did get distracted by a dog or two.  Sabrina and I took a new cousin picture for my Facebook profile as she detested the one I had used from Thanksgiving.  (Funny how one can think pictures are really cute and then the other person in the photo can think that it's horrid!)  One good picture of me & Mike too.

The not so great part of the trip happened when I got Ayla's tale caught in the hatchback of our Matrix and she decided to let her canine smell go everywhere!  I swear it was not the actual tail, but rather her fur, since nothing appears bruised or broken at this point, but nevertheless she made a mess and temporarily put an end to our fun with her smell.

Luckily, we all made it out alive and I am hopeful that Tim will continue to want to be my cousin-in-law, even after creating such a stink! :)  Check out some of our photos below:

Here's to an equally sunny week, I hope!