Bailey Arata

More sad news, Today August 22nd 2008, Bailey was put down after a short battle with cancer. She was only 9 years young.

The groomer discovered some large lumps on her neck and stomach last Friday and within a week her health deteriorated.

She was one of the sweetest golden's out there and was loved very much by her family and friends.

We will miss you Bail.

Sad news

08/19/2008
We are deeply saddened that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program.

www.davematthewband.com

Tables

Why cant people just seat themselves at weddings? I hate doing this stupid seating chart. This person wants to sit here, that person wont know anyone at the table. Who the hell cares where you sit. If the wedding is fun enough you wont be sitting at all! You will be dancing your ass off. People can KMA!

Possible Wedding song

So we are starting to look at songs for us to dance to for the wedding. We don't have "a song" but some ideas have been floating around. Here is the first choice. Let me know your thoughts

Heaven - By: Bryan Adams

Oh - thinkin' about all our younger years

There was only you and me We were young and wild and free

Now nothin' can take you away from me

We bin down that road before

But that's over now

You keep me comin' back for more

Baby you're all that I want

When you're lyin' here in my arms

I'm findin' it hard to believe We're in heaven

And love is all that I need

And I found it there in your heart

It isn't too hard to see

We're in heaven

Oh - once in your life you find someone

Who will turn your world around

Bring you up when you're feelin' down

Ya - nothin' could change what you mean to me

Oh there's lots that I could say

But just hold me now

Cause our love will light the way

N' baby you're all that I want

When you're lyin' here in my arms

I'm findin' it hard to believe We're in heaven

And love is all that I need

And I found it there in your heart

It isn't too hard to see We're in heaven

I've bin waitin' for so long

For something to arrive

For love to come along

Now our dreams are comin' true T

hrough the good times and the bad

Ya - I'll be standin' there by you

Today, August 7th 2008

Well this is it, the last year I will spend in my twenties. Its kinda sad, I really enjoyed my twenties. I had lots of "birthday weeks" and really looked forward to celebrating each birthday. This year is a bit different then the others. I feel older and dont really want people to know its my birthday. Strange isnt it. All these years I would announce to the world that I was the birthday girl, this year ...not so much.


People at work are sending me e-mails (we have a birthday calendar posted so the ENTIRE company can see when your birthday is). People I dont even know. Some guy "Clay" sent me this message:





Howdy Nikki, I just wanted to shoot you a quick note and say Happy Birthday (Give or take…) and that I hope the year has been going well for you so far. I think we may have met/spoken in the past but if not, I am the PreSales Rep for XXXXXXXX(name has be disguised to protect the innocent). If I may be of help to you down the road, I am looking forward to hearing from you. If not, it was nice talking to you anyway and I hope you have a great day!
Cheers,
Clay



Now thats just strange. And kinda creepy. So here is to another year. HAPPY FREAKING BIRTHDAY TO ME!

How many Nicole Nelson's are there?

Thanks Meg,

There are 694 Nicole Nelson's in the United States.

When I get married there will be 2 Nicole Arata's in the United States.

Interesting.

Birthday Cards

So, over the years, each and every year, my grandmothers sister always sends me a birthday card. She is by far one of the sweetest women I know. She has devoted her entire life to god, and became a nun at the age of 16. We still have her hair in a box (its kinda weird, I know). I remember every year when I was a kid I couldnt wait to open my card from Auntie Sister (thats what we call her). She would always put a $10 bill in the card, and when you are a kid, this is a HUGE deal. She never forgot a single birthday, and would write the sweetest things inside the card. This year was no different. I still get so excited when I receive the card from Auntie Sister, at this point its not about the $10, its about the fact that she always remembers my day. So when I arrived at my parents house today (yes she sends it to my parents still), there is was, Aunite Sisters birthday card. Like a kid in a candy store I ripped it open, waiting to see what was inside! And there it was, a crisp $10 bill. I love her for that, not the money, but for her thoughtfulness. So here is to you Auntie Sister, for always remembering me. I love you!

August 5th 1962

Tomorrow is the anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's death. 46 years ago she was taken from the world. As I told you in my earlier blog my love affair with Marilyn began when I was in the 11th grade and still continues today. I wanted to share with you a very special moment, a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Back in October of 1999, Christie's Auction house was set to auction off Marilyn Monroe's possessions. For a limited time they opened it up to the public for viewing, I of course could not have missed this. So I set up a trip with some friends, who had already visited the auction house, and we were on our way to NYC.

As we approached the auction house I could feel myself getting very nervous. I was about to see and possibly feel most of Marilyn's possessions. I broke down in tears as we entered the auction house. I was surrounded by Marilyn, her voice was playing softly in the background and her items we laid out for the world to admire. Since we got there very early there wasn't many people in the place, which was nice because I could take my time gazing at all the items.

As we approached a jewelry case, there was a women with white gloves standing behind it. I looked down and saw the wedding band that was given to Marilyn by Joe DiMaggio. One diamond was missing. Since there was no one there yet, I asked the white gloved woman if she could take it out of the case, she could see the excitement in my eyes, and very carefully she took it out of the case. I stared at it for a good 5 minutes. Trying to imagine it on Marilyn's ring finger.

I moved on, next was the piano that was her mothers, a white baby grand. It was purchased by Mariah Carey for a cool $500,000. I wondered all over the place trying to imagine how Marilyn brushed her hair, how she sat on her couches, and the books. She was quite the reader, there was a whole room full of books. However my friends that I was with said that they wanted to save the best for last.

As we approached a room in the back of the auction house, I was told to keep my eyes shut. Nervously I was brought to a room, that seemed very dark. I didn't want to peek, so I kept my eyes shut. I was put into position, and then told to open my eyes.

There it was...the "Happy Birthday Mr. President" dress. Floating in mid-air. Lights shining, it was completely see-thru. I fell to the ground and started to cry. There were security guards all over the place and one ran over to me and pulled me up and asked me if I was ok. I was shaking, I told him I was fine, just a huge fan. He laughed at me and gave me a smile.

I approached the dress and just stared at it. She was in this dress, she was sewn into this dress. She may have only worn it for a few minutes, but that dress is a part of history and I was able to experience it.

I will never forget that experience, not for the rest of my life. I was able to experience Marilyn, and not many people can say that.

So on the anniversay of her death, lets remember Marilyn for who she was. A real person with a dream. Her dream came true, but ended much too soon.

Marilyn Monroe- Thanks Meg!

So first, I want to thank Megan for getting me started on this topic. For those of you who don't know, Meg and I happen to be the 2 nuttiest Marilyn Monroe fans out there. I wanted to tell you all how I became so enamoured by her (Marilyn, not Megan!!)

It all started when I was in the 11th grade. I had Mrs. Coco for English and I adored her. One day she gave us an assignment, write a biography on someone - dead or alive. I pondered and pondered on who I should write about. I was at a loss. I confided in Mrs. Coco and asked her to give me some ideas as I couldn't think of a single person that I wanted to spend time researching.

She said to me in her sweet voice "Why don't you try Marilyn Monroe, I think you will really enjoy her story".

Ok I thought. At that point in my life I heard of her, but didn't really know her. All I knew was that she was blond and died very young.

So the research began. This was when the internet was just coming into play, and I can still remember sitting in the library on the "internet" finding any information I could on Marilyn Monroe. I became so obsessed that I even began reading books on her! Just for fun!

When I turned in my report to Mrs. Coco, I felt so proud. All my research, all the time I put into it. I was so happy about this report, and I was even happier because I discovered Marilyn Monroe. The timeless blond beauty, that the world adored.

And so the obsession began. I started to collect anything and everything Marilyn Monroe. I have an amazing collection of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, and I cherish all of it!

I often ask myself what would the world be like if Marilyn's life wasnt cut short? Would she still have as much of an impact today if she was alive?

Marilyn would have turned 83 on June 1st this year.

August 5th she will be dead for 46 years.

RIP

Estelle Getty

"Sophia Petrillo"

Been too long!

The last time I posted a blog was way back in June. Yes folks thats right, July is coming to a close. Do you know what that means? It means that my wedding is creeping up closer and closer and I am not freaking out! Weird isnt it? You would think that by now, I would be a psycho bridezilla who only talks about her wedding and doesnt let anyone else speak. To be quite honest with you, I get annoyed when people ask me about my wedding. Is that bad? Its the same stupid question every day..."So you ready for the big day?" Well dummy what the heck do you think!? That I am not prepared for something that I have been planning for over a year? Come on, thats a dumb question. But me begin the "sweet" person I am, I play it off and just politely say "yes I am totally ready"(fake smile) "just want it to be here". And I walk away as quickly as possible! GET OUT OF THE BREAK ROOM I tell myself!! I sometimes avoid it all together because I cant deal with people asking the same stupid question. I had someone actually ask me a week ago if I got my dress!??!?!?!!! Like are you kidding me! Its a month away from my wedding day, do you really think that I dont have my dress!!! UGH. I have finally realized that I hate people, or at least stupid people. And there are an awful lot of them in my office.....

Albert or Marilyn

This is the craziest thing I've seen in a long time. You have to get out of your seat and walk away from your computer. People may think you're crazy. But it's well worth it.

When you look at this picture close up, you see Albert Einstein, but if you stand about fifteen feet away, the picture will become Marilyn Monroe.

T9 texting

And why the hell does the word "foot" show on first on T9 when texting, when all you are trying to text is "DONT"!! Who uses the word "foot" that often! Try it and you will be as annoyed as I am right now!

And so the stress begins

Let the stress begin. With 79 days left till the wedding its all starting to get to me. I have, as most would say, been a very calm bride. Not letting to much get to me. But then it happend, yesterday, like a bat out of hell. I was completey fine, at work, watching the mongrals swarm the freezer for the ice cream that just arrived, when all the sudden, I lost it. Crying like a baby. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME. As soon as I get to my parents, its starts again. Waterfalls shooting out of my eyes! WTF!!! This is not me, I will not get stressed! Its something about the word "wedding" that makes EVERY bride stress, those who say "I didnt stress over my wedding" are freaking liars! I dont care if you are freaking JLO, and have a million people doing things for you, if you are a bride you will stress!! FAVORS, INVITATIONS, REHEARSAL DINNER, FAVORS, GUEST LIST! It will all make you stress!!!!!!! And to top things off I have to be at work every day and deal with 220 kids who get excited when the ice cream man arrives, literally pushing him out of the way as he stocks the freezer!!! For those of you who dont realize the 220 kids I am talking about are actually my fellow employees! What will become of me....

Rules when doing #2 in the bathroom at work

So nothing is worse then when you are running into the bathroom to go # 1 and when you open the stall door there awaits a suprise...a little leftover from the person before you. Now i dont know about most people but I find it repulsive going #1 over someone else's left overs. What is something accidentially splashes up! What if you fall in the toilet? Oh the thoughts that run thru your mind. Why Why Why dont people know the double flush rule!! If you are going #2, which we all do, please make sure you flush twice so nothing is left over. I dont think this is asking too much, just a simple courtsey flush or two.

Still in mourning...

One hot group!!

Now that its all over :(
Here is a great picture of Meg's best girls! And I do have to say that we all look smoking!

Things that happened today at work...like you really care

So my day began like every other day....
Took a shower
Straightned my hair
Made my coffee
On the road

Everyday seems to be an adventure, always something new happening. My boss was in China for the last 2 weeks, upon his return he will notice that he now has a new name tag on the outside of his office....."Me Kei Long" .....apparently thats his name in Chinese, at least thats what I was told. I might not have a job after he see's it. I am hoping he has a sense of humor.

Other issues at work:

Apparently I am or have some connections with law enforcement -
2 people who were parked illegally got tickets and thought that I would do something about it.
Do they really think that I could tell the cops to rip up the ticket? That its unfair that they were ticketed. In case you missed it THEY WERE PARKED ILLEGALLY! Pay your fine and deal with it.

They are closing the parking lot for renovations in July....yes thats right JULY. Prob the hottest month of the summer. Now I will have to walk a mile to get to the office. Oh what a number the humidity will do on my hair. I am not happy about the situation.

I had breakfast for lunch and lunch for breakfast.

They complain when its too hot, now they are complaing that its too cold. BRING A SWEATER!

A certain someone fell asleep at his desk...yet again. DRINK SOME REDBULL!

Billy Ocean's Caribbean Queen played 3 times today.

Exciting isnt it?

I just had to steal this from you Nikki! What a great picture of all of us! Too bad the FREAKING BRIDE IS HIDDEN IN THE BACK!!

Well at least she is smiling!

Whats grosser than gross

Which is worse......this or that....discuss

My Very first Blog....I am scared

So here it is, I have officially become a "blogger". Thanks to my wonderful friends Nikki C. and Megan U. (thats right folks, Megan is no longer an "M" She has officially become a "U" as of Friday June 13th!!!)

Lets see how long before my work blocks this web site.

By now they have blocked almost every photo share site (which is really annoying when you are coming off of your friends wedding, and you are reallly looking forward to seeing the pictures on monday morning when you come back to work!!) I am unable to "myspace" and "facebook" soon enough they will not longer give me access to fellow blogger Perez Hilton. But I beg of you , PLEASE PLEASE dont take away my People! I would much prefer to browse your site free of charge then pay for a magazine that I will scan thru for about a week, only to have it sit in my magazine rack for months, until I finally decide that its time to get rid of some of the "junk" that has accumulated.

So for now, I hope you enjoy my blogs. When you stop seeing new posts you will know that the IT team was on to me and blocked me.