Goin' South

A week from this coming Thursday, I will be headed down to Tennessee with my mother and my sister Erin to visit my Grandpa Calderwood. Trips in the past were always filled with great joy as this used to be like our "spa trip" or summer getaway. This trip, however, is very different. My grandfather is passing. He refuses to go into a nursing home or hospice hospital because he wants to die at home. Thus, my mother, Uncle John, and Cousin Abbey have been making bi-monthly trips to his home to help take care of him when respid care is unavailable. I know this trip will be tough, very tough. It pains me to say it, but his days are numbered. I can't help but think though, of all the fond memories through the years that we have had with our visits down south. Memphis, The Peabody, the stinky papermill we have to drive past through Kentucky, the pool, running down long winding roads, and the Southern drawls are all so comforting to think about. While this trip will be one of the hardest, I know it will also create new memories. Memories my sister and I can talk about in the years to come.

Guest Blogging

Today I was asked by the creator of this blog to guest post. I am sure this will end just like Conan, with the creator offering me millions of dollars to regain control of what was rightfully hers to begin with. But enough rambling. Let's get on to the several events and happenings of this weekend.

Saturday started with a bang. Sara and I snagged some breakfast at Wendy's and then headed to Home Depot for a new bathroom faucet. The old faucet in our bedroom has been dripping for most of 2010. Not even some new parts back in January could extend the life of this faucet. Once we had one picked out, my friend Jeremy from work came over to help me install it. Well ...... that's not entirely correct. Jeremy did all the work and I assisted him. The new faucet works great and looks great too. Thanks Jeremy. Check out the pic to the left.

And most importantly, the Iowa State Cyclones got a huge victory over the #5 ranked Kansas State Wildcats. This victory was a little overdue and a long time in the making, but no one ever said being a Cyclones is easy. Congrats to the two men in the picture for their perseverance this season.

While the Cyclones were taking care of business against K-State, Sara and I took care of dinner on the new grill. This was my splurge for the spring. It makes me feel like a real man when I can cook an animal to 500 degrees. The steaks we cooked tasted great and made it feel like summer was just around the corner. Another great picture is attached.

And on a sad note, Sara was traumatized when my winter facial hair went south for the winter. She just has to get one last snap of the beard before it magically disappeared this morning. Of course the pic is added as well.

Deep Cleansing

Believe it or not we had a snow day. So, snow day equals deep cleaning the house day! Yay! This may make me sound like a ultra neat freak; however, I just can't beat that lemon fresh sent that smells like spring. Ahhhh! The extra time on my hands also got me thinking about the great throwdown which will be occuring within the summer months between myself and me fatha! So, I e-mailed a couple of mi amigos (Bobby Flay and the owners of Fiorella's Jackstack BBQ) this question:

Within the summer months, I am co-hosting a BBQ throwdown with my father. We are co-hosting a couple’s wedding shower for my sister. As a resident of Kansas City, the theme came about from Bobby Flay's show and our family's great passion for awesome food. My assignment is the almighty pork loin. I have requested to use the gas grill and have a killer rub; however, am questioning the use of a smoker. My rub includes typical native ingredients indigenous to the Kansas City BBQ area, but also utilizes the smoky aromas of smoked paprika. With the smoked paprika in mind, is there really any need to slave over a smoker all day in order to achieve my throwdown greatness?

Any suggestions?? I have also began formulating the ideas to change the format of my blog. Since I love and have a huge passion for food....why not share it with you all? While the population is quite small right now, I believe we could all share something that is great. Hopefully, some of that being my food. I don't want this turning into one of those typical blogs where you see a photo of everything I ate that day, but maybe something with some good ideas for you and your family to share. What are your thoughts?

Best Birthday

My sister, Erin, came down this weekend for my birthday celebration and to do a little wedding dress shopping. Originally, I was very nervous and thought that I might be sabotoging the day. Somehow, with a little hope, a little planning, and a positive attitude the day was one of those perfect days you don't want to end. We started at a bridal boutique up the street from my house that graciously served mimosas. Erin tried on four beautiful dresses. Each dress was different and stunning. Amongst all the wedding bliss and mimosas; however, we picked out the top two dresses without discussing designers or price. Ha! Then, we headed to my favorite sushi place. Mmmm...spicy tuna rolls and the firecracker roll. With the 40 degree weather and sunshine, it was like reliving fond memories from the summer. Next, we visited the bridal shop from which I purchased my gown. It brought back more good memories. Erin even had the same consultant! It was at Ida's Erin found her dress. Although she did have to sleep on the decision, we went back the next day and made the big purchase. After the great success in wedding dress shopping, we did a little shopping and ended the day with a great Italian feast at Garozzo's. Justin was so sweet and continued to surprise me with little gifts of chocolate and Penzy's Spices. I am so thankful to have such a great husband and family. Thank you to everyone who was here to celebrate, the lovely birthday cards, and phone calls. It was truly a special day!

19 and Counting

Last night I indulged in a guilty pleasure. I do not usually watch much T.V.; however, Justin was in class so I had free range over the remote. I was captivated between the Discovery Channel and TLC's show about the Dougar family. Can you really help yourself? It is really one of nature's great mysteries that the woman birthed 19 children! Anyhow, I've come to the conclusion that the only reason there has not been a pop culture quiz question over the show. Will she have more kids?? Here is how I would state the million dollar question..."In 2010, TLC aired the reality show hit 19 Kids and Counting about a religious family with 19 naturally born children. Can you name all 19 children?" So, can you? Maybe for the challenge you could even time it. Ha!

New Year's Resolutions & Keeping Them

I really do not like New Year's Resolutions. This is usually because everyone I know, myself included, has good intentions with starting the new year off right with losing weight, quiting something, exercising, etc. What I've found is that really these resolutions should be called affirmations. One of my A.P. high school English teachers said if you put your statements or resolutions into statements such as "I will" or an affirmation, you are more likely to commit to your affirmation versus your resolution. Since my sophomore year of high school, I've done this and believe Mrs. Moberg is totally right. She was also very wise in stating that you must keep your list small and logical. I find myself tyring to "affirm" to a lengthy list all the time. What overachiever doesn't? We are always trying to achieve perfection. Perfection is somewhat of a problem too. Really, aren't we as humans always looking for zen or balance? Therefore, I tried to put my so called "New Year's Resolutions" into a very tight perspective the last two years. I've realized I will not be perfect. No one is and the more you try to paint a perfect picture or idolize perfect people you only begin to see more shortfalls or the less perfect picture.

So what are Sara Nickel's New Year's Affirmations you ask? Well, that is somewhat complex. They are really on a week to week basis as I am starting very small. My first affirmation this week was to work out at least two times this week. My Wii Fit is holding me very accountable to this! I was commenting to one of the fifth grade students today about how much I love my Wii Fit game. He said, "I hate that stupid thing! I wasn't on it for a month. That was Christmas. Of course I was eating good stuff all month. Next thing I know, I got on it and it told me I was fat!" We both laughed really hard because I told him my Wii told me the same thing. Not that I fear technology or anything, but the little Wii Fit board is holding me accountable for doing something small everyday. Good news is, my affirmation held true. I've now worked out and stepped on that Wii four days this week. I will probably set my goal for three days of physical activity next week:)

I know this blog post might be a little deep; however, maybe it will help someone if they change their thinking. I know I had to change mine.

Happy MLK Weekend!

Don't you love three day weekends? I know not all of you get MLK Day off from work. Really, it is kind of a random celebration; but, many thanks to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for all of your contributions. Not to mention, the day off from work in your honor.

So, I had started freaking out a little bit after graduation about what to do with all of this new time on my hands. School was always my out to forget or let go of things because at the end of a work day, I had to be a student. In some ways it was a stress relief. So far so good, though. Life has found ways to fill the time gap. For example, our house is a lot tidier, I've actually done some decorating, and I've actually been working out and enjoying it again. The Wii Fit is amazing. It's like P.E. class back in elementary school when it used to be fun in the comfort of your own home. Food blogs have turned into another interest and inspiration. I love to cook healthfully, but eat well. We try to eat our five servings of fruits and veggies a day without having to be granola crunchers. It's really cool that there are so many other people in the world with this mission. Have you noticed the ever growing list of new blogs on my list? Check them out. Some are a little extreme in the health department, but offer really good information. Others have some great recipes with all of the "how to" instructions.

Finally, has anyone seen the clip of the little kids Jersey Shore? Freakin' hilarious people. You can check it out at http:www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/14/little-jersey-shore-kids_n_423281.html